This post contains some affiliate links. If you decide to buy something based on my recommendation and you use the links below, I will receive a small commission.
*PR Samples are marked with an asterisk
**Gifts with purchase/ gifts from friends are marked with a double asterisk
This is my second empties post of the year, my first one was back in February if you'd like to read it. This time I have 46 empty products a couple of which are multiples. I have calculated everything based on what I bought myself, what was sent in press drops and some gifts. I knew it would be more than last time as I was dealing with another 6 weeks worth of products. I found it so interesting to see what I used up as I've been trying to maintain my one in one out policy. It's also been interesting to see where I could save money. The products that aren't very good value for money and the products I don't need.
*L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Moisture Boosting Shampoo and Conditioner 250ml, €4.99 each
I was given these products at a press event back in April. I was invited to have my hair washed and blow-dried in a salon in Dublin. It was such a treat as I haven't been able to visit my hair stylist in over a year. I wasn't expecting much with this new Hyaluronic Acid launch. It felt like a gimmick and L'Oréal jumping on the Hyaluronic Acid trend but doing it in a different way. However, I was genuinely surprised by how my hair felt after using these products. I thought it was just the blow dry but when I washed it myself it felt the same. It felt soft and looked hydrated which is hard to achieve as my naturally curly hair is quite dry and frizzy. I very rarely notice a difference between the shampoos and conditioners I use but I did with these ones. They're quite affordable too. I'll be buying them myself for sure.
*L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic 72H Moisture Wrapping Mask 300ml, €10.49
Like the shampoo and conditioner, this left my hair feeling hydrated and sleek. It's a thicker and more hydrating version of the conditioner. I would probably buy the shampoo and mask if I was to buy them myself. My hair is dry so I don't wash it that often and I usually use a mask instead of conditioner anyway.
I was so excited to try this after seeing some other curly-haired people mention how much they loved it. It didn't do enough for me to warrant spending €40 on it. I bought it using a discount code so it was less expensive but I have tried cheaper masks that have made more of a difference to my hair. I've also used their Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Hair Mask which I preferred, but I still think it's too expensive full price. I'd rather buy the L'Oréal one or a similar price point if I was buying a hair mask. I'm using a better one at the moment which will most likely be in my next empties. It wasn't worth the money to me but this could be because of my hair type.
Rituals The Ritual of Jing Night Rescue Hand Mask 70ml, €10.50
I love Rituals hand care products. I have been buying them for years and I've always found them to be effective as well as inexpensive. This product seems to be discontinued as I can't find it anywhere online but their Hand Balms are basically the same. I use them at night as they're a thicker texture. They make a difference to my hands and the scents are beautiful. I'll definitely be buying them again.
CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream x 4 50ml, €6.49
This was the only hand cream I tried that didn't irritate or sting my hands during the height of the first lockdown. My hands were in a bad way. I had dermatitis from constantly washing my hands in work as well as using hand sanitiser countless times a day. I needed to repair my skin barrier and do so without irritation. This is a very simple formula and it worked. My hands started to get bad again recently so I went back to this and have used 4 tubes in the past 3 months. The only issue I have with this product is the size. I found myself going through them so fast and it works out more expensive than you'd think. So I recently bought a 300ml pump bottle of hand cream from the brand Nursem. It's much better for ease of use and worked out less expensive too.
Avene Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream 100ml, €11.45
I didn't like this at all. So much so that I stopped using it so it's not empty and I don't want to pass it on to anyone because I wouldn't recommend it at all. In theory, it's what I was looking for but it left an almost powder-like film on my hands after rubbing it in. They felt even drier than before I applied it. I didn't enjoy using it at all and it wasn't worth continuing to try it out because it felt so uncomfortable on my hands. It may not bother you but it wasn't for me.
*Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Balm 100ml, €25
I was using this before my hands started to get bad again. I have used the Clarins Hand Cream for years and I love it, it's a highly rated product for a reason. I was sent this in a press drop a few months ago and I was intrigued to see if it was different to the original. As with most hand balms, it's a thicker texture and more suited to using at night. I loved it and would buy it again when my hands are a bit more back to normal and I can use products with fragrance again. It's ideal as a night treatment for your hands and nails which is how I liked to use it.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g, €24
This was my third time purchasing the Lip Sleeping Mask. I usually buy it when there's 20% off on Cult Beauty. I find it to be an effective overnight lip treatment and it lasts me a long time as I usually just use it at night. I will most definitely be buying this again when I have finished the lip balm I'm using at the moment.
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm (Berry) 10g, €18
To me, this is the daytime version of the Lip Sleeping Mask. I prefer a tube lip balm to keep in my bag and for during the day at home as it's more hygienic and easier to use. I would say this is a less intense but more glossy version of the LSM. It's not a gloss but more a very shiny balm. I usually apply it alone if I'm not wearing makeup. If I am wearing makeup I will apply it at the start so that it dries down a bit by the time I'm finished. I find it to be excellent at preparing my lips for any other lip products and I enjoy the scent and texture. It's half the amount of the LSM so perhaps it's not as good value for money. I loved it and I have no doubt I'll buy it again but as I mentioned I am trying to use what I already have first.
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic x 2 250ml, €32
I mentioned this in my last empties as it's a product I always have in my skincare routine. I have been using this for years and have gone through countless bottles. It's a lactic acid chemical exfoliant which is my preference as it's more gentle on my skin. I use this a couple of times a week alternating with a salicylic acid based product. I keep buying this because it works and I notice a difference when I don't use it.
Fenty Skin Total Cleans'r 45ml, €13
This was a travel size from a set I bought when Fenty Skin launched in Europe over a year ago now. I was using up other cleansers before I tried this one so I only got around to using it a couple of months ago. It removed my makeup well and had a light sweet scent. The texture is thicker than a balm or oil. I didn't dislike it but I prefer a thinner consistency. I liked this cleanser and happily used it but I wouldn't buy the full size as there are many other cleansers I like better.
*Lancôme Absolue Oil-in-Gel Cleanser 50ml, €32 (Travel Size GWP approximated from full size price which is €80 for 125ml)
I liked the texture of this cleanser, it's almost like a balm, oil and gel mixed. It removed my makeup effectively too. I wouldn't buy it myself purely because of the price and the scent. I find a lot of high-end brands add a perfumed scent into their skincare. Although I don't usually react to fragrance, I didn't like this scent. For me most of the reason I like or dislike a product is the experience of using it and scent has a huge hand in that. It's something to keep in mind if you are sensitive to fragrance.
I bought this when I ran out of a second/morning cleanser and didn't have a backup. I went into Boots and couldn't decide what to buy so I ended up going with La Roche-Posay. It's a brand that makes simple and effective products that are a bit more "affordable". I was having some breakouts at the time so I went with a cleanser from the Effaclar range. It contains glycerin for hydration. Zinc PCA, an anti-inflammatory to help with breakouts. And niacinamide which is an all-around great ingredient. This is a basic cleanser in the best way possible. It does what it's meant to and doesn't irritate my skin. It's great as a second or morning cleanser and I would buy it again as I always find LRP products work well for my skin.
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm 90g, €42
This product was in my last empties. I used a different cleanser in between finishing the last one and opening this one and I really missed it. I was so excited to open a fresh one. I wrote a bit more about the brand last time so I'll keep it brief. This is an experiential cleanser that feels and smells wonderful. I know I didn't pay full price, I think it was 20% off. If I could afford it for full price I would buy it but to me €42 is too expensive for a cleanser. I adore this product but I'm trying to use less expensive cleansers and spend a bit more on serums instead. If you can afford it, I can't recommend it enough.
I bought this after I used up the other La Roche-Posay cleanser. This is for removing makeup too which I found helpful as a second cleanser. Sometimes you need that extra help, especially for waterproof or long-wearing makeup. The Toleraine range is extra gentle as it is formulated for sensitive and reactive skin. I also bought this because it's a 400ml size with a pump which meant it would last a lot longer. As with the Effaclar one, it's a very simple cleanser formula. What it lacks in excitement it makes up for in ease of use and reliability. I would buy this again, especially for when my skin needs some extra TLC.
I've had this for quite a while now but I never fully finished it because I got excited by other makeup priming products. It's a great, inexpensive priming moisturiser for anyone who has more combination/oily skin. It contains a naturally derived alternative to silicone so it makes an excellent base for makeup but without that slippery silicone feeling. It's a less expensive version of the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. I'd probably buy this instead because they're very similar and this one is more wallet-friendly.
I wouldn't buy this again because I didn't like the texture. It's not as heavy as some sunscreens but I have found others that I like more and work much better under makeup for me. If I'm wearing sunscreen with makeup over it I need something I know will work under most of my base products. If I was going on holiday and not wearing makeup it would be fine. I actually do like Avène as a brand even though I didn't get on with the two products mentioned in this post.
*Clarins Double Serum Eye 20ml, €63
I loved the original facial Double Serum so when I saw the eye version I was very interested to try it. I was sent this and I loved using it and how it made my eye area look and feel. It worked very well under makeup too. The only negative thing about it for me is the price. I wouldn't spend that much on an eye cream at the moment. I have noticed more fine lines around my eyes and my eye area is quite dry so I would always use an eye cream. I know they're not always necessary and so many people don't use them. I can't use my moisturiser under my eyes as I've had issues doing that in the past. Your budget is going to dictate whether you think this is too expensive for an eye cream. For me it is. If I had more disposable income I would say it's worth it. I do think it's worth spending on the areas that are most of concern to you. I always try to spend on eye cream, serums and SPF and then buy less expensive cleansers and moisturisers. But it's all personal and relative to your skin and budget. You can get an excellent eye cream for half the price of this one. But if you can afford it I don't think you would be disappointed. Especially if you love the Double Serum.
This is €17 less than the Clarins one which may not seem like a lot, but spending €46 seems a lot more reasonable than spending €63. This is a completely different texture to the Clarins one. It's an eye cream with a richer texture. It has a plant-based retinol alternative so it's not going to give the same results as retinol. It's close enough that if you can't use retinol or find it too irritating this one will be more gentle. It also contains hyaluronic acid, protein peptides, squalane and glycerin so it's very hydrating, which is exactly what I need for my eye area. I enjoyed using this and next time I'm in the market for an eye cream I would buy this one.
**Clarins Beauty Flash Balm 30ml, €24 (Travel Size GWP approximated price based on full size 50ml for €41)
Beauty Flash Balm is one of the first high-end products I ever tried. My mam would buy it years ago and I would use it because I loved the scent. I don't think I knew what it was supposed to do. Later on, I would use it as a makeup primer and now the scent is so nostalgic for me. They have recently reformulated it so I'm very interested to try the new one to see if it's very different. I might buy it at some stage to see how they compare.
*Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum 50ml, €112
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did. The selling point is that it contains a cocktail of ingredients that are known to work for the skin. It has hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and niacinamide and ferulic acid. These are all ingredients I have found to make a difference to my skin, although I do prefer glycerin and squalane when it comes to hydration. I found that this did make a difference in how my skin looked and felt. It improved brightness and texture which are two things I've been trying to work on since having post-pregnancy acne last year. This is an expensive product and that's the only reason I probably wouldn't purchase it myself (full price anyway). I was so sad when I realised I had used it all up. What I will say is that whether this is worth it for you will depend on the type of skincare user you are and your budget. This is an easy one and done product that you could use if you don't have any ongoing skin issues. They're ingredients that most people can use and are known to make a difference. I always try to use products with vitamin c and niacinamide as well as a hydrating serum. These ingredients combined with ferulic acid take the effort out of having to buy and use separate products. The question is would I buy a serum for €112? Even though I loved this product, it's a lot to drop that much money on one product. If I was to buy my favourite hydrating serum, vitamin c serum and niacinamide serum it would cost about €170. So having all three in one product would save me money. If you can afford it and you like Lancôme skincare this product has surprised me and makes my skin look better.
I didn't notice much difference using this unlike when I used the Lancôme serum or my favourite Pestle and Mortar Vitamin C one. The texture is quite watery which I found made it difficult to apply without it running down my hands. It may not be strong enough for my skin but it could work well for someone who is only just starting to use vitamin c. I wouldn't buy it myself though as I have used other products where I see more of a difference in my skin.
I didn't think I'd like this because I don't usually like serums with hyaluronic acid as much as other hydrating ingredients. However I did think this did a good job at giving my skin some added moisture. I wouldn't buy it myself as I do have other serums I prefer over this one. But if you do like hyaluronic acid then it could be one to try as it's a great price point.
*Kiehls Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate 50ml, €51
I've bought this before myself and liked it. I particularly like the lightweight creamy gel texture. It contains glycerin to hydrate and silicones to keep the moisture in. I could see it being a great hydrating serum for makeup artists because of the texture. I wouldn't buy it again because I prefer the bareMinerals Skinlongevity Serum and they are around the same price.
**Seoulista Fresh Skin Facial Mist 50ml, €15
This is a special one for me because my friend sent it to me in a care package for my hospital bag last year. It came in so handy because there was a mini heatwave when I was in the hospital and it was so warm and sticky in the ward. It was amazing used in conjunction with a small handheld fan I brought with me too. It has some great ingredients like Centella Asiatica, panthenol, blueberry and hibiscus extract which calm, soothe and protect your skin. I enjoyed using this and would buy it again.
**Purple Cloud Lavender Mist Spray 100ml, €18
This isn't a beauty product but I thought I'd include it anyway. My boyfriend's mother bought this for me to bring with me in my hospital bag as I love the scent of lavender and find it very calming. It was one of those products you don't need but I found it nice to have a familiar scent around me in the hospital to calm me. I loved using it and it lasted for a long time. I'd buy this again because I have such wonderful memories associated with it.
*Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Hydrating Multi-Protection Mist 75ml, €30.50
I was sent this last Summer but I was using a different facial mist at the time. I waited until I was finished that to start using this one. It has a light, fresh scent that reminds me of the sea. It also has an excellent mister that sprays an even and satisfying amount of product. This is a gorgeous product to use in warmer weather too. Would I buy it again? Most likely not because I have others I like that are less expensive.
Pixi Beauty Glow Mist 160ml, €24
I have had countless bottles of this mist. It's something I use all the time but especially in the colder months. It's excellent at helping makeup mesh with my skin, especially powders and it gives an extra bit of glow. It's a product I will continue to repurchase as I haven't found anything else that gives me the same results. I'd also recommend buying the 160ml size as it's better value for money and lasts so much longer too.
Auric Cosmetics Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer (Morganite) 35ml, $45
I repurchased this before I had finished it because I didn't want to be without it and that's how I know it's a winner. This replaced Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter for me. They are similar products but I prefer the Auric one, I find it looks better on my skin. It's a better shade match too, it's more neutral than the fairest shade in HFF. I use it as a primer all over my face, to highlight under or over foundation or mix with liquid blush. It's harder to buy as it's only available online and shipping is expensive so that's the only negative for me.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Soft Matte Hydra Makeup (1N2 Ecru) 30ml, €41
I believe this foundation has been discontinued and replaced by Double Wear Sheer. I loved the original formula of this and used it for years. The reformulation wasn't as good but I did still enjoy using it. It had medium coverage with excellent staying power and no transfer. There's no point in going into more detail since it's no longer available. I may try the new Double Wear Sheer in the future.
I'm in two minds about this concealer. I didn't pay full price for it, I bought it in a set with the powder and it was around €40 for both. I loved both products and I'm almost finished with the powder too. Unfortunately I had to stop using the concealer before I finished it because it was no longer performing as well. The expiry on it is 6 months and I used it for over a year and it started to dry out around the year mark. Up until that point, I loved it and used it almost every day. I don't apply much concealer under my eyes so they tend to last me a long time and that's the issue I had with this. I should buy smaller size concealers because I don't seem to get my money's worth. I do recommend this one and the shade match was spot on. I may buy it again in the future but I haven't decided yet.
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer Stick (Baked) 26g, €22
This was another case of too much product. I used this a lot and yet it went bad before I finished it. There is far too much in the tube, I don't know how any average makeup wearing person would get through it. I actually would buy it again because I liked the formula and the shade which is rare for my skin tone. If I do buy it again I'll get the mini size which I'm sure would be plenty for me.
I have repurchased this three or four times now but I won't be buying it again. It's not a bad product at all but I can get very similar for less money. I like the ones from Refy, NYX Professional Makeup, Soap and Glory or West Barn Co. Another negative is that there are only two shades which is not good enough.
Glossier Boy Brow (Brown) 3.12g, €16
I don't think I could tell you how many of these I have been through over the years. I keep repurchasing because I find it's easy to use and not too expensive. It doesn't have the best hold I've ever tried but it's fine for me on an everyday basis.
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder 10g, €48
This is one that yet again that was let down by its expiry date which is 6 months. I found after that it started to dry out and not perform as well. I hadn't even used a third of it so it was a huge waste. I loved the powder but I don't use enough powder for this to make sense as a repurchase. If you do want to try it I would recommend buying the Pressed Powder Travel Size which is €19 for 2.5g. The value isn't as good for the amount but I'd be more inclined to use this size powder which would mean less waste. I probably will buy it again but I have so many powders to get through before buying a new one. If you're someone who uses powder a lot then it might be a good product to buy. You can usually always find it discounted too.
Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara 6.5ml, €33
I bought this because I had never tried it and always heard good things. It was bought at a discount, I paid around €24. I liked it but I didn't love it. I much prefer Monsieur Big or Lash Idôle Mascara so I won't be repurchasing it.
*Clarins Supra Lift & Curl Mascara 8ml, €31
It's the same situation with this one, I liked it but I didn't love it. I much prefer their Wonder Perfect 4D mascara, which is one of the best mascaras I've tried. Mascara is so personal as everyone's eyelashes are so different. This might be the ideal mascara for someone else.
I love this mascara as a more everyday or minimal makeup mascara. It gives excellent length and a fanned-out effect. It's a formula that builds easily without clumping too. To me it's like a more intense version of Glossier Lash Slick, it almost gives a "your lashes but better" effect. Is she wearing mascara or does she have great natural lashes? I have been sent a few of these over the years but I would have no problem spending my own money on it.
Glossier Cloud Paint (Haze) 10ml, €20
I've mentioned the Cloud Paint blushes countless times here and on Instagram. They have recently been overshadowed by the Lisa Eldridge Enlivening Blushes which I've been wearing constantly for the past year. I do still love the Cloud Paints. I rarely wear one shade alone, I usually mix a couple and then add a liquid highlighter. I'm fairly sure the price has gone up but I will more than likely continue to repurchase them. Haze is one of my favourite shades and this is the second tube of it that I have used up.
I bought this brush about a year and a half ago and then got sent it in PR a month later. It quickly became one of my favourite brushes and not just because it looks cute, it works well too. Then, after about 6 months of use, it started shedding. Some of it came away from the glue so it became lopsided and more clumps of bristles started coming out. I eventually gave up because every time I washed it more hair came out. Every time I used it I was left with brush hairs across my face. I've been using the other one for about a year now and I haven't had the same issues yet. If you read my last empties you'll know I had the same issue with another IT Cosmetics brush. I love this brush and I use it all the time but if the same thing happened again I wouldn't replace it because I've been burned twice now.
**Rebeluna Sponge €13.95
Gracey O'Connell sent this to me with some other Rebeluna brushes about a year and a half ago. I haven't been using it that long, but I had forgotten to dispose of it until now. So I thought I'd include it here even though it's not technically empty. I've tried a few different complexion sponges now, the Beauty Blender, the By Terry one and the Real Techniques one but this one is my favourite. I don't use a sponge too much but I do like them. The issue I have is that you have to replace them more often than brushes so I usually prefer to buy a brush instead. I will buy more of these though as I do like to have a sponge on hand to use with certain foundations. You can usually get them at a discounted price too which is always a good time to stock up.
The totals are as follows:
15 PR Samples - €546.97
28 Purchased by me - €621.91
3 Gifts from friends or Gifts With Purchase- €70.95
The total amount is €1239.83 for 46 products over five months. I was going by the RRP or the least expensive full price I could find. I didn't spend that much on the products I bought. I would say most of the products had at least 20% off because I usually wait until there's a discount to buy something. So I'd say I actually spent less than €500 on those 28 products. It's still a lot and averages at about €100 worth of products per month, which I'm sure is quite normal for a lot of people. I'm aware that had I not received those 15 products that were PR samples I probably would have spent more money myself. I know I'm very lucky in that respect. The reason I wanted to continue to put these posts together is that I find this kind of content interesting and helpful. I also wanted to be as transparent as possible by giving a detailed account of exactly what I buy, what I'm sent, what I use and what I would or wouldn't want to use again. Despite my relatively small community online I do accumulate quite a lot of products from press drops. There is a percentage of products I have received that I give away or send to people because I won't be able to use them. I only have one face and most products should last a couple of months at least so there's no way for me to try everything. Using a smaller selection of products until they are empty is a much better way for me to test them out and give my fully formed opinion.
I think I can learn a lot from compiling these posts about what kinds of products I like, what I shouldn't spend money on and where I could save. It's interesting for me if not for anyone else. Everyone has different needs, preferences and skin types so what works for me may not for you and vice versa. I'd love to know if you found it helpful or if there is anything else I could add or change. If you have time, I'd love to know if you have tried any of these products and if your opinion differs from mine. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and do let me know if there are any reviews you'd like to see.
Emma x
