Empties 2- €1200 Worth of Empty Beauty Products

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. 

 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask 236ml, €40

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.

 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Hydrating Cleansing Cream 200ml, €16

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. 

 

La Roche-Posay Toleraine Cleansing and Make-Up Removal Fluid 400ml, €22

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. 

*Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer 50ml, €12

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. 

Avène Very High Protection SPF 50+ Mineral Fluid 40ml, €22

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. 

 

*bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Eye Cream 15g, €46

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. 

*IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dullness Vitamin C Serum 30ml, €25

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. 

 

*IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml, €25

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. 

 

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Concealer (L2) 5ml, €42

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. 

 

 

Delilah Cosmetics Brow Line Retractable Eyebrow Pencil (Sable) €23

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. 

*bareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Mascara 8ml, €26

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. 

 

*IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Love is the Foundation Brush €35

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

Independent Meow

Inspiration can come from the strangest places, this time it was from my niece's LOL toy, a colourful cat named Independent Meow. As soon as she proudly showed me her new toy I thought it would be fun to recreate the bright pink and black winged liner. Although I sent a photo of the look to my sister to show my niece thinking she would be very impressed but she just criticised it by telling me I forgot the blue glitter, my head wasn't white (although I disagree with that one) and I didn't have brown under my eyes.

Despite the harsh criticism of a four year old, I really loved how this turned out and it's reminded me to continue to look for inspiration everywhere. Obviously the pink eyeshadow is quite bright so I pared it with one of my favourite neutral lipsticks, Clinique Nude Pop and kept my skin fresh with the Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation. You can read my full review of it here. 

Rituals Sun Protection Face Cream SPF50
Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation (101 Linen)
bareMinerals bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer (Fair)
L'Oréal Paris Unbelieva'brow Long-Lasting Brow Gel (Dark Brunette)
Keyvn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Aging
Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
BPerfect Cosmetics Stacey Marie Carnival Palette (Funki)
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
Clarins Glow 2 Go Blush & Highlighter Duo Stick (Golden Peach)
Canmake Cream Cheek (07 Coral Orange)
Glossier Haloscope Face Highlighter (Moonstone)
Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder 
NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip Liner (Lavender & Lace)
Clinique Pop Lip Colour and Primer (Nude Pop)

What do you think? Would you look for makeup inspiration in the toy box?

Emma x

My Favourite And Most Used Products Of 2017

I hadn't planned on writing any round ups of the year but after reading everyones favourites posts over the past few weeks I started to think about my own favourites and realised there were so many products I discovered and loved last year so I thought I'd share my favourite and most used products of 2017 with you all.

I had to put some sort of limit on it so I've made a list of twenty makeup, skincare, body care and fragrance favourites both new last year and new to me. Once I started writing the list I realised there were some products that I immediately knew I had to include as I'd repurchased them or had solely used that product over any other in my collection for most of the year. This is going to be a long one so let's just get straight into it with makeup favourites.

L'Oréal Miss Baby Roll

I've only really used a few mascaras this year, most of which I have loved. MAC Upward Lash was given to me by my sister for my birthday and it is probably the best mascara I've used in a long time. However it falls down and smudges on me which is the only reason it hasn't made it onto the list. It's so frustrating because it makes my lashes look incredible but it's just so annoying having to clean it up throughout the day. I know a lot of people love this and it doesn't fall down on them so I'd be inclined to purchase it again just to see if it was a bad tube I got. The mascara I'm currently using is Lancôme Monsieur Big which is amazing too and doesn't fall down on me so I highly recommend that if you don't mind spending a bit more on your mascaras. The ones I wasn't all that impressed by were Benefit Roller Lash which was a sample I got in a goody bag at an event (not blog related) and Urban Decay Troublemaker* which just didn't blow me away although again, I know a lot of people loved it. The most inexpensive of all the ones I've tried this year and the only one I repurchased was the L'Oréal Miss Baby Roll. It's just such a great mascara especially at only €10.49, I'd gladly pay more for it but I just think because of the price it's the best option of all the ones I've tried this year. I wrote a full review of it which you can read here.

Glossier Boy Brow (Cruelty Free)

I've written a blog post dedicated to Boy Brow so I won't go into too much detail except to say there's a reason everyone raves about this, it's just such a great product. It's a thick pomade textured formula and a small brush so it really grabs each hair and holds it in place but without getting any product on the skin around the brows. I've tried lots of these kinds of products and apart from the Lancôme one which I wrote about here, this is the only other one I've tried that has worked as well but Boy Brow is less expensive at $16/£14. It's the only brow product I use most days when I'm getting ready for work and I'm on my second tube and definitely not my last. This is one I'm going to be repurchasing for a long time.

Glossier Cloud Paint  (Cruelty Free)

The second of three Glossier products that made my list. Again I've just recently written about these here, so I won't repeat myself but all you really need to know is that these are the only blush products I've used since April. My tube of Puff is running dangerously low so I'll have to repurchase that soon and I've been loving Dusk since I bought it in October. They are just such easy to use, natural and effortless blushes, I don't even want to use powder blush anymore. I'll definitely be completing my collection and picking up Beam and Haze at some point. At only $18/£15 you really get value for money.

Glossier Haloscope (Cruelty Free)

I've written in more depth about Haloscope in this post but once again, like with all other Glossier products this is one for those who want a natural, effortless look. I wasn't too impressed by these when I quickly swatched them in the showroom but after seeing them in action on other people I was converted. They are not the most pigmented of highlighting products but it's more about the texture and sheen. I've found the best way to use it is to rub my middle and forefinger on the bullet (easy now) and then tap it onto my cheeks etc. It's quite a stiff product so once you warm it up it's much easier to apply. If you apply directly from the tube onto your skin it could move your base underneath. I just adore the glow I get from this, I will 100% be buying a back up of this and trying out the shade Moonstone too.

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner (Cruelty Free)

I saw a few people recommend this throughout the year and so once my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ran out I decided to give it a try as at €12 it's almost half the price of the KVD one. I loved the Tattoo Liner but I find this better. It's smoother, easier to use and it's waterproof too but not difficult to remove. I don't wear liquid liner as much as I used to so this has lasted me quite a while without drying out. I'll definitely be repurchasing it once it's used up.

NYX Professional Makeup Dark Circle Concealer (Cruelty Free)

I've used this every day since I bought it earlier this year. It's the same idea as any colour correcting/brightening product. It's a peachy shade so it works really well at cancelling out my purple dark circles. I use this as a corrector by applying a light layer with my finger and patting it on and then using a concealer on top. I would make sure under your eyes is sufficiently hydrated before using this, however it does contain coconut oil to prevent it from looking cakey. If you only need a little colour correcting you might be able yo get away with using this on its own. Definitely one to try if you're self conscious about your dark circles like I am as it's only €9 so it's a lot more inexpensive than the likes of the Urban Decay or Bobbi Brown products that are similar.

Collection Precision Contouring Stick (Cruelty Free)

Another cheap and cheerful product from Boots. At only €5.49 (currently €3.99) this is one of the best value for money products I've bought all year. I've been using this every day since I got it and there's still so much of it left in the tube. It's the perfect lazy girls contouring product as it's a twist up cream contour stick that you just sweep on and blend in in seconds. I use the shade Light which is perfect for my fair skin, it's just pigmented enough that it gives a nice shaded effect without being too much. I think the fact that it's a cream products makes it easier to use as there's no way to really overdo it and if you apply too much you can always fix it  by blending it out with your foundation brush. I wanted to try the new Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand but at more than eight times the price of this one I don't think I could justify it when I'm so happy with how this works.

YSL All Hours Foundation*/ IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream (Cruelty Free)

I'm counting these as one because they're two different base products I use depending on what I'm doing. I use the CC Cream during the day when I know I'll be outside as it contains SPF50, the All Hours has SPF20 but I like to wear at least 30 during the day so I tend to save this for evenings or when I'm going out. I've written a full review of the IT Cosmetics CC Cream here so you can read about it in more detail. I bought it in New York in May and I've been trying to use it sparingly since because it's a bit more difficult to get hold of in Ireland, although you can buy it from Selfridges or QVC. It's such a great base that offers coverage, sun protection and skincare ingredients all in one. This is one I'll be repurchasing soon so I don't run out. The YSL is a more recent favourite. It's long wearing, matte finish, medium to full coverage, waterproof, transfer proof and oil free. I love this for when my skin is acting up and I want more coverage, but what I really love is that it doesn't look or feel heavy on my skin and it gives more of a glowing matte finish than a dry looking matte finish. Perhaps if you had dry skin it could look more matte. It's so easy to blend in and if you need or want to, you can apply a light layer and blend it out and then build it up for extra coverage. It's quite pricey at €42, but  like with most YSL products you get what you pay for. If you have more oily/combination skin and like a more medium to full coverage foundation that won't budge, this is definitely worth trying out. The shade range is also great for anyone who finds it difficult to find a foundation to suit their skin tone.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette (Cruelty Free)

This is a product I had very little interest in buying even though I'd seen it mentioned a lot by bloggers and YouTubers and it always seemed to get great reviews. To be honest I have so many palettes now and although they still excite me, I know I don't need any more so I tend to avoid any hype over new releases. My sister asked me to get it for her when I was in New York and I of course obliged, any excuse to buy makeup, even if it's not for me! After a couple of months I asked her if I could borrow it to play around with and see what I thought as I'd never tried anything from ABH before. The next day I tried it for the first time and I was so impressed. Yes, there is a lot of fallout, but if you're careful you can minimise it. The quality of the eyeshadows is up there with my favourites from Urban Decay. I love the selection of shades, I've used every colour which is rare for me with most palettes. It's one of those palettes that every time I open it I feel spoiled for choice and I'm always torn over what to choose because I love all of the shades so much. Every time I wear it I get so many people asking me what it is because the shades are so beautiful and unusual. I think I would have bought the Urban Decay Naked Heat if it wasn't for this but for now this is the only warm palette I need. See me wearing it in this post (and lots more on my Instagram!)

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick*

I was given two shades of these lipsticks at a press event last November and have worn both countless times over the past year. They are definitely my most worn lipsticks of the year. I was given Idôle (a coral red) and Rose Lancôme (a vibrant pink) and although I adore both shades, I am almost finished my tube of Idôle which is another rarity for me because I have so many lipsticks. I think the only other lipsticks I've finished are MAC Ruby Woo and Russian Red. I've written a full review of both lipsticks here if you want to know more about what I think but the reason I loved these so much is not only the gorgeous shades but the formula which is the most comfortable creamy matte that lasts incredibly well without feeling drying. I wear both of these constantly in work and I never have to worry about topping up or feathering. I think both shades would compliment any complexion. Lancôme's Creative Director Lisa Eldridge is responsible for these shades which is why they're so beautiful on, she knows her colours! I will without a doubt be repurchasing Idôle once it runs out which will be very soon, definitely my lipstick of the year and one of my favourites of all time. If you find true reds too intimidating I highly recommend trying Idôle as it's a coral red so it's a lot easier to wear which is helped by the formula. My other most used lip products of last year are the Lancôme Matte Shakers in the shades Energy Peach and Beige Vintage. You can read more about them here.

Molecule 02 by Eccentric Molecules (Cruelty Free)

I think 2017 was the year I rediscovered my love of perfumes. I discovered several amazing scents that have become absolute favourites already. The one I loved the most was Molecule 02. I am already a huge fan of Molecule 01 which I've worn for years now and I had actually never tried any of their other scents. One of the girls I work with wears Molecule 02 and every time she walked past me I loved the scent and had to find out what it was. Coincidentally she also wears 01 but has switched to 02 and I can see why. I definitely prefer it now, it's a scent that's almost impossible to describe because it's completely unique. All I can do is urge you to try it out for yourself. This is one that has quickly made it to my list of favourite perfumes of all time. It's also not too expensive at €38 for the 30ml size.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse Nuit

This is my evening fragrance of the year. Although I definitely don't save it just for evenings, in fact I wore it a lot last Spring. I'm a big fan of Estée Lauder scents, Sensuous Nude is probably my favourite perfume ever. I'm always curious to try their new fragrances so when I noticed this at a counter one day early last year, or late the year before I had to try it out it. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did as I normally don't go for these kinds of scents but I bought it a couple of weeks later because I loved it so much. It's got notes of Jasmine, Musk and Amber so it's quite warm, rich and sexy, like my ideal man. Another fragrance I've loved this year is Burberry My Burberry Black which I first tried after getting a sample of it in Sephora New York. It was a gift with purchase kind of thing that I opted for on the recommendation of the sales assistant and I'm so glad I did. I ended up getting it in the airport on the way to Paris back in November and I've been alternating it with Molecule 02 since then. It's similar to Modern Muse Nuit in that it's more of a warm nighttime scent that also has notes of jasmine and amber but also rose and peach nectar so it's a bit sweeter.

Rituals Soothing Night Balm (Cruelty Free)

When I flew to New York in April I wanted to stay hydrated during the flight so I drank a lot of water and therefore needed to pee and subsequently wash my hands A LOT. The soap on airplanes is basically scented foam and dries your skin so much that the next day my hands were so red and  cracked. I brought a hand cream with me but I can't remember which one, all I know is it didn't do much for my hands so when I happened upon a Rituals store in the Oculus on one of our first days there I went straight in to buy my beloved The Ritual of Dao Soothing Night Balm. It completely restored my hands overnight and although I have used it for years I hadn't bought it in a while. Since April I've repurchased it several times as it's one of the only hand creams I've used that does such a good just of keeping my hands hydrated and soft. If you're like me and you suffer with dry hands, especially at this time of year, I can't recommend this enough. It's a thick balm so it's best used at night but you can of course use it during the day too. It smells incredible, as with all Rituals products and it's only €10 for a 70ml tube. While I'm mentioning Rituals I might as well add that I have used so many of their products over the past few years and this year was no different. I tried out more products than ever this year and each one was sublime. If you've never tried anything from Rituals, you absolutely must, the scents of their products are the most invigorating and uplifting of any skincare product I've ever tried. They're so good that my boyfriend, my brother, my sister, my mam and several of my friends are now fans too.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Honey

My sister and I bought a set of three of the Clarins Lip Oils last Christmas in the sales and took one each (I chose Honey which is clear), giving the third to my mam. I didn't open it for a while as I was using the last of a pot of NUXE Rêve de Miel (still one of my favourites) but after beginning to use it in February, it stayed on my bedside table and I used it every night until I used it up completely in November. I will 100% be repurchasing it once I've used all of my Emile Cordon Cashmere-On Lip Pot (another favourite of last year). There are seven shades or flavours, each with its own star ingredient. Hazelnut is the star ingredient of the Honey shade and it prevents dehydration and provides protection against free radicals. It feels comforting and smooth on my lips and makes them feel super hydrated. This is another product I kept on my bedside table, I preferred using it overnight but I'd love to try some of the tinted shades for wearing during the day. At €21, it's worth every cent.

Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment / Super Multi-Corrective Eye-Opening Serum

Both of these products have saved my eye area over the past year. I went through a period of suffering with dry patches around my eyes and I couldn't figure out why (probably because my skin wasn't being adequately hydrated). I was recommended both of these products and have bought, used and loved them throughout the year. I have even repurchased the Creamy Eye Treatment and the serum will be repurchased very soon too. The serum contains Sodium Hyaluronate which is one of the ingredients you need to look out for if you need hydration. The Creamy Eye Treatment contains avocado oil and shea butter to hydrate the skin and beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant. I haven't had any dryness around my eyes since using these, I love how hydrated my eye area feels since I started to use them and you only need the smallest amount so they lasted a long time which means you get your money's worth. 

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm (Cruelty Free/ Vegan)

I tried the Pixi and Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse earlier this year and although I loved it, I prefer removing my makeup with a micellar water or bi-phase remover first and follow with a cream/balm/oil cleanser. I saw the Nourishing Cleansing Balm when I was stocking up on Glow Tonic and decided to give it a go as it sounded very similar to the solid cleansing oil of the Double Cleanse. NCB is a balm to oil cleanser that removes makeup and deep cleanses the skin but leaves it feeling plump and nourished. I take a small amount and rub it together on my fingers to melt it slightly before massaging it all over my face. I then take a warm face cloth and remove it. I love how comfortable and hydrated my face feels after using this. I don't think I've ever used a cleanser that makes my skin feel so good afterwards. It contains sweet almond oil, cocoa seed butter, shea butter and vitamin E. It lasted me for so long because you only need a small amount to cleanse your entire face and neck. This is another definite repurchase for me an at only €23.50 it won't break the bank. 

Skyn Iceland Nordic Peel Pads (Cruelty Free/ Vegan)

I bought these from the recommendation of glowing skin expert Katie Jane Hughes. I'd seen her use them in her Instagram live videos countless times and she alway raved about what they do for her skin. Obviously I'm not going to go and blindly buy a €52 skincare product so I did my research and read up on the ingredients first. This product has a stellar list of ingredients including Witch Hazel, Lactic Acid, Jojoba Seed Extract, Papaya Fruit Extract and White Willow Bark (a natural form of Salicylic Acid). These ingredients gently exfoliate, improve tone and texture, diminish fine lines, reduce pore size, help prevent breakouts and congestion and the natural antibacterials clear pores of dirt and oil leaving the skin looking fresh, bright and clear. These work in the same way as the likes of the Pixi Glow Tonic. You sweep over your face daily or 3-5 times per week if you have sensitive skin. I tend to only use them every second or third say even though I don't have sensitive skin, or when my skin is looking dull or I'm breaking out. This is one of those products that immediately makes a difference to my skin, it looks fresh and glowing and feels smother after using one of these. I'm completely hooked and will definitely be buying another tub before this one runs out.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (Cruelty Free/ Vegan)

I think anyone who has any interest in skincare has noticed the hype over The Ordinary throughout the past year. I think the main reason is the low price point and the ingredients list of the products. Of course I couldn't help but order a few things. At such affordable prices I figured it wouldn't be much of a loss if the products didn't work for me. I really liked the first few products I tried (Advanced Retinoid 2%, Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA, Salicylic Acid 2% Solution and the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5) so I bought a couple more when Arnott started stocking them. I got the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG and the aforementioned Peeling Solution which has definitely been my favourite product so far, in fact it seems to be a favourite for a lot of people. It contains both AHAs (Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid etc.) and Salicylic Acid so it exfoliates while helping to clear pore congestion. It fights visible blemishes, improves the skins texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use. I love this product and the noticeable difference it makes to my skin straight away. You just have to be very careful when using a product like this with acids in it, the directions are to use it no more than twice per week and leave it on for no monger than ten minutes. You also need to be vigilant with sun protection after using a product like this and don't use it if you have sensitive or peeling skin. I tend to use it once a week or every two weeks as I already use acids in my skincare and I don't want to damage my skin. I always wear an SPF of at least 30 if I'm going out during the daytime after using acids. If you're thinking about trying this, I highly recommend reading more on The Ordinary website just to make sure it will suit your skin.

Too Cool for School Egg Mellow Cream

This is another KJH recommendation and I can see why. I bought this cream in Paris in November and it has quickly become my favourite daytime moisturiser of the year as it works particularly well as a base before makeup. If you haven't heard of Too Cool For School, they are a Korean brand and Egg Mellow Cream is a part of their range of products that contain egg extracts. The egg yolk and egg white extracts help to purify, tighten and nourish the skin. It also has niacinamide to brighten and collagen fiber to firm the skin. I love the scent and texture of this, although it feels rich it absorbs into  my skin quickly and easily. I love the instant tightening and brightening feel it gives my skin too. It's got easy to use plastic pump packaging and at €31.50 it isn't extortionate. The only thing I don't like is that you can't see how much product is left but it's something I can overlook because I love the product so much. Obviously we don't have Sephora here but if you're in Ireland or the UK you can get it from Selfridges and Beauty Bay. I'm already planning on buying a backup of this so I don't run out.


If you managed to read this far I'd love to know what your favourite and most used products of last year are and if you've tried nay of the ones I mentioned.

As you can see I decided to add whether a product was cruelty free or vegan too as I feel like it's such an important factor for so many people, if there are any changes to any of these please do let me know. The information can be quite vague in the case of some brands.

A belated Happy New Year to you all, thank you for reading my little blog, it means so much to me!

Emma x

Disclaimer- These are just some of the products I tried and loved last year, there are a lot more I tried, some I loved but couldn't include because I was already writng so much and there was some that I didn't like that much. Just because something worked for me, doesn't mean it will for someone else. I'd encourage anyone looking to spend their hard earned money on any product to read about it and do their research first, especially when it comes to skincare. I'm just an average person who happens to love beauty and skincare products and writes a blog and I get sent some products but most of these I have bought with my own money or they were gifts from family and friends. My thoughts and opinions are as always 100% my own.