Empties #2 2021

Since starting to do my empties posts quarterly, I’ve realised how much I actually get through in three months. Between April-June, I finished off 90 products in total! Let’s get into what I used up and what my thoughts are on everything.

Makeup

Buxom Lip Liner in Hush Hush

I loved this shade. It’s just the perfect everyday browny nude for me. I put it in my project pan because it’s only a mini so I thought it might give me some motivation to use it but I am sad to see it go. I’m struggling to find UK stockists of this but I will be on the lookout for a dupe if I can’t replace it.

Repurchase? Yes

Huda Brow Bombs in Medium Brown

I said in my Brow Bombs review that I knew I was going to use it up quickly because the amount in here is just so tiny. It’s super precise and it wears really well but it’s not worth £15 for this amount of product.

Repurchase? Yes if I can get it cheap enough

Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation

The shade 210N was perfect for me but I think this foundation is way overpriced compared to others on the market. It’s nice and had a nice finish that’s not too glowy and not too matte but I don’t need it.

Repurchase? No

Colourpop Creme Gel Liners x 4

I used up the white shade Exit and the Brown Mr Bing but think the other two broke. I am trying to clear out my eyeliner collection because I just have way more than the average person would ever need but I do think the Colourpop ones are good quality for the price, as long as you don’t snap them like I did.

Repurchase? Yes but don’t need to right now

Pat McGrath FetishEyes Mascara

I loved this mascara, maybe even more than my previous favourite the Lancome Monsieur Big. It gave me full, fluttery lashes and lasted a long time without drying up. Review here.

Repurchase? Yes when I’ve used up some other mascaras

Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer

I’m not sure if this is still available but I think it was pretty clever to market this as an all-in-one primer. I tend to use a higher SPF on my face these days but I like the concept of a priming SPF so will look out for more brands doing this.

Repurchase? No

PS…Prep & Perfect Prime & Infuse Priming Spray

This is the pineapple one but I they had a few options when I picked this up. Obviously it’s supposed to be a dupe of the MAC ones and I can’t comment on that but I think this was fine and did the job. I used it a lot for dampening sponges or anything like that when you might need a spray but don’t want to use a expensive one.

Repurchase? Maybe

NYX Born to Glow Foundation

I quite like the cute squeezy tube packaging and this had a nice luminous finish but the shade was a bit too dark for me.

Repurchase? Maybe

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Champagne Pop

This is one of the oldest highlighters in my collection and I think the first highend highlight I purchased. I’d noticed a decline in quality after owning this for so long and I tried to repress it but that just seemed to make it worse so there is a bit of product left that I’ve opted to just not finish.

Repurchase? BECCA will be no more soon

Cover FX Shimmer Veil in Soleil

These are some of the best liquid eyeshadows I’ve tried. Maybe not quite as good as the Stila ones but still very sparkly and very pretty and this one seemed to last a long time without drying up.

Repurchase? Yes

No7 Skin Illuminator

I think I was expecting something different when I picked this up as I’m not really a liquid highlighter person. It had a pretty pearly glow and mixed with foundation well but I just don’t need a product like this in my collection. Full review here.

Repurchase? No

Barry M Holographic Eyeshadow Topper x 2

I’ve talked about how much I like these liquid eyeshadow toppers before and I think they are great for such an affordable price but they do dry out quickly so you need to make sure you use it if you’re going to pick one up. Don’t do what I did and buy all the shades!

Repurchase? Yes in the future

NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer

I really liked this. It’s super hydrating and just feels nice to apply, even on my normal to oily skin. I don’t use primers as much as what I used to so I’m not going to pick up any more right now but I do recommend this one.

Repurchase? Yes

PS…First Base Eyeshadow Primer

This seemed to last forever so I’m glad it’s gone. This is a tacky cream type primer like the Urban Decay Primer Potion. It was a good base for eyeshadow but it didn’t really do much to make shadows last longer which is my main reason for using an eye primer.

Repurchase? No

MAC See Sheer Lipstick

This mini lipstick had a very soft and balmy texture and sadly that was its downfall as most of the product melted and broke off. It was a nice everyday shade but I don’t need a MAC lipstick for that.

Repurchase? No

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Violate

This is a mauvey pink everyday shade but a little too cool-toned for me. I don’t like the Urban Decay lipstick formula so I’m glad I got to try this in the mini size.

Repurchase? No

Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow

I’ve definitely tried better illuminating primers but I guess this is probably aimed at older skin where the subtle effect would look really pretty.

Repurchase? No

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray

The glittery packaging is the best thing about this spray. It has a tendency to make me look greasy rather than dewy. Will keep the bottle to use for another spray.

Repurchase? No

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

I’ve had this mini open for way too long but this is the best setting spray if you want your makeup to stay in place all night. I used to use it for nights out back when those were a thing and decided it was time to just use it up.

Repurchase? Yes in future

Revolution Lip Liner in Lifelong

The remaining product has gone all sticky and rubbery and won’t apply any more so it’s time to throw this away. I’m not sure if this is normal with this kind of lip pencil and it expired before I could use it up but it’s worth keeping in mind before I pick up any more!

Repurchase? No

L’Oreal Plumping Lip Primer

I think I got this as a free gift or something because it’s not something I would have bought. I do think it worked if you want that swollen lip plumping effect but it was also quite painful and it’s an extra step that I don’t really want before I put lipstick on

PS…Prep & Perfect Priming Hydrator Base

I think this is supposed to be a dupe but I’m not sure what of. It’s a thick moisturising primer but I think I would have liked it more a few years ago when I was more into primers and less into sun protection. Nothing wrong with it but not really needed if you already have a good skincare routine.

Repurchase? No

L’Oreal Color Riche Shine Lipstick in Watermelon Plump

This is such a good balmy lipstick type product and it also has a bit of a plumping effect. I like this more than another shade I have in the normal Color Riche lipsticks and it’s a really summery coral. It did get a bit messy in the tube but that’s because it’s melted and been bashed around my handbag.

Repurchase? Yes

Skincare

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cloud Cream Cleanser

I love the moisturiser from this range so I wanted to like this too but it was just ok for me. It does the job but it has a kind of soapy smell and there are cheaper cleansers I prefer.

Repurchase? No

Origins Ginzing Oil-Free Energy Boosting Gel Moisturiser

I wasn’t a big fan of this moisturiser. It felt a bit too heavy for a gel moisturiser and it’s very strongly fragranced.

Repurchase? No

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

I’ve used a mini of this before and I liked it, it makes your skin feel really soft and nourished in the morning but I do think you need to keep using it to see any effects and I don’t always want to use a sleeping mask. I think you can use it like a normal wash-off face mask as well so I might try that.

Repurchase? Already have another from a set

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask

I love PTR masks and this is a hydrating mask I got in a set. It’s not something my skin needs all the day because I don’t really get dry skin but if you just want something cooling and hydrating, I think this is great.

Repurchase? No but would use again

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

This is a nice gel cleanser but the pump packaging is quite difficult. I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to stock up on this but it’s fine and does the job.

Repurchase? No

Fourth Ray Beauty Pineapple Serum Boost

I expected this to be similar to the Glow Recipe one and it does have similar brightening properties. This one is more of a booster that you can add in to your moisturiser and it worked fine for me. You only get 14.8 ml in here which is less than half of the Glow Recipe one and Fourth Ray is part of Colourpop so not the easiest to get here in the UK. Would buy again if I needed to bulk up an order for free shipping but wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase.

Repurchase? Maybe

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

I really enjoyed this. It feels like a hydrating toner but it also has PHA and BHA. I do think Glow Recipe are a little overpriced for what you’re getting but this just feels like a comforting product to me and I really missed using this so I do have a mini on the go at the moment.

Repurchase? Yes

Murad Anti-Aging Blemish Control Serum

I love the concept of this product being anti-aging and blemish control because a lot of blemish products are targeted at younger skin. It didn’t do anything amazing for me in terms of blemish control, it was just like any other serum but it was nice to apply.

Repurchase? No

Sunkin Clearing Facial Wash

This is marketed as blemish control so I thought I would like it but it has a really strong essential oils smell and just didn’t really work as I’d hoped.

Repurchase? No

Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

This is a mini from a trial set of Farmacy products and I loved it. I don’t usually enjoy cleansing balms but this one just melts makeup off and it doesn’t cause any problems or irritation when I’ve got contact lenses in which is a problem I’ve had with other balms. I bought the full size before I’d even finished this mini.

Repurchase? Already have

Farmacy Honey Potion

Another Farmacy mini that I’ve already repurchased is the honey face mask. This is really hydrating and leaves skin feeling clean. It’s an antioxidant mask as well which will hopefully help to prevent blackheads.

Repurchase? Already have

La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF Mist

I love this. It’s not the cheapest out there but you can get it for around the £10 mark on offer and it’s worth that to me because it makes it so easy to reapply SPF and can be applied over makeup. Full review here.

Repurchase? Already have

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This product worked better for me at cleaning out blackheads. Maybe it unclogged pores but I didn’t notice a reduction in spots while I was using it. I did however feel like I broke out more once I’d stopped using it so I’m still undecided if I need this.

Repurchase? Maybe

Revolution Charcoal Purifying Mask

Some of the Revolution masks have better ingredients than others and I can’t really remember with this one but it worked ok for me if you just want a basic clay mask to make your skin look clean.

Repurchase? Maybe

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial

This is a hydrating overnight mask basically. I really love the branding and the packaging and everything about Drunk Elephant but this product just wasn’t amazing enough for me to justify the price.

Repurchase? No

M&S Formula Absolute Serum

I’ve been through a couple of bottles of the full-size and I love this serum. It’s just so nice to apply and works well for me. Haven’t noticed any major anti-aging effect but it can’t hurt.

Repurchase? Yes, but I wish it didn’t have fragrance in it

Avene Cleanance Expert Lotion

I did pick up the full size of this after I used the mini and it’s a nice soothing moisturiser that’s supposedly good for blemishes. I haven’t seen any amazing results with it but it’s nice and I will keep using it and see what I think after the full size is empty.

Repurchase? Already have

Caudalie SPF 50 Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare

I thought this was a good facial SPF but it has a very strong floral scent that I just didn’t like. Calling it ‘anti-wrinkle’ suncare and the whole packaging and branding etc is very in-line with Caudalie and their target market but really you can just buy any facial SPF that works for you.

Repurchase? No

Boots Niacinamide Clay Mask

I think Boots does great affordable skin lines these days and this did the job if you just want a simple clay mask. I don’t love the squeezy tube packaging, I would prefer a jar or bottle that can be recycled.

Repurchase? Probably not, unless they change the packaging

Garnier Micellar Rose Water

To be honest, I don’t think this was much different to the original so just pick whatever type and scent you prefer and they all do the same job.

Repurchase? Maybe

Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused

I didn’t realised I’d finished so many micellar waters but most of them were almost done months ago. I used to really enjoy this oil version but they all work the same otherwise.

Repurchase? Maybe

Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water

I love the cute packaging. This is a good milky micellar water, I used it mainly for removing makeup and it was really comforting and nourishing on the skin. I don’t think I necessarily need this but I would use it again and maybe I’ll buy it when it’s on offer or get it in a set again like this one.

Repurchase? Maybe, if on offer

Polaar Ice Pure Micellar Water

Another micellar water. This is a mini from a free gift or subscription and I don’t have any strong feelings on it really.

Repurchase? No

Nuxe Very Rose Micellar

I mean…I’m not sure to say at this point. This one had a very strong rose scent and it’s also a pourer bottle so too much would come out at once. Not sure if that’s just the mini packaging though.

Repurchase? No

PS…Alex Steinherr Every Night Eye Mask

I’ve used one of these before but I didn’t realise it was marketed as a night eye mask as I mostly used it to hydrate my under eyes before makeup or after cleansing. I love the pump packaging and it’s a nice hydrating eye gel if you can still get it.

Repurchase? Maybe

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Hot Cloth Cleanser

I used to really love a hot cloth cleanser but I don’t tend to pick them up anymore. I think this one is fine but the tea tree scent is quite strong so I don’t think it’s for everyone.

Repurchase? No

Milk Makeup Melatonin Overnight Lip Mask

Calling this a melatonin mask is a bit of a gimmick but it’s nice to apply on a night and the scent can’t hurt. I don’t have a lip mask now since finishing this and my lips don’t really look any different but I do like to apply products like this so I may pick it up again at some point.

Repurchase? Maybe

Elemis Superfood Night Cream

I’m glad this is just a free sample mini because the scent of this is horrible! I didn’t notice if it did anything for my skin but I struggled to get past how much I hated the smell.

Repurchase? No

M&S Formula Glow Rapid Morning Mask

Formula skincare is really good and this face mask was great for a quick brightening fix. I hardly ever remembered to use it on a morning like the name suggests but it’s nice to apply before you go out or something like that

Repurchase? Yes

Omorovicza Silver Skin Saviour

An incredibly expensive skincare brand that I always enjoy but never want to pay the price tag for. I would consider purchasing the full size of this face mask if I can get it cheap enough because I felt like it helped when I had a big breakout.

Repurchase? Maybe

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

I don’t really use scrubs like this anymore but this mini didn’t take long to finish. Not bad but not something I’d buy.

Repurchase? No

Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum

I like that this is a lightweight HA serum in a dropper because it sinks into the skin really quickly and was good a for a hydration boost. It’s not something I really need but I do like it.

Repurchase? No

Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm

This is nice if you like that spa-like feel to your skincare but it’s not good for contact lenses and fogged my eyes up every time. It contains fragrance and essential oils so it depends if that’s something you enjoy in your skincare or not.

Repurchase? No

Bath & Body

Imperial Leather Moonlit Skies & White Cashmere Bath Soak

Used this before, good bubble bath, nice scent. I’m trying not to use scented products in the bath at the moment but I would get this again.

Repurchase? Yes

Avon Senses Raspberry & Vanilla Shower Gel

I normally quite like Avon bath products but this one wasn’t for me. It had a jelly texture that just slid out of my hands and I ended up wasting product.

Repurchase? No

PS…Tea Tree Body Scrub

Primark do decent body scrubs for the price and this one lasted a long time. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this scent though.

Repurchase? Yes, but a different scent

Radox Bath Salts x 2

These have been mentioned many times before. I’m trying not to use them too much but more effective for me than other bath salts.

Repurchase? Yes

Shea Bliss Skin Pineapple Sugar Scrub

I’m not sure where this can be purchased from but it had a really sweet pineapple scent and I like the cute mini jar. Would probably pick this up again if I saw it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to track it down.

Repurchase? Maybe

KVD Saint Perfume

I had the mini Saint and Sinner scent and this was my favourite of the two. It’s quite a lot stronger than what I normally go for but I always get compliments on it.

Repurchase? Yes, but I think it’s discontinued

ECooking Overnight Foot Cream

I don’t usually bother with foot cream because I feel like any moisturiser will do the same thing but this one had a nice peppermint smell and it was nice to apply if you like a pamper.

Repurchase? No

Avon Planet Spa Aromatherapy Hand Cream

This is the Chinese Eucalyptus and Mint Essential oils version. Hand cream isn’t something I get excited about but my hands have been a lot more dry recently so I used this up pretty quickly keeping it on my desk.

Repurchase? No

Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath

I don’t really understand what this bath milk is meant to do so perhaps I used it wrong but it just didn’t really seem to do anything.

Repurchase? No

Boots Baby Bath Bubbles

I got this because I wated something mild but is still fragranced so not sure if I’ll get it again.

Repurchase? Maybe

The Body Shop Shower Gels x2

I love these shower gels from The Body Shop, although these aren’t my favourite scents in the range.

Repurchase? Yes

Clinique Pep-Start Exfoliating Cleanser

I’ve had this bottle in my bathroom for literally years after trying out the mini ages ago and really liking it. I don’t use scrubs like this on my face anymore really and also I wasn’t comfortable knowing how long I’ve had it, even though it was unopened, so I used this up like a body scrub.

Repurchase? No

Haircare

Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Primer

I didn’t think I needed another haircare product but I did purchase the full size of this. It’s essentially a styling spray with heat protection but I just really love the scent and it feels nice to spray in my hair.

Repurchase? Already have

Aveda Damage Ready Daily Hair Repair

This is a leave-in treatment that I used after washing my hair. One of those products that I didn’t think was doing much but my hair doesn’t look as nice without it.

Repurchase? Maybe

Avon Advanced Techniques Heat Protection Spray

Heat protection spray is difficult to assess how well it works but I guess I’d know if it didn’t work and this one has been fine. I don’t go out of my way to buy Avon products but if someone gave me this, I’d happily use it again.

Repurchase? No

Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo x 2

This is in every empties I do. Wish it was a bit cheaper but it’s the only shampoo that works for my flaky scalp.

Repurchase? Yes

Garnier Ultimate Blends Goji & Soy Hair Mask

These are all supposed to do different things but they kind of work the same for me, it just depends what scent you prefer and I love the goji scent.

Repurchase? Yes

Cantu Natural Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

I haven’t been styling my hair curly much recently but I do think these helped when I first started trying the curly girl method. If you’ve struggled to find a curly girl product that really cleans your hair, I do recommend these.

Repurchase? Yes

Misc

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

This is the smaller spray bottle version so I expected this to be more like a spot cleaner but it’s just an expensive way to try the full size product. I have the Isoclean one now that I like better but I wouldn’t bother with this size if you are looking to get the Cinema Secrets.

Repurchase? No

Revolution Pro Hygiene Solid Brush Cleaner

This is one of those circular soap bars for brush cleaning. This particular one is fine and I think Revolution probably do a different one now but they all do the same thing.

Repurchase? Maybe

PS…Liquid Fix Powder Fixing Liquid

I used this mostly to fix broken powders like when I’ve depotted a product. You do need quite a lot of it so I think this tiny bottle isn’t going to do much and it’s probably better to just get some rubbing alcohol to do the same thing.

Repurchase? No

Peace Out Acne Dots

I don’t tend to buy acne dots but I think these work well on certain types of spots. They’re pretty good at drawing those big under-the-skin pimples to a head.

Repurchase? Maybe

Boots Baby Wipes

I use these for cleaning up swatches and wiping down my makeup. They are biodegradable but I try not to use a lot of them. I use a cloth and micellar water a lot of the time, which is probably why I got through so much of it.

Repurchase? Yes

Bioderma Sensiblo H2O Micellar Wipes

I got these in a beauty box as I wouldn’t have bought makeup wipes myself. They are good for a makeup wipe but they’re still makeup wipes and I would never spend this much on them. Also used these a lot for cleaning purposes as above.

Repurchase? No

PS…Oval Cotton Pads

I’m really proud of myself to only have one pack of these in here after three months. I know cotton pads and wipes are really bad for the environment and I use my reusable ones most of the time but there are some things that I prefer to have disposable cotton pads for. I have cut down my usage a lot and I’m of the opinion that we should celebrate the small changes people make.

Repurchase? Yes

Recycle count: 42/90 products were reused or recycled at home but there is a Maybelline recycling scheme for makeup compacts and lipsticks etc so I have those products saved to one side to try and recycle in Boots or Superdrug stores.