Empties #3

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Ginger
I use this shade when my skin has gotten darker and it covers up scars and hyperpigmentation pretty well. This is is definitely up there in my favourite concealers, but the new Urban Decay one could be beating it out!
Repurchase: Yes

Nivea A Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm
I finally finished up the last one I have of this lip balm. It's an ok pick from the drugstore, but I have a bunch of other lip balms/lip butters that I want to get through before considering buying more.
Repurchase: No, not right now



Biore Nourish Moisture Lotion SPF 15
I bought this as a backup when I was in university and I graduated from university 3 years ago. The lotion in this bottle started separating and I'm pretty sure the SPF would've expired by now. I enjoyed this lotion when I was using it almost 5-6 years ago, but I've moved onto better daytime moisturisers that contain higher SPF levels.
Repurchase: No

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover
This was my favourite drugstore makeup remover for a long time until I discovered something even better! This does a pretty good job at removing waterproof mascara, but you do have to hold the soaked cotton round on the lashes for a good 10 -15 seconds to work better.
Repurchase: Yes

Marcelle Gentle Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes
This is the better drugstore makeup remover I just mentioned above! Seriously the best at removing waterproof makeup. You only have to hold your cotton round on the lashes for around 5 seconds and it magically removes waterproof mascara. So good! I wish the travel size was more readily available so I can bring it with me on vacations!
Repurchase: Yes

Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
I absolutely love this scrub and I'd say it's the most consistent skincare product I've had and used since I became serious about my skincare routine. Unfortunately, this contains microbeads, so I hope Aveeno will be able to reformulate it without ruining the gentle exfoliation and cleansing properties.
Repurchase: Yes

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
I finished this cleansing balm quite a while ago, but I enjoyed it. I find it's more of an extra step in my cleansing routine since it does leave my skin feeling a bit oily. I prefer having just one cleanser that removes makeup and leaves my skin feeling clean.
Repurchase: No



Muji Cut Cotton Pads
I'm not too picky with the cotton pads I use. I tried out the Shiseido ones and was quite disappointed with it considering how expensive they are. The Muji ones are very similar, if not the same as the Shiseido ones and at a fraction of the price (around $3-4). I liked how soft the cotton felt against my skin, but I do prefer cotton pads that have quilting since it helps to scrub off makeup. However, if there were more Muji stores in Toronto, I'd consider buying these more often since it's quite inexpensive.
Repurchase: Yes

Quo Cosmetic Pads
I've finished so many packs of these, since they're one of the cheaper options at the drugstore. It has the quilting which helps with removing makeup.
Repurchase: Yes



Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Dry Oil Mist
One of the best anti-frizz leave-in conditioners I've used. This helps keep my hair smooth during the hot humid summers we get here in Toronto. I've done a more in-depth review and featured it in my summer haircare essentials.
Repurchase: Yes - already repurchased!

Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray
This is the only heat protection spray that I've ever used. It works well and smells great after applying  heat to the hair. Plus, it's readily available at the drugstore. I still have one bottle left to get through and it's going to last me quite a while since I don't typically heat style my hair.
Repurchase: Yes

Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo for Fine, Flat Hair
I loved the scent of this shampoo! It's a nice fresh scent and I felt like it only did an ok job at giving some life to my flat hair. It is a decent shampoo, but not the greatest at giving some volume. I would repurchase this for the scent, but not so much for the results I expected.
Repurchase: Yes

Living Proof Full Shampoo
This actually used to be my favourite frizz-free shampoo, but over time, I found it left my hair pretty limp, even though it helped with taming the frizz. I also found that this shampoo started aggravating my dandruff after using my dandruff shampoo to help control it. I still have one more bottle to finish, but after that, I'm moving on to other shampoos. Also, did the price for this go up? I remember it being around $26, but it's now $30 for a bottle. I definitely don't think it's worth the $30 price tag.
Repurchase: No

Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong and Touchably Smooth Conditioners
These are staples in my haircare routine. Just like I've said in my other empties posts, these are cheap, smell good and get the job done. The Touchably Smooth conditioner is probably my favourite scent out of all the ones I've tried.
Repurchase: Yes



Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath*
This was part of a holiday set of 4 shower gels that I received from one of my previous managers. Overall, this did what it was supposed to, but the scent got old and annoying and I just couldn't stand it anymore. I'm glad this is done.
Repurchase: No

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Souffle Body Creme
Lovely rich, but airy body cream that smelled wonderful. I only use this at night, or else the scent is much too strong for my liking during the daytime. I prefer to use it at night so it doesn't make all my clothes smell like it and clash with my perfumes during the day.
Repurchase: Yes



Dior Nail Vernis in Incognito
This is a nail polish that I'm trashing. It is one of my holy grail nail polishes. The perfect nude pink shade for me. It's not too nude, but not too pink and makes your nails/hands look put together. I finished more than half of the bottle, but it eventually got quite thick and goopy that it was hard to get a thin even layer. It could be the old formula that contributed to it getting thick, but we'll see how long it takes for my new bottle in the new gel shine formula to get thick.
Repurchase: Yes - already have!

Nails Inc. 45 Second Top Coat with Kensington Caviar
Another one I'm trashing. It's almost done anyway and it got too thick and goopy as well to continue using it effectively. It would also leave a ton of bubbles after I applied it. However, when it's a fresh bottle, it's the best top coat I've used to date. It gives the nails high shine, with a really short wait time and the best part is the really thin consistency of it. This is actually the old bottle, which I purchased for $5.99 when Shoppers Drug Mart was clearing out all the old bottles.
Repurchase: Yes - already repurchased!

Empties #2

Kat Von D Ink Liner
One of my favourite pen liners. This is the one with the felt tip and I much prefer felt tip liners, since I like stiffer pen liners. This liquid liner comes out very black and dries with a sheen. I don't care for the sheen, but I can live with it.
Repurchase: Yes

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Custard
Probably my all-time favourite concealer. I use a combination of Custard and Ginger on my face since I'm in between shades. However, I use Custard on my undereye area to help brighten them.
Repurchase: Yes

Nivea A Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm
This was an ok lip balm. I really like the smell and taste of it, but there are other lip balms out there that are more moisturising. If I'm looking for a cheap lip balm, I would repurchase, but I still have a few other ones to get through first.
Repurchase: No, not at the moment.

Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm
This took me such a long time to finish! This does as the name says - it plumps and smooths the lips. I really like the light rose scent and the slight gloss that it gives. I typically only use this when I'm at home since I don't like dipping my finger into the pot when I'm out in public.
Repurchase: Yes, but I still have another one in my stash.



Bioderma Micellar Water
My favourite micellar water to date. I still have to try out some of the drugstore alternatives, but for now, this is my holy grail. It removes base and eye makeup (excluding waterproof mascara) extremely well.
Repurchase: Yes! I still have 2 regular sized bottles in my stash, though.

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++
I bought this tube when I made a trip to the States before this was available in Canada. I really liked this moisturiser and the scent of it, but I felt like it left my skin feeling a bit greasy. So, I'm on the lookout for another moisturiser with SPF that works just as well.
Repurchase: No

Neostrata Toning Solution Level 1
This is a toner that has 8% glycolic acid and a load of alcohol. It worked well on my pimples, but my skin would become quite dry from using it. Unfortunately, I still have another bottle that I need to use up. It took me a really long time to use up this bottle, so I'm not really looking forward to trying to use my other bottle up.
Repurchase: No

Vichy Idealia Life Serum
I think this is the 2nd or 3rd bottle that I've used up. I use this in the winter under my daytime moisturiser. I love the texture, scent and results of this serum. The pearlescent glow makes my skin look healthy during the winter. I will keep using this until I find another serum that works as well as this.
Repurchase: Yes

Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Love this stuff! You can read my review here. Until I can find another toner/mist that's just as good with less alcohol, I will continue to use this.
Repurchase: Yes



Bioderma Sensibio H2O Wipes
I recently reviewed (here) these wipes and I was less than impressed with them. I'd much rather use the liquid version and there are other makeup wipes out there that are better.
Repurchase: No

Quo Cotton Pads
The price of cotton pads keep going up! I'm not picky with cotton pads, but as long as they have the quilting to help with removing makeup, I will use them. I try to pick these up when there's a sale or some kind of deal.
Repurchase: Yes



Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Conditioner
Another empty bottle of Herbal Essences conditioner! I love the scent of this conditioner - it's a wonderful raspberry scent. This is decently moisturising and hydrating. It's cheap and there are typically deals on these conditioners. I do want a change, so anyone have any recommendations?
Repurchase: Yes

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Dandruff Control Shampoo
I've finished another bottle of this shampoo - my holy grail dandruff shampoo. I will continue to repurchase this unless I find another one that's better and smells good.
Repurchase: Yes



Victoria's Secret Endless Love Body Wash
Like I said in my last empties post, these body washes are only ok. They're not really moisturising for my skin and I think they're overpriced. Though, I did really like this scent. It's very reminiscent of another body wash or lotion I used when I was younger.
Repurchase: No

Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Creamy Body Wash
I hated the design of this bottle. It has one of those openings where once product has been squeezed out, the bottle will keep getting flatter - i.e. a one-way opening. Am I making any sense? It made it really hard to continue squeezing out product as I ran out since it kept getting harder to grip to squeeze. I hope this explanation makes sense! The scent was ok but I got sick of it by the end of it.
Repurchase: No

DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom Eau de Parfum
The first perfume I've ever finished! This is my absolute favourite perfume. I am extremely sad that this has been discontinued! Once I found out, I immediately ordered a 3.4 oz. size, and one of my closest friends managed to pick up two 1.7 oz bottles for me from a warehouse sale (pretty much where all the unsold bottles went). I'm set for a while, but I'll need to find another perfume that I love just as much as this one.
Repurchase: I wish I could!

Empties #1

Empties posts are some of my favourite posts to read. I get a look at all the products other bloggers have tried out and whether they would recommend them or not. From these posts, I've actually discovered some new products that I really like. So, what else can I do but to offer my two cents?



Benefit The Porefessional
I've finished off a sample size that I've had lying around for a while. I've used up a full sized tube of this stuff in the past. I love the smooth feeling it gives on the skin and it's one of my favourite primers.
Repurchase: Yes

Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer
I believe I bought this sometime last spring or summer when I started getting tanned. It has a fair amount of yellow, but this was a little too dark for me, even at my darkest tanned self. I didn't really see that much of a difference in my fine lines when I used it, but I did like the consistency of it.
Repurchase: No



Garnier Moisture Renewal Refreshing Gel Cream
I used this during the summer and it took me an extremely long time to finish this. It has a jelly texture, with a cooling sensation on the skin. This is the second pot that I've finished and I still ask myself why I bought a second one. It wasn't that moisturising or hydrating. It didn't feel like it did all that much for my skin.
Repurchase: No

Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot Targeted Fast Acting Care
This was a gel spot treatment that didn't do much for treating my pimples. When I applied it, there was a slight stinging feeling and it formed a thin film over the spot where it was applied. I didn't find that it helped my spots heal faster.
Repurchase: No - will not purchase after using this sample

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat
This is one of those moisturisers that help with mattifying the skin and keeping the oils at bay. I found that after about 4 hours my cheeks and forehead got pretty oily. If you're looking for a mattifying moisturiser, try out the one from Vichy.
Repurchase: No

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
My first Kiehl's product that I've tried and it was a good experience! It's a good basic eye cream that helps with hydrating my eye area. It has a weird texture, where it's thick in the pot, but once you start blending it into the skin, it turns watery. But, I don't mind since it helps with sinking into the skin more easily.
Repurchase: Yes

Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Do I need to say anything more about this after my rave review? I love this stuff!
Repurchase: Yes

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II
This is my second bottle of this wonderful serum. It helped with keeping my skin hydrated and helped with evening out my skin tone. I'm not using this serum at the moment, but will probably go back to it in the future.
Repurchase: Yes

Aveeno Positively Radiant Toner
This doesn't really do much for my skin. I haven't seen much of a difference and I was just trying to finish up this bottle. I have another bottle that I'm also trying to finish so I don't waste it.
Repurchase: No



Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Leave In Spray
I bought this on a whim, since I enjoyed using a couple of their shampoos. I didn't feel like it gave my hair any extra moisture and hydration, nor did it help with detangling. I liked that it has a fine mist that's light on the hair, which smelled nice. However, it didn't do what it's supposed to do.
Repurchase: No

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Dandruff Control Shampoo
My holy grail dandruff shampoo. I find that bloggers never really talk about dandruff and dry flakes, which makes it hard to figure out what dandruff shampoos are good! Well, I suffer from dandruff which is quite apparent with my dark brown to black hair. This shampoo is creamy and moisturising and helps to get rid of flakes and a dry scalp.
Repurchase: Yes

Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Conditioner
I like the Herbal Essences conditioners mostly because they smell amazing and are cheap. They're ok in moisturising the ends of my hair, but I should probably find something else that works better.
Repurchase: Yes (only because they're so cheap and smell amazing)



Victoria's Secret Pure Daydream Body Wash
This smelled awesome when I first used it, but I started getting sick of the scent by the end of the bottle. I found this was a little stripping on my skin. I bought this during one of their semi-annual sales, but even during their sales, I find this is overpriced for what it is.
Repurchase: No

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Souffle Body Creme
If you've never sniffed any of the Laura Mercier creams, you need to go to your nearest Laura Mercier counter and smell them! They are heavenly and I loved this scent so much. This was a part of a holiday sampler set which included 4 scents. It took me a while to finish this tub, but I enjoyed every bit of it.
Repurchase: Yes


This was a pretty lengthy empties post, but I hope you've been able find a couple new products to try out!