The first quarter of the year is almost behind us, so prime time to share my beauty trash with you. Like I've mentioned in my no buy/ low buy update here, even though I was able to completely finish plenty of products from my stash, I still feel I have a whole lot to go through, especially in the skincare department.
I have noticed though that one reason I'm not going through things quite as quickly as most people is that I tend to use a very small amount - in fact, I've started to think it's too little for the product to be really effective. For example, I often use so little balm/ oil cleanser that it's not enough to effectively clean my whole face, or I skimp on moisturizer on my neck/ chest area. I'm now working on changing those habits, and hopefully that will also translate to products being used up faster (like, before their expiration date).
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Speaking of expiration dates, let's talk about some products that were definitely past their prime and needed to be tossed. Most of these were only half full (the Moroccan clay mask, Coral Actives Acne Treatment, Essie Van d'Go & Barry M Hot Pink polishes, the YSL Glossy Stain no. 15), so I did manage to get quite some use out of them, but they're definitely off now and need to go. The pencil eyeliners from Urban Decay, NYX and Benefit were all old and too dried out to use, and while the powder blushes still seemed fine, I know I've had them for a very long time, and since I have very similar shades in my collection from other brands I would rather use, I just decided to go ahead and toss these. The Enjoy Volumizing Hair Mousse was just awful for my hair, and an older product too.
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Alright, now onto the products that I have actually finished! Let's start with skincare:
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Boscia White Bright Mask (absolutely no results, I dislike peel-off type masks)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Insta Naturals Age-Defying Skin Clearing Toner*, Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum* (reviewed here), Haba Whitening Squalane, Heroine Make Mascara Remover (review), Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser (review), Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask (review), SK-II Essential Power Cream* (review), Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Scrub (review)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (review), First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (my third container, review here), CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Paula's Choice C15 Booster* (review), Skinny Co. Coconut Oil* (I'll talk about this more in a future post), LiLash Lash Growing Serum (review, my second tube).
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I don't have as many empties for body and haircare, but I used up two lip balms! That's quite an achievement, I think ;)
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Nivea Intense Repair Hair Conditioner (smells like hair dye!)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Caudalie Hand Cream, Tatcha Gold Camellia Lip Balm* (review - I went back to my HG Nuxe Reve de Miel), Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, Mitchum Anti-Perspirant (good deodorant but dislike the Powder scent), Cutex Nail Polish Remover, L'Occitane Bonne Mere Honey Bar Soap (that's the yellow sliver in the bottom of the photo)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):Batiste Dry Shampoo (already repurchased, my HG dry shampoo), Haus of Gloi Bubbling Scrub in Twice is Nice (great sugar scrub formula, love the coconut cookie scent), The Body Shop Brazil Nut Shower Cream, Lush Bubble Bar (I believe this was Amandopondo, I bought the Pop In the Bath this time).
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Make-up! Oh, the excitement... of using up only four products, two of which were deluxe samples :) By the way, you can follow my make-up empties count on Instagram now - I was inspired by Vita to see how many make-up products I'll be able to finish this year.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/ Medium (review)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque, Chanel Le Blanc de Chanel primer, bareMinerals Stroke of Light Undereye Brightener.
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):None right now.
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Lastly, foil samples and sheet masks. Even though I'm not doing a dedicated samples project right now (like I did for two months last year with my Use Up Those Freaking Samples challenge, here), I am still quite focused on finishing some up. I'm going on a short city break tomorrow and I'm hoping to make even more of a dent then in my sample stash.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Hanaka Vitamin A Marigold Sheet Mask (absolutely dripping with essence, almost no results), Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation in Porcelain (good shade match but too emollient for my combo skin).
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Etude House Sheet Masks in Bulgarian Rose and Fig, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Benefit Porefessional primer, Burberry Fresh Glow (just meh)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):Clark Botanicals Anti-Puff Eye Cream (used up three sachets of this now and I'm still quite enjoying it!), Leaders Insolution Illuminating Sheet Mask (very hydrating and soothing, enough essence for two applications - Leaders is now available at Ulta, although I think they revamped their masks and I don't see this one).
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Ufff, typing up these empties posts is always a bit of a struggle for me - but I hope you enjoyed nonetheless. Let me know if you have any questions about any of these products, and please share how you're doing on the stash-downsizing front! Hugs :)
I have noticed though that one reason I'm not going through things quite as quickly as most people is that I tend to use a very small amount - in fact, I've started to think it's too little for the product to be really effective. For example, I often use so little balm/ oil cleanser that it's not enough to effectively clean my whole face, or I skimp on moisturizer on my neck/ chest area. I'm now working on changing those habits, and hopefully that will also translate to products being used up faster (like, before their expiration date).
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Boscia White Bright Mask (absolutely no results, I dislike peel-off type masks)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Insta Naturals Age-Defying Skin Clearing Toner*, Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum* (reviewed here), Haba Whitening Squalane, Heroine Make Mascara Remover (review), Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser (review), Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask (review), SK-II Essential Power Cream* (review), Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Scrub (review)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (review), First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (my third container, review here), CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Paula's Choice C15 Booster* (review), Skinny Co. Coconut Oil* (I'll talk about this more in a future post), LiLash Lash Growing Serum (review, my second tube).
I don't have as many empties for body and haircare, but I used up two lip balms! That's quite an achievement, I think ;)Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Nivea Intense Repair Hair Conditioner (smells like hair dye!)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Caudalie Hand Cream, Tatcha Gold Camellia Lip Balm* (review - I went back to my HG Nuxe Reve de Miel), Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, Mitchum Anti-Perspirant (good deodorant but dislike the Powder scent), Cutex Nail Polish Remover, L'Occitane Bonne Mere Honey Bar Soap (that's the yellow sliver in the bottom of the photo)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):Batiste Dry Shampoo (already repurchased, my HG dry shampoo), Haus of Gloi Bubbling Scrub in Twice is Nice (great sugar scrub formula, love the coconut cookie scent), The Body Shop Brazil Nut Shower Cream, Lush Bubble Bar (I believe this was Amandopondo, I bought the Pop In the Bath this time).
Make-up! Oh, the excitement... of using up only four products, two of which were deluxe samples :) By the way, you can follow my make-up empties count on Instagram now - I was inspired by Vita to see how many make-up products I'll be able to finish this year.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/ Medium (review)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque, Chanel Le Blanc de Chanel primer, bareMinerals Stroke of Light Undereye Brightener.
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):None right now.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Hanaka Vitamin A Marigold Sheet Mask (absolutely dripping with essence, almost no results), Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation in Porcelain (good shade match but too emollient for my combo skin).
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Etude House Sheet Masks in Bulgarian Rose and Fig, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Benefit Porefessional primer, Burberry Fresh Glow (just meh)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too):Clark Botanicals Anti-Puff Eye Cream (used up three sachets of this now and I'm still quite enjoying it!), Leaders Insolution Illuminating Sheet Mask (very hydrating and soothing, enough essence for two applications - Leaders is now available at Ulta, although I think they revamped their masks and I don't see this one).
