Thursday, January 2, 2020

December 2019 Empties & Month in Masks

Here's a look at my beauty garbage from December! 


December 2019 Empties & Month in Masks
Some products may have been received in PR - this post contains affiliate links

Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge ~ $10.00 CAN. A latex-free makeup sponge perfect for applying liquid and powder formulations.

This sponge was really hyped up when I first picked it up - this is just too stiff for me in terms of a sponge. I do really like the flat edge, but this just didn't work for me. When I picked up a beauty blender again, it was a relief. This didn't apply my makeup well at all. 
Repurchase: No

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm, Wild Cherry ~ $4.98 CAN. Made with rich cherry oil—cold pressed from cherry seed kernels—this balm’s sweet, natural flavor with just a hint of tartness will invigorate your senses and pamper your lips.

I always have a few lip balms on the go and most are Burt's Bees - this one works well and I will use them all. I always repurchase the pomegranate one because I just prefer the tint that it has. But, the wild cherry was softening and it worked well. 
Repurchase: Likely

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty - The Curling Mascara ~ $38.00 US. This curling mascara provides long-lasting lift and hold for an instant eye-opening effect.

This is a tubing mascara and I hadn't really used one of those before. It did make the lashes long, but it didn't really add any volume which is what I prefer in a mascara. Then, this formula got quite gloopy and the package fell apart (which is not acceptable for an almost $40 mascara!)
Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Happy Go Lash Mascara ~ $20.00 CAN. This everyday mascara thickens and defines while feeling gentle on lashes. The formula is easy to apply and remove and lasts all day without flaking.

This mascara started out really good - it made my lashes pretty full (I like a lot of volume, so I thought this was good day volume, but I could have used more for bolder looks). By the end it started to get a little drier and clumpy on me - you can see the final stages of it on my December Shop My Stash post here. It didn't flake and it was easy to remove, so it certainly lived up to those claims. I did like this, but I'm not sure I would spend $20 on it again. 
Repurchase: Yes, if it went on sale! 

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer ~ $35.00 US. Naturally restore dehydrated skin's glow with this cloud-like cream's blend of superfood omega fatty acids, replenishing ceramides and antioxidants.

You can see my thoughts on it here - I thought this was a really good daily moisturizer. I used it all through the Spring/Summer and it worked well - I did think when Fall and Winter rolled around that I was using a little more to stay moisturized, so I prefer it in the warmer months. But, it worked well and my skin really liked it. 
Repurchase: Possibly

Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Lift Serum ~ $149.00 CAN. It has been developed by our scientists to release the benefits of frankincense alongside our liftingtechnology of micro algae, linseed oil and ribose to visibly lift and recontour the skin.

I've had this for a while - you can see my thoughts on it here. This was a really good serum - I think I've had it for too long and the formula started to go a little at the end (but I was almost finished this). It does have a strong medicinal smell and this was my first time using frankincense in a skincare product - I thought it added to the overall smoothness of my skin (especially when I first started using it). But it's pretty expensive - I do have serums I like just as much that are more affordable! 
Repurchase: Probably not for the price 


December 2019 Empties & Month in Masks

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet ~ sample shown (full size is $51.00 CAN). A Caudalie bestseller, this lightweight gel-cream is packed with grape water and antioxidants to soothe and hydrate skin.

This was a really nice moisturizer - I love the gel cream formula and thought it was nice and moisturizing on my skin! I really liked it! 
Repurchase: I would like to try more! 

OleHenriksen Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer ~ sample shown (full size is $53.00 CAN). An oil-free moisturizer, rich in antioxidants, to weightlessly hydrate, even tone, and smooth skin texture for a healthy-looking complexion.

I thought the texture of this moisturizer was nice - I don't think it was amazing, it was just good. I think to see the long term benefits of this it is something that has to be used over a longer period time and not just one or two uses. So it was just okay for me. 
Repurchase: Eh, probably not

The Face Shop Chia Seed Fresh Cleansing Foam ~ $15.00. This fresh cleansing foam deeply cleanses the pores. Its mild formula moisturizes the skin while removing impurities. Purified skin remains soft to the touch with a healthy glow!

This was a fine cleansing foam - I kept it in the shower for my cleanser and it worked fine. The formula was nice and I like the brand, but I feel like they are constantly going through rebrands so products are changing - this line isn't available anymore and I liked some of the products as they were designed for my combo/oily skin. 
Repurchase: It's not available anymore 

Leaders Mediu Hand Cream, Snail Therapy ~ $12.68 US. Leaders Mediu Hand Cream, Snail Therapy, Moisturizing And Protecting With Rose Water.

This was a good hand cream, but I've noticed with a lot of k-beauty hand creams that they are so strongly floral scented and I'm in to a more subtle scent for my hands. 
Repurchase: No

Lush Yummy Mummy Shower Cream ~ $19.95 for 250 ml ($9.95 - $29.95). Fruity, sweet and full of fair trade organic cocoa butter, Yummy Mummy will leave skin unimaginably soft and smelling like juicy strawberries. It’s well deserving of its name!

This is one of the scents that Lush releases most years for Mother's Day and I love it - it's fruity but also deep and chocolatey almost. I really like it. And, I love the Lush shower cream formula - it's so thick and rich on the skin!
Repurchase: Yes, when it's released again! 

Lush Dirty Shave Cream ~ $13.95 CAN for 100g. Freshen up with this calming, herbal shaving cream full of oat milk, shea butter and honey for calming irritations and soothing redness on sensitive skin.

I picked this up for my husband and he said it was okay - I don't think the calming scent was quite for him. I personally should have picked it up for myself, but they have a strawberry scented one that I really want to try for myself! 
Repurchase: Maybe for myself! 

LaSpa Daily Sun Protection Mineral Sunscreen SPF 20 ~ $44.00 CANLight and translucent, this all natural Zinc based sunscreen lotion is perfect for protecting and moisturizing your face and body. Used as a daily regimen, it counteracts the aging and damaging affects of the sun rays and uses antioxidants to protect your skin.

This was pretty good - they have since reformulated so it's less grainy than this particular tube. I do enjoy the new formula and this one worked, it just expired. I'm still getting used to a mineral sunscreen and I thought it worked well.
Repurchase: Likely

Zoella Beauty Jelly and Gelato Shower Shake Moisturizing Body Wash ~ $10.99 CAN. Indulge in the creme de la creme of body washes. Shower Shake not only cleanses skin, it moisturizes too! Blended with extracts of elderflower and pomegranate to help brighten, smooth and tone.

This was a nice thick shower cream than smelled great. I really enjoyed it and thought it worked well.
Repurchase: Maybe...


December 2019 Empties & Month in Masks

Reusable Mask ~ $? 

This is a cotton mask that I used to make my own mask - you can see how I used it here. But, I've had it for a while and it's quite big, so it's not quite something I use often enough. 
Repurchase: Not likely 

Mitchum Clinical Soft Solid ~ $8.99 CAN.

Deodorant is nothing special; but, I love the clinical strength formula and this brand is my go-to. I like that it is both an antiperspirant and a deodorant.
Repurchase: Yes


Dove Clinical Original Clean Antiperspirant ~ $7.97 CAN. 

This one is pretty good - again, I like the clinical protection and this one was good (not as good as the Mitchum).
Repurchase: Maybe 

Marvis Toothpaste Flavour Collection - Wonders of the World ~ $23.00 CAN for 3 minis. This set contains three flavors in the Marvis Wonders of the World collection : Karakum, Royal, Rambasin in 25mL travel sizes.

I've raved about Marvis all year and have bought and tried so many of these flavours now! This one was really good - it was really fresh (maybe pineapplely and I really liked it).
Repurchase: Yes


Shower Cap ~ $? 

This was a hotel shower cap and I used it a bit at home - it was fine. Served the purpose.
Repurchase: No

Clear Care Plus Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution ~ $19.97 CAN. Not only does CLEAR CARE® PLUS Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution clean and disinfect your contact lenses with the bubbling power of hydrogen peroxide, it also surrounds your lenses with long-lasting moisture.

This is a great contact solution - I switched to a hydrogen peroxide solution over a year ago (with only one mishap of not letting it rinse long enough). This is at least a 6 hour solution so you can't wear your contacts the next day unless you have enough time; but, it's great! Much better at cleaning than regular solutions!
Repurchase: Yes! 


So I used 20 products in December, which is pretty good - I have been averaging between 20-30 products per month. I always get excited when I can finish up some makeup products! 

And, I'm trying to get in to masking a little bit more, so here are the masks I used in December:


December 2019 Empties & Month in Masks

The Face Shop Bio-Cell Brightening Face Mask ~ $6.00 CAN. This brightening mask features a naturally adhesive bio-cellulose sheet and a hydrating serum containing Glutathione to give you a bright, healthy complexion.

I really like these bio-cell masks from the face shop - they fit well and are effective. This was brightening and comfortable. 
Repurchase: Yes 

Franz Jet Dual Microcurrent Mask System x2 ~ $40.00 US. FRANZ Microcurrent Dual Mask System is the world's first at-home microcurrent sheet mask system that nourishes and repairs your skin from the inside out. FRANZ's patented Tissue X™ technology, allows our expertly formulated skin-repairing ingredients to penetrate the deepest layers of your skin.

This is such a cool mask system - it's a microcurrent mask and I was so excited to try this out. I really enjoyed this system and am using the full 2 week Franz system, so I will do a full post on these masks in January! 
Repurchase: I've bought more! 

Sistine Herbal Collagen x Retinol Cherub Eye Mask ~ $9.95 CAN per set. Keeping it soothed, moisturized and saturated with the finest natural CHERUB EYE MASK.  Key herbal agents— RETINOL and COLLAGEN, along with a natural blend of ingredients, rids the eyes of fatigue, dark circles, crow’s feet, and wrinkles. Hydration is achieved, and puffy eyes are eradicated!

How adorable are these little cherub eye masks?! I just talked about these on my Tribe Beauty box post and they actually worked really well - they were cooling and brightening and I really liked them! Nice and refreshing! 
Repurchase: Maybe! 

So in addition to the 20 products that I used this month, I also used 4 masks this month - it's not as many as I'd like, but there was some great masks to get me back in the masking routine! 

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