Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Quarterly Beauty Empties ~ January - March 2022

Monthly Empties posts were getting a little overwhelming - they were a lot to write and keep notes about. I've decided to still talk about empties, but only makeup products and skincare products (no more body, hair, nail or personal care products!) It was just getting too much, but I still want to share my thoughts on products I've used up! 

Quarterly Beauty Empties ~ January - March 2022
Some products were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D Waterproof in 01 Perfect Black ~ $34.00 CAN. Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D Waterproof gives your lashes volume, length, curve and definition for flawless four-dimensional eyes as it visibly lengthens and thickens lashes more every day.

I did not love this mascara - I found it a little spidery and a little flaky on the lashes. It also didn't really add any oomph to my lashes that I was looking for. I also think it's older in my collection, so that may have impacted the wear of this. I actually didn't finish this because it just didn't do anything for my lashes. 
Repurchase: No 

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara ~ $4.99 CAN. The original Lash Princess has a big and bold sister with voluminous false lash effects! The conic shape fiber brush provides lashes with dramatic volume and sculpted length.

This is one of my favourite mascaras - it made my Favourite Makeup Products of 2021 - you can see a try-on comparison post with this and the waterproof version! This is fantastic - it makes my lashes full, thick and 

 Wrong - this is fantastic! I picked up the false lash effect because that's what I like on my lashes and it's lovely - it makes them dark and full and builds up nicely! (My only tiny complaint was about after a month or two it transferred a tiny bit right under my brows where my lashes touch, but it didn't do that brand new!) I did a whole post and also compared this to the waterproof formula - you can check it out here if you are interested in try-on comparisons
Repurchase: Yes 

Nudestix Vegan Splashproof Mascara ~ $34.00 CAN. A waterproof and sweatproof, high-performance mascara with multivitamins and plant-based oils to moisturize, strengthen, and protect your lashes.

I received this mascara from BzzAgent and I was not a fan. It was not my favourite formula - the brush is a spiky tip, and I prefer a fluffier brush. I thought this was a little spidery and stuck my lashes together - not great for volume. It was very difficult to remove as well.
Repurchase: Noooo

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara ~ sample shown (full size is $26.00 CAN). A universal mascara with a unique eye-hugging brush to lift, lengthen, curl, and volumize every lash type for a lusher look.

This mascara is meant to volumize, curl and lengthen the lashes - I personally like the wand, I'm always looking for a fluffier bristled wand as I think they are the best for the volume I'm looking for. This formula adds some serious length and curl to the lashes, and absolutely love how it looks on my eyes with a neutral shadow or bare lids underneath like this look; it really makes my lashes pop. It does not add as much volume as I prefer, but I do think this is a good layering mascara. 
Repurchase: Maybe 

Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer ~ $38.00 CAN. An ultra-pigmented, lightweight concealer that covers hyperpigmentation and imperfections with a real-skin, matte finish, and lasts up to 24 hours.

I purchased this a while ago and have been using it for quite some time - Urban Decay discontinued my favourite concealer, so I was hoping that this would replace that in my routine. This didn't and it was fine - it worked okay, but it just wasn't my favourite formula. 
Repurchase: Not likely 

Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara ~ sample size shown (full size is $32.00 CAN). A high-volume mascara formulated with heart-shaped fibers, conditioning hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, and pure pigments for an intense black finish.

This formula is really good - it's a past monthly favourite from 2020 and it is very volumizing and looks fantastic on my lashes - it makes them full and dark and keeps my lashes full and thick all day! I think it may smudge a tiny bit after a really long day, but I'm pretty picky about that and I didn't mind after the end because it looked so nice on the lashes! 
Repurchase: Possibly 

E.L.F. Cosmetics Ultra Precise Brow Pencil in Brunette ~ $6.99 CAN. Create full, natural looking brows with this precision pencil. The micro-slim shape defines and fills in gaps to mimic the look of real hair.

I really like this brow product - this is a very slim brow pencil and I really enjoy this! The pencil is precise and great to work with! It draws on really nice, thin brow strokes and it looks nice on and wears well. It doesn't smudge, isn't too soft and I like it! 
Repurchase: Probably!

Ciate London Fierce Flicks Precision Tip Liquid Eyeliner ~ $19.00 US. Formulated for intense, super-black color pay-off, dramatic wings and feline flicks are no match for this easy to use precision tip!

This came in a previous FabFitFun box and it was good - it was pretty easy to use, looked nice. It was a good formula, but not my favourite, also not as easy to find either. 
Repurchase: Not likely 

Quarterly Beauty Empties ~ January - March 2022

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm ~ $28.00 US. A triple-action cleansing balm made with omegas 3, 6 and 9 to cleanse, soften and soothe while rinsing completely clean.

This was one of my top skincare products of 2021, this formula is hands down the best - it's not gritty and it doesn't separate and it's very effective at removing makeup as a first cleanser. I love the tube formula as I'm not a fan of scooping in to a tube, so this is perfect for me. So far, Paula's Choice just can do no wrong - their products are always guaranteed wins for me!
Repurchase: Yes!

Origins Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion ~ sample shown (full size is $28.00 CAN). A light, soothing, watery lotion for sensitive skin.

This is a weirdly labelled product - it calls itself a lotion, but it's more so a toner. I thought it was okay, it didn't really feel like it added much to my routine or made a huge difference. Plus, the top without a controlled lid just lets way too much product out at a time. 
Repurchase: Probably not 

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash ~ sample shown (full size is $33.00 CAN). A bestselling face wash that easily rinses away makeup, impurities, and surface oils for skin that feels comfortably clean.

Another Origins set - this was an okay cleanser, I found it stung my eyes a fair bit and was super foamy. I like a little less suds on my face! 
Repurchase: Nah...

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser ~ sample shown (full size is $45.00 CAN). A gentle cleanser and makeup remover, packed with antioxidant-rich blueberries, hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs.

I really like a gel cleanser and I enjoyed this, but it was actually so hard to pump out of this. I could easily get one pump and then the others this was too thick to get out and it never pumped out enough to work. Probably my first Glow Recipe product that I didn't love (but more so because of the packaging..)
Repurchase: Not likely 

XO Treatment Room Heavy C ~ $89.00 CAN. Proven for collagen synthesis (skin firming/anti-aging), skin brightening, and direct inhibition of melanogenesis (production of melanin pigments). 

This is a total stand out for Vitamin C, it is my favourite and one of the best products I tried in 2021! When it's described as the most stable - it certainly has not made my skin react or breakout and I use it every morning at this point and have been for over a year. This formula in particular will help target anti-aging by boosting collagen production and repairing uv damage, but it's also added to a much more even skin tone as well as less breakouts and a healthier skin appearance overall! (Make sure you use an SPF every day with this!)
Repurchase: Always... 

Tata Harper Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser ~ sample shown (full size is $59.00 CAN). A natural daily exfoliator that buffs and polishes with BHA and apricot microspheres to reveal smooth, radiant healthy-looking skin.

This was a mix of cleanser with chemical and physical exfoliants in it - it smelled good and worked well. It was gentle, something that I wouldn't use often so I don't over exfoliate. While this was fine, I prefer to use all of these products separately! 
Repurchase: No 

Sephora Collection Watermelon Cleansing Wipes ~ $4.00 CAN for 10 wipes (or full size is $8.00 CAN for 20 wipes). Biodegradable cleansing wipes made with naturally sourced vegetal fibers.

The Watermelon ones are meant to be hydrating and cleansing - these were fine, I didn't think they had enough moisture to do much on my face, I mostly used for makeup swatches. 
Repurchase: Probably not.. 

Quarterly Beauty Empties ~ January - March 2022

Nanaka Beam - Hyaluronic Plumping Face Mist ~ $21.00 US. This botanical toner visibly refreshes and awakens the complexion with skin plumping Hyaluronic Acid and clarifying white willow bark.

This was a good mist - I enjoyed the product, but I did think that the mister was a little too strong, I like a nice light mist myself. 
Repurchase: Not likely 

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant ~ $29.50 US. Our #1 product worldwide + cult favorite, this gentle leave-on exfoliant quickly unclogs pores, smooths wrinkles, and brightens and evens out skin tone. 

This product is basically amazing - it made my 2019 Skincare Favourites! This works for daily maintenance (I use it a couple of days a week), but it is amazing on breakouts as well as those horrible deep acne spots. I'm so impressed with this and love that it is a super gentle formula with a lower amount of BHA, so it's not drying or harsh on the skin! 
Repurchase: Yes! 

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner ~ $19.00 CAN. Promote bright, even skin and less visible pores with this brightening toner that’s gentle enough for daily use.

This was a decent toner - I thought it worked well enough. It had ingredients I like and I used the whole the thing, I'm just not sure it was that brightening or added much to my routine. 
Repurchase: Probably not 

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream ~ $25.00 US for 30 ml or $31.00 US for 60 ml. This gentle cream instantly calms and soothes sensitive skin. 

I have been using this as a night cream or specifically on areas that need a little more love and attention - this has been nice and gentle, yet effective on my face and has just been a gently moisturizer overall for uneven skintone or feelings of irritation. It worked well and was nice and gentle. 
Repurchase: Maybe! 

Vichy Liftactiv Supreme ~ sample shown (full size is $52.95 CAN). The 1st over day and long-term anti-aging corrector, against wrinkles and loss of firmness.

I thought this was a good moisturizer - it was nice and comfortable to wear. I honestly don't think it had all the extra targeting wrinkles claims, but it was a good daily moisturizer. I like Vichy products and would consider repurchasing. 
Repurchase: Possibly 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid ~ sample shown (full size ids $125.00 CAN). A visibly age-defying moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to plump the look of skin and diminish the look of wrinkles, leaving your complexion visibly glowing and prepped for flawless makeup.

For how expensive this face cream is, I was expecting more visible results - it was moisturizing, but it wasn't anything stand out to be worth more than $100. Not in my range to pay that for an everyday lotion. So, it was fine for me, nothing more. 
Repurchase: No 

Alright, for the first 3 months of the year I used up 8 makeup products and 13 skincare products - I've used a bunch more body and bath products, but it's better just to chat about these ones! Pretty good I think! 

2 comments :

  1. Ah, the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser is my ride or die! I treat myself to it and only by it during the Sephora VIB Rouge event. I am on my 4th or 5th bottle since leaving the brand in 2015!

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    1. It was super different than what I'm used to, blending two parts of my routine, but it's a splurge too! The sale is a good plan for it!

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