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!
Some products may have been received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links
Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Skin Mist ~ $17.49 CAN. Incredibly weightless formula smooths skin texture and effortlessly sets and refreshes makeup for all-day wear!
I didn't really need a new setting spray, but I couldn't resist! I love the scent of the Physician's Formula products, and this has that summery scent that smells delicious and I loved that! I finished this one, but this one was a little thick and the spray wasn't as thin or easy to apply.
Repurchase: No
NYX Epic Ink Liner ~ $13.49 CAN. Featuring a slender and supple brush tip, this intensely pigmented, waterproof eyeliner lets you achieve black liquid lines effortlessly.
This is one of my favourite eyeliner formula - I love how pigmented it is and the flexible felt tip is perfect; but, this one started to fray and this was my second one and it started doing the same thing. I just can't have that. I'm going to have to find a different one as a frayed tip is too hard to use.
Repurchase: Disappointingly no...
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel in Dark Brown ~ $24.00 CAN. A highly-pigmented brow gel with a long-lasting, waterproof formula for creating fuller-looking, defined brows—like Dipbrow Pomade in a gel form.
I had a pretty instant love affair with this brow gel - it just adds so much colour and hold to my brows. It's a product that you actually only need to use the tiniest amount of product to use properly! It's a super long wearing formula and pretty weather proof! This has been such a game-changer for my brows so it's my go to!
Repurchase: Yes!
Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer in 005 Light Natural ~ $7.99 CAN. Dark circles, imperfections and redness are now a thing of the past - the Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer offers optimal coverage without drying out the skin.
This was a standout years ago for me - it made my Favourites in May 2020 and I had some backups to use up! This concealer blends nicely and doesn't crease, which is lovely (plus it's affordable!) - it wears so nicely and lasts all day! I've featured it a bunch in the Fall in my long lasting makeup looks!
Repurchase: Yes, I would like to
Real Techniques Miracle Powder Cosmetic Sponge ~ $10.99 CAN. The unique foam and soft, velvet-like construction hold powders in for targeted application.
The Real Techniques sponge (the orange one) is great, so I was sent the powder one that has a bit of a different texture. I didn't like it as much as the original one, and I prefer my powder with a brush.
Repurchase: Nope
Fiction Bath Co. Dreamwalker Lip Balm ~ $4.50 CAN.
This came in a past Owlcrate box and I just started using it - it was a really thick formula and it left a white cast on my lips so I stopped using.
Repurchase: Noooo
Burt's Bees Clarifying Facial Cleansing Towelettes ~ $11.49 CAN. Cleanse away dirt, oil, and makeup, and revitalize and tone your face in one easy step without ever having to rinse.
Makeup wipes are one of the products I no longer want to use - this was my last package of wipes so I'm done now. These weren't great; I only ever use them for wiping off swatches and they weren't even great for that.
Repurchase: No
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant ~ $34.00 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!
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!
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm ~ $60.00 CAN. A lightweight balm that melts to a cleansing oil to remove makeup and impurities.
I use a balm or oil cleanser every night as my first cleanse - this one was great. I don't love dipping in to a pot, but the product itself was effective and worked well at removing makeup and working with second cleansers.
Repurchase: Maybe (enjoy it, but it's a little pricey!)
Belif Aqua Bomb Cleansing Balm ~ deluxe sample shown here (full size is $48.00 CAN). A hydrating cleanser that transforms from balm to cream to oil, gently removing all traces of makeup in one step.
Again, another cleansing balm - I enjoyed this formula too. Thought it worked well - maybe not as effective as my favourites (paula's choice and indeed labs), and again a pot isn't as great as a tube. Did work good though!
Repurchase: Possibly
PanOxyl Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 ~ $17.97 CAN. This all-in-one daily moisturizer absorbs excess oils and help protect skin from UV rays without chemical active sunscreen ingredients.
I'm all for daily SPF, so I was excited to try this! But, unfortunately this was so thick and left such a white cast I couldn't wear it daily. It just wasn't a formula that absorbed well. I had to toss this.
Repurchase: No!
Dr.Ceuracle 5α Control Clearing Cream ~ sample shown (full size is $54.99 CAN). At the last stage of skin care routine, apply an appropriate amount to face and gently pat for further absorption.
I don't always include samples in my empties anymore, but this cream was actually really good. It was nice and light and I did think that it worked well as a day moisturizer!
Repurchase: Maybe!
Kristin Ess Style Reviving Brunette Dry Shampoo ~ $20.99 CAN. It makes dirty hair feel fresh and clean, and it also soaks up excess shine and oil if you overdo it with a styling product. It has a neutral brown tint that blends easily with deeper hair colors.
This was a really hyped up brand when it came to Shopper's - I've used this one before and it's a solidly good dry shampoo. I like that it's meant for brunettes so it's a little toned too. It's good with how much oil it absorbed - it added some texture, but not as much as I like.
Repurchase: Yes, already have!
JVN Complete Conditioning Mist ~ $24.00 CAN - (also available for $18.00 US on jvnhair.com). A leave-in for frizz free hydration & detangling. Instantly hydrate, remove frizz, and detangle your hair with this leave-in Conditioning Mist packed with a moisture multiplying complex for clean, effective haircare. Perfect for all hair types.
This is a leave in conditioning product that can be used on wet or dry hair - wet hair to detangle and hydrate and dry hair to refresh dry hair or ends! It is meant to detangle, hydrate and strengthen hair, and it's sooo good! It's just nice and lightweight does the job, makes it easy to brush hair and leaves hair super soft and frizz free! This just made my Best Products of 2022! Love it.
Repurchase: Yes, already have!
JVN Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo ~ $24.00 CAN. A sulfate-free shampoo with a luxurious lather that builds body and bounce without drying out your hair.
This is a thin, clear texture - it offers a gentle lather in the scalp (definitely less of a lather than some shampoos I'm used to), but I understand because of the ingredients. I enjoyed this while I was using this and agree with the healthy looking hair claims - I personally didn't get a ton of volume from the shampoo myself, and it didn't quite give me two days without looking greasy and needing dry shampoo on day 2. While I enjoyed the smooth look, I think I am going to give another one a try next time!
Repurchase: No, probably not
Monday Haircare Volume Shampoo ~ $17.99 CAN. Monday Haircares Volume Shampoo utilises a thorough cleanse and ingredients to add body to thin, fine or oily hair.
Monday Haircare Volume Conditioner ~ $17.99 CAN. Monday Haircares Volume Conditioner provides light hydration to thin, fine or oily hair.
This was another hyped brand newly coming to Shopper's this past year or two and I was excited to try. I actually really liked this set - I thought it made my hair smooth and soft and it did have a little more volume. I can get two days without needing dry shampoo so I do think it's been decent for my thin hair!
Repurchase: I have already!
Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo ~ $15.00 CAN. If you’re after smoother-looking locks, our more powerful than ever Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo is dry, frizz-prone hair’s best friend.
Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner ~ $15.00 CAN. If you’re after smoother-looking locks, our more powerful than ever Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner is dry, frizz-prone hair’s best friend.
I have been so on and off with this line - I actually love this shampoo and conditioner. I think it smooths and nourishes my hair and works well. But, I think it's the type that your hair can get comfortable with, so then it's less effective and I feel like that's maybe what happened. But, it's still lovely and I'm probably due for another round with it soon!
Repurchase: Yes, eventually
Alright, for the last quarter of the year, I used up 6 makeup products, 7 skincare products, and 7 hair products! Pretty good work all year on getting through things!
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