For my first empties post I had to combine 2 months into one because there was just not enough products the first month. So these are my December 2012 and January 2013 empties! I have an issue with finishing products, I always leave a tiny bit left JUST incase I need it a few months down the road and it just sits there on the shelf.. and I never get around to finishing it. Okay so here are the products I actually did completely finish!
I know a few things aren't beauty or hair products but I felt the need to include them :p
Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner: The scent for this duo was lovely, at first I thought it smelt chemically, but then the shampoo smelt like coconuts to me (I can't describe scents well..) and the conditioner smelt like somewhat of a fruit blend. The shampoo lathered vey well and the conditioner left my hair soft and flowy. I can't say I noticed a difference using it though, it wasn't anything special, my hair is thin, brittle, and flat and it did not volumize which is what I look for in a shampoo.
Purchase? No
Fekkai Full Blown Volume Shampoo: I got this free during a Holt Renfew promotion. Very sudsy and lathered well, I didn't have to use much at once so it lasted a while. I love this for volume, but I think I used it too often that now that I don't use it, I realize how flat my hair really is! It is way too expensive to repurchase.
Purchase? Yes, if it was less expensive or goes on sale.
White Barn Frosted Cupcake Candle: I loveee this scent so much! It smells like a vanilla cupcake. I also didn't think it would last so long considering I burned it every day. I think this was a winter/christmas special though which makes me sad.
Purchase? Yes, if I could find it again.
Posh Brush Cleaner: I almost finished this and left it in my drawer for a while. Brought it out again, I hate it. Don't know why I used so much of it. I realized it makes my brushes dry and rough, however it does decently clean them. Has a strong alcohol smell. I would not recommend this.
Purchase? No! Never again.
L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black (Waterproof): Clearly I used this Loreal mascara until I couldn't anymore.. It held the curl of my straight lashes really well and I did see a lot of volume. Purchase? Yes!
Multibionta Probiotic Multivitamins: Didn't feel any different taking these, however they are suppose to be really good for you.
Purchase? No, unless they were majorly discounted.
Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shower Gel: I don't like products that are all in one. It didn't feel right as a body wash, it felt like shampoo on my body because of the creaminess and thick texture. I really did like the scent, however, it is too expensive for what it is.
Purchase? No
Yves Rocher Express Cleanser for Sensitive Eyes: The only eye makeup remover I can use. It's inexpensive, takes all kind of makeup off very easily, even waterproof and lip stains. Only problem is it's oily and smears everywhere! I can live with it though, especially for the price. It looks like it's discontinued though, I don't know why! But they only have the 'Gentle' not the 'Express' on their website.
Purchase? Yes, but it seems to be discontinued.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil: I went through 2 bottles of this to realize it stings and burns my sensitive skin, and possibly, makes my blemishes even redder. I dropped it and it cracked so the 1/4 I had left spilt out. I think this is a good product for people that don't have sensitive skin, however, I'm not sure if The Body Shop's is too strong because of the alcohol and other ingredients in it. I've seen 100% pure tea tree oil products from companies such as Thursday Plantation and Holista at Walmart and have been curious to try these, although I've heard they could be just as, or even stronger.
Purchase? No
Orlane 25+ First Time-Fighting Care Eye Contour: For some reason my product was only like 1/4 full. But it was runny and I didn't need much for my under eye. It felt nice and I feel like it did help the skin underneath my eye, but I wish I had a larger (or at least full) sample or was able to test it again.
Purchase? No, this wasn't a large enough sample.
Orlane Light Smoothing Cream: Felt light and hydrating on the skin, I didn't use it while my skin was at it's driest point so I'm not sure how well it worked. I didn't have a large enough sample to figure out if it was worth the price.
Purchase? No, too expensive and again this wasn't a large enough sample.
Nivea Hydro Care: Purchased this like 4 times to realize it wasn't hydrating my lips. I felt like it made them drier. After discovering EOS, I won't be buying this brand of lip care anymore.
Purchase? No
Clear Prep Fx Matte Primer & Anti-Acne Treatment Gel: I think the salicylic acid in this was breaking me out more. I got tiny bumps from using this product and my face was better off without using the primer. I had to stop using this.
Purchase? No
John Frieda Full Body Shampoo & Conditioner: I actually bought the full sizes of these before I got the sample to try. I loved the conditioner and finished it quite a while ago, it was softening. The shampoo was okay, I didn't use it because I like volumizing shampoo, but it seemed pretty standard to me.
Purchase? Yes, I would purchase the conditioner again.
Kaia Naturals 100% Natural Bamboo Facial Cleansing Cloth: The cloth was really good quality and very soft. The ingredients seem somewhat natural, I don't think it broke me out, I had to really rub my face to get the makeup off though, there was not a lot of product on the cloth.
Purchase? No, I would if it was inexpensive to have more time to test it out.
Coola Cucumber Mineral Face Sunblock Matte Finish: This product left me with a white cast, I tried it twice and couldn't do it. It feels very mattifying and goes on smoothly, it definitely could be great as a primer like the packaging says. I didn't like it though, had to rub it in a lot to fade the white cast and you definitely can't wear it by itself, need a foundation or tinted moisturizer over it.
Purchase? No! But I'd like to try one of their other face spf's.
Vitamints Immune Sugar-Free Tablets: These had a very strong minty taste. I actually couldn't finish one without my eyes watering haha, you can taste the vitamin too which is kind of weird. I would recommend them for someone who likes strong mints and has them daily, because you get your daily vitamin combined with it!
Purchase? No, taste buds aren't strong enough heh.
MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask in Weather Warrior: This didn't quite moisturize my face as well as I'd like it to, but it felt smooth and soft afterwards. I still had flakiness on my face but I didn't exfoliate before using this, which I should have. I'm not sure if the witch hazel irritated my skin or not, but I loved the way this mask felt on the skin. It is pricey at $5 each and I don't think I would repurchase.
Purchase? No, pricey at $5 each to use often.
