Tuesday, August 12, 2014

product empties

"Product empties" is a concept I've grown to love on various beauty blogs and YouTube videos. It's one time you know you're getting a completely valid review because that person has taken the time to use the entire product, rather than using it for a week and making her determination. So, I thought I'd do the same! These are products I've used up within the past month or two. I've saved them in a bag until I got enough to do an entire post. I'm also sharing whether I would repurchase each product or not. Let me know what you think about this new series - yay? nay?

Nuance Salma Hayek Macadamia Nut Exfoliating Body Cleansing Scrub // This scrub not only exfoliates skin, but it has shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin e to keep skin soothed and hydrated. I would use this all over my body to take away any dead skin cells. My skin smelled amazing and it created the perfect canvas for shaving my legs. For $9, I will definitely repurchase this! 
L'Oreal Elnett Unscented Extra Strong Hold Hairspray // This is my favorite hairspray, so I will go ahead and tell you that it is already repurchased. The unscented formula is the way to go. It still has a smell, but I love it. It creates a dry, touchable hold that doesn't look heavy. It is so good. 
Rite Aid Baby Wash // Any brand of baby wash will do, but this is what I use to wash my makeup brushes. If it's gentle enough for a baby, it's gentle enough for some bristles. I definitely suggest the kind with the pump, like the one above. It just makes the process so much easier. Already repurchased! 
RITUALS Himalaya Wisdom Deep Cleansing Scrub // This stuff is the ultimate in pampering. The smell is on point. The ancient salts heavily exfoliate and leave a slight cooling effect on the skin. It leaves your skin feeling super moisturized and revitalized. What is the difference between this stuff and the Nuance Cleansing Scrub I mentioned first? This is a heavy duty exfoliant, whereas the Nuance is gentle enough to be used every day (in my opinion). Will I repurchase? I hope so! But honestly, probably not. To me, this seems like a bit of a luxury product and although I would love to own it again, I just don't see myself splurging $25 for it when there are others that do the job (albeit, not as well.). This is a great gift - I would love to give this (or receive it!). It's ahh-mazing followed up with the coordinating body cream.  
RITUALS Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel // I ended up using this as a shave gel and for that, it was amazing. Wasn't crazy about it for a shower gel - don't ask me why. Wouldn't repurchase.
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder // This is truly an awesome translucent powder. It's the best thing I've been able to find for keeping oily skin at bay, but not accentuating dry skin. It's supposed to balance skin and it does a great job at it. I haven't repurchased yet because I thought I could find other things to do the job just as well, but I haven't been able to. I will repurchase - especially because the little tub lasted me the longest time.  
Maybelline Lumi Dream Touch Highlighting Concealer // I've been using this stuff as my under eye concealer and on any other parts of my face that need highlighting and brightening. Y'all know I've tried a lot of concealers and this one has honestly impressed me a lot more than many high end formulations. Already repurchased! 
Clinique Wash Away Gel Cleanser // The best I've ever tried at removing makeup. It's gentle on eye makeup and removes a whole face worth of makeup with ease - and it only takes a tiny pea size amount. Because of how concentrated it is, it lasts me well over a year. I probably have 15 high-end face cleansers in my beauty drawer that have been sent to me to try, but I can't find any that compare to this when it comes to removing makeup! Please note- I do not use this as my main cleanser. I strictly use this for removing makeup and then follow up with a different cleanser. Will I repurchase? Duh!  
Skinceuticals Clarifying Cleanser // I honestly forgot about this cleanser, but now that I'm thinking about it - man I miss it!! It gently exfoliates the skin and treats acne with a combinations of glycolic, mandelic and salicylic acids. I purchased this after my esthetician used it on me during my facials leading up to our wedding. I probably will repurchase one day, but got to work through all of the cleansers mentioned in the paragraph above first, ha!   
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment // This is hurt-your-wallet expensive for how tiny the jar is. It's great, but it has never wowed me the way it's hyped up to be. Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute that I wore this mask, but I find the same results with my $4 Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask. For that reason, I won't repurchase. Just too expensive for me to justify!  
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil // In the winter, this was my savior. I wrote about all the benefits of argan oil here. Will I repurchase? Maybe when the weather gets cold. We will see how my skin is acting at that point!  
Moroccanoil Treatment Light // This is one of the only hair oils I can find that doesn't make my hair look like a grease ball. I use it so very sparingly that the bottle probably lasted me oh... four years? I'm not joking. Will repurchase!  
No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes // I'm the biggest proponent of properly removing makeup and cleansing skin every night, even when you don't feel like it. But even I have those nights when I am just too tired to go through my (rather lengthy) cleansing routine. Or maybe I'm on the couch until 5am watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix and can't bear to get up. Whatever the case may be for you, these wipes will be your saving grace. They're a rather new find and I'm thankful I came across them in Target. These wipes are called 4-in-1 because they contain vitamin pro B5 extracts of witch hazel and fennel to help cleanse pores and moisturize (cleanse + remove impurities + tone + moisturize). They remove makeup and stay more wet than any other wipes I've tried. These are perfect for travel and for those days when you get home from work and just need to immediately take off your makeup and feel refreshed. I can't imagine ever not repurchasing these.
So tell me what you think of these kinds of posts? Did you like it? I know the completely used-up packages are not the most beautiful, but I thought this would be informative. Let me know what ya think!

17 comments:

  1. honestly loved this post! ill have to try some of these, I never fully use up products because I haven't quite found anything I am in love with. thanks for this!

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  2. Love to see posts about empties :)

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  3. Megan, I love these kinds of posts! A co-worker of mine does a beauty blog too (tesoribelle.com) and often does these empties posts. I like to hear other peoples opinions of products before giving them a whirl myself!

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  4. Love this series! It's great to get an honest opinion from someone who is not being compensated for using and promoting the product. Keep these coming!

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  5. I vote yes for more of these posts! When people do product reviews, it's hard to tell if they truly like them or not knowing that they haven't used them for very long.

    26 and Not Counting

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  6. Love this series! Always love hearing other peoples opinions on cosmetics...I have the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting concealer and I think it's amazing as well! Really comparable to the YSL touche eclat...but at a MUCH better price! I can't wait to try the tarte powder, as well as the moroccan oil!

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  7. Love this post. I would love to hear about more of your beauty vlogger / blogger favorites other than the ones you have already posted about.

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  8. these are my favorite type of youtube videos to watch! I will definitely have to try out some of these products :)

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  9. Love this post! Will definitely be purchasing some of these items! Thank you!!

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  10. Loved this post! I hate when people try something for a week and then review it. I'm going to look for those wipes and that maybelline concealer.

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  11. Love love love this post and is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask not the best thing ever?! I'm obsessed -- always repurchase!

    xo,
    Annie Reeves

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  12. Love this post! I've tried a few of these products as well. I definitely love that Clinique cleanser. And I'm with you on the Mint Julep mask - good as any for way cheap!
    -Morgan
    California To Carolina
    The Gym Bunny

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  13. Love Moroccan Oil-I use the light. Can't live w/o it! Great idea on the baby shampoo for makeup brushes. Never thought of that! Keep em coming, I love products!

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  14. Megan, I really loved this post and I hope you continue the series! I really like to learn what products other women are enjoying - it always inspires a new trip to Sephora! ;)

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  15. I love this post! Thank you SO much!

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