Even though this post is not particularly exciting and most of the products are not overly exciting, – although they are a bit more varied than my average empties post – I’m excited to bring to you my thoughts on a good number of products that I’ve used up recently. I will warn you, however, that I’m feeling my typical rambly self you’re in for a rather lengthy one. And I promise that my next post of this kind will be much more interesting, including some more actual makeup products…

L’Oreal Sublime Soft Soothing Cleansing Wipes ($12.99): I’ve mentioned my reservations about using cleansing wipes in the past, both in terms of efficacy as a cleansing method and how irritated they tend to make my sensitive skin, usually being laden with fragrance and irritating alcohol. Now these were not the most amazing makeup removing wipe in the world, but I really enjoyed the alcohol-free offering from L’Oreal because it had some moisture, with the vitamin e and was not stripping. They are my favourite wipes that I’ve tried and they do not even make my eyes burn but the packaging method did not keep them particularly most for ever – to be honest, I kept these around for so long that the last wipe or two had to be wet with water to remove makeup effectively.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Creamy Cleanser ($10-12): After likely a year of use, at least once per day, I have run out of this gentle non-foaming gel-cream cleanser and I’ve really enjoyed it for its gentleness and ability to remove makeup decently to well. It has a similar texture to Cetaphil but I find it more effective at cleansing and gentle, free of harsh detergents, fragrance and other irritants. I might repurchase it but for now I’m using the creamier Extra Gentle Cleanser from Neutrogena.

Jergen’s Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer ($9-10): Back last spring and summer, I was really enjoying using this moisturizer come gradual tanner to add some glow with zero upkeep. Even though I’m fair, I use the darker shade and I find that it gives a natural looking glow that does not take too much time to build up and most impressively, there’s no irritating alcohol or anything in the formula that pisses off my fickle dry eczema-infected skin. Plus, I rather enjoy how it functions as a nice rich but non-greasy moisturizer, smells like caramel and doesn’t stick to dry patches or anything. A few weeks back, I was feeling kind of pale and couldn’t find my regular moisturizer so I gave this a go again to stop looking quite so pale and two applications later, I’ve reached the end of the tube. It will be repurchased, as this one was – this was either my second or third bottle and I have another.

L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess Mascara ($9-10): After using this tube of mascara for a frightening length of time, – it may have been a year – I figure that it’s time to retire this loved mascara and it’s starting to flake something and might possibly lead to irritated eyes on a few occasions. It’s definitely one of my favourites, providing impressive separation and definition with a nice dose of both length and volume without any sort of clumping action in sight.

L’Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara ($9-10): Despite initially taking dislike to just how clumpy and wet this mascara was at first, I found myself enjoying it quite a bit as soon as it dried out some as it became less wet and provided less of a clumpy and more of a voluminous big lashed kind of look. However, there was only maybe 6 weeks that this mascara was particularly nice for – after that, the mascara began to flake quite badly and irritate my eyes slightly. Definitely a nice dramatic mascara for when it lasted, though.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded ($9-10): I’m a big fan of this shimmery champagne cream eyeshadow-come-base and after having the cream product for well over a year, I’ve used up a great deal of the product, hitting pan (with a huge dip) and at this point it’s so dry that its unusable. I imagine I will purchase another in the near future. However, I do believe that MAC Paint Pots, while more pricy, have a creamier formula and stay creamy for far longer.

MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Quiet Brunette ($21): I purchased this pigmented brow mascara back in June and I’ve been enjoying it tremendously ever since, especially when I’ve been in a lazy mood and can’t be bothered to actually fill in my brows – it’s pigmented enough to work through the brows on its own to fill sparse areas and add shape and it truly is waterproof so it holds my crazy brows in place like no other. Unfortunately, my bottle is now near empty and so dry its kind of unusable. It’s not an absolutely perfect match, as its a light brown shade with some ashiness but not quite enough for my brows that are kind of grey but I loved it so I would definitely consider purchasing again. I may try to get a use or two more out of the bottle because I do not want to be without it.

OGX Kukui Oil Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($7.99): I’m afraid that this shampoo is one of those products that has been sacrificed to sensible family members who have the audacity to throw out shared beauty products when they are empty, so it’s not in the picture. Alas, I really enjoyed this gentle shampoo because it worked without being stripping in the least, wasn’t too heavy despite its gentleness and had that amazing warm scent. I suppose I will repurchase it, given that it performs up there with the best of shampoos, even those at a much higher price bracket.

Dove Refresh + Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo ($6-8): I’m still rather new to the whole dry shampoo game but after nearly a year, I’ve finished up this affordable offering and I quite enjoyed it, for freshening the roots a bit and adding some body at the crown and roots. However, I found it could have quite a difficult white cast and a baby-powder like texture that were difficult to work with granted that I have wavy hair that does not like to be brushed in between washings. It did work, though, and I might go back to it in the future.

Pantene No Crunch Curls Whip ($6-8): A few months back, I picked up this hydrating mousse in hopes of finding it to be a nice mousse with hold and bounce with a bit of a moisture boost, without that drying effect that many can have. Whilst, I found that this mousse is anything but drying, I’ve found that it actually weighs my waves/ loose curls down and adds an irritating residue to my hair that just feels weird – probably from the hefty amount of mineral oil and petrolatum in the formula.

Sally Hansen Kwik Of Moisturizing Nail Polish Remover ($4-5): After a tragic incident where I laid this magical polish-removing tub on the ground on its side after use without noticing, there was a significant spill and as a result, the remover never was the same. I saw another one on sale and it has been purchased.

Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candle in Spiced Apple Toddy ($22.50): I absolutely adore those warm cider-y scents – especially in the winter – and I burned this strong spicy cider scent constantly since the beginning of November to well into the first month of the year. It was hella strong in terms of throw, so in my small room I tended to burn it one wick at a time and it still delivered that warm comforting quintessentially-winter punch and I would definitely recommend it if you’re into these warm and spicy kind of scents – especially if you’re not someone who loves the sickly sweet scents that seem to dominate around this time of year. Believe it or not, there is no hint of caramel in this one.

Used up anything worthy of note lately?

Maggie, x.