To tell you the truth, I had been waiting on my next empties post because I’m just so close to finishing some more interesting makeup products but the stuff has piled up to such a large degree that it’s time to write about these items. After all, I know myself well enough to say that if I put it off much (or really any) longer, the post will become impossibly long.

1.OPI Nail Envy Strengthener Mini ($10?): I’ve had this nail strengthener for ages and I’ve almost used all of it up and what remains has gotten excessively gloopy but I will say that I enjoyed it while it lasted, as it worked. I wouldn’t be averse to trying it again in the future but I will likely pick something else to try out first.

2. OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Nail Polish Mini ($6): This dark almost-black-purple cream is one of my favourite polishes of all time so I was sad to see the little bit I have left in my mini become unusable and gloopy. I had it for maybe two years so it’s likely time for a repurchase in full-size.

3. Formula X Shine Top Coat Mini ($13/ full sized): I picked up Sephora’s famous top coat as part of a point perk and while I was initially in love with the formula, how fast it dried and how long it kept my polish on, I was majorly disappointed to find out that the texture changed in a measly few weeks. Will not be repurchasing unless something changes or I find out that the full size behaves entirely differently.

4. Bath & Body Works Alpine Frost Mason Jar Candle ($12.50): I really enjoyed burning this candle as soon as the holidays ended because it suited the beyond horrific weather and storming that we were having, was understated but appropriately there and didn’t have that woo-holidays sweet edge that the majority of my candles seemed to. It smelled like trees in the best way with a bit of citrus and maybe a hint of musk thrown in. It could very easily end up in my possession if it comes out back again but it’s not one that I’m overly passionate about.

5. Bath & Body Works Mahogany Teakwood 3-Wick Candle ($22.50): I finally finished burning the famous Abercrombie-and-Fitch-esque-in-the-best-possible-way candle and I definitely miss it. It smells like a warm cozy times with an attractive male with those woody notes along with a hint of lavender. It’s a lot more inoffensive than other BBW scents and this is why I think some complain about the throw – but I was a fan of the scent intensity, as I could burn three wicks in my small bedroom without finding the scent too intense and it still lingered for ages afterwards. This is definitely one of my favourites.

6. Bath & Body Works Flannel Mini Candle ($4.50): I’ve waxed poetically upon my love for this masculine-in-the-best-possible-way candle and have expressed my heartbreak upon learning that they got rid of it after a few weeks, so when I spotted a couple of the minis at the semi-annual sale, I had to grab them. I’ve burned one of them thus far. I’m hoping they will be back next year and I’ll be picking up a larger one but it’s worth noting that the scent is rather intense for a mini candle. It’s almost like Mahogany Teakwood’s big brother with much more musk and sandalwood along with the warmth along with a touch of fresh pear.

7. John Freida Frizz-Ease Daily Styling Spray ($11-15): I finally finished this curl refreshing spray after putting it on my ‘Project 10 Pan’ ages ago, which means that I’m down to my last two products and they are both very very close to the end and kind of won’t become empty. While I enjoyed this spray to refresh and enhance my waves, it was not anything special enough to warrant a repurchase in my opinion. It was lightly hydrating and detangling but didn’t do loads more than water in a spray bottle.

8. Dove Style+ Care Nourishing Curls Mousse ($6-8): While this mousse has actually been a repurchase for me and I’ve regarded it in a favourable light in posts, I’m afraid our affair is over. While it’s nice and non-drying, formulated without drying alcohols or anything of that sort, I find that it has the tendency to weigh down my hair a bit and leave a kind of funky residue in my hair if I use the amount required to get the hold I desire. I think I’m over the appeal of these treatment mousses and I’ve got to stop buying them…

9.OGX Sea Mineral Moisture Moisture-Surge Deep Treatment ($10): I’ve actually been done with this deliciously ocean-scented and texturizing conditioning treatment for ages but I’ve forgot to feature it in one of these posts. I would not say that it’s as hydrating as I expect from a deep treatment but it was hydrating enough as a conditioner, while bringing out some texture and it had delightful slip – likely because it had dimethicone in it. I don’t think it gave me the best curl definition in the world but it was not a problem either. I’m not going to repurchase it right away but I would not be opposed to doing so in the future.

10. Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream ($20): I’m quite picky about scents but this authentic zesty sugared lime one is all kinds of amazing and luckily the formula is also amazing, even for dry irritated body skin like mine that is pretty much always struggling with eczema of some sort. The texture is rich and hydrating and almost-greasy in a way that I adore – it does not just sink in and disappear. It’s filled with rich oils, butters etc. and miraculously contains fragrance but does not burn going over patches of really irritated skin. I will repurchase. I found it enjoyable that I did not go through the tub in a minute, too.

11. Bioderma Sensibio H20 ($27/500 mL): I can’t live without this gentle micellar water (or one of its better alternatives) in my stash; I’m pretty sure I’ve gone through ten and I immediately picked up another. Luckily, this is really easy to access in Canada and I’ve been finding the larger sized bottles that are much better value – and my new one even has that pump top. Even though I use cleansing oil some nights to remove makeup and the occasional gentle wipe, I reach for this water when I cannot be bothered – it removes makeup well when you soak it and it’s one of the only products that I can do the soak with because my eyes are just so sensitive. It’s fragrance-free and the gentlest thing on the earth, too.

12. Bioderma Hydrabio Lait ($25): When I was in Montreal two summers back, I saw this product for the first time and couldn’t resist purchasing it – given my love for the water from the Sensibio line and my love of all things hydrating. While this is a nice gentle milk cleanser that is lightweight, soothing and gentle, I’m not a fan of the annoying squeeze top that is beyond unreliable, nor am I a fan of the fact that its an identical formula to the Sensibio Milk except for the added fragrance. I would not purchase again. Unlike the water, this does burn my eyes when I’ve attempted to remove eye makeup with this – but otherwise it’s a nice light milk cleanser.

13. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($18.50): While I really enjoyed using these gentle AHA-soaked pads and found that they were pleasant to use to reap all the glorious benefits of chemical exfoliants and help to keep the skin hydrated, I have to say that I prefer my Paula’s Choice offering that might be slightly more expensive but comes with more product. These are a great AHA product with a gentle and soothing formula, formulated without the alcohol that many seem to rely on.

14. Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion ($16): Clinique’s underrated clarifying lotion that is formulated without irritating alcohol – unlike the others that could literally strip paint off the floor that they advertise – is actually one of my most life changing skincare products. It was my first foray into the world of chemical exfoliants and it changed my skin over time with its soothing hydrating base and 0.5% of BHA. It’s the product that actually started to move these bumps on my skin that never seemed to go away and were kind of everywhere, whilst reducing my mild acne breakouts. It’s one of the most economical BHA’s available and would be a great introductory one. At the moment I would not repurchase because I’m curious about Paula’s Choice’s offerings.

15. Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagant Mascara Mini ($14): I really did enjoy the dramatic but not heavy-looking results from the mascara sample in my birthday gift from Sephora, but I did not find the mascara stayed nice for long. It took a week or two before I found myself really enjoying the volumizing drama of this mascara and unfortunately I found that it started to flake after the 6-8 week mark. I did really enjoy it while it lasted, so I wouldn’t put repurchasing completely out of the question especially because I waited a while before opening it.

Finished up anything lately?

Maggie, x.