October 2019 Skincare Empties

As we head to the end of the year, I'm ramping up my 'use it up' mentality to clear as many of the older products from my stash as possible.
Lots of this month's empties were items that had been opened too long, hanging around too long or were on the verge of expiring.

Key

WR - Will repurchase or have already repurchased

MR - Might repurchase at a later date.

WNR - Will not repurchase. Either it didn't work for me, I didn't like it, it's too expensive or it had ingredients that didn't suit my skin.

Skincare

* AA Skincare - Frankincense & Rose Toner (MR)
This was a generous replacement after my initial smaller size bottle of this toner (which came in a Skin Organics Box) must have been from a bad batch. Happy to report that this time, the toner was exactly as it should have been with no 'off' smell. 
I really enjoyed using this. It was great as a very light and gentle everyday toner which I could use around my eyes without irritation. I also used it as a morning cleanser and to mix clay masks with.
Came in a plastic bottle - but I will be re-using the bottle as a spray mister for my ferns.

* Myroo - Skin Boost Serum (WNR)
I'm feeling a bit sad that I didn't get on well with this serum.
I can't really understand why I didn't as there was absolutely nothing in the ingredients that I don't get on with and it's not too far removed from other serums that I've loved and repurchased, so I am a bit stumped!
But for whatever reason, this just didn't sit well on my skin. I found that it never really fully absorbed and never felt particularly comfortable or soothing. I ended up using it on my arms, which was great for my arms, but was a mis-placed usage.

I also had real problems with the packaging. From very early on, the dropper (which was in two parts - the actual dropper and then the screw top part) kept separating every time I screwed the top back on. This meant that I had to keep it upright at all times to avoid leakage and could certainly never travel with it.

* Ishtar Skinlights - Perfect & Glow (WR)
As with all the Ishtar Skinlights products I've tried, the Perfect & Glow serum has been a real delight. It plays well with any other layers in my skincare routine. I initially bought this to replace a Vitamin C serum which had run out but as I was used to a higher percentage, this didn't quite give me the potency that I was looking for as a Vitamin C serum.  Instead, I used this as a morning serum which was both hydrating and brightening.
You can read a full review here.

* Vee Beauty LDN - Rose Gold Elixir (WR)
Love, love love this facial oil! Blended with Argan, Rosehip and Pumpkin Seed Oils and prettied up with gold leaf suspended in the oil, this oil was brilliant for hydrating, softening and plumping my skin. Easily absorbed into my skin. I preferred to use this is my evening routine as it really worked well overnight to give my skin some thorough nourishment. Will repurchase when I have lessened my current facial oil stash.
I reviewed this HERE.

* Biore - UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ 
This is a tricky one to write!
This empty comes hot on the heels of a medical diagnosis of Vitamin D deficiency which has led to me being prescribed a high dosage of Vitamin D3 pills. When asked what caused it (I thought it may be another peri-menopausal issue) I was told by the Dr "lack of sunlight". And when I told the Dr that I wear 50 SPF year round he strongly urged me to wear something with at least half that strength. That really threw me! Here I was protecting my skin, totally not realising that I was causing other health issues for myself (Osteoporosis).
I haven't given this a 'repurchase rating'. Even though it has consistently been the best, easiest to wear SPF I've ever tried and I've re-purchased this many, many times, maybe it's just not ideal to wear an SPF this high all year round in the UK. This Vit D deficiency has me shaken and I'm going to need to heed that medical advice so I probably won't repurchase it.

* 111Skin - Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask (WNR)
This was one of the last few sheet masks in my stash as I won't be buying anymore to avoid one-use products. 
I've never bought any 111Skin products due to their crazy high price but have received a couple of their sheet masks in beauty boxes. They are incredibly good - super hydrating and brightening and this was no different. I used this when my skin was feeling a bit dried out and off-kilter due to a cold and it really perked my skin up.

* Lucky Cloud - Super Balm (WR)
One of the loveliest multi-tasking balms I've ever tried! This is a super silky and velvety balm which can be used in so many different ways. I kept this on my desk to use as and when needed. This small 15ml pot lasted me for ages. One of my favourite things was the scent of sweet orange and vanilla. I would often open this pot just to inhale the gorgeous chocolate orange scent. I will definitely be repurchasing this after I've finished off a couple more balms from my stash.

* BAO - Apricot Rose Face Polish (WNR)
Whoops! I opened this up when I first received it to try it and then put it away for perhaps a little too long as it had expired by the time I got round to using it. I did use it on my face a couple of times before using it up on my body.
As a face polish, I liked what I got to try of this. It had a nice creamy base and the scrub level wasn't too abrasive.

As someone that rarely uses physical exfoliators, I try not to have too many in my stash at one time (I use them max twice a week). It's only for that reason that I wouldn't repurchase this and nothing to do with the quality of the product, which was great.

* Eve Lom - Cleanser (MR)

This is one of my favourite first cleansers. My favourite thing about this is the way that it emulsifies. Goes on like a balm cleanser but turns into a silky, milky lotion when water is added. I can see why the scent of this cleanser is quite polarising - I happen to like it, but it is quite an unusual scent. So I like it a lot but it's only a 'might repurchase'? 

I'd consider this as a treat item due to the higher price. I did see one in T.K Maxx for around the £20 mark, but I didn't pick it up as I was being mindful that I still have lots of first cleansers in my stash to use up, but if I saw it for that price again, then I'd probably buy it next time.

* Sukin - Foaming Facial Cleanser (MR)

This was a good foaming cleanser that didn't dry out my skin. I was able to use it on my eyes without irritation and it's good value for money. I have no real complaints about it other than that it was a bit of an un-exciting cleanser. I kept this as my 'in-shower' cleanser, which is generally where my less exciting cleansers get relegated to.

* The Ordinary - Squalane Cleanser (MR)
This cleanser had elements to like, elements that were just okay and some elements to dislike.
Good points were that it's cheap and emulsifies well. But it's very much a 'no frills' cleanser so nothing to get too excited about - there wasn't much of an 'experience'. The worst element was that there was no rhyme nor reason as to when it would irritate my eyes. Sometimes it was fine (although wasn't great at removing eye makeup) but at other times it really stung my eyes. Not sure if I'd repurchase - there are far too many first cleansers that I prefer over this.
I reviewed this HERE.

Body/Hair/etc

* Benecos - Hand & Nail Cream (WNR)
I loved the Orange & Sea Buckthorn scent, but sadly, that's about it. 
This took quite a while to absorb and left my hands feeling a bit greasy. Strangely, it also made my hands feel drier than before after a couple of hours.

* Bumi Organic Beauty - Body Polish* PR Sample (WR)
Absolutely loved this body polish but it didn't take me long to race through it! I much prefer the use of poppy seeds as a natural exfoliant. This Body Polish was gentle enough to use all over my body (rather than the usual arm, leg and bum scrub) - I don't usually do a full body exfoliation so this was a nice treat.
I love that the hemp oil base was rich enough to linger on my skin so that I felt well nourished and softened after my shower too.
I reviewed this HERE.

* Clockface Beauty - Enhanced Recovery Body Oil (WR)
I absolutely love this body oil. This was my go-to oil for when I had aching muscles and joints or restless legs. When massaged into my legs at night this would make me (and my legs) feel much more relaxed and less likely to feel all jumpy and jittery throughout the night. My sleep pattern is pretty bad at the best of times, but my restless legs would make my sleep far worse, so I really did value this oil for its ability to ease those aches. 

* Essence -  I Heart Extreme Mascara (MR)

Not empty but way past expired. Another victim of having too many products open at one time! Essence is such a great value makeup brand - cheap prices but not cheap quality. This mascara was great - not my favourite but it was nice and lengthening, very black and no smudging or flaking. Would buy either this or another Essence mascara in a flash. 

* Verdant Alchemy - Drift Off Bath Salts (WNR)
I shower far more often than I take a bath (to save water!) so when I do have a bath I like to make it a real pampering session. These bath salts really added to my bathing experience. The scent was gorgeous. But, (and this may not be the best method of judging a product) I'm not a massive fan of the aesthetics of bath salts in the water as rather than the opulence of a foaming bubble bath, bath salts do make the water look murky and therefore don't set the visual scene as well! I hope you know what I mean?!
So again, I wouldn't repurchase these but that's not because I didn't enjoying using them and that they were a bad or even mediocre product, I just prefer products that bring more of the spa feel (and look) to my bath time.

* Transformulas - Youthful Hands & Feet (WNR)
That cut-in-half, black and silver messed up tube? That's the Transformulas Youthful Hands & Feet. I received this in a beauty box ages ago. When I first started using it, it had the strangest smell - almost yeasty. The cream really worked well to soften my feet, but I was put off by the smell. So this got squirrelled away for a few months and then I recently came across it again. I usually make my own foot balm, which I'm more than happy with but I wanted to use this up rather than throw it away. It may well have expired, but it still worked well, and better still, the awful smell had gone!
But the outer coating of the packaging absolutely broke down - all the silver paint covering came off on my hands, so I would have sparkly feet by the time I was finished! 
So this worked well, but I wouldn't repurchase. I think my home-made balm is sufficient for the future.

Samples

* Weleda - Lavender Creamy Body Wash (WNR)

As much as I love Weleda Skin Food, I'm afraid it's their only product that I really rate. I find the body washes, oils and creams a bit mimsy. They don't really leave too much of an impression as they're just kind of okay.

* Angel Face Mineral Cosmetics - Illuminator Sample (WR)

Have already repurchased a full size of this product. This illuminating powder is exactly the effect I'm looking for in a highlighter as I get older. I don't want blinding and strobing highlighters any more but prefer something a lot more subtle and natural to give me a natural looking radiance. The illuminator is perfect - a finely milled mineral powder with a light pink hue. It just lights up my face without looking too obvious. I love it!

* Skin 79 - Super + Beblesh Balm (MR)
Using this has reminded me just how good Korean BB Creams are! They offer much more coverage than their western equivalents and usually include a high SPF too (in this case SPF 30++).  There was no shade number detailed on the pack, but this was ideal for my skin tone. Maybe it wasn't even meant to provide coverage, rather just to even out my complexion, but it gave me quite a good coverage - enough for me to feel more confident in my skin. I already have a similar BB Cream i my stash, but I would consider buying a full size of this in the future.

* Nuxe - Reve de Miel Melting Honey Oil Balm (MR)
This 'reads' a lot better than than it performs. The name 'Melting Honey Oil Balm' makes you think of a lovely rich oil-based balm which melts on the skin. In reality, this is more like a rich, smooth body cream or butter. The honey scent wasn't too sweet or overpowering and the balm was beautifully silky on my skin. This really did soothe and calm my legs after shaving and for that reason, I would consider repurchasing.

* Nuxe - Le Matin/Le Soir de Possibles (MR)
Loved the Le Soir de Possibles scent and would reconsider repurchasing but I really didn't like Le Matin de Possibles scent AT ALL! Interesting how each scent was so different from each other - quite literally the difference between day and night.

* Mossa - Glow Cocktail (MR)
A small sachet sample so I only got three uses from this, so not long enough to really have an informed opinion. This was a creamy serum; had a lovely scent and absorbed well. I found it mattified my skin somewhat, which I thought was a bonus. There was no instant brightening, but maybe/probably this is a product where results are visible over time. I'm quite intrigued by Mossa's range ( sister brand of Madara) and would like to try something else to get a better feel for the brand and their products.

* Madara - Moon Flower Tinting Fluid (MR)
A sample sachet from a recent Naturisimo Discovery Box. I'd really like to explore this product more. The shade was just right for me. But, it has very minimal coverage - not that it's supposed to be a coverage product, but you couldn't really use this alongside a foundation as it is reasonably heavy in its own right. I'm not feeling confident enough in my skin to wear this alone at this time of year - this would be far better as a summer product. It gives great glow though - but possibly edging towards the side of 'shine' rather than glow. I definitely needed a face powder to set this and to neutralise some of the shine (or dewy-ness?). This sample gave me four good uses - enough for me to want to explore further but not enough to make a definite decision. I can't leave this without remarking on the scent though. I read several reviews where people really didn't like the scent. It's an incredibly sharp, green 'freshly cut grass' scent and is really quite strong. I didn't mind it but be aware - it has a very sharp and strident scent and I can see how it would put some people off the product.