December 2019 - Skincare Empties

My mind always gets a bit fixated on 'clearing up/using up' towards the end of the year and I feel reasonably happy that I've utilised my products well and not had too much wastage or de-clutters.
So these are the last empties of 2019 - and if I were going to make any skincare or product resolutions for 2020 it would be a continuation of trying not to amass so much!!

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

* B Pure - Micellar Water (WR)
By far the best micellar water that I have tried. Brilliant at removing all eye makeup without a scrap of irritation. It's incredible value for money too.
I'm currently using a Garnier Milky Micellar Water which I'm not a fan of at all. But it's a huge bottle of the stuff and I do feel like I need to finish it before I go back to this again. If I can bear it!

* Revolution Skincare - CBD Nourishing Essence Spray (WR)
A surprise hit for me, considering I only picked it up to get free shipping on an order.
Now I'm thinking that claiming CBD ingredients is far-fetched (I'm sure that Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil is not the same as CBD) but even so, I really liked this spray. The inclusion of the oils made it extra hydrating than most facial mists. Whilst the scent had a touch of artifice about it, I still liked it. I've surprised myself that I will definitely repurchase this at some point.

* Lime & Lilac - Passionflower Cleansing Oil* (PR sample) (WR)
This fabulous cleansing oil made the top spot in my Best Skincare of 2019 post.
Shake it to wake it - this bi-phase cleansing oil has the most remarkable emulsifying quality that I've ever come across in a first cleanser. It turns to a silky milk and can easily be rinsed away without the need for a face cloth (although I always choose to use one). Gets rid of every last scrap of makeup, daily grime and SPF and leaves my skin feeling beautifully soft and clean. Fantastic stuff which I couldn't be without (I luckily have another bottle ready to use).
Read my full review here.

* ValJean Labs - Niacinamide + Zinc (WNR)
I found this in T.K Maxx to replace The Ordinary Niacinamide (which I loved). I had no idea what strength of Niacinamide this offered but I'm pretty sure it wasn't anywhere near a 10% potency. This was good - but the results weren't as apparent as with The Ordinary, so it slipped out of my daily routine for a while. I wouldn't repurchase this particular brand again as I have gone back to using The Ordinary Niacinamide (which is my favourite product from their range).

* Ishtar Skinlights - Cleansing Clay (WR)
I absolutely loved this cleansing clay and this is why Ishtar Skinlights is one of my favourite brands - they just do everything better!
I only used this a maximum of twice a week and so it lasted me a very long time. What I loved about this is that it was such a great morning cleanser with just the teensiest touch of exfoliation. It left my skin so incredibly soft and was great for mattifying my face on days when I felt a little oilier than normal. 
Read a full review here. 

* The Butter Bar Skincare - Glow-Ry Antioxidant Serum (MR)
I won this fabulous antioxidant serum in a giveaway and was delighted to get the chance to try it out as it's only available online from the U.S.
An amazing glow-giving rich oil-based serum with a velvety texture, packed with the best botanical ingredients to protect and restore the skin's barrier, reverse the signs of skin cell damage caused by free radicals and increase the skin's elasticity.
This is on the pricier side to what I usually am comfortable spending on a product and coupled with the fact that it's only available in the United States, then it is unlikely that I will get to repurchase - although I'd very much like to continue to use it.
Read my review here.

* Ethically Organic - Anti Ageing Face Oil (MR)
In a year where my stash overflowed with an abundance of facial oils - it did make it quite difficult for me to devote long periods of time to using just one facial oil. This was certainly the case with the Ethically Organic Face Oil - I used it consistently when I first received it in a Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box but then was side-tracked by other facial oils received. I recently picked it up again after a long hiatus as I didn't want it to expire before I got a chance to finish it. I was reminded that it was a lovely facial oil, best suited for my evening routine where it made a great bed fellow with a night sleeping mask to optimise overnight plumping, softening and hydrating. It's definitely an oil that I'd be more than happy to re-purchase, but my stash still overflows, so it won't be added back into my collection for a while.

* Bielenda - Dr Medica - Capillaries Serum (WR)
Have already repurchased this serum as it's been a daily essential for well over a year now. Such a brilliant, easy-to-use serum which plays well with other layers and absorbs instantly with great brightening results. I've been through numerous bottles now and have no intention of removing it from my routine.
Read my full review here.

* Shisheido - Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (WNR)
After reading and re-reading the description of the Shisheido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, I'm still none-the-wiser as to what it is exactly! In a nutshell, it's a pre-serum serum - said to protect and strengthen the skin and to make more potent any serums used afterwards in a routine.
I was unlikely to see any visible results after using a small sample and it didn't pique my interest enough to want to try any more - especially at the price it retails for!

* Elemis - Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (MR)
This used to be one of my absolute favourite cleansing balms. And I do still really like it, it's just that others have superceded this in my affections in the meantime! I like that this is an emulsifying balm and I love the scent. It's a good no-nonsense balm cleanser with a little extra 'joy' for good measure.

Bath, Body , Etc

* Ziaja - Gingerbread Shower Soap (WR)
I love Ziaja for their great value skincare, hair and body products. They might be budget but they're certainly not basic. I've tried several Ziaja products that I've loved and repurchased, but I think this Gingerbread Shower Gel has been my favourite - purely for its delicious scent!

* Ayumi - Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang Body Scrub (WR)
I've loved all of the Ayumi products that I've tried but this body scrub is my most favourite so far. The scent is just incredible and nicely long-lasting too. It's not an overwhelmingly scrubby exfoliant but just right for everyday use in the shower. I'd like to try more of the products from this scent range as it's just so good.

* Link Nutrition - Beauty Supplements (WNR)
I picked these for one of my Latest in Beauty boxes otherwise I don't think I would have bought them. This is just a month's supply of supplements so maybe that's too short a time to notice any effects. Because I didn't notice any difference as a result of these supplements - so maybe I just have to hope that they did some good!

* Bagsy - Wow Lips (MR)
Yay! The first lipstick that I've ever completely finished! This was one of my choices for my 20/20 Vision Panning Project and one of the few makeup items that I did successfully finish. 
This was ideal for me as it was a lovely everyday nude colour - easy to apply and reasonably long wearing. I like this enough to repurchase, but I do have several similar shades in my lipstick stash.

* Hourglass - Extreme Caution Mascara (WR)
I think this is my most favourite mascara that I've ever used. This wasn't completely used up but was unfortunately way past its expiry date so had to go. That'll teach me to have more than one mascara open at any one time! This gave me huuuge long lashes, was a beautifully deep black colour, no smudging or flaking - absolute perfection. I'm using up more opened mascaras before I repurchase. But for me, this mascara is definitely 'the one'.

* Nudge Boutique - Shampoo Tablet (WR)
Perhaps my favourite discovery of the whole year! I had previously had such bad experiences using solid shampoos (soap-based) that I had vowed to not even bother trying any more. But when Nudge Boutique released this and I read a review by Emma at Beauty Folio I was intrigued enough to give them one more chance!
I was so happy I did because these are just amazing! They are nothing like solid shampoo bars I've tried before because they are not soap-based. They're just like using liquid shampoo but in solid form. And best of all, there's absolutely no transition period. I've been using these bars exclusively since trying my first one and I've now tried every single 'flavour'.
Read my full review here.

Declutters

* Inglot - Cream Blush (WNR)

My oldest makeup item in my collection and one of the 20/20 Vision Project items that I didn't get to finish in time. It's definitely time to de-clutter this blush as I noticed a while ago that it lost a lot of pigmentation and just really stopped making an impact. I loved this cream blusher but it's so old that it's long been discontinued.

* MUA - Matte Perfect Powder (WNR)

Another casualty from the 20/20 Vision Project that I never finished. I couldn't really face taking it forward and using it in another panning project - so I'm afraid it's done for!

* E.L.F - Highlighter (WNR)

Yet another unfinished 20/20 Vision Project item. This one I hadn't actually touched for months. I started to actively dislike this gold highlighter and couldn't bear the thought of even attempting to trying to pan it. Happy to say goodbye to this. The horror! The horror!