Empties #7 [Back to School]

My dollar store blue bin of empties has been emptied. In Empties #6, I promised myself I'd try to do a "Products I Used Up" post every other month. The timing works out quite well because I'm spring cleaning and moving back to school in Waterloo for early May. Everything is linked to the original reviews/features and there's a good amount of content here for your reading pleasure. So cuddle up with a cup of tea and get ready... 

The Empties Legend: 

*** = fo sho repurchase

** = maybe repurchase

* = probably won't repurchase

Make-up

The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind The Perfector Powder* had not even hit pan yet and it broke on me. In the grand scheme of things, the powder worked well, but I'm too lazy to mend it back together and I have other powders that I prefer over it.

I like to hold on to mascaras way past their prime. The 6 month threshold was up for these six and it was time to say goodbye. Of course, I'll be converting the wands into brow spoolies (see the DIY here). The Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Potion*, Pop Beauty Smoky Lash Kapow Mascara *, Benefit They're Real! Mascara* were all pretty good in terms of volumizing and lengthening but smudging and racoon eyes erase any benefits I may have thought up.  

My current favourites CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara*** and the CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara*** are just overall awesome. The CoverGirl Flamed Out Mascara* has a similar formula but the wand is weird and hourglass shaped so I'll skip the Flamed Out and stick with what I know. 

Almay Intense I-Colour Volumizing Mascara in 031 Plum*** does everything that my beloved CoverGirl mascaras do, plus the added feature of enhancing eye colour with a slight tinge of purple. When I run out of my CoverGirl stash, this is what I'll consider picking up next. 

Despite the hype (and the expense), NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer* didn't do much for me. I found it to be too thin and not sticky enough to hold onto my shadows or increase colour payoff. 

I used up the Laura Mercier Loose Powder Foundation ** in a little less than a year. I love the coverage and the overall finish, but the colour "Real Sand" wasn't the perfect match for me. Foundation is something that I always like to mix up, so repurchasing is on the backburner for now. 

Hair

At best, my hair during the winter can be described as thirsty. It's frizzy and staticy and tangly and dry. The Pantene Moisture Whip*** was my shining hair saviour. I dollop of this cream in my ends and a little blowdry and it looked all silky, smooth and gorgeous. 

It took me a little over six months to get through the Pantene Ultimate 10 Shampoo and Conditioner**. It's  great affordable shampoo/conditioner set if you're looking for something very hydrating. It has a funky lightweight squishy gel texture that I enjoy. Similarly, the Garnier Damage Eraser Shampoo and Conditioner** is a good affordable haircare option (but doesn't have the same fun texture. 

From the lovely Gummy of GummyVision.com, I had won the Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner***. It's a little more gentle and lightweight than the two previously mentioned and has a non-offensive citrus scent. It's also 400% more pricey but worth it, in my opinion. 

Hair (cont'd)

The Biotera Ultra Color Care Conditioner* did absolutely nothing for my hair. 

The L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme*** and the Pantene Expert Advanced Keratin Repair Ampoule*** work in similar ways. They're haircare pick-me-ups for dull, unhealthy hair. One time use yields shiny, moisturized, and strong feeling lengths. The L'Oreal has a bit too much product (even though I have quite long hair) but both products perform the same. 

Skincare (and toothpaste)

The Skiin Instant Skin Tightener and Line Filler* made my skin feel weird and tight. Blegh. 

The Quo Konjac Sponge** was my first step into the world of Konjac cleansing sponges. They're a gentle exfoliator to be used with or without cleanser. I found the Quo one to be effective but within a couple months it stained and absorbed my foundation residue, which made me doubt its cleanliness. 

An impulse skincare purchase, I used the Kiehls Rare Earth Pore Minimizing Lotion* more as a primer than a moisturizer. I didn't find it to be hydrating but it definitely kept my oil at bay. It was a so-so product because I'm looking for something that can both moisturize and mattify. 

I found the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser* to be a total dud. The scent bothered my eyes a bit, so I ended up just using it to clean my makeup brushes. 

Colgate Toothpaste*** - It's toothpaste. There's not much to say here. 

Bioderma Cicabio Repair Creme* - meant for irritated skin, I randomly just slathered this all over my face to try it out. There's no scent and the cream is extremely hydrating. I don't think I have a real use for this except for the odd time when the skin around my eyes gets irritated, itchy, and red from people who wear bath and body works lotions. 

Masks and Balms

I was expecting the Balea Warming Foot Balm* to warm up. Nothing happened and my skin didn't absorb the product. A little disappointed, so I'll just stick to regular foot creams. 

Another impulse skincare purchase, this is 1 of a 10 set of the My Beauty Diary White Pearl Brightening Mask***. I really like it. I think I'll put up a fuller review so I'll leave it at that. 

I love the one-use concept of the Montagne Jeunesse face masks. Through the #CBBMJMASKOFF, I've tried the Olive Oil Mask**, Chocolate Mask*, and Peel Off Mask* thus far. Overall, I like the Olive Oil for its cleansing and purifying qualities, the Chocolate Mask smells amazing but is drying (even for my oily skin), and the Peel Off mask is a bit messy for my liking. 

Maskeraide Pre Party Prep Hydrating Mask** X 2 - a great mask but a little on the pricey side compared to its T&T counterparts. I love putting this on before bed and then letting the essence soak into my skin as I sleep. 

Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask** - It's hard to tell if this actually treated my dark spots as the packaging suggests continuous use. It did not break me out and felt hydrating while fitting my face well. 

Cleansing Wipes

I'm not one to purchase makeup remover wipes by my own choosing, as I find that the essence/wet stuff that the cloths are soaked in are typically not as awesome as my trusty cleansing waters and cleansing oils. For starters, Boo Bamboo Makeup Remover Wipes* are not wet enough, nor are they able to remove makeup with a single cloth. The Olay Fresh Effects Exfoliating Wet Cloths* make an attempt at being dual-purpose with one side being like your typical makeup wipe and the other with an exfoliating surface. The makeup wipes were too dry and the exfoliating side was itchy and pointless. The best I've tried recently are the Olay Wet Cleansing Towelettes ** good removing power and not too dry. 

Body Care

Obviously, I love The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Cream Body Scrub and Vineyard Peach Body Butter*****. Excuse me while I go buy 20 backups of the Body Butter. I'm not a fan of the Cream Body Scrub formulation but it smells absolutely divine. 

The scent of Kai Body Wash* stands no chance against other items that are more fruity. It lathers nicely and smells very... "mature". It's a fresh, earthy scent but not sweet enough for my childish tastes. 

Food

The Trader Ming's (Trader Joe's) Sesame Soy Ginger Vinaigrette*** wins the award for best salad dressing ever. The bottle is kinda small and it lasts only about 10-12 salads. Too bad it's only available in the States. I may have to try my hand at recreating it. 

Lindt Chocolate*** nom nom nom. Chocolate is a life necessity. 

A little intense but lots of stuff finished up this time around. Let me know if you like these lengthy posts! THE COUNT: 43 items...

Have you emptied any products this month? 

An InLinkz Link-up

Some items are press samples while others are not, but does it REALLY matter that much. I finished them up so that must count for something. You can check out the full reviews if you're that concerned! Sorry there's no review on the salad dressing. 

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