Empties #8 [End of Term]

So much for that promise to myself to write empties posts every other month... and what's worse? After 4 months, this is a bit  half-assed and not even half as product-filled as the 43 that I emptied last time around. I guess school and life has kind of gotten in the way of my "use-up-your-stuff" mentality. *sigh* so it's the end of my school term and by the time this is posted I'll be in the midst of writing finals. Oh how time flies. 

The Empties Legend: 

*** = fo sho repurchase

** = maybe repurchase

* = probably won't repurchase

< hair >

The Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo*** and Conditioner ** was my go-to for the past 4 months. The shampoo is quite thick and when worked into the hair, it forms a rich lather that feels both cleaning and hydrating. The conditioner is not quite as thick and much lighter. Both products have a scent that is quite uncommon for haircare products (olive oil, I think). 

Since the above shampoo is quite $$$ (~$25 for a bottle), TRESemme 7 Day Smooth Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum*** (see review) is my new go-to. It does need to be used with a flat iron since it's heat-activated but it really does make my hair look salon-perfect!

The Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Color Infinity Dry Shampoo* gave me dandruff and didn't make my hair feel clean. Plus, it's meant for blondes and smells strongly of hairspray. No thx. 

< skin >

The Pure and Simple Skin Drink*** is a fairly lightweight moisturizer. I used this on and off for the past 4 months. The skin drink was a little too hydrating for my oily skin, so best for the night time after a shower. An added bonus, it's pure... and simple. 

The Bioderma Atoderm Gel Body Wash** is a non-soap body cleanser. It's also unscented. A good body product overall (made me feel squeaky clean in the shower) but I prefer slathering beautifully scented things all over my body. 

My thoughts on the The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky-Clean Scrub** are similar to the Body Shop Tea Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash - both lack the concentration of scrubby beads that I feel like I require to exfoliate my face (hello, Clinique). The scrub is different from the exfoliator in that the scrub is suspended in more of a "soapy" substance rather than a cream. Blemishes weren't particularly diminished but I used the scrub more as a cleanser.

< body >

The Body Shop Body Butter Duo in Floral Acai* contains both a lotion and a body butter. I always find that the moisturizing power of the Body Shop Body Butters and Body Shop products in general are unmatched. This one is no exception, but I'm not a fan of the scent. Same goes for The Body Shop Body Butter in Chocolate*, love the product but don't love the scent over my favourites - satsuma, lemon, peach, and mango. 

< other beauty stuffs >

There's a reason why the Dollarama Cotton Pads* are only a dollar. They fall apart quite quickly. 

I've already repurchased the Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Toothpaste***. I like Tom's of Maine for toothpastes in general. What I look for in a toothpaste? Makes my face feel fresh, plus Tom's makes me feel a little better using a more "natural" toothpaste option.

I'm not the biggest fan of the IMPRESS Manicure* (see reviews here and here), I'll always prefer real nail polish, of which I'll never run out of. 

The My Beauty Diary 2-Step Africa Hydrating Pack Face Mask*** smells like a combination of fresh laundry and mangoes...mmmmmm. There's a mask and a serum to apply afterwards. This mask is a little sticky, especially with the application of the serum after the mask, but it's great for overnight hydration. 

The Maskeraide Detox Diva Face Mask** didn't feel much different from their Pre Party Prep mask, but it's pretty great nonetheless. Maskeraide masks are quite expensive compared to My Beauty Diary ($1 per vs. $5 per), so it's a "maybe". 

< food stuffs >

Ocean Spray Crasins*** are good with oatmeal or on their own as a snack. noms. 

Eclipse Gum*** is just your average gum. I like the convenient extra-large container. 

I only emptied out 20 things this month, depressing compared to the posts where I finished 40 or 50. I'm back to school for another 4 months in September so you probably won't be seeing an epic empties post until December or next year *sorries*. 

What have you emptied lately? 

The hair products, pure and simple skin drink, body shop tea tree scrub, body shop chocolate body butter, impress manicure and maskeraide mask were all press samples, which doesn't change my thoughts on the products :) 

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram