Beauty Graveyard // Empties April 2017

Its been quite a while since my last empties post! I have a huge bag full of products I've finished up as well as some stuff I just wanted to get rid of and I knew it was time that all these empties found there way into the bin!  I've got more products than I would normally have for an empties post so I'm only going to give mini reviews on products that I haven't mentioned before and skip the boring stuff like deodorant!

I've also linked all the products mentioned for your convenience (unless I couldn't find them online)!

//Makeup

I've got a few little makeup bits that are heading to the bin this time around!

Firstly, I've finished up an Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in the shade 'Fair Neutral'. I absolutely love this concealer and have already repurchased. I love the thin consistency of this product and how it sets to a velvety matte finish. I use this under my eyes because it doesn't crease at all for me and the colour is perfect for a highlighting effect that isn't too obvious or ashy. I am also getting rid of a Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer. I loved this product but it was getting old and since Laura Mercier isn't cruelty free I wanted it out of my collection. I did get a fair amount of use out of it though so not to sad to see it go.

I'm also throwing out a completely used and dried out Lancome Hypnose Mascara (also not cruelty free) and an empty pot of Mecca Cosmetica Lip de Luscious. Lip de Luscious is my absolute favourite lip balm ever and I have definitely repurchased!

//Tools

Following on from my makeup bits I'm getting rid of two sponges, two brush cleaners and an eyelash curler!

I'm throwing out a Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and a Beauty Blender - both well loved. I do prefer the original Beauty Blender over the Real Techniques counterpart so I have repurchased a few Beauty Blenders. I also loved the Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser which I completely used up. I would definitely repurchase but at the moment I am using their liquid cleanser which I also enjoy. Finally I finished up a Sephora Brand Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner. I wasn't a huge fan of this and have since tried the Mecca Cosmetica Brush With Success which I find to be more effective and also cruelty free - win-win! Also throwing out my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler because its old and getting really stiff. Will not repurchase based on cruelty free status and I'm currently loving my Eyelash Curler from Eyeko which is also much more affordable!

//Skin

Lots of exciting skin stuff to talk about! I've been trying loads of skincare products lately which means sometimes it takes me longer to finish up products but I still have a lot to share with you this empties!

I'll start with cleansers and toners. I've been trying out a few different micellar waters since my old favourite from Garnier is not cruelty free. I tried the Swisse Micellar Makeup Remover as well as the Rosehip Micellar Water from Essano. Both worked really well as removing my makeup - including stubborn eye makeup. However, the Swisse one had a strange scent which was not too off putting but still not preferable. I've since repurchased the Essano.

I also finished up the No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm from Ren which is my favourite way to remove my makeup, especially when I'm wearing a full face! You apply this oil-based cleansing balm to dry since and massage to dissolve all the makeup and other dirt and oils on the skin. You do need a face cloth to remove this product though because it is too thick to remove with water alone. Absolutely love this product and have definitely repurchased!

Apart from my usual favourites - Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner and Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head - I also finished a few little Kate Somerville minis. Firstly, the Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist was really beautiful and incredibly hydrating but something I don't necessarily need. I also tried the ExfoliKate Cleanser which was a fantastic cleanser for my oily/combination skin that gave a really good deep cleanse without drying out my skin. It worked well with my Clarisonic and left my skin feeling really smooth and looking bright and fresh! I'm not sure if I would repurchase yet. I'm not too fussed when it comes to cleansers (apart from my first step oil cleanse) and not sure I need something with exfoliation in it since I already do lots of exfoliation BUT! if you do like an all in one and have combo to oily skin would definitely recommend!

...and now onto creams and serums! I used up the Very Useful Face Cream by Go-To Skincare which was super lovely! I loved using this shea butter based moisturiser in the morning it kept my skin soft and hydrated all day. If I didn't already have a heap of unopened moisturisers at the moment I would 100% repurchase. I loved pairing the Very Useful Face Cream in the morning with the Bare Minerals Skinvongevity Vital Power Infusion underneath. This serum is really thin, almost like an essence and is hydrating and refreshing! A stand out ingredient in this serum is niacinamide which helps a lot with brightness and pore size. Again would repurchase in a second after I finish all my other serums!

Also finished a few little minis but nothing super exciting to say about these.

//Body

Nothing too exciting here - a few deodorants (Rexona Clinical Protection is my all time favourite) and my can't-live-without shaving cream which will change your life for $7!

//Hair

As usual I've used up a few Schwarzkopf Ultime Biotin Volume Dry Shampoo. However, I have a new favourite - the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle for oily hair. This did such a fantastic job at really thoroughly cleansing my hair, especially after I've been to the gym, so once I finally finish my huge backup stash of Schwarzkopf, I'll repurchase the Klorane.

I'm very happy with how I wizzed through all those products so efficiently! Let me know if you use any of these products or if you have any recommendations for me :)

xx Catherine

Beauty Graveyard // Empties July 2016

My last beauty graveyard post was in March and I just couldn't put off this post any longer as my little bag of empties started overflowing! This post mentions everything from hair, skincare and makeup bits, so grab a cup of tea and get comfy.

Starting off with hair products - I'm so surprised I've finished so many hair products because I hardly do anything with my hair to be honest. Of course, it wouldn't be one of my empties post without a Schwarzkopf Ultime Biotin Volume Dry Shampoo. I go through this stuff like its going out of style, but it's my fave dry shampoo and I still have heaps of backups from the last Priceline 40% off haircare sale. Also from Schwarzkopf I've finish up an Ultimate Oil Elixir Serum. I really enjoyed this because it left my hair feeling super soft and incredibly shiny and I would usually use this before blowdrying my hair. I haven't repurchased but would consider repurchasing in the future.

I've also finished up some high-end hair care as well. I've been using the Michael Van Clarke 3 More Inches for the last couple of months and really enjoying it. I finished up both the shampoo and conditioner in travel sizes and since repurchased the full sizes. I do much prefer the shampoo as it is really clarifying but doesn't take all the weight out of my fine hair. The conditioner isn't my favourite however, as I feel like other conditioners leave my hair feeling much softer. Not too sure yet if I would repurchase the full sizes again, I'll probably try something different. Finally, I finished up the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer. I love this stuff as a heat protectant and isn't heavy at all in my hair. Already repurchased.

Next up are some body products. Nothing too exciting here, another Rexona Clinical Protect which is my favourite deodorant and of course I've repurchased. I also used up a Mitchum Clinical Deodorant, which I didn't mind at all in terms of its effectiveness but the packaging was so annoying and incredibly difficult to wind up so I will not be repurchasing. Finally, I've also used up a travel size of the Korres Guava Body Butter. This stuff is heavenly! Such a pretty, non-overwhelming scent and so moisturising. I did originally buy this as a hand cream to keep in my handbag, but it is a little heavy and takes a while to sink into your hands so I would recommend this more for the body. Haven't repurchased because I have too many body butters/moisturisers but definitely will in the future!

I've finished up a heap of skincare in the last couple of months! I'll start with the products from Origins. First is the High Potency Night-A-Mins Cream. This is a really beautiful night cream packed full of essential oils. It really does re-energise your skin overnight and leave it looking really fresh and bright, however, I had a bit of sensitivity to it because of all the essential oils and it left my skin really itchy. Next up is the Original Skin Renewal Serum. This serum was great at adding a little extra hydration to my skin, but to be honest I hardly noticed any difference when using it - and I went through the whole bottle, would pass. Finally, is the Never a Dull Moment Scrub and WOW I love this stuff. It smells delicious and I noticed such an immediate difference in my skin after using it. I usually leave it on my skin as a mini mask and let the enzymes work a little longer. Fantastic at leaving your skin super soft and glowing! On the most part I love Origins products and they work really well for me but I have decided not to purchase their products anymore because they are not cruelty free.

I've also finished up a deluxe sample of the Kate Sommerville Gentle Daily Wash which I absolutely loved using particularly in conjunction with my Clarisonic. It gave a really deep clean without being harsh or stripping. Would definitely consider purchasing the full size (when I don't have 7 different cleanser already!). Another sample size I've used up is the Korres Wild Rose Moisturising Cream, another product I loved. I loved the scent of this, how hydrating it was and how it absorbed really quickly as well as working wonderfully under makeup. Would consider purchasing the full size. So many travel sizes! I'm also finished with my Josie Maran Aragn Milk which I included in my May Beauty Favourites. I have purchased the full size of this because *love heart eyes emoji* - just obsessed! I've also used a Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Pen which is probably the only eye cream I've been consistent with using because it works so well! Its really refreshing and gives a nice amount of hydration without being too heavy. Every other eye cream I have used in the past has been too heavy and given me milia under the eyes so I absolutely swear by this stuff! Already repurchased. And finally for skincare, I'm getting rid of my Clarisonic Acne Brush Head. I was kindly gifted this at a Clarisonic event last year and it is only just launching in Australia in the next month. I really loved this because the bristles were longer than the regular sensitive brush head which means you could get a deep cleanse without it being too harsh. I just repurchased the Sensitive brush head again to get me through but will probably go back to this one in the future.

Finally onto makeup bits! Firstly I had a big mascara clean out and got rid of all the mascaras that has been floating around in my collection for way too long and just ready to give me some sort of eye infection. The Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara was nice and gave heaps of volume but it had a plastic bristle wand which I don't really like. Won't repurchase. Next up, Lancôme Grandiôse Mascara, god I hate this stuff which is such a same because I'm a huge fan of their other mascaras. Again, its the plastic bristle issue but I find this just makes my lashes so clumpy, obviously will not repurchase. Another, plastic bristle brush, the Maybelline Lash Sensational is one I actually really love. I really liked how this made my lashes look, added heaps of length and separation. Will not repurchase though as Maybelline tests on animals :( Finally the Josie Maran Black Oil Mascara, again quite nice but is quite natural and didn't give me the length that I like from a mascara. I think this would be better suited for someone with longer lashes. Will not repurchase.

I'm finally getting rid of the L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper. If you read my review on this product I was less than impressed with this product. Maybe you would like it if you like your brows to feel hard and crunchy. Not even going to link this product because seriously you don't want to buy it. Moving onto some of my favourite products ever, first is the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. This is my favourite eye primer ever because it allows you to blend shadows really easily over the top, which I sometimes have trouble with if I use either the UD Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance. This tube lasted me about a year too, so it's great value and I've already repurchased! I also loved the Kevin Aucoin Precision Brow Pencil and much prefer this over the Anastasia Brow Wiz. Will repurchase once I finish my current brow pencil. I also used up a Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, which I didn't warm to immediately but it's definitely my favourite liquid liner now I've got the hang of it and I love that it is so intensely black. I've already repurchased. Finally is the NARS Larger than Life Long-Wear Eye pencil in Rue Bonaparte. A product I constantly rave about its a perfect beige shade for the waterline, repurchased of course.

So glad I can finally throw out all of these products!

Let me know in the comments if you use any of these products and if you like any of the ones I didn't!

xx Cat

Beauty Graveyard // Empties March 2016

Today I'm reviewing a whole heap of products I've completely used up over the last couple of months or so and let you know whether or not I liked them enough to repurchase!

Skincare, Body & Hair

// Lacura Micellar Cleansing Water
I am a huge fan of micellar waters, as you probably already know, and so when I saw that Aldi had one I decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, its one of those limited edition products Aldi brings out so it's not part of their regular line. This was okay, but I still prefer the Garnier one. Most annoyingly the lid broke after like a week so I had to be careful not to spill it everywhere. Would not repurchase.

// Lancôme Tonique Douceur
I absolutely love this toner! A bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. It's alcohol free and I find it great to help remove any leftover makeup after cleansing and also leaving my skin feeling really soft and refreshed. I also find it helps with balancing out the oiliness in my skin - I recommend a toner for anyone with oily skin! At the moment I'm still using my Mario Badescu toner but will definitely repurchase after I finish with that one.

// Trishave Shave Créme
This stuff is a complete life saver and I can't believe I've only discovered shaving creams in the last six months or so it actually has made my life so much better! It contains rose and tea tree oils to hydrate the skin and also help prevent shaving rash, itchyness and ingrown hairs. I would recommend this to everyone and I'm never going back to shaving without it. Already repurchased!

//Rexona Clinical Protection Deodorant 
The Rexona Clinical Protect Deodorants are absolutely the best option I've found in terms of deodorants. They not only control odour but actually help a lot with wetness as well. I was really keen to get into natural deodorants but they weren't nearly as effective as this one. Already repurchased.

// Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head
Just like a toothbrush, with the Clarisonic brush heads you know when it's time to get a new one. The bristles get a little bit soft and splay out in all different directions. I usually use my Clarisonic once a day after removing my makeup so I found my brush head lasted about five months. I definitely found using my Clarisonic really helped improve the quality of my skin and my skin has been consistently clearer since using it to cleanse my face. I'm using a different brush head to this one at the moment but would definitely go back to repurchasing the sensitive brush head in the future.

// Philosophy Purity Cleanser
I love Philosophy's Purity Cleanser and have been using it for around six months now. It's great at removing makeup, including eye makeup without stinging your eyes, and it works well with my Clarisonic. I have already repurchased, especially considering that the 480mL is such awesome value!

// Schwarzkopf Biotin' Volume Dry Shampoo
I've tried my fair share of dry shampoo over the years but this one is hands down my favourite! It actually feels like it cleans my hair properly as well as giving it heaps of volume. I've definitely repurchased (and I have about four backups too)!

 Makeup

// Beauty Blender

Another BB has met its end thanks to mould :( Can't live without though so I have already repurchased. 

// Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

One of the most surprising discoveries of 2015, I absolutely fell in love with Urban Decay's All Nighter and never miss it in my makeup routine. I find it makes such a difference to how well foundation sits on the skin and also helps prevent foundation from breaking up on the skin. I also find it is really great at extending the wear of blush and bronzer too. Although it is quite pricey, the bottle lasted me around 9 months so I could definitely justify the spend. Already repurchased.

// Tarte Amazonian Clay Gifted Mascara

I absolutely love Tarte mascaras and this one was no exception! Its really build-able but never gets too clumpy so you still get a really pretty fluttery effect. It didn't give me as much length as I wanted though and I found towards the end of the tube as it dried out it started getting super flakey. I do have a backup of this mascara but I will probably give it away since there are other mascaras I enjoy more.

// Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer

When it comes to luxury products, Hourglass does it so right. Their mineral veil primer is probably the best primer I've ever tried and during Sydney's humid summer its the only product I can rely on. I have repurchased, but stuck with the travel size because I don't use it all the time and wow this stuff is expensive.

// Benefit Gimme Brow

The Gimme Brow is one of the best brow products I've ever tried. It has little fibres and a tinted gel that fills in the brows really nicely. I really like how it has a really little brush so you don't get product everywhere. I haven't repurchased yet and probably won't in the near future because I have a few brow products on the go already.

// YSL Touche Eclat

The YSL Touche Eclat gets a fair amount of hype on the internet and I definitely believe that it deserves the hype. It has the most beautiful, thin formula that blends like a dream and it fantastic at brightening under the eyes. It doesn't provide much coverage so I like to apply a corrector under my eyes first. Would definitely repurchase (just haven't gotten around to it yet because it's so expensive!!)

// Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Eyeliner

I didn't actually finish this product but it was a little dried up and had heaps of glitter in it so it was getting impossible to use. I love this formula for doing winged liner because it has a nice matte finish as well as being long-wearing. I have repurchased. 

What are some of your most repurchased products?

xx Cat

Beauty Graveyard: Empties & Products I'm Throwing Out

I had a huge bag of empties, as well as some other products I was keen to get rid of, taking up space in my room that I thought it was finally time to do a round-up post and review a random selection of products I really loved and others...not so much.

Let 's get into it!

First up are some of my daily essentials:

• ELF Daily Brush Cleaner

I picked up the ELF Daily Brush Cleaner from Kmart which I think was around $8. I really liked this and reached for it a lot, especially when I wanted to clean eye brushes so I could use them with different coloured shadows. I probably wouldn't pick it up again, however I definitely still recommend this product!

• Daiso Puff & Sponge Detergent 

This is such a great product for the price and is absolutely fantastic for washing brushes and sponges. It's also only $2.80 which is very affordable! I would definitely purchase again in the future but there isn't a Daiso store close to me so it's not as convenient as grabbing a bottle of baby shampoo from Priceline. If you do find yourself in a Daiso store - stock up! 

• Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner 

I love the Mario Badescu skin care range for no-fuss, affordable and effective skincare. The Glycolic Acid toner is a great way to add in a gentle exfoliation into your everyday skincare routine and it made such an improvement to the texture of my skin. I've already repurchased this one from Mecca Maxima for only $26!

•  Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Probably one of my favourite multi-task products ever! I've gone through many bottles of this and will continue to repurchase. 

Next up, some of my most used skincare:

• Origins Make a Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Moisturiser

One of my favourite daily moisturisers which is super hydrating but still sits really well under makeup. I've reviewed it here and I've definitely repurchased.

• Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner

My collection of complexion mists has expanded to include some more high end selections but the Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner is still my favourite. It's really hydrating and doesn't leave a sticky residue. This is definitely an essential coming into summer so I have picked up some back ups. 

• Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Another great product from Origins. I recently reviewed all of my Origins masks here. After finishing this deluxe sample size I bought the full size straight away! 

• Philosophy Hands of Hope Hand Cream

I really liked this hand cream and this is about my third tube I've finished up. It didn't have an overly obnoxious scent and was super hydrating. It is quite expensive thought so I wont repurchase unless I find it on sale again.

• Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

One of the best spot treatments on the market! I had to pick up a new bottle as this one, which I've had for around two years, wasn't working as effectively and there was hardly any alcohol left either. 

I also finished up a few of my most used makeup products:

• Bare Minerals Mineral Veil

My absolute favourite setting powder! This was a smaller size which came with one of the Bare Minerals starter kits but I have since bought the full size. This powder is great for setting your foundation if you prefer a transparent powder than leaves a natural, smoothing finish.

• Anastasia Brow Wiz in 'Soft Brown'

The Brow Wiz is a hugely popular product, however for me, it didn't really live up to the hype. I liked the precision you could get from it however, the shade wasn't the best match for me. Overall, the Brow Wiz didn't overly excite me and I won't be repurchasing.

• Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in 'Eastend Snob'

East End Snob is my go to lip liner to wear under almost any nude lipstick. I love its mauvey-pink shade, how it applies so smoothly and that it lasts well either by itself or under another lip product. I've definitely repurchased - I can't imagine being without this lipliner!

And finally, after a big clean out of my collection, here's some products I decided to get rid of:

• Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Audacious Asphalt'

The Colour Tattoos from Maybelline are some of my favourite eyeshadows from the drugstore. I didn't get much use out of this colour though and it has dried up quite badly. I'm not sure if this shade is even available anymore. 

• Beauty Blender

As you can tell, this Beauty Blender needed to be thrown out really badly. And yes, I have definitely repurchased.

• Real Techniques Stippling Brush 

Unfortunately my RT stippling brush has reached an early end after some serious shedding. I haven't experienced this with my other RT brushes which were all purchased at the same time and washed/looked after the same way. I did enjoy using this brush with cream products and I'm not sure if I would repurchase only because I've got other brushes that do the same job. So far my only disappointing experience with RT.

• Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

An old fave drugstore mascara, The Falsies if perfect for giving the lashes length, volume and curl without clumping or flaking. Unfortunately for The Falsies I am head over heels in love with the new Lash Sensational from Maybelline so I won't be repurchasing (also I've got WAY too many mascaras on the go - oops!).

• Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara

I was pretty disappointed with this mascara, considering the hype. When you first open it, the formula is very very wet and tends to get everywhere. After a while, the formula is much easier to use but then it flakes and leaves smudges under the eyes. I did like how it made my lashes look, and I'm sure it was under $5. However, I wouldn't repurchase because I didn't get much use of it.

• Clinique Redness Solutions Foundation

I have always loved Clinique foundations and the Redness Solutions was no exception - great coverage and finish on the skin and is so easy to apply and blend. I have had this one in my collection for a few years and it was almost as if the colour had oxidised inside the bottle. I may consider repurchasing in the future but I have more than enough foundations to go through at the moment!

• L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint

I have had this in my stash since it was released in Australia but I haven't reached for it in over a year so it's definitely time to move on. I didn't mind this foundation and it had a nice natural coverage and was comfortable to wear. However, I always had trouble with the shade being too dark.

Well done if you made it all the way to the end! What products have you finished up recently?

xx Cat

Empties - What I'm Throwing Out #3

I know you all just love looking at my rubbish! Here are some reviews of products that I'm throwing out because a) they are awesome and I've used them all up OR b) they were really crap and I didn't want them cluttering up my life.

Makeup

All my makeup empties this round are some of my everyday essentials. The Benefit Gimme Brow [$35.00] is the perfect brow gel and definitely one of my must-have products. I've already got another on the go! Similarly, I've finished up my ultimate fave, HG mascara the Lancôme Hypnôse [$52.00]. I would 100% repurchase this until the end of time but I have so many mascaras open at the moment, including a few high end ones so I'll have to wait to pick this one up. Until we meet again! I've also finished up my other fave mascara, Maybelline The Falsies [$19.95]. Thankfully the price tag on this mascara isn't as scary so I've already got another one on the go. Finally, I'm chucking out a Maybelline Fit Me Concealer [$14.95] in '15 Fair'. This is not completely finished but I already have another one on the go and I'm pretty sure I shared this with like three people during revue so I figure I can put this little bottle of bacteria in the bin.

Haircare

I've finished up a few shampoo/conditioner bottles which is an achievement for me because I probably have a total of 10 hairs. Firstly, from the Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime range the Diamond Colour Shampoo and Conditioner [$14.99]. I did really enjoy these products! I get my hair coloured quite regularly and I have to say these absolutely made a difference in maintaining the health and colour in my 10 dried, bleach hairs. I also finished the Aveda Smooth Infusion Conditioner [$39.00]. I was given this by a family member and when I went to put in a link I realised it is $39!? I definitely don't remember it making my hair THAT soft.

Skincare

A HEAP of skincare empties this round! Let's start with my fave, the St Ive's Blemish Control Apricot Scrub [$9.99] is amazing for oil control and exfoliates without feeling like you're using sand paper on your face. I've got my whole family hooked so this will definitely be repurchased. Another staple in my skincare routine, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water [$11.99] is such an amazing multipurpose product and I've already picked up another bottle. Although I've been converted to micellar water for makeup removal I've still got an empty packet of cleansing wipes which I like to keep handy when doing swatches etc. These Lacura ones from Aldi are super cheap and do the job.The Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Moisturiser [$3.99] is my everyday moisturiser and I've never tried anything that my skin just drinks up! A little travel size is being thrown out. The Rexona Clinical Protection Deodorant [$14.79] is one of my favourite new discoveries and since finishing my first bottle I can't imagine being without it. It has been an absolute saviour and I 100% recommend for anyone who finds that regular strength deodorant does practically nothing.

I've also finished up some other random skincare products. I've posted about the Glow Girl Buttery Salt Scrub [$12.95] before and I absolutely loved it! A gorgeous smelling scrub and the best I've found for those really struggling with stubborn dry, flaky skin. The So White Shower Gel from Lush was another body product I really enjoyed. I know this is a Christmas limited edition but the smell was amazing and I'll definitely consider buying it again at Christmas time. I also finished the Olive Branch Shower Gel [$7.95] which I also enjoyed but probably won't repurchase. Two little hand creams are also getting tossed. The OPI Avo Juice Ginger Lily Hand Lotion smelt beautiful but didn't really do much for my chronically dry hands. On the other hand I definitely shed a tear when I finished up this little sample pot of Camille Beckman Glycerin Hand Therapy [$21.95]. The most moisturising hand cream I've ever used and the 'Tuscan Honey' scent is mouth watering. I will definitely be purchasing a full size.

What's been culled...

These are the products that I couldn't hold onto any longer because they are so terrible. Firstly, the NYX Butter Lipstick in 'Hubba Bubba'. I have never had a good experience with NYX lipsticks, every single one I've tried I have ended up giving away or throwing out. I didn't even want to give this one away because I don't know anyone who would want to wear such an awful colour. It also goes on really patchy and has officially turned me off from ever trying another lipstick from NYX. Next is the So Susan Flutter Mascara and anyone who got it in their Violet Box mid 2014 will know this is one of the biggest fails of a product ever. Another subscription box fail is the Australis Lip & Cheek Combo which smells funny, lacks pigmentation and is difficult to blend out - definitely one to skip from the Australis stand. Finally, this BYS 'Pot of Gold' Glitter Polish has gone lumpy and impossible to apply, time to go!

...and that's everything that's going into the bin!

xx Catherine

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Empties - What I'm Throwing Out #2

It's that time again where I take you through my rubbish to show you what I loved so much that I finished it all up as well as those products I just had to get rid of. If you are confused as to why I am showing you my trash or want to see more check out my first empties post here.

//Maybelline Baby Lips Antioxidant Berry

I love the Baby Lips balms and the berry one had a fantastic scent! Really effective at moisturising the lips. Don't you feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish a lip balm?
Repurchase? Yes

//Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious
I fell in love with this mascara when I first got it and was really impressed by how long and thick it made my lashes look with only one coat. However, it dried up really fast and when it did, it didn't work nearly as well. It does have a lovely big fibre brush though which is something I do love in mascaras!
Repurchase? No

//Laura Mercier Foundation Primer 
This is just a little sample but I fell in love with it and after trying a number of different primers I can definitely say this is my favourite. The consistency is not silicone-y like the Benefit Porefessional but something that is in between a moisturising and a serum. It is really smooth when applying and I love how I can apply it all over my face and it feels really comfortable, making my foundation glide on. It definitely does make a difference to the wear of my makeup.
Repurchase? Yes and I have bought the full size

//Dry Shampoo - Polished London 'Cornwall Coconut', Girlz Only, Batiste 'Blush'
I really should have stuck with my Batiste dry shampoos because both the Polished London and Girlz Only ones are being thrown out with about half the product left in them. Despite being 'Cornwall Coconut' this smelled nothing like coconut and was just as disappointing in its ability to clean my hair. I felt the pressure wasn't strong enough and I didn't feel like it did anything at all. The Girlz Only one was also disappointing and I wouldn't even pay the $2 for it. However, if you do want to try the Girlz Only dry shampoo check out the XXXL Volume version which is really great. In the end I gave up and bought Batiste again and will continue to do so. This is the 'Blush' version, but I can't tell the difference between them to be honest.
Repurchase? Batiste: Definitely! Others: no

//Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser
I actually finished this ages ago but found it empty in the back of my cupboard. I didn't like this much. My skin needs something much more intensive and there is no way I am spraying cold mist onto my skin during winter. Also at $10 I think it is a tad expensive considering it runs out pretty fast (a lot of product ends up on your carpet/floorboards/tiles) The scent was heavenly though.
Repurchase? Maybe in summer and if it's on sale but I can definitely go without.

//Sukin Facial Moisturiser and Foaming Facial Cleanser
I did a full review of the Sukin skin care range here. These were both *okay* but nothing spectacular. Probably a great choice for those with fairly normal skin.
Repurchase? No

//Herbal Essences Naked Shampoo and Conditioner 
An inclusion in the June Bellabox and also in my Weekly Beauty Edit, these were really impressive and worked really well with my hair. The scent was great and I felt the shampoo really gave an intense clean. I also thought that using the shampoo and conditioner together gave my hair extra volume compared to my usual ones. I found these same travel size bottles in Priceline so picked them up for my trip to Melbourne!
Repurchase? Yes - already have!

//Smart Skin Facial Cleansing Wipes
I don't use facial wipes on my face anymore to remove makeup, but still use them when I'm doing my makeup to wipe my hands and fix mistakes. These ones are my favourite because they are super cheap and do the job, although I am on to the Aldi ones now. I featured them in my last Empties post if you're interested to see what I thought.
Repurchase? Yes

//Priceline Round Cotton Pads
I think I bought like 500 of these at the beginning of the year and this is last packet. I liked these because the edges were joined together and didn't fluff up or fray to easily. I have moved on the use the larger size of these from Priceline to remove makeup as well as some round ones from Aldi that are ribbed! Oh the excitement of cotton pads!
Repurhase? Probably not, Aldi wins in terms of price and I will buy the larger size from Priceline instead of these.

//Lush Bath Ballistics -Blackberry, Phoenix Rising, Twilight Rising, Sakura, Think Pink (mini) and Butterball.
I also thought it would be fun to let you know all the Lush bath bombs I've gone through during the colder months! I'd have to say that I absolutely loved Think Pink which exploded with little confetti hearts as well as Twilight Rising which was perfect for night time and super relaxing.
Repurchase? Definitely!! I just picked up a whole heap from the Christmas in July LE. From this selection, probably my two favourite I mentioned above.

//Makeup Bits
When I set up my new makeup storage and vanity I found a few things in my collection that I didn't want anymore because they were old, dried out or just didn't work for me. This makeup brush was one of my first makeup items ever and I've had it since 2007! It feels so gross and I just couldn't use it on my face anymore!

Hope you all enjoyed the sneak peek into my rubbish!

Have a great weekend <3
xx Catherine

Empties - What I'm Throwing Out #1

If you don't read many beauty blogs or watch beauty videos on YouTube you might find it strange that I'm showing you my rubbish! However, I love these posts because after finishing a product you can really get a sense of how it works and give a really good review. So here are all the products I've used up in the last couple of months as well as products that were so bad I had to throw them out anyway!

// smartskin Moisturising Facial Cleansing Wipes
The smartskin wipes are my most used because they are only $2 from Woolworths. To be honest I can't justify spending more than that on wipes and these do the job particularly as I have a pretty thorough cleansing routine after I take off my makeup anyway. I use these for everything as well, wiping up spills, cleaning makeup bottles, getting lipstick off surfaces - so these are cheap and multipurpose!
Repurchase: Definitely, already have a few back ups!

// Purex Visage Daily Control Facial Cleansing Wipes
These were ok, fairly similar to the smartskin wipes but perhaps had a little bit more moisture to them. They were thinner though and I found myself putting my fingers through them often. I'm pretty sure my mum bought these online and I just took them from her bathroom.
Repurchase: No, I wouldn't know where to get them anyway

// wotnot Facial Wipes for oily/sensitive skin
I got these as a sample and wow these are very luxurious! Amazingly soft, so moisturising and the wipes themselves were so big - I liked having the extra surface area when removing my makeup.
Repurchase: I loved these, but to be honest I don't think I will purchase them, mainly because of the price.

// Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner
I've already talked about this heaps on my blog! Check out my review from my Monthly Roundup.
Repurchase: Already have!

// Sukin Revitalising Facial Scrub
I have really enjoyed the skincare from Sukin and this scrub was no exception. It is a really gentle scrub that uses natural ingredients like bamboo and walnut shells that work really well to exfoliate the skin. While I found this worked well to maintain my skin, It didn't have any outstanding effects. However, if you have normal skin and don't experience any breakouts or other skin concerns this is a fantastic gentle scrub.
Repurchase: Possibly in the future, I'm keen to try some other scrubs out though.

// Natio Antioxidant Face Moisturiser
Again, another product I have already reviewed and you can check out that review here. My favourite night time moisturiser!
Repurchase: Already have!

// Kosmea Rosehip Oil
I was so happy I received this sample in my David Jones sample tote and adding rose hip oil to my skincare routine has made a huge difference. It is fantastic in adding moisture to your skin and for me I have found its smooths my skin, reduces pores and adds a little extra glow as well! 
Repurchase: Definitely. I already purchased some more rosehip oil but from Trilogy.

// Revlon Age Defying Face Serum
This was a sample and it was ok as a serum and worked particularly well in the summer months when my skin was more oily than it is now. To be honest, I used this without much thought as it was a sample and I know I'm not looking for any anti-ageing products so unfortunately this review isn't very helpful.
Repurchase: No.

// Girlz Only XXL Volume-Plus Dry Shampoo
This is a fantastic dry shampoo and its only $2 at Target! I definitely recommend this version over the original as it gives a more intense clean as well as having a nicer scent. As it is marketed to, it definitely adds extra volume to your hair so a great option for those with fine or limp hair.
Repurchase: Definitely! I do have a few dry shampoos going at the moment though, so not right away.
// Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Repairing Lotion
My favourite body lotion, this is a really light moisturiser that has a thin consistency which makes it super easy to apply and is fast absorbing. My skin gets really dry and this is the perfect moisturiser for everyday to lock in the moisture and the thin consistency makes it perfect for everyday application - just slap it on and go. 
Repurchase: Already have ! This time in mango flavour mmmm
// The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower gel
I absolutely love this shower gel mostly because the smell was so fresh and fruity. It was a foaming showergel which meant the easiest way to apply it is on a soft sponge or loofa. I definitely recommend these shower gels and this scent in particular is great if you love citrus.
Repurchase: I don't tend to buy these kind of things for myself so probably not.
// Dove Clear Touch Roll On Deodorant
I have been converted to roll on! This deodorant is amazing because there is no residue left behind and my fears of roll on feeling wet and gross were all gone after finding this one. This doesn't have a notable scent which I prefer but there are others available in the range. I find I keep dry and fresh all day so this is definitely a great deodorant to try if you struggle with perspiration.
Repurchase: Already have!

And on to the products that I couldn't bring myself to use anymore...

// Simple Eye Make-up Corrector Pen
While the idea of this is appealing, unfortunately it doesn't work. I found it just made things messier, the tip got dirty and I couldn't clean it and in the end you can use a cotton bud with a little bit of makeup remover on the end and it will do a much better job at cleaning up little mistakes.

// Essence BB Cream
This is just one big orange mess! It provides little coverage, is so difficult to blend out, smells awful and worst of all is the most unflattering doritos-orange. Its so bad I am upset about the $3 I spent on it, which is a shame because Essence have some really fantastic affordable products.

// Revlon Nail Art Nail Polish 
I had two of these and have had to throw them both out. The formula of the nail polish is awful and is so hard to apply without having so many streaks. Also because of the double ended packaging when stored standing up, one end is going to get stuck in the lid and go all gloopy. I don't know I just really didn't like this product and think its a bit gimmicky.

I apologise for the extremely long post but I hope you found some of these reviews helpful.
Have a beautiful day,
Catherine xx