The Beauty Clean-Up #5 (empties)

We’re onto #5! Wow. That actually feels like some sort of achievement because right at the start of this journey, I just wanted to use up more of my beauty products, some of which weren’t being touched and by doing so, reduce wastage. Now that I’ve gotten to this number,  I’m using up products that I’m trying out but liking at the same time meaning that I’ve put more emphasis on how I shop and not just buying for the sake of buying.

Completing an empties post is as decluttering for the mind as it is for the home (literally). So now, comes the time to empty my junk box again to welcome Spring and to give myself an excuse to buy new products! (There’s still so many brands and products I need to try out!)

Let’s Start:

+ Would repurchase
– Will not bother again
= Neutral/Indifferent

+ SANA Soy Milk Moisture Cleansing Wash
– Nivea Daily Essentials Crème Care Cleansing Cream Wash
+ Clean & Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash
+ LUSH Ultrabland
+ Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz
+ Earth Therapeutics Brightening Black Pearl Mask
+ Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ (sample)
– Clinique Superdefense SPF 20 Daily Defence Moisturiser (sample) *
– Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturiser (sample) *
= Oral B Satin Floss Flossing Tape
+ Cien Soft Make-Up Pads
+ Cien Cotton Buds
= COLab Dry Shampoo in New York
= Boots Smooth Care Wax Strips (for sensitive skin)
+ Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponges

* Technically not an empty. But hey, I tried!

(Huge shoutout to Stashy from Stash Matter. I’ve been going through a no-buy phase within beauty this month so that I can successfully finish products that I’m currently using!)

Cleansers

I’m sure that this is the oldest empty out of the list I have today. This should have been included two empties ago but for some reason, I forgot on both accounts! However, I’ve mentioned this particular product a couple of times on the blog because it’s my favourite cleanser. It’s the SANA Soy Milk Moisture Cleansing Wash. It’s a hydrating soy cleanser that leaves your skin feeling really lovely and balanced. It was even included as my Super Favourites 2016 so check that out!

Since the above became an empty, I have been trying countless of cleansers from the drugstore and honestly speaking, things haven’t really been the same. At least this re-affirms my love for mid-range cleansers and that being stingy really costs. The first that I bought to try out was the Nivea Daily Essentials Crème Care Cleansing Cream Wash. I hadn’t used Nivea in years (although my mother swears by the Nivea Soft cream) so I thought I’d try this. Whilst it’s not awful, it can be a lot better. It cleanses the surface of your skin but I don’t think it really cleanses anything underneath, so it’s not desert-island-status. It’s not the most hydrating either. Whilst it feels quite nice to use, the after-effect is quite weak – you definitely need a toner and moisturiser afterwards!

Another that I tried out was the Clean & Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash. Actually, my brother bought this to use himself but I like to be curious and try products when and where I can. I was pleasantly surprised! The granules are really soft and gentle on the skin. I like using this best after a cleansing oil (all about the double-cleanse!) and afterwards, my skin just feels so clean and fresh. For £2, this is pretty awesome.

Last for cleansers, I finally finished LUSH Ultrabland. I featured it recently in my Travel Essentials post. I don’t use it very often which is why it’s taken me so long to finish this pot. I normally use this when I want something that acts as a mask too for my skin – something extra nourishing and so I find this a treat to use for those days!

A Toner, A Mask

A few weeks ago, I finished another Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz as featured in The Beauty Clean-Up #3 (empties) post a few months ago. It’s definitely a goodie! The scent and product itself calms my skin. I’ve refrained from buying another bottle for now just so I can finish this other toner!

Next up, I’m sure that you’ve been hearing me talk about sheet masks for the past few months whether through favourites posts or more specific posts e.g. travel essentials simply because I’ve been trying out new ones. I finished a pack of  Earth Therapeutics Brightening Black Pearl Mask. Loved this! This is especially nice to use on a warm day – soothing and hydrating, plus the fit is not bad either. 🙂

Moisturisers

Now that I think about it, the moisturisers I’ve been using and trying in the past couple of months have all been from Clinique! In my defence, I received a freebie kit from Clinique after purchasing 2 items meaning that I’d probably be okay for another month or so on top of the skincare I already have. 😛 The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is a real pleasant discovery, since I love the gel version and thought this would be too much but instead, my skin agrees. It was my winter staple last season and I can honestly see myself purchasing the full bottle when it’s cold season again!

Unfortunately, my skin disagreed with two moisturisers from the freebie kit: the Clinique Superdefense SPF 20 Daily Defence Moisturiser and the Clinique Superdefense Night Recovery Moisturiser. I have previously reviewed both in my Two Clinique Repurchases +Mini Reviews post. In short, they just didn’t really do anything for my skin.

Sad to say, I decided to throw both of these out!

Miscellaneous

There’s a lot of small bits and bobs in this category so to make things easier, sub-headings it is!

Oral B Satin Floss Flossing Tape: Is there a way to review this? It does the job and that’s the main thing.

Cien Soft Make-Up Pads: Have used countless packs. Inexpensive but good quality.

Cien Cotton Buds: Again, is there a way to review this? They’re good – cotton doesn’t fluff up or disintegrate so easily.

COLab Dry Shampoo in New York: It smells of apples which makes sense because it’s ‘New York’. Mhm…this was okay. I’m still looking for ‘the one’ when it comes to dry shampoo.

Boots Smooth Care Wax Strips (for sensitive skin): The one product I’ve bought countless of times yet don’t really rate that highly. I feel that you have to put in a lot of effort, and even then, it will not remove everything. After the first go, the second go is mostly ineffective. Do you have recommendations on this front? 

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponges: If you haven’t tried these yet then…where have you been?? Technically still usable but I’ve housed these for almost 2 years…I think it’s time for new ones!

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Total of 15 products used up (and counting)! I can’t wait to throw these out now especially as some feel so ‘last season’. What have you used up lately? 

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