My August Empties

Ah, the first week of September has gone by and over here we've said good bye to winter and hello to spring! I felt that August flew by pretty quickly (as most months do for some reason) and after finishing one product in this month, I was motivated to finish some beauty/skincare products in August that were around three-quarters empty without 'wasting' them or using them excessively. Basically, it was a month where I realised how much stuff I had that were almost empty and sitting in my storage where I could have easily finished them and freed up space. Or samples that I could have used instead of leaving them unused/to expire. August was my month of finishing as many products as I could to allow me to write up an August empties blog post. And now I'm here doing just that!

This is my first time writing an 'empties' blog post which is pretty exciting... and I am proud to say that I was able to finish.... 10 products this month! It's not heaps but it's definitely the most I've ever finished in a year let alone a single month haha. That's because I'm usually going onto a new product after one is just about to run out but never really finishing it. I don't know why I do that... maybe it's got something to do with hoarding?

Yay, all empty

Let's start with the first product I finished in August - a bottle of perfume:

Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker

I think it's rare for anyone to finish a bottle of perfume, especially if the size is 50mL or more. My mum has a pretty big perfume collection (she loves getting new perfume) yet she has never finished a bottle and has only disposed old perfume. I have around 6 full-sized perfume bottles and this was the first one I've finished... and I plan to finish my others before I go and buy more perfume, because I don't really see the need to have so many (though I'll gladly accept them as gifts hehe).

I've had this perfume since 2010 and I used it for school and uni as it has such a light, refreshing and floral scent that's perfect for daily use. I purchased it because it was on sale for about $20 and although I wouldn't say that it's amazing, it was still a joy to use. I'm happy to have finally finished it after 3 years, it's time to say good bye!

Repurchase? Nope, because I like to try new perfumes instead of using the same one. Or unless it's the absolute best, which it isn't.

Keep the packaging? Yeah, why not :) It's a pretty purple bottle with the crystal-like flower lid! Plus it won't take up too much space in my cupboard, no problems.

MeMeMe Flawless Cream Foundation in 03 Honey Lush 30mL

It's supposed to have a lid but it had a crack in it so I chucked it out. I've had this since April last year so it took me about a year and a half to finish this foundation. I didn't use it daily (I don't wear foundation all the time) but this was the foundation that I reached for the most. I received this in a small goodie bag at an ABBM event and I'm glad that I got the chance to try this foundation - it was a good colour match for me and really did give me that 'flawless' look! However by the end of the day my face wasn't left feeling as moisturised as it was at the beginning due to my dry areas being seen again. I guess that's what a cream foundation is - between a liquid and a matte foundation, thus not giving me enough moisture that I need for my dry skin.

It may not look empty in the picture but trust me, it is completely empty:

 I ended up sticking a brush into it and scraped off the foundation on the sides!

What I liked about this bottle is that I could unscrew the lid to get every last drop of this foundation without any of it going to waste. I hate bad packaging that leads to wasted product because it makes me feel cheated that I can't easily open it up and use what's remaining! That's how I feel about my Urban Decay Primer Potion... I know there's heaps of product left in it. I'd have to saw-open the tube if I wanted to get more out :(

Repurchase? I don't think I will because I like to try new foundations and I'm still searching for the perfect foundation for me. This isn't perfect but it was good and I was happy that I managed to finish it :)

Keep the packaging? Haha, yep. I've decided to fill it with my other foundation which is in a glass bottle as is poured out (the Revlon Colorstay one). I like the pump mechanism!

The bottled items

These all had roughly a quarter of product left and I was eager to finish one which I've had for 2-3 years and one that had already expired! I know I could've chucked out the one that was expired but it seemed fine to me so I didn't bother.

Maybelline Total Clean Express Eye & Lip Makeup Remover 70mL

If you read my Maybelline NY Haul Post, you would have noticed that I bought a new bottle of this. It's one of my favourite makeup removers and it's so cheap when it goes on sale for half price! I happened to finish this one in August and about a week later there was a 50% off sale so of course I grabbed one - such perfect timing. I think I've had this makeup remover for 6 months or maybe a little more than that, I don't quite remember when I purchased this xD I got through makeup removers pretty quickly I reckon!

Repurchase? Yes! And I already did hehe. I like it a lot.

Keep the packaging? No need :) *chucks it into the bin*

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Make-up Remover 50mL

This is the makeup remover that I've had for 2-3 years and I think it's the travel size version... I'm not quite sure. The reason for having this product for so long is because it's just not my favourite eye makeup remover or one that I'd use often or at all. It's not like the Maybelline one where it has a dual-phase (two layers) formula and so this very gently removes eye makeup. It's perfect for people with extremely sensitive skin (not me) because it doesn't irritate at all... in fact, it feels just like water.

It removes eyeshadow and it claims to remove 'even waterproof makeup' but I don't think that's true at all... it couldn't remove my eyeliner or mascara. It required a lot of rubbing and in my opinion, I don't think that's suitable for someone with sensitive skin... all that pulling and tugging can't be good for delicate skin, right?

Repurchase? No, but I would recommend it to people with extremely sensitive skin and need something as gentle as water to remove their eye makeup.

Keep the packaging? No thanks, good bye *chucks it in the bin*

Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser 50mL

This was a product I received in one of those monthly beauty boxes and I was happy about it because I had heard such lovely things about Avene but never had the chance to try their products. Their products are perfect for people with sensitive skin like me!

I started using it early last year and unfortunately I was unable to finish it before it expired in November 2012, however I decided to continue using it as there didn't seem to be anything wrong or different with it. It took me a year and a half to finish it and the bottle doesn't actually look see-through when it's all finished - I ended up filling it with water and using it as a diluted cleanser which actually looked like milk :)

It has a thin, creamy consistency and there are no exfoliating beads or anything potentially too rough for delicate skin. I reckon it could even be used on babies - that shows how gentle it is. It left my skin feeling nice and smooth but seeing as my skin's sensitivity is not all that high up, I am better suited to something that gently exfoliates to remove all impurities like dirt, oils, flaky skin and makeup.

Repurchase? I'd consider it in the future but for now I'd like to try other brands and face cleansers that are suitable for sensitive skin.

Keep the packaging? Nope, say hello to the bin!

The squeeze-tube items

Lucas' Papaw Ointment 25g

This is my second tube and it's taken me over a year (maybe two years) to finish this! I only use a tiny bit on my lips daily and I also use my Maybelline Baby Lips which means that I wasn't constantly and consistently using Lucas' Papaw Ointment. I always take this with me when I go travelling because it's multi-purpose as it's used for boils, burns, chafing, cuts, cracked skin, insect bites and more. It's an Australian product and I'm not sure if most people are familiar with it... anyway, it's fermented carica papaya, a fruit.

Repurchase? Yeah, I have no reason to not repurchase it ^^

Keep the packaging? What for? :P Seeya later!

Guinot Nutrizone Lift Nourishing Body Cream with Firming Effect 10mL

This was a sample that I received in the ABC (beauty conference) back in 2011 so I've had this for two years but only used it and finished it in August 2013! It's particularly used for dry areas such as the elbows, heels and the knees. Though I didn't really notice a 'firming effect', it was pleasant to use. I can't describe the scent except by saying that it's fruity but I don't know what type of fruit!

Repurchase? I have a feeling that Guinot products are pretty high-end for skincare products so I may pass for now.

Keep the packaging? Unnecessary, bye!

The one-time-use packet item

La Glace France Q10 acneique Therapy Mask 40mL

This was easily to finish hehe, I purchased a face cream from Sasa and as a freebie they gave me a pack of three of these Q10 acneique therapy masks. I don't have acne-prone skin but I decided to try this out anyway. After the 20 minutes of use that it suggested, I could feel my skin starting to become a little irritated so I washed my face right afterwards. In the end, this mask did nothing good for me... what a shame!

Repurchase? Good thing that I didn't purchase it in the first place... no good for my sensitive non-acne-prone skin! But for those do have acne-prone skin, maybe give this a try? I have the La Glace toner and face cream and they're pretty good :)

I've got two left... if anyone wants one or both, let me know 'cause I have no use for them!

Keep the packaging? Uh no!

Skinvitals Eye Brighten Anti-Dark Circles Brightening Invigorating Cloth Eye Treatment Mask

The lovely Mandy sent this to me along with a whole stack of other goodies as a care package and I decided to give this anti-dark circles eye treatment mask a try. I never expect much from eye creams/masks claiming to be anti-dark circles/under eye bags because I don't think it's that easy to make them disappear for good. For me it depends on the amount of sleep I get, my diet and how well I remove my eye makeup hehe (panda eyes anyone?) It left a very cool, soothing sensation and I enjoyed using it :)

Repurchase? Likely to purchase this if I see it in the shops. It may not do a lot but I like how it feels on my under eye area.

Keep the packaging? Maybe just so that I remember the name of this mask... so yes I probably will!

 Coles Make-up Removal Pads 80 Pack

I think this is a product that I use more than makeup remover or any other product that I own xD I always stock up on these when they're on sale and although Coles is already a 'cheaper than competitors' brands' brand, some of their stuff is better than their competitor brands! If you didn't know, Coles is an Australian supermarket and they have their own brand where their items are noticeably cheaper than other brands and have a 100% satisfied 100% money back guarantee.

These makeup removal pads were good and I can't remember the price but they're definitely cheaper than the more well-known brands that produce these. I found these better than the Swisspers ones because those ones had cotton wedged between the pad and when I removed my makeup with them, the cotton would come through and stick to my lashes! It was really annoying and the cotton would irritate my eyes. However these Coles ones didn't do that and were perfectly fine for removing makeup.

Repurchase? Yep!

Keep the packaging? Haha no, I'm not that much of a hoarder :P

That's all of my August empties and my thoughts on each product. I really enjoyed writing this post and I hope it was enjoyable to read. Perhaps it's inspired you to finish off some products that you've had for years and/or are close to empty, or to start using products that you've had hidden in your drawers!

Questjen of the week:

What was the last product that you finished?

And no, I'm not talking about food or drink! Must be beauty/skincare-related!

❤ Jen