November Empties

It's time again for one of my favorite features on this blog! The monthly empties! I am especially excited for this month's edition. Using up products always feels like an accomplishment to me, and for the past few months I've really been trying to use up the many hair and body care products I'd accumulated the past two years living in my apartment.

I finally used up all of the shower gels and Lush soaps and my bottles of shampoo and I'm still working on various small lotions...but as of the end of November I'm DONE with all the shampoo samples I'd accumulated! I had to buy shampoo for the first time in MONTHS and I must say it was pretty exciting!

I like shampoo samples, though - it's a great way to determine whether or not you'll like a product without having to get an entire bottle. I wish samples were easily accessible for every product - that'd probably eliminate a lot of my product clutter!

Out of all of the samples I had, the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean was definitely my least favorite. John Freida Full Repair was my favorite - and what I ended up purchasing when all the samples were gone! I always have liked the L'Oreal Sulfate Free line and would definitely consider going back to one of them eventually, especially if I color my hair again. The others were all just so-so. Nothing terrible about them, but nothing that convinced me to get a full-size bottle either.

In addition to the packet sample of Clear, I also had a little bottle of the shampoo. I did like it, but not quite as well as the John Freida or the L'Oreal sulfate free shampoos I've used in the past. It's a great size bottle though. I really wish more brands had samples like this - more than a packet to get a better idea of how it works at a fraction of the price & product of a whole bottle!

I also finally got a new hair brush. This one I'd had since I was ten years old...and most of the little protective tips on the bristles had come off and were poking my head every time I used it! It was time for it to go. It served me well for the past twelve years, though! 

For face products this month, I used up Pond's Bio-Hydratante Makeup Remover and another jar of Garnier's Moisture Rescue Gel Creme. I'm currently working on samples of other products in these categories. I liked the makeup remover, but didn't love the scent, so I'll probably either try a new one or go back to Sonia Kashuk next time. I plan to repurchase the Garnier once my samples are used up.

The makeup products I finished this month were Revlon Colorstay foundation and under eye concealer, Milani Minerals compact makeup, L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes mascara, and my Prestige Brow Perfection pencil. I will absolutely get the Colorstay foundation again in the future - it remains a favorite after my second bottle of it. Unless I see it on a major sale, I'll probably just use my other foundations for awhile, though.

I liked the concealer well enough to use up, but not sure if I'll repurchase it. It was a great texture for under the eyes, but in an ideal situation I'd have just one concealer for everything, and this just didn't cut it for concealing on the face.

I loved the texture of the powder but the color was wrong for me - a bit too dark and much too yellow. I'm hoping to try the Multitasker powder from them next - it seems to come in a lighter, pinker shade than this one did.

I really did love this mascara. I always like trying new ones, though, so I'm not sure I'd get it again. The brow pencil was good too - It seemed to last a really long time, and I love that it had a spoolie on the end! Again, I like trying new ones so I probably won't repurchase it.

The final sample I used up this month was Marc Jacobs' Lola perfume. I really like this perfume, but given the choice I think I'd get Oh Lola! for myself instead. 

If you have any questions on these products, let me know!