Empties #17

I haven't done an Empties post in a long, long time - I'm pretty sure this is my first one of the year so far - and with my beauty bin piling up, I thought it was about time I checked in with just what's in the contents. Let's delve right on in...

L'Oréal Pure Clay Glow Mask - Kicking off with Skincare, I used this pot of face mask all up to the very last drop recently and I have to say, I loved using it. Considering it only claims to last for ten uses, this actually served me a lot longer than that and for an already pretty reasonable-priced product, that sure ain't bad. This orange mask contains tiny little beads that gently buff away at your skin, leaving behind a much smoother skin texture and a more glowy, radiant complexion too.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads - Another fab little product for helping to reduce my skin texture and give it an extra dose of natural glow are these exfoliating pads from Nip + Fab. Compared to the more 'manual' method in which the above mask exfoliates, you simply need a swipe of one or two of these over your skin to get a similar effect. They don't irritate my sensitive skin, get the job done fairly quickly and easily and a big ol' tub lasts me for ages - hence why it's only now that they've made their way into this post...

Boots Essentials Moisturising Cleansing Wipes and Garnier Micellar Water Extra-Gentle Cleansing Wipes - I'm combining these two together as one as they're basically identical to one another and I also use them in exactly the same way too. But, don't get me wrong on this one. Compared to years ago when I was first getting into makeup and didn't know of any other way of removing my makeup, I definitely don't use makeup wipes half as much as I used to now. Let's just say, they're pretty much solely reserved for when I return home from a night out. Other than that, I always like to keep a pack on standby for any makeup mishaps, mistakes and mess and these bargainous ones from Boots are brilliant.

Zoella Beauty Bath Latte - Body-care wise, I have one product that I've used all up and it is this bath mill from Zoella Beauty. From the whole 'Sweet Inspirations' line that Zoe launched last Summer, this has to be one of my favourites - hence why it's ended up in an Empties post. Simply pour a little under running water and you're left with a mountain of foamy bubbles and super silky and soft bath water too. The almondy scent is super sweet, but not sickly and I can definitely see myself repurchasing this stuff again at some point very soon - probably when Summer makes a reappearance.

OGX Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo and Conditioners - If you're a regular round here, you'll know that I am a big fan of OGX. Over time, I've tried a lot of the different ranges they have on offer and as always, this one definitely did not disappoint. It adds a nice dose of thickness, volume and body to my fine hair and also leaves it feeling and looking in awesome condition too. The scent isn't my favourite, favourite one I've ever come across, but hey, you can't have it all.

Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation in 'Ivory 2' - I kinda forgot I even tried this, but as soon as I came across it when gathering together all the bits 'n' bobs for this very post, I instantly remembered just how much I enjoyed it. For such a super affordable base (I think this is probably the cheapest foundation I've tried), this is so, so good. I personally love a glowy, radiant base and this gives me exactly that. It makes my skin look all healthy and dewy and has a lightweight formula that still has a decent level of coverage to it and lasts all day long too.

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast HD Mascara - Mascara-wise, I only recently added this to the Empties bin after finishing it up a couple of weeks ago. I tried the original version a while back and while I did like it, I have to say that having now given this one a go, I kinda prefer it. It's a very 'wet' mascara, so you do have to be careful with how you apply it so as to ensure there's no clumps or just an overload of product at once, but given the right care and time, this works brilliantly on my lashes. You can really build it up to a super dramatic finish and it never, ever smudges or flakes.

Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara in 'Ultra Black' - This one has been featured before in an Empties, but in a slightly different 'shade' - 'Black' instead of the 'Ultra Black' - and while you may think there's not a major difference between the two, there is kind of one. It's still the same amazing formula, finish and effect - seriously, I love what this does to my lashes - but just that little more intense. I love my mascaras like properly black, black and this certainly lives up to that.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - An oldie, but a goodie - doesnlt everyone love this? As hard as I try, this will always be my holy grail when it comes to setting spray. I've tried loads of others in the past - most of which are a lot cheaper - but for some reason, it's this one that I always come back to. I find it to work the best at really locking my makeup into place for the rest of the day and I can really trust it in knowing it's gonna work and do the job right. Even though it is slightly more higher up on the price scale, a bottle always seems to last a long time and so it's justifiable, yeah?

Barry M Flawless Hydro Fix Primer Water and Flawless Mist and Fix Setting Spray - Talking of setting sprays, while these definitely did not beat my beloved All Nighter, they were still pretty darn good for a drugstore offering. The former is a primer water that you spray all over before makeup, while the latter setting spray locks things into place and they both work well at doing exactly those things. The formula isn't quite as spot-on as the UD offering and the packaging could perhaps do with a touch of improvement (the mists aren't as fine and the bottles don't last as long) but if you're in the market for a good alternative - definitely take a look at these.


Dr Bronner's Organic Rose Castile Liquid Soap - This liquid soap has been my favourite way of deep cleaning my brushes for basically ever since I first started using them and I doubt I will ever stray from it. This 'Rose' scent is a new one to me, but the formula is the same and I just can't fault how awesome it is at cleaning my brushes, removing any makeup and general dirt from them in an instant and leaving them super soft at the same time. Love, love, LOVE.

Primark Beauty Nail Polish Remover - I tend to simply opt for the standard nail polish remover on the regular, but recently I've been using this set-up from Primark Beauty and really enjoying it. The pup dispenser makes the whole thing a lot more hassle-free and generally quicker and easier and while the scent of the stuff inside is pretty grim (but then, isn't that the case with most nail polish removers?) the actual formula gets nail polish off quicker than you can say 'Manicure'. Not bad for only £1 a tub!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - Finally, not technically an Empty, but a beauty product I'm showing the bin to anyway. This was my first ever beauty sponge and I feel at this point it's certainly seen better days and so with a new one now on the go, it's time to say goodbye. You've served me well...