11 Beauty Products I Finished This Year & The Repurchase Run Down
The thought of doing an 'empties' post is something I find a little gross as the idea of keeping my rubbish hanging around is not one that I like to entertain. But out of all the ways that people review and talk about beauty products I find that empties can often be the most beneficial because sometimes it's hard to know how we truly feel about an item until we've got to the end of it. As I've been on a real decluttering kick I've made my way through a fair amount of products and here are my thoughts on them as well as a run down on if I would repurchase them again.
PIXI GLOW TONIC: This has been a long-term love for me as it one of the first exfoliating toners that I used alongside the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Toner. I love the Pixi Glow Tonic, it works perfectly at keeping things looking fresh as well as helping to diminish the appearance of scars. It's only 5% glycolic acid so my skin can handle the use of this daily AM & PM and it doesn't dry my complexion out. It's definitely not my favourite exfoliating toner as I don't find it as effective as the Clarins but it's much cheaper and you get a lot more bang for your buck. I've also used the Pixi Glow Tonic Pads this year which are a stronger percentage of glycolic acid and even though I don't love that they're in pad form as I find it wasteful. I do find them to be a little more effective so they're not something that can be used daily and are better as a twice a week treatment.
REPURCHASE? YES
CAUDALIE VINOSOURCE INTENSE MOISTURE RESCUE CREAM*: As I've typically got combination to oily skin a product that's deeply nourishing isn't something that I usually reach for. But more often than not I can find that moisturisers that are typically based towards more oily skin types can lack in nourishment and leave your skin feeling tight and dry which isn't what I want. This moisture rich moisturiser from Caudalie kept my skin perfectly balanced in the real cold snap we had a few weeks ago but it was still something I could use in summer and my skin didn't turn into an oil slick. As well as this products ability to help the skin retain moisture it also works at repairing the complexion in a gentle way which is perfect when you're suffering from breakouts or sore cracked skin. It's a really beautiful moisturiser but I'd probably pick something that could help more with scarring as well as being hydrating over something that's just nourishing.
REPURCHASE? NO
LA ROCHE POSAY EFFACLAR DUO [+]: This product has been a solid part of my skincare routine for years and after using it for so long and it having such an incredible effect on my skin. I was slightly concerned that I'd become reliant on it and that if I stopped using it then my skin would go to shit. If you're not familiar with Effaclar Duo it's a decongesting and unclogging treatment to help you stay on top of congestion as well as helping to diminish the appearance of scars. It's something that completely changed the condition of my skin and when I used it my breakouts were under more control but my skin doesn't rely on it to stay clear which is a good thing. However, I do think I'm going return using this once I've used up more of my serums and treatments as is it not only on the more affordable side of price spectrum it's probably something that makes the biggest difference.
REPURCHASE? YES
LIZ EARLE SKIN TONIC*: If I had to pick just one out of the two type of toners I could use as a daily part of my skincare routine it would most definitely be something of the exfoliating kind. But I do absolutely love the Liz Earle Skin Tonic, not only does it help to keep my skin in a happy balanced state but it also smells amazing. It's one of those products that is incredibly uplifting to use and it smells so calming [if you've used this and like the scent you'll know exactly what I'm talking about]. It doesn't make a huge noticeable difference in my skin but it does help keep things balanced which when your skin is going rogue can be a great addition to your routine.
REPURCHASE = YES
SOAP & GLORY NO CLOGS ALLOWED*: This is unlike any other deep cleansing mask I've ever used as it heats up when you apply it on the skin which is a slightly strange sensation but once you become accustomed to it then it feels oddly soothing on the skin. It's a mask that not only lifts the impurities out of your skin without leading to a face of spots afterwards but it also gives you a gentle manual exfoliation too. It doesn't set down to that traditional clay mask feeling which makes it a breeze to remove if you don't like to scrub at your skin to remove a mask. It's a mask you can use the night before an event or occasion to make sure your skin is in top notch condition the day after as you don't have to worry about blemishes, just clear and refreshed skin.
REPURCHASE? YES
OSKIA RENAISSANCE 360 MOISTURISER*: We all know how obsessed I am with the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, it's a truly beautiful cleanser. This moisturiser was released at the same time as a serum and I absolutely loved the serum upon first impressions. The science behind is them is that they are meant to improve elasticity, hydrate, reduce fine lines, brighten the skin, target pigmentation, discolouration and scars. When I first tried this moisturiser I really wasn't wowed by it at all and felt it didn't do too much for the price [which is very high]. After using it until the end I did notice a large difference within the condition of my skin [I stopped using the serum so I could see the difference of this acting alone]. It's a little bit of a slow burner in the skincare stakes but it does make a difference when using continuously. I do think the price tag is a little too high for me for it to be such a slow burn and I think there are better options out there that are more affordable.
REPURCHASE? NO
CAUDALIE CLEANSING OIL*: I discovered the world of cleansing oils this year and fell completely in love with them. They feel incredible on the skin and remove makeup with such ease. This rich cherry Bakewell smelling oil from Caudalie feels beautiful when massaged into the skin and it lifts even the most stubborn of makeup and when removed with a flannel it leaves your skin feeling incredibly nourished. I've always been so cautious of cleansing oils as I worried they might wreak havoc on my skin but this didn't cause me any issues. I'm not sure a cleansing oil is my preferred method of removing my makeup as I do find it a little messy but an oil still makes for an incredible morning cleanse none the less.
REPURCHASE? NO
ORIGINS ORIGINAL SKIN SERUM: I'd always looked at this serum sat in my beauty stash and thought 'you look exactly what I like and need in my skincare' but it took me far too long to get around to using it. The marketing copy of this item makes it sound almost sound too good to be true. But for once it was all true and it really did have a wonderful effect on my skin. It claims it can de-stress, smooth out skin texture and brighten all at once and it only took around 10 days of daily use to see a difference. In some ways, it reminds me of my beloved La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] but personally, I prefer ED as it's a little more hydrating. This feels almost like a primer as well as a skincare product as it mattifies the skin ever so slightly and creates an even base but it doesn't contain any pigment.
REPURCHASE? NO
CLINIQUE TURNAROUND REVITALISING MOISTURISER: This was a firm favourite of mine in 2015. The turnaround revitalising range from Clinique claims to repair skin as well as turn it around when it looks stressed and lacklustre and that's exactly what it does. The moisturiser contains a hint of tint so it provides a veil of coverage on the skin which is perfect when you don't want to wear foundation or want something to create an even base before application. It's an oil free moisturiser but it doesn't scrimp on the hydration in the slightest and it leaves such a wonderful finish on the skin.
REPURCHASE? NO
MERUMAYA GENTLE EXFOLIATING TONER*: If it's not really obvious at this point, I love chemical toners. Merumaya isn't a brand that I'm all that familiar with so I was excited to try this out when it arrived. This definitely did do a great job at brightening and clarifying the skin but I was slightly disappointed with just how much this stung on breakouts and generally didn't feel all that gentle on the skin. One of the best things about this it that it does contain hyaluronic acid so your skin isn't left feeling dry and tight afterwards which makes me think a drier skin type could try it.
