I have this weird guilty pleasure in watching people’s videos on Youtube of empty products…their thoughts and reviews. Empties posts are so thrilling…it’s totes weird, I know, but super super satisfying. So, today, I thought I would share with you the products I have used up in the past couple of months and my thoughts on them…would I repurchase or not. I have a total of 21 products for today’s post and without making this too long…let’s get into it.

 

1- Clean and Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash

I got this product on a total whim, because I was away (in Jordan) and didn’t carry my favorite wash with me…I was a little afraid to use it because my skin get irritated super easily and exfoliating daily didn’t sound like a good option. However, despite the name, I ended up loving this product! It does what it promises to do. It cleans, gently, unclogs the pores and exfoliates without drying the skin and without giving it the tight feeling you get sometimes from certain cleansers. It’s super inexpensive (10$ CAD) and lasts forever. I ended up repurchasing this and have now 2 back ups for whenever I run out of my other cleansers. All in all, I would say this is a win!

2- Anthony Deep Pore Cleansing Clay

This product is developed for men and borrowed by women…as it is written on the bottle, the Anthony range at Sephora is for men, but women aren’t afraid to use it. I got this mask because I needed something potent, fast and efficient…and this is exactly what I got with this  product. The fast is amazing! It’s a clay mask that you leave on from 5 to 10 minutes (I would go for 5 at first, because it burns) and it’s filled with amazing ingredients such as Vitamins A, C and E. It nourishes the skin while cleansing it. I do feel super squeaky clean after using it. It has a strong menthol-y smell and so at first it made me tear…but then when I got used to it…the smell didn’t bother me anymore. The results are great and I would definitely repurchase it. It’s sold at Sephora for 29$ CAD and for the price and the quality…there’s no arguing here that this is a must in your skin emergency saving kit. I even let my husband use it with me…and we sit there all red and demonic, but both end up with clear looking skin.

3- Dove Regenerative Nourishment Serum in Oil for damaged and over-processed hair

This is literally the bomb! I discovered this on a whim at the drugstore when I was in search of a serum to leave in my hair after the shower. I was going through a rough time and my hair was always freaking dry…even though I am not a hair coloring whore…I mean I love it on others…but then I feel bad doing it to my hair…Anyway, the ends of my hair are allllways dry…and when I started using this, it completely changed. This Dove oil saved my ends and made my hair shiner, healthier and just over all good looking. I bought this for a grand hefty total of 6$ CAD and let me tell that this is the best 6$ I have ever spent in my life…this product  does what it promises to do and you see results instantly…and for colored, damaged hair, the results would be even more amazing.

4- Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

I have spoken about this mascara before…and you can read the full review here…but this is just to share that I finished it (again!). This is my go to mascara and I am in love with it. I have been using it for a year now..and I got this sample in a Sephora sale…but just to say…this mascara is bomb! It’s a bit expensive (33$ CAD), but it gives me the results I want…volume and length and lasts all day. So a total yay for that one!

5- Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

This is definitely on the price side of things…I mean this 30ml bottle costs 46$ CAD..but Kiehl’s is a great brand and a lot of their products are worth the splurge. I got this a few years ago when I had skin issues and had loads of hyperpigmentation spots…and found it amazing as it helped nourish and heal my skin. Then, I forgot about it and rediscovered it again this year. I have been using it every night before my moisturizer and dab into my skin and just let it sink in before adding my other layers. ANDDD, it smells amazing! It’s a mix of essential oils which help heal the skin, regenerate the skin and plump the skin by morning. This is a definite repurchase product and I will continue to use it in my routine.

6- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

I discovered this brand a little while back by luck and since it was inexpensive and had great reviews…I wanted to check it out and see if I found something I liked to add into my skincare regimen. I got the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum because I wanted clear skin before the wedding. I started using this serum in May and I can absolutely certify that it helped my skin stay healthy and clear. Wheever I broke out…it was always mild and it clear instantly. I used this along side the Kiehl’s serum…I used this on in the AM and then put my SPF on. What I liked about the Ordinary products is that they’re efficient, inexpensive and they’re very thought out. There’s science behind each product and they offer the best for your skin without damaging it. I feel like the products are very potent…but in such a gentle way. Niacinamide helps reduce blemishes by decongesting the skin gently. It also helps keep the skin oils/sebum in check…it balances things out and so you’ve got fewer break outs. The zinc in this, on the other hand, helps heal the skin faster and it is known to be a very effective ingredient for acne-prone skin. For 12$ CAD, I would say, this product is a winner.

7- Bleu Lavande “Être” Hand Cream

This lavender hand cream smells divine! This 50ml tube costs 12$ CAD and it lasts for a long time…depends on how much product you use on a daily basis. Since this is a tube that I would typically throw in my bag, it could go for weeks before it finishes. Bleu Lavende is a Canadian based company that makes a wide range variety of therapeutic home, health and beauty products. Obviously, we all know that lavender essential oil acts against stress and anxiety. This cream also contains good ingredients that helps with the growth and balance of the skin tissue. It’s a great product to keep close as it softens dry skin by giving it elasticity and protects against attacks from the cold. There’s also grape seed oil, which also nourishes the skin and keeps it smooth. And finally, the Shea butter protects the skin against dryness while maintaining its elasticity. Overall, this is a good handy cream to use on a daily basis as it doesn’t make you feel greasy…but it hydrates you enough to keep you happy!

8- Schwarzkopf BC SCALPTHERAPY Dandruff Control Shampoo

Since moving countries, I have had so many issues with my hair because it hasn’t been agreeing with the water…its’ too salty I guess. I never had dandruff and dryness issues as much as I do now…or up until I found this gem. I don’t like to use Head & Shoulders because I feel like it dries out my hair and doesn’t completely get rid of the dandruff issues. Then, I went it a random hair shop in Jordan hoping to find the holy grail that will save my hair…and then I crossed this one; the Schwarzkopf dandruff control shampoo helped clear the issue and deep cleaning my scalp while being gentle on the actual hair strands (if that makes any sense). For 200ml, you pay 34.00$ CAD and I say it’s completely worth it. I feel like it’s like a clarifying shampoo…which means, you do not need to use it every time you shower because it could get a little aggressive.  This is a definite yay in my book!

9- BIOSSANCE Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel

For 68$ CAD (15ml), I was hoping I would love this. This eye gel cream was a little bit of a meh product. For what it claims to do, I would have loved to see the results. Now, I purchased this a few months ago on the Sephora website in search of the perfect eye cream to help with my darkness for the wedding…then I found this through the high rated 5-star section. I decided, despite the hefty price tag, I would try it anyway. After a few months of using this, I wasn’t too impressed. This eye gel promises to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I felt like the only thing it did to me was hydrate my under eye area…which is something I could get from any cream from the drug store. What I did like though, about this cream, is that it was lightweight when applied and scentless; which is perfect for sensitive skin.

10- COSRX Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Without going in too much depth…this is my holy grail, ride or die, most amazing, most favorite cleanser of alllll time. I have spoken about this COSRX cleanser multiple times on my blog and to know my full thoughts, you can read this. This is my 4th bottle and I will continue to repurchase it. For 10$, this is the best cleanser I have used in my entire life…even more so than higher end cleansers.

11- ALTERNA Haircare Caviar Repair Multi-Vitamin Heat Protection Spray

I got this as a sample and LOVED it! Not only is it a heat protectant, I feel like it restores your hair as well. This spray contains caviar extract,  vitamin C, E, A, B6, B12 and Biotin…which all help restore hydration, strength, vibrancy, and elasticity to the hair. The mixture of marine botanicals deliver moisture and help repair damage, resulting in hydrated, perfectly smooth strands. With the dry issues I have been having, my ends would end up looking more damaged and fried, after using this it made my hair so soft and AMAZING and restored. I will certainly be purchasing this! You can find it on the Sephora website for 37.50$ CAD. Pricey but worth it.

12- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Hyaluronic acid is a moisture binding ingredient, which means, it will lock in moisture into your skin and help revive it and hydrate it deeply. Young,  juicy and supple skin is exactly what you get when using hyaluronic acid on a regular basis. Vitamin B5 helps heal, protect, sooth and regenerate the skin. The Ordinary people have got this skincare game in the basket. They make products that are super potent but affordable. This is what I love about this brand, they care about making things right and providing products for consumers to truly benefit from. So for 12$ CAD, I would say that this a definite repurchase item…in fact, I already repurchased it…just waiting for it in the mail!

13- Bioderma Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution

This micelle solution is the bomb! I use it liberally to cleanse my skin and to remove makeup. It is one of the few micelle waters that doesn’t burn or sting my eyes. This water cleanses and removes makeup without drying out the skin What I like about this is that it purifies my skin gently and I can sometimes get away with just using this, rather than washing my whole face with cleanser. On morning, where I can’t be bother to wash my face…I just splash some water and then use this micelle solution on a cotton pad and then voila! my skin feels clean, refreshed and new. This 500ml bottle costs about 15$ CAD, but they sometimes comes in a 2 for 1 special, which comes a little bit cheaper. For anyone looking for a good micelle solution, Bioderma is the brand to look for!

14- Caudalie Eau de Beauté BEAUTY ELIXIR

I first started using this 3 years ago when I was in search of a water-y spray to help with dryness on the plane. I got it on a whim at the Sephora aisle of doom by the cash…and I ended up LOVING it. This stuff is amazing…I mean it doesn’t do much to the skin except give it a little oomph and a little glow.  The beauty elixir is a toning mist that sets makeup (which is the way I use it most of the time), provides an instant burst of radiance, and tightens the appearance of pores. The smell is calming and soothing and it’s so yummy and I will continue to repurchase it even though it does nothing else than give you a glow. The spray is good and it distributes the water in a lightweight mist. The 30ml bottle runs for 22$ CAD, it’s a little expensive and is such a princess product but I love it anyway.

15- TOO FACED Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

I’m not going to write too too much on this…because I tired it and it sucked. SO icky, so sticky and so freaking hard to remove…and it freaking clumps and gets everywhere. Don’t understand the waterproof part of it, because it smudges everywhere…perhaps my lashes are too wild for it, however, this is a big nay for me. For 30$ CAD I was hoping it would give me the results I was looking for.

16- BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

I adore this little bugger!! LOVE ITTTT!!! It’s basically a liquid highlighter which you can use alone or mixed into your moisturizers, makeup, etc…I usually preferred to put it into my SPF cream. This always gave my skin a natural and healthy glow and people always complimented me on the days I was wearing it. This little bottle is sample size, as I bought it in a set for the wedding…I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it… and I ended up loving it! I would repurchase it for sure at some point…but right now I have something else I am using and I am equally loving. Also, 50$, that’s essspenssivvee!! However, here’s a big yay to BECCA for making such amazing highlighters!

17- Caviar CC Cream 10 in 1 Complete Correction Leave-in Hair Perfector

I have used this multiples times before and this is only a sample size I got during a purchase at Sephora. But I did buy the full size and I think it’s totes worth it. It’s 31$ CAD for 2.5oz, but using a little bit of it goes a long way. This leave in conditioner/treatment smells freaking awesome and it leaves the hair supple, healthy, hydrated and shiny. It’s a 10 in 1 product and so you get a lot of benefits using it. It provides moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, anti-breakage, heat protection, light hold, UV protection, manageability, and strength. Basically the best cocktail your hair can ever ask for—to look absolutely beautiful, healthy, and flawless. I usually either use this after the shower on my damp hair or on dry hair the next day I wash my hair…either way, you get the results. This is a staple in my hair care regimen.

 

 

18- The Ordinary “Buffet”

This is basically a mix of peptides that claim to help keep the skin youthful and healthy…I kindda felt that it did nothing to the skin and it was a little bit of an added layer into my regimen for nothing. I wouldn’t repurchase this…it’s wasn’t nay but more of a meh. Peptides are amino-acids that are the foundation and building blocks of proteins in the skin. This is the only product from the The Ordinary range that I would not repurchase.

19- Boscia TSUAKI Swirl two-part gel & cream deep hydration moisturizer

This swirled formula combines a gel and a cream to help hydrate the skin and lock in moisture. The white cream is obviously the heavier of the 2 consistencies and it is there to provide the deep hydrating and firming ingredients, including tsubaki (camellia) oil and rice bran. The gel, however, contains the lighter nourishing ingredients, like sodium hyaluronate. At first I liked it, but when I started it using it more and more, I ended up hating it as it gave me little white heads along my cheeks and I knew it ended up being too heavy for my skin. I felt like my skin got a bit too greasy with this product and so this is not a repurchase for e. I would only use it for when my skin is super dry and for 50$ that comes out expensive.

20- Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

I was searching high and low for the perfect eye cream that will help hydrate the skin around my eyes and de-puff it, until this guy. I got this in the 100 points exchange at Sephora and I am so glad I did because I found the perfect eye cream. This is hydrating but not heavy…it skins into the skin beautifully and provides enough moisture. I feel like concealer goes on so much smoother every time I use this little bad boy. It’s 69$ CAD, you get 15ml and I know it sounds insane but I would say it’s worth the splurge.

21- Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in Sunset

Last but not least, I have spoken about the Marc Jacobs makeup line in previous posts…this is the only high end brand I am willing to spend my money on. Marc Jacobs has got everything down with this line. The mascara, the eye shadows, the eyeliners…they’re just to die for. The quality and the consistency is amazing and to be honest, the price isn’t too bad for what you get. I mean, yes I paid 33$ for this eyeliner, but I have had it since December and it’s still going strong…well up until it dried up recently after I left the cap open for a few days…le boo!!!!! Other than that, the colors are awesome, the quality is the bomb and the lasting power is so freaking insane. They glide on smoothly and stay put alllll day…this is a definite must for those who are in search of good quality liners that don’t move or go anywhere.

 

I hope you enjoyed this post and let me know which of these products you have used and loved and which you have hated…would love to hear your thoughts!!!