Skincare products: I was a bit surprised that I was able to get through so many samples during the month of November, however upon deeper reflection it makes perfect sense given the events that occurred this month. There were two primary factors that facilitated this seemingly excessive use of products: 1) I was away from home working for most of the month, and 2) most of the time that I was home in November I had the flu! The former encouraged me to travel as lightly as possible- therefore I used sample packets of what I had whenever possible. For the latter I used lots of sample packets as well- since I was one germy hot mess- so it made far more sense to use samples in an attempt to avoid contaminating anything (everything) in my stash.
Of the products in the skincare category I found myself madly in love with the Suki Facial Lift Ultimate Firming Cream and the Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder. As you can see, I finished up a full sized Suki Facial Lift Ultimate Firming Cream while traveling (the bottle was about 1/3 full), and have to say that it most
definitely rivals the best luxury face creams that I have ever used, and it does so without the chemicals that others rely upon so heavily. This is a healthy luxury anti-aging cream that is as good as it gets! The Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder is truly one of my greatest recent discoveries-- it is without question cleansing perfection incarnate (I will review it soon).
Haircare & Body Products: I didn't make a tremendous dent in my hair and body products stash this month primarily because I opened several new full size products, and they will take a bit of time to get through. I ended up using the Alba Botanica Plumeria Conditioner at a much faster pace than the accompanying shampoo because I have long curly hair, which causes me to use a disproportionately large amount of conditioner to keep my tresses tame! I really loved this conditioner, and at some point will likely buy more.
Makeup & Fragrances: Yet another month of using up piles of perfume samples! They are simply perfect for traveling-- they are good for several uses and take up almost no space. However, my most proud achievement here is having finished my two MAC eyeliners (Uniform and Feline that I showed you partially used in my
September Empties post).
What were your empties this month? Do tell!
Since you've been travelling a lot, may I ask what brushes you've been bringing with you? I'm planning on replacing all my (bad, prickly) brushes with Hakuhodo, & was wondering what you consider "essentials". :) I know you've written a lot previously about your brushes, but also know travel can force people to pare things down to what they really need, so...!
ReplyDeleteHi Toby! That's an excellent question! I will post a picture of what I am carrying tomorrow or the next day. You simply can't go wrong with Hakuhodo as far as I'm concerned!! I don't always carry the same brushes, or makeup for that matter. I try to mix it up a bit-- plus it also depends on whether I am using something a great deal in order to review it. I have to check what I packed this time, but I distinctly remember grabbing quite a few Hakuhodo brushes. Keep an eye out for the post during the next few days :-)
DeleteHi Lola-
DeleteThanks so much! I look forward to seeing the post!
My pleasure, Toby!! :-)
DeleteHi Toby, I shot the photos- and now am thinking that I will turn it into a larger post-- inspired by your request. So stay tuned on Monday- as this has turned into something bigger! :-)
DeleteI have nothing to say but: \o/
Delete:D!
I'm so glad that this makes you so happy-- hopefully what I deliver will be worth the wait! :)
DeleteI see you are forging your way through the beauty world with a trail of blazing empties! Hahahaha! :D
ReplyDeleteThis is all very inspiring and I'll be happy to show you mine in a few weeks when I get it all organized. I'm still in awe over how many perfumes you can finish!
LOL!! That's funny!! How are you, my friend?
DeleteIt's actually pretty easy for me to use up the perfume samples, and like I said before if they smell gross on me- I just use them as air freshener around the kitty litter box!!
You should enter the Susan Thompson Cosmetics Mim's the Word Giveaway that I am having courtesy of Susan-- I twisted her arm into opening it up to Canada!!
http://lolassecretbeautyblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/special-giveaway-susan-thompson.html
I can't wait to see your Empties!!!!
I love empties posts! Once again I'm impressed how how you're powering through your stash. I'm late to commenting on this post as I've been too busy to keep up with my beauty blog subscriptions.
ReplyDeleteBecause you asked, I tallied up my empties for Oct 25 - Nov 28/12:
Jumbo: 1; Regular: 10; Sample/Travel: 38; Tossed/Gave Away: 14 (gave away a lot!)
My stash is getting smaller, and soon it'll be small. Yay! I still have the pile of unwanted samples I mentioned last time. Those will be given away when I have more time. :)
This is fun. :)
Hi BooBoo! I am really trying hard to work my way through my stash! I totally understand-- I have been crazy busy as well, and that bug really set me behind at work-- so no I am trying to play catch up without completely neglecting the blog!
DeleteNice work on your empties-- I am thoroughly impressed. Good for you for giving away your unwanted samples- that is a great plan of action! I can't wait to hear about your next batch of empties and a greatly pared down and well edited stash!!
<3
I think my empties tally is deceptive. Most of it is skin care! I'll have more cosmetics in the next round; however, the total will be much smaller. I don't mind much. I'm content with my progress so long as I'm using up more than I'm accumulating.
DeleteYour tally doesn't seem deceptive to me, Boo! Skin care is so much easier to get through than makeup. Makeup really is a difficult task!! I'd say that you are making brilliant progress! I would really like to put a dent in my makeup stash- especially since I have purchased so much of it lately!!!
DeleteYou got some great products, new follower:)
ReplyDeleteBrittney
Welcome, Brittney! I'm glad that you like my selection! Thanks for following! :)
DeleteNice to know that Suki Skin is so great. I have always been curious about the brand and have been really wanting to try their super popular Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser. This moisturizer sounds really lovely, but I think it would be too rich for my oily, acne-prone skin :/ Oh, and LOVE the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder too! Amazing stuff, huh??
ReplyDeleteHi Becca! The Suki moisturizer is absolutely divine, and it is quite pricey-- so I would definitely recommend getting a sample before throwing down $165.00. I used the Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser for years and years and really think it is a fabulous product. OMG, the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder is AMAZING!!!!!! I love that stuff so much!
DeleteYou should enter my contest to win the Susan Thompson Mim's the Word Liquid Blush. Susan agreed t give one away to one of my readers!
http://lolassecretbeautyblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/special-giveaway-susan-thompson.html
Those samples are excellent for travel. I used up a few perfumes on my trip to Vegas.
ReplyDeleteMy empties for this month are The Body Shop's Midnight Bakula body butter, Balea Strawberry Shortcake body wash (Canadian private label brand from Shoppers Drug Mart), and the perfumes Halloween: Las Vegas and Szepasszony from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.
Hi Iris, They definitely are convenient for traveling! Perfume samples are so great for traveling as well-- particularly if you are flying.
DeleteNice work on your empties this month- bravo! Isn't it just so satisfying to use things up?! I really love the feeling of not wasting something that I bought!
Thanks for stopping by!
wow good job!! I can't believe you finished so many perfume samples! I can never do that! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce. I think that it's a special kind of crazy that has me focussed enough to use all of these perfume samples up-- and I haven't been using them in lieu of showering- LOL!!! :)
DeleteHere's to hoping you feel better! My empties were nowhere near as numerous, because I tossed them before I even thought of making a blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gussie-- thankfully I am over that bug!! Well, I find that it takes a concerted effort and discipline to decide to use things up and stick with it!! It definitely is satisfying knowing that I didn't wast stuff that I spent good money on! It really makes me think twice about buying certain things realizing that some might not be so easy to use up! :-)
Delete