April Empties/Favorites/New Products

[calico]

What did you finish in April? What did you find yourself constantly using? 

And since there were so many sales last month- What new product(s) did you try?

[mrsukyankee]

Empties:
- Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV Essence SPF50+ (ordered a new one though I'm trying something new)
- Bioderma Micellar Water - reordered in bulk


New Products:
- Banilla Clean It Zero - loving it
- Missha FTE - loving, loving, loving
- Hada Labo hyaluronic acid - also liking it
- The Ordinary Rose Hip Oil - very new to me

I have a bunch of stuff I tried as well as that am not sure about. I am slowly introducing other items to see how my skin responds.

[peachy]

The only thing that comes to mind is a new to me item - Becca Backlight Priming Filter. I'm really liking it so far! It was a splurge for me, but I can tell it will last a long time.

[kategm]

I didn't finish anything, but I'm close on a lot of products.

I tried a few new products: Becca Backlight priming filter - I like it so far! I was previously using elf mineral primer, and I don't think this one makes my makeup last longer, but I prefer the softer, less matte finish it gives my makeup. I also got a Touché Eclat on a whim at the sale. It works really well for what it is, and it leaves a smoother finish than the Maybelline brightening Instant Age Rewind, but I won't repurchase because I don't need it in my routine.

My LOVE, which is also a new (to me) product, is Tarte Shape Tape. This has completely changed my under eye game. I no longer look droopy and tired, yet I don't look 20 years older than i really am. I assumed based on the description it'd be too thick and heavy for my under eye, but I was so wrong.

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

Empties: nothing but a few samples (Porefessional, won't purchase)

New: Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser. I love it. It smells great! I have a bunch of stuff from The Ordinary but am starting them one by one. I have started DE C-Firma and I like it so far.

Also: Can anyone tell me how long their average bottle of Good Genes lasts? I am currently using a Sephora sample, which has lasted astonishingly long, I have about half left and have used it 5 times so far.

[kategm]

May 2, 2017 6:27:43 GMT -5 Miss Phryne Fisher said:

Empties: nothing but a few samples (Porefessional, won't purchase)

New: Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser. I love it. It smells great! I have a bunch of stuff from The Ordinary but am starting them one by one. I have started DE C-Firma and I like it so far.

Also: Can anyone tell me how long their average bottle of Good Genes lasts? I am currently using a Sephora sample, which has lasted astonishingly long, I have about half left and have used it 5 times so far.

My good genes lasts 3-4 months I think? I haven't really kept track. Putting on every 3 days ish. I started not using a full pump each time though, so hopefully it'll start lasting longer now.

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

May 2, 2017 6:48:39 GMT -5 kategm said:

May 2, 2017 6:27:43 GMT -5 Miss Phryne Fisher said:

Empties: nothing but a few samples (Porefessional, won't purchase)

New: Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser. I love it. It smells great! I have a bunch of stuff from The Ordinary but am starting them one by one. I have started DE C-Firma and I like it so far.

Also: Can anyone tell me how long their average bottle of Good Genes lasts? I am currently using a Sephora sample, which has lasted astonishingly long, I have about half left and have used it 5 times so far.

My good genes lasts 3-4 months I think? I haven't really kept track. Putting on every 3 days ish. I started not using a full pump each time though, so hopefully it'll start lasting longer now.

I forgot to ask, which size bottle? There is a 1oz and a monsterish 1.7 oz that is $$$. But if it keeps working on my forehead like this I think it would be worth it...

[kategm]

May 2, 2017 6:57:22 GMT -5 Miss Phryne Fisher said:

May 2, 2017 6:48:39 GMT -5 kategm said:

My good genes lasts 3-4 months I think? I haven't really kept track. Putting on every 3 days ish. I started not using a full pump each time though, so hopefully it'll start lasting longer now.

I forgot to ask, which size bottle? There is a 1oz and a monsterish 1.7 oz that is $$$. But if it keeps working on my forehead like this I think it would be worth it...

Just the regular 1 oz.

[calico]

Empties:

    • Finally tore the crap out of the beauty blender I was using. I have another one in the closet, along with a million new     RT sponges waiting.
    • Juice Organics Volumizing shampoo and conditioner from the April Target Box. Won't repurchase. Was drying to my hair.

    • Christoph Robin regenerating hair mask . Won't repurchase, was not impressive enough for the price.

    • Acetone polish remover. Already had a backup.

    • About 10 foil packets- nothing fantastic to note.

Favorites:

• ColourPop Shadow in Cat Nap. Every time I was running late and needed a nice quick eye look, I grabbed this. I already hit pan and I'm going to be SO SAD when I finish it off. Shout-out to my secret santa mdgirl  for sending this to me!
• Murad Acne & Wrinkle Reducer Treatment  (see below)
• Still loving WnW RYC for that not obvious glow on my cheeks.

New Items:

• Living Proof In-Shower Styler.  Purchased this b/c it's specifically for air-dried hair. I've used this once and didn't feel like it did anything other than make my ends rough. I'm going to try it once more this week and if I'm still not on board, I'm returning to Sephora.
• Murad Acne & Wrinkle Reducer Treatment. OMG! I have a deluxe sample and have been using it on my hormonal acne as a spot treatment and it's freaking amazing. It will dry up spots in 2 days without making my skin flake off. I'm almost finished with the deluxe sample and am trying to decide if I want to drop $44 on it. It's a big bottle and I don't really need that much of it for my purposes. Between this stuff and my lactic acid treatments, I'm really happy with my hormonal acne situation right now.

I have a bunch of other new things that I'm getting ready to try, including the new UD lip toppers. I'm also right on the verge of using up a shit-ton of products. May's list is going to be long, I think.

[bowies]

Empties:
GlamGlow Glowstarter moisturizer in Nude Glow (sample) - I was surprised how much I liked this. It really did add a luminosity to my skin, even under foundation.
Maybelline Dream Cushion foundation - Another surprise considering I usually like full coverage foundations. I'm going to try the L'Oreal one next.
Maybelline Lash Sensational - meh
Coola sunscreen primer (sample) - LOVE, possibly HG. Anything that combines two steps is a winner in my book.

New:
L'Oreal Voluminous Feline mascara - the wand hurts, will not repurchase.
Drunk Elephant trial sizes of C-Firma, B-Hydra, Framboos, and Marula Oil - I like the C-Firma, I'm meh on the B-Hydra and Framboos (I like Good Genes better), and hate the marula oil.
NYX Cosmic Metals eyeshadow palette - haven't tried them all yet, but the light pink is amazing. Just wish there was at least one matte in there.
Essence Pure Nude highlighter - perfect for my less-fussy makeup days.
Acure sensitive skin cleanser - I like how gentle it is but strongly dislike the scent.

[lovelyshoes]

Used up:
Travel sized bioderma. Replaced it with Avene micellar water. It's really good and I will buy a large size once I use up all of my bioderma. It smells so good too.

Living Proof Thickening lotion deluxe sample. Loved it so much. I got a new one during the Sephora sale.

Chanel volume de Chanel mascara. It's one of my favorites, but I have 2 new ones waiting before I need to buy new mascara. This one is really good though and I've repurchased several times over the years.

UD pencil in rockstar. Had a back up already. I use this color almost exclusively to tightline for years.

Dr. Gross ferulic eye serum. I love this one and have repurchased it several times. I am going to use up my other cream and some samples and hopefully repurchase this one during the November sale.

Loves:
Avene tinted moisturizer. It goes on so easily and has an spf of 50.

Burberry Rosewood shadow. Such an easy everyday color to wear.


Forgot to mention, I am still loving TO hyaluronic acid. That entire line is so good. I want to try the colors when I run out of my current foundation.

[majesty318]

I basically never finish any products.

New
Like calico, I tried the Living Proof In-Shower Styler but only once so far. I looked like I did nothing to my hair and just rolled out of bed. I will try once more and then return.

Stila Glitter & Glow eyeshadow: this irritated my eyes for two entire days! I had it for a while before I used it - think Sephora will still take it back?

Hairgurt shampoo in Strawberry Banana (from Boxycharm) - I really like how it smells and also think it helps with frizz, but I have too much shampoo to purchase anytime soon.

MUFE Aqua Eyes in a purple color - love how it goes on smoothly though I still prefer felt-tip liners.

Kiko Milano mascara (forget the exact name) - I picked this up in Europe because it was like $4 but really like it. Volumizes without clumping.

Favorites
Stila Stay all Day eyeliner - my HG
Next Black Tulip rollerball
UD All Nighter foundation - covers everything
Alterna Caviar volume mist - I actually feel like my flat, fine hair has volume with just a couple sprays of this before blowing out
L'Occitane almond milk concentrate lotion - HG - wish it were cheaper!

[Champagne Supernova]

I don't have any empties this month. I finished some samples but nothing really stood out.

Loves:
The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary Caffeine serum
Tarte's ROTS Highlight palette Vol. 2

[pizzanight]

My only real empty is my Lancome Tiente Idole foundation, which I immediately re-purchased at the Sephora sale. Also some samples. I might re-purchase the Sun Bum self tanner wipes but I have quite a stash of self-tanner right now so that wouldn't be for months.

Oh and I threw away the Trader Joe's serum - it felt too silicone-y for a serum and I didn't like it. Cheap but not worth buying at all.

New things I tried:
Tarte shape tape - loving
Tarte Amazonian Clay highlighter in stunner - loving
UD Basquiat Tenant palatte - loving
Dr. Jart+ premium BB (VIB) - loving
Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish primer (Play box) - meh. I prefer my old-school drag queen Monistat anti-chafing gel, frankly.
Egg Mellow Cream - can't use on face, made me break out in two days. So sad.

[mfluder]

May 2, 2017 10:13:01 GMT -5 pizzanight said:

Oh and I threw away the Trader Joe's serum - it felt too silicone-y for a serum and I didn't like it. Cheap but not worth buying at all.

see I love it as a primer because the feel. It does great as a primer (so after all my steps and before makeup).

[pizzanight]

mfluder that is a great idea! Now I sort of wish I hadn't gotten all mad at it and thrown it away. I was using it under moisturizer and felt like those products weren't getting into my skin.

[Pippin]

Pretty good month for empties. I had backups for most of the skincare items I used up. I will repurchase the Sephora mask once I run out of samples. 

New: 
Beauty Blender Pro
Hey Honey Serum
Nip/Fab Toner Pads
UD Retro Lipstick in Bruise
Tarte Color Splash Lipstick in Daiquiri
Marc Jacobs Mod Noir rollerball
UD Grindhouse sharpener 

Favorites:
Eye combo of ColourPop Bill all over eye and MUG Twilight on the lid. 
Tarte Exposed blush
TF Powder Foundation

[DarcyLongfellow]

I also basically never finish anything.

I'm almost done with my Julep cleansing oil. I really liked it, but it's too pricey for me.

New Products
- The Face Shop Rice Water cleansing oil. I've only used it once so far, but I like it. Seems a lot like the Julep. I prefer the scent of the Julep, but the Rice Water one has a light scent too that I liked.

- Cargo Swimmables eye shadow sticks. I'm a fan. I haven't yet tried out their claim to be water proof, but they go on pretty well and stay on decently.

- Cargo Swimmables eye liner. Eh. Pretty much like every other eye liner I've tried. If it's really water proof I'll be excited, though!

- Trish McEvoy gel liner. Man, I wish the sales girls at the Trish McEvoy event I went to hadn't been so snobby because their makeup seems pretty great from what I've tried. I've never, ever been able to use eye pencil. I can use liquid liner just fine, but pencils never work on me. But the TM gel liner is pretty great.

- TM Instant Eye Lift. I've only used it once so far, but I really liked it. Not sure I'll ever rebuy at $40 for less than .1 oz, though. I have decently dark undereye circles but I'm too lazy to use concealer most days. This stuff is easier to apply, acts as a highlighter, and looks pretty amazing. So far I'm a fan.

- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. This stuff is awesome!!! I wish I'd had this in my teen years :-) It really helped to clear up a zit overnight.

- Becca Backlight Priming Filter. Y'all, do I get kicked off the board if I don't like this primer? I notice no difference at all. I wanted to look lit from within, damnit! :-) Is there some trick to applying it?

- Becca Ever Matt Primer. Love it. I had a sample about a year ago, and I thought I liked it. So I bought the smaller tube to see how I like it. Once I followed the instructions to pat it on instead of rubbing it on, I loved it. It really did help my makeup stay on.

- Anastasia Brow Wiz. I don't get the hype. Seems exactly the same as my cheaper eyebrow pencils.

[mfluder]

May 2, 2017 11:13:35 GMT -5 pizzanight said:

mfluder that is a great idea! Now I sort of wish I hadn't gotten all mad at it and thrown it away. I was using it under moisturizer and felt like those products weren't getting into my skin.

Well, I hoard too much, so there's a not good side of the coin . It would be totally horrible as an actual serum, they really need a new name for it. 

[juliachild]

I don't have any memorable empties this month. I've been trying to work through shampoo samples and sheet masks.

New:
Viseart theory palettes in Nuance and Enamored. I haven't used them very much yet, but so far I like them a lot.
Nars lip glide in La Palace -love this formula. Feels like a lip gloss.
Essence pure nude highlight and satin blush - I bought a lot of cheek products this month. 
UD lipstick in Manic
Nars sheer glow
Cereve gel oil

Favorites:
Sleek blush palette in Flame
Essence brow mascara
La roche posay hydrating cleanser
Stratia liquid gold

[wawa]

May 2, 2017 21:13:23 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

- Becca Backlight Priming Filter. Y'all, do I get kicked off the board if I don't like this primer? I notice no difference at all. I wanted to look lit from within, damnit! :-) Is there some trick to applying it?

LOL!  I don't think this is a must love, is it?  Though, yeah, I love it.  I don't apply "right" though.  I mix with my tarte bb primer stuff and apply with a damn beauty blender knockoff rather than using it as a normal primer.  I figure since everythign i"m using is apparently intended to be a primer it doesn't matter.

the tarte bb is a light to medium coverage with a ever so slightly thicker texture than the becca primer so they mix together nicely and then I just go to town with it an dit ends up all nicely evened with a good glow.

[DarcyLongfellow]

wawa I'm cracking up at the "damn" beauty blender typo :-) Sometimes I feel the same!

I'll try mixing it with foundation to see if I get the magical glow that way :-) I've got some of the Tarte BB primer, so I'll give it a whirl!

[wawa]

May 3, 2017 11:57:07 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

wawa I'm cracking up at the "damn" beauty blender typo :-) Sometimes I feel the same!

I'll try mixing it with foundation to see if I get the magical glow that way :-) I've got some of the Tarte BB primer, so I'll give it a whirl!

oh lord.  I didn't even notice.  Damp.  lemme know if you like that combo.