April Empties

Ever since I started doing a monthly makeup drawer, I've been finished up so many more products! It's an easy way to weed out what I'm not using and finish up products that are on their last legs. I finished up a lot of makeup over the past few months and now I can share my full thoughts on them!


THE GOOD

Maybelline Colossal Mascara
Long-time readers will know this is my holy grail mascara! It is great for long, natural-looking lashes. Repurchased!

Blistex--Original and Medicated Berry
My family has always used Blistex, so I've gotten in the habit of using it. I find that it is a lot more healing than other lip balms and I always keep a tube in my purse. I've used two in the past few months, the original and my favorite, but hard to find, Medicated Berry. Repurchased/stole another tube from my mom!

Younique 3D Fiber Lashes duo* (review)
Apparently this is very hyped on Facebook, but I didn't know that when I was sent it! Big thanks to Ashley for letting me try it out--I was very curious about a mascara duo. You first apply a black gel to your lashes, then sweep black fibers through them and they cling to the gel, then you seal it in with another coat of the gel. It works really well for volume but the product in the gel tube got a little chunky from the fibers that clung to the brush. I might keep the fibers tube to see if I can get a similar effect with a traditional mascara. I probably won't repurchase because it's quite pricey.

Maybelline Colossal Big Shot*
I got this from Influenster around winter break (definitely a good sign that I should toss it!) and I really liked it. Not as much as the original Colossal, but this is definitely better in terms of volume and I would consider repurchasing it at some point. For now I am replacing it with the Covergirl Supersizer, which I've heard great things about.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer (sample)
I got this in an Ipsy bag a few months ago and I used it up so fast! It soaks into the skin very quickly and feels light but hydrating, perfect for my winter-dry skin. I have a few other moisturizers to get through and then I would consider repurchasing it.

theBalm Mad Lash mascara (sample)
I don't know why I go through seventeen mascaras at once, I'm sorry this is such a lash-heavy post! This was another Ipsy sample and I really love it. I don't usually purchase mascaras over ten dollars but I may make an exception for this. theBalm is often on Hautelook so I will try to pick it up there for a discount!

Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara (sample)
Yet another mascara (I have a problem), I've tried this one before and I still love it. It gives fantastic volume and is very well-known for being a good mascara. I don't know if I would purchase the full size because I go through mascara so quickly, but I would love another sample.

THE NOT BAD/NOT FOR ME

Jergens Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Moisturizer
I like the smell of this lotion, but it takes a while to dry down and I usually want to get dressed right after I finish showering/moisturizing. It is very conditioning, just not for me!

Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm in Natural
I got this from an aunt ages ago and while it's nice, it's not quite hydrating enough for my dry lips. I prefer something medicated. It has a browny-nude tint that isn't very noticeable, I would have preferred a pink tint. I know my mom really likes this so if you don't have exceptionally dry lips it may work for you.

Elf Illuminating Eye Cream
I just started wearing eye creams so I decided to start with the drugstore first. This affordable one feels very hydrating and cooling on the eyes, but it's in a jar so any good ingredients in here are exposed to the air and the effect it has is lessened because of it. I didn't notice any anti-aging or illuminating benefits, although I'm only twenty so I wouldn't expect to! I replaced it with one from Bliss, which is in a squeezy tube.

MAC Prep and Prime (sample)
First of all, I'm so impressed with how long this little sample lasted me! I've had it in my everyday makeup drawer for two months so I was using it several times a week, and it still took me ages to get through. It has some shimmer in it which I don't like, but it isn't noticeable after you put on a foundation. I think it does an okay job of moisturizing my skin but it doesn't make my makeup last longer or go on much smoother.

THE BAD

Unnamed Makeup Sponge (RIP)
I don't remember the brand of this, but I bought it when I first heard of a Beauty Blender and I thought this was the same thing because it was also pink! I tried using it a few times and I found the shape very awkward to use, it's too small and it's pointed at two ends so it can be difficult to apply foundation to the large areas of the face. I held onto it for some reason but my cat got ahold of it and tore pieces out of it, so it's time to go. I've been using the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge instead!

Almay Eyeshadow trio --discontinued
This isn't exactly empty, but I had it in my everyday makeup drawer last month and never touched it, so I figured it was time to pass it on. The shadows are very rough and have a lot of fallout, and the three shimmery shades don't go very well together. I have these three shades in a better formula in other palettes, too.

An * indicates a product I was sent for free in exchange for an honest review

And those are all the products I've finished, and what I bought to replace them! What have you recently finished up?

Xx Katie