I live in the tiniest apartment that barely has enough room to accommodate Mr. Page, myself and our most precious belongings (a fridge, full, 37 lipsticks and 49 pairs of shoes). A bunch of empty makeup and skincare containers just have to go. So, it is with the greatest pleasure that I type this empties post with one hand, while with the other I shove them into the recycling bin.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm: This is my favorite makeup remover of all time! I use it to take ALL of my makeup off, including waterproof mascara and lip stains. It’s an oily balm that I massage onto dry skin for about a minute and then rinse off with water. It doesn’t leave on oily film or any other residue and doesn’t dry out my skin. It’s amazing stuff and I keep repurchasing it over and over.
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque: I find this clay mask overly drying and a pain to take off, so I won’t be repurchasing it. I recently bought Sephora Mud Mask instead and really like it (full review here).
BIODERMA Sensibio H2O and Sébium H2O: A couple of months ago, I did a post comparing these two micellar waters, check it out if you’re interested in the details. I’m currently using Garnier’s micellar water and, although I like Sensibio H2O a little better, I think I’ll keep using it even in the future because it’s much more affordable.
Avène Eau Thermale: I especially liked applying this thermal water after Mint Julep Mask, because it felt very soothing and calming on the skin. In general, spraying your face with this super fine mist feels really nice, but I wouldn’t consider it a game changer. I’ll probably buy it again, just not immediately.
Avène Cleanance MAT Mattifying Emulsion: Despite being formulated for oily skin, it made my face greasy very fast (check out my full review for further details). I’m definitely not repurchasing!
La Roche Posay Effaclar A.I.: I use this spot treatment as soon as I see a bump raising and it seems to make it go away faster than if I don’t use it. It’s not a miracle worker, though, it still takes days. I keep rebuying this mainly because I don’t know anything better… Any recommendations? Has anyone ever tried Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion?
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup in 02 Fresh Ivory: This foundation isn’t really an ‘anti-blemish solution’ (at least on me), but it’s a great base nonetheless. It’s quite thin, so very easy to apply with fingers, it sets immediately to a matte finish and provides medium, very natural-looking coverage. I won’t be repurchasing immediately because first I want to finish my Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet and then get Estée Lauder Double Wear (I’m using a sample of it at the moment and think it’s AMAZING!), but maybe one day I will. Anyway, the Anti-Blemish Solutions is a great foundation, I highly recommend it to people with oily skin. Just make sure you can find the right color match, as Fresh Ivory, which is the lightest shade available here in Italy, is a little too dark for me.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner: This intense black eyeliner literally does what it says on the tin. Plus, it lasted over a year without drying out, which I find pretty impressive for an eyeliner pen. It’s definitely the best one I’ve ever tried!
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: The most volumizing mascara I’ve ever used! I’ve already repurchased it a few times and I’m sure I’ll buy it again in the future. It’s one of my favorites, if not my favorite.
Do you guys have any staple products you keep repurchasing over and over? Anything to recommend?
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36 Comments
LindaLibraLoca
October 24, 2015 at 2:26 pmThe Sensible H2O and the Take the day off cleanser have been repurchased several times already. I never tried the Garnier one, so I cant compare, but nothing else has come close so far.
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Megan
October 24, 2015 at 8:51 pmSuch a lovely post and great products! I’ve wanted to try the Clinique cleansing balm for ages now and I might have to try it 🙂
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Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:28 amThe Clinique cleansing balm is great, so gentle, yet effective.
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Ela
October 24, 2015 at 9:11 pm49 pairs of shoes… How do you find enough space for them? There are some that I keep buying however I like trying out new products. Clinique cleansing balm is really good, I finished it awhile ago and I am thinking about repurchasing it however I have to finish the ones that I have at the moment. I still haven’t tried Bioderma products, I keep postponing to buy it as I like using my Garnier and L’Oreal.
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Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:29 amHaha, I was joking about the shoes. I do have quite a lot, but not that many! 😉
Laura
October 24, 2015 at 9:29 pmGreat post! Bioderma products are my empties too
Check my new post:
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Raj
October 24, 2015 at 10:32 pmHaha I know exactly what you mean, sometimes it feels so good to just clear things out
The Clinque Cleansing Balm sounds like just what I’m after, thanks for sharing your thoughts on all these products!
What Raj Wants
Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:31 amYou’re welcome, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Heba
October 25, 2015 at 5:11 amI really need to get my hands on some Bioderma products! I heard they are worth all the money you spend on them!
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Beatrice
October 25, 2015 at 9:35 amYou convince me to give the Clinique Cleansing balm a go. And yes I definitely share your opinion on the Avene Cleanance. Somehow it made my skin shiny and feel more “oily”.
Thanks for sharing, lovely blog!
Bea
Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:33 amI’m glad I wasn’t the only one!
Trishna Patel
October 25, 2015 at 11:14 amI feel exactly the same way as you do about the La Roche Posay spot treatment, it really didn’t do anything for me! The clean and clear spot treatment gel works an absolute treat and is sold for half the price ♥
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Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:33 amThanks for the recommendation!
Sangeeta
October 25, 2015 at 12:48 pmI wanted to try Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask because it is formulated for oily skin. But now I am wondering if I should try it.
Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:34 amMany people seem to love it, but I personally find it too harsh!
Kay
October 25, 2015 at 3:07 pmGreat picks, I love empties posts! 🙂 <3 Heard so many good things about that mascara, really tempted to try it! x
PS.: Soooo jealous about your 49 pairs of shoes. 😛 <3
Kay
http://shoesandglitter.blogspot.com
Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:36 amIf you like mascaras that are highly volumizing, you’re going to love it. On the other hand, if you like a natural effect, then it’s probably not for you.
Haha, I was joking about the shoes! I don’t know exactly how many I have, but surely not that many! Maybe… 😛
Katherine
October 25, 2015 at 3:09 pmNever heard most of the products mentioned, maybe they aren’t just found here in the Philippines. Haha. But great post, by the way! <3
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marie
October 25, 2015 at 10:26 pmI would love to try the Clinique product and the Better Than Sex mascara from your empties 🙂
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Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:37 amGood choice, they really are amazing products! 😉
Alexandra
October 26, 2015 at 1:53 amI’m almost out of my Bioderma too and I think I might be trying the Garnier one next 🙂 also I love the Too Faced mascara too! x
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Carol in a
October 26, 2015 at 9:50 amI think the Garnier one is really good value for money.
Diane
October 26, 2015 at 10:58 amLove this post!! The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner is perfect! I love how easy it goes on. I just recently purchased this, because my eyes consistently water from allergies. I love the way it stays on all day without having to apply it.
Diane
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dorota
October 26, 2015 at 11:55 amGreat empties post darling !!! I am tempted by Better than Sex mascara and not only for the name and packaging haha
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Nina
October 26, 2015 at 1:36 pmGreat products. I would love to give the mascara a try.
Nina
http://www.ninasstyleblog.com
Dora Toubanaki
October 26, 2015 at 2:26 pmI need to buy this mascara!
Dora http://www.bangsbang.com
Keen On Beauty
October 26, 2015 at 2:49 pm49 pairs of shoes?! I’m glad to know I’m not alone on this obsession 😀 I enjoyed your post, you mention products which I either want to try or have tried already. I must buy Clinique Balm this winter, I’ve heard so many good things about it 🙂
By the way, I have a review of Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant on my blog. I’ve been using it for almost 2 years and really impressed how effectively it reduces inflammations xx
“A leave-on exfoliator I swear by!” // http://www.keenonbeauty.com
Selena
October 26, 2015 at 6:08 pmThinking about it… I think I’ve never finished any makeup product!Uhm… maybe I have too much makeup haha. But whenever I finish my True Match foundation, I will repurchase for sure, and the same goes to the Maybelline Instant Age-Rewind concealer.
I love you shoe addiction, by the way. I’m also a little bit addicted, specially when it comes to heels or boots (combined it’s just like my idea of heaven hahaha).
Nice post, lovely. Have an amazing day! ^^
selenaponcestyle.blogspot.com.es
Carol in a
October 27, 2015 at 3:49 pmYou’ve never finished anything? Not even mascara?! 😀
Lulle
October 26, 2015 at 7:24 pmI keep hearing great things about this Clinique Take the Day Off balm, I think I really need to try it! I love the bi-phase Take the Day Off liquid eye makeup remover – one of the best I’ve ever tried.
Beaumiroir
Carol in a
October 27, 2015 at 3:48 pmI used the bi-phase remover in the past and really liked it, but I think the balm is even more gentle because you don’t need to rub your eyes with a cotton pad.
Danielle
October 26, 2015 at 10:56 pmThanks for the reviews! I don’t like the mascara I have been using; I should try the Too Faced. Have a nice week!
Danielle
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Chaste & Beautiful
October 27, 2015 at 12:45 amWow, you are able to finish products better than me. I love buying beauty products but am a lazy butt when It comes to seriously using them, still I try. Loved this post and I really liked the sound of that Clinique cleansing balm.
crazyforcosmetics
November 2, 2015 at 8:50 amThe Bioderma Sensibio Water is my favorite makeup remover.
Laura
March 14, 2016 at 2:47 amI’m not sure if you can get this over there, but the Murad Clarifying Cleanser works miracles on breakouts – top it off with the Acne Clearing solution. It will be gone in 3 days.