It’s a sure sign that I love a product if I actually use ALL of it. I very rarely bother finishing something if I can’t stand it – I give it away, bin it or send it to charity. Recently though, I’ve been trying to avoid buying new products to save money and instead “shop my own stash”, so I’ve got through a few more products than I usually would. I thought I’d share my most recent empties – some I love, some are a bit meh, but all are worth talking about!
Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day and Night Cream
I’ve had a tendency to flit between different types of skincare, but as I’m getting older, I’m beginning to understand exactly what my skin needs. I’ve also become more conscious with my purchases, and aim only to buy products that aren’t tested on animals. (FYI – Elle have a great (and recent) list of cruelty free brands that are both high-end and drugstore.) From what I can understand, I’ve heard that No7 don’t test on animals, so I continue to buy from them.
ANYWAY. These two products are repurchases – I love them and can’t get enough of them – and here are two more empty tubs. Btw, the age guide for these is 30-45, so if you’re younger, try the Early Defence range.
Let’s start with the day cream. There isn’t much of a scent, which I like and the texture is smooth and quickly absorbed. It has SPF15 and 5* UVA protection. I let it sink in before I put primer on and it never bobbles or rubs off. My skin feels hydrated, smooth and soft when I use it. I also think my fine lines are reduced (but that might just be wishful thinking!).
The night cream is similarly unscented, but has a thicker and creamier texture than the day cream. I find that I don’t need to use as much of it, so it lasts a little bit longer than the day cream.
The products normally cost £25 each, BUT they are always on offer. At the moment, you can get a collection that includes a full size day and night cream as well as the serum and a small size primer for £45. Given it would normally be £50 for both creams, I think that’s a good deal! I’ll also repurchase the serum when my current one runs out as I get on with that too.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer
I see people talking about ABH’s Brow Wiz all the time, but much less chatter about the Brow Definer. I picked this up in Sephora ages ago in Medium Brown and I love it. It’s soft, pigmented and easy to apply. I love that it has a built in spoolie, I can’t buy brow products without one!
Unlike Brow Wiz, Brow Definer has a triangular shaped nib, that can be sharpened on an emery board if needed. I use the pointed side to draw in finer lines and do filling in with the fatter side. I would definitely repurchase this if I could afford it (it’s an eye-watering £24), but in the spirit of spending less money, I’ve picked up a NYX brow pencil instead.
e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set
I love a good setting spray, and use one most days to set my makeup on my oily t-zone. This one is from cruelty free brand, e.l.f., and costs just £5 in Superdrug. I had been using Urban Decay’s All Nighter spray, but got this as another money saver. I haven’t rushed out to repurchase this, because I’m not sure whether it actually worked or not… it was kind of fine for daytime wear, but if I was on a night out, I’d want something a bit more heavy duty (and for that, I’d go back to All Nighter).
I’m currently using Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater, so let’s see how that compares.
e.l.f. Clear Brow and Lash Crystal Mascara
I loved the brow gel side of this product – it kept my brows in place, without making them shiny or greasy looking – and it’s so cheap (£3 in Superdrug). But, it ran out so quickly! When I’d used up all the brow gel, I tried to use the eyelash gel on my eye brows, but it just wasn’t doing the trick. I would repurchase if they offered just a brow gel, not with the lash side as well. Yes it’s only £3, but it just doesn’t last.
Any recommendations for decent brow gels, I’m all ears!
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Does anyone NOT use this?! I am obsessed with this concealer. It’s so cheap (normally about £4.20) and it lasts for ages. I buy two colours – 2 Cool Medium and 1 Light – and dot both under my eyes before blending them together with a damp sponge. The combination of the two are the perfect brightening tone for me. There’s not a great colour range, so I get this isn’t one for everyone, which is a total shame, because it’s an excellent concealer.
I will definitely repurchase this – although I’m trying to get my hands on the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define concealer to see whether it compares!
That’s it for my product empties this month – I doubt I’ll get through enough to make this a monthly thing, but I’ll keep updating on how I’m getting on with using up existing products rather than buying new ones.
♥ JH
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Hello jen
the only thing i ever finish is the estee lauder day cream (£45, can be cheaper in duty free) – i’ve switched to the dry skin one now i’m so old! and i love my two hair products – wella pro for coarse mature hair (£11.95)(as rec by hairdresser (it’s brilliant and lasts an age as you use such a little bit each time) and the leave-in conditioner, which is by keune, called ‘so pure’ natural balance moisturising overnight repair for dry hair. i use it after washing on wet hair, my hairdresser says she uses it every day. again, you only use two pumps each time for short hair like mine. it was £15.50 last year, but it#s worth every penny. really calms down my tendency to dry frizzy hair.
I think it’s good to stick to the same skincare, it certainly benefits my skin when I do! Those hair products sound great – good tips!
Got the hair shampoo wrong – its Schwarzkopf Bonacure Excellium – they do one for all sorts of hair types. mine is soap-free, so it doesn’t dry your hair out. you just have to get used to the fact it doesn’t lather much.