Empties #2 | Mariam

Recently I've amassed quite the collection of empty products. I love reading/watching empties posts/videos, as they are extremely insightful, as far as beauty posts can be!

There's quite a lot to talk about, especially skincare, so let's get going!

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3
This is a bit of a cheat, as there was only half of this product left when it was handed down to me by my brother's partner, but it's empty, so it's in the post! This is basically the most astringent toner I've ever used; paint-stripper would be the word! I could only use this once or twice a week otherwise I felt like I was stripping my skin to all buggery, but whenever I could feel a bit of a breakout coming, I felt this product put it in check and made my skin look brighter in the morning, so there was a mild exfoliating action going on . I wouldn't buy it again, because I generally believe in using gentler products on my skin, and this was just a bit too much.

REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser
I bought this upon endless raves by some of my favourite bloggers. Any skincare with clay in is an easy sale for me, to be quite honest, and I can see exactly why this is a popular product. I loved using this as a second or third stage cleanse in the evening. It keeps sebum production under control and I also quite like the odd clay smell. I probably will buy this again, but there's a lot of cleansers out there, a girl just can't commit!

Vichy Normaderm 3 in 1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask
Oh, how I love a multi-tasker! Vichy is one of my favourite skincare brands, and I've actually already bought this product again since this tube has run out. I like using this in the evening again. It's got quite harsh scrub particles in, but it keeps spots at bay and once again: clay texture - I'm in love!

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
This is a small sample that I received in a Christmas hamper, and to be honest, I am so glad this is empty because this was perhaps the worst face wash I've ever used. I always steer clear of foamy face washes, but was drawn in by 'frothy'. Well, let me tell you, this foams like the worst of 'em, and gives you that horrible squeaky-clean feel, like you'd get if you washed your face with a bar of Imperial Lather.

Bourjois Express Eye Makeup Remover
Hands down the best eye make up remover I have ever used. Shake it up, pop it on a cotton pad, hold to your eyes for 20 secs, swipe and you are done. This is my fourth tube of this, and got another in the drawer. One of my holy grail products, and if you like to cake on the eye makeup like yours truly, it will be yours too.

Bioderma Sebium H2O Micelle Solution
This is the blue version of the famous Bioderma Crealine solution, which is targeted at oily to combination skin. I much prefer this to the regular one. For one, it smells fresh and in my opinion, removes face make-up much more effectively. I have to admit, it's not the best one for eye make-up (see above) but I will probably keep repurchasing it because it just works so well as the first cleanse that removes the weight of your makeup.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Keratin Deep Treatment Masque
This came out in the summer, and I've been using it every once in a while since then. This has quite a strange texture, like PVA glue, and the classic Tresemme smell (which I actually don't love) but it makes you hair feel soft and nourished. Feel is the key word here. It doesn't treat or penetrate the hair, but if you want something to smooth out dry ends, than this is a good option that won't break the bank.

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Butter
This came out at Christmas time, and I snapped this up as soon as I saw it as I love the Body Shop butters and I love all things vanilla. To be honest, this failed to live up to my excitement. Unlike other butters I've had before, it was really thick and difficult to blend into the skin. The smell itself was really plasticky and fake. Not my best experience with the Body Shop butters but I'm making my way through the almond one now and am loving it.

Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda Toothpaste
Maybe a bit of a strange addition to the post, but I love this toothpaste. It takes some getting used to, as it's got loads of baking soda in, but it has really noticeably whitened my teeth! I'm definitely going to be repurchasing this once my other tube runs out, as who doesn't love white gnashers?

Hope you enjoyed reading through this post guys!

Mariam xx