Empties: Autumn 2013

This is technically my last empties post of 2013, which I actually should've put up at the end of December, but whatever, I'm only a couple days late. And, no, the title to this post is not a mistake; this post is for fall, not winter, even though it feels like it's been winter forever already. (It's actually only been winter officially for two weeks!) Last January, when I did my first empties post of 2013, I decided to do these once every season rather than once a month, to kind of keep track of how many products I use up, and also to provide mini reviews of products. I think I'm going to continue this "once a season" schedule with empties posts for 2014, as I think it provides enough time for me to finish up products. This post is, as per usual, dedicated to the original Beauty Reductionista, who inspired me to start the empties project to begin with. Without further ado, here is my empties tally, collected from October 1 to December 31, 2013:


Skincare:

The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner (200 ml) — A decent toner overall; makes my skin feel extra clean. I like that it's alcohol-free, too. I prefer this in the warmer months, though, 'cause it makes me skin feel a bit tighter in colder weather.

Re-purchase? Yes, but only in the summer, and when it's on sale.

Lancôme Tonique Douceur Softening Hydrating Toner Alcohol-Free (400 ml) — My ol' stand-by when it comes to toners. I got this double-sized bottle at Duty Free, 'cause it's way too expensive to purchase on a regular basis at retail price. It's great to use all year round and helps balance my skin without drying it out, though the scent isn't my favourite.

Re-purchase? Yes, but not at regular retail price.

MAC Cremewash (100 ml) — One of my favourite make-up removing cleansers. Creamy, lush, foaming, smells nice, takes off all make-up. I usually go back to this one when I'm in between trying out different cleansers. But I found out recently that it's been discontinued, so I can't even get this anymore.
Re-purchase? No, it's no longer available.

MAC Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Essence (30 ml) — The Lightful line of skincare is probably MAC's most underrated products. I've been using the serum for ages, and it's amazing for evening out skintone and adding brightness to the skin. It doesn't necessarily fade dark spots, but it does help a lot with discolouration. It's lightweight and absorbs instantly and smells good, too. Love.
Re-purchase? Yes.

Fresh Rose Hydrating Serum (30 ml) — It made my skin feel soft and hydrated, and I liked the lock pump dispenser, though it was a little heavy for my liking and I absolutely hated the scent (which actually doesn't smell like rose at all, but more like herbal lavender).
Re-purchase? No.

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate (50 ml) — It triggers your skin's genetic environment to speed up its youth protein cycle, so skin feels super-soft and looks glowing. I love this stuff and have been using it for years now, but it's really expensive at $125 for a 50 ml bottle, so it's a huge splurge for a product that's nice but not essential.
Re-purchase? Yes, but not for now.

Origins Make a Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment (50 ml) — I was using this as my night moisturizer for half of the summer leading into fall and absolutely loved it. It has a kind of minty watermelon scent that reminds me of a mojito so it's kind of perfect for summer. It's a gel-cream so it's lightweight and absorbs really well, and left my skin feeling super supple and hydrated but not greasy. Those with drier skin can use this as a "treatment" and use a moisturizer on top, but I felt like this one was more than enough hydration for my combination/oily skin. A great moisturizer for that transitional period between seasons.
Re-purchase? Yes.

Origins Make a Difference Night Skin Rejuvenating Gel-Cream (50 ml) — This was my main night moisturizer for the majority of fall (starting from mid-October). I actually really love this one because it's incredibly hydrating but not heavy, so my skin never felt stripped or tight even in -20°C weather. However, this was discontinued (I actually picked it up at one of the Lauder warehouse sales), so it's no longer available.
Re-purchase? No, it's no longer available.

Haircare:

Garnier Fructis Citrus Mint Fresh Fortifying Shampoo (384 ml) — I bought this because it was on sale and I really liked the fresh citrus mint scent for warmer weather (it took me a while to finish this one because I was switching between this and like, three other shampoos). It's a good shampoo for purifying without stripping, and it makes hair feel light and super-clean. Good for warmer months; I like something more hydrating for winter.

Re-purchase? Yes, but in the summer.

Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Conditioner (675 ml) — This used to be my go-to drugstore conditioner, and it's great for detangling and making hair look smooth and shiny. But after going back to the Herbal Essences conditioner, I realized how much heavier and filmy it made my hair feel because it's not silicone-free or sulfate-free.

Re-purchase? No.

Herbal Essences Smooth Collection Shampoo and Conditioner (400 ml each) — This was my favourite drugstore shampoo/conditioner from elementary school days and it was discontinued a long time ago, but they brought it back and I originally got them for nostalgia's sake. I love everything about them. You know those commercials where the woman is just basking in the delight of washing her hair? That's basically me when I use this. I would buy it for the scent alone, but it actually leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth without any film, residue, or build-up, and yes, the scent lingers, too. Extreme love.
Re-purchase? Yes!

Lush Big Shampoo (325 g) — You can read my review of this here. I use this twice a week to clarify and deep-cleanse, but it can be drying if used often (I wash my hair everyday, so I switch between a few different shampoos and conditioners). It makes my hair feel lighter and cleaner, and look shinier and more voluminous.
Re-purchase? Yes.

Bodycare:

The Body Shop Body Butter in Vineyard Peach, Papaya, Olive, and Shea (200 ml x 4) — These have been my go-to body moisturizers in the past few months. My skin's incredibly dry and is prone to eczema and itchiness, and these are truly amazing at keeping my skin well-moisturized. These particular ones are formulated for dry skin, which is why I chose them to begin with. In colder months, I prefer heavier, almost greasy body creams, so these are ideal for me. I love all four of these scents, too.
Re-purchase? Yes, when they're on sale; I just bought seven new ones.

The Body Shop Shower Gel in Vineyard Peach and Olive (250 ml x 2) — Nice basic soap-free shower gels that doesn't dry out my skin. Vineyard Peach is fresh and sweet, perfect for warmer months. Olive is a mild very slightly floral scent (doesn't really smell like olive or olive oil, to be honest) that's inoffensive and nice for all year round.
Re-purchase? Yes, when they're on sale.

Fruits & Passion Mango Escape Moisturizing Body Gel (200 ml) — The perfect formulation for a hot weather body moisturizer. I've never really come across anything else like this; it's a gel-lotion that sinks in super-fast and leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. And it leaves skin quite scented, too, so it's ideal for summer when you don't want to wear too much fragrance and you don't need a super-heavy body cream. This one was a little too sweet and cloying for my taste, though.
Re-purchase? Yes, but only in the summer and when it's on sale.

Make-up:

MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 (30 ml) — My go-to foundation primer. I've been using this for a couple years now. I like this primer because it protects my face without leaving a residue (I'm not a fan of gel primers because I can actually feel it on my face). In the winter, I only use it on my T-zone because it's mattifying, but I use it all over my face in warmer months. This also replaces facial sunscreen for me.
Re-purchase? Yes, but it's currently on long-term out-of-stock because it's being reformulated.

MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance (50 ml) — I use this primer on my cheeks. It's super light but hydrating and makes my skin look smooth, radiant, and glowy without looking greasy.
Re-purchase? Yes.

MAC Fix+ (100 ml) — The original make-up setting spray. Makes make-up look smoother, less powdery, less "make-uppy." You don't know the difference it makes until you use it. I spray it on mid-day to freshen up my make-up, too. I always keep a full-size one in my bathroom and a travel-size one in my purse.
Re-purchase? Yes, I always have a back-up.

MAC Eyebrows — Brunette (0.09 g x 3) — My go-to eyebrow pencil. A staple.
Re-purchase? Yes, I always have three back-ups.

MAC Liquid Eye Liner — Boot Black (2.5 ml) — I use this everyday; it has a precise felt-tip applicator and is a true carbon black with a matte finish. Another staple product.
Re-purchase? Yes, I always have a back-up.

MAC Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash Mascara (9 g x 2) — My go-to mascara. Another staple.
Re-purchase? Yes, I always have two back-ups.

Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Black (9 g x 2) — Amazing mascara for curl and definition with natural volume. Honestly, I haven't used a better mascara to hold curl. But I like using this as my first coat and then adding MAC's Haute & Naughty on top for more intense volume.
Re-purchase? Yes.

NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (8 g) — My holy grail eyeshadow primer.
Re-purchase? Yes.

L'Oréal Carbon Black Lineur Intense Felt Tip (1.5 ml) — I insert my Lancôme Artliner felt tip applicator into this (it actually screws perfectly into the tube) so I can save some money in between buying Lancôme's version (Artliner retails for $37, whereas this one is usually around $10).
Re-purchase? Yes. 

Miscellaneous:

Method Hand Wash — Waterfall (355 ml x 2) — My go-to liquid hand soap, because it's not as harsh as Bath & Body Works' hand soaps, which dry out my hands too much during colder months. Waterfall is a nice clean scent that I always go back to.
Re-purchase? Yes.

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap — Sweet Pea (236 ml) — I bought the moisturizing version of B&BW's Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap because it's less drying on my hands in colder weather. But I didn't find this to be moisturizing, either. I like the Sweet Pea scent, though.
Re-purchase? Yes, but not in the winter.

Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum (100 ml and 30 ml) — My signature perfume. I go through about four full-size bottles a year.
Re-purchase? Yes, I always have a bottle with me.

Shiseido Facial Cotton (80 g x 2) — Staple product.
Re-purchase? Yes, I always have two back-ups.

Tatcha Aburatoriami Japanese Beauty Papers (30 sheets) — This is maybe the third or fourth pack of Tatcha blotting sheets I've used. They're beautifully packaged and look super luxe and are actually really nice blotting sheets that keep make-up intact, but at a retail price of $12 USD for 30 sheets, it's just way too expensive for me to continually use.
Re-purchase? No, unless they go on sale.

Boscia Blotting Linens — Green Tea (100 sheets) — Staple product.
Re-purchase? Yes, I usually buy two or three at a time.

Total: 42 products (39 full size, 2 jumbo size, 1 travel size)

So, in total, I used up 164 products in 2013. How did your empties go last year?