EMPTIES! #3 | Summer Edition (April - August 2014) ☼ PART 1

I have been putting this post off for so long that the little paper Nordies bag I use to house my empties has overflowed.  Procrastinating on an empties post is rather pointless since the longer you wait, the more tubs and bottles accumulate!  I've been thinking about doing my first ever YouTube video (I thought empties would be a good candidate!) but have never recorded or edited a video in my life and feel a bit overwhelmed by the whole process.  I love seeing blog friends come to life on video, so I will keep on truckin' with the YT idea.  There were so many empties this time that I've had to split the post into 2 parts.  Part 2 will be up on Wednesday!

Onto the magical bottles and tubs of empty air!

MAKEUP & NAILS //

Holy shizballs!  Actual makeup empties, you say?!  Yes!  *heart swells with pride*

1. Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat, $5.75 USD: My #1 favorite top coat ever.  I've tried many quick dry toppers including Out the Door, Orly Sec N' Dry and Seche Vite, and I prefer the Revlon.  It dries faster than Christmas dinner, doesn't cause shrinking or early chipping, and adds a high gloss shine.  

Would I repurchase? Yes! Already have.

2. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, $25.00 USD: This is my #1 favorite eyeshadow primer, followed closely by Urban Decay Primer Potion.  I love this one because it has a doe foot applicator that pulls out just the right amount of product to do both of my eyelids.  It dries clear and has a slightly grippy texture that encourages shadows to stay put all day while feeling completely weightless.  This product pulls out the vibrancy of eyeshadows like nobody's business.  I use this every day without fail, even on mornings when I'm not wearing shadow because it keeps my oily lids in check.  This 0.26 oz tube lasted me around 15 months with daily use!  

Would I repurchase? Yes! Already have.

3. NARS Risky Business Lipgloss, $26.00 USD: Though it doesn't look it in the picture, this tube is half-empty.  I ADORE this gloss.  It's a transparent plum with shimmer that's as gorgeous on it's own as it is layered over lipstick.  Risky Business also subtly darkens lipsticks that are a little too light on me.  I purchased the reformulated version of this gloss and I'm happy to report there's no plastic scent and absolutely no tackiness.  

Would I repurchase? This formula has been discontinued, but the reformulated version is part of the permanent line up.  

4.  Maybelline Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil, $7.99 USD: Aw!  I loved this so much.  This nub was actually my second one.  This pencil has a slightly waxy consistency so it works as a pencil and brow wax to keep untamed hairs in check.  I also LOVE that it has a spoolie attached for blending.  Thank you, Maybelline.  This is truly the best drugstore brow product I've ever used.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely. 

FACIAL SKINCARE //

It appears that I was cleansing round the clock this summer!

1. Avène Thermal Spring Water, $18.00 USD for a pack of three 1.76 oz cans: I'm going to be completely frank.  Some people think this product is total B.S.  I, however, am solidly in the "it's not B.S." camp!  I love this stuff!  Keep a can in the fridge to mist onto your face, neck, and decolletage when you're hot.  Slip one into your bag for an on-the-go cooling spritz.  Spray a bit onto your face prior to applying serums, moisturizers, or masks to aid in absorption.  Both of these cans accompanied us on our honeymoon to Puerto Rico and they were fantastic!  I kept one in my purse and the other in the cooler so we had chilly refreshment everywhere we went.  Let me tell you, walking uphill in the Puerto Rican rainforest to gaze upon the world's largest single aperture telescope featured in The X Files and Contact?  One gets...toasty.  I was basically showering with the Avene spray when we reached the summit!  They really need a dunking pool at the top of that thing.  Or a log flume to ride back down the hill in!  

Photo credit: Wikipedia 

Anywho, suffice it to say I loved having the Avene on hand.  I also got sunburned on a 3 inch panel of my leg (???) and would mist the angry spot with this before applying aloe.  It felt wunderbar!

Would I repurchase? Yes!

2. NARS Makeup Removing Water, $28.00 USD.  This was only my second foray into micellar water-esque cleansers (the first being Bioderma).  I liked it.  It removed face makeup very well, but was just okay at eyeliner and mascara removal.  It was unscented and didn't leave any residue behind.  

Would I repurchase? No, but I certainly don't dislike it. I find Bioderma works better for me.

3. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser With Cottonseed, $23.00 USD: Love this cleanser.  This is my second tube.  It does a fab job of removing makeup, never breaks me out, leaves my skin feeling balanced, and smells like fresh clean laundry, hot out of the dryer.  Though I've been testing out some other cleansers with good results, this one will be on my favorites list for the foreseeable future. 

Would I repurchase? Yes.

4. RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream, $18.00 USD for 2.5 oz: What a stunning, multi-tasking product this is.  It sings, it dances, it acts!  I'm writing up a full review to go with a fun "how to use" pictorial I made when I had blonde hair, so I'll save my in-depth thoughts for that.  Stay tuned! ;)
[UPDATE: Review here]

Would I repurchase? Yes.

5. Lush Santa's Lip Scrub, $8.95 USD: I'd never felt pissed off by a lip scrub before using this.  Yes, it tasted like cola and it did exfoliate my lips, but the mega dose of red coloring stains your lips, the skin around your lips, and your fingers bright clown red and has to be washed off with cleanser.  I also felt like the formulation was off; the sugar grains didn't seem as chunky as other Lush lip scrubs I've used.  I would recommend getting the Bubblegum Lip Scrub over this all day long!

Would I repurchase? No.

What was your favorite makeup, nail care, or facial skincare product you finished this summer?  Are you close to hitting pan on anything?