Cup of Empties: July-December 2016

Hi Dear Friends,

I can not believe the first month of the year has come to an end and that we’re already February! Where did the time frikkin’ go again??? I said a month ago, I’d post my Cup of Empties and here I am… finally with my Cup! These are products I’ve used up the last 6 months of 2016.

Let’s jump right into it! I’ll start with the make up setting sprays.

Mac Fix +

This one is obviously a classic. Who doesn’t have a Mac Fix + in their empties! I love it, because it is refreshing and blurs your make up out. I don’t particularly find it to prolong my make up wearing time. But I do love the smell!! So fresh! I also like to carry a mini around! I’ll repurchase this.

NYX Dewy Finish (Long Lasing) Setting Spray

The spray of this one is pretty wide. I covers your whole face. But I feel like it distributes a lot of water, so it does make your face feel wet. Not something I will be repurchasing…

Next up are the cleansers.

Vardi & Migdal Dead Sea Cleansing Gel (for all skin types)

I’m sorry about the following ranting. But I just want to warn you about this particular store…

A couple of years back, my BF and I were in Singapore. We were in a shopping center on the Orchard Road, called the Wisma Atria. Somewhere near closing time, we passed a shop called Vardi & Migdal. What drew us in were the lovely scents. Also the shop looked really nice. There was a girl standing at the door doing scrub demonstrations on your arm and giving free samples. After a little demonstration, I was completely sold. We bought 2 scrubs, 2 shower gels and 3 body butters (in vanilla, pear and peach scents, because we bought some for the family as well). But it was really pricy (I think we checked out for 250€, it was a package deal, so we got some stuff for free). However, the shop manager, a man from Israel I think, was really persistent. So when we were about to leave, he really insisted on showing us other products as well. So he demonstrated a gel that you rub onto the skin and that felt wet. He kept rubbing and after a couple of seconds, dead skin started to peel off. I would’ve been impressed but I had seen this “unique” product the day before in another shop, with another brand. The sales guy insisted I had to buy this gold scrub 130€ jar, but I said that I had already bought a lot of products, but he kept insisting that I HAD to try his products at home. When I said no, he said he’d offer a product for free: the cleansing gel, saying again “you really HAVE to try the product”. When I still said no, he offered another one: the milk cleanser. In the end I just wanted to go back to the hotel… By this time, the shops were almost closing and he had already closed the door of his shop, saying that he had to free his time specifically for us because he normally had a meeting. In the end, we got out after paying 250€ again, so 500€ in total.

I shouldn’t have been pushed this much. But he kept talking and talking, explaining about the products, giving me compliments about my skin, how I just have to try his products… But I should’ve been more persistent in saying no. The reason I tell you this, is because this purchase definitely didn’t feel good. It’s not like I bought this will full conviction. My BF also just wanted to go home. We were both young and we didn’t know how to say no to this pushy person. But I swear, I’m never going to set foot in that store ever again. The fact that they could offer things on top, means they don’t have a fixed price or that they sell their products way overpriced! Now that I’m writing this article, I see on another blog that there are many people who were also conned (you can read it here). Furthermore, you won’t find any prices on their official website (click here if you want to see it).

The big question is now, did I enjoy their products… I don’t like to be negative. But this whole experience, really made me critical about these products. I must say, I really enjoyed their body products. But to be honest, the Rituals products are better and they’re cheaper, so are Victoria’s Secret products.

I’ve been using this Dead Sea Cleansing Gel and it doesn’t do miracles for the skin. It’s just a normal cleansing gel, that I will not repurchase because of the high price tag and the other obvious reason…

Vardi & Migdal Milk Cleanser

I haven’t even bothered using this up. I just can’t stand the smell… Do you remember how classic lipsticks used to smell like? Imagine slathering that on your face. It’s very strong. And the cleanser doesn’t even work that great and stings my eyes.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (for sensitive skin)

Up until now, I’ve tried 3 different Micellar Waters. In order of most expensive to less expensive: The Bioderma, the Garnier and the Kruidvat one. I like micellar waters in general, but I find that it takes a lot of cotton pads to remove all the make up, especially because I use a lot of make up and only use waterproof mascara. Out of the three micellar waters used, I like the Garnier one the least because I felt like it doesn’t take my make up off well. I used it to do touch ups when I’m doing my make up. I won’t be repurchasing this again.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Look, I talk about this product almost in every post (check my review here)! I love love love it and will of course purchase this (I got the first one for my birthday)! It might be expensive, but if you wear a lot of make up, this is the cleanser to use! You don’t need much and I used it daily. It lasted me 7 months!

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

This is one of those products that I would never purchase myself. Because I didn’t really believe a toner would do much. But the great thing about gifts is that you get to try out things, you wouldn’t even consider. My best friend Stépanie got me this huge flask! I must admit, I didn’t like it at first. I didn’t like the feel of alcohol on my face, because I associate that with cold and dryness. But because it was Stéphanie who got me this, I gave this a fair shot. After a couple of weeks, I noticed my skin looked clearer, less spots, more even in skin tone,… It was subtle, but after a while noticeable. It lasted me almost 8 months! I would definitely purchase this!

Olaz Anti-Wrinkle Eye Gel

I guess in some countries, this brand is called Olay. I know my mom loves products from Olaz, especially their serums. I also decided to buy this, just because I needed an eye cream. This one is supposed to be firming and lifting. I can’t say I saw any difference. But then again, I don’t have to worry about wrinkles yet. Better to be preventive, I guess. This eye gel is very refreshing and moisturizing. I would probably repurchase it, but not in a while, as there are still many eye creams to try out.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

Last year, before my birthday, I was talking a lot about wanting to start my own Blog. And I had received a lot of support from my surroundings, which I’m really grateful for. From my BF’s sister in law I got a Deautybox, which is a subscription box, very much like the Glossybox. You get samples and also full sized products. With this box, I got the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. I had never heard of this brand before, nor ever seen it. It’s a British brand, that promises to exclude in their products: Parabens, sulphates, dea, pegs, petroleum, mineral oils, silicones, propylene glycol, artificial frangrances or colors. It says on the little tube, that it is 99% natural.

It claims to miraculously soothe, brighten and lift your eyes. It also says on the website (Balance Me) that it reduces the appearances of fine lines. It was a nice cream, but I didn’t really notice any difference, my fine lines are sadly still visible… I think 20£ is quite pricy, so I’m not likely to buy the full sized product.

Tony Moly Latte Art Cappuccino Cream-In Scrub

I’ve talked about this product before, in my favorites of 2016 (Check it here). You guys know I love it and the jar is sooooo cute (it looks like a coffee mug). I’ll definitely pick this up again.

Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Waterproof Mascara

I’ve talked about it in my cup of Empties last year (Check it here). I love this a lot! Ever since my cousin Cathy has introduced it to me, I’ve been sold. It’s so incredibly volumizing, lengthening and it works just perfectly for my lashes! It’s I think my 5th tube, need I say more!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Waterproof Mascara

This one is a little bit more clumpy than the Colossal one. At first, I didn’t like it that much, but it has grown on me. I’ve seen they now have a glitter version. I’d need to try that one out! If you ask me which one I prefer: the Colossal or the Lash Sensational one, I couldn’t answer, really. I guess it would depend on my mood, haha. I’d pick both of them up again!

Catrice Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer Waterproof

Out of all the concealers I’ve tried in my entire life, I think this one would be my favorite. It’s thin and it stays on so well. It is opaque and if you let it sit a couple of seconds (I always do my brows in the meanwhile) and then blend it out with the beauty blender, it stays on the whole day! It doesn’t sit in my fine lines. I love it!

This was it for my Cup of Empties. I always get very happy to add another empty to my Cup. The feeling is so satisfying and is somewhere an approval that I can go out and try out some more products, wouldn’t you agree?!

I wish you a nice week and I’ll talk to you in my next post.

Love,

Sarah

Follow me on Instagram: Sarahslovelycupoftea