More Zoeva Brush Reviews: 101 Luxe Face Definer, 102 Silk Finish, 142 Concealer Buffer & 226 Smudger

My first Zoeva brush review (click here for more information on the company, the ordering process and 105, 109, 227, 231 and 317 brushes) is currently one of my most popular posts, so I thought it may be helpful to share my thoughts on four more Zoeva brushes I purchased recently. This year, I've been really focused on sorting through my make-up brush collection and updating some brush types that I reach for frequently, and having had great luck with my first Zoeva order, I decided to get just a few more.

Let's start with 101 Luxe Face Definer Brush ($24, also available in vegan bamboo edition). I actually don't have a similar brush to compare it to, but it's a larger face brush with long natural (I'm assuming goat) bristles that taper down, giving it somewhat of an egg shape. The Face Definer can be used for applying setting powder either to specific areas of the face or all around, but I find it especially useful for bronzing and contouring powders.

101 Luxe Face Definer next to 105 Luxe Highlight for size and shape reference

The brush picks up product easily, either using just the tip or a side of the brush, and blends powders seamlessly on the face. The length of the bristles make it a bit more floppy, which works well for avoiding a harsh contour/ bronzer line; it gives a subtler, more diffused effect than the 109 Face Paint brush from my last order, but it also covers a larger area of the face. The natural bristles feel very soft and plush on the skin (obviously not as soft as Japanese blue squirrel brushes, but hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves here...), and wash well with soap and warm water. To preserve the tapered shape and avoid stray hairs, I dry it overnight in a plastic mesh brush guard.

I ordered the 102 Silk Finish ($15.50, vegan taklon bristles) as a back-up for my beloved Real Techniques Buffing brush (pictured), which is a favorite for applying liquid and cream foundations. However, the Zoeva version turned out to be a little different. The Silk Finish brush is incredibly dense with a domed shape, and works well both for pressing/ stippling the product into the skin as well as blending it out in circular motions. Compared to the Real Techniques, it is much denser and thus less flexible on the skin, which is why I like the Zoeva better for stippling rather than buffing motions (the opposite being true for the RT). The 102 Silk Finish doesn't absorb too much foundation, doesn't leave streaks or brush marks, washes and dries well even without the brush guard.

The 142 Concealer Buffer ($10.50, vegan taklon bristles, also available in the Bamboo Edition) is pretty much a scaled-down version of the 102 Silk Finish. Again, it's very dense and has a domed head, which works well to blend out concealer under the eyes and on other areas of the face without losing coverage. Because the bristles are so dense, the brush can also be used to stipple the product on the skin; I really enjoy using it around my nose and on some larger marks/ blemishes elsewhere on the face. Compared to a standard eye blending brush (even the Real Techniques domed shadow/ crease brush), the bristles on the 142 Concealer Buffer are twice as dense and the ferrule is round, not pinched, which translates into a more opaque application.

Lastly, the 226 Smudger ($9.50, synthetic taklon bristles, also availale in the Bamboo Edition) is your typical brush for applying and smudging out darker shades along the upper and lower lashline. The main difference between the Zoeva Smudger and my other eye smudging brushes is the length of the bristles - the ones on the 226 are much shorter, and the ferrule is wider. This makes this brush a lot firmer, which on one hand, feels a bit stabby on the sensitive skin around the eyes, but on the other, makes blending out even the most pigmented pencils or liners incredibly easy. The tip of this brush is also finer than on my other smudgers (see below, compared to Bdellium Tools 772), so you can get a very precise application.

Again, I'm very satisfied with my purchase, and have been using these brushes nearly every day for the past month. I still think that Zoeva has remarkable quality brushes for a great price, even taking into consideration the gradual price increases and the high shipping costs (at least for North America). I feel that I have now achieved a well-edited, high quality brush stash tailored to my specific needs and preferences, so I'm not intending to purchase more brushes from Zoeva in the immediate future, but if I ever need to replacement, I'll happily order from them again. What is your favorite inexpensive brush brand? What are your go-to brushes for applying foundation and concealer?

Light Base for the Colder Season: L'Occitane Immortelle Precious BB Cream SPF30

As my skin continues to improve, I've gotten more into lighter bases: foudations with lighter coverage, tinted moisturizers, BB creams, the works. Yeah, I know; BB, CC and other alphabet creams are so passé these days. To be honest though, I really don't care how a brand chooses to market their base products - I'll try them anyway, and evaluate according to their performance and my current needs, no matter the name. So that's exactly how I'm going to review this L'Occitane Immortelle Precious BB Cream SPF 30 in the Fair shade ($45 for 1.3 fl oz/ 40ml).

L'Occitane claims that their BB Cream will even out the skintone, soften the signs of stress and fatigue, and protect the skin thanks to the UV filter. I believe the SPF ingredient for this product is Titanium Dioxide, although L'Occitane doesn't provide a full ingredients' list on their website (now, THAT is passé!), so I'm not too sure. It also contains immortelle essential oil, which has anti-aging properties.

First off, I really like the packaging for this BB Cream: it's a slim plastic tube with a tiny nozzle, which makes it very easy to control the amount of product you're squeezing out. Yes, the price point is a bit out there (which I actually find to be true for most L'Occitane products, so I wasn't surprised), but you're also getting about a third more than in a regular foundation (40 vs 30ml).

The Immortelle Precious BB Cream is a light cream that spreads and blends very easily into the skin. It does have a pretty strong sharp floral fragrance - I could definitely do without it. It's also quite a bit different than the herbal scent of other products in the Immortelle skincare range. The coverage is higher than I expected; light to medium, depending on the application. As you can see in my face shot (no concealer, no powder, applied over a pore-minimizing primer used in the T-zone), it definitely evens out my skin and conceals redness, but my freckles, little spots and other marks are still showing through.

This BB Cream definitely has a very glowy finish on the skin. When freshly applied, I absolutely love the effect on my skin; it looks natural and luminous, and doesn't sink into enlarged pores or lines. It also feels moisturizing but non-sticky. Unfortunately, even powdered, it only lasts on my combination skin for about 2-3 hours, at which point it starts getting very shiny, and seems to make my smile lines and pores a lot more obvious. I've even tried mixing it in with a matte long-wearing foundation, but it still caused much faster oil break-through in the T-zone.

L-R: L'Occitane Precious BB Cream in Fair, Revlon Colorstay in Ivory, Guerlain Baby Glow in Light

As for the shade match, this BB Cream comes in only three shades, out of which I have the lightest - Fair. As you can see in the arm swatch, compared to some of my other fair/ light foundations, it's strangely... gray. I realize that the grey tone is similar to the shade range of original Korean BB Creams, but the gray undertone causes my skin to look a bit unnatural (dare I say, corpse-like?) - it's not very obvious when it's blended in, but I don't love it 100%. I think the Fair shade would only work for skintones in the NW10 range (fair with cool/ pink undertones).

All in all, I would say that the L'Occitane Immortelle Precious BB Cream is a nice product, but unfortunately not geared towards my skintype. If your skin is normal to dry, and you're looking for something fuss-free with good sun protection, this should fit the bill, especially in the fall and winter. However, the Immortelle BB could definitely benefit from a wider shade range; as it is, there's only a few select skintones that are able to find a match. Have you tried any make-up products from L'Occitane? What is your favorite base product with lighter coverage?

Plum Jam: Shiseido Lacquer Gloss in RS306

Even though the leaves in New York are still green and firmly attached to their branches, I think we all know it's time to throw some autumnal shades into the make-up mix. I have actually had this sample of Shiseido Lacquer Gloss in RS306 Plum Wine ($25 for 0.25 oz) in my lipgloss drawer since February, but after trying it once, I decided to relegate it to the fall season - so here it is.

Well, the other reason I decided to put it away is that on that after that one application, I was left feeling somewhat disappointed. Why so, Monika? Did it suck so bad? (Yes, I AM prone to one on one conversations in my head). Nope, not at all. It's just that... it was SO pigmented. After a few years of trial and error, I've established that pigmented lip glosses are definitely a no-go for me: get some of that creamy, gooey, sticky pigment on my lips, and in a couple minutes, it'll be everywhere on my face AND in my hair. Just too anxiety-inducing, you know?

But after wearing Shiseido's Lacquer Gloss a few more times, I'm actually willing to negotiate my stance on pigmented glosses. Somehow, Shiseido's gloss just grips the lips a lot better, and doesn't transfer as easily as my other lipglosses. It does feel a little sticky with a couple hours wear, but I don't mind really, and I think it just goes with the territory of a longer-wearing gloss. In terms of texture, the closest comparison would be the Maybelline Color Elixirs (click here for my review): the formula is smooth and a bit more oil-like than a traditional gloss, there's a beautiful translucency to it, so it seems to cushion the lips without pooling into vertical lip lines. There's just a hint of sweet vanilla scent, nothing noticeable. The product blurb says that these Lacquer Glosses feature 'a three-layer structure that refines lip texture, adheres to the lips with vivid color, and coats the lips with all-day moisture', and it doesn't stray too far from the truth.

RS306 Plum Wine, described on Sephora as a rosy violet, is a pinky plum leaning a bit purple - it almost looks like a blueberries and cream type of shade on my lips (YUM). In the heavy arm swatch, you can see tiny glimmers of magenta, but on the lips, the gloss has a cream finish - I can't detect any shimmers with a naked eye.

L-R (both photos): Shiseido Lacquer Gloss in RS306 (one swipe), YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Stiletto no.9, Lancome Color Design in Wine Party

One downside to this gloss is the applicator (or rather the stopper): I get way too much product on the paddle-shaped doe foot when I pull out the wand, and consequently have to be very careful not too smear the product everywhere or have the gloss migrate towards the edges of my mouth. But, provided that I apply just the right amount, tie my hair back and try to be careful with my meals and drinks (is this gloss asking for too much?), I really like the look and performance of the Lacquer Gloss; it's an easy, non-intimidating way of sporting a deeper plum shade for fall.  

Have you tried any Shiseido lip product? What are your favorite lipglosses for the colder season?

Skincare from Amazon.com? InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum Review

Generally speaking, thousands of glowing reviews on any product at any given website make me extremely suspicious. Is it all generated by bots? Is it spam from the company itself? Were people paid hundreds of dollars to type out all these five-star opinions? I don't know, but it sure looks too good to be true. So I was indeed very skeptical when I received this InstaNatural Advanced Formula Vitamin C Serum* ($14.22 for 1 oz/ 30ml on Amazon.com), which boasts 4.5 star rating from over 3,000 reviewers. Crazy, huh?

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum claims to hydrate the skin, clear up blemishes and even out skintone for younger-looking skin. It contains 20% a stable form of Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, Vitamin E, algae and green tea extracts, as well as lots of plant oils: rosehip oil, seabuckthorn oil, argan oil, jojoba, carrot seed and apricot kernel, all in a liquid base of water and organic aloe vera.

If you've ever used a pure aloe vera gel, the consistency of InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum is pretty much the same. It's a lightweight liquidy gel dispensed from a dropper that absorbs into the skin incredibly fast - faster than any gel serum I've tried in the past, it actually behaves on my skin more like an essence. The serum is a light orange and has a lovely citrus scent from the pink grapefruit essential oil used in the formula; thankfully, the fragrance doesn't irritate my skin.

I've been using it every night for the past three weeks and you know what, I'm actually pretty impressed. While Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, even at such a high percentage, isn't the most effective form of Vitamin C, I have noticed that my freckles, which were getting gradually darker over the course of the summer, are actually quite a bit lighter and less pronounced than before. I have one particularly dark spot under my right eye, and it's definitely lighter now, as are all the different post-acne hyperpigmentation marks I'm constantly trying to eradicate. My skin is overall more even in tone, and I can see and feel that it's better hydrated as well - I haven't had a dry patch anywhere on my face in a really long time.

While I feel that these results aren't anything extraordinary and could be achieved with Vitamin C products from other brands as well, I think it's incredible that you can purchase a serum that's simply jam-packed with incredible ingredients with very few fillers for less than 15 bucks. I've also been testing the InstaNatural Premium Hydration 5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum* ($14.22 for 2 oz/ 60 ml, double the size of the Vitamin C one), and while I don't like it as much and still prefer my Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (which utilizes Hydrolyzed Hylauronic Acid that has smaller molecules and absorbs better into the skin for greater efficacy), again, I think it's a lovely product for the price, and so lightweight that even the oiliest skintypes would enjoy reaching for it.

This just goes to show that good skincare with clinically proven active ingredients doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, and doesn't have to come from Sephora or a department store. I don't think I'll now start shopping for all of my skincare on Amazon, but I'm surprised at these little gems and would consider trying more products from InstaNatural in the future - I just wish they posted their full ingredients lists more prominently in the product description. Have you ever bought any skincare products from Amazon? Are there any small and relatively unknown skincare brands that you're a fan of?

Disclaimer:  I received the two serums featured in this post complimentary for testing purposes from the brand in exchange for an honest review on Amazon.com. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

An Unexpected Love: YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipsticks in no.9 Rose Stiletto and no.19 Fuchsia

I was pretty surprised to be selected for another YSL Beauty VoxBox from Influenster, you guys (here's my invite, in case you've been wanting to take your chances). First off, I didn't absolutely swoon over the Touche Eclat Blur products in my first one, reviewed here, and secondly, I would generally say that I suck at social media. I'm not on Facebook, I don't have Snapchat, I barely Instagram and, well, I tweet, but mostly about my latest blog posts, which probably isn't all that useful for beauty brands. Yet somehow I was chosen to receive these two newly relaunched YSL Rouge Pur Couture Satin Radiance Lipsticks ($36 each for 3.8 g) in no. 9 Rose Stiletto* and no. 19 Fuchsia*, and much to my delight, I've been enjoying them tremendously!

I've tried the YSL Rouge Pur Couture formula in the past - here's my review of a Limited Edition Pink Grenadine shade. I obviously quite like the old formula as it's survived many lipstick declutters, but it's also not one of my absolute favorites; just somewhere in the middle, I guess.

You can see here that the packaging of the Rouge Pur Coutures changed quite a bit; it's still predominantly gold and, uhm, rectangular, but I'd say I like just the pure gold and black of the new tube a bit better. It's also a bit sturdier and more weighty in my hand; just what a luxury lipstick should feel like. I've tried to find some information on whether the formula changed as well, and while nothing I had come upon gave me a definite answer, I do believe these new Rouge Pur Coutures are in fact a different formulation.

Let me start by saying what has NOT changed in the Rouge Pur Couture formula. It's still an emollient and richly pigmented lipstick, meant to dress the lips in one stroke. It also has the exact same YSL lipstick smell, a bit floral and definitely different from their fruity Gloss Voluptes; more along the lines of the Glossy Stains.

In my opinion, the overall feel and performance of these lipsticks have been improved in the revamped range. To me, they seem even creamier and more opaque than the older formula (although it is possible that my older tube has just got a bit more dried out over the couple years I've had it). I believe this trend in many new product releases was started last year by the NARS Audacious line - intense pigment in a comfortable formula that just glides on the lips. However, one downside to many of these super creamy lipsticks (and something often mentioned about the YSL Rouge Voluptes) is that they're too slippery and slidey on the lips, sinking into the lines and outside the contour of your lips.

Luckily, that's not the case at all with the new Rouge Purs - they stay put very well, and even leave behind a bit of a stain. When you first apply the Rouge Purs, they seem to have a standard creamy finish (no shimmer), but in about an hour, they settle more into a satin or even a matte that wears comfortably for another 2-3 hours (that is, until the next meal, which is when I have to reapply). These don't draw attention to my vertical lip lines, and they don't dry out my drier-than-Death-Valley lips, although they're not exactly moisturizing either. For a high pigment, creamy lipstick, they feel surprisingly lightweight on the lips. All in all, big thumbs up for the formula.

L-R (both photos): Maybelline Color Sensational in Warm Me Up, MAC Viva Glam V, YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Stiletto no. 9 (three swipes each)

I will admit that I was a bit worried about how the two shades selected for us would go with my fair skintone, but I'm pretty happy with both no. 9 Rose Stiletto and no. 19 Fuchsia. Rose Stiletto is described as a 'rich berry rose', and I think it's a quite an apt description. On me, it's a warm deep rose veering almost on a wine shade; it has hints of both brown and plum. It's like a less mauvey version of that MLBB that's so popular right now. I've swatched it against some of my darker nudes, but you can see it's a lot darker than that - more in the Bite High Pigment Lip Pencil in Rhubarb territory.

Rose Stiletto is a perfect everyday shade for fall and winter; it doesn't draw too much attention but on my skintone, it's a deeper option than your standard nudes. It feels like a sophisticated, grown-up shade that would work well in a professional environment.

On the other hand, Fuchsia no. 19 is the complete opposite of Rose Stiletto. Described as a 'magenta purple', it's an incredibly bright, attention-grabbing shade. I would say it's more pink than purple, but it definitely leans purple and it's the most cool-toned hot pink in my stash (hopefully you can see that in my photos). I don't see why Influenster chose this particular shade for fall, but in all honestly, if you're a fan of vivid colors, you could wear Fuchsia all year round.

L-R (both photos): Lancome Shine Lover Lipstick in Effortless Pink, Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Shalimar, YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Fuchsia no. 19

I have to admit that I haven't braved wearing Fuchsia outside of the house yet. You can somewhat see it in the face shot, but this shade looks almost neon on me - fun, but not entirely suitable for everyday wear, at least at its full strength. I'll play around with it a little bit and attempt to tame the beast by wearing it more as a stain (which would also make me less nervous about smearing it on my chin - yes, speaking from experience here).

There are currently 41 shades of the YSL Rouge Pur Coutures on the Sephora's website, and while some may be Limited Edition, that's plenty of colors to satisfy even the pickiest lipstick lover. I'm actually quite tempted to swatch a few more options next time I'm near a store, although you know I do NOT need any more lipsticks :) Have you tried these new lipsticks from YSL? What is your favorite opaque lipstick formula?

*Disclaimer: I received the two YSL products featured in this post complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster (anyone can sign up for free here, you don't need a blog or YouTube channel - just social media outlets). All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

Revisited: Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra-Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution

It wasn't that long ago that I reviewed one of the cult products in the Paula's Choice range, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid - and while I thought it was a decent acid toner, I wasn't blown away. However, when I recently won MegsMakeup8's generous Paula's Choice giveaway on Instagram, I decided to try another liquid exfoliant from Paula's range: the CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid ($28 for 4 oz/ 118 ml).

I've said in the title that it's a revisited product because honestly, I don't know how the CLEAR Exfoliating Solution differs from the BHA Liquid. The salicylic content is exactly the same, the ingredients are the same, the texture is the same, so it's a bit confusing why Paula would have two exact same formulations marketed as two distinct products - please let me know if I'm wrong on this, but for now my understanding is that the two products are one and the same.

The CLEAR line, aimed at acne-prone skin, is all packaged in pretty blue bottles, and the Exfoliating Solutions come in two strengths, 1% and 2% salicylic acid (BHA). As you know, I'm a long-time hydroxy acid user, so I chose the Extra-Strength, hoping to get a more noticeable result. I've been using the Solution for the past two weeks, having replaced my usual First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads with it at night time.

The Extra-Strength Solution is a clear, fragrance-free liquid I use in the acid tone step of my evening skincare routine. Even though it's a transparent liquid, it does not feel like water on the skin - it's a bit thicker than water and has a bit of slip to it, leaving a somewhat oily film on the face, which is why I reserve it for use at night. In the past, I quite disliked the texture and feel of this product on my face, but since my skin has gotten a bit drier this past year, I actually don't mind it as much anymore. Now it feels like the liquid is a bit more nourishing, and maybe the ingredients that provide that slip in this formula also help to cushion the skin against the possible dryness from the salicylic acid.

In terms of results, I can already see a bit of an improvement in my skin after switching from the FAB pads (and don't get me wrong, I still love that product! Simply taking a bit of a break). Most of the bumpy texture I've had on my forehead for the past month has disappeared already, my pores are overall clearer, and my whole face looks a lot more even in tone. I've also haven't had any significant breakouts in those two weeks, and the two tiny whiteheads I got where gone within a couple days without leaving any marks. I'm quite impressed! Another interesting thing about the CLEAR Solution is that somehow it still manages to pick up dirt from my face even after double cleansing with oils and balms; I think the oilier texture dissolves the last traces better than a regular toner, or maybe the product is already pulling some gunk from the pores.

I'm quite happy that I gave this product another chance - I don't know if it's something I have to have on hand at all times, but I think it's a nice one to rotate in and out of my routine once in a while. It just goes to show how our impressions of products change according to the condition of our skin. In that same order, I also got the RESIST Exfoliant, which I believe Claire has told me doesn't have that slippy texture, so it'd be an interesting one to compare - stay tuned for the review! As for this CLEAR one, I would especially recommend it if you're struggling with uneven texture, but your skin is more on the normal to slightly combination side, and prone to dehydration. For oilier-skinned folks, I don't think the slightly oily residue of the Exfoliating Solution would feel very pleasant. Have you tried any of the Paula's Choice AHA or BHA exfoliants? Which one is your favorite?

Beauty Empties: 3rd Quarter of 2015

Happy October! I haven't actually used up a whole lot of products in the past three months; I feel that this is a lot less than I usually have in my empties bag. But, we all know beauty products tend to get finished in phases, so I'm just guessing there's going to be a lot more in the next quarter.

For body and haircare, I've made a bit of a dent in my stash, and I've tried to make sure I was still using up some of those deluxe samples.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Murad Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF30, Aura Cacia Vanilla Essential Oil blend in Jojoba Oil (the scent was too faint), Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP mini (not my kind of fragrance)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom Shower Gel (mentioned here; I liked the formula more than the scent but it's a bit pricey to repurchase regularly), Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Body Lotion (not that rich, but lovely bergamot scent)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): Kneipp Pomegranate & Black Currant In-Shower Body Lotion (really a cream cleanser for the body - awesome post-gym), Batiste Dry Shampoo in the Clean and Classic Scent (a repurchase, already repurchased another can but in a different scent to shake things up), Secret Oulast Gel in Completely Clear (favorite antiperspirant I've tried so far!), OGX Biotin & Collagen Shampoo (fantastic and inexpensive sulfate-free shampoo for fine hair).

Skincare; again, I focused on a lot of my deluxe samples. Some tosses too: the Clarins eye cream with SPF30 was too thick and dry, especially to use on the delicate eye area, and I had no interest in trying this super old sample of the REN Micro Polish cleanser.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Caudalie Beauty Elixir (full review here), MyChelle Apple Brightening Cleanser (reviewed here; I'm moving away from foaming face washes), Mario Badescu Drying Cream
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair, Clark's Botanical Smoothing Marine Cream (too pricey for a moisturizer with glycolic acid, but worked very well for me), Dr Wu 18% Mandelic Acid Serum (full review here; replaced with Derma e Overnight Peel and some new exfoliants from Paula's Choice), The Organic Pharmacy Enzyme Peel Mask (reviewed here - again, lovely but very expensive).
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk (full review here), Rock Rose hydrosol I used as a spray toner, Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Heavenly Night Cream (reviewed here), Hada White Lady brightening serum.

As an extra, here's a mix of body, hair and skincare from my travel empties I tossed before leaving Tuscany (see how committed I am? Even remembered to take a photo for you). Actually, the product I liked the most out of this line-up was the St. Ives Shea Butter shower gel - in the photo refilled with some vile manly body wash from someone in the family, because we run out. I wasn't a fan of the popular Acure Argan hair line either; I found the shampoo both drying and not cleansing enough.

Make-up! A lot of tossed products that went bad here too. Obviously, a lot of these were my own fault for not using them more while they were still good, but that bareMinerals Buttercream gloss - man, I still can't get over it. Anyway.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Urban Decay B6 Vitamin Infused Prep Spray (meh - did nothing for me), Wet n'Wild Mega Liner in Black (pigmented and easy to apply, but tended to run terribly in humid weather), bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Buttercream Lipgloss in Must Have Pink.
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: eos Vanilla Lip Balm (tasted sweet too, but not nourishing enough for me), Fyrinnae Lip Luster in Shangri-La (full review), Miss Sporty concealer pencil, bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara (lengthening and non clumpy), fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Balm (reviewed here).
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Plum Perfect (featured here; mine started to smell funky. I really like this drugstore lipstick formula and would repurchase but maybe in a different shade).

Lastly, various samples or one (more like two or three) use sachets of sheet masks and bath salts. The one stand-out for perfume was Hermes Voyage d'Hermes, but while I liked it, I didn't love it enough to consider purchasing a full size bottle. I also really enjoyed the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, reviewed here, and the Kneipp Mineral Bath Salts in the Pure Bliss scent; I'm considering purchasing the full size.

To be honest, I'm starting to feel a bit over my empties post format; it's a lot to take in, even if I just list all the products used, and I think it's quite boring for you guys to read. I also think that rushing through my products in an attempt to fill my empties bag to the brim is not really something I'd like to do anymore. It the past, when I had a lot more products stockpiled in every category, it's worked fine, but now I don't have all those back-ups I'm worried will expire before I use them. I'm simply feeling this need to slow down a little and actually enjoy what I have. I'll probably post one last post in this format for the last quarter of this year, but next year, I may switch to the 'One In, One Out' type of post championed by bloggers such as ttsandra and Reductionista. What do you guys think? Is there any specific format you prefer for the empties posts?