In October, I posted an ‘Empties’ blog post and said that the whole monthly empty posts just weren’t happening so I decided to just post when I wanted to…well that’s lead to today and the last empties post of 2019! How did this year go so fast?

So, here’s what’s in the empties box…

Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules

This sample tube of the Vitamin C capsules was sent to me by Glamour Beauty to try which I was super thrilled about as I had been reading that this serum was fantastic. Whilst I can’t comment on any long term effect having used these for a week, what I can say is the serum inside the capsules is lovely to use. It was absorbed well into my skin and fit in to my skincare routine nicely just before my moisturiser. I would use these again.

Kiko Volume Attraction Mascara

This is no stranger to my empties posts … this Kiko mascara is the one I use so much of in my pro kit. It is a true black mascara and doesn’t leave any dry dropped bits or smudge under the eyes by the end of the day. Kiko have offers every so often such as buy on get one free or 3 for 2 so this is often even cheaper! Love it and will continue to purchase!

NIOD Survival 0

The technology behind NIOD skicnare is pretty complex let’s face it! There’s always an ‘Essentially it is ...’ which is where I’ll start! Essentially it is an advanced form of protection for the skin from environmental aggressors. Deceim describe it as: ‘a broad selection of advanced technologies to target the effects of oxygen radicals including the superoxide radical, nitrogen radicals, carbonyl radicals, glycation and advanced glycation end-products (AGE), pollution, smog, stress, infrared and blue light.‘ This particular product can be used morning or evening however if it is used in the morning it still needs to be accompanied by an SPF as the ‘0’ indicates that this does not protect against UV rays. In the range there are ones that do and this is indicated by their number be it Survival 10, 20 or 30. I was using this serum at night and enjoyed using it. It fitted well into my evening routing and absorbed quickly into my skin ready for me to continue with my other products. It is a light weight texture and doesn’t leave any residue so I would happily use it in the mornings also. I do like to have products in my routine that whilst I may not see an effect on my skin, I know it is acting as a preventative and protective layer for my skin. I would definitely use this again. This item was gifted to me by Deciem via The Deciem Chatroom.

The Ordinary ‘NMF’

I picked this up on a trip to Covent Garden where the Deciem Store is. Along with a few other products I wanted to try the Natural Moisturising Factors + HA. My daily moisturiser is Clinique Moisture Surge and given I’ve always bought back ups of it, I am still using. That said I was keen to get into this so I started using it at night. I used it over serums, over oil and also mixed with oil and really liked it. I have used this during the day and the evening and it is one that I’m now sad to be out of! I also used this a lot when doing various halloween makeup looks to protect my skin between face paints! I would definitely buy this again. It is a budget friendly, travel friendly product!

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

Another product that is no stranger to my blog is this amazing cleanser. I absolutely love the smell of the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing balm. Upon opening a new one of these the scent hits you and I find it super relaxing! I have used this as a morning cleanser and as an evening one. The consistency of this balm makes for a wonderfully relaxing face massage or leaving on for a ten minute face mask when I’m relaxing in the bath.  I apply either straight after my first cleanse, or on it’s own when I haven’t worn makeup / spf.  Either way my skin is usually dry when I apply it, I then add a little water where it slightly emulsifies, then I remove with a wet flannel.  I highly recommend trying this cleansing balm!

NIOD Mastic Must

It usually takes me a while to get through a face mask tube / pot / whatever as I alternate different ones but this is actually a Black Friday deal last year when I got it for £10 instead of £27! I did also have one on the go already which is why it’s taken me so long to use this one. Mastic Must works to clean and refine pores giving the appearance of a reduction in the number of pores and the size of them also.  After cleansing my skin, I apply it and relax for ten minutes then remove it with a flannel.  My face feels so smooth after using this and looks smooth too!  There is an optional additional step to use a hairdryer on the face for 15 seconds…which of course I also had to do!  Using the hairdryer enhances the immediate visible results of using the mask! I would buy this again and actually still have another one in the draw from that same Black Friday deal!!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I’ve mentioned before that micellar cleansing waters are something that don’t form part of my every day routine. However, I do use them to clean up makeup mistakes and so also have one in my kit, but also if I am doing a morning workout I will use this over my face first thing before the gym then do my usual full routine after so this is something quite handy to have in! I will continue to repurchase this.

Hylamide Sub Q Skin

Hylamide is another string to the Deceim bow and this serum is described as ‘A highly active concentrate of advanced hyaluronic complexes, next-generation peptides and biotechnologies to target rehydration, while improving the look of lines, wrinkles and textural damage.’ This has been a nice serum to use in that it fit well into my routine and worked with other products that I use. Improving the look of line and wrinkles and so on, I can’t say I noticed a difference on that level. I did notice a difference in my forehead lines when I used The Ordinary’s Buffet serum which I think in my head I had likened this product to but I hadn’t noticed differences this time unfortunately. I wouldn’t purchase this product on that basis … but as I’ve said before, just because something doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. My reviews are purely based on my experience. I was gifted this by Deciem via The Deciem Chatroom.

Clarins Multi Active Eye Cream

First off – this tube is not easy to photograph! Haha! #bloggerproblems That said the important part is the product! This is very much a #carolinehironsmademedoit as I purchased this after speaking with Caroline at a John Lewis x Clarins event in Southampton. The packaging is really good as it has a metal tip that works as a cooling tool when applying the eye cream which in the morning is great! My undereyes aren’t of too much concern for me, if anything the skin is drier than the rest of my face and the obvious fine lines that are creeping in so I’m just looking for a hydrating eye cream which this is and it works absolutely fine under concealer. Unfortunately I’m not very loyal to eye creams and have others on the go which is the reason that I have not repurchased but I would.

Jordan Samuel The AfterShow Treatment Cleanser

In August I went on holiday to Florida (take me back!!!) so it seemed like the obvious thing to do in getting Jordan Samuel products delivered to the hotel! Now I am wishing I had ordered more!! This cleanser is amazing. I have been using this in the morning or as a second cleanser in the evening and I love it. The texture is a gel consistency that feels like an oil when it is applied. It contains olive, jojoba and grape seed oils to remove makeup (although I don’t waste it removing makeup), then sugarcane, apple and willow bark extracts to gently exfoliate the skin. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and clean. I will 100% be buying this again when Jordan Samuel hits the UK!  

Giorgio Beverly Hills

I bought this when I was in Spain last year as I really liked it when I used the tester. I do like sweet summery scents and this falls into this category for me albeit more floral than the ones I usually go for. The list includes, Top notes: Peach, Apricot, Bergamont and Orange Blossom. Middle: Tuberose, Garenia and Jasmine. Base: Amber, Patchouli, Vanilla and Chamomile. It is a very feminine fragrance and I would purchase this again.

Odacité Pure Elements Po+R

I am super sad that this is empty! I have literally been dragging this out diluting it into my moisturiser to make it last longer although this is also amazing neat! I got this as part of the Caroline Hirons x Space NK collaborative box but with so many products open I kept this in my skincare stash for a while! It smells AMAZING!! The key benefits of this serum are quick hydration, reduces inflammation, skin looks more even and plump and the oils combination is super relaxing and works well to lift moods! When I used this be it on its own before my moisturiser or mixed in, my skin felt and looked great. I always tend to avoid oils in my morning routine but this worked beautifully in the morning and worked fine under makeup. I would definitely repurchase this! The cost does put me off slightly given the size but when used wisely it does last a little longer!

Mac Fix+ Spray

This has featured on my empties posts before as I do repurchase this. I have it in my pro kit and in my own makeup kit and I love it for either spritzing my skin for a quick boost of moisture, to dampen my beauty blender sponge if I’m not near a sink and lastly to wet an eyeshadow brush if I want to get a more intense pigment payoff. I have just ordered the rose version of this which I think I have had before but that is due in the next few days 😛

So, that’s it for my last empties post of 2019! Have you used any of these products? Do you agree with my thoughts on here? Let me know!

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Disclaimer:  Some items in this post were gifted as a PR sample and are marked as *gifted*.  All opinions expressed are my own and it was my choice to add links to any websites throughout this post.  Any website links included are not affiliate links and I will not earn commission through you using any link in this post.  The items marked as *gifted* were not paid reviews.