Hey peeps!

I have some empty products again for you today, but I just want to start off this post by getting something off my chest first...

For some reason I've started to realise in the last month or so, how much of a waste-producer I actually am. Let it be the topic of cotton buds and plastic straws polluting the environment, or the "youth for climate"-marches in Brussels lately, but I've just started to become a bit more conscious about packaging and wrapping of products.

When I look at my bathroom cabinet, I see 99% non-recyclable plastic packaging. When I order something online, it will come pressed in plastic airbags wrapped in plastic wrapping and 9 out of 10 will be a plastic tube/tin it comes in. When I go out shopping, most of the bags you get in stores are plastic as well, which I'm trying to avoid already.

Then I look at these Empties posts I do every two months and seeing how many empty product I have within that short amount of time, and seeing how many of them are completely made up from plastic, I wonder... How is it 2019 and we haven't found a sollution for plastic packaging? Or better: we have found one as I know some brands do 100% recyclable, reusable, recycled or organic packaging, and some even have a recycling program so you can bring back empty tins so they can re-use them, so why haven't all the other brands caught on then?

It's made me think really hard and, well, long story short: I'm looking for makeup and skincare brands that are a little more environment-friendly in their own way, are trying their best to be more consious or are working on recycling programs, recyclable packaging and so on... So I can discover new brands and new products. Please leave your recommendations or any brands that you know of in the comments below. I'd love to discover some makeup brands especially that have packaging I can recycle or know that when I dispose of it, will be able to be recycled well.

Urban Decay The Velvetizer loose powder

Like it? I've used this up in my Project Pan, and although I liked it when I was using it, just for some reason I found it a little bit too matte (whut?!). It's a strange formula this one, and it's supposed to be a mix-in medium for foundations that are too dewy but I have no clue how that would work well. I've tried mixing in this powder with a liquid formula once and it didn't work and it made total sense. Anyways, if you love a very matte finish then this powder is for you. It's very finely milled so it feels wonderful when you're using it.

Repurchase? Don't think so. I've definitely preferred other formulas over this one, as I mainly use it to set my concealer and mattify my t-zone.

Nyx Away We Glow liquid highlighter - Crystal Glare

Like it? I've loved it a lot when I first started using it but after I while I got so bored with it. I'm not a liquid girl at heart so I'll always prefer powders over creams or liquids, and I guess that's why I almost stopped using it completely. It's a very nice shade though and worked very well for me in summer. Just in the winter months I didn't really use it all that much and I tried to use it up in my Project Pan, it sort of dried out after a while from being opened and it wasn't performing the way it should have been anymore. 

Repurchase? No, like I said I'll always prefer powders over liquids. I'm sure I'll pick up some liquid highlighter formula at some point in the future but I've tried and tested this one out now and although it's fab for summer, I'd love to try out other brands' take on this.

l'Oréal True Match concealer

Like it? I thought I would have picked up a wrong shade, on that leaned too pink toned, but it actually worked really well for me! I've loved using this and it really reminded me of the Maybelline Fit Me concealer in terms of formula, but definitely with a better doe-foot applicator.

Repurchase? I might some day, although I love trying out new concealers and I lean more towards cream concealers at the moment. We'll see...

Eyeko Black Magic mascara (mini)

Like it? So glad I got to try this one as it was in the LookFantastic advent calendar. I absolutely loved this mascara! Sad it was used up so quickly as it was only a tiny little one, but honestly I can get just the right amount of product on the brush as this comes in a tube and I can pinch it when it's inside the tube, to get enough product on there, but also not too much. It's werid to explain but it being in a tube is just a genius thing. Plus, I love the applicator and the way it lifts my lashes, it's also volumising and doesn't clump my lashes together too much. Perfect mascara for me, really.

Repurchase? I will definitely add this to my to-buy-list. I have so many mascaras on backup that I haven't tried yet but honestly I'd love to pick up the full size of this one day!

Mac Fix+ Matte

Like it? I expected a bit more from this, to be honest. The formula is okay but you need to shake it really well before spraying, as if you don't it will leave you with white residue on your face. This in combination with a pump that doesn't really spread an even mist, but rather drops of the product, can make you look ridiculous if you're not careful. I've transferred the last bit of this product to a spray bottle of the Nyx Setting Spray (which I'll come to in a second, but I love that setting spray mainly for the dispenser) and I love it a bit more in that spray cap, as it spreads more of a mist and that way there aren't drops of white matte residue on your face. Still, I'm not convinced it's worth the price.

Repurchase? No. I'll stick to the one below!

Nyx Matte Finish Long Lasting Setting Spray

Like it? Holy grail. 'Nuff said.

Repurchase? Always. I stock up on these like crazy because the formula is decent for a drugstore brand but the spray is so good, I've started using an empty one for other setting sprays (like mentioned above!). So yes, forever repurchasing this one. Why change when you already have the best?

SKINCARE

Erno Laszlo Multi Task Eye Serum Mask

Like it? This was also in the LookFantastic advent calendar, but I had never heard of this brand before. So exciting when you get to try out new things, right? I loved these a lot and they came in really handy the day after new year's eve. (LOL).

Repurchase? I'm going to check how I can get hold of them the quickest or easiest way, but obviously I will be able to purchase them from LookFantastic. I've discovered the wellness of these and definitely need to apply eye masks more often.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (mini)

Like it? I never used to like cleansing balms or oils and I even remember when I first tried this last year, I didn't get on with it. I gave it another proper go and maybe it's because I've been taking my makeup off with the Face Halo and it just removes the product more easily, but now I just bloody love it, especially because it keeps my face hydrated whilst taking off my makeup.

Repurchase? I bought the full size which I'm currently using. Love!

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

Like it? Absolutely love it, I definitely needed some extra moisture a few months back and after discovering this I immediately purchased a full size.

Repurchase? Not at the moment, as it is quite expensive for just a facial mist. I'm using the Avène Eau Termale at the moment which does sort of the same thing, just to save my money a little bit.

Filorga Solution Micellaire Anti-Âge (mini)

Like it? Another product from the LookFantastic advent calendar! It was alright I guess, nothing revolutionary.

Repurchase? No, the Garnier micellar water is 1/3 of the price and I'm more than happy with that one. It's my all time favourite and quite affordable.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brilliance Serum

Like it? Discovered in the LookFantastic advent calendar, and very much impressed by how much I actually liked it! I never thought I would like a product like this as much as I do.

Repurchase? Might look into it...

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner

Like it? Yes I did, but I must say I prefer the Pixi toner over this one. I'm glad I tried this one out though. (I actually think I've used it in the past but completely forgot for some reason... ) I got this one for free in the recycle program - YAY! - so there's a limited selection of products you can choose from when you bring in empty tins and tubes and this seemed up my street. It's not bad, but I wouldn't say it's worth the price when I've used toners from The Body Shop and Pixi that are cheaper and just as - if not more - effective.

Repurchase? Not at the moment.

Lush Cupcake fresh face mask

Like it? I like this, okay, but because it needs to sit in the fridge I always forget to use it the first two weeks and then I need to work through it really quicky because it only has 1 month shelf life and I forgot to use it for half of that time. I wish there was a way to make this gorgeous face mask a bit more long-lasting, or at least that it doesn't need to sit in the fridge so that I remember to use it in the bathroom.

Repurchase? Sometimes, when I'm near a Lush. Which I'm usually not.

Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

Like it? Absolutely bloody love it. It's very much in line with the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and it works wonders for my skin in the evening.

Repurchase? I always thought I'd go back to the Kiehl's one but there was a 20% off promo on a few brands including Clarins at Ici Paris XL a while back and I knew I was going to run out soon, so I restocked on this after all. This bottle is quite expensive but lasts you almost a year of using daily, so I am happy to repurchase this one.

Ren Clarimatte T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel

Like it? I think this is such a beautiful cleanser, it's not foamy, it feels very light and cooling and does what it says on the bottle.

Repurchase? Already did!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel

Like it? Holy grail product, again. I can't think of any product replacing this one. I'm eager to try out the ID ones with the cartridges.

Repurchase? All the time!

OTHER

Chanel Coco Noir Eau De Parfum

Like it? Absolutely love this perfume. I was always a fan of the Coco Mademoiselle which is quite floraly but sophisticated and feminine and Coco Noir smells like Mademoiselle's older and wiser sister. It's a bit more of a winter scent to me. 

Repurchase? Not immediately as I love discovering new perfumes plus I have about 5 perfumes in rotation right now! But I'm sure at some point in the future I will buy this one again.

Aromatherapy Assosciates De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil (mini)

Like it? Yet another product from the LookFantastic advent calendar! I wish this bottle was bigger as I always take a shower and I feel like I use more product in the shower than I would in a bath. It smells so divine and actually relaxes me.

Repurchase? Would love to but this is hella expensive! I'm keeping it in mind for when I move into my own place as a housewarming treat to myself.

Regenerate toothpaste (mini)

Like it? Last one from the LookFantasci advent calendar! I wouldn't normally mention this in my empties but since it was in a beauty calendar... oh well, here it is. It's a toothpaste and it's empty. It did the job. I loved how it didn't have a strong taste as most of the very minty ones make me very sickly.

Repurchase? Ehm, not for any particular reason really.

Rituals The Ritual Of Dao Bed & Body Mist (mini)

Like it? I've loved this for a while and every so often I go back to it. Mainly because I couldn't get my hands on the ThisWorks one straight away.

Repurchase? I defo prefer the This Works pillow spray and I've got that one right now, it's so expensive though so I might end up going back to the rituals one.

Lottie London Soap Star solid brush cleanser

Like it? Love it! For some reason it never seems to be in stock anywhere at any time! Have they discontinued this or what?! Not whenever I go to Manchester, not in my local drugstore... It's even hard to get hold of online. I reckon people have found their way to this product, huh? Don't waste money on the BeuatyBlender solid cleanser, this is just as good!

Repurchase? If I can, yes please thank you.

l'Occitane Amande Shower Scrub

Like it? This scrub is so soft for my skin, which is something I absolutely love. By the way, it's a cleansing shower gel and scrub in one so if you're in a hurry this one is fabulous.

Repurchase? Already did and using the new tube!