At the beginning of every month, I think to myself, “this month I probably won’t have too many empties, I might have 2 or 3 max”. Then around the third week of the month, I am suddenly faced with a bag full of empties. Go figure.
I finished some big containers too.
Skincare
Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask – 50g
This took me ages to finish this jar because I set it aside while I was doing Photorejuvenation /IPL on my face. I did review of this here. It was a good AHA mask but I don’t love the pumpkin smell so I’m on the fence about repurchasing.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Eye Gel – $50 for 15ml
This took me ages to finish because I didn’t like it much. It’s lightweight but doesn’t hydrate too well. I mainly used it during the warmer months when I didn’t need to much moisture. This tube probably lasted me 3 years with on and off usage.
Stash worthiness: 4/10 Repurchase: No
Clarins Men Super Moisture Balm – 50ml
Not mine but I’m going to count it here anyway. I bought this for the SO years ago as a gift (he asked for skincare for Christmas one year – can you believe it?) but he’s terrible at remembering to use this nightly. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for him to stick to a skincare routine – it’s just like brushing teeth or taking a shower! The cream is getting all dried out in the tube – next time he asks me for skincare, I’m just going to get him something from the drugstore! 😛 As far as I know, this cream worked well for him and it smelled nice.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: No
Etude House Hyaluronic Acid 0.2 Therapy Air Mask – $1.3 USD each
I read about this mask over at Asian Beauty Obsessed blog and I was intrigued by how thin the mask looked. I even commented on her post that I was interested in trying this mask one day… only to realize that I actually have this mask in my stash! 😆 I echo everything she said on the review post – there’s a lot of serum and the mask is so thin that it almost disappears into the skin. It hugs my face even better than 3D masks and the hydrogel mask that I tried. In fact, I’m going to say this is one of my favourite sheet masks, ever.
Stash worthiness: 10/10 Repurchase: Yes
Body Care
Cake Beauty Creamy Coconut Supreme Body Mousse – $12.99 for 1L
This made my favourites list. This bottle lasted me 3 months with daily use. Side note: it’s so funny that this is listed as $55 on the Cake Beauty site because these are constantly showing up at Winners / Marshalls for $12.99 – I highly doubt anyone buys this at regular price.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Dermal Therapy Hand Elbow and Knee Cream – $10 for 100ml
Found this in a clearance bin at Rexall and ended up liking it a lot. It’s silicone and glycerin based so it creates a protective barrier on the skin that lasts even after hand washing. I used this mainly at night because it’s fragrance-free. The SO gets annoyed with certain scents that I use for my hand cream. 😛
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
LUSH Bouncy Bunny Shower Jelly – ~$7 for 100g
This was so much fun to use, but it was also a really nice showering gel. This also made my last favourites list. This was limited edition but if they bring it back, I’m going to get it again. The whole bunny jelly lasted me a month with daily use. I’m saving this container to redeem for a free face mask – I have 3 so far and I need 5 in total.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Hair Care
Korres Liquorice and Urtica Shampoo For Oily Hair – 250ml
Another favourites list item. This cleaned my hair thoroughly and left it shiny and bouncy. The smell wasn’t my favourite though.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Curl Keeper – $17 for 250ml
I stopped using this for a few months and I missed it a lot! This gives the perfect piece-y look to my wavy hair without any build-up or crunchy feel. A bottle lasts me around a month. I stocked up on a few bottles from my hairdresser. They also sell this at Trade Secrets now.
Stash worthiness: 10/10 Repurchase: Yes
Makeup
Avon Makeup Setting Spray – $12 for 60ml
I showcased this in my Summertime Skin Essentials post – it’s great for setting makeup and the spray nozzle is really fine. The only issue is that it contains alcohol.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Dear Brachiosaurus Blotting Paper – $10 for 50 pcs
I wanted to love this but I didn’t! The packaging is adorable, and I really like the concept of the sponge with the sticky tape to pick up each piece of blotting paper (see it in action here). But, the tackiness of the sponge diminished over time (due to the oils from the blotting papers) to the point that it stopped picking up the paper. Also, the sheets are quite small, so I often ended up needing 2 for my face. I’m toying with keeping the case though, it’s so cute, plus it has a nice mirror.
Stash worthiness: 5/10 Repurchase: No
CoverGirl LashBlast Length mascara – $10.99
My least favourite of the CoverGirl LashBlast mascaras. This formula also smudges on me which is pretty rare for a CG mascara.
Stash worthiness: 6/10 Repurchase: No

CoverGirl blastPRO Plumpify mascara – $10.99
I was psyched for this because it came recommended but the wand is just over the top! I’d get mascara on my lids every SINGLE time I used this. The formula was decent though so it wasn’t all for naught. I see that CG released an even crazier wand with the “So Lashy!” mascara – no thanks!
Stash worthiness: 6/10 Repurchase: No
Clarins Double Fix’ Mascara – $25 for 7ml
This mascara makes any mascara waterproof. I always keep a tube of this around.
Stash worthiness: 10/10 Repurchase: Yes
And I’m proud to say that I did a mini mid-month makeup purge! When I met up with some of my girlfriends, I decided to re-home these:
• Becca Ombre Rouge Eye palette (reviewed here)
• Smashbox Double Exposure Palette (reviewed here)
• Tarte Exposed blush (swatched here)
You may recall my cheeky review of the Becca palette where I named all of the yawn-fest colours (*snicker*), and I was less than impressed with the wet / dry claims of the Smashbox Double Exposure palette (although there were some stand-out shades in there). The Tarte Exposed blush just didn’t impress me – and with so many blushes in my stash, I really didn’t need to keep this one around. These are all much better off in their new homes! 🙂
Misc.
A few things that don’t fit anywhere else.
Beauty Secrets Nourishing Acetone Nail Polish Remover – $9 for $946ml
Now I can definitively state that a 1 litre bottle of nail polish remover lasts me around 13 months, since the last time I had a bottle of this in my Trash Stash was back in October 2015. This is a great nail polish remover and very economical. It’s Sally Beauty’s house brand.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Giordano Cosmetic Pads – $1.59 for 80 pcs
I got these out of pour curiosity from the discount store since they kind of looked like Shiseido Facial Cotton… but nope, these were scratchy, not absorbent and very thin in comparison.
Stash worthiness: 4/10 Repurchase: No
Slatkin & Co. 3-Wick Candle in Peach Bellini – $22.50 for 411g
This is the SO’s favourite scent. I like it but don’t love it. Every so often I hear that Bath & Body Works discontinued the Peach Bellini scent but they seem to always bring it back. This lasted around 9 months (I don’t burn candles too often 😛 )
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes (for the SO)
Sample / Travel size
Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara – this is really clumpy, and smudgy. The bulbous wand shape is useless. Bad mascara, bad!
Face Shop Olive Essential Toner – this isn’t a watery toner – more of a milky essence / serum. I tried this with my MUJI DIY sheet masks and it was really good. I quite liked this essence and would consider buying the full size which costs $15 for 150ml.
Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence – and while this is called an essence, it’s a watery toner. This is a cult product and I was extremely excited to receive this in a gwp because I’d hear so much hype about it. But… it was such a letdown! It’s a run-of-the-mill toner and a tad drying on my skin. Definitely not worth the C$78 for the full size (for only 125ml – ha!).
The Body Shop Shea Body Butter – it’s ok. Not my favourite scent but the body butter gets the job done. I can’t really discern too much of a difference between the various body butter formulas except for the smells.
EVE LOM WHITE Advanced Brightening Serum – I received this when I bought the EVE LOM Cleanser. I got 2 uses out of it and it was just fine – would never shell out C$180 for 30ml of this.
Skeyndor Power C+ Energizing Emulsion – I received this from the new esthetician I went to and I quite liked this – it’s lightweight and gave my skin a nice luminosity. I got a week’s worth of use out of this packette. This costs C$90 for 50ml – considering it’s a spa-grade product, it’s not too pricey (ahem EVE LOM serum and Shiseido toner!)
Have you tried any of these products? I should have chosen some of these as my Project Pan items – namely that LUSH Bouncy Bunny Shower Jelly or the Curl Keeper. 😉
Your Blogmas fix for today is a post about Christmas Trees:
We haven’t even taken out the decorations from our storage yet! 😳
Damn girl, you worked through them products lol. Great post! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I am always surprised that I manage to go through so much in a month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We just took out the Christmas decorations last night. I haven’t mustered up the energy to do it (plus it’ll be easier when Peanut’s taking a nap).
Hey I kind of like that MUFE mascara! I got it as a sample, too.
Loads in your Trash Stash again – well done 🙂 Shame about the palettes you had to rehome, but they will hopefully be loved, now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It just goes to show, how everyone is different when it comes to mascaras! That sucker smudged on me so badly!
Yes, I’m glad those palettes found better homes!
Does Peanut even take naps? Dude is an Energizer bunny! 😛
LikeLike
I’ve two of those maskes too and haven’t tried them yet. Got them this summer from a dear friend that lives in Singapore. Need to try them now! Thanks for a great post as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sheet masks are addictive! 🙂 It’s like getting an instant spa treatment without all the expensive… plus, you can multi-task while you have the mask on! I’m going to get more of those Etude House ones soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arghh, I need to try that Etude House mask evrn though my favourite Korean skincare brand is Innisfree. 😈
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve not tried much from Innisfree but I got a few samples – can’t wait to try!
LikeLike
Wow that’s alot of empties!! Good effort and yes sheet masks are so good! Love them myself 🙂
hehe I’ve been just collecting empty jars and tubs… My oh thinks I’m hoarding rubbish at 😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to trying the other Etude House masks.
I used to collect a lot of the empty jars but I realized that I never use them! So now I’m learning to just let them go….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m preparing an empties post 😛 not just hoarding rubbish 😂😂 but never got round to it. But to be truthful, I have more half used than empties 😦 those I really need to let go…
LikeLike
I like your trash – thats all i gotta say
keeping the POETRY for ur letter lol
xxxx
THE PLUMPIFY pic is amazing ………
i gotta tell ya
that is one cool image
too bad u no like
i may have something in my christmas goodies …
WINK X
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was so intrigued by that CoverGirl mascara but the wand is MASSIVE. Too bad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
art looking huh ? xxx ur love letter took forever – Lol ………….. the cheese …… xo xo xo xo xo
LikeLike
Wow you finished a lovely t this month! Good job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – I was a bit surprised too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg, my iPad really autocorrects things weirdly today! Just realized how my original comment came out! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yeah I got the gist of what you wrote… 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
How do you manage to get so much empties? 😀
I still need to try Cake, I wanted to shop their BlackFriday deals, but I found shipping to be too high for Toronto to Toronto.. wtf 🙂 Will wait till I see it at the Winners 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it’s annoying when local businesses have such high shipping costs! Or if they don’t have free shipping limits. Yes, stalk your local Winners / Marshalls, I see them all the time, along with the shower gels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right? Yeah, will keep my eyes open!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey! I nominated you for the real neat blogger award! Do check it out! https://fadedrouge.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/blog-awards-2/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! Off to check it out!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You got through a lot of stuff as usual but how have you only just finished up Bouncy Bunny?! It’s nearly time for it to be out again😉😊 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t open the Bouncy Bunny until early-Oct, hah! I saw that LUSH has new ones for the Holidays – I’ve put them on my Christmas wish list, hopefully I will receive one in my stocking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You showed good self control! The holiday ones look nice I’ve put them on my wish list too☺ x
LikeLike
The Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Dear Brachiosaurus Blotting Paper looks awesome! Shame it was a bit of dud product… damn you beautiful packaging!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. We always get suckered, don’t we?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done on rehoming those palettes, I’m planning on doing a declutter of my makeup collection and plan on sorting out some bits to pass onto my sister, I have so many palettes I don’t reach for any more I’m sure she’ll appreciate them!
That etude house sheet mask has me curious – and it’s a great price! I’ll have to make a mental note to try and source that down, just looked at Asian beauty obsessed’s post and woah basically invisible!
I’ve not used that much since clearing out my empties, definitely seem to be starting afresh with lots of products again – still need to get the last post up!
Need to take a look for that curl keeper, I wonder if it can help accentuate my natural wave and kill my need to straighten my hair, never seen or heard of it here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’m sure your sister will love receiving free makeup! 😛 I am thinking of instating a 1 in, 1 out policy next year so I’ll likely be doing declutters all throughout the year.
I really didn’t think I’d love the Etude House sheet mask as much as I did – I’m planning on trying different ones they offer (I think they have 15 different types in that range!)
I think Curl Keeper might be a Canadian brand… but it might be available for online purchase. It’s great for defining waves and reducing frizz!
LikeLike
Looked it up it’s on amazon – about £14 so not too bad. It’s on my amazon list!
She definitely will like getting free makeup, she always asks if I’ve been sent stuff I don’t want – and enters my giveaways and asks if she’s won before they’ve even closed haha
Ooh that’s a good plan with the 1 in 1 out, will force you to be brutal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t understand how you manage so many empties! I think that’s the size of my empties stash for like 4 months worth of stuff!
I have that Andalou mask in a sample size along with their toner gel, have you tried that one? I’m waiting to use up my current exfoliating mask and toner before opening those up, but I have read nothing but good reviews about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t tried the toner gel from Andalou. I bet it’s good too!
Maybe I use a lot of product per use, that’s why I use things up so fast? Who knows!
LikeLike
That Etude House mask sounds like gold! I’ll have to keep on the lookout for it here.
Ohh man, I still have to remember to look for the Cake Body Mousse…it sounds so delicious. I can’t believe it retails for $13 at Winners and $55 regular price…that’s crazy!
Yes, I can’t believe how expensive that Shiseido Revitalizing Essence is! I thought it was decent, but was not even close to liking it enough to buy it at full price.
OMG, the items you decided to rehome – I bet your girlfriends loved receiving those products from you, even though you didn’t like using them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was surprised how much I liked that Etude House sheet mask – sometimes I feel sheet masks are so interchangeable but this one really stepped it up. And it’s less than $2!
That stupid Shiseido essence – do you know how much I had built it up in my head? I thought it was like nectar from the gods. Then I put it on my face and was like OH. It’s nothing special and actually made my skin feel tight and dry a little. POOP on the marketing machines!
Yes my friends were happy! My friend was wanting to BUY that Becca Ombre Rouge palette and I had to stop her. I told her that I really didn’t care for it but she can have mine. She ended up loving it so YAY!
LikeLike
I love how you try such a variety of products. I don’t know companies try to come out with the weirdest mascara wand possible lol. I have no desire to try the new one, I would poke myself in the eye lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, it seems every company is trying to outdo each other (and themselves) with the craziest mascara wand as possible. I’ve learned my lesson now, I think. I always end up disliking them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha me too! Also it seems like drugstore brands come out with a lot of different mascaras.
LikeLike
Another impressive month for empties. I’ll never know how you can go through so many products. ANd I think it’s great that you were able to rehome a few products. Sugoi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YOU go through a high volume of products!
Next year you’ll see a lot more random decluttering from me – I’m going ti instate a one in, one out policy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only empty toiletries and the occasional skin care product. If I didn’t include toiletries in my empties posts, I’d have 2 to 5 empties tops.
I like the idea of a 1 in / 1 out policy – strike that – let’s call it the 1 in / 1 out lifestyle! I think I should do 1 in / 3 out. My husband suggested 1 in / 10 out for toiletries… I can’t blame him! 😀
LikeLike
Most favorite sheet mask ever? Strong words! Girl you are the queen of empties I swear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m serious! That sheet mask is amazeballs. I actually stocked on up a bunch of them because there was a sale on them for around $1 each. I’m just waiting for them to be shipped from Korea… 😛
LikeLike