empties #8

So it's out with the old and in with the new, and this past few days I've been hit with the spring cleaning bug so I simply must get this post up as soon as possible to allow me to chuck out all my empty bottles of lotions and potions. Plus I started off last year with my very first empties post so it's nice to turn it into some sort of tradition, right?

I don't usually mention deodorant as in my eyes it's a fairly mundane product, but I have to make an exception for the Dove Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant Deodorant as it really is... exceptional, I guess. I always use cream deodorants (roll-ons are too sticky and I can't take aerosols with me on planes - I've been travelling a lot lately), and the bold claims and - not gonna lie - the high price tag intrigued me and I'm impressed. It isn't something I use daily as I feel that not allowing my skin to breathe 24/7 can't be good so I alternate between this and another deodorant, but for when I'm doing any sort of physical activity or am going to have a particularly long day I reach for this as it keeps my underarms completely dry.

Repurchase? Yup.

Lip balms are a product that I have at least two of on the go at the same time, and I've reached the end of the two that I'd been using daily. I didn't enjoy the Balance Me Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve at all as I found that it left a film on top of my lips that ended up gathering around the edges of my lips (not attractive!), and I just used Carmex for the SPF but I don't rate it as a lip balm - my lips get addicted to it to the point where I have to keep reapplying.

Repurchase? Nah.

The Weleda One-Step Cleanser & Toner (review here) and the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil (review here) are both firm skincare favourites of mine, and I've already repurchased the cleansing oil as it's just that great at taking my makeup off instantly. I prefer using the Weleda cleanser in the morning, or in the evening on days when I haven't worn makeup as it's very gentle but still leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean. It stings something wicked if it gets into your eyes though.

Repurchase? Yes and I already have!

Another cleanser here, and it's Superdrug's Own Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser. I bought this to see how it compares to the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, and although it takes off makeup just as well I don't think it had the same effect on my skin in terms of preventing breakouts as the Cleanse & Polish.

Repurchase? Not at the moment as I've gone off hot cloth cleansers, plus I've heard that Superdrug's Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser is marginally better.

Of course there's a few average products in the mix, and this time around I've used up two body lotions - one is the Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Butter, which was nice enough and smelled like oranges, but the price is way too high. The same goes for the Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Nourishing Body Lotion, except I didn't like the scent nearly as much. Other products that didn't impress me were the Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Soap (it smelled like bathroom cleaning products and had exfoliating bits in it) and the REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream (average).

Repurchase? No to all.