Beauty Products Emptied in October 2016 + Link-up

In October, my skincare routine has been more regular and diligent than it was in September. I have been going through a multi-step routine for the face every morning and evening, including double cleansing on most evenings, and have moisturised all over twice daily. I've used AHA/BHA acids and Vitamin C almost every day. See here for my 10-step skincare routine.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in October 2016, and my quick thoughts on each.

Makeup samples

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

Sheer to light coverage; dewy finish. Turns greasy on me very quickly, but remember, my face is oily enough to spark off World War III once countries realise just how much.
Repurchase? I much prefer the Magic Foundation, reviewed here, because it is full coverage.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

I already have a full sized tube of this. While this has decent coverage for a CC cream, my skin is too flawed to be able to skip proper foundation. 
Repurchase? I have a full tube. I don't think I'll buy once I run out, though.

Face care products

Nuxe Creme Fraiche Face Mask

Of late, I prefer non-drying, hydrating or nourishing face masks. This is an excellent choice, and I use it once a week.
Repurchase? Have two full-sized tubes. 

Dear by Enprani Believe in a Bottle Moistfull Booskin Toner

A hydrating toner MUST be lightweight, like my beloved Thayer's. This one was viscous, like craft glue. Ugh! I used it up on my neck over a year or so! 
Repurchase? Thanks, but I have plenty of QuickFix.

OST 21.5 Enhancing Sheet Mask

Until now, you've never heard me wax eloquent about a sheet mask. Until now.
Repurchase? Always and forever! HOLY GRAIL. Best sheet mask ever. 

Dr Color Effect Red Serum sample

It is not red. Hahaha. It was clear. I don't know what it did, TBH.
Repurchase? *Stares meaningfully. 

Mizon Collagen Firming Eye Cream

I prefer this to the snail eye cream - this one is more hydrating. And did I mention it is just $5?
Repurchase? At that price? Yessir! 

Spa Water 24 Hours Moisturising Refreshing Mist

A general face mist. IMO, this one was just plain water. It performed felt, looked, smelled and tasted (accident, I swear) just like plain water. They could have at least added a bit of an essential oil, or hyaluronic acid, or something.
Repurchase? Plenty of it available from the tap, and I have a spray bottle. 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

This is an ideal starting point for chemical exfoliation. I moved to higher, stronger doses, so I crawled my way through these. 
Repurchase? I've graduated to stronger acid. 

Milky Piggy Red White Vita-Serum

My first Vitamin C serum. To be honest, this wasn't an empty, but I moved on to another brand, forgot all about this until it oxidised, and just threw away the brown concoction.
Repurchase? No. OST is SO much better. 

TheFaceShop Rice Ceramide Moisture Emulsion

Ah, ceramides. Found naturally on the outer layer of the epidermis. These molecules provide what you might call the "moisture barrier", preventing water loss from the skin. I use ceramide products as occlusive final-steps in my routine, to lock in all the moisture and nourishment. 
Repurchase? Have another one to go, but I'll always have ceramide products in my life. 

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil

I wasn't expecting to love this - the Pure Truth Serum isn't exactly HG for me. But this was a beautiful oil - lightweight, luxuriously nourishing, hydrating, non-greasy.
Repurchase? Have a couple of bottles of facial oil left to go through first. 

Allies of Skin Overnight Mask and All Day Mask samples

I have one more set of these - the overnight mask sample is good for two uses. And it is a wonder product, a face eraser that reveals better skin in the morning. I haven't loved an overnight resurfacer so much in ages. Think of it as an even more pampering, nourishing version of Alpha-H Liquid Gold.
Repurchase? YES! I cannot do without the Overnight Mask in particular.

Bath & Body Products

Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face Wash

A beautiful morning cleanse and second cleanse. Lightweight, gel formula. Works a treat on acne-prone skin.
Repurchase? Already have. Alpha-H, Dr Dennis Gross and Sunday Riley, and Mizon and CosRx, have become my favourite skincare brands over the last year.

Korres Citrus Little Body Milk

I love citrus-y body lotions, especially for use in the mornings. This wasn't very special. Took time to be absorbed.
Repurchase? No; there are better options out there.

Yardley Lavender Spa Body Lotion

Last year, Yardley celebrated their 245th anniversary (WOW, a beauty company that has survived from 1770!) with an exclusive lavender tin - I queued up in the local supermarket and got a dozen of the tins. Sadly, it does not feature an image of the iconic lavender seller girl on Bond Street.
This was one of the products I got while queuing. Good, lightweight lotion, mild fragrance. Nice job.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Balance Me Revitalising Hand and Body Wash

I have had issues with Balance Me's use of fragrances and essential oils in their serum for congested skin, so I was worried about trying this out. It was one of the products I loved this month.
Repurchase? Not now; too many shower gels to use up. 

Mizon Olive Cocoa Butter Foot Cream

Mizon and CosRx have become my favourite Korean skincare brands over this year. Both have products that work; both are affordable; neither causes breakouts for me. This was a lush foot cream for dry weather.
Repurchase? Why not? It's just $6.

Hair care products

Ouai Treatment Masque

Any rich, nourishing mask for my dry hair is a winner in my book. This one is no exception. I only wish it came in larger packets.
Repurchase? Will do shortly.

Matrix Biolage Fiberstrong Conditioner

Matrix conditioners make good CO-washes. However, ever since I donated my hair, I've gone back to shampoo and condish, and find my hair is actually healthier than it was over the last three CO-washed years. I'm leaning towards slightly thicker condishes now, as a result.
Repurchase? No. 

TIGI Bed Head Urban Anti+Dotes Recovery Conditioner

TIGI products always, always work for me, from the time I first tried the brand as a squeaky undergrad.
Repurchase? I always have a couple of TIGI products on my haircare shelf.

UniqOne All-in-One Coconut Hair Treatment

Not the first time I've tried this spray - I got it in a Glam Guru box before. This one is from LookFantastic. The problem is, they've changed the formula, I think. It still smells deliciously coconut-y. However, it is a LOT thicker than before. I preferred the runnier version.
Repurchase? No, despite the coconut. 

I've got another bunch of Holiday 2016 posts coming up, so do stay tuned. And, my LookFantastic Advent Calendar is on its way - I'm super excited, now that I know it contains... oh, go look at spoilers here! And, check out this week's best beauty posts here.

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What did you use up in October? If you have done an empties post for October, or plan on posting one before November 10, please link it here! Grab the code here to show this linky on your blog.

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