Happy March everyone! It's been around a week and a half since I blogged about no buy makeup challenge, and I figured what better time to check in while I summarize my empties! I also wanted to put together a small budget update to give myself some lee-way while I do this challenge. I have already identified a few items that will need replenishing soon, and I wanted to run the numbers and see what I can do with any gift cards/Shoppers Drug Mart points that I already have in hand.
March Replenishment Budget
Through January and February, I only spent $63 on makeup primer, dry shampoo and some lash glue. Nothing crazy extravagant and I think that's a good basis for my replenishment budget. Therefore, I'm thinking maybe $25 a month for replenishments is probably MORE than enough for now. I know I need makeup wipes, eye-makeup remover and miceller water. That's ALL. As long as I don't go WILD with the brands I get, I could do these EASILY with that money and then some.
So let's get into the empties, I'm only going to feature the highlights & lowlights, so if there's anything you see here that I didn't review, leave a comment below!
February Empties
Schwarzkopf got2B Rocking It 4Ever Stylestay Encore Fresh Dry Shampoo - This has the longest name in the world, and it's honestly way too much because this is a pretty middle-of-the-road dry shampoo. The scent isn't bad, it's a bit fruity and citrusy, but I found this product left a LOT of gunk on my scalp. I only use dry shampoo ONE day in a row, never two, and it always felt like by the end of the day I'd been wearing he dry shampoo for TWO days. Not a great feel. It also didn't add a lot of volume either, often leaving my hair less greasy but just dry and flat.
Rebuy? No.
Garnier Clean Soothing Remover for Sensitive Skin - I thought I was completely beholden to Neutrogena's fragrance free makeup wipes. but this is actually not a bad one either! I snagged this because it was on sale and my Neutrogena ones weren't, and I was pleasantly surprised with them. They are gentle enough, but also remove any leftover makeup on my skin. I've been using cleansing balms and oils more lately, but these are still a godsend when you get home late and just want to remove and crash.
Rebuy? Yes!
Skinfix Ultra Rich Hand Cream - I am absolutely in love with this moisturizer. It's a thick, white cream moisturizer that has almost no scent, leaves the skin coated but not ultra-greasy, and was the only thing that kept me from shriveling up this winter. I also use their lip balm which is also amazing and can't wait to try more from this brand when I finish more products in my collection. Also? It's a drug store buy, whaaaaat. Sorry Kiehls! You've been replaced in my eyes.
Rebuy? Yes, yes, yes.
elf Makeup Mist & Set - Honestly, I got this because people kept insisting that it was a great dupe for high-end setting sprays and water like Smashbox and Urban Decay, and I can't say I agree. It doesn't help makeup 'stay' as long as those setting sprays, and the pump is really basic and doesn't release as fine a mist as Urban Decay All Nighter or Smashbox's Primer either.
Rebuy? No. For the price, it's ok, but it's REALLY not the same.
Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel - The way that people feel about Lush's Snow Fairy is the way I feel about Rose Jam. It just literally smells like a strawberry/rose jam, it's so juicy and fragrant and is an unbelievably great scent to wake up to in the morning. Love, love, love it.
Rebuy? Yes! If I ever finish my 5000 other shower gels that is...
Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin - I know Nivea got this release on lock last year when their post-shower skin moisturizer, but I AM IN LOVE WITH THE JERGENS VERSION. I get so so so so dry in the winter and this stuff left me feeling so smooth. You merely apply it after your shower and BEFORE you towel off, and boom, smooooth baby skin.
Rebuy? Definitely!
Laneige Water Bank Soothing Gel Mask - I was really excited to try this mask because I'm a big fan of Laneige's Water Sleeping Mask in gel form and use it a few times a week during the winter, but this sheet mask wasn't as great as it could be. I felt it dried up SUPER quickly, way faster than I was expecting, my skin had sopped it all up in maybe 20 minutes. I'd rather buy the Boscia hydrogel masks for only $2 more.
Rebuy? No.
Raspberry Roots Collagen Eye Patches - I bought these on a whim awhile ago, and I'm still not convinced the collagen ones do that much. I like the Sephora ones but these, like the Laneige mask, just seemed to dry up quickly and not really do anything.
Rebuy? No.
February Tosses
Amie Skincare Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturizer - I've been cleaning out my skincare products recently and I found another bottle of this moisturizer that I reviewed previously on the blog. I used it TWICE before remembering that I hated the smell, it was way too strong for me. Bye forever!
Rebuy? No.
Embellisseur De Teint No Dark Shadows - I'm not sure what happened here, I used to use this concealer quite frequently. I think it may have just gone bad because it's WAY darker and goopier than it was before. I tried using it under my eyes and it looked like I caked beige caulk on my face. This was never my favourite concealer but it did the trick, but now it's just not possible.
Rebuy? No.
Julep Beach Tonic Dry Body Oil - This stuff used to smell really amazing, like a coconut beach sunscreen but the BEST kind you want to rub all over your skin. But the pump is broken and I think it's gone bad. SIIIGH. I don't have a Julep subscription anymore so I don't think I'd ever rebuy it, but this stuff was so yummy.
Rebuy? no.
Physicians Formular Mineral Wear Cushion Foundation Light-Medium - I bought this because I LOVED L'Oreal's Lumi Cushion Foundation, but this one just wasn't as good quality as L'Oreal's. The colour was also not as good a match, and the overall finish was more oily.
Rebuy? No.
And that's it! I finished/tossed WAY more than 5 full-size items this month and I'm sure next month it won't be any different. I also have my lipstick and makeup declutter to look forward to in March so I may have to do a completely separate 'toss' post soon!
