EMPTIES | December 2013: Part 1 (Skincare Edition)

So it's time for another empties! I've been trying to use up some of my products to make room for some new ones. These are a combination of skincare products and some makeup products that I've used up!

I got a sample bag from Sephora last year and some of these products were really awesome! I haven't used the Algenist Alguronic Acid yet.

The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Original Formula Alpha Beta Daily Facial Peel* was so-so. I tried two packets so I didn't notice any major results. This might be one of those products that require a bit of time to see a difference. I experienced minor stinging the first time I used this but the second use didn't hurt as much,
Bottom Line: It feels kind of wasteful. The jar packaging isn't ideal either as the pre-moistened pads might dry out over time, negating any positive benefits. I will not be repurchasing.

The Amore Pacific Future Response Age Defense Creme* is a luxury face cream. It had a nice scent and really moisturized my skin. I woke up with nice and plump looking skin. It is on the thicker side but it soaked in very well. I will not be purchasing the full size not because I don't like it (because I did) but because I feel that my skin does not need it yet and the price tag is also quite hefty You can buy it on the Amore Pacific US site here or on Sephora.
Bottom Line: I will purchase the full size sometime in the far, far future when my skin will benefit more.

I tried the Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 PA++*. I was really excited to try this product because it has SPF which is good for protecting the delicate eye area.  However, it just stung my eyes really badly when it got in there. I was taking my driving lessons when this was happening and my eyes were watering so badly. If you would still like to try it out, you can find it on Ulta, Murad, or Sephora. I'm looking into the one by Ole Henriksen, which is also cheaper.
Bottom Line:  I will not be purchasing the full size.

The Ole Henriksen Truth Is In The Eyes™ Vitamin C Peel Concentrate* is kind of like an exfoliator for the eye area. It is designed to improve the look of dark circles and fine lines. I didn't notice a difference in my eyes but I don't really suffer from these problems. My eye area was more moisturized-looking which is great. When I got some in my eyes by accident, it didn't sting my eyes. I used it for two weeks. You can find it here on Sephora or here on Ole Henriksen. 
Bottom Line: I will not be purchasing the full size.


The Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Gel* delivers immediate radiance, making tired eyes look bright, rested, and revitalized. It contains oxygen, caffeine, and Vitamin C to wake up tired and puffy eyes. This product just didn't work for me. It didn't soak into my skin and just sat there, making it hard to apply makeup over it. I didn't notice any difference on my eyes; they didn't look less tired or any brighter than normal. I used it for two weeks and didn't see any difference. 
Bottom Line: I will not be purchasing the full size.

The Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial* is a hybrid between night cream and facial mask. It contains the contains the Korres Phos Compound, a proprietary blend including a brightening agent and stabilized vitamin C. It helps with uneven tone, premature aging and dark spots. The Sleeping Facial claims to improve skin's brightness, tone, and radiance within 14 days. I used it for a week and didn't really notice much change. My skin just felt really sticky and greasy after application. When I woke up, my face was greasy and shiny. Washing it off, my skin felt a bit softer. I did not like the heavy, musky rose scent. After application and a two hours later, I could still smell it. If you would like to try it out, you can find it on Sephora or Korres. 
Bottom Line: I would not purchase the full size.

The Nude Skincare ProGenius Treatment Oil* was amazing. My skin was feeling really dry and tight from all the crazy things I had been trying out. A few drops of this at nighttime left my face looking fresh and radiant the next morning! I usually wake up with a greasy film from every other moisturizer, night cream, etc, that I apply but this left my face looking really nice and moisturized. It did have a weird scent to it but it wasn't something that lingered. The price tag is kind of hefty, which is the only con I have with this product. You can find it here.
Bottom Line: I would purchase the full size.

The Caudalie Vineperfect Firming Serum* helps skin regain its firmness and elasticity, while visibly diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. It also combats the effects of glycation, soften the signs of aging while supporting natural collagen and elastin production. This formula also uses a cutting-edge patent that visibly contours the cheekbones with anti-gravity peptides and Argan proteins. I didn't use it long enough to notice a difference in my skin. My skin isn't the most troubled skin either with just minor breakouts, clogged pores and hyperpigmentation scars. It felt very nice and luxurious going on the skin and had a nice scent.
Bottom Line: I will not be purchasing the full size. 

The Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector* helps with wrinkles, pores, and redness. I found that it definitely delivered on pore reduction for me. Within a week, I saw them visibly smaller. Nothing I try now works like the Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector for me. I didn't really notice much redness reduction but my skin isn't plagued by redness. I don't have any wrinkles so I can't speak for how well it works on that. 
Bottom Line: I would consider purchasing the full size.

The Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser* has to be one of my favorite cleansers ever! It comes out a murky gray and when you rub your face with it, the product heats up.  It refines skin texture, brightens skin clarity, and minimizes the look of pores over time. I definitely noticed that my skin looked a lot better and felt clean without being tight or dry. I love this cleanser!
Bottom Line: I will be buying the full size after I finish some of my other cleansers that I have! ♡

The Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment* is just divine! It comes out in the Hulk green slime texture with a smell that reminds me of these Asian pickled plums candies (which I fortunately love to eat!). It is a dual action type of exfoliator with fruit enzymes doing most of the work. You apply a tiny amount of product, gently apply it onto your skin in circular motions for about 30 seconds and rinse off. After rinsing, I felt like my skin was the softest and smoothest ever! I woke up the next day with radiant looking skin. The only thing that puts me off is the price tag but I think I'd deal with that for how awesome my skin looked!
Bottom Line: I will be buying the full size once I finish up my current exfoliator--which is soon!

I received a sample of this Tarte Maracuja C-brighter Eye Treatment* with the purchase of some concealer set. I really, really love this eye cream! It was the first one I had ever used and it left my eyes so nicely hydrated without being greasy. It made my eyes look plump and bright. I definitely love using tarte products for their amazing quality and this did not disappoint!
Bottom Line: I would purchase the full size!

So that's all for this post! I hope you found it informative. Keep in mind that I didn't have the full-sized products to fully test them out, so it's somewhere in between a first impression and a review :) I'll see y'all in my next post and Happy Thanksgiving!

XOXO,

MWAH ♡

 •´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°

Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were either given to me as a sample or gift with purchase or given to me by my friends and family.