I’ve been powering through skincare products and December was no exception! This past month I used up several beauty products, and today I’ll share my thoughts on them. If you’re new to “empties” posts, they feature a short overview of products that have been used up, as using up a full product can often provide a more informed review than trying it out once or twice.

The first empty I’ll mention is a product I’ve used for a while (I think this is my third bottle!): the  RoC Extra Comfort Cleansing Water. This micellar lotion is a great makeup remover and light cleanser for sensitive skin, though I don’t find it does a good job of removing waterproof eye makeup. While I used to use it as an all-over makeup remover, I now prefer to use a cleansing oil to remove my makeup in its entirety, as it seems to do a better job overall. (Read all about my love for the DHC Cleansing Oil here).

Since I have another bottle of the Roc Cleansing Water, I am using it in the morning to remove any eye makeup that still exists around my lower lashline before washing my face. It will also be a good spot treating makeup remover: when I do more dramatic eye makeup looks, I apply my eye makeup first and then use this product on a cotton round to wipe my face clean of any fall-out before proceeding with foundation.

Check it out on Amazon, eBay.

RoC Extra Comfort Cleansing Water

I also finished an eye makeup remover this past month: the Nivea Eye Makeup Remover. I actually picked this up when I was in Europe last fall (hence the French name on the bottle!) and began using it again after finding it in my skincare bin. It’s a nice product that breaks down eye makeup and leaves only a slight oily film on the skin. I don’t plan on repurchasing eye makeup remover for the short-term given my cleansing oil works well at night, and I can use a cleansing water or existing eye makeup remover (I have plenty!) in the morning for any remaining residue.

Amazon | eBay

Nivea Eye Makeup Remover

Now this is a product that lasts a while! I picked up the Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Smoothing Scrub in May and despite using it pretty frequently (2-4 times/week), it lasted until the end of Decemeber. I got this at Target upon reading its review on Beautypedia, as I was looking for a gentle scrub. While this left my skin feeling clean, the small amount of exfoliating “beads” made it feel more like a cleanser than a scrub, and didn’t really seem to exfoliate my skin. Nonetheless, it was easy to use given its pump top applicator and gentleness of the formula.

Amazon | Target

Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Smoothing Scrub

As I mentioned in my December Favourites, I’ve been loving the TreSemme Heat Tamer spray after using up this product: the La Coupe Shine & Smooth Straighten Out Flat Iron Spray. I got this product in a beauty swap with friends, and while it works pretty well (sprays an even mist of product on the hair, smells nice), it doesn’t quite measure up to the TreSemme product, which I imagine will be my go-to heat protectant..

No online links available – maybe discontinued.

La Coupe Shine & Smooth Straighten Out Flat Iron Spray

Lastly, I used up a foundation this month: the Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Foundation (my shade was #117). This is one of my favourite foundations of all time (check out my other favourites here!), but given my desire for more lightweight products recently, I doubt I’ll repurchase this any time soon. Nonetheless, I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a full-coverage foundation that photographs beautifully and comes in a wide shade range.

Sephora | Amazon | eBay

Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Foundation

What beauty products have you used up recently? Have you tried any of these?