The Primers
Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer Sample (£24.50) - This really wasn't much of a challenge as I only had a tiny bit of product left which I flew through. I did really like this primer but I haven't found myself reaching for the full size (pictured) once this was done. The stick form is convenient but after reading reviews I was always paranoid about it drying too quickly before I could get my foundation on. I'm not sure if it's worth a price tag of £24.50 (I got my full size much cheaper in a blog sale), but it definitely prolongs the wear of your make-up.
Caudalie Day Perfecting Fluid (£38) - This product just seemed to go on forrrrrrrr-ever. This was a post-moisturiser/pre-primer step as I didn't find it moisturising enough on its own. Essentially it was just a bit of extra SPF which I actually grew accustomed to having in my routine. I can't imagine a time when extra SPF would be a bad thing (minus days with flash photography - so, pretty much never). I managed to finish this up just in time and am kind of missing it. I doubt it'll be a repurchase any time soon though.
Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer (£8.99) - I did get through quite a bit of this tub, but it felt like a real chore to use this one. I didn't find that it was helping my makeup to last, or doing much at all really - I was just using it ... to use it. There's not much left so I'm not sure whether I'll keep going or not. There's so many drugstore primer options out there now and this wouldn't be my first (or second) choice.
Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer (£20.50) - This is another little tube that just wouldn't end. It never did quite enough to stop my eyeshadow from creasing so I would dot it under my eyes as a concealer primer(?) or over my other eyeshadows primers (it has a slight tint). It was definitely a step I did not need but I was committed to the challenge! I think there's still a bit left but I'm not getting rid of this until it's all gone!
Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner (£39) - This was honestly the primer that would never end. I used it every day and it just wouldn't finish! I'm sure there's still a little bit left in the tube but I just decided enough was enough. I don't suffer with large pores, so it's hard for me to judge pore-minimising primers but this gave me a nice smooth base. It contains (and smells of) tea tree so that's a selling point if you're interested! I won't be repurchasing, as now I need to tackle my full size of the Porefessional from Benefit... it could honestly last a lifetime at the rate I was going.
The Face Products
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (£3.99) - I'm pretty sure I gave up on this a few days into the challenge. It was just too smashed and too messy. This will be a repurchase at some point but probably not for a while.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (£5.99) - This was about my third tube I've finished up of this concealer so there's clearly something that's been drawing me back. The coverage and consistency of this pretty much makes up my ideal every day do-it-all concealer. It has about a medium coverage and isn't too thick. I already bought another in a slighter darker shade to use on my face rather than under my eyes. I'm trying out some other options right now, but I'm sure I'll go back to this in the future.
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19) - This is a go to for blemishes and I still have plenty of back-ups. I think I got through most of the product but it was definitely time to say goodbye - I've had it for way too long!
The Mascaras
I mentioned in my original post that I'm a harsh critic when it comes to mascara. I think these three were already on their way out when the challenge begun, but I still have a few thoughts to share.
L'Oreal Voluminous Extra Black Mascara (£7.65) - This mascara was always a bit of a surprise to me. I'm not sure what prompted me to purchase it as I could only ever find it in store in the very bottom right corner. I'd never seen anyone use it or read reviews but I actually grew to quite like. For a non-waterproof formula, it actually held a curl pretty damn well. It has a pretty standard brush which I liked (and kept) and it is extra black. I think this could very well be a repurchase in the future.
Benefit They're Real! Mascara Sample (£19.50) - This offering from Benefit kind of went the other way for me. I had high expectation but it never really wow-ed me. I found the brush pretty awkward too. The whole "ball at the end" got in the way - just not my thing.
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara (£23) - I'm sort of undecided on this one. I think I need to give the waterproof version a try as I like the brush and the formula, but it just didn't hold my curl. Watch this space.
The Creams
I thought I would struggle with this little section, but I seem to have triumphed - I'm so proud! As a neglecter of all things body moisturiser (I know it's bad), this was a serious achievement for me.
Whish Lavender Body Butter (£15) - I only really got one use out of this as it was pretty much already empty but I do love it. It has the perfect amount of lavender scent and sinks into the skin quickly - I couldn't ask for anything more.
Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser (£14.50) - I think I threw this away so I couldn't photograph it but it's on the original post. I've mentioned my mum's love for Liz Earle a couple of times and while it's all well and good (seriously, we never run out of anything LE), I find that if you don't use up this moisturiser it definitely expires. It starts to smell a little plastic-like and funky which I think thistub was on the verge off. I managed to finish it up just in time though, and I do like it but it's just not my favourite. I'll be using my mum's but I won't be hoarding any tubs for myself.
Vaseline Essential Moisture Lotion (£4.99) - I feel like this is what teenage Tina (speaking in third person makes me cool, right?) thought all moisturisers were like. It's just that bog standard, cheap drugstore moisturiser - it's quite liquid-y in texture and it does the job. It's nothing luxurious, it's smells pleasant and it won't cost you much. You can't really go wrong, but you can go bigger and better. If I were to repurchase, it would definitely be in the spray & go bottle.
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter (£13) - And finally, I have one more body product! The Satsuma body butter from The Body Shop smells so good. This scent hangs around for ages and I lurrve it. Again, I didn't have much left and it was only the small size but I'll definitely go back for more Body Shop body butters in the future - once I get through all the other different body butters I already have of course.
And we're done! This was definitely a mammoth post, so if you made it this far I salute you! I'm thinking about doing another one of these posts maybe an "Over by 2015" edition? Let me know if you'd be interested and get using up your products. I promise it's very satisfying ;)
Tina xx
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