Empty Products- The December Edition

So I'm going to pretend that it isn't the 11th January and I'll pretend that it is still blog-acceptable to post my empties from December 11 days late! Any other month I'm sure it wouldn't feel so weird but with Christmas and New Years already feeling like a million years ago I feel odd publishing this so late. However I am a creature of habit and the thought of not posting this was going to make me feel all unbalanced and strange so I am posting it anyway. So here you are, my selfish empties post! Enjoy!

Estee Lauder DoubleWear Foundation- I told you all here about how sad I was that my shade was being discontinued and the new 'pale' shades were no where near a suitable replacement. Anyway, this has definitely run out, it lasted me quite a long time as you only need to use the smallest amount for a good medium coverage finish. Read reviews here and here.
Will I buy this again?
I've got one bottle stashed away in my discontinued shade, but to be honest I have gone off this foundation a bit anyway so I am not too heartbroken I won't be able to buy 'Shell' anymore.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer 'Fair'- I have a couple of tubes of this knocking around, one in my bedroom and one in my handbag. I think it is a good concealer at a good price- I find it blends well, has fairly good staying power (not sure about the 15hr claims) and good coverage. All factors you would want in a concealer!
Will I buy this again?
Yes.

LUSH 'Twilight' Shower Gel- I bought a mini bottle of this to try out, I ended up loving it. It's packed full of lavendar and malt so will soothe the senses and the skin. I have been working a lot of night shifts recently, so having a shower with this before bed helped me unwind and get to sleep. I had to go and buy the 250ml bottle as soon as it ran out, such a shame this was limited edition for christmas :-(
Will I buy this again?
Already have!

LUSH 'Snow Fairy'- This certainly isn't my favurite yet I feel compelled to buy it every year. Snow Fairy is so sweet and sugary, great in the mornings but one I have to alternate- I can't handle it every shower!
Will U buy this again?
No, until next year...

Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturiser - I used this sporadically and then gave it to Ben  to finish because he loves Kiehls. The several different parabens on the ingredients list were fairly high up too and it put me off. In consistency it's a light lotion, yet it never fully absorbed into my skin- I was left with an ultra shiny face for hours after applying this and it left a residue behind. Bens skin on the other hand, soaked it up immediately. It's not one for me.
Will I buy this?
No.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish- I've always got one of these on the go even if I am using or trialling another cleanser, I love how creamy and trustworthy it is!
Will I buy this again?
Yes.

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Purifying Ceansing Wash- A cleanser that after my first use I really wasn't sure about has become a new favourite. What is even more great about it is that it costs only £7.99, the quaity of this range of skincare is fantastic for the price you pay. This has really helped clean my blocked pores and balance my skin. Would recommend if you have oily or combination skin or suffer from breakouts.
Will I buy this again?
Already have!

Yves Saint Laurent 'Shocking' Mascara- I like this jet black formula and the fibruous wand does hold onto lashes. This is definitely a mascara for building bold volume, not for natural lash lovers. I sort of preferred it when it was drying out a bit as it made my lashes look delicate and feathery. Not fantastic at securing a curl, but my eyelashes are notoriously straight.
Will I buy this again?
I'm not sure.

The Body Shop Banana Conditioner- I did really like this conditioner, it made my hair feel really silky soft used in conjunction with the Banana Shampoo. I can't find an ingredients list on the bottle so it is hard to know how natural this product really is however I always have huge respect for The Body Shop not testing on animals and using recycled plastic for their packaging. Since I've been using a different conditioner I have realised how good this one is.
Will I buy this again?
Yes.

Estee Lauder Gentle Eye Makeup Remover- This was very effective and gentle, it didn't really disturb my senstivie eyes and removed eye makeup really well. It's oil free which is wonderful because there isn't an oily residue left behind that so many eye makeup removers do. It was lightweight and the 100ml bottle lasted me nearly 2 months used daily.
I'm not sure I would pay full price for this, £19 sounds too steep for an eye makeup remover in my opinion.
Will I buy this again?
I would if it wasn't so expensive as I love that it is oil free.

Batiste Dry Shampoo- I always buy the Cherry scent because I think it is the best of a bad bunch. This works like a dream, it's so reliable and I always repurchase (and it's always in my empties posts!)
Will I buy this again?
Already have.

As always, link me to your empties posts and let me know what you think of any of these products!

Super Facialist by Una Brennan.

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Purifying Cleansing Wash, £7.99 for 150ml.
Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Mattifying Moisturiser, £12.99 for 75ml.

I have a combination skin type- my skin is fairly normal but with an oily t-zone with blocked and enlarged pores on my nose and a little on my cheeks. I am prone to the odd blemish and my skin sometimes feels a little sensitive. I saw that Pampered Prince had reviewed a few products from the Una Brennan Super Facialist range, he seems to have a similar skin type to myself and while I had seen the range in Boots I hadn't taken much notice, I made a mental note to look at them in more detail next time I was there. In the same week Jess from Spoiltface recommended I try some products with salicylic acid in as it is effective at clearing pores and maintaining fresh looking skin. On closer inspection I noticed there was salicylic acid in the Super Facialist Tea Flower range. Perfect, I thought, I'll defnitely give these products a go...

Purifying Cleansing Wash:
My love for this cleanser has grown slowly. When I first used it, it seemed so thorough that I was worried it would be too harsh. My skin went red and was squeaky it was so clean! I perservered and saw results within the week, after using it twice a day the squeakiness and redness stopped happening. Applied to a dry face and thoroughly massaged in, it really has cleared out my pores a great amount. Not completely, but significantly. My skin has developed less spots than usual despite me leading a hectic and unhealthy lifestyle the past few weeks. The cleanser is a clear gel that foams up and I find that removing it with a hot cloth or flannel keeps my skin looking fresh. It removes any excess makeup gently, too. I have already bought a new one.


Mattifying Moisturiser:
I loved this moisturiser from first use. I was wary of a moisturiser that claimed to be mattifying but it is one I have fallen for and really enjoy using. It's a fairly light lotion that absorbs into my skin so quickly in comparison to other moisturisers that can feel like they are sitting on my skin for an absolute age before they soak in, and it doesn't leave a residue behind either. Similarly to the cleanser it contains salicylic acid, my skin has become more controlled, it feels more balanced and as said above, I have been a bit less spotty. Despite how light it seems, it is enough nourishment and hydration for my skin, I have experienced absolutely no dryness this winter. It creates a lovely smooth base for my makeup to go on top of and I have been known to apply two layers of it because I love it so much (and probably because I am deceived by it's mattifying properties). I have been using this as my day cream and the only negative I can give this is that it doesn't contain SPF.

Overall I have been really impressed by both products, they're fantastic value for money and great if you are on a budget and/or suffering from oily skin, breakouts or blocked pores. They're also SLS and paraben free.
You can buy this range from Boots, I got mine on a 1/3 off and I know they have recently been half price on the website so keep an eyeout for any other offers.

P.S. I hope all of you had a fantastic christmas and got some lovely presents and quality family time. We had a relaxed day, I cooked an EPIC roast dinner (8 different veg dishes!) and we drank Baileys all day. Ben spoiled me rotten with a new camera and some beauty bits that he must have read off my 'Wish List' tab!

Unless the product is tester sized, I don't review skincare until I have been using it for a month. I feel this gives me enough time for me to develop an honest opinion and to showcase any noticeable results.