Products I've Used Up

This week's product empties are a mix of makeup, skincare, and body products. Love it when there's a little of (almost) everything! Here's what I finished and a mini review for each, including whether I'll buy the product again. 

• Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender ($12.00) - I enjoyed using this facial spray in my skincare routine (right after cleaning, just before serums) and for a little pick-me-up throughout the day. The Lavender scent is light and lovely, and the nozzle delivers a nice, even spritz of product. This facial spray is not as hydrating as others I've used, and my skin often felt a little tight and dry after use. I'd be willing to try it again in the summer, when my skin is less parched and a little more forgiving. 
• Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub in Sweet Clementine (mini size not sold individually, $38 for full size) - this 2 oz treat was given to me as part of a Josie Maran gift set at Christmas, and I absolutely loved having this little luxury in my shower this winter. The balm is super hydrating and left my skin feeling soft and smooth. It rinsed off clean without leaving a residue on the skin, though I can't say the same for my tub which was extremely slippery after each use. The Sweet Clementine scent was bright and delicious - like an orange creamsicle.  I wouldn't buy the full size version because body scrubs just aren't where I choose to spend my beauty dollars, but I wouldn't mind receiving it as a gift again.
• DERMA-E Essentials Radiant Glow Face Oil ($19.99) - It took me just over a year to use up this face oil, and towards the end I was soooo ready to move on. I typically use oil on top of my evening moisturizer, or over extra dry spots during the day. The concoction is a mix of jojoba, argan and seabuckthorn oils and just wasn't very...elegant? Is that a really obnoxious way to phrase it? Probably, but I'm going with it. The oil blend was thick and heavy on the skin, and difficult to blend out. It didn't layer well under makeup and seemed to sit on top of my skin. I did enjoy using it as a cuticle oil, but  can't see myself repurchasing it just for that. 
• Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cream Soap ($12) - During the depths of winter despair (roughly November - February here in Minnesota), my skin was extra dry and sensitive. I ran out of the creamy cleanser I typically use and thought I'd give this old favorite a try again. As you can see from the half-full bottle, the cream soap just didn't quite do it for me. I needed something more hydrating as my second cleanse and this was not it. I did enjoy the scent - an "ocean breeze" kind of situation -as well as how smooth my skin felt after cleansing with the cream. I would give this another go in a different season. 
•  First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($17 for 28 pads) - I will absolutely buy these pads again because they're my favorite way to gently exfoliate. I use them on the nights that I skip my Vitamin A serum and always wake up the next morning looking a little brighter and happier. Love, recommend, already have a new tub. 
• Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation ($28) - I've used this loose powder foundation non-stop for well over two years now, and I don't see myself switching any time soon.  I never saw myself as a "loose foundation" kind of woman - my skin is dry and I really didn't think that would be a winning combo. And yet...it is. There's something special about this particular formula. It blends easily and layers seamlessly in areas that need more coverage (cheeks and nose for me). It wears nicely all day and doesn't break down in a way that's noticeable. I like the minimal ingredients, and the packaging is travel friendly thanks to a closeable sifter. The foundation comes in a pretty unbelievable shade range, and you can order sample sizes of several colors to find your perfect match (I'm Warm 2). I just opened a new jar and am working my way through it. Love, recommend, will continue to repurchase. (If you want to see me talk about this foundation, watch this clip from Twin Cities Live)
• Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade ($21) I didn't quite make it through this particular pot of brow pomade before it dried out because it no longer coordinates with my hair color. It's the shade Chocolate, which is too warm for me right now. I do have a different shade that I'm working through and I enjoy it. Dipbrow is not for the faint of brow - if you like something easy and natural, this ain't it. But if you like a strong brow and a product that gives you plenty of control for shaping and filling in, this might be for you. I sure do and will continue to use. 
• L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara ($9.99) - I'd heard a lot of very good things about this mascara before purchasing a tube - it's often compared to Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, if that means anything in particular to you - and I had high hopes that this would lengthen and amplify my lashes. I have pretty thick lashes to begin with, so I'm not sure what this does for anyone with a more sparse situation going on. I thought it was fine. The formula was very wet for the entire 2 months I used the mascara and the wand was packed with bristles, the combination of which led to a consistently gunky wand every time I pulled it from the tube. That got annoying, but wasn't a deal breaker. I liked the way the mascara performed - it did indeed give me nice additional volume and length, and the lashes stayed pretty perky all day. It wasn't amazing enough for me to rush out and repurchase, but it was fine.

There we have it - all the products I've used up over within the past week or so. Let me know in the comments if you've tried and have thoughts on any of these products, as well as what you've made it through recently.