#RivetEmpties Week - SKINCARE - August to December Empties!

Welcome to #RivetEmpties Week!

Day 1

If you have been following me on social media for the past year, you'll know that my last empties week was held in July of 2016, and was posted on Instagram under the hashtag #RivetEmpties (go have a look, the posts are still there!) And in previous times, I used to do empties as YouTube videos, when I still had the ability to sit in front of a camera and talk. These theme weeks come every four to six months, depending on when the box gets full, and how determined I am to use up products. This week showcases August through December. As it's a theme week that ties in with the turn of the calendar, there will be posts every day with a special New Year PURGE on Friday.

Being a beauty writer, I go through heaps of product to come up with content, and skincare is probably the big one I talk about, so where better to start than with all the stuff I stick on my face? It's actually REALLY hard using up product when I have to test so many to give my opinions, but somehow, I managed to get these babies fully used (or at least I found them in the cupboard, way past their prime). 

#RivetEmpties Skincare

 

During winter, most of my cleansers were balms or creams!

#RivetEmpties - Cleansers

 In alphabetical order by brand. 

Elemis

 Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm [Trial Size - Deluxe] - a spa experience in a tub, one of my favourite balm cleansers and the second one I have used. The downfall is that it's very expensive and I try a lot of products.

Repurchase? 

Maybe in the future.

Full Review

 Emma Hardie

 Moringa Cleansing Balm [Trial Size - Deluxe] - very similar to the Elemis balm, but doesn't emulsify as well. A gift from The Skincare Obsessive. I have another of the same size.

Repurchase? 

Maybe, if it really impresses me in round two.

GAIA Skin Naturals

 Foaming Cleanser [Travel Size] - a typical natural-type product, used it between October and December, when the weather started heating up and my skin needed a foaming cleanser.

Repurchase? 

No, I wasn't particularly fussed with the smell and have used cleansers better suited to my skin type.

Kate Somerville

Exfoli-Kate Cleanser [Trial Size - Sachet] - I received this in one of my Mecca Beauty Loop boxes, I would have thought it'd be suited better to oily skin, but it did well for me.

Repurchase?

 Maybe, I do like that it is exfoliating at the same time as cleansing.

SKINN by Dimitri James

Olive & Enzyme Cleanser [Full Size] - this has to be one of my favourite cleansers, ever. I'm pretty content with this being in my routine because it is gentle, non-drying, and it works as a masque too.

Repurchase?

I'm pretty sure I have another back up sitting in my cupboard!

Swisse Skincare

Micellar Makeup Remover [Full Size] - my favourite makeup remover got used up again. I actually have a backup open.

Repurchase?

Yes, when the smaller sized retail bottle is finished.

Full Review

Trilogy

Makeup Be Gone Cleansing Balm [Full Size] - I did like this, because it would remove makeup straight off and leave my skin feeling amazing, but it was more trouble than it was worth. It really needed to be wiped off with a piping hot towel, and it took forever for the hot water to come out of the tap. It came with a beautiful cotton cloth, though!

Repurchase?

No, it's just too fiddly.

Full Review

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Toners are back in fashion, in mist form.

#RivetEmpties - Toners & Mists

Enbacci

Vitis Vinifera Rejuvenating Essence [Trial Size - Deluxe] - this toner had witchhazel in it, so it was a tad too strong for me.
Repurchase?
No, but it would suit skin with good oil flow. 
Full Review

GAIA Skin Naturals
Refreshing Toner [Travel Size] - this traveled to Melbourne and the Blue Mountains with me.
Repurchase?
Maybe, I did really like it.

Swisse Skincare
Deep Sea Hydrating Mist Toner [Full Size] - this and Lush's Breath of Fresh Air are my two favourite mists. Salty and fresh.
Repurchase?
Definitely, but I have to finish Breath of Fresh Air first.
Full Review

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Dry skin means I go through so, so much moisturiser.

#RivetEmpties - Moisturisers & Sun Protection

Emma Hardie
Age Support Cream [Trial Size] - another gift from The Skincare Obsessive, this is a really thick cream that locks in everything.
Repurchase?
I have a backup which I'm more than happy to use!

Enbacci
Vitis Vinafera Rejuvinating Essential Creme [Trial Size] - an all rounder moisturiser that didn't quite live up to its hydration claims.
Repurchase?
No, it's better suited to a skin with more oil flow.
Full Review

Freeze Frame
Collagenesis Day & Night [Full Size] - a marine collagen based cream that smells nutty. I really wanted to review this, but I really couldn't think of anything more than "I loved this so much; it worked really well for keeping my skin moisturised and in amazing condition, but I can't say whether I had any glycation to begin with or not".
Repurchase?
Maybe, when I can spare $70 (or Priceline has a sale) - also pre-accepting gifts for my 30th birthday in 2018 *wink wink*

GAIA Skin Naturals
Facial Moisturiser [Travel Size] - this moisturiser went rancid because I had forgotten I opened it about 2 years ago, oops.
Repurchase?
No, I remember it burning and having a strong floral fragrance.

Mecca Cosmetica
To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen [Travel Size] - is this even a sunscreen? It doesn't feel like one? I don't know, but I love it.
Repurchase?
Already did, in a full size!

Nip+Fab
Kale Fix Moisturiser [Full Size] - I really saved this one for the colder months, I think I started it around May. Hydration central!
Repurchase?
Maybe, but it depends on the backlog.
Full Review

SugarBaby
Vita+Skin Creme De La Creme [Full Size] - I remember liking this cream and singing praise, but I also remember it needed an extra boost of oil, because my skin is that dry.
Repurchase?
Maybe, I need to try this in warmer months.
Full Review

Swisse Skincare
Natural Defence Moisturiser SPF15 [Full Size] - Swisse's first sun protection product. I really liked the scent and feel, but didn't like that it was only SPF15.
Repurchase?
No, SPF15 is not enough protection for me.
Full Review

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Something has to do the physical and chemical work.

#RivetEmpties Serums & Exfoliants

Formula 10.0.6
One Smooth Operator Pore Cleansing Face Scrub [Full Size] - what scrub?
Repurchase?
No.
Full Review

Hylamide
SubQ Anti-Age Advanced Serum [Full Size] - hyaluronic acid is hit or miss with me, depending on the weather, but this was great! The bonus was the buttered popcorn scent.
Repurchase?
Maybe, but I'd like to try the SubQ Eyes serum first.
Full Review

Juliette Armand
Elements 03 Cacao Peeling Cream [Trial Size - Sachet] - I've had this used in a [mini] facial treatment, and I was excited to have this little sachet to use at home. It is chocolately!
Repurchase?
No, I didn't feel it gave me enough of a scrub.

Juliette Armand
Elements 03 Hyaluronic Acid Serum [Trial Size] - I actually think this dehydrated my skin more, but that's only because I have no oil keeping it locked in. Also, the weather was quite dry when I used this.
Repurchase?
No, this didn't really work without leaving my skin feeling rather tight.

Klara Cosmetics
Reset Gel [Full Size] - this is one of those gels that balls up and takes dead skin with it.
Repurchase?
I have three minis!

SugarBaby
Vita+Skin High Potency Nutrient Complex [Full Size] - quite a hydrating and pleasant serum at a very small price point.
Repurchase?
Maybe, once I clear out the backlog.
Full Review

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That's *some* of the skincare down; notice I didn't include masks in this post. Masks and special treatments will be served up in the next post!

Have you gone through empties recently? Comment below, or tag @rivetlicker or #RivetEmpties on Instagram so I can see what you've got!

Items in this post may have been gifted or received as PR Samples, my opinions are my own.