Betablinx85: Trash Talk: April Empties

Well hello there….I've been such a busy bee lately that it's been a while since I've come at ya with an Empties post. It's nice to be back! I definitely have more empty products to share, but let's just ease on in with this selection ;)

Kicking it off with New York Color's Eyebrow Kit, a product that slipped through the cracks. I've had a couple of purges with the year's fresh start and this product somehow missed the memo. I've repurchased this kit several times over the years, but have struggled to get through this one because I actually found something that I enjoy more. I purchased mine in the shade Brunette which is the only shade I've ever seen be sold. Unfortunate, to say the least.

Though this eyebrow kit is great, the Elf Brow Kit (sold in 4 different shades) has swept me off my feet specifically because of its tinted pomade. I can essentially use the pomade on its own or pair it with the brow powder to really define and fill in a hurry.

If you're looking for an affordable brow kit with a clear wax to hold and shape your brows, I will say that the wax in the NYC kit is great for that. My favorite way to use it was before the powder, then follow up with a brow gel (or a little hairspray on a spoolie when in a pinch).

Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara was included at this deluxe sample size in a trial box I had purchased a while back. I actually really enjoyed this little guy. Beautiful volume and you can definitely build up the length as well. If you're looking for a nice mascara that just gets the job done, and well, this is one on a high end scale that won't break the bank in comparison to most high end mascaras. I'll definitely have to pick this up again at some point.

Soap & Glory has been my main pillar of body care for about a year now and I've really come to enjoy most of their products. The Greatest Scrub Of All face polish seems to be discontinued here in the U.S., which makes me kinda sad since I've really enjoyed using it.

I won't go into too much detail since it's not a product that's easily accessible, but the highlights were that it was gentle enough not to feel like my face was being grated and effective at really removing all impurities out of my pores. I found it really helped if I used it in the shower as a mini mask after working it in.

If you'd like to shop the brand's body care, Ulta.com is having some pretty good prices currently. I hope this doesn't mean they're being phased out again?!

Physicians Formula make some of my favorite highlighting products, and their Shimmer Stips are my absolute favorite! They have 6 shade varieties available and the one pictured below is in Sunset Strip which I'd suggest for tan to deep skin tones. Very similar affect to The Balm's Betty-Lou Manizer but for half the price. This product is obviously not completely used up, but it's definitely time to let it go since it's past due.

The Shimmer Strip collection have amazing color payoff, are shimmery without chunky glitter and can also be used as eye shadows wet or dry. I love how much control you have to customize your highlight using whichever combination of shades to fit your needs. The product lasts all day and, generally speaking, the color range is exceptionally beautiful on medium to deep skin tones. Lighter skin tones can use it over blush or stick to the top half portion for face.

Also, look into their blush varieties in the similar format. Equally as beautiful alone or as a blush topper. I, obviously, can't say enough good things!

Another mascara I went through was the Ck One Color Mascara, also no longer available. Yay….lol.

I was given this as a birthday perk from Ulta a whiiiile back and it just sat there at the back of a drawer for reasons I can't even begin to think up. I just never got around to it lol…so in the end, it was a decent mascara that had a really innovative rubberized wand that would change shape with a twist of the cap. It would go from a long, standard wand to a swirled one for length, volume and texture.

Mario Badescu is another brand that's really stood its ground in my routine this past year or so. This Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 17 was a gentle dose of sun protection, but I did notice that I would get oily much quicker when I used this product. Also, I think they need to revisit their packaging for this product because of how easily the flip-up nozzle would clog. I'd either get no product, or it'd spew out way too much. For these reasons, it's not something that I'd purchase again, but the actual product itself was nice to try from a trusted brand.

Another Mario Badescu product is a favorite of mine for when my skin needs intense, heavy duty moisture in the evenings. The Seaweed Nigh Cream has an interesting jelly/cream texture that leaves a really slick feel behind that locks in moisture and gets straight to work. Though I have oily skin, I often find that I have certain areas of my face that respond well to products like these.

If you have dry to normal skin and are looking for something new to try, this is your guy. It's truly amazing because the next day I'd wake up with plumper, healthier looking skin that'd make my makeup go on that much better.

If you're oily like me and want to try this product, just be sure to use it at night as directed. If you're acne prone too, use it on areas that don't feel irritated or that will be disturbed by not "breathing", if that makes any sense. I used this almost like you would a spot treatment mask for dryer/dull areas around my face.

Rimmel London is a brand I rarely try, simply because the handful of products I've tried haven't really impressed me, with the exception of a couple. I'm happy to report that this is one of them :) Their Exaggerate Full Color Lipliner in Red Diva is a gorgeous blue-toned red that's pigmented, creamy, and long lasting. *See a shade you like? Ulta.com currently has them on offer for buy one, get one 50% off!

They are easily accessible, have 13 shades available which is awesome, and are priced at $5.99 which isn't too bad. However, truth be told, I do prefer my beloved Jordana Easyliner For Lips at just $2.49. both due to price point and quality. For now, I'll probably pass on the Rimmel liners unless I see a specific shade I just need to have.

Also pictured below, together with the lip liner is the NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel (NYX is also buy one, get one 50% off on Ulta.com). YOU NEED THIS. Yes. Run out, get it, and then come back and read the rest of this post -- it's that good.

I have brows that like to grow downward and need a little help to keep lifted throughout the day, and this is the only drugstore brow gel that actually gets the job done, no questions asked. I'm aware that brow gel isn't the most exciting beauty product, but it's seriously life changing if you're in need of mega hold without the crunch factor.

The wand is fluffy and pretty standard, but the amount of product dispersed throughout is perfection. Not too wet, not too dry…just right.

The last two items are both Tony Moly face sheet masks from the 11 sheet kit I purchased on Amazon for an absolute steal. A single sheet mask from retailers like Ulta will set you back around $3.75 each and they're currently going for $11.45 for the 11 pack on Amazon. Be sure to buy from the link provided to snag that deal!

The two masks shown below are the Moisturizing variety with aloe vera and the Pore Care with red wine. Both are incredibly gentle yet affective. I've since tried a few more and the sheet masks are pretty consistent with their results, with minor twists unique to the mask benefits.

My favorite way to use them is when my skin feels irritated, dehydrated, or is looking particularly lackluster. Literally, after taking off the sheet mask my skin feels and looks so much better! The Moisturizing aloe mask is the one I'd suggest for anyone wanting to get the feel for what these masks can do while still being very sensitive to any of your skin's issues. I notice any active/irritated acne soothed and shrink in size the next day, if not immediately after using the mask. Pore Care was especially helpful in that department.

*(Tony Moly sheet face masks are also BOGO 1/2 off on Ulta.com)

We made it, Beauty Babes! Another month down :) Let me know if you have any questions or product suggestions. Have an awesome day and thanks for coming by!