Beauty Talk: Trash Talk

Beauty and skincare are things I've been interested in for a while now, but I don't talk about them all that much - and I decided that in 2016, I'm going to make an effort to change that!

I'm starting off with a post about products I've used up. I always find that empties are not necessarily about new, shiny, exciting products, but rather the things I find myself using every day and to the bitter end. Talking about the things I'm about to trash is a way of reviewing products I know well while figuring out if they're something I'll repurchase. So, let's talk a little trash!

I've struggled quite a bit with my skin in the past, so I'm always looking for ways to reduce scarring and even out my skin tone. That's why I picked up the Mario Badescu Brightening Kit. I was first introduced to the brand through their rosewater spray, and have tried a number of their products. I don't know how they do it, but there is not a single product that I've tried from the brand that my skin hasn't loved. I'm obsessed with their skincare as a whole, but I recently used up this small size (2 oz) of the Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion that came in the Brightening Kit.

To give you some idea of how I feel about it, I ordered the full size (8 oz) before I finished the smaller one, just so I wouldn't have to go without it. I use it at least once daily, twice if I'm being good about my skincare, and I love it. It's a product that doesn't seem to immediately do anything, but I notice a difference if I stop using it. It smells vaguely cinnamon-y and citrus-y, but isn't harsh or irritating to my skin (like most toners can be). I wanted something to help cleanse and brighten and this product does that without screwing with my skin or breaking the bank. I've already repurchased and would purchase it again.

 

Dry shampoo is one of those miracle products I don't know how I ever lived without. Bangs sticking to your forehead? Dry shampoo. Need a little extra texture or volume? Dry shampoo. Used too much product when styling? Dry shampoo. Trying to buy yourself time between washes? Dry shampoo. Basically, dry shampoo is the solution to all problems. 

You can spray it in, brush it out, and go, but since I have oily hair, I prefer to put it along my roots the night before, throw my hair up, and let it do it's thing while I catch some zzz's. Dove's has long been my favorite (even over the legendary Batiste) because it's inexpensive, the scent isn't overwhelming, and it just plain works. Repurchase? Are you kidding? I've basically got a small stockpile going so I never run out of this, ever.

NYX is a brand that cranks out consistently great products, so I'm always down for trying something new from them. For the past few months, I've been using the NYX Matte Finish setting spray, but now that I've used it up, I've got some mixed feelings about whether or not I'll be repurchasing it. I first picked it up after seeing YouTuber leighannsays recommend it, and like her, I've found it most effective when sprayed prior to the application of my foundation, rather than after. 

It's not a miracle worker, but as someone with combination skin and very little time for touch-ups, every little bit helps. I like that it works like a primer (without feeling like I'm wearing an additional layer) and prevents shine, but I don't know if it does enough for me to justify purchasing it again. I think I'm going to go a few weeks without it to see if I feel like it's something I really need.

That's all the trash I've got to talk about - don't forget to tell me what you're using up and what products I need to try next!