If you’re like me you have a supply of beauty products to use up. I seem to have collected face washes, moisturizers and other products in the recent past and I tend to use random ones – whatever is right there to use. However, I told myself that I would start to use things more consistently so that I can use items up so that lead to this post.

Some of these products I may have talked about in the past, however, I may have a different opinion on them now since I used the product up.

1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel – $5.99 and up: This face wash leaves my skin feeling soft and cleansed. Not over-cleansed or stripped like a lot of face washes do. Just the right amount of cleansing and skin balancing that I like. I had the trial size of it and can’t remember when I got it from but I would definitely purchase the full size.
2. Olhenriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator – $36.00: This brand never disappoints. I have used several of items from their oil control line and have been pleasantly surprised. This line is said to control oil, mattify, reduce the look of pores, does not strip the skin and is noncomedogenic. This hydrator makes my skin feel soft and supple. It also keeps the greasies away for most of the day. I absolutely love the scent. It reminds me a spa so I feel like I am treating myself every time that I use it. I purchased this as part of their Balance it All Travel Kit which included their Balancing Force Oil Control Toner and Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser. I am really thinking about purchasing the full size set in the future.
3. Garnier Clearly Brighter Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser – $7.99: Though this cleanser left my skin feeling clean, I did not think it was as gentle as it claims. The little beads (which I’m assuming are pieces of the argan nuts) are a bit rough on the skin. The actual gel part, however, got my skin cleansed and feeling good. As far as brightening, I do feel it helped to brighten my skin a bit. It wasn’t glowing but it did the job. I hate to throw products out and didn’t have anyone to pass this on to so I decided to use it up – which it felt like took forever, lol. I believe this was gifted to me by my sister and I would not purchase this again.
4. Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Polishing Micro-Exfoiliating Truffle Face Gommage – $26.00: This was gifted to me by my sister and she used most of the product but there was enough in it for me to get several uses out of it. This was the 1oz tube so I’m assuming it is a trial/small size as it comes in 5oz tube as well. One thing I love about this is the smell – yummy and almondy. It has apricot kernels, truffle extract and almond oil in it. I like that it was exfoliating without being too rough on the skin. My skin soaked it right up and felt soft and supple even after the first use. It says to use 2-3 times a week so that is what I did (while using my other face cleanser on off days). I do think it softened up my skin and helped with some of the strange dry patches I’ve been having lately.

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in 1995: This was the first color that I tried and it was the perfect nude (for me). It glided on smoothly and after it “dried” my lips felt soft to the touch. As far as wear it lasted for most of the day without cracking or smudging – even after I ate some food and sipped out of a straw. I can see why this is one of their top sellers – I think it would look great on many different skin tones.

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Wine Down: This color is a delicious wine colored liquid lipstick.

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Groupie: If you like to shake things up a bit you would love this color. It is maroon with just the right amount of sparkle in it.

I also purchased Gerard Cosmetics Buttercream Lip Scrub. The company states that it can remove matte lipstick as well – I didn’t try it as I didn’t want to use up some of the product doing that.

I would absolutely purchase more colors of their Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick as I love the formula so much. What’s great about Gerard Cosmetics is that they are always having some sort of sale so check back with them to see when your favorites are on sale.

Shop Gerard Cosmetics