If you went back two or three years and said to the me then, "Hey, in 2016 you'll be so over makeup", I would have laughed in your face. I was obsessed. While I still enjoy makeup, it has taken a massive backseat in my life. I find myself looking at new release upon new release and feeling overwhelmed. Instead of watching makeup collection videos and feeling envious, I feel suffocated imagining that amount of stuff in my life. Even the comparatively modest amount I do have leaves me feeling overwhelmed and like I'll never finish it all before I need to throw it out.

So naturally, the time I do spend with my makeup is now more concerned with finishing products and heavily researching new brands. I have been slowly attempting to find more cruelty free (and vegan) brands and products to spend my money on instead. It isn't easy, but thankfully I have enough products to get through that I can take my time learning more about ethical brands before having to purchase.

My wannabe ethical-minimalist spiel aside, let's talk about some products I am parting ways with - which I am repurchasing, which I'm leaving to one side, etc.

1. Diorskin Star Foundation, shade 22. I have had a rocky relationship with this foundation to put it politely. I wanted it, I tried it on and purchased it without really checking the shade in natural light (I know). Which really wasn't the smartest idea as I have had trouble with Dior products matching my skin tone time and time again, but what can I say? I'm easily swayed by their foundations. As I can't build this up too much without it looking clearly wrong on me, it was a nice medium coverage foundation that had a satin finish. It performed well, I found, and lasted throughout the day without becoming a complete mess. Which is pretty impressive as I haven't purchased a face primer in forever. But the shade match meant that I often found myself reaching for other foundations over it until I eventually reorganised my makeup to put my less worn and older products at the front and hide my frequently used or newer products. This helped me get to the last few pumps of foundation, so I'll be letting this bottle go soon enough.
Would I repurchase? No. The shade issues make this a difficult purchase to justify. I'm almost definitely between shades in Dior foundation and I'm afraid I don't have the disposable income to buy and mix two Dior foundations.

2. Nubar Nail Lacquer in Reclaim. I should probably not mention how long this has lingered in my nail polish collection. It has been there much longer than it should be, mostly because I loved holographic nail polish (still do, actually) for a long, long time and Nubar isn't exactly a brand that hangs out in my local beauty store. Naturally, I didn't want to let it go. It is a beautiful mid-green holographic polish that has actually lasted very well considering how long I've had it and that I haven't tried to preserve it in any manner. I just applied a coat now and it applied smoothly and evenly despite its age. However, it is best applied without a top or base coat which means that it isn't a very long lasting polish. It will chip and rather quickly.
Would I repurchase? Perhaps not in this shade, but I would definitely look into purchasing other shades by the brand.

3. Essence Studio Nails Better Than Gel Nails Top Sealer. That's a mouthful, but Essence do a lot of very good products at a low price point, so I picked it up. ... Sadly, this wasn't one of those products for me. I found it to take a long time to dry and sometimes, even hours after application, I was getting smudges. I will admit this seems to be something of a chronic problem with me and nail polish - either I smudge it because I am impatient or I actually let it dry for more than long enough and it just... doesn't. But surely there has to be something that works for me, right? This, however, isn't it. Sorry, Essence!
Would I repurchase? Unsurprisingly, no.

4. Laura Mercier (Mini) Caviar Eye Pencils in Rosegold, Sugar Frost, Pink Opal, Amethyst. I love eye crayons. They're portable and easy to wear. This set of four was a much lusted after Christmas set I caved on in the after Christmas sales. I had been wanting to try Laura Mercier products for a while and they seemed like a great introduction. And they were. While Sugar Frost and Pink Opal were a bit too frosty for my tastes (I liked them as an inner corner highlight, though), Rosegold and Amethyst became some of my favourite colours for a quick eye look. Unfortunately, I've noticed that they've become prone to creasing even over eye primer, and Rosegold actually snapped a while back so... it's time to say goodbye.
Would I repurchase? I would definitely consider purchasing a full sized Rosegold or Amethyst once I've downsized my eye makeup collection. The other two I would refrain from, simply because I don't think it would be worth the full-size price purely to use in the inner corner.

5. Balea Beauty Effect Tagescreme. Ahh, Balea. How I love you. Since moving to Germany I have become a full on convert for this DM Eigenmarke range, simply because of the amount of great products available at a really inexpensive price point. It's an excellent brand to cut your skincare teeth on or - for the high end addicts - to turn to if you're short on cash and running out of an expensive favourite. This is a very moisturising day cream with Hyaluronic acid and, as far as I can see, no SPF. (I could have sworn there was but the tub doesn't indicate that there is.) It does take a while to massage in, I've found, but once it's massaged in, it feels very moist. Actually, it might be a bit too much for my currently more normal skin type.
Would I repurchase? In future, if I had drier skin, I would certainly consider picking it up again. For now, I've purchased another moisturiser from the brand.

6. Chanel Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid SPF15. I have to admit, I'm still not sure what exactly this is supposed to be. Chanel don't call it a tinted moisturiser (well, they do state 'moisture and protection' on the back of the tube, so maybe they do?) nor a sheer foundation. It could be a primer, but I'm not entirely convinced that's what it is either. Regardless, I use it as a sheer base for those days where I just want to look a bit more glowy and 'done up' than my bare face, but I don't want to break out an actual foundation. And for that, I like it. It works well with a concealer and powder to create a natural look. My only gripes with this product are that it seems to break down on my skin more than my other bases (it isn't described as oil-controlling, though) and that I find the shade a touch too pink-toned for my skin.
Would I repurchase? Not right now, but I would keep it in mind if I needed a base like it in future.

7. Balea Pflegendes Geischtswasser. I feel like there's a lack of budget toners that don't go crazy on the alcohol, so the second I saw the Ohne Alkohol claim on this bottle, I had to get it. I wouldn't say it was a game changer - it isn't going to make your face flawless or anything - but it's not drying, inexpensive, and refreshing to use after cleansing, or exfoliating/clay masks. I enjoy reaching for it after using more intense skincare to soothe my skin as well as after my daily routine to make sure everything is completely clean.
Would I repurchase? I already have!

Have you used any of these products before? Did you agree with my thoughts on them or not?

Also, if you have any recommendations for ethical and cruelty free/vegan cosmetic brands, please let me know.