August Empties: The beauty bits that bit the dust this month.

August isn't quite through yet – thank FECK – but even so I've managed to get through a rake of beauty bits and bobs to date this month.

1. L'Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover
My mum and sister have stashed some stuff in my gaff to cut down on the amount of baggage they need to pack when they come to visit, and this was one of the skincare items they (foolishly, mwah hah hah) decided to leave behind on a recent visit. Since I wasn't especially happy with how my Emma Hardie balm was leaving half my eye make-up in place post-cleansing, I decided to give this oily dual-phase formula a literal and figurative shake.

I found that it gently yet thoroughly removed every trace of shadow, mascara, and long-lasting liner without irritating sensitive or tired eyes and without any pulling or tugging at the delicate skin of the orbital area. Very nice, and even if I didn't have to replace this bottle for the ma and the sister I'd likely still be repurchasing.

2. Batiste Dry Shampoo for Medium and Brunette Hair
I am so overdue a trip to the hairdresser that I think even the dog, who has definitely got notions above his station since he began frequenting a Vogue-approved groomers, has started to raise an eyebrow at the state of my roots. I still haven't found a go-to hairdresser and while I try to get up the nerve to visit yet another salon dry shampoo is my saviour.

This coloured version helps to disguise the line where my highlights end and my too-long roots begin. I nearly had a nervous episode when it ran out and I couldn't find my back-up travel sized can of regular Batiste.

Ok, so doesn't blend quite as well into my light brown hair, but it does the job in an emergency and it's still better than Boris sneering at me.

3. Double Wear Light in Intensity 1.0 and Intensity 2.0 (I mix them to get my perfect shade match)
My ultimate foundation. Double Wear Light does it all: offers great, surprisingly light-weight coverage without looking cakey, sets to a natural, semi-matte finish that can be powdered down for a more matte effect, lasts all day without oxidising, feels very comfortable on skin, doesn't cling to dry patches, doesn't clog pores, comes out well in photos...

Honestly, I'm blue in the face recommending it to people (since 2008. You can read my original review here.)

I've lost count of the NEW! AWESOME! BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE WITH INCREDIBLE MAGIC FORMULA! foundations I've tried since initially using this, but I'd conservatively put the figure at ten a year. And for my normal-to-combination skin with pigmentation issues and my love for make-up I can put on and then fuhgeddabout for the rest of the day, Double Wear Light still beats them all hands down.

4. Lancome Virtuose mascara
Yes, I mentioned last week that I'd run out of it (and recycled its wand to awesome-ify other mascaras.) And no, I haven't replaced it yet.

I'm trying to last without it until Thursday because then I can pick it up in the Duty Free.

I CAN DO THIS.

5. Zoya Remove +
This is my very favourite Holy Grail nail polish remover and makes easy work of removing absolutely everything – including glitters – while being kind to nails and prepping them for polish application. I bought a couple of bottles in the US and got hooked on the stuff before realising that it's basically impossible to come by this side of the world without paying ridiculous prices on eBay or Amazon.

As some properly jammy luck would have it, though, Himself is headed Stateside with work this week and yours truly is tagging along for the trip (hence the Duty Free, d'you see.) Talk about awesome timing.

Would it be completely mental of me to bring an empty bag just for nail polish remover..?

6. Morocconoil
As you can probably tell from the state of the bottle, I've had this for quite a while and I use it religiously after every wash. I've tried silicone-free alternatives, more expensive oils, cheaper versions, but my hair just loves this stuff.

I'm torn between a straight up repurchase or trying the Light version, because I'm wondering if it might be even more awesome than the original for my fine hair.

Anyones else having an August that's about to become bloody expensive because all their staples ran out at the one time?