This is my first post here of empties from the last few months! I have a skincare stockpile that I’m making my way through so you’ll see a lot of references to that 😅 That includes an excessive number of sample products I’m trying to use up, especially while traveling, though it’s taking a while especially with the skincare since I don’t want to switch up too many things in my routine at once… I got in trouble with that last year and had to work on repairing my skin barrier for a while.
PS: The list below is grouped by product type, so it doesn’t match the grouping in the photos… hope that’s ok.
*MAKEUP*
CALIRAY COME HELL OR HIGH WATER MASCARA (mini) – I went into Sephora planning to buy the Tower 28 mascara which all the YouTubers were raving about, but they were sold out and the BA told me she actually liked this one better. I LOVE IT SO MUCH! It never smudges onto my brow bone or lower lash line (my typical problems) and very rarely flakes on me (really only if I’m not thinking and rub my eyes). The tubing formula is also very easy to remove and doesn’t create those stringy “snakes” like some other mascaras I hate (looking at you, Lancôme Monsieur big and UD lash freak). The mini lasted me about 5 months, though I’ve gone through its replacement (purchased in September) a little quicker and am almost finished with it.
ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR FOUNDATION – One of my staple products, already had a backup ready. I have combination skin so depending on how that’s acting I often need some extra hydration on my dry cheeks/chin, but this foundation has great coverage while feeling lightweight and lasts all day. I’m a heathen and use my fingers to dab it from the bottle and spread on my face, then finish with a brush or sponge.
LAURA MERCIER CAVIAR VOLUME MASCARA (mini) – This makes your lashes look really good BUT like most mascaras it smudged on my oily lids. Would not repurchase for that reason, but have no problem recommending this to people who don’t have that issue. The wand has an interesting twister shape which worked well with my method of spinning while applying to help the lashes curl.
ONE SIZE SETTING POWDER (mini) – Loved this for a matte look, and it made a noticeable difference in blurring pores. I haven’t repurchased because I’m trying to use up the Kosas powder and some other minis in my stockpile, but might in the future.
*SKINCARE*
DRUNK ELEPHANT PROTINI POLYPEPTIDE CREAM (sample) – This was fine, but did slightly sting on my dry skin. Didn’t cause any issues but that’s all I really have to say about it… used it at night.
GLOW RECIPE PLUM PLUMP HYALURONIC ACID SERUM (sample) – I liked this for an extra layer of hydration under my ELDW and it did make my skin feel plump and bouncy. I want to repurchase sometime but I’m holding off while I’m trying to get through my other skincare products.
GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON DEW DROPS (sample) – I used this as an extra layer of hydration on the flaky skin around my nose (based on recommendation by Rose and Ben on Instagram). It was fine, but I don’t know if I’d repurchase… Right now I’m using the good molecules niacinamide serum and I haven’t noticed a difference.
LANCÔME UV EXPERT AQUAGEL DEFENSE SPF50 PRIMER – I like using combination moisturizer / sunscreen products because I’m lazy and don’t spend long getting ready in the morning. This one is also a primer, which makes it a bit thicker and has more of a silicone feeling, so it’s not my favorite (the Murad is). BUT when I wore it in hot humid weather it really looked AMAZING, especially with the BeautyBlender bounce liquid whip foundation (I still have the kind in the square bottle with the button dispenser, not sure if the formula has changed). I already have backups purchased during a 50% off sale, but haven’t opened them yet.
LA ROCHE-POSAY CICAPLAST BAUMÉ and LA ROCHE-POSAY TOLERIANE DOUBLE REPAIR MOISTURIZER – I’m grouping these because I bought them together to work on repairing my skin barrier after using too many different products. They did seem to work for a while, then oddly the cicaplast baume started making my skin sting a bit when I applied it (and I had cut everything else out of my routine) so it took me a while to finish… Not sure if I’d repurchase. The moisturizer was fine.
MAY COOP RAW SAUCE – This was a nice hydrating essence, slightly tacky in the dry down but that’s not surprising since maple sap is the main ingredient. Also, this bottle is HUGE and lasted me 9 months with LIBERAL use (daily and sometimes twice daily use of 4-5 dabs when 2-3 would have been enough) so it would have lasted a year if I were more responsible. I might repurchase sometime but I think I love the essence I’m using now even more.
MURAD ESSENTIAL-C DAY MOISTURE SPF30 – I love Murad products, and this is my daily moisturizer/sunscreen that I’ve been using for about 3 years. It never causes problems under makeup, though if I’m going to wear a hydrating foundation or tinted sunscreen then I’ll either use something else or balance out my T zone with something to help mattify. It’s expensive but I usually find it in the Ulta 50% off sales. I already had a backup on hand, and just bought another backup in the Black Friday sales.
MURAD ACNE CONTROL CLARIFYING CLEANSER – This has also been a staple in my routine for even longer than the moisturizer, probably 10 years. It used to be that I’d need to use it twice a day or I’d get breakouts, but now that I’m older I only use it at night (and sometimes I’ll swap with another cleanser) so I go through them more slowly. This bottle lasted just shy of a year… you don’t need very much. Already had my backup waiting, and I have another for when this is done.
PEACH AND LILY GLASS SKIN SERUM – This did seem to do a good job of keeping my skin clear and balanced. I have another bottle waiting but haven’t opened it yet
PEACH AND LILY GLASS SKIN WATER GEL MOISTURIZER – This is a nice, inoffensive moisturizer that I used in my PM routine. I do have a backup travel size but I’m trying to get through others in my stockpile first, but I do miss it… WRP.
SATURDAY SKIN WATERFALL GLACIER WATER CREAM (sample) – This was not what I expected when I first opened it for my nighttime routine. It has a thick, silicone / gel-like feel to it that actually seemed to work well as a smoothing base under makeup. The downside is I used a lot of it because of the thick / not easily spreadable consistency, so this sample only lasted a few uses… I’d want to try again before committing to a full size.
TATCHA DEWY SKIN CREAM (sample) – I liked this when I needed extra hydration, especially on my cheeks that get flaky. It worked under my ELDW but I’ll admit I mostly used it at night so I didn’t try it under other foundations…. Might repurchase sometime, but it’s not a must have.
TULA NOMAKEUP REPLENISHING CLEANSING OIL – This was my first time purchase but I enjoyed it, didn’t cause any skin issues. I used it up in about 6 months of almost daily use (2-3 pumps, prob could have used it more sparingly). I have the peach and lily ginger melt oil right now, but might repurchase in the future.
*HAIR & BODY*
HAPPY DANCE WHIPPED BODY BUTTER + CBD – Bought this on a whim during a sale. It has a noticeable hemp/patchouli scent that isn’t my favorite, and it pills up heavily so you can’t use it for massaging. Did the CBD do anything? I will say that when I’d use it on my achy legs after a long day of cleaning (I have hard floors throughout the house that do a number on my feet/knees) I would fall asleep almost instantly… BUT it’s hard to say if that was from the cbd or just being tired after cleaning all day 😅 will not repurchase because of the pilling
IGK FIRST CLASS CHARCOAL DETOX DRY SHAMPOO (sample) – I wouldn’t normally include dry shampoo but I have a few in my sample stockpile I’m trying to use up… This was fine. I don’t really think you should spend a lot of money on dry shampoo. I have fine hair (but a lot of it) so they all seem pretty much the same. The only one that I’ve ever used and thought “wow” was briogeo but that was several years ago so I have no idea if it still holds up.
*MISC*
VITAMINS – A while back I saw someone else include vitamins in their empties, so I put these in here for giggles and because I always forget to take them. Still haven’t purchased a new bottle since finishing this one… Ps why are vitamins so expensive? (She says after shopping Black Friday sales)
by sosovanilla