I almost feel guilty posting this empties post because I have sooooo many empties from last month, December. I thought I did well in November, but not nearly as well as December. Since there are so many, I’ll try to be brief.
Personal Care/Body Care
- Whish Shave Cream with Hair Inhibitor – Coconut: I really liked this shave cream except for two things: it’s pricey and the cream clogs the blade so I have to rinse it more often than inexpensive shave gel. But the hair inhibitor really worked and did slow regrowth of hair. Repurchase? Not now, but when I get some extra cash.
- Skintimate Shave Gel: I bought a package of 6 or 8 of these so be prepared to see it again 😉 I like the fact that it’s inexpensive and easy to use. Repurchase? Still have several left.
- Peter Lamas Spa Sensuals Intensive Repair Hand Cream: Lovely, lightly fragranced, non-greasy hand cream. It worked very well for me during the summer, fall and early winter season. Repurchase? I have two other hand cream tubes to finish, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this again. Effective, rather affordable, vegan, made with great ingredients.
- DermOrganic Hand & Body Moisture Lotion: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, great ingredients. I liked this thick lotion. It took a little while to rub it in, but it worked well. Repurchase? Although this is a very good lotion, I have others, usually with fragrance, that I prefer.
- 80 Acres Blood Orange Hand & Body Lotion: Fabulous orange scent, made with natural ingredients. I love the smell of this hand & body lotion. I have the 80 Acres Blood Orange body balm, and I love that too. I buy 80 Acres products when I’m in San Francisco at the Ferry Building. Repurchase? Next trip to SF.
- CVS Advanced Nail Polish Remover: This tub with the sponge interior has acetone. In spite of the fact that I love my Zoya nail polish remover, this acetone remover with sponge is easier to get glitter polish off. Repurchase? Yes. CVS seems to change up their polish remover, so I’ll buy whatever they have that has acetone and the sponge.
- Briogeo Green Tea Be Gentle. Be Kind Shampoo: I love this shampoo. It really cleans my hair well, is sulfate-free, smells nice but not strong, creates enough lather. Repurchase? I have two waiting in the wings.
- Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Rose Pure Castile Soap travel size: I love the rose scent of this all-purpose liquid soap, but the soap is too drying for me to use. Jeff dliultes his Almond liquid soap, but I never think about doing that plus it still seems too drying. So I use it to clean my makeup brushes. Repurchase? The rose is so hard to find! But I have a larger size Lavender waiting to be used.
- Moulton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Wash travel size: I got this deluxe sample in my fabulous bag of goodies from Barney’s. It was, I think, the first Moulton Brown body wash I remember using, though I may have used some in a hotel in the past. But the Ylang Ylang fragrance was so incredible! Years ago before the NYC subways were air conditioned, I used to bring a scented wooden fan that I bought in Chinatown with me on the train in the summer. I always wondered what the scent was. Now I know it was ylang ylang because the MB body wash smelled just like it or what I remember it smelled like. Repurchase? A full size at $30 would be a splurge for me, so I’m waiting till next time Barney’s has the goody bag and this will be on my list.
Face
- Alba Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser: I bought this a long time ago because of the pineapple enzyme. The scent is delicious. But this doesn’t work for me as a facial cleanser because you can’t get it anywhere near your eyes which is difficult for a facial cleanser. It burns my eyes so badly. I finally gave up on it as a facial cleanser and used it as a body wash. Repurchase? Not on your life.
- Lift Lab Purify + Clarify Cleanser travel size: I received this a while back for review and I liked it so much I splurged and bought a huge, full size tube. It’s a gentle, but thorough cream cleanser. Repurchase? I’ve still got most of the full size tube. Although I really like it, I got distracted by other cleansers that I’ve been reviewing. I need to go back to it.
- Rimmel Just Let It Go Gentle Eye Makeup Remover: This used to be my favorite, but either mascaras got tougher to remove or they changed the formula. IMHO, it doesn’t remove my mascara as well as it used to. Repurchase? I still have one more bottle left though I’m using a different brand now.
- Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15: I like this moisturizer a lot though it does have a bit of a whitish cast so it needs to be worked in well. Repurchase? I already have.
- IT Cosmetics CC Cream SPF 50+, Light: This CC cream is one of my favorites. Light is the shade that I use primarily in the summer and early fall when my skin is a little darker. Repurchase? I am using IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Fair now, and I bought the Celebration/Illuminating CC Cream in Light to try.
- Studio Gear CC Cream, Natural trial size: I was sent this light coverage CC cream for review ages ago. The coverage was a little too light for me, more like a tinted moisturizer than a CC cream and the shade wasn’t quite right. I haven’t finished it, but it’s old and it needs to go. Repurchase? No.
- YSL Or Rouge Eye Cream deluxe sample: Another of the treats from the Barney’s goody bag. This eye cream was divine. It had a lovely light scent. It definitely hydrated my dry eye area and it helped firm. Repurchase? Don’t think I can afford this one.
- Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate deluxe sample: Someone gave me this sample to try. I liked it, but not enough to buy it. I wish it weren’t fragranced. Repurchase? No.
Beauty Tools
- Shiseido Lash Curler: I needed a new replacement pad for my Shiseido Lash Curler. I love my Shiseido Lash Curler: nice and wide, no pinching at all, no crimping lashes, no pulling lashes. Perfect for me. I hate to throw out or recycle this curler because there’s nothing wrong with it. Maybe I’ll eventually buy a new set of 2 pads on Amazon and use Jeff’s Amazon Prime so I don’t have to pay shipping! Repurchase? Yes, I did.
Not included in the photo, but used up:
- Beauty Blender: My Beauty Blender was used up, and I can’t complain. It lasted a long time and did its job. Repurchase? Already did. But I’m also using a blending sponge that’s a bit stiffer/denser from PUR that came with my Cameo Contour Stick and that has one straight side. I like a lot for applying foundation.
- Blender Cleanser Solid: There’s nothing left to show! It’s all gone. I think Blender Cleanser does a much better job cleaning my Beauty Blender or blending sponge than Dr. Bronner’s or baby shampoo. Repurchase? Already did.
What’s your Reaction?
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
My oh my that is a TON of products you finished!
Kiss & Make-up recently posted…Video review | Sheet Mask Battle (Dizao versus Lovemore)
I think I did a very good job this month 😉
Awesome Empties review..I love Rimmel remover myself but you maybe right about mascara formula changes that might make this remover seem “non performing”!! I will be soon post my January Empties real soon esp all the moisturizers for my face and body that I have gone thru! 🙂
Ursula
http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com
I think I still have one more small bottle of Rimmel remover left, so I’ll use it and see, but I’m really preferring Almay remover these days! Looking forward to reading about your January empties. I’ve got quite a few so far myself!
WOW, Allison! This is one seriously impressive empties post! What a bummer that Sephora no longer stocks the pads for your Shiseido eyelash curlers! I would hang on to them and order the replacements on Jeff’s Amazon Prime account!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders and Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor | Initial Thoughts & Overview
I definitely did a good job this month!! Yes, I was thinking that I’d ask Jeff if I could buy them through his Amazon account. I hate to toss a perfectly good extra lash curler!
Hi Allison, do you use the It Cosmetics CC cream as your foundation most of the time? Your skin looks so dewy and beautiful… I wondered if you’ve tried any of the other It foundation options. I adore their concealer/highlighter wands! And I had the same reaction to the Lancome Genifique… OK but not great, and way too much scent for me!
Keep on rockin’ those empties!
Kim, I do use the IT Cosmetics CC Cream a lot because it’s so easy to apply and it has SPF 50! Plus as you mentioned, it has a dewy finish and it is heavier than my other options. But lately, I’ve been wearing the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 that I bought at Sephora when we went shopping there during the VIB Rouge event. I love that foundation because it’s so lightweight. I have an IT Cosmetics powder foundation that I wear from time to time but I like the CC cream better. And I succumbed to an incredible offer from IT on QVC late the other night that includes IT CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation – looks like the Korean style cushion foundation that I’ll be trying out soon, and I’ll let you know about it. Nevertheless, the IT CC Cream is a staple in my foundation stash: so easy, full coverage or just about, high SPF, several different formulas = love. Thanks for taking the time to comment <3
You are killing these empties girl hehe My husband loves the Dr.Bronners tea tree he finished up the huge bottle he has used for a year heh. I like it but can’t use it every day because it does make me feel dry! Great mini reviews 🙂
Heather recently posted…Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Shadow Palette
I did a good job, didn’t I?!
Great post 🙂 I’m looking forward to IT Cosmetics finally coming to UK, so I can try this raved about CC Cream 🙂 Can’t wait 🙂 xx
It really is the best, Dorota! I use IT products so often. You’ll love it.
Holy wow! You used up a lot of products!!!! I only had one empty this month so far, so I decided I’d just wait to do my blog post, ha!!!! LOVE the It Cosmetics CC Cream! It gives my skin life. I was a little unsure of it at first (the scent seemed over powering) but I really love that formula!
Christine recently posted…What I got for Christmas
Yes, IT CC Cream is definitely an HG product xoxo
I can’t wait to try the It Cosmetics CC Cream. I want to finish up a few other make up bits before making the purchase.
You can find Dr. Bronner products on vitacost.com. They have every scent and every size!
Tess Galen recently posted…New Pür Minerals Cameo Contour Foundation Stick
You’ll love the IT CC Cream. It’s wonderful. They have a couple of different finishes to choose from now. Thanks for the vitacost tip! Vitacost is a great source for so many things. I know I could buy it online but I’m much too cheap to pay for the shipping for inexpensive Dr. Bronner’s. I’ll find it at Whole Foods again one of these days, but in the meantime, I’ve got a big bottle of the Lavender to go through 😉
I love empties posts. I need to use up more products but its so hard when something new is always coming out haha. I love that It Cosmetics CC Cream as well it’s amazing.
Leigh recently posted…What I’m loving lately: Healthy Food Edition
You’ll love the IT CC Cream. It’s the best
Some really great things on this list. The IT CC cream is one of my absolute favorites.
Mandy recently posted…2016 Pantone Color of the Year Mani
Yes, IT CC is the one foundation I repurchase
The Blood Orange lotion sounds really nice!
Phyrra recently posted…Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded
I think you would love 80 Acres products. They are quite fabulous as well as CF and vegan. All of their scents are wonderful but I love Blood Orange most
nice post Allison! I really enjoy this type. It’s great that most of the products that you used up were hits. There really aren’t too many products that I actually repurchase because I’m always trying new things. I have only a handful of holy grail products.
Stacie recently posted…Fit after Fifty
That’s very interesting, Stacie. I guess I still haven’t left my regular person habits behind. I do have a lot of staples that I always repurchase, but I just stopped myself from doing it yesterday because I have so many press samples that I could use instead.
I love the It Cosmetics CC cream, it’s one of my frequent empties.
Lisa recently posted…Julep Maven Luxe: December 2015 – All Night Long Collection
It’s probably the only foundation that I keep repurchasing
Holy cow! You go girl! That’s an amazing feat to finish all those goodies. Good for you
Color Me So Crazy recently posted…Zoya Whispers Transitional Collection
Thanks, Brigitte! I even impressed myself!
Good job on finishing all that stuff!
I’ve never heard of 80 Acres. The blood orange lotion sounds lovely. I’ll have to Google them and see whether they have an online store. I adore orange scents. I use Pacifica’s Tuscan Blood Orange, both the body butter and the solid fragrance.
Rachel, I found 80 Acres when I was browsing among the shops/stalls in the Ferry Building in SF. It’s an olive farm in Marin county, and they make olive oil, vinegar and skincare products that use olive oil. They sell their products on their website and I believe you can also click the links I have in my post. In addition to the Blood Orange, my favorite scent, they also have about 4 or 5 other scents including olive oil, lavender, cedar and something else, I think. They are also coming out with new rose scented products. They make hand cream, body lotion, body butter, lip balm, body scrub (I think) and maybe a couple of other things. I still have some of the body butter to finish up. I keep hoping I’ll get a chance to go to SF to buy more in person, but if not, I’ll buy some online too.
Thank you for all the additional info. The olive oil base might actually be really good for my dry body skin/eczema. I love lavender scent, too. Cedar sounds interesting as a main scent. I’ve liked cedar as a note in other fragrances.
I love roses and rose scented things, but my hubby is allergic.
The cedar scent was intriguing, Rachel, though rather masculine. I hope you get down to SF one of these days so you can check out the options in person 🙂
I would love to visit SF. I haven’t been there in more than 20 years. I used to visit there all the time as a girl. One of my dad’s best friends lived there. I’d love to take my kids to Fisherman’s Wharf. One of these days!
My dad used to go watch Robin Williams street perform in SF before Williams was famous. My dad swore the guy was a genius and the funniest person he’d ever seen. I was too young to get the humor. I remember this crazy guy literally running around and audience doubled-over in laughter. We saw Gallagher, too. I don’t remember who else, unfortunately. I wish my dad had taken pictures!
That’s an amazing memory, Rachel! How lucky you were that your dad took you there as a child and you got to see some great performers even if you were too young to get it. I definitely hope that you’ll get to return with your family some day. I think you’ll be quite surprised by SF. It is still a beautiful city, but it has become so incredibly expensive. Mostly I go there when a client is paying!
Lots of great products here!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…New! CIRCA Beauty from Eva Mendes!
I did a good job last month! Make room for more stuff
An amazing amount of product empties! <3
Shipra recently posted…TextureTame Frizz-Eliminating (3-piece) System Review
Yes, I did a good job last month!
My empties bin is piling up too, it feels so great to use stuff up! I also adore the ylang ylang scent from MB. I had one of their hand lotions in that scent, and went through it in record speed!
Julie recently posted…Affordable Makeup Storage Solutions
Haha, I tried to make the MB Ylang Ylang body wash last forever, but alas, it’s gone!
You must be so excited to have finished that much up! I swear I only finish like two things a month, hahah.
Chelsea recently posted…Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes
Yes, I am so happy to get rid of stuff since I have waaaaaaaaaay too many beauty products all over the place. I’m going to have to move soon
I just finished my DermOrganic lotion, too. I used it every night before bed. 🙂 Aren’t those samples from Barneys delightful? I can’t afford many of the full-sized, either! lol.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Purple Roses
I couldn’t believe it, Nidia, when I looked up the cost of the full size YSL Eye Cream – $295!!! I’m really enjoying the samples though, and I think I will spring for the Rituals Zensation Cherry Blossom body wash at $15, unless I got the price wrong! I definitely will do the Barney’s bag again next time they do it. They skipped Christmas this year
I’m totally impressed. It would take me a year to use up that much. Now I have been tossing things but decided to actually toss and not save to post. Most were old or the fragrance bothered me. I’m a pack rat so I know I have to toss or it just accumulates more of a mess.
The IT CC Cream is my favorite. I’ve used up one and I’m half done with a second. Fair is perfect for me.
MarciaF recently posted…Mmmm, coconut…Aveeno Skin Relief Gentle Scent™ Nourishing Coconut Body Wash and Lotion
I’m a pack rat too, Marcia. And from years of being broke especially when I was young, I really like to finish things up if I can. But I really have to go through my stash and get rid of all the old stuff. I feel bad throwing out never or hardly used products, but it’s silly for me to save them
I love the IT CC. I’m going to need a new tube, soon. 😀
Erika recently posted…Michael Todd CX Vitamin C Plus Retinol Complex for Beautiful Skin
I got the Illuminating one this time, but I got it in Light, my summer shade. I’m going to try putting CoverFX CCD in it to lighten it up. I’m curious about the difference in the finish. Do you go with the regular or the Illuminating?
I love empties posts & you did great with yours Allison! That Whish Shaving Cream looks very interesting— looks like I’ll have to try that soon!
Megan T. recently posted…Guest Post:Shades of Summer
The Whish Shave Cream with hair inhibitor really does work, but at $24 it’s pricey. Nevertheless, I will repurchase it when Ulta has a 20% off coupon!
That is an impressive batch of empties! I haven’t tried Dr. Bronner’s for anything other than washing brushes, but I keep meaning to. I think it could make a great clarifying shampoo. I’m an almond fan, but I know well.ca carries the rose and has a bunch of sizes.
Bailey recently posted…Pur Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation
I used to use Dr. Bronner’s when I was in college, and then it was a cult favorite and it had fewer scent options. Back then, I used it for everything but my skin wasn’t quite as dry as it is now. I don’t think it would be good for my hair as a clarifying shampoo because it’s so drying but you never know!
Wow So many empties!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Ellagee 2016 Pantone Duo
Yes, I went wild! More room for more 😉
So interesting! I actually really like the studio gear cc cream. I definitely agree it’s more like a tinted moisturizer but it’s great for evening out the skin tone and imperfections!
Miranda Mendoza recently posted…Busy Girl Must Have: Bamboo Spark
I liked the Studio Gear CC Cream when I first got it too, though the color wasn’t right for me. Since then, I’ve tried so many other lightweight foundations and CC creams that have more coverage that I need. I haven’t seen anything from Studio Gear in ages. I’ve gotta see what they’re up to.
You used up tons of great stuff! I hate when shaving creams clog the blade, so I pretty much always use soap. I have bottle of the Lancome Genifique and it has done a great job at lightening my dark spots! 🙂
Kristina recently posted…2016 Pantone Rose Quartz Makeup Inspiration ft. Youngblood Cosmetics
That’s good to hear about the Genifique. I’ve noticed that what I used to describe as my freckles are just about gone after using a melange of vitamin C and other serums, but unfortunately though faded, I’m stuck with the sun damage on the sides of my face that appeared a few years ago. Nevertheless, I’ll keep at it or try IPL if my ship comes back in 😉
Skintimates is my favorite shaving cream! It’s great and, as you say, inexpensive. And it lasts a long time for me, which is awesome, too!
Katie Garvin recently posted…How To: Keep Your Legs Silky-Smooth Throughout the Winter
I could have sworn I bought a pack of 6 of these Skintimates and now I can’t find ’em, grrrrr
That’s a pretty hearty empties roundup. Impressive!
Kristin Bassett recently posted…Brand Love: Aveeno Active Naturals
I think I did a good job making room for more stuff!
Wow! You did great. Thanks for all the mini reviews too. I used to use a polish remover similar to the CVS one years ago and didn’t know they even made them anymore. So good to know! I love your story of using the scented fan. Such a great idea for the situation. 🙂
Thanks, Natalie. Hard to believe there was a time when the subway cars weren’t air conditioned, but it is still hot on the platform so my old fan might come in handy even today! Although I love the Zoya polish remover, I still have to have a jar with the sponge to get off glitter. I don’t have the patience for wrapping my nails in soaked cotton pads and aluminum foil 😉