February is a short month, but I seem to have collected a lot of empties! Yay, lots to recycle.
Let’s see what’s repurchasing.
Bath & Body
- Rituals SPA Sensation Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossoms Foaming Shower Gel: I adore the cherry blossom scent of this shower gel. In fact, this is my third bottle. However, this one was a bit of a dud. The foaming dispenser didn’t work well. It was hard to get the stuff inside to come out, and when it did, it dribbled out and didn’t really foam up well. Disappointing. Repurchase? I’m sure I will at some point. Right now, I’m using a similar product from Treets, and though I don’t like the melon scent as much as this cherry blossom, the quality of the dispenser and the foam itself is far superior at a similar price.
- Good Earth Body Strawberry Margarita Shower Gel: The strawberry margarita scent of this shower gel from Good Earth Beauty was fabulous. It really smelled like a strawberry margarita. But it didn’t make much of a lather. Repurchase? No. I am typically a fan of GEB products but except for the scent, this turned out to be disappointing.
Hair Care
- Beauty Protector Protect & Detangler: I got two of these leave-in conditioners in two different Birchboxes, and this was the second one. I had good results with this product. Repurchase? Not right now. I have a million leave-in conditioners in my stash though this was one of my faves.
Skincare
- Lift Lab Purify & Clarify Daily Cleanser & Detox Mask: I bought this large tube of Lift Lab Cleanser & Detox Mask a couple of years ago. It is essentially a cleansing scrub. It was very expensive, and I liked it a lot. But I started testing out other cleansers for review, and I forgot about it. I don’t think it has any preservatives, and when I found it again, it had appeared to have turned. The pure white cleanser inside had turned beige. I’m tossing it. Repurchase? No, too expensive and not unique enough.
- Tatcha Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum: I was sad to come to the end of this lovely eye cream from Tatcha. It has a unique either plastic or ceramic applicator that you run along the skin under the eye to cool and apply the cream. As usual, my main concern is firming above the crease, so this product didn’t work as well as others for that particular need of mine. Repurchase? Sadly, no.
- Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser: I got this deluxe sample in one of my Barneys goody bags. It was a refreshing, grapefruit scented cleansing gel. I liked using it in the summer especially. Repurchase? No. I liked it, but in the summer when my skin is less dry and I use this type of cleanser, I prefer Murad Vitamin C Cleanser.
- Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate: I got this deluxe face oil sample in a Barneys bag too, and I absolutely loved it. It did a great job hydrating my winter dry skin and helping it look healthier and more glowing. Repurchase? I want to, but I am waiting for a sale.
- Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye: This tube of white eye cream came in the same Barneys bag as the face oil. I liked it. It was soothing, hydrating, and the right consistency, but it didn’t do as good a job on my primary concern – firming the skin above my crease – as other eye products. Repurchase? No.
- Cosmedica 79% Vitamin C Power Serum: This stuff is really nifty. It’s a super high concentration of Vitamin C serum that you mix up fresh every day. It’s a cinch to use and a very cool form. In fact, I have a week course to give away, and I’ve gotta get it up on the blog soon. Repurchase? No. I have gotten rid of all my normal dark spots, but a few really stubborn ones remain, and my doctor has suggested that I see a dermatologist about them.
- Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb, sample: As you may know, I’m a big fan of gel cream moisturizers. I was happy to try this sample of Garnier’s new Moisturizer Bomb. I tried one of their gel moisturizers a couple of years ago, and after only one use, this seems more promising than their old gel. Purchase? Not now. I have another sample of it to try, and I have about a million moisturizers.
Lip Care
- Clarins Radiant Light Lip Comfort Oil: I bought this last spring during an Ulta sale event. It was expensive even with the 20% off coupon, but I had heard good things about it and wanted to try it. Unlike the “dupe” from Milani that irritated my lips, Clarins Lip Comfort Oil was definitely soothing though it didn’t actually repair my dry lips. Nevertheless, I enjoyed wearing it and the small bottle lasted almost a year. Repurchase? No. Other products are more effective for my strange lips.
- Teadora Rainforest at Dawn Lip Scrub: Although I liked the orange scent and taste of this natural lip scrub, it was very stiff and hard to get out of the jar. It needs to come with a paddle to get it out of the jar in a sanitary way. Over time, the scrub stiffened even more and I found myself using a different scrub instead. I still have a lot left but it is hard and unusable so I’m tossing it. Repurchase? No.
- Carmex Moisture Plus Sunscreen Lip Balm: I picked this mainstream lip balm up last year because I loved the cherry blossom design on the tube. I had never used Carmex lip balms before. I was quite surprised. This traditional lip balm with commercial ingredients actually healed my dry lips better than many expensive, natural lip balms. Repurchase? I have a second one waiting in the wings.
Nail Polish
- Essie “Avenue Maintain” (dumb name) and In The Cab-ana: These shades of blue and aqua were among my favorite summer polishes. I loved them on their own and for dotting. Sadly, their formula has separated and it’s time to toss them. Repurchase? I don’t know if Essie still makes these shades. I’ve also fallen for Essie’s long wear formula
- OPI “Can You Dig It”: I loved this medium purple cream polish. It too separated so it’s time to go. Repurchase? IDK if this shade is still around either. Luckily, I have a ton of polishes.
Makeup
- Stila Concealer Stick: I loved this tube concealer that was so easy to use and to carry in my purse makeup bag. The shade was perfect for me. It lasted forever. Repurchase? Stila discontinued this stick concealer and what they replaced it with isn’t nearly as appealing to me.
Personal Care
- Swisspers 100% Cotton Rounds: Boo, I used up the last sleeve of Swisspers cotton rounds that I bought at Costco a year ago! I love them. They don’t pill and they’re soft and super affordable if you buy them in bulk. Repurchase? Yes but darn that Costco! They haven’t had them that last two times I went to buy them. In the meantime, I’m using the CVS brand that I don’t like as much.
- Sensodyne Repair & Protect Toothpaste: At this stage of the game, I’m afraid my enamel is wearing away plus I grind my teeth. I need all the repair and protection I can get. I’m not quite sure what the difference is between this toothpaste from Sensodyne and the one from Pronamel. Repurchase? I had another waiting in the wings.
So this is it for me this month. What did you use up in February?
What’s your Reaction?
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Some of my polish separates too, but I just shake and roll them until they mix again. If they’re too thick I add some thinner and try again. I’ve only had to toss a couple that really wouldn’t stay together- the rest are okay! Essie is particularly bad about settling, but my fave cornflower blue (a LE colour and thus irreplaceable) is still workable this way. I don’t like having to buy a new one or search for a dupe if I don’t have to. Actually, when I’m going through my stash looking for a colour to wear, I usually pick up a funny looking bottle or two and give them a good mix-up while I rummage. 🙂
I hope you find your cotton rounds! Sam’s has also lately been out of stock of some stuff I usually buy. Even worse, on a couple things they’ve switched brands! Booooooo.
I have over 150 bottles of polish so I figured it was time to cull the ones where the polish had broken. Yes, shaking them does mix it temporarily but they had really thickened and adding thinner made the essie polish chip even faster than it ordinarily does so time to go. I could hardly close the 3 tier apothecary jar where I store most of my polishes so I was glad to get rid of them lol. I hear you on Sam’s and Costco – I assume they both switch brands to take advantage of better deals for them!
Hehe I have that many bottles too, but I still hate to toss one of my pretties! Have you tried the new Essie gel couture? I like it better than regular Essie, but I haven’t had to add thinner yet so don’t know how it will behave.
Yes!! I like the Gel Couture so much better than the regular polish. It definitely stays on my nails longer without chipping. But I wish essie would come out with more varied Gel Couture shades, don’t you? I have 3 shades that I like from that line and I keep going back to see if there are any new ones but so far crickets since the launch.
The “empties” column is always my fave of the month! I always appreciate your honest reviews. Speaking of firming above the crease, what is your fave product for that? I’ms still searching…for one that doesn’t irritate and really works. (And I loved those cotton rounds, too. Costco is out? Gulp! Are they available at Costco online?)
Thank you so much, Gail xoxo The eye gel that works best for me above the crease is PCA Skin Ideal Complex Revitalizing Eye Gel. I’m on my third tube, and unfortunately it costs $80 for a tube of 0.5 oz. I buy it at Dermstore.com when they have a sale. And I usually it only above the crease, and use something else under my eye and on my crow’s feet so I can save the expensive gel for where I need it most. I get about 4-5 months out of a tube. I wish I could find something cheaper that works for me there, but I haven’t yet. Thanks for the suggestion about checking Costco online for the Swisspers. I didn’t think of that! I am going to Costco either today or tomorrow to pick up some stuff I need so I’ll look in store once more and if they aren’t there, I’ll check online. I hate paying shipping for an item that costs $8.96!
Damn Allison, that is quite a huge list of empties! I have my eyes on the Garnier MoistureBomb too but like you I have a huge ton of stuff to go through first. My nail polish also separates but all I do is I shake them back. I will toss them if they seems gunky and don’t mix right after shaking.
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The Garnier Moisture Bomb seems like a real improvement over their old gel cream moisturizer. But yes, I don’t need more moisturizer right now. Although I hated to toss those polishes, just shaking them wasn’t doing the trick. They were almost 3 years old and were too thick. Adding thinner to essie polish makes them chip even faster than they already do IMO. Also, I have about 150 polishes so I won’t miss them that much.
Seriously impressive empties post, Allison! I need to go through makeup and skincare that is too old to use. Too bad that the TATCHA eye cream didn’t treat your upper lid the way that you wanted it to!
So few eye creams help my loose upper eye skin, but the TATCHA Deep Hydration Eye Cream was lovely for under eye use.
Lots of empties this month! I also appreciate your honest reviews, it’s one of the main reasons I was drawn to your blog and now I’m just so happy I found you and look forward to reading your blog posts. I can’t believe you actually finished the Swisspers,lol. I’m a fan of Carmex and always have one around. In case you purchase any beauty products on QVC , they’re having a 5 easy pay sale on everything. I just re upped my IT foundation. I hope it’s ok to write this,I have no affiliation with them other than I love to shop from home but if you want me to delete the comment I will and I apologize. Have a great day.😊
Thank you, Laura! xoxo And yes, I appreciate you letting me and others know about great sales for brands you love! I just bought the IT Cosmetics Serum in a Foundation Compact during the Ulta 20% off coupon event a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve gotta get my review up. The box that I bought on QVC a year ago was an unbelievable value for the money as was the IT Superhero 2 for 1 Mascara that I got last year as well. I’m afraid to look coz I know I’ll be tempted, lol. But I hope that others see this and take the plunge!!
Oohhhh…can’t wait to read your review of the Serum in a Foundation Compact,it looks like another winner for IT but I’ll wait for reviews and another sale and maybe an excuse to buy yet another foundation when I have plenty,lol! 😀
Thank you, Laura! I will try to get to it this week 🙂
You used up quite a lot! I was “saving” the Rituals shower gel for special occasions because it smells so divine. But now that you say the pump mechanism doesn’t work very well, I have to take it out and see how mine does.
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I just found another bottle of the Rituals SPA shower gel that I bought a few months ago and forgot about. I agree that the scent is the best. I’m hoping this pump will work better than the last one. But the Treets foaming shower gel definitely has the advantage on the pump and quality of the foam (but not the scent unfortunately though the melon scent is nice.)
I’m impressed as usual. I even wrote a post about empties because of you and Lola! I tossed dozens of polishes that had gotten too thick to salvage. I don’t like adding thinner since I don’t think they wear as well after.
I’m glad Helen and I have made you into an empties fan, Marcia. I agree with you that adding thinner increases the chipping of most polishes. I don’t think it’s worth it either especially when we all have such huge stashes.
I won’t echo what I’ve seen others mention about shaking/mixing separated polish – if you’re done you’re done; the worst separation I have ever had in polish is with the brand LVX. I love your empties – you went through a lot in February!
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I did the shaking thing but these polishes were about 3 years old, and they had thickened. The regular formula essie starts chipping on my one or two days after application so trying to thin this out just didn’t make sense. I enjoyed them for a while but they were really separated. On to the new, right?
What is your all time favorite eye cream to use above the crease. I need help in that area.
Eileen, the eye cream that helps firm up my loose skin above my crease is PCA Skin Ideal Complex Revitalizing Eye Gel. It’s very expensive, IMO, $80 for 0.5 oz. I’m on my third tube and it usually lasts me 4-5 months. I only use it above my crease, and I use something less expensive under my eyes and on my crows feet. I buy it when it’s on sale at Dermstore.com – I can eventually get either 20% or 25% off. I wish I could say I’ve found something less expensive that works as well but I haven’t yet though I’ve been looking.
Those polishes are great colors!
They were! Now space for new ones
Eileen asked what I was going to….next time I have a code to Dermstore, I’m going to need to try the PCA.
OMG I forgot about that teadora lip scrub, I love that stuff!!!
Love seeing empties! Ive been thinking I need to do another purge as I’m sure I’m holding onto product I could do without.
I agree with you that adding thinner increases the chipping of most polishes.
I was hoping someone would agree! essie’s regular polish only last a day or two before chipping anyway, adding thinner makes it worse
You have been a really good girl- using up all these things. You can literally see how hard that lip scrub is! I love the feel of having really used up products- we acquire so much and I don´t want to waste anything. You did very well and thanks for the mini reviews!
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That Carmex has some prettttty packaging!
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I thought so too. I hope they keep making these in cute packaging
You used up a good amount of products. Congrats! Interesting that this time around you wouldn’t repurchase many of them. I can understand that completely!!
Yes, you’re right, Stacie. I am not purchasing or repurchasing many items this month. Probably the key reason is that, like you I suspect, I have so many products in my stash waiting to be tested. And in some cases, I already have something that works better for me personally than the item I just used up. I did find a bottle of Rituals Cherry Blossom Foaming Shower Gel in my closet, so I’m hoping that the spray will work better on this bottle because the scent truly is divine.
Lots of goodies used up! As you know, I love that Spa Rituals foam and the Carmex lip balm is also a favorite of mine. I loved the Tinted ones but I don’t think they make them anymore, which is a shame!
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I enjoyed your Empties review…I am big fan of Sensodyne for my teeth myself!
Ursula
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I’m still trying to figure out the difference between Sensodyne Repair & Protect and Pronamel – especially since they are the same company! But I like them both. Glad you’re a fan too