I did a particularly good job in March, and I’m happy to have quite a few items to recycle including a lot of full size things that I’ve had for a long time. I’m also tossing 3 items that have expired.
Skincare
Although I think last month was different, skincare is the big category for empties again this month.
Full size:
- Georgette Klinger Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer: I was thrilled at the return of my longtime favorite skincare brand, Georgette Klinger, last year. The Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer was one of the first new products from the brand that I tried, and I instantly became a fan. It’s a medium weight moisturizer in a pump bottle that sinks into my skin, and it feels protective and moisturizing without being heavy. It has a light sweet scent that doesn’t linger. If you’re thinking of trying something from this affordable, cruelty-free skincare brand with real credentials, consider Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer. Repurchase? Yes, I did.
- The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone: I received this Vitamin C Suspension 30% as a holiday gift, and I was thrilled because I had wanted to try a higher percentage vitamin C and I also wanted to try products from The Ordinary. The first couple of times I used it, it stung a little bit. Then I read the instructions that said to apply it last rather than first as I had done. No more stinging once I followed the directions. I also read up on the 30% solution, and I can’t remember the details right now, but there was some explanation for why the higher concentration on vitamin C was actually no more effective than the lower concentration – I think it had to do with the suspension in silicone. Did it work? I think it helped to lighten my remaining dark spots a bit. I will say that I think it’s definitely worth the price, under $10. Repurchase? Not right now.
- Paula’s Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50: Although I now own two other daytime moisturizers with SPF 30 that I also like, I would still say that Paula’s Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 remains my favorite because it is lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast, and it has a higher SPF that I will really appreciate as I spend more time outside. Repurchase? Yes, I did.
- IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Anti-aging Collagen Veil Primer: I absolutely adore this primer/skincare serum from IT. I love the fact that it’s more than a regular primer, it has skincare benefits. My foundations work so well on top of it. Just great stuff, though definitely not inexpensive. Repurchase? Yes, I did.
- MyChelle Perfect C Eye Cream: This is a very lightweight eye cream with vitamin C – an ingredient that is relatively uncommon in eye cream. Because it has L-ascorbic acid vitamin C in the formula, it turned brownish over time which I found a bit disconcerting. Because I didn’t use this eye cream exclusively, it took longer than it should have for me to use it up. I think this is an excellent eye cream for younger women or for summer. And I think it would be fine, in terms of freshness, if you use it routinely rather than occasionally as I did. Repurchase? No.
- Algenist Firming & Lifting Eye Gel: You know that I’m a fan of eye gels because I find that they’re less likely to give me milia (whiteheads) in the eye area. I also find that they can be terrific for firming the skin above my crease. That’s why I bought this eye gel from an R&D focused brand that I like, Algenist. Nevertheless, I let this sit unopened for ages. Not sure why. I finally did break it out this winter. It is a lightweight gel, perhaps a bit too lightweight for me. I discovered that I didn’t like it as much as I like the Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate Eye Serum. Yet, it is still a very good eye gel. Repurchase? No.
Samples:
- Olay Luminous Whip: From the one-time use packet, I think I did like the lightweight feeling of the new moisturizer from Olay. Purchase? Probably not because I have so many other skincare products.
- REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot: I think this little sample came in a Barney’s bag that I got a while ago. I should have taken notes when I used this serum because, truthfully, I don’t remember it all that well. I remember it was a white lightweight serum, but that’s it. Purchase? Probably not for the same reason as for the Olay.
Body Products
Full Size:
- Farmhouse Fresh Whoopie Cream Shea Butter for Body: I adored the scent and the “nourishingness” of this heavy body cream. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the fact that it left a white cast that had to be rubbed in with vigor, and I didn’t like that the body cream was hard to get out of the bottle about 2/3 of the way through when the pump became ineffective. Nevertheless, I liked this body cream so much – especially the fabulous gourmand Whoopie Cream scent – that I scooped out what was left in the glass bottle with the end of the pump tube for weeks in order to finish it all up! That’s commitment. I wish it were in a tube instead. The white cast seems to happen with many, though not all, shea butter body butters. Repurchase? No. I prefer the consistency of FHF’s Moon Dip Body Mousse.
- Nature Island Botanicals Gloucester Scallop Bar Soap with West Indies lime, lemongrass and amber essential oils: I truly loved this blue, green and white marbled soap with a scallop shell on top that Daphne made by hand. The scent was divine. Repurchase? I am hoping that Daphne will make this particular soap again this summer because I definitely would love another bar.
Travel size/Sample:
- The Soap & Paper Factory Green Tea Hand Cream: I got this travel size tube of Green Tea Hand Cream from The Soap & Paper Factory ages ago in a Birchbox subscription box. It was a nice hand cream, but the green tea scent was a bit strong. I liked the cute packaging most about it. Purchase? No.
Hair & Nails
- White Sands Orchid Bliss Shampoo: I had never heard of this brand crafted by a hair stylist before I was sent Orchid Bliss Shampoo and its partner conditioner for trial. I really love the shampoo. It seems to be the perfect formula for my coarse, thick, color-treated hair. It had a nice, light fresh scent that didn’t linger on my hair. It made the right amount of lather. Repurchase? I want to finish up some other shampoos that I currently have, but I will buy it again in the future.
- CVS Beauty 360 Advanced Gel Nail Polish Remover: This nail polish remover does contain acetone but also has nail conditioning ingredients in it, so I didn’t find that it was harsh on my nails. It’s one of those jars with the sponge inside that takes off the polish for you. I am so lazy that I prefer that method of polish removal to my Zoya polish remover that’s a better product. Repurchase? Not sure if it is this exact one, but I did buy another nail polish remover with sponge inside from CVS to replace it.
Beauty Tools
- Jesse’s Girl Blending Sponge: I kept this sponge waaaaaay longer than I should have because I loved it so much. It had the perfect amount of bounciness and it was so easy to clean. I have been searching every RiteAid in my area (unfortunately, there aren’t very many), and I have been unable to find this sponge in the store. I would say that this is my favorite blending sponge of all time. Far better for me than the original Beauty Blender, and it only costs $3.99. Repurchase? I want to, but I haven’t been able to find it!!
- Beauty Junkees Blending Sponge: I got this blending sponge from Beauty Junkees in a multipack of sponges in different sizes and shapes. I liked it with its deep flat side. Repurchase? I still have a couple of more sponges in the pack to use up.
- Swisspers Premium Cotton Rounds: I’ve said it before, but I still love the Premium Rounds from Swisspers because they have no lint and they’re so soft and smooth. Plus I buy them 8 packs at a time at Costco, and they’re a steal. Repurchase? I still have about 6 more sleeves to use up.
Expired Products to Toss
- Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer: I bought this cult classic concealer a few years ago because I heard so much about it. Supposedly, it is concealer of choice for so many makeup artists. It comes with a regular concealer and a color correcting concealer in a mirrored compact. It was expensive, about $35 if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, it didn’t really suit me. The concealer was a bit too yellow, and both cream concealers were very stiff and, I thought they were difficult to use. In sum, I wasted my money on this. Now it’s dried out, and I’m throwing it out. Repurchase? No.
- Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara: I got this travel size mascara in a Sephora Play bag, and I was eager to try it because I like Tarte’s Lights Camera Lashes Mascara. Unfortunately, this formula didn’t suit me. It really feels more like “paint” – it’s a wetter formula that I don’t like. I found it messy to use. Oh well. Repurchase? No.
- Nourish Face Lotion: I have almost finished this purse size tube of Nourish Face Lotion. It’s organic, affordable and lightweight. But it’s too lightweight for my needs. Perfect for someone younger or with oily skin. Repurchase? No.
So that’s it for me. See anything here that you’d consider trying? What did you use up in March?
What’s your Reaction?
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Wow! So many empties! Too bad the Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer didn’t work for you.
You did such a good job on your empties. There are a few things on that list I’d like to try. Especially that IT serum primer.
I am honestly addicted to the IT No. 50 Serum Primer. It’s like Hourglass Veil but better.
I’m impressed with your progress. I love how you explain it all too and what you’ll buy and let go. I use IT’s other primer and love it, I’m on at least my third bottle. But I do have the No. 50 Serum that I need to find to try after your raves.
I didn’t realize that IT had another primer, Marcia! I’ve fallen in love with this one, but next trip to Ulta (on Thursday) I will take a look and see if I can try the tester at least.
Great list of empties! I always start one then I fall off the wagon and forget. I definitely like the sound of your body care from Farmhouse.
You would love Farmhouse Fresh skincare!
Great job Allison!
Thank you! I’m trying
I’m always amazed when I see your empties! I can never get to that level. Kudos!
Thank you, Kathryne!
I actually really like that FHF lotion. Maybe because I don’t use a lot at once that I never noticed the white cast.
You’re lucky! That and the glass bottle that was hard to get the last 1/5 of the lotion out of were the only negatives, but the yummy scent and the nourishing formula overcame that.
I keep hearing good things about the Jesses Girl sponge! I need to try it out!
Wow, I am impressed by how much you finished up, Allison! Too bad that the Laura Mercier concealer was such an expensive miss!
Yes, I was disappointed by the stiff Laura Mercier concealer. I should have returned it.
I’m almost done with my Whip as well, I loved it so much and have used it every single night!
I remember reading about it on your blog. I’ve had such good luck with Olay over the years that if I ever make a dent in all the skincare products I’m trying out, I would buy that one.
Great job getting through products this month!
I don’t think I’ve EVER used up a whole bottle of eye cream!
Wait 20 years, LOL.
That is a great set of empties! I’m still working on 3 mascaras!
Sounds like progress to me!
I love those cotton rounds! I go through a lot of them for removing nail polish. So much easier than cotton balls.
Yes, and these cotton rounds are so much better than other rounds I’ve used because they truly are lint free.
Too bad about the FHF, I love their products, they always smell so tasty!
I adore FHF products, so even though I had a couple of nits about the Whoopie Cream Shea Butter for Body, I still used it completely up! But I love their Moon Dip Body Mousse even more 🙂
That is a lot of empties! But then again I don’t use many products so it may just seem like a lot to me. lol
The point of it is is to use up what we have, no matter how many. I hate throwing away things that are half full, if I can possibly prevent it.
I’m intrigued by the Jesse’s Girl sponge and need to pick one up myself to try!
If you happen to see a Jesse’s Girl blending sponge at your RiteAid or Walgreens, buy it because it is the best!
I really need to try some products from The Ordinary. They always seem to get positive reviews.
I have a few more products from The Ordinary waiting in the wings. They are so affordable and no-nonsese. Well worth trying, Kerry
Wow, so many empties! I’m obsessed with that Jesse’s Girl sponge. Should I toss it? Probably. Am I going to? Nope. Haha! I need to pick up another one, it’s just too good!
You had a super productive month! I never use up that much!
I love that you do a review of products that you completely use. It’s nice to see items that are hit and miss in the long haul.
Thank you, Leslie! I’m glad it’s helpful. I completely agree that it’s easy to change your mind about something or discover new aspects of it the longer you use it.