The months keep rolling by, and now we’re in October. Time for my monthly empties post!
I finished up quite a few things, some of which I was dying to get through and others, well I’m sad they’re gone. Let’s get to it.
Bath & Body
- Perlier White Almond Antibacterial Foaming Soap, full size: A few years ago, I received a travel set of bath and body minis from Perlier to review and White Almond was one of the scent options in the set. I loved the fragrance, although it is an unusual one: very clean but also somewhat medicinal in a good way 😆 My friend Sybille read my review, and to my surprise, she sent her husband over with a holiday gift for me: a big 500 ml bottle of Perlier White Almond Antibacterial Foaming Soap! What a luxurious gift! It has lasted me about 3 years – I used it as a hand soap that I kept on my bathroom sink. Repurchase? No. I enjoyed using this, but I’m testing a soap from EO right now in a different scent. I could see myself coming back to this in the future, though the “antibacterial” aspect will be going away which is fine with me.
- Rituals Tao T’ai Chi White Lotus and Yi Yi Ren Foaming Shower Gel Sensation, travel size: I got this in my Barneys NY Fall goody bag. Last year, the bag included a full-size can of the Cherry Blossom scent, and I was hooked. I’ve repurchased the cherry blossom scent twice. This scent is lovely, light and gender-neutral. I like the scent but not as much as the cherry blossom. I adore the foaming liquid form. Purchase? Although I liked this scent, I prefer cherry blossom.
- Paul Mitchell Teatree Lemon Sage Energizing Body Lotion, deluxe sample: I got this thick fantastic lemon scented body lotion as an amenity at a hotel. I loved it! Purchase? I certainly loved this body lotion enough to buy it, but I have so many lotions and butters to use up. Also, I’ve never seen this Paul Mitchell body lotion at CVS or any other store. Have you? It is worth seeking out if you’re a fan of lemon scents.
- MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Unscented SPF 28, full size: This is my favorite cream sunscreen. It’s lightweight, not too greasy, absorbs quickly and easily, and it’s unscented. It works with physical sunscreen. Wish the SPF were higher, but I like it a lot anyway. Purchase? Yes, next summer when I return to the beach.
- Lather Bar Soap, Lavender, full size: Lovely, lavender scented, natural bar soap. I enjoyed it a lot. Purchase? No, I have a ton of bar soaps waiting in the wings including two more from Lather in other scents.
Facial Skincare
- MEG21 Refine & Refresh Moisturizing Toner, full size: I started this fabulous 6 oz. toner back in January, and I just finished it yesterday. It lasted me 9 months. Because of this toner, I have become a real devotee of toners. After using it every night, I was amazed at how much of my foundation remained on my face even though I double cleanse. And I love getting some extra moisture on my face the easy way. This is fabulous stuff! Purchase? I definitely will, but I have another toner I received from a different brand to use up first. If you have dry skin and are looking for a great toner, this is the one!
- Reviva Labs Sun Protective Moisturizer, full size: I was also sad to finish up this jar of Reviva Labs Sun Protective Moisturizer that I started in the late spring. It has SPF 25. What I liked most about it was the lightweight formula. It was perfect for the hot weather months and for wearing under foundation. It protects against the sun with both chemical and physical sunscreen. I really enjoyed this! Purchase? Again, I will at some point, but I have another sunscreen with SPF that I will be testing for review.
- Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster, deluxe sample: I received this fancy vitamin C serum in an Influenster box in August. I really liked it. It was a lightweight gel with a nice citrus scent. I don’t know that it reduced my dark spots any more than they’ve been reduced at this point, but I’m hoping it boosted my collagen level. Purchase? Same as above, I liked it enough to buy it, but I have other serums that I have to test.
- Sesderma C-Vit Liposomal Serum, deluxe sample: I just received this tiny bottle in my Glossybox along with a cleanser/eye makeup remover. The C-Vit looked like it was more than half empty when I got it – either it had spilled or the serum evaporated. So there was only enough for two nights in the bottle. It was a mid weight liquid serum with a citrus scent. Purchase? No, there wasn’t enough in the bottle to form an opinion, and I have other serums to test.
- 3Lab Super Eye Treatment, deluxe sample: I got this mini tube of clear eye gel in my most recent Barneys NY goody bag. I loved it. It worked well on the loose skin above my crease. Purchase? I was all set to buy this, but when I went to the Barneys website, I discovered that this eye gel costs $450!!! Sorry, no.
- 3Lab WW Cream, deluxe sample: I also got this mini tube of anti-wrinkle and brightening cream in the same Barneys NY bag. It is a thick night cream. It seemed nice, but there wasn’t enough in there to tell if it worked. Purchase? No. I didn’t even bother looking up the price of this cream ‘coz I know it’s out of my price range.
- Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, deluxe sample: I got this mini tube as an amenity at a Hilton Hotel (I think) that I stayed at on a business trip a while ago. All the amenities were from Neutrogena, and I thought it was great that they threw in a tube of moisturizer! I kept it in my travel bag, and used it up recently. It works via chemical sunscreens. Purchase? Not right now, though I have bought a large bottle of this in the past. It’s lightweight, affordable and pleasant to use.
Makeup and Removers
- The Edge Beauty, Iconic Mascara, full size: I’m a fan of The Edge Beauty lipstick and eyeliner pencils so I was eager to try their mascara. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this mascara at all. It didn’t add volume or much length to my lashes. I’ve tried using it several times hoping I would change my mind, but I give up. I’m tossing it. Purchase? No way. There are much better mascaras out there.
- Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, deluxe sample: I got this sample either in a Sephora Play! bag or as a sample with purchase from Sephora. I was excited to try it because so many other bloggers love it. What did I think? Thumbs down. I tried it several times, and I thought it was a goopy mess. It comes in a jar when you buy it full size, and my sample was a big blob of it. I found it very messy to use. I put some on one eye, and then had to stick my dirty finger back in to get more for the other eye – so that meant stopping to wash my hands first. I think if it came in a tube like another cream cleanser I already own, I’d like it more. I haven’t even finished this up, but I’m tossing it. Purchase? No! But other women love this stuff, so you might too!
- Neutrogena Make-up Remover Wipes, travel size: This is my tried-and-true makeup remover for travel. I’ve bought these many times. They work fairly well. They are on the somewhat dry side and they get off most of my makeup. Repurchase? Probably when I take my next trip. Nevertheless, I wish I could find a makeup remover wipe that doesn’t sting my sensitive eyes that gets off more of my makeup more easily. Any suggestions???
Beauty Tools
- Beauty 360 6 panel Nail File/Buffer, full size: I like these 6 sided nail buffers to get rid of the ridges in my nails and buff them to a shine for when I don’t feel like wearing nail polish. This brand from CVS works well. Repurchase? I already have. I buy and use these buffers all the time.
- Swisspers Hyperallergenic 100% Cotton Rounds: Yet another sleeve of these great cotton rounds used up. I use several rounds every day for eye makeup removal along with micellar water and for applying toner. Also great for removing nail polish. Repurchase? I bought this in a big box of 8 sleeves at Costco. I still have more left, yay!
Haircare
- Oribe Glaze for Beautiful Color, deluxe sample: I got this in my September Birchbox. I had high hopes for this deep conditioner, but I didn’t love it and there was enough in the tube to try it twice. Purchase? No.
- Oribe Beautiful Color Shampoo and Conditioner, sample: There was only enough for one use, but I loved this shampoo and conditioner that are part of the Oribe Beautiful Color range like the Glaze I wrote about above. Unlike the Glaze, however, this shampoo/conditoner duo made my hair silky soft, and I was able to wait my usual 4 days before re-shampooing. Loved it. Purchase? If I didn’t have so many shampoos and conditioners, I’d run right out and buy this duo. Maybe sometime when I go through my stash.
- Hask Kalahari Melon Oil Color Protection Shampoo and Conditioner, sample: Like the Oribe products, there was only enough for one use in these samples that I got with an Ulta Beauty purchase. Unlike the Oribe shampoo and conditioner, I didn’t love this duo. The shampoo felt like it stripped my hair and the conditioner didn’t put back enough oil. My hair wasn’t as soft, shiny and smooth as I usually expect. Although my hair felt dry, it got dirty much faster than usual. I felt like I should have washed my hair again after only 2 days rather than my usual 4. Purchase? No.
So I used up a lot of stuff in September. I’ll miss the MEG 21 Toner and the Reviva Labs Sun Protective Moisturizer the most. But I’m on to testing out and using up more stuff.
How about you? What did you use up in September that you really loved?
What’s your Reaction?
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I am in the same position as you are, Allison. I have so many stuff too go through that I stopped purchasing anything else even though I really like it. That’s a massive list of empties though, good for you!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Introducing Maison Jacynthe Makeup
Nice work, Allison! There is something so cathartic about dumping all of the empties into the recycle bin each month! I have pulled lots of largely used up products so that I can focus on finishing them up this month. If I am as disciplined as I hope to be, then I should have a sizable pile by the end of this month!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Kiwi Glow Daily Skin Oil Moisturizer in Amaya, Earth and Verde Revisited
Try the Simple Micellar wipes. I like them better than the Neutrogena ones.
Ann, I should try them tho I’m a bit nervous. My overly sensitive eyes couldn’t use Simple MW or Simple Eye Makeup Remover. They both made my eyes sting. Maybe the wipes will be different?? BTW, what skin type do you have?
So many empties! Thank you for your thoughts on each one!!!
Judy recently posted…Sephora Cream Lip Stain #13 – Marvelous Mauve
So many empties!! I want to try that MyChelle sunscreen.
Chelsea recently posted…Beauty Uncomplicated With Sephora Collection
Great empties post Allison!I’m new to using Swisspers and I’m really liking them,I have my friend on the lookout at B.J.s for them. I’m a little worried,I just yesterday bought the Clinique cleansing melt.(I’ve been dying to try one and it was bigger and cheaper than the IT one I had my eye on). I’m hoping I’ll love it or at least find it worth it with the 7piece gift set I got with it.
Laura, you will probably love the Cleansing balm. I didn’t like it because mine came in a bubble pack and it was very messy to use. Probably if yours is in a jar, you can use a scoop to keep it clean instead of dipping your fingers in. Also, I was spoiled by another brand, Nude – I think it was, I reviewed it during the winter – that comes in a big tube and is very easy and clean to use. Let me know what you think!
You went through so much stuff!
Say, are Swisspers the linty, shreddy cotton or are they soft, smooth like a “fabric” finish? I need good cotton rounds for my nails, since my old faves have been discontinued.
Erika recently posted…Just Another Mani Monday | Elegant Black Nails & Textural Nail Art
I don’t find them linty or shreddy. One side is smooth and the other side has smooth small bumps on it – not sure how to describe it. I can’t use anything that sheds coz I use them on my eyes as well as my nails. hope that helps!
I used up a TON of skincare!
Phyrra recently posted…Tarte Wing Workers Deluxe Tarteist Eyeliner Set
Yes! Hope you’ll write about them too!
You got through so many amazing products!
The Beauty of Life recently posted…#ManiMonday: Hello Kitty By OPI Super Cute In Pink
Yeah! Yay!
Heck yeah! lots of used up skincare!
I try!
Your empties are quite impressive. I don’t get through much at all but I also don’t travel much either. I keep thinking about saving empties but I don’t know if I’ll follow through.
MarciaF recently posted…Go to bed with a WINK and a SHINE #PinkWink
You can include deluxe samples. Often there’s enough in them to get a sense or first impression of a product, sometimes even more. I find it to be rewarding to use things up and recycle them.
Wow you used up a lot of stuff! I love the scent of Perlier White Almond!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…IT Cosmetics Color Infused Skincare Comes to Sephora!
White Almond is such an intriguing scent – it’s not a typical almond. Love it!
Always so satisfying to use something up! lol. I feel ya on the Reviva. I’m almost out of my fave face scrub by them, and I’m so sad! Luckily, they’re so affordable, I’m sure I’ll get it again. Not like that $450 eye cream.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Strivectin Perfection #Strivectin
True, true! RL really makes some affordable HG skincare!
The neutrogena wipes are a ride-or-die item for me! Must-haves!
Miranda | SlashedBeauty.com recently posted…Half Up, Half Down Textured Topknot Tutorial
They’re the ones I buy all the time, but lately I haven’t loved them quite as much because they don’t seem up to the task like they used to. My Mirabella waterproof mascara might be too much for them
You did an awesome job finishing all these products
Kath Thefabzilla recently posted…Style & Makeup Weekly Roundup: Black & White, Ponte Pants & A Dash of Red
Thank you! I feel virtuous!
Great job! I always hate when a nail file is done. I worked hard to get the perfect grit worn in 😀
Bailey recently posted…L’Occitane Arlesienne & Advent Calendar Preview | Holiday 2016
That’s funny, Bailey! I hate tossing those 6 paneled buffers because only one side is used up but it’s the most important side!
I think I have collected enough empties to finally write another post! lol I love almond scents and that soap is huge!!
It was a very unusual almond scent, but I really loved it. I can’t believe it lasted me this long! I look forward to your empties post!
Allison, You have collected a ton of empties. That’s awesome you have so many 😉
Honeygirlk recently posted…Get An Instant Eye Lift Without Surgery – Dynamic Sonic Instant Eye Lift
I did a good job this month, especially get rid of several full size products, yay!
Amazing list of empties!! And I knew I would see a Rituals product there, I just empties one of their body washes too 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…Beauty Box 5 September 2016 | Staff Favorites
I think I saw the Rituals foaming shower gel in one of your recent posts. It might have been the same one?
I am obsessed with MAC makeup wipes. I haven’t owned them in a while though because they’re so expensive. I want to find a drugstore equivalent but no luck so far!
Justina recently posted…Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Very Victoria
If you find the drugstore equivalent, please let me know!!
Wow! You used up a lot! And wow, not much that you’d repurchase. I understand completely though. I prefer to always try new things too.
Stacie Hamilton recently posted…Sweet Like Candy Perfume Review
I’d repurchase almost all of them but I have so many skincare products yet to test for review and so many haircare products that I’ve reviewed to finish up, it doesn’t make sense to spend money when I have things at home I can use. 🙂
Wow – you finished a lot of goodies
Lisa Heath recently posted…Color4Nails Pun With Pokémon Collection
Yes, I did! so proud, lol