Lots of empties to go through from March. I am doing well toward reaching my goal of 100 empties in 2019.
Nails
- Zoya Big Flipper Nail Polish Remover: Although I am sometimes lazy and I use the tub polish removers from CVS that you stick a finger in and swish around, Zoya Big Flipper really is the best in terms of both gentleness and effectiveness. Plus it lasts me forever. Repurchase? Yes, I did.
Bath & Body
- EO Everyone Hand Soap, Meyer Lemon + Mandarin: I loved the scent of this wonderful natural hand soap from EO. Repurchase? I would but sadly, my CVS stopped carrying the brand, and I haven’t been to Target in a while. I look for any scent of EO hand soap at Homegoods recently, and there was none to be found. So this time I bought something else. But I definitely recommend it and I’ll buy it again in the future.
- Humboldt Soap Company Body Mousse, Strawberry Pear: I am addicted to HSC Body Mousse. It is a using a creamy, fluffy cloud. Strawberry Pear is one of my favorite scents so far, along with Banana Mango. Repurchase? I am now using Blackberry Coconut and have a couple more in my stash. But I definitely will. $18 Update! Good news! HSC is having a 20% off sale for Mother’s Day through 5/8. Now’s the time to stock up if you’re a fan of the Body Mousse and Cremeplexion Moisturizer like I am. I need to buy the Strawberry & Pear, Banana & Mango and just today, I finished up the divine Blackberry & Coconut Body Mousse that I always get compliments on when I wear it. Yes!
- Vitabath Heavenly Coconut Creme Body Wash: I really love Vitabath Coconut Cream Body Wash because the scent is great. When I’m in the mood for a gourmand scent, this is it. However, I’m kind of mystified by Vitabath’s treatment of this product. I was buying it for years, and it was sulfate-free yet it sudsed and cleaned well. They switched the packaging from a plastic bottle to a tube, and they added back sulfates into the formula. I wrote to them about it, and they gave me a non-answer. Weird. Repurchase? I bought it at Ulta quite a while ago on a 2 for 1 so I have another waiting in the wings. $7.99
- Moulton Brown Limited Edition Muddled Plum Body Wash in the holiday bauble size: Oh, I just noticed there’s one more drop of the yummilicious smelling Muddled Plum body wash in the hard-to-use plastic bauble. I will try to get it out because this stuff, for me anyway, is that good! Repurchase? I managed to track down a bottle of Muddled Plum at Lord & Taylor. I should have bought two while it was still available. Love the scent so much, and it is hydrating, too! $30
- Dionis Goat Milk Skincare Unscented Hand Cream: I like Dionis Goat Milk Hand Cream because it is lightweight but still effective. I picked up a couple of purse size tubes at Ulta a while back. Repurchase? I bought two a while ago, so I had one waiting for me. This is an excellent natural brand. $3.49
- Luster Premium White PM Care Whitening Toothpaste: Luster PM Care Toothpaste was half of an AM/PM whitening toothpaste kit. I really liked this minty, white paste and felt that it did a great job cleaning my teeth and helping to whiten. Repurchase? I am still using the AM toothpaste, a turquoise gel formula, and I am about to start a new Luster kit with a blue light for extra whitening. Stay tuned.
- RITUALS The Ritual of Sakura Flowering Hand Balm: This hand cream is my all-time favorite. I love the mild cherry blossom scent. Even more I love the emollient consistency, and the fact that it feels like wearing a silicone glove. The price has been reduced on this product to $12.50 for 5.9 oz., down from $17, and it is no longer on the RITUALS website, which makes me nervous that they are discontinuing the larger pump bottle for the more expensive hand cream in a tube. I would buy this now! Repurchase? Yes, I did a couple of weeks ago, and I just bought a backup bottle during Lord & Taylor’s Friends and Family Sale so the price was $10 and change.
Skincare
- LXMI Pure Nilotica Melt Nourishing Balm-to-Oil: Although I ended up really liking this balm, I had a tough time with it. It came in my Ipsy Plus box, and I was excited to get to try a full size product from LXMI, a much talked about brand. Initially, I couldn’t get the thick balm to come out of the tube. It needed to be warmed up, and after I got some of it out, it started to work much better at coming out of the tube. Next, confusion. I thought this was a body care product. So I used this pricey stuff on my feet…just about the entire tube. It worked great, but somehow I noticed that this is a facial balm. Silly me! I tried the small amount that was left in the tube on my face at night after my serum instead of anti-aging cream, and I does an excellent job at hydrating my skin. Repurchase? Probably not right away. Maybe next winter when I’ll try using it on my face! $28
- 111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Booster: I also got this Vitamin C Booster in my Ipsy Plus box. It is a super-expensive, super lightweight vitamin C booster. I adored it because it has the consistency of an essence – it is extremely lightweight like water and sinks right in to my skin making it ideal for layering with other serums. It definitely helped brighten my skin. Repurchase? At $180 for 20ml (less than an ounce), there is no way I will purchase this lovely essence. Thank you to Ipsy for giving me a chance to try it. But for my money, I will find something more affordable, and I think I already have.
- NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot: NIP+FAB makes terrific affordable skincare products for exfoliation. I love the glycolic pads, and I liked the Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot. The packaging was neat with a button on top that you push down to make the dropper take up the right amount of product – very cool! The pearlescent, somewhat viscous grapefruit-scented serum dries down in seconds and is excellent for layering. Repurchase? Once I get caught up and finish up other similar products, I will check into repurchasing this and the Glycolic Fix Extreme Pads. I think this brand provides excellent value.
- Genucel Eyelid Treatment from Chamonix Essentials Collection: You know me, I am eager to try any eye cream that claims to tighten skin around the eyelid area. I was unfamiliar with the Chamonix brand that uses plant stem cells in its skincare products. The lightweight white lotion-cream did a good job keeping the skin above my eyelid tightened. Repurchase? I was planning to repurchase, but I found their website where the product is sold to be a little confusing and off-putting. Sadly, you can’t purchase just the one product, it seems. Instead, the website wants to sign you up for an Essentials Package that automatically renews every two months. No thanks. Way too high pressure. Too bad because I like the products they sent me to try out.
- Hanalei Lip Treatment, travel size: I bought 3 travel size Hanalei Lip Treatment tubes last year after trying it via Ipsy. I love this viscous, hydrating lip balm. It’s natural, contains lots of plant oils and it works on my dry lips. Non-greasy too. Repurchase? I’m on my last tube now. At some point, I will.
Makeup
- IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Anti-Aging Armour Veil Primer: I just finished my third bottle of IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Primer. This multitasker is my favorite primer because it works well at making my foundation last and helping it not settle into my lines, and it has collagen boosting benefits. This is one of my staple products. Repurchase? I already did. $48
- City Lips Plumping hydrating gloss, shade Sun Diego: As you may know, I am a big fan of City Beauty’s City Lips gloss with hyaluronic acid and plumping collagen spheres. I just re-reviewed them after a packaging change, and I still love super-hydrating, non-sticky City Lips gloss and their new sister line, City Lips Matte, that doesn’t dry out my lips (yay!). I had this old version for a few years because I was trying to make it last – mistake. Best to use it up because formulas do degrade over time. I discovered that when I got the new one. Repurchase? I’m set for now, but I will buy a replacement during their next sale because this stuff rocks.
- Lumene Time Freeze CC Cream, SPF 20: This is my favorite CC cream, perfect for everyday wear. I think this is the 3rd tube I’ve used up. Lumene used to be sold at CVS, but I haven’t found it there lately. Since I purchased this tube at Ocean State Job Lot a couple of years ago, they have revamped the product and packaging. It now comes in 6 shades instead of just 3. Light is a perfect match for my skin. It is natural and vegan. It has SPF 20 which is decent, though I wish it were 30. It’s lightweight and provides medium coverage. I love it! Repurchase? It’s sold on Target.com where it’s less expensive than on Amazon. I wish it were still at CVS or in my local Target. Nevertheless, Target does have free ship to store. I’ll do it! $14.99
Fragrance
- Sylvaine Delacourte Eau de Parfum, Dovana, sample size: I’m still making my way through the Sylvaine Delacourte Muscs Collection sample spray vials even though I have already ordered larger size versions of my two favorite scents: Florentina (Powdery Musk) and Lilylang (Solar Musk). Dovana (Tender Musk) is another one from the collection that I also liked because it smelled a lot like Florentina and Lilylang. Repurchase? I will probably stick with Florentina and Lilylang for now.
- ABHA Forever Blossom with Sweet Peony Essential Oils candle: I received this candle in a subscription box a few years ago. It had a nice, light, floral but powdery scent that was perfect for the bathroom. I am not quite finished with its but the glass is so covered with black soot that it is kind of gross. Repurchase? No.
Beauty Tools
- The Body Shop Facial Cleansing Sponge: I got this formerly white sponge in my fab Christmas 2018 24 Days of the Enchanted Advent Calendar from The Body Shop. Over time, in spite of washing it in the washing machine, it is no long white but coffee with cream colored as a result of my foundation. Repurchase? This was a good sponge made with artificial materials – I think cellulose – like a kitchen sponge. It was not really quite soft enough for my face. I’ve gone back to sea sponges.
Expired Products that I’m Tossing
I’m trying hard to get better at getting rid of old products that I’m not using. So here are this month’s unfinished products that I am getting rid of.
- Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation, shade Cool Beige: I feel kind of bad about the fact that I didn’t use up this nice foundation. It is natural, lightweight, and provides medium coverage. The Cool Beige shade was just slightly too light for me. Repurchase? No.
- Olive Lips Oat & Honey Lip Balm: I got this slim lip balm in my old Ipsy bag a couple of years ago. The natural and I think organic formula was kind of grainy, so I didn’t find myself reaching for it. Time to go.
- ColourPop Satin Lip: I tried buying the CP Satin Lip because the matte was far too drying for me. Sadly, Satin Lip was still too drying. I need to try the CP glosses since those would probably be a better bet for me. Repurchase? No. I’m sad to throw out this pretty mauve shade, but I never wear it coz it hurts.
- Amalie Beauty Persimmon Anti-aging Night Serum: I actually loved this natural and organic anti-aging “serum” that is more like a cream. Sadly, over time, the color turned from off-white to peachy-brown which is a bit scary. It doesn’t smell quite the same either. Time to go. I purchased a replacement during a sale, and I better get going on that one before it’s too late.
I have waaaaaay too many mascaras that I started and never wear because I don’t like them enough. Here are 3. Next month there will be more.
- Tarte Maneater Mascara: I got this in a recent Ipsy Plus box, and I expected to like it because of the wand with lots of plastic teeth. Somehow the gigantic wand was just too big, and the formula didn’t suit my lashes. I think I’ll keep the wand as a lash comb.
- Maelle Above & Beyond Mascara: I just got this in last month’s Ipsy Plus box. The formula has fibers suspended in it, and I find it hard to work with though it does add both volume and length to my lashes. It also clumps. Bye-bye.
- PUR Fully-Charged Mascara: This was a decent mascara that I received a couple of years ago, and should have tossed ages ago. It has a large fluffy bristle brush that just isn’t my thing.
- Bellimisa Mascara: see comments for PUR Fully-Charged: ditto.
So that’s it for March. I used up 18 products, and I’m tossing 7. I’ve gotta go back and tote up my number so far for 2019, but I know it’s already about 40, so I’m well on my way toward my goal.
Please check out Renu from CosmetopiaDigest‘s video on her empties. She was the inspiration for me participating in Project Pan!
What did you use up in March?
What’s your Reaction?
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Gosh, you’ve sold me on Muddled Plum – it will be my next Molton Brown gel. I got a tube of the Ritual of Sakura cream (can’t remember if it was 50 or 100ml) from somewhere recently – I didn’t know it came in a pump. Bummer if they’re discontinuing that packaging. I would have preferred a pump to a tube, so you don’t have to bother about putting the lid back and getting hand cream all over the tube.
I absolutely adore Muddled Plum, but sadly it was a limited edition for Christmas 2018 and it’s gone. I managed to scare up a full size bottle from a department store near me last month, but now it is gone, in the US at least. I agree with you about the Rituals pump vs. tube. Actually, I hope they will keep both, but seems unlikely.
You did an absolute great job. Hard to keep track of all the products we use on a day to day basis. I think you’re going to hit your goal pretty soon.
I think you’re right, Kathryne! I am bound and determined to exceed that goal!
You did amazing this month. So many items that you love got finished up. I laughed at some since I’m just getting to them (one from various Ipsy bags). I’ve got a box started of empties but it’s going to wait for a month since it was packed away when the bedroom was off limits from construction. I need to try that IT Primer, I can’t believe I never have.
Thanks, Marcia! I hope your renovation is over or will be soon. I think you would like the IT No. 50 Serum Primer – you should try a sample next time you go to Ulta!
Great progress! I think throwing away expired product is sometimes hard! You’ve inspired me, I have a number of mascara tubes that I don’t touch and are due for a toss
I have a ton more old mascaras and lipsticks that still need to go. Next month!
What amazing progress, Allison! Now that I am buying less and my low buy is going well, I am also finishing more products and it’s so satisfying.
I agree, Shireen. It is so satisfying to recycle empties. I have got to make a dent in all this stuff I’ve gotten! Glad you are too
Wow you had a super successful month. There’s lots of items in there I want to try!
WOW! You really worked through some items! I’m still working on my Humboldt body mousse although ill be sad when they are gone. lol. They smell so good. I think I;ll get the banana one again
Claudia, Arice from Humboldt Soap Co. let me know last night that she has a 20% off sale going on till May 8. I finished up the Blackberry & Coconut body mousse today, and everyone tells me how great I smell when I use it so I need another tub of that, and I also want the Banana & Mango and the Strawberry & Pear.
I’m a huge fan of Zoya Remove+. I bought the gallon a long time ago and I still have a little over half a gallon left!
I’ve not tried the Zoya remover!
I can’t believe that! Zoya Big Flipper is so freakin’ good!