Empties

[wendyomgwar]

I love seeing other peoples empties! So I decided to make a board where people could post pictures of their empties, or just tell us about them! I'd also be interested in knowing whether you're repurchasing anything or not.

[QueenMarceline]

@Cissy63 Looks like you had both some hits and misses from this pile. One of my favorite parts of sifting through empties is really evaluating how I feel about a product I went through. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your stash.

[Cissy63]

Thanks @QueenMarceline 😀.  

[Cissy63]

Here are empties from July.  Late entry unfortunately Covid got in my way!

 These were all very good.  All of the masks face and eye masks.  I love the Wander eye masks.  The face masks were good.  Loved the dog mask!!  The foil samples were fine but nothing that I have to run and buy.  

 These are the best!!  I repurchased the Bum Bum cream, the Wander mascara, Korres body cream and the facial mask.  I really enjoy the lavender hand soap too.  I wish Avon still sold that foot cream,  it was so good on my son’s dry feet.   Kerastase products worked well, but I have a lot of Olaplex to finish first. 

 These were decluttered.  

[CookieGirl1]

@Cissy63 you managed to get through a lot!  I keep wanting to try out that specific Kerastase line myself.

[Cissy63]

@CookieGirl1   The sample kit from Keratase was enough for 2 decent shampoos and conditioning.  I liked it but it wasn’t so different from the Olaplex that I have been using.  

[ather]

@Cissy63  Wow awesome job!! You did so good! 

[Cissy63]

@ather  Thank you 💕

[QueenMarceline]

@Cissy63 Great job on all those empties and declutters. I absolutely adore the bum bum cream and I'm sure it'll make it's way to my empties sometime very soon. 🙂

[Cissy63]

Thanks @QueenMarceline 😀. That cream smells heavenly 💕

[QueenMarceline]

@Cissy63 Seriously, one of the best of the best ❤️

[RGbrown]

Latest batch, YTD 314

Spoiler

Hempz Salted Toffee Hand & Foot Cream: just ok to me, I prefer a much thicker cream for my feet, but this still does a pretty decent job of keeping my feet soft. 

Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo: still my absolute favorite. Scary white right out of the can, but it shakes out so freaking easily, leaving no white cast, and my hair is soft and shiny. It leaves no product feel at all and never builds up on my scalp. It's pricey, but I stock up when JCP has it for $10!

ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: I dislike most lavender stuff, but the scent of this is just phenomenal. I do get nose blind to it from time to time, so I have to stop using it for a while and then come back to it, but I have more and am looking forward to pulling it out again in a month or two.

Glisten & Glow top coat: all time HG. Super quick drying, shiny, no shrink. I'm gonna test the KB Shimmer topcoat soon as the formulas look very similar, but I will always adore this one as my first love.

Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter: if the full size didn't come in a tub, I'd have bought one by now. This is incredibly thick and rich, super moisturizing. No added fragrance (though shea butter is very high on the list, so it does have a scent). 

Bumble Pret-a-Powder Dry Shampoo: these tiny cans make it so hard to get a full grasp on how well this works for me. I used to think I loved it, but I can't tell anymore, frankly. It's ok, I don't hate it, but Redken is better for me, that much I do know.

Dionis Lip Balm (peppermint): perfectly lovely basic balm for daily use. Decent enough moisture with fun scents that are well crafted and not overly artificial or over the top. Have more and will continue to buy.

Versace Bright Crystal: a nice combo of fresh and fruity, I've been using this as my pillow scent of late (I also like it as an actual perfume, but I rarely remember to wear perfume, so I gotta use these samples somehow lol).

Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water Gel Moisturizer: good moisture, lightweight consistency, no fragrance, and free of some ingredients I've been trying to avoid. I've got a larger bottle in use right now, and I'm really liking it...could see myself buying it again in the future.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner: really nice extra layer of moisture that soaks in well and has no scent. I've got plenty of other essences in my stash, but I'd consider this in the future.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser: I see folks say this smells awesome, but I didn't like it?! I smell the strawberry, which is nice, but my nose also picked up a really strong chemically undertone that disagreed with me. Otherwise, it was a perfectly fine cleanser.

Spoiler

Aldi Citron & Cilantro candle: way too one note...all I caught was cilantro, which I like, but which also got old quickly. Burned well, great throw, just not my fave scent.

Bumble Bond Building shampoo & conditioner: I came close to blind buying this over the summer when Ulta had it on sale, and I kinda wish I had now after finally getting a sample. One use is impossible to get a read on how well it'll work for me long term, but I liked it enough that I'd be willing to give it a longer test. Good moisture, and my frizz wasn't too bad after use. 

Ulta Whim Shower Steamer (Breathe): some sort of menthol or eucalyptus scent but it had absolutely zero throw, and I could barely smell it unless I stuck my nose right in it. I'm also realizing that I must have thrown out the package for the other one I tried after this one, Unwind...it smelled good (honestly not sure what the scent was though...?), decent enough throw. I'd get this one again.

Holika Holika Strawberry sheet mask: almost no scent, good moisture, overall I'm pleased with this one and might be tempted to grab another box if I see them at TJM again.

Ulta Banana sheet mask: a little thicker material than I tend to like, but it's got nice moisture, the fit isn't terrible, and it's a decent filler when I need to add a few bucks to my total, so I've accumulated quite a few of these that I'll be more than happy to use up.

Give Them Lala Stay Calm Soothing sheet mask: no scent, good moisture. These came in a sub box and are pretty abundant on eBay and the like for pretty cheap...it's another one I'm halfway tempted to grab more of 🤔

[Cissy63]

@RGbrown   Oh I also like the Ulta Banana sheet masks 🍌🍌!,  You finished a good number of products 🌺

[RGbrown]

@Cissy63 

Yes, that banana mask is fun! Nice hydration too, which is always a good thing!

[ather]

@RGbrown  Impressive! I feel like the BB shampoo conditioner use to be in a blue bottle maybe. I use to use it and loved it. If you try it again I’m interested in your thoughts!

[CynthieLu]

Very detailed break down of your monthly empties @RGbrown thank you!

I have never seen Hemp lotion in that variety here before, the hands and feet type. Neat!

(My feet do well with the thicker CeraVe or Aquaphor)

🙂

[RGbrown]

@CynthieLu 

The Hempz was from the holidays two (three? 😬) years ago. They seem to put a foot cream out every now and again, but I don't think it's a regular product for them. It was passable, but I bought a ton on clearance before I realized it wasn't my fave, so I rotate it with creams I like better lol. I think I've only got one left finally 😅 (ETA: nope, that was my last one!)

[CynthieLu]

It takes me awhile to go through foot creams too @RGbrown 

oh The best hempz scent I remember was a grapefruit one so many years ago, but it was gooood 🙂

[QueenMarceline]

@RGbrown Another great monthly line-up! I love that ULTA banana face mask! 🙂

[RGbrown]

@QueenMarceline 

Ulta sheet masks can be hit or miss, but the banana one is a pretty decent hit! 🍌

[QueenMarceline]

@RGbrown Agreed. Was so happy when I found it, it's probably my favorite ULTA sheet mask to date. ❤️

[RGbrown]

Big batch this time, a little over a month's worth! 🗑️

YTD 294

Spoiler

Bad Habit Wake Things Up Matcha & Mint Morning Cleanser: stinky, I caught neither matcha nor mint in this. Felt the mint if I got it in my eye though 😕 Overall it was a decent cleanser, but I just couldn't get along with the scent (and this is coming from someone that grew to like the scent of Tula's cleanser...)

Butter London Nail Foundation: still my favorite ridge filling base coat, though I keep trying others to find something less expensive. It works so well considering how deep some of mine are, and the beige tint is a plus in helping to cover a bit of my staining.

Vichy Mineral 89: simple hyaluronic serum, nice extra layer of moisture when I need it. Soaks in well, doesn't disagree with or cause issues with anything else in my routine. 

TonyMoly Changing U Peppermint Foot Cream: mediocre cream, and the peppermint scent is quite metallic. Glad I'm done with all I had.

SJP Stash Luxe Body Creme: not what I'd call a lux cream at all, it's a fairly thin lotion, but I adore this scent and am crushed it has been discontinued. I've got another tube I'll ration out for the rest of eternity lol

L'Oreal Curve It Curl Taming Gel Cream: I didn't love this enough to buy it again, but I also didn't hate it. I'd get bored and set it off to the side for a while, trying something else, but I was always willing came back to it. Decent frizz control, and nice definition. Would use again, but for now I'm looking forward to trying other stuff again.

We Are Paradoxx Secret Weapon 3-in-1 Conditioner: I use this as a leave-in after a shower, right before I put my hair up in my turban, and I love it enough that I have a brand new bottle already in use. This reduces frizz and helps keep my curls neat, no matter what shampoo or conditioner I use.

Hempz Fresh Snowberry & Vanilla Creme lotion: one of last year's holiday offerings, this was a fresh fruity scent, not overly sweet, bright raspberry, maybe, with a hint of spice? Lovely scent, and I like Hempz's lotion formula well enough to risk purchasing other scents that sound like they might tickle my fancy.

Ulta Frosted Berry Body Sorbet: I adore their sorbets, they are so amazingly thick and creamy, fantastic for drier skin and/or winter months. They soak in well and don't feel greasy. This was a holiday scent that I wish they'd carry year round.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: just a basic staple. I rarely wash my face in the mornings anymore, but when I do, this is what I'm most likely to use.

Valjean Labs Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid serum: I used this to amp up my vitamin C and it worked well for that. No scent, soaked in well, no piling or other obnoxious behavior. I've put my vitamin C on hold for a bit, but when I get back to it, I've got some other serums to use up before considering this again.

 Skyn Iceland The Antidote Daily Cooling Lotion: I adore this stuff after a day in the heat. Very light moisturizer, probably not enough for me in winter, but it's a fun summer treat from time to time.

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask: my absolute laziest nights mean a face wipe and sleeping cream...love this one for that dialed back routine. No scent, great moisture.

Ulta Juice Infused Lip Oil: I love these! The packaging isn't as fancy as Dior or Clarins, but I find the product inside to be extremely comparable to both.

Dionis Goat Milk Lip Balm Vanilla Bean: these are such a nice value, jumbo stick for $5. Good vanilla scent, not too sweet or cloying, and decent enough moisture for a basic balm. Have several more in my stash.

Ellis Brooklyn Apres: very one-note to me, just cedar, and while I love cedar, I didn't like this at first, it was a bit overwhelming. A second try had me a little more open-minded, and as it wore, it softened, still very cedar heavy, but not as stringent, it became warm and cozy, aaaaand now I love it. I have not played with layering it with anything, but I bet it would be a fantastic way to add some depth and warmth to many summer scents, bringing them into the fall and winter months.  

Foot masks are always a fun treat for me, and both of these were good. I adore peppermint, but the banana one was a nice diversion too.

Sephora wipes...these are ancient, but did their job well, no problems.

Olay Regenerist Whip Moisturizer: I'd actually like to try this again, but I also noticed Ulta doesn't carry it anymore, just the SPF version, so I dunno if it's being discontinued or if Ulta is just swapping out the products they carry. It's a lightweight moisturizer, good moisture for me, no scent. I had some breakouts while trying it, but I discovered something else I was using at the same time had an ingredient I've been trying to avoid, so my test got all effed up and I dunno which one was the culprit.

System Professional Smoothen shampoo & mask: reminded me an awful lot of Wella Fusionplex (my absolute fave) and considering SP is a Wella brand, I'm not shocked by this. These left my hair soft and smooth and with minimal frizz, much like my beloved Wella. SP seems to have pulled out of North America or something though...the only place I can find it is from EU sites. In any case, it's way more expensive that Wella so I wasn't considering a purchase anyways, but if I were to happen on some leftover stock at an Ulta or even one of the discount stores, I'd consider it with the right price. 

Sheet masks: all done with my 2022 stash! Most were fine; did not care for the TonyMoly snail hydrogel (the mesh embedded in the gel was itchy, and the dang thing wouldn't stop sliding down), I'm not a fan of milky serums like in the Lapcos ceramide, and the SOS Warming mask was weirdly sticky and gooey. The rest were all nice though, decently hydrating, and I don't recall any weird scents.  

Candles, all fine to great

Made a new batch of cuticle oil...added all of the above to a 4oz bottle of jojoba oil, and tossed out the last of my well-used, 3 year old pens that leaked like crazy these days.

Destashes: all are expired, gone bad, or otherwise didn't agree with me. Slowly but surely I'm weeding out the hoards of stuff I've gone overboard collecting in the past