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.

[Mochapj]

😍

Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream - just a sample but I loved the way this made my skin feel. Once I finish what I have open, I'm going to be buying this.

Herbivore Botanicals Prism - my favourite new exfoliating serum; my skin looks so much brighter and more even toned with use and I did notice my pores looking a bit less apparent

REN Ready Steady Glow - I really liked this acid at first but the longer I used it, the less I noticed results

Cake Beauty Heavy Cream - one of my go to's for dry winter hands and feet

Siam Seas Yen Toner - a beautiful hydrating toner that feels lovely on the skin but the price for the size is a bit too off for me, so I probably won't repurchase

Saturday Skin Cotton Cloud Mask - this was a really great sheet mask; super hydrating and soothing and it came with cute cloud stickers, too

Zelens Z Recovery Balm - another sample; felt really nice on the face and skin felt plumped the following morning

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator - one of my HG toners, this is a regular repurchase

Lise Watier Extreme Hold CC Primer - one of the best eye primers I've found for hooded lids

Dr Jart Cicapair - didn't really do much for my face but it came in handy for healing a deep crack in my heel

😴

SK-ii Sheet Mask - came with lots of extra serum but it was drippy and didn't stay on well and I noticed no difference afterwards

Ordinary Granactive Retinol - not my favourite retinol; it never felt like it absorbed and left a greasy film on my face and wasn't as effective as others I'd tried

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip - nothing wrong with it, it's just not my favourite

Odacite Black Mint Cleanser - I liked this at first but over time it started to feel a little too stripping for my skin

Graydon Matcha Mint Shampoo - this was a GWP; it was nice but not nourishing enough for my dry, damaged hair

Shiseido Cotton - it's cotton

Farmacy Honey Savior - another balm that I don't like on my skin but worked well for healing a heel crack

Mahalo Queen Emma - I didn't outright dislike this but it was really disappointing. It's more expensive than my favourite 'luxury' serums from Vintners Daughter and Odacite (by quite a bit, I might add) and I never felt like it was doing anything (other than smelling pleasant). I tried using it regularly for 3 months and that didn't produce any noticeable results, which led to me continuing to use it sporadically to use it up. Wasn't as plumping or glow inducing as others.

Suqqu Soft Velvet + Natural Covering Powders - I didn't like either of these alone so I ended up mixing them together to make something that worked marginally better. Soft Velvet was waaaaay too pink for my skintone and Natural Covering made me look greasy.

Smashbox Primerizer - just a sample but did not like the way this sat on the skin 

Skin Inc Serum - a blend of the French Pine, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide serums but all I could pick out from this is the HA helping to keep my skin hydrated

Skin Tonic Detox Beauty Oil - another facial oil from ST I was finishing up; the ingredients list is great but it just did not want to absorb

😫

Cinema Secrets - I hate this brush cleaner; the smell is soooo strong and I feel like it's too drying

Namari Skin Sorbet - this was too thick and waxy for a face balm

Cake Snow Sugar - did not like the smell; citrus is not what I was expecting from snow sugar

Ole Henriksen GlowOH Dark Spot Toner - received this complimentary from Influenster but did not have a good experience with it. The scent is horrendous (sweet + industrial lemon solvent) and the longer I used it, the more I started breaking out. PASS.

[sonnydee]

never saw that scent 'snow sugar' before. agreed citrus is not the way to go for snow....🤔😁 @Mochapj

[CC3616]

@Mochapj I'm so glad I read your post! I've been looking for a cleaner toner to replace my HG with and not so successful in finding a replacement, I'd be interested in trying that josh rosebrook. 

[CookieGirl1]

Nothing overly impressive from this month's empties but I did really like the Ole Henriksen cleansing gel (I've actually developed a little stockpile of this in various sizes because I really like it!), the TIGI Bedhead hairspray (it's a regular purchase), and the Philosophy Hand creams (I have a little collection of these to go through). Everything else was pretty lackluster.

[HelenBT]

Lots of a wonderful empties! I'm currently working through my mini @OLEHENRIKSEN - Face the Truth™ Gel Cleansercleanser! One of my favorites. 🙂 @CookieGirl1 

[karap03]

JANUARY Empties. LOVES: purity cleanser, Dove exfoliating body polish, which shave cream in almond, klorane dry shampoo with nettle, korres wild rose advances brightening facial, beauty blender, bobbi brown hydrating face cream. DISLIKES: YSL all in one glow foundation (sheer coverage, too dewy for me), tatcha the pearl eye cream shade moonlight (odd consistency, hard to blend, doesn’t sink into the skin). *the rest were all good; not outstanding, not bad.

[RebeccaBT]

@karap03 Awesome empties! I love the KATE SOMERVILLE - ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. Thanks for all your feedback, I think I have a few things to try!

Best,
Rebecca 

[missjeanie]

@karap03 The NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Originalismy favourite eye primer.  While its not something that I get excited to use... its a daily workhorse in my make up bag!  Nice set of empties!

[haha11]

Love the Sephora brush cleaning spray and already have many backups, will never live without! The Paula’s choice toner is a basin toner that I enjoy using everyday. The Bioderma micellar water is also something that I use everyday and will never live a day without! And finally I got the La Roche-Posay shower gel was a gift that I received that was very gentle on the body! Will definitely re-purchase the first 3 items!

[flamingolegs]

It's been about five weeks and I've used up enough from my stockpile that it now fits into two FFF boxes instead of three.

We'll start with would not buy again/didn't like:

SEPHORA COLLECTION - Clay Mask

I felt like this did nothing for my skin one way or the other, and was a bit drying.

Urban Decay Mascara, I hated the wand.

AMOREPACIFIC - The Essential Creme Fluid 

I felt like this was so runny that it was hard to apply, it just dripped everywhere.  Might be better if not in a foil

CLINIQUE Clarifying Face Lotion 2 Toner for Gentle Exfoliation of Dry Combination Skin 6.7 oz/ 200 mL

My skin is dry to normal  This stuff smelled terrible of alcohol and witch hazel and was HORRIBLY drying.  Shame on them for selling this as something appropriate for dry or even normal skin.

KOPARI - Coconut Melt

I hate this stuff.  It is a greasy mess.

BOSCIA - Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask

Meh.  I used the entire tube over about two months, 1-2 times a week, and it did nothing to clear my pores.  I have tried a number of items from this brand and have yet to find one I'd even consider buying.

Jurlique Lip Care Balm--it's grainy and you have to use your finger to apply as opposed to having an applicator tip.  It's also really greasy.

Drybar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo 8.5 oz/250 ml

Meh.  It's expensive and there are a number of clarifying shampoos that do a better job.  The DRYBAR - On The Rocks Lightweight Replenishing Conditioner is a detangler, but doesn't condition.

OUAI - REPAIR Shampoo

Yet again nothing special.  There are much better products on the market, and this is expensive.  Same with the OUAI - REPAIR Conditioner

[sephoraaddict918]

I hear ya @flamingolegs about the Clinique Clarifying Lotion! I REALLY miss the Mild Clarifying Lotion. That was their best one! Now, I have to make due with the Clarifying Lotion 1.0. It is the only one that doesn't have any alcohol, but it does have witch hazel. I follow the Clarifying Lotion with patting the KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 - Ultra Facial Tonerinto my skin, and that makes it less drying.

[SpaceLlama]

I threw away my Clinique clarifying lotion 2 as well after using it once. The smell was so off putting and then I noticed it had alcohol in it! No thanks! 😣 @flamingolegs 

[flamingolegs]

I started using it when I was in Ireland where it's sooo humid (even in the winter) that I didn't notice how drying it was.  But then I took the remainder to Oklahoma where even in the summer when it's humid, the never ending wind filled with that fine, fine grit tricks your skin into thinking it's super dry year round.  Big mistake on my part.  I used it the first night I got there and didn't really notice, but the next morning, holy hell.  Glad it was gone after that and I switched to the Caudalie I had brought along.

[SpaceLlama]

Oh no, @flamingolegs ! Glad Caudalie was able to come to the rescue though! 

[flamingolegs]

These are all items I have or will buy again.  most are things I've been using for a year or more.

The Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Hydrating Face Mask with Avocado & Hyaluronic Acid 2.5 oz/ 75 ...

came as a deluxe sample, and I love it!  I'm going to buy more once I've used up a heavy overstock of other sleeping masks.

The DIOR - Diorshow Mascara 

might be the exception.  I like it, but as stated earlier I prefer others.

I don't know that I'll ever buy the La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizer for Anti-Aging and Barrier Repair 1 oz/ 30 mL

but it was very nice.  Just so expensive.

Those CVS nail squares are the bomb.  They have an exfoliating side, which with remover takes off the most stubborn polish and gels.  They are really cheap and you can often find them BOGO.

[flamingolegs]

Next are things I like but probably wouldn't buy as there are other products that I prefer:

The Total Softies were really thick and left fibers behind when my husband tried to use toner at night and they caught on his beard stubble.  We definitely prefer SEPHORA COLLECTION - Soft Touch Cotton Pads.

Oribe Face Wash--nothing wrong with it, but it's very expensive and isn't any better than face washes half the price.

DIOR - Capture Youth Plump Filler Age-Delay Plumping Serum

The sample was so small that I wouldn't buy it.  it was enough to try it once.  I did notice results, but would want to try it 2-3 times before buying.  I don't think it would be any better than KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 - Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentratewhich is about half the cost.  Even Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid 1.69 oz/50 mlis about half the cost.

Kiehl's Since 1851 Crème de Corps Refillable Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane 8.4 oz/ 250 ml

It has a nice creamy texture, but I don't particularly care for the scent.  

Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Volumizing Mascara Black

Nothing wrong with it, but I definitely prefer LANCôME - Monsieur Big Mascara  and DIOR - Diorshow Mascara

L'Occitane Almond soap, I like the exfoliating properties, but the scent is a bit strong.

All of the foils in the lower photo I liked, but have similar products I prefer.

[CC3616]

@flamingolegs I have always been interested to hear feedback on non-hair orbie products! thanks 

[flamingolegs]

I have also tried their hand cream.  It is no better than any number of creams half the cost.  They really should stick to hair care products, but even those are over priced, and there are products I like just as much for half the price.

[RGbrown]

Another batch o'trash 😁Yup yup yup

Spoiler

BBW Candle, Mahogany Coconut: while I adore lots of their candles, this may very well be my new favorite scent (at least for now lol). There's just something fancy and sophisticated about it. Not the typical tropical coconut...there's coconut there, yes, but it's warm and sultry instead of fruity and sweet.

Burts Bees lip balm: continual staple

Zoya Remove+: another continual staple...will never go back to anything else

Andalou Naturals Probiotic + C Renewal Cream: my fave winter moisturizer. Plenty rich for my dehydrated but oily skin, and never clogs my pores. I have more in my stash (but will be trying FAB BarriAIR starting tonight thanks to Sephora!)

Fine and dandy

Spoiler

Leaders Moisturizing Recovery Mask: I've finally figured out what role I want sheet masks to play in my skincare routine: extra moisture. I have lots of other types that I'll be using up, but moisturizing ones will be all I ever replenish as I run low. This was a nice one...decent fit, stayed in place, no bad smell, and moisturizing. The gel ones are a teensy bit of a pain to apply, but once on, I had no complaints.

Caudalie Instant Detox mask: I was a bit surprised by the texture of this one once it dried...I was expecting clay, but it had more of a plasticy/rubbery texture, almost like a peel-off mask. It was fairly tight when dry as well (which I do not mind at all). It softened back up with warm water quite easily though, making removal an easy process. Would use again, but I have too many other masks to consider purchasing just yet.

Clinique Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate: nice for an extra boost of moisture under moisturizer. I also used it as a final moisturizer with oil mixed in (I think it'd be too light as a last step on its own, even for my oily skin). As with masks, I have too many moisturizers in my stash to consider buying right now, but I would use again.

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels: not sure these firm much, but they sure do feel nice on tired eyes. Not sure I even have to consider buying, as my stash never seems to run low from gwps lol

Nah

Spoiler

BBW Raspberry & Sweet Mint Body Cream: this would be a love if it hadn't gone bad 😞 I've got lotions and shower gels way older than this that haven't turned yet, but the only BBW items I've lost to spoilage have been body creams. Something to keep in mind of you hoard body stuff like I do!

PTR Potent-C Serum: I really don't think this does much of anything for me. If I ever get more in a gwp, I miiiight toss it into my morning routine, but not sure I'd even bother. My nighttime Vit C works wonders for me and I'm content with one product in this category now.

BKR lip balm: interesting texture...it's like a really thick lip oil in a pot. It clings really well without being sticky, and feels good going on, but if I used it more than a couple of times, I felt like it dried my lips out instead of moisturizing them. Perhaps better suited as an overnight mask over something more hydrating to seal it in, but I love my current night routine and didn't want to mess with it.

[pinyo]

So happy to be slowly killing my stash! 

Klorane dry shampoo: this is one of the better dry shampoos I’ve tried. Still creates some white cast, but not as bad as others. 

Dry bar dry shampoo: no no no no no! I hate the smell and it doesn’t work very well. The smell is awful and I can’t get past it. 

Boscia mud mask: still a love! 

dr jart exfoliator: still one of my favorite exfoliators, however I’ve found something I like even more and is cheaper! 

[RebeccaBT]

@pinyo I haven't tried that candle yet! I will have to try it! Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Rebecca