Services
From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations
Sign In
Seeing product empties is so satisfying 🙂
Post your weekly, monthly, quarterly, whenever-ly empties and let us know how you felt about them!
Previous Empties thread:
A small batch of empties from July and early August. I’m trying to use some of my kabillion samples, or at least the ones I’m sure are safe for my skin.
Loves:
Spoiler
Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum: I’ve already repurchased it and moved it to an airless vacuum pump bottle (which wasn’t easy, thanks to the shape of the DDG bottle) because it’s very hard to use up all this serum once the level’s lower than its original bottle’s pump tube. This serum’s worth the trouble, though. I rave about it all the time. ❤️
MAC Satin Lipstick in the shade Carnal: I love this blue-toned blood red shade and wish it wasn’t discontinued. I save all my MAC empties for their recycling program (and okay, for free lipsticks); this reminds me to take my latest batch to my local MAC store or counter. Meanwhile, I’ve opened my last backup tube of Carnal. 😞 MAC, y u always kill ur best stuff? 😭
Skinfix Eczema Hand Repair Cream: This is the tube I received as gratis from Sephora. I’ve already repurchased it and will likely go through multiple tubes this winter. 😄 My hands don’t have eczema but they are quite dry, and this cream is the best moisturizer I’ve ever used on them. I’ve been trying not to use it daily but that’ll definitely change once temperatures drop below freezing.
Sephora Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes: I travel with these instead of micellar water. At home, I use them to remove makeup swatches or custom blends done on my hand. They’re effective for anything but mascara and waterproof makeup. They smell good. And they don’t irritate my skin at all. It’s almost time for me to restock these.
Nopes:
Spoiler
Tarte Babassu Foundcealer samples: My skin tones are the same as a foundation-wearing friend’s, so I tested 2 shades of this foundation on myself (one on each half of my face) to see if I should recommend either of them to her. I shouldn’t. Both shades were ashy on me, even though they had different undertones. And this stuff felt very heavy on my skin.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple: This was my first time trying this cleanser. I used it right after the Bobbi Brown oil cleanser sample. It’s very creamy and smells weirdly medicinal. Irritated my eyes a lot. Removed the rest of the Tarte foundation without stripping my skin or causing any dryness, but a slightly tingly reaction of chicken bumps began to form on my cheeks—and that reaction’s usually followed by dry patches. 😡 I quickly added my beloved e.l.f. essence and a cold compress to calm that reaction down.
Ulta Premium Pillow Cotton Pads: Yet another pack of cotton pads/rounds I’ve replaced with reusable bamboo/cotton rounds. Took me about a year to finish these. I didn’t like them for skincare use, but they’re kinda nice for cleaning wounds like the badly skinned knee I had last year. I won’t repurchase them, though.
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Lotion: I tried this years ago but couldn’t remember what I didn’t like about it. It’s not terrible—it’s quite moisturizing—but it strongly smells too much like suntan lotion meets Jergens original lotion. And I don’t like how my hands felt after I applied this; not greasy at all, not bone dry, but kinda... suede-ish? Definitely not the feeling I prefer.
Paula’s Choice Gentle Cleansing Cloths: These are too gentle. 😄 They can remove powder blush but struggle a bit with eyeshadow swatches. Removing cream/liquid makeup requires more aggressive rubbing than it should. I still have a few single packs of these wipes (more GWP from PC); I might use them for post-workout wipe downs. But they’re ineffective as makeup wipes.
Neutral, won’t purchase:
Spoiler
Bobbi Brown Oil Cleanser: Effectively broke up and removed most of the Tarte foundation. I also have a DS bottle I might use from time to time. But I have no need to buy a full size. I’d rather use micellar water than a cleansing oil as my makeup remover.
I made it through a *few* larger products this month which felt good. There were only a couple of things that were truly duds for me and the rest were either so-so or definite "loves":
I don't feel like I made it through very much this month; it's like I'm on the brink of finishing up several things and this month just didn't push them over the edge.
The super winner of everything was the Hale & Hush Quiet Wash sample. O M G. Best face wash ever. My face was baby soft and had zero irritation after using it. I'm considering giving away my stock of face wash so I can just use this one. Unfortunately it's one of those things that is insanely expensive and I can only buy it from my local rep around these parts.
My recent empties since my last post on here, which has been awhile lol! I did more work on my samples! Belif Aqua Bomb- this is my second bottle. Although it’s not my HG, it’s still a nice lightweight moisturizer especially in the summer. Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil- love! Great for removing makeup and leave my skin without feeling stripped. Doesn’t sting the eyes but does leave blurry vision for a few seconds. Already got the full size. Amorepacific treatment cleansing foam- really like it! I used it on my jaw line primarily where I get acne and it did great in preventing breakouts and my skin felt pretty good and smooth. Would repurchase! Tatcha blotting papers- only ones I’ve ever purchased, I’ve gone through four or five of these now. Definitely a HG! Blots my oils without removing my makeup. Briogeo shampoo and conditioner samples- I didn’t see much volume effect but my hair felt good and smelled amazing. Maybe if they had this in a hydrating formula I would buy the full size. Caudalie serum- didn’t see much effect with just one use but I think my pores looked a little smaller than usual. FAB cleanser- Dislike! My skin felt way too tight after trying that. Briogeo mask- didn’t see much effect but I’m not sure I used the right amount through my hair because the sample is so small. Flower Fusion mask- dislike! I had a reaction to this one so never buying again. Sephora cotton rounds are my jam! So much softer than my grocery store and do a great job for toner and removing eye makeup. Saturday Skin mask- didn’t see much in terms of “radiance” as it says it should do but my skin didn’t react so that was nice. Maybe might repurchase. Overall a nice set of empties and I can’t wait to use more!
April empties (yes, I know its june 😂) not many empties, my skin freaked out in the middle of the month so I had to take it easy...only one dislike. Benefit eye makeup remover. it burned my eyes! secret key mask was pretty good but it has alcohol in the first few ingredients so, not hunting it down but would use again if I got it in a sub. all others are hg or likes.
The only one I love out of this bunch is the CO Bigalow Rose Salve - an absolute lip saver for me...if I don't have it on before I go to bed or first thing in the morning, I get a little panicky. 😅 • The sunscreens didn't work for me, the Biore blue and pink bottles are drying my skin out due to the alcohol. This was my last blue bottle, but I have 2 more of the pink... think I might just toss those. And finally, a Shiseido product that I dislike very much, the Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion. It leaves a HORRIBLEwhite layer - not even a cast - A LAYER of white on my face!! I tried to make it work...I massaged it in, I patted it in relentlessly, I triedgiving it time to sink in. Nothing worked. Switching back to what I knowand love and saying sayonara to these. • Everything else was just mehhh.2nd empty bottle of TLC, didn't work wonders, I'm moving on. The Rosette cleansing oil, Aesop shampoo, L'Occitane velvet serum, Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip and Quai Treatment Mask all worked as intended but I found no pleasure in using any of them.
this is 2 months of empties, September and October. I really haven’t been using too much lately, especially makeup products as I’m barely wearing makeup since of constant mask wearing. Anyway, here are my empties:
loved: both Bath & Body Works candles, 2 favs for sure. The sanitizer, and also the c.o. bigelow lip balm which are from Bath & Body Works too. The balm is thick but not sticky or goopy. I wore it at night and also through the day. Already repurchased. VS Pink body spray was sweet and light, I usually layered this with a perfume and always liked the combination. Stila liquid eyeshadow, I adore these! They’re so pigmented and sparkly, but they dry out sooo quick. MILK Kush mascara, one of my top 2 mascaras. Very lengthening and dark, doesn’t smudge on my oily lids either. Already have 2 back ups.
meh: Tatcha mask, it was nice, but it was a brightening mask and I prefer deep cleansing/purifying or oil control, this was obviously a sample, but I wouldn’t purchase. Benefit Boi-ing concealer; just too orange toned. Their shade range is not the best. It is good coverage but too orange. Wouldn’t repurchase. Lise Watier blending sponge, it was a little stiff, not awful but I prefer real techniques or beauty blender for sure. Probably wouldn’t repurchase unless it was on sale for a good price. Polish’d makeup removing wipes, removed my makeup enough to follow up with a cleanser, but there are other brands I prefer. Wouldn’t bother repurchasing.
Hated: Tarte Knockout toner, it smells like alchol and dried out my skin. I didn’t even use the whole thing, I used it for about 4-5 weeks and then dumped the rest.
August Empties (Makeup)
Spoiler
BareMinerals All Over Face Color (Clear Radiance)
Results - I can’t really tell what this powder wants to do. I just mixed it in with my Maybelline FitMe Powder to give it a little sparkle. Aroma - None Texture - Finely milled and sparkly Expense - $22 0.05 oz; I have no use for this product.
CoverFX Perfect Setting Powder
Results - Sets concealer without flashback Aroma - None Texture - Softly milled Expense - $35 0.35 oz; I’m still on the fence about this powder. I bought a kit that includes a mini size for my CoverFX review, but I wouldn’t buy the full size based on my recent experience.
NYX Professional Makeup Tinted Brow Mascara (Black)
Results - I use this to get my overgrown brows as tame as possible. It seemed to get the job done well enough. Aroma - None Texture - Drier Pigment Expense - $7.50 0.22 oz; I wasn’t wowed by this, and it seems like it was dried out already when I got it. I will at least try it one more time before I dismiss it completely.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur
Results - I didn’t notice much blurring, but I like how smooth the primer feels on the skin Aroma - Didn’t notice any scent Texture - Straight Silicone Expense - $37 1.0 oz; This primer is just a’ight to me, so I’m not running to purchase a full size.
Smashbox Photo Finish Vitamin Glow Primer
Results - Skin feels moisturized and slightly glowy Aroma - Citrusy Texture - Light and creamy Expense - $39 1.0 oz; I would buy the full size version of the primer during a sale.
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara
Results - Lashes that are neither thick or super volumized with a quickness. Aroma - Didn’t notice anything Texture - On the drier side Expense - I got this on super discount because S&G makeup was being discontinued at my Ulta. I think I paid less than $5 for it, but I wouldn’t repurchase.
Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow (Cloud/Kitten)
Results - Eyelids that shim shimmer to the gods! Aroma - Nothing noticeable Texture - Creamy; but the mini sizes seem to dry out very quickly. Expense - $24 0.153 oz; I got these in a holiday gift set. Out of the two, I would probably purchase a full size of Cloud because the color is more unique than Kitten.
Ulta Beauty Bloom Blush
Results - Nothing; This blush is not made for people who would fail the paper bag test. Aroma - Nothing noticeable Texture - Dry and powdery Expense - $0; This was part of a gift set, so I don’t feel guilty about decluttering it.
Ulta Beauty Bloom Eyeshadow Palette
Results - Ashy lids because this palette looks pretty in the pan, but it’s not made for us melanated beauties. Aroma - Didn’t notice any scent Texture - Powdery Expense - $0; This was part of a gift set. Now, it has been decluttered because it doesn’t bring me joy.August Empties (Hair)
Spoiler
Klorane Nourishing Shampoo with Mango Butter
Results - Makes my hair smell delicious, but my coils feel stripped of moisture (even after pre-pooing and mixing this with a cleansing conditioner) Aroma - Sweet and fruity Texture - Rich and creamy Expense - $9 3.3 fl oz; This is the price of the travel size bottle, but I got this as part of the Hydrating Mango Butter Trial Kit for $20 that also includes a trial size version of the conditioner the the leave-in cream. I won’t repurchase because I don’t like how my hair feels after using this shampoo.
Pacifica Native Flower Nourishing Hair Oil
Results - Nourished and moisturized hair using the L.O.C. method Aroma - Nothing noticeably strong Texture - Lightweight Expense - I bought this a TJ Maxx and don’t remember how much I paid for it. If I saw it again, I would repurchase because I think it was less than $10 and lasts for a couple of years.
Pacifica Scalp Love Rosemary Mint Serum
Results - A soothe and detoxed scalp? Aroma - I was surprised that there was no noticeable scent since this has rosemary and mint Texture - Thin and very watery Expense - $11 2 fl oz; This is reasonably priced for how long it lasted, but I won’t repurchase because I couldn’t really tell if it was working.
Pattern Jojoba Oil Hair Serum Self-Heating Pack
Results - Glossy, moisturized pre-pooed hair Aroma - Light and sweet Texture - Mediumweight oil that absorbed quickly Expense - $15 2 packs; This is definitely overpriced! I wouldn’t buy this on a regular basis, but I might pick it up when I’m feeling a little bougie.
