Empties - V2

[scott1201]

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:

Spoiler

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Insiders/Empties/m-p/589003

[Samtian]

@Mellmars1185 Thank you! 

[itsfi]

@Samtian, nice work on your empties this month!

I miss having a tub when I see y'all with your bath bombs. Do you recall whether the Illuminati one had a good scent to it? Oh, I'm working on using up that Dr. Jart cleanser - I'll have to pay more attention to the foaming aspect on it now. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi It did have a great scent but ended up being wasted 😞 Love to hear your thoughts on the cleanser.

[itsfi]

@Samtian, the Dr. Jart Cicapair cleanser is one of the more foamy ones I've used - most of the gel cleansers I have lather up but not a ton. I like that it's gentle on my skin, but there are gel cleansers I prefer over this one, or over the one I have a deluxe sample of (which is the same as yours). All this being said, it looks as if Dr. Jart has, at the very least, repackaged this cleanser so that it is now available in a pump dispenser - the full size and it seems the deluxe sample size in the sampler kit. I haven't done a deep dive into the INCI lists for both to see if the product itself has been reformulated or if it's just the dispensing agent that has been changed. Even if it's the latter, the pump dispenser of the current product owuld mean that it will likely be foamier (is that a word?) than the version you and I have.

[Samtian]

@itsfi I'm glad it works for you! Maybe mine was old. Pump sounds so nice. 

[itsfi]

September 2025 Empties

Month-To-Date = 15 (includes foil samples but not declutterd products)

Year-To-Date = 212

A smaller group of empties for September, with most being full size products. 🙌

😘  Curology Emergency Spot Patch - if you’re looking for a 100% hydrocolloidal pimple patch (no salicylic acid or other acne fighting ingredient), this is the one. On the expensive side, but effective. Slightly thinner than the original Peace Out Acne Dots, but also feels a smidge softer, too. I'd repurchase this if/when on sale.

😐  OMSM Cotton Pads - A few folks (here and elsewhere) have remarked they felt these were similar to the Shiseido cottons. I would not say the same. They’re fine enough but they are not nearly as soft as the Shiseido cottons.

😘  Bisyodo Makeup Brush Cleaning Wipes are great for on the go when I don't want to pack a liquid cleaning solution. Quick, easy, convenient, portable. It is on the pricier side, but sometimes it's worth the convenience.

👍  Moroccanoil High Shine Gloss Mask is a nice one; it was a go-to of mine for a time, until I discovered something I like more. I did a comparison of it, and similar products from Living Proof and Kerastase (gratis) in a previous Hair Gloss Mask Throwdown. 

👍  ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a lovely, lightweight, tinted mineral sunscreen that gives a subtle glow to the skin. The tint on this is best suited for medium skin tones, or those on the medium side of light-medium. This is the second ISDIN sunscreen I've tried and I like them; I just need to find the one that best suits me.

😘  CAY SKIN Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 with Sea Moss and Aloe Stem Cells Clear has a thickness to it that I quite like - thick enough that it feels moisturizing off the bat but not so thick that it’s difficult to spread. Love that these also come in tints.

🐐  Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer #, always have one or two (or five😂) of these around. This one was the Citrus Grove scent. 

❤️  HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica has been a longtime fave and has already been repurchased. It would get my 🐐 designation if I didn't have a personal requirement that I go through two of it (any size) - hmmm, I my have to see if I have a sample packet of this because it really is worthy of GOAT status. 

😘  The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum Travel Spray  (SEPHORiA 2023 NYC, I think it was NYC, or maybe it was ATL? 🤔) - warm, slightly sweet (but not overly gourmandy) vanilla scent with woodsy and floral undertones. One of my faves from the brand, it wears well on its own and layered with other scents. 

❤️  AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Cooling Hydro Soothing Gel-Cream Moisturizer with Ceramides for Skin Moisture Barrier Repair 2.03 oz / 60 mL is a very good moisturizer for my dehydrated and sensitive skin in the late spring and summer months. It's not moisturizing enough for my skin in the cooler season as it leans more normal-to-dry now but discovering this one this spring/summer has been what my skin has needed.

🐐  Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade is the brow product I always want to have in my makeup collection. I have a backup already but am holding off on opening it in order to finish other products first in an effort to actually put those to full use.

👍x2 + 😐 x2 - Essentially, they're okay; I'd used them (or repurpose them) if I found another foil sample in my stash but am unlikely to purchase a full size for a couple of different reasons that I detailed in the Foil Challenge thread. 

Cross post to Show Me Your Declutters! - it was just time for them to go. 👋

😐  Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara is alright; it does lengthen. It also smudges, which isn't at all uncommon for me when it comes to non-waterproof mascara formulations. I can make it work if I use a product like MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Seal 0.4 oz/ 11 g. 

👍  Tower 28 Beauty Mini MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet, on the other hand, is one of the few, non-tubing, non-waterproof mascaras that wear pretty well on my lashes. I actually used a good amount of the product but not all of it, and it's been in my stash for far more than 6 months, so time to go. I probably could have kept it for another few months but I'm trying to be better both with using what I have and not keeping product around too much longer than their PAO (Period After Opening).

EMOJI KEY
🐐= product is a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in its category [I have a personal requirement that before a product receive this designation, I have to have finished a minimum of two of the product (with at least one being a full size).]

❤️ = Love

😘 = Like and would repurchase
👍 = Like but would not repurchase (at least not immediately), usually because I like another similar product more or because I have other similar products to work through before making a purchase
😐 = Lackluster = it's okay / meh, includes products that are fine enough but are not suitable for my particular skin / hair type or concerns
✖️ = No [This is usually given to a product that irritates my skin]

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Wonderful job! The The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum Travel Spray  is from Sephoria Atlanta 😊

[itsfi]

@Mellmars1185, ahhh, thank you.

[Shosh85]

@itsfi  I've been super interested in that Aestura cream ..... good to know it's a ❤️ for you! 

[itsfi]

@Shosh85, it was such a great one; on my list for the spring sale (I know, I'm already thinking about next year and this year's sale hasn't even happened 🙄😅). I just recently finished the lotion version and am trying out the brand's ceramide + hyaluronic acid serum (my skin perks up just hearing those ingredients, ha!) now. Will start testing the popular cream soon and comparing it to my top fall/winter moisturizers. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Great job!!

[itsfi]

Thanks @Samtian; slow and steady but we're getting there. I like that I'm on full sizes more; that said, I did recently find a bag of foil samples I did not know I had. 😮🙄😫 Like, how did you get here?!!! 😂

[Samtian]

@itsfi Hahaha! At least foils go fast. 

[itsfi]

Yes, when (or if) I remember to reach for them, @Samtian 😂 I included a couple in last week's makeup capsule and will try to keep one or two in use every week. And of course, I'll try not to forget about them or any new foils that come in. 🙄

[lmaster]

Good job! @itsfi have you stopped using sheet masks?

[itsfi]

@lmaster, thank you. Just trying to keep at it, and not bring in more than I've used up; you know how it goes. Nope, I haven't stopped, but not daily sheet masking like before.

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I'm using everyone's posts lately to curate my sale list... Just added the Glossier Boy Brow on there.  I haven't had one in a while and I miss it. 

Must read your thoughts on the hair gloss mask showdown as well.  I have one I haven't tried yet that I should pull out.  

[itsfi]

That’s a great approach @missjeanie! Seeing empties and hearing/reading details about the items is helpful. I’ve been surprised by how many times I’ve repurchased Boy Brow over the years; wouldn’t have thought it’d be one of my all-time most repurchased products. It’s easy and effective and that counts for a lot in my world. 😂 

[ather]

@itsfi  Wow amazing job! I have a sample of the Moroccanoil High Shine Gloss Mask I keep meaning to try it and now I am so excited to try it. The Cay skin lip spf is my fav especially in the summer and I can’t leave the house without my Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer it is so convenient and good!! Especially during the cold and flu season!! 

[itsfi]

Thank you @ather! Definitely give the Morrocanoil shine hair mask a try. My fave is the Kérastase Chroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment for Color-Treated Hair 7.1 oz/ 210 mL but the Morrocanoil is a good one, too! I try to time it so that the effects of the mask fades out around the time of my hair color appointment, so I feel ike I'm getting the most of my money out of both. 😂 Could all be in my head. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo I still have that Kerastase high shine!! I need to try to work it in my routine again! I have been falling off the hair care wagon and I need to get back on it.