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

[missjeanie]

January 2026 Empties!

Everything this month fell into what I'd call good or great categories, nothing bad and nothing holy grail. My goal for the year is to 1. Remember to post monthly.  2. Use up at least 365 products.  I should be able to do this easily by using sheet masks. Fingers crossed I stick to it! 31 Used this month!

Great items

Spoiler

-Both Bath and Body Works candles were lovely.  I do enjoy the brands candles as they aren't too pricy and they have some pretty easy to enjoy scents. 
-Vaseline.  This particular tub looks like it may be from the 80's.  I promise it's not that old though.  I used this exclusively to put a layer around my hairline when dying my hair and it worked great for that.  New tub on the go already. 
-Qtips.  Look.  I get it.  You're not supposed to put them in your ears.  I put them in my ears anyway.  I'm just a rebel with my hearing. I do think this brand is the best and any time I end up with another brand they're subpar.  
-K18.  I think I like this?  I'd probably have an easier time knowing if I kept my split ends trimmed better.  I do have a full size that I've been using once a week, this one was left at camp and I just got around to finishing it off. 
-Make Up Forever HD Stick foundation.  I like this.  It's easy to use.  It looks good, matches great.  I picked up another at some point and still have that one unopened as I work through other foundation products.  Pretty sure this formula is now reformulated though. 
-Feria hair dye represented by the used conditioner.  I'm pretty happy with this product.  I wish I didn't feel the need to use it, but here we are.  I've already got three more boxes in my stash to use. 
- Kiehl's SPF 50 serum sunscreen.  I really enjoyed this.  I have wayyy too many SPF products to buy more at the moment but I'd use this again at some point without hesitation. 
-Moisturizing Hand Mask.  I'm pretty sure this was randomly picked up at some point in my accumulation of way too many sheet masks.  It was lovely to use though.  
-K18 Shampoo and Conditioner were quite nice.  I was away for a weekend and like having these little packets on hand to take with me of different brands and this one was really nice.  I'd consider purchasing in full size during the next sale. 
-Look at my foot relax mask.  I held off on using this thinking it was a peeling mask but was happy to find it was just a nice moisturizing one.  I'd use this again. 

The Good

Spoiler

-The OGX shampoo and conditioner.  I've had these before and honestly... they were okay to start off with, but after a few washes I was left... with a very 'meh' feeling.  I ended up finishing the first pair by bringing them out to camp and letting other people who care wayyyyy less about these things use them up.  I was gifted these by two lovely young ladies who saw that I put them in the shower there for everyone to use and thought that meant that I really liked them.  We managed to use these two up when they were visiting and here and there by myself.  Wouldn't purchase again, and I have since introduced both young ladies to brands I prefer and they now do as well.
-Milk Setting Spray.  This worked well to melt all of my make up together for a more cohesive look and it felt nice.  The spritzer was a smidge on the aggressive side, but I wasn't upset by it.  Overall I think I'd rather find a setting spray that actually helps my make up last longer though.  I'm not convinced this one did that for me. 
-Tree Hut scrub.  I've been enjoying scrubs and I thought this one smelled nice.  I have moved onto another from the brand that doesn't have coconut oil in it and I'll likely keep an eye on that going forward as coconut oil is not a friend to my skin.  Luckily this was washed off and didn't cause breakouts but I'd rather not chance it going forward. 
-Marvis Toothpaste.  I don't normally include toothpaste in my empties, but I felt like this was fancy toothpaste, I normally just buy Crest or Colgate and call it good.  This was fun to have a different flavour other than mint.
- Sephora Collection Peeling Serum.  I didn't hate this, but I didn't love it.  I used it up by using it on my neck and décolleté. 
-Amika Signature Room Fragrance.  I like the scent of the Amika products and this came in a set at one point and I completely forgot I had it.  I believe it was discontinued and they've now come out with actual body spray?
-Blind Barber Daily Hand Moisturizer.  I really enjoyed this product.  The formula is so nice, the scent was lemongrassy?  I believe they're a brand that markets to women, but if I saw them with another scent I like, I'd pick one up. 
-Stila Stay All Day lipliner in Pink Moscato.  I liked this colour.  I also liked not having to sharpen the liner and being able to twist up.  I'm not super picky about my lipliners as long as they last.  I'm not rushing out to buy another, I have lots of liner to use up. 
-Assorted sheet masks.  I'm trying to get through some of the hundreds of sheet masks I have.  These were fine, but nothing special.  I do find my skin enjoys sheet masks, but I think it's more about the hydration rather than the specific serums. I will say the 'superfood salad for skin' packaging was super cute. 
-Vichy mud mask.  This was fine.  I appreciate that they sell sample packets that contain enough for two masks.  So much nicer than having to buy tubs that will take me a decade to go through.
-Fenty Watch ya Tone Dark Spot Serum sample.  I thought this was okay.  No bad reaction, and obviously a sample pack isn't enough to do anything to my dark spots.  If I had a need to buy another dark spot serum I'd consider it. 

[jen81]

January Empties

 

 

 

[itsfi]

January 2026 Empties

MTD / YTD = 23 (including foils but excluding decluttered items)

I had a few more empties this year than I did last year at this time. 15 of the 23 items were new to me. It feels odd to say that as some of them are ones I've been working on for a long time (over a year, some more than 18 months) and they don't feel "new".

❤️  Apotheke Pumpkin Ginger Candle smells as beautiful as it looks. This candle warms up the room with the scent of warm and roasty toasty pumpkin and spices - cinnamon, cloves, ginger, maybe a little nutmeg in there, too.  I'm looking to work through all my candles this year and then hone in on a handful of brands as my primary candles for the home and Apotheke is on my short list.

❤️  I was drawn in by the ingredients and well-aging claims of the collection of which this Laneige Perfect Renew Nourishing Oil-To-Foam Cleanser is a part, and I'm generally a fan of Laneige. I was pleased with how this performed. It's best suited for removal of lighter coverage makeup but it also does well as both steps in a double cleanse routine. I have a feeling I'm set for cleansers this year, especially first cleansers, but if a spot opens up, this one is definitely a contender to fill it.

🐐  Sephora Collection Caffeine Eye Masks (discontinued) is the GOAT I measure all under eye sheet masks against. I still have a bountiful supply to keep my under eyes happy as I test out other similar products for a suitable replacement. 

❤️  Nest Winter Chai Candle projects that creamy, nutty, spicy and toasty holiday scent you expect and want from a candle named winter chai. I was also impressed with how evenly this burned. 

❤️  This Diptyque Friandise Candle was part of the 2024 Diptyque Advent Calendar. It's got a mix of what I'd call that holiday kitchen feel to it - orange-y-citrusy peel scent with a sprinkle of clove and cinnamon spices and crisp, cool and sweet candy cane minty-ness. Sweet, warm and cozy all at once. 

👍   Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade - Neutral (limited edition) is a clear brow gel that was part of the brands 2013 Le Holiday Set and the precursor to the brand's current line of tinted brow pomades. The product is fine, it actually performs very nicely when paired with a brow pencil. I just prefer other brow products. 

❤️  Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Refillable Moisturizer is one of the moisturizers I reach for on those days when the weather is more of the mild temperate climate I'm accustomed to in the Bay Area this time of year. This is one of three, now four, moisturizers that I consider "go to"s to the fall/winter season.

👍  I'm set with hair masks for the entirety of 2026, at the very least; the very least; but ,if I had room in my collection for an anti-brassy hair mask, this Kérastase Blond Absolu Strengthening Hair Mask for Very Damaged Blonde Hair 6.8 oz/ 200 mL would definitely be a candidate to fill that space though that may change as@curlychiquita recommended another hair mask in the Foil Challenge. I'll look into picking up a sample of that at some point and seeing how it compare to this Kerastase for me.

❤️  OLEHENRIKSEN Après Skin Overnight Moisturizer + Mask with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid 2.5 oz / 75 ... was my GOAT healing / recovery mask for a compromised skin barrier and I thought I might be reaching for this a lot this winter but as I mentioned earlier, the Rhode Barrier Butter has been working its magic! As a result, what product I had remaining in the tube was repurposed a foot cream and the very dry prone soles of my feet were quite happy.

🏆  While the intensity of the notes in the perfume are too much for me, Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' By The Fireplace Scented Candle 5.8 oz/ 165 g hits all the right notes, in profile, intensity and projection for me. It's like having a fireplace without actually having a fireplace.

❤️  I enjoyed this Maple Candle in a Maple Syrup Can - such an adorable idea. The can and illustration give it a quaint, pleasant and fun old-school feel to it that I adore. The maple scent is lovely, distinctive without being overwhelming, and the natural wood wick adds a nice touch as it crackles as the candle is burning. This was gifted to me by a dear friend and it brought such joy every time I lit it, and it was a great addition to my journal time, too!

❤️  Diptyque Ambre Candle is another of the mini candles from the Diptyque advent calendar for 2024. This one has an interesting scent profile to my nose. It has layers of different notes to it, but at the same time manages to be softly balanced, in that the woodiness is not too earthy or heavy, and the syrupy, almost caramel and vanilla notes are sweet without being sugary or gourmand. I was pleasantly surprised by this one and I would pick up a full size but for the fact that I'm really trying to make a concentrated effort to get through as much of my candle collection this year as I can, without adding too many new ones too soon.

❤️  Hard to believe it was only a 13 months ago that the Rhode Lip Treatment - Peppermint Glaze was launched. I do get a little nervous about peppermint scents as some can veer into that menthol territory that I don't particularly care for but that is not the case here. The scent is mild but still noticeable. Really like the design on the packaging of this one with the diagonal stripe and red lettering.

😐 + 👍  The pairing of PHLUR Strawberry Letter Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.32 oz / 9.5 ml eau de parfum spray (😐) and KAYALI VANILLA CANDY ROCK SUGAR | 42 Eau de Parfum Travel Spray (👍) is a good combination for me. Neither scent wows when worn alone but they layer beautifully together on me from start to finish. 

👍  Voluspa Goji Tarocco Orange is one of the more intensely pronounced scents from the brand for me. It's not a bad thing, I just am taken aback whenever I light it how much more intense it is than other of their scents. It's a quintessential holiday season scent for me though one I tend to pick up in the smaller offerings as there are other fragrances from the brand I like a smidge more. 

😐  Peace Out Early Stage Acne Dots are one of the few products from the brand that are just okay for me. I'd use them if I had them; I just find the similar products from Hero. to perform better consistently for me. 

👍  Lightsaver Shade 0 - Activated Non-Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum - SPF 33 is a good mineral sunscreen. I ended up using this a lot on my hands. For my face, I prefer their tinted version. 

❤️  Thymes Simmered Cider Copper Cup Candle is one of my favorite cold weather candles and it's become an annual tradition to light once fall makes its way here and burn until I've finished and have another copper mug to repurpose for future servings of Moscow Mules. This year, I was able to score (more than) one for $8 a piece - it had to be a glitch / misprint.  I'm all set for fall 2026!

👍  My gateway to exfoliating powders was the Dermalogica OG dailymicrofoliant and I was thrilled when the brand launched a version for sensitive skin. The AmorePacific enzyme powder is my GOAT  in this category but if I have a foil sample of the Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator around, I will take it with me when I travel as my skin is prone to all kinds of sensitivities then. They provide a ton of product in these foils.

❤️  PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Maximum Strength is a staple in my bathroom tray and (have decanted some in a travel size bottle for my) gym bag. I do not use it often as this stuff is very strong. It gets used regularly, probably once a month, and then, on an as needed basis, and always just on the skin on my body - good for after a post-gym extra sweaty / smelly workout, to help with underarm odor, and occasionally after shaving my legs to help prevent post-shave bumps.

🏆  Rhode Barrier Butter is the reason why <<knock on wood>> I don't have as many dry patches on my face this winter and why I haven't had to deal with a compromised skin barrier on my cheeks so far this season. I've been wearing it as my moisturizer this winter day and night and picked up the mini size so I can continue to use it twice a day until spring temps become more of a consistent thing around here. 

👍  Diptyque Etoile Candle is one of the few powdery floral scents that I repurchase time and time again. This mini was from the 2025 Diptyque advent calendar. 

Emoji Key:

Spoiler

🐐= product is a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in its category [Note: I have a personal requirement that in order for 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.]
🏆= Top Shelf 

❤️= Love 
👍= Like - good, not great. I'd happily use it if I had another but I wouldn't run out to purchase it.
😐= Just Okay / Meh - fine enough
✖️= No

Products with a rating of 🐐, 🏆 or ❤️ are ones I would repurchase, without qualification, unless otherwise noted. 

🗑4 decluttered products in January, all tossed as I'm not able to sanitize any of them in a way to make them  usable by another person. The two mascaras are about as used up as they will be. They're fine; I've just had them for long enough, a little over the general shelf life for mascaras. I wouldn't repurchase these particular ones as the colors, while pretty, are not pigmented enough to be all that noticeable on my dark lashes.

🗑These liquid liners are an example that just because a product within the same brand may be a GOAT for me (the mascaras from both brands are excellent!) doesn't mean other products will work as well. Generally, waterproof liquid liners from Asian beauty brands work incredibly well for me, but both these mascaras gave me panda eyes. I like pandas and generally find them to be cute, but I don't look cute at all with panda eyes. 🐼

[missjeanie]

Thoroughly enjoyed your reviews @itsfi .  Thank you for reminding me to go light a candle!

[ather]

@itsfi  Wow!!!! I need to take notes on how you are getting through so many candles!!!!

I love love love how you are loving rhode Mini Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm 1.35oz/40ml  agree my skin has survived this winter because of this product!!! I also love the scent. It reminds me of something but I can’t quite figure it out! Some nights I lather my whole body with it. Mmmmmm

[Samtian]

@itsfi  😲 WOW! Those candles in different packaging are a lot of fun!

[shaeschaeshea]

I’ll get everything here again but in a full size. Not the Touchland since it’s already the full size.

I had a few foil samples and put those in the foils thread. Foil Challenge 

[missjeanie]

I love the touchlands @shaeschaeshea .  That One Size setting spray may be a favourite as well!

[ather]

@shaeschaeshea  Great job! 

[Samtian]

@shaeschaeshea Great start!

[Mellmars1185]

@shaeschaeshea Wonderful empties! Do you have a favourite scent of the Touchland sanitizer?

[itsfi]

Same question @shaeschaeshea @Mellmars1185 ; also, if that empty Touchland is different than your fave, which scent did you recently work through? 

[ohlonna]

Finished up a few things in January. I don’t have a set number of things that I’m trying to use up, just more than I bring in, I guess?

Love the Amika dry shampoo, smells SO good❤️ Already set with multiple backups in different sizes.

Iris & Romeo highlighter is getting decluttered. Tugs a bit when I try to apply it and it doesn’t show up on me, not even a light sheen or glow. Hate to waste it. I’ll see if my sister wants it but if she doesn’t I’ll have to toss it. 😞

Everything else is just okay. I like the color and coconutty smell of the tarte but it melts way too easily (it's winter too) and can get messy. 😬

[missjeanie]

@ohlonna The Amika dry shampoo is one of my favourites as well.  It just works so nicely on my dark hair. 

[Samtian]

@ohlonna Great job! A dud highlighter would break my heart. 

[ohlonna]

I was really bummed because I was really interested in trying the brand and was excited to see it as a gwp. @itsfi mentioned maybe that it might just be that it takes several uses before the sparkle comes thru. That gives me some hope, I'm going to give it some more tries. Fingers crossed that's it. @Samtian 

[Samtian]

@ohlonna I hope so!

[itsfi]

Using up more products than you buy is a great goal to have @ohlonna; very practical and doable too. 👍🏻 Sorry to hear about your experience with the Iris & Romeo highlighter stick. I had one and it does give a softer effect. If I’m remembering correctly, more of the glow is noticeable as you work more into the product. The first handful of uses is more balmy but there’s more shimmery parts a little ways into the product. 

[ohlonna]

That hadn't even crossed my mind but it's a good thought. I'm gonna go grab it try it a couple more times with that in mind. Do you remember how long it took you to get more of a highlighter effect from it? Like was it a few uses or did you have to go through a good chunk of the stick? Thanks again. @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@ohlonna, it was a handful of uses, I want to say 6? Maybe 7? After about the 5th use, I did start just rubbing the highlighter stick on my inner arm to wear it down. I didn't have to do that for two long before seeing some shimmeriness transfer onto my arm. It's a softer shimmer but you can definitely see the glow. Good luck, I hope you start to see some sparkle coming from that stick soon!