April was a very busy month. I spent weeks in Tennessee to help with my mother’s recovery. As you can see, this impacted my “empties”. I wasn’t home to use up products. Products, in general, weren’t on my mind.
When I stay with my family, I usually buy cheap products when I’m there instead of packing stuff. Overall, I was doing really well this month not buying things. At the end of the month, I went to Home Goods/Marshalls because David keeps breaking every one of our wine glasses. I’m sick of buying nice ones at their retail price so I ended up at this discounter. This resulted in some retail therapy as well. I ended up scoring some deals on stuff I really wanted like a 3.4 oz bottle of CdG x Pharell for $24. And The Body Shop Smoky Poppy body products for $3 each (Seriously buy this stuff if you see it. It reminds me of vintage YSL Opium).
And then I made an Ulta order for sunscreen and ended up buying other stuff I didn’t need (like a wash-off mask and an Essence lipstick). And then I went to Face Shop and bought sheet masks and an eyeshadow in the perfect shade of oxblood.
Here’s what I emptied in April:
SKINCARE
My skincare was very minimal in April. I miss using masks!
Olay Gentle Clean 4-in-1 Facial Cloths (not pictured) – With all of the travel I’ve been doing recently, I bought these. They are great for removing eye makeup. I wouldn’t normally use these but for travel they are convenient. They do what they claim to do and surprisingly remove eye makeup well.
- Repurchase? Maybe.
Hurraw! Almond Lip Balm – I love the juicy, cherry-like almond flavor of this balm. It became my favorite from Hurraw!
- Repurchase? Yes.
Neutrogena Fine Fairness Sheet Mask – I think this was my last one. It’s one of my favorite sheet masks.
- Repurchase? If I see it around, I will!
Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Serum (deluxe sample) – As far as the brightening claims, I’m certain this does nothing or if it does, it takes half a year. It’s an OK lightweight serum with fine mica in it that does look good on my skin. It’s good for that effect, but so is makeup.
- Purchase? No.
Coola Matte Tint in Unscented (travel size) – This is one of my favorite mineral sunscreens because it has such a smooth finish that is actually matte. I had a full-size that I gave away to my sister. It’s one of the best sunscreens that I’ve ever tried for oily skin.
- Repurchase? Yes.
Lioele Intensive Time Reversing Snail Cream (sample) – I honestly can’t remember anything about this other than it had a ‘cone-y feel like a makeup primer.
- Purchase? No.
FRAGRANCE
It was a month that needed “comfort scents”.
White Barn 3-Wick Candle in Lilac Blossom – Obviously, I’ve been in a lilac mood. I bought this candle on sale last summer. I really like it. It’s an indolic lilac with powdery undertones. What it lacks in packaging, it makes up for in scent.
- Repurchase? Yes, either this one or one similar to it. I need another lilac candle in my life.
Temptation Body Oil in Egyptian Musk – It’s the sort of thing you pick up at a headshop for nostalgic reasons. The name is dumb; the packaging is dumb but it’s Egyptian Musk.
- Repurchase? Maybe not this one but my life always has room in it for Egyptian Musk.
BATH/BODY
It was the month of emptying shower gels and hand creams.
LUSH Rose Jam Shower Gel (smaller bottle) – This sweet rose is one of my favorite shower gels.
- Repurchase? I do when I can. I still have a full-size bottle left.
Yves Rocher Lagoon Manoï Body Wash – Here’s another one of my favorite shower gels. I love the warm, tropical floral scent.
- Repurchase? Yes. However, the bottle is really small.
TonyMoly Panda’s Dream White Hand Cream – I bought this because it’s cute. It really was a surprise that I like the formula so much. It’s the perfect weight. And it smells like white grapes.
- Repurchase? Yes.
Nature Republic Hand Cream in White Musk – These were BOGO, so I picked this one up because I liked the deer on the package. This is one of those crisp, aldehyde white musks with a powdery rose. It reminds me of like a simplified Estee Lauder White Linen fragrance. The cream is lightweight.
- Repurchase? Probably not. Or maybe, I will. Going into these stores makes me do weird things.
Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Soap in Patchouli (not pictured) – Sometimes you just want to smell like a clean dirty hippie. That’s what this is for.
- Repurchase? I usually do.
HAIR
Look at this, I’ve actually used up a hair care product even though it was tiny!
FAR Botanicals Verde Oil in Cocoa Rum (deluxe sample) – My hair really responds well to this brand of hair oils. I can tell an immediate and lasting difference when I use these. This one smells like spicy cocoa powder. Review here.
- Purchase? I’ve really enjoyed the set with the different scents. When I run out, I will decide on a scent and buy a full-size bottle. Or maybe I’ll just buy a sampler?
MAKEUP
It was run out of everything “Physicians Formula” month.
Physicians Formula BB Balm Stick in Light – If you are the 5% of people in the US that actually match the shades of Physicians Formula foundations, this is a great product for you. It’s really convenient for travel or touch-ups. And I love the finish because it’s dewy and buildable. It also has SPF 30 and no scent.
- Repurchase? I may. I just really wish this brand would offer more than one or two shades of their complexion products!
Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation in Natural Beige – I bought this powder because it has SPF 50 and the shade actually matches my skin. I use it as something to set concealer under my eyes. In the summer, it was used on the face more like a powder because it was convenient for touch-ups and had some SPF.
- Repurchase? Probably not and not because it is a bad product. I rarely use powder and it’s been discontinued.
Total: 16. 11 full-size. 4 deluxe/travel samples. 1 sample.
For me, that is not a lot of empties.
What about you? Which products did you empty in April? Did you buy anything new?
BONUS: The stuff I bought and left in Nashville:
Tone Radiant Glow Body Wash – I bought this because it said it had “Diamond Dust” and because the floral scent was inoffensive. To my surprise, it was shimmery. Overall, not a bad product but I probably won’t repurchase.
V05 Moisturizing Conditioner in Strawberries & Cream – I usually use this as a shave cream; this time I actually used it as its intended purpose. It’s a sweet strawberry vanilla scent that is a little too juvenile for my tastes but it’s not terrible. I do want to give V05 props for having a pretty darn good product that doesn’t test on animals and sells for 75 cents. That’s amazing.
Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Oil Gel – Basically, I’m not happy unless I’m a greasy oil slick. This is the best product for this. It’s oily and leaves me looking glossy enough to compete in a body-building competition. This comes with cons like possibly staining your clothes or your sister’s towels, but hey, it’s worth it to me. It also smells amazing, like chocolate. I do think most people would rather use this mixed in with their usual body lotion. I apply it after bathing and pat off with a towel.
Neutrogena Redness Soothing Cream Cleanser – I have learned a very valuable lesson in that I need to read all ingredients. I assumed this would be a good Clinique-ish dupe that would be gentle on my stressed and allergy-riddled skin. This stuff burned like whiskey down a minor’s throat. Ends up there is menthol in it! WTF? This was one of the worst products I’ve used in years. It’s truly terrible.
*Drugstore.com, Yves Rocher, Sephora and Nordstrom contain affiliate links. Thanks!
I love reading your empties posts. I rarely finish anything except those little tubs of L’Oreal hair mask so it’s fun to live vicariously through you.
The only Neutrogena cleansers I like are the ones from Naturals line and the old foaming cleanser in the blue bottle. I never buy the blue bottle anymore though, because they quite literally doubled the price last year and it’s a four dollar cleanser not an eight dollar one.
I rarely ever get through hair products! And I promise I wash my hair 🙂
Paula’s Beautypedia gives a few of the Neutrogena cleansers great ratings. I *thought* I was buying one of those! After using it, my skin was as red as a pickled beet.
The blue one I think gets good ratings but doubling the price makes no sense to me. I thought the entire bought of the line was to be cheap and accessible.
I’m another one who never really finishes anything except conditioner (jeez, I can’t even finish 1mL perfume samples). But I always really enjoy reading about the products that are worth finishing, and trying to keep up with the pace.
I have to ask, what Egyptian musks do you think are worth repurchasing? I’ve been looking for a nice, easygoing musk for what seems like ages.
There are products that I use daily that I’m always surprised never get used up like hair products and body lotion. It’s weird.
Honestly, I’m not brand loyal at all. I go into any Ethiopian market or headshop and buy whatever Egyptian musk they have. It’s usually poured out right there and labeled with a handwritten label. I have a sneaking suspicion of where it comes from (a distributor in Brooklyn). When it comes to musks, the cheaper the better IMO.
I live for your monthly Empties and Favorites posts!
Each season, a colleague and I take the afternoon off to go buy a seasonal candle, and my candle for spring was the same Lilac Blossom one you had! I was about halfway through it but accidentally tipped it off the coffee table yesterday and it shattered. 🙁 I think it’s a really nice lilac scent.
I will definitely check out the Coola sunscreen — I use mineral sunscreens only, and am always looking for unscented options with great formulas. My mainstay has been the Cerave line, but this sounds like a solid product.
Wishing you strength and peace during this time of recovery and care taking.
I got the candle on sale. It’s really good for the $10 I paid for it. Hate that yours broke!
I love the texture of this Coola one. It’s silky and lightweight. I wish the SPF was higher but really I can’t complain because the texture is so nice that I don’t mind reapplying.
Thank you!
The Coola vs Paula’s Choice sheer matte tint. Discuss!
I just reordered the PC and also have a similar Too Faced and Tarte tinted SPF. The TF is sparkly in sun but perfect color match. The Tarte is too pink but I put yellow powder on top. I wish the PC was actually matte. And yes, I’m in the 95% who don’t match the Physicians Formula colors ☹️
I’ve been meaning to try something Monoi from YR. I just know I’ll get sucked into buying too much from them as happened last time
The only things I use up are shampoo, conditioner, unscented body cream/lotion/wash and Paula’s Choice skincare. I have scented creams, body wash, soaps and lotions that take forever to use because I prefer to use perfume for my scent. I’m about to use up a Paula’s Choice blush though. It was only ~2 grams, so that’s why. It’s still a woot!
Marshalls is my Achilles heel. I *always* find something there and it’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps me hooked.
Coola vs. Paula’s Choice: The Coola is super sheer (I follow up with another foundation or tinted moisturizer). The shade would work for pale to medium complexions…it would be ashy on darker complexions. The texture almost “blurs” imperfections (if that makes any sense). The finish is matte while having a creamy texture. But, it’s not so matte that it looks aging. It just look “blurry filter”. The PC one, as you know, has sheer coverage and isn’t actually matte. I like the PC one a lot because I like a dewier finish. BUT there are times that I really like the Coola more (like summer) because it also layers nicely under other things, it’s almost like a primer too.
PF – I think I’m being generous by saying that 5% of the population can even be matched with their products! Their colors lean such an odd orange-y shade. I have found that a violet powder helps with this (like the one from Besame).
Scented Products – Sooo, I have accumulated scented items either as press things or gifts. My goal is to use them up and not buy new things. But, it takes forever! I use unscented during the day or days I’m testing new scents. I much rather get my scents from perfume. Saying that, I do love a scented bath products. But, yeah, I have so many scented body products right now and it’s going take me forever to get through them.
Marshalls – I have to go in their prepared to spend because I will find something that I just have to have that I didn’t know I had to have! The wine glasses are very nice. And I bought some other kitchen stuff there. I’m so hooked on their kitchen/dining stuff that I never really looked at their cosmetics. But, a lot of readers mentioning getting deals so I checked it out. And yes, so many deals, so many thrills back in that department!
Thank you for the info on Coola vs PC. Makes sense to use it as a primer under a powder foundation. I’ll check it out!
Yes to Marshall’s kitchen stuff. I’ve found some gems there. Awesome citrus juicer things, cocktail accessories, interesting European glasses, and yes, wine glasses. The cosmetics section was where I used to do a lot of perfume blind buying when I first got into perfume. I stopped doing that but a few months ago, I saw a 100ml bottle of Jour d’Hermès on clearance and almost caved. I went home and re-wore my sample, and by next week, it was gone. I’m not really disappointed because I’m not in 100-ml-bottle love with the scent, but it woulda been cool for the score and bottle
Because we all need an extra step in our routine, lol 😉
There’s a lot of nice things like that there. I still need to buy a dutch oven and this gives me an excuse to go there!
I try not to blind-buy even when the price is right. I did want that CdG and I was tempted by a little bottle of Burberry (the original). If they had an Hermes, I probably couldn’t have resisted…even though I absolutely do not need a full bottle of anything.
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OKAY. Now you are like, the fourth or fifth this person this month to mention their love for Hurraw lip balms. This stuff must really be something! I think I shall grab a few and report back.
Also, can you believe that, at 40, I am JUST NOW starting to wear sunscreen every day? It’s just something I never thought about, unless I knew I was going to be spending the entire day in the sun, you know? I hope it’s not too late, ha. I don’t even really know where to begin with it, or what’s any good, but I got some Neutrogena to start with. I love how the chalky whiteness of it isn’t totally blendable but that it kind of tones down my red blotchiness, heh.
And lastly, since you mention Nature Republic, I have to show you something. I bought this for my best good friend because she is a K-pop boy band fantatic and I thought this was a scream: http://amzn.to/1V55iYO
My introduction was from the Boxwalla Beauty Box. I ended up making an order. My favorites so far is the Almond and Vata which is like a rose-almond. I really like them and see myself repurchasing and maybe even trying a few new flavors 🙂
Happy birthday! I hope it was a great one! Your skin looks great. I hate to be one of those people that says shit like “You don’t look 40!” because it seems so stupid and aging isn’t bad, etc. But, for real, you look a decade younger. I think they say better now than never when it comes to sunscreen. My goal now is to start wearing more hats when I’m in the sun and try to remember to put sunscreen on my hands…or maybe get some dainty black gloves for driving as an excuse to wear cool looking gloves! I feel like going all out Morticia this summer.
I’m pale so I’ve actually found that the white tint from sunscreens is flattering for me as well. It seems to “neutralize” my mismatched foundations.
OMG, I love those. I emptied one in September – https://www.eaumg.net/eaumgs-september-2015-empties/
I actually got mad a few months ago there because they did not give me my Kai GWP and I had to ask. The gal working there was totally like “Bitch, you too old to be carrying around a boy band journal and matching hand cream”. BUT I HAVE NO SHAME.
[…] a page from Eaumg’s book, I’m trying to keep better track of my empties; that is, the products that I end up […]
[…] – Victoria finally has her April 2016 Empties post up on the […]
[…] – Victoria finally has her April 2016 Empties post up on the […]