I must admit that I’m happy August is over. It felt like a long month that went on and on. I’m sick of the heat, and even though I feel admitting it, I look forward to fall even though I know what follows autumn…

I tried a no-buy in August but failed. I ended up buying some Estee Lauder skincare and getting a free gift. I actually needed what I bought. OK, I didn’t need the bottle of Youth Dew but I wanted to compare the new to vintage. I bought a Maja shower gel and a Wet n Wild lipstick. I failed my self-imposed no-buy but for a blogger, I guess I did pretty good.

Here’s what I used up in August:

SKINCARE

Bioré Makeup Remover Gel (not pictured) – Asia gets the best Bioré products while North America gets all the crap. This is a “cushy” gel with a light floral scent that removes all makeup without drying out skin. Like this will melt away BB creams. In Asia, this stuff is really cheap and that’s where I picked it up.

• Repurchase? I will if I see it around AND it doesn’t cost more than it should.

Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence (large size) – I think like everyone that buys it, I bought it for the amazing Serge Lutens-esque packaging. But, the product itself isn’t that great. I can do better.

• Repurchase? No, but I still have the bottle 🙂

Olay Age Defying Classic Night Cream – I bought this when I was in Tennessee as some sort of nostalgia thing because my grandmother used Olay products. This actually felt really good on my skin. It’s moisturizing but light enough for summer humidity.

• Repurchase? I don’t know. I should probably use stuff in pumps, etc.

Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Sunscreen in SPF 50 – This isn’t my favorite sunscreen for the face but it is one of my favorite budget-friendly sunscreens. It’s a mineral sunscreen (ALL MINERAL) so it will leave a white residue if you don’t blend it in well. Also, shake it very well or it will feel really gritty. Anyway, I like it because it’s liquid, scent-free and cheap. It’s one of those that I can pick up at a drugstore if I forget sunscreen or whatever. There are more luxurious sunscreens out there for sure, but this one days the job.

• Repurchase? I usually end up rebuying it.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser – This has been an excellent cleanser for me during the hot, humid summer. It cleanses without drying me out. It really does everything I want a cleanser to do. Full review here. 

• Purchase? I don’t think it’ll be good for me in the winter and I need to go ahead and buy something more creamy. However, next spring/summer, I’m buying this. I always come back to CeraVe.

3Lab Super H Serum (deluxe sample, not pictured) – Soooo, now I remember why I don’t like trying samples! I tried this for a week and my skin looked noticeably better, like so radiant. My skin felt great. The only thing I changed in my routine was adding this serum. I look it up and it’s a $340 for an ounce of serum. OMFG. Like OMFG.

• Purchase? I would if I were Beyoncé rich. But, I’m not so I’m not going to be adding this to my cart anytime soon….

Cellcosmet CellCollagen Relaxing Smoothing Cellular Sheet Masks (sample, not pictured) – Well, this was an amazing little mask. Lines plumped, I looked rested. So, I look it up. Why the hell am I trying samples? $450 for 5. I’m like some sort of sample masochist. OMFG.

• Purchase? I wish.

AmorePacific Time Response Eye Renewal Creme (deluxe sample, not pictured) – This was pretty good but there is no way I’d pay what they are asking for it ($260).

• Purchase? No. I can find something cheaper. I liked it but too steep of a price for me. Do you notice a theme?

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster (trial size) – I don’t know what it is lately but I can’t do strong vitamin C products. And that sucks becuase it’s great for the skin. This one has a metallic aroma and you mix it to your products. I found that my skin looked better without it. It turned me really red. But, I’ve been really red this entire month so I don’t know if I should blame this or not.

• Purchase? No.

Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream (sample, not pictured) – Everyone seems to love this stuff. From family members to friends to Paula, but I don’t love it. It actually burns me and I don’t know why. I’ve tried to use it in the past and the same thing. Like my skin gets bright red and burns. So, it gets demoted to “neck serum” and it doesn’t burn but my skin gets flushed. I’d love to know what is in this that causes this reaction for me so I can avoid it. Because there is something in this that just doesn’t’ get along with me.

• Purchase? No.

Mamonde Orange Blossom Vita Nutrition Flower Essential Sheet Mask – This mask didn’t really smell like orange blossoms but more like citrus. The mask itself is really, really saturated with serum. It fit pretty good. My skin was left looking “glossy”.

• Repurchase? I have a few more of these. Maybe.

Mamonde Lotus Cooling & Soothing Flower Essential Mask – I should have known that “cooling” just means a lot of alcohol because this smelled like a lot of alcohol. It left my skin feeling tight/dry but glossy. I don’t even know what that is about.

• Repurchase? No. But, I think I have a few more of these around.

TonyMoly I’m Real Vitality Broccoli Sheet Mask – This is a serum mask with antioxidants. Don’t worry. It doesn’t smell like broccoli. It has a clean, fresh scent. The mask fit fine. However, I didn’t notice anything positive or negative from this one.

• Repurchase? No. But, I do have some more of these.

Epic Blend Vegan Lip Balm in Pineapple Mint – I don’t like mint lip products because I’m just too darn sensitive. I ended up using this one but I really should have just moved on and used something else. Full review here.

• Purchase? No.

DIY Eye Makeup Remover (obviously not pictured) – So, I’m always searching for an effective eye makeup remover. I’ve found a few that I like, but nothing that I love. Anyway, I made this combo of olive oil/aloe vera and it did a good job. But, I like olive oil on my skin and oil-based removers.

• Remake? Maybe.

Summary: Like I’m going to even sample anything else. This was the month of feeling like skincare samples were straight up laughing in my face at my broke bitch status. Also, my skin has been super sensitive but I think that’s for a variety of reasons which I’ll discuss in my August “Favorites” post.

 

FRAGRANCE

Botanicus Blue Bamboo Room Spray – This is like a citrus/woods home fragrance that reminds me of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for Her. It’s an awesome home fragrance. Review here. 

• Repurchase? If I see it around, I will. It’s a great scent for the home.

Demeter Honeysuckle Cologne in 1/2 Travel Spray (not pictured) – This is OK. It’s a sharp, sweet floral. I’m still looking for a good honeysuckle though.

• Repurchase? No.

Ramon Bejar Elvish Musk EDP (sample, not pictured) – This is a really excellent osmanthus. Was totally feeling it. Review here.

• Purchase? If it were a world where I was rich and had an infinity pool and bought the name brand plastic baggies, I’d totally be buying a full-size bottle of this. But, that isn’t my world and I can’t buy every $300-ish perfume that I like. It’s good though. Real good.

Smell Bent Little Miss Panda Gets Lei’d EDT (sample, not pictured) – This is one of my favorites from Smell Bent. Full review here.

• Purchase? Probably.

Summary – This month’s empties is making me feel like I’m losing at life and maybe need to start earning a living by illegit means to support my beauty lusts.

BATH/BODY

A Beautiful Life Mermaid’s Kiss Sparkling Body Scrub – I’ve reviewed this fruity-scented body scrub. I really like it.

• Purchase? Probably.

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Plumeria – I bought this because it was retro. It’s a a tropical flower that is almost rotting so I like it.

• Repurchase? No but I enjoyed having it around because you know, nostalgia.

Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Shower Wash in Brazilian Nut – I love the scent of this line and most of the Tree Hut products are amazing, but this one isn’t. I mean, it’s not bad but it isn’t moisturizing. It doesn’t foam. It’s just not as good as their other products.

• Repurchase? No.

Amayori Fragrance Rituals Luxury Bath Salts Assortment Box – Naturally scented bath salts that I reviewed in August. 

• Purchase? My favorite was Onsen, so I’d consider an entire box of that.

The Face Shop Daily Perfumed Hand Cream in Rose Water – I used up one of these earlier this year and ended up picking up another. It’s light, non-greasy and I love the light rose aroma.

• Repurchase? I say “no” but I’ll probably end up buying it again because it’s so easy to get in this area.

Summary – Hot, schweaty weather makes me use up a lot of shower products.

HAIR

Shea Moisture Marfura Oil Hydration Intensive Masque – I bought this because it smells like green figs. And I love the aroma. I use it every time I wash my hair. Even though it’s “intensive”, I didn’t find it to be that moisturizing (gasp!). I like it but I think I like other masks from Shea Moisture (formula wise) but I love this scent.

• Repurchase? Maybe not this but the shampoo and oil.

Malin + Goetz Gentle Neroli Shampoo – I liked the idea of a neroli shampoo. And this does smell nice, like an eau de cologne for the hair. The shampoo is gentle. I like it but I need something more nourishing most of the time. It’s good if you have hair that you wash daily that doesn’t need much moisture.

• Repurchase? No, I don’t think so. I need more moisture.

VO5 Silky Experiences Conditioner in Shea Protein and Warm Vanilla – Fun fact, I use this as shaving cream and not conditioner. It’s cheaper. It works better. It smells ah-ight.

• Repurchase? Sure. I usually use coconut oil but the tub in this place is antique and I don’t want to store a glass jar on it.

Summary – I actually used up shampoo and conditioner! And I need to buy a deep treatment because my “regular” conditioner is just not enough. Any suggestions for something that really, really moisturizes and hopefully smells good too?

MAKEUP

Nada. I didn’t use up anything but I’m running low on a few items. I predict that there will be some empties in this category for September.

Total – 27. 19 full size. 4 deluxe/travel. 4 samples

I didn’t really sample much in August and everything I ended up sampling was insanely expensive…whatever.

What about you? Which products did you empty in August? Did you buy anything new? Throw anything out?

I’d say that I’d challenge myself to a no-buy in September but I’ve already blown that. I really think I need to check myself into beauty-buying rehab.

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