I hope everyone had a great December and Happy New Year!

A friend of mine came in from Seattle to visit and we did the k-beauty tour of Manhattan and Queens. You better believe I bought some stuff. For me, I had some restraint. I bought some discontinued essences from Nature Republic. BesFren/MaskSheets had Leaders masks for a super deal (about $1 a piece) so I bought 20 sheets (2 boxes). I picked up a few other things but can’t remember.

Since moving from Seattle, I realized that I have no nail polish. I ordered two bottles from Flossgloss. Gangsta Boo is the red that I’ve been craving.

I also bought one of the new Morphe Eyeshadow Palettes (which I now can’t find on the site). Skincare wise I bought Elizabeth Arden because I wanted some capsules. I also replenished a Kiehl’s product. 

Here’s what I Emptied in December:

SKINCARE

It was a slow month for skincare empties but I did use sheet masks. My skin needs MOISTURE.

Nature Republic Real Fresh Sheet Mask in Olive – I’m starting to think that this formula is not good for my skin. I’ve used this mask two times and afterwards I’m so splotchy. This redness usually lasts until the morning. I have no idea what in this causes this but I’m finally putting together that my skin is not a fan.

• Repurchase? No.

Tonymoly Pureness 100 Red Ginseng Mask Sheet – This mask promises “shine” and it delivers. My skin was my desired level of shiny the day afterwards, like a freshly waxed floor.

• Repurchase? Probably.

Innisfree It’s Real Rice Mask Sheet– This is a lotion-based mask that is one of my favorites from this collection. I like the smell, feel and moisturization.

• Repurchase? Probably.

Skinfood Lentil Sheet Mask – It was a $1 and I bought it because it made me laugh. The cotton is super thick and it smells just like their Egg Pore Cleanser…so really soapy. I noticed no positives or negatives from this mask.

• Repurchase? No.

Skinfood Real Tea Gel Mask in Chamomile – I can’t stand the 2-section masks because I can never get them to stick on my face. This one in particular was not comfortable on my face at all. The flaps keep closing my nose holes, almost leaving Frink and Moxi orphaned. It’s really soaked with serum and faintly smells like lemons.

• Repurchase? No. Not worth it.

Epic Blend More Moisture Lip Balm in Cherry – I have a thing for cherry-flavored lip balms. Review here.

• Repurchase? Maybe.

Biodara Purifying Mask (travel size) – This natural clay mask came in a Boxwalla. My skin doesn’t really need clay masks but this one was OK. It’s not as drying as other clay masks that I’ve used in the past.

• Purchase? No.

Indi Beauty Buttercream Lip Scrub (deluxe sample) – It smells like buttercream frosting and is one of those lip scrubs that is balm-based. It’s fine but I think I prefer the ones that aren’t in a balm. If you like balm based ones, this is worth checking out.

• Purchase? No.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Complex II (deluxe sample) – I love this stuff but I can’t stand the new Kendall Jenner Advanced Night Repair ad campaigns. F beauty companies.

• Purchase? Ugh, despite my hate for the brand right now, I know I’ll buy this product because it is good. ARGH. Here’s the commercial that keeps showing up on my Insta just to make me livid.

Garden of Wisdom Cucumber & Spuds Eye Gel (deluxe sample) – First off, I never use eye gels because they do nothing for me. And this one did nothing for me. Secondly, this smells like compost.

• Purchase? No.

The Face Shop The Signature Skin Conditioning Serum (sample x 2) – It’s OK. I really can’t form an opinion of it with such a small quantity.

• Purchase? Probably not.

FRAGRANCE

I’m sticking to my plan of using up samples. Other than that, it’s winter so I burned a lot of candles.

HEM Frankincense Incense Sticks – I’m going to be burning HEM Frankincense for a hundred more years since David bought the jumbo multi-pack at a Middle Eastern market. Luckily, it smells good.

• Repurchase? Never because I’m never going to run out.

Belle Fleur Candle in Mimosa Magnifica – I have so much love for this powdery floral candle. It has excellent throw both when burning and when unlit. It makes my entire apartment smell like a fancy French lingerie boutique. Full review.

• Purchase? Yes. But, I have sooo many candles I need to use up first. BTW – It’s on sale right now. I think it’s being discontinued.

Rebel + Mercury Distinguished No. 2 Incense & Tuberose Candle – This is an all-natural candle. So, this means that the throw is a bit more “gentle” and that it takes some time to “warm up”. Once it does, it’s this gorgeous warm, spicy incense with a hint of white florals. Review here. 

• Purchase? Yes. They sell refills!

Heeley Agarwoud Parfum Extrait (sample) – I wore this when I really wasn’t feeling it. It’s a pretty rose-oud but it’s also sort of screechy. Full review here.

• Purchase? No.

4160 Tuesdays A Kiss by the Fireside EDP (sample) – You can read my review here. I still think it smells like a mature gentleman’s aftershave.

• Purchase? No.

Nez a Nez Atelier d’Artiste EDP (sample) – This brand is out of business, right? That’s a shame because they had some great things, like this one. Full review here.

• Purchase? No.

LUSH Lust EDP (sample) – This is one of the trashiest jasmines in the world and that’s why I love it. Full review.

• Purchase? YES. I bought a small bottle a few years ago. And that bottle only gets skankier with time.

Cloon Keen Castaña EDP (sample) – This is a really excellent gourmand vetiver that I wish I’d hear more about. Full review.

• Purchase? I’d consider on my next trip to Europe.

Armani Si EDP (sample) – There’s something about this cotton candy rose that I really like. Review here. 

• Purchase? I said I would but I keep getting samples with orders and I’m OK with that.

BATH/BODY

It wasn’t a very exciting Empties in this department but I did use up some things that I was tired of. I’m a real trooper. 

Palmer’s Raw Shea Balm – I’m a lifelong fan of Palmer’s. This product would be referred to as greasy by anyone else, but I absolutely love it. It smells yummy. It’s thick and wonderful. It’s not really “raw shea” even though shea is the first ingredient listed. There’s a lot of other stuff too.

• Repurchase? Yes.

Nature Republic Real Squeeze Aloe Vera Peeling Foot Mask – I find peeling my feet off very entertaining. But, this mask has some issues. First one, the bags are a trainwreck. My feet (size Euro 41) just won’t fit. The solution itself is more mild than other brands. However, it does peel. It takes longer and the results are “less dramatic”.

• Repurchase? No. I like Face Shop and TonyMoly better.

Too Cool for School Lilac & Devoe Hand Cream – How can one resist a lilac-scented Korean hand cream that features a fictional Persian cat living in Brooklyn? Answer: One can’t.

• Repurchase? If I see it, yes. It’s totes adorbs.

LUSH Shower Gel in Don’t Rain on My Parade (3.3 oz bottle) – I was getting so tired of this scent (as I usually do with any LUSH bath/body product) so I was so happy to empty it. The scent is absolutely nothing like how LUSH describes it (they have a lot of products like that). Blueberry? LAUGHABLE. It’s a straight up green violet and vetiver with a powdery ylang-ylang. So, it pretty much just smells like a LUSH store. The color is the shade that the dye the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day.

• Repurchase? Probably not but you know, I’m so weird with LUSH. I’ll be like “NEVER” and then buy a big bottle.

Haus of Gloi Bubbling Scrub in Pumpkin Queen (2 oz, travel size) – I love this brand and this formula. Repeat that. However, I am not a fan of this limited edition scent. It smells just like when your vintage perfume turns rancid. It’s like stale spices with a flat amber. I find the scent rather unpleasant but the formula of the scrub is tops.

• Repurchase? I love the product but will not repurchase this scent. Speaking of, they are discontinuing a lot of my favorite scents so now what?

HAIR

Now that my hair is long, I go through conditioners like mad. 

Straight Arrow Mane ‘n Tail Color Protect Conditioner – I have no idea what I was thinking when I bought this and the shampoo. Actually, I sort of know. I was walking by a Dominican salon advertising this and then I remember we used this growing up and I got nostalgic. I remember why I stopped using it. It’s no good for my hair. It leaves my hair really dry and tangled.

• Repurchase? No.

Oribe Ultra Gentle Conditioner – I’m not going to lie. I only use this because I like how it smells. It’s sort of D&G Light Blue for Her-ish. The formula is decent but doesn’t provide enough moisture for my course, dry hair.

• Repurchase? No.

Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Conditioner (travel size) – This really didn’t do much for my hair at all. It doesn’t provide enough moisture and I swear my hair is more frizzy when I use it. Plus, the smell is lackluster.

• Repurchase? No.

MAKEUP

I was expecting more Makeup Empties in December, but a few products are still hanging on! So, here’s all that was used: 

Colourpop Eyeshadow in Cowboy – I bought this matte pastel lilac eyeshadow because I had in my head I would recreate Dior 2010 runway makeup (also, The Love Witch). Well, I really didn’t think that translated well in the real world. After a few more tries (there is a learning curve with Colourpop shadows), I realized this was a great base for taupes and shimmery purples. I used this limited edition shade up! Here’s a swatch.

• Repurchase? No. But, I have learned to love Colourpop Eyeshadows. Translation: I’ve bought a lot of other shades.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara (deluxe sample) – Why did I try an super expensive mascara?! I find most pricey mascaras not worth the money. Oh, but that as before I tried this one. It’s perfect for my lashes and my desires.

• Purchase? I hate to say it, but yes.

I also threw out Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold. I love this formula but it dries out so quickly and become unusable. What you see above is a faux gold brick. Thank goodness it’s cheap!

Total: 31. 15 full-size. 8 deluxe sample/travel size. 8 samples. (And 1 throw-out).

What about you? Which products did you empty in December? Did you buy anything new? I forgot to add that I did get some beauty products as gifts like NYX makeup and some skincare.

Since it’s the end of the year, I can tally up how much I emptied last year. Are you ready to hear my totals for 2016?

2016 Total Empties: 295

Full-Size: 173

Deluxe sample/travel size: 55

Samples: 67

I don’t even know how it’s possible to empty this much stuff in a year. I think I may have a problem.

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*C.O. Bigelow, Amazon, Nordstrom, Beautyhabit and Target contain affiliate links. Thanks! First image is from freeimages.com. The other crappy images are mine.