It was the holidays so I tried so hard to not buy stuff for myself despite everyone tempting me with sales. I did buy Marc Jacobs Lip Gloss in Call Me. I had been looking for a gross terracotta/gourd lip gloss and this is perfect. I also could not resist that the LORAC Mega Pro 4 Eyeshadow Palette was 40% so I picked it up.

My beauty gifts were abundant. I received some Juvia’s palettes, two Jouer lip sets, Malle Iris Hand Cream, Chanel No. 5 Fragments d’Or, NARS Liquid lipsticks and an Anastasia Beverly Hills Aurora Glow Kit (all talked about here). So, I really racked up!

As far as empties, I have been content using some new full-size items. I have tried to empty some samples and little travel/deluxe sizes. As you can see, most of my empties are that of the super small variety.

Here’s what I emptied in December 2017. (I apologize that this is so wordy):

 

SKINCARE

My skin has been sooo dry and dehydrated. I tried to use up some samples for dry skin. My full-size empties were of my basics. 

Nature Republic Forest Garden Argan Cleansing Oil – This has been my first cleanser. It’s an emulsifying oil. I love it. I have sensitive eyes and this didn’t irritate them or my face. That’s all I require from an oil cleanser. It rinses off very easily too.

• Repurchase? Yes.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% – As I’ve mentioned before, I really like this despite the ‘cone heavy formula. I do notice a difference when using it.

• Repurchase? Yes.

Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate – This is a Vitamin C serum for the eye area. This isn’t a necessity but my eyes are sensitive and this didn’t kill me. It’s a serum; I have to follow-up with an eye cream.

• Repurchase? I don’t know. I like it but I feel I have exhausted its benefits. I’ll stop using it and see if I notice a difference.

Colleen Rothschild Clarifying Detox Mask * – Review here. It’s a great mask.

• Purchase? Yes.

Garden of Wisdom Fruit Hydrating Mist in Cherry (old formula) – Smells just like cherries. I  wish the packaging was more luxe. Oh, well.

• Repurchase? Sure.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm (deluxe sample) – I don’t really know how to use this or what it is for. It’s like a primer/silicone-heavy-balm with shimmer. But, apparently you can use it on top of your makeup and I don’t understand why you would do that.

• Purchase? No. I don’t really need it.

JK7 Lip Balm (deluxe sample) – This brand is insanely expensive. It’s an OK balm but my lips ate it up. I needed something that would stick around longer.

• Purchase? No.

CeraVe Healing Ointment (travel size) – I wanted to love this but it doesn’t last on my lips at all. I prefer Aquaphor over this.

• Repurchase? No.

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish (deluxe sample) – I prefer chemical exfoliants. Scrubs like this aren’t for me. Has a nice apricot scent.

• Purchase? No.

Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Age Cream (deluxe sample) – No negatives, no positives.

• Purchase? No.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (travel size) – Effective, cheap eye makeup remover.

• Purchase? Maybe.

Valmont Prime Regenera II (deluxe sample) – This is a thick balm that has saved my skin this cool, dry December. It’s basic but it works for me so well.

• Purchase? I hate to say it, but I’m considering it. I look so good after using this.

Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap (sample) – Absolutely too harsh and drying for my skin type. If I had used with this a cleansing brush, my face would have fallen off.

• Purchase? No way. It’s awful.

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Mega Moisturizer with SPF 15 for Normal/Dry Skin (sample) – So basic. Feels just fine but so does the original Olay.

• Purchase? No.

Lancôme Energie de Vie Illuminating & Cooling Eye Gel (sample) – I expected to hate this as all Lancôme skincare products are just silicone and perfume. However, this feels great and helped with my indoor allergy induced puffiness.

• Purchase? Maybe. I am looking for an eye gel.

Yves Rocher Wrinkles & Lifting V Shaping Serum (sample) – No clue if this lives up to its massive claims but it felt good.

• Purchase? Probably not.

StriVectin Advanced Acid Dual-Response Serum (sample) – This feels good and appears to have a lot of ‘cones.

• Purchase? Nah.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads (sample) – I wanted to see if these are like Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Pads. They are except they smell like a terrifying peach bellini wine cooler consumed at underage house parties.

• Purchase? Probably not.

SMD Cosmetics Inhyunjin Night Cream * (sample) – Oddly smells like a sweet amber perfume.

• Purchase? No.

MASKS:

Leaders Brightening Recovery Coconut Gel Mask – It’s great.

• Repurchase? Yes.

When The Last Choice Hydrating Mask – This made my skin so soft.

• Repurchase? Yes.

FRAGRANCE

As you can see, operation Project Sample Empty is going on strong!

Belle Fleur Nazara Candle * – This is the brand’s limited edition holiday scent. This has become one of my favorite holiday candles – crisp evergreens and lemon-y frankincense. It’s so fresh and uplifting.

• Purchase? I would if/when it comes back.

Belle Fleur Palo Santo Candle * – Review here.

• Purchase? Probably not. I like the scent though.

Perfume samples I would purchase:

DSH Perfumes Euphorisme d’Orient * – Review

DSH Perfumes Fleuriste * – Review

Heeley L’Amandiere * – Review. I want a bottle so badly.

Roberto Cavalli for Women – I own this. I bought it when it was dirt cheap.

Perfume Samples I would not purchase:

Providence Perfume Co. Rose 802 Perfume Oil * – Review. FYI – It became more cedar-y as it aged.

Roxana Illuminated Perfumes Mellifera EDP * – Review. FYI – This got even better with age.

Blackbird x Zola Jesus Taiga * – Review

Eris Perfumes Belle de Jour – Review

Chanel Egoiste

Jo Malone London Sweet Milk – Discontinued. Chabaud Lait Concentré is a nice replacement.

Carolina Herrera 212 for Her – Review

Yohji Yamamato Homme – 2013 Relaunch

Nez a Nez Figues et Garçons

Escentual Alchemy Primordial Forest * – Review

DSH Perfumes Bancha Extreme *

LUSH Superworld Unknown *

House of Gloi Pumpkin Queen

Ayala Moriel Zangvil * – Review

Piguet Calypso – Review

 

BATH/BODY

It has been so cold and dry. My skin has been parched! I have to moisturize a lot more frequently and you can see that from these empties.

Nivea Skin Firming & Soothing Concentrated Serum – Yes, I fall for the European firming treatments not because they actually work, but because I like their feel. This is one of those that I like the feel. It’s light and makes my skin feel temporarily firmer.

• Repurchase? Yes.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Skin Therapy Lotion – This smells really sweet like chocolate and I love the texture. However, this is totally the wrong packaging for such a thick formula. It’s such a struggle to get out. The packaging will keep me from repurchasing.

• Repurchase? No. But, I love the actual lotion.

Nature Republic Avocado Hand Cream – I only bought this for EXO’s Chen. The smell is really nice and fresh. It’s a good cream for day use.

• Repurchase? Sure, why not?

Scodioli Laudanum Soap – Smells like pipe tobacco.

• Repurchase? Yes.

Yves Rocher Long-Lasting Moisturizing Hand Cream – It’s OK. Lightweight and the smell reminds of the L’Occitane Immortelle line.

• Repurchase? No.

Avena Collagen Regeneration Cream – I wanted snail slime for my body. It’s a good lightweight lotion.

• Repurchase? Sure.

Teatrical Crema – This is a thick lanolin cream that smells like theatrical makeup. I bought it in Mexico.

• Repurchase? Yeah.

LUSH Dirty Springwash Shower Gel (3.3 oz bottle) – I bought this when I had a cold from hell. It’s bright blue and smells minty.

• Repurchase? Maybe in the summer since it’s so cool and fresh.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Shower Gel (travel size) – I love this scent so much in its bath/body products. It’s like Egyptian musk or something and smells so “clean”.

• Purchase? I’d love to after I get through some of my shower gel stash.

L’Occitane Supple Skin Almond Body Oil (travel size) – I’m completely obsessed with L’Occitane’s almond range right now. It smells amazing and feels even better. It leaves my skin so soft.

• Repurchase? Yes. I plan on buying the full-size.

Moroccanoil Body Souffle Body Moisturizer in Original Scent (travel size) – This stuff is surprisingly watery and seems to only exist for the fragrance.

• Purchase? No.

Kneipp Bubbling Mineral Bath Salts in Iris & Geranium (travel packet) – It’s a powdery iris that turns the bath a shade of bluebonnets.

• Repurchase? YES.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream (deluxe sample) – This is a great unscented lotion for dry, itchy skin.

• Repurchase? Yes, I’d like the full-size.

 

HAIR

NOTHING!

 

MAKEUP

For me, this is a lot of makeup empties. I’m proud of myself. 

Benefit Dandelion Powder – BEHOLD! The world’s oldest Benefit Dandelion finally EMPTIED.

• Repurchase? No. I’m so tired of this stuff.

NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker in Carbon Black – Totally decent liquid liner with a firmer tip (that sort of hurts tbh). The shade is not a true black and is sort of streaky.

• Repurchase? No.

Atomy BB Cream with SPF 30 – This is a thicker, full-coverage BB cream with the dreaded ashy, gray undertones. Yet, I still used it and I can’t explain why.

• Repurchase? No.

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Pact – I prefer the loose powder but have this one for travel. It works. It sets makeup and absorbs oil without looking overly powdery (disclaimer – I apply with a brush).

• Repurchase? Like I said, I prefer the loose and will stick to it. But, this is great if you are oilier than me or need something for travel.

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Face Powder (deluxe sample) – Perfectly decent translucent powder that works even on dry skin. HOWEVER, you can get a Korean powder that does the exact same for much less. *cough* *see above*

• Purchase? No.

Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Mascara in Black Taffeta (travel size) – This is too dry of a formula for my liking. Lovely packaging though.

• Purchase? No.

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting in Candlelight (sample) – This is gorgeous.

• Purchase? Yes.

Total: 62. 20 full-size. 15 deluxe sample/travel. 27 samples

This number is extremely high for me; however, it was mostly small, little things.

What about you? Which products did you empty in December? Did you buy anything new?

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Disclaimer – If there is a /*/ next to an item, it was provided by PR/the brand. All other items were purchased by me or are samples/gifts with purchase/subscription box products.

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*Amazon, Sephora, Beautyhabit, Nordstrom, Perfume.com and Yves Rocher contain affiliate links. Thanks!