I was supposed to take it easy this month but the February blahs are real, ya’ll. And I ended up engaging in more retail therapy than I probably should have. I bought cheaper products in fun, colorful shades as a pick-me-up.

I started the month going to Ulta because I wanted the new Lip Lingeries and Strobbing Kit by NYX. They were sold out and I went all the way out there, so I couldn’t leave emptied handed. I ended up buying some NYX. I bought two of their bold eyeliners (fun but really not the best quality), Wonder Light Pencil (I should have bought Medium) and a matte lippie. I also bought Alba Tuberose Shower Gel.That stuff smells great.

I ordered Shiro Cosmetics Valentine’s collection which is Halladay themed. I couldn’t resist. The colors are very “me” colors since they are plums/pinks. Because I was already paying for shipping, I added a contour shade to my cart because I love a good cool taupe-y shade (which is hard to find), Burn the Heart Out of You. And the packaging has Benedict Cumberbath because he can slice butter with those cheekbones.

The rest of the month, I was doing pretty well and then got bored in K-Town. This means that I go to Korean skincare shops and I always get talked into buying something or buy something because I think “this is a great deal! I need this”. I never need it. I just end up buying it. I bought a cushion compact blush in a coral and a Face Shop red eyeliner because I wanted makeup that reminded me of tulips. I’m a diehard Aquaphor user but got talked into the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask which I really like. I bought some sheet masks (that I absolutely don’t need right now) and an emulsion (like I even know what that is for). And I bought a face cream because I liked its smell so much. I thought I’d use it as a hand cream.

And I had to buy a ton of sunscreens. And I found out those are covered by my HSA. How great is that?

Overall, it was a slow Empties month for me. I didn’t feel well. It was like 29 days of a persistent crud that never got better nor did it get worse. It was just feeling totally sick for a few days and mostly sick for the other three weeks.This means that I became a slob that didn’t commit to my usual routine of well, hygiene and wearing makeup like I usually do. I simplified all my routines; hence, I didn’t have that many Empties.

SKINCARE

I was lazy and really simplified my routine. I didn’t empty as much as I usually do. But, it looks like most of that stuff will be emptied the first week of March. I’m still into creamy rinse-off masks too. 

Hada Labo Tokyo Anti-Aging Hydrator – I use this after toning and before serum. And sometimes I use it throughout the day to make makeup look dewy. I like it, especially in the pump packaging (which is for the American market). But, Paula says there’s an ingredient in that is not so good for skin.

• Repurchase? Probably not the American version because of that preservative. I can find something like this but better.

Lalun Naturals MOON Butter (travel size) – I’ve been using this all-natural blend of rich butters and oils on my face throughout the winter. The container is small but this stuff is so rich that only a small amount is needed. As soon as a I ran out, it showed up in a Boxwalla.

• Purchase? I was just given a PR sample of this, but I was planning on rebuying.

3LAB Hydra Day Water-Based SPF 20 (deluxe sample) – I try not to sample 3LAB mainly because I end up liking their stuff and it’s expensive. This is a really, really weightless non-greasy gel-cream SPF. But, it comes in a jar. And I don’t like jars.

• Purchase? If the packaging was different, I would.

My Beauty Diary Aloe Sheet Mask – This is one of my favorites from this Taiwanese beauty brand. It has a fresh, cool aroma. It does leave my dry, dehydrated winter complexion looking fresh and “plump”.

• Repurchase? Yes.

3W Clinic Fresh White Sheet Mask – This brand is ridiculously cheap (like 50 cents in stores) and are actually some of my favorite sheet masks. This one leaves my skin looking really dewy AKA healthy.

• Repurchase? Yes.

Laneige Multi Cleanser (sample) – This is an OK cleanser with a faint figgy-floral aroma. I like it better with the Clarisonic than without. It’s certainly not a “gentle” cleanser. It’s too much for my sensitive face.

• Purchase? No.

Olay Micro Sculpting Cream (sample) – I’ve used this before and liked it.

• Purchase? Maybe but I think there are other things I like from Olay better.

FRAGRANCE

My respiratory system was a mess so I didn’t feel like smelling anything. 

DW Home Tobacco Noir Candle – Being in New Jersey, I’m now close to ‘burbs. And there is this wonderful place in the ‘burbs called “Home Goods”. I have never been to one before and I ended up buying cheap candles and towels. It was awesome. This candle, which I’m sure is just made for the discount market because I can’t find this one online, smells like a candle version of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.

• Repurchase? Probably not just because what are my chances of finding it again?

DSH Perfumes Piment et Chocolat EDP (sample) – This is my favorite chocolate perfume and yet, I still don’t own a bottle. It’s like a spiced Mexican cocoa chypre. It’s not sweet or gourmand. It’s a spicy fragrance with a ton of moss that just so happens to have some chocolate. Full review.

• Purchase? Remind me to pick one of these up next there’s a sale.

BATH/BODY

For the bath, I was into resinous/woodsy bar soaps paired with gourmand cocoa butter-y lotions. 

Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Frankincense & Myrrh Soap (not pictured) – I’ve bought this bar soap a few times throughout my life. I like its woodsy smell. It’s like myrrh, resins and woods.

• Repurchase? I tend to rebuy it every few years.

Aunt Nancy’s Bar Soap in Christmas Spice – This was in a Boxwalla. It’s creamy soap with an aroma of hot spices and cool evergreens. It’s a bit too festive of a scent for me right now (just not in the mood, I want spring). However, David stole it from me. It really is a great alternative to traditional scents like Bay Rum.

• Purchase? Probably not but I like the formula.

Malie Organics Beauty Oil in Coconut Vanilla – If this stuff smelled horrible, I’d still use it because this blend of lightweight natural oils is amazing. It moisturizes like oils do but doesn’t feel heavy. The scent is a bonus. And it smells delightfully tropical and natural (because it is natural). It’s like a nutty, caramelized coconut with a boozy vanilla and a hint of floral.

• Repurchase? Yes. I may do a different scent out of curiosity but the actual formula is amazing.

The Face Shop Smile Foot Peeling (not pictured) – This is Face Shop’s version of the popular BabyFoot exfoliating foot soak. I’ve actually never done one of these before and this one is cheaper than the Japanese version. And I’m obessesed. Tagline should be “This is disgusting but you’re going to love it!”

• Repurchase? Yes. But, I’ll have to wait until my feet get adult again because right now they are smoother than a toddler’s.

Jar of Lavender Bath Salts by ME – I had a really nice lavender EO from Washington that I added to a mix of epsom salts. This felt really good when my head was all congested with that funk.

• Remake? Yeah.

HAIR

NOTHING!

MAKEUP

I used up a few things which is better than nothing. Being sick, I didn’t feel like wearing much makeup in February. 

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Grape Vine – This line sure has a cult following but I’m not a fan. These balms don’t really last on my lips The texture is too “slick” for my liking. The SPF isn’t full-spectrum and irritates my lips. And the colors are OK. This one smells like a grape popsicle.

• Repurchase? No. And why do I keep stuff around that I don’t like?

Ulta Amped Lashes Mascara in Jet Black – I’m only using this because it was free. Overall, it’s a good mascara for a subtle, “every day” look. It’s long-wearing, doesn’t flake or clump.

• Purchase? No but that’s because my pitiful lashes need more “umph”. I do think it’s a good everyday mascara for someone with already decent lashes.

Total: 16. 11 full-size. 2 travel/deluxe samples. 3 samples.

Remember how I said in January I wasn’t going to buy anything? That was cute, huh?

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

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*Drugstore.com and Nordstrom contain affiliate links. Thanks! All (hoarder) pics are mine.