I am trying so hard to buy less. And I’m also failing at it. In June, I ended up making an e.l.f. order because I wanted to try their new foundation and SPF. But, with them it’s so cheap that the next thing you know, you’ve ordered 6 things you didn’t need. Anyway, I love everything that I bought. I think elf is doing the best with the “no makeup makeup” look than anyone else. I absolutely love the serum foundation because it basically looks like nothing (super sheer) and the brow mascara I bought is my new HG.
I also bought Aveda Tinted Moisturizer, which I also really like. It looks natural but is thicker than the thin, watery e.l.f Serum foundation. Both of these have an awful shade range though.
I ended up going to a hair supply store and buying honey shampoo and Cuban baby colognes out of nostalgia. And wait, that’s not all! I ended up buying one of the new Chanel Colognes, Venise. It was an instant love for me and I see myself buying the other two also. AND FINALLY, I made an order through B-Glowing and got a great gift. The items I bought weren’t for me (spouse needed to replenish his entire Paula’s Choice routine at once), but you will see me using the deluxe samples that came with that gift.
Wait a second, I remember something else. I have been dry brushing. I bought this brush from Amazon and really like it. It’s stiff but not painful. I think it’s a great “beginner’s” dry brush. I have been using it daily for weeks and there is a huge improvement in the texture of my skin.
Why am I posting this round of Empties so late? Well, I moved. This month has been so busy. We moved. Immediately spent a week visiting in-laws in Ohio. Came back and there still wasn’t any internet, etc. Anyway, you are going to see some really random June Empties, because as I went through every single inch of the stuff I own, I made it a priority to empty stuff that was almost gone.
Here they are:
SKINCARE
It’s like I ran out of all eye products at once. I also made it a priority to use up some sleeping masks and wash off masks. Overall, my skin has been behaving.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream – Is eye cream necessary? I don’t know. I just know that I have sensitive eyes and my usual face creams kill them. This is one of my HG basic eye creams because it has a great texture and doesn’t make my eyes burn.
- Repurchase? Yes. It’s cheap too.
Derma-E Overnight AHA Peel – This is a HG AHA product for me. It’s a weightless lotion that I basically use every other day (it says to use weekly) that doesn’t irritate me. There’s no fragrance.
- Repurchase? Yes! It’s currently in my cart.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector – I absolutely love this tinted eye cream with SPF 30 but they discontinued it. It looks like Clinique discontinued their SPF eye cream too?!
- Repurchase? I wish.
Freeman Pineapple Enzyme Mask – Basically, the Feeling Beautiful line is just some fragrances and a bunch of random (potentially skin-irritating ingredients) sold in big tubes for little money. I didn’t check the pH of the AHA mask, but it smells like pineapples and I liked that.
- Repurchase? No. My feelings on this are incredibly neutral and I think it’s been discontinued.
Formula 10.06 Deep Down Detox Mud Mask – This brand is cheap but they have some good things. This isn’t one of them. Dries me out and has too many orange oils. I ended up using it as a body mask.
- Repurchase? No.
Tonymoly Banana Sleeping Mask – Exists only for the novelty. Smells like bananas, feels like any other sort of moisturizing cream. Packaging is cute but difficult to use.
- Repurchase? No.
DM Balea Ölfreies Pflege Serum – This stuff is excellent for summer. Gives some moisture, blurs the pores.
- Repurchase? I would if I could!
Nooni Deep Water Therapy Multi-Use Powder Wash – This is a box of little packets of powder to mix with water to wash your face, scalp or body. They are super convenient for travel but I wouldn’t use them daily.
- Repurchase? Probably not. I like Olay wipes for travel too.
Avène Eau Thermale Spring Water – Pretty sure it’s a gimmick but whatever.
- Purchase? Probably not.
Tennessee Honey Lip Balm – My mom made me a lip balm from her cousin’s honey and beeswax. This was really good. I hope she makes me some more.
GlamGlow GlowStarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in Nude Glow (deluxe sample) – Glamglow is garbage. 90% of the line smells like a bag of Halloween candy. It’s like a rash in a jar with chunky glitter.
- Purchase? Nope. The finish was pretty but the scent was just wayyyyy toooo muchhh.
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (deluxe sample) – Totally fine emulsifying oil cleanser. Honestly, I’m not that impressed. I’m currently using something from Yves Rocher which is much cheaper that I like better.
- Purchase? No.
Klorane Eye Makeup Remover Lotion (deluxe sample) – This liquid just does not remove the heavy amount of eye makeup I wear. My Lancôme mascaras laugh in Klorane’s face.
- Purchase? No.
Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Light (deluxe sample) – I absolutely loved the feel of this and how it applied under sunscreen. I would buy it if it came in a pump instead of a jar.
- Purchase? Not in the jar packaging.
Valmont Prime Contour (deluxe sample) – This is an eye cream that feels good and nourishing.
- Purchase? No, too expensive.
Aurelia Revatlise & Glow Serum (deluxe sample) – Noticed nothing from this. Too lightweight for me and has an odd metallic smell (from the hibiscus).
- Purchase? No.
Nature Republic Collagen Dream Skin Booster (deluxe sample) – It’s fine.
- Purchase? I have a large size I need to use up.
Belif Hungarian Water Essence (sample) – Meh. Smells like lavender and rosemary.
- Purchase? No.
Inhyunjin Essence Serum * (sample) – I don’t even remember using this.
- Purchase? No.
Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Green Tea Serum (sample) – All k-beauty brands have these and they’re all a lot alike except I like the one from The Face Shop better than this one.
- Purchase? No.
MASKS (wouldn’t repurchase either):
Nature Republic Give By Nature Apple Mango Mask – Meh, so basic.
The Cure Green Tea Collagen Essence Mask – Also very basic.
FRAGRANCE
Pop open the champagne, I emptied full-sizes! Who cares if I used them as room sprays so I could empty them before moving?
Moschino I Love Love (3.4 oz) – I EMPTIED A FULL-SIZE! OK, so this was almost empty and I ended up using the last 6-8 sprays as a room spray so I wouldn’t have to move it. Full review.
- Repurchase? I actually have a back-up because I like this and I found a new bottle for $5 on sale at TJMaxx.
Demeter Cosmopolitan Cocktail Cologne (1 oz) – ANOTHER FULL-SIZE! I don’t love this. Full review.
- Repurchase? No.
Belle Fleur Indochine Candle * – Smells great and has a great throw. Review.
- Purchase? Probably not.
Malie Mango Nectar Reed Diffuser – I don’t love reed diffusers but I like Malie. This is tropical fruits and musk. Not bad for a home fragrance.
- Repurchase? No.
Crystal Journal Candles Black Cat (votive) – Smells like cloves and has a black cat. How perfect?
- Repurchase? Yes but I’ll probably wait until fall/winter.
Samples I’d buy or I’m considering buying:
Costume National Homme – I already own a full-size. Review.
Samples I wouldn’t buy:
Annick Goutal Le Chevrefeuille – Review
Olympic Orchids Arizona – Review (also, this is much more Arizona-y than Proenza Schouler Arizona). It’s also been renamed to Tucson.
Roxana Illuminated Perfumes Gracing the Dawn * – Verdant
DSH Perfumes Giverny In Bloom * – Dirt and flowers, really excellent and try it if you like CB I Hate Perfumes sort of stuff.
Salvador Dali Dali Fabulous 3 – Warm spicy amber.
Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle – A really great vetiver.
JAR Jardenia – I WISH. Review.
BATH/BODY
I didn’t realize I used so many bar soaps and oils in June. ‘Tis the season where you have to bathe all the time. I like to spend my time at home clean and greasy, apparently.
Avène Body Oil – This is what I use to marinate myself. It is a thick oil (so not for everyone) and has a faint citrus-y aroma.
- Repurchase? Yes. I love an oil that has a pump.
Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil – My favorite thing is that this says it’s not greasy and that’s so laughable because it exists to be greasy. This is another thing I marinate myself in. Or add a little to some body lotion, bam! Glowing! Add some shimmer, shit, you are Vegas showgirl ready!
- Repurchase? Yes, I tend to come back to this stuff.
Rossmann Isana Buttermilk Cream Duschlotion – I drink buttermilk daily so of course when I was in Europe, I bought all the buttermilk products. This smells super weird like curdled milk and lime. Hubs said it smells like a certain strain of weed. Idk.
- Repurchase? Nah.
Some bath salts I made myself – I made myself some bath salts and used that Guerlain Vetiver sample to scent them.
Indigo Wild Zum Bar Patchouli (not pictured) – I like smelling like a clean hippie.
- Repurchase? Yes.
Some sort of lavender castille soap from France (not pictured) – Rustic. Smells great. Felt great.
- Purchase? I don’t even know who made it.
The Yellow Bird Activated Charcoal Soap in Lemongrass & Lavender (not pictured) – People really love charcoal soap and this one is super goth. It’s fine but it dries me out and I’m not a fan of lemongrass scented stuff.
- Purchase? No.
LUSH Sex Bomb Bath Bomb (not pictured) – I haven’t used one of these in ages. This is an herbal floral that leaves the water sort of looking like wine and dirty sink water.
- Repurchase? Probably not.
Kneipp Stress Free Bath Oil Mandarin & Orange (single use) – Smells like marmalade and orange blossoms (more fruity than floral). Turns the bath a shade of DayQuil orange.
- Repurchase? Maybe.
Wish Formula C450 Bubble Peeling Pad – This is a body sponge submerged in exfoliating essences. I noticed nothing from it.
- Repurchase? No.
Nature Republic Hand Sanitizer Gel in Acacia (travel size) – I always have these. Acacia is my favorite because it smells like a heady, honeyed floral.
- Repurchase? Yes.
Ayala Moriel Myrrh & Sage Soap * (sample) – Smells like its name!
- Purchase? Probably not because I have so much soap but it’s nice.
HAIR
I didn’t empty much but I’m so close. I predict a few full-sizes in July.
One ‘n Only Argan Oil Volume Hair Spray – This is my favorite hairspray but omfg, the sprayer always breaks! I only had a little left, but still. It’s a shame. It’s my favorite.
- Repurchase? I would if they changed the packaging. I adore the formula but the sprayer always gives up…eventually.
Hask Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Deep Conditioner (packet, about 2-3 uses) – Smells tropical and smooths my hair.
- Repurchase? Maybe. I like all the Hask stuff though.
Agave Healing Oil (deluxe sample) – It’s OK. Oddly smells like strawberries and cream.
- Purchase? No.
MAKEUP
Like hair, there wasn’t many empties but I predict a few in July.
Kiko Milano Party Ink Stamp Tattoo in Heart – This is a heart stamp that is adorable and I love these stupid things. Obviously, love it so much that I used it up.
- Repurchase? I guess if they become trendy again and can be found.
Lancer Dani Glowing Skin Perfector (sample) – At first I thought this was too subtle but it’s actually super pretty and doesn’t budge. Very natural looking. Smells like lavender.
- Purchase? No, because I don’t need anything like this for a long time. AND this is incredibly expensive for what it is.
Total: 55. 25 full-size. 14 travel/deluxe sample. 16 samples
This sounds like a lot, because it was. I made it a priority to empty those things that are sooo close to be emptied.
This post is already too long, but I do have some thoughts.
- I need to buy less stuff and use what I have (duh). During this move, I realize I have a lot of stuff I love but for some reason I’m not using.
- Another thought – Having more makeup doesn’t really give me more “lewks”. It’s the same thing as more craft supplies doesn’t make you more crafty. Or more yarn doesn’t make you a better knitter, etc. With more stuff, I feel like I’m actually creating less looks because I’m overwhelmed by my clutter.
- I ended up depotting some products and I have found that I am using them more now that they are all together. I hate the look of depotted products but I like being able to use stuff that is 75% used up.
- And a question for you guys – Let’s say you have a large palette and you empty a shadow. Would that count as a full-size? Or should I call that a “travel size”? A lot of them are “full-size” but I don’t know how to talk about them in my Empties posts. Any thoughts?
Thanks for reading this incredibly long post. Pray for perfumes that I have moved. I have not opened their boxes yet.
What about you? Which products did you empty in June? Did you buy anything new?
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.
Your mention of the Derma-E AHA reminded me of the Derma-E SunKissAlba Radiant Glow Oil which I just bought. It’s not something I’d normally use, but it’s a face oil with Argan, Sea Buckthorn and Jojoba oil and it’s got Mica which probably doesn’t do much, but give a tiny sheen to the skin. It smells kind of nice and beachy. I think the bottle sold me. Also looking forward to a review of the Chanel Venise!
Oh, is that oil good? I’ve always been curious about it but have some other stuff I’m using right now. But, that mica. My stuff doesn’t have mica and doesn’t make me feel radiant like that, lol. I also picked up their Vitamin C since I just ran out of The Ordinary this week. The ingredients seem promising.
🙂
So much progress!! Are you moving close to your current place or different state?
Ooh I’ve been curious about the Cerave eye cream. I don’t have any irritation using “face” moisturizer around my eyes so I don’t know why I necessarily need it. I just do ok?
You used up I Love Love!!! That was one of my earliest blind buys at TJ Maxx when I was first getting into perfume and luckily I like it too. I honestly can’t really tell it appart from DG Light Blue but I like having both. I should start to use things as room sprays, I just worry that my dogs will get mad.
I used up one body wash: Method in “Aloe Vera” which just smells like GREEN scented body wash. Nothing special. I can’t seem to get through things quickly. I use up contact lens cleaning fluid, packs of Daiso cotton puffs and toilet paper monthly and that’s it! What’s wrong with me.
It was a smaller move which I have now figured out is just as annoying as a bigger one (in both you have to go through every single thing you own). We moved from a more residential area of Jersey City to an area closer to the waterfront (views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty!).
Lol, well if you don’t have the issue, you don’t need it 😉 Saying that, a lot of eye creams irritate me too. I *do* like the texture of the CeraVe so maybe you need that in your life too.
I like I Love Love better than Light Blue but that may be because I have the Moschino. It’s not bad at all. It’s fresh and citrus-y. I had so little in it that I was like, ya know, just use it up. I’m trying to get better about that. Like why I am keeping something around and not using it? You know, all those “simplify your life thoughts”…and then the next day basically go back to hoarding. It’s a process, right?
I took over what you lacked in empties in June, lol. Ugh, I miss Daiso so much. There are similar things here but I really loved the selection at Daiso. Their cottons are great and sometimes they’ll get a few surprisingly good skincare items.
This is a pretty impressive list! I have a question—when you made the bath salts with the perfume sample, did you just mix it by hand? I’m totally into the idea of using up some of my samples by making bath salts! I’m gonna have to try.
Yes! That’s all I did and to my surprise, it worked! You could also add other things if you liked (like a dry milk or something). I just kept it simple with Epsom and then a sample. I’m working on a post about basically how to use up those extra samples and this will be in there. It was just sooo easy and it was a very impressive bath tbh.
You emptied a ton! I got close to emptying a lot of things that held out until July, so my July list is a lot longer.
The Saem Natural Shea Butter Sheet Mask – decent mask
Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer sample – don’t really remember much about it
Parfums Delrae Amoreuse sample – good rich stuff but I prefer Bois de Paradis
Strange Invisible Perfumes Fire & Cream Parfum sample – I still have a decant of theEDP
4160 Tuesdays Tart’s Knicker Drawer sample – liked it but was fleeting
Sylvaine Delacourte Lilylang sample – love and bought travel set
Diptyque Oyedo sample – sweet orange candy
Serge Lutens Boxeuses sample – sweet plum leather
DW Home Peony Petals Candle – good throw, smelled nice but probably won’t repurchase
Nesti Dante Bionatura Wild Raspberry & Nettle Soap – my first Nesti Dante soap, and I loved it. Super creamy with a realistic raspberry scent. Found it at Goodwill for $5.
LUSH Plum Rain Shower Gel – a pretty good Lush shower gel, citrus and plums
Christophe Robin Antioxidant Cleansing Milk with 4 Oils and Blueberries sample – smelled good, worked well enough
Christophe Robin Antioxidant Conditioner with 4 Oils and Blueberries sample – see above
Bought in June:
Sonoma Scent Studio Wood Violet and Voile de Violette from FB seller
Smell Bent Never Never Land (55% off and discontinued
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash
D.L & Co. Brothel and Opium Den candles
Sylvaine Delacourte Lilylang Travel Set of two 7.5ml sprays
I’m not going to talk about the clothes and one pair of shoes I bought last month. My clothes purchasing has been out of control.
I’ll have to check out the Cerave eye cream because I’ll be in need of a new one in like a month.
You didn’t do too bad! I think I’m going to empty less in July. I started some full-size items and haven’t really put a dent in them.
Your empties themes were stone fruits and berries! It’s like a summer harvest! I have a Nesti soap that I haven’t used yet! It smells great through the paper (an iris one). I just sniffed that LUSH the other day. I really like it. Maybe if I ever get through my backstock of “girl, you’re a shower gel hoarder” then I’ll buy a small bottle. It smells juicy. I noticed they have it in a body spray now (not that I need that either).
July is not over yet, but I didn’t buy any clothes in June OR July. If I keep this up, this will be the longest “no-buy” with clothes/shoes that I can remember in many, many years!
I gave away my bottle of Never Never Land 🙁 It went to a good home but I should have decanted myself just a little. I liked it.
I like the CeraVe because it’s gentle and not in a tub (seems more sanitary). I’m currently using one by Alpha that I really like too (unscented and with a lighter texture than the CeraVe)…both are cheap and that is a bonus.