I can’t believe it but I went through the month without buying any beauty-related products. Can you believe it? Because I barely can. I was faced with many temptations, but I stayed strong. I have so much back-stock right now. Plus, the holidays are coming up and I remember last year that every item I wanted went on sale in November. Basically, I’m trying to hold out to November to buy the things I need or want.
It also helped that the loved ones in my life are nice and generous. I was given a couple of (great) beauty-related things.
Here’s what I emptied in September:
SKINCARE
My skin was behaving. I ended up using less sheet masks because I was lazy. It was also the month for me to run out of all things Vitamin C.
Yves Rocher White Botanical Exceptional Hydrating Cream – This has an almost whipped texture but it’s a cream with fine, opalescent shimmer. It’s pretty. But, it does nothing for my hyperpigmentation.
- Purchase? No. But, I did love the texture/finish.
DM Alverde Nachtcreme Bio-Wildrose – This is basically a generic version of Dr. Hauschka. Not bad at all for the money.
- Repurchase? I wish! I bought this in Hungary and wish more than anything we had DMs here.
Andalou Naturals Tumeric + C Enlighten Serum – I had used this before and didn’t like it. I’m glad I gave it another try because I love it. It’s a good, cheap Vitamin C serum.
- Repurchase? Of course!
TN Honey Lip Balm – My mom made me this from her cousin’s honey.
Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment (travel size) – It feels and smells a lot like Borghese Fango but it has “pudding” in its name so it is better. It doesn’t overly dry me out so it was good for summer when my skin felt greasier but it’s still my dry skin.
- Repurchase? Maybe. I have a ton of clay-based masks right now to use up.
Huxley Secret of Sahara Extract It Toner (travel size) – This stuff smells great but that isn’t the point of a toner (like grass and lily-of-the-valley). It does a decent job of “balancing”. It’s probably best for normal or normal-to-oily complexions.
- Repurchase? Probably not. To be honest, I like toners that leave a “sticky” or moisturizing finish. I know, I’m weird!
L’Occitane Immortelle Oil Makeup Remover (travel size) – It’s good but a little thicker than I like.
- Repurchase? Probably not. But, it’s not bad.
Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm (travel size) – Noticed no pros or cons from this.
- Purchase? No.
Philosophy Purity Ultra Light Moisturizer (deluxe sample) – This reminds me a lot of the original Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer but with more of an orange scent.
- Purchase? No.
Nature Republic Aqua Watery Toner (deluxe sample) – Fresh scent. Sort of sticky so I liked it.
- Purchase? Maybe.
Nature Republic Aqua Watery Emulsion (deluxe sample) – Same scent but a lightweight lotion. Probably better for younger folks or folks with balanced skin.
- Purchase? No.
Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask (sample) – Dang, this does what it says it will…which means it’s too drying for my skin type. This doesn’t stuff doesn’t play and will really bring the things to surface (assuming you have “things”). I used it all over but should have used it as a spot treatment.
- Purchase? You know, I think I would if it came in a small size because I would use it as a spot treatment.
Exuviance Intensive Eye Treatment Masque (sample) – This wasn’t bad but I expected for the patch to feel more luxurious. It was like a thick paper.
- Purchase? No.
L’Occitane Immortelle Extrait Divin (sample) – Smells like hay and it was only OK.
- Purchase? No.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum (sample) – This is an oily feeling Vitamin C. It was fine.
- Purchase? Need more of it before I can form an opinion.
Leaders Amino AC-Free Sheet Mask – This is my favorite sheet mask.
- Repurchase? Yes.
FRAGRANCE
My new goal is to empty a travel size or mini perfume a month. I emptied two! Yay! I also wanted to let you know so you can say a little prayer for me but my spouse ended up dropping a box of my favorite floral samples and broke roughly 30 vials on our concrete floors 🙁
NEST Sir Elton John Woodside Garden Candle * – NEST does florals so well. Review.
- Purchase? No. It’s no longer available.
Byredo Peyote Poem (votive) – I love the smell of this. Review.
- Repurchase? Yes.
Yves Rocher Naturelle Osmanthus (mini) – It’s fine but it’s not osmanthus. Review.
- Repurchase? Nope.
Geir Ness Laila * (travel size) – Smells fresh and clean. Review.
- Purchase? No.
Samples that I would purchase or consider purchasing:
Diptyque Geranium Odorata – Review
Chanel Allure Homme Sport – Review
Samples I would not purchase:
Clarins Par Amour Toujours – This has been discontinued but was my favorite sort of fruity-floral for teens. The grapefruit note in this was so excellent!
Jacomo Art Collection #2 * – Review
Tom Ford Rive d’Ambre – Review
BATH/BODY
I finally emptied the last of this year’s summer bath/body products that were still in the shower. As you can see it was A LOT. Why am I such a shower gel hoarder?!
The Body Shop Virgin Mojito Shower Gel – This stuff smells amazing. It’s a realistic lime juice and mint. It was great for summer.
- Repurchase? No. It’s limited edition.
Yves Rocher Sensual Tiare Flower & Ylang-Ylang Shower Gel – This smells good but it smells just like their summer limited edition Vacances line.
- Repurchase? Probably or the Manoï.
The Saem Body & Soul Sweet Thai Body Wash – This is a shower gel that smells like peaches. Not bad but it’s sort of impossible to get all of the product out of the bottle.
- Repurchase? No.
Rituals Zensation Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Foaming Shower Gel – I’m not a fan of these shower gels that feel like shaving cream. You see European brands do this a lot so apparently there are people that like it. This is a foam that smells like powdery flowers.
- Purchase? No.
Jergens Manoi Oil Infused Moisturizer – I bought this because it smells like their Wet Skin Moisturizer. I loved the smell of it but didn’t like the product. Jergens listened to me! They have this pretty jasmine-y floral in a regular lotion now. This lotion is lightweight and “slick” which was good for summer.
- Repurchase? Yes. But, I’m going to need more moisture in the winter.
Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap in Honeysuckle – I remember a long time ago like this scent but now I don’t love it so much. It doesn’t really smell like honeysuckle. It’s more like orange peel and lilies.
- Repurchase? I don’t know. It’s cheap, I guess.
Soap Distillery Elderflower Liqueur Soap – Now this honeyed floral reminds me of honeysuckle.
- Repurchase? Yes.
Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Lotion (travel size) – White musk fragrance with some “motivational” text on it about loving our sagging bodies but then selling us something “firming”.
- Purchase? Nah.
L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream (mini) – This oddly smells like suede and I like that.
- Repurchase? Maybe not the hand cream but now I’m curious about the rest of the line.
L’Occitane Roses et Reines Hand Cream (mini) – Being that I love roses, I expected to love this scent more than I did. It smells more like dried rose petals.
- Repurchase? No.
KOS Paris Mango Butter (travel size) – This is a rich butter that smells like mango butter. I used it as a hand cream/cuticle cream.
- Purchase? No. I can get mango butter for cheaper.
Kypris Body Elixir (sample) – Smells amazing like neroli.
- Purchase? No. It costs too much.
Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in Deep Breathe/Pine & Fir (single use) – This is one of my favorites so I will be buying a full-size. It’s a fresh evergreen that turns the bath water a shade of a Douglas fir tree.
- Repurchase? Yes. I want the big bottle.
HAIR
It was a slow month for hair empties. This doesn’t surprise me because August was full of hair empties. I have started using new products. Oh, I also got a hair cut in September and love it! I went with a shorter “lob”.
ion Color Defense Glossing Polish – It’s a ‘cone based serum that smells like oranges.
- Repurchase? No. Discontinued.
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray (travel size) – I have come to the conclusion that I don’t like this brand because it never works for me. This smells like an orange-flavored children’s chewable vitamin and doesn’t work for my hair at all.
- Purchase? Nope.
Verb Sea Spray (travel size) – Here’s another brand that I haven’t found anything they have to love. This is a spray that dries out hair (since that’s what salt sprays are designed to do) and smells like a cheap green tea body spray.
- Purchase? No.
Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Hair Oil (sample) – I really do not get the hype of this brand especially since so many indie brands are doing exactly this for much cheaper. It’s just an oil that smells like it’d be on a salad.
- Purchase? No.
Kérastase Resistance Length Strengthening Conditioner (sample) – I was able to make this sample last for two washings. My hair looked much shinier and smoother after using it. I also feel like my ends looked less frayed (this was even before the haircut).
- Purchase? I’m tempted by it. It’s sooo expensive though.
MAKEUP
I emptied a few full-size makeup items. I always feel so accomplished when I do this. I feel like I’m really doing great things with my life, lol.
e.l.f. Aqua Primer Mist – This is such a love/hate product. The formula is actually impressive and leaves my makeup looking dewy. However, the packaging is truly terrible and it squirts out of the bottle like it’s coming out of a fire hose. It will destroy your looks. I had starting using it on a sponge and applying it that way.
- Repurchase? Nope.
Dior Fix It 2-in-1 Prime & Color Correct in Green – I liked this but I felt like I used it up rather quickly. Blends easily and the packaging is glam.
- Repurchase? Probably.
Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Bronzer in Skinny Dip – I really liked this because the shade was a light matte warm brown that blended and looked so natural. Of course, it’s been discontinued.
- Repurchase? I wish. I hate how these “fast beauty” brands discontinue everything.
Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder in Light Translucent (mini) – Cover FX doesn’t let me down. This is finely milled, feels light and doesn’t make me look ancient. I found the finish to be natural looking (and didn’t really mattify).
- Purchase? Maybe.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara in Big is the New Black (travel size) – I usually don’t like mascaras that everyone else likes but I really loved this one. It is DRAMA. I had no issues with it being clumpy or flaky until it got too old (like about 5 months after use).
- Purchase? I may. I’m already missing it.
MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Primer in Radiant Pink (deluxe sample) – It was fine.
- Purchase? No.
Total: 54. 18 full-size. 18 deluxe sample/travel size. 18 samples.
I didn’t expect to empty so many things in September. It all just sort of happened the last week of the month.
What about you? Which products did you empty in September? 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.
*Yves Rocher, Nordstrom, Sephora, Saks and Amazon contain affiliate links. Thanks!
Nice work emptying things. I think this month I emptied about 7 perfume samples, an eyeliner, and a mascara, and even that is pretty good based on my status as a product hoarder.
I’m not a fan of the honeysuckle Mrs. Meye/ scent either. I love the geranium, which to my nose smells nothing like geranium. I was just googling around to see if there were any dupes for that scent in the home fragrance category, but I couldn’t find any. Kind of surprising—I’d have guessed some indie perfume or wax companies would be duping that for sure.
I’m def a member of Product Hoarders Society.
I like the idea of it, for sure. But, I don’t know. There’s something “off” that bothers me. It’s not bad but not something I want to buy again. I’ll pick up the Geranium next time 🙂
Great job getting through things, and holding off buying new stuff! If you’re thinking about new Vitamin C serum ideas, I recently purchased and am loving the maelove glow maker (their vitamin C, E and Ferulic serum). It’s affordable and quite nice.
Thank you! I am always open to trying new things. I haven’t heard of this brand before. Just checked them out and what a great price for a well-rounded product!
You had a lot of empties! So did I, but not as many full size.
The Saem Natural Blueberry Sheet Mask (Energizing) – These are all basic masks
The Saem Natural Avocado Sheet Mask (Deep Moisturizing)
The Saem Natural Lemon Sheet Mask (Brightning) – This one irritated my skin a bit
Belief Bergamot Herbal Extract Toner travel size – Meh, don’t really care to use it again
Clinique Pep-Start Hydrorush Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 deluxe sample – Nothing about it stands out. It was fine.
House of Matriarch Coco Blanc sample – Love it and have a sizable decant still
Bruno Fazzolari Feu Secret sample – Really like it and still have a decant to use
Dior Dioressence sample – Umm this is really good stuff. Why have I let this sample languish unused for so many years.
Frederic Malle Monsieur decant – I love it and am planning to buy a travel spray from eBay one of these days
Kenzo Amour Florale decant used as room spray – Smells like fancy shampoo
Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger bottle mostly used as room spray – I bought this as a partial tester off eBay a long time ago. It leaked in transit so only about 15ml were in the bottle. I only wore it a handful of times because I don’t like to smell like it and finally used it up as room spray.
Particle Goods Midnight Candle – I bought these from a local maker this month. Nice scent, but this one didn’t have much throw.
Particle Goods Storm Candle – The throw was much better with this one, and I loved the scent. It was slightly aquatic and mineral with eucalyptus.
Formulary 55 Narcissus Shea Butter Soap – Good soap that I’ve raved about before. This scent was discontinued and I have another bar of it still.
Pasolivo Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beer Bar Soap sample – I liked the scent and how exfoliating it was. Maybe I’ll remember to buy a full size bar the next time I need soap.
Nuxe Melting Shower Gel – This was a good shower gel. It was really moisturizing and sudsy. It smelled like almonds, orange blossom, and musk but not white musk.
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Repairing Shampoo sample – Love it
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Repairing Conditioner sample – My hair was so soft and sleek when I used this. I’m planning to buy full sizes of these very soon, even though I just went through the shampoo a couple months ago.
Suave Rosemary + Mint Invigorating Shampoo – I loved the smell of this, which always helps to sell me on a shampoo
Paul Mitchell Neuro Style Prime HeatCTRL Blowout Primer – I liked it and would probably buy it again.
I think I actually went the whole month not buying much. I didn’t buy any perfume! I did buy a bunch of PTR masks and a mini cleanser during their recent sale. Due to shipping mishaps, I ended up getting my order twice with instruction to keep it. So I have a LOT of masks now. I sent a couple things off to a perfume friend so she can try them out too.
I too have been disappointed by rather Mrs. Meyers hand soap. It really does not smell like honeysuckle. But I’d like to try that elderflower soap. I used to walk by an elderflower bush near my work’s old location, and it smelled amazing.
Damyum, you emptied a lot! Yay!
Your empties have me wanting to buy some things like that Whole Blends and Nuxe shower gel. Every Whole Blends thing I’ve ever tried has been great. I have no excuse for not using them more!
I have already splurged this month on a Saks order and bought an Olay spray thing at the drugstore 🙁
I don’t hate the Mrs. Meyers (like I’d use it if I had to), but it is disappointing. I wish I had elderflowers near me!