It's been a while since my last empties post way back in December of last year. Finishing up the last bit of your products is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. Of course, it's bittersweet as you'll have to buy more but it's a testament to how much you liked (or disliked) the product since you used the whole amount. I divided my Empties into two posts because I thought one post would be way too long. Without further ado, here are all the products I've used up from March to June!
HAIR
✗ Head and Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care with Eucalyptus -- This might be TMI but I have dandruff. It isn't that bad but the flakes and itchiness is quite annoying, especially if I'm wearing a dark top. I've used Head and Shoulders for years and it's worked well for me. I don't know if it's because I'm not washing my hair every day, the formula has changed, or my scalp is used to the pyrithione zinc (the main ingredient that works to control dandruff), or if it's the eucalyptus in this but it's not as effective as it used to be.
Bottom Line: Because of this, I don't think I'll be buying any more. I have switched to sulfate free shampoo as of this morning so I have nothing to report but let's see if that'll help.
✓ Batiste Dry Shampoo in Paisley, Cherry, and Blush -- I don't know how many bottles of these I gone through since I discovered it sometime last spring. Since I don't wash my hair every day, this comes in super handy to take away the grease and to give my hair some slight volume and texture. I go through one bottle every three months or so and I never go through any hair products that quickly. Out of all the scents I've tried so far, Paisley is my favorite but it can be quite perfume-y, kind of like a musky, heavy kind of smell. Cherry has the cutest packaging and the smell reminds me of cherry ICEEs from the movie theater. I thought that Blush would be my favorite since it's floral but it really smells like musty rose perfume--and no one wants to smell like rotting flowers.
Bottom Line: I have two more in Wild and Fresh but after those are done, I don't think I'll be buying any more. The scents are just way too strong for my nose (and I don't even have a good sense of smell). I guess it's good for when you're trying to rush out of the door and don't have time to put on a separate perfume but I think it's just a inhalation hazard for those around me. I'm looking at the one by Lush but we'll see when the time comes to repurchase.
BODY
✗ Yes to Grapefruit Dark Spot Correcting Body Creme -- I've done a review before so I won't go into much detail. Not much has changed since that review. For a body creme, I would've expected it to be thicker. I had a hard time rubbing it in and I felt like it didn't keep me very moisturized at all. I have some discoloration from some bug bites a couple of years ago and thought that it would do something to help; it really didn't lighten or fade them at all, which was disappointing. I like some Yes To products but the Grapefruit line has been a miss for me.Bottom Line: Not going to be repurchasing.
✗Bath and Body Works Shea Enriched Shower Gel in Paris Amor -- Throughout high school, I loved shopping at BBW. My lotions, shower gels, bubble baths, and scents were all from here and I liked the products. When I saw that they had reformulated and repackaged the shower gels, I was intrigued and bought a ton (they have a bi-annual sale for buy 4 get 4 full size items). I'm slowly working my way through them all (and am finally on my last bottle). Paris Amor is a nice scent but I feel like this shower gel just dried out my skin even more. Shea butter isn't even in the top 5 ingredients so there's not enough of it to do much moisturization. The top ingredient is SLS, which is a major irritant and is probably what is drying out my skin. The highly fragrant nature and synthetic dyes are also irritating to some. I'm trying to make conscious decisions to buy products that have less irritants so that I can live a cleaner and healthier life.
Bottom Line: Not going to be repurchasing.
✓ Hawaiian Tropic Silk hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion Sunscreen -- I'm not a fan of coconut scents. Don't get me wrong, I love coconut water and milk but something about the synthetic scent rubs me the wrong way. The scent of this sunscreen isn't cloying to me and there isn't the characteristic sunscreen scent either; the smell isn't too strong. I used this all last summer and didn't get a sunburn anywhere; had a bit left that I couldn't squeeze out anymore but after getting this awesome tool, I was able to scrape it all out and use it up. It moisturized my skin without leaving it greasy or sticky. If you have it sitting there for a while, the formula separates--just shake it up well and you'll be good to go.
Bottom Line: I'm making the transition to physical sunscreens because I feel they are more effective at preventing sunburns and tanning than synthetic sunscreens so I won't be repurchasing. This is a really great sunscreen though for those who aren't picky and are just looking for a simple, easy to use, nice smelling sunscreen.
MAKEUP
✓ Studio 35 Beauty Textured Cotton Rounds -- I've gone through countless packs of these. I like using them to remove my nail polish, remove eye makeup at the end of the day, and apply my toner. These are quite durable and easy for me to purchase at my local Walgreens. They come in individual packs or a mega pack of three. I usually buy the set of 3 since I use these so much.Bottom Line: I will be repurchasing!
✗ Studio 35 Beauty Cleansing Towelettes -- I was in a pinch and just got these. While the seal helped the wipes from drying out, the wipes themselves were on the dry side. They weren't that great at removing my face makeup. Don't get me started about how terrible these worked for my eye makeup. I try not to tug or put too much pressure around my delicate eye area so these were a no-go. The scent wasn't too strong with these as compared to the Neutrogena ones I'm going to talk about next.
Bottom Line: I'm not going to be repurchasing.
Bottom Line: These aren't the worst wipes I've tried but the breakout issue is a deal breaker. Keep in mind that each face and skin type is different so these might not break out everyone. There are confounding issues as well, such as hormonal fluctuations and whatever else my skin was suffering at the time so I might not break out if I use them now (but I'm not going to risk that).
✓ L'Oreal Clean Artiste Waterproof and Long Wearing Eye Makeup Remover -- The one I've been using since I started wearing makeup is the Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover. I decided to give this a try since I wanted to see if there's a difference. They make this in two formulas: waterproof and regular. I went for waterproof since I wear WP mascara. It did remove my eye makeup easily and the packaging is spill proof (providing that you twist the top securely). I've travelled with my Neutrogena one before and the cap loosened somehow in flight and spilled all over my clothes. Luckily, it washed off okay.
Bottom Line:I won't be repurchasing. It is more expensive than the Neutrogena and I find that both are just as effective. If you're concerned about spillage and have the extra money to spare, go for it. As for me, I'm just going to stick to my Neutrogena, which also comes in a jumbo size.
✓ e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator -- My lips gets dry if I don't wear lip balm or some sort of hydrating product on them so this comes in handy if I don't have time to put on lip gloss and wait for the flakes to come off. The lipstick packaging makes it convenient and neat to use. I just rinse off the top when I'm done. I let my cousin borrow it and I think she snapped off the bullet from the casing. I've just been using it like whatever but it dried out or something and I couldn't twist it up anymore, rendering it useless. It's just a simple brown sugar scrub that I can make on my own but this one is just so neat and handy.
Bottom Line: At $3 USD a pop, I would repurchase. The fact that it's also readily available at Target makes it super convenient to purchase if you don't have enough items to qualify for free shipping.
✗ e.l.f. Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara -- I received this in some bonus kit when I ordered some products off the e.l.f. website. I wasn't expecting much of a $3USD mascara but it was quite decent. It still smudged but it wasn't anywhere as bad the Maybelline Volum Express the Falsies Mascara (which is the worst mascara in the world for me). The extra long wand made it really secure to hold but I don't think it was necessary. It didn't clump my lashes together nor were there any clumps deposited on the lashes. I didn't use it anymore after getting a few other ones and it dried out on me.
Bottom Line: It's okay but I won't be repurchasing. There wasn't that much product in the tube and I have so many good mascaras to use up.
✗ e.l.f. Essential Zit Zapping Concealer in Corrective Green and Medium -- I was going through a tough time with my breakouts two years ago (that's the reason why I threw them out). I got these in hopes that the salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and camphor would help control my blemishes but the consistency and color was just off. The green one isn't meant to be used on its own but it was just too thick for me, especially since I was using a BB cream. It didn't blend very well and the sponge tip got gross after a couple of uses. I'm not a fan of brush tip or sponge tip concealers as the product build up makes my inner germaphobe huddle in the corner of the room in terror. Medium was too light for me so didn't get much use from the get go. I've been going through my collection and throwing away the things that are old and setting the good, unopened stuff aside for future giveaways and for friends.
Bottom Line: At $2 USD, they aren't terribly expensive so if they work for you, that's a great option. Unfortunately for me, these are a pass.
✗ e.l.f. Essentials Liquid Eyeliner in Silver and Copper -- I was in quite an e.l.f. phase two years ago (I mean, makeup for under $10 USD?!?! Count me in!) and picked up these fun liners that came in a trio set. The Silver is opaque and metallic--looked really nice on top of a black liner or under the eyes for a futuristic look. I didn't use it much since it was so bold. The Copper was disappointing as it was more liquid than glitter. The Black one did get a lot of use from me but I don't know if I've thrown it out or if it's hiding somewhere but I remember liking it as it reminded me of my all-time favorite and discontinued Neutrogena Liquid Liner. The packaging is really nice and the flexible brush tip made it easy to apply a straight line or wing out your liner, whatever floats your boat. I haven't used these up but they are quite old and so need to be tossed.
Bottom Line: I won't be repurchasing the set. I hardly got any use out of 2 and I'm more of a pencil liner user these days anyway.
Bottom Line: I won't be repurchasing this.
Bottom Line: I would repurchase because I can't afford to shell out for $20 USD + mascara every three months.
Whoo, that was a lot of products to talk about. I'm sort of wondering if I should have split it up further but oh well, what's done is done. I'm glad to finally write about these and get rid of them. I'm actually collecting beauty and personal care products to send to this really awesome program called Terracycle. Basically, you send in the empty packaging and you get points for it that you can redeem for charity projects--spreading a bit of beauty and love all around. You do need quite a bit (10 pounds or more) of items but get some friends together and you should be well on your way! I'm not sure if they operate outside of the US but it's worth a look. Look out for the second part of this post which will be focusing on skin care. :D
I'm on a roll today. I posted about my De-Stashing Project earlier today so have a look-see if you haven't already!
XOXO,
MWAH ♥
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Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk.
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