For me, there is nothing better than finishing products. Even as I moved across the States, I was finishing products left and right. Now that I’m back among my fellow beauty lovers, I am sharing all my skincare, hair care, body care, and even makeup empties. Buckle in folks because this is another long (but interesting) one.
Nothing to See Here But Tons of Skincare Empties
- Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Serum Stick – This has been in my routine for the longest time. Don’t believe me? Check out some of my previous empties posts. Now, our time together has come to an end because it’s no longer sold at Ulta.
- Bliss Glow & Hydrate Day Serum – Gentle, light cream- based serum that was gentle on my sensitive skin.
- Bioderma Hydrabio Micelle Solution – This is the best micellar water I’ve ever used. It’s gentle, moisturizing, and does an excellent job of removing makeup. I want for nothing else.
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser – Good basic cleanser that doesn’t dry out my skin.
- CeraVe Healing Ointment – I use this as occlusive to lock in moisture at night. Works great for my dry skin. A little goes a long way, so it lasts for a long time.
- Clarisonic Sensitive Skin Brush Head – This has quickly become my new favorite replacements to the Holy Grail Radiance Brush Head. Luckily, I’ve found a place to buy more brush heads, so I currently have a few waiting in the stash.
- Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate – Being on sale gave me the nudge to try this as the moisturizing serum in my routine. Honestly speaking, I really liked it, but I don’t know if I’m willing to pay the full price for it on a regular basis.
- The Crème Shop I Am … Radiant Beauty Water – I’ve used this before, and nothing has really changed about my feelings. I like it in my routine, and I will buy it whenever it crosses my path.
- Dr. Packer Hydrating Shot Mask – I got the Energy and Nutrition masks, and both of them were BOMB! The masks have so much serum that there could have been two masks in this pack. I slathered the extra serum on my hands, elbows, and décolletage. Unfortunately, this is another mask that is no longer available at Ulta.
- Finishing Touch Flawless Replacement Heads – I’ve been using this hair remover for a while, and it works pretty well. However, these replacement heads are another product that is no longer being sold on Ulta’s website.
- Fourth Ray Beauty Dew It Hydrating Hyaluronic Mist – The one negative about this spray is the scent. It smells like a cucumber that’s starting to go bad. I bought 2 bottles, so I will have to suffer the same fate again in the future, but I’m out after that.
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask – Since I have dry skin, I use this as a wash off mask instead of a sleeping mask. I received this as part of a set with the mist, but I wouldn’t buy the mask on its own.
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist – Nice light mist, but I hate the scent. The artificial watermelon scent makes me want to vomit.
- Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner – I love this spray, but I hate the price. Luckily, I have been able to catch deals, so I have backups waiting in my skincare stash.
- The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Treatment – I’ve been using this serum to help even the skin around my knees and elbows. I like how easy to use, but haven’t seen dramatic results.
- Kiehl’s Creme D’Elegance Repairateur – One of my favorite face creams. It’s rich, but my dry skin drinks it up and leaves nothing behind. The downside is it only sold on the Kiehl’s website and sells out often.
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser – This gentle foaming cleanser that works great as a second cleanse. Since I have dry skin, I mix this with a cream cleanser to keep it from being too stripping.
- L’Oreal Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid – Nice hydrating serum, but I seemed to go through the bottle very quickly.
- Mamonde Camellia Antiaging Flower Lab Essence Mask – This is such a great mask with so much serum, but it’s no longer available at Ulta.
- Naturally Upper Canada Collagen Face Sheet Mask – I like the idea of a biodegradable sheet mask, but I also understand that it’s most likely just a marketing ploy. However, I had a nice experience with this mask, and I would buy it again.
- Peach Slices Dark Spot Microdarts – As expected, this did nothing to my dark spots. I just used them like pimple patches.
- Sephora Rose Face Mask – I love how this mask smells and how it feels. It’s a personal favorite.
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil – I used on eyebrows. There wasn’t much growth, but they looked healthy and full.
- Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask – I really like this product, but I hate the packaging. When I’m ready to put the cap back on the tube, product is still spilling out. The messiness of dealing with this will keep me from buying it again.
- Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum – I love this as much as I love my beloved Glow Stick. I’ve purchased another tube.
- Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum – When I unexpectedly ran out of sunscreen during my cross-country move, I decided to try this new sunscreen from Supergoop! It’s light, absorbs well, and leaves a glowy finish.
- Too School Egg Cream Mask -I absolutely love this mask! The serum is so rich and creamy. It’s on the pricier side, so I will mostly likely only buy this during a sale.
- Ulta Beauty Holiday Party Animals Hydrating Sheet Mask – The print on the unicorn mask in no way makes me look like a unicorn, and for whatever reason the word “unicorn” is misspelled on the packaging. Despite that, the mask is indeed very hydrating.
- Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm – Emulsifies nicely, quickly and easily removes makeup. Has a light menthol scent, but it’s not irritating.
- Vichy Minéral Eye Serum – Lightweight absorbs quickly, moisturizing.
Body (ody-ody-ody-ody) Care Empties
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment – I use this solely on my feet mixed with whatever body lotion / cream I’m using at the moment. I slather it on thick, then put on a pair of socks to make my feet feel soft and buttery.
- Bath & Body Works Paraffin Hand Cream – Love this hand cream.
- CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin – I have been using this cream for almost a year to rid myself of strawberry legs. I am finally starting to see a more even skin tone, but what also keeps me using this product is how soft it leaves my skin.
- Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray – Great for reapplying sunscreen. Guava mango smells delicious.
- Dove Advanced Care Dry Spray – Love this deodorant, and Shea Butter one of my favorite scents.
- Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Body Lotion – This was a pleasant enough moisturizer that didn’t leave my skin looking dry and ashy. However, I went through it way too quickly, and this lotion costs too much for me to run through it like that.
- L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil – What I enjoyed most about this is how it made my shower concoction more luxurious. Although it has no lasting power, the scent is delicious. I also like how my skin feels after the shower. This has inspired me to incorporate shower oils into my routine.
- L’Occitane Shea Body Shower Oil – Mixes well with current body wash, but not amazed by the product. I might purchase it on sale.
- Olay Cleansing and Nourishing Body Wash with Vitamin B3 and Hyaluronic Acid – Even after a second bottle, I’m still enjoying it.
- Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Cartridges – I like this as a 2-in-1 product for a quick shave, but I don’t like that after a few uses, the solid bar kind of becomes useless. Plus, the inside looks yucky, and I can’t clean it out. After this last cartridge, I will be using the Flamingo razor with the Tree Hut Shaving Oil that I absolutely love.
- Sephora Collection Coconut Foot Masks – The good news is these make my feet feel amazing after using them. The bad news is I have large feet, so they are difficult to get on and often rip in the process.
- Sephora Collection Mango Hand Masks – First of all, this smells amazing. In more beneficial news, this helped give my hands enough moisture to give those pesky cuticles and hangnails the ol’ heave hoe. I would definitely buy these again when my hands need some extra TLC.
- Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Shea Butter Soap – This doesn’t have that stereotypical coconut scent, but the scent is enjoyable, and the soap leaves my skin feeling amazingly smooth and soft.
- Tree Hut Bare Moisturizing Shave Oil (Moroccan Rose) – Using this shaving oil leaves my legs feeling silky smooth, and the scent is AMAZING!! As previously mentioned, this is still my go-to shaving product.
- White Barn Rose Water and Ivy Gentle Gel Hand Soap – If you love the scent of rose, then this is the hand soap for you. I love that the rose scent lingers for a while, but it is not overwhelming.
Ample Samples, But Will Buy It?
- BareMinerals Skinlongevity Long Life Herb Serum – Light serum that feels hydrating and refreshing, but I’m not willing to pay the price for their bold claims.
- Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb – This feels lightweight on the skin, but it doesn’t have enough oomph for my dry skin. Gel creams like this one probably works better for oily skin.
- Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base – I’ve used samples of this several times before, and I really like how this feels on my skin. It feels more like a moisturizer than a primer, so this is great for eliminating steps in your morning routine.
- Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer – Meh; this is too expensive for me not to be wowed.
- CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion – Meh; Might work as a daytime moisturizer for my dry skin, but it’s not for an evening routine.
- Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream – I used 2 samples and felt the same after each one … Meh
- Clé de Peau Beauté The Serum – There was nothing special about this serum compared to the serums I already use, and I can’t afford to spend $200 for 1.0 oz. of product.
- Clinique All About Eyes – Nice eye cream that I would be willing to purchase in the future.
- Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum – Meh
- COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence – This is not my first time at this rodeo. I still enjoy this essence, which is good because the full size was waiting in the skincare stash.
- Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Shine Eau de Parfum – Nice citrusy floral scent, but I prefer Dolce Garden.
- Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum – Irritated my skin, and didn’t feel any better than the usual hydrating serums I use.
- Givenchy Irresistible – Meh
- Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream – Smells delicious, but I wasn’t wowed by the results.
- First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer – Really like; feels like a moisturizer and leaves skin radiant.
- Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer – Decent face cream, but nothing that makes me want to buy the full size version.
- Guerlain L’Or Radiance Make-Up Base – Feels nice on the skin. Definitely leaves the skin looking glowy. Would buy when I want to feel extra bougie.
- Innisfree Orchid Youth-Enriched Cream – This sample had very little product, but I wasn’t even amazed by the results.
- Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum – Yuck!
- Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask – Creamy texture that looks and feels like smashed avocados. I would definitely buy this product in full size.
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – Decent moisturizer, but it doesn’t have enough oomph for my dry skin.
- L’Occitane Amande Hand Cream – Nice, love the scent
- Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum – Floral scent that I didn’t like
- Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear (500 Suede) – I’m interested in trying the full size version after I find my perfect shade match.
- Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hated it! Felt like trying to rub in glue on my face.
- Laura Mercier Translucent Honey Loose Setting Powder – Perfect for setting concealer. Looks much better on my complexion than the original.
- Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer – Felt great on the skin and didn’t leave it feeling sticky. Foundation glided on without issue. Has a pleasant scent. Might make me reconsider the brand.
- My Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum – Boring floral
- No7 Firming Booster Serum – Okay, but not something I would seek out.
- Origins Ginzing Ultra-Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream – Felt nice on the skin and had a nice scent, but it also contains a lot of essential oils.
- Rolling in Love by Kilian – It’s okay. Smells like bitter orange.
- Shani Darden Retinol Reform – Felt slight irritation.
- Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum – Felt gentle, but I’m not interested in the brand.
- Sunday Riley Good Genes – Didn’t irritate the skin, but I feel the way about this brand the way I feel about Naturium.
- Too Faced Hangover RX Replenishing Face Primer – Feels nourishing like a moisturizer, I would buy on sale.
Hair Care Empties for Naturalistas
- Kreyòl Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil – I love the tingly feeling from the rosemary mint gives my scalp even though I didn’t see the amazing results I was expected after this second bottle. I will likely use it again in the future though.
- Phyto PhytoNovathrix Ultimate Densifying Treatment for Scalp and Hair – Another hair growth treatment that did mostly nothing for me even after a couple of boxes. This box of vials is too expensive for it not to have a bushel full of coils exploding from the top of my head.
- Phyto PhytoSpecific Cleansing Care Cream – I found this cleansing conditioner on clearance at Ulta. I liked the product, but hated the packaging. It’s just too messy to use.
- Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream – This moisturizing cream works well for low porosity hair. I’m glad this is back at Sephora with new packaging.
- Qhemet Biologics Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter – This has been my go-to for two strand twists for years. I dabble with other products here and there, but I never stay away too long. With this rich butter, a little goes a long way, so it lasts a long time.
- Rated Green Tamanu Oil Soothing Scalp Pack – It smells like berries, but didn’t do anything amazing for my scalp.
- SeroVital Beauty Hair Regeneres Softgels – This is my third bottle, and like many of the hair growth products I’ve been trying, my results have been negligible.
Wake Up to Makeup
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation – This was not a favorite amongst the makeup geeks, which is probably why it’s been discontinued. I’m not a big stick foundation user, but I actually liked to use Espresso as a base and mix it with another foundation to help my makeup last for the day.
- BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Solid – This is my favorite cleanser to get all the junk out of my sponges. It’s been a staple in my beauty routine for a while, and it’s not going anywhere any time soon. I usually buy the Charcoal since it comes in the biggest size, but the Lavender gives the same results.
- Catrice Prime and Fine Multitalent Fixing Spray – How did this easily become one of best affordable sprays in my routine? First, I got it on super sale during the holidays. Second, it works just as well as prestige sprays in my routine. I can spray it directly on my face to help meld my look together or spray it on my brushes. It works well both ways.
- Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer – I absolutely love this lash primer! I’ve tried others like the way more expensive one from Lancôme, but I still prefer the Essence primer above all else.
- Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base – I had to declutter this because it started irritating my eyes. It was a decent primer for the price, but it didn’t amaze me like the lash primer did.
- Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer Moisturizer – Although I used this solely as a primer, it would work great for anyone looking for a 3-in-1 product. Even after moisturizer and sunscreen, this still absorbed well into my skin without leaving a whitecast.
- Sponges – I had to toss a bunch of sponges over the past couple of months. The worst was some generic sponge I bought at TJ Maxx. The teardrop blenders from GSQ by GlamSquad weren’t much better. They ripped after a couple of washes. These Ulta Beauty Blending Sponges work pretty good, but they are so small. The best sponges were the Morphe Complexion Blending Beauty Sponge and the Sonia Kashuk Makeup Blending Sponge.
- Smashbox Photo Finish Setting Spray – Nothing spectacular, but I would buy again during a sale.
- Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation – I received this as an Ulta Diamond gift. The shade 4.3 was slightly too dark for me, but the foundation wore nicely.
- Stila Shimmer and Glow Liquid Eye Shadow – The color La Douce is beautiful and those shimmers be shimming to the high heavens. The downside is how quickly these can dry out, so it’s best to buy these on sale and use them quickly.
- Too Faced Damn Girl! Mascara – There is no reason for a mascara brush to be this ginormous. I actually think my eyeballs and lashes are too small for this mascara. My previous not-so-great experience with this brush should have been an omen. Unfortunately, I still have another tube of Damn Girl! Mascara in the stash.
- Ulta Beauty Metallic Cream Eye Shadow – Materialistic is a beautiful bronzed shimmer shade that works as an excellent eye shadow base.
- Ulta Beauty Maximum Lashes Mascara – I received this mascara for free, which is good because I was not wowed by it at all. It worked best as a layering mascara, but it definitely didn’t give me maximum lashes on its own.
What skincare, hair care, body care, or makeup have you finished lately?