Hello, my name is Erica, and I have a problem. Specifically, a finishing problem. I HAVE to finish what I start – especially when it comes to products. Now, given my line of work…this can be a bit problematic. I’m fortunate enough that I do sometimes receive products in the mail from PR agencies and share my thoughts with them (and potentially you, if I like it enough!) – this oftentimes leads to overload. I might have 7 different tubes of mascara in a vanity drawer or 18 different red lipsticks, and truly, who needs that?? No one. I lovelovelove to give as much away to girlfriends as humanly possible and gift YOU with goodies, too (and also donate a bunch of new, unopened products to women’s shelters!). But at the end of the day, I just cannot use everything up. I get this. I understand this.
AND YET, here I am…with – I kid you not – five brown paper bags at my desk of empty products of things that I’ve finished and figured I should share with you, especially since I do not just finish up things that I actually like. Unless I actually HATE a product, I try to use it up to not feel wasteful. Is this some weird psychological thing? Probably. I’ll mention it to my therapist later this week. 😉
In general, I do try to squeeze every last drop out of products before tossing. Here are some of my latest beauty empties, with thoughts on each product (Did I like it? Would I recommend or repurchase? etc) after using ’til the end!
Pantene Miracle Moisture Boost shampoo/conditioner
I’ve loveloveloved this duo since blogging it a few months back. It’s a sulfate-free, paraben-free drugstore shampoo/conditioner duo without any dyes or mineral oils, either – an awesome find. It also happens to smell truly divine. Made with rose water from the petals + buds of rosa gallica in the Middle East (fancy!), and also rich in hydrating vitamins B5 + B3, this stuff is gooooood. For not even 7 bucks a pop, it’s a great deal on a great duo.
I first received this lotion in a FabFitFun box and wasn’t sure if I’d even keep it for myself – that is, until I was told by so many of you how FABULOUS it is! I gave it a go, and I’m on my third tube already. A really fabulous light scent and a divinely hydrating formula. Definitely will re-purchase continuously! (Also a vegan + cruelty-free product, which is awesome!)
No secret here – my fave facial cleanser for years. And the good news: it actually takes me MONTHS to get through an entire tube; a running theme with all of my Tula products is how long it takes to use up! I think it was literally 5-6 months to use up every last drop of gel, which really gets bang for your buck. (And as always, you can get an additional 15% off anything at Tula with code COMINUPROSES at checkout). It’s a best-selling gel-based cleanser with thousands of 5-star reviews – works on all skin types to remove dirt, impurities, and makeup without stripping or over-drying your skin. It’s got probiotics, prebiotics, as well as lactic acid inside for gentle chemical exfoliation, so your skin is purified, clarified, balanced, and refreshed. I use at nighttime!
Another Tula fave here! This is my first fully-finished tube and I’m using the Supersized from now on since it’s a better value (and again, additional 15% off with the code). I use this on any “no makeup” day as a light layer, since it works to even out your skin tone and lessen redness (which I have). Also has probiotics + superfoods inside, so I lovelovelove that it’s like a cross between light makeup and skincare. Won’t clog your pores, either! I ALWAYS have this on hand. I’ve gotten Katie, countless friends, and now my next-door neighbor HOOKED, too. 🙂
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream
Was NOT a fan of this one bit. The formula was suuuuuper liquidy (really lived up to the name “milk” – ha!), so I spilled a bit right out of the gate – which was disappointing with it being a $65 product. Didn’t do anything for me really – was not impressed and found it very overpriced. Would not recommend.
Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter
I’m usually not the world’s biggest Vaseline fan since I always felt it moreso sat on the skin’s surface. I thought it was moreso meant as a protectant to the skin’s outermost layer without doing any deeper hydration. This lip butter was fine, but not my favorite. I’d probably buy it again for the price point, but I prefer this one!
Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Summertime
This lasted me a loooong time, I couldn’t even tell ya when I first started it! Was a nice drugstore option. It seemed to have a bit of gold speckling in it in the pan, but it wasn’t noticeable on my skin.
Maybelline Total Temptation mascara
This was a great mascara, in my opinion. Nicely volumizing. Great drugstore price point. Big fluffy brush. Would buy again. (I have this Maybelline mascara next on my list to try because it went viral on Tik Tok – LOL).
L’Oreal Lash Paradise base primer
One of my favorite lash primers – a drugstore winner that I’ve repurchased before and will repurchase again! HIGHLY recommend always priming your lashes before applying mascara.
Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume mascara
While this was a great mascara, I got even more volume AND length from my favorite $5 mascara instead. (This is the one I tested side-by-side against the $27 Marc Jacobs one!)
L’Occitane Overnight Reset Oil-in-serum
Works as an anti-aging serum that’s supposed to work its magic overnight – it felt truly lovely on my skin. I struggle seeing noticeable differences from anti-aging products since my expectation is usually that any lines or wrinkles are gone by morning (LOL, #WeWish), but I do think I was glowier in the morning.
Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
This has been entirely re-branded/re-packaged since I bought mine – it feels a bit like the daytime accompaniment to the above L’Occitane serum. Water-light serum, but loaded with powerful antioxidants and skin-restoring ingredients with anti-aging properties.
What have been your latest beauty empties from your vanity/shower/etc?
