Here we go yo, here we go yo – back at it with the Beauty Empties! We’re digging through my trash to find the good, the bad, and the empties in skincare, hair care, and beauty products as of late. Let’s do this. (See past beauty empties here!)
By now you know I’m a Living Proof dry shampoo diehard – but if you’re looking to save a buck, this Batiste Bare bottle was actually GOOD! I liked it enought to re-purchase, and you get good bang for your buck.
OGX SEA KELP & HYALURONIC ACID SCRUB & WASH
LoveloveLOVE this stuff – it smells fabulous and is sulfate-free. It’s in the same family/by the same brand as the coffee scrub/wash I re-purchase frequently, and it’s a drugstore find!
LIVING PROOF FULL SHAMPOO + LIVING PROOF FULL CONDITIONER
No complaints here – I’ve always been a big Living Proof fan. The shampoo is sulfate-free and formulated to be gentle but thorough and volumizing, and the conditioner has a solid 5-star rating online; it’s lightweight and detangling.
I actually used this on Olivia’s hair – it’s another lightweight conditioner option and is formulated with LP’S Healthy Curl Complex, which is meant to prevent damage + encourage curl groupings, which is super cute on Liv’s wild curls!
NECESSAIRE THE BODY WASH in Eucalyptus
I got this during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale after seeing so much online hype about it from bloggers. While it was GOOD, I don’t think it lives up to the hype/is worth re-purchasing given the price point. I lovelovelove that it’s sulfate-free, but there are good sulfate-free options at the drugstore at this point for a fraction of the cost. So while it’s a great product, I think it’s maybe out-priced nowadays.
Good makeup wipes that actually cleanse are surprisingly hard to come by – I can see why these have the 5-star rating that they do. The wipes themselves are a great size and are infused with ingredients to gently dissolve even waterproof makeup without irritating your skin raw, and they have other goodies like hyaluronic acid + vitamins inside to re-infuse your skin with good stuff. If you’re in a pinch and using a makeup wipe, these ain’t bad!
KERASTASE CHRONOLOGISTE PRE-CLEANSE
The idea of a “pre-cleanse” is cool to me, BUT I dislike that Kerastase still uses sulfates in their shampoos, especially being a pricier, “salon-quality” brand.
JERGENS NATURAL GLOW FIRMING DAILY MOISTURIZER
While this doesn’t work on me as a self-tanner (THIS is my favorite, natural-looking self tanner!), it does give me a lighter natural glow, so it was a nice lotion to throw on in the end of summer.
OBSESSED! SO much so that it got its own Dime 7 Summer perfume review here on CUR with a side-by-side comparison to its designer smell-alike: Baccarat Rouge 540. For a clean, hypoallergenic, non-hormone-disrupting fragrance that’s not even $50, it’s so, so fabulous. If you’re wanting to smell all of Dime’s healthier fragrances to see how each wears on you first before pulling the trigger (I recommend doing this), grab the sampler kit! And my code THRIVE20 is live right now to get 20% off your order, so carpe diem. 🙂
FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R INSTANT RETOUCH PRIMER
A decent primer, BUT I’ve used better given the price point.
SECRET CLINICAL STRENGTH in Clean Lavender
Clinical Strength isn’t considered “clean” deodorant, but I’ve been using it since the 6th grade…it just gets the job done for me. It’s one thing I keep going back to while trying cleaner counterparts!
PUR 4-IN-1 CLOUD CREAM MOISTURIZER
This was a nice lightweight, gel-like moisturizer. Mine had a bit of a charcoal component for protection against environmental pollution, which I appreciate.
TULA SO SUGAR PLUM EXFOLIATING SUGAR SCRUB
Tula’s sugar scrubs have long been a favorite of mine; while it is a grittier exfoliation since it’s a sugar scrub, the sugar literally melts into your skin, making it near-impossible to OVER scrub (because ain’t nobody got time for red, irritated skin rubbed raw!). Their holiday kits just launched, so they’re the best way to get bang for your buck; this year, they launched the holiday scrubs in FULL SIZE versions in the kit, which is awesome. Mimi’s favorite is the chocolate peppermint, which I might have to agree with since it smells good enough to eat right off of your face. HA. Besides saving 25% off full prices with the holiday kit, you can get an extra 15% off with code COMINGUPROSES. All the deals, yo!
ANASTASIA DEWY SET SETTING SPRAY
I liked this setting spray enough – it kept everything set and glowy. I’d agree with the ratings and give it a solid 4 stars.
LAURA MERCIER FOUNDATION PRIMER
Nope. Pass. Didn’t even finish it! Her primers have never really worked on me and I won’t ever re-purchase.
TULA AQUA INFUSION POWER LIQUID
A decent serum, but no longer formulated or sold for some reason – not sure why!
This is obviously pricier than my favorite $5 Amazon mascara, but it’s BOMB DOT COM. 5 stars, without a doubt. It gave great lift, length, volume, and separation without clumps. I’d definitely repurchase, even given its price point.
COVERGIRL LASH BLAST AMPLIFY PRIMER
Back at it again with another drugstore lash primer that bests its Sephora competition. And it’s on sale right now!!!
My favorite drugstore mascara that’s not even $5!!!! Always stocked in my makeup bag. It’s clear why it’s got the ratings it does and is a #1 Amazon bestseller.
This felt-tipped liner is really gorgeous – it’s relatively easy to apply as a liquid liner, and it’s got great, rich pigment. I have a few more in my collection!
NOPE, didn’t finish, hard pass, did not like. I don’t understand how this stuff is supposed to work for the life of me – it’s supposed to be “replenishing” and hydrating, but I’d apply it and my lips would feel like they just had moisture sucked AWAY from them. It had a weird residue sorta feel and just wasn’t what I look for in a richly nourishing, moisturizing lip formula. Use this instead!!
Now THIS felt like a really hydrating lip balm…”lip butter balm” sounds deliciously and exactly like what it feels like on your pucker. Pricier for a lip balm, but also better for you than a Chapstick etc (pleasepleaseplease don’t buy/use Chapstick). Only complaint is I went through it too quickly!
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY EMPTIES LATELY THAT YOU’LL BE RE-PURCHASING?
