Amidst taking out loads and loads (and loads) of dirty diaper trash lately…we’ve got some Beauty Empties to add to the pile. 😉 Here’s what’s been finished lately, what I’d re-purchase or recommend, and what would get a big fat PASS…
MONDAY GENTLE SHAMPOO + CONDITIONER
This is a *favorite* drugstore shampoo/conditioner duo of mine. I first discovered them from a PR package and was instantly impressed – it’s not often you find a sulfate-free, cleaner formula that doesn’t break the bank with salon prices. But this set is great with good ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, rice proteins and vitamin E – but no sulfates, parabens or phthalates. The brand’s entire line is cruelty-free and they’ve won a ton of beauty awards…one that I will definitely re-purchase (this was a re-purchased duo already!).
MEYER’S CLEAN DAY HAND SOAP in Mum
We lovelovelove these hand soaps – they’re a decently clean formula with great scents (especially seasonally!). The best bang for your buck is getting the refillable size bottles!
TREE HUT WATERMELON FOAMING GEL BODY WASH
I’m such a big fan of this brand’s body butter, so I had high hopes for their body wash – and I was not disappointed. It’s a five-star-rated, fabulous-smelling gel that lathers well, is loaded with hydrating, antioxidant-rich ingredients…things like niacinamide to reduce inflammation and minimize the look of pores, shea butter to deeply moisturizer, and other goodies like shea butter, cupuaçu butter, vitamin C, avocado oil, kiwi oil, orange oil, rosehip oil, Moroccan argan oil, fruit extracts, AND BHAs and AHAs.
NO sulfates or parabens, from a family-owned and operated brand made in the USA. I’ve got this scent in my cart to try next!
OGX BAMBOO FIBER FULL DRY SHAMPOO
So…I didn’t NOT like it. I still prefer my ride or die dry shampoo, but this was a drugstore option that I could get behind. It wasn’t drying, WAS volumizing, and didn’t leave white residue behind on my brunette hair (important).
TULA SUPER CALM GENTLE MILK CLEANSER
I used this cleanser on a dew puff in the shower – it’s definitely gentle and not stripping. You’re not left feeling dry or tight after cleansing, and it’s a pretty clean formula – a great option for more sensitive skin. Out of all of Tula’s cleansers I still prefer the Cult Classic, but I haven’t recommended that one in a hot sec because I’m doing a bit more of a deep dive in ingredients after my Yuka app shocked the heck out of me in its rating of it. So stay tuned on that front…
My Tula code is still COMINGUPROSES for 15% off anything anytime.
COOLA LIPLIX HYDRATING LIP OIL GOLDEN GLOW with SPF 30
I did NOT like this stuff. It felt like a slick grease on my lips, tasted weird (like sunscreen?), and didn’t give me that lasting hydrating feeling that I want in lip balms. It has decent ratings from others, though, so of course it’s a personal preference thing (as most everything is)…just not for me. Especially for $18, hard pass. I didn’t get anywhere close to finishing – this is my favorite lip balm instead (+ code THRIVE20 takes 20% off of it, so it’s a better cost, too).
HATED this stuff. Was not hydrating in the slightest – actually felt like it did the opposite and left me drier after using it. I’m confused across the board on the intent with the coloring core and the “brightening” factor,” and it’s also an unclean ingredient list. PASS.
AG HAIR CARE FAST FOOD LEAVE ON CONDITIONER
This has apparently been totally repackaged since I got it – ha! I think it definitely helped with the overall manageability and styling of my hair on wash day.
A fine setting spray, but I’m not 100% convinced that it’s not discontinued…I think it’s like random leftover bottles still being sold online and a different iteration now sold by the brand directly. TBD.
For as much as I love(lovelove) most DIME products, I wasn’t overly impressed with their mascara. I think it gives a more “natural” mascara look – which can be absolutely fabulous if that’s what you’re going for. I just personally prefer a more obviously volumizing + lengthening mascara (and this one that’s not even $5 is hard to beat!). See this post with a full outline of my hits AND misses from DIME so far!
JUICE BEAUTY BLEMISH CLEARING SERUM
As a cleaner formulated acne-clearing serum, I actually really liked this stuff; if you have more sensitive skin that usually gets dry or irritated with acne products, this is for you. It’s a pretty powerful, multi-purposed product that reduces breakouts and unclogs pores, BUT ALSO has ingredients to re-hydrate your skin, as well as brighten and fight free radical damage. In their clinical testing, 100% of participants say definite blemish-clearing within two weeks. I definitely saw results with it myself!
L’OREAL VOLUMINOUS MASCARA PRIMER
A classic tried-and-true in my makeup bag – just gets the job done. Primes my lashes well. Over 41,000 near-perfect reviews. This is my favorite of L’Oreal’s lash primers!
I’ve used this setting spray on and off for years – no complaints.
IT COSMETICS CONFIDENCE IN A COMPACT
Was a fan, but it was discontinued. Womp.
PHYSICIANS FORMULA ORGANIC LIP BALM
Has been one of my favorite lip balms since I first tested it years ago. Loaded with coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter + Vitamin E…a clean formula that’s soooo much better than other “chapsticks” on the market, from both an ingredient and hydration standpoint!
I’m honestly torn on this one – the brush just feels SO thin that I wasn’t convinced on its efficacy, even though it sounds like a dream in its product description.
Loveloveloved this – already purchased a refill. It’s a CLEAN deodorant, but it actually WORKS and kept me *not smelly* all day long…which is basically unheard of in the world of clean deodorants. IYKYK. 😉 It goes on smoothly and feels hydrating and conditioning – not irritating or rough like some other clean deodorants can feel. In their study, after two weeks, 85% of users said it neutralized underarm odor all day, 90% said sweat was absorbed, and 100% said it’s non-irritating…I agree with all of the above. Expensive for deodorant compared to drugstore options, BUT it works and is worth trying if you’re looking to switch an aluminum-free, non-toxic option.
TULA PRIME OF YOUR LIFE SMOOTHING PRIMER
You know me – all about a good do-it-all product. And this primer is equal parts makeup AND skincare – it’s got ingredients to smooth the look of wrinkles while also plumping + firming over time, it’s got vitamins to brighten and boost your elasticity, and it’s got probiotics and prebiotics to balance. But as a makeup base, it’s got a nice soft texture and was a good canvas beneath foundation – and it’s a clean formula.
This has been my go-to self tanner for a few years now. It’s SUPER beginner-friendly and great for in-between maintenance since it’s a gradual tanning lotion and not a regular tanner, per se. You get a natural-looking bronze glow that’s even and buildable, with no streaks from application. Apply just like body lotion, and the tan develops over a few hours; I can apply it after a morning shower, put my clothes right on and go about my day, and by nighttime I’m tanned. It’s made in the USA and a clean, chemical-free formula…see allllll the benefits + details in this full review with before and afters!
So, in looking back and at the actual product listing, I think I used it wrong…LOL. I used it more as a serum and less as a makeup primer, so I can’t speak to its efficacy as a primer underneath other product. But, I did like it as an antioxidant booster, and it felt nice on my skin, with a non-greasy, hydrating glow.
PHYSICIANS FORMULA HYDRATING SKIN BOOSTER VITAMIN SHOT
A decently good hydrating serum, especially from the drugstore – can’t beat the price point. BUT, it’s not the *cleanest* ingredient list – I’d recommend this one instead (which comes to only $24 with code THRIVE20 at checkout).
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY EMPTIES LATELY THAT YOU’LL BE RE-PURCHASING?
