Back at it again with beauty products that have been all used up – “empties.” Today we have 20+ haircare, body care, skincare, + makeup finds that have seen their day, and it’s time to aalk about it. Would I repurchase? Do I recommend? Or was it something that didn’t even GET all used up because it was just that bad?? Let’s gooo. (See past beauty empties here!)
MONDAY SMOOTHING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Very pleasantly surprised with this shampoo/conditioner duo. Namely because it’s so dang affordable while also being sulfate-free, which is usually harder to come by (albeit easier to find as time goes on and beauty brands get on board, thankfully!). It’s formulated to be gentle + creamy with clean ingredients, like coconut oil, vitamin E, and shea butter. It’s also cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologically tested, and in 100% recycable, sustainably packaging. Only $7.99!!! I’d definitely repurchase.
NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
I am *picky* with eye makeup removers especially because a.) some just suck, and b.) the undereye area is so sensitive and cannot be rubbed raw in the name of stubborn mascara. This is one of the few I consistently repuchase because it gets the job done in what feels like a gentle way. Also doesn’t burn if it gets IN your eye. Bless. I’m currently using another bottle now!
I loveloveLOVED these gummy vitamins, but I think they’ve been discontinued? Sad! They straight up tasted like strawberry fruit roll-ups.
OGX COCONUT COFFEE SCRUB & WASH
This is a 10/10 product for me and one that I’ve repurchased already quite a few times (as seen in past Empties here!). It smells incredible, it feels great, it’s sulfate-free…checks all the boxes and is both an exfoliant AND cleanser. Plus it’s got a SOLID 5-star rating from fellow customers, too!
LIVING PROOF PERFECT HAIR DAY DRY SHAMPOO
No surprise here – I think EVERY Empties from here on out will have a Living Proof dry shampoo in it, because it’s my favorite dry shampoo on God’s green earth. (See here, here, here for reference 😉 ). I ALWAYS have at least one bottle in my stash and will recommend until the day I die.
PETER THOMAS ROTH CUCUMBER DETOX FOAMING FACEWASH
‘Twas a sad, sad day when this bottle got emptied, because it was a fabulous facewash that I definitely WOULD have repurchased again had it not been discontinued.
I’m relatively new to trying Olaplex products but so far so good – this stuff was bomb. It’s a smoothing, reparative leave-in treatment that claims to eliminate frizz, hydrate, + protect. It definitely felt like it did all of the above on my hair, and I will grab another bottle and continue testing others under the Olaplex umbrella.
TULA HYDRATING DAY & NIGHT CREAM
Another one I’ve finished before and will finish again! A favorite in my routine; it’s lightweight, non-greasy, yet super nourishing, which is basically the moisturizer trifecta. It’s got great ingredients like squalane and peptides for hydration, and it’s formulated to NOT clog pores.
For the best value, get the Supersized tub. It’s more than double the product for NOT double the price, AND my discount codes works on top of that (COMINGUPROSES). So instead of paying about $50 for the regular-sized tub, you can pay $69.70 for double the product AND THEN SOME. Highly recommend.
CERAVE MAKEUP REMOVING CLEANSER CLOTHS
If there’s one thing I’m picky about, it’s makeup removing wipes. That, and cake. If they’re dry, ain’t nobody got time. These were decent, BUT I still would choose these over them instead.
SECRET CLINICAL STRENGTH OVERNIGHT ANTIPERSPIRANT
I’ve been using Secret since the 6th grade. Specifically, Clinical Strength – it’s been my go-to ever since my heavy sports days when I was super self-conscious about sweating through clothes (#pubertyproblems). So if my Empties went back to middle school…you’d still be seeing Secret Clinical Strength. Ha!
PHYSICIANS FORMULA KILLER CURVES VOLUME MASCARA
This mascara was just meh for me, although I did like the brush shape. Didn’t make a huge impression, wouldn’t buy it again when there are so many other great drugstore options out there (like this one! or even this one!).
CHARLOTTE TILBURY BIG FAT LASHES MASCARA
‘Twas a good mascara, BUT I’m so picky with mascaras now since I’ve got a $5 favorite. So would I spend $29 on this one again OVER my $5 one…probably not.
HAIR DANCE VOLUMIZING DRY SHAMPOO
This stuff was no bueno – not for me. I think I used it twice before giving up – so maybe it was just user error? But as a self-proclaimed dry shampoo afficionado, if it WAS user error, then Lord help the rookies in the house. It does have rave reviews on Amazon and some say it’s all in the application technique, but quite frankly, I didn’t have the patience to figure it out. Dry shampoo is supposed to SAVE me time, not cost more – ha! This just felt like dumping powder on my hair, which didn’t absorb nicely, so I was left looking grey and needing to actually wash and detox my scalp. Pass.
BOTANIC TREE GLYCOLIC ACID EXFOLIATING FACE WASH
Now THIS stuff is fabulous. I already have two more bottles in my stash. With over 13,700+ 4.5 star reviews, it stands the test of time. It’s got glycolic + salicylic acids to help combat acne + dark spots, but it’s gentle and not drying. Does double duty as cleanser + toner, and helps to gently exfoliate dead skin cells along the way. Sulfate-free with great BHA + AHAs and helps with scarring, redness, and discoloration, too. Bonus: it smells fabulous.
IT’S A 10 MIRACLE LEAVE-IN PRODUCT
The It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in has been a repurchased product of mine for years. It kindof does it all – it’s a restorative, deep conditioning leave-in treatment that smoothes, adds shine, detangles, controls frizz, seals + protects color, helps prevent split ends, stops breakage, enhances body, protects against heat damage – it’s clear why it’s a cult-classic favorite for forever. Also has great ingredients – silk amino acids, aloe vera, green tea leaf extract, sunflower seed extract, etc.
PHYSICIANS FORMULA TONING SPRAY
My biggest complaint with this toner was how quickly it gets used up. It felt like it didn’t really last at ALL – maybe just because I used it a lot? It checks all the boxes formulaically, but I was skeptical of how a spray could simultaneously tone AND set makeup. I might need to buy it again simply to keep assessing since it felt like I blinked and used up the bottle – ha!
This one takes a hot sec to figure out (I watched a YouTube video to aid my application process – ha!). But once you do, it absord nicely and does the job well. I wouldn’t reach for it over my Living Proof, but I also do think it gets the job done – just remember less it more when applying!
BLUE LOTION
TBH the label rubbed off and I don’t even remember what brand this little body lotion tube was from – womp! BUT, I do know it was pricy, I got it via PR I believe, and I’d still recommend a drugstore one like this over it for the price.
I’ll always be a big Olay Whips girl! Especially since it’s got SPF and is not a greasy formula at all, I lovelovelove it as a day moisturizer on non-makeup days. It’s also formulated to help brighten + even your skin tone and minimize the look of your pores. I believe code ERICALIGENZA will still save you $5 off of $50 at Olay! Bless up.
DERMA-E CREATE SKIN BENEFICIAL MIST
I’m a biiiiiiig fan of face mists. This one is formulated to tone while enhancing your mood and re-centering you, which had me intrigued. It’s got Cordyceps, Cardamom, aromatic waters, coconut essence, + witch hazel and DOES, in fact, smell great.
Normally $18+, on sale for only $8 right now!
AVEDA DAMAGE REMEDY SPLIT END REPAIR
LoveloveLOVE Aveda’s entire Damage Remedy line. It’s a 98% naturally-derived formula and great leave-in treatment to help repair your hair’s integrity and prevent against heat damage and breakage. Nourishing without being greasy, and really does feel like it makes your hair stronger!
COVERGIRL ILLUMINATING SKIN PRIMER
I can see why this is a 4.5+ star-rated product – I used every last drop. They have a few different color primers each formulated to help do something different (smooth skin versus conceal redness versus illuminate or minimize pores, etc). This one made a nice glowy base to my foundation.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY EMPTIES LATELY THAT YOU’LL BE RE-PURCHASING?
