April 2018 Empties

Another month, another round of empties! I think I actually used up a pretty diverse selection of products this time.

Before I get started, there’s one empty that didn’t make it into photos, because I finished it on vacation and threw it out there – the Biore Watery Essence Sunscreen. It’s my favorite sunscreen for the summer because it doesn’t feel greasy or heavy. I bought two last year when I was in Taiwan, and I just opened the second one that I have.

HAIR/BODY

Now that I’m trying to wash my hair every other day instead of every day, dry shampoo is an essential, and the Klorane Dry Shampoo is one of my favorites. It doesn’t make my hair look white, and it does a killer job of reducing the oil on my scalp. I always love getting this in a set, and have another mini already in backups. I prefer my dry shampoos in travel sizes, by the way, because I like to keep them in my gym bar or in my purse!
Already repurchased.

The First Aid Beauty is a great, no frills, moisturizer that I use for face and body. For my face, it doesn’t feel too heavy and it does feel soothing on my skin, like it says it will be. On my body, it’s not quite as moisturizing as I need it to be, but it’s convenient to have one product that I can use for both. I wouldn’t buy these at full price, but I like getting them in sets.
Would repurchase.

When I first went to Germany, I did some research on must buy makeup and skincare products, and this CD Moisturizing Cream popped up a few times. I haven’t heard anyone talk about it in years, but I bought a few of them while I was there (five years ago!) and finally used the last of it up. It’s another dual face/body moisturizer that is actually super moisturizing for my dry skin on my body, and it works great for the winter on my face. It’s also super affordable, just a few dollars, in German drugstores.
Would repurchase if I could…next time I’m in Germany!

On the not quite as cheap end of the spectrum is the Josie Maran Whipped Body Butter in Jasmine. It was a little pricey, but so so worth it for the winter skin. Although it’s a body butter, it was so smooth and hydrating it almost felt like an oil-cream hybrid going on my skin. I loved applying this, and I love anything with a jasmine scent.
Would repurchase next winter.

The only fragrance I used up this month was Prada Candy. I don’t know about this one….when it was first released, I wanted it so bad, but I was also in my sweet fragrance phase then. When I was using this sample, it just smelled so sugary sweet upon spraying that it was too much, and then it faded really quickly without really developing into something that I really loved. I’m glad I ended up never buying it and just trying a sample.
Would not repurchase.

SKINCARE

Because of traveling, this month’s skincare empties are basically all minis. Starting with the sunscreens, I finished the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30, which is great if you like a really pore blurring silicone-y type primer. It was fine for me, but the heavy silicone texture is not my favorite.
Would not repurchase.

Another disappointment for me was the Lavanilla Sport Luxe Suncreen, which basically felt like rubbing a clay mask onto my face. It didn’t blend well, and it left a definite white cast. No thanks.
Would not repurchase.

The Cotz Natural Tinted Sunscreen was a winner, though. It has SPF 40, went on the face matte and blended out well, and had a tint that matched my skin. It was great for no-makeup days when I just wanted to run out the door for errands, but wanted just a touch of coverage.
Might repurchase.

Moving onto to other skincare, the Lancome Bi-facil Eye Makeup Remover is always nice to have. I got this one in an Influenster box from the summer, but have used this in the past before. It takes off all my super waterproof mascara effortlessly, and doesn’t irritate my eyes. Personally, I find the Clinique Take the Day Off eye makeup remover to be just as effective for slightly less money, so I wouldn’t choose to purchase this.
Would not repurchase.

I finished a couple samples of moisturizers this month – the first being the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream. It felt light yet still really moisturizing on my face, but I’m unsure of it being worth the price tag. It was fine and did the job, but I’m not convinced this one really stood out.
Would not repurchase.

I also finished a sample of the Philosophy Hope in a Jar moisturizer, which was a thick, but not necessarily super hydrating moisturizer. It was very meh to me and I didn’t like how it blended out on my skin.
Would not repurchase.

It seems that I wasn’t impressed with much this month, judging by all the “would not repurchases,” but I was really impressed by the Sunday Riley Good Genes, which was amazing at smoothing my skin, keeping blackheads away, and giving me a radiant glow. It’s funny, I’ve tried this before and I wasn’t really impressed with it the first time, but I saw a noticeable difference this time. I’m not sure why there was such a difference in results, but I really enjoyed it this time around. I am working my way through another AHA serum right now, but I can already tell that the Sunday Riley one works better for me….unfortunately for my wallet.
Would Repurchase.

I already featured this in a couple posts, but now that I’ve finished the Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner, I have some more definitive thoughts about it. I used this mostly while I was traveling, and definitely liked the (somewhat ineffective) pump, and I definitely noticed some soothing and extra moisturization after using this. It certainly feels nice to use, and it has a nice pleasant smell (a little bit herbaly, but also slightly sweet? I’m horrible with describing scents…) That said, do I find it completely necessary for my combination skin? Not really. I think this is great for the winter or transition months, and especially for travel, but it’s not a must-have product for me. However, if I had another bottle on hand, I would definitely use it regularly.
Might repurchase, will wait for fall/winter.

Once again, I have another empty of the Clarins Total V Face Contouring Serum. I took this little mini on my vacation, but this is a total HG product for me.
Already repurchased.

Lastly for skincare, I used the Tony Moly I’m Real Aloe Mask Sheet. Someone please explain to me why I keep using masks when I hate the process. Sheet masks just creep me out and make me feel slightly uncomfortable because it feels like putting a wet sheet on my face – which is essentially what a sheet mask is. Was it hydrating? Yes. Did I end up buying more sheet masks during an Ulta sale to get to free shipping? Yes. But I just don’t love masks. That said, I admit that they can help soothe my tired, sad skin after 24 hours of traveling or a night of no sleep.
Already repurchased….but I’ve made my feeling on masks clear

MAKEUP

The First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothing Primer doesn’t feel like a traditional primer to me. It’s more of a moisturizer, and I don’t see any pore blurring effects or anything after applying, but it was definitely a light and still somewhat hydrating primer for the winter. I really liked applying this primer, and it certainly didn’t make my makeup look worse after a long day, but I don’t know if it really prolonged or improved application. I stillll really liked this though, for some reason. However, now that spring/summer is here, this has not been as effective at keeping my makeup in place.
Might repurchase in fall/winter.

Another winter/moisturizing primer is the Becca First Light Priming Filter, which I could only use on the coldest and driest days of the year. Otherwise, it became an oily mess on my skin. On super dry and windy days when my skin also felt parched, this gave that radiant glow that everyone who loves this primer raves about, but those days are so rare that I couldn’t see myself using this primer a lot. I still have one more sample that will probably last me through another winter. I never really purchased this to begin with, and I wouldn’t repurchase again.
Would not repurchase.

Look! An actual powder product I’ve panned and finished! This Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer is NO JOKE. This little sample of 3g lasted me over a year of regular use multiple times a week. It’s also a really great bronzer that was a flattering tone for my warm skin. This might be the one last product I actually like from Too Faced. I love bronzers, and have quite a collection of them, but still enjoyed using this every time. I would *like* to finish more bronzers before repurchasing, but it’s likely I’ll get this sometime before then anyway.
Would repurchase.

I’ve spoken about the Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer already, and love how it primes my lashes and makes my curl last, no matter what mascara I apply after. It’s close to HG status now and I already repurchased.
Already repurchased.

Finally, my last empty is the Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. I had very little hopes for this, but actually, it’s a very good mascara. It was volumizing and dramatic, and wasn’t very clumpy. I will probably never have to repurchase a mascara because of how many I get through various sets and GWP’s, but this would actually be in consideration. It wasn’t quite as good as the Lancome Monsieur Big, but it’s also slightly cheaper.
Might repurchase.

That’s it! I’m glad I had a slightly more diverse range of products this month, though I realize I didn’t really finish any full-size products. I’m kind of a hoarder when it comes to mini and travel sizes, so this is about expected. Still, even with all of these finished, I probably bought waaaay more makeup and products this month to make up for it…..oops.

What did you finish this month? Anything in here that you’ve tried?

As always, thanks for reading!