Back to my favorite post of the month – empties. September was a bit of a weird month because I was traveling for two weeks and finished a bunch of sample sizes, and then the rest of the month I was testing out some new products so didn’t quite get around to finishing as much as usual.
Still, there’s definitely some good stuff in here that I’m excited to share:
SKINCARE
Clinique Take the Day Off Lip and Eye Makeup Remover – I’ve finished so many of these that it shouldn’t even be surprising to see them here anymore. I have backups upon backups on this.
Already repurchased.
Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed – this deluxe sample was perfect to take with me as I was traveling. I applied this every couple hours on my flights over to and from Taiwan and my skin looked so good at the end of each flight. I also used this as a lightweight serum during the evenings in Taiwan because even the hottest and most humid weather I still like to wear a lightweight serum. I’m definitely interested in picking up a full size.
Might repurchase.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Serum – I really like this serum as a lightweight moisturizer for hot summer days. Since I only use it in the summer, it’s a bit pricey for me to justify buying a full size, so I usually just stick with the minis.
Might repurchase…next summer.
Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner – this was another travel size sample that I took with me, and I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this. I felt like it cleaned out my pores without being too astringent, but also kept my face from feeling greasy and oily while I traveled.
Might repurchase.
Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Cream – this was an ok gel cream, but for the price tag, not the most amazing thing I’ve ever tried. Did it hydrate and plump my skin? Yes, but did it work miracles for $90 for a full size? Nope. I have other gel cream moisturizers that work just as well for less. Plus, this had a fragrance, which doesn’t bother me, but could be irritating for some people.
Wouldn’t repurchase.
MAKEUP
Wet n Wild Photofocus Eye Primer used to be my favorite eyeshadow primer, especially since it was so affordable, but I recently started using the Milani eyeshadow primer, and I think I like that one even better. But there’s nothing wrong with this one, and it’s still a couple dollars cheaper than the Milani one.
Wouldn’t repurchase, only because I found something better!
Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Gel Stain in My Sunshine – Vincent Longo as a brand sadly no longer exists, but I still have so many products from them that I love, including this gel stain. They are truly like a gel, and stay on my lips and cheeks without getting all crusty in my lip lines. Although you can’t buy these anymore, I still have a few different shades that I panic-bought when I found out the line was disappearing.
Already repurchased.
Revlon Matte Shadow in Peach Sorbet – this was just a matte cream shadow I used as a base every day. I think this eyeshadow line is also discontinued, but it’s easily replaced by another matte cream shadow.
Can’t repurchase.
Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara – I”ve heard so many rave reviews of this mascara and just refused to believe it until I tried it for myself. Unfortunately for my wallet, this is really an incredible mascara, that even rivals my favorite Lancome Monsieur Big. It’s volumizing and defining, and it even gives my lashes a bit of a lift on its own, which I found out when I forgot to bring an eyelash curler with me to the gym for a few days. I’m tempted to get a full size…
Might repurchase.
L’oreal HIP Jelly Balm….so who remembers these? It’s almost shameful how long I’ve had this, but this was another one of those products that I panic-bought once I heard they were being discontinued. I think I used like 4 or 5 pots of this back in the day, and I’m just using my last backup of this. If you’ve never seen this before, it’s a lightly tinted cushiony gel-balm that made your lips look super plumped and juicy. I’m sad they’re gone but I think I’ve found some worthy replacements with the Clarins lip oils.
Cant repurchase anymore.
MAC Ever Hip Lipstick is YET ANOTHER discontinued product. This coral lipstick was the IT shade for MAC when it was first released (circa 2011?), and I used it so much. Since then I’ve figured out that these coral shades aren’t the most flattering for my skintone, so I finally used up the little bit that was left by putting a brownish or pink gloss on top.
Can’t repurchase, wouldn’t repurchase.
Coola SPF 30 Mattifying Spray – this was such a life-saver during the super hot and sunny days in Taiwan, and the matte finish was even more helpful to help make my face look less oily. I absolutely love this and would repurchase for next summer.
Would repurchase.
MISCELLANEOUS
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Dry Shampoo – I love these dry shampoos so much, and I’m only somewhat devastated that they’re discontinued. Not only are the scents gorgeous, but it’s the best dry shampoo formula I’ve ever used. It sucks up all the oil in my hair without feeling gritty or drying, and really makes my hair feel clean. I don’t have any backups of this particular scent, but I have backups of the bourbon scent.
Already repurchased but discontinued.
MAC Creme D’Nude Fragrance – oof, I did not like this at all. It smelled like fake vanilla and not much else.
Wouldn’t repurchase.
Vaseline Aloe Soothe Lotion – this is not a glamorous empty by any means, but I love this lotion in the summer. It’s not quite a straight aloe gel, but it does soothe my skin for when I’ve been outside all day or if it’s hot outside. I buy this every summer, and next year will be no exception.
Will repurchase.
That’s it! A short(er) and sweet post for this month. What did you finish this month?
As always, thanks for reading.
Beauty Unhyped 