So another month’s worth of empties hits the recycling. October was a good month for me, finishing up a number of full size products. As usual, I used up mostly skincare or body care products. And there’s one makeup item that I sadly must toss. Let’s see what has moved on!
Facial Skincare
Always my biggest pile of empties at the end of the month because I use so darn much of it.
Bellatorra Advanced Facial Moisturizer
This month, I finally allowed myself to finish up my coveted Bellatorra Cellular Renewal Complex Advanced Facial Moisturizer. I received this fabulous fig-scented lightweight but very hydrating moisturizer for review last year. I loved it so much I couldn’t bear to finish it. But it was getting old so I scraped out as much as I could from the pump bottle. Sadness. Bellatorra Advanced Facial Moisturizer is sold on their website and at Barney’s for $295. Because it’s so expensive, I can’t run out and buy another one. Some day to qualify for Barney’s beauty bag, I may spring for it if I have some extra cash. Purchase? If I had the money now, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream
I’ve written about this fabulous neck cream before. I just love it. This is the second full size jar I’ve finished up. This one is the original formula, and it’s very thick. It works well for me with my dry skin, but it may be too rich for some of you. Not to fear because StriVectin has recently launched a new lightweight gel version that I’m using right now. Review coming soon. Repurchase? I’m using the gel now, and I have a jar of the cream waiting. But I will always be repurchasing either the cream or the gel.
Coola Classic Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Cucumber Moisturizer
I got this deluxe travel size tube of moisturizer with sunscreen in one of my recent $10 subscription bags or boxes. I loved it. It was lightweight, non-greasy, perfect under makeup. It has a very light pleasant cucumber scent. I was sad to use this up because it was great to use. At this time of year, SPF 30 is enough especially since I wear foundation or CC cream with SPF in it as well. Purchase? I thought one of the PR companies sent me an email about a similar product from Coola that I said I’d like to try, but I haven’t received it yet and it’s been a while. I think I will buy a full size of this moisturizer during the Ulta or Sephora sale events.
Pur-Lisse Pur-Delicate Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser and Makeup Remover
I got this deluxe sample in one of my subscriptions, and it’s the second one I’ve received so I have quite a bit of experience using it. It’s a very nice cleansing milk that also does a good job removing even my eye makeup. I’d say it’s best for those with dry skin like me. Repurchase? Probably not. I like it, but I know I can count on ipsy or Birchbox to give me another one.
Avene Hydrance Hydrating Serum
Again, I got a deluxe sample of this serum in one of my subscriptions, and it was love at first try. This cloudy serum does a good job hydrating my skin now that the heat is on in the house. Purchase? Yes, I bought a full size. Love it.
Neogen Gold Black Caviar Essence & Gold Tox Tightening Pack
I received a sample of Black Caviar Essence in my September ipsy bag. It was a thin wet pad with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, two of my favorite ingredients, and I was able to get several usage occasions out of it before I tossed it. I have been looking for an essence to add to my skincare routine for extra hydration, and I did like this one a lot. I looked up the price and it’s $48 which is more than I want to pay. Usually ipsy has a discount offer on products in their bags, but I might have missed it. Purchase? I’ll look for a coupon or code because I would like to buy this.
This was one of the three little sample packets that came in a recent DHC catalogue. It was a relatively heavy (a plus for me) face cream. I used it at night and it was very hydrating. I only got one or maybe two usage occasions from it so I can’t say if it lifted, but it was a nice cream. I haven’t purchased from DHC for years because I hate to pay for shipping on top of their somewhat high prices. Repurchase? If they have a free shipping event, I could see myself buying this.
Bath & Body
80 Acres Body Butter – Blood Orange
Whenever I go to San Francisco, I must go to the marvelous Ferry Building at the end of Market Street on the bay. They have lots of little shops and restaurants many of which sell food, though some sell high quality often handmade products of all kinds. 80 Acres has a shop where they sell their fabulous, fragrant skincare products as well as olive oil from their farm north of San Francisco. Blood orange is my favorite scent though they carry lavender and several other fragrances. Their organic and natural skincare is made with their own olive oil. Love this stuff! This is the third jar that I’ve used up. Repurchase? Yes soon. I’ll have to order online because alas I have no plans to go to SF again soon.
Vitabath Original Spring Green Moisturizing Bath & Shower Gelee
I’ve loved this shower gel since college when my friend Cindy who always knew about cool French stuff introduced it to me. I especially love using this scent in the spring. It’s so fresh! Repurchase? Yes, at some point, once I use up some of my other shower gels.
LaVanila The Healthy Deodorant Pure Vanilla
This was my first long-term experience using a natural deodorant. I bought the travel size to try it out (it was big and lasted for 6 months). It definitely worked for me on all but the hottest days of the summer or most stressful days. In fact, I forgot to put it on the other day, and I realized I was perspiring and that I forgot to put it on. Yes! Repurchase? I just did, but I bought the full size and it’s huge!
Hair Care
StriVectin Hair Shampoo For Color Treated Hair
Now this was a great discovery for me this year. StriVectin launched their haircare line in the early part of 2016, and I was lucky enough to get the shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair to try out. I got a couple of other haircare products in the line as well, but the shampoo and conditioner were the real winners. Of course, I managed to use up the shampoo first! The shampoo gently but thoroughly cleaned my hair without stripping it. It’s sulfate-free, of course. Repurchase? I can hardly wait to get more of this, but I am making myself use up some of the other shampoos that I already own. This is my favorite though.
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave-In Conditioner
This is the second deluxe sample of Beauty Protector I have received this year from Birchbox. I like it. I realized that a leave-in conditioner makes a big difference in my hair’s manageability plus it does help protect from the heat of my blow dryer and flat iron. Repurchase? I am still using the second bottle I received.
Wink All Natural Lash and Brow Enhancer
This lash and brow oil in a handy tube with a brush end definitely made my lashes softer and thicker. It is easy to apply and it doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes. Purchase? I believe I was sent a second tube, and I’ve gotta find it! It makes such a difference for my lashes.
Nails
Natrol Biotin 5000 msg Extra Strength Fast Dissolve
I love the taste of these yummy biotin tablets for healthy hair and nails. Delicious! And they work. I’ve been taking biotin for years and it’s especially helpful in the winter when my nails would dry out and crack without it. It takes a few months to start working and you must take at least 5000 mcg (I often take 10K), and be patient. It’s worth it. Repurchase? Already did.
Barielle Shades, Sheer Nonsense
I received this pretty peach nail polish from Barielle to test out earlier this year. Since then, I received the same shade in a new and improved formula so I abandoned this one. Over the last couple of months, the formula has broken and the color separated from the base. It has turned white with a little peach swirling around. Eww. Glad that Barielle upgraded it’s formula. Purchase? No
Fragrance
Musc Ravageur Eau de Parfum by Frederic Malle
My signature scent! I just used up a small spray sample that I received when I repurchased a bottle during the Barney’s fall beauty bag event. Love this stuff! I could drink it.
Makeup
Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ Matifying Foundation
A sales woman at Sephora in JC Penney suggested this brand and formula of foundation for me about 18 months ago. It was July and I had a slight tan so it was a tad darker than my usual shade choice. I enjoyed using this foundation, but I have so many that I didn’t use it all the time. In fact, I hardly used 1/4 of the bottle. I tried it again recently, and it had oxidized and turned brown. 18 months is longer than I should have held on to it, I guess. Repurchase? No. At some point, I’d like to try one of the new MUFE foundations. Plus not sure I want a mattifying foundation.
So that’s what I’ve used up! How about you? What did you use up? Have you tried any of these?
27 Comments
Wow Allison you did use up a lot of stuff ! I just ordered the new It Cosmetics TSV set on QVC. Looks to be a good one for me.
I did make some good progress on empties this month! What was in the IT TSV that you bought? They have so many really appealing ones, and the prices are so much better on QVC. I was sort of looking at some of the IT kits during their friends and family sale last week, but I had just purchased a tube of CC cream at Sephora. I’m curious about their new Armour Anti-aging something or other – I think it’s a lightweight sunscreen with primer benefits. Hope you have a good day, Laura! Thanks so much for weighing in.
Great reviews Allison. ???????? Thanks for sharing. ? I just purchased the Goldbond Neck and Chest cream. Loved the price and so far I love the results I am getting. Have a beautiful day. ??❤️
Thank you, DiEtta! Gold Bond makes excellent skincare products. I’m glad to hear that you’re pleased with the Neck and Chest cream. I have a couple of more StriVectin neck cream jars left, but I will take a look at GB when I’m out. I was thinking about you the other day. How is your crocheted pink bag coming along? I’ll bet you’re finished. My shawl needs 4 more big rows and then I’ll be finished. Then I take some pix and write about it. I enjoyed making it so I bought some yarn in shades of pink and purple to make one for my cousin. I’m feeling a little down today, but hopefully I’ll rise to the occasion. Hope you’re doing well 🙂
This is a great list of empties, Allison! I wish I’m as dedicated as you in finishing products but I tend to get bored easily. LOL! I thought of adding Biotin into supplements but my multi-vitamin already has Biotin so I’m not sure if it’s necessary?
ps: Saw the election result this morning, just want to wish good luck to all my American friends. xx
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Thanks again, Shireen, for putting up with my finicky spam blocker! It drives me crazy but it mostly works. In terms of biotin, you need to take a lot for it to work. The amount in a multivitamin isn’t enough to do anything. You need at least 5000 mcg or even 10K mcg per day to work. But you may not need it as badly as I do! And thanks for your condolences on the election. I am besides myself with worry. I lived in NYC for a long time, and got to see him up close and personal. I can’t believe our nation was so bamboozled by this guy who wouldn’t want to be in the same room as his supporters under other circumstances. We definitely will need good luck since he gets the Congress and Supreme Court on his side. I heard the Canadian immigration website crashed last night. Wish I could laugh about it!
Looks like you had some fun this month! You finished so much!
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Yes, I did! Have you ever had a problem with Barielle polishes breaking like mine did? Just curious
I love to finish products up and recycle them to make room for me. My house looks like Sally’s Beauty, lol.
80 Acres sounds fantastic!
I think you’re on the west coast where this brand is more readily available. If you run into it, it is definitely worth a try. Their natural and organic body care products come in about 6 different scents, and really are heaven!
You always inspire me so much with your empties posts! I have one I need to write as well. But you just always use up such cool products!
The Coola sounds good to me.
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I have a tube of Wink somewhere and need to find it. My peach fuzz lashes could use the help.
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I think I have a second tube of Wink, and I just can’t seem to find it. It definitely worked for me, Renu, so I hope you can find yours!
Glad to se pur-lisse and Strivectin. I have actually repurchased that MUFE during the VIB Rouge sale, I haven’t had it in years. I used to like it when my skin was terribly oily. Fast forward today, with minor hormonal shift, I am curious if I will like it till.
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I was surprised when the SA at Sephora suggested MUFE Velvet Mat for me since my skin is so dry, but it was July when I bought it. I liked it, but I think I’ve found better foundations for me since then. Nevertheless, I’d like to try the new HD foundation from MUFE one of these days.
I’ve been looking for a good body butter as it gets close to winter, maybe I’ll check out the 80 Acres brand!
80 Acres is such a wonderful body care brand. They have about 6 different scents, I think, at this point, and they are heaven. Very hydrating for winter.
Some great empties, there. I tried a sample of the MUFE Ultra HD and it wasn’t right for my skin but I really want to get a sample of the newer Water foundation. That one may be a hit, for me.
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Wow, look at these empties! There are some great products here. I’ve been curious about StriVectin Hair for ages!
Stacie, StriVectin has worked out so well for my hair. I was blown away. Definitely my favorite shampoo/conditioner of the year!
You win a prize for finishing so much. Did you know that you can buy DHC through Dermstore and that there’s no shipping fee from them? That’s where I buy anything I need from DHC.
Marcia, thank you so much for telling me that DHC is sold on Dermstore. When I go to Dermstore, I usually just buy my same favorites and I never just look around. I had no idea. You are so well-informed xoxo
Such thoughtful reviews! You know, I didn’t know that StriVectin started making hair care products too! I will have to check this line out. I frequently dye my hair fashion colors, which fade out crazy fast, so I’m in an ever search for a holy grail color protecting products!
I know what you mean! Although not quite as delicate as fashion colors, my red hair fades so fast. I do a two step process with red dye followed by a red rinse on top. I’ve had really good results with this duo from StriVectin. They also have an anti-fade/sunscreen spray that I should have used this past summer but since I only wash it every 4 days, I hate adding more stuff onto it 🙂
You go girl, that’s an impressive pile of empties!!
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