November Empties- 2019
During the month of November I’m pretty sure I had a record high with the number of products I was able to successfully finish. With so many products rotating in and out of my routine often products get pushed aside or even give away before they can be finished. Please check out this post to see which products were finished during the month of November 2019.
In the effort to be as transparent as possible, please note products that are listed with an * are products that were gifted to me. I was not paid or endorsed to mention any of the products featured. Every review featured are of my own thoughts.
Face
Drunk Elelphant Slaai Cleansing Balm*
Price: $34
One of my favorite cleansing balms. I love how thick the formula is and it removes my makeup so quickly! A little of the balm goes a long way and helps to break-up makeup and sunscreen. Being that I rotate through my cleansers quite frequently, the balm lasted me from March to November. I’ve already repurchased this balm! If you’re interested in seeing full blog post on it, CLICK HERE
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum*
Price: $80
Links to Further Reading: https://www.beautyandetc.com/beauty/2019/1/27/vitamin-c-cfirm-vs-ceo?rq=drunk%20elephant (2019 post)
This has been one of my favorite vitamin c serums. I already have a few backups of this serum ready to use. I honestly think C-firma has done so much for skin to make it appear brighter and has helped with keeping my skin even toned. People often ask what I use to fade dark spots. The only thing I use is C-Firma. I think the formula is potent and works great for my skin. For the next month or two I’ll be testing out something new. Stay tuned to see what it is!
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Mini Serum*
Price: $23 (if purchased in a duo set) or $52 full size
The B-Hydra serum is described as a drink of water for your face. It’s formulated with B5 and pineapple ceramide. It can be mixed with any serum, cream or used on its own. I use this serum in multiple ways. If you’re interested in seeing my full blog post review of it, CLICK HERE
Important Ingredients
-Pro-vitamin B5: Hydrates and helps to improve skin’s barrier function.
-Pineapple Ceramide: Helps boost luminosity and improve the appearance of skin texture and tone.
-Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer: Hydrates to help reduce the appearance of fine lines; promotes firmness.
This a serum that often gets mixed reviews. I personally enjoying using it- especially with the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum. I also enjoying using this on its own in the summer as a quick moisturizer. I feel like I always have a few minis of B-hydra floating around.
When I initially introduced it into my routine a few years back I enjoyed using it, but wasn’t sure about splurging on a hydrating serum like this. Now that I’ve been using it on a continuous basis I understand that benefits that it has to offer and I really like it! I think if you’re able to purchase the b-hydra on sale it would be a great deal.
Tatcha The Rice Polish Deep
Price: $15 (mini)
I discovered the Tatcha Rice Polish a few years ago as it was included in one of their introductory kits. The rice powder gently exfoliates with the use of rice powder and papaya enzymes. The directions calls for the powder to be mixed with water and massaged into the skin. I often used this as a second step in my night time cleansing routine. I found the after effect of my skin to be smooth, soft and balanced. The Deep Polish is intended for those with oily skin. Even with daily use I didn’t find the polish to be drying to my skin. I love that it also comes in Sensitive and Normal.
I plan on purchasing the rice powder again when I have the space for it my beauty collection. When I do repurchase, it will again be another mini. I find that mini lasted a very long time. If you’re interested in trying it out, I urge you to purchase directly through Tatcha as they sell minis separately in their travel section.
Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Sodium Lauryl Phosphate, Sodium Palmoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Saccharomyces/Camellia Sinensis Leaf/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Rice Ferment Filtrate*, Papain, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Dextrin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Ultramarines (Ci 77007). *Hadasei-3.
Herbivore Jasmin Green Tea Balancing Toner*
Price: $39 for 4oz
I was so surprised with how long this toner lasted me! I started using it around May and finished it in November. The bottle is 4 oz and I typically used it in my morning routine and was very generous with the amount I sprayed. I found this formula great to use during the summer to help balance my skin. I really enjoyed this toner and I’m happy to have a backup of it!
Herbivore Blue Tansy Fruit Enzyme Resurfacing Clarity Mask*
Price: $48 for 2oz
The Blue Tansy Mask is described as a cooling mask that is made with natural BHA and AHA ingredients. The mask is aimed for those that have acne prone skin, redness and issues with pores. My normal-oily skin loves this mask. It gently exfoliates and helps to calm the skin. I have to admit, I really disliked the scent of the mask when I started using it. The smell is not fragrant in a rosy or powder scent. I guess over time I got used to the scent.
The Blue Tansy mask is more on the fluid side. I would highly recommend for it to be applied with a brush and I wish it included one. I typically used the mask every other week at the start of the week. I would highly recommend this mask-especially if you’re new at trying out actives and would like to ease yourself into the process. I definitely plan on purchasing this mask in the future.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose (Plant Derived), Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Flower Oil, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Flower Water, Ananas Sativus (Organic Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Leaf Extract, Leucidal (Radish Root Ferment).
Body
Nieva – Essentially Enriched 48hr body lotion
Price: $5.39
I’ve been using this lotion for years and honestly, it’s my favorite drug store formula. The consistency is very much like a lotion but performs like a cream. The lotion has a light scent that smells clean and I love it. I love how moisturizing this formula is and how soft it makes my skin feel. Even by the end of the day. For the price and the results, I will continue to repurchase this lotion.
Ingredients: Water, Mineral Oil, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Peg-40 Sorbitan Perisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glycerylglucoside, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Sea Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream* (Grapefruit scent) mini size
Price: $20 for a set of 2 (Hydration Heros)
First Aid Beauty was often a brand that I saw mentioned on Instagram and other social media sites. The brand is known for having great ingredients and products that are great for those with skin conditions (i.e. sensitive skin, eczema). The Ultra Repair Cream is a product that is advertised as being able to be used from head to toe. The unscented version would be perfect for that.
However, I wouldn’t recommend using the grapefruit scented on the face. The scent is light and is perfect for the morning. I usually don’t like citrus scents, but I really enjoyed using this one. The texture of the cream is very light and almost like a whipped consistency. I love that the cream absorbs into the skin very well. I initially thought the cream wouldn’t be very hydrating since it felt so light. But I’m happy to say it left my skin soft and moisturized from morning to night.
This is definitely a product I would consider purchasing in the future. I also highly recommend the unscented to those with sensitive skin.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Stearic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Squalane, Dimethicone, Colloidal Oatmeal, Allantoin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide Np, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Limonene, Citral.
Native Deodorant (coconut vanilla)*
Price: $12 full size $4 mini size
I’ve completed a full blog post review Here on the Native Deodorant. If you look through my blog, you’ll see that I’ve reviewed other natural deodorants in the past. But Native is the first deodorant that I had the best results with. Both the mini and full size featured here were gifted to me by the brand.
You may be wondering if I would repurchase? Well I already picked up 3 during their Black Friday Sale (2 coconut vanilla and 1 sweet almond & honey). If you’re interested in trying out native, please use my code to save 20% !
Code: 20_BeautyEtc.Blog
This Works- Deep Sleep Night Oil
Price: $46 ( I paid about $20)
I picked up this oil during a sample sale in the early part of spring. I often saw people rave about the This Works Pillow Spray so I decided to give the Night Oil a try. The brand is known to have products that promote sleep and relaxation. The oil is recommended to be applied sparingly to clean skin before bedtime.
The oil smells like lavender and the scent provides a light level of aromatherapy. The oil is itself was one of the thicker oils in my collection. When I initially started using the oil, I applied it to my wrists and chest area to aid with sleep. But I don’t feel like it really did much to ease me to sleep. Therefore, I started using the oil all over my entire body. The bottle itself lasted many months, but I can’t see myself spending the full amount of $46 on this product.
Ingredients: Vitus vinifera, Lavandula angustifolia, Cinnamomum camphora, Pogostemon cablin, Vetiveria zizanioides, Chamaemelum nobile
Misc
Tarte Opening Act Mascara Primer
Price: $22
One of my favorite mascara primers. I’ve been purchasing this for years and will continue to do so. One tube typically lasts me about 4 months. I really believe this primer has been an aid in keeping my lashes strong and long. I love that for as long as I’ve been purchasing this primer (5-6 years) it has always included a mini of the Lights+Camera Lashes Benefit Mascara.
Further reading: https://www.beautyandetc.com/beauty/2019/9/13/no-make-up-make-up-routine?rq=tarte%20primer
Juliette Has A Gun- Not a Perfume
Price: $28 (travel size)
Juliette Has a Gun Not A Perfume has been of my favorite scent for the past couple of years. The scent blend is described as Woody & Earthy. From my understanding the perfume is called not a perfume as it only has 1 perfume note and it order for it to be considered a perfume it has to contain multiple notes. Due to this feature the scent really works with your own natural body chemistry. This is also not a scent that will smell the same on everyone.
I love how light this scent is. It’s perfect to wear in on office setting or even a special occasion. It’s also a sent that can be worn year-round. I’ve already purchased the full size of this perfume and I have a few minis in my collection. Next time you’re in Sephora, give it a sniff, but be warned. You’re likely to fall in love with it!
Brow Luxe Precision Brow Pencil*
Price: $18.95
Link indie beauty expo post: https://www.beautyandetc.com/beauty/2019/9/8/the-indie-beauty-expo-my-top-picks?rq=indie%20beauty
This Brow Pencil was gifted to me during the Indie Beauty Expo back in August. I really like how the shades comes tones like cool, neutral and warm. This little touch of personalization can make a world of a difference for a better color match.
I absolutely love the formula of this pencil as it lasted very long and looked natural. I often received compliments when I wore this pencil. The tip of the pencil was more on the thicker side, but helped me to achieve better hair like strokes. This has to be one of the best brow pencils that I ever used. As someone who relies on a good brow pencil daily, I’m often going through brown pencils frequently. With that being said $19 for a brow pencil is very much on the pricey side.