December '19 Empties
During the month of December I finished a few products that have been staples in my routine for the past year. Many of the items I purchased and 2-3 were gifted (*). For each review I’ll be sure to reference the price, ingredients, thoughts on the product and if I would repurchase it again. I’m hoping to do at least 1 empties post monthly between here and my Instagram page. At the end of the year I would like to tally up the products and get a better idea of what I’m using and most importantly spending.
Face
Son and Park Beauty Water- Previously reviewed (original post can be found HERE)
This has been a staple in my skincare routine for a few years and it’s a favorite of mine.
Price: $30
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
Price: $34 for Qty: 4.2oz
This is the cleanser that is often referred to as “the one that smells like strawberries”. I purchased the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser after receiving a Express Facial at Credo. I love the glass packaging and pump details. But more importantly, I love the formula of the cleanser! The cleanser itself is a gel based cleanser that helps to remove makeup and cleanse the skin. The cleanser smells like strawberry as it is made with strawberry seed oil, which helps to brighten and hydrate the skin. It’s recommended for those with normal, dry, combination and oily skin textures. Not only do I love the scent I love that it never made my face feel stripped or dry.
With using the cleanser multiple times a week and 2 pumps with each application it lasted for many months! I have a mini of this cleanser for back up and I fully intend on purchasing a full size after I finish other cleansers in my collection. This is a cleanser I would highly recommend!
Ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside (Veg. Oils & Sugar), Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Coco Glucoside (Coconut and Sunflower Oil), Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Xanthan Gum, Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Seed Oil, Lycopene (Tomato), Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate.
Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Crème *
Price: $48 for Qty: 1.7 oz
For some reason I’m really drawn to rose infused products and It really takes a while for me to go through moisturizers as I rotate through so many. The Herbivore Pink Cloud was a great addition to my PM skincare routine. The moisturizer does not have a noticeable fragrance and absorbed into my skin well. I do think this was too heavy to use during the day so I reserved my usage of it to my night time routine. I found that it provided me the prefect amount of moisture for night. I used this from the feb 2019-dec 2019. My skin enjoys this and I would definitely love to have another full size in my collection.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Diheptyl Succinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Populus Tremuloides (Aspen) Bark Extract, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water, Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Nut Oil, Glycerin, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Nut Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid.
Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion
Price: mini size unknown
Directions: Gently shake bottle. Pour a small amount onto fingertips or cotton pad and press into skin. Note: The lotion has a watery consistency. Use in the AM and PM. Tip: Use as an overnight treatment mask, if desired.
I received this mini from a Sephora Favorites Kit. After seeing so many people rave about it I finally decided to give it a try. As seen from the directions above, the treatment lotion can be used in various ways and steps throughout your skincare routine. I decided to use the Treatment Lotion as a hydrating toner. I would typically apply a few drops to a cotton round and wipe it onto the skin or sometime press into my skin with my fingertips. I liked it, but it’s one of those products that I can really form an opinion on it. I found it to be hydrating, but it’s definitely not the most hydrating toner or treatment lotion that I’ve used. I would definitely consider testing it out again in the future by the way of another mini. But I don’t see myself picking up a full size anytime soon.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-4, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil**, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil**, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil**, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil**, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil**, Boswellia Carterii (Olibanum) Oil***, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) Extract, Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis (Mushroom) Extract, Ergothioneine, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract*, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract*, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract*, Ocimum Sanctum (Holy Basil) Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Centella Asiatica (Hydrocotyl) Extract, Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract, Caffeine, Sucrose*, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Gellidiella Acerosa Extract, Trideceth-9, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol. E6
Face Masks
Ole Henriksen Transforming Walnut Scrub
Price: $28 size 3oz
Directions: Apply to wet skin and gently massage in an upward, circular motion. Rinse thoroughly. Use three times per week.
The Walnut scrub is a physical exfoliating scrub aimed to clean the pores, helps with dullness and the texture of the skin. I know physical exfoliators are pretty much frowned upon in the beauty community. But for my skin I like a physical exfoliator every other week or so. The scrub can be harsh if not used correctly. I don’t agree with the directions of using this three times a week. In my opinion, I think that would be extremely aggressive and too harsh for the skin. This has to be one more abrasive physical exfoliators that I’ve used. Therefore, I like to limit the frequency of my uses.
The walnut scrub is great for removing dead skin and my skin always feels very smooth after using it. When using the scrub I make a point of using it when my skin is very wet and gently massage it on my face. I haven’t had any barrier or sensitivity issues while using it. As much as I like it, I would not recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin or active acne. I do think the scrub would be too abrasive as the walnut grains are on the larger side. At this point I can’t say if I’ll repurchase it as I recently picked up a physical exfoliator that works in a similar manner but is very gentle. (stay tuned for that review!)
Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Prunus Armenaica (Apricot) Seed Powder, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Laureth-4, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citric Acid, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene.
Innis Free My Real Squeeze Sheet Mask- Green Tea
Price: $ 1.80 per sheet
The Innis Free Sheet Masks are one on my go to brands and masking treatments when I’m looking for quick hydration. The sheet masks themselves are durable, hydrating and most importantly- affordable.
Over the past year I’ve tried a few of their types and my favorites are the water sheet and essence mask. Some of the sheet masks do contain alcohol, so just be sure to check over the ingredients prior to purchasing. Being that I only use them occasionally, I’m not bothered by the alcohol.
Mamonde Rose Flower Lab Essence Sheet Mask
Price: $3.00
This sheet mask really surprised me the first time I used it. I really like how hydrated and soft my face felt after using it. Being that this is an essence sheet mask, I typically apply my toner and then use this sheet mask.
After removing it, I pat the left over essence into my skin and then continue with my serums and moisturizer to complete my routine. I fully intend on purchasing more of these in the near future.
Ingredients: Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract (2,000PPM), Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Arginine, Allantoin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fragrance, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid.
Fresh Rose Face Mask (mini)- Previously reviewed (original post can be found HERE)
Price: $6.25
Hair and Body
Oyin Handmade HONEY HEMP ~ DETANGLING AND MOISTURIZING HAIR CONDITIONER
Price: $13.99
I’ve been Oyin Handmade products for years! They were one of the first brands I loved since I’ve been relaxer free. Over the years they’ve had staple products that I will continuously purchase back to back. The honey hemp hair conditioner was new to me. I purchased it during black Friday 2018 and the conditioner lasted me a year. I typically used it as the last step in my hair while in the shower. Sometimes I used it to detangle and other times I added a little to my hair as a leave-in. I don’t think this provided me with enough “slip” to fully detangle my hair in or out of the shower, therefore I didn’t reach for it that often. Now that it’s finished I will not be repurchasing it. But I will continue to use the Hair Dew, which is a leave-in hair lotion. I’ve been using it for years and it’s amazing. It works well to detangle and even as a refresher during the week. It’s moisturizing, but it’s not greasy.
Ingredients: purified water, organic aloe vera gel, behentrimonium methosulfate (and) cetearyl alcohol (emulsifier derived from colza oil), honey, virgin hemp oil, coconut oil, vegetable glycerine, hydrolized silk, citrus essences, fragrance, optiphen (preservative)... and LOVE! ;o)
Price: $8.00 for Qty: 11oz
The Native Body Wash was gifted me during the spring of last year in a full kit. The Vanilla Coconut scent smells great and I didn’t find it too be drying. A little of the Body wash went a long way and lasted quite a bit of time. Their body washes come in a variety of scents and I would definitely repurchase based on the quality and price.
Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Trader Joe’s Body Butter
Price: $5.99
Makeup
ABH Brow Definer in Ebony and Chocolate (review on the blog)
Price: $23
Moving Forward…
Moving forward I want to get in a better habit of recycling my empty beauty containers. I recently heard of a recycling program by L’Occitane. The L’Occitane recycling program partners with TerraCycle. The goal of the program is recycle beauty and skin care products to prevent them from ending up in landfills and be used in the creation of new products. In exchange for dropping off your recyclables you will receive 10% off one product that us only valid on the day of drop-off.
PROGRAM ACCEPTED WASTE:
Beauty packaging such as lip balm tubes, makeup remover bottles and pumps, fragrances bottles and pumps, and deodorant sticks.
Skin care packaging such as face mask packaging, refill pouches, and dispensers and tubes for soap, facial cleansers and body lotions.
Hair care packaging such as pumps and caps from shampoo and conditioner bottles, hair care dispensers and containers, hair product trigger heads, and refill pouches.