September '22 Empties
During the month of September I did a pretty good job with emptying products that have been opened in my skincare stash for a while. Over the past few months I’ve been revisiting a lot of products that I used to use years ago. One of the standout products that I just emptied is the Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum. If you would like to hear more about this serum, continue reading!
Face Empties
La Roche Posay Vitamin C [Vitamin C Guide + Reviews]
Price: $40 for 1oz
I recently finished the La Roche Posay Vitamin C. Overall I really enjoyed this serum, but I did have a few dislikes in terms of the packaging, which I think plays an important role when it comes to products. If you’re interested in seeing a detailed review along with the other Vitamin C serums that I’ve tried over the years, Check out my full review HERE.
Price: $85 for 1oz
The Good Genes Serum has been in my beauty routine on and off for the past 5 years! It’s a Lactic Acid Serum that is said to help with the look of pores, hyperpigmentation and reduce the look of fine lines.
Lactic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is water soluble and is known for it’s hydrating abilities. I typically use this serum 1-2x per week as Tretinoin (retinol) is the main focus of my skincare routine. In my opinion I love how gentle the Good Genes serum is and how well it worked into my routine.
When I initially started using it years ago I tested using it the AM’s but that quickly switched to PM’s as I started incorporating a Vitamin C serum in my morning routine. For application I use 1-2 pumps and its enough to cover my face. Immediately after using the serum my skin is noticeably softer, visibly plumper and hydrated. I do think the serum helps with fading dark spots gradually over time. Being that I love the results from this serum, I plan on keeping Good Genes in my routine!
Price: $38 for 5oz
I really can’t say enough good things about this cleanser. It’s a really nice gentle hydrating cleanser. I love that this has a jelly like texture with an underlying scent of cucumber to it too. I especially enjoyed using the Soy cleanser during my Morning Routines but it also worked well into every other routine. I have combination normal to oily skin and the Soy cleanser always left my skin feeling refreshed and clean. I do think it’s a cleanser that is suitable for all skin types- but maybe not those that are sensitive to fragrances.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Eye Gels
Price: $65 for 30 pairs
The Potent C eye gels are formulated with Vitamin C (+ THD ascorbate). Vitamin C is known to help brighten the skin. And who doesn’t want a brighter under eye?! I typically used these eye patches 1-3 times per week. I like that the eye gels aren’t overly saturated with serum. I feel like this helped to keep them in place and not slide all over the face.
As for the brightening, I didn’t really notice much of effect. I think it would be hard to reap the benefits of brightening eye gels as they’re only left on the skin for such a short amount of time and the serum it’s housed in is likely more on the gentler side. Although I didn’t notice much of brightening effect, I will say that worked well in terms of depuffing the under eye and providing moisture.
Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
Price: $48 for 2oz
The Youth to the People Kale Moisturizer is an ultra-light weight moisturizer that is formulated with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and phytonutrients. The lightweight gel like texture makes is versatile for all skin types. I feel like the superfood moisturizer was a nice addition in my skincare routine over the summer. The moisturizer never felt too heavy and the times I needed a little extra something I layered a facial oil overtop. The Kale moisturizer also has a nice underlying scent to it that smells greenly fresh.
Paula’s Choice RESIST Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Price: $37 for 2 oz
I can’t say enough great things about this sunscreen. I’ve been using this one on and off for the past years.
The thin fluid like consistency makes it great for the summer months, but it’s also very hydrating and is still well loved in my skincare routine during the cooler months. I really like that this has an SPF of 50 and it doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin. I really do think this is a sunscreen that would be great for different skin types and needs.
Bodycare Empties
First Aid Beauty KP Eraser Scrub ( previously reviewed here )
Price: $30 for 8oz
Exfoliation: 10% AHA (Chemical) and Physical through the usage Pumice Buffing Beads
I can’t say how many tubes of the KP Eraser Scrub that I’ve gone through over the years, but I have to say it’s one of my favorite body scrubs to help with Keratosis Pilaris. Click Here for Previous Review: KP Routine Body Care Routine
Farmacy Honey Body Butter Ultra-Hydrating Body Cream
Price: $35 for 8oz
I want to say the Farmacy Body Cream launched about a year -maybe even two years ago. But it’s not a product I really see many people talking about. The Honey Butter Body Cream is a rich cream that is formulated with Honey, various antioxidants and amino acids. I really enjoyed the thick texture and I think it did a great job at moisturizing.
Even after many hours of application my skin always felt really soft and was moisturized. However, I didn’t find it to be any more moisturizing than the other products in my routine and this tube lasted me about 2 months. As much as I liked it, I can justify the price point as I was only able to get 2 months of usage from the 1 tube. If it were on sale for $25 or less, I would definitely repurchase!
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Price: $38 for 6oz
I’ve gone through several tubs of the Ultra Repair Cream and I don’t think I’ve given it a proper review, so here we go. The Ultra Repair Cream is described as a fast absorbing moisturizer that helps to provide instant and long lasting hydration. It’s made with key ingredients like Colloidal Oatmeal which is known for being great to protect the skin from common irritations associated with eczema, rashes, and other skin conditions. In addition, it also contains Allantoin, which is known for its calming effects. It’s an all over body cream. I see many people using it on their face, but I actually prefer to use it on my body as a few areas are actually more sensitive than my face.
The texture of the cream is very light and with almost a whipped effect to it. It absorbs well into the skin and doesn’t leave behind a greasy feeling on the face or body. With daily use on the body, the cream lasted for several months. As with most First Aid Beauty products, this is indeed unscented and great for all skin types. Overall, I love how well it kept my skin looking and feeling moisturized.
Trader Joe’s Brazilian Nut Body Scrub
Price: $5.99 for 8oz
This may be one of the best body care products that I’ve picked up from Trader Joe’s. This scrub was trending on Tiktok over the summer as being a dupe for the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub, but for only a fraction of the cost. The TJ’s Brazilian Nut Scrub smells like the Sol Body Scrub, but I actually found it to be more effective! The Sol Body scrub is more on the gentle side, which is great if you’re looking for a gentle form of physical exfoliation, but I tend to like my body scrubs with more of a grit to it.
The Trader Joe’s scrub has a base of sugar crystals and a blend of oils (coconut, sunflower, jojoba and Brazilian nut). It has a nice level of grit that helps to scrub away dead skin. The oil mixture in the scrub helps to nourish your skin at the same time. After the scrub is washed off my skin feels smooth and super soft. The scrub almost leaves behind an oil finish- which made this a great scrub and form of physical exfoliation to use prior to shaving.
As with most Trader Joe’s products, they sell out quickly and many are seasonal for a short period of time. This is why I decided to purchase a backup of the scrub immediately after opening this tub. Unfortunately, it’s not available at the moment, but be sure to look out for it in the spring and summer seasons.
Price: $24 for 6oz
The Indie Lee Energize body wash has a gentle formula made with ingredients like panthenol, vitamins A and B. The scent blend is a mixture of grapefruit, bergamot, orange and eucalyptus.
Based on the scent blend and the wording of Energize, my guess is that this body wash is meant to be used during the mornings or when you need a pick me up. I typically used this in the mornings as a form of aromatherapy and of course as a body wash. I think it did a great job of cleansing the skin without over drying it. For the level of lather that I like, I feel like I had to use more product for each application. This may be the reason why this tube only lasted me a little over a month. I do enjoy the formula, but I wish this was at least 8 oz and not just 6oz.
Hair & Other Etc Empties …
Price: $24 for 5oz
The Playa Endless Summer Spray is a sea salt spray that helps to achieve a textured hair look. I tried using this in a few different ways - like a refresher for my hair when it was curly. But ultimately I really liked using it on my hair after it was blown out straight and then loosely braided. I pretty much used the Endless Summer Spray to set the braided style overnight. It helped to provide a light soft hold that didn’t leave my hair crunchy or hard. Being that this wasn’t a product I reached for on a daily basis, it’s not a product I would think about repurchasing.
Kinky Curly Knot Knot Today Natural Leave In Detangler
Price: $12.99 for 8oz
The Knot Today Leave-in has been in my natural hair routine for so many years! It’s a product that my hair loves and it thrives when I use it! I love that a little product goes a long way. Because of this, I only go through 1-2 bottles per year. If you have curly or coily hair and you’re looking for a product that will help provide moisture and help to detangle your hair, this is definitely a product that’s worth trying out!
Bath and Body Works Palo Santal Candle
Price: $24 for 3 wick
The Bath and Body Works Palo Santal scent is one of my faves. I love the woodsy notes and the long lasting scent. This is a scent they tend to push during the spring and fall months, so whenever I see them I stock up. If candles aren’t for you, the Palo Santo scent is also available in a room spray and a plug in wallflower.
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Refill
Price: $15 per refill
The Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat in Dark Brown has been in my routine for the past year! I love the defined pencil applicator for my sparse brows. I think it does a great job of filling them in. What stands out to me the most is the formula. I have oily skin around my forehead and this pencil formula is very waxy and adheres to the skin well. I find that it last all day with a nice level of pigmentation. Being that the refills are $15, I tend to stock up on them during Sephora sales. I find that each refill last me several months at time. As of right now this is my favorite brow pencil and I will continue to repurchase it!