August ‘24 Empties
Welcome back to my beauty blog! Today, I’m diving into my latest round of my empties from August—a collection of products that have made their way through my routine and into the recycling bin. From skincare saviors to makeup must-haves, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on each item, what worked, what didn’t, and whether I’d repurchase. If you’re curious to see what I'll be repurchasing and what has made its way into a permanent spot in my beauty cabinet keep reading to find out!
Face Care Empties
La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
Price: $19.99 for 13.52oz
The La Roche Posay Gentle Foaming Cleansing oil can be used on both the face and the body to gently cleanse and hydrate the skin. As with most LRP products they are formulated with prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide, and shea butter. While using the cleansing oil I tried it on both my face and body, but preferred it more for my body. The foaming cleansing oil starts off as an oil and then when introduced to water it quickly foams up. Compared to other cleansing oils that I’ve tried; I think this one has the best lather and levels of foam. When using it on my face, I though the level of bubbles and foam to be a bit too much. But for the body it was perfection! I also really enjoyed the cleansing oil to use for shaving. I think the price of the cleansing oil and I really how multifunctional it is makes for an instant repurchase for me.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Coco-Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, niacinamide, Acrylates Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter / Shea Butter, Cocamide Mea, Disodium Edta, Glycol Distearate - Mannose, Polyquaternium-11, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide - Vitreoscilla Ferment.
Beekman Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane Facial Toner Mist
Price: $36 for 8.1oz | to save20% on orders use code Toni20
The Beekman Milk Shake Toner is a 2-in1 treatment that aims to tone and hydrate the skin. Upon the first glance of the toner, you can see the oil floating on the first half off the bottle and the water/other liquids on the second half. The treatment is activated by shaking the bottle to combine the two. I found the Milk Shake toner to be multifunctional too as I was able to incorporate it into my body care routine. I used it on both my face and body- but more so on my face. The way I used it on my face was directly after washing my face to help with epidermal water loss since my skin is on the dehydrated side. I also really enjoyed just using it as a regular toner in my evening skincare routines. I know the mist is suggested to be used as a makeup setting spray, but I would highly advise against that if you’re skin is on the oilier side like mine.
The Milk Shake toner is very hydrating and moisturizing. I feel like if I was to use in my makeup routines my skin would look overly oily, and I don’t think it would help to set my makeup. For me, this toner is purely a skincare product. As for using this in my body care routine, I often sprayed it on my neck, chest and sometimes all over my body in place of a moisturizer when I was looking for a light level of hydration. I generously used the mist in my skincare and body care routine and this bottle lasted me for such a long time (about a year!). I do think this is worth the full price!
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate,1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprae Lac (Goat Milk), Colostrum, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactose, Milk Protein, Artemisia Capillaris (Mugwort) Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Eryngium Alpinum (Blue Thistle) Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Honey Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-I-butyl, Hvdroxvhvdrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Whey Protein, C10-18 Triglycerides, Lecithin.
Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Mask
Price: $55 for 2.7oz
The Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Mask is an intense overnight mask that contains omegas through Refined Bilberry Seed Oil, Hibiscus extract, and Willowherb for antioxidants. I can’t say I use it exactly how the directions recommend, which is as an overnight mask. I typically apply a decent layer and let it soak for like an hour or so while I do other things. Right before bed I’ll wipe away or rub in any excess and then continue the remainder of my nightly skincare routine. I typically reached for this mask when my skin needed some extra love and sometimes before using tretinoin/retinol. Whenever I used it my skin felt super soft and smooth, and I do think it was great for barrier protection within my Tret Routine. I really enjoyed using the Cellular Hydration Repair Mask, but I can’t say I noticed a physical difference with my skin, but I do think it was great for keeping my skin feel moisturized.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Diisostearyl Malate, Glyceryl Behenate, 4-t-Butylcyclohexanol, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Tocopherol, Jojoba Esters, Allantoin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Erythritol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hectorite, Glyceryl Stearates, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glucose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aspergillus Ferment, Chlorphenesin.
Price: $42 for 3oz
As a cleansing balm lover, I was so happy to see that Indie Lee has expanded her line to include a cleansing balm. Unlike other cleansing balms that I’ve tried, the formula is more a hybrid in terms of the consistency. The cleansing balm has a jelly like oil balm consistency and feels like an oil as it being applied to the skin. Once mixed with water the consistency turns into a milky texture. I really enjoyed this for removing my makeup and I also found myself using it on days that I only wore skincare and multiple layers of sunscreen. The cleanser did a really good job with breaking them down. I wouldn't say it rinsed away with a squeaky cleaning feeling, which I really liked. After removing the cleanser my skin always felt super soft and moisturized. My only con is the packaging. I’m not a big fan of products that come in metal tubes like this as I feel like I’m not able to get all of the product out and they often develop cracks that leak.
Ingredients: Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, C15-19 Alkane, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Water (Aqua), Crambe Abyssinica (Abyssinian) Seed Oil, Lactobacillus (Acerola Cherry) Ferment, Leuconostoc (Radish Root) Ferment Filtrate, Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose Laurate,Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu) Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus (Illawarra) Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense (Burdekin) Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Juniperus Virginiana (Cedar) Wood Oil, Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Salvia Lavendulaefolia (Sage) Oil.
Body Care Empties
Prequel Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment
Price: $18 for 1.7oz
The Foot Rescue treatment aims to exfoliate, soften, and hydrate the feet with the incorporation of Urea, Salicylic Acid, and Malic Acid. The treatment feels the consistency and feel of Vaseline. I was originally going to save this for the winter months, but I decided to use it open it right at the beginning of summer and I’m so happy I did. The treatment did such a great job at deeply moisturizing my feet. The occlusives did a great job at sealing in moisture. I really think it made a noticeable difference in the way my feet looked and feel. I would definitely repurchase – likely early spring.
Ingredients: Petrolatum, PEG-8, Urea, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Malic Acid, PEG-40 Stearate, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy) Silylethyl Dimethicone, PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate, Behenyl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Mandelic Acid, Squalane, Water (Aqua), Tocopherol.
Saltair Pink Beach Serum Deodorant
Price: $12 for 1.7oz
The Saltair Serum Deodorant is a multi-acid blend of mandelic, lactic and polyhydroxy that acidifies the skin to combat odor, brighten the look of discoloration, and smooth and reduce the look of ingrowns. The Pink Beach scent has key notes of Coconut, Almond Blossom, and Vanilla. The scent was more on the lighter side, and I only smelled it as I initially applied it. Over the years I’ve tried out so many natural (non-aluminum based) deodorants and only a few have worked out. But I can honestly and faithfully say that the Saltair serum deodorant is at the top of my list of deodorants that have worked out well. Being that this is serum/liquid deodorant it does go on clear and wet. It quickly dries down and one application basically lasted the whole day for me. I tested this deodorant during the thick of the hot and humid summer days. I think this is a great drugstore price point for an aluminum free deodorant. With everyday usage it lasted me about 4 months! Being that I love it so much, I’ve already opened up another serum deodorant!
Ingredients: Water, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Witch Hazel Distillate, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Anhydroxylitol, Panthenol, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Benzoic Acid, Coumarin, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal.
Malin & Goetz Peppermint Scrub
Price: $32 for 7.5oz
I received the Peppermint Scrub in one of my past Fab Fit Fun boxes. The scrub has a gel like consistency that foams when introduced to water. The peppermint scrub is formulated with ground pumice and amino acid-based cleansing agents to provide a hydrating exfoliation. I’ve tried many body scrubs over the years, but I really love the level of grit for this one- likely due to the incorporation of the pumice stone. The scent of peppermint is very uplifting. I really love how well the scrub exfoliated my skin, which left it feeling hydrated and smooth. Being that I enjoyed this scrub so much, I could definitely see myself purchasing this again, but probably in a different scent.
Ingredients: water/aqua/eau, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropylamine oxide, acrylates copolymer, pumice, fragrance (parfum), di-ppg-2 myreth-10 adipate, benzyl alcohol, citric acid, disodium edta, vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, dehydroacetic acid, saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) extract/extrait de canne a sucre, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) fruit extract, citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract, sodium hydroxide, glycerin, bambusa vulgaris extract, acer saccharum (sugar maple) extract, sodium pca, sodium lactate, arginine, aspartic acid, pca, glycine, alanine, serine, valine, isoleucine, proline, threonine, histidine, phenylalanine, benzyl benzoate.
Bath & Body Works Golden Sunflower
Price: $15.95
Scent Notes: Sunflower Petals, Orange Flower, Fresh Vanilla
According to the Bath and Body Works Golden Sunflower smells like glittering rays of sunset carried on a floral breeze. I wouldn’t say all that, but I can say I found the scent of the shower gel to be very bright and mood lifting. Upon opening it I immediately smelled the sunflower and orange, but some how the combination smelled like a light pineapple scent. Either way, it still smelled really nice and it was the perfect summer scent to use daily. I do believe this scent is from their summer season, so if you’re looking to purchase I would suggest checking during to spring to summer months.
Josie Maran Body Butter in Topless Tangerine
Price: $16 for 2oz
Scent Notes: Pixie Tangerine & Pink Grapefruit
The Josie Maran body butters are some of my favorite. In the past year they’ve changed their packaging to be easier to transfer into reusable jars. I’m not the biggest citrus fan, but I really liked how light the scent is. As with all of the Josie Maran body butters that I’ve tried, I really love how light weight the consistency is and how well it moisturized my skin. I can’t recommend these enough!
Ingredients: Aqua (Water)**, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride**, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Glyceryl Stearate**, Glycerin**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter**, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyl Dimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract**, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract**, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract**, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil**, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Flower Extract**, Squalane**, Beta-Carotene**, Citric Acid**, Tocopherol**, Allantoin**, Panthenol**, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate**, Polysorbate-60**, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol**, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Citral.
Haircare Empties
Olaplex No 0. Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment for Deep Repair & Strengthening
Price: $30 for 5.2oz
Olaplex has been in my hair care routine for the past few years. I’ve gone back and forth between incorporating the No.0 combined with No.3 and just using the No.3 alone. Being that Olaplex No.3 is supposed to be applied to damp/wet hair, I do see how and where No.0 fits into the Olaplex line up. From my understanding 0 serves as a primer for #3. Since my last review the No.0 is now in a spray bottle, which make the application easier, and I feel like less product is being wasted. Being that Olaplex is aimed for those that have chemically altered or damaged hair, I still remain to use it 1-2x a month at max. I’m also still on the fence as to if I see a difference using the No.0.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Previously reviewed: Olaplex Review - No. 0, 3, 4, 5
Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask
Price: $52 for 5oz
The Vegamour Deep Moisture Repair Hair Mask is said to help reduce frizz and strengthen the hair through the usage of vegan, which is an alteration keratin and silicone. The vegan silk bonder is Karmatin.
I typically reached for this mask 2-3 hair wash days during the month. I really like that the mask is recommended for 3-5 minutes as I find this to be relative short amount of time. I really love the level of slip and moisture this mask provides. When I say slip, I’m referring to that I can apply the mask to my wet hair (even in a tangled state) and the mask provides enough protection and distribution to my hair that allows me to easily detangle my hair with my fingers/comb. Even with only using the Hydr-8 mask for 5 minutes, my hair always felt noticeably softer and more manageable. I really loved the results of using this mask! I know it’s a super pricey hair mask, but being that it’s super thick, a small amount of goes a long way.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Fragrance/Parfum, sr-(Wasp Spider Polypeptide-1 Oligopeptide-178), Xylitol, Lactitol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Allantoin, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ceramide NP, Citral, Citronellol, Farnesol, Benzyl Alcohol, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride.
Oyin Handmade Shine and Seal Pomade
Price: $13.99 for 4oz
The Sugar Pomade has been a staple in my haircare routine for more than 10 years. I’m happy to see that the quality of the products from Oyin Handmade has remained the same since purchasing their products over the years. I use the pomade in my routine as a method to moisturize my hair. I use it more so after washing my hair when is damp to help seal in moisture into my hair and it does a great job. The pomade is more so of a product that is meant to moisturize the hair versus giving it a hold unlike other pomades that I’ve tried. A little of the product goes a long way, so one container usually lasts me several months. I really love that it gives my hair a nice shine, it helps to keep my hair moisturized for multiple days at a time and both scents (burnt sugar and sugar berries) smell so good. It’s so good that I often get compliments about how well my hair smells when I use it.
Ingredients: castor oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, organic virgin coconut oil, mango seed butter, olive oil, unrefined hempseed oil, candelilla wax, cocoa butter, broccoli seed oil, fragrance
Previously Reviewed: August & September ’23 Empties -
Price: $8.99 for 3.4oz (travel size)
I’ve been using The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam for a little over a year now and I’ve been really pleased with it, so when I happened to come across the CrazySexyCurl Foam in a travel size I was eager to give it a try.
It’s described as all-in-one styler that aims to condition, detangle, and define curls. It’s formulated with honey, aloe, vitamins, and silk amino acids, which I think helps to provide extra moisture and hydration to the hair. I would say that the holder is stronger with the CrazySexyCurl foam, but it also seems a bit more on the sticky side. Being that this is super hydrating, I feel like this would be a product that’s better suited during the winter season when the air is cooler and dry.
Ingredients: aqua (water, eau), polyquaternium-55, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, panthenol, pvp, hydroxypropyltrimonium honey, bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) extract, propanediol, disodium edta, silk amino acids, tocopheryl acetate, polysorbate 20, ethylhexylglycerin, oleth-20, parfum (fragrance), glycereth-2 cocoate, phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, caramel, benzoic acid, coumarin.
Price: $19.79 for 12oz
The Curl Maker is light but very viscous since its a jelly curl defining gel. It’s formulated with key ingredients such as Marshmallow and agave leaf extract, which helps to provide moisture and a good smoothing hold to the hair.
I tried using this curl maker on several occasions and alongside different hair care products, but I often had the issue of the product just sitting on the outside layer of my hair and not fully penetrating it. I say this because I often saw a cast and tiny flakes when I used it. I do have low porosity hair, which means due to the tight cuticle structure it makes it difficult for water and other products to fully absorb into my hair. So as much as I wanted to love it, it just didn’t fit into my hair care routine well. I do think if I wore more of a wash and go curly style and applied this on its own with no other product to soaking wet hair, it would likely work.
Ingredients: c13-14 isoparaffin, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil, vanillin, retinyl palmitate, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) oil, tocopheryl acetate, cholecalciferol, fragrance
Candle Empties
Trader Joe’s Peony Blossom Candle
Price: $3.99 for 5.7 oz
The Peony Blossom candle scent is a seasonal item that surfaces in the early – late spring months. As with the other TJ candles it’s made with a soy wax burn for a cleaner burn. Being that I had a hard time getting peonies this year, I opted for the candle. The scent is a sweet warm floral that’s has a great throw when burning. I really enjoyed and will definitely purchase another one or two next spring when they’re back for the season.
Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel + Pistachio Candle
Price: $3.99 for 5.7oz
The Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel + Pistachio Candle is one of my faves. I believe this is my second or 3rd time finishing this candle. I really love this candle for the summer months and the way the scent lingers in the air. I believe I have an unused candle in my stock ready to go for next year.
Empties Total = $379.69
Blog Monthly Giveaway
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Products Included:
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
ITK Milk to Foam Gentle Cleanser
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Cream
Byroe Apple Matcha Tea Clearing Toner
Pixi Beauty Rose Oil Blend
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
RULES TO ENTER:
+ The Giveaway is open from now until Friday, 09/27/2024 and is open to those that reside in the USA and Canada
+ The winner will be announced via my IG stories
+ This Month’s Giveaway Prize is everything featured in the giveaway picture + and of course I’ll be throwing in some extras !!