I love seeing beauty bloggers/influencers post their “empties”, so here are a few of mine that I have discovered whilst packing for our big cross-country move! Everything was purchased with my own money (obviously lol) and these are my opinions (and who the heck am I?). :)
Repurchase?: YES, already picked up my replacement!
Notes: I use this shampoo once a week as a clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up, dead skin cells, oil, etc. It smells absolutely amazing and does not leave my hair dry, crunchy, or crusty (sometimes clarifying shampoos do that!). I bought my first bottle (8.5 fl oz) in store over a year ago, and picked up my replacement bottle a few weeks ago. I also love that Aveda is an all natural brand, utilizing essential oils and clean ingredients to deliver amazing results!
I highly recommend joining their loyalty program if you are a frequent purchaser of Aveda products. It is a paid loyalty program, one time fee of $10 to join Aveda+ Rewards, but you get exclusive offers, points, free birthday gift, option to redeem points for services, and invitations to VIP events. I also highly highly recommend visiting your local Aveda store/salon to purchase products in person, as you are able to add on complimentary services like a 10 min facial or 10 min hand massage, as well as enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea.
Even though I only go in when I need something (another one of my favorites is the beautifying composition oil- can use everywhere: skin, cuticles, scalp, hair, bath), it feels like a luxurious experience and truly elevates a simple re-stocking shopping trip. I love stores that provide experiences and make the shopper feel welcomed/invited- that extra above and beyond makes me feel important! Even if I’m just buying shampoo for my oily scalp!
2. Saltair Santal Bloom Body Wash
Repurchase?: Not yet, but I will when I actually need body wash! I’m trying to be good and go through all the products I have BEFORE purchasing more of an item category (I’m looking at you body wash and lotions….)
Notes: This was one of three body washes from the travel set for $10 from Target (holiday collection 2023). It included the scents Santal Bloom (tan), Exotic Pulp (tangerine), and Pink Beach (pink). I have only tried Santal Bloom so far and I am so excited to try the other two (and all the rest of their scents!!). On the Saltair website they sell a Sampler Pack of 5 fragrances for $25 (5 x 3 fl oz)- so you can try out a variety of their scents! I love that idea so much! They do the same for lotions, so I will absolutely be trying this when I need more body wash/lotion.
Santal Bloom is a lovely gentle scent, slightly warm, but not overpowering or headache inducing/chemical. When I first sniffed it, it reminds me of a grown up version of the Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Gentle Baby Wash/Shampoo, very comforting and nostalgic. I use a regular Dove bar soap to wash first ( I always double cleanse, to feel the most squeeky and clean) and then follow up with a scented body wash. Santal Bloom compliments all my other bath/body products and does not smell weird when layered with perfumes/body sprays.
While I have been an avid Bath & Body Works user for decades, I think I will be making the switch to a body wash like Saltairs- the scents are perfect and the body washes themselves are 10x better. More moisturizing, better suds/lather, and better ingredients. The 3 fl oz travel sized TSA approved bottle of body wash lasted 2.5 weeks (give or take). I also really enjoy the metal packaging, it elevates the whole product experience, and looks very sleek. I’ll let you know how Exotic Pulp and Pink Beach go!
3. Patrick Ta Major Glow Lip Shine: Is She Younger Than Me?
Repurchase?: No :(
Notes: I bought this as a birthday treat to myself in 2022 (I think?). She looks absolutely STUNNING and gorgeous online. The packaging is exquisite and sleek and luxurious. The sparkle in the gloss and the peachy-pink color looks absolute perfect- in the tube, but does not translate well to the lips (at least my lips- this is my opinion :0).
When I put the gloss on my lips, the glitter looks a lot chunkier and bigger, not as finely milled and subtly sparkly. It clumps into glitter piles (this is hard to describe but I do NOT want to upload a picture of my lip to the internet…… I’ll spare y’all), so the bottom part of my lip will be glossy and then the top lip will have three different “patches” of excessive glitter- not a fan.
It also has this irridescent/holographic shimmer to it that I am not in love with. It washes me out a bit, but that could just be because I am a pale woman. I’ve tried to use it as a topper and use a darker lip color/liner underneath to see if I could work with it, but alas it still comes out kind of weird/shiny/clumpy/chunky glitter. It gives more Claires cell phone makeup (no offense!!!) than the sophisticated shimmer lip gloss of my dreams. And that is ok! I thought about trying a different shade, but for $26…. I have other glosses (Fenty, Stila, Colourpop, Lancome, etc) that work better and are tried and true (I’m looking at you FU$$Y).
However, I do love a different Patrick Ta lip gloss! (Redemption!)
The Patrick Ta Major Volume Plumping Lip Gloss in shade 2 CC’s (pink)- is STUNNING. Do you want to look like you just got your lips done? Use this. It has the most incredible scent as well, like cinnamon candy. Plumps without burning/stinging. Gives you that effortless pouty lip. Works well on its own or with a lip liner/lipstick underneath. I will absolutely be repurchasing her when the time arrives.
4. Grande Cosmetics Mini Magic Lash and Brow Set
Repurchase?: No…. Lawsuit stuff! https://gc-settlement.com/
Notes: So I actually had a different set, that was basically the same thing as this one but instead of the mascara it was a mini lip plumper. They no longer have that set available on the Sephora or ULTA websites, so I just went with the next closest thing!
I used the lash serum one time and it irritated by eyes A LOT. Itchy, red, puffy, and I had little red/white bumps (almost like tiny tiny styes) on my lashline for about a week. I promptly discontinued and threw away the lash serum. I’m actually not that big a fan of lash serums, I have yet to find one that is effective, doesn’t burn and isn’t horrible for you! And a lot of eye doctors say to not use them, so I’m beginning to think there is something behind that…. *cough cough lawsuit!!!!*
The brow serum was meh? I really didn’t notice a difference. It did not give me a rash or any sensitivity, but I did not notice any difference in thickness/fullness or regrowth while using the serum. The lip plumper, I loved, but I lost it or threw it away by accident. It is $27 for the full size lip plumper and it is in different packaging than the mini lip gloss plumper that was in my set. I don’t think I’ll be buying the full size or the mini in the future. It was nice to try out, but I’m good!
5. Tatcha: The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
Repurchase?: YES x 1,000,000
Notes: I purchased this 4.0 oz Standard Size cleanser 10/24/2022 and I still have some left (probably another month!). I use this cleanser every day/night in the shower. It is the BEST cleanser I have ever found. I used to be a die-hard Lancome girlie and I loved their creme cleanser, but when I tried a sample size of this Tatcha cleanser back in ’22 I knew Ms. Lancome had been replaced.
The cleanser is incredibly gentle on your skin while exfoliating/polishing for a soft and silky finish. My skin feels amazing after using this product for over a year now. Tatcha is a luxurious skin care brand as well and while I cannot afford to use all of their products daily/consistently, I am happy to have found this cleanser to incorporate into my routine. When I need to repurchase the cleanser, I think I am going to buy the travel size duo that comes with the cleanser and the moisturizer (so i can try that out too). Or if the timing works out I’ll buy the discovery set so I can try a little bit of everything :) Highly highly recommend this cleanser!
Repurchase?: Yes, but only when/if it goes on sale or I get a bunch of giftcards. Is that a maybe? IDK!
ULTA does sales year round and OUAI could be a part of the 21 Days of Beauty in March and/or August, or either of the Gorgeous Hair Events in May and/or October. And Sephora will have sales sometimes too, but I love the ULTA sales because it will typically be 50% off retail, whereas Sephora may only be the 20% off Rouge or VIB sale.
Notes: This scrub smells absolutely amazing!!! I have the original Melrose Place scent, but it also comes in the St. Bart’s scent (Key Notes: Dragonfruit, Orange Blossom, Tuberose and Baltic Amber.) I included the screenshot from the ULTA website below because this is what I want you to know and I can’t word it any better :)
I use this scrub once a week, typically on Sunday’s, before I wash with my Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo. Coupling those two products together gets me the cleanest hair and scalp ever! The sugar scrub really gets into my scalp and is a nice head massage and it lathers into a gentle luxurious smelling shampoo.
In order to make the most out of this product (since it is freakin’ $40……) I only use it as a scalp scrub- because I can use Tree Hut scrubs or Victoria’s Secret PINK scrubs for my body- they’re soooo much more affordable. And I only use it once a week. But she is amazing and I love her. But I am smart and I will only be repurchasing her when she goes on sale (or if I get some giftcards). If I run out before a sale occurs (which is very likely) I think I was going to try the Pacifica Rosemary Scrub ($12) to hold me over until Ms. OUAI goes on sale again. Nexxus and NatureLab.Tokyo scrubs are also on the list to try if no sale on OUAI.
7. Kitsch: Pro Dermaplaner Set
Repurchase?: Yes! Already restocked :)
Notes: I love these dermaplaners! Super easy to use and you get 12 for $9. I dermaplane at least once a month, twice a month if I have a special event or the peach fuzz is wild. So for $9 I have a dermaplaner for each month, $1/month for a smooth smooth face! They come in a resealable pink pouch that slids easily into any drawer or cubby. Each dermaplaner has a plastic cover over the blade. I do not re-use my dermaplaners, I use it on my face/chest and then throw it away. I highly suggest watching a Youtube tutorial or reading an article before dermaplaning so that you find a technique that works for you!
Why dermaplane? I find that it makes my makeup and skincare products go on much much easier. It gives me that flawless/airbrushed makeup application. It also gently exfoliates any dead skin cells still hanging on after my normal skincare routines. Plus, if you’re bad about getting to the salon for an eyebrow/upper lip wax like I am, you can dermaplane in a pinch and voila problem solved! Doesn’t always come out as flawless as a wax (eyebrow/upper lip I mean), but it works in a pinch!
Mainly the dermaplaning removes the peach fuzz from my forehead and cheeks and exfoliates the top of my nose. I love it. Its very relaxing and oddly satisfying. Putting my skincare on after I’ve dermaplaning is other-worldly. The smoothest, softest skin ever! And these are TSA approved! super easy to pack.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Well that is my round-up of empties so far! I really enjoyed reviewing them. Some good memories. Maybe 2024 is the year of influencing for me. HA!
I hope you enjoyed! What are some of your empties? Do you have any go-to’s? Any ride or dies? Let me know!
xo,
Sarah
