u/Pugcuddle

Time for another empties roundup!

❤️ Repurchase
💔 Discontinued
🤔 Maybe
❌ Wouldn’t repurchase

❤️ Maybelline Fit Me Matte Foundation 220N: Tried this for the first time and was pleasantly surprised by how easily it blended into the skin while keeping everything nicely mattified. I scraped out every last millilitre with a tiny silicone spatula because I loved how my makeup looked whenever I wore it. I've also been mixing it with my older MAC Studio Fix Fluid, which is a few shades too dark, to help use that up.

❤️ Watson's Facial Oil Absorbent Paper: Always have blotting papers within reach. 

❤️ Biodance Collagen Mask: Used this for the first time and really enjoyed it. It sealed in all the moisture from the rest of my skincare routine, leaving my skin feeling plump and hydrated for hours afterwards. I wore it for around four hours rather than overnight and still had great results.

❤️ Goat Milk Soap: My tried-and-true brush cleanser. I've been using goat milk soap to deep clean my makeup brushes for years, and it never disappoints.

❤️ Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair: I've lost count of how many bottles I've finished. My skin responds so well to this serum—I always wake up with hydrated, clear-looking skin. I've already moved on to a 75ml bottle.

❌ The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5: I've purchased this repeatedly for several years, but I'm now gravitating towards products that do more than one thing. I have one last smaller 30ml bottle to finish before I move on from this product.

❌ The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc: I only used this at night as I found it too heavy under makeup during the day. I won't be repurchasing it, especially since I still have three other niacinamide serums waiting to be used.

❌ The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: I used this on my T-zone between facial appointments whenever I wanted to smooth out my skin texture. It worked well enough, but I won't be repurchasing.

🤔 Amika Frizz-Me-Not: I liked how hydrated my hair felt after using this, but I don't think it controlled frizz quite as well as Color Wow. I hated how much the pump leaked while travelling.

🤔 La Roche-Posay Sunscreen: I've repurchased this sunscreen for years and really love the level of protection it provides. That said, I'm keen to explore Japanese sunscreens next, as I'm looking for something more lightweight that wears even better under makeup.

❌ BABOR Ampoule Serum: I've definitely fallen into the trap of buying too many boxes of these after facial appointments. While they're all incredibly hydrating, I honestly can't tell much difference between the various versions. I've already given several boxes away and should be able to finish the rest of my stash by the end of the year.

🤔 L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate: This felt so smooth and nourishing on the skin, and the almond scent is lovely without being overpowering. A really nice product from the range but I have so many other hand creams to use from my inventory before considering repurchasing.

❤️ TheraBreath Rainforest Mint: This flavour tastes surprisingly earthy with a tropical twist, and it took me a few days to get used to it. I'd happily repurchase it once I've worked through the four other TheraBreath bottles waiting in my cupboard. Looking forward to finally getting this category under control!

❌ Superdrug Brunette Dry Shampoo: I picked this up while on holiday in the UK as an alternative to my favourite Batiste Brunette Dry Shampoo. It performed similarly, but it had a stronger scent and left behind more buildup than I would have liked.

💔 MAC Cleanse Off Oil: My absolute holy grail cleansing oil—and unfortunately, it was discontinued. This was the last bottle from my backup stash, and I still haven't found anything that rinses away as cleanly without leaving residue or a lingering fragrance. MAC's replacement cleansing oil costs more than double the price of this product, so I'm currently on the hunt for a K-beauty or J-beauty alternative.

🤔 Percy & Reed Volumising Dry Shampoo: I've enjoyed every Percy & Reed product I've tried, and this was no exception. It added great texture while absorbing oil between washes. I'd definitely consider buying the full size one day, although I still have a few cans of Batiste to work through first.

🤔 Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Oil: This sample was perfect for travelling, as I don't like packing my Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil in case it leaks. It moisturised my scalp well before wash day, and the scent wasn't overpowering.

Another month, another round of empties. So satisfying! Here are my thoughts on these products.

Ouai Medium Hair Conditioner: Really enjoyed the way this moisturised my hair. Texture was not too thick and it didn’t make the shower floor slippery when rinsing out. You know what I mean. I still have a few other conditioners to use, but I would repurchase in the future.

MAC Eyeshadow in Espresso: Have been using this eyeshadow to fill in my eyebrows for years and years. Pigmented and never dusty. Currently using another Espresso eyeshadow single in a duo case alongside Shroom as an inner corner highlight.

L’Occitane Verveine Shower Gel: Scored multiple travel sized products in this range from a lovely hotel in Japan last month that are perfect for work trips. I’ve been a big L’Occitane fan for a number of years, and this variant smells really fresh, doesn’t strip my skin, and I love that their travel bottles never leak.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner Intense Black: Absolute HG staple that doesn’t smudge or flake off my oily eyelids. It stays put until I oil cleanse. LOVE!

Shu Uemura Black Cleansing Oil: Was pleasantly surprised how luxurious this felt to use when removing makeup. No residue or makeup was left behind, and this is on my list to purchase in a full size once I finish other cleansing oils and balm in my drawer.

Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow Mini: Way too sickly sweet for my liking to purchase in full size.

Mecca Eye Mask: Perfect for travel and hydrates my under eye area.

Pixi Mud Cleanser: This had a strange texture as the product did not foam up when mixed in my hands or used on my face. I used this in the morning as I don’t think it would’ve been effective as a second cleanser at night. Not looking to buy this in a full size.

Glow Lab Vanilla & Sandalwood Body Wash: This cleanser has a very mild vanilla scent and lathered well. Bit of a bland product that I picked up with groceries, and not looking to repurchase.

Therabreath Sparkle Mint: My favourite flavour of the range so far! Pleasantly minty with no aftertaste. Will repurchase once I finish other bottles waiting to be opened.

GHD Heat Protect Spray: Have a bad habit of keeping different bottles of heat protectant that are almost empty instead of just finishing them. Really like the spray nozzle on this bottle as it mists the product through your hair, which is perfect for my thick hair. I’m trying to be conscious about emptying bottles before opening something new.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil: Removes makeup really well and I enjoy the smell of Kiehl’s botanical mix. Doesn’t clog my pores, and the strong smell makes using the product feel like a spa treatment. Have other oils to use up, not looking to repurchase this.

L’Oréal Elseve Hyaluron Purifying Shampoo: Used this as a clarifying shampoo and felt it did a good job of cleaning buildup from my scalp before following up with a second shampoo. The 620ml bottle lasted such a long time, and I would repurchase this again after finishing other products that I’ve already purchased.

Surprised with this month’s empties as we were travelling for half the time. Writing out everything I have opened and unopened has been game changing, showed so much constraint in the Japanese pharmacies this time around!

Jo Malone English pear & freesia body crème: Unfortunately a hate pan due to the filmy unpleasant texture that didn’t feel hydrating on my skin. The smell didn’t replicate the EDP or candle in the same scent which was really strange.

Anua cleansing oil: Removes makeup including waterproof mascara well but was not expecting the container to leak so much. Appreciate this product doing the same job as high end brands but at a better price point.

L’Occitane cherry blossom shower gel: Used to regularly purchase the full size of this shower gel until I replaced it with the almond shower oil which I have in multiple full sized and travel sized bottles. Still enjoyable but won’t repurchase.

L’Occitane almond oil hand cream: Enjoyed the scent of this and the cream left my hands feeling moisturised throughout the day.

Nivea blackberry lip balm: This tinted lip balm has lasted so long, it’s been a handbag staple for on the go. Still have two more Nivea balms to use up but progress has stalled as I’ve been reaching for other brands and formulas as lip balm.

Aesop facial essence: Used up four of these samples this month, I find it hydrating and it didn’t irritate my skin but don’t compelled to buy the full sized bottle.

Ouai body cleanser in St Barts: LOVE the tropical scent of this range. Am still working through the St Barts body mist and won’t open the body crème until I finish the current lotion I have open. The container definitely needs reworking though because it bubbles so much from leaked buildup from the lid in the shower. Have multiple body washes to get through before I repurchase this.

L’Occitane verbena liquid soap: Really enjoy the tangy smell from the lemon verbena and orange, the soap doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped and dry.

LRP purifying foaming gel: My HG cleanser! Doesn’t have a strong smell and foams up easily without making my face squeaky clean.

Blotting papers: Forever need these within reach from living the oily t-zone life. Bulk purchased this brand online and haven’t found any other this size that I like.

Surprised with this month’s empties as we were travelling for half the time. Writing out everything I have opened and unopened has been game changing, showed so much constraint in the Japanese pharmacies this time around!

Blotting papers: Forever need these within reach from living the oily t-zone life. Bulk purchased this brand online and haven’t found any other this size that I like.

Crest 3D white strips: The only whitening strips I use.

Aesop facial essence: Used up four of these samples this month, I find it hydrating and it didn’t irritate my skin but don’t compelled to buy the full sized bottle.

Skin regimen vegetable soap: Used this hotel soap to deep clean my makeup brushes.

Jo Malone English pear & freesia body crème: Unfortunately a hate pan due to the filmy unpleasant texture that didn’t feel hydrating on my skin. The smell didn’t replicate the EDP or candle in the same scent which was really strange.

Nivea blackberry lip balm: This tinted lip balm has lasted so long, it’s been a handbag staple for on the go. Still have two more Nivea balms to use up but progress has stalled as I’ve been reaching for other brands and formulas as lip balm.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: Noticed more new hair growth than normal which I was sceptical to attribute to taking this until my hairdresser commented on how much faster my hair had grown without me prompting him. Hadn’t changed anything in my routine except this.

L’Occitane verbena liquid soap: Really enjoy the tangy smell from the lemon verbena and orange, the soap doesn’t leave my hands feeling stripped and dry.

Ouai body cleanser in St Barts: LOVE the tropical scent of this range. Am still working through the St Barts body mist and won’t open the body crème until I finish the current lotion I have open. The container definitely needs reworking though because it bubbles so much from leaked buildup from the lid in the shower. Have multiple body washes to get through before I repurchase this.

Anua cleansing oil: Removes makeup including waterproof mascara well but was not expecting the container to leak so much. Appreciate this product doing the same job as high end brands but at a better price point.

L’Occitane cherry blossom shower gel: Used to regularly purchase the full size of this shower gel until I replaced it with the almond shower oil which I have in multiple full sized and travel sized bottles. Still enjoyable but won’t repurchase.

L’Occitane almond oil hand cream: Another month another L’Occitane hand cream emptied. Enjoyed the scent of this and the cream left my hands feeling moisturised throughout the day.

LRP purifying foaming gel: My HG cleanser! Doesn’t have a strong smell and foams up easily without making my face squeaky clean.