Things have been a little heavy around here lately, so I think it’s time for another list that no one asked for!
Once upon a time, I thought maybe I would start a YouTube channel. I didn’t think about it very seriously, or for very long, but I did film one video. (No, you can’t see it.) My topic of choice was product “empties” – one of my very favorite types of beauty-related videos to watch. The essence of an empties video is that someone goes through a saved collection of items (skincare, makeup, etc.) that they’ve completely used up and provides quick mini-reviews and information on each product. I find these both fascinating and useful – I’d much rather hear someone’s thoughts on a product after they’ve used it for weeks than after one attempt. While I quickly determined that I had neither the time nor energy (nor desire to put my face online) to devote to an onscreen project, here I am with a blog and GUESS WHAT, I’m going to write about my empties here instead! Lucky you.
For a long time, I was getting Boxycharm and Ipsy sample boxes/bags every month, which was a fun way to get and test out makeup and skincare items that I probably wouldn’t otherwise purchase. Over time, though, I started to notice that I was giving away most of the items that I got in these bags, both because they weren’t my style and because I was just wearing less makeup. I finally cancelled both subscriptions and found it oddly liberating (and made me $30/month richer). At the same time, I was pregnancy nesting and had vowed to work my way through as many of the sample-sized items that I had amassed as possible – much easier to do when you don’t have new stuff coming in all the time. I’ve been pretty successful, though I definitely still have more sheet masks than I know what to do with.
With all of that said, here are five of the products* that I’ve been able to use up in the last few months:
Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Complexion Prep Priming Spray (OMG what a name). Would repurchase? Yes, and I have. I’m starting off with probably the least necessary product on the list. I use this spray to set any makeup that I do wear and, honestly, sometimes just because spritzing it on my face feels good. While there is a fragrance, it’s not unpleasant, and the mister makes a fine spray, which is always good. I’m not sure how much of anything it actually does (which for $33 probably isn’t great), but it feels nice and the bottle lasts me a long time. I’m not someone who often needs a setting spray that’s going to “lock in” makeup – on the rare occasion that I do (I did wear makeup to the hospital when I had the baby, which I stand by) I would reach for the Urban Decay All-Nighter spray instead. For daily use, though, that’s a little too much like spraying hairspray on my face, so I’ll stick with the Quick Fix’s gentler approach.
Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion. Would repurchase? Meh, maybe. I am terrible at using body lotion (I don’t like to be sticky and I’m terrible at waiting to be fully dry before I get dressed), so I’m not sure that I am convinced that this would be a good investment. I will say, though, that it smells delightfully like almond. More specifically, it smells exactly like the sand dollar cookies from the teddy bear cookbook that I had growing up. Exactly. So, if you want to smell like a delicious almond cookie, this may be the body lotion for you.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser. Would repurchase? Yes, eventually. My confession on this one is that I did not actually use it up, BUT I have a good excuse. You see, I am not entirely certain, but I am pretty confident that I have had this same bottle of cleanser since high school. Not the same type of cleanser, but this very same bottle. Maybe college, but I suspect high school. So, you know, ten-ish years. I have packed it up and moved with it multiple times. I’m horrified to say that I probably put it on my face at least once sometime in the last year. I’m lucky my skin didn’t straight-up peel off my face. I finally had to just throw the bottle away. I will totally buy it again. I think it’s a perfectly fine cleanser, nothing wildly special, but I love the way that it smells.
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Would repurchase? No, thank you. This was exactly the opposite of the Aveeno and Drunk Elephant products – I hate the smell of this cleanser. Which is great, because Tatcha is very expensive and I don’t need another expensive product in my skincare regime. I think that the heavy scent is from the Japanese rose, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I’m not a huge fan of physical exfoliants either, so all around I think this product just wasn’t set up for success. It was a Sephora free gift with purchase, though, so I’m not terribly upset.
belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. Would repurchase? Again and again and again. I use this every single day, twice a day. It is lightweight and refreshing and is barely fragranced. I turn my shower up way too hot and always end up with my face feeling super tight and angry, and as soon as I get out and put this on, all is right again. I usually try to get it in a gift set (which of course is not on Sephora’s website at the moment) that includes a full-size along with a toner, eye cream, and cleanser. I recently bought the full-size cleanser as well, after going through two or three of the minis. I’ve tried the belif Moisturizing Bomb and the Sleeping Mask and didn’t fall in love with either of them in quite the same way, but the Aqua Bomb is just… perfect. I love it, it’s great, I always have to make sure I have a backup ready so I don’t run out.
So there you have it, a little peek into my figurative medicine cabinet. I’m trying hard to be intentional about the items that I purchase, particularly when it comes to makeup and skincare, because I already have so much – a lot of which rarely gets used. I’m continuing my quest to work through what I can and donate what I haven’t started and know I won’t use, in the hope of one day having clear cabinets once again. After all, a girl can dream, right?
*I used up way more than five products, I just had to put some sort of limit on myself. Also, now I can throw away my bin of empty bottles and whatnot because yes, I did actually keep it for reference.
Hickmans at Home 