Empties vol. 56
I collected enough empties for another post, so here is everything I managed to finish in the recent weeks! There’s more variety this time, too, including body care and makeup, and some of the products that I honestly didn’t expect much from, pleasantly surprised me.
SKINCARE:
1 // Lovinah Ocean Rituals AHA & BHA Exfoliating Cleansing Balm* ($45) – I had this cleansing balm for so long, it feels like the end of an era. It was one of the most beautiful products in my collection – that deep blue color was so unique. The balm also smells divine – like jasmine, sweet orange, and vanilla maybe? It worked well as a first step cleanser, and even had mild exfoliating properties. The formula washes off well without noticeable residue, and that’s all I ask from my oil cleansers.
Do you need this? This cleansing balm was a pure joy to use! If anything, it would make a lovely gift to yourself or your favorite skincare enthusiast.
2 // Herbivore Aquarius BHA + Blue Tansy Clarity Cleanser* ($26) – Hands down, one of the best cleansers I’ve tried this year! It just feels right for my combination skin. Cleansed my face quickly and thoroughly, never drying, and the bottle has a really good pump. I’m actually saving it to decant other cleansers into.
Do you need this? If you have combination or oily skin, but it’s also sensitive or possibly a compromised skin barrier, this cleanser should be on your radar. Worth every penny!
3 // Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Charging Serum ($35) – I reviewed this serum in a dedicated blog post before, and I still stand by what I said there. It complements my tretinoin routine and has a stable form of Vitamin C that has a much lower irritation potential than straight up L-AA. Sits well under sunscreen and makeup, too. I went through several bottles and will be purchasing more.
Do you need this? If you’re looking for a Vitamin C serum that won’t make your skin angry, this is the one!
BATH & BODY:
4 // Korres Renewing Body Cleanser Pomegranate Grove ($19) – This year I re-discovered my love for Korres body products when a family member gifted me this beautiful body wash. Everything they make just smells so good! It really makes you look forward to your next shower time.
Do you need this? Probably not “need” but it would make a great gift – everyone showers. It was gifted to me and I really enjoyed it!
5 // Living Proof Restore Repair Mask* ($45) – This is one of my favorite hair masks, and my third finished bottle. Just the right amount of conditioning for my fine hair, and makes my bleached, overprocessed ends feel like they never had any damage. The effect is temporary, but if you use the mask every time you wash your hair, it will always look like you just stepped out of a salon.
Do you need this? It’s pricey, but makes a huge difference to the way my fine “fried” hair looks and feels. The formula is concentrated, so one tube should last you a long time. I recommend trying it, professional skincare is really on a whole new level.
MAKEUP:
6 // MILK KUSH Fiber Eyebrow Gel ($22) – I bought this as a little treat to myself when I ran out of my previous go-to from LAWLESS, and loved it at first. It’s a fiber formula, meaning it contains little hairs that build up the length and thickness of your natural brows so they look full and bushy. The shade range is also impressive, and each one actually looks like a realistic natural hair color. However, after only a month of use, the formula became chunky and dry, and once it turned this way, my brow gel became unusable. It distributed the color unevenly and deposited fibers in clumps – brushing out only smudged them and make things worse.
Do you need this? Nah, this one is a skip. Even though I love the way it makes my brows look thicker and more “hairy”, I’m bummed that it dried out so quickly.
Have you tried any of these products? What’s your favorite skincare product that you recently emptied?
*indicates PR samples
