September 2026 Empties for the Face, Hair & Body

 

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During the month of September, I managed to finish up 8 full-size products, and I loved and would happily use each of them again and again. Items such as face creams won't be replaced any time soon since I have so many open face creams that I need to finish first, and I always make a concerted effort to finish things up before they expire so that I avoid unnecessary waste, but sometimes that is hard to achieve when I test so many products on a regular basis. Here is what I finished up in September:

Trader Joe's Bergamot & Vetiver Scented Hand Soap: This was a limited-time hand soap, and it sold out. What an absolute delight this is, and I really hope that they bring it back. This beautiful citrusy floral scent is such a treat to the senses, and rather than drying out my hands, they are left lightly moisturized. A+ Purchase Again? I would in a heartbeat if they relaunched it!

($3.99 for 12 oz. from Trader Joe's).

Spongellé Hand Cream in Bulgarian Rose: Spongellé Hand Creams are the perfect antidote for dry hands during the cold months of the year. I have used their hand creams many years now, and I reach for them constantly. They feature ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, Argan Oil and Macademia Seed Oil that deeply moisturize and heal chapped hands, and the Hyaluronic Acid retains moisture and plumps fine lines. After using these hand creams, my poor chapped hands have been soft, smooth, nourished, hydrated and luminous!

My favorite scent, and one that I have replaced more than once, is the Bulgarian Rose. If you are a fan of rose scented body care products, then this one should not be missed! It has an elegant and hypnotic rose aroma that is utterly beautiful and a delight to the senses. Bulgarian Rose: Top: Cinnamon Sticks, Sliced Ginger, Sweet Clove, Juicy Orange. Middle: Tuberose Base: Whipped Vanilla, Cozy Musk. Purchase Again? Definitely, but I need to use up some of my other hand creams first!

($21.00 for 2 oz. from Spongellé).

René Furterer 5 Sens Enhancing Dry Oil is a beautifully fast absorbing dry oil that can be used on the hair and body. It has a lovely soft aroma that is a treat to the senses, but it isn't long lasting or in the least bit cloying. When I use it on my body, it melts into the skin and leaves it soft, supple, hydrated and nourished. For the hair, it offers extraordinary hydration and leaves locks soft, smooth and manageable. It tames frizz and fly-aways, and it gives hair a glossy shine. Purchase Again? Without question, this dry oil is sublime!

($54.00 for 3.3 oz. from René Furterer, Amazon). 

Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel in Light Golden Chestnut 5D: For many years I used drugstore brand at-home hair dyes, but the last couple of times that I did I noticed that my scalp became dry and irritated. I decided to try something a little different, and I kept seeing Herbatint Permanent Hair Color Gel, and I decided to try it. This Italian brand, founded in 1970, is cruelty-free, vegan and it has a wide range of colors from which to choose. I have naturally curly dark brown hair that naturally lightens up in the summer, and therefore during the cooler months I tried their Light Chestnut 5N, and for the summer I tried their Light Golden Chestnut 5D, and both are stunning shades.

I mixed the hair color gel and the developer until it became a thick gel that was uniform in color. I carefully brushed it from roots to tips and then left it on for 40 minutes. This formula was tested on sensitive skin, and it definitely did not irritate, burn or tingle my scalp. I rinsed it out after 40 minutes and then applied their wonderful Royal Cream Conditioner– which comes with the hair color. This conditioner is lightweight and yet incredibly emollient and moisturizing. When I was done my hair was uniformly a gorgeous chestnut shade, but it was darker than on the box since my hair was quite dark to start with.

This formula neither dries out my scalp, nor my hair, and the color lasts for a few months before I need a touch up.

Herbatint encourages mixing shades to customize your hair color, and they also suggest that you can mix up just a small amount if you only need to do root-touch up. Whether you have any grey hair you seek to cover, or just roots that differ from the rest of your color, then just doing a root touch-up makes a lot of sense. I don't have much grey hair, but there are some strands here and there, and this does an excellent job of covering them. I simply use half the normal amount, as Herbatint suggests, and it works perfectly! Purchase Again? I already have– in fact the last time that they had a sale, I bought quite a few boxes!

($17.99 from Amazon, iHerb, Walmart).

Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Cleansing Jelly: This is such a special and unique cleanser, and is such a distinct pleasure to use. The jelly melts into a glorious balm when it meets the warmth of the skin, and then it emulsifies into a milky emulsion in the presence of water. Simply massage it into the skin and it effectively removes dirt, makeup and sunscreen, and it rinses clean without leaving behind any sort of residue. This antioxidant-rich formula leaves skin soft, glowing and hydrated. Purchase Again? I am currently swimming in open tubes of cleansers that I need to finish first, but I would happily use this wonderful cleanser again!

($29.00 for 3.5 oz. from Amazon, Ulta, Credo Beauty and Bluemercury).

Dr. BRID C Barrier Defense Basic Cream is a daily moisturizer– for the morning and night– suitable for all types of skin, including for with sensitive skin. The peptide-rich formula was created to support the skin's moisture barrier to protect it from environmental stressors that can wreak havoc on the skin. It is a lightweight and fast absorbing cream that leaves skin soft, smooth, hydrated and luminous. It leaves behind no unwanted greasy residue and has no detectable scent. It is a really nice, hardworking and dependable daily moisturizer that feels luxurious. Furthermore, this cruelty- free K-Beauty brand makes affordable products that are an absolute joy to use. Purchase Again? Definitely, but not until I need more face cream!

($19.99 for 0.67 oz. from their Amazon Store). 

Dr. BRID C Intensive Moisture Basic Cream is an unbelievably effective face cream that I have been using for many months, but what I discovered is that it is exquisite in its ability to pamper my skin this summer. It has a superb velvety texture, and it feels like an ultra-luxe facial cream– at an affordable price– that provides serious moisture. It is mid-weight and yet it melts into the skin immediately leaving it soft, smooth, supple and luminous. It leaves behind no greasy residue, and while it is formulated for dry and/or dehydrated skin, I find it particularly effective for my normal skin with some t-zone activity. It offers my skin ample moisture that lasts all day, and prevents my skin from becoming dehydrated during the hot months of summer. There is no detectable aroma and there are no parabens or silicones in this lovely cream. Purchase Again? I already opened another tube! 

($21.99 for 0.68 oz. from their Amazon Store). 

Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Khol Pencil in Bronze: This brand makes my very favorite eyeliner pencils and their Bronze and Cocoa shades are my very favorite colors to wear daily. I think that the formula is absolutely superior to everything else on the market. They are creamy to the touch, ultra-pigmented, and once they set they do not budge. They are waterproof without being harsh, and they glide across the skin effortlessly, deposit color evenly and they do not bleed or feather. There is a sponge-tip applicator on each liner that allows you to smudge effortlessly, and you have enough time to smudge before the liners set. On me, these liners stay put until I remove them at the end of the day. Bronze is aptly described as, "a golden brown with shimmer"– and it is gorgeous!

Victoria Beckham Beauty is a cruelty-free brand, and these liners are infused with Vitamin E, hydrating pro-vitamin B5, and calming chamomile. They are quite kind and gentle to sensitive eyes like mine, and they can also be used on the waterline and for tight-lining– though I avoid shades with shimmer for tight-lining. The colors are spectacularly beautiful independently, but they can also be blended to soften or intensify the lighter and darker shades, respectively. I like to wear several of them at the same time. For instance, I like to first line my upper and lower lids with a color such as Bronze, and then I smudge Black into my lash line to intensify the effect, but also to frame my eyes using a darker color in my lash line for a more stunning visual effect. is a decadent rich matte brown. Purchase Again? I already have! 

($35.00 each from Victoria Beckham Beauty, bluemercury, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman).

Overall Assessment: As I said above, I loved everything that I finished up in September, and would happily use all of them again. What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in September? Did you make any amazing product discoveries, or were you disappointed by mediocre over-hyped products? Do tell!

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own.

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