Empties Post Volume XXXII: April 2015

Press Samples, Samples & Purchased by Me (Affiliate Links)

I think that it is rather obvious that I didn't finish up many products in April. The bulk of the items that I used were samples, and the only full size product used was a shave cream that my husband used as well. That said, I am always pleased to toss my empties into the recycle bin, and finishing anything is better than finishing nothing in my book.

Here are the products that I finished up this month:

1) Trader Joe's Moisturizing Cream Shave in Honey Mango: I honestly couldn't even guess how many tubes of this I have purchased over the years. It is ultra creamy, super moisturizing, and it smells delicious. I usually buy 2-4 tubes at a time. It is so great and affordable, and highly recommend it!

2) MoroccanOil Body Soufflé ($56.00 for 6.4 oz. from Nordstrom, Barneys New York, Amazon): Did I ever love this stuff! It is super emollient and hydrating, and it smells divine! I want to soak in a bathtub filled with this delectable body cream!

3) First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser ($20.00 for 5 oz. from Sephora, Amazon, Beauty.com & SkinStore): As you have already noted, three packets of this was all it took to make it on my April Skincare Lust List! It is gentle, cleans thoroughly and is completely non-stripping! I need a full size tube soon!

4) Assorted perfume samples: I tested out some of the perfume samples in my stash, and while none of them resulted in full size purchases they were fun to try.

5) La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream ($85.00 for .50 oz., $160.00 for 1 oz. and $295.00 for 2 oz. from Nordstrom, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus & Bloomingdale's): Somehow I ended up with multiple samples of the La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream, and I have to say that I really really really like it! I am already using the next small jar. It leaves my skin indescribably soft, supple and hydrated, and it's not too rich for my combination skin the way the original formula is.

What did you use up, give away, return or toss this month? Any great products to share your thoughts on, or any duds to report? Do tell!

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Empties Post: Volume I- August 2012

This is my first Empties post, and it is inspired by my friend Liz, better known in the blogosphere as Beauty Reductionista. It was her encouragement that prompted me to do this post in the first place. That said, Liz is the Empties goddess, and anything that I do will pale in comparison. Yet, I continually derive such a sense of vicarious satisfaction from her monthly empties that it feeds my nearly irrational need to use up the things that I purchase. I really hate waste- so the idea of tossing unused or partially used things out that I spent good money on just doesn't fit into the scheme of things for me. Add to that the fact that I am extremely dedicated to recycling empty containers- rather than having them end up in the landfill-- so documenting my progress is quite satisfying.

Haircare products: I really loved every single last drop of the Oribe Signature Masque and Conditioner- both were very moisturizing- which is essential for my naturally curly hair. This is an expensive luxury line, but the products are really high quality and lovely. I still have some of their shampoo left, as well as a very nice curl enhancing cream styling product. I am a big fan of Davines shampoos, conditioners, and styling products, and have used many more than the three shown here. The Kim Vo Radiant Styling Creme was a nice product, but I didn't find it particularly unique. I have always liked Aveda's Shampure Shampoo-- so it took no effort to empty the travel size that I had. The TRESemmé Anti-Frizz Secret was good for frizz, but I didn't really like the lingering smell that it left behind (unless I love the scent, I don't want to get whiffs of it throughout the day).

Skincare: As you are well aware, I am a skincare fanatic-- and I always have been. If I had to choose between skincare and makeup, I would choose skincare every time. The Clé de Peau La Créme was a hand-me-down from my mom-- it is a luxurious rich cream, but I think that it was a bit too rich for my combination skin. The Natura Bissé Diamond Cream was another hand-me-down from mom, this is another expensive luxury cream that is rich, but so quickly absorbed. I really really like this product, plus their Diamond eye cream is spectacular. The Creme de la Mer was yet another hand-me-down from mom. It is a bit too rich for my skin, and it contains petrolatum and mineral oil-- which often causes me to break out, and gives me milia. Their gel moisturizer is much better suited to my skin. Those are not my first Sunday Riley empties, just the most recent ones. The clear empty bottle in the lower left is MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes makeup remover-- I love this stuff-- it is gentle, yet effective, and it removes even the toughest waterproof formulas.

Makeup and Fragrance: When it comes to fragrance samples, if I don't like the way that they smell on me- then I use them as room spray near the kitty litter box-- it does wonders! The small bottle in the upper right is an essential oil that I used to add fragrance to some jojoba oil that I was using as a body oil-- it's a easy and inexpensive way to personalize scents. I just finished my Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Espresso-- I have used up many of these over the years-- they are really fantastic. The empty pan beneath it was a Trish McEvoy blush that my mom gave me-- it was nice, but nothing too exciting. The Suki Color Tinted Active Moisturizer is a very nice product that contains salicylic acid and white willow- keeping oily skin in check, and giving it beautiful medium coverage.

Body Care: The Marc Jacobs Blush Body Cream was a nearly full hand-me-down from my sister, and truth be told the fragrance didn't mesh with my body chemistry as well as I had hoped-- it was okay on me, but definitely not great. The Williams-Sonoma Hand Lotion, on the other hand, was great down to the last drop. I am a fan of Tom's Deodorants, and have been using them since I was a teenager. The lavender is nice, but I prefer some of their other scents on me. The Body Shop DeoDry Deodorant was pretty nice, but now that I am using my Kai Deodorant everything else is just another deodorant.

There really is something supremely satisfying about seeing all of these empties, and now knowing that I can send them on their merry way to the recycle center. Have you finished many products recently?