Empties #7: Products I've Used Up + Mini Review

More empties! I am doing really well with using up products, especially some that I know are going to expire or that I don't really care for. By the time I end up posting this, I will already have a few more empties to go into the next post! I may be able to do one of these a month at this rate.

Then I accidentally overwrote the bottom part of the post and I don't feel like doing it again because no one is going to read it anyway.

Bath & Body Works Candles in Honolulu Sun, Hawaiian Hibiscus, and Georgia Peach: I loved all of these scents, but I have to admit that I'm really sick of Honolulu Sun. I had the soap and hand sanitizer in addition to the candle, so I was happy to see this one go. I have a ton of candle backups, so there are more to be burned other than these ones. Would I repurchase? Right now, I'm done with all these scents. I wasn't a huge fan of the Hawaiian Hibiscus because I thought it would be the same as the hand sanitizer that I liked. 

Missha Creamy Latte Chocolate Cleansing Foam: I've talked about this cleanser before and my love for it. It just smells so good. I don't think you need an expensive cleanser because most of them clean the same, but it is nice to have a cleanser that you like to use. I still have a strawberry one that I haven't opened, but I will be using that soon! Would I repurchase? Probably during a sale where I can buy a few things, but I have plenty of cleansers that I'm rotating through right now. 

Anosa Tea Tree Herbal Toner: Before I rediscovered Benton and found Paula's Choice, I was a huge fan of Anosa toners. This is one of the two toners that I had and this was my favorite because I was big into tea tree products. Would I repurchase? Not anytime soon because I prefer Paula's Choice skincare, which is easier to find in the states.

Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream: I had this eye cream forever. It's a huge jar for something that is just an eye cream. I have some face creams that are in jars of similar size. This was honestly nothing special to me, but I did like it at first. Would I repurchase? No. I have plenty of other eye creams that I would rather use.

Clinique Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer: I really liked this for a thicker nighttime moisturizer. I do like Clinique as a brand, but I find them more on the pricey side. I kept using this to use it up because it was almost gone, but I definitely prefer this in the winter when my skin is drier. Would I repurchase? Probably when it gets cooler out again but I would more than likely try to get it on sale.

It's Skin Power 10 CO Effector: This Korean brand makes one of the favorite serums. I really like these for the day because they aren't too heavy. I started with the VC Effector and decided to try a couple others. This one was heavily scented for some reason, so I didn't care for this one as much. Would I repurchase? I definitely prefer the VC Effector to this one and I wouldn't buy this one again.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream: I wanted to try this because I really loved the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing cream for the face. I like that the eye cream came in a tube because eye cream in pots are usually terrible to use because it gets difficult to apply. The full

Skin79 Super Plus BB Cream: I think this is the saddest empty. Because of the packaging, I didn't even realize I was running out until the last pump. I really like the whole line of Skin79's BB Creams, but this one might be my favorite because it's so low maintenance. Would I repurchase? I definitely will be buying another, but I have so many BB Creams that I want to use up one or two before I indulgence in this.

MAC Skin Base Visage: I'm really surprised that this primer lasted as long as it did. It is also housed in similar packaging as the Skin79 BB Cream, so I never knew how much was left. I had a love/hate relationship with this primer, but it was ultimately just okay and I did think it was overpriced. Would I repurchase? No. I'm over this primer and on to other ones. I have a couple different ones on my list to get.

Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Mascara: This mascara is probably one of my favorites from the drugstore, but this one had just been hanging around in my makeup bag begging to be thrown away. I really like the spoon brush on this mascara. Would I repurchase? Probably at some point.

Inglot Matte Gel Eyeliner in #85: I really loved this gel eyeliner, but I found that it got old and dried up. I can't tell you how many years I've been holding on to this sucker. Probably at least four. I felt that it was time to get rid of it. Would I repurchase? Probably not. I like the black one, but I don't use the colors too often.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer: I finally finished the last of this primer and I managed to also lose the cap. I used to use this all the time back when it was the only other primer I owned. I have a few others that I've been reaching for, but I do really like this one. Would I repurchase? Not any time soon, but only because I have a backup full size and a trial size that I got in an Ipsy bag. I think I'm all set for now!

Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle: I feel like it's been a bit since this has appeared in my empties. I've moved on to Paula's Choice for my acids, but I do want to work through my back ups of this. I did like it when I used it, but I prefer the Paula's Choice line. Would I repurchase? Not anymore.

Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day Fragrance Mist: This was a nice scent, but I got sick of it pretty quickly. I don't think it's something that I would buy again and I'm glad I didn't get this scent in any other forms. Would I repurchase? Nope.

Beauty and Skincare Haul | Korea | Japan | Taiwan

I've been hoarding a few of these products for a couple months now. The top picture of items is from one order from SaSa, where the bottom ones are sort of a mish mash of things from KoreaDepart and eBay. I thought I had more, but it's possible that those are just sample sizes that were included or the fact that I have a Missha haul I want to do separately because there's so much Missha.

As many of these items are still in the packaging, I can't really say whether or not I like them. Mostly this post serves as a show and tell and I'll try to do a hauled it but how was it type post like I say I'm always going to do.

This is my recent SaSa haul. Out of all the online retailers, SaSa is my favorite. In addition to the Korean brands they carry, they also have brands from China, Japan, and Taiwan. Most of the time they offer free shipping to the states over $29, which isn't difficult to spend. I decided to try out a bunch of new things during this haul. I've never used anything from these brands before.

I picked up two items from Mentholatum from their Acnes line. I use the cleanser at night. It smells really nice and it isn't too foamy. I just wish the tube was a little bigger. I feel like I'm going to run out quick! I also got a moisturizer which has an SPF of 15. I've been using this when I work in the afternoon and will probably only see 20 minutes of light instead of wasting my SPF 35 moisturizer.

From Shiseido I purchased a cleanser called Perfect Whip which seemed to have pretty solid reviews online. I've only used it once because I'm hooked on my Missha cleanser, which I'll talk about in a different post. I also purchased an eyelash curler because my Missha one was starting to get a little loose and creaky around the hinges. I love this thing. It took a little getting used to the different shape, but I'm convinced it's the best curler I've used so far.

I did buy a curler from Shu Uemura, but I haven't tried that out just yet. It was the most expensive item from this haul, though, so I'm not going to let it go to waste. Thankfully, it isn't something that's going to go bad if I don't open it.

Something new that I've never tried even from American brands are oil blotting sheets. I purchased these from two different brands, Hakugen and Katani. I've used the Katani ones a couple times and I like them. I don't really see a huge different between these papers and using a napkin, but I guess these are supposed to just take off the oil and not the makeup. I do notice that when I blot with a napkin that I can see my powder products, which isn't the case with these. I've yet to use the Hakugen sheets because I feel like I'm going to love those and they're no longer for sale at SaSa so I can't repurchase them. I have to add that the Katani ones have little pandas on the sheets and I think that's a cute added bonus.

I purchased more sheet masks from My Beauty Diary that I haven't used yet. I don't know why, but I've sort of fallen off the sheet mask train and the only explanation I have for that is that I generally wear sheet masks for a minimum of 20 minutes and I don't have time for that when I'm getting home at midnight. 

From Sulwhasoo, I have an sample size of the Ginseng eye cream. I haven't tried this yet because I've been using other eye creams that I bought around the same time. I'm sure if this is anything like the Ginseng face cream that costs approximately two thousand dollars, I'll love it. (Complete exaggeration. The face cream is $220 and the the eye cream is $180)

I picked up two Nature Republic eye creams. One is tagged as wrinkle improvement and the other is brightening. I've been using the wrinkle improvement one and I like that one. I've used the brightening one a few times, but I'm committed to using up a few things and not having 15 eye creams open at the same time. 

At one point, I was obsessed with my Tony Moly Latte Art Milk-Cacao Pore Pack. Some time between using up my last container and purchasing this one, I started using the Queen Helene mask. It isn't that I like that one better, but I haven't touched this new one just yet.

My Innisfree Pink Beam Mineral Pact was featured in one of my favorites post. I really love this little guy, but I haven't been setting my under eyes because they tend to get drier in the winter. This gives a nice gleam on my cheeks but isn't as intense under my eyes.

Last in this bunch is my Skinfood Black Raspberry eye cream. This was also in a favorites post. I really like the scent of this cream and also how moisturizing it is. I've been using this off and on since purchasing and it's already half gone!

These two guys are just hopping on for the ride because I just received these in the mail. I don't know how long it will be until I do another Asian or Korean haul, so I thought I'd just toss these in this post.

I've been missing my Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder. I really didn't know how much I actually loved this until I ran out of it! Nothing compares to this powder. I'm psyched it came in the mail so quickly since I ordered it on December 1st. 

I'm almost out of my Mizon ampoule that I use daily, so I thought I'd try something new. I probably have less than a week of uses left in my Mizon one, so I'm glad this arrived even quicker than my Innisfree powder. I got this It's Skin ampoule in the brightening formula with vitamin C because your skin gets dull in the winter. This ampoule seems really nice and thick, so I can't wait to try it out.

Mentholatum - Japan

My Beauty Diary - Taiwan

Hakugen - Japan

Katani - Japan

Innisfree - Korea

Nature Republic - Korea

Shiseido - Japan

Shu Uemura - Japan

Skinfood - Korea

Sulwhasoo - Korea

Tony Moly - Korea

It's Skin - Korea

Empties! Products I've Used Up + Review

I've been hoarding my trash for the past month or so and today I decided to clean. I really just wanted to ditch this empty containers and packets, so I figured it was time to do this post. All of these products are skin care because those are easier to for me to finish up than makeup items. Also included are some sample packets because I'm finally starting to crack into extras that Ulta and Nordstrom send when you make an order.

Haus of Gloi Lassi Pumpkin Butter: Haus of Gloi is an indie bath and body company from which I own many, many body butters. I've been starting to use up some body butters because it doesn't make sense to have so many. This is one of their spring scents, but I have so many autumn scents that I'm sure I'll have more of these in my next empties. Being a butter, this is on the heavier side so I prefer to use this type of lotion when it starts getting colder. Definitely one of my three favorite brands for lotion. Would I repurchase? Not this scent. I have a 4oz jar waiting for me! But this type of lotion, yes!

Cocoa Pink Voluptuous Body Butter in Pineapple Cilantro: Another of my favorite indie bath and body companies that makes some of my favorite lotions. I have this formula and the Coco Mango formula, which I've found that I prefer. I used this up sometime in the beginning of September when I really wanted a fresh scent. I'm trying to hold out on a sale to stock up on autumn geared scents because shipping is so expensive. I really love these lotions. Would I repurchase? Eh. I like to try different scents, so I probably won't. I'll also probably purchase all my fall scents in the Coco Mango formula.

Paintbox Soapworks Clean Slate Emulsifying Facial Scrub: I included this in my September monthly favorites, which was my new jar. Since a little goes a long way with this scrub and I only use it two to three times a week, I don't exactly plow through this product. I really love that it is the perfect combination of scrubiness and moisture without being overkill. Definitely one of my go to products. Would I repurchase? Yes, and I already have! 

Baviphat Paprika Moisture Hand Cream: This is my cute little bell pepper container up in the picture and it used to be a lotion. Baviphat is one of my favorite Korean brands. This lotion smelled so good, but it wasn't exactly as moisturizing as I hoped it would be. I'll probably depot some scrub or lotion into this cute container for when I travel. Would I repurchase? Nah. I have what I wanted, which is the cute packaging.

Tony Moly Peach Hand Cream: Tony Moly is also one of my favorite Korean brands. This hand cream definitely not even met, but exceeded my expectations. It was one of my first Tony Moly products and I was so in love. This little peach container is adorable and I definitely will reuse it and put like shampoo in it for travel since it's big enough for that. It actually smells like a real peach and it really moisturising. Would I repurchase? I already had a backup waiting for me!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: I was getting my trash together when I realized I couldn't remember the last time I changed out my sponge. I do try to toss this every month or so because I don't want bacteria to collect. I also wash this every other time I use it, but the sponge just isn't as good after a certain period of time. I really love this for my foundation and I don't even use a brush anymore for foundation. Would I repurchase? I already have two backups and I try to buy them two at a time just in case they're out of stock.

Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream: I use retinol every night just because. It's easier to prevent than cure, I guess. I've just been using retinol for years. This just happened to be the one I was using and then forgot about and I figured I should use it up because I didn't want to waste it. It's comparable to everything else I've used, but nothing I would do cartwheels over. Would I repurchase? Maybe. It depends. I try to switch around retinols because I don't want my skin to get too accustomed to one concentration.

Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle 12% Glycholic Acid: I use this every morning and night after toner, so it's no surprise that this is here. AHA supports cell turnover and works hand and hand with retinol. It's a chemical exfoliant. This is the only brand I've ever used and I think I'll stick with it. Would I repurchase? I'm already using another tube and I'd probably get even another one at some point.

Clinque All About Eyes Rich: This was my first high end eye cream and it was sort of on the pricey side. I did like it and I was sad to see it go. I love Clinique as a brand, so it's no wonder that I liked this eye cream. It was very moisturizing, but I don't know if I'd go back to it. Would I repurchase? I have so many eye creams I need to use that I can't even think about buying this again. I do already have another Clinique eye cream and a smaller jar of this one if that's any indication.

Etude House AC Clinic Daily Toner: This is a toner. I liked it. Like every other Korean toner, it's more moisturizing than American ones that strip your skin. I have so many other toners that are comparable, though. This was a sample size one that I got in a set with the cleanser. Would I repurchase? Maybe. I really like the cleanser, so if I can get them together I will.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar: I got this from Nordstom in a sample beauty bag for spending a certain amount of money when there was a more recent MAC collection that I purchased along with some skincare. This was just okay. I liked it more in the beginning. By the last use, I squeezed the tube and some milky liquid shot out, so I'm just calling it empty. It also had one of those strange smells skincare can have sometimes. Would I repurchase? Heck no. For something I wasn't super impressed with, this is wicked expensive. No thanks.

Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream: I absolutely love Sulwhasoo products, but they're so expensive. My favorite cream from them is the Ginseng Renewing one that costs a whopping $220 for a 2oz jar! Thankfully, whenever I make any Korean beauty order, sellers throw in a bunch of samples. This is another cream that I like now, which is a double edged sword because I like this one too. This one is only $90 for 2.5oz, but that's still a lot of money! I do have a few more samples of this and it's cheaper to buy the one or two use sample packets on eBay. Would I repurchase? Never the full size unless I hit the lottery, but I'd probably buy one of the sample sets on eBay because you can get 20 packets for cheaper.

Juara Candlenut Body Creme: I got this in my first Birchbox late last month. I'm still not sure what to think about this, especially because it's supposed to be soap and not lotion. I don't feel clean after using it though, so I ended up washing with soap after this. I guess it's moisturizing? I also don't really like the packaging, although I'm sure the full size is packed better. This was in a weird cardboard sample sachet that basically melted in my shower caddy. Would I repurchase? No. And I'm not sure I'd even use my second sample either.

NARS Total Replenishing Eye Cream: This is yet again another sample courtesy of Nordstrom. I really like this eye cream, which I hate to admit. It's $55 for a tube, which I think is ridiculously expensive. I think I'll stick to my combination of Clinique and Korean brands for eye creams. This was my first experience with Nars in general, not just their skincare, so I guess I'm pretty impressed. Would I repurchase? Probably not, unless the price goes down or the packaging changes.

Sephora Instant Moisturizer: I think it's funny that I have this sample from buying a lipstick from someone on Facebook and not directly from Sephora. That said, holy jesus I love this stuff. I even cut the sample packet up to scrape the rest of it out of the foil. It's super moisturizing and it worked so well in conjunction with my Clinique night cream. I actually don't know what I'm going to do without it now that it's gone. This was a huge sample and I got at least a week's worth out of the packet. Would I repurchase? I think I'm going to when I make another Sephora order. When I ordered my Tarte blush palette this past week, I rushed to check out and didn't even think about buying this cream. It's only $22 and I like it, so why not?

My Beauty Diary Chocolate Truffle and Strawberry Yogurt Sheet Masks: This is a brand from Taiwan that I discovered on Sasa when shopping for Korean brands. I bought the Strawberry Yogurt one after using the cleanser and the Chocolate Truffle one because why not? I love sheet masks, but I seriously can't do them when anyone is home because they look so weird and someone likes to make me laugh when I have one on and then I have to readjust the mask. My skin always feels nice and soft after wearing one because there's a lot of serum in these packets. Would I repurchase? I have a few different varieties of masks, including a box that I didn't buy too long ago. I'll definitely buy more, but I won't need to any time soon.