Empties #5 | Products I've Used Up + Mini Review

I really felt like I used up a bunch of products in a short amount of time, but my last empties post was almost two months ago. I'm actively trying to get rid of a bunch of things because I recently hauled a ton of stuff from Bath & Body Works and Sephora and Nordstrom during sales. When I get around to it, I'm sure I'll post a haul.

Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter in Ghost Puffs: I've had this little jar hanging around for two years and it was time to finish it up and get rid of it. I love the scent, but I'm trying to downsize and I wasn't even using it. I haven't ordered from Haus of Gloi in over a year because of the increasing difficulty of ordering. Would I repurchase? I would possibly consider it, but I have a couple Cocoa Pink scents that rival this one and I prefer the feel of those lotions.

Cocoa Pink Voluptuous Body Butter in Blood Orange Cotton Candy and Bing Cherry Coconut Frosting: I know I've mentioned that Cocoa Pink makes some of my favorite body butters. I've been trying to get through a few scents only because I have so many and I know some of them are starting to get old. These both moved with me and are in the older style packaging. I like both of the scents and I think they're permanent. Would I repurchase? I constantly repurchase Cocoa Pink body butters. I do prefer the Coco Mango formula, so I have more of those. I want to try other scents, so I probably won't get these again.

The Saem Snail Trio #1 Cherry Blossom: This is a hand cream from a Korean brand that I ordered from KoreaDepart with a few things over a year ago. I really liked this hand cream while it was around and the packaging is super cute, of course. Would I repurchase? Probably not, but I would definitely consider using the snail for a different lotion because it is adorable.

Paintbox Soapworks Sorbetto in Little Paper Umbrellas: I feel like it took such a long to work through this scrub. I think I was using something else in the shower until I realized that this scrub has a recommended shelf life of three months once opened and I'd been using it off and on since August. I really love Paintbox Soapworks scrubs, but they're a little on the pricey side to ship. Would I repurchase? Currently, no, but only because I just purchased two pots of scrub from Cocoa Pink and seven scrubs from Bath and Body Works. I think I have enough scrub!

Cocoa Pink Shine Sweetie Conditioner in Black Cherry Upside Down Cake: I needed to use this up because there was only a couple squirts remaining in the bottle. I prefer to use my Junkett Creme Conditioner, also from Cocoa Pink, but I didn't want to waste this conditioner. Would I repurchase? No. I like Junkett better and I'm really sick of this scent.

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner: This is by far my favorite toner that I've found. I think this is my third or fourth bottle of this stuff. I'm definitely going to continue purchasing this, but I know I need to use up the multiple toners I tried to replace this with. Would I repurchase? 100x yes. I still have another bottle that I'm working through, but I'm currently trying to get through a few others so I'm not moving with several extra bottles of toner that are half empty.

Missha Super Aqua Pore Correcting Toner: I was really hopeful that I would love this toner, but it was just okay. I was glad that I got it on sale, but I ended up using it to wipe down my skin after using a facial cleansing oil. Would I repurchase? On sale, probably. Otherwise, I have other toners that I like better.

Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream: I've had this tub of cream for such a long time. There are quite a few things that I remember buying while I was in my old apartment, and this was one of them. I did really like this cream. I think it is one of my favorite products from Mizon. Would I repurchase? This is definitely something that I would like to buy again. I'm waiting until I move to place an order from Korea because I've missed the cut off date. I don't want to miss a package by chancing an order that may not arrive before we leave.

It's Skin VC Effector: This has appeared in my empties and favorites posts quite a bit. I think this is my third go around with this ampoule and I know I've talked it to death. Would I repurchase? I already have another ready to go, but I also decided to try two different varieties from the same line. I've been using those instead and I like them so far.

Hera Age Away Intensive Eye Cream: This was part of a sample box that I was trying to get through. I think I may have posted a moisturizer from the same set a few empties back. I'm trying to downsize some things before we move and I have far too many eye creams, so I started with the smallest ones. Would I repurchase? It took too long to use this up, so probably not. I have enough skincare now and I know what works for me. Hera is also a bit out of my price range.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Eye Cream: I think this was a sample or a gift with purchase from Nordstrom. This is just another eye cream that I was trying to get through because it's been sitting in my cabinet for a few months. I didn't really care for this one as it tends to get this weird clumpy texture under my eyes. Would I repurchase? Nope. Not my favorite eye cream and definitely not something I love from Clinique.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara: This was a sample that I received from Sephora when I made an order around my birthday in September. I finally got around to using it a couple months ago and I hated it, so I tossed it in an old makeup bag and it dried out. I think I hated it less the more it dried up, but it still isn't a mascara I would ever buy. I have another sample from Ipsy and I'm considering just tossing it or giving away because I'm sure that one sucks too. Would I repurchase? Hell no. This is an expensive mascara and probably the worst I've ever used.

MAC Sheer Select Pressed Powder in NC5: I feel like I hit pan on this ages ago. I moved with this powder last year and we've been through a lot. After I had a bit of pan showing, I dropped it outside and the whole powder loosened around the edges. It took a couple more months of use for the entire powder to break apart. After that, I just tossed the crumbly mess and saved the compact so I can Back To MAC for a lipstick. Would I repurchase? I probably will. I had purchased a different MAC powder to replace this one back in September, but it isn't the same type of powder.

My Beauty Diary Pearl Powder Sheet Mask: This is one of those weird looking sheet masks that I use when my face needs a little extra moisture. I feel like I always forget to save the packaging for these, but I use them often enough. Would I repurchase? I went nuts and bought a ton of boxes of ten with SaSa had a huge sale last year. I don't actually need to buy any more of these.

Korres Quercetin & Oak Anti-ageing Anti-wrinkle Eye Cream: I bought this as a small add on when I made an order through All Cosmetics Wholesale at the end of the summer. It was okay. Just another eye cream that I needed to use up. I do like the tube packaging that it comes in. Would I repurchase? This was a cheap eye cream, but I feel like there are others that I like better that I would rather spend a few more dollars on instead.

Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in Pomegranate and Hot Tamale: This is another thing that I always throw away. I usually use Garnier when I dye my hair and these are from the last two times that I dyed my hair. I was cleaning my bathroom and these two boxes were kicking around. Would I repurchase? I used to use Hot Tamale a long time ago and Pomegranate is a color that I usually use. This time around, I'm planning on using something different. I will eventually go back to my Garnier colors though.

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.