2020 Empties
One of the most telltale (and satisfying) topics of the year! I love when I get to the bottom of a product, toss it in my empties bin, and bask in the achievement of finishing a full product. For a single face, I think that I racked up quite the number of empties this year.
Let’s get into it!
Acure Clarifying Shampoo ($10) - I’ve tried many of their shampoos including the fig (discontinued), supergreens, and daily workout shampoos. I love the affordable price point of these, but unfortunately the formulas didn’t hit the mark for me. I have quite oily hair and need a deep clean that doesn’t overly strip. These shampoos are much more fitted for light washes. I also found that there’s a slight post-wash residue that weighs down my hair with an oily slip. I much prefer the Luseta charcoal or Amika Normcore shampoos.
Pixi Hydrating Milky Remover ($24) - Eye makeup removers are one of the trickiest products to find. Our skin is all very different, so it’s important to find a formula that suits your needs! I talked about this remover in a dedicated blog post linked here. It’s gentle on the eyes and doesn’t burn. It has both these qualities and takes off makeup with ease. A product I would recommend for all skin types! Would definitely repurchase and currently already have two back ups.
Make Prem Micro Tension Cream ($30)- The first water cream I tried. It has a thick consistency and provides the skin with deep moisture and a high shine dewy finish. I thought this cream did an adequate job as a moisturizer, but didn’t see anything special in it to repurchase, especially for the price. Overall, I give it a 7/10.
Good Molecules Niacinamide Toner ($14) - I’m a big fan of Good Molecules, they are a clean yet affordable brand with an emphasis on quality ingredients. On days when I’m using treatments in cleansers or serums, I look for a simple and moisturizing toner like this one. There are no frills to this toner. It provides my skin with lots of hydration and cools down any irritation. I’m already on my second bottle!
Tatcha Dewy Cream ($68) - If you’ve been following for a while, or even if you’re new here, you’ve heard me rave about this cream time and time again. If I lost all my skincare, I would only need this one product! And maybe a cleanser. I’ve emptied two of these magnificent pots and don’t plan on stopping!
Good Molecules Moisturizer ($14) - Another simple and reliable product from Good Molecules. It’s a lightweight yet very moisturizing cream. I used it nonstop during the summer and spring, and it gave my skin exactly what it needed. A great affordable option and definitely would repurchase!
Bliss Makeup Melt ($13) - I started by using this product for its original purpose, but then found a handy place for it in fighting body acne! I have the occasional breakout on my face, but I deal with ongoing backne, and it is a struggle. I use this light milky cleanser to gently but firmly cleanse my back. It does a great job at suppressing new breakouts. I’m currently trying the Versed backne spray, so don’t know if I’ll repurchase it yet.
Laneige Cream Skin Toner ($33) - I absolutely love how unique this toner is. It’s a toner moisturizer hybrid, although I still like to top it with my normal moisturizer for extra hydration. It gives a brilliant dewy finish and I would definitely repurchase. 10/10!
Fresh Lip Treatment ($24) - I loved these for so long until I realized they use a chemical sunscreen ingredient I don’t agree with. The formula is so smooth, and I find the non-spf one to be a great alternative! Wouldn’t repurchase this one but am currently using the other version.
Primera Essence ($58) - A running trend in my empties is clean and simple qualities in products. This essence plumps your skin and my face instantly goes from desert dry to dewy dumpling! Would repurchase in the future.
Erborian Milk and Peel Balm ($32) - Sesame seed oil is a key ingredient in this cleanser, and although it’s nourishing, there is quite a heavy residue. For my dry skin, the moisture left behind is ok, but probably not something for oily/combo skin types. There are much better and more reasonably priced oil cleansers out there. Some of my favorites are the Primera Four Seed cleanser and Farmacy cleansing balm.
