products i’ve used up – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: products i’ve used up

Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

It’s been quite some time since I shared an Empties post here on the blog (it appears the last one was in 2017 – oops!). While I’ve shared snippets on my Instagram regularly, I thought it would be fun to share mini reviews with you on all of the products I’ve used up recently. The skincare, hair care, and body care items in this post are some of my go to cruelty free and vegan products that I repurchase regularly. You’ll also notice that I am quite loyal to both The Body Shop and Derma E! I love both of these brands because they offer effective products at prices I can afford.

Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

Products from Derma E provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links.

Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub | $15.50 | BUY

First up is the Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub with Activated Charcoal. I’ve used this scrub for many years. It’s gentle enough to use daily, but still effective at keeping the skin clear and free of dry flakes. I recently stopped using this on my face, as I was using a cleanser with a chemical exfoliant (more on that later). Instead, I’ve used this in my underarms about 1-2 times per week. This has really helped to get rid of any odors that I experience after working out in the humid summer months, all while using a natural deodorant.

Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser | $13.75 | BUY

The cleanser I used up is the Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser. This is a new-to-me product, but I absolutely loved it! As mentioned, this has glycolic acid in it to exfoliate the skin. I found that my face was much more even, hydrated, and clear when using this product. It was also nice to not have to use a physical exfoliant as an additional step in my skincare routine. I love testing out new cleansers, but I would definitely consider repurchasing this one.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate | $32.00 | BUY

Next up is my all-time favorite eye care product, The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate. This is an eye serum, and comes with a rollerball applicator. This is the only eye care product that works for me! I find that it helps to minimize my fine lines when I use it regularly. I do wish the packaging was more environmentally friendly, but I continue to repurchase this because I like it so much.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion | $24.00

Another favorite product of mine is The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion. I use this morning and night before I apply serum. My skin loves this product, as it helps to keep my skin hydrated, clear, and smooth. It’s currently not available on The Body Shop’s website, and I’m seriously hoping it hasn’t been discontinued! If you do ever see this back in stock, I highly recommend it.

The Body Shop Juicy Pear Body Scrub | $24.00 | BUY SIMILAR

Moving onto body care, I used up the Juicy Pear Body Scrub from The Body Shop. This was a limited edition holiday scent, but I really enjoy the scrubs from The Body Shop. This one was a sugar-based scrub, but I enjoy all of the available formulas as long as they are vegan. I typically like to grab a few scrubs during the Black Friday sale to save money and stock up for the year. They smell great, and keep the skin really smooth.

The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $6.00 | BUY

A hidden gem product at The Body Shop is definitely the Make-Up Setting Spray. This is by far my favorite setting spray ever! Not only does it keep my makeup in place throughout the day, but it helps reduce any cakey appearance. This spray has aloe vera in it as well, so it helps to keep the skin hydrated. My only critique with this product is that the bottle is only 60 ml. I would buy this in jumbo size if I could!

Derma E Thickening Conditioner | $9.99 | BUY

Last but not last is the Derma E Thickening Conditioner. I first tried this product when I received it from the brand for review, and now I’ve purchased it twice myself. I like this conditioner because it is gentle on the scalp and hydrating for my hair without making it greasy. I pair this conditioner with the Scalp Relief Shampoo for my go to hair routine.

That wraps up this round of empty product reviews! I hope you’ve found this post helpful if you are also on the lookout for cruelty free and vegan products that are worth the money. Please let me know in the comments if you would like to see regular empties posts here on the blog. I love sharing mini reviews of all the beauty products I’ve used up completely!

Beauty Empties | Spring 2017

Posted on July 10, 2017July 8, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you mini reviews of all the beauty products I used up this spring. For the past year or so, I’ve focused on using a smaller beauty collection, and only opening one product of each type at a time. I do have a numerical goal of emptying 120 products this year, but so long as I reduce my spending and focus on simplifying my beauty stash I will consider that a success! Let me show you all of the products I used up in April, May, and June of 2017.

Want to see what I used up this winter? Check out THIS blog post!

MAKEUP SAMPLES

One thing I’ve been doing to use up my beauty stash is to always use a sample first. I used to save samples for travel or for another special occasion, and they would pile up and expire before I could use them. Focusing on them as soon as I get them ensures I put them to use!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked this primer, and it seemed to work well for me. I got a couple uses out of this sample packet, but I would be open to trying it more in the future. I do like how light it is on the skin!
Would I Buy it Again? I would like to try more before I buy the full size.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation [BUY]

Mini Review: I got four samples of this foundation with a Too Faced order, and I enjoyed trying them even though they are all different shades. I ended up deciding the shade Snow is closest to my natural skin tone, but it’s not a perfect match. That being said, I loved this foundation! It reminds me of Kat Von D’s Lock-it, but a bit lighter in coverage.
Would I Buy it Again? I would if Too Faced released a better shade for me.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]

Mini Review: I‘ve loved Smashbox primers for years now, and recently discovered they are vegan! You can check out the full list of vegan Smashbox products HERE if you’re interested. This is a great primer, but I do prefer the Light version, which is more mattifying. Nonetheless, I love this primer as it smooths out my skin and helps conceal enlarged pores.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! However, I would buy the Light version over this one.

MAKEUP

e.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara [BUY]

Mini Review: This is the second e.l.f. mascara I’ve tried, and it is the second to disappoint me. When I opened this mascara, I knew right away it was going to be bad – barely any product came off the brush! I would describe this as better than wearing no mascara, but that’s about it. Plus, this mascara dried up extremely quickly. It may only be a few dollars, but it was a wasted few dollars.
Would I Buy it Again? No!

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear CC Cream [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely loved this CC Cream! It has amazing coverage, lasts throughout the day, and provides moisturization to the skin without being too oily. Unfortunately, this product is not vegan, so I won’t be purchasing it again. I am now on the hunt for another BB or CC cream.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

Mini Review: I made sure to use up my travel size of setting spray before it expired. This is a holy grail product for me! I will also keep this container so I can wash it out and reuse it for future travel. It is much more cost effective to decant the bigger size than to repurchase a travel size.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using a full size bottle.

e.l.f. Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this setting powder to replace my Rimmel Stay Matte, and while it isn’t as good as that powder, it still gets the job done. I love how cost effective this powder is, but I do wish there was less packaging involved. I am going to reuse this compact because it has a nice size mirror inside!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another compact.

SKINCARE

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY]

Mini Review: You all know by now that I love these makeup remover wipes! I repurchase them because the price point is great, and I love how they work. I am going to try to cut down on how I often I use these wipes, since I’m cutting down on disposable products in general. However, these are great for removing makeup and cooling the skin.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost [BUY]

Mini Review: It took me forever to use up this product! I originally purchase it because I thought it was a serum, but this is more of a primer that you use after moisturizer and before makeup. I did like this product, but I was very glad to empty it because it had been in my collection a bit too long.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub [BUY]

Mini Review: I found this scrub at Target, and I really like it! The texture almost reminds me of sand, but it does a nice job at exfoliating the skin without being too harsh. I was ready to try out a new product as I finished this tube, but I’m still happy with how it performed.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe, but I do enjoy trying new scrubs.

Dollar Shave Club Daily Face Moisturizer (not pictured) [BUY]

Mini Review: I used up a small sample of moisturizer that I got with a Dollar Shave Club subscription. I apologize that it didn’t get pictured for some reason! I liked this moisturizer a lot, as it has SPF25 and smells amazing. It was a bit too heavy for my skin, but if you like deep hydration, this is a great option.
Would I Buy it Again? Perhaps in the winter months.

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant [BUY]

Mini Review: I finally finished up my non-vegan deodorant stash! I had purchased a pack of Dove deodorant at a box store because this was my go-to for years. This was the only deodorant from the drugstore that I really loved, but I’m now on the hunt for a good vegan option. Stay tuned to find out what my new holy grail will be!

HAIR CARE

CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

Mini Review: The one non-vegan product I continue to purchase is this medicated shampoo. I thankfully don’t need to use it as often in the summer months, but it gets the job done when I need it. No one likes an itchy and uncomfortable scalp!

ORAL CARE

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Flouride Toothpaste [BUY]

Mini Review: I really liked using this toothpaste! I thought the spearmint flavor would be a bit stronger based on the name, but there’s nothing I really dislike about the toothpaste.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another tube.

SPRING EMPTIES: 18

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 35

All in all, I am very happy with how many products I’ve used up even though I’m way behind on my goal of 120 empties. I’ve done a great job at using up samples, minimizing my collection, and not overbuying products. Plus, I’m at the point where I only have a few non-vegan products left to use up! Once they are all gone I plan on sharing a makeup and skincare collection so you can know what I’m currently using.

What products have you used up lately? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Beauty Empties | Winter 2017

Posted on April 5, 2017April 3, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the products I used up in the first three months of 2017. Last year I began the #365DaysofEmpties project, and this year I am continuing to focus on using the products in my collection before purchasing anything new. While I do have a goal to empty 120 products in 2017, my true objective is to own less products and spend less money. I’ll be sharing mini reviews of each product I use up with you every season! Let’s jump into all of the beauty products I’ve emptied so far this year.

If you are new to my blog, I wanted to quickly share with you a bit more about me and how that relates to my beauty stash. I went vegan this past June, and although I immediately changed my diet, I decided to use up many of the non-vegan products I owned so as to not waste them. Thus, although my empties posts do contain non-vegan products, I only purchase vegan items now. I will share mini-reviews on the non-vegan products, but won’t mention if I will repurchase them, and instead mark each one with an asterisk.

MAKEUP

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

Mini Review: This makeup setting spray is one of my holy grail beauty products. It truly makes a huge difference in how my makeup wears throughout the day, and I continue to buy it despite the high price. I love that it controls my oily skin, and if I ever forget to wear it I can tell.
Repurchase? Yes!

*Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [BUY]

Mini Review: I finally finished up my last Rimmel Stay Matte powder. I am sad to see this go, as this was my favorite setting powder. However, I’m currently using an option from e.l.f. that is getting the job done.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper [BUY]

Mini Review: I really liked using this sample of eyeliner from Kat Von D. I found it to be very pigmented, and it has a nice brush applicator. I don’t wear eyeliner often, so I can’t say if it is better than other brands.
Repurchase? Maybe. I would prefer to buy an affordable eyeliner to keep in my stash for the few times a year I do wear it.

SKINCARE

*Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this eye cream in a subscription box, and I found it to be just okay. I’ve never found an eye cream that I really love, and this one falls into that same category of being fine but not bringing me any results.

*Fresh Soy Face Cleanser [BUY]

Mini Review: I really enjoyed the way this cleanser made my skin feel after use, which was soft and very clean. However, it smelled really weird. This was a nice cleanser to use up, but the smell definitely put me off a bit.

*Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser [BUY]

Mini Review: I really loved this cleanser when I first started using it, but I definitely got sick of it towards the end. This cleanser feels really nice, but sometimes the texture was too thick and high maintenance for me. It smells amazing, though!

*The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer

Mini Review: This moisturizer was great for my skin! It was definitely the perfect weight for my skin, which gets oily very easily. This product is not available for purchase any longer, but it was a nice option at the time.

Yes to Blueberries Intensive Skin Repair Serum [BUY]

Mini Review: I have very mixed thoughts about this serum. When I first used it, my skin broke out like crazy, so I stopped using it for a while. Once I picked it back up, my skin really enjoyed it! My only real issue is that my foundation didn’t cooperate well with this serum.
Repurchase? Probably not. I’m sure there are better options!

Yes to Cucumber Facial Wipes [BUY]

Mini Review: These are now my go to makeup remover wipes! I regularly buy them, and look for them during sale events. I find they do a great job at removing all my makeup without being too harsh. The cucumber is also very refreshing.
Repurchase? Yes!

HAIR CARE

*Living Proof No Frizz Styling Spray [BUY]

Mini Review: A friend gave me this product a couple years ago, and I finally finished it! This is one of the best anti-frizz sprays I’ve ever used. My hair always came out nice and sleek when I used this product, but it also didn’t get weighed down or oily. The only drawback would be the chemically smell.

*CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

Mini Review: Unfortunately, this is the one non-vegan product I continue to buy because I need it for medical reasons. You’ve probably heard me talk about how I have a very sensitive scalp. This is especially true in the winter months when the atmosphere is much drier. This is the only shampoo I’ve tried that I can count on to clear up the itchiness and patchy scales. If I don’t use it, my scalp will feel irritated all day long. Not fun!

*Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask [BUY]

Mini Review: I used this mask as my regular conditioner by only applying it from the ear down and letting it sit for about a minute. This was a nice product, but I used it every now and then because it is very heavy for my fine hair. If you have dry and thick hair, this might be a great choice!

BODY CARE

*Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Shower Gel

Mini Review: I got this shower gel for free during the Christmas 2015 season. I only used it in the winter, so that’s why it took me so long to use the whole bottle! I’m glad I’m all done with my Bath & Body Works stash now. These shower gels are just too drying!

*The Body Shop Aloe Body Butter [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this lotion because it was the only unscented option from The Body Shop at the time. This was definitely a great body butter, and it is perfect for someone who is sensitive to smells. I am glad to use this up, though, because it is too thick to use in the upcoming summer months for me.

*Dove Advanced Care Deodorant [BUY]

Mini Review: This Dove deodorant has been my go to for a few years now, and I bought a pack at a box store to save money. I’m nearly through that pack, and will then be moving on to a natural option that is also vegan. I’ve heard that these mainstream deodorants are really bad for our bodies, but I haven’t done accurate research to know all the science behind this claim. It is a shame because this deodorant works really well!

ORAL CARE

*Colgate Total Advanced Fresh + Whitening [BUY]

Mini Review: I’m beyond excited that I’ve used up the last non-vegan oral care item in my beauty stash. This toothpaste was nice, but I don’t feel like it did anything to whiten my teeth. The only reason I bought this one in particular was because I had a coupon and it was on sale at the time.

WINTER EMPTIES: 17

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 17

All in all, while I am behind in my goal of reaching 120 empty products this year, I’m so happy to be using products in my stash and clearing out a lot of old products. I’m especially glad to be using many new skincare products, but it’s overall a great feeling to empty my cupboards and purchase just the vegan products I really need. Let me know if you are interested in a blog post about backup products and stock piles. My views have really changed in the past few years!

What products have you used up recently? Let me know in a comment!

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

December Empties | #365DaysofEmpties | 2016 Conclusion + 2017 Goals

Posted on January 11, 2017January 8, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am really excited to share my December empties with all of you, and to discuss how my #365DaysofEmpties project went for the year. I decided to challenge myself to complete 100 products in 2016, and at the end of November it was pretty clear to me that goal would not be possible. Let me show you the products I used up in December, and then I’ll share my thoughts on this project for 2016 and whether or not I plan to continue in 2017.

SKINCARE

Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: It took me over a year to use up this entire bottle of cleanser! I kept this in the shower, and I really like it. While this cleanser is gentle on the skin, it does an amazing job at cleaning my face and clearing it of dirt and impurities. I did get a bit sick of using it in the last few months, but it felt great to use this whole thing!
Would I Buy it Again? I can definitely see myself going back to this cleanser at some point in the future.

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: I used up another pack of my current favorite face wipes! I’m not going to go into too much detail here, as I mention how much I love these wipes in a ton of blog posts!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I have a stock pile!

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment [BUY] – 1 sample

Mini Review: My skin was in a very bad place for a while, so I used this sample I got in a subscription box. Wow! Good Genes really brought my skin back to life! It helped clear my breakouts and balance out my skin tone. I did not like the pungent smell, and I do wish this product was vegan (though it is cruelty free!). Unfortunately, I would not be able to repurchase this even if it became vegan – it’s $105!

BODY CARE

Dr. Carver’s Easy Shave Butter [BUY] – 1 sample

Mini Review: I got this sample from Dollar Shave Club, and it did not work for me at all. In fact, my skin felt quite irritated after trying out this shave gel!
Would I Buy it Again? No!

The Body Shop Mango Sugar Body Scrub [BUY] – 1 jar

Mini Review: I really like this scrub from The Body Shop. I didn’t use it as often as I would like because mango wasn’t a seasonal scent. I love using seasonal scents, so I need to plan my purchases a bit better going forward. For example, the only scrub I have now is pink grapefruit, and I haven’t wanted to use it!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes, but in the summer!

Seventh Generation Natural Hand Wash Free & Clean Unscented [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: This hand soap was a huge disappointment for me! First of all, it is not unscented. It has a chemically smell, which is ironic since this is supposed to be natural. Plus, I feel like my hands didn’t get 100% clean with this soap. Even if this soap was vegan, I would not buy it again.

DECEMBER EMPTIES: 6

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 90

As you can see, I did not reach my goal of completing 100 products in 2016. I did come very close, and I am happy with my progress. I had no idea when I began this goal that I would be switching to a vegan lifestyle halfway through the year. This switch resulted in my decluttering many of my non-vegan products and repurchasing vegan items. This is especially true when it came to makeup. Of course, I still have a good amount of non-vegan products to use up, and you will see these in future empties posts until I decide I’m no longer comfortable using those products (or until they are all done!).

This was the first year I tracked all of the products I’ve used up, so it will be very interesting to see how I do in 2017. I will continue to document my empties with all of you on the blog, but I will do so seasonally instead of monthly. I felt like my empties posts seemed a bit repetitive sharing them every month.

My new goal for 2017 is to use up 120 empties, or an average of 10 empties per month. I do think this is an achievable goal, as I won’t be switching to a new lifestyle as I did in 2016, and thus can focus on my current stash. I’ve also become much better at only buying what I really need, and only using 1-2 products at a time. I also know that while it’s fun to give myself a specific goal to strive towards, my main focus in doing the #365DaysofEmpties project is to save money and not hoard excess products. I hope to be even better at this going forward!

Did you participate in the #365DaysofEmpties?! Please share how you did in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

October & November Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on November 30, 2016November 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have my October and November beauty empties to share with you. I didn’t have the opportunity to post October’s empties at the end of last month, so I’ve lumped them together with November’s. I haven’t used up too many products these past couple of months, which makes me a bit nervous about finishing my #365DaysofEmpties goal for this year. Let me share my mini reviews of the products I’ve finished, and share my plans on the #365DaysofEmpties project for the rest of the year.

SKINCARE

Avalon Organics Intense Defense Detoxifying Towelettes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Reivew: I found this pack of cleansing wipes at TJ Maxx and decided to pick them up because I love trying different varieties of makeup remover towelettes. These wipes were okay, but I was very happy to see the pack come to an end. I didn’t like the texture of the towelettes or the smell of the wipes. However, it’s great that they are biodegradable and vegan.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: I went back to one of my all-time favorite makeup wipes this month, and I’m so glad I did. The Yes to Cucumbers wipes are soothing, gentle, and remove all my makeup. I think these are going to be my go to brand for a while now.
Would I Buy it Again? I already did!

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: This exfoliator was a big disappointment for me. It smelled funny, and it didn’t remove my dead skin cells. However, I do feel like it helped keep my pores clean. Thus, if you are looking for a really gentle face scrub this might be a good option for you.

HAIR CARE

Batiste Dry Shampoo Original [BUY] – 1 can

Mini Review: It is safe to say that Batiste Dry Shampoo is the best option I’ve found from the drugstore. It leaves my hair feeling fresh and clean, and I like the scent of the Original variety. It can leave a bit of a powdery look to my brunette hair, but it blends out quite well.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Davines Love Conditioner [BUY] – 1 sample

Mini Review: I really enjoyed this sample of conditioner from the brand Davines. I got about 3-4 uses out of this one packet, and my hair looked so nice and shiny whenever I used it. The smell is a bit strong and fragranced, but I otherwise love the product.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes.

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel – 1 bottle

Mini Review: I finished up this bottle of shower gel that I began last fall, and I’m glad I used it all. This product smells amazing, but it is quite drying. Bath and Body Works products have a lot of chemicals in them, and once I use up all of the items I have in my stash I won’t be shopping from them anymore.

Dove Powder 24h Invisible Solid [BUY] – 1 tube

Mini Review: Dove is the only brand of deodorant that works for me consistently. I purchased a nice supply of Dove deodorants and am still working my way through them. This one smells nice and fresh, and I do recommend it. That being said, I am going to try and find a more natural option to use once I run out of Dove.

BRUSH CLEANER

BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Liquid [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: I’ve been trying to clean my BeautyBlender between each use, and my cleanser of choice is the liquid BlenderCleanser. I like this liquid form much more than the solid. It gets my BeautyBlender really clean, and it is easy to use with a pump top.
Would I Buy it Again? I already did!

ORAL CARE

GUM Comfort Slide Flossers [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: If you are trying to get into the habit of flossing daily, I highly recommend starting with flossers. It makes flossing really easy, and it definitely helped me floss regularly. I finished up this pack, and now I’ve moved on to more traditional floss, which is cheaper.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER EMPTIES: 9

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 84

Unfortunately, I am behind in my goal of reaching 100 empties this year. I will need to use up 16 products in the month of December if I want to be successful, and that is a lot! I realize I might not get to 100, but I am going to try to only use the products I currently have open, and if I need to start new ones, to grab sample sizes first. Nonetheless, I’m glad I’ve been keeping track of all my empties this year to see how many products I use up each month. It helps keep my shopping in check for sure!

What products did you use up recently? Let me know in a comment!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

September Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Now that September is coming to a close, it is time for an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project. September went by so quickly for me, and part of that is because I did some traveling in the middle of the month. Thankfully, I still emptied out a good amount of products! I’ve really been concentrating on using up products, and haven’t purchased anything new in a while. I hope to continue doing that for the rest of the year! Let me show you the products I did empty out this month!

MAKEUP REMOVER

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes – 1 travel pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I purchased this pack of wipes for my vacation in Los Angeles. I loved having this on my trip because they helped refresh my skin during the day, and also made for a simpler cleansing process at night when I was exhausted. I had a few left after my trip, so I took the pack home to finish.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe! I liked these, but I do prefer the Yes to Cucumbers wipes.

ELF Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: At first I really loved these wipes because they are super soft and do an amazing job at removing all of my makeup. However, I then read the directions and noticed that you are supposed to rinse your face with water after using them! I know that makeup wipes are not supposed to substitute for washing your face, but many times I want to use them without needing to rinse afterwards. That extra step basically means the wipe is pointless for me.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: These pads are excellent at removing that stubborn eye makeup like mascara. That being said, I used these very rarely, and would like to find a vegan cleanser that is safe to use on the eyes so I don’t need an extra step like this in the future.

MAKEUP

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer – 1 sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked using this primer sample from Hourglass, but I’m not able to tell if I really like it based on one use. Perhaps I can try some more from my local Sephora at some point!
Would I Buy it Again? Not based on this one use.

Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm – 1 tube [no longer available]

Mini Review: I did like this concealer, but it is definitely not the best quality. In fact, I think this is a discontinued product! I used up the entire tube because it did the job, but I wouldn’t buy it again even if it were vegan.

BODY CARE

When on vacation I used up two travel sized body washes from my collection. Unfortunately I don’t have the bottles to show you, but I still wanted to give you mini reviews!

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a good body wash that does not dry out the skin. I appreciate that it gives a nice clean without being harsh. This is also a good option if you do not like scented body washes!

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This body wash smells absolutely amazing! I would have liked a bit more foam while washing, but I still felt clean afterwards. However, I do think this is a bit too expensive for what you get. A full size bottle is $16.00!

SEPTEMBER EMPTIES: 7

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 75

As September comes to a close, I am exactly on track to complete my goal of 100 empties in 2016! I am so proud of myself for really focusing on using up the products in my collection this year. I know I can get really excited about new product releases, and it can be difficult to refrain from splurging. That being said, if you would like to save some money, I definitely recommend giving yourself an empties challenge. It’s fun and it gets you to use your collection!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

July Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on August 1, 2016July 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! It’s now August, and it’s time for me to share an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project. July was unfortunately a bit of a fail for me. I only used up three products! I think because I emptied so many products in June, I just wasn’t close to finishing that many others in my collection in July. Nonetheless, I’m happy to be sharing my mini reviews on these products with you!
I typically separate my empties out into different categories, but with only three products this month, I’ll discuss them all together. Also, I won’t be repurchasing any of these products for reasons I discuss in yesterday’s Upcoming Adventures, so you’ll get my mini reviews only this month.

Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick – 1 tube [BUY]

Mini Review: I really like this foundation stick because it does a great job at providing my skin some coverage while being no fuss to apply. It does cling to dry patches, so I recommend only using this if you have normal or oily skin. I used it with a primer and set it with powder, and found that it lasted all day. It inspired me to look for other foundation sticks that I may enjoy more!

Julep Conditioning Nail Polish Remover – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is one of my all-time favorite nail polish removers. It takes off all my polish while not drying out my nails or cuticles. Plus, it doesn’t smell. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive and is often out of stock on Julep’s website. If you are looking to splurge on a remover that you know will work wonders, definitely check this one out!

Bath & Body Works Merry Cookie Hand Soap – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: It took me so long to finish up this hand soap because I had it in a bathroom I don’t use as much. I finally ran out of this Christmas soap, and I have to say there was nothing really special about it. Basically, the soap smelled like vanilla and cinnamon, which is nice but not so nice I’d rush out for it again. Sometimes I get sucked into the festive products that stores offer just because of the packaging!

JULY EMPTIES: 3

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 58

Unfortunately I am now just slightly behind on my goal of finishing up 100 products this year. I hope next month I will use up more products in my stash! I know I am running low on dry shampoo and night cream, so perhaps you’ll be seeing those in my next empties post! Please let me know in the comments what you finished up this month. I would love to know what you liked or didn’t like! Here’s to using up more products in August.

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

June Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for my monthly check-in with all of you to share the products I used up towards my #365DaysofEmpties goal. I was getting a bit nervous in June, as I only emptied a few products at the beginning of the month. Thankfully, as the month came to a close, a bunch of my products did also. I’m excited to share my mini-reviews with all of you this month, as I emptied a wide variety of products. Let me share my thoughts on the products I used up in June!

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Cream Body Scrub – 1 tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I really enjoy body scrubs from The Body Shop. While I liked the Coca Butter scent of this one, I didn’t love the texture. It felt more abrasive than the sugar and gelee scrubs they also offer.
Would I Buy it Again? I wouldn’t get this particular scrub again, but others from The Body Shop.

Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day Shower Gel – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: While I loved the clean and fresh scent of Beautiful Day, I found it to be quite drying on my skin despite it being labeled as “Shea Enriched.” That being said, this bottle lasted me a few months because only a small amount of product was needed to get a nice lather.
Would I Buy it Again? No, I’m going to look for more natural cleansers in the future.

MAKEUP

Evian Facial Spray – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I mentioned last month how much I love this facial spray. I use it to dampen my BeautyBlender, but also to freshen up in the hot weather. Last month it got really hot, and I was unable to use the air conditioning. This was a lifesaver!
Would I Buy it Again? I would not buy this travel size can again. The full size lasts me about a year, but the mini ran out in just a month. Go big with this one!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve heard great things about this Primer Water, but I didn’t see much of a difference when I used it. It did feel nice on the skin, but it took a while to dry and added time to my makeup routine.
Would I Buy it Again? No. I didn’t see enough results for the price tag.

Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer – 1 tube [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a staple concealer for me. I’ve repurchased it several times, and really enjoy it as a drugstore option. That being said, it does make my fine lines a bit more pronounced, and it’s expensive for the small amount of product.
Would I But it Again? No. I’m going to look for a better option that is more affordable

SKINCARE

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 pack

Mini Review: I love these makeup wipes from Target! They are super affordable, but work well to remove my makeup. Plus, I find wipes really refreshing in the warmer months.
Would I Buy it Again? I’m using another pack right now!

StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: This scrub is awesome! It feels very creamy and gentle on the skin, but truly works to remove dead skin cells. I loved how clear and even my skin felt after using this scrub. Plus, this sample lasted much longer than just the 1.5 weeks it advertised.
Would I But it Again? Maybe. It’s very expensive!

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I’m not sure how I feel about this product! Invisiblur is part serum, part sunscreen, and part primer. I do love how it is a multi-tasker, but I didn’t like the smell. I also found that my foundation didn’t apply as well when I used this product.
Would I Buy it Again? No.

ORAL CARE

GUM Comfort Slide Flossers – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I love using flossers because they make flossing super easy! While they are a bit more expensive than traditional floss, it is 100% worth it if I floss more. I’ve made flossing part of my normal routine since using these!
Would I But it Again? Yes!

HAIR CARE

göt2b Rockin’ It 4Ever Stylestay Dry Shampoo – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this dry shampoo because it was on sale and I had a coupon. Unfortunately, I really did not like it, but still used it all up. It was better than not using any dry shampoo at all, but really didn’t do much for my hair. I don’t recommend it!
Would I Buy it Again? No!

JUNE EMPTIES: 10

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 55

We are now halfway through the year, and I am ahead of my goal to finish up 100 empties! It always feels great to use up a product completely. This month I focused a bit on my deluxe samples, and that helped to move them out of my collection. Plus, it saves me money to use my samples first! As always, please share your thoughts on any of the products I mentioned today with me in the comments.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

May Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on May 30, 2016May 18, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you my May Empties – all of the products that I used up in the month of May. We are now five months through the year, and I feel pretty good about the amount of products I’m emptying versus the amount of new products I’ve added to my stash. It is really helpful to focus on one product at a time, and also use mini products that I received as samples or in subscription boxes. Let me share all of the beauty, skincare, and nail care products with you!

NAIL CARE

Julep Acetone Free Conditioning Nail Polish Remover – 2 Bottles [BUY]

Mini Review: This is my all-time favorite nail polish remover! It does an amazing job at removing all the polish on my nails while still being gentle. Plus, it doesn’t have a strong smell. I do wish this was more affordable, but I use it whenever I can.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I would buy it in bulk if possible!

Berkley Jensen Premium 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I use cotton rounds to remove my nail polish, and I’m still working through the huge pack I got from BJ’s last summer. I buy these in bulk to save money!
Would I Buy it Again? Of course!

SKINCARE

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator – 2 Bottles [BUY]

Mini Review: I really enjoy this scrub, and think it works best when used regularly so you see the effects over time. It’s not the best at removing dead skin cells, but it does really help to clean out the pores and even out your skin tone.
Would I Buy it Again? I would, but the price is very high so I probably won’t.

Sephora Green Tea Eye Mask – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: This is the first sheet mask I’ve ever used for the undereye area, and I really enjoyed it! I felt really relaxed after using this, and my eye area did feel smooth. I’m so glad I tested this out!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I also want to try different varieties.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I am really enjoying this peel, because it is not intimidating. I can feel this peel working when I use it, but it’s not too intense. If you are looking for an easy, at-home peel, this is a great one.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

MAKEUP

I thought I would share all of the products I use during makeup application, removal, and makeup brush cleansing together in one category!

Evian Facial Spray – 1 Can [BUY]

Mini Review: I use this spray to dampen my BeautyBlender everyday, and sometimes to freshen up my face throughout the day. I know it might seem silly to use water in a can, but this can lasted me over a year and is specially designed so that bacteria cannot get into the can.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: These cleansing wipes are designed to remove all makeup while still leaving the skin moisturized. I really love these, and use them several times per week to remove makeup either before cleansing or instead of doing a full skincare routine.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I already have.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer – 1 Tube [BUY]

Mini Review: I am in love with this primer! It has a liquid texture that is not slimy like other primers, and dries to a nice matte finish. I used this on days where I thought my skin was being oily, and it really helped to control that.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes, but I’m working through my other primers right now.

Johnson’s Baby Shampoo – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I bought a small bottle of baby shampoo to use for washing my makeup brushes. I’ve heard this was a good option, and it definitely works! It gets all the product out and leaves the brushes soft.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I purchased a big bottle.

MAY EMPTIES: 11

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 45

I am on track to reach my goal of 100 empties in 2016, and I’m even a few products ahead! My newest goal has been to focus on sample size products whenever I run out of a big bottle, like I did with my PoreDermabrasion this month. Not only is that helping to clean out my stash, but it saves me money! Please let me know in the comments what products you used up in May, and if you are participating in #365DaysofEmpties as well!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

April Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on April 29, 2016April 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! April is coming to a close, and that means it’s time to share with you all of the products I used up this month. I used up a lot of big products in April, which is always a lot of fun. I’ve decided that once I use up a big bottle of something, I’m going to reach for a sample next so I can really focus on emptying those, too. Let me share with you all of my empties for April, and give an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project!

SKINCARE

GlamGlow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment – 1 Sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I was so excited to finally try a product from the high end brand GlamGlow. I only got one use of this face mask from this sample, and to be honest, I wasn’t blown away. My skin felt really clean, but I didn’t have any amazing results. I would need to try this a few more times to see any changes in my skin.
Would I Buy it Again? No. It’s too expensive!

NAIL CARE

Berkley Jensen Premium 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I primarily use cotton rounds to remove my nail polish, and I’ve been doing a lot of swatching lately. I purchase these in bulk from BJ’s to save money, but any pure cotton rounds are excellent. I also use them to cleanse my face sometimes.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo & Conditioner – 2 Bottles [BUY] & [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely love the Advanced Haircare collection from L’Oreal. I’ve tried several different lines, and the Triple Resist is a great one. It’s designed to help strengthen fragile, breaking hair. It definitely lives up to its name, and my fine hair loved it. Keep an eye out for coupons and sales!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m currently using a different line from this collection, though.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – 1 Can [BUY]

Mini Review: Friends, this is my holy grail dry shampoo. I purchase it whenever I can because it gets the job done better than any of the other dry shampoos I’ve tried. It truly zaps the oil right out of my hair, giving it a fresh and clean feeling. It is super expensive, but worth every penny.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! Yes! Yes!

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials 48-Hour Antiperspirant – 1 Tube [BUY]

Mini Review: This is my favorite deodorant from the drugstore, and really the only one that works for me. I would love to find a natural deodorant that works, but so far I haven’t had any luck. I prefer the unscented version, but this Cool Essentials was nice, too.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Olay Ultra Moisture with Shea Butter Moisture Outlast Body Wash – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I received this travel size bottle of body wash from PinchMe for review, and I am pleasantly surprised with how much I love it! This body wash truly does add moisture to the skin while still cleansing. I noticed a big difference when I switched back to my other body wash – my skin was a lot drier. Plus, I love the soothing scent of Shea butter.
Would I But it Again? Yes, but I’m currently using up the other body washes in my stash.

MAKEUP

Covergirl truBLEND Liquid Makeup in L2 Classic Ivory – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is one of my favorite foundations from the drugstore! It is a light-medium coverage for everyday wear, and is buildable for sure. My bottle looks disgusting here, because once the pump stops working I take it out and flip the bottle upside down so the last bits of foundation fall into the cap. It helps me use up all the product!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

APRIL EMPTIES: 8

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 34

I’m glad I used up so many big products in April, but I am a bit nervous looking at my total number of empties for the year! I am still on track to reach my goal of 100 empties in 2016, but I am now only one product ahead of that number. I’m going to work really hard in May to focus on products, and hopefully I can maintain a steady pace. Definitely let me know in the comments if you’ve used any of the products I mentioned today, and your mini review of them!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.