August Empties

One of my favorite things to watch on YouTube is empties videos. In case you don't know, an empties video is a video in which beauty YouTubers talk about the products they used up that month and whether or not they would repurchase them. I don't know if it's weird or not, but I really like seeing the products that YouTubers like enough to use up (although, they don't always like the products they use up). Considering the amount of products that beauty YouTubers buy and receive, I think it's really amazing that they use up any products at all. Plus, I always like to see which products people would repurchase. Because I really like watching empties videos, I've decided to do something different this month and write a post about the products I used up this month.

Cocoa Butter by The Body Shop ($19.90) - I use up lotions and body butters like they're water. I always have a lotion in my purse and one or two on my night stand. This month, I used up a 6.75 Cocoa Butter by The Body Shop. I adore The Body Shop's body butters, and I've gone through many of them in the past. They all have amazing formulas; they're thick, luxurious, and so, so moisturizing. My favorite scents are Coconut and Grapefruit, however the Cocoa scent may be a new favorite for me. I usually buy my Body Shop products from Ulta, although I bought this particular butter from Amazon because it was out of stock on Ulta's website. This body butter smelled amazing, just like cocoa. I'll definitely be repurchasing it in the future, but first I have a bunch of lotions and body butters that I need to use up.

Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Setting Powder by Tarte ($33) - I also used up a travel size of the Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Setting Powder by Tarte (the price for the travel size was $14, in case you're interested). Setting powder, obviously, is a staple for me because I use it every day. I was really excited to try out this particular setting powder because I'd heard a bunch of good things about it. However, to be completely honest, I was a little disappointed by this powder. It has a great soft texture, but I feel like it makes me look a little cakey and dry. Personally, I prefer BareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder, so I probably won't be repurchasing this product.

Fresh Foaming Cleanser by Neutrogena ($6.99) - I've gone through many, many bottles of this cleanser. It's been my go-to face wash for about two years, and I love it. It smells great, it's relatively cheap, it's not too harsh on the skin, and, most importantly, it gets my face clean. I'm probably going to end up repurchasing it eventually, however, right now I'm trying a new facial cleanser from Pacifica, so I'll probably use that up first. However, if you want a good, basic facial cleaner that will get the job done, I highly recommend this product.

Natural Nail Strengthener by OPI ($10) - This was the nail base coat I've been using for the past ~3 months or so. I quite like this nail strengthener (duh, it's OPI), and I would say that I'd definitely repurchase it if I hadn't found a base coat that I like more. My new favorite base coat is the Grow Stronger Base Coat by Essie. However, this is also a solid base coat (hah, "solid," get it?), and I definitely recommend it. The only thing I will say is that this base coat doesn't cover any imperfections in your nail (the Essie base coat does). So, you really have to have perfect nails to make this base coat look perfect, if that makes sense.

Good To Go! Fastest Drying Top Coat by Essie ($9) - This was the top coat I've been using for approximately the past ~3 months (I ran out of top coat and base coat, ironically, at essentially the same time). I don't really have a lot to say about this top coat. It worked. It worked well. It dried quickly. It didn't make a huge impression on me, but I have no complaints about it either. I would definitely repurchase.

Fresh White Musk Body Spray by Body Fantasies Signature ($5.98) - You know how some people have signature scents (or fragrances, if you want to be fancy)? Well, if I had a signature scent, this would be it. I first discovered this body spray at CVS a number of years ago, and, since then, I've gone through three or four bottles (which is saying quite a bit because I hardly ever go through scents completely). It's a lovely, clean floral scent with a musky undertone, and I absolutely adore it. I almost don't know how to describe it, it's clean and fresh, but also really feminine and floral. Does that make sense? It matches every occasion, is really cheap, and it lasts FOREVER. Like, if I wear this body spray, I'll still be able to smell it on my clothes days later (I mean, provided I don't wash the clothes in between). I would definitely, definitely recommend this body spray if you like floral scents. I would also  definitely recommend looking into Body Fantasies body sprays in general. They seem to have a good quality product, their body sprays are less than half the price of a Bath & Body Works body spray, and you can buy them at Wal-Mart (and certain CVS stores).

Twilight Woods Shower Gel by Bath & Body Works ($12.50) - Shower gel is another product that I use up like water (which, I suppose, speaks well of my personal hygiene). I usually get my shower gels from Bath & Body works because I like their scents and I know that their products are  definitely good quality. I found this particular bottle of shower gel while I was moving; it was about 75% empty, so I decided just to use it up. Bath & Body works makes great shower gel; the scents are apparent and long lasting, they're gentle on the skin, and they cleanse well. However, this scent, Twilight Woods, is not my favorite. B & B describes it as "The warmth and mystery of enchanted woods with an enticing blend of apricot nectar, mimosa petals & Tuscan cypress." Translation, it's very sweet and "young" smelling, if that makes sense. I used to love this scent when I was in high school, which is why I had the shower gel; however, I probably will not be repurchasing this particular scent. However, I will definitely continue to buy Bath & Body Works shower gels.

 

Longwear & Waterproof Gentle Eye Makeup Remover by Almay ($5.99) - I usually buy whatever eye makeup remover is on sale at Ulta. I'm not really picky about eye makeup remover (unless it stings my eyes, obviously); however, I have bought and used this makeup remover many times. It's a good, basic product that gets the job done. I'm sure there are better eye makeup removers out there, but, if you just want something cheap that works, this is the product to go for. However, I will say that my skin isn't very sensitive. If you have sensitive skin, this product might be a tad too harsh for you. However, I'll probably be repurchasing this product after I run out of the micellar water that I'm currently using.

Anyway, that was my first "empties" blog. Let me know in the comments if you liked this blog post/ are interested in seeing more posts like this!

P.S. These pictures obviously aren't mine. I got them from the manufacturer/retailer websites because I figured that no one would want to see gross pictures of used up products with messy packaging.