Empty Beauty Finds, Part III

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared my last dose of empties! I’m always fascinated when others share their trials and tribulations on things they found and loved, especially when it comes to beauty products. In case you missed my first posts of empties, you can check it out here and here! In the meantime, I wanted to share a number of my favorite beauty related empties that I’ve had some luck with.

LIVING PROOF PERFECT HAIR DAY DRY SHAMPOO (TWO SIZES)

This stuff is my holy grail hair product. I’ve used it for years but I’ve only been using it properly more recently. I’ve done a few tutorials on how to use this dry shampoo most recently here! I used to wash my hair every single day until I started using Living Proof, now I can go much longer. To read more about my hair favorites, you can check out this post.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Already have. Couldn’t live without this stuff.

COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD EXTREME RECOVERY CREAM

I have combination oily/dry skin and sometimes I get these dry patches that just do not budge. I like to lather it in those problem areas, especially overnight and I think it helps. It provides maximum levels of continuous moisture while strengthening the hydro-lipid barrier. Next-generation ingredients fight signs of fine lines and wrinkles while evening out skin tone and texture. If you’re lazy like me and don’t screw the top on properly each time, beware. It can dry out rather quickly, so just a heads up on that!
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes, probably in the fall/winter though!

COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD FACE OIL No 9

I’m super picky about using oils on my skin and can only use them at night but this one is a sure winner. It’s a little pricey but well worth the hype. It has an active combination of precious oils and vitamins offers protection from oxidative stress that results in the appearance of spots and wrinkles. This formula also improves the skin's moisture barrier for enhanced cellular function and hydration, leaving no greasy residue.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes, for sure.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN ROSE CLEANSING BALM

I LOVE using a cleansing balm to get rid of all of the dirt, grime and makeup for the day especially with these reusable towel pads. I usually go back and forth between the Elemis Cleansing Balm and the Colleen Rothschild one. I like them equally but feel like the Elemis one is a little thinner in texture. This is my first time trying their rose scented balm and I’m a fan. Felt very luxurious and spa-like.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Probably. Once I get through the rest of cleansing balm product I have!

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM

I use this stuff sparingly because of the price but I did finally make my way through the entire jar. A little goes a long way, it’s a super moisturizing, yet ultra-light daily anti-wrinkle gel cream is proven to quench thirsty skin and increase hydration, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and help to improve the look of firmness and elasticity.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes but maybe the one with SPF 30 in it.

FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR FIRMING COLLAGEN CREAM

I started testing this out in December and I was skeptical… ANOTHER product on the market with collagen? What does collagen even do anyway? Well thanks to FAB’s education, I learned that our skin starts to lose collagen at 25 so I quickly started lathering that all over my face and neck. Turns out, this stuff is AMAZING. It’s a luxurious moisturizer that hydrates and helps visibly firm skin. I’m on my third jar now.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Already did and currently using!

FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR CREAM

I almost regret introducing this stuff to BK because now we go through it twice as fast but if that tells you anything, it is THE BEST! It is one of the only products that I will use on my face and body. We both love lathering it on post-shower or on extra dry/rough patches throughout the day. Another fun fact? 10% of the retail sales of these two sizes will be added to the brand’s $1 Million commitment towards relieving student loan debt. You can read more about that here! This has quickly become one of my must-have beauty products, I definitely notice when I don’t use it.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Already did and currently using! I wish they came out with a pump version!

FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR FACE MOISTURIZER

This is the moisturizer I grab when I can’t find my others. It’s a nurturing daily facial moisturizer that provides hydration, leaving skin silky-soft and smooth but it’s not my favorite. I think it’s super lightweight and non-scented (which is great for some days) but other days I feel like I need more.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Probably wouldn’t go out of my way for it, no.

FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR HYALURONIC HYDRATING PRIMER

I told you last time that I would report back on this one! I usually use their Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer and have been since college. They are both great for a little glow on no makeup days and doubles as a primer for the days that I do. I think I like this one more! You can’t really go wrong with either but I think I’ve converted. They have similar feelings on the skin but the HA one has less of a pinky/pearly tone to it and it has a really lovely subtle scent.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? 100% yes.

FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR OAT & HEMP SEED DRY OIL

This is my first time using the oil after hearing the FAB team rave about it! As I said before, I am super picky about oils (can only wear them at night) I decided to give it a try. It’s a treatment oil infused with cannabis sativa seed oil and colloidal oatmeal to help de-stress and hydrate dry, reactive, and sensitive skin. I don’t have a lot of redness but I did feel like this was a great oil that didn’t leave my skin feeling super greasy like a glazed donut (although sometimes I do love that).

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes, a good lightweight summer oil.

FIRST AID BEAUTY EYE DUTY TRIPLE REMEDY AM GEL CREAM

FAB has a bunch of eye creams, I’ve been slowly but surely been working my way through them all. This is a fast-absorbing eye treatment that hydrates, helps skin appear firmer and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the entire orbital eye area. It has a lightweight, gel-cream texture that delivers an instant burst of cool hydration upon application. This appears to be final sale on the website so I’m thinking they’re discontinuing it. I liked it but I think I like my Retinol one more from them.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Probably not.

FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR HYDRATING SERUM (x3)

This is my favorite serum EVER, if you can’t already tell by the three empty bottles of it! It plays nicely with others. It’s lightweight but super hydrating, as its water-based and gives the skin its daily dose of moisture for soft, smooth, youthful-looking skin. I wear this every single day! Cannot recommend it enough.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? You already know the answer to this - ha!

ZO SKIN HEALTH EXFOLIATING POLISH

I got this from a medical spa that I go to here in Buffalo after complaining about severe dry skin patches. It’s a super fine magnesium crystals scrub that provides exfoliation benefits by instantly polishing skin to restore smoother texture and healthy glow. It removes dead skin cells to help prevent clogged pores. A little goes a long way so this lasted me about 5 months. I don’t LOVE the price but I’ve never used anything like it, I loved how fine it was and it helped get rid of my dry, flaky skin patches.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Still deciding.

TRISH MCEVOY LASH CURLING MASCARA

I discovered this brand a few years ago from a friend who used to work for the brand. This mascara is tubular so it never flakes and when you wash it off, it comes off in “tube-like” form so it never gives you raccoon eyes. It’s one of my favorites to wear, especially on my bottom lashes so I never have to worry about flaking.

WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes!

EQUILIBRIA SOFTGELS, RELIEF CREAM + DAILY DROPS

If you’ve been around here for a minute, you know my love for Equilibria is REAL. I’ve been very open and honest about my experience with CBD. You can read more about it here and here. Not to sound dramatic but it has significantly helped me with sleep and anxiety. I take the soft gels every night, use the relief cream on sore muscles and period cramps and take the drops throughout the day (some days needed more than others). Highly recommend taking their quiz to determine what products / dosage is right for you! If you decide to sign up, you can use “caralynmirand” for a discount here!

GOT EMPTIES?

Seeing all of these empties piled up made me feel wasteful. Luckily, one of my kind readers reminded me of Nordstrom’s partnership with Terracycle so you can bring your empties to any Nordstrom location for free. From there, they will take your empties and recycle them for free! Their goal is to recycle 100 tons of packaging by 2025.

I hope you enjoyed digging through my empties! Should I continue to do these? Feel free to leave any questions or beauty related requests below. Thanks for reading! xx CMK