Empty Beauty Finds, Part Four
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 few posts of empties, you can check it out here, 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 and some that I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.
makeup:
This stuff is my absolute jam. I’ve tried the other formulas (original and matte) and for whatever reason, this one agrees with me most. I’ve kept in my makeup kit for years, I wear it the most in the spring/summer because I love the full coverage aspect and the high SPF. I’ve tried it all and personally think it applies best with a damp beauty sponge, giving you a flawless finish. Highly recommend using Sephora’s shade finder to help you determine the best color match.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Absolutely, already have!
SMASHBOX STUDIO SKIN 24 HOUR OIL-FREE HYDRA FOUNDATION
I discovered this product years ago on set as a model and have re-purchased year after year. I usually keep two shades in my kit at all times (2.12 and 2.2) depending on my tan. It is a full coverage, long wear foundation that also photographs really well. If I have a long day or a photo shoot where I need to keep my makeup on for a long time, I will always use this. I also use this with a beauty sponge.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Absolutely, already have!
I usually alternate between this formula and the matte formula, I try to keep both in my kit. The difference is that this one is creamier, which is great for under eyes or small blemishes. It’s pricey but haven’t found any that compare. I use shade “custard.”
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Forever and ever! Love this stuff!
I bought this powder in attempt of finding a less expensive loose powder than what I usually use and this definitely did the trick. I use this to ‘set the wet’ after applying liquid foundation on my face. The formula was fine and it laid nicely, best applied with a powder brush or damp beauty sponge.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? I wouldn’t go out of my way for it again but would definitely use it in a pinch and recommend it as a more cost effective alternative to the Laura Mercier face powder.
LAURA MERCIER SECRET BRIGHTENING POWDER FOR UNDER EYES
If I had to choose only 5 beauty items, this under eye powder has to be one of them. I didn’t know powder could be as fine as this, it sets my liquid concealer so beautifully and brightens the under eye without any creasing. 10/10 recommend. Best applied with a damp beauty sponge.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes, I have over and over and will continue!
TRISH MCEVOY INTENSE EYELINER GEL PENCIL
Ever since I learned how to use this gel liner properly, I’ve been a believer. It’s meant to be dotted (not dragged) in between lashes on the lash line (instead of above or below). I have a tutorial saved to my “Makeup Tips” highlight on IG. It subtly defines the eye in a way that I absolutely love. I usually alternate between colors “Black” and “Arabian Nights”
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? YES! One of my favorite under rated items ever!
As I mentioned above, I usually alternate between this matte formula and the radiance one mentioned above. Biggest differences are that this one comes in a little pot (vs the tube) and this is a matte formula which means no shine. I find this works best on pesky acne blemishes and severely tired under eyes. A little goes a very long way, I also use shade “custard” in this one.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes, absolutely!
skincare + hair:
FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR HYDRATING SERUM (x2)
This is my favorite serum EVER, if you can’t already tell by the two empty bottles of it! I can’t keep enough of it around. 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!
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!
Always on the hunt for a new cleanser that wont irritate my skin so I was excited to try this. The formula was clear and runny but lathered really nicely. The scent was very light, which I appreciated and it didn’t ever leave my skin feeling dry. I will call out one thing… if you don’t close the tube all the way, it will leak all over the place so just and FYI there. I wish it was in a pump!
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? I would!
DIME BEAUTY RESTORATIVE NIGHT CREAM, HYLAURONIC ACID SERUM + HYPER GLOW
I worked with DIME Beauty a few months ago on a series of posts. I really like their matte liquid lipsticks and mascara. I started testing their serum but had to stop due to irritation due to another product I was testing at the time. I like their stuff because it’s clean and I’m always on the hunt for cleaner products that work. I also tried their skincare… I liked the night cream but though the HA serum was stick and didn’t think the Hyper Glow did much.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Not their skincare, no!
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. I am testing out their new formula and will be sure to share a review when it’s empty. I have really been liking it and have found it to be lighter and less gritty.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Already have. Couldn’t live without this stuff.
more skincare + body
FAB PHARMA CALAMINE PORE PURGING MASK
This mask is fabulous if you’re dealing with any sort of breakouts or just need to cleanse those pores. When it dries, it has a micro scrub in it so it washes off really nicely. The calamine in it is super soothing. Pro tip: apply it on a clean face and let it harden before going into the shower and scrub it off in the shower.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Absolutely, already have!
FAB PHARMA ARNICA RELIEF + RESCUE
If you ever have dry or irritated skin, this mask is a must. You apply it on thick and it dissolves into the skin and you can tissue off any excess. I like to apply it on a clean face about an hour before bed (I don’t tissue off excess) and it’s great waking up with hydration. I have combination oily/dry so I’ll use this on my dry spots and the above mask on my oily spots!
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes, already have!
FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR WILD OAT HYDRATING TONER
I LOVE this toner. Fun fact about toners, they should NEVER leave your skin feeling dry or tight. This gently refreshes the skin and hydrates. I apply it onto my skin after cleansing, before serums and moisturizer.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Yes! Already have + using.
FIRST AID BEAUY ULTRA REPAIR BARRIAR CREAM
I’m always switching up my moisturizers and I love FAB so I had to try this one. This had kind of a “whipped and bubbly” texture to it, which applied nicely on the skin. I did have to be careful with it though because if I applied too much, it piled underneath makeup.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Probably not. I liked it but the collagen one is my jam.
ELEMIS PRO COLLAGEN EYE REVIVE MASK
This mask says its good for AM and PM but I think it’s best used in the evening because it didn’t layer well with makeup. I didn’t really notice any significant changes, cooling or brightness with it.
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Nah.
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.
I received this in a PR kit and LOVED the smell. The formula was of a typical shower gel but I felt like the scent stayed with me post-shower. I don’t see the exact bottle on their website (wondering if it was a limited edition) but you could check out their full assortment here!
WOULD I BUY AGAIN? I’d use it again, not sure I’d go out of my way to purchase though.
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. Be sure to check out the ‘Beauty’ tab on the blog for more! Thanks for reading! xx CMK