Monthly Empties: January 2024

As someone who has a weakness for seeing what other people have actually used (because that's when you get the real reviews) and as someone who wants to know how much she actually uses in order to temper her purchasing patterns, I'm listing my monthly empties. This does mean there will PRODUCT TALK in case anyone is bothered by that. So, fair warning.

1. Fresh - Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm mini size: This is such a lovely, emollient lip balm that I very much enjoyed. And very much despised the packaging. It's a little too emollient for a twist up tube. It kept smashing into the side and getting stuck and just being frustrating. I wouldn't dare put it in a pocket or even a purse. I think it's only safe to use at home where it won't be jostled around. And I definitely wouldn't pay full price, as much as I liked it. Unless they put it in a squeezy tube (but I don't even know if it would work because it isn't quite emollient for that. I wish there was a better packaging answer, though!).
2. ABH - Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown mini size: I've accumulated a small handful of mini brow pencils from random GWPs. I never reach for them because brow pencils are such a vital part of my makeup routine that I don't like messing with it too much. But I've decided to clear out the mini sizes! I use them only on days when I'm not doing anything important, so it will take longer than I anticipated – even though I've discovered that if I used them every day, I would go through one within a week. The dark brown is not my ideal color, although it isn't terrible, especially when my hair is freshly dyed. But I wouldn't seek it out and purchase it because I like the cheaper options just fine.
3. ABH - Brow Definer Triangular Brow Pencil in Medium Brown mini size: I'm not a fan of the triangular shape. I like the skinny pencils. But I can use it, I don't actively hate it, and that's all that matters.
4. NYX - Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown: The default eye pencil. I will repurchase. If I ever run out of my backstock.
5. Rare Beauty - Mascara mini size: I really love this mascara. It's one of my favorites. I would repurchase in a heartbeat, but I'm trying to get through other mascaras or at least make a dent in the bajillion of mini mascara GWPs.
6. Lancôme - Monsieur Big mascara mini size: I think this was a birthday gift last year from the orange cosmetic store. I've used this mascara before and originally hated it because it was so goopy, but I've learned that I actually enjoy it when I let it dry out a bit. I don't think I would actively repurchase, but wouldn't hesitate to use another free sample.
7. Bath & Body Works - Shower Gel in Honolulu Sun: It was fine. I didn't hate it. I still only will purchase these during SAS so I'm not bothered about being too picky about scents, especially when it will just wash off.
8. Redken - Color Extend Shampoo liter: This has been my default shampoo for years and years but for whatever reason, my hair seemed to hate it this round. Maybe the formula has changed? Maybe my hair has changed? At any rate, while I still have a liter from the last sale to use up (sigh...), I'm switching things up with a different shampoo (that I purchased last year! Waiting for this moment! Because I am the backup queen!) to see if it's my hair or their formula.
9. Perfume sample in Valentino – Donna Born in Roma Coral Fantasy. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I would be happy to use another sample, but I don't think it's something I would seek out and purchase in a full size. And, again, I have so much perfume to use up before I can consider adding anything more to my collection.

January 2024 MSRP total: $138.95

TRASHED! These are things that I tried, really, I tried to use up, but they simply failed me, and I refuse to waste any more time or energy or shelf space on them.

1. Nioxin – Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser: I've had this for over a year, at least. It's been on my shelf as the ongoing dry shampoo while I cycle through other dry shampoos, like random samples or ones I'm not sure I would like. I really struggled to make it work. Sometimes I would use it and my hair looked great, and only felt a little crunchy. But most of the time it felt like I was using cheap hairspray and my hair was a hot mess. Even though I've gone through half the bottle, I've decided that something that continually makes me want to reach for other things no longer deserves shelf space, so out it goes.
2. Pravana – Fresh Dry Shampoo: Ugh. This was pointless. It did nothing for my hair except make it look powdery. Oily and powdery and white. Awful, awful, awful. I gave it three tries and it failed me each time.