Monthly Empties: Nov/Dec 2024

Wrapping up the end of the year a few days late, which seems totally on brand. I do want to keep tracking what I use and declutter because I still don't have a reasonable base-line of products, but I'm having to rethink this whole project because clearly I'm failing at it, lol.

Used up:

  1. Nakeup Face – Stress Zero Toner (500 ml): I got this as a replacement for the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner (which I love!) and it was fine. I'd consider it a decent alternative. I know it's probably a ridiculous product, but I really like a gentle watery toner to refresh my face without going through a whole rigamarole.
  2. CeraVe – Daily Moisturizing Lotion (29 ml): a deluxe sample sized that I took while traveling or house-sitting. It was fine. I used it up. I would use up samples again and if I were traveling and in a pinch, I know I'd feel comfortable buying it at a nearby drugstore. But not something I would seek out.
  3. Kiehl's – Ultra Facial Cream (7 ml): another deluxe sample I used while traveling, heavier than the CeraVe. It was, again, fine. I could use it. I don't think it actively damaged my skin but I also don't think it's one that did anything amazing beyond keeping me moisturized. Wouldn't pay for full size but would use a sample again.
  4. Heimish – All Clean Balm (120 ml): my favorite cleansing balm. I will use others that are also pretty good, but this one is by far my favorite.
  5. Heimish – All Clean Green Foam (150 g): my favorite foam cleanser! I don't go through this as fast as I do cleansing balm so I don't repurchase as frequently (plus it seems cleansers are a common GWP – I have some full size ones to go through!). I will repurchase once it seems like I can without being too ridiculous with all the cleansing options I already have.
  6. IT Cosmetics – Superhero No-Tug Shadow Stick in Silk Armor (full size): I really loved this. It was the perfect "one and done" eyeshadow for work. I was genuinely a little sad when I used it all up. I tried to tell myself I didn't need to buy it again because I have so many other shadow sticks to use (and I've been using them!) but none of them hit right so yeah, I did re-buy it (using points!) a few days ago.
  7. Clinique – Quickliner for Eyes in Smoky Brown (full size): I love the Quickliners (and Quickliner Intense) because they're so easy to use, especially when traveling since they don't require sharpening and come with a smudging brush on the end. I think this was the first time I used the original Quickliner vs the Intense, but it worked just fine. Would purchase again, but only when on sale.
  8. Batiste – Dry Shampoo in Bare (3.81 oz): picked this up while I was traveling because I forgot to pack dry shampoo and know that Batiste is reliable. It was fine. It's not my favorite, but it will do.
  9. Christophe Robin – Cleansing Purifying Scrub (75 ml): my favorite salt scrubbing shampoo. I've tried others and they were terrible. This is my love. I like to buy the travel sizes on sale because they fit the best in my shower (and for travel reasons). I don't use them all the time – mostly when I feel like my scalp needs it based on build-up/etc. But it's so nice. I repurchased during a sale and am using the replacement.
  10. Bath and Body Works – Shower Gel in Sun-ripened Raspberry (10 oz): it was fine. I like B&BW shower gel and I'm not too picky about the scents, so this was purchased during SAS which is the only way I'd continue to use B&BW products.
  11. Perfume samples: Lancome – La Vie Est Belle (very nice but basic, and tbh I think I have a purse spray lurking around somewhere from some GWP); Mugler – Angel Elixir (this grew on me but it's quite strong, one spray for sure); YSL - Libre (I thought I didn't like this at first but it also grew on me – wouldn't buy it but would use samples)

Decluttered:

  1. Secret Key – Starting Treatment Rose Essence (150 ml): this was a nearly full bottle but smelled slightly off and I cautiously used it a couple of times and it just didn't feel right. I've gone through many bottles before so I think it just expired on me (it is a couple of years, now that I think about it).
  2. CosRx – Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (100 ml): I thought I really liked this, especially as a morning moisturizer, but after a bit my skin started to have a mild reaction. Halfway through the bottle, I took a break for a few months. Then I tried it again, and yeah, something about it just didn't sit right with my skin. I think I could have found a way to make it work but I have so many other potions that are clamoring for attention that it's pointless to keep something that may actively go against what I'm trying to do.
  3. Clinique – Quickliner For Eyes Intense in Intense Ivy (full size): I love the Quickliners and generally use variations of brown day-to-day, but my past self bought more "fun" colors like green and navy. While I wouldn't use them as frequently, I would still try to use them on my non-work days. This eyeliner is probably five years old now and the last time I took it out to use it, the barrel inside the pencil broke and fell into the sink. I'm now contemplating decluttering the similarly-aged navy Quickliner, so expect to see that soon.
  4. Ulta Beauty – Sculpting Brow Pencil in Soft Brown (full size): at first I loved this! I normally buy the skinny Ulta brow pencil in Soft Brown so this GWP was an easy add-in. But about half-way through, I was struggling to get the pencil on my eyebrows, and it kept pulling out my eyebrow hair (which is already sparse to begin with!). I kept trying to problem-solve by prepping my eyebrows differently, roughing up the pencil before using so I wouldn't have to use so much pressure, changing my angle – but then ultimately decided it was too much effort for a GWP that is no longer working for me, so out it goes!