Share your empties!

[Notorious PIG]

I had a very slow month, but today two further things were gone:

• Balea Vitamin C sheet mask: love them! I don't do them as often anymore since I've started using vitamin C serums daily, but the effect is very nice, even skin and they are very cheap.
• Dove Beauty Bar: holy grail, I go through multiple of them every year.
• Makeup Revolution Hyaluronic Acid serum: meh. Bought this as a three-pack off Amazon last year, as it was very cheap, but it was just okay. Inkey List is much better, this one stayed tacky. I think the brand actually doesn't exist anymore, so not a big loss for me.
• Garnier Argan oil & Camelia conditioner: Also my fourth of fifth bottle of this conditioner. It's one of he best cheap drugstore conditioners I've found, but recently it seems like nothing is enough for my lengths anymore, they keep looking frizzy. I've replaced this one with an even heavier version of the same brand, I hope that'll sort it.
• Alverde Aloe Vera solid shaving foam: Admittedly, I threw out the very last bits of this. I've had it for ages, it's simply no good. It looks like soap, you need to lather it up for forever to get a teeny bit of foam that then will immediately disappear. I think this is no longer sold, but not loss either.

Declutterred

• Sally Hansen 15 sec cuticle remover: the internet raves about this - does it even do anything? No matter how long I left it on, it simply didn't do anything. Threw it out with about a generous third left, I simply couldn't be bothered anymore.
• Essence the nail care pen: seemed to dry out my bad cuticles even more, plus I didn't like the smell, very sweet, typical nail product smell.

The Sally Hansen cuticle remover - it’s great but I leave it on my fingernails for 60 seconds (disclaimer: try at your own risk!) as 15 seconds did next to nothing for me.

I won’t use it on my toenails anymore though, cos one time, one (either the little one or the one next to the little one) fell off completely after a couple of days

Luckily it grew back

 

[Codiaeum]

The Sally Hansen cuticle remover - it’s great but I leave it on my fingernails for 60 seconds (disclaimer: try at your own risk!) as 15 seconds did next to nothing for me.

I won’t use it on my toenails anymore though, cos one time, one (either the little one or the one next to the little one) fell off completely after a couple of days

Luckily it grew back

I really don’t know why they call it 15 second remover, tbh. I tried leaving it on for as long as 2 min and still nothing, but at least, my nails didn’t fall off, omg! You poor thing, I hope it didn’t hurt. I’m not sure I’d be raving that stuff again.

 

[Scorpihoe]

Maybe I’m really far behind, but why are people removing their cuticles? what does it do? Should I be doing it too?!

 

[Notworthy]

Maybe I’m really far behind, but why are people removing their cuticles? what does it do? Should I be doing it too?!

No you shouldn't. Cuticles are there for a reason, namely to protect your nails from infection.

 

[Notorious PIG]

Maybe I’m really far behind, but why are people removing their cuticles? what does it do? Should I be doing it too?!

My cuticles are pretty dry and flakey (maybe cos I’m middle aged, I’m not sure), so I like to scrape some of it off/push them back, to give myself a much better, cleaner finish for my DIY gel manicures.

Your choice to do it or not but not everyone needs it.

 

[Notorious PIG]

I really don’t know why they call it 15 second remover, tbh. I tried leaving it on for as long as 2 min and still nothing, but at least, my nails didn’t fall off, omg! You poor thing, I hope it didn’t hurt. I’m not sure I’d be raving that stuff again.

It didn’t hurt but I was really shitting myself at the prospect of having a missing toenail forever

 

[Codiaeum]

Maybe I’m really far behind, but why are people removing their cuticles? what does it do? Should I be doing it too?!

No, you really shouldn’t and what I am trying and failing to make prettier is the living skin on the nail, not the actual cuticle. I unfortunately have very thick and dry skin there and had hoped the cuticle remover would help soften it so that I can push it back, but nope. I’m not good at doing manicures and unfortunately also haven’t been blessed with nails that grow into a nice shape on their own, so I’ve accepted that they simply won’t look nice unless I went to a salon.

 

[Jellycat369]

Another month down, some more empties to share

Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream Mist - I used this mist to moisten my skin before applying the Boots Hyaluronic Sleep Mask. It was nice but I think there are nicer for cheaper. Worthwhile mentioning that I didn't mist my face with it, I spritzed it into my hand and then tapped it onto my skin thus completely defeating the purpose of a Mist!

Revive Care Collagen Shampoo - I bought this having seen it being recommended, or the line at least, on another thread. This wasn't for me. I felt like it weighed my hair down whilst also drying it out and also made my scalp uncomfortable. I did not repurchase.

Revive Care Collagen Conditioner - As above

Cosnori Tinting Lash Serum - I'm not entirely sure what this was supposed to do. The wand was great but the product itself didn't do anything except smudge under my eyes. It certainly didn't do anything for my lashes in terms of growth or condition either.

ELF Lash n Roll - I like this paired with the other mascara but I won't be purchasing from ELF any more.

ELF Lash Beats - As above

Etude Soonjung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream - This was nice but I much preferred the Axis-Y one I finished last year.

Totals year to date:

Decluttered - 30
Finished - 44
Pans hit - 1
New products purchased - 17 (£87.77 spent) Big jump in new products this month as I had to buy both makeup and skincare replacements after using up my "stock" through the year

 

[Codiaeum]

Slowish month for me, I tried to use up some things I didn’t enjoy all that much.

• 7 pack of Balea hyaluronic acid capsules. Bought for travel, as I thought this would be neat and I wouldn’t need to take my serum in a glass bottle. Didn’t enjoy these at all, they were pure silicone and made my eyes water.
• 7 pack Balea vitamin c capsules. See above. I think apart from the orangey scent, this was the same product.
• Nature love Vitamin D oil 50 ml. I bought this as a supplement but it expired in 2023 I just used this up as a moisturizing oil on my legs.
• Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station. I liked this, very lightweight, but I like their Barrier Cream better and therefore wouldn’t repurchase this one.
• Geek and Gorgeous Vitamin C serum. I think this was my sixth bottle? Perfect vit C serum for me.
• Sample sachet round labs mild up birch juice sunscreen. This was a free sample, nice, but not for my skin type. I think people with dry skin would really enjoy this, it was very “rich”. Makes a beautiful finish under foundation, it just doesn’t work for me as my skin gets oily fast.
• Nearly used up an ancient Nivea shaving foam. I hated this and it didn’t really foam up anymore, even though there was still stuff left. Shaved and the declutterred the bottle.
  

Am working on a powder that is very much panned, but there is a tiny bit left, so this is my October project to use up. I used to have a bad habit of using stuff less when they were in this state, but am much better with it.

 

[LouSV]

Dior lip addict lip glow (balm)
Love this and will definitely repurchase

 

[Codiaeum]

I came across this YT channel by accident and enjoy the Project Pan videos, maybe some of you like it as well: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAfterWorkChannel

Find it amusing that "Project Pan" is a thing again, I remember the blog posts about it in the early 2010s, but back then it was mostly cosmetics and not shampoos, etc. But I like that it came back, there is so much unrealistic consumption on social media with people having well over a hundred shower gels, etc that it's much nicer to see people actually using stuff and not just buying it.

 

[Codiaeum]

I realized I omitted a few small bits, but for the sake of completeness here they are:

• Lancome Idole sample size perfume. I really loved this, I always took it with me on business trips on my previous jobs and therefore very much associate the scent with that. I might try to get another small size of this at some point purely for a "nice memories" scent. I have a few other samples to use though.
• Decluttered two unused hand sanitizers. They were out of date by about 2 years and probably would have sat another couple of years in the drawer if I hadn't chucked them. I don't like this type of product at all, they were both gifts.

 

[SaltandPepperChicken]

Couple of empties:

Garnier rose soothing toner. Love this stuff, cheap as chips and just does the job, already got a new bottle. I always squeeze extra onto the cotton wool pad to dampen my skin ready for hyaluronic acid and at less than £2.50 a bottle I don’t mind using the extra. I’ve been using an old nip and fab vit c toner in the mornings and can’t say it does anything different so once that runs out I’ll use the garnier twice a day again.

Beauty pie super healthy skin body crème. I flipping adored and the smell is . I’ve had a few comments about the smell when using it at the gym.

Got a few others to use up but I’ll definitely be treating myself to another soon.

 

[Codiaeum]

Another round, a few items I worked on for a while.


Decluttered:
Nivea Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50 from 2021
Isana hand sanitizer that had a use by date of March 2023



Used up:

• Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 120. This was my second or third, but it started to sit cakey on my skin so I didn’t replace it. I do like a compact powder with a bit of coverage for everyday wear though and have bought L’Oréal True Match and like it.
• Trend It up 50 pack anti-shine paper. Boring, does the job, have an essence one now lined up.
• Dove beauty bar soap. As usual.
• Geek and Gorgeous power peptides serum. It was okay, feels nice in skin, but I’m not sure it does anything? It’s about 15€ as well, so not replacing it. I found I didn’t reach much for it, maybe because I wasn’t sure about it and used the last bit liberally on my chest, as I suspected it made my face break out.
• Geek and Gorgeous A-Game 0.1 retinal. Very nice, I’ve now moved in to the next strength.
• Geek and gorgeous jelly joker cleanser. I use it as the first step for double cleansing. My skin likes it, I’ve got a mini version now lined up.
• Balea wet wipes. Horrible stuff. Bought them to freshen up when I don’t want the hassle of a strip wash, but they sting in the areas where I wanted to freshen up. Barely used them so they mostly dried out, I ended up throwing away the last four or five.

 

[LouSV]

MZ skin Radiance and renewal mask , this was fantastic and my skin felt like smooth glass, BUT I won't be repurchasing as it is £138
(mine was in a Selfridges gift set from last year)
Superdrug Naturally radiant toner , good stuff , will definitely buy this again.

 

[Codiaeum]

Technically one more day of November, but nothing more that will be empty this month, so here's the list:

Decluttered:

• Maybelline age rewind The Eraser colour correcting concealer in 05: I don't know why some many people love this concealer, it is frankly the worst I've ever tried and I threw it out with about 50% left. Pasty and regardless of how I tried, it crept into my eyes and made them burn so I had to wash off my entire make-up. This was a corrector shade for dark circles, I've no clue whether the regular shades are better but after this experience I'm not willing to try one again.

Empties:

• Garnier Whole Blends Argan-Almond Creme Conditioner: Fantastic and very affordable conditioner for dry hair, one of my favourites.
• Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy shampoo 400 ml: Also one of the best shampoo in my opinion you can get in the drugstore. Very gentle and doesn't dry the hair out plus a nice soft smell. I've bought a refill pouch for this which is already in use.
• Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50: This is the thicker version that has a bit more of a tacky feeling to the "Watery essence" version. Great sunscreen, especially if you prefer a matte finish or like to apply makeup over. I've still got two bottle lined up.
• Balea hair removal Creme 125 ml: Would not repurchase this, I bought it for a wedding in fear of cutting myself with the razor for a big event, but this stuff stinks and even after the maximum application time of 10min doesn't do much.
• Alverde calendula chapstick: I'm already using my backup, I think I've been buying this for at least ten years.
• Balea Ultra Sensitive cleanser: This is dirt cheap and I think the best cleanser from the drugstore I've ever used. I double-cleanse in the evening and this is my second step. I liked it so much that I went back and got another bottle to keep in the shower and have another one backed-up already.
• Garnier Whole Blends Green Tea and Herbs shampoo: My favourite shampoo, even before the oat version. It smells so nice and makes my hair feel "light". My only complaint about it is that it's only available in Rossmann and only in the small 250ml bottles so works out at a higher pricepoint. Also have one as a backup already.

 

[Jellycat369]

I didn't finish any products in October which was annoying because I had a bunch that were on the verge of being done. Fortunately I managed to finish a few this month.

Haruharu Wonder Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum - I liked this serum but I feel like my skin has calmed down more since I finished using it

Dove Pampering Soap Bar - I liked the warm scent of this and the lather it produced was nice and soft but I might just use the classic one next.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter - This took ages to use up because I kept forgetting I had it I didn't think it was anything special.

ELF Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray - I found the mist on this one was awful, it just spat at me. I wouldn't repurchase as I don't think it did anything.

Dove Dragon Fruit & Coconut Cream GoFresh Deodorant - I bought this after someone on TikTok said it was a lovely fresh scent. It smelt like burnt coconuts on me. Everyone at work commented on the fact they kept getting wafts of coconut

Total so far:
Decluttered - 30
Used up - 49
Pans hit - 1
New products purchased - 19 (£96.97)

 

[Jellycat369]

Of course I get more empties after posting!

Taking my year to date total to 51 used up products...

Lidl by Deluxe Honey I'm Home Shower Gel - This is one of the Lush dupes. It's a nice honeysuckle scent but it doesn't linger on the skin unfortunately. Nice enough inexpensive product but probably wouldn't repurchase

Dove Pampering Care Body Lotion - Nice lotion but really difficult to get the last bits out of the bottle. Moisturising enough for the warmer months but I need more in the autumn/winter so will purchase a body butter to replace it.

 

[LouSV]

The ordinary natural moisturising factors + HA
Really nice , a good moisturising cream, no scent, reasonable price and I will definitely be buying it again

 

[Codiaeum]

It's the last day of the year and I emptied my last product of the year just now! This was the month with the most empties this year.

December Empties:

• Nivea Creme Shower Shower Gel travel size: Bought this for business travel as I don’t want to take a barsoap with me. Smelled nice, since I’ll be travelling more often i’ve bought a full size and just refill this small bottle.
• Geek and Gorgeous Vitamin C serum: I think this was the fourth this year. I liked it, but tbh, after a year of use, I can’t really say that I’m seeing a difference so I won’t repurchase for now and see whether I see any difference without it.
• Caprice Glam Doll Mascara: I always buy a version of this, this was getting dry, so I replaced it with another one of that series.
• Beauty on Joseon fresh sunscreen mini size: The rave about this is absolutely justified. I’ve got other sunscreens lined up but will get a bottle of this as well when the stash is down. I don’t think my skin has ever looked so nice with just sunscreen.
• Garnier Whole Blends Argan Oil Almond crème conditioner: As usual, this is a lovely conditioner, I replace this often.
• Balea Ultra sensitive cleanser: Best drugstore cleanser!
• Balea Bodycreme Cica 400ml: This is very very rich and a thick creme, nice if you have got sensitive and very dry skin. The only thing I didn’t like that it comes in a tub and you have to dig your entire hand in by the end. Might replace it, the BF loved it for his shins!
• Alverde Spray leave in conditioner: I think this was my second bottle this year and I already opened the replacement. It’s not 100%, but the best in the drugstore I could find without silicone (don’t like how my hair feels with them, I get flyaways) and affordable
• Balea Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Milk 200ml: Horrible! I bought this as I like the cleansing gel from the same series so much and thought it might be nice for washing my face in the shower in the morning where I don’t actually need much cleansing. This stuff burns the eyes (says on the bottle it’s good for removing eye make-up!) leave a very yucky film on the skin that you have to actively wash off and was very very liberally used up on my legs after my facial skin boldly showed me it didn’t like it.
• Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50: Lovely sunscreen, I can’t count anymore how many of these I used up over the years.
• Alverde all in one body Oil Travel Size 30 ml: Bought this as I wanted to use it for face massages, but I think it was too greasy for that. I used up most of it on my legs. Will not repurchase.
  

Decluttered:

• Chrimaluxe mineral foundation sample in 01 neutral, 0,5g from 2022: Sample shade I bought, this was too light for me. Used some of it for Halloween but it will never suit me and was getting old.
• Chrimaluxe corrector in apricot 0,5 g from 2022: I might just be too dumb to use it but my dark circles are very unimpressed with this. Also was getting old.
• Balea dry shampoo foam (i think early 2024, likely would never expire): Horrible! I was hoping this would be nicer than standard dry shampoo but this is hell in a bottle. I’ve got seborrheic scalp eczema and it freaked out every time I tried using this, even if it was months apart. I binned it. And have since learned that the starch in dry shampoos is exactly what tends to make the eczema thrive. No wonder I always felt I got a flare up after using one.

Roundup:

	Total Count
Total Products Used Up	67
Total Decluttered/Binned	11
Grand Total Removed from Stash	78

Q1 (Jan–Mar): 18 Empties | 2 Decluttered
Q2 (Apr–Jun): 13 Empties | 1 Decluttered
Q3 (Jul–Sep): 17 Empties | 4 Decluttered
Q4 (Oct–Dec): 19 Empties | 4 Decluttered


I've got a couple of items that I wanted to empty this year like a blush - I had hit the pan last year already, but despite using this very consistently, I've got minimally another year to go. I want to make a list of things I either need to use up next year or they will have to go.