August Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

The end of the month is rolling around yet again, so it's time for another Empties post! Like last month, I've been trying to declutter some more travel-size products, alongside some familiar everyday items.

Kiss The Moon Love After Dark Pillow Mist* (travel size)

Everything from Kiss The Moon smells incredible and it was a real pleasure to use this pillow mist which has a blend of rose, frankincense, and ylang ylang essential oils to help you unwind. Heavenly! Repurchase? I'm using one from Neals Yard Remedies at the moment, but I have no doubt I'll return to this in the near future.

Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo

Since Covid happened, I haven't been using much dry shampoo at all thanks to WFH life, so this has lasted me probably about two years. I believe Aveda has repackaged/renamed it since then, however, the formula remains the same and it's one of the best that I've ever tried. Repurchase? Yes.

Laidbare Butter Me Up Body Butter*

Another product that has taken me a long time to finish up has been this big tub of body butter from Laidbare. I love the rich and heady fragrance, and the light texture just sinks into the skin quickly. Perfect to use after a long soak in the bath. Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash* (travel size)

If you have dry skin, you must try these body washes from Weleda because they are SO good! I've used them for years the Wild Rose scent is still one of my favourites. Repurchase? Will do.

Salcura Bioskin Zeoderm Skin Repair Moisturiser

Ideal for skin that's prone to eczema, dermatitis, and/or psoriasis, I highly recommend the Salcura range if you're looking to avoid harsh chemicals like steroids as most of their range is 97-99% natural. This is another product that I always have in my skincare stash for when my eczema flareups and it still works a treat after all these years. Repurchase? Already have!

Tropic Skin Shade Tinted Facial Sun Cream SPF50 in Light/Medium*

I haven't been wearing much makeup over the past year, so for sunny days, I've just been slapping on this as an easy, fuss-free base. It gives a good light coverage and doesn't make me look super shiny, plus it's a proper facial sunscreen with the tint added to the water-resistant formula, rather than a tinted moisturiser with a teeny bit of sunscreen thrown in. Repurchase? Definitely will next Summer.

Omorovicza Cleansing Foam (travel size)

Despite it being a famous cult cleanser, I wasn't too keen on this and felt like it left my skin feeling a bit sticky/tacky afterwards, no matter how much I rinsed the residue away with a flannel. Not for me. Repurchase? No.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask (travel size)

The Omorovicza cleansing mask is a completely different story though - I loved it! Although the sample pot was for only one use, it made my complexion look and feel instantly clearer and smoother. Repurchase? Definitely on my shopping list.

Tropic Illuma Light Diffusing Concealer in Brûlee*

For a natural, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly undereye concealer, Tropic's Illuma Light Diffusing Concealers are simply amazing. They conceal dark circles beautifully without creasing into fine lines and always make me look much more awake than I actually am - a great 'cheat' product when you haven't had much sleep. Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream (travel size)

Last, but not least, I finished up a mini hand cream from L'Occitane. I used to use these all the time but sadly there is the issue of L'Occitane no longer being cruelty-free due to selling in China, so I'm just using up what I have left. Repurchase? No.

What have you used up recently?

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June Empties: Products I've Used Up

I know, I know, I'm a bit late with my Empties post again, but here they are! My little wicker basket has been filled once again with all things beauty that have come and gone in my bathroom recently. Here are my thoughts on the ones that I'll be repurchasing again and the ones that might not have made the cut.

Hurraw! Moon Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

It's been a while since I last used up a lip balm and this Hurraw! Moon Lip Balm has been the one that I've had on my bedside table for the last few months. I'm a huge fan of the Hurraw! Lip Balms and this Moon version simply has some relaxing essential oils added to it, so it's lovely to use before going to bed. Repurchase? I have a bunch of opened lip balms that I need to use up first, but I'd be more than happy to purchase this again in the near future.

Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray* (link)

I was recommended to try this by a friend when my eczema was flaring up as my skin wasn't tolerating my usual thick creams and ointments. Instead, the Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray is a light spray-on moisturiser and it absorbs quickly. It's 98% natural and steroid-free so it's a great option for those who are looking for a more natural alternative to soothing their eczema problems, and it can be used for psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and any dry, itchy skin complaint. Repurchase? Yes, I really loved the convenience of the spray bottle and how fast-acting and effective it was. 

Laponie Balance & Prep Toner Spray (link)

I can't remember which beauty box this came in, but I do know that this is a gorgeous Laponie Balance & Prep Toner Spray and I've thoroughly enjoyed using it as part of my morning skincare routine. It's fragrance-free and specifically formulated for sensitive and problem skin. Repurchase? Laponie is a Scandinavian brand and I don't think I've seen them for sale in the UK sadly, but I'd love to try more from them if they do decide to come over here in the future.

Evolve Organic Beauty Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream (link)

My sister bought this for me a couple of months ago when she purchased a few products from Evolve Organic Beauty that I'd recommended to her online, and I absolutely love it. Being a massive fan of their skincare (check out my reviews of Evolve Organic Beauty here), I hadn't realised they had a deodorant in their range so it was a brilliant find. Evolve's Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream reminds me of Aurelia Botanical Deodorant in terms of consistency and how gentle it is for sensitive skin, so if you're a fan of that one, you'll love this just as much and it smells so clean and spa-like! Repurchase? I'm actually using the Aurelia one at the moment, though I will happily buy this again.

Tropic Skincare Glow Berry Brightening Serum* (reviewed here)

If a Vitamin C infused serum is on your shopping list, Tropic's Glow Berry Brightening Serum is one that I'd highly recommend trying. Used regularly, this serum delivers a noticeable brightening difference to dull complexions and I always feel that my skin looks 'healthier' when I've been using it. You do need to store it in the fridge though as it has a lot of active ingredients. Repurchase? Already have.

P'URE Papaypa Ointment* (reviewed here)

A multi-purpose staple, I've gone through at least three or four tubes of this stuff over the years and I always have one open somewhere. If you haven't tried it before, P'URE Papaya Ointment is a brilliant product that you can use to soften and instantly hydrate any dryness, so it's great for lips, feet, hands, cuticles etc, and I know a lot of new mums who have used it to soothe sore nipples when they've been breastfeeding. 100% natural and one tube lasts ages as you only need to use a tiny amount each time. Repurchase? I have the bigger sized tube currently on the go!

My. Haircare Rescue My Hair Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar* (reviewed here)

My hair is notoriously fussy when it comes to shampoo bars and I've tried loads of different brands in the past, most of which have been disappointing. Thankfully though, my fussy hair loves this Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar from My Haircare as it gently cleanses my scalp, removes all traces of dirt, pollution and product build-up, and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped or ultra-dry afterwards. It's free from sulphates and silicones, plus it's vegan-friendly. One bar has lasted me about 3 months and I usually wash my hair twice a week. Repurchase? Definitely.

Skin & Tonic Calm Balm (link)

I was very kindly sent this by a reader who responded to one of my Instagram posts about anxiety and I felt really touched that she chose to not only purchase this for me, but also that she shared her own story about dealing with anxiety so that I didn't feel alone when I was dealing with a lot of stress earlier in the year. Calm Balm is an aromatherapy balm that you can apply to your pulse points and temples to help you to relax as it has a soothing natural fragrance thanks to a clever blend of essential oils. I found it very useful and it's something that I'll certainly keep on my desk to add some calm to my day. Repurchase? Yes.

Lavera After Sun Lotion* (reviewed here)

With the recent heatwaves that we've had in the UK, Lavera's After Sun Lotion has been a must-have. This is a lovely cooling and hydrating lotion for anyone who enjoys the sun (with SPF of course!) and you get a huge tube for less than a tenner so it's a really good affordable option for families who want to use something that's more natural. I think this is the third tube that I've used up and you can also use it as an everyday body moisturiser in the summer months. Repurchase? Definitely.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps, lids and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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