Beauty Empties Vol. 1

I’ve been venturing outside of my comfort zone lately and trying more beauty products. I have to confess that my natural inclination is to stick to what works and not try anything else. Now obviously, what works… works. But what if something worked better? I’d be missing out!

When I try something, I typically commit to using it for two weeks. I don’t know if that’s “right” or not, but I do know that my skin has an adjustment period and if it’s not working by the end of a second week, it’s probably never going to work for me.

I’m also not one to waste product, so I typically don’t want to try something new unless I’m completely finished with whatever I was using before. For whatever reason, I finished a bunch of products all at once (which seemingly never happens!) and thought I’d start an “empties” series on here once I realized I had a pile of completely used products. I can’t guarantee these posts will be frequent, but I’ve created a little nook under my bathroom sink to collect products as I finish them and when I have a handful, I’ll share again!

Soy Fresh Cleanser

If there’s one product that I go through so much of, it’s this cleanser. It’s the best cleanser I’ve ever tried for my skin. Mike actually uses it now too so we go through it extra fast. I use it every morning in the shower and every night before bed.

Nars Climax Mascara

I have been through a few tubes of this mascara by now. I originally got it through a press package and then bought it on my own since. It’s really, really good. I like using it for a bolder everyday look or layering it over another mascara (below) for an even more dramatic evening look.

Elizabeth Arden Foundation

Full confession here, I am so picky with my foundation that I only used this at first out of desperation. I ran out of foundation one day (it looked like there was more product in there but I couldn’t pump any more out!) and I rummaged through the box where I store unused products until I found something I could use in a pinch. Turns out, I freaking LOVED this foundation. I liked how buildable it was– I could do a light coverage for days where I didn’t have much planned or go a little heavier when I needed a super polished face. And it stayed put–even on the hottest of days, it didn’t melt off.

Dermalogica Prisma Protect

10/10 recommend!!!! I was so incredibly impressed with this sunscreen. First and foremost, it worked. I used it pretty much every single day this summer, whether or not I was going to be outside. But the reason why I love it so much is that it made my skin look fantastic with or without makeup. There’s something magical that gives skin a photoshopped appearance. I even found once I washed it off at night that my skin looked better than ever, which I can’t say for many sunscreens!

Moroccan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

On a trip this summer, I realized that I hadn’t packed my shampoo or conditioner. I ran into a Bluemercury to grab some small travel-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner. It was a little more expensive than I would have spent normally on shampoo but I figured I’d give it a try anyway. I was thoroughly impressed with both the shampoo and the conditioner. I LOVE the way it smelled and it totally made my hair shinier and smoother, even on super humid days. I’ll definitely buy more full-sized bottles!!!

Frank Body Creamy Face Scrub

Apparently you’re not supposed to wash/exfoliate your face in the shower. I do not follow that rule though and do BOTH, ha. I keep this scrub in the shower and love using it after working out when I feel extra gross. It does a great job at sloughing away dead skin (and sweat and makeup) without destroying my face. It’s coffee-based so it also smells nice and has an extra gritty (without being too abrasive) texture.

Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara

Most days I wear very little, if any, makeup. For those light days, I usually just stick to eyebrow gel and a light swipe of mascara. This mascara separated my lashes just so, making them seem extra long without getting heavy or clumpy whatsoever. It’s a great mascara if you want a natural look… but, like if you were naturally blessed with great lashes.

Nuria Exfoliator

I got to try out this vegan line of beauty products through a sponsored post and I’m so glad I was introduced to it! This exfoliator was hands down my favorite out of the entire line. I can’t go a week without using. It’s super gentle yet effective with a creamy lather. It almost feels more like a cleanser but it magically exfoliates without irritation whatsoever.

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