October 2026 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Veleasha Lashes in Sunny T-4: These are a really cute spiky lash, which I tend to like because I feel like they make my eyes look larger. I know for some folks these lashes might seem dramatic but to me they're on the smaller side, I almost wish they were larger - meaning just longer with bigger spikes. My  issue is that not only are the lash bands thick and plastic-y so it takes them a while before they bend to the shape of the eye nicely but they tend to separate from the lash clusters when I pick glue off them, and I'm typically quite gentle, so they don't hold up too well over multiple uses. I have to be careful with them.

2. Ardell Professional Natural Lashes in 120 Black: I feel like these short wispy lashes are very natural looking on me and add a little depth to my lashes without doing much else. They're great lashes for beginners in my opinion because they have a soft, flexible, easy-to-position lash band. That said, I purchased these mostly because they were cheaper at Marshall's and because when I went they didn't have any multi sets of bigger spiky lashes. Personally I think those big spiky lashes make my eyes look larger in comparison to these smaller wispy ones.

 

3. Children's Soap with Bur-Marigold: In truth, I love this soap very much! It leaves my skin feeling clean, soft, and hydrated without triggering any eczema flares.  It's also got a very silky, frothy foam to it which I enjoy.

 

4. Maybelline New York Lifter Full Coverage Serum Concealer in 05: I found this to be a fairly full coverage concealer that blends into my skin nicely and stays put throughout the day. This is a really good shade match for me and doesn't oxidize. 

5. Tocca Gia Eau de Parfum: I am so sad to have run out of this perfume! It is such a beautiful sweet, light floral bouquet with fruit notes. As someone who loves fruity florals, this is one of my very favorites! I'm going to miss it. 

 

6. equate Tahitian Vanilla Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is. This has a really yummy indulgent sugar cookie scent to it that isn't cloyingly sweet. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth, and is great for shave prep.  

7. berkley jensen Fragrance Free Baby Wipes: As I always mention, I like to remove swatches from my hands and arms with these when I take blog photos. They're also great for wiping down dusty or makeup covered surfaces so I also use them to keep my makeup items clean.

 

8. Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream: This product is essentially exactly what it says it is. I personally found that with my fine hair, it was neither too light or too heavy. It also has that signature Oribe styling scent to it, which in my opinion is a bit cloying and heavy, I think I would like it if it were more lightweight. Other than that, my only other qualm is that the packaging cracked at the top, it didn't leak out or anything, but you could see the little plastic liner inside which didn't feel very luxury but oh well. 

 

9. Chaos Makeup Highlighter in Sunnydaze: I'm a little sad to be finished with this product because it was such a unique, pretty highlighter shade. I really enjoyed using it while I had it. 

 

10. Dr Teal's Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is. This has a really yummy sweet lemony scent to it. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth, it's also great for shave prep.  

11. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ : I liked how lightweight this sunscreen was. I found its texture really nice for the summertime because at least on me, someone with dry skin, it's virtually weightless. That said, some days I did want a bit more hydration so the Watery Essence version remains my holy grail.

 

12. Dove sensitive body wash: I have been loving this for shaving my body. I know that Dove is what I always use but this formula is hydrating yet also lightweight. It feels refreshing to use, has a light, sweet fresh scent to it, and leaves my skin silky and hydrated.

13. NIVEA welcome sunshine body wash: In my memory, these body washes were thicker and more hydrating before. I'm not sure if it's because I got the German version of this or what the story is. It is super watery and while I like the coconut note to it, it also has a very strong soapy scent to it too that I found unpleasant. It was kind of astringent and I was left wishing that it were more hydrating. I mean it did the job of cleaning my body but it was kind of basic and wasn't the most pleasant thing to use. 

 

14. L'OREAL PARIS ELVIVE Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm: I'm so sad to have finished this mask up. The reason being is that it's been reformulated and I prefer this version! I liked that for my fine hair, this was the perfect texture of being deeply hydrating without weighing my hair down or being heavy. I found that it did a fantastic job of replenishing my hair's hydration, leaving my hair deeply nourished, silky, and shiny.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the Oribe product which was provided for testing purposes. All opinions are my own. 

September 2026 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Veleasha Lashes in Sunny T-4 x2: These are a really cute spiky lash, which I tend to like because I feel like they make my eyes look larger. I know for some folks these lashes might seem dramatic but to me they're on the smaller side, I almost wish they were larger - meaning just longer with bigger spikes. My  issue is that not only are the lash bands thick and plastic-y so it takes them a while before they bend to the shape of the eye nicely but they tend to separate from the lash clusters when I pick glue off them, and I'm typically quite gentle, so they don't hold up too well over multiple uses. I have to be careful with them.

2. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer body mist sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70: I personally like this sunscreen spray because it's very lightweight, doesn't cause me any sensory issues, and I feel as though I do tend to burn less if I'm wearing it. I like that it doesn't pill up or start coming off in clumps. That said, I do a double layer of spray in circle motions and then I rub it in to make sure that I'm fully covered. 

 

3. wet n wild photofocus Loose Setting Powder in Soft Pink: Unfortunately, despite liking this powder in the past and finding it brightening and loving that its pink tone helped to color correct any foundations that happened to be too orange-y or oxidized orange-y on me... I feel like they've reformulated the powder to be a darker and more obvious pink than it once was. It's just too pink for me personally, it looks somewhat odd on my face and I've gone back to purchasing the translucent version. 

 

4. Organic Kitchen Pistachio Mafia Polishing Face Scrub: I'm a bit sad to have used this all up because it seems like my local pharmacy is no longer selling it. This was a nice scrub that was gently gritty but not so much so that it irritated my skin. It left my skin soft, supple, and hydrated. This smelled delicious too!

 

5. Organic Kitchen Silent Hour Revitalizing Face Mask: This mask has a yummy berry yogurt scent. It gave my skin a nice boost of hydration - leaving my skin soft, smooth, and glowing.

 

6. Anua Eternal Honmoon Anua Vita Brightening Collagen Mask in Radiance:  I have stepped away from sheet masks because I feel like they're wasteful in terms of there's so much trash involved in them that they're probably awful for the environment unless they biodegrade. That said, since I received this as a gift with purchase, I did go ahead and use it. My skin was so flaky, dry, and just not doing too cute when I used this mask. I found that the mask did a fantastic job of rehydrating my skin and also left my skin feeling very soft and velvety. 

7. Dove bond strength Damage Therapy Shampoo: I will say this shampoo did a fantastic job of leaving my hair clean and shiny. It also smells amazing! However, I find that these "bond repair" protein products tend to make my hair dry and brittle, so I would not get this again. 

 

8. Dove bond strength Damage Therapy Conditioner: Much like the shampoo, I wasn't a big fan of this. I was hoping for a thick conditioner that would replenish my hair but found that this simply wasn't hydrating enough on its own and had to mix it with another conditioner. 

 

9. scent theory Brazilian Coconut Moisturizing Spray hand sanitizer: I'm in a Facebook group where someone said this smelled like Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum so I decided to pick it up and give it a try. I do like that this is a fine mist, it is hydrating, and it smells yummy. That said, I don't find this to be a direct dupe of the Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum , but more of a close approximation. I didn't love it enough to want to purchase it again. I find these spray hand sanitizers are quite pricey for what they are and they are more bulky to carry around versus traditional small bottles of gel hand sanitizer. 

 

10. equate Island Coconut Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is. This has a really yummy clean, watery smelling coconut scent to it, it has a very slight sweet creaminess to it but I'd say it's more of a "clean" scent. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth, it's also great for shave prep.  

11. Children's Soap with Chamomile: I love this soap very much! It leaves my skin feeling very clean but also soft and hydrated without triggering any eczema flares.  It's also got a very silky, frothy foam to it which I enjoy. It's not as hydrating, in my opinion, as the bur-marigold variety though, so going forward I'd rather get that other one. 

 

12. Being frenshe Detox Scalp Scrub: I like this scalp scrub because it's gentle and not overly gritty, but between the scrub granules and the little scrubber attachment on it, I feel like it's quite effective at getting any dry skin or residue off my scalp. This feels very deep cleansing. It has a really nice ocean-y yet musky yet clean scent to it. It's not a scent I personally would gravitate toward but I actually really like it in a scalp scrub.   

13. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion:  I really enjoy using this body lotion because it's lightweight yet I find that it's deeply hydrating. Even the soles of my feet seem to stay generally on the softer side when I'm using this. This also has a really yummy warm scent to it. 

 

14. Dove sensitive hypoallergenic body wash: I really enjoy how hydrating this body wash is. It leaves my skin so silky smooth and is the perfect sub for shave gel. I find these bottles last me a month if not longer whereas, because I am a hairy beast, shave gel is something that only lasts me a week. When shaving with this, my skin is left so smooth yet hydrated. My skin isn't irritated at all. I really enjoy it.

 

15.  ogx smoothing + coconut coffee Scrub & Body Wash: I essentially use this as just body wash because the scrubbies in it are so gentle that I don't find that they're sufficient as a body scrub for me personally. This smells nice and I purchased it because I've had it before and I really love how soft and smooth it leaves my skin feeling. However, it has a scent that reminds me of burnt caramel. I wish it were more discernible as coconut coffee or at least had a discernible note of either in it. 

 

16. Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray: This setting spray has become a holy grail for me in my collection and I never want to be without it. It really sets my makeup in place for all-day wear but in a way where my skin feels very soft, smooth, and hydrated. It takes away that powdery look while leaving a velvety feel. It's also fantastic for applying metallic or loose eyeshadows wet. In short, I absolutely adore it!

 

17. Misc mermaid flat shader brush: Unfortunately the ferrule of the brush just snapped off the handle so it's time to part ways with this brush. 

 

18. Misc unicorn large dense fluffy brush: When I first started using this for foundation, I really liked the finish it gave me and how quickly it would blend everything out because of how large this brush is. That said, it's so large that I couldn't really get into smaller areas with it. Additionally, it is shedding so much that it's become intolerable and the entire brush head popped out of the ferule.

 

19. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in 960 Deep Green:  I loved the violet version of this mascara so much that I wanted to try the other colors. That said though, the green doesn't ever really show up as green. It's more of a black with a greenish shimmer through it and looks black on the lashes. I so wish it were clearly green. This mascara also develops something of a funky scent to it when it's time to replace it.

 

20. DUO QUICK-SET Striplash Adhesive: Unfortunately this glue had started to become very goopy so it was time to replace it.

 

21. MIZON Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Intensive BB Cream SPF 50+ PA+++ : After I fell in love with the MIZON Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Eye Cream I thought I'd like the other products in the snail line too and picked this up because I was running low on BB Cream at the time. Unfortunately, this BB cream is thick and felt somewhat uncomfortable in hot, sticky weather wherein I'd feel it sitting on my face. It gave me nice coverage but I wish the formula were more thin and lightweight. It also wasn't as hydrating as I wish it were given that it has snail secretion filtrate in it.

 

22.  LEBELAGE High Protection Extreme Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++: This is a really hydrating SPF cream but I found its texture a bit too thick for my personal taste.

 

23. Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner: This was starting to dry out so it was time to go ahead and replace it. 

 

24. now essential oils 100% pure peppermint: I like to have this around to deter any critters from invading my space. It's great to just drip a bit on carpet or to use in an oil diffuser. I also find that peppermint helps to unclog my sinuses.  

 

25. L'Oreal Paris Eye Defense Eye Cream: I found that this eye cream, despite having a nice brightening function, did not provide enough hydration for me. Toward the end of the jar, it would leave my eyelids irritated and inflamed so I'm happy to just be done with it.

 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the mermaid and unicorn brushes which I received as a gift. The Anua mask and the LEBALAGE SPF I got as gifts/samples with purchase. All opinions are my own. 

August 2026 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Veleasha Lashes in Sunny T-4 x3: These are a really cute spiky lash, which I tend to like because I feel like they make my eyes look larger. I know for some folks these lashes might seem dramatic but to me they're on the smaller side, I almost wish they were larger - meaning just longer with bigger spikes. My  issue is that not only are the lash bands thick and plastic-y so it takes them a while before they bend to the shape of the eye nicely but they tend to separate from the lash clusters when I pick glue off them, and I'm typically quite gentle, so they don't hold up too well over multiple uses. I have to be careful with them.

2. deal worthy Fresh Scent Body Lotion: As you know, I liked this lotion and found it to be a good basic body moisturizer that lasted me quite a while because the bottle is large. I'm kind of annoyed because, as its name suggests, this was affordable and now it seems like they've stopped making it. 

 

3. Skinfood Facial Water Vita C Cream: This was a really nice moisturizer for the face. It is a gel cream texture so while it provided moisture, it was also lightweight and refreshing which was great during the summer heat.

 

4. COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: This is just a holy grail serum product for me and one I constantly repurchase. I feel like it makes my skin feel so smooth, hydrated, supple, and bouncy. I never want to be without it.

5.Children's Soap with Celandine: In truth, I love this soap very much! It leaves my skin feeling very clean but also soft and hydrated without triggering any eczema flares.  It's also got a very silky, frothy foam to it which I enjoy. Frankly, in Soviet culture, celandine is considered a calming and cleansing herb so it makes sense that my skin is good with it. 

 

6. equate Tropical Mango Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is. This has a really yummy sweet, juicy, ripe mango scent to it. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth, and is great for shave prep.  

7. Cococare 100% Natural Peppermint Oil: During this time of year I sprinkle this oil all over my carpet nightly to deter any critters from coming to my room.

 

8. inm Out the Door Topcoat for Nails: Unfortunately this top coat is running low and has become goopy so it's time to bust out my new bottle. 

 

9. Bath & Body Works PocketBac Island Margarita Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel: I love this scent so much, it's just nostalgic for me at this point. It has a very yummy sweet margarita scent to it.

 

10. equate Green Apple Shea Sugar Scrub:  I love how gritty this scrub is. This has a really yummy juicy sweet-tart apple scent to it. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth, it's also great for shave prep.  

11. Children's Soap with Bur-Marigold: I love this soap very much! It leaves my skin feeling very clean but also soft and hydrated without triggering any eczema flares.  It's also got a very silky, frothy foam to it which I enjoy. 

 

12. BEAKEY Triangle Powder Puff: I really love these triangle-shaped puffs! They're plush, soft, and because of their shape they get into tight areas like underneath the eye or around the nose easily. They're great for cleanup work for contour or around the eye area as well. 

13. beauty blender BLENDERCLEANSER Solid Charcoal Brush Cleanser:  I  am just absolutely gutted that I'm done with this because it appears that they've discontinued it in the jumbo size. I feel like this was such a good deal and, as you know, I love the solid cleanser for deep cleaning brushes that I use for liquids or creams. I'm so sad that I can't outright replace this. That said, they likely discontinued it because this chunk of soap would last me over a year even with weekly brush deep cleaning, so people weren't replenishing on this size much. 

 

14. Green Pharmacy Rose Water and Almond Oil Facial Toner: As I've mentioned in the past, I like to use this as my daily toner because it is lightweight but leaves my skin feeling hydrated and replenished. 

15. Kose softymo Deep Cleansing Oil: I absolutely love this oil for removing my makeup - or at least helping to break down most of it before I go in with my Makeup Eraser cloths. I feel like this is deeply cleansing but, because it's an oil, it also leaves my skin soft, nourished,  and hydrated. 

 

16.  IVON Cuticle Trimmer: I feel like these do a good job of removing excess dead tissue along the sides of my nails and around the cuticle area. That said, they can be sharp so it's important to be gentle and careful with them not to take off too much skin. 

 

17. Misc small flat-top blending mermaid brush: I received a set of these brushes for my birthday a few years ago and they're cute but unfortunately this started to fray and fall apart. 

 

18. Shiseido Prepare Dermaplaning Razor: I like to use these once weekly to really get any stray hairs on my face due to my PCOS.  It's about time to replace this razor, as it's getting a bit dull. 

 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the mermaid brush which I received as a gift. All opinions are my own. 

March 2026 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. Dr. Sante Nature & Innovations Hydro Intensive Hyaluron + Aloe SOS Hydrating Mask: Since I ran out of my other masks I decided to pick this one up to try. 

2. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: I am running low on my current bottle and needed to restock because I don't like being without my squalane. 

3. Paula's Choice SPF 50 Broad Spectrum 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer: I decided to give this moisturizer a try because I haven't had anything from Paula's Choice before and have heard of the brand for years. I've been quite curious. Additionally, my skin tends to react well to Vitamin C and I hadn't used a Vitamin C product in ages, so it'll be fun to try this out. 

4. Kerastase decalcifying system,  reparative shampoo: So exactly a year ago, I got a sample of the Kerastase Chronologiste Youth Revitalizing Hair Mask and fell entirely in love with it so when I saw another opportunity to try a Kerastase product I jumped on it. The heart aching thing about falling in love with that mask is knowing that at such a high price point that I would never be able to get my hands on it. 

5. L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm: On the topic of the Kerastase mask, my hairdresser friend told me that this was technically a dupe or similar to it.  So, since this is at a far more approachable price point, I decided to give it a try. If anything, I'm out $10 and not $60-70.

6. Jiocolor Wispy Lashes x7: I was on my last pair of lashes and decided to give the large multipacks online a chance. These are a pretty wispy shape, I like the alternating short and long bits. 

7. Veleasha Sunny T-4 Lashes x7: I think I mentioned in the past that I like spiky lashes on myself and these are so pretty in the packaging! I'm excited to try them out. 

8. Kose softymo Deep Cleansing Oil: This is my holy grail makeup removing oil so I had to go ahead and replenish on it since I am near running out of my current bottle.

9. Being frenshe Hair Wellness Detox Scalp Scrub: I am currently running out of my scalp scrub and decided to give this one a try. I feel like unlike dandruff shampoo, that using scalp scrubs once weekly really and truly keeps my scalp flake-free the vast majority of the time so I like having one around.

10. wet n wild Loose Setting Powder in Soft Pink: As you all know, I love the translucent version of this powder. I decided to give the pink version a try since sometimes my foundation can oxidize a tiny bit orange so I'm hoping this might soften out that issue. Perhaps it'll also offer some under-eye brightening as well. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all the items listed above myself with the exception of the Paula's Choice and Kerastase samples. All opinions are my own.