May and June Empties 2020
During the past few months I’ve gone through quite a few products. As promised to myself, I wanted to continue keeping track of the products that were completed for each month. For the items that have been previously reviewed, a link to the original review will be provided.
Being that the post contains so many products, I tried to condense my review on each item. If there’s a product, you would be interested in learning more about, please let me know. I’ll be happy to do an in-depth review.
This post contains affiliate links, to find out more information, please read my site disclosure.
Face Products
SNP Bird’s Nest Aqua Moisturizing Eye Patches
Price: $16.99 for 60 patches
The SNP eye patches are said to help erase winkles, provide nutrition and can be used on multiple areas of the face. These eye patches were much thinner in texture compared to the Pixi Eye Patches that I used.
I thought these eye patches were just okay. I like that they didn’t move around when applied to the eye area. They provided some moisture, but not as much as I expected. Based on the fact that I thought they were just okay, I would not repurchase.
Pixi Eye Patches
Price: $24 for 30 patches*
The Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches are described to instantly reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles while providing moisture. While being in quarantine for the past few months, I decided to amplify my beauty routine by using eye patches almost every morning. The patches are gel like and I found that they adhered to the skin well and didn’t move around once placed.
I didn’t notice any dark circles diminishing, but it definitely helped with depuffing and they added much needed moisture to my under eyes. I really enjoyed using these and would definitely repurchase.
Le Dew Z Rich Night Cream (used on the body)
Price: $38 for 1.7oz.
The Z-Cream is described as a rich facial night cream. The formula is made with vitamins and antioxidants. The cream is lightly scented with a faint scent of citrus. The texture is a creamy, but very much on the richer side.
I initially started using the Z-cream as intended for my face. I found it worked great during the winter months. As it neared the expiration date, I noticed that I still had a decent amount of product left and so I began to start using it on my body.
TIP: if you’re unable to finish a facial moisturizer or you just don’t like the finish of it for your face, try using it on the body (neck, chest and arms)
Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner
Price: $14 for 4 oz*
The Good Molecules toner is aimed to promote a brighter appearance of the skin, even the skin and help pores to appear less visible. The toner is alcohol free and formulated with a low strength level of niacinamide. The texture of the toner is more of vicious side which made it often use it with a cotton pad instead of just patting it into the skin with my fingertips.
I solely used the toner during my morning routine as the formula contained a stable formula of vitamin c. I found that this combination along with the low strength level of Niacinmide (5%) to pair with the vitamin C serums that I used in my morning skincare routine. This toner was my introduction to incorporate Niacinamide into my routine.
Even though I enjoyed the how the toner performed I will not be purchasing in the future based on actions witnessed by the brand on their online accounts. I have other serums in my routine that contain low strengths of Niacinamide and I will continue to use them.
Bioderma Sensibio h2o Micellar Water
Price: $10 for 8.33 oz*
The Bioderma Micellar Water has to be one of my favorite micellar waters that I’ve used. I typically used it in the morning to as gentle cleanser with a cotton pad. I love that the formula removes dirt and leaves my skin feeling clean afterwards. I also find this effective to help remove heavy eye make-up and it never irritated my eyes. This is a product I will continue to use and recommend. I love that they make multiple formulas for different skin types like combination/oily skin, sensitive skin and dehydrated sensitive skin.
Good Science Beauty Purifying Face Mask
Price: $55 for 1.5oz*
The Good Science Purifying Face Mask promotes that it helps for blemish prone skin and aggravators of city living (pollution). The mask is formulated with Willow Bark and Amino Acids to purify and moisturize the skin. I do not have blemish prone skin, but I do live in a city environment. I used the mask 1-2x a week. I found it to be quite gentle and left my skin feeling calm after using it. I can’t say that I loved or hated the mask. I really didn’t notice a change in my skin after using it. Being that I think it’s just okay, I wouldn’t pay $55 for it.
Dr. Dennis Gross Stress SOS Eye Cream™ with Niacinamide Eye Cream
Price: $65 for 0.5oz*
The Stress SOS Eye Cream is described as a potent eye cream that is formulated with niacinamide and adaptogens to against stress, dark circles and fine lines. The texture is creamy and a little product goes a long way.
I really liked using this eye cream during my morning skincare routine. I find that it worked well under my concealer and helped to keep my under area moisturized. I really don’t have fine lines or extremely dark circles. Being that I found the eye cream to provide dramatic results, I wouldn’t repurchase it. The price tag of $65 is pretty common when it comes to eye cream. I haven’t found many eye creams that do much for me, I still continue to use them for preventative measures.
FAB Retinol Eye Cream
Price: $42 for 0.5oz*
The First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream is aimed to target fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity and dark circles. The eye cream is formulated with Microencapsulated Retinol, a stabilized formula, that helps to protect the retinol as soon as it exposed and is time released. This formula helps to provide improved results.
I found the eye cream to be very moisturizing, likely due to the hyaluronic acid that it contained. I also thought the formula would be exceedingly strong as it contains retinol, but I found the formula to be quite gentle. The directions state the eye cream can be used day or night, but it was mostly used in my night time routine. I can’t say that I noticed any drastic results while using it, but I do like how moisturizing the formula was and how long it lasted. I don’t see myself purchasing this in the future as I didn’t see much of change while using it.
Previously Reviewed On the BLOG
Drunk Elephant Baby Facial $80*
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Mask $14.50
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen $34
Native Deodorant $12
Felt Formula Moisturizer $20* (used on my chest and neck)
Minis/(Gift with Purchases items)
Herbivore Prism 20% AHA + 5% BHA Exfoliating Glow Facial
Price: Unable to determine
The Herbivore Prism Mask is a potent AHA Mask treatment that is formulated with 20% AHA & 5%BHA exfoliating acids. I received this as a gift with purchase. I was able to use the mini size above about 3-4 times. The texture of the treatment feels like a gel like texture.
The mask tingled for the first few minutes of the application, but quickly dissipated. After rinsing it off my face felt noticeable soft and had a lovely glow the next morning. Based on the results and the full size of the product, I do think this is worth the price. At this point I’m not sure if I would purchase this as I do no agree with some of the actions that were performed by the brand in May/June on their Instagram page.
Tarte H20 Moisturizer
Price: $14 for 0.5oz
I’ve used the moisturizer on and off for years. The moisturizer is a gel like texture and absorbs well into the skin. This is great for those with normal to oily skin textures. If you have dry skin, this may not provide enough moisture. Although, I don’t mind using this moisturizer, I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it. At this point I tend to purchase and use moisturizers with more complex formulas.
Amore Pacific Treatment Cleanser Foam
(Valued at $6.09 for 0.5 oz)
I believe I acquired this treatment cleanser from purchasing a mink kit set from Amore. This mini cleanser lasted for such a long period of time. The cleanser foams lovely and I love that it didn’t strip my skin. I would definitely think of purchasing this in the future if the full price wasn’t $50 and it didn’t contain fragrance.
Body Care (lotions, shower gel, perfume)
Necessaire The Body Wash- Fragrance Free
Price: $25 for 8.4 oz
The Necessaire Body Wash is described as being a daily multivitamin cleanser for the body. The gel texture lightly foams and the formula does not strip the skin. If you’re sensitive to fragrant body washes and products, I would highly recommend the unscented line from Necessaire. I purchased the unscented formula, which I found to be very nice, but I actually enjoy using scented body care products.
The bottle is plastic and the top is a twist cap that squeezes the product out. I actually really like the packaging of the bottle and I’ve started reusing it for other products. Since I finished the Unscented body wash, I’m now using the Sandalwood scent I really enjoy the scent of it more. Being that I really enjoy the formulas, I definitely plan to repurchase in the future.
Chloe Perfume
Price: $105 for 1.7 oz
The Chloe perfume is one of my favorite spring/summer scents. It’s been in my fragrance collection for the past few years. The scent blend is very floral with key notes of Peony, Rose, Honey and Cedarwood. The scent lasted on me each time I wore for about 6 hours. After that time frame it would be smelled very lightly. I would definitely repurchase.
SkinFix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Body Cream
Price: $45 for 10oz*
The SkinFix body cream is formulated with 5% AHA to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. I used this cream all over, but focusing on my legs and the back of my arms as these are the areas where I have KP. If you’re unsure what KP is, Keratosis Pilaris, it looks like chicken skin and it looks like tiny bumps on the skin. The cream is stated to help reduce the appearance of these bumps.
I found that this cream was extremely moisturizing. I really enjoyed using this cream during the winter months. It left my skin super soft for long periods of time. I don’t think this cream completely help solved my KP, but I do think this in conjunction with a few other products could help the issue to dissipate. Yes, $45 is pricey for a body moisturizer, but it works. I would definitely repurchase this during a sale. The 10 oz size lasted 5-6 months.
Commodity Velvet Perfume Travel Size
Price: $30
(mini can be purchased via ScentBird for $15)
As described on the Commodity site, the Velvet perfume is classified as smelling mysterious and elegant. The scent blend is woody mixed with roasted almonds, rose and black amber. The scent smells dark and sweet to me. This was a scent I especially enjoyed wearing during the winter months. I found the scent lasted on me very well when I would wear it and I would consider it to be unisex.
At this point, I’m not sure what direction Commodity is going with the company. At one point they were out of business and then they came back with a different owner. But at the current time I’m unsure of their status. If this scent comes back, I would definitely purchase.
-If you’re looking for a similar fragrance blend, I recommend trying out Replica By The Fire Place”
Victoria Secret Love Spell Lotion
Price: $18*
The Love Spell scent is described as a Fruity Floral and that is a perfect description. For me this scent reminds me so much of high school. During that time, I enjoyed wearing so many of the scents from Victoria Secret. They got rid of a lot but kept this one around. The scent always made me think of the smell of Fruity Pebbles cereal. Being that many of the Victoria Secret scents only last a short period of time, I tend to just wear them while I’m lounging at home or running errands.
Misc Lifestyle and Hair
HUM Here Comes The Sun (Vitamin D Supplement)
Price: $10 for 60 softgels*
The Here Comes the Sun is a high potency Vitamin D supplement that also helps to boost your mood and help with calcium absorption. For as long as I can remember I’ve had low vitamin D levels. These capsules are very small and easy to swallow. I can’t say I feel a difference with my mood when taking them. When I take supplements from my low levels of vitamin D I don’t usually feel a difference. But being that these are priced so well, I will continue to purchase and use.
Patane Gold Series Buttercreme
Price: $2.99 for 2.6oz
I received this deluxe size Hair Butter in a Target beauty box several months ago. The moisturizing hair cream is said to provide 72 hours of moisture for curly or straight hair styles. I typically used the hair butter for braids outs and twists outs. I think it provided a decent level of moisture. I like it, but not enough to repurchase.