September '25 Empties
I know I’m a little late with my September empties, but better late than never, right? Between the change of seasons and a busier-than-usual month, I somehow managed to finish up quite a few products — and some of them have definitely earned a repurchase spot. From skincare staples I can’t stop reaching for to a few that didn’t quite live up to the hype, here’s a full rundown of what I completely used up last month.
Face Care Empties
Kiehl’s Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Price: $62 for 6.8oz
The Kiehl’s Milk Peel is gentle exfoliating toner that is formulated with Lipo Hydroxy Acid (LHA) along with emollients and almond milk. Prior to using the Milk Peel this was my first time using a product that’s formulated with LHA. It’s known for being a gentle, slow penetrating derivative of salicylic acid that exfoliates the skin, helps with decongested pores, and helps to reduce breakouts without irritating the skin. I typically used the toner during my morning routines. The toner has somewhat of bio-phase to it, so it must be shaken prior to being used. It’s recommended for it to be apply to a cotton round and then applied to the face, which I think makes the most sense too. When applying it this way the combination of the toner and cotton round was also able to pick up excess oil and dirt that was left on my skin. Sometimes I used the toner as my first step in my morning routine and sometimes I used it after a traditional face wash or micellar water. I was a bit worried of using an exfoliant toner in my routine on an everyday basis, but I’m happy to say that my skin responded so well to this toner. I think that the fact the toner has LHA paired with skin nourishing ingredients it really helped to hydrate and exfoliate my skin in the best way possible!
Farmacy Beauty Wild Raspberry Tea Cleansing Balm
Price: $24 for 1.7oz
I’ve gone through so many jars of the Farmacy cleansing balms and the formula is one of my favorites! I love how quickly the formula breaks down makeup – even stubborn eye makeup without irritating my eyes or skin. The raspberry tea scent is on the lighter side and was pleasant to use.
Previous Review: Try On Video
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Hydrator Mist – Radiant Skin Essence Mist
Price: $47 for 2.5oz
The CT Magic Hydrator Mist will be missed in my skincare routine. It’s a hydrating mist that is formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and kombu extract to hydrate and strength the barrier of the skin. It’s described as a multitasker as it can be used in both a skincare and makeup routine. Personally, this is not a mist that I would use in my makeup routine, but I absolutely loved it in my skincare routine! As with most essences, the hydrator mist is aimed to help boost the absorption of the rest of your skincare. The mister sprays out really nice. I typically used the mist directly after washing my face as a toner or at different steps within my skincare routine. It did a great job to hydrate my skin without having to overspray. I think the hydrator mist lives up to its claims and I would repurchase if I was able to purchase it on sale.
Price: $48 for 2 oz
The City Serum is one of my favorite Supergoop sunscreens. I look at it as more than just a sunscreen. It’s formulated with Vitamin E and Vitamin B5, which combined formulates to an antioxidant that helps to lock in moisture. The consistency feels like a light lotion, so I never felt the need to apply a moisturizer prior to using it. I look at the City Serum almost as a one and done type of product. I really appreciate the pump applicator, as I know air and sunlight is not penetrating the product, thus helping the sunscreen to remain more stable.
When I initially started using this sunscreen, about 6 years ago, it retailed for $42. With the current state of inflation, the prices have gone up! This is a sunscreen I initially stumbled upon while shopping in Marshall’s and I believe they were selling it for under $20!
Previously Reviewed: Sunscreens for Combo Skin
Sephora Collection Organic Cotton Pads
Price: $4.50 for 50 pads
At this point, I’ve gone through several packages of the Sephora Collection pads. Over the years I’ve tried various cotton brands from luxury brands like Chanel and Shiseido to drugstore brands, but the Sephora Collection are my favorite. Out of all of the cotton squares that I’ve tried these are the largest ones and feel as nice as of many of the luxe brands that I've tried. The prices of these are great and Sephora tends to put these on sale several times during the year, and when they do I stock up on them.
If you use toners, micellar water, or any type of product like this, I would highly recommend giving these a try!
Previously Reviewed: Nov & Dec ’24 Empties
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Vegan Cleansing Wipes
Price: $9.99
I know there’s so much talk about not using makeup wipes for removing makeup, but I really enjoy using them, just NOT for removing makeup. I tend to use a decent amount of face masks throughout the week, and I love using face wipes to remove them.
The wipes are formulated with rice bran oil, rice water, ceramides, vitamin A, B, and E. Compared to other face wipes that I’ve tried in the past, I found these to be a lot thinner and smaller in size.
I found the Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Wipes to work pretty well. Despite the wipes being thinner and a bit smaller than what I’m used to, the wipes didn’t sting my eyes or irritate my skin. I’m happy to say the wipes left my skin feeling soft and moisturized after using them. I feel like the price is a good value for the quality and quantity of product, so I would possibly repurchase in the future.
Body Care Empties
Kiehls Crème de Corp Nourishing Dry Body Oil
Price: $44 for 5.9oz
The Kiehls dry body oil is a light weight feel that feels light on the skin. The dry oil is housed in a bottle with a spray applicator making it very easy and quick to apply it to the body. I really enjoyed using the body oil during the summer months, but at the same time I think it would be great for the winter months as well in terms of moisture. I typically used the body oil on damp skin immediately after showering. Using it in this manner deeply moisturized my skin and I feel like it helped to sink into the skin and not just sit on the top of my skin. Scent wise, it’s described to smell like a mixture of vanilla and almond, and I think that’s pretty spot on. I found the scent to be on the lighter side, which I like as it didn’t interfere with my other body care scents.
Pacifica Beauty Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads
Price: $16 for 60 pads
The Pacifica Peel Pads are formulated with 10% active blend of lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. The pads are dual sided, with one side feel smooth, and the other feeling textured. It’s recommended for the peel pads to be used up to 3x a week. Being that I’m on Tretinoin, I’ve slowed down with the acids that I use in my routine. I used these pads on various areas of my body such as the kp on the back of my arms, neck/chest area, and my feet. While using the pads on my body I didn’t notice any sensitivity, but I also only used them once a week. I especially liked using the pads on my feet to help with exfoliation. Based on the quality, quantity, and price point, I would definitely repurchase them.
Let this also be a reminder that if you have a skincare product that doesn’t work or may not be compatible for your face, try it out on your body.
Hair Care Empties
Aunt Jackies Curl Boss Coconut Curling Gelee
Price: $7.99 for 15oz
The coconut curling gelee is described as lightweight styling gel that wont weight the hair down. Over the past few months, I’ve been getting back into curly styles and wanting my curls to look more defined. Application wise I tried applying the curling to damp hair and to dry hair. On damp hair the gel defined my curls really well and dried down well almost formed some what of a cast to my hair. A cast on curly hair is usually a sign that you’ll get long lasting curls. I went back and forth with liking and disliking the gel. I like the way my curls looked with gel, but often I would get product flaking. The issue was that the products that I used prior to the gel didn’t work well with curling gel. Ultimately, I decided to use the gel for slick back buns and to define a few frizzy spots here and there, but not throughout all of my hair. Being that it was a little finicky for me, I would likely not purchase, but I do have my eyes on the Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Curling Gel in the future.
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Defining Mask
Price: $39 for 8oz
The Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Hair Mask is described as protein free mask. As I further researched rice amino it’s described as a protein as it’s made with protein powder, which are building blocks of protein. With all of that being said, I used this hair mask as a protein mask, and I really enjoyed it! I found the hair mask to really helped to moisturize my hair, helped to define my curls, and provide a really nice level of protein. I try not to use too much protein in my hair since too much of it can actually have an adverse effect. I used this mask once a month and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely repurchase this again!
Price: $56 for 1.7oz
Prose is known for their customized skincare products, so I was really happy to see their customized hair care products. I really like that Prose requires a short quiz that helps them formulate a custom formula for every single person. The quiz asks questions that relates to your hair type, local environment, porosity, and more. The serum was lightweight and absorbed really nicely onto the scalp and hair without feeling oily. I typically applied the serum in the mornings, and I believed it really helped to alleviate my dry and itchy scalp. As for noticing a different with my hair, I can’t really speak on density since the serum only lasted me for about 6 weeks. I feel like if I was able to use the serum for at least 3 months or more I would be able to speak on hair growth and density more.
Ouidad Moisture Lock Edge Control + Pomade
Price: $25 for 2oz
The Ouidad edge control pomade is described as clear, flake free pomade that aims to smooth flyaways and edges while providing a strong hold. I tried using this pomade in a few different ways and the way that it worked best for me was to use it to slick my hair down instead of using a gel. The hold that I get from the pomade on my type 4 hair was more on the medium side. When I tried to use it as an edge control, I found that it didn’t do much to keep them slicked down. I didn’t have any issues with it flaking, but I feel like it could easily lead to product build up if it’s used for multiple days in a row. I do think it lived up to its moisture claims as I didn’t feel like it make my hair feel dry when I used it. I’m not usually bothered by the scents of most beauty products, but this one was too much! There was something that about it that I found so nauseating. It was almost to the point that I actually almost threw out the product prior to it being finished. So, with that being said, I would not repurchase this pomade.
Candle Empties
Trader Joe’s Peach Iced Tea Candle
Price: $3.99 for 5.7oz
I believe the TJ’s Peach Iced Tea candle is a summer candle that’s released at the end of the summer. For someone who enjoys black tea scents, I really don’t incorporate the scents into my routine enough. The peach black tea candle gives all the summer vibes. It’s light, but still substantial in terms of the scent throw. The TJ candles are formulated with natural soy wax, which ultimately means that they burn a little cleaner. I also find that their candles burn pretty well. For a small size, I’m able to get plenty of long burns with them. I will absolutely be repurchasing this candle next year and when I do I plan on getting a few jars.
Homesick Lemongrass Breeze Candle
Price: $19.47 for 8oz
This candle was included in my Spring or Summer Fab Fit Fun box. I’ve always heard great things about the Homesick candles and I’m happy I had the opportunity to try one. Whenever I think of lemongrass scent wise, I usually associate it was a lemon earthy scent. Unfortunately, I didn’t get those vibes with this candle scent. I found the lemongrass scent to be non-existent. I barely smelled anything while it was burning.
September Empties Value: $406.94
BLOG POST GIVEAWAY
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Included in the Giveaway:
Dr. B Lab Nourishing Face Oil
Maely’s Get Dreamy Overnight Toning Body Whip
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
Saturday Skin Pretty Pop Probiotic Power Whipped Cream
Dermalactives Purifying Day Cream
Origins Youthtopia Peptide Plumping Apple Cream
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Caudalie Vinosun Protect Daily Mineral Sunscreen
Rodial Vit C Papaya Enzyme Scrub
Rules:
The Giveaway is open from now until Friday 10/31/2025
The Giveaway is open to residents of the US
The winner will be announced via my IG stories
The Giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or any of the brands featured…