May '26 Empties + GIVEAWAY
Another month, another bag of beauty empties. May was apparently the month of finishing things, because this empties pile is bigger than expected. I always think my empties pile will be small, and then somehow a full month's worth of skincare, body care, and makeup accumulates before I know it. Here's everything I used up this month and whether I'd repurchase.
Skincare Empties
Tower 28 SOS Daily Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Price: $28 for 4oz
The Tower 28 hypochlorous acid spray is said to help keep breakouts away, reduce redness, and soothe stressed skin. It’s formulated with, of course, Hypochlorous Acid, which is known for being naturally produced by the body’s immune system. It works by when coming in contact with pathogens, it destroys bacteria, viruses, etc. by breaking down their cell walls. Besides Hypochlorous Acid being used for skincare and acne, it can also be used for wound care, eczema, and disinfection. I’ve used the spray on and off for a while now, but since having some issues with Perioral Dermatitis, I’ve been using the spray more and I’ve noticed a great improvement. I used the spray by spraying it directly to the lower half of my face. I let the formula dry completely and then I would proceed with the rest of my skin care routine. I can’t say enough great things about this face mist and how it’s helped to soothe my skin!
Youth to the People Adaptogens + Snow Mushroom + Oat Oil Lipids + Vitamins Supershroom Calm Cleanser
Price: $39 for 8oz
The YTTP Adaptogens + Snow Mushroom cleanser is a gentle cleanser that aims to soothe whilst cleansing it without stripping it. I found the cleanser to have a lower level of lather than what I’m typically used to. The cleanser itself has a milky consistency when activated with water. I used the cleanser in both morning and evening cleansing routines, but more evenings. The cleanser did a great job at cleansing my skin without drying it out. I especially loved this cleanser in my routines when using Tretinoin, as it known for being a lot on the skin, this cleanser really helped to soothe and calm my skin.
Skinfix Barrier+ Gentle Gel Cleanser
Price: $30 for 5oz
I kept this cleanser in my shower and this how I usually used it. I more so reached for this cleanser as my morning cleanser. The Barrier+ gentle cleanser is formulated with skin nourishing ingredients like Ectoin, Chamomile, and Ceramides. I really like how gentle the cleanser was on skin and the moisture that it provides, which made it great as a morning cleanser. The Barrier+ is housed in a tube package, which has a twist feature instead of a regular cap to close it. This may be helpful to keep in mind since if its not closed correctly, product could leak out. Overall, I really enjoyed this cleanser.
Pixi Antioxidant Eye Mask Goggles
Price: $6 for set of 3
The Pixi Eye Mask Goggles is a 360 mask in the sense that the mask covers the entire area around the eyes. Most eye masks only cover the underneath the eyes, so I would say this is quite innovative. The eye masks are formulated with key ingredients of Blueberry, Ceramides, and Camellia. This combination gives antioxidant protection and at the same time provides moisturizing skin nourishing benefits. I found these eye mask to be really moisturizing and really helped to hydrate my eye area and with minimize puffiness. I think the eye goggle shape really helped to keep them in place too. I do like that these eye patches covered more surface area. As for the price point, I think this is very generous. Being that these are individually wrapped, I think these would be good for travel.
Makeup Empties
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Blurring Under Eye Powder
Price: $35
The Sublime Perfection powder is a lightweight pressed powder that helps to brighten and set. As someone who has always had a few fine lines under my eyes, it’s absolutely necessary for me to set my concealer. I generally look for a lightweight powder that will not disturb or alter my concealer. I picked up the powder in the Deep shade, which was a perfect match. It was deep enough to not leave a flashback, but sheer and light enough to not disturb my concealer or the finish. I find that many powders tend to be very heavy on the skin, which can often look cakey. I absolutely loved this powder, and I do plan on repurchasing, but I would like to try it in the pink shade. My only issue was that my compact broke and limited my usage of me only being able to use it at home and not travel with.
Sephora Collection Cotton Squares
Price: $4.50 for 50 pads
I absolutely love these cotton squares. I’ve been using them for quite a few years now and I may or may not have accumulated a huge stockpile of them. I highly recommend giving them a try if you can!
Previous Review: July’24 Empties
Price: $28
The CT brow cheat is one of my favorite brow pencils. I really like the waxy texture of the pencil and I feel like it’s one of the reasons why I find it to be so long lasting. As with all of the Charlotte Tilbury products, the packaging is always so luxe. I’ve been buying this brow pencil over the years because I love that they have a refillable option, so you’re not wasting the packaging by throwing it away each time it empties. The refillable option is also $10 less, which is another reason why I kept purchasing it. Unfortunately it’s been sometime since I’ve been able to locate the refills of the Brow Cheat that’s in stock. I really do hope this gets figured out by the company.
Previous Reviewed: February + March ‘26 Empties
Hair Care Empties
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
Price: $23 for 2.5oz
The Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo aims to gently cleanse the hair, repair damage, and restore moisture back to the hair. The Bio Restorative Complex is formulated with Biotin, Plant Collagen, Caffeine, and Niacinamide to strength the hair. I typically used the shampoo once every 2 weeks or so. I reached for it when I wanted a deeper cleanse my hair along with extra repair for strands. My hair is on the dry side, and I didn’t find the formula too be too drying on my hair. Using the shampoo with this level or frequency lasted me a pretty long time. I had picked up this mini size as a way to try out a new formula being that the full-size retails for $56. I’m happy I had a chance to give it a try, but the retail price is a little too expensive.
Price: $31.99 for 3.3oz
The Olaplex No. 3 has had a long standing in my routine. It remains to be one of my go to products when my hair is in need of extra care. They recently launched No. 3 Plus, which is a Complete Bond Repair Pre-Shampoo. It’s said to be a new and improved formula that only requires 3 minutes. I do wonder how this new formula compares to the original.
Previously Reviewed: Olaplex Review - No. 0, 3, 4, 5
Fenty Beauty The Richer One Moisture Repair Deep Conditioner
Price: $32 for 11.5oz
The Richer One is a thick hydrating deep conditioner that’s specifically designed for dry, damaged hair. I typically reached for this treatment 1-2x per month. I really like how moisturizing it made my hair feel and look in such a short period of application time. Being that conditioner contains protein; I tried my best to use it more on the sparing side. I picked up this treatment during one of Marshall’s strolls and I paid about $15 for this jar. Based on the results and the price point of which I paid, I feel like this was more than worth it.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 24/7 Night & Day Serum for Hair Repair
Price: $46 for 3.4oz
The Acidic Bonding Concentrate is hair serum that aims to repair and strength the hair by offering bond building with citric acid, polyglutamic acid, and squalene. These ingredients aim to reduce frizz, breakage, and strength the hair. On some occasions I used the serum on the mid-length to the ends of my hair. When using it this way I found that it helped to add moisture to my hair. I also used the serum prior to blow drying my hair straight and I really enjoyed using it this way as I feel like it helped to strengthen my hair and reduce frizz. I do think the serum worked moderately well, but I cannot justify the price tag matched to the product performance. Perhaps you would like this more or have different results if you have color treated hair.
Ecostyler Black Castor and Flaxseed Oil Gel
Price: $4.99 for 16oz
The black castor and flaxseed oil ecostyler gel still remains my favorite. I love the soft hold that it gives my curls. I do feel like the gel offers benefits with the inclusion of castor oil and flaxseed. I also find that this gel works well when layered with other products.
This is a great gel to try if you’re looking for a curl enhancing product. If you’re looking for a product that will give you a sleek look or to use for slick backs, this is not the product I would recommend. I would recommend the eco style gel in the argan oil version or the olive oil version for that type of finish. As much as I do like this gel, I recently purchased it in the rosemary mint version, and the hold seems to be on the stronger side.
Body Care Empties
Beekman 1802 Hand Cream - Fresh Baked Cookies & Milk
Price: $16
The Beekman Hand Creams are formulated with goatmilk, shea butter, and glycerin to help moisturize and lock it in. The hand creams are lightweight but moisturize decently. I love that they’re available in so many different fun scents. Being that the hand cream is on the lighter side, this is a hand cream that I think would be best suited for the spring and summer months. I do think the hand cream is moisturizing, but not enough for my really dry skin during the winter months.
Price: $16 for 2.5oz
The rose Caudalie hand cream seems to be sold in a trio, because that’s how I often see them. But I will say that the their rose line is one of my favorites. The scent is on the fresher side with rose and musk. As for performance, the hand cream is on the lighter side and provides a middle ground level of moisturization.
Dove Dragon Fruit & Coconut Body Scrub
Price: $7.99 for 15oz
The Dove Dragon Fruit & Coconut body scrub is an exfoliating scrub that nourishes the skin as it exfoliates the skin. I really love the scent blend of dragon fruit and coconut mixed together. Like the other Dove body scrubs that I’ve tried in the past, I found this one to be gentle enough to use a few times a week. I really can’t recommend these body scrubs enough, especially if you like body scrubs that are on the gentle side.
Previously Reviewed: January ’26 Empties
MAY EMPTIES VALUE: #348.17
BLOG GIVEAWAY
Prize #1
Dew of Gods Dragron Fruit Oil Cleanser
Loreal Revitalift Tripe Power Ant-Aging Moisturizer
Loreal Age Perfect Age Defying Serum
Loreal Revitalift Triple Power Eye Bag Instant Eraser
Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara in Very Black
5 Covergirl Jelly Water Tint
First Aid Beauty Daily Resurfacing Lotion
PRIZE #2 INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Rael Blemish Recovery Mask
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant
Goldfaden MD Sunscreen
Origins Youthtopia Moisturizer
Supergoop Superfood Skin Drip
Laneige Waterbank Eye Cream
Wander Beauty Eyeshadow Duo
3 Covergirl Yummy Blur Lip Products
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara
Sonage Tinted Day Cream SPF 30
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Rules:
The Giveaway is open from now until Friday, 06/26/2026
The Giveaway is open to residents of the US
2 winners will be announced via my IG stories
The Giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or any of the brands featured…