I've found that you guys really like these empties posts because it's nice to see products I didn't like as well. It's been awhile since I did my last one, so I wanted to share with you the products I've used up in the last few months. I think this post will be equally as helpful because I have some products I won't be repurchasing because of the ingredients they contain and that I am finding cleaner alternatives. I've divided them up into categories so it's a little more helpful, and I've included products that I use up in my kit since that might be interesting for you as well! Let's get started:
Makeup Empties:
Most of these products were from my kit which will be helpful for you if you're looking for products I trust and love. First up we have two bottles of the Ulta Beauty Brush & Sponge Cleanser. I go through this stuff like water because it's such a great brush cleanser. It's really effective and you don't need much product. It also dries really quickly, so when I'm doing clients back to back, it's easy to sanitize and clean my brushes fast and move onto my next client. If you don't deep clean your brushes as often as you should, I highly recommend getting a spot cleaner like this to wash them frequently (every other day) in between deep cleansing. I will continue to keep repurchasing this spot cleanser until I find one that I like more or is comparable but more cost effective.
This next product is also from my kit and I have a love/hate relationship with it. MAC Cosmetics Fix + is a cult favorite and I keep it in my kit for only one reason; to wet my brush for metallic shadows/more color payoff. I do not like it as setting spray for the whole face because I hate the way the container sprays. I'm picky when it comes to spraying a face of makeup that I've just put so much work and love into. I also find that the bottle tends to leak when I'm transporting it from job to job, so after 2 or 3 bottles completely emptying in my kit, I've committed to only buying this little 1 oz bottle of MAC Fix + from now on, so I don't waste money if it leaks again. I will continue to buy it because it is my favorite for really getting a shimmery/metallic shadow to lay beautifully on the eye and stay well.
Benefit Porefessional Face Primer is my favorite silicone based primer to keep in my kit for almost all of my clients. I love how it smooths out the texture of a client's skin and will always have it in my kit. I've tried other brands' versions and nothing compares to this one for me. Plus most of my clients always say "this smells so good!" and it's nice for clients to have enjoyable situations like this throughout the makeup process. Remember if you are a makeup artist, the experience of doing someone's makeup is just as important as the end result.
This last makeup empty is a personal one, as I am always trying out mascaras from the drugstore. I have had so many people talk about Covergirl Clump Crusher and decided to try this one out. It's the Covergirl Clump Crushers Extensions Mascara in 'Very Black'. Apparently it's supposed to be like the original clump crusher formula but with buildable fiber extensions in it? I don't think it was anything special and if I remmeber correctly, I bought it by accident when wanting to try the original instead. Mental note: Read fine print better Andrea.
Skincare Empties:
These two kind of go together because they were my two favorite makeup removers before I went clean with my skincare. I loved this solid Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter because it isn't liquid which makes it easier to travel with. It also seemed to last forever. The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water is also great for removing eye and face makeup with a cotton round. If you aren't concerned with clean skincare than I'd recommend them for you, but unfortunately you won't seem in my routine anymore. (In case you are wondering what I have switched to, keep an eye out for my current skincare routine post coming later this week!)
This toner is a repeat and thankfully is clean enough to stay with me through the clean skincare process! It has a few ingredients that register as a 3 but most are 1's which makes this an overall 3 or under product (my goal). There has to be at least a 50% chance that if you are reading this I've either gotten you addicted to this toner or you've heard me talk about it. The Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Healthy Toner with Glycolic & Lactic Acid is the perfect toner for people who need glycolic and lactic acid in their routine on a daily basis (i.e. many of you especially those who struggle with texture issues, uneven skin tone, breakouts, clogged pores. etc...). It's worth the splurge because it lasts over 6 months and I love that it comes in a glass bottle. I think it's made an appearance in at least 3 empties posts over the years, so you can bet I will continue to purchase it.
I used up a pack of the CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patches and this things are my SAVIORS. I will always keep them on hand because I pop one on clean and unmoisturized skin over my blemish at night and in the morning it is significantly reduced. It works best if the blemish has come to a head already, but I am always excited to see the oil and impurities on the sticker when I remove it in the morning. It makes me feel like a science experiment and I'm weird like that. If you struggle with acne ever PLEASE do yourself a favor and click on the link and snatch some of these up.
I got this sample of the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and I couldn't even finish it because of the smell. I thought I could tolerate most smells if I knew the product was helping my skin but I just couldn't get over this one. I included it in this because I've heard great things about this serum but I wanted to recommend that you go into Sephora and ask for a sample to see if you can tolerate before you purchase it.
Next up we have some sheet masks that I used up and this first one was a gift, and thankfully they still sell them on Amazon! The Secret Nature Firming Blueberry Sheet Masks are awesome. I'm happy I received a whole pack of 5 of these because after using the first one, I couldn't believe how plumped and hydrated my skin looked. My fine lines were so minimized and some even gone. It was unreal. While they contain ingredients like fragrance, that I try to stay away from, I will definitely be using up the pack. Again this is a product that I definitely recommend if you aren't as concerned with clean skincare. The other mask I used is from I Dew Care and I bought it in the Let's Get Sheetfaced kit of 14 sheet masks. Unfortunately it is no longer available, but I did like that there were many options in this kit. I definitely recommend getting a kit of different varieties of sheet masks to keep on hand so you always have something for whatever your skin is currently dealing with.
Other Empties:
This category is for hair and body. So I have an issue with wasting products. I cannot just through products out because I no longer want to use them. I have to figure out a way to use them and this first product was no exception. I haven't bought a Victoria Secret or Bath & Body Works body product in ages, I think this one was a gift, because the quality of ingredients is just simply bad. I had this Amber Romance Victoria's Secret Body Wash and instead used about a tablespoon with my bathes to give a little bit of bubbles. This did make it last forever, but at least it's gone and I don't have to feel bad about wasting products. I'm not even going to link it because I do not recommend buying your body products from either of these places.
These next two hair products, the Wella Professionals Enrich Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine/Normal Hair were my favorites before I switched to a cleaner option. I went through a few bottles of them and really did love them. They are great quality if you don't necessarily want clean hair care products and made my hair feel more voluminous and healthy (For reference, I have very flat and fine hair but a lot of it).
The last product I want to share is something I've never talked about on AFB but it has to do with periods so if that bothers you here's your warning. While going clean and toxin free, I swapped out my tampons for organic cotton ones. This was actually one of the first changes I made, probably about 8 or 9 months ago! Through a recommendation of a friend (thanks Mercedes!) I went with This is L and I really do love their organic tampons. I signed up for the subscription on their website which I've linked above and received 20 tampons once a month (10 regular & 10 super) for $7.95 (including shipping). I like that with every purchase they donate to products women in need in high impact areas. So not only are you making a healthier conscious choice for yourself, but you're doing something good for other women at the same time. I will always support companies who have this business model! While I would buy L tampons again, I paused my subscription because I couldn't use them fast enough. Apparently I don't need 20 every month and they were getting backed up in my bathroom. I have also noticed the Cora tampons and decided that once I used up my This is L ones, I would give those a shot. Cora also donates products to women in need and they are organic cotton. I feel like Cora's website is more specific in how your purchase helps those in countries all over the world (including the US) which I really like. I will let you guys know how I like the Cora Tampons when I get to try them. Both companies have subscription options which is really nice so you never have to do a midnight tampon run again (Hello, we've all been there!) I like that Cora is sold on Grove Collaborative which is the online membership service that I use to purchase my natural cleaning products.
This was definitely a longer post than normal but I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the products I've used up recently. It allows me to give you an honest opinion of the product after using it entirely. I hope you enjoyed and shout out to you if you made it to the end of this post! Comment below if you've tried anything I mentioned today!
Have a beautiful week,
Andrea
Disclosure:
Unless noted, all products were purchased with my own money and all opinions are my own.
Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.
