“Empties” reviews: shower products, toothpaste, La Mer and more

Some of my favorite YouTube videos to watch are the “Empties” collections. Why do I want to look at other people’s trash, you ask? Perhaps it scratches the itch I’ve had to be a private investigator—an ambition born spending my youth watching Magnum PI, Moonlighting , Remington Steele and the criminally underrated, Riptide (i wanted both the robot AND the helicopter, sadly, i still have neither) with my mother.

But more likely, I find it helpful to get insight on products that were taken the distance. I like knowing if the trusted YouTuber plans to repurchase items, especially when it requires spending their own money on a product they might have gotten sent to them gratis from the company.

So I thought it might be fun to do my own “Empties” post and go through some products I’ve finished and give my take on them.

We are curious on your thoughts on these kinds of posts—so let us know in the comments!

my trash–or shall i say–empties

La Mer, Crème de la Mer: I’ve been reading Vogue since middle school (which has probably warped my brain into buying all the ridiculous products that fill my bathroom–but hey!–now i call it research!) One of my dream products to try has been the La Mer, Crème de la Mer. It was always the holy grail of products. The fountain of youth in a jar. The cream fancy people used to give themselves the edge only they could afford. And I wanted it. Since I was 13. But alas–not only was it only sold at department stores that are nowhere near my general radius–it’s hella expensive! I was shocked when it came to Sephora. To promote it’s launch on their website, they offered it as a gift with purchase. I can’t even remember what I bought to get the sample, but I found something! Thirty seconds didn’t pass from the time I got the email announcing the sample to the time I was hitting “pay” on Sephora. I had secured my first taste of the Miracle Broth™.

So how is it? It’s ok. My skin actually looked pretty great when I used it and it felt super hydrated. I put it on religiously for two weeks (i got a lot out of the the tiniest sample ever.) But the curious thing about it–after I showered in the morning–my skin felt dry. It felt great when I woke up and it looked good. But one shower later and I needed to get a moisturizer back on my skin, fast. I’m not sure if it means that it really sinks in your skin where other products are left on top of your skin and rinse off in the shower or what the deal was (i’m sure there’s some science here i’m lacking) but unlike other products I used, I really noticed that my skin felt dry after showering. And I don’t generally wash my face in the morning either.

With the price tag of $85 for .5 oz, I think there are better options. But that said…I still feel called to give it another go. Luckily, grown Lyn has kept teenage Lyn at bay, for now.

SKYN ICELAND,Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels: I love these. They are a little on the pricey side, but as I discussed in my eye mask patches review, these are some of my favorites. I especially like that you only need to wear them for 10 minutes to see results. And because they adhere like stickers, they are very easy to wear and do other things. Some of the more gel based masks are a little slippery for multi-tasking. I will definitely be repurchasing these soon.

Josie Maran, Argan Color Stick in Happy Glow: Technically, this one isn’t empty. There’s still a lot of product left, which is insane since I wore this stick blush daily for years. I can’t tell you how much I loved this product. It was the only blush I used once upon a time. When I discovered how easy it was to use and how the cream base didn’t make my skin look old, I was hooked on cream blushes in general. But it is old. And super gummy now. I started trying out other blush products and sort of left this one alone for a little too long. Will I repurchase it? Maybe. It’s not sold on Sephora anymore, but it looks like you can pick it up on QVC in some Josie Maran beauty packages. One of the cheapest sets is $25 which is very reasonable for a product that lasts this long. And I like it much better than Tarte’s stick blushes. But I have A LOT of blushes right now. So I’ll wait.

Avalon Organics Bath & Shower Refreshing Gel Grapefruit & Geranium: It takes me a really long time to go through shower gel, mostly because at any one time I have three or four in active rotation (is this common?). I used to have an EO Grapefruit & Mint Shower Gel and that was my favorite ever. I used to get my bottle refilled at Community Pharmacy but I’ve had a few to get through so I didn’t get more the last time I ran out. I picked this up when traveling up north. This one was ok, but I liked my other one better. Plus, it looks like it’s discontinued. So…no.

Tom’s Of Maine Simply White toothpaste: This is my go-to toothpaste! My dental hygienist and I love it and it has already been repurchased. (Shout out to University Square Dental!!)

Giovanni Ultra Sleek Body Wash: This body wash was featured in my “10 Things Getting Me Through this Winter” post. I love this stuff. Already repurchased!

L’Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Milk Concentrate: I hate putting on lotion. I don’t know why I’m so crabby about it. But this stuff did not help. Wasn’t a fan of the scent or the texture. Which is a shame since I love the L’Occitane Cleansing And Softening Shower Oil With Almond Oil. (no but really, what’s my deal with shower products? i’m noticing this might be an issue.)

Original Minerals, Style Guru: This is one of my favorite products. I use this in my hair every day. I get it directly from my stylist, Nicole at Co Leigh Co Salon and I have already repurchased.

JUARA Radiance Enzyme Scrub: Last but DEFINITELY not least–I am CRAZY for this product. I got a sample of it in a Birchbox eons ago and I fell in love immediately. At $38 a tube, it is expensive, but nothing makes my skin feel as good as this scrub. Nothing. I don’t generally wash my face in the shower–as noted above–but a couple times a week I use this and my skin looks and feels incredible. A little goes a long way, so I’ve had this bottle for a long time. If you get Birchbox, you can use points towards it and sometimes it’s on sale. I have already repurchased this and from everything on this list–this is the one product I seriously would not live without. And I have a lot of favorites listed.  (it looks like it’s currently sold out on Birchbox, but oddly enough, it’s also on QVC! and through dermstore.com.)

So there you have it! Those were my empties! What do you think? Do you like “empties” posts? Do you also have a multiple shower gels going at the same time? Have you ever purchased off the QVC website? What’s your go-to toothpaste? Are you crabby about putting on lotion? Do you have any dream products you are still waiting to try? What’s your favorite 80s PI show? So many questions! Please leave answers in the comments below.

All of these products were bought by me. While my company designed my salon’s website, I still pay for products.

9 thoughts on ““Empties” reviews: shower products, toothpaste, La Mer and more

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