Guess who has two thumbs and is back on the beauty grind? This guy!
Yes, I ended up taking a slightly longer break than I had initially said. But it was definitely needed. And I have to say, I am so ready to take 2025 by the horns and just run with it! But before I can embrace the new year fully, there is still some 2024 business that I need to attend to. Firstly, my empties.
Now, you will notice that this is a much larger empties than normal. While December was a long month, and I did use up quite a bit, I will say that some of the products here are either a) declutters from my end of year clean out, and b) products that I should have included in my November empties but were only 99% finished by the time that post went live. So, yeah, grab your tea and snackies. Because this is a bumper empties to start the year off. Let’s go!
TBH SKINCARE PATCH IT UP EVERYDAY PIMPLE PATCHES 72pk – $19.95
When I used up my Mighty Patches (see below), I picked these up to give a go because I had heard good things. Now, I do like these a lot. Especially for the daytime because of how thin they are, I wouldn’t get this particular set again. I would, however, get a pack of just the larger patches. I found the larger patches to be way more useful.
HERO COSMETICS THE MIGHTY PATCH – $13.00
I would still give the edge to these ones though. I love the size, the thinness, and how well they adhere to the skin.
AVENE CLEANANCE AHA EXFOLIATING SERUM – $59.99 for 30ml
I’ll save my thoughts on this one because as it turns out, I did in fact buy this serum recently! So, stay tuned.
RARE BEAUTY PERFECT STROKES VOLUMISING MASCARA – $21.00
You already know. This one is a longtime favourite. And one of the few mascara’s that I’ll actively repurchase.
KAYALI DEJA VU WHITE FLOWER EDP – $235.00 for 100ml
I’ve finally started going through my perfume samples again. And wow, I forgot how much of a scent bomb this is. If Kayali has discontinued this (and it’s likely the case), than I’ll be super disappointed. Because now I want this.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY BEAUTY LIGHT WAND in PINKGASM – $60.00
This is a case of ‘I’ve had this for way too long and I don’t want that applicator touching my face anymore’. I also got a new one in my Revolve Advent Calendar that I’m planning on giving to a sibling. I just don’t vibe with these blushes or this style of applicator anymore.
SEPHORA COLLECTION LOVE THE LIFT MASCARA – $27.00
Out of the two Sephora Collecton mascara’s that I tried last year, this is the one I recommend. The wand is solid and the effect it gave to my lashes was stunning.
THE KIND COLLECTIVE EXTREME LENGTH TUBING MASCARA – $16.00
Listen, for less than $20, you can’t go wrong with this one! A solid everyday mascara.
TBH SKINCARE ACNE HACK SPOT TREATMENT – $29.95
On the one hand, I did like this. It was effective on my active breakouts. On the other hand, I found that the formula would congeal and block up quite easily. Especially when I hadn’t used it for a minute. And that did bug me.
OSEA UNDARIA CLEASNING BODY POLISH – $83.00 for 285g
Now we are getting into more of the Advent Calendar goodies. And even though this is one I really enjoyed, ain’t no fucking way that I’m paying that much money for a body scrub.
ELEMIS PRO COLLAGEN CLEANSING BALM – $103.00 for 100g
I know that I’m in the minority on this one. But I genuinely hate the way this smells. It’s so botanical and potent. And it’s a smell that I could taste when I use it. I know there is a fragrance free version out there. But that gets to my other issue with this balm. It’s so expensive for what it is. I’ll be sticking to my beloved Gunk Off
GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW AHA SLEEPING MASK – $35.00
Another potentially unpopular opinion. I don’t like this. And I’m not sure why I keep trying to. This stuff is kind of a textural nightmare for me. It pills damn near instantly. And I’m not sure what it actually does for my skin. If I want a Glow Recipe mask, I’ll be sticking to the Watermelon Clay one.
SALT & STONE BLACK ROSE & OUD BODY WASH – $62.00 for 450ml
This is the last thing from the Advent Calendar that I’ve used up so far. And if I didn’t already have a cupboard full of body washes, I would buy this in a heartbeat. It smells absolutely incredible. I say that as someone who hates both rose and oud. It also gave the most beautiful, rich lather. I know it’s expensive, but I can get this on sale from Sephora for something boujee.
BEAUTE PACIFIQUE SUBMERSIVE SERUM PARADOXE – $113.00*
I ended up using this on my body to finish it up. It smelled like cooking oil from day one and it was generally unpleasant to use. Not sure if it did much of anything for me.
GUNK OFF MELTING CLEANSING BALM – $55.00*
Do I need to say anything besides buy this, it’s amazing?
TOWER 28 SOS GEL CLEANSER – $20.00USD
I’ll be talking about this again very soon. All I’ll say for now is that I hope this launches at Mecca soon.
NIOD SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE SACCHARIDE MIST – $80.00
She’s still an icon! Been through more bottles than I can count.
EVERYDAY BY FRANK BODY CLEARING BODY WASH – $14.00
Another frequent flyer for my empties. It’s such a great body wash.
L’OREAL SERIE EXPERT SERIOXYL DENSITY SHAMPOO – $50.50
Loved that it was blue. But other than that, it didn’t do much for me.
ESSENCE REMOVE LIKE A BOSS EYE MAKEUP REMOVER – $8.00*
This was fine. In all honestly, I’m so used to using my cleansing balm to remove my eye makeup that I forgot to use this. I probably wouldn’t get this again. Not least because I think it’s been discontinued.
ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD EXFOLIATING TREATMENT – $76.95*
I remember back in the day not liking this. Now, it’s an essential. That’s all I’ll say for now.
OLAPLEX NO. 4C BOND MAINTENANCE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO – $54.00
At long last, it’s finally empty! I went on a journey with this one. Started off loving it, then hating it, and then finally coming back around to really enjoying it. I just can’t keep it in my hair for the full 5 minutes. I would get this again. But not before I try the K18 version.
Phew, I am done with my empties. I wasn’t kidding about it being a big one. I hope you all had an amazing New Year’s. And stay tuned for Friday. Because that’s when the real fun begins!
Cheers and love
Emily xo