Beauty Empties Q2 2021

The BC scrub twice in a row! I ran out of one of these last month too. My old tendency was save things that I really love but at some point in the last two years I realized that doing this would just cause me to hoard things that I should be enjoying. This is one of those things. I freaking love it. It makes my skin silky smoothe and so hydrated and it smells delicious. Honestly when I’m feeling lazy I use this on my legs and arms right before I get out of the shower so I don’t have to bother with moisturizer. I KNOW it’s genius right?

FYI this is holiday packaging but the new packaging is a beautiful rose color in a much bigger tub. I’ve already moved onto that one and I’m sure you’ll see it next quarter – def a re-buy! I’ve also delved into some other exfoliators and may do a round up soon.

This is something I have in my cabinet at all times, during all seasons. I mentioned that in my stories because I just ordered more of this dreamy hydrator and I’m not even out of my current bottle! I get cranky when I don’t have one on hand 🙂 Anyway, this is a targeted hydrating serum with loads of hyaluronic acid – the queen of hydration – and it soaks into the skin in the best most luxurious way. What I love the most about it is that it doesn’t break me out or make me feel greasy. It delivers a boost of lasting hydration and antioxidant protection to protect skin from environmental stressors. And we all know I have plenty of those living in NYC! With continued use, this baby has helped my skin feel firmer and look brighter with a more even tone. Right now I’m using it as a base serum with the C serum on top!

I’ve been using Billie for about a year now – I originally ordered it when we were staying in NJ last summer. I have not been using this shaving cream for that long – I think this is my second bottle. Anyway, I think my thoughts about Billie deserve their own post so I won’t get into ALL of that now. I will say that I dig their mission and their ingredients are the best that I’ve found in the shaving biz other than Oui The People. That being said, this is not a cream it is more of a lotion. It’s kind of runny and while I think it’s 100% necessary to use a cream (or lotion) of sorts with Billie razors I am pretty indifferent about this one. It’s only $8, which is great, but right now I’m using a body wash that I don’t love instead. I didn’t re-order this.

A skincare staple for me, this serum is a powerhouse when it comes to getting better with age. This serum is a targeted treat step that focuses on increasing firmness and elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Everything in the Countertime line contains Beautycounter’s Retinatural Complex with two main heavy hitting ingredients: Bakuchiolk, which is a great clean alternative to retinol without the icky side effects, and Swiss Alpine Rose to boost the skin’s antioxidant defense. I’ve definitely seen an overall improvement in my skin’s brightness and texture since I’ve incorporated the CT line. I happen to use this every other night (I rotate with the overnight resufacing peel) but you can use it during the day too! I repurchased this one.

I talked about this cleanser in my Oil Cleansing post last year – at the time the jury was still out on it. At first the scent kind of threw me off (it’s very fruity and sweet) but I loved the formula so I kept using it. In the end, I got used to the smell and didn’t mind it much because the cleansing formula was so nice on my skin. It features papain – a fruit enzyme that helps to exfoliate and soften – and a natural Vitamin B complex to purify and tone. I used it as the first step in my PM cleansing routine (more on that, plus before and after pics, in this post). I also love that this cleanser comes in a travel size and I keep that or the biossance cleansing oil in my travel toiletry tote always. I didn’t repurchase this (yet) because I’m trying to use up whatever I have on hand. Right now I’m using the Beautycounter Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil – another one to add to my faves list! I think if I had to choose between all of my top cleansing oils, the Biossance one would win.

Now that I’m starting to ease my way into baths (kind of can’t believe I’m saying that – I was totally not a bath person until recently) I’m always looking for ways to boost my experience. This Equilibria soak was sent to me by a friend (THANK YOU MAIA) when I was going through a tough time, and it really truly is the most lovely and relaxing experience. I struggle with falling asleep, and doing a magnesium / cbd combo in the bath has really helped! I’m not going to get into the whole shtick on CBD because Equilibria has people that can explain it all wayyy better than I can. I’ve been using it on and off for a few years now but it wasn’t until this year that I really stuck to a good routine and have reaped benefits. Anyway, big fan of this woman owned and run company and am grateful that they’re helping me manage my stress! I re-ordered this.

Quite possibly my favorite new addition to my skincare routine! This “mask” (not a mask in the traditional sense, as it is a leave on version) is more like a night cream. I love it because the luxurious formula is not heavy and feels so delicious on my skin! I bought a sample of this in November during the Sephora Sale but didn’t start using it until early 2021. I’m always cautious when introducing new products so I only used a bit at a time. Thankfully, a little goes a long way with this one so it took me some time to get through the small jar! You definitely will get serious bang for your buck with the bigger version.

I love this cream because it hydrates, plumps and brightens plus it contains squalane (my favorite hydrator) and superberry antioxidants. I get mine from Sephora and love that they typically carry the travel size too! This was a repurchase for me – I snagged the smaller travel size and the full size for nighttime use.

This is one of those products I almost always have in my shower. It’s not like, the best shampoo but it’s not the worst and it smells ahhhmazing. It’s literally $10 (or $7.49 if you’re a Thrive Market member) so it’s a great clean option that’s reasonably priced (haircare can be so expensive!). They also sell it at Target!

Acure is free from all the yucky sh*t and uses only naturally derived fragrance. I also use the conditioner! C uses this same brand but the volumizing shampoo. I finally got him to switch over from what he was using and he’s hooked! I typically have multiple shampoo/conditioners in my shower and did re-order this (it’s on auto-ship every 3 months from Thrive).

Okay let me start by saying I love Follain and desperately miss having a store in the city. I also love a lot of their Follain brand products, but this one is a no for me. It’s not horrible, but it’s not great. I found it to be borderline watery and not up to my standards for oil control. I will say this did not break me out and it had little to no scent, but there are other oil free moisturizers that are far more effective, IMO. My favorite is the Beautycounter CounterControl Matte Effect Gel Cream (I talked about it here) – I have yet to find another clean oil-free mattifying moisturizer that is as effective. I will not be re-purchasing this one.

Your eyes are not deceiving you – this is NOT empty! BUT I finished the trial-size version of this, saved the (glass) bottle and immediately bought a full sized version which I promptly used to refill the travel size and store it in my travel bag. Thus, none of the bottles are actually empty but I DID finish them!

This was a Sephora purchase that I grabbed literally as I was walking through the check out line. I am a complete sucker for tiny travel sized bottles and check out line marketing. It’s technically an all-day mist that hydrates and soothes skin pre- and post-makeup but honestly I use it as a second toner too. It’s super lightweight and has antioxidant-rich adaptogens and an activated pentapeptide that makes my face feel freaking amazing. Would also be delicious on the airplane!

Another not quite empty bottle but I knew it would be done two days after I took these photos so I included it instead of storing the bottle for three more months (apartment problems amiright). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Indie Lee makes some of the best cleansers out there. I’ve used and loved her Purifying Face Wash for a couple years now but switched over to this one last winter when my skin was struggling.

This is a super gentle and ultra moisturizing cleanser that is great for sensitive, dry and breakout prone skin. If you’re struggling with your moisture barrier, this is a great alternative to Cetaphil or Cerave. I didn’t re-order, but only because my summer skin can handle more actives (read more about my summer swaps here) and I’m trying out her cult favorite Brightening Cleanser instead! I use this in the daytime sometimes and as my second nightly cleanser (after I oil cleanse of course).