I feel like I am losing control of time, and of the year, as the months continue to blaze past us. Here in my July 2020 empties review I have 24 pieces of trash to detail for us. Surprisingly, I have no haircare empties for July! But, skincare is the heavy hitter here. Otherwise, I have a variety situation going on. As I always do, I will share every thought that I have on each product, and I will tell you if I will buy anything again, or if I can at least recommend something for you. I say, let’s jump right in.
Skincare
I am starting my July 2020 empties review with lots of skincare trash.
- Found Lemon Jumbo Peel Swab: Typically, “peel” products come in the form of a cotton pad saturated in product, which sounds highly effective for wiping every inch of the face. A large cotton swab is weird, and I feel it is being done to grab attention so you buy it. I am trying my best to wipe my face down with the swab, and it does not smell like lemon. I do not see any results, however, I must be allergic to an ingredient because this product makes my face get hot and very red. This is a hard pass for me.
- Clay Mask Duo: This duo is a Dollar Tree find that I know I have tried in the past. The packaging contains two pods, one with a black charcoal mask, and the other with eucalyptus. I prefer to apply an entire pod to the face, which is generous, but you can divide each one up into two uses. These definitely function as clay masks and dry down within 10 minutes, but I do not see much results to warrant a repurchase.
- Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream: The formula of this cream is unique, as it visually looks like a cream and water swirled together, but not mixed. I did try mixing the product with a beauty spatula, but it stays separated. I use this cream as a moisturizer, and I do find it to be lightweight, hydrating, and brightening. My oils are not controlled by the cream, which usually only happens with gels anyway. I have a suspicion that this product may break me out, but I need some time back on my other moisturizer to confirm. This product smells natural, like plants. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Soo AE Replenishing Cucumber Mist: This toner water is honestly very good, and one that I will consider repurchasing in the future if I decide I want to keep toner on hand. It instantly gives the skin a natural and healthy glow, while providing light moisturization. It does smell like real cucumber.
- Biore Rose Quartz + Charcoal Daily Purifying Cleanser: This daily facial cleanser very mildly foams on the skin, and it does provide an unexpected cooling sensation. It does its job as a typical facial cleanser. Otherwise, I do not see any effects. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Global Beauty Care Gold Spa Treatment Masks: I typically do not see much going on with sheet masks, or even with Global Beauty Care, but I can at least say these masks hydrate the skin and leave it feeling soft. But, I have no plans to repurchase.
- No 7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Boost Sheet Mask: This is the fanciest sheet mask I have ever used! It has a section to cover the face and a section for the chin, but the chin part is connected to the rest of the face. There are ear loops on both parts, which cause this mask to fit on the skin excellent and stay in place. It fits so well that it is kind of freaky looking at yourself in the mirror! I am not sure that I see results, but I enjoy the ear loops and moisturization. I have no plans to buy again.
- Olay Hungarian Water Essence Calming Facial Moisturizer: I can only wear this moisturizer on days when I am not wearing makeup, as the formula does not agree with any makeup primer that I have tried. Once primer hits it, it pills up horribly, giving you an effect that looks like your skin is peeling off. This is typical behavior when you try to layer water-based products with silicone-based products, but this moisturizer does not seem to like anything. Otherwise, it is soothing and keeps my skin moisturized all day. Some of my oils do break through, but nothing terrible. My skin responds the best to moisturizers with gel formulas, and this one is a white cream. I will not repurchase.
- Olay Masks Black Charcoal Pore Detox Clay Stick: I am obsessed with the concept of a clay mask stick! There is zero mess with these and they glide right over the skin easily. I love how they dry within five to 10 minutes, and they truly are clay. I cannot prove that this particular stick draw out impurities, and my pores do not look smaller. But, it does not dry my skin out. Ultimately, I wish that I can report a reduction in acne with this stick, but I do not see much difference. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Olay Masks Tea Tree Extract Shine Control Clay Stick: I am blessed to say that I do not get that shiny on my oily areas, but with that being said, I cannot report much shine control. This stick is better tested by someone who does struggle with excess shine. I apply this stick with the mindset that it is a general, clay mask. Again, I see no results with my acne. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Olay Brightening Serum Stick: This serum stick glides right over the skin without tugging, and it absorbs into the skin quickly as you press the product into the skin. I do see a gentle glow and brightening effect after using it. I can layer this under my makeup and it does not harm anything. For now, I have no plans to buy again.
- Freeman Basics Brightening Cucumber Peel-off Face Mask: The attack of the face masks that I have been promising is starting to happen as I am finally using up some tricky to empty masks. This mini Dollar Tree find is nice. I can easily peel this mask off with no pain! I do believe that this mask cools and calms the skin down, so I recommend it to those who have red skin or for use after working out. While I have no plans to repurchase, it does its job.
- Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Detoxifying Mud Mask: I love a good mud mask for acne, and this is one of my favorites. Let’s just say I am no stranger to these Freeman masks! This formula is so rich and thick, but it does not dry out the skin. It starts off dark but dries to a lighter gray. I would definitely purchase a full-size.
- Freeman Sweet Tea and Lemon Clearing Peel-off Clay Mask: This peel-off mask is a bit uncomfortable, but nothing too bad. I wish that it helps more with acne areas, but I enjoy how it does smell like sweet tea and lemon, and the formula totally fits the clay, yet peel-off mark. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Freeman Glacier Water and Pink Peony Hydrating Gel Cream Mask: I have reviewed this mask many times. You can use it as an overnight mask, all day mask, or leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse. I always use it as an overnight mask (which does not leave residue on your pillow if you watch how much you apply), but this time I want to try the wash-off instructions. The hydrating properties are still evident, despite limited wear. Most astonishingly, this is the first time this mask is not burning my eyes! Using it as a wash-off is the way to go for me, and has heightened my opinion of this mask. I have no plans to repurchase, but let’s be honest, these Freeman masks always pop up in a gift set.
- Freeman Green Tea and Orange Blossom Brightening Peel-off Gel Mask: This mask reminds me very much of the Brightening Cucumber mask I talk about above. The gel even looks the same, and it is not painful either. I cannot say that it does anything particular for the skin, so I have no plans to buy again.
Related Post: How to Use Olay Products Step by Step
Body
Next are some body empties.
- Secret Freshie Cool Waterlily Deodorant: While these mini deodorants are designed to be thrown in your purse, I am using it as a daily deodorant. It does leave white marks, which I do not like, and that is the reason why I prefer spray deodorant. I believe it does work as an antiperspirant. You use this product up really fast, and once you flatten the deodorant out, you are left with a ton down in the container that is hard to use. I need some tips on how to effectively use every last drop of this deodorant in the comments. The measures that I have tried so far are too messy and annoying. I have three more Freshies deodorants to try, so stay tuned!
- Hello Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste: I have reviewed this toothpaste many times, as I love how it is solid black and gives you a scary smile while in use! I never recommend spitting this stuff into a white sink. Since I continue to consume drinks that stain my teeth, I always fail to see proper results from this toothpaste. However, I do have a full-size waiting in the wings.
- Natural Vitality Calm: Drinks do not typically make it into empties posts, but since this sample comes from a Walmart Beauty Box, it is fair game for a review on the blog. It does taste like raspberry lemon, but the flavor is mild. I appreciate that because flavored lemonades are not my jam, so I believe most people can enjoy this flavor. The real question here is, does it make me calm? Drinking this and scrolling through Instragram does calm me. But after that, we had a power outage and I was all worked up, so much for the calm! I picked a bad night to test this, but I will lean on the gimmick side. I will not repurchase.
- April Bath & Shower Spa Hand and Nail Gloves: This Dollar Tree find is part of the slew of new spa products they are releasing. You may recall I already reviewed the foot masks. At least the packaging on these warns me that the gloves will need to be opened on the ends with perforations. I still ended up using scissors to open them, as there are no actual perforations. While these are not dripping wet, it is still good to rest your hands on a towel. Once removed, it is easy to rub the excess serum into the hands, and there is no greasy residue. My hands do feel smooth, but I do not think these are powerful enough to correct dry skin issues. Otherwise, these are not special enough to skip the lotion. I say, keep using hand lotion. I have no plans to buy again.
Related Post: Walmart Beauty Box Spring 2020 Review
Nails
I have one nail product in my July 2020 empties review.
- Formula X Color Plus Color Protecting Top Coat: While Formula X products are discontinued, I continue to plow through some of my nail treatments. This top coat does meet all of my criteria for the perfect top coat because it is super shiny, smooths out imperfections, and dries fast enough that I can go straight to bed without getting creases in my nails from the sheets. Sometimes, top coats change the color of my polish ever so slightly, and often whites go a bit yellow. I know this is called Color Plus, but I do not see anything happening, and I still have that mild color change. I have no problem buying more if I can find it again.
Related Post: Formula X Nail Polish Collection
Makeup
There is one lonely makeup sample in my July 2020 empties review.
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer: The formula is similar to a moisturizer, so I think this primer is good for those with dry skin. It does nothing for my pores, but I do not expect it to. It does dry fully down, but with a slight amount of tackiness. Makeup applies normally over top with no issues. In wearing it with a lackluster foundation, I note a few hours in that the foundation is looking exceptionally good. At the end of the day, normal wear and tear is present, along with separation around the nose. It does allow much of my oils through on the t-zone, including an odd amount directly above the eyebrows, which is not a problem area for me. The results are not stunning or life- changing enough for me to repurchase.
Fragrance
I am ending my July 2020 empties review with two fragrance empties.
- Sexiest Fantasies Crazy For You: This body spray contains notes of wild cherry, pomelo, and clementine, so it is a bit fruity while it is sensual. It does not knock my socks off enough for a repurchase, but it does appear to be discontinued.
- Ellis Brooklyn Salt: Here we are, the last product in this July 2020 empties review! I am picking this fragrance sample in hopes that it will be a reasonable dupe for another salty perfume. Sadly, it does not smell salty or beachy to me. There is a powerful scent that hits you in the face and makes you go ‘gee I better put less on next time,’ but this perfume does fade after about 5 hours. I am not sure what the scent is, but it seems part floral, part spicy. I will not buy the full size.
Conclusion
We are at the end of my July 2020 empties review. I am surprised to have no haircare empties, but I am currently working on a bunch of items that flat out take time to empty. Skincare empties are starting to come in full force, and as the year progresses, I will be spamming us with more and more masks. Freeman masks are always good for the drugstore in general, and the Color Plus top coat is a nice find. Most of these products are perfectly acceptable, but I can live without them. If they sound good to you, or like they will serve a specific purpose for you, then you may want to try some. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
Have you tried any of these products before?