I think we all expected 2020 to go by slowly due to current events. But, here I am, in disbelief that October is already over. Do you agree? It is time for my October 2020 empties review, featuring 23 pieces of beauty trash. As we near the end of the year I would like to see more empties in each blog post (maybe 30) as I push to empty my stash and make room for new 2021 products. But, this is a good amount. Skincare is again taking charge this month, and you are not seeing much from other categories as I push on with what I am working on. As always, I am sharing my honest reviews and if I will buy again.
Skincare
I am starting this October 2020 empties review with a load of skincare.
- elf+ Glow Radiant Moisturizer: You can enjoy this moisturizer both under makeup and on its own. It never interferes with my makeup products and layers well. This moisturizer contains SPF 15 and it provides a natural, healthy glow to the skin immediately, which I really love on no makeup days. It smells like coconut, and not in a chemically produced way. You will not be able to see any glitter or shimmer on the skin. It does not help control my oils, nor does it make them worse. On one hand, I cannot be that mad because it has a cream formula, and I find that only gel formulas control my oils. It does moisturize the skin all day. For now, I have no plans to buy again.
- Olay Total Effects Cleansing Whip Polishing Creme Cleanser: This cleanser is a lightweight whip that foams up pretty well. You can feel a mild grit in the whip that ever so slightly exfoliates the skin. I apply it in the shower. I believe that it does its job of cleansing the skin, nothing more, nothing less. Personally, I need a cleanser that targets breakouts and acne, but this is fine for a general cleanser. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Olay Daily Facials Nourishing Clean Shea Butter: I am no stranger to these cloths. After using a sample cloth as a makeup remover, I know these burn the crap out of my eyes, and I did vow to never buy them again, but here we are. I prefer to use these to generally clean the skin, after my makeup has been removed. The claims are definitely far fetched, as there is no way that these wipes can truly give you the benefits of a mask or toner. It does bother me that these are recommended for makeup removal. I would have to use them on the face only, and then use a separate remover on my eyes. There should be no reason to use multiple products. I have one more package, but no specific plans to buy more.
- Biore 2-Step Charcoal Pore Kit: The first item in this kit is the Charcoal Self Heating One Minute Mask. As soon as it hits the fingers to be applied to the face it feels chemically warm, but when you rub it over your damp face the heat immediately goes away. It is impossible to get an even application with it. Next time I will try dispensing this mask into a bowl and applying it with a silicone applicator. Washing the mask off actually left a cooling sensation to the skin. But, I do not see the mask doing anything. The second item is a Charcoal Deep Cleansing Pore Strip. I was impressed to see several items on the strip after removal, which usually does not happen for me. While I have no plans to buy this kit again, I most like the pore strip.
- Biore 2-Step Pore Kit: The first item in this kit is their Baking Soda Pore Cleanser. I was able to get several uses out of the packet, and I would like to try a bigger sample. This type of cleanser seems like it may be good for my acne, but I need to test it more. It has fine exfoliators in it that literally leave my skin squeaky clean. You know, that feeling when you clean your face with other products and your skin is already so exfoliated you can practically feel, or hear, the squeak. The next item is an Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strip. Per my usual experience with pore strips, I do not see much going on. Ultimately, this kit has not changed the size of my pores. I will not repurchase.
- Miss Spa Gold Creme Mask: I appreciate how metallic gold and realistic this mask looks. The creme does not dry down. I believe it does leave the skin mildly hydrated and glowing, but it is not so impressive or over-the-top that I would need to buy it again.
- Miss Spa Age Defy Facial Sheet Mask: After wearing a one-time-use paper mask it is completely absurd to think that you can see anti-aging benefits or a reduction in lines or wrinkles. I do not see any effects from this mask, but it fits decently well. I have no plans to repurchase.
- April Bath and Shower Glitter Peel-Off Gel Face Mask: This Dollar Tree peel off mask is really painful to remove, and I do not smell the berry scent. The formula is clear with fine glitter. I do not see any results and I will not repurchase.
- Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipe: I would not normally put a single wipe into an empties post, but it came from a Walmart Beauty Box. Neutrogena’s wipes are the best that I have ever used. I do not need to wet them, and I can remove a full face without the makeup being pushed around. I always turn to this mini pack for travel purposes and they do not let me down. Yes, I will absolutely buy these over and over again.
- Creme de Skin Nutritions Hyaluronic Acid 1% + Vitamin C Serum: This serum is a Dollar Tree find that I was using about two years ago, but I stopped for an unknown reason. I am deciding to use it up since it is half gone. I am using it up by making it a replacement for moisturizer. While that is not the intended purpose, my thought process is that hyaluronic acid moisturizers are really popular. That ingredient has the power to deliver long lasting moisture. Honestly, it does an ok job as a moisturizer. It controls the majority of my oils, but not all. It does hydrate all day. The bottle also states that it will “whiten” the skin. I think any “whitening” that I see is probably all in my head. Overall, this product is not bad, but I do not feel compelled to repurchase.
- Soap and Glory Party Recovery Radiance-Boosting Mask: This sheet mask fits fairly well on the skin and I do believe that it helps boost the skin’s radiance. I have no plans to buy again, but it usually pops up in a holiday gift set.
- Bio Miracle Star Dust Soothing Peel-off Mask: This mask is a metallic emerald green with glitter, which is super pretty. It does a terrible job of being a “soothing” mask because it is very painful to remove, and thus irritates my skin and makes it red. I will not by again.
- Bio Miracle Star Dust Brightening & Hydrating Peel-off Mask: My review for this mask is the same as the one above, except this one is a metallic purple with glitter. Also, I do not see any brightening or hydrating benefits.
- Freeman Anti Stress Sea Salt Mud Face Mask: I thought this mask was new to me, but it is really the same as the Anti-Stress Clay Facial Mask with Dead Sea Minerals. I really like the delicious, relaxing scent. The best part is the color of this mask- it is a cross between the color of the tube and the cyan text. It is so fun to wear on the face for the color alone. For now I have no plans to repurchase, as I am not sure what the visible results are.
- Freeman Neon Vibes No Stress Oil Absorbing Clay Mask: The color of this mask is highly similar to the above mask. It is questionable to say that it is truly neon. After one use I really cannot speak much to the oil absorbing properties to warrant a repurchase, but it is a nice clay mask in general.
- Freeman Cosmic Luminizing Rose Quartz Holographic Peel-off Mask: I love how Freeman peel-off masks are never painful, and that goes for this Cosmic line. Out of all of the Cosmic masks, the Luminizing Rose Quartz is my favorite. After removal my skin does look luminous and shiny in a healthy way! If I am ever in the market for a luminizing mask, this will be my pick. This mask does have a milky white/pink metallic finish that screams rose quartz.
- Freeman Cosmic Hydrating Amethyst Holographic Peel-off Mask: My second favorite Cosmic mask is the Hydrating Amethyst mask because my skin does feel cool and supple to the touch after removing the mask, the same way your skin would feel after applying a serum. It has a metallic purple shift. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Freeman Cosmic Balancing Moonstone Holographic Peel-off Mask: My least favorite Cosmic mask is the Balancing Moonstone because I cannot prove or see a mask actually “balancing” my skin. It also has a metallic milky white/pink shift that is incredibly similar to the rose quartz mask. I have no plans to repurchase.
- April Bath & Shower Green Tea Facial Cleanser and Activated Charcoal Face Mask: This Dollar Tree set is a two-step duo where you are supposed to wash with the cleanser, then apply the mask. The mask reminds me of the charcoal one included in DT’s “Clay Mask Duo.” I am not really sure if this duo is providing me benefits, but at least it is not breaking me out. The cleanser is a very runny gel that hardly lathers up. It cleans the face, but that is about it. I see no reason to repurchase.
Related Post: elf+ Glow Collection Review
Haircare
Next in my October 2020 empties review is one haircare item as I continue trucking along with other full-size products.
- Dove Go Active Dry Conditioner: This is my first ever experience with dry conditioner, and I really like it! My chemically processed hair can never use too much conditioner, and I like to lightly spray it on the lengths of my hair in-between washes. A little bit goes a long way to provide lasting softness, but it never makes my hair look oily or weighed down. If I feel the need to permanently add dry conditioner to my haircare routine, I will definitely repurchase this one. I actually purchased a different dry conditioner from Pantene to try, because Dove has turned me on to the concept.
Related Post: September 2020 Empties Review
Body & Beauty
I also have one body and beauty product in my October 2020 empties review.
- Suave Cocoa Shea Nourishing Lotion: You should already know how much I love this lotion. I am not buying it to try out, but rather that I am excited to see this miniature bottle in Dollar Tree. This is my ride-or-die holy grail body lotion that I use daily. I used this bottle up by treating it as a hand cream before bed. If you have never seen my review on this lotion, I urge you to check out my holy grail blog post. But, I will always repurchase this lotion.
- wet n wild perfectpout Lip Treatment: This lip balm is nice and thick sort of like Vaseline, and reminds me a lot of the Laniege Lip Sleeping Masks. I wear lip balm every night before bed, and this one is highly effective in healing the lips and keeping them soft. It will not hold up during eating or drinking, which you should expect, despite the claims that it will. This lip balm lasted me about 6-7 months. A real stand-out is my lips got really bad in March/April and this product brought them back. I was suffering dry and painful lips for whatever reason, and I am grateful to this product. I would absolutely repurchase in the future, but I have many lip balms to empty right now.
Fragrance
The final item in my October 2020 empties review is one lonely body spray.
- Sexiest Fantasies Tempt Me Sweetly: This scent is a blend of vine ripe berries, juicy peach, romantic jasmine, and fragrant honeysuckle. I have nothing against the scent and it is perfectly fine, but it is not special enough to buy again. It does not last well throughout the day.
Conclusion
In summary of this October 2020 empties review, skincare is king once again. There are plenty of face masks in this post, and over the next two months my trash will become even more congested with them. At this point, I have used up many masks that are harder to go through, leaving quick hits. I am continuing to work on loads of products, as usual, from all sorts of beauty categories. When the year begins to close I feel extra panicked to use stuff up before Christmas and after Christmas sales inundate me with more stuff to use up. I hope to finish the year strong! Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
What face masks are you working on right now?