After really hot empties month in March 2021, I cannot help but feel somewhat deflated with 19 empties to present. For me, that is rather low, but in taking a step back, it is still amazing in its own right. In this April 2021 empties review I have mostly skincare, with a healthy amount of body care, and even some tricky to finish makeup. You already know that working on finishing products up is an all day every day task for me that I enjoy, and May is going to start strong. As always, I have full reviews of everything, a link to check out the item if it is still around, and I will let you know if I will buy again.
Skincare
This April 2021 empties review starts with nine skincare items.
- elf Nourishing Facial Oil: The purpose of this oil is to nourish (which I cannot really prove), to hydrate, and to provide a glow. For the most part, I feel that it does those things. I call this a general facial oil. Pro tip- it interacts really well with elf’s Daily Hydration Moisturizer to actually help your skin control oil production. I have so many oils to use up right now that I have no plans to buy again.
- Embrace Your Face Moisturizing Coconut Clay Mask: As I keep saying with these masks, I do not think they do anything for the skin. When the clay dries it flakes all over the place. These cannot be repurchased as they came from a Christmas gift set.
- elf Daily Hydration Moisturizer: This is a lightweight, white cream moisturizer, so it will not control oils like a gel formula does. With that being said, it does effectively moisturize the skin all day and plays nice under makeup. It makes a great pairing with elf’s range of facial oils. I will not repurchase as I have many moisturizers to use up, plus I prefer a gel.
- Embrace Your Face Calming Lavender Clay Mask: This is the final mask from the set. As I say with all their clay masks, they flake all over the place and I do not see any results. But, I will say the lavender scent is somewhat strong, which is nice for scent therapy.
- Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying 100% Hydrogel Mask: This is a two-piece hydrogel mask, and I prefer this style because it fits really well. It is tricky for me to prove if this mask is purifying, refreshing, or soothing the skin. Sure, I can say it looks radiant and feels hydrated due to the serum. Overall, I think it is a perfectly good mask with no direct plans to repurchase, but over time I might find it at Dollar Tree and try it again.
- Neutrogena Stubborn AM Acne Treatment: This product works slightly. Some acne spots it seems to slowly clear up over several days, while others never seem to go away. Luckily, it does not cause me to have dry skin, but with all the skincare that I use that really is not possible. This product does not wow me enough to go out and spent $15 on it, but I will keep it on my radar.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Overnight Gel Mask: I got three uses out of this pod, while Neutrogena expects you to apply the entire pod in one application. There is no way your face can take that much product and dry down so as not to get your pillow wet. I apply one generous coat, let it sink in, then apply another. In the morning I always wash my face with micellar water, but that, and even a makeup wipe, cannot wash the residue of the mask off your skin. Trust me, I learned the hard way, with the residue pilling off my face and being stuck in my eyebrows. You need to give your face a good wash and scrub to get this product off. I do not have that kind of time each morning, so I left this for the weekend. I will never repurchase this. The effort needed is not worth it, especially when it does not hydrate the skin to an impressive degree.
- Pond’s Clear Solutions Facial Foam: This is a face wash that starts as a thick white cream and then it foams up. As with any face wash, I am sure it effectively cleanses the skin. Otherwise, nothing special is happening. I have no reason to repurchase.
- Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Detoxifying Charcoal Mask Bar: Let me say, this product takes forever to use up! I tried it for a while, gave it up for about a year, but I have been trying again for at least five to six months. This is a clay mask in the form of a bar, kind of like soap. It comes with a dense, flat-top brush that you wet, then stipple the product on. You cannot get a thick layer this way, part of the reason why it takes forever. I ended up adding water to mine and mashing it with a fork to make more of an actual clay mask. From here, I could apply a thicker layer, and get it used up quickly. It also comes with a mesh storage bag. Now, you will have to add more water as time goes on, if you go the mashing route like me. The package is not air tight. Plus, I would store it in a zip seal bag. Honestly, I really do not think this product does that much for acne like the other Yes to Tomato products do. The only good thing I can say is that it dries super fast, within a minute of applying it. I will not repurchase.
Related Post: March 2021 Empties Review | Trash Time
Body Care
Next in this April 2021 empties review is six body care items.
- Freeman Happy Belly Firming + Smoothing Sheet Mask (2): This belly mask is supposed to firm, tighten, and smooth the skin. Honestly, I do not think anything is happening. I will not repurchase.
- Soap & Glory Hand Food: I have reviewed this hand lotion many times on the blog. It does effectively moisturize the hands, as I like to use it before bed. There is no greasy residue, rather, it is very creamy and features their Original Pink scent. I never have plans to repurchase because it pops up in Christmas gift sets almost every year.
- Soap & Glory Call of Fruity Bubble in Paradise Refreshing Body Wash: This body wash reminds me of Clean On Me, right down to the color and texture. It is a fruity body wash that really reminds me of summer. It is creamy and hydrating for the skin. There is no special reason to repurchase. I will probably get it again in a gift set in the future.
- wet n wild photofocus Rose Multi-Use Oil: I was able to finish this oil by primarily applying it in the hair. However, I also apply it to my cuticles and anywhere on the body where I want some extra glow. While it does not replace my favorite hair oil, it absolutely does its job as a multi-use oil for all over the body. If you are in the market for this sort of product, this is a fine choice. I will not be repurchasing, but I do have another bottle of this, but from the Crystal Cavern collection.
- The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter: I enjoy the fresh citrus scent of satsuma, but the scent is much stronger and more concentrated in this lotion than it is with the shower gel or other products. This needs to be said for those who are sensitive to fragrance. Otherwise, it does the job of moisturizing the skin. I received this as part of a gift set, but I have no actual reason to repurchase.
Makeup
I have two makeup empties, but the bronzer was a long time coming!
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer: You should already know this is my favorite high-end primer. I am fully stocked so I decided to use this deluxe sample up. I firmly believe this primer extends the wear of your makeup while subtly blurring the skin. This is my go-to for special occasion/event/bullet proof makeup and I will always repurchase.
- Nars Laguna Bronzer Powder: This has been sitting in my makeup collection for months with only a few pieces clinging to the sides of the pan. I just ordered the full-size from the Sephora Spring sale, so I feel confident calling this an empty. Even if I scraped it out and repressed it in the center of the pan, it’s not enough to actually do anything with. Needless to say, I love this bronzer! Laguna is the perfect hue for fair skin. It never looks heavy, dark, or muddy. The slight shimmer is pretty as well, making it healthy but not overbearing or glittery. It leans more matte than anything. I can wear this daily or even for special events.
Fragrance
I am ending this April 2021 empties review with two limited edition and long gone fragrance roller balls.
- wet n wild Perfume Roller in Love: This is exactly what you would expect from a cheap fragrance. It does not have a lot of scent, nor does it last well. You cannot buy this on its own anymore due to being limited edition.
- wet n wild Perfume Roller in Prosperity: My review for this is the same as the above roller fragrance.
Related Post: wet n wild Crystal Cavern Collection
Conclusion
In summary of this April 2021 empties review, I need to be less down on myself for a ‘low’ number of empties and just be happy that I am getting my monies worth and not being wasteful. I have about four to five items that are on the brink of being done for early May. Major accomplishments for April include the Nars bronzer (which has technically been empty for months as I explained), and finally finishing that Yes To mask bar. That bar has been holding me back from using up other skincare masks, so it feels like the roadblock has been lifted. I actually work on emptying two masks at a time by alternating them nightly until they are gone. Anyway, I am still sure 2021 is going to be a strong year for beauty trash. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
How are you doing so far on your panning goals?
Discover all of the 2021 Empties:
| January 2021 | February 2021 | March 2021 | May 2021 |
| June 2021 | July 2021 | August 2021 | September 2021 |
| October 2021 | November 2021 | December 2021 |