May 2021 Empties Review – Trash Time

It blows my mind that I can empty a product almost once a day, then at the end of the month the action goes stagnant. This May 2021 empties review has 27 products, which is seriously close to one item for each day in May! It is helpful that I am doing makeup A LOT more often now, so getting through samples will happen faster. Skincare is super easy to get through. Haircare has made a return in this post with two items that take some time. As always, I have detailed reviews for everything.

Skincare

I am starting the May 2021 empties review off with 12 skincare items.

• Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Hydrating Moisturizer: This white cream moisturizer is thick and rich, hence the name, but it is not heavy. It does hydrate and moisturize the face, but not to the extent that it would give me the wow factor. It plays nice under makeup or alone. Since it has a cream formula, it does not help control oils as much as a gel or jelly will on my combination skin. I do not feel compelled to buy the full-size. FYI- it is fragrance free!
• elf Calm Balm: I plan on doing a dedicated blog post for the collection that this balm belongs to, so I do not want to say too much. This is an oil-based lip balm that does not feel gross on the lips. It does not have fragrance, dyes, or flavor. It is effective when used with proper exfoliation. Right now I cannot imagine buying more because I am loaded with lip balm, but it really is not bad.
• elf All the Feels Facial Oil: Again, I do not want to say too much until I write the dedicated blog post. This oil is lightweight and sinks quickly into the skin so that no greasy residue is left behind! I love that I can even wear it on makeup days because I do not have to worry about being oily. It adds an extra touch of hydration to my routine. While I do have more of this oil, I would repurchase again.
• elf Happy Hydration Cream: This is another product I do not want to say too much about yet. It is a cream based moisturizer that does effectively hydrate all day long. Since it is cream and not gel, it will not help control my oils. It does play nice with makeup. While it is fine, I would not repurchase because my skin needs a gel formula.
• elf Daily Face Cleanser: This is a general, every day face cleanser that does the job. I cannot say that I see it brightening my complexion as it claims, since so many products are trying to do the same. I have another mini bottle to use, but no actual plans to buy again.
• elf Hydrating Coconut Mist: I like to use this mist before applying moisturizer as an extra layer of hydration, and it works well. It also sets makeup beautifully. The coconut scent is light and refreshing. I have another bottle to use up.
• Spascriptions Pore Refining Gel Face Mask: Honestly I never see these Spascriptions masks doing anything. I do not see any changes with my pores or skin in general. There is no reason to repurchase.
• Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Glow Serum: This product is thicker than a traditional serum, but runnier than a moisturizer, yet it feels more like a moisturizer on the skin. It interacts horribly with standard skincare products in terms of pilling. This product pills up all day on my skin. Seriously, I am wiping the little pieces off ALL DAY. Further, I am not sure how much glow it is providing when taking into account all the other products that I use that also have the same claim somewhere along the line. I did not like this sample so I will not buy the full-size.
• So Fresh So Clean Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes: These have the right amount of thickness, but they are too dry. I do add micellar water to them, but I should also note that I have had these wipes for a while before opening them. They do not irritate my eyes and are just as effective as any other basic makeup wipe (once I wet them). I will not buy again. My goal is to get through all my makeup wipes and then go back to reusable cloths.
• No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Eye Cream: I have reviewed this eye cream so many times, and I still do not see it doing anything for me. While I have no plans to buy again, it always pops up in gift sets.
• Freeman Revitalizing Pomegranate Peel-off Gel Mask: I have reviewed this mask several times. While it is easy and painless to remove, I never see anything happening. I still have more of this mask to use up, but I never actually go out and purchase it on my own due to gift sets.
• Freeman Micro Darts Pro Fine Line Patches: Ever since trying the forehead patches I wanted to try these for my smile lines as they are a major concern. To re-iterate on the past, I know the word “darts” sounds scary, but I want to stress that these are NOT painful! You can see the spikes on the sticker, and they feel like something prickly on the skin if you push down on them. Over the course of 2 hours the darks absorb fully into the skin, and I like that idea as the treatment is getting right to the source. The sticker stays put the entire time. After removal I can still clearly see the lines. I am a believer that there is nothing that makes them go away, not even that well on a temporary basis. Oh well, they were clearanced and I tried. There is no reason to repurchase.

Bodycare

Second in this May 2021 empties review are three body related items.

• The Body Shop Satsuma Energizing Body Polish: The formula is a gel with exfoliants suspended in it. I wish that it had more exfoliants in it. This falls in between of having too little or too much exfoliation, but it is mild. It will slightly sud up when you use it, and I enjoy the citrus satsuma scent. There are other body scrubs that I like better, so I will not repurchase.
• Soap & Glory Heel Genius: I have reviewed this product on the blog so many times as one of my holy grails. Apply this cream to your feet before bed and slip on a pair of socks to get immediate, overnight improvement to dry feet! It really works, and if you keep up with it, you can probably avoid an actual pedicure with tools to file off dead skin. This product is a must-have all year round and I will always repurchase.
• Hello Antiplaque + Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste Natural Peppermint: I do not normally put toothpaste in my empties, but this one is from a Walmart box. What can I say, it is toothpaste and it does its thing. I do not see anything special happening that gives me a reason to buy again.

Fragrance

Third in this May 2021 empties review are two limited-edition rollerball fragrances.

• wet n wild Perfume Roller in Balance: 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 Healing: Same as above

Haircare

Fourth in this May 2021 empties review are two haircare empties.

• Dessange Nutrition Elixir Deep Nourishing System Mask: I use this as a normal conditioner and it does the job just fine as far as softening and detangling the hair. Otherwise, it is not a game changer. I will not buy again.
• Ion Miracle Leave-in Conditioner: This product does moisturize the hair, but it does nothing for my natural frizz. I really cannot prove if it does prevent damage. I prefer to pour the product into my hands because it is on the thicker side, which causes the sprayer to kind of spit product out. This way I can be sure I am getting an even coating. There is no residue, nor does it weigh the hair down. Honestly, this product is not special enough to repurchase.

Makeup

To end the May 2021 empties review I have eight makeup empties!

• elf Sheer Blurring Under Eye Primer: I can see this primer softly blurring under eye lines! With that being said, concealer and other makeup still sinks into them, so the need for baking or other measures is not eliminated. It appears this product is being discontinued, but I do not like it well enough to repurchase.
• Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear (sampler): If you applied all the sample shades to the face you would not have enough product to actually apply one layer. So, I cannot review this foundation. I used the darkest shade as a cream contour, and blended the rest of the shades into my actual foundation. Since it is technically empty, I want to include it here for the count.
• Hard Candy Sheer Envy Matte Setting Spray: Hard Candy has come a long way with their setting sprays and primers! This spray effectively sets makeup and leaves a matte finish. I believe it is somewhat helpful with longevity of makeup, but to a minimal extent. It does not control the size of pores, nor will it eliminate all oil production in the t-zone for 12 hours. For now, I will not repurchase, but it is perfectly good.
• wet n wild photofocus Natural Finish Setting Spray: It feels like such a cheat including this item, as it has been close to empty for ages. I finally used the last bit so that I could take the brand new bottle out of my stockpile. This is a great everyday setting spray to set everything in place and melt your makeup together. While it does not extend the wear time of makeup, it will leave you with whatever finish your makeup already has. I always keep this around as a standard spray.
• wet n wild photofocus Matte Finish Setting Spray: This also feels like a cheat as it has been close to empty for a long time and I wanted to clear my stockpile. Again, this is a great everyday setting spray to melt your makeup together with a matte finish. I really do not think it extends the wear time of makeup. I always keep this spray around.
• Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Hot Toddy: This is 100% a lip gloss, so I never understood the “full-on lip cream” name. The formula is not sticky, but it is thick and juicy looking. Hot Toddy is a wonderful sheer pink nude that is perfect for everyday wear. This product gives your lips a cool sensation the same way that mint does. Since it is a gloss there really is no staying power. I will not repurchase as I am not into glosses. P.S. this goes great with their PlumpLine Lip Liner in Hush Hush!
• Hard Candy Sheer Envy Hydrating Primer: This formula reminds me a lot of the elf Cosmetics primers in both the JellyPop and Mint Melt versions, but it is not a dupe. It is a translucent blue gel that creates a slightly tacky grip for makeup. Makeup does apply normally over top. I used it with a foundation and powder that I do not like, so I do not see it extending wear time up to 12 hours, but the foundation looks ok and warms up to the skin well. Some oils on the t-zone peak through, but I can also attribute that to using a cream based moisturizer. I have no reason to repurchase since I have too many primers to use up, and I like elf a bit more, but this is not bad.
• Benefit They’re Real Mascara: No one ever finishes a mascara, but I opened this one on Christmas day and it is getting hard to use. You know me, I love in-your-face crazy volume. This mascara does lengthen and volumize, but in a way that says your lashes, but better. It looks more natural than real, and believe it or not, I am ok with that. The formula is fluid in a good way, and it is ready to go without needing to hit its prime. The wand is a flexible silicone, and the spikey ball on the end helps you coat your inner lashes. I will not repurchase because I have a drawer full of mascara to use up, but this is a fine high-end choice.

Conclusion

In summary of this May 2021 empties review, this month is very strong. A common theme here is products that are really good and that actually work so that I can recommend them to you. However, I would not buy again simply because my stockpile is too large to justify. I can think of a handful of items that will go right away at the start of June, but I wonder if that month will be slower after kicking so many full-size products to the curb in May. Make sure you stick around to find out! Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

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Discover All of the 2021 Empties: