A part of me has not internalized that it is November. But, I am proud to announce that my October 2021 empties review contains 30 items! This is a highly successful month, mostly due to me finishing off masks that take a while so that I can work on quicker hits. Some sample makeup has also bit the dust. Additionally, I am back into knocking out my unnecessary body spray collection. Like I always do, I will review each item and let you know if I will buy anything again, or at least recommend it to you.
October 2021 Empties Review
Skincare
First in this October 2021 empties review are 19 skincare items.
- elf Holy Hydration Daily Cleanser: This facial cleanser does successfully cleanse the skin with soft foaming action. I do not see any changes with my skin, but you do not get much use out of a foil packet. So far, this is not enough for a repurchase.
- Freeman Revitalizing Pomegranate Peel-off Mask: I have reviewed this mask several times. While it is easy and painless to remove, I never see anything happening. I never actually go out and purchase it on my own due to gift sets.
- Freeman Plumping Manuka Honey and Nectarine Lip Mask: This lip mask is more like a hydrogel, but you have to be gentle with it as it is easy to accidentally rip a chunk off with your nails. It stays on the face fairly well with some minor adjustments needed. I think it plumps slightly, but nothing crazy. There is no reason to repurchase.
- Freeman Green Tea and Orange Blossom Brightening Peel-off Gel Mask: This mask reminds me very much of the Brightening Cucumber mask. The gel even looks the same, and it is not painful to remove. I cannot say that it does anything particular for the skin, so I have no plans to buy again.
- Freeman Renewing Cucumber Peel-off Gel Mask. This gel mask does peel off easily without pain. I do not see any effects, so I will not repurchase.
- Miss Spa Purify Facial Sheet Mask: I have never used a paper face mask like this one before! It has holes in it like gauze, which is the best way that I can describe it. The eye and mouth holes are way too big, and the mask itself is so large it goes off into your hairline. Otherwise, I cannot prove that it is purifying the face. I will not buy again.
- Global Beauty Care Hyaluronic Acid Spa Treatment Mask: This mask fits the face really well and it does hydrate. I have no special reason to buy it again.
- Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Waterproof: I have used this micellar water many times and it is perfectly good. This is a cult favorite because it gets the job done and does not burn the eyes. I would repurchase this anytime, specifically this small bottle for travel.
- elf Mint Melt Whipped Face Mask: This mask is definitely light, airy, and whipped. A little bit goes a long way to spread over the skin. The mint color matches the tube exactly! After 10 to 15 minutes it mostly dries down and is easy to remove. My skin does feel moisturized after use, so it works. Plus, the mint chocolate chip scent is divine. I have no plans to buy again.
- elf Holy Hydration Eye Cream: This is an eye cream that is designed to hydrate the eye area, but not to brighten or do the other usual stuff. It works well for this purpose, and it would be great for those with dry skin! It absorbs quickly so that you can use it on its own or under makeup. A little bit goes a long way. In terms of smoothing and plumping effects, it might do a tad bit of that, but nothing too tremendous to mention. I have no plans to buy again, but I like another of their eye creams a bit more.
- Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil: This facial oil is a dry oil, meaning it absorbs quickly into the skin so that you can wear it alone or under makeup. It works great as a targeted spot treatment, or for all over. Now that I am using it twice a day rather than at night, I am seeing a significant reduction in acne, although it helps either way. I will always repurchase this product because it works.
- Joyce Bonelli Face Serum for Dry and Uneven Skin in For the Gods: The texture is weird in that it seems like the serum separates, but you cannot shake it. Sometimes it comes out thick, other times more like an oil. Either way, it applies like a weightless oil on the skin that almost feels like you are not putting anything on. With this being said, it absorbs quickly. It plays well with other skincare and makeup products. However, this product does nothing. I will not repurchase.
- Freeman Coconut Milk Peel: I use this product once per week and I do find that it helps keep acne and blemishes under control! My skin tends to respond to lactic acid very well. Sometimes a product like this can burn and irritate my skin, but that is not the case. It even pills up to suggest that it is exfoliating the skin. This is a great chemical exfoliant to add to your routine. I will buy this again, but I actually have the red version to try next.
- Freeman Rose Gummy Bear Melting Sugar Face Mask: This is my first time trying the Melting Sugar line. The formula is a thick, clear gel that is slightly sticky. I recommend applying it with a silicone mask applicator to get a nice spread. Rose is a fabulous moisturizing ingredient for anyone with dry skin. This mask is perfectly good, but I do not have a particular reason to buy again.
- Freeman Matcha Ice Cream Melting Sugar Face Mask: My thoughts on this mask are the same as those above. However, I cannot prove that it is clearing my pores or ‘boosting’ my skin. I have no plans to repurchase.
- Freeman Clearing Sweet Tea + Lemon Peel-Off Clay Mask: This is a mask that I have reviewed so many times. It is painful to remove, which is true for all of their peel-offs that are not gel. I wish that it would help with acne when it says that it clears impurities. This mask never seems to do anything for me. I might have more due to gift sets.
- Spascriptions Cucumber Extract Makeup Cleansing Wipes: Take it from my personal experience, but you should really avoid makeup wipes made by Spascriptions or Global Beauty Care. These are cheap and thin, so much so that you can rip them up easily if you want to. I add micellar water because they are not wet enough, and they do push product around. I will not buy again.
- Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser: I use this face wash in the shower, and it does effectively cleanse the skin and remove any makeup residue. This is a white cream that runs out of the tube quickly, so use caution when opening this product. At the end of the day, a face wash is what it is. If you are looking for a high-end face wash option, this one is just fine, but I have no plans to buy again besides the fact it comes in the acne box.
- Masque Bar Blue Glitter Peel-Off Mask: This is more of a metallic blue mask with a fine shimmer in it. It is not painful to remove, but I do not see anything happening with my skin. There is no reason to buy again.
- Masque Bar Holographic Foil Peel-Off Mask: This mask is also painless to remove, and it definitely has a holographic duo chrome thing going on. It does make my skin feel moisturized and leaves behind a healthy glow. Still, there is no particular reason to repurchase.
- Freeman Cosmic Holographic Peel-Off Mask Luminizing Rose Quartz: I love how Freeman peel-off masks are never painful. 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! This mask does have a milky white/pink metallic finish that screams rose quartz.
Makeup
Second in this October 2021 empties review are four makeup products.
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer: This primer does a great job of prepping the skin for makeup application by making it feel smooth, hydrated, and supple. It totally blends primer and moisturizer, but it does not overdo it. I can layer it with my skincare, including moisturizer. Makeup looks great over top of it, but it does not control my oils any better than other primer, nor does it extend wear time. Still, Smashbox makes great primers, and this is great for those with dry skin. I have no plans to buy again.
- Sephora Collection Rouge Gel Lip Liner in Nothin’ But Nude: This gel liner glides easily over the lips without pulling or tugging. It is matte and full coverage, yet feels great on the lips. This pink/nude shade compliments so many lip colors, I can use this almost daily. I highly recommend this formula (and color), but I have too many lip liners stopping me from buying this.
- elf Acne Fighting Foundation: This is one of my all-time-favorite foundations and I will always repurchase this! I do not see it helping with acne, but it has the most beautiful, skin-like finish. This formula is lightweight like a BB cream, but you can build it up to medium to high-medium coverage. It lasts well for eight plus hours of wear, and it plays nicely with almost any primer and setting powder combination.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel in Dark Brown: It is amazing how long this tiny tube lasts! This brow gel does effectively hold your brows in place, while also adding tint. It is not a fiber formula, and your brows will not be hard or crunchy. The tiny, tapered spoolie applicator is easy to use. Overall, there are many drugstore gels that work just as good, so this one is not that over the top that I would need to dish out the cash for it.
Bodycare
Third are two body care items in this October 2021 empties review.
- Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap All-in-One: I find that this body wash does not lather up as well as others, nor do the suds last very long. So, I end up using a lot more than I normally do. The African black soap scent is nice. I am not impressed enough to repurchase.
- Hello Extra Freshening Mouthwash: This mouthwash is a translucent black liquid that is not messy to spit in the sink. The flavor is mint, but there is a tone of something natural or plant-based present. Keep in mind that I drink coffee every day and otherwise consume stuff that stains the teeth. I never see results with charcoal products, as I am probably a bad candidate. I see no reason to buy again, but it is not bad.
Nails
Fourth is one nail empty.
- Formula X Base Coat: This base coat works as well as any other that I have recommended as a part of my nail care routine. It is so sad that Formula X is discontinued, as this base coat is worth keeping around. I do have one more bottle.
Fragrance
To end this October 2021 empties review, we have two fragrance items.
- Body Fantasies Sweet Sunrise: This is a fruity and floral gourmand body spray that is really quite nice. While I did enjoy using it, I do not feel an immediate urge to buy again.
- Body Fantasies Japanese Cherry Blossom: This is a classic scent from Body Fantasies, and the name describes the smell. It is not bad, but also not my favorite. I never repurchase it, but sometimes it comes in gift sets.
Conclusion
In conclusion of this October 2021 empties review, this was a solid month! I could have gone way over 31 if I wanted to, but I got distracted from working on empties at the end of the month due to moving. As I head into the end of the year, my biggest concern is plowing through masks. Christmas 2020 really loaded me up to the point where I have spent all of 2021 working on them and I am unsure if I can finish all of them off. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
Do you recognize any products from my trash?
Discover All of the 2021 Empties:
| January 2021 | February 2021 | March 2021 | April 2021 |
| May 2021 | June 2021 | July 2021 | August 2021 |
| September 2021 | November 2021 | December 2021 |