December 2021 Empties Review

The reason that this December 2021 empties review is packed is that I finally got through face masks that take several uses to empty, and now I am doing a sheet mask a day. Plus, some larger products that I have been working on for a while have met their end. There are 44 products in total, and I am providing as many details as possible for each.

December 2021 Empties Review

Skincare

First in this December 2021 empties review is 31 skincare items.

• Freeman Neon Vibes No Stress Oil Absorbing Clay Mask: This clay mask is white, so I fail to see the neon idea. I do not see anything particular happening, and clay is already oil absorbing in most cases. There is no special reason to buy again.
• Spa Life The Art of Masking Multi-Masking Palette: This palette features six clay masks: moisturizing, soothing, brightening, detoxifying, purifying, and age-defying. They have a nice, clay texture, except for the white mask (detoxifying) that is hard to spread, and purple (soothing) is light and airy like a mousse. I cannot say that I see any effects on my skin. This is still a fun gift for a teacher or artsy person. I do have to note the silicone applicator is junk. Mine fell apart right away. The glue does not hold, so you end up with the silicone brush, metal ferrule, and handle in three pieces. I would not buy again.
• elf Lemon Infused Brightening Mask (2): This mask fits ok with some excess material around the chin that will not stay down. It might brighten a little bit but nothing too miraculous. This mask appears to have been discontinued.
• Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum: After using one capsule I see nothing happening with my skin. I need a decent sample size before I would even consider a repurchase.
• Naturally Upper Canada Assorted Face Sheet Masks: These masks fit pretty good with some excess around the chin. I did not notice any particular effects with them to warrant a repurchase. Here are the five masks included in the box:
  • Retinol to smooth and rejuvenate
  • Collagen to soften and restore
  • Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and plump
  • Cucumber to hydrate and soothe
  • Vitamin C to repair and brighten
• Spa Life Sugar + Rosehip Hydrating Facial Mask: The Spalife paper masks do not fit on the face very well, and part of that has to do with the paper being too thick. These types of masks always make my skin feel hydrated, but I did not see results overall. I will not buy again.
• Spa Life Activated Charcoal Pore Clarifying Facial Mask: My thoughts are the same as the mask above.
• elf Detoxifying Bubble Mask (2): I have tried this in the past and I enjoy it for the bubble action! It fits on the face pretty good, but I cannot prove that it is detoxifying anything. This mask is discontinued.
• elf Hydrating Water Sheet Mask: This mask definitely hydrates but it is nothing to get worked up about. Again, it fits decently but it is discontinued.
• Miss Spa Bamboo Charcoal Clarifying Sheet Mask: I enjoy this type of mask because the material has small holes in it like gauze. It fits the face exceptionally well! Again, I cannot prove that any clarification is happening. I have no plans to repurchase.
• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum: This serum absorbs easily into the skin, leaving some tackiness behind. My pores did not change at all, so I will not buy the full-size.
• Personal Care Micellar Cleansing Water: This micellar water does its job of cleansing the face and removing makeup, while not burning my eyes. I have no special reason to buy it again.
• B-pure Night Eye Gel Pads: These are gold hydrogel eye pads, but they are too thick and heavy to stay in place. Even when lying down they side all over the face! I will not buy these again.
• Garnier Glow Boost Fresh-Mix Sheet Mask: I like the creative idea of getting to wet the paper face mask yourself with the serum, but at the end of the day, this is no different from any other sheet mask. It fits on the face pretty good, and vitamin C always gives a bit of the glow. As far as buying again, I am neutral.
• Found Chamomile Neck Sheet Mask: This mask stays on the neck very well, but of I course I do not see anything happening after one use. I am young enough that I do not yet have issues with my neck, so I do not have a real reason to repurchase.
• Found Chamomile Sleeping Sheet Mask: Please note that you do not sleep with this sheet mask on! It applies as normal, but is supposed to give you results overnight. As I will keep saying, I do not see a single sheet mask miraculously changing my life in one use. There is no reason to buy again, but this also fits good.
• Found 60-Second Green Tea Morning Sheet Mask: I kept this mask in the fridge, so it definitely gives me a wake-up call! It has just as much serum as a mask that you leave on for much longer, so 60 seconds of wear feels like a waste. But, it is a quick way to de-puff and gain moisture. I might buy this again.
• Miss Spa Red Wine Purifying Sheet Mask: I cannot prove that this mask purifies anything in one use, but it fits on the face ok. I probably would not repurchase.
• elf 5mg CBD Lip Oil: This is a really nice lip oil that is lightweight and non-greasy. Really, it feels more like a gel, and you get a clear shine. I find that it is effective in treating the lips, which I do every night before bed. This tube really lasts a while! I have way too many lip balms to warrant a repurchase, but I still like this product. You can see all of the CBD products in my review.
• elf Calming Facial Oil Mist: As discussed in my Facial Oil Mist review, I really do not think that a spray changes your mood. I use these as skincare before moisturizer, and nothing happens. After I use all of them up, I will not repurchase.
• B-pure Vitamin C & E 3 Step Facial Kit: You get a face wash, serum, and face mask in this kit. The face wash is very basic, the serum smells cheap, and the face mask could use better cut holes for the eyes. But, the mask has just the right amount of product and fits well otherwise. Maybe this does give me a bit of a glow, but it is not the only vitamin C item that I am currently using. I will not buy this again.
• Found Sensitive Cucumber Sheet Mask: All of the Found masks fit on the face well, but I do not see any particular effects to cause me to repurchase.
• Found Firming Argan Sheet Mask: My thoughts are the same as those on the cucumber mask.
• Found Clarifying Red Clay Sheet Mask: My thoughts are the same as those on the cucumber mask.
• Bio Miracle Detox Collagen Face Mask: This sheet mask fits fine on the face, but again I do not see any particular results to buy again.
• Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleaner: I have used this face wash so many times, and I will continue to do so. It is basic for every day, but it does its job.
• Soap and Glory Off Your Face 3-in-1 Daily Purifying Cloths: These cloths are really designed to give a light cleanse, and even a tone, with a slight exfoliating effect. I used this package up by making them be makeup remover wipes and further wetting them with micellar water, but it worked! They did not even burn my eyes, but really these are not for makeup. I never buy again because they will pop up in a gift set along the way.
• Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying Peel-Off Mask: This mask is not that painful to remove, only in a few spots. However, it is stubborn to peel off and it will leave residue all over. I cannot prove that it peels away impurities, but I did not enjoy it enough for repurchase.
• No 7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi-Action Serum Boost Sheet Mask: No 7 sheet masks are the best in terms of design because they give you ear loops for the face, plus an attached neck section that also has ear loops. This means they fit the face perfectly and stay on. This type of mask needs to be used weekly to see anti-aging benefits and firmer skin within two weeks. I only have one so I do not get a good test. I have no plans to repurchase but it might show up again in a gift set.

Haircare

Second in this December 2021 empties review is 3 haircare items.

• Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner: Every time I review purple shampoo and conditioner I have to re-iterate what I explain in my best shampoo for brunette hair post. Natural blondes use purple, while natural brunettes use blue. For years I used purple and I saw some benefits, but never enough. Blue has changed my life! I will say this Amika duo is super dark purple, so it is more effective than others. I am surprised that the conditioner is just as deep in hue, as other brands tend to go for pastel. However, I stick by my words. A natural blonde should try this! Brunettes can, but you can still get even more benefit from blue. My hair feels fine after using these, nothing over the top, just a basic condition. I will not buy the full-size.
• Loreal Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo: This dry shampoo does work, but some days I feel like my hair still looks greasy. I hardly get white marks unless I go too crazy. I can still feel plenty of product in the can, but the sprayer stopped working and makes strange sounds. There is no reason to buy again.
• Yes to Tea Tree Soothing Hair Clay Mask: I do suffer from a dry, itchy scalp, and I had no issues with this mask. I use it like a conditioner and while it is easy to apply, it lacks actual conditioning properties. There is not much reason to buy again.

Bodycare

Third in this December 2021 empties review is six pieces of body care related trash.

• Soap & Glory The Scrub of Your Life: I have reviewed this many times, and still have a large tube to use. This is an effective and gentle body scrub with exfoliating beads, yet it also gets sudsy like a typical body wash. I can use this daily no problem, plus it has the Original Pink scent and moisturizing properties. I get this in gift sets, so I do not feel urged to seek it out on its own.
• Freeman Silky Hands Strengthening + Hydrating Cuticle Mask: These masks are easy to use. You get 10 of them in a sheet and they rip apart so that you can put one on each finger. They actually cover almost the entire finger, and feel similar to a sheet mask for the face. You leave these on for 10-15 minutes and it feels like using lotion that is not greasy. These do work, but it is preposterous to say to only use these once per week. You still have to use cuticle oil and lotion regularly. These are nice for a spa day at home with your friends, or an evening of self-care. I have no plans to buy again.
• Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier in Strawberry: I really cannot tell if a drink is truly hydrating me. But, I can tell you that this powder tastes like strawberry with a hint of something else, but it is not chalky. It appears to fully dissolve after a good stir, but it leaves your water cloudy and particles will settle if you let your drink sit. I have no plans to repurchase.
• Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier in Watermelon (2): My thoughts are the same as those on the Strawberry mix above. I include these in my empties review because they come from Walmart Beauty Boxes.
• Physicians Formula Rose All Day Hand Cream: This hand cream effectively moisturizes the hands while not leaving behind a greasy residue. The Rose scent is there, but it is not overbearing. You cannot purchase this alone, rather, it comes in a set.
• Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer: This body lotion absorbs quickly into the skin with no greasy residue. It is lightweight and does work effectively, with a natural scent. While there is nothing wrong with it, I do not plan on buying it again.

Makeup

Fourth in this December 2021 empties review is two makeup items.

• Benefit Hoola Bronzer: The world loves this bronzer because it does work well. I use it everyday, just as equally I can use it for special occasions. The shade is the perfect bronze without being orange or muddy. It has the slightest amount of shimmer but I do not see it, so it is mostly matte. It is so easy to use and blends over the skin. While I can recommend this to you, I have no actual plans to repurchase. It pops up a lot in subscription boxes and gift sets, plus I own way more bronzer than any person needs. I might even have another Hoola somewhere!
• elf Primer Sheet Mask: This mask fits ok on the skin, with some excess material around the chin area. It leaves the skin feeling slightly tacky, yet primed for makeup application. Everything applies normally over top and looks smooth! I do not find that it extends the wear of makeup. Basically, it does not harm or add a benefit. I would not buy again, as it adds an extra five minutes to your routine when you can use any primer that you like. The concept is nice though because sheet masks are a great way to prep your skin for makeup.

Fragrance

I am ending this December 2021 empties review with two fragrance items.

• Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia: This is a fruity floral scent that is designed for autumn. I note that it has really good staying power. I do not plan on buying the full-size, there is nothing wrong with it, but it is not my thing.
• Body Fantasies Good Vibes Only: This body spray has a citrus and green apple scent that honestly is not my thing. I believe this is only available in Christmas sets, but I would not seek it out for repurchase.

Conclusion

In summary of this December 2021 empties review, this is a strong month due to single use skincare sheet masks! Into the new year I want to continue hitting the sheet masks and completely finish those, then I will revert back to masks that take more time. Heading into 2022 I am completely overloaded with body wash, face wash, and moisturizer. I do see an end to makeup wipes in sight, meaning that I can go back to reusable cloths after years of pounding out wipes. It will be another good year of empties, that is for sure. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

How did you do with your 2021 empties goals?

Discover All of the 2021 Empties: