empties – Page 3 – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

January 2022 No-Buy Update

January 26, 2022by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I’m on a no-buy for most of 2022 and using these monthly updates to keep me accountable. For these updates, I’ve decided to answer the same set of questions every month. Feel free to follow along in the comments with your own no-buy or low-buy updates. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

What’s one thing that helped this month go easier?
At the start of the year, I unsubscribed from tons of brand emails and created a filter so that any I kept would skip my inbox. This has helped so much! I thought I’d be tempted to buy things constantly, but I really haven’t because I just don’t know what’s launching. I also haven’t been tempted by any sales because (if there have been any) I don’t know about them so can’t be tempted. Similarly, I deleted the Sephora and Ulta apps off my phone and haven’t been able to just browse for what’s new. I only have 2 non-nail polish items on my wishlist which is so much less than I would have expected.

What was one thing I wanted to buy but didn’t and why?
I really wanted to get the Holo Taco Winter Shimmers collection that launched recently. I don’t have any iridescent shimmer toppers in my collection, so I immediately wanted to buy them since that felt like a gap. They also looked so pretty on all the combinations I was seeing online and so different from what I already own. But if I buy every new launch, I’ll never get to enjoy what I already have. Plus, I have really fun toppers to play with like the one I used on launch day in the photo below – it was great to try and “dupe the vibes” as Hannah Louise Poston would say. Since these are permanent, they’re going on the wishlist for Black Friday, and I can bet anything there will be so many other nail polish launches to get excited about been now and then that I might even not want these anymore.

Orly Star Glaze over Holo Taco I’m Over Brew in beautiful elevator lighting

Did I buy anything this month?
Nope! I got nothing from my no-buy categories, and I’m so excited to keep this progress going. I didn’t even need any replacements so got through the month with no shopping at all in my no-buy categories at all.

What’s a product I rediscovered by having to shop my stash?
One of my favorite rediscoveries are the Bodyography eyeshadows. I had honestly totally forgotten about them and how great they are. Their site says that these are a unique formula that incorporates “the saturation of a loose pigment, the cushion of a cream, and the silkiness of a powder”, and that describes it better than I could. I can throw them on with a brush or finger to create a lot of impact and dimension quickly with one shade, but I’ve been loving layering them together too. I have Celestial (Pink/Brown), Off the Hook (Taupe), and Sparkler (Rose Gold), which cover all the kinds of glittery shades I would want. They stay all day even with a regular eyeshadow primer, and they work great with a glitter primer as well. I’ve loved shopping my stash and enjoying the amazing products I already have!

If you’re doing a no-buy, how did your January go? If not, what amazing thing did you buy this month? I’d love to know in the comments below! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading!

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 1

January 14, 2022April 2, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties to go through, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. These are all products I finished while travelling for Thanksgiving in 2021, which is why they’re all minis. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – This cleanser took me forever to go through because I hate the smell and the texture. I know lots of people love it, so that might just be a me problem. It’s a lovely cleanser – it cleans without stripping, it leaves my face hydrated, and it washes off cleanly. But it feels like gross slime and smells like rotten cucumbers to me. With so many amazing cleansers on the market, I won’t be repurchasing this one and will happily never use it again.

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray – I used and loved this face spray for years before I started using my all-time favorite mist continues to be the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator. It’s hydrating, doesn’t have a strong fragrance, and feels great on the skin. That said, I don’t feel like it does anything extraordinary, and I didn’t feel a huge difference when I ran out of it before my trip was over. I have a travel size bottle of the Josh Rosebrook and will likely keep refilling it when I travel, so I won’t be repurchasing the Clinique.

Tatcha the Silk Peony Eye Cream – I normally don’t do this but I actually think the description of this eye cream is very spot on: An eye cream that fights the signs of aging and melts to release a double shield of hydration with liquid silk and moisture-locking Japanese white peony for instantly youthful-looking, radiant eyes. It felt amazing on and made my undereyes look way more hydrated. I honestly loved this eye cream when I was using it and would consider getting it again if I didn’t like my HG Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothie Eye Cream even more. Plus, I can usually get the Shiseido buy one get one free during the holidays (so $32 each) whereas the Tachta is $60, so I won’t be repurchasing it.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – I got this as a mini so long ago, and it lasted a very long time because I kept it in my travel bag. It’s incredibly lightweight and blurring without being too matte or drying. It’s honestly a lovely powder, and I totally agree with everyone who has hyped it up for use on dry skin. That said, it’s more than $10 more than the Kosas Cloud Set Powder for less product in the full size, and I like the Cloud Set even better, so I won’t be repurchasing this.

Cocofloss – The only reason I floss every day is because of Cocofloss, and I love the pineapple flavor, so I’m not surprised it’s one of the ones I’ve made it entirely through (I switch through flavors every day). If you’re not familiar with Cocofloss, it’s a floss made from recycled water bottles and infused with coconut oil which makes it both sustainable and very effective. I’ve honestly tried to go back to regular floss after using this, and I can tell the difference in how much better it works.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and not all of them are as positive as this group. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 16

December 23, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – This is my HG morning moisturizer. I can’t count how many times I’ve repurchased this, and I find that when I’m trying something else, I can really tell the difference. I find that this helps much more with skin dehydration than just dryness, which is very important for my skin. I also find that it’s a really good prep step before makeup to make sure everything goes on smoothly without catching on any dry patches. I recommend getting this during Sephora’s holiday sales – this year I was able to get them for half off, so I got myself two which should hopefully last through 2022 until next year’s sales.

Allies of Skin Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum – This serum has continued to be amazing. I didn’t have any irritation when I started using it, which has never happened before with a Vitamin C product, and I haven’t had any since. I have noticed such a big change with my skin since I started using this, particularly with helping with dullness. My skin has a glow that I’ve never seen before (since I have such dry skin), to the point that I can get away without using highlighter! I’m already using my backup of this because it’s such a key part of my morning skincare routine now and am planning on repurchasing unless I find something to test instead.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist – I’ve gone through so many bottles of this and still love it. I use this as a hydrating step while I’m doing my makeup every morning, especially if things are starting to feel a little drier than I want it to be. I use this very much like a Mac Fix+, but Fix+ breaks me out, so I was so excited to find this. The watermelon mist is so fine, actually hydrating, and smells amazing. I love how it melts all my makeup together to look seamless without disrupting anything. I’m already on my back-up of this and am planning to keep repurchasing it.

Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion – Of all the CBD body lotions I’ve tried, this one was definitely my favorite. Most CBD body lotions pill right off me (I have no idea why), and this one doesn’t. It seems to help with muscle soreness, though that might just be a placebo, and is an effectively hydrating lotion. That said, it’s pretty expensive for what it does, and I’m planning on getting through all my samples that I have of this, but not repurchasing.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – This eyebrow pencil worked great for filling in my brows without overdoing it. It provides a fairly natural look and stays put all day, which I definitely appreciate over some of the drugstore brow products I use that my face seems to eat up during the day. That said, I like the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil more than this one and already had one of those to start using when I finished the Brow Wiz, so I won’t be repurchasing this.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 15

December 20, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakelove3 Comments

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil – I bought this in June 2020 and just finally finished it. If you’re looking for something that is gentle, effective, and incredibly cost effective for the amount of time it lasts, this is a great buy. I loved using this in the summer because it’s much lighter weight than my usual cleansing balm. That said, I have a ton of cleansing balms to go through right now between the ones I already had and the many samples I’ve received lately so I won’t be repurchasing this for awhile. I’ll probably get another bottle when it starts to get hotter out again!

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator – This continues to be my favorite facial mist of all time. I’ve tried a few others for testing, but I always end up missing this one. It’s so hydrating, it helps my other products sink in better and faster, and it smells amazing too. I’ve used it alone with nothing else if I’m in a pinch and somehow it actually moisturizes my skin enough even with my incredibly dry skin. I have been through so many bottles of this and will definitely grab more when the next Credo/Ulta sale comes around. I’m planning on repurchasing this forever unless something really amazing launches that knocks it out of its HG spot in my routine.

thisworks deep sleep body cocoon – Like most other FabFitFun moisturizers, this was totally fine. I really loved the lavender scent and found it helped me wind down at night which is the only thing that stuck out to me about this. The actual formula is pretty lackluster – it takes awhile to sink in, it’s not that moisturizing, and it’s also not that hydrating. I have so many body lotions that I love and that I’m testing, so I’m definitely not repurchasing this.

Kaja Don’t Settle Concealer – I got this on sale for less than $13, and I’m really glad I had it while I did. It’s a buildable light to medium coverage concealer that’s very lightweight and easy to blend. It paired really nicely with my skin tints that I generally wear as foundation and didn’t look overdone. That said, the formula didn’t make me fall in love right away like the Kosas Revealer Concealer (which even though I love the formula, it went off after 6 months, and that’s not worth it to me especially at that price). I’m testing 3 concealers right now so won’t repurchasing it, but definitely would consider buying it again.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask – I have to imagine that I would love this if I had normal to oily skin, but as someone with very dry skin, it didn’t do enough for me. It smells amazing and sinks in so quickly. It definitely is moisturizing and makes my skin feel hydrated and glowy in the morning. That said, I find that I have to layer on at least 2 other moisturizers with this, and I would love something that’s a heavier hitter than this. So, I won’t be repurchasing this.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 14

November 5, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Supergoop Zincscreen – This sounded great because it’s meant for sensitive skin and supposed to work well under makeup as a glowy base. I used it every day as my primary sunscreen and did really like it under makeup or by itself. It has no white cast, blends super quickly, and isn’t too heavy on the skin. The only thing I don’t love about it is the way it smells – I can’t describe it but I just don’t like it. I’ve not planning on repurchasing it because I’ve fallen in love with the Josie Maran sunscreen, but I did really like it while I used it.

Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel – This was really great while I used it, but the 1oz size that comes with the starter set lasts such a short period of time that it’s really more of a trial size. It does everything you’d expect from a shave gel and otherwise was pretty unremarkable. I’m now using the Athena Club Cloud Shave Foam because I was looking for something even more conditioning than this one. Given that I have extremely dry skin, I am appreciating the extra moisture with the one from Athena Club so far, but I’m still on the hunt for the best shave gel.

Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer – I’m still surprised by how much I love this given how incredibly lightweight it is. It’s still very moisturizing, but has the benefit of sinking into my skin so fast. I really appreciate that for a morning moisturizer because I tend to start my makeup pretty quickly after my morning skincare routine. It also layers incredibly well with my other morning skincare without causing pilling. I already bought a full size of this to use once I finish my Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream, and I can see it becoming my new HG.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter – I have yet to find another body butter I like more than this one. It is incredibly moisturizing while still being fast absorbing and super lightweight. I love all the scents, but this unscented one is my favorite to mix with any body oils so there’s no competing fragrances. I’m already on my next tub, and I have one more backup that I will absolutely replace now that holiday sets are out again.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 13

October 24, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakelove3 Comments

Josie Maran Skin Dope Ultra Nourishing Daily Body Wash – This definitely does what it says – it’s a non-stripping body wash that leaves your skin hydrated. That said, I felt like I ended up using too much of it, and it wasn’t as moisturizing as some other body washes I’ve tried. If you’re looking for something that’s fragrance free though, this is a great option! I’m not planning on repurchasing this, but I’m still loving the Josie Maran Body Butters post shower regardless of which body wash I’m using.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator – This continues to be my favorite facial mist of all time. I’ve tried a few others for testing, but I always end up missing this one. It’s so hydrating, it helps my other products sink in better and faster, and it smells amazing too. I’ve used it alone with nothing else if I’m in a pinch and somehow it actually moisturizes my skin enough even with my incredibly dry skin. I have been through so many bottles of this and just bought two more when Ulta was doing 20% off recently. I’m planning on repurchasing this forever unless something really amazing launches that knocks it out of its HG spot in my routine.

Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub – I got this mini as a gift with purchase, and I didn’t expect to get a lot of use out of it. It turns out that it’s the best scalp scrub I’ve ever used (and I’ve tried a lot of products like this). It works really well as a scalp scrub in that it gets out any residue or product build up that I have in my hair. What I really love about it though is that it actually hydrates as it works so I don’t have to worry about irritating my already super dry scalp. It makes my hair feel so much cleaner but without drying anything out, and it also smells amazing! I’ve already purchased the full size and am still enjoying it!

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream – It’s incredibly moisturizing while still being lightweight and sinking in super quickly. It also smells amazing, and my skin definitely can tell when I skip using this. It’s especially great for the spring and summer because it’s so lightweight and hydrating. I’ve gone through so many jars of this and already have a backup ready to go. That said, I’m currently testing the Farmacy Honey Halo moisturizer which I’m really loving and can see it replacing this at least in the winter. I will report back!

Spongelle Hand Cream – I’m trying to use up my hand creams so have them all over our apartment, and this lands in the middle of the pack in terms of both formula and scent. It’s definitely hydrating and effective and smells nice, but it doesn’t provide as long-lasting nourishment as some of the others I’m using right now. I’m not planning on repurchasing this.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 12

October 12, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Glossier Skin Tint – This has been my daily go-to for that perfect “my skin but better” look. It’s super hydrating and has just enough coverage to use as a “I’m only going to be on video calls today” base. The G11 shade is a great match for me, but it’s low coverage enough that I’m confident you could go up or down a shade just fine. Even though I wouldn’t recommend using a beauty sponge with this, It applies quickly and seamlessly with fingers or a brush. I’m considering repurchasing it eventually because it was such a staple for me, but I’m trying to get more use out of my Typology Tinted Serum and Fenty Eaze Drops.

Glossier Boy Brow – This has still been my favorite choice for brow gel – it just does exactly what I want a brow gel to do. It deposits color, but not too much, defines the brow hairs, but not too much, and has staying power, but not too much. I’ve been using my backup already, and similar to the Skin Tint, I might repurchase this, but I have a few brow gels in my collection I want to test out and see if I like better than this first.

Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick – This has been one of my favorite highlighters of all time, and I’m surprised I haven’t mentioned it before. It honestly makes my skin look so healthy and radiant while blending so seamlessly and easily. If I didn’t have so many other highlighters right now, I would absolutely consider buying a full size. I also have a second mini of it to get through, and I’m sure there will be even more amazing highlighters that get launched by the time I finish that one.

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum – For me, this wasn’t special enough to justify the high price, especially when compared to similar serums that I’ve used and loved like PSA Skin The Most or The Inkey List Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which is only $7.99 for an ounce. So, I will not be purchasing the full size of the Glow Recipe one.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 11

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream – A ton of people I follow on YouTube and Instagram were raving about this, so when Sephora had this deluxe same for free with a $25 purchase, I had to try it. And it’s totally a fine moisturizer. I didn’t notice a huge difference after finishing it, but it definitely works to lessen skin dryness like any other moisturizer. I won’t be repurchasing it when I have so many other moisturizers I love and that I’m testing out right now, especially at almost $30 an ounce.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – I’ve been using this every morning for years, and it’s been a staple in my dry skincare routine. It’s simple, effective, not too heavy or light, and plays well under makeup. I don’t have much to say about it except that it’s one of my favorite moisturizers for my dry skin – it just works really works. That said, I’ve been using the Phytosurgence Verdant Forcefield since I ran out of the Kiehl’s and have been absolutely loving it (and now have a Farmacy Honey Drop to get through as well), so it may be a long time before I repurchase this if I do.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter – I have yet to find another body butter I like more than this one. It is incredibly moisturizing while still being fast absorbing and super lightweight. I love all the scents, but I think the cranberry may be my favorite. This also mixes with any body oils super easily when I need that extra boost. I’m already on my next tub, and I have two backups that I will absolutely replace when holiday sets come out again.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara – This continues to be the best mascara I’ve ever used. I’ve moved on to one of the four minis I have, and I still love it. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. The best part is that it washes off so easily and quickly. I still have three more minis to get through after this and will definitely repurchase until an amazing tubing formula comes out that’s better than this one.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 10

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021by liftbakelove2 Comments

Dr. Brandt Luminizer Primer – I got this as part of a subscription box in 2019 and finally used it up recently. I found that this was nothing special – it was a little blurring and a little luminizing and didn’t cause any irritation. For $38, I didn’t find that it did anything out of the ordinary to justify that price. I much prefer the Glossier Future Dew (my favorite primer and only $24), Auric Glow Lust, and VDL Lumilayer primer instead and won’t be repurchasing this.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Mask – I love the entire invisible oil line, and this mask in particular is magic for my hair. My hair always feels so much shinier and softer when I use it and is so much less frizzy. Plus, it smells amazing like the rest of the line. I only use the mask about once every 3 weeks, and that’s been more than enough to keep my hair feeling great. Even though it’s pretty expensive at $43, I find that it lasts me so long (almost a year) that it’s definitely worth it, especially if I can get it on sale. I’m already on my backup and have a couple of other masks I’ll try when I run out, but I’ll likely go back to this.

Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel – This is less than $4 and lasted me quite a long time. It definitely does what it says, and it was totally fine shaving gel. I decided to try the Athena Club Cloud Shave Foam when I ran out of this though because I was looking for something even more conditioning. I have extremely dry skin, and I am appreciating the extra moisture with the one from Athena Club so far. I still haven’t decided if it’s worth paying double for and will provide an update when I run out of that one! Depending on how it goes, I may or may not repurchase the Aveeno one (but please recommend your favorite in the comments if you have one!).

Allies of Skin 1A™ Retinal + Peptides Overnight Mask – This continues to be my HG retinol product, and I’m already using my backup and will repurchase this when I run out. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all, is very hydrating, and still actually does all the things retinol does (smooths the appearance of wrinkles, fades scars, and brightens skin). I love that if I’m really exhausted, I can use this as my all-in-one nighttime product without waking up to incredibly dry, blotchy skin, which is what used to happen with other retinol products. It’s pretty expensive, like the rest of this brand, but it works so well, and now I can’t imagine going back to something that isn’t as effective as this.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – This is my HG morning moisturizer. I can’t count how many times I’ve repurchased this, and I find that when I’m trying something else, I can really tell the difference. I find that this helps much more with skin dehydration than just dryness, which is very important for my skin. I also find that it’s a really good prep step before makeup to make sure everything goes on smoothly without catching on any dry patches. I recommend getting this during Sephora’s holiday sales because there’s always set of this and a couple other Dr. Jart+ products for less than the price of just the Ceramidin cream. I’m already on my backup and will repurchase this when I run out.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 9

July 23, 2021April 3, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist – I’m honestly shocked I’ve never written about this on here before, especially because I’ve gone through so many bottles of this. I use this as a hydrating step while I’m doing my makeup every morning, especially if things are starting to feel a little drier than I want it to be, because I set everything with my Cover FX Setting Spray. I use this very much like a Mac Fix+, but Fix+ breaks me out, so I was so excited to find this. The watermelon mist is so fine, actually hydrating, and smells amazing. I love how it melts all my makeup together to look seamless without disrupting anything. I have two back-ups of this and am planning to keep repurchasing it.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – I’ve been using this every morning for years, and I think there will be more of these in my empties because I ended up getting a bunch of the smaller jars in sets and am going through them pretty quickly. It’s simple, effective, not too heavy or light, and plays well under makeup. It’s really such a staple in my routine that I don’t have much to say about it except that it’s one of my favorite moisturizers for my dry skin – it just works really works, and I keep coming back to it over and over again no matter what else I try. I have another back-up to get through and am planning to repurchase unless something knocks it out of my morning moisturizer spot.

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate – I’ve been using this for years as my hydrating serum in my nighttime routine, and it definitely works really well for what it does. That said, this seems to keep going up in price (it used to be in the high 30s) and doesn’t feel worth it when there are so many great hydrating serums out there. I have a few more of these to get through because I had gotten a bunch of back-ups during a sale on Clinique’s website, but I’m planning to switch over to The Most from PSA Skin (you can read my review here) and will not be repurchasing this.

It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product – This definitely worked well for my hair as a spray-on deep conditioning treatment. It didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, and even though I’m willing to make an investment if the quality is there, I didn’t find this special enough to spend almost $40 on the full size. I’m really happy with the products I recently reviewed from the Inkey List and have a ton of deluxe sample spray leave-in conditioners to get through, so I won’t be repurchasing this.

Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser – If you’re a regular reader, you know how much I love Allies of Skin products, and this cleanser is one of my favorites. This cleanser creates such a luxurious cleansing experience – you can even use it as a quick, hydrating mask if you leave it on for 5 minutes before washing it off. And while it really does clean, it also leaves your skin feeling hydrated like you used a moisturizer. This is the only cleanser I’ve used that actually helps with any extra dryness and irritation, and I really notice a difference when I’m not using it. I have already started with the backup I had and will absolutely be repurchasing it when I finish that one.

Tag: empties