fall empties 2016

As I was writing this empties post I realized that I would repurchase most of these products, which made me very happy.  No money wasted!  It's always a crap shoot trying things for the first time, and because the majority of these products were first-timers for me that's extra great.  It is also strangely satisfying to use stuff up, especially when I need to make room for all the goodies I just bought in Sephora's VIB sale (more on that later).  Ouch!   So out with the old - in with the new. It's karmic, right?
Here's a short little list of things that ended up in my recycle bin over the last few months.  And as always with my empties I keep it brief.


Herbal Essences Honey I Smell Good Body Wash has a dorky name but it claims to be natural and has a wonderful fruity/honey smell.  It doesn't dry me out or irritate my skin.  It's fun and totally worth the money - it lasted me for ages.   I am dying to try the other smells in the line next.

repurchase?  Yes, but will try a new scent.

Yankee Candle Large Jar in Macintosh is a must because the smell of apples is quintessential Autumn.  I had half of this candle left over from last Fall and finished it up before the season had fully gotten underway this year.  It really truly smells like a pungent fresh apple - not sweet like a bakery apple.  I don't often buy Yankee Candles but this is delightful.

repurchase?  For sure.

Fiona Styles Ultimate Lash Icon Volumizing Mascara was best several weeks in when the consistency got a little thicker.  It wasn't bad at first either, just more volumizing later.  In fact it was excellent at the very end of its life.  I had fun trying out this relatively new brand at Ulta and I felt like I got what I paid for.  It was a medium priced mascara and it gave medium satisfaction.

repurchase?  No, there is better, and more, mascara to try out there.

L'Oreal EverCreme Nourishing Shampoo is great because it is sulfate-free.  And for me it is the perfect amount of hydrating, which is quite a lot/just enough without weighing my hair down.  It smells luscious without being too perfumey and I felt like it was gentle on my color-treated hair.

repurchase?  Yup!

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Normal To Dry is a staple for me.  I buy the big jar at the drugstore and it is still inexpensive.  Perfect for my very dry sensitive skin, I use it alone or mix it in with more hardcore exfoliating cleansers to soften them up a bit.  It's a classic.

repurchase?  Definitely!

(2) Bath And Body Works 3 Wick Candle in Sweater Weather truly smells like a cozy wooly sweater worn on a crisp Fall day.  Would I rather be burning Dyptique and Jo Malone all the time? Sure, but this particular BBW scent is a favorite of mine as well.  I've gone through 2 already this year and also listed in it my October beauty favorites!

repurchase?  Yes, every Fall.

(2) Milani Moisture Lock Coconut Oil Infused Lip Treatment in Healing Lemon Honey and Conditioning Grapeseed are something I am always buying for others as well as myself.  There are eight different conditioning formulas that work better than most regular lip balms.  I think the Healing Lemon Honey one works the best.

repurchase?  Yes, but I'll just stick with the Lemon Honey one.

Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo is very pleasant.  I got the conditioner too (which I didn't like as much) but I always run out of a brand's shampoo before I do their conditioner.  I found this shampoo to be gentle and lightly hydrating but maybe not quite as much as I would like.  I love the concept behind this though.

repurchase?  No, I'd rather try new things.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Finishing Mist settles my makeup, softens and takes away any cakeyness or powderyness.  This was the first time I had tried it and I'm not 100% convinced it makes my makeup last any longer, but it sure makes it look better.  Plus it smells fantastic and is quite refreshing.

repurchase?  Yes, I'm addicted

Algenist SUBLIME DEFENSE Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 has been a favorite sunscreen for years.  I still try other brands from time to time but I always come back to this.  The smell isn't great but the texture is, and it doesn't annoy my sensitive reactive skin.   I like that it is mostly mineral sunscreen but has the extra coverage of one chemical sunscreen ingredient.

repurchase?   Probably, but I just bought a La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid to try out first.  I think it will be similar but more cost effective.

What favorites or hate-its did you burn through this month?

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews