It’s the end of March, and I’ve decided to start doing my EMPTIES posts quarterly so that I will be able to show everything that I’m using up. I’ve been on the NO BUY for a full three months now, and I am using up a lot- especially makeup!
When I start using a product, I stick to it until it’s gone. I don’t switch to a different one until it’s empty. The NO BUY is really helping me to get rid and use up all of my half empty containers.
I thought that being on the NO BUY would be difficult, but it’s actually not, at all! Every time I see a picture of a new product or a review on something that looks good, I just remind myself “you have 20 blushes already, you don’t need that” or “you already have a perfectly good setting spray” and it really discourages me from wanting something new. I feel like my collection is slowly shrinking, and it’s a good feeling to be able to use things up. Ok, so onto my empties!
Let’s start off with hair products.
The first two things here are always in my empties posts! The It’s A Ten Miracle Leave in Plus Keratin is my favorite- it does 10 beneficial things to your hair (heat protectant, detangles, conditions, repairs, etc.), and it smells amazing. This is actually the bottle from the girls’ bathroom, but I thought I’d include it here. We have already repurchased it.
Next is one of my favorite dry shampoos, the Garnier Volune Extend Dry Shampoo– this stuff volumizes, gets rid of oil, and makes my hair feel super clean and smell nice. Already have a backup of this bad boy.
Lastly, a new product I’d been using- the Redken Pillow Proof Blowdry Express Primer Spray. This is similar to my favorite Kenra Blowdry Spray– but I found this Redken one to be a bit drying on my hair, and although it did help with blowdry time, I like the scent of the Kenra one more, so I think I’ll stick to that from now on.
Here are some skincare things I’ve used up.
This Garnier Micellar Water is my staple, I always use this to remove my makeup, and it works like a charm! I love how it doesn’t leave my skin greasy. Love this and already repurchased.
Another staple- my daily Clinique Moisturizing Gel. It’s not heavily fragranced, doesn’t break me out, and doesn’t feel greasy. It sinks into my skin fast. Already using my backup.
Last skincare item here is my beloved Caudalie Beauty Elixir. This is just a little travel size one. I love the scent of this and I love how it makes my skin feel! It’s a cooling toner and feels like you’re at the spa. Love it! I’ve got a big one in my bathroom.
And lastly, makeup. Look how much I’ve gone through!
I’ve used up a few primers- the Benefit Porefessional is one I’ve been working on using up for awhile! This is a huge tube and you only need a tiny bit. It fills in pores and helps foundation to just glide right on. Next is the MAC Strobe Cream, which is an illuminating type primer that adds a lovely glow and moisture to the skin. Love this under makeup. I would repurchase both.
Two foundations I’ve used up are the ItCosmetics CC Cream and the Bare Minerals Original Foundation. These are pretty much my two favorite foundations! The CC Cream has SPF 50, its lightweight, and I love the perfect coverage it gives. The Bare Minerals is my everyday foundation that I brush on super quickly every morning for a light even coverage that gives a nice finish. I will repurchase both!
I’ve used up a beauty sponge ( I’m trying to only keep these for 3 months before I throw them away), and this one is my favorite. It’s the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I love the flat side for applying my foundation and the pointy side for concealer. I have 4 backups in my drawer. Haha.
Next, a concealer I’ve used up is the Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer. I wear the shade meringue under my eyes, and it covers my dark circles pretty well and keeps them hydrated. I would repurchase this.
I’ve used up two mascaras, and both are some of my favorites. The Bobbi Brown Smoky Lash Mascara is seriously one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used! It lengthened like crazy and kept the volume all day. This was a sample size, but I will definitely be purchasing the full size. The other was Urban Decay’s Perversion, which is a longtime favorite. This one also really adds volume and length, and it holds all day. I already have two backups of this one in my drawer.
Lastly, I have used up two lip products. The first, NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita is a true MLBB color. It’s pretty sheer and adds really nice moisture. I probably wouldn’t repurchase, just because there are so many cheaper options. But this was a great lipstick. The other was the Benefit Lollibalm. This was a sheer pinky-purple color, and gave a lot of shine. I probably would not repurchase this just because it didn’t add much color- it was like a tinted chapstick- and was pretty pricey.
That’s it for my empties!!!
xx
The Hustlin’ Homemaker 
IMPRESSIVE!