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  • Melissa

Empty Product Reviews - February & March 2023


I heard some exciting news in the world of beauty empties (if there is such a world) - Ulta partnered with nonprofit organization Pact to start a new beauty recycling program where you can bring old beauty containers to a participating Ulta to be recycled. I was so excited about this initiative!! I feel so wasteful when I throw out all this packaging!


But then I read the directions...and you have to reallllllly clean them before you bring them to be recycled. Like even cleaning out mascara tubes. I just don't have that kind of time! What do you think? I love the initiative they're taking but is it worth taking that much time to help the planet?



IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream SPF 50+ ($47 for 1.08 fl oz): I started using this product because I was able to get it for a discount since I worked for L'Oreal. Now, although I still think it's an incredible product, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a CC cream. I haven't found a CC cream with as full coverage as this one has, but I've also liked the Thrive one (not much cheaper) and the ELF one (a whole lot cheaper). This has a natural-to-dewy finish on my skin. Just this year, I started applying it with my fingers like a true moisturizer, but previously I used a brush. It's lightweight and gives great coverage.

Rating: 8/10

Would I repurchase? No


Derma E Vitamin C Weightless Moisturizer SPF 45 ($23.95 for 2 fl oz): For the first half of the bottle, the product gave me a serious white cast on my face. I wrote it off and thought "I'll never buy this again," but then by the end of the bottle it applied way more transparent. It moisturized well but it wasn't noticeably hydrating. In the end, it was just OK.

Rating: 5/10

Would I repurchase? No


Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask ($30 for 3.3 fl oz): I'm pretty tough on Olaplex products because they've gotten such hype and I have yet to find one that wows me. I used it once a week and it felt moisturizing but didn't do anything spectacular for my hair. I was hoping to see less breakage and smoother hair with less frizziness and fly-aways. It didn't do any of that, so I'll keep my $30, thank you very much.

Rating: 4/10

Would I repurchase? No


Hers Hydrobounce Instant Moisturizer ($17.99 for 1.7 fl oz): I love this! I already repurchased. My only gripe is that I prefer pumps or squeeze tubes because I feel like bacteria gets in jarred products so easily. It comes with a little spatula to scoop the product out but then I have to touch the spatula to get the product off of it...am I missing something? Anyway, it's very hydrating and I appreciate a cruelty free drugstore brand.

Rating: 9/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


Native Detoxifying Charcoal Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste ($10.99 for 4.1 oz): I only buy this with a coupon because $10 for toothpaste seems like a lot. It's one of the "clean" toothpastes I've used that lathers a bit which I liked and the flavor was good.

Rating: 8/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($9.99 for 1 fl oz): I liked this serum and was trying to decide if I like the squeeze bottle packaging more than The Ordinary's dropper bottle and I can't decide. I think I'll keep repurchasing The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid. This is a great alternative though. I don't have any complaints.

Rating: 8/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


Ulta Lash Flash Warm Water Wash Off Mascara ($11): I made a couple reels on my instagram comparing this mascara to some other tubing mascaras. I really love this! I'm obsessed with tubing mascaras that wash off with warm water so I don't have raccoon eyes the next morning. I've been only using tubing mascaras for a couple years now and this one is half the price of the Thrive Causmetics one I was using. It came off really easily too.

Rating: 9/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


No. 7 Stay Perfect Long-Lasting Volume Mascara (discontinued??): I'm looking online for it now and can't find it! That's a shame because this was really good and while I liked that the Ulta one was a little easier to get off, this one was more waterproof and stayed on better when I cried (happens a lot, it's OK I promise lol).

Rating: 9/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


NYX Bare With Me Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Lip Conditioner ($7): I loved their original This Is Everything lip oil and then they discontinued it so I've been using this one and it's great too! I'm very excited to try their new Fat Lip Oil. I think the cannabis trend in beauty products is so gimmicky but it does have skincare benefits.

Rating: 7/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


Trader Joe's Midsummer Night's Cream Hand & Body Cream Made With Moroccan Argan Oil ($3.99 for 16 fl oz): I loved this lotion, especially because it's fragrance free! It did take a little more rubbing to dissolve into the skin than some other creams I've tried but I didn't mind it. And you really can't beat the price. And I just love Trader Joe's so I'm biased.

Rating: 7/10

Would I repurchase? Yes


Femiro Wax Hard Wax Beans ($15.29 for 1 lb): I think this exact product is discontinued, but they all look the same on Amazon and they're all underwhelming. I have not found one that doesn't break out my upper lip so I just don't wax it anymore. It's ok on the other areas of my body that I wax, but my skin always gets a little irritated from waxing.

Rating: 5/10

Would I repurchase? No

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