103. A Year of Empties, Three Years of Substack

An Epic List of Empties and a Happy Newsletter Anniversary

Hi, I’m Maggie, and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a bi-weekly newsletter on all things slow: beauty, fashion, and living. Links in this newsletter may include affiliate links or discount referrals. If you enjoy and would like to support this newsletter, click the button below or shop through my links! No pressure, but thank you if you do.

---

This has to be the most epic empties list I’ve ever done. The following are all of my 2022 empties! I’m organizing these by category this time for leisurely browsing since there’s…so…much. I’ve linked any previous newsletter reviews within. Each will be followed by a Y for Yes, would repurchase, M for Maybe, N for No, and N/A if it’s no longer available.  

Skincare

Masks

• pAra botanica Nenekti Purifying Mask ($48, 3.4oz | 100ml) M

  I love this purifying mask. The detoxifying qualities are great without stripping the skin. And the bottle will last you a long, long time! Since I only need one mask at a time in my collection, this is filed under a maybe. 

• Naturallogic LUNA ($78, 2floz | 60ml) N

  This is a beautiful mask, and I love that the masks are now packaged in aluminum tubes! As my skin’s changed, I think I would enjoy their Soul Milk Mask more (I’ve yet to try it, but it’s on the list!). 

• Earthwise Beauty Sungod Face Mask ($60, 30g | 1.1oz) N/A

  Of all the EWB masks, this was my least favorite. It’s a lovely mask, but it didn’t do much for my skin. 

Cleansers 

• Skin Fancy Honey Rose Cleansing Salve (sample and full size 2oz | 59ml, $45) Y

  I love, love, love this cleanser. The only con is that I go through it rather quickly despite its 2oz size.  

• Epara Cleansing Lotion ($56, 150ml | 5.28floz) Y

  This is my favorite cream cleanser. I’ve always been attracted to Epara thanks to its branding. I’m happy to report the inside is as beautiful as its outside. I’ve yet to find a cream cleanser I enjoy more. The two cons are that the scent is way too ylang-ylang leaning (not my preference), and for the price, I would’ve thought the bottle would be glass instead of plastic. But I love how slim the bottle is, and the pump is excellent. I’ve saved it to decant other things into. 

• Skin Fancy Cleansing Thyme Oil Serum (sample) N

  This is a great cleansing oil, but the scent is too strong for my nose. 

• Marie Veronique Kristina Holey Pure E+O Free Oil Cleanser ($24, travel 1oz) N

  The MVKH line was all I used while I lived in NYC. Now my skin has acclimated to my current PNW climate, and it’s too heavy. 

• Twelve Beauty Dara’s Water ($46, 3.38floz | 100ml) N

  I wanted to love this, but I think I’m just an oil or cream cleanser person. 

• Jordan Samuel Skin The After Show Treatment Cleanser ($26, 3floz | 94ml) N

  This is a terrific, affordable, well-performing cleanser. It will remove anything in its path. I think because it’s unscented, I got a bit bored towards the end. I prefer my cleansing step to have a stronger sensory experience tied to it. 

Toners

• Uncommon Yarrow Yarrow Hydrosol ($20 | 2oz, $30 | 4oz) Y

  One of my all-time favorite hydrosols and every sensitive skin’s best friend. 

• AKT.Therapy After Sun Botanical Toner ($52, 4oz | 100g) Y

  This is so cooling on the skin and would be especially great with the summer months coming up. The scent smells like tea, so the combo is calming and cooling! 

• Marie Veronique Kristina Holey Balancing HypoTonic ($22, travel 1oz) N

  A surprising no. Even with my skin changes, I thought I would still benefit from this, but this also broke me out. 

• Gatherwise Hydration Toner and Daily Mist ($56, 4floz | 118ml) N

  This would be perfect if your skin type is more on the oily, acne-prone side. It was a bit too strong for my skin.  

• Earthwise Beauty Three Roses ($74, 100ml | 3.4floz) N/A

  If my beloved EWB were still around, I would re-purchase this in a heartbeat. 

• Wildcare Special Edition Hydrosol Tulsi Sweetgrass ($52, 4oz | 100g) N/A

  Wildcare comes out with special seasonal editions every year! This one was lovely. 

Serums + Oils + Balms  

• Jordan Samuel Skin Moisture Recovery Cream ($34, 1.7oz | 50ml) Y

  There’s just nothing like it. Silky, light texture but packs a punch in the moisturizing department. It’s fantastic for dehydrated skin. I love it.  

• AKT.Therapy Rad Face Oil ($82, 1oz | 30ml) N

  When I received this in PR, I was ecstatic. The last time I tried this, it became one of my favorites. The scent was a sweet, fresh cherry, and the oil was light but nourishing. It’s gone through a reformulation and is nothing as I remember, and, unfortunately, it’s not for me. The scent is now strongly jasmine (which would be great for jasmine lovers), and the oil is much thicker. I used it up as a body oil.

• Skin Fancy Day Dew (sample) N

  This was another item that had too strong a scent for my sensitive nose. It was also too heavy for my skin. 

• Earthwise Beauty On A Swing Among Trees Serum Mist ($70, 50ml | 1.7floz) N/A 

  I really enjoyed this! I didn’t think this would be for me for some reason, but, as always, I was proven wrong because the EWB formulas are always surprising. This was my second favorite mist from the brand (though it’s more like an essence in mist form. Thus, it’s here in the serum section). 

• Earthwise Beauty Ambrosia do Cerrado Liquid Moisturizer ($70, 50ml | 1.7floz) N/A

  I was so bummed they ran out of this during their closing sale. It’s perhaps my favorite item from the brand. I’m still mourning Ambrosia do Cerrado. 

• Earthwise Beauty Rosa ($48, 30ml | 1floz) N/A 

  Hands down, my favorite oil from EWB. I’m mourning this as well, though less so because I still have a full bottle in my stash just waiting for me. 

• Earthwise Beauty Ferns and Moss Face Serum ($54, 15ml | .5floz) N/A

  This was my second favorite oil from EWB. I’m currently on my last bottle…more sadness.  

• Earthwise Beauty Yasuni Face Balm ($100, 30ml | 1oz) N/A 

  This was my favorite balm from EWB. It was perfect for those who don’t like the texture and feel of balms on their skin but wanted all of their stellar benefits. 

Eye Oil 

• Earthwise Beauty Passion Eye Serum ($36, 5ml | .17floz) N/A

  This was the only eye-anything I used. This empty was my second mid-size bottle. And I just finished my very last (third bottle)! I’m officially looking for a new eye serum, oil, cream, or gel now. Sigh. 

SPF

• SALT & STONE Lightweight Sheer Daily Sunscreen SPF 40 ($34, 2floz | 60ml) Y

  It’s an absolute yes for a repurchase. This is one of my all-time favorite sunscreens; you cannot beat the price. This is a sunscreen I recommend to anyone who asks. 

• Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31 (sample $28, 10ml | .34floz) Y

  This has fast become one of my favorite SPFs. I got this trial size as a Credo points reward, and it’s what led me to buy the full size! It’s as good as everyone says and is a proper skincare and sunscreen formula. Win-win. Bonus: it’s the first zinc oxide sunscreen that rings true in its no white-cast claim. 

• Ava Isa Sun-è-Serum Drops SPF 35 (sample and full size $45, 1floz | 30ml) N

  The sample is what sold me to buy the full-size. And I would say I enjoyed this for perhaps the first third of the bottle. Then it lost its luster, and it’s not that formula changed; it was me. I love the demi-satin finish, but something about it didn’t sit right with me. It’s very slippery and breaks down quickly on my skin. There are other sunscreens that feel as lightweight as this but that I love more. *I’m working on a new sunscreen roundup because wow! Mineral sunscreens sure have come a long way.

• Marie Veronique Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen in Extra Light N

  The Extra Light tint is a great shade match, but it’s too drying on my skin. 

• Earthwise Beauty Farizad’s Veil Sun Reflector ($44, 10.5g | .37oz) N/A

  I’ll miss this too. I loved mixing this with my JSS Moisture Recovery Cream for my perfect SPF concoction. 

Lip Balm 

• URB APOTHECARY Basil Mint Lip Balm ($11, .35oz) Y

  This is my favorite lip balm. That’s it. 

• Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm V2 ($19, .15oz | 4.2g) N

  I thought I would love this, but my lips had a weird reaction to it (some form of dermatitis). Major bummer. 

---

---

Haircare

• Sándor The Grounding Shampoo ($36, 250ml | 8.5floz) Y 

  This is my favorite shampoo. It wins on all fronts: quality, performance, scent, and packaging. I’m about to finish my third bottle and move on to my fourth one. I don’t see stopping anytime soon. 

• Ursa Major Go Easy Shampoo ($26, 8floz | 236ml) Y

  This was a sleeper hit and is one of my favorite shampoos. It suds up, cleans without stripping, and volumizes but doesn’t irritate the scalp or skin. You can’t beat its performance, scent, amount, and price combination. 

• Aesop Shampoo (travel $19, 3.38floz) N

  I had a travel set and used this in between my regular shampoo orders. The scent is great, like any Aesop product, but it was so stripping, and the amount of hair that fell during a shower was appalling. 

• Aesop Conditioner (travel $19, 3.38floz) N 

  Again, the scent was great, and I liked the conditioner more, but I had to use a lot to feel any conditioning on my long hair. Nothing special here. 

Bodycare

• Olive & June Hand Serum ($18, 44ml | 1.5floz) N

  I got this as a holiday gift, and it’s a really nice hand serum! I used it all; I just wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase it. 3rd Ritual makes my favorite (Moon or Earth). 

• Osmia Soap (halves) N

  My friend, Jess, shared two halves of Osmia soaps with me: Palo Santo and Prima. I really enjoyed Palo Santo, but there’s always something keeping me back from purchasing Osmia soaps. And it’s mainly that there are just other soaps on my mind that I’d rather spend the money on (read MAE soap or @rie.bags soaps; exciting changes coming soon). But to be accurate, I hardly ever spend money on soap outside our usual Dr. Bronner’s. 

• Balm by Trish (~3oz) N/A

  Trish (of Trish Notes here on Substack) made a lilac enfleurage in 2021, I believe? She was so kind to send me a jar of it, and it was spectacular. I used this all over my body right after a shower, and the scent was so calming, relaxing, and soothing. Plus, the balm itself was ultra-moisturizing. I still think she should do these every lilac season and sell them!

Makeup

Complexion 

• Alima Pure Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Complex in Sesame ($26 refill, .31oz | 9g) Y

  My favorite powder foundation in my best-matching shade. Plus, you can’t fight the fantastic performance and range of coverage (sheer to full for spot concealing). I will always love this.

• Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation in Like Porcelain ($46 refill, .2floz | 5.8ml) N

  Hard pass. Unfortunately, this isn’t a match for my dehydrated skin type. It catches on texture and is hard to blend. Another point against it is the shade (my fault). However, it’s always impossible to find a proper shade match at Kjaer Weis…so…is it my fault? 

• Kjaer Weis Concealer in F120 ($30 refill, .14floz | 4ml) N

  The texture is not right. It’s gritty right out of the tube and blends but sits strangely and visibly on the skin. Again, impossible to find the right shade match (the undertones were good, but the depth was not). 

Brows

• Rye Beauty Brow Grooming Serum ($48, 7ml | .23floz) M 

  If I were to use a brow gel, it would be this one. It’s simply the best. It has great hold, the packaging is sophisticated, and the oversized brush is a joy to use. This is categorized under a maybe only because I’ve stopped using brow gels recently.

• Kjaer Weis Tinted Brow Gel in Dark Brown ($24 refill, .16floz | 5ml) M 

  If I were to use a tinted brow gel, then it would be this one. I haven’t found another that is a better shade match in a gel formula. Again, this is a maybe because I’m not using brow gels right now. 

Cheeks

• Ilia Nightlite Bronzing Powder in Drawn In ($34, .26oz. | 7.47g) N

  This is way past its PAO, but I kept it mainly to swatch against other bronzers. It’s a beautiful formula and super easy to use. It’s a more neutral powder bronzer, but as you know, there’s only one powder bronzer that reigns supreme in my collection, and that’s the MOB Beauty Bronzer in M36. 

• RMS Beauty Luminizing Powder in Midnight Hour ($38, 15g | .52oz) N

  I got this years ago from my friend, and it’s a beautiful highlight. But long-time subscribers know that I’m just not a highlight person. However, if you are, I would highly recommend this one! Silky, finely milled, blendable, and the shade is stunning; a warm rose-gold. Plus, I’ve seen no change in formula, color, or scent in the years I’ve had it. The longevity of RMS Beauty products is just insane. Granted, I haven’t used the brand since they were sold, so I’m not sure how long the new formulas last. 

Mascara

• MOB Beauty Volumizing Mascara ($29, 3.2g | .11oz) N

  The formula is excellent: ultra black, thickening, lengthening, minimal smudging, and virtually no flakes. However, the brush is so large it makes the application challenging, so I don’t reach for it. It also doesn’t allow a lighter application of it. If this formula came with a slimmer brush, I’d love it. 

Lips

• MOB Beauty Cream Lipstick in M3 (mini) Y

  I got a sample of the shade M3 and loved it. It’s a beautiful true nude on me. It’s incredibly tough for me to finish an entire lipstick, so I haven’t fully committed and purchased a full-size yet. 

• Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint in Chérie ($36, .19floz | 5.7ml) Y 

  This is a definite repurchase. I’m just waiting to finish some other lip products before I do. 

• Kjaer Weis Matte, Naturally Liquid Lipstick in Enthralling ($30, .12oz | 3.5ml) N

  I love this shade and formula. However, I was surprised that I didn’t miss it once it was past its PAO and I was no longer using it. There are empties that I miss, whether consistently or intermittently, yet I didn’t miss this one at all. I also think this means I’ve found others I like more now that preoccupy the space in my brain that was currently held by this one. 

• Kjaer Weis Lipstick in Honor ($30 refill, .15floz | 4.5ml) N 

  I absolutely hated the formula, and I know hate is a strong word. But it was insanely dry, gritty, and unpleasant. I couldn’t get the shade to work either, so that didn’t help. 

---

My goodness, I can’t believe it’s been three years. I love this platform so much, and above all, am so thankful for you to keep returning here again and again. Above is the annual photo of me on my birthday. I feel overdue for a Tender Forms Pay It Forward, but it’s because it’s taken me a bit to collect everything. Stay tuned, it will be a good one!

---

Thanks so much for reading! What have you emptied recently? Skincare, body care, makeup? I’d love to hear it all. Feel free to leave a comment or drop in on our chat:

As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you soon!