Hi, it’s been a while. Today, I am (finally) publishing my 2023 empties. When I last wrote 2022’s empties post, I knew it should be an annual thing. I loved seeing everything I used up in one year, all in one place. I’m immensely sorry this is coming so late, but as they say…better late than never!
All items are organized by category, and I’ve linked any previous newsletter reviews. Each is 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
Wildcare Soft Focus Coconut & Pearl Brightening Mask ($48, 100ml | 3.38oz) N/A
There was only one empty face mask, and I love that it’s this one. The scent is almost too delicious (reminds me of Taiwanese Pineapple Cake) to use on the face rather than eat it (but resist the urge!). This is one of the best cooling masks I’ve ever tried. During the summer, my skin can become easily inflamed and feel hot to the touch, and this cools it right down but doesn’t make it feel dry; it’s quite the opposite! This mask is so creamy and hydrating. The sad news is it’s no longer available, but it might come back as a limited run someday! One can hope.
Cleansers
Gatherwise Rose Face Scrub ($42, 1.7oz | 48g) N
Gatherwise Seaweed Face Scrub ($42, 1.7oz | 48g) M
I’m grouping these together as they activate the same way (dry formula mixed with a bit of water). Both are equally lovely but not the type of cleanser I gravitate towards. I tend to go for something easier that I can pump out, and I prefer oil cleansers. The great thing about these is that they’re easy to travel with and multifunctional (cleanser and mask in one). My preferred version is the Seaweed!
Twelve Beauty Purifying Cream Cleanser ($36, 3.38floz | 100ml) N
Did not like the texture or scent. It felt like work to get through the bottle.
F Miller Cleansing Oil ($65, 3.4floz | 100ml) N
I enjoyed the scent for maybe a third of the bottle before it started to feel cloying. I love that it’s rinseable, and the oil has a good amount of weight to feel extra luscious. Too bad I have another rinseable oil cleanser I love…
Skin Fancy Honey Rose Cleansing Salve ($45, 2oz | 59ml) Y
This is perhaps my favorite cold-weather month cleanser and warm weather month exfoliator. In other words, it’s great year-round! This was my second tin, and I’d happily repurchase it in the future. It’s currently on sale through today! 15% off with code “SMALLBIZ.”
Stark MUDPUPPY Solid Cleansing Balm ($22, 2oz | 60g (approx.)) N/A
Wow! This was an absolute delight. Jess has such a talent for creating beautifully complex skincare that doesn’t feel intimidating or fussy. This facial bar cleanser was a dream for my easily congested yet sensitive skin. However, I can’t seem to find it on the site, so I’m unsure if it’s a seasonal offering or if it is no longer available. I hope it’s the former because what a lovely bar it was!
Wildcare Singing Leaves Easy Rinse Cleansing Oil ($44, 1.7oz | 50ml) Y
Now, this is my favorite rinseable cleansing oil. I’ve gone through bottles of this, and it’s always the one I recommend to anyone searching for a cleansing oil that can be rinsed clean. It’s excellent at removing makeup and SPF but equally great at nourishing and fortifying the skin.
Monastery Rose Cleansing Oil ($48, 2.03oz | 60ml) Y
This is my favorite and most used oil cleanser. It’s my tried-and-true for when my skin’s having a tough time, a strange reaction, or a bout of acne. It heals all. I’ve gone through bottles of these and won’t ever stop. They’re currently having a 25% off sale; no code required (you bet I picked up a few things for myself and gifts for loved ones)!
Toners
Tower 28 SOS Rescue Facial Spray ($12, travel-size 1floz) N
I have heard many people rave about this (and another item coming up later), but it wasn’t a match for my skin. Those who battle with redness, rosacea, easily inflamed, or very sensitive skin would benefit most from this!
Earthwise Beauty Three Roses N/A
I'm still sad that EWB is no longer around. This was a forever love and would have been an easy repurchase.
Wildcare Whole Body Rose Hydrosol ($54, 100ml | 3.38oz ) Y
If you were a fan of EWB’s Three Roses, this is very close but different, lovely, and special in its own way.
Wildcare Rosemary & Bay Hydrosol ($34, 100ml | 3.38oz ) Y
If I were forced to choose, this would always be my favorite Wildcare Hydrosol. I finished a smaller 50ml | 1.7oz size, but now they’re offered in the 100ml, and I could not be more ecstatic! This is only hydrosol I find multi-use, too. I use it all over the face, neck, and body, of course, but it makes a fantastic scalp refresher/soother.
Wildcare Dreamer’s Guild Hydrosol (2oz) N/A
My body reacted very interestingly to this. I forget the exact description, but I remember it opened up my dreams a bit too much and was too strong in that sense. I passed along to a friend.
CAP Beauty Serotoner ($58, 3.38floz | 100ml) Y
My favorite “more than a hydrosol” toner. This was my second bottle, and I’m currently on my third. Last I checked, their Black Friday sale has it for $41, in case you’re in need of one!
Serums + Oils + Balms
Earthwise Beauty Rosa (30ml | 1floz) N/A
The all-time best brightening oil. Here’s hoping it comes back someday.
Earthwise Ferns and Moss Face Serum (15ml | .5floz) N/A
Another favorite.
Earthwise Beauty Resiliency Face Serum (50ml | 1.7floz) N/A
Very firming and smoothing.
Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream ($24, 55ml | 1.86floz) N
As mentioned above, I also heard excellent things about this cream. It’s nice but not the best match for my skin type and what I’m looking for in a cream.
Gatherwise Calm & Clear Serum and Spot Treatment ($60, 1oz | 30ml) N
This was way too strong for my skin type. Yes, it’s great as a spot treatment but too strong for all over the face. Thus, I couldn’t finish it before the PAO date.
Dara Kennedy Sea Serum (Trial-size vial x2) Y
Someday, I’ll treat myself to a full bottle of this. It is such a lovely, tremendously silky serum and truly feels like a one-and-done. If you lack time or patience for a multi-step skincare routine but still want something that heals, enhances, and nourishes, look no further. Of course, it’s lovely to add to a multi-step routine, too. When paired with the Monastery REI, I saw excellent results! This would be a wonderful gift if you want to treat yourself or a loved one.
Jordan Samuel Skin Moisture Recovery Cream ($37, 1.7oz | 50ml) Y
You can’t beat the quality and price point. Do yourself and any dry-skin people in your life a favor and pick one up. They’re currently having a 25% off sale too!
Wildcare SunRoot Solid Serum (Trial-size) Y
I tried the version before the final formulation, so there may be some differences, but I remember absolutely adoring it. I haven’t purchased it yet because I can’t get through balms quickly enough. But the next time I need one, it will be this one.
Eye Oil
Earthwise Beauty Passion Eye Serum ($36, 5ml | .17floz) N/A
Sigh, this was my very last EWB Eye Serum. However, stay tuned for 2024’s empties for a replacement!
SPF
A detailed run-down of all three can be found in Newsletter 105.
Le Prunier Plumscreen® Broad Spectrum SPF 31 ($78, 60ml | 2floz) N
This is a fantastic SPF with no white cast and has a great dry down, so yes, all the hype you’ve heard about it is true. It is equally lovely for both face and body (if you can swing the price), but it began to feel slightly monotonous just past the halfway point. Once I emptied it, I didn’t feel the need to repurchase it either. This is mainly because of the following item…
LESSE Every Tone SPF 30 ($75, 60ml | 2floz) Y
My holy grail sunscreen. I’m halfway through my third bottle and have this on subscription; it’s that good. This is everything I want in my SPF: great natural scent from the formula that doesn’t get tiring, silky on the skin, not a terrible white cast (just a tone up), soothing skincare ingredients, has grip, and makeup lays beautifully over it. Life is more peaceful now that I’m no longer on the hunt for “the one.”
Tower 28 SunnyDays™ Tinted SPF 30 in 10 Larchmont ($32, 30ml | 1floz) N
If you prefer tinted sunscreen, I can’t think of a better one than Tower 28. No-fuss packaging, great coverage, comes in 17 shades, zinc oxide formula without a white cast, and dewy. The dewy part is my dealbreaker; otherwise, it’s an excellent choice. There’s currently a 28% off everything sale!
Lip Balm
URB APOTHECARY Basil Mint Lip Balm ($11, .35oz) Y
I said it before, and I’ll happily say it again: This is my favorite lip balm. That’s it.
Hair Care
Sándor The Grounding Shampoo ($36, 250ml | 8.5floz) Y
My holy grail shampoo. This is another item I have on subscription. I’ve gone through several bottles and will always have one on hand.
Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner ($48, 150ml | 5.1floz) N
I love this brand and adore its signature scent. Everything about this leave-in conditioner is impressive, except that it contains dimethicone. I purchased this before they came out with the travel size, so I recommend trying that size first. I had to use so little every time that I barely made a dent before its PAO date!
Makeup
Complexion
Rose Inc. Softlight Luminous Hydrating Concealer in LX 010 ($30, 10ml | .36floz) N
This concealer is jam-packed with full coverage, and this shade is very good for fair-skinned ladies. However, the packaging is so messy, and I didn’t like the finish on the skin: way too dewy, moved around and can get cakey quickly.
Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder in Crème ($75, .17oz | 5g) Y
It breaks my heart that years after its launch, refills are still not available. Nothing beats this pressed powder, and I’m dying to buy a refill if only they would let me. If you’re looking for a pressed powder that blurs like none other, sets makeup, and provides a beautiful mirror compact, might I suggest this beauty? (They’re currently having a 20% off holiday sale, so now would be the time. Even I’m tempted…help!)
Alima Pure Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Complex in Sesame ($26 refill) M
This is another tried-and-true love, but *shocking news*, I’m not using powder formulas as much nowadays. So until I go back to that for coverage, this is a maybe repurchase (versus the usual, absolute repurchase).
Brow
Merit Brow Gel in Clear N/A
This gel did absolutely nothing, which is probably why it’s no longer available. It seems like it’s been replaced by the new brow pomade, but I'd look elsewhere if that formula is anything like the original but with a tint.
Westman Atelier Bonne Brow Defining Pencil in Slate ($38, .01oz | .34g) N
Such a beautiful brow pencil. The shade slate is a fantastic match, and the formula is lovely. The only thing I didn’t like was the packaging. It felt overly bulky and cheaper than the rest of the line. I used it way past its PAO date and still had approximately 1/2 of it left, and that’s with daily use!
Cheek
Manasi7 All Over Colour Samples in Sisserou Y, Duras N, and Rojizo N ($7 for two samples)
Whenever a Manasi7 All-Over Colour decision needs to be made, Ayla Beauty is where I order samples to help inform that decision. At the time, I needed to check if Sisserou was everything I dreamt it was (the answer is yes), but I was also curious about two others. Duras is well-loved but wasn’t for me and Rojizo pulled way too warm on my skin.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick in Pearl ($42, 5g | .17oz) N
I loved this highlighter as much as a non-highlighter person ever could, but I’ve decided that highlighters are not for me.
MOB Beauty Cream Clay Blush in M74 Rosewood N and M91 Tulip* Y ($25 refill, 3.2g | .11oz)
I’ve really cut down on my blush colors; otherwise, both of these would be a repurchase. It’s no secret that MOB’s Cream Clay formula is perfection in my book. The Rosewood, while beautiful, I didn’t use as often, but M91 I panned and adored. *I also want to note that there were a bunch more MOB Beauty items that I’d been holding on to but finally decluttered because they were way past their expiration date. I’m a big fan, so I will share an updated collection sometime in the new year!
Mascara
MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara (mini version; part of a set) N
This, to my surprise, is an amazing mascara! It’s a tubing formula but is easy to apply, lasts, and looks great. If I were a mascara person, I’d get this one.
Kjaer Weis Lengthening Mascara ($24 refill, .19oz | 5.4g) N
I’ve gone through tubes and tubes of this mascara. It was my favorite before MERIT. I won’t be repurchasing only because I don’t wear mascara anymore.
Lip
NOTO Botanics Multi-Bene Stick in Touch ($26, .09oz | 2.6ml) N
I love everything about the NOTO Multi-Bene sticks, from its sleek packaging to its scent, shades, and performance. Touch is a great warmer month shade to me, but I don’t love it enough to repurchase this particular shade.
NOTO Botanics Multi-Bene Stick in Fluxus ($26, .09oz | 2.6ml) M
I wish there were more shades in the Fluxus formula! This one is more matte on the skin and I prefer the drier finish. The only reason it’s a maybe is because I’m not sure I need this shade. It’s definitely a warmer bronzer than I’m used to; when used sparingly, it’s perfect. If they ever came out with a cooler version, I’d be first in line.
Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm in Nana ($38, .21floz | 6ml) Y
So good. It is the best lip gloss, in my opinion, but specifically because of the shade, Nana.
Westman Atelier Lip Suede in Les Bordeaux N/A
This was part of a limited edition gift set, and I had such high hopes for it. Yes, the colors were beautiful, but the compact I received didn’t have as strong a magnetic closure. And that, I fear, resulted in the formula going off very quickly.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint in Je T’aime ($36, .19floz | 5.7ml) N
It breaks my heart…that I only recently looked closer at the ingredients list and noticed this has dimethicone?! I love this item from VBB in both this shade and Chérie, so I’m so bummed I can’t use it anymore.
Thanks so much for reading! I love empties posts because it’s a chance to touch upon items that maybe you’ve been curious about or that I otherwise wouldn’t solely devote a newsletter to. I’ve already cataloged 2024’s empties so that will be coming up next! (*Originally, I wanted to combine both 2023 and 2024 but it was most definitely too long for one newsletter.)
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you December 15!
I was so excited when I got the notification that you had a new post! Always such a treat to sit with my coffee and read your posts. You have sold me on Wildcare’s cleanser btw… will be getting that one as soon as I run out of my current Marie Veronique one!