December Empties Review

It’s that time again! Posting my empties before the end of the month this time because I have a “New Year New Face” post planned for a couple days from now. 😂 Plus for whatever reason it seems like y’all are hotly anticipating this, and who am I to deny you? (Note: this month I also did reviews of newly opened products, so check that out.)

Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner

This was my first-ever toner. This is has a really weird surface tension to it that makes it seem almost like a fat water, and a bit harder to layer up (I topped out at about 4 layers of this, and usually just did two). That said, just a couple of layers was enough to really turn my skin around. I hadn’t realized how much my dryness and sensitivity had been due to a lack of hydration! My skin felt SO MUCH BETTER using this. That said, because I’m a skincare junkie, I haven’t repurchased yet (got a bunch of other toners for Christmas) but definitely would consider it. It’s just that it’s pretty simple, so I want to experiment.
Rating: 9/10
Cost: $22USD per 180mL

Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask

This had been sitting under my sink for a hot minute (but not so long that it was expired)! After running out of my Peach & Lily exfoliating wash-off mask, I figured I’d try out this one, thinking that a wash-off exfoliation would pair nicely with retinol (see below). But honestly? I was not impressed with this. For starters, approximately this much product in the Peach & Lily one lasted WAY longer. The cream texture just wasn’t very spreadable. But more importantly IT’S GOT GRITTY BITS IN IT. Now I understand that Biossance’s audience might be confused about an exfoliant that’s not physical. But why in a wash-off? It adds nothing, and just makes it harder to get off. Felt like it took a TON of water to not feel any more gritty bits. So it worked, but save your money and go for a different exfoliating mask.
Rating: 3/10
Cost: $48 USD per 75mL, shown here in a promotional mini

Biossance 100% Squalane Oil

I started using this when I ran out of their Vit C oil. It’s definitely nice and light, and makes a good final-ish step to a PM routine. That said, I just can’t get excited about a plain oil like this, even if it is fancy and derived from sugarcane. However, if you’ve got the coin to spend, I do think this is a very nice squalane — nicer than the one from TO, for example. I’m excited to move on to more interesting oils, though.
Rating: 5/10
Cost: $32USD per 100mL, shown here in a promotional mini

Versed Press Restart

I’d been nervous about starting retinol for a long time — after all, I didn’t want to trade good-enough skin for worse skin, and purging is scary. So I asked Versed how much encapsulated retinol was in this (.03%) and I talked to my esthetician about it (she said that % would be gentle enough for daily use, even) and I went for it. I started in early October and finished just after Christmas. It took me three pumps to cover face, neck and chest, and I got up to using it basically every day. That’s right, this retinol, at least for me, was so gentle that I could commit the cardinal skincare sin of using retinol and exfoliating on the same evening. I’ve already gifted a bottle to a friend, and if the Stratia I’m using now turns out to be too strong, I’ll definitely go back to it. Heck, I might even switch back to it during the summer when I’ll hopefully be outside a lot again.
Rating: 10/10
Cost: $22USD per 30mL

Glossier Bubblewrap

I wanted to love this, I really did. Admittedly I bought my Glossier skincare back before I really knew much about skincare. But it goes to show how “meh” I was on this that I actually hadn’t finished it by its 6 month open date. That said, one of the things that drew me to this was, admittedly, the packaging, so I didn’t have too many qualms about continuing to use it after that 6 month date. That said, I won’t be rebuying. If I were into makeup I might feel differently about it, because I think it would make a great AM eye cream for making everything lie smoothly. That said, I enjoyed it more on my lips and on the back of my hands than as an eye cream.
Rating: 3/10
Cost: $26USD per 22mL

Krave Beauty The Beet Shield

If you don’t already know that I love this, you must be new here. Not marketed as a sunscreen in the US due to FDA regulations around UV filters, this is a dupe of their Beet the Sun, which is SPF 50 PA++++. I go through a bottle every 1.5-2.5 months, depending upon how much outside time I’ve been getting, and how much I’ve been using my other sunscreen instead. This is the sunscreen that also got my husband to start wearing sunscreen (FINALLY) so I will never not recommend it. Heck, I stocked up during their Black Friday sale and got 9 for me and 1 to gift, so hopefully my supply lasts me until NEXT Black Friday.
Rating: 10/10
Cost: $20USD per 50mL

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser

This secretly had a leprechaun in it, I’m pretty sure. I thought it was going to run out in September and then somehow there kept being more left! Now, in its defense, I only typically cleanse in the PM, and sometimes I swap in other cleansers for a wash or two. But even so, this cleanser lasted me … 9 months? It’s super gentle, and would make a great AM cleanse if you’re inclined that way. However … on days when I wore a tinted mineral sunscreen, I found that even with a first cleanse this wouldn’t get everything off. Might rebuy someday, but I think there’s better for cheaper.
Rating: 8/10
Cost: $28USD/100mL

I’m From Honey Mask

This mask is such a lovely experience. I don’t recommend tasting it but it smells wonderfully of honey. It applies in a nice thin layer and washes off easily (unlike SOME masks …), leaving my skin bouncy and soft. In theory it should also have some anti-acne benefits, and my skin’s been pretty happy lately so maybe? The mini lasted me four or five uses, and I liked it so well that I asked Santa for the full-size for Christmas. (THE FULL SIZE COMES WITH A SPATULA, SQUEEE).
Rating: 10/10
Costs: $38USD per 110g full size, shown here in the $9USD per 30g mini

What’d you empty this month?