2019's Empties (So Far)
I came into 2019 with the goals of spending less and accumulating less, particularly when it comes to my beauty collection. You see, I’m a bit of a product hoarder. If I spot a cleanser that seems like the absolute Next Best Thing™, I will throw money at it while temporarily forgetting I have four other cleansers at home, languishing while they wait to be rinsed down the drain (just like my money!)
At the beginning of the year, I found myself inspired by the Instagram account @esteelaundry, a page that aims to expose the sometimes shady side of beauty. The account urged its followers, AKA the ‘Laundrites’, to spend 2019 shopping their stash. That meant going through every product I own and putting it to use until the last drop is absorbed before I ran out to buy a serum I probably didn’t need. Shopping my stash meant taking inventory of skin care and makeup I forgot I even had, tossing things that were close to expiry (like plastic-smelling, smeary lipsticks of days gone by) and forcing myself to use what I have instead of leaning into retail therapy and picking up things that would quickly be relegated to the beauty graveyard.
Now that it’s almost April, I have to say I’ve been pretty good. I haven’t been buying random pick-me-up products like I used to, but rather replacing favourites that have run out or avoiding shopping altogether. I’m also keeping track of the things I’m using up, storing them in a little box that I can look at at the end of the year and see just how much I go through (and what products I like enough to actually finish).
I’ve decided to catalog those empties here, and share what I think was worth its money and what I have zero interest in purchasing ever again.
So here we have 2019’s empties (… so far!)
NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray: This setting spray is cheap, and I’ve purchased it multiple times (mainly because of how cheap it is, and because it’s cruelty-free). I don’t know how dewy of a finish it actually gives, because my skin is so insanely dry to begin with. But hey, it works. Shrug emoji.
NYX Micro Brow Pencil: I’ve gone through about four or five of these pencils (in Black) over the last few years, and I like the fine tip for sketching in hair-like strokes along the outer edges of my brows. It’s not as waterproof as I’d like, but it’s cheap, cruelty-free, and the product itself lasts a long time compared to how much you get in other micro pencils.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water: Another product I’ve used for years and years. It’s how I cleanse my face in the morning and gently remove traces of makeup on my skin after cleansing at night. My only issue is that it takes a lot of soaking to fully dissolve waterproof or long-wearing makeup, and I don’t have all the time in the world to stand around with cotton pads pressed against my eyes. I always have a back-up of this. A true necessity.
Indie Lee COQ10 Toner: I got this mini toner in an Indie Lee set from Sephora, and I really enjoyed it. The scent is light and fresh, the toner sinks right into my skin and makes it feel dewy and hydrated, and I like the mist delivery over a pump for maximum refreshment.
Indie Lee Squalane: Also in the Indie Lee set was this mini squalane oil, a lightweight hydrator that is typically derived from olive fruit. I am a squalane devotee, and I liked Indie’s a lot, but I truthfully probably won’t purchase it again simply because there are comparable plant-based squalanes on the market at a more affordable price. Which brings me to …
The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalane: I’ve gone through three bottles of this particular squalane. It’s cheap, light, plays nicely with other oils and also smooths frizzy hair nicely. You can be generous with it because it’s $8! Slather yourself! I like it applied to damp skin with a drop of tea tree oil mixed in — a great way to calm redness and budding breakouts without drying out your skin.
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil: This is another product I’ve bought again and again. I first experienced it years ago when the boutique I worked at, Jacob & Sebastian, started carrying Pai. I keep mini MUJI bottles of it around for travel (pictured here) and panic whenever I use up my supply. This is the gold standard for rosehip oil — fragrant, rich in amber-orange hue and with a thick but non-sticky texture that melts into skin (best applied on a damp face, I usually mist generously with toner or thermal water). It encourages cell regeneration and with continued use, heals breakouts and brightens your overall skin tone. I will ride for Pai ‘til I die!
Province Apothecary Custom Serum: I had my first organic facial at Province Apothecary in December of last year, and immediately I was hooked. The estheticians at PA use natural, organic ingredients to purify, heal and boost your skin’s potential, all while paying attention to your specific needs. Everything they do, down to the gentle extractions, leaves you looking like a sweet baby cherub, meaning you can leave your appointment without makeup and still feel cute. After your first appointment, you receive a mini custom serum that they keep on file for you for you, and with continued appointments they might tweak the ingredients depending on your skin’s seasonal needs. I’ve received a lot of gratis spa services in my time as a beauty writer but Province Apothecary is a place I gladly pay full price for treatments and products. My particular serum is tailored to my complicated complexion and has plenty of hydrating and soothing ingredients like rose and hempseed oil. I mix a few drops in with my squalane whenever I need a nurturing boost and wake up the next morning looking renewed.
Drunk Elephant Marula Oil: I’m sure by now you’ve noticed that I enjoy my oils, and I went through this marula mini from their Night Bright duo pretty quickly. I liked its light texture and the fact that it didn’t have much of a scent (because honestly, some naturally-derived face oils stink to high heaven. I’m looking at you, borage seed.) I will say though, in my effort to use less and buy less, I probably won’t repurchase DE’s Marula because it’s not really in my budget and I have other light, hydrating oils that I prefer more (like my beloved squalane).
** Sometimes I use affiliate links to share products on this page. That means, if you purchase any of these products via those links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale from the store. However, these are all products that I have purchased and tested on my own dime and time.
