Products I've Used Up: November 2013

There is something so rewarding and exciting about using up a product--perhaps that you get to open and use new ones! However, if it's a product you've really liked, you might be sad to see it go, and feel compelled to buy another one. I've used up quite a bit of products this month, and I'd like to share my thoughts on them with you. So, without further ado, here are my empties for the month of November:

Serious Skin Care Emu and Aloe Soothing Cream ($25 for  2 oz)

I'm so sad this moisturizer is gone! When I first tried it in the winter, it was a little too light for my dry skin, and it stayed in the back of my medicine cabinet. Then, when I got my Seventh Generation Serum over the summer and tried the two together, I realized how much I absolutely loved it. The texture is creamy and luxurious, smoothing and softening my skin without making it feel greasy. I love how soothing and moisturizing it is, while not being too thick. I would definitely repurchase this, but I'm pretty frugal so I hope I can get it on sale.  

Skintimate Shave Gel for Dry Skin ($4 for 7 oz)

I've been using Skintimate since middle school. It's a favorite of mine and I'll repurchase it again and again. I didn't want to buy more while at school, since I know I have an unopened bottle waiting for me at home, so I've been making do with hair conditioner for the past few times I've shaved. Conditioner works fine, but I just can't see wasting it on a frequent basis (Wen is expensive!). I find all of the formulas (Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin, etc.) pretty much the same, but the brand is something I always go back, to because it's inexpensive and it works. 

Generic Clarisonic Cleansing Brush Head ($10)

Clarisonic suggests that every 3 months, you replace the brush head to keep things sanitary and clean and working right. A replacement brush head costs $25 ($40 in a two-pack), so I always try to extend the life of my brush head just a little bit longer. When I discovered that Amazon had replacement heads for less than half the price, I jumped for joy and picked one up (this is the Acne brush head). When I first tried it, I noticed it was a little rougher than the Sensitive brush head I had used with my Clarisonic Starter Kit, but I figured it was just because it was the Acne brush. Later on, I realized that this was a generic brush head, and I was torn. I wasn't sure if I wanted to shell out $25 when the time was up, or repurchase the generic brand. I decided, in the end, to go to Macy's and pick up another genuine Sensitive head. After making the switch, I realized how much better I like the genuine Clarisonic heads. The only way I can describe it is when you're using an electric toothbrush, and over time the batteries start to lose life. When you replace the batteries, the toothbrush works so well that you can't even believe how slow your toothbrush was before. In that sense, switching back to a Clarisonic brush head after months of using the generic felt like putting in a fresh set of batteries after months of using a gradually dying electric toothbrush. For now, I wills tick with the genuine Clarisonic brush heads, because why spend so much ($149) on a beauty tool if you're not going to use it to its full capacity? 

Perlier Shea Butter Body Butter with Citrus Extract 
($20 + $4 S&H for 3.3 oz)

This was in my May Favorites, but in reality, it's an Every Month Favorite. I received a five-pack of these from HSN as a Valentine's Day gift (thanks, Mom!). On Valentine's Day, they were at an introductory price of 5 for $20, so the huge price jump is kind of upsetting. Still, as the stingy person that I am, I would still repurchase this at full price. This makes all other "body butters" pale in comparison, because none of them are true-to-claim as this one is. This literally the thick texture of butter; it's amazing. I use this on the roughest patches on my body--feet, knees, elbows, etc. It really helps keep the skin moisturized in the harsh winters we get in New England. This one container has lasted me since February. Since it's so thick, you only need the tiniest bit, so I wouldn't mind shelling out $20 if it'll last me nearly a year. The scents are very mild (you can only really smell it if you put your nose right up to it), but I like that it won't clash with any fragrance I spritz on. Now I get to open container #2!  

Bath & Body Works Harvest Marmalade Deep Cleansing Hand Soap 
($5.50 for 8 oz)

I love this soap! It's not different than any other soap, except for the scent. Oh my God, the scent! It makes your hands smell like an orchard of oranges. It's a beautiful thing. Living with three other people means that soap runs out quickly, but I enjoyed this while it lasted. Will I always spend almost $6 on a bottle of soap? No, but it was a nice treat. You'll likely see a Harvest Apple soap from Bath & Body Works in next month's Empties post.

Secret pH Balanced Invisible Solid Deodorant ($3 for 2.6oz)

Now you all know I'm using deodorant--hooray! This isn't anything special; it's $3, it works. I don't have an excessive problem with sweating, but if you do, I don't know if this will work for you. I typically solely use solid stick deodorants, just because that's what I've been using since I first started wearing deodorant. It claims it's an invisible solid, but my black shirts say otherwise. Still, it's not a big deal, since deodorant isn't hard to get off. I would repurchase this, but then again, deodorant is one of the few things I'm not too picky about.

Beauty Protector Protect & Shampoo and Protect & Condition 
(Sample-Size: $2 for 1oz) (Full-Size: $22 for 8oz)

I received this duo in my September Birchbox. These are only 1oz bottles, so I used them up within a couple of uses, but it was still fun. These are sulfate-free, which is something I make sure to look for nowadays (because who likes drying out their hair? No one, that's who). I still prefer my Ecru Luxe Shampoo from my July Sample Society box and my current favorite, HealthySexyHair's Soy Renewal Shampoo, but I liked this shampoo overall. With some shampoos, they can sometimes make your hair look a little oily on the second day, but this one didn't do that. I definitely prefer my Wen Cleansing Conditioner to this one, just because the Beauty Protector one is less moisturizing and thick than I usually prefer. I wouldn't repurchase at $22 a bottle, but these were nice. 

Sally Hansen Miracle Cure ($8 for .45 oz)

I've used Miracle Cure for years. Sometimes I use it as a base coat and top coat, while others I just put it on my nails by itself for some shine. I've already repurchased it, so that can show you how much I enjoyed it. It's a little thick, so I do prefer other base/top coats in terms of texture, but I love the benefits it has on my nails. After I ran out (before I repurchased), I noticed my nails started peeling and breaking a little more. As it gets old, you will get the little bubbling effect, so be sure to roll (not shake) the bottle, and you can add nail polish thinner to return it to its original state if you use up nail polish products slowly like I do. I find that this really does fix brittle, peeling, dry nails. As a props master and scenic artist, my nails get a lot of abuse, but this helps them stay strong despite the odds! I will continue to repurchase this over and over again. 

What products have you used up this month?

Disclaimer: I purchased everything myself. I am not affiliated with, nor sponsored by, and of the brands mentioned in this post. But, hey, if you want to give me free stuff, I wouldn't be opposed. 

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