Q4 2024 Beauty Empties

I debated writing about this for weeks. I wondered if anyone would care about the products I used down to the last drop. Then I remembered that this space is just as much for me as it is for you. I like looking back and seeing what I was into or up to at any given point since I started writing and this is something else to remind me what I think is worth spending money on and what isn’t.

Just because I finished using a product doesn’t mean I liked it. Wasting money isn’t something I enjoy so I’ll use something until it’s gone even if I’m not particularly moved by it. I like to give skincare products at least a month to show me what they can do for me. Most don’t give you the best results after a single use.

As time marches on I’ll share the makeup, fragrances, and other beauty product categories I empty each quarter. It will likely always be skincare-heavy since I use those tiny bottles, tubes, and tubs daily.

If I were to choose an overall theme for my latest beauty buys and empties, it’s finding products that work that won’t blow a budget. I want effective skincare and beauty products, but I also know it’s important to stay on track financially. I’m finding the balance of enjoying life now and doing what I can to make my future self’s life enjoyable too.

In the last 3 months, this is what I’ve used up.

Being Frenshe Citrus Amber Body Wash

I’m sniffing this empty bottle of body wash again to remind myself why I kept reaching for it in the shower. It smells incredible! I smell the citrus scent first and amber underneath. It’s bright and cheery so I understand why I was trying to use it up before the warm and cozy months arrived. This isn’t my first Being Frenshe body wash and nowhere near my last. Every Being Frenshe body wash I’ve tried lathers well and doesn’t leave an artificial scent signature. I’ll be grabbing another bottle of this in a few months when it starts to warm up.

Smith’s Rosebud Salve in a Tube

I’ve used this lip balm for years and have no intention of finding another favorite. It’s very affordable and works beautifully. I haven’t had chapped or dry lips for almost a decade. Where you find me, you’ll find a tube of this nearby. I cut the tube so I could use every last bit of it. I don’t like to waste product. Especially a product that I love.

Origin’s Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Another product I’ve used and loved for years! This is my nighttime facewash and step two of my double cleanse routine. Its slightly minty scent is oddly soothing to lather on every night and I’m pretty sure it triggers something that says it’s time to wind down for the day in my brain chemistry. You can pry this from my cold, dead fingers. I always have a backup ready to go so I never have to go without it. Love the new packaging too!

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I have no idea how many bottles of this serum I’ve bought, but everyone could use more HA in their lives. It’s incredibly hydrating so if your skin is oily it won’t overproduce sebum as it tries to stay hydrated and if your skin is dry…well, it hydrates it. I use this every morning before my moisturizer and sometimes at night when I’ve done an exfoliating treatment. I have no complaints about this serum and I love that it’s not a drain on your wallet.

The Ordinary Niacinamide & Zinc Serum

My skin has been less oily since I started using this serum. I use a couple of drops every morning before or after I use the HA serum. I should probably look up the best order to use these in based on molecular size so the smaller one will go on first, but that sounds like a lot to ask of myself right now. Kinda lazy, but I’m cool with that.

Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen

This is a dupe of Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen that I’ve been using for a couple of years. I pass at least 4 grocery stores on the way to my local Trader Joe’s so shopping there for anything else doesn’t make a lot of sense. I grab at least 5 every time I go in so I don’t have to go very often. It goes on clear with no white, blue, or purple-ish cast so a $9 price tag is more than worth it. I’m a little oiler when I use it, but my skin is like that with any SPF I’ve used. It’s nothing a little powder or mattifying primer can’t handle.

TirTir Milk Skin Toner

I’ve been using Fresh’s Rose Toner and loved it, but I wanted to find a cheaper hydrating toner alternative. I have no complaints so far and I’m working through my second bottle. For now, I’d say I’ve found a great replacement. The next few months will tell me for sure though.

Tatcha The Water Cream

I got a sample size of this moisturizer years ago and finally got my hands on a full size. My skin loves this stuff! I’d buy it over and over again if it weren’t so expensive. I added it to my skincare list on Carted so I’ll know when it goes on sale on Tatcha’s website. I might bite the bullet and buy it when Sephora has their spring savings event…unless this other (much cheaper) product I’m using works just as well.

DamDam Silk Rice Cleansing Oil

Though I love this cleansing oil, I’m test driving another one because the price tag on this one is more than I want to spend. It’s lightweight and easy to wash off plus it’s in a plastic bottle so you don’t have to worry about dropping it in the shower. Just like the Tatcha moisturizer, I’d buy this repeatedly if it weren’t so expensive.

Momotaro Apotheca Tonic

I have curly hair…everywhere. I’ve battled ingrowns from trimming and shaving for decades, but I haven’t had a single one since I stumbled upon this miracle tonic. Yes, it’s intended to be used for vaginal wellness, but I also use it on my underarms and The Mister™ uses it on his neck. Anywhere you can get an ingrown, this stuff will work. It’s worth the price tag, I fear. I’m not the only one who thinks that either because the stuff is constantly selling out.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors

I like it this moisturizer, but it gets a little dried out when you’re almost done with it. I end up adding a drop of the hyaluronic acid serum to my hand to mix with it and thin it out a little before applying. For the price, I’m not exactly mad at that, but I’m open to finding something else. (I’m testing an alternative now!)

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Cream

I threw this one away so it can’t be included in my round-up photo. I didn’t want to look at it anymore after what it did to my skin. I didn’t even use half of it. My skin openly rebelled against this with breakouts and sensitivity. I bought it to see if it could replace my desire for the Tatcha Water Cream and it absolutely cannot. I wouldn’t mind using a drugstore product, but not if it’s going to make my skin do the most in a bad way.

I’ll keep you posted on the new products I’m using whether I love them or not. I’m thinking about doing this round-up once per quarter. I might not empty a lot of beauty products very often like fragrances or body lotions, but I’d like to be able to look back at what I did to have a better idea of what is truly worth getting. If I keep buying something and using it up it’s safe to say it’s worth it.