I decided to start my own Empties posts, inspired by Trash Stash by Stashmatters! I couldn’t really think of any name for these blog posts other than “Emptyland,” so we’re just gonna go with the cheesy “Alice in Emptyland” title. I’m going to post all my Empties (although some may not be empty; I might also get rid of products that cause negative reactions or products that have expired). My decision to start tracking my Empties was made to hold myself accountable, since I tend to hoard products and never throw them away (and I also take forever to finish up products…). I also want to be able to look back and see which products I’ve tried and what I thought of them. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products!

Before I get started with my first Emptyland post, I want to share my rating system in case you’re unfamiliar with it. I’m using the same rating system that I use for my reviews, but I stick to just an overall rating rather than lots of specifics. Here’s the rundown for what the stars represent: [ ☆ = Most negative/Not good at all, ☆☆ = Not that good, but okay ☆☆☆ = Neutral/No opinion/No answer, ☆☆☆☆ = Great, ☆☆☆☆☆ = Most positive/Fantastic! ] I’ll also include my experience with each product, but the detail I go into for each product may vary.

Skincare

Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes: Pink Grapefruit – 25 towelettes

I used up all of them, but didn’t like them much. The grapefruit scent was way too strong for me. I usually like citrus, but this was overpowering. I also didn’t see any positive effects of using this. It didn’t make my skin feel any cleaner, and it also made my skin sting.

Overall Rating: ☆☆ // Repurchase? No

Etude House My Lash Serum 

I only used about 1/3 of the bottle, but I decided to toss this because I dislike the consistency of it. It’s too thick, and when applied to my lashes, lots of big droplets get caught on my lashes and it feels strange. Looking in the bottle, I also see weird black dots floating in the serum. I’m not sure what they are, and maybe they’re meant to ve there… but I’m still paranoid about them being random contaminants. I don’t see myself using it ever again. I might try a different type of lash serum in the future, but I’m not sure. If anyone has recommendations for lash products, let me know!

Overall Rating: ☆ // Repurchase? No

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch – 24 patches

This was my first time trying an acne patch! I love this stuff because I tend to scratch my face in my sleep (and that’s really not good, especially if I pop a pimple in my sleep…). It works like a mini bandage, but better: it does make my irritated pimples shrink! Sometimes, it works quickly to make them disappear, but most of the time, it only improves it. The effect is still better than clearing gels and other treatments I’ve tried (plus it protects my skin from my fingers when I’m sleeping). Sometimes they fall off though; I have to be careful and make sure my fingers are clean and dry. If any lotion or cream gets onto the patch, then it won’t stick.

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? Yes!! (I still have more since I bought a multi-pack set during a sale)

Tonymoly Timeless Ferment Snail Foam Cleanser – 150 mL 

This was my very first snail product! It was a decent cleanser, but nothing special. It had a mild and pleasant scent, but it didn’t feel like it foamed up at all when I used it. Maybe tiny bubbles, but I was hoping for a more “foamy” experience. I used the whole thing because I didn’t want to waste it, but I don’t see myself ever purchasing it again. I used it as my second step in my cleansing routine (after a cleansing oil, which I’m still using now).

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆ // Repurchase? No

Tonymoly Timeless Ferment Snail Cream – 50 mL

This was an okay cream, and it had the same scent as the cleanser. This line definitely has a consistent fragrance. I thought it felt more gel-like than cream like, but it also seemed to have two consistencies inside the jar. Some parts were more cream-like, and other parts were more gel-like. I didn’t like this “separated” style of the cream. It felt moisturizing, but I also had to use a lot of it. I also used it during winter time so the air is a lot dryer. With the amount I used in order to feel moisturized, this amount also felt oily to me, which I disliked. It made my skin look really shiny.

Overall Rating: ☆☆ // Repurchase? No

Welcos Jeju Natural Green Tea Mask

This came in a box set (the same masks) that I found at T.J. Maxx. It’s a decent sheet mask, with a generous amount of essence. I liked the mild scent, and it was easily absorbed when I patted my face. I gave one to my mom to try, and I remember she told me she enjoyed the experience as well!

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? Maybe

The Saem Global Eco Mask Sheet 

I got a bunch of these for free when I went to The Saem for the first time (in Flushing). It was actually my only time there; maybe I’ll check out that shop again some time. On the back of the packaging, it says Not For Sale, so I assume these masks were promotional items.

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? No (not possible)

Makeup

Laneige BB Cushion SPF 50+ – 15 g

This was my second run with this product! When I purchased this from Target, it came with a free refill as well. I just finished the refill in January. I’m saving it, because I might buy another refill for it. I still have a bunch of other BB things I purchased during clearance sales that I need to use up first. But once I use them all up, I’d like to get another refill… unless I find an even better one. My initial reaction to this BB Cream was mostly positive, but I didn’t like the shiny finish or sheer coverage. However, this was something I liked to use at work or light makeup days because the sheer coverage was fine (when I just wanted to hide redness/splotchiness). You can read my in-depth review here. Interestingly enough, the original cushion and the refill last me a year! I opened the first one in January 2016, and finished the last one in January 2017.

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? Maybe

Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup – 30 mL

I don’t even know how long I’ve been using this bottle… My mom gave it to me way-back-when at the end of high school I think? It has been… like 5 or 6 years? I didn’t use this as makeup since I didn’t want acne treatment all over my face. I only applied it where I actually had the acne, so that’s probably why it lasted so long. And I also didn’t use this consistently (I forgot to use it most of the time). It doesn’t have very good coverage, but it works to cover up redness. I didn’t see it doing much for my acne, but I also don’t know if it’s not effective anymore due to its age. The bottle is completely worn-down; you can’t even read any of the text anymore!

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆ // Repurchase? No (my mom gave me another bottle, so I still need to open up and use that one)

Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner – 5 mL

I’m guilty of using this product for wayyyyy too long… This jar has lasted me about 4 years? Possibly more, but this is my go-to liner for photoshoots and cosplays. I really shouldn’t be using the same jar for that long, but there was so much product and I didn’t want it to go to waste. The consistency was always fabulous! It didn’t dry out, and it was easy to apply. The color was the perfect black too, and it didn’t fade. It also came with a brush, but since I periodically wash and clean the brush, I think there’s some more life left in it. I’m keeping the brush in my stash for now. This eyeliner was well worth the $17 I spent on it, and I would totally get this again. Although before I do, I want to try out other liners to see if I can find one that’s even better.

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? Yes!!

The Yeon Lotus Flower BC Cushion Pact – 14 g

I got this at such a great deal during a Labor Day Sale at The Yeon! I bought a whole bunch and gave some to friends as presents as well. I wonder what my friends thought of it… It was a decent BC Cushion but didn’t match my skin tone very well (it is too pale). It also oxidizes and doesn’t last very long. However, it didn’t break out my skin and it feels light and also moisturizing. It also has sturdy packaging (I’ve dropped it so many times, and no chips or anything). It’s a nice product, but I don’t think I’ll repurchase it. There are so many other cushions I want to try!

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆ // Repurchase? No

Body Care

The Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Body Butter – 200 mL

I was introduced to The Body Shop pretty late (senior year in college, I think?). This is my first product I purchased, and it wasn’t even from The Body Shop store. I found it at either Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx. I love anything rose-scented, so I snagged this when I saw it at such an affordable price. The scent is heavenly and it provides great moisture, even in these terribly dry winter months.

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? Yes

Hair Care

Eufora Nourish: Deep Moisture Cleanse – 250 mL

This shampoo has the following description on the bottle: “Extra moisturizing sulfate-free shampoo restores softness and manageability to dry and stressed hair.” I didn’t find this shampoo to be particularly moisturizing though. However, the main purpose of this shampoo was to preserve my hair color when I lightened and dyed it for the first time. At the salon I went to near my college, the stylist mixed some of the hair dye she used into this bottle. Every time I shampooed, I redeposited the hair color. I heard from that hair stylist that red is the hardest color to maintain since it’s the most difficult to deposit, and the easiest to wash out and fade. But… red is my favorite color, so I really wanted to make sure my hair stayed red for as long as possible. This shampoo may not be as moisturizing as I would have liked, but this may be due to the dye mixed in as well. However, this concoction worked miracles for keeping my hair red! Check out this photo from months after the dye job:

My hair was still super vibrant and red! I ran out of the shampoo early on in January (literally on New Year’s Day, January 1!).

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆ // Repurchase? No (not possible)

Sample / Travel Size

Tokyomilk/Dark: Pretty Rotten

I got this as a sample in one of my Sephora orders a long time ago. I rarely buy perfume since I have soooo many of these random sample vials lying around. This is a unique scent with a kick to it; I love it! It’s difficult to describe, but it stands out as something with a bit of a rose scent, but much darker. I can also smell apple in there (and I LOVE apples!). There’s no staying power though; I feel like it just lasts 10 minutes or so on me, then I can’t smell it anymore.

Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆ // Purchase? No (but I’ll gladly take another sample)

 

Did you try any of these products? If so, I’d love to hear your opinions as well! I have combination skin (oily T-zone, dry everywhere else), in case you were wondering. My skin gets really dry in the wintertime, and I also have eczema flare-ups sometimes. Feel free to give me your beauty/skincare/makeup recommendations too! Hope you all have a great week.

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