December Empties ~ A Trip Through My Trash Can

Cetaphil Moisturizing Body Lotion

Living in New England, I moisturize head to toe every time I get out of the shower. I always used Aveeno, but decided to give Cetaphil a try. I bought a pack of 2, 20 oz. bottles at Costco for $20. This is a good moisturizer, but I won’t be buying it again because it leaves my skin feeling sticky and makes it hard to get my clothes on. I’ll use the 2nd bottle next summer when I’m not wearing long pants and sleeves.

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes

I originally bought these wipes to remove swatches while I make videos, but liked it so much that I bought more to use on my face. I like that these don’t have any fragrance and don’t leave a sticky film (guess I really don’t like sticky films!). They’re not the best at getting off mascara and eyeliner, but they do a good job removing foundation before I do the final clean with my Clarisonic. I buy these at Target for $4.99.

CeraVe AM Moisturizer with Spf 30

This is my new favorite day time moisturizer with spf for winter. It contains ceramics, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Two squirts of this lotion moisturizes and protects my face and neck. My only problem with it is the finish is a little too shiny for me, so it needs a mattefying powder over it for day wear. This is available from drugstores and retails for around $10-$15.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum

I use this serum twice a day, every day. It’s a moisturizing, antioxidant serum that goes on smooth and sinks right into skin leaving no shiny or oily feeling residue. I buy this in a 2-pack at Costco for around $35, and yes, I hoard this for fear Costco will stop carrying it. I go through one of these every month and a half! The silicone based formula goes on silky smooth and it contains hyaluronic acid for great moisturizing.

Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

This product launched about 5 years ago with a bang! It was all over everyone’s top anti-aging lists for a few years, so I had to run out and buy it. Unfortunately, I just didn’t use it, and I can’t really remember why. But, it’s old and has gone bad so it’s going into the trash.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

This is another product I never warmed up to, and it’s half full too, but I don’t use it, so out it goes! This contains caffeine to de-puff eye bags, but I felt the tightening effect made my undereyes look dry and more wrinkly.

Lorac Touch-Up To Go Foundation Pen

This is my current favorite under eye concealer. I used it all up and was squeezing out the last drops! I got another one in the same color. I love how sheer this formula is, it brightens up my under eyes without looking heavy or settling into lines and wrinkles. It contains vitamins A, C, & E and feels light yet moisturizing.

Cover Girl Clump Crusher

Also a current fave! Clump crusher is the mascara for me because even though it doesn’t build huge length or volume, it makes my lashes look darker and long enough for every day wear, but the major selling point for me is it stays in place until I take it off. So many mascara’s I try either puddle up at the outer corners of my eyes, or flake off during the day so by 5:00 I have little black flakes all over my face (and I really don’t like that)! There’s still plenty of product in the tube, but it seems to have dried out and is now clumping when I apply, so time for a new one!