October Empties ~ A Trip Through My Trash Can

Here are some products that I finished up this month or that I just hated enough to toss before they were even empty.

L’Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Intense Smooth Polishing Shampoo

I’m on a constant battle with my frizzy hair, so I’m always trying any new anti-frizz product. I bought this shampoo and conditioner and used both for about a month, but hated the shampoo so much that I’m tossing it and it’s still over half full. It does a fine job of cleaning my hair, but after I rinse it out, my hair feels so dry and matted and it really didn’t eliminate any frizz. I am still using the conditioner though as it would magically un-do all the drying and matting of the shampoo and make my hair back into something resembling hair!

Eucerin Redness Relief Sensitive Skin Soothing Cleanser

This is the face wash I use in my shower, and I love it. Its gel formula doesn’t foam up so I feel like it’s not stripping away my moisture barrier. It cleans well, but it also contains licorice root to help sooth and calm the skin and eliminate redness. It comes in a squeeze tube that doesn’t take up too much real estate in my shower and is convenient and easy for travel.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

This is the cleanser I use at night to wash my face with my Clarisonic Mia. Like the Eucerin, it doesn’t foam up so it doesn’t strip my skin of moisture. The texture and feel is more like a cream than a wash. I use Retin-A at night and to avoid irritation I wait 15-20 minutes after washing my face to apply it, but I don’t put on moisturizer during that time and with this face wash, my skin doesn’t feel tight or overly dry while I’m waiting.

Clarisonic Mia 2 Gentle Brush Head

This is the original head that came with my Mia 2 last christmas. You’re supposed to replace them every 3 months, but it’s been 6 months for mine. I washed it with soap after every use and it held up well. When I replaced the head, I got the “delicate” head rather than the “Gentle” one. The gentle head did cause a little stinging, and the delicate head is softer and doesn’t irritate, so I’m glad I switched.

Timeless Hydrating Eye Cream

I love the Timeless 20% Vitamin C+E Ferulic so I decided to try another one of their products. I saw that they had this eye cream which contains Matrixyl 3000 and hyaluronic acid and I was curious to try Matrixyl. It’s a clear light weight serum in an air-tight package that goes on smoothly, but it takes a while to dry down and felt a little tacky. I didn’t really notice a difference in my eye area, so I won’t be buying it again.

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 stopped using it while I did a little experiment with silicone-free products and could really see the difference in my skin, so I won’t be making that mistake again!

Banana Boat Sport Performance Active Dry Protect SPF 50

This is one of my favorite sunscreens for “below the neck”. I go through a ton of it every summer because I go to the beach, and on long bike rides, and I garden, and in general I love being outdoors in the warm weather! It goes on clear and dries down so it’s non-greasy and non-shiny (two deal breakers for me with any product)!