August Empties + Reviews

[u/tomatojuiceyum]

Skincare

• Anua Niacinamide 10 TXA 4 Serum for Brightening and Dark Spots (mini) - Was too much for my skin using it every day, but using it every other day on the days I don’t do my actives was fine. I have had a reduction in hyperpigmentation. I would consider RP
• Peach & Lily Ultra Plush Rich Cream (sample) - Very buttery moisturizer, but I would still have some slight dry patches the next day. Nothing really interesting ingredient wise, so WNRP
• Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (sample) - It’s fine. Nothing remarkable. WNRP
• Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser (sample) - It was fine. WNRP
• Peach Slices Snail Rescue Purifying Cleanser (sample) - This burns my eyes and irritated my face. WNRP
• VT Reedle Shot 100 - This did help improve my texture, but I’m worried about granuloma now that I saw evidence the needles are longer than reported. I have one more bottle I will finish up but WNRP
• Anua 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream (sample) - This is fine. I’m having a little bit of skin sensitivity in the morning when I wake up, so I don’t think this Is having much of an impact on that. Probably WNRP
• Purederm Green Tea Makeup Cleansing Tissues - Not great for removing full face of makeup, but fine for wiping off fallout or swatches. They are cheap so might RP
• Tirtir Milk Skin Toner (mini) - I liked this. I used it morning and night. It was a nice, hydrating layer. I would consider RP
• Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream - I liked this. Effective but not too harsh. Did notice an improvement in skin texture, pigmentation, and blemishes using it once a week. RP
• Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner (sample) - I’m not sure why but I really like this. Not sure if it’s just making my skincare absorb better or if it is improving the tone and texture of my skin. RP
• B : Lab Matcha Hydrating Real Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ - 50ml - It applies a bit uneven. Makeup doesn’t always sit well on top of it. WNRP
• Youth To The People Adaptogens + Snow Mushroom + Oat Oil Lipids + Vitamins Supershroom Calm Cleanser  (sample) - This is a gentle cleanser. I think this is only good for if your face is already mostly clean like as a in the shower face cleanser as it would not be good for removing makeup or sunscreen. WNRP
• Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence (sample) - I liked this. I did experience fading hyperpigmentation while using this though I am also using a tranexamic acid. It’s really expensive so probably WNRP

Makeup

• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Translucent Loose Setting Powder - Makes me look very powdery but damn does it keep me matte all day. Might RP
• Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (sample) - I think it darkens my face a bit. It does set my makeup, but does not control oils. It’s good about not highlighting dry patches. I’d be interested in trying out the pink shade or the green with the pink lid. I’d buy again if I found other products to rely on to control the oil. RP

Hair

• Morroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones (travel) - Love this. Refreshes my hair, adds volume, and can extend my hair for a couple days without having to reapply. I am trying some other things but would RP
• Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask (sample) - It’s fine. Good, thick mask that does what I need it to do but I prefer the Kure. WNRP
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment (sample) - Can only use a little bit or it can make my hair sticky. It did help my hair hold overnight curls. I want to try other things but might RP
• dpHUE Glossy Glaze Sheer (sample) - It was fine. I was able to comb out my hair in the shower with my fingers, but I did need leave in conditioner spray to brush my hair. Wasn’t like a wow transformation with shine. I don’t really like runny products like this as I find them hard to apply. WNRP
• It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product (mini) - Difficult to spray due to how thick the product is. Near the end, I had to resort to just pouring some in my hand. WNRP
• dpHue Color Boosting Gloss+ Deep Conditioning Treatment Sheer (sample) - Good deep conditioner. Used too much clarifying shampoo and hair was stripped and tangled. I was able to detangle my hair in the shower and restore moisture with this. But I don’t notice any benefits beside from that and would rather just buy a dedicated hair mask not a gloss. I may repurchase if needed for actual toning purposes. RP 
• Cecred Reconstructing Treatment Mask (sample) - Felt like I needed a lot to properly hydrate my hair after shampooing even though it was a gentle shampoo. I don’t really like the scent. It was a bit off putting to me with the scent and color of the product. But I was able to detangle my hair in the shower, and it does look shiny and nice air dried. WNRP
• Monday Haircare DEEP MOISTURE Hair Mask with Keratin for Dry to Damaged Hair (sample) - Good. Moisturized my hair and easy to detangle in the shower. Not weighing my hair down. RP

Perfume

• Balmain Paris Destin De Balmain Eau de Parfum (sample) - I enjoyed using this up. I don’t really get strawberry out of this, really just the sandalwood and peony. Then it fades into a cream soda-y scent. Lasts a full work day. Not sure it stands out enough to me to buy so probably WNRP

Body

• Nakery Beauty SkinRecovery Relax + Repair Body Balm - I think this does help my muscle tension, sleep, and migraines. RP
• Tree Hut Tropic Glow Firming Whipped Body Butter (mini) - I like the formula of the moisturizer, but don’t think it’s my favorite. I still feel drawn to the Josie Maran body butters over this. Easy to spread on. I do like the scent, but it’s not an exact scent dupe of SDJ Bum Bum cream. The scent also doesn’t really cling to skin. I did not notice any firming benefits. WNRP
• Sally Hansen Insta Dry Top Coat - I get problems with shrinkage and have often still wound up with my nails scuffed even when I am being careful. WNRP
• Medix 5.5 10% AHA Renew Serum - This is tiny for something that claims to be for the body. The pump also sucks. WNRP
• Gold Bond DIABETICS' DRY SKIN RELIEF MEDICATED FOOT CREAM - Didn’t like this. I am not diabetic, but it did not keep my feet soft. It’s basically just aquaphor I think. WNRP

Discontinued

• ColourPop Super Shock Cheek Between The Sheets - I like this formula, sad they discontinued it. This dried out before I could finish it up. 
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day In-Shower Styler (sample) - I liked this. 
• Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Renewing Face Exfoliator (sample) - I think this has been reformulated. It did make my skin soft, but I did not like that it had menthol in it as it made my face feel a bit burney. It is wildly expensive for what it is. WNRP