This has been a banner month for my beauty empties! I don’t know if I’ve ever finished this many products at once, and it makes me weirdly proud to get through an entire product before moving on to another one.

Let me back up quickly. I made a commitment last year to change the way I use and review beauty products: I’d work my way through an entire bottle if it’s performing well and stick with a routine. With the temptation to test all the new products I’m sent, it is difficult at times, but I’ve actually been sticking with it, and not only has it helped me purchase less, but my skin has also been better for it!

All of that said, I just got through a bunch of products right before leaving town last week for spring break and wanted to share my thoughts on them. Some, I’ll be rebuying; some, I won’t. Let’s go!

Pin it

Shop my picks

Recent Beauty Empties: Toners and Essences

I’ve talked at length about how I’m a huge fan of this (insanely affordable) glycolic acid toner from The Ordinary for multiple uses, both on the face and on the scalp.

When I want a toner that I feel really penetrates and eats away that layer of dead skin, I use this on my face. If it feels too strong or tingly but you still want those benefits, you can apply it, let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute, then splash your face with water to neutralize it.

It’s just as good as cleaning up your scalp. On wash days, I like to use the nozzle tip to apply this directly to my scalp—all down my part line as well as the rest of my scalp—and let it sit for 20 minutes before showering and shampooing. It honestly feels like a breath of fresh air for your head.

Next up is the Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk, which I use in a different way, pressing it into my skin after cleansing, for a burst of hydration. This is the third bottle I’ve gone through, and I’ll replace this one, too. Something about this makes my skin softer, I swear. 

Put a few drops of this onto your palms, press into your skin, and while your skin is still damp, apply your serum or moisturizer; this will really help it to penetrate the skin.

My Favorite Heat Protectant

Next, I’m excited to share my favorite heat protectant and styling product from R + Co Bleu.

I’m on my probably sixth bottle of this R+Co Bleu product that I use for heat styling and drying. The Smooth and Seal spray comes out in an ultra-fine mist, and I either apply it to all of my hair (after towel drying), or section by section as I’m using my beloved T3 Airebrush to dry and style it. The combination of this product and brush smooths my hair so well.

I wouldn’t say this spray makes my coarse hair super soft, but it does smooth the cuticle, and when I want that super soft feel, I just add in a pump or two of the Unite oil on top. Don’t use too much!

Moonbow Luminizing Moisturizer

I first tried the Moonbow products after interviewing its founders on my podcast. The basis of the line is Traditional Chinese Medicine, whose principles inform what ingredients they use and are the backbone of their whole approach to skincare.

This moisturizer is in a jar but feels more like a heavier gel. I used this in the morning after washing my face, toning, and using serum. I apply SPF after that.

What I love about this product (I already restocked it) is that it’s light enough to go under sun protection, and really does hydrate the skin without clogging pores. I’ll likely use this through the spring and summer, as the weather here in Florida is ridiculously humid, and I’ll need a product that hydrates without feeling too heavy. Highly recommend.

And a side note: This would be a great line for tweens or teenagers. The cleanser is gorgeous, the serum is super light (and has Vitamin C!), and this moisturizer, as I said, gives the perfect amount of hydration without overdoing it.

Sale alert: Right now, Moonbow is offering 15% off bundles on their website!

The Glowing-Skin Peptide Serum

This peptide serum is one of those products where I saw results within a week of using. Alastin gets amazing reviews for all of their products, but this is the first time I’ve used one, and I have to say, I’d buy it again. (Note that the packaging has changed, but I linked the same product.)

The Restorative Skin Complex is a light serum that blends easily, and has a blend of peptides—an ingredient with true science behind it when it comes to skin restoration. 

When I say I glowed when I was using this, I mean it. Over the two and a half months or so it took to get through this product, I’d get multiple compliments on my skin, and I believe it was this product that was doing much of the heavy lifting.

More Beauty Empties

Next up, we have a gentle retinal serum, foaming cleanser, and luxe balm cleanser.

I bought this Tula A+ Renewal retinal serum when it was on sale during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty because I just started to tiptoe back into using retinol/retinal/Vitamin A-based products. I couldn’t be happier with it.

While I wouldn’t say it was a wow transformation, I do believe this product really evened out my skin tone when I was using it. I saw a reduction in my light brown sun spots, and I’d wake up with just really smooth looking skin. I didn’t repurchase yet, as I have another retinal product that I’m currently trying, but I’d wholeheartedly recommend it for someone wanting to tiptoe into the Vitamin A space without going full-on strong.

Next up is the Hanacure Monophil cleanser, which comes in a little jar. This was sitting in my beauty drawer for a while, and I scooped it out when I was looking for a gentle cleanser to put in the shower. You have to work up the lather a bit, but it’s great as a first-thing-in-the-morning cleanse, or as a second cleanser. It didn’t fully remove my makeup when I tried it for that, but I really do like it—super gentle and hydrating, not stripping in the least.

And finally, the Augustinus Bader balm cleanser (20% off right now with a purchase of $200 or more). This was gifted to me by a friend who works for the brand, and I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did! It’s unscented, which I love, and as far as balm cleansers go, it’s definitely more on the hydrating side. 

I found it best to use a warm washcloth to remove it (after applying to dry skin, of course), to make sure you get off all traces. If you do that, you likely won’t need a second cleanser. But if you rinse it with just water and your hands, it wouldn’t hurt to follow up with a gentle second cleanser. Left my skin super soft. Great at removing face makeup, but not mascara.

That’s all for now! Thanks for reading.