Empties: August 2026

No empties post last month so this is two months worth of things;

Boots Cotton Wool Balls | I seem to go through a lot of these, they are good for removing polish with so would keep repurchasing.

Wild Refillable Cola Lip Balm | Wild fixed the grainy formula on their lip balms, this is smooth and scented of cola. I liked it and it was mositurising and didn't tint my lips at all. Another one I would repurchase if I didn't have many already.

Lip Smacker Sprite Lip Balm | While the formula was fine on this, lemon scented, mositurising and didn't drag and tear my lips. But I had to just get rid of it because it leaves my lips with a weird looking white residue. 

Umberto Giannini Conditioner | I got this as a gift set, but the shampoo made my scalp itch badly which wasn't a problem I had originally. I wouldn't purchase this as it didn't agree with my scalp. This conditioner was okay as I don't use it on my scalp, but still wouldn't repurchase.

John Frieda Hair Foam | I like the foam because one box goes a long way and covers my long hair. The dye does wash out of my hair after a couple of months but it also means there isn't a harsh demarcation line of roots. I will repurchase at some point.

Giovanni LA Hold Gel | This was a strong hold gel, it worked well on my hair and kept the frizz away on curls. I would repurchase but have enough gel to get through first.

JVN Air Dry Cream | I used this as a primer when wearing my hair naturally wavy, it has a bit of hold to it but worked best when layered with a stronger hold gel. It was easy to use too much of this on my hair but I think I worked it out by the end of the tube. I have already replaced this.

Superdrug Sticky Toffee Shower Gel | These shower gels are basic but do what you need them to do. This particular one was very accurately scented of sticky toffee pudding, which was a bit odd to be washing in. I would repurchase from the brand but maybe not this scent.

Lush Lord of Misrule Shower Gel | The scent is identical to the bath bomb, musky and patchouli and a little goes a long way. The scent also really does linger on my skin too which is nice. It is expensive, but I would repurchase it, or at least ask for a gift!

  

Empties: June 2026

No polishes used up this past month, I do have some dead thermals but I like the colour they have died in so will be keeping them.

Original Source Sugared Plum | Not sure what sugared plum would smell like but this was blackcurrant scent to me, it was okay but don't think I'd repurchase.

Lush Super Milk | I use this as a leave in conditioner, it is light in formula so doesn't weigh my hair down. It it really nicely scented of sweet lemon and it lasts in my hair. I will repurchase.

Lip Smacker Pepsi Lip Balm | This was Mango Pepsi, I liked this, was mango cola scented, moisturising and didn't tint my lips. I'd repurchase if I didn't have enough.

Wild Refillable Warm Cinnamon Lip Balm | Wild fixed the grainy formula on their lip balms, this is smooth and strongly scented of cinnamon. I liked it and it was mositurising and didn't tint my lips at all. Another one I would repurchase if I didn't have many already.

  

Empties: May 2026

Born Pretty No Smudge Topcoat | This had a very potent smell to it, not one I wanted to use on my actual nails so I just used it up top coating swatch sticks. No idea if it still is being made but not one I'd repurchase.

Cat Tail Bloody and Bruised | A purple tri-thermal polish, it still transitioned even to the end although only two different shades of purple. I like the colourway of this and intentionally made the effort to re-wear to use before it died. Lasted from 2022, and I would repurchase [swatch].

Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Body Butter | I like the formula of the body butters they sink in and don't leave me feeling too greasy, the scent of this one was like digestive biscuits so not my favourite. I've purchased body butter from Soap and Glory in a different scent. 

L'Occitaine Conditioner | I don't have any real thoughts on this, its heavily scented of herbs. Not one I'd purchase myself.

Frosted Candy Angel Fragrance Mist | This is a scent dupe of Lush's Snow Fairy. Was a basic mist, lasted okay and was significantly less money than Snow Fairy spray.

Verb Curl Foaming Gel | Strongly scented of oranges, it was a good curl foam which I would consider repurchasing if they hadn't changed the formula. It also didn't have enough hold for my hair.

Curl Smith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly | Another product which has since changed formula, I found this version okay but for the price it isn't something I would have repurchased even before the change. 

Bath and Bodyworks Kitchen Mandarin Hang Gel | A hand sanitiser which has a strong scent that lasts on your hands. I might repurchase this scent.

Revolution Eyebrow Pencil Dark Brown | A micro pencil, not small enough for single brow strokes but small enough. Worked okay, was a twist up pencil. I might repurchase but want to look for cooler, darker brown first.

  

Monthly Empties: April 2026

Used up quite a few bits this past month;

China Glaze Liquid Leather | Nice enough basic black polish, I do however prefer Barry M Black Forest and so wouldn't repurchase [swatch].

Jessica Hologram Top Coat | A scattered holographic topcoat, the formula on this was one where you had to really shake it to get the particles re-suspended in the base. I did like this, but have purchased China Glaze Fairy Dust as a replacement [swatch].

Lush Scooby Doo Bath Bomb | Turned the water a neon yellow shade and left red sediment in the bottom of the bath, the scent was very subtle too so not one I'd repurchase.

Lush Frankenstein Bath Bomb | Grapefruit and citrus, so uplifting rather than calming bath. It was okay but I'd not repurchase. 

Lush Sex Bomb Bath Bomb | Jasmine scented but not too floral, more musky. Would repurchase [review].

Lush Snow Fairy Bubble Bar | Used this over two baths, made lots of bubbles and smelled sweet. Worked well with sex bomb. Might repurchase this.

The Perfume People Sexy Bomb | Smells like Lush's Sex Bomb bath bomb, scent lingers around for a while. I'd consider repurchasing.

Yankee Candle Christmas Eve | I didn't find this candle had much, if any scent to it. Not one I'd purchase.

L'Occitane Immortelle Divine Youth Cream | This sample sank in quickly and by the next morning my skin was very soft. But it did make my skin sting so not one I would purchase.

CeraVe Moisturising Cream | Very thick, intense moisturiser which is designed for very dry skin. I like this and have repurchased it.

Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50 | I'd had this a year so was time to get rid, it works with or without make up and doesn't leave a white cast. I have since repurchased.

Erborian CC Red Correct | It has taken me a long time to use this up but I do really like it, I have a lot of redness in my face and so this really evens out my skin tone whether I wear foundation or not. I have already repurchased it.

Aldi Lacura Sweet Angel Shower Gel | Scent dupe of Lush Snow Fairy, another good basic shower gel scented of sweet pear drops. I would repurchase.

Superdrug Fruity Strawberry and Raspberry Shower Gel | Scent was what you would expect from artificial strawberry, it was okay. I would repurchase from the line just not this scent.

L'Occitane Verveine Shower Gel | Quite a light citrus scent. Nice enough but not a repurchase.