"Being the beauty lovers we are at The Everygirl HQ, we wanted to share a different side of our beauty routines: our empties. They’re the products from beyond the grave that we’ve completely used up. The concept is simple: show everyone what’s in your trash and talk about if you loved it, if you’ll buy it again, and how long it took you to use up. Every month, our editors will share a few of their own empties—from skin, hair, and makeup products to candles and vitamins and home items—and give our unfiltered review on each of them. Some of them we’ll love and need to repurchase ASAP… and some we’ll celebrate finally finishing them up. If you’ve ever wondered what our absolute favorites (and not-so-favorites) are, this is the right place to be.
For about a year, I barely even touched my makeup drawer. Now that I’m getting back to a normal routine, I’ve been loving an easy, light coverage makeup routine that makes me look alive, and this product has helped tremendously. It’s the perfect solution to brightening my under eyes and lightly covering up my blemishes, but at the same time, it feels just like skin. I’m about to order another one now that I’m getting low and potentially looking to purchase a darker shade to use as a bronzer as well!
— Alex Pizarro, Editorial Assistant
I use a lot of aggressive skin care treatments (prescription retinol, at-home peels) so I need a very gentle, normalizing face wash. I’ve tried everything from expensive top-of-the-line cleansers to budget-friendly drugstore brands, and I’ve found this to be the best combination of being gentle while still leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I’ve already reordered.
— Elle Kennedy-Fischer, CFO/COO
This is the only eyeliner that I’ve been specifically complimented on. Not “your eye makeup looks great,” but “your eyeliner looks fantastic!” It’s super blend-able and then once it sets, does not move. I use the dark brown color for under eye/waterline because it’s not as harsh as the black but still defines the eye. I always reorder before I run out so I always have it on hand.
— Elle Kennedy-Fischer, CFO/COO
I’ve been self tanning for years, and have tried just about every product you could name, both expensive and not. Of all the St. Tropez and Loving Tan and super-pricey body self-tanning products I’ve tried, this is by far my favorite, and it’s half the price. I’ve gone through bottles and bottles of this stuff and it’s always an immediate repurchase for me. It works perfectly every time and gives me a natural-looking, even, glowing result.
— Madeline Galassi, Fashion Content Manager
One of my absolute least favorite chores was always cleaning my makeup brushes—until I came across this. I’ve been using it for about a year, and it has absolutely changed the game for me. I dip my brushes into the absolute smallest amount you can imagine, and it absorbs into the bristles and makes all of the makeup and grime in them come off with a few swipes on a paper towel. It’s one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever experienced and makes me want to wash my makeup brushes for fun. The best part? The brushes are dry within a few minutes. I could not possibly recommend this stuff more.
— Madelie Galassi, Fashion Content Manager
I’m not sure I’ve ever repurchased a candle. By the time you finish something up, you’re ready to try a new one. This is the first candle I’ve ever had that I feel like my apartment isn’t the same without it. This has the best scent: it’s a blend of sandalwood and santal, which to me, means it smells like a fancy perfume (similar to Le Labo Santal 33, but not exact). Every single time someone comes into my home, they rave about how good this candle smells. Plus, it’s lasted me since August 2020, so the burn time is legit. Otherland candles are my absolute favorites, and to say I’m obsessed with this scent is an understatement. It’s seasonless—trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
— Beth Gillette, Beauty Content Manager
I am that one person who asks, “Are you wearing sunscreen?” Unprompted. Without context. Just looking out for you. I searched high and low for a moisturizer that had SPF that looked good under makeup and didn’t leave me with oily skin by noon. The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF answered all of my prayers and has a permanent spot in my skincare routine. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized, I rarely get oily when I wear it, and I know I’m getting a little bit of added sun protection, even if I’m just sitting in my apartment all day.
— Garri Chaverst, Managing Editor
Remember that line in Mean Girls? “One time I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip flops. So I bought army pants and flip flops.” I read that Meghan Markle loves the MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner in Teddy… so I bought the Mac Eye Kohl Eyeliner in Teddy. I love a good dramatic winged liner, but I also love more subtle makeup looks that enhance my natural features. This MAC eyeliner has an almost imperceptible shimmer that really makes my eyes pop—without being the focal point. If I want to go for a no-makeup look, this is the first product I reach for. I’ll repurchase it again and again.
— Garri Chaverst, Managing Editor
I am influenced by our reviews all the time. When I read this story in particular, though, it was game over. This is the product I had been searching for FOREVER. Even though I always shower immediately after my workouts, I occasionally deal with breakouts on my body. Since I’ve been using this spray after my showers, I’ve noticed a dramatic difference in my skin’s appearance. The breakouts are a thing of the past and I’ve even noticed some slight improvement in my dark spots and hyperpigmentation. This one’s a real winner for me.
— Garri Chaverst, Managing Editor
This BB cream is like an Instagram filter IRL: it never fails to make my skin look smooth and flawless. As a result, it’s become a go-to item in my makeup bag over the past few months, whether I’m heading out or just want to feel good during the work day—I slather it on prior to most of my Zoom calls and instantly look more put together, even when I’m wearing minimal makeup otherwise. A bonus? The product contains SPF 20, and I think it smells pretty darn good.
— Sarah Lyon, Contributing Editor
I recently received a sample size of this perfume after making another beauty purchase, and while I didn’t know what to expect, I can now say that I’m fully sold on this fragrance and spritz it on practically every day. It has a sexy scent with touches of spicy vanilla, and I know it’s going to become one of my go-to’s for date nights. And the Ellis Brooklyn line happens to have been started by a Brooklyn mom who is a beauty columnist for the New York Times—hello, goals.
— Sarah Lyon, Contributing Editor
I love every single The Ordinary product that I’ve tried, and this one is no exception. I use this serum at night (and I use their hyaluronic acid serum in the morning), and I can definitely see a difference in the texture of my skin. It helps even everything out and reduces the look of acne scars and overall bumpy texture. I already repurchased this one, and I don’t see it leaving my routine anytime soon. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that it’s literally SIX. DOLLARS.
— Jessica Welsh, Junior Graphic Designer and Assistant Editor
I’ve been a longtime hater of high-end mascaras, simply because I know that I can get one for less than $10 at Target that delivers results I love. However, my mom kindly gifted me a set of different high-end mascaras to try for Christmas, and I just finished my tube of Benefit’s Roller Lash. I liked this mascara a lot, and I think I might change my ways and purchase it again. It’s lightweight and looks natural, but still gives my lashes the boost they need.
— Jessica Welsh, Junior Graphic Designer and Assistant Editor
I’m pretty picky about my body washes. I don’t like ones that are too heavy or too scented, but I still want a nice smell that feels luxurious and relaxing in the shower. I also have never been loyal to a body wash—I always like to switch it up and try different ones. But I just finished a bottle of this Method body wash in the scent “Pure Peace,” and I think I might’ve found myself a perfect match. Not only is it the perfect subtle scent, it feels hydrating on my skin and like it’s actually doing something, which not all body washes do.
— Jessica Welsh, Junior Graphic Designer and Assistant Editor
Want more empties? Check out the previous months below!