November Empties: The Beauty Products We Tried and Finished This Month

[Photo by Amy Shamblen]

As longtime beauty editors and writers, we’ve tried countless products throughout the years. And while we each have our tried-and-true staples that we’re loyal to, we’re always on the lookout for new faves to add to our beauty routines as well.

Launch Watch: The Latest Beauty Products You Should Have On Your Radar

Finishing an entire product can feel like a big accomplishment because it’s hard to stick with something if you’re not seeing results. With so many options to choose from nowadays, we’re spoiled for choice and our beauty shelves at home tend to be a reflection of that. How many open products do you have at the moment that you haven’t finished because you keep switching it up? It’s always exciting when you find a great product that works for you, that you actually finish, and that you plan to purchase again after it’s gone.

Top Beauty Trends of 2022 and What to Try in 2023

From skin and haircare products to makeup and beauty tools, our writers share their latest round of empties and the results. Read on to discover the beauty products we tried and finished this month!

Do you have any empties? If so, what are your faves? Let us know in the comments below!

You know it's a good product when you cut open the top to use every last bit. Virtue's 6-in-1 Styler ($19) has been my go-to pick to tame frizz and add softness to my blonde (and often dry) locks. I use the luxe scented product on damp hair pre-blow drying as well as on dry hair to smooth frays and loose ends for effortless second and third-day hairstyles. This brand is based on bio-science discovery, Alpha Keratin 60ku®, a protein identical to the keratin in our hair that binds and repairs strands. Clearly, I'm here for it.

—Alisha Racker

Whenever I look tired and need a little under-eye boost, I always reach for Wander Beauty's Baggage Claim Eye Mask ($26). It’s the only eye mask that stays put and doesn't slip down my face, which is why I'm loyal to the brand. And the metallic foil finish makes for a cute selfie.

It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask ($36) is a staple in my hair care routine. I love how thick and rich the formula is, and the pudding-like consistency makes it enjoyable to apply. Here's my trick to get even more out of the mask: apply it to your hair, wrap it up in a bun and leave it all day. Then, when you wash the mask out, your hair will feel like silk and have so much shine!

I don't double cleanse every day (my skin is very oily and acne prone, so doing it too much tends to break me out), so I leave the technique to nights when I wear heavy makeup or have layer upon layer of sunscreen on my face. The Beauty Spy Seoul Cleansing Balm ($19) is a beautiful texture that quickly transforms from a solid to a milky oil to remove all my makeup. I also like that my skin never feels oily or greasy afterward.

—Elise Minton Tabin

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in Chocolate ($27-$47) has become part of my daily routine and helps support healthy hair, skin, nails and joints with grass-fed, pasture-raised collagen. It tastes like chocolate milk when I mix it with almond or oat milk, and when I’m feeling extra indulgent, I blend it with Trader Joe’s chocolate oat milk—it tastes just like a chocolate milkshake!

Ama Sea Beauty DeepSea Macroalgae Serum ($75) is produced in concentrated small batches with wild harvested California seaweeds and features naturally occurring lipids, collagen and hyaluronic acid. This serum addresses sun damage, premature aging, discoloration, acne and psoriasis, and it can be used as a spot treatment on areas of concern, as well as a face mask or an overnight treatment. I apply it before bed as a sleep mask and wake up to refreshed and soft skin!

Another one of my favorites is Ama Sea Beauty’s SeaMist Marine Mineral Toner ($50), which I previously mentioned in last month’s October Empties. I apply it on my skin morning and night, before and after applying my other skincare products. I’ve already finished another bottle, which goes to show how much I love this toner!

It’s hard to find a good dish soap that doesn’t dry or irritate skin, which is why I’m obsessed with Homecourt, a line of non-toxic, fine fragrance-infused luxury cleaning and household products from actress Courteney Cox. Homecourt’s Dish Soap ($25) comes in four incredible scents and removes grease and food, while hydrating and protecting skin with glycerin. The Cipres Mint scent was very refreshing (like a stick of gum), and I’m now using their Steeped Rose scent, which smells just like a fresh bouquet of roses. The packaging is also sleek and chic, and looks great on my sink next to their hand soap and surface cleaner.

During the past few years, I’ve tried a lot of different hand sanitizers, and among my top favorites is Touchland Power Mist ($10), which cleans hands without leaving behind any sticky residue and hydrates them at the same time. It’s light, vegan and cruelty-free, lasts forever (500 sprays per bottle), and comes in a variety of scents, including unscented. At the height of the pandemic there was a long waitlist for these mists, so be sure to stock up while you can. They also make great stocking stuffers for the holidays!

Now that colder weather is here, my lips tend to get drier so I turn to Goldfaden MD Lip Therapy ($34), an antioxidant-rich lip treatment that hydrates and conditions with hyaluronic acid, fruit berry wax, borage oil, rose hips seed oil, sea buckthorn oil, and vitamin E. It keeps my lips soft and protected all day without being overly heavy, and as an added bonus it also helps reduce the appearance of lip lines.

—Kamala Kirk

“It made me feel like a king!” So I guess you can say that my husband was the biggest fan of the DECORTÉ AQ Treatment Body Cream ($94). I was introduced to this luxurious Japanese brand from a colleague, and now I know why this cream is titled “AQ” (Absolute Quality). It has a silky whipped texture that spreads evenly and absorbs very quickly. Its scent, which is a nice blend of floral and musky notes, helps kickstart the day, but will also help you relax and unwind at the end of it. Wait a few weeks and you’ll notice the effects of its high-end ingredients like Linseed oil (for softness) and organic Murumuru butter (for moisture). The cream will leave skin firmer, smoother and hydrated. I really loved this body cream, especially on really dry areas like the elbows. Would I buy it again? Absolutely! But I may just have to dip into my savings for this one.

—Patty Serrato Castellon