Jan 19, 2025 6 min read Empties

Beauty Empties - January 2025

Let's kick off the new year continuing good old traditions: my beauty products review after emptying seven of them. Yes, I have a fetiche with number seven, so you have to bear with me on that. Sometimes I go through said amount in two months, sometimes less, sometimes more...

As a self-confessed beauty junkie (and hoarder!), committing to fully finishing each product before opening a new one has truly become a (more) sustainable discipline for me. It also allows me to assess what really works or not through time, and these articles remind me of what I loved and must rebuy and what will never be purchased ever again.

Check all past empties reviews:

Here are my 7 latest empties:

WELLNESS

Today we are starting with beauty from within. I have thoroughly written about the impact of supplements in my life and I also empty many of those bottles through the months!

ZENement Premium Proactiflora Gut Prebiotics & Probiotics

I have explained here the importance of reading labels and dosages when choosing your probiotic. I have been trying several products from the Spanish brand ZENement and I must say I am a truly happy customer and rebuy frequently.

Here is what the brand says about this product "capsules have been formulated with an enteric coating to ensure the complete release of microorganisms and mycobiota in your gut, helping to balance intestinal and digestive functions and strengthen the immune system". They also added biotin & zinc to the formula that is 80 Billion-CFU strong. I am quite happy gut-wise as I take 2 capsules a day everyday (but if you are new to probiotics, start with one daily for at least a month!). I have repurchased this bottle several times and share them with Bruno as well.

ZENement Prebiotics & Probiotics

Premium Gut Probiotics and Prebiotics, 120 Gastroresistant Capsules, 30 strains (80 Billion CFU) + Butyrate (Postibiotic), Inulin, Zinc | Digestive Supplement | Vegan

Here are the other products I went through during the month and what I thought about them:

BODY

DOVE Original Deo

I shamelessly talk about deodorants in beauty reviews. They are an integral part of my beauty and wellness routine on a daily basis, so why the stigma, amirite? As you may already know, I am a major DOVE fan in regards to deodorants, they are reliable, do not let me know and make me feel comfortable during the day. Will rebuy, always!

HAIR

Moroccanoil Hydration Styling Cream

Yes, it's true, I speak about this product at every product review, it's one of my favourite hair creams ever. But as this is an honest article about what I have used, and I do use it every day, I go through one every other month or every quarter. Will always rebuy and stock it.

SKINCARE

Avène Intense Protect SPF 50+ Sunscreen

I use sunscreen every day - even when I don't leave the house - and Avène's formulas are one of my favourite of all as they penetrate the skin really fast which is super practical as my morning routine needs to be fast! This bottle was quite a big one to go through so I also used it on my feet, knees and elbows when sunbathing, as skin in those areas tend to darken fast for me and they are more fragile as well. I have more Avène sunscreens in my beauty stash so you will see those coming back in future reviews.

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum

I was a victim of my own mistakes as I purchased this product almost 10 years ago in New York and just opened it. The scent was good and the formula was great but after a couple of usages, the product clogged and I couldn't take any from the pump. I was really loving the texture and how smooth my skin was after any application so I learned the lesson: stop buying new things when you have similar in your stash! Ten years is a shameful amount of years between purchase and usage. I love Clinique and trust its effects on my skin so I will rebuy.

Lumene Arctic Hydra Care Moisture & Relief Rich Day Cream

I love anything from Lumene as you may know and this rich day cream was just that: so rich. So lush. So comfortable to wear. It really quenched my skin in my morning routines. Also the packaging is heavy and feels very luxurious. I will always rebuy Lumene's products and this is one of them.

MAKE UP

Bobbi Brown's Micro Brow Pencil - Mahogany

I had already mentioned purchasing this product at the Waterfront in Cape Town. This is an ultra-precise pencil with a rich brow-true color. Designed to help draw hair-like strokes to pinpoint sparse spots, extend tails and add detailed definition, I have to say it is easy to apply and lasts all day. But I was quite surprised at how fast I went through it, usually brow pencils last me a couple of months and this one was over in just one. Even if I love the quality, I don't think it compensates me on the long term when other similar brow pencils last me longer, just like this one I also purchased from Rimmel at Foschini is lasting. And just for that, I won't rebuy unless I have no other option.