Empties don't lie: my June 2025 Edit on Wellness, Beauty and Skincare
As a self-confessed beauty junkie (and hoarder!), I’ve made it a personal mission to finish every product I own in my beauty apothecary before cracking open a new one.
It’s a small but meaningful shift toward more sustainable habits, as Project Pan is more alive than ever before! It also gives me the chance to properly test what truly delivers over time.
Do not forget to tell me about you in the comments: what have you finished up lately? Which product was completely worth your investment? What won't you buy ever again? I always love to read your reviews!
Check all past empties reviews:
Here are the 7 products I emptied in May:
WELLNESS
Aavalabs Milk Thistle Complex
I had very briefly mentioned this product a year ago as I had just started testing it. I could first witness the powerful benefits of this product after a full week course of antibiotics in March 2025. My immune system was in shambles afterwards and Milk Thistle helped me "reboot" my liver and overall digestive wellness.
This supplement is great for anti-inflammation purposes and to detox the liver. With high potency Silymarin, it also contains dandelion and artichoke which is great for digestion and as an antioxidant.
Verdict: I would rebuy and recommend, especially after long-term medication taking or illness.
Jess
BODY CARE
Shower to Shower Fresh Morning Deodorant
Every time I go to South Africa, I stock up on Shower to Shower deodorants for my stash. It reminds me of my childhood years visiting my father in Johannesburg and getting first acquainted with a varied array of products on offer at the supermarket, something I wasn't used to in Luanda, Angola, where options were a bit more limited. I like the fresh cotton smell so so much!
But I was recently very disappointed in this product as I took in on a corporate 10-day road trip in the peak of our tropical summer. And man, it didn't work for me. It did not help with sweating and feeling fresh through the day as I expected and as it promises for 48 hours. I was completely desperate and self-conscious at some point as I had meeting after meeting and lots of people to meet. These are moments I wanted to put my best foot forward and this was not it. I was kind of desperate to finish this one to put it in my past, to be honest.
Verdict: With deep sorrow, and after so many memories with this product, I wouldn't rebuy.
SKIN CARE
Avène Cold Cream Lip Balm
This lip balm came in pairs with a tiny cold hand cream to take on the go by a polish corridor at a duty free. I had one at the office and one at home and both lasted a long time. The texture is rich and it delivers instant moisture to my lips. I need to apply several times during the day, it's not an application per day will do type of product - or my lips are just that dry all the time!
Verdict: I would rebuy as a steady and rich lip balm to have in hand
Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream
This product is a staple in my evening skincare routine. I just love how rich this night cream is and that is why this is the second one I used to the end. Caudalie's Vinoperfect line aims to target hyperpigmentation. I love to apply it before bed as it immediately replenishes the skin and you can feel it. Also the fragrance isn't very strong but has that typical vine Caudalie scent you love when you have followed the brand for a long time.
Verdict: Not only would I rebuy, I have already opened my third one!
Jess
Lumene Lumo Nordic Bloom Vegan Collagen Essence
There is no empties review of mine without a Lumene product, is there? This collagen essence is such a luxurious serum, that can be used either during day or night. It is made with lingonberries and it has a gel texture, making the face look very plump after application.
Verdict: I would rebuy without thinking twice. I don't know how many I have gone through in the past few years, but I already opened a new one! I am hooked.
Jess
Neutrogena Clear & Radiant Face Wash
I had mentioned this product as part of my morning skincare routine, when I wash my face (as there is this whole thing of not stripping your face of its oils in the morning and just splashing it with water would do? Let's see how that ages!). This is a casual purchase I did at the local supermarket as I was looking into a "cheaper" product to clean my make up brushes. But reality is that I loved it enough to use on my skin and it is also the first "normal skin" product I have ever used in my life. I love the smell and that is doesn't strip my face at all.
Verdict: I saw value in it and I would purchase it again if I don't have any French pharmacy options in hand.
Jess
MAKE UP
Rimmel Pro Micro 04 Brow Pencil
They say beauty is all about symmetry. I am not a beautiful woman but I like to feel beautiful and I cannot deny - even if I took my sweet time acknowledging it - that structured brows can really enhance our features for a more harmonious look.
I have started designing by brows with Benefit in Paris in the early 2010s and have never looked back. Unfortunately I have very sparsed brows and penciling them in has proved essential so that my alopecia doesn't scream at people as soon as I meet them. I still have a long way to go on brow design - I feel I can never be as good as Benefit make up artists - but I am doing my best, a pencil at a time.
Speaking of which, it was almost impossible to find brow pencils in South Africa when I went in October 2024. As a treasure hunter, I found one by Bobbi Brown at Woolworths and this Rimmel one at Foschini, after doing a major haul at their Lancôme counter. I like how long it lasted for the price point. I felt Bobbi Brown's finished too quickly for the price tag! I also loved the automated feature as I am rubbish as sharpening pencils, either as eyeliners, lipliners and brow pencils.
Verdict: I would rebuy - best price for value when compared to more expensive pencils that don't even last a week!
Jess
Do not forget to share with me in the comments: do you also focus on finishing what you already have? Which products have you finished lately? Let me know, I'd love to hear about shared products and new ones!
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