Spring 2025 Beauty Empties: Skincare and Makeup I Used Up

There’s something oddly satisfying about an empties lineup. Maybe it’s the throwback to early beauty blogs, maybe it’s the quiet thrill of actually finishing something! Either way, there’s still something fun about digging through someone else’s product graveyard – especially when it comes with quick, honest takes.

I’m in the middle of a mission to work through my skincare stockpile. No new purchases until bottles are emptied and jars are scraped clean. Every product here was used to the very end, and that alone says a lot.

Let’s get into the beauty empties and mini reviews.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through my link at no extra cost to you. All items are carefully curated by me and reflect my honest opinion.

Skincare, Haircare, and Makeup Empties

SkinMedica HA⁵ Rejuvenating Hydrator

This has been one of my longest-running staples and I always have a bottle on hand. It’s a hydrating serum that feels more like a lightweight moisturizer and leaves skin looking plump and smooth.

Just a heads up: don’t confuse it with the HA⁵ Collagen Replenish in the light blue bottle. That one went straight to the trash. Stick with the silver bottle. It’s pricey, but I keep coming back to it for a reason.

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

I’m on my third bottle of this, so clearly it’s earned a spot in my routine. The research behind it is solid, and while I’ve tried other growth factor serums, I always end up coming back to this one.

It’s really, really expensive, though so I use it sparingly and rotate it with other products. But every time I do, my skin just looks better—smoother, healthier, more even. That’s why it keeps making a return.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion (Fragrance Free)

Yes, it’s basic but I’m picky when it comes to body lotions, and this one always delivers. It absorbs quickly, hydrates well, and leaves zero greasy residue. Completely fragrance free, which makes it perfect for mixing with body oils or any scented products I’m trying to finish. I don’t like anything too strong, so this is my go-to for cutting overpowering scents.

I buy this as a double pack at Costco but you can also get it at Target and Amazon.

OSEA Undaria Algae Body Butter

I love the OSEA brand and their products, and this body butter is my favorite of the bunch. It’s rich, creamy, and smells incredible without being overwhelming. I’m slowly working through the rest of my lotion stash just so I can justify repurchasing it. I also like the OSEA balms and oils, but this one stands out. Bonus: it’s one of the only natural, clean skincare lines I’ve tried that actually lives up to the hype.

NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Magnesium Bath Milk

NEOM is one of my favorite brands – their products always smell like a high-end spa and feel just as luxe. I’m currently on my second bottle of their Bedtime Hero Bath Foam, but this magnesium bath milk is just as good. It’s not a bubbly soak—it’s more of a soft, milky foam that leaves your skin feeling smooth and your bathroom smelling amazing. I’d definitely repurchase.

Timeless Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum

The TImeless Vitamin C+E is a solid staple in my rotation and will pop up again in my beauty empties.

I love the results I get from SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, but at $182 an ounce, it’s hard to justify. Timeless offers a nearly identical formula with the same key ingredients, similar texture, and it absorbs just as well. Brightens, firms, and helps even out tone without the price tag. It’s one of the few affordable swaps that actually holds up.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash

I’ve tried a lot of cleansers, but I keep coming back to this one. It gives skin a deep clean without leaving it dry or tight, and the formula includes enzymes that offer a very gentle exfoliation—enough to smooth and refresh without irritation. This is great for anyone dealing with dullness, uneven texture, or the occasional breakout. It’s gentle enough for daily use and works well for both dry and combination skin.

Sephora Daily Sunscreen SPF 30

If I didn’t already have a dozen sunscreens to get through, I’d repurchase this in a second. It’s a lightweight mineral formula with zinc oxide that feels more like a moisturizer than a typical sunscreen. It doesn’t have a white cast or heavy finish and it reminds me a lot of the EltaMD sunscreens, but at a much better price. If you’re looking for a solid daily SPF that won’t clog pores or feel greasy, this one’s a win.

Revision D.E.J. Daily Boosting Serum

I really like Revision as a brand. Most of their products deliver, and the packaging is always clean, functional, and smart. This D.E.J. serum fits into that same mold. The formula is designed to support the skin’s dermal-epidermal junction, which basically means it targets firmness, texture, and overall resilience as skin ages. I only went through one bottle, so it’s hard to say I saw dramatic changes, but it layered well, never caused irritation, and kept my skin feeling balanced. I’d likely repurchase during a sale, especially as part of a long-term routine focused on skin health and prevention.

You might also like: Revision Skincare Review: Here Are The Best Products I Tried

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Light Tones

This is my holy grail dry shampoo. I’ve gone through enough bottles to justify a subscribe-and-save—and I have the receipts (20 repurchases!).

I have fine hair that gets greasy fast, and this is one of the few formulas that actually makes it look clean without adding grit or buildup. It smells amazing and blends in seamlessly. The version for light tones has a subtle purple tint that helps neutralize brassiness, which is perfect for blondes. A must-try if you’ve never found one that truly works.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Foundation

I think this one’s been discontinued, which is a shame because I really liked it. It had a lightweight, buildable texture that gave a natural finish. Luckily, the Luminous Silk Foundation is still around and it’s just as good, if not better. It’s one of my all-time favorite foundation formulas. Blends easily, wears beautifully throughout the day, and gives that soft-focus skin look without feeling heavy. If you were a fan of Lasting Silk, Luminous Silk is the next best thing.

ColorScience Flex SPF 50

I’ve been raving about the ColorScience formulas for years! It’s a mineral sunscreen that somehow adjusts to your skin tone and gives surprisingly decent coverage—almost like a tinted moisturizer and SPF in one. The finish is natural with a slight glow, making it perfect for summer, travel, or no-makeup days.

I also have the bronze and luminous versions, but the Flex is the one I reach for the most. Unfortunately, I had to toss this bottle halfway through because it expired before I could finish it…and I was genuinely bummed. That tells you how much I really like it. Will definitely repurchase. I use the shade medium.

ELF Squeeze Me Lip Balm

At just $4, they remind me a lot of the Laneige lip balms, but honestly, I think I like them even more. The formula is smooth, hydrating, and not overly glossy. Plus, the smaller size means you can actually finish a tube without it sitting in a drawer half-used. I’ll definitely be picking up more, and they make perfect little gifts or stocking stuffers.

Estee Lauder Concealer

Estée Lauder just knows how to do concealer right. The Double Wear formula hits that perfect balance—pigmented enough to cover, but not overly creamy or heavy. It blends easily, stays put, and doesn’t crease like a lot of others I’ve tried. This is one I’ve gone back to for years, and it’s always reliable.

Beauty Empties: Final Thoughts

Beauty empties always tell the truth—if I used it up, it meant something

Most of these were used to the very last drop, with one that didn’t quite make it but still deserved a mention. Some are on my repurchase list, others were solid but not essential. Either way, they didn’t sit around collecting dust, and that’s the goal. I’m being more intentional about what I use, what I keep, and what actually deserves space on my shelf.

If you’ve emptied something recently and had strong feelings about it, good or bad, I want to hear. Always here for the real reviews!

Every few months, I’ll be doing a full beauty empties breakdown, so stay tuned for more.

Come join me on Pinterest and Instagram!