A Ton of Pre-Move Empties

It is February 1, 2026 and I am currently flying to Los Angeles with John and our two cats, Cheddar and Linus, on our big move day! Obviously, I pre-scheduled this post to go live. I had a lot of moving prep to do last month, but I also had a lot of product emptying to do so I made sure to make time to write about my empties.

I am not including links to any of the products in this post because it would be too time consuming to create a custom link to each one. My ShopMy shelves are a little out of date, but you are always welcome to shop using my links there (I earn a small commission any time you shop using my links).

Before I get into my empties, I have something completely unrelated to comment on. What ICE has been doing, and what the fascist administration has been saying in order to justify arresting children and gunning people down in the street, is vile, un-American, and 100% unacceptable.

If you are able to make a donation, a couple organizations that help immigrants are the National Immigration Law Center and MALDEF. The ACLU of Minnesota is another organization to which you can donate.

There’s no good way to transition back to empties from there, but I needed to say something about what’s been going on. So, let’s just get to it.

January 2026 beauty empties

Would I Repurchase?
  • Whole Foods 365 Foaming Shower Gel, Lavender: I had this in our second bathroom for quite some time. As we got closer to our move date I moved it to the primary shower so I could empty it. The shower gel is nice but the scent is a little overpowering, so I wouldn’t pick this scent again (plus, I prefer to patronize Amazon-owned companies as little as possible).
  • Prequel Gleanser: a really good cleanser at a great value. Would repurchase.
  • Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask: really good for my nighttime lip balm. I slather on a thick layer before bed, and it’s still on when I wake up! I’ve opened a mini that I got in a Tatcha gift set recently.
  • Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate: recommended by my hairstylist. I only used a tiny bit at a time and not usually every day, so it took me forever to use this up. While very fine and thin, my hair is pretty healthy. So I would buy this again.
  • Prose Shampoo: I stopped my subscription to this awhile back, but I really love the botanica scent and may restart my subscription at some point.
  • Diptyque Lait Frais: I love the scent of this lotion, though it’s super strong. Would consider purchasing in the future.
  • Trader Joe’s Moisturizing Cream Shave: a slick, non-irritating shaving cream that I will look for once we arrive in LA.
  • Tower28 ShineOn Lip Jelly in Lucky: I love these; they are super hydrating on my dry, winter lips. I have a couple more and would buy them again.
  • SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream: given to me after my Fraxel treatment at the derm, to help with recovery. It’s a nice cream and I’d buy it on my own.
  • SkinMedica Everyday Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 47: recommended by my derm for post-laser treatment sun protection. It’s a little thick, so I don’t think I’d buy this for everyday use. But I’m happy to buy and use it up after a procedure.
  • Maelove The Exfoliator [gifted]: I don’t use physical exfoliants often anymore, but I did use this one periodically in the shower. It has a fine scrub and a nice scent, but I probably wouldn’t buy on my own.
  • Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré: bought a two-pack of this from Costco. Love it, would repurchase.
  • Heretic Parfum Angel’s Trumpet sample: from a discovery set. I really enjoy a lot of this brand’s fragrances, and this one was no exception. Probably wouldn’t buy this one full sized, but I happily used up the sample.
  • Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Liquid SPF 50: the brand has gifted me this sunscreen in the past, but I love it and have bought several tubes on my own. I will repurchase.
  • Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant [gifted]: have received many bottles of this from the brand and have emptied all of them. It’s a nice exfoliant that I’m happy to use a few times a week in my routine.
  • Blue Lagoon The Serum [gifted]: I was thrilled when the brand offered to send me this serum, as we visited the Blue Lagoon last June and I’ve been loving their masks that I bought in Iceland! This is a lovely serum and I would purchase it on my own.
  • Caudalie Beauty Elixir mini: I’ve gone through many of these. I like keeping it in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation after a workout or on a hot summer day.
  • Lush Magic Crystals: love. Will repurchase when I’m settled in LA.
Masking

January 2026 masking empties

I did a lot of sheet masking to attempt to reduce the amount of stuff to bring to LA. Not that sheet masks take up a lot of space, but it was a good excuse to use some of them up.

  • Bioeffect Imprinting Hydrogel Mask: I enjoy these hydrating masks that I bought in Iceland and would buy them again.
  • Boscia Fruit Acid Smoothing Foot Peel: I bought a few of these when the brand held its going out of business sale. Each time I use this, I get less of a peeling effect. I do still have a couple more of these but will wait awhile before I use them up.
  • SF Sun’s Out, Pouts Out Gold Foil Lip Mask x 2: I had a couple of these left over from a FabFitFun box back when I was a subscriber. I can’t tell if these really did much, and would not buy them on my own.
  • Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum Mask: great for a very cold and dry winter morning.
  • Dr. Jart+ Viral Hydra Solution Plump & Glow Mask: feels so juicy on my skin.
  • Peach & Lily Glass Skin Ginseng Collagen Mask [gifted]: I really liked this mask. The instructions say you can leave it on for 30 minutes, up to three hours, or overnight. I sleep on my side so overnight is not an option for me. But I wore this for almost 2.5 hours and my skin looked quite radiant afterward. I will buy these!
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Universal Daily Peel: still enjoying these and would repurchase at a discount.
Eye Masks Get Their Own Section!
  • Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Under Eye Patches: I love how soothing these feel. Would repurchase.
  • Bioeffect Imprinting Eye Mask: another Iceland purchase that I like. I’d buy them again.
  • Grace & Stella Illuminating, Energizing, and Moisturizing Eye Masks: from a 3-pack at Costco. I’m liking all of these, though I do wish they had a bit more serum on them. Would still repurchase; they are a good value.

Stay tuned for more as we get settled in Los Angeles!