May & June Empties
Skincare
Black Girl Sunscreen (3 fl oz for $16-19, available at Black Girl Sunscreen, Target, Ulta)
This is in my top 3 all time favorite sunscreens and I’ll scream it from the rooftops. It’s moisturizing but doesn’t make me look too greasy, can be used on the face and body, and there’s a corresponding kids formula for Noelle (although when I can’t find the BGS kids I’ll slather this on her instead.) I love that now it’s way more accessible, so now everyone I recommend it to doesn’t have an excuse for not picking up this fantastic formula. A forever repurchase, but you already knew that.
Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore Refining Toner Serum* (5 fl oz for $28, available at Fenty and Sephora)
I used this non-stop when I first received it, and then backed off a little as I introduced other hydrating products with niacininamide in it. The texture is unmatched—it feels so nice on the skin and makes my skin look instantly more plump and supple. Plus I love that all of her packaging is recyclable. I would definitely repurchase! I’m currently using the First Aid Beauty Wild Oat Hydrating Toner, and I have a few other toners I’d like to get through first, but this will stay on my list.
Fresh Beauty Mini Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence (1.6 oz for $35, available at Fresh and Sephora)
Jackie Aina put me onto this one. Did I ever think that I needed an essence before I tried this one? No. Will I forever use an essence because of how much I love this product. Yes. I have this in a full size, and ordered a mini during one of Sephora’s sales specifically so I could have one for travel. I finally emptied it early in June and I’m thinking about picking up another mini. Unfortunately with the way it’s packaged I can’t like take the top off and refill it with the one that I already have. Alas, it’s an incredible product (even though the price is steep) and I’ll definitely keep repurchasing.
Jacq’s CoQ10 + Hibiscus Revitalizing Face Toner* (2 oz for $19, available at Jacq’s)
I was able to work with Jacq’s on a sponsored reel in late May so they sent me their entire line to try out and work with. When I tell you I ran through this toner so quickly… it’s incredibly refreshing so I ended up using it not only as a toner but also to set powder and just to randomly spritz during the day. I wish it came in a bigger size!!! Definitely check out Jacq’s, it’s a Black-owned brand and I’m so pleased with all of their skincare products. I’m more than halfway through their gel cleanser; it’s perfect for the summer! Will definitely repurchase this toner.
Klur Gentle Matter Cleanser (2 oz for $22, available at Klur)
While we’re on the topic of cleansers (and Black-owned brands), this is one of the holy grails of mine. I have the large bottle in my bathroom, and used this one as my travel cleanser. It’s been on many trips with me, and I finally finished it mid-June. It’s a non-foaming gel cleanser that deeply cleanses and leaves skin feeling nourished beyond belief. I guarantee if you try this one you’ll fall in love. Forever repurchase.
Overt Skincare Quench + Plump Serum* (1 fl oz for $39, available at Overt)
I truly enjoyed this HA serum which contains aloe and cica which helps with inflammation. It’s only an ounce, and since I tend to use HA every morning I went through it pretty quickly. It did leave my skin feeling hydrated, but do I think I would repurchase it? Nah. It’s a little too pricey for what it is. The Inkey List HA is a great alternative.
Paula’s Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment* (1 oz for $54, available at Paula’s Choice)
This was sent to me as part of Paula’s Choice x Sean Garrette’s collection earlier this year, along with my favorite Azaleic Acid Booster. I had only been introduced to their 1% Retinol Treatment, and I can’t really tell the difference between the two. This one might be a little more gentle than the 1%, but who really knows. Neither one irritates my skin, and with consistent use has kept my skin in a good place. I am going to try a tret treatment next, so at the moment I wouldn’t repurchase.
Paula’s Choice Azaleic Acid Booster* (1 oz for $36, available at Paula’s Choice)
This is one of my holy grail products to help with evening skin tone and combating hyperpigmentation. The texture is so nice—it’s a gel cream that sinks into the skin with no problems. I tend to use it every other day, or every day when I’m struggling with a little more unevenness. Like most PC products, this will be a staple in my routine forever! Definite repurchase. You can grab it for 15% off, using my affiliate link above!
Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster* (0.67 oz for $49, available at Paula’s Choice and Sephora)
This might be my favorite vitamin c serum; it’s a toss up between this one and Hyperskin’s Hyper Clear. This formula is incredibly potent and with consistent use will dramatically brighten uneven skintone while improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles. I use this every single morning after I tone. You can grab it for 15% off, using my affiliate link above!
Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer* (1.7 oz for $35, available at Paula’s Choice)
The PC team generously sent over this new moisturizer that I haven’t had a chance to try yet and it is absolutely lovely. It’s a rich and nourishing cream, with ingredients like guava, chia seeds, flax seeds, and passionfruit to deeply moisturize, and the texture is cloud like. My partner and I ran through this one and quickly ordered a backup so we wouldn’t be without it. It’s perfect for summer nights, and sometimes I’ll even pair with a few drops of whichever oil I’m using at the moment. I will absolutely repurchase this one.
Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream (2 fl oz for $14.99, available at Versed and Target)
I’ve been through so many tubes of these—it’s a lovely lightweight moisturizer especially during the hot summer. I love that it’s now super accessible at Target, so whenever I’m in a bind and need a moisturizer that I know I love I can grab this one. For the time being, I won’t repurchase because I’m trying to cut the moisturizing step in the morning and just use a moisturizing SPF instead.
Versed Vacation Eyes Brightening Eye Gel (0.5 fl oz for $17.99, available at Versed and Target)
I’ve has this tube for over a year, and reached for it nonstop when I first bought it, and then forgot about it. It’s a really nice gel texture that is supposed to cool on contact (it doesn't, really, unless you put it in the fridge first). I’ve never had a problem with it underneath my concealer, which is honestly my only bar for an eye cream. I wouldn’t repurchase it because I appreciate more brightening eye creams instead of simply cooling eye creams to reduce dark circles. It is a really nice beginner eye cream, though!
Makeup
Colourpop Precision Brow Pencil in Cool Dark Brown (0.03 oz for $7, available at Colourpop and Ulta)
This is one of my favorite brow pencils hands down. I’ve been using it for years and I love how it makes my brows look fuller yet more natural. I will definitely keep repurchasing; you can’t beat this price point!
Colourpop No Filter Concealer (0.18 oz for $7, available at Colourpop and Ulta)
This is one of my holy grail concealers, and I use them for brightening under my eyes to match my current complexion, and even to contour. I know that dewy skin is in these days but I still find myself turning to this concealer day after day. The formula is creamy and easy to work with, and the coverage is phenomenal. I love this formula and will definitely keep purchasing.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer (0.27 oz for $26, available at Sephora and Fenty Beauty)
Also one of my holy grail concealers since it dropped—this one is similar to the Colourpop concealer except if I forget to set this formula with powder it’s not a big deal. Whereas with the Colourpop concealer I usually need to set in the areas I apply or else a few hours later it’s a wrap. Definitely going to keep purchasing.
Maybelline Define-a-Line Eyeliner ($5, available at Target, CVS, Amazon, literally everywhere)
One thing about me, I’m going to line my lower lash line with a black eyeliner. I don’t know why, but it’s my signature thing. I don’t like to leave the house without it because I feel like it makes me look more awake. But I digress; this is the very first eyeliner I bought from the drugstore back when I was a teenager, and I haven’t stopped using it since. It’s incredibly accessible and affordable, so I know that if I ever find myself in a bind I can grab it off a shelf pretty much anywhere locally! A forever repurchase.
Bodycare/Misc.
Flamingo Light Hydrating Spray (6.7 oz for $10, available at Target and Flamingo)
Literally the only thing wrong with this product is that it doesn’t come in a bigger size. I brought this bottle for our week-long vacation and I really should have brought two. However, I will definitely be repurchasing this all summer long. The perfect lightweight moisturizer for all my lazy folk out there.
Ritual Essential for Women ($30 per month, available at Ritual)
I’ve been using Ritual for years now, and I’ve tried other multivitamins and always end up back here. They’re a little more on the expensive side for vitamins, but I know that they work for me, and my partner signs off on the science behind it. If you have any pressing questions about them, pleaseeee don’t hesitate to reach out. I am an affiliate,* so if you click the link above to shop I will earn a small commission. Forever repurchase.
Touchland Power Mist in Original* (1.3 fl oz for $12, available at Touchland and Ulta)
I’ve posted about this one before, they’re so convenient and I keep them everywhere. I love that I can now pick them up at Ulta whenever I’m running low. A definite repurchase.
And that’s it! DM me and let me know what you emptied recently! Thanks for reading 💖.
*indicates PR