"Being the beauty lovers we are at The Everygirl HQ, we wanted to share a different side of our beauty routines: our empties. They’re the products from beyond the grave that we’ve completely used up. The concept is simple: Show everyone what’s in your trash and talk about if you loved it, if you’ll buy it again, and how long it took you to use up. Every month, our editors will share a few of their own empties—from skin, hair, and makeup products to candles and vitamins and home items—and give our unfiltered review on each of them. Some of them we’ll love and need to repurchase ASAP and some we’ll celebrate finally finishing them up. If you’ve ever wondered what our absolute favorites are, this is the right place to be.
Not to be dramatic, but this little bottle from TJ's is pure magic! I try to savor every drop of this tea tree oil, but it really is the jack of all trades. Not only does it work pretty well in my diffuser, but I also love to mix it with my moisturizer when my skin is feeling extra dry. I also struggle with keeping my hair hydrated, so this works wonders on my scalp and is a big aid in preventing me from itching.
—Andi Wynter, Social Media Coordinator
This is the second bottle that I've gone through, and it is easily my favorite toner. I use this twice daily and anytime my skin needs a refresh! The texture is super light and silky, and I love that I only need to use a few drops per use. It instantly absorbs into my skin and leaves it feeling hydrated and smooth, and it doesn’t leave me with that dried-out feeling I get from other toners.
—Andi Wynter, Social Media Coordinator
At the end of 2020, I was researching bringing my hair back to health like crazy, and one of the best things for your hair is protein. Along with adding more protein to my diet, I used this and noticed a major difference in my hair. I would always pair it with my detox shampoo or rice water shampoo, and it brought back so much life to my hair. It left my hair so smooth and silky, and it always looked its healthiest. This product is also inexpensive, so I know I’ll repurchase it without a thought.
—Beth Gillette, Beauty Content Manager & Associate Editor
I have naturally thick eyebrows, so drawing them on or filling them in was never my thing. I usually brush them with an eyebrow spoolie, but they wouldn’t stay that way all day. Enter my new favorite product: This clear eyebrow gel has my brows laid to the gawds all day long. I just brush it on my eyebrows, and boom. It dries in a few seconds, and my brows are perfectly sculpted. BRB, running to the store to repurchase ASAP.
—Ashley Williams, Contributing Beauty Writer
As someone with dry skin, finding a cleanser that doesn’t make me feel like I’m about to enter flake city is a monster task. This cleanser from True Botanicals has been amazing for the transition between spring and summer weather. It’s light and gentle and doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped at all. A major plus for me is the green tea infusion because I always love an energizing boost—even in my cleanser.
—Emma Ginsberg, Editorial Intern
Since I wear sunscreen every day, I always start my nighttime routine with an oil or balm cleanser so that I can effectively remove any sebum and oil-based products like makeup and SPF. This gel to milk cleanser from Biossance has quickly become one of my favorites, as it is gentle yet effective. I was initially worried it would leave an oily residue on my face because it's formulated with squalane, but after using it, my skin just feels clean, and my water-based cleanser doesn't need to do double-duty. Oh, and did I mention it has the prettiest purple/pink color? At the end of the day, it just brings me so much joy.
—Adele Ashley Adams, Contributing Beauty Writer
When I first tried this, I was pretty meh about it (you can read my review here). I didn’t hate it by any means, but I couldn’t ever see myself repurchasing. But as time went on, I grew to totally fall in love with this. It never pilled, which is a major plus in any sunscreen for me since I'm usually wearing makeup. I love the glowy finish, and every time I took this to the beach or pool and someone borrowed it, they loved it too. I haven’t repurchased yet because I’m trying a few new sunscreens (like this brand new one from Hero Cosmetics), but it’s on my list of things to grab again.
—Beth Gillette, Beauty Content Manager & Associate Editor
I always have at least two of these all-over moisture sticks on hand because it truly is a product that I use all over. I have used it under my eyes to offset the appearance of dark circles or reduce puffiness first thing in the morning, as a balm to get rid of chapped lips, and as brow gel in a pinch. It is especially beneficial as the seasons change and my skin decides to act up and turn drier than the desert. The stick is basically my $9 all-season secret weapon.
—Adele Ashley Adams, Contributing Beauty Writer
I bought this balm a month before I started at The Everygirl and remember bringing it to the office in my early intern days, which is why I've kept it well past its expiry date, just sitting in my lip balm storage forever. I've always loved this product to keep in my bag and apply all day long. It leaves my lips soft and hydrated without feeling sticky or goopy. After enough time, I didn't really want to put this on my lips, so I used it on my elbows, heels, and ankles, and honestly, I would consider buying another just for that. My elbows have never felt smoother.
—Beth Gillette, Beauty Content Manager & Associate Editor
