Ad – contains affiliate links and press samples – all views are my own
One of my goals for 2026 is to properly document all of my beauty empties as part of my ongoing Project Pan journey. Not only does it help me keep track of what I’m actually using up, but it also makes me more mindful about what I repurchase and what simply isn’t worth taking up precious space in my beauty stash.
After a strong start to the year using up 20 empties in Q1, I’ve worked my way through another basket of products during Q2 seeing a further 15 products used up, bringing my total empties to 35 for the year so far. I worked through a healthy mix of skincare, haircare, fragrance and bodycare, while also making a dent in my ever-growing collection of minis.
Another thing I’ve been doing is taking my empty products to Boots and earning points on my finished formulas. As part of the Boots Recycling Scheme, every time you take five empties and deposit them into the dedicated box in store, you can earn a voucher to get 500 points (worth £5) on your Advantage Card when you spend £10. So far, I’ve earned £20 worth of points after purchasing essentials I’d have needed to pick up anyway, such as a new deodorant, meal deal or concealer.
So, here are 15 more products I finished between April and June, along with my honest thoughts.
Haircare Empties
I’ve tried dozens of different dry shampoos but the Amika Perk Up Plus Dry Shampoo is one I keep coming back to. Talc-free, using arrowroot powder to absorb excess oil and sebum, it’s perfect for refreshing day-two hair, packing for festivals, or throwing into an overnight bag. It absorbs oil without leaving behind that heavy, chalky feeling that some dry shampoos can create and doesn’t leave a white cast. I’m already making my way through another can.
Pre-shower, the Fable & Mane Hair Oil has long been a favourite for me. I’ve actually got a full size of this on the go, too, but the mini size was particularly handy for travelling and lasted longer than I expected. It leaves my hair feeling nourished and looking glossy without making it greasy. I just apply it to my scalp about an hour before washing it, and my hair always feels nourished and hydrated after washing.
As for my wash routine, I’ve used up the Arkive All Day Extra Shampoo, which is a particularly good daily wash for anyone with dry or fine hair looking for moisture and body. Although if you’re prone to a particularly oily scalp, you may find it doesn’t provide enough deep cleansing. Meanwhile, I’m yet to try a L’Oréal Professional hair mask that disappoints me, and this one was no exception. The L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum Mask is designed for coloured hair and has been brilliant at helping maintain the vibrancy of my copper shade. Every time I use it, my hair looks noticeably shinier, softer and healthier without feeling weighed down.
Skincare Empties
Skincare is the category where I’ve made my way through the most products, starting with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Mousse which featured in my new in January post. I didn’t realise I needed this product until I tried it. Elemis’ iconic cleansing balm is already one of my all-time favourite cleansers, but this mousse format has quickly become a favourite too. It’s ideal as a second cleanse in the evening or as a gentle first cleanse in the morning when your skin doesn’t need anything too heavy.
Another really simple but effective formula used up this month was the Medik8 Daily Refresh Balancing Toner. It’s gentle, soothing and packed with ingredients like aloe vera and witch hazel. Alcohol-free, it doesn’t strip the skin, with the pH-balancing formula working to soothe and preps the skin for the rest of your skincare routine.
But that’s not the only Medik8 formula finished up over the last couple of months. I also completed three minis: the Hydr8 B5, Hydr8 B5 Intense and C-Tetra. Hydr8 B5 and Hydr8 B5 Intense are brilliant hydrating serums – which you opt for entirely depends on just how dry your skin is, but I’ve enjoyed both. But my favourite is the C-Tetra, which is a gorgeous brightening formula with a luxurious oil texture.
More travel-friendly formulas I’ve made my way through include the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream, which is a lovely lightweight gel cream. It feels incredibly soothing and hydrating without being heavy or greasy, so it’s easy to see why the K-beauty hero reportedly sold a tube every six minutes in Boots during April.
Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream is another K-beauty staple and girls, the glass skin glow is unreal. This moisturiser leaves skin looking incredibly plump, bouncy and radiant. My only criticism is that the fragrance is a little stronger than I’d ideally like in a skincare product, but the results are undeniably impressive.
Read more: Five Tatcha products to add to your skincare routine – including the viral Dewy Skin Cream
There’s also the Pixi Glow Tonic which I seem to have accumulated around half a dozen of, but they do come in really handy for weekends away or holidays. It provides gentle exfoliation and leaves skin looking brighter and smoother with regular use.
During the heatwave, the Caudalie Beauty Elixir saw plenty of use, spritzing my face pretty much any time I walked past the bathroom. I’ve been big into the hydration sandwich of late, and used this to layer between serums and creams for that added boost. While it’s refreshing, lightweight and instantly revives tired skin, the essential oil fragrance is a little too strong for me personally, which would make me hesitate before repurchasing.
Bodycare and Fragrance Empties
This Gem Anti-Perspirant in Santal might be one of my standout discoveries of the quarter. The Santal scent smells far more expensive than its price tag and, crucially, it actually works. As someone who has been loyal to Mitchum for years, I didn’t expect to be converted quite so easily.
And last but by no means least, I also finished a mini Kayali Vanilla 28 perfume, which has been the most cosy and comforting vanilla scent. It’s such an elevated gourmand with notes of brown sugar, tonka, amber woods and a rich vanilla orchid accord which was perhaps better suited to the colder months but seeing as it was almost used up after excessive winter use, it made sense to finish it off to make way for some fresh scents.
Now onto Q3 and hopefully another basket full of empties.
