My February 2026 Beauty and Health Empties and Reviews

In 2025, I set out on a mission to love my morning and night routine. When I took a look at my bathroom drawers, my piles of makeup, and my vanity, I knew there were products I loved in there, but all I could see was junk. I wanted to enjoy my time while putting on my makeup and while taking it off. Between all the items that were given to me and all of the ones I bought mindlessly, I was in a haze where I didn’t know what I loved and what I put up with. 

To put a stop to haphazard buying and begin purposeful purchases, I began reviewing every “empty” I had. In February, I went through a lot of things that I actually did not purchase, but instead was given. I also ended up finding some products that will be added to my daily routine and have replaced products that were not vegan and/or cruelty-free. February was definitely a refreshing month that cleared up space on my vanity that I don’t intend to fill again! 

Freeman Soothing Gel Mask - Watermelon and Aloe 

I was given this by my mom because someone gave it to her, and she knows I love face masks. While I do think this was fun and easy to use, it isn’t something I would actually purchase and use consistently. I think it was moisturizing, but showed no amazing difference in my skin. Freeman Beauty is also not cruelty-free, so while I used this mask so it wouldn’t go to waste, I wouldn’t give this company my money. 

Repurchase: No.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 

This was the first full tube of this product that I have gone through after switching retinols from CeraVe. I like this one much more than the CeraVe one, and I like that they are transparent about the ingredients and strength of the retinol. I have already repurchased another tube. I found that after going through one tube, I have a decrease in acne, and I’ve seen a lot of the texture on my face that includes smaller imperfections than pimples start to disappear. I am going to continue using this product as I think it is wonderful for something I can get at Ulta rather than going to the dermatologist to get. Unless my skin starts to react poorly to it, this will be the retinol for me.

Repurchase: Yes. 

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner 

I got this in a two-pack at Costco that also came with a travel size. I took one, and my mom took the other. She eventually gave me the rest of the one she had because she wasn’t loving it. She said that she saw no difference in her skin and didn’t find this toner impressive, and I have to agree. I found that using this, I saw no extra moisture in my skin, and it didn’t clear my skin either. It felt like I was splashing water onto my face, not product. I finished this bottle and will finish the travel size, and then not repurchase. 

Repurchase: No.

Tirtir Ceramic Cream - Light 

I got this sample size in a package I also bought at Costco, which came with two full-size toners. I actually really liked this cream, and thought it was very moisturizing for how light it was. It went on like a water-based lotion, and even in cold weather, I thought it locked in the moisture from my other products well. The problem is, I can’t find any information on whether Tirtir is cruelty-free, which for me means that I won’t be repurchasing this. I only want to support brands that are proud of being cruelty-free

Repurchase: No. 

Wild Growth Hair Oil

Prior to this, I used the Golab Beauty hair oil. I’ve heard that you have to use a hair treatment for about six months to see the proper results, but I switched to this one after seeing a lot of people have good results with it. I plan on using this for a while and seeing what happens. I’m not opposed to using something else, though, as I am not a super fan of the smell, and I am looking for something that I can use as a daily oil as well as a scalp treatment a couple of times a week. For now, I will stick with this since my hairdresser did say that she saw a lot of new hair and healthy growth. 

Repurchase: Yes. 

Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment 

I was given this a long time ago, since I asked for it as a gift, and I used it twice. Essentially, I was told that this is an at-home keratin treatment and will nourish my hair. I think I am fine without it, and I actually did not finish this product. It smells horrific, and I saw no difference in my hair after either use. Actually, I was very concerned about my hair losing moisture and becoming frizzier after doing this treatment. Because people were saying this could easily go wrong, I ended up being too scared and hesitant to use it a third time, and threw away the majority of the product. I am going to stick to hair masks and scalp oiling instead. 

Repurchase: No.  

e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray 

While I can’t speak for the non-dewy version of this spray, the dewy version did not appear to be dewy and instead made my entire face look incredibly oily. I believe there is a difference between looking hydrated and supple and looking oily, and this setting spray did not lean toward hydrated. I also was personally not impressed with it as a setting spray overall. I saw no crazy difference in how long my makeup lasted while using versus not using this product. I do like e.l.f. because they are vegan and cruelty-free, but I am thinking about separating myself from the brand because they collaborated with Matt Rife. 

Repurchase: No. 

Steve Laurant Lip Oil - Orchid 

I was given this product, and I think it was purchased at Marshalls. I did like the way it looked, but for a lip oil, it acted more like a lip gloss. It was rather sticky, and my hair would get caught in it. When I wear a lip oil, I expect it to be hydrating and smooth. I really liked the product when I first put it on, as well, but after a while, since it was on the stickier side, my lips would start to have those sticky marks in the corners and on the sides, which I don’t think anyone is a fan of. 

Repurchase: No. 

Becca Blush - Flowerchild 

For me, this was the perfect blush and the perfect color. Since I have an olive undertone, when I wear pink blush, sometimes it will look a little orange, but this one didn’t. It went perfectly with my skintone and had a bit of sparkle in it, which I loved as well. I’m so sad that Becca is no longer, because I don’t like to spend a lot of money on makeup products, but I actually would have repurchased this. RIP. 
Repurchase: No.

Feel Good Superfoods Berberine Capsules

I was told that berberine is a big craze right now, and I will try anything once. For me, these did nothing. I think they are supposed to suppress your appetite, but I had a massive appetite before and during taking these. Now that I have been done with them for a bit, I can say I felt no change mentally or physically. I won’t be buying these again and don’t suggest them. It seemed like a waste of my money, but I’m glad I experimented and gave them a shot. 

Repurchase: No.

TheraBreath Whitening Toothpaste - Dazzling Mint

I was so excited when TheraBreath said they were releasing a toothpaste since I was just looking for a vegan and cruelty-free toothpaste. I use the same “flavor” of their mouthwash, so I bought this one, and I really like it. I got it in a pack of two and plan on repurchasing it in bulk again. There is a decent amount of foam, so I feel like it is working, and I believe that it keeps my breath fresh longer while keeping my teeth white. My dentist said to keep doing what I’m doing, so I will! 

Repurchase: Yes.

Nature’s Bounty Magnesium Glycinate Capsules

I’ve taken magnesium glycinate for a long time, and I am going to ask my doctor about it at my next appointment, but for now, I’m going to continue taking it. I’ve heard that it is a no-harm, no-foul situation and there are only benefits, so I’m in. I do believe that it has aided my sleep, and I would love to see if it has long-term effects. If my doctor says that it changes nothing, I’ll stop taking it, but as of right now, I plan on continuing my use. 

Repurchase: Yes.

TheraBreath Whitening Oral Rinse - Dazzling Mint

I have one of these in my list every month, as it has changed the way I view my daily dental routine. I love this mouthwash as it feels very refreshing and my mouth feels very clean after, but it doesn’t have that alcohol taste or unpleasant burning feeling. I also think that after using this, my breath is fresher longer. I’ve seen no decline in my dental health, and with consistent use, I think this product helps with oral upkeep. Naturally, repurchasing. 

Repurchase: Yes.

Wild Deodorant - Orange Marmalade 

I started using Wild deodorant a while ago and get it delivered to my house every three months. I really like this product, and I like this scent as well. I have found that the white staining from the deodorant is harder to get out of my clothes than others, and also that it tends to create little balls if I am wearing something skin tight. I can’t repurchase this scent because it was limited, so I will be buying a different scent from now on. I really enjoy that this is made for a reusable container, and I like that they are conscious about the packaging the refills come in as well. 

Repurchase: No. 

Sol de Janeiro Perfume Mist - Cheirosa 62 

I didn’t buy this, but I was given this. I have always loved this scent, so I was really excited to try this mist out. I still really liked the smell of it, but I thought it disappeared rather quickly, and since the bottle isn’t that large, it is easy to go through if you are constantly reapplying. Granted, this is a body mist and isn’t a strong perfume/cologne, so I didn’t expect long wear in the first place. If I wanted to wear this scent, I would stick with the lotion and apply it head-to-toe. I think the scent of the lotion lasts a lot longer and, of course, you get to benefit from the moisturization as well. 

Repurchase: No.

Interested in more empties reviews? Check out My January 2026 Beauty and Health Empties and Reviews here!

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