Ask Alex by Alessandra Steinherr

Ask Alex by Alessandra Steinherr

Empties Don’t Lie

You want to know what really works? Look at what’s gone.

Alessandra Steinherr's avatar
Alessandra Steinherr
May 07, 2025
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It’s time for another Beauty Empties! You know the drill by now: I try hundreds of products every month, but only a select few make it into my regular rotation. And fewer still are used up completely. That’s why I love doing these empties videos - they’re not just about what I like, but what I really use. The ones I squeeze every last drop out of. The ones I’d repurchase in a heartbeat. The ones that quietly become staples without me even realising.

What I love about revisiting empties is that it removes the noise. You know what I mean - launch fatigue, trend overload, the constant “this is the next big thing.” But when I film these videos, I’m looking at products through a completely different lens. Not the newness or the marketing or the promises, but the performance. Did it deliver? Did it serve a purpose? Did I actually want to keep using it?

I also find it really grounding. In a world where beauty can feel disposable, this is about intention. And it’s a reminder that being a beauty editor isn’t just about chasing what’s next - often it’s about staying loyal to what works.

It’s real life beauty. No gimmicks. Just the hard-working heroes that got me through the last few months.

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