Burnin' Up #10: Empties

'Tis the season for burning lots of candles and wax tarts! So much so that I devoted a whole post to it! Here's what's been making my home smell cozy and fantastic the last couple months.

• Yankee Candle Cranberry Harvest - This fall, cranberry has been one of my favorite scents. This smelled like the perfect fall cranberry candle, but unfortunately the scent just didn't fill up a room. It was more for ambiance than anything.

• Yankee Candle Witches Brew - Witches Brew is my favorite Yankee Candle scent. It's a sweet patchouli fall scent that always reminds me of Halloween. This will not be the last time a Witches Brew candle is burnt in my house - it's a seasonal must!

• Bath & Body Works Raspberry Peach Macaron - This candle is old, from a past spring collection at B&BW. This scent was part of the best B&BW collection I think they've ever released. It's very sweet and has a slight tang of fruit. 

• Yankee Candle Mulling Spices - This tiny Yankee Candle had a better scent throw than the large Cranberry one above! It smelled like fall... cinnamon, nutmeg and all good spicy things.

• Better Homes & Garden Orange Clove Pomander tarts - These were very fragrant wax melts. A perfect blend of spices and orange that made my home smell ready for the holidays. 

• Scentsationals Twilight tarts - This had a fresh, sort of perfumey smell. It's kind of hard to explain exactly what this smelled like. It was a nice scent to have filling the house, it wasn't offensive or overpowering.

• Bath & Body Works Sundrenched Vineyard wallflower - Another perfect fall scent to have filling up my entire house. It smelled like woodsy fruit, and was surprisingly natural - a scent you might expect someone's house to smell like naturally.

What is your favorite scent to have burning in your home? Let me know! 

Bath & Body Works Holiday Haul!

Black Friday rolled around and my home was in desperate need of some holiday soaps and candles, and I couldn't resist taking advantage of the sales Bath & Body Works had going on. The soaps I ended up getting for normal price (6 for $18 or something like that?) and the candles were buy 3, get 3 free. 

If you got the B&BW emails or if you saw my Facebook post, B&BW had a MAJOR sale this past weekend and all candles were $8.50... if you had a coupon, you could get them even cheaper. Sooo... this haul doesn't include what I went back for (#ridiculous, I know), but regardless, it'll give you some good ideas if you're looking for some fun seasonal scents for your home, too. Check out the haulage below:

• Oh Snap Jolly Gingerbread: This soap smells lovely, just like you'd imagine gingerbread cookies to smell. I think this packaging is so cute, I had to snatch it up. 

• London Tea Time Shortbread: As you can tell, I've already started using this one prior to taking pictures (oops!). This smell is "golden shortbread, candied bing cherries & toasted almonds." It reminds me a lot of the Cherry Almond Shortbread hand soap they had last year - it smells exactly the same. 

• Honeyed Pineapple Pumpkin: Oh my word, this smells amazing. I tend to love pineapple scents, and I'm not sure how, but it really meshes well with the pumpkin! 

• Frosted Cranberry: "Frosted cranberries sprinkled with iced peach," a classic wintry scent. Cranberry has been a favorite of mine this year.

• Cranberry Citrus & Sage: This smells divine, especially if you're a lover of cranberry and sage - of which I am both. :)

• Candy Cane Bliss: Adorable packaging, and who doesn't love their hands smelling pepperminty fresh? This has hints of vanilla and whipped cream to lighten it up, and it's quite divine.

• Tis the Season: A classic holiday scent, smelling fruity like apples, pine and cider. I always love this candle around Christmas.

• Winter Sun: A very fresh smell, comprised of citrus, vetiver and musk. This will be a nice one to burn even after the holidays as past.

• Cheers Mulled Wine: Fruity like wine, smelling of apples and saffron. I like this far more than I expected to when I ordered it.

• The Original: Hoooo boy, this is my new favorite candle (and I definitely bought a back up at the $8.50 sale). It has hints of pinewood, vetiver, and black pepper. It's how I wish my home would smell all on it's own! 

• Snowflakes & Spruce: This smells exactly like it's described: spruce and vanilla. It's sweet without being overwhelming. 

• Red Velvet Cheer: Super sweet and cakey, this smells like cake batter, apple, frosting and creamsicle. So yummy if you like bakery scents.

What holiday scents are your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! 

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I am sure there is one stressful holiday thought on your mind: what do I get the beauty lover in my life?! Or, what do I get my beauty-loving wife/best friend/boss/sister etc! If you are wracking your brain for ideas, you've come to the right place. Some of these gifts are perfect for that lady friend in your life, regardless of whether or not she's a major beauty-lover. I know that I'd be happy to receive any of these in my stocking, and nearly all of them HAVE ended up in a gift box of my own. 

There's something for every price point in my list, so look carefully! Pick up any of the gifts shown up and listed below and I can guarantee you'll put a smile on the recipients face. Here's to a stress-free shopping season. 

• Lush bath bombs ($5 - $10): Sadly, I don't have a Lush anywhere near me, so lushusa.com is my best friend! Their bath bombs are.... the bomb (ha.. ha...). They have adorable Christmas themed fizzies that smell amazing and will make any bath-owner super happy. If you're like me and don't have a Lush anywhere around you, you can find all their Christmas themed goodies here. 

• Sephora Liquid Luxuries Perfume Sampler ($65): This is one of the coolest gifts for the perfume lover in your life. This gift set comes with 15 mini samples of perfume. You're thinking, "how lame, a bunch of mini samples I can get for free?" Well just hold your horses! This set also comes with a coupon to get any of the 15 perfume samples in a full size bottle! Some of my personal faves from this set include Chloe, Prada Candy, and both of the Elizabeth and James scents. 

• Tangle Teezer ($15): If your gift recipient (or you) have long hair, he or she MUST posses a Tangle Teezer (and pick one up for yourself while you're at it!) Seriously, it's the greatest invention for long haired people since... well, detangler spray. I've done a whole review on this puppy, and I recommend it to everyone I know! 

• Jack Black It's The Balm Lip Quartet ($25): Jack Black Lip Balms are.... the balm (HAHAHA I'm on a roll!). Okay okay, all bad jokes aside, I gave this balm a go last year and have been hooked every since. It's the best deal to get these in a gift set because you get more for your money. They actually moisturize your lips, they don't just sit on top doing nothing like vaseline. Plus, with four of these heavenly balms, your recipient will be set all year long! 

• Beauty Blender with Mini Solid Cleanser ($25): Beauty Blenders are the "it" makeup applicator. Don't be fooled by all the knock offs in the drugstore, they don't compare. There is something magical about this pink sponge, and it makes any makeup application (beginner or expert!) look flawless and professional. They're normally $25 for just the sponge, but in this set you get a little cleaner, too! So good.

• StriVectin Oxygen Infusion Smoothing Mask ($62): Oxygen masks are all the rage lately. This bubbles and foams up, making tickly bubbles all over your face. This removes dirt, gently exfoliates thanks to beta-hydroxy acids, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This would make a fun, unique mask to gift to any pamper-loving friend.

• Bath & Body Works Candles ($12): So, actually, B&BW candles are like $22 but promise me you'll never spend that, OK? They ALWAYS... I repeat... ALWAYS go on sale. Candles may seem cliche, but these holiday scented candles are super nice and who doesn't appreciate getting a candle they didn't have to buy themselves? B&BW has a million different holiday scents, all with really adorable packaging. I recommend anything pine-y - it's never offensive and everyone loves the scent of pine at the holidays!

• Elizabeth and James Nirvana Mini Rollerball Set ($25): These perfumes are amazing. They work alone, or combined together - take your pick! I own both and they've become my favorite scent combo. Nirvana Black is an evening scent, woodsy and musky. Nirvana White is fresh and crisp and fancy. I think just about everyone would like these scents. They're wearable for all seasons and these little rollerballs last longer than you'd think! 

What are you hoping to get in your stocking this year? Let me know in the comments below!

Burnin' Up #8: Empties

With the change to fall weather, any time I'm home for an extended period of time, you can bet there are candles burning. It makes me feel cozy and comfortable, and well - my empties will prove to you that all of the above are true. Here's what I used up recently...

You can see my descent in to fall scents if you look from right to left. Sun Tan is a super old scent from Bath & Body Works that has somehow managed to linger in my stash for ages. You can still buy Sun Tan (with different packaging) during the summer at B&BW, but I've heard that the scent has been reformulated and isn't the same any more. 

Mint Basil is a candle from Target, another one that's been lingering in my stash for quite some time. I love the packaging, but you can see it didn't burn all that well. It did smell nice, very fresh and summery, and I like that it's a soy candle so it burns cleanly. 

Lastly, and most recently, I burned up Citron & Cedarwood from B&BW. I bought this last fall, but it's still available with different packaging. This smells slightly like a manly cologne, which typically isn't my favorite, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming. This had great scent throw, and it was a perfect candle to burn in early fall. 

Other smelly goodies that are used up include two wax melts from Walmart. Lemongrass Verbena was a lemony summer scent that filled up the whole house. It was nice while it lasted, but I wouldn't buy it again. Hot Wassail is a purely autumn scent, smelling like apples and spice. I never used to love scents like this, but this fall I want all the apple spicey scents like this. (Side note: Walmart wax melts are my favorite -- they are jam packed with fragrance and they're super cheap. I highly recommend checking them out if you like to burn wax melts!)

Remember when I said I was going to stop using Wallflowers from B&BW because they're full of nasty chemicals? Yeah... I didn't stop. I'm kind of addicted to how nice they make my house smell. Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the orange ginger scent. Something about it made me think public bathroom -- yuck, no thank you, I will not repurchase. 


What are your favorite home scents? Let me know! 

June Empties (#15)

It's that time again. I went through quite a bit this month, and now it's time to share with you whether or not these items are worth repurchasing in the future and any other gems of wisdom I choose to impart. Let's get right to it...

• Pantene Nature Fusion Smoothing Shampoo (would repurchase) - I really liked this shampoo. When I started using this, my scalp was dry and flaky, and this really helped hydrate and treat my scalp. It smelled nice, too.

• Dove Nourishing Body Wash in Pistachio Cream (would repurchase) - I've gone through one of these in the past, and I really enjoy this body wash. It's moisturizing, creamy, and smells amazing!

• Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Towelettes (would not repurchase) - I don't know if I just had these waiting in backstock too long, or what, but these were awful. They were nowhere near saturated enough, and they didn't do that great of a job at getting my makeup off. I swear the first pack I used of these wasn't so bad, so maybe I got a dud. On the upside, they didn't irritate my eyes at all, but that's not enough to sell me on these again.

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture (would repurchase) - This is a super basic moisturizer. I used it in the morning, it didn't break me out and it doesn't have a fragrance. I like to switch up my skincare, so I won't be buying this anytime soon, but I'd consider it in the future.

• Sephora Organic Cotton Facial Pads (would not repurchase) - Much to the happiness of my wallet, I didn't care for these. They fell apart easily and weren't as big as I'd like them to be for removing my makeup and applying toner. I have one more box, but once those are up, they won't be coming home with me again.

• Bubbles By Brooks Shower Tabs in Walk in the Woods (would repurchase) - These are by no means necessary, but these little tabs will make your shower feel like a trip to the spa. All they do is add a nice smell to your showertime, and these smelled like sandalwood, which I enjoyed. They're sold locally by me, but I do believe you can purchase these online.

• Vanedo Aroma sheet mask (would not repurchase) - This wasn't a bad face mask, in fact it was quite relaxing because it smelled like lavender, but my skin always seems to break out after I use a sheet mask. So because of that, I wouldn't purchase this again.

• Rituals Honey Touch Body Cream (would repurchase) - This was a lovely body lotion, which you might remember from a previous haul. It was deeply moisturizing without being greasy or sticky. The smell will last lightly all day, but it's not overwhelming, and you can easily wear a fragrance over it. This lasted me a long time, and I enjoyed it while I had it.

• Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner (would not repurchase) - I got this in an Ipsy bag a long time ago. I didn't think it was anything fancy and I didn't find it did much for my hair at all. 

• Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation (would repurchase) - You all know this is my holy grail foundation. I absolutely love it. It's full coverage, lasts all day, and will keep you matte. Full review here.

• LaVanila Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit (would repurchase) - I love love loved this deodorant. It has good ingredients, no aluminum or cancer-causing crap, plus it smells amazing. It's pricey, but you can find it on sale now and then, especially online.

• Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer (would purchase) - I really enjoyed using this sample. I do think it kept my undereyes from looking crepe-y and dry. I'm not sure how much it costs, but if it wasn't too expensive, I'd think about purchasing a full size.

• Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment (would purchase) - I like this mask, but for the price, it's not worth it. I think it feels excellent on the skin, but there's NO way I'm going to pay like $70 for this stuff. I'll just keep enjoying the samples I receive.

• CLEAN Original Perfume (would not purchase) - I am not a fan of the CLEAN perfume. It smells like laundry or something, and while I enjoy my actual clothing to smell fresh, I don't care for my everyday fragrance to smell like that.

• Makeup Forever HD Foundation (would repurchase) - I got a sample of this foundation to try out, because I'm in a couple weddings this summer and I want a foundation that'll look good on camera. After trying it out, I bit the bullet and purchased it because it really did make my skin look fabulous. 

• Neutrogena Micro-Mist Airbrush Sunless Tan in Medium (would not repurchase) - This stuff give a very light application of color, but beware, because it will stain your surroundings. I sprayed it on in the shower, and when I cleaned my shower it was all brown on the towel (my shower tile is dark, so I couldn't tell until I cleaned). Not cool.

• Paula's Choice Sun 365 Self-Tanning Foam (would repurchase) - This is a nice self tanning mousse because it doesn't have bad ingredients, and it doesn't have that nasty self-tan smell at all. Did you hear me... AT ALL!! This gives just a light, but buildable tan, that even as a pale-girl, I wish was slightly darker, but I'll give this a whirl again I'm sure. 

• Jack Black Lip Balm in Shea Butter & Vitamin E (would repurchase) - This is one of my most favorite lip balms ever. It's so so so moisturizing and it feels great on the lips. I believe this won Temptalia's reader's choice award for best lip balm last year, and that's what spurred me to try it originally. I got a few more of these over the holiday season, so this certainly won't be the last time you see this baby.

• Christian Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm (would repurchase) - I love the smell of subtle rose, and I love the fancy packaging of this, so this was a major win. It's easily the most expensive lip balm I've ever owned, but I hope I'll receive it as a gift again in the future. Full review here.

• C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve (would repurchase) - Another rose item, go figure! This stuff isn't quite empty, but I have had it for YEARS, so it's time for it to go. It smells really nice, and it's hydrating on the lips. I don't really love having to stick my finger in the jar to get product out, unless it's sitting on my nightstand to use before bed, so that's kind of a downside. But they do sell this stuff in a squeezy tube, too, which is how I will repurchase it in the future.

• Vitacost Quick Dots Chewable Biotin (would repurchase) - I get these off of Vitacost, which is one of my FAVORITE online retailers, because they sell health items of all kinds (food, pet items, beauty items, etc.) at discounted rates. I liked these, they tasted like sour candy. I like to take biotin daily as it's great for hair, skin and nails. 

• Pur-Lisse Pur-Moist Moisturizer (would repurchase) - I got this deluxe sample size in an Ipsy bag, and I enjoyed using it. It doesn't have a scent, it didn't break me out, and it moisturized my skin. 

• B&BW Antibac in Vanilla Berry Sorbet (would repurchase) - I use these before applying makeup to get anything icky off my hands. This was a nice scent, very fruity, but not my favorite.

• NYX Eyeshadow single in True Taupe (would repurchase) - This color was awesome. I've talked about it before... it's multi-purpose, great for the eyes, or brows. I used this primarily for my brows, which worked really well. If I could find this again, I'd repurchase it, but I haven't been able to find it.

• B&BW Candle in Sunrise Lagoon (would repurchase) - This is an OLD scent that I'm pretty sure is discontinued now. It smelled nice, and I'd buy it again if they re-release it.

• Gold Canyon Wax Melt in Fizzy Pop (would repurchase) - This really did smell like Sprite, and I really enjoyed the scent in my house. These melts are kind of fun, and I think this is a sample size, but Gold Canyon is one of those pyramid scheme brands so you have to find a rep to purchase them. Bummer.

And that's it! Have you used any of these products before? Let me know!

Empties #12

While I haven't been so great about not buying things (I really need to put myself on a a strict "no buy") I HAVE been excellent about finishing what I have. Let's dig in...

• Essie Smoothies hand & body lotion in Pomegranate & Mango (would repurchase) - This was a nice light lotion that I used as a hand lotion. It didn't leave my hands feeling greasy, but it also wasn't mega-hydrating. This is definitely a good choice for the warmer months when my skin doesn't tend to be so dry.

• C.O. Bigelow Lotio Mentholus (would repurchase) - I loved this hand lotion. It's also very light, and has a soft menthol scent. I love the bottle, too!

• Suave Smoothing lotion with cocoa butter & shea (would repurchase) - Another great lotion option! It is lightly scented so it won't interfere with any perfume you're wearing. It moisturizes without being greasy. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

• Alba Botanical Hawaiian Sunscreen in revitalizing green tea (would repurchase) - This sunscreen is very thick and greasy. It's a bit tough to smooth around on the skin. I wouldn't use this as a daily SPF, but it's good if your plan is to bum around on the beach all day. Plus, it's free of nasty chemicals.

• Soap & Glory Hand Food in Fruitigo (would repurchase) - I loooooved this hand lotion! The scent is addicting but not overwhelming. It moisturizes my hands so well. I could easily abandon all other lotions and use this every day from here on out!

• Lush Snow Fairy shower gel (would not repurchase) - I think I'm one of the only people who does not enjoy the cult Snow Fairy scent. It's not the kind of sweet that I enjoy, it a sickening smell. I bought it online without ever smelling it, and I won't be doing that again!

• The Body Shop Almond body butter (would repurchase) - Holy cow, I used a lot of lotion these last couple months. Anyway, I love love loved this body butter. It smells sweet and hydrates intensely. It reminded me of my beloved Creme Anglaise (right next to it), and I'll definitely buy this again.

• Lush Creme Anglaise hand and body lotion (would repurchase) - This is hands down my favorite lotion of all time. And unfortunately, Lush discontinued this last year. It is a tragedy. I hope it makes a comeback for a limited release, because I will stock up even though this costs an arm and a leg.

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub (would repurchase) - This was a very gentle exfoliator, not harsh at all. If you have sensitive skin, this would be a good option for you. Jake also enjoyed using this. It is fragranced, but not overly so. 
• amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash (would not repurchase) - This was an odd face wash. It felt more like I was slathering lotion all over my face than soap. It just didn't do anything for me. 

• Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - This gets my eye makeup off well. There's not much more to say about it. 

• L'Oreal Voluminous Extra-Volume Collagen waterproof mascara (would not repurchase) - I took a chance on this, and I didn't like it at all. It was clumpy and gritty and was hard to work with. 

• Aquafina Hydrating Lip Oil (would repurchase) - Full review here. 

• fresh Soy Face Cleanser (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed using this face cleanser, and this deluxe sample lasted me ages. I loved how gentle this was. It never broke me out and did a great job of cleansing my skin. 

• Calvin Klein Ck One Color Mascara (Would repurchase) - This was last year's birthday gift from Ulta, and it was awesome. It didn't make my lashes clumpy, but it provided volume and length. If it wasn't a bit spendy, I'd totally buy it again. 

• Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation (would not repurchase) - Full review here. 

• Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Absolute Serum (would repurchase) - This serum was heavenly! It smelled softly of roses which is already a huge win in my book. It's meant to soothe and nourish sensitive skin, and I did find it calming.

• B&BW Antibac in Apple Wreath (would repurchase) - I use these before applying my makeup so I don't spread germs on my skin. I like the B&BW ones because they have so many different scents.

• Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream (would not repurchase) - This moisturizer felt like it just sat on top of my skin. It didn't do a good job of hydrating dry patches. It's a pricey moisturizer and it's definitely not worth it to me.

• DrJ Organics Pure Organic Eye-Lifting Creme (would repurchase) - Full review here.

• Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I didn't care for the scent of this cleanser and I don't feel like it did much for me. 

• Herbal Essences Body Wash in Body Burst (would repurchase) - This smelled really good, just like all Herbal Essences products do. I liked it!

• Leanni Eco 3-in-1 Revolution Light (would repurchase) - I really liked this toner, moisturizer and serum in one! It hydrated and balanced my skin. Once I work my way through my other moisturizers I have in stock, I'd definitely buy this. 

• Coach Poppy Perfume (would not repurchase) - This smelled nice, but it's nothing unique. I don't need it in my stash.

• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat (would repurchase) - I have used this top coat for ages. It dries fast and will leave your nails shiny, but it has a tendency to bubble and it chips quickly. I've gone back to using Seche Vite for now.

• Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss (would repurchase) - This smelled heavenly. I smeared this on my lips at night before bed, and it did a pretty good job of hydrating. It doesn't penetrate very deeply, but it's not bad for a cheap lip butter. 

• Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Cream Eyeliner (would repurchase) - I really liked this product, and it made my top 14 of 2014, but it dried up on me. I will get it again because it's so cheap and it's mega-black. 

• Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment (would repurchase) - I liked this little sample for zapping spots. It was a good morning treatment for use underneath makeup. It wasn't a miracle product, but I do think it helped speed the healing process along. 

• C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Ultra (would repurchase) - I absolutely love this lip product. It's tingly and cooling on the lips and I can feel it moisturizing and healing when I use it. It has a minty smell and it supposed to help freshen breath, too. I'll definitely get this again. 

• B&BW Wallflowers in Winter (would not repurchase) - As much as I hate using these because they're chock full of bad chemicals, I always seem to have one going in my house because they smell so dang good. Winter isn't my favorite scent and it's not very strong, it's kind of a fruity winter scent, so I won't buy it again. 

• Jason Powersmile toothpaste in Vanilla Peppermint (would repurchase) - I love Jason toothpastes because they're more natural and SLS and flouride-free. I really loved the vanilla peppermint flavor.

• Aveeno Nourish & Strengthen Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - I got one use out of these. It was nice, nothing overly special, but I'd try out the full size in the future. 

• Liquid Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - I liked these more than I expected to. My hair felt so soft and silky after using these. I have no clue where to purchase them, but if I saw them around, I'd pick them up.

• Elite Therapeutics Elite Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - Another good shampoo & conditioner. My hair felt soft and conditioned after using these. I wouldn't go out of my way to find them, but if they're reasonably priced, I'd buy them.

• Yves Rocher Quelques Notes d'Amour perfume (would repurchase) - This little sample smelled SO good. This is the one and only Yves Rocher perfume I've tried, and if they're all this good, I need to smell more! This is musky and slightly rosy - the best of both worlds!

• Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Soap (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed this soap. It has a soft honey scent and is moisturizing. I love that it had a honeycomb imprint on it. I'd definitely buy this again. 

• Lush Butterball Bath Bomb (would repurchase) - The Butterball bath bomb is one of my favorites from lush. It smells like vanilla and makes the bath extra moisturizing. I have another of these in my closet, but it won't be my last. I'll always repurchase this. 

• Yankee Candle Winterland candle (would repurchase) - Aside from the fact this candle burned like crap (see all those ridges?!), it smelled nice like sweet peppermint and I enjoyed it.

• Target Toasted Almond soy candle (would repurchase) - This smelled really good, just like you'd imagine toasted almonds to smell. I loved the chic maroon glass packaging. All around good candle.

• B&BW Cranberry Pear Bellini candle (would not repurchase) - I don't really care for this scent. It's not bad, but just not anything I need.

• Old Factory Candle in Roasted Chestnut (would repurchase) - I loved the smell of this. A full review can be found here. 

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Empties #11

My bag of empties is spilling over and you know what that means - it's time to dig through my trash! Why do I do these posts? Because if I've used something up, you can bet I have a solid opinion on the product and it's the easiest way to do a whole bunch of reviews quickly! Ready? Here we go...

L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Volume Conditioner - This was just OK. I really love the moisturizing version of this conditioner (in the yellow bottle) but this version didn't wow me. I didn't care for the smell either. Would I repurchase? No. 

Dove Dry Shampoo - This is a really good dry shampoo. It soaks up oil and allows me to skip a wash or two. I'm not crazy about the scent, but I can ignore it because it works so well. It's also cheap, which adds to my love for the product. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo - This shampoo is expensive. Granted, I found it on clearance when I bought it. But with that said, I wouldn't pay full price for it because I don't think it did anything miraculous to my hair. It compares to any drugstore shampoo I've used. If I saw it on sale again, I'd probably repurchase it, but I wouldn't spend full price. Would I repurchase? No.

B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Shower Gel - I purchased this last fall, and oh my GOSH it smelled so good. The scent was seriously amazing. Despite being formulated with shea, it's quite drying so you'll need to use a lotion after your shower if you have drys skin. I really hope this scent is re-released next fall because I will stock up! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Argania Spinosa Organic Argan Oil Special Treatment Masque - I found this hair mask at TJ Maxx about a year ago and HAD to have it because the scent is unreal. It's easily the best smelling hair mask ever and it will make your hair soft and silky. It's made my favorites before for good reason! I loved every minute of this, and sadly I can't find it anywhere to repurchase! I hope I find it again at TJ Maxx because it's great! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner - I keep seeing this stuff hyped in magazines, and honestly I'm not sure why. I used up this little sample size just for the heck of it, and I didn't feel like it did anything for my hair but make it smell good. I didn't notice my hair looking shinier or cleaner. It was just a novelty. Would I repurchase? No.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Night Cream - This was nice. It's a light moisturizer that didn't irritate my skin or break it out. I think this is a good option in the warmer months when you don't need intense hydration. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Cashmere Glow Body Lotion - I kept this little bottle of lotion on my night stand to use before bed because I'm not a fan of the smell (so I didn't want to use it in the daytime). I don't know why I bought this because I can't imagine I ever DID like the scent. The hydration level was just OK - I started adding argan oil or shea butter in with it since I like a heavier lotion at night. If you like the scent and don't like greasy lotions, this is for you! Would I repurchase? No.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation - Yep, another one of these. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Obviously.

Kiehl's Abyssine Lotion - Unfortunately, this has been discontinued. I mixed this with another moisturizer in the morning for sun and wrinkle protection. It was fine, but I'm not mourning that it's discontinued.

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil - I really  really liked this. It broke down my makeup well, even waterproof mascara! It has a nice citrus scent and this little bottle lasted me forever and a day. I think I'll be purchasing a full size in the future! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray - I really like the Urban Decay setting sprays.  They do an excellent job of keeping my makeup lasting for hours. De-slick was nice, but I guess I never really noticed if it actually controlled oil on my face. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Landeva Organics Rose Nourishing Toner - I did a full review of this toner sample here. It was nice! Would I repurchase? Yes.

OPI Avojuices in Winter Huckleberry and Vanilla Snowflake - Both of these scents were nice! Winter Huckleberry is subtle, but Vanilla Snowflake is VERY sweet and smells a bit artificial. These provide quick relief from dry hands but they don't penetrate deeply enough so by the next hand wash you'll have dry skin once again. I like them anyway, especially to have in my purse. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - I really enjoyed using this! It did transfer a bit under my bottom lashes which I hated, but it made my top lashes look full and voluminous. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Antibac in Brown Sugar & Carrots - This smells exactly like it sounds. It was a nice fall scent. I like to use antibacterial gel before doing my makeup so I'm not transferring anything yucky on my face or in my eyes. I typically use the B&BW versions because they have so many fun scents. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Removing Towelettes - I wasn't a big fan of these. They irritated my eyes which immediately turned me off. They were wet and got my makeup off, but I won't bother with them again. Would I repurchase? No.

Swisspers Cotton Rounds - I don't normally include these, but I've been experimenting with different options so I thought I'd throw 'em in. I got a huge pack of these at Costco since I like to use these to remove my eye makeup. These are nice. They have a textured side and a normal side, and I prefer to use the softer, normal side. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon - Unnghh, I LOVE Rose Jam. It smells simply amazing... a mix of rose, vanilla and lemon. I split this bubbleroon in two and it made both of my baths moisturizing, bubbly and heavenly scented! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - I loooove this concealer. It works wonders for concealing dark circles. It's reasonably priced but performs like a high end option. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette in Light - I've had this for ages, so long that they've actually changed the packaging. It's black now, if you want to look for it next time you're in Target. If you need some heavy duty concealer that's light and not cakey, this is the one. I only used the lightest color (which is still a bit too dark for me) but I absolutely love it. I only used this to conceal spots.... it'd be a bit too much for the undereyes methinks. I think the concealer is better in the quad than the ones you can buy individually... the formulation is different. Anyone else notice this? Would I repurchase? Yes.

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent - This is an amazing face powder. It costs under $5, but I think you could fool someone that it cost much much more. It's lightly milled and never makes me look cakey. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Givenchy Dahlia Noir perfume - Yuck yuck yuck yuck. I spritzed this on my wrist and regretted it instantly. This smells like an old lady. I would never in a million years buy this. Would I repurchase? No.

BCBGMAXAZRIA bon genre perfume - This perfume, on the other hand, smells absolutely amazing. It's fruity with a bit of spice. If I saw this on sale, I'd totally buy it. Crossing my fingers it shows up at TJ Maxx. Would I repurchase? Yes.

fresh Rose Face Mask - Well you know I loved the scent of this. And to make things even better, it has rose petal pieces in the actual mask. I think this is a really great product. It makes my skin feel balanced and soft. If it wasn't expensive and I didn't have a million face masks, I'd buy it. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW 'Tis the Season & Marshmallow Fireside candles - Can you read that it says Snowday 2013 on these two? I bought them last year.... and they sat around because I don't like to burn things out of season. (#candlehoarder) Of the two, Marshmallow Fireside was my favorite because I love "fireside" scents and I love "marshmallow" so duh. 'Tis the Season really does have a Christmasy scent, but it's not really my favorite. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Black Tie candle - This candle smells like a man's cologne. They bring this scent back around New Year's and it's really nice. I'm not in love with it, but if I got gifted it, I'd burn it. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

B&BW Holly Jolly Christmas candle - I absolutely loved this candle. It honestly smells like Christmas bottled up in candle form. It's sort of a pine-y fruity scent. My husband and I both really liked this one. I hope it gets brought back next year! Would I repurchase? Yes.



What did you use up this month? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Empties #10

Dig through my trash with me! Here's what I used up recently.

• Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner - I really loved this stuff. It smells like it was made by Aveda (which I love) and made my face feel really clean without stripping the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Simple Foaming Cleanser - This took me literally forever to go through... I'm talking like 6 months or more? It was a very very basic cleanser, but I think I realized when using this that I just don't love foam cleansers. It was fine, but I got bored by it quickly. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

• Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover - This is your basic eye makeup remover. It works really great for waterproof mascara and eyeliner and doesn't burn my eyes. Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have.

• blum Naturals Eye Makeup Remover - Can you tell this is still totally full? This is the worst eye makeup remover I've ever tried. I had to scrub the living daylights out of my eyes and it left me looking like a raccoon - not to mention it really burned! Not a fan, can't even bother getting through it. Would I repurchase? No.

• Michael Todd Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum - This serum is supposed to help reduce wrinkles and redness and improve the overall health of the skin. I didn't notice any drastic changes, but it was nice. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Triple Moisture Body Cream - Remember this? I loved the smell of this lotion and it did a great job at moisturizing my skin and sinking in without feeling greasy. The B&BW Triple Moisture Body Creams have such a great formula. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies - This is kind of a different empty to include, but I thought I'd throw it in. I really do think biotin helps keep my hair feeling healthy and growing faster and I definitely notice a difference in the strength of my nails. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Korres Body Butter in Basil Lemon - How about this.... remember this? I wasn't the biggest fan of the scent of this lotion, but it did an OK job moisturizing. I hadn't ever tried any body butters from Korres, and honestly, I wasn't in love. I wasn't a fan of the consistency and texture of this lotion - it was hard to rub in and felt like it just sat on top of my skin. Would I repurchase? No. 

• Organic Surge Body Cream in Sweet Blossom - This body cream was awesome! It's very lightly scented, it's lightly moisturizing and I love that it's organic. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Wallflowers in Winter Cabin - I'm not sure B&BW makes this scent anymore, do they? I don't like to use wallflowers as they're full of a bunch of chemicals that probably aren't good to breathe in, but I'm determined to use up the ones I have. This smells nice, kind of musky and fresh.

• LUSH Sikkim Girls Body Lotion - I didn't completely get through this before it went sour on me. This is a SUPER fragrant body lotion that's comprised of jasmine, vanilla, darjeeling tea, and cocoa butter. Honestly, I kind of think it smells old lady-ish (I bought it online without ever smelling it) but I also thought it smelled kind of dark and sexy? Idk. Would I repurchase? No.

• Tom's Whole Care Toothpaste in Cinnamon Clove - I don't like using a toothpaste that isn't minty. I never felt like my breath was fresh and my teeth were clean after using it, even if they were. Would I repurchase? No.

• epielle Aloe Vera Cleansing Tissues - I got these at Big Lots and I don't use them on my face, I only use them to wipe up swatches. They're fine and all, but I won't be able to buy them again as my local Big Lots is closing (wahhh!!!!) Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Clarisonic Deep Pore Brush Heads - I don't notice huge differences between the different varieties of Clarisonic brush heads, but these were just fine. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Covergirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara - I really like the Clump Crusher mascaras, both waterproof and regular versions. It does a good job of lengthening, separating and volumizing without clumping one bit. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation - My absolute favorite foundation. There's always one of these in my empties. See a full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Melvita Rose Floral Water - This is a beautifully scented facial mist that is so refreshing on the skin. I love all rose scented things, and this doesn't disappoint. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• LI'TYA Munthari Hand Hydrating Lotion - This is a sample size of a VERY expensive lotion. It's formulated with a plethora of different essential oils, so it smells so so so amazing. Unfortunately, I just don't think it hydrated my hands very well, so I'd never shell the money out for it. Would I repurchase? No.

• Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner - This eyeliner is ridiculously cheap, lasts a long time, and does the job. The pen isn't as thin as I'd prefer, but I liked using this. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner - This is one of my all-time favorite eyeliners. I tend to retire this for the winter months as my eyes are more prone to watering and this will leak at the first sign of watery eyes, but I do love it. Super cheap, and it's easily the blackest boldest eyeliner I've ever used. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair - This was a nice eye cream. I didn't have enough to really get a great feel for how well it works, but it was good for the short while I used it. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm - This is an all-purpose balm you can use on dry spots, lips, nipples (if you wish - it was created for nursing mothers originally, I believe) or whatever you need it for. I find it to be a bit too sticky. Would I repurchase? No.

• Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Perfume - I definitely don't need this in my perfume collection. It is so basic, and not unique in the slightest, but it does smell nice. Would I repurchase? No.

• Marvis Toothpaste in Classic Strong Mint - I love the packaging on this little sample. It made my mouth feel super clean and it tasted yummy. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Old Factory Candle in First Snow - This was really nice and super fresh. It kind of freaks me out that the paper got so hot it kind of burned/singed/whatever? Read more about this candle company here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• dw Home Candle in Warm Tobacco Pipe - I absolutely adored this candle. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Yankee Candle in Witches Brew - My all-time favorite scent by Yankee Candle. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Candle in Fresh Balsam - This is last year's packaging... yes.. it's been sitting in storage waiting for Christmas all year long. I didn't think I was big in to pine scents, but I started burning this and now I am OBSESSED with pine! This is so good. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Have you tried any of these products? What have you used up this month? Let me know!