August Empties (#17)

Another month, another batch of empties. I like empties posts because things that may not make the blog get their 2 seconds here, and heck -- once you've used a whole product up, you've got a pretty good idea about whether it's worth another purchase or not. 

Let's dig in....

• Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Binding Daily Conditioner (would not repurchase) - This conditioner had a really weird consistency, almost like lotion. It was super thick, and didn't do a whole lot for my hair.

• Nubian Heritage Honey & Black Seed Heat Protect Keratin Spray (would repurchase) - I really loved the smell of this, but this bottle got old on me and the smell just wasn't right so it had to go.

• Macadamia Healing Oil Spray (would repurchase) - I love everything in the Macadamia line. This spray made my best in beauty in 2013 and for good reason. This brand is super hyped in the beauty world, and I can assure you, the hype is totally worth it because their stuff is amazing. It smells so good and makes my hair silky smooth.

• Fekkai Blowout Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - When I first reviewed this dry shampoo, I absolutely loved this stuff. I feel like my scalp has changed, and when I went to finish this off, it just didn't control oil in my hair like it used to.

• Urban Decay All Nighter XL Makeup Setting Spray (would repurchase) - It took me ages to use up this setting spray, as you can tell by the outdated packaging! I like this stuff. It's expensive, but I'd buy it again.

• Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Prep Spray (would not repurchase) - I'm not sure this prep spray did anything for my skin. I wouldn't buy this.

• Covergirl Super Sizer Mascara (would repurchase) - I love this stuff. I did a full review here. 

• Anastasia Clear Brow Gel (would repurchase) - This brow gel was fabulous. I got it on sale during one of Ulta's beauty steal sales, and I'd definitely get it again on sale because it ain't cheap.

• Essence Liquid Eyeliner (would repurchase) - I purchased this on a whim, and it became an instant favorite. I love this stuff, and it costs under $5! 

• Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara (would not repurchase) - I wasn't overly impressed by this mascara. The wand was really big and it didn't do a whole lot for me. It retails for $24, which is a crazy price for a mascara.

• Jergens BB Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - This lotion is supposed to make your skin look flawless, and honestly, I didn't notice a thing. I also didn't like the smell because it reminds me of the Jergens tanning lotion. Not a fan.

• Caudalie Purifying Mask (would not repurchase) - This was an OK mask, but it didn't do anything radical for my skin. It was still nice to use though. 

• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser (would not repurchase) - If you're sensitive to fragrance, stay far away from this face wash. It is quite heavily fragranced but the smell is pleasant and fresh. It's a very basic, gentle cleanser, that didn't strip my skin or break me out, but I prefer a less fragranced, more natural cleanser on a day to day basis.

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin (would not repurchase) - I know everyone loves the UD Primer Potion, but it just doesn't keep my shadows from creasing. I have oily eyelids, which is part of it, but I've found eye primers that work far better than this.

• Versace Bright Crystal Perfume (would not repurchase) - This floral citrus-y scent is so not for me. I couldn't even get through this sample size vial. 

• Agave Healing Oil Treatment (would repurchase) - I looooved this sample of agave oil, something I've wanted to try out forever. I actually just purchased a full size bottle and I can't wait to keep using it. It smells great and it will make your hair so soft.

• OPI Avojuice in Cran & Berry (would not repurchase) - I really like the OPI Avojuices, they're lightweight and make my skin soft, but I wasn't crazy about this scent. 

• CO Bigelow Raspberry Mentha Lip Shine (would repurchase) - I love the CO Bigelow lip shines. They have peppermint oil in them so they're pleasantly cooling, and they always soothe my dry or chapped lips. 

• Blistex Five Star Lip Protection (would repurchase) - I really love the smell of this chapstick. It hydrates my lips and it's super cheap. 

• Sierra Bees chapstick in Pomegranate (would repurchase) - Sierra Bees lippies are available exclusively on iHerb.com. They're really cheap and they are lovely to use, plus they're all natural and organic! Highly recommend. 

• Equate Beauty Applicator Sponges (would repurchase) - Call me crazy, but makeup sponges are my favorite way to apply my foundation. 

• Pikake Facial Mask (would repurchase) - I got this for fun at a Daiso in California, without much expectation. Turns out, it was really nice. It felt cooling on my skin, and didn't break me out. However, if you're sensitive to fragrance, keep away from this face mask as it's quite scented.

• Vitacost Biotin Raspberry Quick Dots (would repurchase) - I take biotin for stronger, healthier hair, nails and skin. I like these easy to take chewables that don't taste disgusting. (Get $10 FREE to Vitacost at this link - one of my all time favorite websites)

• Jason Powersmile Powerful Peppermint Toothpaste (would repurchase) - This is my favorite all natural toothpaste. I come back to it again and again, and I'll definitely buy it in the future. 

• Listerine Woven Mint Floss (would repurchase) - The woven, rope-like floss is my absolute favorite. It gets in between my teeth to get any gunk out. I already have another in my bathroom.

• Bella Organics Vanilla Mint Deodorant (would repurchase) - I liked this all natural deodorant. For a full review, click here. 

• Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant in Pomegranate (would not repurchase) - When I first started using this, I was in love. It kept me dry and it smells amazing, but towards the end of the bottle, it started to make my pits smell bad and it didn't control sweat at all. Plus, spray deodorants like this are a little fussy.

• Yankee Candle in Queen Anne's Lace (would not repurchase) - This floral, spring scent was pleasant when smelled directly in the jar, but it had little to no scent throw, sadly.

• TokyoMilk Candle in Cherry Bomb (would repurchase) - This candle says it has notes of vetiver, wild rose, osmanthus, and chocolate. It smelled really warm and I could definitely pick up on the vetiver. I loved it!

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

January Favorites

I used a lot of new (to me) products in January. Not all of them are worthy of chatting about, but some of them are worth more than just chatting about -  they're worthy of a favorites post. Here's what I loved in January.

• eva nyc Freshen Up Dry Shampoo - This stuff smells amazing and it does a really good job of soaking up excess oil. This allows me to go 2 days between washes. I can't even stress how good this stuff smells. 

• Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bachelorette - This lipstick is seriously pigmented and has crazy staying power. It goes on like a gloss and then dries to a beautiful matte pinkish-red shade. I wore it ALL DAY and I reapplied only once. I tend to lick my lips a lot when I wear these long-lasting lipsticks, so my lips did get a bit dry from it, but it was totally worth it.

• Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil - This is intended for use on dry patches of the face, but I have been using it mixed in with my hand lotion at night for extra hydration. A little bit goes a long way I wake up with soft hands thanks to this extra little boost.

• Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - To get rid of zits faster, this drying lotion is where it's at. You take just a dab of it and keep it on any problem area overnight and your spots will dry up a bit quicker than normal.

• CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Ultra - This clear gloss is super minty and tingly, and tastes good - it actually claims to freshen breath. It soothes sore, chapped lips and I will forever keep some version of this in my stash.

What did you love in the month of January? Let me know!

Winter Lip Care

As I started to write this blog post on Thursday, there was a blizzard brewing outside my door. The image above is the street I live on, covered in snow! 4 days after said blizzard, it still looks pretty similar. I was happily typing up a blog to post on Friday, and right as I started my power went out, and stayed out for 12 hours! But finally, after hours without power, multiple shovelings of my driveway, and white-knuckled driving in this mess, I bring you a new blog post.

As I've made all too clear, winter is very much still a reality in my neck of the woods. If I'm lucky, it might warm up as early as mid-March, but that's hopeful. So for now, I'm still using a regimen of products to keep my lips hydrated and nourished as they're very prone to chapping in the winter. Here's what I use.

Lush Lip Scrub in Mint Julips - A good lip exfoliator is key. I use Lush's Mint Julips, a sugar-based scrub that tastes deliciously like mint! I take a bit of this on my fingers and scrub it all over my lips to remove dead skin. You can lick this stuff off, and wa-lah! Smooth lips! 

EOS Lip Balm - After exfoliating, I go in with a lip balm. This particular flavor is "Fresh Watermelon" from the limited edition EOS 4-pack that was put out this summer. Any flavor will do! Smother this all over the lips for a nice burst of hydration.

Lypsyl Lip Balm - I tried this on a whim, and was majorly surprised by how amazing this lip balm is. It's made of beeswax, coconut oil and organic shea butter, among other ingredients. It lasts a good while on the lips and erases any hint of chapping. I seriously love this stuff!

Rose Salve - This smells faintly like rose, and is mega-hydrating. This has been in my lip care regimen for years, and for good reason. It keeps my lips smooth and soft and I love that I can smear the remaining product left on my fingers on any dry spots I have. 


These products have all been in rotation throughout this winter, and they've been working wonders on my lips. I'd love to know what products you use to keep your lips happy during the dry winter months! Let me know in the comments below.