June Empties | #38

Ai yi yi - I'm sure my apologizing over late posts is getting old, but dang my posting schedule is all over the place. I hope this empties post, chock full of mini reviews and purchase recommendations, helps make it up to you! Look for more posts coming soon. :)

• Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (would repurchase) - Setting sprays are one of those completely optional makeup items that you can choose to or choose not to use. I, however, find it to be an irreplaceable part of my makeup routine, and this is one of my absolute favorite sprays. It helps with longevity, and it takes away any powdery finish my skin may have and helps my skin look more natural. LOVE it and will continue to repurchase this. 

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - This stuff works like a charm to get even the trickiest waterproof eye makeup off. I'd normally opt for the off-brand Target eye makeup remover because it works just as well, but this was on sale.

• Reviva Labs Antioxidants Skin Smoothing Advanced Day Cream (would repurchase) - This is actually my husband's product, and he really likes it. This day cream is unfragranced, which is essential for him, doesn't feel greasy or break him out, and it has loads of good-for-you ingredients that keep skin healthy. 

• Maybelline Super Stay 10 Stain Gloss in Pink Plush (would repurchase) - I didn't use this stain up all the way, but it's OLD and time to say goodbye. I'm not even sure they make this formulation anymore?? Either way, I did like this, and I liked the color. It was an everyday shade and had good lasting power. 

• Covergirl Hydrofuge Waterproof Mascara (would not repurchase) - I didn't use this much because I didn't like it. It made my eyelashes clumpy and it flaked really bad on me. 

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer (would repurchase) - I've lost count of how many tubes of this I've gone through. I absolutely love it for underneath my eyes. It helps conceal my "I've hardly slept" look most days. 

• Benefit Gimme Brow (would repurchase) - I love this stuff for an easy way to give my eyebrows some definition. It has little fibers in it that also help brows look more full. Back in the day, this used to be one of the only things like it on the market, but now there are more affordable options you can pick up, but this will still remain a tried-and-true product for me. 

• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara (would repurchase) - I got so sick of mascara transferring below my lashes or flaking all over my face, and once I tried this I was hooked. I will forever keep purchasing this! It has a tiny wand making it easy to coat your bottom lashes. 

• Ole Henriksen Oil-Free Pore Refining cloths (would not repurchase) - These weren't anything special. They weren't damp enough for me, and maybe that's because it was just a travel size, but I wouldn't waste my money to confirm that theory. 

• Clinique Take the Day Off Wipes (would not repurchase) - These were some of the worst face wipes I've ever tried. They smelled like pure chemicals and I had to scrape at my face to get any makeup off. They'll burn your eyes if you try to take off your face makeup (which I don't think it would fully do). No no no, never again. 

• Swisspers Cotton Applicators (would repurchase) - There's no way I'd apply makeup with these, but they were good for cleaning up any makeup mess-ups.

• Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous foundation (would repurchase) - I liked this foundation. It reminded me of a less intense Stay Flawless, and in less shades. Unfortunately, the lightest shade was a tad too dark for my skin, so I primarily used this when I'd self-tanned. I'd still pick this up again though, as it was good for a medium-coverage, natural look for cheap.

• Coastal Scents Concealer in No.2 (would repurchase) - I love this potted concealer. It's super full coverage, so while it won't be ideal for under your eyes, it's great for spot-concealing. I've already purchased another on their website, and it costs just $1.95!

• Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye concealer (would repurchase) - This is a discontinued product and I have no idea why! It was an awesome concealer, formulated with Olay to moisturize the undereyes while concealing. I'd grab it if ever I saw it again!

• Clinique Superbalanced Silk Makeup (would not repurchase) - I wanted to like this so bad, but it would break up on my face and immediately make me look cakey within just a matter of hours. It settled in to my fine lines, and the color was too dark for my fair skin. 

• Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste (would not purchase) - This isn't anything special, but if I saw it for a good deal, I'd buy it, I suppose. It didn't make my teeth feel any less sensitive, and it really didn't make my mouth feel fresh. But I used it up when our full size toothpaste had SLS in it, which gives me canker sores, and this stuff is formulated without it.
• MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base (would not purchase) - I did not like this primer one bit. I actually think it was breaking my skin out. It didn't make my face look smoother, it didn't extend the wear time of my makeup... to be honest, I'm not sure what it did. 

• MAC Cleanse Off Oil (would purchase) - This wasn't my favorite cleansing oil that I've ever tried, but it did the trick to get my makeup off. I'd consider a full size in the future.

• Tokyomilk Tainted Love perfume (would purchase) - This smelled SO so good. It has notes of vanilla, sandalwood and orchid. I'd definitely consider buying a full size of this in the future. Sometimes I've found Tokyomilk at TJ Maxx so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.

• Gucci Flora perfume (would not purchase) - This has notes of citrus, sandalwood and rose, and while it smelled nice, it's nothing I absolutely need in my collection. 

• Batiste Dry Shampoo in Wild (would repurchase) - Batiste is my favorite dry shampoo, and Wild is my favorite scent. It soaks up oil on my scalp and makes me look like I wash my hair more than I do. 

• Matrix Total Results So Long Damage shampoo + conditioner (would repurchase) - I've done a full review of these here, so I won't go on for long, but I really enjoyed these. They make my hair feel so soft. 

• Beautyblender (would repurchase) - The beautyblender has replaced all other makeup applicators in my collection. I never touch my foundation brushes or other makeup sponges anymore because this thing is the best. It's pricier than others, but it's also the best I've ever tried. It doesn't soak up my foundation, it doesn't remove makeup once it's applied, and it creates a smooth, natural finish to my face. I'm obsessed. Pro tip: these go on sale on Costco.com and in stores for $10 off now and then!

• Farmacy Eye Dew total eye cream (would not purchase) - I'm glad I tried this before buying it, because as much as I love the Farmacy brand, I didn't love this eye cream. I need far more hydration on my undereye area than this provided. If you don't need anything intense, chances are you'll like this. 

• Ayres Hand Cream (would purchase) - I adored this sample! The lotion smells so nice, sort of a light patchouli scent that isn't overbearing in the slightest. It can be purchased at Target, but it's kind of expensive. I'd consider buying it when I use up some of my other hand creams. 

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - I don't use these as baby wipes, for that they are total trash. But I use them to wipe down my makeup desk, and wipe swatches off my hands and for that they are amazing. 

• Jason Healthy Mouth Mouthwash (would repurchase) - I really liked this mouthwash. The bottle doesn't look huge, but it's concentrated so you pour a half cap of wash and add in a half of water and swish away. It left my mouth feeling so clean without any bad ingredients!

• Burts Bees Fresh Cut Grass candle (would repurchase) - I liked this candle, but it seemed to burn rather quickly for a soy candle. Regardless, it smelled nice and fresh and had decent scent throw in my small bathroom. 

• B&BW Paris Lavender Macaron candle (would not repurchase) - This smelled great in the jar, with notes of floral blossoms and sweet cookie, but it didn't give much, if any, scent throw in my house. At least the jar was pretty to look at while it burned.

And that's a wrap! What did you use up this past month? Let me know! 

Top 10 of 2016 | Year in Review

Holy cow... where did the year go, you guys?! I know people are loving hating on 2016, but while there were definitely lows, there were a lot of good times, too and I'm not going to poo-poo the whole year. Experiencing lows makes you grateful for the highs, ya know? This year my husband and I went to Hawaii, our son was born, we spent quality time with family and friends, and adjusted to being new parents. It's been a wildly fun ride, and I'm looking forward to 2017 with high hopes.

I always like to cap off the year with my list of stand out products, highlighting the things that I came back to again and again. Not all the products are new, but they're the things I like the most during the year. Check out 2015 and 2014's lists here. 

In no particular order, here are my top 10 beauty products of 2016.


1. Yes to Coconuts Facial Souffle Moisturizer (full review)

This moisturizer was fantastic. I clearly am not the only one who thought so, because it's always sold out at my local Target. It's moisturizing without being greasy and oily, the ingredients are good, and it never broke me out. It has a light coconut fragrance that doesn't smell synthetic. It's affordable and you get a lot of product for the price. Worth checking out!

2. L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (See Favorites)

 This foundation worked its way up to my top 5 favorite foundations. When applied with a damp beautyblender, it gives full coverage that isn't cakey and it lasts all day long. I wear the lightest shade, Classic Ivory 101, but there are 12 total shades to choose from and they can be found at the drugstore. For under $15, this foundation is one you've got to try if you're a full coverage foundation kind of girl.

3. Covergirl In Full Bloom mascara (see Favorites) 

I did not expect to fall in love with this mascara. I bought it at Big Lots and tried it on a whim, and it was a grower. I realized one day how much I loved the way my lashes looked. They looked full like I was wearing fake lashes, but natural all at the same time. It's cheap and found at the drugstore, and it's really the perfect mascara for those who want drama OR those who want to keep it simple. It's a buildable formula, great for whatever your lash preference may be. 

4. Tarte Tarteist Clay Paint eyeliner (see Full Review)

I'm a bold, matte black eyeliner kind of girl. I don't mess around with natural browns, or funky colors.... I want it black and bold. That's it. I had a feeling that I would love the Tarteist eyeliner when it first came out, and I was right. It's everything I love in an eyeliner. It's easy to work with, dries down bold and matte, and it's super black. It's on the pricier end, but one tube will last you ages. 

5. Benefit Gimme Brow

I can't believe I haven't talked about this on my blog, save for an empties post. This is my go-to foolproof eyebrow product. It's quick, you just brush it on, and it adds volume (fibers) and tint to your lashes. It's faster than drawing them in with a liner, and it looks natural. It's a higher end, pricier product, but I will buy it again and again because it's that good.

6. Milani Brow Shaping Gel

This brow product has become a staple of mine on days when I use brow powder or liner. It's a clear gel that rivals the much beloved Anastasia brow gel. It doesn't make your brows crusty, it just holds them nicely in place. It's affordable and a quality product. 

7. Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon perfume (see Full Review)

Oh lordy lordy, you guys already know my love for all of the Elizabeth & James perfumes. When two new scents were launched this fall, I bought both immediately without ever laying my nose to them, and I regretted nothing. I love both scents, but Nirvana Bourbon I loved just a little bit more. It's smoky, musky, woodsy and sexy. A fabulous autumn evening scent. These perfumes are Sephora exclusives and are relatively affordable for quality, lasting fragrances.

8. beautyblender

The beautyblender totally changed my makeup game. It applies foundation like a dream, removing all cakeyness and blending effortlessly. There are no alternatives that work like the beautyblender, and I have no idea why. There's something unique about the beautyblender, it doesn't soak up all your foundation the way most other sponges do. It stays on the surface and blends it in to your skin. I never thought I'd spend $20 on a freakin' makeup sponge, but I've done it many a time now and I won't be without one. 

9. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation (see Full Review)

I really need to do an updated review of this, but this foundation has made every single yearly favorites. It's my go-to and it works like a charm on my skin. I have heard from others that if you have dry skin, this isn't for you, but I have pretty normal, combo skin that loves this stuff. It has full coverage without looking like I'm wearing tons of foundation. It lasts all day and doesn't rub off when I touch my skin. It costs under $10 and is easily found at any drugstore. I absolutely love it. 

10. LaVanila The Healthy Deodorant

I don't use anti-perspirants. I've gone the natural deodorant route, and I've tried so many in the quest to find one that works for me. After much trial, I'm completely decided that LaVanila is the one for me. Every scent I've tried, I loved. Now - be warned - what works for me may not be the miracle for you; natural deodorants are very subjective and what works varies widely from person to person. LaVanila isn't the cheapest natural deodorant, but I often buy them around the holidays when value sets are sold and I get enough to last the year. If you're in the market for a natural deodorant, I'd recommend trying LaVanila.


Cheers to 2017 and I wish you all a very happy 2017!

September Empties | #30

About half way through September, I was thinking my empties post was going to be pretty meager. And then all of a sudden I started using a million things up. Feels good to work through my stash, as I'm really making a concerted effort to use up the stuff in my backstock without buying things, and I've been on a recent mission to use up all the dang samples I have - you'll notice that when you see what I've gone through. Let's get to it...

• Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream (would not repurchase) - As you can tell, this isn't even used up, but it did go bad and smells weird so it's time to part ways. This was more of a tinted moisturizer than a CC cream in my book. It didn't do much to even out my skin and it made my skin feel greasy. I wouldn't bother with it again.

• Gotz Bad Ischl Oxygen Facial Tonic (would repurchase) - This wasn't bad, wasn't great. Had a weird smell that reminded me of feet or something... but it still wasn't a horrible product. Full review here. 

• Neogen Code9 Gold Cacao Cream (would repurchase) - This was a really nice moisturizer that I got in a Memebox ages ago. It is especially good for those with dry skin. I used it at night since it's so hydrating. It does have a gold shimmer in it, so it could look nice under makeup, too. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - These are always in my empties. I use them to remove eye makeup and apply toner. They're great, and I continue to repurchase them.

• Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (would repurchase) - I loved the smell of these, a yummy orange scent, but they weren't wet enough for removing my makeup. I wouldn't shell out money for a full size of these.

• Dr. Bronner's Peppermint All-One Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I love the Dr. Bronner's brand, but this was a miss for me. It didn't leave my mouth feeling fresh and clean, it sort of felt like it just dissolved away in my mouth. 

• Himalaya Herbal Healthcare Exfoliating Walnut & Wood Apple Face Scrub (would repurchase) - I love this scrub so much that it made my August favorites. It reminds of the St. Ives scrub but it's a tad more gentle and not as many weird ingredients.
• Origins Checks & Balances Frothy Face Wash (would not repurchase) - It's safe to say I hated this. It was a free gift with purchase so I used it up, but it wasn't good. It burned the CRAP out of my eyes if I got it anywhere near them and it just didn't do anything for my skin. It's so not worth the money.

• Covergirl The Super Sizer Fibers (would repurchase) - This was really good! It separated my lashes and lengthened them without being clumpy in the least. It's not your average gross, clumpy fiber mascara. Full review here. 

• e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder (would not repurchase) - This is super old and I didn't enjoy using it. It has glitter in it, which is really weird. I think that's supposed to be brightening or something, but it just looks like glitter. No thank you.

• Benefit Gimme Brow (would repurchase) - I got this as a point perk from Sephora and fell in love! There are little fibers in this that give you just enough tint and definition, assuming you don't have super sparse brows. If you don't have much brow hair, this probably isn't for you.

• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (would not repurchase) - This is a cult shade of lipstick that unfortunately just didn't look good on me. It's hydrating and perfect for any occasion, but it isn't my thing.

• Yu-Be Lip Balm (would not repurchase) - I didn't care for this lip balm. It felt nice on, but it had that camphor taste and truth be told, this was actually pretty old and needed to go which is probably why I didn't care for it anymore. Full review here. 

• NYX The Curve eyeliner (would repurchase) - This is a felt tip liner that made drawing a skinny, precise wing nice and easy. It takes a bit to find this shape comfortable for application, but once you get the hang of it, it's quite nice. 

• The Body Shop Satsuma Body Sorbet (would not repurchase) - This was a really weird body moisturizer. It had a creamy gel texture and provided very light hydration. It smelled great but just wasn't my favorite.

• Lush Beautiful Shower Gel (would repurchase) - I like Lush shower gels. They foam up nice and even these little sizes last me a long time. Beautiful wasn't the best scent, but it wasn't bad.

• Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (would purchase) - Obviously it's hard to say if this did anything for my skin with just a small sample, but I definitely enjoyed using this. It smelled amazing and I'd be curious to see what long term use does for me.

• Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (would purchase) - I really liked the feel of this serum. It was moisturizing and I liked how it felt on my skin. I think I will get a full size of this in the future. 

• Paula's Choice Hydralight Moisturizer (would purchase) - This wasn't amazing, but wasn't bad. It did the job and it doesn't have bad ingredients, so I'd consider getting a full size.

• Murad Clarifying Wipes (would purchase) - I reallllly liked this wipe. It was kind of minty on my skin and it was so refreshing. If I saw these for a good deal, I would totally get more.

• Arbonne Sheer Glow Highlighter (would purchase) - This is a liquid highlighter that adds a gorgeous natural glow to the skin. It looked good in low light and looked natural and gorgeous in sunlight. Worth picking up if you're looking for a highlight that isn't too shimmery. 

• Miss Jessie's Creme de la Creme (would purchase) - I really liked the smell of this. It wasn't quite a deep conditioner, but it did a good job of keeping my hair from being tangly.

• Proganix Soy Protein + Caffeine Conditioner (would repurchase) - This doesn't have the best smell, but it made my hair feel nice and when I used a blowdryer it did give me volume. Full review here. 

• Suave Strengthening Light Leave-In Cream (would repurchase) - This was a really nice leave-in conditioner. It smelled great and really did soften my hair. It's cheap, too! 

• Jo Malone Wild Bluebell perfume (would not purchase) - I really enjoy Jo Malone perfumes, and Wild Bluebell was nice, but it's not something unique enough that I need to own, and it doesn't particularly smell great with my body chemistry. 

• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (would not purchase) - I don't quite understand the hype around this stuff. If you watch beauty videos or read blogs, you've surely run in to people RAVING about this stuff, but it just didn't do anything fancy for me. Plus, it had a weird smell like orange Emergen-C which I did not enjoy. 

• Fresh Rose Face Mask (would repurchase) - This little sample was enjoyable. It made my skin feel clean and refreshed, it smelled nice like roses, but it's ridiculously expensive so I probably wouldn't shell out the cash to get it because I'm cheap. 

• The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter (would repurchase) - This was a great cleansing butter. You smooth it on dry skin and it turns in to an oil and removes all traces of makeup. This also lasted me quite a long time, so it's definitely worth the price. 

• Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (would not repurchase) -  I got 4 or 5 uses out of this, and enjoyed it all but my last use. The last time I used it, it was a bit drier and my skin reacted badly to it. It got all red and felt burnt. For that reason, I wouldn't buy it again.

• Woodwick Seaside Mimosa wax melts (would repurchase) - Oh my gosh, these smelled heavenly. Grapes and citrus, a true summer scent. I loved these. 

• B&BW Malibu Smash candle (would not repurchase) - This is hella old... like years old. I found it in my closet and burned it up. It was a pretty boring scent, a typical B&BW summer fragrance. The scent is comprised of citrus, blackberries, bourbon, brown sugar and mint. It smelled mostly fruity. 

What did you use up recently? Let me know! 

Covergirl The Super Sizer Fibers Mascara

Of all the endless releases of new drugstore mascaras, there's one newer mascara that has stuck out in my mind as one of  the best. I've talked about it in the past, and that's the Covergirl Super Sizer mascara. If you loved that one as much as I did, it's time to get excited because there's a new version of the formulation called Super Sizer Fibers and it's worth your attention! 

Upon first glance of the brush you'll probably think that it looks too sparse to really do anything to your lashes, but believe me when I say this little plastic brush with tiny nub applicators has got it going on. The bristles start short on bottom and get longer towards the top making it easy to apply mascara to every nook and cranny of your lashes. Despite how short the bristles are, they are still able to carry a ton of product and I can typically get the look I'm going for with only one dip in the bottle per eye.

This brush head is nearly identical to the original Super Sizer mascara, the only real difference between the two  products is that this formula has fibers in it to give added volume and the appearance that you're wearing "falsies". 

The Covergirl website boasts that this mascara will give you 400% added volume, which is probably a bit ridiculous, but I can say my lashes look full, super long and voluminous. 400% more than normal? Probably not, but they do look dang good!

I should also note, typically the idea of fibers gives me the willies. I immediately envision spidery, gross, thick and clumpy lashes, but that is not the case with this. I am able to apply multiple layers without clumping or spidery-ness. Other positives - I didn't experience any transferring or flaking.

I'd highly recommend this mascara. I don't have  much of a preference between the original Super Sizer mascara vs. the Fibers version, both I think are really great and will make your lashes look long and amazing. Another plus is that it'll only set you back about $7.50, which you just can't beat for such a high quality formulation. Find it at your local drugstore or Ulta.

March Favorites!

It's been too long since I've done a favorites post, but recently there have been a few stand out items that I couldn't wait any longer to tell you about. I keep grabbing for these fabulous products, and I'm thinking you might want to pick them up, too...

While on vacation in Hawaii, I reached for the Vita Liberata Self Tanning Gradual Lotion. Even on a tropical vacation, you'll find me underneath an umbrella because me and the sun just don't get along. I was able to fake a teensy bit of color by using this lotion. I applied it every other night for a week and had a nice subtle glow that wasn't orange or streaky. I am very fair skinned and this lotion gave me the perfect amount of color that was still natural. I absolutely love that this lotion is made with organic botanicals and has clean ingredients, AND it has the such a minimal self tanner smell. Loooove.

The rest of my favorites are all for the face. I've really enjoyed wearing L'Oreal's Infallible Pro-Matte foundation. I like this best when applied with a damp beauty blender. It lasts all day long and provides a matte full coverage. I especially like that the lightest color actually suits my skin tone. If you're pale like me, you know the struggle of finding a foundation that is light enough! 

On my cheeks, I've been coming back to an oldie but goodie over and over this month - Wet n Wild's Pearlescent Pink. These Wet n Wild blushes are under $5 and they pack a serious punch in the pigment department. This color in particular is a perfect pink with subtle golden shimmer. You only need to dab your blush brush once or twice in to it and you have more than enough to give your cheeks a healthy glow. 

Lastly, the Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara has been my go-to this month. At first, I didn't think it was love, but one day I looked in the mirror and realized how truly full and voluminous my lashes looked and it was all roses from there on out. This drugstore mascara isn't going to give you crazy length, but if you're in need of volume and fullness, I would highly recommend picking up a tube! 


What were your favorites this month? I'd love to know! 

On Wednesdays we wear pink.... | #glossierpink

Who can resist a Mean Girls quote?! Certainly not me... love that movie. As one of Pantone's colors of the year is Rose Quartz, a baby pink. And if you haven't heard of Glossier before, you should also check out some of their great beauty products all about enhancing our natural beauty.

This look is simple and perfect for every day wear. If you don't have a certain product that I used, don't worry - look through your own makeup stash and find something close. You'll look glamorous no matter what product you use!

Face: For a smooth base, I started off by applying Tarte's Clean Slate Poreless primer on areas that have more visible pores than others (namely my nose, inner cheeks and between my eyebrows and just a tad above). I then used my beloved Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation, obviously, applied with a damp beautyblender (a pink one, fittingly!). I dabbed on some Maybelline Fit Me concealer under my eyes to hide my dark circles (do you even know how many times this pregnant lady gets up to pee in the night?! ugh...) To set everything, I used the Maybelline Fit Me powder all over. On my cheeks, I used NYC Smooth Skin bronzer to contour under my cheekbones and a bit on my temples, and then popped on some BH Cosmetics Lilac blush (the perfect pink blush!) and used the included highlighter on top of my cheekbones for added radiance. It's actually a realllly nice highlighter! The BH Cosmetics blush/highlight duos are super cheap, totally check them out if you're in the market for a great new blush.

Eyes: The eyes are where the fun starts! I primed them with the Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer. I created another sticky base by using the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Oyster thinly over my lids. This is a pretty shimmering pink/purple that works great for a base. For the entire eye look, I used the Naked 3 palette, full of gorgeous pink shades. I defined my crease with the shade Limit (a warm matte brown), and then used Buzz all over my lid (a shimmery rose pink). To tone down the mega pink and add a bit of sparkle, I combined Dust and Trick and tapped that in the middle of my lid. I lined my eyes with the Covergirl Intensify Me! eyeliner pen, and finished it off with Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara, a recent fave. No look is complete without some eyebrows, mine are a combo of the Jordana Fabubrow in Taupe (I think!), Tarte Amazonian Clay Volumizing Brow Powder in Medium Brown, and Maybelline Clear Mascara for setting gel. 

Lips: I kept the lips simple, but you could totally play it up more if you want! I used NYX Butter Lip Balm in Parfait which is a great pop of pink that doesn't look like you're trying too hard. Great for class or work. 


What are your go-to pink products? I'd love to know - I'm a bit of a pinkaholic, myself! Also, if you create any look similar to this, be sure to send me your photos!

Top 10 of 2015 | Year in Review

What a year 2015 was. Reflecting on the year leaves me with a fuzzy, happy feeling - it really was a good year. There were some tough parts and sad days, but the good certainly outweighed the bad. My husband and I took trips to the Dominican Republic and Denver, we saw some of our best family and friends get married, I was promoted at my job, and we found out that 2016 will bring big changes to our little family of 3 (me, hubs and pup) -- we'll become a family of 4 when our baby arrives this summer! 

It's been a whirl, and I've enjoyed it all. I've had so much fun writing for Glazed Over, sharing new and unique products with you. I can only hope that 2016 brings much of the same excitement, and new baby will let me indulge this fun hobby still! 

Looking back on all the fun and adventures 2015 held also leads me to thinking about the products that hit it out of the park. I have for you - Glazed Over's top 10 products of 2015! Shall we get right to it?

In no particular order...

1. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop (full review)

Chances are you couldn't look left without seeing or hearing someone talk about Champagne Pop. The hype is so real with this highlighter - it really does add the most gorgeous illumination to the face, and the color would easily suit any skin tone. It's a bit pricey (if you're a drugstore price kind of gal, like me) but it is 100% worth every penny. Your cheekbones will never look so good as when they're brushed with a hint of Champagne Pop. 

2. NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder

This drugstore powder costs under $5, and has wormed it's way in to my heart. It's so finely milled and will set foundation, never looking even an ounce cakey or dry. It's magical and for the price, you can purchase it again and again without feeling any buyers remorse. 

3. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation (full review)

I never stop raving about this foundation. It's my ultimate holy grail foundation for a number of reasons. It's full coverage, it lasts all day without breaking down, and it will make your skin look flawless no matter what you use to apply it. It's made my year end lists in 2014 and 2013, and chances are it will make the list in 2016, too! 

4. MAC Fix+

I've known about this product, and even used it, for many years, however I never did own my own bottle until 2015. I don't know why it took me so long. I love this for spritzing my face after applying powder. It makes my skin look more natural and it holds my makeup on for the day. It's also excellent for spritzing on to your brushes before applying a messy loose shadow! It's multi-purpose, smells amazing, and works - all reasons why I'll continue to keep this in my stash for a long time to come. 

5. Coastal Scents Concealer Pots

No concealer was used more in 2015 than my Coastal Scents Hot Pot concealers. If you like the Sonia Kashuk concealer for it's mega-coverage for blemishes or discoloration but you're too white for even the lightest shades - these are your answer. There are 10 different shades to choose from, and the two I've tried are extremely full coverage and will hide any blemishes you may have. Pregnancy has thrown my skin for a loop, and I've relied on these babies to hide my imperfections. I wouldn't recommend trying these under your eyes, though - they're far too thick for such a thing.

6. Covergirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner (full review)

When I first tried this eyeliner pen, I liked it but I wasn't in love with it. The shape of the tip had a slight learning curve, and I just wasn't convinced it would be a favorite. Towards the end of the year, I started picking it up more and I fell in love with it. The color is a dark dark matte black, my favorite, and once you get the hang of it, it's easy to create your perfect eyeliner look. 

7. Covergirl The Super Sizer Mascara (full review)

Unlike the liner above, this mascara was an instant favorite. The brush is thin and easy to maneuver around the lashes. It has everything I want in a mascara - it lengthens, adds volume, and separates my lashes instead of clumping. If you were a fan of the Lashblast Volume mascara, I'm betting you'll enjoy this newer addition to the Covergirl Lashblast mascara line. 

8. Balenciaga Rosabotanica Eau de Parfum 

Hands down, no other perfume was coveted more by me in 2015 than Rosabotanica, and I finally made it mine last year. It's not for everyone, but I could bathe in it... it's a scent that could convince me to throw out all my other perfumes and never look back. It smells fresh with notes of roses and fig leaves. It's certainly more of a spring/summer scent, but I'm a rebel and have worn it all year long. It's on the higher end of the price spectrum for perfumes, but if you're a rose fan, it's worth every penny.  (added bonus: the ridiculously gorgeous packaging)

9. Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet (full review)

Was 2015 the year of cleansing balms or what? It was the first time I'd ever tried them, and I ended up loving the Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet to get all of my makeup off. Ever so gently, massaged on to dry skin, it breaks down foundation, eye makeup and anything else you may have applied to your face. It never broke me out and it lasted me ages. 

10. Rituals Shower Oil (haul)

It's not that this Shanti Shower Oil is my favorite scent, by any means (it's not), but this stuff has become my ultimate shaving "cream". When I shave my legs with most shaving creams, I spend the rest of my shower with itchy, dry legs. This stuff is pure magic, though. It's hydrating and doesn't leave me itchy and dying to finish my shower so I can run to a bottle of lotion. Amazing stuff! 

I can't wait to see what amazing products 2016 has up it's sleeves, the trends and fads and the things that will become holy grails. I'd also love to hear what your favorites of 2015 were - leave me a comment with your faves! 

Cheers to 2016! 

September Empties

Wow, I don't know where the month of September went, but here we are again - empties time! It felt like I ran out of everything all at once, and it shocked me how much I'd gone through in just a month's time. Check out what I used up, and find out what items are worth a repurchase!

• GK Hair Hair Taming System Leave-In Spray (would not repurchase) - I got this ages ago in an Allure Beauty Box, and finally pulled it out of my backup stash to use up. This was a really light weight leave-in spray that wasn't anything special. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, and I wouldn't bother getting it again. 

• Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo (would repurchase) - Nothing much to say about this shampoo. It was nice and worked well, it wasn't overly moisturizing, but it was fine.

• Organic Surge Pure & Clean Face Wash (would repurchase) - This was a gentle basic cleanser that has great ingredients. It smells like lemons and does a nice job of cleansing without stripping skin of it's natural moisture.

• Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub (would repurchase) - This is a nice scrub. I did a whole review of this product here. 

• Pure Organic Facial Elixir (would repurchase) - This was a nice toner, but it's kind of spendy. Full review here. 

• Skin Daily Rose Water (would repurchase) - Full review here. 

• Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel (would repurchase) - This was a limited edition shower gel around the holidays last year and I loved every last drop of this stuff. If you love the amazing Rose Jam scent (rose, vanilla and lemon), you'd be in love with the shower gel too! 

• Lumene Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - I liked this eye makeup remover. It did work to get all my eye makeup off and didn't leave anything behind. It wasn't my favorite, but I'd buy it again. 

• Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation (would repurchase) - You already know.... my favorite foundation ever. See full review here.

• Flower Extreme Measures Mascara (would not repurchase) - This was just an OK mascara. The brush was bigger than I liked, so it would get all over my eyes when applying. It didn't do anything spectacular for my lashes.

• Shiseido Facial Cotton (would repurchase) - I never understood the hype about fancy cotton pads until trying these. I love these cotton pads, and when the Sephora VIB sale rolls around, I'm going to stock up on these again. 

• Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes (would repurchase) - I got this sample in a Walmart Beauty Box, and I enjoyed using them. They did a great job of getting all my makeup off, they didn't irritate my eyes, and they were plenty wet. 

• Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - This is the worst toothpaste ever. It doesn't foam up at all, it doesn't freshen breath, it does literally nothing. I prefer natural toothpaste anyway, but suffered through this because it came in a pack of toothbrushes I bought.

• Sensodyne Fresh Impact toothpaste (would repurchase) - We have a zillion samples of this toothpaste because it was handed out at our state fair. It's nice, I like it. What more is there to say?

• Carmex Lip Balm (would repurchase) - I love Carmex. I used this before bed and my lips were smooth and soft when I woke up.

• Miyu Hydrate Mi Beauty Essence (would repurchase) - I used this as a setting spray, and I enjoyed it. It smells faintly of roses and gave my makeup a natural finish. Read full review here.

• Tom's Naturally Dry Antiperspirant Deodorant in Natural Powder (would repurchase) - I haven't liked other Tom's deodorants I've tried, but this was really awesome. It kept me dry and smelled nice. Be warned though, it does have aluminum in it, so technically it's not as natural as they claim. 

• Juicy Couture Couture La La perfume (would not repurchase) - A fruitier version of the famed Viva La Juicy, this perfume is nice. I'm so sick of all the Juicy Couture perfumes, but I did enjoy this little sample. 

And that's it! What did you use up this month? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!