Empties | #41

I thought I'd just recently done an empties post, but I peeked in my bin to throw something out, and lo and behold it was plum full and it's been a month! Somehow it filled up rather quickly, and it's that time once again. Without further ado... my empties for you, with mini reviews and purchase recommendations for your reading pleasure.

• Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream (would repurchase) - I used this extra-potent moisturizing cream on my hands at night because it is rather thick and greasy. It always made my hands feel brand new, especially during the cold and dry winter months. See full review here.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation (would repurchase) - I've talked this to death. It's my holy grail foundation and I've never found anything quite like it. I've always got a bottle or two on back up for when I run out. This is probably my 20th bottle, and it won't be my last. 

• LaVanila Vanilla Passion Fruit deodorant (would repurchase) - LaVanila is my favorite natural deodorant brand. I enjoyed the scent of this and would certainly get it again. 

• Korres Hand Cream in Bergamot Pear - This was a nice hand cream. It smelled fruity and moisturized nicely. 

• Ken Paves Volumizing Shampoo (would purchase) - I really enjoyed this sample. It felt luxurious, and was reminiscent of Aveda shampoo and conditioners that I've used in the past. I'd definitely get this in the future.

• Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate (would not purchase) - I wasn't a big fan of this face oil. It sat on top of my face and didn't do a lot.

• Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream (would purchase) - This was a nice, basic moisturizer. It felt good on my skin, didn't have much of a smell, and didn't break me out. I believe this is ridiculously expensive, but I'd consider it in the future.

• Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam (would repurchase) - This is one foamy cleanser. It foams up like crazy but it left my skin feeling clean and refreshed. 

• Nubian Heritage Abyssinian Oil & Chia Seed Body Cleansing Smoothie (would repurchase) - This was great. It doesn't foam up, it feels more like a light lotion. It smells amazing and it lingers. It's not super hydrating, but I could skip lotion and my skin wouldn't be completely desert-like. I haven't seen these around, but I picked this up at TJ Maxx and I'd definitely pick up more if I saw them again.

• Suave Smoothing lotion (would not repurchase) - The only good thing about this is the nice, light smell. It wasn't very hydrating and felt like it just sat on top of my skin.

• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara (would not repurchase) - I know these samples are pretty inconsistent, unfortunately, and this one was awful. It was so dry and flaky I could hardly use it. I used it a couple times and then threw it away.

• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (would not repurchase) - I'm one of the few people who is not gaga for the Kat Von D tattoo liners. This is a brush-tip liner that dries to a satin finish. It's not that it's bad, I just think there are better liners for cheaper.

• Milani Clear Brow Shaping Gel (would repurchase) - I've purchased this brow gel time and time again. This particular gel is clear so it's perfect if you just need to control the brows you have, or want to lock your brow powder in place. 

• Clinique Bottom Lash mascara (would repurchase) - I'd totally get it if you told me I was crazy for buying a mascara solely for my bottom lashes, but I SWEAR by this stuff. It won't flake all over your face, and the small brush makes it easy to apply without smudging it everywhere. This is a new holy grail product of mine.

• Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed this mascara. It gave me volume and length and didn't flake all over my face.

• Hask Charcoal Purifying Shampoo (would repurchase) - I really like Hask shampoos and conditioners. They've sent me a variety of different ones to try, and this Charcoal line is one of my favorites, mostly because it smells heavenly. Full review here.

• Brandless Mouthwash (would not repurchase) - Brandless is a super cool website where everything is $3 because they aren't making you pay for the brand. I tried a variety of kitchen products and I also grabbed the mouthwash. Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of this in the least. It tasted weird and made my teeth feel chalky.

• First Aid Beauty Blemish Patrol Pads (would repurchase) - I liked these. They didn't completely keep my skin under control, but they helped shorten the time of my break outs and they felt nice on my skin. 

• Befine Night Cream (would not repurchase) - I wasn't a fan of this night cream. It smelled nice, kind of like cocoa, but I think it contributed to breakouts on my skin and it wasn't moisturizing enough for my taste.

• Pur-lisse Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser (would repurchase) - This cleanser is very gentle, and I'd definitely recommend it if you have sensitive skin. I really liked it and would definitely consider buying a full-size bottle.

• Acure Facial Toner (would repurchase) - I like the packaging of this toner. The top is a spray nozzle, but it looks like it's more of a lotion bottle. This toner is gentle and the ingredients are great.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - Surprise, surprise. I always have a tube of these in my empties. I love these for applying toner, removing eye makeup, cleaning brushes, taking off my nail polish, etc.

• Organyc Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - I ordered these off of Vitacost just to try out an organic cotton round, and I liked them. They're not as great of a price as the Swisspers, but I'd consider ordering them now and then. 

• Elizabeth & James Nirvana White perfume (would repurchase) - I adore this perfume. It smells wonderful and reminds me of really great memories. I've already purchased a full size bottle to replace this. Full review here. 

• Hillary Duff With Love perfume (would repurchase) - I liked this much more than I thought I would. It's warm with notes of amber, but also has a strong "tropical" note. It's not coconut-y but, just has this added note that lightens the amber, woodsy-ness. I liked it! 

• Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer (would repurchase) - If you have really dry skin, this isn't going to be for you. It's a good base for us normal skin type folks. I used this during the day because I prefer a heavier night cream to do the dirty moisturizing work.

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer (would repurchase) - This was a good day time moisturizer. It has added SPF so you can protect your skin from UV rays. It's lightly fragranced and a little oily, but it was fine. Nothing to write home about.

• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I wasn't a big fan of this cleanser. It didn't feel like it did much.

• Caudalie Eye Lifting Balm (would not purchase) - This didn't do much for my undereyes. I'm very particular with my eye creams because I need extra oomph with the fine lines I have, and this didn't do it for me. It's quite pricey, too, so I wouldn't shell out for this. If it worked a miracle, I'd spend the money.

• L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream (would not repurchase) - The smell of this is a bit "old-lady" like and it doesn't soothe the cracks in my knuckles that the Minnesota winter burdens me with. It's also quite greasy. It's not worth the money.

• Nivea A Kiss of Recovery lip balm (would repurchase) - Maybe it's weird, but I adore medicated lip balms. They feel minty and that makes me think it's working, even if it's just a psychological thing. This really did treat my dry lips and get rid of dead skin.

• Chapstick Green Tea Mint lip balm (would not repurchase) - I did not care for this. It felt like it was making my lips more chapped than they were and I wasn't crazy about the scent.

• Smashbox Photo Finish primer (would repurchase) - I honestly can't tell if this contributes to break outs a little but I like the way it makes my skin look (smooth and poreless), so I used this up and I'd consider purchasing it.

• Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer (would repurchase) - Every summer, I love having one of these in my shower. I go for a lot of walks and my wearing sandals 24/7 means I want my feet to be clean and exfoliated. These work great and last me all summer long.

• Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads (would repurchase) - I snagged these at the Dollar Tree, and I actually really liked using them. The pads are really durable cotton or wool and one pad gets all 10 of my nails polish-free. 

• Crest Be Inspired toothpaste in Vanilla Mint Spark (would not repurchase) - Typically, I'm all about anything vanilla mint flavored. This was a miss, though. It didn't make my mouth feel clean and I learned that perhaps vanilla mint is not a good toothpaste flavor.

• Listerine Mint Floss (would not repurchase) - This used to be my holy grail floss. It's braided so it's thicker and gets more gunk out of my gums. But I found a new love and this has taken the back seat with no repurchasing in the foreseeable future. 

• B&BW Cheers Mulled Wine candle (would not repurchase) - This is a candle from a couple years ago. It's very fruity and it made my whole house smell nice. It's not my favorite scent to have burning, and I'm done buying candles that aren't soy so I wouldn't get this again.

• B&BW Cranberry Pumpkin candle (would repurchase) - So, I still wouldn't buy B&BW candles in the future, but if you love them you need to pick this scent up. It's scrumptious and smells like the holidays. I adored it.

• DW Candles Honey Pumpkin candle (would not repurchase) - This was fine, very sweet, but nothing to go crazy over. It's also not soy, unfortunately.

• Trader Joe's Vanilla Pumpkin candle (would repurchase) - I LOVE that Trader Joe's is releasing soy candles around the holidays. I think the packaging is adorable, and this scent was nice (quite sweet), too. 

• Yankee Candle Lake Sunset candle (would repurchase) - Another non-soy candle, but it smelled amazing. Something about the smell really made me think of being at a cabin in the summer time. Such a good, nostalgic smell. 

And that's it! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments!

May Empties | #37

It's that time to dig through my trash! Get your monthly fill of mini reviews all in one convenient place. Let's dig in to what I used up in May...

• Rovectin Conditioning Cleanser (would repurchase) - This is a very basic, gentle, unscented facial cleanser. See full review here.

• Ark Pro Remove One Cleanse (would repurchase) - This is a nice oil cleanser, to be used as a first step to remove makeup. It breaks everything down and doesn't leave a film. See full review here. 

• May Coop Raw Sauce (would not repurchase) - I don't understand the hype around this facial essence. It's essentially a toner made of maple water. It didn't do much of anything for me. It might've hydrated my skin a little, and I'm sure it helped the serums I put on top sink in, but meh... it's pricey and there are toners I like far better. 

• Organic Surge Perfecting Face Polish (would not repurchase) - The ingredients are really good in this face scrub, but it's not scrubby enough for me. It's mostly creamy with a few scrubby pieces mixed in. I love this brand, but I wouldn't get this scrub again.

• Korres Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial (would not repurchase) - This is another brand I love, but I wasn't in love with this product. It had a gross, old lady rose smell, and I didn't notice any results from using it. 

• Olay Cooling White Strawberry & Mint Body Wash (would not repurchase) - This was fine, nothing special. It didn't feel cooling at all on my skin, and the smell was just pleasantly fruity. It's nothing I need to run out and buy again.

• L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil (would repurchase) - Okay, the hype is real around this stuff. It smells amazingly gourmand and sweet, and it works great as a shaving oil. I have a tendency to get itchy legs after I shave, but I never did when I used this. It's expensive, but it's worth it. 

• Molton Brown Bushukan Body Wash (would repurchase) - This had a unique scent, kind of unisex sexy. It lingered on the skin, too. I love Molton Brown body washes - they're fancy and smell amazing - and I have a whole sample set I got for Christmas to continue using up. Yay!

• Benefit That Gal Brightening Primer (would not repurchase) - This is a pink primer aimed at brightening the skin. I didn't really notice it doing anything. It didn't brighten my skin, it didn't extend the wear of my makeup, didn't blur my pores. I wouldn't shell out for a full size.

• Smashbox X Rated mascara (would repurchase) - I really liked this mascara. It gave me lots of volume and length. It had a tendency to get a little clumpy, but I could work with it enough and get a look that wasn't gunky or gross. I probably wouldn't shell out the cash for a full size of this, because I'm a believer in drugstore mascaras, but if I saw it around for a good price, I'd get it again. 

• Flower On your Mark Liquid Eyeliner (would not repurchase) - I don't know if I just got a dud pen, but this SUCKED. The product didn't seem to saturate the felt tip, and it was tough to build up a dark enough line on my lids. No thank you. I tried to use it a few times, and then promptly threw it in my empties bin. 

• Rimmel Wonder Lash Mascara (would not repurchase) - I was intrigued by this ever since it came out a couple years ago, only because I fell for the gimmick that it's formulated with argan oil. Every review I saw had nothing great to say about it, but I still had to try it for myself, and well... yeah, I hated it. It provided color and that's about it. No volume, no length.... a total miss. I ended up using it with the X-Rated mascara above, and then over a lash primer so I could get some volume and length. This isn't worth your money, even though it's cheap. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - You already know, I use at least one of these up per month. I get them in the mega-pack from Costco, and I love them! I use them to remove my eye makeup and apply toner. I think they've changed the packaging already, so in a couple months they'll look a little different when they appear in my empties bin. 

• Pur-Lisse Prevent Blue Lotus + White Tea sheet mask (would not repurchase) - I like sheet masks as a relaxing night time treatment, and I really don't expect much from them, so if they DO provide any sort of bump in my skincare treatments, then great. If not, I'm not that surprised. This did nothing for me, so I wouldn't go out of my way to get it again. 

• Lasting Smiles Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint (would repurchase) - I think I got this in an Ipsy bag ages ago, and they also sell it at Target (or they used to... I've also seen it clearanced out there, so maybe not anymore?). It's a nice lippie. I'd get it again.

• Sierra Bees Organic Vanilla lip balm (would repurchase) - Sierra Bees is exclusive to iHerb.com and they're ridiculously cheap. I really enjoy these lippies and have more to use up.

• Chloe Roses de Chloe perfume (would repurchase) - This is a Scentbird vial of Roses de Chloe. If you like the Chloe perfume, and you like rose scents that aren't granny-like, you'll enjoy this. It's ultra feminine and sexy. See full review here.

• Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline perfume (would not repurchase) - This perfume is very sharp and fresh. It isn't bad, but it really isn't something I'd want a full size of in my perfume collection. 

• Up & Up Acetone (would repurchase) - I know acetone is pretty much awful for your nails, but I have zero patience when it comes to removing my nail polish and acetone makes things speedy. I'm impartial to brand, it's all the same, so I just grab it wherever I am if I'm in need.

• Deep Steep Fresh Honey hand wash (would repurchase) - I adore the Deep Steep brand, and I really enjoy using their hand soaps. If you love that standard honey scent, you'll be head over heals for this hand soap. The cute packaging is an added bonus. You can also get body wash, lotion and body scrub in this same scent. 

• B&BW Paris Lavender Macaron candle (would not repurchase) - I think this scent was limited edition last spring. It smelled great in the jar but didn't really have much of a scent throw. It's supposed to smell like lavender and sweet cookie, and I suppose that's about right. It's not overly lavender-y though, it's just sort of a sweet floral.

• Yankee Candle Cinnamon Vanilla candle (would repurchase) - This smelled amazing and had a great scent throw. It smells exactly like you'd expect it would. 

• B&BW Spring Blue Skies candle (would repurchase) - This was nice. It's comprised of water and citrus and just has that overall characteristic fresh scent. It's perfect for the warmer months.

What did you use up this month? Let me know in the comments!

July Empties | #28

You guys... WHERE is the summer going? It's slightly depressing that we're here talking about July empties because it means that the summer is flying by and August feels like the end of the season. Ugh. Enough about that.... let's get to the empties. Read through to see what I used up and whether or not it's worth trying out for yourself. What better way to give a review than when you've used something completely up, right? Let's get to it...

• Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Gel Cleanser (would repurchase) - I'm a big fan of Michael Todd face cleansers, this one being no exception. It left my skin feeling really clean and kept me breakout free, but didn't make me feel squeaky and dry how some cleansers can. I've already bought another bottle. (see full review here)

• Equate Beauty Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - This is Walmart's version of the Neutrogena eye makeup remover, and honestly it's just as good and costs less. It gets waterproof makeup off easily and doesn't leave anything behind. 

• Carapex Renewal Facial Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I got this sent to me, along with a handful of other products, but this was my least favorite of all the things I was sent. I had some sort of reaction to it that made my neck and face really itchy, so Jake used it up. It has some grit in it so it gently exfoliates the skin and it doesn't have any offending scent. 

• Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Power Serum (would not repurchase) - This was a free gift with purchase that I'd never tried before. It was fine, but I didn't notice it doing anything for my skin, and for the price I just don't think it's worth buying. I also think Origins is a bit of a greenwashed brand, acting more natural than they really are. The ingredients in this are OK for the most part, but not all of their products are.

• Barefaced Mud Mask (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed this mud mask, but unfortunately it dried up on me and started to smell weird well before I could get all the way through it. I felt like this really did tackle any problem areas on my face and left my skin feeling refreshed. (see full review here) 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - These are always in my empties and they're still great. I get a big pack of them from Costco and use them to remove my eye makeup, apply toner, take off nail polish, etc. 

• Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (would repurchase) - It's hard to say from a sample whether or not it did anything for my skin, but I liked it enough to want to test out a full size. 

• Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream (would not repurchase) - I am not a fan of this moisturizer. It's highly scented with a disgustingly fake fragrance and I'm sure it's loaded with gross chemicals. 

• Batiste Dry Shampoo in Wild (would repurchase) - This is my favorite dry shampoo of all time. It smells like a delicious fancy perfume and it soaks up all the oil in my hair. (See other dry shampoo reviews here and here)

• Nip + Fab body wash (would repurchase) - This was a decent body wash. It smelled fresh and lemony. Nothing super special, but it was good. 

• Alba Botanica Coconut Milk Moisturizing Cream Shave (would not repurchase) - This was a weird shaving cream. It had the consistency of a lotion, it didn't really lather up, and overall it just wasn't a good barrier for shaving. I used this primarily on my armpits and opted to use an oil on my legs because it offered far more protection and hydration. 

• bcBud Moisturizing Hemp & Omega 3 Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed this lotion. It had a subtle fresh scent and moisturized without being greasy or heavy. I liked it enough to include it in a past favorites post.

• Essence Lash Princess Mascara (would not repurchase) - This mascara sucked. It made my lashes clumpy and it flaked off as the day went on. It's cheap, but not worth the couple bucks it costs. 

• Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Mascara (would repurchase) - On the flip side, this mascara was amazing. It separated my lashes, added volume and gave me crazy length. I loved this little sample and I'd definitely buy it in a full size in the future. 

• Covergirl Intensify Me! Eyeliner (would repurchase) - I wasn't so sure about this eyeliner when I first tried it, but it grew on me -- enough to make it in to my top products of 2015. I'd definitely pick it up again. (see full review here) 

• Auromere Ayurvedic Herbal Toothpaste (would repurchase) - This has made it's way in to my top natural toothpastes list. It's made with amazing natural ingredients, tastes good, and foams up when you brush and leaves my mouth and teeth feeling fresh and clean. I've already picked up another tube. 

• L'Occitane Apres-Shampooing Conditioner (would not repurchase) - This was fine, but the smell was a bit too old-ladyish for my taste, enough that I don't want to buy it in the future. It did leave my hair feeling soft, but it's mega scented and I couldn't get over that. 

• Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (would not repurchase) - This was just an OK deep conditioner, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it a "deep" conditioner. It worked like any normal conditioner would, and didn't make my hair feel any more soft or silky like I would expect it to. 

• Earth Mama Angel Baby Postpartum Bath Herbs (would repurchase) - If you just had a baby, you need this. They look like big tea bags that you throw in the bath and they're full of healing herbs to soothe all the areas that need it after having a baby. It will leave a tea-like film in your bath tub so make sure to rinse it out after each bath. 

• MyKind Organics Prenatal Once Daily (would repurchase) - You've seen these before, they're my prenatal of choice while I was pregnant. I am still taking them while I breastfeed, but once I'm out I will probably switch to something cheaper. I cared more about how good these were while my little guy was actually in me, and while I still care about the quality of the ingredients I'm putting in myself, I am just ready to transition to something cheaper now that I'm not pregnant. 

• rareEssence Spa Diffuser in Love (would repurchase) - I love this brand of diffusers because they're made with 100% essential oils, not nasty chemicals like most are. This specific one was made with Rose Absolute, Ylang Ylang and Palmarosa. It smelled warm and cinnamon-y and not overly herbal (if you don't like that sort of thing) and it lasted me for months. I would definitely get this again in the future. 

• White Barn candle in Sundress (would repurchase) - This was a nice, fresh Summer fragrance that I got a couple years ago and had sitting in back stock. It's described as a combination of day lilies, tonka beans and bergamot. 

• B&BW candle in Sparkling Limeade (would repurchase) - These little mason jar candles are so cute, and the jars are totally worth keeping around. This smells refreshing, like limes and a hint of sugar. 

That's all of my empties! What did you use up this month? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments! 

October Empties (#19)

This month's empties bin filled up really quickly. I seemed to finish a little bit of everything at once. Some good, some bad, I'll fill you in on whether or not each product is worth trying or repurchasing. Here's what I used up in the month of October:

• Loreal Everstrong Bodify Conditioner (would repurchase) - This was nice. It made my hair smell good, feel soft, and look shiny. I like the EverStrong line. I'd definitely get this again in the future. 

• Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship (would repurchase) - This used to be my jam in college, and the smell of it certainly brought me back. I don't love it as much as I used to, but every now and then I don't mind using this for old times sake.

• Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I got this to clean my brushes, but I didn't like the smell so I wouldn't buy this again. It did a fine job of cleaning my brushes, but from here on out I think I'll be using Dr. Bronner's castille soap instead.

• Sonia Kashuk Brush & Sponge Cleanser (would not repurchase) - What I didn't like about this is the packaging. When washing my brushes, my hands get wet (duh) and this packing is slippery to hold on to and spray on to brushes. I couldn't even get the last bit out with the pump at the end, so out it goes. 

• B&BW Mad About You Shower Gel (would not repurchase) - Ooooweee... this body wash had an overly perfumey floral scent (very young scent) and it lingered for a good while after showering. I got this as a free gift with purchase, and I won't grab it again. 

• Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream (would repurchase) - I love Soap & Glory products, and this body butter is amazing. It smells like a key lime pie and does a great job of moisturizing without feeling greasy. This won't be the last time I get this stuff!

• Philosophy Loveswept Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - I got this in a sample bag of some sort, and while it smelled really good (perfumey), it is extremely overpowering and not something you can wear with perfume. I used it at night on my hands and it did a nice job of hydrating my hands, but I prefer a much lighter scented lotion for daily use.

• Loreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara (would repurchase) - I liked this mascara. I'm not the biggest fan of waterproof formulas, but I like to keep one on hand for my bottom lashes or for weddings, or any day that I know there are going to be some waterworks! This was one of the better waterproof formulas I've tried recently - it built up volume nicely and separated my lashes. 

• Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this spray in conditioner. Not big in to the scent, and the formula did nothing for me. It's expensive as well, not worth the money when there are better, cheaper alternatives. 

• Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) -I didn't enjoy using this dry shampoo. It has a strong citrus scent and hardly soaked up any oil in my hair.

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (would repurchase) - This is the second or third one of these I've gone through. I really like this concealer because it covers up dark circles, and doesn't get cakey underneath my eyes. 

• Paula's Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I really like the Paula's Choice brand, but this cleanser was just too basic. It felt like I was rubbing lotion on my face, and it didn't seem to clean my face all that well. Unfortunately, I just didn't love this and I won't buy it again. 

• L'occitane Hydration Face Mist (would not repurchase) - This is a heavily scented face spray. If you're sensitive to fragrance, this is not for you. It has a fine mist, which is nice, and it did leave my makeup looking more natural after I sprayed it on, but I won't buy it again. There are others I like better, that have better or less of a fragrance.

• St. Ives Apricot Scrub (would repurchase) - Despite how bad this probably is for my skin, I still love it. My face feels baby soft and super clean when I use it, but the uneven scrubbies are probably causing micro-lacerations on my face which isn't good, soooo.... I won't be buying it again. 

• Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet (would repurchase) - I got this from Memebox and I absolutely LOVED it. Best cleansing balm I've ever used. I would highly recommend using this as a makeup remover, if you're in the market for a good one. Full review here.

• Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Anti Gingivitis Rinse (would not repurchase) - This mouth wash had a cinnamon taste, which I don't enjoy when it comes to mouth wash. It did a fine job of rinsing my mouth out and making it feel clean, but I prefer a mint rinse instead.

• Pronamel & Sensodyne Toothpastes (would repurchase) - I have a million samples of these and we're working our way through them. They're nice, minty, and make my mouth feel clean. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - I get these in bulk from Costco. They're good cotton rounds, and I'll keep buying them for use in applying toner and removing eye makeup.

• Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream (would repurchase) - This is a very gentle overnight cream that smells of lavender. It's natural and has good ingredients, it didn't break me out either. 

• Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Cream (would repurchase) - I got this sample on Vitacost ($10 coupon for the website here)and I really liked it. This lightweight night cream felt nice on the skin, and I'd be curious to see how it performs with extended use. 

• Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (would repurchase) - This made my favorites in months past, and for good reason. It helps shorten the time a zit hangs out on my face - who could ask for more?

• Miyu Beauty Di-Stress Mi Beauty Essence (would repurchase) - Ages ago I received this from Birchbox, and it's a really nice peppermint face spray. It smells good and feels nice on the face. I'd definitely purchase it again. 

• Alterna Bamboo Abundant Volume Shampoo & Conditioner (would not purchase) - I didn't really care for the smell of this, but it was an OK combo. I know it's kind of pricey, and I wouldn't shell the cash out for it.

• Rituals Magic Touch Cherry Blossom & Rice Milk Body Cream (would purchase) - I already have a full size of this. It's makes my skin soft, and has a nice light scent that isn't overpowering.

• L'occitane Precious Cream (would purchase) - This night cream was soooo nice. My skin felt soft and smooth, and I liked the herbal scent of it. I'm fairly certain it's pricey, but it might be worth splurging on in the future.

• Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer (would not purchase) - I know people swear by this stuff, but I can't say I was impressed. It didn't do anything for the longevity of my makeup wear, and it didn't make my skin look any better.

• Caudalie Vine Body Butter (would not purchase) - This was just OK. It smelled fresh and was hydrating on my skin, but it wasn't so great I need to run out and buy it. Especially not for the price.

• Mario Badescu Drying Cream (would purchase) - This stuff really helped my skin clear up. It smelled pretty gross, but the results were good enough that I didn't mind.

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

Empties #9

Here's my trash from the last 2 months. Shall we get right to it?

Yes to Tomatoes Volumizing Shampoo - I like most everything I've tried from the Yes To brand, this shampoo included. It had a really nice, dare I say, feminine (?) scent (my husband used it and liked it, too) but I didn't really notice it giving my hair much volume. Despite that, my hair felt clean and it was enjoyable to use. 
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Fruity & Cheeky Cherry - I'm a big fan of Batiste dry shampoos. They do a good job of allowing me "clean" hair for a couple days post-wash. The cherry scent was subtle and didn't linger in the hair.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo - I have had this in the closet forever and finally used it up. This is a super basic shampoo. I didn't notice my hair being shinier than normal, but that was OK by me. I prefer a bit more moisture from my shampoos, so this wasn't my favorite, but it certainly wasn't bad. 
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Kiss My Face Big Body Conditioner - This is an all natural conditioner. I've tried many natural conditioners that I've loved, but this one doesn't quite make the cut. I didn't find this to be very nourishing, and the scent was just OK. 
Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Beauty Secrets Acetone Nail Polish Remover - This is the Sally Beauty brand of acetone polish remover. Even though acetone is quite harsh for the nails and cuticles, it cuts out half the time when removing pesky polish. I prefer using it over non-acetone removers, and I liked this brand.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Honey Body Scrub in Wild Iris & Honey - This sugar scrub was really enjoyable to use. It left a nice oil on the skin and the scent lasted for a couple hours after using it. I'd never tried scrubs from B&BW before, and after trying this one I definitely want to try more!
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Yes to Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser - I used this cleanser in the mornings as it's very gentle. I don't think it would be something I'd use in the evening as I prefer a heavier-duty cleanser then, but for mornings it was nice. It didn't break my skin out and it didn't leave a film behind on the skin.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Dreamy Vanilla Woods Shower Gel - Wowza, this is an old fragrance from B&BW! This guy has been sitting in my closet for way too long, practically begging to be used up. It's a very sweet autumnal scent but I admit it got a bit sickening, so because of that I wouldn't get it again if they re-release this scent.
Would I repurchase? No.

Garnier Expert Exfoliator Daily Exfoliating Gel - This is a very gently exfoliator so if you like to exfoliate every day, this is for you. It leaves the skin with a cold feeling that can burn if your skin is dry, or even hurt if you rub it around on your face too long. It was nice for the time being, but I've found other products I like better.
Would I repurchase? No.

Nourish Organic Deodorant in Almond Vanilla - This is the best all natural deodorant I've ever tried. It is very lightly scented (so if you're someone who needs to mask BO this scent isn't the one for you) and it didn't make my armpits smell bad the way so many natural deodorants do. My one gripe (and I don't know if I just got a bad bottle) is that the texture is gritty. It actually kind of hurt to apply at times. It never irritated my armpits to the point of pain, but it was strange and not comfortable when applying. Regardless, I still loved it.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Whish Shave Cream in Blueberry - This was a sample from a past Birchbox. I didn't care for the very fake blueberry smell, but it worked really nicely. I've never seen this in stores, but if I did I would consider purchasing it.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Yes to Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment - This product made a past favorites post, that's how much I loved it. For the warmer summer months, this eye cream was my jam, but when the colder fall months hit it wasn't quite moisturizing enough. I still really enjoyed using it.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Anti-bacs in Sweet Clementine and Ice Cream Dream - I always have these in my empties, as I use them prior to applying my makeup to ensure my hands are germ-free. Sweet Clementine had a clean citrus scent and Ice Cream Dream was sweet and heavenly.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

It's So Big Mascara by Elizabeth Mott - This mascara came in a previous Ipsy bag and it was surprisingly really good. It did make my lashes look big and voluminous without compromising length and separation. It flaked a tiny bit, but not enough for me to completely write it off as a bad mascara.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Eye Base - I'm willing to bet I got a bad sample of this, because it was hardly usable. It caked all over my eyelids and did nothing to enhance and hold my eyeshadows. 
Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Juicy Couture Perfume - I have to say, I think I'm officially over Juicy Couture perfumes. I never did care too much for the original scent, as I find it a bit too floral for my taste. I just wasn't a big fan of this.
Would I repurchase? No.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum Express Cat Eyes Mascara - In a previous post, I believe I said I enjoyed this mascara. Well, times have changed because I could not get through this tube. This is being thrown before its time because it made my lashes clumpy and it was hard to work with.
Would I repurchase? No.

TheBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen - This was a really pretty rosy lip stain that gave a perfect glow to my lips. It won't hydrate your lips, but it will stain them a beautiful color that lasts and lasts. I really enjoyed using this little sample, but unfortunately it dried up before I could use it all.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara - I use this to set my eyebrows. It works good, it's cheap. Not much more to say.
Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes - These are a tried and true makeup wipe that I come back to often. They are moist and gentle and work great to get all my makeup off of my face.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

L'Oreal Laquer Liner in Blackest Black - I didn't completely use this up but it's old and hard and I've had enough of it. It wasn't creamy and easy to work with, it was always kind of hard and tough to get enough of on your brush. 
Would I repurchase? No.

Caudelie Premier Cru Eye Cream - This little sample was really nice. It felt smooth and hydrating on my eyes, but it is definitely too far on the pricey side for me to purchase this anytime soon.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Chapsticks in Spearmint and Strawberry - These are good plain lip balms that hydrate the lips. I think anyone and everyone has tried these. They're cheap and they do the job.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste with Fennel, Propolis & Myrrh - Buyer beware! If you don't like licorice, don't buy this. It tastes like black jelly beans. I happen to like licorice, so this was fine with me, but I probably won't buy it again because I prefer a minty toothpaste.
Would I repurchase? Maybe.

OPI Avojuices in Raspberry Violet and Jasmine Juicie - I really like these hand creams. They make your hands ridiculously smooth without feeling heavy or greasy. They won't penetrate the driest, cracked hands, but if you need a little boost of moisture, these will work great. The jasmine scent is my favorite from all the many I've tried of these.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Hand Cream in Magical Leaves - This had a really nice fresh scent that lasted just long enough (i.e. just long enough that it wasn't offensive). It moisturized really nicely and what can I say - it looked cute on my desk at work! I love the packaging of the L'Occitane hand creams!
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Michael Todd Wild Rose Petal Creamy Body Wash - I had high hopes for this as I love the smell of rose, but this had an old lady sickening rose scent to it. It lathered nicely, but I couldn't get past the scent.
Would I repurchase? No.

GlamGlow Supermud Treatment - It was fun to finally try this product without having to shell out the expensive dough on a full sized tub. I thought it was nice and my skin did feel great, but I do think there are other mud masks that work just as nicely and won't break the bank.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

FAB Face Cleanser - I don't know what I expected this product to be, but it wasn't this. I know people rave about how great this is, but I just didn't find it to be anything special. I had been considering buying this cleanser, but once I tried it I just wasn't very impressed.
Would I repurchase? No.

Benefit The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine Powder - I really liked using this! It set my foundation nicely without looking cakey or too powdery. 
Would I repurchase? Yes.

L'Oreal Revitalift Instensive Overnight Mask - This product claims to show results within just one use. I didn't notice a single change or difference in my skin, even after using it 3-4 times. It was heavily scented which I didn't like as well.
Would I repurchase? No.

StriVectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles - I've tried this before and I like it. It does a nice job of smoothing fine lines.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Sonoma Lifestyle candle in Woodland Walk - This candle is from Kohl's and OH MY WORD. It smelled heavenly. It's the epitome of fall scents, leaning more towards a perfume scent than spicy. I absolutely loved it and hope it's released again.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Diamond Candle in Pomegranate Lemonade - I did a whole review of this candle here. It was fun to burn this and find the ring inside.
Would I repurchase? Yes.


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