Empties | #42

Holy moly, is my empties bin ever full! I've been plowing through all sorts of stuff, and I'm excited to share these mini reviews with you. Keep reading for purchase recommendations and reviews on alllll of this trash. 

• L'Oreal Vive Pro Smooth Gloss conditioner (would repurchase) - I had an old bottle of this stashed away in my bathroom closet and finally got around to finishing it up. While this might not be the first thing I'd grab from the drugstore shelf, I did enjoy it. It made my hair smooth and soft, and it didn't weigh it down. I honestly have no idea if they still make this (rarely do I shop the hair aisle because my backstock of products is embarrassingly large) but I'd recommend it if you're looking for something that'll do the trick for normal hair and you're on a budget.

• Orlando Pita Revive Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I won't say too much about this (look for it in an upcoming battle of the dry shampoos) but take this for what you will: this bottle isn't even empty, but it's going bye-bye.

• StriVectin Hair Conditioner (would repurchase) - This stuff is really nice. It's not the most accessible or affordable, but I loved the smell and what it did for my hair. I can't say it made the biggest different in volume, as it's supposed to, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. See full review here.

• Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque (would repurchase) - The hype is so, so real around this product. It makes my hair feel ridiculously soft, it smells nice, and it's worth splurging on.

• StriVectin Hair Bodifying Radiance Serum (would repurchase) - If I saw this for a good deal, I'd consider picking it up again. I didn't see it working any miracles, but it added shine and it seemed to keep my hair healthy. See full review here. 

• Reviva Labs Eye Gelee Concentrate (would repurchase) - I talked about my love for this stuff in my top 10 of 2017 post. It's made a noticeable difference in my undereye area and it's dirt cheap. I can't recommend it enough if you have dry or lined undereyes. What you see above is a sample size, and this little pot alone lasted me a few months. You definitely get your money's worth.

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer (would repurchase) - I've used many a tube of this concealer, and I quite like it for my undereyes. It hides dark circles without being cakey, and it's affordable.

• Makeup For Ever Step 1 Primer (would not purchase) - I had high hopes for this because so many people claim this is their favorite, but I really didn't care for this. It didn't do much for the longevity of my makeup, nor did it seem to make my face smoother. Glad I tried a sample before impulse purchasing this.

• Hey Honey Day & Night Moisturizing Cream (would purchase) - I really liked this moisturizer, more for daytime than night. It's quite light, has a very subtle refreshing scent, and it didn't break me out. I'd like to get a full size of this in the future.

• Belif Hungarian Water Essence (would not purchase) - I genuinely wanted this to do something for my ridiculously thirsty winter skin, but I can't say I noticed a difference between days I used this and days I did not.

• GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment (would repurchase) - I really like the Glam Glow masks. I used this when my skin was acting up, and it seemed to help dry out any spots, and speed up the time it took for them to heal. It's expensive, but I like to get these samples when I can.

• Clinique Pep-Start Moisturizer (would purchase) - This was a decent moisturizer. It did have a hint of sunscreen smell, but it wasn't overly greasy and it didn't break me out.

• GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer (would not purchase) - This straight up smelled like starbursts. And the scent hung around. On days I didn't wear makeup, I could smell my fruity face for hours. The illumination was just fine shimmer, and didn't add any extra glow to my face under makeup. Overall, it was a miss for me.

• Swisspers Premium Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - No surprise here. My favorite cotton rounds that I purchase in bulk from Costco. Good for removing eye makeup, applying toner, or removing nail polish.

• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (would repurchase) - I fell in love with these. I could tell they were making a difference in the texture of my skin. I'm trying to hold out until the spring Sephora VIB sale to get a jumbo pack of these, because they're PRICEY, but I'm not sure I'll be able to wait that long.

• Soap & Glory Clean On Me body wash (would repurchase) - I enjoy all of Soap & Glory's body washes, and this is no different. It smells nice, lathers well, and gets me clean without drying my skin out completely. 

• Alba Botanica Firming Scrub (would not repurchase) - This was weird. You'd think a scrub with espresso and coffee beans would smell like coffee, but it didn't. It had a gross "unscented" scent. This wasn't my favorite scrub, and I'd opt for something that smells nicer in the future.

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - These are my go-to makeup table wipes. I use them to wipe swatches off, clean up my makeup desk, wipe foundation off my lips, and wipe my kid's boogery nose. Multipurpose! 

• Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (would repurchase) - I got suckered in to buying these because I like Ole Henriksen skincare, but I don't really like makeup wipes for removing my makeup. These were just okay - they weren't very saturated, and didn't seem to get all of my makeup off, but they smelled nice and did the trick enough.

• Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes (would not repurchase) - It's not that I didn't like these, but I did not enjoy this coconut scent. I'm not a big coconut person. I also didn't use these in place of a normal deodorant. I kept them in my work desk for days when I needed some extra help in the underarm department, and they did the trick. These dried up before I could use them all, but they sat in my desk door for more than a year. I've since repurchased them but in a different scent, and I much prefer the new scent.

• Michael Todd Skin Defender Creme Facial Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I've read AHA face washes won't actually provide real benefit to your skin, or at least the benefits you'd expect from an AHA. I'll say I didn't notice any exfoliating benefits or reduced lines from using this, and it honestly didn't make my skin feel very clean. I wouldn't bother with this again.

• DermaE Purifying Youth Serum (would repurchase) - I didn't notice this doing much, but I think that'd require continued use to really give it a fair shake. I like the clean ingredients, so if I saw this again, I'd consider picking it up.

• Biore Baking Soda Pore Cleanser (would not purchase) - Baking soda in face washes was a trend for about two seconds, and I can see why it didn't stick. This didn't foam up very well, and didn't appear to clean my skin that well either. Glad I tried this in sample size before opting to get a full size.

• Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser (would not purchase) - Another miss in the skincare department for me. To be honest, I didn't use it with my clarisonic (I've been using chemical exfoliants lately instead) but it still foamed up decently. It was kind of old, which perhaps contributed to the weird scent. I just didn't really like this.

• OPI Nail Envy Base Coat (would repurchase) - Check out that hella old packaging! This stuff isn't a miracle worker, but it does the job.

• It Cosmetics Superhero mascara (would repurchase) - I really liked this sample. I know sample mascaras sometimes differ from full sizes, but I'd consider getting this in the future. It added volume and length to my lashes and didn't flake. I liked the brush as well.

• Avalon Organics Nourishing Cherry Aloe lip balm (would repuchase) - Not a lot to say about this, but it has good ingredients and it felt nice.

• Givenchy Noir Couture mascara (would repurchase) - I'm sure this is ridiculously expensive, but I really liked it. It made my lashes look amazing (again, think volume and length), and the brush was cool. 

• Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Toner (would not repurchase) - This felt like a glorified water. It didn't really do much of anything, and I have other toners I like far more than this one.

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - Good stuff. It'll break down any stubborn waterproof eye makeup like no one's business. 

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (would repurchase) - I love love love this stuff. It makes a noticeable difference in the appearance of spots on my face. I use it in the morning, and I've already got a couple extra bottles in my stash. If you're not on team The Ordinary, go  check them out because you can get quality products like this for a fraction of the cost of other skincare brands. See more about this product in my top 10 products of 2017 lineup. 

• Origins Ginger Souffle whipped body cream (would repurchase) - I adore the scent of Origins ginger line. This body cream was nice, with the perfect amount of fragrance that would linger for hours. This body cream was lightly moisturizing, so if you have extra dry skin this might not be moisturizing enough for me.

• Carrot + Rose Hydrating Cream (would not repurchase) - I tried using this as a face cream and it wasn't cut out for that (at least for my skin), so I used it as a hand lotion which I much preferred. It wasn't anything special, and not very hydrating.

• L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - I used this as a hand cream and it didn't seem to do much for my wintry dry skin. I also didn't care for the old lady type scent.

• Replica Jazz Club perfume (would not purchase) - I did not like this scent at all. All notes sound delicious (rum, neroli, lemon, tobacco), but it didn't mesh well with me. If you like it, be prepared to spend a pretty penny because Replica fragrances come with a hefty price tag.

• Juicy Couture Couture La La (would purchase) - I quite liked these, even though it's not the typical scent I'd go for. The notes are fruity and floral, but it was pleasant. I wouldn't shell out full price, but if I saw a rollerball for a decent deal, I'd consider it.

• Juicy Couture perfume (would not purchase) - This I hated. It smelled disgusting. It's mostly floral, and just not at all my style. It's a common scent, but it's the farthest thing from my taste.

• Schmidt's Oh, Christmas Tree deodorant (would not repurchase) - If you're looking for a deodorant that smells exactly like a real, pine Christmas tree, look no further. I like Schmidt's a lot, but something about this particular stick felt like I was rubbing sandpaper on my armpits which was uncomfortable. The deodorant properties were perfect though. Great natural ingredients and a nice scent.

• LaVanila Vanilla Blackberry deodorant (would repurchase) - I adore LaVanila deodorants. The ingredients are good, no aluminum, and they work well for me. 

• The Natural Dentist All Purpose Rinse (would repurchase) - This was a decent mouth rinse. It doesn't burn the way your typical mouthwash would. As you can see, I got it on sale, and it's close to $10 at Natural Grocers normally, and there's no way I'd pay that much for a mouth rinse. I'd get it again on sale, though!

• Honest Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - It seems to me that Honest Company products are really hit or miss. I wasn't a fan of this toothpaste at all. It was only slightly minty and didn't leave my teeth feeling clean.

And that's a wrap! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

MASSIVE EMPTIES | #39

Nothing like missing a month of empties to make you feel really accomplished about everything you've used up. If you're looking for some quick reviews on a whole smorgasbord of products, you're in for a treat. Let's get to it...

• Antipodes Chia & Kiwi Seed Superfood Serum (would repurchase) - This was more like a facial oil than a serum. I used it in the morning, and after applying I sealed it in with another moisturizer. I think this would be really great in the colder months, but it was a bit much for summertime. I'd like to try more from this brand in the future. 

• L'Occitane Essential Water Toner (would not repurchase) - This toner was super duper scented, and not in a good way. It felt more like I was smearing perfumed water over my face, rather than a beneficial toner. I wouldn't get this in the future because it has too much fragrance and artificial ingredients in it. 

• ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (would not repurchase) - This came in an old Target Beauty Box and I kept putting off using it. It has that typical smelly ROC smell - if you've used any of their products, you know what I mean. I don't like that scent, and I don't think this really did anything for me, so I wouldn't buy this again.

• Reviva Labs Eye Gelee Concentrate (would repurchase) - This gel is like an essence for your eye cream. Apply it before your eye cream to assist with puffing and hydrating the undereyes. I've found it keeps me from looking crepe-y and dry. 

• Hey Honey Open Your eyes Eye Contour Lifting Fluid (would not repurchase) - This came in an Ipsy bag, and I can't say I was much of a fan. I prefer thicker, more hydrating eye balms than this. This was like a thin, watery lotion that didn't do anything for my undereyes. 

• Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask (would purchase) - This little sample pack had all three versions of the lip mask and I loved all of them! I definitely want to get the non-tinted version for use at bed time. This stuff is thick and coats your lips while hydrating. You'll wake up in the morning with it still on. Goooood stuff and smells yummy too. 

• Benefit Ka Brow (would purchase) - This was my first experience with an eyebrow cream-gel color and I actually really liked it. The blond color was a good shade match, but I had to be light handed so my brows didn't look too bold and caked on. This claims to be waterproof, but I found it easy to smudge off. Despite that, I may pick this up at the next VIB sale. 

• Covergirl Intensify Me eyeliner (would repurchase) - This is a good, cheap drugstore eyeliner. Once you get over the learning curve of the flat felt-tip, it's easy to use. The color is a perfect matte black, and it doesn't easily smudge on my oily eyelids.

• Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner (would not repurchase) - On the flip side, this eyeliner pen sucked. It was very light, so I had to go over it again and again in order to build up a bold enough line. The felt tip wasn't very long so it just felt weird to apply. I don't like this and would never buy this again.

• Prada Candy perfume (would purchase) - If I saw this perfume for cheap, I'd get it because the scent is nice, but it's so popular and not the most unique. It's very sweet and also a bit musky. It borders that line of childishly sweet. Not essential to have in my collection, but I enjoyed using this sample up. 

• Replica Beach Walk perfume (would not purchase) - This was not my cup of tea. It's very coconut heavy, with a hint of salt water and sunscreen. The smell really does make you think of a beach. It also has some floral notes like ylang-ylang, which is a scent I'm not big on. If you like Bobbi Brown Beach, I think you'll also like this perfume. 

• Tree hut Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I liked this lotion. It had a very subtle scent and was hydrating without being greasy. I want to say I purchased this at Walmart, and it was dirt cheap.

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan (would repurchase) - Before I bucked up and got over my fear of tanning mousses, I liked using lotions. This was one of the best I tried. It gave a nice warm color, didn't streak, and the smell wasn't too bad. I'd consider getting this in the future, but I much prefer the color payoff of the St. Tropez mousse instead.  

• Jason Dandruff Relief Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I'm inclined to getting dry scalp, which I chalk up to dry shampoo wreaking a little havoc on my scalp. I thought I'd try something more natural, but this was not the answer. It has a nasty old lady smell and really did nothing for me.

• TonyMoly Makgeolli Mask Sheet (would repurchase) - I like the TonyMoly sheet masks. I think they feel nice and they don't break me out. Did this purify my face? Hard to say. But it was nice nonetheless. 

• Botanic Farm Sea Mustard Mask (would not repurchase) - It's not that anything is overtly bad with this mask, but I just can't for the life of me remember anything about it. If it didn't stand out, it's probably not worth buying again.

• Vanedo Beauty Friends Gold Mask (would repurchase) - This was also just OK. It has lots of serum on it, enough that you could save it and keep using it after you're done with the mask. It didn't break me out. It was just refreshing and hydrating.

• Boscia Tsubaki Oil-Infused Exfoliating Powder (would not repurchase) - This really wasn't exfoliating in the least. It was just a powder that functioned as a cleanser once you added some water in. I didn't notice this doing anything for my skin, and it didn't really make my skin feel clean, so I wouldn't get it again.

• Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Floral Toner (would repurchase) - This was a nice toner. It had a light rose fragrance, and it was gentle on my skin.

• Neutrogena Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover pads (would not repurchase) - This is an awful eyemakeup remover. The pads aren't saturated enough so I had to add extra remover to them to even get my mascara off. I'd rather have the bottle of Neutrogena eye makeup remover than these.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - What's an empties post without a pack of these? I use them for toner and eye makeup remover and they work like a charm. 

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes (would not repurchase) - The scent of these makeup wipes is way too overpowering for me. It's a really artificial scent that is just, no... just no. 

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - I don't actually use these wipes on my son, but I use them to wipe down my makeup area and any makeup on my hands. They work great and don't have bad ingredients. 

• Audrey and Lewis South Pacific Shower Gel (would repurchase) - This body wash has a nice, subtle scent of vanilla and citrus. It sudsed up well and made me feel clean. 

• Dr. Bronner's Hemp Rose Castile Soap (would not repurchase) - I love Dr. Bronner's but I do not love the hemp rose scent. It started off ok, but became sickening to me pretty quickly. I use this to clean my brushes and beauty blender and it works nicely for that, but I'm glad I used this bottle up. 

• LaVanila Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut and Vanilla Lavender (would repurchase) - LaVanila is my favorite natural deodorant brand. Deodorants, especially natural ones, seem to work different for everyone so while this might not be your perfect option, it works well for me. 

• Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo (would repurchase) - Batiste is a stellar dry shampoo brand. It does a great job of soaking up oil in my hair and refreshing it, and it's affordable, too! I find it to be cheapest at TJ Maxx, but you can also find it at the drugstore for a couple bucks more.

• NelsonJ Argan Oil7 Non-Foaming Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I didn't like that this shampoo didn't foam. It was so hard to tell when I'd scrubbed my hair enough or if I'd gotten it all out. It also has little beads in it that would get stuck on my scalp. I really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

• Rimmel Stay Matte powder (would repurchase) - This is an oldie but goodie in my makeup drawer. I've repurchased it time and time again. It works well to set my foundation without being cakey. I don't experiment much with powders so I just keep picking this up and it doesn't disappoint.

• Beautyblender (would repurchase) - The beautyblender has become my go-to makeup application tool. It makes my skin look flawless, doesn't leave streaks, and makes application quick and easy. I think the beautyblender trumps all other cheaper knock-off brands. I've tried many and nothing compares. Worth every penny to pay for the actual BeautyBlender.

• Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (would not repurchase) - I used to love this for spot concealing, but have found things I like better now. This is a very thick and oily concealer, and while it says it's creaseless, there is literally no way I'd put this on my undereye area. It's way too thick for that and it would either make my eyes look crepe-y or it would majorly crease.

• Spry Healing Blend Mouth Wash (would repurchase) - What sold me on this mouthwash was both the good ingredients in it and the marketing around it having healing properties for canker sores or sensitive gums. I did have a canker sore while using this and I can't say it really healed it any quicker or helped it feel better. Despite that, I still liked this overall. 

• Kiss My Face Triple Action Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I didn't realize until I got a canker sore that this toothpaste has SLS in it. I thought it was free of that ingredient but my body let me know differently. For that reason, I wouldn't buy this again, despite it being a decent toothpaste.

• Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Gel (would repurchase) - This was my final vial of the Smile Brilliant whitening gel, and I really like this stuff. It makes a noticeable difference in the brightness of my teeth. This set was sent to me for review, but I did just purchase more vials of whitener once I finished this. See full review here.

• Ralph Lauren Hot Perfume (would repurchase) - I love this perfume. It has so much good nostalgia tied to it. But I've had this in my collection for longer than I'd like to admit so I made a conscious effort to use this up. The main notes are vanilla, fig, spice and amber. It's tough to explain, but it's something unique that I'd certainly buy again. If you like scents such as Vera Wang Princess, Viva La Juicy and Hillary Duff With Love, chances are you'll like this one.

• Aura Cacia Lavender Baby Shampoo (would repurchase) - This was a gift from one of my baby showers, and I enjoyed using it on my son. The ingredients are pure and didn't irritate my son's skin. It smells just like fresh lavender, but the scent doesn't linger long.

• Mrs. Meyers Watermelon Foaming Hand Soap (would repurchase) - This was a really fun scent of hand soap. It smells like watermelon candy, and the scent stuck around for a bit. I really liked this and would definitely get it again. The Mrs. Meyer's brand is one of my favorites for household items.

• Signature Soy Pinky Peony Candle (would repurchase) - This was a candle from Target that was a nice one to burn during the spring months. Smelled just like a peony, and like that it was soy so it burned cleaner. It's a goal of mine to switch over to just soy candles once my backstock of others is gone.

• ScentSationals Herb Garden Wax Cubes (would repurchase) - This mix of herb-scented wax melts smelled fresh and clean. A great option for making the house smell nice in summer.

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

March Empties | #35

The empties bin wasn't too full this month, but we all love some mini reviews, am I right? So regardless, here's what I went through this past month and my feelings on each item.

• L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (would repurchase) - This has become a staple foundation in my collection. If you have really dry skin, I wouldn't recommend it. For my normal, combo, or oily peeps, this will be right up your alley. This is the foundation I pull out when I know I've got a long day and need my foundation to hold up. The shade is my perfect pale match, and it costs less than $15. This made my top 10 products of 2016, and I still love it. 

• Rimmel Extra 3D Lash mascara (would not repurchase) - This was a flop for me. It has a flat plastic brush with short bristles. It made my lashes really tube-y and clumpy, and was difficult to work with. It got slightly better as the formula dried out, but not enough to convince me it's worth a repurchase. 

• Anastasia Clear Brow Gel (would repurchase) - This is an excellent clear brow gel. I wish that it didn't cost so much, because it just seems dumb to pay a lot for freakin' brow gel, but every time I use it, I fall in love. The brush is a perfect size, it keeps my brows in check, and it isn't sticky. 

• Clinique Bottom Lash mascara (would repurchase) - I know it's kind of gimmicky to buy a mascara just for the bottom lashes, but I personally like the smaller brush and the fact it doesn't transfer. This only costs $10 and lasts me about 3 months, so I already got myself another tube. 

• Smashbox Photo Finish primer (would repurchase) - I wasn't excited about using this, but I ended up really liking it. It blurred my pores and it did help my makeup last longer. I wouldn't run out and buy a full size, but I'd grab it if I was in a pinch. 

• Clear Total Care Nourishing Shampoo (would repurchase) - I enjoy Clear's hair products. I like the creamy texture, and the soft fragrance, and the way it makes my hair feel. I'd get a full size in the future.

• Chanel Le Lift Firming Anti-Wrinkle Cream (would not purchase) - This was outrageously fragranced for a face cream. It smelled like Chanel products do, which I enjoy, but not in my face creams. No way. 

• Erborian Black Concentrated Mask (would repurchase) - I liked this mask. It made my skin feel refreshed and it smelled nice. Hard to say if it was amazing after just one use, but I'd consider a full size in the future. If I'm recalling correctly, this stuff is stupid expensive? I'm sure it is, because I always end up having expensive taste. 

• Tresemme Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this. It hardly soaked up oil in my hair, it didn't add any volume... it was pretty worthless. 

• Got2b Dry Conditioner (would not repurchase) - I never noticed this doing anything for my hair. It didn't make it soft or shiny, like you'd expect a conditioner to do. It left a huge cloud of product swarming in the air after you sprayed it which I didn't like. I just didn't see the point in this.

• L'Occitane Amande Hand Cream (would repurchase) - Ohhhh the L'Occitane almond line smells so heavenly. This hand cream is no different. It smells divine, and it smooths on so softly and comfortably. It isn't greasy. It just makes your hands feel instantly soft. 
• Thierry Mugler Alien perfume (would repurchase) - I already have a rollerball size of this, and I enjoy this scent. It isn't something I'd wear in the spring or summer, but it's a perfect cozy warm scent for fall and winter. 

• Ole Henrisken Sheer Transformation (would repurchase) - I've used a sample of this in the past and remember feeling ambivalent about it, but this time around I actually enjoyed it. It's a simple moisturizer. It doesn't smell, doesn't feel heavy on the face, but I appreciate how unnoticeable it is. I'd actually consider getting a full size of this in the future.

• Curel Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer (would repurchase) - I liked this little sample so much I got myself a full size. It even made a recent favorites post.

• LaVanila  Deodorant in Vanilla Amber (would repurchase) - LaVanila is my favorite deodorant brand. It's free of aluminum and other crappy ingredients that are cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting. I believe this scent was limited edition, but I'd get it again if they bring it back.

• Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash (would repurchase) - Every single Soap & Glory scent smells amazing. Sugar Crush smells like candied limes, and it's truly the perfect summer scent. I got anxious and used it before it was even warm outside, but I enjoyed every second.

• StriVectin Advanced Retinol Pore Refiner (would repurchase) - I love this stuff, as you can tell by the fact I cut it open and got every last bit out. This retinol works for my skin without drying it out completely. It smells nice. It's effective. All that good stuff. I still have another bottle to use, thank goodness. See full review here.

• Sibu Beauty Eye Cream (would not repurchase) - I wanted to love this, and maybe it was just my bottle, but this was separated and chunky and gross. I feel like it went bad, even though it was still a few months out from expiration according to the bottle. I ended up getting rid of this before it was completely gone for that reason. If you've tried this, let me know what your thoughts are on it. 

• bareMinerals Vital Power Infusion (would repurchase) - I did not think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. I'm not sure if it transformed my skin, but I liked the feeling of it, and I kind of want to get a full size bottle to see if I do see results after using it for a longer period of time.

• Phyto Specific Thermoperfect 8 (would repurchase) - This was a cream heat protectant. It worked pretty well, and I liked that it did 8 beneficial things to the hair, but I don't typically need a cream heat protectant - I prefer a spray instead.

• Swisspers cotton rounds (would repurchase) - I love these cotton rounds for removing eye makeup and applying toner. I get them in a mega-pack from Costco, and I'll keep on repurchasing them.

• EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths (would not purchase) - This was nothing spectacular. It's a glorified baby wipe, nothing more. I wouldn't bother getting a full size of these in the future. 

• Simple Micellar Cleansing Water (would repurchase) - I used this mainly to freshen my skin up on days I wasn't wearing makeup and it worked nicely. Made my skin feel clean and refreshed. I don't really like micellar waters for removing makeup, but if you do, I'd recommend giving this one a try.

• L'Oreal Miracle Blur Instant Eye Smoother (would repurchase) - I really liked this little sample. I have fine lines under y eyes and I could notice them looking softer and less noticeable when I used this.

• Shea Moisture Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Wash & Shampoo (would repurchase) -  I dare you to find a baby shampoo that smells this amazing and has clean ingredients. I guarantee you won't find it. This stuff is my absolute favorite, from a brand I adore. Shea Moisture seriously has the best smelling stuff (without being offensively so) that is actually effective. Love love love.

• Yardley soap in Vanilla & Sweet Orchid (would not repurchase) - I did not care for this soap. It didn't smell that nice and the lather was so-so. I let my husband finish it after trying to like it for a few washes myself. I've got enough crap to use up that I won't bother wasting my time on something I don't like.

• B&BW Marshmallow Fireside candle (would repurchase) - This is one of my favorite B&BW candle scents. It is smokey and sweet and I'll burn it any time of the year. 

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

December Empties | #32

The end of the year was like an unintentional crunch time, using things up before 2016 was gone - my empties bag was loaded to the top full of things and I hardly even tried to finish stuff up! 

Why show your trash, you say? Because - when you use something up, you know whether or not it was good or worth repurchasing because you actually used the whole thing! You know? If you love empties posts the way I do, check out some of my other posts here and here. 

Here's what I used up in the month of December...

• Everyday Shea Vanilla Mint shampoo (would not repurchase) - I wanted to like this shampoo because the ingredients are pure and I typically love vanilla mint scented things, but this just didn't clean my hair well enough. My husband mostly used this and he didn't hate it, but he didn't love it either.

• Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser (would repurchase) - This is a very gentle cleanser. It smells lightly of eucalyptus, and cleanses without stripping the skin of necessary oils. I found this big bottle at TJ Maxx for $10, but if you buy it at Sephora it'll set you back nearly $50!

• Rituals Shanti Shower Oil (would repurchase) - I bought this for the sole purpose of using it as a shaving "cream" ..er ... oil. It worked fabulously. It lathers slightly and kept my legs from feeling like the Sahara before I got out of the shower and applied lotion. I'd totally buy this again in the future. (more on this here)

• Alaffia Skin Recovery Facial Toner (would not repurchase) - I got this on sale, but wouldn't buy it again at full price. It smelled nice and didn't do anything bad to my skin, but I don't like spray toners and I feel like I used this up really fast.

• TonyMoly Cat's Clear Wink compact (would not repurchase) - I was sent this powder from MEMEBOX, and it was fine, but mostly it was cute. It had a tendency to make my skin too matte and my foundation look a tad cakey. There are other powders I prefer to this. (see full review here)

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner (would repurchase) - This is an old love of mine, but if you go looking for it, it's been reformulated and the packaging is way different. I've been told the new formula is not the same, but I have yet to put this to the test.

• Avon Cream Eyeshadow in Frothy Mocha (would repurchase) - I'm so sad this dried out because this shadow is gorgeous and perfect for every day. Unfortunately, I think this is discontinued which breaks my heart! (see it in action here)

• Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara (would repurchase) - I got this for my bottom lashes because the brush is super small and skinny. It's not the best, it tends to flake off on me a bit, but I'd probably buy it again because it's affordable and widely available. 

• L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly mascara (would repurchase) - I don't think this exact version of the butterfly mascara is available anymore, but I loved this. It made a favorites post earlier this year, and I'd certainly give other versions a try in the future!

• Simple Micellar Cleansing Water (would repurchase) - If I was a micellar water kind of girl, which I'm not, I'd get this again. I used it to remove some extra traces of eye makeup and it did the job. You can find this easily at the drugstore for a decent price. 
• Hanalei Lip Treatment (would repurchase) - I got this in a past Ipsy bag and I freakin' loved it. It smelled amazing and was perfect to use at night before bed. I definitely want a full size of this in the future. 

• Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pomegranate (would not repurchase) - I *hated* this stuff. It actually chapped my lips the more I used it, so I didn't even finish this thing. I do not understand the hype that Burt's Bees has - there are way better natural lip balms on the market. 

• CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Vanilla Mint (would repurchase) - I adore these lip glosses. They're cooling and they always soothe my sore, chapped lips. I love having one of these in my purse at all times. You can find them at Bath & Body Works.

• Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist 24 Eye Cream (would purchase) - I fell in love with this sample. It's super hydrating and actually a tad oily, which is great for someone like me who tends to have dry, crepe-y under eyes. I definitely want to get a full size of this in the future.  

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - Still working through my mega Costco sized box of these, and still loving them. 

• TonyMoly Tea Tree Sheet Mask (would not repurchase) - I've got a whole set of these masks from Amazon (the best value if you want to try out these super popular masks) and I had high hopes for this one, but I didn't notice it doing much for my skin. I preferred the Red Wine mask over this one. 

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes (would not repurchase) - Holy moly, these are so fragranced. Enough to bug me, and enough to make me not want to buy them again. Personally, I'm really over makeup wipes. Once I work through my back stash of them, I'm going the cleansing oil/balm route for makeup removal for good.

• Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Whitening Plus Toothpaste (would repurchase) - I was pleasantly surprised by this toothpaste. It was super minty and foamed up nicely and the ingredients are good! 

• Tom's Wicked Cool toothpaste (would not repurchase) - This is the worst toothpaste ever. It doesn't make my teeth feel clean, it's barely minty... just yuck.

• Boscia Makeup Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil (would not repurchase) - This stuff gets so much hype, and I don't understand it. I didn't think it was that great of a cleansing oil, and for the price, you can get way better ones for cheaper. 

• First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser (would not purchase) - There's nothing special about this face wash. It was fine, and it's a shimmery red color which is interesting, but I wouldn't spend the money on a full size bottle. 

• LaVanila deodorant in Vanilla Snowberry (would repurchase) - This was part of last year's holiday deo trio, so this scent isn't available anymore. It was nice. LaVanila is my favorite natural deodorant brand, and it made my best of 2016.

• Four Elements Love Infused Body Oil (would repurchase) - I love this brand and this body oil, it's made with amazingly natural ingredients. I used this on my stomach when I was pregnant, and then as an all over  moisturizer even after I had my son. If you don't like the scent of rose, you won't like this, but there are other scents to choose from. 

• Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy perfume (would not repurchase) - God, after a 3.4 oz bottle of this, I am so over this scent. I loved it in my early college years, and now the scent is a bit more juvenile than I'd prefer. 

• Benefit Ooh La Lift (would repurchase) - This is a nice under eye brightener. It isn't amazing, but it did help my undereyes look less crepe-y. 

• Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm (would repurchase) - This is a real pricey eye cream, but it's good stuff. It's lightweight but hydrating. (full review here)

• Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Treatment Oil (would not purchase) - There's nothing special about this face oil. I mixed it in with my moisturizer in the morning for an added boost of hydration. I wouldn't buy this in a full size.

• Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Hawaiian Kukui (would repurchase) - Tree Hut scrubs are my favorite body scrubs ever. They're affordable and have lots of scrubbies to get your body feelin' silky soft in no time. They don't leave a residue and they all smell amazing.

• Trader Joe's Pumpkin Body Butter (would repurchase) - This was really nice, but it's seasonal so you won't find it at Trader Joe's again until next fall. It was so good it made a favorites post earlier this year.

• Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Body Cream (would repurchase) - Every single one of Soap & Glory's body creams smell so good, this one is no different. It is lightly moisturizing and smells divine. 

• White Barn candle in Thankful (would repurchase) - This was a really nice, smoky and nutty scent that I enjoyed. I believe it comes out annually, and I'd consider getting it again. 

• Better Homes wax melts in Pure White Woods (would not repurchase) - These wax melts were super strong, musky and fresh. One cube is enough to smell up my entire house. The smell isn't bad, but not my favorite. 

• Trader Joe's Cedar Balsam candle (would repurchase) - I loved this candle from Trader Joe's! I think it was a new release for the holidays. It smelled like Christmas - piney and woodsy. I hope they come out with more candles in the future. 

• Better Homes wax melts in Spiced Apple Wreath (would repurchase) - These smell just like you'd imagine. Fruity with a hint of holiday spice. I liked these and would buy them again if I saw them. 

• Frostbeard Candles candle in Headmaster's Office (would not repurchase) - I wanted to love this, but I was super underwhelmed. It hardly had a scent throw, which was really disappointing. I wouldn't get it again. (see more here) 

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

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!