November Empties | #32

I used up a crap ton of things this past month - to the point where my bag was nearly overflowing. Dang, it feels good to get through my backstock of stuff! Can anyone else relate?!

I love empties posts because they're a super efficient way of knocking out a ton of mini reviews all at once, and heck - once you've used the ENTIRE product, it's safe to say you know whether or not you'd buy it again and why. So, read below for a speed dating style review of everything I finished up in November.

• Dr. Clear Magic Toner (would repurchase) - I got this ages ago in a MEMEBOX, and it was decent. It wasn't anything magical. It's supposed to balance the skin and help combat oil. I don't have really oily skin, but I do think it helped managed the spots that do produce more oil on my face.

• Origins Modern Friction (would not repurchase) - I hated this face scrub. It's creamy and has little scrubby balls in it that just aren't scrubby enough. It burned every time the tiniest bit got on the very outer part of the inside of my nose, and my skin had some weird reaction to it that made my neck itchy for a few minutes after I was out of the shower. Not worth the price. It might work for you, but it is not a face scrub that works for me. 

• Epice Purifying Exfoliant (would repurchase) - On the other side, I adored this face scrub. It had very fine, almost sand-like, exfoliant in it and it made my skin feel so soft and clean after using it. I have no idea if this is mega expensive or not, but I would consider buying a full size in the future. 

• DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew (would repurchase) - I love this moisturizer. It's light but moisturizing and it doesn't break me out. If I'm remembering correctly, a full size of this is stupidly expensive, but I would consider buying it in the future. 

• Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Hand Cream in Be Joyful (would repurchase) - This is such a luxurious hand cream, I'd love to have a big size - especially for winter. The Be Joyful scent was pleasant and not too overpowering. Overall, super nice and worth the couple extra bucks for the brand name.

• Gold Bond Healing Aloe Lotion (would not repurchase) - Wasn't a big fan of this. I used it for my hands and it just felt like it created a layer of lotion on my skin that didn't really do anything. 

• Laura Mercier Body Souffle in Tarte Au Citron (would repurchase) - These body souffles are so decadent and mega-scented. You can't wear perfume over them, which might be a perk if you want to smell good but don't want to layer lotion and perfume. If you like sweet bakery scents, this would be up your alley. It moisturizes really well and left my skin feeling silky smooth. A full size jar ain't cheap though, so keep that in mind if you're watching your wallet. 

Can you tell I'm trying to get through my endless amount of samples?

• Garnier Balancing Daily Exfoliator (would repurchase) - I didn't expect to like this all that much, but it surprised me and I really enjoyed using it. My skin looked brighter and felt really clean after using it. I'd definitely considering purchasing this at some point.
• Biore Charcoal Pore Strips (would not repurchase) - These are shit. They leave sticky black crap all over your nose when you take the strip off. And let's be real - these are actually damaging to your skin. Combat blackheads and clogged pores a different way than Biore strips, people. Not worth it. 

• Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask (would repurchase) - This was a nice mask. It looked like I was inappropriately trying to pull of blackface makeup, but aside from that it felt nice and made my skin feel clean. 

• Yves Rocher Elixer 7.9 (would not repurchase) - Fairly certain this day cream broke me out. Yves Rocher products are really cheap, and I'm sure the cheap ingredients didn't do anything good for my skin.

• Arbonne Sheer Glow Highlighter (would repurchase) - This was a super pretty cream highlighter that gave a natural glow. It looked amazing in both low light and sun light. I'm not usually one to use cream highlighters, but this made me consider changing that about myself. 

• Matrix Play Back Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I did a blog post on this line from Matrix this summer, and while this was OK, I wouldn't bother getting it again. I have others I like better for less money. 

• Redken Extreme Anti-Snap (would not repurchase) - I like the idea of a product like this - one that helps prevent hair breakage and split ends, but unfortunately it just didn't do anything for me. 

• Pantene Ultimate 10 BB Conditioner (would not repurchase) - I'm not 100% sure, but I think this product weighed my hair down. I only put conditioner in my hair from my ears down, and yet, it seemed like my hair got greasy really fast and was limp and flat when I used this. It's cheap, and you really get what you pay for here. 

• Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Repair Treatment (would repurchase) - This was a nice deep conditioner. I don't have color-treated hair, but I can still use the nourishment that products like this provide. It smelled nice and made my hair feel good. Full review here.

• Sunstar Gum Mint Waxed Floss (would not repurchase) - I keep these little minis from the dentist in my desk at work for desperate flossing needs. This stuff is fine, but it's not the best floss. I wouldn't buy it in a full size.

• Lush Creme Anglaise (would repurchase) - This is my favorite Lush lotion of all time and it's discontinued. I've been nursing this little sample for way too long while I wait for it to someday pop up on the Lush Kitchen site and I can buy a few tubs of it. RIP Creme Anglaise, the most decadent, deliciously-scented, soft-skin-inducing lotion of life. 

• Prada Candy (would not purchase) - This is kind of a cult scent, but it's nothing special and definitely not something I need a full size of. It's very sweet with hints of musk, so it's actually quite mature despite how sweet it is. It doesn't smell bad, but I prefer more unique scents than this. I don't like to smell like every other woman, and this is kind of one of those perfumes.

• Bella Organics Vanilla Mint Deodorant Creme (would repurchase) - Long long ago, Bella Organics sent me a sample of their deodorant to test and review. I absolutely adored it (I wasn't paid to say that either!) I bought a 3 pack on Zulily and this was my last of them. This is a natural deodorant that really does mesh well with my body type, keeping me smelling good even on hot and humid days. It is annoying you have to dig it out and apply it with your hands, but it works so well that I'm over that already. The Vanilla Mint is my favorite scent that I've tried. Full review here. 

• Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion (would not repurchase) - Hello old packaging! Can you tell it's time to get rid of this? I did use most of it, but it's time to say goodbye. I know people rant and rave over this stuff, but it's not one of my favorite eyeshadow primers. I've found way better than this, especially for oily eyelids. 

• Pacifica Alight BB Cream (would not repurchase) - This stuff is way too shimmery and light for my taste. I ended up mixing this in with foundation for a glow and it was OK for that purpose, but I most certainly don't need a full size of this.

• Up & Up Latex-Free Foam Wedges (would repurchase) - Let's be real, these are the original BeautyBlender. I still love using these with certain foundations and I always have some on backup. I always get latex-free so I don't smell like a doctor office.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - You already know I love these. I use them for toner, eye makeup remover, cleaning my brushes, nail polish remover... you name it. I buy them in bulk from Costco so I'm never without a pack when I use a sleeve up. 

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture (would not repurchase) - This is such a throwback product. I used to use this in high school, but have strayed away from it. I just don't like it anymore. It smells like sunscreen and I think it breaks my skin out. 

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner (would repurchase) - This has been a long time favorite of mine, but Wet n Wild went and reformulated and repackaged this product and it just isn't the same, I'm told. I bought a bunch when they got clearanced off the shelves and I'm sadly working my way through them now. 

• Milani Brow Shaping Clear Gel (would repurchase) - This is an awesome drug store brow gel. It has a small brush and applies easily. It'll hold brows in place without making them feel crunchy. I find it comparable to the beloved Anatasia Brow Gel. 

• Dior Diorshow Mascara (would not repurchase) - This was a pretty good little sample. It made my lashes look long and full, and the mascara itself actually smells good (weird, I know) but it's expensive and there was just something about it that I didn't love but I can't put my finger on it.  I wouldn't buy a full size tube.

• Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer in Citron-Eucalyptus (would repurchase) - I like these, especially in spring and summer when I do a lot of walking and I want to give my feet a good scrub. I didn't like this scent as much as their lavender one, but it worked fine and you get way more than 12 washes like it states. 

• Q-Tips Precision Tips (would repurchase) - I always have these in my vanity drawer. The precision point is nice because you can easily remove stray makeup, an oops with eyeliner, or what have you. 

• Deep Steep Apple Spice Hand Wash (would repurchase) - I love me some Deep Steep hand washes. They're natural and they typically release some good seasonal scents like this one. The Apple Spice scent was perfect for fall. 

• Mrs. Meyers Apple Cider Hand Soap (would repurchase) - I loved this seasonal Mrs. Meyers soap. I also loved the fall colored packaging. I hope they release this again next fall. 

• B&BW Wasabi Apple candle (would repurchase) - This is an older B&BW scent from a couple years back, but it smelled delicious. Let's be clear - I hate wasabi in my food, but the B&BW version mixed with apple was heavenly! 

What have you used up this month? Let me know in the comments! 

October Empties | #31

Holy cow - my empties bag filled up quick this month. Lots of goodies to share with you, so let's get right to it...

• Proganix Soy Protein + Caffeine Volume Shampoo (would repurchase) - Last month I used up the conditioner, this month I made it through the shampoo. This stuff was fine. It didn't blow my mind, but it made my hair feel clean and volumized without stripping it. Full review here.

• Psssst Instant Dry Shampoo (would repurchase) - This will be featured soon in a battle of the dry shampoos so I don't want to get too detailed, but just know I enjoyed this. 

• Clairol Hair Food Root Cleansing Shampoo (would repurchase) - I absolutely loved this clarifying shampoo. It smells amazing and removes buildup, and it's a better option than some other brands. I only use this once a week or so, so this lasted me forever and ever, but I never got sick of it. Full review here.

• Schwarzkopf Oil Potion Gold Shimmer Treatment (would not repurchase) - I think this was discontinued, and I can kind of see why. It really didn't deep condition my hair, it didn't smell that nice, it was just sort of blah. The only cool thing about it is that it's a shimmery gold cream that looks cool in the jar. 

• CC Pollen Anti Aging Serum (would not repurchase) - I purchased this on a whim from Vitacost, and I can't say I noticed any difference in my skin when using this. It had fabulous ingredients, but it just didn't do anything. Maybe with continued use it would, but I'd rather try out other serums instead.

• Insta Natural Youth Express Eye Gel (would not repurchase) - Let me first say, this is a good product. The reason I wouldn't repurchase it is because it's only good for me in the months my skin needs less hydration, plus this lasts forever and I like to switch things up. If those two things aren't something that you need to look out for, go for this! It has good ingredients and the price is right. Full review here.

• Exuviance Skin Rise Bionic Tonic (would repurchase) - I was on the fence about this product when I first used it. I brought it back out earlier this month to use up, and combined with a retinol, I saw a noticeable difference in my skin. I'd definitely consider getting another jar of these pads because the ingredients are dang good. Full review here. 

• Naobay Oxygenating Moisturizer (would repurchase) - This is a very basic facial moisturizer that I really enjoyed using. I got it in an Ipsy bag, and finally pulled it out just to use up, and not only did this little sample last me forever, but I actually liked using it more than I expected to. It didn't have a scent, and it didn't break me out - both pluses. 

• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser (would repurchase) - I like to keep my skincare WAY more natural than this, but I truly enjoyed using this cleanser. It made my skin feel super clean and fresh, which I loved the feeling of in the morning. I get samples of this now and then in Walmart Beauty Boxes, so I hope I get some more. 

• Lush Sympathy for the Skin Hand and Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I really like using Lush lotions, and this is a new favorite. I smelled this when I was in Colorado last year, and loved it so much my husband got it for me for Christmas. I used it sparingly and only just used it up. It smells like vanilla, which I love, and even has little vanilla bean granules in the lotion that soak in to your skin. This certainly won't be my last jar.

• Lush The Sacred Truth Fresh Face Mask (would repurchase) - A great mask for hydration. Full review here. 

• Reviva Labs Antioxidant Skin Smoothing Day Cream (would repurchase) - This is actually my husband's daily moisturizer and he likes it. It has good ingredients and doesn't break him out, so he already had me repurchase another one for him. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation (would repurchase) - You already know this is hands down my favorite foundation of life. I've repurchased this a million times and already have a few bottles on back stock because I refuse to be without it. Full review here.

• Carmex Cherry (would not repurchase) - I love Carmex, but I do not love the Cherry flavor. The taste takes over my mouth and it isn't pleasant. 

• Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara (would not repurchase) - This wasn't the worst mascara, but there was more I disliked about it than I liked. The wand was way too big so I got product all over my eyelids, and it took around 3 coats to get the volume I prefer. This isn't worth the price tag in my book. 

• Rimmel Scandaleyes Precision Micro Eyeliner (would not repurchase) - I only used this a couple times because it's awful. The tip isn't long enough, and it applies so sheer it's laughable.

• Jafra Hydrating Toner (would not repurchase) - There wasn't anything bad about this toner, but it also wasn't anything special. I think Jafra is one of those pyramid scheme beauty brands, and ya'll know I hate that shit, so I wouldn't bother trying to get my hands on this in the future.

• GUM Cavity Protection Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - This is a little sample from my dentist. Again, nothing overly special here. I prefer more natural toothpastes than this, and if I weren't to use a natural kind, this isn't my first pick.

• DKNY My NY perfume (would not purchase) - Not bad, not great. Fruity and warm, but nothing I need a full size of.

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - Let me be clear, I wouldn't purchase these again to use on my son's butt because they suck for that. I would purchase them to wipe off swatches and clean up my vanity, which is what I use them for. They're made with good ingredients and free of gross chemicals.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - Y'all already know how much I love these. I use them time and time again and I buy them in a mega pack from Costco so I never run out. 

• Audrey and Lewis Barrier Reef Hand Soap (would repurchase) - I haven't included hand soaps in my empties before, but I figured I'd start. I got this at Marshalls and I enjoyed it. It was very lime-y, so if you like citrus scents, you'd love this.

• Seche Vite Top Coat (would repurchase) - One of my absolute favorite top coats. It dries super fast and leaves my nails looking mega shiny. 

• Benefit Porefessional Primer (would not repurchase) - This is a nice primer that helps minimize the appearance of pores. It has a slippery silicone feel, and actually did make my skin look pretty good. I didn't notice it extending the wear of my makeup at all. I don't think I'd get it in a full size, though. 

• B&BW Radiant Red Maple candle (would repurchase) - I got this candle last year and finally pulled it out -- I'm not sure they brought it back for this season. It smells amazing - like toasted marshmallow and apple. The scent throw was amazing and I could smell it throughout my entire house. 

• dw Home Apple Cider candle (would repurchase) - I'm obsessed with apple cider scented things this season and this candle lived up to my expectations. It smelled just like cider and had great throw. Extra points for the gorgeous frosty orange/red glass. Wish it didn't have writing all over it so I could save it and reuse it.

• Yankee Candle Vanilla Chai candle (would repurchase) - This spicy-scented candle was nice, but didn't have quite the scent throw the other two did. If I left my bathroom door mostly closed, I could smell it when I walked in, but not if I left the door open. It was nice though, perfect for fall. 

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

Lush Fresh Face Mask | The Sacred Truth

I am one of the few people in this universe, it seems, who hasn't tried a Lush Fresh Face Mask until very recently. It's not that I haven't wanted to, but I don't live anywhere near a Lush, and only recently was I able to get to one, return a bunch of empty pots and redeem my FREE face mask! There was only a couple options to pick at the time, and I opted for The Sacred Truth.

The Sacred Truth's main goal is to hydrate and soften the skin. They market it towards mature or dry skin, but really, I think just about anyone could give this a go. Much like the name ("fresh face mask") implies, all of the ingredients are fresh. This mask, in particular, is made with eggs, shea butter, wheat grass, papaya, green tea, ginseng root and a handful of other ingredients. It has a prominent smell of ylang-ylang, which isn't my favorite, but it's not like it sticks around once you wash it off.

When I used this earlier this summer, I did have dry skin. I would apply this in the morning for about 10 minutes, wash it off and go about my normal skincare and makeup routine. I noticed a difference in the feeling of my skin, and it helped keep dryness at bay. I really enjoyed using this mask and would definitely get it again as a free perk for returning my Lush pots.

My only gripe about the Fresh Face Masks, and it's just what comes with the natural ingredient territory, is that they have a shelf life of about 2 weeks or less. It just is what it is. I don't mask often enough to really get through one of these and get my money's worth (assuming I paid for one), and for that reason I'd only get these if I had enough empty pots to get a free one. 

I have almost enough empty Lush pots to get another face mask when I can get to a Lush again. What one would YOU recommend trying? Let me know!

May Empties | #26

I'm not kidding you when I say these last few months have been the speediest of my entire life, I think! I can hardly believe that May is over and we're now on our way in to June. Slooooow down, time! The month was fast, but I still managed to use up a good chunk of stuff. Let's take a peek through it  and I'll let you know what's worth your time to try.

• Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser (would repurchase) - This is a nice, gentle cleanser. It didn't irritate my skin and it kept it soft and smooth. Full review here. 

• Michael Todd Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Facial Mask (would not repurchase) - I've had this for a while now, and it's not gone, but I honestly hate using it because it smells so awful. I have plenty of charcoal masks that work better and don't smell disgusting, so I'll stick to those instead. I typically love everything in the Michael Todd brand family, but this just didn't do it for me. 

• ROC Daily Resurfacing Disks (would not repurchase) - These were just OK. They were super-fragranced, so if you're like me and don't enjoy products with synthetic fragrance up the wazoo, stay away. It cleaned my face fine, but I didn't notice any line reduction in my skin or any fabulous results. 

• Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara (would repurchase) - I loved this mascara so much it made it in to a recent favorites post. It makes my lashes look full without being clumpy or unnatural. I already have backups of this in my stash. 

• Covergirl Clump Crusher water resistant mascara (would repurchase) - Do note, the packaging on this says "water resistant" - it is NOT waterproof. It's a good option, but not what I'd reach for if I need some serious water protection. 

• Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer (would not repurchase) - This primer is just OK. Most days it couldn't withstand my oily eyelids and I'd be creasy-looking come 5 PM. I used it up, I won't buy it again.

• Benefit Ooh La Lift Under Eye Brightener (would repurchase) - I really like this little brightener. I think it helps my concealer go on better. It's not a miracle product, but I enjoyed using it. 

• Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer (would not repurchase) - I wasn't a huge fan of this face primer. It didn't make my skin look flawless like other primers I've tried, and I can't really say it kept my makeup on longer or better. 

• Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Lotion in Passion Fruit & Guava (would repurchase) - I snagged this on clearance a while back and I really liked it! It had a very subtle fragrance that wouldn't overpower any perfume I wanted to wear. It moisturizes without feeling greasy and the price is quite cheap considering the big bottle size! 

• Soap & Glory Rich & Foamous Body Wash (would repurchase) - Oh my gosh, I LOVED this body wash. It had a creamy consistency and a delicious warm almond scent. This would be a perfect wintertime body wash. I was sad to use it up! 

• Origins Ginger Body Wash & Body Scrub (would repurchase) - I love love love the smell of Origins' Ginger line, and while I enjoyed the body wash, the scrub was just not scrubby enough for me. I'll get the body wash again, but I won't get the scrub again. 

• Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (would repurchase) - I don't know, I feel like I had these for too long so they were drier and weren't as rave-worthy as I remember them being. I'd still buy them again because I used to love them. I must've just got a bad batch. 

• HASK Purifying Deep Conditioner (would repurchase) - This was nice, smelled great, and made my hair soft. Full review here. 

• Up & Up Cosmetic Wedges (would repurchase) - I love using these wedges to put on my foundation. I always buy latex free because I despise that scent. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - There's always a pack of these in my monthly empties. I love them, and use them for everything from removing nail polish to applying toner on my face. My Costco carries  them in a mega pack which is the best deal around. 

• Matrix Miracle Extender (would repurchase) - This was a pretty good dry shampoo. It's not cheap, but it did the trick. I can't say I'd spend $16 on it (they sent me this bottle) when I like my $6 bottle of Batiste, but if I found it for cheap, I'd pick it up again. 

• MAC Fix+ (would repurchase) - I love this facial water to set my makeup and give me a little sheen. It helps my makeup look less powdery and more natural and dewy. I already have another bottle ready to go. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation (would not repurchase) - This got a really wonky smell before it was even finished, a tell-tale sign that it's time to let this go. I was not a fan of this foundation as much as I wanted to love it. It made me look way too oily and it didn't last all day on my face the way my beloved Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation does. 

• Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick (would repurchase) - I picked this up when I found out I was pregnant to help combat hormonal acne without harsh chemicals. It wasn't a miracle but it did help. 

• Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm (would not repurchase) - I wrote about this in a post about overhyped products. I didn't love this, it felt like it just sat on top of my lips without doing anything. For the price and the less than stellar results, I wouldn't buy this again. 

• Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion (would repurchase) - This little sample smelled great and moisturized my hands nicely. It's free of nasty ingredients and works well. I just bought a full size of this the other day, I liked it that much. 

• Tom's Propolis & Myrrh Toothpaste in Peppermint (would not repurchase) - This wasn't my favorite, it wasn't the worst. It's definitely a very natural tasting toothpaste, so if you're looking for that fake, overly minty taste, you won't find it here. It didn't make my mouth feel fresh enough, so I probably wouldn't pick it up again. 

• Shir-Organics Pure Avocado Moisturizer & Pure Coconut Oatmeal Cleanser (would repurchase) - I don't want to give too much away, but look for a full post on these products soon! 

• Lush Love and Light hand cream (would repurchase) - This was a nice hand cream! It's a little on the greasy side, but I loved it in the dry winter months. To me, it smelled like herbal fruit loops, which I found pleasant. 

• Maybelline Fit Me powder (would not repurchase) - This was just an OK powder. It's nothing special and there are definitely powders I like far better than this. 

• Chapstick in Pumpkin Pie (would not repurchase) - I was not a big fan of the scent of this. I used it up because I'm like that, but I prefer other lip balms and definitely like to keep it a bit more natural than Chapstick.

• bareMinerals Marvelous lipstick in Moxie (would repurchase) - This little sample got super soft and broke off, and I am not fussing around with applying it anymore. It's got a gorgeous mauve color  that I loved wearing, perfect for everyday, but it's not worth toying with. 

• Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Third Trimester Tea (would repurchase) - This stuff is delicious. It tastes like a peppermint tea but it's got other great stuff for mamas in their third trimesters like red raspberry leaf, which helps to tone the uterus and get it ready for birth. I've been drinking this very regularly and I'm hoping it'll help my labor. 

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

April Empties | #25

You guys... where did April go?? Seriously. And how are we in week 2 of May? Obviously time is flying by too quickly and I can't keep up when my empties post has gotten so late it's being posted mid-way through the next month! YIKES! 

Anyway, let's dig through my trash and I'll let you know whether my empties are worth a repurchase or not. Here we go...

• Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish (would repurchase) - This was pretty good. It certainly does foam up and it's gritty enough to exfoliate the skin, my only complaint is it doesn't smell nice at all. Full review here. 

• Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (would repurchase) - I love this setting spray, it's one of the best I've ever used. I definitely notice a difference in the longevity of my makeup when I use it. I've already got another bottle of this on hand!

• LaVanila deodorant in Pure Vanilla (would repurchase) - LaVanila deodorants have no aluminum or nasty ingredients, which I prefer. This brand works really well for me, but keep in mind that natural deodorants seem to work differently from person to person, so it may or may not work for you.

• Origins Soothing Souffle whipped body cream (would not repurchase) - This stuff literally smells like spearmint toothpaste. About half way through the jar, the smell became  sickening and I was so happy when I finally used it up. Even my husband commented on how sickening the scent was, and he's usually pretty indifferent to what lotions I use. Never again.

• Redken All Soft Shampoo (would not repurchase) - There was nothing inherently wrong with this shampoo, but I just wasn't that impressed. I'd rather use Suave, which is significantly cheaper, than buy another bottle of this. My husband ended up using more of it than I actually did, and he thought it wasn't very foamy. Meh, no need to get it again.

• Yes To Blueberries Healthy Hair Repair Conditioner (would repurchase) - I enjoyed this conditioner. It made my hair feel really soft and smelled nice, and as an added bonus it's affordable and made up of good ingredients.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - These are some of the best cotton rounds I've used. I get them in a mega pack from Costco and this certainly won't be the last pack in my future. 

• Vanedo Beauty Friends Rose Mask (would not repurchase) - This mask was just OK. It claims to soothe, moisturize and "converge"(???) the skin, but I didn't notice it doing much at all for me. It felt nice and was relaxing, but I'd rather use a mask that provides visible benefits. 

• Colgate MaxFresh toothpaste (would repurchase) - A boring empty, but this was a good toothpaste and I'd probably buy it again. I tend to stick with more natural toothpastes, but now and then I pick up a random tube of something like Colgate.

• Sensodyne Pronamel (would not repurchase) - I don't really need a toothpaste like Pronamel, but I was given a zillion sample tubes so I'm just using them up. It works fine, but won't make your mouth feel all that fresh and clean. 

• Physicians Formula Multi-Colored blush in Blushing Nude (would repurchase) - You can see it isn't all gone, but it was getting tough to get enough on my brush. I love this blush. It looks natural and blends really well. If I saw it again, I'd pick it up. I'm not even sure they make this anymore, to be honest. See it in action here.

• Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette in Light (would not repurchase) - This concealer palette is awesome, don't get me wrong, but if you are pale like I am, these shades are WAY too dark. But, if you aren't as pale as I am and need some serious coverage, I would highly recommend picking up this palette. It's best used for covering up blemishes, which it does like a champ.

• Soap & Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash (would not repurchase) - This took me AGES to use up, anf my husband even helped me through it. I'm talking a solid 6 months or so. This is nothing special, and unfortunately it has microbeads in it (not cool, Soap & Glory!!) so I definitely won't buy it again.

• Oz Naturals Ocean Minerals Facial Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I didn't finish this up all the way because it burned my eyes so bad if it got in them and I don't like that. Also, the smell started to make me nauseous (thanks, pregnancy) so out it goes. The ingredients are good though, which is a plus! Full review here. 

• Rodan + Fields Pore Minimizing Toner (would repurchase) - This toner was nice. It's highly fragranced (a con in my book), but it did the job of prepping my skin for moisturizer and removing any extra traces of makeup left on my skin. Full review here.

• Rosehip Plus Organic Rosehip Oil (would repurchase) - Rosehip oil has many great benefits for the skin (reduces appearance of scars, wrinkles and more - yay!) and this was a nice option. I found it at TJ Maxx and if I saw it again and needed a night time moisturizer, I'd pick this up again. Full review here. 

• Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Oil-Free Perfecting Creme (would not repurchase) - This creme is supposed to have tons of great benefits, but I did not notice it doing anything for me. It's really pricey and I wouldn't shell out the money for it again.

• MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara (would not repurchase) - This mascara requires at least 3 coats to get the volume and length I prefer. For the price, I don't want to work that hard to make my lashes look nice. 

• Wet n Wild H20 Proof liquid eyeliner (would repurchase) - If you want a seriously waterproof eyeliner that won't break the bank, look no further. This stuff is awesome and this little tube lasts ages... I probably used it longer than I should have, but it didn't go bad. I've already got another bottle on back up. 

• Essence I Heart Extreme Waterproof Mascara (would not repurchase) - This stuff was awful. It clumped and flaked and made my lashes look like crap. I used this a couple times and promptly threw it in my empties bin.

• Nivea Kiss of Mint & Minerals lip balm (would not repurchase) - This stuff was okay, but it felt like it just sat on my lips without actually hydrating them. There are better drugstore options if you're in the market for a new lip balm. 

• Veriditas Peppermint essential oil (would repurchase) - Veriditas makes really great quality essential oils, and their peppermint oil was nice. Peppermint is one of my favorite oils to use and I have to admit I'm proud to have used a whole bottle! 

• Lush Santa's Lip Scrub (would repurchase) - As much as I love Lush's lip scrubs, I can never get through a whole jar before they go bad so they end up being a waste of money for me. This one tasted like cola and worked well to get rid of any dry skin on my lips.

• Lush Gorgeous Facial Moisturizer (would repurchase) - This sample was nice. It smells quite herbal, so be warned if you don't like things that smell overly "natural". It didn't break me out and did a good job of hydrating my skin. I'd consider getting this in a full size.

• BeautyBlender (would repurchase) - Mark my words, no other beauty sponges compare to the BeautyBlender. They are worth every penny. All other sponges I've tried end up soaking up more makeup than what they put on my face, but that's not the case with the BeautyBlender. Love it, and already have a new one to use.

• MyKind Organics Prenatal Once Daily (would repurchase) - These are the prenatals I've taken my entire pregnancy. They're made up of whole, organic foods and surprisingly, these once a day pills aren't too huge. They're certainly not the cheapest prenatal on the market, but the ingredients are so good that I'd highly recommend them if you're looking to get pregnant, already are, or just need a good multivitamin. 

• Alive Calcium Gummies (would repurchase) - I got sick of pill taking and opted to get my calcium in gummy form. It's really hard to find vegetarian gummy vitamins, but these are gelatin-free. They don't taste as good as I wish they would, but they do the trick. 

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

February Empties | #23

February wasn't a very exciting month of using things up, and because it was a shorter month, I feel like I don't have much now but I have a WHOLE bunch of stuff that's nearly empty. March will probably be jam packed with goodies. Here's what I used up in February and my two cents on each product. 

• Suave Visible Glow Self-Tanning Body Lotion (would repurchase) - This stuff reeks like tanning lotion, but it gives a really nice color and it builds fast. It's also ridiculously cheap. I didn't quite finish this bottle, it expired before self-tanning season, but I'll definitely get some more for summer.

• glonaturals essentials SPF 30 sunscreen (would repurchase) - This is a Vitacost house brand (Vitacost.com is the best website ever with all sorts of healthy and natural products at a better price than in-store). I like this lotion because it isn't super sticky and it kept me from burning.

• Honest Company SPF 30 Sunscreen (would not repurchase) - This stuff is mega greasy. You will look oiled from head to toe. It's fine for a beach day, but it's not something you want to be covered in if you're just headed out to a ball game or something.

• Davines LOVE Conditioner (would repurchase) - This smelled nice and made my hair feel soft. I do know it's kind of a pricey product, but if I saw it for a good price, I'd snatch it up in a full size.

• Equate Latex-Free Applicator Wedges (would repurchase) - Wedges are still my go-to way to put on foundation. I think they help keep acne at bay because they're one time use only. I'll always have a bag of these in my stash.

• Ken Paves Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - These smelled really good, kind of herbal and reminiscent of certain Aveda products. They made my hair so soft and shiny. I'd definitely pick up a full size of these. 

• Clear Eyes Maximum Redness Relief eye drops (would repurchase) - This spilled all over the bottom of my purse, sadly, but they were good while they lasted. I'm prone to red eyes, so I always keep a bottle of these on hand. 

• Milani Brow Shaping Gel (would repurchase) - This is probably one of my top 3 favorite brow gels. I get it on Amazon for under $10 and it lasts me a solid few months and keeps my eyebrows from being wonky. 

• Dr. Brandt Pores No More pore refiner (would not repurchase) - I've been trying to make my way through the tons of mini primer samples I have, and I started with this one. It does a good job of making your skin look flawless, but I just don't *need* to have it on hand so I wouldn't buy it if I saw it.

• Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste (would repurchase) - I've got a million of these little travel sizes. I like this toothpaste, and I'd purchase it in a full size.

• Up & Up Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - This stuff works awesome to get tricky waterproof eye makeup off easily. It's cheaper than name brands but works exactly the same. 

• Weleda Oat Replenishing Treatment (would repurchase) - This smelled amazing, very herbal and sort of Aveda-like. It's super thick, like spreading lotion in to your hair, but it leaves hair soft and conditioned. A nice option for a more natural deep conditioner.

• Kiss My Face Triple Action Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I wasn't a big fan of this toothpaste. It didn't foam up well and it never left my mouth feeling particularly clean. 

• Bella Organics Iced Lemonade deodorant creme (would repurchase) - I did a review on Bella Organics deodorants back in the day, and I ended up buying a 3 pack of the full sizes when they were on Zulily this past summer. I like these natural deodorants a lot. Read the full review for more info. 

• Sephora Organic Cotton facial pads (would not repurchase) - These are overpriced and are far too flimsy. I didn't enjoy using these up and I won't buy them again. 

• Q-Tips Precision Tips (would repurchase) - I loooove these Q-tips. The ends are finer so you can easily remove any messed up eyeliner (what I use them for) or  nail polish. They work great.

• Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter (would not repurchase) - I used this on my hands at night before bed. I had realllly dry hands through much of this winter and even this stuff couldn't really save them. It would work if you need medium-intense hydration, but it won't give you mega hydration. 

• Lush Let the Good Times Roll cleanser (would repurchase) - This cleanser for face or body, I used it for face, smells like a cookie and has nice natural grit to exfoliate the skin. My husband wasn't a fan, but I definitely am. 

• Flowerbomb perfume (would repurchase) - I have a full size of this but I used this little mini up. This is the perfume I wore on my wedding day, so it has all sorts of good nostalgia tied to it. 

• Marchesa Parfum Dextase (would not repurchase) - This was wayyyy to much for me. It's strong on the hydrangea/floral notes and just isn't my style.

• Thierry Mugler Alien Perfume (would repurchase) - I love this scent so much. It's warm and inviting and really good for the colder months. I got a rollerball size for Christmas so I don't have to keep hoarding these mini samples anymore. 

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

January Empties | #22

While preparing for baby's arrival, we've spent a lot of time prepping the nursery. And baby's nursery is my old beauty room. With that said, I've rearranged everything and found new storage to fit my new beauty area's space, and I have to say - going through all my stuff has me motivated to use up a LOT of stuff. Maybe it's nesting that has me wanting to get rid of everything in sight, but no matter what it is, using some stuff up and downsizing will be good for my storage and my sanity. Here's what I went through in January...

• Cotton Labo Organic Cotton Puff (would not repurchase) - I got a two pack of these cotton pads on a whim on Amazon. I was thinking they'd be like the Shiseido cotton pads, but unfortunately they didn't measure up at all. They're too flimsy for my taste.

• Finchberry Sweet Dreams soap (would repurchase) - I got this soap as a gift and I really enjoyed using it. It suds up really well and lasted me quite a while. Finchberry soaps are vegan and chemical-free and I'd recommend trying them out if you haven't.

• Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream (would repurchase) - I'm a sucker for the Ginger scented Origins products. This lotion was nice and light and smelled amazing. I've got backups for future use. 

• The Body Shop Absinthe Purifying Hand Cream (would not repurchase) - This stuff sucked. It had a fresh scent, but it didn't moisturize at all. In fact, I think it made my hands drier. Now that it's gone, my hands seem to be in better condition than when I was using it. I won't bother with this stuff again. 

• Caldrea Body Lotion in Honey and Nutmeg (would repurchase) - This lotion was nice and light and kept my skin soft. The smell got a little old, but fortunately it didn't last all day.

• Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme (would not repurchase) - I got this in a Target beauty box or something like that. I threw it in my purse to use as a hand cream. It's nothing special and had an old lady scent. I'd never purchase it in a full size. 

• Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter (would repurchase) - I really like Soap & Glory products. They smell amazing, and they're nourishing. This body butter was really nice and kept my skin feeling soft even in the dead of winter. 

• Urban Decay Eye Shadow Potion  (would not repurchase) ---- - This is super old (hence the outdated packaging!), and while it isn't used up, it's time to let it go. I was never a big fan of this eye primer. This particular one has a golden sheen and I'd rather use one without any shimmer.

• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara (would not repurchase)- I don't know if this dried up on me before I got to it, but it was not enjoyable to use. It was clumpy and very dry... I don't remember it being that way the first time I tried this formula a long time ago. 

• Kat Von D eyeliners in Poetic and Saint (would not repurchase) - I am not a fan of Kat Von D eyeliners, and I might be the only person in the world who isn't. I have a whole post planned for this topic, but just know that I wouldn't bother spending money on these again. 

• Chapstick Hydration Lock lip balm (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this chapstick. It felt like a light wax that never sunk in to my lips to actually hydrate them. I don't think I've ever disliked a Chapstick balm before this one.

• Lypsyl lip balm (would repurchase) - On the flip side, this lip balm is amazing. It's mega hydrating, has good ingredients and feels so nice on my lips. I would highly recommend it. 

• e.l.f. Eye Refresh (would repurchase) - I don't know if in my head I thought this worked well (placebo effect) or if it was just a dud, but it felt cooling and helped if my eyes were puffy or in need of a refresh. I'd probably get it again because it was so cheap. 

• Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Conditioner (would repurchase) - I liked this a lot. Find a full review here. 

• The Seaweed Bath Co. Volumizing Argan Shampoo in Lavender (would repurchase) - This was a really nice shampoo. I used the conditioner up last month and the combo of the two was nourishing and made my hair shiny and soft. 

• Macadamia No Tangle spray (would repurchase) - This spray was a bit thicker than your average detangler, but it was super nourishing and really did help get rid of tangles. 

• Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair Spray (would not repurchase) - While this hair spray works well and smells nice, it's uber expensive and that alone is reason enough to not buy it in a full size. I have others I like better for much less. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation (would repurchase) - You already know, this is my favorite foundation of all time. It's my umpteenth bottle and it certainly won't be my last. Full review here. 

• Maybelline Better Skin foundation (would not repurchase) - This started smelling really weird, a key indicator that it's expired. I didn't use it all, unfortunately it wasn't a favorite. Full review here.

• NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder (would repurchase) - This is a holy grail face powder for me. It's under $5 but performs like it's high-end. Definitely worth trying out if you haven't before. 

• Seche Vite top coat (would repurchase) - While I think this top coat is good - it creates a shiny finish and it dries really fast, and I'll certainly buy it again.. it does make my nail polish chip quickly. But for some reason, that doesn't stop me from buying it again and again.  

• Missha Cacao & Cream Facial Scrub (would repurchase) - This is a korean brand that came in a past Memebox. It smells legitimately like (and resembles!) cookies and cream! My husband used it and really loved how it smelled and worked. It's not too abrasive and has a creamy texture, so if you don't like a rough facial scrub, you might enjoy this one.

• Lush Hot Toddy shower gel (would repurchase) - This is a limited edition Christmas scent that I bought last holiday season. It smells like cinnamon and is filled with glitter (that doesn't stick to your body). I like Lush shower gels, and this was no exception.

• Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume (would repurchase) - Not quite finished with this perfume, but it is oooolllld and the scent just isn't quite right anymore. I loved this when I first got it, but I'm ready for a break from this perfume for a while. People describe this as fruity, but I definitely can't smell those notes. To me it smells like a  sophisticated floral scent. 

• BCBGMAXAZRIA bon chic perfume (would not repurchase) - While I used up this little sample size, this perfume wasn't really my kind of scent and not unique enough that I need it in my collection. It's sweet and kind of fruity, but mature enough to wear to work or for a day out. 

• Clinique Moisture Surge gel moisturizer (would repurchase) - I realllly liked this gel moisturizer. It felt so nice on my skin and felt moisturizing without being heavy. I would love to get a full size of this at some point. 

• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (would repurchase) - I've used many samples of this face wash and I really like it. The scent isn't overwhelming and the formula is really gentle for any kind of skin type. I wish it wasn't so expensive or I'd totally purchase it! 

• Quantum Canker Covers (would repurchase) - Kind of a weird empty, but I had to throw it in because these are a total life saver for me. I am prone to canker sores, especially when I bite my lip (which is all the time), and nothing provides relief and promotes healing like these. If you suffer from canker sores, you have GOT to check these out. 

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