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!

September Empties | #30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What did you use up recently? Let me know! 

Ladykin Affinitic Lifting Cream

I think the entire review of this product could just be "OMG LOOK AT HOW CUTE THE PACKAGING IS!!" The end. But of course that wouldn't be very helpful, now would it? Rest assured, the product inside justifies your purchase so you can have this cute little snail adorning your vanity shelf. 

The Ladykin Affinitic Lifting Cream does all sorts of good things for the skin, thanks to the wonder ingredient - Snail Slime Filtrate. Sounds gross, but works wonders. Korean beauty products often contain snail slime because it's a moisturizing wonder. This lotion also has other natural antioxidants and botanic extracts that hydrate and nourish the skin. 

This product aims to boost elasticity, repair damaged skin cells, hydrate and brighten your complexion. After cleansing and toning, apply the lifting cream all over your skin. If you have dry skin, follow with a moisturizer. I found that this provided very light hydration, and on a no-makeup day I could get away without using a moisturizer on top. If you're planning to wear makeup and have dryer skin, definitely use a moisturizer on top. 

The consistency of this cream is very thin and watery. It almost has a gel-like quality that I really like. It applies easily and feels comfortable on my skin. It didn't break me out at all either. I like how it made my skin look and feel. The ingredients list fragrance, however it doesn't really have much of a smell, which I prefer. I'd have to use it longer to see if it helps with anti-aging. Hard to tell from only a couple weeks' use. 

Overall, I like this product and I'd recommend it if you're interested in branching out from typical American anti-aging products. 

Purchase the Ladykin Affinitic Lifting Cream on the Memebox website here for $15 (3.3 oz).

Labiotte Wine Lip Tints | MEMEBOX

I could not be more excited to share with you some of the most fun lippies I have ever owned! Say hello to the Labiotte Wine Lip Tints, a super fun Korean product that brings a splash of fun to your every day beauty routine.

Not only are the tubes shaped like miniature wine bottles, these tints are actually formulated with a wine extract called "sepivinol" which helps moisturize and prevents that sticky feeling other lip tints can leave behind. 

These would make the perfect gift for the beauty-loving wino in your life! You can purchase them from MEMEBOX (the Korean retailer powerhouse), and they retail for $15 each. MEMEBOX was nice enough to send me three colors to try, RD01 Shiraz Red, RD02 Nebbiolo Red, and RD03 Merlot Burgundy. All three colors are super gorgeous.

RD01 Shiraz Red

RD02 Nebbiolo Red

RD03 Merlot Burgundy

These lip tints are beautiful, and all are work appropriate or easily wearable for your every day look. I don't find them to be super moisturizing (I have yet to meet a lip tint that is!) but they definitely didn't actively dry my lips out the way other lip tints have. I'm able to get 3-4 hours of wear before needing to reapply. Do be careful though, as the color can easily get stuck to dry patches on your lips and look uneven. I'd highly recommend using a good lip scrub before attempting to sport one of these colors all day.

 There are three other colors in the collection, all available on MEMEBOX, if you're not a fan of the colors you see here. If you're looking for long wearing, easy to wear color, I'd definitely recommend trying these lip tints out. 

MEMEBOX I'm Eye Shadow Palette | Day to Night

It's no secret, I'm a big fan of MEMEBOX palettes. I've talked about them in the past (see here, and see here for just a couple examples) and raved endlessly. Well, this post will be no different - MEMEBOX is back with a new creation, the I'm Eye Shadow Palette which comes in two different color schemes: Night to Day (pinks and purples) and Day to Night (browns). I was lucky enough to be sent the Day to Night palette, and I've got the whole 411 for ya.

Top to bottom, L to R: Everyday, Picnic Day, Special Day, Moody Day, Natural Day, Mystic Day, Romantic Day, Shining Day, Classic Day, Wonderful Day

The Day to Night I'm Eyeshadow palette ($27.50) has 10 buttery soft shades in a range of browns and reddish browns. There are four matte shades and the rest are satin or glitter/shimmer shades. This palette is marketed as being buildable and blendable, and I can vouch that both of these claims are true. It's easy to create a simple or dramatic look for whatever mood you're in. 

I think any range of skin tones could get use out of this palette and find combinations of colors that are sure to flatter.

Swatches below were all done over Urban Decay's primer potion.

Swatches are from palette in top to bottom, L to R order.

I'd definitely recommend checking out this palette. It's not outrageously expensive, and the buttery shadows are so nice to work with. This is a perfect combination of colors to sport for a day at the office, or a dramatic night on the town. 

Purchase the Day to Night I'm Eye Shadow Palette here for $27.50.

MEMEBOX goodies | Tony Moly & More!

Are you dying of cuteness overload yet?! Because I can hardly handle the cutest cat compact you're seeing above. I mean, I love a good cleansing oil, too, but CAT COMPACT!!! MEMEBOX recently sent me some goodies and it has reaffirmed my beliefs that Koreans have way cooler everything than we do.

That cute compact is the TonyMoly Cat's Clear Wink compact, an ivory pressed powder. The powder is velvety and soft and creates a matte finish on top of any foundation. It does a great job of keeping my face matte all day long. Another plus? This powder is formulated without parabens, minerals, ethanol, benzophenone, or tar coloring. How gross to think that stuff makes it in to other powders! One thing to note, if you don't have lighter skin, this foundation will make you look white. It is not translucent. 

In the market for a new setting powder that's too cute to pass up, AND you'll have a cute mirror compact to throw in your purse when it's all used up? Buy it for $8 on the MEMEBOX website here.

The mini bottle next to the cute cat compact is the I'm Cleansing Oil, a MEMEBOX house brand product. This is the #02 formula for oily/combination skin. This lightweight oil gently removes makeup and impurities with ease. It has a lovely light floral scent that's not overwhelming in the slightest. Take a quarter size amount in your hands and rub it over your dry face, and watch as your makeup melts away. Rinse it off and your skin will be makeup free!

I LOVE this cleansing oil. It removes my makeup so easily and doesn't break me out. I will definitely be buying a full sized bottle once I get through my makeup remover backstock, that's how much I love it. You can buy it on the MEMEBOX website for $14 here.



What's your favorite cleansing oil? Let me know!

MEMEBOX I'm Stick Shadows + I'm Dual Mascara

Hey everyone! Sorry for the week hiatus - my husband and I spent a gloriously relaxing week in Hawaii (Oahu specifically) and I took that time to step away from blogging. It was the best vacation ever - check out the view from our hike up Diamond Head! But have no fear... I'm back and I've got some good stuff for you! 



Memebox (the coolest Korean beauty mega website!) was ever so gracious and sent me some fun eye goodies to try, all of which are new products to their house line. They sent two of their I'm Stick eyeshadow pencils and a new double-ended mascara, named (you guessed it) I'm Dual Mascara. 



These cream eyeshadow pencils, the I'm Stick Shadows ($11), are inspired by the galaxies, and all have names that sound space-y. The shadows are retractable, so you never have to worry about sharpening them. They are said to be waterproof and crease-free. I was sent the color Spinel (left) and Milky Way (right) - both really beautiful colors.

I thought these colors looked great, but this formula did feel sticky on my eyelids and it did crease as the day went on (that doesn't mean much - I have yet to find a cream shadow that doesn't crease on my oily eyelids). I think if you're a cream eyeshadow fanatic, you'll definitely want to try these out. There are four other colors  and they are all so pretty! 



The I'm Dual Mascara ($15) is marketed as a natural lash extension formula, with 4 mm fiber content (I'm not entirely sure what that means - how many mms is normal in a fiber mascara?). It's formulated with black bean and blackberry extracts to fortify the lashes. The brush on the left is meant for the top lashes, and the smaller brush on the right is teeny tiny and meant to coat the bottom lashes. 

Unfortunately, the top lash formula wasn't a hit for me. It didn't give me enough volume. However, I am obsessed with the little brush for the bottom lashes. It makes it so easy to get a natural full coat of mascara on the bottom lashes and it doesn't smudge at all. 



What are your favorite Korean beauty items? 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! 

MEMEBOX | Holika Holika Gonyak Soft Perfect Bubble Foam

Memebox (pronounced mee-mee box) is a Korean beauty box company, with endless amazing Korean beauty products at great prices. The boxes come whenever YOU want them, not on a monthly basis, and they have a ton of fun themed boxes to pick from. Now and then they send me some goodies to try, and most recently they sent me the Holika Holika Gonyak Soft Perfect Bubble Foam to put to the test.

The Perfect Soft Bubble Foam ($18 for 5 oz) is a deep cleanser and gentle exfoliator in one. The foaming bubble wash cleans the skin and the exfoliator on top loosens up dead skin cells to be washed away to reveal softer skin with every wash. The exfoliating head also works to massage the nutrients from the face wash in to the skin more deeply. Formulated with fruit and herb oils, this face wash aims to restore moisture and nourishment. 

This cleanser is highly fragranced, like really really fragranced. I typically don't mind a bit of scent to my face washes, but this was too much for me (maybe it's the whole extra-sensitivity to smell pregnancy thing?). It smelled very strong and floral, and I couldn't imagine that putting this on my sensitive skin would be very good for it. On the up side, the concept of having the brush on the top where the foam pumps through is unique, and it does provide a gentle exfoliation. 

If you don't have sensitive skin and aren't bothered by scented, and are a fan of 2-in-1 products, this is right up your alley. Find it on the Memebox website for purchase here. 

As for me, this won't be something I'd purchase again, but I had fun testing it out. 

MEMEBOX: Nooni Snowflake Cleanser + I'm Dual Pore Brush

I have to say, I was really excited when I got an email from Memebox saying - "oh hey, we sent you some fun stuff!" Mostly because I really love Korean cleansing balms, and I've been seeing the Nooni Snowflake Cleanser pop up in my social media feeds. And also, I was excited because I just plain love Memebox! They always send me unique items to try and I'm so appreciative of that, because it means I can share with all of you!

As I mentioned, they sent me the Nooni Snowflake Cleanser ($16), in addition to the I'm Dual Pore Brush -- two products meant to be used together! 

The Nooni Snowflake Cleanser is an oil cleansing balm, actually marketed as an oil, milk and balm all in one, as it's supposed to change texture with how you use it. (I really didn't notice any big shift between states). It's formulated with jeju water, a mineral-rich spring water that promotes vitality and elasticity in the skin. It's also got shea butter, citrus peel extract, and Lotus Flower extract among other good ingredients. 

This cleanser is fragranced, so if you're sensitive to fragrance, be wary of that. I prefer my cleansing balms to be fragrance free, so that's my one gripe with this product. But despite that, this product was nice! Massage it in to dry skin to remove your makeup, and then rinse of all grime with water. Simple! I liked using this little sample size, it worked well for me.

The I'm Dual Pore Brush ($12) is a super soft microfiber facial cleansing brush. It's made up of over 550,000 bristles that clean the skin without being irritating. It's so, so soft! I've never used a cleansing brush as gentle as this. 

The back side of the brush has silicone bristles aimed at removing stubborn facial impurities. It's a nice scrubby side to get your skin really clean.

Sadly, I wasn't a huge fan of this brush. Mostly because I prefer something more rigid, like a Clarisonic brush head, and this is way too gentle for my taste. If you have sensitive skin, I would highly recommend you try this brush out - I just happen to like really exfoliating treatments and tools for my own skin.


Have you tried either of these Korean skincare products? Let me know!