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!

April Empties | #36

If there's one blog post I can manage to write at least once a month, it's empties. They don't stop coming... and it's an easy way to do a bunch of reviews on lots of different products. So thanks for bearing with me as my posting schedule has been so up in the air! (Blame my growth-spurting, teething, semi-sleep-regressing, cute as a button, near 10-month-old)

Without further ado, here's what I finished up in April. 

• Michael Todd Organic Lemon AHA + DMAE Toner (would repurchase) - I liked this toner. It had a fresh scent, and made my face feel clean without stripping it. Plus it lasted ages. I didn't notice any crazy results, but I enjoyed using it. 

• Human + Kind Wash Off Facial Cleanser (would repurchase) - I purchased this on a whim when Sephora had it on sale, and I really liked it. It's creamy and nourishing but cleanses at the same time. Read more on my past Favorites post.

• Alba Botanica Good & Clean Toxin Release Scrub (would repurchase) - I adored this scrub. It had the perfect amount of scrubbies in it, it wasn't too harsh, and my skin felt so soft and smooth after using it. The ingredients are more natural, which earns points from me. I will definitely be purchasing this again. 

• Weleda Evening Primrose Age Revitalizing Concentrate (would not repurchase) - This was just OK. I think it might have broken me out a bit. If you're looking for a more natural anti-aging serum, give this a shot - it may work better for you than it did for me.

• Keomi Skincare soap in Sea Breeze (would repurchase) - I enjoyed this bar soap. It was hydrating and lathered up nicely. The ingredients are natural, and it smells good. I'd be happy to use this again in the future. See full review here. 

• Zum Bar soap in Frankincense and Myrrh (would repurchase) - Zum is my favorite bar soap brand. Everything smells amazing, it lathers great, it leaves my skin feeling soft, and the ingredients are clean. This scent was so so good, but I think it might be a limited holiday fragrance.

• Hask Greek Yogurt Repairing Deep Conditioner (would repurchase) - This packet of hair treatment got me 2-3 uses, and I enjoyed it. This was on par with a normal conditioner, it didn't seem to have extra treatment properties that I noticed, but I still enjoyed using it. Full review here. 

• Clinique Clearing Gel (would purchase) - This had a strong alcohol scent, but I do think it helped clear up some smaller zits on my face. I'd be interested in keeping a full size of this on hand for when my skin is freaking out.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - You already know, these are  my favorite cotton pads. I use them to apply toner and remove my eye makeup and they work great and don't fall apart.

• Batiste dry shampoo in Blush (would repurchase) - I love Batiste dry shampoo... it's my holy grail. It smells great and actually makes my hair manageable between washes. This mini size was convenient to throw in my purse or keep in my desk at work. 

• Detox Dry Shampoo (would repurchase) - I liked this dry shampoo quite a bit. It gave my hair a bit of volume, it soaked up oil. It'll set you back quite a bit more than a bottle of Batiste, but if you've got the budget, I' recommend trying it.

• Giovanni Wellness System Scalp Serum (would not repurchase) - I didn't notice this doing much for my hair. It was frustrating to use because the serum is so thick the dropper didn't really pick up anything. I couldn't get anything out anymore, and there was easily still half the bottle left, but I was sick of fiddling with it so out it goes.

• Schwarzkopf BC Oil Potion Shampoo (would not repurchase) - There wasn't anything inherently wrong with this shampoo, but I just don't think it kept my hair as fresh between washes. Plus, I think it's discontinued... sooo, there won't be any repurchasing in my future.

• Yes To Carrots Pampering Conditioner (would repurchase) - This is one of my favorite drugstore conditioners. It leaves my hair feeling soft and manageable. It doesn't weigh my thin hair down, yet it leaves it feeling soft and silky. 

• Poshe Treatment Base Coat (would not repurchase) - This is supposed to be a strengthening base coat, but it didn't do anything for my nails. It made any nail polish I put over it bubble, which is a definite no-go.

• Zoya Anchor base coat (would not repurchase) - This is another base coat I can live without. Zoya is my favorite nail polish brand, but this base is sub par. It doesn't do much for me. I did notice, however, that when paired with a Zoya polish on top, the lasting power of my polish was pretty good.

• Derek Lam Crosby Ellipsis perfume (would not purchase) - Upon first sniff, this smells really good. And then I sprayed it on myself and it had this awful rancid undertone that I could not handle. This is a super expensive perfume and I would never ever want a full size. Yuck.

• L'Occitane Relaxing Shower Gel (would repurchase) - This was a lovely shower gel. It had the smell of natural lavender. I don't know if it's a more expensive shower gel, but if it is, I probably wouldn't shell out a ton of money for it... there are plenty of cheaper shower gels I like just as much.

• Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes (would not repurchase) - If you like drier mascaras, this will probably be your new fave. I prefer a wetter formula, so I was not a fan of this. It was hard to build up the volume and length I like, so I used this for a few weeks and then called it quits.

• Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste (would repurchase) - This is fine. I use it when my husband has a toothpaste open that has SLS. SLS gives me canker sores, and Pronamel is free of SLS and therefore I'm free of canker sores. It doesn't make my mouth overly fresh, but it cleans my teeth nonetheless.

• Avene Hydrating Serum (would purchase) - This was nice. I had never tried anything by Avene, only heard people rave about it. This did hydrate my skin, felt nice. Nothing overly special, but I'd give a full size a chance.

• Origins Plantscription (would not purchase) - I did not like this moisturizer. It made my face really greasy and shiny. Not a fan.

• Clinique Pep-Start eye cream (would repurchase) - I actually liked this eye cream so much I purchased a full size. This is the first eye cream I've found that actually helps with the fine lines under my eyes. I'm planning to do a blog post soon about the other product I pair with this for the ultimate hydrating under eye duo. Stay tuned. 

• Christie Brinkley Instant Wrinkle Reducer & Treatment (would not repurchase) - This did nothing for me. See full review here.

• Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter (would repurchase) - This isn't my favorite Soap & Glory scent, but like everything they make, it's pleasant. The lotion kept my skin feeling soft and you get a lot of product for the price. 

• Soap & Glory Hand Food in Sugar Crush (would repurchase) - I enjoy Hand Food. It has a yummy sweet scent, and this version has a hint of lime. It's not the most moisturizing hand cream, but it serves its purpose.

• B&BW Candle in Be Daring (would repurchase) - This candle has notes of spiced saffron and redwood. It's more masculine, with hints of "sexy man" which is the technical term obviously. This usually comes out around winter time at B&BW and it's worth grabbing if you like fresh, cologne-like scents that aren't overbearing.

• New Chapter Perfect Postnatal Vitamin (would repurchase) - Since having my son nearly 10 months ago, this has been my vitamin of choice. It has good stuff in there to support breastfeeding, energy, mood, etc. It's a bit spendy, but it's created with nutrients from whole foods which I prefer.

• Britney Spears Hidden Fantasy perfume (would repurchase) - This scent is so nostalgic for me. I've had it for years and it really makes me think of my college days. It's a mix of warm, spicy and fruity all in one. I've got a soft spot for Britney perfumes, and think they're really well done, this being no exception. If you're a fan of scents like Katy Perry Purr, Viva La Juicy, or Hilary Duff With Love... I think you'll like this.

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

March Empties (#24)

Where in the world did March go? It feels like it was over in the blink of an eye. And as we say goodbye to March, I also say goodbye to a slew of products - some good, some bad. Using up a whole product means you have a pretty good idea of whether or not it's worth repurchasing, and I'll let you know exactly what I would buy again and whether or not you should, too. Check 'em out...

• Bioderma Micelle Solution (would repurchase) - Everyone and their mom raves about Bioderma, the French micellar makeup remover. It works like a charm to remove all makeup, waterproof and not. I prefer to use a balm cleanser to remove my makeup, but I've got another bottle of this to use up in the future, and then I'll probably stop using cleansing waters. Again, it's not a bad product at all, just not my preferred method of makeup removal. 

• Alaffia Coconut Water Face Toner (would repurchase) - This toner is all natural, and is made using certified fair trade coconuts. It's gentle, and smells lightly of coconuts. I like that the ingredients are simple and not chemical-laden, and this big size lasted me months. 

• BeautySecrets Ridge Filler (would repurchase) - BeautySecrets is a Sally house brand, and for the cheap price, this base coat was pretty good. It created a good base to apply polish over and it made my nails feel stronger.

• Listerine woven floss (would repurchase) - I prefer to use the woven floss because I feel like it does a better job of getting the gunk out of my teeth and it doesn't hurt my gums as much.  This is a constant repurchase for me.

• Clean For Men (would repurchase) - My husband tried this men's cologne, and spilled half the bottle on himself. I thought it smelled good, but I think my husband was over it after he doused himself in it. It's light and fresh and unique for a men's scent. Honestly, I think even a woman could wear this cologne and get away with it.

• Benefit They're Real mascara (would repurchase) - This is a fabulous mascara. It really does make your lashes look fake. It adds volume, major length and fullness. I love getting samples of this, and I'm sure I'll get more in some future Sephora orders to use.

• Mario Badescu Kiwi Face Scrub (would not repurchase) - This scrub was gross. It had a nasty fake kiwi smell and a smattering of kiwi seeds that didn't do much to truly exfoliate the skin. My husband complained that the scent lingered on his face - I didn't have that problem, but the smell was bad enough just using it for a couple minutes of washing.

• Yes to Coconuts Ultra Hydrating Facial Souffle Moisturizer (would repurchase) - I looooved this moisturizer. It gave the perfect amount of hydration and had a nice light coconut scent. Find a full review here. 

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (would not repurchase) - My husband used this for his face and he liked it because it's fragrance free. We won't be repurchasing this though, as he's opting for something more natural without weird chemicals or parabens. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation (would repurchase) - I think there's always one of these in every empties, if not every other month. Find a full review here.

• Michael Todd Intensive Cream Eye Treatment (would repurchase) - This lasted me AGES... I'm talking 6+ months! It worked nicely and felt good under my eyes. Full review here.

• Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster (would repurchase) - Ugh, I loved this stuff. It smelled like super fresh oranges and felt refreshing on my skin. I'd need to continue using it to see what benefits it provides my skin in the long term, but it didn't do anything bad for my skin for now.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - I get these cotton pads in a mega pack from Costco. They're great quality - they don't fall apart and they're just thick enough. I'll continue to get these time and time again.

• Vanedo Beauty Friends Snail mask (would repurchase) - This mask is supposed to moisturize and provide elasticity to the skin. It felt really nice and my skin looked refreshed in the morning. 

• TonyMoly Red Wine Mask Sheet (would repurchase) - This is as close to a glass of wine as I can have these days. This mask smelled really good, lightly of wine, and it was refreshing. My skin looked quite good the next day after using this and I enjoyed it.

• Seventh Generation Mandarin body wash (would repurchase) - This was a nice body wash with good clean ingredients. It kind of smelled like dish soap, but I didn't really mind.

• B&BW French Lavender & Honey shower gel (would repurchase) - I actually really enjoyed this scent, even though it doesn't smell like lavender. I think B&BW shower gels are pretty basic, and I don't like that they're filled with chemicals, but when I get them for free, I use them up.

• Korres Body Butter in Apple Blossom (would not repurchase) - I've said this before and I'll say it again, I like the Korres body butter formula but I have not found a scent I like. There was something particularly weird about this apple blossom scent that reminded me of cigarettes and perfume. YUCK. 

• Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil in Bloom (would repurchase) - I have no idea what makes the "in Bloom" formula different than the normal body butter, but whatever. This stuff is really great. It's mega nourishing on the skin and leaves a subtle oily residue that sinks in as the day goes along. This is an awesome lotion if you're pregnant (like I am) and need some extra moisture on your stretching skin.

• Laura Mercier Souffle Body Creme in Amber Vanille (would repurchase) - This body butter was heavenly. It's very very scented, like so scented you can't wear perfume over it, but it smelled amazing. This particular scent was a delicious musky-bakery type vanilla that I could smell on me all day long. I got a kit of these little sample sizes in various scents for Christmas and I can't wait to try them all out.

• Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Shampoo (would repurchase) - This was a nice shampoo. It smelled good and made my hair feel nice. Full review here. 

• Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo (would repurchase) - I actually really enjoyed this dry shampoo. Unfortunately the nozzle got clogged about a quarter of my way through this mini bottle and wouldn't work again so I didn't get to use it all up, but I'd try it out in the full size.

• HerStyler Hair Serum (would repurchase) - I used this argan oil serum in my hair at night, the evening before I was going to wash my hair. I let it soak in over night to help repair any damage and give my hair a little treat. I wasn't the biggest fan of the smell after continued use, but it was nice nonetheless. Unfortunately I couldn't get the last bit out with the pump, and I'd been using it for months, so I decided to let it go. Full review here.

And that's it. Those are all my empties for March. Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Follow

Michael Todd | Intensive Cream Lip Treatment

It's no secret - ya'll know I'm a big Michael Todd fan. (Didn't know? See what I mean here and here) Their all natural products agree with my skin and have been long standing favorites of mine. I know there's a lot of YouTube + beauty blog hype about Michael Todd, but I can promise you it's all legit. Full disclosure: Michael Todd sends me a lot of products to try, but nearly all of what they've sent me, I've also bought myself (even before it was sent to me).

Anyway, today I'm talking about the Michael Todd Intensive Cream Lip Treatment, a product totally new to me. The main goal of this lippie? To ward off signs of anti-aging on your lips. Seems kind of crazy, right? But hey, who wants wrinkly, indented lips that don't hold lipstick?! Not me.

The ingredients in the product are good, and all vegan! The key ingredients are what's worth looking at more extensively. Soluble collagen: a protein naturally found in the skin, plumps and smooths the appearance of fine lines in the skin. Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally occurring molecule, attracts water to the skin's surface to plump with the body's own moisture. Actimp: peptide blend extracted from the White Lupine Flower, restores elasticity and firmness, proven to increase collagen production by 95% in 10 days. Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: Soothes, heals, and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

This is a very slippery, thin lip cream that smells citrusy and feels wet on the lips. It's not intensely hydrating and doesn't last too long on my lips. For that reason, I like to put it on when I'm getting ready in the morning just for something slippery on my lips.

I use this, obviously, for preventative measures, as I don't have super wrinkled lips just yet. If you do have lined, aged lips, take a look at the before/after pictures on the Michael Todd website, and you'll have this thing in your cart in no time. 

Is this product essential in your skincare routine? No. Is it the best lippie I've ever used? No. Is it something I'll repurchase? Probably not. But it IS something targeted at a certain crowd with a specific skincare need - and if you fit that target, this is right up your alley. Natural, vegan anti-aging skincare that works is hard to come by, but Michael Todd knows how to make a quality product that fits the bill. 

The Michael Todd Intensive Cream Lip Treatment ($48 for 0.5 oz) can be purchased online at michaeltoddusa.com. 


Have you used anu anti-aging lip products before? Let me know what you've tried! 

September Empties

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michael Todd Eye Eraser Duo

Ladies, if you're not yet using an eye cream, I don't care how old or young you are -- it's time to start. Protecting yourself from crepe-y, wrinkled, tired-looking under eyes can start at any time. And I know the perfect product to start with if you're in the market.

The Michael Todd Eye Eraser Duo is an excellent, unique under eye treatment. It's the world's first Triplex Cellular Infusion Technology, offering Sonic, Ionic and Thermal Heating. This allows for the serum to more deeply infuse in to your skin, accelerating the anti-aging, brightening results you should see.

The Intensive Cream Eye Treatment ($48 for 0.5 oz) itself is a very nice eye cream that I've quite enjoyed using. The main goal of this eye treatment is to combat signs of aging. Clinically patented ingredients aim to diminish undereye circles, reduce fluid retention under the eyes, and stimulate collagen production. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice works to soothe and hydrate the undereye area, and reduce inflammation.

Since using this eye cream, I've paid far less attention to my undereye area -- which is what I specifically look for in an eye cream, because it means it's reducing that "crepe-y" dry look that makes fine lines far more pronounced (and always attracts my attention). I've found the Intensive Cream Eye Treatment to be hydrating, and comfortable to wear under makeup and overnight.

The really cool part of this "Eye Eraser Duo" is the Eye Eraser ($89) itself, the anti-aging diffusion device. After applying the Intensive Cream Eye Treatment on your undereye area, you take the Eye Eraser and gently rub the cream until it is absorbed. The Eye Eraser gets comfortably warm, this relaxes the pore lining for maximum product absorption and stimulates circulation and generates nutrient-rich blood flow for regeneration. 

I find the slight warming and vibration to be really pleasant and enjoyable, and hey -- if it's helping keep my undereyes line-free, even better!


This exclusive bundle is only available at ULTA Beauty Stores Nationwide and ULTA.com for $89.

May Empties (#14)

Another month, another batch of empties. It feels like each month my bag fills up quicker and my sense of accomplishment knows no bounds. Here's what I finished over the last month....

• Tresemme Platinum Strength Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase)  - These massive bottles took me ages to go through. They smelled nice and made my hair soft, but I got quite sick of them towards the end. I didn't notice my hair seeming any stronger, but I liked these nonetheless. In the future, I'd buy smaller bottles. 

• eva nyc Freshen Up Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - This smelled really great, but it didn't do the best job of keeping me oil free or giving me a boost of volume. I will continue to stick to my tried and true, Batiste. 

• NIP + FAB Yoga Blend Body Wash (would repurchase) - This smelled really good, but I think it's sort of an acquired scent. This bottle took ages to use up, so again, I got a bit sick of it at the end (I like change!) but it was nice and made my skin fresh and clean. 

• Boots Cocoa Butter Body Wash (would repurchase) - This is my last little bottle of Boots body wash, which you've seen sprinkled in many of my empties posts. I love these body washes, they smell amazing and don't dry my skin out. And I'm sure you can imagine just how amazing the cocoa butter scent smells!

• Korres Body Butter in Jasmine (would not repurchase) - The Korres body butters are quite hydrating and nice to use, but I have yet to find a scent I truly adore. Jasmine wasn't for me, but it wasn't bad. It smelled fresh and floral and it kept my skin hydrated.

• Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Toner (would repurchase) - This is a really nice, gentle toner. Witch Hazel has many beneficial properties for the skin, plus it's all natural. I am sure this toner will make a reappearance in my skincare lineup again in the future.

• Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Cleanser (would repurchase) - I did a full review of this product here.

• Hydraluron (would repurchase) - This is a well loved, and mega-hyped skincare product that has a high dosage of hyaluronic acid to plump the skin. I thought this was a nice lightweight serum to use both day and night. See more of my thoughts on this here.

• Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I know people go apeshit over this cleanser, but I can't say I loved it. It was fine... it removed my makeup and didn't leave any nasty film behind, but I could only massage it so far in to my skin before it sort of stuck and I didn't like that. I just didn't think it was as amazing as I was led to believe it is. 

• Essence All About Matt Powder (would repurchase) - This was a nice translucent powder that performed really well for the cost! This is like $3 at Ulta and it lasted me a long time and did a good job of keeping oil at bay.

• Dolce & Gabana Desire Perfume (would not purchase) - A nice scent, but nothing I absolutely need in my collection.

• Burt's Bees Lip Treatment with Kokum Butter (would not repurchase) - This was the worst lip balm I've tried in a long time. It just sits on the lips and doesn't moisturize at all.

• L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara (would repurchase) - I love this mascara. It's a tried and true, buy it again and again mascara. It gives great volume and length and this won't be my last tube. 

• Wet n Wild Color Icon Brow Pencil in Taupe (would repurchase) - This brow pencil is a perfect color match for me. It's just creamy enough and it's super cheap. I've already got a backup of this but I'll buy it again for sure.

• Tarte Maracuja Creasless Concealer (would not repurchase) - I used to love this concealer when I had bad acne because it covers anything. But now that my acne has cleared, this is way too thick for under my eyes (it definitely creases) and I don't need it for spots anymore. I do have one more tube of it, but it'll be a long time before you see that guy in my empties. 

• Molton Brown Pink Peppered Body Wash (would repurchase) - This smells really peppery and nice. I brought this on a couple vacations with me so I have great memories tied to this scent - I'll want it again for sure!

• eos Lip Balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew (would not repurchase) - I feel SO accomplished for using this up. I think the eos lip balms are entirely overrated and not very hydrating so I won't be buying this again. 

• Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream (would repurchase) - This smells SO amazing, like a key lime pie, and it's really moisturizing. This is a favorite of mine. 

• Benefit Stay Flawless 15-hour Primer (would not repurchase) - This was just a sample, but I got many uses out of it. I didn't notice this doing a whole lot to keep my makeup in tact. It was OK, but not worth the price. 

• LOVE Shampoo by Davines (would not repurchase) - I took this shampoo traveling and got many uses out of this sample size. It smelled nice, but wasn't anything special. It's expensive and I wouldn't shell the cash out for it.

• Up & Up Cosmetic Wedges (would repurchase) - My tried and true favorite way to apply my makeup is a simple latex-free cosmetic wedge. The original beauty blender!

• Karuna Hydrating Treatment Mask (would not repurchase) - Karuna masks are pricey, and this wasn't worth the money. It had a backing to it so the sheet mask stayed in form until I applied it to my face, which I appreciated, but this mask left my face sticky and I think it broke me out a bit, too.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - Still working my way through this massive box of cotton rounds from Costco. It's super economical to buy them from Costco, and these are quite good, so I'll buy these again when I finally run out!

• Yves Rocher Micellar Cleansing Water (would repurchase) - This was my first foray in to the micellar cleansing water world. This worked really well to remove all of my makeup, plus it was affordable, and it didn't break me out. 

• Colgate Optic White Platinum (would repurchase) - It's just toothpaste.... I didn't notice my teeth were any whiter, but they felt clean so I'd buy it again. 

• Suave Moroccan Infusion Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I used this as a hand lotion and it made my hands soft without being greasy. It smelled nice, too. 

• Beauty Secrets Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover (would not repurchase) - This is the Sally beauty brand of nail polish remover. Despite it being way worse for your nails, I much prefer acetone remover and I'll only purchase that from now on.

• Zarbees Naturals Elderberry Gummies (would repurchase) - I like these and I honestly think they keep a cold at bay when I feel one coming on. 

• Chesapeake Bay Candle in Hinoki Bonsai (would not repurchase) - I got this ages ago on sale on Kohl's for next to nothing. It smelled OK but it didn't have great scent throw. 

• Better Homes & Gardens Wax Cubes in French Lilac Flowers (would repurchase) - These smelled just like fresh lilacs and made my home smell great. I love wax cubes and these were really nice.

• B&BW candle in Sparkling Limeade (would repurchase) - How cute is the mini mason jar? This smelled good, but not really like limeade. I don't know what it does smell like, but it's not quite limeade to me.

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