May Empties | #37

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!