Empties | #42

So many empties, so little time. Let's get right in to it - here's an up close and persona look at my recent beauty trash, complete with purchase recommendations and short reviews.

• StriVectin Hair Shampoo for fine hair (would repurchase) - A nice shampoo choice, but it is not the cheapest option you'll find. See full review here. 

• Batiste Dry Shampoo in bare (would repurchase) - I love me some Batiste, and I enjoyed this new (to me) scent. It soaked up oil effectively, and also gave my hair a little oomph. The scent was indeed light and not overpowering.

• Schwarzkopf Gliss Ultra Moisture Conditioner (would repurchase) - This smelled good and worked fine. It wasn't anything to write home about. I wouldn't run out and purchase it, but if I needed something in a pinch, I'd grab this.

• OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Hibiscus lotion (would repurchase) - This is a lightly moisturizing lotion with a subtle scent. I liked this because it didn't leave my skin greasy and the scent was light enough that I could use perfume on top without being a scent-bomb.

• The Natural Dentist Antiseptic Rinse in Cool Mint (would repurchase) - This is an alcohol-free mouth rinse that is way overpriced ($9+ at full price!!). It left my mouth feeling clean, but I got it for half off and couldn't imagine paying close to $10 for a small bottle of mouthwash.

• Schmidt's deodorant in Holiday Spice (would not repurchase) - I enjoyed this scent quite a bit. It smelled like oranges and cloves and kept me smelling fresh all day long. The thing I don't like about this deodorant is it can get stuck in your clothes even after washing, which darn near ruined a couple shirts of mine. Unfortunate for such a nice deodorant.

• Sephora Lashcraft Mascara (would repurchase) - I liked this little sample mascara. It gave my lashes lots of volume and length. I felt like this little tube dried out rather fast, but I'm not sure if that would happen with a full size.

• Becca Backlight Priming Filter (would repurchase) - I liked this primer for the glow it gave my skin. I wish it also filled in pores and helped with makeup longevity, because then it'd be a major keeper, but it just gave my skin a nice radiant glow and that's about it.

• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara (would repurchase) - Surprise, surprise. Another tube of this stuff. Like I always say, it's trivial, but I really like it because it makes it easy to coat your bottom lashes without getting mascara all over your face. 

• Guerlain Maxi Lash mascara (would repurchase) - Nothing overly memorable, but a solid mascara. It's uber pricey, so I probably wouldn't buy it, but I'd gladly use up another sample. 

• BeautyBlender (would repurchase) - I have yet to find another beauty sponge that compares to the BeautyBlender. It's light and bouncy and doesn't absorb your foundation the way some sponges do. I think it's worth paying a little extra for this applicator.

• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Nude Pink (would repurchase) - This was a limited edition Color Tattoo that came out ages ago. I loved it as a primer for eyeshadows as it was the perfect color for my skin tone. Full review here.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - A standard in my morning and evening skincare routine. I use these for applying toner and removing eye makeup, in addition to removing nail polish and cleaning brushes.

• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (would not repurchase) - I've heard so many good things about these, but I didn't see what the hype was all about. Maybe it takes a full size jar to see the change in your skin because a trial size just didn't do it for me.

• GlamGlow Daily Hydrating Cleanser (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed this cleanser sample. It smells good and it made my skin feel clean without being stripped. I've sometimes seen this at TJ Maxx, and I'd definitely grab it if I saw it again.

• StarSkin Hydrating Bio-Cellulose Mask (would repurchase) - This was nice! It didn't do anything amazing, other than some light hydrating, but it felt good. I like to think sheet masks are kind of like taking a multivitamin - there's gotta be benefits that I can't see happening for my skin, right? See more here.

• Secret Garden Olive Oil Ampoule Mask (would repurchase) - This is the first two-step sheet mask I've tried before. You apply the little serum first, and then you stick the sheet mask on top. I loved this mask. I felt like I could see and feel a noticeable difference in my skin. I got this in an Ipsy bag ages ago and I'd love to know where I could find it in the future.

• Choco Cacao Collagen Mask (would repurchase) - I honestly can't remember much about this mask. It must not've been terrible, or I think I'd remember it. Basically, I liked the packaging and that alone would make me grab it again. 

• Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizer (would repurchase) - I like that this version of Reve de Miel is in stick form, compared to the standard jar. It was comfortable on the lips. I enjoyed it most for daytime use, not as much for night time when I prefer something thicker and more healing than this. 

• Neutrogena Norwegian For000000mula Hand Cream (would repurchase) - I was pleasantly surprised by this hand cream. The texture is something between a lotion and petroleum jelly, but every night I used it, I'd wake up with smooth hands in the morning. This is a nice option for winter time healing.

• Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose Kiss (would not repurchase) - I don't like these lip butters at all. They don't hydrate, they just sit on top of my lips and give the illusion that they're doing something. 

• Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream (would not repurchase) - This was fine, nothing amazing. I read somewhere that these water-based moisturizers don't actually do much for your skin so, whether or not that's true, I probably wouldn't get this again.

• Origins GinZing eye cream (would repurchase) - A gentle hydrator for under the eyes. Truth be told, I could probably use a little extra boost beyond what this provides, but I do like it and would consider it again in the future. 

• Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb (would repurchase) - I liked this way more than I expected to. It was so moisturizing and luxurious, and had a very light pleasant fragrance. I will be purchasing this when the Sephora VIB sale rolls along for sure. If you have more oily skin, this may be too much oomph for you.

• Burberry Brit Sheer (would not purchase) - This was not my style at all. It's floral and woodsy, but not something I liked on me at all. I didn't use up the whole sample.

• Bvlgari Jasmin Noir perfume (would not purchase) - Also not my favorite, this scent is obiviously heavy on the jasmine but has woodsy and floral notes as well. I am not huge into Bvlgari scents, so it came as no surprise that I wasn't floored by this.

• Yankee Candle Apple Cider (would repurchase) - A perfect apple cider scent for fall. It's exactly as you'd imagine it, warm and spicy. 

• ScentSationals Simple Romance wax melts (would repurchase) - Oh these smelled so good, kind of like perfume almost. I loved the way this made my house smell and I'd definitely grab these again if I saw them.

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

Neutrogena Acne Proofing line

Last week I shared my experience with the Deep Clean Purifying line, and I'm excited to team up with Neutrogena yet again to tell you about their Acne Proofing line. 

Goodness knows I can always use some help in fighting and preventing acne; it's something I've struggled with since my early teen years. After bouts of intense treatments and every medicine, cream, and serum in the books, I now get only mild, hormonal breakouts that are far more manageable. And that's why I adore products like those in the Neutrogena Acne Proofing line.

Sent in a nice convenient package was the daily scrub and the gel cleanser, two products that I'm glad to have in my arsenal to assist breakouts in finding their way in to oblivion. These products contain maximum strength salicylic acid to help fight pesky zits, while playing nice with the skin's barrier, and preventing future breakouts all at the same time. 

My favorite of the two is the daily scrub, which feels so lovely on the skin. It gently scrubs away impurities, and leaves my face feeling smooth, tingly cool, and refreshed. 

Both of these are easy to find at your local drugstore or Target, retailing for $8.49 each. Check them out if you can use some help fighting mild acne, and let me know what you think.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Purifying line

It's no secret, I'm a skincare junkie - so needless to say, I was excited when this PR package from Neutrogena showed up at my door for me to try. 

These two products you see above are part of the Purifying line, aimed at removing oil, residue, makeup and other impurities from the skin. To do just that, you've got a cooling gel scrub and a daily cleanser/mask. 

This is an excellent combo of products. The scrub, which I've used a couple times per week, has the perfect amount of scrubbies (anyone else annoyingly picky about the cleanser to scubbie ratio of their exfoliators? 🙋). I love that when I wash this off, it leaves my skin feeling cool and extra smooth. I can see this scrub becoming a new favorite. It costs around $8.49 for 4.2 oz. 

The mask/cleanser is quite the economical approach to skincare. It costs around $8.49 for 4.2 oz (now that's a value!) I've tried it both ways, and I like them both equally. As a mask, it is cooling and dries within 10 minutes or so. After washing it off, my skin felt extra clean. As a cleanser, it also felt cooling and refreshing, especially before applying a full face of makeup. 

Both of these products are formulated with salicylic acid, meaning they'll help tackle blemishes, but also pull out any yuckiness in your pores. I found both to be gentle, not drying the way some products with salicylic acid can be. 

Find these products at Target or Amazon.

Walmart Winter Beauty Box 2015

The latest Walmart Beauty Box showed up at my door in late December, and it's probably one of the best yet! I'm always willing to take my chances, as these boxes cost just $10 and they come once a season. It's not often you get sample sizes of drugstore products, but the Walmart Beauty Box gives you that chance. To receive your own beauty box, sign up here. 

This month's box came with...

• Pure Silk Raspberry Mist Shaving Cream - Perfect travel sized shaving cream! Will definitely bring this along with me on our next beach vacation. 
• nspa Exotically Creamy Coconut Rich Body Butter - nspa is a UK brand that I've heard plenty of UK-Youtubers mention before but I've never tried myself. This body butter is free of parabens and smells very very coconutty. 
• Centrum Vitamints - Not the kind of vitamins I'd take, but nice to try out if you're in the market for a new multivitamin.
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser - I've received these in Target Beauty Boxes and other Walmart Beauty Boxes, and I actually liked this cleanser. It's mild and smells nice. 
• Dial 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion - I didn't even know Dial made lotion. This is a nice size to throw in my purse for use on the go. 

• Pantene Air Spray Hairspray - I've never tried this hairspray before. I couldn't even find it on the Pantene website - so I don't know what to tell you about it unfortunately.
• Goody Slide Proof Hair Ties - These hair bands have little rubber-like grippies on them so they won't slide out of your hair. I'm not one to stray from my basic hair ties, so it's fun to receive some that I probably wouldn't buy myself. 
• Ken Paves Volumizing Shampoo + Conditioner - The teal foil packet in back has a conditioner and shampoo sample. Walmart sends Ken Paves foil samples every box, and I haven't tried them yet. I'd much rather have a bottle sample - no one likes foil packets! 

Have you signed up for the Walmart Beauty Box? What came in yours? Let me know! 

Walmart Beauty Box | Summer 2015

This Summer's Walmart Beauty Box is arriving in mailboxes, and if you haven't signed up for this seasonal subscription yet, what are you waiting for? It costs just $5 a box (4 boxes per year), and you can sign up here. The samples aren't as good as an Ipsy bag or Birchbox, but you do get samples of drugstore items that are nice to try out before spending the $$$ on a full size.

Included in the summer box is a decent sized sample of the Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme, a basic all-over lotion that I've never tried before. Behind that are some lame foil packets of Jergens Natural Glow lotion, which I've used before and enjoyed. On bottom is a nice travel size of Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion with SPF, which is something I'd only use as a sunscreen, not an every day lotion. And the one full-sized product in the box is the NYC Big Bold & Precise Liquid Eyeliner, which I'm excited to try because you know I love me some black eyeliner!

Also included is the John Frieda Sea Waves Sea Salt Spray, which I got a sample of in an Influenster previously. I'm not a huge sea salt spray kind of girl (I don't wash my hair enough for that!) so I can't say I'm too excited about this product. A rather large travel size of Clear Complete Care Nourishing Anti-Dandruff shampoo is in the box, and I happen to enjoy Clear shampoos so that's a plus. There's also a little sample of the One Direction You & I perfume, which is way too young of a scent for me, (I still love you, 1D! I'm lookin' at you, Harry Styles..... mmm...) so I will probably pass it on to my sister who is a 1D fan. It's super-duper fruity, if you like that kind of thing.

Lastly, we've got more annoying foil packets of Ken Paves Volumizing Shampoo + Conditioner, Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara (never tried!), and Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser, which actually came in the Spring box, too -- lame.

Overall, this was an OK box. For $5 I can't really complain. I am looking forward to trying the NYC eyeliner, which I'd happily pay $5 to try, so the rest of the samples can just be considered a bonus. What do you think -- have you signed up to receive these beauty boxes yet? Will you? Let me know!

Walmart Spring Beauty Box

The Walmart Beauty Box comes seasonally, and if you haven't yet signed up to receive the spring box, now is the time! You can sign up to receive them here. They're shipping this month. Walmart Beauty Boxes cost just $5, which is solely the price of shipping, so all the goodies are technically free! Basically all of the items in the spring box are travel or sample sized, and aside from the foil packets, everything in this box will get you quite a few uses! 

Included in my spring box are the following:

• Dove Go Fresh body wash in Mandarin & Tiare Flower
• St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub (A favorite of mine, even if the scrubbies are probably horrible for your skin.)
• Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
• Jergens BB Body lotion (NOT a favorite because it smells like their tanning lotion to me)
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters White Tea & Vitamin E facial cleanser
• Ken Paves shampoo, conditioner and hair mask foil packets
• Lady Gaga Fame perfume sample

I've seen other season's Walmart beauty boxes and some are a little better than this, and some are worse, but for $5 I don't mind taking the gamble. I've tried the BB Body lotion, the Simple cleansing wipes and the Fame perfume, but all the other products are new to me. Have you tried any of these products? Which ones did you like? Let me know! 

Empties #8

So many empties this month! Check out my mini-reviews on each product below.

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes (would repurchase) - These are nice makeup removers, especially for those who are prone to acne. I think they do a good job of removing all of my makeup. I'd buy these again, but Jake hates the smell of them so it probably won't be anytime soon.

• Klorane Soothing Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - I loved this eye makeup remover. It was super gentle and didn't leave any residue behind. I absolutely want to get this again as it's one of the best I've ever tried.

• Lush Prince Shaving Cream (would not repurchase) - This is marketed towards men for facial shaving, but I picked it up on a whim when Lush was out of Turkish Delight. To be honest, I didn't care for this. It had a nice, earthy scent but my legs itched so bad after I finished shaving because this wasn't hydrating enough for me.

• Organix Cherry Blossom Ginseng Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I didn't particularly care for the scent of this, mostly because it smells like a deodorant I've used. I felt like I had to use a lot in order to get a decent lather going, so I don't think I'll get this again.

• Nexxus Dualist Conditioner (would repurchase) - I got this for a complete steal when it was on clearance, and that's the only reason I bought it. This is marketed towards those with colored hair, which I don't have, but it worked just fine for my normal hair. It was moisturizing, and the dual-sided packaging is kind of fun.

• VO5 Daily Leave-In Conditioner (would not repurchase) - This did next to nothing for me. It wasn't great at detangling and I didn't notice any extra conditioning in my hair.

• HerStyler Nourishing & Moisturizing Shampoo (would repurchase) - I did a full write-up on this product here, so I'll spare you the details. 

• Organix Hydrating Moroccan Argan Oil Creamy oil Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I LOVED this stuff. It had a very faint shimmer to it (so faint it took me half way through the bottle to notice it), has a nice scent and is moisturizing. 

• love&toast Honey Nectar Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - I used this as a hand lotion, but I didn't find it moisturizing enough nor did I like the smell. Happy to be done with it. 

• Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel (would not repurchase) - While I enjoyed the body wash, I didn't love the scent as much as I thought I did when I purchased it. I would definitely get another shower gel from this brand, but definitely in another scent. This was fine for summer time, but it would not be moisturizing enough for me to use in the colder months. 

• Skintimate Raspberry Rain Shaving Gel (would repurchase) - Nothing fancy, just a shaving cream. It did the job.

• Aquafresh Fresh Impact Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - The toothpaste itself? Fine. The packaging? Horrible. If I hadn't cleaned it up before throwing it in my empties bin, this toothpaste can would have been CAKED with toothpaste. Just disgusting.

• Suave Moroccan Infusion Shampoo (would repurchase) - I don't love the smell, but this is a nice shampoo that makes my hair feel nice. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in1 Foundation (would repurchase) - Blah blah blah... you've heard me talk about this a million times. LOVE it. Full review here.

• Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (would repurchase) - I got this in a Birchbox a while back, and immediately thought the packaging was so cute! The mascara itself was okay, it didn't do anything magical for me, but if I saw it for a good price, I'd probably buy it again.

• Covergirl eyeliner (would not repurchase) - I don't even know the full name of this... it's not on the tube anywhere! This was a REALLY liquid-y eyeliner pen. It was really difficult to build up a solid line as the formula stayed wet so long. This was a big miss for me.

• NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder in Transluscent (would repurchase) - This was a surprising favorite of mine. I had this sitting in the back of my drawer and finally brought it out to use up. They have all new packaging on this powder now, so yeah... time to use it up. It's really finely milled and looks so natural on the skin - never cakey. Loved this.

• B&BW P.S. I Love You Shower Gel (would repurchase) - This is an old scent that B&BW doesn't carry anymore so I was sad to see this go. It has a nice floral rose scent and is one of the best scents I think they've ever made. This shower gel is by no means hydrating so don't purchase it if you need extra nourishment for your skin.

• Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream (would repurchase) - This is just a little sample, but I got many uses out of it. I used this as my night time eye cream, but think if I were to purchase it again, I'd use it in the morning instead. It's really moisturizing without being greasy or heavy.

• StriVectin Instant Moisture Repair (would not repurchase) - It could be coincidence, but I think this broke me out a little bit. It was the only thing I switched in my skincare routine, and boom - new zits. No thank you!

• Yankee Candle Beach Vacation Candle (would repurchase) - This had a lovely scent, truly reminding me of sitting beachside somewhere. It smelled faintly of sunscreen and ocean air and had excellent scent throw. Full review here. 

• B&BW Snap Peas Candle (would not repurchase) - I have a full review of this here. I liked the smell, but it just wasn't strong enough for me. 

• B&BW Root Beer Candle (would repurchase) - This is an old B&BW candle that isn't available anymore. It smells JUST like a root beer float and gives off crazy scent throw... my husband actually had to blow it out because it was too strong a couple times! (I loved it, though!)

• Better Homes & Gardens Line-Dried Linen wax tarts (would repurchase) - This gave off the most wonderful laundry scent in my home. It smelled fresh and clean without being overwhelming the way some laundry scents can definitely be. 

• Gold Canyon Ten wax (would repurchase) - My mom bought a bunch of these little wax tubs that you scoop out and put in your wax burners. Ten smells like a high-end perfume and I absolutely loved it. 

• B&BW Lemon Mint Leaf candle (would repurchase) - I have a full review of this here. This was a nice fresh scent, still available at B&BW (with different packaging).

Phew... that was quite the empties post! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Current Skin Care Regimen

With summer in full swing, I've changed up my skincare to match the season. The hotter weather makes me more oily in the T-zone, but I've found a routine that works well for me during the Minnesota summer time. Here's what I've been using.

Every morning, I begin by washing my face with the Yes to Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser ($7.99). This is a really light cleanser that has the consistency of a lotion. It doesn't foam up or lather much, rather just slicks over the face, hydrating and cleaning. I wouldn't use this as a night time facial wash as I don't think it would remove makeup well, but in the morning, when my face is already mostly clean, this does the trick.

After washing and drying my face, I then apply the Yes to Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment ($15.99). This is a great eye cream for daytime; it's lightweight and works nicely under makeup. You might remember this eye cream, as I professed my love for it in a favorites post a while back. 

Before applying my makeup, I combine 2 pumps of the Kiehl's Abyssine Lotion (a now discontinued product - sorry, I feel guilty for even bringing it up!) with half a pump of the Neutrogena Oil-Free moisturizer ($11.99). The Abyssine Lotion claims to diminish the effects of aging and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's not quite moisturizing enough for my skin, so I include the half pump of Neutrogena moisturizer to assist with that. I like this combo of moisturizers for summer because they both have SPF.

In the evening, I begin by wiping my eye makeup off with a cotton pad and eye makeup remover (which changes frequently, so it's not pictured) followed by wiping my face makeup off with a makeup wipe (also changed frequently so not pictured here). Once all the makeup has been removed from my face, I use my handy dandy Clarisonic with one pump of the Simple Foaming Cleanser ($7.49). Because this cleanser is so foamy, it works really well when using the Clarisonic. This cleanser is fairly basic, but it gets the job done just right. I think this cleanser would dry my skin out if I used it in the morning, but as I moisturize heavier at night, this works perfectly.

Once my face is clean, I like to use an eye cream. I've recently been using the Benefit It's Potent eye cream ($34) and I absolutely love this stuff. It helps brighten the under eye area and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I'm quite prone to fine, dehydration lines under my eyes and this stuff works a miracle on my under eye area! I've got just a little sample that I received in the 2013 Benefit Advent calendar, but I just might have to get the full size once I run out.

To fully moisturize the rest of my face, I've been using the Yes to Cucumbers Calming Night Cream ($14.99). This has that typical Yes to Cucumbers smell, which I like. It feels lightweight, but does an awesome job of hydrating my skin. It's also a good price for the amount you get! I sometimes swap in some face oils instead of the Calming Night Cream when I feel my skin needs it, but I use the cream most often as I think it provides the perfect amount of hydration for my skin in summer.

What's in your skincare army? Let me know if you've tried any of these products!

Empties #5

There is something so satisfying about finishing products, and I especially feel sated when I've filled my bag and I've got enough stuff worthy of a blog post. That time is here... let's dig through my trash.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation - You already know, this is my holy grail foundation. This is the third or fourth bottle I've gone through and believe me, I've got back ups on hand. See my full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.
• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - Another holy grail product. I've been using this powder for years and there's just nothing like it for the same price. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.
• Julep Boho Glam Lengthening Mascara - I received this way back in a Julep mystery box, but I absolutely hated this. It was feathery and hard to apply and there was no way it lengthened my lashes. I used this for my bottom lashes for a bit, but had to throw it out without using it up. Would I repurchase? No.

• OPI Start to Finish Base Coat, Top Coat & Strengthener - I didn't care for this multi-coat polish. It dried slow and didn't strengthen my nails at all. Would I repurchase? No.
• Ralph Lauren Big Pony #4 Perfume - This perfume smells amazing. It's fruity and floral with top notes of cherry and amber. I really like this, but I don't need another perfume in my collection at this moment. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline Perfume - This smelled alright, but it wasn't something I couldn't live without. Would I repurchase? No.
• Urban Decay Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion - This sample came with my Naked 3 palette. The packaging claims this packet had a week's worth of product, but I got much more than that. Eden is a creamy nude base that holds eyeshadow on all day. I didn't love this primer, but I didn't hate it. My makeup stayed on using this, but I didn't care for the consistency. Would I repurchase? No.

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit - I really liked these wipes. They're formulated for acne-prone skin and I really do think they helped keep my skin clear. I use these wipes as a makeup remover, and follow up with a facial cleanser. I would never use this type of makeup wipe as my sole cleanser. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have. 
• Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes - I love these towelettes, and I've repurchased them a few times now. They're soothing and smell nice and do a good job of cleansing my face of all makeup. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have. 

• Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray - This is the first heat tamer spray I can ever remember purchasing. It does an okay job, but it's not my favorite. I was happy to get through this. Would I repurchase? No. 
• Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner - I LOVED this! It made my hair so soft, and it smelled sort of powdery and clean. I love that it's a natural conditioner and it performed really well! Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.
• HerStyler Argan Oil Hair Mask - I won't go on about this, as I've done a full review here, but this was a really nice mask. I enjoyed it, but am sad how fast it went. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Pecksniff's England Luxury Salt Scrub in Ginger Flower & Patchouli - Ouch, my first salt scrub. I'd never realized I had so many cuts in my fingers until using this scrub. It was painful and made my skin burn. The scent became overbearing, and I couldn't wait to use it up. The only good thing was that this scrub had oil in it so it left my skin silky smooth. Would I repurchase? No. 
• Lush Buche De Noel Facial Cleanser - You can read more about this cleanser here, but I will say that I really enjoyed using this. It smelled so delicious I could have taken a bite, but I refrained. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Almay Lash Care Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads - I got these for a couponing deal at Walgreens and paid under $2 for them. I didn't have high hopes, but they were okay. I had to use one pad per eye but they still left residue around my eyes so I had to use another makeup wipe to remove all of my makeup. I didn't notice anything fantastic happening to my lashes as this product would seem to suggest. Would I repurchase? No. 

• Clarisonic Acne Brush Heads - I really like these acne brush heads. They scrub deep without irritating my skin and my face feels refreshed and smooth after using these.Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Reach Soft Woven Mint Floss - This is my absolute favorite kind of floss. The braided texture gets all the ickyness out of my teeth in a way that regular floss just can't compete with. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.
• Better Homes & Gardens Wax Cubes in Warm Vanilla Creme - These wax cubes make my house smell so delicious. I loved the scent of vanilla floating through my home, especially in the fall. I was sad to see these go! Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Dove ClearTone deodorant - FINALLY, I've used up the last of this three pack I bought. (I don't know what I was thinking - I just can't make that kind of commitment to one type of product!) I liked this, it was soothing and gentle on my pits, but I certainly didn't notice it "evening out" my skin tone in my armpits, and I'm not quite sure why I'd care if it did! Would I repurchase? Yes.
• B&BW PocketBacs in Pink Berry Citrus and Lucky - Both of these smelled nice. I use them prior to applying my makeup to make sure my hands are free of any nasty bacteria. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Yankee Candle in Green Tea - This smelled really great, and actually the "green tea" scent was quite on point. The scent filled the room, and I enjoyed using it up. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Sugar Blossom candle - Sadly, this didn't have the greatest scent throw. It smelled great if you stuck your face in the candle, but it just didn't fill up the room. Would I repurchase? No.
• B&BW Candle in Party Dress - This had a nice, musky perfume scent and I believe it was part of Bath & Body Works Christmas/New Year's collection. I got it for Christmas and really liked it! Would I repurchase? Yes.

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

Empties | #5

Wowza, I just did one of these posts a month ago but my bag of empties filled up quite quickly in that time so here we are again! Are you ready for this? Here we go...

• Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask - I love this stuff. Seriously, holy grail status. It's an expensive little mask, retailing for $30, but it's worth every penny. I'll definitely buy it again. 

• Aveda Invati Shampoo & Conditioner - I bought this stuff because I had been on some medication which totally dried my hair out, and made it feel thin and disgusting. My hair wasn't actually thinning, but I wanted to bulk it up and add some life to it. I didn't really notice any difference, and while this smelled really nice, I wouldn't buy it again.

• John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Refresher (dry shampoo) - This made my February favorites because it rocks. If it wasn't discontinued, I'd totally repurchase it again. See my review here. 

• Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizer - I bought this on a whim quite a while ago and finally used it up. This had a very strong smell that didn't linger on the skin, but certainly is enough that it may turn some off. I didn't notice any major wrinkle reducing properties, but it did a decent job moisturizing. I dont' think I'd buy this again, however.

• Simple Soothing Facial Toner - This was really nice. It never made my face sting or burn, but it removed any excess makeup that lingered on my face post-cleaning. I'd buy this again.

• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser - I got this in last summer's Allure Beauty Box. It's been marketed as a better alternative to Cetaphil, which I've also used before, and I have to say I did like this better. It didn't break me out and did a good job of washing my makeup off. I'd repurchase this.

• Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover - This wasn't anything special, but it did remove my eye makeup easily and efficiently. It was fairly cheap, too. I would buy this again.

• OPI Avojuice in Jasmine - Avojuice's are one of my favorite lotions, and I especially love the jasmine scented version.This lotion was really hydrating, but it never left my skin feeling greasy. I've got plenty of other lotions to use first, but I'd repurchase this in the future.

• Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Body Cream in P.S. I Love You - This isn't completely gone, but it just doesn't smell the same anymore... a tell-tale sign that a product is expired. This was one of my favorite B&BW scents, but sadly it's discontinued. These triple body moisture creams are awesome and really hydrating. If it ever gets brought back, I'd buy this again.

• Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel - You may recall seeing this in my recent Lush haul. This is a cult favorite body wash that comes out at Christmas, and this was my first time trying it. To be quite honest, I didn't like the scent much at all. It's super sickly sweet and just not my taste. I have one more bottle of it (I got sent another because this bottle leaked during shipping) which I'll use, but I wouldn't buy it again.

• Hello Anticavity Toothpaste in Supermint - This is a fairly new brand as far as I know, and I picked this up just out of curiosity. I do like natural toothpastes quite a bit, and this was really nice. My only complaint was the packaging made it quite difficult to get anything out once it started to run out. Because of the packaging, I wouldn't buy it again.

• Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer - I got this in a past Birchbox, and this deluxe sample size lasted me over a month! I really liked this, but the full-size is a bit spendy and I've got comparable drugstore alternatives I'd use instead of spending the money. If I did find it for a good deal, I would buy it.

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner in Black - Ya'll know I love this. I've bought it time and time again, and will continue to. 

• Benefit They're Real Mascara - I got this little sample in my Sephora birthday pack from last year. I know everyone raves about this mascara, but I really didn't enjoy using this sample. The brush was sharp and it tended to clump on me. I've heard that these little samples aren't the best way to judge this mascara, but I can't say I'd buy the full size any time soon.

• ChapStick Overnight Lip Treatment - This was nice. I used it every night before bed, and it left my lips feeling really soft and hydrated. I'd buy this again.

• Bath & Body Works PocketBac in Wildberry Freesia - You already know, I use these every time before I do my makeup. I liked it, this was a nice scent, but I'd probably try a new scent before buying this one again.

• ChapStick in Strawberry - Everyone knows these are just fine. I kept it in my desk at work and it did the trick of moisturizing my lips when I needed it. I've got plenty more of these, so I won't need to repurchase this any time soon. 

• Givenchy Very Irresistable Perfume sample - This smelled nice, but I don't think I like it enough to get a full-size. I'm not the greatest at describing scents, but it was floral and fresh. Not bad, but just not anything I absolutely need.

• The Country Corn Crib Soy Candle in Pomegranate Spice - These candles are made in Minnesota, and can often be found at craft shows in this area. This scent smelled SO good and had really great scent-throw. You can find them online here. 

• Soy Candle in Exotic Woods - You can read more about this candle in my February Favorites. I really liked it, and would purchase it again if it gets re-released. 

• Bath & Body Works Candle in Black Pepper Bergamot - I really love this scent, but these little candles are just silly. They don't burn very long, and don't put off much scent at all. I'd buy this in a bigger size, but not in this teeny tiny version again.

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

Gone, gone, gone | Empties #3

There is something so sickeningly satisfying about finishing products. With a stash that is ridiculous rather large, I try to get through things so that I can move on to something new. Especially since I like to use some of my beauty products the same way that I read books -- that is to say, one at a time. I do this for things like body wash, moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners, etc. 

It's been just over 2 months since my last empties post, but yet again I've accumulated some trash and so I've got some things to show you with a quick review on each product as well.  Here goes nothin'... 

• Clean & Clear Mattifying Moisturizer - I got this at Big Lots a few months ago, and I have to confess that I didn't use this up entirely. In fact, it's about 75% full. I hated this stuff. It did a horrible job of moisturizing and it would slough off white gunk that wouldn't melt in to my skin. I can't be bothered to get through this tube, and while I think it's discontinued, I wouldn't repurchase it if I saw it again. 

• Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer - I did use all of this moisturizer, and I enjoyed it. It was very lightweight, but it packed a punch and was very hydrating for my dry skin. It lasted me a good 4-5 months, so the ~$8 price tag was totally worth it. I would repurchase it.

• Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes - These are my new favorite makeup removing wipes. They smell really nice like cucumber and they're really gentle while still removing all my makeup. They're also super soft and feel lovely on your face. I will absolutely repurchase these again. 

• Studio Beauty Night Calming Makeup Remover Towelettes - Studio Beauty is Walgreens store brand. These were cheap, and the package says these compare to Neutrogena Night Calming Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. I've actually never tried those, so I can't compare. I thought these were fine. They weren't anything special, but they didn't break me out, they had a nice light scent and they got my makeup off well. I'd probably repurchase these because they're a bit cheaper than a name-brand wipe. 

• Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser - This is a no nonsense cleanser that is great for people with sensitive skin. It cleans your skin without any scent or fanciness, it just simply wipes the dirt and makeup away! This big daddy size lasted me a good 3 months or so, which is pretty awesome. This isn't the first bottle I've gotten through, and it won't be the last. 

• Boots No. 7 Cleanse & Care Eye Makeup Remover - Boots is a UK brand that has somewhat recently been introduced to Target. Awhile ago I found this eye makeup remover in the Target clearance bin and figured I'd give it a shot. It worked really well without burning my eyes, and it got all of my eye makeup, waterproof and not, off like a charm. I'd definitely repurchase this.

• Bath & Body Works Cashmere Glow Shea Enriched Shower Gel - I have been trying to finish this since FOREVER. I know I said I use body wash one at a time, but there were a couple times I took this out of the shower to swap it for a different scent. It's a very sweet, autumnal scent, and I just couldn't bear to use it in the spring or summer. I can't say I love this scent (primarily a strong shea scent), and I definitely didn't love the fact that it's not moisturizing in the least. Since there's always something new at B&BW I'd rather try something else next time. 

• Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer - I've talked about this so many times that I won't go in to detail. I like this stuff. It gives this pale redhead some color in the summer, and I can build it up to look pretty convincing. I'll buy this again and again in the summer as I always do.

• L'Oreal Power Moisture Moisture Rush Mask - I use hair masks or deep conditioners once a week to keep my hair healthy, and I like to switch around and use something new. This was one I randomly picked up, and I thought it was just alright. It didn't seem to moisturize my hair any more than a regular conditioner. I don't think I'd buy it again. 

• got2be Oil-licious Golden Shimmer conditioner - I hated the smell of this stuff, but the product itself was okay. It's not thick at all, as if the cream of the conditioner was merely just to hold the oil and transfer it to your hair. The one thing I did like about this was that I could actually SEE the golden shimmer in my hair. It wasn't obnoxious or anything, but in the right light there was a nice sparkle that looked awesome in my auburn hair. I'd maybe buy this again, if I can get over the smell. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation - I won't bore you with ANOTHER review on this. I love it. It's my favorite foundation. Period!

• Maybelline Lash Stilletto Voluptuous mascara in Brownish Black - This made it in my August Favorites and for good reason! I really liked it. It separated, lengthened and most importantly, it volumized. It had a cool, curved brush and it applied well. I'd repurchase! 

• Neutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer - I used to use this stuff religiously on any spots on my face, not that it ever seemed to really clear them up (as it's supposed to). I found this in my makeup stash and I haven't used it in well over a year and it's nearly gone so it's time to toss it out! I wouldn't buy this stuff again as it doesn't have great coverage and it was far too runny.

• Dove Cleartone deodorant - I bought a three pack of these last holiday season and I'm still working my way through it. I'm not overly particular about my deodorant, so this stuff worked just fine for me. I wish I could make the switch to all-natural deodorant but it just makes me smell bad! I'd repurchase this.

• Luster Now! Instant Whitening Toothpaste - I received this in an Influenster VoxBox this past summer, and I have to say I enjoyed it. The toothpaste is a bright electric blue color and it foams like crazy. As for whitening, I didn't really notice much. It tasted nice and cleaned my teeth which is good enough for me. I've only seen this at Walgreens and it's a bit on the pricey end of the toothpaste spectrum, so I probably won't buy it again.

• OPI Shatter polish in Black Shatter - I actually only used this a few times, but was cleaning out my nail polish collection and noticed this one had dried up. That's the thing with these shatter polishes, if there's even a tiny bit of air coming in to the bottle they dry up in a split second. I'm not sad about it because I am completely sick of shatter nails. 

• B&BW PocketBac in Raspberry Pink Peony - If you've seen my other empties posts, you'll have noticed these show up in every one. I use these before applying my makeup to kill any bacteria I have on my hands so I don't transfer it on to my face. This one smelled really nice, and I love the design on the packaging. A+! I have more of these in my stash, so I won't be repurchasing this scent any time soon (and I think it's part of the limited edition summer collection). 

• Slatkin & Co. Scented Candle in Autumn Day - Kind of a random empty, but I had to include it! This candle is from B&BW (geez, this is a B&BW heavy post!) and it smelled divine! My whole bag of empties smells amazing because of this candle! It's the perfect autumn smell that will fill up any room you're burning it in. I would definitely purchase this again!

Well, that's it! Another round of used-up products, and I assure you this won't be the last of these posts. Even now I've got a bag started of "new" used things. Stay tuned... and let me know if you've loved or hated any of these same products!