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!

Ipsy Glam Bag | August 2016

August's Ipsy Glam Bag has arrived in my mailbox and it's full of goodies both full and deluxe-sized. It costs just $10/month and every month brings a fun new variety of things to try. Review your samples and you'll earn points you can redeem for full size products. I think Ipsy is a lot of fun, and I'd definitely recommend checking it out if you're a beauty lover. If you're interested in signing up, click here!

Here's what came in August's bag...

• Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Black - A highly pigmented gel liner. Build the intensity for your desired effect. Smooth and easy to apply. 

• Ciate London nail polish in Spinning Teacups - A pretty light lavender color. Ciate nail polishes boast high shine and easy application. This is a full size product - score! 

• NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Gleam - A golden peachy shade that is mega glowy. Can be worn alone or tap it on to cheek bones for a hint of shimmer that's perfect for summer. 

• Organic Surge Perfecting Face Polish - Gently removes impurities and dirt. Formulated with rosemary and lemon oils to clear the complexion, chamomile and gingko biloba to soothe, and almond oil to soften. 100% free of harsh chemicals, no parabens, GMOS, or artificial fragrances. 

• Sally's Box Secret Garden Ampoule Masks - These are 2 step masks that hydrate the skin. Step one is to apply the included serum on the face, and step two is the sheet mask. They include olive oil to nourish and diminish fine lines, camellia oil for glowiness, and the microfibers in the mask allow the product to soak in to the skin. 

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

October Empties (#19)

This month's empties bin filled up really quickly. I seemed to finish a little bit of everything at once. Some good, some bad, I'll fill you in on whether or not each product is worth trying or repurchasing. Here's what I used up in the month of October:

• Loreal Everstrong Bodify Conditioner (would repurchase) - This was nice. It made my hair smell good, feel soft, and look shiny. I like the EverStrong line. I'd definitely get this again in the future. 

• Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship (would repurchase) - This used to be my jam in college, and the smell of it certainly brought me back. I don't love it as much as I used to, but every now and then I don't mind using this for old times sake.

• Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I got this to clean my brushes, but I didn't like the smell so I wouldn't buy this again. It did a fine job of cleaning my brushes, but from here on out I think I'll be using Dr. Bronner's castille soap instead.

• Sonia Kashuk Brush & Sponge Cleanser (would not repurchase) - What I didn't like about this is the packaging. When washing my brushes, my hands get wet (duh) and this packing is slippery to hold on to and spray on to brushes. I couldn't even get the last bit out with the pump at the end, so out it goes. 

• B&BW Mad About You Shower Gel (would not repurchase) - Ooooweee... this body wash had an overly perfumey floral scent (very young scent) and it lingered for a good while after showering. I got this as a free gift with purchase, and I won't grab it again. 

• Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream (would repurchase) - I love Soap & Glory products, and this body butter is amazing. It smells like a key lime pie and does a great job of moisturizing without feeling greasy. This won't be the last time I get this stuff!

• Philosophy Loveswept Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - I got this in a sample bag of some sort, and while it smelled really good (perfumey), it is extremely overpowering and not something you can wear with perfume. I used it at night on my hands and it did a nice job of hydrating my hands, but I prefer a much lighter scented lotion for daily use.

• Loreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara (would repurchase) - I liked this mascara. I'm not the biggest fan of waterproof formulas, but I like to keep one on hand for my bottom lashes or for weddings, or any day that I know there are going to be some waterworks! This was one of the better waterproof formulas I've tried recently - it built up volume nicely and separated my lashes. 

• Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this spray in conditioner. Not big in to the scent, and the formula did nothing for me. It's expensive as well, not worth the money when there are better, cheaper alternatives. 

• Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) -I didn't enjoy using this dry shampoo. It has a strong citrus scent and hardly soaked up any oil in my hair.

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (would repurchase) - This is the second or third one of these I've gone through. I really like this concealer because it covers up dark circles, and doesn't get cakey underneath my eyes. 

• Paula's Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I really like the Paula's Choice brand, but this cleanser was just too basic. It felt like I was rubbing lotion on my face, and it didn't seem to clean my face all that well. Unfortunately, I just didn't love this and I won't buy it again. 

• L'occitane Hydration Face Mist (would not repurchase) - This is a heavily scented face spray. If you're sensitive to fragrance, this is not for you. It has a fine mist, which is nice, and it did leave my makeup looking more natural after I sprayed it on, but I won't buy it again. There are others I like better, that have better or less of a fragrance.

• St. Ives Apricot Scrub (would repurchase) - Despite how bad this probably is for my skin, I still love it. My face feels baby soft and super clean when I use it, but the uneven scrubbies are probably causing micro-lacerations on my face which isn't good, soooo.... I won't be buying it again. 

• Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet (would repurchase) - I got this from Memebox and I absolutely LOVED it. Best cleansing balm I've ever used. I would highly recommend using this as a makeup remover, if you're in the market for a good one. Full review here.

• Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Anti Gingivitis Rinse (would not repurchase) - This mouth wash had a cinnamon taste, which I don't enjoy when it comes to mouth wash. It did a fine job of rinsing my mouth out and making it feel clean, but I prefer a mint rinse instead.

• Pronamel & Sensodyne Toothpastes (would repurchase) - I have a million samples of these and we're working our way through them. They're nice, minty, and make my mouth feel clean. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - I get these in bulk from Costco. They're good cotton rounds, and I'll keep buying them for use in applying toner and removing eye makeup.

• Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream (would repurchase) - This is a very gentle overnight cream that smells of lavender. It's natural and has good ingredients, it didn't break me out either. 

• Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Cream (would repurchase) - I got this sample on Vitacost ($10 coupon for the website here)and I really liked it. This lightweight night cream felt nice on the skin, and I'd be curious to see how it performs with extended use. 

• Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (would repurchase) - This made my favorites in months past, and for good reason. It helps shorten the time a zit hangs out on my face - who could ask for more?

• Miyu Beauty Di-Stress Mi Beauty Essence (would repurchase) - Ages ago I received this from Birchbox, and it's a really nice peppermint face spray. It smells good and feels nice on the face. I'd definitely purchase it again. 

• Alterna Bamboo Abundant Volume Shampoo & Conditioner (would not purchase) - I didn't really care for the smell of this, but it was an OK combo. I know it's kind of pricey, and I wouldn't shell the cash out for it.

• Rituals Magic Touch Cherry Blossom & Rice Milk Body Cream (would purchase) - I already have a full size of this. It's makes my skin soft, and has a nice light scent that isn't overpowering.

• L'occitane Precious Cream (would purchase) - This night cream was soooo nice. My skin felt soft and smooth, and I liked the herbal scent of it. I'm fairly certain it's pricey, but it might be worth splurging on in the future.

• Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer (would not purchase) - I know people swear by this stuff, but I can't say I was impressed. It didn't do anything for the longevity of my makeup wear, and it didn't make my skin look any better.

• Caudalie Vine Body Butter (would not purchase) - This was just OK. It smelled fresh and was hydrating on my skin, but it wasn't so great I need to run out and buy it. Especially not for the price.

• Mario Badescu Drying Cream (would purchase) - This stuff really helped my skin clear up. It smelled pretty gross, but the results were good enough that I didn't mind.

What did you use up this month? Have you ever tried any of these products? Let me know!

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! 

My current skincare routine | Spring 2015

It's been a while since I've done a post like this, so I thought I'd take a minute and update you on what skincare products I've been using and loving lately. Personally, I love seeing what products other people use and enjoy when it comes to skincare, so I hope you do, too!

MORNING: In the mornings, I rotate between two products.Every other day, I start with the Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser. I swear by Michael Todd skincare; I've used a handful of their products and my skin really responds well to their natural products. 

The Charcoal Detox cleanser is a scary black-colored gel, but it smells so refreshing like tea tree and other natural fragrances. The charcoal works to pull out the junk from clogged pores, and the tea tree has natural anti-aging and blemish healing properties. I love this stuff, I already have a backup to use in the future. You can now find Michael Todd products on ULTA.com and ULTA Beauty retail stores nationwide. Click here for more info. (affiliate link)  Go get you some. 

On the days I don't use the cleanser, I use the Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal facial scrub. It's really good for your skin to properly exfoliate and remove the dry, dead skin that can hang around. The exfoliating agent is wax jojoba beads that are perfectly round and even. I can't stress to you how important that is - scrubs like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub use uneven natural exfoliators that can cause damaging micro-lacerations on your skin. Not. Good. (even though I secretly love that scrub even though I know it's bad for me!) Again, like with the cleanser above, the activated charcoal works to draw out impurities and gunk from the skin - a double whammy when used in rotation with the Charcoal Detox cleanser. This can also be purchased at Ulta for $19, and you can read more and purchase it here. 

After cleansing, I tone my skin using the Kiehl's Yerba Mate Tea toner (cue the Ellis Coffee song running through my head! Holla if you know the song!) This is a really nice, gentle toner that doesn't sting my face or strip it of it's natural moisture. I THINK this might be discontinued.... so I'm sorry in advance if you can't find this for purchase any more. 

To cap off the morning routine, I use a serum and I've recently been using the beloved Hydraluron, which you've probably read about if you frequent British beauty blogs often. It's a lightweight serum formulated with the purest form of hyaluronic acid, which plumps and promotes smoother, softer skin. You can buy it at both Ulta or Walgreens in the US if you want to see what the hype is all about.

EVENING: In the evening I first remove all my makeup with a towelette or a micellar water, as well as an eye-makeup remover, and then I use the Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Cleanser with my Clarisonic Mia 2 (just re-read the description above about how amazing this cleanser is.)

After cleansing, I again, use my Kiehl's Yerba Mate Tea toner to remove any lingering traces of makeup. I then use the Lanoline Age Defying eye cream. This isn't my favorite eye cream ever, but it's not bad and I'm weird about needing to use things up. Once again, I use hydraluron in the evenings for a serum. To moisturize, I use the Tarte Maracuja Oil every other day. I love this oil because it has a high dose of Vitamin C to brighten the skin, plus it helps combat blemishes while really hydrating the skin.On the days I don't use the oil, I use the Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream. This stuff smells amazing, with a strong smell of lavender essential oil - perfect for bed time! A little goes a long way, and it makes my skin feel nice and hydrated.


And that, ladies and gentlemen, is it! This combination of products has been working really well for me to keep most blemishes and dry patches away. My skin feels soft and I feel like I've been focusing less on fine lines that are beginning to appear on my face. Let me know what your holy grail skincare items are or if you've tried anything I've mentioned!


Disclaimer: This post contains products that were sent to me, and affiliate links, however all opinions are my own. I never guarantee positive reviews - I keep it real for all my readers!

Empties #10

Dig through my trash with me! Here's what I used up recently.

• Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner - I really loved this stuff. It smells like it was made by Aveda (which I love) and made my face feel really clean without stripping the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Simple Foaming Cleanser - This took me literally forever to go through... I'm talking like 6 months or more? It was a very very basic cleanser, but I think I realized when using this that I just don't love foam cleansers. It was fine, but I got bored by it quickly. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

• Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover - This is your basic eye makeup remover. It works really great for waterproof mascara and eyeliner and doesn't burn my eyes. Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have.

• blum Naturals Eye Makeup Remover - Can you tell this is still totally full? This is the worst eye makeup remover I've ever tried. I had to scrub the living daylights out of my eyes and it left me looking like a raccoon - not to mention it really burned! Not a fan, can't even bother getting through it. Would I repurchase? No.

• Michael Todd Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum - This serum is supposed to help reduce wrinkles and redness and improve the overall health of the skin. I didn't notice any drastic changes, but it was nice. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Triple Moisture Body Cream - Remember this? I loved the smell of this lotion and it did a great job at moisturizing my skin and sinking in without feeling greasy. The B&BW Triple Moisture Body Creams have such a great formula. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies - This is kind of a different empty to include, but I thought I'd throw it in. I really do think biotin helps keep my hair feeling healthy and growing faster and I definitely notice a difference in the strength of my nails. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Korres Body Butter in Basil Lemon - How about this.... remember this? I wasn't the biggest fan of the scent of this lotion, but it did an OK job moisturizing. I hadn't ever tried any body butters from Korres, and honestly, I wasn't in love. I wasn't a fan of the consistency and texture of this lotion - it was hard to rub in and felt like it just sat on top of my skin. Would I repurchase? No. 

• Organic Surge Body Cream in Sweet Blossom - This body cream was awesome! It's very lightly scented, it's lightly moisturizing and I love that it's organic. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Wallflowers in Winter Cabin - I'm not sure B&BW makes this scent anymore, do they? I don't like to use wallflowers as they're full of a bunch of chemicals that probably aren't good to breathe in, but I'm determined to use up the ones I have. This smells nice, kind of musky and fresh.

• LUSH Sikkim Girls Body Lotion - I didn't completely get through this before it went sour on me. This is a SUPER fragrant body lotion that's comprised of jasmine, vanilla, darjeeling tea, and cocoa butter. Honestly, I kind of think it smells old lady-ish (I bought it online without ever smelling it) but I also thought it smelled kind of dark and sexy? Idk. Would I repurchase? No.

• Tom's Whole Care Toothpaste in Cinnamon Clove - I don't like using a toothpaste that isn't minty. I never felt like my breath was fresh and my teeth were clean after using it, even if they were. Would I repurchase? No.

• epielle Aloe Vera Cleansing Tissues - I got these at Big Lots and I don't use them on my face, I only use them to wipe up swatches. They're fine and all, but I won't be able to buy them again as my local Big Lots is closing (wahhh!!!!) Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Clarisonic Deep Pore Brush Heads - I don't notice huge differences between the different varieties of Clarisonic brush heads, but these were just fine. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Covergirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara - I really like the Clump Crusher mascaras, both waterproof and regular versions. It does a good job of lengthening, separating and volumizing without clumping one bit. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation - My absolute favorite foundation. There's always one of these in my empties. See a full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Melvita Rose Floral Water - This is a beautifully scented facial mist that is so refreshing on the skin. I love all rose scented things, and this doesn't disappoint. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• LI'TYA Munthari Hand Hydrating Lotion - This is a sample size of a VERY expensive lotion. It's formulated with a plethora of different essential oils, so it smells so so so amazing. Unfortunately, I just don't think it hydrated my hands very well, so I'd never shell the money out for it. Would I repurchase? No.

• Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner - This eyeliner is ridiculously cheap, lasts a long time, and does the job. The pen isn't as thin as I'd prefer, but I liked using this. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner - This is one of my all-time favorite eyeliners. I tend to retire this for the winter months as my eyes are more prone to watering and this will leak at the first sign of watery eyes, but I do love it. Super cheap, and it's easily the blackest boldest eyeliner I've ever used. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair - This was a nice eye cream. I didn't have enough to really get a great feel for how well it works, but it was good for the short while I used it. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm - This is an all-purpose balm you can use on dry spots, lips, nipples (if you wish - it was created for nursing mothers originally, I believe) or whatever you need it for. I find it to be a bit too sticky. Would I repurchase? No.

• Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Perfume - I definitely don't need this in my perfume collection. It is so basic, and not unique in the slightest, but it does smell nice. Would I repurchase? No.

• Marvis Toothpaste in Classic Strong Mint - I love the packaging on this little sample. It made my mouth feel super clean and it tasted yummy. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Old Factory Candle in First Snow - This was really nice and super fresh. It kind of freaks me out that the paper got so hot it kind of burned/singed/whatever? Read more about this candle company here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• dw Home Candle in Warm Tobacco Pipe - I absolutely adored this candle. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Yankee Candle in Witches Brew - My all-time favorite scent by Yankee Candle. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Candle in Fresh Balsam - This is last year's packaging... yes.. it's been sitting in storage waiting for Christmas all year long. I didn't think I was big in to pine scents, but I started burning this and now I am OBSESSED with pine! This is so good. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Have you tried any of these products? What have you used up this month? 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!

Mega Haul!

It's been QUITE some time since I've allowed myself to splurge on some beauty goodies. Lately I've been focusing on using what I have instead of buying anything more. BUT, I did need some face cleanser, and I saw an excellent deal on some Korres goodies (a brand I've never tried but have been wanting to experiment with) and well... one trip to TJ Maxx later and we've got ourselves a haul....

Back in June, Korres was featured on Hautelook and I could not resist (despite putting myself on a no-buy that I'd been strictly adhering to since May!). I've long wanted to try the lip butters, and I have to say I am not disappointed in the least - they're creamy and hydrating and feel really nice on the lips. I have yet to try the body butters, but I have a feeling I won't be disappointed.

I was super excited to see Organic Surge Pure & Clean face wash at  TJ Maxx. I've tried a couple of Organic Surge products and thoroughly enjoyed them, but never have I used anything from their skincare line. I also decided to pick up the Amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash. I picked this up entirely on a whim; I know nothing about it, so I admit I bought it purely on the cute packaging (I'm such a victim of great packaging). The Rusk Being Gutsy hair thickener I bought for no real reason - it looks cool and I can always use some extra volume.

Yay - two more Organic Surge products! I don't have much selection of facial moisturizers, and these come in really nice, sturdy glass pots (again, a victim of great packaging). My skin has been loving all natural products and I haven't been using an all natural moisturizer lately (at least in the morning), so I'm looking forward to trying these. 

Of all the items I've recently purchased, these are the two I'm most excited about. I've heard so much about Paula's Choice, and I've recently started looking more at Paula's website. If you haven't checked it out, and you care about the ingredients in your beauty products, you need to give it a look. Paula's Choice had their face wash on sale over the 4th of July so I picked a couple up and got an awesome deal. So maybe I'm a bit of a skincare junkie?....

Let me know if you've tried any of these products out!! What have you hauled lately?