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!

Empties | #42

Holy moly, is my empties bin ever full! I've been plowing through all sorts of stuff, and I'm excited to share these mini reviews with you. Keep reading for purchase recommendations and reviews on alllll of this trash. 

• L'Oreal Vive Pro Smooth Gloss conditioner (would repurchase) - I had an old bottle of this stashed away in my bathroom closet and finally got around to finishing it up. While this might not be the first thing I'd grab from the drugstore shelf, I did enjoy it. It made my hair smooth and soft, and it didn't weigh it down. I honestly have no idea if they still make this (rarely do I shop the hair aisle because my backstock of products is embarrassingly large) but I'd recommend it if you're looking for something that'll do the trick for normal hair and you're on a budget.

• Orlando Pita Revive Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I won't say too much about this (look for it in an upcoming battle of the dry shampoos) but take this for what you will: this bottle isn't even empty, but it's going bye-bye.

• StriVectin Hair Conditioner (would repurchase) - This stuff is really nice. It's not the most accessible or affordable, but I loved the smell and what it did for my hair. I can't say it made the biggest different in volume, as it's supposed to, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. See full review here.

• Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque (would repurchase) - The hype is so, so real around this product. It makes my hair feel ridiculously soft, it smells nice, and it's worth splurging on.

• StriVectin Hair Bodifying Radiance Serum (would repurchase) - If I saw this for a good deal, I'd consider picking it up again. I didn't see it working any miracles, but it added shine and it seemed to keep my hair healthy. See full review here. 

• Reviva Labs Eye Gelee Concentrate (would repurchase) - I talked about my love for this stuff in my top 10 of 2017 post. It's made a noticeable difference in my undereye area and it's dirt cheap. I can't recommend it enough if you have dry or lined undereyes. What you see above is a sample size, and this little pot alone lasted me a few months. You definitely get your money's worth.

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer (would repurchase) - I've used many a tube of this concealer, and I quite like it for my undereyes. It hides dark circles without being cakey, and it's affordable.

• Makeup For Ever Step 1 Primer (would not purchase) - I had high hopes for this because so many people claim this is their favorite, but I really didn't care for this. It didn't do much for the longevity of my makeup, nor did it seem to make my face smoother. Glad I tried a sample before impulse purchasing this.

• Hey Honey Day & Night Moisturizing Cream (would purchase) - I really liked this moisturizer, more for daytime than night. It's quite light, has a very subtle refreshing scent, and it didn't break me out. I'd like to get a full size of this in the future.

• Belif Hungarian Water Essence (would not purchase) - I genuinely wanted this to do something for my ridiculously thirsty winter skin, but I can't say I noticed a difference between days I used this and days I did not.

• GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment (would repurchase) - I really like the Glam Glow masks. I used this when my skin was acting up, and it seemed to help dry out any spots, and speed up the time it took for them to heal. It's expensive, but I like to get these samples when I can.

• Clinique Pep-Start Moisturizer (would purchase) - This was a decent moisturizer. It did have a hint of sunscreen smell, but it wasn't overly greasy and it didn't break me out.

• GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer (would not purchase) - This straight up smelled like starbursts. And the scent hung around. On days I didn't wear makeup, I could smell my fruity face for hours. The illumination was just fine shimmer, and didn't add any extra glow to my face under makeup. Overall, it was a miss for me.

• Swisspers Premium Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - No surprise here. My favorite cotton rounds that I purchase in bulk from Costco. Good for removing eye makeup, applying toner, or removing nail polish.

• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (would repurchase) - I fell in love with these. I could tell they were making a difference in the texture of my skin. I'm trying to hold out until the spring Sephora VIB sale to get a jumbo pack of these, because they're PRICEY, but I'm not sure I'll be able to wait that long.

• Soap & Glory Clean On Me body wash (would repurchase) - I enjoy all of Soap & Glory's body washes, and this is no different. It smells nice, lathers well, and gets me clean without drying my skin out completely. 

• Alba Botanica Firming Scrub (would not repurchase) - This was weird. You'd think a scrub with espresso and coffee beans would smell like coffee, but it didn't. It had a gross "unscented" scent. This wasn't my favorite scrub, and I'd opt for something that smells nicer in the future.

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - These are my go-to makeup table wipes. I use them to wipe swatches off, clean up my makeup desk, wipe foundation off my lips, and wipe my kid's boogery nose. Multipurpose! 

• Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (would repurchase) - I got suckered in to buying these because I like Ole Henriksen skincare, but I don't really like makeup wipes for removing my makeup. These were just okay - they weren't very saturated, and didn't seem to get all of my makeup off, but they smelled nice and did the trick enough.

• Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes (would not repurchase) - It's not that I didn't like these, but I did not enjoy this coconut scent. I'm not a big coconut person. I also didn't use these in place of a normal deodorant. I kept them in my work desk for days when I needed some extra help in the underarm department, and they did the trick. These dried up before I could use them all, but they sat in my desk door for more than a year. I've since repurchased them but in a different scent, and I much prefer the new scent.

• Michael Todd Skin Defender Creme Facial Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I've read AHA face washes won't actually provide real benefit to your skin, or at least the benefits you'd expect from an AHA. I'll say I didn't notice any exfoliating benefits or reduced lines from using this, and it honestly didn't make my skin feel very clean. I wouldn't bother with this again.

• DermaE Purifying Youth Serum (would repurchase) - I didn't notice this doing much, but I think that'd require continued use to really give it a fair shake. I like the clean ingredients, so if I saw this again, I'd consider picking it up.

• Biore Baking Soda Pore Cleanser (would not purchase) - Baking soda in face washes was a trend for about two seconds, and I can see why it didn't stick. This didn't foam up very well, and didn't appear to clean my skin that well either. Glad I tried this in sample size before opting to get a full size.

• Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser (would not purchase) - Another miss in the skincare department for me. To be honest, I didn't use it with my clarisonic (I've been using chemical exfoliants lately instead) but it still foamed up decently. It was kind of old, which perhaps contributed to the weird scent. I just didn't really like this.

• OPI Nail Envy Base Coat (would repurchase) - Check out that hella old packaging! This stuff isn't a miracle worker, but it does the job.

• It Cosmetics Superhero mascara (would repurchase) - I really liked this sample. I know sample mascaras sometimes differ from full sizes, but I'd consider getting this in the future. It added volume and length to my lashes and didn't flake. I liked the brush as well.

• Avalon Organics Nourishing Cherry Aloe lip balm (would repuchase) - Not a lot to say about this, but it has good ingredients and it felt nice.

• Givenchy Noir Couture mascara (would repurchase) - I'm sure this is ridiculously expensive, but I really liked it. It made my lashes look amazing (again, think volume and length), and the brush was cool. 

• Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Toner (would not repurchase) - This felt like a glorified water. It didn't really do much of anything, and I have other toners I like far more than this one.

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - Good stuff. It'll break down any stubborn waterproof eye makeup like no one's business. 

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (would repurchase) - I love love love this stuff. It makes a noticeable difference in the appearance of spots on my face. I use it in the morning, and I've already got a couple extra bottles in my stash. If you're not on team The Ordinary, go  check them out because you can get quality products like this for a fraction of the cost of other skincare brands. See more about this product in my top 10 products of 2017 lineup. 

• Origins Ginger Souffle whipped body cream (would repurchase) - I adore the scent of Origins ginger line. This body cream was nice, with the perfect amount of fragrance that would linger for hours. This body cream was lightly moisturizing, so if you have extra dry skin this might not be moisturizing enough for me.

• Carrot + Rose Hydrating Cream (would not repurchase) - I tried using this as a face cream and it wasn't cut out for that (at least for my skin), so I used it as a hand lotion which I much preferred. It wasn't anything special, and not very hydrating.

• L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - I used this as a hand cream and it didn't seem to do much for my wintry dry skin. I also didn't care for the old lady type scent.

• Replica Jazz Club perfume (would not purchase) - I did not like this scent at all. All notes sound delicious (rum, neroli, lemon, tobacco), but it didn't mesh well with me. If you like it, be prepared to spend a pretty penny because Replica fragrances come with a hefty price tag.

• Juicy Couture Couture La La (would purchase) - I quite liked these, even though it's not the typical scent I'd go for. The notes are fruity and floral, but it was pleasant. I wouldn't shell out full price, but if I saw a rollerball for a decent deal, I'd consider it.

• Juicy Couture perfume (would not purchase) - This I hated. It smelled disgusting. It's mostly floral, and just not at all my style. It's a common scent, but it's the farthest thing from my taste.

• Schmidt's Oh, Christmas Tree deodorant (would not repurchase) - If you're looking for a deodorant that smells exactly like a real, pine Christmas tree, look no further. I like Schmidt's a lot, but something about this particular stick felt like I was rubbing sandpaper on my armpits which was uncomfortable. The deodorant properties were perfect though. Great natural ingredients and a nice scent.

• LaVanila Vanilla Blackberry deodorant (would repurchase) - I adore LaVanila deodorants. The ingredients are good, no aluminum, and they work well for me. 

• The Natural Dentist All Purpose Rinse (would repurchase) - This was a decent mouth rinse. It doesn't burn the way your typical mouthwash would. As you can see, I got it on sale, and it's close to $10 at Natural Grocers normally, and there's no way I'd pay that much for a mouth rinse. I'd get it again on sale, though!

• Honest Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - It seems to me that Honest Company products are really hit or miss. I wasn't a fan of this toothpaste at all. It was only slightly minty and didn't leave my teeth feeling clean.

And that's a wrap! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Top 10 of 2017 | Year in Review

Well, anyone who's bothered to stick around with me for 2017 knows that this definitely wasn't my year for blogging. Guys.... mommin' ain't easy. And it's not really mommin' that's tough, but when I get time to sit down and have an hour to myself, the last thing I want to do after working all day, or cooking dinner, or running errands, is prop open my computer. I want to pick up a book or catch up on a TV show. But believe me when I say my brain is hopping with blog ideas, and I'd like to get back in the swing in 2018, but I know better than to make any firm promises. All I can really say is to follow me on Instagram for beauty stories, photos, quick reviews, life stuff etc. because that's the more feasible, less time-consuming option these days.

Despite my miserable attempt at maintaining this blog, I have been pondering over my 2017 favorites for quite some time now, and thanks to a handy dandy fancy new lightbox from my husband for Christmas (bear with me... I'm still learning the best ways to use it!), I was able to take photos at a weird time in my dark house and get this post out to you!

I'm really excited to share these ten products because they've honestly been game changers for me. Some of these things I've loved longer than this year, but my true devotion was cemented within 2017, and some of these things are new to me completely. I hope you enjoy this post and find some new products to love, too - and please share with me what YOU loved this year in the comments below... starting tomorrow I'm taking recommendations for potential 2018 favorites. 

In no particular order, here are my top 10 of 2017...

• It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination - Based on a recommendation from one of Thataylaa's videos, I gave this powder foundation a shot and it has rocked my world. I don't use it as my primary foundation, but I use it to set my foundation everywhere but my under eyes and my forehead (it cakes under my eyes and makes my forehead look greasy). It has a very, very subtle radiant glow and it adds a bit of coverage, but most importantly it makes my skin look flawless. Now, this product will set you back a bit, ringing in at $35 for 0.3 oz, but if you use it as I do, you'll get months of use out of it. I have yet to hit pan on my first compact and I've been using it for over five months. This is now a staple in my beauty routine and I don't see that changing any time soon.

• Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched - I've loved this bronzer for quite some time now (you may recall seeing it here in the past) but it's become my number one favorite this past year. I use it almost every single day and it's absolutely perfect for a subtle contour or glow. It provides a delicate radiance without being shimmery or glittery, which gives a healthy-looking glow and makes me appear less "my kid is zapping all my energy" zombie-tired-looking. I think this is a fantastic bronzer, especially if you're as fair-skinned as I am, and an added bonus is that you can easily pick it up at Target.

• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - I haven't talked much about this, but it has shown up in some empties posts this past year. I'll admit, this is not a necessary product, but I adore it and won't be without it. If you're one of those unlucky few whose mascara smudges all over your undereye, you need this product. It doesn't smudge, flake, smear, or wear away. The brush is also really tiny so it's easy to apply. One tube costs $11 and it lasts me at least 3 months, and despite that it's not 100% necessary, I'll still keep buying it because I love it.

• Reviva Labs Eye Gelee Concentrate - Forever I am looking for a miracle for the fine lines that accentuate my blah undereye area. This is, by no means, a miracle, but it definitely helps keep that delicate area hydrated and more plump. I use this underneath an eye cream and I've seen a noticeable difference.  It's darn cheap, so if you struggle with dry, lined undereyes, it's worth giving this a try.

• Origins High Potency Night-a-Mins - I'm a habitual "trier". I skip around from one thing to the next in my skincare because I like to try new things and I'm always hunting for the next best thing. This night cream stuck out to me, though, and is something I want to use again and again. It's so luxurious, and it literally melts in to your skin for a burst of hydration and a remedy for uneven texture and dullness. I will definitely work my way through more jars of this stuff in 2018.

• Nature's Bees lip balm - Those of you that know me, know I love my lip balms and lip sticks, so you know it's serious when I say I would gladly throw out every chapstick I own and only use this for the rest of my life. It is perfection. It has a lightly cooling minty flavor (and smell), it actually hydrates my lips, and I can actually feel it healing my lips when they're chapped or dry. The only place I've ever seen this in stores is at Big Lots, but I did find them online and you better believe a bulk order is happening soon.

• Dr. Tung's Smart Floss - Is it weird to include a floss in my yearly favorites? Well, I don't care what your answer is, because this stuff is amazing and oral health is part of beauty in my book. This floss gently puffs up as you work your way through, getting any yucky stuff trapped between your teeth or in your gums out. Simply put, it's fantastic. Make your New Year's resolution to floss more, and pick this up on Amazon or a local natural health retailer. 

• Elizabeth and James Nirvana White - At this point, I've used this fragrance for years. I've even written about it here before. But when I think back on my most-loved fragrances of the year, this one comes to mind. I used it frequently, sometimes alone, sometimes mixed with other Nirvana iterations, and I never once got sick of it. I'm not excellent at describing fragrances, but I'd say this is a preppy, musky, floral scent. It's great for summertime, but I wear it year round because I love it that much. You can find this at Sephora in a variety of sizes (and price points). 

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - I think 2017 was the year for The Ordinary. Word slowly crept around that you could get quality skincare (serums, toners, moisturizers, etc.) for a fraction of what you'd normally pay, and boom - suddenly The Ordinary was on the map. I hopped on the bandwagon, too, ordering a few products without expecting too much. I ended up falling in love with this Niacinamide and Zinc serum. With just one use, it visibly reduced the appearance of blemishes on my skin. I've been using it daily for a couple months now and swear by it. I've got backups in my stash for when this bottle runs out and I'm not afraid to use them! You can order this from the Deciem website, but The Ordinary recently became available online on Sephora.com, too.

• Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation - I don't recall exactly where I heard about this, but when the Sephora VIB sale rolled around, this was on my list to try. It's a bit pricey, a whopping $40 for a foundation, but holy buckets, you guys... this is one of the best high-end foundations I've tried. It makes my skin look smooth and flawless and it lasts all day long. I kind of can't believe how good my skin looks even at 5 PM when I've been wearing it for a nearly 12 hours. If you're a dry or normal-skinned gal, don't let the "matte" in the name scare you; my skin is normal to combo and it looks just the right amount of dewy when wearing this foundation. Even though it hurts my wallet to say it, I always want to have a bottle of this in my drawer. 

And that's a wrap on my 2017 favorites. I look forward to more beauty fun in 2018 and hope you'll stay with me for the ride! Let me know if you've tried any of these products in the comments below, or if you have any recommendations, share those with me as well!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Empties | #40

It's been about two months since my last empties post, and it's time that this post is written. My bag is full, and my brain is too - humming with my thoughts on all these used up products. Below you'll find mini reviews and purchase recommendations on everything I've finished over the last two months. Let's get to it...

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (would repurchase) - I really like this concealer for underneath my eyes. It covers my dark circles and is one of the best drugstore options I've found that creases minimally. It seems that it's been reformulated (anyone know??) and the consistency is a bit different with the latest tube I've bought, but I still like it.

• Essence Liquid Eyeliner (would repurchase) - This is a dirt cheap liquid eyeliner (I'm talking under $5) and I love it. It has a felt tip making it very easy to apply, and it wears all day long. You can also get this in a waterproof version which I like equally.

• Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth foundation (would not repurchase) - I don't know why I am sometimes overcome with the desire to purchase "dewy" foundations. I know my skin, and while it's not particularly oily, it works best with satin to matte foundations that sit and settle on to the skin. This would separate during the day, break apart, and settle in to my fine lines. I didn't finish this whole bottle up, I eventually just tossed it in the empties bin.

• Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara (would repurchase) - This is the second tube of this that I've used up. It really does make my lashes look fuller, while giving me length. It's cheap at the drugstore and something I'm sure I will use again. I like it so much, in fact, that it made 2016's yearly favorites.

• Essence Make Me Brow (would repurchase) - If you're too cheap to shell out for Benefit's Gimme Brow, like I oftentimes am, this Essence knock off is a great alternative. It's not quite as pigmented, but it does the job of giving my brows a pop of color. This drugstore option is a fraction of the price of most tinted brow gels from Sephora.

• Mitchell and Peach The Radiance Face Oil (would not repurchase) - I enjoyed using this - it smelled really nice and felt luxurious, but it never seemed to actually sink in to my skin. Even after hours, it was just pooled up on top of my face instead of diving deep and hydrating my skin. I love the branding and packaging and the scent and feel, but it didn't perform unfortunately.

• Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish (would repurchase) - I love getting little samples of the facial exfoliator. Many might find this too abrasive, but with gentle hands, I think this is the perfect way to get baby smooth skin. It feels like you're rubbing gentle sandpaper over your face, removing the dead skin and junk that needs to be buffed away. Some day I'll shell out for a full size of this. 

• L'Occitane Gentle Toner (would not repurchase) - I am not a fan of L'Occitane's toners. They're more like perfumed waters, and don't seem to be providing my skin with any benefits. 

• Up & Up Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - The Target Up & Up brand of eye makeup remover holds a candle to any higher end brands. It works great, it's dirt cheap, and it'll last you! Oftentimes you can find double packs of these bottles for a better deal than just one. Keep your eyes peeled!

• Estee Lauder Take It Away Makeup Remover (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this. It's highly HIGHLY fragranced which bothered me, and it didn't seem as effective as a cleansing oil or makeup wipe. Happy to have tested a sample of this before shelling out on a full size and hating it.

• Dior The One Facial Serum (would not purchase) - I enjoyed using this delicately-Dior-scented facial serum, but can't say I noticed it doing anything. Truth be told, a small sample like this isn't the best way to know if it would perform over time, but I'm too cheap to find out with a bigger size.

• Organic Surge Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser (would repurchase) - This was a nice, gentle cleanser that I opted to use in the morning. A hot cloth cleanser, if you've never used one, is applied on dry skin, and then removed with a hot wet wash cloth. I just rinsed it off, personally, but it worked the same nonetheless and was an effective gentle cleanser. Brightening? Hard to say, but it did leave my skin clean without stripping it.

• Ginger People Ginger Face Cleanser (would not repurchase) - This was a very basic, very bland cleanser. It cleansed my face just fine, but I felt like it could've done more. It has no skin nourishing ingredients, anti-agers or anything of the sort. If that's what you're looking for, you'll probably like this! I prefer something a bit more beneficial and nourishing for my skin.

• Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser (would repurchase) - This was a lovely, simple face cleanser. It has gentle beads that help exfoliate the skin, but they're very very gentle and won't be abrasive in the least. My skin felt clean and refreshed after using this and I'll definitely get it again!

• Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel oil controlling towelettes (would repurchase) - I've had these for ages and finally pulled them out to use as a toner after washing my face. I liked them - I like using witch hazel as a toner because it helps clear up blemishes naturally.

• Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins (would repurchase) - I thoroughly enjoyed this night cream. It felt luxurious, slowly melting in to my skin. It didn't break me out, it hydrated without being too much. Overall, just really nice.

• Ladykin Affinitic Snail Cream (would repurchase) - This moisturizer is light but still packs a punch with hydration. My husband also liked using it. It sits easily under makeup, and is perfect if you've got normal to combination skin like I do. If you have dry skin, you may need something more than this. See full review here.

• Origins Ginger Burst Body Wash (would repurchase) - I love love love the ginger burst scent from Origins. It's such a juicy sweet scent that I adore at any time of year. This body wash lathers nicely and leaves me feeling fresh and clean.

• L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel (would repurchase) - This shower gel smells lightly of lime. It's a refreshing scent, great for summer. I enjoyed using this sample.

• Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot body wash (would repurchase) - Molton Brown shower gels are highly fragranced, so much so that you'll still smell it lingering on your skin when you're out of the shower. I liked this fresh, clean citrus-y scent. It foamed up nicely as well. 

• Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit body souffle (would repurchase) - I don't like Gloomaway nearly as much as the Ginger Burst scent, but it was nice and fresh nonetheless. This is lightly hydrating, good for summer when you don't want your skin to be sticky and oily from your body lotion - not intense enough to combat winter dryness.

• Hask Charcoal Purifying Conditioner (would repurchase) - Hask is a super affordable drugstore haircare brand, and the quality isn't lacking despite the cheap price! I love the smell of this Charcoal line (sort of citrusy and perfumey) and it made my hair feel so soft. See full review here.

• Batiste Floral dry shampoo (would repurchase) - Batiste is my favorite dry shampoo. It's affordable, and it soaks up oil in my hair, extending the time between hair washes. There are many different scents to choose from, and this floral version was pleasant!

• Progranix Quench Leave-In Moisture (would repurchase) - This wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't bad. It didn't do anything spectacular for my hair, but it did help me comb out tangles with a little more ease. See full review here.

• Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner (would repurchase) - I loved this conditioner! It smells so nice and it made my hair silky smooth and soft. Bumble & Bumble isn't cheap by any means, but I'd consider shelling out for this in the future.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - I get these cotton rounds in bulk from Costco and use them nearly every day for one thing or another - makeup removal, nail polish removal, toner application, etc. They're great and are economical when bought in bulk. 

• Q-Tips Precision Tips (would repurchase) - I know it seems trivial, but pointed q-tips are everything when it comes to removing makeup mishaps or anything that requires even a teensy bit of precision. I've bought these repeatedly and I'll continue to do so. 

• Carmex lip balm (would repurchase) - I love Carmex for a bed time lip product. It's cooling, and it exfoliates the dead skin off, so in the morning I have smooth lips that are lipstick-ready. (Can you tell my one-year-old teethed all over this?! ha!)

• Folle de joie perfume (would repurchase) - I adored this perfume sample, and if I ever see it for a good deal, I will buy a full size bottle. It's characterized by notes of citrus, rose and woody musk. It's fresh and sexy all in one.

• Lancome La vie est belle perfume (would not purchase) - I like this scent, but it's very reminiscent of Flowerbomb to me, which I already own a full size of. It's pretty much a copycat scent -- my husband always asks if I'm wearing Flowerbomb whenever I'd wear this. It's warm and musky with hints of floral.

• Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (would not purchase) - I am the ONE person on the planet who doesn't like the smell of this lotion, it seems. It reminds me a lot of some summery Bath & Bodyworks scent (Waikiki maybe?). It's ridiculously fragranced, so much so that I can smell it even after washing my hands - you definitely don't need to (and shouldn't) wear a perfume with this. I wanted to like this, but it made me nauseous, which isn't a typical response I have to things, so yeah... I'll never ever buy this. 

• Jafra Night Moisture (would not purchase) - Honestly, I don't remember much about this so that tells you how much of an impression it made on me... I know Jafra is one of those pyramid scheme businesses, which means I won't ever buy anything from the line. 

• Radius Ginger Citrus Coconut Oil Toothpaste (would not purchase) - I had high hopes for this, but it has a weird plastic-y taste and it doesn't foam up at all. It's like rubbing plastic-flavored spit around in your mouth, so you can imagine how fresh your mouth tastes after using this... yuck.

• Auromere Ayurvedic Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I'm bummed because I really do like this toothpaste. It's one of my favorite natural toothpastes, but I didn't realize until I started using it that it has SLS in it. I prefer my toothpaste to be SLS free because that stuff gives me canker sores which I am prone to. Unfortunately, this will be my last tube. 

• Sensodyne toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I used this while my husband used up the Auromere because it doesn't have SLS. It's nothing special, and honestly doesn't leave my mouth feeling that clean, so I probably wouldn't buy a full size tube.

• Dr. Tung's Smart Floss (would repurchase) - This is my absolute favorite floss. It's the perfect thickness to get crud out of your teeth and it's more natural than your typical drugstore options. I used to purchase this on Vitacost but it appears they don't carry it anymore, so you can find it on Amazon if you're interested.

• Dr. Jacob's Sweet Tea Tree Castile Soap (would repurchase) - I loved this stuff. This scent is amazing and I thought it made a great kitchen hand soap. I found this at TJ Maxx but I've also seen it on Vitacost. I'll definitely get this again in the future.

• Jason Total Protection Coconut Mouth Rinse (would not repurchase) - This was just ok. It didn't leave my mouth feeling overly fresh, and I really didn't notice it doing much of anything. I typically love Jason products, but this one just didn't impress me.

• rareESSENCE Passion Oil Diffuser (would repurchase) - These rareESSENCE diffusers are lovely. They're made with 100% pure essential oils, so you don't have to worry about breathing in disgusting chemical scents. This smelled great like patchouli, tangerine and cinnamon leaf,  and it lasted a long time. I'll definitely get more of these in the future.

• Yankee Candle Campfire Treat candle (would repurchase) - I love nearly all campfire marshmallow candle scents, this being no exception. It's sweet and smoky and made my house feel cozy. I adore this and I'm sure I'll get it again sometime.

And that's a wrap! Have you used any of these products? If so, let me know in the comments!

February Play! by Sephora

Oopsie... I'm a tiny bit late here with my low down on what's in the February Play! by Sephora box. Sorry guys, I blame new mom motivation syndrome. Sometimes, when I finally get 5 minutes, I just want to veg: read a book, mindlessly flip through Instagram, go on a Pinterest binge... you know what I mean? And then there was the whole website outage thing. I tweaked one little thing on my website host and caused myself a week of stress with a website I couldn't get running again. Argh... ANYWAY.. I'm back! Hooray!

I found this month's Play! box a little underwhelming, but the redeeming factor are the quality of the samples and relevancy. All brands are pricier, high-end brands, and all items are talked-about or newer items. Let's dig in...

• Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake - Full size retails at $22, but this deluxe sample will last you quite some time. Aimed at softening, plumping and tinting lips, you're bound to find a shade you like with 6 different shades to choose from.

• NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Bound - Full size retails for $26. A semi-matte gloss in a pinky rose shade. It's formula is somewhere between a lipstick and a gloss. Provides hydration with a burst of color. 

• Marc Jacobs Decadence perfume - Notes of champagne, orange blossom, bergamot and vanilla (among others) make up this sensual fragrance. It'll cost you, with a 1 oz bottle retailing for $72.

• Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream - Kind of a cult classic, this eye cream energizes tired eyes. It helps with dullness, puffiness and dark circles. You'll get a lot of use out of this mini sample, but a full size will cost you $30. 

• Sephora LashCraft Length & Volume Mascara - A double sided brush with a flat paddle wand. Jet black color, and volumizing formula. The price is reasonable, ringing in at $12.

• Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer - This Pep-Start line is fairly new to Clinique, and is targeted to a younger audience looking for more affordable prices (in my marketer eyes, at least). Good for oily and combination skin, this lightweight moisturizer hydrates while leaving the skin matte and blurring imperfections. A full-size will cost you $29.50.

Play! by Sephora costs $10 per month, and it really is an awesome way to get to try deluxe high-end brands before shelling out the big bucks. See other months here, here and here. If you're interested in signing up, click here - no affiliate link, just sharing the love! 

September Empties | #30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What did you use up recently? Let me know!