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!

August Empties | #29

Happy September, ya'll! Can you even believe the summer is drawing to an end? I have no idea where the time has gone. While I'm sad to see summer go, I absolutely love fall and I'm excited for pumpkins, apple cider and cozy sweaters. The end of August also means it's empties time and I used up a bunch of different products. Keep reading for mini reviews on each item and recommendations on what to purchase.

• Shea Moisture Replenish & Rejuvenate Body Polish (would not repurchase) - This smelled great and the ingredients are good but it was a pretty weak scrub. There are mini beads in a creamy base and they just don't exfoliate my skin enough. I ended up using this as a body wash with a loofah and that worked fine. I'll stick to Tree Hut sugar scrubs in the future though.

• NKD SKN Tinted Tan Liquid (would repurchase) - This is a good self tanner. It's fool proof and easy to use. See full review here. 

• Waxelene (would repurchase) - This lip balm is a nice alternative to petroleum products if you don't want to use them. This is very basic, unscented, nothing very special, but it'll hydrate your lips and the ingredients are good!

• Rimmel ScandalEyes eyeliner (would repurchase) - This was a good creamy nude eyeliner that I used in my waterline to make my eyes look bigger and more awake, but it's old and I don't want to use anything old on my eyes. 

• Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Powder (would repurchase) - I really liked this setting powder. It doesn't have gross ingredients and it's affordable. I purchase mine on Vitacost where it's a little bit cheaper. (click here for a $10 coupon to Vitacost, affiliate link)

• Algenist Lip Renewal Balm (would repurchase) - This balm came in a Christmas set and it was fine -- nothing special. I used it at night (even though it has SPF in it) and it nourished my lips. It doesn't have a scent so if you avoid fruity or fragranced lip balms, you might like this. 

• Aveeno Nourish + Shine Conditioner (would repurchase) - I liked this conditioner. It made my hair soft and easy to brush.

• Proganix Coconut H2O + Electrolytes Quench Shampoo (would repurchase) - I really like the Proganix shampoos and conditioners. This one smelled great; even though I don't typically like coconut scents, this is one I really enjoyed. See full review here.

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan Anti-Ageing Multi-Action Face lotion (would not repurchase) - This was just an OK tanner for the face. It smelled like tanner, which is gross, and it never really did much for me. 

• L'Occitane 5 Essential Oils Shampoo (would not repurchase) - This worked fine and got my hair really clean, but the smell wasn't my favorite and it costs more than I prefer to spend on a shampoo. 

• Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Souffle Body Creme (would not repurchase) - This little body lotion was part of a set I got at Christmas. The lotion itself is very moisturizing and makes my skin feel soft and smooth, but this is highly scented, so much that you definitely can't wear a perfume with it. I wasn't a big fan of this particular scent, so I wouldn't repurchase, especially because a full size is ridiculously expensive.

• Korres Body Butter in Guava (would repurchase) - This was part of a mini sample pack, and of all the lotions, this was my favorite scent. It didn't really smell like guava, but it didn't smell bad either. Korres products have good ingredients and these lotions are hydrating without being greasy. I liked it!

• Devita Essential Control for Blemishes (would repurchase) - This wasn't a miracle for blemishes, but the ingredients are A+ and I do think it helped prevent further breakouts from forming. This is a great option if you're pregnant and need to avoid traditional acne-fighting ingredients. See full review here.

• Humphrey's Witch Hazel in Citrus (would repurchase) - I used this witch hazel as a toner and I enjoyed it. It smells amazing and I like that it has natural antiseptic properties that help fight acne. 

• Rodan + Fields Daily Cleansing Mask (would not repurchase) - This cleanser is meant to be used like a mask. You apply it to your face, then let it sit, then wash it off. I don't have time to cleanse my face like that most days. I didn't completely use this up, but it's old, so it's got to go. This would not be something I'd purchase, especially because it's quite expensive and I didn't think it did a good job of cleaning my face. See full review here.

• Aquaphor (would repurchase) - I love Aquaphor for healing dry skin. If ever my nose is dry, or I have a patch of dry skin, I slather aquaphor on it before bed and it's healed by morning.

• Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I don't know, I just don't really care for this toothpaste. It's not natural enough and it wasn't very refreshing.

• Listerine Mint Floss (w0uld repurchase) - This is my favorite floss. It's braided so it's thick enough to get everything out from between my teeth. I've purchased this many times and I already have a backup.

• Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Gel (would repurchase) - I love this teeth whitening system because it really does get my teeth sparkly white. See full review here. 

• Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I've purchased a full size of this before, just in a different formula (there's a few kinds), and I like it! I wasn't a huge fan of the smell of this kind, but it's a good product to have if you're in a pinch but still want to have hydrated skin without applying lotion after a shower.

• Garnier Blackhead Eliminating Scrub (would repurchase) - I really liked this cleanser. It had the perfect amount of scrubbiness to it and my face felt really clean after using it. I don't have any blackheads so I can't speak to how well it removes them, but I liked how it made my skin feel and I'd like to get this in a full size. 

• Pur-Lisse SPF 30 Sunscreen (would not repurchase) - As much as I liked using this SPF moisturizer for my face, I think it made me break out so I wouldn't buy it in a full size.

• Earth Mama Angel Baby Postpartum Bath Herbs (would repurchase) - New mamas, you need these. I went through a box last month, and I used up one more, and I definitely think it helped speed along my healing. In general, this makes a nice herbal bath soak that's good for your lady parts even if you haven't had a baby recently.

• AuraCacia Lavender essential oil (would repurchase) - I diffuse lavender at bed time at least three nights a week. It's a great way to naturally make a room smell fantastic and it helps promote calm and relaxation. 

• Yankee Candle in Summer Wish (would repurchase) - This used to be one of my favorite YC scents (until I just got sick of it). It has great scent throw and is obviously a great summer scent. Fresh and a bit fruity.

• B&BW Sundrenched Vineyard Candle (would repurchase) - This smelled great and had awesome throw. This fruity wine scent was perfect for  the end of summer. This was a scent that came out a couple years ago, but I have seen it brought back before.

• B&BW Villa Bergamot Candle (would repurchase) - Another oldie but goodie from B&BW that's been hanging out in my backstock. It has a strong bergamot scent with notes of lavender and geranium. This was nice, and definitely something worth picking up if they bring it back again. 

That's all my empties! Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts!

June Empties | #27

I feel quite accomplished. This month I used up a bunch of stuff - a lot of it being things like skincare of which I'm trying to work through my backstock of products. But doesn't it just feel good to clean house a bit and use up what you've spent your hard earned money on? I sure think so. Here's my two cents on what I've used up, whether it's worth a repurchase and whether or not I think you should give these things a go.

• Rodan & Fields Overnight Restorative Cream and Triple Defense Treatment (would repurchase) - I was sent these to review ages ago and only now used them up. I thought they were nice moisturizers (one for use in the morning, one at night) but they are crazy expensive and I just don't really like to purchase pyramid scheme beauty products, even if they're really good. I don't want to have to go through some sales rep whenever I run out of moisturizer. See full review here.

• ClariSEA Instant Glow Powder Exfoliant (would not repurchase) - The ingredients aren't listed on here, but I'm fairly positive this was just pink sea salt. You mix it in with any cleanser to make it an exfoliator. It was fine, but I could literally just buy thick sea salt for way cheaper. I don't really enjoy using salt as an exfoliator either as it burns if you have any slight imperfection. 

• Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment (would not repurchase) - I can't say I saw any miracles happen on my skin from this treatment. It smelled like vinegar and left my face feeling a teeny bit sticky. I used it up, but I wouldn't shell out the cash for a full size of this. 

• Cotton Labo Organic Cotton Puffs (would not repurchase) - I got a two pack of these cotton puffs on Amazon, hoping they'd be like the Shiseido cotton rounds, but unfortunately they aren't. They are pretty flimsy and not worth your money.

• Noxzema Eyebrow Razor (would repurchase) - I use these little buggers to keep me unibrow and peach fuzz free. Getting rid of those little hairs does wonders for how your makeup applies and looks. These things are sharp, definitely be careful when you're using them. I've been known to knick myself.

• Starskin Calming Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Facial Mask (would not repurchase) - I've used other Starskin masks and really enjoyed them, but the consistency of the actual sheet this mask came on was so brittle I couldn't get it to sit properly on my skin so I didn't use it for the recommended amount of time. Total bummer! See Starskin review here. 

• Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Infused Foot Buffer in Lavender (would repurchase) - I love these things. They're double-sided sponges, one side is scrubby and the other is a sponge with soap and scent infused in to it. They clean your feet and make them feel fresh and you don't have to use your normal body loofah to do it (gross). I got months of use out of this, far more than the advertised "30 uses" per sponge (although I probably only used it about 3 times a week on average).

• Nexxus Dualiste Conditioner (would repurchase) - This conditioner is meant for people with colored hair, but I got it on mega-clearance so I bought it just because. It's actually really nice whether or not your hair is color-treated because it's very hydrating and makes your hair quite soft. I'm not sure if they make this any more, but if you see it, it's worth a shot to try!

• Proganix Quench Conditioner (would repurchase) - Another great conditioner. It smells amazing and made my hair nice and soft. See full review here.

• Insta Natural Argan Oil Hair Mask (would repurchase) - I was sent this ages ago to review and I have to say I really liked it. It has a nice smell, kind of like Juicy Fruit gum, weirdly enough.... but it was nourishing and made my hair feel soft and hydrated. See full review here.

• MEMEBOX I'm Dual Mascara (would not repurchase) - This mascara is double-sided, as the name suggests, one side having a bigger brush for top lashes and the other a smaller brush for bottom lashes. I loved the bottom lash mascara, but the stuff for top lashes just didn't give me enough volume or length. It was way too natural for me. See full review here. 

• Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara (would repurchase) - I use this clear mascara as an eyebrow gel and it works great. It's not sticky or clumpy or too heavy, it's perfect and it's also way cheaper than most eyebrow gels. 

• Kat Von D Sinner Liner in Trooper (would not repurchase) - I am not a fan of the Kat Von D eyeliner pens and this was no exception. They're too shiny for me, I prefer a matte black eyeliner, and they just don't give me the oomph I'm looking for. I think I'm the only person on the planet who isn't in to these eyeliner pens... 

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude (would repurchase) - I probably got this little sample in a Sephora order, and didn't think much of it, but it turns out I loved this! It actually gave a decent amount of coverage. I liked it so much I've been really thinking about buying a full size to wear during laid back summer days. This color was perfect for my pale skin tone, too.

• Revo Lip Balm (would not repurchase) - There was nothing inherently wrong with this lip balm, but it just didn't do much for me. It didn't feel extra hydrating, it just sort of sat there. I used it up, but I wouldn't buy it again.

• Ulta Cream Eye Shadow in Shimmering Topaz (would repurchase) - No one really talks about these eye shadows but they're completely underrated. They pack a punch in the pigment department and they last. This one dried up on me so it's time to let it go. See full review here. 

• Arbonne Calm Gentle Daily Moisturizer (would not repurchase) - This moisturizer was fine. It was very gentle, as it claims to be, but the smell was kind of weird and I don't like buying products from these pyramid-type businesses. 

• Pixi Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched (would repurchase) - I got this sample in a past Ipsy bag and loved it so much. It's perfect for pale skin that doesn't need warming up so much as contouring. After this ran out I bought the full size from Target so I'm back in business!

• Bella Organics Deodorant Cream in Lavender Vanilla (would repurchase) - I'm a big fan of the Bella Organics natural deodorants. They aren't made with aluminum or any nasty ingredients and while they won't keep you dry (they aren't an anti-perspirant), they will keep you smelling fresh. See full review here. 

• B&BW Waikiki Beach Coconut Body Lotion (would not repurchase) - This smelled really nice, and I actually used it while vacationing on Waikiki Beach fittingly. I am trying to use more natural body lotions than this, hence why I wouldn't repurchase. If you don't care about that, this is a nice lotion. It's not greasy and provides gently hydration to the skin. 

• Katy Perry Purr Perfume (would repurchase) - This is an older Katy Perry fragrance, it came out in 2010. It's a bit young for my taste, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's fruity with notes of vanilla and sandalwood.

• Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil (would repurchase) - You can't go wrong with an all-purpose product like this argan oil. I used it in my hair as well as on my face as an overnight moisturizer. It didn't break me out and left my skin feeling healthy. 

• Shira Organics samples (would repurchase) - I just did a full review of all of these here. Many of these I loved, go check out that post to see what I'd consider purchasing in a full size. 

• No-Miss Almost Natural Polish Remover (would repurchase) - I purchased this when I found out I was pregnant so I could skip using acetone during these 10 months. This surprised me so much, it works like a charm on any kind of nail polish and it has way less harmful chemicals in it. It's a little tough to find, I got mine at my local Natural Grocers, but you can get it at select websites, too. 

• Colgate Optic White toothpaste (would repurchase) - I got this in an Influenster box and enjoyed using it. It made my teeth maybe a teeny bit whiter, but nothing crazy. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it, as I prefer more natural alternatives, but I'd use it again if it came in to my possession. 

• Nature's Way Priobiotics (would repurchase) - I am religious about taking a probiotic, or at least drinking some if I don't have time to take a pill version. They're so good for your health, especially your digestive health. I would highly recommend looking in to them if you haven't before. I liked this brand and I'd buy it again. 

• Desert Essence Oil Control Lotion (would repurchase) - I actually didn't use this, but I bought it for my husband and he did. He liked it, but he said he wouldn't use it on his forehead or he'd break out. He's using a different one now, but he'd use this again. 

• B&BW Smoked Berries & Incense candle (would repurchase) - This is an older candle from B&BW that was part of a limited collection. I loved pretty much everything from this line, and this candle was no exception. It had a great smoky fruity scent that filled the house. I loved it and would definitely get it again if they come out with it. 

Proganix Volume Hair Care | Soy Protein + (Caffeine)

I recently got the most darling package in the mail from Proganix - it seriously made my day! In gorgeous packaging I received their new Volume Amplifying and Body Building line, in addition to a darling snowflake ornament and a STUNNING necklace that I posted on my instagram (if you're not following me - what are you waiting for?) 

I really enjoy using Proganix hair care products, and I had never tried the volume line before, so needless to say I was actually looking forward to my next hair wash! 

Both the shampoo and conditioner ($9.99 each for 8.5 oz) smell really nice, sort of floral, sort of hard to explain (I'm horrible at explaining scents - sorry!). They're made with caffeine and volumizing soy protein to give your hair a lift. God knows, I can always use some lift in my ever-flat hair. Added bonus: Proganix does not test on animals so you can feel good about your voluminous shiny locks! 

Also sent to me was the Root Boost Finish + Body Builder ($11.99 for 5.1 oz) and the Amplify Gel ($11.99 for 4 oz). The body building spray is to be used on damp hair, concentrating the spray on the roots. It works best to blow dry your hair after applying for extra oomph. 

Before blow drying, you can add in some amplify gel all over damp hair for even more volume! You can also skip the blow dry and let your hair air dry after applying the gel.

Excuse the horrible cell phone quality photo, but here's how my hair looked after using the shampoo and conditioner, the amplify gel and the finish spray and a good blow dry session. Va-va-volume! Admittedly my hair did fall flat within an hour or so, but I seemed to have more pep in my roots than normal all day long.

All in all, I really like this line! I think it helped amp up my roots and even if it doesn't keep my hair lifted all day, my hair still smelled good and felt soft and that's really all I can ask for when I have hair determined to sit flat on my head. 

I believe this Proganix Volume line is sold exclusively at Ulta (anyone seen it elsewhere?) - it's affordable and works quite nicely! I'd recommend it.

Have you tried Proganix? What's your favorite line? Let me know! 

Proganix Quench Hair Care | Coconut H20 + (Electrolytes)

Shower time has gotten far more fragrantly appealing lately, all thanks to Proganix and the goodies they recently sent me. My shower has been taken over by the deliciously scented Coconut H20 + (Electrolytes) Quench line, and my hair and nose couldn't be more thankful. 

I've been putting the Moisturizing + Nourish shampoo and conditioner, as well as the Moisture Balm and the Leave In Moisture spray to the test over the last couple weeks. This line is formulated with three key ingredients that are moisturizing, rehydrating powerhouses: coconut water, coconut oil and electrolytes. These ingredients also provide nutrients for the hair like nourishing amino acids, Vitamin E, antioxidants and other vitamins and enzymes. 

The shampoo and conditioner combo is really lovely. As I mentioned, it smells amazing and I'm not one to be cuckoo for coconut. It's coconutty and slightly floral and fresh - it's a very refreshing scent. Aside from the smell, this combo works great as well. After washing my hair, it felt very soft and had a natural shine to it, which isn't always there. I have to say, I was impressed! 

There are two other products in the line - the Moisture Balm and the Leave-in Moisture spray. Both of these products do essentially the same thing, and they can be used together or separately. After washing my hair, I misted my hair with the Leave-in Moisture spray to help detangle my hair, and after brushing my hair, I took a small, dime-sized amount of the Moisture Balm and ran it through my hair from my ears on down to the ends. 

I was worried that the combination of the leave-in spray and the balm together would weigh my hair down or make it greasy, but I worried for nothing. It made my hair soft, touchable and shiny and not an ounce of greasy or heavy. I loved what these products did to my hair!

Proganix is available at a number of stores, with a variety of other scents and formulas to target your specific needs. Check out Target, Walgreens, CVS, Ulta and Rite Aid to purchase. Target sells the shampoo and conditioner for around $9.99 each, and the leave-in spray for around $11.99. If you're in the market for a new hair line, I'd definitely recommend Proganix.


Have you tried anything from Proganix? If you have, let me know what you thought!