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!

February Empties | #34

Why empties? A couple reasons. One being that once a product is used up, you're qualified enough to give a review on it. Would I repurchase? Would I pay for a full size? All of these questions are answerable. Secondly, I genuinely love these posts - both writing them and reading others posts or watching their videos about it. 

That being said, here's what I went through in February - mini reviews and repurchase decisions and all.

• Caldrea Hand Balm in Mango Lily (would repurchase) - The scent wasn't my favorite, but the lotion itself was nice. It moisturized my hands without being greasy.

• Vaseline Advanced Repair Unscented lotion (would not repurchase) - This was fine, but it sort of just felt like a layer of gunk sitting on top of my skin, not really ever breaking my skin's barrier and doing some deep moisturizing like it claims. 

• Laura Mercier Souffle Body Creme in Creme Brulee (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this scent at all. It's a super strong sugary-bakery scent. I'm not opposed to bakery scents, but I wasn't a fan of of this one. The formula is nice, and it really does make your skin soft, but I'd recommend one of the other scents. 

• Deep Steep Argan Oil Body Wash in Peppermint Vanilla (would repurchase) - I really liked this body wash. It had a nice pepperminty-tingle and smelled great. I love Deep Steep because their products have great natural ingredients. 

• Hask Mint Almond Oil Thickening Shampoo (would repurchase) - Another good one. I enjoyed using this. See full review here. 

• Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Soap in Baby Unscented (would repurchase) - I love Dr. Bronner's soap. It's multipurpose, no nasty ingredients. I used this to make homemade baby wipes, but I also use it to clean my makeup brushes. 

• Avalon Organics Intense Defense Cleansing Gel (would repurchase) - I liked this. It's a pretty basic, gel cleanser, but it has good natural ingredients. It didn't strip my skin dry, nor did it break me out. I'd get it again.

• Clean & Clear Deep Action 60 Second Shower Mask (would repurchase) - This brought me back to my high school days of using Clean & Clear. It has that classic smell and the classic tingly feeling. By all accounts, I don't need this, and it's not nearly as natural as the things I like to buy, but I weirdly want to get a full size of it... it was just convenient and nice to use. 

• Derma E Hydrating Night Cream (would repurchase) - Loved this night cream, and also the fancy new redesigned packaging by Derma E. This felt nice, moisturized well, didn't break me out, and has good ingredients - a.k.a. everything I love in a moisturizer bottled up in to one. Full review here.

• Blum Naturals Daily Cleansing & Makeup Remover Towelettes (would not repurchase) - Not a fan... these were way too dry for my taste and didn't get all my makeup off. If you use towelettes to remove your eye makeup, too, these wouldn't do it. 
• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - My tried and true cotton rounds. They work great for removing eye makeup with and applying toner. 

• Zum Frankincense & Fir goat's milk soap (would repurchase) - This was a limited edition holiday zum soap, but I adored it. Zum soaps are amazing and have stellar ingredients. I got two of their holiday packs because I loved these soaps so much.

• Keomi Skincare soap in Golden Crown (would not repurchase) - As much as I like these soaps, I didn't care for the scent of this one so I wouldn't get this one again. Full review here.

• Makeup Forever HD Foundation (would repurchase) - I love this foundation. It's a light to medium coverage but makes my skin look A+. This is especially good to wear if you have photos to be taken.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation (would repurchase) - My holy grail foundation. Full coverage, wears all day, I've talked this to death. 

• Essence Waterproof Liquid Liner (would repurchase) - I really like this eyeliner. It's under $5, is super matte black, and goes on really easily. It can crack if you apply too thick of a layer, but it's avoidable. 

• Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion (would not purchase) - This was fine, but nothing special. I didn't much care for the scent of it. 

• Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (would purchase) - I really liked the feel of this pre-serum. It's goal is to help whatever you put on top sink in better. Hard to say if it did anything, but I'd be interested in giving a full size a shot. 

• Clinique Turnaround Overnight Multitasking Moisturizer (would not purchase) - I did not care for this. I think it broke me out and it didn't feel overly hydrating. 

• Clear Total Care Nourishing Conditioner (would purchase) - I really like the Clear shampoo and conditioner line. They make my hair feel clean, they smell nice, and don't strip it of all it's natural moisture. I'm a fan. 

• Jimmy Choo Stars perfume (would purchase) - I got this deluxe sample from Scentbird and I adored this scent. It's a warm, musky take on the original scent, with notes of toffee and patchouli. I think this was limited edition, but if I stumbled upon it at TJ Maxx or something, I'd think about picking it up. See full review here.

• Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne (would purchase) - I actually already have a full size of this perfume. To me, it smells like the holidays in a bottle. I get compliments on this one when I wear it. It's not a scent for the spring and summer, but it's one you neeeeed for the fall and winter season. 

• Jason Sea Fresh Toothpaste (would repurchase) - Jason toothpastes are my absolute favorite. They're natural, don't have bad ingredients, but also don't taste like ass and still foam up. Highly recommend. 

• New Chapter Perfect Postnatal Multivitamin (would repurchase) - Since having my son in July, these have been my multivitamin of choice. They have ingredients that support lactation and energy for postpartum mamas.

• DW Home Warm Tobacco Pipe candle (would repurchase) - I've had this candle before and I love it. It has a warm, sweet tobacco smell, but not in that gross cigarette stink way. It is such a cozy winter scent to have burning. I'll definitely get this again. 

• B&BW Winter Sun (would repurchase) - I'm trying to burn through my stash of candles and only burn soy from here on out, but I did like this. The scent carried through the house, and has notes of vetiver and musk. It was really fresh, I enjoyed it. 

• B&BW Mahogany Teakwood candle (would not repurchase) - I know this is kind of a cult favorite scent, but I'm not crazy about it. It's got that "man candle" scent going on, kind of cologne-y, and super strong. 

• Better Homes Under the Mistletoe wax melts (would repurchase) - These were nice. They had sort of a pepperminty-vanilla-balsam thing going on that I enjoyed. Perfect for winter time.

What did you use up this month? Are any of these products your holy grails? Let me know in the comments!

Scentbird | Jimmy Choo Stars

I am still just as excited about Scentbird as the first time I raved about it. Scentbird, for those of you who missed my last post, is a monthly perfume subscription service. It costs just $15 a month, and you receive a vial of perfume that's 0.34 oz (practically the size of a typical rollerball!) and a chic holder that you can switch the bottles in and out of. For a limited time, this fancy pink vial is available when you subscribe! 

The perfume you receive each month is totally up to you. You can pick from over 350 designer fragrances at Scentbird.com, so you never have to receive something that isn't your style. They're always adding new scents and if they don't have something you really want to try, they encourage subscribers to send them a note so they can add your scent to their library of fragrances.

This month, I chose to receive Jimmy Choo Stars, a limited edition fragrance that was launched in 2014. I'm not head over heels in love the original Jimmy Choo scent, but I have been a big fan of the spinoffs of the perfume. Stars is no exception - it smells so so good. If you've smelled Jimmy Choo before, it has that same basic scent that comes through strong, but there are also notes of citrus, patchouli, orchid, sandalwood and toffee. I can really pick up on the afternotes of toffee, which is quite a unique and interesting scent. If you're a fan of scents like Chloe or Miss Dior, you might like this perfume as well.

Stars is sophisticated, feminine and sexy and if I didn't have a million perfumes to use, I'd consider placing an order for it right this second. 

I'd highly recommend Scentbird if you like to switch up your perfume or get bored easily with scents. It's an awesome way to try a new perfume before shelling out the big bucks on a large bottle. I'm a self professed perfume junkie, so you can bet I'm loving experimenting thanks to Scentbird! To start your subscription, just click here.  Use the code SPRINGBIRD to get 15% off your first month! 

What perfume would you try? Let me know! 

Scentbird | Monthly Perfume Subscription Service

I'm a self-professed perfume lover. You can get a blurry idea of just how many perfumes I have if you look above the Scentbird envelope. Yeah.... 

So naturally, Scentbird is maybe the most exciting subscription service I've stumbled upon as of late! Listen up, perfume-lovers, because you're going to LOVE this idea. 

For $15 a month, you get a generous vial of perfume that plugs in to the sleek black holder you see above. You get the holder with your first month's delivery, and the next months you'll receive just the scent vial which you can swap in to the holder.

You get complete control over what perfume you receive, and you can build a log of perfumes that you want to receive each month on the Scentbird website. There are over 350 designer fragrances that are completely authentic. Each sample is enough to last you a month, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how large the vials are; they are 0.27 oz... for reference, a rollerball typically has about 0.34 oz. Not bad, eh?

For my first month, I chose Roses de Chloe by Chloe. I love the Chloe perfume, and I love roses so this was a complete no-brainer for me. This is a fresh scent, but not overly rosey if rose isn't your thing. Kind of a bummer for me, as I really do love rose, but I have to say I enjoy this scent a lot. It's classy and elegant, with notes of bergamot, musk and amber joined with rose. If you like scents such as Miss Dior Cherie, or Chance by Chanel, this will be up your alley.

I love that I got a chance to sample this before splurging on a full-size or rollerball. I completely expected to be head over heels for this perfume, and while I do really like it, I don't need to run out to buy it. Once I get through my original Chloe rollerballs, I just might get Roses de Chloe to have in my collection. 

If you love perfume and don't like to spend tons of money on full-size bottles, or if you already have too many (like me!) and really can't justify the money on another perfume in your collection but still want to sample, Scentbird is for you! You can start your subscription at Scentbird.com!

Next up on my list to try? Hermes' Kelly Caleche, Givenchy Very Irresistable Electric Rose, and Jimmy Choo Stars just to name a few. What would you try?