January Empties | #22

While preparing for baby's arrival, we've spent a lot of time prepping the nursery. And baby's nursery is my old beauty room. With that said, I've rearranged everything and found new storage to fit my new beauty area's space, and I have to say - going through all my stuff has me motivated to use up a LOT of stuff. Maybe it's nesting that has me wanting to get rid of everything in sight, but no matter what it is, using some stuff up and downsizing will be good for my storage and my sanity. Here's what I went through in January...

• Cotton Labo Organic Cotton Puff (would not repurchase) - I got a two pack of these cotton pads on a whim on Amazon. I was thinking they'd be like the Shiseido cotton pads, but unfortunately they didn't measure up at all. They're too flimsy for my taste.

• Finchberry Sweet Dreams soap (would repurchase) - I got this soap as a gift and I really enjoyed using it. It suds up really well and lasted me quite a while. Finchberry soaps are vegan and chemical-free and I'd recommend trying them out if you haven't.

• Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream (would repurchase) - I'm a sucker for the Ginger scented Origins products. This lotion was nice and light and smelled amazing. I've got backups for future use. 

• The Body Shop Absinthe Purifying Hand Cream (would not repurchase) - This stuff sucked. It had a fresh scent, but it didn't moisturize at all. In fact, I think it made my hands drier. Now that it's gone, my hands seem to be in better condition than when I was using it. I won't bother with this stuff again. 

• Caldrea Body Lotion in Honey and Nutmeg (would repurchase) - This lotion was nice and light and kept my skin soft. The smell got a little old, but fortunately it didn't last all day.

• Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme (would not repurchase) - I got this in a Target beauty box or something like that. I threw it in my purse to use as a hand cream. It's nothing special and had an old lady scent. I'd never purchase it in a full size. 

• Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter (would repurchase) - I really like Soap & Glory products. They smell amazing, and they're nourishing. This body butter was really nice and kept my skin feeling soft even in the dead of winter. 

• Urban Decay Eye Shadow Potion  (would not repurchase) ---- - This is super old (hence the outdated packaging!), and while it isn't used up, it's time to let it go. I was never a big fan of this eye primer. This particular one has a golden sheen and I'd rather use one without any shimmer.

• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara (would not repurchase)- I don't know if this dried up on me before I got to it, but it was not enjoyable to use. It was clumpy and very dry... I don't remember it being that way the first time I tried this formula a long time ago. 

• Kat Von D eyeliners in Poetic and Saint (would not repurchase) - I am not a fan of Kat Von D eyeliners, and I might be the only person in the world who isn't. I have a whole post planned for this topic, but just know that I wouldn't bother spending money on these again. 

• Chapstick Hydration Lock lip balm (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this chapstick. It felt like a light wax that never sunk in to my lips to actually hydrate them. I don't think I've ever disliked a Chapstick balm before this one.

• Lypsyl lip balm (would repurchase) - On the flip side, this lip balm is amazing. It's mega hydrating, has good ingredients and feels so nice on my lips. I would highly recommend it. 

• e.l.f. Eye Refresh (would repurchase) - I don't know if in my head I thought this worked well (placebo effect) or if it was just a dud, but it felt cooling and helped if my eyes were puffy or in need of a refresh. I'd probably get it again because it was so cheap. 

• Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Conditioner (would repurchase) - I liked this a lot. Find a full review here. 

• The Seaweed Bath Co. Volumizing Argan Shampoo in Lavender (would repurchase) - This was a really nice shampoo. I used the conditioner up last month and the combo of the two was nourishing and made my hair shiny and soft. 

• Macadamia No Tangle spray (would repurchase) - This spray was a bit thicker than your average detangler, but it was super nourishing and really did help get rid of tangles. 

• Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair Spray (would not repurchase) - While this hair spray works well and smells nice, it's uber expensive and that alone is reason enough to not buy it in a full size. I have others I like better for much less. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation (would repurchase) - You already know, this is my favorite foundation of all time. It's my umpteenth bottle and it certainly won't be my last. Full review here. 

• Maybelline Better Skin foundation (would not repurchase) - This started smelling really weird, a key indicator that it's expired. I didn't use it all, unfortunately it wasn't a favorite. Full review here.

• NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder (would repurchase) - This is a holy grail face powder for me. It's under $5 but performs like it's high-end. Definitely worth trying out if you haven't before. 

• Seche Vite top coat (would repurchase) - While I think this top coat is good - it creates a shiny finish and it dries really fast, and I'll certainly buy it again.. it does make my nail polish chip quickly. But for some reason, that doesn't stop me from buying it again and again.  

• Missha Cacao & Cream Facial Scrub (would repurchase) - This is a korean brand that came in a past Memebox. It smells legitimately like (and resembles!) cookies and cream! My husband used it and really loved how it smelled and worked. It's not too abrasive and has a creamy texture, so if you don't like a rough facial scrub, you might enjoy this one.

• Lush Hot Toddy shower gel (would repurchase) - This is a limited edition Christmas scent that I bought last holiday season. It smells like cinnamon and is filled with glitter (that doesn't stick to your body). I like Lush shower gels, and this was no exception.

• Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume (would repurchase) - Not quite finished with this perfume, but it is oooolllld and the scent just isn't quite right anymore. I loved this when I first got it, but I'm ready for a break from this perfume for a while. People describe this as fruity, but I definitely can't smell those notes. To me it smells like a  sophisticated floral scent. 

• BCBGMAXAZRIA bon chic perfume (would not repurchase) - While I used up this little sample size, this perfume wasn't really my kind of scent and not unique enough that I need it in my collection. It's sweet and kind of fruity, but mature enough to wear to work or for a day out. 

• Clinique Moisture Surge gel moisturizer (would repurchase) - I realllly liked this gel moisturizer. It felt so nice on my skin and felt moisturizing without being heavy. I would love to get a full size of this at some point. 

• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (would repurchase) - I've used many samples of this face wash and I really like it. The scent isn't overwhelming and the formula is really gentle for any kind of skin type. I wish it wasn't so expensive or I'd totally purchase it! 

• Quantum Canker Covers (would repurchase) - Kind of a weird empty, but I had to throw it in because these are a total life saver for me. I am prone to canker sores, especially when I bite my lip (which is all the time), and nothing provides relief and promotes healing like these. If you suffer from canker sores, you have GOT to check these out. 

And that's it! What did you use up this month? Have you tried any of the products I talked about? Let me know! 

Empties #11

My bag of empties is spilling over and you know what that means - it's time to dig through my trash! Why do I do these posts? Because if I've used something up, you can bet I have a solid opinion on the product and it's the easiest way to do a whole bunch of reviews quickly! Ready? Here we go...

L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Volume Conditioner - This was just OK. I really love the moisturizing version of this conditioner (in the yellow bottle) but this version didn't wow me. I didn't care for the smell either. Would I repurchase? No. 

Dove Dry Shampoo - This is a really good dry shampoo. It soaks up oil and allows me to skip a wash or two. I'm not crazy about the scent, but I can ignore it because it works so well. It's also cheap, which adds to my love for the product. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo - This shampoo is expensive. Granted, I found it on clearance when I bought it. But with that said, I wouldn't pay full price for it because I don't think it did anything miraculous to my hair. It compares to any drugstore shampoo I've used. If I saw it on sale again, I'd probably repurchase it, but I wouldn't spend full price. Would I repurchase? No.

B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Shower Gel - I purchased this last fall, and oh my GOSH it smelled so good. The scent was seriously amazing. Despite being formulated with shea, it's quite drying so you'll need to use a lotion after your shower if you have drys skin. I really hope this scent is re-released next fall because I will stock up! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Argania Spinosa Organic Argan Oil Special Treatment Masque - I found this hair mask at TJ Maxx about a year ago and HAD to have it because the scent is unreal. It's easily the best smelling hair mask ever and it will make your hair soft and silky. It's made my favorites before for good reason! I loved every minute of this, and sadly I can't find it anywhere to repurchase! I hope I find it again at TJ Maxx because it's great! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner - I keep seeing this stuff hyped in magazines, and honestly I'm not sure why. I used up this little sample size just for the heck of it, and I didn't feel like it did anything for my hair but make it smell good. I didn't notice my hair looking shinier or cleaner. It was just a novelty. Would I repurchase? No.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Night Cream - This was nice. It's a light moisturizer that didn't irritate my skin or break it out. I think this is a good option in the warmer months when you don't need intense hydration. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Cashmere Glow Body Lotion - I kept this little bottle of lotion on my night stand to use before bed because I'm not a fan of the smell (so I didn't want to use it in the daytime). I don't know why I bought this because I can't imagine I ever DID like the scent. The hydration level was just OK - I started adding argan oil or shea butter in with it since I like a heavier lotion at night. If you like the scent and don't like greasy lotions, this is for you! Would I repurchase? No.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation - Yep, another one of these. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Obviously.

Kiehl's Abyssine Lotion - Unfortunately, this has been discontinued. I mixed this with another moisturizer in the morning for sun and wrinkle protection. It was fine, but I'm not mourning that it's discontinued.

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil - I really  really liked this. It broke down my makeup well, even waterproof mascara! It has a nice citrus scent and this little bottle lasted me forever and a day. I think I'll be purchasing a full size in the future! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray - I really like the Urban Decay setting sprays.  They do an excellent job of keeping my makeup lasting for hours. De-slick was nice, but I guess I never really noticed if it actually controlled oil on my face. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Landeva Organics Rose Nourishing Toner - I did a full review of this toner sample here. It was nice! Would I repurchase? Yes.

OPI Avojuices in Winter Huckleberry and Vanilla Snowflake - Both of these scents were nice! Winter Huckleberry is subtle, but Vanilla Snowflake is VERY sweet and smells a bit artificial. These provide quick relief from dry hands but they don't penetrate deeply enough so by the next hand wash you'll have dry skin once again. I like them anyway, especially to have in my purse. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - I really enjoyed using this! It did transfer a bit under my bottom lashes which I hated, but it made my top lashes look full and voluminous. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Antibac in Brown Sugar & Carrots - This smells exactly like it sounds. It was a nice fall scent. I like to use antibacterial gel before doing my makeup so I'm not transferring anything yucky on my face or in my eyes. I typically use the B&BW versions because they have so many fun scents. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Removing Towelettes - I wasn't a big fan of these. They irritated my eyes which immediately turned me off. They were wet and got my makeup off, but I won't bother with them again. Would I repurchase? No.

Swisspers Cotton Rounds - I don't normally include these, but I've been experimenting with different options so I thought I'd throw 'em in. I got a huge pack of these at Costco since I like to use these to remove my eye makeup. These are nice. They have a textured side and a normal side, and I prefer to use the softer, normal side. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon - Unnghh, I LOVE Rose Jam. It smells simply amazing... a mix of rose, vanilla and lemon. I split this bubbleroon in two and it made both of my baths moisturizing, bubbly and heavenly scented! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - I loooove this concealer. It works wonders for concealing dark circles. It's reasonably priced but performs like a high end option. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette in Light - I've had this for ages, so long that they've actually changed the packaging. It's black now, if you want to look for it next time you're in Target. If you need some heavy duty concealer that's light and not cakey, this is the one. I only used the lightest color (which is still a bit too dark for me) but I absolutely love it. I only used this to conceal spots.... it'd be a bit too much for the undereyes methinks. I think the concealer is better in the quad than the ones you can buy individually... the formulation is different. Anyone else notice this? Would I repurchase? Yes.

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent - This is an amazing face powder. It costs under $5, but I think you could fool someone that it cost much much more. It's lightly milled and never makes me look cakey. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Givenchy Dahlia Noir perfume - Yuck yuck yuck yuck. I spritzed this on my wrist and regretted it instantly. This smells like an old lady. I would never in a million years buy this. Would I repurchase? No.

BCBGMAXAZRIA bon genre perfume - This perfume, on the other hand, smells absolutely amazing. It's fruity with a bit of spice. If I saw this on sale, I'd totally buy it. Crossing my fingers it shows up at TJ Maxx. Would I repurchase? Yes.

fresh Rose Face Mask - Well you know I loved the scent of this. And to make things even better, it has rose petal pieces in the actual mask. I think this is a really great product. It makes my skin feel balanced and soft. If it wasn't expensive and I didn't have a million face masks, I'd buy it. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW 'Tis the Season & Marshmallow Fireside candles - Can you read that it says Snowday 2013 on these two? I bought them last year.... and they sat around because I don't like to burn things out of season. (#candlehoarder) Of the two, Marshmallow Fireside was my favorite because I love "fireside" scents and I love "marshmallow" so duh. 'Tis the Season really does have a Christmasy scent, but it's not really my favorite. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Black Tie candle - This candle smells like a man's cologne. They bring this scent back around New Year's and it's really nice. I'm not in love with it, but if I got gifted it, I'd burn it. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

B&BW Holly Jolly Christmas candle - I absolutely loved this candle. It honestly smells like Christmas bottled up in candle form. It's sort of a pine-y fruity scent. My husband and I both really liked this one. I hope it gets brought back next year! Would I repurchase? Yes.



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

January 2014: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

It's here, it's here! The monthly battle between Birchbox and Ipsy. Let me know in the comments who YOU think had the better box this month.

Birchbox

This month's box includes...

• Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion with Clary Sage - This is a super hydrating facial moisturizer that smells really fresh and nice. If you didn't get this in your Birchbox this month, I saw this exact sample for sale at Target for something like $2.
• Inika Mineral Eyeshadow in Eternal Marine - WHY do companies always send blue eyeshadows as a sample? I don't wear blue eyeshadow, damnit! For those of you who do, this is a decent-sized sample!
• Nail Rock Velvet Manicure - This is one of those textured polish deals. From the look of it, you dip your nail in to velvety powder for a textured finish. I have yet to jump on the textured polish bandwagon, but maybe I'll give this a go. 
• Harvey Prince Journey perfume - The packaging says, "Savor the delicate notes of South African freesia, Japanese orange flower and Moroccan rose." Not a huge fan of this scent, but it is a larger perfume sample.
• Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner - This isn't the first time Serge Normant has graced my Birchbox. (you may remember seeing this brand here) One thing remains true, this brand's products are super smelly but they smell good. I've got the dry shampoo, so it will be nice to have the dry conditioner as well.

Ipsy

This month's Glam Bag includes...

• Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-What Leave In Conditioner - I have tried a couple Big Sexy Hair things, but nothing from the Soy Tri-Wheat collection. I don't like the smell (just from sniffing it in the bottle) but I will gladly use up a leave in conditioner. 
• MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm - This tinted lip balm is a mauvey-brown color. It's light on the lips, not super hydrating, but it's a pretty foolproof balm to throw in your purse for use without a mirror.
• Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil in Pearl - This brand is new to me. It's a gorgeous champagne color, but it's not retractable so all you get is what you see.... which is not very much.
• Epice Purifying Exfoliant - This is also a new brand to me. I like that it's a nice big sample, perfect to take traveling. I'll definitely get use out of this.
• Proactiv Mark Fading Pads - This is the first time I've gotten tear-open samples from Ipsy and I'm kind of disappointed. This is part of Proactiv's line, so I'm not really sure I'm going to get a "true" test of how well these work when they're not used with the other products.

I can't say I'm very impressed with either Birchbox or Ipsy this month. I guess when it comes down to it, I'll get the most use out of the stuff in my Ipsy Glam Bag. Although I do have to note, this month's bag smells super gross! The blue bag smells like a nasty mix of chemicals and plastic. Not cool!

You can receive these samples monthly for just $10 per subscription box per month. If you're interested in starting a beauty subscription, my personal recommendation would be to start with Ipsy. Ipsy seems to have consistently good bags each month. Click any of the hyperlinked "Birchbox" or "Ipsy" links in this post to get started!

Battle of the Subscription Boxes III: Birchbox vs. Ipsy

If you read last month's Battle of the Subscription boxes, you'd know that I was seriously considering dropping Birchbox. For the last year or so, I've been only mildly impressed with what I receive for $10/month and after subscribing to Ipsy and receiving an awesome value for the same price, I thought it might be time to say goodbye to Birchbox. But this month, Birchbox majorly stepped up its game.... let's dive right in...

September Birchbox

• BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre perfume (full-size: $55-$75) I've tried a couple BCBGMAXAZRIA perfumes, and this is by far the best smelling one I've tried. This smells really warm and spicy, perfect for the colder months. If you've ever smelled Spicebomb (the male version of Flowerbomb) it reminds me a lot of that (which I absolutely LOVE). I know a lot of people don't like these little perfume samples, but I enjoy them.

• Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hair Spray (full-size: $25) This hair spray claims to tame frizz and shield from UV rays. Aside from this, I've only tried the Serge Normant dry shampoo which I didn't like at all. Hopefully this proves better than the dry shampoo.

• Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (full-size: $24) This water-resistant mascara curls, adds volume and has "major staying power" according to Birchbox. Eyeko has been a Birchbox brand for quite some time now, and I'm excited to try another of their products. This mascara has killer ratings on Sephora.com, so I'll happily try it out.

• Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Delirium (full-size: $24) Full-size product alert!! This polish is part of Ruffian's very first collection. Retailing at $24, I'm happy to get this because I sure as heck don't ever spend that much on a nail polish. Loving this gorgeous purple!

• Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting Polisher (full-size: $38) This skin serum is made with natural botanicals that exfoliate, tone, smooth and moisturize the skin. I'm intrigued by this as I've never used anything like it. 

September Ipsy Glam Bag

• NYX Eye Shadow in Sparkle White (full-size: $4.50) Full-size product alert!! Woop woop! Sparkle White is a really gorgeous creamy off-white with golden shimmer. This would make a great inner corner highlight on the eyes. 

• Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara (full-size: $19.99) I've never heard of this brand or product before, but I'm always down to try a new mascara. This has an hourglass brush shape, and claims to lengthen and curl lashes without smudging.

• John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo & Conditioner (full-size: $6.49) This duo aims to weightlessly repair hair from frequent heat styling and coloring. I've never colored my hair and I rarely use heat on it, but my hair is awfully dry so I'm sure I could get some use out of these. These 1.5 oz. sizes will be perfect to keep around for traveling. 

• Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian (full-size: $12) Another full-size product! I've never heard of Starlooks before. Just from swatching, the formula feels relatively creamy which is nice. These products can be used solely as eyeliner, but they can also be used all over the lid as a base. I'll definitely get use out of this. 

I really don't know if there's a clear winner this month! I like both subscriptions equally. If I HAD to choose a winner, I think it would have to be Ipsy because I received two full-size products, compared to just one in my Birchbox. I hope that Birchbox continues to have boxes as great as they did this month (probably a direct response to many complaining customers). Who do you think won? 

If you want to sign up for Birchbox or Ipsy, just click the links! Each are just $10/month and it gives you a chance to try some higher end products before you shell out the money on the full-size item. 

** This post contains my referral links. If you click on the link and sign up, I will earn credit towards Birchbox & Ipsy products.