MASSIVE EMPTIES | #39

Nothing like missing a month of empties to make you feel really accomplished about everything you've used up. If you're looking for some quick reviews on a whole smorgasbord of products, you're in for a treat. Let's get to it...

• Antipodes Chia & Kiwi Seed Superfood Serum (would repurchase) - This was more like a facial oil than a serum. I used it in the morning, and after applying I sealed it in with another moisturizer. I think this would be really great in the colder months, but it was a bit much for summertime. I'd like to try more from this brand in the future. 

• L'Occitane Essential Water Toner (would not repurchase) - This toner was super duper scented, and not in a good way. It felt more like I was smearing perfumed water over my face, rather than a beneficial toner. I wouldn't get this in the future because it has too much fragrance and artificial ingredients in it. 

• ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (would not repurchase) - This came in an old Target Beauty Box and I kept putting off using it. It has that typical smelly ROC smell - if you've used any of their products, you know what I mean. I don't like that scent, and I don't think this really did anything for me, so I wouldn't buy this again.

• Reviva Labs Eye Gelee Concentrate (would repurchase) - This gel is like an essence for your eye cream. Apply it before your eye cream to assist with puffing and hydrating the undereyes. I've found it keeps me from looking crepe-y and dry. 

• Hey Honey Open Your eyes Eye Contour Lifting Fluid (would not repurchase) - This came in an Ipsy bag, and I can't say I was much of a fan. I prefer thicker, more hydrating eye balms than this. This was like a thin, watery lotion that didn't do anything for my undereyes. 

• Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask (would purchase) - This little sample pack had all three versions of the lip mask and I loved all of them! I definitely want to get the non-tinted version for use at bed time. This stuff is thick and coats your lips while hydrating. You'll wake up in the morning with it still on. Goooood stuff and smells yummy too. 

• Benefit Ka Brow (would purchase) - This was my first experience with an eyebrow cream-gel color and I actually really liked it. The blond color was a good shade match, but I had to be light handed so my brows didn't look too bold and caked on. This claims to be waterproof, but I found it easy to smudge off. Despite that, I may pick this up at the next VIB sale. 

• Covergirl Intensify Me eyeliner (would repurchase) - This is a good, cheap drugstore eyeliner. Once you get over the learning curve of the flat felt-tip, it's easy to use. The color is a perfect matte black, and it doesn't easily smudge on my oily eyelids.

• Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner (would not repurchase) - On the flip side, this eyeliner pen sucked. It was very light, so I had to go over it again and again in order to build up a bold enough line. The felt tip wasn't very long so it just felt weird to apply. I don't like this and would never buy this again.

• Prada Candy perfume (would purchase) - If I saw this perfume for cheap, I'd get it because the scent is nice, but it's so popular and not the most unique. It's very sweet and also a bit musky. It borders that line of childishly sweet. Not essential to have in my collection, but I enjoyed using this sample up. 

• Replica Beach Walk perfume (would not purchase) - This was not my cup of tea. It's very coconut heavy, with a hint of salt water and sunscreen. The smell really does make you think of a beach. It also has some floral notes like ylang-ylang, which is a scent I'm not big on. If you like Bobbi Brown Beach, I think you'll also like this perfume. 

• Tree hut Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion (would repurchase) - I liked this lotion. It had a very subtle scent and was hydrating without being greasy. I want to say I purchased this at Walmart, and it was dirt cheap.

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan (would repurchase) - Before I bucked up and got over my fear of tanning mousses, I liked using lotions. This was one of the best I tried. It gave a nice warm color, didn't streak, and the smell wasn't too bad. I'd consider getting this in the future, but I much prefer the color payoff of the St. Tropez mousse instead.  

• Jason Dandruff Relief Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I'm inclined to getting dry scalp, which I chalk up to dry shampoo wreaking a little havoc on my scalp. I thought I'd try something more natural, but this was not the answer. It has a nasty old lady smell and really did nothing for me.

• TonyMoly Makgeolli Mask Sheet (would repurchase) - I like the TonyMoly sheet masks. I think they feel nice and they don't break me out. Did this purify my face? Hard to say. But it was nice nonetheless. 

• Botanic Farm Sea Mustard Mask (would not repurchase) - It's not that anything is overtly bad with this mask, but I just can't for the life of me remember anything about it. If it didn't stand out, it's probably not worth buying again.

• Vanedo Beauty Friends Gold Mask (would repurchase) - This was also just OK. It has lots of serum on it, enough that you could save it and keep using it after you're done with the mask. It didn't break me out. It was just refreshing and hydrating.

• Boscia Tsubaki Oil-Infused Exfoliating Powder (would not repurchase) - This really wasn't exfoliating in the least. It was just a powder that functioned as a cleanser once you added some water in. I didn't notice this doing anything for my skin, and it didn't really make my skin feel clean, so I wouldn't get it again.

• Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Floral Toner (would repurchase) - This was a nice toner. It had a light rose fragrance, and it was gentle on my skin.

• Neutrogena Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover pads (would not repurchase) - This is an awful eyemakeup remover. The pads aren't saturated enough so I had to add extra remover to them to even get my mascara off. I'd rather have the bottle of Neutrogena eye makeup remover than these.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - What's an empties post without a pack of these? I use them for toner and eye makeup remover and they work like a charm. 

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes (would not repurchase) - The scent of these makeup wipes is way too overpowering for me. It's a really artificial scent that is just, no... just no. 

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - I don't actually use these wipes on my son, but I use them to wipe down my makeup area and any makeup on my hands. They work great and don't have bad ingredients. 

• Audrey and Lewis South Pacific Shower Gel (would repurchase) - This body wash has a nice, subtle scent of vanilla and citrus. It sudsed up well and made me feel clean. 

• Dr. Bronner's Hemp Rose Castile Soap (would not repurchase) - I love Dr. Bronner's but I do not love the hemp rose scent. It started off ok, but became sickening to me pretty quickly. I use this to clean my brushes and beauty blender and it works nicely for that, but I'm glad I used this bottle up. 

• LaVanila Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut and Vanilla Lavender (would repurchase) - LaVanila is my favorite natural deodorant brand. Deodorants, especially natural ones, seem to work different for everyone so while this might not be your perfect option, it works well for me. 

• Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo (would repurchase) - Batiste is a stellar dry shampoo brand. It does a great job of soaking up oil in my hair and refreshing it, and it's affordable, too! I find it to be cheapest at TJ Maxx, but you can also find it at the drugstore for a couple bucks more.

• NelsonJ Argan Oil7 Non-Foaming Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I didn't like that this shampoo didn't foam. It was so hard to tell when I'd scrubbed my hair enough or if I'd gotten it all out. It also has little beads in it that would get stuck on my scalp. I really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

• Rimmel Stay Matte powder (would repurchase) - This is an oldie but goodie in my makeup drawer. I've repurchased it time and time again. It works well to set my foundation without being cakey. I don't experiment much with powders so I just keep picking this up and it doesn't disappoint.

• Beautyblender (would repurchase) - The beautyblender has become my go-to makeup application tool. It makes my skin look flawless, doesn't leave streaks, and makes application quick and easy. I think the beautyblender trumps all other cheaper knock-off brands. I've tried many and nothing compares. Worth every penny to pay for the actual BeautyBlender.

• Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (would not repurchase) - I used to love this for spot concealing, but have found things I like better now. This is a very thick and oily concealer, and while it says it's creaseless, there is literally no way I'd put this on my undereye area. It's way too thick for that and it would either make my eyes look crepe-y or it would majorly crease.

• Spry Healing Blend Mouth Wash (would repurchase) - What sold me on this mouthwash was both the good ingredients in it and the marketing around it having healing properties for canker sores or sensitive gums. I did have a canker sore while using this and I can't say it really healed it any quicker or helped it feel better. Despite that, I still liked this overall. 

• Kiss My Face Triple Action Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I didn't realize until I got a canker sore that this toothpaste has SLS in it. I thought it was free of that ingredient but my body let me know differently. For that reason, I wouldn't buy this again, despite it being a decent toothpaste.

• Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Gel (would repurchase) - This was my final vial of the Smile Brilliant whitening gel, and I really like this stuff. It makes a noticeable difference in the brightness of my teeth. This set was sent to me for review, but I did just purchase more vials of whitener once I finished this. See full review here.

• Ralph Lauren Hot Perfume (would repurchase) - I love this perfume. It has so much good nostalgia tied to it. But I've had this in my collection for longer than I'd like to admit so I made a conscious effort to use this up. The main notes are vanilla, fig, spice and amber. It's tough to explain, but it's something unique that I'd certainly buy again. If you like scents such as Vera Wang Princess, Viva La Juicy and Hillary Duff With Love, chances are you'll like this one.

• Aura Cacia Lavender Baby Shampoo (would repurchase) - This was a gift from one of my baby showers, and I enjoyed using it on my son. The ingredients are pure and didn't irritate my son's skin. It smells just like fresh lavender, but the scent doesn't linger long.

• Mrs. Meyers Watermelon Foaming Hand Soap (would repurchase) - This was a really fun scent of hand soap. It smells like watermelon candy, and the scent stuck around for a bit. I really liked this and would definitely get it again. The Mrs. Meyer's brand is one of my favorites for household items.

• Signature Soy Pinky Peony Candle (would repurchase) - This was a candle from Target that was a nice one to burn during the spring months. Smelled just like a peony, and like that it was soy so it burned cleaner. It's a goal of mine to switch over to just soy candles once my backstock of others is gone.

• ScentSationals Herb Garden Wax Cubes (would repurchase) - This mix of herb-scented wax melts smelled fresh and clean. A great option for making the house smell nice in summer.

And that's it!! Have you tried any of these things? What interesting things did you use up this month? Let me know!

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!

Summer Wish List 2015

As I prepared everything for this blog post, I looked over at my husband and said "It's sad how easily I thought of everything on this list." I guess that's just the life when you stay on top of trends and products in the beauty world, eh? There's always at least ONE thing I really wish I had at any given moment. Here's what's on my list currently....

 Too Faced Little Black Book of Bronzers ($49) - Even though I’m a pale girl, this book of bronzers calls my name. There’s a bronzer for every occasion in this thing! Matte, shimmering, pinky-brown, dark - you name it, and I want it.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm ($60) - This has a cult following in the beauty world, and I've become a recent lover of cleansing balms. I have not heard one single bad thing about this, so maybe if I'm feeling like splurging, I'll pick this up and see what the fuss is all about.

Origins Ginger Essence ($45 for 1.7 oz) - I smelled this in a CCO once and was really intrigued by how different it was from anything in my perfume collection. I really love the scent of ginger in perfumes and lotions, and this was just pure heaven. Not only is the scent comprised of ginger, but it also has bergamot, lemon and lime, too.

Becca Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal ($38) - This is the most beautiful highlight I've ever laid eyes on. I think I could probably get rid of all my other highlights and use this one forever and ever, but it isn't cheap, and I have a whole bunch of highlighters that do the trick. So for now, it remains on my wish list.

Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette in Streak ($32) - I got a sample of this and if you follow me on instagram, you probably saw my post about it. This palette comes with a bronzer, blush and highlight, all of which are beautiful. The blush is a lovely coral color and the highlight was like KA-POW on my cheeks! I nearly picked this up on a whim in Sephora the other day, but luckily for my wallet, they were sold out.

Colourpop Blush in Birthday Suit ($8) - I did a Colourpop haul not too long ago, and in that post I talked about the interesting consistency that Colourpop products have. I assume these blushes are much of the same, and I really want to see what kind of magic that would work on my cheeks. Birthday suit is a gorgeous shimmery pink blush that seems like it would be flattering on just about anyone. 

Moroccan Oil Body Souffle in Fleur de Rose ($56) - Everyone and their mom love Moroccan Oil products, and everyone who reads my blog knows how much I adore rose scented products. So naturally, I want to give this a try. These body creams are said to be lovely and if they weren't so darn expensive, I'd know whether people are right about that or not!

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse ($42) - I've been on a bit of a self tan kick lately, and the tried and true product seems to be this tanning mousse. I've only ever tried the St. Tropez gradual tanning lotion, and that was super nice, so I imagine that this more intense self-tanner is the bomb.

Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise perfume ($60) - I've never even set my nose to this perfume before, but I just have this feeling that Vanilla + Anise = my nose in heaven. I'm a vanilla girl through and through and Jo Malone makes some of the best perfumes I've ever smelled, so what I'm trying to say is that I'm just one impulse click away from this landing on my doorstep.

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think? Let me know!

Empties #13

Just to recap from last time - I'm getting even better about not buying things and getting through my stash. This post is proof because I've got a LOT to show you. Of course, I still grab up the things I find on a killer deal, but I can't even tell you the last time I bought something like a new palette! Little victories.....

Here's all the stuff I've finally used up and purged out of my stash. The reason I've continued to do these posts (13 to be exact!) is that once I've finished up a product, I know certainly whether or not I would purchase something again, or whether I think it's worth recommending you try. So, here we go! 

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Spray (would repurchase) - This detangler spray is a Birchbox exclusive, so you can only purchase it at Birchbox.com, but girl -- you need to. This stuff is probably my favorite detangler ever. It really works out those stubborn tangles while providing your hair with a whole mish mash of other benefits like heat protections, shine maximization, UV protection and more! Plus it's paraben and sulfate free. 

Kiss My Face 4 in 1 Moisture Shave in Cool Mint (might repurchase) - This wasn't my favorite shave cream, but it wasn't bad by any means. I like that it's formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, artificial flavors and fragrances, plus it has vegan friendly ingredients, and is cruelty free. My legs are really sensitive and are prone to razor bumps when I shave, and this didn't prevent them from getting itchy after shaving, but I can't hate because of how good the ingredients are. I can handle a little itch until I'm out of the shower.

Paula's Choice Perfectly Natural Cleansing Gel (would repurchase) - If you're in to products created using healthy ingredients, Paula's Choice is where it's freaking at. This was a very basic cleanser, formulated with 99% natural ingredients, that left my skin feeling clean without stripping it of natural oils. This cleanser is recommended for babies it's so gentle, as well as people with super sensitive skin and those suffering from eczema. I have neither, but I love a gentle, natural cleanser. A+ product!

Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong Rinse Off Treatment (would not repurchase) - I don't even think this hair treatment is sold anymore. I can see why, because it literally did nothing for my hair. This was about as strengthening and nourishing as a basic conditioner, it was nothing special as a once-a-week treatment. 

Sonia Kashuk Red Promisia Hand Creme (would not repurchase) - Holy smelly, Batman! This stuff is seriously fragranced, smelling strongly of sandalwood, vanilla and jasmine. You could and should bypass perfume if you're going to use this as your daytime lotion or hand creme. I used this at night because it was way too strong and I prefer to use perfume in the daytime and I like my hand cremes to be minimally fragranced. It was hydrating but nothing special. 

Aveda Hand Relief (would repurchase) - On the flip side, this hand creme is one of my holy grails. This version smells like lemon pie and is super duper hydrating. If you have really dry hands, this will be your savior. It makes your hands greasy for a tiny bit but then it soaks in and works moisturizing magic.

Calgon Royal Rendezvouz Velvet Body Cream (would repurchase) - I used this as a body lotion each morning, and it was nice but nothing special. It was lightly hydrating and it smelled fresh, kind of like a shampoo or hair spray. The scent did last for a long time, but I didn't find that it interfered with my perfume. 

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Moisturizer (would repurchase) - I'm a huge fan of Soap & Glory products because literally everything they make smells amazing. The Righteous Butter has a nice feminine scent, characterized by bergamot, peach, vanilla and sandalwood. These body moisturizers are ridiculously hydrating without leaving your skin greasy. Side note, Soap & Glory has been pulled out of Sephora stores and is making a move to Walgreens - hip hip hooray! Hopefully this means prices go down just a smidge (even though they're not bad to begin with)! 

Tom's Aluminum-Free Deodorant in Wild Lavender (would not repurchase) - I got this deodorant in a PinchMe box for free, and I'm glad I didn't purchase it. This stuff irritated my armpits at times, and didn't keep me dry (not that it promises to) or smelling particularly great on warm or stressful days. I've used way better natural deodorants before so I won't be buying this again. 

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner (would repurchase) - I purchased this travel size to take on trips with me, and I got quite a few uses. It made my hair feel soft and it smelled nice. 

Martha Stewart Essentials Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamins (would repurchase) - I always take some form of biotin, primarily to keep my nails strong as I'm prone to brittle, easy-to-break nails, and I got this when it was on sale. These were nice, they did the job, and they're vegetarian capsules which is an added and necessary bonus for me!

Yes to Tomatoes Skin Clearing Facial Mask (would repurchase) - Unfortunately this wasn't used up entirely, but it dried out on me and started to smell funky. I liked this mask, it wasn't a godsend, but I do think it helped my skin continue to clear. It's affordable and worth a shot if you have problem skin. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent (would repurchase) - This used to be a holy grail powder for me, but lately I've come to like powders that are truly translucent, and I've found some others that I like more than this. However, if you're an oily skinned gal, this will keep you matte all day, and it costs under $5 which is awesome. 

Finley Grace Wickless Soy Candle in Hot Apple Pie (would not repurchase) - All this is is a solid soy room freshener. It had literally no scent throw so in order to smell it your nose had to be pressed against the freshener. If I didn't have a million wax tarts to use, I'd cut this out and put it in my warmer, but I just don't care enough. 

Lush Lip Scrub in Mint Julips (would repurchase) - Sometimes you just need to exfoliate your lips, especially before putting on a pigmented lipstick. I like these Lush ones because they're made with sugar and (even though it sounds disgusting) you can just lick them off after you scrub your lips. Mint Julips smelled and tasted minty and I enjoyed using it. I bought the Santa's Lip Scrub when this ran out, but I'd get this flavor again.

St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tanning Mitt (would repurchase) - Nothing much to talk about here. I used this mitt to apply self-tanner and it worked nicely. It didn't rip and it didn't leave me streaky.

Shiseido Facial Cotton (would repurchase) - I've heard everyone and their mom rave about these cotton pads and I always wondered how anyone could be crazy about freaking cotton pads. I wasn't blown away immediately, but after going back to regular cotton rounds, I totally miss using these fancy ones. They're big enough to wipe all my makeup off with a cleanser and they don't fall apart. I'm a fan. 

Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - These are the boring regular cotton rounds I was referring to. I got a big box of these at Costco and I have a many more tubes to use. I've gotten more in to micellar waters and I'd like a bigger cotton round to use instead of these small ones, so once these are gone, I'll probably only use these size to remove my eye makeup.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes (would repurchase) - Another Costco purchase, I got three packs of these on a whim. Turns out I really like using them. They have a nice pleasant scent, they're super moist and they get all my makeup off. 

Up & Up Cosmetic Wedges (would repurchase) - Call me old school, but my favorite way to apply my foundation is still a good old cosmetic wedge. I always get latex-free because I hate the smell of latex. I'll continue to buy these.

Nature's Bees Natural & Organic Lip Balm (would repurchase) - I picked this up at the checkout counter of Big Lots one day and then proceeded to fall head over heels in love with this balm. It doesn't have much of a scent, but it's so hydrating and comfortable on the lips. Sadly, Big Lots closed in my town, but I went to one elsewhere and picked up 2 more of these because I can't find them online anywhere! 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation (would repurchase) - Holy grail foundation. My favorite ever. I did a full review on this here. 

Sally Hansen Dry & Go Drops (would repurchase) - I got these way back in an old Allure Beauty Box and used them, but they aren't really something I would have thought to buy for myself. It sort of felt like oil drops on my nails, and I think it did help speed up the dry time of my nail polish. 

Laura Geller Spackle Primer in Bronze (would not repurchase) - I didn't finish this completely, but it's super old, from one of my first Birchboxes. I didn't notice this keeping my makeup put any longer than normal or doing anything wonderful for my skin. 

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in Ivory (would not repurchase) - I don't use this alone, I actually mix it in with my Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation when I want a more natural or dewy look. It's a bit too slippery on me to use this foundation alone. I did a full review of this here. 

StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles (would repurchase) - I have fine lines under my eyes and when I used this, I felt like they were less noticeable. I would totally get this again for upkeep and prevention.  

Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner (would repurchase) - This was a nice eyeliner. It had a thin, long tip and was easy to apply. 

Almay Liquid Eyeliner Pen (would not repurchase) - This finished too shiny for my taste, plus the tip was far too thick for my liking. 

Maybelline Great Lash in Clear (would repurchase) - I use this to set my brows. It works like a charm and it's cheaper than many brow gels. 

Sephora Transparent Brow Gel (would not repurchase) - Tried this out on a whim and hated it. It dried sticky and sometimes white. Absolutely awful stuff - I should have read the reviews before buying or I could have saved myself the $5!

OPI Avojuice in Mango (would not repurchase) - Avojuices used to be my favorite lotions, but I've come around and changed my mind. They do a good job at temporarily hydrating my hands, but they don't do any major work. I have other hand creams I prefer more now. 

B&BW PocketBac in Strawberry Hibiscus (would repurchase) - There's always one of these in my empties. I use them before applying my makeup to kill any germs on my hands. This one smelled nice and the packaging is cute! 

Visine Advanced Redness + Irritation Relief (would repurchase) - I'm so prone to having red eyes, and this stuff does the trick to knock redness out. I didn't quite finish these, but they expired and I don't mess around with eye products and expiration dates.

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish (would repurchase) - I got this little sample from Sephora and really enjoyed it. It's quite scrubby and feels like sand. It made my skin feel soft and exfoliated. I'm sure a full size is quite pricey, but if I saw it for cheap, I'd consider buying it. 

Garnier Fructis Marvelous Oil (would repurchase) - I used this sample as an overnight treatment for my hair, prior to a hair wash day. It smelled really nice and left my hair feeling smooth. 

Cosmedicine Primary Care Multi-Tasking Moisturizer (would repurchase) - This was a fragrance-free, no-nonsense moisturizer with SPF 20. It was lightweight and worked nicely under makeup.

Keomi Skincare Luscious Lavender Soap (would repurchase) - I love these Keomi soaps and the lavender scent smelled really good. It lathered nicely and made my skin feel clean but not stripped. I did a whole review of these soaps here. 

100% Pure Green Apple Nourishing Body Cream (would repurchase) - I used this sample as a hand cream and it worked well. It wasn't greasy, and it smelled just like you'd expect green apples to. I love that this lotion is 100% natural and vegan. 

Vanedo Beauty Friends Pearl Sheet Mask (would repurchase) - For my birthday, my husband got me a set of various Vanedo sheet masks. The pearl mask left my face soft but I didn't notice any major improvements. I just enjoy a good sheet mask for relaxation and pampering. 

Up & Up Luminous White Whitening Wraps (would repurchase) - Stay tuned, I'm going to do a full review on these soon so I don't want to give anything away. :)

Johnson & Johnson Soft Woven Mint Floss (would repurchase) - I love flossing my teeth, and the woven floss is my absolute favorite. It gets every speck of junk out of my teeth and it doesn't hurt.

GUM Butlerweave Mint Waxed Floss (would not repurchase) - I get these little floss samples from the dentist and I keep them in my desk at work for use whenever I need it. It's fine, but again, I prefer the woven kind.

Jason Powersmile Antiplaque & Whitening toothpaste in Powerful Peppermint (would repurchase) - Jason toothpastes are some of my favorite natural toothpastes. They're fluoride-free (google why fluoride is bad for you if you're curious why I prefer toothpastes without it) but they do a really nice job of cleaning my teeth. This flavor was nice and fresh.

B&BW Cinnamon Sugared Doughnut candle (would repurchase) - This candle smells divine. My best friend went and bought herself a bunch of these candles after smelling it burning in my house. That's how epic this smell is. You can still buy this in large and small sizes, but I do believe the mason jar size isn't available right now. 

Yankee Candle Pink Blush Candle (would not repurchase) - This wasn't a bad scent, but it just isn't something I need again. It's a floral scent with a hint of powder. 

B&BW Flowering Dogwood Candle (would repurchase) - This is ages old and I don't think B&BW even carries this scent anymore. This smells just like Flowerbomb perfume. It's heavenly. 


Uff da! That's it. Have you tried any of these products? Let me know! 

June Favorites

There have been some products that stuck out to me this month, and I just had to share with you! Here are my monthly favorites for June!

• Argania Spinosa Organic Argan Oil Special Treatment Masque - Oh my word - dare I say I love this as much, maybe even MORE than my beloved Macadamia Mask?! It's true - I do! I believe this is a British product, but I picked it up at TJ Maxx solely based on how delicious it smells. It is, hands down, the best smelling hair masque I have ever used. Not only that, but it makes my hair so soft and manageable and I actually feel like it repairs my hair every time I use it. I hope I can find this again when I run out!

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation - I've rambled on and on about this foundation (see full review here) but it really is a favorite this month. I've hardly strayed from this every time I wear foundation, as this is the only one I have on hand that actually stays put in the heat. My face is also a bit more oily in the summer, but this foundation holds strong through it all. Love love love.

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everday Body Moisturizer - This is a rather spendy self tanner, but it is worth every penny. I have had people ask me if I got a spray tan (a compliment in my world, as I obviously am never asked if I've been laying out. Holla @ my pale girls!) when I've been using this stuff. It gives a really nice, natural glow, and it actually smells nice when you apply it. (But of course, in a few hours' time you do smell a hint of self-tanner - blegh).

• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara - I had my doubts about this mascara.... the first time I used it I think I had a crusty, old bottle. I decided I needed to try again, and boy am I glad I did! This is an all-around great mascara - it volumizes, lengthens, and it doesn't make your lashes a clumpy mess. I've been using this all month long.

• Klorane Soothing Eye Makeup Remover - I purchased this gem with the last of my remaining Birchbox points (remember?) on a complete whim, and it turns out I absolutely love this stuff. It's so gentle on my eyes and it has a nice clean scent. I hope I can find another place to repurchase this, because I can see myself buying it again and again. 

What products did you love this month? Let me know in the comments! 

Ipsy | April 2014

This month there's no Battle of the Subscription boxes now that I officially said goodbye to my Birchbox subscription. I've held on to Ipsy, a subscription service that is totally worth the $10 a month. You get so many awesome, and often full-sized products to try each month. If you're interested in susbcribing, click any hyperlinked "Ipsys" in this post.

First and foremost, how cute is the bag this month? It looks like a record player and the inside says "Beauty Rocks". I like the square shape of it, too. Here's what's inside...

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Aging Multi-Action Face - This moisturizer not only provides anti-aging benefits, but it adds a subtle glow to the skin. I actually have a full size version of this that I haven't pulled out to try just yet. This will be perfect for use on the go!

• Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink - This balm has a cool packaging feature - the top part houses a lip brush for application. It's FAR more pigmented than I expected it to be, providing a nice wash of color on the lips.

• dr. brandt microdermabrasion - This product is marketed as an at-home alternative to expensive dermatology office treatments. I'm a skin care junkie, so I'm looking forward to trying this. 

• Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet - I am super excited to receive a travel size of Urban Decay's awesome 24/7 eyeliner! This is a velvety smooth waterproof eyeliner, known for being absolutely amazing. 

• Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow eyeshadow in Champagne - This eyeshadow is super smooth, and a gorgeous shimmery champagne nude color. It smooths on like butter and would be a gorgeous shade for any skin color. Here's what the shade looks like (on the inner 1/3 of my eyelid).

Have you tried any of these products? Did you get anything different in your Ipsy bag? Let me know! 


p.s. Here's a bonus picture of Winnie from Easter! She had so much fun running around with family. Also, she has her own Instagram account now! Find her at: WinnietheGoldenRetriever