Play! by Sephora | January 2017

January's Play! by Sephora box arrived, and I have to say, I think it;s the best box I've gotten yet. Lots of deluxe samples from brands I love. I won't rave for long... let's get right to it. One last thing, though - if you want to subscribe, click here. It's $10/month and if you love to try beauty products from Sephora brands, I don't think you'll regret your purchase. 

Here's what came in January's box...

• Dermablend Loose Setting Powder in Natural - A loose setting powder that boasts 16 hours of wear time. Locks in makeup and enhances wearability.

• Ouai Treatment Masque - A hair mask that aims to make hair soft and smooth. Claims to repair hair and mend split ends. Free of parabens and pthalates. 

• Pinrose Wild Child perfume - A perfume comprised of tiare flower, bergamot, gardenia, jasmine, frangipani, vanilla bean and amber. 

• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - A lipstick made for any skin color or look, made to be universally flattering (although this color does not look good on me). Free of parabens. Black Honey is a deep brick red color that washes lightly on the lips in an almost balmy way. 

• Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser - Good for all skin types, this cleanser helps with oil, pores and uneven skin texture. It's a cleanser, exfoliator and mask in one. Free of parabens and pthalates. 

• Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Moisturizer - A decent sized moisturizer sample that's oil-free and aims to sculpt the face, firm and smooth lines. Free of parabens, sulfates and pthalates. 

Top 10 of 2016 | Year in Review

Holy cow... where did the year go, you guys?! I know people are loving hating on 2016, but while there were definitely lows, there were a lot of good times, too and I'm not going to poo-poo the whole year. Experiencing lows makes you grateful for the highs, ya know? This year my husband and I went to Hawaii, our son was born, we spent quality time with family and friends, and adjusted to being new parents. It's been a wildly fun ride, and I'm looking forward to 2017 with high hopes.

I always like to cap off the year with my list of stand out products, highlighting the things that I came back to again and again. Not all the products are new, but they're the things I like the most during the year. Check out 2015 and 2014's lists here. 

In no particular order, here are my top 10 beauty products of 2016.


1. Yes to Coconuts Facial Souffle Moisturizer (full review)

This moisturizer was fantastic. I clearly am not the only one who thought so, because it's always sold out at my local Target. It's moisturizing without being greasy and oily, the ingredients are good, and it never broke me out. It has a light coconut fragrance that doesn't smell synthetic. It's affordable and you get a lot of product for the price. Worth checking out!

2. L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (See Favorites)

 This foundation worked its way up to my top 5 favorite foundations. When applied with a damp beautyblender, it gives full coverage that isn't cakey and it lasts all day long. I wear the lightest shade, Classic Ivory 101, but there are 12 total shades to choose from and they can be found at the drugstore. For under $15, this foundation is one you've got to try if you're a full coverage foundation kind of girl.

3. Covergirl In Full Bloom mascara (see Favorites) 

I did not expect to fall in love with this mascara. I bought it at Big Lots and tried it on a whim, and it was a grower. I realized one day how much I loved the way my lashes looked. They looked full like I was wearing fake lashes, but natural all at the same time. It's cheap and found at the drugstore, and it's really the perfect mascara for those who want drama OR those who want to keep it simple. It's a buildable formula, great for whatever your lash preference may be. 

4. Tarte Tarteist Clay Paint eyeliner (see Full Review)

I'm a bold, matte black eyeliner kind of girl. I don't mess around with natural browns, or funky colors.... I want it black and bold. That's it. I had a feeling that I would love the Tarteist eyeliner when it first came out, and I was right. It's everything I love in an eyeliner. It's easy to work with, dries down bold and matte, and it's super black. It's on the pricier end, but one tube will last you ages. 

5. Benefit Gimme Brow

I can't believe I haven't talked about this on my blog, save for an empties post. This is my go-to foolproof eyebrow product. It's quick, you just brush it on, and it adds volume (fibers) and tint to your lashes. It's faster than drawing them in with a liner, and it looks natural. It's a higher end, pricier product, but I will buy it again and again because it's that good.

6. Milani Brow Shaping Gel

This brow product has become a staple of mine on days when I use brow powder or liner. It's a clear gel that rivals the much beloved Anastasia brow gel. It doesn't make your brows crusty, it just holds them nicely in place. It's affordable and a quality product. 

7. Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon perfume (see Full Review)

Oh lordy lordy, you guys already know my love for all of the Elizabeth & James perfumes. When two new scents were launched this fall, I bought both immediately without ever laying my nose to them, and I regretted nothing. I love both scents, but Nirvana Bourbon I loved just a little bit more. It's smoky, musky, woodsy and sexy. A fabulous autumn evening scent. These perfumes are Sephora exclusives and are relatively affordable for quality, lasting fragrances.

8. beautyblender

The beautyblender totally changed my makeup game. It applies foundation like a dream, removing all cakeyness and blending effortlessly. There are no alternatives that work like the beautyblender, and I have no idea why. There's something unique about the beautyblender, it doesn't soak up all your foundation the way most other sponges do. It stays on the surface and blends it in to your skin. I never thought I'd spend $20 on a freakin' makeup sponge, but I've done it many a time now and I won't be without one. 

9. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation (see Full Review)

I really need to do an updated review of this, but this foundation has made every single yearly favorites. It's my go-to and it works like a charm on my skin. I have heard from others that if you have dry skin, this isn't for you, but I have pretty normal, combo skin that loves this stuff. It has full coverage without looking like I'm wearing tons of foundation. It lasts all day and doesn't rub off when I touch my skin. It costs under $10 and is easily found at any drugstore. I absolutely love it. 

10. LaVanila The Healthy Deodorant

I don't use anti-perspirants. I've gone the natural deodorant route, and I've tried so many in the quest to find one that works for me. After much trial, I'm completely decided that LaVanila is the one for me. Every scent I've tried, I loved. Now - be warned - what works for me may not be the miracle for you; natural deodorants are very subjective and what works varies widely from person to person. LaVanila isn't the cheapest natural deodorant, but I often buy them around the holidays when value sets are sold and I get enough to last the year. If you're in the market for a natural deodorant, I'd recommend trying LaVanila.


Cheers to 2017 and I wish you all a very happy 2017!

Play! by Sephora | May 2016

Play! by Sephora is a fun, newer, beauty subscription service that costs just $10/month. You can sign up at Sephora.com, if interested. All the brands and products you receive in your box are available at Sephora - convenient and easy if you end up loving one of the products enough to buy it in full size.

Here's what came in May's box...

• Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask - This deep conditioner is meant to restore and hydrate, and protect against future damage. It's formulated with B-vitamins, rosehip and argan oils, algae and biotin. It's free of DEA, silicones and artificial dyes, plus it's cruelty free.

• Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial - This is deemed "an overnight facial in a jar", and aims to improve texture and complexion of the skin. Main goals? Antiaging and brightening. It's free of parabens, sulfates and pthalates. This is a 95% natural product.

• Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick in Kimchi - This lipstick is creamy and mega-pigmented. They're formulated with 12 edible oils, vitamins, omega oils , fresh pressed pigments and fresh pressed fruit for a citrus flavor. (Personally, I LOVE Bite lipsticks! Totally awesome to get one in this bag!)

• Atelier Cologne in Orange Sanguine - I have a few samples of this yummy perfume, and it's quite unique! It has notes of blood orange, orange peel, geranium, jasmine, tonka beans, sandalwood and amber. Delectable and perfect for summer.

• Tarteist Lip Crayon in Latergram - This is a perfect "my lips but better" lip liner. It's pigmented, and will help prevent lipstick from feathering. It's free of parabens and pthalates. 

• Origins Maskimizer Skin-Optimizing Mask Primer - This spray primes, preps and optimizes the skin for a mask to be used. It will help your mask spread, and rinse of easier while hydrating, soothing and boosting skin-radiance. It's free of parabens, sulfates and pthalates. I've been looking forward to trying this!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts? Let me know! 

Ipsy Glam Bag | October 2015

This month's Ipsy Glam Bag is a hit for me! There's a product I've always wanted (the highlight), and multiple brands that I love to try (Nourish Organic, Tarte). Ipsy bags come once a month for just $10/month and rarely am I disappointed in the selection of samples (and often, full sized products). Every month the goodies come in a cute keepsake bag, perfect to use while travelling. To get your own Ipsy bag, sign up here. 

This month, I received:

• Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum: Designed to hydrate and smooth the skin, while improving tone. Formulated with Apricot Kernel Oil, Moroccan Argan Oil, and Rosehip Oil. I really like the Nourish Organic brand, and I look forward to trying this sample. 

• Coastal Scents Xpress Line Cosmetic Pencil: This eyeliner pencil is black, and claims to have long lasting wear and a pack of pigmentation. I'm not super in to eyeliner pencils, and this pencil wasn't creamy enough for my taste.

• Ayres Pampas Sunrise Hand Cream: This hand cream is made with plant emolliants, shea butter and herbal extracts to moisturize the skin. The smell is comprised of lemongrass, mandarin, bergamot, patchouli and spearmint. 

• Tarte Deluxe LipSurgence Skintuitive Lipgloss in Energy: Crafted to smooth fine lines and hydrate the lips, it also creates a personalized shade of pink on the lips. It's not sticky at all, which I like in a lipgloss. Color is very light. 

• theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer: A honey-hued highlight that adds a burst of luminescence to the face. Can be used as an eye shadow or highlight. Love this shade - it's gorgeous and would work for any skin tone! 

What did you get in your Ipsy bag? Let me know! 

July Ipsy Glam Bag

This month's Ipsy arrived at my door, and as you can easily see for yourself -- it's another fabulous one! Honestly, if you haven't signed up for this subscription service yet, do yourself a favor and sign up now. It's just $10/month and you get so many deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products that are really fun to try. Click here to subscribe! 

Here's a detailed look at what came in July's Ipsy Glam Bag....

• Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser - This cleanser is meant to cleanse the skin without stripping it of essential moisture. It aims to stop sebum and oil production and diminish acne-causing bacteria. 

• Jor'el Parker Classico Eau de Parfum - This is a great sized sample of perfume! If only I appreciated the scent more! The notes are Indian Tuberose, Turkish Cyclamen, and Spanish Mandarin. I get a whiff of jasmine somewhere in there, too, but it's not listed as a note. It's sweet and floral, good for spring and summer.

• Be a Bombshell Lip Balm in Ruby - This is a lightly tinted red-orange lip balm. This is a good one to throw in your purse for a hint of color, no need for a mirror to apply. See the swatch below! 

• Ofra Cosmetics Eyeshadow & Highlighter in Bliss - Pick your poison, this product can be used as an eyeshadow OR a highlighter. Bliss is a beautiful gold shimmering shade that is buttery and easy to apply. Very nice quality. It's hypoallergenic and cruelty-free. See the swatch below! 

• Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer - I was most excited about this product gracing my Ipsy bag, as I've heard so much about it but never tried it. This is a waterproof formula, and it has a gorgeous satin finish. See the swatch below! 

Have you tried any of these products before? Let me know! 

Tarte - Tarteist Clay Paint Liner | Review + Swatches

If I were stranded on an island and could only have one makeup item, black liquid eyeliner would be my one item. If I'm wearing makeup, you can bet I'm wearing black eyeliner, winged just slightly (or sometimes a lot!). It's been that way for many, many years - black eyeliner is my go-to. There aren't many new developments in the liquid eyeliner world that seem to excite me -- I've found my tried and true favorites that I've used for years and years -- but when the Tarteist Clay Paint Liner came out, I had to have it.

The Tarteist Clay Paint liner comes in a 0.21 oz squeezy tube, and it comes with a brush that's bent the perfect amount for easy application. According to the Tarte website, "The unique formula features fewer waxes, cushioned pigments and a special development process unlike other traditional liners, allowing for the creamiest texture and smoothest application ever. " 

This eyeliner also claims to have 12-hour wear time, and I can say that that is true. It has excellent wear time and it's very easy to apply. I normally don't like eyeliner brushes like this either, but something about this one is fantastic. It's easy to use and apply as thick or thin of a line as you like. 

Before I purchased this eyeliner, I read the reviews and lots of people complained that it was a watery formula that didn't build up well. I didn't find that to be true at all - it builds up well and doesn't require going over it a bunch of times. It's also a perfect matte black that's a dark, bold black (my preference). If you're not skilled with drawing a crisp line with a brush, this might take some practice, but all in all, it's quite simple to apply, with a minimal learning curve. I'd highly recommend this liner.

You can purchase the Tarteist Clay Paint Liner for $24 at Sephora.

What's your favorite black liner? Let me know!

Face of the Day | Simple everyday look

My apologies if the picture above is completely blinding you with my whiteness! Pale is my middle name... hello - I'm a redhead living in the frozen tundra known as Minnesota. But let's be real - I simply blend in with everyone else in the frozen tundra... I'm still just as white come July. (Praise be to the spray tan gods!) 

It's been quite a while since I've done a "FOTD" post, so I thought I'd show you an easy everyday look that's totally appropriate for the office, or a night out with friends, and it won't take you very long either!

I decided to break out my Coastal Scents shadows to achieve this look. It uses just 4 colors, but could easily use less or more if you wish. From top to bottom, L to R, I used Kokomo Cafe, Southern Wood, and Deep Merlot - each are Coastal Scents hot pots. The three shades are starred on the photo below.

The eyes are simple. Prime them first to get the best staying power as well as color pop (I used MAC's Soft Ochre paint pot), and then take Kokomo Cafe on a fluffy blending brush and sweep it along the crease of your eye. You don't have to be super precise, this will just help the shadows blend in to each other and keep your eye look from having sharp lines. 

Next take Deep Merlot on an eyeshadow brush and put that in to the outer corner of your eye and blend it inwards towards your tear duct. Blend, blend, blend! Then grab Southern Wood, and dab that on the outer corner and blend it through, not taking it quite as far as you did Deep Merlot. This will deepen the look just slightly. Grab your clean, fluffy blending brush and blend all the colors together. No harsh lines is the goal!

I did pop a bit of Wet n Wild's Creme Brulee in the middle of my eyelid to make the browns pop, and then used Sigma's eye shadow base in Strike along my lower lash line as it matched the shirt I wore that day. I then lined my eyes with Wet n Wild's Mega Liner liquid eyeliner in black (and it didn't apply as nicely as I wanted to, so if it looks wonky to you... it looks wonky to me, too), and applied a couple coats of Calvin Klein CK One Color mascara in True Black. 

The rest of the look (and really ANY of it) can be modified to fit your skin type and preferences. I used my favorite Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation (review here) set with the Essence All About Matt powder and the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer under my eyes, set with the Tarte Smooth Operator powder.

I filled in my eyebrows with NYX's eyeshadow in True Taupe (can you tell I love it - I hit MAJOR pan on it!), touched up with the Wet n Wild eyebrow pencil in Taupe, all set with Maybelline Great Lash in clear. 

On my cheeks I used Benefit's Rockateaur blush (not pictured - it's part of a big set), contoured with Pixi's Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched and Victoria's Secret Illuminating Face Powder in Impassioned as a highlight. I dabbed a touch of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve on my lips, and voila! Look complete!

You could totally up your game and throw some lipstick on to look extra glam, but I was keeping this look a bit played down. See what I mean - super easy! You don't have to have the exact colors I featured - use what you have that's similar. That's the fun and creative part of makeup application.



What is your go-to eye eyeshadow? What lip would you pair with this look? 

December Ipsy

Merry Ipsy, ya'll! December's Glam Bag has some goodies that I am really excited to receive! For those of you new to the concept of Ipsy - it's a monthly beauty subscription service that delivers beauty samples to your door for just $10/month! Click here for more info or to subscribe.

Here's what I received this month.

• Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream - I really like this brand, and I've never tried this. Oddly, I can't find this product on their website, so I don't know if it's new or discontinued, but either way, I'm looking forward to using this.

• Bumble and Bumble Bb Straight Blow Dry - This product helps tame frizzy hair and keep it straight and styled for up to 3 days. Rarely do I go through blow dry products, so I'm happy to get a little tester - it'll last me forever!

• Cailyn Cosmetics Just Mineral Eye Polish in Orchid - This mineral eye shadow is made from 100% raw mineral powder. It is the most gorgeous pinky-nude shade and I can't wait to wear it!

• NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Balm in Red Velvet - I love these butter balms. They provide a soft wash of color and they also hydrate. I prefer these over the Maybelline Baby Lips a million times over.

• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara - I LOVE Tarte mascaras, and how convenient to have a little travel size! This mascara really does make your lashes look great. Love it!

What did you get in this month's Ipsy bag? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Winter Skin Saviors

Here in Minnesota, as the temps drop, so do moisture levels in my skin. I think this is probably true for many of you who live in colder climates. Non-stop heat blasting through my home and work does a number on my skin from head to toe. And as a skincare nut, even a skincare nut with oily to normal skin, I still work to keep my face moisturized and happy during the cold months. Here are three products that help keep my face hydrated and healthy.

CeraVe is a heavenly moisturizer. For one, it's ridiculously cheap for the amount you get, but the quality of the product is amazing. I got CeraVe last winter when, at that time, I was on a medication which severely dried out my skin. What's so great about CeraVe is that it's formulated with hyaluronic acid, which is a fun little ingredient whose molecules can retain up to 1,000 times their weight in water. This means that it will plump the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keep moisture where it needs to be.

If you have dry skin, CeraVe is where it's at. I prefer to use this moisturizer in the morning, before I apply my makeup. It's not too heavy, and hey - if I can plump my skin up a bit, I'm all about it.

Tarte's Maracuja Oil is one of my favorite moisturizers. Not only is this oil super hydrating, but it does the skin good. It's formulated with a high dose of vitamin C to rejuvenate the skin, and to even out skin tone. Maracuja Oil is also a great anti-aging treatment. I prefer to use this moisturizer at night, and especially when my skin is acting up. I like to use this product because it's non-comodogenic, meaning it won't break out the skin. And actually, because of all the good antioxidants in this oil, it can actually help clear breakouts.

Don't be afraid of incorporating an oil in to your skincare routine. Using an oil on your face won't make it more oily, in fact, it can even help reduce the amount of oil your skin produces. 

Bare Naked Skin Nourishing Face & Eye Cream* is a new product that I've recently added to my regimen for the winter time. This cream is made up of entirely organic ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, rosemary extract and beeswax. This is for those of you with extremely dry skin. I can't say that mine is, but it does need some extra TLC from time to time. 

As you can see in the picture above, it almost looks grainy. These grains melt in to an oily substance  that is easily smoothed all over the under eye area or all over the face. The amount on my finger above is far more than you'd need for your whole face, that's how potent this stuff is. This moisturizer will leave your face feeling silky smooth, soft, and it'll also work anti-aging magic as well. I prefer to use this at night so my skin can replenish itself, and because I don't like to use oily moisturizers in the morning; I find them to be too heavy for my oil-prone skin. I don't use this every single night, as it is very rich and my skin doesn't always need so potent of a moisturizer, but a couple times a week this is a really nice treat.


What products keep your skin in good shape for the winter? I'd love to know! 




*Bare Naked Skin Nourishing Face & Eye Cream was provided for my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I believe are good for my readers. See my disclosure policy for details.

Empties #9

Here's my trash from the last 2 months. Shall we get right to it?

Yes to Tomatoes Volumizing Shampoo - I like most everything I've tried from the Yes To brand, this shampoo included. It had a really nice, dare I say, feminine (?) scent (my husband used it and liked it, too) but I didn't really notice it giving my hair much volume. Despite that, my hair felt clean and it was enjoyable to use. 
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Fruity & Cheeky Cherry - I'm a big fan of Batiste dry shampoos. They do a good job of allowing me "clean" hair for a couple days post-wash. The cherry scent was subtle and didn't linger in the hair.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo - I have had this in the closet forever and finally used it up. This is a super basic shampoo. I didn't notice my hair being shinier than normal, but that was OK by me. I prefer a bit more moisture from my shampoos, so this wasn't my favorite, but it certainly wasn't bad. 
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Kiss My Face Big Body Conditioner - This is an all natural conditioner. I've tried many natural conditioners that I've loved, but this one doesn't quite make the cut. I didn't find this to be very nourishing, and the scent was just OK. 
Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Beauty Secrets Acetone Nail Polish Remover - This is the Sally Beauty brand of acetone polish remover. Even though acetone is quite harsh for the nails and cuticles, it cuts out half the time when removing pesky polish. I prefer using it over non-acetone removers, and I liked this brand.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Honey Body Scrub in Wild Iris & Honey - This sugar scrub was really enjoyable to use. It left a nice oil on the skin and the scent lasted for a couple hours after using it. I'd never tried scrubs from B&BW before, and after trying this one I definitely want to try more!
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Yes to Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser - I used this cleanser in the mornings as it's very gentle. I don't think it would be something I'd use in the evening as I prefer a heavier-duty cleanser then, but for mornings it was nice. It didn't break my skin out and it didn't leave a film behind on the skin.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Dreamy Vanilla Woods Shower Gel - Wowza, this is an old fragrance from B&BW! This guy has been sitting in my closet for way too long, practically begging to be used up. It's a very sweet autumnal scent but I admit it got a bit sickening, so because of that I wouldn't get it again if they re-release this scent.
Would I repurchase? No.

Garnier Expert Exfoliator Daily Exfoliating Gel - This is a very gently exfoliator so if you like to exfoliate every day, this is for you. It leaves the skin with a cold feeling that can burn if your skin is dry, or even hurt if you rub it around on your face too long. It was nice for the time being, but I've found other products I like better.
Would I repurchase? No.

Nourish Organic Deodorant in Almond Vanilla - This is the best all natural deodorant I've ever tried. It is very lightly scented (so if you're someone who needs to mask BO this scent isn't the one for you) and it didn't make my armpits smell bad the way so many natural deodorants do. My one gripe (and I don't know if I just got a bad bottle) is that the texture is gritty. It actually kind of hurt to apply at times. It never irritated my armpits to the point of pain, but it was strange and not comfortable when applying. Regardless, I still loved it.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Whish Shave Cream in Blueberry - This was a sample from a past Birchbox. I didn't care for the very fake blueberry smell, but it worked really nicely. I've never seen this in stores, but if I did I would consider purchasing it.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Yes to Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment - This product made a past favorites post, that's how much I loved it. For the warmer summer months, this eye cream was my jam, but when the colder fall months hit it wasn't quite moisturizing enough. I still really enjoyed using it.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Anti-bacs in Sweet Clementine and Ice Cream Dream - I always have these in my empties, as I use them prior to applying my makeup to ensure my hands are germ-free. Sweet Clementine had a clean citrus scent and Ice Cream Dream was sweet and heavenly.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

It's So Big Mascara by Elizabeth Mott - This mascara came in a previous Ipsy bag and it was surprisingly really good. It did make my lashes look big and voluminous without compromising length and separation. It flaked a tiny bit, but not enough for me to completely write it off as a bad mascara.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Eye Base - I'm willing to bet I got a bad sample of this, because it was hardly usable. It caked all over my eyelids and did nothing to enhance and hold my eyeshadows. 
Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Juicy Couture Perfume - I have to say, I think I'm officially over Juicy Couture perfumes. I never did care too much for the original scent, as I find it a bit too floral for my taste. I just wasn't a big fan of this.
Would I repurchase? No.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum Express Cat Eyes Mascara - In a previous post, I believe I said I enjoyed this mascara. Well, times have changed because I could not get through this tube. This is being thrown before its time because it made my lashes clumpy and it was hard to work with.
Would I repurchase? No.

TheBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen - This was a really pretty rosy lip stain that gave a perfect glow to my lips. It won't hydrate your lips, but it will stain them a beautiful color that lasts and lasts. I really enjoyed using this little sample, but unfortunately it dried up before I could use it all.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara - I use this to set my eyebrows. It works good, it's cheap. Not much more to say.
Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes - These are a tried and true makeup wipe that I come back to often. They are moist and gentle and work great to get all my makeup off of my face.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

L'Oreal Laquer Liner in Blackest Black - I didn't completely use this up but it's old and hard and I've had enough of it. It wasn't creamy and easy to work with, it was always kind of hard and tough to get enough of on your brush. 
Would I repurchase? No.

Caudelie Premier Cru Eye Cream - This little sample was really nice. It felt smooth and hydrating on my eyes, but it is definitely too far on the pricey side for me to purchase this anytime soon.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Chapsticks in Spearmint and Strawberry - These are good plain lip balms that hydrate the lips. I think anyone and everyone has tried these. They're cheap and they do the job.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste with Fennel, Propolis & Myrrh - Buyer beware! If you don't like licorice, don't buy this. It tastes like black jelly beans. I happen to like licorice, so this was fine with me, but I probably won't buy it again because I prefer a minty toothpaste.
Would I repurchase? Maybe.

OPI Avojuices in Raspberry Violet and Jasmine Juicie - I really like these hand creams. They make your hands ridiculously smooth without feeling heavy or greasy. They won't penetrate the driest, cracked hands, but if you need a little boost of moisture, these will work great. The jasmine scent is my favorite from all the many I've tried of these.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Hand Cream in Magical Leaves - This had a really nice fresh scent that lasted just long enough (i.e. just long enough that it wasn't offensive). It moisturized really nicely and what can I say - it looked cute on my desk at work! I love the packaging of the L'Occitane hand creams!
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Michael Todd Wild Rose Petal Creamy Body Wash - I had high hopes for this as I love the smell of rose, but this had an old lady sickening rose scent to it. It lathered nicely, but I couldn't get past the scent.
Would I repurchase? No.

GlamGlow Supermud Treatment - It was fun to finally try this product without having to shell out the expensive dough on a full sized tub. I thought it was nice and my skin did feel great, but I do think there are other mud masks that work just as nicely and won't break the bank.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

FAB Face Cleanser - I don't know what I expected this product to be, but it wasn't this. I know people rave about how great this is, but I just didn't find it to be anything special. I had been considering buying this cleanser, but once I tried it I just wasn't very impressed.
Would I repurchase? No.

Benefit The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine Powder - I really liked using this! It set my foundation nicely without looking cakey or too powdery. 
Would I repurchase? Yes.

L'Oreal Revitalift Instensive Overnight Mask - This product claims to show results within just one use. I didn't notice a single change or difference in my skin, even after using it 3-4 times. It was heavily scented which I didn't like as well.
Would I repurchase? No.

StriVectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles - I've tried this before and I like it. It does a nice job of smoothing fine lines.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Sonoma Lifestyle candle in Woodland Walk - This candle is from Kohl's and OH MY WORD. It smelled heavenly. It's the epitome of fall scents, leaning more towards a perfume scent than spicy. I absolutely loved it and hope it's released again.
Would I repurchase? Yes.

Diamond Candle in Pomegranate Lemonade - I did a whole review of this candle here. It was fun to burn this and find the ring inside.
Would I repurchase? Yes.


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

Empties #7

Lots of empties for you this month! Let's get started!

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Wild - This is my absolute favorite scent of Batiste dry shampoo that I have ever tried. It has a sexy scent that I loved smelling in my hair. I think I've found a new holy grail. Would I repurchase?  Absolutely. 

gud Natural Nourishing Shampoo & Softening Conditioner in Vanilla Flame - These surprised me... I bought them on a whim because I saw them on clearance and I absolutely loved both of them. They smelled great and made my hair super soft and manageable. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Dove body wash in Pistachio Cream with Magnolia - This smelled heavenly. I really loved this body wash as it was really creamy and hydrated my skin. Would I repurchase? Already have.

Boots extracts body wash in Bergamot - You've seen some of the other Boots body washes in my previous empties posts, and all have been really nice to use. I didn't like this scent as much as the others, but it was a good body wash. Would I repurchase? Probably.

The Body Shop body scrub in Chocomania - This was a really nice body scrub, especially for use before sunless tanning. It had a nice thick sugary grit and it didn't leave any oil residue behind. And can we just talk about the smell? Oh... that smell. I wanted to eat this scrub it smelled so delicious! Would I repurchase? Yes. 

Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic facial towelettes - These are a tried and true favorite of mine. I've come to love them a little less lately, but they still do the trick and I've got some more packs to use up. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.

Almay Soothing & De-Puffing eye makeup remover pads - I definitely didn't notice any de-puffing going on thanks to these wipes, but they removed my eye makeup just fine. Would I repurchase? Probably.

Michael Todd Skin Loving aloe & cucumber natural makeup removal towelettes - I received these as a bonus with a Michael Todd order, but I have to say I'm glad I didn't pay for these. They were not wet enough for my taste and the towelettes were smaller than your average makeup wipe. Would I repurchase? No.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation - I've rambled a million times about this. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Already have.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara - I really enjoyed using this. It made my June favorites, where you can read more about this product. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Pixi Large Lash Mascara - This name is not descriptive of the product inside. This was WAY too natural for my taste. It didn't volumize, didn't lengthen, and certainly didn't make my lashes large. I didn't enjoy using this. Would I repurchase? No.

Maybelline Great Lash in clear - I use this to set my eyebrows and it does the job. Not much more to say. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.

Wet n Wild Mega Liner in black - This is a holy grail eyeliner for me, and you've seen it in previous empties. I don't go without this. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.

Lypsyl beeswax lip balm - This balm was in some sort of limited edition scent (I want to say pomegranate plum but I'm not 100%) and I picked it up on a whim at Walgreens. It completely exceeded all expectations, and I LOVED it. It was really hydrating and comfortable on the lips. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Carmex Moisture Plus lip balm - I love Carmex.. I've always got some in my stash. I loved this cute packaging. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment - I love this stuff for when I have sore lips or a canker sore that's irritating my lips. It's tingly and numbing and has crazy healing powers. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Crest Glamorous White toothpaste - Meh, just toothpaste. It was fine, but probably not worth the extra money for its "whitening powers". Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW antibac in Pink Vanilla Macaron - This smelled so good! I loved the Sweet Shop collection from this spring and wish all those scents weren't limited edition! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Montagne Jeunesse Super Fruit & Creamy Coconut face masks - Full reviews of these can be found here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Malin+Goetz gentle neroli shampoo - I got this sample in a Birchbox and it was good for one wash. It smelled kind of like bergamot to me and it did a good job cleaning my hair. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Coach Poppy Flower parfum - This smelled really nice. It had notes of water lily and jasmine and was very fresh smelling. It's not really something I need in my collection however. Would I repurchase? No.

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal cleanser - This smelled really good and felt sort of minty and tingly on my face. I would really like to get the full size of this. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle in Pink Lady Slipper - This smelled really nice and well, floral. It had kind of a powdery scent somewhere in there, too. Would I repurchase? Probably not.

B&BW candle in Pink Lemonade Pound Cake - Another item from The Sweet Shop spring collection, AKA the best collection B&BW has put out (in my humble opinion). This smelled so sickeningly sweet in the best way... I loved every second of this candle. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle in Summer Wish - Summer Wish is a favorite Yankee scent of mine. It has a nice fresh, floral scent and makes any room smell great. Would I repurchase? Yes.

There ya have it. Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!