May Empties | #26

I'm not kidding you when I say these last few months have been the speediest of my entire life, I think! I can hardly believe that May is over and we're now on our way in to June. Slooooow down, time! The month was fast, but I still managed to use up a good chunk of stuff. Let's take a peek through it  and I'll let you know what's worth your time to try.

• Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser (would repurchase) - This is a nice, gentle cleanser. It didn't irritate my skin and it kept it soft and smooth. Full review here. 

• Michael Todd Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Facial Mask (would not repurchase) - I've had this for a while now, and it's not gone, but I honestly hate using it because it smells so awful. I have plenty of charcoal masks that work better and don't smell disgusting, so I'll stick to those instead. I typically love everything in the Michael Todd brand family, but this just didn't do it for me. 

• ROC Daily Resurfacing Disks (would not repurchase) - These were just OK. They were super-fragranced, so if you're like me and don't enjoy products with synthetic fragrance up the wazoo, stay away. It cleaned my face fine, but I didn't notice any line reduction in my skin or any fabulous results. 

• Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara (would repurchase) - I loved this mascara so much it made it in to a recent favorites post. It makes my lashes look full without being clumpy or unnatural. I already have backups of this in my stash. 

• Covergirl Clump Crusher water resistant mascara (would repurchase) - Do note, the packaging on this says "water resistant" - it is NOT waterproof. It's a good option, but not what I'd reach for if I need some serious water protection. 

• Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer (would not repurchase) - This primer is just OK. Most days it couldn't withstand my oily eyelids and I'd be creasy-looking come 5 PM. I used it up, I won't buy it again.

• Benefit Ooh La Lift Under Eye Brightener (would repurchase) - I really like this little brightener. I think it helps my concealer go on better. It's not a miracle product, but I enjoyed using it. 

• Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer (would not repurchase) - I wasn't a huge fan of this face primer. It didn't make my skin look flawless like other primers I've tried, and I can't really say it kept my makeup on longer or better. 

• Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Lotion in Passion Fruit & Guava (would repurchase) - I snagged this on clearance a while back and I really liked it! It had a very subtle fragrance that wouldn't overpower any perfume I wanted to wear. It moisturizes without feeling greasy and the price is quite cheap considering the big bottle size! 

• Soap & Glory Rich & Foamous Body Wash (would repurchase) - Oh my gosh, I LOVED this body wash. It had a creamy consistency and a delicious warm almond scent. This would be a perfect wintertime body wash. I was sad to use it up! 

• Origins Ginger Body Wash & Body Scrub (would repurchase) - I love love love the smell of Origins' Ginger line, and while I enjoyed the body wash, the scrub was just not scrubby enough for me. I'll get the body wash again, but I won't get the scrub again. 

• Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (would repurchase) - I don't know, I feel like I had these for too long so they were drier and weren't as rave-worthy as I remember them being. I'd still buy them again because I used to love them. I must've just got a bad batch. 

• HASK Purifying Deep Conditioner (would repurchase) - This was nice, smelled great, and made my hair soft. Full review here. 

• Up & Up Cosmetic Wedges (would repurchase) - I love using these wedges to put on my foundation. I always buy latex free because I despise that scent. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - There's always a pack of these in my monthly empties. I love them, and use them for everything from removing nail polish to applying toner on my face. My Costco carries  them in a mega pack which is the best deal around. 

• Matrix Miracle Extender (would repurchase) - This was a pretty good dry shampoo. It's not cheap, but it did the trick. I can't say I'd spend $16 on it (they sent me this bottle) when I like my $6 bottle of Batiste, but if I found it for cheap, I'd pick it up again. 

• MAC Fix+ (would repurchase) - I love this facial water to set my makeup and give me a little sheen. It helps my makeup look less powdery and more natural and dewy. I already have another bottle ready to go. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation (would not repurchase) - This got a really wonky smell before it was even finished, a tell-tale sign that it's time to let this go. I was not a fan of this foundation as much as I wanted to love it. It made me look way too oily and it didn't last all day on my face the way my beloved Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation does. 

• Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick (would repurchase) - I picked this up when I found out I was pregnant to help combat hormonal acne without harsh chemicals. It wasn't a miracle but it did help. 

• Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm (would not repurchase) - I wrote about this in a post about overhyped products. I didn't love this, it felt like it just sat on top of my lips without doing anything. For the price and the less than stellar results, I wouldn't buy this again. 

• Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion (would repurchase) - This little sample smelled great and moisturized my hands nicely. It's free of nasty ingredients and works well. I just bought a full size of this the other day, I liked it that much. 

• Tom's Propolis & Myrrh Toothpaste in Peppermint (would not repurchase) - This wasn't my favorite, it wasn't the worst. It's definitely a very natural tasting toothpaste, so if you're looking for that fake, overly minty taste, you won't find it here. It didn't make my mouth feel fresh enough, so I probably wouldn't pick it up again. 

• Shir-Organics Pure Avocado Moisturizer & Pure Coconut Oatmeal Cleanser (would repurchase) - I don't want to give too much away, but look for a full post on these products soon! 

• Lush Love and Light hand cream (would repurchase) - This was a nice hand cream! It's a little on the greasy side, but I loved it in the dry winter months. To me, it smelled like herbal fruit loops, which I found pleasant. 

• Maybelline Fit Me powder (would not repurchase) - This was just an OK powder. It's nothing special and there are definitely powders I like far better than this. 

• Chapstick in Pumpkin Pie (would not repurchase) - I was not a big fan of the scent of this. I used it up because I'm like that, but I prefer other lip balms and definitely like to keep it a bit more natural than Chapstick.

• bareMinerals Marvelous lipstick in Moxie (would repurchase) - This little sample got super soft and broke off, and I am not fussing around with applying it anymore. It's got a gorgeous mauve color  that I loved wearing, perfect for everyday, but it's not worth toying with. 

• Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Third Trimester Tea (would repurchase) - This stuff is delicious. It tastes like a peppermint tea but it's got other great stuff for mamas in their third trimesters like red raspberry leaf, which helps to tone the uterus and get it ready for birth. I've been drinking this very regularly and I'm hoping it'll help my labor. 

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

Yes to Coconut | Hydrate & Restore

You already know, I love Yes To products. It's easy to get behind a brand that offers affordable, quality naturally-derived products. I was so thrilled when they contacted me about trying out some of their new products from their coconut line, and I have to say - this line is awesome! 

Yes To's coconut products aim to hydrate the skin, and when using all three of these products, I can bet you'll notice your skin holding its own against the dry winter weather. I was sent the Ultra Hydrating Facial Mask ($15.99 for 2 oz), the Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser ($9.99 for 4 oz) and the Ultra Hydrating Facial Souffle Moisturizer ($14.99 for 1.7 oz).  I'm not crazy about coconut-scented products, but all of these are scented very very lightly and they don't smell like fake disgusting coconut - they smell like a real, refreshing just-chopped coconut. And it's quite nice to use something so tropical in the dead of winter. 

Let's go in order of what you'd use, first to last. To start things off, let's chat about the Creme Cleanser. This is a very gentle, milky face wash formulated with coconut oil. Coconut oil can do so many good things for your skin: it smooths, retains moisture, prevents against premature aging of the skin, plus it's antimicrobial so it'll kill any bacteria on your skin. So, with all that in mind, this is a fabulous cleanser! I like to use it in the morning to refresh my face and get rid of any sleep-grime. 

The Facial Mask is a quick 10-minute treatment specifically for moisturizing the skin. It's made up of coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil and natural clay to detoxify. It dries without making your face feel tight and squeaky. After washing it off, my face really did feel nourished and hydrated. 

My favorite of the three products is the Facial Souffle Moisturizer. It's whipped and fluffy, and despite how nervous I was to smear a coconut-oil based moisturizer on my face before applying makeup, I can tell you it's not greasy in the slightest! I haven't stopped using this since I received it, both day and night! It's become a fast favorite. 

I really have enjoyed using all of these skincare items, and I'd definitely recommend giving them a try to if you have dry or combo skin that needs an extra boost of moisture. Find Yes To products at Target and online at yestocarrots.com. 


Have you tried any of these products? 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!

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!

Empties #6

Holy cow - these empties posts are becoming a monthly occurrence! I have to say, I feel rather accomplished using so much stuff up! It feels good to scale back on buying and go through what I've got stored up. If you're unfamiliar with empties posts, basically I show you my trash and give you a quick review as well as comment on whether or not I'd repurchase the item. Let's go....

• CHI Farouk Royal Treatment Ultimate Control Fast Drying Volume Shaping Spray - Ugh, kill me with that long title, geez! This is my *holy grail* hairspray. It smells like an expensive perfume and holds a curl without weighing my hair down or being sticky. Love love love. Would I repurchase? Yes, already have.
• Creation's Garden Shampoo w/ Argan Oil - I purchased this on a whim at TJ Maxx because it's organic and natural. This stuff was okay - it wasn't amazing. It didn't foam up much nor did it have much of a scent, but it cleaned my hair and that was good enough for me. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Pantene Ice Shine conditioner - Is it just me, or is it way easier to go through conditioner than shampoo? Anyway, this was nice. It left my hair really smooth but I didn't notice any added shine. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Suave Moroccan Infusion Weightless Dry Shampoo - I purchased this because I love the smell of the Suave Moroccan shampoo/conditioner, but I absolutely hated the scent of this. It did just an OK job of soaking up extra oil in my hair, but I definitely have tried better. Would I repurchase? No. 

• Satin Care Passionista Fruit Shave Gel - This is your run of the mill drugstore shave gel. I didn't care much for the scent, but it did the job of keeping me knick-free. I hate how the bottom always rusts on these bottles - ya feel me?! Would I repurchase? No, I'd rather try something else. 
• Yes to Blueberries Ultra Hydrating Body Wash - Remember this from my Yes To haul? I had high hopes for this, but I didn't love the smell and it definitely wasn't hydrating. Would I repurchase? No. 
• Secret Clear Gel deodorant in Cocoa Butter Kiss - All Secret deodorants smell inherently the same, IMO. This one had that same Secret smell, and not a lot of cocoa butter scent. I like these gel deodorants in the summertime when I need an antiperspirant and don't want it all over my clothes. Would I repurchase? I already have, but in a different scent. 

• Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Towelettes - Also got these in my Yes To haul. I had hoped these would be as amazing as my favorite Cucumber Yes To wipes, but I didn't care for these. The smell was blah and they weren't very wet. Would I repurchase? No, but I have one more pack of these to use up.
• Simple Eye Makeup Remover Pads - I got these in last year's Allure Beauty Box. They were just OK. They got my eye makeup mostly off, but I usually needed to use another makeup wipe to fully get the grime away. Would I repurchase? No. 

• Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Gentle Milk Cleanser - Another thing from my Yes To haul - really going through that stuff recently. I used this every morning as it's nice and gentle and moisturizing. I wouldn't use this if I needed to deep clean my skin (which I don't in the mornings because I wash my face at night) but its perfect for a gentle wash. Would I repurchase? Probably. 
• Michael Todd Honey and Oat Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser - I really liked this cleanser, which I used morning and night (until I switched to using the Gentle Milk cleanser above in the mornings). It smells like lemon and really cleans the skin without stripping it. Also, it's 70% organic which I personally like in my skincare. Would I repurchase? Yes. 

• Aquafresh Ultimate White toothpaste - Jake and I went to town on this with the tube-wringer (my favorite thing ever) and got every last drop of toothpaste out. It was pretty good, tasted fine. Did I notice a difference in the whiteness of my teeth? No, but whatever.... do you ever really see one with a whitening toothpaste? I certainly don't. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Bath & Body Works AntiBac in Stress Relief - I use these pre-makeup application to ensure I have clean hands. I don't love the smell of the Stress Relief line from B&BW, but the scent dies away rather quickly on the hands. Would I repurchase? No, I'd rather try another scent. 
• Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo - This was a nice little travel size of dry shampoo. I got quite a few uses from it, too. It smelled fresh and soaked up excess oil. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Pantene Aqua Light Conditioner - Meh, it was OK. Nothing brilliant. I get like one use out of these little mini travel sizes. Would I repurchase? No.

• Ulta Plush Drama Volume Mascara - This was surprisingly good. It was volumizing and it made my lashes look really nice. However, about a month in, once the formula had been exposed to air and bacteria or whatever, it started making my lashes really clumpy... and then it got thrown in the empties bag. Would I repurchase? Probably.
• Calvin Klein Euphoria eau de toilette - This smells really nice. I got a few uses out of this and enjoyed smelling it all day. Would I repurchase? If I found this  for a good deal, I would definitely consider buying a full-size version. 
• Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm - Carmex is a tried and true favorite of mine. I always have one somewhere and it always soothes my lips. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil in Vanilla Apricot - I got this in a gift set for Christmas. I used it every night on my hands before bed and I could tell it actually made a difference in my hands...I used less lotion throughout the day because of it. The scent of this was kind of weird - while my husband would disagree, to me it smells like butter on my hands... hence why I started using it at night before bed. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Mainstays Candle in Wild Honeysuckle - This candle is from Walmart, and I got it on sale. It smells really nice and spring-like. The scent-throw was just OK, I felt like somedays I could smell it better than others. Would I repurchase? Yes.
• Slatkin & Co Wallflowers in Cool Tropical Breeze - I really don't like to use these because they're full of bad chemicals that you probably shouldn't be breathing in, but I get them as gifts now and then and I'm not just going to throw them away. This scent smells like a coconutty beach and I enjoy it. Would I repurchase? Not myself, no.

Ooff.... there you have it. Let me know if you've tried any of these items or what you've been using up this month! I love to hear from you! :)

February Favorites 2014

It's been months since I've done a favorites post, and it's about dang time I did a new one! It just so happens that this month, I have some awesome things to share with you. Here are my absolute favorites for the month of February...

Lush Sikkim Girls Body Lotion - Look familiar? I got this in January in my Lush haul! I really battled with the idea of including this in my favorites, as it can't be purchased anymore - but I love it THAT much! (you can buy the perfume, but not the body lotion) I have to be honest, when I first put this on, I couldn't tell if I smelled really amazing and earthy or if I smelled like an old lady. Either way, I rocked this all month. It is so strongly scented of frangipani, tuberose, jasmine and vanilla that it will stay on your skin literally all day. I apply it after I shower and I can still smell it 12+ hours later. It's exotic, sexy and dark... I love love love it.

Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment - I got this in my Yes To haul, and I am in love. This claims to reduce the appearance of fine lines in just 7 days, and I actually did see an improvement in my undereye area! This mega-hydrating formula works wonders. I apply it in the morning, and it's great under makeup without being too heavy. 

Exotic Woods Soy Candle - This candle is from Target and it smells heavenly. I love woodsy, dark fragrances (obvi) and this smelled amazing. I think my husband and I actually got this for our wedding and when I saw it in my pile of candles I thought "EEK! We better burn this!" ... especially considering we've been married nearly a year and a half. What can I say, I'm a candle hoarder! I hope Target releases this scent again!

Wet n Wild Gel Eyeliner in Black - This is only the second gel eyeliner I've purchased and it was such an upgrade from the other that I own that I have been using it nonstop. It's super black (my requirement for any eyeliner) and soft. It glides on so easily and lasts all day. It smudges a tiny bit, but I don't even mind. 

NYX Eyeshadow in Flamingo - This is one of my favorite eyeshadows that I own. It goes so well with my fair skin tone. It gives my eyelids a pinky gold sheen that is almost unnoticeable until I'm in the right light. It's perfect for a shimmery neutral eye, or even as a one color wash on the lids. Beautiful and cheap - could it get any better?

Chloe Eau de Parfum rollerball - I have long wanted this perfume in my hands, and I finally went to Sephora and snatched up this amazing perfume. Chloe is an iconic feminine scent that smells strongly of rose and amber. It is the epitome of class and I can not get enough. I'm going to have to splurge on a full-size of this perfume once I run out of the rollerball. 

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Refresher (dry shampoo) - Oh my gosh, just break my heart - I just found out this is discontinued! Go figure, as I picked it up at Big Lots a while ago... and we all know why makeup is at Big Lots. I LOVED this. It didn't leave a white cast in my hair, it smelled nice, and it actually did give my hair volume. I so wish this would make a comeback!

What did you love this month? Let me know!

Gone, gone, gone | Empties #3

There is something so sickeningly satisfying about finishing products. With a stash that is ridiculous rather large, I try to get through things so that I can move on to something new. Especially since I like to use some of my beauty products the same way that I read books -- that is to say, one at a time. I do this for things like body wash, moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners, etc. 

It's been just over 2 months since my last empties post, but yet again I've accumulated some trash and so I've got some things to show you with a quick review on each product as well.  Here goes nothin'... 

• Clean & Clear Mattifying Moisturizer - I got this at Big Lots a few months ago, and I have to confess that I didn't use this up entirely. In fact, it's about 75% full. I hated this stuff. It did a horrible job of moisturizing and it would slough off white gunk that wouldn't melt in to my skin. I can't be bothered to get through this tube, and while I think it's discontinued, I wouldn't repurchase it if I saw it again. 

• Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer - I did use all of this moisturizer, and I enjoyed it. It was very lightweight, but it packed a punch and was very hydrating for my dry skin. It lasted me a good 4-5 months, so the ~$8 price tag was totally worth it. I would repurchase it.

• Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes - These are my new favorite makeup removing wipes. They smell really nice like cucumber and they're really gentle while still removing all my makeup. They're also super soft and feel lovely on your face. I will absolutely repurchase these again. 

• Studio Beauty Night Calming Makeup Remover Towelettes - Studio Beauty is Walgreens store brand. These were cheap, and the package says these compare to Neutrogena Night Calming Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. I've actually never tried those, so I can't compare. I thought these were fine. They weren't anything special, but they didn't break me out, they had a nice light scent and they got my makeup off well. I'd probably repurchase these because they're a bit cheaper than a name-brand wipe. 

• Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser - This is a no nonsense cleanser that is great for people with sensitive skin. It cleans your skin without any scent or fanciness, it just simply wipes the dirt and makeup away! This big daddy size lasted me a good 3 months or so, which is pretty awesome. This isn't the first bottle I've gotten through, and it won't be the last. 

• Boots No. 7 Cleanse & Care Eye Makeup Remover - Boots is a UK brand that has somewhat recently been introduced to Target. Awhile ago I found this eye makeup remover in the Target clearance bin and figured I'd give it a shot. It worked really well without burning my eyes, and it got all of my eye makeup, waterproof and not, off like a charm. I'd definitely repurchase this.

• Bath & Body Works Cashmere Glow Shea Enriched Shower Gel - I have been trying to finish this since FOREVER. I know I said I use body wash one at a time, but there were a couple times I took this out of the shower to swap it for a different scent. It's a very sweet, autumnal scent, and I just couldn't bear to use it in the spring or summer. I can't say I love this scent (primarily a strong shea scent), and I definitely didn't love the fact that it's not moisturizing in the least. Since there's always something new at B&BW I'd rather try something else next time. 

• Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer - I've talked about this so many times that I won't go in to detail. I like this stuff. It gives this pale redhead some color in the summer, and I can build it up to look pretty convincing. I'll buy this again and again in the summer as I always do.

• L'Oreal Power Moisture Moisture Rush Mask - I use hair masks or deep conditioners once a week to keep my hair healthy, and I like to switch around and use something new. This was one I randomly picked up, and I thought it was just alright. It didn't seem to moisturize my hair any more than a regular conditioner. I don't think I'd buy it again. 

• got2be Oil-licious Golden Shimmer conditioner - I hated the smell of this stuff, but the product itself was okay. It's not thick at all, as if the cream of the conditioner was merely just to hold the oil and transfer it to your hair. The one thing I did like about this was that I could actually SEE the golden shimmer in my hair. It wasn't obnoxious or anything, but in the right light there was a nice sparkle that looked awesome in my auburn hair. I'd maybe buy this again, if I can get over the smell. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation - I won't bore you with ANOTHER review on this. I love it. It's my favorite foundation. Period!

• Maybelline Lash Stilletto Voluptuous mascara in Brownish Black - This made it in my August Favorites and for good reason! I really liked it. It separated, lengthened and most importantly, it volumized. It had a cool, curved brush and it applied well. I'd repurchase! 

• Neutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer - I used to use this stuff religiously on any spots on my face, not that it ever seemed to really clear them up (as it's supposed to). I found this in my makeup stash and I haven't used it in well over a year and it's nearly gone so it's time to toss it out! I wouldn't buy this stuff again as it doesn't have great coverage and it was far too runny.

• Dove Cleartone deodorant - I bought a three pack of these last holiday season and I'm still working my way through it. I'm not overly particular about my deodorant, so this stuff worked just fine for me. I wish I could make the switch to all-natural deodorant but it just makes me smell bad! I'd repurchase this.

• Luster Now! Instant Whitening Toothpaste - I received this in an Influenster VoxBox this past summer, and I have to say I enjoyed it. The toothpaste is a bright electric blue color and it foams like crazy. As for whitening, I didn't really notice much. It tasted nice and cleaned my teeth which is good enough for me. I've only seen this at Walgreens and it's a bit on the pricey end of the toothpaste spectrum, so I probably won't buy it again.

• OPI Shatter polish in Black Shatter - I actually only used this a few times, but was cleaning out my nail polish collection and noticed this one had dried up. That's the thing with these shatter polishes, if there's even a tiny bit of air coming in to the bottle they dry up in a split second. I'm not sad about it because I am completely sick of shatter nails. 

• B&BW PocketBac in Raspberry Pink Peony - If you've seen my other empties posts, you'll have noticed these show up in every one. I use these before applying my makeup to kill any bacteria I have on my hands so I don't transfer it on to my face. This one smelled really nice, and I love the design on the packaging. A+! I have more of these in my stash, so I won't be repurchasing this scent any time soon (and I think it's part of the limited edition summer collection). 

• Slatkin & Co. Scented Candle in Autumn Day - Kind of a random empty, but I had to include it! This candle is from B&BW (geez, this is a B&BW heavy post!) and it smelled divine! My whole bag of empties smells amazing because of this candle! It's the perfect autumn smell that will fill up any room you're burning it in. I would definitely purchase this again!

Well, that's it! Another round of used-up products, and I assure you this won't be the last of these posts. Even now I've got a bag started of "new" used things. Stay tuned... and let me know if you've loved or hated any of these same products!