March Empties | #35

The empties bin wasn't too full this month, but we all love some mini reviews, am I right? So regardless, here's what I went through this past month and my feelings on each item.

• L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (would repurchase) - This has become a staple foundation in my collection. If you have really dry skin, I wouldn't recommend it. For my normal, combo, or oily peeps, this will be right up your alley. This is the foundation I pull out when I know I've got a long day and need my foundation to hold up. The shade is my perfect pale match, and it costs less than $15. This made my top 10 products of 2016, and I still love it. 

• Rimmel Extra 3D Lash mascara (would not repurchase) - This was a flop for me. It has a flat plastic brush with short bristles. It made my lashes really tube-y and clumpy, and was difficult to work with. It got slightly better as the formula dried out, but not enough to convince me it's worth a repurchase. 

• Anastasia Clear Brow Gel (would repurchase) - This is an excellent clear brow gel. I wish that it didn't cost so much, because it just seems dumb to pay a lot for freakin' brow gel, but every time I use it, I fall in love. The brush is a perfect size, it keeps my brows in check, and it isn't sticky. 

• Clinique Bottom Lash mascara (would repurchase) - I know it's kind of gimmicky to buy a mascara just for the bottom lashes, but I personally like the smaller brush and the fact it doesn't transfer. This only costs $10 and lasts me about 3 months, so I already got myself another tube. 

• Smashbox Photo Finish primer (would repurchase) - I wasn't excited about using this, but I ended up really liking it. It blurred my pores and it did help my makeup last longer. I wouldn't run out and buy a full size, but I'd grab it if I was in a pinch. 

• Clear Total Care Nourishing Shampoo (would repurchase) - I enjoy Clear's hair products. I like the creamy texture, and the soft fragrance, and the way it makes my hair feel. I'd get a full size in the future.

• Chanel Le Lift Firming Anti-Wrinkle Cream (would not purchase) - This was outrageously fragranced for a face cream. It smelled like Chanel products do, which I enjoy, but not in my face creams. No way. 

• Erborian Black Concentrated Mask (would repurchase) - I liked this mask. It made my skin feel refreshed and it smelled nice. Hard to say if it was amazing after just one use, but I'd consider a full size in the future. If I'm recalling correctly, this stuff is stupid expensive? I'm sure it is, because I always end up having expensive taste. 

• Tresemme Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I was not a fan of this. It hardly soaked up oil in my hair, it didn't add any volume... it was pretty worthless. 

• Got2b Dry Conditioner (would not repurchase) - I never noticed this doing anything for my hair. It didn't make it soft or shiny, like you'd expect a conditioner to do. It left a huge cloud of product swarming in the air after you sprayed it which I didn't like. I just didn't see the point in this.

• L'Occitane Amande Hand Cream (would repurchase) - Ohhhh the L'Occitane almond line smells so heavenly. This hand cream is no different. It smells divine, and it smooths on so softly and comfortably. It isn't greasy. It just makes your hands feel instantly soft. 
• Thierry Mugler Alien perfume (would repurchase) - I already have a rollerball size of this, and I enjoy this scent. It isn't something I'd wear in the spring or summer, but it's a perfect cozy warm scent for fall and winter. 

• Ole Henrisken Sheer Transformation (would repurchase) - I've used a sample of this in the past and remember feeling ambivalent about it, but this time around I actually enjoyed it. It's a simple moisturizer. It doesn't smell, doesn't feel heavy on the face, but I appreciate how unnoticeable it is. I'd actually consider getting a full size of this in the future.

• Curel Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer (would repurchase) - I liked this little sample so much I got myself a full size. It even made a recent favorites post.

• LaVanila  Deodorant in Vanilla Amber (would repurchase) - LaVanila is my favorite deodorant brand. It's free of aluminum and other crappy ingredients that are cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting. I believe this scent was limited edition, but I'd get it again if they bring it back.

• Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash (would repurchase) - Every single Soap & Glory scent smells amazing. Sugar Crush smells like candied limes, and it's truly the perfect summer scent. I got anxious and used it before it was even warm outside, but I enjoyed every second.

• StriVectin Advanced Retinol Pore Refiner (would repurchase) - I love this stuff, as you can tell by the fact I cut it open and got every last bit out. This retinol works for my skin without drying it out completely. It smells nice. It's effective. All that good stuff. I still have another bottle to use, thank goodness. See full review here.

• Sibu Beauty Eye Cream (would not repurchase) - I wanted to love this, and maybe it was just my bottle, but this was separated and chunky and gross. I feel like it went bad, even though it was still a few months out from expiration according to the bottle. I ended up getting rid of this before it was completely gone for that reason. If you've tried this, let me know what your thoughts are on it. 

• bareMinerals Vital Power Infusion (would repurchase) - I did not think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. I'm not sure if it transformed my skin, but I liked the feeling of it, and I kind of want to get a full size bottle to see if I do see results after using it for a longer period of time.

• Phyto Specific Thermoperfect 8 (would repurchase) - This was a cream heat protectant. It worked pretty well, and I liked that it did 8 beneficial things to the hair, but I don't typically need a cream heat protectant - I prefer a spray instead.

• Swisspers cotton rounds (would repurchase) - I love these cotton rounds for removing eye makeup and applying toner. I get them in a mega-pack from Costco, and I'll keep on repurchasing them.

• EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths (would not purchase) - This was nothing spectacular. It's a glorified baby wipe, nothing more. I wouldn't bother getting a full size of these in the future. 

• Simple Micellar Cleansing Water (would repurchase) - I used this mainly to freshen my skin up on days I wasn't wearing makeup and it worked nicely. Made my skin feel clean and refreshed. I don't really like micellar waters for removing makeup, but if you do, I'd recommend giving this one a try.

• L'Oreal Miracle Blur Instant Eye Smoother (would repurchase) - I really liked this little sample. I have fine lines under y eyes and I could notice them looking softer and less noticeable when I used this.

• Shea Moisture Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Wash & Shampoo (would repurchase) -  I dare you to find a baby shampoo that smells this amazing and has clean ingredients. I guarantee you won't find it. This stuff is my absolute favorite, from a brand I adore. Shea Moisture seriously has the best smelling stuff (without being offensively so) that is actually effective. Love love love.

• Yardley soap in Vanilla & Sweet Orchid (would not repurchase) - I did not care for this soap. It didn't smell that nice and the lather was so-so. I let my husband finish it after trying to like it for a few washes myself. I've got enough crap to use up that I won't bother wasting my time on something I don't like.

• B&BW Marshmallow Fireside candle (would repurchase) - This is one of my favorite B&BW candle scents. It is smokey and sweet and I'll burn it any time of the year. 

What did you use up this month? Let me know in the comments! 

Glambot | Haul + Swatches

I just recently came across the coolest website for makeup junkies ever. That website is Glambot.com and the other week I made my first, of which I'm sure there will be MANY more, order. Glambot, in their own words, is "the online destination for the largest collection of rare, limited edition and discontinued items from highly sought after and coveted makeup brands."

So basically, people sell their makeup that they don't want anymore, all of which are name brand, non-drugstore items, and you can buy their stuff for a fraction of the cost. I know what you're thinking... "YUCK - used makeup!? From someone I don't know?! No thank you!" But, Glambot sanitizes each and every product so you don't have to worry about stranger germs. They also ensure that each product is authentic, so you can rest assured that you aren't getting anything fake (which is a real problem, if you haven't heard). They also tell you how much product is used -- some products are brand new! Seriously, girls... I'm in LOVE with this site. 

Here's what I picked up in my first order...

• bareMinerals blush in So Fab - This blush is no longer something you can purchase on the bare escentuals site, but typically their blushes retail for $20. I paid just $7.56!! It was marked as being 80% full (but it looks like there's hardly anything used-- Glambot only notes levels of 100%, 80%, 50% and 30%, so it's not entirely accurate with how full it is). The color is so natural on my skin and gives me that "just in from the cold" flush. 

• Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip & Cheek Creamy Oil in Boundless Berry - You can still get this at Sephora for $18 a tube, but I paid just $6.80 and it's 80% full! I think there's more than 80% of the product left, too. This is a gorgeous berry stain. I think it's far too oily to use on my cheeks, but it'll make a great lip tint. 

• MAC eyeshadow in Girlie - This pink eyeshadow is still available to buy on the MAC website for $16. I paid just $6.66, and it didn't even have a dent in it. I love pink eyeshadows in my crease, and I've heard this works beautifully as a blush, too!

• Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo eyeshadow - This eyeshadow is available on the Urban Decay website for $18, and I paid just $6.80 and it hardly looks touched! I've had my eye on this color for a long time, it's a beautiful shimmery brown, and I'm pumped to have gotten it so cheap!

• Benefit Hervana blush - I love Benefit blushes, and Hervana is one of the only ones I didn't have. It's available at Sephora for $28, but I paid only $10.96! I could tell this one had been used a tiny bit, but it's definitely 95% full still! This is a beautiful light pink, good for lighter complexions. 

• bareMinerals eye color in Nude Beach - This eyeshadow is still available on the bare escentuals website for $14, I paid just $2.77!!!!! Again, it's hardly used. This is a gorgeous shimmery light nude color that adds a pop to the eyes. I love this color!

L to R: bareMinerals So Fab blush, bareMinerals Nude Beach eyeshadow, MAC Girlie, Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo, Benefit Hervana, Josie Maran Boundless Berry tint

Now tell me - are you rushing off to Glambot to place your order?! I bet you are!

*This post contains affiliate links.

July Ipsy 2014

It's Ipsy time, ya'll! And this month's bag is pretty good! For those of you new to the whole Ipsy bag thing, in the shortest description it's a monthly subscription service that sends beauty samples (many times with a couple full size products!) straight to your door for just $10/month! Click here to sign up. 

Here's what came in this month's bag.

• bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow - This is a nude eyeshadow that can be used alone or as a base. It has a hint of shimmer to it, only visible in the light. Very pretty.

• Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink - This is a clear balm that smells minty. I really like Pixi so I'm excited to receive this!

• Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment - This is a spot treatment for acne specially formulated with menthol, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. I get spots now and then so this isn't a bad thing to have on hand.

• Pur~lisse pur~protect essential daily moisturizer - Pur~lisse has been featured before on Ipsy. I don't have an opinion on the brand one way or the other, but this will be a nice travel moisturizer.

• Models Own Nail Polish in Red Sea - This is a pretty glittery red polish. I'm new to the Models Own brand and am looking forward to trying it.

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