December Empties (+ A SURPRISE!) | #21

It's always bittersweet to see December go. The rush of the holidays and all the excitement and togetherness is something I look forward to and enjoy every year. And at the same time, I think - okay, I'm happy to see the days getting longer and we're THAT much closer to spring. (Holler if you live in a place with cooooold winters like me!)

Alas, the end of the month = empties time. A perfect chance to reflect on how good a product was or was not after finishing it all up. Here's what I went through in December.

Oh and p.s. - stick around for a special surprise at the end!

• The Seaweed Bath Co. Volumizing Argan Conditioner in Lavender (would repurchase) -  I'm still plugging away at the shampoo (conditioner ALWAYS runs out first for me), and I have to say I really enjoyed using this. It left my hair smelling refreshingly lavender-y and feeling very soft.

• Kiss My Face Shower Gel in Peaceful Patchouli (would repurchase) - This lasted me ages. It smelled nice, but I have to admit I got a bit sick of it towards the end of the bottle. I'll probably still come back to it someday though, as I do love the scent of patchouli. 

• Batiste Dry Shampoo in Floral Essences (would repurchase) - Batiste is my favorite dry shampoo. It just does the trick for me - it keeps my hair looking fresh and clean and oil-free. This scent was lovely and definitely ranks right up there with my favorite Wild scent from Batiste.

• Secret Invisible Solid Antiperspirant in Eucalyptus Blossom (would not repurchase) - I hated this. I don't use antiperspirants anymore, but I do like to keep them around for particularly hot days or whenever the need arises. However, this stuff lingered. I could feel it warding off water when I showered and the scent stuck around. Not to mention, it didn't even smell like eucalyptus (which I love). Whatever the scent was, it was sickening. 

• The Face Shop Calendula Essential Moisture Essence (would not repurchase) - As you can see, I didn't even finish this up. I really liked the feel of it, but every time I used it, I think it broke me out. I don't want to use anything that's going to make my face angry, so out it goes.

• Elite Therapeutics Elite Creme (would repurchase) - This reminded me a lot of the Aveda Hand Relief lotion. It smelled lemony and was just thick enough to really deeply moisturize. I liked it.

• Clarisonic Radiance Brush Heads (would repurchase) - These are fine. Do I notice my skin looking more radiant? Not really. But they do the job. Be mindful, these are quite abrasive. If you have sensitive skin, this brush head probably isn't for you.

• Up & Up Latex Free Foam Sponges (would repurchase) - These used to be my go-to foundation applicators, however lately I've been using my beauty blender far more and really liking that. I'll probably go back to these at some point, but right now they've gotten sidelined.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - I have a mega-pack of these from Costco. As you can see, I fly through these... especially depending on the type of makeup remover I'm using. I like them. They're nice, and getting them in bulk packaging is far more cost effective for me.

• Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara (would not repurchase) - This was just OK. It had a tendency to get a little clumpy for me. There are other drugstore mascaras I prefer over this one so I probably won't repurchase it again. 

• Nourish Organic Avocado Eye Cream (would repurchase) - This was a nice eye cream. It was light weight and nourishing. I like that it's made with quality ingredients. 
• Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black perfume (would repurchase) - I already have a full size of this perfume and I love it. It's musky and woodsy with hints of patchouli. Definitely a sultry night time scent, but will smell good even if you spritz it on before a day at the office.

• Buxom Lash mascara (would not repurchase) - This was OK, nothing special. It's definitely not something I'd splurge on. It will separate your lashes, but it requires two or three coats to get the volume effect I like. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation (would repurchase) - Duh, it's my absolute favorite foundation. I'll buy it until they stop making it because it's full coverage and makes my skin look flawless while lasting all day long. I've done a full review of it here. 

• Montagne Jeunesse Manuka Honey Peel Off Mask (would not repurchase) - This mask smelled really good, but it just didn't do much for me. It also stung when I was peeling it off my face. I prefer masks that provide more benefits for my face, whether it be anti-aging or anti-blemish, I just want a little more from a mask. 

• Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner (would repurchase) - I did a full review on this here. 

• Eco-Beauty Good Day. Day Moisturizer (would repurchase) - This was a very gentle, light daily moisturizer. I liked using it and it didn't break me out.

• Bobbi Brown Black Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner (would repurchase) - I got a little sample of this eyeliner and got a few uses before it dried up on me. This was an awesome gel liner. It was very matte black and definitely stayed put.

• Peter Thomas Roth Wrinkle Preventer (would repurchase) - I have no idea if this did anything for my skin with just a small sample to use, but it was nice to try.

• Britney Spears Curious Perfume (would repurchase) - This is a perfume I really enjoy. I know many people think that celebrity perfumes are hokey and tacky, but Curious is actually a pleasant, unique scent. It's not for everyone, but I like it. 

• B&BW PocketBac in Graham Cracker Marshmallow (would repurchase) - I used to use these religiously before applying makeup, but I know it's not good to use antibacterial gel too much, so I've eased up. I liked this scent, it was fun. 

• Burt's Bees Honey & Grapeseed Hand Cream (would not repurchase) - This lotion smells very strongly of honey. It has a rather odd consistency, too. It starts off easy to spread around your hands, and then turns almost tacky. I used it before bed because the scent was overbearing and it did a so-so job of moisturizing my hands.

• Tom's Wicked Cool Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - I got a sample of this on Vitacost, my favorite natural discount website, but I was not a fan. It doesn't leave my mouth feeling fresh enough. It just seems to disappear when brushing. Glad to try it in a sample before I bought it in a full size.

• Trader Joe's Peppermint Toothpaste (would not repurchase) - This stuff was disgusting. It tasted like baking soda with a hint of mint. It doesn't leave your mouth feeling fresh at all. We struggled through using this up and I was so glad when it was finally gone.

And finally..... the surprise you stuck around for! This past month I used up a bottle of MyKind Organics Prenatal Multis... so that can only mean one thing. Yes, I'm pregnant! It's a secret that's been tough to keep, and I'm so glad I can finally share! You can blame this kiddo for the lack of posts in November and December - there were some days I just didn't feel up to blogging after a long day at work. Baby is due in June and my husband and I are thrilled to be first time parents. I'm sure there will be more developments along the way, but for now - I'll leave it at that. :) 

Have you tried any of these products? Any advice for a first time mom? Let me know! 

December Ipsy Glam Bag

Sing it with me.... "It's the most wonderful time... of the month!" Ipsy time! My glam bags have been coming at the VERY end of the month for the last couple months. Anyone else getting theirs late, too? 

Anyway! If you're not familiar with Ipsy, it's a $10/month beauty subscription box. You'll receive deluxe sized samples and often times, one or two full size products, too! If you're interested in signing up, click here. 

Let's not waste any more time. Here's what came in my December Ipsy Glam Bag...

• Marc Anthony Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment: This is a weekly treatment for your hair. It's aimed at you ladies with super dry hair that needs an added boost of moisture. 

• Pacifica Power of Love Natural Lipstick in Nudie Red: This matte lipstick is nearly a my lips but better shade. It's made with coconut oil, shea butter and vitamin E. It's vegan and cruelty-free!

• Peony Cosmetics Shadow Trio: I'm pretty sure every shadow trio I get from Ipsy has these same three colors. (annoying) ANYWAY... these shadows are created with kaolin clay, which absorbs excess oil. They're paraben free and claim to last up to 8 hours.

• Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Primer: This primer will help your eye shadow glide on smoother, last longer and stay on crease-free. You only need to use a pea sized amount.

• RickyCare by Ricky's NYC Classic 3D Blender: This is a knock off of the beauty blender. It's latex free and can be used wet or dry to apply foundation. I tested it, and it's not nearly as good as the Beauty Blender, IMO. 

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

Burnin' Up #10: Empties

'Tis the season for burning lots of candles and wax tarts! So much so that I devoted a whole post to it! Here's what's been making my home smell cozy and fantastic the last couple months.

• Yankee Candle Cranberry Harvest - This fall, cranberry has been one of my favorite scents. This smelled like the perfect fall cranberry candle, but unfortunately the scent just didn't fill up a room. It was more for ambiance than anything.

• Yankee Candle Witches Brew - Witches Brew is my favorite Yankee Candle scent. It's a sweet patchouli fall scent that always reminds me of Halloween. This will not be the last time a Witches Brew candle is burnt in my house - it's a seasonal must!

• Bath & Body Works Raspberry Peach Macaron - This candle is old, from a past spring collection at B&BW. This scent was part of the best B&BW collection I think they've ever released. It's very sweet and has a slight tang of fruit. 

• Yankee Candle Mulling Spices - This tiny Yankee Candle had a better scent throw than the large Cranberry one above! It smelled like fall... cinnamon, nutmeg and all good spicy things.

• Better Homes & Garden Orange Clove Pomander tarts - These were very fragrant wax melts. A perfect blend of spices and orange that made my home smell ready for the holidays. 

• Scentsationals Twilight tarts - This had a fresh, sort of perfumey smell. It's kind of hard to explain exactly what this smelled like. It was a nice scent to have filling the house, it wasn't offensive or overpowering.

• Bath & Body Works Sundrenched Vineyard wallflower - Another perfect fall scent to have filling up my entire house. It smelled like woodsy fruit, and was surprisingly natural - a scent you might expect someone's house to smell like naturally.

What is your favorite scent to have burning in your home? Let me know! 

Last minute stocking stuffer: Algenist Kiss & Wink Collection

If you're a last minute shopper and still in need of one final stocking stuffer or two, I've got the perfect thing for your skincare and beauty loving pal. (pssst.... here's a couple other ideas if you need a little more help)

Algenist has a handful of affordably-priced and amazing gift options, one of which I have to show you today. If you're not familiar with the brand, Algenist offers anti-aging skincare products made from high quality ingredients. If you've heard rave reviews about Algenist, it's for good reason. 

The Kiss & Wink Collection ($25) comes with two anti-aging products that are formulated with patented Alguronic Acid and Microalgae Oil. These two ingredients help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkes, restore firmness, and soothe and nourish the eyes and lips.

This set, which is a $45 value, comes with the Complete Eye Renewal Balm which hydrates the under-eyes, decreases puffiness and dark circles, and reduces fine lines. It also comes with the Lip Renewal Balm SPF 15, aimed at nourishing dry lips, minimizing the look of lip lines, and providing UV protection. 

This is a really nice set if you want to try out a couple Algenist products and give your skin some line-reducing encouragement. You can find this set at Sephora, Ulta, Sephora inside JCP, and online at sephora.com or algenist.com.

Proganix Volume Hair Care | Soy Protein + (Caffeine)

I recently got the most darling package in the mail from Proganix - it seriously made my day! In gorgeous packaging I received their new Volume Amplifying and Body Building line, in addition to a darling snowflake ornament and a STUNNING necklace that I posted on my instagram (if you're not following me - what are you waiting for?) 

I really enjoy using Proganix hair care products, and I had never tried the volume line before, so needless to say I was actually looking forward to my next hair wash! 

Both the shampoo and conditioner ($9.99 each for 8.5 oz) smell really nice, sort of floral, sort of hard to explain (I'm horrible at explaining scents - sorry!). They're made with caffeine and volumizing soy protein to give your hair a lift. God knows, I can always use some lift in my ever-flat hair. Added bonus: Proganix does not test on animals so you can feel good about your voluminous shiny locks! 

Also sent to me was the Root Boost Finish + Body Builder ($11.99 for 5.1 oz) and the Amplify Gel ($11.99 for 4 oz). The body building spray is to be used on damp hair, concentrating the spray on the roots. It works best to blow dry your hair after applying for extra oomph. 

Before blow drying, you can add in some amplify gel all over damp hair for even more volume! You can also skip the blow dry and let your hair air dry after applying the gel.

Excuse the horrible cell phone quality photo, but here's how my hair looked after using the shampoo and conditioner, the amplify gel and the finish spray and a good blow dry session. Va-va-volume! Admittedly my hair did fall flat within an hour or so, but I seemed to have more pep in my roots than normal all day long.

All in all, I really like this line! I think it helped amp up my roots and even if it doesn't keep my hair lifted all day, my hair still smelled good and felt soft and that's really all I can ask for when I have hair determined to sit flat on my head. 

I believe this Proganix Volume line is sold exclusively at Ulta (anyone seen it elsewhere?) - it's affordable and works quite nicely! I'd recommend it.

Have you tried Proganix? What's your favorite line? Let me know! 

Target Her Holiday Beauty Box

I feel half bad making these posts, because by the time this goes live, these Target beauty boxes have been long sold out. However, I want you all to be aware of what a steal these boxes are - and lucky for you, new boxes come out many times a year. Make sure to follow Glazed Over on Facebook because I always post when these go on sale. 

Here's what came in the most recent Target Beauty Box, the "Her Holiday Beauty Box". It cost just $10, and if you have a red card, you get 5% off and free shipping on top of that! 

• Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Moisturizer: A moisturizing cream formulated with hyaluronic acid, amino peptides and vitamin B3 to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

• Goody Ouchless sweat stretch elastics: These hair ties are super soft and won't rip at your hair at all. 

• Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio in Breathless, Glowing, Sunset: Pacifica shadows are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, formulated without carmine, parabens, FD&C color, or petroleum. 

• Covergirl Star Wars lipstick: This glittery red is a limited edition shade celebrating the new movie. Pick it up now if you like what you see!

• Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream: Hydro-ionized mineral water and Biogen technology give you 24 hours of hydration.

• CeraVe Eye Repair Cream: A gentle eye cream with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate skin around your eyes.

• Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama: A new mascara creation from Maybelline aimed at providing voluminous plumped-up lashes.

• Clairol Hair Food Dry Shampoo: A newer dry shampoo free of parabens and sulfates, allowing you to skip a day or two of hair washing. 

If you're interested in trying any of these products, they're all available at Target. Like I mentioned, keep an eye on the Glazed Over Facebook page to know when the next Target beauty box is released! 

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

e.l.f. Holiday Stocking Stuffers!

If you're like me, stockings are the last thing I think about. Right around this time each year, when I'm feeling pretty good about how much Christmas shopping I've managed to get done, I catch myself and think "OH CRAP, I still need to fill a stocking, too!" If you're anything like me, I hope this post will help you fill your beauty-loving family or friends' stockings without breaking the bank, too! 

If you shop at Target or Walgreens, chances are you've seen e.l.f. cosmetics and maybe even picked some up, having been swayed by the super affordable prices. They have a TON of holiday sets this year and I have a few to tell you about. 

We're now at the week before Christmas, a.k.a. down to the wire!! So I'll waste no time... here are some fabulous e.l.f. stocking stuffer options: 

The e.l.f. Beautiful Brows Eyebrow Kit ($10) has all the tools you need for perfectly shaped, on fleek, eyebrows. It has four reusable stencils to get the perfect shape, one defining wax, two brow powders, a dual ended brow pencil and brush (in black?), a brow brush, and tweezers. The powders are very light. If you (or your secret santa) have blond hair, this will be perfect for you, but if you have dark hair, I don't think this will fly. You can always use these powders as eyeshadow crease shades if nothing else! 

The e.l.f. Subtle to Sulty Eyes set ($5) comes with three eyeshadow duos and a nice eyeshadow brush. For the price, you get a range of different shadows to play up a natural or dramatic look. The brush is also quite nice for the price. It's not amazing, but you'll be able to apply color to your lids as needed. The only thing not included that would be helpful is a blending brush. 

The e.l.f. Shimmering Eyes Eyeliner Set ($5) is not for the faint of makeup-hearted. It comes with five eyeliers, some pearlescent (the the white and the emerald) and some glittery (black, bronze and purple). The quality is what you'd expect for $5, but you can certainly make some gorgeous eye looks with these liners.

My most favorite stocking stuffer is the e.l.f. Mad for Matte set ($10). These lippies are awesome. They are more demi-matte than fully matte, and they're really comfortable on the lips. They don't feel dry and crusty like so many matte lippies often do. You are definitely getting your money's worth with this set.


Even if you bought all of these sets, you'd only be set back $30! That's an incredible value. Let me know if you get any of these sets this holiday season - I'd love to know what you think!