October, November & December 2016 Empties

*Post contains affiliate links*

With my daughter being born early, I had no time to write up empties posts every month, let alone any posts really. I did still keep all the products I used up, and I'll have another empties post for the first 3 months of this year so far coming in the next couple weeks. 

I'll start off with some bath and hair products. The Pantene Volume Shampoo is one that both my husband and I used. I'm a big fan of Pantene shampoos and conditioners, and this one was no exception. I was sent the Derma E Scalp Relief Shampoo a while ago, and I did really enjoy it. It had a tingly effect on my scalp and made any dandruff I had go away. 

Two deluxe sized body washes I finished up were the Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief, and the other was the Dove Deep Moisture. I LOVED the scent of the B&BW body wash and am considering buying a full size once I use up my stash. The Dove I didn't care for. It really wasn't moisturizing to me and left my skin feeling rough. 

We used up two toothpastes the last 3 months of the year. A Colgate Total Whitening, and a Colgate Enamel Health. The Enamel Health was mine and I really liked how it made my teeth feel. I would occasionally use the Total Whitening, but it made my teeth too sensitive. 

While I was pregnant, I took the Thorne Basic Prenatal vitamin. I liked these because they contain Folate, not Folic Acid. Folic Acid is the synthetic form of Folate, and I have a disorder where my body cannot process the synthetic version. These are more expensive than other vitamins, but they were worth it to me. 

Lastly for health products, is a mini Degree deodorant. Since I was in and out of the hospital for the better part of 5 months with my daughter, I would take travel sizes since they were easier to manage. I liked this enough, but probably wouldn't buy again. 

For anyone that doesn't know, NICU's are very warm and very dry. My lips, hands and whole body took a beating, and I went through all these lip balms the last three months of 2016. I love The Body Shop lip butters, and this one was the honeymania scent. Families who have had babies in the NICU tend to give gifts here and there throughout the year,and in a gift bag I had gotten, there was the Blistex Fruit Smoothies lip balm in the Berry Explosion scent. I kid you not when I say I went through this tube in just two weeks! Last lip balm is the Serious balm in the Snickerdoodle scent. I love these balms and was sent a few, I wanna say last Spring. I still have the other two to use up and I'm sure I will get to them soon. 

Last up is some skincare! I'm fairly certain I used the BioRepublic Green Tea Detox sheet mask just before having Olivia, because I had zero time or energy to do any kind of face mask after she was born. I finally used up the First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream that I had been working on for probably a year. I love this face cream because it's fragrance free and simple to use. The White Tea Facial Cleanser from Korres was nice, but slightly drying. I liked the scent, but this is better for me to use in the warmer months. 

I've used up more hand creams since, but the one I had finished up before the end of the year was the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream in the fragrance free version. I adore this hand cream as it's nice and thick, but is gel-like and sinks right in. I washed my hands probably 20 times a day, at least, while tending to my daughter, and needed something that would help heal the dryness and cracked skin I had. 

Total number of products used up: 15
Total for the year: 128

128 products used up in 2016 is not too bad! Considering having my daughter early, I'm pretty proud I did as well as I did. My lofty goal was to use up 250 products, and I initially wanted that to be my goal for this year as well, but I decided to be nice to myself and lower it to 150. Olivia has only been home for 2 weeks now, and we're still figuring out a good routine, so it may take a bit to get into a groove of using products efficiently. My husband and I would also like to move, maybe in the Summer, and I'd like to use up as much as I can before that. Anyway, like I said above, I will have an empties post for the first 3 months of this year up very soon, and will go back to monthly empties after that. 

Did you keep track of how many products you used up last year? 

September 2016 Empties

Hey everyone! I know I normally do my monthly favorites before my empties, but honestly, I don't really have any favorites to share! I was lazy again and didn't wear makeup at all. I have been better with my skin, though I haven't been using many new products, and it was a pretty crazy month overall. So, I'm instead just continuing with my empty products!

Starting off with the few skincare products, I used up two different sheet masks. The first one is from When, and it's their The Last Choice mask. I've gotten a little more into sheet masks lately now that I know how to use them better, and the When brand is pretty great. I also used up a Pur~Lisse Blue Lotus + White Tea mask. I had gotten two or three in a previous Ipsy bag, and this was my last one. I really liked this one too, but I don't think I'd go out and purchase myself. 

I used up a deluxe sample of the Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser as well, and this cleanser is freaking amazing! It gives me that squeaky clean feeling, which I know not many people like, but in the Summer when my skin is super oily, this comes in handy. This tiny tube lasted ages too because you only need the tiniest amount to get the job done. 

I have a few bath and shower products as well. My husband and I both used the St. Ives Rich & Creamy Vanilla Body Wash, and we both enjoyed it! It lathers up really well, smells amazing, and is pretty inexpensive.

I've been working through my Bath & Body Works handsoaps, and this Sugared Vanilla Wish scent is to die for! I wish I had 50 backups of this stuff honestly, but B&BW handsoaps are too expensive in my book, even during a sale, so once I use up what I have, I'll be moving on. 

The Garnier Olia After Color Conditioner came in a boxed hair color from ages ago, and I just never used it up until last month. I love Garnier hair products but I don't care much with coloring my hair anymore. The Olia line of haircolor is fantastic, though!

Lastly is a few random products. I had gotten the Secret Clinical Strength as a sample, and I really do like this. It dries down and doesn't leave a white residue on your clothing, and it smells nice too!

I pretty much exclusively used the Bausch+Lomb Renu Fresh Contact Solution, as it's the only kind that doesn't make my eyes burn. It's rare I wear my contacts anymore, unless I'm going out. I tend to stick with my glasses. 

Technically I didn't use up the two vitamins pictured, but I had to get rid of them. They both contain Folic Acid, and I found out I can't take folic acid, I need folate. Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate, and my body can't break it down like others can, and being pregnant, I need the folate to help keep my baby healthy. The Super B-Complex is by Nature Made, and the Prenatal Vitamin is by The Wellbeing Centre. 

Number of products used up: 10
Total for the year: 113

What have you used up recently?

August 2016 Empties

*Post contains affiliate links*

Hey guys! It's time to share another month's empty products, and August wasn't that good. The past few months haven't really been that good with finishing up products, but I managed to use up a few things this time!

I had gotten the Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash in an old Walmart box. I always have liked Dove deodorant, but wasn't a huge fan of their body washes. This one was no exception, sadly. I did like how thick and creamy it was, but it made my skin feel more dry. 

The Curel Itch Defense, on the other hand, was great! I had gotten this in an Influenster voxbox, and I really liked how soft this made my skin feel. I have been having much itchier skin lately, and this worked like a charm. 

I've always been a fan of anything Aveeno, so their Daily Moisturizing Lotion Sheer Hydration was nothing super new to me. I've been trying to go through a bunch of deluxe samples lately, so it feels good to have these three finished!

I finally finished up the last of the Citron Cedarwood candle from Bath & Body Works. My husband was a fan of this scent, but it was a bit much for me. I did like using it when I was cleaning to help make our house smell fresher. 

This little baby size of the Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder took me forever to go through! I used this to set my face and for baking underneath my eyes, and it just seemed like the never ending powder. If I purchased this in the full size, it would probably take me years and years of daily use to go through. I highly recommend this though! It makes my skin look and feel so soft and smooth. 

The MyChelle Love Your Lips lip balm in the scent Black Currant Pomegranate is another product that took ages to use up. It's just such a massive tube, so I started using it on my cuticles and rough spots I had just to use it up faster! It was nice though, especially under very drying lip products. 

The very last product used up is the Colgate Sparkling White Toothpaste. I used this at night, but my husband was the one using it the most. I thought this toothpaste was kinda weird. It was more of a gel formula, and it foamed up a ton so it made my mouth feel super dry. My husband likes the Colgate brand, so we bought a different kind of toothpaste for him. 

Number of products used up: 7
Total for the year: 103

I finally used up 100 products! I'm a bit disappointed in myself honestly. I've mentioned before that my goal was to use up 250 products this year, but I don't see myself doing that unless I go ham with how much I use of everything, and that's just a waste to me. I definitely see September being better, as I already have 3 products used up and it's only the 5th! This pregnancy has seriously made me feel so exhausted all the time, even though I'm almost to the third trimester, so I've been slacking on doing my makeup and taking care of my skin most days. I need to get my butt into gear before baby Olivia makes her grand entrance, because I know I'll be slacking again once she's here!

What are some products you used up in August?

August 2016 Favorites

*Post contains affiliate links*

Hi guys! August was much better on the favorites front, as the last few months have been kinda blah due to pregnancy and life, and not caring much about makeup, skincare, or anything beauty related. I have a few favorites to share with you today, so lets get to it!

I've been making it a point to use a hair mask or deep conditioner about every other hair washing. I'm way overdue for a haircut, so I'm trying to keep it looking as soft and manageable as possible until I can get it cut. I've been really into the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner. Why are there so many E's in deep? I have no idea, but this stuff makes my hair feel fantastic! It works by just squeezing the tube and product comes right out. No need to take caps off or have the bottle fall onto the floor (that happens quite a bit now, and having a pregnant belly in my way makes it difficult to pick things up). It smells nice too, and is fairly inexpensive. 

Next up is a travel size of the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in the Coconut Lime scent. Taking care of the skin on my body has become more important as well due to my growing belly, and just having drier skin in general. I already have old stretch marks from weight gain and loss over the years, but I have no new ones (yet), and I attribute that to using this scrub and moisturizing regularly now. I absolutely love how this smells, and I pretend I'm on the beach with a pina colada in my hand every time I use this, even though I'd need a virgin one instead!

The Dr. Brandt Oxygen Facial Flash Recovery Mask has got to be my new favorite mask. I did a full review on it here, and have just been amazed with how awesome my skin looks after using this. It's ridiculously expensive, but when I have the money to splurge, I'm so buying this again. I love how it foams up on the skin, and it gives me such an amazing glow that pregnancy hasn't necessarily given me. 

I did a post back in February on three Serious Lip Balms. Since I'm a lip balm hoarder and only use pretty much one at a time, These kinda fell to the wayside. I pulled out the Snickerdoodle scent after using up a balm that I had been trying to use up for many months, and remembered how much I love these! They're so hydrating, they have amazing scents but no taste, and the women behind the brand are incredible people. Definitely be sure to check out my review of these balms!

I know I've mentioned the Sephora Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in the shade Pin Up Pink before in a favorites, but I can't get enough of this gloss! I'm finally about half way through this deluxe sized tube and will be sad when it's gone. I just love how soft and not sticky these feel on the lips, and they make my lips look so full and luscious. If I didn't have a million different lip glosses to use up, I'd go out and buy this in a heartbeat.  

What were some of your favorites in August?

July 2016 Empties

Hey everyone! It's time for yet another empties post, where I share with you all the products I used up the month before. July wasn't so great with using up products, but at least I finished up some things. 

I used up a few different skincare products, and the first one is the Ole Henriksen Balancing Cucumber Face Mist. I used this by spraying some onto a cotton pad and applying it to my face that way. If I sprayed it directly onto my skin, it burned my eyes pretty bad. Despite that, I felt this was a decent toner. It got the job done but it was pretty fragrant. I doubt I'd repurchase. 

I finally managed to use up the StriVectin Repair & Protect Moisturizer. I had done a full review on this here, and I much preferred this in the colder months versus the warmer months. I just had a little left, and even though it made me pretty greasy, I didn't want to wait until Winter again to finish it. This is an ok moisturizer. I found it made my skin a bit itchy though, so I won't purchase myself. 

Next up is the DDF Ultra Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew. I freaking LOVED this stuff! It was a hybrid gel-cream formula that made my skin so silky soft, and it was great on days when I didn't go outside but wanted to hydrate my skin. I may repurchase this once I use up the moisturizers in my stash. 

Last for skincare is the Pur~Lisse Blue Lotus + Seaweed Treatment Sheet Mask. I was honestly pretty impressed with this mask! I've always said in the past that I wasn't a fan of sheet masks, but I think I'm starting to change my tune. I've realized that I need to tone my skin before I apply one and they work so much better. I definitely want to try more sheet masks but ones that are more affordable. 

 I feel like my husband and I go through the Sound Body Dandruff Shampoo fairly quickly. I don't use this often, but my husband washes his hair alot and mainly uses this stuff. Since it's been on the blog often, I won't go into this much, but we both like it and it's pretty much just like Head & Shoulders, just much cheaper at Big Lots. 

I did a review here on this Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo and Volumizing Keratin Conditioner duo back in December. For lack of better words, I absolutely loathed these products so much! They did nothing to help my hair and actually made it feel like straw. Even though I was sent these to try, I hate wasting product, so I used these up but hated every second of it. Stay away from these!

Lastly, we have some bodycare. My husband and I both used up the Suave Creamy Cocoa Butter & Shea Body Wash, and I LOVED how this smelled! I just love shea butter in general, but this was amazing, and super inexpensive. I usually buy these at my local Wegmans when they're on sale and if I have a coupon, so I end up only paying about $2 for it. We will repurchase when we use up our massive stash. 

I used up a deluxe sized sample of the Perlier Honey Shower Cream. I have so many deluxe samples of many different products, and I want to get through them. I really enjoyed using this! It smelled a little more flowery than sweet, but it was still nice. I had a whole set of Perlier things sent to me a while ago and still need to use the rest of them up. I don't think I'll repurchase this though. 

Number of products used up: 9
Total for the year: 96

I was so hoping to break 100 products by now! I definitely think my goal of using up 250 products for the year is further out of reach, so now I'm going to aim for 150. I need to make it a priority to do my makeup more and treat my skin better, which will hep me clear out my massive collection. Being pregnant hasn't made it easy, but I'm almost half way through, so I need to get my booty into gear!

What did you use up recently?

July 2016 Favorites

Hey guys! After not doing a favorites post for June I wanted to make it a point to get one up for July. I've started to wear makeup again and taking better care of my skin. I only have a few products to share, so it'll be short and sweet. 

 *Post contains affiliate links*

The first product I have to talk about is by a brand called Aquation. I was kindly sent this Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser, along with a couple other goodies to review and this cleanser has just been so fantastic, I had to talk about it early. I won't get too much into it since I have a review post coming up, but this cleanser removes makeup like a champ, is gentle, and keeps my skin feeling hydrated without being greasy. 

Next up is a product I decided to revisit, the Wet N Wild trio in Walking On Eggshells. I'm trying to make more of an effort to use up products that I've had for a while but rarely used, and this was one of them. I've been so obsessed with the bottom eyelid shade as just an all-over lid color, and it's just stunning. 

My final favorite for July is the Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in the shade 250. The one gripe I have about these is there is no shade name on the packaging, so I have to search it online, and it looks like this one is called Scarlet Twist. This is a gorgeous shade and has just enough pigment to it, yet it's sheer enough to just slap on and go. I adore these balms so much and I'm actually trying to use this up completely as part of a project pan challenge I'm trying out. 

What were some of your favorite products in July?

May 2016 Empties

Hey everyone! As you know, I've been a bit MIA here on the blog. I mentioned in my May favorites that I'll be able to talk more about what's going on in my life, so stay tuned. I'll be updating in the next couple weeks or so! Anyway, May wasn't great in the empties department either. Like I've said already, I haven't been interested in makeup much, and taking care of my skin has taken a bit of a backseat as well. I did manage to use up more than I thought, so lets see what I have!

I'll start off with some skincare. I finally used up the Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash that took me over two months to use up. This cleanser foams up like crazy even though it doesn't feel like it would. You only need a little bit to get the job done, and I used this in the morning. It helped to wake up my skin and prep it for the day. 

Next up is a konjac sponge. I don't know the brand, but it's your typical white konjac sponge, and I really liked it while it lasted. It started getting moldy in one spot, so I decided to toss it, even though I didn't use it for very long. 

I used up two lip balms. Yes, two! That never happens to me, but these tubes were pretty tiny. The first one is the Aquafina Flavor Splash in the Wild Berry scent. I loved this at night because it left my lips feeling nice and soft until morning. The second one is by Olive Natural Beauty and it's their Moisturizing Lip Balm in the Refreshing Rosemary scent. I didn't like this too much honestly. The hydration was fine, but I couldn't get past the smell and it kept making me nauseous. Luckily, I used this up within about a week and a half, so I didn't suffer too much. 

Next up is just a couple mini body washes. I absolutely loved the Dove Go Fresh Nutrium Moisture Body Wash in the scent Mandarin & Tiare Flower. Holy crap was this lovely! It smelled citrus-y and a bit flowery, but not over the top flowery. You all know I can't stand flowery smells. I'm very tempted to go and buy this in a full size, it's that good. 

The sceond mini body wash is the Bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Sap Fresh Foaming Shower Gel. Absolutely loved the scent, but it didn't lather very well, so I used it up pretty quickly. 

Last few products are some random bath products. I finished two deodorants, one being the Dove ClearTone Deodorant and the second being the Secret Clinical Strength Clear Gel in the scent Completely Clean. The Dove was nice, and the concept is that it's supposed to help with taking care of the darkness that some people get on their underarms. I didn't notice a difference in that area, but it kept me smelling nice and not sweaty. I did love the Secret Clinical Strength, and I was sent this in a little package a while ago. It's just a travel size that didn't have much use in it, but it's amazing and doesn't get white marks all over your clothes. 

Of course we can't forget about toothpaste! This is the Colgate Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste in the Frosty Mint Stripe flavor. It was nice, did what I expect from a toothpaste, so I have no complaints. My husband helped use this up so it went pretty fast. 

Number of products used up: 9
Total for the year: 75

Yeah, I didn't do too well in May. I was hoping by now I'd have used up closer to 100 products. I'm sure you know by now, but this is the year of decluttering and using up what I have. I made the goal of using up 250 products, and that will include samples and mini sizes of products. I can't even begin to count how many samples alone I have. It's quite ridiculous actually. I have a long road ahead of me, and please bear with me until I can finally talk about what's going on with life!

What did you use up last month?

May 2016 Favorites

Hey guys! I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't really been blogging lately. So many things are going on in the home front right now, and I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row. I'll be able to talk more about what's going on in the next couple weeks, so please bear with me! That being said, I have not been into makeup at all this past month, and aside from wearing lipgloss a few times, I've been bare-faced the entire time. I do have just a few standout products that aren't makeup, so I wanted to share them with you!

*Post contains affiliate links*

I just have these three products to talk about. The first two are from Derma e, and the first product is their Psorzema Creme. I was very generously sent a nice little package from Derma e and BrandBacker, and I did a sponsored post here reviewing this creme. This creme is basically a miracle worker if you have incredibly dry skin. It even has worked on the little keratosis pilaris bumps that I have on the backs of my arms. I love that this creme is unscented and it sinks in incredibly fast, but hydrates insanely well.

In the Derma e package, they had also sent their Scalp Relief Shampoo. I was excited to try this because I have mad dandruff that my usual dandruff shampoo wasn't taking care of like it usually does. For a shampoo that says it's sulfate-free, this stuff lathers up really well and makes my hair and scalp feel super clean. There is a minty tingly feel to this shampoo, which I've appreciated lately with the hot and humid weather we've been having. This has definitely helped to calm down my dandruff and has made my scalp less itchy as well. 

The last product I have just adored is The Body Shop Honeymania Lip Balm. You all know my love for The Body Shop products, and their lip butters are fantastic. I usually have an issue with the lip butters that are white in color, like the Coconut and Shea scents, where they leave a nasty white cast on my lips, so I'd reserve them for bedtime use only. This stuff goes on basically clear, and has got to be one of the most hydrating lip balms I've ever tried in my life! No joke, this stuff rocks. I even use it in the morning after brushing my teeth sometimes and it leaves my lips nice and soft for hours. There is no flavor but the scent is to die for, and it reminds me of when I used to work at The Body Shop many years ago. 

What were some of your favorites last month?

May 2016 Ipsy Bag: Destination Chic

Hey guys! It's time again for another post on what I got in this month's Ipsy bag. The theme this month is called Destination Chic, which makes it sound like the products are good for travel. 

The bag everything comes in is cute with the print of all different parts of the world, but it's a very cheap vinyl feel. The snap closure is a nice change from the zippered bags they usually provide. 

The first product I got is from Pacifica, and it's their Natural Mineral Coconut Eyeshadow Trio, and it comes with the shades Skinny Dip, Crush and Lovely. I have yet to swatch these shadows, but if they're like other Pacifica shadows I've tried in the past, then I won't really care for them. The shades themselves are very pretty though, but very Fall-like. 

Next up is the Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask. This is a brand I've seen at Ulta and have been curious about for a while, but never had the chance to try. You all know my love for face masks, so I was thrilled to have received this. It's been a whie since Ipsy has sent a face mask in my bag! There are a few ingredients in this that I need to research, because I'm staying away from certain ones right now, but if this gets the go-ahead to use, then I'll be using it!

I can't tell you how excited I was when I finally stopped receiving nail polishes in my Ipsy bags. I'd purposely give them bad reviews, and specifically have stated that I do not want nail polish. Well imagine my surprise when I saw I would be getting the Aurora Gel Effect Nail Polish in the shade Old School Pink. I can't say I hate the color, because I love hot pink, but I'm very disappointed in getting this when I know it's just going to sit around and collect dust. 

You all know how much I'm obsessed with lip balms. I was ecstatic to see that I would be receiving the Hanalei Lip Treatment, even though I have never heard of the brand, until I looked at the ingredients. The very first ingredient is Lanolin. If you saw my most recent empties post, you know I got rid of the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask due to an allergic reaction to the Lanolin in the product. I don't know now whether I should try this and see what it does to me, or just give it away to a friend. Either way, I'm sad I most likely will not be able to use this.

The last product I received is the Smashbox X-Rated Mascara. I feel like this is a newer mascara for the brand, but I've never tried it. To be honest, I have so many small samples, as well as full sized mascaras to use up, that I probably won't be using this for quite a while. Mascara is one of my favorite makeup products to use, so I'm sure it'll get used eventually. 

That's everything I got in this month's bag, and unfortunately, I've also decided that this will be my last Ipsy bag. I haven't been blown away by an Ipsy bag in a very long time, and with all the different products I have in my stash, it just doesn't seem worth it to me anymore. I loved my time with Ipsy, and I might even go back in the future, but I feel that now is a good time to cancel. Sorry to all of you who enjoyed reading my Ipsy posts!

April 2016 Empties

Hi everyone! It's time again to share with you the products I used up for the month of April. I feel like I didn't do very well, and have plenty of products on their last legs that could've gotten used up earlier, but I haven't been wearing much makeup, or even taking that great care of my skin lately. 

I'll start off with a few skincare bits. Of course it wouldn't be an empties here without a bottle of The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner. You all know how much I love this stuff, but the price of it has gone up so much in the last few years, that I'm actually considering trying something else once I use up what's in my stash. 

Next up is the Radha Beauty Miracle Retinol Moisturizer. Not quite sure how this is a miracle, since it dried out my skin and didn't do much for me. I always had to put another moisturizer on top of this because it gave no hydration whatsoever. 

I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or not, but I used to really love the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. It moisturized my lips like no other and kept them soft and supple without having to reapply. I put it away for a while and came back to it again sometime last month. However, it started making my lips go completely numb about 10-15 minutes after applying it, and it wouldn't go away. It was so bizarre, and then I finally realized that the first ingredient is Lanolin, which is derived from wool. Wool makes me breakout in hives, so I figured I had an allergic reaction to this lip mask. In the trash it goes, because I'm not chancing something more serious happening. 

I had the biggest gripe with the Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator when I first received it in a previous Ipsy bag. The container wasn't even a quarter of the way filled with product and I thought I'd hardly get any use from it. Well, I did end up getting quite a few uses out of this and I'm very pleased with how well this works. It just makes my skin so dang soft and beautiful. I doubt I'd buy a full size, but this was nice while it lasted. 

Lastly for skincare, I have two deluxe sized samples of Ole Henriksen products. One is the Truth Serum Collagen Booster, which was freaking fantastic and is probably one of the best serums I've tried. The second is the Invigorating Night Gel, which I didn't care for. It did make my skin feel better, but also stung quite a bit upon application and I didn't like that, so in the trash it goes. 

Next up is a bit of makeup and a random product. I used up two of my all-time favorite mascaras, Tarte Gifted and Covergirl The Super Sizer. These two are probably my picks for favorite high-end (along with Too Faced Better Than Sex) and low-end. Once I use up what I have in my collection, I will be purchasing these two again!

I decided to just get rid of the Be A Bombshell Lip Balm in French Kiss. This felt very dried out and the color is a baby pink that looks awful on the lips. I already have so many lip balms to go through, so this won't be missed. 

Lastly is the Berry Twinkle Pocket Bac from Bath & Body Works. I loved this while I had it, and one day I found it hiding in a purse and it smelled awful and was incredibly runny. I dumped out what was left in the trash, which wasn't alot really, so now I can use a different one. 

Lastly, I have some random bath, body and health care stuff to share. My husband and I both used up the Sound Body Dandruff Shampoo. I get these bottles at Big Lots for just a few dollars and it's exactly like Head & Shoulders, just much less expensive. We already have another in our shower. 

You all know I have to use sensitive toothpaste due to my incredibly sensitive teeth and gums. This is the Topcare (Wegmans store brand) Extra Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste, and I don't really care for this much. I don't notice any difference in sensitivity and the taste is a little odd as well. 

I finally used up the Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin foaming hand soap that's been in our bathroom for ages. I love these hand soaps, but they're really expensive even when there's a sale, so once I go through my stash, I'll look elsewhere for less expensive soaps. 

And lastly we have the final Bath & Body Works Shower Gel I had in my stash, which was Orange Sapphire. While this one smelled amazing, it did nothing for me. These shower gels make me itch and make my skin super dry. Plus they're really expensive for what they are. So glad to have these gone and I'll never repurchase. 

Number of products used up: 14
Total for the year: 66

I'm still doing good so far, and we're only in the 5th month of the year. I'm really hoping I can use up a ton more products. I think I'm making a goal of using up 250 products for the entire year. Last year I used up 177 products, so I have some work to do y'all!

What are some products you used up?

April 2016 Favorites

*Post contains affiliate links*

Hey guys! I know, it's been a while since I made a real post on here. I honestly haven't been feeling very good lately and have also been feeling a bit uninspired with writing. I love this little space of mine and want to try and put in more effort, just being sick and all has really put a damper in things, so I truly apologize for my absence! I have just a few favorites to share with you from the past month, as I haven't even really been wearing much makeup lately. 

The first product that I've been loving is the Suave Creamy Cocoa Butter & Shea Moisturizing Body Wash. My husband is helping me use this, and I have to say, this is probably one of the best body washes I've ever used! First off, it's only about $2 or $3 with a good sale and coupon, and it's so moisturizing on the skin. It smells incredible and works just as well as any expensive body wash I've tried. Once I use up all the body washes I have, including samples, I'm going to continue buying just the less expensive body washes.  

Next up is a product I'm sure I've mentioned on the blog before, and it's the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream. This stuff is freaking fantastic for my fine, but dry hair. I don't wash my hair everyday, and it tends to get dried out at the ends. When I use this after my shower, my hair is so silky soft, that I can never stop touching it. It makes my split ends look less noticeable and the overall look of my hair is better. You only need the tiniest bit to get the job done though, so this bottle lasts a very long time, and it's under $10. 

I was never the biggest fan of lipsticks. I had gotten two NARS lip pencils as a birthday gift from Sephora, and I completely fell in love with the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the shade Cruella. This is the perfect red for me! It's cool toned and has a soft, matte feel on the lips. It's not uncomfortable at all, it wears well, and I'm very tempted to buy the full size of this when I run out of this sample size!

My last favorite product of April is a lip balm. I had received the Olive Natural Beauty Moisturizing Lip Balm in the scent Refreshing Rosemary in a previous Ipsy bag, and finally pulled it out last month. I have such a hoard of lip balms to go through, it's quite sad. This little tube is quite small though, so I see myself using it up fairly quickly. I just absolutely love the way this smells, and it makes my lips feel so incredibly soft.

What are some products you've been loving?

April 2016 Ipsy Bag: The Dreamers

Hi everyone! I received my Ipsy bag a little early this month, yesterday actually, so that was a pleasant surprise! The theme this time is called The Dreamers. 

Now if you know me, you know how much I love my tie-dye! I'm a hippy at heart. I love the style of the bag, but I do wish it was maybe a different color scheme. 

The first products I received are two sheet masks from Purlisse. One is a Blue Lotus + White Tea, and the other is Blue Lotus + Seaweed. I was never really the biggest fan of sheet masks, but Purlisse is a brand I really do like, so I'm definitely going to use these and see how I get on with them. 

Next up is the Crown Brush C427 Duo Fiber Blush Brush. Now I'm not usually into Crown Brush for some reason, but this brush is incredibly soft, and I love how there are little dips in the handles for your fingers. It's so cool, and you can also use this for foundation or highlighter as well. I got a brush similar to this last month too, so I'm pretty overloaded in the brush department.

I hardly ever use eyeliner, so the Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eye Pencil in Jet probably won't be used much. I'll give it a go and see if it's nice for tightlining or something. 

I love Tarte Lip products, so I was pleased to see a mini LipSurgence Lip Creme in Wonder in my bag! It's a cute little sample and the color is very pretty, so that will definitely get use.

The last product I received is by Trust Fund Beauty, and it's their That Glo Tho Face Highlighter. Honestly, I'll probably never use this because it's a champagne-y gold color, it's a cream, and I just am not a fan of highlighters in general. 

I hate to say this, but this might be my last Ipsy bag. I've been with Ipsy since pretty much the beginning, and there are only so many sample products I can use without getting totally bored. While I've loved Ipsy, I think it's just my time to say goodbye. I might give it just one more month, but if I do, then that one will definitely be my last one, for sure. While I'm still deciding what to do, here is my referral link to sign up for your own Ipsy bag. You get 5 deluxe size products, sometimes full size too, for just $10 a month, plus shipping for some. It is a great deal, and some months are better than others, but I love getting products I had never heard of, or learning about indie brands that aren't as mainstream.  

If you're already an Ipsy subscriber, what did you get in your bag?

March 2016 Empties

Hey guys! March was pretty insane with using up products, and I'm so proud of myself! I know that probably is odd, but using up what I have makes me feel good, as well as getting rid of products that don't work well. So grab a snack or something, because this might get long, but I'll try to not ramble on as much! 

I'll start off with a few makeup products. The Korres Mattifying Primer was really an odd consistency, and I don't find it kept my skin more matte than normal. 

The L'Oreal Magic BB Cream in Fair is just god awful! It starts out white, then is said to adjust to the shade name. I'm not sure how the shade is fair, but I looked like an Oompa Loompa, not even joking. Even mixing it with a lighter foundation or The Body Shop Lightening Drops didn't work. In the trash these go!

I initially liked the Covergirl Plumpify Mascara, which I reviewed here. Over time, I realized just how ridiculously large the brush is, and I would constantly stab myself in the eye no matter how careful I was. The consistency also started to change a bit, so I'm just throwing it out at this point. 

I'm also throwing out The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation in the shade 01. I've had this container since I worked at The Body Shop, which was almost 7 years ago by now. It's old, I don't like the shade for my fair skin, and it doesn't blend well. 

It's also time to say goodbye to the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I'm going to be honest here, and I may get some flack for it, but I freaking hated this sponge with a passion! It is so not like a Beauty Blender no matter how much people try to say otherwise. It breaks apart easily and makes foundation and concealer look awful on my skin. Bye Felicia! 

Now for a few random empties. I used up my last big bottle of the Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash. I really liked this as it didn't burn my mouth, but I'm over it now. I'm on the hunt for a nice mouthwash that is alcohol free, so if you know of a good one, please let me know!

There's not much to say about Batiste Dry Shampoo, except I love it and would marry it if I could. This is the best dry shampoo I've ever used and have backups of backups in my stash. 

The Korres Yoghurt After-Sun Cooling Gel is said to be used after being in the sun too long and having some irritation. Since I'm a cave-dweller, I used this as a hand cream instead, and was happy with the results I got. 

You all know my love for The Body Shop Lip Butters, as well as their Body Butters. I used up the Sweet Lemon Lip Butter finally, and a mini size of the Cocoa Butter Body Butter. Their lip butters are fantastic to use before bed, and I think everyone loves their body butters. 

Now for some candles! I decided to start including these in my empties posts/videos, and last month I used up three. The first one is by a brand called Aroma-MIX and it's in the scent Holiday Cookies. This candle was a gift from an old co-worker, so I'm not sure where you can get them. I will definitely be keeping the container though, as I like to use them for makeup brush storage. 

Then I have two from Bath & Body Works. The first one is Peach Cilantro Twist, which smelled like a fancy drink, and the second one is Cinnamon Caramel Swirl, which made me want to bake and eat lots of junk food. Both are lovely, but B&BW candles are just so darn expensive, so once I use up my stash, I won't continue buying them, unless there's an awesome sale going. 

Now for some skincare! I was obsessed with Paula's Choice products many years ago before the line blew up and they started sponsoring bloggers and YouTubers. Their Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner for normal, oily and combination skin is just incredible. All of the products I've tried from her line never disappoint and there are products for every type of skin. 

I received the Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser in a previous Ipsy bag, and it was a very generous deluxe sample. I got about 2-3 weeks of nightly use from this, and I ended up really liking it. Even though it was moisturizing, I felt like it cleansed my skin nicely, and it worked well with my Clarisonic. 

I used the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque after using deep cleaning masks, and it was just alright. It's a gel consistency that sinks into the skin pretty fast, and you can use it as an overnight mask. It didn't wow me, and since Dermalogica products are so expensive, I will never buy the full size. 

I finally finished up the Amara Organics Retinol Serum, which I did a review on here. Now that it's used up, I feel it's just a meh product, and nothing you should rush out and buy. There are more effective retinol products on the market for around the same price.  

I completely adored the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer. I also reviewed this here, and I think this is one of the best moisturizers I've ever used. It's a gel/cream formula, but it was hydrating enough for when it was freeing cold outside. I was thinking I would need to switch to something heavier eventually, but this was fantastic. It smells like an orange field too, so it was great for in the morning. 

Lastly, I have some baby and foil packet samples. The Sephora Instant Moisturizer isn't that great honestly, and there was only enough in here for two mornings of use. 

I was so pleasantly surprised by the Phyto-C Velvet Gel. I've had this in my stash for ages, and I don't even know where I got it from. It just made my skin feel so soft and plump, and I got over a weeks worth of use from using it morning and night, underneath moisturizer. 

I hate saying this, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exoliating Treatment. It made my skin look and feel brand new after only the one use, and it's tempting me to buy the full size, which is an ungodly price. The only thing I didn't like was the smell. It smells like grass and looks like it too. 

I've already used up a packet of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and loved it. This stuff removes every last trace of makeup on your face and rinses off incredibly well. 

Number of products used up: 23
Total for the year: 52

I'm already doing great this year with empties! Like I've said before, 2016 is the year of using up and decluttering for me, and not just for my beauty collection. I'm wanting to declutter everything in my house and just get rid of the stuff my husband and I no longer use or need. Using up 52 beauty products in just 3 months really puts things into perspective with how much stuff I actually own. What are some products you've used up recently?

YouTube Video: March 2016 Favorites!

Hey guys! I decided to film March's beauty favorites this time around, so I hope you take a look at what I was loving last month! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up while you're there, and subscribe if you want :) I've used some affiliate links below if you wanted to check out any of the products.

Products mentioned in the video:

- Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Creme
- Ole Henriksen Balancing Cucumber Face Mist
- Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum
- Kognac Sponge
- Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
- Covergirl The Super Sizer Mascara
- Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Devotion
- Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette

What were some of your favorite products? 

March 2016 Ipsy Bag: Hello Spring

Hi everyone! I just got my Ipsy bag in the mail today, so I figured I'd take pictures while I still had enough light and share what I got! I was excited for my bag this month after looking at sneak peeks of what I would be receiving. So lets see what I got!

*Ipsy link is an affiliate code*

The theme this month is Hello Spring, and the bag I received is pretty, but not something I'd normally go for. I heard there were different colors to the bags being sent out, and mine is just meh. I'll probably end up giving it away. 

The first product I got is the Vera Mona Lotus Eyeshadow in the shade Clover. I'm sorry I didn't think to open it up and show the color, but it's a very pretty, shimmery peachy coral shade. It seems like a perfect color for Spring, and I can't wait to play with it!

Next up is the Marc Anthony Nourishing Argan Oil of Morocco 3 Day Smooth Perfect Blow Dry Smoothing Cream. Dear lord, is that a mouthful! Anyway, I feel like I've gotten Marc Anthony products in the last few bags, so I'm a bit over it, but I will give this a go. It seems like I can use this as maybe a leave-in conditioner, so hopefully I'll like it. 

I was so excited to find out I would be receiving a NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick, and three different shades were sent out. I ended up with the ridiculous shade Pink Lust. I got so excited, I had to try it on right when I opened the bag, and I hate to report that I so don't like this at all! I look like a cartoon character with this on, and it's dry and flaky. It could be user error on my part, and I may have put on too much. I'll play around with this and report back. 

I had heard of the brand Me me me very briefly in the past, but had never tried anything from them. Getting brushes in my Ipsy bags always makes me happy, and I got their Loose Powder Brush. I don't know if it's just me, but this brush seems awfully small to be a powder brush. I'd probably use it for highlighting or setting concealer under my eyes. It is a very soft brush, and I'm happy to add it to my ever growing brush collection. 

The last product I received is the Pixi Beauty Blush Duo in Rose Gold. I've tried a few products from the Pixi brand and haven't been let down much. This duo looks so freaking beautiful and perfect for my skin tone. I haven't swatched it yet, but I cannot wait to play with it! 

That's everything I got! Other than the NYX product being a possible dud, I'm very happy once again with everything. If you want your own Ipsy glam bag, I'd love it if you used my referral link here! every month you receive 5 deluxe sized, and at times full sized products, for just $10 a month, plus shipping for some. These bags are usually pretty amazing, and I learn about new brands I had never heard of before. 

If you're already subscribed to Ipsy, what did you get in your bag?

February 2016 Empties

Hey guys! So I finally decided to start up my YouTube channel again, and I filmed my empties for February. If you're interested in checking out the video, hopefully you can click on the video above, but if not, click here! Also, while you're there, remember to give the video a thumbs up and subscribe!

Products mentioned in the video:

- Bath & Body Works 3-wick Candles in Strawberry Rhubarb Marmalade and Mahogany Teakwood. Loved the Strawberry Rhubarb Marmalade, but not a fan of the Mahogany Teakwood. My husband loves it though, so we usually pick one up for him

- Bath & Body Works Coconut Body Lotion: I don't like B&BW body products so I'm glad this is gone. 

- Bath & Body Works Anti-bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Spice Kissed Pumpkin: I'm finally realizing how expensive these hand soaps are even when they're on sale. I'm trying to use up my stash of the ones I have, and then I'm finding something cheaper.

- Masque-Ology Pore Minimizing Sheet Mask: I don't know why I keep trying sheet masks. I'm always disappointed in them because they never work for me. This was in my box of samples to use, and you all know I hate wasting product. 

- Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser: I love this cleanser so much more now that I'm older, but when I was a teenager I hated it! This is a great cleanser that I can use to remove every bit of makeup, even from my eyes. 

- Freeman Facial Clay Mask Mint & Lemon: I love how these masks are so inexpensive, yet effective. They last forever too, so you get your money's worth!

- Epielle Deep Cleansing Nose Strips: These work just the same as the Biore ones, so for $2 for this box, I'll keep repurchasing this brand instead. 

- Divas Never Age Hyaluronic Acid Serum: I reviewed this here, and while it did hydrate my skin, the smell of it is very overwhelming. I still used it up because like I said, I hate wasting product. 

- Amara Organics Hyaluronic Acid Serum: I reviewed this here almost a year ago, and finally used it up. This is so much better scent-wise than the Divas Never Age serum. My skin loves hyaluronic acid, so this serum is one I would consider purchasing again. 

- Bliss Naked Body Butter: This was a birthday gift from Sephora ages ago. I like this alot because it was super hydrating, but has zero scent so it doesn't interfere with perfumes or other body products. 

- Regenepure Hair & Scalp Treatment: I initially liked this at first, but now that the bottle is gone, I don't care for it. It did help with dandruff and feels cooling when using, but it doesn't help with hair loss or anything. I reviewed this back in August 2015 here.  

- Ecru Acacia Protein BB Cream: This is a BB cream for your hair, and I freaking loved this! It made my hair soft and manageable, and was just amazing. I'm tempted to buy a full size, but have a hoard of hair products to use up. 

- Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner: Loved this stuff so much and I'm sad it's gone. I don't think they make this product anymore either. 

- Garnier Olia Brilliant Color in 4.0 Dark Brown: Love Garnier hair color, and the Olia line is fantastic. I received this from Crowdtap and love the color they sent me. 

- Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste: Just a regular toothpaste that my husband and I used up. I used this at night because I have a different toothpaste I use during the day for my sensitive teeth and gums. 

- The Body Shop Black Velvet Apricot Frosted Shimmer Lotion: I had gotten this back when I worked at The Body Shop many years ago. I don't care much for shimmery lotions, and I'm sure this has gone bad by now. 

- Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner: My favorite brush cleaner to use when I spot clean my eye brushes. It's a bit expensive, but I love it. 

Number of products used up: 18 
Total for the year: 29

What were some products you used up last month? I'd love to know! 

February 2016 Favorites

*Some links contain affiliate markers*

Hey guys! Another month has passed, and it's time for monthly favorites. I haven't worn much makeup to be honest, because I was trying to focus on my skin. I've been battling a few breakouts, dehydration, and just overall blah-ness with my skin this past month. I have a few things to talk about, so lets see what I loved!

Paula's Choice is a line that seems to be getting more attention these days. I've been using Paula's Choice products for many years, and have quite enjoyed everything I've tried. The Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner is absolutely incredible for my skin these days! Because it's been so fussy lately, I've been trying everything to help it calm down, and this toner makes my skin breathe a sigh of relief. Seriously, it's hydrating, but doesn't make me oily, and it helps to get rid of any extra dirt left on my skin. I'm glad that Paula's Choice is getting noticed more, because it's a great brand. 

You're probably thinking why I have theBalm Nude'tude Palette in my favorites. If you read my Pan That Palette post, you know I'm trying to use this as much as possible because I was never a fan of it. Well, now that I'm making it a point to use this more, I've kinda fallen for it. I knew that would happen! It's definitely got its good points, but it's still not my favorite palette of life, so I'm gonna continue my quest in using this baby up!

Next up is the Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser. I reviewed this along with a few other skincare products here, and this was by far my favorite out of what I reviewed. I love how squeaky clean this makes my skin feel, but it doesn't make it dry and parched. I definitely can't use this everyday though, otherwise I will dry out. Using it 2-3 times a week keeps my skin feeling clean and fresh, and I'm very tempted to buy a full size, even though it's very expensive. 

My last favorite is the Covergirl Oh Sugar! Balm in the shade Taffy. I received this in an Influenster box, and I freakin' love this stuff! I compared this to the Fresh balms that are over $20, and there are many people who say they don't compare. If you ask me, I say they're quite comparable, and they're a heck of alot less money than the Fresh balms. Oh Sugar! smells like Fruit Loops, the color is sheer, but build-able, and it's one of those products you can put on and not have to think about. I love it, and want more. 

Those are the few favorites I have this month! Let me know in the comments what you were loving last month!

February 2016 Ipsy Bag: Pretty in #IpsyPink

*Links used are affiliate links*

Hi guys! I finally received my Ipsy bag in the mail yesterday. I swear, shipping takes longer and longer every month, and it's getting a bit annoying. Anyway, the theme this month is Pretty In #IpsyPink.

The bag itself is kinda cute, but not really my style. The front is textured and has an emoji style envelope on the front, and just plain hot pink on the back. The products I received, I'm half and half about. 

The first product I received is a Luxie Beauty Small Tapered Blending Brush 231. This brush is the perfect size for my hooded lids with applying color where I need it. I don't have a blending brush quite this small in my collection, so I'm pretty stoked to have one now. I've gotten Luxie brushes in past Ipsy bags, and the quality is pretty impressive. 

Next up is a deluxe sample of the new Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil. First of all, the scent of this is amazing, and smells like lavender. What I'm not quite sure about is using it as an actual primer. I typically have oily skin, so using an oil as a primer just won't work for me. What I'll most likely do is use a little bit mixed into my foundation. That trick helps my foundations go on better and makes it look less cakey. 

Then we have the MOR Emporium Classics Hand & Body Lotion in the scent Candied Vanilla. I've never heard of this brand before in my life, but when I opened this, the scent was just incredible! It smells so warm and lovely, and I'll probably strictly use this as a hand cream. I'm not wasting this goodness on my body.

Next is the VINTAGE by Jessica Leibeskind Sparkling Lipgloss in Pink Sequin. Not a fan of this honestly. If it were just a pink color without sparkle, I'd be happy. I'm 27 years old, so sparkly lips are a thing of the past and for me, there is just way too much sparkle. It's a little sticky, but not terrible. 

The last product I received is by Tre'StiQue, and it's their Baby Blush Stick in the shade Bora Bora Coral. I'm a huge fan of Tre'StiQue products and have gotten quite a few in previous Ipsy bags. However, with my oily skin, I'm not a fan of cream blushes. I do really like the color of this, so I'll give it a try, but I don't have high expectations. 

I'm super excited about this! I managed to save up 1,500 points and cashed them in for the Colourpop Forever Freshman Super Shock Shadow set. I have just a few Colourpop products, so I was really excited to be able to get this. The shades included are Crimper, As If, Melrose, Koosh, 90210, and Baby T. I'm honestly not sure if you can get this on the Colourpop website anymore, but I've heard some amazing things about the shade Koosh, and I can't wait to play with it!

So overall, like I said above, I half like my bag, and half is just meh. There are months that are amazing, some are not so amazing, and then some are just alright, like this month. If you want to get your own Ipsy bag, I'd love it if you used my referral link here! It costs $10 a month, plus shipping for some, and you get 5 beauty products sent to you every month, and when you review the products sent, you earn points that you can redeem for more products! It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. 

If you're already subscribed to Ipsy, what did you get this month?