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?
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!
Hey guys! Once again, it's time to show you my trash. I didn't finish using a crazy amount of products, but I'm happy with what I did use up.
The first product I used up is the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Dry Shampoo. Technically, I didn't use this completely up, because after about 3 uses, the nozzle completely broke on me and sprays out like a stream of water. Also, this stuff is just awful, so part of me is happy it broke. Everytime I used this, it would just make my hair feel sticky and grosser than it was before I used it. Don't buy it, ever. I've finally decided to never again stray from my beloved Batiste. Next up are some Multi For Her Vitamins from Nature Made. Nothing fancy, just an everyday vitamin that's got the essential vitamins I need on a daily basis. I like the Nature Made brand and they're always on sale at Walgreen's for typically buy 1, get 1 free. Part of me wishes I would've saved The Body Shop Brazil Nut Shower Cream for Winter. It's incredibly hydrating and made my skin feel super soft. These shower creams are awesome too, and perfect for Winter when my skin gets drier than the Sahara desert. I used up probably my all-time favorite toothpaste from Tom's, their maximum strength Sensitive toothpaste. This stuff is amazing! I'm sure I've mentioned in previous posts that my teeth and gums are extremely sensitive, and most times I HAVE to use a sensitive toothpaste, otherwise it's hard to even drink cold water. I adore this toothpaste, as weird as it sounds. It just makes my mouth feel good, and the soothing mint flavor is nice.
The Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara was so dried up I could only partially get one eye done and had to switch to a different mascara. I wish this wasn't so dried out because I love the plastic bristles on the wand. Spiky bristles like that give insane definition to my lashes, which I'm a huge fan of.
I used up the Aquafina Flavor Splash lip balm very early on in August. I liked this balm, but it sucks how quickly I went through it. Honestly, I probably used it up in maybe 3 weeks. I do like how hydrated this made my lips feel and I used it every night before bed.
I used up the Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum, which I wrote a full review on here. I really did enjoy this serum alot. I used it in the morning under my moisturizer, and I felt that it brightened up my skin making it look alot less dull.
I loved how the Ole Henriksen Grease Relief Face Tonic made my skin less oily. I didn't love how this stuff smelled though. It's very strongly scented of Robitussin. You know, the cough medicine. It's so bizarre, and because of that, I highly doubt I'd buy it again.
The Korres Pomegranate Cream-Gel was just alright. It didn't make my skin feel oily nor did it cause any breakouts. It was just a meh product in my opinion.
I used up the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask in one use, and it's an interesting one. It's one of those masks that dries and you peel it off your face. I liked it because it pulled out some of my baby hairs that I have all over and it also seemed to brighten up my skin. However, this hurts like a mofo when removing, and you have to use alot of it to get the thick, opaque layer that's needed to get results.
The L'Occitane Hand Cream in the regular shea scent is phenomenal! I know I've talked about this before so I won't ramble on, but it's hydrating, smells fresh and clean, and doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy after I apply it.
Hey everyone! with Summer coming up pretty fast, you want your skin to be in the best shape possible. You'll want to wear more dresses and shorts, and probably less makeup as well. Today I wanted to share some of my tips for gorgeous, glowing Summer skin!
You're probably thinking it's odd that I'm showing a bottle of lemon juice, but lemon is great for your skin! You can make you're own face scrub by using a bit of lemon juice with baking soda, or bits of salt as a body scrub. My favorite way of using lemon juice is by adding it to my water. I always buy cases of bottled water at the grocery store, but usually don't drink alot because of the bland taste. Lemons are said to be high in Vitamin C, B-complex Vitamins, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Fiber. You probably get better effects when you buy lemons and squeeze them yourself, but who has the time for that? Lemon has so many different benefits such as aiding in digestion, boosting your immune system, helping fight viral infections, and it helps keep your skin blemish free! Everyone wants blemish free skin, right?
My next tip is taking a fish oil supplement, or eating salmon. My husband is not a fan of salmon (or fish in general), but once in a while I'll get some for myself. Salmon, especially wild caught instead of farm-raised, is a miracle for your skin and general health because of the Omega-3 fatty acids it contains. It helps maintain brain health, can protect skin from sunburn, helps reduce depression, and protects your body against Free Radicals. Since I don't usually have salmon in my fridge, I turn to these Nature Made Fish Oil capsules which have 360 mg of Omega-3's. If I had it my way, I'd be eating salmon about 3-4 times a week, but it can be expensive. For healthy recipes, you can check out Aloha, which can help you make good-for-you, but yummy meals!
My last tip is adding skincare products with Vitamin C into your routine. My favorite way to get vitamin C in is through serums. My two favorites have been the Radha Beauty Vitamin C Serum, and the Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules that damage collagen and cause dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. I know no body wants that! Because Vitamin C helps boost collagen in your skin over time, it will help to plump up your skin making it look more even, hydrated, and less wrinkled. If you're acne prone like myself, when you add Vitamin C to your skincare, you may break out a bit at first. Stick with it though, it goes away! Since I started using these tips myself, I have noticed a big improvement in my skin. I can especially tell the difference with the lemon water because it's helping to get nasty stuff out of my system (aka, going to the bathroom alot) and my skin looks healthier and just feels better overall. What are some of your tips for healthy, glowing skin? I would love to know!
*Disclosure* This product was provided complimentary for review thanks to BrandBacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always!
Hello everyone! Today is the third and last review of the trio of skincare products I was given to try out from Amara Organics, and it's their Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E.
Here is a bit about the product, taken from the Amara Organics site:
Retinol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended anti-aging ingredient for a reason, because it works! One dermatologist revealed she can always tell when patients have been using Retinol because their face has that telltale glow.
Retinol is clinically proven to not only work, but continue to work, providing better results the longer you use it. Extensive testing has shown significant improvement in fine lines and wrinkles as well as pigmentation in as little as 12 weeks. Skin continued to improve at the 6, 9, and 12 month marks.
Retinol = Results!
A tried and true age-fighting ingredient that actually works, Retinol is by the far the best thing you can do for your skin to combat the signs of aging. Retinol works on a molecular level to repair skin and stimulate collagen, resulting in firmer, smoother, wrinkle-free skin. Speeds up skin cell turnover, fading discoloration and improving texture to give your skin a healthy glow.
Our advanced blend of 2.5% retinol with moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Jojoba Oil offers superior results with less irritation. Safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and can even be used around the eyes.
Also Great For Acne & Acne Scars
Retinol is an extremely effective acne treatment. It unclogs pores to clear up blemishes, reduce blackheads, and minimize pores. Prevents future breakouts by preventing dead skin cells from clogging pores. Also repairs elastin and stimulates collagen to fade acne scars.
Our Powerful Yet Gentle Retinol Serum Provides The Best Results:
-Repairs skin on a molecular level to erase fine lines and wrinkles
-Stimulates collagen for firmer, smoother skin
-Speeds up skin cell turnover to fade brown spots, discoloration, and acne scars
-Improves texture and tone for a smoother, softer, more radiant complexion
-Unclogs pores to clear up acne and prevent future breakouts
This has the consistency of a thin gel, that spreads evenly into the skin and sinks in completely after about 30 seconds. I didn't notice much after a couple days of use, but after about a week is when I noticed my skin looked brighter and more even. I don't have wrinkles but I can say that this has helped with some breakouts I've been having by making their life alot shorter. I still have large pores, but they seem more clear and don't get clogged up as fast. This serum only costs $19.95 for a 1 ounce bottle on the Amara Organics website. I think it's a very fair price because you only need one, maybe two pumps to get the job done.
Have you tried retinol serums/products before? What do you think of them?
*Disclosure* I was sent this product for review thanks to BrandBacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always!
Hey guys! Today is going to be a review on the Amara Organics Hyaluronic Acid Serum. In my last Amara Organics review, I did mention I was lucky to be given more products to try and this was one of them. I have one more product to review after this, which should be up next week sometime.
Forget about expensive, invasive procedures. Our powerful anti-aging Hyaluronic Acid Serum plumps and fills in fine lines and wrinkles, making you look and feel 10 years younger!
Say goodbye to dry, flaky skin. This intense hydration formula locks in moisture, giving skin a soft, dewy glow.
Infused with powerful antioxidants Vitamins C & E to protect skin from free radicals and reverse the signs of aging.
Treat yourself to this refreshing serum that instantly hydrates skin and leaves you feeling vibrant and beautiful!
Our 100% Pure Vegan Hyaluronic Acid provides these incredible results:
- Plumps and hydrates skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- Locks in moisture, giving skin a dewy, supple glow
- Boosts collagen production, restoring skin's natural elasticity
- Softens and smooths for a more even skin tone
- Leaves skin looking radiant and youthful
Natural, Vegan, & Cruelty-Free
If you haven't noticed already, I've been on a hyaluronic acid kick with my skincare lately, so I was really excited to try this out. It's got a really nice consistency that only requires 1 or 2 pumps, it spreads evenly into the skin and dries fairly quickly so you can add moisturizer right on top. I don't really notice any immediate results, but after a few hours, I do notice my skin looks better and feels more hydrated. I've been using this in the morning as my skin occasionally feels dehydrated during the day, even though it's oily. I feel like this has helped my skin look and feel more plump. I don't have wrinkles, but I have a feeling this serum would help make them less pronounced. This retails for $17.95 on the Amara Organics website, and I think that's a great price considering you don't need a ton of product. I may consider buying this myself once I use up the serums and treatments I have. Do you like serums with hyaluronic acid in them?
*Disclosure* This product was sent to me for review courtesy of BrandBacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to be reviewing an eye gel from Amara Organics. I had reviewed another one of their products previously, and was lucky to be able to try out some more of their skincare. Today will be about the Total Repair Eye Gel.
Here is a little info on the product:
This potent blend of collagen boosting, skin firming, and wrinkle repairing ingredients leaves eyes looking more youthful and radiant. Rebuilds skin on a cellular level to reveal fresher, healthier looking skin.
Formulated with Matrixyl 3000, Plant Stem Cells, Peptides, Vitamin E, & Hyaluronic Acid
- Get rid of dark circles under eyes, puffiness, bags, sagging, and crow's feet
- Soothes and cools skin around eyes to reduce inflammation
- Plumps and hydrates to fill in fine lines and wrinkles
- Tightens and firms sagging skin around the eyes
- Improves texture and tone for bright, radiant eyes This product is also natural, vegan and cruelty free!
This is one full pump of product, which is a bit too much. You really only need a half a pump for both eyes. I absolutely love how this feels going on. It's cooling and feels like it's tightening your skin. You don't have to use this just for eyes either, it can be used on your neck, backs of hands and anywhere you have fine lines or wrinkles. I don't have wrinkles so I can't say whether this is a miracle or not, but I love how it makes the skin around my eyes look and feel. I also love the scent of this. It's got a nice, light cucumber scent but doesn't irritate. This product costs $17.95 and you can find more information on it here. What do you think of this product?
*Disclosure* Product was provided for review purposes. All opinions are 100% honest, like always!
Hey everyone! I was given the opportunity to try out this Vitamin C Serum from Amara Organics, and it's been an amazing product for my skin lately. Here is some information about the product from Amazon:
Enjoy radiant, youthful skin again with our potent blend of ingredients, professionally formulated using the highest quality Vitamin C, E, and Hyaluronic Acid available.
Forget the facelift, lasers, and chemical peels! Vitamin C has been shown to be just as effective at reversing the effects of time and environmental damage to the skin.
Notice brighter, smoother skin after your first use of our Vitamin C Serum. As the serum penetrates deep into your skin, you can feel confident knowing you are reversing skin aging and preventing further damage at the same time.
You deserve to have young, beautiful skin at any age, and now you can!
The Anti-Aging Power Of Vitamin C
Our Vitamin C Serum replenishes your skin's vitamin C levels to give you these benefits:
-Increases the production of collagen to bring back skin's natural elasticity and counteract fine lines and wrinkles
-Powerful antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals to reverse damage caused by the sun, pollutants, and cigarette smoke
-Protects your skin from UV damage such as age spots, discoloration, and fine lines
-Improves skin texture to give you a smoother, brighter complexion
-Combined with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid for extra powerful anti-aging effects
Natural, Vegan, & Cruelty-Free
We use only the best, natural plant-based ingredients available, with no parabens, no alcohol, and no animal testing. Made in the USA.
Ingredients
Deionized Aqua (Water), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (Botanical Hyaluronic Acid), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Carbomer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola Extract), Organic Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail Plant Extract), Organic Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium Extract), Organic Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion Extract) This serum is really amazing! It's alot thinner in consistency than other serums I've used but it has no scent whatsoever, so that's great if you have super sensitive skin or just don't care for any kind of fragrance. After using toner, all I do is apply some to my entire face, neck and decollete and wait a bit for it to sink in to apply moisturizer. I use this mostly in the morning, but I have used it at night as well. I've noticed in the weeks since using this that my skin has become so soft, hydrated and much brighter. I don't think I've had skin this soft in ages! I am only 26, and typically have oily skin, but with the horrible Winter we've had here in Eastern Pennsylvania, my skin has needed major hydration. I'm incredibly happy I was able to try this product out! It's a great price too, only $17.95 currently on Amazon. If you want more information on this product, you can check out their website as well here. What do you think of this serum?
