August 2016 Favorites

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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?

March 2014 Empties!

Hey guys! I know this post is going up pretty late, but better late than never! I used up so many products last month, and that makes me so excited! Who would've thought using up products and keeping track of them would feel so good. Anyways, lets see what I used up in March!

 I used up alot of skincare and the first product I used up is the Soap & Glory Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash. I used this cleanser in the morning, and it was alright, but sometimes the little beads in the wash felt a little too rough. They are pretty tiny, but I have sensitive skin so I tend to be picky. I probably won't repurchase this.

Next up, we have another one of my well loved Aloe Calming Toners from The Body Shop. I've talked about this toner a million and one times. Still my favorite toner and probably always will be.

Another product from The Body Shop I used up is the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion. I used this in the morning and mixed it with a hydrating serum when my skin was feeling drier than normal. I love this moisturizer and it's more of a gel consistency, so it's great for oily skin. I've been having decent skin lately, so I don't know if this helped with breakouts. I typically have a few backups of this waiting to be used up at any given time.

I used up a sample of the bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser, which lasted me a good week and a half. I used it in the morning, and I love this cleanser! It made my skin feel incredible and clean but without feeling squeaky clean. I have some more samples, plus a full sized container to use, but once they're all used up, I will definitely be repurchasing!

I finally used up the L'Oreal Eye Defense eye cream. This was a cross between a gel and lotion and felt really nice around my eyes. I used it in the morning and it was good to use under makeup. To me this is a nice basic eye cream that I may repurchase if I don't find something better.

Lastly for skincare, I used up a sample of the Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer. Surprisingly, I really liked this! I did use it when it was freezing out and my skin was drier, so that could have something to do with it but when I'm super oily, I don't see myself liking it as much. It has SPF in it so it was used in the morning, and it also smells citrus-y so I really enjoyed it! I might repurchase in the colder months.

Here we have a few random things of hair and bathroom products. I used up a Batiste Dry Shampoo in the Blush scent, which I am actually a pretty big fan of. I typically don't like flowery smells but this one isn't overbearing. I think I'm going to pick up some more Batiste soon because I just got my Ulta catalog in the mail for the 20th, and batiste is going to be buy 1, get 1 half off!

I also used up an Aussie Split End Protector. The only good thing about this product is that it smells good. It did nothing for my split ends and didn't feel very hydrating. I did start using this when my split ends were pretty bad, so I didn't expect much, but I think maybe it made them worse. I recently chopped off 4 inches of my hair and couldn't be happier! My hair feels so much better, but now I'm going to really make an effort to take better care of it.

Next up we have deodorant! I bought this Lady Speed Stick either at the dollar store or Walgreens. It did the job and it smelled good. I usually just buy what's on sale because I'm not picky with deodorant. 

I used up a Vanilla Bean Noel Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap. I know alot of people love this scent, but honestly, I was not much of a fan. To me it smelled too musky and I just didn't like it.

My husband was the main one to use the Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, but I did use it a handful of times. We both weren't fans. It felt weird foaming up and tasted funny. It also didn't help with any kind of whitening either.

I used up the Aquafresh Triple Protection Toothpaste. I try to look for anything that helps with sensitivity and I'm not sure if this helped or not. I have the most sensitive teeth and gums ever so it's hard for me to find something that actually works. The one I'm currently using seems to be nice though.

The next product I used up is the Kat Von D Lock 'N Load Makeup Setting Mist. I like makeup setting sprays, but this one was funky. To me it wasn't very misty, it sprayed big drops instead, which was really weird. I think it helped with my makeup a little but I prefer the Urban Decay one or the Skindinavia one that I used for my wedding.

I used up a little Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer in the scent All I Want Is. It smelled nice, kinda fruity really. I also haven't gotten sick either so this must do something! I always have a good stock of these little guys since I take them to work with me and I keep one in my purse as well. 

This next little container held the remains of my Urban Decay Primer Potion that I depotted. There was still so much product left in the original container and I got tons of use out of what was left. Unfortunately, this did dry out a bit because it wasn't spreading as well and went on patchy. I will keep this container just in case I need it for something else.

Last up, we have two lip glosses. The first one is a Calvin Klein lip gloss in the color Bloom. I went to use this one day and it smelled terrible, so out it goes!

Same thing goes for the Too Faced Mood Swing Gloss. Not only did it smell funky but it burned the crap outta my lips so I had to take it off and use something else. I still need to go through all my lip gloss and toss out what's not good anymore. 

That's everything I used up in March! I'm really happy I was able to use all this up, but I have a feeling this month I won't go through so much. We'll see!

What did you use up last month?

Also, remember my blog sale!

May 2013 Favorites!

It's time for another favorites post, and I really can't believe how fast the year is going by! I know everyone says that but seriously, we're already almost half way through the year! Plus, there's only four more months until I'm married. Eeekk! Anyways, enough of my ramblings, and onto my favorites!

My first favorite this past month has been the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser. I've been using this in the morning, obviously, and I like how it actually seems to be controlling the oiliness I get throughout my day. It's not a miracle cleanser by any means, but it makes my skin feel clean and shine free, but not dried out.

My next favorite has been my Sigma P88 Precision Flat Angled Brush. I feel like I've raved about this too much already and I did a full review here if you wanted to read it. Since I already did a review on it, I won't go into much detail here as it may take up this whole post!

Next up is the Aussie Split-End Protector. I've been using this as a leave-in conditioner just on the last 4 to 5 inches of my hair. I did recently get a haircut and I colored it myself, so I'm trying to take care of it the best I can. I hate split ends and as my hair gets longer, it always gets worse whether I get a haircut or not. I've only been using this for about two weeks now and so far it's been awesome! I love how it smells and it makes my hair alot easier to comb and brush through.

Inked in Pink (top) Seashore Frosts (bottom)

My next two favorites have been Maybelline Color Tattoos in the colors Inked in Pink and the coveted Seashore Frosts. I love Inked in Pink when I don't want to put alot of fuss into my look, but still want a nice wash of color on my lids. This color is great underneath a shimmery, champagne colored shadow as well. 

Seashore Frosts. Oh boy have I heard some amazing things about this Color Tattoo! When I read a bunch of rave reviews on this, I knew I had to have it. I went to three different stores looking for it and finally found the last two of this color at Rite Aid mixed in with the regular line. This color for some reason wasn't in the limited edition display. When I saw two of these bad boys hiding, I grabbed them so quick and squealed a little, that's how excited I was. My fiance looked at me like I was nuts, and I probably am! Like I said, I bought the last two they had and I'm not sure what I'll do with the unopened one I have yet.

This next favorite I'm a little happy/sad about. I'm happy I found the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer because it's truly an amazing concealer for the dark circles I have under my eyes. I'm sad because I've heard too many times that this is getting discontinued. I should've known when I saw that this was discounted at 50% off at Walgreen's. I heard alot of amazing things about this concealer through Youtube and figured I'd give it a try. I found the last one of the lightest shade and it's perfect for me.

Color Whisper (left) Lip Butter (right)

My last two favorites are lip products. The first one is the Maybelline Color Whisper in the color Cherry on Top, and the second is a Revlon Lip Butter in the color Sorbet. I love pink lip products whether they be glosses or balms. I'm not the biggest fan of lipsticks, which is why I love these. Both are very moisturizing and have a balmy texture to them. The colors look very similar but Sorbet is a bit deeper. I also love how you can wear these sheer or layer them on your lips to make the color pop more.

HAUL! Bath & Body Works, Ulta & Target

Hey guys! So unfortunately I have another haul for you today. I know, I know, I'm so bad with shopping. My new years resolution is to not buy anything beauty related for three months. I say new years resolution because I know the rest of this year I won't be good, so January 1st is a good start. Anyways, lets get into the haul!

First I went to Bath & Body Works last week because their 3 wick candles were 2 for $20. They seem to have that sale fairly often because I bought two others back in October for the same deal. Anyways, I know I've said how much I loved my Hot Buttered Rum candle so of course I had to buy another one. I was smelling all the other ones they have and the Pineapple Mango jumped out at me. I didn't notice this scent when I was there last time so I'm not sure if it's a holiday scent or if I'm just blind. This candle smells so good! It reminds me of a nice fruity summer drink which is kinda odd considering it's getting to be winter. Here's the description of the scent on the bottom of the jar: "Luscious tree-ripening mango and sweet tropical pineapple are complimented by crisp lotus and a hint of warm vanilla." I don't smell any hint of vanilla to be honest, but I absolutely love the pineapple smell so this will be a nice candle to burn when it's freezing to remind me of summer!

Then just a couple days ago I went to Ulta because I had one of those coupons for $3.50 off a $10 purchase. Also, sorry for the horrible pictures. Not sure what's up with my camera. But I finally found the EOS lip balms in the Alice in Wonderland edition! I was so excited when I saw this and it was only $7.99, which I think is a pretty nice deal, especially since I had a coupon. Then I bought a China Glaze nail polish in the color Cast A Spell. This was on clearance for $4.99 and the color is so pretty. It's hard to see in the picture but it's this pretty dark, mossy green color with gold and dark green flecks of shimmer in it. I've never owned anything from China Glaze so I'm excited to see how their polishes are and if I like this one, I'll definitely pick up more!

The same day after Ulta I went to Target because I'm still having issues with finding the limited edition Maybelline Color Tattoos. Seriously, I've looked everywhere and can't find them at all. Please help! Anyways, with no luck (still) in finding the color tattoos I wandered around the other cosmetics, skincare and haircare products seeing what I could find. I've also never tried any Aussie products and these were 2 for $5 which I thought was a good deal so I picked up the 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner to possibly help with any extra dryness my hair has in the winter. I've also heard a bunch of good things about this so I have high hopes. I also picked up the Split-end Protector because I can tell now that I need a haircut, but I don't really feel like spending the money so I'm hoping this product will help to at least keep my split ends smooth and less noticeable. 

Well that's everything! I don't think this was a very bad haul. I didn't spend a whole lot of money and I'm really trying to be good about that, so hopefully you won't be seeing too many more hauls from me for a while ;)

any good products you've bought recently?