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! 

January 2016 Empties

*Post contains affiliate links*

Hi guys! So we're already one month into the new year, and I made it my mission this year to use up as many products as I can to make a dent in my stash. January wasn't that great in using up much honestly, but I did manage to use up a few things!

I used up a good bit of skincare last month, and of course it wouldn't be an empties if I didn't have The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner. You all know my obsession with this toner, so I won't ramble. It's just awesome. 

I have finally used up the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel. I only used this at night, and it took me an incredibly long time to use up, since you only need one pump for your entire face and neck. I loved this product to help keep my pores clear. Salicylic Acid works wonders on my skin, and I'm pretty sure I have a backup of this. I have other products I want to use up first though before I open a new one. 

I used up a one time use sample of the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask, and it didn't really impress me. I'm not sure how well eye masks in general work, but the only thing this did for my under-eyes is keep them hydrated. They didn't look energized or brightened in any way, so I doubt I'd buy these. 

I got a deluxe sized sample of the Purlisse Pur Delicate Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser in a previous Ipsy bag. To me, this is just a basic creamy cleanser that did remove makeup fairly well, but it seemed to dry out my skin a little bit, even though the packaging says this is non-drying. My skin has been very finicky so far this Winter, and it doesn't know whether it wants to be dry, oily, or combination. Finding products that help balance it out has been a bit difficult lately. 

I've heard many people say they love the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, and as I was cleaning out my sample box, I came across some samples of this cleansing oil. I gave it a go one night on a full face of makeup, and at first I wasn't sure it was doing anything. Once I started rinsing it off, every bit of makeup was completely gone. I had three coats of mascara and a good layer of foundation on that this completely took care of. It's amazing, and I'll be sad once all the samples are gone. I may purchase a full size in the future, but I'm on a strict no-buy at the moment and I have tons of cleansing oils in my stash to use up. 

I had a little baby sample of the Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15 hiding in my stash that was mostly used up, so I finished it off last month. I forgot how much I loved this. It has a bit of a tint to it that actually seemed to help my dark circles, and it's pretty hydrating without being greasy. Dermalogica is a pretty expensive brand, so I'm not sure if I'll repurchase, but once I go through my stash of eye creams, I'd consider it. 

These are the last of the products I used up, and it's a mix of hair care, body care and lip care. I'm one of those people who love Pantene shampoos and conditioners, and this Sheer Volume conditioner was pretty amazing. I'm not sure if it actually made my hair more volumized, but it made it so incredibly soft. This is just a small bottle I had in my stash, and the cap broke off when I dropped it one time, so I made a point to use it up quick. 

I know I've mentioned before that I'm not the biggest fan of the Bath & Body Works Shower Gels. This is in the Coconut and Vanilla scent that I had purchased one year during a semi-annual sale. Believe it or not, I didn't actually mind this one. Most of their body washes dry my skin out and make it itch like crazy, but this seemed a little more hydrating than the others I've tried and it didn't make me itch. I seem to have a black hole in my closet where all my body washes are, and B&BW shower gels seem to keep popping up. I'm making it a point to use those up before I go on to something else. 

I'm also making it my mission to use up as many foil packet samples as I can, so I decided to try out the DERMAdoctor KP Duty AHA Moisturizing Therapy for dry skin. This little packet was surprisingly enough for both of my arms, and I gotta say, after just the one use, I was in love. It smoothed out the backs of my arms, and pretty much got rid of those nasty chicken skin bumps that many people have. I'm tempted to break my no-buy for this, but since I'm trying to be good, I won't torture myself. 

Lastly, we have some lip products! I've been trying to use up the Laura Geller Lip Strip scrub for well over a year. The tiniest bit goes a very long way, and I used this stuff pretty regularly about once or twice a week, but mainly in the colder months. This is very minty, and if you accidentally get some in your mouth, it's ok because it tastes like toothpaste, which I don't mind. This did help with dry skin on my lips, and left a bit of a moisturizing film that was pretty hydrating. 

These On10 Lip Balms take so long to go through, and I used up the cider scent around the middle of January. I only really used this lip balm if I was going outside or running errands because it has an SPF of 15. If I'm staying inside the house all day, it doesn't matter what balm I use. I like these On10 lip balms though and this came in a set that my mom had gotten me for Christmas from Sephora quite a while ago. 

Well, I used up 11 products. Not too shabby, but it's not great either. I'm hoping February is better! 

Number of products used up: 11

What did you use up last month?

March 2015 Empties!

Hi everyone! Today I'm showing you my trash. I used up a pretty decent amount of products in March, so grab a snack or a drink, because this may be a long one!

I'll start with skincare since that's what I have the most of. The first product is the Korres White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser. I used this in the mornings, and I really did like it. It cleaned my skin well and got rid of any oil I may have had from the night before. 

This wouldn't be an empties without an Aloe Calming Toner from The Body Shop. I've talked about this a ton before, so I won't beat a dead horse. This is my favorite toner ever, and I use it primarily at night, unless it's Winter, then I use it morning and night. 

I used up a sample of the Pangea Organics Facial Scrub, and I didn't really care for it. The scrubbing bits in it were a bit rough, and it didn't smell too pleasant. 

I used up another sample of the bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser, and I really, really like this! I used it in the morning and got a good weeks worth of use out of it. It cleans really well, but doesn't strip the skin. This is a great everyday, basic cleanser.

I used up a sample of the Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer. This moisturizer is so interesting to me. It feels thick when I rub it between my hands, but once I apply it to my face, it spreads out evenly and feels incredibly silky. It's extremely hydrating, so I only used it at night, but I always woke up with really pretty skin.

I finally finished up 2 InstaNatural products, the first one being the Hyaluronic Acid Serum and the second one is the Age-Defying Skin Clearing Serum, which I reviewed here along with another product. The hyaluronic serum was amazing mixed into my morning moisturizer when I needed extra hydration and the skin clearing serum is probably one of the best serums for oily, acne prone skin I've ever tried. It seriously was amazing stuff, and I probably will repurchase when I use up other skin treatments. 

Now for makeup. I'm throwing away the Coastal Scents mini eyeshadow quads that I received in previous Ipsy bags. I was going through my makeup, saw these, and just decided to get rid of them. I've never used them and a couple shadows broke, so I have no use just hanging onto them. 

I'm also throwing away the Be a Bombshell Liquid Eyeliner in the shade Onyx. This also came in a previous Ipsy bag. I found this hard to use because the felt tip of this is so chunky and large, which made it hard getting a thin line. The color is so black though, which makes it tough to throw away. Oh well, like I said above, there is no use hanging onto this if I have no use for it!

The Freeman Purifying Paper Mask was not good. I'm not a fan of sheet masks, and this one was no exception. It didn't sit right on my face, so I kept getting it in my eyes and up my nose. I'll stick with my normal masks, thank you!

I absolutely loved the Korres Guava Body Butter! It smelled amazing and really hydrated my skin. I'm trying to get my skin in good shape after it being so dry in the Winter, so I need anything that's going to put moisture back into my skin. This did it, and I'm a little sad it's gone. 

I didn't care much for the Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream. First off, it's not that intense. It didn't really help my hands in any way. Second, I went through it pretty fast because of that. I felt like I kept having to reapply to get it to do anything. At least it's not sitting around anymore waiting to be used up!

If I'm not mistaken, this Simply Be Well Lotion came from the hotel my husband and I stayed at during our honeymoon. I'm weird and always take those little sample toiletries with me. This was alright. It's a very lightweight lotion and I only used it on my arms. This would've done nothing for my poor, dry legs.

Last few things! I am so happy to finally be finished a Johnson's Baby Shampoo. I use this stuff to clean my brushes, and let me tell you, I had this bottle when my husband and I first moved in together in the Summer of 2012. I got a hug double pack of these before we moved, and I'm just starting to use the second one. Crazy how long this big bottle lasts!

I'm sure I've mentioned before, but I'm not the biggest fan of Bath & Body Works body products. Candles and handsoap, I love, but body products, not so much. I had this Country Chic scented shower gel for a while. I'm going to start using up all their body care stuff I have because I don't want to be wasteful. 

The very last product is the Bath & Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in the Pumpkin Caramel Latte scent. Holy crap, does this stuff smell like heaven! I love anything that smells like pumpkin, but this smells like dessert and I wish I had a backup. There is always next Fall! Hopefully they bring it back.

Phew! If you lasted til now, thank you and I love you! I'm so happy to be using up so many products. I seem to be on a mission lately to de-clutter my life and I have so many beauty products to go through, so when I use something up, it feels like weight lifted off my shoulders. Such an awesome feeling!

What did you use up lately?

Sephora & Ulta Haul!

Hey guys! So in January I put myself on a little spending ban, but it was mainly just a cut back on the spending really. I didn't buy nearly as much as I normally would in a month, which I'm very happy with. I did end up buying a little something from Sephora and Ulta last month and I wanted to show you my little haul!

Around the first or second week of January, Sephora had double points on skincare purchases. Originally I had way more items in my shopping cart, but I behaved and only purchased the Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-to-Oil Cleanser. This was a brand spanking new product when I bought it, so I took a chance with it. I then saw Marlena, aka MakeupGeek, on YouTube rave about this in I think her Hot New Products video for January. I still have yet to try this as I haven't really worn alot of makeup lately, but I can't wait to put it to the test. 

I had so many points saved up, and when I saw the Boscia Black Magic kit as a 500 point perk, I snagged it up right away. I have tried some Boscia products in the past, but never tried any of their "black" products. I've already tried the Luminizing Black Mask in this kit, and holy crap is that stuff amazing! It's one of those peel-off masks, which I normally don't care for, but this stuff is incredible! I couldn't believe all the dead skin and nastiness that was on the mask after I peeled it off. I'm tempted to try out some of their other peel-off masks now. 

Also, when you spent $25 there was a coupon code to get a skincare sampler bag that contains 12 different samples from brands like Fresh, Bliss, Glamglow, Origins, Philosophy and more. I kinda have an obsession with samples, so I'm pretty excited to dig into these. There is a sample of the Glamglow Supermud Mask, which I can't wait to try. Reading about it reminds me of the Origins Charcoal Mask that I love so dearly, so I definitely want to see if this compares to that.

Now for the little bit I got from Ulta. They sent out 20% coupons that were good on everything except for just a few items, but I was happy that the coupon worked on most of the high-end products. I've been really wanting to get my hands on the Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette since it came out. I didn't really need another palette, so I waited and waited, and once I got that 20% off coupon in the mail, I figured it was time to treat myself. This is at Sephora as well, but I wanted to use the coupon I had while it was good! I haven't tried it yet, but the colors are gorgeous and I keep reading good reviews on it. I do want to review it myself once I try it out a few times.

I also decided to try out the EOS lip balm in the Coconut Milk scent. I honestly don't really like the regular EOS lip balms all that much, but Emily Noel on YouTube really likes this particular one, so I figured I'd give it a try. I also got an EOS hand cream for my mother-in-law because she was with me and said she needed one for her purse. I think she got the Cucumber scent, but I don't know what her opinion of it is yet. 

That's everything I got! I'm definitely trying to make an effort in not spending as much money in a month that I normally do on beauty products, and so far I'm doing good! I still have a Sephora giftcard that my husband got me for Christmas though...

Is there anything you've bought recently that you're enjoying?

Also, remember my Borghese giveaway and my blog sale! I just updated it with new products :)

Sephora VIB Sale Haul!

Hey guys! It's that time of year again when Sephora has their yearly sale for VIBs and VIB Rouges. The sale did end on the 10th but naturally, I bought quite a few goodies that I'm really excited to share with you guys. It's safe to say that I don't need anything beauty related for a long while! I think after the holiday's are over, it's spending ban time. Anyway, onto the products!

The first product I knew I wanted to get was the Bliss Buttah-Bling! trio. I love body butters, especially this time of year and I do love the Bliss body butters alot. (I still love The Body Shop ones too!) This set comes with 3 different scents: Lemon+Sage, Blood Orange+White Pepper, and Grapefruit+Aloe. I can't wait to use these when the weather gets super cold because I know these will be ultra hydrating.

I debated on whether or not to get a backup Beauty Blender, so when I was looking online I came across this set. It's got two of the original Beauty Blenders plus a liquid Blender Cleanser and it only cost $39.95. With the extra 20% off, I figured it was worth it. Now I'm stocked with Beauty Blenders for quite a while!

Next up is the Tarte Pin Up Girl Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Palette. I wanted to purchase this online, but by the time I could get on the site, it said it was sold out. I didn't need this, but I only have one other Tarte blush from a kit last year, so I wanted to broaden my horizons. Luckily, I went to the Sephora inside JC Penny near me, and they had a couple of these left in stock, so I snatched it up. 

Bite Beauty has been a brand that I've really wanted to get more into. I bought their limited edition rose lip gloss library and love that alot. This is the Best Bite Remix set which has 4 of their High Pigment Lip Pencils in the colors Pomegranate, Rhubarb, Sable and Winterberry. I'm so excited to try these because EmilyNoel on YouTube raved about this set, and I trust everything she says. 

Next up is nothing fancy, but I needed a pencil sharpener for my eyeliner pencils. I have a really old one that my mom gave me, but I think it's dying on me. It was time for an upgrade.

Then we have a brush set. This is the Sephora Collection Natural Resources: Everyday Eye Brush Set. I feel like I'm getting bored with the eye brushes I have, and I'm always on the hunt for brushes that work well.

Last few things! I haven't bought any of my beloved Philosophy Shower Gels lately, and this one in the scent Peppermint Stick smells so awesome, seriously, I could eat it! (I won't though, no worries!) I also wanted to pick up the Fresh Cream Body Lotion because of Jaclyn Hill on YouTube. I'll admit, I never really tried any of Philosophy's body creams, and this one definitely smells amazing, but I have yet to try it, so I can't say if it's hydrating or not.

The last product I decided to buy was a total splurge. It's the much talked about Nars Kabuki Ita Brush. Yes, this brush was $55, and yes I fell for the hype. I don't know what it is, but if something gets talked about so much, I tend to want to try it out. It was sold out for ages, and I guess for the sale, Nars decided to put it out again. Of course it's sold out now, but maybe they'll bring it back again. I hope this is as good as I've been hearing it is. 

What did you pick up during the VIB sale?

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!

August 2013 Empties!

Be prepared guys, this past month I went through a ton of products! I honestly don't know how I did it but when I looked in my empties bag, it was practically full! Before I ramble on too much, lets see what I used up!

Starting off with hair care and body care, I used up the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo. Now I won't take full credit for using all of this as my fiance was the main person to use it, I just helped him use it up since he started using something new! I probably finished off the last quarter of the bottle. This shampoo smells amazing, as does all Garnier shampoos and conditioners do, but it made my hair feel dry. I felt like I had to load up on the conditioner after using this stuff. I won't repurchase.

I used up another set of The Body Shop Banana Shampoo and Conditioner. I've talked about this numerous times and did a review post as well raving about them. I still like these, but I think I got bored of using them to be honest. They're still very nice, but I probably won't repurchase for a while, mostly because of the price. Luckily, these were the last bottles I had of these in my closet so I can move on to something else!

Now for body care, I used up the Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash. I liked using this when I got breakouts on my back and chest (nasty, I know). I honestly don't know how well this works because body washes aren't on your skin long enough to have any effect so the ingredients go down the drain before they're given a chance to work. It also smells very chemically as well, which I'm not a big fan of. I probably won't repurchase this.

The last body product I used up is the Philosophy Pineapple Coconut Shower Gel. I've talked about these a ton as well, and everyone knows how much I love Philosophy shower gels. This stuff smelled amazing and made my skin feel soft and clean. I will always love these shower gels!

I used up a decent amount of skincare as well! The first product I used up is The Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector. I had this little bottle for ages and just always forgot to use it. I decided to finally use it up because it was just sitting in my bathroom. I don't really know how to describe this stuff. I guess it's basically a treatment gel to shrink your pores, but this did nothing to shrink mine. My pores are like craters anyways, so it's hard to find a product to help reduce them. I definitely will not repurchase this.

Next, I used up the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleansing Cloths. I did a review on these as well so I won't go too much into detail about them. I generally did like these for removing my makeup, but the new packaging has 15 wipes less than the package I had so it's not that good of a deal anymore. Not going to repurchase because there are too many great drugstore options.

I also used up one of the wonderful The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toners. Again, I've talked about this product a bazillion times and still love it as much I have before. Will always repurchase!

Finally for skincare, I used up the Bliss No Zit Sherlock Purifying Cleanser & Toner. I used this cleanser at night and it was alright, but I felt like it burned my skin when I used it most times. I'm not sure why as I can't really tell from the ingredients what would irritate me. I know I won't repurchase this.

Now for a few miscellaneous products. I used up a Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Foaming Hand Soap in the Black Cherry Merlot scent. This stuff smelled absolutely amazing! I actually enjoyed washing my hands with this stuff. I have tons of the B&BW handsoaps so I won't repurchase for a while.

Next I used up The Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It. I don't feel like this mattified my skin at all and it didn't help my makeup last either. I have difficulty finding a good face primer for my oily skin, so I'm still on the hunt!

The last product I used up is an On10 Lip Balm in a Cherry Chocolate scent. I'm not picky with lip balms and I did like this. It's got an SPF of 15 which is great for daytime use and it smelled awesome. I have so many lip balms as a backup so I don't need to repurchase any for a very long while!

Phew! If you made it til the end, you're so awesome! I'm incredibly happy I was able to use up this much. I even re-organized my closet with all my beauty stuff and was shocked to see some space! I have stuff in my bedroom though that will fill those spaces ;)

Remember my giveaway is still going for 5 more days! If you're in the US you can enter, so check it out if you haven't yet!

What did you use up in August?

How To Take Care of and Treat: Combination Skin

Today I'm going to talk about combination skin. Combination skin can sometimes be a little finicky to treat because you can be combination/oily, which means you can lean towards being more oily, combination/dry, which means you lean a little more towards dry skin or just combination, which is a combo of oily and dry. There might have to be some trial and error in finding the right products to help take care of your skin.

Now, for a cleanser, don't look for something that's strictly for oily skin because it can dry it out real bad, but also stay away from super moisturizing cleansers as well (unless you lean a little towards the drier side). For me, I get combination to combination/oily skin in the later part of the Fall, into Winter, and the very beginning of Spring. A cleanser I absolutely love to use in the winter is Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash. Seriously, this cleanser is so fantastic and it's one of the only cleansers that I can use when it's colder outside. Here is a description of what it says on Sephora, "When it comes to faces with dry and oily places, it takes a clever cleanser to balance the two. This gentle, frothy face wash carefully does both jobs without canceling each other out. Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched." I couldn't agree more with this description. It cleans my skin well, but doesn't leave it parched and dry and also doesn't leave my feeling oily as the day goes on. A little goes a very long way with this cleanser. A little pea-sized drop will do, so it will last you a very long time, and it's only $20, so that's not too bad for a higher end cleanser. A nice drugstore cleanser is Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser. I haven't used this in years, so I don't remember too much how it worked, but I do remember liking it at the time. 

With toners, like I said with dry skin, you can skip unless you absolutely feel the need to use one. A toner I really, really love is Bliss Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner. This toner is so amazing. It keeps my skin hydrated enough in the winter but it doesn't create any grease on my skin either. A good drugstore toner is Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner. I really think any skin type could use this, but it's just a simple, basic toner to help prep for moisturizer.

Onto moisturizers. This could be tricky depending on which combination skin you have. If you have combo/oily, try Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This stuff is like a cult classic in the world of beauty. If this one doesn't seem moisturizing, try the lotion version instead (which is really geared more toward combo/dry, but hey, it doesn't hurt to test it out). For combo/dry skin, try out Ole Henriksen Truth Creme Advanced Hydration. Now I know this sounds like it's for people with totally dry skin, but this one has a lighter texture, so it's not as heavy as a cream. This stuff is pretty expensive too, so for a drugstore moisturizer, try Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture, Combination Skin. I'll admit, in the dead of winter, in like the middle of January, my skin can actually get pretty dry and this is the only moisturizer that hydrates my skin just enough, but doesn't make it an oil slick.

Now for sunblock! Finding a sunblock for combination skin can be a bit tricky as well because it can moisturize the dry areas, but make oilier areas more oily and it can just be really annoying. Unless you wear foundation everyday that's got a high SPF, you're definitely gonna need a sunblock and one I hear good things about is Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40. This can even replace a regular moisturizer if you don't want to layer too much on. this is also a little pricey so a nice drugstore alternative is Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock. I know I recommended this for oily skin, but this can be wonderful for combination skin as well. And there are a ton of SPF levels on this sunblock, so choose which one you like. I prefer the SPF 55. 

Alright, now I really hope this helped anyone who has issues finding products for their combination skin. I know it can be such a pain finding something good. Trust me, that's why I hate my skin most in the winter because it changes almost everyday at that time, and like I said before, it can be trial and error in finding what's right. But when you do find something that works, stick with it. In the end, it'll be so worth it.

How To Take Care of and Treat: Oily skin

Since my last post was about the different skin types, I figured I'll write about how to take care and treat your skin type. Today, I'm starting with oily skin because that's my skin type and it's the type I know most about. So, lets get into it! 

Now, I'm going with personal experience here and let everyone know what I use and also recommend what I like, but I'll give some other options and recommendations as well. So, once you've decided your skin is oily, the first step is to find a good cleanser that's preferably gel-based or foaming (I love both honestly). I actually use two cleansers because I also have sensitive skin on top of the oiliness. One in the morning and the other at night. In the morning I use Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser, one because it's gentle enough for my sensitivity, and two because it's foamy enough to clean my skin but not strip it and dry it out. This has been my regular morning cleanser for about a year or so now. At night, I recently started using Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser. I use this to help keep my breakouts at bay and it also does a good job at taking off any makeup I wore that day (along with using my Clarisonic, but a review of that will be in another post! :)). Another good cleanser that is actually very popular is Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. Now, I haven't used this cleanser in years, and by years I mean since I was around 13, so that's a good 10 years but I remember it being kinda like a creamy gel consistency but not too creamy and it left my face feeling clean and soft. If drugstore brands aren't what you're after a good cleanser that can be found at Sephora is Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel. I can't say enough about this cleanser! This is the cleanser I used as my last night cleanser and it is uh-may-zing! Pairing it with my Clarisonic made it a zillion times better. My skin was always soft, smooth and clear and took every little bit of makeup off my face. It's just a wonderful product.

This next part isn't an absolute must in your skincare routine, but I use it every single day, and that is a toner. Now, like I said, you don't have to use a toner but because my skin gets so greasy, especially now with how hot and humid it's been, I'm gonna talk a little about them. Again, I use two different toners for morning and night. In the morning I use The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner. This stuff is fantastic. It mattifies my skin and makes it feel really soft. The toner I use at night is another The Body Shop toner. It's the Aloe Calming toner. Again, this stuff is amazing too. There are only six ingredients in it, so it's perfect for sensitive, fussy skin. It's also good for in the morning if you're feeling lazy, you can just splash your face with lukewarm water, dry, then swipe that toner all over. You can even put it in the refrigerator if you got sunburned or just want to cool off. Another good higher end toner is BLISS Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner. I'll be honest and say I haven't tried a drugstore toner but I hear there are good ones from Neutrogena and Olay.

Onto Moisturizers. A lot of people who have oily skin think they don't need a moisturizer, but we really do! We just need one that's not a heavy, thick cream. We need more gel or light lotion based moisturizers that help balance oil production. For in the morning, I just started using Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream. This is actually pretty nice, it keeps my skin moisturized and hydrated without making me oily. The only downside for me is that its smell is a tad too strong for my liking. I try to stay away from very fragrant products because of sensitivity, but some people may like it. (EDIT: another downside is the packaging. It's way too bulky and I've already dropped it twice.) At night, I combine a serum and lotion together. I use The Body Shop Aloe Protective Serum and The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish Fade Night Lotion. (Can you tell I like The Body Shop Now?) Anyways, I just squirt half a pump each into my hands, rub them together and onto my face. I will say though, it can make my skin a little greasier than I like, but it doesn't bother me too much since I'm using it before I go to sleep. When I wake up in the morning though, my skin looks and feels so soft and clear so the extra grease doesn't bother me. A good higher end moisturizer is Philosophy On a Clear Day Oil-Free Moisturizer. This is really nice and keeps your skin looking soft and matte. A nice drugstore one is Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer. This is just a nice, simple everyday moisturizer for oily skin. 

Now I'm going to talk a little about sunscreen. Everyone knows about it, everyone knows they should use it, but not many people do, especially on a regular basis. This to me is probably the most important step in your routine. If you do nothing else but wash your face and put on sunscreen, I'd be a happy girl. Every morning I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55. I know, I know. The SPF is super high, but I'm paler than Casper the ghost so I need it, trust me. I say try and go for at least SPF 30 but if that's still high, 15 is as low as I'll suggest. This is probably the best sunblock I have ever used in my whole life. It does tend to make your skin look really white at first but if you blend it well, it goes away. But this stuff doesn't make my skin greasy, it doesn't clog my pores and it makes my skin feel softer. I use this every morning on my face, neck and chest area. I will put it on everywhere if I'm spending the day outside, though. I'm not even going to recommend another sunblock for oily skin because this truly is by far the best one I've used.

 If you're still reading at this point, you're awesome! I know this blog is very long but hey, I'm trying to give you all the best advice I can. I'm definitely gonna go into exfoliators, treatment masks and so on for different skin types, but those will be in separate posts after this little series. The next blog will be on how to take care of and treat dry skin. Anyways, thank you to everyone who takes time out of their day to check out my blog. Please leave any comments or questions and I'll respond as soon as I can.