August 2018 Empties

Hey guys, long time no see! Life has been busy the last couple months, and blogging hasn't been a main priority. I'm sorry for that, and hope to pick back up! I haven't shared my empty products lately, so today I will share what I used from from August. September and October empties will be posted separate. I'm going to start making these posts a little shorter, and basically say whether or not I liked it, and if I'd repurchase.

I'll start off with some skincare I finished. I really enjoyed the Belif Bergamot Herbal Extract Toner. It helped my oily skin feel less oily, and I felt my skin was prepped well before serums. Would repurchase.

I finished up two deluxe sizes of the Bliss Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. This moisturizer is alright, just a basic everyday moisturizer. There was nothing special to it, but it didn't make me feel greasy, which was nice. Would not repurchase.

I had a small sample from a brand called ASAP and it was their Gentle Cleansing Gel. I actually really liked this! I felt it cleansed my skin nicely and didn't leave it feeling tight or dry. Would repurchase. The Lancer The Method: Cleanse cleanser on the other hand left my skin feeling so dry, I had to use so much more moisturizer. It cleans well, but definitely isn't something I would buy myself. Would not repurchase.

Last up is some body and hair care. I had gotten the Softsoap Eternal Bloom body wash as a PR sample a while ago. I like the smell of these soaps, but I feel like they dry out my skin a little too much, and I end up using more moisturizer than I want to. Would not repurchase. 

Bath & Body Works hand soaps are nearly gone in my stash, and I used up the Cozy Vanilla Cream scent. Liked the scent, but will not repurchase. 

I used up two products from Perlier, the Shea Butter Ultra Rich Moisturizing Shower Cream and the Honey Nurturing Body Balm. Both felt nice on my skin, but I would not repurchase. 

The Simply Clean Berry Whip Shower Sugar Scrub was a gift a couple years ago. I didn't like this. It smelled fake and had very few scrubbing bits. Would not repurchase. 

Lastly is the derma E Scalp Relief Conditioner. I loved how this made my scalp feel, but it didn't do much for my hair. Would not repurchase. 

Products used up: 11
Total for the year: 113

I feel like I'm doing well! I honestly haven't worn much makeup so I don't for-see using any up by the end of the year, unless something is old and I throw it away. I definitely think I'll be hitting my goal of 150 products used up by the end if December!

What have you used up recently?

January 2018 Empties

Hey guys! I know, it's been ages. I know, I say that every time I haven't posted in a while. Life is absolutely crazy lately and there are times where I just need to focus on my family and not worry about blogging. I really miss blogging so much though, and want to start again, so bear with me as I figure out a new schedule. I realized I've been hanging on to all the products I've used up since the beginning of the year, so today I'll be sharing what I used up in January, which was a great month!

I'll start off with all the skincare I used up. I have 3 of the Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gels that I'm decluttering from my skincare stash. I had used one of them once and absolutely hated how it felt on my skin, so I'm just getting rid of them. 

I loved the Caolion Hot & Cool Pore Pack Duo! It's this 2 step process that is said to help get rid of blackheads, and it's just awesome. I purchased mine a while ago from Sephora, but I don't think they carry it anymore.  

I had a deluxe sample of the Lancer Eye Contour Lifting Cream that I got from Influenster. I liked it, but it was nothing remarkable. Lancer products are so expensive, I don't think I could ever purchase anything myself. I also used up The Method: Nourish moisturizer and did like that but again, wouldn't purchase myself. 

Valentia is a brand I've liked for a long time, and I finally used up their Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum. I'm not as big of a fan of this product as I am with their other products, but this was still nice. I used it at night and woke up with nice, soft skin. 

Glamglow products are hit or miss for me, and their Youthmud Treatment is definitely not something I care for. Luckily, this deluxe sample was only a one-time use. 

I'm decluttering the BareMinerals Eye Rev-er Upper. It just got old and smelled funky, so in the garbage it goes.

Kate Somerville products are ridiculously expensive, so when I get samples, I'm happy. I really did enjoy the SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen. It was nice for my oily skin, but I don't think they even make this product anymore. Thank goodness too, otherwise I'd be tempted to buy it. 

It took me ages to use up the Garnier Blackhead Eliminating Scrub. I liked it at first, but realize it's too harsh for my skin. 

I love vitamin C serums, and the Kleem Organics Professional Age-Defying Vitamin C Serum was really nice. It smelled good, and made my skin look much brighter. 

Now for some body/haircare. I got the Softsoap Coconut Scrub in an old Influenster box and it took me far too long to use it up. I like the scent, but it wasn't an effective scrub. 

I also got the Curel Itch Defense Moisturizing Spray from an Influenster box, and I did enjoy this. It helped my dry skin feel soft and less itchy than usual, and I like the idea of a spray moisturizer. 

I'm decluttering the Monat Rejuveniqe oil. I keep hearing different things about this brand and I don't feel comfortable putting this in my hair or on my skin anymore, so it has to go. 

This isn't too fascinating, but I managed to use up a sample of the Degree Dry Protection deodorant. In all honesty, I don't wear deodorant much since I stay home with my daughter and don't leave the house much, so I don't go through it as much as I used to. 

Two hand creams I managed to use up are the Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail lotion and the Philosophy Cranberry Medley hand cream. I ended up not liking the Vaseline one because it burned my hands, but I do like the Philosophy. It smells nice and is hydrating, but when my hands are really dry and cracked, it doesn't do much and I need something heavier to get the job done. 

I used up a Desitin diaper rash cream on my daughter, in case anyone wants to know what she went through. I'm not the biggest fan of Desitin products and like other creams better, but this was fine and helped when she was a bit rash-y. 

I've been trying to use up the Absolute You're the Balm Green Apple lip balm for so long, and it's finally done. I really, really liked this balm a lot. I used it primarily at night and always woke up with hydrated and plump lips. 

Lastly, we have some foil packet type products. I used up 5 of the Dickinson's Oil Controlling Towelettes, which I do like, but they can be drying. The Blue Agave Hydrating Paper Mask by Freeman was nice, but it's not my favorite. I've really been enjoying using sheet masks after a clarifying mask, and it makes my skin feel so incredibly soft, and I wake up looking so nice. I've been wanting to try products from Andalou Naturals, and I had a sample of the Probiotic + C Renewal Cream. I LOVED this so much! I think it would be better for me in the warmer months, but it made my skin feel so soft otherwise. 

Products used up: 27
Total for the year: 27

I already feel so proud of myself! I had lofty goals last year, and only finished up 92 products. I said in my previous empties post that I want to use up 150 products this year, and I feel like I could make that goal possible! I'm also making more of an effort in doing my makeup as well, so I'll likely have some of those products to share at some point. I'm determined to make 2018 better in all aspects, not just with beauty and blogging. Thank you to those who have stuck around with me. I know I've been really slacking with my blog, but I really do want to make an effort and post more often. 

What are some products you've used up recently?

June 2016 Empties

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Hey guys! I usually start off the month with my favorite products of the month prior, but in all honesty, I did absolutely nothing with makeup and hardly took care of my skin. If you've already read this post, then you know that pregnancy has been taking a toll on me. I've been exhausted and sick all the time, and just couldn't be bothered with anything beauty related. As of today, I'm just over 15 weeks along and feel (almost) like a new person! I'm still tired, but I don't feel like I could sleep all day anymore. I somehow did manage to use up a few products, so I wanted to share them with you!

I'll start off with the skincare and one lone makeup product. The When Snow Magic sheet mask was surprisingly pretty good! You all know I don't really care for sheet masks much, but this one surprised me. I actually noticed results right after, and when I woke up in the morning, my skin was so much brighter and softer. 

The Christie Brinkley Close Up Instant Wrinkle Reducer and Treatment was shit. Sorry for the language, but this was such an awful product, I have no idea why it was even made. I used it in the past as a smoother for the fine lines around my eyes and also around my smile lines. I followed directions to a T and I always ended up with flaky, white stuff on my skin. Forget putting makeup on top of this too, it makes you look like your skin is falling off. This was kindly sent to me for review, but it's time to throw it away because I will never use it. 

Next up is the DDF Amplifying Elixir. I used this as a serum underneath my moisturizer in the daytime, and I adored how soft this made my skin feel. It's incredibly liquid-y so a few times, I did squeeze out too much. This deluxe sample lasted me quite a while too. I'm not sure if I would repurchase, but it was nice while it lasted. 

The one time in June I wore makeup, I tried out the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. It was quite dried up, so in the garbage it goes. 

Lastly for skincare, I used up two sample packets of the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil. Now I can't use this directly on my skin, otherwise I breakout in tiny red bumps. What I did with these was put them into a clay mask that had dried up a bit to give it some more life, and it worked like a charm! I'm not sure what it is with this particular argan oil that I have such a strange reaction if put directly onto my skin, but mixed into a mask or a drop in my foundation is fine. 

Next up is some random body and hair products. I love Bath & Body Works handsoaps, but they're so darn expensive, even with a sale. Pumpkin Cupcake lived in my bathroom, and the Fresh Lavender stayed on my kitchen sink. Both were lovely and if I can find cheaper handsoaps in yummy scents elsewhere, then I'm abandoning B&BW unfortunately. 

I had gotten a nice PR package from Derma E and it included a deluxe size of their Scalp Relief Conditioner. This was nice, it felt cooling in my hair, but didn't do an amazing job at conditioning. I usually had to use extra leave-in conditioner after using this. 

I also have a deluxe size of the Softsoap Juicy Pomegranate & Mango Infusions Moisturizing Body Wash. The scent of this was pure heaven, and I was so sad when I was finished using it. There is a tiny bit left, but I couldn't get that out no matter how hard I tried. I may have to look for this brand next time I need body wash. 

Last up is some boring stuff, vitamins. Once I found out I was pregnant, I definitely tried my hardest to be good about taking my vitamins. Most times they made me sick, but I still tried my best! I managed to use up the Nature Made Fish Oil as well the Prenatal Multi. I would most definitely repurchase the Fish Oil, but not the Prenatal. I have a condition that I found out about and can't take vitamins containing Folic Acid. I need Folate, the real stuff. Folic Acid is synthetic, and with my condition, my body doesn't process Folic Acid like other people can. Ideally what I need to take is Methylfolate, but it's so hard finding an inexpensive vitamin that contains it. I'm still on the hunt!

Number of products used up: 12
Total for the year: 87

I didn't do too good last month. I mentioned before that my goal was to use up 250 products, and now that it's half way through the year, I don't think I see myself hitting that goal. Unless I use up a bunch of samples and deluxe sized products, it's gonna be tough. I'm still trying my best of course, and I'm making it my mission in July to start taking better care of my skin and wearing makeup more often. 

What did you use up last month?

October 2015 Empties

Hi everyone! October wasn't too great with using up products due to me being in the hospital and now trying to feel better again. I did manage to use up a fair amount, so it's time to share it with you!

I'll start off with a few body products and a lone toothpaste. I'm in love with the Tom's Sensitive toothpaste! It makes my teeth feel really clean, my breath feels fresh, and I don't get any irritation on my teeth or gums when using this. It can be a little on the expensive side, but occasionally my grocery store has a sale for $1 off and there are coupons once in a while as well. 

The Olay Sensitive Body Wash is something my husband mostly used, but I used it sometimes. I heard about this from Jen, From Head to Toe on YouTube, and honestly, this body wash is really, really, really amazing! It's unscented, but it's got a bit of a light, fresh scent still. My husband and I both have pretty sensitive skin on our bodies, so I'm really thinking of completely switching to this once we use up our hoard of body washes. It's really that good!

I finally used up the Bath & Body Works Jingle Bellini Body Lotion, and I really am not a fan of their body products to be honest. Their body washes and lotions make my skin itchy and irritated and I typically have to mix the lotion with another one to get decent hydration. I know I have a few body washes left to use up, but I'm not sure if I have any lotions left. 

I used up a little sample of the Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream, and I unfortunately didn't like this either. Anywhere I put this, I would get clogged hair follicles that became really inflamed and painful, almost like cystic acne. It wasn't fun, and I will never in a million years buy this full sized. I love Origins products too, so it's a shame this didn't work for me. 

Now for some hand products! I had received the Softsoap Pampered Hands Foaming Hand Soap in the scent Coconut Lime in an old Influenster box and just left it sitting around in my stash. I figured I'd give it a go, and I was pretty impressed! The scent is amazing (although my husband hated it), and it did clean my hands nicely. 

Next up is a Bath & Body Works Deep Cleansing Hand Soap in the scent Eucalyptus Mint. This was the soap I had in my kitchen and I feel it's the perfect kitchen scent. It smelled medicinal, which I'm a fan of, and I really enjoy their soaps with the exfoliating beads. my husband loves them too since he works in the medical field and always needs to keep his hands scrubbed clean. 

I normally am a huge fan of the L'Occitane hand creams but this one is called an Ice Hand Cream Gel, and it had a very lemon-y, almost chemically scent. I didn't like that, and it also did absolutely nothing for my dry hands. If anything, it made them worse and I'd have to find something more hydrating. I much prefer L'Occitane's normal hand creams with the high concentrations of shea butter. 

Lastly, I have just a few skincare products. You all know my love for The Body Shop, and their Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash is one of my go-to cleansers in the warmer months. It helps to keep my skin less oily and feeling clean, and I really do notice fewer breakouts using this as well. 

Using their Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion in conjunction with the cleanser can be sometimes a bit much, but I had really clear skin while using both together. While I do really like this gel-based moisturizer, I think my skin has different needs now that I'm a bit older (not that I'm old, but I'm pushing 30!). 

I can't say enough horrible things about the little sample of Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil. I don't know if it's just my skin, but the two uses I got from this sample packet made me breakout SO bad! It wasn't like cystic acne, but I had so many little red dots all over my face, and alot of them turned into whiteheads. We all know how attractive those are (not!). Even my husband made a comment about my skin! Lesson learned from this. I can't use it as regular skincare, but I can add a drop mixed in with my foundation and be fine.

Those are the few products I managed to use up. I currently have quite a few that are about to run out, and I'm trying to use up as much as I can before the new year!

What are some products you used up?

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