Empties #6 | Products I've Used Up + Mini Review

Lots of big empties! I know I have three hand sanitizers that I used up recently, but I think they got lost in my move. I did pack up these empty things so I could take pictures and then throw everything away. I am on a mission to use up a bunch of products, so I'm sure I'll start doing a project pan style clean out.

I also feel like I'm sick of talking about empties so I'm going to attempt to make this short and sweet.

Bath & Body Works Sweet Magnolia & Clementine Shea & Fruit Body Scrub: I tend to use scrubs in the shower more often than soap or regular body wash. As I showed in my haul, I bought a ton of scrubs. I really like spring and summer scents, so I tend to hoard those so I can use them in the winter. I think I prefer the crushed coconut body scrubs that I'm using right now, but this was nice. I'm not sure if the beads are the kind that never break down though. Would I repurchase? I wish they made a candle in this scent. I'm thinking of getting this scent in the lotion during the next sale though.

Bath & Body Works Forever Sunshine Triple Moisture Body Lotion: I used this up pretty quickly because I try to use lotion when I get out of the shower. I liked the scent and I like how quickly Bath & Body Works lotions absorb because then I don't feel wet or sticky after putting on lotion. Would I repurchase? Not in this scent. There's a few different ones I want to buy instead.

Skinfood Milk Shake Point Eye Makeup Remover: When I stopped using the Missha cleansing oil that took off all my makeup, I needed to use a separate remover. I really like this one. It didn't sting my eyes and got everything off. Would I repurchase? Not anytime soon. I really like this, but it's something I generally have to order from Korea and I'm using a Missha cleansing water that does remove my mascara.

Secret Key Snail+EGF Repairing Toner: I don't think I've ever talked about this toner before because there was never a lot left in this bottle. This is one of my favorite Korean toners and I was sad that it was almost gone, so I never used it again. I was on a mission to finish up some products and this only had a few more uses in it, so I sadly killed it. Would I repurchase? Someday. I still want to use up a bunch of things and I have to order this from Korea.

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture with SPF 35: I used this every day for almost a year. I'm surprised this moisturizer lasted so long. It's nothing special, just a moisturizer with SPF. I liked it, but I'm not sure I would want to go through another one. Would I repurchase? I get bored using the same things all the time, which is why I have a million things. I have a Paula's Choice SPF moisturizer that I'm currently using and I don't think I need another.

Etude House AC Clinic Daily Acne Foam Cleanser: This was one of my favorite cleansers that I kept with only a handful of uses in the bottle. This only took about a week or so to finish up. I really liked using this again. Would I repurchase? Definitely! But after I use up some other cleansers. I think I have ten or so to finish.

Philosophy Purity: I hated this. I know this cleanser gets rave reviews online, but it isn't pure and it smells. I'm so glad I didn't purchase the large size of this cleanser when I bought the baby bottle on sale. I ended up using the rest of it to wash my brushes and it didn't even work that well for that. Would I repurchase? Absolutely never.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule: This lasted a crazy long time. I bought this in November during one of the Black Friday sales. I didn't think my other ones lasted quite as long, but I won't complain. This isn't exactly a cheap item. Thankfully I had a backup that I finally cracked into or I would need to reorder. Would I repurchase? Definitely, but I'll wait until the next 30% or 40% off sale.

Cocoa Pink Junkett Creme Conditioner in Caramel Popcorn Balls: This took forever to finish, which isn't a bad thing. The conditioner I'm currently using will probably take less time because my hair is longer now. I was using this conditioner when my hair was a lot shorter. Would I repurchase? I'm beyond sick of this scent now, which is great because I have a lotion in this scent. I also recently purchased two more of the Junkett in different scents, so I won't need to buy any in a long time.

Mizon Returning Starfish Cream: I loved this cream. It was my holy grail moisturizer this winter because my skin was so dry. I loved being able to slather this all over my face before going to bed. I used to apply a sleeping pack, which is a Korean style night moisturizer, but I didn't need to use any this winter. Would I repurchase? Definitely, but not until the cold weather because I don't need that much moisture now that it is so hot out.

I'm going to be super brief with my sample packets except for a few. 

Holika Holika Pig Nose Clear Black Head Strips: It's a blackhead strip. You wet it, it dries, it rips crap out of your nose. Great. Would I repurchase? Nope. I have plenty of these and others.

Holika Holika Aqua Fantasy Cream: I really love this, but the full jar is pricey, so I bought like 25 samples. I was using this on a daily basis and then we moved. I had more than three packets, but I don't know where those went. Would I repurchase? Nah. I have other things I use, and the jar is expensive. I don't want a ton of samples hanging around anymore.

Sephora Age Defy Under Eye Cream: This was nice. Then I forgot the packet was open and it completely dried out. Would I repurchase? If it were on sale and I was looking for an eye cream, maybe.

Laura Geller Spackle Bronze Tinted Primer: I didn't really care for this. It was okay. Would I repurchase? I would probably never buy a full size of this and I have plenty of other primers.

Nesura Deep Pore Charcoal Nose Strip: I actually liked this one. The only downside is that the strip is black and sometimes leaves black gunk around my nose after I peel it off. Would I repurchase? I have plenty of nose strips. 

Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Moisture Cream: This was really thick and nice, but it had a weird added fragrance smell. I don't think this is something I would want on my face all the time. Would I repurchase? Nope, but I'd use another sample.

Innisfree Apple Juicy Liquid Foaming Cleanser: I have a ton of cleanser samples, but I never use them because I have so many full size cleansers to work through. I had to stay overnight at Shaun's sister's apartment with him and didn't want to drag a full bottle with me, so this was good for two face washes. I like the smell of the Apple Juicy line, since I have a cleansing cream as well, so this was really nice. Would I repurchase? This is one that I would consider after I use up a bunch of other cleansers. 

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara: I talked about this in a recent favorites post. I really liked this mascara, mainly for the brush. It's possible that this is my favorite drugstore mascara. Would I repurchase? I have a lot of samples left to use up, but I will definitely be buying another one of these. There's also another version I might want to try too.

Shiseido Facial Cotton: I love these. I didn't think it was possible to love cotton squares, but these are fantastic. The ones I used to buy from the drugstore would pill up and leave cotton particles all over my face while toning or using something like a liquid exfoliater These cotton squares are perfect and end up costing less than the drugstore ones. I think there's 165 in a package for $10 and I usually buy a 30 or 60 pack of drugstore ones for $3 or so. Would I repurchase? Ha. That's a trick question. I'm currently into a new bag of cotton and then have another backup. I can get these at Sephora or online at Nordstrom where they're on sale from time to time.

Bath & Body Works Candles in Oceanside, Mango Dragon Fruit, Caribbean Escape, Love and Sunshine, Watermelon Lemonade, and Cherry Blossom Sangria: Bath & Body Works are the only candles I burn because they smell so good. The trick is to buy them when they're 2 for $24 or 50% off. I would never buy one of these candles for $23 a piece. That's too expensive. I tend to rotate them so that they all burn up at the same time. Would I repurchase? I currently have 8 candles that I'm working through right now, but it's time for the Semi-Annual sale where most of them are between $11 and $12 each, so I'll definitely be a buying a few more before the sale ends.

2015 Year to Date Favorites

It's been an age. I know. I'm finally past one of two certification exams, and I am over the hump of the semester that is mid-terms. So I'm able to chat about some of my favorite things! 2015 has been a year of lazy, no-makeup blah-ness. However, I have managed to try a few new things and rekindle my love for some tried and true favorites.

Jamberry Nails Cuticle Oil: Okay, so since I have started to make a little side business selling nail wraps, I've realized that I should probably take care of my hands a little better. One of those ways is with Jamberry cuticle oil. I am obsessed with this stuff. I don't get nearly as many hangnails (are those the painful skin cracks on your hands right by your nail? Or is the hangnail the actual hanging nail?) and the dry patches around my nails are going away. I usually use it at least once a day, but have been aiming for twice. It's an incredible value for $10. I've used it twice a day for a month, give or take a few days, and it's not even a quarter of the way gone yet. I got this in my starter kit, or else I wouldn't have really tried it... it's incredible, though, and I'm glad I did.

Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick: Juicy Peach is my favorite lip product right now. First, it smells divine. Second, it's just tinted enough to be subtle, but it gives a pop of color too. It's also really easy to re-apply. And it really does moisturize! I'm not sure of the ingredients on it, but it doesn't make my lips thirsty for more like some lipsticks or lip glosses do, or even some chapsticks. I'm always tempted to wear it to bed like a chapstick.

Davines OI All in one Milk: So, I tried this from a Birchbox way back in October or November and I hated it. But recently I was staying at my boyfriend's place, and I picked it up off of his counter. I used my normal shampoo and conditioner, so I figured I'd give it one more shot. It didn't weigh my hair down at all, and it made it very soft. I loved the way my hair looked that day when I went to work. I've now ruled that part of my hair care routine out and determined that it was either the shampoo or conditioner from the Davines line that weighed my hair down. I'm glad I gave it another shot.

Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Lotion: You guys. I went without this for like two months when my little starter sample ran out and I was so sad. But I sucked it up and spent the $30 and my skin feels much softer now. When I find a skin care routine that works, I've just gotta go with it. No more procrastinating, no more "I'll try something else." Just go with what works, for the most part. Of course, I'll try new things, but when it comes down to it, I need my previously tested awesome toner lotion.

Clarisonic Mia 2: So I love my boyfriend with all of my heart and soul, but I'm certain he is to blame for the death of my first Clarisonic Mia. He wasn't very careful of the little shelf it was on, and kept knocking it over. Every time I heard that "thud", my heart dropped. I tried to charge it one day, and it wouldn't charge. I told my mom, hoping that she had paperwork or something on it, but on Christmas morning, I had a brand new Clarisonic :) I'm so happy! It's no different than the original, really, other than the color, but it works wonderfully and I am grateful to have it again. I'm trying to make more of a consistent commitment to my skin and my beauty routine, so this is a great way to start that!

I promise I'll be back in the next day or so with more posts from the past month or two. It's good to be back!

What's In My Bag | Christmas Vacation | Skincare

Just wanted to give a quick peek into my bag. These are the skincare products that I brought with me to New Hampshire for a week.

I've been loving all things Missha, as you might be able to tell. I brought the Super Aqua Hydrating toner, the Cherry Blossom Cleansing Oil, and the Chocolate Latte Cleansing Foam. 

I also brought my Neutrogena moisturizer with SPF because I was actually going to see the sun at some point. I made sure to also take along my Clarisonic because I didn't want to use up all Shaun's mom's washcloths.

I'm not following the order of the picture, so try to follow along. More Missha. I finally cracked into my Time Revolution Night Ampoule. Following up with another ampoule, I started using the It's Skin vitamin C ampoule. I brought a lot of Clinique: my acne solutions, repairwear eye cream, all about eyes cream, and moisture surge. I of course had to take along my Alpha Hydrox duo of the AHA Souffle and Retinol. Last thing I brought with me for skincare was my Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Cream, which has basically saved my dry skin.

And last but not least, my hand cream, which I suppose counts as skincare!

Favorites and Flops: October 2014

I've already delayed this post long enough, so forget rounding all of the items up to get a picture. Not worth the effort. However, I will say that I had way more favorites than flops this month, and it's exciting!

Favorites:

Hands of Hope: Philosophy
This stuff is amazing. It helps my cuticles, and my always-appearing hangnails. I forget to use it sometimes, but when I don't use it, I can tell! My mom gave me this stuff last Christmas, and I finally started to use it. It is the bee's knees.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
I got this in a Smashbox Starter Kit with Birchbox points, and I love it. I will eventually purchase the full size, when I'm not poor and broke and on a Project Pan makeup hiatus. My birthday is now less than a month away, so who knows what's in store?

It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Product
I am going to cry a river of tears when my sample of this runs out. I found out they sell it at my local grocery store (by that I mean, the one a tenth of a mile from my apartment) which is both good and bad. Good, in that the price MAY be more reasonable than at Ulta. Bad, in that it's so accessible and tempting. But this sample has lasted me an age, and to be honest, a huge-ass bottle will probably last me a century.

Neutrogena Moisturesmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach
This. Stuff. Smells. Fantastic. My co-worker passed it on to me (and it's part of my Project Pan), and I just love it. It smells great, and it looks great on me. It keeps my lips hydrated better than Chapstick does, which says a LOT about this product. I will definitely, definitely repurchase this.

Benefit "They're Real" Mascara
This mascara is great! I'm hashtag-blessed with long lashes as it is, but these make them look a lot better! It doesn't flake, it has good coverage, and it doesn't smudge easily. I highly recommend it. Unfortunately, I only have a sample size, but I'll dish out a little cash for this someday, after I run out of the eleventy-billion mascaras I now have.

Coastal Scents Go Palette - Beijing
This palette came in my first Boxycharm box and it is BEAUTIFUL. The colors are so useful, and some of them are a little more bold than I would normally wear, which is fun! I always reach for the plum purples and some of the browns in it. This palette has been my go-to for eyeshadow lately, and I absolutely love it!


Flops:

NCLA Nail Polish: Model Behavior
This also came in my first Boxycharm box. It was this beautiful grey-brownish color in the bottle. One coat didn't cover my nails, but the second coat took it from that pretty color to a jet black color. I was so disappointed. It also chipped really, really easily. I think I had it on for a day, even with a crazy good topcoat and base coat, and it was a dud immediately. I gave it away; I was really disappointed.

Mereadesso Moisturizer
This isn't the worst "flop" to ever flop. It just happens to break my face out sometimes, along my jawline. I don't know if I'm allergic to something in it, or what. But it makes my face really soft and smooth. I'm trying to determine if it's the different skin care routine I use it with (I leave it at my boyfriend's place; it's a resealable sample) that causes the breakout or the lotion itself. But either way, it's slightly disappointing.

Be a Bombshell Mascara
First of all, this stuff SMELLED. I mean, I know mascara has a smell, but this smelled god-awful. It was brand new, so I knew it wasn't bad. But, after a few hours, it started flaking on me and it was almost dry from the start. I don't know if I just got a dud, or what, but this mascara was disappointing and frustrating. I don't know what about the Be a Bombshell brand sticks in my head as "quality", but I was really let down by this product.


Now that November is almost over, too, I may as well get on making that list...