Empties: 5

December 16, 2019 | Beauty, Empties | 37 Comments »

This is my last empties post of 2019. It’s also only my second. Which means I haven’t really been trying to put a dent into the mountains of makeup I have surrounding me. To be fair it’s been a challenging year. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been great! But that hair situation really set me back. I did manage to try out most of those mascaras from the Sephora Favorites Lash Party Mascara Sampler that I purchased last year. Let’s see which ones I liked…

Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara $25.00
I actually ran through this one rather quickly. It did a great job at lengthening my lashes, but I wasn’t really getting that volume. The brush was also very easy to work with.

Repurchase: Probably not. I did like it, but I didn’t love it.

Sephora Collection LashCraft Big Volume Mascara $14.00
I was surprised by this one. Out of the bunch this is the one that stood out the most. It did a great job and lengthening my lashes and even left me with some extra volume. The brush could be a little tricky to work with, but I wonder if that’s just the sample size? Either way this little gem turned out to be perfect.

Repurchase: Yes! I already have.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinishing Loose Powder $36.00
I’ve actually mentioned this finishing powder in a previous empties post. I purchased a full size and everything was going great. Suddenly it started caking up. As soon as it touched my skin it would cake up and looked all kinds of horrible. Before I decided it was going in the trash I tested it out with other foundations, primers, even moisturizers. I knew it was the finishing powder when I reached for another and my makeup was set beautifully. I really don’t know what happened. I used half of the new jar before I started experiencing issues. Odd.

Repurchase: No. Seriously, what happened here?

stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner $22.00
When I ran out of my go-to liquid eyeliner I reached for one of my many samples. This one stood out the most. I really loved it at first. It glided onto my eyes with ease. It was a nice intense black. But by the time I got to the other eye it had dried out. I had to put the cap back on and wait a few minutes. Then I noticed the tip started to mess up. That fine point was no more. When I went to use it again I of course had a difficult time getting a perfect line because of the warped tip. I know samples can dry out a little faster than the fuller sizes so I can overlook that. But the warped tip is a big problem.

Repurchase: No. And this was a hard one too because I truly did love how it applied before the tip messed up.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Rose $28.00
I actually purchased this cute little bottle a while back. I held onto it afraid to use it because the last time MAC released the rose scent it was only for a short time. Once I saw that they brought it back and in the full size bottles, I finally caved and used it. I absolutely love it! It smells like rose, but I didn’t find it to be very strong. It was nice and refreshing and set my makeup beautifully.

Repurchase: Yes!

I’m really hoping to have a bunch more empties posts next year. I’d like to be able to do them quarterly.

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Empties: 4

July 18, 2019 | Beauty, Empties | 16 Comments »

I know that it’s been a little sluggish around here lately. I apologize for that. I do have lots to share with you all, but it’s been a pretty hectic Summer so far. My family and I are going on vacation in a few weeks. Shortly after we get back my son will be starting high school! A vacation is definitely needed, but since we’re going to Mexico we’ll have to fly. It’s been well over 10 years since I’ve flown. I’m not looking forward to it. I’m definitely looking forward to unplugging for a while and relaxing. But I have to make it through that plane ride first. I’m hoping to return with lots of amazing photos. The last time we went to Mexico I didn’t really know how to use my camera. It was still new to me. So my shots were just ok. I’ve gotten a little better since then so I’m really looking forward to retaking lots of those photos.

My little side hustle has picked up a bit too. I’ve mentioned before that I run a small catering/baking company. I’ve been baking non-stop for the past few weeks. On top of that I’ve been TRYING to stick to an exercise routine. I’m hoping to lose a few pounds before our vacation. But you know, I’m a baker and as a baker nothing leaves my kitchen without me trying it first. It’s a tough job I tell ya! Maybe I need to hire a tester? And an assistant? Yeah. A vacation is definitely needed. Anyway, onto the post!

It’s been a while since I did an empties post. I’m really trying to use up the products that I have. I haven’t been purchasing new products so maybe I’ll have a few more before the year ends? Maybe…

Derma Thereal Overnight Rejuvenation Cream (20 MG) $36.00
I recently mentioned this night cream in My Top CBD Picks. It’s a wonderful night cream. It doesn’t have a strong scent although I do detect a faint almost powdery scent. It plays nice with my super sensitive skin. More importantly, it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and looking pretty radiant. It doesn’t contain a whole lot of CBD. There is only about 20 MG in the entire jar and it lasted me a good 5-6 months. But something in this cream keeps my skin looking and feeling calm and for that I am grateful. I’ll have to check out some more products from Derma Thereal. This little jar has definitely impressed me. I highly recommend trying this night cream. Especially if you have sensitive skin.

Repurchase: Yes! I already have.

Caudalie Grape Water $18.00
I purchased the Caudalie Grape Water shortly after being diagnosed with rosacea. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I feel like for the most part my condition is under control. I do have flareups when I consume certain things or overdo it. Which is often if I’m being honest. But with the right products I’m able to get through these flareups rather quickly. The Grape Water is one of those products. I use this stuff a few times a day. I spray some on after cleansing both in the morning and night. I also spray some on whenever I’m experiencing a flareup. It calms my face down almost instantly. I’d be lost without this Grape Water.

Repurchase: Yes! I already have.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Wipes (25 CT) $14.00
By now you know that there are a handful of makeup wipes that I purchase and use regularly. I’m very cautious with makeup wipes because so many are harsh on my sensitive skin. I’m happy to say that these wipes from IT Cosmetics have made it into my rotation. They worked perfectly on my eyes removing all eye makeup without having to rub excessively. They didn’t have a strong scent and they didn’t leave behind an icky residue. The moment I knew I really loved these wipes was when I ran out and had to reach for my backup Almay wipes. Not only did they sting my eyeballs, but they left this really gross, slimy residue behind. I had to wash my eyes afterward because they became so irritated. The very next day I ran out to try and track down the IT Cosmetics Wipes. I wasn’t able to find them so I bought my trusty Derma E Wipes in the meantime. I will definitely order these online though. These 3-in-1 wipes not only cleanse, but they offer anti-aging benefits as well. They’re a little pricier than other makeup removing wipes on the market, but well worth it in my book.

Repurchase: Yes!

philosophy Amazing Grace Ballet Rose Eau de Toilette $22.00
I was on a bit of a rose kick last year so I ended up picking this up at my local Sephora. This little bottle lasted me well over a year! It smells really nice. I’m usually not big on floral scents, but this one stood out to me. It has a nice soft rose scent. It’s a little sweet too. I’m actually pretty bummed that I ran out of this one.

Repurchase: Yes! I’ll totally keep this in rotation.

philosophy loveswept Spray Fragrance $50.00
I bought this years ago! I wear perfume every day. I might leave my house completely bare-faced, but I’ll always spray on a little perfume. Always! And I was rocking loveswept daily for quite a while. I wasn’t as sad to finish this bottle. It smells nice. It has a nice, soft floral scent. I also found it to be a little on the sweet side. But for some reason it didn’t leave me wanting more. It could be that I’ve had this bottle for so long unlike Amazing Grace Ballet Rose.

Repurchase: Probably not. I did enjoy it while I had it, but it didn’t leave me wanting more.

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Empties: 3

December 27, 2018 | Beauty, Empties | No Comments »

The last empties post of 2018! I’m hoping for many more next year. I’d really like to try and use up more product.

Smashbox X-Rated Mascara
I received this sample sometime this year. I don’t know where or when exactly, but I know it was this year. I ended up falling in love with this mascara. It took me a while to get the hang of the wand, but once I did I swear it did wonders for both my upper and lower lashes! The time finally came to purchase a full size and… apparently it has been discontinued? I can’t find it anywhere! That really sucks because I think this could have been the one.

Repurchase: I would have if it were still available.

Yves Saint Laurent The Shock Volumizing Mascara $29.00
After I sadly tossed my empty X-Rated Mascara into the trash I reached into my sample drawer and picked this one up. The packaging is all kinds of fancy even for a sample! She sure did photograph well! I ended up with at least 3 great shots of this sample alone. I was really impressed with the volume this gave me. It also lengthened my lashes really well. It almost looked like I was wearing false lashes. After my first use I noticed a bit of clumping. Suddenly the brush didn’t separate my lashes as nicely. The brush does pick up a lot of product. After the first use it doesn’t spread out as evenly.

Repurchase: I wish I could say yes. The first application was perfect! But for that price tag I had better get a perfect application every single time!

Tatcha The Water Cream $68.00
I swear this was the world’s tiniest sample! I really hate samples that come in these cardboard type packages because you just know you’re only getting one use. But I guess Tatcha figured one use was all you needed to fall in love with this cream. And at least the cardboard is really pretty. Anyway, the small packet inside barely had enough product to cover my entire face. But I swear my skin never looked so good! My skin looked radiant! My redness calmed down and for once my bare skin looked… even. It truly is an impressive cream.

Repurchase: Yes!

Sky Organics Organic Rosewater Facial Mist $14.95
After being diagnosed with rosacea early on in the year, I did a lot of research to see what would help soothe my sensitive skin. Rose water kept popping up. When I stumbled upon this bottle from Sky Organics I just had to give it a try. I love their products so I knew it would be a winner. It’s a really nice sized bottle and a pretty one at that. It smells amazing! But most importantly it soothes my skin without drying it out. I spray it on after cleansing both morning and night. I also reach for it any time I feel a flareup coming on. It instantly soothes my skin leaving me feeling cool and refreshed.

Repurchase: Yes!

Life Flower Anxiety Elixir $25.00
My experience with Life Flower didn’t start off on a positive note, but it definitely ended on a positive note. After that Charcoal Aura Bath Bomb disaster the company kindly sent me a few of their more popular products to try out. I felt horrible writing a negative review and while I try my best to keep things positive, that bath bomb really was a disaster! And I will always be completely honest with you guys. Anyway, thankfully the other products turned out to be amazing. I ended up passing the Insomnia Elixir onto someone who ended up loving it. I then went and purchased the Anxiety Elixir to try out as it seemed like something I could really benefit from. Both my husband and I use the Anxiety Elixir. He actually uses it to help him sleep and he swears it helps. I purchased it in hopes it would help ease my nerves throughout the day and found that it helped relax me so much that it did make me sleepy. I don’t apply it too heavily during the day so that I can stay alert and get my work done. At night I apply a bit more and within a half hour I’m ready to sleep. It has a semi-strong herbal scent, but it fades nicely as it sinks into your skin. Despite the semi-strong scent I find it to be extremely relaxing! I apply it on my inner wrists and a bit on my neck so that I can breathe it in. I’m able to breathe more deeply and end up feeling relaxed and just… content.

Repurchase: Yes! This little roller ball is a miracle worker! I’m planning to get one for my mother-in-law too.

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