Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

WHY: I bought this when it first came out, probably for the same reasons everyone else did, the hope that there was a cheaper drugstore dark spot corrector that actually works! I bought it at the right time because I remember I used a multitude of coupons in one shopping trip just to justify this $17 purchase (had enough coupons to save $17 and make it free, haha).

PROS: I love the smell, as I do all Garnier products, but also because the version of the scent in this product is especially nice. I can't quite name how it is different, but it is, and I love it. Applies nice at first. I think maybe it does help dark spots a little. I also love that it is a metal tube and not a plastic one because you can really tell how you are progressing through the product and it helps you get every little bit out.

CONS: It rolls and peels if you use it before foundation. This is what caused me to stop using the product for a good chunk of time except for days where I knew I wouldn't want to wear make up. This may have caused me to see the minimal results that I got, but hey, I will live with dark spots if I don't have to deal with the rolly peely mess this made! Also, even though I loved that the tube was metal, I think this also had cons because the coloring and lettering seemed to be quite prone to rubbing/discoloration/scraping off. The outer packaging definitely makes it look more like a $17 product than the actual tube which seems more $9.99 or something, haha. Also, because of its ingredients, the excess product oxidizes on the nozzle and turns a crazy and kinda gross orange brown color. It doesn't ever do this on the skin, but it is kinda off-putting when you see it after a few weeks of use haha.

CONCLUSION: I wouldn't buy it again because it is pricey for something that I couldn't stick to enough to even decide if it gave results.

Has anyone else tried this? Did you stick to it enough to see results? Comment below! :)

Product Hit Parade

Whew! I managed go through a slew of products all at the same time! Check this puppy OUT! Time to try/buy new shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and moisturizer, yay! :)

1. Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask
Got it on sale, and I am glad I did because the only thing I liked about this was the scent, which was like fresh sugar cane :). Was hoping it would be super hydrating like the Macadamia Nut Oil stuff that people are raving about these days. Obviously this is a drug store product for a reason and is just trying to live off of the hype of the higher end product without delivering the same results. It didn't make my hair drier or anything, but I didn't think it did much more then a regular conditioner so the 5 minute wait just seemed pointless after a while.


2. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Shampoo
Honestly, I picked this up out of desperation for a cheap shampoo from a brand I can trust and wasn't in the mood at the time to buy a Herbal Essences one for whatever reason. I am so glad I picked this up because I realized that I love it! The smell is fabulous, like sour apples with a hint of the classic Garnier smell. Perfect for me! I love that it is 94% biodegradable (my little green heart sings), and I kinda think it has the style of a clarifying shampoo without being too harsh for every day, even with lather rinse and repeat like I do! Have a TIGI shampoo up next for use, but after I use that I will definitely consider this shampoo again, and definitely will be a go to when I am penny pinching!


3. Suave Almond + Shea Butter Conditioner
I bought this after I heard a Youtube Guru say it was actually just as good as the Aveda products the Suave bottle claims this is as good as. I loved the smell, I loved the consistency: thick without being too thick and heavy afterwards, and I loved the results! Bonus? The price is amazing for such a fantastic product! Suave, I apologize for always underestimating you because of your price points! Definitely will be buying this again after trying out some new conditioners on the market. :)


4. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
These were fine. I did like that the actual wipes felt softer than other brands I have used, and this product did its job. But it didn't really speak to me, and face wipes are kind of an extraneous/artificial step for me because my cleanser has always been able to clean off my make up and still clean my face all in one go. I will admit that I bought this mini pack because when I discovered that the UK Simple line came to the US I went a little crazy and bought many things (these wipes, the exfoliating wipes, the light moisturizer, AND the eye cream... oops O:) ). I liked the mini 7 wipe option (comes in a, like 25 wipe container too, don't worry), so it was a fun guilt free way to try it out. If I used face wipes more I might have a stronger opinion either way, but because I don't and have recently been using them just to use up the ones I have, it just stands as meh/fine in my eyes.


5. Garnier The Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes
Like with the Simple wipes, I used these just to use them because I have had them in my cabinet for some time (had a phase for a hot second in the summer where I liked face wipes, before I got more skin care obsessed and started on retinol). These wipes didn't feel as soft as the Simple ones, so when I feel inspired to buy wipes again, I will probably choose the Simple over these, but since Garnier has been around for a long time, I won't totally discount this product to a red rating because if in need and Simple isn't around or I change my mind about Simple wipes after I use their exfoliating wipes, Garnier will always be there for me with the classic Garnier smell that I just LOVE (still waiting for Garnier to discover that they should make a fragrance spray of this smell :) ).


6. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo
I bought this for a trip and chose it because I always heard good things, and frankly, the other travel sized shampoos weren't speaking to me. I was surprised to realize that I LOVE the smell of this: Hawaiian Coconut and Orchid. LOVE it and it may inspire me to look into an Orchid scented perfume in the future. I am glad I tried the trial size because now I know I will buy the full sized with confidence (maybe as my next shampoo if something new doesn't say "Try me next!" at the store when I am in the market for a shampoo). The size isn't big enough for me to know if the shampoo is hydrating, but I know it isn't stripping, and felt more hydrating than the Garnier one I had been using previously. I now totally understand why Youtubers and Bloggers love this product!


7. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner
Bought this for the same reasons as the shampoo. Loved the smell, but the results were kinda eh to me. I liked that it was a light conditioner, but that just wasn't what I was expecting with "Hello Hydration" in the name! I thought it would be thick, haha. I may buy it again in the future but I am not dying to try the full size like I am with the shampoo. I'd probably buy this if I were buying the shampoo and at the time other conditioners aren't really calling to me.


8. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
I received this in my birchbox, and at first I really loved it. But then after a while the smell annoyed me because it smells like Barbasol! Not something I wanna smell (strongly at that!) while washing my face thoroughly. I did really like the creaminess of it and that it didn't sting. The texture was different because it really does feel frothy, which sounds strange and you wouldn't think it would feel so different (and I didn't think so either before I tried it) but it does feel different and I love the idea of it. Have a bunch of other cleansers to use up next. Would I buy this full sized? Probably not, origins is just plain pricey and I think I would shell out my money for a different origins cleanser over this one (like maybe that charcoal one). I wouldn't mind getting it as a gift or as a sample again though. It was great for travel!


9. -No Brand- Towson Town Center Peppermint Chapstick
I got this for free in a good bag I was given at an event at my mall that I signed up for (anyone could go, you just had to hear about it from the mall's little guru blog thing. And, you know me, I love free things! Free goody bag? I'm there! Free event, and 2 free martinis too? Sold! haha). I loved this 3/4 of the way through. I grew to like the peppermint smell because I got it just before Christmas, so I was fitting and that's really the only time of year that I like peppermint. I learned I kinda loved the results of it because it is twisted with a white section and a red section, and it did leave a reddish tint on my lips that just made them look fab a lusious. The down side? By the end it was just mushy and melty for no reason and in all weather. It made it messy constantly and just downright annoyed me. I don't know where you can buy this because it is likely a propaganda company's product. I wouldn't mind getting this again via another propaganda situation, and I loved having Towson Town Center swag because that mall is like my home away from home haha. But because of the formula's meltiness, I won't be seeking it out or anything.


10. Olay Active Hydrating Cream Original
I think this is a good staple and stable product that will always be around. The results were good, I liked that it was kinda thick and moisturized my skin to my needs most of the time. I didn't really care for the smell, that classic Olay baby powder floral style smell, but it didn't bother me too much because it went away after it absorbed. Would I buy it again? Maybe, it will probably be a long time from now because I kinda have the urge to try all the different moisturizers on the market right now haha. I remember having a different one of this style of Olay moisturizers before, one that had SPF in it, and I do know that I like this one way more (I think that one was the one in the yellow container while this one is the pink one? But don't quote me on that, it's been a while).


11. Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
I will be doing a more indepth review of this in a future post, so keep an eye out for the review then!

12. Essence of Beauty Body and Hand Cream in Sunblossom
For those of you who don't know, this is the CVS brand line of BBW style products. I got this for free actually when they were doing a coupon thing online and I am so glad they did that! I learned that I ADORE this scent! The moisture level was great, thicker than a lotion but sunk in fast and didn't leave you wishing for more! I will be definitely buying more Sunblossom things (I already have a mini body mist that I got for only a few dollars! O:) ). I saw that they have a shower gel as well as just a bar of soap in the scent so one of those will likely be what I buy of this scent, if not maybe the big tube of the body cream. I can't recommend this scent enough if you like florals on the sunflower/honeysuckle side of the family. I think it will be a go to spring and summer scent for me. :)

Claire's 10 for $10 Haul

I know, I've been bad... another haul... but this one was a great deal! Everything was $1 because its from the 10 for $10 clearance deal! I thought I was in the market for some new earrings because I have been kinda bored and uninspired about my jewelry so I though this would be a cheap way to help re-inspire my jewelry habits. I also got the cute ear warmers which I thought looked kinda Hello Kitty like, no? I picked up the hair ties and the lip balm because I actually needed more of both, and because none of the other Claire jewelry interested me I threw in the French Twist thing just to round out the 10 and thought that if it worked for me, it would be a fun way to revamp my hair clip hair look into something more adult.

What about you guys? Do you like Claire's jewelry? Or do you have to dig and dig and dig through the children's style stuff that it just isn't worth it? I wait for these 10 for 10 sales and then venture in and try to find the few things there that are my style. If I can't find 10 things I usually just get nothing, but this time I was lucky!

UPDATE: The hairbands sucked, and the French Twist fell apart the first time I tried to use it, haha. So those were 2 wasted dollars, otherwise I am loving all the earrings! The 1st pair in the 1st row are especially awesome in person because I think they look sooo House of Harlow, don't you think? :)

Steals and Deals: Half Off Hair Haul!

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Hye guys, I know I am on a no buy, and I especially don't need more hair styling products, but this hauling opportunity was something I just couldn't miss! Plus, I am going to keep this stuff under my sink and only use them after I use up more hair products, like, my current shampoo is almost done so since I don't have any other shampoos I'll use the Rockaholic Shampoo next, etc.

The source of my splendor? My local Trade Secrets was going out of business, which is bitter sweet since I won't have a close Trade Secrets anymore (but there is an Ulta like 20mins away so that isn't terrible), but because they were closing, pretty much everything in the store was 50%! Ridiculous right? I thought so to! Because of this amazing unexpected deal i decided that now was the time to try out a bunch of products I have always want to try, and because even the trial/travel sizes were 50% I figured now was the time. I managed to get everything here for the price I would have paid for pretty much just the Bed Head Headrush and the Big Sexy Hair Backcomb in a Bottle by themselves. CRAZY deal I know :) Here is a list of the full names of everything if you are interested:

Rockaholic Living the Dream Sulfate Free Shampoo + Energy
Bed Head Headrush Shine Adrenaline with a Superfine Mist
Big Sexy Hair What  tease Backcomb in a Bottle
Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor
Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum
It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Product
Big Sexy Hair Powder Play Volumizing and Texturizing Powder
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

The Great Product Massacre!

Talk about spring cleaning right!? I am so proud of myself! :) (Plus I am excited to be allowed to buy some new things, yippie!)

1. Curel Daily Moisture Original Lotion for Dry Skin
I originally bought this specifically for my trip to Florida this past winter so I could moisturize after tanning but also not have to bring a huge bottle of lotion with me on my trip. I really liked it as a moisturizer. The smell left something to be desired, but in some respects I liked that the smell was kinda eh because it didn't last very long so it didn't ever compete with my perfume or anything. Will I buy it again? Quite possibly I will for another trip or something. Until then I am going to try out some more brands (Nivea lotion maybe?)


2. Revlon Calcium Gel Nail Hardener
This baby lasted me forEVER! I am pretty sure that I have had it since the summer of 2010, maybe before then? It was a decent base coat, and I think it might have helped my nails to harden. At the very least it served the job as a base coat to protect my sensitive nails from my colored polish because colored polish tends to dry out and cause my nails to separate (not cute I know! But whatcha gonna do eh?). I may buy it again some day, but I am going to try out another brand next just for the fun of it (maybe an Essie one? Or that Sally Hansen one people like?)


3. Kate Spade Twirl Body Cream
This came with my beloved perfume. I liked it as a lotion ok, but I would say that it does smell a little different than the perfume itself. I did like the different smell but the lotion was kinda eh when it came to moisturizing. I am pretty sure I would never buy this on its own because I reckon that it is probably way to pricey to justify the purchase when I already have the perfume, but if I got is as a gift, I would definitely use it and enjoy it.


4. Sephora Sample: Too Faced Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop Color Correcting Eye Shadow Primer
I loved the idea of this because I have red vein-y eyes, but the color just didn't work for my skin tone I don't think. Just way too yellow that it would look funny and kinda like white cast-ed on my brow bone. Also, and maybe this had to do with the age of the product the sample was taken from, this was a lot thicker than the regular Too Faced Shadow Insurance that I have and love. I am pretty sure that I wouldn't ever buy this, but I do like the concept so would consider buying a different brand/version of a color correcting eye primer.


5. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
It may be oil free technically but whatever the top layer of this biphase product is does leave a residue like a oil based product would. It was fine for removing makeup, but the residue issue coupled with it also making my eyes sting plus the fact that I don't really ever need eye makeup remover except on the rare occasion in the year where I wear eyeliner... this all just points to it being a purchase I don't need to make, and won't be something I need to replace any time soon. I am currently using some make up wipes that I am enjoying using whenever I feel the need to remove my makeup before cleansing (which is rare for me). The thing did last me forever though, years and years, because I never needed to use it much haha.


6. Maybelline Wet Shine Lipstick in Crystal Clear
Talk about a blast from the past, this was my first lipstick product (though it applies like a gloss) outside of makeup for theater performances for school. I remember the day my mom brought this home and told me she thought I might find it fun to use as a kind of first step into makeup. Thanks mommy! :) I am pretty sure this product doesn't exist anymore (but there are similar products out there, just check for the clear gloss edition of your favorite lipstick line, a lot of drug store lines have it I think), but even if it did I don't think I would buy it. It wasn't a hardship to use up because it went fast and I just treated it like a lip balm. I am stoked to finish another lip product! Woo hoo go me! I did like the finish it gave though because if you built it up a little it had this nice shimmery sheen on top of the glossiness. I wouldn't buy it again but I would totally buy it as a first makeup product when I have kids :)


7. Wet n Wild Single Eyeshadow in Brulee
Check it out, I used up an eyeshadow! Granted, I did cheat a little because it smashed when I was traveling recently which I didn't realize until I opened it, this causing a hilarious incident of it flying everywhere and into the wet hotel sink, causing most of the crumbs to not be reclaimable. But, I think it is ok because before this incident I would say that I had used up like 75% of the product legitimately and would have actually finished it up. I loved using this as a brow bone highlight because I like matte highlights over shimmery. Will I buy it again? Definitely, especially since it is only $2. Will I run out to buy it? Not yet because I wanna use up more shadows and I like the encouragement of getting one out of my collection even if I might buy it again in a few years. Next I am going to try to make a dent in a shimmery highlight I have but never use. Perhaps I can learn to like it, or at least find a way to make it work for me.


8. PYT Argan Oil Oil Treatment
This was one of those samples that a dude in the mall at a hair straightener cart shoved in my hands and I didn't really want it. I wasn't even going to keep it, but I figured, why not try it. It's one time use, and if it sucks I'll just make sure its a time when I can re-shower to get it out if I have to. The smell was kinda nice, but I didn't notice anything miraculous after use. I have used other oils before and liked the results way more. I am also kinda glad that I didn't like it because I wouldn't want to have to deal with buying it cuz I would have to deal with mall cart business approaches, and me being susceptible to sales associate's pitches if I like the underlying product, I probably would have bought some other things I didn't need. I think just pure argan oil works way better than this which has other stuff in it to.


9. Tretinoin Cream
There should be a national dermatologist recognition day because ever since I went to one and asked for a product for my acne, this product has totally changed my skin! Granted, I still get pimples, mostly at a certain time of the month, but this has greatly reduced them, and made my skin softer. Thanks mom for making me ask about it, because it was actually really easy to get! All I said to the dermatologist was "my mom said that when she was young her dermatologist gave her some face cream that she said amazingly got rid of her acne... do you have anything like that?" and then he prescribed this baby right here. Obviously it hasn't cured me yet, but I think that is also because I think my mom had less acne as a kid that I do. I will definitely be buying ever tube under my prescription and use every last drop! Maybe if I am lucky, after the prescription expires and I use up all my tubes (I think I get 6 total, so 5 left now) I won't need a new prescription because I'll be mostly cured? *crosses fingers* :)


10. Sensodyne Pronamel Tootepaste - Travel Sized
My dentist gave me two little tubes of this when I complained that my teeth were a little sensitive after using a whitening toothpaste. I used this when I was between toothpastes recently, and I quite liked it. It kinda of foamed less and the mint was different in a good way. I also liked that it wasn't gritty at all, more just creamy. I thought I would hate that, but I actually quite like it. Would I buy the full size? Not quite sure yet, but I still have the second tube of this, so after that one I think I might know for sure if I wanna buy the full size. However, after I use up my current toothpaste I wanna try Theodent because it just looks and sounds awesome! Have any of you tried Theodent yet?


11. Target Brand Bamboo Lotus Fragranced Soy Candle
I loved the smell of this, so fresh but also flowery. I liked the way it burned, but I can't decide if it gave me slight headaches or not (sometimes candles do that to me). The price was good if I can recall ($5 maybe?) and when one thinks of how expensive candles can be (heres looking at you Bath and Body Works, and Yankee candle) which I usually find to be ridiculous for what candles are, I think this candle range is just my style (well other than the 2 voodoo candles that I got in New Orleans last year... :) )


12. L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
I will not deny that I loved this when I first got it. I thought it was almost god like compared the cleanser I had been using before, which I used to love, but as my skin has gotten dryer recently (probably from my retinol cream), that old standby love of  cleanser was just to harsh for me now. However, since first getting this and while working through it, I have been able to try a few other cream cleansers and I have found that I think I like those better because this one can still be a little drying since it does have sulfates in it. I do love the scrubby thing and will definitely keeping that! I don't think I would try out other cleansers in this line, if only because none of those are creamy and probably will be too sulfate-y for me, but I do like the line generally and would recommend it generally. Plus it did last me for a good long time despite some product lose due to the way the bottle is designed. I think it lasted me about 2.5 months?


13. Boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens
Check it out! I used up a makeup product! I thought this sucker would never end! 100 sheets amazingly last a really long time because I swear I have been using these almost everyday since sometime this summer and it took me months and months and months to get through these. I think they are awesome as a product, I love the peppermint smell, and how it is kinda refreshing on the skin. I never had anything to complain about when it came to its blotting power, it always did want I wanted it to do. I also think this is a great value of a product because I think I got this on sale for $5 instead of the usual $10, and even at $10 I think it is a good deal. Keep an eye out on sephora for a sale on these linens, because usually at least one version of them (but not always the peppermint ones necessarily) are usually on sale at the $5 price. Also, checking my purchase history on Sephora, these lasted me a really long time because I bought them in November of 2010! It wasn't until recently that I started using them everyday (mostly to inspire my using up of my make up products generally), so if you are a casual blotting paper user, then this is even more of a good deal! Especially when you consider that they are around the same price by sheet count (if not maybe cheaper?) than the Clean and Clear sheets that I have tried before but didn't like because they are so plastic-y rather than tissue-y like these are. Will I buy again? Definitely, just have to use up a pack of blotting sheets from a different brand first :)


14. Up & UP (Target) Brand Moisturizing Hand Soap in Milk and Honey
I love me some Target brand! However I didn't think this was very moisturizing. I did like the smell but I wasn't crazy about it, so only bought it for the moisturizing quality. Won't repurchase this exact soap, but I will try another from the Target brand, will just be sure that I buy my next one for the smell since I don't think I am going to find moisture in these soaps (if I want a moisturizing one I think I will turn to Bath and Body Works because I recall trying one of their moisturizing ones and not being disappointed, but I am on a budget this year, so will stick to cheaper ones until I can justify BBW prices for hand soap, haha).

Block Rock Your Socks

Afraid of color-blocking? Maybe just don't have the money to go out and buy a color-blocked dress or pair of shoes? Why not embrace the theme with your feet via socks on the cheap! I got this pair at Target for only $1.50!! Yep, you read it right, One Dollar and Fifty cents for these sexy bad boys! Words can not express my excitement when I stumbled upon these. They even have them in another color set! Run, don't walk to your nearest Target, because you need these socks in your life now!!! :)

Already own this pair? Know of another color-block fashion item on the cheap? Comment below and let me know! :)

7 Beauty Sins :P

I watched a video of this Tag on Youtube and I just thought it was the cutest tag ever so I wanted to do a picture version of it for you guys!


1. GREED: What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?


Inexpensive (that I have actually purchased):
Wet 'N' Wild Brule $1.99

Expensive:
Kate Spade Twirl $65

2. WRATH: What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with? What product has been the hardest to get?


Love/Hate: 
BE Warmth
I love it because the color pretty much works for me but I hate it because it is never ending and I would like to try out other bronzers!

Hard to Get:
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream
Ever since I heard about this product out in England, I have been super jealous of all the British beauty bloggers and vloggers that I follow who were able to get it. Then when it was finally released in the US I had some troubling tracking this product down! I never did find it in the drug store and ended up accidently stumbling upon it at Target! I was expecting this to be on an end aisle display or some where prominent, but, nope, this was just in with the other Garnier face moisturizers and stuff. Sneaky little thing! Want to know even more? Check out my blog post about it here.

3. GLUTTONY: What are your most delicious beauty products?
Cover Girl WetSlicks in Peach n Gleam.
This just smells DIVINE! Exactly like its name. I will wear this every now and then just so I can smell it, and it doesn't taste bad either, haha.

4. SLOTH: What beauty product do you neglect, due to laziness?
Eyeliner as a category I neglect, and specifically this one which I have had since like the beginning of my beauty days (and no, I haven't made super progress because it started out as a mini! haha). I neglect this step because I am too lazy to figure out what style of eyeliner looks best on me, because I don't really like the way it looks on me unless I am going for something super dramatic for a formal event or something. Otherwise I can't be bothered for figure out a casual way to wear it, haha.

5. PRIDE: What beauty product gives you the most self confidence?
Blotting papers! Most people say foundation or tinted moisturizer, but I think anti-shine is more important to me. I'd rather be uneven than shinny!

6. LUST: What attributes do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?
Smiles :) Have that adorable and enticing glance with a cute smile (and if you have great teeth, then even better!!).... and I can be smitten before you even say anything :P

7. ENVY: What items would you most like to receive as a gift?
Generally, I would most like to receive a perfume as a gift because I think it can be a personal well thought out gift. Thought into the gift is really important to me :)

TAG YOU'RE IT! I tag all of my lovely followers, all beautiful 11 of you :)

The Smallest of All Vaselines!

Cuteness alert guys! Check out this itty bitty baby Vaseline I found at Target! It was hiding in the lotion/sunblock aisle! Of course this wouldn't be convenient for those of you that are heavy Vaseline users, but as I am not of that sort, this is the perfect size for me because I always feel like those giant tubs go bad before I can use them all! Now, $1.79 might seem excessive for such a product (something like .99 might be better) but I don't mind paying for such cuteness! People pay too much for those weirdo EOS lipbalms that I think are just strange looking and over priced, so comparatively, this isn't a bad deal because EOS lipbalms are like $3 right? And I looked it up, the EOS and this Vaseline have the same amount (volume) of product in oz! So, totally a better deal if you ask me. Both have cuteness/novelty factor, but the Vaseline is cheaper, better, and more universal in use! SCORE!

What do you guys think? Overpriced cuteness? Awesome? Already have 3 in your purse? Comment below! :P