But Wait There's More (Empties)!

Just when you and I thought I had enough empties... I managed to finish a bunch of things all within the same few days! Haha.

1. Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV-Lotion
I bought this after having lots of luck with the gel moisturizer in this line, but I had grown bored of that one. I thought the lotion version would be awesome, and super cost effective. But, I ended up hating this lotion, mostly because it majorly peeled/rolled in the morning when ever I would put my makeup on. Boo :( It then took a while to use this up once I found I couldn't use it on my face. I ended up using it as a hand cream (wouldn't recommend though because I think it actually dried out my hands, haha), a body lotion, and some times a foot cream. Won't buy again. Still love the Garnier grape water smell though!

2. Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat Mini
I love and hate this... I love its results: super shiny and fast drying. But I hate the smell, and how it gets thick and stringing towards the end of its life. I know that there are ways to "save" this polish once it reaches that gloopy phase, but I can't stand that it happened even with this mini size! Probably won't buy again, because it is expensive, but did like it so would use it again if I some how managed to get it as a gift, or if I found an absolutely fabulous deal on it. Or perhaps after using some other brand top coats I'll change my mind? Guess we'll find out! haha

3. Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Silicone Free Shampoo
I legitimately loved this, and loved it way more than I anticipated! I looove the smell, and I love it's results. It's simple in the sense that it doesn't try to be more than it is, and gives the results that you expect. It cleaned my hair to the perfect level and I think it actually did make it a little shinier than other shampoos have. Will I buy again? At a price of under $4, I definitely will be! And probably will some time soon once I move out of my parents house and likely will be on a tight budget.

4. Fekkai Glossing Conditioner
I was underwhelmed, but this conditioner was fine. I only bought this because it was on clearance randomly at Walmart one time so I figured, why not? Well, didn't like the herbal smell, and didn't feel that it really did much for my hair. I liked that it was light weight, but I expected way more from this since it is Fekkai. Buy again? Probably not, but still open minded about Fekkai and would try other things, perhaps even other Glossing products too.

5. I Love... Bubble Bath in Coconut & Cream, and Strawberries & Milkshakes
These were nice, especially together in a bath at the same time! What a delicious scent that was! I also found that these bubble baths paired with some coconut oil in the bath creates a fabulous moisturizing bath! These two mark the end of my beloved I Love... gift set :( Buy again? I think I just might! Buy the full sized? I think I just might do that too! Just not sure what scent would win.

6. Softsoap Rich Moisturizing Shea Butter
This soap was nice and kinda moisturizing. I liked the smell too. However, the beads in this soap always stuck around in my sink, and makes my sink look gross! Buy again? Maybe when I move and have a different sink (that maybe would have less of an issue with the shea butter beads?).

7. Sally Hansen French Manicure Pen
I remember looooving this when I first bought it a year or so ago. I bought it as part of a mission to learn to do my own french manicures after being enlightened to my love of them haha. I found that this made drawing the white line pretty easy, but towards the end of the pens life it started getting watery, and I would need to do more than one coat, and even then it just didn't look right, so in the trash this goes! Buy again? Not sure actually, because now I know about the Renforcements trick so perhaps I'll just buy a regular bottle of white nail polish instead? Not sure yet though as I am not having a french manicure phase right now.

Spring Cleaning II (21 Empties!)

That's right! Even more empties! The first post became excessively long and I got tired of typing so I needed to break up the posts! Haha.

1. Sensodyne Pronamel Travel Sized Toothpaste
This is my 2nd little tube of this toothpaste (see here for my review after finishing the first tube). My opinion there hasn't changed much. Would I buy this stuff? I think I would, because I find that it does do its job for sensitive teeth and the texture of it doesn't weird me out anymore. But it's toothpaste so I'm not excited about it or anything, and I could be easily persuaded to try out a different one when I am in the market again for toothpaste.


2. Tresemme Nourishing Rituals Rejuvenating Mud Masque
I liked this, but didn't love it. I thought it did an acceptable job, but didn't necessarily do anything noticeable. I did LOVE the awesome smell (which was kinda like sour candy apples!), which was refreshing to smell while it sits in your hair. I think it, at the very least, maintained the moisture of my hair, but I don't know if it really "rejuvenated" it, haha. I don't know if I will buy this product again, but I am intrigued enough to try something else in the line!


3. Jouer Lipgloss in Birchbox Pink
I received this back in my December Birchbox and wasn't super excited about it at the time because adding a lip gloss to my collection was not something I needed, haha. After using it anyway I learned that I loved the crazy bright color! It also taught me that lip glosses, in fact, do not have to be sticky like most of the ones I have experienced over the years, and they can actually be hydrating! I loved wearing this over a NYX lip cream that I got in the December Glambag because it made the perfect mauve color without being too dark and mature. Will I buy the full size? I am suuuper tempted! Because I am trying to reduce my lip product collection I can not justify the purchase at this time, but come that (hopeful) day in the future when I can justify buying a lip gloss, this one is sure to be at the top of my list!


4. Softsoap Travel Sized Moisturizing Body Wash in Juicy Pomegranate & Mango Infusions
I bought this for a trip and decided to use it up instead of saving it for my next trip because it seemed too far off to justify. I loved the smell because it reminded me of my childhood for some reason (can't quite figure out why though), but that was just about all I loved. It was ok as a body was, but I didn't find it moisturizing at all. Not sure if I will buy it again, but if I do it will because I am craving the smell, or just need a travel body wash. Won't buy the big huge full sized version that's for sure!

5. Vichy Lift Activ Nuit
This was reviewed in the post dedicated entirely to the Vichy products I got from Birchbox so you can check out my review there.

6. & 7. Mini Sized Bath and Body Works Candles in Flower Shop and First Bloom
I will admit that I bought the Flower Shop because Sarah Hawkinson said it was her ultimate floral fragrance of all time and she literally went out and bought like 7 of the bigger candles in this scent, haha. After all kinds of hype over BBW candles on Youtube I figured I'd bite the bullet and buy some since I was digging some of the new spring scents! I have to say I am a little underwhelmed. I have gotten better scent payoff with candles from Target! I like candles that can fill the whole room (and since I live in a 1 bedroom apartment, I want it to fill the whole apartment), and these definitely are a halfroom-er. Maybe it's because of there teeny size that they didn't fill the room as much, I dunno (I bought 2 medium sized BBW candles too in the same trip so we'll see how those compare to these). It might be sacreligious but I think I liked the First Bloom scent a teensy bit more than Flower Shop (Sorry Sarah Hawkinson! haha), but that's probably because it has a hint of peony (that Flower Shop doesn't have), and I can never get enough peony! Will I buy these again or a bigger size? At this point, I would say no, but I did enjoy them, and the small size is cute, fun, and a great way to try out new scents even if the scent payoff is meh.


8. Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Daily Exfoliating Gel Cleanser
Funny, I don't think I have really mentioned this product before, but this cleanser is what started my obsession with skin care which then inspired my make up obsession which inspired this blog! Haha. Something so monumental in my life, and yet it took me this long to write about it! So what is so great about this product? I does it's job fabulously, leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed without over drying (though after trying out other cleansers I find this a little big drying, but nothing you wouldn't expect from it)! It was this cleanser that I realized that cleansers can actually get results for your skin acne-wise, and it got be started with a daily skin care routine (though at the beginning that simply consisted of cleansing with this 2x a day, and moisturizing afterwards if I felt like it, haha, but hey, gotta start somewhere). After I forayed into skin care land I learned that there are other exfoliaters and cleansers out there that I am interested in trying out (though most aren't really as good for daily use like this one) but I always had some of these on hand because I had quite a little stash of this cleanser haha. While I was on a mission to use this up so I can move on to other cleansers so I won't be repurchasing this right away, this will always be my standby in a time of crisis! And, bonus, it has that Garnier smell which i love! :)


9. Crest Complete Deep Clean + Whitening Toothpaste Sample
When I first squeezed this out, which was awkward because I have never had toothpaste in a little foil sample, haha, I wasn't sure how I would feel about it because it has a gel texture which I haven't used before, but I decided to use it anyway. I found that I loved the texture because after rinsing my mouth felt SO fresh and clean, and I didn't feel like there was a film of stuff left in my mouth to keep rinsing out like most toothpastes make me feel (and I figured was normal til now!). I love the mint flavor and the way it foams up so I see myself buying this in the future after I use up the 2 toothpastes I have right now.

10. Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper Sample
I got this as a sample in my March Birchbox and words can not describe my love of this product! If it was being sold through the Birchbox store I probably would have already bought the full size, haha. If I remember correctly the information about the product said that it was "patent pending" which as a law student I would find fascinating if they found a new way to make oil-control papers that is patent-able! That aside, these papers perform the best out of, I think, any oil-blotting papers I have ever used! With these I never had to use more than one (many other brands I would need 2 sheets). So, even though these sheets are probably more expensive than other brands, in the long run they might be equally economical, maybe? (Or maybe I just want to tell myself that just to justify the future purchase? haha). Buy the full size? Heck yes! Probably from Sephora this summer or something.


11. Evolution of Smooth (EOS) Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss
I will admit to 2 things... 1. I didn't realize that EOS stood for Evolution of Smooth until making this purchase, and some how knowing the full name makes the lip balms more appeal of a purchase (Can't explain why, haha, but just as EOS lipbalms, I am meh, but Evolution of Smooth Lipbalms? Sounds so much sleeker and awesome... now if only they would make them in less lame shapes...) and 2. I wasn't expecting to be wow-ed by this because I have the belief that EOS should be over rated because the hype over the lipbalms annoyed me, so I would have rerived some joy by being able to rightfully say I didn't like this product... but that would be a lie, because it did wow me, and I am impressed! I bought this because it is basically the only brand that has a pump style dispenser shaving cream. The product itself too is awesome! I loved the smell, which is weird for me because normally I hate vanilla, but this one works somehow. I think it's because its more of a real vanilla smell rather than the fake scent that is put as the fragrance in everything! I loved how moisturizing this was too! Buy again? Yes! I almost don't even want to try something new yet because I liked this one so much! I think I will buy the other scent when I go out to the store just for the fun of trying out both scents haha.

12. I Love... Lemons & Limes Bubble Bath & Shower Gel
I have reviewed this product in another scent in my previous empties post. Unlike that one, I loooved this scent! It first smells like yellow gatorade (which I LOVE), and then has this like bitter limey after smell, which was odd at first, but I found that I loved it! I think I would buy the full size of this one!

13. TIGI Rockaholic Livin' the Dream Sulfate-Free Shampoo + Energy
I posted about this product a bit ago when I initially hauled it at a super good deal. The smell was fine, the results were fine, it was all just fine. I don't know what this "energy" nonsense is about, but otherwise I think it did well as low foaming shampoo. I do wonder why they call it "Sulfate-Free" when its second ingredient is "sodium c14-15 olefin sulfonate" which sounds like a sulfate like derivative or something, which I wouldn't doubt that is is because these kinds of terms aren't really regulated in the beauty industry, but whatever. Still a fine product. This definitely is more of a low-sulfate product than truly free of all sulfates because it does foam more than I anticipated. Buy again? Probably not, if only because it is super expensive, and I wasn't wowed. Would still try other TIGI shampoos though, just not Rockaholic ones.

14. Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Anti-Frizz Hair Texturizing Balm
I can't believe this product is finally out of my life! I still remember vividly the day I got this product... my Dad bought it for me at Whole Foods, and I was super excited because I was pretty sure if my Mom had been the one shopping that day I never would have gotten it. Yay for shopping with Dad! :) Anyway, this was one of my first serums (and I think it might actually be my first, even before the Garnier serum... that lasted me forever). I know I used this in the past as a de-frizzer on dry hair, but for my using up quest I used it on wet hair as my first product out of the shower, and I think it did a pretty great job at de-frizzing. I was afraid that it would make my hair static-y, but surprisingly this is not the case! I also love the fresh smell, it's smaller size, and that it's organic! Buy again? I think so! Plus, the new packaging has a pump unlike mine. Awesome! Just will probably try out other Giovanni products first :) I have my eye on the High Gloss Hair Mist (because it sounds kinda like a spray version of the Balm) the next time I am somewhere that I can buy Giovanni hair stuff (no Whole Foods in VT or NH!)

15. Bath and Body Works Candle in Poppy Sunshine
Like the mini sized candles above, I was underwhelmed by the strength of this scent while the candle was burning. With this scent in particular I also found that I enjoyed the scent less while it was burning that how it smells at first wiff. Also, this candle burned the least clean of all of them. The picture above doesn't do the gross mess justice; there is just all kinda of wax unevenly stuck up on the side! Buy again? Nope, and not in this scent!

16. Bath and Body Works Candle in Gingham Apple
I know, you are probably as shocked as I about the green ratting of this candle. But I loved the scent of this one SO much that I think I would even repurchase it despite the inferior scent strength qualities. I did find that this candle scent performed the best out of the batch though when it came to scent strength. I really wish that this scent in forms other than the candle because I would run out today and get more stuff! Soap, body spray, bubble bath... I would buy it just to be enveloped with the scent! Haha. Plus, this one burned really cleanly too! Hardly any wax evidence of the sides. Repurchase? If they had the huge 3 wick one... I'd go buy it right this second actually, but the $9.50 price tag on this medium size... little over priced for how short of a time it burns. Anyone know any dupes for this scent? I will love you for ever and ever and ever if you would clue me in on them! :)


17. Tresemme No Frizz Ultra Light Shine Spray
This is another one of those products that I have had so long it has just been omnipresent in my collection, but now it is finally out! This does a great job for quick fixes of "bad hair" into "good hair" most days! Occasionally it will make matters worse and make your frizzy hair turn into non-frizz but now greasy looking hair, but that was usually on days where I had used too much of other products or I was over due for a shampoo. I know lots of people will probably be against this product because it is basically silicone in a bottle, but I love it :) Buy again? Yes, and this bottle here is actually my 2nd! After I try out other shine sprays first, because, surprisingly, I don't think I have used any other brands.

18. Scope Dual Blast Fresh Mint Blast Mouthwash
Like the toothpastes, this is also kinda random, but I got this as a sample from the P&G saver thing, and loved the generous size! Haha. However I wasn't hooked. I liked the results it gave because my mouth did feel super duper fresh afterwards but the negatives outweighed this. This was a super burny mouth wash! Plus, even though it says "fresh mint" and is green... I swear there is cinnamon going on in there! And I HATE HATE HATE cinnamon mouth products! Haha. Buy the full size? Nope!

19. Annick Goutal Petite Cherie Perfume Sample
I got this in my March Birchbox, and was prepared to hate it because the description didn't sound like something I would like. However I was pleasantly wrong! It kind of reminds me of what my mother wears (and has worn all my life knowing her, haha) which is usually Wind Song, or White Diamonds. I think it's the musk aspect that reminds me of my mom. However, despite the musk (something I usually don't go for), the main thrust is a sweet little innocent floral that isn't fruity, and then the musky is just a lingering after smell. I love it. Makes me feel like I am a younger version of my mom, and I like to imagine it is something my mom wore when she was younger even thought this isn't true, haha :) Buy the full size? I think I might, but it is actually a super expensive perfume. :( If I come across a smaller size than the standard 1/1.7 oz that is too pricey, I would totally snatch it up! 

20. Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Concentrate
I wasn't sure what I would think of this because I don't really know or care much about anti-aging serums. I received this in a goodie bag at an event at my mall (one that was open to anyone that signed/showed up, haha, not anything special for bloggers... I wish my blog was that big of a deal! haha :P). I figured since the sample was small, why not just test it out and see what I think of it instead of passing it along to my mom. I found that I really loved the texture of it! It was a serum that left me feeling quite moisturized which I didn't expect after other serum samples. Would I buy the full size? Probably not since I didn't really notice any anti-aging stuff going on, and it's too pricey just for minimal moisturizing needs (wouldn't cut it in the winter I am sure), but I am open to the idea of it, and the brand in the future when I am looking for anti-aging stuff!

21. Softsoap Clean Protection Hand Soap
I got this as a super good deal at Ocean State Job Lot, after never seeing it before, but now seeing it in stores (and appreciating my good deal!). The smell is kind of a normal non-scent of regular soap smell, but I liked that. Also, it didn't leave my hands super dry like regular soaps do! While it didn't super moisturize or anything, what it says on the bottle... "light moisturizers" is pretty accurate. It slightly moisturizes but leaves you hands feeling super clean afterwards! Repurchase? Yep I think so! Just wanna try a more moisturizing one, and fun scented one next :)

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. :)

My New Love: Garnier BB Cream

This is love. I have been so jealous of the British beauty bloggers/vloggers who have been using this product so when I finally tracked it down I nearly jumped for joy! I have been dealing with some dry skin issues and trying to figure out what product would work best for me for a day time moisturizer as I had previously only been using a heavy night time moisturizer because I hate waiting for moisturizer to sink in in the morning. Enter Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream! I don't care if it isn't a BB Cream in the asian beauty sense, and it more of a tinted moisturizer. If it was called a tinted moisturizer I would still be in love. The color is perfect, the coverage is light (something I have been looking for since everything else I own is medium coverage), it has my favorite Garnier scent, AND it does the moisturizing job I was seeking. It doesn't roll after application like I found with the Garnier dark spot corrector in the Skin Renew line, and it gives a good amount of moisture without being greasy. Granted, I have been using this with a powder every time (because I am trying to get rid of the powder, haha), but I have never had break through oil problems with it. The only downside is that because it is light coverage I tend to wear it off by the end of the day because I touch my face in class via leaning on my hands, etc. But, because it is light coverage, the wear off isn't really noticeable unless one is specifically looking for it.
A+ Garnier for a good product, with a great price to product ratio! I am pretty sure this will last me all of 2012 even if I use it every day! Plus it has SPF 15 so it will be super for summer! Yippie!

So how about you guys? Have you tried it? What did you think? Too light coverage? Doesn't match your skin? Are you in love with it like I am? Comment below :)

Purge 9

1. Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Shampoo
I liked the smell of this, a lovely violet-y floral, but I can't say it did anything different than any other shampoo that I have tried. I liked that it was a squeeze-y tube, but I am not sure if I would repurchase it. I am going to try out a different shampoo next, and maybe return to this one sometime in the future if I find some horrible shampoos haha.


2. Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Conditioner
I don't think this was anything spectacular. The bottle kind of annoyed me because I used more conditioner than shampoo so the squeeze-y tube aspect is annoying for conditioner because it tends to squish up when I want it to squish down, haha! The results where eh, and the smell was eh. Didn't make my hair feel weird or anything but didn't notice it doing anything. It was meh, and I feel like I like other meh conditioners better that I wouldn't return to this one if I have to resort to a meh conditioner sometime, haha.


3. Nivea A Kiss of Recovery
It worked fine, but I feel like it always applied thick when I didn't want it to and that the results weren't that great for something so thick. Nothing notable about the smell. Too meh to repurchase, but would consider getting a different Nivea chapstick in the future.

4. Philosophy Happy Birthday Beautiful! Vanilla Birthday Cake Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath
This was a fun little birthday perk but I don't know if I would ever buy it for myself. The bubbles aren't that great for bubble bath and I don't feel that it is an effectively cleaning shampoo at all, but I did enjoy it as a shower gel. Even though I wouldn't repurchase it, I would enjoy getting it again as the Sephora birthday perk. :) Fabulous little size too, was perfect for my holiday vacation.

5. Banana Boat Protective Tanning Dry Oil SPF 15
Loved this product. I used it while tanning on vacation and it really is a "Dry" oil. I have another Banana Boat spray sunblock that is absolutely greasy and sticky, but this Dry Oil formula is fabulous. Just enough SPF so that I never got a sun burn, and I enjoyed the crazy banana coconut Banana Boat classic smell, perfect for a tanning atmosphere haha. I would buy again because I had no problems (other than I felt that the bottle didn't last me too long, but I think the regular lotion would have lasted about the same), and I recall that I got a fabulous deal on it during the summer when I bought it. I would definitely consider buying this again next season, especially if it was on sale or on BOGO.

6.  Garnier Nutritionist Nutri-Pure Oil-Free Detoxifying Wet Cleansing Towelettes
Not sure I would repurchase but I won't suffer through the 2nd package that I already have. I enjoy the smell, and the texture of the cloth is nice and soft while still being scrubby enough to take off makeup. The only thing I didn't like was that I felt like I still had to wash my face after using this to remove makeup which is annoying because I bought them for the purpose of taking of my makeup on a lazy night and not having to go wash my face. Oh well. I came to find later that it is a nice refreshing cleanse in the morning before makeup or just before sunblock since I never wash my face in the morning anyway. If I am going to be putting on sunblock anyway, the wanna-wash-my-face feeling doesn't bother me because of the layer of sunblock being thick anyway, haha.

7. Oscar Blandi Jasmine Protein Mist
For a review of this product click here.

8. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Weightless Anti-Frizz Serum
For a review of this product click here.

Purge 8

1. L'Occitane Shea Butter Verbena Soap (Not Pictured)
I love this soap. I smell is divine and subtle without being too subtle. I did find that once winter came alone that it dried out my hands a little, but that could be a combination of things really. I originally got this as a Christmas gift last year and only a few months ago got around to finally using it! I have another soap like this but in another scent that I don't think I'll enjoy as much, oh well. I would buy these though because they last forever! I hope I get more for Christmas O:)


2. Lush Solid Shampoo Bar in Karma Komba (Not Pictured)
Eh, this was ok. I didn't particularly enjoy the smell, which was annoying because it definitely lingers after you style your hair. I do like the concept of these solid shampoo bars and I used up another one before back in college (I actually bought this one at the same time as that so this one has been sitting around my parent's house for FAR too long, hence why I decided to use it up.) I think I'd consider buying a solid shampoo bar again but then again, I'm not sure because I feel like I used this up pretty quickly. BUT there is a honeysuckle one... so perhaps I'll buy that one in the spring? O:)


3. Befine Lip Serum Deluxe Sample
I got this in my October birchbox and I LOOOVE it. It pretty much cured my terrible chapped lips, so I'm quite bummed that I am through with it. It has a create taste and a great smell, and I love the serum consistency to it. I think I might actually buy the full size of it if I truly miss it. Thank you birchbox :)

4. Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-Up Primer in Bronze Deluxe Sample
Before I got this in my October birchbox I had never worn a primer before. Because I was semi forced to use one, I actually learned I like primers! I don't know the point of this being tinted because I didn't notice anything different about my foundation, but the primer aspect was good. I don't know if I would buy this exact primer in full size but I know I am not adverse to primers now and will no longer flee from Sephora primer samples, haha.

5. Klorane Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover with Cornflower Water
For a review of this product check here.

6. 3D Crest White Whitestrips in Advanced Vivid Sample
I got this when I bought my tooth paste. I have tried these strips before (from other free samples from toothpaste haha), and generally I like how they whiten. However, they taste funky while you wear them and they do cause some tooth sensitivity for me. Also, if the strip sits on my gums, it kind of burns :( But, it does have the redeeming quality that there is a noticeable difference in the whiteness of my teeth even with one strip. I'm not sure if I would buy these at full price because they are quite pricey, but I do enjoy getting a free strip with my toothpaste and the time frame that goes along with getting them that way works for me.

7. Victoria's Secret Girls' Night Sheer Fragrance Mist
LOVE, TRUE LOVE. Be an this fragrance may get married one day. Haha. Seriously though, this is the only fragrance I have ever loved this much. I loved it so much that I bought the accompanying scrub, body wash, as well as a backup of the mist! And I have NEVER repurchased a fragrance in my life! Sadly this was discontinued at VS :(  We'll see how true this fragrance and I's relationship truly is when I use up the full backup I have of it and see if I resort to ebay to get another one, haha.

8. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk
Woo hoo another hair product down! Still plenty more to go though -_-. However, deciding to use this up made me realize how much I actually love this product! I love the smell, and I swear there is no way to over use this product because I have never had that too-much-product gross feeling ever with this product and I have been quite generous in application before haha. I love how makes my hair feel after a blow dry, as well as the fresh smell and light feel to my hair when I air dry my hair. I have another formula in this line to get through, so we'll see which I like better. I really think I will repurchase this after my hair quest though because it is great and  inexpensive! Win win! :)