Project 10 Pan

By this point in internet history you likely know what a Project 10 Pan is. The short version: a quest to use up 10 specific products. I know I am constantly on a "use everything up" kick, and I know I had a similar project last year (Ahem... unfinished Kill It Quest), but I felt I needed to declare a Project 10 Pan for renewed inspiration to use up some hearty hanging-in-there products that just need to be used and go! What's on the hit list?

1. Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Hairspray
2. Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things - Love Rocks Fragrance Spray
3. Designer Imposters Fragrance in Wanna Play?
4. Wet n Wild Cover All Concealer
5. CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain in 415
6. Too Faced Mirror Mirror Lip Gloss in I Know You Want Me
7. Mini Sized Urban Decay Primer Potion
8. Bare Minerals Warmth - Starter Kit Size
9. Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation
10. Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiance Skin Gradual Tanner & Daily Lotion

Are any of you guys on a project 10 pan? Comment below with your links or lists and let me know! :)

October Empties

1. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
I got this little sample/travel sized one for free in a Target Beauty Bag some time this summer. I have reviewed this product before HERE, and HERE.

2. Fekkai Essential Shea Butter Shampoo & Conditioner Samples
I received these samples in my September Birchbox and I really liked them. If I remember correctly, I liked the conditioner better than the shampoo, but it could have been the other way around (I used them up at the beginning of the month). Would I buy the full size? Probably not since Fekkai is so expensive. Will I hope that one day they show up at TJ Maxx for an amazingly cheap price? Heck yes, because I loved the smell, and I feel like long term results wouldn't be disappointing.

3. Beauty Fixation Makeup Remover
I received these three swabs in my September Birchbox as well and I loved them so much I bought the full size (check out my haul HERE). They are super convenient in quick mornings before work when I make a makeup error that needs to be corrected or else I would look sloby for work. Each swab has just enough fluid that it sin't drippy or anything, but you also don't have to rub and rub to make it work - just a swipe or two and you are ready to go. I find they are perfect for the accidental mascara on the brow bone or eyelid. Buy full size? Already have!

4. Miss Jessie's Quick Curls Sample
I received this in my August Birchbox. I liked it, but I'm not sure if I love it enough to buy it because I feel like other brands can do the same for cheaper. It had a nice smell, and it wasn't really fatal if you over used the product, which is nice. However, I feel like it didn't do miracles for my hair, just de-frizzed a little. The sample size was huge though so that was fantastic, and I have always wanted to try this brand out because I keep hearing about it online.

5. Schick Quattro for Women Razor Blades
I got this from my mom when she stumbled upon them in her stash and she realized she doesn't really use the brand so she doesn't even know how she got them, LOL. Fine by me though since I used the Quattro. However, I did find that I like the sensitive version of this blades, which is what I have always bought myself. It was nice to confirm to myself that the sensitive is indeed better though. These blades are nice, but I am totally a "razor with gel stripe" princess and love a nice gel-y lube-y razor over a simple one like this one. Buy myself? Probably not unless I was desperate because the sensitive ones were out of stock or these were hugely cheaper or something.

6. Nivea Creme Tin
I don't like the smell and the formula is nothing special. The smell reminds me of a hospital, and it moisturizes just as much as you would think a really thick cream would, aka, a little bit greasy. I used this at night for a hand cream as well as an occasional calf, or foot cream. I have a second one of these because I bought them to fulfill a promo deal at Target one time, but I probably wouldn't by them again unless I was similarly trying to fulfill a promo via the cheapest means possible (because these tins are under a dollar if I remember correctly). Buy full size? Nope. Buy the mini again? Not unless it was for other reasons than for wanting the product, haha.

7. Grand Home Furnishings Hand Sanitizer
The size of this hand sanitizer is just plain adorable! And you could actually put it in a nighttime clutch if you wanted because it is so slim. I used this up at work because I now have the inspiration to finally use all my sanitizers that I have seemed to aquire. This one was fine, and it was simple. It lasted a couple days with 4-6 times daily use (my office has a few cold bugs going round so I am now one of those obsessive people haha). Buy again? Can't because I got it for free at a Grand Home Furnishings Store. I doubt they still have them out as I got this a few years ago. I am happy I have a second one though so i can experience the cuteness again! haha.

8. Bath & Body Works I Love Shopping Peach PocketBac
The world wanted me to have this hand sanitizer because I got it for free when I found a coupon for a free hand sanitier just laying around on a shelf in a B&BW one time. Then the "I Love Shopping" name just called to me, and the peach scent was the icing on the cake. Like the other hand sanitizer I used this up at work. And would you believe that this was my first B&BW PocketBac? Needless to say I understand the hype now... scented hand sanitizer is just way more fun and the prices of PocketBacs are always 5 for $5 so I am pretty sure I will be buying more of these super soon!

9. L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream
I got this for free when I was at the L'Occitane outlet in Florida (See my haul post HERE). I had always heard about this hand cream being good, and my mom loves L'Occitane, but this is the first time I've ever owned it. I've gotta say, it is just as good as the hype makes it out to be. Its just the right amount of moisture without being greasy, and it always does it's job. I never was much of a hand cream person but now that I have an office job I am washing my hands all the time and there is nothing worse than the feel of dry hands, eww! (well maybe dry feet is worse, haha). This lasted me a bout two and a half weeks use when I used it many times per day at work. Buy full size? Well I have a second one in this size that I got for free with a Facebook promo/coupon, so we'll see if I want to drop the money for it after I used up that one.

10. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash Sample
I can't remember how I got this sample again, but my opinion hasn't changed since the first time I reviewed it HERE.

11. Simple Soothing Eye Balm
This thing lasted FOREVER! I got this in the beginning of the year and it lasted me until now! WOW! HERE is my previous review of the product itself, which hasn't changed.

12. L'Occitane Precious Eye Balm Sample
This was one of the many L'Occitane samples that my mom gave me that she had been hording for some time. This eye balm just didn't meet my needs after using the Simple Soothing Eye Balm. This one stung my eyes a little bit upon first application, and I didn't notice that it did any better of a job at hydration than the Simple one did. It did have the nice Immortelle scent, but that was about the only thing it had going for it. Buy the full size? Not likely given my experience and I'm sure the price point isn't something I would want to pay for an eye cream at this point any way.

13. L'Occitane Brightening Essence
I liked this product. It was light, smelled nice, and didn't feel sticky or leave a residue. My only problem, that isn't really a problem, is the fact that it was a one time use size. I have not idea if it really brightens my skin after just one use. I would love to try this out but as a L'Occitane serum that costs $56, my purchasing it doesn't seem likely unless I get to try it out for a longer (via a gift set maybe?) and actually think it gives results. I so love the Immortelle scent though and I forgot how much I loved it since I used up my cleanser already.

14. Australian Gold Tan Extender Moisture Lock Moisturizer
I bought this when I was on vacation in Florida while I was getting my tan on. I love the fruity smell, I like the slick texture, and I felt that it did extend my tan. At the very least it was a nice moisturizer because it never felt greasy, it sunk in pretty quick, and it never really left me wanting more. This was my first Australian Gold product and if they are all this good then I understand why the brand is loved so much. Buy again? Definitely!

15. Lush Noubar Soap Sample
I got this as a sample at Lush when I bought a different item. I like the smell ok (it smells strongly of pistachios), but everything else about it wasn't that fabulous. It has these weird chunks in it but I wouldn't say that makes it srubby at all, which it claims it does. It makes you squeaky clean, which some people may like, but I prefer feeling moisturized. It was fun to have the sample, but I know I would never buy it. Still love Lush though! If I wanted a scrub soap I think I would try their Buffy Bar or that other one that is blue and has the sand in it that my Gay BFF swears by.

16. Tretinoin Cream
Another tube down and I am still in love! I found that now that I wash my face morning and night, and continue applying this at night, that my face is doing WAY better than when I was only washing my face at night (thanks Mom for the tip!). I don't wanna jinx myself and say I might be almost clear skin 24/7 until I see the results remain for more than these last couple weeks, but I know that it is significantly better even if I do break out later this month during the "lady time" of the month. Any spots that I have had recently were super small, not really that noticeable and went away after a day or two. The proof? I have been using my Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation at work! My skin is so clear I can get away with it, and I am not reaching for my foundations! I love love love my skin this month :)

17. VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Cream
I have reviewed this previously HERE.

18. Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Mini
I got this for free via a gift card via the app called Wrapp which legitimately gives you free giftcards to give to friends! I convinced my sister to send me a $5 Sephora one and I went and got this, all I had to pay was the few cents of tax. Woo hoo I love social Media! I have reviewed this product previously HERE and my opinion is still the same. I am contemplating purchasing one of the gift sets for myself so I can try other products by Soap & Glory! :)

Extreme Couponing: $40 of Beauty Products for under $5!

How do you get $40 worth of beauty products for $4.32? Here is how:

1. Tresemme Sale of 2 for $7
2. Tresemme Coupon Buy A Shampoo and Conditioner get a styler free
3. CVS $2 Tresemme Coupon
4. Nivea Coupon for a free Lipbalm (from Facebook)
5. Dove $1 Coupon
6. 25% Off Whole Purchase CVS Coupon
7. $4.50 in Extrabucks from 2% of last quarter's spending
8. Cotton Rounds & Nail Polish Remover Sale of Buy 2 get one Free
9. $5 back through SavingStar.com
10. And then one more $1 CVS coupon that I can't remember what it was for... maybe the polish remover?

It was one of my more magnificent coupon-ing moments! Have you had any extreme coupon-ing moments recently? Comment below and let me know! :)

**some affiliate links may be used**

Products I Regret Buying!

Ever buy something you thought you were gonna love? And then... regret it? And then want to kick yourself because you can't return it? It happens to the best of us! Here is a couple of things I regret buying. Because I am me, I am determined to finish up these products despite disliking them because I did pay good money for them, they are things that I can't return, and it would be a waste to throw them out.

1. Too Faced Baked Eyeshadows in Magenta Moon and Amber Asteroid.

I bought these shadows in a Too Faced Set that came with a bunch of stuff in a bunch of different categories for a really good price. I was new to makeup and the idea of having a bunch of high end makeup for a really good price must have blinded me to the concept that maybe I should research every item to see if I want them, haha. I have had these shadows for 2 or 3 years now and have only used them a couple times. Why? because they are just boring brown colors with the slightest hint of a color glitter. Not something I really reach for. I also dislike that they are baked and domed so I can't put them in the Z palette (though I may be getting the domed one soon and then I can finally put these in a Z palette!).

2. Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer Mini

This also came in the Too Faced Set with the shadows, but I did like this a lot more than the shadows. I have used this quite a bit, but I am kind of over bronzer, and this has been sitting unused for the majority of the last year. I am having a tough time making myself use up the 3 mini bronzer that I have, but when that day comes, it will be a victorious moment! Then I think I'll just buy the NYC Sunny Bronzer because it's cheap, I won't care if it breaks, and I can use it during those times when I need to transition foundation colors, because that's really the only time I seem to reach for bronzers

3. Urban Decay Grind House Sharpener

To begin with, I hardly ever use this because I never wear eyeliner! Additionally, it is so over priced given the fact that I can get a very similar sharpener that is just a plan black color for $1! I regret this purchase mostly because of the price, and because I never really need it since I hardly ever wear eyeliner. 

4. CoverGirl AquaSmooth Makeup

I remember I bought this because I had a CoverGirl coupon that only worked when you bought 2 items and I bought this on a whim so I could round out the 2 item minimum of the coupon. I swear I have only used it once or twice since. I am determined to use it up after I use up the foundation I bought at the same time as this one (the Natureluxe). I do like that is is a compact cream foundation because I imagine it won't take me ages to use up once I start using it.

5. Nivea Creme

I remember that I bought this at the beginning of the year because if you bought 3 Nivea lotions, or something, you got a free $5 Target giftcard. At the time I was in the market for a lotion so I bought a full sized bottle of lotion and then 2 of these little mini tins of the creme because they were less than a dollar and basically "worth it" just to get the $5 giftcard. I regret the purchase though because I now have two of these and I have hardly even used just one. Some how, after buying these, I managed to accumulate a bunch of hand creams for free (hello L'Occitane coupons, and Birchbox) and these Nivea tins were always pushed to the side because I always though of them as bedside hand cream size. Unlike the other products here, I think I could use this up the fastest by just using it as a body or leg cream/lotion and it would be gone in no time. But, even given that, I still regret the purchase.

6. BareMinerals Brightening Gold Mineral Veil

I am pretty sure I bought this at the same time as the Too Faced set mentioned above. I have used about half of it, but that too time and effort. I like the consistency, but it is just too sparkly to use as a true mineral veil so use is slow going because it has been reduced to use as a highlighter. The problem is, I use highlighters like I use bronzers... not that often and with great effort. Maybe I'll regret this purchase less if I can convince myself to use it more this winter, but even though it came with a free brush, I still regret the purchase.

7. Wet n Wild Cover All concealer

I'm sure most people don't regret Wet n Wild purchases, but it's still a few dollars that could have been spent towards something I would have enjoyed more (like maybe a Wet n Wild eyeshadow or lipstick at least!). I bought this mainly because at the time I had a boyfriend and wanted a concealer to carry in my purse for emergency hickey coverage, haha (we all have dated guys that give you the hickeys without warning, I know I am not alone in my plight! haha). However, I regret the purchase because I don't really ever use concealer except for that purpose. I don't put concealer on blemishes really because I think concealer has a tenancy to make them look worst, and they don't heal as fast. I also don't view myself as having an undereye darkness problem so I have never used concealer for the purpose. I now regret this purchase I seem to have concealer out the wazoo after getting some from Influenster and MyGlam, haha.

So those are most of the products I regret buying. What do you guys regret buying? Any product you agree or disagree with? Comment below and let me know! :)

May, June, and July Empties

Other than the random empties I found during packing, here are all the empties from the last couple months that I was hoarding all together just for you guys! I think its a nice well rounded group sample products and a handful of full sized products, which now are allowing me to move on to bigger and better things! Woo hoo!

1. Lumene Sensitive Touch Eye Makeup Remover
I bought this one time because it was on sale and I had a coupon or something to that effect, and didn't have an eye makeup remover at the time. While getting through this product I had phases where I felt that maybe it was an excessive purchase because maybe eye makeup remover wasn't something I needed, but then when I finished it I found myself missing having an eye makeup remover! However, I was not missing this particular one. While this formula isn't a bi-phase one, and claims to be oil free, it has an oily texture, and is king at making my contacts cloudy after use. While, temporary, it still annoys me when products do that. Will I buy this again? Nope. Am I scared away from Lumene? Not yet! I would love to try out some other things, because this was super gentle, and the greasy feeling was its only true down fall!


2. L'Oreal Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser Sample
I like this product. I wouldn't say I loved it, but that's really only because its the kind of cleanser that doesn't have a bunch of frills and just does its job good and plainly. The smell might annoy some people though as it is cucumber-like, but it didn't bother me. I didn't notice it doing any "youth code" like things to my skin, but hey, it's a cleanser, that's more like serum territory. Buy full sized? Not sure yet, but it's on the list of future contenders.


3. Sensodyne ProNamel Travel Sized
This is my 3rd mini tube of this toothpaste and is one I actually bought, whereas the other two came from my dentist (see my first review here and second review here). I am pretty sure I will buy this full sized now, as it is truly a life saver after a night of citrus-y drinks that seem to love to make my teeth sensitive in the morning! Nothing worse than a hangover AND 4 toothaches at ones, boo! I did find that brushing my teeth like 4-6 times the day after pretty much cured the pain by the 2nd day. The only thing holding me back is the fact that the texture/flavor is kinda meh, but I guess since it's semi a hangover cure I can't be so picky, eh?


4. Essence of Beauty Shower Gel in Limited Edition Island Bliss
There were many things to love about this shower gel: the smell, the foam, the size, and the price! I got this on a whim when I was running low on shower gel and I stumbled upon this in the CVS clearance area for less than $2. Fabulous deal right? It's a fun fruity scent, which is perfect for summer! And I love that the size was big enough that it would last me a while, but also wasn't honkin' and aweful to use in the shower like some shower gels are! Buy again? Definitely in clearance, probably at full price, all depending on what smells are out! I love the Sunblossom scent... maybe I'll get that next!


5. Colgate Optic White
This toothpaste is fabulous, though slightly tooth sensitizing. It definitely whitens well, and I love how cheap it is! Buy again? Quite likely! Though I want to switch to a less harsh aka non-whitening toothpaste next.


6. Masque-ology Pore Minimizing Sheet Mask
I got this in my June Birchbox, and was just thrilled because I've always want to try out a sheet mask! I found this mask to be super wet and drippy though, which could be a good thing I suppose? It was messy to apply though, but once on my face and once I was laying down relaxing it wasn't too terrible. I didn't notice crazy pore minimizing, but I do think it did help calm my face down before a big date of mine where I was suffering from some breakouts (totally not cute!). Buy my own set? Hmmm, not sure, this brand is expensive apparently. I am open to trying more sheet masks out though because people seem to love them so much, I just hope they aren't all gloopy like this one was!


7. Pantene Fine Conditioner Sample
I think I got this in the Target Spring Beauty Bag (so glad I discovered those gems!). This conditioner is fine, though nothing magical or spectacular. I don't think I'd be running to get it full sized any time soon unless I was on a SUPER tight budget, but I do think I would buy it for like travel or something because it's always easy to find in the travel size, and it does do its job as a general conditioner. Perhaps I would be more wowed by their conditioner targeted more at my hair type?


8. Neutrogena Visible Bright Daily Facial Cleanser Sample
From the first time I saw this product on a Target shelf it spoke to me and I was dying to buy it full sized ever since! I couldn't justify it though because of the large amount of sample sized cleansers I have seemed to have managed to collect. When I saw that The Target Spring Beauty Bag had it, I was on a mission to snag myself one! Turns out it didn't disappoint me! The smell is great, the results are great, and I love it's weird almost glittery texture! The shimmer doesn't stay on your face though from what I could tell, but some how the fact that I know its in there just makes me feel like my face looks brighter! Even if it isn't actually any brighter, making me feel like it is is step one! Buy full sized? Yes! My number one choice right now, just have more samples to get through, argh!


9. Caudalie Vinotherapie Hand and Nail Cream Sample
I received this in my May Birchbox and was excited to use it because I had just run out of hand cream at the time. I found myself loving the smell (reminds me of Pez!) and it's texture. It never left my hands feeling greasy or under moisturized. I think it is supposed to help with the look of ageing on your hands, but I didn't notice a huge difference like that other than how moisturizing always makes your hands look better. Extra perk? This was the best purse sized hand cream ever! haha, thanks BB! Buy full sized? When I have a lifestyle that justifies $19 hand cream, definitely. But for now, I will just have to hold on to my fond memories and hope for a freak gift of it from someone! Haha. Shhh a girl can dream!


10. Nivea Extended Moisture Daily Lotion Sample
I didn't like this. It left my legs feeling greasy after use, even though it moisturized just fine. I wouldn't buy the full size because I know for a fact that I love other Nivea brand moisturizers better.


11. & 12. Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner
I managed to get a hold of two sets of this Shampoo and Conditioner some how, but having use the first set, I am not wowed. It works ok as Shampoo and Conditioner, and it makes my hair feel like its a little smoother and less frizzy, but I don't think it does what it claims for split ends, though perhaps I'll change my mind after the second set. At this point I wouldn't get the full size, but I would still consider the other products in the Tresemme Split Remedy line.


13. Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Finishing this product is like the end of the era! The purchase of this product basically marked my ascension in to the beauty world of beauty products, youtube, and blogs, and was the first product I really bought based on guru reviews, and I am so glad I did. This product made me love eyeshadow again and it never let me down. I will say that I got annoyed when halfway though its life the back end split so I had to tape it shut and hope it wouldn't dry out, but other wise it was fine (though I think it was a little thicker/dryer towards the end of its life than when it started). This baby lasted me for practically a year and a half! Definitely worth the investment, especially given the fact that I probably used this at least 5 days out of the week! Buy again? Maybe if other brads disappoint me in the future, but I am ready to try other things out there, especially since I know this will always be there for me.


14. L'oreal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer Sample
At first I thought I was going to hate this because it is like a pure shimmer primer, but I found myself loving it under my foundation! I think it did work decently as a primer, thought I will admit I didn't notice anything spectacular staying power wise. But my favorite part was how it made my foundation brighter without being obvious, and I also like it's texture. Buy the full size? I am really considering it! My only debates is whether it is worth the investment since it is kinda pricey for something I wouldn't say I "need."


15. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait Sample
Can I just say, I don't understand the hype? I did like the texture and application of this, and the color over all, but are all the other colors secretly glittery like this one? Because if they are I am not interested! I just felt stupid with this on because the glitters were so obvious, though the peach tone was pretty perfect for me! Buy full sized? I don't know. I'll have to scrutinize them in the drug store to see if there are colors I might like that don't have shimmer. But honestly, I am more interested in some of the other new lip products than this one, and, besides, I don't need another lipstick! I need to use up more of the ones I have first! Haha.


16. Neutrogena Deep Clean Long Last Shine Control Blotting Sheets
I'm glad there is more competition in blotting sheet land these days (I'm looking at you Clean and Clear, did you're patent expire or something? Because these look and feel identical...). But, I wasn't wowed by these. They act and feel like just regular blotting sheets, when I was expecting them to be different some how from the stereotypical Clean and Clear ones. Like others I have tried, I found myself oftentimes using two sheets at a time because one was just not cutting it. I blame Shiseido for giving me high expectations, haha. Buy these again? I might just because of the price, but likely I'll just buy whatever is the cheapest when I go buy new ones, as I can not justify the Shiseido price so I much toil on with sub-par blotting sheets haha.


17. Cover Girl Trublend Micromineral Finishing Veil
This is part of my Kill It! quest. See my review there!

18. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Sample
I got this in my February Birchbox, and I have a love hate relationship with this. I love that it is a powder, I love how it makes my skin smooth, and I also strangely love it's baking powder smell. What don't I love? I'm convinced it was breaking me out! Which, obviously is counter productive for a daily facial product aimed at reducing scars, etc. Buy the full size? Not right quick I'm not... it's quite expensive, and I don't want to run the risk of break outs! Maybe when/if my skin changes. I loved getting it as a Birchbox item though! Trying out this kind of product is why I joined BB!


19. Fusion Beauty Lip Fusion
Love love love this lip balm! I got it in my May 2012 and I loooved every second of it's use! I love the weird cirtus/natural mint smell it had going on and the results were fantastic! My lips were nice and moisturized and I didn't feel compelled to use it every hour on the hour like other lip balms! This lip balm is going to ruin my lip balm expectations forever haha. This full sized balm lasted me a month with obsessive use, haha, which is fantastic and almost makes me want to justify the $22 price tag. Also, I love it's heavy metal twist bottom packaging. Did I mention that I loved this lip balm? Buy it again? Yes! My Birchbox points can't add up fast enough!


20. Chapstick LipShield 365
++At the outset I must mention: I received this product via my participation with Influencer for product testing and review. I had no obligations to review this however, and no obligations to review it positively, which will be obvious in a moment++
So this unfortunate chap stick had to follow my Fusion Beauty Lip Fusion experience, but even without that, there would have been nothing to resurrect this chap stick's suckiness. They don't lie about the SPF 50+, this will give you a gross and obvious white caste, which will be accompanied by a gross greasy look and feeling, along with terrible emphasis of any chap-ness on your lips as this stuff loves to stick on ever little flake you have and didn't even know you had! It's one perk? This whole tube only lasted me 2 weeks! Thank god! Buy my own? Never! And so glad this one was free! Don't waste your money unless all you need is the SPF 50+


21. Wen by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner
I received this through MyGlam back when I was subscribed (it was in the January bag I think?). At first I wasn't thrill at the idea, but I used it just to use it and I found myself a little surprised. I did like the results it gave me: my hair felt cleaner without feeling striped, and I swear my natural curls were cuter and more manageable even without products. The only down side is that my arms would get tired when I massaged it into my head. Buy full sized? I'd consider it if it wasn't so pricey and wasn't so annoying to procure, otherwise, I don't think this is for me.


22. & 23. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Total Care Shampoo and Conditioner
One, I love that Heidi Klum is Clear's spokes person, haha. Two, I love that these came out in decent trial sizes given that it is a totally new brand from what I can tell. Three, the product is actually quite nice. It is kinda like Selson Blue meats Herbal Essences. You can definitely tell that it is a product aimed at scalp health by the smell, but it does have enough ingredients and results that keep your hair shiney and normal despite it's aim (I always found products like Selson Blue making my hair weird even if it does help dandruff). Buy the full sized? Hmm, not totally convinced, but I did like the clean healthy feeling. I'm going to keep an eye out on them at the store and see how the brand evolves. Maybe they will have something with more hair care properties to make it more Herbal Essences while still helping the scalp.

And Then I Found A Box Of Empties When I Was Unpacking

Just when you thought I was done using up products... I found a bunch of empties that I forgot I had saved for posting on this blog but didn't have time to write about before I moved. Funny how moving can swallow up items and you just forget about them until you finally unpack everything haha.

1. Bath Basics 3 in 1 in Tangerine
Talk about a giant bottle of bubble bath right?! I got this at Rite Aid aaaages ago and, if I recall correctly, this honkin' thing only cost $5! What a fantastic deal! With prices and sizes like these I didn't have to be skimpy and could have a heavenly excessively bubble filled bath :) This foams up and bubbles up quite nicely, and you can smell the scent while your tub is filling, and somewhat while you are soaking. This is just an all around good bubble bath, just nothing spectacular. Buy again? At $5, and with good performance, definitely. When you think about it, those expensive bubble baths seem silly even if they are a little better than this because with this being cheaper you don't have to be skimpy. Also, I loved using this with some Coconut Oil added into my bath to make it moisturizing. Now, when you consider the price of coconut oil and this together... you really don't need to splurge on expensive bubble baths :P


2. Mainstays Candle in Wild Honeysuckle
This is a $1 candle from Walmart, so I don't know why I was expecting much. Needless to say, this candle was a total let down. The only time you can smell the scent is when you sniff it in the store, never could smell it when it was burning. Not even when I was hovering right over it! These could be nice for light purposes like in the summer at night with a bonfire, because then you don't really care about the scent, and $1 would be a good price for something of that purpose. Would I buy again? Never again for room scent purposes. Will keep it in mind for unscented candle purposes though because the little jar looks nice and the label is easy to take off.


3. Lip Vitamins Lip Balm in Peach Mango
You might recall my hauling this from Claire's for a whopping $1 on sale! For it only costing $1 I didn't expect wonders, but I was super surprised and got great results! It was actually extremely moisturizing, almost like a lip butter or something. At first I thought the oval shape of the tube was a little weird, but that I found myself loving that aspect of it too! Buy again? Really considering it! Next time I spot one of those Claire's 10 for 10 deals, I might have to stock up on these and check out some other flavors. Watch me never find it again though, haha. Anyone know anywhere that carries these chapsticks other than Claire's?


4. Tretinoin Cream
My opinion hasn't changed since the first time I emptied a tube of this: see this post. 2 down 4 to go.


5. Deep Sea Cosmetics Hand and Body Lotion Sample
So this was one of those samples that those kiosk guys at the mall hand you and then try to talk you into buying their product. I, however, am the queen of playing such players and take the sample when they hand it to me without slowing down my pace and just keep walking. If you don't stop and don't hesitate they are completely disarmed and know that you are totally calling them out, haha. The guy even tried a section tactic of saying I dropped something, so I turned my head, while still walking, then he laughed because he knew I wasn't fooled and gave me a wink, almost like it was for respect to a fellow player, hahahahaha. Anyway, on to the product itself. This lotion is nothing special. It smells soapy, which I don't really hate, but was expecting something more "exotic" or something since it claims to be from the Dead Sea. Buy full size? Not a chance. Probably too expensive for what it is, plus don't want to deal with those kiosk people, haha.


6. Nivea Essentially Enriched Daily Lotion
This lotion was just fine. I got it one sale at Target, so that was nice since it was about half price (and who will complain about half price Nivea?). I found that it was actually really nice and moisturizing! I did think that it could be a little greasy, but I was willing to deal with they because it moisturized so nicely. I does have a kind of medicinal powdery smell that reminds me of nurses and hospitals for some reason, haha. But again? I might, though it being on sale maybe they are discontinuing it? Definitely not running to get it right away because I am always wanting to try new body lotions. If I can find something that gives the results of this lotion but with a nice smell, and maybe less of a greasy feeling, then we'll be talking!


7. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product Travel Sized
I will admit I was a little underwhelmed by this product. I am super glad I got to try it out at half price though, since I am ALWAYS hearing about this product, so of course wanted to try it out myself. I didn't think this did anything spectacular, but I didn't hate it. I did think it helped a little with moisture and taming frizz. However, I don't really like the smell. While I don't think I would buy this product again, I am open to considering other products in the line, especially if those smell better, haha.


8. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum Travel Sized
Now this is a GEM of a product, and I practically got this for pennies when I got it half off like the Its's a 10. I think this cost me a whopping $2.25. That, my friends, is a great price to sample a product at this size! Birtchbox, take note! I think this would be a great thing to put in a future box! haha. Anyway, on to my opinion. I loved this. Even though its a serum, I never felt like this was thick or sticky, just absorbed into my hair without looking like I used to much! I also loved how light this was on my hair while still giving great frizz fighting results! And, can I also mention the smell? It is divine! Buy the full size? I am REALLY considering it, but the price tag is holding me back. Going to use up more of what I have, and maybe try some cheaper alternatives first before biting that bullet. Hey, even if I don't find a cheaper alternative, they will just give me a better appreciation for this product and all it can do, haha!


9. Glade Candle in Cool Serenity
I have reviewed many a candle, and quite a few Glade ones at this point to really know what I want from a candle at this point. The smell was fine, but a little mediocre and nothing special. The burn wasn't clean, but the scent did emanate a decent amount form the candle while it burned. Buy again? Not this scent, but probably will still buy Glade candles, even thought they aren't my favorite. The price is just good for something that doesn't last a super long time.


10. Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Formula
I don't think I posted an empties post the last time I used up a half-used tube of Cortizone, but it was equally victorious then as this one is now! Haha. I feel like I always have tubes of Cortizone hanging around foreverrrr because I always find myself needing some when traveling but forgot to bring it so would have to buy another one. This had me up to three tubes going all at the same time at one point. But this one marks the end of my superfluousness cortizone stage, haha, for I actually had to go buy some after using up this tube because I had no tubes left! Thank you empties quest for giving the strength and appreciation to make this moment possible. LOL Too much emotion about cortizone? Anyway, buy again? Cortizone, yes. This formula? Probably not. Didn't think this was any different than regular Cortizone.

11. Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Polish in Champagne Toast
I loved this nail polish so was a little bummed when I found that the lid to this became just impossible to open! Haha. Even though I perhaps could have gotten it open by soaking it in nail polish remover or something, I've had this bottle since about 2007 or so, and it was getting a little thick anyway. I do however love the color, and it drys in a pretty decent amount of time. All nail polish chips on my nails, so this wasn't anything special in that category. But, this was a nice staple color, and it never failed me. Buy again? I think I will when I need this color again or actually use up more nail polish.


12. Bath and Body Works Body Lotion Sample Size in Malibu Heat
Glad I got this for free with a coupon (though only saved myself a dollar, haha) because I hated the scent. It just seemed so cliche and not unique at all. I am used to BBW lotions having a complex scent of a few things together but this seemed just one dimentional and unoriginal. A was a nice summer like smell, but not my style. The formula of this lotion is just fine, nothing special. Buy again? Definitely not this scent, and probably not the lotion in another scent since its not any better than drug store lotions.


13. Physicians Formula Moisture Balance Ultra-Hydrating Day & Night Cream
To put it plainly, this product SUCKED. It stung my face, was way overpriced at $20, and just didn't do anything for me. Once I got about half way through and fed up with the stinging I decided to use it as a body lotion just to use it up but even there it still sucked! It was totally rolly and gross as a body lotion. Buy again? Never, and I'm not interested in the other stuff in their new line after my horrors with this.


14. Bodycology Nourishing Body Cream in Cloud Nine
This was ok, but not amazing. The smell was fine, but got old and annoying after a while. The lotion formula is quite nice so I wouldn't be adverse to trying out other scents. This smaller size is nice because you can use it as a hand cream, though its a little greasy for that. It is also the perfect size for one full body application, which I think is great for trying out a scent on the cheap because I wanna say this only cost $2 at Target. They make the scents in body sprays and perfumes and stuff, so I think its great that you could try a scent for $2 before committing to a more expensive bigger size.


15. Mai Couture Oil Blotting Sheets in Lavender
I didn't hate these, but I am glad that I got them for free/super cheap in my December MyGlam bag when I was subscribed to them for a hot second. The sheets are fine, and the lavender smell doesn't bother me, but the thing holding me back from really liking them is the fact then whenever I used them I felt I had to use 2x as many sheets as I do with other brands. Other brands I only need one sheet for my whole face, but with these I needed two, every time. Would I buy them in the future? I don't think so, while they aren't terribly expensive, they are still too expensive for something that I use at 2 at a time. Maybe if I only could use one sheet then I would consider it, because I like the little booklet format these come in. I wouldn't be upset if I got them for free or as a gift though.


16. Arquiste Perfume Sample in Flor y Canto
I got this in my May Birchbox, and I just love the scent. It is a fresh but mature floral scent that reminds me of my mother, and just screams beauty to me. I would LOVE to own the full size of this perfume, but at $165 for only 55ml, I don't see it ever happening unless I become a very rich person haha. I would just die if I got this as a gift though. I adore that I got to try out something so luxurious through birchbox, just wish the brand sold rollerballs or something, then I think I might be able to buy it haha. Maybe if my blog gets more followers and I can get referral birchbox points my dream could become a reality, haha. :P Wanna help? Here is my referral link if you wanna sign up for birchbox and help me out: click here my lovelies.


17. Bath and Body Works Mini Shower Gel in Wild Citrus Sunflower
I bought a bunch of BBW stuff and then returned a bunch when I decided the scents weren't worth it and my money was better spent on an awesome super on sale Fossil purse (check out my previous post featuring it). This shower gel, however, was the only product to survive the return spree because I legitimately loved the scent so much that I wanted to use it all. It is a fun fruity scent with a slight floral backnote, and is just fun and refreshing to use in the shower! Buy again? I might when the spring stuff goes on sale! I would adore getting it as a gift too. In the meantime I'll be using some much cheaper shower gels that cost half the price of this and is like 8x the size haha.


18. Crest Sensitivity Clinical Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste.
I liked this toothpaste, but I'm not sure I would re-buy it. I think it helps somewhat with sensitivity but I think Sensodyne does it a lot better and a lot faster. I did like the taste, and I think it helped maintain the whiteness of my teeth, which was nice.

Spring Cleaning I (25 Empties!)

This will be a MAJOR empties post because I have been busy this semester but now that the semester is nearly over and Commencement is ever approaching (May 19th, woo hoo!). The products have been building up and I need to recycle them so on with the reviews so I can feel the bliss of all this spring cleaning of products! Haha.

1. Help I have a Headache
This might be weird to include because it is just acetaminophen but I thought the product was so cute that I just had to share! Plus, when I bought it I got a super deal because there was $2 off coupons at Target where I bought it (I'm not sure if they are still around) and this product is a $3-4 product so GOOD DEAL RIGHT? :) I love that this line of medications has the goal of minimal packaging and removal of unnecessary ingredients like dyes and fillers, etc. I love that the container is so small too! It only comes with 16 caplets which are packaged in pairs so it doesn't last as long as a bottle of pain killers because it really is only 8 doses but I still love it anyway haha. I have a tendency of getting headaches for a variety of reasons and I will say that these work just as well as other brands though I don't know if it is better because they all kind of work the same for me. But since the packaging and the product has less useless stuff in it I think it is better than the others for that fact. Will I buy it again? YES! Just going to use up my other normal Tylenol and stuff first. I also love the small size of this because you are more likely to actually use them all before the product expires and with pain killers that is apparently super important (though I will admit that I have a tendency of keeping and using expired tylenol etc.) That it something that is now important to me with my various medications and stuff but can be so wasteful when a lot of products come with a lot of doses that I never use up before they expire! Haha. Ok, this review has gotten long, but it is just a testament to how much I love this product! haha.


2. Too Faced Lipstick in Free Love
GUYS! I FINISHED A REAL LIPSTICK! Let us rejoice!! *parties* Ok, now that I have got that out of my system, on to the review! This product taught me that I don't love shimmery/frosty lipsticks. And because I knew that I wanted to use it up so I could get it out of my collection and truly put it through the test of whether I truly dislike frosty lipsticks. I reaffirmed that yes I do not like frosty lipsticks haha. I got through the hate by basically using this lipstick like a chap-stick because I found that it was a decently moist product and didn't dry my lips. I am not sure if moisturized itself, but it was a good, like, sealant, for lack of better word, and helped to maintain the moisture level that my lips already have. While I buy it again? Nope, not this color. But I am not totally adverse to the Too Faced Lipstick line though so I wouldn't be against considering another non-frosty color. At $20 a pop though, it is probably unlikely that I will seek it out, but Too Faced tends to put them in kits all the time so I would totally be into buying a kit with a non-frosty lipstick in it! (On that magical day when I am actually in the market to not just buy lipstick, but multiple products and can justify a whole kit! haha)


3. Secret Natural Mineral Invisible Solid in Eucalyptus Blossom
I will admit that I recall that I bought this because what ever it was that I wanted to buy wasn't in stock, but I was in desperate need of a deodorant so had to buy something, haha, and this made the cut. I loved the smell and even though it is a solid (I am more into the like creamy kind now), I didn't feel like this ever made my underarms too dry, which was the problem I have had with solids in the past. Would I buy it again? I think so! Just gonna try some other stuff first. I would totally consider buying a body mist in this scent if they sold it though (which sadly they do not)!


4. Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave in Cashmere Rain
I loved this! Just wish it lasted longer. I loved that it was a gel/foam, and this product was my first actual CREAM shaving cream, not one of those gel/foam creams like the other Skintimate products I have tried before. I loved how moisturizing this was! I even felt like I didn't always need to use lotion after a shower with this, but since I moisturize my whole body I would do my legs anyway just so I wouldn't feel uneven, haha. But I didn't feel like I NEEDED to, which other products have made me feel. Will I buy this again? I am pretty sure I will after I try out the few other true cream shave creams there are out there (like the EOS one I think I will try next because that has an awesome pump! haha). This had a weird smell but I kind of liked it. It was a mess in the shower though, would get on the walls and just kind of stay there, haha. But I did like the product so I got over that. If I find another cream that can do what this does but with out the mess factor I may not buy this one again haha.


5. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Tanning Lotion Sunscreen
I absolutely LOVED this! I bought this back in December when I was on my extended stay in Florida and I had run out of the other spray tanning lotions I had been using. After deciding that even though spray products had the same FL. OZ. quantity, but probably end up wasting more of it because the spray just floats away if it doesn't stick to your body, haha, I decided to try the traditional lotion. This product was completely new to me because I don't remember seeing it last summer. I think it will be new this summer but was released earlier in Florida because, well, it is Florida so they don't have to wait for summer to have the need to buy sunblock haha. I think this truly was hydrating for the 12 hours that is claims because I didn't feel the need to put on lotion after tanning, which I loved haha. I also adored the smell, a perfect tropical summer smell. After my winter holiday I still have some of this left. Some of you may have an issue with this, but I did some tanning at a tanning salon over the winter when I got a super good deal and I felt that I needed some tanning in order to not be so glum over the winter. I would use this when I would go up a level in time in the tanning booth so I wouldn't burn the first time and it was great for that! I can say that I only burned I think once and that was when I went up a level without putting this on, and ever since then I would use this every time before I went up a level. I know that they say that traditional sunblock can be bad for the tanning beds, but the salon I went to had stand up ones so I think it isn't as bad? Oh well, I needed to use it and I didn't use it that many times so I don't think it hurt the blubs? I hope? I am pretty sure that I will be buying this again this summer unless something new and even cooler looking comes out haha.


6. Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor
I bought this because I heard rave reviews about this on Youtube and I got a sweet deal on it (see my hair product haul I posted a while back). I wanted to like it, and it may have given me good results, but I just HATED the smell so much that I can't even stand to use it. I know that sounds dramatic, but this is one of the first products that I have had such a strong hate of the smell, I swear it gave me a headache and made me feel a little nauseous in the shower when I was using it, I hated the smell THAT much. It is like a mixture of cinnamon and soggy banana foster or something. Now in writing that sounds delicious, but something about the way it works in this product is just revolting to me for some reason. I know I will never buy this again, and nothing else in this line if it has the same gross sent. Bleck! :P


7. Vichy Cellu Destock
I won't go into this because I talked about it in my previous post devoted entirely to Vichy so you can read about it there :)

8. Dove Ultimate Go Fresh Cool Essentials Cucumber & Green Tea Scent
I was surprised how much I liked this. I was expecting it to be a meh product because I only bought it so I could use it for travel and just needed it to do a minimal job. I liked the smell, the green tea makes it a little more different than the traditional cucumber smell that I don't always like. I didn't find this over drying. However, I did find I didn't like the travel size packaging because it didn't have much product, the lid was flimsy so when I take it off, because I had to squeeze to hold it it would sometimes smoosh the deodorant, and I also found that the curve of the dispenser was oddly high on the sides so sometimes I'd get an unexpected plastic scrap while applying. Haha. Would I buy again? For travel, I think so, for regular life? I'm not as sure.


9. Love & Toast Shower Creme in Clementine Crush
I wouldn't call this a shower "creme" because it felt like a regular shower gel, and didn't really moisturize that I noticed. But, I loved the smell and the packaging. I love how sleek and slender it is without being super tiny. I remember seeing this brand for the first time in a boutique neat my house, and remember almost buying one of the lotions in this brand in a scent that they don't have at my Target (boo!). I love citrus body products, so it was no surprise that I liked this smell. It had an odd Tang like quality to the smell, which some people might not like, but as I am a fan of powdered and instant drinks (is that weird, haha) I quite liked the smell. I found it super refreshing to use in the shower, which is what I usually look for in a body wash. Lathered nicely too. Will I buy again? I think so. Might try out another scent just because though. I saw that there is a scrub version in this scent, so I am interested in trying that.


10.Glade Candle in Polka Dot Petals (Limited Edition Spring Scent)
I wasn't expecting greatness from a drug store candle because I never hear anyone talk about them, but I did enjoy this scent. I liked that it was floral but also had a nice pineapple twist to it. I'm not sure I'll rebuy it though because I didn't find that the scent filled the room when it burned, which is the point of candles if you ask me. I am going to try out a few other drug store candle brands before deciding to buy this again. This came with a super cute cardboard packaging cover thing with adorable polka dots and flowers on it that I wish was on the candle holder! Also, the bottom of the candle doesn't say the name of the scent so I had to look it up online for this post, which is annoying. What's that about? haha


11. Nivea Happy Sensation Daily Lotion
I loved loved loved loved loved the scent of this. Like fresh orange juice with some floral. It is simply divine. What I didn't like, though, was that the lotion itself kind of left me wanting more of the lotion (though never the smell, always plenty of the divine smell). It's kind of runny, which is nice for application as it makes it easy, but I think this is what makes it less moisturizing and not quite moisturizing enough for me (though perhaps it could be just right for the summer?). I also loved that this had a pump, because pour out lotions annoy me because I can never be exact about how much I get. With a pump I can figure out how many pumps I need for each part of my body, making application faster and less messy. This was a decent size and it lasted me about a month with daily use. Gonna try some other lotions after this to see if I can find one that can really hydrate for 24 hours like this one claims but can not do, but I'll keep it in mind for the summer when I tend to need less moisturizing lotions.


12. BareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer
This had a crazy herbal natural smell that I didn't like at all. I can handle weird smells in my face wash buy not my moisturizer. Also, I didn't think it was anything special moisturizing-wise. Won't buy the full size, and wouldn't be that excited to get it for free, haha.


13. BareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser
I liked this better than the Moisturizer, but not enough to consider buying. This had the same strange herbal smell but it wasn't as strong and it was tolerable in the shower. I think I would have liked this more if it was more of the microfoliant style cleanser, but this is just a regular gel cleanser, which I think gives regular results in this product's case. Wouldn't buy it because I feel like I could get something equitable at the drug store, but if given for free, I wouldn't absolutely hate using it.

14. I Love... Blueberry & Smoothie Bubble Bath & Shower Gel
I really like the formula of this brand. What makes this not a green is the smell. I love the blueberry smell when I soak in a bubble bath but for whatever reason I don't find it as appealing as a shower gel when all lathered up. If you are into Blueberry though, I would totally recommend this to you because it is great! I am just not THAT wild and crazy about blueberry :P Can't wait to see what I think of the other scents!


15. Vichy One Step Cleanser
This was reviewed in the post dedicated entirely to the Vichy products I got from Birchbox

16. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Moisturizer
Same as the cleanser, my review can be found in the Vichy post

17. Benefit the POREfessional
I really liked this! I was stoked when I got this in a birchbox because I had always wanted to try this out but never wanted to buy the full size in order to do so. After constantly having a primer of some sort via birchbox for the past couple months, it is going to be weird to go back to not using a primer (still think they are pricey for what they are). I loved this primer because I do think it did the best job out of the primers I have tried so far for smoothing your face before applying foundation (the other more targeted at just making your make up last longer). I am not going to run out at buy this right away though because it is expensive and I don't think it is "necessary" for my everyday use. I am considering trying out some drug store primers next to see how those compare to this one. Maybe if I'm lucky birchbox will send me another primer to try out! haha.


18. EPIQ Hand Sanitizer Purse Spray
I got this as a christmas present from my dad back in 2010 after he got it as free swag at a fancy lawyer conference of some kind (I'll be a lawyer by the end of 2012, fingers crossed, so maybe I can get more of these from going to conferences myself! haha). I love the bitty size for my purse. Of course this isn't ideal for heavy sanitizer users because it wouldn't last them very long. But because I don't really ever remember to use it, this lasted me a year! I mostly used it for those occasions where I really felt compelled to have hand sanitizer in that situation (like eating with my hands, or eatting after doing something particularly germy, like pet farm animals or something, haha). I didn't find this over drying, and while it didn't have a scent, it had that non-scent to it, which was nice because it didn't stay. Rebuy? Could if I would (I think CVS or Walgreens might sell something like this actually, I'll have to check it out), see them out for propaganda for free-99? Definitely grabbing one!


19. Method Daffodil Bouquet Hand Wash
I posted about this on 4/20 so you can see my hilarious review of the smell there :)

20. Air Wick Scented Candle in Glacier Bay (Limited Edition National Park Foundation Collection)
The color green can not express my love of this candle! 1. I got a super good deal on it because it was in Target clearance because it was a limited edition scent, so I got if for like $2! 2. The scent is divine and just my style, fresh, watery, relaxing. 3. The is the smoothest/cleanest burning candle I have used so far! There are literally no wax chunks on the insides of this candle! That is the first time a candle has done that for me in a realllly long time. I hate when some just stays on the side because it seems like such a waste. 4. The scent filled the room. I hate candles that mislead you and smell really good in the store but then when you burn them you can't really smell them unless you are hovering right over them. I never had that problem with this one, and I could smell it in all parts of my apartment! Win, win, win, win! Will I rebuy? YES! Never again Glade, Air Wick has captured me and I don't ever want to be let go! Haha :P


21. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara Sample
I got this in the Decemeber debut GlamBag (you know, the one GOOD month of GlamBag, haha :P). And I am so glad I did because I LOVE this! I am really tempted to buy the full sized version! This lasted a long time for a sample, and probably would be still usable for some, but I don't like to fight with little baby clumps in the morning when I am cutting it close to getting to class on time, haha. It is amazing at lengthening and defining. Not big on volume, but that's not what I like, so this was perfect for me! Definitely considering buying, or at the very least checking out other tarte products because now I am intrigued!


22. Sephora Brand Mascara Sample
I didn't even use this up. After the tarte mascara reached its end I reached for this next and when I pulled the brush out it just looked so awful that I didn't want to ever risk wearing it and having to redo my makeup all over if it was a total fail. The brush was crappy with the bristles sticking together, and looking kinda mushy and not firm. It was like the mascara brush had spider lashes! If the brush has it, then I am sure the brush would give them to me! Also, the formula looked dull, dried and clumpy (granted I have been hording this for a while). Yucky. Maybe this is normal looking when you first get it and maybe I would enjoy it then, but currently this one is just yuck city! Won't buy!!


23. Bath and Body Works Lemon Mint Leaf Mini Candle
I hate to say it, but after all the beauty world hype over BBW candles, I have to say I am underwhelmed. I bought a couple minis and a few medium sized candles (which I don't think I hauled here, oops) when the spring scents came out and there was a sale going on. While they smell amaaaazing in the store (hense my purchase of 5 different candles! haha), I find that when they are burning they aren't that strong. I just can't believe that after all the hype my $2 Air Wick candle was way more impressive. This Lemon Mint Leaf one was the strongest of the bunch, and you could smell it in the air when it was burning but definitely not throughout my whole apartment, just the living room. Buy it again? Probably not. Buy the scent it in another format? totally would if BBW sold the new fresh picked candle scents in other formats, but sadly they don't :( the sales person said it was because the scents didn't really translate as well in other forms, which I thought was ironic because once I got home I felt that they didn't even translate well to a burning candle! I do like this mini candle size though... so cute! If maybe the scent problem is just this collection, I wouldn't mind giving BBW candles a second chance via buying more mini candles in their core collection scents.


24. Bath and Body Works Forever Sunshine Travel Body Spray
I will admit I bought this scent because youtube girls said they liked it. After I got it home and really started wearing it I realized it was much more heavy on the sweet side rather than the citrus side which I like better. It wasn't awful using this up because I didn't hate it or anything, I just wasn't that excited to use it. I am glad that I bought the mini size though because if I had bought the big size I would probably be regretting the purchase way more. This small travel size is just my style of body sprays. Big enough to get a good use and value of it, but small enough to not hate the scent as you use it up if you decide you don't like it anymore half way through. I think my new test for BBW body sprays should be that I shouldn't ever buy the big size ever again unless I go through a mini size and love it the whole way through. Money, and time saver! (I'm looking at you BBW Cherry Blossom, the bane of my existence!). While I wouldn't buy this body spray again, I will buy the size, and I could consider buying this scent in other formats because I find sometimes the scents can be a little different in different products, so maybe one of the other products in the scent line leans more citrus-y, that would be cool!


25. Vicky Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover
This was reviewed in the post dedicated entirely to the Vichy products I got from Birchbox

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 6

1. Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Bamboo Pink
I loved that this sample size was easy to use up, haha. If I were into lip gloss I think I would feel less regret about buying this kind because I would actually feel like I am getting my moneys worth since I would be able to finish them before they got funky. I probably won't repurchase though because I'm not wild and crazy about lip glosses and if this is worn without a balm underneath it is super stick (though quite delightful with a balm!). I would enjoy receiving this as a gift or as a gift with purchase though! Also... go me for finishing another lip gloss!

2. Victoria's Secret Sheer Fragrance Mist in At First Sight
Click here to see my review for this product.

3. Josie Maran Argan Oil 15ml
When I first bought this product last Christmas in a set last year I wasn't too keen on the idea of this product. Thus, it sat in my cabinet for quite some time. Once I decided to use this daily as a moisturizer it was used up in no time and I learned that I kind of love the product! You would think an oil would be too much as a moisturizer but my skin just soaked it up and loved it. It's expensive as a full size so I am going to hold off buying it for a while, but I'll keep my eye out for sets that come with this!

4. Boots Extracts Almost Body Scrub
Not that scrub-y. Easy to overuse. Scrub-ers were always left on the bottom of the tub afterwards which was annoying. Won't buy again.

5. Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care SPF 4
I liked this but didn't love it. I was happy to see it go because I had a suspicion that this balm was actually drying my lips a little bit.

6. Pangea Organics Facial Cream for Normal to Combination Skin: Nigerian Ginger with Lavender & Thyme
I HATED this product. Hated the smell, didn't like the consistency, and I didn't feel like it really moisturized at all. I actually started using this as a hand and foot cream just to use it up.

7. Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream
I actually loved this. At first I was suspicious because it was a cream scrub and it kinda left a kind of film after I washed it off. But I actually liked that about it because it seemed to moisturize my skin. I think I might actually buy this or the Ahava cream cleanser I tried before.

8. Calvin Klein Shock for Her Perfume Sample
Liked it, didn't love it. Would buy this if it came in a cheaper body spray version. I loved how it smelled refreshing but sweet and feminine. However because it was refreshing I wanted to spray it multiple times, which can be accidentally overpowering since this is a perfume, haha.

9. Dior Miss Dior Cherie Perfume Sample
I like this, and maybe kind of love it. However I smelled a drugstore dupe of this perfume that I like better because it takes out the musk that is in the Dior perfume so I think I am going to buy that one after I use up my other body sprays.