Mid Month Empties - Novemeber

1. & 2. Herbal Essences None of Your Frizziness Shampoo & Conditioner
I really liked this! I bought this when I was out of my last shampoo and couldn't find the "Honey I'm Strong" line at my local CVS. I was plesently surprised and I think I like this shampoo better than the honey one (see my review of that line HERE)! It is like all the good aspects of the honey shampoo & conditioner, without that slippery texture. Also, I think I prefer the smell of this one better. I think it helped to fight frizz, but sometimes its hard to really tell with any shampoo & conditioner whether that really works. I do know it didn't make my hair more frizzy! Buy again? Totally!

3. Unknown Dome Brush
I have had this brush for a few years now and it served its purpose. I found it on the ground near my apartment one time, and thus have NO idea what brand it is because the handle doesn't indicate anything. I have decided that it is time to retire this brush because it is a little pokey/scratchy when trying to darken up the outer v, and I found a nice replacement brush on sale at Sephora!

4. CVS Brand Eye Makeup Remover Oil-Free
I really liked this, though I think the Simple Makeup Remover I used previously works slightly better on mascara. However, I will probably by buying this again I'm sure because this is way cheaper than the Simple brand, and sometimes CVS gives you coupons for $ off CVS brand stuff, making it an even better buy! 

5. Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste
I've reviewed this three times already (HERE, HERE, and HERE), and my opinion is still the same.

6. Aveeno Active Naturals Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes
I got these for free through Klout.com and was excited to try them out since they are a pretty new product (Thanks Klout!). I found that they work fine, but I think the texture of the towelettes aren't the softest, and sometimes they left me wanting them to be wetter. I've tried other brands (Like Simple, and Garnier) and I feel that the Aveeno ones just didn't measure up. Buy my own? Probably not.

7. L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream
Another free hand cream, this time through a Facebook coupon. My opinion about the previous tube remains true for this one. Buy full size? Contemplating!

8. L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Shower Gel
I got this in the perfume gift set I bought this summer, and have loved every single use of this! I love the scent as a perfume, and in the shower gel form! I just made me feel so feminine and girly. But will I buy it again separately? At $20 it's not likely, but I would love to have it via a set of some kind again!

9. Blinc Mascara
Previously reviewed a sample size HERE. I loved it so much then that back in January/February-ish I bought the full size with my Birchbox points! This tube of mascara lasted FOREVER, about 8-9 months! O.O That is insane! And I loved every use. I loved that I didn't have to worry about raccoon eyes, and that the effect always pleased me. However, now that I have used another mascara I'm not sure I would buy this again because I want to try other styles of mascara and I think I like mascaras that are a little more defining and separating that this one.

10. Towson Town Center Unscented Hand Sanitizer
I got this for free at an event at my local mall last year. Not much to report about it since it is just a plain hand sanitizer. It did it's job, it was free, the colored beads were fun to look at, but nothing else to report. Not re-buy-able unless Towson Town Center gives them out again this year at another event!

11. Baltimore City Health Department Clean Hands Save Lives Aloe Hand Sanitizer
I don't know why this was called "aloe" hand sanitizer because there is no aloe in it... just fragrance that smells like aloe. Even the ingredients give it away! Otherwise, it was a nice hand sanitizer, but not any different than a non "aloe" one. I got this for free at the Baltimore Book Festival, and it came with a carabiner hook on the top, which I am keeping, so that was cool. Like the Towson one this is not re-buy-able, but I would welcome more free hand sanitizer since I use it like a fiend at work!

12. La Fresh Original Formula Makeup Remover Wipe
I got this single wipe for free at a hotel that I said at this summer. I don't even remember how I felt about using it recently, so obviously it is not a memorable product. I remember that it was moister than the Aveeno ones mentioned above, so that was good, but otherwise it was just a average plain-jane makeup wipe. Buy full size? Probably not.

13. Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Styling Cream
Thank God this is out of my life! I hated this product. It was so easy to use too much product and end up with gross greasy hair. Occasionally the results were OK if used quite sparingly, but never was is amazing, or even good. I think I bought this originally because I liked the Anti-Humidity Styling Milk that I had bought before, but the cream formula is so much inferior to the milk version. I'll never buy this again, and wouldn't even want it for free!

14. Softsoap Milk Protein & Honey Moisturizing Hand Soap
I could have sworn that I used this soap before but I can't find the empties post with it in it, so maybe I am mistaken? Either way, it feels like the hybrid between The Up & Up Milk & Honey Soap and the Softsoap Shea Butter soap. Could still make your hands dry after using it, but more moisturizing than a non-moisturizer soap. The scent was nice and it had the interesting slick honey texture. Buy again? Probably if I saw it on sale but I am not obsessed or desperate about it needing to be in my life. It could disappear and I wouldn't be that upset. 

15. CVS Brand Premium Cotton Rounds
Cotton rounds are cotton rounds and I used these previously and my review there is the same now.

16. Hawaiian Tropic Lip Balm SPF 45+ in Vanilla Mint
I bought this spontaneously when I was on vacation in Florida in August. I needed a new high SPF lip balm because the one I had been using was one of those balm that made your lips white and I didn't think that was cute for surfing! haha. This did its job SPF-wise but the taste was gross because it was like you could taste the chemical sunscreen in it, and not the vanilla or mint. Bleck! It was decently moisturizing, but I won't miss the gross taste! Will stick to Sun Bum lipbalm instead!

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September Empties

Who's got empties? ME!!! September was a month to be proud of my empties. Check out my reviews below :)

1. & 2. Herbal Essences Honey, I'm Strong Shampoo & Conditioner

I bought this for my 3 week Florida vacation in August and it lasted me all through the vacation plus another week or so. I bought this because I saw an add for it on Spotify and I was intrigued. I really liked this formula and it was nothing like any other Herbal Essences formula that I've used before. It reminds me of the consistency of the Honey Handsoap that I've used before: this like weird slippery but not oily or heavy feeling; the shampoo had the same feeling here. Is that a honey thing? I don't know, but I like it. Also, the conditioner was nice because it was just the right of heaviness that I like. And, bonus, it smells nice and Herbal Essence-y: fresh and clean, my favorite! Totally will rebuy, and have a renewed interest in Herbal Essences that I had semi abandoned a year or two ago after having a super long term relationship with the Tousle Me Softly line (perhaps I should try that out again now that I have tried a bunch of other shampoos and conditioners?).

3. Jason Restorative Biotin Pure Natural Shampoo

I got this for free through Klout and was surprised at the huge size because it was my first full sized thing from Klout! Now I've gotten quite a few things from Klout so the size isn't as surprising. However, I love ths size of this because it lasted me forever! I had been using this shampoo as my "between shampoos" shampoo that was always there for me while I was deciding what to buy next (which explains why this lasted me from April/May until now, haha). I love that it is SLS free and the product hasn't sacrificed its quality because of it. I have used other SLS free shampoos before but was always disappointed because they didn't lather at all, but this one lathers just the right amount to make me not miss SLS. The smell is a nice "natural" kind of smell, but it's hard to place. I wouldn't say this shampoo does anything special or amazing for your hair, but for someone who values natural ingredients, and doesn't like SLS, parabens, or phthalates in their hair products, this is amazing! I would love to try more stuff form this line! Thanks Klout!

4. Dove Damage Therapy Energize Conditioner

The only thing this conditioner has going for it is the scent, and even that isn't saying much because I would say the scent is an acquired taste and it just happens to be one I like. I love grapefruit, and I love lemongrass, so the scent was fine, but it stops there. I could see how someone could hate the scent, and I would say that it was particularly "energizing." If I want an energizing bath product it would be a shower gel because scents are more potent with those because you use it on your hold body. In a conditioner, that doesn't lather, or have opportunity to work the smell into the air, coupled with the small area it is used on, the "energize" aspect is kinda dumb. Plus, the conditioner doesn't really do much for your hair. I actually wanna say that it manages to be too heavy for my hair in a bad way, and it doesn't even feel that heavy when you put it on! I won't lie, I bought this on a whim for some reason when I was going into the grocery store to buy a different conditioner. A whim that wasn't worth it! Won't be buying this again. But I wouldn't mind checking out the body wash some day, but I'm in no rush for that.

5. Quattro For Women Sensitive Skin Razor Refill
I have used this razor type for some time now, maybe 2 or 3 years, and it's fine. I like the sensitive skin version of the blades better than the others, but I hate that the razor handle doesn't fit other Schick blades (like the Hydro Silk). I never was interested in trying another blade until the Hyrdo Silk came out, and I won't lie, I love the Hydro Silk way more because it is significantly more hydrating, which is an important shaving factor for me. Will I still buy these again? Probably, because I have the "Trim Style" handle with the trimmer blade on one end so I just hate the idea of having two razors in my shower, one for trimming and one for actual shaving, but I guess I'll be doing that for a while since I bought some Hydro Silk blades at a super good deal recently. If the made a Hydro Silk handle that has a trimmer on it... I'd be in heaven!

6. Satin Care Dry Skin Shave Gel Mini
I don't know what possessed me to buy the mini version when I was on vacation, but I did, haha. I like this formula, but it isn't the most hydrating, and I came to enjoy the non aerosol version I had previously. I like that it was small so it didn't take long to get through, hence I didn't have to wait long if I wanted to switch to something else. However, ironically, a coupon lured me into buying the full size of this exact version as my replacement. Guess I'll try a new kind AFTER I used up the big size, haha. Weirdly though, this one is blue colored, and the full sized bottle, that I swear is supposed to be the same formula, is pink, haha (I like the pink better!).

7. L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Cleansing Foam
I love this. I bought it on a whim when we finally got a local L'Occitane, and I love it. It is gentle without feeling pointless, I love the weird "immortelle" smell that the whole line has, and I want to believe that it helps with brightening (but who knows for sure it a face wash can really do this, haha). I am going to save the bottle because I plan to buy the refill bag instead of buy another bottoe (thank you genius L'Occitane!), so you could say, yes, I am going to rebuy this. I am also super interested in trying out other items in the Immortelle line, like maybe the scrub?

8. Simple Eye Make-Up Remover
I value simple (no pun intended) make up removers because they don't sting, they don't leave behind a residue, but they also do their job. This Simple one does just this! I never had a stingyness or cloudlyness problem ever with this make-up remover and I found myself actually reaching to use it because of that (when previously I was pretty any make-up remover unless I had eyeliner on). Will I rebuy? Definitely! I would just DIE if there was a CVS store brand version too!!

9. Degree Natureffects Honeysuckle + Tea Tree Oil Invisible Solid
I love the scent, but the formula was meh. I found it to be drying at times (something I HATE in deodorants) and it was "white streak" prone. I do still like Degree deodorants but this one isn't anything special and I only bought it because of the scent. Next time I still to a moisturizing deodorant and the body spray in this scent. No rebuy.

10. Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Spf 15 in Tender Rose sample
I love sephora samples. I don't know why I never got a powder sample before because they are super generous with them! I swear this dinky sample lasted me a whole month with pretty much daily/consistent use! Amazing. And it has me sold. I understand the hype and I love it way more than Bare Minerals. I love it some much that I may have already purchased the full size through Amazon O:) It's not bad if it was technically "free" because of stockpiled Amazon giftcards, right? LOVE!

11. Freeman Beauty Facial Hydration Mask Goji Berry
I got this a while back when I used to have MyGlam Bag and forgot about it until now. I had a bad skin reaction to benzol peroxide (due to over use) which left my skin the most dry and grossly flaky I have ever seen! But, I remembered that I had this mask and I think it did help a little. The smell was nice, and though it did sting a big a first I would bet that it normally wouldn't sting because eventually the feeling stopped and it really only stung in the areas that my skin got super red and dry from the benzol peroxide. Would I buy? I think I would! Every now and then I will have a super bad skin day where all I want is a soothing and hydrating mask to make my face less red and to just make it feel better. I don't own any hydrating masks so I think buying one of these on those bad days would totally be a great back up plan!

12. Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter
I am so glad one of my buy friends convinced me to try the non-pepperminty Burt's Bees lip balm because I loved this one too (it came in a 2 pack that had a acai berry one that I also loved). It is hydrating and soothing and has never really let me down. To top it off, I've missed it since it's been gone and can't wait to use up the 4-5 chap sticks I have managed to acquire for free recently (mall event, nivea coupon, sun bum office freebie, etc). Rebuy? Definitely! I would love to try it in other flavors too.

13. L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Moisture Cream Sample
I got this sample from my mom (she manages to hord L'Occitane samples some how...) and I loved it! It had just the right amount for one full face application without extra product, which was nice because I hate when they give you so much that it's like 1.5 or 2 applications and it's like impossible to keep for the next day. The consistency was kind of like  gel cream which felt quite nice and didn't leave me wishing for more. It had the same nice Immortelle scent like the rest of the line, and it just felt nice and refreshing to put on. I would love to try the full size to see if it actually helps with brightening but will probably put that off for a while due to price.

14. ROC Skincare Multi Correxion Nourish Stress Repair Night Cream
I quite liked this but I wouldn't say it is necessary. The AHA at times was a little much for my skin and made it sensitive but I found it to be nice to use as an "in between" moisturizer and would just switch to a different one whenever my skin got sensitive after a few weeks. I don't know how stress relieving the scent is but I loved how thick it was because it just made it feel moisturizing. Not sure if I would buy this myself though. I got it as a free Klout perk, and I'm sure it is expensive since it is ROC. It was nice to use but I am not chomping at the bit to buy it and I wouldn't say I particularly miss it, especially in light of the AHA sensitivity thing.

15. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
Everyone has either owned a pack or currently owns a pack of these sheets, am I right? And we all have the same opinion. It's good, they do their jobs and it's always there for you. I have tried other brands and find them all to be the same (except the Shisedo ones, those are AMAZING and are significantly better than any other ones I've ever used). I will probably always keep buying these because every now and then they go on sale, which is always nice. But are they to live without? No, not this brand. And will do (like the Neutrogina I've tried, the ELF ones that people swear by but I haven't tried yet, or any other drug store ones.)

16. & 17. L'Occitane Delice des Fruits Citron & Clementine Bath Balls
I bought these at the L'Occitane outlet when I was down in Orlando last month in order to qualify for a free gift with purchase. The smell was nice but I think I have been spoiled by LUSH because other than the smell I wouldn't say these bath balls did much. Would say they were a little drying, and really just a nice fuzzy scented bath ball. It was a nice almost free gift but I wouldn't buy them for myself again.

Spring Cleaning III (12 Empties!)

Just when you thought that was it... there was more empties! My stash has really taken a beating this spring! I love it, and so does my stash and wallet! :)

1. Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes
This was reviewed in the post dedicated entirely to a group if Simple products you can check out my review there.

2. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Skin Tone Correcting Serum Sample
Ahhh, I always forget how much I love the texture of a good non-sticky serum! This sample lasted me for 2-3 days so couldn't really get a feel for whether it actually did any skin tone correcting, but it didn't sting, it didn't leave my skin greasy, and I liked the smell. It's expensive because its a serum, but if I keep hearing good things about this product I think I might consider buying this! Maybe as a graduation from law school present to myself? Or maybe later in the year after I make more progress in my stash? I think I would just die if this product was in the Birchbox store because I'd totally save my points for it!


3. I Love... Mango & Papaya Bubble Bath and Shower Gel
See my two prior empties posts for reviews of this product in other scents. I loved loved loved this scent! I liked the little kick the papaya gives an otherwise normal mango smell! I would totally buy this full sized (and even might do it before buying the lemon & lime scented one!)


4. TIGI Bed Head Control Freak Conditioner
I liked this, maybe even loved it, but can't say I would run out to repurchase it or that I really miss it. I liked the weird slippery feeling this conditioner had (probably due to the ingredients behind the "makes your hair dry faster" claim). I loved the smell because it reminded me of sour Juicy Fruit, which I adore! I am considering checking out other "Control Freak" products in this line because I love the smell! As a side note, I bought this at TJ Maxx at a discount so that was nice! If I rebuy this it would probably only be if I got it at TJ Maxx or someplace like that.


5. Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
I got this in a good bag from an event I attended at my local mall (super fun!). I had heard about this a few times from Emily Noel on Youtube, and it's exactly how she described it! A gentle exfoliator with truly micro beads! Its so nice on your skin without being harsh and without sacrificing result! It has a meh non-smell though. Will I buy the full size? I think so one day, though probably in a kit or something because Philosophy is expensive and this is only a cleanser after all.


6. CVS Brand Deep Action Cream Cleanser
This did it job but did it weirdly! This smells like Barbasol shaving cream, feels like, and acts like it! Haha. I think this did a fine job at cleansing but I do think it was a little drying. I was happy to see this go, but luckily it is quite a runny product so it didn't take as long to use up as a cleanser might otherwise. Won't rebuy.


7. Essence of Beauty Sun Blossom Body Mist Travel Size
I bought this for myself as a valentines present because I had received the hand lotion version of this as a freebie this winter which you can check out my review of here. Like I said before, I'll say again... I love this scent! I also loved this little mini size! So handy and I didn't get tired of the scent before it was gone! I think the next time I'm in the market for a body wash (soonish!) I am going to try out this scent in the body wash! Rebuy? Definitely! :)


8. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Perfume Sample
I didn't hate this, but I didn't love it. I can understand why many people like this scent now that I have experienced it, but its not my cup of tea. However, I think I COULD grow to love this kind of scent later in life if I get into more musky scents, which right now I hate, haha. Buy full sized? Nah, but I would eventually use it if I got it as a gift, or in a set or something.


9. Bath and Body Works Country Chic Shower Gel Travel Sized
I first tried out this scent last summer when it first came out. I loved it in the scrub form (see my review here). So when I had a coupon that entitled me to a free travel sized item I jumped at the opportunity to get something in the Country Chic scent! Still love it, and the shower gel formula was just fine. Next time I get a coupon or are actually in the market for a scent, I am gonna buy the travel sized body spray I think :).


10. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Booting Mousse
Holy crap guys, I finished a mousse! Now just 3 more to go, ugh! haha. I always had liked this mousse but never loved it. After committing to using this up I came to learn that this tends to give me a white flakiness problem in my bangs area! Talk about yucky! So I had to make sure I kept this out of my roots. Otherwise the scent was fine, and this wasnt too sticky or crunchy. Buy again? Probably not, kinda of over all-over-mousses (still like the use of root booting mousses though). But didn't hate it, so would consider other products in the "Totally Twisted" line, or other Herbal Essences mousses.


11. Help I've Cut Myself
So this is another weird non-beauty empty (I discussed another Help product in my first Spring Cleaning empties post!), but I just love this company. Love the packaging, love the price, and love these bandages. I never had an itchiness problem while using these band-aids which I usually have with most brands. I found that they were nice and sticky and the case was super convenient for travel! Buy again? Definitely will after I deplete my band-aid stash haha!


12. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint Sample in Pearl
This was a nice color match for me, gold star to you Birchbox for not having much info about me! While I don't think I'd ever buy this full sized because of the price, this was pretty good. For something "luminizing" it isn't sparkly upon application though if you touch your face during the day you might see a few little sparkly bits on your fingers, etc. I thought its moisturizing properties were ok, and the coverage fine. If I had not discovered the Garnier BB Cream this Jouer Moisture Tint might have been more ground shaking, but I found myself reaching for the Garnier BB Cream over this so had to continuously decide to use this. Cool thing to get from Birchbox though! I loved having the opportunity to try it out! :)

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. :)

Purge 11: Look at it all!

I am so proud if this purge post! Look at all the amazing things I have used :) This is very encouraging in my quest to be smarter about my purchases as the end of a product buying ban due to multiples is starting to feel closer! I though my hair products would never end, and here is another one down! Yay!

1. Crest Pro-Health: Sensitive + Enamel Shield

I bought this instead of the one I had been using before (the 3d vivid white one) because I was having slightly tooth sensitivity issues so I thought this might help. I think it helped a little bit but nothing miraculous that I am particularly compelled to buy it again

2. VMV Hypoallergenics - Re-Everything Face-Hand-Body Lotion

For a review of this product see this post.

3. Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Mascara

This mascara was fine, though got a little clumpy and flaky towards the end which made me stop using it. I don't know if I would ever buy it because there are just so many mascaras out there that I want to try. I did like that it gave a little volume along with length and definition though. I can't say it did must "lash boosting" though as it didn't give any "extension" like the tube claimed.

4. Sephora Lip Gloss in Precious Pink

I finally finished the last of my lip gloss trio from WAY back in the day! While this one seemed to be the sparkliest I found that I got used to it and grew to like it, especially when I started using this as a kind of lip balm. I think it can be sticky on its own, but when used inside of the house just for lip balm purposes I found that it was decently hydrating and protecting! Who knew!? Having killed all three of these lip glosses gives me great motivation that I will be able to make great strides in my lip product collection in 2012. I wanna knock out some lip sticks next!

5. Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Lotion

It is finallllly out of my life! I have literally had this for years because I stupidly bought this giant size and then realized I didn't really like it that much! Haha. Luckily living in new england for this semester made it easier to use up because I actually wanted to moisturize, unlike when I live down in the MD/DC area normally and only moisturize post-tanning in the summer really. I wouldn't repurchase this mainly because I didn't like the weird smell it had because it was fragrance free, go figure, haha. I also don't think this was magical at being a lotion just ok/fine but I am not adverse to trying more Vaseline lotions as I think they may have a better formula now? Maybe? We shall see what lotion calls to me after I use up the 2 littler ones I have left to use up.

6. Bath and Body Works Carried Away Shower Gel

I enjoyed this. Bath and Body Works shower gels have a nice lather and I found myself enjoying this scent even though I would never wear it out in the world. It was fun to smell while in the shower because it was sweet but somehow also refreshing. For $10.50 I think it can be an expensive product so I am going to try cheaper body washes and shower gels before considering going back to B&BW, but I know that I do like the product and would love getting it as a gift.

7. Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave in Split End Protector

I didn't really like this at all and found myself using it as a regular conditioner near the end just so I could have this out of my life. It was too heavy as a leave in conditioner, though I did enjoy the smell. I wouldn't repurchase this because of it's heavy/stickiness, but I'm not turned off by the who line in the brand. I think I wouldn't mind trying a hair mask version of this if it existed in the US.

8. Skintimate Shave Gel in Strawberry Tangerine Twist

I loved the smell of this and I loved how it left my legs moisturized after use! I used thing because Elle Fowler on Youtube talked about it because she is a sponsor of this product. I love the smell because it reminds me of orange jello with fresh strawberries in it (how I like to make my own jello!), and I never knew that a shave gel could make such a difference in shaving! Out of cheapness, I haven't bought a shave gel in years, which probably sounds crazy now that I type it out, but it made sense at the time, haha. Now that I can see how moisturizing they can be (the hyper dry legs that I would get after shaving without shave gel would always bother me because I don't always have time or the patience to moisturize after showering). I'm not sure what shave gel I am going to use next, maybe another one from this brand but in a different scent, or  maybe a different brand, we shall see. But I am super glad that Elle Fowler was sponsored by this brand because I just love it! Haha

Purge 3

I killed more things!

1. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner
I liked this shampoo and conditioner set. The smell was nice the result were nice, but I wouldn't say there is anything spectacular about it. Not super moisturizing, but, does maintain your current moisture decently well. Probably won't buy again, but if it was on sale or something I might, just won't go out of my way for it or anything.


2. Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Hairspray
For a review, see this previous post

3. Clean & Clear Morning Burst Skin Brightening Facial Scrub
For a review, see this previous post

4. Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer
Hate the smell so much I would never buy this again. I don't know why I was possessed to buy it in the first place when I should have known it would have the traditional Gold Bond green beans smell, haha. Take away the smell and it is OK at moisturizing and sanitizing.

5. Walgreens Brand Hydrocortisone with Aloe
I know this is probably a weird item to have on a beauty blog, but I am so proud of finishing it! Haha. I have had this tube for far to long and wanted to finish it and not throw it away even though I have another tube of cortisone. I did it!! Haha, I thought it would be impossible. I'd buy this again, but I am not ranking this as a "green" rated item because I don't think any cortisone product really works better than any other one unless its like prescription strength or something.


6. The Laundress Delicate Wash Sample
I got this in my October birchbox and used it with a small load of bras. It's fine I guess, cleaned them. But I'm not one to really care about the soap I use to wash my bras because (may this is gross) but I don't was them super often, haha. The smell is nice, and it did it's job, but because of the price I don't think I'd ever buy it. The brand does make a wool soap, and because wool is something that you need to be very careful about what soap you use, that may actually be worth buying. I was kinda hoping my sample would be for that, but I was sent the delicates one. Maybe I'll get the wool one in a future birchbox, haha. :)