Purge 4

1. Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy Collection: La Source Hand Therapy Sample
I liked this hand lotion. It was thick but not heavy and had a nice smell. Wasn't wowed so probably wouldn't purchase it but I would enjoy getting it as a gift or buying it with a gift card if for some reason someone gave me a Crabtree & Evelyn giftcard, haha.


2. Ahava The Source: Cleansing Cream Deluxe Sample
Love love loooove this face wash. It was the first time in a long time that I had a face wash that actually made my face feel moisturized afterwards. I am really considering buying the full size of this product after I use up my other face washes. BTW I got this in my October Birchbox


3. Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser Sample
Hated this with a passion. Hated the consistency, I hated the way it felt on my skin the moment I put it there. I couldn't even stand lathering this on my face. This was a decent sized sample but I actually hated it so much that I didn't use up even the sample amount! So glad I didn't buy this the one time I thought about buying it haha. 


4. Blinc Mascara Deluxe Sample
Click here for a review of this product

5. Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correction Moisturizer Deluxe Sample
Click here for a review of this product

6. Jouer Lip Enhancer Sample
Click here for a review of this product

7. Liv Grn Earth Eau de Parfum Sample
Click here for a review of this product

8. Dove Rebalance Plum & Sakura Blossom Body Mist Sample
Refreshing scent. I like it. Just do not love it so probably wouldn't buy it. Plus it is a rather "in your face" "smell it before I see you" scents and I like things that are more subtle.

9. Orofluido Elixer
I loved the smell of this product, which I find surprising because usually vanilla bothers me. Haha. I also loved how this oil never felt heavy in my hands or in my hair, which is kind of magical because that made it literally impossible to use too much! I'd consider buying it but I think its too expensive for something that I half love for the smell and half love for its actions. I'd rather spend $30 on something that I only love for its actions.

10. Victoria's Secret Girls' Night Daily Body Wash
Loved this body wash and the small bottle actually lasted me for forever! As per my discussions about this scent before, I love the scent spray. This body wash is kind of a more peony heavy version of the body spray (while the body scrub seems more waterlily heavy). I'd probably repurchase this but it was a scent that was discontinued.

11. Bath and Body Works Country Chic Supercharged Body Scrub
I'm not sure what makes this scrub "supercharged" but I think it is super! The scrub to it is just the perfect amount of scrubbiness without being harsh. I also thought the scent was divine - kind of like a lemon-y hollister scent! Next time I'm in B&B and I've earned the right to buy a body spray (haha) I think this one will be a good contender for being chosen (so long as it is still around by that time haha)!

Project $250 Pan

After seeing a $ version of the Project 10 Pan concept on Youtube I am going to start logging my future empties this way. My goal is going to be a $250 pan (instead of $500 like I saw on youtube). As I use up products I will list them here along with the price. I will keep doing my normal purge posts as well as update my "Kill It" quest in conjunction with this $ Pan. This is going to include every aspect of beauty land so shampoo, lotion, makeup perfume, etc.

CURRENT PROGRESS: $ 254.25/ $250.00


Products Used:
$10.00 Victoria's Secret Body Wash in Girl's Night
$14.00 Bath &Body Works Body Scrub in Country Chic
$12.00 Bath &Body Works Bubble Bath in Secret Wonderland
$5.99 Neutrogena Hand Cream
$17.00 Living Proof Straight Spray 1.8 oz
$2.49 Blistex Five Star Lip Protection
$9.99 Boots Extracts Almond Body Scrub
$12.00 Victor'as Secret Sheer Fragrance Mist
$3.00 E.L.F. Complexion Perfection Powder
$3.99 Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo
$3.99 Aussie Aussome Volume Conditioner
$2.99 Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care SPF 4
$12.00 Victoria's Secret Sheer Fragrance Mist in Girls Night
$4.49 Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk
$6.34 Veet Fast Acting Gel Cream Hair Remover
$4.99 Sunsilk Anit-Poof 24/7 Cream (approximate/guess since not sold anymore)
$5.99 Garnier The Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes
$6.29 Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Weightless Anit-Frizz Serum
$7.99 Incoco Nail Polish Applique in Sparkly Blue
$3.99 Aussie 3 Minute Miracle
$18.00 The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Body Scrub
$10.50 Bath and Body Works Carried Away Shower Gel
$5.70 Covergirl Wetshine in Crystal Clear
$7.64 Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Lotion Unscented 24.5 fl. oz
$5.66 Skintimate Signature Scents Moisturizing Shave Gel in Strawberry Tangerine
$7.99 Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
$3.29 Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave-In Split End Mender
$5.00 Boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens
$1.99 Wet n Wild Single Eyeshadow in Brule
$7.99 Revlon Calcium Gel
$3.99 Secret Natural Mineral Invisible Solid in Eucalyptus Blossom
$16.99 Garnier Nutriniste Skin Renue Dark Spot Corrector Clinical
$5.99 Garnier The Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes

BEGAN: 10/16/2011
FINISHED: 03/01/2012

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. :)

Review: Clean & Clear Morning Burst Skin Brightening Facial Scrub

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Skin Brightening Facial Scrub

WHY: So I bought this scrub because I saw it mentioned in a video on The YouTube and it sounded like something I would enjoy because of the skin brightening aspect of it. At the time that I bought this scrub I also bought the same face wash but the non-scruby version. I eventually returned that face wash because I remembered how I disliked Clean & Clear face washes that aren't the scrubby kind (like the shine control cleanser).

PROS: Awesome smell, good scrub to it without being harsh (I hate super scrubby things like St Ives and Befine), didn't make my face less bright at least, possibly made it brighter but can't really decide though because I started using a retnoid which really brightened my skin and, in my opinion, because the C&C is a face wash, it doesn't stay on your skin long enough to have the lemon do anything brightening-wise.

CONS: Not super brightening, the scrubby particles are like plastic (I prefer the kind that is basically part of the cleanser and then breakdown and disappear, no bad things washing down the drain), parabens

CONCLUSION: I like this product because the face washing experience is enjoyable due to the smell and the texture. Obviously I liked it for its cleansing power too because I used this whole container! But since the skin brightening aspect of the wash is kind of a no show, I am not going to rebuy this product right away as I would like to explore some new cleansers and return to my old favorite to see how I like it now that I have tries some other face washes.

Have you tried this face wash? What did you think? Did it brighten your skin at all?

Purge 2

Here are some more products that I have used up recently!

1. Spring Valley Hair, Skin & Nails Biotin/Collagen/Gelatin Supplement
For review see this previous post.

2. Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips
I love this product! While it is more expensive than a drug store Biore-like pore strip, the price difference makes a huge difference in results. These Boscia strips really grabbed onto the gunk in my pores and have made them look the best they have looked ever! Following these strips with a face mask and I managed to actually make my pores on the side of my nose less noticeable (though the retnoid that I was prescribed made them practically disappear) which I think is amazing! I would re-buy these but at this time I am putting it off due to the retnoid cream I am using. I am considering buying the peel off face mask though! Given the success of these strips I think I would also like the peel off mask. Has anyone tried the mask?

3. Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream
This was actually my second contain of this face gel. I LOVED the first container but some how once I was about halfway through this one I got bored. I loved the texture and the smell (garnier really needs to sell a body spray of the scent of their products!) and felt that it helped me to retain moisture. However I don't think this gel actually GIVES you any moisture, just helps you retain what you have. Also, I found that if you have a dry area of your face that is dry enough to flake, this gel didn't help that and that area would actually sting. So, pros and cons. I could see this gel being highly loved by oily skin users! With my combination skin, parts of my face loved it and parts hated it. I bought the SPF cream version from this line thinking I would like it more since it should sting less. When I form a full opinion on that product I will review it here

4. Chap Ice Lip Balm
I got this chap stick for free at my school during finals week (we have random acts of kindness during finals and one of the days was chap stick day). I love it in the sense that it feels like a stick of petroleum; I hate it in the sense that it goes through itself rather fast since it tends to go on your lips thickly. I probably wouldn't buy this, but I would enjoy getting it for free again. It did get me through so hard chapped lip times haha.

5. Befine Night Cream
For review see this previous post.

6. Kate Spade Twirl Perfume
For review see this previous post.

7. Liftlab Lift & Fix High Potency Solution
For review see this previous post.

8. Degree Nature Effects Honeysuckle + Tea Tree Oil Body Mist
For review see this previous post.

9. Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment
For review see this previous post.

10. BareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper
This was my second bottle of this product. I first received this product when I got my Bare Minerals starter kit a while back. I neglected the product at first because I didn't know what it was for but then I started using it because I figured using it up was better than throwing it away. After I started using it as a moisturizer I realised the wonders it was doing for my skin. This plus a regular face washing routine made my face so much clearer than it has ever been! Because of this I bought the 2nd bottle. I definitely will re-buy this product again if I stop using the retnoid i was prescribed by the dermatologist.

September Birchbox!

Yay September Birchbox!
Don't know what Birchbox is? Or wanna sign up? Click Here

Here is what I received: (As last time, will update with reviews and I try and form opinions on products)

1. Incoco Nail Polish Applique in a Sparkly bright blue color
Because of where I work I have yet to have the opportunity to try these out, but I am still excited to! If not sooner, I will definitely try these out by the holiday time when I am done with my internship and I can get away with fun nail polish. While I could probably use these on my toes just fine, I feel that would be a waste because then I couldn't look at the fun color all day. It's like a party on your nails!


2. Jouer Lip Enhancer
I like this lip product. It has a good scent, no bad taste or anything either. It doesn't dry out my lips but I wouldn't say it is super moisturizing either. It definitely does maintain the current moisture level of your lips, and never stings. But, that's just it about this product: it kind of boring and eh. I don't think I'd ever buy this full price because the price doesn't seem worth it to me for something that is just fine. Especially when I can get the same reaction from something cheaper. 


3. Liv Grn Earth Eau de Parfum
I wouldn't buy this product either. It has a lovely scent, but is just too sweet and green apple candy like to me. It's refreshing to smell after my floral heavy summer, but I wouldn't buy something this scent in a perfume, this is a scent better left to cheaper body sprays and the like (like maybe a Bath and Body Works scent that is similar to this one? I wouldn't mind this scent in a shower product! In fact... I might love that.)


4. Pangea Organics Facial Cream for Normal to Combination Skin
I would never buy this product. The cream itself is fine, seemed to moisturize my skin nicely. However, I wasn't super convinced by its moisturization due to the runny nature of the cream; it's definitely a lotion, not a cream in my opinion. But what really turned me off from this product was the smell. Thyme and Lavender alone or together (like here) are not scents that are meant to be in moisturizers in my opinion. Because moisturizers go on the nose and the scents may linger for a bit scents of my moisturizers are important to me. I love thyme in food, and I love lavender in sachets, but that is how I want to keep those scents. Get them out of my moisturizer!


5. BONUS Birchbox Friendship Bracelet
While cute, I think this bracelet is kinda lame. Maybe it's because I feel like I could definitely make a bracelet like this myself, or maybe its the low quality and thin feel of the charm, but I don't like it and I'll never wear it. I'm going to see if I can sell it on ebay or something. The bracelet itself is nice quality though (unlike the charm), but that doesn't save it for me. Plus, I'm not really into that whole bracelet stacking and clothy bracelet trend that is going around, I did that when I was 13 and when I worked at summer camp so I've been over that look for years.

Steals and Deals: $100/90 Anthropolgy Sweater for $10 and $38 Collective Skirt for $8!!!!

So I don't know if any of you have heard of the magical place called Gabriel Brothers, or its brother company Rugged Warehouse? It is truely a magical place. It had name brand designers for less like Marshalls and TJMaxx does, but usually for even better prices! To find the real deals you have to be willing to dig and go through everything but it is so victorious when you find things like I did last week!

So while waiting for an oil change at my car dealership place I saw a sign for Rugged Warehouse in the shopping center accross the street and just KNEW I had to go after my car was done because I knew about the wonders of Gabriel Brothers in Pennsylvania and also knew that Rugged Warehouse was supposed to be the same. I never knew that there were any Rugged Warehouses in MD or even that one would be super close to me! So I was ECSTATIC!

As you can probably tell from the title I got two amaaaaazing deals there.

The first was from the tiny little Anthropologie rack, that I really did freak out over the fact that there even was a rack. Then I freaked out more when I found this goooorgeous sweater. Its a size large, but I don't even care! It's moth brand, its gorgeous, is bordeaux, it has buttons on the shoulders, its wool. I. am. in. love. AND IT WAS ONLY 10 DOLLARS!!! Anthropologie for 10 freakin' dollars! I have died and gone to heaven! I love practically everything from Anthropologie but have never been able to even afford their sale items haha.
Here is a similar item being sold on the Anthropologie website so you can compare the price difference etc: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=22565295&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=004

The second item was on the Urban Outfitters rack that I almost didn't see! And then also mildly freaked out over once I found it. Wasn't as earth shaking as the Anthropologie rack, but was still super exciting. For some reason Rugged Warehouse seems to have every cute thing in like size 10, and not something even remotely close to my size, but then I found this skirt! In my size! In bordeaux! In a style I've wanted to try after seeing Sarah Hawkinson haul some similar UO skirts in a youtube video (don't know which so just linked her blog. Isn't posted on her blog as far as I can tell). And I got this for only $8! OMG! I could wear this for one season and be justified in the purchase. But the quality is SO good because its UO, so I think it'll last me quite a while! Yippie! Cuz I've been trying to get a nice skirt collection because I literally only have like 4 in styles/patterns that are hard to style in more than one outfit each haha. This one should be more versatile :)
Here is a similar item being sold on the Urban Outfitters website so you can compare the price difference etc: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18022988&color=041&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS


As you can see I was really feeling the bordeaux that day! haha. I didn't own anything in bordeaux until now. I think it is a prgression from my purchasing of pink items this summer, a color I also didn't really have anything. Bordeaux is kinda like the fall version. But I love it even more than my pink phase. How did I ever go without bordeaux in my wardrobe until now???!!!

I also got a pair of earrings for like 3 dollars or something, but was a nothing brand so haven't taken a picture or anything. If someone is super interested, comment below and I'll edit the post and include it.

What about you guys? Have any secret good-deal places? Make any amazing purchases recently for ridiculously low prices? Share your steals and deals in the comments below or leave me a link to your blog post! :)