CVS Haul (Fragrance Dupes, Tangle Teezer, and more!)

Recently I made quite a few trips to CVS and here are some beauty goodies I picked up:

Perfect Scents Fragrances An Impression of Daisy
Perfect Scents Fragrances An Impression of Happy
Pink Tangle Teezer
CVS Brand Eye Makup Remover
Suave Sleek Shampoo

Have you tried any of these products? What are you opinions on fragrance dupes? What about the Tangle Teezer? I had been lusting over it on Amazon after seeking UK Youtubers love theirs but it always cost like $15 plus shipping, but my CVS had them for only $10 and I had a 25% off coupon so I HAD to get one, especially because the pink was in stock!

Comment below and let's chat! :)

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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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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! :)

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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! :)