Vacation Empties! (13 Things!)

So like a good Blogger I managed to have some empties while on vacation! Check em out!

1. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 12

See my previous posts here, and here where I discuss this product.

2. Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Butter Mini

I got this at Sephora when I had some store credit because everyone on Youtube that I watch from England loves Soap & Glory and raves on and one about the scent. I decided to give this a go since it is only like $5 and a girl always needs body butter. I concur that the smell is AMAZING! And this body butter is the right amount of rich moisturization! Would I buy the full size though? Not sure, because it is so expensive, but I am definitely interested in trying out other Soap & Glory products and am not below putting the full size body butter on my Christmas list, haha.

3. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur Sample

I got this sample in my August Birchbox and I loooove it! I have sampled the classic Viva La Juicy before in my January Birchbox. I am vaguely contemplating buying the full sized bottle of the La Fleur through Birchbox when I have enough rewards points for it. It is like the regular Viva La Juicy but with more floral notes, while also retaining the classic Viva La Juicy scent! Perfection! <3

4. Boscia Black Mask Sample

I liked this mask, and found it to be quite similar to the White Mask which I had used before vacation and LOVED. I liked this Black one and the application and process is the same as the white one, but when I peeled it off it didn't feel as refreshing or brightening as the White one. It is possible that this feeling is all in my head and that the Black & White masks really are the same, just different colors, but I know I would buy the White one before the Black one.

5. Caudalie Beauty Elixer

I previously reviewed this product in a post dedicated all to itself!

6. CVS Brand Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50

This sunblock was ok. I loved that I got it for free through a CVS coupon, and that it was SPF 50, but otherwise, there is nothing amazing about this sunblock. The smell is a little off, kinda like old bananas (ewwy!). However, the staying power was really nice, and if I remember correctly, the price point is pretty fabulous. If I was on a tight budget or got tired of frou frou sunscreens, this one is just fine. Buy full sized? Maybe after I've tried all the Branded kinds.

7. Hawaiian Tropic Sensitive Stick Sunscreen SPF 50

I bought this back in December when I made my first extended stay in FL after an incident where I managed to sunburn my eyes due to all my other sunscreens making my eyes burn upon application and causing me to never apply enough around my eyes. Not a cute look I must say, so out of desperation I bought this face stick sunscreen so my face would stop stinging from other blocks, and so I would stop burning. I also figured that extra SPF on my face would be good to prevent acne scars from getting darker. This product was a win win in both categories! It never stung my face, and it never let me down. The only off thing is, because I apply this product thickly, when I am at the beach sand tends to get stuck in the sunblock and then kinda just stay there all day, even when my face is dry. So, maybe not the best choice for a date, but given that I was always at the beach by myself, I didn't mind, haha. Re-buy? Definitely will be next summer! (Or this winter if I end up in Florida again and need face block sooner).

8. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30 

I have previously discussed this product in a post dedicated entirely to it! Check it out: here.

***Please note that I got this product for free through Influenster, but was not obligated to write a review***

9. Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticles Hand Cream

Let me preface by saying that I have always been marginally interested in trying this product because I kepy seeing coupons for it on Coupons.com, but just never got around to trying it, so was thrilled when I finally got the chance too! I also loved the timing of it, because I had used the Caudalie Vinotherapie Hand and Nail Cream a few months ago. I found the Sally Hansen to be kinda like the cooler younger sister of the Caudalie cream. It has a very similar smell, but to me the Sally Hansen is better and smells more fruity rather than Pez-y. I also loved the resulted. It wasn't that heavy, but I always felt moisturized afterwards. I found myself looking forward to using this product nightly because I loved the smell and the feeling of it! I don't know if it had any kind of long term preventative effect because I wash my hands so often, but I know it always helped when my hands were dry! Will I buy the full size? I think I definitely will after I use up the 3 or so hand cream samples I have managed to get for free recently (2 L'Occitane ones even! Woo hoo coupons! ).

***Please note that I got this product for free through Influenster, but was not obligated to write a review***

10. Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 55

I really liked the sunblock. I turned to its aid when a SPF 15 was just not cutting it for me after long days at the beach and I was getting burned. I had this in my stash after a super coupon-a-palooza in late june/early july (think CVS Aveeno Coupon, Manufacturer Coupon, CVS coupon for $ off a certain $ amount purchase, and maybe even the product also being on sale, it was a magnificent moment in couponing history) and never was super excited about it because I though: "SPF 55? How can I get a tan with that?" And let me tell you, being preventative about sun burn obsessively and slowly tanning over an entire morning & afternoon, is way better than say a limiting hour of tanning with SPF 15. More beach time! And I think, more product use allowing moisturization! I won't lie, this sunblock was thick, and didn't have any special smell or anything, but it worked, it was reliable, it didn't sting, and it wasn't greasy! Would I buy again? I'm not super motivated enough to buy it full price, but if I stumble upon an amazing deal like I did with this tube, I think I will. The only thing holding me back is the price given the 4 oz size, because it only lasted me a full days of use (Though please note that I am a known product over user, and the day before I used this product I got a sunburn so was even more obsessive about application and so may have been even more of a product over user, so maybe it would last you longer?).

11. Sun Sum SPF 15 Continuous Spray Sunscreen
I have used up a bottle of this before and reviewed it here. I still love it, and I actually got this bottle for free from the Sun Bum guys when I visited their office down in Cocoa Beach! I mentioned on facebook that I was excited to buy Sun Bum sunblock while down for vacation and then messaged me saying I should drop by their office, and while I was there they gave me free swag! I wasn't even expecting anything! Thanks Dustin & Dustin! Sun Bum forever! Do you Trust The Bum(Tm)? Cuz I sure do!
***I got this product for free from the company, but only because the guys there are super cool. Absolutely no obligations what so ever to talk about the product because they don't even know I have a blog!***

12. Proxi Skincare Body Wash in Cucumber & Green Tea
Can I just say, I love the weird smell of this product? Because I do. I love it. It reminds me of freshly cleaned pool locker rooms. It must be the fresh smell of the hydrogen peroxide that the brand is based around, along with the cucumber and green tea (though the tea smell is super faint). Whatever it is, I love the vaguely clorine-y smell! It makes me think clean, and the product delivers a fabulous and foamy clean! Would I buy this? Yes I definitely will! I have some coupons for the product, so now I just need to hunt them down in Baltimore! (Sold in certain grocery stores, just not ones I normally shop at so haven't actually seen it for sale with my own eyes, but I know it is actually sold in certain stores).
***I got this product for free through Klout, but had no obligation to do a review***

13. Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Foam Shave in Sea Mist
I bought this semi on a whim when I was doing a secret shopping job at a natural food store. I didn't really need any groceries so I decided to get some natural beauty products, and one of the ones that called to me was this foam shave. I love that it is a non-aerosol shaving foam!!! I also love the mist because it is kind of masculine so it leans unisex! Normally I like a fun smelling shaving cream, but for some reason I really grew to love this scent! I also loved the application. Something about the non-aerosol made it easier to get the right thickness of product on my legs, etc. When ever I use gel creams I always feel like I have WAY too much product during my shave and that I'm not getting as close of a shave as a result. With this Alba foam shave I never had that problem. It has enough of a foam to do it's job without getting in its own way. It also found that this product was non-drying and kind of moisturizing, which is always nice with shaving products. Will I buy it again? Yes, and yes! There is another scent of this product that I saw when I bought this one, so I would love to try that next, the next time I come across this product (everyone needs an excuse to go to Whole Foods right?) . I would also love to try other non-aerosol shaving creams & foams, but so far this is the only one I know about.

So what do you think? Have you guys tried any of these products and had similar or completely different experiences? Wanna know more about a product and think I should do a post devoted entirely to it? Comments, concerns, questions? Comment below and let me know!

Review: Caudalie Beauty Elixer

WHY: I'm sure you guys have seen this product floating around the internet like I have. And like a lot of people, because of it's presence (omnipresence?) I felt compelled to try it out. The small size at $18 it isn't cheap, but the cost also isn't super prohibitive to try out unlike if it only came in the mega $48 size! I bought this when I had some Sephora store credit, which was cool because it was kind of like I was trying it out for "free," haha. (I love the return policy by the way! Got store credit for some make up brushes I bought a year ago and never used, so returned for store credit to buy this and a make brush I now use every day! Woo hoo! <3 you Sephora!).

REVIEW: Like other beauty bloggers, I am not sure what this elixer is really supposed to "do" specifically, but the experience was nice. I grew accustomed to spraying this on after a shower as it was nice and refreshing, and felt great when my face was still a little red & blotchy from the hot water + face products. It was especially refreshing when my face was having an "angry" day (which I am starting to think is cased by continued use of face wipes, but not 100% sure yet... might be the moisturizer with AHA in it too...). Some people hate the smell, I didn't mind it, but I also didn't love it. Peppermint is fine, but I am totally a spearmint kinda gal. I'm not sure this product did anything magical to my skin like some people think it does. I didn't get magically clear skin, or anything like that, though I think some people are just brain washed into thinking this elixer is doing that for them but they really have skin like me: skin that breaks out either the week before, or the week of the "girly" time of the month, but then it looks its most amazing the week after the "girly" time of the month. If you start using a product during the break out phase, of course you are going to think the product is magical when you enter your awesome skin week of the month, haha, but if you are aware of your skin's phases/cycles then you should know to not just a product by its performance during your super week, but its performance during your break out times. I don't think it did anything magical during my break out times other than mentally sooth me, and sometimes calm my red skin down.

VERDICT: Would I buy this again? I don't think so, but I really do like the idea of a face spray! Maybe I should be trying out make up settings sprays, Mac Fix+, or some kind of spray toner because I loved the experience  and would love to use a spray that actually has real results vs placebo affects, haha. If I ever did buy this again it would probably be this same small size, and probably if I was able to find it at a discount!

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.