Novemeber Empties

1. Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets
I have reviewed this product in a previous empties post and my review THERE still rings true now.

2. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Body Wash & Foam Bath in Energy Lemon Zest Mini
This was nice for a freebie (there was a facebook coupon for it a while back). I like lemon scents so I loved the scent of this one, especially because it was like a true lemon zest scent, not a sweet lemonade-y one. The foamy-ness and its bubbles for the bath were adequate but nothing to write home about. Probably won't buy the full size though because the White Citrus scent is like a better version of this one!

3. L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Hand Cream
I got this when I bought a gift sent with this scent as the perfume (hauled HERE). I love the scent but was disappointed by the texture. I assumed that because it was a hand cream that it would be similar in texture as the Dry Skin hand cream (which I have reviewed HERE). Sadly, this was not the case. This Pivoine Flora one is a lot more fluid and as a result I feel that it doesn't moisturize as well. However, I do think it might dry a little faster and with less of a greasy feel. Will I buy again? Probably not. I do have another one that I got for free though, so I will still be using that one, but after that I don't anticipate ever buying one again unless I got it for free.

4. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
I got this sample a while ago at the Towson Townceter Fashion's Night Out event. I decided to try it because I have heard about it here and there on Youtube, and I love face masks, so, why not? I thought it was pretty good. I felt like it did help get the crap out of my pores but it wasn't a super miracle worker. However, I didn't think to use a hot towel to open my pores before applying the mask like the instructions on the website said. Perhaps it works even better when you do that? I'd love to try this again to find out, though I don't think I'm ready to take the risk of buying it in the full size to do that so I'll be hunting down another sample.

5. Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste Mini
I have used the ProNamel version of this toothpaste many times (check out my posts HERE, HERE, HERE) and got this tube (along with a few others) for free from my dentist when I complained of sensitive teeth. I don't like the taste of this one, the ProNamel tastes better, but I think that it helps just as well with sensitivity as the ProNamel formula. This formula is little less foamy I think, which bothered me, but might be a perk to others. Buy the full size? Probably not, but I would buy it if I had too because there was no ProNamel at the store and I desperately needed sensitivity relief.

6. Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer SPF 15 Sensitive Skin Formula
I really liked this moisturizer. I wouldn't say it is "holy grail" because it does have a few things that could be improved, but otherwise I love it. I like that it has SPF, and drys down decently well in the morning before applying makeup. It moisturizes just the right about for during the day so I don't feel like I am left parched, but it is a little greasy so I had to blot with an oil absorbing sheet before apply makeup each day. I got this for a super good deal, and because at the time I wasn't lusting over any moisturizer in particular when I ran out. I would probably buy this again if I am ever stuck in a rut about what to use again.

7. Crest Complete Whitening Plus Deep Clean Toothpaste
I love this toothpaste. It is the only toothpaste I have ever used that has ever really made the back of my teeth free really clean. Usually toothpastes leave behind a layer that I can feel, but I never had the problem with my front teeth. With this toothpaste my whole mouth felt super deeply cleaned! The taste is also not bad, and I like how foamy it is. I didn't buy this, I "borrowed" it when my brother left it at my parents house when he went back home after a visit. Muhaha, thanks brother! However, I will be buying this myself because it is amazing!!

8. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleanser Pads
I really love the idea of a cleansing pad instead of a regular cleanser. I feel like it can get more stuff off of your face because of the swipe of the pad. Usually I would use this by rubbing it on my face and then scrubbing again with just my hands like you would with a regular cleanser. I think that for most people it could be gentle enough to use daily, but I felt that after a week or two of continuous use it felt drying. When I started using it only a couple times a week I fell back in love and didn't have a dryness issue. It is expensive for a cleanser if you are going to use it every day because it only comes with 28 pads, but I think its worth it. Also, I weirdly love the huge container it comes in, haha! Buy again? Definitely! Just gonna try out some other things first.

**some affiliate links may be used**

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)!

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.

Product Purge Quest

So, I'm on a quest to use up products in order to justify buying new ones. Here are some products that I've managed to use up recently and what I thought of them:

1. Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer
      I like this moisturizer. Have gone through a full size (this is a sample/gift with purchase size) as well as two of these smaller sizes. Have one more small size left. Payed for full size once, but I don't think I'd do it again. Too expensive for something that doesn't fully deliver on the skin tone correcting aspect. Though I do think it may have helped my dark sports fade a little bit.


2. Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
      I like this finishing powder. Its so light and smooth, and feels so good when you put it on. I got this in my BE starter kit thing so its little. However, this was the first thing I ran out of and I ran out of it sooo much faster than anything else. Would repurchase but the price of it compared to how fast I go through it isn't worth it. I'll stick to my ELF Tone Correction Powder.


3. Bare Escentuals Clear Radiance
     I hated this product and used this up for the sake of using it up. It came in my BE starter kit so luckily it wasn't full sized. A series of changing containers and using it randomly as a kind of blush and a few times as an eye shadow allowed me to use up this product. Still not sure what its for, though it is a nice super subtle cheek color, but it doesn't last.


4. Bare Minerals Foundation in Fairly Light
     I had a super big powder foundation phase (kind of transitioning into a cream phase now) and the BE starter kit this came in spurred my make-up obsession. I ran out of this after much effort (still had another one left in light) because I like the Matte version of the foundation better (sampled the matte kind in the little bitty $20 starter kit I tried before the big starter kit this came in). Have subsequently repurchased the full sized matte foundation. Not sure yet if I'll repurchase again after that one runs out because I am going to try the Laura Geller Balance and Brighten foundation first when I use up my full sized Matte.


5. Josie Maran Get One Give One Instant Volume Argan Mascara
      I loved this mascara til the very end (even suffered through some clumps and flakes when it was drying out!). I would repurchase this. Had a good balance between definition and volume. But, after finishing this I received the Blinc mascara in my Birchbox and its definitely giving this Josie Maran mascara a run for its money. Not sure which I would repurchase when given the choice. However, that  buying time is far out because I have like 4 mascaras to use up and a few I wanna try before coming back to the question of which to buy.


6. YuBe Lip Therapy
      Love love love this chapstick! Including the funky camphor smell! I would definitely repurchase this! After I go through the 4 chapsticks I am trying to use up before purchasing more I definitely see YuBe as my choice when I am "allowed" to buy more chapstick! (Related: I love the lotion too! Going to buy some of that when (if ever) I run out of the giant Vaseline lotion I have right now)


7. Victoria's Secret Smoothing Body Scrub in Girls' Night
      The Girls' Night scent from Vicky's is one of my favorite scents EVER! Bummed I ran out of the scrub, because I can't repurchase it due to discontinuation of the line. However, I'd rather get my Girls' Night fix from the body wash or body spray because I hate this contain. It really cramps the hand to try and get some scrub out when you near the end.


8. Philosophy Begin Again (Tangerine) High Foaming, Shower and Bath Gelee
      This was my first Philosophy product and I had a lot of fun with it. It got me through some hard times. But I'm not sure if I would repurchase unless I stumbled upon in in TJMAXX again. Just too expensive for a normal seeming bubble bath. The scent was divine though!


9. Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous Foundation Faker in Medium
      This foundation started my new love of cream foundation. I loved that Benefit sold this mini size because it was a perfect way to try the foundation! I applied it with a round foundation brush and buffed it in. Loved the simple coverage and the texture. Really considering buying the full size when I'm in the market to return to former foundation loves (still have some foundations to finish and try before coming back to old ones). The only thing that stopped me from buying it immediately this summer was the fact that the product to price ratio isn't spectacular due to how fast one goes through cream foundations. Hense, wanna try some drug store cream/mousse foundations first to see if there is a cheaper alternative to Some Kind of Gorgeous. Also! I tried this foundation because Sarah Hawkinson talked about it being one of her favorite foundations once. 


10. Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm
      I loved this lip balm, but I don't know if I'd repurchase it if only because the container lasts soooo long! I literally took me seven years to finish this because I always forgot I had it and I never made progress in finishing it until I made it my mission. Lovely scent, lovely moisturization though! Would definitely not reject it as a gift or something though. Just wanna try lots of things and having something last so long impeds that! haha

New Years Resolution Accomplished!