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.

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. :)