Empties - November 2015

I love empties posts.  I love using things up (throughout my life, not just beauty items) and seeing the pile of used items grow over the month.  It’s like crossing things off of lists; it’s just satisfying in its own way.  I also get to make room for new stuff!

I also like it because I get to provide lots of little mini reviews all at once.  If you ever want me to go into more detail on any of the products I mention in one of these posts, please let me know in the comments!

Other than the empties, this month I also hit pan on a cream blush!  And the cream eyeshadow I hit pan on a few months ago has now dwindled to just a ring around the jar, and even that has a chunk out of it.

Makeup
Looks like it's eyes and face this month...

·BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream in Vanilla – Sample card from Sephora.  I have really liked BareMinerals products in general lately, and this was no exception.  It seemed to be the right color (which has been difficult for me to find lately), although I should probably try another sample before purchasing a larger size.  Purchase: Yes.

·Laura Geller GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara – Sample from Macy’s Laura Geller Beauty Flawless In A Flash.  I loved this!  I have several other mascaras I’m using right now, and I went out of my way to use this one.  Unfortunately, it did dry up quickly, but that may be due to the small size.  Purchase: Yes.

·Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector in Light Sheer Tint – Full size.  This is the best drugstore BB cream I’ve found for me.  It’s basically the only one I’ve found that isn’t too dark and doesn’t change color after applied.  It is sheer, but it says that right in the color name.  So, for a sheer base this is really nice if you can work with one of the 5 colors available.  If you want something with more coverage, you should pass on this one.  Purchase: Yes.

·Mirenesse Inside Out 27Hr Eye Kohl Stretchable Waterproof Colour in Cleo – Sample from Build Your Own Birchbox.  THIS SUCKED!!!!!  This was super dry, and I couldn’t get it to write even on my hand let alone on my eye.  Purchase: No!

Face Care
This month, I've tried to make it a point to use a mask on Sunday and Wednesday nights, so you'll see a lot of masks.  I've also been trying to make my way through my stash of serums and various packets, so lots of those as well.

·Biore Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strip – Sample (1 strip), probably a sample from Ulta.  Do you remember when the Biore nasal cleansing strips were all the rage?  This is exactly that, but with charcoal included so they’re black instead of white.  I was having some clogged nose pores, and this worked really well.  I liked the black better than the white because you could see just how well it cleaned out the pores.  Purchase: Yes.

·Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum – Rippy packet from Walmart Beauty Box.  A not great but not horrible serum.  It did stain the packet weirdly between uses after opening.  Purchase: Maybe.

·Caudalie Instant Detox Mask – Rippy packet from Birchbox.  This smells really nice and left my face feeling soft and fresh.  However, due to the color (medium pink), it is hard to see where it is going during application.  I put the second packet in my giveaway box at work, but I may wind up taking it back because I really did like it.  Purchase: Yes.

·Dr. Jart+ Soothing HydraSolution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask – Full size.  I purchased this after using the Vital Hydra Solution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask.  I honestly like the other one I have from them better.  This one just didn’t seem to suit my face as well.  Repurchase: No.

·Eco-Beauty Good Night. Night Cream – Sample from Ipsy.  This was a pretty decent night cream.  Not my favorite, but good enough to use up.  Purchase: No.

·Erborian Pate Au Ginseng BlackConcentrated Mask – Rippy packet from Sephora.  This truly was a single use packet, which I have found rare even for masks.  Refreshing mask, not overwhelmingly bad or good.  Purchase: No.

·L’Oreal Eye Makeup Remover – Full size.  This was the worst eye makeup remover I’ve used thus far.  It really didn’t take anything off, and only smeared around some eye makeup as long as it wasn’t a long wearing formula.  Repurchase: No.

·Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes – Full size.  HG product.  Repurchase: Already have.

·Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment – Full size.  This spot treatment, while not completely used up, had expired and started to smell a little funky, so I decided to dispose of it.  This was my go-to spot treatment for the longest time.  I’m trying out another product right now, but if that doesn’t work out I will probably go back to this.  Repurchase: Maybe.

·No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum – Rippy packet from Target Beauty Box.  This was OK.  It didn’t really stand out from the crowd, good or bad.  Purchase: Maybe.

·Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil for Face – Rippy packet from Walmart Beauty Box.  Note to manufacturers: oils, even samples, should not come in rippy packets.  I’m not really into facial oils in general, but the sample packaging turned me off to this one completely.  Purchase: No.

Skincare
Shower gel and moisturizer rule the bunch.  Again, lots of sample packets here trying to clear out my stash.

·BBW Shea & Vitamin E Shower Gel in Guava Pineapple Splash – Full size.  The hubby and kiddo really enjoy these shower gels, and liked this scent.  Repurchase: Already have in other scents.  Would also repurchase this scent.

·The Body Shop Shower Gel in Glazed Apple – Sample size from Glazed Apple Tin of Treasures holiday set.  I’ve been enjoying this scent, and am glad to see it again this year.  I may pick some more up when they go on sale (if they’re still available) after the holidays.  Purchase: Yes.

·Curel Itch Defense Fragrance-Free Lotion – Rippy packet from magazine.  This truly is fragrance-free, and is an otherwise nice lotion.  There was only a single application, so not really enough to get a good opinion.  Purchase: Maybe.

·Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Lotion in Relaxing Sea Fennel – Sample from Birchbox.  The scent of this moisturizer was mild enough for me to use around my husband, which is really good for something that is not unscented.  I need to keep that in mind for the future.  Purchase: Maybe.

·Jack Black Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body – Rippy packet, probably from Sephora.  The description on the packet says rosemary, eucalyptus, and juniper berry.  When I first used it, I could definitely smell the rosemary and eucalyptus, but the predominant scent to me was black pepper.  A very “manly” scent, but I don’t think it’s for me.  Purchase: No.

·Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula – Rippy Packet.  I have had this and the next rippy packet sample around for a long time.  I think they were in swag bags from some of my husband’s races when he was running more often.  This original formula is nice, and smells a bit of chocolate because of the cocoa butter, but I have a lot of moisturizers and there are some I like better.  Purchase: No.

·Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Men Body & Face – Rippy Packet.  This has a nice fresh scent with a just hint of cocoa.  I think I like this one better than the original.  Even though it says it’s for men, it was just a very pleasant scent with the same moisturizing qualities of the original.  Purchase: Maybe.

Fragrance
This month, I actually finished one of my all time favorite  fragrances.  I'm so glad I stocked up, since they don't carry it in stores any more.

·BBW Fragrance Mist in Dark Kiss – Travel size.  This is my favorite BBW scent, and the only fragrance from them that I’ve ever used up.  Repurchase: Yes (already own 2 larger bottles).    

·Clean Warm Cotton – Sample.  This was one of those fragrance samples that didn’t come in a spray tube.  So, to try to not get it all over my fingers, I applied it using a cotton ball and wound up over-applying.  Now have a better idea how to use the cotton ball technique to apply perfume this way.  I chose this perfume in particular to test this application method because it smells like soap to me, so even if it I did go a little overboard it wouldn’t overwhelm anyone.  Purchase: No.

·Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and Nirvana White Eau de Parfum – Sample card from Sephora.  I have both of these in larger rollerballs.  I LOVE the Black; it’s one of my favorite perfumes.  I can only really wear the White in the summer or layered with other fragrances, otherwise it just smells off on me.  Purchase: Yes (already own).

·Jennifer Aniston J by Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum – Sample card from Walmart Beauty Box.  Nothing horrible, nothing great.  Not for me, but I probably wouldn’t throw it away if I got it again.  Purchase: No.

Hair Care

·Acure Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner – Samples from Target Beauty Box.  I have enjoyed most things I’ve tried from Acure, and these were no exception.  This feels like a clarifying shampoo, and the conditioner is very rich and reparative.  Purchase: Maybe.

Toiletries

·Crest SensiCare Anticavity Fluoride Alcohol Free Rinse in Mild Mint – Full size.  I liked this, and it was a nice change from Listerine Alcohol-Free mouthwash.  I think somebody else in the house also likes this because it seems to be disappearing faster than I remember using it.  Repurchase: Yes.

·Pronamel by Sensodyne Gentle Whitening Toothpaste – Full size.  I go back and forth between Pronamel and Sensodyne toothpaste and vary up the  flavors.  This was pretty standard coming from these brands, with abit more gentle flavor than others.  Repurchase: Yes.

Other
Sometimes I wish BBW would keep some of their seasonal scents around longer, or at least bring them back every now and then.

·BBW PocketBac in Amazon Rainforest Orchid – Full size.  This has such a lovely, sweet yet floral scent.  I loved using it every time.  Repurchase: Already have in other scents.  Would also repurchase this scent.

Giveups

·Harvey Prince Yogini – Sample size gift (originally from Birchbox).  This is one of the only scents from Harvey Prince that I haven’t liked.  It was just way too much for me, and kind of gagged me throughout the day.  Purchase: No.   

·Ulta Brow Tint in Light – In Gift with Purchase from Ulta.  I was really hoping this was going to be like Benefit Gimme Brow, which I recently used up.  Nope.  This is super wet, has no fibers, and no hold at all.  This was probably one of the messiest makeup items I’ve ever used.  Purchase: No.

·Wet N Wild Travel Makeup Brush (no description given) – Travel size.  This is pretty rough on the eyes when using to apply eyeshadow, and it sheds like crazy during cleaning.  I think I may have gotten this in a travel brush set a long time ago, but I’m not sure anymore.  Repurchase: No.