A Brief Hiatus

I know I've been missing for the past several weeks. It's not like I don't have things to write; I have at least 3-5 posts I need to get out. But this month has been nuts.  First I was on a trip (vacation/work), and since then I've been managing a family medical emergency.

Hopefully things will calm down soon and I can get back to a regular blog schedule.

Until then...

Empties - January 2016

Empties January 2016

Sorry for the delay... I've been traveling and never got my usual photos finished.  I want to get this out for you, because February is already shaping up to be a huge month for empties.  But before that, we have to take care of January.  Here you go!

Makeup

Avon Mini Wash-Off Waterproof Mascara (no longer sold) – Full size.  I have had this in my travel toiletries bag for forever, and it’s time to get rid of it.  I was never a huge fan of this product from the Mark line, either the formula or the brush.  Repurchase: No.

Chella Eyebrow Color in Tantalizing Taupe – Full size from Ipsy.  I was pleasantly surprised by this super skinny pencil.  It was the first eyebrow pencil that I consistently used and it made me realize how easy to use they could be.  Purchase: Yes.

Eyeko London Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black – Full size from Birchbox.  This was the first black liquid liner that I was able to get to consistently work well for me.  Since then, I’ve found others I like better, but I probably wouldn’t turn this away if it came my way again.  Purchase: No.

It Cosmetics Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Clinically Proven Mascara – Sample from QVC (received in a set/kit).  This is a great mascara!  Purchase: Yes (already have more).

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer – Rippy packet from Sephora.  This is OK, but I like others better.  Purchase: No (will use up others I have).

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – Sample from Ipsy.  Consistently great mascara.  It is a wet formula, so I usually like it best after about 2 weeks of use.  Purchase: Yes (already have more).

Face Care

Acure Day Cream – Sample from Ipsy.  Love this moisturizer.  It is light but moisturizing, and wears well under makeup.  I am so glad I keep getting samples of this brand’s products.  Purchase: Yes (already have more).

Algenist Firming & Lifting Eye Gel – Sample from QVC (received in a set/kit).  I was so pleasantly surprised by this eye cream.  Unlike so many, it actually made a visible difference!  I just wish it wasn’t so expensive.  Purchase: Maybe.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner Blackhead Extractor Mask – Sample from Ipsy.  This mask didn’t seem to do anything for me.  Purchase: No.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes – Full size.  HG product.  I make sure to always have a stock of these at home.  Repurchase: Yes (already have).

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water – Full size.  So far, this is my favorite micellar water I’ve tried.  I even included it in my January Favorites.  (FYI: Not as big a fan of the micellar water wipes so far.)  Repurchase: Yes.

Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum – Sample from Birchbox.  I like that this is a serum, but otherwise not a fan.  Purchase: No.

The Skin Lounge Pearl Brightening Facial Mask – Full size (1 of 3 from set).  Gentle sheet mask, although I couldn’t tell if it made any real difference.  It felt nice, though.  Purchase: Maybe.

Skincare

BBW Shower Gel in Japanese Cherry Blossom – Full size.  This was your typical BBW shower gel.  Good soap with an average amount needed to wash your body and a nice scent.  Repurchase: Product: Already have, Scent: Yes.

Das Boom Industries Everything Wash in Bay Rum, Smoke & Dirt – Sample from Build Your Own Birchbox. Per the hubby, "Whisky Tango Foxtrot!  I mean, what were they thinking by making a soap that actually smells like smoke, rum, and dirt.  Sure, those are manly smells, but as a former smoker, I find smelling like cigarettes to be awful.  This was totally not the right idea.  As far as soaps go, it wasn't a very powerful soap (i.e. it didn't clean off Sharpie well, etc.).  Purchase: No.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre – Sample from Birchbox.  This is a super rich cream, but it didn’t keep me feeling moisturized.  Purchase: No.

Harvey Prince Hello Liquid Loofah Exfoliating Shower Gel – Sample from Birchbox (received in a kit).  This product is mis-named.  With “loofah” and “exfoliating” in the name, I was expecting this to be a scrub with actual scrubby particles in it.  Alas, that’s not the case here.  I don’t see how this is any different than a shower gel.  Purchase: No.

Not Soap, Radio Joy Inducing Bubbles for Bath or Shower – Sample from Birchbox.  Decent shower gel, but I was misled by the phrasing on the bottle; I thought it would smell like lemons and it didn’t.  The hubby really liked this one.  Purchase: Maybe.

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Moisturizer – Travel size (received in kit).  I have really like everything from the kit that this came from, and this was no exception.  Purchase: Yes (already have more).

Fragrance

Clean Skin – Sample from Birchbox.  Of the ones I’ve tried, this is my favorite Clean fragrance.  Purchase: Maybe (already have more).

J by Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum – Sample Card from Walmart Beauty Box.  Not bad, but not really my type of fragrance.  Purchase: No.

My Burberry Eau de Parfum – Sample-size gift.  I’m glad a tried a sample of this, because my memory of it was much different.  Purchase: No.

Hair Care

12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment – Sample from Birchbox.  I was surprised to find out that this was not a liquid.  I kept using it until it wouldn’t spray anymore, but I think if it was a different format I might have gotten a few more uses out of it.  It worked OK as a leave-in conditioner, but nothing to rave over.  Purchase: No.

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Repairing Conditioner – Rippy packets from Ulta.  I’m so glad I keep getting Carol’s Daughter shampoo and conditioner samples, because they work well and smell amazing!  I may actually have to eventually but some.  Purchase: Maybe.

Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Ultimate Hold with Frizz Control Gel – Rippy packet from Birchbox.  The curls this gave me were a lot softer than those I get with most other gels I use.  I just don’t usually use gel that much these days.  Purchase: No.

Hair & Body Therapeutics Renew Conditioner – Hotel sample.  Not my favorite.  Purchase: No.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo – Full size.  I tend to wash my hair every day, so I don’t use a ton of dry shampoo.  It took me forever to get through this can.  I don’t think this was the greatest, but I don’t have a lot to compare it to.  I will say it left a white cast which was not pretty.  Repurchase: No.

Pantene Pro-V Conditioner – Hotel sample.  Standard Pantene.  Purchase: No.

Pantene Pro-V Smooth Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner – Hotel samples.  Standard Pantene.  Purchase: No.

Purity Basics Condition Conditioner – Hotel sample.  Not the best conditioner.  Purchase: No.

Temple Spa Good Hair Day Frequent Use Shampoo – Samples from Birchbox and a hotel (x2).  OK but not my favorite.  Purchase: No.

Temple Spa In Good Condition Hair Conditioner – Sample from Birchbox.  OK but not my favorite.  Purchase: No.

Toiletries and Other

AirWick Life Scents Multi-Layered Fragrance in Turquoise Oasis – Full size.  We use this as our bathroom air freshener.  This scent is OK.  Repurchase: Maybe.

BBW PocketBac in Brazil Pineapple Punch and Lush Bamboo Waterfall – Full size.  Pocketbac is HG, but I don’t need these scents again.  Repurchase: Product Yes, Scents No.

CareLine Alcohol Free Mouthwash Blue – Hospital sample.  Mild mint mouthwash with a slight cinnamon taste.  I don’t feel like this works as well as it should.  Purchase: No.

Giveups

Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Eye Treatment – Sample from Walmart Beauty Box.  This made the skin around my eyes burn.  Purchase: No.

Paula’s Choice Suncare Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 for Face & Body (similar here) – Rippy packet from a care package.  This smelled like petroleum.  Normally I try things for several days in case it was just a bad first impression, but I couldn’t bear putting this back on my face again.  Purchase: No.

So, from the looks of it, I had a pretty good month for makeup, so-so with everything else.  Were you able to finish anything you've been working on for a while?

(Sorry about the pictures this time.  I just didn't get them done before I left for a trip, and I wanted to get this out to you.  Hopefully I'll be better next month! J )

Favorites - January 2016

I bounced around through a lot of products in January and honestly, most were either just OK or not that great.  But the ones that stood out were fantastic!  It’s a short list this month, but all are products I can’t live without right now.

• BareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara in Intense Black – This mascara does AMAZING things for my lashes!  I swear, it looks like I’m wearing falsies every time I put it on.  I’ve been keeping this at my desk, and there are many times I skip the mascara I have with me and wait until I’m at my desk just to use this one.
• Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Bali – I have been loving this blush this month.  I rediscovered it in my stash looking for waterproof and water resistant makeup in preparation for an upcoming trip, and I’ve been using it absolutely every day.  It’s a great peachy-pink color that isn’t overwhelming but is buildable.  That works out great because I’m not overly confident with powder blush (I’m primarily a cream blush person), which means there’s a lower chance of me overapplying.
• ColourPop Matte Lippie Stix in Lumiere – I love this MLBB matte lipstick.  It’s not too drying and stays on for a good long time (although not through a meal).
• Dr. Denese HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Face Serum – My skin looks amazing when I use this super hydrating serum with retinol.  Don't be put off because it's an oil; once fully absorbed it's matte.  I had been hesitant to use it since receiving in a QVC Favorites kit, but now I wish I had started sooner.
• LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in Glam Life – I have a few dark hot pink/berry shirts that I could not figure out a good lip color to wear with them. Applying this as a lip stain by putting a little bit on then blending in with my finger gives the perfect amount of color in the right shade family without being overpowering or clashing. Most important- no feathering.
• Mary Kay Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 – I didn't know how good this was until I didn't have it anymore.  By trying to use up my stash, I’ve also been trying out other face sunscreens.  Some were OK, but none have come close to this one.  I really like the serum formula, because then I can choose my moisturizer as needed without affecting my makeup.
• Simple Micellar Water – Again, I didn't know just how great this was until I used something else.  Now, whenever I overhear someone talking about micellar water, I always recommend this.  I’m trying out the wipes now and not quite sure how I feel about them, but I love the water.  I find it very versatile, and have no problem using it on my eyes when I have my contacts in.  It doesn’t remove makeup the best, but it does work nicely as an intermediate step or a quick cleaning.

What products stood out for you this month?