Week 5+6 Empties!

We had a busy couple of weeks complete with more snow and no school in North Carolina.  What a winter!  We are finally back up to 70's.  Sorry everywhere else!  Truly I am...  I grew up in MA.

So on to the empties.  I finished up a few things.

Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo.  Sometimes you need just straight up moisture.  This one helps.  This is a drug store version.  From my understanding, the Nexxus you buy in an actual salon is more potent.  Any truth to that?

Korres Pomengranate Toner:  Thank goodness I have a backup.  I went back to Marshall's to buy the shelf but they were all gone.  This toner is a dirt magnet without stripping the skin.  I love, love, love it!

Julep Bare Face Cleansing Oil:  As soon as this ran out, I started having congestion issues with my skin.  That tells me that I need to repurchase.

Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner:  I wanted to be blown away by this stuff but sadly I wasn't.  It is super concentrated, maybe I used too much but it leaves a filmy feeling in my hair and when wet it's difficult to run a comb through it.  I don't feel comfortable yanking out all of my hair when trying to brush it.  No thanks.  Like the smell though.

Amlactin Ultra:  This has a terrible smell and its difficult to smooth into the skin.  It takes a lot of work.  I'm not afraid of a little extra effort, but I also have 3 kids and 2 dogs and cannot spend 20 minutes applying lotion to my body.  However, if I had extreme dry issues, I probably would.  Fortunately for me, I don't.  This was great for my feet though. 

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum:  Effective, but not during the summer for me.  But nothing truly has worked perfectly. 

Jose Maran Argan oil:  Though I have never purchased full size, based on the sample, it's worth whatever price it is.  This stuff is really good and my skin loves it.  I have the "light" version to try next.  I will see which one works the best and purchase.  After I use up a few things of course.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Moisturizing Face Cream:  My skin has been drinking this up.  I had to use this under CC and BB Creams.  My skin really needed it the past 2 weeks.

Murad Pore Refining Gel:  I had to break this out for some congestion issues 2 weeks ago.  I still have some issues on my chin but they are more localized under my lip and I'm starting to think it is from the lip balm I have been using.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum:  I thought that this was all gone but I'm still shaking a few drips out here and there.  I will keep trying!  I don't think it's enough moisturization for the winter.  Perfect for under makeup though.

Epielle Deep Cleansing Nose Strips x2:  They work pretty good and they are $2 for 3 at Big Lots.

md Skincare 4-in-1 Facial Treatment wipes:  Ugh my Holy Grail and I think these were discontinued.  And this was my very last one.  :(

UD Eyeshadow Potion:  I'm pretty sure I can break into this tube and slice my finger in the process to scrape out the last bits but I won't.

Lancôme Dreamtone in #1&#2:  They don't seem to have a color so I have been using them.  I don't see any dramatic results after 3-4 uses.  But maybe used in conjunction with other Lancôme facial products...

Lancôme Visionnaire:  This will go in the LUSH repurchase bag.  I would like to try this one a little more extensively.  I should probably share what I mean by the LUSH repurchase bag in another blog post.  Stay tuned!  :)

GlamGlow:  Remember when I said that I didn't understand the hype about this product?  Umm, I take that back.  It is very nice.  I'm not sure if I purchased a crappy tub from Hautelook but this sample was amazing.  Total skin clearing savior.  Maybe I used it when my skin was perfect or something.

Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask:  This used with Lancôme Visionnaire was complexion perfect.  I mean wow.  My skin looked beautifully even.  I would like to have both of these permanently.

And the rest were sort of unremarkable really.  Not going to sugar coat it. 

Of to the curb they go! 

What I use for damaged hair

After coloring, I usually head straight for Aveda Damage Remedy.  It seems to take care of dryness right away, well after a couple of washes.  It has a great spa smell.  I love to have products that smell like a spa in the shower.  I can't always go to the spa so it is a great alternative!

I have found it is best to use a shampoo like this a week or two before you decide to color your hair more than a couple of shades lighter from your current color, especially if you are going lighter. 

Recently I had my hair highlighted and I was using Hair One (cheaper version of Wen) for the weeks before, ran out and then used the Aveda Damage Remedy after the coloring.  No dry hair!  I didn't need and haven't needed any deep conditioning treatments or any other leave in treatments.  My hair has stayed soft and silky the entire time. 

Conditioning is really key before the coloring so your strand will lock in that color for longer.  Hair One works great at conditioning your hair.  Hair One is a process though.  If you are not normally a long shower taker, be prepared for at least 15 minutes of working it in, combing it through, letting it sit, and rinsing.  However, I found that if I used regular shampoo first and then followed up with Hair One I didn't have to let it sit for the 15 minutes that they recommend.  It really works incredibly well if time isn't a factor.