Samples, Samples, Samples!

I love sample sizes.  I frequently get bored using the same product for more than a couple of weeks.  Unless of course I see major results.   So since I have not discovered an earth shattering, wrinkle/complexion miracle worker so far, I will continue to try out new things.  But my skin also gets bored.  I see my skin respond to a new product for 2-3 weeks tops, then it sort of plateaus, gets dull or congested, telling me to switch it up.  So I oblige, albeit willingly...  

As a willful participant, I have dabbled in the monthly sample boxes, bags and tubes out there.  I have tried Birchbox, Ipsy, TestTube, Julep Maven, Target Beauty Box and GlossyBox.  I think there was one other one but I can't think of it at the moment. Beauty Army!  I was one of the first, watching the time clock count down for it to launch!  I love the element of surprise and it's just fun to receive a box full of goodies every month.

Target was great because it used to be free!  Now I believe it is $5.  Still worth it to try out and they include coupons which is a nice touch.  Birchbox is probably my favorite as it is affordable at $9.95 a month and I have discovered some favorites.  They also offer free shipping on full size versions of the monthly samples and you can earn Birchbox points to use towards the on-line shop. Some months are hit or miss though.  And foil packets really are not my preference.  For me, I can't fall in love with a product after one use.  I need to use it for a week to 2 weeks to really see if a product is going to work out for me. 

I was one of the 300 Beauty Bloggers chosen to receive GlossyBox for free when they first launched in the States.  I was subscribed for a few months at $21 a pop!  Yowsers.  The first couple of boxes were awesome and then I realized quickly that the UK GlossyBoxes contained the products I really wanted to try.  Though I did receive some nice products, affordability was a major factor in my cancellation.

My second favorite would be TestTube.  It's pricey but the tube is packed with travel size and full size items.  They are shipped 6 times a year at $29.95.  So technically it's $60 more a year than say Birchbox but the full size products are a draw.  I will probably go back to TestTube after I use up all my samples at some point but not every 2 months, maybe just a couple times a year.  The next time they send me a 30% off coupon, I will probably cave.

I was one of the first to try out Ipsy when it was Glam Bag subscribing in its second month.  They had a few issues in those beginning days.  Currently, the unboxing videos show some incredible makeup products but I think the color choices are geared towards a younger-than-me crowd...  I am still intrigued to try this service out again.  Quite affordable at $9.95 a box.  They pack full size products in a nice makeup bag that is included every month as well.

I was also one of the first subscribers of Julep and have kept an active subscription the entire time.  They started off a little rocky as with any other new business but things have smoothed out.  What I like about this sample service is that you can skip a month.  I also frequently gift out my monthly Maven box for friends and family for their birthday and holidays.  So I have never cancelled this subscription.  Julep started off just nail polish and manicure items but now they have added skincare and makeup items.  I love their cleansing oil and dual ended Kajal liner.  There are a variety of boxes to choose from each month as well.  Julep is $19.95 a month. 

So since we are almost nearing the end of the first quarter of the year, I thought I would update you all on my sample progress.  I wish that I took a picture of what I started out with...  But I have a photo of where I am at right now and I am happy with the progress.

I keep my samples in a clear plastic tray that I picked up from Target that fits perfectly in my IKEA 5-drawer Alex which I store in my bathroom.  My samples used to be in the last 2 drawers but I'm happy to report that this is all I have left!

To be honest, I have separated out my hair care samples.  That's another post... 

But this should be everything at least, in the skincare/makeup department (possibly minus 1 or 2 that could be scattered about.)

In the middle of I have 2 travel size Urban Decay All-Nighter Sprays and 3 of my all time favorite mascara, Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara which I have never owned a full size of...  Though L'OREAL Lash Out Butterfly Mascara is a super close contender for taking over the #1 spot.

You have seen this Arbonne eye sample before.  One packet lasts about 2 weeks was it?  7 more to go!  I picked these up from Ebay.  Fun fact.  I used to be an Arbonne rep.  Correction, at a party I signed up and paid the fee to be one but never sold or purchased Arbonne during that entire year.  Dummy.

I save the LaRoche-Posay Effaclar treatment and cleanser for bad skin days, weeks...  I will definitely need to use these when the weather warms up.

I have a couple of these oils in my Week 11 Skincare/Makeup box.  I've been holding on to these 2 Le Metier de Beaute forever!  Why?!  Hopefully they are still good and I didn't waste them!

Primers, treatments, and BB, CC, creams and a foundation...  Not bad!  I've included a couple of these in Week 11.  I've tried the Lumene BB cream before.  I actually bought the full size and returned it to Walgreens a couple days later 2 years ago.  It was too pink and melted off a couple of hours later during the summer.  So I already know how that one turns out!

These 2 conditioners are currently in my shower awaiting for me to use them!

I've tried most of these primers and BB creams.  The Lorac CC Cream in Medium, Too Faced BB cream, and Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact (CC cream right?) are all too dark at the moment.

Sorry for the blurry...  I use Boost-it and the Amore Pacific Enzyme Peel pretty frequently.  I'm not going to sugar coat it but the emu oil smells and there are some solid portions in the oil, a bit like coconut oil really, not the smell, just the half melted consistency.  It's not something that I reach for but I can use it up on my cuticles I'm sure!

My weekly skincare/makeup box has prompted me to use up and try new and old things in my collections and I am much more organized.  I feel like this is a very manageable amount of samples for me now.  I'm less overwhelmed when I open up the old Alex drawers.

What does your sample stash look like?  More or less than mine?  :)

2nd of the year empties?!

I wasn't sure what to title the post. I thought at the beginning of the year I would do quarterly empties but my brown paper bag is over flowing!  Today is garbage day so I need to get it to the curb.  :)

So here we go!

1&2. Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Olive Oil Shampoo & Conditioner: I won this off of a GlossyBox Twitter Chat with Celebrity Hair Stylist Adir Abergel who is the Celebrity Ambassador for Frédéric Fekkai.  I asked a question and it was chosen for the gift.  I received the shampoo, conditioner and a hair cream from the same line.  I am considering re-purchasing.  I love the way this set makes my hair feel.  My daughter was reaching for them as well because they made her "hair feel so smooth."  It's pretty pricey, $31.97 for 16 oz...  However, it is super concentrated.  I noticed that I only needed a quarter size amount for my longer locks. Oh and the question I asked was if using dry shampoo on first day clean hair would help prevent oils.  Adir said yes, spray in the roots and brush through.  So I've been using dry shampoo on the day of washing and I'm definitely not oily the next day and can go 2 days without washing most days!  :)

3. Soft Soap Coconut Scrub Body Buff Wash: This was on the end cap on sale at my grocery store and I grabbed it.  Smells nice but otherwise unremarkable.  I think I prefer a more natural sugar scrub but this is a nice readily available drug store one.

4.  fresh soy face cleanser:  This came with my Clarisonic which I bought at the end of last year.  Nice cleanser.  I think that this a good, quality cleanser with a crisp cucumber scent.  Works well with the Clarisonic.  I have a few other cleansers to work through but this one is my fave out of the bunch.  I will re-purchase.

5.  Witch Hazel Astrigent:  I wonder why I experiment with tonors...  This is my skin's saving grace.  I use this after cleansing. If I do not use this consistently, it is very noticeable.  I have been out of this for 4 days.  I can tell the difference.  Congested skin around my chin is popping up.  Time to re-purchase!

6&7.  Garnier Nutrisse 434 Deep Chestnut Brown: I grabbed 2 boxes.  It's not bad, but not my favorite. It was a little drying, but overall, covered my grays and the color turned out true to the box. I was afraid that it would turn my hair too red, but actually, no red at all.  I strayed from my Loreal MegaBrowns because my husband would prefer my hair to be a lighter brown.  I'm undecided. What I need to do is go the salon, but frankly I'm scared y'all.  :(

8. Donna Karen Cashmere Mist: This is the best deodorant/anti-perspirant that you can buy.  Skip the drugstore. Just spend the $15.

9.  Dove Soap... of course.  I will never stray.  I use it on my face and body.  Good stuff.

10. Acetone:  I make my own version of Zoya; acetone, glycerin, water...  Works just as good but doesn't smell like Zoya though but it's an affordable alternative that works just as well and is non-drying. :)

11.  B&BW Japanese cherry blossom shower gel:  This was a Beauty Army sample.  Love Beauty Army.  This sample pops up frequently so I always grab it.  I have purchased this scent in the past.

12. Dead Sea Minerals Salt Scrub:  I always purchase these tubs from Big Lots for $4.  Can't beat the price.  The ingredient list is pretty natural except for a perfume and some dye. Great price point.

13. Gillette Satin Care Dry Skin: Instant razor burn.  Will avoid this one.

14. Got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protect Blow Out: This isn't completely empty but I just don't like this product.  It make my hair feel gross and I don't like the smell.  Time to recycle.  I have other products I like much better!

15. Paris Amour Shower Gel:  I believe this was a Beauty Army sample as well.  Always nice to have a good smelling shower gel at the ready.  I have purchased this scent in the past before too!

16. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover:  You already know I love this stuff.   I'm almost finished with another bottle currently in use...

17. ion Repair Solutions Effective Care Treatment:  I like to use this right after I color my hair and once a week.  I have a few other treatments & conditioners in rotation but I'm sure in the future I will pick this up on a trip at Sally's.  This is an intense conditioner.  I can over use it very easily and it builds up so much that I can't get a brush through my hair.  I've learned once a week is best!

18.  SheaTerra Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream:  If I could afford to use this every day, this would be the one scrub I would always buy.  It's a lot gentler than salt scrubs and I really noticed a difference in how my skin felt.  Shea Terra frequently offers 30% off codes.  It's definitely on my list.  I have a couple other things from Shea Terra that I will need to repurchase so I will wait and haul them together.  Just checked my email and there is a code... may2013 Hurry it ends May 23rd!

19.  Dead Sea Collection Anti-Aging Cream with Dead Sea Minerals:  This was a Big Lots purchase for $3.50.  It has a thin/light consistency.  I prefer a thicker cream at night for my eyes.  I ended up using this as a nightly hand treatment.  I will repurchase for that. 

20.  Whish Shave Cream:  This was a Birchbox sample.  I really liked this one.  Very moisturizing.  But I can't spend $20 on shaving cream.  I have kids to feed and put through college.  :)

21.  BVLGARI tea bag for the bath: Yowsers, this stuff was luxurious.  Love the smell.  $54.95 for a set of 6.  I will just buy the perfume!  It has a familiar scent that is comforting to me.  I want to smell like this all of the time.

22.  Alpha Hydox Sheer Silk Moisturizer:  Why I don't have a backup of this is beyond me.  I have a few other moisturizers to use up but I need to repurchase this one.  It does a great job of moisturizing without making my skin greasy.  Love, love, love!  Why did I start trying other moisturizers?  I always ask myself this question.

23. Lush Mint Juleps Lip Scrub:  I definitely need to repurchase this.  My lips have been so dry lately.  I am definitely able to make my own but this one tastes really good.  So worth it!  I'm working on a fresh one at the moment but I really like the Lush.

24.  Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Frizz Control Anti-Humidity Hair Spray:  My mom had this in her stash of products years ago so I bought one for myself after I used it.  This bottle has lasted me 6 years?  I'm pretty sure.  We've been in NC for 3 years and I bought this before our NY duty Station and that was 3 years.  Good purchase!  It doesn't have the best hold but I don't like sticky, stiff feeling.

25&26. L'OREAL Mega Browns Chocolate:  This has been my go to color since the end of last summer.  I'm thinking I want to go lighter but this is a great hair dye.  I will see if the line has a lighter shade of brown and try that.  This formula really covers and does not fade...at all.

27& 28. epielle green tea cleansing tissues:  These are a $1 at Big Lots.  They work great.  The cloth is a little thin and a little dry but they do the trick and are quite affordable.  I prefer the AVON ones as they are thicker and more a bit more wet.  But these are an 1/8th of the price and work in a pinch when AVON is backordered.  Which happens frequently.  So when I order AVON's, I buy a lot at a time.

29. Kinerase Restructure Firming Cream:  This was a sample of a $98 cream.  Just looked it up.  Wow.  I can't remember noticing a difference to be honest.  It should have changed my life... right?

30. Elizabeth Arden White Glove Intensive Revitalizing Mask:  I found these at Burke's Outlet for $7.95.  I have never been in a Burke's before, it's sort of like a Marshall's/TJ Maxx but they seem to get leftover items from those 2 stores as I found some tags on some of the clothes.  They also have 15% off on Fridays!  YES!  These masks are awesome.  I suspect that they are a bit old, maybe expired, but I really noticed a difference in my skin after using one.  My skin felt soft, smoother...  Sad that these are gone.  $19 for 4 on Amazon.com.  I definitely think that they are worth picking up.  Just ordered...

31-33.  forever young Hydrating Facial Wrap Cucumber & aloe, honey & collagen, coconut & shea butter:  Loved these!  $3.99 for 3 masks at TJ Maxx.  I didn't notice a crazy difference in my skin after using these like the Elizabeth Arden ones but they are such a pick me up.  The instructions say to leave on for 20 min.  I think I would do about 30.  One thing I have learned, that just because my skin is oily, I still need to hydrate my skin.  These are a wonderful treatment at night for my skin.  Unfortunately I do not have a TJ's near by so this will be tough to find again.

34. L'OREAL EverCreme Sulfate-Free Intense Nourishing Shampoo:  I really like this shampoo.  I routinely re-purchase this one.

35. Lumene Radiant Touch Refreshing Tonor:  This is a nice tonor but it burns ever so slightly.  My skin prefers Witch Hazel.  I had this for a really long time.  I would use it to remove mario badescu silver powder.  I can use witch hazel for this process so I probably won't repurchase this one.

36. Nexxus Restorative Conditioner:  I grabbed this at Marshall's.  It was a pretty good conditioner.  Really Moisturizing.  I liked the Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Olive Oil Conditioner much better though. 

37. L'OREAL Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base:  I like to use this primer in my t-zone to fill in some larger pores.  It works really good at smoothing things over.  However when it starts to get hot around here in NC, I try to use a minimal amount of products because no matter what I use, everything melts in this heat & humidity.  I have a couple other primers I am working through but this is one I know works.

38. Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser: This came in the Hautelook Beauty Bag last fall.  Its a nice cleanser from the drug store but I won't repurchase.  I really like my Sibu beauty products at the moment since they are a lot more natural.  I routinely got this cleanser in my eyes & mouth for some reason.  Stings and tastes gross.  :)

39. Vichy Aqualia Thermal: I received this in the Vichy Birchbox last year. This product took me a while to use up as I used it sparingly and only when my skin was really dry.  This winter was particularly cold and dry here in NC and my skin which would normally be "normal" in winter actually was quite dry.  I was glad to have this hanging around.

40.  John Frieda Root Awakening:  Happy to report that this is the very last bottle of John Frieda from my couponing days.  Emptying out my bathroom cabinets took a year and now we are at 1.5 years and the last shampoo bottle is going to the recycling.  I really like this shampoo and I'm sure I will repurchase in the future.  But no shampoo and conditioner purchases until all my samples are used up!

41. Ole Henriksen truth serum collagen booster:  I received this with my Clairsonic.  This is a product that I noticed a difference in my skin after the first use.  Tightened, smoothed, cleared... I need another bottle in my life.  It's pricey but worth it.

42, 43, 44: Haus of Gloi!  I finally placed an order!  I have added products to my cart dozens of times but finally I ordered.  I tried multiple products of Lavender and Haus Amber.  I love them both!  I will definitely be repurchasing.  I tried one of their bath bombs for $1 and they are really nice too.  I think I will use 2 for my next bath but wow are they moisturizing.  Great company.  They included a personal thank you card as well.  Nice touch.  Good people.

45. Jack Black Lip Balm:  I grabbed this last summer at the check out of an Ulta a believe.  Pretty good stuff.  It's minty, a bit plumping, moisturizes and sinks into the lips. I can think of other balms that I would buy over this one though.  But I would probably repurchase at the check out again.  Can't say that I won't!  And I really like that it has 25 SPF.  I know that I have neglected my lips for years...

46: Yves Rocher Hamamelis deodorant:  Doesn't perform like Donna Karan but it smells nice. 

47. Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn balancing facial cleanser:  I love this cleanser.  I will definitely repurchase.  Sibu Beauty was recently on Hautelook and I picked up a few things.  This wasn't an item that they were selling but I was able to find other Sibu Beauty products.

48,49. AVON makeup remover wipes: Hands down the best, affordable wipes on the market.  I'm sure there are some $20-30 wipes I would like better, but in terms of affordability, moisture, thickness of the wipe, ability to perform and actually remove makeup, these are the best.  They retail for $8 but I stock up when they are $3.99.

50. Origins Gin Zing eye cream:  This was a sample I received from an order from a while back.  This eye cream has a shimmer/sheen to it so I need to use it sparingly.  I didn't notice a change in the overall darkness under my eyes but it does camouflage ever so slightly.  I would surely welcome another sample with purchase but I don't think I would re-purchase.


So 50 products on the dot.  Well actually I had some foil packet products but I barely remember using them so I figured it was best to skip them!  lol  I will take notes next time. 

Overall this year I've been good about keeping myself in check and not buying in excess.  I recently went a little crazy with facial cleansers.  One day I had none, the next like 6!  Oops.  I really have stockpiled the samples recently.  Time to get focused again!

I re-subscribed then cancelled Glossybox again.  For what you get, $20 is just too much.  I did like the BVLGARI tea bag for the bath and was very happy with that sample.  But by far, Birchbox has been good to me.  I've discovered a lot of favorites through them and very happy with the service.  Yes there are less notable months...  They struggled for a few months last year, not sure what happened but they seem to have recovered. 

Oh and I cashed in my Birchbox points and have a haul to share with you next!

1st of the year empties!!!

I have a brown paper shopping bag of empties so I figure it's time for a review!  And tomorrow is garbage/recycling day.  What better motivation than to clear a little clutter out of the house!

I still have to finish a 2012 wrap up but I can say that I've been super frugal so far this year.  No more stockpiling, I'm using up samples instead of saving them (for what, I have no idea), not buying any makeup, well not much anyway!  I'm working on only mascara samples.  Umm, 3 to be exact.  Don't judge.  And I have 2 more ready to go.  I only have one shampoo and one conditioner in the shower right now.  I'm sure the hubby is really happy about the decrease in shower clutter!

So here they are!

 

1.  Pantene Beautiful Lengths Breakage Defense Shampoo:  Good stuff.  Not sure if my hair is less prone to breakage using this product but it smells nice and leaves my hair soft and shiny.  I'm not planing on repurchasing any time soon but if I saw it on-sale, I would grab it.

2.  L'OREAL Preference Mega Browns BR7 Chocolate:  My go to color.  I will absolutely repurchase over and over and over again... 

3.  Rimmel Gentle Eye Make Up Remover:  I am on my 3rd bottle of this.  It doesn't last long but it works really well.  It's very effective at removing all eye makeup.  I haven't used waterproof mascara in a while so I haven't tested it out on that but everything else melts away with no streaking.  Love it!

4.  N.4 High Performance Hair Care Lumiere d'hiver Clarifying Shampoo:  I'm not sure about this one.  It takes some work to emulsify the product into a usable consistency to lather t through the hair.  It is super thick and concentrated.  This was a Birchbox or Glossybox sample.  It strips color out so I can vouch for the clarifying aspect of it.  Oh and it smells nice.  I won't buy a full size though.

5 & 6.  Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner:  This is pretty good stuff.  I would pick this up again during an AVON sale.  I like the smell and the way it leaves my hair soft and clean.  I bought this in a set with a bottle of Moroccan hair oil which I use every day on my straight from the shower.   I have liked that as well too.  All 3 were $9.99.  Super affordable!

7 &8.  Gilette Satin Care:  Another two down the drain.  Literally.  Oh and the price went up at the Commissary... Total bummer but still the least expensive.  I picked up a 3 pack at Target on clearance of the Gilette Satin Care for dry skin and it's not working out so good.  Razor burn city.  I will have to shell out the extra pennies for sensitive skin.  lol

9.  New Garnier Oila Oil Powered Permanent Color in 4.15 Dark Soft Mahogany:  I really liked this color.  The color was much darker than the picture on the box which is true for most boxed hair dyes but it left a nice red highlight.  I will still go back to my Mega Browns because I like the color a touch better and it's more cost effective.  The conditioner that was provided was a bit disappointing. It did give my hair adequate moisture for my hair.  But I can say that it has 100% gray coverage!!!  If I ever need hair color and Mega Browns is not in stock, I can trust this one to have good results for sure.  This was a BzzAgent sample.  They sent me a coupon in my BzzAgent kit and I was able to buy the hair color for free!  Yay!

10.  Dead Sea Collection Salt Scrub in Eucalyptus:  I love these salt scrubs.  For $4 at Big Lots you can't go wrong.  They are no emulsifying/sudsy and leave the skin a bit oily but I like that my body feels very moisturized after using these.  I'm going back for more of course!

11.  Dove Men Extra Fresh Soap:  I really like the smell of this.  Not too manly but fresh.  And it's a Dove product so it's not drying.  This will be a good bar for the summer months.  Need to repurchase.  :)

12 & 13.  Proclaim with Argan Oil Intense Hydrating Masque:  I just realized that this was a "masque" but I used it almost after every shampoo.  I guess it's not so intense that it weighs the hair down after every day use.  I liked the smell.  I used the shampoo along with it which I also used up.  I am actually re-purposing the shampoo bottle as it has a pump.  I put the next 2 products into it!  I would possibly repurchase during a sale again.  I believe I got the 2 of them for $7 at Sally's.  I want to find a Macadamia oil set at Sally's next.

14 & 15.  John Frieda full Repair Full Body Shampoo:  Technically, the shampoo contained in these bottles are not used up, I filled the Proclaim shampoo bottle with them, but these bottles are going out with the recycling tomorrow so I thought I would mention them.  My friend moved to Hawaii recently and gifted me these!  I forgot how wonderful this shampoo was.  My hair feels luxurious after using this shampoo again.  Great stuff.  Good lather, nice smell, moisturizing.  I will probably repurchase at some point in the future.

16.  Dead Sea Magnesium Salts, Lemon Verbena:  Another $4 steal at Big Lots.  I love a good salt bath.  They are very soothing and awesome for sore muscles and various other aches and pains.  This has a nice smell to it.  I will repurchase this or another flavor on my next shopping excursion to Big Lots!

17.  Nexxus Headress Thickening Leave-in Volumizer:  This was another gift from my Hawaii-bound friend.  Leave in conditioners are something I never purchase and when I do, I forget that they are a leave-in and rinse them out!  I don't need a thickening agent for my hair but this was a nice product to try.  I don't need to repurchase this.

18.  MD Skincare 4-in-1 Treatment:  These single use cleansing and toning clothes are the bomb!  I only bought 2 that were on clearance sometime last year and rationed them as long as I could.  I wish now that I had the foresight to have bought all 4 boxes that were on clearance but I thought at the time that would be crazy to clear the shelves of something that I hadn't tried yet.  lol  Hind sight is 20/20.  :)  I got them for $7 and they were regularly priced at $35 I think.  It was a steal.  I don't think I would pay $35 for them though.

19.  Christian Lacroix Rouge Shower Gel:  I had this in my AVON product stash for years.  Literally.  It had to have been expired.  But I used it anyway.  It's a mature scent to say the least, nice but not something I will repurchase.  It has been since discontinued probably for a couple of years.  I do have the perfume which I use sparingly during the winter months.

20.  Freeman Detoxifying Facial Mask:  I received this in a box that was from Influenster but I don't believe it was attached to a VoxBox promotion.  The box had several products in it, but usually VoxBoxes have a card with them detailing the products contained within.  This one did not and when I logged into my Influenster account, I didn't have notification that anything was sent.  That being said, I am totally appreciative of the gift!  :)  I really liked this mask.  Smelled just like chocolate and it was difficult not to try it.  Seriously.  I didn't by the way...  Truth.  :)  I will pick this up someday for sure.

21.  Organix Brazilian keratin therapy:  This lasted forever.  Good stuff too.  Sulfate and Sodium free and smells of coconut.  Leaves the hair soft, shiny and manageable.  I will repurchase during a sale for sure.  I have a few more products that I am working through so it's not a need at this point but works really well for a super straight look.

22.  Nelson Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7-in-1 non-foaming shampoo: I'm quite okay with low-poo and no-poo (so weird to call them that) shampoos but this one was strange.  There were these blue/green beads in a runny white "lotion" presumably to provide an abrasive agent to scrub off the dirt and oil?  Well though I thought I thoroughly rinsed the product, several beads could be felt on my scalp throughout the day.  Nice lemony-mint smell but I would need to try this again to really form an opinion.  The sample was only enough for one use on my long hair.  This was a Beauty Army sample I believe.

23.  Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray, The original:  I love using finishing sprays to help do away with the powdery look.  However, for someone with oily skin, that powdery look helps to hold the oils longer.  So when you take them away with a spray, your oils break through faster.  So using one with oily skin kind of defeats the purpose, in my experience...  I find that I like the Urban Decay de-Slick just a touch better, even though they are both made by Skindinavia.  de-Slick really doesn't prevent me from getting oily either but it takes away the powder look and just might keep me from getting shiny prematurely...  :) 

24.  alessandro international Hand!Spa Age Complex Cream Rich Pearl Protein Extract & Hyaluronic Acid:  This is a really nice hand cream.  And priced on the Birchbox website (link!) at $30, it really should be.  I've had some pretty chapped hands this month and I am sorry to see this one go.  I can't spend $30 on a hand cream at this time... but I wish I could. 

25.  Garnier BB cream:  Now that I have purchased the combination to oily skin one, I can pitch this one.  The smell is really over-powering to me after not using it for a few months.  I did like it.  It is a good product if you have the right skin.  Dry to normal.  It only worked for a couple of hours on me.  On a hot and humid day, forget it.  I am liking the new one and have been using it for a couple of months now.  See my review here!

26.  Indie Lee The Cleanser:  Oh oh oh I love love love this stuff!!!  Great cleanser.  I picked this up along with the Squalane oil on a Hautelook sale.  I haven't seen her products on Hautelook since.  I need to repurchase soon though.  It's a gentle, natural, citrusy cleanser that leaves the skin clean and prefectly prepped for your skincare.   I do have some other cleansers to get through so as soon as I'm finished with the squalane oil, I will get them together again.  Indie Lee is just one of those feel good brands that you can trust.  Indie Lee herself has a ton of integrity, she has been through so much in her life, such an inspiration.

27.  Yves Rocher ADN Cellular Renaissance:   Huge claims for this product and at $52, it's pricey.  I got it for free for an order I think last summer or was it the summer before.  I think the summer before.  Yikes!  I liked it but I didn't think it was HG.  It has a botanical, fresh scent.  It's pretty thick and heavy.  I used it mostly on my neck and chest.  I really liked that it was square and opens like a compact.  Pretty cool design.  You don't have to worry about it tipping over on your counter.  I will get this again on a sale but I don't feel that it is something I can't live without.  I like Yves Rocher products.  I haven't ordered from them in a while but I don't believe I ever received a product that I didn't like. 

28.  Amir Argan Oil Moisturizer:  This was one of 3 Amir sample moisturizer from the Hautelook Beauty Bag that I never reviewed.  I need to do that.  I'm not sure if I will ever order the Beauty Bag again but it did have a few decent samples and one full size cleanser.  The lotion had a pleasant scent.  I finished this a while ago.  It was nice.  Not something I would repurchase unless I saw it at Marshall's.  It's currently $24 for 18 oz on Amazon.

29.  Nivea Touch of Smoothness Moisturizing Body Wash:  Smells nice, I really like the orange blossom one though.  That's my fave!  Love Nivea and all of their products.  I would repurchase this.

30.  AVON Foot Works Lavender Comfort Soak:  I've gone through a few of these throughout the years.  They are nice to have on hand for a spa night.  I don't currently have any on hand.  Looks like I need to repurchase...

31.  Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate:  Kiehl's is another one of those brands that can do no wrong in my eyes.  There are so many products that I have tried and want to try.  I squeezed this sample packet into a plastic jar with a lid and was able to use it for an entire week!  This stuff is pretty good.  It's very thick and moisturizing, which I like to use a heavy moisturizer at night.  I didn't see any noticeable results in a week's usage but I would definitely buy a full size just to see.  :)

32.  Babor Anti-Stress Anti-Jetlag Cream:  This has been my go to night cream for the last 3 months or so.  A very nice cream with a full size $72 price tag.  Ouch.  Why?!  This was a Beauty Army sample.  Good stuff.  Not too heavy, not light either so it was definitely a night cream for me but when I did have some drier skin issues for a day or 2, this took care of it.  Loved the smell too.  I'm tempted to order the Babor Anti-Stress Relaxation Kit on Amazon for $35.  Hmmm....

Now I can bring my bag to the curb!  :)

Makeout 2013 post is coming up next!

November Empties (and apologies?)

Umm...  Just realized that my last post was October empties...  :(  But in my defense...  I got a new job!  Yay!  So I'm getting into the groove of working.  It's been a while since I've been a stay at home mom for 6 years but in that time I had 2 more babies, lived in 3 different states and went back to school.  :)  It's amazing how fast it went. 

So onto November empties.  Now this is a bit tragic.  I already sent my paper bag of empties to the curb for garbage day.  UGH!  I have no photo to memorialize this occasion.  Last month I said that I might have a lot of empties this month, but it was a serious amount of product.  I'm going to split it up into 2 posts it is so much.  I really just buckled down and started using all my half used up products.  I broke into my sample "drawers."  I have these sterlite drawers that were beginning to overflow with samples.  What the h-e-double hockey sticks (I've got kids y'all) am I doing saving all these samples?  For all the trips we do not go on?  What the...  And they are not even from sample subscriptions.  I cancelled all those except for Beauty Army since I can skip that one when I'm not feeling my sample selections. 

So for the dinky samples I have used up, they will be in the next post.  And I found some really nice products that work well that deserve their own separate write up which I will be doing as well.  So sit back and get comfortable, this is going to be a long one.  Again, no particular order!

  1.  Nutiva Organix Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:  This is my fave so far.  I like the smell, the plastic tub.  The other stuff I get is in a glass jar and readily available at the Commissary.  But glass jars get slippery... Nutiva I have auto-shipped from Amazon.  I have postponed the next shipment until the middle of January.  I've said it in the past but I use coconut oil for everything.  A moisturizer, full body, head to toe, makeup remover and lip balm when I am in a pinch, cuticles, crows feet, hair mask, cooking.  Eggs taste great cooked in it!  Eventually, I want to start making my own body butter, shea and coconut will be the main ingredients. 

  2.  Gilette Venus and Olay replacement cartridges.  I reviewed this Voxbox item in the past.  These razors work wonders.  If you are prone to razor burn, check these out.  I love them.  I have 1 out of the 3 left.  So not a total empty but it landed in the November empty box.  Yeah, I already have a December bag going. 

  3.  Neutrogena Healthy Skin Makeup in 40 Nude.  It's practically a full bottle but I've had it over a year (bought it last summer) and it is separating.  I can give it a good shake and it still mixes but here's the kicker...  I've been thinking that this breaks me out.  So the last time I wore it, a couple of weeks ago, I told my husband this.  He could care less really but it came up and he said, "If it does this time, throw it out."  Well it did.  So I am.  I don't get blemishes often so no thanks.  Also it probably has something to do with being over a year old.  Foundation is only good for 12 months!  But this is a good shade for me and the perfect finish.  Natural.  However with my oily skin, natural quickly turns into shiny but I still love this foundation.  I will probably repurchase...probably maybe.  This is the second time I've bought Healthy Skin.

  4.  Missha Perfect Cover BB cream.  While we are on the subject of expired products, here's another one.  Probably close to 2 years old.  It's a bit heavy for me but this was my go to for special occasions and it's perfect for under the eyes.  I currently have a few things that I am loving at the moment so I don't see myself using this and it says 12 months on the back label so it's time to let it go.  There are so many more BB creams I want to try but I know this one works well for me.

  5.  Lioele Beyond the Solution BB cream.  I love this BB cream!  Perfect color, perfect coverage, perfect staying power.  Ditto what I just said above, but I will probably purchase another one.  I just don't want to let it go but again, it's almost 2 years old.  But it doesn't settle in pores, it has just enough moisturization but not too much for my combo skin.  It doesn't break down...  Yeah, I need to order a new one!

  6.  epielle cucumber cleansing tissues.  This are great!  I love them just a smidgen less than the Noxema wipes but these are only a $1 at Big Lots.  But I just never make it over to that side of town.  Now that I say that, I think a new one just opened up so they will be readily available to me.  However, I found a new wipe which I am completely in love with.  I mean, completely.  They are by AVON and I just finished up a pack yesterday so it's in the December box.  :)  And I only need one wipe for my face and eyes.  epielle I needed 2.  The AVON wipes deserve it's own review.  I'm serious about makeup remover wipes.  But if you have a Big Lots nearby, these epielle wipes are very good.  They smell nice, cumber and green tea.  Could be a bit more wet and are just a tad thin but do the job.

  7. and 8. L'OREAL Go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser and L'OREAL Deep Exfoliating Scrub.  Over the summer my skin just freaked out on me.  Not acne, but just really congested bumpy skin.  I was watching some YouTube vids and I came across "c The Makeup Artist" video "My SECRET to CLEAR skin!" and I immediately ran out to buy them both.  She recommended not using the scrublets that come with the bottles and use your finger tips to be gentle on your skin.  Some skin problems are caused by irritation.  I'm not sure what was going on with my skin at that time, probably change in season but these 2 cleansers work very well.  I will have a separate review!

  9.  boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens.  Weird, I have no idea that they were peppermint.  lol  I guess the box does smell a little of peppermint.  I really liked these papers.  Blotting papers are essential to my facial well being.  My skin has just been out of control oily since moving to NC.  However, I just recently acquired a "tool" if you will that has really just changed the game for me.  It's been less than a week.  More on that later.  But these blotting papers work extremely well, leave the skin feeling fresh and matte.  Can't ask for a better blotting paper.  I need some more.  I'm finishing up 2 other packs of 2 different brands, they don't even compare to boscia.  I will repurchase.

 10.  Porcelana Night skin lightening cream.  I grabbed this and the day cream at Rite Aid both on sale for 99 cents.  It was a steal and they work well.  I don't like the smell or consistency of them but they do fade the freckles on my shoulders.  They aren't completely gone by any means but they have faded.  I used this at night and I actually gave the day cream to my niece as I picked up another lightening cream from Beauty Army which I currently use in the morning.  I know that they will all pop back out next summer, but in the mean time, I like fading them.

 11.  TopCare Isopropyl Alcohol.  I was just reading recently that cleansing brush heads should be cleaned in peroxide. Is that true?  But every beauty bathroom should have Isopropyl alcohol in it.  Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! 

 12.  L'OREAL Youth Code Eye Cream.  Now the first time that I used this, I noticed a significant difference in my undereye area.  This time, not so much.  I'm not sure if I was using an eye cream regularly this first time I used this so most of my problem was probably dehydration.  It's still a lovely cream, I've just had better results with other lotions and potions.   But I love the metal applicator.  It just feels cooling and so nice when you are applying it.  You still need to pat it in with your ring finger but the cool metal feels really good.  You can't really load up on this cream which I like to do at night.  It doesn't fully absorb.  Loading any product on can be wasteful but with some creams I like to apply heavily and my eyes look more well rested in the morning.  But in a pinch, I would still pick this up on sale!  I received this as a compensation gift from L'OREAL Consumer Testing which I love.  I've been meaning to do a post on it.  I will put it on the list!

 13. and 14.  Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea and Pink Sugarplum Shower Gel.  Sweet Pea was a Beauty Army Sample and Sugarplum was a baby shower gift from earlier in the year.  Shower gel is something I can take or leave.  I do find my skin more hydrated with some.  But I really just need some Dove Soap and I am good to go.  Shower creams are a different story, they work really nice.  I do like a shower gel in the summer though.  Sweet Pea was in my Beauty Army selections this month as well but I decided to skip the December box.

 15.  Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath Soothe and Sleep Lavender.  So funny story...  This never got moved with us to NC.  The military moves us every time my husband gets orders to another base.  So during the last move I had to move my stockpile.  I bought three 22 gallon plastic bins and taped up all my shampoos, lotions etc... Well Dr. Teal's didn't make it.  We went to our house to clean it up before the renters moved in and I found this with other various cleaning supplies on a shelf in the pantry.  Finally used up.  Really nice stuff.  I just love Lavender.  Lavender anything and I'm going to really like it.  I will repurchase.

 16.  Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo.  I thought that this shampoo was going to change my life.  It didn't of course, but I still like it.  It is a but stripping, I see it now with my darker hair color.  So it's not an everyday shampoo but more like a clarifying shampoo.  Neutrogena works just as good.  But I loved this smell and the lather and the fact I got it for pennies, 20% off and Birchbox points.  Speaking of which, I have 195.  I need to buy another box so I can review the products and get 200 points so I can cash them in!  lol  I don't see myself repurchasing.  It is an expensive investment for a shampoo.  I am better off just getting 3 bottle of Kiehl's.  Now that is good stuff.  Any of their flavors.  :)  Don't get me wrong, it's a good shampoo and I have noticed my hair is lacking radiance lately.  I'm trying out a new set of shampoo and conditioner.  I probably should go back to Shu Uemura and L'OREAL EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner...  Hmmm...

 17.  Listerine Zero.  I never thought I would get through all those bottles of mouthwash.  Dang coupons!  I never thought I would get through 13 tubes of toothpaste in a year either.  I thought I would like Listerine Zero because it doesn't have alcohol in it.  But the weird thing about the Zero is that the skin on the inside of my cheeks peel off in sheets after I rinsed with this.  No joke.  It's disgusting and bizarre.  I remember my microbiology professor saying something about that too.  He didn't think a product that killed your skin cells on the inside of your mouth to be too healthy.  Now I understand what he was saying.  Back to fluoride for this lady.

 18.  Nioxin Scalp Renew Density Restoration.  I picked this up at Marshall's.  I didn't see any noticeable difference in my hair but it only was enough for 3 weeks.  It says that this product is a follow up to a scalp microdermabasion that I did not have.  But I faithfully used it every night until the last drop.  I have some thinning at the top of my forehead.  It's always been like that from when I started noticing about in my early to mid-20's.  Every once in a while it starts to bother me.  I was going through this major hair falling out stage just a couple months ago and then the awful haircut incident, let's not go there...  But maybe in the next couple of weeks I will see some changes.  I've been more conscious about taking care of my scalp in the last year or so.  It really does make a difference in your hair.  Especially if you use a lot of products in your hair.  Your scalp can really suffer from the buildup.  Let it breathe baby!

 19.  Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy.  I grabbed this in the shampoo and conditioner.  I really think that this stuff stopped my hair from falling out completely or it was probably just a coincidence because my hair was just finishing up it's cycle.  Whatever it was, I was using this and I am forever grateful that it finally stopped.  Clear has a nice, fresh apple like scent.  It even has my husband's approval.

 20.  Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan oil.  I grabbed this at Rite Aid.  It was on sale for $4.99 and a $2 +up reward.  I had $4 in +up rewards to spend.  Yea Buddy.  I didn't like this at all compared to the Organix Macadamia oil treatment.  The Macadamia oil one absorbed immediately into my hair and my hair was amazingly soft and hydrated.  This one didn't absorb that readily and just kind of coated the hair. Didn't like it actually.  It smells nice but since I already tried the Macadamia, this one doesn't even compare.  I need to pick up the Macadamia actually.  I'm almost out of my last Aussie 3-minute miracle. 

 21.  Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Body Lotion.  For the Marine Corps Birthday Ball we stayed at the Hilton Riverside in Wilmington, NC.  Peter Thomas Roth was in the bathroom.  The best stuff ever.  I love this lotion.  I also love the Moisture Infusion facial bar which I will talk about later.  :)  I can swing $18 on a full size repurchase.  Seems extravagant yes.  But the way it moisturizes and the spa like smell can't be beat.  Sometimes a girl needs to be pampered and I can easily grab this at Ulta.  Well who am I kidding, Ulta.com of course. 

 22.  Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Smoothing Lotion.  I really liked this sample but I feel like I filled this bottle up with another lotion when I finished it.  But the Lubriderm is very moisturizing without that greasy feeling.  I remember it having a nice smell too.  I am in need of a body lotion right now but I'm holding out to make my own.  I think I mentioned that already.  Lisa from Beauty Splurge shows a quick and easy way to do it. 

 23.  Better Homes & Gardens Soft Cashmere Amber Scented Wax Cubes.  Scentsy knock-offs.  They smell really nice for the first 24-36 hours and then it's gone.  Soft Cashmere is my go to BBW Sensual Amber and Cashmere Glow lotion scent that I always gravitate towards.  Just wish the scent lasted... 48 hours?  But what should one expect for $2?  Really?  I will keep buying it I'm sure unless someone can give me an equivalent scentsy scent.  Hmm?

 24.  Another Dove soap.  Good times and good stuff.  Try it out on your face with your Clarisonic.  Dare you!  Works really well actually.  :)

 25.  BBW Cashmere Glow.  We just talked about this!  I grabbed 2 of these when they were introducing the scent for $1.  Well one free and then I opted to buy another for $1.  Everyone asks me what I am wearing when I lotion up with this stuff.  It must mix well with my chemistry.  The scent is stronger at first but not over-powering and then it mellows out.  I will repurchase a full size in the near future.

 26. & 27.  AVON Moisture Therapy.  Thick like petroleum jelly, sticky, smells like AVON...  But I would load my feet up on this stuff and it keeps them wicked soft!  Kind of wish I had a little more right now.  My feet and hands are really dry.  lol  It's not a lotion I can smooth on my hands during the day.  This is a night only cream for me which I will immediately put socks on my feet and gloves on my hands.  Oh yeah.

 28.  Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser.  I believe this was a Target sample.  If you like a nice bubbling/foaming cleanser, then this is for you.  Does not over cleanse and strip the skin.  I do think I prefer the L'OREAL 360 go cleaners, but this one does a nice job too.

 29.  Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Body Lotion.  What Cashmere Glow is to fall/winter for me, La Source is Spring and Summer.  It's a gorgeous light herbal scent, remind me of summer on the Cape.  It also reminds me of another all time favorite scent of mine Lancôme Une.  Does anyone know what happened to that? 

 30.  GLO Whitening Antioxidant Toothpaste.  I picked this up from Sephora.com.  It was an add on to get free shipping.  I'm like this, if I need $6 more to get free shipping which would also cost $6.  I will add on another product.  Everyone does that right?  So here I am with a pomegranate flavored toothpaste that actually has red "micro-capsules" that burst staining your entire toothbrush head bright pinkish red.  Not sure what they whitening aspect of this toothpaste is but imagine my horror the first time I brushed my teeth with this.  I do like the flavor.  It took a couple brushings to get used to it.  But if you are not fond of mint, this would be a good choice.  I will do a separate review!

 31.  ZOYA remove +.  Hands down my favorite nail polish remover, besides the one I make myself.  ;)  I always have a bottle of this on hand.  This is a tiny travel bottle.  I had been refilling it but it started leaking so it's time to pitch.  But if you have not tried this remover, order it.  You will not be disappointed.

 32.  Clean & Clear mattifying moisturizer.  This doesn't mattify my oily summer skin unfortunately.  I have been keeping it around for the winter and because it has 15 spf.  But reality has set in and since it doesn't really work for my skin, why am  keeping it?  For the "what if" day?  I'm really trying to get away from this thought process.  My new philosophy that I am trying to adopt is have if I have something for a year but haven't used it in 3+ months, it's gone.  I literally just made that up on the fly.  I have been thinking about a way to get rid of things without feeling guilty for wasting them and throwing them away.  Waste not want not.  I'm sure this will make it's way into a drawer.  lol

 33.  Shea Butter grow strong strengthening treatment.  I grabbed this at Target before I dyed my hair dark.  It's not my fave.  I feel like it doesn't really penetrate my hair.  Also when I use it wet in the shower, it leaves a residue on my hair.  No bueno.  Maybe it's because my hair doesn't need any extra moisture.  I'm using a sample of Tresemme Split End Therapy at the moment and the same thing is happening.  I can't run my fingers through my hair right now.  It's really bugging me.  I've used it twice with the same results.  Not going to finish the sample.  lol  So back to the Shea Butter, yeah I won't be repurchasing this either.  :)

34.  John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Conditioner.  Great stuff.  I've reviewed this countless times.  I won't be using the Precicion Foam Colour anytime soon though.  I'm back on the L'OREAL Professional Mega Browns from Sally's.  It really gets me and my roots.  Heading there tomorrow actually.  Need to renew my Sally Club Card!  I think they are giving a free gift with renewals this month.  I have a flier that came in the mail recently, that I need to find actually.  'Tis the season for lots of mail, packages and sale flyers.  Oy vey!

 35. L'OREAL Professional Preference Mega Browns in Chocolate.  Love this rich, dark, mahogany color.

 In the sunlight it is a deep dark red.  Check it! It's just gorgeous.  Yeah I'm raking leaves.  This was Thanksgiving Day after eating.  I needed to burn some calories!

The next few are Expired products. 

36.  AVON superSHOCK max.  Great mascara but dries out fairly quickly.  This is the waterproof version and it dried out in exactly 3 months.  Bye bye.  I'm sure I will repurchase during a sale.

37.  Almay intense I-color volumizing mascara.  I liked this and I picked it up for super cheap during a CVS sale.  (Which is going on right now!  It's that time of year again!)  The wand on this mascara has shorter bristles that pack on the product.  It's getting a bit clumpy so for me it's time to pitch but I'm sure it would still work for a lot of people if they have a couple extra seconds and a lash separater.  I unfortunately do not have that kind of time and a dozen other mascaras in waiting.

38.  AVON Pro to go lipstick in lilac glam.  I love the packaging on this lipstick.  Love that there is a button that you slide up one handed and bam!  Apply your lipstick so cool like.  But I tried this again recently and wow, there is a lot of glitter grit in this formula.  Not sure how it's stuck around so long.  Pretty color but I can't deal with that glitter on my lips.  Not now in my, a-hem mid 30's.  Yikes!

39.  L'OREAL Double Extend mascara and primer.  Can someone explain to me how a lash primer works?  I've tried a few and all they seem to do is make mascara look clumpy and gross and weigh down my freshly curled lashes, leaving them limp and straight.  Do I let the primer dry first then apply mascara, or apply mascara while the primer is still wet?  I've tried both combinations and other combinations, 1st mascara, then primer, then over the both with mascara again.  I just don't get it.  I will keep trying though.

40.  Arbonne Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer.  Years ago I went to my Aunt's Arbonne party that she was hosting.  I signed up to be a rep.  Yup, a rep.  Never did anything with it, never sold any product or bought any product as a rep.  Silly, I know.  So I bought this primer and literally the next weekend, it fell out of my bag and on to the parking lot of some place that we had stopped and shattered.  I almost cried.  It cost something upwards of $90.  Fast forward 6 years, my mom still has one in her makeup collection that she bought the same day, virtually untouched.  She asks me if I want it.  I say sure.  I put it on, the next day I realize it had broken me out.  Of course it would, it's 6 years old.  Silly me.

41.  Thymes eucalyptus.  This smells like an old lady.  Not a classy old lady like my Grammies, but an old lady smell, like your old Great Aunt.  hahaha  I really needed to use this as I am out of lotion.  Did I mention that already?  lol  But I used up this Birchbox sample from months ago out of desperation.  Too overly dramatic?  I think so...

42.  Lavanila Body Butter in Vanialla Coconut.  Do you like a nice vanilla scent?  Well then you will really enjoy this.  Me?  Not so much!  I'm not sure where my unfondness of vanilla started.  I like to bake with it, but I don't like to walk into a room with any vanilla candle, scentsy, a room oil.  I will choke.  Again, overly dramatic. but the coconut in this was a redeeming quality.  Not my fave but I am a fan of coconut.

43.  Garnier Nutrisse Color Foam Conditioner.  I've said it countless times before, but women who dye their hair will pay good money for a full size bottle of most conditioners that come in those box dyes.  We love them and we will continue asking until our wish comes true!

Okay y'all there is seriously a lot more but I've saved the tiny samples for another post.  Ugh, again, so sorry I pitched everything without getting a photo.  There goes my end of the year empties collage.  hahahaha 

Until then, be well and continue using up your almost empty bottles. We only have 28 more days until New Year's! 

Woah.

Shea Terra Haul!

About a week ago, or is it 2 now, Shea Terra had a 30% off code.  I decided to stock up on my favorite Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Mask and Wash.  I was introduced to this lovely gem of a product through Beauty Army.  It is amazing.  Seriously.  You can trust me.  I try out and use a lot of products.  :)

It's a thick black liquid soap that smells, I will admit, I bit stinky...  Hey it's organic!  But you work it into the skin and it sort of foams but more like emulsifies into a mask on the face that you then leave on for 5-10 minutes.  It says on the bottle that redness may occur so leave on for only a few minutes if you have sensitive skin.  I have had no redness after using this product, in fact the opposite happens, my skin is perfectly even toned after rinsing.  Wish it looked like that all of time!

The black soap acts as a microdermabrasion would without the granules.  Rinse it off with some warm water and a face cloth and you will be amazed at how soft and smooth your skin can be.  I used it once a week while I had the sample because I was rationing it to make it last but now I plan on using it twice a week.  I love it!

With the 30% off I also got a couple other things...

They included free samples with my order!  African black soap and Cape Chamomile Soap.  You know how I like my samples!

I also really liked my LUSH shampoo bar so I thought I would try out another one through Shea Terra.  This is Argan & Ghassool Shampoo and Spa Body Bar.  All in one and perfect for summer camping season!  There is so much information about this product so I won't do any justice condensing it.  But it's awesome, 100% natural, a purifying skin and hair treatment.  And anti-aging...  SOLD!

I am almost out of eye creams so I thought I would give this Argan & Green Coffee eye serum a whirl.  I've really been into oils lately for my skin.  They seem to work well and absorb nicely.  And my skin is becoming less oily...  The description says it brings back youthful eyes!  lol  I couldn't resist but with Squalene oil and the anti-oxidants from pressed green coffee, it will certainly help the blood circulation around my eyes. At 2oz, this will last me possibly forever.

There are so many more things I want to try.  Next up will be the Argan & Rose Serum of Youth, umm fountain of youth?, Egyptian Carrot Seed oil, a serious dose of Vitamin A for the skin, Rose Hips & Pink Clay Facial Cleansing Bar, Rose Water Facial Tonor...  I better stop, practically the entire site!

Have you tried anything from Shea Terra Organics?

May Empties and Resolutions Update!

Man it's that time of the month again.  June 4th.  I feel like today is important but I can't remember why.  lol  But we are almost half way through the year!  What?!

So a little update from my New Year's Resolutions...

1.  I will live off my stash for the next 12 months, the entire year of 2012 or until it is used up.


Have I been living off my stash?  You betcha!  I've used up a ton of products.  You see everything that I have gone though each month.  A ton of stuff, well except for last month.  I have been buying a few new things here and there but no stockpiling and I use up what I buy.  A good chunk of my stash is gone.  I now have one side of the kids' bathroom cabinet empty and filled with beach towels!  Yay!  And only 3 drawers in the cloth shelving unit in my closet are filled.  1 drawer has empty packaging and boxes from products I am currently using/testing. 


I've been to the drugstore 4 times since January.  I know I said that I wouldn't ever go but I ran out of a couple things and had coupons, etc...  One trip was for a friend's newborn baby, I swear!  I also had to get the 3 new Infallible eyeshadow colors which are the only ones I have been using since the weather has turned from warm to HOT!  There are a bunch more that just came out, I might have to get them. :)  I've given away some nail polish and makeup.  I still want empty cabinets at the end of the year though!




2.  I will lose 20 pounds in 2012.


I've lost a solid 15 so far.  I weigh 130.  I was pushing 150 at the beginning of the year.  My weight fluctuates throughout the day so I weigh in each morning and I'm right at 129-130.  It seems a little unreal that 6 months ago I hovered a few pounds over 145.  Nothing fit, I felt very uncomfortable.  I'm a RN so I was taking my blood pressure once a week or so and I was running 135/70.  I am now 115-120/60-65.  I am by no means unhealthy.  I cook my own food, we rarely eat out, rarely eat packaged foods, I juice and eat tons of veggies.  Exercising may have taken a back burner over the holidays but I go through phases with my running, yoga, weight training and gym schedule.  I also chase, literally run after 3 kids around the house, yard and park pretty much all day, everyday.  I'm not a snacker.  I know it seems unreal.  2 things hindered my progress though, skipping breakfast and drinking coffee.


My downfall is coffee.  The more I drink, the more tired I feel, so the more I drink.  In my coffee I would have agave or honey with coconut milk.  Again, not unhealthy.  But caffeine messes with your blood sugar, basically it impairs insulin action and for me and my body type, caffeine is the enemy.  I have an apple shaped body, even more apple-like after kids.  Apple body types carry their weight (fat) around the midsection.  We have nice legs and arms (yes!) but thick middles. Caffeine increases cortisol in our bodies that causes us to crave carbs and sugar which is stored around the midsection if they are not burned off.  Stress also causes an increase in cortisol which causes weight gain and thickening of the middle as well.  This happens in all body types but for the apple shaped, the impact can be significant.  We don't need our middles thickened any more than they are!


So I quit coffee.  I've tried it several times in the past... successfully but after I lose weight, I somehow gravitate towards it again.  This time a read a book, Clean by Dr. Junger.  I've heard about "clean" eating and thought I did for the most part.  So my husband and I went on a "clean detox."  I will go into an in depth synopsis in its own separate post because it will be very time consuming to explain thoroughly and it deserves one!


So that being said...  I think I will be able to stand to lose another 10 pounds.  I see what I look like at 130 and I think 120 will be my goal weight.  Unless I start bodybuilding and pack on the muscle.  hahaha  Then I will re-evaluate.  It's not really the number, it's the clothes that I want to fit into!


So on to the empties!  

1.   John Frieda Sheer Blonde Enhancing Shampoo:  I'm pretty sure I've reviewed this in the past.  It keeps my blonde hair shiny and bright.  I actually haven't used the John Frieda Tone Correcting Shampoo in a while.  I really need to pick some up.


2.  John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Conditioner:  This is a good conditioner with a pleasant peppermint and eucalyptus scent.  I still need a deep conditioning treatment a few times a week.   But with someone with normal hair that is not color treated, this conditioner would be all that you would need.


3.  John Frieda Root Awakening Health Boosting Detangling Spray:  This has a very light weight formula but you can feel the added conditioning that it gives to your hair.  I have a back up bottle that is now in my beach bag.  I like to spritz on my hair after the pool and after rinsing off at the beach.  It has the same peppermint and eucalyptus scent as the conditioner and shampoo.  


4.  L'OREAL Ever Creme Cleansing Conditioner:  Another product I love and have reviewed before.  I will repurchase very soon, like today.  It has a lovely amber scent to me.  It might be a bit strong so someone who does not like that scent though or who is sensitive to scents in general.  But I really like it.  There have been some varied reviews on this product.  The key is using a little at a time and adding water.  It does lather but not like a regular sulfate laden shampoo.  But add a little water, massage in, add a little water, massage in.  I will let it sit on my hair while I finish up in the shower for extra conditioning.  It has built up in my hair before but a good clarifying shampoo once a week takes care of it.


5.  Almay oil-free eye makeup remover pads:  At first I didn't think these were any good.  They do leave eye liner and some mascara behind but for the post part, they remove everything.  I guess I have never came across a remover that removed every single stitch of makeup.  I just press them on my lids and wipe very gently.  They do the job pretty well.  My face cleanser can then get most of everything else.  I'm on my second tub now.  


6.  Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser:  I love this cleanser.  I can't think of anything from Kiehl's that I do not like quite frankly.  My combo/oily large pore skin needs this stuff.  It has Amazonian White Clay & salicylic acid to detoxify and clear out those pores!  My skin responds well to salicylic acid.  I really need to pick up another tube of this stuff.


7. NIVEA Touch of Happiness Orange Blossom Scent and Bamboo Essence Body Wash:  This was my last one!  I have 2 more body washes to go through before I can repurchase another NIVEA.  I love the scent of this.  My skin is a lot softer and smoother when I use it.  I just love the NIVEA brand in general as well.  Great affordable products.


8.  Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion:  I know this may seem kind of strange but I get dry skin in the summer!  Yes I do.  Yes my face is a greasy mess most of the time, even that is changing too, more on that later, but between the sun and air conditioning, my skin gets parched!  I really need to lay on the moisturizer on my legs and arms.  Same with my daughter.  Her eczema seems to flare up around this time.  I really liked this lotion and the smell of it too.  It non-greasy which is very important to me.  I like the pump top and frequently used it on my hands.  We have another bottle of lotion to get through and  I will probably pick this one up again.


9.  John Frieda 9A Light Ash Blonde:  Guess you could say I like John Frieda?  It is getting more and more difficult finding this specific color.  It's not at Walmart or Target.  I found this one at Ulta and there was only one other box.  This is the only color that I have found that does not brass me out.  It's not that ashy where your hair turns green, yes that has happened to me before.  I'm afraid to try another box color to be honest but this particular shade's nonavailability will be forcing me to explore other options.  I really liked 10N Extra Light Ash Blonde but that one has disappeared as well.   Hmmm...


10.  Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:  I use this for cooking, as a moisturizer, hair treatment, diaper rash cream, feet, hands...  You name it, I have many uses for it.  All from separate tubs I might add.  No double dipping over here!  :)  I have used it on my face and tried using it as a makeup remover but the two particular uses didn't work out for me.  I have this on Amazon click and save so it is delivered pretty frequently at a great price!


11.  Garnier Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV-Lotion:  Love this stuff!  I used to use it on my face but I found it was a bit too greasy for me.  I did find a better one for my face which I am just about ready to review.  I use this on my chest, neck, hands and feet every day.  I have a backup.


12.  Rembrandt Whitening Toothpaste:  Love this stuff.  Keeps my teeth white.  'Nuff said.  We are just flying through the toothpaste.  I guess that's a good thing since we are brushing but I thought for sure my stash of what 13 tubes was going to last us almost the year.  Well we acquired another tube from my mom (she accidently purchased cinnamon, not her fave) and currently I have 3 tubes left, 2 of which are in use!  Incredible.  I never actually figured out how long a tube a toothpaste lasted, I just assumed a month.  Well I was wrong.  :)


13.  Nuance Moisturizing Body Lotion:  I think this is my second bottle that I have gone through.  I really love the rose scent but I don't think it's super moisturizing.  It has rose hip oil, aloe vera and Irish Moss Extract.  It works well but if you have really dry skin, this won't be the best moisturizer for you.  I really like the smell and feel of it and if I can get a good deal on it, I would repurchase.  I do still have $2 off coupons for Nuance but my local CVS' did not seem to carry it a while back, end of last year to be specific.  


14.  Aveeno Hydrosport sunblock lotion SPF 85:  Now let me school you in sunBLOCK and SunSCREEN, in understandable terms of course.  SunSCREEN allows for you to receive color, i.e. a tan, without all the harmful rays.  Sunblock, blocks out all the sun's rays and you should not receive any color.  Well folks, I lathered this sunBLOCK on all my loved ones and myself last weekend and we were all burnt to a crisp.  Not once was this applied, but 3 times, yes, every 2 hours.  I bought it at Big Lots and it has an expiration of 2012/08.  Well it's June, May 26th when we used it, and suffice to say, it either expired early or it was a bad batch.  I will never buy this again or any other SPF lotion that close to an expiration date.  Lesson learned.


15.  Pond's Wet cleansing Towelettes:  Again, nothing compares to my fave Noxema wipes but these work pretty well too.  Nice thickness to the wipe, good wetness.  When I repurchase wipes, it will be the Noxema.  I did spot them at Kmart so I know they still exist!


16.  Willa Naturals Lavender Face Towelettes:  A Birchbox sample.  These 10 wipes went fast.  I liked the small convenient packaging.  Nice scent.  A little dry and didn't seem to take off too much but they felt refreshing nonetheless.  These are way too expensive for me to purchase.  I have no idea how much they cost, but I'm sure they are way more than I am willing to pay!


17.  Karma Anti-Blemish treatment mask:  Beauty Army sample.  I was going to do a separate review on this but it's hard to review something only after using it once.  I did this one night, left it on longer than I was supposed to by 5-10 minutes  My fault.  My pores were noticeably smaller...  But the next day my skin was a bit red and super oily all day long.  The oiliest it has been in a long time.   It was fun putting it on and it felt good.  Very relaxing.  Drank some tea, did my mask...  I would like to try it again though and instead of 25-30 minutes, just stick with the 10-15 per the package directions!  


18.  Aveeno Nourish + Shine Smoothing Shine Creme:  This was a sample attached to a bottle of shampoo that I finally focused enough to finish it.  It has been packed in every travel bag you can imagine.  I finally got around to actually using it.  It smells nice, almost of grapes, kind of fruity, smooths out the hair enough to get a brush though it.  Otherwise unremarkable though, I won't seek this out to repurchase at the moment as I have a ton of other hair creams to get through.


19. & 20.  John Frieda Precision Foam Color Conditioner:  I almost forgot about these until I looked back at the photo.  Seriously, why can't these be bottled up and sold in a full size.  I would totally buy it... all of the time.


So there you have it.  Another 20 bottles and boxes to hit the recycling bin!