Spring Empties & Review - 2023

 Hello, everybody! How was your weekend?

Here are all of the products I was able to use up this past season.

Lancome Clarifique Refining Brightening Dual Essence

I wouldn't repurchase this. The product itself fine, but for almost $100 a bottle I expected more. I received this for free from BzzAgent, I believe, so thankfully I'm not out that much money. The packaging is a big sore spot for me. It dispenses too much product, and it leaks. As you can see in the picture, the sliver coating on the lid has also been flaking off for quite some time now. This was a major let down.

Clarins Extra-Firming Jour

 

I didn't mind this. It made my skin feel hydrated and soft. The scent of this reminded me of something I used a long time ago, but I haven't been able to put my finger on what exactly it is! I'm almost considering purchasing a full size of this just to try to remember. lol!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream

As you're well aware, I love FAB products, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this. I didn't notice any firming though, but I did have a small sample size of it, so it's possible I just haven't used it long enough to see any changes.

 

Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream

I really enjoy this hand cream. This is my third or fourth tube of it, so you know it's good! I need to purchase another one soon, but I want to use up some of my Bath & Body Works lotions before I purchase anything else.

 

 

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

 

This is nice. It's thick and takes a while to sink into the skin, but it made my face glowy and hydrated. I have another slightly bigger sample of this that I'm still using, and my skin still looks healthy and smooth. That said, I still don't think I'd purchase this over my trusty First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.

 

Lancome Advanced Genifique Yeux

 

This was good. It has a thin consistency and sinks into the skin rather quickly. It kept my eye area looking hydrated and youthful. If it wasn't so dang expensive I would purchase this again.

One/Size Secure the Blur Makeup Magnet Primer

I really liked this primer! It blurred my pores very well and it didn't disrupt my foundation or concealer.

Clinique High Impact Mascara

I liked this too, but not more than other mascaras I've tried. When it's time for me to buy another mascara, I'm not sure I'll remember this one.

Moroccan Oil Hydrating Styling Cream

I didn't really like this product. The scent isn't my favorite, and I don't feel like this helped my hair stay frizz free.

Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Ultimate Hydration Body Cream

I like this scent a lot, and I like the B&BW lotions. I've cut myself off from purchasing anymore lotions for a while though.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

I'm sure you already know that I love this brand and specifically this cleanser. I already have another backup of this ready to use up.

Perricone MD Maximum Strength Clearing Treatment

Have you ever used a product that worked wonders on your skin only to stop working after a couple of weeks? That is how this product was for me. I was astonished by how well this worked after two weeks of use. My acne mostly cleared up! Then it just stopped working. My acne was back. Such a bummer!

That's everything I was able to use up this time! Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a great week!

Winter Empties - 2022

 Hello, everyone! How was your weekend? I'm feeling loads better than I was last week! ICYMI, I had my wisdom teeth removed, so I was very sore and swollen. I feel just fine now, thank goodness!

If you're new around here, every season I upload a post listing all the beauty products I've completely used up during the last three months. I realized a few years ago that I became a bit of a hoarder when it came to beauty items (I mean drawers full of unopened makeup, skincare, hair care products, etc.), so I'm actively trying to use up as many products as possible. So, here's everything I was able to use up this past season.

Tula Skincare Rose Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm

I liked this. It made my under eyes look bright and hydrated. It was nice and cooling as well. This left behind a noticeable sheen to my under eye area, so if that's not something you're interested in then this isn't the product for you. I think it looked pretty and youthful though.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Brightening Serum

This did brighten my skin and it smelled nice, but I don't think it's worth the price. There are other brightening products on the market now that work just as well for less cost.

 

Botanics Revive & Protect Postbiotic Moisturizer

I liked this moisturizer. My skin looked healthy and hydrated when I used it. It's fairly inexpensive too. This is something I would repurchase if I didn't already have 4328 other moisturizers to go through. lol

 

 

It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product

I really like this product. This is my second bottle, and I'm definitely going to repurchase this! It smells really nice, and it de-tangled my hair and made it feel so soft.

 

 

It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Beauty Sleep Skin-Transforming Pillow Cream

This was okay, but not something I would repurchase. I don't think it did anything amazing for my skin and it's kind of overpriced for what it is.

 

Lancome Idole Mascara

 

I really like this mascara. It separates and lengthens my lashes beautifully. This is a mascara I would absolutely repurchase. Actually, I just received the full size of this from BzzAgent, so yay!

 

 

DP Hue Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

This isn't something I'd repurchase. It works fine, but you can achieve the same results with a mixture of ACV and water for wayyyyy less money. I do plan on keeping this bottle though because it will be perfect for my homemade ACV rinse.

 

 

Kerastase Soothing Scalp Scrub

I only used this twice and I did not like it at all. It took ages to wash all the exfoliating balls out of my long hair and I just didn't like how my hair felt after using this. I'm not a big fan of the scent either. It has a tiny hint of orange, but it smells mostly earthy to me. This made my hair smell like I had just rolled around in dirt and moss. Definitely not the smell I'm going for. My husband used this though. He didn't care about the smell and it was easy for him to wash out of his short hair. He used this a lot because at his previous job he was working with rubber and metal and paint that would constantly end up in his hair. This helped scrub it all out. Since he no longer works with those materials, he doesn't really use this anymore, so this isn't something we'll repurchase.

 

 

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

 

I use this body lotion all the time. I wouldn't call it "amazing", but  it's nice and it works for me.

 

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Purifying Cleanser

This was okay. I wouldn't purchase this over my favorite First Aid Beauty cleanser though. I liked that it has tea tree oil, but that's about it.

 

Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream

I really like this hand cream. This is my second tube, and I already have another one. I like the scent and I love how it makes my hands feel soft and hydrated.

 

Tree Hut Firming Sugar Scrub in Mocha & Coffee Bean

This was nice, especially for the price. This smells just like coffee. This exfoliated my skin really well too. I have another tub of this just in a different scent that I'm excited to use.

 

 

That's everything I was able to use up this time! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have an amazing week!

Beauty Haul

 Hi, everyone! How was your weekend? The last few days have been crazy and stressful for us. My husband was in a car accident on Thursday and his truck was totaled. Thankfully my husband is alright aside from some bruising and soreness. I'm so glad it wasn't worse!

On to better news, here are the new products I'm trying out!

Nars Pleasure Seeker Afterglow Lip Balm Set

I've been really into lip glosses and lip balms over lipstick lately. I saw this holiday set and wanted to give it a try. They feel comfortable on my lips, but they aren't at all hydrating.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

I have heard good things about this product, so when I saw it as a 100 point perk on Sephora's website I added it to my cart. I LOVE this! My hair looks and feels incredible after I use this. I've already purchased a full size bottle of this product...it's also in this beauty haul. lol

Dior Backstage Foundation sample in shade 1N

This shade matches my skin perfectly. It feels nice on my skin and doesn't look thick or cakey. I've only worn it once, and I plan on wearing it at least a few more times before I decide if I want to purchase this. So far though, this is really nice and I like how it looked on me.

Natasha Denona Sunrise Palette

This was half off on Sephora's website, and I've been DYING to purchase a Natasha Denona palette. I bit the bullet and just purchased this one. The shade range is beautiful and there's a good mix of shimmer and matte shades. The mirror is large and the hard plastic case feels sturdy.

First Aid Beauty Your Future Looks Fab Set

I love these FAB holiday sets! They are always an amazing deal, and I genuinely love this brand. I didn't NEED anymore skincare items, but I simply can't resist these sets.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

As you saw earlier in this post, I tried out a sample size of this product and loved it so much that a purchased a full size of it. It's really spendy for the amount that you get, but the results I get from using this product is worth it to me.

Dior Diorshow Mascara

I've used up this mascara once before and really liked how it makes my lashes look. When I saw it as a free sample on Sephora's website, I had to add it to my cart. I just wish this wasn't so heavily scented.

NARS Afterglow Lip Shine in Orgasm

This was sent to me free from BzzAgent for review. The formula is very thin and not sticky at all. The shade is very, very light. It almost looks clear on my lips with a sprinkle of sparkles.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick in Dare to Rouge

This was also sent to me from BzzAgent for review. The shade is darker and more orange than I thought it was going to be, but it isn't an awful color. I normally steer clear of orange shades because I don't think they look good with my complexion, but this shade is one I may actually wear on occasion. It's very opaque, so one application is more than enough. It is a matte shade so the formula is a bit dry, but not uncomfortably so.

 

Aveeno The Favorites Collection Gift Set

Please ignore the fact that this box is absolutely mangled. My 2 year old got to it. lol This was part of a Christmas gift. I've been using Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion for a long time, but I haven't tried much else from this brand. I'm excited to give these other two products a try.

 

 

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek in Flexitarian

 

This is a stunning cream highlight! I'm so happy I finally decided to pick it up.

 

Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Lotion

I love this hand lotion. I repurchase this all the time.

MAC Viva Glam x Keith Haring Lipstick in Red Haring

I thought the packaging on this was really cute, and you all know how much I love a red lipstick, so I just had to have this.

The Nubian Palette by Juvia's Place

I've been wanting to try out more products from Juvia's Place and I've heard amazing things about this palette. This palette is so nice! The shades are beautiful and they blend out so nicely.

 

Free makeup bag with samples

This was free from Ulta with $70+ purchase. There's a TON of samples in here!

 

DPHue Color Fresh Dry Texture Spray

I received this free from BzzAgent for review. I don't like this. It smells okay, but it leaves a crunchy, sticky residue in my hair that I am not at all a fan of. I'm pretty sure this is clear. I have dark roots right now and I didn't notice any white in my hair. That's the only thing I like about this product though.

 

 

ACO Skincare

 

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for review. I was given four products to try out: Renewing Daily Cleanser, Rescue Mist, Perfecting Serum, and Purifying Day Cream. I've never heard of this brand before but I'm always up for trying new products. I'll leave a review here on my blog after I've used them for a while.

 

 

Paul Mitchell The Conditioner

 

I bought this because I'm an idiot. lol! I ran out of conditioner and wanted to try out a "better" brand (I've been using drugstore brands for forever), so I grabbed this thinking it was a regular conditioner. It's not. It's a leave in conditioner. Haha! It's alright though, I'll use it. I ended up ordering the Ghost Shampoo and Conditioner from the brand Verb instead. I tried out a sample of them and I really liked them.

 

 Givenchy Le Rouge Deep Velvet Lunar New Year Edition Lipstick in 37 Rouge

I love the lunar new year packaging on this lipstick! Also, it's red, so you know I had to have it.

 

 That's everything for now! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful week!