Collective Beauty Haul

Hello, everyone!  How was your weekend?

I haven't been buying too much these days besides replacing frequently used products.  Mostly skincare items since I haven't really been wearing much makeup these days.  Anyway, here's everything I purchased recently!

Noxema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream

Pond's wipes

St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Scrub

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

That's everything I picked up these last few weeks!

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you have a good week!

Spring Empties - 2019

Hello, everyone!  How has your week been so far?

These are all the products (not included in my Project Empty Challenge) that I was able to use up during the Spring.  It's all skincare because that's pretty much all I've been using lately.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion
I really like this lotion.  It doesn't feel greasy and it keeps my skin feeling soft all day.

Noxema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream
I use this all the time and I repurchase it constantly.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
I don't notice a big difference in my skin when I use these.  I do like that they're super easy to use though.

St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Scrub
I like this drugstore face scrub.  I do prefer the Dr. Brandt one more, but it's crazy expensive.

Dr. Lili Fan Probiotic Eye Repair Cream
This kept my under eye area soft and hydrated.  It also smells nice which is always a plus.
 

That's everything I used up!  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a great weekend!

Collective Beauty Haul

Hello, everyone!  How was your weekend?

I've purchased a few beauty products over the past few weeks that I want to show you.  Only one is a new product (the rest have been around for a while), but they're items that I've been wanting to purchase for some time.

Wet N Wild Coloricon Baked Blush in Dare to Soar (LE)
I'm not really a blush person, but I decided to pick this one up because I don't have many shimmery blushes in my collection.  I thought this would be nice to have on the rare occasion that I wanted to wear a shimmery blush.
 

Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Blossom Glow
I've seen this highlighter around for a while (even though the packaging says it's new??) and every time I look for it, it's always sold out.  I recently found it in stock though and I'm so glad I grabbed it while I had the chance because it is such a beautiful highlight shade.

St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub
I finished off the Dr. Brandt scrub that I've been using lately and decided to go back to an old favorite.  I really like the Dr. Brandt scrubs, but they are just too expensive!  I can't justify spending $79.00 on a facial scrub when I can get this one for under $10.00.

Kat Von D Beauty Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck
I'm so very happy that I ordered this before it was gone forever.  It's such a stunning shade to use on the eyes or as a highlighter (for super pale people like me).

Moschino x Sephora Moschino Bear Highlighter
I'm slowly but surely adding more of the Moschino x Sephora items into my collection.  I think this whole collection is so cute and cool.  

Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask
This was a free sample with my Sephora order, but I'm excited to try it out!  I haven't had the chance to try anything from this brand since it is so expensive.  Have you tried anything from Sunday Riley?  If so, what is your favorite product?

That's everything! Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have a great week!

Collective Beauty Product Empties - April 2017

Hello, everyone!  How was your weekend?  Can you believe it's May already?!  I have to say, I don't really mind that time is flashing by right now.  This past winter was freezing, and I am SO ready for some Summer sun!

So, I know I'm currently doing my annual Project Empty, but I've been using up other products that I didn't include in PE and I was thinking of doing a separate monthly empties for those.  I thought about just including them in my PE challenge progress post at the end of the year, but that post is already going to be super long, and I wanted to give my opinion on all of these products without you having to spend a thousand years reading through one giant post. Let me know what you think in the comments!

So here's what I've used up in March/April...

St. Ives Nourished and Smooth Oatmeal Scrub + Mask
This is a good gentle scrub.  Personally, I prefer their Green Tea scrub over this one.  It's not as gentle, but I feel like it exfoliates better than this one.

  

Aloe Pure Time Repair Serum
This is okay.  It felt nice on my skin, but I didn't notice any change though.

Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Pen
I like that this eye cream is cooling, but I kind of hate the rubber applicator.  I think it would have been better if it had a metal applicator instead.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliator
I really like this exfoliator.  I received a full size of this in a past Boxycharm and I'm currently using it.  The granules are small and my skin feels so smooth after using this.  I really hate the price of this one though.  It's $79 for the full size bottle.

Suave Creamy Milk & Honey Splash Body Wash
This scent is alright.  Honestly, I doubt that I'll repurchase this though.  I've used other body washes that were much more moisturizing than this one.

 Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer
I did not like this primer.  My eyeshadow still creased with this product.  I even went over it with a powder and it still creases.  I prefer the Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Shampoo
This smells really nice.  My hair feels and looks clean after using this shampoo.  I haven't noticed a difference in strength just yet, but I've repurchased this in the bigger size.

Aquaphor Lip Repair
This works great.  I just hate the fact that it smells and tastes like SPF.

Ayres Hand Cream
I liked the scent of this lotion.  It's a thicker cream, so my hands always felt soft and hydrated after applying this.

Sea Breeze Astringent
I really enjoy the cooling/tingling sensation this gives.  My skin feels so clean and fresh after I use this.

 

And those are the products that I've used up recently.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great week!

Collective Beauty Product Empties & Project Empty 2016

Hello, everyone.  If you read my last post, you'll know that I haven't been actively blogging for about 3 weeks because we found out that our older cat had cancer.  Unfortunately, my husband and I had to make the difficult decision of putting her to sleep Monday evening.  The mass in her mouth (we already had it removed once last month) was rapidly growing back and eating became too painful for her and she stopped eating completely.  It was definitely the hardest thing we've ever had to do, but it was the right thing to do so she wouldn't be in pain anymore.

So as a reflection of my soul right now, I found it fitting to talk about my product empties and "project empty".  (Don't mind me, making bad jokes is how I cope with sadness and pain.)  First up is my collective beauty product empties.

These are the products I've completely used up since the beginning of this year.  This is ALL I'VE USED UP SINCE JANUARY!  I've gotten into this habit of hoarding beauty and makeup products and never using them.  I decided to start "project empty" for 2016 just a couple of weeks ago after seeing turtle_makeup on Instagram participating in it because I have a ton of stuff that I don't use.  I know that if I don't hold myself accountable then I won't use any products up.  *Note: I don't plan on including "everyday" type of products in this...meaning products such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc. since I already use them everyday and they aren't products that I have trouble using up.  (I don't know why I kept the Garnier Whole Blends shampoo and conditioner but here they are, soooo...)

Anyway, let's talk more about "project empty" 2016.  It's pretty self explanatory, but it's a list that you make consisting of products that you want to use up by the end of the year.  I only found out about this idea about two weeks ago so I have less than six months to complete my list, but I think I can manage it.  So here are the products that I want to use up before the end of this year:

*The first three pictures are from Instagram.  I'm sorry if they're not the best quality, but I really didn't want to pull everything out again and retake the pictures.*

The first picture consists of makeup products.  First is a face primer from Bare Minerals.  I believe there's about 1/4 of this left, so I should have no problem finishing this.  Next is foundations - L'Oreal True Match has about half of its product left, but it's too light for me right now; Clinique Even Better foundation only has one or two more uses out of it now; Dr. Jart's BB Cream was too dark for me until now but it's only a mini so I shouldn't have an issue finishing this before the end of summer; and the Juice Beauty CC Cream is the same situation as the Dr. Jart's BB Cream.  I have two concealers - L'Oreal True Match concealer is about half way full and I only use a little bit of this at a time so I'm hoping I can use this all up, and Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing concealer which I've already hit pan on so I know I can finish this.  DuWop Blush Therapy is a cream blush that I almost never reach for anymore, you can see how much is left so I'm going to try to actively use this every time I do my makeup so I can finally finish it.  I have two lipsticks from Clinique - there's quite a bit left of both of them, but they're kind of old so I really need to use these now or throw them away by the end of the year.  Next to the lipsticks is an eyeshadow stick from Covergirl that I've had for a long time and need to finish off.  I have one face powder which is from Physician's Formula that I've hit pan on already so using it up shouldn't be a problem for me.  Next, I have four mascaras and a mascara primer - Wet N Wild Mega Plump mascara, L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara, Urban Decay Perversion mascara, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, and Blinc mascara primer.  For brow products I have the Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel and Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow mini.  Finally, I have the Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day black liquid liner which I'm pretty sure is almost out already but I can never tell with liquid liners.

The second picture is body sprays that I've had for quite some time and just want to finish off.  It's not I don't like the scent of any of these, but I've just been really into wearing perfumes lately instead of body sprays.  Pictured is the Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things body spray, Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom body spray, Bath & Body Works Midnight Pomegranate, and the last one I believe is also B&BW Sweet Pea body spray.  I keep all of my body sprays in a drawer so I'm constantly forgetting about them.  I left these ones out in the open so I remember to spray myself with one of these instead of my perfumes.

The third picture is body lotions.  Again, I keep these in a drawer and am constantly forgetting about them.  So I've spread these around my house in places where I frequent (drawer next to my computer desk, drawer next to the couch, nightstand by my bed, in my purse, in my car, etc.) in the hopes that I will reach for them and use them.  I have the Anderson Lilley Manhattan Beach hand cream (barely used so far), Beyond Belief Pomegranate Fig hand lotion (only about 1/3 left), Victoria's Secret Lost In Fantasy body lotion (hardly used - plus I have a second one...I don't know why, but I do), B&BW Warm Vanilla Sugar (3/4 left but I loveee this scent during late Autumn/Winter), EOS Cucumber Melon hand lotion (almost empty!!), Pure Romance Glow shimmering body lotion (only a little bit used - I don't like shimmery lotions anymore but I love the scent of this), and L'Occitane hand cream (only used once so far but this is a small sample so I know I can get through this).

The last picture contains products that I want to use up but forgot to include them in my other Instagram posts.  First is a Suave body lotion which I use all over after I get out of the shower, so no problem using this one up.  Pure Romance firming body lotion which is about half gone.  First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue facial cleanser that is probably about half gone by now.  Cetaphil face cleanser which is also about half gone.  First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue blemish control pads which should be about half way empty also.  First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue (FAB is my favorite skin care line as I'm sure you can tell...I have more of their products that I haven't opened yet also...) Daily Face Cream which I've been using for about a week now.  The St. Tropez Instant Glow body lotion I've only tested on my skin so far.  Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree foot scrub is almost empty because I've been doing weekly foot soaks and scrubs.  SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is almost gone already.  The Tony Moly Panda's Dream eye cream has been rolled all the way up, so what you see is all that I have left.  Bobbi Brown eye cream has only the tiniest amount left.  Beauty Blender face sponge cleanser is what I've been using lately to clean my makeup sponges and I will have no problem finishing this off.  Finally, the Ole Henrikson 3 in 1 cleanser I use in the shower (if I'm taking one in the evening) and I've forgotten to remove my makeup, so basically my in shower makeup remover.  I have about half left.

So that's it!  I'm sorry that this post was soooooo long, but I need to hold myself accountable for finishing products and posting this for everyone to see should be a great motivator for doing so.

Do you hoard beauty/makeup products too?  What are some products that you're trying to finish off?

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend.

Current Skincare Routine

Hello, everyone!  How was your weekend?

I thought I'd share my current skincare routine for today's blog post.  My skin is in no way perfect or flawless, but it has definitely gotten better recently.  For all of my teenage years and half of my 20's, my skin was oily and acne prone.  Then halfway through 2014, my skin became incredibly dry.  I had dry, flaky patches everywhere.  I had dry spots on my eyelids which made my makeup look terrible...it was bad.  Then I got a 10 pack of samples of the "Ultra Repair Cream" from First Aid Beauty.  That stuff saved my skin!  It is really thick but sinks into the skin pretty quickly and keeps my skin hydrated all day/night.  I no longer have super dry, rough patches.  I still have some skin issues, like redness and acne scaring, but I'll take those issues over dryness any day because I can at least cover those up with makeup.

The first thing I do is remove any makeup I might be wearing with the Ole Henriksen "Pure Truth Melting Cleanser".  This removes even my waterproof makeup.  It's supposed to be a 3 in 1 cleanser but it's pretty oily so I use a regular cleanser afterward.

For my cleanser, my absolute favorite has been the First Aid Beauty "Pure Skin Face Cleanser".  My skin has never felt cleaner after using this face wash.  It's safe for sensitive skin as well.

Next, I use the First Aid Beauty "Facial Radiance Pads" that are meant to tone, exfoliate, and brighten the skin.  Honestly, I haven't noticed any brightening, but I do still like this product.

Then I go in with my eye cream.  I have two that I use: the Tony Moly "Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick" for in the mornings and the Bobbi Brown "Hydrating Eye Cream" for in the evenings.  I like the Tony Moly one for daytime because it's not thick and it cools the under eye area making me look a little more awake.  I like using the Bobbi Brown one in the evening because it's a thick cream that stays on longer and really sinks into the skin to keep the eye area hydrated.

Lastly, I moisturize with the First Aid Beauty "Ultra Repair Cream".  At first, I thought this would make my skin oily because of how thick this product is, but it doesn't.  This can be used on the face or body to help relieve dry, itchy skin.  I don't think I'll be changing out this moisturizer anytime soon.  It's been my holy grail product since I first started using it.

I also want to mention that once or twice a week I use this St. Ives "Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub".  I purchased this because it says that it helps calm redness which is something I struggle with right now.  I also like that it contains natural exfoliants.

And that is my current skincare routine in full!  I hope this was helpful, and thank you so much for stopping by!

Also, if you have any other product suggestions for calming redness let me know!  I'm always looking for new things to try.