February 2017 Empties

More progress in February!

Makeup items:

Ulta Demi-Matte Foundation (Ivory)

Opinion: This is my favorite foundation ever! The shade is a perfect match for me, and it is more matte than demi-matte in my opinion. It is quite thick and a little difficult to apply. I find that a Beauty Blender works best. This stuff sticks to my oily face all day.

Repurchase?: I already have. It's nice that Ulta brand items frequently have BOGO sales too.

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray

Opinion: I blow through this like crazy.

Repurchase?: Again and again. I have two backups right now. I did just buy the E.L.F. version to try though, since it was only $3.00. So far I am not impressed.

Napoleon Perdis Autopilot Pre Foundation Skin Primer

Opinion: This worked well enough. It wasn't my favorite primer ever or anything.

Purchase?: Pass.

Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer

Opinion: This was a pretty standard "slippery" primer for me. It worked well. I liked it more than the Napoleon Perdis one.

Purchase?: Doubtful.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream

Opinion: Loved this. I understand the hype around this brand because everything of theirs I have tried is awesome. My skin looked great wearing this and this only. 

Purchase?: I have been very tempted to more than once. It's a little on the pricey side for me. I have two other sample tubes I have been hoarding for the hot summer months when I don't feel like slapping on a full face.

Vincent Longo double ended eyeliner pencil

Opinion: I used up the side of this that I like. It was getting kind of old and the color on the other side just got dry and unusable. It started cracking a little too, so it was time to go.

Repurchase?: I love eyeliners and I have a ton. I am currently using a Sigma eyeliner in a color very close to the one side I used up, so I don't need a new one of these at the moment.

yourMinerals Sweden setting powder

Opinion: I liked this a lot. It was very fine and very translucent. It gave my skin a nice soft but natural looking finish.

Repurchase?: My next setting powder purchase is definitely going to be Tarte, but this one is pretty close.

Skin care:

Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Intensive Renewal Serum

Opinion: This smelled really nice. I kept it in my gym bag to slather on after I showered and it made my face nice and soft.

Purchase?: Not at the moment, but I would definitely consider it in the future. When/if I ever run out of serums.

Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Opinion: This was nice enough and the little jar lasted a while. It kept my undereye area hydrated overnight, which is what I expect from a good eye cream.

Purchase?: Not for the price, ouch.

Lancôme Energie de Vie the Smoothing and Glow Boosting Liquid Care

Opinion: I'm not even 100% sure what this was. I used it as a serum.

Purchase?: Too confusing.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask

Opinion: I LOVED this and I see what the Bliss hype is about now. This left my skin so soft and refreshed and it smelled nice too.

Purchase?: This brand is a little spendy for me, but I do see it on Hautelook every now and then. I will pay more attention and look for it now.

Pixi Glow Tonic

Opinion: This is a little sample bottle from the Target advent calendar that I got super cheap after the holidays. I used to go through this like crazy, until I realized that I wasn't actually sure it was doing anything. Also, even though it's not expense, it's not cheap either for the rate that I use toner.

Repurchase?: I'm holding off for now and searching for my HG toner. So far I am really liking The Body Shop's tea tree toner. Next I want to try the Mario Badescu one.

Miscellaneous:

More toothpaste! I keep toothbrushes and toothpaste all over the house. It's a small miracle to me when I finish a tube since I have to use it all by myself. My husband hates the varieties that I use.

Proraso Liquid After Shave Cream

Opinion: I shave my legs very infrequently, and they always burn like crazy afterwards. I got this sample in an Amazon luxury beauty box and I cannot believe how quickly and effectively it makes my legs stop burning!

Purchase?: Already did. This little bottle lasted me forever, so I didn't mind splurging a little on the full size.

Random Perfume Samples

Opinion: I love just about any and all perfumes. I don't have a "signature" scent. I just love wearing perfume and perfume in general. I currently have amassed 60-70 of these little sample vials, so I am making a point to use some up.

That's it for February! March and April will  be a combined post since things were a little slower.

Sigma Mystery Haul - Part 1

I went a little crazy with the Sigma mystery hauls lately. There have been two rounds so far. Hopefully there won't be more because I am weak. So very weak.

I had never tried any Sigma products before, so during the first round I splurged on the $50 "Must Have it" haul. I was not disappointed. And my free gift was super cute as well.

On top is the "haul" all packaged up. Below is my free gift, and cute little collection I have not dove into yet.

And here is everything in its glory:

I have read rave reviews of Sigma brushes, and I now see why. They are SO soft! I also got one of the neat little brush cleaning matts. And while it is tiny, it works wonders. I also got a some brush cleaner, a decent brown eyeliner pencil (which strangely I did not yet own a brown one), a huge pretty blush, a lipstick, and an entire eyeshadow palette!! What a crazy deal for $50!

I got the "Smoke Screen" palette, a deep fuschia lipstick, and a lovely pink blush.

This was such a great introduction to this brand. While I have not yet tried everything, I am definitely hooked now.

Travel Empties

I just finished up a massive round of business trips! Here is more of my stash that I burned through in February and March. Not everything was captured. I decided to skip shampoo and conditioner sample reviews. I have super soft water at my home. Nothing like the garbage hotel shower water. I can't really do an accurate comparison to my regular shampoo routine, which involves Derm Organic products.

Packets (hits):

To make this short and sweet, I like everything Vichy and I have totally been falling in love with Bare Minerals skin care lately. The Wella hair balm was lovely as well.

Tubes (misses):

While I typically love Pacifica, and this  face wash was nice and gentle, I HATED the smell! It smelled hardcore like bug spray. The makeup remover was freaking awful as well, but I powered through it. I just can't handle adding more oil to my already oily skin. Yuck.

January 2017 Empties

I'm on yet another business trip (nowhere exciting) so I have some hotel down time to catch up with empties. I was very pleased with my progress in January!

Foil packet madness:

I travel a lot so I love foil packets. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Price: $30.00 for a 6 oz tub

Opinion: This was a perfectly fine moisturizer. That's about all I have to say.

Purchase?: I'll pass. The price point is pretty good for a decent sized tub though.

Bare Minerals Skin Longevity Vital Power Infusion

Price: $48.00 for 1.7 oz

Opinion: I honestly don't remember too much about this in particular. I do know that I have liked all Bare Minerals products I have sampled or purchased.

Purchase?: No. If I can't remember much about it, it certainly didn't $48 "wow" me.

Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

Price: $16.49 for 1.76 oz at Target

Opinion: This felt amazingly luxurious on my face. It was a nice thick gel that soaked in while leaking my skin super moist and yes, definitely plump (but in a good way).

Purchase?: I will likely be looking for this the next time I am at Target!

Bare Minerals Brilliant Future Age Defense & Renew Eye Cream

Price: $38.00 for 0.5 oz

Opinion: LOVED this. It was one of the few eye creams that I actually felt "did" something. It made my sad saggy undereye skin feel hydrated and plump all through the night until I woke up.

Purchase?: I have another packet of this to use, thankfully! And then I think I am on to some other eye cream samples. I definitely have this one earmarked for a potential future purchase/splurge.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation in Light Beige

Price: $39.00 for 1 oz

Opinion: I know this is an itty bitty sample, but it was my first time trying this formula so I wanted to share. This was just okay to me. The color did not match, since I seem to be getting paler by the minute. It was a serviceable enough foundation, didn't cause my oily skin to get too angry, but it just didn't "wow" me.

Purchase?: No. I can get similar or better performance out of a much cheaper product.

Makeup type items:

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Price: $15.00 for 1 oz, $31.00 for 4 oz

Opinion: LOOK AT ME using a different setting spray! I have always wanted to try this, but I have been soooo in love with my much lower priced NYX spray. I finally got to try this product thanks to my Sephora Play box and you know what? I didn't like it!! I don't think it performed any better than my NYX spray.....and I hated the smell! I think it smelled like bug spray. No me gusta!

Purchase?: Big fat NOPE on this one!

The Balm Put a Lid On It Eye Shadow Primer

Price: $18.00 for 0.4 oz

Opinion: My original love, before I discovered Urban Decay's Primer Potion. This was a mini I had in my travel bag that was a little old and started to separate.

Repurchase?: Not as long as I can keep getting UD on sale! Seriously, it seems to go for half off several times per year.

Cover FX Illuminating Primer

Price: $38.00 for 1 oz

Opinion: A decent enough primer. Nothing out of the ordinary - did its job just fine.

Purchase?: I actually recently scored my HG Laura Geller primer on Haute Look super cheap. It's a 3 oz tube that I am sure will last me forever. So no, I am not in the market for any more primer at the moment.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Setting Powder

Price: $33.00 for 0.32 oz

Opinion: A VERY nice setting powder! My oily skin sucks this stuff right up. It was milled very finely and gave me a natural, soft finish.

Purchase?: I am knee deep in setting powders right now, but I will keep this on my list for when I run out.

Starlooks Pro Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen

Price: Out of stock, but was $12.00

Opinion: I somehow got two of these in a subscription box. My mom stole the black one, and I was left with this beautiful aubergine color. I used the crap out of this. The applicator tip was fantastic, and the staying power was unreal. I was super sad when this pen started to skip on me.

Repurchase?: I have mixed feelings on this. I love liquid eyeliner. I love pencil eyeliner. I go in phases with each. Right now I am playing with several different colored pencils. Also, I am not sure what the heck is going on with this brand lately. It is unlikely that I will be splurging on this product in my future.

Skin related things:

Simple Dual Effect Eye Make-Up Remover

Price: $7.99 for 3.5 oz

Opinion: I H-A-T-E-D this!! But I persevered and used the entire bottle because I am cheap. I greatly dislike oily makeup removal products. This was oily and barely worked. It was a chore to get through the entire bottle.

Repurchase?: Hell to the no!

Trader Joe's All-In-One Facial Cleanser

Price: I believe it was $5-7 for 8.45 oz

Opinion: This was a nice cleanser that I was happy to have occupy my shower. It was very gentle and lasted forever.

Repurchase?: Yes. I have a lot of other cleanser to get through at the moment, but you really cannot beat this for the price.

Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Serum

Price: $140 for 2.5 oz (!!!!)

Opinion: I really liked this, but I knew there was no hope of me ever spending the money on a full sized version.

Purchase?: No, this is way too expensive for me.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid

Price: $29.99 for 1.7 oz

Opinion: I decided to mix up my moisturizing routine by adding a little bit of sunscreen to use up this sample. This was actually very nice for a sunscreen. It didn't reek like most sunscreen, and it was indeed very light and not greasy. 

Purchase?: Probably not. I have some other products with SPF in them. Also, I really like the spray on stuff when I'm outside in the summer and need some good protection

Clinique All About Eyes

Price: $32.00 for 0.5 oz

Opinion: This was nice enough. It worked about as well as most eye creams I have tried, which means I did not notice much of a difference.

Purchase?: No. I'll be saving up for the Bare Minerals one.

IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Moisturizing Super Cream

Price: $48.00 for 2 oz

Opinion: I swear everything this brand makes gets hyped up beyond belief. That being said, this was a very nice product. It was probably the thickest moisturizer I have ever used. 

Purchase?: Since this is so thick, a little does go a long way. However, it is still a bit overpriced for me.

Tarte Maracuja Bronzing Serum

Price: On sale for $36.00 for 1.7 fl oz

Opinion: I got this forever ago in Glossy Box. It was probably the first fake tanner I ever used. I was scared to put it on my face at first, but the effect was very subtle. You can still use it a few days in a row and build up a little more color though. I did not like the smell, which I think was like fake tanner mixed with maple syrup. The consistency was also very weird. If you did not rub it into your face very quickly, it got pretty sticky. I used this bottle up by applying every few days so my face would match my foundation further into winter. 

Repurchase?: Likely not. I think I will be sticking to Jergen's for my fake tanning needs from here on out.

Miscellaneous:

Eva NYC Hungry Hair Oil Treatment
Price: $20.00 for 3.38 oz
Opinion: I don't have anything to say about this product besides the packaging is TERRIBLE. It's in a glass freaking that dripped all over the place and made a huge mess. It looks like the full sized is the same way.
Purchase?: Ugh no. I can get cheaper hair oils that do not make messes.

Vince Camuto Amore
Price: $85.00 for 3.4 oz
Opinion: I love perfume. I am not even very picky about the scent. I have amassed a very large collection of very small vials, bottles, and roller balls. I have been trying to go through some of it rather than hoarding it lately, so you will likely see more empties on here. I used this one up over a couple of weeks once I obtained a duplicate. I did rather enjoy doing so.
Purchase?: I need to get through some of my minis before I even consider splurging on a full sized version of any scent.

Mall Mini Haul

Mini haul from the St. Louis Galleria mall today.

Urban Outfitters: rose perfume ($18 for 1 oz) and the NYX Strobe of Genius palette for 50% off! I'm a sucker for rose perfumes, and I have been lusting after this NYX release. They had three palettes left - two were shattered but one was perfect!

Lush: tea tree water spray. I'm always on the hunt for something that will keep my greasies at bay. I got the smaller size for $10.95. It smells and feels great but the mister is a little over zealous. 

Sephora: my birthday gift! A mini blush in the shade "Paaarty" and a mini Tarteist lip paint in "Birthday Suit". I hope the lip paint isn't too pink for my warm skin tone.

Empties - BONUS Travel Edition

I've been holed up in boring software classes and my hotel in DC all week. At least I got through some of the packets in my travel basket. Here is a quick review:

The shampoo and conditioner was fine.

The makeup wipe did its job.

I really liked the Tarte cleansing gel, and I got four uses out of this packet.

The Ahava serum barely had anything in the packet, but was okay I guess.

The Dermadoctor Vitamin C peel pad was a pad, did not peeling, and burned like hell.

The Shiseido eye cream was da bomb. I use eye treatments because I feel like I have to. I seldom notice a difference. After just a week, I actually noticed a big different in hydration and inflammation reduction of my under eye area. I am guessing this stuff is expensive.

The Nuxe moisturizer was nice. My skin drank it right up.

December 2016 Empties

Way behind on this. Also, I am going to stop adding an origin to each product. At this point, my stash is so big I mostly have no freaking clue where something came from. Especially after my Black Friday/Cyber Monday/post holiday hauls.

And here is the pile. Decent enough for a single month. I was pretty satisfied.

Hair items:

Nois Shield Leave In Conditioner
Price: $12.99
Opinion: I got this from a higher end beauty subscription box (Glossybox or Boxy Charm) and I loved it. I am not usually one to go for hair stuff, but I could air dry my hair perfectly with this. Air drying is my jam since I wear a hairnet for my main job and rarely style my hair anyway.
Repurchase?: Already did, but I don't think I got such a good price on it.

Marc Anthony Argan Oil of Morocco 3 Day Smooth Perfect Blow Dry Smoothing Cream
Price: $8.99 for a full size
Opinion: I left this in the bathroom where I blow dry my hair when I need to for my second job. It got the job done.
Repurchase?: I have tons of other similar samples to use up. I blow dry my hair about 2-3 times a month, so it's going to take me a while.

Aloxxi Dry Shampoo
Price: $9.00
Opinion: I like this because it worked well with my dark hair. Most dry shampoos leave whit streaks. That being said, dry shampoo is a product that just in general does not work for me. I have to wash my nasty oily hair every single day. Spraying it with dry shampoo just pisses it off. I only use this situations where I need a little damage control, like midday sweat around my hairline in the summer.
Repurchase?: No, it's just not a product that works for me and I have a few mini bottles to get through.

Skincare type stuff:

Previse HydroMilk Hyaluronic Lotion

Price: $48.00 (!!!)

Opinion: I really like this lotion. It was not oily at all and absorbed nicely into my skin.

Purchase?: I got this in Glossybox and I had no idea it costs so much. It was a nice sized tube and lasted a while, but sadly it is out of my price range. 

Jersey Shore Spa Lip & Hand Polish

Price: $25.00 for a full size

Opinion: This product made me mad. It was basically pure brown sugar and oil. When I used it on my lips, it tasted delicious (like cookie dough), but was waaaaay too oily. I banished it to the showed to take care of the rough patches on my knees, but it soon failed there too. After all of the very runny oily component oozed out, I was stuck with a rock hard lump of sugar that was going nowhere. 

Purchase?: Heck no. This needs to be packaged in a tub or something besides a foil tube.

Makeup Wipes from TJ Maxx

I have nothing special to say here besides these worked and I used up the entire pack. When I run out of makeup wipes, I always run to TJ Maxx for more. They are cheap and plentiful. I try to go with something containing tea tree oil, coconut water, or dead sea minerals.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Ex-'Glow"-sion Vitabead Infused Moisture Cream

Price: $64.00 for 1.7 oz

Opinion: I like this. I have like all Bliss products I have tried. This smelled nice and my skin drank it right up.

Purchase?: Not at this price, sadly.

Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic

$15.00 at Target

Opinion: I like this enough to have paid full price for it with my own cash monies more than once. It seems I am always in need of toner.

Repurchase?: I am sure I will eventually, but I have decided to try other toners for the moment. I just got The Body Shop tea tree toner and I am totally in love. I also want to try to Mario Badescu one soon.

Makeup-y items:

Pogo Lip Balm
Price: $3.49 at Ulta
Opinion: I got like four of these in an Organic Authority box. Get ready to see more empties because I have been tearing through them lately. They go on smoothly and I like that they are shaped so weird because it makes them easier to grab in my purse. 
Repurchase?: Probably not. I always seem to have more than enough lip balms in my stash.

NYX Simple Vamp Lip Cream in Covet
Price: $6.49 at Ulta
Opinion: I loved this lip crayon. The color was stellar! I think my husband liked it even more than me. Sadly, it broke enough for me to toss it. I have a had a few similar issues with NYX products lately and it is seriously bumming me out.
Repurchase?: I am am pretty hesitant here. Most likely not, but I will be looking for a dupe for this shade. It was such a perfect metallic burgundy! Action shot:

Figs & Rouge Avance+ Mattifying Emulsion
Price: $30?
Opinion Okay, I cannot figure out how exactly to buy a full sized one of these. And I say "one of these" because I was really unsure of how to use this product. When I applied it to my face alone, it flaked up on me like crazy. The mattifying effect was quite nice, so I ended up mixing it in with my foundation primer and that seemed to work very well.
Purchase?: I don't think so.

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray
Price: $7.99 at Ulta or Target
Opinion: I use the bajeezus out of this product. One time it was listed as out of stock on Ulta's website, so I freaked out and bought two at Target, Target doesn't always have it in store either. I will buy this forever and ever until I can't.
Repurchase?: Already did. Several times.

Dior Hypnotic Poison
Price?: Varies by size, but it's a lot
Opinion: I have always loved this perfume, but never ponied up for a purchase. Then one day I was discussing perfumes with a crazy lady at my last job, and she said she had a bottle of this and that it would smell better on me than her because I have dark hair. Whatever, I was up for a free bottle of this goodness! Somehow she lost the cap, but that didn't matter to me. I rationed this and indulged in every last drop.
Purchase?: If I got a good deal on it. I am pretty buried in perfume samples and minis at the moment.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
Price: $27.00 for a full size
Opinion: This was one of my Sephora birthday gifts when I first signed up as a Beauty Insider. I loved the color and application. Sadly, I recently confirmed that it does, in fact, give me a rash. Not cute.
Purchase?: Nope. The other color it came with doesn't seem to bother my lips as much, but I don't think I would take the chance of spending my money on a full sized lip product that could potentially give me a rash.

That wraps up December. Hopefully I can get January's posted soon.