Empties #4 April 2015

          This empties post is a lot of bath products and not a lot of makeup items. I have become rather obsessed with organizing, reorganizing and using up my huge stash of bath/shower products. They are just so much easier to use up than makeup. Alrighty, here we go:

          Like I said, a lot of bath products. 

Vanilla Bean Bubble Bath from Bath and Body Works

           I was not a huge fan of this scent, it just didn't smell like the usual vanilla scent. It was not unpleasant but I just found it too strong I guess. 

French Lavender Sea Salt Body Scrub by Thymes Essentials 

           I already have another in the shower, I really loved this but the last couple times I used it I noticed it's really stung my legs. If you have dry skin I would not recommend this to you. I will try another scrub once the one in my shower runs out.

I Love Raspberry and Blackberry Bubble Bath and Shower Gel

            I bought this such a long time ago from Shoppers, probably about two years ago. It smelled great, was a fine bubble bath and body wash, my only wish is that the scent would stay on my skin after leaving the shower. 

Peony Pomegranate Blush Bath Salts, The Macbeth Collection by Margaret Joesphs 

           This was one of the items in a set that was on sale at Shoppers, I did not include it in a haul because some of it went to the gift pile. The bath salts were nothing to write home about, pretty cheap really but they smelled amazing. They smelled like a sweet, floral perfume. I am sitting here smelling the empty container. 

Fruit Frappe Grapefruit with Gooseberry Exfoliating Shower Gel by Upper Canada Soap and Shea Butter and Caramel Body Polish by Nirvana Spa

          These were both good products but didn't send me offer the moon, I like my exfoliants to remove at least two layers of skin so they were just too gentle. They both smelled great and were good body washes though. 

          I also used up some hair products. 

Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Hairspray by Marc Anthony 

         I got this from Ipsy and I did like it, I found it was better for when I was wearing my hair down to keep it straight and frizz free. I know I sound like a broken record but it also smelled great. 

Precision Foam Colour in Brilliant Brunette by John Frieda 

          Does anyone else feel like there is an actual Marc Anthony and an actual John Frieda and they are in a huge hair care feud? No. Just me? Ok, moving on. This is the easiest home hair colour I have ever used, the foam is thick and there was more than enough to cover all my hair. Really easy to use, no drips and great results. 

450 Blow Out Blow Dry Spray by Sexy Hair

          Another item I got from Ipsy and I loved this. It just leaves your hair feeling soft, shiney, protected and it really seems like my hair dried faster. I think I will go online to order more because I can not find it in stores around here. I would also like to order the beach spray from the Healthy Sexy Hair line.

Rosemary Mint Cleansing Conditioner by Renpure Solutions 

           While I was using this I really enjoyed it but I have switched back to regular shampoo after Target closed and I couldn't find it anywhere else. I was having such a hard time with my hair, it was falling out more than usual, it was always limp and I couldn't do anything to it without it getting greasy and this product fixed all of that. Also if you are looking for a dupe of the Wen Cleansing Conditioner this is far cheaper, under ten bucks. I still reccomend this it just became inconvenient for me to keep using it. 

Malibu Heat Beach Waves Hair Mist from Bath and Body Works

          This was the first beach spray I tried and one of the best. I got this from BBW a few years ago but have not seen it there again. It gives beach waves without crunchiness or making my hair stiff plus it smells like coconut and pineapples. If I saw this at BBW again I would buy a couple bottles. 

          Some face/skin care products I used up, a couple of which I have been trying to use up for quite a while. 

Vitamins E, A & D Moisturizing Cream from GNC

            Go buy this. Seriously, such a good hand cream. I bought this because my hands were so dry this winter and this healed them completely. I used half the first tube before I read the directions and they suggest using it as a facial moisturizer and primer. Turns out this is the best primer I have used and you can buy three tubes for under 5 bucks. I have them everywhere, it is quite a thick formula with an almost glycerin feel to it which I do not normally like but this just makes my skin feel so good. It just feels like you are healing dry spots and doing something good for your skin. 

Mary Kay TimeWise Microdermabrasion Step One

            My office-mates mother in law used to be a Mary Kay lady and had a whole bunch of samples to hand off to us, bless her. This was one of the best things. We got this and the lotion that is Step Two. I love microdermabrasion products, it just feel so good to scrub all the gunk off your face and out of your pores. This formula was so thick and full of fine little exfoliants and fragrance free. I loved this but the collection is rather pricey and I don't want to get a Mary Kay last because that would mean talking to someone new. 

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser from The Body Shop 

          I actually just used up a second one of these as I had two on the go for whatever reason. It really cleared up my skin but it is very drying as well so I switched to something less intense but I would reccomend this to someone having trouble controlling blemishes and oil.

Skin Genesis Skin Perfecting Toner by L'Oreal 

          I have had this for a disgusting amount of time. It didn't really do much for me. I would not repurchase. 

         I only have two makeup products that I used up and one I am tossing. 

Revlon Photoready BB Cream in Light Pale 

          This item is almost used up but I have had it so long that it has separated and won't mix back up. This was a decent BB Cream, very liquidy and not much for coverage but just sort of smoothed out my complexion. I used this when I was in Jamacia for days when we weren't in the pool all day because it had SPF 30 and I was extremely paranoid about getting sunglasses tan lines. I wouldn't repurchase as it isn't great for oily skin. 

Julep Blank Canvas Mattiying Eye Primer 

          This was an excellent eye primer, it went on smoothly and was just a light beige colour. They should really make eye primers clear so all skin colours and tones could use them eh? I mean most primers are, why not eye primers? Anywho, good product, probably expensive since it's from Julep.

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder in Porcelain Ivory 

          I love this powder. I use it over my makeup to set my foundation, a necessary step for oily skin, but I have also used it by itself for light coverage. This is a staple in my routine, it doesn't leave my skin looking powdery or overly made up, it just glides on and smooths everything out. Love this, I have repurchased a couple times and will continue to do so. 

On an empties binge? Let me help you out: Empties #3

Thank you for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

Top 5 March 2015

          Here are my Top 5 Products for March 2015:

Deep Steep Dry Oil Body Spritzer

           I did not think I would like an oil moisturizer but it is lovely, it smells lovely and is a very relaxing scent. The lavender and chamomile scent fits into my latest obsession with lavender scents. I use this before bed and unlike most lotions I use before crawling into bed this oil absorbed fast enough that I did not wake up with cat hair stuck all over me. That is enough to make it into a favorites post on its own.

Thymes Essentials French Lavender Sea Salt Body Scrub

              Another product that goes well with the lavender obsession. This is such a lovely, natural smelling and feeling product. It exfoliates and moisturizes really well but not as abrasive of a scrub as I would normally prefer but I really enjoy this. I use this prior to shaving my legs and it makes them so much smoother. 

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Creme Oil

         I have had other products from this line before and I loved all of them. This is a blow dry creme with argan oil that is supposed to be a lightweight, moisturizing creme ideal for fine or normal hair. I prefer hair products meant for fine hair as they do not weigh my hair down or leave as much buildup. I got this in my March Ipsy bag and it is already a favorite. My hair felt light, moved easily and it smelled lovely.

 John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss For Cool Brunettes

               This is six weekly in-shower treatments meant to boost color and remove red-orange tones in three minutes.After shampooing and conditioning like normal you squeeze all the excess moisture out of your hair and saturate your hair with this gel, leave for three minutes and you have soft, fresh looking hair without any build up or residue. Huge fan, love this. It is perfect for when your colour starts to fade but it is too soon to dye your hair or if you are trying to extend the time between appointments or home dye jobs.

BLUSH Cheek Powder

           This blush is GORGEOUS. So bright and blendable and just perfect. I have used this everyday makeup day since I got it in my February Ipsy bag. It just goes on so smoothly and you can either blend it out for a super natural look or layer it without looking like a cheap hooker.

Thanks for Reading!

A.

Ipsy March 2015

          When I first saw the video Ipsy put out I wasn't overly excited for this month but that might just be because I don't like the videos because I was pleasantly surprised. 

          Not loving the bag itself, but I think it could grow on me. I like that I got a variety of products, some makeup, a skin care type item and a hair product.

Marsk Mineral Eye Shadow in Lucky Penny 

     Received full size 0.04oz $22.50

          This was the item I was least excited for. I do not like loose pigments at all I just find they are a big mess and I never use them. That being said the colour of this is beautiful, is quite build able and once it sets it seems like it would last. I am looking forward to trying this out tomorrow. Swatch below) 

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Creme Oil

     Full size 4.2oz $22.95, received 1oz $5.46

          I always love a hair product, I have had products from this line before and I loved them. This is a blow dry creme with argan oil that is supposed to be a lightweight, moisturizing creme ideal for fine or normal hair. I prefer hair products meant for fine hair as they do not weigh my hair down or leave as much buildup. This was the item I was most excited about, I would be happy with a whole bag of hair products. it also smells amazing.

Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Anti-aging Mattifying Lotion

     Full size 1.7oz $60, received 0.26oz $9.18

          I will take Dr. Brandt products every single month. Mostly because there is no way I will ever pay that much for them even though they are worth the insane price. The tube is only about half full which is disappointing but the primer from Dr. Brandt I got in a previous bag lasted 17 times longer than I expected so I am not overly upset. 

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick in Little Suzie

     Received full size $6

          I was hoping to get the dark purple lip colour because I have so many pink lip colours already but the more I look at this in the mirror the more I love it. It reminds me of the Butter Lip Butter in Parfait but with more staying power. It just goes on so smoothly and it does not feel like you have a heavy lipstick on. Once I use up some of my lip colours/go through them to get rid of the ones I do not like I will buy some other shades of this line. Swatch below.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter

     Recieved full size $18

          I was looking forward to this product as I am just starting to play with highlighting and contouring. It was much larger than I thought it would be so that was a nice surprise. The product goes on so smoothly and blends like a dream. I can not wait to use this and I hope to make it part of my regular makeup routine. Swatch below.

Swatches

          Overall I am really happy with my bag, I will use almost everything. I do not know if i will really use the Marsk shadow but it is a nice product. Everything else I well absolutely use, a good month for sure. 

Total value: $61.14

Thanks for reading!

A.

December 2014 Ipsy - Thinking of You

          Originally I wasn't going to look at my Glam Room at all, wait until my cousin Em got here with her bag so we could do an unbagging video but she didn't get hers in time. A video may come along of her unbagging. I ended up looking the same day it got delivered. 

  

          I am happy with my bag this month, a variety of products and all things I have put it into my regular routine. 

         

        Beauty Without Cruelty Premium Aromatherapy Facial Cleanser 

          At first I was not overly excited to get a cleanser but figured it was a useful item, who can't use a travel-sized face wash? I have not used another cleanser since I tried this one. My regular cleanser is the Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Facewash and it is very effective but a little drying for winter skin. BWC has a great, clean scent that almost smells like creamsicles somehow. The gel texture foams up and rinses clean. I will be looking into purchasing this in the future to alternate with my stronger cleanser. 

     

          Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish 

          Just look at that sparkle! I don't normally like loose powder eyeshadow but this is beautiful. It isn't so sparkley that I look like I'm about to go on stage and it stays on quite well with very little creasing. It looks great with the Be A Bombshell makeup base we got in a previous bag. This product also has many other uses depending in what base you get with it. You can use it as lip gloss, nail polish and other makeup items when combining it with the other products Cailyn you have. Check it out at Cailyn.com   

                                              NYX Butter Lip Balm in Marshmallow 

          This is a great product, a moisturizing balm with a hint of color. I was pleased with the color I received originally but it didn't have enough coverage for how red my lips are. Mrs. G received the Parfait color, a Barbie pink color and it works a lot better for me so we traded. 

           

       Sexy hair 450 Blow Out Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray 

          This. Is. Amazing. I have tried a million different heat sprays and protectors and they always weight my hair down, make it look greasy, or just do not work. This smells nice, makes my hair shiny, smooth, less frizzy, and it doesn't feel like I have a bunch of gunk in my hair. I will be buying this. 

Tarte Lights Camera Action Mascara 

          I was really excited to receive this product and I was not disappointed. It gives my lashes tones of length but it could provide more volume. As far as I am concerned you can not have enough sample marcaras. 

                        I am very happy with my December bag, I'm using everything. 

  Thanks for reading! Comment, share and spread the word. 

A.