Empties #2

Hi guys! Long time, no see! I'm not even going to give any excuses of why it's been so long so let's just jump right into this long overdue Empties post!

Herbal Essences Drama Clean Shampoo - This was actually in my last empties post so I won't go on and on about it. I still love and have repurchased it, again.
Redken Smooth Down Conditioner -  I'm pretty sure I've said before anything I loved when I had long hair, I've hated since I got my hair cut. I like this but it's not fantastic. It just doesn't do anything amazing enough to justify the price tag. I won't be repurchasing.

pHisoderm Cream Cleanser for Sensitive Skin - I'm actually really surprised I haven't spoken about this before! This is my all time holy grail cleanser. It removes makeup, cleans deeply but doesn't completely dry out my skin. Best of all it's super inexpensive! I will repurchase this as soon as I use up the cleansers I have left in my stash.
Olay Fresh Effects Shine Shine Go Away Cleanser - I reviewed this here when I got it in my Influenster VoxBox back in the spring. I actually like this quite a bit. There are things I do enjoy more but this was pretty good. If you've been considering it or are just looking for a drugstore cleanser to try, I say go for it. But I already have a holy grail cleanser plus a couple on my list to try, so I won't be repurchasing.
Clean and Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer - For something that says Oil Free right on the bottle, you could have fooled me. This regularly separates. It's ok, I didn't think it was particularly "pore perfecting" but it hydrates deeply. It does kind of make me look a bit greasy but that's not a major problem for me. I don't recommend and I won't be repurchasing.
Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation - This is a great lightweight moisturizer! I felt like my skin was hydrated without feeling greasy. I highly recommend! I haven't repurchased but I would!
Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream - I got this as a deluxe sample in a gift set last Christmas. It's ok, not overly impressive. If it got even the tiniest bit close to my eyes it would burn. Wasn't impressed enough to repurchase.

Bath and Body Works Sea Island Cotton Body Spray (travel size) - This is my all time favorite scent! It makes me smell clean and happy. This is the second travel size I've used up. I have half of another travel size and half of a full size left and I'll repurchase this over and over!
Victoria's Secret Ravishing Love Body Mist - I was recommended this scent when my favorite VS scent, Berry Kiss, was discontinued. It's kind of the older mom or aunt of Berry Kiss and I just couldn't love it. I actually think it's discontinued now but I wouldn't repurchase it.
Suave Body Wash in Fresh Berry Smoothie - I bought a bottle of this years ago for a trip to Israel so the scent of this is just so nostalgic for me.Suave body washes are cheap and effective and I'd repurchase this again, if only to take me back to the memories of that trip.
Candie's Shimmer Body Lotion - This came in a gift scent from my very first perfume purchase many years ago, Candie's Heartbreaker. The scent is very generic and preteen. I hate shimmer, especially in body lotion. It wasn't hydrating, and was very liquidy. I don't know what possessed me to feel like I had to use this up and not just toss it but I did.

So that's it! I'm so ready to just toss all this crap. If anything, I'll always come back to post my empties because it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. Of course, I'm going to try to post again very soon but not making any promises!

Candles By Victoria Haul #3

Ok, so technically I bought these during the AUGUST 1st sale. Yes, August. But I still wanted to show you guys because it's been quite a while since my last CBV haul. I didn't get around to making a video for these so I'll do my best to be concise and short with my descriptions. I've also included a number rating. ALSO, CBV got a new website recently! I'll link my scents to their respective pages on her new site so you can see the official description as well as reviews from other people.

I chose to go with minis this time because they have become my favorite size to try out new scents. Affordable but a great throw and plenty of burns to allow me to form an opinion.
Left to right, top to bottom
Stress Relief - I bought this because it's the most often recommended for headaches. As the name implies, it's super relaxing. I love it and I'm definitely considering getting it in Bath and Body products as well. (4.5)
Rice Crispy Treats - I think this smells dead on for perfect rice crispy treats. It's sweet and has a hint of butter to it. (4)
Serendipity - This is my favorite of all the new scents I ordered this go round. It smells like crushed maraschino cherries, coconut and a touch of nuttiness. So basically the basis of every fruit based salad I had as a kid. (5)
Sweet Snow - This was the other scent everyone reccommends for headaches. I like but not as much as Stress Relief. I'll give it a shot for Christmas though because I think it will be really well suited for that. (3.5)
Emperor's Love - The product this is duping is one of my favorite products from that particular company. Victoria's scent smells perfectly like it. Dried fruits (raisins, currents, blackberry) and light florals. (3.5)
Marshmallow Banana Dream Cake - This was the only one I'm not too keen on. The banana and cake get lost behind an overwhelming powdery note. I'm hoping that they come out more when I burn it. (2)
Honey Spice Cake - Fall in a jar! Very spicy and warm with pumpkin in the background. It smells good enough to eat. (5)
Irish Cream - I'm not much of a drinker but one of my favorite liquours is Irish Cream and this smells exactly like it. Good strong coffee, some sweet creaminess and a touch of alcohol. It's something I'd have to be in the mood for but it's a really good cold weather scent. (4)
Bora Bora - I wasn't planning on getting this one but because the reviews were so great for it, I got it and I'm glad I did. It's just a really tropical, juicy fruit scent. I can't pull any specific fruits from this but I highly recommend giving it a shot. It's awesome! (4)

I also got a Cylinder Candle which is very similar in size to the Bath and Body Works 3 wick candles. This is the scent Bath Time With Pooh, which is currently my all time favorite scent from CBV. I'm actually burning the last of my mini jelly jar of it right now. 

I always try to include one of the specialty decorative candles, since they're what drew me to CBV in the first place. It being fall time I got one I've been lusting after forever, the Maple Butter Pumpkin Frap. My boyfriend was actually more excited if possible because he loved how seasonal and fall like it is. It smells strongly of pumpkin, cinnamon and butter with a touch of coffee in the background.

My free scent shot was Sunburst. It smells like Sunny D. Just a super strong, slightly sweetened orange juice scent. Not my favorite but not bad either. (2.5)

So that's it for my August CBV haul! I promise I'll try to not these get so far away from me next time! 

Fortune Cookie Soap Box Fall 2013 Haul and Review

I've said many times on this blog that I really wanted to do a subscription box again and I think I've finally found one that fits for me! This is the Fortune Cookie Soap Box for Fall. FCS is an indie bath and body company that puts out a box quarterly. The box is $20 but you get a $10 coupon. Each box contains all the new fragrances for that season and they usually put those scents up 2 to 3 weeks after the boxes are sent out so that you have time to pick and choose which scents you want to order.

Fortune Cookie Soap in Autumn Daze (full size) -  FCS says this scent has notes of apples, cardamom and pecans. I do get the apples and pecans but I don't know what cardamom smells like. I'm not a huge fan of this scent and I'm not sure if it's the cardamom or the soap that's not doing it for me.

Whipped Cream in "I Yam What I Yam" Said the Marshmallow (sample) - This smells exactly like what you would assume it would smell like, yams and marshmallows. In the container it has an odd sort of pungency but it goes away on the skin and just smells like sweet goodness. Bonus, I freaking love the formula of this. I'm not really a lotion person but I can't get over how much I love this one.

Bath Oil in <Insert Cookie Cutter Name Here> (sample) -  This smells like a lemon vanilla cookie. Not too much of either note and the citrus doesn't smell like cleaner. I like the scent ok, I'm just not a lemon scent person.

Personal Space in Pick of the Patch (sample) - Tis the season for pumpkin scents but this one is a bit different. Most pumpkin scents are a spicy cooked type of pumpkin and this one is more of a sweet fresh pumpkin. It's a great scent but I'm iffy on the product. Maybe I'm not spraying enough but the scent doesn't really spread out or linger. 

OCD Hand Sanitizer in Indian Summer (full size) - The scent description says notes of blueberry, woods and musk and that's so dead on. The musk is obviously the strongest note but the blueberry and woods hold their own. To me it's a manly scent. I like it, just not enough to want it in a body product. 

Milk Bath in You're Insecure, Donut What For #fall (sample) - If you're looking carefully you'll notice the label is upside down. That's because the bag came with a small hole in the bottom that quickly grew into a giant hole. The scent is delicious. If you've ever smelled Vanilla Bean Noel from Bath and Body Works (or CBV!), this is a slightly sweeter version of that. I can't tell if there is cinnamon in this or not but FCS says there is.

Bath Fizzy in Leeeaaf Piiiile!! (sample) - I love this scent! It's an apple and acorns scent that's just perfect for fall! The apple is juicy and fresh smelling and the acorns give it some depth and woodiness that almost makes it a bit perfumey. This was my immediate favorite of the bunch and it still is.

Wax Tart in Cranberry + Apple = FTW (sample) - Again, as the name implies, this is an apple and cranberry scent. It smells like Thanksgiving or Christmas. You probably already know that I'm not a wax melter so this product isn't going to get any love from me but I do quite enjoy the scent.

I did use my $10 off coupon and this is what I got! I chose two of the whipped creams in Leeeaaf Piiiile!! and You're Insecure, Donut What For. I also decided to try the Sugar Scrub and I got that in I Yam What I Yam. My free sample was Gin Gimlet bar soap. It smells like a men's lime scent but I like it. It does lean a bit towards kitchen cleaner but not enough to be offensive. I probably won't make another purchase before the winter box arrives but if I did I would buy something in Pick of the Patch or Cranberry + Apple = FTW. I also want to get a full size of the Milk Bath and try some more of their body products, like the body mists or the shower gel.

Thanks for sticking with me through this super long post! Has anyone else tried FCS? What products do I just have to try from them. If you haven't and want to get the next box, SIGN UP ASAP! They've warned on their FB page that it will sell out quickly! They do ship internationally!

September 2013 Favorites

Hey guys! Long time no see! I'm sorry about my extended absence. I'm back now, and I'm going to try to get back to a regular(ish) blogging schedule! I figured we could start with a monthly favorites!
Mary Kay Timewise Night Solution- My sister started selling Mary Kay products at the end of August. While I was skeptical of both the products and the selling strategy, I'm quite impressed with the Night Solution. It's touted as a super charged Neosporin type product for your face. I have noticed quite the improvement in my skins tone since I started using it. It heals blemishes really quickly and even did wonders for the post waxing blisters I get when I do my brows.
MAC Fix+ - I've had this little guy for a year now and I go through phases with it. Right now I absolutely love it as a setting spray. It really brings down any powdery-ness and makes my skin look soft and natural, even when I'm wearing a ton of makeup.
CBV's Caramelized Pralines- With fall being here, I decided to start busting out my candles again. Caramelized Pralines is a warm nutty scent that just screams cozy and fall to me. I've been burning it a lot and I just love it more each day.
Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - I've already reviewed this here so I won't chatter on too much about it. I've just been using this every time I do my makeup. I've especially been loving using Crave as a nice soft liner and I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to pencil liners now.
ELF Hypershine Gloss in Flirt - I used up one of these glosses for my project pan but that definitely doesn't mean I don't enjoy them! It's not really that pigmented but that just means it can go over any lippie. I like the formula and it doesn't dry out my lips!

I'm glad to be back blogging! I've missed you guys! I start a temporary position with Ulta tomorrow and I'm super excited! If any one is interested, I'll be happy to write about the experience for you when I'm done.

Friday Favorites! #2

Not an overly eventful or exciting week for me but I tried to include a wide variety for today's favorites.

1. Palazzolo's Toasted Coconut Almond Fudge Gelato

This was a complete impulse purchase at the grocery store yesterday. I wanted a snack to eat during my show and thought this looked yummy. And it is just soooo good! I love it! The coconut flavor isn't fake or overly sweet, it's perfection. And apparently, this is locally (relatively) made and doesn't have any crap ingredients!

2. One N Only Argan Oil Restorative Mask

I found this at Sally's Beauty Supply more than a month ago and they had the baby travel size so I figured I'd give it a whirl. It makes my hair feel so soft and healthy. I've been using it about once a week and I'm so tempted to try out the daily conditioner from this line as well.

3. Postcrossing

I've used this site on and off for more than 7 years now. The idea behind it is simple. You send a postcard and then you get a postcard. If you want more in depth info, you can check here. It's a fairly cheap hobby to have and it's not very time consuming but it's just so much fun. These are the two postcards I received this week, one from Taiwan and the other from Turkey!

4. MAC's Shale and Satin Taupe

Cora of Vintageortacky did an awesome eye look with Shale and it convinced me to get it. I got Satin Taupe at the same time because from what I could see in swatches, they looked like they would play well together. I've been wearing a really simple kind of smokey eye with these two and that's basically all I've worn since getting them.

5. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines
I'm obsessed with this song AND IT'S ALL JENNIFER'S FAULT!

I am so happy it's finally the weekend! I hope you all have a great Friday!

Butter London Lillibet's Jubilee

Something you might not know about me is that I'm a major Royal watcher. I'm a complete Anglophile and I think I love the Royal family more than any US celebrities. Waaaay back, this time last year, when Sam was here (OMG, Sam, I can't believe it's been a whole year!), I had this on my list of polishes I HAD to get while she was here, because obviously I need polish to celebrate the Jubilee! And I just could not find it! I was pretty devastated. It was LE so I figured I'd never get my hands on it. Then, to celebrate the birth of Prince George, Ulta had an exclusive Butter London set of three polishes, including this one, No More Waity Katie, and Pitter Patter.
So ANYWAYS, this is a beautiful lavender foil with some serious pink tones in it. I have no idea why it bubbled a bit on my middle finger, as I didn't notice until I took the pictures. The formula was impeccable, two fantastically easy coats plus top coat. I'm not a super fan of the brush, mostly the handle part is a little short for me but I freaking love how cute the square bottles all look together. If you find this polish, don't think, just buy it! It's perfect.
And speaking of, I've got an extra bottle of No More Waity Katie. I'm considering selling it on Ebay or having a blog sale, as I do have a few things I'd like to get rid of. Would anyone be interested?

Friday Favorites! #1

Hi everyone! I'm sort of feeling ready to get back to blogging after my break so I figured I could start with a little Friday favorites post for you all.

1. Big Brother 15 (US)

Guys, I'm seriously addicted to this show. As in, I have a subscription to the live feeds and I can't stop talking about it. This season isn't even close to the best but it's still pretty good. I could write a whole blog post about and I'm really tempted to but in the meantime you can read my thoughts on my BB tumblr.

2. Bath and Body Works Sea Island Cotton

I had been working on using up a different body spray but we had a huge heatwave last week and that's always my signal to pull out my most worn scent ever, Bath and Body Works Sea Island Cotton. This is the only scent I've ever used multiple bottles of. It's so fresh and clean smelling, exactly what I'm looking for when its a million degrees outside.

3. 32 Perks of Living in Michigan on Buzzfeed

Ok, so it's less "perks" and more of just things I love about where I live. I'm pretty vocal about loving the state I live in and these are all so legit.

4. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion

I'm very good about putting on sunscreen often during the summer, when me and MonkeyToes have our arms and legs bare and burnable. And we both have really sensitive skin so even if we are wearing sunscreen, a little pink irritation is common. This lotion is so soothing and cooling. I like that it helps keep your tan from fading as I don't tan that much in the summer but my freckles blossom something fierce. Plus it smells absolutely amazing!

5. Sheryl Crow - Easy

I'm not a big Sheryl Crow fan by any stretch of the imagination and I actually think this video is a little hokey but I really really love this song.

So that's it this week! I have no idea how often I'm going to be posting or what I'll be posting because I'll be easing myself back into this. I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any requests or suggestions for posts, leave me a comment!