Empties: September 2015

Welcome to my trash! Let’s take a look at products I’ve completely used up, along with my quick review of them. Some products I have full reviews on and if that’s the case, I’ll link the full review for you to read.

1.Lather Ultra Light Face Lotion (1.0 oz.)

I received this in my April 2015 ipsy glam bag and rather liked it. A little goes a long way and it absorbs into the skin nicely. I found this to be moisturizing and I would consider re-purchasing. It’s a good under makeup moisturizer.

2. Caudalíe Vinosource Moisturzing Sorbet (0.33 oz, 100 point perks from Sephora.com)

Love, love, love this moisturizer! Unfortunately, Caudalíe isn’t cruelty-free so I will no longer be getting this product. This moisturizer is really good for my sensitive skin—I felt it calmed my skin and kept it moisturized. I love the smell of Caudalíe products too—a slight grape scent. Tip: Cut the top off of squeeze-tube products so that I to get every last drop!

3. Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water (1 oz., deluxe-sample from Sephora.com)

This micellar water was included in a Beauty Battle that you can read here. I really liked this product and it has the same nice scent that the Moisturizing Sorbet does. It is gentle on my skin and removed makeup well.

4. fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream (foil packet sample from Sephora.com)

This eye cream is okay. I don’t find it to be particularly hydrating like the fresh black tea eye cream. I have a few more foil packets of this that I will use up, but I wouldn’t purchase it. It was moisturizing enough, but nothing spectacular.

5. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores (0.5 oz.)

I got this charcoal mask as part of a sampler set around the holidays last year. I didn’t feel that this mask did anything for me. It didn’t clear my pores, it only made my skin feel tight. I’ve never been a fan of charcoal-based products so it could just be me (although my husband didn’t like it either), so I would pass on this.

6. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (0.1 oz, deluxe sample size)

I don’t remember where I got this from, but I know it’s a great mascara. You can read my full review on this product here. This is one of the best mascaras I have ever tried. Benefit is not a cruelty-free brand so I wouldn’t re-purchase (and I also don’t buy high-end mascaras because why spend 30-ish dollars on something that you can only use for a few months, and there are great drugstore mascaras).

6. CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

This is a rubber bristle brush, so it’s pokey when you are applying the product. The mascara itself, however, is pretty good. It fanned my lashes out nicely and didn’t clump or flake. You can read my full review here.

7. L’Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter Pen in 860 Fair

This liquid highlighter is a twist-up pen with a brush tip applicator. Mine is in the color fair and it has the slightest salmon color to it—this helps cancel out darkness around the eyes. I used this mainly on top of my under eye concealer, or on its own, to brighten up my under eye area. I liked this product but, alas, will not be re-purchasing because L’Oreal is not cruelty-free.

8. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Redness Correcting Primer (0.16 oz., deluxe-sample from Sephora.com)

This is a fantastic primer if you need to cover up redness on your skin. It is definitely a pricier primer (1 oz., $36), and Make Up For Ever has questionable cruelty-free status, so I won’t be purchasing. BUT, if MUFE was cruelty-free I would probably be picking this up at Sephora’s sale in November. You can read my full review of this product here.

That’s everything I’ve used up recently. What products have you used up? Any recommendations?

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                   at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Finish 5 By Fall 2015 Challenge: Update #1

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

In this challenge, I am trying to use up five products by the beginning of Fall (September 23^rd). I first saw this challenge on PrettyPistol86’s YouTube channel. There is a whole community of YouTubers that do challenges like these throughout the year to try to finish up products in their makeup collections. I decided to jump on this challenge because I want to use up products I have that are not cruelty-free. Since I try so many products to review, I want to make sure I focus on finishing up some so I don’t have a lot of extra products lying around. You can read my introduction to this challenge here.

Here’s the progress I’ve made in the month I’ve been doing this challenge:

1. Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion (32 oz.)

I didn’t make as much progress on this as I thought I would. You can see my starting line and the progress I’ve made since I introduced this challenge I’ve used up about a quarter of the product I had left. I thought I would be halfway done since I’m using it every day, but I don’t think that I will finish this up by September 23^rd. This lotion absorbs into the skin really well, which is always appreciated so that your clothes don’t stick to your skin. It has a slight floral scent that is not overbearing.

2. L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17 in N1 Neutral Soft Ivory

I’ve made some good progress on this foundation but I’m not sure if I can use it up by the 23^rd. I have over 50% of the bottle to go. I will be sad to see this foundation go, but I have a few other foundations I need to use up too.

3. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

There is definitely less product on the mascara brush now, so I know I’m getting close to the end of this product. I’ve had this mascara open for a little bit and would have to throw it out at the end of September anyway so I wanted to use it up. This is an all around good mascara and it very popular among YouTubers. You can read my full review of this mascara here.

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo in 135 Hydrangea Hype

*sigh* I feel like I’m making no progress on this Color Tattoo even though I use it just about every day. I’m also getting sick if using this. Since it’s purple, I can’t use a lot of my other eyeshadows and I’m just getting bored with it. I didn’t think that I would use this up by Fall, but I thought I would have some noticeable progress. I’ve seen YouTubers doing “finish it up” challenges (oftentimes called “Project Pans”) where one of their products is a Color Tattoo—they seem to make good progress, but it’s not happening for me.

5. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in 04 Mega Melon

The Clinique Chubby Sticks are one of my favorite lip products. I’ve made good progress on using this up—I’m about halfway through as evidenced by the lines on the product cap. This color doesn’t go the best with the silvery-purple Color Tattoo so I wish I had thought that out better. It doesn’t look bad, just not ideal.

This is my first Project Pan Challenge and I’m definitely learning a lot; like, that I underestimated the amount of time it takes to use up a product. Oh well…

Are there any products you are trying to use up? Are you doing or contemplating doing your own Project Pan Challenge? Let me know!

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

First Impressions: August 2015 LooksBook by Starlooks Subscription Box

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

This is a monthly beauty subscription box that costs $12. You receive three “Perfect Size” Starlooks products and three gift cards. “Perfect Size” makeup is about ¾ the size of the full-size product, and is meant to be more transportable and easier to use up than a full-size product. You can also choose what goodies you receive ahead of time online, something that most subscription boxes do not offer. Starlooks is a company that carries cruelty-free, professional-level makeup. Full disclosure: Starlooks was kind enough to send me this box free of charge to review, so a big thank you to them! With that said, I will still give my honest opinion of the products I received.

The products arrive in a Starlooks box. The box and top will be good for storing makeup, like Birchbox boxes. The makeup products were contained within a mesh satchel and the gift cards came in an envelope. This month’s theme is “Resort Edition.”

I’ve used each of the makeup products once (I just got the box in the mail) and wanted to give you my first impressions on them.

1. Starlooks Gimme More Volumizing Mascara (1.13 oz., perfect size)

I’m not seeing this mascara on the website, which is a little weird. When I made my picks it was listed as a new product, so it might not have hit the website yet. It has a natural bristle brush that is cone-shaped. The formula of this is on the wetter side and I think it will be better once it dries out a bit. It curled and lengthened my lashes, but didn’t thicken them. It held the curl all day long and didn’t flake. As far as mascaras go, it was relatively easy to wash off.

Value: $7 (based on other perfect size mascara)

2. Starlooks Long Wear Eyeshadow in ES2 Gold Coast (1.6g, perfect size)

This is a beautiful bronze color with gold shimmer that I think will go great with most eye colors and skin tones. If you like the look of foiled (i.e., shiny) eyeshadows but they scare you a little, this would be a good type of shadow for you to try. This is also a new product that I don’t see on the website yet. It wore well throughout the day, even without an eye primer. This color is multidimensional and would be good for a one eyeshadow look (which is how I wore it today). I packed it onto my lid and blended it out to my crease; I also lined my lower lash line with it.

Value: $9 (?)

3. Starlooks Slanted Liner Brush (#824, full-size)

This is a synthetic angled liner brush. This could be used to apply eye liner or to fill in your brows with powder or gel/pomade. I used this to apply the Starlooks Gold Coast eyeshadow I received to my lower lash line and it worked well.

Value: $18

                          

And here are the gift cards I received:

1. $20 Gift Card to Starlooks Pro, not including celebrity lines (the card had $10 printed but a “2” was written over the 1 making it a $20 card I guess. Little weird…)

2. $20 Gift Card to Starlooks, includes celebrity lines

That’s $40 towards makeup from Starlooks—so I’ve got $80 in gift cards to Starlooks between this and last month. A haul is in order!

3. $25 (I think) Gift Card to Nomad Tribe.

Nomad Tribe works with local artisans around the world to make unique clothing and accessories. Each item has a trim that was made especially for that piece. I will definitely find some things I like here. If you join their mailing list you get 50% off your first purchase!

Total Makeup Value: $34

Total Gift Card Value: $65

_____________________

Total Box Value: $99

This subscription box is definitely well worth the $12. I’m a little concerned that I couldn’t find two of the products online though, hopefully they will be there soon. What are your thoughts on the Starlooks Subscription Box? Let me know! If you’re interested in signing up for the Starlooks Subscription Box you can go through my referral link or hop onto Subscriptions.Starlooks.com.

Disclaimer: Starlooks sent me this Custom Starlooks Subscription Box free for review. However, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment or free products. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.  This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                       at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Review of Josie Maran Black Oil Argan Mascara in Black

 **If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

Today I’m going to review the Josie Maran Black Oil Argan Mascara in Black. I got a sample size of this mascara as part of the Winter Dreams collection last year and still hadn’t used it. It’s one of the few cruelty-free mascaras I have in my collection so I wanted to test it out. The full-size is available separately for $22. It contains argan oil which is supposed to help condition your lashes. It claims to condition, lengthen, curl, volumize and lift your lashes.

The wand is big and is shaped like discs stacked on top of each other (I hope that makes sense, you can see it in the above photo pretty well). Even though the wand is big I haven’t had any issues with the product transferring to my brow. The formula is definitely on the dry side. I don’t know if this is how the formula actually is or if it’s drier because I opened the tube a while ago to see what the wand looked like. I can’t remember if I opened it when I got it…

This mascara performs well. I don’t have to curl my lashes beforehand since the mascara curls my lashes and holds the curl all day long (12+ hours). It definitely lengthens my lashes too. With one coat this is a very natural looking mascara. At two coats it still looks natural so if you want va-va-va-voom mascara this isn’t the one for you. Because it is natural looking it doesn’t add much volume to the lashes. I haven’t noticed any clumping. My only complaint is that this mascara flakes a little bit. The flaking isn’t offensive and might be due to the dryness of the formula (again, that could be because I opened the mascara months ago and let air in). Overall, if you are looking for a natural-looking cruelty-free mascara this is a pretty good one. I don’t see myself purchasing it because of the cost, but I wouldn’t mind having another sample.

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Finish 5 By Fall 2015 Challenge

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

I stumbled upon the YouTuber PrettyPistol86 the other day and she inspired me to try the “Finish 5 By Fall” challenge. It’s that simple—finish up five products by the Fall (September 23^rd). I’ve been feeling a strong urge to minimalize and I want to use up my products that aren’t cruelty-free (none of the 5 mentioned in this post are cruelty-free) so this was just the challenge I needed to help me focus on these two goals.

Here are the five products that I want to use up by Fall:

1. Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion (32 oz.)

I’ve had this for quite some time and have used it off and on. I want to finish this up since I’ve had it for like a year. I’m about halfway through now, as you can see by the line I’ve drawn on the bottle. This is one of Philosophy’s signature scent and has a soft floral scent. The scent does stick around, but it’s not offensive to me. This lotion is very moisturizing.

2. L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17 in N1 Neutral Soft Ivory

I love this foundation, it’s my favorite drugstore foundation. It is very blendable, as the name implies. It provides good coverage and this color is a great match for me. It lasts well throughout the day too. Needless to say, this will be a hard product to replace since L’Oreal is not cruelty-free. I’ve used about 25% of the bottle.

3. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

This is a great mascara. I have a full review here. This should be the easiest product to go through because you should only use a mascara for about 3 months and I’ve had this one open for a little while. I have a bunch of mascaras that aren’t cruelty-free to go through. I (thankfully) get all of my mascara pretty much free—either through couponing (see my Saving Series posts here) or using my points at Sephora.

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo in 135 Hydrangea Hype

This Color Tattoo is part of the Spring 2015 Rebel Bloom Maybelline collection (see my haul here). This color is a really nice silvery light purple. I love this Color Tattoo—it goes great with my green eyes and pale skin. I want to use this up, not only because Maybelline isn’t cruelty-free (are you getting sick of me saying cruelty-free yet??), but also because Color Tattoos can dry up if you don’t use them quick enough. I’ve used this a handful of times and really like the color.  I think this will be the hardest product to use up. Even if I don’t use it up entirely, I will feel okay throwing it away if I make a really good dent in it.

5. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in 04 Mega Melon

I absolutely love the Clinique Chubby Sticks. Alas, Clinique is not cruelty-free so I will be using up my Chubby Sticks and then not repurchasing. The color is so nice—a muted pink peach. I just love it! I have about ½ inch of this to finish. I got this as part of a set of four and I’m assuming the size is a deluxe sample size. I will be sad to see this go.

Are there any products you are trying to use up? Let me know!

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                       at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=