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:

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Review of belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb

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I love getting samples of skin care because products like moisturizer and eye cream can be so expensive. There was a lot of hype about this product when it first launched as Sephora. I received a deluxe size sample with a purchase from Sephora.com that is 0.34 oz (a $7.69 value). At Sephora the full-size of this moisturizer is $38 for 1.68 oz. This is a review of a product that is newer to the States—belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb. belif is a South Korean brand that fuses traditional and modern methods to create their skin care products. It is an aqua color (hence the name, I assume) that I couldn’t get to photograph right. It’s pretty, but weird to put a blue moisturizer on your face. From what I found, belif is not a cruelty-free brand.

The Claims:

This product is paraben, sulfate and phthalate free. It claims to hydrate the skin, reduce the appearance of pores, increase skin elasticity and fight off free radicals. It is suitable for all skin types.

My Impressions:

The Aqua Bomb has a light lemongrassy/medicinal scent. The consistency of this moisturizer is gel-like, definitely thicker than a normal moisturizer so I used this at night only.  A little tended to go a long way. There were a few things I did not like about this product. I did not feel that it absorb well into my skin—hence why I used it at night only. It left my skin slightly sticky well past the time a moisturizer would normally absorb into my skin. When I wash it off in the morning I can feel the product coming off my skin—like it was a mask that you wash off after 20 minutes as opposed to a moisturizer. So, I’m not sure how this would work for oily skin since my dry skin didn’t even want to absorb it. Overall, I was not impressed with the product and I wouldn’t purchase it or choose it as a sample again. It has a 4.5 star rating on Sephora.com so it’s obviously popular with a lot of people, but this product is just not for me.

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/

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First Impressions: ispy Glam Bag August 2015

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ipsy is a monthly subscription box company created by Michelle Phan and is $10 a month. You get a mix of makeup, skincare and hair care items, usually 4-5 full- or deluxe sample size products in a makeup bag. When you sign up for ipsy, you take a quiz in order for the bag to be customized to your skin type/tone and your general preferences. You can retake the quiz as many times as you like. You can also review each product in your bag to help ipsy further customize future bags and earn points to purchase products. You also receive points when people sign up for ipsy through your referral link.

This month’s theme is “prep school” and the bag reflects that theme. The bag this month has a black and white houndstooth pattern with fuschia detailing on the zipper. The vinyl lining inside is also fuschia.

Product #1: noyah All-Natural Lipstick in Desert Rose (sample; 1.4 g)

This lipstick is a bubblegum pink color which was surprising given the name a look of the product in the tube, I thought it would be a rosey color. This is not a color I would ever buy for myself so it’s nice to get a sample in a subscription bag to add to my collection. Now I have a bubblegum pink if I’m ever in the mood for that color. This lipstick applies a bit patchy and settled into the lines of my lips so I would recommend exfoliating your lips first. I also think there are performance issues because the finish is matte. This lipstick claims to be all-natural, synthetics free and never tested on animals. The ingredient list looks pretty good, but then again I’m not an ingredients expert. A full-size (4.5 g) is $18 on the noyah website.

Value: $5.60

Product #2: Doll 10 HydraGel Cream Blush in Flirt (deluxe sample; 0.11 oz.)

This is almost a full-size product! The full-size on the Doll 10 website is 0.14 oz for $16. Warning - alittle bit of this cream blush goes a loooong way. I applied it with the e.l.f. small stipple brush. It is a pretty rose color, just apply with caution since it is very pigmented. It claims to be lightweight, blendable, buildable and natural looking. I would agree with these claims with the exception of natural looking. This claim I cannot speak to because I definitely applied too much so we shall have see the next time I try it. I can’t find information on whether this brand is cruelty-free or not.

Value: $12.57

Product #3: Lord & Berry Ultimate Lipliner in #3035 Nude (deluxe sample; 0.03 oz.)

This lipliner is a browny nude with a hint of pink. It could double as an eyeliner, I think. It has a creamy texture and is easy to apply. Lord & Berry is a Europe-based brand so I’m excited for the opportunity to try them out. I can’t find how big the full-size of this product is so I’m estimating the value based on the sizes of my other lipliners. The blogs I use for reference say that Lord & Berry have a questionable cruelty-free status, which is a little concerning…

Value: $13.50

Product #4: Albertini International Divine Skin Hydrator In Shower Body Moisturizer in Unscented (deluxe sample; 1 oz.)

In-shower lotions are popping up more and more lately so I’m glad to get to try one through ipsy. I haven’t tried this yet, but it claims to hold moisture/rehydrate your skin. It is made with women over 40 in mind so I wonder why ipsy sent it to me as I am nowhere near 40…maybe because I have dry skin. You can use this product two ways: either as an after shower moisturizer or you can apply it in the shower, lightly rinse it off and then towel pat dry. A full-size is $16 for 9 oz. This is a cruelty-free product (yay!).

Value: $1.78

Product #5: eco-beauty by La Fresh Group good night. night cream (deluxe sample, 0.5 oz.)

I was so, so, SO EXCITED to see this in my ipsy bag. I received the day cream version of this moisturizer in my January 2015 ipsy bag and absolutely loved it. I will be using this night cream once I get through the sample I’m using right now (review to come). This moisturizer claims to hydrate, smooth and plump skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet. It is free of parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrance, animal byproducts, etc.. It contains a lot of anti-aging ingredients, including the super popular hyaluronic acid. A full-size is $40 for 1.7 oz. This is a cruelty-free brand.

Value: $11.76 

Swatches (left to right): noyah lipstick, Doll 10 blush sheered, Doll 10 blush, Lord & Berry lipliner

Overall Value: $45.21! I will use all of these products and am especially excited for the eco-beauty night cream. I will use the three makeup products (lipstick, blush and lipliner) and they are good compliments to what I have in my makeup collection. I’m interested to see how the in-shower body moisturizer works. I have tried a few different subscription boxes but none have consistently hit the mark like this one. ipsy delivers again!

If you subscribe to ipsy, what did you get in your bag?

If you’re interested in signing up for ipsy, feel free to use my referral link J

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/

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Bye Bye Beauty: The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Moisture Lotion SPF 15 (1.69 oz.)

**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 am running out of day time moisturizer/SPF so I’m looking around for a new one. The Body Shop is a Leaping Bunny approved cruelty-free brand so I figured I would try one of their moisturizers. What’s Leaping Bunny? You can read my post about changing to cruelty-free makeup here.

Most of The Body Shop moisturizers only have an SPF of 15, which is not very high. There is one moisturizer (Vitamin C line) with SPF 30 but ingredients in it could potentially irritate my sensitive skin. So because my skin is sensitive, I went with the Aloe Soothing line which is geared toward sensitive skin.

The moisturizer is light and a little goes a long way. I don’t recall it having much of a smell. It took 10-15 minutes to dry down so I would put on all my eye makeup while the moisturizer absorbed into my skin. It did not irritate my skin at all and I thought all was well. At this time I was also trying out the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup (read my post here) and my skin was very oily. I thought it was the foundation since the moisturizer had absorbed into my skin and the foundation is supposed to be dewy. I returned the Urban Decay foundation and went back to the L’Oreal True Match foundation as part of my Finish 5 By Fall Challenge. A couple hours into the day my face was so oily it looked like I had poured olive oil all over my face (thank goodness for blotting papers ;)). That’s when it dawned on me that this moisturizer was making me oily, not the Urban Decay foundation. *sigh*

Needless to say, I returned this moisturizer. Very disappointing. I usually have dry to normal skin—it’s very hard for something to make me oily. I would not recommend this moisturizer because of how oily it made me—my makeup was shifting on my face! This product was returned and now I wish I still had the Urban Decay foundation…

Have you tried any moisturizers from The Body Shop? Let me know if they worked for you!

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=