Empties {March 2016}

Hey y'all! 

I am SO glad to be back on the blog. I had a busy, busy weekend getting ready to be back at school this week after my Spring break holiday. I intended on having a "Little Bit of Life" post up on Wednesday recapping my weekend, but our town decided to put everyone on a phone/internet detox for all of Tuesday (until about 3 AM on Wednesday)...

Actually someone cut a cable that controlled Verizon & CenturyLink in our area so no one had internet or phone service-I felt like I was going back to the dark ages, but I actually kind of liked it.

So yesterday was spent catching up on emails, working on school work, and getting this post ready.

But you can best bet that I'll be back at it again with those weekend posts, this weekend ;)

Today though. . .

I feel like I haven't done an Empties blog post in forever, I think my last one was actually last year!

I have been hoarding a TON of stuff to share with y'all, from makeup and skincare, to vitamins and candles...so check it out below!

EOS Shave Cream (Pomegranate Raspberry)

I wanted to love this, but honestly it doesn't work that well for me and it was hard to use up all the product so I felt like I wasted it. 

I won't repurchase this.

Twisted Peppermint Shower Gel from Bath & Body Works

This is my favorite scent from Bath and Body Works, if I could buy it all year 'round, I would.

If you spot it on sale by chance or on Amazon/Ebay I would snag it if it's a good price, or wait until Christmas season this year.

I'll definitely be purchasing this next year!

Salted Caramel Corn Bath & Body Works Candle

Y'all, this candle smells SO good. I was sitting next to the jar just now with the lid on and could smell it, easily. It's your standard creamy caramel.

I'll be purchasing this one if B&BW brings it back next year.

Scope Mouthwash in Original Mint 

I'm just going to be honest with y'all, I only used this up because I had it in the cabinet and wanted it gone. It did it's job and was really refreshing, I just honestly don't use mouthwash that much.

B50 Energy Metabolism Vitamins by Spring Valley

These technically aren't even an empty because the bottle still has several in it.

However, I'm tossing them because they were out of date and I didn't feel any energy boost from them, so obviously I won't be repurchasing.

Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer (Travel Size)

I scored this in a Target Beauty Box and I LOVED it.

It makes your skin so moisturized and has been the only thing to keep my legs from feeling scaly.

Luckily I found a set of two full sized bottles on sale at my Target so I'm stocked up for a bit.

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (Foil Packet)

I only got to try this once, obviously, however I really liked it.

When I run out of the cleanser I'm using now, this is on my potential purchasing list.

Maybelline Define-A-Line Eyeliner in Soft Black

This is my go-to liner and has been forever, it stays where you put it and is the perfect black.

I will repurchase this every time.

EOS Balm in Strawberry

Y'all know I swear by my EOS lip balms and this one was no different.

Thankfully I don't have to repurchase because I got several for Christmas-but I highly recommend!

Softsoap Handsoap Refill

For the longest time, I would buy these giant soap bottles to save money on our soap...and they work just fine...but then I discovered Bath & Body Works foaming soaps.

I don't think I'll be purchasing these anymore, but it does work great and I recommend them if you're trying to save $$$.

Puffs Plus Lotion Tissues

These are the ONLY tissues I will use when I'm sick!

I actually went through an entire 4 pack of these when I first started student teaching and caught a cold.

They're so gentle on your nose, I highly recommend buying them-we always keep them on hand.

Digestive Advantage Probiotic Gummies

Chris started taking these a while back to keep him from getting ulcers (they work great for him if you're trying to prevent those!)

I like taking them because 1) they taste awesome & 2) they keep me from feeling sick-which is something I love since I work around kiddos.

Biotin 5000 mcg by Spring Valley

I take Biotin every single day & y'all, I can tell a difference in my skin, hair, & nails when I don't take it. I always keep this on hand!

Nivea in Shower Body Lotion (Foil Packet)

So I tried this and the Jargens, and I prefer the Jargens because I don't have to rinse that one off.

However, if you prefer to have one you rinse off-this one is for you.

They both had very similar moisturizing results.

Curel Ultra Healing Lotion

Although I do use in-shower body lotion, I do like to keep an unscented lotion on hand.

Curel is my brand of choice because I find that they deeply hydrate my legs/elbows and they don't have a strong scent (that even some "unscented" kinds have). 

I always keep this on my bathroom counter, you should to!

Victoria's Secret Pure Seduction Body Mist

This is one of my favorite VS scents & my everyday body mist.

I'm so sad to see it gone, because I love the refreshing, fruity scent that it put off and I adored the fact that it wasn't overpowering.

I highly recommend picking this up at Victoria's Secret.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Bath & Body Works Candle

I have to say, I wasn't sad to see this candle go.

It had a very strong spicy scent & I wasn't a huge fan.

I won't repurchase this one again if B&BW comes out with it at Christmas.

Redken Real Control Shampoo (Foil Packet)

There are perks of having a sister who owns a salon with her husband, free samples!

She passed this on to me and I finally used it when my husband and I went to a weekend convention a few weeks ago.

Normally hotel water leaves my hair greasy and dirty feeling, but this shampoo combatted it.

I'm tempted to try out the full-size!

VolumEyes Mascara by Model Co

This was an IPSY bag find and I have to say, I was less than impressed with it.

It didn't give my lashes much oomph, I could get more out of a drugstore mascara.

I won't go out of my way to get that again.

L'oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher (Foil Packet)

I'm just going to be honest (& this might sound dumb) but I had to actually research what this product was for, before I used it. The foil packet doesn't actually say!

After googling, I decided it was a primer.

I used it before the rodeo and felt like it did a good job of keeping my makeup in place throughout the night.

However, it had such bad reviews on ULTA's website (saying the product separates in packaging) that I won't be purchasing a full size.

HASK Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Shampoo

I love this brand-this shampoo smelled heavenly & I really liked how light and healthy it left my hair feeling. I'm currently using another kind of HASK shampoo, but I recommend trying the moisturizing kind out if you have dry, damaged hair.

Insta Natural Argan Oil Hair Mask

I have had this FOREVER.

It smells so good (like orange creamsicle) and the tub literally lasts forever because you need the tiniest amount.

I have another hair mask that I'm using now, but I would recommend buying this (you can get it from Amazon) if you need to repair your hair!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara (Sample Size)

This was another IPSY mascara, but I loved this one.

It had the perfect amount of lift, I loved it as an every day mascara.

I would definitely buy this in the full size!

Simple Micellar Wipes

I got these in a Target Beauty Box & I was SO excited to test them out since I've heard all the hype about Micelles.

At first, I wasn't sure that I liked them...but after using these & then going back to my Neutrogena wipes, I actually like the Simple ones better!

They got off all of my leftover makeup at the end of the day-two thumbs up from me!

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes

These have been my longtime love, I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club if y'all didn't know.

They are a little bit cheaper than the Simple ones, but I think when I finish out the box that I have from Sam's I'll go for the Simple ones instead.

HASK Macadamia Oil Hydrating Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

This was a super generous size packet, and I loved it.

I actually used the tub from the Insta Natural to store it in while I used it all up.

It's very moisturizing, so a little goes a long way.

I would recommend picking this up for sure, it's only $5 at Wal-Mart...I'd pick it up if I saw it!

Olay Regenerist Luminous Perfecting Cream Moisturizer (Foil Packet)

I love testing out new moisturizers, but sadly foil packets just don't give you enough uses to decide whether you really like a product.

I'll tell you this, if I saw this on sale (or for a decent price) I would probably pick it up.

Redken Real Control Conditioner (Foil Packet)

This is the other half to the foil packet set that my sister passed on to me, which I really liked.

Seriously though, I loved how smooth my hair felt after using this.

Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask

I LOVE sheet masks.

This was another Target Beauty Box item and I loved it. 

Right now you can get a 4-pack of them from Target's website for $15, so I feel like that's a pretty good deal. My skin felt super smooth and hydrated when I took it off, so I'd say that's a win :)

Thanks for sticking through this lengthy post-I hope y'all learned a little something and maybe found some new products!

Two things I learned: Foil packets are super useful for traveling & those Target Beauty Boxes are seriously a great deal. I have found so many great things in there and gotten them for less than retail.

What was your favorite product I mentioned?

Until next time. . .

xoxo,