Empties [No.2]

Hey y'all!

I haven't done an empties post since March-can you believe it?

These are honestly some of my favorite posts ever (pretty sure I say this every single time that I write one of these), but you get such good reviews when you're listening to someone who has used every single drop of something.

So here it goes; the good, the bad, the ugly of all these many products.

We're covering shampoo, skincare, candles, face masks...basically everything that girls need in their lives.

Let's go!

Victoria's Secret Citrus Dream Hydrating Body Lotion

In my process of trying to use up my older body lotions, I stumbled upon this citrus body lotion by VS and fell in love all over again.

It wasn't super hydrating, but I loved applying it before bed because it really felt as though it sank into the skin and left the most delicious fresh scent.

If you can find this at the semi-annual sale, I recommend picking it up!

Equate Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

I am not brand loyal when it comes to things like nail polish remover, I feel like they pretty much all do the same thing no matter how much you pay for them.

This was branded as strengthening, which I didn't really notice a difference there.

Basically, I pick up whatever is on sale in this department-do you do the same?

Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Makeup Primer

I like to use a primer every single time that I use makeup, I just feel like it extends the wear of my foundation and helps fill in pores.

This one is pretty inexpensive at the drugstore and I feel like it does it's job.

Is it the best? Does it make my makeup last forever? Nope. But it does a decent job for the price you pay.

Degree Motion Sense Dry Spray in Fresh Energy

I got this sent to me from Influenster and I didn't think I would like it...but y'all, I love this stuff and will never go back to using regular deodorant.

It smells very fresh & drys very quickly, it lasts all day long as well-highly recommend!

TRESemme' Breakage Defense Shampoo

When I moved back from my college apartment into my new home with Chris, I somehow left half of this shampoo unused until now-which is such a shame because it's one of my favorites.

It cleans without weighing my hair down, it foams really well, and it's a pretty decent price especially given the amount of product you get.

I've still got a few more shampoos that have been sent to me to use up, but after that I'll probably revisit this old favorite!

Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo

I was able to go through so many shampoos this month because I have a really bad habit of using a shampoo and then putting it back in the closet to use another kind, so I wind up with partially used shampoos-and now I'm trying to not do that anymore!

This was a really nice clarifying shampoo for me; I get really bad build up, so I loved using this every 2-3 days. It works nicely without drying out my hair and it is a great price!

Pura d'or Argan Oil Premium Organic Shampoo

I was sent this by Pura d'Or to test out so I didn't know until just now how much this cost (way too much in my opinion). It's to prevent hair loss and is supposed to thicken, which I don't felt like it did. It also has a very strong herbal smell and the design of the bottle and thickness of the product made it difficult to get the product out. I wouldn't recommend to anyone, really.

Bath & Body Works Sheer Cotton & Lemonade Shower Gel

This is such a good, clean scent for Spring.

I love the packaging, it foamed up well, the scent lasted lightly on your skin-overall, great product & I wish it wasn't limited edition!

Exuviance Performance Peel AP25

I was first sent this by Exuviance a while back and I really enjoyed using it, but the cost is fairly high for skincare.

But after using it consistently and seeing how it resurfaced my skin very effectively and pretty gently, I repurchased this again during the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale and have been very pleased. When it's necessary, I'll repurchase again!

Estee Lauder NightWear Plus Cream (Travel Size)

This travel sized cream came in a beauty sample box from Macy's and I loved testing it out-it's a great night cream. It's very rich and moisturizing, I loved putting it on right before bedtime and allowing it to sink in overnight-I woke up every time I used it feeling my skin very hydrated. I would definitely pick this up again.

Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Shower Gel

I don't like many of the B&BW Christmas scents, but Twisted Peppermint is my exception.

This one smells so fresh & clean, and it takes forever to use it up. I started at the end of November and I was using it until late March, early April.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

This foundation is really, really good.

I love how light and creamy the formula is-it is incredible and sits so nicely on the skin.

Sometimes with other foundations I notice breakdown by the end of my workday, with this I didn't notice it. I will definitely pick this up again. It's in my top five foundations!

Elizabeth Grant Biocollasis Complex Eye Power Pads

I found these at a local discount store and decided to test them out because I love sheet masks and under eye patches. These were just okay, they did hydrate under my eyes but toward the end of the six packs that I got, I noticed they were drying out.

I would probably test something else out before buying these again.

Bath & Body Works Sea Salt Citrus Foaming Hand Soap

I love all of the citrus scents from B&BW for their soaps-they work well all year long and smell so clean. They do linger on your skin, so take caution if you don't like that.

The soaps are also usually very budget friendly if you pick them up on sale. 

This one in particular smells super lemony and the packaging is really pretty, almost Grecian. 

Bath & Body Works Fall Lakeside Breeze Foaming Hand Soap

B&BW hand soaps are seriously my favorite, we use them in both of our bathrooms and every time we have guests they always compliment them.

This scent is super fresh and not only nice for fall, but really whenever. (I'm not too picky about using up seasonal scents because I just move them to our master bath where guests can't see them).

The packaging on this one is really pretty as well!

PacSun Kirra Perfume

This perfume is so, so old y'all. I've seriously probably had this since high school.

But somehow it still smelled good after all those years and I finished it up just the other day.

I tend to like perfumes that are very fresh and clean like this one-when I finish up my other perfumes, I'll be on the hunt for one like that, so if you know of any please let me know!

Dove Regenerative Nourishment Shampoo (Travel Size)

I got this in a Target Beauty Box and I was really pleased with it, especially being able to take it on trips because of its small size.

The scent is really nice, it cleans my hair very well without being drying, and didn't leave a weird film on my hair like some other shampoos do. This is a contender for the shampoo I purchase when I need another. 

Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Lip Conditioner

This was one of the first things that I got in an Ipsy bag and it was okay. It took me so long to use it up because to be honest, it was moisturizing but it never felt like the hydration really sunk in.

I used it up, but I probably wouldn't buy it again.

EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm

It's no secret that I love EOS lip balms, I keep them everywhere around my house.

This particular one sat on my desk at work so that I could use it throughout the day.

I love the sweet mint scent because it almost freshens your breath when you use it, it smells great!

Carmex Cherry Lip Balm

For the colder months, I love using Carmex so that my lips don't get wind-burn or dried out.

The cherry scent is amazing and I love the little tingle you get from Carmex. 

Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift

For being a drugstore eye cream, I thought this one was pretty good.

I suffer from slight bags and dark under eye circles and while this was hydrating, it didn't really cure my undereyes-so I switched to another drugstore one and we're going to see how that works!

Beauty Blending Sponge

This particular beauty blending sponge came from TJ Maxx and I highly recommend looking there for sponges that are awesome dupes for the original beauty blender!

This one was very malleable and easy to use, it was just time to retire it from being stained and unable be cleaned anymore. I replaced it with another TJ Maxx find :)

L'Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Rosy Tone Cream (Sample)

I love getting these little samples (you would know that if you've been reading a while) because I love testing out products I might not pick up otherwise.

This cream was pretty nice, it's a pretty pink color and absorbed into my skin well.

It didn't break me out and I would consider purchasing it in the future. 

Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb Moisturizer (Sample)

I've had samples of this before and it is so so good.

It's super moisturizing-really is a moisture bomb!

It sinks into my skin immediately and doesn't break me out, it's incredibly long lasting and cured my summer dry skin on my forehead.

I was just sent a similar product by another brand that I'm testing out, but this is on my list for future purchase.

Chanel Blue Serum (Sample)

This serum was super hydrating-it felt so refreshing on my skin!

But here's what I have to say...it's not worth $110.

Not when Garnier and now L'Oreal have moisturizers that are very similar to this for a fraction of the price. 

Biore Nose and Face Strips

I really enjoy using these, there is something so satisfying about being able to peel them off and seeing the gunk come out from your pores.

However, sometimes these do irritate my skin so I have to be really careful when removing them-other than that, they're awesome!

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer (Sample)

I enjoyed this sample, but I don't think it was the best moisturizer that I've ever tested. I liked the Estee Lauder one more that I talked about in this empties post and the price is not that much different. 

Neutrogena Makeup Remove Cleansing Towelettes 

Y'all know these are my ride-or-die makeup remover clothes (if there is such a thing).

They work consistently well and are affordable-I purchase mine in bulk at Sam's Club.

Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract

I got these in a gift set with some other amazing Burt's Bees products-but these are not amazing.

They don't take off makeup well, they aren't very moist, and they stink so badly.

I won't be buying these, they're awful.

The Creme Shop Charcoal Lemonade Sheet Mask

I found this set at TJ Maxx, five masks for only five dollars-a win, if you ask me.

I love how fresh and hydrating it is, my face literally glowed with hydration after using these.

They've got tons of product on them and you're encouraged to use the rest of the serum on your neck and anywhere else the mask didn't cover.

I would definitely repurchase these!

Que Bella Deep Cleansing Aloe-Vera Cream Mask

Y'all, I have beef with these two Que Bella masks.

Yes, they are inexpensive but guess what. They give you tons of product in those pouches and no way to reseal to use it for later-so I had to resort to messy ziplock baggies.

This mask was okay, but the scent was really bad.

I probably won't repurchase this again.

Que Bella Purifying Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Mud Mask

Once again, great price but the packaging sucks.

I normally love mud masks, but the scent of this one was bad too.

I've got others that I love more that are easier to use and smell much better or not at all.

Que Bella Illuminating Citrus Surge Spa Sheet Masque

For as much as I didn't like the other two Que Bella masks that I tried out, I loved this one.

My mom gave me this for Christmas in my stocking and I totally loved it.

It was very hydrating and moist and the sheet fit my face pretty well.

I would repurchase this one!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (Sample)

I have a larger sample of this primer and I love using it for special occasions.

It truly does blur out your pores and makes your makeup apply flawlessly.

I would definitely consider purchasing the full size when I use up my other primers.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (Sample)

I really loved wearing this for a day out-I wanted to have my skin perfected but also protected, so I loved that it had SPF.

Would I pay fifty dollars for it...probably not, but it was really good-so maybe if I saw it on sale?

Bath & Body Works Creamy Nutmeg Wallflower

I picked this wallflower up at the after Christmas semi-annual sale and really enjoyed it. It has a really warm, creamy scent that was perfect for when it was still cool outside. I really enjoyed the scent it gave my classroom!

Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil (Travel Size)

I got this in a Target Beauty Box and absolutely fell in love with it.

It takes off your makeup so well and leaves your skin feeling super soft.

I always double cleanse, but this is a great first step. 

Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Mini Candle

So, I have reviewed the Champagne Toast big candle on an empties post before, and the scent for the mini candle is the same. It smells very clean and sweet, almost more citrusy-like a mimosa than just champagne.

But here is why I won't buy a mini candle again (this was actually a gift). There was no scent throw at all-I sat this on the table next to me and burned it and could never smell it at all. So disappointing.

Bath & Body Works Autumn Mums Wallflower

This was yet another clean, fresh Fall scent that I used in my classroom this year.

It smells a little floral, but no so much that it gave you a headache. Honestly, it gave off a little baby powder scent that most people found pleasing-I got lots of compliments on it!

Bath & Body Works Leaves Wallflower

I had never used wallflowers before I began teaching, but these are essential in your classroom if you teach-especially if you teach middle school kids after they have P.E. ;)

The leaves scent is really good for Fall, basically it smells like spicy apples-so good.

These are also pretty long-lasting and smell up my whole huge classroom, they often go on sale.

Bath & Body Works Kitchen Spice Candle

This is an oldey, but a goody. I love how creamy and spicy it is and I wish they would make more simplistic candles like this one.

I kept this one in my kitchen and it filled the entire space and made it smell like I was baking something delicious.

Yankee Candle Delicious Apple

I picked this candle up from the Yankee Candle Outlet in Gulf Shores and when I smelled it in the store it smelled so good. It smelled fresh and distinctly like apple.

However, when I burned it-I burned the entire thing-I got nothing, no smell at all.

I've had really few positive experiences with Yankee Candle, I think I'm just going to stay away for a while.

Bath & Body Works Mahogany Balsam

The only way that I can describe this candle is a sexy man at Christmas-time.

It smells warm and rich, but it has the hint of pine that makes it seasonally appropriate for Christmas-time. It's one of my all-time favorite seasonal candles!

White Barn Mahogany Teakwood Candle

This is the classic "Abercrombie & Fitch" scent from White Barn/B&BW.

It's described as woody and I think that's totally accurate, it's cozy and slightly spicy-I love it and need to pick up another soon.

Bath & Body Works Warm Caramel Cider Candle

During the Fall/Christmas seasons I love this drink called wassail, which is basically like cider.

Last year when I burned this candle I got the bright idea to add caramel to my wassail and it was a game changer and so much like tasting the scent of this candle.

It's got real apple flavor, but the sweetness and richness of the caramel comes through-I really hope B&BW comes back out with this in the next Fall group of candles!

Bath & Body Works Harvest Gathering Candle

You can definitely smell the apple and cinnamon with the hints of cranberry in this candle.

It was very strong, so I'm not sure if I would re-purchase it, but it is very Fall scented and fills a large area.

Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Apple Candle

Once again, another quintessential Fall candle combining apple + pumpkin, along with some spices in the background. It's very strong and pungent. so if you're going for a Fall vibe in your space this would work well. Once again, it's pretty strong so I'm not sure if I would repurchase because sometimes I'm sensitive to strong scents.

Bath & Body Works Autumn Night Candle

First of all, I loved that this candle was a little different with the blue wax and I love the packaging of these candles, very clean and minimal but still pretty.

This one smells pretty manly, it has cedar in it as well as some spices.

I would definitely repurchase this one because it makes me feel like curling up with a Halloween movie or putting on my boots and a sweater and going to the pumpkin patch!

Well y'all, tell me down below what you've been using up lately & if you enjoy any of these same products-sound off below!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,