Updated Empties

Hi Again,
   In the continuation of my project for this year, I have another batch of products that I have finished out over the last few weeks.  As you can tell, I'm pretty hell-bent on working my way through all these products.

Vaseline Firming Lotion: I can't really say that I saw "firming" in this lotion, but it was really good quality.  My skin felt soft and it sunk in rather well.  What was most important is that my ashy knees were gone!

Old Spice Fresh Deodorant: Yes, I use men's deodorant.  I don't like the women's scents and just feel that the men's versions work so much better.  I just wasn't the biggest fan of this particular scent.  I kept smelling a toothpaste-mint fragrance and while I love my mint, I didn't like it in this form.

Givinchy Le' Jardin Perfume: I had this perfume for a while and had a complete love-hate relationship with it.  I bought it and used it for a month or two, then hated the heavy floral scent.  Thus it wasn't used for about 6 months. I kept bouncing back and forth until this winter where I finally said "to hell with it" and used it up.  But guess what? I actually liked it, but I won't repurchase it.

Dove gofresh in Green Tea Cucumber: This was an "ok" scent, but it just didn't fit me.  I ended up using it as a room mist, but towards the end it started to smell sickly sweet (I guess it was going bad).  Overall I won't repurchase.

Olay Night Cream: I love this cream because it was thick but not greasy.  It was calming enough that it could repair damage or drying but light enough that I didn't feel like Mrs. Doubtfire when she smashes her face into the cake.  This is a cream I might come back to.

NYC Nail Polish in 219: This was before the NYC nail polishes even had legit names for their colors.  This was from their "nail glossies" line, and it was so pretty.  It was a light enough pink that it made your nails look healthy, clean and polished while being able to cover any stained nails. (too many dark shades used!) I don't think they even make this any more.

NYC In a New York Minute in 248B Manhattan: This was one of my favorite colors this year.  I can't tell you how many times I would repaint my nails consecutively with it.  Towards the end it got very clumpy and so thick that the air bubbles created actually puffy nail polish.  I would get acrylic thickness nails when I put this on towards the end! If I didn't have about 4 other same colors, I would repurchase it.

Colgate Mini: It's a toothpaste. It kept my teeth clean.  I don't know what else to say about it because this was just about as basic as they come.

Renpure Organics I love my hair! Conditioner: This smelled really good and was pretty thick consistency, but it didn't out perform any of my less expensive conditioners.  So while it lasted a while, I just don't see myself picking this up anytime soon.

Amika Hair Oil: Oh my goodness, this was something that sparked a love for hair oils.  This smelled so lovely, almost like a light perfume but was so pleasant when I caught a whiff of it.  I would consider purchasing a full sized bottle of this.

L'Oreal EverCreme Shampoo: I used this for a while, then when I came back to this I disliked it.  I don't think I'll repurchase because I'm not extremely concerned about using organic shampoos.  Since my hair is fine and greasy the sulfates seem to keep it dryer for longer. 

Oscar Blondie Protein Mist: What can I say other than I used it more as a detangler.  I didn't see any improvements in my hair strength.  It smelled good though, but to pay the price for an Oscar Blondie protein mist and use it like my much cheaper drugstore detanglers doesn't seem to make any sense.

Organix Moroccan Argon Oil Conditioner: I was so disappointed in this product.  I thought it would leave my hair in beautiful condition, but instead it looked like a rats nest, and I'm sure I lost a few too many hairs from all the yanking of my hair brush.  Not going near this stuff ever again.

 

Bath & Body Works Lavender & Chamomile Body Wash: I love the scent of this stuff and it always lasts me between 2-3 months, so even when I buy these at the 50-75% off sales, I feel like I'm getting an awesome deal. I'd repurchase this fragrance over and over too. 

Desert Essence Face Wash: This was a really good cleanser, but it took a little while to get used to a purely liquid product versus gel or cream cleansers.  I'd repurchase this product because it didn't alter my skin and kept it pimple free. 

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Face Scrub: This was a life saver when I went through a pizza face month.  It was awesome for killing all the bacteria and just getting rid of any additional bumps.  I'd repurchase this one.

My FaceWorks I Need to Heal Face Mask: So one thing I'll give this mask is that it is VERY saturated in liquid. I actually had to put it between a towel to dry it off a little bit, and it was cooling and relaxing.  I just didn't see enough improvement in my skin to make me want to splurge to see if a few more would help my skin.  I feel like there are many other great products you can buy and still keep a low budget. 

L'Occitane Body Wash: This smelled of an awesome spicy ginger and was perfect as a wake up body wash.  I just don't know if I love it enough to purchase a full size.  I also have so many body washes, that I'll still need to work through those before adding more in.

So how has your project empties been going?

xoxo,

Emi

Finished Products Pt 2

Hi All!

It’s time for another products that I have finished post! I feel like I am on a roll, but the be realistic this is probably the final batch of products that I had a little left and am now really working on full products (phew!) I’ve been pretty good with not spending money, last that I calculated I am at (roughly) 40 dollars spent. 

L-R: Softsoap Spa Radiant Body Wash, B&BW White Tea and Ginger Body Wash, Aveeno Lotion, B&BW White Citrus Lotion. TOP ROW: Calgon Tahitian Orchid, No Brand Foot Scrub, Avon Naturals Vanilla Lotion, B&BW Moonlight Path Body Butter

 1. SoftSoap Spa Radiant Body Wash: It says that it had some pearls in it, but the formula was so watered down that I had to use a lot to get a lather and the "pearls" were so few that I didn't bother to count it as "exfoliating". Not a huge fan of the scent either. Not repurchasing. 

2. B&BW White Tea & Ginger Body Wash: Talk about concentrated and getting your moneys worth. This lasted me 3 months! But I loved the scent and just a tiny bit lathered up so much and left my skin feeling clean. I already have bout 9 backups of this (B&BW sale...no shame!) The scent is fresh, and even my boyfriend purchased one because he loved it so much.

3. Aveeno Lotion: My sister used to have REALLY dry skin and hated many formulas, this was one that she didn't really like. I personally loved it, and will probably repurchase once I finish all these other lotions I have laying around the house (dear God, why did I buy so much!?!)

4. B&BW White Citrus Lotion: I've said it before, after using a lot of lotion products, I find that B&BW lotions just aren't moisturizing enough for my liking. Yes the scent lingers for a little while but when my elbows and knees need some TLC...it don't work too great.  I liked the scent though, found it rather refreshing and not sweet. I might repurchase, but it's not a MUST have for me. 

5. Calgon Tahitian Orchid: *siiigh* ok, I can say this product took me a while to finish, but just the scent doesn't seem right. FIrst off...doesn't smell like a real Tahitian Orchid, and second...it just didn't work right on me. I ended up using it as a room spray and even then...it just didn't seem to fit (really weird and wonky I know...but ever have just those products where you can't put your finger on it but it just seems wrong?)

6. No Brand Foot Scrub: Let's be real...this was rubbish as a foot scrub, but worked great as a body scrub. Yes it was minty but I liked it to wake me up on tough mornings. It wasn't greasy, or oily, just a great shower jelly with scrubbies in it. I liked it so much that i obviously cut into it. If I knew the brand or where I got it...I would probably repurchase. 

7. Avon Naturals in Vanilla: This just smelled like fake vanilla bean to me. I didn't love it, and it was just not memorable...or anything to write home about. Will I repurchase? probably not. 

8. B&BW Moonlight Path Body Butter: Ok, while the B&BW lotions aren't amazing...the body butters are pretty damn good! My legs still felt moisturized the next morning (after my nighttime application) and the scent was good. I might not try to use this particular scent though. (granted I have roughly 4 other body butters to get through...)

L-R: Color Workshop Eyeliner in Black, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb, Carmex Tub

9. Color Workshop Eyeliner in Black: This was a sample sized black eyeliner that came in a palette I purchased, and I was actually really surprised how smooth, dark and creamy this liner was! If they sold these separately I would probably repurchase, but I have only seen them in palettes (and these are dirt cheap too!)

10. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb: I love this thing! It has the mintiness of the regular Burt's Bees but a really nice tint to the lips.  This color does not have a frost or shimmer and feels really nice on the lips. Once I get through a few more glosses or chapsticks I will be buying this again.

11.  Carmex Tub: My holy grail lip treatment. My lips had never felt as nice as with this product. It was just medicated enough to protect my lips. Will be a repurchase as soon as I can because I almost always have one on hand.

B&BW Wallflower in Cranberry Bellini, Rembrandt Mouth rinse, Nail Polish Dryer

12. B&BW Wallflower in Cranberry Bellini: I was introduced to this scent by a friend and it just smells so yummy. It has a light and crispness to it that allows it to still be fruity but not fruit-punchy. I will probably repurchase once I finish out my other 4 wallflowers and if they go on sale again at B&BW.

13. Rembrandt Mouth Rinse: Meh, it was a good mouthwash, but nothing to really write home about.  I didn't notice my teeth getting any whiter. Frankly, if I had to pick between this or a large bottle of my usual mouthwash, I'd probably pick the cheaper version. Not going to be a repurchase simply because it just doesn't seem to be anything amazing.

14.  Nail Polish Dryer: This product was pretty cool, it dried my nails a bit and left a nice sheen on my nails.  I would probably buy this product again once I get through my Avon nail polish dryer.

L-R: Burt's Bees Citrus Scrub, Olay Gentle Cleanser and Scrub, St. Ives Apricot Mask

15. Burt's Bees Citrus Scrub: I enjoyed this sample and I found it rather surprising to have enjoyed it.  It took quite a while for me to really be willing to try because it had a different texture and color (deep brown). But the exfoliates were quite nice and varied in size. I'd probably repurchase if I see it, but it's not something I would go out of my way to get.

16. Olay Gentle Cleanser and Scrub: OYE, i was not a fan of this product. The only really good thing I could say was the pump on it which made it much easier to dispense.  The scrub was SO fine that it did not leave my skin feeling clean and the gentle cleanser was TOO gentle cleansing. It didn't lather up, and it was just an overall disappointment. NOT repurchasing.

17. St. Ives Apricot Mask: DISLIKED. After using the scrub I thought that it would be just as amazing, but I just did not like it. It wasn't great as a cleanser and the mask was ok...but got a lil funky towards the end there. For what I hoped it would be...it didn't deliver. Every brand has it's own flops and I think this is the flop of the St. Ives brand. 

So My Running Totals Are:
Lotions/ Fragrance/ Hair products: 9
Makeup: 6
Candles/ Scents: 5
Cleansers/ Body Washes: 11
Randoms: 2
Grand Total: 33

How are you all using up products?
xoxo,
Ema