Recent Empties

I have a variety of different products I have emptied lately. Some are tried and true products that I would and do buy again and again and other that are probably one time purchases. 

L’Oréal hairspray-This is a good drugstore option. I didn’t love the smell, but it works pretty well. 

SGX NYC do it all spray-I don’t love the smell or the function. This is a one time purchase.

Eva NYC dry shampoo -This is ok. I don’t love or hate it. 

Lancôme foundation-tried and true foundation. I will definitely buy it again. 

Just Ingredients face serum-I love this serum. 

Luminary base coat-It’s been kind of fun to try luminary. It is a little higher price point so I didn’t buy it again right away. 

Luminary balance-This color is much lighter than it seems like it should be. I always expect it to be more pink that it is. 

Orly Nailtrition-This is a great nail nail strengthener

Murad Vitamin C cleanser-I got this in fabfitfun and I really like it. 

Dr. Brandt no more baggage eye cream-This is my go to eye cream. It works great. 

Maybelline sky high mascara -I bought this on a whim at Costco. It works really well and makes my lashes look really long. I have been having issues with mascara transferring under my eyes. I am not sure if it is the mascara or my other makeup. 

Have you tried anything new lately? Or emptied anything lately?

Recent Empties-February 2024

It’s been quite a while since I rounded up the products I have used up recently. Many of these are tried and true products and others are things I tried for the first time. 

Big Sexy Hair spray & play hairspray Amber Glow and Bergamot scent-This is my go to hairspray and first time trying this scent. I really like it a lot. The scent is not strong but helps the usual chemical scent of hairspray. I will definitely buy this again.  

Amika dry shampoo-This is one of my favorite dry shampoo options and on the safe list.  

Lancôme HCF triple serum-I got this product to try from Influenster. It is pretty pricey, but it does last for a very long time. I think it was good for my skin, but I don’t know that I will buy it again. 

First Aid Beauty face cleanser-I don’t typically love a cream based cleanser. I was happy to use this from FabFitFun, and I was also happy to return to more of a gel cleanser when it was gone. 

Elemis pro collagen cream-I loved this product. It smells so good and was so nice on my face at night. I also got it in a FabFitFun box. It is something I want to buy again. 

Colour Pop setting powder-I bought this on a whim when my tried and true was completely gone. It has a better price point. It feels like a case of you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a lower price point, this is a fine option. I did not purchase this again. 

Tarte SEA concealer-Tarte makes a great concealer. This is much lighter weight than shape tape and I really liked that. 

Mary Kay lash lengthening mascara-I always go to this mascara for my top layer. It sets everything in place. 

L’Oréal Lash Paradise mascara-I kept hearing a lot about this drugstore mascara and decided to give it a try. It is good. It makes my lashes look great. It does transfer just a bit. 

Milk mascara-This was another FabFitFfun box item. This mascara was really dry, but it is possible I waited too long to use it. 

Clinique eyelash primer-I love the sleek tube. I noticed this primer didn’t see to prevent mascara transfer like most do. 

Tarte lights camera lashes mascara-This mascara is great because it is everything all in one. It makes my lashes look great and it is a product I purchase again and again. 

That’s all for now.  Have you recently emptied anything?

Recent Empties

I have been slowly working my way through my products. I haven’t been trying as many new things lately. I have mostly been trying to use up what I have and only buy more when I run out. A few of these are tried and true products and some are newer. 

With the recent lawsuit involving aerosol dry shampoo I am looking to eliminate some of my old favorite brands. The plan is to use up what I have and replace them with cleaner options. 

Kate Somerville cleanser-I got this in my FabFitFun box. I liked it fine but not enough to switch permanently. 

Lancôme cleanser-My face didn’t really love this cleanser. It is not harsh, but it felt a little harsh on my face. I didn’t care for the smell either. 

Kristin Ess dry shampoo-I have used this line quite a few times and liked it. I know there are some cleaner options so I will probably look into those. 

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak dry shampoo-I didn’t really love this and will not buy it again. 

Equate dry shampoo-This was fine, but I am going to switch to cleaner brands. 

Batiste dry shampoo-I have used and liked this brand a lot. I don’t plan to buy it again right now. 

Bath and Body Works body spray-I like to keep a spray on hand for before or after the gym or on days when I am only going to the grocery store. 

Tarte lights camera lashes mascara-This is a favorite mascara and one I will buy again and again. 

Just Ingredients serum-I love this serum. I buy the vanilla mint scent and it smells so good. It feels great on my face, and I love how clean it is. 

Ouai scalp and body scrub-With all of the products I use, it is really nice to use a scalp scrub. I have also tried the clarifying shampoo. This has so much grit and texture. I will probably buy the shampoo again in the future. 

Recent Empties

It has been a while (yet again) since I have done an empties post. There is something so satisfying about using something until it is gone. I typically try to use a product all the way gone even if it is not my fave. Recently I have been having a hard time finishing a few things. These however are all empties. 

TULA face wash-really like. Would buy again

CHI wake+fake dry shampoo-LOVE. This smells so good and might be my new fave. 

Batiste bare dry shampoo-just ok

Klorane powder dry shampoo-this works really well. The powder is a mess but I liked it enough to make it worth it. 

L’Oréal tubing mascara-good option for tubing mascara

Victoria’s Secret perfume-my go to

Mary Kay mascara-love for my final coat

Just Ingredients serum-LOVE. Already bought again

Eye cream-from fabfitfun. Just fine. 

HD Flawless setting powder-not my fave. It was more affordable than my Laura Mercier go to. 

Beauty Time Tuesday-Empties

It has been quite a while since I did an empties post. I have emptied a few things recently and they are similar products. 

Big Sexy Hair spray and play hairspray-one of my fave hairsprays

Not Your Mother’s beach babe dry shampoo-just ok. I buy this often, but it’s not a favorite. 

Aussie dry shampoo-probably wouldn’t buy again

Bath and Body Works sea salt spray-I like this for some added texture or when I wear my hair more beachy

Clinique eyelash primer-I can’t seem to find the perfect primer. This was pretty dry and ran out fast. 

Lancôme mascara-I love this mascara.

Mary Kay mascara-daily go to

Tarte lights camera lashes mascara—a favorite mascara

Luminary gel polish-i love this stuff

Magic Remover-I don’t know what this stuff is, but it really does work

Sephora eye primer-I have been looking for a new eye primer. This isn’t really it. It was fine, but not the holy grail

Soak and Unwind whipped soap-love love this brand and their products 

beauty time tuesday...skincare

today is the last beauty time tuesday for a while because the bachelor starts next week. do you watch? what are your thoughts on ben h? i think he's the kind of guy you want to date in real life, but i'm a little worried he might be boring. i'm sure the girls will be entertaining enough, and he can't be worse than some of the other previous guys.

back to beauty time. i've had the same basic skincare routine for several years. my skin is decent-not the best but certainly not the worst. i've spent a lot of years in the sun-many of those years without sunscreen. i am much more diligent about sunscreen now, but i know i've done some damage. now that i'm getting older i feel like i need to take better care of my skin. 

is it really true that not washing your face ages your face 7 days? i don't know if it's true, but i'm scared that it is-scared enough to wash my wash every night. i'm also scared enough to step it up a little.

i started using the clarisonic a few years ago. i swear by the thing. it is the best, and i really love it. my skin has improved so much since using it.

i got the PMD for christmas. i used it for the first time last night. maybe i should wait to post after i have used it a few times, but so far i really love it. it's been a while since i've had a professional microdermabrasion, but i love the way it makes my skin feel. i'm so excited to have an at home option.

what's your skincare routine? is there anything else i need to know about?

beauty time tuesday...a sephora update

i posted a while ago about one of the best beauty finds-perfume sampler.

i think i paid about $60 for the set of 7 samples. i already knew i loved 2 of them because i have had them before. i wanted to buy them again which is why i went in sephora in the first place. i was so happy to discover this sample set. i didn't end up loving a couple of the samples so i gave them to someone else.

part of the set included a voucher for a full size perfume. i had a hard time deciding what to get, but i decided on gucci guilty. i love it so much!

i went to sephora over the weekend and got the full size perfume and my birthday lip crayons for being a beauty insider all for zero dollars. it was a happy day day at sephora. 

i asked this last time, and i'm asking again. do you have a favorite perfume? i love good smells.

beauty time tuesday...clinique haul

when i tell people i use 4 mascaras every day, they think i'm crazy. i probably am a little crazy, but it's not as bad as it seems. 2x/year nordstrom has mascara madness-buy 2 get 1 free. it also coincides with clinique bonus time which usually includes another smaller mascara, when i start breaking down the price, it doesn't seem as ridiculous anymore. mascara madness+clinique bonus+extra bonus happened a few weeks ago, and i got a lot of great stuff.

all about nudes gift pack (long last lipstick-sugared maple, all about shadow quad, cream shaper for eyes, high impact mascara)

2 chubby sticks for eyes-ample amber and fuller fudge

dual ended lash building primer/high impact mascara

even better skin tone correcting moisturizer

chubby stick cheek color

eye makeup remover

liquid face soap

all about shadow quad

soft matte lipstick
3 mascara

i LOVE it all!

pumpkin pie scrub

i love christmas just about as much as anyone, but i also love thanksgiving. it kind of seems like thanksgiving is getting more and more missed with the rush to get to christmas. i listen to christmas music all year long so it has nothing to do with that, but all the christmas everywhere leaves me searching for pumpkins and fall. 

i needed a small gift recently. i make peppermint scrub sometimes, but in the spirit of thanksgiving i decided to try pumpkin pie scrub. i still love peppermint, but this is pretty good too.

3 cups sugar

2/3 cup grapeseed oil

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

mix

1 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

1/3 cup grapeseed oil

mix

alternate layers or mix all together. store in airtight container and enjoy

fall scarf exchange

we all know i LOVE summer more than any other season. i like fall, but i don't love it like everyone else. one of my favorite things about fall is the wardrobe switch to cardigans and scarves. i have a lot of both, but can you really ever have too many? (don't answer that).  i always enjoy doing box swaps. it's a fun way to get to know new people, and i love the anticipation of waiting to see what's coming in the mail. when i saw the announcement about the scarf swap i was so excited. i shopped and packaged and shipped and waited for my package in the mail. becky sent me this fun package

i have zero buffalo plaid in my closet which i need to fix immediately. i love this scarf. it's warm and cozy but also a little lighter weight so i don't choke to death. i'm pretty sure i'll wear this thing all winter long. the sanitizer is perfect. i use that stuff all day long.

jelly pop shoes|gap jeans|old navy chambray|michael kors watch|alex and ani bracelets|clinique matte crimson lips

photos bonnie

beauty time tuesday...essie gel setter review

i always have my nails painted. i actually don't get super mad when they chip. i'm usually ready for a new color. i do sometimes wish my nails would last a day or two longer or at least hold up through tons of dishes or crafts.

a few weeks ago, i saw a post about the essie gel setter polish. i never saw the review, but it sounded good to me. i have a light to do my own gel nails, but i pretty much never use it. the thought of gel nails without the light is perfect for me.

this stuff is amazing. i painted my nails on saturday night and didn't change it until a week and some days later. i washed tons of dishes and did crafts all week, and they stayed on. they barely started chipping the last day.

this stuff is amazing! i really really love it. everyone should run right out and buy it.

wear it wednesday...hair extensions

let's get real here..i don't neeeed hair extensions. i have a ton of long hair, but i do want them. a lot of my friends have them, and even though i have pretty good hair, some days i just want better hair. there are several popular brands, but i had never heard of irresistible me until i got the chance to try them. i was pretty much in love the second i saw them. the color is so rich and matches my hair perfectly. 

i was dying to try them but didn't get the chance for a few weeks. i brought them over to monday night tradish last week, and lacey helped me put them in.

i've never worn hair extensions so i didn't have the first clue. it was so nice to have someone else do it. it makes sense to tease the roots of the hair a little so the clip in actually stays in.

i thought everything was going well until i saw amanda's face.

but then they showed me this picture and i was even more in love

obviously end of day/bad lighting, but i am so amazed! we put all the pieces in which i probably wouldn't always do, but i love it so much. i can't wait to wear them somewhere else.

stay tuned for more pictures including some real photos in better lighting.

i received these extensions compliments of irresistible me 

beauty time tuesday...ulta haul

i'm not usually a big haul poster-mostly because i don't usually buy a bunch of stuff at the same time. i pick of little things here and there when i need them and sometimes when i don't need them. i went to ulta a few weeks ago to pick up a few things from their sale ad. unfortunately i didn't pay attention to the dates, and the sale hadn't started yet. i still seemed to find plenty to buy. between sales/clearance and coupons i got a lot of product for a little money.

bastiste dry shampoo $5.89 (originally $7.99 plus $3.99 for travel)

OPI be dramatic 3 piece set $1.46 times 2 (originally $9.99)

ULTA makeup setting spray $4.42 (originally $6)

loveswept fragrance $16.58 (originally ($19.99)

OPI i sawu sawwe/vant to bite my neck times 2/russian navy $1.46 each (originally $9 each)

total=38.09 (i saved almost $50)

i love beauty products, but i hate paying full price. i was really happy to find such good deals.

since i love beauty products and ulta so much, i teamed up with some friends to give you a giftcard to ulta and some other fall fun. enter with rafflecopter below.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

beauty time tuesday...perfume

is anyone else missing some form of the bachelor on monday nights? ok, if we're being honest i'm happy paradise is over, but i love blogging the bach on tuesday. since we have to wait until january for that to come back, i'm starting beauty time tuesday. i love all things beauty so i'm especially excited about this. let's start with perfume.

i like perfume. i wear it everyday, but i tend to only have 1 or 2 at a time. when they run out, i buy something new. i don't usually buy the same thing 2 times in a row even if it's something i love. i went to the store a few weeks ago for new perfume. even with sniffing coffee beans in between each sample, everything smelled the same so i decided to wait.

a few days later i met some friends at sephora and hit the perfume jackpot. 

gucci guilty, escada jjoyful, elizabeth and james nirvana white and black (my faves), fresh fresh life, bvlgari amnia crystalline, lancome la vie est belle

this set is amazing. i already know i love a few of the scents, and i couldn't wait to try the others. so far i love them all. the best part...it came with a coupon to take back to the store for a full size bottle. i don't even know how i'm going to pick a favorite.

does sephora always do this? please say yes because this is how i will be buying perfume for the rest of forever. do you have a fave perfume?

wear it wednesday...rocksbox numero dos

**i received a trial subscription courtesy of rocksbox in exchange for promotion.

ever since my first rocksbox, i've been pretty excited for more boxes. how fun is it to get a box of jewelry in the mail?!? it's fun!

the rocksbox idea is genius for people who love jewelry like me-pay a small fee, make a wishlist, get a box of jewelry, wear as much as you want, send it back when you're ready to trade. keep what you want and send the rest back.

i sent back my first box and couldn't wait to see what came next. i requested a lot of necklaces and earrings, and that's exactly what i got.

this necklace was really cute but too short. i didn't even wear it.

 beautiful but expensive necklace. i wore it, loved it, and sent it back.

 love love the earrings. it's hard to see, but they're the perfect sparkle. i kept these, and they're great.

photos by ashley

thinking of trying rocksbox? use code aubreyxoxo to get your first box free