June 2022 Empties!

 

Wow, I can't believe the year is halfway done! It just feels like it has been flying by. I managed to finish a few things this month but, nothing really noteworthy.

I have used a few of Josie Maran's products and have enjoyed them. I was really excited to try her body butter. It had a sweet citrus scent but, it had a weird rotten scent after awhile. I am not sure if the body butter was reacting to my body chemistry.  I did enjoy using the Kinapure Cocoa Vanilla shea butter. It smelled so amazing and it left my skin buttery soft without being greasy.

I got two new soaps that were pretty awesome. The Kiss My Face and Humble soap, were both stars. They were creamy and provided a generous lather. They also didn't strip my skin and make it feel tight.

I got a new scrub from Kopari which I loved. I usually have mixed feelings about their products but, this scrub left skin feeling soft and smooth. the Mudmasky leave on winter mask is a skin savior for the colder months. It locked in hydration and left skin feeling super soft and smooth. It definitely kept my skin from drying out at night.

Did you finish anything this month that you thought was great?

June 2021 Empties!

 

 

I can't believe how many things I finished this month! Wow, usually I am struggling to finish five full size things but, this time I had to take two separate photos to get all the empties. I hope I can keep this up and eventually actually finish more than I buy! So far, I finished 36 things but, bought 76 things this month.

Quite a few of these items are re-buys such as the Nivea in-shower cream. I love that I can apply and wash it off in the tub. It's great for days when I am in a rush or don't want that tacky lotion feel on my skin. The Juara shower gel, Sol de Janiero, and Stila lip glazes are favorites that I usually buy when my skin is fussy or if they are on sale.

I am surprised how much I liked the Ole Henriksen Phat Facial. My skin felt noticeably different after one usage. I might get this again if its on sale. I usually have problems sleeping and I used their sleeping sprays, so I thought I would get the ThisWorks Bath salts. Honestly, I thought it was completely overpriced. The scent was strong but, for the amount of product you get, there are better options. The tub last for 3 baths and that was with me being stingy with the salts. That's almost $11+ per a bath depending on how much you paid. You can get Epsom salts and scent them with lavender oils to get a similar effect. I would not buy again unless it was less than $10 a tub.

I bought the entire line from Earth Harbors. I really like this cleansing oil as it removed tough eye makeup without rubbing or tugging.  However, unlike other cleansing oils I have used this didn't provide a lather or foaming action. I also tried the Kopari coconut cleansing oil and after trying the one from Earth Harbors, I would not get the Kopari one again. Yes, the bottle is bigger but, the Kopari one barely removed my makeup. Honestly, it was quite a disappointment.

Here is everything I finished this month -

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Lush Happy Body Wash

Grown Alchemist Detox Night Cream

Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil

Eau Thermale Avene RetrinAL .01 Intensice Cream

Tarte Sugar Rush Peony Lip Balm

Dr. Dennis Gross Stress Rescue Super Serum

Simply When Cosmic Calm Soothe

Simply When Future Fresh Smooth Out

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Chamomile + Tea Tree

Jayjun Cosmetics Rose Blossom Mask

Project Beauty Hairgurt Hair Masque

BBW Amber and Argan Body Oil

Kopari Coconut Cleansing Oil

Tocca Guiletta Body Scrub

Coola Daydream Mineral Primer SPF 30

Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Primer SPF 30

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion

Ariul 7 Days Plus Trea Tree Pore Tightening Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Chamomile + Tea Tree

BioBelle Exfoliate and Brightens #RoseAllDay

Sandawha Camellia Intensive Essence

ThisWorks Deep Sleep Bath Soak

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Facetory Collection Moon Velvet Sleeping Mask with Shea Butter + Azulene

Juara Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel

Earth Harbor Sunshine Dew Antioxidant Cleansing Oil

Stila Stargazer Lip Glaze

Glamglow Berry Glow Probiotic Recovery Mask

Sanitas Brightening Peel Pads

Ole Henriksen PHAT Glow Facial

Feel Balanced Moisture Balancing Cream

Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask

Lollia Shea Butter Handcream Wander

June 2021 Haul!

 

 

June is here and we have reached the midpoint of the year! This year has flown by so quickly. It feels like it was just May yesterday. On to the goodies!

As always, I finished zero lip products but, I bought 90 more. I found this makeup store called Absolute NYC that sells makeup that is like NYX and ELF in terms of pricing and quality. I am curious to see how they will perform.Ciate Beauty was having a sale and I have tried their products and loved it. I snagged a few more liquid lipsticks to add to my collection. I bought a few more Milk Makeup Kush lip glazes and balm. I like that they are go on sheer and can be layered for more color.

I have been trying to buy more natural, organic and better for you and environment items. I bought this new mascara from W3LL People. I read good reviews online and I hope it works.  I bought two new liquid eye shadow from Kosas. I am really like the Copper Halo color. The color payout is vibrant but, it does take a bit to dry and I am afraid I will get a creases before its dried. 

I had mixed results with Glow Recipe but, I keep buying their products still. I got the Banana Souffle moisture cream and sadly, it doesn't taste like banana cream pie. I got two new products from Tetraforce. One is an acne patch and the other is a wash off mask. I usually have good results from using Korean beauty products.

Have you gotten anything you are excited to try?

June 2020 Empties!

Here are all my empties for the last two weeks! I finished a lot of masks and skincare. That one blush I was on the finishing state for the last 4 months. The product I enjoyed was the Tatcha Water Cream. My skin just drank it up and left my skin feeling so soft. The I Dew Care and the Bubble T masks were among my favorite because my skin was visibly improved. 

I thought the Glow Recipe mask was a bit overrated. It smelled nice but, honestly, I don't think it was worth the $8. I feel like it was more of a mask to provide a cooling relief than any hydration benefit. I wasn't crazy over the Margot Elena cream tin because it was a bit greasy and apparently if you don't use don't it within a 1 month of opening the cream changes color and becomes dense gooey texture.  

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts!

Here is the list of stuff I finished!

Tatcha The Water Cream

Margot Elena Library of Flowers True Vanilla Perfumed Creme

Samples

Facetory Everyday Rice Bran

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush - Fanciful

BioRepublic Skin Care Cucumber Breeze Soothing Fiber Sheet Mask

I Dew Care Jump Start Energizing Pomegranate Mask

100% Pure Bright Eyes Eye Mask

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask

Klorane Soothing and Relaxing Patches

The Preserve Company Bath Tea

Leaders Insolution Pore Scaling Black Aqua

BubbleT Lemongrass & Green Tea Sheet Mask

Book Review - June: A Novel by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cassie Danvers flees to her family's crumbling mansion in St. Jude, Ohio after the breaking off the engagement to her older boyfriend and the passing of her grandmother, June who raised her. In the ancient mansion, she becomes a hermit and becomes closed off from the world. However, her world comes closing in around her when she receives news that she is the sole heir to legendary movie star, Jack Montgomery's millions.  Jack's daughters come to visit to Cassie to take back the inheritance and instead they uncover a dark secret from the past. Will Cassie be able to keep the money? Will the way she sees her grandmother change forever? Can the sisters prove Cassie is not the true heir to the inheritance?

The 400 page novel is a true page turner. It is slow in the beginning but it slowly unravels into  many twists and turns. The novel alternates between the past (between two friends June and Lindie) and the present (Cassie and the daughters). The characters were developed and interesting but I found it hard to like the main character, Cassie. Personally, I kept debating whether I loved it or just liked it. The more I thought about it, the more conflicted I got.  However, it is a great and interesting read, especially for those who like "Hollywood secrets" themes! 

** Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Lucky June/July 2014

Master Class - Great Legs

1. Do both cardio and strength training - the fastest way to see results, is to alternate lifting weights with aerobic workouts such as running and jumping rope. Without cardio, lifting weights alone can make you bulky.

2. Strengthen - squats, lunges, split squats, and jump lunges increase strength, stability, and coordination.

3. Tone - extended leg lifts and side/karate kicks engage every muscle. Isometric exercise like planks and wall sits, which contract your muscles for a set period, are also excellent.

4. Shock your muscles - unless you want to simply maintain your current weight and muscle definition, you need to push yourself beyond your normal limit. Hold weights while doing lunges, aiming for 15 squats if you normally do five. Don’t do what you can do - go a step further.

5. Stretch - muscles are like rubber bands and have an elastic, recoil effect. Stretching helps them stay supple so they perform more powerfully.

6. Run toe to heel - this engages and tones effectively.  The body stays upright and relaxed, so the impact of your feet hitting the ground is less on your joints.

7. Work on your calves - defined calves make the rest of your leg look stronger and more shapely. The key :  calf raises.

Redbook June 2014

How to Get Ready in 5 Minutes -

1. Start with a creamy concealer stick. Swipe it half an inch under your eyes from corner to corner [if you do it right at the lashes, it can look heavy]; tap with your ring finger to blend. Pat it on any redness or spots, too. This alone will brighten your whole face.

2. Even out your skin tone. Dust a powder foundation all over your face with a big, fluffy brush. It’ll give you flawless coverage that won’t cake or look heavy.

3. Sweep on blush - swish a rosy or soft peach cream blush first on your apples, then back along your cheekbones. You can apply with your fingers, but a blush brush helps the color go on more evenly.

4. Add mascara - smush the brush into the base of your lashes, then bring it in toward your nose as you pull up to the tips, wiggling a bit as you go. That - and filling in any sparse areas on your brows with a pencil - wakes you right up.

5. Swipe on a sheer pink gloss - it makes your lips look lsh - and you don’t even need a mirror to put it  on.

To make any lipstick last hours swipe it on as usual, then finger dab a bit of plain of powder blush on top of it. To add sheen, use a shimmery blush or a highlighter instead.

To do a quickie facial - chop up two cucumbers and toss them in a blender with a handful of ice; whip to a puree texture. Pour out the mix, add a few drops of peppermint oil, and spread it  on your face.

A good body scrub - mix two scoops of coconut oil [microwave it first to soften it] with twice as much sugar and lemon peel. Rub it on and then wash off.

Marie Claire June 2014

10 Hard Lessons Learned in the Trenches

1. Get people to confide in you.

2. Become a media darling

3. Win over a room full of sharks

4. Collaborate with rivals

5. Forge ahead after an epic failure

6.  Call in favors - be the person that does for folks. People never feel put out by someone who they know has other people’s backs.

7. Know how to champion unpopular positions.

8. Avoid saying something you’ll regret in a crisis.

9. Embrace criticism and your critics.

Family Circle June 2014

Sun Protection 101

1. Choose the best sunscreen - experts recommend using a broad spectrum product with an sPF of at least 30 to protect against UVA and UVB rays. You might also consider one that contains novel ingredients like green tea, vitamin C or pomegranate extract, all rich sources of antioxidants.

2. Apply liberally - thirty minutes before going outside, cover any exposed skin with sunscreen and thoroughly rub it in. Re-apply every two hours and after toweling off at the beach or pool.

3. Seek shade - early morning or late afternoon are the best times to be active outdoors. Stay in the shade between 10 and 4, when the sun’s ray are at their most intense.

4. Cover up - wear sun protective clothing and a pretty wide brimmed hat. Even if you sit under a beach umbrella and apply sunscreen. UV rays can reflect off the sand onto your face and body.

Women’s Health June 2013

Picks for the summer -

Essie Nail Polish in Naughty Nautical and in The Cab-Ana

Tarte LipSurgence in Enchanted

ClariSEA Sea Salt Solutions Beachy WAves Salt Spray

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

MCMC Fragances Noble Perfume Oil

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Chilled on Ice

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

Herbs to the Rescue

“Rosemary - Sniff IT - researchers found that cognitive performances improves when a compound in the herb’s oil is absorbed into blood. So put a few drops of rosemary essential oil into an aroma diffuser.

Lavender - Eat IT - taking a daily supplement containing the plant’s oil may reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Mint - Chew IT - chewing spearmint gum can reduce daytime sleepiness, without the jitteriness caused by coffee”