May 2023 Empties

 

I thought the best way to start the new month was to do an empty post. I haven't really finish much last month and I been slacking. I am not sure what I was using but it caused me to get a full body and face rash so the last few weeks I been recuperating. I can't wait to start using my new Summer products though. 

I finished a few bars of soap and my favorites were from Bath and Body Works and Varina soaps. Both soaps are creamy and had a generous lather. I like that both soaps had a floral scent. I have tried a few scents from both brands and none of the scents disappoint.

I love the scents from Nectar Bath Treats and I have bought a few products from them recently. However, their Foaming Bath Salts is disappointing. It's almost $9 a tube and I had to use the entire tube before I smelled anything or got any foam. I think I would rather stick to bubble bath.

The Facetory Soothin' Vibes Body Serum was okay. I used to buy a lot of their products when they used to import a lot of their inventory. It seems now they are focusing on producing their own stuff like MemeBox did before they kind of fading away. I used to subscribe to their boxes as well but I might have to get rid of my subscription as the items are starting to get repetitive and are not that great. The body serum is very thin and has a faint scent. It's neither pleasant or unpleasant. The serum is a bit sticky and leaves my skin tacky for quite some time. It's not very hydrating either.

The Herbivore Moon Fruit sleep mask is a retinol alternative. It has a pleasant fruity scent and it was a pale purple gel cream consistency. It smoothed on easily and absorbed quickly. It didn't leave my skin feeling tacky or sticky. After a few weeks of consistent use, my skin felt softer and smoother. I like that it didn't dry out my skin or make it sensitive.

May 2022 Empties!

 

Wow, I can't believe it is already the middle of May! I feel like the time has come and went by so quickly. I didn't really get to finish a lot of stuff this month but, I did finish a few things but, nothing really noteworthy.

I used a few masks this month and I liked the Vitamasques Vegan Collagen Eye Brighten & Firm. I felt like it left the eye area softer and smooth. I didn't even need to follow up with moisturizer.  I tried two Miss Spa eye masks and didn't care for them. While they stayed in place, I didn't notice or feel any difference on my skin after removing the mask.

The Kopari Exfoliating Crush Scrub is a new product and I was on the fence with it. It smelled nice and left my skin super moisturized because of the coconut oil. However, I had to use the entire container to cover my body and it left a mess in my tub. It clogged my hair catcher and left it look kind of disgusting.

Here is everything I finished this month -

Aloederma Aloe Brightening Mask

Vitamasques Vegan Collagen Eye Brighten & Firm

Miss Spa No Slip Future So Bright

Miss Spa Eyes on the Prize

Vitamasques Vegan Collagen Lip Mask

Fascy Sunshine Moisturizing Foot Mask

Hopehealth Invigorate Grapefruit Tangerine Shower Steamers

Patchology Beauty Sleep Hydrogel Restoring Night Face Mask

Kopari Exfoliating Crush Scrub

Skin & Co Roma Truffle Therapy Illuminating Skin Refresh Mist

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

The Body Shop Lip Butter - Coconut

Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner

Farmacy Lip Balm in Strawberry Basil

Bioderma Micellar Solution

Aroma Stream Shower Streams

Dermae Blue Light Shield Spray

Veriphy 20/20 Eye Cream

Karuna Lights Out Cream

Tetraforce Wash Off Mask

May 2021 Empties Part 2!

 

Wow, May has come and gone and I have done zero with my life! I feel like this year has progressed so quickly in a blink of an eye. I did manage to finish a few things but, I still buying more than I am finishing (I finished 41 things this month but, bought 154 new items...). There were days where I didn't do my skincare routine like I should have and my skin looked and felt crumbly the next day. However, there are days where I manage to do my full and complete routine and I felt less stresed.

I finished two new masks Facetory's dream garden. I actually liked both masks and might repurchase. My face felt hydrated after application and stayed hydrated. I buy a lot of niche brand nail polish and I saw that some have their own top coat. I thought the Leesha's Lacquers was okay. It was for $3 and it did a decent job. I would re-buy in a pinch. I tried a deluxe sample from Curology utilizing one of their reduced cost trials and got a full routine. I don't usually suffer from acne but only during the start and end end of my cycle and when I eat very unhealthy.  I thought it was a decent basic moisturizer but, I wouldn't get it again. I think if you suffer from acne or prefer a streamlined beauty this would be for you.

 Here is everything I finished this week -

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Chamomile + Tea Tree

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

Facetory Dream Garden Elderflower Mask

Puclair Cocktail Chi-Chi

Facetory Dream Garden Chamomile Mask

Leesha Lacquer Top Coat

Sephora Retractable Eye Liner Pencil

Spa Technologies Microdermabrasion Cream

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt

BBW Aromatherapy Relax Body Lotion

Sabon Dead Sea Shower oil

Delia Organics Body Tonic Oil

Curology The Moisturizer

Rituals Hammam Olive Scrub

Malin + Goetz Lip Moisturizer

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream

May Haul 2021!

 

I can't believe May is half way over! Although, I am looking forward to Halloween :D Mostly for the candy. I didn't go crazy this month but, I did get a few new things I am excited to use.

I got two new body washes from BBW. I already own the lotion version from of the body washes. I got the Stress Relief and Sleep varieties. I got another Fenty Beauty in Unlocked. It's a beautiful magenta color. I got a nice dark Oxblood color from Stila Cosmetics in Rubino. I got two new MAC lipsticks in Russian Red (I heard this is a fan favorite) and Sweet Sakura. Tarte has a new brand line called Sugar Rush. I got this cute gloss in Passion Fruit, that I am really looking forward to using it.

I have tried a few Bliss skincare items. I got a new rose gold rescue moisturizer. The stuff I have used I had good results with. I got a few new Milk Makeup skincare items. I got another watermelon mask, a new melatonin overnight serum, and a vegan milk moisturizer from their line. I got a new ampoule collection from Babor. I have used one of the other ones from them and loved it. I saw results right away.

Have you gotten anything this month that you are excited to use?

Redbook May 2014

Give Yourself a Facial

Deep Clean Your Skin

Massage a rich cleansing milk into your skin using your fingertips, rubbing upward in circular motions. Cover your face with a warm, damp towel for two minutes just one for sensitive skin and gently press it in. This is a better alternative than steaming, which can dry out skin. To loosen clogged pores use two damp washcloths one in each to gently press  along the sides of blackheads, wiggling the skin to free them. Leave red pimples alone. Rinse off with warm water never hot and a washcloth, which helps remove every trace of cleanser.

Exfoliate Gently

Use a creamy scrub with beads or make your own by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice. Their citric acid dissolves dead skin. Dab on the scrub, then lightly roll your fingertips all around your face. Do this for two minutes, spending at least one minute on your T-zone.  Wash with cool water, which helps constrict capillaries so you won’t look red afterward.

Do a smoothing face mask

Brush on your mask using a makeup fan brush to get a nice even layer. Just avoid the eye area. Let it sit on your skin for at least 20 minutes and up to an hour then take it off with a  facial wipe or a damp washcloth. Rinsing with water can wash away a mask’s benefits. Pat on your regular night cream while your skin is still damp to seal in hydration.

Pack a beauty emergency kit [multi use products]

1. Hand cream - it is surprisingly good on hair: rub a drop on your palms, then graze them over any renegade bits of frizz. Or use a teeny dab to add piecey-ness to smooth dry ends.

2. Stick Sunscreen - use it to soften cuticles

3. Concealer - concealer works just as well as foundation. Plus, pat on a bit before you apply shadow or lipstick - it’ll give them longer staying power.

4. Thermal spring water spray - mist it on limp curls or waves to renew their bounce.

5. Mascara - it can be used as eyeliner in a pinch and cover grays for brunettes.

6. Translucent face powder - use it like dry shampoo, sweeping it on roots to sop up oil and add volume. You can also brush it over lipstick between coats help the color stay put.

7. Visine - the drops constrict blood  vessels, so dot a little on broken capillaries or a pimple to bring down redness fast.

8. Sheer lipstick - it can also be used for blush

9. Vaseline - to touch up crunchy mascara, rub a dab of the balm on fingertips, then glide them over your lashes to make make fresh mascara go on smooth.

Seventeen May 2014

Get a Bronzed Body

1. Bring on the soft!  It doesn’t matter how much self-tanner you use - if your skin isn’t soft, you’ll into a splotch monster. Smooth rough spots stat with a sea salt scrub.

2. Score a killer tan! Try a bronzing gel for the easiest insta-tan! It shows up on your skin as you apply, so you don’t miss a single spot - and you feel pretty right away!

3. Make a buffer your bestie! Fix “eek” streaks with a buffer! This magical eraser blends out any patchy areas that pop up.

4. Protect in a pretty way! Keep your faux tan soft and smooth and your skin protected with a daily moisturiser with SPF 30

5. Say hey to shea! Meet your secret weapon! Warm a few pumps of shea oil moisturizer in your hands, and rub it on spots you want to make even more glowy - like your arms or chest.

Glamour May 2014

Your Body’s Dream Swimsuit

If you’re curly -

a. Do opt for strategic center paneling to give the illusion of a lean silhouette.

b. Don’t do large scale florals - big prints make you look bigger. Small prints work, though!

c. Do choose a one piece with waist cinching diagonal lines that point to the middle.

d. Don’t fear bikinis! Fold over bottoms let you control the amount of coverage.

e. Do show off your very best assets. Broadcast what you’ve got!

If you’re busty -

a. Do look for underwires and molded cups.

b. Don’t be afraid of triangle tops, though - as long as they have a band under the bust.

c. Do seek out suits that let you buy the top and bottom in different sizes.

d.  Don’t go for a bandeau. Not flattering or supporting for the bigger busted among us.

e. Do have fun on the bottom! Ruffles, details, retro styles...they all draw attention down. Keep your top simples.

If you’re  straight up and down-

a. Do bare slivers of skin at your middle or sides to fake an hourglass shape,

b. Don’t shy away from horizontal stripes - you’re one of the few who can pull them off.

c. Do add volume on top with ruffles, or try a plunging neckline with some padding.

d. Don’t limit yourself to sporty styles. They’re not doing you any favors. Go girly!

e. Do experiment with retro high waisted bottoms, which will add a little oomph.

If you’re  bottom heavy-

a. Do mix and match! Having stripes or bright on top makes that the focus.

b. Do try the totally eighties high hip styles, which can create a flattering triangular shape.

c. Do choose side ties so you can adjust the fit and camouflage hips.

d. Don’t go too tiny on top; it’ll throw off your proportions further.

e. Do pick an interesting neckline, like a one shoulder, for a great diversionary tactic.

Good Housekeeping May 2014

How to Wash Wisely

Reduce load size - cramming the tub isn’t a shortcut - clothes need to move to get clean! Adjust the water level and drying time, and if the washer and dryer have different capacities, go smaller.

Use the presoak cycle -  this setting agitates the contents and may dispense detergent before starting the main cycle, so extra dirty loads get cleaner without going through twice.

Add bleach yourself -  don’t have a timed bleach dispenser, but want its extra cleaning power? Add chlorine beacher as long as it’s safe for your fabrics to the load five minutes after the cycle starts. Earlier, and it will kill stain-fighting enzymes in the detergent.

Pick the right detergent - use only products with “HE” logo in high efficiency machines. Regular cleaners can generate too many suds, damaging these appliances.

Clean the machine - select the largest load size, fill the tub with hot water and a cup of bleach and run a cycle. Remove dispensers and drawers and rinse under hot water, brushing off residue.

Allure May 2013

The trend this month to try is “power pastels”

Eyes - Cream shadow and liners deliver the most intense dose of color. Use your finger to smudge a vivid lilac from your lashes to your brow bones. Or draw a thin line of mint green along your lashes.

Photo Credit -Make Up For Ever,  Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in 54

Photo Credit - Nars, Nars Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Bourbon Street

Nails - A sparkly finish can make these color feel juvenile, so stick to shimmer-free formulas. Avoid streaks, a common problem with pastel polish by painting on two thin layers.

Photo Credit - Macy's, Nails Inc in Royal Botanical Gardens

Photo Credit - Ulta, Sally Hansen Nail Color in Snappy Sorbet

Lips - Sheer pastels tend to disappear into lips, so layer like crazy.

6 Steps to a Better Shave:

“1. Shave after washing - shower or bathing in warm water for at least two or three minutes prior to shaving will prevent dirty and dead skin from jamming up a razor or causing ingrowns.

2. Dry off your razor  - wiping your razor clean and storing it someplace dry can ward off bacteria

3. Use a  fresh, sharp blade

4. Consider every angle

5. Apply lots of shaving cream

6. Watch your footing” -don’t want to end up with nasty nicks and bruises.

Spring is here! Add some twinkle in your eyes -

Photo Credit - MAC, MAC Glitter in Silver

Photo Credit - Chanel, Chanel Illusion D’ombre Eyeshadow in Epatant

Photo Credit - Ulta, NYX Roll On Shimmer in Platinum

Photo Credit - ELF, ELF Glitter Mascara in Silver

Allure did a”nude” issue..perhaps it was about body acceptance...I am not quite sure. Here is some makeup picks -

Photo Credit - Lancome, Lancome Color Design Infinite in Timeless Taupe

Photo Credit -  CVS, Maybelline New York Lipstick in Some Like It Taupe

Photo Credit - Essie, Essie in Sandy Beach

Photo Credit - Ulta, OPI Nail Lacquer in Samoan Sand