February 2024 Empties!

I can hardly believe it is already February but to be fair, I am ready for the cold weather to be done and to enjoy the spring time weather. I don't think I can handle another snow storm or temperatures in the single digit anymore.

I did manage to finish a few things this month. A few things were great and others were meh. I was surprised on some things that I heard rave review on was just mediocre at best. 

The Winkylux Mermaid Moisture cleanser was very pretty. It had a pale blue green gel consistency and had tons of shimmer in it. It was very fun and I liked the packaging. However, it was very lackluster when it came to removing my eye makeup. I found myself using multiple pumps and still having traces of makeup on my skin.

I have used a few products from Sweet Chef before and I liked their facial sheet masks. Their packaging reminds me of the brand Tony Moly. However, their Beet + Vitamin A serum shot has been disappointing. I am not sure if I waited to long to use it but the consistency was just too thick for the eye dropper. I ended up just pouring out the serum on my palms and then rubbing it into my skin. The serum was very hydrating but I feel that I ended up using way too much product because I couldn't use the dropper.

I tend to get skin sensitivities randomly. The Olivarrier Comfort Barrier Cream has been really great at helping my skin heal. It is thick and creamy and goes on so smoothly. It dried down to a  matte finish and it wasn't too heavy. I like that it didn't have a scent. It's also great for a cold weather cream as it is very hydrating.

Was there anything that you finished this month that you liked?

Book Review - Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones

 

 

 

 

Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones is a memoir about a woman’s journey through life in a body that looks different than what society considers normal. Chloe was born with a rare congenital condition called sacral agenesis. It affects her gait and stature which causes her to be in pain frequently. She learned a technique called “pain calculations”, that she takes into consideration for every plan and situations she is in to handle and deal with the pain.

Physical pain isn’t the only type of pain that Chloe has to deal with on a daily basis. She has to deal with the pain of being judged, pitied, or considered less than because of her medical condition. The way society has judged her by just her appearance, without getting to know her, has impacted her view  of reality. She tried to excel in her academic career and retreated to a “neutral room in her mind”, where she can ignore an uncomfortable situation until it has passed.

When she was first diagnosed with her condition, she was told that she wouldn’t be able to become pregnant.  Chloe unexpectedly becomes a mother even though she was told that it wasn’t possible. When she became a mother, her perception of life shifted. She felt that she should no longer be limited or denied things because of how she looks. Chloe decided to travel the globe in hopes of reclaiming her space.

I normally don’t read a lot of memoirs but I have been trying to expand my normal reading preferences. The memoir started off interesting but I started losing interest towards the halfway mark and then stopped reading when I was ten pages away from finishing the book. The author kept jumping back and forth between the present and past that I was having trouble keeping the plot points straight. She would then weave a story while talking about the present but then jump to another subject that I failed to see how the two things were connected. It felt like a random and jumble stream of consciousness.

The author wove a lot of academic references and stories when talking about her experiences. The first few times, I thought it was interesting but then it started feeling like I was reading a term paper. Chloe seems upset and angry when describing her interactions with people and the world. I really do feel for her and got upset on her behalf at how she was treated, like a small child or as someone who didn’t know any better.  However, it got tiring to read that after a while. It was too depressing and I wanted some happy moments where she felt happy and enjoyed life. I wish she went into a bit more detail about her medical diagnosis. Instead, I felt like she mentioned her condition and expected readers to know what it was and how it affects people.

 

September 2023 Empties!

 

I finished so many things this month that I am excited! I am can't wait for the cooler weather and the new Fall skincare goodies. I finished a lot of skincare stuff this month and barely any makeup since it was so hot that I didn't want anything on my face...not like it would have lasted with how much I was sweating.

I finished a few hair products but my favorite was the Magiforet Argan Oil Shampoo. It makes my hair smell so amazing! Even after three days of washing my hair still smells good. I finished the Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Moisturizer. It had a gel creme consistency and smoothed on so easily. It left my skin feeling soft and smooth. While the square jar can be cute, I wish they made the font size and color easier to read. 

I recently discovered Evolve Beauty from my local organic and natural beauty store. I tried a few new products this and both worked well. The Radiant glow Mask smells like chocolate and leaves skin looking radiant and glowing. The Daily Renew Facial Cream didn't have any delicious smells like the mask but left skin feeling so soft and smooth. It wasn't heavy and didn't leave skin feeling tacky or sticky. It was a great day cream to wear during the hotter months.

I had the Skin Regimen 1.85 HA booster on my countertop for a while and forgot about it. I was excited to try it but was sorely disappointed. I followed the instructions but the booster left my skin irritated and I got a rash all over my face after using. Since it was a full bottle and expensive I ended up using it on my hands and legs which ended up itchy but bearable. 

I heard so many good things about the Peach and Lilly Glass Skin Serum. I was pretty disappointed. I didn't notice my skin looking any different when using. I was surprised on how much I liked the Herbivore Phoenix Facial Oil. It wasn't greasy and left my skin feeling soft and moisturized. The oil does has a strong scent and it might not be for everyone.

Did you finish anything this month that you enjoyed?

August 2023 Empties!

 

It's been some time since I did an empties post! I actually had more products than I space for so, hopefully I would be able to do another empty post sooner than later. I did finish a lot of things but I think majority of the items were meh and things I wouldn't repurchase again. There were a few highlights and a few items that I would avoid again in the future.

The Love Beauty and Planet deodorant in coconut water and mimosa flower smelled so great and it went clear. It had a fragrant floral scent. However, during our the heatwave we got hit with, I think I will need to stick with prescription strength deodorant.  

I love Elemis products and their  Pro Collagen Marine Cream is so good. It was creamy and soaked right into my skin. I used it both at night and during the day to keep my skin feeling soft and hydrated. I liked the Naven x Koa Life The Glow Up Facial Oil. I got it from Amazon and it left my skin looking so radiant. The oil is enriched with little shimmer that makes your skin glow and it smells amazing. A few drops is all I needed for a dewy look.

I didn't like the Yensa Pumpkin Tumeric mask.  I have mixed feelings with this brand. Some of their products are great while others are garbage. This mask is the latter. It had a weird consistency and no matter how much and the weather, this mask keeps melting and going into my eyes or into my mouth when I apply it. I tried using it on a cold day, it still slips down into my eyes and mouth. 

The Seoulista Beauty Hydration Super Serum  is a very hydrating serum that had no added scent. However, the way to dispense the serum was innovative but hard after the product was about half way. The bottle feels heavy but the product is so slow to dispense and no matter how hard you press the squishy bottle one little teeny drops come out at a time.

March 2023 Empties!

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Well, it's been some time since I did an empties post and I am actually surprised that I don't have that many empties. I did finish a few bath bombs and shower steams but nothing that was noteworthy to get again. 

The same thing goes for the facial sheet masks. There was one mask that was a waste of money and surprisingly it was from one of my favorite brands. It was the Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Face Mask. I loved everything I tried from this line but this mask was a dud. It was soaked with serum which is normally a great thing except, it sits on the skin and it doesn't really absorb in. And then the product pills like crazy which prevents you from layering any moisturizer or anything on top. It wasn't a great experience at all and it was $75 for 5 masks! For something that expensive, I would expect it to work better.

I surprisingly finished three bars of soap which makes me wonder how come I didn't finish much of anything else. I tried two new brands of soaps.  The Plant Apothecary Start Happy bar soap smelled so great and gave a luxurious lather. It was pleasant to use in the shower. I think I might try their other scents and body wash.  I have used Marlowe skincare products but this was my first time using their soaps. I got their Marlowe Body Scrub Soap Bar and I didn't really care for it. It was in the Champion scent. It had hints of lemon leaf, amber mist, and cedar wood. It was a fresh scent but it was on the milder side. To be honest, I rarely use the soap as I find the exfoliating bits to be too rough my skin. I unfortunately had picked a few other bars with other scents that I am now not looking forward to trying.

I used to love Sumbody care products but I recently stopped buying their products. Their stuff is all natural but I realized it wasn't a good value. The products were small and cost as much or more than "traditional" products and sometimes they didn't even do anything. I bought two masks from them (Decongesting Mud Mask and the Alpha Hydroxy Acid Mask) and there was barely any product in the containers to do for one mask. I followed the instructions and it was too watery and did nothing for my skin.

I did try this new night cream by Elemis and I am in love. Their Superfood Midnight Facial smelled amazing and fruity. It smoothed on easily and left my skin buttery soft. I think I loved putting on the cream that I went through the bottle so quickly.  I found this new brand on Amazon and their products has these weird scents but actually smell amazing. I got the Lab Squeeze Pumpkin and Carrot Vegan Hand Cream and let me tell you. This product smells amazing! I get so many compliments and people ask what perfume I am wearing. I thought it was going to smell nature-y but this was not the case here. I would definitely try and get their other products.

Empties for November and December 2022!

Ah, it's almost the end of the year! I can't believe it. While it may look like I finished a few things, it's actually a bunch of stuff that I finished over two months and not nearly enough stuff as I bought. There were a few noteworthy items and a few duds. 

Kopari's Tahitian Vanilla hydrating body milk smelled amazing and it was lightweight. It was perfect for the warmer months as it was hydrating but, not heavy and greasy. And the scent was so alluring and stayed on all day. This was my favorite body milk ever and I would definitely buy it again.

Araceli's  Ojos Perfectos liquid eyeliner in  Night is so dark and so easy to apply. It takes a few seconds to try and it doesn't smudge or move. I was literally using this eyeliner everyday and it lasted for months!

Lasncome Absolue Creme Riche cream made my skin feel like the softest of buttery skin. The cream itself was like butter when I smoothed it on. My skin literally drank up every ounce of moisture this cream provided. The cream is very thick and rich. It's too bad this cream costs more than I make in three days otherwise I would get it back in a heartbeat. 

Tropic Labs's Washed Up all in one shower oil was an interesting concept but, a muddled execution. The shower oil supposedly helps cleans and hydrates. Except, it had no foam and it left a residue behind. When I used this product, it didn't feel like I was using anything and that I was just rinsing off my skin with water. I feel like this was more of an in shower hydrator than a cleansing product.

Blesswell Lathering Body Wash in Island Breeze is a product by DJ Khaled. I actually didn't realize it was a men's body wash nor that it was created by DJ Khaled. Overall, the product was pretty mediocre for the cost.  It smells nice but, even though it says "lathering" it had the poorest lather I ever seen for a body wash. I have seen dollar store body washes produce better results than this body wash.

October 2022 Empties!

 

 

 

It's been a few months since I did a beauty haul post! I would like to say with that three months of no posting I finished a million and one things but, I didn't. I did end up buying a million and one things though.  Not surprising, I finished a lot of basic items along with skin care stuff.

I finished a couple of bars of soap and a few were a lot better than the others. I enjoyed the OffCourt's exfoliating body soap scent but, I felt like the grit was a bit too rough on my skin. I  think my skin is too dry to use something this rough.  The Soap Distillery's  Bourbon soap smelled refreshing and provided a generous lather. I would get this bar again or try another scent. I like that it didn't dry out my skin. I was quite disappointed with the Nopalera Catcus soap because it was $14 a pop and it didn't lather very well. It wasn't very moisturizing and overpriced considering it was meh. I bought six bars of Humble bar soaps from Amazon and found their scents to be nice and the bars provided decent lather. I don't remember the cost but, it was cheaper than Nopalera and worked 100% times better than it.

I always liked Babor concentrated capsules and bought two additional ones: Collagen and SOS Calming.  The Collagen capsules worked great and I felt and notice a difference with my skin texture after using it for a week. The SOS calming smelled terrible almost like vomit and I didn't notice a single different thing about my skin while using. I will be avoiding repurchasing that one again.

Is there anything you finished this month that you enjoyed?

February 2022 Haul!

 

Wow, February is almost half way done! I can't believe how fast the month has sped by! I did get a few new exciting things I am excited to try out. 

I got a few new face sheet masks and I been trying to use them more often. I love The Beautiful Factr. masks and I got a new hydrating one. I feel like the winter has dried out my skin. My skin is usually left glowy after using their masks, so I am excited. I also like the "I'm sorry for my skin" masks. These masks come PACKED with thick hydrating serum. These are masks a great for dehydrated skin. 

I love taking baths and I am so excited to try these lovely scented foaming bath bombs from Find your happy place. Even the name sounds fun! I got a new detox shampoo from Ouai because my hair is always in it's mood. I rarely put excess products in my hair but, I still find that my hair feels so much better when I do a scalp scrub or use a detox shampoo.

I believe I have tried a few things from Malin+Goetz but, I got a mojito lip balm and it sounds like it would be amazing. I know this brand has a cult following, so it must be good. So, I have had Kombucha but, my tummy doesn't agree with it. However, I am hoping this kombucha mist from ElishaCoy works some miracles on my dehydrated and dull skin! 

Did you get anything this month that you are excited to try?

November 2021 Empties!

 

 

I can't believe November is almost over! Wow, it just feels like the days flew by. I finished a few things this month that I liked. 

I like the lip whip by Kari Gran. It leaves  my lips super soft and hydrated. It was such a treat to put on. I heard and have used a few of Herbivore stuff but, it was years ago. I recently got the Herbivore Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream and applied it during the night and woke up with super soft skin. The Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm was my first time using a cleansing balm and thought it was pretty cool. It removed most of my mascara and makeup and it was fun to use. I did have to follow up with an oil cleanser to get rid of the most annoying mascara traces.

I tried a new serum called Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ and it was a whopping $149 for one ounce. It was creamy and absorbs quickly but, I am not sure I saw that much results that I am willing to fork over that much money again. I also liked the Graydon Putty Super Soothing Face Cream because it's really thick and cream. It left my skin super soft after applying it.  I tried this new hand cream called Serumkind A Precious Serum of The Royal Black Tulip and it smells amazing. It feels so luxurious and usually I use a cheap hand lotion that I have to constantly reapply. 

Here is everything I finished - 

Lip Whip by Kari Gran - Peppermint

Herbivore Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream

Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+

Juara Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel

MediHeal Line Friends Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask EX.

Frienvita Perfect Skin Adhesion Firming Gold Glow Mask

Facetory Ace that Face Collagen Mask

Bling Pop Face Mask Aloe

Graydon Putty Super Soothing Face Cream

The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Shower Gel

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Comptoir Sud Pacifique

It's a 10 Miracle Daily Conditioner

H20+ Hydration Oasis Nourishing Gel Cream

Serumkind A Precious Serum of The Royal Black Tulip

Yonka Intense Hydration Repairing

Biorace Pore Tightening Pearl Clay Mask

Hey Honey Walk the Walk Proplis Foot & Heel Cream

April 2021 Haul!

 

 

It's April already! I am looking forward to warmer weather. This month I definitely went overboard even though I finished only a handful of things, you know, my usual MO.

I got quite a few new masks and I am really looking forward to using those nose strips for blackheads. I got one from SpaLife and the other from MeFactory. I love using these types of strips and seeing all the gunk that is removed. I got a new mask from MediHeal that has acupuncture points on the mask and you have to press those spots to add another level of relaxation.

As always, I bought tons of lip products even though I can't really wear them without dirtying my mask. I got this lovely red lipstick from MAC in Russian Red and Lotus Night, Julep's Lady in Red lipstick, and YSL red lip stain. I got this pretty pink champagne color from Marc Jacobs in Pink Parade. I got this beautiful tinted lip color from Ilia in Arabian Nights. I heard so much good things from this brand and I am really excited to try it. Charlotte Tilbury is another cult favorite product and I got a beautiful nude brown in Bond Girl. I got a new Fenty beauty lip paint in Unlocked.

I love scalp shampoos and I am really looking forward to the Living Proof one. I have used their leave-in creams and they made a noticeable difference. I also got the one from Sachajuan which also got really good reviews. I got a new facial oil from Malin + Goetz. I have used a few products from this brand and always had good results. I got a new bamboo serum from this Korean brand which seems cool. I also got a few Perricone MD products that promise to help with my acne. 

I got a bunch of other things that I am really excited to try. Is there anything you are excited to try this month?

July 2020 Empties!

Happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone is having a great and safe day! Be sure to keep hydrated :)

Since I am still in isolation I have been managing to only finish mostly skincare products with the occasional makeup item. But, to be fair, I think that was like that was the case even before the pandemic. The most notable items were the face masks. I like the Skyn Iceland rubber mask but, the pouch goes with enough product for two uses but, unfortunately, can't be re-sealed. I like the other types of modeling mask where you mix with water so, you can use as much as you like. The Amika exfoliating shampoo was nice but, then I realized the sugar crystals don't always fully dissolve and wash away. A few times I have found some on my scalp. 

The biggest disappointment was the Snow Fox serum. The serum was around $75 and did absolutely nothing for my skin. The serum when applied to my skin made it feel tight and dry. A complete and utter waste. The same thing goes for the Tatcha face mask. The mask was $12 for a single one and it didn't perform at all. It was a complete rip-off. I had better luck with masks that were under $5.

Here is a list of everything I finished below. Let me know your thoughts!

Skyn Iceland Artic Hydration Rubberizing Mask

Lassie'el Real Vitamin E Powder Mask

Cuccio Somatology Yogahhh! Detox Bath

Miss Spa Detoxifying Self-Heating Creme Mask

Beauty Chuck I'm Real GIRA Mask- Aqua Beauty Chuck

Keep Cool and Let Shine Intensive Whitening Second Skin Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

Wonjin Effect three-step mask

Davines SU Hair and Body Wash

Snow Fox Skin Care True Luminosity Serum

Tom's of Maine Creamy Coconut with Virgin Coconut Oil Soap

Amika Reset Exfoliating Jelly Shampoo

Starskin VIP Nose Treatment Strips

Vagisil Scentsitive Scents - Peach Blossom

Leaders Labotica Bamboo Skin Soft Mask

Facetory Everyday Olive Squalane

Ariul Juice Cleanse Mask 2x Plus Raspberry and Lentil

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask

Annie's Way Rose Essence Jelly Mask

Book Review - Color Me In by Natasha Diaz + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots especially growing up in an affluent neighborhood of New York. Until her parents split up and her mother relocates to her family's home in Harlem. For the first time, Nevaeh is forced to confront her identity.

Neveah tries to get to know her extended family, but her cousin Jordan is annoyed that Nevaeh passes as a white woman. Jordan feels that Nevaeh is privileged, selfish, and pampered to able to relate to the struggles African American people face on a daily basis.  Nevaeh's dad tries to blend the two families by insisting she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of her sweet sixteen. Nevaeh is convinced this will cause her to be more of a social outcast than she already is. Unsure how to proceed with the chaos in her life, Nevaeh chooses to stay silent. However, after a series of events, Neveah realizes she can no longer stay silent and let her life pass her by.

I thought the novel was an interesting read especially since the author took inspiration from her own life and weaved it into the story. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the poetry but, that's more of a personal choice. Overall, I felt that the novel was interesting and thought-provoking read.

  **Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About the Book:

Title: COLOR ME IN

Author: Natasha Diaz

Pub. Date: August 20, 2019

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Debut YA author Natasha Diaz pulls from her personal experience to inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.

Who is Nevaeh Levitz?

Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.

Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.

It's only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?

About Natasha:

Natasha Díaz is a born and raised New Yorker, currently residing in Brooklyn, NY with her tall husband. She spends most of her days writing with no pants on and alternating between E.R. and Grey’s Anatomy binges. Formerly a reality TV producer, Natasha is both an author and screenwriter. Her scripts have placed as a quarterfinalist in the Austin Film Festival and a finalist for both the NALIP Diverse Women in Media Fellowship and the Sundance Episodic Story Lab. Her essays can be found in The Establishment and Huffington Post. Raised by a first generation half-Liberian/half-Brazilian mother and a Jewish-American father, Natasha writes stories about people who don’t fit into the boxes society imposes, and instead, create their own as they search for their places in the world. Her first novel, Color Me In, will be published by Delacorte Press/Random House August, 20 2019.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of COLOR ME IN, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2958/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/1/2019- Kait Plus Books- Excerpt

8/2/2019- Utopia State of Mind- Review

Week Two:

8/5/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review

8/6/2019- Country Road Reviews- Review

8/7/2019- Mythical Books- Excerpt

8/8/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

8/9/2019- Books and Ladders- Review

Week 3:

8/12/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

8/13/2019- dwantstoread- Review

8/14/2019- My Creatively Random Life- Excerpt

8/15/2019- Confessions of a YA Reader- Excerpt

8/16/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

Week 4:

8/19/2019- We Live and Breathe Books- Review

8/20/2019- Eli to the nth- Excerpt

8/21/2019- A Gingerly Review- Review

8/22/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt

8/23/2019- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt

Week 5:

8/26/2019- Lisa Loves Literature- Review

8/27/2019- Book-Keeping- Review

8/28/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review

8/29/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt

8/30/2019- Two points of interest- Review