November 2025 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream: This is a deeply hydrating moisturizer that gave my skin a nice glow. I'm unsure whether that's due to the vitamin C in here or just because if hydrated really well, either way though, I enjoyed using this. It has a nice citrusy scent to it and I like that it comes in a vacuum pump because that ensures good hygiene and that you get all the product out of the pump bottle.

2. equate Almond & Shea Shea Sugar Scrub: I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious it smells; it has a sweet, almond cookie scent. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and is great for shave prep. 

3. Kracie naive Peach Leaf Makeup Removal Face Wash: This is a nice cream cleanser that has a yummy sweet peachy scent. I found that it does remove my face makeup, but I was concerned about it irritating my eyes so I didn't use it to remove my eye makeup. Personally, as I said, this is nice, but I prefer a slightly creamier, more hydrating feel to my cleansers.

4. Dove deep moisture 24hr lotion-soft skin body wash: I love to use these body washes to shave with because they last much longer than shaving gels or foams and give a nice glide to my razors. I like this particular one during this part of the year because due to the cold, dry air my skin tends to get irritated and dry so I could use any extra boost of hydration I can get.

5. The Creme Shop Flexible Fit 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Bossy: These are a beautiful thick, voluminous lash and they go on fairly easily. Occasionally they do want to pop off at the inner corners of the eyes but generally I find they stay put well.

6. Rebels Refinery Strawberry Mango The Pineapple Lip Balm: I've been trying to use up the last remnants of this left at the bottom of the packaging but honestly it's gotten dusty, genuinely gross, and there isn't much product left so I'm electing to part ways with it. 

7. Powder Puff (I believe this one is from the Coty Airspun powder): Honestly this powder puff has been funky to use because it has these wild "hairs" rather than being flat, it was kind of fun to wash. But that being said, it worked alright. I personally think it would have been better if it applied powder on more precisely but it got the job done. 

8.  Shiseido Prepare Dermaplaning Razor: I like to use these once weekly to really get any strays on my face due to my PCOS.  It's about time to replace this razor as it's getting a bit dull. 

9. IVON Cuticle Trimmer: I feel like these do a good job of removing excess dead tissue along the sides of my nails and around the cuticle area. That said I try to be careful not to nip at the eponychium because that can be quite painful and cause nail damage. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the Rebel's Refinery lip balm which I received as a gift. 

October 2025 Empties

 All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. now essential oils lemon oil: I'm so sad that I ran out of this oil. I like using it in my diffuser and it smells delicious! It has such a lovely, fresh, lemony scent. 

2. COVERGIRL Lash Blast SuperCloud Mascara: Although I liked this mascara when I initially got it, I find that it smudges like no one's business every time I'd go to apply lashes and would cause me to have to do a lot of clean up work. I would not get it again.

3. Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner: I feel like we've already established that this eyeliner is a holy grail for me. I replace mine every 3 months to avoid eye infections and I feel like it works great and it really does make my lashes nice and conditioned over time.

4. DUO Quick-Set Striplash Adhesive: I feel like this isn't as quick-setting as it once was. Meaning it used to at least be tacky within 30 seconds but now I feel like I have to wait a bit longer for it to get tacky enough to glue lashes on. 

5. COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: This is absolutely a holy grail serum for me because it really helps to rejuvenate my skin whenever it's dry and bring it back to life. It leaves my skin feeling plump, soft, and supple. 

6. Green Pharmacy Cactus Squalane Ultramoisturizing Face Serum: This is another really hydrating serum that I enjoyed using. I feel like this one is even more hydrating than the COSRX one I just discussed but it's a bit pricier too. 

7. Dr Teal's Prebiotic Lemon Balm Shea Sugar Scrub: I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious and sweet it smells; it has a refreshing sweet-sour lemon scent. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and is great for shave prep. 

8. equate Island Coconut Shea Sugar Scrub: I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious and sweet it smells; it has a sweet, creamy, yet refreshing coconut scent. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and is great for shave prep. 

9. berkley jensen Scented baby wipes in Green Tea & Cucumber: As I always mention, I used these primarily to wipe down surfaces and to remove makeup swatches from my skin. They smell really nice and stay moist for quite some time when kept upside down and last a long time so I'm pretty happy with them. 

10. The Creme Shop Flexible Fit 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Bossy x2: These are a beautiful thick, voluminous lash and they go on fairly easily. Occasionally they do want to pop off at the inner corners of the eyes but generally I find they stay put well.

11. Trader Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Pure Vegetable Soap x2: This is a holy grail bar soap for me. I mostly use it as hand soap, but it's fantastic for not only keeping my hand eczema at bay but also for keeping my hands gently hydrated. It's not irritating at all and produces a gentle. slightly hydrating foam.

12. equate Tahitian Vanilla Shea Sugar Scrub: I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious and sweet it smells; this has a sweet, almost yeasty scent to it. I know yeast might sound gross in this context but I mean it in the sense of the scent that yeast gives freshly baking bread. It's very pleasant without being cloying. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and is great for shave prep. 

13. Compliment Lavender and Blueberry Clay Face Mask: I really liked this mask because despite being clay, it wasn't drying on my skin. It has a nice, blueberry yogurt scent to it and left my skin feeling both deep-cleansed yet soft. 

14. Bath & Body Works Pocket Bac Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel in Pineapple Mango: I am genuinely so sad at how this is gone now, because it smells absolutely delicious. I like that these hand sanitizers smell nice but that the scents aren't intense in the sense of, sometimes hand sanitizer smells really "sharp" in a way that I find bothersome. They do have quite obvious, long-lasting scents though. They also don't dry out my skin at all which I appreciate.

15. Compliment Banana and Guava Face Mask: Just as with the mask above, I liked that this has the deep cleansing properties of clay but without being dry or tight on the skin. This has a yummy, creamy banana scent to it.  

16. Wow Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo: I like that this shampoo foamed up nicely, and due to the apple cider vinegar properties it kept any dandruff at bay and left my hair shiny. That being said, I found it somewhat stripping and not hydrating enough for my personal taste. I wish it had all those properties I described but would also hydrate the hair. 

17. Lebelage Snail Cleansing Foam: I found this cleanser worked ok, but it isn't my favorite because I wish it were more hydrating. It did leave my skin feeling clean without making it dry or tight. 

18. MIZON Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Eye Cream: I'm so sad to have run out of this eye cream. It is literally my favorite because it's so hydrating yet lightweight, it plays really nicely with makeup over it, and helps with undereye puffiness as well.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the Wow shampoo which I received as a gift. 

July 2025 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. saie Glowy Super Gel: This is a really pretty, glowy, lightweight product that I personally liked applying as a primer to give my skin a bit more radiance. It also has a lovely lilac scent that I enjoy. That said I'm unsure if I'd buy it because there are similar items at a lower price point that work just as well.

2. The Creme Shop Flexible Fit 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Bossy x2: I really like how long, voluminous, and spiky these lashes are. 

3. WOW Skin Science Organic virgin coconut oil + avocado oil conditioner: Despite being fairly lightweight, I found this to be a nourishing conditioner that gave my hair a lot of shine and bounce without weighing it down. As someone who likes coconut scents, I appreciated the fresh coconut scent that this has. 

4. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: As anyone who's been following this blog for a while might know, this facial oil is an absolute holy grail for me so of course I purchased more as soon as I started running out of this. It takes the redness out of my skin and leaves my skin with a beautiful glow and soft texture.

5. Hourglass Blush in Sublime Flush: I am so sad to have run out of this blush - it's a really pretty, brightening yet natural-looking pink shade that gave my skin a nice glow. 

6. berkley jensen Scented baby wipes in Green Tea & Cucumber: As I mentioned in previous posts, I like using these to wipe down my makeup when it gets dusty or messy and for removing swatches from my hands and arms.

7. KISS Lash Couture Super Strong Strip Lash Adhesive in Clear: I don't see why they called this lash glue "super strong" as I found it to have the same level of hold that literally every other brush-on glue I've tried in the past has had. That said, this also took quite a while to get tacky and stick to my lashes so I probably won't be getting it again.

8. deal worthy Fresh Scent Body Lotion: At the price point that this lotion is, I really can't complain. I do wish that it were slightly thicker and more hydrating because while it does an alright job on the soles of my feet - where I need the most hydration, it gets absorbed rather quickly and then my feet are dry again. It does do a great job of hydrating my legs post-shave though.

9. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara: I'm honestly sad to be letting this mascara go because it made my lashes look so fantastic! This gave me the length and volume I've been seeking from mascara for ages!

10. equate Tahitian Vanilla Shea Sugar Scrub: I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious and sweet it smells. I like that its vanilla scent feels sweet in a sophisticated way and isn't cloyingly sweet. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and is great for shave prep. 

11. Cococare 100% Natural Peppermint Oil: This time of year I use this oil as a deterrent for critters getting into my room and scaring me in the middle of the night. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything for centipedes but it seems fairly effective otherwise. 

12. COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream: I find that this is a good eye cream if what you're looking for is mainly hydration. It depuffs slightly, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily the most depuffing and it doesn't really do much to brighten the under-eye area.

13. miss spa Quick Dry Nail Color Top Coat Ultra Shiny Nail Polish: Unfortunately this top coat has gotten really goopy and difficult to work with which I feel happened quickly but alas. 

14. Dove refreshing cucumber & green tea body wash: As you know I like to use these Dove body washes in place of shave gel and like how they leave my skin soft and silky. This one has a nice refreshing yet sweet scent.

15. Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner:  It was time to replace this and given it's my favorite, I just went out and picked up another one.

16. e.l.f. 16HR Hydrating Camo Concealer in Fair Rose: I honestly think this color is the best match for my skin-tone over Fair Beige, which is a hair too dark, but this is a hair too light and I wish there was a pinky shade in between those two.

17. pixi skintreats Rose Remedy Mask Nourishing Toning Jelly: This is a really great mask if you need an extra boost of hydration. It's gelatinous in texture which makes it feel cooling and soothing while it's on your face. I also personally think you don't need a thick layer of it to achieve results so the jar actually lasts quite a while if the mask is used in thin layers.

18. Green Pharmacy Rose Water and Almond Oil Facial Toner: I like this toner because it's gentle, hydrating, and feels refreshing to apply. I feel like the newer bottle doesn't smell as nice as this one did, but it still makes my skin feel nice.

19. Erbario Toscano Lavender & Lemon Purifying Soap: I really enjoyed this bar soap because it's very big, so it lasted quite a long time - about 4 months as a hand soap. Additionally, it smells really refreshing without being heavy and leaves my hands feeling soft. It's not harsh or drying like I feared it might be, so I really loved it. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the saie product which I received as a sample with purchase. All opinions are my own.

June 2025 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. Florasis Floral Engraving Beauty Goddess Makeup Palette: I was very generously gifted this palette by a friend of mine and it's absolutely gorgeous! From the designed stamped onto the palette itself, to the quality of the eyeshadow, to the beautiful warm tones that were chosen - I absolutely love it!

2. The Creme Shop Flexible Fit 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Bossy x3: It's been a while since I had big, fluttery, spikey lashes so when I saw these at Marshall's I felt like it was high time to pick up a few pairs.

3. ProBeauty Essentials Wispies x5: As for these, I picked them up because wispies tend to work for me as a natural-looking lash that looks nice for any occasion so I figured they'd be a safe bet.

4. Sanrio Cinnamoroll Lip Balm: My friend very graciously got me this lip balm as well, which I think is very cute!

5. Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray: I ran out of this a while ago and unfortunately my local drugstore stopped carrying the brand so now I have to order it online which is a bit of a pain. That said I finally have this back in my life - it's my favorite setting spray because, frankly, I don't notice a big difference in wear time when I use this versus when I don't - but it feels refreshing to apply, smells nice, and works fantastic for applying eyeshadow wet. This big bottle also lasts me quite a long time. 

6. I forgot to take photos of the following but I had made a tiny purchase at Sephora that featured:

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: because I was running out and needed to replenish.

 I chose the following as my samples:

Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum

saie Glowy Super Gel 

Disclaimer: I purchased all the items listed above myself with the exception of the Florasis palette and the lip balm which were both gifts from a friend. All opinions are my own.

June 2022 Empties

 All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder: This alleges on the back that it's meant to blur fine lines and wrinkles but I honestly find that it makes me look drier and more wrinkly than I actually am. It also has a very intense odor to it. I feel like I had it in the past and liked it but I can't say that it was enjoyable to use this time around. I probably won't be picking this up again. 

2. Christophe Robin Cleansing Mask with Lemon: I used this mask as a co-wash type of mask in conjunction with the Hair Oil with Lavender and it left my hair feeling very hydrated, silky, yet refreshed and clean. While I personally prefer the clean feeling I get from traditional hydrating shampoos, this was a nice once a week treatment to help hydrate my hair. I definitely feel as though my hair is healthier in having used this but I don't know if I want to put in the effort of doing the treatment again.

3. berkley jensen unscented baby wipes: As mentioned in the past I like that these wipes stay moist (I do keep them in the packaging upside down so the liquid goes from the bottom to the top when I flip it over to use it) and are great for wiping down surfaces and makeup, as well as removing makeup swatches when I take photos for the blog. I also like to add a little rubbing alcohol to these and wipe down surfaces when I go to the laundromat because people let their kids into the carts and onto the tables in the shoes these kids are hanging around outside, stepping into all kinds of dirt in and I don't want the extract of that nastiness on my clean laundry so this is certainly a helpful measure.

4. the Creme shop 3D Faux Mink lashes in Lolita: These lashes look really full and pretty but honestly I find that lashes that are longer in the center like these are difficult to trim in a way that looks cute - I guess the best way would be to trim pieces from both the inner and outer area so the center remains longest and it's a less awkward look. In addition, I found that it was very difficult to get the corners of these lashes to stick down. 

5. Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Formula: Honestly I've been using this a lot lately because my eczema has flared up. I am happy to say that I find cortisone creams really help to soothe and clear up my eczema patches in combination with a more hydrating eczema cream.

6. pixi skintreats Makeup Fixing Mist: I liked this setting spray okay. While it did the job of feeling refreshing and generally helping my makeup stay in place - both face makeup and eyeshadows that I used wet with it, I just wasn't blown away with it in any sense. I wish this smelled like roses but unfortunately it doesn't - it just has a very faint perfume-y scent.

7. beauty blender Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation in 2.10: Overall this is a nice foundation but given that I only had these bubble samples and this was the lightest one in it, I think the shade isn't quite right for me; it's a tad bit too dark and yellow and, if I was to purchase this, I think shade 1.50 is the one I'd go with just guessing off the chart on the back of the cardboard this came with. This is a full-coverage, lightweight foundation with what I'd describe as being a natural matte finish - meaning that it looks like healthy shine-free skin, it isn't powdery or overly flat - overall I prefer something with a more dewy finish but the wear is comfortable and it truly is long-wearing like it claims. I had this on for just under 12 hours the other day and wore it in humid, hot conditions underneath a mask and it stayed put beautifully except for around my mouth. I did eat so I can't really blame the foundation for having moved in that area.

8. Dr. Teal's Shea Sugar Scrub in Coconut Oil: This is a really great scrubby sugar body scrub that, even though it's called "coconut oil" doesn't have a super prominent coconut scent (it's toasty and light) and is hydrating without an oily feeling. It rinses cleanly and doesn't leave a residue behind.

9. The Ordinary "Buffet": Honestly, I'd have to use this long-term to say if this does anything regarding aging because, as of now, I don't have any prominent signs of aging I can comment on. This serum feels really hydrating and gives my skin a nice boost of hydration while leaving it feeling really smooth, which I enjoy. 

10. Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation in 1-N95 Fair: Frankly, the amount provided in this little sample wasn't even enough to tell me if this matched my skin well (because it just kind of blended away into sheer nothingness) let alone if I liked the foundation or not. I'm disappointed because a luxury brand like Givenchy can afford not to be cheap with their samples but of course they are because they want to seem "exclusive." 

11. Dove renewing peony & rose oil body wash: This body wash smells INCREDIBLE and leaves my skin feeling super soft and silky. As always, I really like to use these body washes for shaving because they're hydrating and provide a nice glide for my razor.

12. the Crème shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Tea: These lashes are very pretty and have a nice elongating effect. That being said, they are unfortunately a pain to get glued down to the eyelid nicely as they like to pop off at the corners.

13. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: As we all know this oil remains a holy grail in my collection and while I'm sad to have finished up this bottle, you already know I've replaced it with another.

14. Trader Joe's 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil: Honestly it's strange to put this into an empties post because I essentially only use this to clean my air conditioners but on the rare occasional I'm afflicted with athlete's foot I find that tea tree oil helps kill it off.

15. COVERGIRL Trublend Undercover Concealer: I honestly didn't love this concealer the way I wanted to. It's high coverage but sets in a way that I feel looks sort of cake-y. 

16. Trader Joe's Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream: While this is in no way "supremely" hydrating I did really like the way that it hydrated my eye area. This is lightweight and plays nice with makeup, even when I put it on my lids (I have lid eczema so I could use the extra hydration) it hasn't caused my eyeshadow to crease.

17. PACIFICA Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream: This BB cream has been truly a bizarre product. I liked it at first because it gave my skin a nice glow and was buildable but after a while this didn't want to play nice with the primer I was using anymore so I started using it without a primer, because it says it doubles as a primer. Well, my old sunscreen ran out and I started using a different one and this didn't play nice with that either, so I had to go back to using primer. Overall, this has a strange texture in terms of what it feels like it plays well with versus not and the coverage it provides is too light for my personal taste. I will not be getting it again. Additionally, I wish this had an SPF in it because, well, it would make sense for this to have SPF as a multi-purpose product.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the above with the exception of the Christophe Robin, pixi, Givenchy, PACIFICA, and beauty blender products. 

May 2022 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Dove restoring coconut & cocoa butters body wash: This body wash smells like a coconut cookie and is extremely hydrating without making the shower/tub a slip and slide. I loved this as a shaving cream substitute in particular because it's more hydrating than the other Dove scent variations and leaves my skin feeling extremely silky post-shave.

2. Odacite Mood Cleansing Ayurvedic Bath Soak: Overall I found this to be a nice soak and used it to soak my feet in when I gave myself pedicures. That being said, the scent is too herbaceous for my persona taste. 

3. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG: This works nicely to depuff and refresh the under-eye area while giving it a very gentle boost of hydration.

4. the Crème shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Boujee: I loved these lashes so much! They bent to my eye shape nicely and are fairly easy to work with for a faux mink lash, in my opinion. Plus they looked beautiful on and had a nice, eye-opening effect. 

5.  Dr. Teal's  Shea Sugar Scrub in Citrus: I really loved this scrub. It has a very nice, scrubby texture to it without being greasy so you don't have to worry about slipping and falling in the shower which is obviously an anxiety-inducing, non-fun activity. If you like sweet citrus scents I think you'd love this! it smells so good without being cloying. In my personal opinion, it's a great scent to wake me up in the morning. 

6. REN Clean Screen SPF 30: I'm unsure if it's because my product has aged but, honestly, this felt absolutely awful on my skin. I felt like I had this very heavy cream sitting on my face but it would dry to this matte finish that left my skin feeling tight yet somehow also wet and sweaty. It was quite bizarre and due to the heavy feeling of it I was very turned off.

7. Virtue Curl Shampoo: I feel like this shampoo lasted me forever! This foams up beautifully and leaves my hair feeling clean while, in my opinion, helping to increase how curly my hair was and helping the curl pattern look neat and pretty.

8. MAC Oil Control Lotion: I've held onto this longer than I'd like to admit and kept it around because it smelled fine. It no longer smells fine and smells quite foul to be honest. I am discarding it.

9. the Crème shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Crème de la Crème: Frankly, I had high expectations for these lashes because the Boujee pair I talked about above worked so well. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case with these. They are beautiful in the packaging but their bands are thick and don't bend to my eye shape so I was constantly fighting with them to glue onto my eyes and not to pop off either at the corners or leave a gap in the center. They look beautiful on but the application process is generally disappointing and I won't be getting them again. 

10. Korres Elasti-Smooth Body Butter in Cashmere Rose: This body butter smells amazing, lasted for quite some time, and leaves my skin feeling super nourished and hydrated. It even did a pretty decent job on the soles of my feet, which is a rare find. I'm so sad that it has come to an end as I thoroughly enjoyed using this while I had it.

11. Layered Fragrance Body Spray in Rose Muscat: I'm absolutely shook I went through this as fast as I did because I usually don't go through fragrances quickly and I used less of this than my typical perfumes because it's so potent. This literally smells like Moscato wine with just a hint of rose which, while I enjoyed it, I probably won't be repurchasing just because the scent is so intense.

12. Ivon Cuticle Pusher: I purchased a three pack of these because my cuticles were starting to look raggedy and they do a really nice job of getting rid of the dead skin but I feel like they're not as invasive as literal cuticle nippers and are easier to use.

13. Shiseido Prepare Eyebrow Razor L Shaped: To be honest I use these mostly on my upper lip and to quickly trim any hair that wants to hang around my face and be unsightly. They do a great job but the blade on this has become dull over time.

14. e.l.f. Cosmetics Total Face Sponge: I really enjoyed using this sponge because it doesn't absorb as much product as other ones tend to do. That aspect makes it easier to blend out product with this sponge, create a fuller coverage, and it's also easier to wash the sponge. It seems like a lot of people enjoy using it from what I hear on Youtube and, in my opinion, it's definitely worth checking out.

15. Dr. Teal's Shea Sugar Scrub in Black Elderberry: I have really enjoyed these scrubs! Because they're a sugar scrub, they have a great level of grit but they're not greasy so you won't be slipping and sliding all over your shower floor or tub grasping at the walls for dear life. This particular one has a nice sweet-tart berry scent to it.

16. Rock Creek Soaps Loofah Soap in Sweet Sunshine: This technically has a pineapple and mint scent, although honestly it just smells of pineapple juice to me and I'm not mad about it. This smells absolutely delicious and was a joy to use back in March when it was cold because its scent makes me think of summertime. It's still a joy to use and I'm shocked that this piece of soap lasted a good three months. It does a wonderful job of lightly exfoliating the body by having the loofah as part of the soap, smells amazing (as I've said), and leaves my skin feeling super soft and smooth. I really loved having it!

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the above with the exception of the Odacite, Rock Creek Soaps, and REN  products. 

April 2022 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! Look at me for a change, pretty much only buying essentials. 

1. Duo Brush On Striplash Adhesive: My current tube of this glue is getting gunky and, since I replace them every three months anyway to avoid eye infections, I figured it was time to replenish. 

2. one+other Pro Strength Nail Polish Remover: I ran out of the wipes I've been using to take nail polish off my toes with so I figured I'd just buy a bottle of liquid to replenish.

3. CVS Mini Haul: Truth be told, I went to CVS to purchase nail polish remover but because I was having a crappy time I decided to treat myself to some nail polish seeing as how it's pretty and not painfully pricey.

beauty 360 Pro Strength Nail Polish Remover

pop arazzi Charm School Quick Dry Nail Color

pop arazzi Movie Star Quick Dry Nail Color

pop arazzi Dragonglass Quick Dry Nail Color

pop arazzi Vacation Vibes Quick Dry Nail Color

4. Marshall's Mini Haul: I needed to replenish on lashes so I did a bit of a lash haul at Marshall's.

the Creme Shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Boujee

the Creme Shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Crème de la Crème

the Creme Shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Lolita

the Creme Shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Tea

Winsome Lash Lashes in Cloudless (4-pack)

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above.

Arrivals - November 2018

Ok folksickles, I had a thought to have a new "column" in here that I'll be calling Arrivals and Departures which is essentially a two-parter that will happen monthly (or as applies).  Arrivals will feature items I bought this month that are joining my collection. Without further ado.

1. Sheet Masks Galore: I was all out of sheet masks so I figured I'd replenish. I got the:
The Creme Shop Oh Deer! Detoxifying Lemon Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Last Christmas Forever Young Face Mask
The Creme Shop Clarifying Peppermint Cocoa Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Confection Perfection Infused Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Season's Glow Infused Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop All I Want for Christmas is Dew! Super Glow Face Mask
The Creme Shop Twinkle All the Way Infused Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Anti-Aging Eggnog Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Holiday Cheer and Clear! Stay In Control Face Mask
The Creme Shop All Is Bright Infused Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Last Christmas Energy Boost Face Mask
The Creme Shop All I Want for Christmas is Dew! Rehydration Face Mask
The Creme Shop Frost Bright Infused Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Let it Glow! Ultra-Moisturizing Jojoba Oil Sheet Mask
The Creme Shop Holiday Cheer and Clear! Clarifying Face Mask
and because that wasn't enough I went buck-wild on Black Friday and bought the following:
A'Pieu Coffee Milk Air Pocket Sheet
A'Pieu Cicative Calcium Sheet Mask
A'Pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Mask (Pineapple)
A'Pieu Cicative Zinc Sheet Mask
I'm Sorry for My Skin Jelly Mask - Brightening
I'm Sorry for My Skin Jelly Mask - Pore Care
I'm Sorry for My Skin Jelly Mask - Revitalizing
I'm Sorry for My Skin S.O.S. Jelly Mask - Calming
Kina Cosmetics Ceramide Face Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Fruitables White Squeeze Balancing Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Fruitables Red Squeeze Intensive Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Fruitables Orange Squeeze Energy Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Fruitables Yellow Squeeze Brightening Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Fruitables Green Squeeze Relaxing Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask x10 pack
the SAEM Snail Brightening Pure Natural Mask Sheet

the SAEM Snail Pure Natural Mask Sheet

Secret Key Nature Recipe Honey 

TONYMOLY Pureness 100 Propolis Mask Sheet 

Innisfree Skin Solution Mask in Collagen 

Innisfree Skin Solution Mask in Vita C

Innisfree Skin Solution Mask in Madecassoside

Innissfree Dew-Licious Mask Menu which features (I believe all of the real squeeze varieties are in here):

my real squeeze cucumber
my real squeeze bamboo
my real squeeze aloe
my real squeeze green tea
my real squeeze manuka honey
my real squeeze Shea butter
my real squeeze pomegranate
my real squeeze tea tree
my real squeeze lime
my real squeeze rose
my real squeeze acai berry
my real squeeze rice
my real squeeze broccoli
my real squeeze tomato
my real squeeze fig
my real squeeze ginseng
my real squeeze oatmeal
my real squeeze coconut
TonyMoly Ultimate Mask Collection which features:
I'm Coconut Mask Sheet
I'm Lemon Gel Face Mask 
I'm Rice Mask Sheet
I'm Avocado Mask Sheet
I'm Aloe Mask Sheet
I'm Red Wine Mask Sheet
I'm Rose Mask Sheet
I'm Lotus Mask Sheet
I'm Honey Mask Sheet
I'm Cactus Mask Sheet
I'm Lavender Mask Sheet
I'm Green Tea Gel Face Mask 
I'm Peach Layering Mask 
I'm Red Wine Gel Face Mask 
I'm Lemon Layering Mask 
I'm Red Wine Gel Eye Patch
I'm Green Tea Layering Mask
I'm Lemon Gel Eye Patch
I'm Green Tea Gel Eye Patch

2. esfolio Pumpkin Moisture Soothing Cleansing Foam: Because fall is pumpkin season I just couldn't resist this when I saw it, I think the packaging is also Cinderella-esque which is just adorable!

3. Trader Joe's Face Mask Trio: So I am running low on my masks so when I saw this I decided to try it out. Funny enough the day I bought it the cashier told me they had just gotten it in - talk about good timing! This set includes:
Refresh Clay Detox Mask
Renew Pineapple Papaya Enzyme Mask
Restore Rose Gel Mask

4. Laura Mercier Luxe Indulgences Ambre Vanille Luxe Body Collection: Now friends this wasn't even on my radar until I was sent to assist at another store location and saw this majestic set. I just couldn't resist getting it as a holiday treat for myself especially because you folks KNOW how much I adore the Ambre Vanille scent. This set includes:
3.4 oz. Crème Body Wash
6.7 oz. Soufflé Body Crème
6.7 oz. Honey Bath
0.5 fl. oz. Eau Gourmande

5. Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off: So my wife put the fear in me by saying Skinfood might be going bankrupt, or is, so we may not see these beautiful cult classics anymore. So of course I had to get one of each when they were on sale. I got:
Black Sugar Mask Wash Off (the original)
Black Sugar Honey Mask Wash Off
Black Sugar Strawberry Mask Wash Off 

6. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: Folks... you know how deeply I loved my Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil so I wanted to see how this compares. I mean this is only $9.

7. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: This is supposed to be really great for pores and is under $10, so because of the really welcoming price-point I wanted to see how it compares to the Odacite Ap + P Jojoba Lavender Clogged Pores Serum Concentrate.

8. Innisfree Eyebrow Razors: These were $4 for a two-pack and because I've always wanted to try brow razors I figured it was a good price and I might as well give them a try.

9. Innisfree Auto Eyebrow Pencil 4: Honestly with this being a mere $4 I had to say YOLO and try it out.

10. Innisfree Most Wanted Kit: This was a gift-with-purchase on Black Friday and includes:
Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed
Youth-Enriched Gel Cream with Orchid
Pore Clearing Clay Mask with Super Volcanic Clusters (I've been meaning to give this a try so what a win! I've just been concerned that it might dry my skin out)

11. Innisfree Nourishing Cream with Canola Honey: This was a sample-with-purchase and you folks know I love honey so I had to give it a try.

12. Innisfree Moisture-Volumizing Serum with Lave Seawater: This was another sample-with-purchase tat I took because my skin needs moisture with the cold weather now. I mean the last thing my face needs is volume but I assume the "plumping" action means that your face will look glow-y and youthful with a nice, hydrated, bounce-back versus swollen and chubby. We'll have to see.

13. Innisfree Moisturizing Cleansing Foam with Olive: My wife bought this for me, bless the woman! I kept going on and on about how the olive line is the best thing ever and I just have so many cleansers and she buys it like all "here you go" :') I love her!

14. Innisfree Nourishing Mist with Canola Honey: Ugh this smelled so good and felt so nice that I just threw into my shopping basket without a second thought. :)

15. Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Palette: My very first Anastasia eyeshadow palette. I swatched this a few months ago and just LOVED the glitters in it. So excited to own it and play with it.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the free Innisfree products I've indicated above.

November 2018 Empties

All my garbage of the month! :D

1. Sheet Masks Galore is Back!:
the Creme Shop Super Glow Face Mask: This is a really nice hydrating sheet mask. It has a nice subtle sweet scent.
the Creme Shop Season's Glow Infused Sheet Mask: Although this left my skin glowing I really wasn't a fan of the scent - it smells like lemony cleaning product. I also found that it felt kind of tight and uncomfortable on the skin. Perhaps someone with an oilier skin type would like this better
the Creme Shop Confection Perfection Infused Sheet Mask: I found this mask just ok, it was hydrating but nothing to write home about.
the Creme Shop Oh Deer Detoxifying Lemon Sheet Mask: This is a really refreshing, very lemony sheet mask. I liked it scent-wise and I felt that it left my skin glowing and hydrated.

the Creme Shop Clarifying Peppermint Cocoa Sheet Mask: This mask is supposed to be really good for acne and I was breaking out quite a bit when I used it. I do find that it helped with the acne but it also smelled nothing like peppermint cocoa so I was a bit disappointed.
the Creme Shop Last Christmas Forever Young Face Mask: I find this was a good refreshing, hydrating mask. 

the Creme Shop Holiday Cheer and Clear Stay In Control Face Mask: I recall having breakouts around the time I was using this mask and I found that it did reduce a lot of the inflammation and clogged pores I was experiencing.
the Creme Shop Anti-Aging Eggnog Sheet Mask: I wish this mask smelled like eggnog because I just love eggnog and had to have this mask for that reason alone. I found that it left my skin feeling soft and refreshed.
the Creme Shop Twinkle All the Way Infused Sheet Mask: This mask left my skin feeling soft and refreshed.
the Creme Shop Frost Bright Infused Sheet Mask: I am wearing this mask as I write this - it feels really well-saturated and refreshing but has a slightly powdery scent which I'm not a fan of.

the Creme Shop All I Want for Christmas is Dew: Folks - this mask smells absolutely incredible! I found that it did a really good job of leaving my skin feeling hydrated and looking luminous. If I see this around I will absolutely pick up another one!
the Creme Shop Let it Glow: A nice, hydrating sheet mask.

2. Bath & Body Works Island Margarita Scented Candle: A candle I really enjoy and I'm sad to be done with. It genuinely smells like a delicious margarita and gives me margarita cravings.

3. Bobbi Brown Illuminate Retouching Face Pencil: Although this product isn't marketed as an eyeshadow base I really liked using it under more neutral shades to give them a little extra oomph. That said this has now come to an end. I feel like I've had it for quite some time and it worked just ok so it's time.

4. Olay Fresh Outlast Soothing Orchid & Black Currant Body Wash: I used this mostly to shave with and I felt like it did an OK job. Personally I prefer thicker, more moisturizing, body wash formulations to shave with as they tend to be more soothing to the skin and provide a smoother glide for my razor. As a body wash this foams up nicely and smells nice too.

5. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes: These are a nice cleansing wipe - I find they have a nice, soft smell and do a good job of removing my makeup. In particular I liked them for glitter removal from my eyes as I find that the Makeup Eraser and the dupes I have for it don't do well with glitter.

6. Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Moroccan Rose x2: As mentioned several times in my empties these are my favorite body scrubs - they smell fantastic and are super gritty so I feel really invigorated and clean when I use them. Although this is a more clean, floral rose scent I feel like it's grown on me over time.

7. Sachajuan Hair Cleansing Cream: This is a really nice co-wash that left my hair feeling clean yet really hydrated and shiny. I didn't really love the way they designed the sample packet as it deposits product from the center vs the top or bottom so I feel like it's near impossible to get every last bit out. I'm not much of a co-wash user but if you are, I do recommend this - I liked it a lot. It also didn't weigh down my hair which is important since my hair is fairly anorexic in texture.

8. Laura Mercier Body & Bath Almond Coconut Milk Soufflé Body Crème: As its name implies this is a delicious almond-coconut-milk... almost cookie-like... scent that, although gourmand and sweet, somehow manages to be playful and sexy. I like it a lot. I find it does a beautiful job of hydrating the skin (although again, not the soles of my feet) and the fragrance stays put for several hours which is nice.

9. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair & Protect Balm: This is a really nice, very rich, hydrating, and restorative hair mask. I think that even if you don't dye your hair but your hair is dry and damaged through other means that this is a good hair mask to try out. I really love that it hydrates my hair deeply without weighing it down. It also leaves my hair with a beautiful, healthy, shine. I did find that when my hair was freshly dyed (this was back in March) that this did keep the color looking really fresh.

10. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50: I would say this is a nicely hydrating sunscreen product but it's not my favorite as it has that kind of thick, goopy, sunscreen feel.

11. Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream: I really liked this eye cream - I think it hydrates well and gives the under-eye area a bit of brightness. It's also neither thick or heavy. That said, I feel like its price point is rather high and I have eye creams that I like that aren't as pricey.

12. Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil : I am so sad to be out of this as it's an INCREDIBLE moisturizer. It reduces my redness a lot, feels extremely lightweight, and leaves my skin looking supple with a beautiful glow.

13. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum EX: I found this to be a nicely hydrating, refreshing serum. That said I'm not entirely sure what it's supposed to do for the skin.

14. IOPE Super Vital Eye Cream Extra Concentrated: This eye cream felt incredible - hydrating yet lightweight and refreshing to apply. I felt like its cooling, refreshing quality really helped de-puff my under-eye bags.

15. Laura Mercier Soufflé Body & Bath Ambre Vanille Body Crème: I feel like I've mentioned this many times but this is by far one of my very favorite luxury body care items. It smells cozy, warm, and sweet yet also sensual. In fact if I can describe this scent as a story I'd say it invokes the sensation of being in front of a fireplace (coziness-wise, it doesn't smell like a fireplace at all!) wrapped up in a cozy throw with a good book and a warm cup of... well whatever your favorite warm beverage is. I feel like I always treat myself to a jar of this during the holidays or for my birthday and I love it for the colder season!

16. Pixi by Petra Skintreats Rose Tonic: This is an incredible-smelling toner that leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed. I will most likely pick this up again sometime in the future.

17. Bath & Body Works Blueberry Maple Pancakes Scented Candle: This candle smells super cozy and warm. I'd say the predominant note here is berry with a sweet background but I ain't mad at it!

18. Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Hairspray: This is by far my favorite hairspray! I find that it does a great job of providing hold, smoothing flyaways, and adding just a touch of texture so your styles stay in place but without that crunchy feeling - it allows you to comb through your hair easily. It also has a nice scent.

19. Harajuku Lovers Love (Original): I feel like I've owned this bottle for ages and have finally used it up. I know perfume technically expires but idk what I'm doing that retains the scent so well (possibly keeping my perfumes in a dark place). Anyway, this has a nice floral, kind of bittersweet fragrance. I wouldn't say it's my favorite but I think the doll is adorable and part of reason I purchased this.

20. Vegas Nay Lashes by Eylure in Grand Glamor: I friggin LOVE these lashes!!! They're the perfect crisscross, thick lash. I got loads of compliments when I wore them and they lasted me three weeks! I will say that the lash band on these is a bit thick and can take some finagling to maneuver but I think they're worth it!

21. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Conditioner: This is the conditioner that comes with their hair color and I personally really love it. This is deeply nourishing but fairly lightweight so it doesn't weigh down your hair. I think it smells really good too!

22. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: Friends I know this product has a cult following and my mom seemed to love it (and used up most of the bottle to boot!) but I just found that, more than anything, this tangled my hair. I like texturizing products that don't feel like they're there but make my hair maybe feel fuller or give it a bit of grip and this is on the extreme end of I can really feel it in my hair. I thought maybe I could use it as a hairspray or finishing touch but it left my hair kind of looking a bit rat's nest-ish. :/

23. Bath & Body Works White Citrus Shampoo: I found this to be a pretty standard shampoo - got my hair clean, didn't do anything to particularly write home about. It does have that nice white citrus scent which is a plus - it smells like lemon wafers :3

24. Pixi by Petra Skintreats Glow Tonic: There is so much hype surrounding this product and now that I've finished the bottle I. JUST. DON'T. GET. IT!!!! Firstly, this doesn't smell nice. It's a rather acrid scent that, while it dissipates quite quickly, occurs to me as a cross between farts and acetone. It does make my skin feel smoother but not to such an extent that I think it's amazing in any sense. Honestly it would be a stretch to say this gave me any sort of glow. I know this sounds like a really harsh review and it's not a dig at Pixi - I love the bronzer I have by them, I love the Rose Tonic (which I talked about above) but I either got a dud or this is some foul stuff.

25. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: Ok so I've tried a mini of this before but I totally get what all the hype is about (even though this has been around for ages, mind you!) but it sets makeup in a really soft-focus, smoothing way and has a pretty slightly brightening effect AND, although it looks yellow-ish in the container, it doesn't make me looked jaundiced.

26. Bath & Body Works Autumn Scented Candle: This is by far my favorite autumn scented candle - it's a beautiful woodsy, dried-leaves, apple-ish scent that just makes me think of walking through a lane with a cup of warm cider in hand. It's super cozy!

27. L.A. Girl Pro BB Cream: I found this BB cream to be just okay. It gave me a light-medium coverage and a nice glow but, to be honest, I got this in fair which I believe is the lightest shade and it's a bit too dark and too yellow for me.

28. Bumble and Bumble Bb Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer: This is a wonderful multipurpose product for the hair. It can function as a leave-in conditioner, a lightweight hydration booster on both wet and dry hair, is great for smoothing flyaways, and also fantastic to spray onto the ends of the hair if they're dry. I love how incredibly lightweight it is, it doesn't weigh down my fine hair at all. It smells really good too!

29. Bath & Body Works White Citrus Conditioner: This is a nice lightweight hydrating conditioner with the white citrus scent. I liked it quite a bit and honestly, if I could find a tube of this, I'd buy it.

30. Darphin Paris Stimulskin Plus Reshaping Divine Serum: Honestly friends, I HATE that I really love this serum because at $325 I need me a glucose guardian to get me a hookup. I mean I bake and crochet but I don't feel like I can produce a project of such a magnitude that someone will want to give me $325 to spend on this (and that's before taxes!). Anyway let's get into why I love this - it smells nice, it gives my skin a hydrating and firming boost and while I don't really have any aging concerns to speak of I really feel that it makes my skin feel more supple and firm. I would really love to use this long-term but just really cannot afford to do so.

31. M-61 Hydraboost Face Mist: A cucumber-scented refreshing spray. I kind of find the spray somewhat too fine to feel refreshing. It's just kind of there. This was nice but I wouldn't go out and buy it.

32. Odacite Black Cumin - Cajeput Pimples Serum Essence: Quite frankly I found that this works just ok as a spot treatment for acne blemishes and personally, I really don't like the way it smells. I find it kind of warm and earthy (in a soil-like way)… personally I just don't like earthy smelling things very much.

33. Bath & Body Works White Citrus Bath Gel: A really nice, sweet, fresh citrusy smelling shower gel.

34. Ro's Argan Body Conditioner: I absolutely ADORE this stuff. It is a yummy sweet rose scented body cream that feels richly hydrating. Welp, so after reading reviews I've realized you're meant to wash it off... :/ I've been using this as a moisturizer and I've liked it a lot that way. Kind of a pricey item to use and then wash off.

35. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Zero: Honestly speaking I really didn't like this pencil, I get that the point of it is to be matte so that it makes lip-color longer lasting but I found that it left my lips feeling dry, tight, and crusty and didn't do a better job of making my lipstick stay on than any lip balm that I use. At the cost of dry lips I just don't think this is worth it.

36. Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color: This shampoo was just alright to me and honestly left me with a really odd patch of dandruff at the back of my head that I wasn't the biggest fan of.

37. Oribe Shampoo for Brilliance and Shine: As with the color shampoo this left me dandruff-y and didn't do a better job of making my hair shiny than the Head & Shoulders that I typically use. :/

38. Natural Republic Real Squeeze Aloe Vera Peeling Foot Mask: This is a really great peeling foot mask. For some weird yet miraculous reason I find that these do a good job of alleviation foot pain and, over the peeling process, getting rid of gross extra dry skin on the feet. That said, if you have thick calluses this may remove the top layers of them but not go all the way down to the "core" of the callus.

39. Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum: I think this is a really nice, lightweight serum. It left my skin feeling supple and smooth.

40. Ardell Faux Mink Lashes in 811: I am SO GLAD that these lashes are over and done with as I've been struggling through 3 packs of them since may. I personally am not a fan of the lash band as it's thick and difficult to maneuver and has crappy structural integrity in that, if you accidentally rip it when you're picking glue off it, it'll separate and the whole thing will fall apart. :/

41. R+Co Dallas Thickening Conditioner: While this conditioner is great for hydration, overall, I find the combination makes my hair more voluminous and tangle prone than "thickened."

42. R+Co Dallas Thickening Shampoo: The shampoo, I would say, is the more tangle-inducer of the duo as I'm assuming the texturizing function that it has is supposed to make the hair look and feel thicker. Alas...

43. Indie Lee Active Oil-Free Moisturizer: This is a really nice lightweight moisturizer. I find that despite its being light and oil-free that it still manages to provide hydration for my dry skin which is pretty impressive.

44. Avene Hydrance Intense Hydrating Serum: Although initially I didn't find this serum hydrating enough I did grow to like it over time. I felt that it increased my skin's hydration and felt fairly moisturizing and refreshing when I applied it.

45. Clinique Pretty Easy Eyelining Pen: Although I like this liner I felt like this one in particular got bent out of shape in a way that I couldn't fix. The bristles got frayed to the point where I couldn't create a good line with it, although it was still full of product. Unfortunately I had to toss it.

46. Laura Mercier Soufflé Body Cream in Crème de Pistache: This is an absolutely delicious smelling body cream. I really enjoyed using it.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the above with the exception of the Bobbi Brown, Caudalie, Dermalogica, Indiee Lee, Sulwhasoo, Sachajuan, L'Oreal, Oribe, Darphin, M-61, Bath & Body Works Shampoo/Conditioner, Clinique, Avene and IOPE products.