January Empties - Yay or Nay

Hello Beauties <3

Another month is behind us and that means more beauty products have been used and it's time to talk about the yays and nays of my January empties.

It's a New Year but I can't necessarily say I used or even tried new products this month. I pretty much stuck to old habits, products I use often but I promised myself I was going to use more and more of the samples I have.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb - Retail Price $38 for 1.68 oz

Aqua Bomb is an ultra-lightweight, mineral oil-free gel-cream that instantly cools and refreshes skin while providing intensive hydration. This formula contains a blend of apothecary herbs, including antioxidant-rich lady's mantle, which helps neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, improves skin elasticity, and minimizes the appearances of pores. This refreshing cream is formulated to 'burst' when applied, releasing a flood of weightless moisture onto skin, and then absorb completely for a healthy, smooth, supple appearance. This is a great summer time moisturizer.

Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask

Retail Price $63 for a box of 12 packs (each pack contains 2 eye masks)

I love these eye masks, they are so concentrated and practically show visible results instantly. If you are looking for an eye treatment that reduces the appearance of fine lines, brightens your skin, minimizes the look of dark circle, plumps and hydrates the skin, then try these eye masks. Your skin will feel softer and look smoother and healthier. Of course it's a YAY for me. Here is the description:

Pure Retinol Micro-Infusion technology penetrates skin instantly to smooth away the look of wrinkles. The mask conforms to skin to seal in essence and refine texture for 24-hour hydration. It also features Benefiance’s powerful WrinkleResist technology to prevent new wrinkle formation and help treat existing wrinkles. This product addresses three types of eye area wrinkles: corner crinkling, under eye wrinkles, and crow’s feet. Pure Retinol Micro-Infusion Technology delivers ultra small particles of retinol in an essence, providing an easily-absorbed formula with a higher concentration of the active ingredient. Wrinkle-Retouching Sheet is thicker, more adherent, and more flexible. It stays in place on the skin while physically stretching wrinkles and smoothing them out. It holds 20 percent more essence than the previous version. Smoothness-holding polymers in the essence stay on the skin surface for hours after mask removal, maintaining skin’s smoothness. 

Kirkland Signature Daily Facial Towelettes - Retail price $11.99 for 150 count

Included in this box are 4 - 30 count flip top recloseable lid packs and 2 - 15 count resealable travel packs. I absolutely love these makeup wipes from Costco. I use them every night to remove my makeup although I still pour a little makeup remover on them just to help remove my waterproof mascara with ease. I do not like tugging on my eyes and lashes if I don't have to.

Pamper yourself with an effective and complete skin care solution that offers a deep clean and will not irritate your skin. This mild formula has cucumber, chamomile flower extract and aloe and will remove all traces of makeup, dirt and oil leaving your skin glowing and refreshed, No need to rinse your face afterwards. A definite YAY for me. If you couldn't tell from my previous blog posts, I use these daily so they usually show up in my empties.

Besame Cosmetics Translucent Brightening Violet Powder -  Retail price $22 for 0.21 oz  

From their site:  A translucent violet powder that brightens any skin tone. The finely milled formula sets makeup beautifully, leaving a soft, matte finish and a subtle violet fragrance. Wear it alone, over foundation, or around eyes to instantly lighten dark circles.

This finishing powder brightens your face without the shimmer and leaves your skin with a porcelain matte finish. It does not settle into fine lines and no cakey finish (I love cake but I'm glad there's no cake here). I do not have oily skin so I can't say that it diminishes shine but many reviews confirm it controls the oil for hours.

The verdict: Yay! I already re-purchased 2 more of these but will not use them until I finish a few more deluxe sized powders I have from other brands.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation - Retail Price $40 for 1.7 oz or $65 for 3.0 oz

This is described as a lightweight moisturizer and I definitely agree, I love to use this in the morning because it melts right into my skin and I don't have to wait long before applying makeup. Skin feels fresh, healthy, and bright with this lightweight moisturizer's silky whipped texture that melts into skin. A potent blend of actiwhite™, licorice, and vitamin C help fade dark spots, even skintone, and prevent premature signs of aging while botanical fruit acids gently exfoliate and retexturize. The calming blend of sandalwood, geranium, and chamomile soothes, balances, and purifies the skin to minimize pores while glycerin lightly hydrates. Sugar cane and multifruit AHAs gently exfoliate to refine texture, even tone, and soften the look of fine lines as vitamin C brightens and provides antioxidant protection from environmental aggressors. Vitamin E heals, restores, and nourishes the skin, leaving you with a healthy-looking, smooth, refreshed complexion. Of course this is a YAY for me but because I have so many deluxe size promos left, I won't have to purchase this for awhile. 

Estee Lauder Advance Time Zone Age Reversing Eye Cream - Retail Price $58 for 0.50 oz

As the name suggests, this eye cream helps rewind signs of aging. It is described as a rich cream that helps improve visible signs of aging. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet, leaving eyes smoother and more radiant. It helps skin boost its natural support structure to dramatically reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. Since it is a thick cream, I suggest using a tiny bit because it doesn't melt in to your skin quickly. I didn't notice any dramatic changes after using this eye cream so it's a NAY for me.

Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment in Clear - Retail Price $18.50 for 0.20 oz

I love using this immediately after I use the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish scrub. It is a high-shine lip treatment that moisturizes for up to 6 hours, promotes suppleness, and improves lip definition. The high-shine treatment enhances the natural color of the lips while offering essential nourishment. It can be worn alone or on top of your favorite lip product. A definite YAY for me.

Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm - Retail Price $12 for 0.35 oz

I received this in one of my monthly subscription boxes and was instantly intrigued. I use this right before I go to bed and let it work its magic overnight. I was pleasantly surprised when I received this again a few months later in a different subscription box. This daily protection soothes, restores and replenishes even the driest of lips. A tiny bit offers immediate relief with little shine. A generous application creates a gloss for use with or without lipstick. A big YAY for me!

Fresh Rose Face Mask - Retail Price - $62 for 3.3 oz

Upon application, the rose scent immediately hits you, but for me I didn't find it overpowering. It is a hydrating and toning mask that I left on for about 20 minutes (the directions say 10 minutes). The rose flower yields a precious oil brimming with nutrients that naturally soothe the skin and stimulate the senses. Infused with 50 percent pure rosewater and an average of two-and-a-half roses per jar, this unique mask restores radiance and suppleness to all skin types. The addition of cucumber extract and aloe vera reduce inflammation and calm the skin, while green tea helps brighten and protect.  I'm on the fence about this mask, not quite sure if I'd purchase this but I will definitely use the rest of the samples I have.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask - Retail Price $58 for 1.0 oz

This powerful Resurfacing Mask works like a traditional peel to provide an instant solution for dull skin without causing downtime or irritation. Formulated to deeply purify and help decongest surface debris and dead skin for a refreshed, revitalized appearance, it minimizes the appearance of pores for smooth, glowing skin. I did notice a slight glow afterwards but my skin felt a little more dry as well. Even after applying my nighttime moisturizer, my skin still felt a little dry so I highly doubt I would purchase this mask.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation in Sand - Retail Price $39 for 1.0 oz

An oil-free foundation for natural-looking, full coverage and a beautiful, radiant finish. Born This Way masterfully diffuses the line between makeup and skin. For coverage so undetectable, you can’t see the makeup or the imperfections just a natural-looking luminous flawless complexion. The revolutionary formula is infused with a potent combination of coconut water to naturally replenish moisture levels, nature’s resilient alpine rose to brighten the skin’s appearance and promote elasticity and hyaluronic acid for a smoother, more youthful appearance. This has quickly become my everyday foundation during the week. A YAY for me, I already bought a back up. 

Balenciaga B. Eau de Parfum - Retail price $82 for 1 oz  $110 for 1.7 oz  $145 for 2.5 oz

This fragrance is described as sophisticated. sensual and  feminine. It represents a woman unveiling her most essential self. The more she reveals, the more intriguing she becomes. B.BALENCIAGA gives way to a new trend, a green woody fragrance. Fresh and alluring, the fragrance opens with green notes of lily of the valley bell and violet green leaves accord. As B.BALENCIAGA evolves, the iris note reveals a powdery essence before drying down with darker woody notes of cashmeran woods. Inspired by the marriage of old and new, B.BALENCIAGA reflects back on the fashion house’s classic heritage in a modern way. The bottle’s frosted glass has a unique crackle texture, inspired by the marble tiling of Balenciaga’s original 10 Avenue George V Paris salon. The shape commands a six-sided architectural design, while the unique exposed arch of the cap pays homage to the arches found in Balenciaga fashion and accessories.



Stacey <3

November Empties - Yay or Nay

Hello Beauties <3

Another month is behind us and that means more beauty products have been used and it's time to talk about the yays and nays of my November empties.

I can't believe we are in the last month of the year and with all the holiday beauty sales, I MUST use up more products to make room for those hauls!

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser - Retail Price $30 for 7.0 oz

This creamy, foaming, antioxidant-rich cleanser gently cleanses, nourishes, and hydrates. It deeply purifies and pampers skin, infusing delicate nourishment with African red tea, a youth-restoring antioxidant to strengthen skin, vitamin C to brighten and firm, and borage seed oil to soothe and nourish. Bright and energizing citrus extracts of grapefruit, orange, and tangerine purify and intoxicate the skin senses.

When it comes to face cleansers, I prefer a foaming one for sure. I think it's all in my head, but when I see the "foam" all over my face, I feel my skin is getting the best cleanse. It has a wonderful citrus smell and makes my skin feel so refreshed.

Kate Somerville RetAsphere 2 in 1 Retinol Night Cream - Retail Price $85 for 1.0 oz

This was included in my October Empties Blog Post and because I loved it, I finished another deluxe sample of it. I always look forward to trying products that say "retinol" or "anti-aging" so I was excited to receive this night cream. This two-in-one night cream is designed to gently infuse the skin with pure Retinol and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and evens out skin texture and tone. It increases your skin's elasticity and firmness making it look and feel smooth and firm. A definite YAY for me but I only have one more deluxe samples left.

Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti Wrinkle Cream - Retail Price $90 for 1.7 oz

Like most skin care products, you have to use them over a period of time to see results. I don't always get that opportunity because I have so many different products in my stash waiting patiently to get used. With that said, I have one more deluxe sample to use but I'm not running to Sephora to buy the full size.

According to information found on their official website, here are the clinical results I found:

After 4 weeks:

• 90% of women showed highly significant improvement in skin firmness and elasticity
• 93% of women showed highly significant improvement in skin discoloration and skin tone evenness

After 6 weeks:

• 93% of women said their skin felt hydrated and moisturized
• Crow’s feet and fine lines are significantly improved

Clinically tested to be safe for sensitive skin. Clinical results based on an independent Clinical Study

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Perfecting Face Primer - Retail Price $30 for 1.0 oz

This primer was also mentioned in my October Empties Blog Post and Sephora Haul Blog Post. It helps create a flawless canvas alone or under your foundation for a bright and fresh look that lasts all day. Vitamins A & C, Mulberry Extract and a powerful dose of Retinol virtually banish pores while tired skin is left hydrated, firmer, and detoxified.This is my HG face primer and I love it so much, I bought 2 more at the recent Sephora sale. A tremendous YAY for me!

Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask
Retail Price $63 for a box of 12 packs (each pack contains 2 eye masks)

I love these eye masks, they are so concentrated and practically show visible results instantly. If you are looking for an eye treatment that reduces the appearance of fine lines, brightens your skin, minimizes the look of dark circle, plumps and hydrates the skin, then try these eye masks. Your skin will feel softer and look smoother and healthier. Of course it's a YAY for me. Here is the description:

Pure Retinol Micro-Infusion technology penetrates skin instantly to smooth away the look of wrinkles. The mask conforms to skin to seal in essence and refine texture for 24-hour hydration. It also features Benefiance’s powerful WrinkleResist technology to prevent new wrinkle formation and help treat existing wrinkles. This product addresses three types of eye area wrinkles: corner crinkling, under eye wrinkles, and crow’s feet. Pure Retinol Micro-Infusion Technology delivers ultra small particles of retinol in an essence, providing an easily-absorbed formula with a higher concentration of the active ingredient. Wrinkle-Retouching Sheet is thicker, more adherent, and more flexible. It stays in place on the skin while physically stretching wrinkles and smoothing them out. It holds 20 percent more essence than the previous version. Smoothness-holding polymers in the essence stay on the skin surface for hours after mask removal, maintaining skin’s smoothness. 

Origins Plantscription Anti Aging Power Serum - Retail Price $58 for 1 oz or $77 for 1.7 oz

I am a fan of anything that says "anti aging" and a serum that does not have a liquid-y formula. My one exception to that rule is the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. I love how this serum melts into my skin and only takes a minute or so before drying so I can apply moisturizer. YAY I would continue using it.

Here is the description:
This power serum helps unlock a new path to visible wrinkle reduction. In just 2 weeks, this powerful age-fighting serum helps visibly improve lines and wrinkles. With continued use, it helps lift and firm to reveal a more youthful appearance. It’s clinically proven to help visibly reduce lines and wrinkles in just 2 weeks. Origins went around the world to power up our most potent anti-ager. It’s now formulated with a total of 20 targeted anti-aging plant extracts including Anogeissus from Ghana, Bamboo and Pea Extract from Australia, Crithmum from France and Commiphora from India to name a few. And we used them to create our newest anti-aging cocktail. Line-reducing cocktail helps rebuild a supportive network. Give skin resilient bounce to act like the box springs of a mattress. New plumping cocktails helps plump upper skin layers. Create a less wrinkled appearance at skin surface. Boost skin density to act like the pillow top of a mattress.

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash - Retail Price $22 for 5 oz

This is my HG cleanser that I use with my Clarisonic. Frothy and foaming -YES, smells fantastic - YES, makes my skin feel awesome - YES. As the name implies, it is great for both dry and oily skin. It does a great job of balancing the two while never cancelling each other out. A definite YAY for me and you will see it in my next haul post.

This cleanser balances faces with dry and oily places. This gentle, frothy face wash with Broad Leaf Kelp Extract, Wheat Protein and Tourmaline discourages excess oil production while protecting dry prone zones. Plus the aroma of Bergamot, Spearmint and Lavender refreshes. Skin feels comfortably clean. Never tight, pulled or parched. 

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask with Red Clay - Retail Price $30 for 3 oz

My skin really enjoys this mask. It is a peel off mask that is meant to stay on your face for 20 minutes but I leave it on for closer to 30 minutes. I can see an instant difference in my skin when I remove it. 
This mask treatment delivers immediately visible results akin to a professional treatment. In just 20 minutes the mask detoxifies and deeply purifies the complexion by drawing out skin impurities with a potent concentration of red clay. It regulates excess sebum, and eliminates clogged pores. In addition, mineral rich red clay reduces congestive pigmentation in problem areas where pimples previously formed and improves the skin’s texture. As the mask is peeled away, skin looks smoother, softer, and refreshed while pores appear visibly reduced. I would definitely buy the full size of this mask. YAY!

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask - Retail Price $92 for 3.3 oz

This is another product that I like but will not be buying the full size (I have plenty of samples to hold me over for awhile). When I applied this mask, I noticed it had a slight hint of a tea smell, so if you like tea no worries. I did not particularly like the smell but it wasn't unbearable. My skin felt quite hydrated after I rinsed it off so that was a plus. For me, this mask is good for when I'm short on time because it's easy to apply and removes quickly. Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask with advanced antioxidants is a hydrating treatment that immediately reveals softer, firmer, healthier-looking skin. The innovative formula’s velvety whipped texture has an immediate cooling effect to refresh the skin and the senses.

Here's some results from their site:

• Proven to have a significant moisturizing effect for 6 hours
• 94% reported softer skin
• 84% noticed more supple skin
• 81% felt it smoothed and improved skin texture

Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti Aging Eye Cream - Retail Price $72 for .50 oz

A rich eye cream that reduces fine lines and wrinkles and can be applied all over the eye. A little goes a long way and it definitely hydrated my under eye area.

Key Benefits and Results according to the Algenist site:

Nourishes, smoothes and visibly reinforces skin resilience

Appearance of expression lines and wrinkles is reduced

Skin tone appears evened out for brighter-looking eyes

Skin texture is visibly improved

Under-eye sagging is visibly minimized

90% said skin looked more supple in 10 days

94% said it nourished their under eye area in 10 days

87% said eye contours were visibly smoother in 10 days

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb - Retail Price $38 for 1.68 oz

Aqua Bomb is an ultra-lightweight, mineral oil-free gel-cream that instantly cools and refreshes skin while providing intensive hydration. This formula contains a blend of apothecary herbs, including antioxidant-rich lady's mantle, which helps neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, improves skin elasticity, and minimizes the appearances of pores. This refreshing cream is formulated to 'burst' when applied, releasing a flood of weightless moisture onto skin, and then absorb completely for a healthy, smooth, supple appearance. This is a great summer time moisturizer.

Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb - Retail Price $38 for 1.68 oz

The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb is a comforting moisture cream that provides the skin with intense, soothing hydration. Clinically tested to provide up to 26 hours of moisture, this uniquely indulgent formula leaves skin soft, supple, and deeply moisturized. This formula contains a blend of apothecary herbs, including comfrey leaf, a powerful hydrating agent. The cushiony cream format is designed to 'burst' when applied, releasing a flood of moisture onto skin, and then absorb completely without stickiness for a healthy, smooth, supple appearance. This is a great winter time moisturizer.

Dermablend Professional Setting Powder - Retail Price $26 for 1.0 oz

This loose powder was just ok for me. I received it in one of my subscription boxes so of course I was going to use. It set my foundation with no issues and I did not notice any transfer of product throughout the day.

Kirkland Signature Daily Facial Towelettes - Retail price $11.99 for 150 count

Included in this box are 4 - 30 count flip top recloseable lid packs and 2 - 15 count resealable travel packs. I absolutely love these makeup wipes from Costco. I use them every night to remove my makeup although I still pour a little makeup remover on them just to help remove my waterproof mascara with ease. I do not like tugging on my eyes and lashes if I don't have to.

Pamper yourself with an effective and complete skin care solution that offers a deep clean and will not irritate your skin. This mild formula has cucumber, chamomile flower extract and aloe and will remove all traces of makeup, dirt and oil leaving your skin glowing and refreshed, No need to rinse your face afterwards. A definite YAY for me. If you couldn't tell from my previous blog posts, I use these daily so they usually show up in my empties.

Stacey <3