February Empties

I have another month of empties to share with all of you. I used up a lot of items this month and I am hoping to finish up even more in March. My skincare cabinet has a bit of room to it now. My first thought was to bring in more items from my back stock, but I have refrained from doing that so far. I wanted to bring in another face mask, but I already have 5 open. lol. I love skin care products, but I am trying to convince myself that a little bit of room is good to be able to comfortably reach everything without knocking bottles over.

Food:

1.2. 3. 4. Gerber Lil’ Beanies

5. River Queen Honey Roasted Peanuts

Drink:

6. 7. International Delight Coffee Creamer

8. New England Coffee Donut Shop Blend

9. Equate Pediatric Electrolyte Oral Solution

Toys:

10. Soft Baby Mirror Toy

Makeup:

11. Mary-Kate and Ashley Tropical Burst Vanilla Sugar Body Mist

12. Elizabeth Mott Liquid Eyeliner in Glitterati

13. Caitlin Lip Gloss in Love Spell

14. Sephora Lipstick in Red

15. Grande Lips Lip Gloss

16. Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume

17. JCat Beauty Lip Pain in Love

18. Becca First Light Primer

Body Lotion:

19. 20. Equate Moisture Car Cocoa Divine Body Lotion

21. Body Co Sweat Pea Moisturizing Body and Hand Lotion

22. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion

Skincare:

23. Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent

24. Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes

25. The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid + B5

26. Milk Cooling Stick

27. Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer

28. Origins A Perfect World Eye Cream

Hair Care:

29. Alterna Caviar Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist

30. Gliss Ultra Moisture Conditioner

Random Bathroom Supplies:

31. Dial Hand Soap Miracle Oil

32. Arm and Hmmer Essential Fresh Deodorant

33. Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers

34. Crayola Color Bath Dropz

35. Band-Aid

Household Items:

36. Zesty Paws Mobility Bites

37. Halls Breezers

38. B&BW Naughty Candle

39. 40. 41. Paper Mate and Random Pens

Gosh, 41 items in the month of February is a lot of items to get through in a very short month. I am very excited to see what March brings. So far, my basket is empty, but that was how Feb started and I ended up with 41 empties. I love getting rid of so much stuff and not wasting it either. I am excited to see how many of these items count towards my Project 200 pan. I feel like at this rate, 200 might be a real achievable goal for me. If I reach it too soon, then I will up my goal depending upon how many months are left in the year.

With Love,

 

Advertisement

Oil-free?

For Neutrogena Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover

Don’t know why it’s called oil-free when it was an oily mess. I hated the oily residue. This did not make my skin feel nice. It felt gross and I always had to wash my face afterwards. I wouldn’t even say that it did that great of a job. It turned me into panda eyes and took a lot of rubbing to get all of my makeup off. I’m so happy that I finally used it up. It had been taking up valuable cabinet space for a year for just one use left. I finally got myself to use it up and now I can trash it. There is no better feeling than getting rid of something that you hated. I’ve moved onto the Garnier Micellular water, which I’ve already repurchased.

With Love,

My Current Morning Skincare Routine 2015

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I haven’t done an updated skincare routine in ages! Well, that is a little dramatic, more like over a year. A lot has changed in my life and my skin care routine is constantly changing. I haven’t had a steady routine for a long time, not even now. I’m hoping to discover more products that I love. So far, the only constant in my skin care routine has been my Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer. Everything else is in constant flux. I guess, that is to be expected for a skin care junky like myself. I love all things skin care…maybe even more than makeup. Shocking, I know. Any ways, let’s get into my morning skin care routine, which includes my basic makeup face for work. I like to keep my makeup basic for work. I’m there to work, not impress, but I love a little makeup.

Skin Care Routine:

First, I start off my washing my face with whatever sample that I have left over from my subscription boxes or the last drags of a cleanser I didn’t particularly like. I actually subscribed to Beauty Fix and September’s box comes with a facial scrub, so I will be using that. I haven’t found a Holy Grail morning cleanser yet. I just apply my chosen cleanser, leave it on for a minute, then rinse and pat dry. Really simple and easy, because my mornings are busy and my routine needs to be short.

I either use a toner or I go right to my moisturizer. I used to use toner religiously, but it is something that I stopped doing this year. I really want to get back to using it. I want to get a liquid one though. These toner pads are too scratchy and harsh on my delicate facial skin. I want to buy a Burt’s Bees one and get some exfoliating cotton rounds. Or the Pixi Glow Tonic, I’ve heard amazing things about that one as well.

My current moisturizer is my Holy Grail and I will never stray too far from it. I love the Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 so much! I do have my eye on the Neutrogena Grapefruit Acne Fighting Daily Moisturizer, since I do get acne and I find that having an acne lotion works really well at treating and preventing them. I tend to find them drying, so I always use them every other day. I still get the acne fighting effect without it over drying my skin and making it even more oily than it normally is. I have oily skin. Always have and most likely always will. I’m finding out what works and what doesn’t. I have to use moisturizer. If I don’t, my skin is even oilier from lack of moisture and it overcompensates. I use one pump, brush my fingers together, and tap most of the product on my cheeks before moving to cover my forehead and T zone. I also go down my neck with whatever remains. I’m heavy on my cheeks and jaw line, where I tend to be drier. This leaves my face slightly dewy, before it soaks in. It usually takes two to 5 minutes to completely soak in and look matte.

Then, I like to add on some skin protection, since I have a genetic history of skin cancer and have had two scares so far in my short life. Cancer is no joke and everyone should be using actual SPF in their routine. SPF in your moisturizer isn’t enough. Now, I’ll get off my soap box. I look for acne safe SPF that will not clog my pores or make me more oily. I pour a quarter sized amount on my fingers and dab some of my neck, cheeks, and forehead. I rub in my neck first, then my forehead, then my cheeks bringing the product to the rest of my T zone as well. I will apply another quarter sized amount of product and repeat. This ensures that I am getting all the protection that I need from the sun on my daily adventures (going to work or daily events). It takes 5 to 10 minutes for this to sink in and for the white cast to disappear. It leaves my skin with a healthy glow after. I look hydrated and healthy. I will usually have breakfast and get dressed during this time.

I will prime my eyes to prevent them from getting too oily throughout the day and to get rid of the purple discoloration that I have. My veins color my eye lids to look like I’m always wearing purple shadow. A skin colored primer cancels this out perfectly. Right now, I am using ELF and I warm it up on the back on my hand before applying it. I would not repurchase this. It is dry unless you warm it up first to get it creamy. That wastes product though and I’d rather just use a creamy product in the first place.

I will then use my current base with a flat Kabuki brush. I love using this brush to apply foundation. It blends out like a dream. I am using a travel sized version of Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer, which has just enough coverage for my taste. I really love it for that everyday look. It gives my skin a healthy glow and depending upon my mood, I will sometimes not use powder after. It is just a pretty finish that sometimes I don’t feel like covering it up with powder. I apply from the outside of the face in to the center.

If I have any redness or acne peeking through, I will add my trusty concealer on top. I want to try the Nars dupe from Maybelline when I am done with this one. This does not completely cover acne and I think it works better for dark circles. It brightens up that area while concealing the purple color as well. I always use a little underneath my eyes, since I have hereditary dark circles. It is very creamy and blends out really well. I like using a foundation brush in a tapping motion to blend it into my tinted moisturizer.

While my face sets,  I will style my hair. It can take me anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes most weekday mornings. I will then decide depending on how my skin looks that day, to use a highlighter or a staining blush. If I want to look glowy and skip powder, I will chose a highlighter. The pink one doubles as a blush! I use it on the apples of my cheeks and blend in a c shape going towards my hairline and onto my temples. It gives me that light from within glow. I then, pat some of the inner corners of my eyes and on my eyebrow arch. Most of the time, I forget the cupids bow. It is a subtle glow with micro-shimmer, instead of obnoxious glitter.

If I am feeling like I want to use powder, I will use a staining blush. This one from Pixi looks scary, but it blends out into the most beautiful sun kissed glow. It has that beach vibe to it that I love. A little goes a long way, but I find that it is foolproof to apply. Even when I use a little too much, I can still blend it to look natural. I use my fingers and concentrate on the apples of my cheeks before blending out towards my hairline. It gives it a nice faded effect and best of all, no harsh blush lines!

If I decide to powder, I use a fluffy brush and apply the powder in a tapping motion concentrating on the T zone and lightly coating the cheeks and neck. I don’t love the one that I am using, but it is good for setting my makeup and keeping me matte throughout the day. By the end of the day, I am oily, but not as oily as well I use zero powder. It doesn’t add much color, but it does lighten the skin a little bit. It hasn’t broken me out, which is a good thing in my book.

That is my morning routine! I might just go ahead and do my evening routine tomorrow, but these types of posts have been draining to my lately with being pregnant and all. I might just do a book review post instead, I hope you all don’t mind. I want to see your morning routines! If you have a post on one, link it in the comments section below. I love reading these types of posts!

With Love,

Mini Mall Haul

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I just realized that my post for yesterday did not upload, so I have already uploaded it. Hence, why there is two posts today. Yesterday, I went shopping with my best friend and we went to the mall. She also gave me a few goodies and I gave her some as well. We also ate at Panera Bread. It was my first time eating there and it won’t be my last. Seriously considering reviewing restaurants that I’ve been to now. lol. Any who, this is everything that is new in my life since yesterday.

From Dani:

OPI Nicole Roughles in Rock The Look, 15 ml

I have already used this and I love it. It is in tomorrow’s Manicure Monday post.

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat in 700 Cotton Candies, 11.8 ml

I am looking forward to using this in the next coming weeks depending upon how long my current mani lasts. I want to see how this one looks compared to the one above.

Simple Beauty Angelic Pink Luxurious Cream Bath, 3.4 fl oz

Dani knows how much I love my baths. I take one almost everyday to relax. It is part of my night time routine. This one smells nice, similar to Avon’s Sweet Honesty with more of a baby powder scent. I will enjoy using this as a bubble bath, when I run out of what I am currently using. If you are wondering, it is a foaming bath oil.

Bath Fizzer

I figured that this is good for two uses. It is something nice to add to your bath, when you don’t want to be covered in bubbles. I’m hoping it is moisturizes or does something. The packaging does not say much, but it is pink and glittery!

Stickers

I don’t know why the package says glitter, because they actually do not contain any glitter. They are more metallic than glittery. I cannot wait to use this in next week’s spread. I am working on it Monday, so you won’t see the last few weeks of my planner planning, until Saturday or Sunday. No sneaky peeks from me! These will make the grey and purple accents really pop against all the color.

Target:

This cute little number has dinosaurs on it, perfect for the growing little boy inside of me. It was only 1.50 USD, which is money well spent.

Marshall’s:

I found this at a great discount! It was originally 25 USD and I got it for 3 USD. These are cute for a little boy and I want to have at least 8 onseies like these for him to wear everyday. I currently have 5, so I have at least three more to buy for now. In a few months, that will be a different story. I’ve been buying 0-3 and 3-6 months though for some variety in sizes.

Claire’s:

Claire’s Flat Kabuki, 6.50 USD (6.91 with tax)

I have really wanted a buffing brush for a while for my foundation. Every kabuki that I looked at was either short or too small. This one at Claire’s is a great size for a great price. I am hoping that it performs nice. It feels dense and doesn’t seem like it would shed. Only trying it will tell.

Sephora:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude, 1 fl oz for 21 USD (22.31 with tax)

This blended in beautifully when I swatched it. It is the perfect color for my complexion and it is the fourth darkest color in the line. It surprises me that I take such a dark color, because I’m usually the first one or two in a line. This is a bit yellow toned, which goes with my natural yellow undertone. It should cancel out my ruddy cheeks from pregnancy. I’ve heard a lot about this brand, so hopefully it lives up to the hype.

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-enriched Renewal Cream, 0.5 oz (100 point perk)

I will be using this as an eye cream. I really wanted to try some more from the Origins line, so this was really nice to try. I feel like my eyes can most benefit from this cream. If I like it, I will try the orange line for energizing tired eyes/skin.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (sample)

The employee included a small sample of a cleanser from Fresh. I already know that I love their soaps, so it is just natural that I will probably love everything else that they make, too.

Walmart:

Dove Dry Spray Deodorant in Cooling Cucumber

I needed a new deodorant and knew that I wanted to try this one. I really like it so far, but it isn’t “dry” it definetly adds some moisture to your pits. I air dry mine for 2 to 5 minutes. I usually use that time to wash my face and put on socks.

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub

I needed something for the heat rash on my back and I remembered loving this in high school for the same reason. Pregnancy has made me rashy again and they can turn into big, angry pimples. This has reduced the intensity of my rash and with time, I think it will make it almost disappear. I don’t think it will totally work, because again, hormones. Have you guys hauled anything lately?

With Love,

The Final Verdict: Neutrogena

For Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Daily Scrub with 2% Salicyclic Acid

What it is: A daily scrub that fades the look of past acne marks, clears present breakouts, and helps prevent future breakouts.

Key Ingredients: Salicyclic acid, water, soy bean extract, cetyl alcohol, polythylene, fragrance

How it feels/smells/looks: It is a white, pearly cream with scrubby beads in it. It smells strongly chemical and not very pleasant. It is moisturizing on the skin, while being a refreshing scrub.

Why I like it: It is a decent cleanser and scrub, but I would not buy it again. The beads in it are polluting the environment, so I cannot recommend this unless they reformulate it with environmentally friendly beads. This is the drugstore version of Lush’s Ocean Salt, but I love Ocean Salt ten times better since it has more immediate benefits for my skin. This scrub is good if you don’t work or don’t want to invest in fancy skin care. I would really suggest Ocean Salt though. The small pot has lasted me a year of use.

With Love,

MEGA HAUL: I LOVE ME SOME SHOPP’N

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

It is day 37 of blogging for lent. I did a bit of shopping today that I had been putting off for almost a month! I know! I was lazy, but there was A LOT of weekend snow, too. I bought some beauty things and some clothes. I bough mostly tops, since I really needed those. I have way more bottoms for some strange bizarre reason. I’m actually going to a consignment shop next Saturday to see if they will buy some of my lightly used clothes (and my never worn Prom dress. Yes, Dan. I was planning on making an appearance at our prom. And my other used once Prom dress from when I went to my fiance’s prom. He was declared prom king. I was the default Prom Queen. Yeah, none of the senior class girls liked me after that.) since my chest decided to be the ever-growing bunny. (pun on the energizing bunny that just keeps going and going). Seriously, I wish it would just STOP. It’s not fun to be petite and have a large chest. It makes my chest look even BIGGER sometimes. So annoying. Am I the only one? Where are my busty gals here? Let’s get on with the haul.

KMART

Here are the little things that I picked up. The girls loved their Munchy Pops and I loved that each package was only 1 USD. It is an amazing price! I didn’t realize that they had a dollar section. You guys should check it out, if you have one near you. I also picked up a package of can covers for only a dollar as well. The orange one is for Shadow and the other two are for the Girls. I bought Clearasil Toner Pads 90 ct for 6.19 USD. It is a three month supply if used everyday. I mostly use this the week before and during my period to keep the extra oiliness of my face in check. This one smells nice and is more effect than using my homemade toner. Toner pads are used when I need something extra. I got a Goody styling hair brush for 2.49 for using to put my hair up in a pony or for updos. My paddle brush isn’t good for those things. As you can see by where I am going with this, I will be having a visit by Mother Nature soon. This Neutrogena Spot Treatment was 7.39 USD and it is great for those annoying pimples. I use benzoyl peroxide very sparingly, since it is so drying. I only use it on those hard to get rid of pimples or cystic acne. I use tea tree oil and salicyclic acid on the others.

SEPHORA

I stopped by Sephora, because I really wanted the GlamGlow Cleanser and I had a 10 USD gift card from Yappem. I wanted to get the white bottle for oily skin, but I ended up getting the black bottle by mistake. Now, when I was watching reviews on Youtube, there were only white and blue, not black. The black is brand new and is the AntiAging one out of the line. Basically, it is like the black face mask, the Tingle Exfoliate or something or other. The one I bought was 39 USD and called GlamGlow YouthCleanse. I am going to be trying it tonight. Do you want a first impressions? If I like the initial application, it will go away onto my beauty shelf until I use up the rest of my cleanser. It only has a week or so left in it. That was all I bought! AND I didn’t break my ban, because I was going to buy a new cleanser anyway.

KOHLS

I bought two different colors of the same shirt for 14.99 USD each. They are from the brand Sonoma and they are Sportswear. I take them in a size medium and they wear originally 26 USD each. I only bought those at Kohl’s. I wanted lighter shirts and they wear selling mostly heavy sweaters right now. I would come back to them later in the year though. The colors are sky blue and army green. The green is a bit lighter in real life. This picture makes it look dingy and grey. It is an emerald army green with a sheen.

TARGET

This bra is supposed to be a bright coral pink. It’s looking a little nude in this picture. The bra is from GOM and it is a full coverage bra. The next bra is also a GOM bra and it is lightly lined. They both went for 14.99 USD, which I think is a great price for a good, colorful, pretty bra. I love the roses print! It is super cute! And no, I am not going to share my bra size, except that I wear a 34. You can kinda tell what cup size from the photos. The candy pink/coral a line dress is from XHIL and it was 24.99 for a size medium. I love this dress. It has an appropriate neckline and touches the tops of my knees. Oh, all of these clothes are for work btw. I had to make sure they wear appropriate, but also very fun. I am most excited to wear this dress on Monday. OTP. The grey and black tee shirt with high slits on both sides (it comes to about even with my belly button) is from MB and it was 19.99 USD. The sweet light soft pink sweater with the antique lace detail is from MSC and was 24.99 USD. It was a bit pricey, but I loved it. They are both shorter in the front and longer in the back.

Well, that was my haul! Tomorrow, I am going car looking, food shopping, and getting my eyebrows waxed! See ya soon!

DISCLAIMER: PEPSI DID NOT SPONSOR THIS BLOG POST! I WAS JUST THIRSTY AT TARGET AND BOUGHT IT AND IT ACCIDENTALLY ENDED UP IN MY PHOTOS!

With Love,

Empties: The December Edit

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

It is that time again! I cannot believe that 2014 is gone and it is now 2015! I am super excited about all of the firsts that come along with the new year. I am also changing up my life and my self for the new year. I am…..wait for it……going BLONDE! That’s right, gurus! I am going from my dishwater/dark blonde hair to a medium blonde. I might get a haircut, too. Right now, my hair touches my belt and I haven’t had long hair like this since hair school. I might layer it or something. It depends upon how my consultation goes with my hairdresser. We are going to be deciding on the exact color and cut. I don’t know how much it will cost me, but I am expecting a cut and color to range from 70 to 100 USD from my hair dresser. He usually charges me 35 for a haircut and 50 for all over highlights. If I get both, he’ll probably give me a discount deal. I leave him a good tip, so if he can get me in fast and give me a deal, he could easily pocket a 30 USD tip. He owns his own chair, so he could give free haircuts and the salon couldn’t do anything. I’ve been with him since I was twelve, so I’ve known him for almost eleven years. I’m not bragging or anything. Salon’s range in price everywhere you go. I go to a bigger city to my stylist, but he still charges me a small time price. Well, onto my empties for the last month of 2014.

Pilot Frixion Clicker 07 Erasable in Blue

MJCARE Sea Weed Essence Mask, 1 ct

MJCARE Aloe Essence Mask, 1 ct

MJCARE Collagen Essence Mask, 1 ct

Neutrogena All-In-One Acne Control Daily Scrub, 4.2 fl oz

Gillette Quattro Scented Handle Razors, 1 ct

Veet Suprem’ Essence Hair Removal Gel Cream, 6.78 fl oz

Maybelline Dream Pure BB 2% Salicyclic Acid Acne Treatment in Light/Medium, foil packet (2 uses)

That is it for now, ladies! What were your empties for December? I look forward to reading your empties posts! I love knowing what other people are using and what they thought of them. Since every empty product gets its own review, I do not include reviews on my empties posts. Have a Happy Friday, everyone!

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxi

Recently Acquired: Neutrogena

Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Daily Scrub, 4.2 fl oz

I bought this a few days ago, because my acne was getting really bad and I needed a more targeted morning cleanser. This one has salicylic acid, so I know that it will work well with my skin. My acne really responds well to it. I just did a chemical peel a couple of days ago, so that is really helping as well with the acne. Most of my acne is now dried up and shrunken in size. My skin is smoother in texture as well. The smell of the scrub is floral and very perfumed, probably due to the added fragrance. I have used this a few times already and this scrub is harsher than Ocean Salt by Lush. Due to this, I scrub briefly and let it sit on my skin a few minutes to do its magic before rinsing. I paid 7.99 USD for this scrub, which is a deal since it retails for 11.99 USD. Have you gotten any good deals lately?

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo