Empties (Products I've Used Up) #1

This post is about a bunch of garbage. Literally. I've been hoarding my empty beauty products for the past couple months so that I could talk about them in a blog post. The concept might sound crazy, but I really enjoy reading these types of posts because the consumer has formed a solid opinion about the products after using them all up.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser: This lasted FOREVER. It took me over a year to finish this giant bottle. This is a basic cleanser that is very gentle. I would recommend this to those who have sensitive skin, but I don't think I will be repurchasing because I need a cleanser that can help combat my acne. Overall, the product did it's job.

Fresh Sugar Rose SPF15 Lip Treatment: I really enjoyed using this product. It's an amazing lip balm that moisturizes while giving the lips a slight rosy tint. It smells of lemonade, which might bother some people, but I enjoyed it. This was a sample from Sephora that came in a birthday gift. I will not be repurchasing solely because of the hefty price tag. ($22.50) It was good, but not that good!

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume: This was probably my 4th or 5th tube of this mascara. I will continue to repurchase in the future. It has a huge plastic bristled wand that provides a good amount of volume. Whenever I don't know what mascara to use, I always reach for this one. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fading Night Lotion: This product really stood out to me. I did notice that it faded my acne scars a bit. But it really helped fight any active breakouts that I had. The only negative I have is that you don't get very much product for the price. ($18.50 for 1 oz.) I bought this when some sort of deal was going on, and that's the only time I would repurchase. 

Sephora by OPI Nail Pads: I believe these are discontinued, because they were on clearance when I purchased them. I thought they were soaked in nail polish remover, but they weren't. These were just square pads that you pour the polish remover on. I thought these were alright, but they are no better than just using cotton balls.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Balm in Vanilla Mint: First off, I LOVE the scent of this. It gives your lips a tingly sensation, which I'm a fan of. I would put this on before bed and I could still feel it on my lips in the morning. I will definitely be repurchasing this in the future and I highly recommend this product. You can purchase C.O. Bigelow products from Bath and Body Works. 

L'Oreal EverCreme Intenses Nourishing Shampoo: This product also smells amazing, it has a sort of vanilla scent. I bought this because it is sulfate free, but I was worried about how well it would lather. It lathered really well and keep my hair moisturized during these past winter months. I will also be repurchasing this shampoo in the future. (Also, the scent does linger in your hair) 

Vera Wang Lovestruck perfume sample: Normally I wouldn't include a perfume sample, but I just wanted to say that I loved this so much that I've already purchased a roller ball of this scent. I recommend you check it out! It's a beautiful, girly scent. 

Are you a fan of "empties" posts, or do you think they are just plain weird?!

Maybelline Eye Studio Quad in Copper Chic

I've recently rediscovered this Maybelline quad that I picked up in Fall 2012. I thought the shades were beautiful for the Fall time but I've also noticed that they are going to be great for transitioning into Spring!

My "go to" look recently has been putting the rose gold, peachy shade all over the lid, with the white in the inner corner and popping a matte brown from my Naked palette in the crease. It's so simple, but slightly colorful with such a unique shade on the lid.

This quad comes with four, very shimmery shades. A basic white, a gorgeous rose gold, a warm brown/gold and a darker brown that also has a warm undertone.

I used the brown shades much more in the fall, but they are also great as eyeliner across the upper lash line. I've been switching between using gel liner and the last shade in this quad for a more natural look.

(natural sunlight)

This shadows are super pigmented. Maybelline has certainly been stepping up their game with their "Eye Studio" range. There can be a little bit of fall out with these, so I recommend putting your foundation on after applying your shadows. This is a great drugstore product that costs under $10!

Have you tried any of the Maybelline Eye Studio products? What are your favorites?

Nail Art Using Pigments

Recently I've been trying to "shop my stash" of makeup instead of going out and buying every new item that gets good reviews. Today I decided to incorporate my eyeshadow pigments into my manicure!  I never reach for my loose shadows because they are so messy, so this was a great way for me to give them some love.

I used China Glaze Liquid Leather as my base color, NYX eyeshadow in Silver (mine cracked), Victoria Secret's luminous eyeshadow in Too Too Pink and Seche Vite fast dry top coat.

This is mid way, with just the NYX color on. I applied one coat of the base color, then once that dried I applied the second coat one nail at a time, while sprinkling the shadow on each nail. Then to add the pink color, I added a clear coat, one nail at a time again and then topped it off with another clear coat to seal it all in.

Here's the finished manicure! This technique sort of gives the look of paint splatter. I can't wait to try this with different base colors and shadows!

Have you tried any crazy nail art lately? Let me know what you've done!

OPI Suzi Says Feng Shui

Back with yet another nail post! Tonight I'm wearing OPI's Suzi Says Feng Shui. This polish is from the Spring 2010 Hong Kong collection. It is a beautiful mid tone, dusty blue. It is also a creme finish, which is my favorite!

This is the polish with Seche Vite top coat over top of it. Even though this color was limited edition, it isn't exactly the most original shade, I'm sure there are tons of dupes on the market!

I have to say, OPI has one of my favorite brushes. I love how huge they are and it makes it really easy to apply the color.

Do you like a more creme or shimmery finish when it comes to nail polish? 

Recent MAC purchase

About a week ago I had the chance to get my hands on some MAC products I've been eyeing for a while now. I've never tried one of their mineralized blushes and Warm Soul is one of their most popular, so I picked it up. Angel is also one of their best selling lipsticks, and I had to have it! (One of my close friends actually treated me to this as a B-day gift! <3 you, Carrie!)

I absolutely love MAC's sleek packaging. 

Their mineralized blushes are $25 and the lipsticks are $15.

(Don't you just love the look of never-been-touched makeup!?)

Warm soul is a very natural beige color with gold shimmer. Don't be scared when I say shimmer though! This is not "disco ball" like, it looks very natural and glowy when applied to the cheeks. Angel is a very wearable "soft pink". It is a frost formula and has a silver sheen to it. I love the way MAC lipsticks smell!  

Warm Soul is on the left, Angel on the right. (Natural lighting)

My MAC collection is slowly growing, which is great for me, but not so great for my wallet! What are some of your favorite items from MAC? Have you tried either of these products?

OPI Done Out In Deco

I am so sick of this cold, dreary winter weather lately. I'm ready for Spring and I'm certainly portraying that in my manicure today. I have on OPI Done Out in Deco and L.A. Colors Splendid as an accent on my ring finger.

Done Out in Deco is one of my all time favorite (and most used) polishes. I've used up about a third of this bottle (which is a TON for nail polish junkies) It is a creamy lilac color with the slightest bit of grey in it. Gorgeous!

This is my first time using this color by L.A. Colors. It's very sheer and it is most certainly made for putting over other polishes. It's a mid toned purple base with tons of small silver glitter. I thought this was a great, subtle accent for this manicure.

I HIGHLY recommend you pick up Done Out in Deco for the Spring. Pastels are some of my favorites  and I can't wait to rock some more soon!

Are you sick of dark winter polishes yet like I am? What have you been putting on your nails recently?

Sally Hansen Commander in Chic

Today's manicure is Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Commander in Chic.

This is a beautiful creme muddy grey color with the slightest bit of a purple undertone. The formula claims to include a base and top coat all in one, but I still apply my own. I tend to find this chips fairly easily without a top coat.

Something that really makes this nail lacquer stand out is the brush. It is very wide and makes for an easy application. I have two coats on here, with the Seche Vite top coat.

You can pick this up at almost any drugstore. They are almost always on sale, and I will definitely be picking up some more from this range.

Have you tried any Sally Hansen polishes? What are your thoughts?