July Empties!

This is probably the smallest empties post I've ever done!

Mandelic Glacial Clay Deep Cleansing Masque - click here to read my review.

Bellaboo Buff Skin Facial Exfoliator - click here to read my review.

I ended up using this as a body scrub. I really liked it as a face scrub, but the scent was a little strong for me so I preferred it as a body scrub.

Did you finish anything this month? and do you ever use things up by finding other uses for them?

Review Anastasia Beverly Hills She Wears It Well Eye Shadow Palette

She Wears It Well Eye Shadow Palette $34.00

Left to right Trophy, Glow, Latte, Foxy, Sunset, Frosting, Onyx, Almond, and Toffee

This palette contains nine shades, six shimmer, and three matte.

Of these shades, Latte, Foxy, and Toffee are the most pigmented. The rest of the shades are mostly shimmer, but can be built up.

These shadows blend very well, and don't create a lot of fallout; though some are softer/more loosely packed than others. The matte shadows are especially smooth.

The included double-ended brush is decent, and works in a pinch. I prefer the flat end because it packs on shadow well, and also works for light blending.

The size of the palette is perfect--it has a decent sized mirror, but it's still sleek enough to travel with or throw in your bag for touch ups.

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.anastasia.net/

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this palette for those who prefer a natural look!


(Product provided for consideration.)

EOTD Silver, Gold, and Deep Blue

Products used

Modern Minerals Shine, - inner half of lid Juno, - outer half of lid and Kali - crease

Elizabeth Grant Va-Va-Volume Mascara in Black

Have you ever worn this color combination?

(Products provided for consideration.)

When to Toss your Makeup/Au Revoir Products!

Hello ladies!

I recently decided to do some "summer" cleaning concerning my makeup collection. --Every so often I like need to toss the products that I've had far too long.

Here are some products that have unfortunately gone to the makeup graveyard..

You may be wondering, how do you know when to toss your makeup?

I go by the shelf life.. see below

This symbol indicates that this product has a shelf life of 9 months once it's been opened/used. It will usually appear on the box of the product or the back of the product itself.

To keep better track, I've started writing down the date I first use a product as well as the shelf life!

General guidelines

Mascara 2-3 months up to 6 months

Liquid Liner 3 months Pencil Liner 2 years

Powder Eyeshadows 2 years

Cream Eyeshadows 6-12 months

Lipstick 6 months (natural lipsticks such as 100% Pure) --up to 2 years

Lip gloss 12 months to 2 years

Lip liner 2-3 years

Concealer 6-12 months

Powder 2 years

Foundation 12 months

If your makeup begins to separate (see Hard Candy Glossaholic above,) begins to have cracks (see elf Mineral Primer above) or changes in color, texture or scent it's most likely time to toss it!


It's very important to not use old makeup, especially mascara because it can cause eye infections, and styes (which are never fun!)

Do you follow the shelf life on your makeup?

Review Nature's Gate Facial Skincare

Lemon Verbena Cleansing Gel for Normal/Oily Skin $9.99 for 8 fl oz

This cleanser is deeply cleansing-- it removes any excess oil or sweat, but with that I also found it to be a little drying (I have dry/combination skin.) 

For those of you with my skin type I'd suggest using this cleanser when you need something more than your everyday cleanser.

It has a pleasant lemon scent!

Lemon Verbena Oil Free Moisturizer for Normal/Oily Skin $14.99 for 4 fl oz

Unlike the cleanser, this moisturizer doesn't have a lemon scent, it doesn't have much of any scent. 

It's thin, and serum-like in texture.

It sets on the skin almost immediately so your skin isn't left feeling greasy, making it perfect for the daytime--especially in summer!

Rice Bran Moisturizer for Normal/Dry Skin $14.99 for 4 fl oz

This moisturizer has a faint, rice-y scent, and is slightly thicker than the Lemon Verbena Moisturizer.

I like to use this on days where I need something richer as it doesn't instantly absorb like the Lemon Verbena Moisturizer.

It gives my skin a lovely glow!

Avocado Night Cream $16.99 for 2 oz

This cream has a somewhat citrus-y scent. 

It sits on the skin longer than the two moisturizers previously mentioned so I would definitely only use it at night. It makes my skin feel smooth and richly moisturized!

Borage Serum $18.99 for 1 fl oz

Description "Carob Seed Extract, rich in oligogalactomannans, nurtures and softens stressed skin. Oat Beta Glucan moisturizes to support skin elasticity and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Cassava extract promotes firmer feeling and smoother looking skin."

This serum is great to use before moisturizer to add extra moisture-- it also helps to smooth the skin.

I don't detect a scent!

Grape Seed Eye Cream $18.99 for 1 fl oz

Again, I don't detect a scent (I actually prefer unscented skincare.)

A little of this eye cream goes a long way, it instantly smooths, reduces puffiness, moisturizes, and preps the under eye area for concealer!

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.natures-gate.com/ or http://www.shopnatures-gate.com/

Overall, I'd recommend everything!

(Products provided for consideration.) 

EOTD Neutral Sparkle

 Products used

Philosophy Supernatural Coloring Book - I used Down to Earth on the lid & crease.

100% Pure Fruit Pigment Eye Shadow in Tahiti - Layered over Down to Earth.

Living Nature Eye Pencil in Smoulder (received  Eye Pencil, and Tahiti for consideration months ago.)

Mascara not pictured as it's by a brand that is no longer cruelty-free.

What products do you like to use to achieve a natural look?

Review Cailyn Cosmetics Gel Eyeliner

Gel Eyeliner in Black $21.00

This eyeliner is fabulous!

In the past I wasn't a fan of gel eyeliners because the ones I had tried were always difficult to apply, and wouldn't go on evenly.

This eyeliner is very creamy, and much easier to apply. I love the fact that it has a built in brush (which actually works well to apply the product.)

It claims to 

Resist sweating - (True, I put that to the test!)

Waterproof - (Yep, I swatched it on my hand, and it's still there after washing my hands countless times.)

Stays on up to 24 hours - (It's been 24hrs, and the swatch is still on my hand--though faded.)

As for wear time on the eyes, I wore it for about 12 hours, and it was still intact. Faded on the edges--which was my fault for rubbing my eyes (it's a habit.) Keep in mind this was without the use of a primer underneath!

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.cailyncosmetics.com/

Overall, I would recommend this eyeliner!

Review It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush, Dual Airbrush Concealer/Foundation Brush & Jumbo Heavenly Mega Luxe Powder Brush

Vitality Lip Flush in Je Ne Sais Quoi $20.00

Description "Vitality Lip Flush Anti-Aging Lipstick Stain takes the place of your lipstick, anti-aging conditioning lip balm, ultra-hydrating lip gloss, and your lip stain!"

Best idea for a product ever, right?

It feels great on! Similar to the feeling of a lipstick, but with the moisturization of a lip balm. It's not as glossy as a lip gloss, but it has a little shine.

As for the lip stain aspect, the initial finish will wear off, but even so, my lips are left with a stain.

Totally love it!

Dual Airbrush Concealer/Foundation Brush (not sold individually)

As the name would imply this brush can be used for concealer/foundation, but I've also found some other fabulous uses for it!

The smaller end can be used to blend eyeshadows, highlight, and to contour smaller areas of the face such as the sides of the nose!

The larger end is great for contouring, applying bronzer, and blending out the edges of blush!

As with all of It Cosmetics' brushes it's super soft, and cruelty-free (non-animal hair bristles!) I've had no issues with shedding.

Jumbo Heavenly Mega Luxe Powder Brush $58.00

This brush is HUGE! (As you may have guessed.)

It's main purpose is a powder brush, but it also works great for bronzing, and toning down/blending out blush!

It feels amazing on the skin.. it's like running a teddy bear across your face (seriously!)

All three of these products will be part of a TSV (Today's Special Value) Set on QVC on July 27th! 

This set will also include Supersize Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, and the Vitality Face Disc

The set will retail for $59.94 (just $1.94 more than the Powder Brush individually!)

I received the full set by It Cosmetics to review on my blog, however, I chose to only review three of the five items. 

I don't comfortable using products containing collagen. The two other products contain marine collagen which can or cannot be animal derived. (I wasn't able to get in touch with a chemist to ask.)

You can order the entire set early here.

For more information about this brand or their  products visit http://www.itcosmetics.com/

Overall, I would absolutely recommend these three products! 

Review Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic & Skin Repair Moisturiser

Instant Boost Skin Tonic $21.00 for 6.7 fl oz

 Instead of the cap twisting off, it twists up. I've never seen packaging like this before, so cool!

The Skin Tonic is Liz Earle's version of a toner.

It has a gorgeous floral scent, and feels soothing on the skin. It's very gentle, doesn't sting (unlike a lot of toners.)

I've found that it's perfect to use before applying makeup as it makes my skin free of any oils, but also doesn't strip the skin.

It's also available in spray form so you can spritz it right on your skin for a refreshing boost!

Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/Combination $31.00 for 1.6 fl oz

Again, with the gorgeous scent. Liz Earle knows how to do scents, that's for sure! It reminds me of the scent of baby products. It has that classic, powder-y scent (which I love.)

The texture is perfect, it's not too thick, but also not serum thin. 

What I love most about this moisturiser is that it can be worn lightly or richer. You may be thinking "Can't all moisturisers?"

In my experience, no. Most moisturizers will be too thick to spread evenly thus forcing you to glob on a thick layer OR so thin that you end up with a slippery grease fest on your face (always fun!)

In the daytime a thin layer is all I need. It gives my skin a glowy, moisturised look, but without looking oily. At night it can be layered for an overnight moisturising treatment.

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://us.lizearle.com/ or http://uk.lizearle.com/

Overall, I would recommend both products!


(Products provided for consideration.)