Empties March 2013

 I've been saving stuff to make an "empties" post, for the longest time. The pile is big enough now, so might as well go for it. I don't know how often I can do a post like this because, I don't know how fast I will go through a product, so this could be a monthly thing, but likely it won't.

 I didn't really go through any makeup product yet, except for Makeup For Ever's HD powder(not pictured). I LOVE this thing, I went through a sample size, until there was nothing left. Today was literally the last day of it. I have a replacement, of course. I absolutely adore this thing, it's amazing! It mattifies without leaving me looking cakey and dry, it just works and I love that.

Clinique:(From left to right) Pore Refining Solutions, Stay Matte Hydrator and Correcting Serum and Clarifying Lotion in Number 3. I reviewed the Clarifying Lotion, in this post(http://beautymadn3ss.blogspot.com/2013/01/misc-sephora-samples-reviews.html).

 Both products from the Pore Refining Solutions line are definitely favorites of mine, I love the serum and I do see some difference in the size of my pores, it feels amazing on my skin, gets absorbed quickly and doesn't contribute to making me oilier. The hydrator is definitely something that might be short on the moisturizer end for the colder months. It's a really light moisturizer and it has no SPF, so you definitely have to take that into account. You might be fine on your T-zone if you are combo like me, but other areas of your face might need some more moisturizing powah! If you are normal or dry skin, you'll definitely need a bit of help for the colder months. 

 I definitely recommend these products if you have somewhat big pores. Mine weren't huge to be honest. I'm always extra dramatic when it comes to my skin, it's not perfect, it has it's flaws, but they are not as major as I think they are! It decreased the size of my pores, but they weren't that big to begin with. I have repurchased these and definitely will keep on repurchasing on and on, unless I find something else I like more, but so far, I haven't.

Neutrogena - Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Hydrating: I talked about this in another post, which you can find here (http://beautymadn3ss.blogspot.com/2013/03/drugstore-haul-feb-23rd-and-some-reviews.html). These are great, not rough on my skin, moisturizing, smell amazingly great and remove my makeup! They don't remove eye makeup that well, though. Definitely will keep on buying these and have.

Murad - Clarifying Cleanser: I loved this while it lasted, it was a great cleanser for the day time. I miss it, oh I  miss it so bad! But, Murad is on the overpriced end, so I won't repurchase this product. I didn't get any breakouts while I was using it, which is great! So, it does kinda work for that, but my blackheads stayed. I wonder when will be the day where I see those nasty, evil little guys, leave my face! :'(

Laura Mercier - Flawless Face Polish: I loved this scrub and have a replacement(yay!). It works just as a scrub and does what a scrub does, it scrubs...LOL! It's not too rough, then again I am rough on my sensitive skin, we have a bad relationship sometimes!

Julep - The Best Pedi Cream: I like this, it smells good and definitely does help keep my feet soft. It does what it promises. Would I repurchase? No, I won't as usual with Julep products, they run on the overpriced side of the scale. I rather get my Flexitol Heel Balm, that works wonders for my feet and is way cheaper.

Philosophy - Hope in a Jar: First of all, I HATE the smell of this, it's nasty. I didn't really notice much of a difference while wearing this. It moisturizes without leaving an oily finish and it gets absorbed by my skin, nothing amazing or different, just a moisturizer. Would I repurchase? Nah, not worth it, at least not for me.

LaRocca - Hibiscus Cream Cleanser: This is supposed to be a cleanser and a gentle exfoliator, it doesn't remove make up and I felt no difference with the exfoliation part. Wouldn't repurchase, as I like cleansers that will remove any leftover makeup and this one just doesn't cut it.

Nailtiques - Avocado Foot Crème, Cuticle & Skin Gel and Nailtiques Formula 2: Both the Avocado Foot Crème and the Cuticle and Skin Gel, work fine, but I definitely won't repurchase. They are a bit overpriced in my personal opinion for something that just regular moisturizer will do. The Nailtiques Formula 2, on the other hand I will definitely repurchase and have repurchased. It has helped my nails a bunch and I really like it, definitely worth every penny, at least for me.

Sephora - Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: This worked really well and I liked it, it removed my eye make up without irritating my eye or anything and without  lot of effort. I won't repurchase, because I know there are drugstore products out there that work just as well.

bareMinerals - Active Cell Renewal Night Serum: Didn't notice any difference at all while using this. I won't repurchase, because it didn't do anything for me.

Macadamia - Healing Oil Treatment: I love this! It definitely helps my hair be healthier and smells amazing. It's a bit on the overpriced side. I will be really happy if I get it in a subscription box, not so sure I will buy the full size because of the price.

 I hope you enjoyed this post, I don't know when I'll have enough empties to make another of these posts, but I will keep them coming for sure!

Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money, and this is my own personal opinion :)

March Sample Society review+swatch

  If you don't know what Sample Society is, it's a monthly subscription service from Beauty Bar in collaboration with Allure magazine, that sends you five deluxe-sized high end product samples to your door for $15 a month.  With the subscription you'll get a $15 Gift Code to redeem on a $50 purchase when you include any of the products from the brands you've sampled that month. You also get a one year subscription to Allure magazine, as a bonus, which has a $12 value.

Sample Society was a bit later than usual this month, but it's totally forgivable. They announced it would be late, way before it was even late. I was super excited, because I knew we were getting a full size Butter LONDON nail polish. I have a bunch of polish, but no Butter London, until now!
  
  I was anxiously awaiting the UPS guy all day, until he finally got here carrying my box of goodies!! I cracked it open as soon as I got it.

Love the fact that the look on the model is super close to what my makeup looks like today!

The sizes look really good! I'm sure I can get a bunch of uses out of everything here!

LashFood Nano-Peptide Natural Eyebrow Conditioner:$16.88 1.5ml/0.05floz full size is 8ml/.27fl oz and goes for $90. Sadly, I won't try this product and can't give you a review on it, because I have full eyebrows that need no help to get bigger! Either way this type of products take a while to give results, so wouldn't be able to tell after one use.

Butter LONDON - 3 Free Nail Lacquer in The Old Bill: Full size $15. OMG this color is just gorgeous, it dried super fast and  it was opaque with 2 coats. Gorgeous! I love it, it's not my usual color of choice, but that's the point, stepping out of my comfort zone and I love it!

Swatches:

Murad - Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30: $12 0.33floz/10ml full size is 1.7oz/50ml and goes for $60. I tried this out today, it did what it should do, it moisturized without leaving a greasy feeling. It got absorbed into my skin easily and it has a nice and slight citrus scent to it, it's so slight that I don't mind it, I actually liked it. A moisturizer is never a bad thing to get, because I know I will use it up. I will always need a moisturizer anyways and adding SPF to it always comes in handy. Will I buy a full size? Hell no, too pricey, there are other more affordable alternatives that will do just the same. Either way, it's nice to have!

 Hollywood - Fashion Tape: $4.495 18 strips, full size comes with 36 strips and goes for $8.99. This will come in handy at some point, specially with my bra straps that just HATE being on my shoulders and run away all the time! Nothing exciting, but useful to have I guess!

Ouidad - Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner: $6.9 2.5floz/75ml, full size is 8.5floz/250ml and goes for $23. I can't wait to try this out. I haven't, because it's not hair washing day, but it smells nice and it has really good reviews on the Sephora site.

Value and overall review: 

 The value of my box this month is: $55.28, wow that's crazy high value! Usual Sample Society value though!

 I was really pleased and satisfied with my products this month, the only product I won't use- I'm trading for one I will. Getting the eyelash product instead of the eyebrow one.  Everything else I will use for sure.

 I love Sample Society and I'm glad I didn't cancel when I said I would, at this rate, I don't see myself canceling anytime soon. Their customer service is amazing, the price is decent, the shipping is great, the products are definitely high end, I love this subscription!!

 Oh I just noticed something, no anti aging products this month! Wooot! Awesome, though from now on, if I get anti aging stuff, I might use it, it's never too early to start using anti aging products! 

 I definitely recommend Sample Society, it's a fun subscription service! You won't be disappointed! 

If you want to subscribe to Sample Society, you can click here. Or copy and paste this link in your navigation bar: http://www.beautybar.com/SampleSociety/LandingPage.qs

  What was your favorite product in this month's Sample Society? Mine was by far the Butter LONDON, of course!

 Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money, and this is my own personal opinion :)