Today's empties post is a little over due. I promised myself I would only keep empties for 30 days and then let them go as last time I held onto them for almost 9 months. I feel shame. In my defense, I was trying to keep a whole year's worth of empties in an attempt to get a visual understand of how much I go through in a year. But then I had to move, and moving bags of empties across town and up 3 flights of stairs to my new apartment...I'm not about that life. I have limits. 

However, I then started to find myself collecting empties again in my new apartment. So I decided today was going to be the day. A glorious new day in which I will cease hoarding empty packaging because frankly, I don't have the physical nor the mental space to hang on to these things. I'm trying to be a minimalist here! It doesn't help me if I'm trying to declutter and then just keep the exact stuff I was trying to get rid of. What is my life. 

I have noticed that if I write down my "goals" for empties in my bullet journal, i.e. the products I want finished by the end of the month, I am very likely to achieve those goals, though they have to be realistic goals (writing down a full bottle of shampoo isn't going to make that shampoo go away by the 30th, but a small tube of face cream will). By keeping these products in the front of my mind and in my planner, I am more likely to be diligent in using them. Case in point, October was a great month for empties and I kept adding product goals throughout the month and finishing them. In November I didn't use my journal very much, so didn't make a list of empty goals...and not very much was accomplished. Just a thought for those of you trying to get through your pile of junk. A snapshot of December's empties goals are below:

So far this year I have not repurchased any skincare, beauty, body or hair item except for mascara. I can see progress in my bathroom cabinet, where all the skincare and body care items are, but I really haven't made much of a dent in my makeup collection. I'm going through foundation and powders slowly, but have yet to go through any other products. I may need to do a no buy for 2016 as well, sigh. Is there an end in sight?

First off, while we are on the topic of makeup:

Mistine Compact powder - I repressed it but its crumbling and not really worth the mess it's making everytime I use it. It was nothing special, will probably not buy it again.

CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara (Very Black) - This is probably "The One" for me, and I bought a replacement for it yesterday. 

Kat Von D Lockit Tattoo Foundation - I had the shade 54 medium. It was slightly too dark for me but I made it work. Great coverage, blends really well with beauty blender but a little cakey with a brush. This stuff was bomb, I'd get it again for sure. But not anytime soon though...I'm looking at you, foundations left in my collection....I'm looking at you.

Chapstick Lip Balm in Cake Batter - picked this up last Christmas, its nice :) I love Chapstick.

Revlon Base and Top Coat - meh...this is my second one and I decided I'm going to try something else. It worked alright as a base coat but does not dry quickly enough for a top coat. 

Next up, skincare:

SkinEffects by Dr Jeffry Dover 2 step 8% Glycolic Acid pads - I think it helped brighten my skin and fade acne scars...but I can't be sure. I'd be interested in other glycolic acid products in the future.

Borghese Fango body polish sample - I got this in a subscription box, it's got a good grit, I used it for my feet. Actually belongs in the body section of the empties but I'm not redoing the photo. Smelled weird. Would not buy. 

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - This was not memorable and although I didn't have any problem with it, I won't be buying it again. 

DDF Amplifying Elixir - This one also came in a sample box. It made my skin feel very soft, I used it twice a day before moisturizer and really liked it. Not sure if it really did anything else for my skin though. Would not buy.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum - same deal as the DDF, it felt nice but I'm not sure what all it did. Would not buy but am very interested in trying Jurlique products in the future.

SkinInc Brightening Serum - Not sure if it brightened. Would not buy this specific product but may consider buying SkinInc serums in the future. 

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel - not a fan of the smell or the texture. Did not see any positive effects after use. Would not buy.

Oxy Spot Treatment - has 10% Benzoyl Peroxide which is my acne ingredient of choice. It was good, but I prefer Clean and Clear's Persagel 10. Would not buy again. 

GlamGlow Youth Mud - I prefer the SuperMud treatment (in the white tub). This didn't really do much for me, I would not buy this one. 

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream samples - figured I try to get these knocked out. I really don't see any effect on my undereyes unfortunately, so will not buy this product.

Hair:

Batiste Dry Shampoo - I love this stuff, but not the Tropical scent. Will buy again in a different scent. I'm trying to use up a bottle of baby powder as dry shampoo before I buy any more. 

KMS Hair Play - WTF was this? It was terrible. It took half a can to get my hair to look somewhat decent and had a very strong scent. Will not buy this EVER.

Last up, Body:

The Body Shop Honeymania Shower Gel - I really love these shower gels, scent was great. Will repurchase this in any scent (especially mango and strawberry).

Victoria's Secret Moonlight Dream - Praise Jesus this is the last one. I bought seven of these in one go and have been working at them for almost 2 years. I don't like the foam they produce, they are not moisturizing, and I didn't like many of the scents I picked out. Will not be buying these ever again and I am so glad I'm done with that part of my life. 

Dry Idea Advanced Dry Antiperspirant/Deodorant - yep...it does the job. Not much else to say. Somehow I've accumulated 4 deoderants so I won't be buying any for a while.

The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray - Let me preface by saying I love the Body Shop. I would rather shop there than at Bath and Body Works as I feel the Body Shop products are higher quality. But this is $16 mouthwash in a spray bottle. I appreciate the concept, my feet were tingled, but no. Just no. 

Revive Detoxifying Foot Pads - I must say, I got sucked into buying these in TJMaxx in that checkout line of doom. I knew they wouldn't work but I was compelled to buy the pretty pink packet. They are "toxin absorbing" sticky pads that you wear on the bottom of your feet while you sleep and in the morning you take them off and they get all dark with "toxins". They smelled nasty and smeared on my sheets. Bruh. Naw.

Onward to minimalism!

One of my goals for achieving a more minimal lifestyle is to not own more than two of any item, ie body wash, lotion, skincare, and not buying any more until I do so. This will not reduce the amount of stock I have (therefore creating more space and less clutter) but also save me some money (less chances of things expiring before I get to use them). Since the beginning of this year I have not purchased any bodycare or haircare, and only replenished one skincare item that I used up.

So proud: 

I used up 3 body washes in the past 2 months. I tend to have 3-4 body washes in the shower at any given time and I really enjoy being able to choose my scent, makes each shower more exciting and enjoyable. Now that it's getting warmer out though, I tend not to use body wash (I just find bar soap more refreshing when it's hot out, am i weird?)

Bath and Body Works Sleep Body Wash in Warm Milk and Honey - smells really warm and relaxing. Not a memorable lather, I probably would not buy this again. I have a lotion in this scent too. 

Victoria's Secret Love Spell Body Wash - I don't really like these body washes, but a younger me thought it was a brilliant idea to buy 7 body washes at one time and I've got 3 left. They don't feel moisturizing, the scents are a little weird, and basically I'm just trying to get through them all. Won't be repurchasing any. This scent is one the better ones from my collection.

The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel - now this one is a STAR. Creamy lather, moisturizing, an absolute joy to use. The mango scent in particular is divine. Smells like fresh, juicy mangos. I will definitely buy this guy again. I prefer Body Shop's products to Bath and Body Works. I currently have the scent Honeymania in my shower. 

This brings my count of body washes to 7 (jeezzzz). So I need to use up 5 more by the end of the year.

Bath and Body Works body lotion in Vanilla Bean Noel, my favorite holiday scent. Pretty basic lotion, not super moisturizing in my opinion. But let's face it, who really buys Bath and Body Works for anything other than the scents. 

Another BBW Triple Moisture cream in Secret Wonderland. Really love this scent, but again, not all that hydrating. I have 3 other body creams left, so I need to use up at least one more by the end of this year. 

Body Shop's Honey Mania Body Butter is not my favorite scent but I still really liked how good it made my skin feel.

Last body care items: 3 bars of soap. 1 Dial (smells nice), 1 Body Shop in Brazil Nut (smells really nice, like chocolate, good lather), and a Parrot Botanicals soap in the green scent. I pick these up in Thailand whenever I go home to visit, and I love this soap.

Moving onto skincare!! Bored yet?

2 Sheet Masks from BioMiracle. These have been in empties before. I use these when my skin is feeling dry, I find them moisturizing, relaxing, and therapeutic. I recommend sheet masks in general. 

HEB Cotton squares:  pretty self explanatory. I have repurchased these, but they aren't my favorite. I prefer Asian cotton squares (such as the Shiseido ones).

Pure Rosehip Seed Oil, used this as a facial moisturizer for a few months, not sure if it really did much for my skin,and sometimes not very moisturizing. I will try more facial oils in the future but I don't think I'll be buying this again anytime soon.

Clean and Clear Persagel 10, probably my favorite acne treatment.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid toner sample - this stuff kind of burns, didn't really like it.

Lastly, makeup. I only truly used up 3 makeup items, the others I had to toss because they were old and unloved.

I'm getting rid of 7 tubes of mascara. Only used up 2; CoverGirl Clump Crusher and Urban Decay Perversion, both in black. Clump Crusher doesn't give me enough volume, and Perversion smears a bit. Won't repurchase either. The other ones I used a little here and there and either didn't like them or they dried out. 

1 Peppermind Chapstick. Smells like toothpaste, feels moisturizing.I like it. 

4 lip glosses I have to get rid of as they are old as f***. L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm (yes we all know how old this is) in Plush; texture and scent hasn't really changed but I never liked it and will not force myself to use it. ELF Hypershine lip gloss in Fairy, glittery and gross. Annabelle Le Gloss in Super Sweet; sticky and old. Lastly, Clinique Glosswear sample in Cabana Crush, this smells like plastic. It was alright when  it was newer, but nothing memorable. 

2 eyeliners that dried out :(. ELF Cream Liner in coffee and Wet and Wild Mega Liner in Plum. 

1 nail item: Seche Vite Top Coat. Got all gooey before I could finish it. Never repurchased, probably won't. 

Miscellaneous empties. Almost done!

Kleenex Hand Sanitizer, had no alcohol smell, and moisturizing, I liked it. 

Kleenex Hand and Face wipes, nothing special. It was free in a kleenex gift pack  I got from work. 

Flinstones Vitamins - taste good and look cute so they encourage me to take vitamins daily. Yes, adults can take them too.

Real Techniques face sponge - this was getting a little old so I replaced it. Then decided to cut it in half out of curiosity and found mold! Gross!! Replace your makeup sponges often ladies!!!!

2 pens (not shown). Pens are just as hard to use up as makeup and I have a fixation on finishing pens.  I'm the type of person who uses the same pen until it runs out and I am really good at not losing them (I hardly ever lent pens in school and when I did I made sure I got them back). These two pens are from Thailand, I love Asian stationary and Asian pens write really well and are really skinny. 

I'm posting this a little later than I wanted to, so I will probably have another empties post in a couple weeks.

One step closer to minimalist nirvana!!!

No. At this very moment, I do not own a fragrance that has captured my heart, that I would call "my signature scent." I used to have one (Burberry Original) but then started buying so many (as one does) that I never developed a true love for any single fragrance I owned.

However, out of my sizeable collection of about 15 fragrances (I need to downsize!), I do reach for 3 more often than the rest, based on my mood for the day. So here are my 3 most worn perfumes:

If I'm wanting a clean, fresh scent, I wear Juicy Couture's Peace Love and Juicy Couture (right). Not one of their bestselling, kinda smells like grass actuallly. But that's probably why I like it. Refreshing, not overbearing, and doesn't really smell sweet. Just smells fresh. This is more of a day and Spring time scent, but I do wear it in the winter when I'm feeling a little stuffy. 

If I'm wanting a girly, sweet scent (and I'm in a good mood perhaps and want to smell yums) I wear Si by Gorgio Armani (left) . A new purchase for me (bought it for myself around Christmastime), I've gotten a lot of use out of it by the looks of it. It smells like adult candy (very similar to Miss Dior Cherie, the strawberry/popcorn one that was discontinued for God knows why). This is a good day/evening scent, and appropriate all year around. 

If I want a basic, everyday perfume (I feel like every girl has one of those, a perfume she just throws on, not necessary to smell extra special) then I'll splash on my Katy Perry's Meow (center). I do own the Purr too (the cute bottles got me, even if I didn't like the perfume I was still going to display it on my dresser). Meow is soft and sweet. It's got a gourmand, sugary vanilla scent and is appropriate for work as it is not overpowering at all.

There are several other fragrances in my collection that I love (Dior Dolce Vita, Gucci Flora, Victor and Rolf Flower bomb) and although I love them, they aren't the fragrances I reach for the most (they are special occasion scents). 

It's time for some empties peeps.

I haven't made an empties post in a very long time. Empties are my favorite type of video to watch on youtube and a hashtag that I check regularly on instagram (which I have an account by the way, follow me @withjenzy). Plug that shit Jen, plug that shit.

So, this January I finished up:

1. Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine Nourishing Shampoo - smelled nice, basic shampoo. Not sure what else to say about this one.

2. Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub - gentle scrub, I could use it everyday. I don't think it did anything for my acne and but it was alright and left my skin feeling soft. I wouldn't run out and buy a new one though, it's really nothing special.

3. Ulta Brand Beauty Smoothie 3-in-1 shower gel in buttercream cupcake - the best thing about this was the smell. If you like really sweet, vanilla/bakery scents, this is a good one. It didn't feel ultra moisturizing though and the lather wasn't phenomenal. I recieved this in a sample bag from Ulta and I probably would not buy the full size as I have other shower gels that I would rather use/buy.

4. Victoria's Secret body wash in Pure Seduction - okay I have about 5 of the VS body washes. This is my favorite smelling one (and does anyone else think it smells identical to Love Spell?). However, I don't like the lather, I don't find it creamy enough and not really all that moisturizing. Although I have a few more to go through, I don't think I'll be buying any more after this batch. But it does smell delicious.

5. Figs and Rouge Mango Mandarin hand cream - recieved in an ipsy bag. It smells fresh and fruity, but was not moisturizing. I won't be buying this.

6. BBW Pocketbac - these are always awesome. The Fresh Picked Wildberries scent was nice too. Smelled more floral than fruity to me though. Would buy these again when I run out of my current stock.

7. BioMiracle Aloe Collagen sheet masks - I used up 3 of these in January when my skin was unusually dry and flakey. They are a great experience, smell good, relaxing, and they did leave my skin a lot more plump after I used them. We find these at TJ Maxx for a great price (5.99 for 6 usually).

8. Givenchy Ange ou Demon Le Secret perfume - we need to take a moment here to appreciate the fact that I have gone through a whole perfume. It is impossible for many people, not just me. It was a 1.7 oz that took me almost 2 years to go through. I did like the scent, its very light and fresh and something I was able to wear all year around. I probably won't buy it again though because there are so many great perfumes out there that I'd like to try (I just picked up Gorgio Armani's Si) and I don't have any emotional connection to this one.

So there you have it. Used up 10 items this month. I also went through a couple samples but they're not worth mentioning and I don't have a huge pile like itsKeerstin on Youtube does, so I'm not worried about it.

I do plan to do a beauty/makeup inventory in the coming days. It requires some organizing of all of my products to do a proper inventory, and I really don't like doing any sort of cleaning, so this could take a while.

xx Jen

2015 is here!! 

The last time I made a post was March 8, 2014. That's the first goal I have for 2015, to really dive into my blog more. I even bought a keyboard for my iPad and everything, in the hopes that it would motivate me to blog regularly. Well, I've had the keyboard (which is lovely, may i say, and really increases the functionality of my ipad) for a week now and here we are. Blogging. Woohoo.

My second goal for 2015 came about when I was in the Louis Vuitton boutique in San Antonio, Texas, on a weekend trip in January with my boyfriend. I was looking at the Speedy B 25 (I have the Speedy 30, but I really would like a bag with a strap). At 1370$, it's not a light purchase, at least for me. No special occasion and really no need for me to get a new bag. That was when I decided that if I could make it through a whole year without buying any makeup and using just what I have (which, by the way I have enough for 5 years I'm sure) I would treat myself to a new "fancy" bag. Maybe not the Speedy B 25 as I may not be into it a year from now, but I'll allow myself something. To keep track of this I will be posting monthly updates of the makeup I'm using and the products I'm finishing. I'm also banning myself from buying body and skincare (I need another body butter like I need a hole in the head). 

My last goal for the year is to live a little more minimally. Buy/keep only the things I truly love. Which is probably going to be harder than the first 2 goals combined. Because I love shopping. I love spending. I love deals. I love stuff. But I'm also really inspired by minimalists, not bare bones, mattress on the floor minimal, but less clutter (which is where the use up the makeup/skincare stuff comes in). I'm currently finding myself in an excessive state, I own too much and I can't love everything because there are too many things that attract my attention. 

We'll see how far I can take this. Because who knows, maybe I'll say eff it and buy myself a new bag and 500$ worth of Dior makeup tomorrow. I can be that way sometimes. Useless.

Happy March everyone, hope it's getting warmer and brighter wherever you are. In Texas, the weather's a bit on the fritz, cold at night and warm-ish if not warm during the day. Honestly, it feels like the weather is PMS-ing, with all of it's mood swings. Anyways, as I was getting ready for bed and settling under my covers, I looked over to my bedside table and realized there are some items on that table that would cause me great pain if they ever left that table. Thus spurred my creativity to create a blog post about my bedside arsenal to perhaps inspire you to try some of these things to help yourself sleep better, or just for curiosity's sake, to see what is on my bedside table!

When I'm getting ready for bed, there are a few creature comforts that I seek to help ensure a good night's rest. And the list is small, I don't ask for much in life...

Noise Blockers

My boyfriend requires some extra attention. I love you sweetie, but you snore. And when you're not snoring, you're breathing heaving really loudly. Now I'm a light sleeper to begin with, so I won't make it seem as though I'm sleeping next to an ogre. With that said, to ensure I don't rip off anyone's head during the night, I need to have some ear plugs. I'm no stranger to ear plugs (I had to start wearing them in college when my roommates were noisy and I was the grandma who was in her room with the lights off by 11) so I don't mind wearing them now.

Light Blockers

This is something that I've started to use in the recent months. I noticed that my sleep improved noticeably when I started wearing a sleep mask. If you have problems with sleeping (I'm a diagnosed insomniac) an eye mask might help you out in some way. For me, not only does it block the light, but since I associate it with peaceful sleep, I fall asleep easier and stay sleeping longer. Plus, at only 1$ from the dollar store, it's worth a try!

Skin Moisturizers

2 things I need. Lip balm and hand cream. I've talked about my Smith's Rosebud Salve at least twice before, but in case you didn't know, it's my favorite lip balm of all time. And I go to town with this at night, smearing it all over my lips and around my mouth. Hey I may look like a greaseball, but I don't care, my skin loves it. The only other ritual I have is applying a cream to my hands. I've already used up my favorite hand cream over the winter, so now I'm going through the rest of my hand cream collection (check out my Dry Hands Post further down ;)).

Hello Hydration

Last but not least, I must MUST have a bottle of water nearby. Even if I don't take a single sip, knowing that it's there is enough hydration. If I don't have any water near me, I tend to feel thirsty and will even get up out of my cozy bed to seek out water. My boyfriend jokes that I'm always asking for water when I get into bed but in the morning he'll see that it hasn't been drunk at all. It's a habit dear, don't f***ing mess with it! It's probably hereditary, because my dad is the exact same way. Thanks dad, my boyfriend thinks I'm a weirdo. 

See? Not many things do I need for proper sleep I have. 

All the best, stay warm and happy everyone. 

An ode to our hands. The body parts that we sometimes neglect when it comes to moisturizing but that we regret immediately when they're all cracked and bleeding. I think we've all been there (I myself am a repeat offender, sorry hands). And February seems to be the worst month for that! Not to mention I was battling some serious dry patches on my face, but that's not for here.

I love hand creams. The act of applying it, the smell, and the feel of it afterwards. I do not mind applying it all day either, although I obviously prefer one that I don't need to apply often. And I'm sure I'm not alone in this. So I thought it would be useful to show you guys what I've acquired and been using and give you my 2 cents on these dry hand remedies. So, in no particular order, let's begin.

Heavy Duty Hand Cream

I thought I'd get this one out of the way first because I've already mentioned it in an earlier post (Winter Must Haves) and my opinion on it has not changed. It's thick, hydrating, and healing. This cream has obviously gotten a lot of love, from the beat up packaging. Enough said.

Elisabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Hand Cream

Disappointing. This came in a set with the original 8 hour cream and I had high hopes for it as I'm quite sure it's not cheap if bought on its own. Be warned, it has the same fragrance as the 8 Hour Cream, so if that scent does not sit well with you, don't try this, because it does smell up a 6 ft radius and lingers like an old fart. And it didn't even work! In fact, I think it made my hands even drier. It tricks you into believing it's going to be a miracle worker because it does feel really soothing the moment you put it on. But the only thing that lasts is the stank. And what's up with the 1 oz size? Is this a cream for ants?

True Blue Shea Cashmere And Sick Hand Cream

This cream is from the True Blue Spa line at Bath and Body Works. To me this smells exactly like the L'Oreal Cleansing Conditioner. To the T. And honestly, that's the only thing that stands out about this cream. It's not bad, it's not great, it's just okay. I'll use it, because I like the scent, but I'll probably enjoy it more in the warmer months, because it doesn't really cut it for me in the winter (even though it's got a warm wintery scent). It also leaves a false sense of security because it's so greasy and silicon-y but the back of my hands still feel chapped.

Camille Beckman Glycerin Hand Cream

For a product that has glycerin in the name, this cream didn't feel very abundant in glycerin. Glycerin gives a slippery feel and a translucent look to lotion, neither of which is a characteristic of this cream. It smells good, but is too thin to do really do anything. If anyone is still interested after reading that, can find them in little boutiques and online. But really, don't bother.

Natura Siberica Hand Cream

My lovely boyfriend gifted this to me as a souvenir from his travels just before the holidays. It has a masculine scent which I rather like. This lotion feels good going on, and stays on your hands for a while, not the most healing if you have severely dry skin, but will keep it moisturized otherwise. All in all, it's a fair hand lotion, but I did expect it to be a bit more intensive coming from a country that cold and dry. Oh well...maybe its their "summer lotion".... for all I know that's what it says on the tube. 

Hope this was helpful to some. To recap this long post,

Most Loved: Heavy Duty Hand Cream

Most Unique: Natura Siberica Hand Cream 

Biggest Disappointment: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Hand Lotion

All the best.

Hi empties lovers,

Just a quick post on what I've finished up this month. Finally, after months of hard work, the Alberto VO5 shampoo and conditioner are now gone. I would buy the shampoo again, but not the conditioner. I have low maintenance, manageable hair, and I can get away with using a $0.75 shampoo (yes, it really is that cheap!) but the conditioner is too watery for my taste. This particular pair has a very sweet strawberry ice cream scent, FYI.
Down in the corner there is a tube of La Biosthetique conditioner I received in a gift bag from Canada. Worked horribly, smelt like baby vomit. I used it as a shave cream for my legs, and that's as useful as it got. 

For body I used up my Olay Moisture Ribbons body wash and my Fruits and Passions Monoi body butter. The body wash was just alright but the body butter was one of the best I've used (it's up there with my Trader Joe's pumpkin body butter). I'd buy the body butter again, but I'd only buy the body wash if it was on sale or something. 

I used up my Softsoap Foaming hand wash. I feel silly putting it in there, but I really like the foaming type of hand soaps, and this one was a dollar at Target. Would buy it again. The other hand related item is this OLD BBW** Handibac Anti-bacterial hand lotion in Fresh Lemon. I just wanted it out of my life. It didn't smell like lemons or anything resembling a citrus. And it didn't moisturize. I'm not sure if it even killed any bacteria. Would not buy (but I think it's discontinued anyways so don't matter!).

For home scents I burned up 2 mini candles from BBW, neither of which I enjoyed the scent of - Pineapple Mango and Acorn Fig. And a Scentsationals wax cube carton in Apple Guava. Now this I loved the scent of, and worked really well in the living area (I like apple scents in the house. It's very fresh to me). 

That's it for January! Now I'm going to be a good girl and throw it all away instead of keeping it for 6 months like I did last time. Oh lord. 

Stay warm and be happy everyone!

**BBW: Bath and Body Works

Helllooooo,

Coming from Canada (Winnipeg, to be exact), I know cold. But the Asian side of me yearns for heat and humidity. Since moving to the southern USA, I've been introduced to a new climate all together. Dry and slightly cold. However, after being here for over a year, my cold scale has become more sensitive and thus, what I find cold now would have been barbeque weather back home (for reference, it's currently 16F where I am now and -4F in Winnipeg).

So no, I won't be needing my Canada Goose jacket nor a toque/beanie. But the drier climate does have me reevaluating my skin's needs. Today I've decided to share with you my winter essentials.

The Skin

I've embraced my oily skin with full force and decided that instead of trying to dry it out with mattifiers and oil control cleansers, I would keep it as healthy and supple as I can and my favourite way to do that at the moment is with Lush's Full of Grace serum bar, my nighttime serum moisturizer. My skin is noticeably softer and more radiant every morning. It also lasts a long time (I've had it for 3 months and am only halfway through it).

Not specific to low teens Fahrenheit weather, but I also need to protect my hands from the dry air, with my favorite hand lotion, the Heavy Duty Hand Cream. Picked this up at TJ Maxx, reminds me a lot in texture of the Glysomed (you Canadians will know this!), and I have never looked back. I'm running low on this stuff though, so you might see it in this month's empties.

I go for a body wash and body butter in the winter, and save the bar soap and lotion for the spring time (I love using bar soap in the summer, I can't do thick, heavy body washes when it's hot and humid out). I guess one body wash worth mentioning is the Olay Shea Moisture 24H Body Wash. This stuff is legiiittttt.

The Clothing

When I'm out and about, I'm all about the Uggs or the combat boots. I have both in black, and between the two of them, they've got my wardrobe covered. I wear the uggs for a laid back feel (or if it's colder than Katherine Pierce's heart). The combat boots are appropriate for every other casual occasion  - or when uggs just look too sloppy. Of course, can't complete an outfit of mine without a large fluffy scarf that looks like a baby anaconda is choking me (somebody put out the fire, cuz I'm blazin'!).

When I'm at home, I wear PJ bottoms (below are my FAVOURITE) and a terry cloth robe, with fuzzy socks or slippers. I'm usually wearing this as soon as I get home from work and it's my uniform on weekends too.

I have a hoarding issue... with empty bottles. Bottles of shampoo, mouthwash, body butters, cleansers, all empty...and all still in my house. My boyfriend found my "stash" under my sink and I knew at that moment that I could not keep it a secret anymore. He's threatened to throw it away when I'm asleep, and I'm not certain he's joking. I'm living in fear. So, before anything happens to my precious collection of empty beauty and body products, I will document every item. [Also, it's accumulated to the point that the drawer under my sink won't close, and I should really just say goodbye....and start a new stash for 2014 muahuahua.]

Now, this is huge. I mean, 6 months worth of empties huge. I had collected empties since the start of 2013, but then moved to a new place and just could not justify lugging the empties with me. So, like a crazy person, I started building my empties pile from the beginning again, slowly and surely. 

I cut out all the "boring" stuff like toothpaste and mouthwash (yes....I kept those too. There's shame...) and will present the things worth talking about. I plan to continue this segment, but in monthly increments, because not even the most avid empties lover can handle 6 months worth of empties without getting bored. But I had all these things to share first and finally purge my bathroom (and my life) of.

I've also taken the liberty of highlighting my favourite products in pink so you can't miss them!


First off, face products. Clockwise starting from the top:
1. Forever Luminous Face Wraps - these are sheet masks I bought from TJ Maxx. Very affordable (5.99$ for 3 sheets) and I enjoyed using them. Would buy them again.
2. Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Refreshing Citrus Scrub Cleanser - basic cleanser, smelt like oranges, good daily exfoliant, didn't blow my socks off. There's nothing wrong with it, but I probably won't buy it again.
3. Mario Badescu Enzyme Face Wash - Really did not like this stuff. It looked shimmery, smelt weird, and I didn't feel like it cleaned my face at all. Would not buy it.
4. Clean and Clear persa-gel 10 - benzoyl peroxide zit cream. Worked well for big and small zits. Would buy it again.
5. Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti-aging Eye Treatment - can't really say if it did anything to anti-age and it didn't moisturize my eye area as well as some other products have. Would not buy it again.
6. Trader Joe's Natural Facial Cleansing Pads - these were tea tree oil pads that you wiped on your face and then rinsed off. I loved these! I used them twice a day. I felt they helped with oil control, acne control, and the texture of the pad gave a mild to medium exfoliation. Would buy it again!
7. Lush Let the Good Times Roll - the tub in the picture is in French because I bought it in the French part of Canada. Most people will say the best thing about this cleanser is the fragrance, and they're right. It smells like brown sugar cookies, and is a lovely treat in the winter. Does leave a residue, but that comes off with toner if you don't want it to stay. Really liked it, but didn't like the fact I had to stick my fingers into the tub and introduce bacteria and water. Would buy it again nonetheless. 

Body Lotions/Butters, from L to R:
1. BBW Aromatherapy Sleep Body Lotion - came in a fancy glass jar (heavy as f&^% though). Smells really warm and soothing, definitely a light moisturizer. I have a back up of this, but I probably won't buy it again.
2. Body Shop Blueberry Body Butter - I liked the scent at first, but then it somehow gradually smelt like B.O. on me. I still used it at night (hehe) and the scent was gone by morning. Good, thick, hydrating butter. Will not buy again because of the scent issue though.
3. Body Shop Passion Fruit Body Butter - This one smelt wonderful, same texture as the blueberry body butter. Will buy this again.
4. Trader Joe's Pumpkin Body Butter - a stand out butter of 2013 for me. A really interesting, thick texture. Extremely hydrating. Probably my favorite out of the three. And so cheap! TJ also makes a coconut one that I'd like to try. This scent was only out in the fall, but I would buy it again.

Hair, L to R:
1. Boo Bamboo Shampoo and Conditioner - sulfate free, paraben free, vegan (I believe). These products smell so good (kind of sweet smelling, like sugar cane) and they lathered and cleansed so well! Definitely would buy again.
2. Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine conditioner - smelt like passion fruit, felt like a standard hair conditioner. Did a good job, nothing to write home about. But yes, I would pick it up again.
3. CHI Silk Infusion - I used this product for years (5 to be exact) as a leave in conditioner when my hair was wet out of the shower. Smells really good, and never made my hair look greasy, but kept it super soft. I'm totally sick of it now, but I would recommend it.
4. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment - I liked how this felt, it was very similar to the Silk Infusion. I would buy it again.
5. Garnier Fructis 2 in 1 - Has the standard fruity Garnier scent (which I love and makes me nostalgic). Good shampoo/conditioner. Would buy the full size.

Lastly, Randoms, from L to R:
1. Skintimate Flirty Mango shave gel - good shave gel, but the last one I'll ever buy. I've gotten into using cream body washes or hair conditioner for my shaving needs.
2. Soft and Dri Aerosol Antiperspirant/Deodorant - I liked this but wanted to use it up. It works well, but takes up a lot of storage space, and I've decided not to use any more antiperspirants and just stick to deodorants. Has a powdery scent, if you're into that (I am). Will not be buying it again.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide - lolz. I use this in my laundry to keep my white sheets bright. I toss about a half cup in with my sheets about once a month.
4. 3 Bath and Body Works PocketBacs - I love these, they smell great and are a good size for my purse. Would buy these again (although I have enough to last me a long time).

So there you have it. I'm already building up a mini pile of January Empties, which I will write a blog post about, and hopefully a video. I actually enjoyed going through all my junk, remembering how I liked it or didn't like it, and also feeling accomplished for going through the items. Which I think is what people search for in doing empty hoarding...satisfaction. I definitely feel satisfied in my 2013 use up. Although I haven't gone through much makeup...maybe this year. I've decided to not buy any more makeup until the next holiday season. Wish me luck!

Hi Everyone,

I'm kicking off 2014 with a review and "my 2cents" on a product I discovered in 2013 and really fell in love with. I have not seen a palette this well executed in a very long time. Meet my PTG (Pro To Go, see how I'm trying to be cool there).

Coming in at 4.6 inches tall and 7.7 oz, what this contender lacks in stature she makes up for in absolute versatility, quality, and reliability. No, she is not a used car, at least not my lemon of a vehicle (seriously, I'm surprised I've still got 4 tires on there).

But seriously, the size is probably the best part of this product. It is very compact which makes it very travel friendly. No excess packaging here, yet it still houses a useable mirror, 6 eye shadows, a bronzer, 2 blushes, and 2 eye brushes. But it all fits in the palm of a hand! Pack this in your travel bag and you can get away with bringing ONLY your foundation, powder, mascara, and lipstick in addition.

It also goes without saying that it has the same great quality people have come to expect from LORAC with the Pro Palette (you might have heard of it).

The second great feature of this palette is that the shadow colors are truly basic, which doesn't have to mean boring. It fits all skin tones for that reason, and can provide a minimal look, a day look, and a night look. The other amazing thing that must be noted about the eyeshadow selection is that it really has everything people look for in an "all encompassing palette". By that I mean, a palette that does not need to be supplemented with additional colors:

1. A matte black (to use as an eyeliner or to darken an eyeshadow look)

2. A matte cream highlight (to wear on the eyelid as an allover color or as a highlight)

3. A "transition" shade (a little brown guy that takes your blending problems away).

Now, how many palettes in your collection actually have all of that? It's something a lot of brands overlook, the necessity of these shades to create an appealing look. That alone should be enough of a reason to have this palette around, to travel with or even to use at home.

The last thing I wanted to touch on was the cheek colors. For reference, I am an NC25 skintone, and all the cheek colors look great on me and I can see them looking great on paler tones to darker tones. I even use them on a day to day basis at home because they are just that easy to use. I also sometimes like to use the pearl eyeshadow as a cheekbone highlight. Works well in a pinch, and saves you from having to take another item with you on your travels. 

This palette costs 38 USD and can be purchased from Sephora, Ulta, and lorac.com.