EMPTIES | January 2020

It's been a while since my last post so I thought I would ease in with one of my favorite posts to write about: empties! With what's going on in the world right now, I have time to devote to this space and also, I wanted to reconnect with y'all! So, let's get started with what I used up in the month of January.

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EMPTIES | January to March 2019 Skincare Empties

Welcome back to part two of my empties series for the months of January to March! Part one covered all the makeup items I finished, so check that out if you're interested in reading my thoughts on various concealers, setting sprays, and eyebrows pencils. But for now, let's discuss my skincare empties.

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BEAUTY ROUNDUP | Year in Beauty: 2016 Edition Part 2

I decided to split this up into two parts because it was getting too wordy. Hopefully, this makes things easier to digest! In this part, I'll be talking about eight other products I've loved throughout the year 2016 but didn't have a category for them. *EDIT 7/18/18* Wow, it's now mid-2018...way to go procrastination. I literally had three products to talk about before I could post this and just left it until now...well, at least I have a good memory because those last three left a very lasting impression on me. >.<

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BLOGMAS | Day 12: My Winter Skincare Routine for Combination Dehydrated Skin

I haven't written a dedicated skincare routine post in two years and while the steps haven't changed, the products sure have! My current routine is much more involved and focuses on hydration rather than maintenance. I still use my Paula's Choice products for acne treatment so I didn't include them here. These are all the basic steps that I think should be included in a skincare routine if you have normal to dry skin like me. 

I divided this post into my morning and night routine to make things easier to digest. I don't think the actual products matter but the function they serve is important. If you already have something you love serving that purpose, then keep using it! These are some of my recommendations if you wanted something new to try.

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BEAUTY ROUNDUP | August 2016

The end of August has been a busy month for me as I went back to school. As such, blog posts will be even more sporadic than they already are, haha. But anyway, let's talk about all the products I've been using all month. This one is heavily skincare-based as I've been reaching for all the same things from the previous months, so if you want to know about my makeup favorites, check the previous Beauty Roundups!

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EMPTIES | May 2015 ♡

It's that time of the month where I show you all the products that have made it to Beauty Graveyard! It's a smaller bunch than I normally have but makeup and beauty have been the last things on my mind lately with all the hectic personal stuff. Anyhoo, let's get on with the post. :)

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EMPTIES | February 2015 ♥

Posting this one time for once--yay! February was a slow month for me in the number of products I finished but I'm using up more of my full sized products. This one has a couple of repeats but that just shows you how much I love them! Let's jump right into the items I'm sad to see go.

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EMPTIES┊October and November 2014 ♥

I've been trying to be diligent and use up products every month to cut down my stash. I didn't post an October Empties but I did use up a few things during that time (15 to be exact). November was a bit slower but 12 items isn't so bad! December might be a bit smaller as I'm running out of products that are almost done but we'll see how it goes. I still have 22 days to sort that out :D

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REVIEW┊ Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++

Though we are nearing the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, SPF should be on everyone's mind (and face + body!) The Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ has been the one that got me through this summer with NO sunburns and NO clogged pores. If the fact that more than 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun doesn't scare you, how about skin cancer being the most common cancer in the US? That's pretty frightening for my US readers... X.x

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

The Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen provides broad spectrum (UVA+ UVB ray protection) for face and body in an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion. This moisturizing, lightweight, and fast absorbing formula is ideal for daytime. It's also cruelty-free--yay! 

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EMPTIES | June 2014: Part 1 (Haircare, Bodycare, and Makeup) ♥

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EMPTIES | December 2013: Part 2 (Makeup, Skincare, Bodycare and Haircare)

I'm back for another round of Empties! So these have been sitting here for a while now so I decided to get a move on and write about them already!

First up, I used up two packs of makeup wipes. I've been trying to stay away from using them often because they aren't good for the skin. They upset the balance of the skin' pH and do not clean up every last bit of makeup as well as a cleanser or cleansing oil does, luring users into a false sense of cleanliness. However, there are those days where I want nothing more than to sink into bed as soon as possible.

I have the elf Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths. They come in a pack of 20 pre-moistened cloths, which is nice. I found that they weren't as wet as other that I have tried and didn't remove my waterproof mascara completely. I had to rub my eyes area multiple times to get some of it off. Frustrated, I would reach for my Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover, which I'll get to in a bit. I always wear waterproof mascara on days that I do wear makeup so my makeup remover has to be able to remove that along with the rest of my makeup. The Cleansing Cloths did not dry out my skin or leave it tight feeling but my face did feel slightly sticky afterwards but it wasn't uncomfortable. It's a similar feeling to glycerin on the face. The scent reminds me of the towelettes the waiters would give you to clean up your fingers after you had some crab or lobster at the restaurant. It was only $3 so I didn't regret it too much,
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing.

I also used up a travel sized Pond's Luminous Clean Wet Cleansing Towelettes. It came free with the full-sized pack I bought a while ago. I had been saving this for whenever I traveled somewhere and didn't wan to carry a bulky pack but I was in a bind when I ran out of my usual face makeup remover. Again, this did not remove my waterproof mascara at all and I had to really rub my eye to remove the waterproof eyeliner. It is textured which is great for getting light makeup off. I also used the unused areas to spot clean my eye makeup brushes and it did remove the shadows and gel liner. I don't recommend it to those who oppose fragrance being in their products as these do have quite a strong scent.
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing.

I don't know how many bottles I've used over the years but I have another Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I keep going back to this after I've tried others because it does the job well with minimal rubbing. I just soak a cotton round in it and gently press it to my eye for 30 seconds, rubbing very slightly to loosen the mascara. When I remove the cotton pad, mostly everything is gone and I touch up with a cotton swab to remove the leftover mascara and eyeliner. I love how it comes in the big 5.5 oz size (152 mL) now. Unfortunately, the cap came off of a 2oz travel-sized bottle I was using the time I flew home and it leaked all over my clothes. I was pretty sure I had closed it very tightly because I always check the caps of all my products so the airline must've forgotten to replace it when they opened it up to check what was inside. So technically, I didn't use up the entire thing but it is now all used up!
Bottom Line: I will be repurchasing after I finish the one by L'Oreal.

I used up another pack of cotton rounds by Studio 35, the generic brand sold by Walgreens. The come in a pack of 80 and are textured. I'm not really sure what else I can say other than that I use them for applying my toner, removing my eye makeup and my nail polish. I got it in a three pack so I have one other pack waiting. I have already opened up the second pack and am down to about half >.<
Bottom Line: I will be repurchasing it!

I had the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in shade Medium for quite a while. It was the first eye concealer I had ever tried and it made such a difference in my under eye circles, brightening my entire face. I stopped using it for a while for some odd reason. Recently, I picked it up again and found that it didn't dispense product anymore. You can read more of my struggle here. Needless to say, I fell back in love with it and now it's gone. (╥﹏╥)
Bottom Line: I will definitely be repurchasing it! ♡

Next up, I have the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Beige. After the success I had with the Maybelline Rewind Concealer, I was very excited to try this out. However, this concealer has such a strong pink undertone that when I applied it underneath my eyes, it made my eyes look swollen and weird. I tried using it to cover my blemishes and that looked a little bit better, but you could still tell that it didn't match my skin tone. I dislike the brush tip applicator so I dispensed it into a plastic container. I don't know what to do with the rest of it so it's kind of just sitting there. So this isn't technically an empty but yeah...
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing it.

Since we're on the topic of eyes, I'm going to jump right into the elf Essentials Eyelid Primer in Sheer. This was the first eyelid primer I had ever tried and thought it was a miracle! It made my eyeshadow look vibrant and prolonged the lasting power of my eye makeup. However, I was not entirely satisfied with it. I have very oily eyelids and have a hard time with my eye makeup staying put. By the end of the day, I would have mascara smudges on my lower lash line and eyeshadow creasing and other makeup woes. I have tried many other eye primers by this stage and love those a lot more! If you don't have oily eyelids like I do, this is a great cheaper alternative to those by Too Faced or Urban Decay.
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing it.

I have yet another mascara for y'all. This is the one makeup product that I consistently run out of very quickly. I do use one at a time so that also explains why it goes out so quickly. I have nothing but good things to say about the Covergirl Clump Crusher Water-Resistant Mascara. It does smudge very slightly underneath my eyes at the end of the day but it's nothing compared to others that I've tried. This is one of my holy grail mascaras and I have a full review of it here on my blog!
Bottom Line: I have already repurchased it and will continue to purchase until they discontinue!

This is another holy grail product of mine. The Palladio Rice Paper Oil-Absorbing Sheets in Translucent and Warm Beige are amazing! They absorb all of my oil with just one sheet and leave my face a natural matte finish for at least two hours without any other kind of oil control product. I love them for no makeup days because I don't have to carry around a brush and powder to control my oil anymore! They are bigger than those I've used from other brands ye packaged in a nice, small container. Sometimes, they tear if you pull too roughly or two sheets come out instead of one, but even these little snafus wouldn't stop me from loving them! The outer packaging is also pretty cute and I always get questions when I pull these out of my bag. I think I prefer the Warm Beige sheets over the Translucent because I find that it does better at leaving my face matte but the Translucent doesn't make my face look orange. It isn't that noticeable but when I stand under harsh lighting, my face becomes a different color and that doesn't happen with the Translucent shade. These come in a variety of three shades: Translucent, Natural, and Beige. If you want to find out more, I have a full review of these Rice Papers on my blog here. You can find it on the Palladio site for $4, Sally Beauty for $2.99 or at Ulta for $3.99.
Bottom Line: I have repurchased in Translucent and will continue to do so! I might try out Natural next since Warm Beige made my face look darker than my neck.

I finally finished my Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer. It has a great SPF 30, is lightweight, and formulated for acne-prone skin. I noticed that it didn't cause any blemishes while I was using it but it certainly didn't improve my skin condition. I love how it's in a pump bottle because it is easy to dispense product and keep it sanitary. It also lasted a long time--about a year for me with daily use. This moisturizer contains 4 oz (118 mL). It got hard to pump out the product when I got to the last inch so I poured out as much as I could into small plastic container and used it up that way. I couldn't get all of it out and I couldn't cut the bottle open because the plastic is so durable and strong (which is good for traveling!) so I still have a very tiny bit left. When I turned the bottle upside down to let gravity do its work, it moved the product to the bottom (which is the top) but when I unscrewed the top, it all poured out like a waterfall so I don't recommend doing that. The formula is on the watery side which makes it easy to spread evenly across the face and neck. I like how it has the expiration date printed on the bottle so it makes it easier for me to keep track of it. My only problems with this product is that it made my face even oilier after application. It didn't do anything for oil control on my face. It also had a really weird scent that disappeared after a while (or maybe I got used to it). If you buy it, know that it might not control your oil very well but in terms of SPF, it's phenomenal for a drugstore brand! I do have a product smackdown on it here on the blog if you wanted to know more!
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing it.

I have loved St. Ives since high school and was so excited when I found the St Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Wash. I love the scent as it is warm and inviting. It isn't moisturizing (but I haven't encountered a body wash that was O_O) but it didn't dry out my skin like the Bath &Body Works shower gels do. It doesn't contain parabens or phthalates but does contain sodium laureth sulfate and fragrance, which are irritants. If you want to know more, here's a website that'll hopefully answer your questions. I'm still on the lookout for body washes without SLS or SLES so if you know of any, let me know!
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing.

I think this is the second Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original that I've run out of and I'm also out of the Blush scent (not depicted). I love this dry shampoo! This is the third brand I've tried after using SexyHair and Tres Semme, which didn't give me the effect I desired. This gives me the look of naturally clean hair that I can still run my fingers thorough. It doesn't over dry my hair and gives it slight volume. There's no white cast and it absorbs oil very quickly. I think this will be the only brand I will ever use! The only con is that the scents are not my favorites. I could tolerate the Original scent--I got used to it over time and it sorta smells like lemon sherbert. It isn't too strong of a scent. The Blush scent is pretty bad, reminiscent of this carpet cleaner my mom used to use at home. To be more accurate, it smells like a heavy rose, old lady perfume, which isn't what I want my hair to be smelling like. It's also a very strong scent so I don't like it at all. I am almost out of it, thank goodness. You can buy it here!
Bottom Line: While I love the formula, I'm not particularly fond of the scents. I have repurchased the Original but I am kind of sick of the scent. The Blush is definitely a no-repurchase. I have Paisley and Cherry on its way. I am interested in trying the Refresh and Wild scent if I don't like Paisley or Cherry.

Lastly, I used up a travel size Head & Shoulders Shampoo in Classic Clean. I've been using Head & Shoulders shampoo for three+ years now. It didn't do much in terms of controlling my dandruff but it did leave my hair very clean. I think it dries out my hair too much, making it tangled, frizzy, and static-y. I am reusing the bottle for my bigger sized shampoo. Decanting it into the smaller bottle makes it easier to carry into the shower. I have a family size one in Eucalyptus but once I finish that, I think I'll look for a better option for my hair.
Bottom Line: I will not be repurchasing.

And that's a wrap, folks! I hope y'all enjoyed this post. I hope it helps y'all decide whether or not you need these products or not. Talk to you soon in my next post!
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥

XOXO,

MWAH ♡

MWAH Musings♥

• I've been doing my Christmas shopping for the past two days--I still need gifts for three more people >.<
• My friends and I are doing White Elephant and I'm really excited for it!
• I have two final papers due (technically 3) and I haven't even started on them yet!

 •´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°

Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were either given to me as a sample or gift with purchase or given to me by my friends and family.

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REVIEW| Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Day and Night Creams

Hey everyone! Today, I'm going to review Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Day Broad Spectrum SPF 20 and Night Creams for y'all.

I have never really used creams for my skin because it is on the oilier side and doesn't need the extra moisture. However, my skin reacted badly to a scrub that I had bee using, becoming red, sensitive to the touch, and really dry. In a panic,  I went onto Ulta's website and found these creams for day and night. I've been using these for almost a year now and have not looked back :D

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FAVORITES| October 2013 ♡

It's time for Favorites again! This month, I've tried out sooo many new products and some were misses, but most were hits!

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FAVORITES| August 2013 ❤

So this is my first ever Favorites ♡ but I’m very excited for it! All of these products are those that have been loved for quite a while now (though it doesn’t look like it).

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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN| Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer w/ Broad Spectrum SPF 30 versus Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

Moisturizers are very important. Keeping you skin hydrated and moisturized allows it to look healthy and glowing as well as allowing for a smoother application of your base makeup. Some moisturizers include other skin benefits like acne clearing, SPF, and more! In the ring today, we have Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer w/ Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15!

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EMPTIES | August 2013: Part 2 (Bodycare Edition)

Welcome to Makeup With a Heart♡ : Day 6! I had to split my empties into three separate posts because it was getting soooo long! I guess I have a lot to say about these products (✿◠‿◠) Continuing into the important part...

From Left to Right: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15, Essence of Beauty Sugar Plums Hand Cream, Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, Aveeno Positively Nourishing 24-Hour Body Moisturizer in Blueberry + Goji Berry, and Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Foot Cream 

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HAUL| Korean Skincare and Makeup

Welcome back to Makeup With a Heart♡ : Day 4! Today, I have a small haul for y'all. I really love Korean skincare and makeup products because they seem to work a lot better for my skin. Don't get me wrong, I love my U.S. drugstore products as well, but the cute packaging and innovative products always make me take out my wallet mindlessly (╥﹏╥). Let's not get stuck on that and move on to the actual products!

From L to R: Skinfood Aloe Sun Mist, It's Skin Cleansing Oil, Skinfood Waterproof Suncream, Skinfood No Sebum Sun Matte, Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream, Skinfood Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream

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