Empties: March 2013

Alas! My first empties post. Mostly sample size products, but who doesn't love samples? Small package and no commitment. That says a lot about me, doesn't it?

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Daily Gentle Cleanser

Why did I buy this product: I think I purchased this at the end of November last year. I had previously tried the Yes to Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser which I really liked because it was gentle and hydrating. When I went to the store to repurchase that product I saw this sitting next to it and decided to give it a try. While the Carrot line is geared at people with normal to dry skin, the Cucumber line is made for sensitive skin. It was winter, I was living in DC, so my skin was feeling pretty dry and sensitive to everything. This seemed perfect.

Thoughts: It did it's job, cleaned my skin, worked ok with my new clarisonic. Though, I didn't see much of a difference between the Carrot cleanser and this. This wasn't particularly gentle, I think the carrot one was even more so, which is kind of odd as this is specifically intended for sensitive skin. I know at some points it even left my skin slightly irritated. Which isn't good, but it wasn't major so I didn't feel the need to stop using it. 

Would I repurchase: Probably not. I think Yes to has better cleansers to choose from and this was kind of lackluster.

Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower Gel

Why did I buy this product: This actually came in one of my Beauty Army subscription boxes, which I'm no longer subscribed to. Almost every month that I was subscribed to that box, I received one of these Bath and Body Works Shower Gel samples. I'm not particularly drawn to that brand, but ever since I ran out of Lush's Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub, I've made an effort to get through all these samples.

Thoughts: I like this. This scent in particular is really nice. It's not overly floral and not overly sweet, it's a happy medium between the two but in no way overbearing. The scent doesn't linger on the skin, which is fine by me. Because of the Shea butter in this it leaves skin soft. If I forget (or am too lazy) to apply lotion this helps my skin not get too dried out (which it's prone to this time of year). It's good stuff.

Would I repurchase: Yes, but I'll probably wait until one of those big sales to pick this up (not that it's expensive, it would just give me incentive).

Epicuren After Bath Moisturizer - Tahitian Vanilla
Why did I buy this product: I received this, in the 8 oz size, in the PopSugar Must Have Special edition Box for December 2012. This came in handy while I was in the process of moving and ran out of whatever generic brand of body lotion I happened to be using.
Thoughts: This is amazing if you shower before going to bed. It has a very bold vanilla smell but it's very calming. I used this after (nearly) every shower and never had to reapply lotion during the day. This kept my skin from drying out and getting that ever dreaded winter flake. With that said, although it was a nice luxury while it lasted, this is flipping expensive.
Would I repurchase: No, but only because the price tag on this thing is crazy ridiculous. I am now on a quest to find a more wallet friendly alternative.

Josie Maran Argan Oil
Why did I buy this product: I received this in my Ipsy Glam bag for January 2013. I had heard about it from multiple beauty blogs and they had nothing but good things to say. So I gave it a try.
Thoughts: This is a multipurpose product, you can use it for hair, skin, nails, all that good stuff. I decided, in order to get rid of it (these samples start piling up) to use it as an eye makeup remover/eye treatment. It worked wonders removing make up, but it also conditioned my lashes and kept the skin around my eyes hydrated. On some occasions when my forehead (which for whatever reason is dry, unlike the rest of my oily face) was being a bit more finicky I applied it at night to keep it moisturized. I noticed that it helped diffuse, what looked like future wrinkles, both around my eyes and on the forehead.
Would I repurchase: Yes, but I'd like to try out some other beauty oils to see if I can find a cheaper option.

Tarte for True Blood Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
Why did I buy this product: This came in the Tarte for True Blood palette that I picked up for sale at the end of last year. It's makeup and True Blood, two of my favorite things, how could I not?
Thoughts: This is everything I've ever wanted from an everyday mascara. Something that gives me volume, doesn't clump and looks natural. There's nothing I dislike more then spidery clumpy lashes when I just wanted to darken them a bit. Though this one wasn't waterproof I didn't have a problem with it smudging or running (which could happen lot when you make drinks for a living).
Would I repurchase: Without a doubt yes, as soon as I finish some other mascara samples I'm planning on picking this up.

Tarte for True Blood lifted natural eye primer with Firmitol
Why did I buy this product: This too, came in the Tarte for True Blood Palette.
Thoughts: I think this product alone turned me onto Tarte products. I use to use Urban Decay Primer Potion but even with that my eyeshadow would crease like mad by the end of the day. Not only that, UDPP has a way of drying up after a month of use, which is just a waste of money as it's pretty high up there in price. This is a nice light primer and it really does keep my eye shadow from creasing. As an added bonus, it fills in smalls lines!
Would I repurchase: Yes. After trying this out I tried finding a full size online, and it looks like they stopped making this particular primer so I purchase another from them and it works just as well!