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September Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Now that September is coming to a close, it is time for an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project. September went by so quickly for me, and part of that is because I did some traveling in the middle of the month. Thankfully, I still emptied out a good amount of products! I’ve really been concentrating on using up products, and haven’t purchased anything new in a while. I hope to continue doing that for the rest of the year! Let me show you the products I did empty out this month!

MAKEUP REMOVER

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes – 1 travel pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I purchased this pack of wipes for my vacation in Los Angeles. I loved having this on my trip because they helped refresh my skin during the day, and also made for a simpler cleansing process at night when I was exhausted. I had a few left after my trip, so I took the pack home to finish.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe! I liked these, but I do prefer the Yes to Cucumbers wipes.

ELF Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: At first I really loved these wipes because they are super soft and do an amazing job at removing all of my makeup. However, I then read the directions and noticed that you are supposed to rinse your face with water after using them! I know that makeup wipes are not supposed to substitute for washing your face, but many times I want to use them without needing to rinse afterwards. That extra step basically means the wipe is pointless for me.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: These pads are excellent at removing that stubborn eye makeup like mascara. That being said, I used these very rarely, and would like to find a vegan cleanser that is safe to use on the eyes so I don’t need an extra step like this in the future.

MAKEUP

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer – 1 sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked using this primer sample from Hourglass, but I’m not able to tell if I really like it based on one use. Perhaps I can try some more from my local Sephora at some point!
Would I Buy it Again? Not based on this one use.

Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm – 1 tube [no longer available]

Mini Review: I did like this concealer, but it is definitely not the best quality. In fact, I think this is a discontinued product! I used up the entire tube because it did the job, but I wouldn’t buy it again even if it were vegan.

BODY CARE

When on vacation I used up two travel sized body washes from my collection. Unfortunately I don’t have the bottles to show you, but I still wanted to give you mini reviews!

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a good body wash that does not dry out the skin. I appreciate that it gives a nice clean without being harsh. This is also a good option if you do not like scented body washes!

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This body wash smells absolutely amazing! I would have liked a bit more foam while washing, but I still felt clean afterwards. However, I do think this is a bit too expensive for what you get. A full size bottle is $16.00!

SEPTEMBER EMPTIES: 7

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 75

As September comes to a close, I am exactly on track to complete my goal of 100 empties in 2016! I am so proud of myself for really focusing on using up the products in my collection this year. I know I can get really excited about new product releases, and it can be difficult to refrain from splurging. That being said, if you would like to save some money, I definitely recommend giving yourself an empties challenge. It’s fun and it gets you to use your collection!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

July Lifestyle Favorites!

Posted on August 2, 2016July 27, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe August is here and it’s time to share with you everything I loved in the month of July. This year is just flying by for me! I feel like each month ends before I can register it is beginning. Nonetheless, I discovered some new-to-me products this month that I am really loving, and I also have an older product I want to share as well. It’s time to jump right into the favorites!

NAIL POLISH

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics – Chlorophyll [BUY]

I love this green nail polish! It is perfect for any time of year, and goes well with my skin tone. Chlorophyll is not available for purchase any longer, but I linked OCC’s nail polish collection above if you would like to see what is currently available!

MAKEUP

elf Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls [BUY]

I also purchased some products from elf this month that I’ll be sharing in a haul post later this week. One of my favorites so far is a highlighter that is surprisingly high quality for just $4.00! I wanted a new highlighter that is almost a gold shade, but would fit my fair complexion well. Moonlight Pearls is just perfect! I would be happy to share a full review if you are interested.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub [BUY]

I’ve been using The Body Shop scrubs for about six months now, and my favorite of all the varieties I’ve tried is the Mango. Not only does it smell amazing, but the texture is really nice, too. I love when a scrub is abrasive enough that it removes dead skin cells, but doesn’t feel painful. That is exactly what you get with this one!

FOOD

Dates

I tried dates for the first time in July, and I’ve quickly become obsessed with them! I now understand why people refer to dates as “nature’s candy.” They are gooey and sweet, and remind me of caramel! I eat around 4-6 each day as snacks in between my meals, or as dessert. They are delicious and nutritious!

ETSY SHOP

Cricket Paper Co. [SHOP]

My new favorite Etsy Sticker Shop for planner stickers is Cricket Paper Co. This shop makes kits specifically for the planner I use, the Erin Condren Horizontal, but is also quite affordable. A two-page kit costs $6.00, which is a steal compared to competitor shops. Plus, the kits include the stickers that I actually use in each spread. I will definitely be back to this shop for more!

APP

Disney Emoji Blitz

I decided to get this new game from Disney after seeing it on Good Morning America and online. It’s basically a Bejeweled style game with Disney characters! It’s a ton of fun, and it’s free, so I recommend getting it if you like these types of games.

That wraps up my favorites for the month of July! As always please share what you are currently loving with me in the comments, or on social media with the hashtag #PolishlandFaves. Is there a new nail polish you recommend? A great book you just read? Be sure to let me know!

June Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for my monthly check-in with all of you to share the products I used up towards my #365DaysofEmpties goal. I was getting a bit nervous in June, as I only emptied a few products at the beginning of the month. Thankfully, as the month came to a close, a bunch of my products did also. I’m excited to share my mini-reviews with all of you this month, as I emptied a wide variety of products. Let me share my thoughts on the products I used up in June!

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Cream Body Scrub – 1 tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I really enjoy body scrubs from The Body Shop. While I liked the Coca Butter scent of this one, I didn’t love the texture. It felt more abrasive than the sugar and gelee scrubs they also offer.
Would I Buy it Again? I wouldn’t get this particular scrub again, but others from The Body Shop.

Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day Shower Gel – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: While I loved the clean and fresh scent of Beautiful Day, I found it to be quite drying on my skin despite it being labeled as “Shea Enriched.” That being said, this bottle lasted me a few months because only a small amount of product was needed to get a nice lather.
Would I Buy it Again? No, I’m going to look for more natural cleansers in the future.

MAKEUP

Evian Facial Spray – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I mentioned last month how much I love this facial spray. I use it to dampen my BeautyBlender, but also to freshen up in the hot weather. Last month it got really hot, and I was unable to use the air conditioning. This was a lifesaver!
Would I Buy it Again? I would not buy this travel size can again. The full size lasts me about a year, but the mini ran out in just a month. Go big with this one!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve heard great things about this Primer Water, but I didn’t see much of a difference when I used it. It did feel nice on the skin, but it took a while to dry and added time to my makeup routine.
Would I Buy it Again? No. I didn’t see enough results for the price tag.

Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer – 1 tube [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a staple concealer for me. I’ve repurchased it several times, and really enjoy it as a drugstore option. That being said, it does make my fine lines a bit more pronounced, and it’s expensive for the small amount of product.
Would I But it Again? No. I’m going to look for a better option that is more affordable

SKINCARE

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 pack

Mini Review: I love these makeup wipes from Target! They are super affordable, but work well to remove my makeup. Plus, I find wipes really refreshing in the warmer months.
Would I Buy it Again? I’m using another pack right now!

StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: This scrub is awesome! It feels very creamy and gentle on the skin, but truly works to remove dead skin cells. I loved how clear and even my skin felt after using this scrub. Plus, this sample lasted much longer than just the 1.5 weeks it advertised.
Would I But it Again? Maybe. It’s very expensive!

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I’m not sure how I feel about this product! Invisiblur is part serum, part sunscreen, and part primer. I do love how it is a multi-tasker, but I didn’t like the smell. I also found that my foundation didn’t apply as well when I used this product.
Would I Buy it Again? No.

ORAL CARE

GUM Comfort Slide Flossers – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I love using flossers because they make flossing super easy! While they are a bit more expensive than traditional floss, it is 100% worth it if I floss more. I’ve made flossing part of my normal routine since using these!
Would I But it Again? Yes!

HAIR CARE

göt2b Rockin’ It 4Ever Stylestay Dry Shampoo – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this dry shampoo because it was on sale and I had a coupon. Unfortunately, I really did not like it, but still used it all up. It was better than not using any dry shampoo at all, but really didn’t do much for my hair. I don’t recommend it!
Would I Buy it Again? No!

JUNE EMPTIES: 10

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 55

We are now halfway through the year, and I am ahead of my goal to finish up 100 empties! It always feels great to use up a product completely. This month I focused a bit on my deluxe samples, and that helped to move them out of my collection. Plus, it saves me money to use my samples first! As always, please share your thoughts on any of the products I mentioned today with me in the comments.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

April Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on April 29, 2016April 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! April is coming to a close, and that means it’s time to share with you all of the products I used up this month. I used up a lot of big products in April, which is always a lot of fun. I’ve decided that once I use up a big bottle of something, I’m going to reach for a sample next so I can really focus on emptying those, too. Let me share with you all of my empties for April, and give an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project!

SKINCARE

GlamGlow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment – 1 Sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I was so excited to finally try a product from the high end brand GlamGlow. I only got one use of this face mask from this sample, and to be honest, I wasn’t blown away. My skin felt really clean, but I didn’t have any amazing results. I would need to try this a few more times to see any changes in my skin.
Would I Buy it Again? No. It’s too expensive!

NAIL CARE

Berkley Jensen Premium 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I primarily use cotton rounds to remove my nail polish, and I’ve been doing a lot of swatching lately. I purchase these in bulk from BJ’s to save money, but any pure cotton rounds are excellent. I also use them to cleanse my face sometimes.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo & Conditioner – 2 Bottles [BUY] & [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely love the Advanced Haircare collection from L’Oreal. I’ve tried several different lines, and the Triple Resist is a great one. It’s designed to help strengthen fragile, breaking hair. It definitely lives up to its name, and my fine hair loved it. Keep an eye out for coupons and sales!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m currently using a different line from this collection, though.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – 1 Can [BUY]

Mini Review: Friends, this is my holy grail dry shampoo. I purchase it whenever I can because it gets the job done better than any of the other dry shampoos I’ve tried. It truly zaps the oil right out of my hair, giving it a fresh and clean feeling. It is super expensive, but worth every penny.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! Yes! Yes!

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials 48-Hour Antiperspirant – 1 Tube [BUY]

Mini Review: This is my favorite deodorant from the drugstore, and really the only one that works for me. I would love to find a natural deodorant that works, but so far I haven’t had any luck. I prefer the unscented version, but this Cool Essentials was nice, too.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Olay Ultra Moisture with Shea Butter Moisture Outlast Body Wash – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I received this travel size bottle of body wash from PinchMe for review, and I am pleasantly surprised with how much I love it! This body wash truly does add moisture to the skin while still cleansing. I noticed a big difference when I switched back to my other body wash – my skin was a lot drier. Plus, I love the soothing scent of Shea butter.
Would I But it Again? Yes, but I’m currently using up the other body washes in my stash.

MAKEUP

Covergirl truBLEND Liquid Makeup in L2 Classic Ivory – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is one of my favorite foundations from the drugstore! It is a light-medium coverage for everyday wear, and is buildable for sure. My bottle looks disgusting here, because once the pump stops working I take it out and flip the bottle upside down so the last bits of foundation fall into the cap. It helps me use up all the product!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

APRIL EMPTIES: 8

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 34

I’m glad I used up so many big products in April, but I am a bit nervous looking at my total number of empties for the year! I am still on track to reach my goal of 100 empties in 2016, but I am now only one product ahead of that number. I’m going to work really hard in May to focus on products, and hopefully I can maintain a steady pace. Definitely let me know in the comments if you’ve used any of the products I mentioned today, and your mini review of them!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

3 Ways to Save BIG at The Body Shop!

Posted on April 13, 2016March 21, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m going to share some of my tips to saving money at The Body Shop. I really love shopping at The Body Shop because it not only has great quality products, but it is a company focused on morality as well. The Body Shop never tests on animals, and it has a Community Trade program to ensure its ingredients are fairly sourced. The prices at The Body Shop, however, are definitely more than I would like to spend. Thus, I’ve come up with some shopping strategies to ensure I can enjoy my favorite products at a fraction of the price. I’m going to share my tricks with you today, along with my most recent purchase from The Body Shop to illustrate my points. Let’s jump into the big savings!

Tip 1: Shop with Ebates and Wait for Double Cash Back

Ebates is a website that allows you to earn cash back on most of your online purchases. I’ve been a member for a few years now, and absolutely love it! The website is legitimate and safe, and even helps you find coupon codes. The Body Shop is typically 4% cash back, but every so often it is a promoted store at 8% cash back! I’ve even seen it go as high as 10% for special holiday sales. I wait to shop until The Body Shop is double cash back. I earned $4.54 back from my latest purchase at The Body Shop. That is so awesome! You can sign up to Ebates for free and earn a $10 gift card by using my referral link HERE.

Tip 2: Wait for a Big Sale

One of the best ways to save money is to become familiar with a store’s sales. Whenever I find a product that I love I will pay very close attention to sales. Over time a pattern will emerge, and I know when to shop to get the highest discount. At The Body Shop, my favorite sale is Buy 3, Get 3 Free. There are always sales at The Body Shop, and you can visit the website’s Offers page HERE to see the current promotions. I highly recommend waiting for the Buy 3, Get 3 Free sale, though. Here is what I purchased most recently!

I love the body scrubs at The Body Shop, so I purchased the Cocoa Butter and Pink Grapefruit scrubs to stock up. These retail for $21 each regular price. I also wanted to get a body butter, because my skin has been very dry lately. I decided to try the Aloe Body Butter because it is fragrance free and I am sensitive to smells. This body butter is also $21.

Next I picked up some new-to-me hair care items. First I grabbed the Ginger Scalp Care shampoo because I do tend to get flakes and I hope this will work well for me. This shampoo retails for $10.00. I also purchased the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter, which is a deep conditioner. I want to ensure I’m getting a lot of moisture into my hair, and will be using this once per week. This retails for $14.

Finally, I got the Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator. I’m running low on my face scrub, so I wanted to have one on backup. I’m all about pore cleansing scrubs, so I’m very excited to try this! This scrub retails for $18.

For this particular purchase, I purchased the three $21.00 items, and got the other three free. You would think my total would be $63.00, but not so! My last tip explains how to save even more.

Tip 3: Sign Up for Love Your Body Rewards

Lastly, I recommend signing up for the Love Your Body Rewards program. This program costs $10.00 per year, but it pays for itself because you get a $10 coupon on your birthday. Plus, you save 10% off every purchase. There are also ways to earn points and added rewards, so I highly recommend signing up if you are a regular customer. You can learn more on The Body Shop’s website HERE.

Now that I’ve shared my tricks to saving big at The Body Shop, let’s break down my most recent purchase!

RETAIL PRICE: 21 + 21 + 21 + 10 + 14 + 18 = 105

SALE PRICE: 21 + 21 + 21 = 63

LOVE YOUR BODY PRICE: 63 x 10% = 56.70

EBATES PRICE: 56.70 x 8% = $52.16 –> total savings of 50%!

As you can see, these three simple tips add up to huge savings at The Body Shop! I know other stores sell products from The Body Shop at discounted prices, but I can always save more buying directly from the store. Plus, I can earn rewards on my purchases with Love Your Body! It’s a win for my wallet and for me – I get to use my favorite products at a discounted price. I hope you all found this post helpful! If you have any tips for saving at The Body Shop that I didn’t mention here, please share in the comments! Happy shopping!

This post is not sponsored or affiliated with The Body Shop. My link to Ebates is a referral link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

February & March Favorites! | What I’m Loving in 2016

Posted on April 5, 2016July 14, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’m excited to share my favorites for the months of February and March. I didn’t get the opportunity to share what I loved in February during Manicure March, so I thought I’d lump the past two months together. It actually works out perfectly because I haven’t discovered many new things to share with you. I’ve been so busy working on the blog these past couple of months, but I’ve really been enjoying it. Without further ado, let me share my favorites with you!

SKINCARE

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been loving the Yes to Coconut Melting Cleanser! It smells amazing, and does a great job at cleansing my face without stripping it of moisture. I don’t use this daily, but when I want a deep clean. It truly melts away my makeup! I’m definitely going to be purchasing more products from the Yes To brand in the future.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Aloe Body Butter [BUY]

I purchased this body butter because it is fragrance free. I don’t know about you, but I’m sensitive to smells, and sometimes it’s nice to put on lotion without perfume. This body butter truly is fragrance free, and I appreciate that so much. Plus, it does an amazing job at hydrating my skin. I’m seeing a big difference in just a couple weeks of using it! I do wish it was a bit more affordable, but I’m going to grab it during sales for sure.

TV SHOWS

Fuller House

Full House is my favorite TV show of all time, so you know I was ready for Fuller House! I marathoned the series as soon as it came out, and really loved it. I got a free Netflix month just so I could watch it. I’m so glad it got picked up for a second season. It’s so fun to see the cast back in action, and I love all the new characters. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet!

The Family

I’ve also been loving the new show on ABC called The Family! I’m not usually into creepy TV shows, but for some reason I just had to watch this after seeing the commercials. The show follows a family in Maine. Ten years ago, the youngest son went missing, and the man who lives across the street was convicted of his murder. Then, at present day, the son reappears. Now the family is trying to catch his kidnapper. It’s so intriguing! I am always excited for a new episode.

BOOK

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera [BUY]

My favorite book of the past couple months is More Happy Than Not, a young adult contemporary with a science fiction twist. I will have a full review up for you later this month, but I wanted to share it now so you can pick it up as soon as possible! The story follows Aaron Soto, a teenager living in the Bronx. He is struggling after his father committed suicide, and trying to find his way in life. The story is not only emotional, but it is very well written. I highly recommend it!

ETSY SHOP

Pretty on Paper Co. [SHOP]

I made my first purchase from Pretty on Paper Co. back in January, and I instantly fell in love. The planner stickers in her shop are amazing quality, and I love her design aesthetic. I’ve already made a second purchase, and I will definitely be back for more! She makes amazing weekly kits, which I love using in my planner. I recommend checking out her shop! She is located in Canada, but shipping to the United States is pretty affordable.

That wraps up my February and March favorites! I hope you enjoyed seeing what I’ve been enjoying these past couple of months. As always, please share your favorites with me in the comments! I love getting recommendations from all of you. You can also use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media to share your photos. Here’s to a great April!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

March Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on April 4, 2016March 23, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! It’s now April, and that means it’s time to share the products I used up during the month of March. I thought I was going to have a lot of empties this month, but a lot of my products are still going strong even though there is just a bit left in the bottle! Let me know in the comments if you ever have that feeling, where your products are just about to finish but last for what feels like forever. Let’s go ahead and jump right into my March empties.

SKINCARE

Olay Fresh Effects Everything Off Deluxe Makeup Removal Wet Cloths – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I like these wipes because they take off all my makeup well, including mascara. They are a bit rougher on my skin than I would like, so I wouldn’t recommend these if you have sensitive skin. I much prefer the Swipe Out wipes from the Fresh Effects line.
Would I Buy it Again? If there was a good sale! I try all different wipes.

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Caplet Serum – 1 Sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I have mixed feelings on this serum! The caplets burst into a silver shimmer, leaving the face really glittery, which I really disliked. However, my skin loved this serum! My face was clear and even, and I didn’t experience a breakout during the entire time I used it. I also have a bunch of caplets left, but no serum.
Would I Buy it Again? No. I don’t like the glitter, and this is very expensive!

Cover FX Calming Primer – 1 Sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I used this serum whenever my skin was having a bad day. It is very gentle and good for sensitive skin. The texture is really nice, and my makeup applied well.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I might purchase it in the future.

NAIL CARE

Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment Base & Top Coat – 1 Bottle

Mini Review: I grabbed this base and top coat during a clearance sale at CVS for a couple dollars. I used it primarily as a base coat, and it served its purpose well. It did have a very strong odor however. I’m glad to move onto a new base coat!
Would I Buy it Again? No. This product is discontinued.

HAIR CARE

Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This shampoo is not a miracle worker, but it did help greatly to improve my flakes. I get an extremely dry scalp in the winter, and I needed something to help. I noticed that if I skipped using this my flakes came back in full force, so it did help a lot.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes, but I’m trying out a new shampoo next to see if it helps better.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub Gelee – 1 Tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I love this scrub! I’ve never tried a gelee scrub before, and it was a unique feel. I think this pink grapefruit scrub is perfect for the warmer months. It smells fresh, exfoliates well, and has a great texture.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I already did.

ORAL HYGIENE

Crest Complete Whitening + Scope – 1 Tube [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked this toothpaste just fine, but I don’t think there is anything special about it. I try to purchase toothpastes that are approved by the ADA (American Dental Association), and this one is not.
Would I Buy it Again? No.

MARCH EMPTIES: 7

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 26

I am a bit disappointed that I didn’t finish up a lot of products this month, but I am still on track to finish 100 products by the end of the year. I am now trying to focus on one product at a time so that I can use up what’s in my stash. For example, I am going to use only one to two mascaras at once to see if I can use one up before it expires. Definitely let me know in the comments what you used up in the month of March, and if you have any tips on using up products. I would love to know!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

February Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on February 29, 2016February 18, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! February is coming to a close, and it’s time to share my empty products with all of you. Last month I introduced a new project that I’m doing all year long called the #365DaysofEmpties. You can learn more about the project HERE, but my personal goal is to use up 100 products this year. This blog post will show you what I used up in the month of February, my mini review of each product, and a note on whether I’d repurchase the product. Let’s go ahead and jump right into the empties!

SKINCARE

NUDE Skincare Advanced Renewal Serum – 3 Sample Packs [BUY]

Mini Review: I finished up the remaining samples of this serum in February, and while I do like it, I didn’t see a major change in my skin. It felt nice and I had no adverse reaction, but it wasn’t a miracle product for me.
Would I Buy it Again? No. This serum is very expensive, and not worth the price.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel – 1 Sample Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve always been scared to try a peel, but I really like this one because it is a two-step wipe system instead of a mask that literally peels off the face. I did experience some tingling and a bit of tightness after using the peel, but it seemed to work fine. I think my skin really liked it!
Would I Buy it Again? I’m not sure! I have two more samples to try, and I’ll let you know the final verdict then.

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I picked up this pack of makeup remover wipes specifically for my trip to Los Angeles in January. I finished using the wipes this month, and I really like them. They are the Target brand, but are formulated to compare with Pond’s. They work just as well!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

NAIL CARE

Beauty 360 Strengthening Nail Polish Remover – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I really liked this nail polish remover, but I am so mad at myself! I just noticed on the label (in big clear lettering) that this remover contains gelatin. I don’t consume products with gelatin because I’m a vegetarian, and I’d prefer not to use it in my other beauty products as well. Here’s your friendly reminder to always read the label.
Would I Buy it Again? No!

Berkley Jensen Premium 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I use cotton rounds mainly to remover nail polish. It is definitely my product of choice for nail polish remover because it cuts down on the fuzzies, and does a great job. I’ve also been using cotton rounds to remove face cleanser as well.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I buy these in bulk at my local BJ’s.

MAKEUP

Avon Eyeshadow Sponge Applicators – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: While this is technically a makeup item, I use eyeshadow applicators in nail art! I’ve had this pack for years and just used up the last applicator. I need to get some more of these because they are the only thing that I can use for ombré nail art.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes, but from a different brand.

Dr. Jart Dis-A-Pore Beauty Balm – 1 Sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this BB cream in a subscription box, and I used it every once in a while. I really like this BB cream, but the shade isn’t perfect for me. That’s a bit disappointing because it is quite full coverage and wears really well all day.
Would I Buy it Again? No. It doesn’t match my skin properly.

BODY CARE

Raven’s Creek Ultra Soft Sugar Scrub in Pumpkin Pie Spice – 1 Tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this sugar scrub in a subscription box, and I did like it, but I didn’t love it. The smell was amazing, but the scrub didn’t exfoliate as well as I would have liked. I also had to use a lot of this product at once.
Would I Buy it Again? No.

FEBRUARY EMPTIES: 10

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 19

That brings us to the end of my January empties! I am on track to use up 100 products by the end of the year, which is really awesome. I think March’s empties post will be pretty big, because a lot of my products are right at the end. It’s always fun when a bunch of products run out at once! Until then, let me know in the comments what you finished up in February. Also let me know if you use any of the products I mentioned today, and what you think of them.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Body Shop Haul | Skincare, Scrubs, & More!

Posted on October 28, 2015October 25, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Haul Week continues with a huge haul from The Body Shop. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the sales that The Body Shop has for the past couple of months, but I knew I would be shopping during the month of October. I recently joined the Love Your Body program at The Body Shop. This is a rewards program where you pay $10 per year and earn 10% off every single purchase. In addition, you get a $10 coupon during your birthday month and other perks throughout the year. In essence, the Love Your Body program pays for itself with the birthday coupon! Luckily, The Body Shop had an amazing sale early in October, and I stocked up on a ton of products I needed. Let me show you what I purchased!

The Body Shop always has a sale going on, and usually it is Buy 3, Get 2 Free. However, when I shopped it was Buy 3, Get 3 Free! In addition, I shopped through Ebates to earn cash back on my purchase. The Body Shop is usually 4% cash back, but I shopped during a double cash back promotion and earned 8% cash back! It really pays to do your research when it comes to products you want to purchase. Plan in advance, and you’ll be knowledgable about sales and coupons!

The main reason I placed this order is because I desperately needed some body scrubs! I ran out back in July, and it was time to stock up. I try to use a body scrub once per week to remove dead skin cells. With the colder months arriving, exfoliating is a must! I picked up the Coconut, Mango, and Pink Grapefruit scents. I’ve already begun using the Coconut Scrub, and it smells amazing! Now I’m all set on scrubs for the coming months, and I saved a ton of money by stocking up during a sale!

Next I picked up some new to me skincare items. I just ran out of cleanser, and my serum is running very low. I also wanted a light moisturizer for the daytime, as my face can get quite greasy. I decided to try out a couple different items from The Body Shop. First, I got the Vitamin E Cream Cleanser. I am hoping this will cleanse my face without stripping it of needed oils. Then I reached for two products from the Vitamin C line. I’ve had great luck with Vitamin C products in the past, so I’m hoping these work well. I grabbed both the Vitamin C Skin Boost serum and the Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer.

Last but not least, I got a couple freebies! Every order from The Body Shop comes with one free sample. I got the Tea Tree Facial Wash to test. Then I got a really exciting bonus! The Body Shop had a promotion where if you spent $60, you got a free Mega Shower Gel of your choice. I went with Satsuma, as its one of my favorite scents from The Body Shop.

PRICE BREAKDOWN:

Coconut Body Scrub – $20
Mango Body Scrub – $20
Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub – $20
Vitamin E Cream Cleanser – $16
Vitamin C Skin Boost – $28
Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer – $21
Mega Satsuma Shower Gel – $20

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $145

DISCOUNTS:

Buy 3, Get 3 Free ( – 20, 20, 16)
Free Mega Shower Gel ( – 20)
$10 Birthday Coupon ( – 10)
10% Love Your Body Discount ( – 10%)
Free Shipping with $50 Purchase

TOTAL SPENT: $53.10 (or 64% savings)

Plus, I earned $2.65 in cash back from Ebates! What an amazing deal!

All in all, I am so excited about my new products from The Body Shop! My Love Your Body membership has already paid for itself, and I got to stock up on a ton of needed products. I hope this post helped you learn how to familiarize yourself with store sales in order to maximize the savings! It definitely pays to keep a wish list and be patient for just the right sale! If you’d like to see a full review on any of the products in this post, please let me know in the comments

What is your favorite scent from The Body Shop? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Healing Tree Bamboo Charcoal Soap | Review & Giveaway

Posted on June 3, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Happy Tuesday! Today I have another soap review for all of you. When I got the opportunity to review a charcoal soap from The Healing Tree, I was really excited. I’ve tried a couple other charcoal products in the past, and my skin has always loved it! Let me tell you more about this soap, and stay tuned to the end for a giveaway!

ABOUT THE SOAP

It can be scary to use charcoal in your skincare products for the first time, but it’s truly an amazing and all-natural ingredient! Charcoal helps to clear your pores of dirt and oils to leave your skin clean both above and below the surface. This is especially helpful if you suffer from acne, eczema, or another skin condition, and charcoal will help to rejuvenate your skin completely. It allows your skin to moisturize itself naturally, without the need for excess oils. Plus, this soap is made with four all-natural ingredients: vegetable oil, water, glycerin, and bamboo charcoal. The Healing Tree brand does not test on animals, and uses no dyes or chemicals in it’s products. If you’re looking for a natural soap, this is definitely for you!

MY EXPERIENCE

I was a bit nervous to use this soap at first, because it does have a slight charcoal scent, and it does have a dark grey color when you’re washing with it. Thankfully, the color washes off easily with water, and I was surprised that it did not stain my bathtub at all. I used the soap in my shower, and one bar lasted for about three full weeks. While I didn’t like the charcoal scent, my skin absolutely loved this product! I can definitely see a difference in my skin – my pores are less visible, and my skin is overall more smooth and clear. My skin also feels softer, and I think it more moisturized overall. Taking the scent into consideration, I would rate this soap a 4 out of 5 stars.

GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is being hosted through Tomoson. Please note that while the widget does ask for your shipping information as part of your entry into the giveaway, all of your personal information will remain private. I cannot see any of the entries, and only the winner’s shipping information will be released to the company so they can mail you your prize. Please read all of the Terms & Conditions carefully, and feel free to ask me any questions.

All in all, I really like the Bamboo Charcoal Soap from The Healing Tree! It is a great soap if you are looking to rejuvenate your skin, and is perfect for the summer months when our pores can get clogged quite easily. You can purchase this soap on the company’s website for just $3.99 HERE. Talk about fabulous and affordable! Let me know what you think about this soap in the comments. Have you ever used a charcoal product before? If so, what did you think of it?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.