hair care – Adventures in Polishland

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Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

It’s been quite some time since I shared an Empties post here on the blog (it appears the last one was in 2017 – oops!). While I’ve shared snippets on my Instagram regularly, I thought it would be fun to share mini reviews with you on all of the products I’ve used up recently. The skincare, hair care, and body care items in this post are some of my go to cruelty free and vegan products that I repurchase regularly. You’ll also notice that I am quite loyal to both The Body Shop and Derma E! I love both of these brands because they offer effective products at prices I can afford.

Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

Products from Derma E provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links.

Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub | $15.50 | BUY

First up is the Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub with Activated Charcoal. I’ve used this scrub for many years. It’s gentle enough to use daily, but still effective at keeping the skin clear and free of dry flakes. I recently stopped using this on my face, as I was using a cleanser with a chemical exfoliant (more on that later). Instead, I’ve used this in my underarms about 1-2 times per week. This has really helped to get rid of any odors that I experience after working out in the humid summer months, all while using a natural deodorant.

Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser | $13.75 | BUY

The cleanser I used up is the Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser. This is a new-to-me product, but I absolutely loved it! As mentioned, this has glycolic acid in it to exfoliate the skin. I found that my face was much more even, hydrated, and clear when using this product. It was also nice to not have to use a physical exfoliant as an additional step in my skincare routine. I love testing out new cleansers, but I would definitely consider repurchasing this one.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate | $32.00 | BUY

Next up is my all-time favorite eye care product, The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate. This is an eye serum, and comes with a rollerball applicator. This is the only eye care product that works for me! I find that it helps to minimize my fine lines when I use it regularly. I do wish the packaging was more environmentally friendly, but I continue to repurchase this because I like it so much.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion | $24.00

Another favorite product of mine is The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion. I use this morning and night before I apply serum. My skin loves this product, as it helps to keep my skin hydrated, clear, and smooth. It’s currently not available on The Body Shop’s website, and I’m seriously hoping it hasn’t been discontinued! If you do ever see this back in stock, I highly recommend it.

The Body Shop Juicy Pear Body Scrub | $24.00 | BUY SIMILAR

Moving onto body care, I used up the Juicy Pear Body Scrub from The Body Shop. This was a limited edition holiday scent, but I really enjoy the scrubs from The Body Shop. This one was a sugar-based scrub, but I enjoy all of the available formulas as long as they are vegan. I typically like to grab a few scrubs during the Black Friday sale to save money and stock up for the year. They smell great, and keep the skin really smooth.

The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $6.00 | BUY

A hidden gem product at The Body Shop is definitely the Make-Up Setting Spray. This is by far my favorite setting spray ever! Not only does it keep my makeup in place throughout the day, but it helps reduce any cakey appearance. This spray has aloe vera in it as well, so it helps to keep the skin hydrated. My only critique with this product is that the bottle is only 60 ml. I would buy this in jumbo size if I could!

Derma E Thickening Conditioner | $9.99 | BUY

Last but not last is the Derma E Thickening Conditioner. I first tried this product when I received it from the brand for review, and now I’ve purchased it twice myself. I like this conditioner because it is gentle on the scalp and hydrating for my hair without making it greasy. I pair this conditioner with the Scalp Relief Shampoo for my go to hair routine.

That wraps up this round of empty product reviews! I hope you’ve found this post helpful if you are also on the lookout for cruelty free and vegan products that are worth the money. Please let me know in the comments if you would like to see regular empties posts here on the blog. I love sharing mini reviews of all the beauty products I’ve used up completely!

Why I Returned the Lush Cosmetics No Drought Dry Shampoo | Lush Dry Shampoo Review

Posted on May 27, 2018January 10, 2024 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on the Lush Cosmetics No Drought Dry Shampoo. One of my goals this year is to go as zero waste as possible, and that includes my beauty products. When it came time for me to buy a new dry shampoo, I decided to purchase the one from Lush. I wanted a dry shampoo that was not in aerosol form (learn why that is bad for the environment HERE), and also one with ethical packaging. I love that the Lush plastic bottles are made with 100% post-consumer plastic, so I decided to try No Drought. Unfortunately, I made the decision to return this product to the store when it did not work for me.

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

The No Drought Dry Shampoo claims to be a formula that absorbs excess oils and adds volume to the hair. I spoke with a sales associate at my local store before purchasing, because I was concerned the white powder wouldn’t blend in well with my light brown hair, and she assured me that wouldn’t be a problem. She also mentioned that this product does a great job at absorbing oils. While I was able to get the dry shampoo to blend in just fine with my hair color, this product was, unfortunately, quite ineffective in my hair. In fact, my hair looked and felt even dirtier and greasier whenever I used this product!

The issue, for me, lies in the fact that this is a texturizing dry shampoo. Over the years I’ve found that dry shampoos fall into one of two camps: dry shampoos that absorb oil and dry shampoos that texturize. I steer clear of texturizing dry shampoos because I have very fine hair. When texture is added, it weighs my hair down, and makes it cling together. I tried a few different techniques with No Drought in an attempt to get it to work for me, but my hair always came out feeling very heavy and greasy. After about a month of use, I made the decision to return this product to the store. I try to never return used beauty products, as I know they cannot be resold to other customers, but I was very let down that I spent $15.95 on a product that was not living up to its claims. I certainly did not achieve the promised matte finish!

In the end, I would only recommend the Lush Cosmetics No Drought Dry Shampoo if you enjoy using texturizing hair products. For instance, if you have thick hair, this may work better for you than it did for me. That being said, I will still continue to purchase other products from Lush, especially those that come packaging free. As for dry shampoo, I am now testing the one from Verb sold at Ulta (shop HERE).

Have you tried a non-aerosol dry shampoo? Let me know in the comments!

All the Vegan Options During the Ulta Beauty Spring Haul Event | April 2018 Sale Event

Posted on April 10, 2018May 14, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the vegan options during the Ulta Beauty Spring Haul Event. This event is taking place now through April 21, 2018. The event is split up into two weeks, with different promotions occurring each week. I apologize for not having this post up sooner, but there is still time to take advantage of all the current deals. As always, I hope this post is helpful in making your shopping experience at Ulta easier. Finding fabulous and affordable vegan beauty products is not as complicated as one may think!

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

You can find complete information about the Ulta Spring Haul event on the retailer’s website HERE.

Week 1 Deals – April 8 – 14, 2018:

Ulta Beauty Collection Implements – $1.25-$8.00 [BUY]
Eyelure and Ardell False Lashes – $3.59-$8.39 [BUY]
Makeup Revolution Select Eyeshadow Palettes (Vegan Option: Fortune Favors the Brave Ultra 30 Eyeshadow Palette) – $9.00 [BUY]
Bh Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition 21 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette – $16.88 [BUY]
Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Line – $2.99 [BUY]
Pacifica Skincare Mists – $5.00-$6.00 [BUY]
Hempz Haircare (Vegan Options: Vanilla Plum Herbal Moisturizing & Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, Original Herbal Shampoo for Damaged & Color Treated Hair, Herbal Dry Shampoo & Style Extender, Triple Moisture Rich Daily Herbal Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner & Hair Mask, Pomegranate Daily Herbal Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, Herbal Workable Hairspray, and Pure Hemp Ultra-Hydrating Healthy Herbal Hair Mask & Deep Conditioner) – $5.00-$13.50 [BUY]

Week 2 – April 15 – 21, 2018:

Yes To Towelettes – $1.50-$4.25 [BUY]
Real Techniques Sponges and Kits – $3.59-$11.99 [BUY]
EcoTools Sponges and Kits – $2.99-$8.99 [BUY]
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, Highlighter, and Blush (Vegan Options: All Butter Bronzer shades are vegan. All Butter Highlighter shades are vegan except for Pink. I cannot confirm if any Butter Blush shades are vegan) – $6.59-$8.99 [BUY]
Models Own Eyeshadow Palettes (Vegan Options: Barely There, Rockstar, Vintage Rose, Wonderland, Supernatural, and Colour Chrome) – $7.50 [BUY]
Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation – $3.59 [BUY]
Winky Lux Glimmer Balms – $7.00-$8.00 [BUY]

*Please Note: I have done my best to provide an accurate and complete list of all the vegan products available during the sale. If I could not confirm that a product is vegan, I did not put it on this list. If you have any questions or further information, kindly leave me a comment.

Will you be purchasing any products from the Spring Haul Sale? Let me know in the comments!

Follow me on Instagram HERE for daily vegan content!

What’s on My Sephora Loves List?! | My Current Beauty Wish List (Vegan and Cruelty Free)

Posted on March 19, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I recently saw a YouTube video from JAMBeauty89 in which she discussed the products on her Sephora Loves List. I thought this was a really fun idea, and wanted to share what is currently on my own Beauty Wish List with all of you! I love perusing the Sephora website, but it is rare that I actually make a purchase. Instead, I add products I’m interested in to my Loves List on the website so that I can easily find them again at a later date. I have ten products on my Loves List right now, some I may purchase in the future, and others that I may take off the list at some point. Let me show you the vegan and cruelty free beauty products on my wish list right now!

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

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Berry Adore | $30.00 [BUY]

I’ve been on the hunt for a purple, berry-toned blush for a while now. I think this trio from Anastasia contains the perfect shade, but I’m hesitant to buy it because of the price, and because I only want one of the blushes in the trio. I might pick this up once the fall months roll around, but I’m currently still looking for a more affordable option of this purple shade.

Cover FX Power Play Foundation | $44.00 [BUY]

Cover FX just released this new line of vegan foundations, and I’m definitely curious to try it. In addition to buying vegan cosmetics, I’m also trying to be aware of supporting brands that cater to a wide variety of skin tones. I love that this line offers 40 different shades, including a variety of shades for those with deep skin tones. Of course, I love that this foundation is formulated to be matte and long-wearing, too.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick | $46.00 [BUY]

I was really disappointed when e.l.f. discontinued its foundation stick, and I’ve been looking for another option these past few months. This one from Hourglass has amazing reviews, but I cannot get over the price tag! I don’t think I could ever spend so much on a stick foundation, but I keep it on my list just in case it ever goes on sale.

IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub | $36.00 [BUY]

I recently used up a deluxe sample of this scalp scrub from IGK, and I really enjoyed it. Because I have a flaky scalp, using a scrub helps to remove dry skin and excess product while providing a soothing cooling sensation. I use the IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm every time I wash my hair, so I’m a huge believer in this brand’s effectiveness. I am looking for a more affordable scalp scrub, but I do see myself grabbing this one in the future.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer | $49.00 [BUY]

Sephora now has a section on its website for Value Size products (shop HERE), and I saw one of my all-time favorite primers listed there from Smashbox. While $49.00 is a lot to spend at once, this jumbo size is a great value, and it’s also better for the environment to buy larger sizes and use less plastic. I currently have a few primers in my beauty stash, but I will probably purchase this one during a Sephora coupon event to get even more savings.

Smashbox Super Fan Mascara | $19.00 [BUY]

I typically do not buy high end mascaras, but Smashbox just released the Super Fan Mascara, and it looks amazing! I really like rubber mascara wands, and this mascara is designed to give long lashes without any clumps. I’m hoping Sephora will offer a mini size as a Point Perk sometime soon, because I would really like to try this mascara without spending nearly $20.00!

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask | $48.00 [BUY]

This face mask is taking over Instagram, and it has definitely piqued my interest. The Jet Lag Mask is a hydrating mask, inspired by how airplane travel dries out the skin. What’s really cool about this mask is that it can be worn in a variety of ways. I’m definitely hesitant to buy this mask because of the price tag, but the hype surrounding this product is so strong that I want to keep it on my wish list!

The Ordinary High -Adherence Silicone Primer | $4.90 [BUY]

I’m very curious to try out some products from the ultra-affordable brand The Ordinary. I’m not sure where to start with a lot of the skincare products, but this primer sounds amazing to me. Whenever Sephora restocks The Ordinary, the products seem to sell out instantly. That leads me to believe it is worth the hype! Plus, who can resist trying a mattifying and blurring primer that is under $5.00?

Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation | $36.00 [BUY]

I had no intention of picking up anything from the Too Faced Peaches and Cream Collection, but I keep hearing glowing reviews of this foundation from YouTubers I trust (namely Kelly Gooch and Love Heatherette). This foundation is supposed to provide medium coverage that stays matte all day. While it is on the expensive side, you do get 1.6 fl. oz. of product, as opposed to the standard 1 fl. oz. that comes with most foundations. I hope to pick this up once I’ve used the other foundations in my collection!

Verb Hydrating Mask | $16.00 [BUY]

My hair is very dry, and I want to start using more hydrating products on it. This mask sounds great, as it is formulated to be weightless and suitable for all hair types. I haven’t heard anyone talk about this product yet, but the price seems very fair, so I might pick it up soon.

That wraps up all of the current products on my Sephora Loves List! I would love to hear from you in the comments – have you tried these products? Do you recommend them? Please let me know! I think sharing our wish lists is not only a lot of fun, but it can be very helpful as well. If you would like to know what is on my Ulta Favorites list, let me know in a comment! I would be happy to share those products as well.

What is on your Sephora Loves List? Let me know in the comments!

Shop this blog post with ShopStyle! Click the photo below to see all of the products.

Beauty Empties | Spring 2017

Posted on July 10, 2017July 8, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you mini reviews of all the beauty products I used up this spring. For the past year or so, I’ve focused on using a smaller beauty collection, and only opening one product of each type at a time. I do have a numerical goal of emptying 120 products this year, but so long as I reduce my spending and focus on simplifying my beauty stash I will consider that a success! Let me show you all of the products I used up in April, May, and June of 2017.

Want to see what I used up this winter? Check out THIS blog post!

MAKEUP SAMPLES

One thing I’ve been doing to use up my beauty stash is to always use a sample first. I used to save samples for travel or for another special occasion, and they would pile up and expire before I could use them. Focusing on them as soon as I get them ensures I put them to use!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked this primer, and it seemed to work well for me. I got a couple uses out of this sample packet, but I would be open to trying it more in the future. I do like how light it is on the skin!
Would I Buy it Again? I would like to try more before I buy the full size.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation [BUY]

Mini Review: I got four samples of this foundation with a Too Faced order, and I enjoyed trying them even though they are all different shades. I ended up deciding the shade Snow is closest to my natural skin tone, but it’s not a perfect match. That being said, I loved this foundation! It reminds me of Kat Von D’s Lock-it, but a bit lighter in coverage.
Would I Buy it Again? I would if Too Faced released a better shade for me.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]

Mini Review: I‘ve loved Smashbox primers for years now, and recently discovered they are vegan! You can check out the full list of vegan Smashbox products HERE if you’re interested. This is a great primer, but I do prefer the Light version, which is more mattifying. Nonetheless, I love this primer as it smooths out my skin and helps conceal enlarged pores.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! However, I would buy the Light version over this one.

MAKEUP

e.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara [BUY]

Mini Review: This is the second e.l.f. mascara I’ve tried, and it is the second to disappoint me. When I opened this mascara, I knew right away it was going to be bad – barely any product came off the brush! I would describe this as better than wearing no mascara, but that’s about it. Plus, this mascara dried up extremely quickly. It may only be a few dollars, but it was a wasted few dollars.
Would I Buy it Again? No!

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear CC Cream [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely loved this CC Cream! It has amazing coverage, lasts throughout the day, and provides moisturization to the skin without being too oily. Unfortunately, this product is not vegan, so I won’t be purchasing it again. I am now on the hunt for another BB or CC cream.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

Mini Review: I made sure to use up my travel size of setting spray before it expired. This is a holy grail product for me! I will also keep this container so I can wash it out and reuse it for future travel. It is much more cost effective to decant the bigger size than to repurchase a travel size.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using a full size bottle.

e.l.f. Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this setting powder to replace my Rimmel Stay Matte, and while it isn’t as good as that powder, it still gets the job done. I love how cost effective this powder is, but I do wish there was less packaging involved. I am going to reuse this compact because it has a nice size mirror inside!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another compact.

SKINCARE

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY]

Mini Review: You all know by now that I love these makeup remover wipes! I repurchase them because the price point is great, and I love how they work. I am going to try to cut down on how I often I use these wipes, since I’m cutting down on disposable products in general. However, these are great for removing makeup and cooling the skin.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost [BUY]

Mini Review: It took me forever to use up this product! I originally purchase it because I thought it was a serum, but this is more of a primer that you use after moisturizer and before makeup. I did like this product, but I was very glad to empty it because it had been in my collection a bit too long.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub [BUY]

Mini Review: I found this scrub at Target, and I really like it! The texture almost reminds me of sand, but it does a nice job at exfoliating the skin without being too harsh. I was ready to try out a new product as I finished this tube, but I’m still happy with how it performed.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe, but I do enjoy trying new scrubs.

Dollar Shave Club Daily Face Moisturizer (not pictured) [BUY]

Mini Review: I used up a small sample of moisturizer that I got with a Dollar Shave Club subscription. I apologize that it didn’t get pictured for some reason! I liked this moisturizer a lot, as it has SPF25 and smells amazing. It was a bit too heavy for my skin, but if you like deep hydration, this is a great option.
Would I Buy it Again? Perhaps in the winter months.

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant [BUY]

Mini Review: I finally finished up my non-vegan deodorant stash! I had purchased a pack of Dove deodorant at a box store because this was my go-to for years. This was the only deodorant from the drugstore that I really loved, but I’m now on the hunt for a good vegan option. Stay tuned to find out what my new holy grail will be!

HAIR CARE

CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

Mini Review: The one non-vegan product I continue to purchase is this medicated shampoo. I thankfully don’t need to use it as often in the summer months, but it gets the job done when I need it. No one likes an itchy and uncomfortable scalp!

ORAL CARE

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Flouride Toothpaste [BUY]

Mini Review: I really liked using this toothpaste! I thought the spearmint flavor would be a bit stronger based on the name, but there’s nothing I really dislike about the toothpaste.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another tube.

SPRING EMPTIES: 18

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 35

All in all, I am very happy with how many products I’ve used up even though I’m way behind on my goal of 120 empties. I’ve done a great job at using up samples, minimizing my collection, and not overbuying products. Plus, I’m at the point where I only have a few non-vegan products left to use up! Once they are all gone I plan on sharing a makeup and skincare collection so you can know what I’m currently using.

What products have you used up lately? Let me know in the comments!

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

Beauty Favorites | Spring 2017

Posted on May 29, 2017May 27, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you the beauty products I’ve been loving this spring. I’m slowly trying new-to-me products as I use up what I already own in my beauty stash, and it’s always nice to discover something great. While I’m still using many of the same makeup products, I’ve found some nice skincare and hair care goodies these past few months. Let’s jump right into my current beauty favorites!

MAKEUP

e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems [LINK]

The one makeup product in this post is the e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in the shade Blush Gems. I tried and loved the shade Moonlit Pearls last summer, and I decided to purchase Blush Gems so I could have a pink-toned highlighter in my collection. These highlighters are great because they can be applied in two ways – with a dry brush for a light illumination, or a wet brush for a more intense highlight. I’ve been applying Blush Gems with a damp Beauty Blender and absolutely loving the result! Plus, I find the pink tone to be perfect for the spring season.

SKINCARE

Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleansing Face Wash [LINK]

My skincare favorite this season is a cleanser from the brand Pacifica. I keep the Kale Detox in my shower, and I really like using it with my FOREO Luna to get an even deeper clean. This cleanser has a calming scent that is quite fresh and earthy. I also feel like my skin is a lot softer after each use. This is the first skincare product I’ve tried from Pacifica, and it definitely won’t be my last!

BODY CARE

Sun Bum SPF 50 Original Spray Sunscreen [LINK]

I was on the hunt for a vegan sunscreen this year, and discovered the Sun Bum brand on a whim! What prompted me to purchase this sunscreen is that it is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and also dermatologist tested. I also love it when sunscreen comes in a spray variety, as it makes it much easier to apply and encourages me to take the time to use sunscreen. I’ve worn this product a few times so far, and it appears to be working as I haven’t been burnt! If you are looking to buy Sun Bum, I found mine at my local Target.

HAIR CARE

Tarte Hair Goals Dry Shampoo [LINK]

Tarte recently released some new vegan products, and I wanted to try the dry shampoo and deodorant in particular, but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. Luckily, Sephora has a value pack called the No Shower Happy Hour Kit (LINK) that included sample sizes of some of these products. I am so far really happy with the Hair Goals Dry Shampoo. Not only does it zap the oil out of my hair and not leave a white cast, but it smells amazing! I’m not sure what the fragrance is, but it lasts all day and really smells great. While the full size is $19, if you are looking to splurge this is a nice product to try.

IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm [LINK]

My last favorite is another hair care product, and that is a hair balm from the brand IGK. I got a deluxe a sample of Mistress in my last Sephora order using my Beauty Insider points, and I’m really enjoying it! This hair balm is designed to boost hydration, detangle, and smooth the hair. I’m really amazed that this product does not weigh down my fine hair, nor does it make it appear oily. My hair is always a bit shinier after using this product! I’m not sure that I would purchase the full size, as it is $27, but once I use up the sample I will report back in an empties post.

That wraps up my beauty favorites for this spring! I hope you enjoyed seeing the products I’m loving at the moment. As always, I would love to know your current favorites, and your thoughts on the products I showed today if you’ve used them in the past. I’m excited to see what new products I will discover now as summer begins!

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

Beauty Empties | Winter 2017

Posted on April 5, 2017April 3, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the products I used up in the first three months of 2017. Last year I began the #365DaysofEmpties project, and this year I am continuing to focus on using the products in my collection before purchasing anything new. While I do have a goal to empty 120 products in 2017, my true objective is to own less products and spend less money. I’ll be sharing mini reviews of each product I use up with you every season! Let’s jump into all of the beauty products I’ve emptied so far this year.

If you are new to my blog, I wanted to quickly share with you a bit more about me and how that relates to my beauty stash. I went vegan this past June, and although I immediately changed my diet, I decided to use up many of the non-vegan products I owned so as to not waste them. Thus, although my empties posts do contain non-vegan products, I only purchase vegan items now. I will share mini-reviews on the non-vegan products, but won’t mention if I will repurchase them, and instead mark each one with an asterisk.

MAKEUP

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

Mini Review: This makeup setting spray is one of my holy grail beauty products. It truly makes a huge difference in how my makeup wears throughout the day, and I continue to buy it despite the high price. I love that it controls my oily skin, and if I ever forget to wear it I can tell.
Repurchase? Yes!

*Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [BUY]

Mini Review: I finally finished up my last Rimmel Stay Matte powder. I am sad to see this go, as this was my favorite setting powder. However, I’m currently using an option from e.l.f. that is getting the job done.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper [BUY]

Mini Review: I really liked using this sample of eyeliner from Kat Von D. I found it to be very pigmented, and it has a nice brush applicator. I don’t wear eyeliner often, so I can’t say if it is better than other brands.
Repurchase? Maybe. I would prefer to buy an affordable eyeliner to keep in my stash for the few times a year I do wear it.

SKINCARE

*Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this eye cream in a subscription box, and I found it to be just okay. I’ve never found an eye cream that I really love, and this one falls into that same category of being fine but not bringing me any results.

*Fresh Soy Face Cleanser [BUY]

Mini Review: I really enjoyed the way this cleanser made my skin feel after use, which was soft and very clean. However, it smelled really weird. This was a nice cleanser to use up, but the smell definitely put me off a bit.

*Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser [BUY]

Mini Review: I really loved this cleanser when I first started using it, but I definitely got sick of it towards the end. This cleanser feels really nice, but sometimes the texture was too thick and high maintenance for me. It smells amazing, though!

*The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer

Mini Review: This moisturizer was great for my skin! It was definitely the perfect weight for my skin, which gets oily very easily. This product is not available for purchase any longer, but it was a nice option at the time.

Yes to Blueberries Intensive Skin Repair Serum [BUY]

Mini Review: I have very mixed thoughts about this serum. When I first used it, my skin broke out like crazy, so I stopped using it for a while. Once I picked it back up, my skin really enjoyed it! My only real issue is that my foundation didn’t cooperate well with this serum.
Repurchase? Probably not. I’m sure there are better options!

Yes to Cucumber Facial Wipes [BUY]

Mini Review: These are now my go to makeup remover wipes! I regularly buy them, and look for them during sale events. I find they do a great job at removing all my makeup without being too harsh. The cucumber is also very refreshing.
Repurchase? Yes!

HAIR CARE

*Living Proof No Frizz Styling Spray [BUY]

Mini Review: A friend gave me this product a couple years ago, and I finally finished it! This is one of the best anti-frizz sprays I’ve ever used. My hair always came out nice and sleek when I used this product, but it also didn’t get weighed down or oily. The only drawback would be the chemically smell.

*CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

Mini Review: Unfortunately, this is the one non-vegan product I continue to buy because I need it for medical reasons. You’ve probably heard me talk about how I have a very sensitive scalp. This is especially true in the winter months when the atmosphere is much drier. This is the only shampoo I’ve tried that I can count on to clear up the itchiness and patchy scales. If I don’t use it, my scalp will feel irritated all day long. Not fun!

*Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask [BUY]

Mini Review: I used this mask as my regular conditioner by only applying it from the ear down and letting it sit for about a minute. This was a nice product, but I used it every now and then because it is very heavy for my fine hair. If you have dry and thick hair, this might be a great choice!

BODY CARE

*Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Shower Gel

Mini Review: I got this shower gel for free during the Christmas 2015 season. I only used it in the winter, so that’s why it took me so long to use the whole bottle! I’m glad I’m all done with my Bath & Body Works stash now. These shower gels are just too drying!

*The Body Shop Aloe Body Butter [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this lotion because it was the only unscented option from The Body Shop at the time. This was definitely a great body butter, and it is perfect for someone who is sensitive to smells. I am glad to use this up, though, because it is too thick to use in the upcoming summer months for me.

*Dove Advanced Care Deodorant [BUY]

Mini Review: This Dove deodorant has been my go to for a few years now, and I bought a pack at a box store to save money. I’m nearly through that pack, and will then be moving on to a natural option that is also vegan. I’ve heard that these mainstream deodorants are really bad for our bodies, but I haven’t done accurate research to know all the science behind this claim. It is a shame because this deodorant works really well!

ORAL CARE

*Colgate Total Advanced Fresh + Whitening [BUY]

Mini Review: I’m beyond excited that I’ve used up the last non-vegan oral care item in my beauty stash. This toothpaste was nice, but I don’t feel like it did anything to whiten my teeth. The only reason I bought this one in particular was because I had a coupon and it was on sale at the time.

WINTER EMPTIES: 17

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 17

All in all, while I am behind in my goal of reaching 120 empty products this year, I’m so happy to be using products in my stash and clearing out a lot of old products. I’m especially glad to be using many new skincare products, but it’s overall a great feeling to empty my cupboards and purchase just the vegan products I really need. Let me know if you are interested in a blog post about backup products and stock piles. My views have really changed in the past few years!

What products have you used up recently? Let me know in a comment!

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Beauty Favorites | Winter 2017

Posted on February 28, 2017February 23, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! As February comes to a close, I want to share the beauty products I’ve been loving all winter long. I’m slowly trying out new products again after working through a lot of the things I already had in my beauty stash. I’ve really enjoyed buying less products and focusing on what’s in my collection, but it’s always nice to try something new, too. Let me share the beauty products I’ve been favoriting the past few months!

MAKEUP

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Royal [BUY]

I received the Tarte Sculpted Cheeks set for Christmas, and I am in love with the blush Royal. I didn’t think this shade would work with my fair skin, as it is a mauve shade that looks almost brown. However, Royal turns out to be the perfect, natural-looking color for my skin. I wear it almost every day! It applies beautifully with the ELF Angled Blush Brush, and I love its smooth formula. I highly recommend purchasing this limited edition blush set before it’s sold out!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara [BUY]

Another product from Tarte that I’ve really enjoyed lately is the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. I don’t usually buy high end mascaras, but I was frustrated with the vegan mascara options from the drugstore, so I splurged during a Sephora sale. While Lights, Camera, Lashes is not the best mascara I’ve ever tried, it does do a great job at giving me full lashes. I love a lot of length and volume, but I also like a drier formula. Lights, Camera, Lashes, is a bit wetter and heavier than I would like, but it’s still a great option. I’m going to try out more drugstore options next, but if you can afford this higher end mascara, it is worth it!

ELF Beautifully Bare Satin Lipstick in Touch of Pink [BUY]

I recently purchased one of ELF’s new lipsticks from the Beautifully Bare line in the shade Touch of Pink, and I’m really loving it! This lipstick is extremely comfortable to wear, and is a “my lips but better” shade for me. It smells like vanilla cake as well, which is a bonus. I think I’m going to try other lipsticks from this line, because the formula is great. You can’t beat the $5.00 price tag, either!

SKINCARE

Derma E generously provided me with some of their new products, and so far I’ve tried the Hydrating Serum. This serum contains hyaluronic acid, which always works well with my skin type. I also have great luck with hydrating serums in general because my skin gets too oily if I put on too much moisturizer, so if I can get away with just a serum that is awesome. The Derma E serum is lightly fragranced, but that goes away once the product settled into the skin. I love how firmed and smooth my skin feels after each use.

HAIR CARE

Acure Hydrating Conditioner [BUY]

I was on the hunt for a new shampoo and conditioner system to have when guests were visiting during the holidays, and found the Acure line at Target. I am obsessing over the Hydrating Conditioner! It contains Moroccan argan stem cell oil and argan oil to provide moisture to dry and damaged hair. Not only does this conditioner smell absolutely amazing, but it is bringing my hair back to life. It is so soft and it looks shiny without being greasy. I highly recommend trying out the Acure brand at Target. It is an affordable price range, and I’m going to continue to try products from the line in the future.

That wraps up my beauty favorites for this winter! I would love to know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products and what you think of them. Also let me know what your current favorites are! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your winter, and that you have a great start to spring.

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.

October & November Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on November 30, 2016November 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have my October and November beauty empties to share with you. I didn’t have the opportunity to post October’s empties at the end of last month, so I’ve lumped them together with November’s. I haven’t used up too many products these past couple of months, which makes me a bit nervous about finishing my #365DaysofEmpties goal for this year. Let me share my mini reviews of the products I’ve finished, and share my plans on the #365DaysofEmpties project for the rest of the year.

SKINCARE

Avalon Organics Intense Defense Detoxifying Towelettes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Reivew: I found this pack of cleansing wipes at TJ Maxx and decided to pick them up because I love trying different varieties of makeup remover towelettes. These wipes were okay, but I was very happy to see the pack come to an end. I didn’t like the texture of the towelettes or the smell of the wipes. However, it’s great that they are biodegradable and vegan.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: I went back to one of my all-time favorite makeup wipes this month, and I’m so glad I did. The Yes to Cucumbers wipes are soothing, gentle, and remove all my makeup. I think these are going to be my go to brand for a while now.
Would I Buy it Again? I already did!

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: This exfoliator was a big disappointment for me. It smelled funny, and it didn’t remove my dead skin cells. However, I do feel like it helped keep my pores clean. Thus, if you are looking for a really gentle face scrub this might be a good option for you.

HAIR CARE

Batiste Dry Shampoo Original [BUY] – 1 can

Mini Review: It is safe to say that Batiste Dry Shampoo is the best option I’ve found from the drugstore. It leaves my hair feeling fresh and clean, and I like the scent of the Original variety. It can leave a bit of a powdery look to my brunette hair, but it blends out quite well.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Davines Love Conditioner [BUY] – 1 sample

Mini Review: I really enjoyed this sample of conditioner from the brand Davines. I got about 3-4 uses out of this one packet, and my hair looked so nice and shiny whenever I used it. The smell is a bit strong and fragranced, but I otherwise love the product.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes.

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel – 1 bottle

Mini Review: I finished up this bottle of shower gel that I began last fall, and I’m glad I used it all. This product smells amazing, but it is quite drying. Bath and Body Works products have a lot of chemicals in them, and once I use up all of the items I have in my stash I won’t be shopping from them anymore.

Dove Powder 24h Invisible Solid [BUY] – 1 tube

Mini Review: Dove is the only brand of deodorant that works for me consistently. I purchased a nice supply of Dove deodorants and am still working my way through them. This one smells nice and fresh, and I do recommend it. That being said, I am going to try and find a more natural option to use once I run out of Dove.

BRUSH CLEANER

BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Liquid [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: I’ve been trying to clean my BeautyBlender between each use, and my cleanser of choice is the liquid BlenderCleanser. I like this liquid form much more than the solid. It gets my BeautyBlender really clean, and it is easy to use with a pump top.
Would I Buy it Again? I already did!

ORAL CARE

GUM Comfort Slide Flossers [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: If you are trying to get into the habit of flossing daily, I highly recommend starting with flossers. It makes flossing really easy, and it definitely helped me floss regularly. I finished up this pack, and now I’ve moved on to more traditional floss, which is cheaper.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER EMPTIES: 9

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 84

Unfortunately, I am behind in my goal of reaching 100 empties this year. I will need to use up 16 products in the month of December if I want to be successful, and that is a lot! I realize I might not get to 100, but I am going to try to only use the products I currently have open, and if I need to start new ones, to grab sample sizes first. Nonetheless, I’m glad I’ve been keeping track of all my empties this year to see how many products I use up each month. It helps keep my shopping in check for sure!

What products did you use up recently? Let me know in a comment!

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

Disappointing Beauty Products | Fall 2016

Posted on November 21, 2016November 19, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I want to share with you some beauty products that disappointed me this fall. While it’s fun to share my favorite things with you every month, I think it’s also really helpful to share the products that didn’t quite work for me. As always, it’s worth mentioning that while I don’t like these products, that doesn’t mean they won’t work for you! We all have different skin types, hair textures, and product preferences, so I will do my best to point out when I think a product’s qualities will be effective for someone other than myself. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the disappointing beauty products!

HAIR

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter [BUY]

First up is a hair butter I purchased from The Body Shop. My hair type is really strange, and it’s difficult to find products that work for me. My scalp and hair are dry, but my hair also gets oily really easily. I thought the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter would help to keep my hair moisturized, but unfortunately it is way too heavy for my thin hair. I experimented with this product, sometimes leaving it on for two minutes and others leaving it on for the suggested five. No matter what, my hair was always left with a really weird feeling that I didn’t like. Unless you have really, really dry hair, I’m not sure this product is worth the hefty price tag.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

My hunt for the perfect drugstore dry shampoo continues. This one from Not Your Mother’s really baffles me! I used a travel size one during my trip to Los Angeles, and I really enjoyed it, so I bought the full size when I got home. For some reason, it doesn’t work for me at all anymore! Clean Freak is supposed to instantly absorb excess oils, leave no residue, and give fresh volume to the hair. What I do like is that there is no white residue left on my hair when I use this product. Unfortunately, that is the only good thing about it! It doesn’t absorb oils, and instead it weighs down my hair and makes it look worse than it did in the first place. Basically, I feel like this dry shampoo does absolutely nothing for me.

SKINCARE

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY]

Next up is a facial exfoliant that I also feel is quite ineffective. When I buy a face scrub, I want it to clean my pores and remove dead skin cells from my face. At first, I really liked this Seaweed exfoliator. It leaves my face feeling really clean and soft. However, I noticed that it does not remove the dead skin cells on my face at all! I still have a lot of dry patches when I use this product. Plus, it smells really weird. I’ll probably use up this bottle, but I will not be repurchasing it. I do recommend this if you want a really gentle scrub.

MAKEUP

Milani EasyBrow Automatic Pencil [BUY]

I am always on the hunt for my perfect brow product, and unfortunately the Milani EasyBrow is not the one! I was drawn to purchase this because of the spoolie brush on the end (I’m a sucker for any brow product that includes a spoolie). While I do really enjoy the color match and staying power of this pencil, my issue is that I cannot get a precise line with it. The formula is very waxy and the pencil is soft, so getting a nicely shaped brow is difficult for me. My brows are very sparse, and I need to fill them in a lot to get my desired look. Thus, if you only need a bit of added definition, this product may work well for you.

ELF HD Lifting Concealer in Adjusting [BUY]

I’ve had my ups and downs with this color-correcting concealer from ELF. This was my first foray into color-correcting, so at first I thought this product was amazing. However, the more I use this concealer, the more I see its flaws. I purchased it to help cover the redness in my skin, but I find my skin absorbs the green pigmentation and the redness still shows through my final foundation routine. I’m glad I tested out this product, but I’m not happy with the results.

ELF Smudge Pot in Ain’t That Sweet [BUY]

I got this cream eyeshadow as a free gift with my last ELF purchase. I knew this particular shadow wouldn’t be a favorite of mine because it is a pink glittery shade, but I was excited to see what the formula was like. I’m sad to report that the formula is not well done. Not only is the shadow extremely sheer, but it gathers and clumps when I attempt to apply it. The shadow also flakes off and contains some chunky glitter. This is just not a product I can recommend to anyone!

ELF Volumizing & Defining Mascara in Jet Black [BUY]

Last but not least is my biggest disappointment of the bunch. I has such high hopes for this mascara from ELF, but it let me down. This mascara is very thick and heavy, and leaves my lashes really crispy. The worst thing, though, is this mascara gives me the uni-lash! In other words, my lashes all stick together in one bunch. That is just not okay with me. I tried to make it through the three month time period for this mascara, but I can’t do it. I’m happy to toss this now!

That wraps up all of my beauty product disappointments for the fall 2016 season. I hope you found this helpful if you were curious about any of these products. As I mentioned at the beginning, just because I don’t like these products doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial for someone else. I still love shopping from all of these brands, but sometimes there are a few duds. Here’s to discovering the next awesome beauty product!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know how they worked for you!

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