It's...July, so what better time to finally upload my May Empties and No-Buy Challenge update? ;) But really, I have some good, well recommended products in here you may want to take a look at, and some updates on my challenge!
No Buy Challenge Update
May was a strange month for my no-buy challenge because it was my birthday and birthdays make us do strange things. I didn't really have anything I NEEDED to buy this month, but I did receive some money from my mom to spend on fun things. So, spend money I did.
I had my eye on the Kat Von D 10th Anniversary Palette so I snapped that up, and I also took advantage of my birthday money to order one of the Summer FabFitFun boxes which contained a FOREO Luna Fofo as well as some Tarte makeup that would reach me mid-June. Just as a note, I bought the eyeshadow palette BEFORE Kat VOn D came out as anti-vax, and while I'm really conflicted on that, that's a whole other story.
When I looked back at what I accumulated this month vs what I actually finished in my empties, I found myself wondering if these purchases counted against my No Buy Challenge. But the thing is, I hadn't accounted for birthdays when I started, and I also have been doing this longer than I thought I would, so I figured I would let it slide for now... not realizing that my "whatever" mentality would eventually bit me in the butt in June! But more on that another day, here's to the empties!
May Empties
Alterna Caviar Repair Instant Recovery Shampoo I bought this shampoo after trying a sample of it awhile ago and it's probably one of my favourite salon-level hair products. Sephora often has the travel size versions of this set on sale so I try to nab them when I can and I have a few spares in my collection when I use them up. The formula is very gentle which is what I need with pink coloured hair, and it leaves my hair easy to manage and soft. Definitely will rebuy.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel I think I got this brow gel for free when I bought an Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder duo during a promotion at Sephora. I didn't really see much need for it, but I do like to use it to tame my brows from time to time, or to set my look on a particularly sweaty day. While it does have a nicer wand than the drug-store clear brow gels, I honestly don't see a difference between this and Essence's one for 3.99. It lasted QUITE a long time however.
L'Occitane Dry Skin Foot Cream - I hate that so many foot creams smell like menthol or mint, because the lavender scent on this foot cream immediately propels it to the top of my list. It's a thick, creamy foot cream (lol, creamy foot cream!) that actually seeps into the skin instead of just sitting on the surface. I like to wear it at night with socks on because I can always notice a difference the next morning. When I eventually work through a few more tubes I have from different brands, this is what I'm definitely going to splurge on.
Tarte Cosmetics Park Ave Princess Pan!
Tarte Park Ave Princess Waterproof Bronzer - I think this is literally the first bronzer I've ever used up. EVER! Because I have so many! But this Tarte one is a popular one for a reason. It allows for buildable coverage, adds a nice glow with a bit of shimmer, and is so easy to work with. I'm currently working through some other brands but if I ever need one again, or if you don't have a bronzer overload, I'd recommend this one highly!
Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer - Normally I wouldn't review a sample but I've had this moisturizer before and it's SO PERFECT for summer because it's so light, absorbs quickly and is easy to build a makeup look on. If I wasn't completely overloaded with moisturizer, I would definitely buy this again.
Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lovers G - I found this in the bottom of one of my perfume containers (I have so much perfume you guys) and I forgot how much I LOVED this scent! It's a summery coconut and jasmine scent that is sweet and idllyic but not sickly sweet or childlike. Definitely a fun summer fragrance.
Prada Candy Florale - Prada Candy is a guilty pleasure of mine, and I was wildly impressed that Prada Candy Florale is just as refreshing but with some different key notes. Florale has more of that lemon/floral scent with a musky base. Very fun.
May Tosses
Soft Lips Cube - This stuff reminds me of everything I hate about eos lip balms. It coats the lips but does nothing to actually moisturize or hydrate. Worst. I was using it as my office lip balm and I just CAN'T anymore.
Perfume Samples - Lancome Tresor - Grandma perfume, grandma perfume, grandma perfume! CK Sheer Beauty - Just like last month, another CK perfume I'm just not a fan of. It just doesn't smell great? I can't even explain it, it has a lot of notes I usually like but this combination just doesn't work for me. Lots of alcohol and over-ripe/rotten fruit. Versace Bright Crystal - I honestly don't know what to desribe this perfume as, becaues it just kept making me sneeze. No thanks!
And that's all for May! I have June coming right up, and there's quite a bit there that I finished during that time. Have you tried any of these? How's your perfume sample situation?
