May 2016 Empties: Hits and Misses

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Due to your feedback (thank you!), I am trying really hard to post my empties every month. They may go up a little late (we're almost through June and here I am showing you my May empties!) but I WILL try to post these every single month. I don't think I have received such positive feedback about any other series I have ever done on my blog, so thank you so much for letting me know that you like these posts! (If you would like to see my previous two Empties posts, you can click my Empties tag HERE.)

I finished some deluxe samples as well as some full-size products in May, so here are my thoughts about everything pictured above:

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara - $21, 0.24 oz.
I'm a drugstore mascara girl, but I couldn't resist trying this one when Ulta was doing their 21 Days of Beauty and had it on sale for $10. I know that a lot of you love this mascara, but I'm said to say that it was just "meh" for me. I loved that it didn't flake, run or smudge, even on my super oily skin. But I felt that the overall effect that this mascara provided was nothing spectacular, and certainly something I can achieve with various drugstore mascaras. I have thin, sparse, straight, short lashes, so I really need more volume and length than this mascara provides. I will not repurchase (even if it goes on sale for $10 again at Ulta).

Yes To Naturals Grapefruit & Basil Liquid Hand Soap - $3.99, 12 oz. (if you click that link, it's currently on sale at Target for $3.50, also in-store)
This is absolutely my new favorite hand soap for the kitchen. I am OBSESSED with this stuff. First, the fragrance! It is the perfect balance of fresh grapefruit and fresh basil--not too heavy on either one, but just perfect. It's the type of scent that just works so well for the kitchen, and I LOVE the formula. It comes out of the pump almost like a lotion, and it's not huge on lather but it does provide a modest amount of lather after you get it going with some water. But what I love is that it gets my hands so clean, without ever leaving them feeling dry or itchy. It also doesn't leave any film behind, which is great when you're using your hands in the kitchen. I'm telling you, I freaking adore this hand soap and I have already purchased a second bottle.

Boots No7 Youthful Eye Serum - $23, 0.5 oz. (if you click that link, it's currently on sale at Ulta for $20.39)
This has been my go-to eye cream for several months now, since a Boots beauty concierge at Target recommended it to me. I don't really use it as a serum though, because it does't have that standard "serum" texture. The texture is more like a regular eye cream, although it's lighter than a cream--it's more like a lotion. What I love about this stuff is that it's light, fragrance-free, absorbs quickly, and it doesn't cause my eye makeup to slip. It adds some nice hydration to my eye area, but it doesn't feel heavy or give me milia. I have used it as a serum a few times underneath another eye cream, but I prefer it on its own, for daytime use (I use a more heavy-duty eye cream at night). I will definitely repurchase.

Redken Beach Envy Volume Texturizing Shampoo and Conditioner - travel size freebies from Ulta
I'm guessing that many of you grabbed this freebie at Ulta a while back when I blogged about it (that's when I got it). If you didn't, it was actually a trio that also contained the Beach Envy Volume Wave Aid Spray. Well, I don't know about any of you other wavy/curly haired peeps out there, but I did not like any of these products. At all. The shampoo and conditioner were both very thin and watery in texture and provided me with zero moisture. In fact, my hair felt very dry and hay-like after using these products, and it took me extra time to brush out the tangles after my shower. I used them up, but I couldn't get through that Wave Aid Spray. After two uses I was DONE. That product left my curls so crunchy it gave me flashbacks to 1992. Will not repurchase any of these products.

Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Hand Cream - deluxe sample 
I know what you're thinking. ANOTHER hand cream, G.? And yes, I know I'm obsessed with hand creams but I actually got this one as part of a value set that was on sale over the holidays, so it doesn't count, right?? ANYWAY, I actually really love this one, and I wish I didn't because the full-size tube is $22 (ouch). The good news is that a little goes a looong way with this stuff, and it took quite a while to get through this deluxe sample. If you use too much it will get greasy, so it's nice that you only need a pea-size amount for both hands. This stuff feels like liquid silk on my skin, and it keeps my hands soft and silky for hours. It is so luxurious, and I love that it has that signature Origins fragrance (a soft yet slightly spicy ginger note). If I can get a really good deal on this, I will absolutely repurchase.

L'Occitane Bonne Mere Honey Shower Gel $14; 10.1 oz.
I swear I didn't plan this but as of the time of this post (I don't know when this will end) L'Occitane is offering free shipping on ALL orders and this body wash is on sale for $9.50 (regularly $14). I bought this body wash under similar conditions a few months ago when I posted about another L'Occitane sale (I think I actually paid $8 at that time), and I have my finger on the trigger to repurchase as I type this. I adore this body wash because, in my opinion, it's the closest thing to a REAL honey scent that I have ever found in a body wash. I hate it when body washes say they're honey-scented but end up smelling like some plastic, floral-y interpretation of honey. This smells like actual honey to me and it's divine (plus the adorable cube packaging doesn't hurt). I do want to mention that it doesn't produce a huge lather (probably due to the amount of natural ingredients) but it's enough to get the job done. Plus, it's quite gentle on my skin and never leaves it feeling dry or tight. I would drink this stuff if I could.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara - deluxe sample
I got this in a previous Sephora Favorites set a while back and it took me a while to get through it because, frankly, I just don't care for it. If I were going to fork over good money for a Benefit mascara, I would buy They're Real over Roller Lash any day. The Roller Lash formula did nothing for my short, straight, thin, sparse lashes. They're Real, on the other hand, is the only mascara I have ever used that has made my mom say, "G., are you wearing false lashes today?" I kid you not that I actually replied to her, "No mom, THEY'RE REAL!" I will not repurchase Roller Lash (but I will totally purchase They're Real when a really good deal comes around. I used up the last of my deluxe samples a few months ago and I'm hoping a crazy deal comes around soon.)

Have you tried any of my May Empties? You know I would love to hear from you!