July/August 2016 Empties: Hits & Misses

Purchased by Me | Press Sample | Affiliate Links

I haven't forgotten about your requests for me to continue with empties posts! I just didn't have a lot that I finished in July, so I decided to save everything up and combine all of my finished products into a July/August Empties post. So let's get started!

Tone Blissful Awakening Caffeine & Vanilla Bliss Body Wash - $2.92 at Walmart, 18 oz. 
(Also, this often goes on sale for BOGOFREE in-store at Walgreens.)

You know I fell in love with this body wash back when I reviewed it for you in May, and my love is still just as strong today! As I mentioned in my original review, this body wash smells like Christmastime at Starbucks to me (fresh-brewed coffee, vanilla lattes and gingerbread lattes). I've also noticed that, over time, this body wash is a lot more moisturizing and kind to my skin than I indicated in my initial review. My skin just feels softer when I use this body wash, which is a total plus. Will definitely repurchase.

PS: if you love the Dove Body Wash in Pistachio Cream with Magnolia, YOU NEED TO TRY TONE BLISSFUL AWAKENINGS. Reader Cassie Quint commented here on the blog and said she thought the Tone body wash reminded her of the Dove body wash, and after she mentioned that I completely picked up on what she was talking about. They're not identical, but I think that if you love the Dove body wash, you will definitely love this one, too. It has that same sweet/nutty note to it. Great call, Cassie!

Cremo Cream - around $7 at Amazon, 6 oz.
(Also available in-store and online at Target.)

Another month, another tube of Cremo Cream! This is a repurchase for me and I will continue to repurchase. As I've mentioned many times before, I LOVE this stuff for my legs, underarms, everywhere! I've tried a zillion shaving creams and foams and this stuff just gives me the closest, smoothest shave and it is SO nice to my skin. I'm never left feeling dry or irritated when I use this product. Will definitely repurchase again and again. It's amazing and I have my entire family hooked on it.

Nivea Men's Sensitive Post Shave Balm - $6.49 at Ulta, 3.3 oz.
(Also available at just about every drugstore, supermarket and big box retailer.)

Speaking of shaving products, I reviewed this back in January for use as makeup primer (you can see my review here) and if you read that review, you know that it did not work for me. I know it works as face primer for MANY of you, but it just didn't work for me and my oily skin. But never one to let a product go to waste, I continued to use this on my legs and bikini area after shaving and it works pretty well for keeping ingrowns at bay. I won't repurchase though, because I just have other things I'd rather use after shaving.

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash - $4.74 at Walmart, 5 oz
(Also available at just about every drugstore, supermarket and big box retailer.)

This is the only product in this blog post that I did not purchase with my own money. I received this product for review a while back and sadly, I didn't get around to reviewing it. But I wanted to mention it here since I finally finished it (I have a ton of facial cleansers so it takes me a while to finish anything). This cleanser is fragrance-free and it has a thick and creamy, almost gel-like consistency. It takes a little effort to work up a lather, but if you keep mixing it in your wet hands it will definitely lather. I really enjoyed this cleanser because it was gentle on my skin (no breakouts or irritation) yet it managed to cleanse my skin very well and it removed all of my makeup without drying my skin. I think it's a solid choice if you're in the market for a new fragrance-free cleanser. I can certainly see myself purchasing in the future when I'm running low on cleansers and need something reliable from the drugstore.

Glossier Priming Moisturizer - $25, 1.7 oz.
(Glossier is offering free shipping on all orders today only, 8/30, no code required)

I reviewed this moisturizer back in January (you can see my review here) and this is actually my second tube that I've purchased. I really like this stuff because it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles when it comes to skincare (no SPF, retinol, Vitamin C, etc.) but it does contain Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, and some other nice ingredients. Because it's a fairly simple formulation, I find that it plays quite nicely with any serums and sunscreens I use underneath it. It leaves my skin feeling very soft without adding any heavy oiliness or grease to my skin. I also sometimes use it at night when I'm using heavy-duty serums and again, I really like it because it plays nicely with my other skincare products. I will repurchase.

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer - $27, 0.35 oz.
(The above link is to Ulta but it's also available at Nordstrom and Macy's with free shipping)

I FINALLY finished it! If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you might recall that I bought this a loooong time ago when Clinique was having one of their spend-$30-get-a-zillion-deluxe-samples deals, and every now and again I mention that I still haven't hit pan on it despite the fact that I have been using it pretty consistently. In other words, this lasted me A LONG TIME and now I can finally give you my verdict.

I love this stuff, but I can only use it in very specific ways. When I first bought it, I was wearing it as foundation and applying with the sponge applicator that comes in the compact. Well that was a big mistake because it caked up badly on my skin, and it settled into all of my pores and fine lines and it actually made my oily skin look dry. Over the months that I've owed this product, I have experimented in a variety of ways and now I only use it as a setting powder, applied with a fluffy blush or my beautyblender. I particularly like using it as a setting powder over sheer foundations and BB/CC creams because it has fantastic coverage. Also, when it sets, it doesn't move. I mean, even in hot weather, this stuff is pretty amazing. But I do not wear it under my eyes, because I find that it has a tendency to make my under-eye area look cakey, especially when it interacts with my concealers. But for the rest of my face, I love this stuff as setting powder and highly recommend if you're looking for a powder with great coverage and staying power. I will certainly repurchase the next time there's a nice Clinique deal going on, because you certainly get your money's worth this product. It lasts forever!

Old Spice Fresher Collection Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant in Amber - $3.79 at Walmart, 2.6 oz.
(Also available at just about every drugstore, supermarket and big box retailer.)

You know I love using men's deodorants, especially in the summertime when I need that extra boost of protection. In my April Empties post, I included the scent Timber (love the mint note in that one) and I also really love Amber. I basically alternate between Timber, Amber, and Citron and you can find at least one of those in my bathroom at any given time. What I particularly love about Amber is that the amber note is so rich and warm, and there's a sweetness to it as well. It actually is the perfect deodorant for fall, which means I better get myself another stick (soon). Will repurchase again and again.

That's it for my July/August empties! If you have used any of the products featured in this post, you know I would love to hear from you. How did they work for YOU?