Tree Hut Sea Sugar Body Scrubs

I've just finished another jar of Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub, and I am completely satisfied yet again! I've come to realize an effective body scrub can make all the difference when it comes to shaving.  Until about a year ago, I never used an exfoliator when shaving.  Body scrubs are beneficial because they help to smooth skin before shaving and exfoliate off any dead skin.  

After trying a few different brands, I quickly realized even drug store scrubs can be quite pricy (especially during the summer months when I'm shaving more often).  Originally I was using Shea Moisture but with the jar packed with excess oil rather than actual body scrub, and at $9.99 for a 12 oz. jar, that didn't last long.  Not long after, I discovered the Tree Hut line at my local Harmon Health and Beauty. 

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much since it was so low cost and I had never heard of the brand before.  Tree Hut scrubs retail for only $6.99 for 18 oz. and there are four scents available (Tropical Mango, Almond & Honey, Coconut Lime and Brazilian Nut).  Once I started using it, I was instantly hooked.  The jar wasn't filled with oil, and the scrub itself had a wonderful consistency that wasn't overly rough on my skin.  To top it all off, the scent was fabulous!  (My favorite is Tropical Mango.). It's so fresh, clean and fruity-smelling that people always ask what I'm wearing after my shower! 

Be sure to check out Tree Hut Scrubs if you haven't already!  They're available at the following retailers: Harmon, Target, Kmart, ULTA and WalMart. 

Or at the Tree Hut website: http://www.treehutshea.com/form/shea-sugar-body-scrubs/

Empties for December

Hello Everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! Here are my latest empties from December, enjoy! 

Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Tropical Mango

• Price: $5.99
• Contains: 18 oz. 
• This scrub is perfect for exfoliating my legs and underarms just before shaving and it smells exactly like fresh mangoes! 
• It isn't anywhere as oily and as most of the other scrubs I've tried.  (I hate when I buy an body scrub and half of the jar filled with oil.)  
• This is quite coarse, so if you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip out on this one.
• Bottom line: This is my favorite drug store body scrub and I love the scent!! 

Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Towelettes

• Price: $6.98 (double pack on clearance at Target)
• Contains: 25 wipes per pack
• These wipes were extremely dry and constantly found myself loosing eyelashes while trying to remove my eye makeup.  Overall, they were quite similar to the Yes to Cucumbers wipes (see my review here: http://shimmernsparkle26.blogspot.com/2013/12/empties-part-1_8.html).  
• Even worse, these wipes stung my eyes and irritated my eye lids.  I ended up having to rinse out the cloth with water before bringing it into contact with my eyes and used it with my Maybelline Clean Expresses Makeup Remover. 
• Bottom line: Absolutely NOT worth the hype or the irritation. 
  

Q-tips Precision Tips

• Price: $2.60
• Contains: 170 cotton swabs
• Honestly, I can't even remember why I picked these up but I found myself using them constantly! 
• The pointed tip was perfect if I went a little overboard while filling in my brows or painting my nails. 
• Most importantly these were wonderful for cleaning up mascara messes! If I ever got mascara onto my lid or under my eyes, I just waited for it to dry and then gently rubbed the leftover mascara with the q-tip until it flaked off.  
• Bottom line: For the variety of uses, and the price, it's a staple for my vanity! 

Aussie Sprunch Hairspray

• Price: $3.99
• Contains: 8.5 fl. oz. 
• I have been using this spray for years and gone through countless bottles!
• I use this whenever I scrunch my hair and it helps to give me some extra body and hold a more defined curl. (Occasionally I use it when my hair is straight to control fly-aways.)
• I generously apply the spray after towel-drying my hair and right before blow-drying.  This helps it to hold and define my natural curls and waves throughout the day. 
• Bottom line: This continues to be a favorite! 

Vaseline Aloe Fresh Body Lotion

• Price: $6.99
• Contains: 20.3 fl. oz. 
• This lotion manages to contains SPF 15 without having a heavy sunscreen scent or feeling slick or slimey on the skin. It has a nice, soft aloe smell. 
• This provided just the right amount of moisture for my skin without getting overly oily.
• I also love the pump top bottle; so convenient! 
• Bottom line: This may be my new favorite lotion! 

L'Oreal One Step Base Coat

• Price: $4.99
• Contains: .39 fl. oz. 
• This was the first base coat I have ever used and it instantly became a staple in my manicure routine!  
• This helps dark polishes come off with no trouble and leaves little to no staining on my nail beds. Although most base coasts claim to prolong the wear of nail polish, I haven't noticed it making much of a difference in that department.  
• It does have a blueish tint in the bottle, but it goes on totally clear. 
• Bottom line: This is a must-have, especially for only $4.99! 
  

Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Removal Wipes

• Price: $5.99
• Contains: 25 wipes
• The Elf Studio Wipes are my absolute favorite, and these are running a close second! 
• They are on the damp side and are extremely gentle and did not irritate my eyes at all. 
• They easily broke down and removed mascara.  So if you like the Clean Express Makeup Removal Solution, you'll love these!  
• Bottom line: Definitely would recommend and repurchase! 
  

A Few of My Favorite Things

While browsing through Instagram today I saw that @Wootmakeup (http://instagram.com/wootmakeup) tagged everyone to show their favorite products! I didn't want to have a huge caption on Instagram, so here it is! 

Everyday Eye Essentials

• Urban Decay Primer Potion (original formula) 
• Maybelline Color Tattoo - Inked in Pink
• NYC Liquid Eyeliner - Black
• Maybelline MegaPlush - Black
• Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes - Black
• CoverGirl Lash Perfection - Black

Favorite Shadows

• L'Oreal Infallible Shadow - Amber Rush
• NYX Nude Matte Shadow - Underneathe It All
• Rimmel Glam Eyes - Royal Linen
• Milani Single Shadow - Pearl
• Elf Baked Shadow - Bark
• Wet & Wild Trio - Walking on Eggshells
• Wet & Wild Trio - Silent Treatment

Face & Lips

• Milani Lipstick - Nude Creme
• Hard Candy Glamoflauge - Light
• Rimmel BB Cream - Light
• Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily - Natural Beige
• Wet & Wild Coverall Pressed Powder - Light/Medium
• Milani Baked Blush - Luminoso
• Milani Baked Blush - Berry Amore
• Wet & Wild Coloricon Bronzer - Reserve Your Cabana

Did any of your favorites make the list?? Leave a comment here or on my Instagram (@jerseygirl1226).  If you want to share your favorite products be sure to tag me! 

Empties Part 2

Part 2 of my Empties since I had so many! 

Maybelline Superstay Concealer (Light Clair)

• Price: $6.49
• Contains: .18 fl. oz. 
• I know this is a "superstay" concealer, but I was still surprised by how quickly it dried.  You definitely need to work in sections, otherwise it will completely set before blend it in! 
• I was very pleased with the coverage, which did a great job of covering the discoloration I have on my cheeks. 
• Unfortunately, I haven't found a color that matches my skintone. 
• Bottom line: It has great coverage, but since I can't find a color that matches me, I probably won't buy this again. 

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara 

• Price: $5.99
• I did not have any problems with flaking or smudging! 
• Unfortunately it couldn't be used on the lower lash line since the bristles were way too long. 
• Normally I'm a big fan of Maybelline mascaras, but this was definitely a letdown for me. 
• I usually pair it work Maybelline MegaPlush and while it did help to build up a little extra volume, it was nothing that impressive. 
• Bottom line: Go for the Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes instead! 

Sephora Age Defy Eye Cream 

• Price: Free sample from Sephora
• Contains: .06 fl oz. 
• Although I don't have any serious wrinkles around my eyes, I loved using this cream!  I could feel it tighten the skin and it was deeply moisturizing. 
• It was nice for days when my eye lids felt a bit dry, the cream would soak in and leave them soft and smooth. 
• Bottom line: If you have wrinkles or dry skin around the eyes, go for it!  

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

• Price: $14 (travel size) 
• Contains .51 fl. oz. 
• I have pretty oily skin which unfortunately makes my foundation tend to slip and slide a bit throughout the day.
• That being said, this setting spray is amazing!  I helps lock everything into place and it stays ALL.  DAY.  LONG. 
• Although it's a bit pricey, it totally lives up to its claims. 
• Bottom line: I have purchased the full size, but I'll probably go for the NYX setting spray next time. 

Have you tried any of these products?  Let me know! Xo

Empties Part 1!

I held off on doing empties for a bit, and of course now I have a huge pile!  So I'll be reviewing these in two posts.  Recently I've been trying out a lot of new makeup wipes, and unfortunately I haven't been too pleased.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! 

Olay Fresh Effects Refreshing Make-Up Removal Cloths

• Price: $5.99
• Contains: 20 cloths 
• I had some high expectations for this product since the Olay brand is a bit expensive for a drugstore line. 
• Unfortunately, I was sadly disappointed.  The cloths were pretty dry, which made it difficult to remove my makeup without tugging on my eye area (a major pet peeve of mine!).
• As if that wasn't bad enough, the make-up removal solution stung my eyes!  
• Bottom line: Steer clear of the

Elf Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths

• Price: $3.00
• Contains: 20 cloths
• This was my second or third package of these wipes, so I am definitely a fan!  
• These are very moist, which makes them very gentle on the skin.  
• They quickly and easy remove eye makeup (even the tons of mascara I load on!).  
• Bottom line: Absolutely repurchase! 

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes

• Price: $2.08 (Target clearance) 
• Contains: 10 cloths
• I was excited to find these on clearance since this brand can be a bit pricey, but it was not worth the hype! 
• These are very dry, so they pulled my eye lids and usually pulled out a few lashes!  
• They also had a cooling effect, which unfortunately stung my eyes.
• Bottom line: Won't repurchase  

 Tend Skin Liquid Solution

• Price: $24.99
• Contains: 8 oz
• This product definitely helped cut down on ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
• Unfortunately it did almost nothing to stop post-shaving itch, which was the main reason I bought it.  
• Bottom line: I'm still on the lookout for a shaving solution!

Batiste Dry Shampoo (Floral & Flirty Blush)

•  
• Price: $3.99 (travel-size)
• Contains: 1.6 fl oz
• This does a fabulous job of absorbing oil and refreshing my hair!
• It also gives my hair a bit of volume at the roots.  
• Bottom line: I'm totally hooked and already bought a new one! 

Have you tried any of these products?  Let me know! Xo

Face of the Day!

Eyes

• Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) 
• Maybelline Color Tattoo (LE shade - Lavish Lavender) 
• Pixie Shade Quartette (Shades of Taupe) 
• CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Undereye Concealer (Light-Medium) 
• NYC Liquid Liner (Black)
• Benefit They're Real Mascara (Black) 
• Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara (Black) 

Face

• L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base
• Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer (Light)
• Maybelline Superstay Foundation (Porcelain Ivory) 
• Elf High Definition Power (Clear) 
• Elf Blush & Bronzer duo (Original) 
• NYX Blush (Peach) 
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Power (Brightening) 
• Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Powder

Lips

• NYX Lip Liner (Sand Pink)
• Revlon Superlusterous Lipstick (Gentlemen Prefer Pink) 
• NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss (Beige) 

Just a few August Empties!

Only used up a few things this month, but here they are: 

Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Persa-Gel 10

I  was hoping this gel would be a solution for my occasional breakouts.  And while it did help, it didn't reduce the size of the pimple or the redness as quickly as I would have hoped.  That said, it also took forever to use up!  The fact that it took so long to use may be part of the reason it didn't fight breakouts as intensely as I hoped since some products loose their strength over time.  It also caused extreme dryness and pealing (even on my oily skin!) if I had a stubborn pimple and applied it for a few days in a row.  Overall, I wasn't impressed and probably won't repurchase.  


Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Even though I used an entire box of these strips, I'm still on the fence about them.  I paid around $9 for a box with only 8 strips in it (a bit pricey for me). They did unclog some pores, but not all.  Within a few days, I found the pores getting clogged again. All in all, this product can unclog pores, but it doesn't provide a permanent solution.  So I'm still on the hunt for a good pore cleansing strip!  If you have any recommendations, please let me know!    




Olay 4-in1 Facial Cloths
Recently I've tried quite a few different makeup removing wipes, but these were the first ones that weren't pre-moistened (just run it under water for a few seconds immediately before use). These cloths did easily remove non-waterproof makeup, but they also bubble up a bit like a face wash.  I liked having the cleanser built in for my face, but not so much for my eyes.  It quickly left my eye lids dried out even though the box stated the cloths were soap-free.  So if you're looking for a cloths just to cleanse your face (and avoid the eye-area) rather than remove makeup, these may be a good option.  

Suave Kids Detangling Spray (Double Dutch Apple)

This most important thing about this product is that it smells amazing!  My hair usually gets pretty tangled after a shower, especially if it was scrunched, curled or teased beforehand. Just a few pumps of this spray helps to quickly and easily works out of the tangles, plus it's usually under $2 at Target.  Keep and eye out since, Target usually sells these in 2 packs so you can save a few pennies!  


So what did you use up this month??