Empties

It's been a super long time since I last did an Empties post but I swore there would be a few makeup items in it and as usual, things take a lot longer to finish than they may appear (for example that ELF TM seemed to last forever even with daily use and it's tiny). As always, I include kind of mini final reviews of the products and I'll link if I've reviewed them in the past. I have received some questions regarding my attempts to use up my stash so I thought I would answer them.

Are you doing a Project 'X' Pan?
No, limiting myself on makeup purchases doesn't work for me as I will just go and spend money on something else (or eat too much). Thankfully, I have the means to splurge occasionally on myself and it makes me happy. I don't have makeup related debt (just some student loans and a mortgage - I recently paid off my car, yay!) so I don't feel guilty about my makeup purchases. My husband buys video games and comics so it's nice to have my own girly vice.

Then why the tracking?
I have this fear that the makeup that I have will go bad and I will have wasted money on products I couldn't enjoy or use (I already have a problem with not using things that are "pretty"). This is my attempt in making sure that my makeup gets loved and finished (and it feels awesome to see what I've used and finished for some reason)! This is also why I love having giveaways and/or blog sales. I've been into makeup since the late 90s so even with limited purchases, I still have enough for quite awhile (obviously I throw away anything expired)!

Anyway, enough rambling, the evidence:

* Fruitopia No More Flakes 2-1 dandruff shampoo + conditioner: I've mentioned I suffer from some scalp issues and this was on sale at CVS and smelled good so I tried it. It seemed to work pretty well and definitely smells better than the tea tree oil equivalents. I'd repurchase when it's on sale.
* The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Care: One of my Holy Grails. Smells like ginger ale and works for the flakies/dermatitis. I have no idea what number bottle this is, but I've been using this for several years. This was in my 2010 Favorites and in several hauls last year. Will continue to repurchase.
* Urban Therapy Twisted Sista De Frizz Conditioner: I reviewed this for Beauty Debutante and this was my favorite of the products I received from the Twisted Sista line. It's super cheap and works pretty well. The tube went pretty quickly on my long hair but now that it's short, I bet it would last a bit longer. I haven't seen this in any stores but if I did, I'd (re)purchase.
* Darphin Conditioning Care with jojoba: I have no idea how I got a hold of this product but it's pretty nice, very thick and super moisturizing. I'm not even sure if Darphin still makes this. The only thing that put me off was the slightly floral scent. I'm not sure I'd repurchase. I bet it's really pricey.

* Essence of Beauty Eye Makeup Remover Non-Oily: Love these. These take off the most waterproof of eye makeup and they don't sting. Pretty inexpensive at CVS - though I haven't seen them in stores for ages they were available online last I checked.
* Clinique Take The Day Off For Lids Lashes & Lips: Awesome stuff that doesn't sting. Only negative is the price and the need to use a Q tip (what can I say? I'm super mega lazy and near blind without specs or contacts). I request these if I buy at the counter or as extras in swaps. I love the portable size as well, less mess if you accidentally knock it over and spill the whole bottle.
* Missha Super Aqua Cleansing Tissue: These were ok till they dried out and didn't remove any makeup without the assistance of another makeup remover. Did decently well with eye makeup when the cloths were actually saturated. These are on clearance for $6 on the Missha website if you want to see for yourself but I'd go with a drugstore version if I were you.

(Holy Skincare!)
* Avene Thermal Spring Water: Lovely as a refresher, a bit over priced but nice to have around. Really awesome in the summer as the water stays cool without refrigeration.
* Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion: After I received this for review, I quickly fell in love and so did practically everyone I had try it. My husband stole the bottle for about a week and then I bought him his own. My mother in law loves it since she works outside a lot and needs to wash her hands often. She loves that it sinks in quickly. DH has reserved my back up bottle for his own use at work. He's even gotten his boss hooked on this stuff. It's pricey but lasts forever. It works on soothing the skin (eczema, razor burn, etc) as well as keeping the skin hydrated but never greasy due to over washing. It does have silicones so if you are sensitive to them I wouldn't recommend it, but if your skin doesn't mind them this stuff is awesome. Since my review, I've bought 6 bottles for our house and friends and family. 
* Cellnique B-Liv line: After my review, I started liking this line a little more, specifically the Submerge Me Lotion and the Shrink & Tighten Complex. I still don't think the Off With Those Heads did much of anything for me. However, the price still puts me off. I did notice a difference when I stopped using the routine, however my skin seems to like many different lines (H2O being one of them). I may (re)purchase the two items I liked in the future but I'm drawn to easier and cheaper lines that I can buy in person.
* H20 Sea Pure Deep Moisture Cream: Is anyone surprised that I've used this up? I love this stuff though it's just as well that I've run out since my skin is freaking out after the threading I received this past week (I'm broken out in little bumps everywhere she threaded). For now, I'm using some more harsh skincare to hopefully get rid of the bumps but I will be so ready for this when my replacement comes in the mail...

* OPI Expert Touch Nail Polish Remover: Doesn't smell horrible, works pretty well, slightly pricey but will probably repurchase. This 4oz bottle was $6. In my opinion, it's worth it to pay a little more than cheap acetone at the drugstore to not deal with a horrible stench and something that dries out your nails and cuticles especially in the cooler months!

* Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Waterproof: LOVE! Probably my favorite mascara of 2010.
* Bourjois Pump Up The Volume Waterproof in Brown: It was ok. I prefer the Maybelline and in general black mascaras. It also smudged when I teared.
* Cover Girl Lash Exact: Again, not as good at the Maybelline and blue. In the review, I said I would repurchase but next time I'll try the black version!
* The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lip Care Stick: I really love The Body Shop, if you can't already tell and I'm a big fan of most of their lip balms (other than the vitamin C orange one that tastes funny). This I've already repurchased. Super creamy and great for fall and winter and smells delicious.
* MAC Plush Glass in Posh It Up: I dislike MAC lipglosses but continue to buy them for their color selection and the hype. I will try to use up more MAC lip products in 2011 and then will trade them in for something other than a lipglass! A guess that would be a New Years resolution?
* ELF Tinted Moisturizer (regular $1 line) in Ivory: I've reviewed and featured/worn this countless times in 2010 and really like it. I will repurchase for sure but not until I've used up a few more tinted moisturizers in my stash. I love the price of this and the coverage is actually pretty good. After months of using it, I finally got used to the orange soda scent. For $1 it's definitely worth trying if you like tinted moisturizers. A plus, it comes in a shade that matches fair skin!


Wow, this post was epically long. Hope it was helpful at the very least. Have you used anything up recently?

Review: B-Liv By Cellnique

I've been putting off doing this review because let's face it, how many of us really want to post photos on the internet of our bare faces and otherwise, how else would you see if the products worked or not?

I did a Pre-Review of the products of my first impressions, ingredient lists and prices here. 

I've been using the products for over month and I wanted to share my thoughts and some before and after pictures.

The 3 products that I was sent were:
Off with those heads - I'm honestly not sure if this did anything. I still am getting white heads and black heads. The one thing I noticed was that my breakouts weren't as severe during my TOTM but they didn't go away completely. I still get breakouts along my chin and jawline and I am still getting clogged pores on my nose. I found on some days this made my eyes water but not everyday and some days I got a slight tingling sensation but again, not everyday.

Shrink and Tighten +
This was a kind of weird treatment. Again, I'm not sure if this did much, though I must say that my dry cheeks, well they aren't dry anymore. I'm not sure if I can attribute this to this product or the moisturizer below. This also stings terribly if you have any broken skin at all, which wasn't pleasant and it warms on your skin upon contact. 

Submerge Me
I liked this moisturizer the first time I used it and I continue to really like it a month later. This does a great job of hydrating my skin, it doesn't cause foundation to ball up, it applies really nice on top of it. I think this may have been the item to get rid of the intense dryness I was experiencing on my cheeks. I have about a third of the product left so not too bad when it comes to cost per use. I only need a few small pumps to apply on my entire face and I've used this twice daily.

Before - June 28 2010

After - August 1 2010

Sorry for the slightly different lighting.

All pictures are clickable but dear lord, please don't!

The only obvious change is I finally got my brows shaped (thank goodness)! I think my cheeks/nose are ever so slightly less red and they are certainly less dry but other than that, I don't see a huge difference in my skin. Both sets of photos were taken without an once of makeup though I was wearing some clear lip balm in the second set of shots. Do you see a major change?

For me, I'll continue using the products until they get used up but to me they are not worth an extra $150+ added to my skincare routine (since I'll still need to shell out for cleanser, toner, exfoliants etc). I'm very happy that my skin isn't as dry but since I tried out all the products together, I'm not sure which item (though my guess is the moisturizer) helped that.

I will say that this is the first time in ages, I've been really good about keeping up with a regimen. I think I may have skipped the full routine only a handful of times in over a month (that's really good for me!).

Like many of the reviewers, B-Liv by Cellnique is...

We would also like to offer free samples of Off with those heads, 3ml to your readers (first 50 readers). They can email their full name and mailing/shipping address to fbfreesample@blivskin.com with the subject jeweledthumb.blogspot.com. Readers that send in their blog’s url, they might stand a chance to do a product review. Valid ends 1 week after your product review being post and sample delivery within 4 – 6 weeks.

So there you go.

Disclosure: These products were sent by the brand's PR for review purposes. I am not receiving any monetary compensation for posting about these products and though I was asked to do only 1 review, it was my choice to share my initial thoughts on the products and do 2. Any question, ask! I want to be as transparent as possible with these sorts of things.

B-Liv by Cellnique: A Pre-Review

I was recently contacted by B-Liv by Cellnique to review some of their products. I shared my skin concerns with the lady that contacted me and she sent a few products that she thought would help. On Saturday evening, I started using them and I thought I would share some of my first impressions before I forget.

Now, I tend to be on the lazy-ish side when it comes to my skincare, so to be quite frank, I would never have bought so many additional lotions and potions to add to my skin care regimen. I'm going to give them their fair shot though and use them for the few weeks and see if I see any changes or improvements.

I was sent 3 items:
Off with those heads
Shrink and Tighten +
Submerge Me

Price: USD $63 Size: 45ml
Main functions: clear blackheads + whiteheads

Purified Water (Aqua), Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Extract, Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Extract, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Oil, Poly(Oxy-1,2-Ethanediyl)Α-(Donyl Phenyl)-Ω-Hydroxy, Sodium Hydroxide, Peppermint (Metha piperita )Oil, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea.

The Witch Hazel, Menthol, Tea Tree Oil and Peppermint Oil create a very subtle tingling sensation. I apply this everywhere I have blocked pores morning and night. We'll see if it works.

Price: USD $49 Size: 15ml
Main functions: pores reducing + firming + brightening

Glycerin, Purified Water (Aqua), Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Extract, Vitamin B5 (D-Panthenol), Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Oil.

More Witch Hazel. This is a bit of a peculiar product. You affix a dropper-like object and the liquid is clear and slightly runny (kind of like a light oil). Upon application, I feel a slight warming sensation, no burning or tingling really. This is supposed to tighten pores, promote cell renewal and various other things. Again, we'll see if this works. I use this at night.

Price: USD $49 Size: 45ml
Main functions: deep moisturizing + brightening + age preventing

Purified Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Trehalose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Ceramide III, Ceramide 6 II, Dimethicone, Ceramide 1, Diazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance, Triethanolamine, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Strawberry Begonia(Saxifraga sarmentosa) Extract, Grape (Vitis vinifera) Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Methylparaben, White Mulberry (Morus bombycis) Root Extract, Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) Root Extract, Propylparaben.

Yowza ingredient list. I actually really like this. It's very lightweight and absorbs quickly. Right now, I can't really say whether or not it's making my dry skin better, but I'm not disappointed and so far it hasn't made me break out. I use this morning and night.

As I mentioned above, I tend not to use a whole lot of skincare. On a normal day, I use 1 cleanser, 1 toner, and 2 moisturizers (one for day with SPF and one for night without). I kind of wish I would have received more general products, a cleanser, a serum and a moisturizer, instead of 2 treatments and a moisturizer but beggars can't be choosers and I'm happy that I was selected to receive these products to try out. Another thing is that the line is rather expensive and generally I use drugstore or less expensive lines (The Body Shop for instance) - $49 for a moisturizer, $41 for the night treatment and a jaw-dropping $63 for the pore treatment. I can't say whether or not I would spend my own hard earned cash on these products until I give them the regular 3-4 week test I generally do with my skincare.

Disclosure: These products were sent by the brand's PR for review purposes. I am not receiving any monetary compensation for posting about these products and though I was asked to do only 1 review, it was my choice to share my initial thoughts on the products and do 2. Any question, ask! I want to be as transparent as possible with these sorts of things.