Empties #4:

I feel like it has been way to long since the last time I made an empties post...Yeah, I just checked, my last post was in June.  Three months.  Oops.  

I just really haven't finished much.  But now I have a few things.  So exciting! 

Sensodyne Toothpaste, Flavor Fresh Impact:

I got this after I went to the dentist and I decided to use it because my mouth is very sensitive and I figured why not?  Usually the toothpaste I get from the dentist goes to waste, just sitting in my cabinet forever, but I’m glad that I decided to try this one.  I liked that it didn’t hurt my mouth at all, and it did seem like my teeth were feeling (is that the right word?) better.  I went to the store after I had finished this tube, but I forgot the flavor and I ended up with a different flavor that does sort of hurt.  But I’ll remember for next time. 

Crest Be Creative Toothpaste, Flavors Vanilla Mint Spark and Lime Spearmint Zest:

I received these for free from Bzzagent, and I did a whole review on them here.  I got three of them and I finally finished these two, but not the other.  (Find out why in the other post.)  I really liked that these aren’t your everyday toothpaste flavors.  I like that I could choose between minty, limey, and vanilla-y.  My favorite in the end is the Lime Spearmint Zest. 

Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Face Cream:

I am in love with this face cream.  I love the way it feels, the way it smells and the way it works.  I was so sad when it ran out because Estee Lauder is a bit out of my price range, but luckily my mom has a smaller pot that she’s going to give to me.  Her face didn’t like it as much as mine.  It made her all red for a week.  This moisturizer absorbs really quickly and it’s so smooth.  It made my face feel so soft, and even though I didn’t use it every day, I could feel that it had worked when I touched my skin.  I love it, and I suggest that you go buy if you have the budget for it and like Estee Lauder. 

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Wipes, Night calming scent:

I used to buy these face wipes every time I ran out.  I’ve tried all three scents, and the teal colored one is my favorite, but all they had was the night calming scent, which I also really enjoy.  But now that I’ve gotten into creams and oils, face wipes aren’t on the top of my list anymore.  Don’t get me wrong because I obviously buy face wipes still (see below), but not ones specifically for make-up.   But if you're shopping around for good make-up remover wipes and you’re on a budget, I do suggest these.  They remove make-up really well and you’re left with a clean feeling after you're done. 

Puffs Fresh Faces, Fresh scent:

I’ve talked about Puffs Fresh Faces before, and I’ve tried both scents.  My favorite is the yellow box, which is called fresh scent.  This works amazing on removing mascara, but for some reason not so great at removing eye shadow?  I don’t really get that.  But it’s cool.  I like it for many different other reasons.  It’s sort of a big box, but I like to take it on the go with me for the after shopping I go out to dinner and my hands feel gross wipes. (I don’t go into public bathrooms.)  It’s also great for sweaty days where you just want to freshen up a little bit in between stores or whatever.   Great for summer.  I am now on my third box, but I did notice that they were really hard to find the third time around.  Don’t know why, maybe they’re just popular?

Herbal Essence Naked Dry Shampoo:

I got this dry shampoo as a sample on my shampoo and I was expecting it to smell like the shampoo that it came with, well I was wrong.   It smells a little bit like their shampoo line, but it also smells a little bit like rubbing alcohol.   Unfortunately, this dry shampoo doesn’t work for me.  I felt like my hair looked exactly the same after I used it.  So, I used it to texturize my hair on the days I actually washed my hair.  It worked fine then, but the day after shower hair, not so much.   I won’t be purchasing this one.  

There you have it, and I'll be making another empties post sooner than 3 month from now.  I promise!
xx 

Instanatural Deep Cleansing Facial Oil Review:

A little under a month ago, I received an oil face wash from Instanatural to review.  I had never used an oil face wash before but I’ve heard many stories about how great they are. 

  What I really like about this one was that it was all natural, I know what everything is on the label, and also, that it covers a few different things.  This face cleanser removes make-up, cleanses your face, and you can use it on your make-up brushes. 

There are a few different ways you can apply the oil to your face; by hand, cotton pad, or cotton ball.  I prefer to use my hands if I’m going all over my face, but if I want to just target my eye make-up I feel like the cotton pad works best.  I wasn’t a big fan of the cotton ball application. 

I’ve tried a few different make-up removers from creams, to wipes, to liquids, to (now) oil, and I would have to say oil is my favorite way of removal.   I favored cream for a while, but the cream that I have doesn’t remove my mascara unless I try really hard, and with the oil, it’s almost instant.  The only thing that I’ve had a hard time removing with the oil is the eyeliner from Flower. 

I’ve used this face oil with two different mascaras, make-up with primers, make-up without primers, and even foundation, just to make sure I covered all of the bases.  It works really well with everything.  Some face wipes will leave a little bit of mascara and foundation behind, but this stuff didn’t.  I was ecstatic.

After I wipe it off with a washcloth, my face is left feeling so soft and clean.  My skin type is a combination of both oily and dry, but mostly oily, and there does seem to be a little bit of residue later on in the day, but it’s not so much that I can’t work with it. 

I also used it on my make-up brushes, and it works really well.  I used it on a few brushes that I haven’t used since the last time I washed my brushes, and some make-up still came off.  The only thing I have to warn you about is don’t use this on really cheap brushes.  By really cheap I mean the kind that leave behind bristles after you use it, the kind that you get with cheaper make-up, the kind that are in those Christmas brush packs.  All of mine fell apart.  It could have been just their time to fall apart, or the oil could have made them loose.  Who knows, I’m not really careful while washing my brushes. 

Currently looking on Amazon, this face oil is $19.95, and I feel it’s worth it. 

xx 

Recipe: Ranch Pesto Rigatoni Bake

Ingredients:

1 box Rigatoni 

½ cup of Ranch Dressing

¼ cup of Prepared Pesto

28oz can Diced Tomatoes

2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, Divided

Parsley

Directions:  

Cook and Drain the rigatoni.

Drain and slightly rinse the tomoatoes. (I cut my tomatoes in half because my sister doesn’t like tomatos.) 

Stir in the ranch Dressing, Prepared Pesto, Tomatoes, and 1 cup of the Shredded Mozzarella.

Transfer the pasta mix to a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese and parsley.  ( I personally didn’t feel as if there was enough cheese so I added more.)

Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Remove the cover, bake for another five minutes and serve!

This was so good!  I loved it so much that I plan on making it a lot more.  Let me know what you think!

xx

I found this recipe on Pinterest, follow me there!

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Curl & Care Mascara:

I picked up this mascara about three or four weeks ago and I’ve used it about 20 times, and to be honest, I didn’t really care for it at first.  But I think it’s grown on me.   If you’ve been here long, then you would know that I don’t curl my lashes.  I’ve never really thought about to be honest, and I’m thinking about buying an eyelash curler, but I just haven’t gotten around to it.  When I saw that this mascara curled your lashes I decided “why not?”  I have noticed a small difference, but it’s not like eye popping different.   

Please excuse Benny, I tried to move him and he'd just most right back. 

I really like that it’s 70% organic.  I don’t often find organic make-up that’s closer to my budget.  I want to say this mascara is around $10.  I typically pay $6 to $7.   The color is true.  It’s lasts all day long and if I rub my eye I don’t worry about it smudging.  It stays in place. 

The only thing I really hate about this mascara is that it has a plastic applicator.  I hate them so much.   Also the tube itself took me a few seconds to get used to.  It’s not the standard tube shape, but it’s not like I had to change my application process. 

Would I buy this again?  Yes, if I were spoiling myself.  I’m on a tight budget with make-up right now.  Would I recommend it?  Yes, definitely! 

xx