Quickie Review - Giovanni Frizz Be Gone

Hey There!

I have been very hesitant to try new hair serums. I've used the same Mizani Spradiance High Gloss Serum for years. It works well, smells good and makes my hair soft, strong and looks great. When you find something that works well, you don't want to make changes.

I saw the Giovanni Frizz Be Gone in my local health food store. It smelled good and felt good in my hand. I still wasn't sure that it was what I needed for my hair. But, I had a coupon and needed 5 more dollars to get my discount. Well, that would make this 2.75 fl. oz. serum about $3.99. I figured since we were running low on our beloved Mizani serum, this would be worth the $4 trial.

The kiddo and I were pleasantly surprised! Frizz Be Gone does a heck of a job. It got our hair smooth, bouncy and healthy looking. It's not greasy or sticky and the price isn't bad at all.

I've seen this product at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx but I completely ignored it. I had something and didn't think anything could be better.

Well, I'm not saying this is better (not at this early stage in my testing) but it's good.

Very good.

I have to keep an eye on this one. It may fool around and creep up on my Mizani and pass it!

Stay tuned!

Empties!

Hey there!

I'm pulling out the new green empties tub to show you my trash! It's not super full but it so bubble bathy. I guess that means March was a very clean month for me.

I finished quite a few bubble baths this month. I finished up two Avon Bubble Baths. I used up a Vanilla Cream and a Peppermint Vanilla Bubble Bath. I loved the Peppermint Vanilla but I think it's seasonal. I'm going to check the Avon outlet book for it and if I see it, I'm grabbing 6!! I used a Sonoma Spa Bubble Bath in Japanese Cherry Blossom. It smelled very nice -- not a heavy cherry blossom scent as some of them tend to be.

I only used up 1 body wash and that was the Vitabath in Wild Red Cherry. Oh. My. Gosh. It smelled so darned good! It smells like a cherry lifesaver. You just want to bathe in it over and over again. I said that I wouldn't purchase anymore body washes because I have a ton, but I'd get this one. Let it be known!!

That yukky plastic bag contained a Lush Fizzy Bath Bomb in The Enchanter. Now, when I looked online to do research, it appeared that this was a limited edition bath bomb. I do know that it was at least a year old (don't judge me!) but I forgot about it until recently. I got about 3 baths out of it (cause $6.95 cannot go for one bath!) and it was delightful. If you've never had a Lush Bath Bomb, you need to treat yourself. Do like I do and break it and use it 3 or 4 times. You'll be glad that you did.

Yep! That's a Secret Deodorant. I can't fool you smart people. There's also a Mizani Spradiance High Gloss Serum. The kiddo and I LOVE this. We go through a bottle every 2 months are so. I also have 2 "not empty but so done" items. My small container of Make Up For Ever HD Primer is going bye bye. It's over a year old and it was a bit more liquidy than I think it should be. It was good but doesn't come close to the Hourglass one that I love. And, my Kiehls Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter is in the trash because it went rancid quickly. I think it was bad when they sent it to me as a sample. No worries though. It was a good product but I wouldn't pay for the full size.

I finished 2 face wipes. The Wet n Wild Under The Sheets makeup remover is my jam! It's wet enough and removes makeup like a champ BUT I have a hard time finding it. It's only at random Walgreens. So, next time I see it, I'm getting 2. The other face wipe pack probably still has about 2 left in it. I couldn't do it anymore. It's the Global Beauty Care Retinol Cleansing Cloths from the Dollar Tree. They are horrible. It's like wiping water on your face with a facial tissue. They are thin and very delicate. The makeup on my face isn't delicate and I need something strong to take it off. I will not repurchase these.

And last but not least, I finished 2 L'Oreal Age Perfect trial sized products. I finished a Cell Renewal Serum and a Day Cream. I mentioned before that the cell renewal serum smells great, goes into my skin perfectly but I don't see the benefits. I don't feel like my cells have renewed but you know what? If I like what it's doing, maybe that's reason enough to keep buying it. I dunno. I have repurchased another sample size of the day cream. Even so, I'm not sure that I'm 100% on board with it. I might get another cell renewal serum and then go back to my summer face moisturizer and see if that works.

Now we get to toss the stuff from the green basket, into the big trash basket. Like I said, it didn't seem like a lot but I say that every month. I guess when you see other people's empties, you feel like you should have more. Well, I don't and I guess that's ok.

What in your trash this month? Same ole, same ole from last month or something exciting and new? If I try to have something great in mine next month, you should try to as well!

Empties!

Hey there!

Not only is it the end of the month, it's also the end of the year. No, I didn't save any trash all year to show you but I will link all of my monthly empties at the bottom, just in case you missed a month. Cause, I know you want to see if I finished that bar of soap and what I thought.

This month I finished three Avon Bubble Baths! Yes, three of them. Don't act so surprised! You aren't new here (and if you are hello! Pull up a chair. Grab a refreshing beverage). This month I used up a Fresh Orchard Apple was so light and crisp. There is something about an apple scent that makes me feel clean! Vanilla Cream is one of my go-to scents. Love it. Sugar and Walnut was weird. It reminded me of a vanilla and almond scent which almost always turns my stomach. Of the three, this one will not be repurchased. 

I also used up some shower gels. Bath and Body Works Napa Autumn Blackberry is to die for. I love this type of scent. It's so rich and decadent. I also finished a small container of The Body Shop's Early Harvest Raspberry shower gel. It also smells heavenly and delicious. Both of these lovelies will be repurchased whenever I see them.  

I finished an Herbal Essences body wash in Honey, I Smell Good. It did not smell good. It was blah and really not worth the trouble. I used it up so I could be done with it. 

I also finished a Body Fantasies Cotton Candy body lotion. This is the old packaging. That's how long I held on to this little gem. Now that I have replacements, I can slather this stuff on night and day. Who cares that I smell like a candy store?! 

I always have my Secret Deodorant and my Colgate toothpaste in the mix. They are forever staples. I tried a Secret Clinical Strength Gel and didn't like it. In general, I like deodorant sticks. I don't like wet deodorant at all. 

You see that mamma jamma sized tube of Aquaphor? Well, it's in the bin because it went bad. I have so many little tubes of Aquaphor all over the house and car and in ever purse, this large one by the bedside went all liquidy. It was time to toss it anyway. I began using Aquaphor when my daughter was born. They gave us a huge tub of it at the hospital. I've never been without it since. 

So... I finished an Equate Beauty bottle of nail polish remover and it was fine, alone. But, when I added some to my Studio 35 Beauty nail polish remover container (the kind that you stick your finger in, swish it around and your nail is free of polish), it didn't work. It's like the container only likes the remover that it came with. That's ok though. I have a new remover that I'm going to try in the new year. Stay tuned for that!

I gave up on my yukky tube of e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash and Brow Clear Mascara. I actually have 2 backups (well, one now) because I love this stuff. I draw in my eyebrows and then brush this stuff on them to keep everything in place. I tend to touch my eyebrows a lot during the day (I have NO idea why) and this just helps keep the color where it should be.

I got a sample of the Clear Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy Damage & Color Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. I always say the same thing about these little samples. There are nice but who can tell if they like a product from a onetime use. Actually, a one wash used. You don't even get a complete hair shampoo out of this if you lather twice. And, I don't have a lot of hair but one packet of conditioner ain't gonna cut it skippy. This was fine. Just fine.

And last but not least, I (along with the kiddo) finished a bottle of Mizani Spradiance High Gloss Serum. You know this is my holy grail hair heat protectant. I've tried a lot of brands and even though this is $20 a bottle, I NEED this stuff in my life. Oh! Wonderful news update. I found a beauty supply store that obviously doesn't know that this is the elixir of hair life. They are selling it for $14.99! I almost pinched my mother right there in the store!

Oh yes! I always try to include some none beauty related empties, you know, just to make things fun. This month I am throwing in Gla'de (Glade) comes out strong with their seasonal scents and their Red Apple Bakery plug ins are so delicious. I am a sucker for all things food. I know that everyone likes the Bath and Body Works plug ins but I prefer the Glade ones. They have a great room throw (sometimes I have to unplug them) and I can always find them pretty cheap. This 2 pack was discounted at $3.42 and I had a $1 coupon! That made them $1.21 for each plug in -- sweet!

That's it good people. That's the stuff I used up this month and what I thought of it. I hope you guys enjoy these posts. I enjoy making them. I began with a small basket in my bathroom and now I have a larger tub sized bucket in my closet.

So, while I'm changing up certain types of blog postings in 2015, empties isn't one of them. A mini review is right up everyone's alley!

Other empties...

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

Empties

 

Hey there!

And another month bites the dust! That's how it goes!

The month of August was unremarkable when it came to empties. I didn't really use much up. I spent the month testing new things and that almost always means nothing gets tossed in the trash.

Well, lucky for you, some things are consistent. I finished up several bath items. Of course I used a couple of my Avon Bubble Bath (2/$10). I used up a Warm Vanilla & Fig (which I LOVE!), a Peppermint Vanilla Swirl (which is great and makes the entire bathroom smell fantastic) and a Vanilla Cream (a favorite in my home. It's our go to BB). I always repurchase Avon Bubble Bath. I think I always will. I tried a Creightons Lime & Grape Energise Bath & Shower Gel (purely because it is English and in my head, I'm from England). I found it for $2.99 at Ross. It wasn't good. Not at all. It didn't lather worth anything. I ended up pouring it into the water stream as I ran my bathwater. It scented the room rather than anything else. I will not purchase another one (but I think I have another one to use up).

Another constant is candles. I burn candles all the time. I have to. It keeps me very level.

This month I finished a Bath & Body Works Peach Bellini ($5 sale) and Mango Dragon Fruit (3/$10 sale). The Peach Bellini is so peachy and smells soooo good. I used my warmer to finish off what you see here. The Mango Dragon Fruit was just ok. I can't see myself picking up another one of those. The large tin is a Target candle that I saw on a YouTube haul. It's a Bubble Gum Scented Soy Candle and in the store it smelled heavenly. Once I started to burn it, nuthin. I mean nuthin! For the first hour there was a faint scent of bubble gum and then nuthin for the next 44 hours. It claims to burn for 45 hours. I didn't test the theory because I have no plans on every purchasing this again. Disappointing! I kept the tin though, because it's cute but for $10, I'd like more than cute.

Then I have some random empties.

I am tossing an Egyptian Musk roll on oil. I love the smell of Egyptian Musk and can point it out in a crowd. But this bottle was old and had gone rancid. I have a replacement. I pick them up for about $2.99 at my local beauty supply store.

I always use Mizani Spradiance Hair Gloss on my hair. I use it every 3 or 4 days to keep my hair shiny. I also use it when I "pull" my hair with the flat iron once every two weeks. I have found that this is one of the only products that doesn't weigh down my hair and assists the flat iron with straightening my hair. I pay about $25 for it (depends on which beauty supply you go to). I've tried cheaper ones and they just don't work as well.

I had a mini Aveda Hand Relief that I got free when I purchased my full size Aveda Foot Relief. I love the foot relief. It does amazing things for my feet. But, the Hand Relief...meh! Nothing special. The 4.2 fl. oz. size is $24. For $24 I want ZING! BANG! POW! I won't be purchasing this.

The one mask that I did do this month was a Anti-Aging Grape Seed Mask by Skin Benefits. I don't remember where I got it from or how much it costs but I like it. It smells very grapey and the paper mask fits my face very well. You keep it on for 15 minutes and it's very comfortable. Afterwards, your face does feel refreshed and renewed. Man! Just writing that makes me want to go do a mask treatment!

I also finished a Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes. I think this pack was probably more for swatches than anything. I know that I purchased it while away from home (because it was a 6 pack) and it must have been my only alternative. I like unscented, sensitive baby wipes because I have sensitive skin. I don't know why the tiny pack though. I'd never buy one that small unless I had to.

And that's what went into the trash can this month. I didn't do anything fancy this month -- I kept it simple. Hopefully you found out about something new that you'd like to try.

OH!! I always try to add a non makeup item to the round up. Well folks, I have gotten heavy in the scrapbooking, card making, journaling arena. I have a pile of photos a mile high and didn't know what to do with them other than put them in a photo album and that's it. But, I'm a creative girl. I can't just do that! So, I've been scrapbooking. And, I've been card making. And, I've been having fun. If you've seen my IG, you've totally been bombarded with it. My tip for you? Find something that let's your creative juices flow. It helps with the stress of the day.

What did you use up this month? Did  you like it? Should we all buy it? Let me know!

It's A 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

While Birthday shopping, I made a special stop by Ulta. I don't go to Ulta very often because it's not that close to my house and the sales are normally the same as the BOGO 1/2 off that I get at the drugstores. This time, I made an exception because Revlon, Maybelline and Jane products were 40% off and that included the special, limited editions items (spoiler alert -- I did get 3 of the Revlon Spiderman nail polishes!).

When I was getting rung up, the sales lady gave a free 2 fl. oz. It's A 10 Miracle Leave-in Product. I love It's A 10! I use this spray in conditioner every time I wash my hair. It leaves my hair very soft and manageable and it really is a good detangler.

It claims 10 things..

1. Repairs dry, damaged hair

2. Aids shine

3. Detangles

4. Controls frizz

5. Seals & protects hair color

6. Prevents split ends

7. Stops hair breakage

8. Creates silkiness

9. Enhances natural body

10. Flat iron spray & thermal protector

I give it a 7 out of 10. I remember what my hair was like before it so I'll take what it is now.

I was super stoked to get this freebie because a full size bottle is $18! I know that's a lot to spend on hair care products and now that I think about it, almost all of my hair care products are expensive ones. My hair serum is about $18, my shampoo and conditioner is $7.99 a bottle (when I don't catch them on sale) and the leave in conditioner that I like is $18. I guess my hair is needy. Maybe it's not such a bad thing that I didn't commit to a new flat iron. My old one is cheapo repo. With my hair care costs, can I really afford a new one?!

It doesn't matter. It's A 10, is really a 10 in my book. A freebie is nice but I'll still pay full price for it.

What's your guilty hair pleasure?

Empties!

It's empties time! I like empties. It's a nice review time of things that I've used for the month. I get to reflect on if I liked a product or if I'm scratching my head and wondering why on earth I bought it. So let's get to it!

I used 2 face masks and 1 eye mask this month. I just reviewed them yesterday. I know. I'm a slacker. I'm going to do better in April. I picked up a few samples from Sephora and I am so excited to try them.

Avon Bubble Bath. Don't judge me! LOL. There are 3 bubble bath's this month; Fresh Peach, Dark Orchid & Raspberry and Vanilla Cream. I liked the Vanilla Cream the best. It's a soft, clean scent. Fresh Peach is next. It's very peachy but not overkill.  The Dark Orchid & Raspberry is last. It was ok. The scent wasn't bad, it just didn't wow me. I have 5 or 6 bubble baths open at a time. I like to have a variety to choose from each time I take a bubble bath. That's why you see so many empties at one time.

Keeping with the bath time theme, I have used a CVS brand Comfort Moisturizing Body Wash. This one was a brown sugar scent. It was a nice scent, good lather and of course, a really good price. I bought mine on sale and I had a CVS coupon. I have a few other CVS scents that I am working my way through. There will probably be more next month. I also have a TON of shower gels and body washes open at any given time. It takes a lot to get through them because I keep switching it up.

I used a Secret deodorant. Probably a bit TMI for you but Secret is the only deodorant that I use. It's the only one that works for me. I've tried other and well, they tell on me.

There's a Sephora sample of YSL Éclat Radiant Touch that I was not fond of (I know, I must be the only person in America). I tried it several times but it just didn't work for me.

I finished a bottle of Mizani Spradiance High Gloss Serum. I go through a bottle every 3 or 4 months. I love it. I use it when I flat iron my hair and I mix it with leave in conditioner twice a week and then let my roots soak up all its goodness. It's expensive but the cheaper ones don't work as well.

Yes, that is pure acetone remover. Don't yell at me. I only use it once a week or so and I've been using nail treatments after each polish removal. They are getting strong but they aren't growing longer. I don't know the answer folks. I just keep trying to bring them back to life after my gel nail fiasco. It takes me a loooong time to use a bottle so you probably won't see another one for quite a while.

I finished a pack of Equate brand Original Clean Wet Cleansing Towelettes (comparable to Pond's Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes). My purpose for buying these was makeup removal. I've discovered that most towelettes don't remove enough makeup for me. I just don't feel clean after using them. I currently use them to when going on vacation or staying in a hotel. I don't like putting other people's towels on my face so I use these as my towels (cray cray fact about me). I also use these for hand swatch removal or makeup incidents in the morning (mascara wand hitting the nose, dark blue eyeshadow fall out, you know the deal). I probably won't buy any more of these. They just don't do the trick. I have a drawer full of different types and some of those work a bit better than these.

I've begun using exfoliating gloves. Hellojerree on YouTube got me to try them. This isn't really an empty because I'm currently using the gloves but, I don't plan on showing you the gloves when I'm done. Yuk! So far I've used the gloves once. They do exfoliate and your skin does feel good afterwards. You do wonder if you are scraping your skin off if you aren't gentle though. I'll keep using them and I'll let you know what I think next month.

And, I'm a tossing out 2 makeup brushes. It makes me feel better to toss old brushes when I buy new brushes. This month I'm tossing a Wet n Wild makeup brush that I tried out and an e.l.f. smudge brush . The Wet n Wild makeup brush was terrible so I would never buy it again. The e.l.f. smudge brush was fine but it started shedding sooner than I like. I did get my $1.00 out of it many times over but I've invested in a few better smudge brushes.

And that's what's in my trash this month! A lot of tried and true things that you will probably see again. What's in your empties? Will you repurchase? What are you kicking to the curb?

Quickie Review - Sally Hershberger Go With The Blow Thermal Styler

Hey Good Peeps!

On a recent CVS Haul I picked up a Sally Hershberger Go With The Blow Thermal Styler hair product. The normal price was about $13 but it was discounted to $3.74. I thought at that price I'd give it a try. No, I hadn't heard great reviews or anything. As a matter of fact, I had never heard of the product but I figured it was probably a decent product. Look at the price point! The reason for the discounted price is probably because they are repackaging it or something, right?!

 I normally use Mizani Spradiance High Gloss Serum on my hair. I just separate my hair into a small finger sized portion, coat the portion with a drop of High Gloss Serum and then run my flat iron over the hair strand, twice. I'm left with soft, silky, straight hair (that smells really good!) and when my entire head is done, I just shake my head to and fro like any hair model would. I love the product but at a $21 price tag for 5 fluid oz., I thought that I'd try this Go With The Blow product. Even at full price, it's a heck of a savings.

Well folks, it was not a heck of a savings. This product is not even good (for MY hair -- it may work just fine on yours). I knew when I squirted the product into my hand there would be problems. It was thin and runny and it smelled like alcohol. Alcohol, my friends, is not a silky product on the hair. When I smoothed it on the separated portion of hair, it was wet, not silky like my High Gloss Serum. I had to wait 3 minutes and let my hair dry before I could pull the flat iron through. When you have two heads to pull (with the flat iron), you don't want to lose time waiting for wet hair to dry.

And to add insult to injury, it did not smooth my hair to the soft, manageable consistency that I was looking for. After attempting to pull 4 hair portions, I put it away. It wasn't helping my hair and that alcohol smell left me suspicious that it was more damaging than anything. I wanted to love the Sally Hershberger Go With The Blow Thermal Styler hair product but it was not meant to be.

I've learned my lesson. Research new products. I've got the internet on my phone! I should have read some reviews. Better yet, I should have left well enough alone. None of my 'sista bloggers' mentioned this hair product. I wasn't hunting for a new hair product. It's not like a bad lipstick -- you wipe it off and put on a new one. Using the wrong product before flat ironing your hair could cause real problems.

I'll keep using my product and paying the $21.

At least I know it works!