empties - #1

Since my obsession with beauty products was sparked about a year ago, I've gone crazy with buying things. Now I've got quite the stockpile and I'm trying to use them up! I've fallen in love with empties posts, so I thought as I used my own products up I'd document them.

I do want to say that I'm still using a lot of products from when I couponed, so many of these in the beginning may not be cruelty free or vegan. I wasn't buying exclusively cruelty free and vegan then, but I don't want to waste items I spent money on. They'll be noted that I won't purchase them again! As always, I'm human and may have missed an ingredient or misread a label, so always do your own research to determine if something is cruelty free or vegan. ♥



e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths // cruelty free & vegan // I use makeup remover wipes to get the bulk of the product off my face before I use my Clarisonic. These wipes were very wet - I know that sounds stupid - and I always felt like I needed to wash my hands afterward. Sometimes the wipe would be so saturated that the liquid would squeeze out into my eye. It didn't burn, but was irritating that it happened. They removed eye makeup pretty well and even with the great price point of $3, I won't be getting these again.

Up & Up Wet Cleansing Towelettes // I picked these up on clearance, as the sticker says. These are paraben free, but the Up & Up brand isn't cruelty free. I won't be purchasing these again.

Fantasy Makers by Wet N Wild Lipstick in Deep Purple // cruelty free // I was Beetlejuice for Halloween and I had picked this lipstick up at Target in the hopes that it was a darker purple. It didn't cover well and didn't work for what I wanted. I've no use for it, so I'm tossing it.

Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner // cruelty free & vegan //A friend gave me a few sample sizes of Living Proof items a while back and I'm just going through them. This conditioner worked really well to keep frizz down. I would purchase this again.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Slick Slate // cruelty free // This is one of my absolute favorite nail polish colors, but it got gloopy and it's time for it to go. According to their website, Sally Hansen doesn't test on animals, which may be a new development as I thought they did. Upon further research, I would purchase this again.

Crest 3D White Toothpaste in Radiant Mint // Little travel toothpaste I picked up when I taking a trip out to my mom's. I didn't notice any difference in the color of my teeth. I've since switched to natural toothpaste, so I won't be repurchasing.

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in Hard to Get // cruelty free // This was a cheap coupon purchase forever ago. I don't think I ever even used it, but it's gotten gloopy.

Palmer's Deep Conditioning Protein Pack // cruelty free // I really thought I'd hit the jackpot with this one, then I realized I'd missed not only a milk ingredient, but a silk ingredient as well. Sigh. I noticed it IN THE SHOWER with the product ON MY HAIR, so I couldn't return it. It worked, but I won't repurchase.

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray // cruelty free & vegan // The first time I used this spray it worked phenomenally - then I couldn't replicate that again and I felt like it didn't work. That was most likely my fault since I suck at styling hair, but I'd give this another shot after I finish up the sea salt spray I'm currently using.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Out of the Blue & Captain Khaki // More nail polish that I got cheap with a coupon. More colors I don't think I ever used. They've gotten gloopy. I won't be repurchasing.

Clear Glittery Lip Gloss // I've no clue how long I've had this or where it came from. I think it was a stocking stuffer. I'm not huge into glosses and I've had this so long that it has to go.



e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Face Primer - Neutralizing Green // cruelty free & vegan // I didn't really see how it adjusted the redness on my face and you get a surprisingly tiny amount for $6. That's what I get for not paying attention to the ounces. The packaging is a bit deceiving - the reservoir for the product is only about half the size of the bottle. It did a decent job of keeping my makeup in place as I have oily skin. I'd repurchase this as a backup or to keep in a travel bag.



Covergirl Professional Loose Powder in Translucent Fair // I don't even know where I got this. I think it was a hand-me-down from a friend or my mom, but who knows? It's a loose powder with a pouf and BOY does it get EVERYWHERE. It wasn't a great color match and I think I lost more as it floated around my bathroom than I put on my face. I've no interest in ever owning another loose powder.



e.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara // cruelty free & vegan // This was a decent mascara. It didn't deliver massive volume, but it worked pretty well. My issue was with the brush. The word 'mace' popped in my head every time I went to use it. I liked layering it under other mascaras for a bit of boost and I might repurchase this in a pinch.



e.l.f. Lengthening & Defining Mascara // cruelty free & vegan // For $1, it's not bad, but you get what you pay for. It really just made my eyelashes look like I had a smidge of mascara on. It worked great as a base coat. However, it got clumpy really quickly. You can see in the photo above how much product was left and how gunky the brush got. I don't think I'd pick this back up unless I was really needing mascara.

I hope to use up a lot of my stash in the next coming months. I've got so many new products just hanging out that I really want to use, but I've made myself continue to use up opened things before starting on those. Sometimes it's agony that I have to keep using something, but it's so satisfying when they're gone!

What have you used up lately?

8 easy ways to be more health conscious

I am in no way a health expert or physician - always consult with your primary care doctor before making any lifestyle or diet changes.

Keeping your health in mind can be hard. Really hard, depending on your lifestyle. Here are eight tips for easy ways to be more health conscious.

1. Always ask for water. // Not only are sodas expensive, they're bad for you! If you're out at a restaurant, always ask for water. Jazz it up with a lemon or lime wedge. If you're traveling, bring a Nalgene bottle and refill it at the water fountain (always ask before filling a personal bottle through the soda fountain's water option). If you must, purchase a large bottle of water to keep you hydrated.

2. Avoid added sugars. // The average human body needs zero sugar intake in a day. Your body produces all the sugar it needs. However, almost any food you buy has added sugars. By simply looking for products that state "no added sugar" or "no sugar added", you can cut down on a lot. You'll still get natural sugars (such as in fruit, starches), but a lot of times with natural sugars, you get other benefits that outweigh the sugar.

3. Take snacks with you. // As a trucker's daughter, I grew up on the road. I can eat an entire meal of gas station food. I've learned, though, that not every gas station offers healthier options. The fix? Take your own snacks! You know what you're eating when you have a snack stash in the car. If you raided my car at any moment, you can find Nature's Bakery fig bars, pretzels, and healthy snacks. If you keep a box of something in your car (obviously depending on the weather), you'll always have something for when that 2pm candy bar craving hits!

4. Take the stairs. // I hate stairs. They are the bane of my existence. But I take them whenever possible, because though I feel like I'm going to die when I get to the top, I've given my heart a little mini workout. By walking just a few extra steps a day, your body is better for it. Now obviously I'm not going to take stairs to the fifteenth floor, but the three flights I walk at school helps. Park a couple parking spaces farther at the store, walk three blocks instead of taking a car, or walk down the strip mall instead of moving your vehicle.

5. If you can't pronounce it, don't put it on your skin. // What you put on your skin (including shampoo!), is absorbed into your skin (sometimes up to 60+%!) Be very careful with ingredients. Here's an article from the Huffingpost that has some great guidelines on products. If you're really interested in eliminating harmful chemicals, do lots of research!

6. If you're not a gymrat, try classes of something or download a video. // I have no motivation to workout, nor do I want my inexperience with working out to be broadcasted at a gym while I'm struggling on a machine or clomping on a treadmill. So I take classes. I practice yoga for both the health benefits and the spiritual benefits, and this can be done in the comfort of your own home with online guided classes, Youtube videos, or a DVD. If you have an appointment to keep (and potentially money) tied up in something, you're more likely to do it. Exercising is important, but time constraints and motivation sometimes get in the way, but doing little things is better than being a couch potato all the time. Even a class once a week will keep your mind on being healthy.

7. Talk health with a friend occasionally. // You know how reading a health article, making a New Year's resolution, or eating a really yummy salad put you in the "healthy" mood? Sometimes just talking about being healthy can do the same thing. My mom and I talk about nutrition a lot (she's a nurse and nutrition is a passion of mine), and every time we do it spurs me to buy more vegetables or more nonGMO items. Even if this only changes one or two meals or workouts a week, that's more than last week!

8. Partake in Meatless Monday. // My personal views aside, meat can cause health issues. But here's the thing, you don't have to give up all of your diet choices. Just participate in Meatless Monday! Not only are you helping your body, you're helping animals and the environment. Small steps!

You don't have to drop everything and revamp your lifestyle to be healthier. It's all about slowly making changes that you'll stick with. And don't get me wrong - I love junk food and being a couch potato as much as the next person, but being healthier can prevent costly problems down the road!

iHerb mini haul

I recently discovered iHerb and I was amazed at the massive selection! There's tons of natural, organic, cruelty free, and/or vegan items! I didn't start shopping with anything specific in mind, so I didn't order a ton of stuff. However, I did order some things I'd never heard of or had been on my list of "things to get eventually".

Source Naturals Vegan True Melatonin // I've had trouble sleeping for what seems like forever. I'm tired of taking sleep aids (which are basically Benadryl), so I'm going to give melatonin a try.

Merry Hempsters Vegan Spearmint Lip Balm // Since I announced that I've been having trouble finding vegan lip balm (I swear there isn't any in any stores near me), I've kind of gone on a lip balm buying rampage. So far, though, I really like this! It's minty but not overly so, and it soaks in well and stays put.

TheraNeem Naturals Lotion // I need more lotion like I need a hole in the head, but at $1.20 for the bottle, I couldn't help but give it a try.

If you've never tried iHerb, if you use the code TNZ430 at checkout, you'll get $5 off and I'll get $5! It's a win-win.

life lately

Things have been a little hectic around here. A lot has gone on in the last month, but since I went up to NOVA, it's been a lot of me just living life and getting things straight. But! There's been some exciting things going on, too, although some I'm not quite ready to release here on the blog. However, here are some interesting things that have happened lately in pictures.

I met a snake! Darcy is a Western Hognose. It's the first time I'd ever held a snake and I'm pretty much in love. Look at his little snout! He has the prettiest dark coloring on his belly and he's so sweet.

I'm still obsessed with caffeine, much to the disdain of my kidneys. And since having falafel at Cava Grill, I can't get enough of the stuff. Apparently I talk about the stuff so much that the man I'm seeing snuck money in my purse specifically for me to buy it for lunch Friday. Over the moon!

And I got a new car! I haven't posted any photos on social media due to security reasons (that whole thing is a shit show, believe me) but it's so nice and all the gauges and winshield wipers work and I'm forever grateful for my mother and stepfather helping me with that. They are saints and scholars and I love them.

There's only a little more than a month left of this school semester and I cannot wait until summer. By the end of the spring semester I am so burnt out on school that I can't stand it. Luckily, I have a really great accounting instructor.

And really, that's about all I'll talk about for now. Some things need to progress a bit more before I'll discuss them. Ugh, vague blog crap, sorry.

What have you been up to lately? Leave me some links in the comments to check out!