Browsing Category: Scents

Musings about perfumes, colognes, and other beauty-related aromas

EMPTIES: February 2022

EMPTIES: February 2022

EMPTIES: February 2022 | STAINED COUTURE

As you can see, I didn’t really use up that many products last month.  Still, they are all worth sharing. So, keep reading to see what products I used up last month and my final take.

First up is the Benefit Precisely My Brow eyebrow pencil in the shade 2.75. Now, this my favorite eyebrow pencil, because it does a great job at filling in my brows with a natural look. However, this was a new shade for me, because my hair is more red/copper now. That’s also the reason I bought the mini size, because I didn’t need a full-size. Well, I was wrong, because this didn’t last as long I think it should’ve – I didn’t use much. The product and results were still great, which is why I will be rebuying in a full-size next time.

Next up is Mary Kay matte finish setting spray, which was actually pretty good. This spray is by the former it finishing spray brand Skindinavia, which probably explains why it was so good. Although it mattifying product, it didn’t make my skin feel dry, which is a problem that some matte sprays do to my skin. So, this is a winner in my book and I would buy it again if I’m approached my another Mary Kay seller.

Next up is the Lancome’ eyelash primer, which is one of my favorite eye products. This primer helps all my mascaras work a little better and staying on longer. Plus, it makes the mascara pop against my eyes, which can be hard to do with my straight lashes. I love this primer so much that I buy it in 2s.

Finally, is the Trader Joe’s Lemongrass body oil, which took me months to use. I bought this product because the girls in the Black Girl Trader Joe’s group was hyping this up like crazy. Unfortunately, for me, it smells just like lemon Pledge wood cleaner. I love almost anything lemon flavored or scented, but this definitely needed to be combined with another scent. Smelling like a freshly dusted coffee table is not my vibe. So, I will not buy this again if/when they bring it back out in the summer.

See anything in this month’s EMPTIES post that you’ve been wanting to try or have tried? Share below.

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Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2021: In My Cart

A few days ago, the Sephora VIB sale started where Rouge members can get up to 20% off their order. Unfortunately, I’m not a Rouge member, but I am a VIB. So, I had to wait until yesterday to start filling up my cart to get 15% things I’ve been eyeing. Although I’m pretty confident that I won’t be getting all the items currently in there, but I feel like I need everything in there.

Sephora VIB Sale Spring 2021 | STAINED COUTURE

Before I trim the fabulous fat of luxe skincare, take a glance at what’s in there now.

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EMPTIES: January 2020

Stained Couture’s monthly series, EMPTIES, featuring beauty products I’ve used up this month.

EMPTIES: January 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

I have to be honest – I almost didn’t use up any products in January. Wild! However, I noticed there were some products in my bathroom that only had a couple of uses left. So, there was no  better time than the present to use them up. So, keep reading to see which products I used up both 3-pointing them into the garbage can in my bathroom. “KOBE!” 🙁

EMPTIES: January 2020

  • Dani Naturals Coconut Hibiscus Lotion – The scent smells like a tropical vacation. Really! Not only does it smell lovely, but it’s really moisturizing. I was sent this last year, but I’m going to order it this summer – with the matching shower.
  • Sephora Glycolic Glow Peel Pads – A couple of months ago, I picked up a few items from Sephora’s skincare line – out of pure curiosity. I picked up were these glycolic pads, because I live for a new skin treatment pads. However, these were a major disappointment. The pads were very thin and started to shred with the slightest swipe. Not to mention, I didn’t notice any changes in my skin, compared to glycolic pads I’ve tried in the past.
  • ClearProof Blemish Control Toner – During the holidays, I experienced some intense breakout. No matter the cause, this toner helped it go away and prevented some, too. I appreciated that this toner didn’t make my skin feel dry, which can be hard for some acne toners to do. I would buy this again.
  • Origins Spot Treatment – Yes, another acne product. I told ya’ll – my skin was being an utter jerk during the holidays. Thankfully, whenever I needed to expedite a pimple away, this spot treatment got it outta here. This will forever be one of my favorite acne spot treatments.
  • Sephora Clear Skin Days Toner – This other Sephora skincare product I bought. Unlike the pads, my skin actually enjoyed this toner. After using it daily for a couple of weeks, I did see some improvements. Unfortunately, I think it’s been discontinued, because I don’t see on their site. I bought mine in-store, so you may be able to find it there.
  • Pantene Leave-In Detangler Milk – The Pantene Gold Series is one of the best drugstore lines for natural hair. My favorite product from the line is the Leave-In Detangler, because it detangles and moisturizes my hair. I use it whether I plan to rock my hair curly or run the straighten iron through it. I’ve bought this numerous times.
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EMPTIES: Fall 2019

Yes, I did use up some products over the past few months and yes, I’ll share them with you. Welcome the products I emptied over the last few months – Fall 2019 Empties.

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As you can see from the picture, I didn’t use up as many products in the Fall, as I did in the Spring and Summer. However, I did use up enough and I’m pleased. Also, before we go any further, this will be my last seasonal empties post. Last year, I decided to try something different and do an Emptied post for each season.

Unfortunately, it was the best ideal in terms of providing reviews about the products. Sharing products that were great for summer in the fall, made some of the products expired. The other reason I’m going back to the monthly schedule is that it was so time consuming to write a post review almost 20 products. I still cringe thinking about my Spring 2019 empties – both posts!

Enough of the 2020 content changes. Keep reading to see what products I used up over the last few months.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Hair)

I’m so long overdue for a hair appointment – it’s embarrassing. Thankfully, my stylist is off maternity leave and I can make an appointment, which I still need to do. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to make sure my hair always conditioned and moisturized. One I make sure this happens is with weekly deep condition treatments. One of my favorite hair masks I used last year was Eden Bodyworks Split End Repair Mask. This masks felt very decadent for the price point. Plus, not only did it make my hair feel stronger, but also soft.

I rarely use my Sephora points – I rather let them rise. However, every now and then, they have a product that I want to try and worth spending a couple hundred points. That exactly how I tried DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Conditioner – best use of Sephora points ever! This leave-in is formulated for super curly hair, which is the texture of my natural hair. This leave-in made my curl feel and look hydrated, bouncy, and smooth. I haven’t bought the full-size yet, but it’s definitely my next hair product purchase.

The final hair product that I used up was ORS HAIRepair Intense Moisture Cream. A very wordy product name, but it’s fits. This moisturizing hair cream was great when my hair and scalp felt extra dry. However, I mainly used it on my ends at night and put my hair in a low bun with a satin scrunchie. Every morning, I would wake up to soft and moisturize ends. So, I would totally buy this again.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Skincare)

I didn’t finish too many skincare products this month – I managed to use up a few. The first skincare product that I used up was a travel size bottle of Rosewater Facial Toner from the Heritage Store. I’d wanted to try this toner for a while. So, when I saw that Target had it in travel size, I felt it was perfect way to give it a shot. After using it up, this really didn’t anything for my skin – basically rose-scented micellar water. It’s good it you want a natural toner, but nothing to write home about.

Another toner I used up recently was Clean & Clear Lemon Juice toner. I bought this on an impulsive whim, because it was new. After using it for couple of days, I didn’t really feel or notice any changes in the way my skin looked or felt. Plus, the lemon scent was strong and smelled a lot like lemon-scented multi-purpose cleaner. However, I decided to give it another chance in late summer, which I’m glad I did. After a couple of weeks of use, I noticed that it made my skin appear slightly brighter. In the end, I liked the toner, but doubt I’ll buy it again. My skin needs something a little stronger. However, I would recommend this brightening toner for teenager looking for something to gently brighten their skin.

Another product that I tried, but a took a break on before picking back up months later is Urban Skin RX Even Tone Cleansing Bar. When I first started using this cleanser, I LOVED it! So much so, I made it an IOTW and used it for a couple of months before giving it a break. I didn’t stop using it because it aggravated my skin or anything like that. Instead, I started to listen to my skin and used products to address skin issues or concerns I was having.

I started using this again a couple of months ago when my skin needed some regular, gentle exfoliation. Again, this cleanser made my skin look and feel smoother and brighter, as well. I will be buying this cleanser again, because it needs to be one of my cleanser options.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Makeup)

I only used up 3 products that pertain to makeup – 2 of them were lip products. The first was a lip oil by Ulta, which made me briefly fascinated with lip oils. Lip oils help moisturize your lips, but with the look of a lightly tinted lip gloss. I’ve bought a couple other lip oils since, but the Ulta one is still my favorite.

The other lip product I used up was Milk Cosmetics Kush Lip Galze. Since this balm was very thick, I mostly used it when I was really diligent in lip basting every night. In the end, it was a really good lip balm. If you like thick and shiny lips, you will love this. However, at an $18 price point, I doubt I’d buy it again.

The final makeup product that I used up was Pixi Beauty Glow Mist. You know what? I really loved this mist. It was helped set my makeup, hydrate my skin, and smelled lovely! If I was ever in need of a face mist while browsing around Target, I would totally buy mist.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Misc.)

A few months ago, I went through a phase of wanting to collect different scents. That led me to pick up Whisky Noir from Urban Outfitters. This scent has a musk and vanilla scent that was perfect for fall. Unfortunately, the scent doesn’t last most of the day, which made me use it up pretty fast. I like the scent and the $20 price point. So, I would probably pick up some other scents in the future, but with the knowledge that it may not last long.

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