Tag Archives: products

Bath & Body Works Haul

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Bath & Body Works Haul

Hi! I truly understand why people say they need a vacation after taking a vacation because there was just so much to do when we got back from Italy. Going back to work, unpacking, shopping for groceries and bunny supplies, cleaning the apartment, and trying to get a jump on Christmas shopping too! We were running dangerously low on a lot of our must haves when our vacation ended and hand soap was included on that list. Although I was jet lagged for like a week, I never say no to a trip to Bath & Body Works. I just wish I could have enjoyed it a bit more because I was SO stuffed up and could barely smell anything lol. This is the first time I’ll be for real smelling these scents so let’s see what happens:

Would I Use Again?

Marshmallow Meringue: NO

Vanilla Bean Noel: YES! You already know this is one of my faves!

Snowflakes & Cashmere: NO

Frosted Cranberry: OF COURSE! My other fave holiday scent!

Vanilla Cocoa Flurries: YES

Touch of Gold Body Cream: NO

Why/Why Not?

Marshmallow Meringue: This scent offers notes of “fluffy marshmallow, vanilla, and sweet sugar” and it actually does smell quite nice. I can definitely get a whiff of the marshmallow and vanilla but this scent is just really really light. I like a fragrance that packs a bit more of a punch and this one doesn’t do it for me. I will say, however, that this would be a perfect option to gift with if you are unsure of your giftee’s preferences because it is such a soft and classic scent.

Snowflakes & Cashmere: I have a bone to pick with Snowflakes & Cashmere lol. The scent story goes like this: “vanilla cashmere cream, caramel woods, and frosted clementine”. So tell me why it smells exactly like baby powder?! When I smelled this scent in stores, I really liked it so I guess I was more congested than I thought because I would have never bought this if I was truly smelling it. So, I guess if you want to smell like baby powder then you are going to love Snowflakes & Cashmere!

Vanilla Cocoa Flurries: Finally, a winner in the new to me scents! I am a big fan of Vanilla Cocoa Flurries with its notes of “white cocoa, chilled coconut milk, and vanilla woods”. In other words, do you know what hot chocolate smells like? Can you imagine it with a hint of vanilla? BOOM. Then you know what this scent is all about! This is a very nice holiday scent and I will definitely be purchasing more when the Semi Annual Sale rolls around.

Touch of Gold Body Cream: I had a reward for a free full sized item and decided on a body cream in Touch of Gold. All I can say is, blame it on my stuffy nose because UGH this one is so not it. Touch of Gold features notes of “bright blackberries, golden orange blossom, and decadent tonka”. I very much enjoy a berry citrus scent and I imagine that I thought that that’s what I was smelling when I gave a whiff test. That was NOT what I was actually smelling in the slightest! Touch of Gold is really musky which I despise and I genuinely can’t smell any fruity notes whatsoever. Whomp whomppppp.

This was a super lackluster Bath & Body Works Haul and I can’t say I’m particularly thrilled. My nose led me astray, for sure, and *note to self* shop for smell goods when I can actually smell!

What is your favorite holiday scent? Do you have a favorite B&BW scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

October 2026 Finishes

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October 2026 Finishes

Howdy everyone and welcome to a belated chit chat about my October Finishes! October was a whirlwind month between vacationing in Italy and Halloween prep and I can’t believe it is already November. I genuinely feel like I’m going to blink and it’s going to be Christmas! Although there isn’t too much to discuss about my empties for October, there is one travel size item that I implemented on both my trips to New Orleans and Italy this year that I wanted to share. It is forever going to be a staple whenever I hop a plane to anywhere but Ohio! Let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES

Bath & Body Works Poppy Body Cream: YES

Bath & Body Works Gingham Fresh Body Lotion: YES

Degree Advanced Travel Size Deodorant: YES!!!!

Why/Why Not?

I’m not going to get into talking about the first three products themselves because we all know them by now! What I will say, however, is that it was SO incredibly nice to use all of my go to bath and body and skin care again once I returned from Italy. Not that I was thrilled to be home but I loved being reunited with my must haves that weren’t going to make it onto the plane. Hotel toiletries are okay for a couple of days but after a long trip like the one I took, I was itching to get back to my go to B&BW goodies! Using my most loved products again was great but there was nothing better than taking a shower in my own bathroom. I was constantly Naked & Afraid in the hotel showers in Italy because I could never figure out how to work them lol smh. 😀

Degree Deodorant: I am a Ban fan when it comes to deodorant but, unfortunately, they don’t make them in travel size. During my trips this year, I opted for the three dollar Degree Advanced mini deodorant and was most impressed with it. This travel size stick lasted me three weeks of daily use and worked like a charm. I did a lot of walking in New Orleans and Italy and not once did I experience any crazy sweating or funk. I felt fully protected during 15,000+ step days and you can’t beat that peace of mind when you are traveling. Highly recommend if you are going on a trip soon. You can thank me later! ❤

As much as I enjoy traveling, I really am happy to be home. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed or getting to use your favorite products again!

Which products did you use up last month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Shopping

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Sephora Shopping

Hi! When I shop Sephora, I tend to do so online because there are usually really good deals and the promise of free mini product and samples. However, I was running low on a few of my staples before my Italy vaca and hit the store, instead, as I didn’t have the time to wait for an online order. Johnny joined me for this quick errand because we were going on a date night afterwards and it was the first time he ever stepped foot in a Sephora. Needless to say, he was a bit overwhelmed and had the funniest reaction to my purchases lol let’s discuss:

I am not one to buy new makeup often and when I do, I stick to what I know. I am not good enough at doing my makeup to warrant a bunch of on the fly purchases that I probably will never use and my MOTD has been the same since high school lol smh. A makeup girl, I am not but I do have my tried and true essentials that I absolutely must have. The first of which is the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. Although it is pricey at almost thirty bucks a tube, it really is the best mascara I have ever used. In just a few small swipes, my lashes are extended and covered in jet black exactly how I like it. I was a bit disappointed to have to buy the waterproof version as the OG one wasn’t available but beggars can’t be choosers on a time crunch! I have never used the waterproof formula so we’ll see what happens!

The next order of business was snagging another bottle of my beloved Urban Decay Face Bond Luminizer in Swan Lake. Back in the day, my go to option for a boost of brightness was the radiance beads by The Body Shop. Sadly, that product is no longer and I had to pivot this year to something different. A kind Sephora employee introduced me to the Face Bond Luminizer and the rest was history. I love it and it provides the exact same radiance and glow as my back in the day beads. One bottle costs thirty-four dollars but I actually think that’s not bad at all. I have been using the same bottle since January and still have a few applications left! … Johnny thought otherwise…

When I was ringing up my two products, the total came to just under seventy dollars and Johnny literally couldn’t believe it. When we exited the store his jaw was on the floor over two makeup items costing that much. In the makeup’s defense, both of my purchases are very long lasting and, although the shock of the price is painful, I consider it to be well worth it. This was Johnny’s first Sephora experience and I think it’s safe to say he will always have the same reaction whenever I need a reup on my beauty supplies!

What’s that old saying again? Beauty is pain? Or is it beauty is pricey?!

Where do you buy your makeup from? Do you get new makeup often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

ValJean Labs Morning Glow Facial Oil Review

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ValJean Labs Morning Glow Facial Oil Review

Howdy! I am a huge fan of ValJean Labs products and they have become a staple in my beauty routine. I am always on the lookout for more of their goodies when I am at TJMaxx and found a new to me serum by my go to brand… Or so I thought lol. It turns out that I didn’t purchase a ValJean Labs serum at all but a facial oil and that came as quite the surprise when I tried it for the first time. I absolutely detest the sensation and texture of facial oils so I felt like a major dunce when I realized what it actually was. Word to the wise: Always read the label! Despite my facial oil qualms, I refused to waste it and decided that it couldn’t hurt to put it on at night so I don’t have to be awake to feel it on. And you know what? It didn’t hurt at all and helped a lot! Let’s discuss:

This facial oil has a muted earthy scent that is very pleasant upon application during my nighttime beauty routine. I use it along with my normal moisturizer and eye cream and then hit the hay so as not to feel the greasiness that I despise. Whenever I use a product for the first time, I never expect immediate results. Rather, a gradual change. That was so not the case when I woke up the morning after my trial run! I looked in the mirror and it seriously looked like I slept for ten hours. My skin was glowing to the point of being dewy and that was such a drastic change to the dullness that I usually wake up to. It literally made me do a double take!

I have always shied away from facial oils and I now realize that I have done myself a disservice by not applying them to my pre-bed routine. Maybe it’s just the one I’m using from my favorite skin care brand but I have been using it nightly for two weeks and have noticed such positive results. The radiance it provides is, of course, a blessing but I have also noticed one more amazing difference: My under eye bags have been nonexistent. It has been years since I have woken up without a purplish tinge in the under eye region and it enhances the well rested vibes even further. Especially because I often feel anything but!

If you are on the market for a new facial oil then I truly can’t recommend the Morning Glow by ValJean Labs enough. It has turned the biggest anti facial oil gal into a number one fan and I will gladly use it again if I can find it!

What is a texture that you hate? What is your favorite facial oil? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

September 2026 Finishes

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September 2026 Finishes

Hello! September is drawing to a close and all I have to say is: Bring on October! Of course, I am eager for Halloween but I am also going to Italy and holy WOW am I excited. I didn’t think it was possible for my favorite time of the year to get any better but here we are and my mind is officially blown. Haunted houses, spooky decor, sexy costumes, and a whole lot of pasta are in my future and I am chomping at the bit to get the party started! I still have a couple of weeks to go but, until then, let’s say arrivederci to these beauty finishes. They were all winners in this batch and I would highly recommend them all. Check it out:

Would I Use Again?

ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser: YES

Precision Beauty Pore Perfect Serum: YES

Vital Beauty Cooling Eye Gel: YES

Goodness Every Morning Moisturizer: YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

ValJean Labs Cleanser: I loves me a ValJean Labs product and have been using the Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser every day for the past four months. This cleanser was especially nice during the stifling months of summer when my apartment turns into my own personal sauna. It is nonstop sweating and every morning this cleanser would take away the grime and leave my skin feeling so fresh and clean. Despite the constant sweat, my skin has looked radiant this summer thanks to my ValJean Labs cleanser with no random pimples and minimal blackheads. I was very impressed! As an extra bonus, this cleanser also comes with a scrub brush to really target problem areas and it was fun to use as I completed my cleansing routine. I would definitely buy this again if I saw it at TJMaxx!

Precision Beauty Serum: I am very partial to the Precision Beauty serums and, surprisingly, had not tried their Pore Perfect one until now. I suppose it’s better late than never because I really enjoyed it! The Pore Perfect serum was thicker in texture but absorbed quickly and sat perfectly under makeup. While some serums leave a shiny finish, the Pore Perfect was matte and I really appreciated that. I so did not need any additional shine as I sweat my way through summer. It took me one month of twice daily use to finish this bottle and will, without a doubt, be added to my skin care arsenal if I find it again.

Goodness Moisturizer: Oh my goodness did I freaking LOVE this moisturizer! The Every Morning Moisturizer was the first product I have used by the Goodness brand and I am so on board. In fact, I am currently using their eye cream and another jar of this moisturizer and hold them in the highest regards. The Every Morning Moisturizer was super long lasting and took one and a half months of twice daily use to finish the jar. This is a moisturizer with no bells and whistles and does exactly what it is meant to: Hydrate the skin. With every use, my skin was soft as can be and looked so bright and supple. The texture of this moisturizer was also incredibly light which was a blessing in the heat. I can’t wait to use more of their products because each one I have tried has been a winner!

This was a very successful month for finishes, indeed, and I think I might have found my new favorite skin care brand. Give me ALL the Goodness!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

August 2026 Finishes

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August 2026 Finishes

Howdy y’all and happy September!! Even though it’s ninety degrees here (Yuck!) it is officially fall in my head because every day that passes is another day closer to Halloween. I am SO beyond excited to start shopping for mine and Johnny’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett costumes and can’t wait to share them with all of you. This is a couples costume that I have always wanted to do and I am thrilled that it’s finally coming to fruition! Before I get too ahead of myself with spooky season plans, let’s take a step back to yesterday and discuss my beauty finishes for August. There were only two but they are definitely worth chatting about! Take a look:

Would I Use Again?

ValJean Labs Radiant Glow Face Scrub: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

ValJean Labs Scrub: I am an avid fan of ValJean Labs products and have yet to find one that I haven’t enjoyed. My favorite, however, has to be the Radiant Glow Scrub! This is easily the most gentle but effective scrub I have ever used and even Johnny uses it from time to time and loves it. The Radiant Glow scrub is cream based and hydrates deeply while the grit removes dry skin and imperfections like blackheads. Some scrubs leave your skin feeling scraped bare after using it and that is so not the case with the Radiant Glow. I used it every day for about two and a half months and exited the shower with skin that looked bright and felt soft as can be. Highly recommend and I will always purchase it if it’s available at TJMaxx!

Supergoop! Moisturizer: I bought the Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer for a TJMaxx price and am so glad for it because it is in the forty to fifty dollar range at Ulta or Sephora. I couldn’t imagine how mad I would be if I spent the full fifty bucks on the most lackluster moisturizer ever! The only thing the Supergoop! had going for it is that it was incredibly long lasting and it took me two months of twice daily use to finish the jar.

In that two months, there was nothing about this moisturizer that I liked and I was so happy to be done with it. The Triple Prep Moisturizer did not sit well on my skin whatsoever and it basically peeled off. It was miserable to be actually sweating and sweating moisturizer all at once during the hot summer months and it drove me insane. Of course, I had to see it through but I would NEVER get this product again even at a marked down price. This is one that can totally be skipped on!

My August Empties were 50/50 with one dud and one star and all I have to say is – it is SO nice to be using a moisturizer I actually like now! 😀

Which products did you use up in August? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hi! This past Tuesday I went to TJMaxx on my break as I needed a skin care restock and wanted to browse for upcoming birthday gifts for a couple of my bestie girls. I had great success on both counts and actually ran into one of my bestie girls! While I was perusing the skin care, I sensed a presence beside me who seemed to follow me in step. I felt like I was blocking whomever from their shopping and felt SO awkward and it kept happening. Finally, I turned to the person to apologize and it ended up being my BFF of eighteen years, Lea!! Omg did we have a laugh and after we parted ways I texted her with “you scare me :(” lol because she really did! It made my TJs trip even more magical and I walked away with the following skin care goodies:

For my skin care I was on the market for a new moisturizer, serums, an eye cream, and a scrub. And, of course, I never say no to my go to micellar water if it is available! Selecting a moisturizer was an incredibly easy choice because I actually purchased the same Goodness moisturizer a few months ago, am using it now, and am absolutely LOVING it. The Goodness Every Morning Moisturizer is really rich despite its thinner texture and feels like clouds when I apply it. It is ultra hydrating and leaves my skin feeling soft as can be and looking refreshed. The last moisturizer I used was a total dud and the Goodness brand was a total breath of fresh air the first time I used it. I will happily continue buying it as long as it’s available!

As far as my preferred serums go, TJMaxx always seems to have Glow Elixir and Precision Beauty in stock and I am a fan of them both. Like the Goodness moisturizer, it was a no brainer decision to pick up a few in my tried and true Collagen + Vitamin C formula for a dose of radiance in my beauty routine. A scrub was also needed as I had just finished up one of my favorites by ValJean Labs. In fact, I used it up this very morning. I really enjoy their products and was hoping to find the same scrub to use again. The shelves were bare in that regard but I did find a ValJean Labs eye serum that I am looking forward to trying! I opted for a Vitamin C & Turmeric scrub by Skin 2.0 which is a brand I have never used before. I’ll get my introduction tomorrow so stay tuned for a review coming soon. 😀

Prezzies, skin care, and a bestie sighting – oh my! This TJMaxx trip had it all and I can’t wait to use the new to me products and gift my beloveds with what I found for them! ❤

Do you like to shop alone or with someone? What are your go to skin care brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

July 2026 Finishes

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July 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy August! Also wait what? It’s August?! This summer is going by fast and I am not mad about it whatsoever. This summer has been hellacious and I am so ready to be wrapped up in the chilly comfort of fall. Before we dive into a new month, let’s time travel to one day ago because we must discuss my beauty finishes! I dropped the ball when I forgot about my June empties and took note of the mental note to not do that again lol. There are several good products in the mix for July so let’s take a look:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: ALWAYS

Precision Beauty Glow Up Vitamin C Serum: YES

Gold Bond Healing Lotion: MAYBE

Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Shower Gel: YES

Why/Why Not?

Precision Beauty Serum: I am a big fan of the Precision Beauty serums and have yet to find one that I didn’t like. The Glow Up Vitamin C serum, however, is my favorite. It takes me about five weeks of twice daily use to finish the bottle and I am impressed by it every day. This serum is rather thick and a little of it goes a very long way as just a smidgen packs a huge punch. The Glow Up formula leaves my skin bright and radiant even when I am feeling neither bright nor radiant lol. I am always amazed at how well rested and alert I look even when the hot days of summer screws up my sleeping schedule. Highly recommend if you are on the market for a new serum!

Gold Bond Lotion: Johnny purchased this bottle of lotion for applying on our tattoos that we got in April. It was the most fun day where myself, Johnny, and his aunt all got some ink! Truthfully, I don’t feel one way or another about this lotion but would use it again if it ended up at chez moi. I am extremely partial to my beloved Bath & Body Works lotion and rarely stray from it. BUT I used up the Gold Bond for one reason only: It has been hot AF and while I love the B&BW scents it was just too much in the heat. Sweating profusely to the aroma of a fruity or sweet fragrance is not my idea of a good time and it overwhelms me which is why I appreciated the scent free Gold Bond formula. Don’t get me wrong, it worked very well and left my skin feeling hydrated and nourished. But I am excited to get back to my favorite scents as summer draws to a close!

A Little Note: You all already know my love for Champagne Toast and my Evoluderm micellar water. I just wanted to mention that the mega bottle of Evoluderm lasts almost three months with twice daily use and it is such an awesome value. Definitely a steal if you find it at TJs. 🙂

Out with the old and in with the new! Keep tuning in on lifewithlilred as we tackle this new month together. Yay for it being almost fall!

What cools you off in extreme heat? Do you do well in really hot weather? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath & Body Works July Freebie

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Bath & Body Works July Freebie

Hi! My family will soon be vacationing in Italy and I am SO beyond excited!! It is going to be a once in a life time trip and every day that passes is another day closer to hitting the airport and going off on an adventure. I decided to be the one in charge of assembling travel size products for everyone’s toiletry kit and there is no better place to do so than at Bath & Body Works. Thanks to their monthly freebie coupons, I have been able to snag travel size shower gels and lotions without paying one cent. The last shower gel I needed to get was for my brother and, unfortunately for him, there were no travel size men’s shower gels in stock. Fortunately for me, I was able to get a freebie for myself lol check it out:

B&BW does a preview of their Halloween collection every July and I just love it. I live for spooky season so the earlier Halloween themed goods arrive in store, the better. While my next freebie coupon will be reserved for my brother, I chose a travel size fragrance spray in Vampire Blood for my goodie. It’s actually perfect because I don’t have any travel size perfume and I’d rather not lug my full size bottle of B&BW spray across the world lol. It’s also double perfect because I am currently using one of their Halloween perfumes right now so I can keep with the theme in Italy. 😀

I Scream Float is my all time favorite Halloween scent by B&BW because it smells exactly like Diet Coke. And, as a DC fiend, that really speaks to me. However, Vampire Blood was my all time favorite before I Scream Float debuted last year. Vampire Blood is a dark mix of deep blackberries and raspberries and it is a delight to the senses… Usually. As I typed this, I attempted to spray the tiniest amount of this scent for a refresher sniff and ended up getting a huge spray straight to my nose smh. Consider myself refreshed! On the bright side, there are a whole lot worse things than Vampire Blood to be smelling all day now!

Another travel size product for Italy is checked off of my list which means more room in my bag for clothes and shoes to create OOTD magic!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

What is your favorite B&BW scent collection? Do you have any packing pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

June 2026 Finishes

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June 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and WHOOPS! I totally forgot to make a post for my June beauty finishes smh so let’s throw it back to a handful of days ago and discuss now lol. In my defense, June was a crazy busy month, the craziness continued into July, and my June finishes were nothing to write home about. However, I will write about it on my blog so you know what to go for and what can be skipped on! Let’s take a ride in a time machine together and take a looksee:

Would I Use Again?

Bath & Body Works Bubblegum Pop Shower Gel: NO

Glow Elixir Collagen & Peptides Serum: MAYBE

Lanoline Manuka Honey Moisturizer: NO

Bath & Body Works Country Apple Fragrance Spray: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Shower Gel: I absolutely adored the Bubblegum Pop shower gel when I first started using it because what’s not to like? Sudsy, foamy bubbles that smell exactly like a big piece of bubblegum – sign me up! Then, this scent started to get really old, really fast. After continued use, I couldn’t stop thinking about Pepto Bismol every time I reached for the bottle and the Bubblegum Pop fragrance became almost sickeningly sweet. It takes me a month and change of daily use to finish a B&BW shower gel and I was ecstatic once I was officially done with it. I love the idea of this shower gel and that is about it lol.

Glow Elixir Serum: I have used Glow Elixir serums before but have never tried the Collagen & Peptides formula. This is one that I would get at TJMaxx if it was my only option as it fell under my “good but not great” category. The Glow Elixir serums are thin and runny but I always felt like my skin was nourished when I used their Hyaluronic Acid formulas. The Collagen & Peptides one just felt like a whole lot of nothing. My skin did feel hydrated when using this serum but that was all it had going for it and I noticed no real difference to my skin one way or the other. It took me one month of twice daily use to finish the bottle and it’s fine in a pinch but certainly not a go to.

Lanoline Moisturizer: Applying moisturizer is my favorite part of my skin care routine. I enjoy the ritual so much and it either starts my day or wraps it up. Because of this, I hold my moisturizers to a high standard and the Manuka Honey moisturizer by Lanoline simply wasn’t it. I liked the light, airy texture which was nice during the hot weather and it had a rich creamy fragrance but that was about it. Like the Glow Elixir serum, this was a product that was just there and offered no real results. After a month of twice daily use, I was SO ready to move onto another moisturizer in my stockpile!

B&BW Fragrance Spray: At last, we arrive at the only winner of the batch – the B&BW Country Apple Fragrance Spray. As you all know, I live for apple fragrances. I just can’t get enough of that sweet, juicy scent with a tart bite and Country Apple is one of my favorites. If you know what a freshly bitten apple smells like, then you know that this scent is an amplified version of that. I enjoyed doing my spritz and walk into the Country Apple goodness for a solid five months before walking out the door to work and it always put an extra pep in my step. I will always, always buy this one again!

This was lackluster group of beauty empties, indeed, but that’s okay. Now we all know what not to get for next time and also this is my mental note to not forget a beauty post at the end of July! 😀

Have you used any of the above products before? What did you think about them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah