May 2013 Empties

Lately, I haven't been too adventurous with my makeup, hence the lack of FOTD posts that I usually overwhelm you guys with.  I have just been sticking with products that I know won't fail me and have been especially concentrating on using up products.  While I'm sick I have been reorganizing and attempting to make order to my vanity.  In the process I have been astounded and overwhelmed at how much makeup I own. I have TONS of new and barely used products so using them up is going to be a serious battle, but I've got to try.

Anyways, let's move on to the topic of this post: May empties.  I've got a good handful of items but only one makeup product.  Mark my words I will be sure to have more next month.

1. Nivea Kiss of Smoothness Lip Care SPF 10.  This is hands down my favorite lip balm--it's like lotion for your lips!  And I totally didn't realize it had SPF until I looked up the name for this blog.  Definitely a plus.

2. Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50.  I'm trying to be really good with SPF because....I have sun/age spots on my face.  I was in shock when I first saw them because I don't go out of my way to tan and I'm still young (or so I think)!  The last thing I want to do in 10 years is spend half an hour each day concealing sun spots so I'm trying to be really good with sunscreen now.

3. Cover Girl Waterproof Lash Blast Volume Mascara.  Technically, I'm not quite finished with this mascara but I've been using it for four months and it really has to go.  Great thickening and lengthening mascara.  I already have backups.

4. Evian Facial Spray.  I bought this a few years ago because I thought it was a setting spray.  It's actually just a refresher spray and you use it when you feel hot and sweaty.  It also helps to make your makeup look more melted in if your powder is looking a little cakey.  I've just been using it for both purposes, and I have one in my kit.

5. Kenra Volume Spray Super Hold Finishing Spray.  I was in love with this product when I first purchased it at last year's CosmoProf Hairshow in San Jose, California.  I still like it but I want to try out other sprays.  Too bad I bought two giant bottles of it already when I was in love with it.

6. Kirkland Unscented Baby Wipes.  I go through tons of these.  I use them to wipe makeup or hairspray off my hands, to wipe off my face makeup before washing my face, and for wiping off my vanity when it gets dusty.

That's it for this month!  Did you guys finish a lot of stuff as well?  I love empties posts so if you made one and I missed it, feel free to link it down in the comment section below.

EDIT:  I just realized I have backups for everything listed in this post.  REALLY, Janny!?  Really!?!

My first CosmoProf haul!

Whee!  I'm so excited!  On Thursday I finally had a chance to get my CosmoProf membership, which is a beauty supply store for professionals only in the U.S.  I've tried obtaining membership at the San Leandro store a few weeks ago but the customer service was definitely not the best and I was told that my transcript was invalid.  I visited the Albany location on Thursday and the customer service was phenomenal.  Not only did I get my membership , but the employee there (Lariiyana, I think her name was) extended it way past my graduation date.  She was also super helpful and knowledgeable about the different products I inquired about.  Even though the Albany location is a bit further than the San Leandro location, I will definitely be returning there.

Anyways, I had only about 20 minutes in the store because some classmates and I were shopping for an upcoming hair show competition (this Monday, eek!).  CosmoProf was only one of the many stops we had to make.  Of course, I ran for the styling products and stocked up on a bunch of things from various companies that I wanted to try.  I knew I wanted to get some flexible hairspray, some salon quality shampoo and conditioning as I've never used any before, and something from Sebastian as I've heard amazing things about their products.  I got that and a lot more.

I saw this set of shampoo and conditioner on sale.  Since I was paying salon prices (as opposed to consumer prices), it cost just a little more than what I pay for Head and Shoulders, which is what I usually use.

I found an Aquage transforming spray duo on sale as well and grabbed that.  I currently use it and I love it so far so I decided to get back up even though I have tons left.  The Paul Mitchell finishing spray caught my eye because it was really inexpensive.  I also got a huge refill bottle of  the Kenra thermal spray I fell in love with.  I grabbed a flexible hold hairspray from Sebastian just to try it out.  The styling cream all the way to the right is something Lariiyana raved about.  She suggested I use some of this creme product instead of/with thermal spray because she said it held styles a lot better be they long or short.

Lariiyana also threw a whole bunch of samples into my bag!  She asked me to choose between the dry shampoo and beach spray and I chose the former, but she threw all this into my bag.  She was so sweet!  I didn't realize how much she gave me till I got home, but I did thank her many times for her time and recommendations.

I can't wait to try out these products!  Right now I'm focusing all my energy on the hair show competition (More on that in another post!  I still need to tell you guys about the fashion show I took part in!).  After Monday, hopefully I can start playing with all this awesome stuff!

Have you guys ever been to CosmoProf?  What are your favorite salon hair products?

Haul: CosmoProf 2012 Hair Show

I did promise a haul post from the hair show a few weeks back.  Of course, I got mostly hair products, as I want to become more proficient in hair styling.  I also picked up a brush roll and a couple of eyeliner brushes from Crown Brushes which are not featured.  I'll do a separate post on the brush roll.  I paid salon prices for all the styling products, which is the cost that salons would buy the products for.


First off, some Paul Mitchell products.  To be deathly honest, I don't know how to use any of them except for the serum.  I asked one of the sales reps about the products and I wasn't completely sure I understood him.  But with the $30 purchase, I got the nifty Paul Mitchell bag with the products.  Super handy for taking hair tools and products with me on the go.

I got some Kenra products too.  Everyone I talk to raves about Kenra's line, so I opted for some of their styling products.  I'm already in love with the thermal spray because it is a heat protectant and hairspray in one. Again, I got a cute bag/clutch with the products which is actually quite big.

One of my teachers, the one that cut my hair last, used Aquage products on me last semester when I was modeling for a demonstration.  I decided to try some of their styling products myself.  I also picked up a teasing brush which I like very very much :)

The hair show gave out free bundles of It's a 10 products, worth $44.  I don't know if that's salon price or consumer price.  Most of these are gels/texturizers, which should be fun to play with with my now shorter hair.

Ardell also had a booth at the show.  Their items were 6 for $15 the first day of the show, but they really wanted to get rid of everything so the remainder of their products were $1 each the second day.

One of my teachers and a classmate keeps nagging at me to get a better hairdryer than the one that was included in our kit.  I'm still a newbie when it comes to blowdrying so I was reluctant to purchase a new one.  But looking at the ones from Hot Tools, I found that this one fit so nicely in my hand, was easy to use, and very lightweight.  This was $70, but the guy at the booth threw in a free curling wand and an apron for combs, brushes and shears.

I later found out that in the state of California, brush/comb belts are actually illegal to use because they're not sanitary.  According to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, anything strapped onto your own body is not sanitary, and therefore prohibited to use.  Makeup artistry does not fall under the rules and regulations of this department, so they are allowed to use makeup brushes.  Technically, though, they're not sanitary because the brush belt is not cleaned.

Lastly, I grabbed two of these sets that include a Shampoo/Body wash, hair texturizer/gel, and some earphones.  One for my baby brother and one for my boyfriend.  I think these make really neat gifts :)

That's all for now!  If you have used any of these products before or anything like them, please feel free on telling me about it.  I'm fairly new to the world of hair products so I need all the education I can get!