Dre Does Skincare and Body Product Empties

Product empty videos and blog posts are some of my favorites to watch because you get a full opinion on the product and get to know whether or not the person plans to repurchase the product. I think it's fun to see what stuff people actually use up because their opinion is more trustworthy to me when they've used the whole thing. For this reason I love to share them with you. I decided to split up my hair and skin care products with the empty makeup products I have because it would be a crazy long post otherwise, so here are my empties regarding hair, body, and facial skin care items!

First up we have hair products:

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo: This is my favorite spray dry shampoo of all time because it doesn't leave a residue in my dark hair. You can't see it or feel it so you don't feel like you have dirty hair. It does a great job absorbing all the excess oils and giving volume. I love the smell of all Amika products too!

Verdict: I am trying to switch to dry shampoos that are not in aerosol form because they contain butane so I am not repurchasing this product if I can find a powder dry shampoo that gives me a similar result. If the butane doesn't bother you, I'd so get this one for sure!

Amika Touchable Hairspray: If you need a moderate hold hairspray that doesn't feel crunchy this is for you. If you'd like more of a review on Amika products I've tried click here for a post I did on these two and some more!

Verdict: I really loved it and once I'm done with all the hairsprays I currently have to go through (thanks 100 Day No Buy) I will probably go back to this one!

Klorane Dry Shampoo: I received this dry shampoo in my Ipsy bag a few months ago and I went through it quickly because it was really great. It leaves a little more residue in touch and color than the Amika one but it was good. I liked having it in my purse incase my hair started to look greasy and I wasn't home. 

Verdict: If I could purchase this small size for travel I would so I will have to look into it!

Next up we have body products!

Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea Shower Gel: B&BW products are kind of blah for me. I used this up because I had it but it wasn't my favorite. I do prefer shower gels over bar soaps but I don't feel like this did anything special for my body. I like that they have an array of aromas though. I think I had this because I received it as a gift.

Verdict: I doubt I will ever buy B&BW body products again because there is so much better stuff to try, but if received as a gift again I would use it or keep it for travel.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub: These scrubs are some of my favorite. I love the mango and Brazilian nut aromas the best. As far as exfoliation goes they are on the more mild side so if you have sensitive skin you would probably enjoy these. They are nice and moisturizing too!

Verdict: I will be repurchasing them after I run out of my current exfoliators. I love to use them prior to shaving my legs. 

Lastly we have face products (my personal favorite)!

Aveda Bontanical Kinetics Exfoliant: This product is a holy grail one for me. I've gone through bottles of it since I graduated from Esthiology school and it is something I will always have on hand. I love how it gently exfoliates my skin chemically as I sleep (I apply it every night after I cleanse). I am a huge proponent of chemical exfoliation over mechanical so I can't be without this product! 

Verdict: Do I really need to say more? Haha I obviously already replaced it!

Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Cleanser: This is another great product that I always have. Whether I try new cleansers or test out some new ones, this is a cleanser I go back to a lot. It is made for oily/acne prone skin but even though it's winter it doesn't strip me of too much moisture and the aloe soothes any blemishes if I get any. 

Verdict: If you have oily and acne prone skin, give this cleanser a try. It's worth the money, cleanses very well and feels wonderful.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water: This facial spray was recommended to me a long time ago and that's what made me buy it. However, I don't have the most sensitive skin so I feel like I can use something a little stronger. I think this probably works best for those with sensitive and dry skin. If you like a facial spray that you can spray on your face in the sun to keep you hydrated you would love this. 

Verdict: I probably won't ever buy this again unless my skin changes and becomes more dry or sensitive.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover: I have really sensitive eyes when it comes to eye makeup remover and a lot of products burn mine. This remover and the regular blue remover wipes are two products that I will keep repurchasing because of how my eyes never burn with them.

Verdict: I already have two backups of this remover under my sink so you know I'll be repurchasing this for a long time. 

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream: I love this eye cream. I really feel like it helps depuff my eyes when I need it and I think it helped decrease the darkness of my eyes. I also love how light it feels on my skin because so many eye creams are so heavy and can cause my undereye concealer to crease later on in the day. 

Verdict: I will probably purchase this eye cream in the summer when I'm done with what I'm using now and my skin becomes oilier. 

There you have it. This is what has been in beauty trash haha. If you like this kind of post and find it helpful let me know! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does April Favorites

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Can we forget about the fact that I missed March favorites? Great! Let's get to the good stuff! The end of April means tomorrow begins May. Happy May to all of my fellow May babies out there! Isn't it the best month of the year? ;)

Korres Lip Butter and Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegrante: Ok, I try not to buy into the hype of all the products I read about on the internet but when I came across a four-pack of Korres products at my local Marshall's for $12, I figured the universe was sending me magical beauty signs. These two products are full size and retail for at least $12 each. Sadly it looks like the Lip Butter Glazes are discontinued but you can find them on eBay and amazon still. I'm obsessed with these both. They are both extremely smooth and buttery on the lips and I can see why people are so obsessed with them. I love the original Lip Butter for a sheer coral tint and the Glaze gives a slightly more pigmented coral look. The colors are beautiful and the texture is devine. Wish me luck in not buying every shade.

NYX Butter Gloss in Angel Food Cake: Clearly I have a thing for products with the name Butter (Paula Deen would be so proud!) The absolute perfect 'your lips but better' shade for every skin tone. It's like a nude slightly more amped up with a nice mauve undertone. All of these glosses are an amazing smooth texture and the color payoff is great. I own at least 7 of them I believe and I love them all,  I just always make sure to have this shade on hand! 

'The New Classic' by Iggy Azalea: I preordered this album the second I heard Fancy for the first time and the rest of it is nothing short of amazing. I love her attitude, fashion, music, etc. Beyoncé can be the queen but Iggy is most certainly the Goddess. Listen now friends.

La Roche Posay's Thermal Spring Water: I was in Sephora one afternoon picking out a toner and the beauty advisor recommended this thermal water in place of one. Normally I think they're just pushing products but since you cannot buy this in Sephora, I figured it must be a good product and I continued further research at home. I bought a massive bottle on amazon and I'm loooooving it. It has Selenium in it which has natural healing and antioxidant properties. I want to use it a little longer before I do a full review but expect that in the next few weeks.

Amika products and Digital Thermal Styler: Incase you missed my last post, I reviewed four Amika hair products and this styler that I recently picked up at America's Beauty Show in Chicago. It's nothing short of a love affair. Click here to see that post since it goes much more in depth!

Sam & Libby for Target Flats: These are my new go to spring flats. I purchased them months ago in January at Target and I can't get enough of them. The design is super comfortable and they go with everything. The base color is black but there is a metallic gold sheen to them that jazzes them up a bit. I especially love the little spikes on the heels. This is my current favorite cut of flat because the top comes up far enough so they stay on your feet yet don't rub anywhere. I hate having to break in flats and getting blisters but these so far keep me blister-free!

I hope you all had a wonderful April and are ready for my favorite month of the year! Happy May friends!

Have a beautiful day, 

Dre

Dre Does an Amika Review

I don't even know where to begin when it comes to this brand, so let's just begin with how I discovered it! When I was at America's Beauty Show in Chicago a few weeks ago, we kept seeing people walking around with bags that had this beautiful flower print. I noticed that they said Amika and since many booths were giving out free bags, I told my friends we needed to find the Amika booth and get our hands on these beautiful bags! When we found the booth we were greeted by a beautiful eye catching display and really friendly Amika representatives. All of a sudden we were offered free stuff and the opportunity to try out products and get our hair done. We obviously jumped on the offer and I immediately fell in love the products and the styling tools. The Obliphica line is centered around the Sea Buckthorn Berry (aka Obliphica) which grows in Siberia, one of the harshest climates, and is loaded with antioxidants, essential amino acids, beta-carotene, Omegas, flavonoids, and Vitamins C and E. I ended up purchasing a dry shampoo, texture spray, heat protecting hair serum, hairspray, and straightener. 

Perk Up Dry Shampoo

This is the product that initially drew me into the line. I am so picky about my dry shampoos and before this one I was never happy with what I was using. As a brunette I hate the white cast that they generally leave, but the thing I hate most is the dirty feeling that is left after spraying them into your hair. This dry shampoo however is amazing! I will never use anything else. The clear formula makes it a breeze to apply and work with and I'm being 100% honest when I say you can't feel anything in your hair. This is because this dry shampoo, unlike most that are out there, contains no aluminum shavings so your hair still feels clean after you use it! They use a rice starch to absorb oils instead, leaving your hair feeling soft and clean instead of heavy and dirty! This also helps you get more volume which is something I am always trying to achieve.

Undone Texture Spray

I've never been a fan of adding any product to my hair when I curl it because it typically weighs my hair down, dries it out, or makes it feel dirty. This texture spray is a serious game changer. With no salt in it, it definitely won't dry your hair out. It also uses zeolite, a natural mineral, to build serious volume. Once again you can't feel this product in your hair which is my favorite thing about the line. I really like adding this to day two curls because it refreshes them and makes them look put together again. I also love spraying it in before I do a top knot bun to give my hair that extra texture to make a bigger and better bun! 

Heat Defense Serum

We should always use a heat protectant before heat styling and I love this one. It's light and doesn't make my hair greasy. Free of parabens and artificial colorings, it is 95% silicones to protect your hair from heat damage. It's also great at taming frizz, which is necessary as we're approaching summer! I apply it when my hair is still damp, even if my hair is just going to be air drying. Sometimes I'll even use the tiniest amount to smooth random fly always or frizz if I'm wearing it straight or curly. 

Touchable Hairspray

If you like a strong but flexible hairspray that doesn't feel crunchy, this is it! It doesn't dry your hair out and does a great job of holding styles. The Obliphica is not only great for your hair but it helps give your hair shine as well. It goes on dry, which is really unique and awesome too. 

All of these products have the amazing Obliphica smell which is to die for. Your hair will smell amazing even going into day two. I couldn't be happier that I tried all of these products out! I would recommend all of them for everyone but if I had to pick two favorites I would definitely say the dry shampoo and the texture spray. They are life changing for someone who wants good smelling, good for your hair, clean, and light products. 

Digital Titanium Heat Styler

This is a miracle straightener! I can completely curl my entire head in 10-15 minutes with curls that will last at least 2 days! I've never been able to do this before so this has made getting ready in the morning quicker and more fun! The negative ions seal the hair cuticle creating smooth and silky curls. It also heats up in about 5 seconds which is insane. I got a ridiculously great deal at the hair show, so I paid less than half the price for this, but even at its original price I recommend it if you're looking for a new styling tool!

Overall, these products and the styling tool have made my hair look amazing. Now I don't have extremely damaged hair because I've never dyed it and don't normally heat style it that often, so my hair is healthy to begin with. However, the Amika products have taken my hair to the next level, making me look like I just got a blowout at the salon, when in reality it took me 20 minutes at most in my own bathroom. You can visit the Amika website at www.loveamika.com to learn more about the products and tools. You can also use a salon locator to find where you can purchase products near you! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre