August 2013 Empties!

I've been pretty MIA this month, mainly because my weekends have been jam packed + I've been working + I've been trying a bunch of new products that I needed to actually try before reviewing. The point is, sorry for being MIA and look out for some reviews :)

Now, let's talk trash. Woohoo!

Nature's Gate Pomegranate Conditioner - review here - This really didn't work for me. Didn't work as a conditioner or shave cream, but I managed to use it up somehow. Definitely won't be repurchasing.

Dr. Bronner's Eucalyptus Liquid Soap - review here - LOVE this scent so much. I use this to clean my stinky bits, tub, and sink. I already have another bottle.

Mont Echo Sea Buckthorn Cleansing Cream - review here - This was a really great cream cleanser. It cleaned off most of my makeup, calmed my skin, and left it hydrated. I wish that it was in a pump so that when the water (in it) separated from the cleanser, I could just shake. Having to stir prior to each use is a little inconvenient. I also don't think I would have gone through it as quickly had it been in a pump. Won't be repurchasing right now.

Pangea Organics Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange Cleanser - review here - This has been my holy grail cleanser for a long while. I'm sad to say that it is no longer holy grail status. My skin craves something creamier, thicker, more moisturizing and this cleanser has fallen short now. I will not be repurchasing.

Weleda Baby Calendula Face Cream - review here - I.LOVE.THIS.STUFF.SO.MUCH! I use this as a hand cream now, since my hands are constantly being washed and I have a little eczema, and it works like a damn dream. I have already repurchased.

Olie Biologique 004 Huile Moderne Hydrating Oil - review here - I can't use argan oil on my skin, like many of you lucky bit....umm, like many of you lucky people out there. I CAN, however, use it to smooth out my hair. I really loved this small, travel sized, argan sample. It smelled gorgeous and worked beautifully on my end. Unfortunately, it's a tad expensive to just use on my ends, I won't be purchasing the full size.

ilike St. John's Wort Eye Cream Sample - no review - This eye cream is really great for hydrating the eye area. I noticed a slight plumping effect, upon application, and loved how my concealer looked over it. It lasted me a long time and I'm ready to try something new. I won't be purchasing the full size.

Physicians Formula Fake Out Mascara - review here - LOVE! It darkens, is buildable, lengthens, kind of thickens, makes my lashes look great, affordable, etc etc. I went through it REALLY quickly though. Mind you, I apply it every single day whether I wear a full face or not. I bought a duo pack, so I have another one already otherwise I would have repurchased.

Pukka Chamomile & Vanilla Tea - review here - Best.tea.ever. I've gone through several boxes of this stuff and it's the only tea I always have on hand. I love it before bed and when I have an upset stomach. Already repurchased.

Sunflower Seed Butter - no review - I'm really new to seed butters, I usually stick to almond and peanut butter. This was surprisingly tasty, despite the fact that it tasted a little like oil (if you don't know what I mean, I can't even explain it). I ate it on toast, with a little organic jam for sweetness. I'd probably repurchase. - Has anyone tried pumpkin seed butter? Any good?

New Chapter Probiotic Florall - no review - I'm pretty sure I've had a probiotic empty the last few months. They really help, or at least I think they help, keep my tummy feeling good. I don't find it keeps me regular, just feeling way less bloated. These are great, already repurchased.

That's all I finished this month. Wasn't too much right?

What have you finished up this month? Link it below if you have a blog or YT video :) xo

Ground Soap "Lemme Bee Your Honey" & "Backbone" Review

Back in April, when I attended the Green Living Show, I was eager to find the Ground Soap booth. After walking around the entire show, and not finding it, I decided to give up and just head out. Seeing how disappointed I was, my boyfriend convinced me to ask the guy at the front doors where the booth was. So glad I did, because I found it!

I was instantly greeted by Angela Youngs, soapmaker and owner. She's a passionate individual, loaded with information on ingredients. She shared her struggles with making soap and how it took several batches of trial and error to finally perfect her recipes. She admitted to wanting to give up, and how her husband convinced her not to. Good job hubby! My boyfriend and I had so much fun talking with her, learning, listening, and buying soap! All of her ingredients are organic and wildcrafted, contain no parabens or synthetic scents and dyes, and it's bidegradable which means our planet will be happy even when you bathe in your cottage lake. Her packaging is also very environmentally friendly AND visually appealing. Each bar is wrapped in reusable fabric. I asked her why fabric? She said because she wanted it to look different than other soap, keep the planet happy, all while still keeping the bar itself from getting touched. Funny enough, I didn't realize how many people hated having their soap touched by random people, until I worked at Lush. Angela kindly gave me two bars for the price of one, so I got Lemme Bee Your Honey and Backbone.

Description: You'll want to take a bite of this one. Oatmeal offers exfoliating and soothing properties and is also a natural skin toner while generous portions of honey and shea butter lather and moisturize. Both men and women love this soap for shaving because it softens stubble and leaves skin smooth and clean. Honey is also known to be an ancient remedy for the treatment of infected wounds. Serious skin affection!

I love soap and am constantly on the look out for new companies (especially Canadian) to try. What sold me on this bar was the fantastic ingredients + the fact that it's their top seller. It's combination of butters, honey, and oats made my skin sing before even trying it. It has a mild citrus scent that is in no way overwhelming and definitely doesn't linger, perfect for you scent sensitive individuals out there. It's also great for those who aren't big citrus lovers, such as myself.  In order to prolong the use of each bar, I cut mine in half and it's (one half) literally lasted me longer than any other soap I've used. On to performance...it's such a pleasure to use! It doesn't hydrate as well as I expected, but it definitely doesn't leave me feeling dry or itchy. The only thing that I don't like is the oatmeal chunks. I have to really wet the bar before using it, otherwise they can be a tad abrasive, especially when washing sensitive areas. It's not that big a deal, just thought I'd throw it out there. I haven't tried it as a shave bar yet, but I will give it a go one of these days and report back on an empties post.

Next up? Backbone!

Description: Packed full of life, the soothing spice oils of cinnamon and clove create a warm sensation on the skin. There's tons of stuff on the go with this bar. It's made with antibacterial, antimicrobial and stimulation ingredients that work together to scrub, detoxify and uplift while moisturizing with the rich butters of shea and orange. Cinnamon is also an aphrodisiac.......Besides being a great body bar - it smells yummy in the kitchen alongside the sink.

I was instantly drawn to the beautiful cinnamon and clove combination that intoxicated my nose when I first sniffed it. It's absolutely intoxicating, yet the scent doesn't linger on the body for long. Which is cool with me! The Annatto seeds (I think) are what causes the sand like exfoliating texture that just gives me a really good scrub. The trick to using this bar, in order to not feel like your skin's getting scratched, is to hold it lightly against your body and rub in circular motions. I love how it warms and tingles my body every time I use it, definitely gets my circulation going! Literally, it feels like the blood is happily circulating. What did you think I meant?! Naughty, naughty. For someone prone to back, check and shoulder breakouts, I love that this keeps it all under control with it's detoxifying clay and bacteria killing essential oils. Out of the two bars, this is my absolute favourite and very likely repurchase (if I can physically get my hands on it).

I wish more health food stores and online shops would start selling these bad boys, they're amazing and well worth the price.

Retails for approx. $8 CAN a bar. Go to Ground Soap to find a list of retailers in Canada, USA, and Europe.

Which Ground Soap scent tickles your fancy most?

This is how thick the soap bar is, it's massive!

 Ingredients:

 

Rave Review: ZuZu Luxe Brow Pencil in Russet

They say that brows are the gateway to the soul...wait...or is it eyes? Whatever. Brows make a huge difference in how your face looks and ties any makeup look together. I love me a full, beautiful, well groomed brow and I always fill mine in regardless of whether or not I'm waring a full face of makeup. Sadly, years of waxing and plucking have resulted in bald spots and I now rely on a pencil to fill in the gaps. Damn you thin brow trend!! I've searched high and low for the perfect pencil, since I just can't stand to use powders. Why Nicole, what do you consider the perfect pencil? Let me tell you! 1. Great shade match: Seems obvious but, finding the perfect brown is really hard. Too light and it's wayyy too obvious. Too dark and all of a sudden your brows are virtually black and unnatural. 2. Texture: I prefer a brow pencil that's not too creamy and not too hard, I'm Goldilocks apparently. A creamy textured pencil, smudges and doesn't last long. A super hard pencil doesn't deposit enough colour, takes too long to apply, and tugs on the skin. The perfect texture is a mix of the both, this allows for feathering the colour on the eyebrow to give it that naturally full look. 3. Lasting power: Like any makeup you wear, you don't want to look like a disaster at the end of the day/night. After much searching, swatching, and experimenting...I have found THE perfect brow pencil (for me)!

Image Courtesy of Gabriel Cosmetics Inc.

Description: ZuZu Luxe Cream Eyebrow Pencils are available in four natural shades that sculpt and define brows. These pencils are specially formulated to shape, fill in and define to achieve natural-looking brows without harsh edges. Creamy pencil on one end and a brow brush on the other work together to shape your brows.

I love the fact that there's a pencil on one end and brush on the other. I can't even tell you how handy this makes it for applying on the go. It is a great shade match for brunettes because of the fact that it's taupe. It's not too light, warm, dark, red, orange, cool, it's universal. It fills in my brows, without making them look like I used a black Sharpie. The texture is fantastic! It applies with ease but isn't too creamy. The lasting power is way better than I expected. I went from a waterproof, chemical filled, brow pencil to this. I was super worried that I'd look like I had rubbed dirt around my brows and forehead by the end of the day. Boy was I wrong! This lasts ALL day. In fact, my eyebrows are the only part of my makeup that still looks perfect by the end of the day. People constantly tell me how amazing my brows look and I've been getting even more compliments since using this pencil. Nobody can even tell that they're filled in. The only negative I have, is that it has to be sharpened. If I loose my sharpener or don't have it on hand, I'm screwed. That being said, it's lasted longer than the ones you twist up. Gotta pick your battles. I used to go through those monthly. I've had this same pencil for like 2 or 3 months now, and it's still going strong! I absolutely love this brow pencil, it's my holy grail now, highly recommend, and will always repurchase. You need must go buy it, now!

Retails for approx. $20 CAN/$13.80 USD for .044oz/1.25g. It comes in 4 shades and can be purchased through Gabriel Cosmetics Inc and pretty much any health food store. I purchased mine at The Big Carrot.


Do you think brows are important? What do you use to fill yours in?

Excuse my dry hand. Left: lightly applied. Right: built up

Ingredients: Copernica Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Crithmum Maritimum (Sea Fennel) Extract, Hectorite, Lecithin, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide

Mont Echo Sea Buckthorn Cleansing Cream Review

Over the years, I've gone from foaming face washes to creamy ones. The older I get, and more educated and informed I become, my need for gentle cleansing rises. Regardless of skin type and concern, it's so important to use a gentle cleanser on your face. You never want to strip your delicate skin of all it's natural oils and should opt for treatments (masks, serums, moisturizers, etc) to help normalize your skin. That being said, I was in the market for a new cleanser. While browsing one of my favourite health food stores, The Big Carrot, I came across Mont Echo Naturels.

They are a small family owned Sea Buckthorn company, located in Quebec (Canada), that extracts their own sea buckthorn oils on site. They believe in quality and sustainability, which is seen through their EcoCert certification and their commitment to "working with local growers, which supports local agriculture and reduces our carbon footprint". Canadian? Check. All natural? Check. Sea buckthorn? Added bonus! Of course I had to try it.

Description: A rich and nourishing cleansing cream formulated with our Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil and Calendula extract which gently removes makeup and dirt without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. BENEFITS:
• Provides beneficial nutrients to the skin, while removing impurities
• Hydrates
• Soothes and softens skin
• Exfoliates dead skin
• Unclogs pores
• Smoothes skin and improves tone & texture
• Reduces redness and inflammation
• Antibacterial

Let's start with the packaging, which I have a love/hate relationship with. I love the cute and chic design of the box and label. The sea buckthorn berries is genius and they made it look so elegant, yet simple. The jar, not practical and very annoying to use. I don't like that I have to stick my finger in there all the time for a few reasons; it's not hygienic, the water separates which means I have to stir it before using, and I end up using way too much. The cleanser isn't thick enough that it can't be in a pump bottle, which would make it much more practical for daily use and for travelling with. That's pretty much my only negative, the packaging. The cleanser itself, once stirred, is beautiful. It's not quite a cream, not quite a lotion, and rubs into the skin with ease. It leaves my skin soft, makeup free (with a double cleanse), hydrated, glowing, and radiant. I have definitely noticed that the redness in my cheeks has gone down a bit. The smell is..umm..I don't know. Lavender and calendula, I guess. Either way, you can definitely smell the essential oils, but it's not overwhelming at all and doesn't linger on the skin. The ingredients in this product are divine, edible really. All very nourishing and packed with goodness. It does contain grapefruit seed extract, so that's something to consider if you're trying to avoid that ingredient. I really enjoy using this cleanser and, if they change the packaging, I would definitely repurchase.

Retails for approx. $23.95 CAN for 120ml. Can be purchased through Mont Eco, The Big Carrot and some other stores in Toronto. You can go to their Where To Buy section to find a retailer near you.

Have you ever tried this brand? What is your favourite cleanser?

Ingredients: Water, High Oleic Safflower Oil, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Organic Coconut Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Avocado Oil, Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, Organic Herbal Infusions of Alfalfa Leaf, Comfrey Root & Leaf, Horsetail, Chamomile Flowers, Chickweed, Organic Bulgarian Rosewater, Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Calendula Extract, Organic and Wildcrafted Essential Oils of Lavender, Geranium & Palmarosa, Rosemary & Sage Antioxidants, Grapefruit Seed Extract

MUST HAVE: Physicians Formula FakeOut Mascara Review

Mascara is one of those makeup items that women (and some men) just can't live without. We all want to look like we have naturally full, long lashes without having to wear false lashes. Or, perhaps you like wearing false lashes and that's cool too. After hearing other bloggers talk about this mascara, I was super stoked to see it in my local Wal-Mart, on sale might I add. I picked up a 2 pack for something ridiculous like $8 bucks when just ONE is, I think, around $17. Quite the deal. A deal means nothing if the product doesn't live up to the hype and promises made on the package.

Description:

• 100% Natural False Lash Effect!
• 100% natural origin lash extension fibers for the full-on fringe of false lashes without irritation.*
• Innovative formula amplifies lash volume, length & curl.
• 24 hr wear.
• 100% Free of Harsh Chemicals, Synthetic Preservatives, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrances & Colors, Cruelty Free, GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms

* Based on a panel of women using Organic Wear® 100% Natural Origin FakeOut™ Mascara.

Hi, I'm addicted! From my findings, basically watching YT videos, reading blogs and my own personal experiences, most of the other PF mascaras are known to transfer, smudge, and flake. This one doesn't! Well, not entirely. At the end of a long day I can sometimes find a few flakes, but I feel that's pretty normal with any mascara. My lashes are long, they touch, it's normal to me. Does it wear for 24 hours? I've never tried, but it does last at least 12. Does it create a natural false lash effect? Not sure because, like I mentioned (not bragging), my lashes are already long. It does enhance my natural lashes, making them darker and appear slightly fuller. This mascara doesn't irritate my eyes or cause styes, which has happened with other natural mascaras in the past. I adore that this product is widely available, I don't have to travel to different health food stores or purchase online. The packaging is super cute, and I don't find the leaf handle uncomfortable to hold. What I do find, at times, uncomfortable is the massive wand. It's super massive, and the bristles are super short, which can be such a pain sometimes. Either way, I'm in love with this mascara. Because of that, you should go buy it :P. It will be a definite repurchase for moi!

Retails for approx. $17 CAN and can be found in most drugstores and grocery stores.

Have you tried this mascara yet?

no mascara

with mascara (top lashes only)- K maybe not a major difference but they are slightly darker and a tad fuller.  When I apply several layers, for a night out, people ask if I'm wearing false lashes. 

The All Natural Face Cream Blush Collection + Swatches

It's no secret that The All Natural Face makes some exceptional products (cream blushes) and sells them at affordable prices ($5.75 USD). And it's also no secret that I'm super late on this post, but, better late than never. Right? I really love their cream blushes, like LOVE, despite their use of argan oil which a. I've never seen listed before and b. tends to irritate my skin. That being said, I don't think I've had any reactions.

Anyway, this post is about the shades that I have and showing you swatches prior to purchasing, which may be kind of late for most of you :P. I will say that the formulations of these blushes vary widely. Some of them are pretty hard and others are super creamy, so don't be alarmed if the consistencies are different.

L to R: Dusky Rose, Touch of Rose, Peachy Rose

Dusky Rose is a favourite for many. It's a dark rosy red that gives the skin a natural flush of colour. I haven't played with this colour much, but feel it might be a staple come Fall/Winter.

Touch of Rose is supposed to be a subtle touch of rose, like the name suggests. It swatches brownish/pink but, goes on very sheer and adds the most beautiful glow to the cheeks. This is perhaps my favourite and most used blush because I can use it on days when I just want a glow or use it to intensify a powdered blush. I would probably rename this to Touch of Glow.

Peachy Rose is exactly as stated, a peachy blush. I hardly ever use it, I'm just not a fan of peachy/orangey shades on my skin, however, it is beautiful.

L to R: Barbie, Cotton Candy

Barbie is a bubble gum pink that's not very pigmented. The colour really needs to be built up in order to show up, heavy swatch below. Nonetheless, it's super pretty and would make a great lip colour as well.

Cotton Candy is a gorgeous purple/pink shade that is so complimentary to my skin. I have some redness on my cheeks and find this works beautifully to counteract that. Not counteract as in conceal but, it doesn't enhance the redness and make my entire face look super flushed. Red cheeked gals, you'll understand. It doesn't go on as purple as it looks below, blends out beautifully.

I would highly recommend checking these cream blushes out, if you haven't already. My definite repurchase shades are Touch of Rose and Cotton Candy.

What is your all time favourite ANF cream blush shade or product in general?

L to R: Dusky Rose, Peachy Rose, Touch of Rose, Barbie, Cotton Candy

L to R: Dusky Rose, Peachy Rose, Touch of Rose, Barbie, Cotton Candy

L to R: Dusky Rose, Peachy Rose, Touch of Rose, Barbie, Cotton Candy

July 2013 Favourites!

I've been fairly adventurous lately with trying new products and July was a month filled with them. Many of them were used for only half the month, and no reviews have been written yet, but I'm including them anyway! Sue me (don't actually).

Jojoba Oil - Since running out of my DIY Oil Cleanser, I decided to use up this bottle that has been hanging around to remove my makeup. It's so lovely! It works very well to remove my makeup, is a light and almost water-like textured oil that never feels heavy, and it hasn't broken me out (A+ for that).

DIY Toner (in Pangea bottle) - I have been playing around with different toner ingredients to find something that is affordable and works well. This is basically a mixture of aloe and apple cider vinegar. My previous bottle was the same with the addition of essential oils. My next bottle with likely include green tea. When I get a bottle/batch that I'm beyond in love with, I'll do a post. For now, know I'm enjoying the current mixture and plan on making it better.

Sephora Silicone Cleansing/Exfoliating Pad - I've had this pad for ages, like well over a year. I use it, stop, use it, stop, and have finally decided to just incorporate it into my skin care regime daily. It's extremely gentle, easy to clean and affordable. Love it to bits, so much that I have a backup..what? Judge free zone, remember that.

SBT Seabuckthorn Tea Cream - This is a lovely light moisturizer that's been working well to keep my dehydrated skin hydrated. It has virtually no scent and is chock full of my beloved sea buckthorn oil. Review to come.

Pure Anada African Gold - This gem is pure, unrefined shea butter infused with African Marula Oil. It's worked wonders on my dry patches (face and body) and I swear it's lessened the appearance of my frown line. Review to come.

Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen + Alima Pure Foundation - For the first half of the month, I was mixing the sunscreen with the foundation to create a beautiful light to medium coverage tinted moisturizer. The combo worked really well, even though the colour was slightly off, and it just gave my skin a really nice glow while offering a sufficient amount of coverage..but...then..the next item came along.

Pure Anada Pressed Foundation - I have two shades, Very Fair and Light, both of which work for me. I played with both shades and Light seems to be a good match for me with my tan. It's amazing! It creates a flawless finish, wears beautifully all day, and doesn't cling (too much) to dry/dehydrated patches. Review to come.  Side note: I have a swatch on my hand below, of my next two favourites, which allows you to see my skin tone shade right now and might help you put Very Fair and Light in perspective.

The All Natural Face Touch of Rose Cream Blush + Alima Pure Freja Luminous Shimmer Blush (swatch below) - most beautiful combo ever. Touch of Rose just gives the cheeks a beautiful glow on it's own, then you add Freja to give it that gorgeous pink pop. It's so natural and so beautiful. I can definitely see myself picking up a full size of Freja when my sample runs out.

Top to bottom: Touch of Rose, Freja

Dr. Mist Deodorant - This stuff is fantastic for summer. It's unscented, keeps me fairly dry and stink-free for most of the day. I added some peppermint oil for a little spunk and to keep it fresh and cool when applying to my underarms. LOVE!

What did you love in July?

Reveal Beautiful Skin with Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Adzuki Bean Rice Bran Face Polish

It's been a long while since I've used a new face scrub and boy was I excited to received this little gem in the mail. To be honest, it's been sitting around for a few months for two reasons. 1. I wanted to finish my old scrub first and 2. I was super intimidated by it being a powder. I never had much luck with dry exfoliants. I just can't seem to find the proper water to powder ratio, know what I mean? After a couple of months of playing with this face polish, I can finally write a review! Wait, are those angels singing? Guess I'm not the only one excited about this.

Sweet Leaf Bath Company is Canadian *jumps for joy* company that was started, in 2007, by Rose Creamer & Stacey Guymer. Sweet Leaf was started with the "desire to create something that was pure and nourishing, something that was good not only for your skin, but for the planet as well." 
Their products are "handcrafted in small batches using pure, organic and fair trade certified ingredients. Hand blended with pure essential oils to soothe or uplift, preserved using natural methods, sustaining the nourishing and therapeutic properties of the oils." They are also licensed by TransFair Canada which means they're making a difference through the ingredients that they use and you're making a difference by purchasing them. Sounds fantastic doesn't it? It does.

Description: This gentle face polish is chock full of vitamins, anti-oxidants, and anti-aging properties. It will hydrate and nourish and leave you with a brighter complexion and a radiant glow.

Round 1: Splashed face with water and rubbed 1/4 tsp of powder in my hands (as stated above). Maybe my face is just excessively large but, 1/4 tsp is virtually crumbs from my morning toast. Tried this a couple of times, gave up, and set it aside.

Round 2: Pre-mixed 1/4 tsp of powder with water in a tiny bowl. Failed yet again, still not enough.

Round 3: Pre-mixed more (didn't measure this time) powder with water. Whyyyyy is this not working?!?!

Round 4: Fourth times a charm? I owe many thanks to Trisha, from Stuff I Love Blog, for her honey mask idea. Genius! Why didn't I think of that? Definitely an "ah-ha" and "durhh" moment all at the same time. I have been using this face polish with honey ever since. I use about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tsp of face polish, 1/4 tsp of honey, and a couple of drops of water. I don't always leave it on as a mask, sometimes I just use it to adhere to my face and gently rub for a few minutes before washing off. 

This face polish leaves my skin soft, glowing, revitalized, and cleansed. I love that I get the benefits of the ingredients that make up this scrub and the benefits of the honey. My skin is sensitive and I haven't experienced any negative side effects such as burning, irritation, etc. It's the perfect amount of "scrub" without leaving my face raw or as if I didn't exfoliate at all. Aside from my personal struggles with powdered exfoliants, which really shouldn't impact this review, I have a tiny issue with the smell. It's chock full of amazing ingredients and no where does it say that it smells like deliciousness, but dang the stale peanut and grass aroma is strong. At first, the drama queen in me wasn't sure I could handle it. It got better and I'm over it for the most part, just wanted to throw out a tiny disclaimer for all you scent sensitive individuals. On a positive note, this container is going to last forever! I do really enjoy using this exfoliant as part of my skin care routine and highly recommend. 

Retails for $16.95 CAN for 4 oz. Can be purchased through Sweet Leaf Bath  or these other retailers across Canada.

Have you ever tried any Sweet Leaf Bath products? What's your take on powdered exfoliants?

*This is a PR sample, sent for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

July 2013 Empties!

Ahh empties, the time of the month where I can finally throw away all of my trash and begin a new collection of garbage (literally). Without further ado, here's my trash for the month!

Dr. Bronner's Shikakai Lavender Soap - review here - Lovely hand soap and lovely scent, lasted forever, but irritated my small patch of eczema on my hands. Won't be repurchasing.

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap in Unscented/Baby - review here - I really love this liquid soap because of it's multi use ability. The unscented was purchased to use as a body wash and it was great, however, I really love the peppermint and eucalyptus scents much more. Will repurchase, just not in unscented.

All Things Herbal Naturally Irish Soap in Dublin Mint - no review -  I received this in my March Seasons Box and while I loved the refreshing mint scent, I hated how slimy and slippery it felt in the shower *cringes*.

Naked Organix Tamanu Bar - review here - I went through this bar very quickly but loved how it helped keep my chest, back and shoulder breakouts at bay. Will definitely repurchase once I use up some other soap.

Coconut Oil - no review - Don't worry, I removed that little chunk at the bottom there. I adore coconut oil and have been eating it more than I have been using it for skin care. I will be repurchasing!

White (Kaolin) Clay - no review - I love white clay for my sensitive skin and generally mix it with green for a super detoxifying face mask. Will be repurchasing.

Earthpaste Lemon Twist Toothpaste - review here -  I had the peppermint flavour in my last empties, but I had actually finished it up at the beginning of June. So really, these tubes last me about 2 months. Redmond actually sent me all of the flavours, except peppermint because I purchased that myself, to try. This works just as well as the peppermint, but I hate the flavour. I'm such a boring person and just love the traditional mint/wintergreen/peppermint/anything minty toothpaste over any other flavours. This would be ideal for adventurous people, lemon lovers and kids because it literally tastes like lemon meringue. For the record, I don't like lemon meringue pie...fully aware that I suck :P.

Dr. Alkaitis Nourishing Treatment Oil - review here - I've grown to love this oil more and more. The smell is so intoxicating and I LOVE applying it after a shower. It's beyond luxurious and really keeps my skin soft. It's super expensive but I think I might treat myself one of these days.

Dr. Alkaitis Purifying Facial Cleanser - review here - Hated this cleanser. It irritated my skin and, in an attempt to not throw it out, I used it to wash my feet. Will not be purchasing.

New Roots Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil - review here - Love sea buckthorn oil, hated the bottle that the New Roots one came in because it wouldn't close properly. The bottle above is a bottle that I purchased to put it in. I've been sent SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil and am now using that. Won't repurchase New Roots.

One Love Organics Easy Does it, Morning Glory & Brand New Day -  Review here - Really enjoyed this set and would consider purchasing the cleanser and Morning Glory serum since they work super well together.

Elabloom Facial Oil Sample - no review - This was a tiny sample, only had enough for a few days. It, sadly, contains Argan oil which gives me little red bumps all over my face. Won't be purchasing the full size.

Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Mocha - review here - This balm took me forever to finish up! I'm officially sick of the scent but love how well it works at hydrating my lips. I have two other flavours on the go right now. One thing I have noticed, about cocoa butter lip balms in general, is that they get rough when they're in hot/cold temperatures. I guess the melting and cooling affects the texture, which sucks.

Simply Natural Chamilla Lip Balm - review here - Really didn't enjoy this balm due to the scent and it's ineffectiveness at keeping my lips hydrated. Won't be purchasing.

Cheeky Cosmetics Blush Samples in Cheeky & Flirt - review here - I found these to be a little too bright and sparkly for my liking. Won't be purchasing full sizes.

Tarte Eye Primer Sample - no review - Adored this eye primer because it actually worked at making my shadows more vibrant and last. I'm considering a full size even though it's not all that natural.

MegaFood Blood Builder Supplement - no review -  I have low iron, not super low but still low, and must take a supplement. I love that this is a whole food source which means it's easily absorbed by the body. It also doesn't constipate me. On top of containing iron, it also contains vitamin C, B12 and folate. Has it helped my iron levels? I'll let you know after I get blood work done. I've already repurchased in the meantime.

Tossing Out

Pure+Simple Oily/Impure Sunscreen - review here - I can't stand this stuff. I applied it on my body, before heading to the pool, and I literally looked like Casper. I didn't burn, but I also didn't get a tan. Throwing it out!

Inika Foundation in Beige Sample - this is too dark and fragrance for me. Even with a tan, it just doesn't match. Even if it did, the scent is such a turn off. Tossing.

Jane Iredale Disappear Concealer - review here - I used up most of this and I'm pretty sure there's only a little left, but it's just not working for me. It rubs off and creates, what looks like, dry patches. In the bin it goes!

Phew, done. Before starting new products, I really like to finish up samples or things that are already open. I try not to throw out or waste product unless absolutely necessary (ex. can't make it work at all or not suitable for anyone I know).

What have you finished up this month?

xo