December 2013 Empties - Beauty Edition + A Love Note

As this will be the last post of the year, I thought I'd get a little sentimental and sappy. Thank you so much for all of your love and support this year. The comments left on my blog, love notes through email, and interactions on social media encourages and motivates me to continue blogging and strive to make this blog better. With that said, I wish you a very Happy New Year filled with love, laughter, health and wealth.
Sap time over.
Ah, I love ending off the year having finished so many full sized beauty products. This will be my last post until the new year and what better way to end 2013 than with an empties beauty edition post?!
Jumping right in!

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - What a fantastic cleanser. I don't think I realized how much I enjoyed it until I finished it up. It smelled great, cleansed well (after already removing makeup), and was very affordable. My only beef is that the pump stopped working when there was about 1/4 of the product left. Was super fun trying to use up the rest...it wasn't fun at all, that was sarcasm. Would repurchase though. Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - Love! Already repurchased. Pretty Triple Rose Floral Water - review here - These are my favourite floral waters ever. I didn't love the rose scent, since I'm not a rose fan but it worked well as a morning "cleanse". Repurchased in Chamomile.

George's Aloe - no review - This product has been a favourite of many green bloggers for months. I didn't do a full review because there's no point. I used it in masks and as I would a toner or floral water. It was nice and the price point was fantastic, but it won't be a repurchase.

Weleda Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash - review here - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. This was the ultimate multitasking product for me. It worked as a shampoo, body wash and AMAZING hand wash. I will repurchase for sure!

REN Glycol Lactice Radiance Renewal Mask - review here - My heart broke a little when I finished this baby up. It was such a beautiful mask that produced results and even though it contains phenoxyethanol, I would repurchased if the price was right. 

*Odacite Hydration Masque Sample - review here - I tried and wanted to love this mask, however, it just didn't do what I expected it to do...like hydrate.

*Delizioso Skin Care Dead Sea Mud Mask - review here - This actually dried out before I could finish it, so I added a little bit of water and used what I could before it grew a furry family. There are other mud/clay masks that I prefer though. Won't repurchase.

Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Mint - review here - One of my fave lip balms. I hate how cocoa butter lip balms change texture in extreme weather, which is what happened with this one. I've already used up 2 and have another left. Will likely repurchase at some point.

Ladybug Jane Sweet Strawberry Lip Balm - review here - Ugh, the taste of this balm is delicious and it's vegan! Will definitely repurchase.

Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Solid Perfume - review here - I've had this for months and months, it's lovely! Worked as a perfume, brow wax, etc. Will repurchase at some point.

*aroma M Camellia Body/Bath Oil - review here - This body oil is lovely, except for the scent. It's a little too floral and mature for my liking but, the oil itself absorbs and moisturizes beautifully. Won't purchase the full size.

Deep Steep Hand Wash in Honeydew Spearmint - review here - Great scent, great ingredients, not great for my dry hands in the cold months. Would repurchase in the Summer.

*Corpa Flora Beaute Divine Cleansing Oil - review here - Gorgeous cleansing oil that lasted me a very long time. Removed makeup without irritating or breaking out my skin. I'm using something else now and will likely purchase the full size in the future.

Konjac Sponge Company - no review - I tried so hard to write a review on this sponge but, whenever I sat down I just couldn't type anything. It's a lovely sponge that works to remove makeup and cleanse the skin with or without cleanser. I still prefer my Sephora pad though. Won't be repurchasing.

That's it for my last post of the year! Are you ending off 2013 with a lighter bathroom? Let me know what you finished off this month.

*PR SAMPLES

Ladybug Jane Lip Balm in Sweet Strawberry Review

Ladybug Jane is a company I discovered when I was shopping at Nature's Emporium. Jane, creator and owner, was actually doing demos and drew me in immediately. She drew in the right person because I'm a total lip balm junkie!

Image courtesy of  Ladybug Jane

                                                           Ladybug Jane was created by Jane May Graves (scientist, actress, and model) and the character came from a dream that she had when her mom was diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer. This diagnosis led her on a mission to discover that there are an array of toxic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics. With her little girl love of Lip Smackers (don't act like you didn't love em!), she set out to find a natural and vegan alternative. Since she couldn't find one, she created one! By the way, Jane’s mom healed from her stage 4 Cancer by using natural medicine and wheatgrass.

                          

Description: Ladybug Jane formulated the first ever Plant based Healing Balms. A truly delicious way to moisturize and nourish your lips the chemical free way. Our Sweet Strawberry lip balm is the perfect hint of strawberry flavor loaded with antioxidants.

Certified VEGAN * Nut + Beeswax Free * Non-toxic * No Dyes or Artificial Colors * 100% Natural Flavors (No Phthalates) * Made In The USA * ECO Friendly Packaging * No Testing On Animals * Contains No Nasty Preservatives * Sweetened with Organic Stevia * No Hydrogenated Oils - All Oils are USDA Certified Organic * No GMO Ingredients * No Petroleum or Mineral Oils Gluten Free

NOM, NOM, NOM I WANT TO EAT IT!!! It legit smells like sweet strawberries and I can't get enough of it. The packaging is super cute; the different colours, polka dots, lady bug character, etc. It's definitely packaged more towards children and teens but, that shouldn't stop you from picking one up and licking your lips every time you wear it. This lip balm is clear and leaves a beautiful sheen on the lips, it's super moisturizing and I love that the texture hasn't changed. I find with beeswax or cocoa butter lip balms, extremes in temperatures impact the texture of it. Anyone else experience that? This one just remains super creamy so far. Now, some people may have a problem with the natural flavour used in this product and to that I say, live a little! Just joking..kinda. I was concerned too until Jane informed me that it's the same flavouring that's used in candy. I'm still a bit on the fence BUTTTTT, all of the other ingredients are spectacular. My childhood memories of lip balm revolve around Lip Smackers and with flavours like Sweet Strawberry, Vanilla Cupcake, Rich Chocolate, and Bursting Berry, this is wonderful natural alternative. I would highly recommend and totally repurchase!

Retails for under $5 CAN and $3.99 USD. Can be purchased through Ladybug Jane and Nature's Emporium. For other retailers, you can contact Ladybug Jane and they will assist you.

Did you grow up using Lip Smackers? What was your favourite flavour?

Ingredients: Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Coco butter,Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Organic Aloe Leaf Extract, Organic Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Vitamin E, 100% Natural Flavor, Organic Stevia