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

Nature's Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Hair Defense Conditioner Review

In March, I finished up (or they expired) a couple of conditioners. I went a few days without any conditioner and really noticed how tangled my damaged ends were getting. Off I went to my local health food store to buy one. I was literally overwhelmed, I think it was because I wanted to try everything but wasn't sure which to pick at that moment.  I remember Martha, from Quick Cheap and Pretty, mentioning that she really likes the Nature's Gate conditioner. It was on sale, smelled super nice, so I bought it.

Description: Our Pomegranate Sunflower Conditioner defends color-treated hair from the damaging effects of UV rays, the environment and styling. This moisture-laden conditioner is formulated with Pomegranate, Sunflower and Red Tea Leaf for their antioxidant properties and our 7 Healthy Hair Nutrients to strengthen and revitalize hair. With daily use, this conditioner helps extend the vibrancy of your colored tresses.

I so wish this worked for me as well as it works for her. First off, the product is so thick that it's hard to get out of the big bottle with tiny top dispenser. Dear Nature's Gate, a pump would have been fantastic and less annoying. I literally fight with the bottle every shower. Thick conditioner usually means hydrating conditioner, at least to me it does because I think of how thick deep conditioners are. Was this hydrating or moisturizing? Nope. It sits on my hair and rinses off as though it was never there to begin with. Except, I know it was there because it leaves behind a beautiful fruity scent! The scent is divine. The ingredients are pretty good, except fragrance which is at least phthalate free. Since it's not actually doing anything for my hair, I plan on using it in a DIY salt spray and to shave my legs. I won't be repurchasing for sure.

I bought it on sale for $6.99 CAN for 18 fl oz. It can be purchased at most health food stores and through Nature's Gate.

What do you think of Nature's Gate hair care products?

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Stearyl Alcohol (Vegetable Derived), Cetyl Alcohol (Vegetable Derived), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Vegetable Derived), Benzyl Alcohol, Punica Granatum(Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Viola Tricolor (Pansy) Extract, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Stearalkonium Chloride (Vegetable Derived), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethylcellulose (Plant Derived), Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid (Vegetable Derived), Fragrance*.
* Phthalate free

Nature's Gate Toothpaste Review

I long to find the best natural toothpaste for me. I originally fell in love with Kiss My Face and have repurchased many tubes of it, however, it's price forced me to look elsewhere. I stumbled across Nature's Gate Gel toothpaste at the supermarket, on sale, and couldn't resist picking it up.

Description: Brushing with our great tasting fluoride-free Cool Mint Gel Toothpaste helps reduce dental plaque build-up and brightens teeth while freshening breath and promoting oral health. Our unique formula contains an exclusive blend of 7 oral health botanicals to leave your mouth feeling minty clean and refreshed.

The Good:

• gel texture - I hate cream/paste textured toothpastes, they're gross
• minty fresh
• fantastic price point
• great size
• light foaming action

The Bad:

• contains glycerin

Verdict: I can honestly say that I enjoyed this toothpaste and didn't have any actual complaints. I was ready to repurchase over, and over again until Caitie, from Naturalla Beauty, did a post about a glycerin free toothpaste and mentioned a little about why glycerin is bad for our teeth. Being easily paranoid, I started researching for myself and decided that I'd like to cut it out from my toothpaste. All that being said, people have brushed their teeth with all sorts of things for hundreds of years and never had any problems. We make decisions based on what we think is best for us and if you decide that glycerin is fine, then you'll really enjoy Nature's Gate. It left my teeth cleaner, brighter, and breath fresher.

Retails for approx. $4.99 CAN and can be purchased at most health food and/or grocery stores.

What are your thoughts on glycerin in toothpaste?