July & August 2015 Empties!

Hi, my name is Nicole and I hoard garbage. I'm usually so good with posting my empties each month, but the last couple of months have really kicked my ass. Here is what I've been hoarding for you.

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - This is my favourite cleanser, ever. It just works so well for my sensitive, acne prone skin and is can be found at Winners/Marshalls for under $10. It also doesn't hurt that it smells like apricots! Already repurchased.

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - Another favourite product of mine. Like the Andalou cleanser, this toner works well for my skin and is also really affordable. It smells fresh, like clementines (as the name suggests) Already repurchased.

Heritage Store Rosewater - I really liked this rosewater for setting my makeup and keeping in my purse to hydrate parched skin in the winter. Will likely repurchase for the Fall/Winter.

*Month Echo Eau Divine - review here - The scent of this toner was horrible but it did work well mixed into clay masks. At almost $40 though, it's not a toner I'd repurchase.

*Pure Daily Essentials Gentle Oatmeal Scrub - review here - I enjoyed how gentle this scrub was, but not how greasy it was. I still prefer Lush's Angels on Bare Skin. Wouldn't repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Super Goji Peptide Perfecting Cream - Surprise, surprise, another fave from Andalou. This berry smelling cream works amazing mixed with a couple of drops of oil, both day and night. It hasn't irritated or broken me out, and creates the perfect canvas for makeup. Already repurchased.

*Noer Organics Facial Elixir (sample) - This facial elixir was really nice, but incredibly small to decide whether it was worth the investment. I do love the lavish and chic look of Noer, though it does have a matching price tag.

*Noer Organics Cleansing Balm (sample) - I'm not a fan of cleansing balms, but really enjoyed this one! It removed makeup like a dream and left my skin feeling incredibly soft. Not sure if it was the clove or anise, or both, that tingled and left my skin a bit red. It definitely wouldn't work for me in the colder months when my skin is most sensitive.

*Noer Organics Masquerade Purifying Mask (sample) - This mask boasts some impressive ingredients, like five varieties of clay to draw out impurities, papaya to gently exfoliate and brighten, cinnamon to stimulate, gotu kola to brighten, and aloe and chamomile to calm and soothe. It was nice, but I expected more. I much prefer The Body Deli Peel (also an empty this month).

*Myra Aso 100% Pure Marula Oil - review here - This stuff works wonders for my hair, especially now that I've bleached the ends. I always use a drop or two either while my hair is wet, after I've dried it, or after I've styled it. Sometimes a combo of the three. Already using another bottle.

*Kari Gran Essential Serum (sample) - review here - This serum was nice but the rosehip (or possibly the combination of rosehip with other oils) gave me little red bumps with continued use. It was nice as an eye makeup remover though. Wouldn't repurchase.

*Zaya Face Oil - review here - I absolutely adored this facial oil. It was nourishing, smelled nice, didn't irritate or break out my skin, and was a real treat to use. I've decided to start switching up my facial oils, as I finish a bottle. Trying to keep my routine more minimalist with only using one oil at a time. Will definitely repurchase in the future.

The Body Deli Radiance Enzyme Superfood Peel - review here - LOVE. This mask works wonders for my skin. It moisturizes, brightens, evens out the skin tone, and reduces breakouts. Will be repurchasing.

Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream - review here - This stuff works and I love it, what else can I really say? Already repurchased.

*NBW Body Scrub (sample) - I really enjoyed the new formula of this body scrub. It wasn't as greasy as their original formula and washed off nicely. I've mentioned before that I'm not a huge fan of scrubs, and that still stands.

Theraneem Neem Toothpaste - This toothpaste did contain glycerin, if that's an issue for you, and it wasn't all that breath freshening and teeth cleansing. In fact, my teeth were worse when I went to the dentist. Wouldn't repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Shea Butter + Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream - I have a thing for Andalou Naturals, can ya tell?? This hand cream is my fave. It smells nice, is affordable, and works wonders on my dry hands. It was the only one that worked on my ezcema (which I no longer have). Already working on another tube and will pick up a backup.

Deep Steep Body Mist in Honeydew Spearmint - Love the scent of this fresh honeydew and spearmint body mist. The scent doesn't linger for long but it is a nice refresher on a hot day. Already repurchased.

Nature's Pure Bliss Keylime Pie Soy Candle - This candle smelled really nice and was reasonably priced ($8 cdn). It definitely didn't fill the room with its scent though, which was a bit disappointing. Would consider repurchasing.

The Body Deli Living Hair Shampoo - review here - This shampoo is incredible. It leaves my hair and scalp happy, and smelling nice. Check out my rave review if you want to know more. Already repurchased.

Ilia Lip Conditioner in Shell Shock - review here - My love for these lip conditioners is long gone. I can't stand the formula or taste and am so glad to be finished this one. The last of these lip conditioners, that I'm working through, is Bang Bang (red) and I'm tempted to just call it quits. Also, the price has significantly increased by $10! Ridiculous. Will not be repurchasing. FitGlow Good Gloss in Nude - review here - I am so sad to see this gloss go. I had a tiny bit left, but then I dropped it and the cap broke. It is such a beautiful feeling and tasting gloss, and it was perfect alone or over any shade of lipstick. Will be repurchasing more of these glosses. Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Waterproof Mascara - meeeeh! I really liked this mascara for the first two weeks but then it got flakey. It was waterproof, so if you're looking for a natural waterproof mascara option, this is it! Wouldn't repurchase. Sappho Liquid Foundation in Leisha - review here - I have gone through at least three, if not four, bottles of this amazing foundation. The coverage is medium, and the feel and finish is natural. It was a favourite for a couple of years but I've come to realize that it irritates my skin. Since I've stopped using this foundation (it's been months now), my skin has cleared up and I have no forehead bumps. Sadly, I will not be repurchasing. I now use Alima Pure's mineral foundation in Warm 3. Sante Brown Pencil in No. 2 - The best brow pencil that I have ever used. It lasts pretty much all day and is very much a neutral/cool brown that works for my shade of brows. Already repurchased. Let me know what you've finished, if you spot any faves, or if you have any product recommendations!
*PR SAMPLES

June 2015 Empties!

Another month, another pile of empties to share with you. I am so excited for July as it is my birthday month AND there are some exciting things happening at work.
Diving right in..

Kiss My Face Creamy Face Cleanser - Brianna, Iluvjesse444, raves about this cleanser, so I thought I would give it a go. It removed makeup well, but left me feeling a bit dry and the tacky texture wasn't my favourite. Worked fantastically as a shave cream though! Wouldn't repurchase.

HollyBeth Marigold Toner - I picked up this toner from The Truth Beauty Company when I was visiting my brother in Kitchener. What drew me to it was the use of calendula and lavender oils in a base of witch hazel. My thought process was that it would help with acne while soothing the skin. Unfortunately, it was too drying for me. Wouldn't repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner  - review here - Not much to say here, besides that I am already working my way through another bottle. It is my absolute favourite toner of life.

Saje Konjac Sponge with Yam Extract - I have reviewed konjac sponges before and they don't tend to work well for my skin with the exception of in the summer, as my skin isn't as easily irritated or sensitive. I picked this one up in January, used it a couple of times, it irritated my skin, and so it sat in my skin care drawer until April. In April, I busted it out and have been using it ever since. It gently exfoliates, removes any makeup that has been left behind from my first cleanse, and the yam extract apparently works to brighten the skin. Already repurchased.

*Pure Daily Essentials Revive Hydration Mist *Canadian Brand* - review here - This was an okay mist, it left my skin feeling soft and hydrated but I was not a fan of the scent. Wouldn't purchase the full size.

*Pure Daily Essentials Makeup Remover *Canadian Brand* - review here - Loved this makeup remover! It was so gentle and smelled faintly of lavender, removed all of my makeup and left my skin feeling so soft. Would consider purchasing the full size.

*Zaya Rosewood Eye Oil *Canadian Brand* - review here - As I am lazy and cannot be bothered to use a legit eye product, this was my eye makeup remover (a lush one at that). It was gentle, removed all of my eye makeup, nourished the delicate eye area, smelled gorgeous, and was an absolute treat to use. If you are looking for an eye oil, I would 100% recommend this one without hesitation. Since I only used it to remove makeup, it's not one I'd repurchase.

Honey & Glow Lip Scrub *Canadian Brand* - I found this lip scrub months back at Anise Apothecary and was so excited at the limited ingredients list; honey, brown sugar, and olive oil. That's it. It worked really well at first, despite needing to be massaged between my fingers to separate the sugar granules. Over time though, it became too hard (you know how brown sugar and honey get) to use, so I'm tossing it. Considering the large container and price point ($8), I would recommend if you can use it up quickly enough. I've found a lip scrub that I like better though, so I will not repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Beta Hydroxy Complex Recovery Cream -  This was a major fail product for me, so I am tossing it. I love Andalou products but this one just did not want to work for me. It left my skin red and irritated with continued use, and even broke me out despite it being targeted for acne prone skin. Wouldn't repurchse.

Deep Steep Body Wash - review here - The Deep Steep body washes have been a staple in my shower for over a year. They are moisturizing, lather well with a loofah, smell nice, and are generally affordable. The tangerine melon scent reminded me of an orange freezie, which was alright but definitely not my favourite. I have since discovered Sudsatorium shower gels, which are even more affordable and the brand is Canadian. Would repurchase Deep Steep, but won't for right now.

*Zaya Belly Oil *Canadian Brand* - review here - Another amazing oil by Zaya. This body oil was so beautiful, warm smelling, nourishing, and all over beautiful. It lasted me a good 5 months, making the $50 price tag worth it. I would definitely repurchase.

*Poppy Jane Candle Co. in Sleep Tight - review here - I am SO sad to have used up this candle. It was so beautifully fragranced, comforting, packaged, and filled my room with its beautiful scent. If you live in the states, you must try these. They are worth every penny! Sadly, shipping outside of the USA is insane. Last time I checked it was more than the candles themselves. If they were to become available at a shop in Canada or shipping was more reasonable, I would repurchase.

Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deo - review here - This is THE best natural deodorant that I have ever used. I am a stinky person and this gets me through most of the day, a reapplication is required with most natural deos. It smells like oranges, doesn't irritate my pits, and one jar lasts me months. Would loooooveeee different scent options though, wink wink nudge nudge. I've already repurchased.

John Masters Vanilla Orange Body Wash (sample) - review here - Love the smell of this body wash and how it fragrances my skin. Picked this up just to travel with and would definitely pick up another travel size just to have around.

Living Libations Wild Child Healthy Gum Drops *Canadian Brand* - review here - These drops worked to keep sensitivity away and freshen breath. I liked using them in a salt water mouth rinse and directly on my gums. Will be repurchasing.

Alima Pure Mauna Loa Bronzer - review here - Two and a half years later and I have finally used up this bronzer! It was the perfect medium matte bronzer for my skin tone. I loved it to warm up my skin in the winter, as a foundation in the summer (or after a beach vacay), to contour, as a crease colour, etc. Love and will likely be repurchasing.

LoveFresh Eucalyptus Spearmint Deo *Canadian Brand* (sample) - Anise Apothecary gave me this on my last visit, as I was thinking of venturing away from MMT, just to try something new, but this deo left my pits feeling super wet upon application. It smells nice but I can't deal with wet feeling pits.

John Masters Lavender Avocado Conditioner (sample) - Glam Goes Green gave me a sample of this to try. Since my ends are bleached and I am trying to grow out my hair, I figured a conditioner would be handy. Love this stuff! So much so that my boyfriend picked me up a full sized bottle.

*Tata Harper Lip Treatment - I got this from an event that I attended about a year and a half ago. It's a really expensive lip product but it worked really well. I enjoyed the slight reddish tint, packaging, and how soft my lips felt. There are more affordable brands, so I wouldn't repurchase.

FitGlow Mascara *Canadian Brand* - review to come - This was a lovely mascara that didn't smudge, flake, or irritate my sensitive eyes. It was volumizing, lengthening, and the pigmentation was great. Would repurchase.

*Kari Gran Mineral Foundation (samples) - None of the foundation shades match my skin, so I used them all as bronzers which was really nice.

Celebration Herbals Turmeric Ginger Lemon Blend Tea - This tea deserves an honorable mention because it was so damn good! Turmeric has many health benefits, one being that it fights inflammation in the body. Since I don't eat it as often as I should, I thought incorporating a tea would be beneficial. Little did I know that it also contained ginger and lemon, great for detoxifying the system. This tea was warming, comforting, tasty, body loving, and I am absolutely in love with it. I have already repurchased two boxes, one to keep at work and one to keep at home. Highly recommend.
What have you used up this month? *PR SAMPLES

May 2015 Empties!

Here we are again. You, me, my trash, and the excitement I feel to share what I used up with you. Empties are my favourite to write and my most read. Lets do this!

Mega Food Blood Builder - These whole food vitamins are incredible. These specific ones contain iron, B12, vitamin C, and folate, and have helped increased my iron levels. I've been taking them for over a year now (not this one jar) and can honestly say that I feel a difference when I take them. Will be repurchasing, though I'm totally trying to find them on sale.

Clean Well Foaming Soap in Lavender - Love this antibacterial hand soap. It contains thyme oil to kill bacteria, is gentle, and smells nice. Sadly, it is no longer available in Canada. Maybe it's not as clean as we though? Dun, dun, dun...the plot thickens. If you guys know why it's not carried in Canada anymore, let me know.

*Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo - review here - Didn't like it as a shampoo but loved it as a shave gel/cream/thing. It didn't have much of a scent and didn't cause any irritation when shaving. Wouldn't repurchase.

The Body Deli Living Hair Shampoo - review here - Love! Smelled like minty greatness (not too strong though), full of living/raw/organic ingredients, left my hair and scalp feeling lovely, and I enjoyed it. Already repurchased.

Wedderspoon Manuka Honey - This stuff is golden, literally. I love using manuka honey in my DIY face masks, or even on its own as a face mask because it is antibacterial and brightening properties. Wedderspoon sent me an organic version a few months back, so I won't be repurchasing right away, however I have already bought and gone through several jars of this magical stuff.

Pure Anada Hydrating Toner - I picked this up, on a whim, at the Big Carrot some months ago and loved it for setting my makeup. It didn't have a smell, which is nice, and worked well to to prep my skin for makeup and set makeup. Will likely repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here -  Surprise, surprise, I went through another bottle and am already going through another. It's my fave, what else can I say?

Andalou Naturals Radiant Skin Polish - review here - This was probably my favourite physical exfoliant ever, and that's coming from someone who doesn't normally like scrubs. It was a harsher scrub that could easily be "sheered out" (do those words work with scrubs?) by adding more water. It left my sensitive skin feeling soft and smooth, never irritated. Would repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Super Goji Peptide Perfecting Cream - I sense an Andalou theme, anyone else? This range just works so well for my skin. I have had the most difficult time finding a facial moisturizer that doesn't give me red bumps all over my forehead. Then, this one came along. It smelled faintly of oranges, was light enough to wear under makeup, yet moisturizing enough to smooth out dry patches. I can't even explain how much I love this cream, I'm already on my second jar.

Badger Balm Joint Rub - This balm was a Godsend when I was working at a spa, my whole body needed this ish after days of back to back clients and it immediately relieved pain. Sadly, the texture, colour, and scent changed and it needs to be tossed. I would repurchase, preferably in a smaller tin if available.

NBW Marigold Magic Body Scrub - When I worked at the spa, this was the only scrub that we used for manis and pedis, the texture was perfect. It contains shea butter, which held the scrub together without the oil separation happening. Because of my positive experience with it, I decided to buy a small version from Glam Goes Green. While the smaller version was still awesome, it did have a lot of oil separation. Because of that I would recommend and repurchase the full/bigger size of this scrub over the mini.

*North Hill Soap Company Soap in Happy Hippie - review here - This soap definitely made me a happy hippie with it's patchouli scent and exfoliating properties. I wish I was able to find this soap in more shops as I would 100% repurchase it.

*North Hill Soap Company Soap in Sea Goddess - review here - Not my favourite. It was more scratchy than exfoliating and just didn't excite me. Products need to excite, know what I'm saying?

*Kari Gran Cleansing Oil - review here - Really enjoyed using this cleansing oil. It removed makeup and left my skin super soft. Would consider purchasing the full size.
*Kari Gran Hydrating Tonic - review here - Ugh, I loved this. I didn't want to because it's pricey but I can't say no to a good facial mist. Would consider purchasing the full size.
The Body Deli Living Hair Conditioner - Since I love the shampoo, I thought that I'd try a sample of the conditioner. The sample was enough for two uses and I didn't find it to be as special as the shampoo. It felt like it washed off and didn't actually condition. Wouldn't purchase the full size.
Ilia Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights - review here - After almost 2 years, I've finally used up this lip conditioner and if I've learned anything, it's that you should use your lip products and not save them for special occasions. Anyway, I loved this moisturizing berry toned lip conditioner from Ilia. It was easy to wear year round and the intensity was buildable. After two years, I'm over the tinted lip conditioners. I've been transitioning to lipsticks and lip pencils, and prefer a less glossy formula.  
Cheeky Cosmetics Mineral Shadow in Midnight - review here - This navy blue mineral shadow worked well when doing a smokey eye and as a liner, but it's now a shade I lean towards often. I mean, it took me two and a half years to finish this sample.
That's my trash! Let me know if you see anything you love, hate, and/or want to try.
*PR samples

February 2015 Empties!

February was a busy month, mostly because of the fact that I started a new job at the end of January AND there have been several social events happening on the weekends. Still, life goes on and I managed to use up a bunch of products. 

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - A definite favourite of mine. It's the best and so affordable. Already repurchased.

Corpa Flora Beaute Divine Cleansing Oil - review here - Another favourite. This stuff smelled nice, lasted months, removed makeup like a dream, and didn't break me out. Will eventually repurchase, once I use up some other oils.

Kiss My Face Creamy Face Cleanser - I picked this up because Brianna, Iluvjesse444, raved about it. It had a very creamy, yet tacky, texture and smelled nice, but did absolutely nothing for my skin. I much prefer the Andalou Probiotic Cleanser and have repurchased that one instead.

Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deo - review here - Aaaaand another fave! This stuff smelled delicious and worked to keep my pits from stinking (and sweating) without irritating them. I do think there is a quality control issue with these though. Either way, it works and I've already repurchased.

*Joyous Health Minty Fresh Toothpaste - A review was supposed to happen on this gem, clearly it didn't. I enjoyed the simplistic ingredients, how big the jar was, and how fresh my mouth felt after using this but Living Libations seems to help with my teeth sensitivity better. I've repurchased Living Libations instead.

*North Hill Soap Company Earth Goddess Soap - review here - I enjoyed this soap because of how soft it left my skin feeling. Sadly, it didn't do much in the clarifying department. They have other bars that I prefer over this one, won't repurchase.

*Corpa Flora Corpa Nutritive Body Oil - review here - Fabulous body oil! The pump bottle was awesome, the oil was extremely moisturizing and glided on the skin with ease, it absorbed beautifully, and left my skin baby soft. Once I use up some other body oils, I'll likely repurchase this one.

*SBT After Sun Cream - Obviously I didn't use this for its intended purpose, as I haven't seen the sun in months, however it made a fantastic body cream. It was soothing and incredibly moisturizing. I actually enjoyed mixing it with a bit of the Corpa Flora body oil for that extra oomph that my skin desperately needed. The only downfall was the scent, it smelled like olive oil and sea buckthorn oil. which doesn't appeal to me. Although I enjoyed it, I wouldn't purchase the full size because of the scent alone.

Andalou Naturals Hand Cream in Clementine - My absolute favourite hand cream! It smelled incredible, really helped soothe and clear up the eczema on my hands, absorbed and moisturized well, and is fairly affordable. Already repurchased.

*Reese & Luke Baby Balm - review here - This stuff saved my incredibly dry winter skin. I applied it on dry patches (on my face) as well as all over my body as a moisturizer, to soothe severely dry skin and it worked like a charm! I enjoyed the tin that it came in and the lavender scent. Would repurchase in the future.

*SBT Salves for Sunburn and Eczema & Dermatitis - review here - Balms and salves aren't really my jam. I enjoy them in the winter months as an after shower and before bed body moisturizer, but otherwise I don't care for them. That being said, these were fantastic as a body moisturizer, foot balm, AND cleansing balm. Great multipurpose products and because they're so big, they're a great value. Took me months to use these up. The scents weren't my favourite though. Since it'll hopefully start warming up soon, and I don't use products like this in the warmer months, I won't be repurchasing until next winter.

*Pacifica Dreamlit Eye Brightener - I'm actually tossing this because it's way too pink, the texture sucks, and it doesn't even cover or brighten all that well.
*Alima Pure Natural Definition Mascara - review here - I ended up really enjoying this mascara. It definitely didn't thicken, but it was great for lengthening, as a bottom lash mascara, and for layering. Likely wouldn't repurchase.
100% Pure Lip Glaze in Seduce - review here - I've mentioned several times my love/hate relationship with this product. I used the rest of it up as a lip balm because it's such a neutral-ish shade and was super creamy. Since I'm more into lip pencils and matte lips now, this isn't something I'd repurchase but would totally recommend.
CV Skinlabs Skin Balm - This was wonderful as an intense overnight lip treatment and I love the concept behind the brand, however, I still had about half left before it started to smell incredibly funky. Pretty sure that it's gone bad, that's why I'm tossing it. For $20+ for a tiny tube, I'm super disappointed that I didn't get to use it up and that it went bad so quickly. Won't be repurchasing.
Alima Pure Bronzer in Mauna Loa & Maracaibo (samples) - Mauna Loa is a personal favourite of mine, it's such a perfect bronzer for my skin. I'm actually almost done going through the full size. Maracaibo is slightly warmer than my natural skin tone, so I used it as a setting powder/foundation when I went out at night.
Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream (sample) - For such a creamy product, I found it dried to a semi matte finish and didn't quite moistuize my skin as well as I had hoped. This would likely be a better product for my skin during the winter months and I plan on picking up another sample to test my theory (because it's pretty pricey).
May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon (sample) - This super swanky product was a let down for me, thankfully a spa customer gave me this sample to try. I found the scent overpowering and instead of calming my facial skin, it ended up breaking me out.
See any favourites? Have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments! I'd also love to know what you finished :) *PR SAMPLES

December 2014 & January 2015 Empties!

Since I somehow forgot to do my December empties, I'm combining December and January (as the title suggests). I do have quite a bit, although definitely not as much as I expected. Trash talk time!

*Acure Balancing Rose+ Red Tea Toner - review here - I stand by my initial review, it was a bit too drying for my skin and would be ideal in the summer months or for oily skin types. Will likely not repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - Best toner of life, seriously. I can't seem to find any other toner (high end or not) that works as well as this one does for my skin. It's hydrating, gives an instant boost of radiance, smells lovely, and is affordable. Already working through another bottle and have a backup.

Heritage Store Rose Water - I really enjoyed using this when my skin was super irritated and to set my makeup. I currently have a small bottle in my purse to mist when I'm feeling dry.

*Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion - review here - This cleansing lotion was as lovely as I remember. It didn't remove makeup very well, but was gentle enough to use as a second and/or morning cleanse. Only issue is that I go through it extremely quickly. Would likely repurchase again.

*Wild Honey Apothecary Moringa Honey Mud - I won this little bottle from a contest that Anise Apothecary was having on Facebook, and wasn't all that impressed. I just find that regular honey doesn't work as well for my skin as manuka. It did leave my skin soft, but I wouldn't repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Facial Scrub - review here - This scrub smelled so weird. I couldn't stand using it on my face, so I used it on my body. Wouldn't repurchase.

*Mont Echo Sea Buckthorn Facial Mask - I have mixed feelings about this mask. It has incredible ingredients, like oats and calendula, but never left me wowed. Wouldn't repurchase.

Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea Facial Mask - review here - I loved this mask, although I think I prefer it in the warmer months as it can be drying. It evened out my skin tone, brightened, and helped with any acne. Would totally repurchase.

*Gemstone Organic Ruby Creme - review here - This creme was amazing! When I first received a sample from the company, I couldn't stop raving about it. When I finished the sample jar, the company was kind enough to send me a full one. Not sure what happened but half was through the new jar, it started to smell funny and separate. I tried using it up on my body but the smell just kept getting worse. Not sure if I would repurchase.

The Body Del Radiance Enzyme Peel (sample) - I picked up this (one time use) sample from Husk and really enjoyed it! It contains manuka honey, probiotics, and a bunch of other raw delicious ingredients. It left my skin glowing and radiant! I'm considering splurging on the full size.

*Tres Pure Mini Face Cleanse (sample) - This came in the Petit Vour Limited Luxury FW14 box, from September, and was sooo nice. I mixed it with my cleanser, daily, as a gentle exfoliant and found my skin less congested and much softer. As we got into the colder months, it was a bit much for my sensitive skin. Since it's not easily available in Canada, I wouldn't purchase the full size.

Pelle Beauty Stellar Multitasking Face Oil (sample) - A blog reader came into the spa that I worked at and was kind enough to bring me a bunch of goodies, this was one of them. While it is a nice oil, it's too light for my skin and I don't enjoy the scent of neroli. Wouldn't purchase the full size.

*Province Apothecary Regenerating+Hydrating Face Serum (sample) - review here -  Still not sold on this face serum. It worked so well some days, and other days I felt as though it just sat on my skin. Wouldn't purchase the full size.

*Me & The Girls Moon Serum (sample) - review here - Great oil serum! Absorbed well and left my skin nourished and moisturized. I don't love it more than my Corpa Flora though, so I won't be purchasing the full size.

Myra Aso 100% Marula Oil - review here - Love, love, love! This oil worked so well in my hair and on my face. Already have another bottle on the go and a backup.

Tamanu Oil (in the Corpa bottle) - I had to transfer the oil into the Corpa Flora bottle because the original bottle kept leaking. How annoying! I don't find tamanu is working as well for my skin as it used to. I still highly recommend and will likely repurchase at some point.

*Odylique Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie - review here - This hand cream was a pleasure to use, despite not being fond of the lemongrass scent. It moisturized, without feeling greasy, and helped soothe eczema patches. Since the Andalou Sea Buckthorn hand cream works just as well, is less expensive, and easier to find in stores, I won't be repurchasing this one.

*Me & The Girls Moon Night Moisturizer (sample) - review here - I have to admit, I didn't use this on my face because it contains coconut oil, however, I did use it on my feet! It worked great to keep my feet supa dupa soft. Wouldn't repurchase though.

*Me & The Girls Moon Body Scrub & Foot Scrub (sample) - review here - Both of these scrubs were lovely. I enjoyed the fresh peppermint scent of the foot scrub over the lemony scent of the body scrub, but they had the exact same texture. Scrubs are one thing I never commit to, since I only ever end up using them on my hands, so I wouldn't purchase the full size of either. They are really nice though.

John Masters Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash - review here - oh-my-gosh, this body wash smelled so friggen good. I literally wanted to eat it! It lathered well and never left my skin feeling dry. Deep Steep is much more affordable, however, I certainly would repurchase this one just to switch it up.

Clean Well Antibacterial Soap in Spearmint Lime - Love that this hand soap contained no triclosan or other nasty bacteria killing crap. It also never dried out my hands, which is a bonus when you have eczema or are prone to it on your hands. Sadly, Clean Well is no longer available in Canada. Luckily, I still have 2 more bottles in my bathroom (lavender and orange vanilla).

Dr. Bronners Castile Soap in Peppermint - review here - This gigantic bottle took forever to use up. I use Dr. Bronners to clean my bathroom and alternate between peppermint and eucalyptus. Will be repurchasing soon.

*Zuzu Luxe Mascara in Onyx - review here - This was a fantastic mascara, but I found it got super clumpy too quickly. It's really expensive in Canada, so I won't be repurchasing right now.
*Pure Anada Pressed Foundation in Very Fair - review here - Great pressed foundation. Covered well and didn't really cling to dry patches, but it did smell a bit off (that's just the ingredients), the shade range is limited, and it constantly formed a crust on the top. While I love Pure Anada and their pressed shadows are my absolute favourites, the Zuzu Powder is much better and offers a wider shade selection (it's also more expensive though). Wouldn't repurchase.
What did you finish up this month?

*PR SAMPLE

Baby Bottom Soft: Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish

If you've been following my blog for a while, then you'll already know that I love Andalou Naturals. Their products come at a fantastic price point and work really well for my skin. Andalou's Probiotic Cleanser and Illuminating Toner are already in constant rotation, in my skin care routine, so it only seemed natural to include this scrub in the mix. Did it make the cut?

Description: Fruit Stem Cell Complex, omega-rich emollients, and micro-polishing chia seeds gently buff and exfoliate dull, dry, flaky skin. Stimulating healthy cell turnover for improved hydration and smooth texture with fewer lines and wrinkles, skin appears younger and fresher with a radiant glow.
It made the cut! This scrub is lovely to use. The packaging makes it perfect to travel with or leave in the shower, like I do. It smells like fresh oranges, which is really quite uplifting, and provides a fantastic exfoliation without irritating my sensitive skin. At the end of my shower, when my skin has had time to steam, I take a large pearl sized amount and just massage it for a minute or so all over my face. Then I rinse it off and my skin is left feeling like a baby's bottom! It also boasts some pretty impressive ingredients, such as flax oil, white tea, tumeric, and vitamin C. I highly recommend giving this scrub a try and am happy to have it as part of my skin care routine.

I purchased mine from Winners for $8 CDN, however, it generally retails for approx. $15 CDN. Available at most health food stores such as Whole Foods, The Big Carrot, Goodness Me!, and online at Well.ca, Vitarock, iHerb and Vitacost.

What are your favourite Andalou Naturals products?

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Juice*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) and Borago Officinalis (Borage) Oils*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Powder, Linum Usitatissimum (Flax) Oil*, Fruit Stem Cell and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*,Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Guar) Gum*, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Powder, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extract*†, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Agathosma Capensis (Buchu) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil*.

*Organic, † Fair Trade
I purchased this product with my own money. All opinions are entirely my own.

August 2014 Empties

Well ladies and gents, don't hate me buuttt Summer is kinda over and I'm beyond excited for Fall! Anyone else love Fall as much as I do? This month I ended up finishing quite a few items, mostly skin care and samples, which was exactly what I had predicted in my last empties post. Come Winter (I know, too soon), my skin gets extra sensitive and so I really wanted to focus on reducing my stash to the bare minimum since I know I won't be as adventurous with my skin care.  Here is what I finished this month...

Corpa Flora Beaute Divine Cleansing Oil - review here -  This is probably my favourite cleansing oil of all time. It's Canadian (major bonus in my books), gentle, effective at removing makeup and cleansing the skin, rinses off better than I remember, and leaves my skin so soft. I am currently working through one other cleansing oil and am hoping to try the Province Apothecary one, but will likely end up repurchasing this one in the near future.

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - Can't say enough good things about this affordable toner. Will be repurchasing.

*Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Toner - review here - I really did enjoy using this toner. It worked well at reducing redness and refreshing my skin. It's a little too expensive for me though, especially since the spray apparatus doesn't work well. Will not repurchase.

Pretty Black Tea & Raw Cocoa Cleansing Grains - review here - This gentle exfoliating cleanser worked great as a second and morning cleanse, and was gentle enough to use daily. Not only did I end up using it on my face, I also enjoyed using it on my chest, shoulders, and back to combat acne. This container lasted me about 7 months, which goes to show that a little goes a long way. I much prefer the Rose & Oatmeal version, so I will not be repurchasing this one.

La Bella Figura Modern Radiance Concentrate - review here - I really liked the short term results that this serum produced; even and glowing skin, but it fell short in the long term results department (specifically with pigmentation). At a steep $170, it's a serum that I'm glad I had the opportunity to try but not one I plan on repurchasing.

Living Libations Frankincense Fresh Toothpaste - I did not like this toothpaste at all. It was really runny and left a weird aftertaste. Since the texture was off, LL sent me another jar of it and it was exactly the same. Usually it takes about 2 months to finish an LL toothpaste jar but, this one was gone in a month. I will repurchase the Clay version (mentioned here) but not this one.

*Pai Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream - review here - This stuff was incredible and worked like a dream for my ezcema. I'm so sad that I used it up :(. Will definitely be repurchasing.

Himalaya Neem Tablets - Neem is a fantastic blood purifier and has many other health benefits. I purchased these tablets months ago, when my skin was freaking out, in hopes that it would help my skin. It didn't do anything except help my bowel movements, which is cool too. I won't be repurchasing. Has anyone else taken neem before?

Corpa Flora Eclat Citrouille (not pictured) - review here -  AHHHH I can't live without this serum! Seriously, I went without it for a couple of weeks and ended up repurchasing (today). It smells incredible, evens out my skin, helps with pigmentation, and makes my skin glow. A must try for all!

Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil - This is my favourite coconut oil because it has a slight buttery flavour that makes it ideal for baking and tastes great when frying up pancakes. Will be repurchasing.

Clean Well Antibacterial Hand Soap in Lavender - This all natural hand soap uses thyme oil instead of harsh/nasty ingredients to disinfect and kill bacteria. The thyme smell is definitely obvious but the lavender works well to tone it done. It didn't dry out my hands or leave them feeling tight. I've already repurchased another lavender and am currently using a spearmint lime scent (which is also nice).

*Myra Aso Hair Oil (sample) - I love Myra's Marula Oil for my hair and at the Green Living Show, earlier this year, she was kind enough to give me a sample of a custom made hair oil. This one contained marula, broccoli seed oil, jojoba (I think), and sweet orange essential oil. It was only enough for 3 or 4 uses but it rinsed out well and left my ends feeling super soft. I don't often do oil treatments, so I will not be purchasing the full size.

One Love Organics Chia Oil - I purchased this from Eco Diva  and wasn't impressed. I felt like it just sat on my skin, never sinking in.

*May Lindstrom Honey Mud - My girl Lisa, from Glam Goes Green, gave me this sample to try. I wasn't fond of the scent but it did leave my skin feeling incredibly soft!

*Pure Anada Lavender Hand Cream - Another sample that Lisa gave me and I loved this one! It smelled like calming lavender and moisturized my hands without leaving a greasy finish or irritating my ezcema. I may pick up a full size.

*Haut Cosmetics Bio-Mineral Foundation in Burnt Almond - The beautiful Monique, from Anise Apothecary, just started carrying this line and I was stoked to get a sample. The colour matched me well but I'm not sure I'm sold on it. I felt like it caked up a bit but it could just be how I applied it. Might have to purchase or pick up another sample.

*Joyous Health Minty Fresh Toothpaste - Another lovely sample from Lisa! She hooked me up! Loved this toothpaste. It cleaned my teeth well and left my breath minty fresh. Will be picking up a full size.

*Pelle Beauty Luxe Beauty Oil - Received this sample in the Petit Vour box and was really impressed by it. I used it morning and night, and found my skin was well nourished and soft. I may pick up the full size.

Kjaer Weis Foundation in Just Sheer - I purchased this sample from Clementine Fields and chose the wrong shade. It was too dark which means I didn't take the time to play with it.

*Corpa Flora Grenadine - review here - Celine, Creator of Corpa Flora, was at my spa in August and gave me a sample of her day oil. She mentioned that she reduced the coconut oil in it, which I think is why it initially didn't work for me, and I have to say that I really liked it! It's light, soaked in beautifully, worked well as a primer for makeup, and didn't irritate my skin. Will definitely be picking up a bottle next year as it'll be too light for me in the Fall/Winter.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Cream - I initially loved this CC cream but the colour has totally changed, it's so orange now. I purchased it when it was on sale and only have a bit left, so I'm tossing it. Will not be repurchasing. *Sappho Concealers in Undo and Neutrality - review here - I really liked these concealers in the beginning as well, but the texture has changed and they smell funky. Mind you, I've had these for well over a year and a half now. Chucking them and will not be repurchasing. Let me know if you've tried any of the products mentioned and what you've finished up this month :). *PR SAMPLES

June 2014 Empties!

This post should have been up last week but, it's never too late to talk about trash. Right? I haven't really been buying new products or accepting PR samples, I'm just working on my stash in hopes of simplifying my entire routine.

Lulu Organics Hair Powder in  Lavender + Clary Sage (sample) - I really enjoyed the scent of this hair powder and it worked nicely at refreshing my greasy hair, however, straight up arrowroot powder works even better for me.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser (sample) - This cleanser didn't wow me like I had expected it to. It had exfoliating bits and left my skin soft but, it also left it really red.

100% Pure Burdock & Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo (sample) - There's something about the 100% Pure hair care range that just doesn't work for me. This left my hair clean but my scalp irritated.

*SBT Seabuckthorn Juice Bar - I used this as a hand soap and while it was nice, I prefer something with a scent (like lavender). I also didn't like that it contained canola oil.

Province Apothecary Regenerating + Stimulating Exfoliator (sample) - This stuff was seriously exfoliating! It didn't irritate my skin at all, just left it super soft and bright. I may need to pick up the full size at some point.

*Mont Echo Sea Buckthorn Cleansing Cream - review here - I forgot how much I liked this cleanser. It left my skin so clean, soft, bright, and even toned. Mont Echo actually sent me this bottle because they've changed their packaging! It went from a jar, to this lovely airless pump. If you do try this cleanser, note that you need to pump it a million times before any product comes out. I actually thought it was broken at first. Will repurchase at some point.

*Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen - review here - So sad to have finished this bottle :(. It really is the perfect sunscreen. It left absolutely no white cast and created the perfect base for makeup. I find it works best for my skin in the warmer months though, is that weird? I do have a couple of sunscreens to use up but this one will be on my repurchase list!

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - I've talked about my love for this toner many, many times. I've already repurchased.

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Mud Mask - review here - This is another long time favourite and staple in my routine, I've already repurchased.

Weleda Calendula Face Cream - review here - Yes another favourite and staple in my routine. I love this for the ezcema/dermatitis on my hands, as well as my face. I'm currently trying out some other hand and face creams, however, it's very likely that I will be repurchasing in the near future.

OM Organic Matter Shampoo (Damage Level 1) - review here - I can't be without this shampoo! It works so well for my hair and scalp. Already repurchased.

On a Branch Soaps in Tea Girl - review here - I love the On a Branch Soap soap range and while this one was lovely to use, I had mixed feelings on the scent. Sometimes I smelled the lavender, other times it smelled a little weird. I won't be repurchasing this particular scent.

*nyl Whipped Hand & Body Lotion - review here - Another sad empty. This lotion was super hydrating and left my skin incredibly soft. Will be repurchasing at some point.

*Dr. Sponge Original Body Sponge - review here - Sorry, I can't get into these sponges.

Origins Planscriptions Concealer - This concealer has been sitting around for a long time and I almost never reach for it. It's not the worst, in terms of ingredients, but it's also not the best. Tossing it out and will not be repurchasing. Pure Anada Mascara in Black - review here - I believe this was my third tube of Pure Anada mascara and I can now officially say that it really irritated my eyes. I stand by my initial review of how well it holds up in heat, doesn't smudge, budge, smear, melt, flake, etc. If it didn't burn my eyes, it would be my holy grail forever. Sadly, I've had to move on. Alima Pure Blush in Freja (sample) - Loved this beautiful blush! It was a gorgeous shimmery (not glittery) pink blush that I think would suit most skin tones. May purchase the full size. That's it! Hope you enjoyed my trash :). *PR SAMPLES

May 2014 Empties!

Oh boy have I finished up a good chunk of my stash this month. I apologize now for a couple of the dark pictures, I took them late at night in order to be able to toss this stuff out for garbage day. Anyway, let's get to it!

Alaffia Neem & Shea Butter Scalp Recovery Shampoo - This shampoo worked brilliantly in the colder months. I tend to have seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp, all year round, with dandruff on top of that in the winter. This helped clear up my scalp immediately and then stopped working. Will give it another go next winter.

Shoosha Baby Calm Baby Massage Oil - review here - This was a fantastic cleansing oil (for face) and moisturizing body oil, however, I hated that the bottle cap always leaked. Definitely not travel friendly and just plain annoying. Still, it was lovely and I would repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - Ignore the fact that the picture shows that this bottle is not completely empty, it is now. Loved and still love this cleanser so much. The scent was beautiful, it made my skin so soft and helped calm any redness that I had going on on my face. My only issue is that the pump stopped working (again!) at about the point displayed in the picture. Will 100% repurchase this cleanser, once I use up some of the others that I have in rotation.

Andalou Naturals Lavender Shea Hand Cream - I purchased this when the contact dermatitis on my hands, now confirmed ezcema, cleared up with hopes that it would keep my hands clear. Sadly, it irritated my eczema and so I ended up using it as a body lotion. It smells beautifully of lavender and moisturizes well but, I will likely not repurchase.

Aubrey Men's Stock Pine Deodorant - review here - Despite the spray apparatus constantly not functioning properly and the bottle randomly leaking, this worked great for me in the stink department. It is strongly fragranced and contains alcohol, however, it also contains calming ingredients like calendula and arnica. Would definitely repurchase.

Living Libations Neem Enamelizer Toothpaste - review here - Holy moly batman, this toothpaste made my teeth glow. Who knew teeth could glow? I guess anyone who's been using this toothpaste. The flavour isn't my favourite, neem *gags*, but it worked incredible well and I noticed a positive change in my teeth. I've picked up a different toothpaste in their range and see myself repurchasing this one again.

Living Libations Sea Buckthorn Shampoo - review here - Sea Buckthorn is one of my favourite oils, so naturally I had high hopes for this shampoo. It left my hair feeling oily and my scalp itchy. The scent was delicious and I enjoyed using it as a body wash though. Will not repurchase.

SBT Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil - review here - Speaking of sea buckthorn oil....This staining and oompa loompa orange oil was used diluted with other facial oils and in smoothies. As a supplement, it was great. As a skin care oil, it was also great but I much prefer the seed oil. Will not repurchase.

Osmia Spot Treatment - This worked as amazingly well as everyone said it would. I loved how little the bottle was, perfect for tossing in my bag, and smelled really nice. Will likely repurchase.

The Body Deli Blueberry Resurfacing Cleanser - review here - Ahh, this cleanser was a lovely weekly treatment for my face. It smelled incredible and worked well to chemically exfoliate my skin. The tiny bottle lasted me about 5 months, money well spent. Haven't decided whether I will repurchase or go for the scrub in the same family.

Tamanu Oil - review here - Love, love, love. Won't rave about it or say too much besides the fact that I will be repurchasing.

Batty's Bath Skin Support Serum - I didn't do a full review of this brand because I didn't find that it actually did anything for my skin. Couldn't think of what to say besides, "it didn't work". Recently, the owner told me that it takes several months for this serum to work because it treats internally instead of externally. Either way, I had hoped to see some sort of positive change. Won't be repurchasing.

*Blissoma Clay Renewal Treatment - review here - Oh sad, sad day. I heard my heart break when I finally scooped up the last bit of this amazing product. What can I say? It worked so well at fighting blackheads, acne, scars, and just keeping my skin suppppper soft. Shipping to Canada is a little high, so hopefully I can pick up another jar during a sale.

Batch Naturals Multipurpose Cream - review here - This cream was well loved by my elbows, knees, and especially feet. Towards the end it did start smelling weird, so I had to toss it. May repurchase once I use up all the other balms and creams that I have.

Province Apothecary Detoxifying + Clarifying Clay Mask (sample) - PA is a very lush Canadian brand with a beautiful collection of products, this mask being one. Aside from the smell of the Canadian Algae, which I couldn't stand, it worked really well at pulling impurities to the surface allowing me to extract them better. Yes, I squeeze my own face sometimes. Won't be purchasing the full size. 100% Pure Burdock & Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo (sample) - While I'm not looking to stray from my beloved OM shampoo, I need a weekly clarifying treatment that doesn't involve me having to make it. Since it is a small sample, I haven't fully formed an opinion on it. I have a couple more to use, perhaps next empties I'll have more to say about it. Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Lovely (sample) - This shade is very similar to my well loved W3ll People Universalist #7 Creamy Peony, however, the texture is much smoother and leaves a gorgeous sheen on the skin. Now that I know that I love the formula, I may need to pick up Blossoming...or...all of them? W3ll People Universalist #1 Creamy Pink (sample) - This is a total dupe for Nars Orgasm, without the chunky glitter fall out, and is stunning! Not sure I love it enough to pick up the full size but I enjoyed using this sample up. The All Natural Face Diva Stix in Milk - Tossing this out because I never use it.  Phew, done. That's what I've used up this month. Let me know below what you've gone through in May.