March & April 2015 Empties!

Well, hello there. It has been far too long since I've sat down at my computer to blog..or just sat down at my computer at all. Work and life events have kept me insanely busy, as is usually the case when I'm away for this long. In any event, May marks my 3 year blogging anniversary and I do have an exciting giveaway planned. Keep a close eye for that ;).
On to the trash!

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo (sample) - Lilly, from Genuine Glow, was kind enough to send me a care package around Christmas that included this sample. It lathered well and left my hair feeling clean, but I didn't find it miraculous.

Organic Matter Shampoo Level 1 - review here - This is one of my favourite shampoos out there. It's made in Canada, doesn't irritate my crazy scalp, cleans and conditions my hair, lathers well, lasts forever, and is reasonably priced. It has been my go-to for over a year now.

Deep Steep Body Butter in Passion Fruit Guava - This body butter was really nice during the colder months. I liked mixing it with an oil, for extra moisture, after a shower. The scent wasn't my favourite because of how sweet and fruity it was. While it did linger, I actually liked how it smelled after about an hour. The butter itself took a little working in and always left my skin super soft.

Deep Steep Body Wash in Honeydew Spearmint - review here - I love this body wash! This particular scent is my favourite of all the scents available. It lathers well, smells delicious, leaves my skin clean and soft, is affordable, and I find that a little goes a long way. Have already repurchased in a different scent.

*North Hill Soap Company Soap in Sex on the Beach & Blackbeard's Booty - review here - These soaps were absolutely lovely! Sex on the Beach was just the right amount of fruity and worked well for my skin. Blackbeard's Booty was my absolute favourite though. I loved the poppy seeds that gently exfoliated, and the bay rum and nutmeg essential oil gave this soap a delicious spicy kick that I just couldn't wait to be intoxicated by.

*Ella's Magic Balm in My Clementine Darling - review here - This balm came in handy during the polar vortex weather that we experienced a few months ago. My skin was crying for help and this lovely balm came to the rescue! It nourished, moisturized, protected, repaired, and loved my skin.

Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream in Lavender - review here - I forgot how much I loved this deodorant. The texture was whipped, creamy, perfection that easily rubbed into my pits and kept me stink free almost all day. Oddly enough, it didn't irritate my pits this time around. Not sure if it was because the weather was colder and I wasn't shaving as much or what, but I'm glad I got to use up this jar as it wasn't cheap.

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - As I've already raved about this cleanser many times before, I'll just say that I still love this cleanser. It works really well for my sensitive skin and I've already repurchased.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator - This toner is a cult favourite and for good reason. Josh blends gorgeous skin loving ingredients, like green tea, coconut oil, aloe water, neem, vitamins A, C, E and B2, and tops it off with the intoxicating scents of vanilla bean and ylang ylang. While the scent wasn't my favourite at first, I loved it within a week of using it. It was light and didn't linger. This worked to nourish and calm my skin before applying my oils/creams, and worked beautifully to set my makeup. My only complaint is the packaging. Sure it's travel friendly but it looks a bit cheap considering the price and packaging of the other products within Josh's skin care range.

*Mont Echo Nature Divine Creme Divine - review here - Loveeeeed the scent of this cream. As I mentioned in my review, the scent reminds me of something my mom put on her face when I was growing up. As a moisturizer, it was really nice, although using it morning and night for a few days did cause little red bumps on my skin. The pump also stopped working towards the end, making it difficult to get out the remainder of the cream. My favourite way to use this moisturizer was as a hand cream in the P.M. and under makeup in the A.M. 

*Odylique Repair Lotion - review here - Of the three Odylique products that I had the opportunity to try, this one was my favourite. It worked on my face, hands, and body to reduce dry skin, itching, and redness.

Lush's Angel on Bare Skin  - review here - Despite what some people within the green beauty community think about Lush, I love that they support and promote various causes. While they aren't the most natural, they do have a handful of clean products. Angels on Bare Skin is incredible and lives up to my green standards. This gem of a cleanser is gentle enough to use in the colder months on (my) dry and sensitive skin. I find that my skin is less flaky, I have fewer breakouts, and a more even tone and texture when I'm using this cleanser.

Corpa Flora Eclat Citrouille - review here - This incredible smelling oil has been a staple in my skin care routine for a long while. It's just an amazing, amazing oil and I'm sure you're all sick of hearing me talk about it.

*SBT Seabuckthorn Oil - review here - LOVE. That's all.

*DeVita Italian Tomato Leaf Mud Masque (sample) - Meh. This mask was less than impressive. It didn't burn but left my skin red as a tomato, as the name suggests. My skin didn't look or feel any different, besides the redness.

Living Libations Healthy Gums Clay Toothpaste - review here - Of the three toothpastes from Living Libations, that come in a jar, this is the best tasting one. It's fresh and worked really well to keep my teeth clean and gums happy. My hygienist even asked what I was using! The only downside is that it's expensive and not as easily available as I would like. For reference, a jar lasts about two months with only me using it.

Clean Well Hand Sanitizer - This stuff is soooo good! When I was doing aesthetics, I would get eczema on my hands and this sanitizer did not irritate it at all. It does smell like thyme but doesn't linger for too long. Sadly, Clean Well is no longer available in Canada.
*Zuzu Luxe Dual Powder Foundation in D-10 - review here - This was a fantastic foundation. It offered great coverage and never looked cakey on my dry skin. The shade range isn't too bad either, they offer shades for light to dark skins, of course there always room for more shades though. The thing that irritates me the most about this foundation is that refills are not available in Canada. Why!? Isn't that the point of offering a refillable compact? Because of that, I have not repurchased.
Sante Brown Pencil in No. 2. - I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this pencil yet. It is perfection. It is the perfect shade of brown for someone who doesn't lean red or warm, it's just brown. It lasts almost all day, but can wipe off if your face is oily or sweating. Already working through another one and have a backup.
Benecos Lip Gloss - This gloss is being tossed after discovering that one of the first ingredients is talc. Talc? Really?? Ridiculous. It also contains carmine and lanolin, if you're wondering. Since the ingredients are not on the packaging, I trusted the brand and picked up this gloss. After using it a handful of times, I decided to look up the ingredients. What a let down.
*Sappho Foundation Brush - This brush fell apart on me, the ferrell came loose and fell off. Despite that, this was a fantastic foundation brush. Sappho has since come out with new brushes.
*PR SAMPLES

Favourites of 2014 - Part 1

In 2014, I really sucked with keeping up with favourites posts. Come to think of it, it was probably because I enjoyed all of these products throughout the year and hardly strayed. This post will be dedicated to my favourite skin, hair, and body care products of the year. There will be a part 2, dedicated to makeup, and a part 3, dedicated to random things like food, blogs, etc.

Cleansers: I've tried several cleansers over the year, and the clear standout is Corpa Flora Beaute Divine. It melts away my makeup, emulsifies with water, and leaves my skin super clean and soft. It doesn't hurt that it's also a Canadian brand.

Toners: Not sure what it is about the Andalou Illuminating Toner but for the price, it's unbeatable. It smells of fresh oranges, moisturizes, refreshes, and brightens my skin.

Masks: The Pretty Ginger & Cypress Soothing Mask (not pictured) has been a favourite since I transitioned to natural products. It smells lovely, helps draw out impurities, and calms any redness. Since my next fave works great alone and mixed with Pretty, I had to include it as well. Manuka Honey has helped my skin in so many ways. It brightens, moisturizes, calms redness, and helps clear acne and acne spots.

Facial Oils: There were three can't-live-without oils in 2014; *Sea buckthorn (I now use the SBT brand), tamanu (I now use some other brand), and Corpa Flora Eclate Citrouille. All three of these oils, alone and mixed together, work incredibly well to combat acne, dry skin, uneven skin tone, acne scars, and redness. Eclat Citrouille especially gives me a beautiful glow, Love, love, love!

Shampoo: It's no surprise here, Organic Matter Level 1 Shampoo. I love this stuff so much. It works as a shampoo/conditioner (for my hair anyway), never irritates the dermatitis on my scalp, leaves my hair and scalp clean, smooth, soft, and shiny. It's also Canadian!

Conditioner/Treatment/Styling Product: I only use *Myra Aso 100% Marula Oil . This is my everything oil. With one drop, it styles, smooths, and conditions my hair.

Body Wash & Soap: I love the Deep Steep range, and their body wash is the best that I've tried. It lathers well, smells nice, is affordable, and leaves my skin well nourished. Honeydew Spearmint is my favourite scent. For soap, local company On A Branch Soap has blown me away. With no palm oil or canola oil, their soaps feel, smell and leave my skin feeling incredible. Lavender Oatmeal and Winter Chai are my faves.
Body Scrub: I'm not a huge fan of body scrubs, even though I've experienced some amazing ones this year, like Organic Bath Co. and Nyl, and much prefer using them on my hands. For an all over body exfoliation, I like using my Merben Sisal (medium) hand held dry brush.   Hand Cream: I've loved many hand creams this year, but the standout due to its affordability and performance is definitely Andalou Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream. It moisturizes, smells nice, and soothes my ezcema prone, dry, and irritated hands.
First Aid(?): As you can see, I wasn't sure what to classify this product as but it definitely needed a mention. The NBW Healing Balm has been a major favourite this year. I use it on ezcema patches, dry skin, cuts, and irritations. It quickly heals and soothes whenever applied and I can't be without it.
Spot any of your faves?
*PR SAMPLES. All opinions are entirely my own.

Trash Talk July 2014 (Empties)

Another month has passed us by, and I'm thrilled to be killing my stash. August will likely be all skin care and the last of these huge empties posts. As I've mentioned before, I plan on taking the minimalist approach to my skin, body, and hair care routines. Especially with the colder months coming, less is more for my skin.
Grab a drink and snack, and let's get started! 

*New Leaf Naturals Chai to Relax Hand Soap - review here - I really did enjoy this hand soap, despite the scent not being as strong as I normally like, and it worked really well for cleaning makeup and dirt off of my hands. Sadly, castile soap bases irritate my hands.

*Pure+Simple Organic Hair Oil - I've had this hair oil for a very long time and never reviewed it because they've discontinued it. It had a unique scent, that I can't even described, but worked well to condition my scalp and hair.

Deep Steep Body Mist in Honeydew Spearmint - Maaaaan, this is my favourite Deep Steep scent. So refreshing! This body mist was lovely as a refresher, especially when I worked long days and felt stinky. The scent wasn't overpowering and didn't linger for long (sadly) but filled its purpose. I have already repurchased.

Deep Steep Body Wash in Honeydew Spearmint - review here - Love, love, love! The scent was perfect, the foaming action was great, and my skin always felt soft after using it. My boyfriend used up most of this bottle (Thanks Chris) and so I didn't get to enjoy it for as long as I had hoped. Iherb was out of this scent, so I picked up Chamomile Lavender and will say that I'm not loving the scent as much as this one.

*New Leaf Naturals Stink Stopper - review here - Fantastic deodorant! It never irritated my pits and kept me stink free almost all day. I wasn't a fan of the scent and didn't like that it turned white close a bit green (even though it washed off). If there were more scents available and shipping wasn't insane to Canada, I'd 100% pick up another one.

*Organic Bath Co. Stress Less Body Scrub - review here - Nothing has changed from my initial review. It exfoliated really well and left my skin soft without feeling greasy. The scent grew on me, but it wasn't my favouritet. I'm currently using Zesty Mornings...swoon.

*Hush & Dotti Original Cleansing Balm (sample) - I cannot get into cleansing balms. I struggled to use this up and while it was nice, it's just not my thing. I also found the essential oils a little much for my sensitive skin. Will not be picking up the full size.

*Blissoma Mild Rice Facial Cleanser - review here - I thoroughly enjoyed this cleanser. It was actually used on my face and shoulders to keep acne at bay, worked well! The scent wasn't my favourite though and I'm not sure this would work as well for me in the colder months. May repurchase next summer.

*evie Lovingly Pure Toning Rose Water - review here - Loved this soooo much! The smell was beautiful, it hydrated my skin well, set my makeup, and refreshed my skin mid-day. This beautiful bottle comes with a $50 price tag and I'm still debating on whether to splurge.

*Thayers Cucumber Witch Hazel - review here - I forgot how long a bottle of Thayers lasts, geez. This was a long time favourite of mine, until I started branching out a bit. The ingredients, size, and price are all right. I really liked using this to mix up clay masks, but can't see myself repurchasing as I've found other toners I love even more.

*Wedderspoon 100% Manuka Honey - This is one item that I can't live without, I actually have a tablespoon left that I scooped into a smaller container. Works well as mask (alone) or mixed with clay. It reduces redness, softens my skin, and kills breakouts. Will definitely be repurchasing.

Living Libations HealthyGums Clay Toothpaste - review here - This toothpaste worked just as well as the one I originally reviewed (Neem Enamelizer) but tasted a billion times better. Living Libations has their toothpaste perfected. They have worked so well for my teeth and gums, and I can't even believe the positive changes that I have seen. I've since picked up the Frankincense Fresh Truth ToothPaste and have been enjoying it.

Zoe Organics Everything Balm - I picked this up to see how it would compare to my beloved NBW Healing Balm and it doesn't even come close. Don't get me wrong, the packaging is super cute, application is easy, and ingredients are incredible but it doesn't work as well for me and my skin issues. Will not be repurchasing.

*The Mystic Masala Spicebodhi Kapha Body Oil - review here - While I never got used to the scent, this was a lovely body oil. I enjoyed using it on my legs and sore lower back. Will not repurchase.

*One Love Organics Gardenia Body Serum (sample) - The scent of this body oil was to die for, so damn good! It moisturized my skin beautifully and never left me feeling greasy. My only issue was that the scent didn't last longer. For that reason, I will not be purchasing the full size.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Mascara - As with most of PF mascaras, this one smudged within minutes of applying. At work, I'd have to constantly check my eyes to ensure I didn't look like I had slept with makeup on and just rolled outta bed. The wand is similar to their others, large with short synthetic bristles, however, it's curved. The curve makes for easier application and the outcome was long, thick lashes. Of all the PF Organic Wear mascaras, FakeOut remains my fave.

*Graydon SPF 30 Sun Cream - review here - So much sadness going on, the pump on this amazing sunscreen stopped working (for the second time) and refused to pump out what's left :(. Still, this remains one of my favourite sunscreens. I loved how it could be used on face and body, didn't leave a white cast, moisturized, and blended with ease. It was a little gritty, but that disappeared the more it was blended in. Will be picking up a jumbo bottle for my next vacation. 
Update (Aug. 3) - I did contact Graydon before doing this post and she was kind enough to offer a replacement, without hesitation, and her apologies. Really though, it's not her fault and that's why I didn't want to accept a replacement bottle. I was able to pop the top and scoop out the remaining sun cream into a little container. No waste!
Told ya it was a long one. Guess that's just expected of me now, eh? haha. What have you finished up this month? See any faves in my empties? *PR SAMPLE

Faves Friday!

Hello Friday and lovelies! Bet you're surprised that this is actually up on a Friday instead of the usual Saturday or Sunday. Be proud of me! I have a bunch of new things, and a couple old, that I have been loving over the past couple of weeks.

Deep Steep Body Mist in Honeydew Spearmint - I am beyond obsessed with this scent in the Deep Steep range. It's sweet and fresh and delicious. The mist doesn't last very long on the skin/clothes but, I don't mind reapplying and my clients probably appreciate that I don't smell like a fragrance counter. Sea Salt Spray (in the silver bottle) - When I went to Jamaica, I filled up this Aura Cacia bottle with sea water. Since we were going into Winter at the time and beachy hair wasn't all the rage, I kinda just kept it in a drawer. Now that the sun is finally shining and beachy hair is back in style, I've been using it regularly to give my fine, flat hair some texture and volume. Myra Aso 100% Marula Oil - Have I mentioned my love for marula oil yet? It works wonders for my hair. Since my hair is short and fine, I literally use one little drop and work it into my ends after drying/styling. It completely eliminates frizz and leaves my hair smooth, shiny, and glam. Never tried it? Don't worry, I got a special giveaway coming your way. Sante Eyebrow Pencil in No. 2 Brown - When my brows are full and luscious, I use Zuzu, but when they get a little sparse, it just doesn't do the job. I knew I needed something new and after swatching several brow pencils, Sante was the clear winner. It's not a warm brown so it works great for very dark brown/black brows like mine. I freakin love it. Living Libations Neem Enamelizer Toothpaste - I won't lie, this stuff tastes horrible and often times makes me gag a little. Why's it in your faves then Nicole? Because since I've started using it, my teeth are noticeably whiter and less sensitive. *Lyck Lip Butter in Crushed Berries - This lip butter smells, tastes, and feels divine on my lips. It leaves my lips super soft, makes my lipstick look better and last longer, and crushes candy cravings with each lick of my lips.  Hope you all have an amazing Friday :) *PR SAMPLE

February 2014 Empties!

Oh ya baby, I'm killing these empties posts! I have been making a big huge dent in my stash and am beyond excited about it.

Deep Steep Repairing Shampoo - review here - I really did enjoy this shampoo at first, but I noticed it starting to irritate my scalp with continued use. I began using it only once a week for a "deep clean" and must admit that most of it ended up spilling in my tub because of the water-like texture. Won't repurchase.

Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap in Eucalyptus - review here - I love this soap for cleaning my bathroom. The eucalyptus scent is uplifting and one of my faves. Repurchased in peppermint (my other fave scent).

Batch Naturals Lemongrass & Sweet Basil Soap - review here - While the scent wasn't something that I'd normally go for, I REALLY enjoyed it. This soap contains clay, which worked wonderful for my bacne. The disappointing part is that it didn't last too long. With regular use, and me being the only one using it, it lasted about 3 weeks. Will likely not repurchase because of how quickly it gets used.

Pretty Goat Milk & Honey Soap - no review coming - This soap was not as awesome as I was hoping, seeing as it's from one of my fave brands. It's creamy and moisturizing, but I didn't feel like it really cleaned me. Not that it left me stinky, I just didn't feel clean. I think it would be amazing for someone with super dry skin or babies. Also, it contains palm oil. Won't repurchase.

On A Branch Soap in Monday Morning - review here - Great company and great soap. The coffee grinds were a little too sharp for my liking but I still enjoyed it, especially the cinnamon scent of Monday Morning. Will repurchase in another scent.

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Soothing Mask - review here - Hands down my favourite clay mask ever. I always come back to it, even though trying to DIY it would be much cheaper. It works at pulling out impurities and calming my skin all at the same time. Will repurchase at some point, but I'm currently debating on splurging on a La Bella Figura mask.

*Shamanuti Pumpkin Enzyme Masque - review here - As my skin was freaking out this month (with acne) and not as sensitive as usual, I was able to use this mask more frequently. I really enjoyed how it left my skin soft  and helped to get rid of pimples quicker. May repurchase at some point.

*Therapi Honey Skincare Orange Blossom No. 3 Moisturizer - review here - This is a fab UK brand. They use honey (obviously) in their products, along with other great ingredients. I loved using this morning and night, the scent, and how it left my skin so soft. I do have to note that since running out of this moisturizer, probably about a week and a half ago, my skin hasn't been breaking out as much. So I'm not sure if this is what was causing my skin to freak out, along with hormones, but that's why I haven't written a review yet.

*Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Adzuki Bean Rice Bran Face Polish - review here - Even though this scrub smelled like grass, it worked really well at exfoliating my skin. I especially loved mixing it with honey and using it as a mask. I did end up using it this last month on my face, chest, shoulders, and back regularly. Since I'm not a big fan of physical/mechanical exfoliants, I will likely not repurchase this.

*Thayers Peach Witch Hazel Toner - I used to love Thayers and even got my boyfriend hooked on using it after shaving. This one smelled like fuzzy peaches, which I loveeeeeed, but it contained alcohol. I don't like to use anything too astringent on my sensitive facial skin, so I opted to use it on my chest, shoulders, and back. It did help dry out some of the acne spots I was getting. Won't be picking up the full size.

Pretty Roman Chamomile Floral Water - review here - This is my favourite floral water and I've raved about it enough. I've repurchased in rose.

*PurelyGreat Citrus Cream Deodorant - review here - Aside from the irritation this gave me, it worked amazingly well at keeping me stink free ALL day long. I started applying a water/apple cider vinegar mix to my underarms about 20 minutes before applying this deodorant and it kept the irritation (mostly) away. The most annoying part about this deodorant, was constantly having to mix it prior to use. Because of that, I will not be repurchasing.

*Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion Mini - This sample came with their Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream that I have already reviewed. The scent was light and fresh, same as the other products in the sea buckthorn range. I was really surprised by this product! It moisturized really well and absorbed nicely. I may pick up a full size once I use up some other body lotions.

Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream - review here - Lovveeeed this hand cream! It was super hydrating and absorbed ridiculously well. The packaging is too big to carry around with me, which is one of the biggest downsides..along with the price..but I think I'm going to repurchase it soon.

S.W. Basics Cream - review here - I took this picture on Tuesday and have since finished off what was left in the jar. This was deeply moisturizing and an absolute pleasure to use. I loved applying it all over, especially on my knees, feet, and elbows. Will repurchase next Fall/Winter.

First Aid Beauty, Niora & Aromatherapy Associates were sent to me by Cori (Well Beauty Blog). The two unmarked jars in the middle were sent to me by Sabrina and Mayah (Call It Vanity)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (sample) - Not entirely natural but it did work well to moisturize my super dry hands.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask (sample) - This mask didn't burn or tingle at all, and left my skin brighter and softer. Since it was a one time use, I'm can't tell if it's worth the splurge.

Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Scrub (sample) - I didn't understand this exfoliant because I didn't feel it exfoliating. It felt more like a cleansing balm.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser (sample) - I loved the invigorating eucalyptus scent of this rich cream cleanser. It left my skin soft, cleansed, and more even toned. I see myself purchasing the full size at some point.

Niora Alpha Clear Cleanser (sample) - This cleanser is designed for adult acne, which is pretty cool. It cleansed my skin well (didn't remove makeup though) all while leaving it well hydrated. Not sure the sample was large enough to notice a different in my acne though.

Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Treatment Mask (sample) - I didn't find this mask to be anything special although I only had enough for one use. It did moisturize my skin, and calm the redness on my cheeks a bit. I also enjoyed the fact that it was scentless.

*SBT Soothing Salve for Stretch Marks/Scars (sample) - I got this in a sample pack back in October and have been using it for several months now. The smell is really nice, almost like a herbal apple, but might be a little much for some. Did I notice a change in the appearance of my stretch marks? No.

Benecos Natural Multi Effect Mascara - no review coming - This mascara was a major flop for me. I loved the large natural bristle brush but hated that it smudged and flaked within minutes of application. When I wore this to work, I'd have to constantly check the mirror to make sure that it didn't look like I went straight to work after a night of partying. On a positive note, it didn't irritate my eyes. Cheeky Cosmetics Eye Shadows in Pebble & Truffle (samples) - review here - I really love the Cheeky eye shadows. They are beautiful and so pigmented. These two taupes were stunning all over the lids, outer corners, and in the crease. I'm extremely tempted to pick up full sizes, however, I don't use eye shadow often enough to justify adding more to my already (kinda) large collection.
W3LL People Universalist Multi-Use Stick in #7 Creamy Peony (sample) - This cool toned vibrant pink is stunning, stunning, stunning! My boyfriend already purchased the full size for me.
Zuzu Luxe Brow Pencil in Russet - review here - The most perfect shade for my brows. I just wish there was a way to use ALL of the product. Already repurchased.
What have you finished up this month? *PR SAMPLES

January 2014 Empties!

This month has been a fun one for empties because I've managed to finish so much, as you can see below. #NoBuyJanuary really forced encouraged me to use up samples and minis, as well as finish off products that were just about done. Don't be fooled though, I still have a boat load of stuff to get through.

This picture made me feel like a garbage hoarder haha

Here's what I've finished this month...

Coconut Oil - I mostly cook or eat this delicious goodness, but I also used it in this body butter. I've already repurchased.

Deep Steep Body Wash - review here - This was such a great body wash. It was fragrant without being overwhelming, nourishing, lathered well on a loofa, and felt very luxurious. I really enjoyed this particular scent, but will be trying a different one. Will be repurchasing.

Alaffia Scalp Recovery Shampoo - This wasn't actually a full bottle, it only had a few uses in it. My friend wanted me to try it to see if it would help my scalp dermatitis and dandruff. It did! I already picked up a brand new bottle.

Pretty Skin Savior Oil - review here - Body oils are wonderful and this one was no exception. It smelled lovely and moisturized well. Once I get through some other body products, I may repurchase this or one of their other oils.

Earthpaste Toothpaste in Peppermint - review here - There's not much to say about this product, it's the only toothpaste I use. Already repurchased.

*Weleda Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream - review here - This month was exceptionally cold and my hands (and entire body) were craving more moisture. This hand cream smelled nice and absorbed well, but wasn't moisturizing enough for me. I found myself constantly reapplying, hence why I finished up a tube in less than a month. May repurchase in the warmer months.

Weleda Calendula Face Cream - review here - I love this stuff soooo much. It's great for hands, face, and body and moisturizes so well. I especially love that it's small and light enough to carry in a small purse. Will definitely be repurchasing because I can't be without it.

Badger Sleep Balm - review here - This was a skin savior this month. I applied it to super dry bits like knees, elbows, feet, face, and hands just before bed. Not only did it fill the room with the beautiful fragrance of lavender, it also left my skin super soft. Might repurchase at some point.

*Pure Anada African Gold - review here - This marula oil infused shea butter was perfect for this DIY body butter and by itself. I loved using it all over, including my face, to help with any dry patches. Will very likely repurchase next Winter.

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner (not pictured) - review here - Went through another bottle and still love it! Will be repurchasing.

Tamanu Oil - review here - Ahh, my love for tamanu oil runs deep. I was heart broken when I used up the last drop and may, or may not, have shed a tear. My goal with facial oils is to use them all up before repurchasing, that way I can decide what works best for my skin and what should be repurchased. I just made up that goal recently, but I see myself repurchasing very soon.

*Lina Hanson Global Body Serum - This body serum smells so amazing, it's the perfect scent. Vanilla with a hint of citrus, delicate and feminine. I didn't do a full review because the few times that I did use it on my body, I broke out badly. I actually received this months ago, before I discovered (100%) that argan doesn't agree with me. I have been using it on the ends of my hair and can't even describe how intoxicating the scent is. I hope Lina makes a perfume oil with this scent, minus the argan. Will not be purchasing the full size although you should for the scent alone, if you can use argan.

*Aroma M Camellia Hair Oil - review here - What a sexy scent this hair oil has. It made me feel so sexy when I used it. It worked just as well as Lina's body serum did on the ends of my hair. I've since started using marula oil instead and much prefer it to both of these. Will not be purchasing the full size.

Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner - This was sent to me by the lovely Cori, from Well Beauty Blog, and it was nice. I've tried it before and enjoyed it. I go through toner rather quickly though and don't love it enough to spend as much as it costs. Will not be purchasing the full size.

One Love Organics Vitamin D Active Moisture Time Release Mist - This was a two time use sample that didn't really give me a good idea of whether I liked the product or not. It's very unlikely that I'll be spending $40 CAN on the full size though.

*Corpa Flora Rock'n Rose Exfoliating Facial Powder - review here - I love Corpa Flora products and have purchased full sizes since that review to prove it. This was a very gentle, yet effective exfoliating powder. I much prefer chemical exfoliants though. Will not be purchasing the full size.

S.W. Basics Exfoliant - review here - Hands down my favourite physical exfoliant.ever. It just worked so well for my skin without irritating it and it smelled like oatmeal. If I ever purchase a scrub in the future, it'll be this one.

The All Natural Face Cream Blush in Cotton Candy - review here - My favourite and, obviously, most used ANF blush shade. The purple worked with my naturally red cheeks without enhancing the redness. Since discovering that I can't use these blushes anymore, because of the argan oil,  I'm glad that I finished at least one. Won't be repurchasing.

*Pure Anada Mascara in Black - review here - This mascara kinda sucked at first, it was too wet for my liking, but amazing once it dried up a bit. It was great wet as well, but I found it separated my lashes too much for my liking. This mascara held up in Jamaica (hot as hell) and in the cold. It didn't flake, smudge, run, or transfer unless I fell asleep in face plant position. I won't do a full review now, but I will say that I purchased another tube.

The Body Deli Blueberry Cleanser Sample - This cleanser surprised me. It's full of fruit acids, which is what I consider a chemical exfoliant. I used this sample every second or third day as an exfoliator, left it on for a minute or two and washed it off. My skin was left noticeably softer and even toned.  I purchased a mini bottle back in December, love it!

The Body Deli Almond Cleanser Sample - Really wanted to love this cleanser. It smelled delicious and cleansed well but I didn't find it anything spectacular. Perhaps the sample was too small or I just like other cleansers more. Won't be purchasing the full size.

Evanhealy French Rose Clay - I've had this sample in my collection for months and months. I decided to use it recently, since my skin freaked out and grew little people pimples all over. What a fantastic clay mask! It never dried out my skin, even though I used it three days in a row, and helped to calm the acne down. I may pick up the full size at some point, may.

Suki Intensive Nourishing Masque Sachet - Another item sent to me by the beautiful Cori. I didn't like this at all because of the nasty film it left on my skin. My face felt super greasy and uncomfortable. The Suki range hasn't been a hit with me. Will not be purchasing the full size.

*Rahua Conditioner Sachet - Monique, from Anise Apothecary, actually gave me this along with the shampoo sachet to try. I wasn't impressed by the conditioner, it didn't seem to do anything for my hair at all. Will not be purchasing the full size.

Red Flower Purifying Body Wash in Icelandic Moonflower and Italian Blood Orange - Both of these smelled lovely, one floral and one citrusy. They foamed up on my loofa beautifully and left me clean without drying out my skin. I prefer Deep Steep though and won't be purchasing full size.

Done, done, done!

*PR SAMPLE

Reveal My Stash #1 - Hair & Body Care

Since it's #NoBuyJanuary and I swore I wasn't a hoarder, I thought it was time to reveal or "expose" my stash. It may be a tad disappointing, so I apologize now. Some of these products haven't been reviewed or even tried yet and one was even purchased this month...dun dun dun. My "stash" will include all backups and whatnot.

  SHAMPOOS

*OM Organic Matter is a very gentle shampoo that I like to alternate with Deep Steep, which provides more of a "deep clean". By the way, the Deep Steep shampoo bottle drives me bonkers!! I dropped it the other day a bunch came spilling out since it's basically the consistency of water. ARG!! Anyway, that little bit of Alaffia was given to me from a friend's personal stash. She knows that I have a crazy scalp and a sensitivity to tea tree, so she gave me what was left in her bottle to try and see if it helps my dermatitis, without further irritating it.

CONDITIONERS

                         
*Graydon Hair Smoothie doesn't work for me as a conditioner and I hate the scent. I've been using and loving it as a shave cream though. 100% Pure Honey & Virgin Coconut Conditioner is a recent purchase, yesterday to be exact. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've used up a bunch of oils that I was using in/on my hair. I don't normally use a conditioner and haven't for months now, but I want to grow out my hair and figured a deep conditioner might help. Sometimes, I don't feel like doing a full out oil mask and will go longer than I should without one. Therefore, this will be a huge help in making sure my hair gets the nourishment that it needs on really lazy days...or weeks..or months..you get it.

BODY WASH & SOAP

As you can see, I'm almost out of my Deep Steep Body Wash. It is such a beautiful wash! I like to alternate between soap and body wash often, and currently have a tiny sliver of lavender soap (not pictured) in my shower. On a Branch Monday Morning Soap was a Christmas gift and will be opened very, very soon.

See, not exciting at all. I hate having too many things in my drawers and/or open at the same time. The fact that I even have 3 shampoos bottles in my shower right now, regardless of the reasons, drives me absolutely nuts. I hate clutter and waste, and often find myself reorganizing, repurposing, or giving away whatever I can (closet, cabinets, clothes, products, etc).

What do you think about my hair and body care stash?

*PR SAMPLE

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

Deep Steep Foaming Hand Wash Review

Another Deep Steep Product? Yaaaa...blame Sarah.

Honeydew Spearmint is empty...I forgot to take a picture before I used it!

Description: As instant foam gently cleanses your hands, Organic extracts leave skin feeling soft and smooth. The natural formulation effectively cleanses but won’t dry out skin. With Deep Steep's Foaming Hand Wash, you will enjoy washing your hands.
Certified by the 'Cruelty Free Bunny' * No Parabens * No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate * No Mineral Oil* No Artificial Fragrances * No Chemical Preservatives* Gluten Free * Not Tested On Animals * Vegan

I wish that you all had smell-o-screen (or something like that), so that you could smell these hand soaps. The Honeydew Spearmint was one I didn't think I'd like and it turned out to be my favourite. It's sweet, like honeydew of course, but the spearmint really adds a little delightful kick. The combo is absolutely divine! Passion Fruit Guava is like a tropical paradise and just plain delicious. I find that the scent lingers on the hands, which is a real treat. The pump bottle work perfectly from start to finish, which isn't always the case with pumps. That being said, I went through a bottle rather quickly. I'm the only one who used it and yet it still got used up within a month. I also found it a little drying however, to be fair, I wash my hands frequently at work and my hands are already dry. These are very lovely hand soaps with fab ingredients and wide variety of delicious scents, but I need something creamier for the colder months. I highly recommend and would repurchase in the summer. Also, if you could get your hands on refill bottles it would be more cost effective especially if you use it up as quickly as I did. 

Retails from $4.99 to $8 CAN. Can be purchased through Deep Steep, Big Carrot, Marshalls/Winners/Home Sense, and any of their other retailers world-wide. Available in Lavender Chamomile, Tangerine Melon, Rosemary Mint, Honeydew Spearmint, Grapefruit Bergamot, Passion Fruit Guava, and Brown Sugar Vanilla.

What scent do you think you'd like most? Ingredients Honeydew Spearmint: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Infusion of Organic Herbs; Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Coco Glucoside, Glycerin, Rice Protein, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Natural, Citric Acid
Ingredients Passion Fruit Guava: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Passiflora Laurifolia (Passion) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Coco Glucoside, Aroma (Organic and Wildcrafted Aroma Blend), Glycerin, Rice Protein, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Natural, Citric Acid.

Deep Steep Daily Repairing Shampoo Review

Yet another Deep Steep product! I recently reviewed their body wash and loved it, so I decided to try their shampoo. Not to be repetitive but, my hair is fine and I have dermatitis on my scalp. Therefore, my experience will likely be different than yours with most shampoos.

Description: This advanced sulfate-free formula reinforces hair and prevents future breakage with Rice and Organic Quinoa Protein Complex, while Vitamin B5 penetrates leaving hair noticeably more radiant and resilient with each use.

I'm going to start off by saying that the packaging is absolutely horrible, just horrible! Upside down bottles are great for thick textured products like conditioners, moisturizers, butters, etc. This shampoo, however, is pretty much water. I always end up using too much because it comes flowing out like Niagara Falls. I'm being dramatic again, aren't I? Just tellin ya like it is! Aside from that, the shampoo itself is great. It lathers well, doesn't irritate my dermatitis too much, leaves my hair squeaky clean yet still easy to comb through without the use of a conditioner, and I can go 2 to 3 days without my fine hair looking greasy. The scent is very salon-like and lingers until the next wash. I don't mind it but, I think it could be too much for some. Not sure my hair has become more "radiant and resilient" nor do I find there's less breakage, however, it cleans my hair well. Would I recommend? Yes, it's worth trying. Would I repurchase? Only if they changed the packaging.

Retails for approx. $12.95 USD for 10 oz/295 ml. I purchased mine from Marshalls for $9.99 CAN. Can be purchased through Deep Steep and to find a retailers near you, click here. There are 4 different shampoos to choose from: Daily Repairing, Nourishing Volume, Weightless Moisture, and Glossy Smoothing.

Have you ever tried any of the Deep Steep Shampoo? If not, which would you like to try?

Ingredients: Aqua, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Organic Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Organic Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Organic Echinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Lauryl Lactyl Lactate, Organic Quinoa Protein, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-4-Caprate, Lactic Acid, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Coco-Caprylate, Caprylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Polyaspartate, Diheptyl Succinate (and) Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Aroma, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum.