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

Brand Focus: nyl

Earlier this year, I reviewed nyl's delicious and lovely Gentle Sugar Body Polish. Carol, Founder, contacted me shortly after and asked if there was anything else from the range that I'd like to try. How could I resist? Based on Monique's recommendation, from Anise Apothecary, I decided to try out the *Whipped Hand & Body Lotion and *Body Balm. What I love about this brand is the simplicity of their ingredients, their name really says it all.  

Description: A rich creamy all-over moisturizer. Meadowfoam seed oil is the star of this lotion, chosen for its amazing moisturizing and rejuvenating capabilities. When applied to the skin, it forms a moisture barrier and will assist in preventing moisture loss. It's a non-comedogenic oil which means it won't clog your pores, has a non-greasy feel and your skin will drink it up. Retails for $34 USD for 4 fl oz or $6 USD for 1 fl oz.


This whipped goodness is incredible! It is so creamy, fluffy, smooth, and moisturizing without ever feeling greasy. I've been reaching for this quite often because not only does it apply and work beautifully after a shower, it also works whenever. Okay, that sounded weird. Obviously it works whenever but, oils and balms tend to apply and work even better when your skin is slightly damp. Know what I mean? This just works..whenever! Must be the fact that it contains water and isn't solely oil based. It hasn't irritated or broken my skin out. In fact, it's actually soothing after any kind of hair removal. While the glass jar is really nice and eco friendly, it's also heavy (aka not travel friendly). The scent is light and fresh, I can't imagine even those sensitive to scents would be bothered by it. This is another winning product in my books!

                     

Look at how fluffy it is!!

Description: A silky balm created to soothe cracked dry hands in the winter & soften heels for sandal season. Meadowfoam seed oil is blended with healing kokum butter, tamanu oil and calendula extract to soothe and soften problem areas. Retails for $30 USD for 2 fl oz.

This balm...this balm, this balm, this balm. It was a winner before I even tried it solely on the fact that it contains both tamanu and calendula (sensitive skin dream team). The scent is tamanu but not really. You guys know me and describing scents, I'll give up now. It feels so lovely and soothing on my cuticles, eczema, and dry patches on my body and face. Whenever I apply this at night, I wake up with super soft skin regardless of where I've applied it. The jar is actually really small, so regardless of whether it's plastic or glass, it's perfect for tossing in your purse or carry on.

Well nyl, you can do no wrong! I am, yet again, extremely impressed with the products that I've tried. In fact, I didn't expect to like the body lotion. Why? Because it was still brutally cold out when I received it and assumed that it wouldn't actually hydrate my skin dry skin. It proved me wrong! 

Products can be purchased through nyl, Anise Apothecary, or you can contact nyl to find a retailer nearest you.

Whether you've already fallen in love with nyl or looking to try them, now's the time to stock up! Carol has graciously provided a **20% off coupon code for all of my lovely readers. It'll only be live for a month, so hop on over to www.nylskincare.com and pick up some amazing goodies. 

Coupon code: EcoCBDiva20%Off.

What will you be picking up?

*Products provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.  **I'm in no way making money or anything else from the use of this coupon code. Only valid for one month. Only valid on www.nylskincare.com
Whipped Hand & Body Lotion Ingredients: Purified Water, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Candelilla Wax, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Vitamin E Oil, Organic Essential Oils, Grapefruit Seed Extract Body Balm Ingredients: Organic Kokum Butter, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Tamanu Oil, Candelilla Wax, Organic Calendula Extract, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Vitamin E Oil, Organic Essential Oils

March 2014 Empties

Here we are again, at the end of another month and about to peak through my trash. The most exciting part about this empties, is that it's now Spring. Hello Spring! We still have some snow on the ground but, that's okay because it's been warming up. So.excited.ashfioashigfsh. Anyone else as excited as me?

*The Mystic Masala Kapha Spicebodhi Soap - review here - Loved using this daily. It lathered nicely and left me feeling super clean.
May repurchase at some point.

Earthpaste in Wintergreen - review here - I've gone through several tubes of this stuff, always alternating between wintergreen and peppermint. It cleaned my teeth really well and left my breath fresh but, I've decided to try something new. Living Libations new, to be exact :).

Coconut Oil - Loveeee coconut oil. I mostly bake with it but sometimes I use it as a hair mask or cuticle oil. Already repurchased.

*Shamanuti Activated Charcoal Cleanser - review here - I really enjoyed the scent of this cleanser and how well it removed makeup/cleansed my face. It helped clear up my bacne (when I had a breakout), however, I didn't find it did much for my face. In fact, I think it was a little drying. Perhaps it would have worked better for me during summer.

Corpa Flora Eclat Citrouille - review here - This oil is amaze-balls! It makes my face glow and evens out my complexion over night. When this bottle ran out, I debated on trying something new until I realized that if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Am I right?
Already repurchased.

*SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil - review here  and here - Sea buckthorn is one of my favourite oils. I liked using this as an all over facial oil, spot treatment for pimples, or mixed with tamanu. It really helped control any breakouts and brighten the skin. I prefer the SBT brand over others because they're Canadian, the bottle is much easier to travel with, and it comes in 3 sizes.
Will be repurchasing at some point.

*Nyl Gentle Sugar Body Polish - review here - What a lovely scrub this was. I mainly used it on my lips and hands, and not only did it leave my skin incredibly soft, it also left it smelling (and tasting) delicious! The minimal ingredients and fact that it didn't leave me feeling greasy made it my favourite body scrub to date. Will likely repurchase.

Batch Naturals Abyssinian Body Whip - review here - I really liked how quickly this absorbed and how light it was, perhaps a little too light for me during the brutal Winter.
May repurchase in a different scent, at some point.

Dr. Haushka Lavender Sandalwood Body Moisturizer (sample) - I'm not usually a fan of this brand but, this lightly scented body lotion was a delight to use. It left me nicely moisturized without any heavy fragrance. *SBT Eczema Dermatitis Salve - review here - Despite how well this worked for my hands, it's being tossed because the texture, scent, and colour has changed. Pretty sure it's gone bad.
La Bella Figura Barbary Fig Seed Oil (sample) - Clementine Fields was kind enough to send me a sample with an order that I made in January. I've heard amazing things about it but, didn't see any improvements with my skin while using it.  Aurelia Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser (sample kindly sent to me by Sabrina from Call It Vanity) - This stuff smelled so good and was one of the richest night creams I've ever tried. It was actually a little too heavy for me to use all over my face, so I would just apply a tiny, tiny amount on any dry patches. Pure Anada Mascara in Black - review here - My favourite natural mascara! It's affordable and lasts all day. My only issue, which I'm letting slide, is that it contains phenoxyethanol.  Already repurchased. Pretty Rose Facial Tonic (not pictured) - review here - I'm not a fan of rose scents but I find this rose facial tonic works amazingly well for my skin.  Will repurchase at some point. Weleda Calendula Face Cream (not pictured) - review here - I can't say enough good things about this cream. I mainly use it on my hands and face, but don't hesitate to use it on my body as well.  Already repurchased. Happy Spring lovelies! *PR SAMPLES.

nyl Gentle Sugar Body Polish Review

In early December, I visited Anise Apothecary. It's basically the cutest shop of life, in case you haven't figured that out OR I haven't said it enough yet . Monique was kind enough to send me home with a few goodies. One of which is this lovely *nyl Gentle Sugar Body Polish.   nyl Skin Care is based out of Bucks County, Pennsylvania USA. After Founder, Carol Sondesky, changed the way that she ate, she decided to look deeper into the skin care that she was using. What she discovered led her to become a mad scientist! Okay not quite, but she did start creating her own products. With great success on her own skin, her friends and family began requesting she make them some. nyl meaning "nothing", is a very clear indication of what her line is about. Just simple, limited and pronounceable ingredients, that are effective yet still luxurious. The entire line is also vegan and gluten free!  

Description: You will love how soft and smooth your skin feels after using this scrub.  A simple blend of organic sugar & oils exfoliates, moisturizes and improves circulation. Apply all over after cleansing during shower or bath.  Massage gently until the sugar has melted, rinse. Fresh citrus scent.
TIP: Use in place of shaving cream on your legs. Simply massage over legs until the sugar has melted, shave, rinse. Your legs will never look or feel more polished!

This scrub smells divine! The "fresh citrus scent" is lovely and not at all overpowering. Given that this is their sample jar, and is pretty small, I haven't tried it all over my body or shaved with it. Monique actually uses it to shave with and says it's ah-mazing! I've been using it on my hands and lips, it's brilliant. It leaves both my hands and lips exfoliated and moisturized without being abrasive or uncomfortably greasy. That's one thing that I hate about scrubs, feeling greasy or "moisturized" afterwards. It just feels gross, personal preference I guess. Must say, I prefer this to the Lush lip scrubs and can see myself repurchasing in place of those. The little plastic jar is light, convenient to travel with, and minis are always oh-so-cute. If you're looking for a new body/lip scrub and are way too lazy to make your own (like I am), nyl's Gentle Sugar Body Polish is one to check out!

Sample size retails for approx. $7 CAN/$5 USD. Full size (8 fl oz) retails for approx. $36 CAN/$34 USD. Can be purchased through nyl and/or Anise Apothecary.
 

 

                               Ingredients: Organic Unrefined Cane Sugar, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Grape Seed Oil, Organic Essential Oils *Product provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.