April 2014 Empties!

Where did April go? It zoomed by so quickly. I'm sorry that I've been MIA, it's been super busy at work (which is fantastic) and blogging has been on the back burner. What better post than an empties to kick off May though, right? Let's take a look at my trash.

One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil - review here - Since the pump on the original bottle stopped working, I transfered the rest over to a jar for easy use. This cleanser smelled delicious and worked incredibly well for removing makeup. I have a few other cleansing oils on the go right now, so I won't be repurchasing at the moment.

*SBT Seabuckthorn Tea Cream - review here - I really loved how light, yet moisturizing, this cream was. It didn't irritated my skin or break me out at all, which is a total bonus in my books. I may repurchase at some point.

*OM Organic Matter Shampoo Level 1 - review here - Obsessed with this shampoo! It left my hair clean and moisturized, and didn't irritate the dermatitis on my scalp at all. Already repurchased.

Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil - This is probably my favourite coconut oil. It tasted like coconut but, it had more of a buttery taste that made it perfect for pancakes and other cooking. Already repurchased.

*Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream - I wasn't a huge fan of this cream. The scent was overly sweet and it lingered all day. It also took some effort to work it into the skin. Won't be repurchasing.

CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture - review here - This cream was very disappointing. Considering it's steep price tag, I was hoping it would be my holy grail moisturizer. It's lotion like texture would be ideal for warmer months but, it didn't deliver on the claims it made. Won't be repurchasing.

NBW Healing Balm - review here - LOVEEEEE! This balm worked like a dream on my hands and any other skin ailment that I had pop up on my body. Already repurchased.

Crazy Rumors Lip Balm in Pineapple Peppermint - Meh. I guess I'm not much for flavoured lip balms because none of the flavours available, at my health food store, tickled my fancy. Scent/flavour aside, the balm had a really nice texture. I liked that it remained smooth even when it was left in the car on a super cold day. Won't be repurchasing.

Clean Well Sanitizing Hand Wipes - These were handy to keep in my purse but, they smelled strongly of thyme oil (which is the main antibacterial oil used to kill germs). I've purchased the vanilla orange scent, in the tub, and it still doesn't smell very nice. Nonetheless, they work well and I'd repurchase. *Tata Harper Refreshing Cleanser (sample) - This cleanser worked well to remove makeup and didn't leave my skin dry. It also had a mild scent, which is unusual for Tata skin care. Not sure I'd pick up the full size. *Tata Harper Restoritive Eye Cream (sample) - I felt like this gave me milia and I didn't notice a difference in fine lines or moisture levels. I've gone back to using oils. *Shamanuti Creme No.1 (sample) - This cream smelled awful! The scent lingered and even got on my dog (from cuddling) and my pillows. Even though it left my skin beautifully moisturized, I had to wash it off because of the strong scent. La Bella Figura Purifying Mask (sample) - This mask was as beautiful as I've heard it was. It left my spots (and skin) calm and I found it helped speed up the healing time of my breakouts. Once I use up some masks, I will very likely pick up the full size. On A Branch Soaps in Breathe - review here - The eucalyptus in this soap was very uplifting and awakening. I had purchased it because of the clay, was hoping it would help with breakouts on my shoulders and back, but it dried out my skin. Perhaps in the hot Summer months it would have worked better for my skin. Repurchased in another scent. BeautyBlender - Love this sponge for blending out my foundation. I've had this one for about 4 or 5 months and thought it was time to toss it. Got backups for Christmas and already started using a fresh sponge! *Dr. Sponge Green Tea Sponge - review here - Still not fully in love with these sponges. It worked amazingly well at removing my makeup on a lazy day, but was irritating with continued use. May or may not repurchase. That's all I've finished up this month ladies and gents! What have you used up? *PR SAMPLE.

Faves Friday!

Of course when I decide to do Faves Friday every two weeks, there's so many products that I want to feature. Here's what I've narrowed it down to.

Sappho Liquid Foundation in Leisha - review here - This is just the best liquid foundation that I've come across. When applied with the beautyblender (that black sponge above), it just provides a beautiful natural finish that covers all of the redness and most of the acne scars on my face.

Pure+Simple Face Colour in Soleil - review here - Peach/orange/coral blushes are not ones I tend to reach for. I find they bring out the redness in my face BUT, I randomly decided to use Soleil and fell in love, hard. It's a beautiful peachy shade that just makes my skin look incredible and glow.

NBW Healing Balm for Burns, Scrapes & Rashes - review to come - NBW is a Canadian brand that we carry at my work. My boss basically forced me to take this home to see if it would help heal the contact dermatitis/eczema/whatever it is that's on my fingers. WOWZA! This stuff has seriously been helping. Within minutes of applying, the redness disappears and the dry patches soften. Between no longer using powdered gloves and this, I swear my fingers have almost completely healed.

That's all! What have you been loving lately? With Spring around the corner, I'm sure you've been feeling extra cheeky with makeup. Shareeee your faves with me below :)

October and November 2013 Favourites!

I totally forgot to do an October favourites. Luckily, I've been loving the same things for the last 2 months. 

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask - review here - This mask has been a staple with the weather getting so cold. I've been using it twice a week to remove any dead skin and find it revives my skin. It's really helped brighten my complexion and reduce breakouts. Love!

Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - mmm, smells soooo good. Aside from the scent, it works great as a toner, cleanser on no makeup days, makeup setter, and skin refresher. It doesn't irritate or dry out my skin. Both my mom and I love it!

Corpa Flora Éclat Citrouille Antioxidant Night Cocktail - review here - This oil is magical. It transforms my skin over night. I wake up with brighter, softer, more even toned and radiant skin. I even find it calms any redness or irritation that I may have. I haven't been this excited about an oil since I discovered tamanu and sea buckthorn.

*Sappho Liquid Foundation + BeautyBlender - review here - The combo here is a match made in beauty heaven. The foundation is great but, it's even better (for my skin) when applied with the beautyblender. Provides the perfect amount of coverage while giving a luminous and very natural finish. Anytime I wear makeup, this is my go to.

Alima Pure Mauna Loa Bronzer (not pictured) - review here - Bronzer has been a staple since my vacation in October. It has helped darken my foundation to match my body. Even though I've lost most of my tan, I love how it warms up my face without looking like I rubbed dirt all over. Hands down my favourite bronzer.

Wedderspoon 100% Raw Manuka Honey - no review - Manuka honey is so delicious and I'm not sure how I've lived so long without it. In the last couple of weeks, I've also used it as a mask and what a difference it's made!! This just might be a new staple in my skin care routine. DIY Body Butter - no review/not pictured - The beautiful Shauna, from Natural Beauty Junkie, actually made this body butter and I've been wanting to try it since. I've already made it twice, exactly as the recipe says, and am going to make it again because I just ran out. It smells like chocolate and moisturizes like no other! I've actually seen it lighten the stretch marks behind my knees as well. Kale Pesto - no review/not pictured - SO good! I add more lemon than the recipe calls and sometimes add a little parm to make it taste more like pesto.  Banana Protein Bake - no review/not pictured - This is my new favourite breakfast food. I make it Sunday night and it lasts all week. It keeps me full for several hours and, if I'm super lazy, I'll eat it for lunch or dinner because it's packed with goodness. I have made some substitutions to the recipe though; 4 mashed bananas in place of maple syrup and eggs, quinoa instead of rice, and chopped walnuts instead of almond flour. The mashed bananas keep the bake moist and it also masks the awful taste of the vanilla rice protein that I use. I top it with plain greek yogurt, berries, a drizzle of manuka honey and I'm good to go! Bam! *PR sample.