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

July 2013 Empties!

Ahh empties, the time of the month where I can finally throw away all of my trash and begin a new collection of garbage (literally). Without further ado, here's my trash for the month!

Dr. Bronner's Shikakai Lavender Soap - review here - Lovely hand soap and lovely scent, lasted forever, but irritated my small patch of eczema on my hands. Won't be repurchasing.

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap in Unscented/Baby - review here - I really love this liquid soap because of it's multi use ability. The unscented was purchased to use as a body wash and it was great, however, I really love the peppermint and eucalyptus scents much more. Will repurchase, just not in unscented.

All Things Herbal Naturally Irish Soap in Dublin Mint - no review -  I received this in my March Seasons Box and while I loved the refreshing mint scent, I hated how slimy and slippery it felt in the shower *cringes*.

Naked Organix Tamanu Bar - review here - I went through this bar very quickly but loved how it helped keep my chest, back and shoulder breakouts at bay. Will definitely repurchase once I use up some other soap.

Coconut Oil - no review - Don't worry, I removed that little chunk at the bottom there. I adore coconut oil and have been eating it more than I have been using it for skin care. I will be repurchasing!

White (Kaolin) Clay - no review - I love white clay for my sensitive skin and generally mix it with green for a super detoxifying face mask. Will be repurchasing.

Earthpaste Lemon Twist Toothpaste - review here -  I had the peppermint flavour in my last empties, but I had actually finished it up at the beginning of June. So really, these tubes last me about 2 months. Redmond actually sent me all of the flavours, except peppermint because I purchased that myself, to try. This works just as well as the peppermint, but I hate the flavour. I'm such a boring person and just love the traditional mint/wintergreen/peppermint/anything minty toothpaste over any other flavours. This would be ideal for adventurous people, lemon lovers and kids because it literally tastes like lemon meringue. For the record, I don't like lemon meringue pie...fully aware that I suck :P.

Dr. Alkaitis Nourishing Treatment Oil - review here - I've grown to love this oil more and more. The smell is so intoxicating and I LOVE applying it after a shower. It's beyond luxurious and really keeps my skin soft. It's super expensive but I think I might treat myself one of these days.

Dr. Alkaitis Purifying Facial Cleanser - review here - Hated this cleanser. It irritated my skin and, in an attempt to not throw it out, I used it to wash my feet. Will not be purchasing.

New Roots Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil - review here - Love sea buckthorn oil, hated the bottle that the New Roots one came in because it wouldn't close properly. The bottle above is a bottle that I purchased to put it in. I've been sent SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil and am now using that. Won't repurchase New Roots.

One Love Organics Easy Does it, Morning Glory & Brand New Day -  Review here - Really enjoyed this set and would consider purchasing the cleanser and Morning Glory serum since they work super well together.

Elabloom Facial Oil Sample - no review - This was a tiny sample, only had enough for a few days. It, sadly, contains Argan oil which gives me little red bumps all over my face. Won't be purchasing the full size.

Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Mocha - review here - This balm took me forever to finish up! I'm officially sick of the scent but love how well it works at hydrating my lips. I have two other flavours on the go right now. One thing I have noticed, about cocoa butter lip balms in general, is that they get rough when they're in hot/cold temperatures. I guess the melting and cooling affects the texture, which sucks.

Simply Natural Chamilla Lip Balm - review here - Really didn't enjoy this balm due to the scent and it's ineffectiveness at keeping my lips hydrated. Won't be purchasing.

Cheeky Cosmetics Blush Samples in Cheeky & Flirt - review here - I found these to be a little too bright and sparkly for my liking. Won't be purchasing full sizes.

Tarte Eye Primer Sample - no review - Adored this eye primer because it actually worked at making my shadows more vibrant and last. I'm considering a full size even though it's not all that natural.

MegaFood Blood Builder Supplement - no review -  I have low iron, not super low but still low, and must take a supplement. I love that this is a whole food source which means it's easily absorbed by the body. It also doesn't constipate me. On top of containing iron, it also contains vitamin C, B12 and folate. Has it helped my iron levels? I'll let you know after I get blood work done. I've already repurchased in the meantime.

Tossing Out

Pure+Simple Oily/Impure Sunscreen - review here - I can't stand this stuff. I applied it on my body, before heading to the pool, and I literally looked like Casper. I didn't burn, but I also didn't get a tan. Throwing it out!

Inika Foundation in Beige Sample - this is too dark and fragrance for me. Even with a tan, it just doesn't match. Even if it did, the scent is such a turn off. Tossing.

Jane Iredale Disappear Concealer - review here - I used up most of this and I'm pretty sure there's only a little left, but it's just not working for me. It rubs off and creates, what looks like, dry patches. In the bin it goes!

Phew, done. Before starting new products, I really like to finish up samples or things that are already open. I try not to throw out or waste product unless absolutely necessary (ex. can't make it work at all or not suitable for anyone I know).

What have you finished up this month?

xo