Naturalla Beauty

As a green blogger and, more specifically, after judging the CertClean awards last year, I literally have a shelf of deodorants that I rotate amongst, so it's a wonder I finished up any at all! These are two of my very favorites: the Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant, which is the only natural deodorant I’ve used that actually mimics the feel and consistency of mainstream deodorants, and the Mabrook & Co. Clean Deodorant, a more ubiquitous coconut oil/baking soda formula, but one that's executed extremely well.  Both are ones I’ll happily continue to use!

I'm officially declaring the rest of this week empties week here on the blog!  My last empties post was way back in September, so there's a fair bunch of stuff to talk about -- thus, the decision to sort and split everything up into multiple posts.  Today's post is all about skincare and hair, body, and makeup will follow.  

Before I get into the specifics, here's a peek at the chaos that was my floor while sorting through 5+ months of empty products:


Face Wipes
I've said it before, but as ridiculous as it sounds, I'm a reluctant face wipes user, only regularly using them due to plumbing in an older house.  I much prefer oil cleansing to remove my makeup, but my bathroom sink is less of a fan, so I use a face wipe to remove the oil, and then follow up with a regular cleanser at the sink.

Since I use them in combination with an oil cleanser, I'm not overly picky, beyond looking for something with clean ingredients that's biodegradable, mildly scented and non-irritating.  Both the Boo Bamboo Makeup Remover Wipes and the Honest Co. Honest Baby Wipes fit the bill for me and are ones I'll continue to buy.  The Boo Bamboo Baby Wipes, on the other hand, are just okay.  The ingredients include Polysorbate 20, which I don't love, plus I'm not crazy about how they smell -- like an odd mix of baby powder and lavender.  They do the trick and don't bother my skin, but just aren't a favorite.  Lastly, I used up a pack of the Acure Unscented Argan Oil Cleansing Towelettes, which were a complete fail for me.  They irritated my face and quickly got relegated to cleaning up swatches and dusting duty.



Cleansers
I seriously love all three of these cleansers!  Holiskin's Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser made it into my 2016 favorites and is a phenomenal oil cleanser and makeup remover.  It's incredibly gentle and I love its delicate chamomile-lavender scent too.  Ursa Major's Fantastic Face Wash is another favorite and something I've bought more than once.  It's a great gel formula that produces a light lather and rinses away cleanly without leaving skin feeling dry or stripped.  The Batty's Bath Soothing Cleanser is a beautiful creamy cleanser laced with gentle jojoba beads.  I think I'd like it even more without the beads, as I don't feel like they do much, but the citrus/mint scent was a big hit with me and I also was impressed with how incredibly effective the cleanser is at calming the skin and reducing redness.



Moisturizers
The Mad Hippie Face Cream was a last minute iHerb grab, but one that I ended up really liking.  Mad Hippie's products are inexpensive and loaded with active ingredients -- in this case, peptides, niacinamide, sodium PCA, and antioxidants.  To me, it was a good basic lightweight moisturizer.  No crazy anti-aging results -- at least from the one tube -- but it moisturized well and I enjoyed using it.  

I also used up a bunch of Andalou Naturals minis, although I won't dwell on them too much, as Andalou has recently overhauled their entire line and almost everything has been reformulated.  The Probiotic + C Renewal Cream was super lightweight and quick to absorb into the skin, but did a great job hydrating nonetheless.  It almost felt like a cross between a gel moisturizer and a more traditional cream.  The Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream and Super Goji Peptide Perfecting Cream are both a little heavier, but also nice moisturizers.  All of these were the old formulas, I can't speak to any of them in their current formulations.



Masks
Blissoma's Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-Glucan Mask is a wonderful multi-purpose hydrating and soothing product.  I like using it both as a wash-off moisturizing mask and as a hydrating leave-on overnight treatment.  (And, if you saw Blissoma's latest newsletter, it apparently has even more applications as a hand cream, hair mask + more!)  I've used up a couple samples now and I'll definitely consider the full size as soon as my mask stash is a little more manageable.

Andalou Naturals's 1000 Roses Rosewater Face Mask, which somehow missed the photo, was a decent moisturizing mask too.  The scent was a very sweet rose and not too overpowering, even for me, who often doesn't get on with rose or heavy florals.  The mask moisturized well enough in the moment, but I didn't notice any long term hydrating benefits.  In a choice between this and Blissoma Lavish, I'd definitely pick the Blissoma.

Likewise, the Kombucha Enzyme Exfoliating Peel did very little for my skin.  The BioActive 8 Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask offered gentle exfoliation from fruit acids and enzymes and was nice, although again, nothing spectacular.  When spaced out, it seemed to do a good job cleaning out pores and left skin feeling very soft to the touch, but if I used it twice in close succession, it did nothing the second time.  Again, the three Andalou masks were all the company's old formulas.  I don't know how the new versions compare, in either performance or ingredients, and to be honest, all the reformulations have left me a little disillusioned with Andalou overall.    



Extras
Young Living Frankincense and Roman Chamomile Essential Oils are both great.  I regularly add Frankincense to DIY toners and masks, and also use it on pimples and blemishes.  The Roman Chamomile has been sitting lost and unloved in my essential oils for several years, but I finished it off in the DIY Oil Cleanser I've been making the last several months (recipe here).  Both oils are pricey, no doubt, but a little goes a long way.

Stay tuned for more empties over the next few days.  I've also got some fun new products to share next week!  

As 2015 draws to a close, I've been thinking back on the evolution of Naturalla Beauty.  What first started as the occasional and pretty random product musings of a bored uni student has grown into much more and I'm so grateful to everyone that's been along for the ride!  Thank YOU for reading, commenting and supporting my blog over the years.  I love sharing this crazy thing called green beauty and I can't wait to see what 2016 brings.

I was fortunate to try MANY wonderful products throughout the past year, so narrowing it down to just these 15 took some serious pondering!  These are the things that really stood out to me - products I used for a significant portion of the year and things I see myself continuing to use for the foreseeable future.  In cases where I've previously talked about a product in more detail or done a full review, I'll link that as well, in case you're looking for more info.
SKINCARE
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash   [Review]
I didn't realize how much I missed foaming cleansers until I tried Ursa Major's Fantastic Face Wash early this year.  It offers the lather and clean feeling of a traditional gel/foaming cleanser, but it won't leave your face feeling dry or tight.  A great option for both men and women, and it smells awesome too!

Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish
I've felt a little like Golidlocks trying scrub after scrub over the years, but this one checks all my boxes.  With a creamy base and just the right amount of grit, it does a great job exfoliating without irritating my sometimes fussy skin.  My second tube is on its last legs and I already know I'll be picking up a third very soon.

Balanced Guru Calming Masque   [Review]
Not an unknown product to longtime readers, the Calming Masque remains a firm favorite on my skincare shelf.  Contrary to what the name suggests, it isn't actually a product I'd recommend for ultra-sensitive skin, but I think it's fantastic for just about everyone else.  This mask offers a wonderful intermediate between a detoxifying clay mask and a nourishing treatment and is packed with soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like calendula, marshmallow root, and aloe vera.

Crazy Rumors Lip Balms
I have mixed feelings about some of the individual Crazy Rumors flavors - which I've talked about many times before - but what I am fully decided on is that I love their actual lip balm formula.  Vegan and ultra-buttery, it does a wonderful job keeping lips healthy, plump, and protected all year round.  My two favorite flavors (so far!) are the Plum & Peppermint and the Leaping Bunny Plum Apricot.

Young Living Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense is my go-to essential oil for any skin woes.  It has strong regenerative properties, which explains why it's included in so many anti-aging skincare formulas, but it's also astringent, making it great for acne or clogged pores.  Most often, I mix a drop or two into a face mask or use it as a spot treatment on blemishes and breakouts, but I've also used it in homemade toners and body oils.  It's also, of course, wonderful for a whole host of non-skin related things too!  As always, I'd stress the importance of using high quality, unadulterated oils.  

BODY/HAIR
The Honest Co. Conditioning Detangler   [Review]
With a good conditioner, my hair isn't overly tangly, but with a subpar one, it's knot city!  I tried a number of new hair products this past year and the Conditioning Detangler became a hero product when other stuff just didn't cut it.  A few spritzes lets hair be combed through easily, plus it tames flyaways and doesn't leave hair greasy or weighed down.

Blissoma Scentless Stick Deodorant   [Review]
I've been using another deodorant the last few weeks that's quickly added itself to my top deodorant shelf alongside this one (more on that in the new year!) but Blissoma's deodorant stick was my favorite for much of 2015.  This unassuming stick has no scent of its own but still does a phenomenal job disguising odor.  It does contain baking soda, but less than most formulas, and tempered with lots of skin soothing ingredients to minimize the likelihood of irritation.  I haven't had any problems with it and I've heard the same from several other people who also struggle with other baking soda deodorants.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo + Conditioner   [Review]
I used this duo briefly a few years ago, but I fell back in love with it this year. The shampoo has a creamy consistency and lathers up into plenty of bubbles and the conditioner does a great job hydrating hair without weighing it down.  Both smell minty and lovely and are also packed with tons of good-for-your-hair botanicals. 

Nourish Organic Body Washes
With several great scents and a luxurious creamy formula, Nourish's body washes have been one of my favorites for years.  They produce a light lather - more if you use a loofah - and won't dry out or irritate your skin.

MAKEUP
Studio 78 Off We Go Concealer   [Review]
I've said time and time again that under eye concealer has been the product I've struggled most with in the green beauty realm, so finding Off We Go, a concealer specifically designed for covering up dark circles, was a joy.  This highly pigmented product has a unique cream-to-powder finish that stays put and wears really well throughout the day.  The color range is somewhat lacking, but if you have light to medium skin, I recommend giving it a try.

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tints   [Review]
The Sheer Moisture Lip Tints are pretty much my perfect everyday lip product.  Under $10, sheer but buildable color + a great formula that keeps lips comfortable and hydrated.  The only downside is that the lids have a tendency to pop off, so be careful when toting them around with you!

Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Styler   [Review]
I like full brows, but I want them to look natural and not overly filled in.  The lighter shade of the Frame & Define Styler is a perfect color match for my brows, so it does just that.  I also like that it wears all day without budging and that it's a twist up pencil that doesn't need sharpening.

Silk Naturals Lovelace Sheer Blush
Lovelace, which is sold as a dupe for Nars Deep Throat, was probably my most worn blush of 2015.  It looks a little orange in the pot, but on the cheeks, it just gives a beautiful peachy flush that goes with everything.  Silk Naturals' sheer blush formula is hard to overdo and great for blush-shy beauties, but it's also very buildable if you like a little more punch to your cheek color.

Pacifica Natural Eye Pencils   [Review]
These pencils are seriously awesome.  They're pigmented and glide on easily, and while they can be smudged initially, they don't move around once set.  My two favorites are Jet, a super dark and rich black, and Bare, a nude that's great for lining the waterline.  There are only four shades currently, but I'm hoping for more colors in the new year.

What products did you love this year?  Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy 2016.

It's been several months since my last favorites post, so it's about time I show you some of the products I've been loving more recently.  I've got all the basic categories covered here: skin, hair, body, and makeup.  Most are things I've talked about before, but there are a couple new things as well.  



Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish
I'm on my second tube of the Skin Polish and I can't see myself being without it anytime in the near future.  I waited about two months to repurchase after finishing my first tube, and while I was using other exfoliants during that time, I noticed my skin looking duller.  When I added the Andalou scrub back in, my skin started to perk up after a single use.  The Skin Polish is part of Andalou's Brightening line and contains turmeric, vitamin C, and white tea, as well as Andalou's patented fruit stem cells and BioActive 8 Berry Complex to brighten and refresh.  I normally wouldn't give a lot of credit to brighteners in a rinse-off product like this, but something in here really does make a noticeable difference in the overall health and luminosity of my skin.  I wouldn't say it's particularly brightening in the sense of reducing discoloration or hyperpigmentation, but rather in that it leaves the skin looking very fresh and alive.  The scrub also has a creamy, peach-scented base that perfectly balances the exfoliating chia seeds and walnut particles, keeping it from being too harsh or abrasive.     

Everyday Minerals Tinted Lip Butter in Nearly Nude
I can't be fussed with wearing full-on lipstick most days, which is why I love a great tinted lip balm.  And, these Everyday Minerals Lip Butters are just that!  The formula is made with shea and murumuru butters and a whole list of great oils including sunflower, meadowfoam, coconut, passionfruit, and marula, so they feel great on the lips.  In the case of Nearly Nude, the tint is sheer enough that you can easily apply it without a mirror, but it leaves your lips looking much more polished than just an ordinary balm.  Nearly Nude is described as a "barely there nude with a kaleidoscope of shimmer," which I don't disagree with, although in combination with the pink color of my lips, it ends up looking more like a natural mauve.  The shimmer adds a shiny look, but it's not metallic or frosty.

Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Styler in Universal Light
I did an entire roundup post on natural eyebrow products in June, and while I have a couple others I also like, this pencil is hands down my favorite.  It's super quick to use, has a tiny tip, doesn't require sharpening, and matches my brows perfectly.  It legitimately just looks like my natural brows and, for that reason, it's what I continue to use on an everyday basis.

Pure + Simple Face Face Colour in Glow (+ ELF Studio Stipple Brush)
I've had Glow in my collection for probably close to two years now and while I've always known it was a beautiful bright coral/watermelon pink blush, I never reached for it very often before the last couple months.  The Pure + Simple Face Colours are highly pigmented, so the combination of such a bright color and my fair skin makes clown cheeks a real possibility.  But, as I've recently discovered, when lightly applied with a stipple brush, Glow gives the most perfect glowy, natural looking flush of color, perfect for summer.  I can't get enough of it!  I seriously wore it, and it alone, for nearly the entire month of June!


Nourish Organic Wild Berries Moisturizing Cream Body Wash
I've gone through many a bottle of Nourish's body wash - and blogged about them several times before - but this spring was my first time trying the Wild Berries scent.  I like a lot of fruity scents but I'm somewhat particular about which ones and for some reason I'd convinced myself this wasn't going to be one I'd enjoy.  Well, I was wrong.  If anything, it might be my very favorite scent from Nourish - and I think I've truly tried them all now.  Scents are difficult to describe, but I'd say, while it's clearly a fruity berry scent, there's also a lighter, fresher, almost zesty (or maybe slightly herbal?) element that tones down the sweetness.

If you haven't seen my previous mentions of these body washes, they're a unique cream formula that doesn't lather a whole lot, but leaves the skin feeling clean, soft, and nourished.  They're also USDA certified organic and made with the very best ingredients.

Honest Co. Conditioning Detangler
I've been trying out a couple new shampoos and conditioners and Honest's Conditioning Detangler has been helping me out when they don't necessarily perform as well as I'd like.  When my hair is hard to comb through or if a conditioner just doesn't give my curls enough moisture, this does a wonderful job picking up the slack.  I notice better results when used on wet hair, but it does okay on dry hair too.  Honest's signature Sweet Orange Vanilla scent varies a little across the different products and the detangler isn't my favorite iteration, but since I only smell it as I'm spraying, it's not a big deal.  It doesn't linger and it isn't noticeable on my hair throughout the day.

Those are my standout products the last few months!  What have you been loving this spring and summer?  Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway with Botanical Babe Skincare if you haven't already - open until until midnight Friday (EST).

It's time for more empties!  These are the products I finished up during the month of May:



Badger Seabuckthorn Face Cleansing Oil*   [Review]
This is a great cleansing oil, although because it contains menthol, I didn't find it comfortable to use around the eyes.  The oil easily removed every speck of makeup, and I liked the fresh feeling the menthol left on the rest of my face.  I've read reviews from people who has no issues, so depending how sensitive you are, it might be fine around the eyes.
Repurchase? Maybe.  I'd probably opt for one of the menthol-free varieties before buying this particular one again.

Nonie of Beverly Hills AHA! Skin Tonic*   [Review]
The Skin Tonic ended up being my favorite product from Nonie of Beverly Hills.  Contrary to the name, it's not an exfoliating toner with AHA's, but rather a gentle witch hazel-based tonic.  My skin does well with witch hazel and I noticed my pores looked smaller and more refined while I was using this.  Even the scent - which I described in my original review as lemon/celery - grew on me by the end of the bottle.
Repurchase? I'm definitely considering it.

Honest Co. Shampoo & Body Wash   [Review]
The Honest Co.'s Sweet Orange Vanilla scent is common across several products in the line, but it smells slightly different in each one and the Shampoo & Body Wash is by far my favorite.  It's a perfect, fruity, juicy creamsicle scent.  The product itself is great too, but what keeps me coming back is the scent.  I don't generally use it as a shampoo, but it works in a pinch.
Repurchase? Yes!  I still have one more bottle, but I could see myself buying more after I finish that one.

Nourish Organic Lemon Thyme Moisturizing Cream Body Wash
Nourish's Body Washes are some of my favorites, but I didn't much care for this particular scent.  It smelled very herbal and almost medicinal.  I ended up going a little heavy handed in the shower in order to get through it quicker.
Repurchase? Yes, but not this particular scent.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
I think this would be a good eye cream for someone without a lot of problems in the eye area, but I need something that targets both dark circles and puffiness and it didn't cut it.  It moisturizes well and makes a good, lightweight base for makeup, but I didn't notice any real difference beyond that.
Repurchase? Very unlikely.

Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish
I love scrubs, but usually as soon as I finish one up, I'm ready to move on to something new.  Not at all the case with this one!  It has the perfect amount of grit to effectively slough off dead skin, housed in a gentle, creamy base.  It's part of Andalou's Brightening line, and I really did notice my skin looked extra bright and healthy on days when I used this product.  It also never left my skin red or irritated and it smelled like peach pie!  I can see myself coming back to this scrub again and again.    
Repurchase? Definitely!  I have a couple other scrubs I'd like to use up first, but I'm already missing this one!

Curelle Build-Up Remover
Customers used to rave about this product when I worked at the health food store, but it made zero difference on my hair.  The directions say to work it into wet hair, add your regular shampoo, and then rinse both out together.  Maybe it works better on chlorine or mineral build up - which is what it was originally designed for - but it does nothing for product build up or even regular scalp oils.  It did, however, still manage to dry out the lengths of my hair.
Repurchase? No.

Balanced Guru Scrub Me (sample)
I pretty much love everything I've tried from Balanced Guru and this scrub was no exception.  Made with a mix of coffee and raw sugar, it gives a thorough exfoliation, but doesn't feel harsh on the skin.  The texture was a lot drier than most other scrubs I've used, so it washes away cleaner and doesn't leave much of a moisturizing film behind on the skin.  I always moisturize post-shower anyways, so that was fine, and I loved that it didn't muck up the bathtub like a lot of oilier scrubs.  The scent is also lovely: a mix of fresh coffee and spearmint.
Repurchase? I make my own scrubs most of the time, but maybe one day.

Meow Meow Tweet Lavender Deodorant Cream
As long as you aren't overly sensitive to baking soda, this is a great deodorant.  With a softer consistency than many other cream deodorants, it's easy to apply and I found the odor protection lasted all day long.  The baking soda did cause some irritation if I used it too many days in a row, but nowhere near as bad as I've experienced from other deodorants. 
Repurchase? Probably not.  Since finishing this, I've found another baking soda deodorant I like more (more on that soon!) and I'm still curious to try Meow Meow Tweet's Baking Soda Free version too.  

Sante Nail Polish Remover   [Review]
This was a never-ending bottle of nail polish remover!  I bought it over two years ago and aside from a brief dalliance with Priti NYC's remover wipes, this is all I've used in that time.  It works well on cream formulas, but any amount of glitter - or sometimes even a metallic finish - will have you scrubbing your nails for ages to get the polish off.  Aside from its efficacy, my main issue was with how the remover smelled.  Sante advertises an orange scent, but all I smelled was a mix of chemicals and sour milk.  Which wouldn't be so terrible if it didn't linger.  I had to store the bottle triple-bagged just so I wouldn't smell it in the room and any cotton balls I used had to immediately be taken out to the trash.  
Repurchase? No!  I bought Priti's remover way back in November - when I first thought this was going to run out - and I'm happy to finally move on to that.

Urban Minerals Light Mode & Real Vitality Mineral Foundation* (samples)   [Review]
I really like the Urban Minerals foundation, which is made locally here in Toronto.  It has great coverage, wears well throughout the day, and comes in a good range of shades.  The price point is a little higher than some other mineral foundations, but with ingredients like nettle, aloe, chamomile, calendula, marshmallow, sea buckthorn, and white willow bark, it also offers some potential skincare benefits.  Missus Multicultural - which I used up a long time ago - was the best color for my skin, but Light Mode and Real Vitality were both okay matches as well.  
Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm trying to work through all my foundation samples before buying anything new.

Crazy Rumors Leaping Bunny Plum Apricot Lip Balm
Crazy Rumors are one of my favorite lip balm formulas, but I do find the tubes don't last as long as other lip balms.  All Crazy Rumors balms are vegan, cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny approved and proceeds from this particular flavor go to the Leaping Bunny Program.  It bugs me a little that Crazy Rumors charges $0.50 more to account for the charity donation rather than just donating their own, regular profits, but the Plum Apricot is nice and fruity and I enjoyed using it.
Repurchase? Yes!

The All Natural Face Wedding Day Glow (sample)
I used this as a setting powder but I wasn't crazy about it.  I didn't notice much of a glow and it didn't do much to blur fine lines or imperfections, which is what I mainly look for in a product like this.   
Repurchase? No.

Young Living Sacred Frankincense Essential Oil
So expensive, but so good!  Frankincense has a multitude of uses and can be helpful for skin issues, pain, endocrine and hormone balancing, and mood boosting.  
Repurchase? Yes! I'm currently using regular frankincense, but I would buy this one again in the future.

Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin Lash Boosting Mascara
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this mascara.  When I first opened it, I hated it.  It smeared all over my glasses and never seemed to set, but once the tube dried out a little, it worked much better.  Then, when it got even drier towards the end of the tube, it started smearing again.  It never irritated my eyes and I really liked how it performed in the middle period, but I only got about a month of decent wear.  
Repurchase? Maybe.  I only paid $3 at Winners and if I found it again at that price point, I would give it another try.  I probably wouldn't pay much more.  

Logona Natural Look Mascara
I won this in an Instagram giveaway, otherwise it's not a product I think I ever would have been drawn to.  One of the biggest failings of natural mascaras is that they look too natural, so I'm kind of baffled that anyone would purposely set out to design a product like this, which is the most subtle mascara I've ever used.  It tints the lashes, but doesn't add anything in terms of length or volume.  It also has a strong floral/rose scent that I'd notice on application and removal, as well as periodically throughout the day.
Repurchase? No.



Moisturizer Samples
Kind of a mixed bag.  My favorite of the bunch was the Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer, although I wasn't crazy about how grassy it smelled.  The Lavera Calendula and Ginger Mattifying Balancing Cream, on the other end of the spectrum, had a sweet and delicious marshmallow scent, but the cream itself was unimpressive.  I've used samples of the Suki Balancing Day Lotion before and while I imagine it would be a nice product for oilier skin, it's just too light for my needs.  I didn't like the Melvita Nectar Bright Brightening Cream, which just never seemed to absorb fully - to the point that I could see white cream coming off when I washed my face the next morning.  The AromaCrystal Morning Dew Moisturizer and Lavera Mint and Burdock Pore Refining Moisturizing Fluid were both okay, but not anything I would go out of my way to use again.  
Repurchase? The Juice Beauty, maybe.  Probably not any of the others.  

Total Products Used Up in May
Skincare: 5 (Lip Balms: 1 )
Bodycare: 5
Haircare:  1
Makeup: 2
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 7
Makeup Samples: 3

Total Products Used Up in 2015
Skincare: 18 (Lip Balms: 6)
Bodycare: 20
Haircare:  5
Makeup: 9
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 36 
Makeup Samples: 11

April was another good month for empties.  I'm still keeping to a low-buy and working to finish things I already have in the hopes of (at least somewhat) streamlining my products, so it's nice to actually see some progress.  This latest batch includes staple products that I've featured many times before, some new things I've never written about, and even a few makeup items!




Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz   [Review]
Kinky-Curly's Spiral Spritz is great lightweight gel.  I think this is the fourth or fifth bottle I've gone through, and while I sometime need something with a little more hold to get me through the summer humidity, it's fantastic the rest of the year.
Repurchase? If you saw last month's iHerb Haul, you'll know I already did!

Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Stem Cell + Argan Oil Conditioner   [Review]
This conditioner - and it's matching shampoo - are firm favorites of mine.  My hair needs a good amount of moisture and the Argan Stem Cell + Argan Oil Conditioner does the trick with just a small amount of product.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Earthpaste Wintergreen Toothpaste   [Review]
I've been experimenting with other glycerin-free toothpaste options, but Earthpaste is still always on hand as my fallback.  I've tried all the flavours now, and the Wintergreen is my favorite.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Trilogy Line Smoothing Day Cream
Every since finding this $50 moisturizer for a steal at $12.99, I've been periodically stalking Winners for more Trilogy products.  No luck so far, but I'm still optimistic.  The day cream boasts a lot of great ingredients and I enjoyed using it, but it didn't have the magical line smoothing properties I was hoping for.  It's a great moisturizer, but I didn't notice a difference in my fine lines in the three months it took to go through this tube.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Odylique Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie*   [Review]
This is a nice hand cream.  It has a rich, buttery consistency right out of the tube, but easily melts into the skin and is absorbed quickly.  Ingredients like calendula and aloe vera feel very soothing, while avocado oil, cocoa butter, and sea buckthorn extract deeply nourish the skin.  I liked the lemongrass scent initially, but it did wear on me a little towards the end of the tube.
Repurchase? Probably not.  I'm pretty smitten with Andalou's hand creams right now.



Body Lotion Minis
With the intention of not hoarding samples, I used up all my lotion minis this month.  The Honest Face + Body Lotion is unscented and very fast-absorbing, making it the perfect purse hand lotion, but it's not something I'd want in a larger size to use at home or all over my body.  Weleda's lotions are pretty thin in consistency, but they do a great job moisturizing nonetheless and I love the scent of the Sea Buckthorn range.  Nourish Organics' Coconut & Argan Body Lotion isn't available anymore, which is a shame as I really enjoyed it.  Nourish's other lotions - from what I've tried - are a lot less rich and really don't compare.
Repurchase? Maybe the Weleda Sea Buckthorn.  The other three, I don't think so.

Bare English & Co. Vanilla Almond Lip Balm
Bare English have become one of my favorite lip balms these last several months.  The Vanilla Almond scent reminds me of marzipan and was just okay, but the actual lip balm formula was great, as always.
Repurchase? Other flavours, yes.  This particular one, probably not.

Young Living Tranquil
Tranquil is a mix of lavender, cedarwood, and roman chamomile essential oils that smells just incredible.  If you have any trouble falling asleep or turning your mind off, it's a great blend to have on hand.  The rollerball also makes for very easy application.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Acure Organic Argan Oil
I always run a small amount of oil through the ends of my hair after washing and pure argan oil is one of my favorites.  Acure's, which is both high quality and affordable, is great not only for hair, but also face and body.  I like to mix a pump or two into face masks, and also sometimes use it on my cuticles or other dry spots.
Repurchase? Yes, after I work through a few other oils.

John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler (sample)
John Masters' detanglers are lighter conditioners and they just don't do a whole lot for my hair.  The Citrus & Neroli did smell good though.
Repurchase? No.



Revolution Organics Freedom Lip Gloss in Innocent
Revolution Organics' lip glosses are like a lip treatment and gloss in one.  They aren't the absolute glossiest product out there, but they're completely non-sticky and give a lot of moisture and a sheer wash of color.
Repurchase? Not currently available, but if the glosses are re-released, I definitely would.

Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation in Neutral 1 and Beige 1 (samples)
Alima Pure is the mineral foundation of the green beauty world, but I have to say, I wasn't overly impressed.  Both colours were a fine match for my skin - especially Neutral 1 - and the foundation looked good when I first applied it, but it disappeared off my face very quickly.  By lunchtime, my skin was shiny and I could see a good amount of redness coming through on my nose and cheeks, and by about 3PM, I might as well not have been wearing foundation at all.  I don't have oily skin and foundations lasting throughout the day is not something I usually have a problem with, so it was surprising.
Repurchase? No.

Vapour Organic Beauty Concealer in 010*   [Review]
Vapour's concealer is brightening, but has pretty sheer coverage.  The sheerness means you often need to build up a few layers to get decent coverage, but it layers nicely without getting cakey.  It does have a tendency to settle into lines under the eyes, but the luminosity is great in that area, so as long as you don't mind minor touch ups throughout the day, it does the job.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Cheeky Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Pink Champagne and Moonlit Rose (samples)  [Review]
Cheeky Cosmetics is a lovely Canadian mineral makeup company and their eye shadows are both smooth and pigmented.  I used Pink Champagne as an inner corner - and sometimes even face - highlight and Moonlit Rose was a great mauvey-pink lid and crease shade.
Repurchase? No, but only because I have other similar colours in my stash.

Earth's Beauty Satin Rose Blush (sample)
Earth's Beauty was one of the first companies I tried when making the switch to natural makeup, but it's not one that's ever impressed me very much.  Satin Rose is a pretty pale pink, but the blushes have an arrowroot base that makes them sheer and slightly chalky.  They also only last a few hours on the cheeks.
Repurchase? No.

Darling Girl Cosmetics Hope Blush (sample)
Darling Girl's eye shadows have been favorites for years, but this was my first time using one of their blushes.  Hope was a beautiful bronzy-peach that gave the skin a very natural, luminous, sun-kissed look.  It looks like it's been discontinued, but if you're looking for something along the same lines, Ecco Bella's Bronzer in Hibiscus gives a very similar effect.
Repurchase? No longer available.

Total Products Used Up in April
Skincare: 2 (Lip Balms: 1)
Bodycare: 3
Haircare:  3
Makeup: 2
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 5
Makeup Samples: 6

Total Products Used Up in 2015
Skincare: 13 (Lip Balms: 5)
Bodycare: 15
Haircare:  4
Makeup: 7
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 29 
Makeup Samples: 8