Showing posts with label Kaia. Show all posts

Three Months of Empties -- Part #2: Skincare // Makeup

Tuesday I covered all the body and hair products I've used up in the last three months, but I've still got skincare and makeup to discuss today.  There's a lot to talk about, so I'll try to keep it short, but if there's anything you'd like more information on, I'm happy to answer in the comments!



Holiskin Chamomile ACV Facial Toner*
Holiskin really emphasizes simple formulas made from high quality ingredients, and this toner, a blend of Roman chamomile hydrosol and raw organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar is exactly that.  Apple cider vinegar toners are a bit much for my skin every day, but I enjoyed using this a couple times a week.  Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm on a homemade toner kick at present.

Province Apothecary Invigorating + Balancing Toner with Rose & Geranium
Neither rose or geranium are favorites of mine, so I was surprised how much I liked this toner!  To me, it smelled more like patchouli than anything else, but it wasn't an overpowering patchouli scent either.  Overall, just a pretty blend and my skin seemed to like it too.  
Repurchase? Maybe.

Andalou Naturals Probiotic + C Renewal Cream // Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream
Andalou Naturals makes great basic and affordable moisturizers and these two, both part of the brightening line, are my favorites to date.  The Probiotic + C Renewal Cream is lightweight and absorbs super quickly, while the Purple Carrot + C Night Cream is significantly richer, but still not heavy.  The Night Cream truly did have me waking up the next morning with more luminous skin, but its grape juice-like scent took a little getting used to.  Repurchase? Yes.  I've still got mini tubes of both of these, but I would rebuy one or both in the future.  

Face Wipes
I'm not a fan of using face wipes on the daily for environmental reasons, but sometimes needs will.  The drain in my bathroom sink has been having issues the last few months (clearly it's all glamour, all the time here!) and since it does better without a lot of oils or makeup going down, I'm reluctantly using wipes for the time being.  I still use a separate oil cleanser/makeup remover to make sure everything comes off, but instead of using a washcloth, I wipe it all away with a disposable wipe.  Then, I follow up with water and a second cleanser as usual.  

Both the Kaia Juicy Bamboo Natural Facial Cleansing Cloths and the Boo Bamboo Skin Balancing Makeup Remover Wipes are made of bamboo, which from everything I've read biodegrades within a few months, so there's that at least.  The Kaia cloths smell better and feel a little more luxurious, plus I love the fully closeable container, but they're also more expensive and sting my eyes.  Otherwise, the two are fairly comparable - both remove makeup decently well, don't irritate my skin, and are Canadian-owned companies.  Repurchase? Boo Bamboo, yes.  These are probably my favorite wipes and, as a bonus, I can usually find them discounted at Winners.  Kaia, I'm not sure.  

Young Living Lavender, Peppermint + Frankincense Essential Oils
MLM's get a lot of flack in the green community, but I've only had positive experiences with Young Living and will continue to purchase from them.  Whatever your thoughts on the business model, my bottom line has always been quality and I believe YL sells some of the highest quality oils available.

I use all three of these on a regular basis.  Lavender and frankincense are two of my favorites for just about any skin concern, and I also use lavender for headaches, de-stressing, and relaxation.  Peppermint is great for digestive upsets, congestion, muscle pain, and again, headaches.  Repurchase? Yes.  These are staples for me and I've already replaced all three.

Lip Balms
Finishing lip balms is never an issue for me!  I loved the Rachel's Plan Bee Peppermint Lip Balm, which Rachel kindly sent me when I mentioned I was having issues keeping my lips protected in the cold weather this winter.  It strikes that perfect balance between a healing balm that treats any damage already there and a more occlusive, protective formula that blankets your lips in such a way as to prevent further chapping.  

The Sierra Bees Tamanu & Tea Tree Lip Balm tasted awful - like straight up tea tree oil - but I did get used to it, and I have no complaints in terms of how it worked.  The Sierra Bees lip balms are generally a great formula and, taste aside, if you're someone who deals with cold sores, I think this is a great option as both tamanu and tea tree oils are great preventatives.  I don't personally get cold sores, so I'll likely stick to the other, yummier flavors in future.  

I like Epic Blend's lip balms a lot too, although the Pineapple- Mint* is not my favorite from them.  Part of the vegan line, it's a little thinner and more slippery than the company's other two formulas, and although the pineapple and mint pairing worked, it wasn't a flavor I'd necessarily rush back to.
Repurchase? Rachel's Plan Bee, definitely!  Both the Sierra Bees and Epic Blend I'd buy again in different flavors.  



Tinted Lip Balms
I've been making an effort to use more colored lip products and have managed to finish off several tinted balms as a result!  Ellovi's Tinted Lip Butter came in a Petit Vour box a while back.  It has the same great formula as their original lip butter and gives a nice subtle red color to the lips, courtesy of an alkanet root infusion.  

Brija Cosmetics' Jelly Balms are a moisturizing, softer lip formula, so they get used up pretty quickly, but I enjoyed this one while it lasted.  Sparkles, a shimmery peach, was a limited edition color with added cocoa butter, and I'm not sure if it was the slightly different formula or the more subtle/nude color, but it worked a lot better than, Yvonne, the other Jelly Balm I have, which tends to go on a little patchy.  

The Yes to Carrots Colorbalms are long discontinued, but I do like them.  Peachy Keen was a pretty orange/peach, but Soft Plum leaned a little more brown than I like one me, so I used it mainly when I was at home.  I finished Peachy Keen completely, but started getting a slight reaction from Soft Plum and gave up on it with about a third still left.  
Repurchase? Yes to the Ellovi.  Neither this particular Brija color or the Yes to Carrots are sold anymore.

Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara
This was a good mascara! It was very black, provided good volume, and didn't give me any problems with irritation, smudging, or flaking.  I don't have anything negative to say about it, but at the same time there are other mascaras I like more.  Repurchase? Probably not.

Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Finishing Powder
I got this as a freebie from Lauren Brooke a long time ago and I loved it!  The tiniest bit did a great job diffusing fine lines and never left skin looking dry or makeup cakey.  Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm using a different finishing powder now, but I'd definitely consider buying this again in the future.

Silk Naturals Tchotchke Sheer Blush
I love the Silk Naturals blushes!  Tchotchke was a pretty nude-pink, but it had a bit too much shimmer for me.  Some days it was okay, and others, my cheeks had a slightly metallic sheen that I wasn't crazy about.  Repurchase? Not this particular shade.

Eye Shadow Samples
My loose eye shadow stash is ridiculous, so I'm still actively trying to work through some colors.  Thing is, even samples tend to last 10-20 uses, so it's taking a bit of time!  I love Cheeky Cosmetics eye shadows, and all three shades - Moroccan Sunset, Sugarplum, and Mauvelous - were beautiful.   The other three, from Pollen Cosmetics, Persephone Minerals, and Sassy Minerals, were also great, but none of the three companies are in business anymore from what I can tell.  Repurchase? No, but only because I have still have so many eye shadows!  I'd come back to Cheeky Cosmetics when I do need more.

*Press sample
Contains affiliate links.


Skincare Routine Part #3: Occasional Products + Treatments

For the final part of my skincare routine, I want to talk about those products that I use on a regular - but not everyday - basis: scrubs, masks, spot treatments, and a luxury balm.  Scrubs and masks were the first skincare items I really got into and I still really love both, so these are some of my favorite products out of everything I use.  Keep reading to find out more!


The Exfoliators
Exfoliating is key for sloughing off dead skin cells, but with never ending debates on chemical vs. manual exfoliants, it can be hard to know where to start.  My simple take: go with what works for your skin.  For me, that generally means gentle manual exfoliants.  I've only been using Andalou's Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish for a couple months, but it's already a firm favorite and I foresee buying it again.  With a mix of finely ground walnuts and chia seed powder, it's gritty without feeling harsh.  It also smells delicious, like peach pie, and contains skin brighteners like turmeric, vitamin C, and white tea extract.

When I've got a little more time to play alchemist, I enjoy using Kaia's Bamboo Tapioca Beads*, a Canadian-made multi-functional powder exfoliator and mask.  The beads are a unique blend of kaolin clay, tapioca starch, bamboo powder, chickpea flour, silica, and a mild, coconut-derived cleanser that can be mixed with just about any liquid - water, an oil, tea, honey and more!  My favorite method is to top a creamy cleanser with a generous sprinkle of the powder, mix together, and gently massage onto a damp face.  Used with just water, the beads are borderline too abrasive for my sensitive skin, but a creamy cleanser tones them down just enough to keep my skin happy without majorly impacting their exfoliating power.

The Masks
I've accumulated a fair few masks that I like to rotate between, but for the purposes of this post, I've just included the three I've been reaching for most often recently.  My top pick of the moment is Balanced Guru's Calming Masque.  As I said in my full review, I'm not sure calming is the most accurate description of this mask.  Ultimately, it does leave skin calm, but first it does a stellar job detoxifying and pulling any and all gunk out of the pores.  At the same time, nutrient-rich ingredients like echinacea, kelp, alfalfa, spirulina, rosehip, and marshmallow feed your skin, elevating the mask far above your average detoxifying clay mask.  

For a truly pampering treat, I like to follow with RawSkinCeuticals' Rosacea Herbal Gel Masque.  A gel/cream hybrid, this mask has an impressive ingredients list, including Vitamin C and superstar soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like shea butter, rosehip seed oil, comfrey, calendula, neem, and green tea.  I do experience a stinging/warming sensation when I first apply the mask, but it's relatively mild and dissipates within the first 5-10 minutes.  It's worth mentioning that while the Rosacea Gel Masque works beautifully as a second step following some kind of clay, when I've used it by itself, I did experience some breakouts and irritation, so I think it really needs already cleaned out, detoxified pores to work its best.  For that reason, it's strictly a second step in a double-masking routine for me.  

Lastly, I really enjoy Sibu Beauty's Sea Buckthorn Purifying Mask for those instances when I'm short on time, but still want to do a mask.  It comes pre-made in a tube, eliminating the mixing step, plus it only needs about 10 minutes on your face.  Again, I find the name to be slightly misleading.   Bentonite clay is the second ingredient - after water - but it's followed by so many other hydrating and nourishing ingredients that the end product is actually quite gentle.  It pulls some dirt and impurities out of the skin and I notice my face looks fresher after, but it's definitely not the most drawing or purifying mask in my cabinet. 

The Spot Treatments
Dr. Alkaitis' Soothing Gel made it into my Best Discoveries of 2015, but three months later, I still haven't invested in a full size bottle.  The problem - if you can even call it that - is that I use so little at a time, and it works so well after only one or two applications, that I doubt I'd ever get through an entire large bottle before the expiration. Though it makes an incredible spot treatment, the Soothing Gel is too drying for me to use all over, so I'm subsisting on samples for now.  I usually use the gel at night and by the next morning, any pimples or blemishes are either gone or significantly reduced in size. 

I've also used essential oils on blemishes for several years.  While tea tree is the standard choice, I find I get much better results from a combination of frankincense and eucalyptus.  Since discovering the Soothing Gel, I rotate between that and the two essential oils.  Or, sometimes I layer all three for an extra pimple-fighting punch.  

The Added Luxury
Before this, I'm not sure I ever would have purchased a separate product for the neck or chest, but Vice1960's Neck & Decollete Balm* does such an excellent job that I'm completely sold.  My chest/decollete area is prone to irritation and tiny bumps/breakouts and is also the first place to show when I've been in the sun.  Even when it's not a full-on sunburn, the flush/pink can linger for weeks!  This amazing balm clears all that up within just a couple applications.  The first ingredient is my much-loved hazelnut oil, and it also contains other great ingredients like meadowfoam seed oil, sea buckthorn extract, and carrot root oil.  It's quite a rich and emollient balm, so I find less is more.  You only need a tiny dab, and while I originally used it every night, since my skin has improved so drastically in this area, I find I now only need to use it once or twice a week for maintenance.  I've also occasionally used this in place of an eye cream and even all over my face and it's worked nicely for those purposes as well.  It's undoubtedly a luxury item, but one that's completely worthy of the splurge if you're able!




And that's my skincare routine in a (rather large) nutshell!  Make sure you check out my Morning and Night Routines if you haven't seen them yet.


*Press sample
Contains affiliate links

Gifts for the Green Beauty Lover: $50 and Under

Today's picks are for the person you want to spoil - just a little - while still keeping to your budget.   They're a little more costly, but still reasonably priced in the $30-50 range.  


Badger Organic Balm Sampler ($29.99)

I think really highly of Badger - both because of their high quality products and the way the company is run.  Whether you're buying for someone who's already familiar with these balms or someone who hasn't tried them yet, the Balm Sampler is a great way to give six of the company's most popular balms a try.  The kit comes with 0.75 ounces each of the Classic Badger Balm, Cuticle Care, Sleep Balm, Sore Muscle Rub, Aromatic Chest Rub, and Foot Balm, packaged in a 100% recycled paper box.  

LuSa Organics Nourish and Lavish Gift Collections ($32.50 and $48.00)
I became aware of LuSa Organics through following Rachel's personal blog, Clean, which I've read for a couple years now.  LuSa makes natural bath, body, and baby products and is a true family run business.  The Nourish Collection (pictured above) comes with a soap, sugar scrub, body oil, and holiday ornament diffuser, while the Lavish Collection includes all that, PLUS fizzing bath salts and an allover body balm.  Both sets are available in your choice of two holiday scents: Clementine & Clove and Frankincense & Myrrh.  

Pai Rosehip Collection: Intensive Nourishing Facial Kit ($50)
Pai's Rosehip Bioregenerate oil is pretty iconic at this point and the Intensive Nourishing Kit is a great opportunity to get it, plus the limited edition Bioregenerate Face Mask, which is described as a "buttery, ultra-hydrating treatment [that] quenches thirsty skin, helping to accelerate cell repair for instant rejuvenation."  Sounds pretty great, right?  You also only pay $10 more for the set than you would for a solo bottle of the rosehip oil, so it really is a fantastic value as well.

Balm Balm Lip Balm Cracker (£15.25)

The Lip Balm Cracker is a great way to try the entire range of Balm Balm's tube lip balms.  These are wonderful multi-purpose balms that can be used not only on your lips, but also on your cuticles, face, and anywhere else that needs a little extra care.  The Frankincense Cracker, which comes with Balm Balm's complete Frankincense skincare range, looks lovely as well.

Bare Minerals READY to Go Complexion Perfection Kit ($49)

Bare Minerals is what I class as a borderline natural company, but they do have some products I feel comfortable using.  The Complexion Perfection Kit is an ultra-portable palette  of Bare Minerals' READY pressed products.  Colors vary - there are eight sets to choose from - but each palette includes a Foundation, Touch Up Veil, Bronzer, Luminizer, and Correcting Concealer, as well as a mini Precision Face Brush and mini Tapered Face Brush.  The concealer has some ingredients I don't like, but even if you weren't to use that one item, I think the set is good value as a whole.  

Kaia Bamboo Tapioca Beads ($38)
The Bamboo Tapioca Beads are a dry powder that you activate with some kind of liquid - anything from water to tea, honey, an oil or liquid cleanser - and then use as either a cleanser or face mask.  The beads, which smell fresh and citrusy, gently exfoliate, leaving behind super soft and smooth skin.  Kaia has given the beads a makeover for the holidays and they now come adorably packaged with a small vial of moringa oil and a tiny wooden spoon.

Juice Beauty Best of Juice Beauty Set ($48)
I haven't actually tried anything from Juice Beauty before, but their holiday sets tempt me every single year.  The Best of Set is a 10-day advent-type gift that comes with ten of Juice Beauty's best-selling products.  You get full sizes of the Green Apple Age Defy Handcream, SPF 8 Lip Moisturizer and Reflecting Gloss in Fig, plus various samples from their skincare line.

Yarok Holiday Quartet ($32)

This quartet, which I believe is exclusive to EcoDivaBeauty, comes with travel sizes of Yarok's mousse, leave-in conditioner, hairspray, and shine serum.  I've used two of the four and have only good things to say.  Yarok is definitely one of the best when it comes to natural hair products. 

Blissoma Aromatherapy Candle Gift Trio ($45)

Candles always make a good wintertime gift and Blissoma's 100% botanical, vegan, natural, and anti-allergenic candles are a great choice.  Made of clean-burning soy wax, they use a cotton wick and contain no dyes, synthetic scents or burn extenders.  The candles, which burn for 20-25 hours each, are small batch poured with completely hand blended scents.  Pictured here are the candles in Peace, Love and Calm, but there are also two other trios: Balance, Happiness and Energize and Celebrate, Delight and Harmony.  

Lily Lolo Laid Bare Palette
($34)
Lily Lolo has really stepped up their game recently with a classy rebranding and awesome new pressed makeup products.  With wearable neutral shades (both matte and shimmer) and a good sized mirror, the Laid Bare palette is a great alternative to the ever-popular Naked palettes, only more portable (it's only about 4.5 inches long) and without the nasty ingredients.  I've barely had mine for 24 hours, so I can't speak much to how it wears, but if you have someone on your list that's struggling to transition to natural makeup - or someone who needs some convincing to make the switch - this might just be the ticket.  There's also a second palette, the Enchanted Palette, which features darker, smokier shades and a mix of neutrals and colors.

If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you check out Part 1 of my Gift Guide, and keep an eye out for the last part, coming on Friday.  


*Contains affiliate links.

October Empties / Products I've Used Up

Latest empties post ever?  Pretty much.  I had this almost completely drafted and ready to go Monday and then got hit with what I thought was food poisoning, but later realized - when the rest of my house came down with it a couple days later - was some kind of nasty stomach virus.  Either way, it meant I wasn't able to get this up until now.  So, somewhat belated, here's what I finished up during October:



The Honest Co. Honest Wipes*

Technically these are diaper wipes, but not having anyone in diapers, I used them to remove makeup instead.  I can't speak to how well they work for diapering, but they were only so-so on my face.
Repurchase? No.

KYI Unscented Argan Oil Serum with Vitamin C*   [Review]

I really like how minimal the ingredients in KYI's products are, and this serum is no exception.  Made of just argan oil and vitamin C, it's a great oil for hydrating and brightening the skin.  The serum uses tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, an oil soluble form of vitamin C that's much more stable than the more frequently used ascorbic acid, so you don't have to worry about the vitamin C breaking down or degrading the formula.  Initially I used this as a face serum, but after setting it aside for a few months, I ended up using the second half of the bottle as a body oil.  
Repurchase? Not right away.

Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser   [Review]

I've raved about Kahina's cleanser many times, but it really is one of my all time favorite cleansers.  It's gentle, creamy without being overly heavy, and the 200 ml bottle lasts ages!  It also removes makeup - even toughies like mascara and eyeliner - and thanks to blue tansy and neroli essential oils, smells pretty darn amazing.  I would (and frequently do!) recommend this cleanser for almost anyone.  
Repurchase? Yes!

Acure Argan + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo   [Review]

Another favorite of mine, this shampoo is one of the best I've found for my curly hair.  I've gone through multiple bottles before and just recommitted to a giant 24 oz. bottle of the stuff.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Earthpaste Lemon Twist Toothpaste   [Review]

This fall marks two years of using Earthpaste, but this was my first tube of the Lemon Twist flavor.  I enjoyed it while I was using it, but since switching back to one of the mint ones, I realize the lemon doesn't leave your mouth as fresh as the other flavors.
Repurchase? Yes, but probably not this flavor.

Scentuals Goat Milk Mint Soap*   [Review]

I've really enjoyed using this soap.  It lathers well, smells great, and doesn't dry out my hands.  It's also lasted me longer than any other bar soap I can recall!  Seriously, I've been using this same bar of soap since the summer and I've still got a small sliver hanging on in my soap dish.  Yes, I generally only use bar soaps on my hands, but that's still significantly longer than other soaps last me.  
Repurchase? Probably not.  I prefer to buy palm oil free options.

Frangipani Regenerating Flower Cream*   [Review]

A nice cream made from a nourishing base of rosewater, almond oil, rosehip seed oil, and beeswax.  I didn't love the floral scent and I found it a little too rich for my face, but I did enjoy using it on my hands and legs, especially before bed.  
Repurchase? Probably not.  

Pollen & Wax Lapiz Facial Toner   [Review]

It's really hard for me to find a toner that blows me away and sadly, this one just didn't do it.  I ended up repurposing it as a spray deodorant for days when I'd shaved.  My Weleda deodorant, which contains alcohol, can sting quite a bit after shaving, but Lapiz's gentle blend of aloe, calendula, lavender, and chamomile was soothing and did a pretty decent job keeping odors away as well.
Repurchase? No.

Zuzu Luxe Onyx Mascara   [Review]

I can't even count how many tubes of this mascara I've gone through over the years.  It may not be the most dramatic mascara out there, but it doesn't irritate my eyes and once it's on, it doesn't go anywhere, which makes it the one I always come back to.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Hurraw! Mint Lip Balm   [Review]

If you like tingly peppermint lip balms, Hurraw!'s mint balm is for you.  It's not my favorite for winter - both because of the cooling peppermint tingle and Hurraw!'s thinner formula - but I can see myself possibly buying it again in the spring/summer.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Epic Blend Hemp Mint Lip Balm   [Review]

In case you couldn't tell that I like mint lip balms, I managed to finish two in the same month!  Epic Blend's balm packs a seriously minty punch, but, unlike the Hurraw!, it doesn't make your mouth feel cold or tingly.  Epic Blend balms give a lot of moisture and also have that perfect balance where they protect your lips, but don't feel waxy or heavy.   I'm a big fan!
Repurchase? Yes, definitely.



Kaia Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloth 

I like how convenient the individually wrapped cloths are for carrying in your purse, but there are other wipes I like more.    
Repurchase? Probably not.

Dr. Bronner's Spearmint Peppermint Shikakai Soap (sample)

From other reviews I'd read, I didn't have very high expectations for this soap, but I ended up really liking it.  It didn't dry out my skin and the Spearmint Peppermint scent was nice and fresh.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser (samples)   [Review]

I have a tendency to hoard samples, so even though I knew I liked this cleanser, I'd been resisting using these samples.  I think calling this a foaming cleanser is a bit of an exaggeration, but it does lather slightly.  I like it, but I'm not sure I like it enough to commit to a full sized bottle.  
Repurchase? Probably not.

Suki Pure Facial Moisture - Balancing (samples)   [Review]

Another victim of sample hoarding.  I'd previously found the Balancing Oil very helpful for "time of the month" skin, so I'd tucked these away in case of a skin emergency.  When I finally pulled them out, my skin was not at its best, but not at its worst either.  These samples gave me about a week's worth of oil, but sadly, I just didn't find the results anywhere near as spectacular this time around.  
Repurchase? Not sure.

Weleda Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash (samples)

I liked this, but I'd probably be more likely to buy one of Weleda's creamy body washes over this, since I like a few of those scents a lot more than the Calendula.  
Repurchase? No.


*Press Sample
Contains affiliate links

September Empties / Products I've Used Up

It's that time again, and in the interest of spicing things up, I filmed an empties video this month.  I'll also run through everything in writing below, if you prefer to read versus watch.




Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz   [Review]
This was my second bottle of this and I'm already onto my third.  It's a good, light hold, aloe-based hair gel.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Rahua Voluminous Spray   [Review]
I have mixed feelings about this one.  Some days I liked how it made my hair look and others  I didn't feel like it did anything at all.  Plus, it leaves your hair very tangly.
Repurchase? No.

Devita Gentle Aloe Face Scrub   [Review]
Very gentle, as the name suggests, but also pretty effective.  Super affordable too!  
Repurchase? Not right away.

Graydon Face Food Mineral Mist*   [Review]
Graydon is a great line and I liked this mist well enough, but I notice the biggest difference on days when my skin is acting up.  When my skin is behaving, I can take it or leave it.
Repurchase? Not sure.

Shea Terra Argan Oil + Acacia Honey Facial Wash*   [Review]
One of my favorite cleansers.  It's a blend of honey and a gentle castile soap that leaves your face really clean, but not stripped or dry.  
Repurchase? Yes, but not immediately.

Nourish Organics Spiced Citrus Body Wash
You guys know I love these body washes.  The Spiced Citrus scent could have been spicier - it smells like orange candy to me - but I still enjoyed it.  
Repurchase? Yes.

Nourish Organics Fresh Fig Deodorant
If I want this to last all day, I need to combine it with another deodorant, but I'm still a big fan.  The formula is gentle enough to use right after shaving and the fig scent is fruity and lovely.
Repurchase? Yes.

Sibu Beauty Clarifying Toner (sample)
Not a hit.  It left my skin feeling dry and I didn't like the scent.  
Repurchase? No.

Ikove Organics Acai Chocolate Radiance Moisturizing Cream (sample)
The sample was separated and I wasn't impressed.  Hopefully full size jars can stay better emulsified!
Repurchase? No.

Kaia Bamboo Tapioca Beads* (sample)    [Review]
I really enjoyed using this dry, powdered exfoliant.  It's easy to customize just by switching up what you liquid you mix it with, and it does a great job.
Repurchase? It's quite likely.

MUN Brightening Youth Serum (sample)
Despite the accolades, I wasn't blown away.  It was fine, but not revolutionary enough to convince me to splurge on a full size bottle.
Repurchase? No.


*Press Sample
Contains affiliate links

Small But Mighty: Skincare Minis from Kaia, Hush & Dotti + Earthbody

You know what they say about good things coming in small packages?  Never more true than with these skincare minis.  They may not be the biggest, but all three are pretty darn fantastic.  


Hush & Dotti Original Balm Cleanser

Hush & Dotti is a vegan, cruelty free skincare line committed to making high quality, natural and organic small batch products.  As I understand it, the Balm Cleanser was the company's inaugural creation and what started it all.  Cleansing with a balm always feels a bit strange to me, but I've enjoyed using this one nonetheless, particularly during the transition to drier fall weather.  The balm is rich and buttery, but not at all waxy, so it wipes off easily and doesn't leave your face feeling coated.  Instead, you're left with soft, hydrated, touchable skin.  Hush & Dotti's formula is also coconut oil free, great for those of us who can't tolerate coconut oil on the face.  The cleanser also has a really pleasant, slightly spicey, herbal scent.  

Kaia Bamboo Tapioca Beads*
Kaia's Bamboo Tapioca Beads are a dry powder that - once activated with the liquid of your choice - can be used as either an exfoliating cleanser or a face mask.  Composed mainly of bamboo, tapioca, and kaolin clay, the powder is gentle, but also very effective.  The powder form may seem like extra effort, but I really love how it allows you to easily customize it, just by switching up the liquid component.  You can use anything from water to tea, an oil, honey, yogurt, or even a liquid face cleanser.  Whatever you choose to use, the beads leave your face feeling smooth and refreshed and they smell great too - fresh and citrusy!

Earthbody Brighten Cleanser + Mask* 
Brighten is a rhassoul clay-based cleanser/mask that came in the August Petit Vour box and has quickly become a favorite.  It's packed with thirteen plant and fruit powders, including acai, papaya, guava, mangosteen, and pineapple to "firm, lift, and hydrate without depleting essential moisture."  I've only used it as a mask thus far, but it can also be used as a rinse off cleanser.  

Have you tried any of these?



*Press sample

July Empties / Products I've Used Up

How did it get to be the 4th already?  So, I'm a few days late, but here are my empties for July.  Not a lot of full size products, but plenty of samples/minis, so I guess it's okay.  



Nourish Coconut & Argan (wth Hibiscus) Body Wash
I love Nourish's body washes and this scent is my new favorite.  It smells much less like coconut than I was expecting, but instead, it has the most gorgeous tropical/floral fragrance that makes you feel like you're on a sunset beach.  Love! 
Repurchase? Definitely.

CeeCee & Bee Cocoa Butter Soap in Rosemary Mint and Lavender (minis)
I won these in a giveaway a while back on Natural Kath.  I really enjoyed the first one I used, but I left the rest wrapped up together, and after a couple months, all the scents blended together and the remaining soaps all smelled kind of bland and the same.  Still nice to use, but I was a bit disappointed in the scents after that.
Repurchase? Not sure.

Shiro Cosmetics Default Lip Balm
Default isn't available anymore, but it used to be Shiro's colorless Intertube.  I purchased several tins a couple years ago, as they were a little cheaper than the tubes, but it's really not ideal packaging here.  The formula is shea butter-based and if it's cold, it's way too solid to use with your fingers.  It worked fine in the summer, but I'm just as happy to have used one up!
Repuchase? No.  Not available anymore anyways.

Weleda One Step Cleanser and Toner (samples)
I've gone through a lot of samples of this, and I still really like it.  The 2-in-1 name turned me off for a while, but basically it's a multi-funtional product that you can either use on a cotton pad, or as a rinse off cleanser.  I like using it in the morning, when my face just needs a little refreshing, but I still like to wash it off like a normal cleanser and follow with the rest of my regular skincare routine.
Repurchase? Yes.  I'll pick up a big bottle eventually!

Silk Naturals Translucent Cloud Finishing Powder (sample) 
There are a lot of Silk Naturals products I love, but their finishing powders just don't stand out to me.  I've tried a few different formulas and none of them have blown me away.  
Repurchase? Very unlikely.

Earthpaste Wintergreen Toothpaste   [Review]
Still using Earthpaste, almost two years in!  I've tried all the flavors now and I think Wintergreen is still my favorite.
Repurchase? Yes.

Silk Naturals Make Waves Curling Gel (mini)   [Review]
Really great product.  It does a good job encouraging curls/waves, and it holds up better in humidity than any other natural product I've used.  
Repurchase? Yes.

Pollen Cosmetics Off-White Wedding Eye Shadow (sample)
Pollen Cosmetics was only around for a short time, but they made some fantastic eye shadows.  Off-White Wedding was a great creamy highlight shade.
Repurchase? Not possible.

SoapStix   [Review]
If you're looking to avoid using the junk in public washrooms, SoapStix are a brilliant way to easily carry healthy soap in your purse.  The soap is just a very watery castile soap, but it comes in a handy spray bottle, about the size of a marker.  
Repurchase? No.  The soap itself wasn't anything special, but I did refill the bottle with some diluted Leap Organics body wash.  

Nürish Organics Washed Away Cream Cleanser & Makeup Obliterator   [Review]
I was a little conflicted on this product when I first wrote my review, but I think it was mostly the name that was tripping me up.  As a cleanser, it works well and I especially enjoyed using it once I rediscovered my Dr. Sponge last month.  It removes foundation and other face makeup, but does struggle with tougher things like mascara and eyeliner, so I don't think "makeup obliterator" is quite deserved.   
Repurchase? Probably not.  There are other cleansers I like more.

One Love Organics Supercritical Chia Seed Oil (sample)
I love eating chia seeds, but the oil was just okay.  It moisturized, but I didn't notice anything else.  Also smelled a little fishy to me.  
Repurchase? No.

Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloth
I've used a few of these now, and while they aren't my favorite wipes (those would still be Boo Bamboo), I've gained a new appreciation for them, thanks to the individual packaging.  I had to get some tests done last month, and after half an hour face down on a pillow, I was pretty glad I'd had the forethought to stick one of these in my purse to clean up my smudged mascara.  
Repurchase? Maybe.

Weleda Calendula Face Cream (sample)
I like Weleda's face creams, but I'm not the biggest fan of how the Calendula line smells.  It worked fine, but for that reason, this isn't one I'd buy in full size.
Repurchase? No.

Lina Hanson Global Baby + Global Body Serums* (sample)   [Review + Review]
When it comes to oils, I'm pretty well convinced Lina Hanson can do no wrong.  The Global Baby serum, made with antioxidant and vitamin-rich watermelon seed oil, is the perfect unscented treat for sensitive skin.  The Global Body Serum is a little richer and more indulgent.   It also smells phenomenal - like the most delicious creamsicle you'll ever eat.  
Repurchase? Yes, I plan to.

Homemade Cinnamon Orange Body Oil   [DIY Recipe]
Body oils are probably the easiest thing you can DIY (although I can't promise they'll compare to the magic of something like Lina Hanson.)  The cinnamon orange scent of this one was definitely more appropriate for fall/winter, but I'd made it ages ago, so it seemed about time to use it up.  
Remake? Sure, though maybe not this exact blend.

Pollen & Wax Roses & Roses Complexion Clay + Gold Petal Face Serum (minis)
I've been waiting to post my full review until Pollen & Wax reopen, so because I don't want to spoil that, I'll just say these were both great.  
Repurchase? Maybe.


* PR sample.  
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