Naturalla Beauty

Next up, hair empties!   I never go through a ton of hair stuff and it's a bit of a random batch this time as I've been making a concerted effort to use up all the nearly finished bottles of shampoo and conditioner lingering in my shower.  



Shampoos
I liked all three of these (and their matching conditioners too!)  The Griffin Remedy Volumizing Shampoo doesn't dramatically impact volume, but it's a great everyday shampoo and smells wonderful.  After the matching conditioner ran out, I used it to clean my makeup brushes a few times too.  Broo's Malted Mint Invigorating Shampoo uses craft beer in place of water and is incredibly gentle and hydrating.  I tried Broo's old formulas a few years ago -- when they came in bottles rather than tubes -- and had problems with the scents, but this one has a much milder fragrance.  It smells a little like mint and a little like beer, but neither scent lingers at all once hair dries.  The Andalou Naturals' Argan & Sweet Orange Shampoo is another good one, although like I mentioned in yesterday's skincare empties, Andalou has reformulated most of their products with what I consider to be inferior ingredients.  I managed to snag a couple backups of the old formula shampoo and conditioner, but after those, I won't be using Andalou's hair care any more.  

Conditioners
I can't quite wrap my head around Intelligent Nutrients' prices here in Canada, but if money was no object, I'd probably exclusively use their products on my hair.  That said, the Harmonic Conditioner is not one of the company's top standouts for me.  I adore the matching Harmonic Shampoo -- which I used up many months ago -- but the conditioner is just so-so.  It smells great and works well, but I'm not convinced it performs significantly better than less costly options.  The Desert Essence Coconut Conditioner is something of a cult favorite, in the green community and beyond, but I can't deal with its strong scent.  I couldn't even get through the entire mini.  I like some coconut scents, but the DE is verging on synthetic sunscreen coconut to my nose and I'm not a fan.  Beyond the fragrance, the actual conditioner works well, so I ended up replacing it with the Italian Lemon instead.  It has a much milder fragrance and is scented only with essential oils.   

Styling + Extras 
I've gone through countless bottles of the Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz Styling Serum over the last few years and I've got another one on the go right now.  I prefer lightweight products that defines my curls without any stickiness or crunchy feel, and that's exactly what the aloe-based Spiral Spritz does.  It's a great no-frills products for me.  Chorus Supernatural's Moor Clay Mask is technically a face mask, but I loved it even more as a clarifying shampoo mix-in.  (I have an entire post on how I use it HERE.)  I've since replaced the Moor Clay with a different clay, but it's not working nearly as well, so I may circle back to this one again in the near future.  

I bought Rainbow Henna's Persian Burgundy Henna over two years ago, but never quite worked up the courage to use it until this past December.  The color was not at all what I was originally going for, but I ended up liking it a lot nonetheless.  This was my first time dying my own hair, so it was a learning (and a bit of a PITA if I'm completely honest) but the results are great, so I think it's worth the hassle.  One pot of henna was enough for one full dye job and one root touch up on my medium-length hair.  I'm debating dedicating an entire post to my henna experience, so let me know if that's something you'd be interested in seeing!

As many of you know, iHerb is one of my favorite places to shop online.  Whether it's brands and products we don't have easy access to in Canada, or things we do have that I can get much better prices on, I typically find myself placing an order every month or so.  The customer service is great and you can even shop in Canadian dollars now! 

I like to keep orders small to minimize the risk of being hit with tax or brokerage fees at the door, so this is technically a combination of my last two orders.  That means some things I've had for a couple weeks and others just for a couple days.    

Here's a look at what I bought:



Kiss My Face Antioxidant Toner
I've never seen anyone talk about this toner, but since I've heard plenty of good things about the cleanser and mask in Kiss My Face's Potent & Pure range, I decided to chance it.  I haven't used the toner yet, but the ingredients, which include aloe, witch hazel, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and a good number of botanicals and plant extracts are promising.  I will say, first impressions-wise, I'm not crazy about how it smells.  Something about the scent reminds me a lot of hairspray.

Pacifica Natural Eye Liner Pencil in Fringe
I needed a new brown eyeliner and since I love my Pacifica black and nude ones so much, this was the obvious choice.  The Pacifica liners are great because they're creamy enough to glide on easily, but not so creamy that they smear or move around on the eye throughout the day.  I haven't tried this particular color yet, but I'm pretty confident it'll be as great as the rest!

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint in Glow
The Sheer Moisture Lip Tints are basically tinted lip balms in a chubby stick form.  They smell slightly of vanilla and mint, feel great on the lips, and give a lovely wash of color.  Glow is the bright pink in the line, but because of how sheer it is, it gives just the slightest pop of pink in a very natural way.  I've only had it a few days, but I already bought a second color when I spotted the tints in person yesterday!

Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz
Nothing new here, this is a frequent repurchase for me.  The Spiral Spritz offers a midway between a serum and a gel and is a great light hold hair product.

Boiron Unscented Arnicare Gel
I added this to my cart on a whim when I spotted a mini 0.5 ounce size in the trial section for $0.25 right before checking out.  The ingredients aren't perfect, but there's nothing super problematic and it never hurts to have Arnica gel on hand.  Some of the different sizes of this product list dimethicone in the ingredients, but both the sample I received and the large size I've linked above look to be free of silicones.  

Crazy Rumors Lip Balms in Lemonade, Raspberry Sherbet + Ginger Ale
I don't have any problem getting through lip balms, so I decided to stock up on some new flavors of one of my favorites.  I've only cracked open the Lemonade one so far, and I'm surprised by just how much I dislike it!  Citrus scents are generally a safe bet, but this one just smells super gross to me.  I've had a few Crazy Rumors flavors that I haven't loved in the past, but this is definitely my least favorite to date.  I'm actually leaning towards just tossing it outright, as I doubt I will even use it smelling the way it does.  The Crazy Rumors formula is fantastic, but the flavors can be very hit or miss.

Andalou Naturals Age Defying Thinning Hair Treatment
I always find myself shedding more hair in the fall than any other time, so I picked this up to try and circumvent that this year.  The Hair Treatment has an aloe vera base infused with fruit and argan stem cells, a vitamin B complex, and an assortment of herbs and essential oils and is supposed to nourish hair follicles, stimulate hair growth, and strengthen hair.  All the research I've seen points to plant stem cells being a marketing ploy with little actual effect, but the rest of the ingredients look good, so I'm equal parts curious and hopeful to see how the product does as a whole.    

Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
I don't wear SPF on my face everyday and I only use body sunscreen very occasionally, when I know I'm going to be outside for a prolonged period, which has left me with more than one full sized tube of sunscreen expiring on my shelf over the years.  Goddess Garden is a new brand for me, but I love the smaller 1-ounce size for those of us who are a little less diligent about wearing SPF on a regular basis.  It would also be great for travel.

Everyday Minerals Semi-Matte Base in Ivory (N1)
After working through the ridiculous number of mineral foundation samples I had hanging around (it literally took months!), this is what I ended up buying for now.  What I like about Everyday Mineral's Semi-Matte Base is just how natural it looks on the skin.  It's not outright glowy, but it looks skin-like and not overly flat or matte.  Coverage is about a medium and decently buildable, and Ivory (1N) is a good light neutral shade that matches me pretty well.  

Blûm Naturals Dry & Sensitive Skin Daily Cleansing and Makeup Remover Towelettes
Wipes aren't an everyday product for me, but I like to carry one or two in my purse for those "just in case" situations, which is where these individually wrapped ones come in handy.  I haven't tried this particular variety before, but the Blûm wipes are all pretty comparable, so I'm sure they'll be fine.   

Acure Organics Fragrance Free Ultra-Hydrating Body Lotion
I don't even want to hazard a guess as to how many tubes of Acure's Ultra-Hydrating Body Lotion I've gone through in the last couple years, but needless to say, it's more than a few.  Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my September Empties, I've been wondering since getting this order - my first time trying the lotion in its new packaging - if the formula has changed along with the packaging, as it doesn't seem nearly as moisturizing anymore.  A couple people have agreed with me since then and I also just spotted a review on iHerb saying the same thing, so I'm thinking the change is real.  Total bummer!

Do you shop on iHerb?  Have you used any of these?  

New customers can also save an extra $5 off your first order under $40 or $10 off your first order of $40+ with my code ITI429

Every so often it hits me just how strange of a habit saving empties is.  I mean, really,  how did it start?  Did someone just wake up one morning and decide that saving beauty trash was a sensible idea?  Nonetheless, it's pretty ingrained in me now and I can't even imagine throwing these things in the garbage right away!  

This month's batch of empties is oddly free of any body care, but I've got a good bit of skincare, some makeup, and one hair product.  Keep reading for mini reviews and my thoughts on whether these items are worth buying again or not.



Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz
The Spiral Spritz is a basically a cross between a gel and a serum.  With lavender water and aloe vera as the main ingredients, it gives the hair oil-free moisture and also serves as a lightweight soft-hold gel, courtesy of the remaining ingredients.  It's a repeat empty for me, so you know I love it!
Repurchase? Definitely.  I'm currently using the Intelligent Nutrients Styling Gel, but I'm sure I'll buy this again in the future.

Blûm Naturals Pro Age Daily Cleansing and Makeup Remover Towelettes
I don't use wipes for daily cleansing or makeup removal, but I like keeping a couple individually wrapped ones in my purse for spur of the moment makeup fails or other unexpected situations.  The Blûm ones aren't my favorite wipes, but there aren't a lot of companies that offer individually wrapped ones with clean ingredients and Blûm's are cheap and do the trick.  I only use them occasionally - a box of ten lasts me six months or so - so I'm not overly fussy about which ones I buy.  
Repurchase? Yes.  I bought Blûm's Sensitive wipes to try next, but I'm sure I'll buy these Pro Age ones again too.

Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Cleansing Gel
I've tried a lot of Andalou Naturals products this year and I really think they're one of the best affordable skincare lines out there.  I've dabbled in all four different ranges now and to me, most products seem quite mild and not super "active," which is kind of a double-edged sword.  I'm not convinced they're potent enough to achieve great, transformative skin results, but the upside is that the majority of products are gentle and generally work for virtually any skin type.  The Citrus Kombucha Cleansing Gel, for instance, is part of the Clarifying Line, intended for active, oily, and acne-prone skin, but it worked great on my sensitive normal-to-dry skin too.  The cleanser has great ingredients, smells awesome - like a fresh-cut grapefruit - and lathers without overly drying the skin.  
Repurchase? Yes.



Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt   [Review]
The Gentle Cleansing Melt is a unique emulsifying balm cleanser.  It starts out as a thick gel, but quickly melts into a thinner balm consistency with the heat of your skin.  Once you add water, it transforms into a milky cleanser that easily rinses away.  Evolve has reformulated this product since I bought it, so I can't speak to the current version, but the one I used was great.  I haven't used anything quite like it before, but I'm curious what else is out there.  If there are similar emulsifying balm-type cleansers that you'd recommend, please leave a comment and let me know!
Repurchase? This version is no longer sold.  I'm not sure if I'll try the new one or not.

Andalou Naturals Super Goji Perfecting Cream
My skin has been preferring cream moisturizers over oils recently and the Super Goji Perfecting Cream is a nice one.  It's sold as part of the Age Defy line and is intended for dry and very dry skin, but I'm not sure I'd agree with that recommendation.  The cream is hydrating but also pretty lightweight, so I don't know if it would be sufficient for super dry skin.  Either way, I really enjoyed it.  It sinks in quickly and never leaves skin feeling tacky or greasy.  Noteworthy ingredients include hyaluronic acid, goji glycopeptides and antioxidants that claim to "deliver collagen and elastin building actives deep into dermal layers, boosting cellular renewal and dramatically transforming tone and texture for younger-looking skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles."  At 27, I'm no prune face just yet, but I also haven't noticed any difference in the fine lines I do have while using the cream.  It's a great basic moisturizer, but I don't suggest buying it with the highest hopes for wrinkle or fine line reduction.
Repurchase? It's very likely.

Badger Seabuckthorn Face Oil*   [Review]
Like I said, I've temporarily moved away from using most face oils recently, but I did really enjoy the Badger Seabuckthorn Oil while I was using it.  Badger is a great company and the face oils are packed full of great nourishing plant oils and extracts.  The Seabuckthorn, specifically, contains sea buckthorn oil and fruit extract, as well as jojoba, baobab, apricot, and pomegranate oils, rosehip fruit extract, and lavender, geranium, and sweet orange essential oils.  Badger currently sells four different oils to suit various skin types, and for the price - under $20! - I really don't think you can do any better than these USDA certified organic blends!
Repurchase? Not right away, but possibly in the future.

Madara Deep Moisture Fluid (sample)
The Deep Moisture Fluid is an interesting product.  As the name suggests, it has a very fluid, liquidy consistency, but it also does provide a lot of moisture.  I actually found it to sit a little heavy on the skin this time of year.  The scent was pretty grassy - like every other Madara product I've tried - but not offensive.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Serum (sample)
This is the first Trilogy product I haven't liked at all.  Both the Cleanser and Moisturizer from the same Calming range are great, but the Serum doesn't absorb well and stays very sticky and tacky on the skin.  It did initially tone down redness on application, but I think it also made me break out.  Not a fan!
Repurchase? No.

Ilike Carotene Essentials Moisturizer* (sample)
Ilike's Carotene Essentials range is specifically targeted at summer skin and I really enjoyed using the moisturizer over the last couple weeks.  It has the same scent as the Carotene Essentials Gel Mask (reviewed here), but while I sometimes find the smell of the mask a little too sweet and even sickly, it didn't bother me in the moisturizer at all, perhaps because it's absorbed more quickly into the skin and doesn't just sit on top for a prolonged period.  The cream itself was really lovely too: hydrating, lightweight and perfect for summer.
Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm not sure it gives enough moisture for my skin in the winter, but I'd consider buying it next summer.



Honeybee Gardens Belgian Chocolate JobaColor Eye Liner
Honeybee Gardens liners are some of my favorites - both for their affordable price point and great performance - but it looks like the company has made some major ingredient changes since I last purchased them.  The biggest difference is that the old formula contained lanolin, while the new one looks to be vegan.  Nothing wrong with that, but I don't like some of the other ingredients that have been added - butylene glycol, for one! - so I won't be buying these any more.
Repurchase? No.  I'll probably replace this with Pacifica's brown liner instead.

Sassy Minerals Rumor Mill and Pixie Sprinkles Eye Shadows (samples)
Sassy Minerals used to be one of the best companies for shimmery and sparkly eye shadows, but they were bought out by LaurEss Mineral Cosmetics a few years ago.  LaurEss carried the same colors, but it looks like they're shutting down as of this summer too.  I initially pulled these samples out just to use them up, but I actually ended up loving both colors and even though I don't need eye shadow, I'm considering ordering one or both from LaurEss before they fully shut down. 
Repurchase? Maybe.

Gabriel Color Black Mascara
The Zuzu Luxe mascara is in my top two mascaras, so I'm always baffled by why the Gabriel Color one, which has the same ingredients and a very similar wand, just doesn't do it for me.  It's an okay mascara, but nothing amazing.
Repurchase? I don't think so.

Pollen Cosmetics Ready Set Go Finishing Powder (sample)
Pollen Cosmetics is another indie makeup company that's no longer in business.  The finishing powder was okay, but nothing spectacular.
Repurchase? Not possible.

Everyday Minerals Ivory (1N) Semi Matte and Matte Base (samples)
Everyday Minerals is the latest company I've been testing in my attempts to pick a new mineral foundation.  Ivory (1N) seems like a good color match for my skin and both the Semi Matte and Matte formulas are nice, depending how you like your skin to look.  The Semi Matte has a slightly more natural finish, which I prefer, but the coverage on both is great.
Repurchase? Probably the Semi Matte.  I still have a sample of the Jojoba Base to try before I decide.

Crazy Rumors Pear & Peppermint Lip Balm
Crazy Rumors has become one of my favorite lip balm companies, but I didn't love this particular one.  It smelled more like a semi-artificial honey scent than either pear or peppermint to me.
Repurchase? Yes, but not this particular flavor.


Total Products Used Up in August
Skincare: 6  (Lip Balms: 1)
Bodycare: 0
Haircare:  1
Makeup: 2
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 3
Makeup Samples: 5

Total Products Used Up in 2015
Skincare: 29 (Lip Balms: 8)
Bodycare: 28
Haircare:  10
Makeup: 11
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 59 
Makeup Samples: 24

I can't believe I'm edging towards 100 samples used up this year!  Crazy!

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

Keep reading to see what I bought!

 

Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz
Between Curly Girl Edits and empties posts, I think this has ended up being one of my most frequently featured products, so I won't go on too much!  The Spiral Spritz is a great light-hold gel for curls or waves and is one of my favorite products to use on wet hair.  My current bottle is running low, so I needed to pick up a new one. 

Kiss My Face Pomegranate Grapefruit Moisture Shave
Desert Essences Italian Lemon Hand and Body Lotion
Though I've always enjoyed certain aspects of Desert Essences lotions, I've never found a scent I was happy with.  A lot of them are far too sweet and strong for me, and many are preserved with Japanese honeysuckle extract too, which I'm not comfortable using.  The company  released a couple new scents recently, including this Italian Lemon, which replaces the Japanese honeysuckle with potassium sorbate AND is fragranced only with essential oils.  I usually enjoy citrus scents, so it seemed like a safe bet.  (Plus, for less than $6, the risk really wasn't THAT big.)  Some of the reviews complain that the scent is milder than Desert Essence's other lotions, but for me that's a plus.  It's not overpowering, which is great if you like lighter scents, or if you're looking for a product that won't interfere with perfume or other scented products.  In the tube, it's a sweet, dessert-like lemon, but on the skin I find it loses some of the sweetness and ends up more zesty.  I wish it stayed a little sweeter ( I love how it smells in the tube!), but I'm enjoying it nonetheless.



Crazy Rumors Pear & Peppermint and Leaping Bunny Plum Apricot Lip Balms
I like chia seeds and I like berries, but I just didn't like this bar. I tried it the day my order arrived and I've still got half of it sitting on my counter, which I guess says a lot!
 

 

I regularly receive emails from readers looking for unscented product recommendations, so I figured it was past time I did a dedicated post.  As many of you know, I'm sensitive to scents, so while there are many scented products I enjoy, I like to keep unscented options around as well.

An important thing to keep in mind is that unscented does not automatically mean there are no scent components added.  Many ingredients have a scent, so some companies add fragrance components or essential oils to mask that and help the product to smell less.  On the flip side, unscented products that don't have added scent will often have a smell, just by nature of the other ingredients.  Neither is inherently a bad thing, but I do recommend - as always - reading ingredients so that you know exactly what you're getting.  

Now, without further ado, I bring you my favorite unscented products:



Acure Cocoa Butter + CoQ10 Ultra-Hydrating Unscented Body Lotion
This lotion strikes the perfect balance between moisture and easy application and absorption.  With great ingredients and an affordable price tag, it's pretty much an automatic re-buy as soon as I start running low.  

Lina Hanson Global Baby Serum
Lina Hanson is a master of scents, but she also knocked it out of the park last year with the unscented Global Baby Serum.  Kalahari watermelon seed oil lends a light - or even dry - feel to the oil, which nonetheless hydrates the skin very well.  Originally intended for babies, maybe, but it's equally awesome for grown ups too.  

Graydon Face Food Mineral Mist
Face Food is a mineral mist made only of water and ionic copper, zinc, and silver.  The minerals, which help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, kill bacteria, and reduce redness and irritation, are scent-free and the mist offers light, soothing hydration.   I especially enjoy this product when my skin is more acne-prone or reactive.

Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion
I'm a big fan of Weleda's entire almond line, but if I had to pick one standout product, it would be the Cleansing Lotion.  With only seven ingredients, it's a super basic cream cleanser that very gently cleanses the skin without anything harsh or stripping.  This isn't part of my day-to-day routine anymore, but when my skin is more sensitive or reactive, it's one of the first things I turn to.

Nourish Organic Pure Unscented Body Butter
If you're looking for something richer than a body lotion, Nourish's body butters are a great choice.  They're USDA certified organic, super hydrating and just melt into the skin beautifully.  I don't use this all over my body very often, but it is the best for those extra dry spots like elbows or the bottoms of your feet.  Nourish's Pure Unscented line also includes their body wash, hand soap and deodorant - all three of which I love, although I've only tried their scented counterparts thus far.  (I'd recommend steering clear of the body lotion though, which I didn't find moisturized enough and which has a strong alcohol scent.)

Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild Castile Liquid Soap
I'm pretty sure everyone knows Dr. Bronner's soaps by now, but if for some reason you haven't tried them yet, you really should.  Truly a multi-purpose product, I've used Dr. B as body wash, hand soap, makeup brush cleaner, dog shampoo, dish soap, laundry detergent, and even in a few DIY's.  I always buy the unscented one, which gives you the option to use it as is or to add your own scents.

Epic Blend Unflavoured More Moisture Lip Balm
It's hard to find good unscented/unflavoured lip balms, because without a scent or flavour, I often notice the natural oils and butters leaving an icky taste in my mouth.  Not the case with Epic Blend.  If I stick my nose right up to the tube, it has a very slight sweet smell, but it's very neutral and with regular application, I hardly notice it.  Epic Blend's More Moisture lip balms are one of my favorites and they do a great job keeping your lips soft and well moisturized.

Blissoma Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex
Packed with amazing ingredients like marshmallow root, plantain and self heal, Pure is an exceptional moisturizer for sensitive skin and for soothing any skin irritation or redness.  The formula contains no added scent, but it's the one product on this list that does have a fairly noticeable herbal smell from the other ingredients.  

Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz Natural Styling Serum
The place where I notice smells lingering on me the most is in my hair, so leave-in products with strong scents are often a no-go.  I featured the Spiral Spritz in my Best Curly Girl Hair Products of 2014 for how well it works as a light-hold, curl defining gel, but the scent (or lack thereof) is also noteworthy.  It smells lightly of aloe vera on application, but that dissipates almost immediately and I - refreshingly - don't smell anything on my hair throughout the day.  

Do you look for unscented products?  What are your favorites?