I hardly used anything up in October, so I skipped an empties post, but I think I more than made up for things in November! I've got a lot of things to talk about, so I'll try to keep things brief. If you have any questions or want more details on anything, let me know in the comments.
BODY
Acure Fragrance Free Ultra-Hydrating Body Lotion
I've gone through many tubes of this lotion in the last few years, raved about it multiple times on the blog, and even got my sister hooked on it, but I'm pretty sure the formula changed along with the packaging. I mentioned it in my most recent iHerb haul and a few people have agreed with me since. The ingredients are only slightly different, but it feels like a completely different product - not nearly as hydrating and with a very watery feel as you rub it in.
Repurchase? I've got one more tube to use and then I doubt it, unless Acure goes back to the previous formula.
Andalou Naturals Shea Butter + Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream
I like this hand cream, but I don't love it. The clementine scent is nice and it's a good one for your desk, in that it sinks in quickly and doesn't leave you with greasy hands, but I feel like there are better products out there in terms of long term moisturization.
Repurchase? I'm not sure. I still have a tube of Andalou's Shea Butter + Coconut Water Hand Cream to use before I decide.
Mamma Oceania Skin Nourishing Soap* [Review]
Mamma Oceania soaps are beautiful hefty bars of soap, handmade here in Toronto. The soaps are free of palm and canola oils, have no added scent ingredients, lather up nicely, and each bar lasts a good long while. The Skin Nourishing bar is made with rosehip, banana, and kelp and - as is common to all the soaps in the line - feels lovely and gentle on the skin.
Repurchase? Yes, once I've used up some other soaps.
Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Juicy Orange Facial Bar
Rocky Mountain also makes soaps without palm oil, though theirs do contain canola and cottonseed oils, which I don't love. That said, they're another Canadian company, their scents are nice without being overpowering, and the soaps feel good on the skin. I can't speak to how the Juicy Orange works as a facial bar as I used it strictly on my hands and body, but I did enjoy it.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Ellovi Mint Chocolate Butter (sample)
I have mixed feelings about this product. I loved how it smelled and am tempted to buy the larger size for that reason alone, but in terms of its performance as a body butter, it had a very similar feel to moisturizing with straight coconut oil, which I don't find heavy or hydrating enough to use on a consistent basis.
Repurchase? I'm not sure.
SKINCARE
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash* [Review]
I remember liking this when I first reviewed it, but when I started using it again in October, I really started to love it. Now, I'd go so far as to say that it's one of my favorite cleansers. It's a traditional foaming gel wash but not stripping or drying, and it also offers gentle exfoliation from sugar cane and fruit extracts. It smells gorgeous too - a mix of woodsy trees and spearmint.
Repurchase? Yes! I just ordered a larger bottle in the Black Friday sales.
Shea Terra Argan & Green Coffee Around Eye Serum* [Review]
This is a great serum in terms of hydration, but it didn't do a lot for my dark circles. I ended up using probably 1/2 to 2/3 of the bottle as a makeup remover/oil cleanser and hair oil. It worked great for both, but I wouldn't buy it specifically for those purposes.
Repurchase? No.
La Mav Anti Dark-Circle and Ultra-Firm Eye Gel* [Review]
This eye gel has quite an impressive ingredients list, but unfortunately it didn't live up to its name for me. If your under eyes are less problematic than mine - aka minimal darkness and puffiness - I do think it's a nice product and the gel consistency is mind-bogglingly good. It feels incredibly light going on and sits super well under makeup, but it actually leaves my under eyes feeling more plump and hydrated than many richer, heavier creams and oils.
Repurchase? Not right away.
Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel (sample)
I find the Soothing Gel a bit too drying to use all over my face, but I like it as a spot treatment for any breakouts or blemishes. Now that I've been using it for several months, I feel like it's become less effective in that regard, so I may take a break from using it for a bit.
Repurchase? Not right away. I've still got a couple more samples.
Kaia Naturals Pure Moringa Oil
This small vial of Kaia's moringa oil comes with their Bamboo Tapioca Beads. The oil didn't make a huge impression, so it isn't something I'd go out of my way to get more of - and I don't think Kaia sells the oil by itself anyways - but I do really like the actual Bamboo Tapioca Beads.
Repurchase? The Bamboo Tapioca Beads, yes.
Bare English & Co. Sweet Peppermint Lip Balm
Another local Toronto product! I like the Bare English lip balms a lot, but this scent was just so-so for me. It had a prominent coconut oil smell alongside the mint, and I didn't love the combination of the two.
Repurchase? Probably not this particular flavour, but the Bare English lip balms, yes.
Shiro Cosmetics Longcat Intertube
Shiro stopped making the Intertubes a while ago, which is a shame because they were a great formula! Longcat was a clear balm with white/silvery sparkles and it made a fantastic rich lip treatment.
Repurchase? Not possible.
Triumph & Disaster Gameface Moisturizer (samples)
This was an okay moisturizer. I started out using the samples on my face, but I ended up finishing them up as a body cream.
Repurchase? No.
Suki Eye Life Renewal Cream - Day (sample)
I actually threw out most of this sample. All the reviews and photos I've seen show this eye cream as a pale yellow color, while my sample came out of the packet an orangey-brown. I figured it was very likely the vitamin C having oxidized, so I didn't want to use it.
Repurchase? No.
MAKEUP
Silk Naturals Brightening Concealer #2 (sample)
I really like this concealer, which is supposed to be a dupe for Anastasia's Banana Powder. It's a yellow powder that does a good job brightening up under the eyes and has a bit more coverage than Silk Naturals' Sleep in a Jar, which I've used and loved for years.
Repurchase? Yes, I plan to buy both this and the lighter, #1 shade in the future
Benecos Brown Kajal Liner
Benecos' liners are so frustrating! They're inexpensive and I love the creamy formula, but the colors are never what I want them to be. This one was a very warm-toned, almost orangey brown and I just didn't love it.
Repurchase? No.
Pollen Cosmetics Saddle Up Eye Shadow (sample)
Pollen Cosmetics isn't around anymore, unfortunately, but Saddle Up was a great matte mid-toned brown, perfect for the crease.
Repurchase? Not possible.
Brija Cosmetics Perk Blush (sample)
Perk is a subtle pink blush with some shimmer. It's pretty, but I often felt like I had to pack on a lot of product to get the color I wanted, making it a little too sparkly for me. Other days I loved it and felt like it was perfect as is, so I'm a little conflicted.
Repurchase? I don't think so.
Bare Minerals Universal Light Frame & Define Brow Styler
I love this pencil for my brows, mainly because Universal Light is a perfect color match for me. The twist up style is also convenient (no sharpening!), but I'd strongly advise against screwing the pencil up all the way to check how much product is left, as, in doing so, I somehow managed to break the mechanism in mine, wasting probably 1/3 of the product.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.
Physician's Formula Organic Wear CC Curl + Care Mascara
Physician's Formula mascaras are very hit or miss for me and I didn't like this one at all! It wasn't very noticeable on the lashes, plus it smeared and actually seemed to crumble off in chunks by the end of the night. My lashes have a natural curl also, so I'm not sure how it does in that regard.
Repurchase? There are other Organic Wear mascaras I'd buy again, but the CC one, definitely not!
Jane Iredale Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara
This mascara, on the other hand, I really liked. It's a fiber mascara, which is something I haven't seen anywhere else in the green beauty world, and it does a fantastic job adding volume as well as length. I also didn't have any issues with smudging or flaking. I don't love how pricey it is ($33 USD/$42 CAD), but it's a great mascara.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Total Products Used Up in October + November
Skincare: 5 (Lip Balms: 2 )
Bodycare: 4
Haircare: 0
Makeup: 4
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 6
Makeup Samples: 3
Total Products Used Up in 2015
Skincare: 37 (Lip Balms: 10)
Bodycare: 38
Haircare: 10
Makeup: 15
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 68
Makeup Samples: 32
*Press sample
Contains affiliate links
I've really enjoyed La Mav skincare in the past, so when I was asked to help spread the word about the new eye shadow collection they're launching today, I was quick to say yes! La Mav is an Australian company with an extensive skincare line and a small, curated makeup collection, but this is their first time venturing into eye makeup.
The new eye shadow collection consists of four loose mineral shadows in versatile, neutral shades:
Champagne - a satin cream with a few gold sparkles. Great as a subtle highlight or all over lid shade
Cognac - a shimmery/metallic copper with a gold sheen. Extra pretty for fall!
Sandstone - a shimmery mid-toned brown. This one has matte base and a shimmery overlay, so it's great both buffed out in the crease and packed onto the lid, though on the lid, you really need to pat (not rub) if you want to preserve all the shimmer.
Matte Black - a matte black. Blends out to a softer charcoal grey, great for adding definition to the crease, or can be built up to a fully opaque black and used as liner.
All four are beautiful and have great pigmentation. I'm a neutrals girl at heart and these are great everyday shades that I'm sure to get a lot of use out of.
That said, if you can only pick up one color, make it Cognac. It brings out blue eyes beautifully (though I'm sure it will work on other eye colors too!) and the gold sheen/sparkle makes it stand out from your average copper. I'm also impressed with Matte Black, which is much less messy and easier to work with than other loose black shadows I've used in the past.
The eye shadows sell for $22.95 (AUD) each, or in a set (all four colors + two synthetic eye brushes) for $99.95 (AUD). To celebrate the launch, La Mav is offering a free Anti-Ageing Skincare Travel Pack with the first 50 eye shadow purchases, so it's worth jumping on these quickly if you plan to order!
*Press sample
My relationship with skincare has come a long way in the last few years. When I first started blogging, I was much more interested in makeup and my skincare routine basically consisted of soap, moisturizer, and an occasional scrub. I'm not sure exactly when things changed, but I've become quite the skincare enthusiast and my routine is a good bit more involved these days.
That said, mornings are still all about quick and effective skincare for me. Whether I'm heading out early or spending the day working from home, I generally don't want to mess with anything too slow or complicated in the morning. If my skin is acting up, I'll add in an extra product or two, but I'm going to save talking about those for a dedicated post. On an average day, my morning routine consists of three basic steps: cleanse, tone, and moisturize.
I do tend to change things up fairly frequently, but - with the exception of one product that you'll see in my night routine - I've used everything in my current rotation for a minimum of three weeks.
Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk
As part of Andalou's Age Defying line, the Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk is a gentle cleanser designed for dry and sensitive skin. It's more of a thick cream cleanser than a cleansing milk, but it rinses away clean and doesn't feel overly heavy on my skin. It leaves my skin feeling clean and extra soft, and it also smells yummy - like peach yogurt.
Nonie of Beverly Hills AHA! Skin Tonic*
Contrary to the name, the AHA! Skin Tonic is not an exfoliating toner with AHA's, but instead a gentle, witch hazel-based tonic that serves to refresh the skin and prepare it for the next step. It feels very light and non-sticky on the skin and I love that it doesn't contain any glycerin, as my skin sometimes reacts badly to toners with high amounts of glycerin.
Trilogy Line Smoothing Day Cream
My skin has been doing a lot better with cream moisturizers than oils this winter, so after repeatedly coming across this Trilogy moisturizer on super discount at Winners, I had to try it. As the name suggests, the Line Smoothing Day Cream is intended to restore hydration and smooth lines. With a blend of hyaluronic acid and avocado, olive, acai, and evening primrose oils to hydrate and nourish, and botanical hydroxypoline (an amino acid) to stimulate collagen production, improve elasticity and fight free radical damage, it sounds like a moisturizer with a lot going on. After using it for about a month now, I haven't noticed any dramatic line smoothing (not that I have a ton of lines/wrinkles to begin with!), but it's a good moisturizer. The scent is light, it feels very gentle, and it does a good job hydrating the skin. I don't know where to buy Trilogy products in Canada regularly, but if I come across it at Winners again, I'll definitely pick up a backup.
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream / La Mav Anti Dark-Circle & Ultra-Firm Eye Gel*
I use these two interchangeably and out of everything in my routine, this is the one area where I'll be happy to switch to something else once these are finished. Neither are bad products, they just haven't given me the results I was hoping for. If you're very dry around the eyes, the La Mav - in spite of its seemingly light, gel consistency - is fantastic for hydration, and if you want an eye cream that you can immediately apply makeup on top of, the Balance Me is great in that regard. Both do also help with minor puffiness, I just wish one of them had been able to do more for my dark circles.
Badger Sea Buckthorn Face Oil* / Karooch Hazelnut Oil
Most mornings I use the Trilogy moisturizer and call it a day, but if my skin is feeling extra dry, I'll top the moisturizer with a couple drops of these two oils mixed together. The Badger is super hydrating and the hazelnut oil - my absolute favorite face oil - lightens it up slightly and helps to speed up absorption.
And there you have it: my current morning skincare routine. I'll have posts on my nighttime skincare and occasional products and treatments I use coming up in the next couple weeks too, so stay tuned for those!
*Press sample
Contains affiliate links
It's that time again! I didn't use up that much stuff this month, but I was able to finish off a couple products I'd been wanting to be rid of, so I'm happy about that. I also used up some makeup and cleared out my open mascaras, which is always a good thing. Here's a look at February's empties:
KYI Unscented Sweet Almond Softening Oil* [Review]
I really like the entire KYI line and the Almond Softening Oil is no exception. It's gentle, very hydrating, and more affordable than a lot of other comparable body oils. The Unscented version is just almond oil, so I wouldn't go out of my way to re-buy it, but I do want to pick up more of the Chamomile Lavender - my favorite KYI scent - at some point.
Also, in case you missed it in the sidebar, you can save 10% off any KYI purchase with the code "NB10." Code is valid through the end of April.
La Mav Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Scrub* [Review]
This is a great face scrub. It does a good job exfoliating without ever feeling harsh or overly abrasive, and my skin always looked extra healthy and luminous after using it. I like to try new scrubs - in fact, I don't know that I've ever bought the same one more than once - but I did really enjoy this one.
Earthbody Brighten Cleanser & Mask
I got this trial size in one of my first Petit Vour boxes and I think it's one of the best products they've included to date. Described as a "superfruit enzyme powder," Brighten takes Moroccan rhassoul clay and elevates it to a higher level with thirteen different plant and fruit powders. I never tried it as a cleanser, but I loved using it as a mask. I can't justify buying another mask until I go through a few of the other ones I currently have, but I'll miss having this in rotation in the meantime.
Shiro Cosmetics Default Lip Balm
Default is the untinted version of Shiro's Intertubes. I loved the (now discontinued) Intertube formula, so when Shiro released an untinted version a few years ago, I rushed to buy several of these pots. Unfortunately, I never thought it worked as well in a pot. Depending on the temperature in your home, it tends to be very solid, making it difficult to apply. I also found the texture of these specific ones to be somewhat gritty and chunky, and although it was probably just crystallized shea butter, I didn't enjoy it. All in all, even though the actual formula worked great on my lips, I'm not sorry to see the end of these.
Boo Bamboo Line Lifting Face Cream* [Review]
I mentioned I was trying to use this up in last week's What I Do With Products I Don't Love post, so it shouldn't be too surprising that I'm happy to see the end of this cream. I used most of the pot as a body moisturizer, and while I ended up actually enjoying it that way, I wouldn't buy it for that purpose alone.
Young Living Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier
I don't use much hand sanitizer, but I like to carry one in my bag for those "just in case" moments. This is my favorite - and really the only one I buy - because I like the ingredients, the gel consistency and that it's non-sticky and doesn't smell like alcohol. I also love how tiny and compact the bottle is.
Blissoma Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex
Another of my favorite products to come in a Petit Vour box! My skin went a little haywire towards the beginning of the winter and Pure is the product that calmed it down. Made without essential oils, fragrance, alcohol or other irritants, Pure instead contains shea butter, marshmallow root, plantain, self heal and more, and is one of the most soothing moisturizers I've used. Definitely a product I can see myself purchasing in full size in the future.
The All Natural Face Olive Squalane Oil
More costly squalane oils from Indie Lee and Peter Thomas Roth have garnered a lot of positive attention, so when I spotted this rollerball from The All Natural Face selling for a mere $5, I couldn't resist adding it to my most recent order. As it turns out, it didn't do much for me. From everything I've read, squalane is supposed to be non-greasy and quick to absorb, but I found the opposite with this - it felt heavy and just sat on top of my skin, never really soaking in. I'm still curious how the more expensive squalane oils might compare, particularly the sugar cane-derived Peter Thomas Roth one, but this one was not a hit.
Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Foundation in Geisha [Review]
I think I've gone through four or five pans of this foundation in the last couple years and it's still one of my favorites. I love how natural it looks on the skin, as well as how incredibly quick it is to buff on in the mornings. It works great on its own, but can also be used to add an extra layer of coverage on top of cream or liquid products. I've heard the foundation has been slightly reformulated, which is always a little concerning, but I've got one more pan I'd previously bought before I need to worry about that.
Pollen & Wax Apollo Cleansing Milk [Review]
Another product I'm happy to be done with! Apollo just didn't work for my skin in any way, shape or form. I tried it as a daily cleanser, a weekly exfoliant, and even on my body, and it left me consistently underwhelmed.
Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Vanilla Candy Cane Soap (mini) [Review]
This soap came in a holiday kit and I liked it a lot. It lathered well, smelled great, and didn't dry out my skin. The Vanilla Candy Cane scent isn't available right now, but I'd buy it again next Christmas. I'm also curious to try other Rocky Mountain Soap scents.
Une Beauty Skin Glow Pencil in G02 [Review]
This pencil, topped with a little Silk Naturals Sleep in a Jar, has been my favorite under eye concealer combo for the last couple years, so I was pretty gutted when Une discontinued this product. I had a brief happy dance moment when they re-released it (in the bigger stick I'd always longed for too!), quickly followed by more disappointment when I realized they didn't re-release this particular color. I'm still on the hunt for a replacement, so if there are any great under eye concealers I need to try, please leave them in the comments!
Zuzu Luxe Onyx Mascara
My old standby, favorite mascara. I love pretty much everything about this, but especially that it doesn't irritate my eyes or smudge. I've somehow accumulated a ton of new mascaras to try, but I've bought too many tubes of this to count and I'm sure I'll go back to it again.
Lily Lolo Vegan Black Mascara* [Review]
And, my new favorite mascara. This gives impressive volume - the best of any natural mascara I've used - and I love it about as much as the Zuzu Luxe. My only slight complaint is that the tube got used up/dried out pretty quickly. I'm strict about tossing mascaras after three months - four tops - and I rarely have a mascara actually dry out or feel empty in that time, but the Lily Lolo started feeling dry and became harder to work with right around the two month mark. It was still usable for a few more weeks, but not nearly as awesome as when it was fresh. I just received a replacement tube in the February Petit Vour box (full write up on that box coming very soon!) and I'm sure, despite its shorter lifespan, that I'll buy it again in the future as well.
The black mascara is back in stock and I still have a Lily Lolo discount code, if you're wanting to try this or anything else from Lily Lolo - "naturallabeauty" will get you 20% off sitewide (US website only).
Benecos Just Black Multi-Effect Mascara
I had the weirdest experience with this mascara. Every time I wore it and went outside in the sun, I'd see black spots. Finally I connected the spots to this mascara, but it was pretty disconcerting before I figured out what was causing them! I really don't understand it either, as the mascara itself wasn't anything special. It didn't make my lashes significantly longer, darker, or thicker than any other mascara, so I don't understand why the Benecos was so much in my line of vision. I only ended up using this a handful of times, and I haven't touched it since the summer, but it's completely dried out now, so it's got to go!
Have you finished any products recently?
February
Skincare: 6 (Lip Balms: 1)
Body/Hair: 2
Makeup: 5
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 2
Makeup Samples: 0
2015 Total
Skincare: 10 (Lip Balms: 3)
Body/Hair: 9
Makeup: 5
Skin/Body/HairSamples: 13
Makeup Samples: 2
*Press sample
Contains affiliate links
Have you heard of La Mav yet? This Australian skincare line has been around for several years, but it seems like they've really exploded onto the international green beauty scene just this past year. La Mav's entire line is certified organic, certified cruelty free, Australian made, and guaranteed to be free from harsh chemicals, fillers, talc, sulphates, GMO ingredients, parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, and artificial colours and fragrances. La Mav uses a three-tier system of active constituents, specialty oils, and essential base ingredients to ensure every product is packed full of as much natural goodness as possible. The entire product line focuses on age-defense, with eight different ranges that each target other skin concerns as well as anti-aging. La Mav is very clear on wanting to combine science and nature and they make a point of using plant-based active ingredients whose efficacy has been researched and proven in independent clinical studies.
La Mav offered to send me a couple products to try and after a thorough browse, I chose the Anti Dark-Circle & Ultra-Firm Eye Gel* and Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Scrub.*
Anti-Dark-Circle & Ultra-Firm Eye Gel
My under eye area is probably my single most persistent skin concern, so a product like this that promises to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness always makes me sit up and take notice. Vitamin C, chlorella, and licorice root are included for their brightening effects, while hyaluronic acid seals in moisture and helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The formula also includes anti-aging and antioxidant-rich rosehip, sea buckthorn, and bilberry seed oils.
I tend to have pretty prominent dark circles, as well as some puffiness, and sadly the eye gel hasn't done anything too dramatic to reduce either one. I've used it morning and night for nearly a month now, and while I've noticed a slight brightening effect, I was hoping for a bit more. That said, the eye gel really shines in terms of hydration. I'm not sure how La Mav manages to pack so much moisture into such a light gel, but I'm impressed. The eye gel feels light, cool and lovely going on - never heavy or tacky - and it leaves my eye area plumper and better hydrated than several other, much heavier eye creams I've previously used. I also only need to use half a pump for both eyes.
Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Scrub
The Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Scrub includes both manual and chemical exfoliants. Bamboo stem and cranberry seed powders gently buff away dead skin, while natural fruit acids from bilberry, sugar maple, lemon, orange, and sugar cane penetrate deep into the pores to remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities. The scrub is part of La Mav's Purify & Clean range, designed for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, but it's also been great on my skin which leans more combination/dry. The texture is that of a thick, gritty paste, but it spreads easily on damp skin and does a good job exfoliating without ever feeling too harsh or abrasive.
One thing to note is that the scrub can separate a little in the tube, so you need to give it a good shake before squeezing the product out. I also recommend storing it upside down (top up), as I did have a small amount of liquid leak out of the tube when it was stored top down.
The Bottom Line
The eye gel may not have worked magic on my dark circles (and really, what does?), but it's a good, solid product and I really do like how much hydration it offers, and the way it leaves my eye area feeling. The scrub was a hit too: gritty, but not scratchy or overly abrasive.
As a first experience with La Mav, I'd say this went really well. I'm definitely left curious to try more from the line, which I think says it all!
* Press sample
