Naturalla Beauty

This month, I really focused on using up products that were nearly finished or that had been hanging around for a while, so this latest batch of empties is even more satisfying than usual.  Here's what's headed for the bin:



Nourish Organic Coconut & Argan Body Wash
I've talked about Nourish's body washes many times before, so I'll keep it brief.  The Coconut & Argan line isn't available online anymore, but if you can find it in stores, I'd recommend it.  The body wash has more of a tropical/floral scent than a coconut one and was one of my favorites from Nourish.  Any of the company's body washes are great though.  They're very creamy and hydrating, but also produce a decent lather.
Repurchase?  Eventually, yes.  I've got a few other bottles that I picked up on Black Friday to use first.

Leap Organics Eucalyptus, Mint & Anise Body Wash   [Review]
I enjoyed this, but it is intensely minty.  It's great during the summer or after a sweaty workout, but in the colder months, it sometimes left me feeling chilled.  I didn't notice any eucalyptus or anise in the scent, just a whole lot of peppermint.
Repurchase? Yes, but I want to try a different scent next.

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Moisturizing Body Cream*   [Review]
This falls kind of mid-way between a lotion and a body butter.  It's a thicker, richer cream that provides a good boost of moisture to the skin, while still sinking in and absorbing really easily.  The cream has a triple dose of sea buckthorn from the seed oil, fruit oil, and fruit pulp and I really liked having that extra nourishment in a body product.  I also used this as a hand cream and it worked great for that as well. 
Repurchase? Yes.  I have other lotions/creams I want to work through first, but I would buy it again in the future.

Weleda Skin Food
I've been using this same tube of Skin Food for two or three years now and I noticed a couple months ago that it was expiring in April.  If ever there was a product I was proud of using up, it's this right here.  I made a concentrated effort to use it nearly every day and went through the last third of the tube just in the past month or so.  I like Skin Food, but mostly in small doses like on my elbows, so it's just not something I go through very quickly.
Repurchase? I'm not sure.  I think I've found other products I like slightly more, but I do have another (thankfully smaller) tube to use before I have to decide.

Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Vanilla Candy Cane Body Butter   [Review]
I've never been a huge fan of lotion bars or solid body butters before, but I was really impressed with this one from Rocky Mountain Soap.  I loved the Vanilla Candy Cane scent and the bar itself was creamier and less waxy than other similar products I've used, so it melted into the skin really easily.  The flip side of that is that the bar melted away pretty quickly and I didn't feel like I got a ton of use out of it.  This was just a mini size though - I  imagine a full size would last a good bit longer.  
Repurchase? Yes, I think so.

Ella's Botanicals Skin Soother Bar
Ella's Skin Soother is a soap I always go back to and one that's especially great in the winter.  I pulled this out after my hands had been completely dried out by another bar soap and its gentle blend of olive oil, hemp oil, and oatmeal helped turn things around in no time.
Repurchase? Yes, definitely.

Crazy Rumors Plum & Peppermint Lip Balm
I find myself a little hot and cold on Crazy Rumors lip balms, mainly dependent on the individual scents.  Plum & Peppermint was very fruity with just a touch of mint and I loved it.  I used the entire tube - start to finish - in about three weeks, which is sort of crazy.
Repurchase? Yes, I've already picked up a couple different scents to try.

F. Miller Skincare Body Oil (sample)
I quite enjoyed this oil.  It had a light feel and absorbed quickly, but really left my skin feeling nourished. The scent was nice enough too, although not necessarily a standout for me - a mix of earthy and citrus notes from neroli, bergamot, grapefruit, frankincense, and palmarosa essential oils.    
Repurchase? Probably not, just because of how pricey it is.  I'm not really one to spend a lot on body oils.

Earthbody Dream Body Oil* (sample)
Another body oil hit, this one courtesy of a Petit Vour box several months back.  Dream is a little thicker and richer, compared to the F. Miller one, but I enjoyed it as well.  Earthbody's skincare is inspired by Ayurvedic principals and I love that the body oils are made not only with carrier and essential oils, but also infused with herbs.  
Repurchase? Yes.  I'm curious to try a couple other scents too.

Green People Intensive Repair Conditioner (sample)
I've used multiple samples of this conditioner and there are things I really like about it.  It has a moderately thin consistency, making it very easy to work through the hair and it leaves my hair feeling very silky and soft.  It also does a good job minimizing frizz and leaves my curls looking nicely defined.  I'm not crazy about the rose geranium scent though, which is what has always stopped me from purchasing a full size.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Suki Transformative Cleansing Clay (sample)
I loved this as a mask when I was first introduced to it a couple years ago, but this time around, I wasn't as impressed.  I'm not sure if my skin has changed or if I've just found other masks that work better for me, but I wasn't wow-ed.  
Repurchase? I doubt it.

And that's it!  I'm glad I decided to keep count this year as I'm really enjoying keeping an eye on the numbers and being able to see what products I consistently get through.  (Apparently I use a lot of lip balm!)  It's also nice to know I'm making progress on my samples, even when it may not seem like it to look at how many still remain.   

March
Skincare: 1 (Lip Balms: 1)
Body/Hair:  5
Makeup: 0
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 5
Makeup Samples: 0

2015 Total
Skincare: 11 (Lip Balms: 4)
Body/Hair: 14
Makeup: 5
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 24  (I realized I hadn't been counting items from my Sample Stash posts, 
                                                                       which is why this number jumped so much this month.)
Makeup Samples: 2

What products have you finished recently?  If you've done one recently, feel free to link to your empties post in the comments too - I love reading these!  

Today, for the final part of my gift guide, I want to feature some of my favorite luxury buys of this season.  I've labelled this part $50 and up, but several of these are a good bit more expensive than that.  Save these for the people you really, really like...



Forager Botanicals Natural Perfume Rollerball Collection ($88)
This limited edition gift set comes with rollerballs of all four of Forager's natural eau de parfum signature scents: Nectar, Bloom, Island Lei and Woodland.  These scents - which usually sell for $38 each - are all handcrafted, vegan, and free of harmful synthetics, colors, parabens, sulfates, and preservatives.  You guys know I'm not a big perfume gal myself, but out of all the natural perfumes I've sniffed, Forager's Woodland would definitely be one of my top picks.

Lina Hanson Global Body Serum / Global Face Serum ($63 / $85)
When it comes to creating beautiful oil blends, Lina Hanson is one of the best.  The Global Body Serum is deeply nourishing with avocado, argan and brazil nut oils (and many more!) and it smells like a deliciously grown up, sophisticated creamsicle.  I haven't tried the Global Face Serum yet, but with baobab, argan, marula and more, it sounds pretty dreamy too.  Lina's products also support fair trade and sustainable harvesting and many of the key ingredients are produced by women's cooperatives and farmers worldwide. 

Kahina Giving Beauty Antioxidant Face Mask ($62)
The Antioxidant Mask is a gorgeous mask made with rhassoul clay, Kahina's signature argan oil, aloe, pomegranate seed extract and more, it's the perfect treat for anyone who enjoys a good pamper night.  The mask is full of antioxidants, trace minerals and essential fatty acids and is both excellent at drawing out impurities and gentle enough for sensitive skin.  

Sigma Best of Sigma Brush Set ($97)
I only have one Sigma brush - the F80 Flat Top Kabuki - but it's definitely one of the best brushes I own.  This kit comes with the F80, plus six of Sigma's other top selling brushes and would make an excellent gift for anyone looking to upgrade their makeup brushes or just to add a few more good ones to their collection. 

Studio 78 Here Comes Santa Claus Gift Set ($140)
Studio 78 is a French luxury makeup line that's gaining popularity in North America.  The kit comes with the company's liquid foundation, a pressed eyeshadow, a loose eyeshadow and a liquid lipstick.  It's just about everything you need for a smokier, nighttime look, plus you get a pretty evening bag to go with it.

SkinnySkinny Luminous You Gift Set ($114)
SkinnySkinny's cleanser is a pretty new favorite of mine, which has, of course, left me eager to try more products from their line.  Along with The Cleanser, the kit comes with the Organic Exfoliating Face Scrub, Organic Daily Moisture, and your choice of one of the company's three Organic Toners.  It looks like a fab way to see what the line has to offer - you're basically getting a complete skincare routine in a box!

Suki Personal Faves Kit ($71)
I really like Suki's products, but I remember initially feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of products they have to offer.  This kit solves that.  It contains four full size products that are Suki Kramer's - Suki's founder, president, and formulator's - personal favorites from the line.  Her picks?  The Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, Ultra Protect Body Balm, Ultra Protect Eye Balm and 4-Swipe Lip Care.  

One Love Organics Tropical Getaway Kit ($129)
The Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Collection has gotten a lot of hype this year, and no product more so than the Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil.  I - along with seemingly everyone else who's tried it - fell hard for this emulsifying oil that effortlessly whisks away every last trace of makeup, all the while making your bathroom smell like a tropical island.  The Tropical Getaway Kit also includes the Vitamin C Body Oil, which has the same gorgeous scent, and a new addition to the line: the Vitamin C Body Polish.  The Body Polish won't be available outside of the kit until the spring.

That about wraps it up!  I hope you found these gift guides helpful if you're still hunting for gifts and an enjoyable read even if you're not!  If you haven't seen the earlier two parts yet, you can find them here and here.
 

It's always fun trying new makeup, but the chance of something going wrong or needing extra fiddling means that I'm much less likely to experiment on days when I have to be somewhere within a given time frame.  Today I found myself just hanging out at home, so it seemed like the perfect time to play with a whole bunch of new makeup bits!



FACE

This was my first time trying Suki's Tinted Active Moisturizer in Porcelain and it was a little odd.  I don't know if this is normal - maybe my sample was old - but the moisturizer came out of the sachet an orangey shade with little dots of lighter pigment throughout.  Porcelain is the lighter of Suki's two shades and it blended fine on the skin and didn't look orange once on, but it also gave very little coverage.  I topped it with Honeybee Gardens' Pressed Mineral Foundation in Geisha, which, as you can see, is well loved.  It works well with my skin, has good coverage, is incredibly quick to apply, and looks pretty natural.  Une Beauty's Skin Glow Pencil in G02 - possibly discontinued - is yellow-toned and great for covering dark circles.  I set it with Silk Naturals' Light Peach Sleep in a Jar, which brightens up the under eye area and gives a tiny bit of extra coverage.  I used Au Naturale's Creme Concealer in Beige, which came in the November Petit Vour box, to cover a couple small blemishes.  



EYES

I received the Lily Lolo Laid Bare Palette* just a couple days ago, so this was my first time working with it.  First impressions are really good: the three shadows I used were all nicely pigmented and went on really smoothly.  Lavera's Eye Shadow Base is a relative new addition to my makeup bag, although I've been playing with it for a few weeks now.  I prefer something a bit tackier for extra shimmery or sparkly shadows, but for everything else, I've been really happy with how it performs.  I've had Pacifica's Eye Pencil in Bare for a good few months now and I like using it to brighten up the waterline.  I picked up Jet - the black shade - very recently, and it's great too: creamy and dark black.  For today's look, I just smudged it lightly into my lash line.  Zuzu Luxe Onyx Mascara is nothing new to me, but what is new is the Zuzu Luxe Cream Brow Pencil in Russet.  I'll be the first to admit that, when it comes to brows, I really don't know what I'm doing, but I wanted to experiment a bit more with filling them in, so I picked this up.  The color works pretty well, but I need to play with it more to fully decide what I think.


When I break it down, it seems like a ton of products, but it all amounted to a pretty natural, everyday-type look.    

Makeup selfies are hard guys.  I don't know how some of you do it!

What do you think?  Are any of these products favorites of yours?

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.

Not a ton of empties this month, but nearly everything is something I've either already repurchased or something I anticipate buying again in the not too distant future.  Here's what's headed to the bin this time around:



Suki Concentrated Balancing Toner (now the Concentrated Clarifying Toner)
I like the signature, lemony scent that most of Suki's line has, and the Balancing Toner was no exception.  It had a good, even spray and felt light and non-sticky going on - perfect for summer.  The trial size only lasted me about two weeks, but even in that short time, I noticed my pores looked cleaner and less visible.
Repurchase? Yes.

Vice1960 Facial Oil*   [Review]
Vice1960 was one of my favorite discoveries of this year and I particularly enjoyed this oil.  It's a gorgeous blend that includes hazelnut, radish, meadowfoam, and jojoba oils, and it consistently left my skin hydrated, glowy, and very clear.  The company is going to be launching five (!) new oils soon too, which is super exciting.   
Repurchase? Yes.

Aura Cacia Organic Argan Oil   [Review]
Argan was the first oil I really fell for and it's a still a staple in my haircare routine.  I use it on the ends  of my hair and also sometimes on my face too.  Aura Cacia's organic argan oil is affordable and the quality is generally great.  I've gone through multiple bottles without issue, but this particular one smelled strangely minty, even though it's labelled as 100% argan oil.  
Repurchase? Possibly.  I ordered Acure's argan oil this time, but I'd likely buy Aura Cacia's again too. I'm hesitant to order it online though, after the peppermint scent of this bottle.

Pure + Simple Eye Brightening Cream   [Review]
I wasn't completely sold on this eye cream when I wrote my original review, but I ended up picking up a full size jar anyways and slowly came to love it.  It doesn't do a lot for puffiness, but it's amazing on dark circles.  It's also gentle and very moisturizing without being heavy.
Repurchase? Yes.

Pretty Pure Radiance Day Cream   [Review]
I've enjoyed many of Pretty's products, but I think the Pure Radiance Cream is my favorite to date.  It's a rich cream, but it sinks in quickly and never leaves my face greasy or shiny, no matter how generously I slather it on.  It has a soft, neutral scent and is also the best base I've found for applying makeup.  It won't get rid of pores or fine lines like a silicone-based primer, but it does soften both, plus I think my makeup lasts better on top of this than anything else I've tried.
Repurchase? Definitely.

Peppy Galore Diva Face Moisturizer (sample)
I liked everything about this moisturizer except the vanilla scent.  Because of the smell, I actually ended up using most of my sample as a body moisturizer.  Peppy Galore has recently shut down, so I'm just as happy this didn't turn out to be a perfect product for me.
Repurchase? No.

Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask (sample)
Balm Balm's Hibiscus mask is a simple formulation made of just brown rice powder, hibisicus flowers, and rose geranium essential oil.  I think it'd be great for super sensitive skin that might not be able to tolerate other masks, but personally, I found it was so gentle that it didn't really do much at all.  The second time I used it, I boosted it with some green clay and I enjoyed the combination a lot more than I did this mask by itself.
Repurchase? Probably not.

EvanHealy Blue Rosehip Treatment Serum (sample)
I like EvanHealy's Rosehip serums, but in terms of what they do for my skin, I don't notice any difference compared to using a much less expensive, plain rosehip seed oil.  The Blue Serum is my favorite of the two though, purely because of the chamomile/lavender scent.  
Repurchase? No.

ZuzuLuxe The Mascara in Onyx   [Review]
Another tube bites the dust!  No matter how many other mascaras I try, I always come back to Zuzu.  It's gentle and doesn't irritate my eyes, plus it doesn't smudge or flake on me at all.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

And that was it for August.  I'm happy to use things up, as always, but I'm a little sad to see some of these products go!

Today I want to talk about a few things I've been loving lately.  All of these are new-to-me finds that I haven't used for very long, but first impressions are good and I didn't want to wait any longer to share them!



Earthpaste - Lemon Twist & Spearmint
It's crazy to think I've been using Earthpaste for close to two years now!  In a lot of ways, I still feel like this glycerin-free toothpaste is a relatively new discovery.  Alas, it does explain why, after many, many tubes, my eyes were starting to wander.  Sadly, even two years in, glycerin-free toothpaste options are pretty scarce, so I was happy to discover two new-to-me flavor offerings from Earthpaste.  The lemon - "for kids of all ages" - is great if you're looking for something sweet and different from standard toothpaste flavors.  It's zesty and refreshing, but without any mint or menthol, that cool, tingly feeling isn't there.  Spearmint is way on the other end of the spectrum.  It's unsweetened and extra strong - perfect for anyone who may have complained the original Earthpaste flavors weren't minty enough. I wouldn't mind if they sweetened it a tiny bit, but I'll go with it for all the spearminty goodness this small tube is packing. 

Suki Concentrated Balancing Toner
As much of a skincare junkie as I am, I'm still not completely sold on toners.  I know all the theoretical benefits, but for every great toner I've used, I think I've tried at least two others that either did nothing for me or actually irritated my skin. One that I would recommend, however, is Suki's Concentrated Balancing Toner (renamed the Concentrated Clarifying Toner).  I have the mini, trial size and I've only been using it for about a week and a half, but I've already noticed a difference in the appearance of the pores on my nose.  Overall, my skin seems a little more even too, although I could be imagining that part.  My skin really doesn't fit the combo-to-oily recommendation for Suki's balancing products, but I get on better with products in this range than ones in their Nourishing line.  Go figure...

 Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Finishing Powder
Whether I'm wearing a powder foundation (most days) or a liquid or cream one, I always like to use a finishing powder on top.  A good one can really make a difference, and Lauren Brooke's, which I happily received in a Facebook giveaway, checks all my boxes.   It sets your makeup, and also blurs small lines and imperfections, giving your skin a slightly airbrushed finish.  It also helps to control oil and shine throughout the day and can even be reapplied several times without looking cakey or overdone. 

NCLA Nail Lacquer in Let's Stay Forever
I usually gravitate towards dark colors and the occasional bright, so Let's Stay Forever, the pastel blue polish from June's Petit Vour box, definitely fell outside my usual nail polish color palette.  And, truth be told, application is not the best.  One coat is streaky and uneven and two is a very white, milky blue, but after three coats, you hit that sweet spot.  There's no denying that it's a pale color, but once fully opaque, the polish also has a slight, almost neon brightness that's pretty stunning, and totally worth the extra effort.  I recently switched this color out on my toes in favor of Petit Vour's July offering (LVX Lolli), but I think I'll be going back to Let's Stay Forever pretty soon. 

Have you discovered any fantastic products recently?