Naturalla Beauty

I've wanted to green my shaving routine for quite some time.  I don't mean shaving creams or lotions - those were covered a while back - but rather, the razor itself.  I've used Venus razors off and on since I was a teenager, but there are definitely aspects I've been unhappy with, so after hearing about Preserve razors for years, I decided it was past time I picked one up.  



What's so special about Preserve's razors?  
The company is cruelty free and the razors are made from BPA free, 100% recycled #5 plastic, and the handle is, itself, completely recyclable after you're done with it.  The package can double as a travel case and is made from renewable wood sources, and the blade features a gluten free lubrication strip that's made of only aloe, vitamin E oil, a vegan colorant, and a plastic compound to hold everything together.  Do you know what goes into mainstream razor lubrication strips?  I sure don't, although I do remember a certain Gillette razor a couple years back whose package proudly listed propylene glycol as a selling feature.  (And if PG is considered a plus, I really don't want to know what else is going in there!)

How does it work?
Unfortunately, this is where I ran into a couple snags.  The feel of the razor - both in my hand and while shaving - reminds me very much of disposable razors.  Preserve advertises that their blades "flex and pivot to prevent nicks and cuts," which confused me for a minute, since, before going to their website, I had just finished writing that the head was stationary.  On closer examination, the blade has maybe a couple millimeters of wiggle room, but it isn't anywhere near the pivoting action you get from a Venus or similar razor.  It also tends to alternately skip and drag as you go.

I rarely buy dedicated shaving creams, opting instead for conditioner or body wash, but those haven't been cutting it here. (Get it, cutting it?)   I've started using Kiss My Face's Key Lime Moisture Shave and while the razor works significantly better with an actual shaving product, I still find it next to impossible to get a close shave under my arms.  I also think I've had more nicks, cuts, and razor burn in the last two months with Preserve than I've had in the last five years of shaving with other razors.  Could it be a combination of the razor + shaving products + my shaving skills?  Absolutely, but take it as you will.

Finally, if, like me, you noticed that Preserve doesn't exactly disclose full ingredients for their lubricating strip either - a vegan colorant and plastic compound are hardly INCI specific - I will say that it performs differently from any other lubricating strip I've used, which gives me hope that the ingredients are pretty different as well.  Preserve's strip is very solid and it doesn't break down or get gummy the way that mainstream ones do.

The Bottom Line
I love what Preserve stands for as a company and that they're providing a more environmentally friendly option, but the razor itself has left me pretty underwhelmed.  All in all, it's created a lot more stress than I need with my hair removal, so I'll likely be looking elsewhere when I run out of blades.  Now, if Preserve were to come out with a deluxe model with a real pivoting head and greater flexibility, that's something I could see myself getting fully behind.  I also hope that we'll see a switch to recyclable blades in the future, since that's the part that gets disposed of regularly, not the handle.

What do you think?  Have you tried Preserve before?
  

I love a good mask.  The results can be pretty astonishing and, unlike other skincare products, you can generally determine if something is working or not after a single use.  Really, I can't think of a better product to try in sample form.  

My skin is generally pretty easy - if a little sensitive - but I do have some visible pores, so what I look for in a mask is something that will keep those looking squeaky clean without causing any irritation.  Enhanced brightness and glow is always welcome too.  With that in mind, here are my first impressions of six masks that have been kicking around my sample pile.



Stark Green Tea Detox Clay Mask
I got this - and the next two - from Fresh Faced's sample program.  I really love the idea of this mask - green and rhassoul clays detox the skin and remove impurities, while green tea provides a boost of antioxidants, apple extract (rich in AHA) exfoliates, and lime extract brightens.  In practice, I didn't notice anything more than I would with plain ol' green clay, so I likely will not be buying the full size.

Kahina Giving Beauty Antioxidant Mask
With my big love for Kahina's Cleanser, I had high hopes for this mask, and happily, it delivered.  A blend of light florals, peppermint and eucalyptus smells fresh and lovely, and the consistency is pretty perfect too - like rich, decadent frosting.  It didn't dry super hard or tight, but it still did an excellent job cleaning out my pores, and also left my skin looking glowy and feeling extra soft.  At $62, I'm not rushing out to buy it, but it would be a great product to splurge on one day.

May Lindstrom The Problem Solver
Made with raw cacao, bamboo charcoal, soil nutrients, salts, and warming spices, The Problem Solver is a bit of a cult favorite.  It's a powder that, with water, foams up into a light mousse and makes for a pretty intense treatment.  May recommends leaving the mask on for 45 minutes (or until fully dry), but I only made it to about the 12 minute mark before my face felt uncomfortably hot (using just a small sample, the mask was pretty well dry at this point too.)  My skin was red and flushed when I washed it off, but it settled down within just a few minutes, leaving behind only clear pores and soft skin.  I'm not sure this was the best mask for my sensitive skin, so I won't be investing the $90 (!!) just yet, but I'd be tempted to try a second sample at some point in the future.

Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask
Balm Balm's mask is a three ingredient blend of brown rice flour, ground hibiscus, and rose geranium essential oil that's supposed to gently draw out impurities while deep cleansing and exfoliating the skin.  I won't be buying this one as, quite frankly, I didn't notice much of an effect - good or bad - from using it.  

Sibu Sea Buckthorn Purifying Mask
Surprisingly soothing and gentle for something called a purifying mask.  It was calming and reduced redness while at the same time leaving my pores looking pretty good.  There are a couple ingredients I'm not too crazy about - SD alcohol and glycerin are pretty high up on the list - but my skin seemed to like it, so I would, potentially, consider buying it in the future.  

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Soothing Beauty Mud
Pretty is great for simple creations that deliver, and this mask is no different.  Two kinds of clay combine with aloe, green tea extract, and essential oils to make a gentle, but effective treatment.  I'm curious to try the Brightening Mud next, but I might come back to this one at some point.

Have you used any of these?  What are your "must try" mask favorites?

One of my favorite things about blogging is having the chance to try great brands that I probably never would have discovered otherwise.  Vice1960 contacted me a few weeks ago, and while I'd not heard of the company before, my interest was immediately piqued by their stellar ingredients and the chic, retro vibe of the company.

Vice1960 is a natural skincare line based in Miami, Florida.  The name is inspired by the 1960's, when "pure wasn't just a philosophy, it was a lifestyle."  Products are formulated with natural, organic, non-GMO, and local ingredients.  There are no fillers, just complete, bioactive ingredients that each serve a purpose.

I've been test-driving two products from the line: the Facial Oil and the Neck & Decollete Balm.  Keep reading to see how I liked them!



V60 Facial Oil
I love a good facial oil, and V60's definitely fits the bill.  Meadowfoam oil deeply nourishes, while hazelnut oil, which is slightly astringent, tones and tightens.  Radish seed oil - a new one for me - is great for protecting the skin from free radicals and has a silky slip/feel that's sometimes compared to silicones.  There's also jojoba, which is excellent for balancing the skin's oil production and fractionated coconut and/or palm oil which helps the oil absorb quickly.  The blend also contains soothing calendula, aloe and chamomile, antioxidant green tea, and anti-aging bitter orange and lavender essential oils.

The oil feels light going on, but it still hydrates really well and provides enough moisture for my normal-to-dry skin.  It leaves my skin with a healthy glow, and while I don't get a lot of breakouts to begin with, I have noticed my skin being extra clear while using this oil, and my pores do look a little smaller/tighter.  The scent is a little heavy on what I think is the bitter orange, but the oil absorbs quickly and the scent doesn't linger much beyond that point.

Ingredients: Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut) Seed Oil, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil and/or Palm Kernel Oil), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Rectita Matricaria Flower Extract (Chamomile), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium (Bitter Orange) Oil

V60 Neck & Decollete Balm
It's often said that the neck and chest are one of the first areas that show visible signs of aging, but, nonetheless, it's an area that's often neglected in our daily routines.  I've certainly never used a product specifically for that region before, although there is something very luxurious about having one.

The V60 Balm is rich and creamy, but still very emollient.  A small amount is all you need, and as long as you don't overdo it, the balm absorbs well and isn't overly greasy.  There is some ingredient overlap with the facial oil, with hazelnut and meadowfoam oils as front runners again, this time alongside other anti-aging stars like sea buckthorn and carrot seed oils.  

I've yet to see any real signs of aging on my neck or decollete, but I am prone to redness/patchiness on my chest and occasionally get breakouts in the same area.  After a single application, I was happily surprised to wake up to clear, even skin without even a hint of redness or bumps.  I don't use the balm every day, but I enjoy it as more of a treatment two or three times a week.

I was advised that this also works well as an eye balm, and I think it would even work as an overall face balm in the colder months.



Ingredients: Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut) Seed oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil and/or Palm Kernel Oil), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract (Carrot) Root Oil, Chamomilla Rectita Matricaria Flower Extract (Chamomile), Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract (Sea Buckthorn Berry), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Pelargoneum Graveolens (Geranium) Oil, Citrus Aurantium (Bitter Orange) Oil  

The Bottom Line
I've gotten great results from both the Facial Oil and the Neck and Decollete balm, and the facial oil, in particular, has become a real favorite.  With two out of two hits, Vice1960 is definitely a line I'll be keeping my eye on in the future!  


Disclosure: Products provided for  review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review in return for free product, nor was I compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

Picture by Good for Me, Good for You

There's something so nice about supporting local companies, so when I saw Hephzibah of Good for Me, Good for You and Karen of In My Humble Opinion's #InMyBackyard posts, I knew I had to join in.  The idea is to feature companies that are local to you or "in your backyard".  

Happily, Toronto's green beauty scene has been growing by leaps and bounds recently and new lines seem to be popping up all over the place.  Obviously I can't mention them all, so I've narrowed it down to six of my favorites.
Nürish Organics

Photo credit

Nürish's line was designed to provide effective skincare that enhances the body's own healing mechanisms.  Ingredients are, of course, natural and also mainly organic.  As of now, I've used four of Nürish's eight products and I can tell you they really work.  I first fell hard for Best Scrub Ever (which really is one of the best scrubs I've ever used) and Daily Glow was unbeatable through the polar vortex weather this winter (plus, check out the packed ingredients list on this baby! )

Skin Essence Organics

Photo credit

Skin Essence's product line is a little more basic, but still very effective.  The standouts for me are definitely the serums - great blends, and again, the ingredients are predominantly organic.  In particular, I think I'll always have a soft spot for Nourish - which I fully credit with turning me into a face oil lover - and Facial in a Jar is one of those great, versatile products that works as both a mask and scrub.

Pretty

Photo credit

My skin always responds best to simpler products, which is why I love Pretty's philosophy that "less is more" when it comes to skincare.  You won't find any mile-long ingredients lists here, but not to worry, Pretty's products still include plenty of powerful ingredients.  The Pure Radiance Day Cream continues to impress me - it's works beautifully as both a moisturizer and makeup primer - and if you're curious about powder cleansers, the Black Tea and Raw Cocoa Facial Cleansing Grains are also worth a look.

Graydon: Clinical Luxury by Nature

Photo credit

Graydon focuses on creating pure, plant-based products that are just as effective and luxurious as those from a mainstream luxury brand.  The company also makes a point of sourcing organic, Canadian ingredients whenever possible.  So far, I've only tried the Face Food Mineral Mist, but The Cleanser and The Putty are firmly on my wishlist and are sure to make their way home with me one of these days.

Ella's Botanicals

Photo credit

Moving into body care, Ella's has a great lineup of soaps, balms, and lotions.  I've enjoyed a lot of the line, though my tops picks would be the super gentle Skin Soother Bar and deliciously-scented Lemon Meringue Lotion.  There are also rumblings that a face line is in the works.

Pure + Simple

Photo credit

Pure + Simple has their own extensive line of skincare, haircare, body care, and makeup and also has three spa locations to accommodate all your green beauty treatment needs.  I'm a fan of the Eye Brightening Cream (I did end up buying the full size after my review) and the multi-use Face Colors, which, depending on color, work equally well as blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow.

I'd love to know what companies are local to you.  If you do (or have already done) an #InMyBackyard post, feel free to link it in the comments below!

Red Apple Lipstick has been making the rounds in the green beauty community recently and I figured I might as well jump on board too!  The company's focus is - not suprisingly - lipstick, but they also make lipgloss, liners, and eye shadow.  Everything is paraben free, gluten free and vegan.  I reached out to the company and they very kindly sent me Crush On Me lipstick and the Rockin' Cafe eye shadow palette to try.  



Crush on Me Lipstick
Red Apple has several different lipstick lines, each with a slightly different formula and ingredients.  On the whole, all the lines are non-toxic and have basically clean ingredients, but some do contain more controversial ingredients like synthetic beeswax (often petroleum-based) and/or retinyl palmitate (linked to cancer.)  The color I chose, Crush on Me, is from the Originals Series and contains neither.   

Crush on me is a great, cool-toned pink.  It's got a hint of lilac to it and some silver/white shimmer.  In the swatch, below, it looks like a bright pink, but on the lips, it goes on as a paler shade.  I prefer to do a once over, sheer wash of color with this lipstick, as building it up can make the sparkle feel a little gritty on the lips and it can start to look frosty.  

I've seen a few complaints about the lipsticks settling into lip lines, but I really haven't had any problems.   It wears well, lasts several hours, and fades pretty evenly.  My only complaint - and if you're a frequent reader, you'll probably see this coming - is the scent.  The Originals Series lipsticks contain tangerine oil and essence of vanilla, and Crush on Me has a sweet, brown sugar smell.  To me, it's a bit sickly, but the scent doesn't last too long on the lips so it's not completely unmanageable.  From what I can tell, the rest of the lipstick lines are unscented.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Cera Alba, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate from an all natural non gluten source, Prunis Dulcis (Almond), Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Essence of Vanilla, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, Mica, Iron Oxide.

Rockin' Cafe Palette
The company's name may include lipstick, but for me, this eye shadow palette is the true standout.  Eyeshadows are pressed and sold either individually or in palettes.  The pans are pretty standard - 26mm - so they'll fit into MAC or other palettes.  Red Apple also sells two-pan palettes and branded magnetic Z-Palettes to hold them.

The Rockin' Cafe Palette includes four shadows and the Z-Palette, which can hold up to nine shadows.  I love neutral eyeshadows, so picking this palette was a no-brainer.  It's a well-balanced selection, with two mattes - Porcelain and Brownie Points - and two satin/shimmer shades - Champagne and Twinkle Taupe.  

How cute is this Z-Palette?  Yes, those are little apples all over it!

Porcelain - is a matte shade, very close to my skin color.  It's great for evening out any pigmentation on the eyelid and also works well as a subtle brow highlight.

Champagne - is a beautiful, shimmery taupe.  At first glance, it seems very warm-toned, but there are definitely some cooler, silver tones in there as well.   Probably my favorite of the four, I love using this all over the lid.

Twinkle Taupe - is a pretty coppery/bronze shade with a subtle sheen.  Less taupey than I was expecting from the name, but still a great color.  

Brownie Points - is a matte medium brown.  It works really well blended out in the crease, or you can intensity it for liner.  It's one of those super versatile shades that I find myself reaching for all the time.  If you don't already have a color like this in your collection, you really need to think about adding one!  

All four colors apply smoothly, blend easily and have good pigmentation.  They also kick up less powder/dust than other silicone-free pressed shadows I've used.  They can be applied both wet and dry, depending on the look you're going for.



I did have a bit of a learning curve getting these shadows to last on the eye, but once sorted, they work beautifully.  I'm not sure why, but with my usual Faerie Organics primer, they were a hot mess.  No creasing, but they did pretty well disappear off my lids within two to three hours.  When I use The All Natural Face's Magic Primer, they fare much better.  This primer has never worked perfectly for me, but it does keep the shadows on all day with only minimal creasing.

Ingredients: Mica, Zinc Oxide, Silica, Ascorbyl Palmitate.  May contain: iron oxides, titanium dioxide, chromium, ultramarines 

The Bottom Line 
I've been happy with everything I tried from Red Apple Lipstick.  The price point is on the higher end ($23.50 for lipstick, $18.75 for eye shadow), but, factoring in ingredients and quality, I don't think it's unreasonable.  The products perform well, and Red Apple also offers discounts when you buy three or more of either item.    There are definitely a few more eye shadows and (unscented!) lipsticks that have made their way onto my wishlist.

Have you tried Red Apple Lipstick?



Disclosure: Products provided for  review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review in return for free product, nor was I compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.  Contains affiliate links.  

Way back when I first started wearing makeup, I always used liquidy, water-based makeup removers, but as I became more concerned about ingredients, I made the switch to oils.  Sadly, sometime in the last two or three months, my eyes started rejecting any oils used in this capacity.  I was waking up every morning to puffy eyes that were sore to the touch and I finally traced it back to this step in my routine.  Since it didn't seem to matter what oil I used - believe me, I tried several - I knew a change was in order.

For the short term, I double cleansed with my beloved Kahina Facial Cleanser - which does a great job getting everything off without any stinging - but for fear of burning through my not inexpensive bottle, I decided to pick up Blûm Naturals' Daily Eye Makeup Remover in my latest iherb order.  I've used Blûm's wipes before and while they work in a pinch, they're never quite wet enough and always involve more scrubbing than I'd like.  I hoped being able to control the amount of liquid would solve this problem, while also eliminating the excess waste of wipes...and happily, it does.

Blum's remover is essentially a gentle blend of water, aloe, and decyl glucoside - a mild, sugar-based surfactant.  It doesn't compare to the way oil just melts away makeup (can anything compare to that?!), but it still removes my eye makeup without a struggle.  I get the best results from really saturating two cotton balls with the remover and resting them over my eyes for a minute or two before gently wiping everything away.  The remover doesn't sting and it doesn't leave my eyes feeling at all dry or irritated either.  It's also fantastic for cleaning up any mid-application mistakes.  A little of this on a Q-tip fixes any smears or smudges and, unlike an oil, it doesn't leave behind any film or residue, so it's no problem to continue applying makeup on top of.

It wouldn't be one of my reviews if I didn't add a scent breakdown somewhere, so here goes.  The ingredients list chamomile extract, cucumber extract, vanilla oil, lavender oil, and patchouli oil, and somehow they all combine together into a sweet scent that's very reminiscent of baby powder.  It's not terrible, but nothing to write home about either.

The Bottom Line
I think there's a part of me that will always prefer oils and creamy cleansers for makeup removal, but if you're looking for a good water-based remover, Blum's is a great one to check out. It's gentle, inexpensive, and it does a good job removing eye makeup - even toughies like mascara and eyeliner (although keep in mind that none of mine are waterproof, so I can't speak to how it would work on those.)  Regardless of whether I find something I like better for everyday, I can definitely see keeping this in my kit for any mid-application cleanups, as it really does excel in that regard.  

What's your favorite kind of makeup remover?

Ingredients: Aqua (water), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, decyl glucoside, chamomile extract, cucumber extract, vanilla oil, lavender oil, patchouli oil, gluconolactone, sodium benzoate, glycerin.  

Another month gone by, can you believe it?  Time to talk about the products I finished up in April.  (And if I may, please draw your attention to the multiple makeup items that made it here this month. #proud)
  

Possibly the most haphazard, messy empties photo ever (Note to self: Don't take photos when rushing out the door and toss empties before checking how said photos came out)

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Wash
Weleda's Sea Buckthorn scent is a favorite of mine and the body washes are great.  They're creamy, hydrating and pretty much perfect for the colder months, if not all year.
Repurchase? Yes, but not immediately.

Acure Unscented Cocoa Butter + CoQ10 Lotion   [Review]
I've talked about this lotion many times before, so I'm sure I don't need to clarify that I'm a fan.  In fact, I even recently featured it as one of my two holy grail picks in SugarPuffish's Natural Blogger HG series.  
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Frangipani Shea Butter Softening Lotion*   [Review]
This is intended as a super moisturizing face product, but I actually used most of mine on my body.  It's a whipped shea butter made with jojoba oil and neroli, geranium, and lavender essential oils.  It melted into the skin easily and, as the name suggest, was very softening on any dry patches.
Repurchase? Maybe. I have a few other shea butters to use up first.

Earthpaste Wintergreen Toothpaste   [Review]
Another repeat buy.  I like Earthpaste, but after about a year and a half of using it, I'm a little curious to explore what else is out there.  Sadly, on first glance at least, the availability of glycerin-free toothpaste doesn't seem to have improved much since the last time I looked - it's still pretty slim pickings out there.    
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Young Living Deep Relief Roll-On
This is a blend of peppermint, wintergreen, lemon, balsam fir, copaiba, clove, helichrysum, vetiver, and palo santo that's really great for any injuries, muscle soreness, or tension.  It feels very cooling and tingly on and helped a lot when I had shin splints a few years ago.  I like to keep it on hand for any aches and pains that crop up.  
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.


Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Foundation in Geisha   [Review]
I think this is my third pan of this foundation and you can see, I used every last speck.  It's one of the quickest foundations to apply - which I appreciate since I always seem to be doing my makeup in a hurry - and Geisha matches my skin really well.  I have the compact (which sells separately) as well, but I actually prefer keeping it in the plastic case that the refill comes in.  The compact somehow always manages to leak bits of powder everywhere.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.  [In related news, darker-skinned ladies will soon be able to enjoy this foundation as well - I hear Honeybee Gardens is getting ready to expand the color range with some new, deeper shades.]

Lucy Minerals Lucy Light Foundation in Light   [Review]
If you're looking for a mineral foundation with very good, buildable, medium-to-full coverage, I don't think you can do better than Lucy Minerals.  I've not found another mineral foundation that even comes close.  I've had my jar for over two years (!) and I'm not sure if it changed color towards the end, or if I've gotten even paler, but I didn't feel like the bottom of the pot matched me as well as it did when I first bought it.  
Repurchase? Probably.  I think I'd have to go through color-matching with samples all over again though. 

DIY Finishing Powder
This was a homemade finishing powder I mixed up last summer after reading a series of rave reviews of RMS Beauty's "Un" Powder.  Despite the accolades, I have a difficult time believing that single ingredient products like "Un" Powder (or Make Up For Ever's HD Powder) can be all that different from the silica microspheres that you can buy from TKB Trading for under $2.  Here, I mixed some of Lucy Minerals' Lucy Light Finishing Powder with silica, in the hopes of making it a little better for oil control.  It worked well in that regard, but overall, I think I like Lucy Minerals' unaltered finishing powder a little more.
Make again? Probably not.

Une Skin Glow Pencil in G02   [Review]
I love this pencil for covering dark circles.  It's peachy and brightening and works very well under a light dusting of Silk Naturals' Sleep in a Jar.  I just wish they'd make a bigger, jumbo-sized pencil, since the combo of the two is on my face pretty much every day that I wear makeup.  
Repurchase? Yup.  In fact, I already had a backup waiting!

Shiro Cosmetics Meowth Eye Shadow (sample)   [Review]
Meowth is a great shimmery cream that was perfect for highlighting the inner corner.  The name has been changed to Whiteout since I bought mine, but, as far as I know, the color remains the same.
Repurchase? I wouldn't place an order just for this item, but I'd definitely throw in it the next time I buy anything from Shiro.

Cheeky Cosmetics Fairy Tale Eye Shadow (sample)   [Review]
Cheeky Cosmetics' eye shadows are great and Fairy Tale is a pretty, pinkish highlight color that I also liked using on the inner corner.  
Repurchase? Not sure.

And that's it for April!  Have you tried any of these?  What products did you use up this month?