It's interesting to notice how much empties posts vary by season. Temperatures dropped quite a bit in November here, so it's pretty fitting that this month's empties are heavy on really moisturizing products. Here's what I finished up this month:
This is a great body wash. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and hydrated and the Sweet Orange Vanilla scent is lovely. I wouldn't go out of my way to use it as a shampoo, but it'll do the trick in a pinch.
With a simple base of apricot kernel and jojoba oils, this was the lighter of the two Frangipani serums I tried. I liked it, but I have a lot of face oils hanging around and it's not one I found myself reaching for very often, so in the interest of both clearing some space and not having products expire on me, I ended up using it up as a body oil.
Repurchase? No.
I was initially a bit put off by the length the ingredients list on the back of this product, but there really isn't anything specifically worrisome there. If you're used to more traditional foaming shaving creams, the lotiony consistency of the Moisture Shave might take some getting used to, but I really like it. It nicely cushions the skin and allows your razor to glide easily. You also can't beat the price - I paid roughly $6 on iherb for a generous 11 oz. bottle that lasted me months.
Repurchase? Yes! I think I want to try the Pomegranate Grapefruit scent next though.
Moor Spa Facial Mask* (Review)
I enjoyed using this mask when I was short on time or when my skin was acting more sensitive. It's gentler than a lot of other clay-based masks, so I think it would be especially suitable for drier and more sensitive skin. It was also refreshing to have a mask all ready to go in a tube, versus the rest of my masks that are in powder form.
Repurchase? Maybe.
This is a nice lotion with a thinner consistency that rubs in very easily, but it still manages to hydrate well. The White Mallow products have no added fragrance, but the body lotion has a light, natural coconut scent from the coconut oil in it.
I mentioned in my review that I didn't find this spray hydrating enough to be considered a moisturizer - as the company markets it - and now that I've used it up completely, I have a better idea why that was. The first 95% of the bottle was a light, watery spray, but once I got down to the bottom, I found all the rich oils. I've used other products that required shaking before each use to emulsify them, but I guess shaking didn't do the trick with this one. I really liked the watery, toner-like part, but I wasn't as impressed with the oils.
Repurchase? If I knew some way to better incorporate the oil component, yes. Otherwise, I'm not sure.
When I first tried this lotion over the summer, I found it very hydrating - even a little heavy - but when I came back to it in the colder months, it didn't quite do the trick. Rubbing it on more recently, it felt pretty watery and seemed like it disappeared into my skin without giving much moisture.
Repurchase? I don't think so.
KYI's products are a great example of simplicity at its best. The Unscented Shea Butter Mask has only two ingredients: shea butter and jojoba oil. It's not significantly different from any other whipped shea butter, but it worked well as a regular moisturizer, a moisturizing face mask - as the name suggests - and also on any dry spots (elbows, feet, etc.)
Repurchase? Maybe.
EvanHealy Green Tea Clay (sample)
EvanHealy's French Rose Clay is a favorite of mine, so I was curious to see how the Green Tea Clay would compare. It has the same lovely, finely milled consistency as the Rose Clay, but I didn't feel like it was anything special beyond that.
Repurchase? No.
I think the best part of this product is the smell. It's like icing: a sweet and buttery vanilla scent. It's also whipped - for 4-6 continuous hours, according to the EvanHealy website - to a beautiful fluffy consistency that really elevates it to a luxurious level above any other shea product I've used. Much like the KYI mask, it's something you can use as a daily moisturizer or as a more intensive mask treatment, although I ended up using most of the sample on my body.
Repurchase? Probably not. It's a pricey product to use as a body moisturizer.
RoseMira Organics Sweet Coconut Body Butter (sample)
I received this in a Petit Vour box a few months back, and while I enjoyed using it, it didn't blow me away. It smelled good, but it felt very similar to moisturizing with plain coconut oil.
Repurchase? No.
I received this in a Petit Vour box a few months back, and while I enjoyed using it, it didn't blow me away. It smelled good, but it felt very similar to moisturizing with plain coconut oil.
Repurchase? No.
Skincando Combat-Ready Balm (sample)
Skincando's Balm is a multi-tasking skin salve that's recommended for everything from severe dryness and eczema to minor abrasions, razor burn, chafing, scars, jock itch, bug bites, and sun and wind burn. I used the sample on my hands, which started to suffer when the temperatures dropped, and while it worked fine, I have other balms that I like more.
Repurchase? I don't think so.
Silk Naturals Stellar Blush (sample)
As a whole, I like Silk Naturals blushes, but this wasn't my favorite shade. Stellar is a pretty, shimmery pale pink, and while I like the color, I have some larger pores on parts of my cheeks, and Stellar's large amount of shimmer just made them more noticeable.
Repurchase? No.
I'm not a big fan of Green Beaver's shampoos and conditioners, so I ended up using this sample in place of shaving cream. It worked okay, but I wouldn't buy it strictly for that purpose.
Repurchase? No.
Ella's Botanicals Skin Soother & Go Nuts Bar Soap (samples)
I know I've written about Ella's soaps a few times before. I like the feel of both of these, but I'm not crazy about the canola oil in the Go Nuts bar. The Skin Soother has an olive oil base instead, so I would (and have) bought the full size bar.
Repurchase? Skin Soother, yes. Go Nuts, probably not.
Have you tried any of these? What products have you used up recently?
Have you tried any of these? What products have you used up recently?
*Press sample
Contains affiliate links.
Interesting products. I have been interested in trying out the Raw Gaia MSM line, especially the beauty spray and cream.
ReplyDeleteI think this was my first time using topical MSM, but my skin was really happy with the Beauty Spray, so I may end up purchasing a larger bottle even with the separation. I'm curious to try the cream as well :)
DeleteI have been considering the moisture shave only because it's cheap and you get a ton of product! I was concerned about the ingredient list, too, though. I may just have to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long ingredient list, but at least 2/3 of it is just different plant/flower extracts and herbs, and I don't think there's anything especially troubling in the rest either. It's definitely worth a try - it ends up being quite the bargain :)
DeleteMy husband loves the Combat Balm, he uses it everywhere! Hmm, I'm still using the Raw Gaia hemp toner, and I shade like CRAZY every time. I wish they had it in a less opaque bottle so you can see if the oil is settling at the bottom?
ReplyDeleteA less opaque bottle would definitely help. I thought I was shaking mine plenty too....but I guess not enough? Hopefully yours will fare better :)
DeleteI want to try the Honest Company. What's shipping like abd have you encountered any additional fees (like customs)?
ReplyDeleteI just received my first order from them today actually. I think I paid around $8 shipping and it came by UPS. They also charge an extra percentage of your products as an international surcharge/Canadian tax, so there's no reason you should get hit with any extra fees at the door. They do a lot of coupons/sales, so if you wait for those, it balances out the shipping/surcharge :)
DeletePerfect, thank you!
DeleteGreat post! I haven't tried anything for the Honest Company but have heard good things!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really like their products :)
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