April Empties

Friday, May 8, 2015 - Posted by Unknown at 10:59 PM

Here are the things I used up in April! I'm trying to declutter my samples a bit so I am attempting to use some up. I accumulated a ton recently so I'm trying to actually use them instead of letting them sit around. I traveled to Missouri to see my family in April for my birthday so I packed a few samples in order to travel light. Here's what I've managed to use up:

Method Orla Kiely Tomato Vine Hand Wash 12 oz. - Method hand soaps are one of the few products I buy that contain SLS. I probably shouldn't, but they smell really good. Tomato Vine is very earthy and honestly does smell reminiscent of a tomato vine. I don't know that I would rush out to buy this again but it faired nicely in our kitchen.

Shamanuti Seaweed Toner 1 oz. - This came from a Yuzen box, which I got a few times last year and would like to get again at some point. This is an aloe juice based toner with a clean, botanical scent. I found it to be the tiniest bit drying and it didn't stand out for me, so I don't think I would buy this.

Real Purity Roll-On Deodorant 3 oz. - Holy grail desert island deodorant!  I used this up right before I went to Missouri and was sad I had to switch to something else. Luckily I got there and my sister Joelle gave me a birthday Real Purity Deodorant! She knows me well!

Real Purity All Natural & Organic Toothpaste Wild Mint 6 oz. - This is the first time I've tried a full size toothpaste from Real Purity. Overall I think this performed quite well and tasted ok, but it definitely does taste different from other natural brands of toothpaste. The ingredients list is pretty interesting - goat's milk is involved! It is pretty expensive to me at $9 a tube but I got this one on sale for $6. Awhile back David asked me to put my Real Purity Eye Makeup Remover somewhere else because it looked too much like a toothpaste, so I have to wonder why Real Purity puts their toothpaste in such an un-toothpaste-like container. The container is a little cumbersome and I definitely did not travel with it. I can't say I won't buy this again because I might, but I don't feel like it is essential to my life the way a lot of Real Purity products are.

Seventh Generation Lavender Soothing Facial Cleansing Cloths 30 ct. - I got these off of Amazon awhile back. I like them, but not as much as I like the Mandarin ones, which so far have been my favorite makeup wipes to date. I would definitively get these again but I usually wait for sales on makeup wipes since I go through them so fast. I think these were around $5 on Amazon when I bought them.

Zoya Armor Topcoat/UV Block .5 oz. - It's pretty difficult to use up a nail polish, but it's easy to use up your favorite top coat! Zoya Armor is holy grail for me. I have gone through more than I can count and will continue to repurchase.

Alba Coconut Cream Lip Balm .15 oz. - This is a really tasty coconut lip balm. It is unsuprisingly coconut oil based. It smells amazing and tastes sweet. It keeps my lips moisturized nicely. It will turn grainy in cold weather and can separate a bit. The main problem I have with this balm is the packaging twists at the top, which makes it difficult to open. I got a deal on this at one of the drugstores, CVS I think, and I would probably buy it again the next time it's on sale. Looking at the current picture it looks like the packaging may have been changed so I will definitely get this again! Not that I'm short on lip balm or anything.

Samples:

Lovely Lady Products Skin Toner - This is a witch hazel based toner so I doubt I would ever buy it as I sometimes make my own witch hazel toner. This is a sample I picked up at Lucky's Market in Missouri and it ended up making it's way back with me as it was the perfect size for travel. I'm definitely saving this bottle for future trips!

Acure Argan Oil Castile Soap Peppermint 5 ml - Minty soaps are generally a bit too invigorating for me. This one seemed like it wouldn't be that way and first and then... yowza. Too much invigorating! Would be interested in trying this is just about any other scent. \

Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream 5 ml - Mmmmmm. This was very nice. This was the first face cream I used in awhile after using oils for several months. I thought the transition would be difficult but I really like this. Unfortunately I don't love the price point. Remember the days when Clinique seemed like an expensive skincare brand? Yeah, me too. I could definitely see myself trying this again in the future.

Real Purity Velvet Glove - I think I actually received this sample in an order I bought Velvet Glove in. It was still pretty nice to receive because I can't get enough of this stuff. Current holy grail hand cream. Unfortunately I can't buy this stuff for David because he went through a tube in like, two weeks.

Giovanni Refreshing Facial Cleansing Towelettes - I haven't tried Giovanni makeup wipes before but after this they are definitely on my radar.

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion, Weleda Iris Hydrating Facial Lotion - I liked both of these quite a bit. They felt very nice on, gave me moisturization without overhydration, and didn't irritate my skin. Would definitely look for these in the future. They both smelled good but the rose was much more noticeable. The Rose is marketed as anti-aging so the price point is higher but they are both relatively affordable.

Silk Naturals Lady Sheer Blush - The first time I put this blush on I was surprised by how good it looked because it seems like such an intense color. The I read the word "sheer" and was humbled. Then I went to put it on another day, not realizing my brush was slightly wet, and I looked like a clown. When all is said and done it is not a blush I need for my red face. Pictures are here. 


EO Everyone Hair Volume Shampoo - This is that shampoo you get if you are a no-nonsense girl or boy who wants to use clean products at reasonable prices. It would probably work quite nicely for most people but was way too drying for my finicky scalp. 

EO Everyone Face Cleanse - Again, I really wanted to like this, and I was super glad I had the packet for travel. I made this one packet of face wash last a week in Missouri! Unfortunately at the end of that week I felt like my face was pretty dry, so I don't see me buying this product in the future.

Currently reading: A whole bunch of children's book as I am reviewing them for a state committee that evaluates children's books! My favorite so far is A Hitch at the Fairmont by Jim Averbeck.  

Currently watching: Days of Our Lives. Always. It never gets old, except for when it does, but I still love it! 

Currently super excited about: Seeing the Pixies on Monday in Charleston!!! Early anniversary gift from my awesome husband!