Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Empties Post Volume VI: January 2013

This month my Empties post is rather unremarkable compared to those from the last few months.  I was testing new full sized products thereby using brand new bottles and jars that weren't going to be emptied so quickly.

Skincare Products & Fragrances: I finally got through the last bit of my Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion (reviewed here), Kai Perfume Oil samples (reviewed here), and Nuance Cucumber & Rosewater Dual Phase Makeup Remover (reviewed here). The Laszlo toner is a really good one for combination and oily skin types provided that you can tolerate alcohol in a toner. I usually dilute it with water, and like the way it makes my skin look and feel. I really liked the Nuance eye makeup remover because it is very gently and removes even tough waterproof formulas, and it's nice that it is a well priced drugstore brand. Needless to say, I remain resolute in my love of all things Kai-- so I will not wax poetic about their perfume oil since you already know how much I love it!
Body Products: Gourmet Body Pastries Lemon Pound Cake Whipped Shea Butter Cream (reviewed here), Eco-Armour Shave with Benefits Luxurious Botanical Shaving Foam in Bergamot & Pink Grapefruit (reviewed here), Trader Joe's Honey Mango Shave Cream, Trader Joe's Refresh Citrus Body Wash, and Sephora/Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shower and Bath Gel.

The Gourmet Body Pastries Lemon Pound Cake Whipped Shea Butter smelled so delicious that I was nearly tempted to taste it. The whipped formula makes it so light and fluffy that once it meets the warmth of your hand it melts and begins sinking into the skin. It's just scrumptiously good. Eco-Armour Shave with Benefits Luxurious Botanical Shaving Foam is really one of the best shaving products that I have ever used. Their products moisturize the skin leaving it hydrated and supple-- I really love their products (and so does my husband). Trader Joe's is always a good economical choice, and I really love so many of their products. Their Honey Mango Shave Cream and their Citrus Body Wash can almost always be found in my shower. I finally made my way through the Sephora/Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shower and Bath Gel,  and it was so yummy, creamy and moisturizing that I might have to buy a full sized bottle! It makes for one soothing and relaxing bubble bath at the end of a stressful day at work!
Hair Products: Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Shampoo, which was discussed here in my August Favorites post, is a really lovely moisturizing shampoo. I can't believe that I finally finished it! I used the conditioner at a far more rapid rate than the shampoo because of my long curly hair, and after finishing both I can say that I would definitely consider repurchasing them again. The Simply Smooth xtend Keratin Replenishing Magic Potion was a nice leave-in product that really helped eradicate frizz- which is always a must for naturally curly hair. I worked my way through my last sample of the Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel, and liked it so much that I am just about to crack open my full-sized bottle! 

What did you finish, toss, or return this month? Any absolute repurchases?

14 comments:

  1. Just wanted to say that I love Kai as well - I can't get over how many compliments I get on it! People stop me everywhere to ask what I am wearing.
    Just a note to another Kai fan : ).
    Danni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Danni! Yay- someone else in the I love Kai club!!!!!! Isn't it the best?! Thanks for stopping by! :-)

      Delete
  2. Empties are probably my favorite posts to read... and write! You did great this month, and I am pretty proud of me too - my post should go live next week. I've been meaning to try something from Alba forever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gaby, Thanks for stopping by! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this post!! Thanks for being proud of me-- I am really trying to use what I buy. It's just so fulfilling knowing that I am not wasting what I buy! Now if I could just make an noticeable dent in my makeup stash! I look forward to seeing your empties post!!!!!!! I really like Alba products a lot, and their products are affordable! :-)

      Delete
  3. I'm so going to try that Alba Botanica shampoo as soon as we've finished up the 'poos in our closet. I've got 4-1/4 to go and the Boy's got about 4. I'll still have to check Alba's ingredients but I have a feeling it will be safe for him to use.

    I wish I could try more Alba Botanicals products, but the stores near me don't stock much of it. I think I'm sensitive/allergic to chemical sunscreens and I'd very much like to try the Alba Botanicals Very Emollient Sunscreen Mineral Protection SPF 30 (Fragrance-Free/Kids). I hope I can find a local purveyor. (By the way, I may take you up on your offer to research products suitable for the Boy.)

    January has also been a slow month of empties for me. I don't have a swath of samples to rely on anymore. However, I'm proud to report I finished 8 full sized products + a few samples and minis. Woo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like their shampoo a lot- I also really love their lotions! It's a really nice brand.

      The shampoo ingredients are: Aqua (Water), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1), Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract (1), Camilla Sinensis Leaf Extract (1), Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract (1), Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract (1), Babassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol (1), Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Fragrance (Parfum)
      (1) Certified Organic Ingredient

      the conditioner ingredients are: Aqua (Water), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (1), Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (1), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1), Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract (1), Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract (1), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (1), Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract (1), Citric Acid, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol (1), Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Fragrance (Parfum)
      (1) Certified Organic Ingredient

      I'd be happy to try and help you research products suitable for the boy :-)

      Hopefully you can find a purveyor who carries a large range of Alba products.

      You did a great job with your empties this month, Boo! I am very impressed! <3

      How is your delightful little baby? Does she have a name yet? :-)

      Delete
  4. Ooohh the alba shampoo seems very interesting! I adore alba products and Im always looking for a good shampoo. Thank you for sharing a terrific post. I love reading your blog sooo so so much.

    This month, I've finished elemis's tri-enzyme facial wash, skinceuticals lha cleansing gel, joelle ciocco foaming cleansing care, fresh soy cleanser (50ml), shiseido's white lucent foaming cleanser, dr. hauchska's cleansing cream and boscia's detoxifying cleanser (travel size). :) We are skincare freaks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Panglu!

      Thank you so much for saying such a lovely thing-- I am so gratified and grateful that you love reading my blog- truly! I really liked the Alba shampoo a great deal! I'm a huge fan of their products and this one (and the conditioner) did not disappoint me!

      You did an excellent job on your empties this month- BRAVO!!!!!!!!!! I am very impressed! We are skincare freaks indeed! :-)

      Delete
  5. Thanks for this post! :)

    please check my blog:
    beauty care

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake shower gel smelled delicious; it was the perfect item for my trip to Vancouver.

    This month I used up my Lush Ponche shower gel, a couple soap samples (Pumpkin and Sugar Pear) from Rocky Mountain Soap Company, a mini Fresh Rose lip treatment, and B&BW Bat Bite/apple pocket bac hand sanitizer. I also finished up three perfume samples: Orlando by Arabesque Aromas, Good Job, Zombie Arm by Dorian and Dahl, and Epomophorus Monstrosus by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Iris,

      It is so delicious! I think that I will have to go buy the full sized bottle!! I agree-- it was perfect for travel!

      You did an excellent job on your empties!! Good for you for getting through one of the Fresh Mini Rose Lip Treatments-- lip products are so hard to get through-- even the small sized ones take such a concerted effort!! Excellent job.

      Delete
  7. good job on your empties!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Joyce!! It felt as though it took forever to get through most of these products! :)

      Delete

I love reading all of your comments and interacting with you- so please do not hesitate to share your thoughts, and to ask questions. Remember that what you have to say is of interest to all of us! Always feel free to email me directly as well. SPAM and advertising links will not be published.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...