Empties Post Volume VIII: March 2013

This month I endeavored to use up as many sample packets and lip products as possible. I sought to be pragmatic because I had been down with a nasty cold and wanted to avoid infecting full-sized products. 

Full-Size Products: *Remedy with Phytoplex Hydrating Cleansing Gel (reviewed here). MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (reviewed here), and *FutureDerm Time Release Retinol 0.50 (reviewed here).

I really loved using the Remedy Hydrating Cleansing Gel for shaving because it left my skin indescribably smooth and soft. I really liked the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, and am pleased that it is finally part of their permanent collection, but I probably won't repurchase it since I have other physical exfoliants that I prefer to this one.  FutureDerm Time Release Retinol 0.50 is a highly effective  and gentle retinol-based product. I liked it so much that I opened up the pump bottle and scraped out every last bit. Once I finish using my other retinols- I will definitely purchase another bottle of this great product.

Lip Products: EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm (reviewed here), *Reviva Labs Vitamin E Oil Stick (reviewed here), Eve Lom Kiss Mix (reviewed here), Bonne Bell Lip Smacker (Watermelon, Vanilla, and Strawberry reviewed here), *Remedy Phytoplex Lip Balm (reviewed here), and Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine (reviewed here).

I made it my goal to finish up all of my nearly completely used up lip balms, and it was fairly easy to do for two reasons: 1) each of them had very little left, and 2) I had been sick with that awful cold, and for the most part was unwilling to infect newer lip balms. My disastrously chapped lips were cracked and on the verge of bleeding at the height of my cold, therefore requiring constant reapplication. I felt so satisfied when I realized that I had actually finished up an unprecedented 8 lip balms, but to be fair the contents of these 8 lip balms amounted to no more than 2 full-sized products, and they were used over the period of about 3 weeks. I did scrape out the last bits in order to recycle the packaging- so I really did use every last bit.

Samples Galore: I have continued to work my way through my samples, and I really managed to use up quite a few. I relied upon samples for my cleansers, makeup removers, lotions, serums, masks, cotton pads, scrubs, sunscreen, eye creams, and anything else that I could find to use during that time. The Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder, Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths, and The Organic Pharmacy serums all rank amongst my favorites- and I have full sizes of each that I covet!

Makeup: MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer. I have had this concealer for so long that if I hadn't finished it I would have tossed it. I liked it a good deal, but was ready to move on to the next thing once I made my way to the bottom of the tube. 

*Denotes Press Samples.

What did you use up, toss out, give away, or return this month?

Perhaps the best anthem for Empties!

Current Lip Balm Favorites: Rodin, Korres & More, Oh My!

I realize that what I am about to say will fall on deaf ears because many of you live in regions where there are actual seasons, unlike those of us who live in Southern California where it is comparatively season-less. So laugh at me if you must, but it's starting to get colder in Los Angeles. There, I said it. When it gets colder my lips really do take a beating- so I tend to generously apply lip balm to keep my lips in shape- rather than letting them look and feel like the Sahara. Lately I seem to be carrying an inordinate amount of lip products in my makeup bag, of which there are currently five lip balms.

Here's my justification for carrying this many lip treatment products:

1) Maybelline Baby Lips Pink Punch Lip Balm (25): It is very inexpensive, it makes your lips a very pretty pink, it's moisturizing, and it tastes good (though the taste and smell quickly fade).

2) Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine: I'm not entirely sure why I still haven't reviewed this yet, but it is definitely one of my favorite lip balms of all time. It feels buttery smooth, emollient, moisturizing, and comfortable on the lips. It also has the wonderful distinction of giving your lips a lovely light pink pout.

3) Bonne Bell Lip Smacker in Strawberry (reviewed here): Okay, this one is definitely nostalgic since I used it back in high school. However, it really does moisturize the lips, and tastes good too! It also give just enough shine to be detectable and pretty.

4) Reviva Labs Vitamin E Stick: This is an amazing product that nourishes and protects the delicate area around the eyes as well as the lips. It also contains an SPF 15- therefore it offers awesome protection all by itself, or on top of your other lip products.

5) Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm (reviewed here): Hands down the most amazing and moisturizing lip balm that I have used to date! I carry it with me everywhere that I go, and will unquestionably repurchase it. It is definitely my Holy Grail lip balm! I have tried to think of the downside, but there isn't one!

Bonne Bell Lip Smacker in Strawberry- A Blast from the Past!!

The other day when I was in CVS I had a flash back to high school and wearing Bonne Bell Lip Smackers. Strawberry was always my absolute favorite flavor back then-- so I decided to see if they had any in stock, and they did!! So how could I resist. I had hoped that they would have the giant tubes from back in the day, but they only had the small ones. I used to carry these in my backpack and in my pocket, and I never went anywhere without at least a few flavors on me.

So as soon as I got in the car I ripped open the package and put on the Strawberry Lip Smacker- part of me felt a little juvenile, but who cares!!!!!! Let me just say that I had an immediate visceral reaction to the oh so familiar taste and smell! It was so unbelievably nostalgic, and a flood of memories came pouring back to me in the most pleasant way.

I was pretty much immediately smitten with the formula as well! I was very surprised by how moisturizing the formula is, and how comfortable it is to wear! It has the perfect amount of slip- feels silky smooth on, and gives just enough sheen to look more like a gloss than a balm. What started out as a simple blast from the past is now back on my radar, back in my purse, and back in my heart!

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Cetyl Acetate, Euphoria Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Flavor/Aroma, Polybutene, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Ozokerite, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Mineral (Paraffinum Liquidum) Oil, Hydrogenated Soy Glycerides, Paraffin, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Stearic Acid, Sodium Saccharin, (Except Strawberry, Bubblegum, Wild Raspberry) Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid May Contain Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Carmine (CI 75470), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200).

Overall assessment: LOVE! I have to get my hands on the Watermelon Lip Smacker next!

$2.29 at CVS