February Empties for the Face, Body & Hair

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links)

Though February was a short month, I managed to finish up a serious pile of products. However, I need to preface this by stating that most of these products were nearly used up, and just required the month to finish them. I hadn't used some of these products in quite a while, and was delighted to rediscover them. I generated 15 empties, and 11 of them were full-size, 2 were sample packet and 2 were deluxe samples.

PurelifeBiotics Luxury Shower Steamers in Veil of Tranquility Lavender ($20.00-$22.50 from PurelifeBiotics and Macy's): is a wonderful way to start or end the day with an aromatic lavender shower steamer. The calming aroma of lavender is tempered by the cooling and relaxing menthol, and the result is a relaxing shower that quiets the mind and calms the senses. If you shower before you go to sleep, you will find this calming ritual a perfect way to encourage a very restful sleep. Purchase Again? Oh yes, these are really wonderful!

Spongellé Body Wash Infused Buffers ($12.00-$20.00 each from Spongellé): This particular buffer was limited edition from a while ago, but you really can't go wrong with any of their buffers. These sponges not only effectively remove dead skin cells, but they also leave the skin deliciously baby soft, smooth, supple and moisturized. Body wash infused body buffers are such a treat to use, and they really excel in their ability to clean and exfoliate the skin while delighting the senses with their delightful aromas. You simply dampen the body buffer with water to activate the lather to effortlessly clean and exfoliate the skin. Each sponge is filled with enough body wash for a minimum of 14 washes, and once you have used up all of the body wash, the sponge itself is still quite intact, and therefore all you need to do is use it in conjunction with your favorite liquid or bar soaps. The hanging ribbon allows the buffer to dry out easily, but I recommend hanging it outside of the moist environment of the shower to avoid bacterial growth. Purchase Again? I just opened up a new one!

Cap'N Coconut Pineapple Face & Body Polish ($12.50 for 2 oz., $24.00 for 4 oz. and $40.00 for 8 oz. from Cap'N Coconut and the Cap'N Coconut Etsy Store): is such a beautiful exfoliator, and the delectable pineapple and coconut aroma is such a treat to the senses. This polish gently and effectively exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing soft, supple and smooth skin. Rather than stripping and drying out the skin, this lovely exfoliant leaves skin remarkably moisturized without leaving behind a greasy residue. The sugar gently exfoliates, and the moisturizing oils and honey soothe and hydrate the skin. It can be used on the face, lips and body. It has a wonderful putty-like consistency that doesn't crumble all over the place, making it so easy and satisfying to use. This is a truly lovely exfoliator for the face and body, and this cruelty-free brand is worthy of your consideration. Purchase Again? Perhaps eventually, but for the time being I have other exfoliators to use up first.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil ($39.00-$42.00 & £28 for 3.3 oz. from Amazon, Beauty Expert, Anthropologie and Walmart): is a delectable smelling dry oil that is formulated for use on the face, body and hair. The aroma, which might be described as a warm nutty floral, is so beloved that it inspired NUXE to create an eau de parfum that captured its intoxicating scent.

Huile Prodigieuse is a multipurpose dry oil that nourishes, hydrates, softens and repairs dry skin and hair. It has a lightweight, fast absorbing texture that immediately transforms dry skin into soft, supple, nourished skin with pronounced luminosity. It leaves hair soft, silky smooth and shiny– while it tames frizz. I also find Huile Prodigieuse particularly effective for dry hands, cuticles and feet. NUXE selected particularly nourishing plant and nut oils such as Macadamia, Hazelnut, Borage, Sweet Almond, Camellia and St. John's Wort, because they efficiently nourish, repair and soften skin and hair. Purchase Again? I just opened another bottle!

OUAI Wave Spray ($14.00 for 1.7 oz. and $28.00 for 4.9 oz. from Sephora and Ulta): This is a wonderful non-sticky spray for effortless looking beachy waves. It has a weightless texture, it doesn't flake or make hair crunchy, s I run out.and it is suitable for all types of hair. While I have curly hair, this wonderful spray offers my hair touchable hold and enhances my curls. Purchase Again? I have one more bottle, and will definitely purchase more as soon as I run out.

Leonor Greyl Paris Crème Moelle de Bambou Nourishing Shampoo ($52.00 for 7 oz. from Nordstrom): I don't usually write much about sample packets, but I was so impressed by this shampoo that I had to weigh in. This shampoo is formulated for long and dry hair, and it worked so well on my long and curly hair that I knew that I would buy a bottle, but I am waiting for it to go on sale since it is quite expensive. This shampoo is very nourishing and hydrating, but it neither weighs hair down, nor leaves it feeling greasy. It makes hair soft, smooth, shiny, frizz-free and manageable, and it has a warm and delectable scent. Purchase Again? I am waiting for it to go on sale!

Nécessaire The Body Serum ($45.00 for 5.1 oz. from Nordstrom): I received this sample packet, like the Leonor Greyl, as a GWP from Nordstrom, and I was so impressed by this body serum. It is formulated as a daily hyaluronic acid-based treatment that "hydrates, replenishes and plumps the skin." I was so impressed by the extent to which it hydrated and plumped my skin that I really want a full size bottle. Purchase Again? I am really giving it serious consideration!

Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist ($69.00 for 3.38 oz. from Koh Gen Do, Dermstore, Beautylish, Saks Fifth Avenue, SkinStore, Neiman Marcus and Macy's): This refreshing face misting spray is a wonderfully effective botanical blend that hydrates, calms and revitalizes the skin. It has an aroma that is informed by citrus, which is offset by Lavender, Eucalyptus and Rosemary, and this particular blend is a treat to the senses and the skin. It offers the skin a real pick-me-up during the warmer months of the year, and while I have been reaching for it daily this summer, it is undoubtedly something that I will enjoy using year round. Purchase Again? I have like products to use up first, but I would happily use this again!

Koh Gen Do Spa Moisture Gel Rich ($119.00 for 3.53 oz. from Koh Gen Do, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dermstore, SkinStore, Macy's, Beautylish and Amazon): This beautiful moisturizer, which is primarily formulated for normal to dry skin, is the perfect antidote to dehydrated winter skin. It has a beautiful lightweight texture that immediately sinks into the skin and leaves behind no greasy residue. It effectively functions as an essence, lotion, cream and treatment mask, and it effortlessly bolsters hydration, replenishes depleted moisture and deeply nourishes the skin. I love it as an overnight mask and as a daily moisturizer, and I have seen a vast improvement in the hydration of my normal/combination skin. I should also note that it is very soothing and calming to the skin, and maintains its hydration levels when I am spending time in the heated indoors and the cod outdoors. This is a miracle product, ad it pairs so beautifully with the Gommage Spa Gel. Purchase Again? I will definitely consider it when I need another moisturizer, but I have quite a few to use up first!

Vitabrid C¹² Facial Boosting Water ($28.00 for 4.4 oz. from Vitabrid C¹² and Saks Fifth Avenue): This toner was specifically formulated to use in conjunction with Vitabrid C¹² FACE Brightening Powder, and once you mix them you will immediately see why they conceived of this brilliant brightening duo. This toner seriously boosts moisture levels and softens the appearance of fine lines because of Vitabrid's ingenious and potent blend of peptides and Hyaluronic Acid. When mixed with their Brightening Powder, skin is left luminous, dewy and over time more even in tone. Purchase Again? I actually think that I might have another bottle that I need to find and open!

Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum ($92.00 for 1 oz. from Tata Harper, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Credo Beauty and Cult Beauty): This is an ultra-effective exfoliating serum that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, with a blend of Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy Acids, to reveal healthy luminous skin. Unlike many AHA and BHA skin treatments, that can have a tendency to dry skin, Tata Harper has formulated this special serum to hydrate and condition the skin without compromising its ability to exfoliate dead skin. It makes my skin look and feel amazing! Purchase Again? Not right now, but definitely in the future. I have other exfoliants to use first, but I must confess that I prefer this one to most on the market that I have tried.

Omorovicza Balancing Moisturizer ($155.00 for 50ml from Omorovicza, Space NK and Neiman Marcus): This is a wonderful balancing lotion for people with oily to combination skin that offers lo g-lasting hydration while controlling shine and oil. The formula is a lightweight gel that sinks into the skin immediately. Purchase again? While I enjoy using it during the summer months, I don't really require a shine-controlling lotion since my skin is more normal to combination, and I tend to use products formulated for normal, rather than oilier skin. However, if you have combination to oily skin, this is a really wonderful moisturizer!

Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream ($53.00 for 2 oz. from Nordstrom): This is a light to medium weight, very hydrating and extremely fast-absorbing cream, and it leaves behind no residue whatsoever. In fact, it offers a matte finish– which doubles as a primer, for me. It has an earthy nutty woodsy aroma that lingers for about 10 minutes before dissipating. If you love matte finishes, and creams that do double duty as effective arming bases, then you will definitely want to consider this cream. Purchase Again? Maybe eventually, but I have so many open jars of cream to use first.

Sisley Paris Eye Contour Masque ($175.00 for 1.16 oz. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Bergdorf Goodman): If you are seeking an effective mask that reduces the appearance of under eye puffiness, dark circles and fine lines– then Sisley Paris Eye Contour Mask needs to be on your radar. I have used this luxury treat for more than 3 1/2 years, and it is definitely my secret weapon for those days when I wake up with puffiness because I am exhausted and didn't get nearly enough sleep.  It is a smoothing mask, that is suitable for all types of skin, and it is specifically formulated to reduce puffiness, lighten dark circles and soften the appearance of fine lines.

On me, I have noted that it deeply hydrates the skin, efficiently smooths and plumps fine lines, reduces the appearance of puffiness and has lightened my dark circles associated with a poor night of sleep. The richly hydrating gel-based formula feels refreshing and lightly cooling, and immediately nourishes and moisturizes the skin leaving it soft, smooth, supple, lifted and dewy.

The recommendation is to apply a thick layer and to leave it on for about 10 minutes, and then gently tissue it off. However, I prefer to apply a moderate layer and leave it on for about 20 minutes instead. The results are impressive, and it is such a pleasure to use. I should remind you that I have sensitive eyes, and that this gentle formula does not irritate them or cause them to water. There is a very light aroma, presumably from the ingredients rather than an added fragrance, that is barely detectable. Purchase Again? I love this stuff, and I just opened another tube!

TATCHA Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder ($68.00 for 2.1 oz. from Tatcha, and Sephora): I'm just so incredibly impressed by TATCHA in general, and really believe that they make some of the very finest skincare products on the market. TATCHA Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder is a very effective, yet a remarkably gentle, exfoliating cleanser. I really enjoy the metamorphosis from powder to paste, and the routine itself is immensely pleasurable. There is just enough grit to the texture of this refined and silky paste to loosen and remove all debris and dirt. Purchase Again? I already opened a full size jar.

Overall Assessment: I was so pleased when I recycled all of these empty containers, and was elated to use these products up before they went bad. What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in February? Did you discover anything wonderful? Did you discover over-hyped products not worth buying? Any real duds to report?

Purchased and Press Sample (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own.

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