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I managed to finish up 7 products in the month of July, and almost finished up one of my bar shampoos that will end up being finished in the first few days of August. All but three products were full size and the remaining three were deluxe travel sizes. I would happily use everything again, and thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. Here is what I thought of each thing I finished in July:

Curél Deep Moisture Spray ($15.00 for 5.4 oz. from the Curél Amazon Store): This is one of my very favorite moisturizers for the warmer months, and I have been using it for more than a year, and plan to use it as long as they make it! It is just perfect for the warm/hot weather, and I use it daily. This ultra-fine moisture mist can be used on the face and body and it sinks in immediately leaving skin nourished and hydrated. It is fragrance-free, easy to use and effective. It is especially satisfying on a hot day to refresh the skin with a spritz here and there. Additionally, because it is so light and hydrating it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It does not, however, contain a sunscreen, so you will need to add your sunscreen after you apply this spray. I keep mine in the shower, and use it there as well. I spray it on lightly towel dried skin, and then let it sink in before getting dressed. It offers wonderful hydration and it is just so easy to use. Purchase Again? Oh yes, most definitely!
[ comfort zone ] SUBLIME SKIN Cream ($161.00 for 2.13 oz. from [comfort zone], Nordstrom and Amazon): This is yet another product, made in Italy by the Davines Skincare Division, about which I am deliriously happy. This nourishing cream, which is very emollient and hydrating, is lightweight, fast-absorbing and it leaves behind no oily residue. The texture is velvety smooth and creamy, and the experience feels luxurious and indulgent when massaged into the skin. Formulated for normal to dry skin, it offers deep hydration, because this is a Hyaluronic Acid-based cream, and therefore it plumps fine lines and leaves skin more firm in appearance. Skin is left indescribably baby soft, supple, smooth in texture and luminous. It has a faint aroma, which might be described as an herbal/floral scent, but it is neither long-lasting, nor is it in the least bit cloying. Purchase Again? I won't need to buy another face cream for quite some time, but this is definitely one that I would happily use again!
The A Method Pearls of Retinol (
The A Method® Pearls of Retinol - 0.5% - $104.00 & 1% - $124.00 from The A Method. The A Method® Skin Perfecting Serum - $100 from The A Method. The A Method is also sold in their Amazon Store): This retinol comes in two strengths, a milder 0.5% concentration of All-Trans Retinol and the stronger 1% concentration. If you are new to Retinol, I recommend the 0.5% concentration, and work your way up to the 1%. The golden micro-encapsulated "pearls"– which are All-Trans Retinol– are suspended in a wonderfully hydrating solution that contains Hyaluronic Acid and nourishing extracts that kept my finicky skin from drying out and visibly peeling. It is a lightweight and fast absorbing serum that immediately leaves skin hydrated. The formula helps skin cell turnover and collagen production without irritating the skin. This formula softens the appearance of fine lines, reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and brightens the skin.
It is important to use a high SPF sunscreen when using retinol-based products, and it is imperative to have your skin looked at by your family physician or dermatologist to make sure that the spots and irregularities that you want to treat are neither pre-cancerous, nor cancerous lesions. I have my skin fully evaluated during my yearly physicals, and I usually bring my doctor the list of ingredients of products that I am considering before I use them. I am not a medical doctor, and I consult with mine regularly to make sure that I am not doing something potentially dangerous to my skin. Purchase Again? I just opened the 1% strength since the one I just finished was the 0.5% strength.

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo ($18.00 for 1.6 oz and $37.00 for 6.3 oz. from R+Co, Amazon, Nordstrom, bluemercury and Dermstore): This is a wonderful volumizing dry shampoo that adds body between the times that you shampoo the hair. Purchase Again? I love the quality of this dry shampoo so much that I will definitely buy the full size next time I run out of my current full size dry shampoo.
Herbatint Royal Conditioner ($16.99 for their Permanent Haircolor Gel from iHerb, Herbatint, Amazon and Walmart): I recently discovered the Italian haircare company that makes what has become my very favorite hair dye. It is healthier than most permanent hair dyes and is far more forgiving on my scalp than most of the drugstore brands of hair color. I plan to review the Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel soon, but for now I want to state for the record that the Herbatint Royal Conditioner, that they include in their box of hair dye, is utterly covet-worthy. This lightweight conditioner, that you use immediately after coloring your hair, makes freshly colored hair soft, moisturized, smooth and shiny! Purchase Again? Without question! 
Trader Joe's Oatmeal Exfoliant Bar in Almond Ginger ($3.99 for 8.8oz from Trader Joe's) This is a seriously worthy purchase the next time that you shop at Trader Joe's. This French milled soap has little oatmeal exfoliating particles that gently lift dead skin and the luxurious lather releases the delectable almond ginger aroma. It cleans skin beautifully, and at $3.99 (8.8 oz. bar) it is a perfect budget-friendly pick for washing the hands and body. Purchase Again? Yes, on my next trip to Trader Joe's!
LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant in Berry Vanilla ($12.00 for 2 oz. LAVANILA, Amazon, Target): While the Berry Vanilla scent is no longer available, there are many scents from which to choose. This is a wonderful healthy deodorant formula that is effective, smells delicious and offers long-lasting protection. Available in a nice range of scents, their scrumptious smelling Healthy Deodorants offer odor protection all day long, and the healthy ingredients condition the skin. If you are seeking an antiperspirant, then be advised that this does not prevent sweating. This has been my favorite healthy deodorant for many years now, and I will use it as long as LAVANILA makes it. It applies to the skin effortlessly, without tugging, and it never leaves a residue or stain on the clothes. This is a cruelty-free brand and their deodorants are free of aluminum and parabens. It appears that they no longer make this particular scent, but their Pure Vanilla scent is actually my favorite– it is warm and creamy perfection, and I absolutely love it! Purchase Again? Without question! 
Overall Assessment: I really love everything that I used up this month and would happily use all of these products again! What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in July? Any serious holy grail discoveries or over-hyped duds to report?Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own.
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I looked for the hair dye but don't know what I'd need. I mainly need it for my roots. It sounds good especially today because I had to cancel my appointment last week and haven't made a new one. I don't remember everything from July offhand but I know I finished an A I I R shampoo which I love. Also another box of DHC cotton squares and a bottle of Bioderma
ReplyDeleteMicellar Water. I have a few samples of Charlotte Tilbury's unscented water based moisturizer and I used one up this week.
Hi Marcia! This hair dye is perfect for doing roots! A bottle will last a long time if that is all you are doing! If you can't find it in person, then you have to just pick a color from their online swatches to match your hair color as closely as possible. I don't think that it will be much different than just looking at the boxes in-person, which is how I decided on the colors that I bought (and without the benefit of seeing how they translated when actually applied to my hair). It sounds as though you made a good dent in finishing up what you were using in July! I absolutely LOVE Bioderma Micellar Water, and have an almost empty bottle that I might just finish this month!
DeleteI'm currently using several of The Ordinary products, Squalane, Rosehip oil, as well as their lip balm. I do use prescription tretinoin. For moisturizers, I use Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Rich Barrier Moisturizer in the morning and Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer in the evening. I also use a mineral SPF because of the tretinoin. That's a good idea to take the ingredient list to the doctor. I just had my appointment so I'll need to remember to do that. Thanks for the tip and the reviews.
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha, Wow, you use a lovely selection of products! I love Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench products! Yes, I always bring ingredient lists to my doctor to make sure there isn't anything in there that she thinks should be avoided.
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