Empties Post Volume XXV: September 2014 Edition

I somehow thought that I would use up more products in September, but I suppose that testing out so many new products prevented me from using up many of my near-empties (many of which will likely be finished in October). The few things that I did get through in September were mostly much loved products that I will likely repurchase when the time comes. (Press Samples & Purchased by me. Affiliate Links).

The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Face Gel (discussed here): This is an amazing antioxidant rich anti-aging gel that is fast absorbing and very lightweight. It lifts, tones, improves the texture of the skin, and imparts glorious radiance. This is a definite repurchase item for me, and yet another masterpiece from The Organic Pharmacy.

Aroma M Camellia Body/Bath Oil (reviewed here): Aroma M makes some of the most amazing oils that I have tried! Maria's Camellia Body/Bath Oil is a luxurious and delectable oil that leaves skin so soft and moisturized, and the smell is utterly divine.

Aroma M Camellia Face Oil (reviewed here): This is a golden wonder with a hypnotic scent, and what it does for the skin is nothing short of miraculous! My skin is left soft, silky and glowing after each use, and the experience of using it makes me very happy.

Rituals Magic Touch Cherry Blossom & Rice Milk Whipped Body Cream: This is an utterly amazing body cream! The whipped texture feels amazing to the touch, and this baby really nourishes the skin leaving it unbelievably soft, supple and silky. The scent is sweet and very pleasing.

Red Flower Moisturizing Body Lotion Blood Orange: I love this lotion so much because it imparts the perfect amount of moisture to the skin and the Blood Orange scent is intoxicatingly delicious!

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash in Lavender: A very nice body wash with a lovely lather and the delightful scent of lavender!

Bikini Soft Shave Oil (reviewed here): This is a really effective shave oil that facilitates a close shave and it leaves skin unbelievably soft and silky!

Almay Oil Free Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads: These makeup remover pads are so effective at removing every single trace of makeup-- no matter how stubbornly it clings to my eyes. Despite the fact that it is referred to as gentle-- it actually stings my super sensitive eyes. If your eyes are not very sensitive and you if are looking for a very effective eye makeup remover-- then these are worth your consideration. If, however, your eyes are like mine-- then these may sting too much to be worth trying. While I loved their efficacy, I won't be repurchasing them.

Alaffia African Black Soap (reviewed here): This is a definite repurchase item! Alaffia's African Black Soap is a multipurpose unscented earthy soap that can be used from head to toe. It's a definite favorite in my household!

J.R. Watkins Aloe Green Tea Hand Soap (reviewed here): J.R. Watkins Hand Soaps are just amazing! They leave your hands soft, silky and hydrated-- plus the scent is so lovely! I will always repurchase their hand soaps because the quality is so outstanding, and using them is just so pleasurable!

TAYA Amazon White Clay Thickening Conditioner (reviewed here): A lovely moisturizing and thickening conditioner that leaves hair so soft and shiny. I'm very pleased with TAYA products!

What did you finish up, throw away, give away, or return in September? Did you make any new skincare or makeup discoveries that have you smitten? Any duds never again to be repurchased?

Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Empties Post Volume XXIV: August 2014 Edition

The month of August proved to be challenging when it came to using up full size skincare products because I was testing out lots of new things. I did, however, manage to finish up a few things, but mostly deluxe samples. 

1) California Baby Calming Hair De-Tangler: My sister gave this to me to detangle my hair after washing. It is something that she used on my niece when she was little, and it really does work wonders. It has an earthy aromatherapeutic scent that is quite calming to the senses. I actually like to use it on dry hair as well because it makes my curls behave themselves!

2) Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment: This jar took an eternity to use up, but Aquaphor is great for so many things from dry lips to dry feet!

3) Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil (reviewed here): This shave oil gives a very close shave while leaving skin moisturized, soft and supple! I love this stuff, and my husband does too! In fact, he's abandoned regular shave cream in favor of this!

4) Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator (reviewed here): I really really really love this exfoliator! It is so gentle yet thoroughly exfoliates the skin, and it leaves my skin unbelievably soft and smooth. I definitely want a full size tube in my life!

5) Aroma M Beauty Camellia Face Oil (reviewed here): Maria really knows a thing or two about making gorgeously handcrafted luxury oils and perfumes, and this Camellia Face Oil is a true treasure! It hydrates the skin beautifully and leaves the complexion delightfully luminous.

6) Aftelier Perfumes Rose Body Oil (discussed here): I savored every single drop of this luxurious rose body oil, and have to say that it is among my very favorite oils!

7) Clarins UV Plus HP Multi-Protection SPF 40 (reviewed here): This still remains one of my favorite sunscreens for the face. It is a wonderful physical sunscreen that neither interferes with makeup application, nor does it leave behind a white film. It's wonderful!

8) Rodial Super Acids SPF 30 (sample): My sample size was too small to get much more than a few uses out of Rodial's new sunscreen, but I will say that I am quite impressed by this limited encounter and want to try the full size.

9) Hakuhodo Professional Makeup FUDE Cleaner: This was a sample that Hakuhodo sent to me with one of my brush orders, and I have to say that I really am impressed by its ability to gently and thoroughly clean my brushes!

10) Antica Farmacista Prosecco Room Fragrance: Nice scent, but not a big enough sample to really decide whether I want to purchase a bottle.

11) Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge Perfume (sample): I love this scent, and will probably buy a bottle because I keep getting samples and using them up right down to the last drop-- I guess that's a sign.

12) Ko Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water (reviewed here): This still remains my favorite cleansing water. It is gentle, effective and fragrance free.

13) Rituals Magic Touch Cherry Blossom & Rice Milk Ultra Rich Whipped Body Cream: Thick, rich, creamy and ultra hydrating-- what's not to love?! Additionally, the scent is a delectable cherry blossom that puts a smile on my face each time that I use it!

14) Elemis Spa Home Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream (reviewed here): This is a deliciously exotic scent, and the non-lathering cream formula is rich and moisturizing! This is one of my very favorite products for the shower-- it is ultra luxurious, and such a true delight to use!

15 & 16) Molton Brown Coco & Sandalwood Nourishing Body Lotion (discussed here): This lotion has a really lovely understated scent that fades soon upon application, and skin is left soft and hydrated.

17) Sonya Dakar Ultraluxe Visualift Eye Cream: I used this once in a while over a long period of time, but didn't use it with enough consistency to form any sort of meaningful impression. I do see that I have another tube, and will try it again to see what I really think about it.

What did you use up, toss, give away, or return in August? Do tell!

Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Bikini Soft Shave Oil and Razor Saver Oil: Review

Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

I love great shaving products and I love oils-- so a shaving oil is just the type of product to pique my interest. The Bikini Soft Shave Oil and Razor Saver Oil are highly effective shaving products that prove that you don't need a rich lather to get a close shave. Furthermore, Bikini Soft Shave Oil leaves the skin remarkably soft, smooth, and hydrated. 

According to Bikini Soft, 

Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil gives you the smoothest, closest shave and leaves your skin silky soft. Better yet, it dramatically reduces skin irritation, razor burn, nicks, cuts, scratches and ingrown hairs. The perfect mixture of all natural oils anoints your skin with the ideal combination of rich moisturizers as well as complex skin softeners that tone and restore. Bikini Soft replaces all creams, soaps, gels, lotions and moisturizers! Good for 80 shaves.

You’ll be amazed at how comfortable your shaving experience will become along with the disappearance of nicks, cuts and razor burn. Bikini Soft provides the smoothest razor glide but more importantly, the most delectable, touchable, smooth, soft skin! The shaving oil provides the ultimate lubricant for shaving enabling the closest, smoothest shave ever particularly in sensitive areas such as bikini lines and underarms. 

Your razor will literally glide over your skin as if it is floating. Since shaving began, soap and water have been used as primary lubricants. Shaving creams evolved to provide a thicker base for shaving in hopes of softening the hair and to provide lubrication. However, most shaving creams provide minimal lubricant to the hair and the skin as well as hinder your ability to see what you are shaving. Bikini Soft resolves these issues by lubricating the skin and softening the hair shaft with transparent natural oils derived from plants which leave your skin deliciously smooth!

When Razor Saver is applied to your razor after shaving, it will double the life of your razor. Good for over 40 applications. The all natural oil coats your razor’s blades with a simple brush applicator. This prevents your razor from rusting, which saves you money and reduces your carbon footprint.
Shaving doesn’t dull your razor, oxidation is the culprit. The combination of water and air on steel causes oxidation (or rust). In fact, the period between shaves does more damage to your razor than the shave itself. Exposure to moist air corrodes blades quickly, leading to a jagged edge resulting in nicks and cuts. Bikini Soft Razor Saver Oil has been shown to slow the effects of oxidation and extend blade life up to 300%.

My experience: I have been using Bikini Soft for several weeks and not only do I get a very close shave, but it also leaves my skin so soft, smooth, and nourished. It's very easy to use and the results are very pleasing. I also found that it was gentle on my sensitive underarms, my bikini line and on my legs. You simply moisten the skin that you plan to shave, add about 10 drops of Bikini Soft Shave Oil to your hands and massage the oil into the area that you plan to shave-- and then voilà-- gorgeous silky soft skin and a super close shave.

While Bikini Soft Shave worked remarkably well on my skin, I thought that I would really put it to the test by having my husband shave his face using only this product for about a week or more. I suspected that it might not be up for the task of tackling the coarse hairs on his face, but he reported differently. He said that he was able to get a close shave effortlessly, and that his skin was left soft, smooth and hydrated. He also said that his razor effortlessly glided across his skin without incident, and that his skin remained lubricated-- an important factor that prevented him from receiving razor burn or little painful cuts. I can attest to the fact that he gets a close shave, and that his skin looks far more nourished after shaving than it does when he uses traditional shaving creams.

The Razor Saver Oil is so easy to use-- after shaving simply rinse out your razor, then pat it dry, and then brush the oil on the blades of your razor. This process will increase the life of your razor which will ultimately save you money on razor blades.

I must also note that I love the fact that both products have a short list of healthy ingredients that I feel good about putting on my skin.

Shave Oil Ingredients: Safflower Oil, Sunflower Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Aloe, Avocado Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Astaxanthin, Olive Oil, and Citrus Oil.

Razor Saver Oil Ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Safflower Oil and Olive Oil.

Bikini Soft has a fantastic Razor Recycling Program:

How It Works: When you purchase Bikini Soft, we send your Bikini Soft Shaving Oil & Razor Saver Oil in a small corrugated box. All you have to do is save the box and place all your used razors, old cartridges and empty bikini soft bottles into the box. There is a Bikini Soft Recycling Center mailing label included with your oils as well as box sealing tape. The box should easily accommodate 7 – 10 used razors. When the box is full of your used razors, seal the box with the tape, affix the label and mail to the Bikini Soft Razor Recycling Center! Rest assured that we’ll make sure that your razors are recycled and any waste will be disposed of properly. Bikini Soft Razor Recycling is a sincere, responsible, unique razor recycling approach that will change the way you view shaving. It’s pretty easy and you can feel good about helping improve the world… one razor at a time!

Overall assessment: Well done, Bikini Soft!

$12.99 for the Bikini Soft Shave Oil and Razor Saver Oil from Bikini Soft (Unaffiliated Link).
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.