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!

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?

Gourmet Body Pastries Whipped Shea Butter Creams & Sugar Body Scrubs- A Delectable Review

Gourmet Body Pastries is a lovely small company that makes fabulous whipped shea butter moisturizers and body scrubs imbued with delectable flavors. Melanie Mitchell, the company founder, was motivated to create a truly healthy chemical-free line of body care products upon learning that a close friend was diagnosed with stage 3 estrogen receptive breast cancer. It became her mission to learn as much as possible about the chemicals that we freely applied to our bodies, and after much research and hard work Gourmet Body Pastries was born.

When Melanie contacted me to see whether I was interested in trying her products I immediately said yes yes yes!! My first impression was one of sheer delight because the gift box was simply gorgeous, and oh so tantalizing. Inside the box were two Sugar Body Scrubs, two Whipped Shea Butter Body Creams, a pair of moisture mitts, and a thick body sponge.

However, the real magic happened when I opened and smelled the products themselves! The Key Lime Mousse and Lemon Pound Cake Whipped Shea Butter smell so divine- that it took every bit of willpower not to take a bite of them!

I found the body scrubs to be enormously effective at sloughing off dead skin, but this no ordinary scrub experience. Instead, once all of the luscious ingredients meet the skin and warm water they explode into the most delicious aromatic experience. In fact, I noticed that the scent lingered in air in my bathroom for some time after I finished my shower. While my skin was still warm and a touch damp I warmed the Whipped Shea Butter in my hand, which quickly turned into a liquid, and then rubbed it into my skin. As one might imagine, the essential oils exploded thereby releasing the most delicious scent. The scrub alone is highly moisturizing given that it is suspended in oils, but when paired with the shea butter cream my skin was left ultra moisturized and smelling divine.

I decided to experiment and use the scrub on my hands followed by the shea butter, and then wore the moisture mitts overnight. When I woke up the following morning my hands were as soft and smooth as a baby's bottom. The following night I did the same thing with my feet, and the results were amazing.

Lemon Pound Cake Whipped Shea Butter Ingredients: Contains a blend of olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, fragrance oils, vitamin e oil, aloe vera gel and vegetable glycerin.

Key Lime Mousse Whipped Shea Butter Body Cream Ingredients: Contains a blend of olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, essential oils, vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel and vegetable glycerin.

Key Lime Mousse Sugar Body Scrub Ingredients: White sugar, lime zest, olive oil, castor oil, and essential oils.

Cinnamon Sugar Cream Body Scrub Ingredients: Brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, olive oil, castor oil, and essential oils.

Overall assessment: These are awesome products, and would make a great gift (to yourself or to someone you love).

Available from Gourmet Body Pastries. All products available in 4 oz. and 8 oz. jars
PR samples sent for my consideration. All opinions expressed are categorically my own.