May 2025 Empties for the Face, Hair & Body

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliated Links)

I managed to use of 15 products in the month of May. All but two items were full size, and I was pretty surprised to have finished that many things for the face, hair and body in May. I really loved everything that I finished up, and would happily use all of these products again.

Dove White Beauty Bar ($4.89-$11.99 for 2-14 bar packs from Target, Walgreens): This gentle, creamy cleansing bar contains ¼ moisturizing cream that leaves skin soft smooth and very clean. I have used it for many years, and absolutely love it! Purchase Again? I already have!

Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena Hand Soap ($4.99 for 12.5 oz. and a 3-pack for $13.94 from Amazon, Walmart and Target): This is a glorious lemon verbena scented hand soap that is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified. It moisturizes the skin, and leaves the hands very soft and clean without any sort of residue. It has a satisfying lather, a delectable fresh citrus aroma, and it makes washing hands a joy rather than a drab experience. Purchase Again? Yes, I absolutely love this hand soap, and I just opened a new bottle!

MyKirei Onsen Therapy Soothing Mineral Soak ($15.00 for a 5 pack from MyKirei by Kai and Amazon): This is a very soothing mineral soak that is perfect after a vigorous workout, or a long day at work. It relieves muscle aches and pains and it relieves stress. The Japanese Hinoki fragrance boasts a calming woodsy aroma that is a delight to the senses, while the mineral-rich tablet relieves the tension in sore muscles. A soak before going to bed helps one achieve a calm and deep sleep. Purchase Again? YES, I plan to place an order soon.

TOA Waters Lockwood Forest Bubble Bath ($35.99 for 16 oz. from TOA Waters Amazon Store): This is a truly luxurious bubble bath with an irresistible aroma. Described as Earthy & Natural, it is infused with Oakmoss, Amber, Vanilla, Sage, and Lavender, and this combination is utterly delectable. It is relaxing, inspiring and altogether transformative. The creamy, rich lather moisturizes, rather than strips, the skin and it creates a space in which one can luxuriate and unwind effortlessly. Everything about this bubble bath is unmitigated perfection, and it melts away the stress of the day, and offers a relaxing before-bed treat that helps usher in a restful night of sleep. I am delighted by the magnificence of this bubble bath, and I love the earthy scent, as opposed to the more predicable floral bubble baths with which I am the most familiar. Purchase Again? I have a pile of bubble baths and bath salts to use first, but I would definitely get this again!

Spongellé Hand Creams ($20.00 each for 2 oz. from Spongellé): These hand creams are the perfect antidote to dry hands any time of the year. I have used their hand creams for several years now, and I reach for them constantly. Spongellé Hand Creams are available in 8 delightfully fragrant scents, and they offer serious hydration. They feature ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, Argan Oil and Macademia Seed Oil that deeply moisturize and heal chapped hands, and the Hyaluronic Acid retains moisture and plumps fine lines. After using these hand creams, my poor chapped hands have been soft, smooth, nourished, hydrated and luminous! I wish that I could choose a favorite scent, but I really love the distinctly different fragrance profiles for all eight of these beautiful hand creams. Beach Grass: Top: Spicy, Fruity, Green. Middle: Jasmine, Rose, Powdery. Base: Aquatic, Woody, Musk. Purchase Again? I am already using another scent from this collection!

CAP'N COCONUT Coconut Body Balm ($14.00 for 4 oz. from Cap'N Coconut and the Cap'N Coconut Etsy Store): Cap'N Coconut Coconut Body Balm is a spectacularly high quality body balm that melts into the skin upon contact. It is very concentrated, therefore I recommend a less-is-more approach. It has a warm and creamy vanilla aroma that is pleasant, calming and soothing to the senses. Not only can it be used to moisturize and sooth the skin, but it can also be used in the hair, on the scalp and for massage. It is also great for chapped dry hands and cuticles! Tip: as a body moisturizer, I recommend applying it directly to the skin when you first get out of the shower or bath when skin is a little damp and still warm. It sinks in immediately, and leaves skin soft, smooth, supple and luminous. Purchase Again? I have too many body balms, creams and lotions before I buy another one, but I would definitely use this again!

Vitabrid C¹² Scalp+ Shampoo ($32.00 for 10.4 oz. from Vitabrid, Amazon): This shampoo is formulated to improve scalp and hair health by gently cleansing, while moisturizing and infusing them with antioxidant-rich vitamins. It boasts a rich and satisfying lather, it thoroughly and effectively cleanses without stripping the scalp or hair, and it leaves both moisturized without any sort of residue left behind. I noted an increase in the volume of my hair, and it is decidedly softer and smoother when I use this shampoo. It has a light, clean and fresh aroma, but it is neither long-lasting, nor in the least bit overpowering. It is formulated for all scalp and hair types. Purchase Again? I already opened a new bottle!

shu uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Treatment ($73.00 for 6 oz. from shu uemura Art of Hair, Sephora, Amazon): This creamy, rich, nourishing and ultra-luxe deep conditioning mask is an especially effective treatment for dry and stressed tresses. While SHU UEMURA recommends leaving it on for 5-10 minutes, which is highly effective, I prefer to leave it on for 20-30 minutes for even greater efficacy. Not only does it deeply moisturize my hair, but it also softens it, smooths it, fights frizz and fly-aways, and leaves it remarkable shiny. Furthermore, if you have curly hair, you will be astounded by the extent to which facilitates gorgeous natural curl formation. While fragrance is listed among the ingredients, I wouldn't describe it as a particularly fragranced mask, there is no lingering aroma that I can detect. Purchase Again? I will splurge if it goes on sale! This is one if the very best hair masks I have ever used!

LOVINAH Skincare Dragon's Blood Vitamin C Cleansing Oil ($55.00 for 3.7 oz. from Boxwalla and Macy's):What a revelation in cleansing oils! This extraordinary oil cleanser emulsifies when in contact with water, and it rinses clean, and leaves behind  no greasy residue, whatsoever. The antioxidant-rich formula is filled with nourishing oils such as: Milk Thistle, Guava Seed Oil, Radish Seed, Lingonberry Seed Oil, Cloudberry Oil and Tomato Seed Oil in concert with healing ingredients such as Croton Lechleri Resin Extract (Dragon's Blood), Gromwell and Lycopene. While it does include ingredients such as stable Vitamin C and double encapsulated Salicylic Acid, this cleansing oil is very gentle and does not irritate the skin. It has a heavenly warm and rich aroma, that frankly defies description, and it soothes, hydrates, plumps and cleanses very effectively. Dead skin cells are gently removed and skin is left soft, smooth and supple. Purchase Again? Without question, this is a sensational cleansing oil! My bottle was a deluxe travel size, but I definitely want to get the full size bottle next time.

Bloomeffects Black Tulip Overnight Retinoid Serum ($119.00 for .88 oz. from Boxwalla, Amazon Store, Bluemercury): The Black Tulip, which is the deepest and darkest of Tulips, boasts the highest flavinoid count, and Bloomeffects utilizes a proprietary complex that includes a potent extract from the Black Tulip petals in this extraordinary formula. These Tulips are grown on Kim Van Haaster's family farm, and they "partnered with the University of Leiden in The Netherlands to study & discover the regenerative powers of the Black Tulip."

This stunning purple serum, with its fetching light aroma, effectively improves uneven skin tone, reduces the appearance of discoloration and spots, plumps fine lines, exfoliates dead skin cells and gives skin a healthy glow. It is lightweight, fast absorbing and utterly delectable! There is something inherently mesmerizing about this regal looking serum, and it is not only highly effective, but also quite bewitching. If you try one new serum this year, this is the one! Purchase Again? That is a foregone conclusion. This is the best retinoid product that I have tried in years!

Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Cream ($49.00 for 1.69 oz. from Boxwalla, Credo Beauty, bluemercury and Bloomeffects Amazon Store): This is a very emollient lightweight and fast absorbing gel-cream that instantly moisturizes the skin, and leaves it soft, radiant, dewy and comfortable. It delivers immediate hydration and the pleasant aroma is natural and light. Bloomeffects uses their proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex and a nourishing multivitamin complex– consisting of Vitamins B3, Vitamin B5, C and E– that helps protect skin against environmental damage, and it leaves skin with a dewy glow as the name suggests. This wondrous cream is formulated for normal to dry skin, and it effectively addresses dryness, dullness, uneven skin tone– along with softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by plumping the skin. Bloomeffects is a cruelty-free brand. Purchase Again? I only finished up my travel size, I still have a full-size jar I am using!

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Night Concentrate (formerly known as the Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate) ($30.00 for travel size from TATCHA, Sephora, Ulta): This is a lightweight, and fast absorbing, nighttime serum that begins its life as a firm bouncy gel that immediately gives way to a liquid once introduced to the warmth of the skin. When you rest your skin regenerates new skin cells, sloughs off dead skin cells, and cycles oxygen and nutrients, and it is during this cycle that this serum works its magic. It profoundly hydrates the skin, visibly plumps fine lines and gives skin a luscious and dewy lit-from-within glow. Each time that I use this magical elixir, I awaken to find my skin soft, supple, ultra-hydrated, balanced, lifted and fine lines are noticeably plumped. I have also used this during the day because it adds essential moisture and a dewy radiance. I have also mixed a tiny amount into my foundation for added moisture and luminosity. The all natural, light aroma is fresh, clean and utterly delectable, but it is subtle– and therefore should not bother people who are sensitive to scents.

I use the gold spoon to scoop out one rounded spoonful and massage it into my face, neck and décolleté in an upward motion, and it immediately melts into the skin, and does not leave behind a greasy residue. The results the following morning, even after a single use, are so pronounced that using it is rather addictive! Purchase Again? I am waiting for it to be back in stock!

Overall Assessment: I loved using every single thing that I finished up in May, and I would happily use each one of them again. What did you finish up, toss out, give away or return in May? Any great discoveries or over-hyped disappointments?

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

November 2024 Empties for the Face, Body and Hair

Purchased and Press Samples (Affiliate Links)

I managed to use up 8 products in the month of November. Among the empties are 4 body products 2 hair products and two face products. 7 were full size and 1 was a deluxe sample. The biggest surprise was getting through two bottles of hand soap, though in all fairness one had mostly been used up in October, and the other had about 2/3 left when the month of November began.

Spongellé Botanica Lavender Body Wash Infused Buffer (Was $18.00 from Spongellé): While this particular Body Wash Infused Buffer was limited edition, and is no longer available, there are many different types from which to choose. These buffers with built-in body wash are infused with extracts of yuzu, edelweiss and vetiver root to cleanse, exfoliate, massage, and hydrate the skin for a spa-like pampering experience at home. Purchase Again? It appears that they no longer have this, but I have other scents to use next!

Mrs. Meyer's Compassion Flower Hand Soap ($4.99 for 12.5 oz. and a 3-pack for $13.94 from Amazon, Walmart and Target): is not your typical floral scented hand soap, but instead the aroma is neither too sweet, nor too fragrant. It has a light and delicate floral aroma that is uplifting and understated. This is a very moisturizing hand soap that neither strips the skin, nor leaves behind an oily residue. Instead, it is utter hand soap perfection. Purchase Again? I already opened another bottle!

Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena Hand Soap ($4.99 for 12.5 oz. and a 3-pack for $13.94 from Amazon, Walmart and Target): is a glorious lemon verbena scented hand soap that is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified. It moisturizes the skin, and leaves the hands very soft and clean without any sort of residue. It has a satisfying lather, a delectable fresh citrus aroma, and it makes washing hands a joy rather than a drab experience. Purchase Again? Yes, forever and ever!

Lovinah Goddess Glow Shimmering Body Oil ($30.00 for 1 oz. from Boxwalla and Lovinah Skincare): This is the shimmering body oil by which all shimmering body oils should be judged. It is a brand new product by Lovihan Skincare, and it is magical. As Boxwalla asserts, "it feels like a perfumed river of gold." It offers skin gorgeously fragrant moisture and its golden shimmer is absolutely gorgeous. I would like to bathe in this masterpiece! Purchase Again? I will buy another bottle this coming summer!

Viori Native Essence Unscented Conditioner ($18.00 for 2.8 oz. from Sephora, Viori and the Viori Amazon Store): This nourishing and emollient conditioner has a light herbal aroma, though there is no added fragrance, and it is both delightful and effective. It detangles hair, fights frizz and leaves hair soft, silky smooth and shiny. It does not weigh hair down or leave behind an oily residue. Purchase Again? I have other bar shampoos and conditioners to use up before I buy any others, but this will be at the top of my list.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Color Lustre Brilliant Glaze Treatment of Color Treated Hair ($73.00 for oz. from Shu Uemura Art of Hair, Sephora and Amazon): This nourishing treatment mask is very hydrating and nourishing, and it makes hair shiny and manageable. It preserves hair color longer and it can be used weekly for fine hair. 

While one only needs to leave this treatment masque on for 2-3 minutes, I prefer to leave it on a bit longer. It deeply nourishes and moisturizes my hair, and leaves it soft, shiny and silky smooth! It's absolutely amazing, and I will promptly buy another jar just as soon as I finish this one. Purchase Again? It is on my wish list!

Go-To Face Hero Facial Oil ($34.00 for 1 oz. from Go-To): Formulated for all types of skin, this face oil is lightweight, fast absorbing and lusciously moisturizing. It has a rich and velvety texture that melts into the skin– leaving it silky smooth, luminous and lightly plumped. Not only does it brighten dull skin, but after sustained use it lightens dark spots. The antioxidant-rich formula helps to protect skin against free-radical damage, and the anti-inflammatory ingredients help to calm and soothe irritable skin. For this reason, I find it particularly effective when my skin is a bit sensitive, or when I use a peel or exfoliant. It has a delectable warm aroma that is informed by the beautiful variety of oils used, but also from the Orange Blossom & Rose Gardenia natural fragrances. Purchase Again? YES!

Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream ($22.50 for 1.4 oz. from Amazon): is a richly moisturizing, and yet lightweight and fast-absorbing, fragrance-free cream that is formulated for dry, sensitive skin. While my skin is decidedly normal/combination, this beautiful facial cream offers the perfect amount of moisture without being too rich, or in the least bit greasy. In fact, this cream melts into the skin, has no greasy residue and it leaves my skin soft, smooth and supple. This is a beautifully moisturizing cream that works wonders on my normal/combination skin, and it is very affordable. Purchase Again? Yes!

Overall Assessment: I thoroughly enjoyed using these products in November, and would happily use all of them again! What did you finish up, toss out, give away or return in November? Any great finds or real duds to report? 

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2024 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

August 2024 Empties for the Face, Body and Hair

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

During the month of August I managed to finish 8 products, and I am already missing some of those products! There is not a single product that I would not happily use again and again. Here is what I used, and what I thought about each product.

Renpure Tea Tree & Mint Purifying Body Wash ($6.16 for 24 oz. from Walmart): This is yet another big hit from Renpure! This ultra-refreshing body wash awakens the senses while it thoroughly cleans the skin. It has a satisfying creamy lather that effectively cleans the skin without stripping it or leaving a residue. In fact, it moisturizes the skin and leaves it soft, smooth and supple. Purchase Again? Without question!

Spongellé Botanica Citrus Aurantium Petigrain Body Wash Infused Buffer ($18.00 for 3.5 oz. from Spongellé): Spongellé Botanica Collection comes in four lovely scent profiles, and they are shaped like butterflies! 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 the Spongellé Body Wash Infused Buffers really excel in their ability to clean and exfoliate the skin while delighting the senses with their delightful aromas. Petitgrain Botanica Body Buffer (Yellow) has the following fragrance notes: Top: Lemon, sparkling water, grapefruit. Middle: Mandarin, navel orange, cassis. Bottom: Musk, sea salt. Purchase Again? Oh yes, I love this uplifting scent!

Curél Foaming Face Wash ($15.00 for 5 oz. from the Curél Amazon Store): Curél Foaming Facial Wash is one of my favorite discoveries from this affordable and effective Japanese skincare brand. I was particularly interested to see whether this foaming and moisturizing cleanser, which is made for dry and sensitive skin, would be a good match for my normal/combination skin. I am a fan of hydrating cleansers that are gentle enough for sensitive skin, but I like them to rinse clean without leaving behind any sort of residue that requires a second cleanse (when they would be used last in a double cleansing routine). This cleanser exceeded my expectations. It has a wonderful and dense foam that thoroughly cleans the skin without stripping it in the least bit, and it rinses clean without any sort of residue. It is fragrance-free (and unscented) and it leaves my skin silky-smooth and hydrated without feeling as though I need to wash my skin again to feel clean. It is gentle, a pleasure to use, and it feels like a great match for my normal/combination skin. Purchase Again? Just as soon as I need another cleanser!

[ comfort zone ] SACRED NATURE Youth Serum ($81.00 for 1 oz. from [ comfort zone ], Nordstrom and Amazon): is yet another reason that I have fallen head-over-heels in love with this magnificent Italian brand. This antioxidant-rich serum, which helps to fight free-radical damage, plumps fine lines while it delivers intense moisture to the skin. Formulated for all skin types, it leaves skin very soft, smooth, supple and unmistakably luminous. It melts into the skin immediately and leaves behind no residue whatsoever. It has a light fruity/herbal aroma, that is informed by its ingredients, but it does fade quickly. It is an ultra-luxe serum that is very effective and a joy to use. Purchase Again? Yes, but not for quite a while since I need to use up quite a few serums before purchasing another one.

Lovinah Dragon-C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir ($155.00 for 1 oz. from LOVINAH, Boxwalla and Macy's): This antioxidant-rich Vitamin C based facial oil is my current favorite luxury face oil, and for me that is a significant claim– given my longstanding love of luxury face oils. This brightening elixir, which is composed in a base of Dragon Fruit Oil, also includes Kakadu Plum Oil, Goji Berry Oil, Lingonberry Oil, Raspberry Oil , Mongongo Nut Oil, Mongongon Nut Oil– to name a few of its nourishing oils.

Unlike many Vitamin C based products that quickly oxidize, Lovinah Dragon-C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir contains a very stable form of Vitamin C, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, selected because it is a highly absorptive form of oil-soluble Vitamin C. Furthermore, Kakadu Plum, Dragon Fruit and Goji Berry were selected since they are very rich in Vitamin C. 

The texture of this oil is like crushed velvet, and the scent has a heavenly natural fruity sensibility that defies description. This otherworldly oil, which is lightweight and fast-absorbing, melts into the skin and leaves it soft, smooth, moisturized, brightened and glowing. I can't recall ever being quite this impressed by, or obsessed with, a face oil. This is truly covet-worthy. Purchase Again? This is one of the best face oils that I have used in years, and I will definitely buy another bottle.

Annmarie Anti-Aging Facial Oil ($149.00 for 30ml. from their Official Amazing Store): is a seriously gorgeous luxury face oil. While this glorious face oil is formulated for dry and mature skin, it is one of the finest and most effective oils to have graced my normal to combination skin. This ultra-luxe antioxidant-rich facial oil, which is velvety-to-the-touch, is infused with herbs and a symphony of more than 13 nourishing oils. Ingredients such as chia, goji berry, and broccoli firm and tighten the skin, and therefore soften the appearance of fine lines. Deeply moisturizing, this beautiful oil is lightweight and it effortlessly melts into the skin. It is neither greasy, nor does it leave behind any residue. I prefer to apply it to moist and warm freshly washed skin, and it immediately leaves my skin soft, smooth, supple and luminous.  It is quite concentrated, and therefore I find the a single pump offers plenty of oil to cover my face, neck and décolleté, but your use may vary. It has the most hypnotic herbal aroma, but is not long-lasting or overpowering. Purchase Again? I love this face oil, and there is definitely another bottle in my future!

milk_shake curl passion leave-in spray for curly hair ($25.00 for 10.1 oz. from milk_shake and their Amazon Store): is a product that I have been using for more than a year, and it is so incredible that I can't imagine not using it. I have naturally curly hair, and it can be unruly at times, and therefore a reliable and effective leave-in spray is essential to keep my hair in great shape. It fights frizz, hydrates and leaves hair manageable. It doesn't weigh hair down, it doesn't flake, but instead it nourishes and it facilitates bouncy and perfected soft-to-the-touch curls. I always use leave-in treatments to make my hair manageable, and this one is definitely obsession-worthy. It also has a delectable fruity aroma that smells like summertime captured in a bottle! Purchase Again? I already have another bottle!

SHU UEMURA Ultimate Remedy Extreme Restoration Treatment for Ultra-Damaged Hair ($73.00 for 6 oz. from Sephora and SHU UEMURA Art of Hair): If you seek a rich, ultra-moisturizing deep conditioning hair mask, then this mask will prove to be a real treat for your damaged tresses. Its rich and dense buttery texture is emollient and nourishing, but it leaves behind no greasy residue. It transforms my dry, color-treated naturally curly hair into soft, supple, manageable and shiny locks. Furthermore, it tames fly-aways and frizz, and the delectable fruity-floral aroma is the ultimate treat to the senses. Purchase Again? I just opened a new jar of another shu uemura hair mask!

Overall Assessment: Such great products, and not a dud in the bunch! What did you use up, toss out, give away or return to sender in August? Any serious winners? Any over-hyped misses?

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

Copyright © 2024 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Boxwalla February Beauty Box: The Dragon & The Sea Featuring the Magical Lovinah Skincare

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

Boxwalla's eco-luxe beauty boxes are an extraordinary value, and the products themselves are nothing short of spectacular. Their carefully curated cruelty-free green beauty boxes are a tremendous value, with steep discounts, and they feature truly covet-worthy luxurious, and sustainably crafted beauty products.

The Boxwalla Beauty Subscription box is curated for the luxury-loving skincare enthusiast. In our beauty boxes, you will discover the most effective & innovative plant-based beauty products that redefine luxury skincare. By showcasing not only the benefits of each product we feature but also how they can be incorporated into skincare routine steps, we help you figure out how to build a skincare routine for your unique skin needs. Intrigued? Subscribe to our Beauty subscription boxes below.

February Theme: The Dragon and the Sea. Each Box contains two beautiful products from a cult favorite brand that people just can’t get enough of: Lovinah Skincare.

About Lovinah Skincare,

Joy Ekhator is the founder of Lovinah and growing up in a traditional African home in her native Nigeria, she experienced the healing powers of mother nature through her grandmother who was an herbalist, traditional doctor, bone setter and midwife. It was through the ancient African knowledge of plants that had been passed down through to her, that she was able to heal her own skin conditions after having three children in three years, while working full-time as a computer programmer which caused hormonal imbalance, that resulted in weight gain and cystic acne.

Joy created LOVINAH to show a modern representation of Ancient African Beauty secrets passed down from generations to generations. Joy's background is in medicine and computer science. She developed her love for plants by watching her grandmother administer herbs for different ailments. Her interest in the connection between the mind, body and soul, bring LOVINAH users a well-balanced experience, and an opportunity to experience her personal knowledge of ancient African beauty rituals

LOVINAH is my passion and I am always amazed by the healing power of plants and gemstones. I started LOVINAH from a need to help my children and I, after going through three back to back pregnancies, working full time as a computer programmer / project manager, my hormones were all over the place for my already acne prone skin. I developed very painful cystic acne and tried everything, but nothing worked. Also my children had very problematic skin. After visiting so many doctors, the turning point was when my youngest son got prescribed steroids . I refused to put him on steriods and decided to visit mother nature for her healing powers. I have no regrets, because mother nature healed my children and I with her supernatural powers.

LOVINAH is a powerful union of ancient African beauty rituals using traditional herbs, exotic oils and extracts, perfected by modern technology to give your skin a supernatural glow, while honoring your divine beauty and reconnecting you to mother earth.

This Box contains ($49.95. Retail Value $200.00):

• Lovinah Ocean Rituals AHA+BHA Cleansing Balm
• Lovinah Dragon C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir

Please Note: Limited quantities. This Box Ships in February.

Lovinah Ocean Rituals AHA+BHA Cleansing Balm: This gorgeous vibrant blue gem, which evokes the sea, is the most luscious and ultra-luxe cleansing balm imaginable. This is such a thing of beauty from its velvety smooth texture– which is a tactile experience that creates profound joy (pun intended)– that I am nearly at a loss for words. It has a light and natural aroma that is calming, uplifting and it beautifully engages the senses. This antioxidant-rich balm, which is composed of oils such as Milk Thistle, Blueberry & Kakadu Plum, also includes effective ingredients such as  Sea Lettuce & Blue Spirulina. In addition to effortlessly and effectively cleaning the skin, the encapsulated Lactic and Salicylic Acids gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and reveal glowing, healthy skin. Unlike many oil-based cleansing balms, this balm undergoes a metamorphosis from balm-to oil-to milk that can easily be rinsed off with warm water. Skin is left soft, smooth, supple and unmistakably luminous. This is a truly extraordinary cleansing balm.

According to Lovinah,

A daily multi-tasking product to mask, exfoliate and cleanse the skin. This magical exfoliating cleansing balm will help remove makeup and impurities to reveal glowing skin. An unparalleled, deep cleansing ritual targeting skin blemishes or acne prone skin to gently remove dead skin cells leaving the skin perfectly clean, soft and nourished without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

This luxurious non-comedogenic emulsifying acid cleansing balm, transforms on the skin into oil and then milky emulsion which gently dissolves makeup, dirt, toxins and pollutants, leaving the skin feeling super-soft, deeply cleansed, calm and radiant. Ocean Rituals is enriched lactic acid, salicylic acid, acid, fruit acids , vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants to help your skin glow better.

Directions: Scoop a generous dollop of balm and dispense it into the palm of the hand. Using fingertips, apply perfectly on the skin by massaging in a circular motion until the balm transforms into a silky oil. Splash face with lukewarm water to transform the oil into a milky emulsion and rinse until the skin feels clean and free of residue. Follow with your normal skincare ritual.

Ingredients: Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Seed Oil,Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Seed, Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil, Ulva lactuca (Sea Lettuce extract), Spirulina platensis (Blue Spirulina) Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3-palmitate ,Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate (and) Glyceryl Stearate (and) Stearyl Alcohol, D-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil & Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract & Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract & Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract & Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract & Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Lactic Acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Encapsulated salicylic acid (SA) Achillea millifolium, Citrus sinensis oil.

Lovinah Dragon-C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir: This antioxidant-rich Vitamin C based facial oil is my current favorite luxury face oil, and for me that is a significant claim– given my longstanding love of luxury face oils. This brightening elixir, which is composed in a base of Dragon Fruit Oil, also includes Kakadu Plum Oil, Goji Berry Oil, Lingonberry Oil, Raspberry Oil , Mongongo Nut Oil, Mongongon Nut Oil– to name a few of its nourishing oils.

Unlike many Vitamin C based products that quickly oxidize, Lovinah Dragon-C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir contains a very stable form of Vitamin C, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, selected because it is a highly absorptive form of oil-soluble Vitamin C. Furthermore, Kakadu Plum, Dragon Fruit and Goji Berry were selected since they are very rich in Vitamin C. 

The texture of this oil is like crushed velvet, and the scent has a heavenly natural fruity sensibility that defies description. This otherworldly oil, which is lightweight and fast-absorbing, melts into the skin and leaves it soft, smooth, moisturized, brightened and glowing. I can't recall ever being quite this impressed by, or obsessed with, a face oil. This is truly covet-worthy.

According to Lovinah,

Dragon-C is a high-performance brightening elixir that enhances skin’s natural defense system to brighten, firm, tone, plump and help dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Dragon-C Vitamin C & Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir strategically sources multiple versions of skincare's most-reached-for active ingredients in highly stable, natural forms. Vitamin C and retinol are two of skincare's dermatological staples for daily protection, prejuvenation, and anti-aging, and here they join forces in an age-defying, brightening powerhouse that can be used daily on all skin types.

Supercharged with 30% vitamin C & 2% Bakuchiol, this powerful skin elixir features potent antioxidants to help brighten and enhance your complexion. This luxuriously silky oil glides on and absorbs fast to create a healthy, youthful-looking glow. Dragon-C Elixir contains skin-protecting antioxidants that work very hard to guard against oxidative stress caused by sun and other environmental elements, which contribute to the look of premature fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

Directions: Apply to clean, dry skin the face, neck and décolletage, avoiding the eye area in the morning and night.

Ingredients: Hylocereus undatus (Dragon Fruit) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) Seed Oil, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Seed Oil, Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry) Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Mongongon Nut Oil,Cloudberry (Rubus Chamaemorus), Chokeberry (Aronia Melanocarpa) Seed Oil, Phormium Tenax (Harakeke) Seed Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Oil,Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus(Red Raspberry) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Bakuchiol, Dunaliella salina extract, Myristoyl Tripeptide-31, Nephelium Lappaceum, Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Crithmum Maritimum, Hexylresorcinol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Physalis Angulata extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis (Astaxanthin) Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon, Crocus Sativus flower extract, Lycopene, Lecithin, D-alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosa Damascena Flower Oil.

Overall Assessment: This box is utter perfection, period. A+

*THIS IS A SUBSCRIPTION* You will be charged immediately when you purchase. Automatic renewal occurs every two months until you cancel.

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own. 

To order your Boxwalla February Beauty Box visit: www.theboxwalla.com  

$49.95 ($200.00 value) from Boxwalla (Affiliate Links).

Copyright © 2023 www.lolassecretbceautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Boxwalla February Beauty Box: The Dragon & The Sea Featuring Lovinah Skincare

(Affiliate Links)

Boxwalla's eco-luxe beauty boxes are an extraordinary value, and the products themselves are nothing short of spectacular. Their carefully curated cruelty-free green beauty boxes are a tremendous value, with steep discounts, and they feature truly covet-worthy luxurious, and sustainably crafted beauty products.

The Boxwalla Beauty Subscription box is curated for the luxury-loving skincare enthusiast. In our beauty boxes, you will discover the most effective & innovative plant-based beauty products that redefine luxury skincare. By showcasing not only the benefits of each product we feature but also how they can be incorporated into skincare routine steps, we help you figure out how to build a skincare routine for your unique skin needs. Intrigued? Subscribe to our Beauty subscription boxes below.

February Theme: The Dragon and the Sea. Each Box contains two beautiful products from a cult favorite brand that people just can’t get enough of : Lovinah Skincare.

This Box contains ($49.95. Retail Value $200.00):

• Ocean Rituals AHA+BHA Cleansing Balm
• Dragon C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir

Please Note: February Subscriptions are now open! Limited quantities. This Box Ships in February.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

Lovinah Ocean Rituals AHA+BHA Cleansing Balm: The first product in the box is a cleansing balm that is so lush, and so blue like the ocean and the sea. As you massage it in it goes from balm-to oil-to milk and you can rinse it off with water.  Made in a base of antioxidant-rich oils like Milk Thistle, Blueberry & Kakadu Plum, it also contains Sea Lettuce & Blue Spirulina. The encapsulated lactic & salicylic acids make it very gently effective! If you loved the Power - C cleansing balm you will adore this luscious treat as well!

Lovinah Dragon C Vitamin C and Bio-Retinol Brightening Elixir: This antioxidant-rich Vitamin C oil serum is made in a base of Dragon Fruit oil, along with Kakadu Plum, Goji Berry, Lingonberry, Raspberry, Mongongo nut oils, and more! It contains a very stable form of Vitamin C: Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, a highly absorptive form of oil-soluble Vitamin C. Kakadu Plum, Dragon fruit & Goji Berry are also rich in Vitamin C while Harakeke Seed Oil helps prevent Transepidermal Water Loss.

*THIS IS A SUBSCRIPTION* You will be charged immediately when you purchase. Automatic renewal occurs every two months until you cancel.

To order your Boxwalla February Beauty Box visit: www.theboxwalla.com  

$49.95 ($200.00 value) from Boxwalla (Affiliate Links).

BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES FOR MARCH 2022

Press Samples (Affiliate Links)

It's hard to believe that March 2022 has already come and gone, but now it is springtime! I didn't use as many skincare products as I thought that I might, but I still manages to work my way through the remainder of 9 full-size products. Here is what I finished up in March: 

Potager Soap Co. Natural Secret Garden Soap ($8.98 for 4.5 oz. from Potager Soap Co.): Secret Garden is a wonderful amalgam of lavender, patchouli, geranium and rose petals. The notable pungency of the patchouli is tempered by the rose, geranium and lavender and the result is a warm, rich and creamy aroma that is an utter delight to the senses. The rich lather rinses clean, but never strips the skin. Purchase Again? YES! I already started using another soap from this wonderful company!

Baylis & Harding Rose & Geranium Natural Hand Wash ($5.99 each for 16.9 oz. from Target): is the perfect pick if you love the aroma of freshly cut roses with a slight twist of geranium. Their hand soaps are affordable and sustainable luxury washes that are a joy to use and they smell utterly delectable. Furthermore, they leave your hands soft and moisturized, rather than dry and stripped. Purchase Again? YES! I already opened another bottle!

AHAVA Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash in Lotus & Chestnut: This body wash gently cleanses the skin without stopping it, or leaving it taut. It soothes and moisturizes the skin with macadamia oil, organic plant extracts and Dead Sea Minerals– leaving skin silky smooth. It has a delicious nutty, fruity aroma that I find intoxicatingly good! Purchase Again? I would, but they appear to have discontinued this scent!

African Botanics Marula Botanical Hand Cream ($55.00 for 2 oz. from African Botanics, Net-A-Porter, Bluemercury and Revolve): The ultra-emollient luxury oil-infused cream boasts a refreshingly creamy lightweight texture that sinks into the skin immediately and doesn't leave hands in the least bit greasy. If you adhere to the belief that one needs to use thick and greasy hand creams in order to stave-off and heal dry and chapped hands, then you will be astonished by the efficacy of this ingenious hand cream. In fact, I think that it is more accurate to classify Marula Botanical Hand Cream as a cutting-edge antioxidant-rich anti-aging serum/cream hybrid that protects, nourishes, hydrates, soothes, brightens and repairs the skin with great efficacy.

Not only are my hands soft, supple and ultra moisturized, but they are left with the type of pronounced luminosity that I have only ever experienced in luxurious serums and beauty oils for the face. The delectable warm and earthy scent heightens the sensory experience of using this luxe hand cream, but it does fade soon upon application, and therefore won't pose a problem for those among you who prefer scent-free products.

It is noteworthy that the formula is very concentrated, and the effects are very long-lasting– therefore a single tube goes a very very long way.  If you treat yourself to one new body product this season, then African Botanics Marula Botanical Hand Cream should be at the top of your list. I kid you not, this hand cream is that extraordinary. Purchase Again? YES! This is a truly amazing hand cream!

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Murato Volume Hydro-Texturing Mist ($42.00 for 3.3 oz. from Shu Uemura Art of Hair and Sephora): This texturizing spray adds volume to hair, and is perfect for making beachy waves. It has the same light aroma as the other products from this collection, but the scent dissipates very quickly. Purchase Again? DEFINITELY! I already miss it!

Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask ($38.00 for 8.2 oz. from Space NK, Sephora and Nordstrom): That I have naturally curly hair means that I must deeply condition it, and I must do so frequently. I need a deep conditioner that really hydrates my hair, but doesn't weigh it down, and that tames frizz and fly-aways. This mask is cruelty-free, as is Briogeo in general, and it contains 98% natural ingredients. There are no silicones to weigh down my hair, and it does not contain parabens, phthalates or artificial dyes. Additionally, it is safe for color treated and otherwise chemically processed hair. It deeply nourishes and hydrates my hair, gives it a glossy shine and leaves it unbelievably soft and manageable. Furthermore, it effectively detangles hair, and banishes frizz and flyaways. The rich and thick mask is concentrated, therefore you don't have to use a lot, and it has a delectable non-lingering aroma. I generally leave it on for about 10 minutes, but when I really want to take it to the next level I leave it on for 30-45 minutes. Purchase Again? It's at the top of my list once I finish a few more of my open hair masks. 

LOVINAH Copper Peptide & EGF Pro-Aging Collagen Ampoules with Sea Kelp Bioferment ($125.00 for 4 x 5ml ampoules from LOVINAH, and Macy's): This is a "watery, supercharged serum with Copper Peptides and vegan Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). Copper peptides are potent skin regeneration actives that improve the appearance of skin, helping to increase skin thickness & reducing the appearance of wrinkles. EGF has a multitude of benefits including the acceleration of skin healing, skin renewal & the slowing down of the thinning of skin. It helps to boost collagen & elastin in the skin." Note: This serum is like a booster serum and doesn't contain any lipid components. You can either layer under another water-based serum (and then oil on top) or directly under an oil. You can also add it like a booster to your moisturizer or serums (that do not contain acids) The only restriction is that it cannot be layered with vitamin C - L-Ascorbic acid, or added to any serum with vitamin C (oil soluble vitamin C esters are ok). Purchase Again? At some point, definitely.

May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon Solid Oil Facial Concentrate ($180.00 for 1.69 oz. from goop): Aptly named, one immediately wants to be completely enveloped by this wondrous melting balm. While this balm evokes the color of the Adriatic Sea, this glistening gem melts into an irresistible oil serum upon being greeted by the warmth of the skin. This delectable anti-inflammatory multipurpose balm deeply nourished and hydrates the skin, eradicates redness and skin irritations and makes skin soft, supple, balanced, healed and luminous. 

I cannot sufficiently underscore the extent to which this is a truly special skincare treat. This magical balm is unlike anything else that I have tried, and not only does it nourish and treat the skin, but it also creates the most heavenly sensory experience. I begin by slowly and deeply inhaling its aroma directly from the jar, and then I remove a tiny amount from the jar and warm it between my fingers before massaging it into my freshly cleansed and damp face, neck and décolleté. The botanical aroma is a warm and earthy amalgam of its ingredients from which slight traces of Vanilla Planifolia and Lavender emerge. The scent essentially defies a lucid description because it has an otherworldly aroma, and is unlike anything else that I have experienced. 

Once this balm, which boasts the efficacy of the finest serums and beauty oils, sinks into the skin one immediately notices that their skin becomes ultra-hydrated, soft, supple and nourished. Furthermore, this ultra-luxe balm immediately calms sensitive skin that is reactive and easily irritated. It soothes and treats inflammation of all sorts, and is a wonderful choice for rosacea, eczema and acne-prone skin. The Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm Concentrate is also a great post-treatment, post-peel and post exfoliation product choice since its potent anti-inflammatory ingredients boast an efficacy that is seldom found in a single product. 

This potent, antioxidant-rich balm is also the perfect choice if you seek ultra-effective anti-aging skincare products that are healthy and effective. It should also be mentioned that this multipurpose healing and nourishing balm can be used to spot treat irritated skin, and that it works extraordinarily well as an eye cream and lip balm.  Additionally, if you have dry skin, or dry patches you will be astonished by the speed with which these conditions will be reversed. The Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm Concentrate activates the senses, elevates the mood and transforms the skin. It is, indeed, a magical unicorn that is filled with healthy, potent actives that together perform miracles for the skin and the spirit. Purchase Again? It's on my list!

Spongellé Botanics Candle in Rose ($38.00 for 8 oz. from Spongellé): I love aromatic rose fragrances, and this one is particularly special. The Turkish Rose comes through in all of its glory, but the bottom notes add a creamy woodsy aroma and the top citrus note adds a touch of zing. It is one of my all-time favorite permutations of the perfected rose. Features: 100% Soy Wax | Hand-poured in the US | Special flickering wooden wick | Burns up to 50 hours | Purchase Again? I still have three of their candles left to use first, but this is definitely worth buying! Plus the rose aroma is utter perfection!

Overall Assessment: I should be finishing up a few more skincare products next month since I have nearly finished up a few more things this month, but we will see! What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in March? Do you have any duds or winners to report?

Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2022 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.