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?

Empties Post: Volume V: December 2012

I initially thought that I would make a larger dent in all of my samples during the month of December, but since I was using vbeauté skincare exclusively I really didn't use other skincare products. Still, I did manage to use up a few skincare samples that didn't interfere with reviewing the entire line.

Skincare Products: My big surprise was the Clarins UV PLUS HP Ecran Multi-Protection SPF 40- this is hands down the best sunscreen that I have ever tried, period end of subject!  Needless to say, I purchased the full sized bottle. It doesn't have a strange texture, it plays well with makeup, and feels silky smooth. REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (reviewed here) is a fabulous peel mask- I used these samples while traveling. This is simply an amazingly effective mask, and I will continue using it as long as REN makes it! MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes- Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser (reviewed here) handles even the toughest waterproof makeup, and it does so effortlessly and gently.

Body & Hair Products: I try to be judicious in my use of hand sanitizers, but I did have a really bad flu this year so I did use them after touching door knobs at work. The one from Traders Joe's was of the regular gel variety, but the one that I really loved was Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Hand Sanitizer (reviewed here) because it was a pleasant smelling organic product in a spray bottle. It was so convenient to use because of the way that it was packaged, and I highly recommend it for this reason and for the quality of the product itself. My husband bought Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo and didn't use it because he preferred one of their other shampoos- so it just sat in the shower unused. Being one who hates waste, I decided to repurpose it as a shower and shave gel- and it worked well as such. The Curls Gel-les'c curl gel/ shine serum (reviewed here) was a really lovely product that felt moisturizing on my curly locks, and it really gave my hair a lovely shine! EOS Pomegranate Raspberry Shave Cream was an awesome and affordable product that left my legs very soft and moisturized after use.

Makeup, Lip Balms & Fragrances: I made a decent dent in my pile of fragrance samples- which I have vowed to get through. It drives me nuts having drawers filled with piles of things that I don't use-- so it gives me great satisfaction using up these perfume samples. As always, if they smell awful on me I end up using them near the kitty litter boxes to deodorize the area. I managed to get through another Suki Lip Repair Butter (reviewed here) and a Weleda Everon Lip Balm (I love this stuff!), but both were nearly used up- so it didn't take much time to use the last bits of each of them. I also used up a Chanel Mascara sample, the last bits of a MAC eyeshadow duo, and the last bits of a Trish McEvoy Blush. For the last few months I have been trying to make a dent in some of my makeup, and the aforementioned MAC and Trish McEvoy products were on my hit list to finish up before 2013. I am so pleased that I actually finished both of them.

Which products did you finish, toss, or give away in December?