Empties Post Volume XXXIV: June and July 2015

Press Samples, Purchased by Me and Free Samples (Affiliate Links)

I used up so few products in the month of June that I consolidated June and July into a single Empties post. Sometimes when I am testing lots of different products, I find it difficult to finish up much of anything. I thought that I would have finished up more than 5 full size products, but at least I managed to finish up a fair number of samples.

1) Caress Fine Fragrance Love Forever Body Wash (reviewed here): Caress makes such great body products, and I really like this body wash a lot! Lovely lather, great scent, and it leaves my skin soft and moisturized. Definitely worth trying!

2) Trader Joe's Moisturizing Cream Shave in Honey Mango is a staple in our household, and my husband and I both use it! I buy them 3-4 at a time. This a creamy dreamy moisturizing shave cream that leaves skin soft and supple, and it smells absolutely delicious! I highly recommend it, and it's also so affordable!

3) Kiss My Face Active Life in Cucumber Green Tea is another staple for me. I always have this on hand, and will continue to buy it over and over again. It is so gentle on sensitive skin, and it isn't filled with unhealthy chemicals.

4) The Honest Company Honest Bar Soap in Hydrating Shea Butter Cleansing Bar (reviewed here): This is such a lovely moisturizing soap that leaves skin so soft. I have always been very impressed by the products from The Honest Company, and will definitely buy more of their Cleansing Bars in the future.

5) Shannon's Soaps Shaving Soap in Bergamot Mint (reviewed here): I absolutely love Shannon's Soaps– everything that they make is so wonderful. Their handcrafted soaps are so fantastic, and they work well for shaving as well. That said, their Shaving Soap is one of the best shaving products that I have ever used. The creamy lather is so moisturizing and emollient, and lends itself to the perfect close shave. It's great for men, but I use it on my legs and underarms and just love it!

6) Miller Harris Citron Citron Shower Gel: This was a lovely smelling citrus scented shower gel that  did a great job cleaning my skin and leaving it soft.

7) The Honest Company Honest Hand Soap in Lavender (reviewed here): This smelled and felt so  good against the skin that I need to buy a full size bottle!

8) Essenza Luxury Hand Soap in French Lavender (featured here): This is an absolutely delectable smelling lavender hand soap. I used it down to the last drop, and thoroughly enjoyed every last bit!

9) L'Occitane Lait Corporel Body Lotion: I love L'Occitane lotions, and was happy with this little sample bottle. I'm not sure if this particular lotion is still being offered, but they have so many other fantastic lotions to choose from.

10) Herbal Essences Body Wash in Body Burst (featured here): The invigorating citrus scent was super refreshing for early morning showers. I'm not sure if I will purchase a full size bottle, but I did like the sample.

11) Moroccanoil Body Buff is a deliciously orange scented scrub that looks and feels a bit like orange marmalade! It leaves skin soft, beautifully exfoliated, and hydrated!

12) RADICAL Skincare Youth Infusion Serum is a light weight hydrating serum that lifts and plumps skin, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. I want a full size bottle!

13) Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate: I really like the way this made my skin feel, but the sample wasn't large enough for me to see any real effects, or to form a meaningful opinion.

14) TATCHA Radiant Deep Brightening Serum is a beautiful deeply moisturizing serum that leaves skin with an amazing luminosity and radiance. It makes skin look and feel amazing! I love to use it in conjunction with TATCHA Gold Camellia Beauty Oil (reviewed here).

15) Assorted sample packets and unmarked sample bottles: I actually find sample packets fairly useless because there is never enough product to be able to see whether it will work well for your skin. I often take them when I travel, but since they can't be resealed they are often more trouble than they are worth. I wish manufacturers would abandon these in favor of little tubes with lids.

What did you finish up, give away, throw out or return in June and July?

Press Samples, Purchased by Me and Free Samples (Affiliate Links)

Copyright © 2015 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Shannon's Soaps Mini Bar Soap Sampler Packs Now Available!

 Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

Shannon's Soaps makes a nice variety of beautifully handcrafted soaps, and their wonderful array of scents always delight the senses. Their soaps are among my all-time favorites not just because the scents are out-of-this-world, but also because they are creamy beautifully moisturizing treats for the skin. They recently expanded their repertoire by launching the cleverly named Mini Bar Soap Sampler Packs, a brilliant idea that allows you try a variety of different scents at a very affordable price. These are also the perfect accompaniment to gift bags for weddings, showers, party favors, holidays, or just little hostess gifts. These would also be fantastic in the bathroom to pamper you, your family and guests.

My Mini Bar Sampler Pack included Eucalyptus-Spearmint with Sea Clay, Lavender Ylang Ylang Soap and Strawberries & Champagne. Needless to say, all three scents are delectable.

Eucalyptus-Spearmint with Sea Clay is, "an invigorating minty scent infused with sea clay."
Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Palm, Tallow, Coconut, Olive, Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Spearmint and Sea Clay.

Lavender Ylang Ylang Soap is, "a little floral, a little spice.  Have fun saying it." 

Ingredients: Saponified Oil Of Palm, Coconut, Olive, Sunflower, Castor, Essential Oil of Lavender, Essential Oil of Ylang Ylang, Ultramarine Purple and Yellow Oxide.

Strawberries & Champagne is, "exotic oils and butters mixed with an erotic, exotic scent."

Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Palm, Coconut, Sweet Almond, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Argan, Fragrance and Iron Oxide Red Pigment.

Overall assessment: This is a wonderful way to try a variety of soaps for yourself, but they also make wonderful gifts. If you have not yet tried any of the handmade wonder from Shannon's Soaps you are in for a real treat!

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Sampler Packs contain three 1.5-ish oz. bars of soaps for $3.00.  Mix of varieties. Available from Shannon's Soaps (Unaffiliated Link).

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

Empties Post Volume XX: April 2014 Edition

April ended up being a vigorous month for the production of Empties. Honestly, I didn't consciously set out to use up so many products-- and in fact would go so far as to say that I didn't give it much thought. Yet somehow I managed to use up lots and lots of things that were full-size, deluxe samples, regular samples, and sample packets. I was so busy with work that I didn't give much thought to what was getting close to empty, or the fact that traveling with sample packets was going to result in lots of Empties. I also didn't spend any time looking at the growing pile of empty products in the bag on my closet floor to realize that I was actually doing a pretty good job of using things up this month!

Skin Within Purify Cleanse + Foaming Cleanser: This was a half-used hand-me-down from my sister when she was purging stuff before she moved. I finished it up in the shower, and thought that it was a really nice cleanser. It cleaned my skin beautifully without any stripping whatsoever.

Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner (reviewed here): I really loved this shampoo, and will probably eventually buy another one. However, at this point I am swimming in shampoos and conditioners so won't be buying any until I have used up a few in my current rotation. I do find that I have to rotate the Wen shampoos with others, otherwise it does tend to build up over time.

Caress Emerald Rush Body Wash (reviewed here): This is one yummy smelling gardenia and white tea scented body wash. It makes the shower, and the bathroom for that matter, smell delectable. I didn't use an entire bottle in less than a month, as you will note that my review was posted on April 9th, but instead an over-zealous shipping company tossed it on my porch making all of the bottles leak everywhere. I managed to salvage some, but thankfully the kind people at Caress sent me a new box of goodies. I will definitely pick more of these body washes up once I use up what I have.

Crest 3D White Strips Glamorous White: This did a great job removing coffee and tea stains from my teeth, and I will definitely repurchase them because I have no intention to stop drinking coffee or tea!

Bodycology Exfoliating Sugar Scrub in Enchanted Forest (reviewed here): This was a very effective and modestly priced body exfoliator that left my skin ridiculously soft, and didn't leave a oil slick on the bottom of my shower.

Rare Elements Pure Shampoo: This is a lovely shampoo that is free of sulfates, silicones, parabens and synthetic fragrances. I loved how nice my hair felt after using it, and I found it kind and gentle on my naturally curly hair.

Trader Joe's Face and Body SPF 30: This is a good staple to have on hand. I always left this bottle on a shelf near the back door as a reminder to use it, and I did!

Sponge Ladi Avokanto (reviewed here): I still love this lovely face oil! It sinks in nicely-- especially when warmed up between the hands and applied to warm damp skin-- and it leaves behind a lovely glow! I just opened another bottle!

Sunday Riley Start Over Eye Cream (reviewed here): This eye cream is very effective at eliminating under eye puffiness, but if your eyes are sensitive you will probably want to try out a sample packet first. It makes the eyes sting a bit and then they water for a while, but once that is over the puffiness is quite diminished. Some people find the stinging and watering to be too much for them, while others do not. Therefore, you might want to try it before you buy it. It is a very lightweight eye cream, and won't provide enough moisture for many people, but if you have a chronically puffy under eye area and don't need a rich eye cream-- then you might really love this one.

Of the samples shown above, I only have the Organic Pharmacy Purifying Seaweed Clay Mask (review forthcoming) and the Rituals Zensation Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Foaming Shower Gel Sensation (review forthcoming) in full sizes. Both are quite lovely, and I imagine that I will continue to use them for some time to come. Shannon's Soaps Cocoa Butter Love (reviewed here) is a delicious smelling and amazingly moisturizing thick and rich cream that is just scrumptious! I also have to note that the Serge Normant Meta Velour Conditioner was quite lovely, and that it's definitely on my list of future hair product purchases. It left my hair soft and manageable without weighing it down at all!

I'm actually rather shocked that I used up a staggering 70 sample packets-- I had to count a few times to make sure that the number was correct, and it is! I was able to achieve this feat because I used sample packets while traveling in April, and in some cases I used lotion and cream packets intended for the face on my hands and body instead. Single packets don't generally provide enough product to determine whether or not it will be a good fit because you can't use it long enough to see whether or not your skin will react adversely, or thrive. Thus unless I have many packets of a particular product, I tend not to use those intended for the face on my face. The many TATCHA products were used during my travels, and in many cases there were enough duplicates that I used them on my face with great results. I did have a few packets of their new Indigo line, and have to say that I am quite impressed by it.

Of the packets shown, I only have full sized versions of:

Radical Skincare Age Defying Exfoliating Pads (reviewed here): This is an ingenious product, and so highly effective. The pads themselves boast two different textures: one side boasts large raised concentric circles that offer added abrasion while the other side is smooth. This allows for an enhanced level of exfoliation-- it's a bit like a gentle version of coarse grit and fine grit sandpaper. It is a kind and gentle exfoliator loaded with anti-aging properties. I love this product!

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength (discussed here): This two part peel is a fantastic maintenance program between professional peels, but also is highly effective if you never seek out professional peels. I am very impressed by the efficacy of this product, but the Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength will not be suitable for sensitive skin. They also offer the Alpha Beta Original Formula which is a far more gentle variant.

TATCHA Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (reviewed here): This powder cleanser leaves skin indescribably soft and supple. It cleans without stripping, and I'm pretty well convinced that it contains magical fairy dust because it's hard to believe that a cleanser could ever leave skin that soft! It comes in three different formulas: Classic (normal to combination skin), Gentle (sensitive skin) and Deep (oily skin).

TATCHA Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (reviewed here): An amazing cleansing oil that can be used to pre-cleanse or as a cleanser by itself. It effectively removes every trace of makeup!

Aesop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment (review forthcoming, but shown here): I fell so in love with this luxury face oil after using up a few sample packets that I knew almost immediately that I had to have it. While it is supposed to be for drier skin types, I have found that it does an outstanding job with my decidedly combination skin.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (reviewed here): I have been reaching for this tinted moisturizer with greater frequency these days because the weather has been heating up here in LA. I love the light to medium buildable coverage and the lovely natural effect. I imagine that I will be reaching for this very often during the summer months.

What did you finish, toss, return, or give away in April?

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

Empties Post Volume XIX: March 2014 Edition

I would say that I did a pretty good job using up nearly finished products, and managed to get through quite a few samples as well. Despite the fact that I was testing new products, I still managed to make a dent in enough products to feel pretty satisfied by the accomplishment. I did a bit of traveling-- which made getting through sample packets fairly easy. Spring cleaning, for me, definitely involves finishing up partially used products that have been languishing in my cabinets and drawers. I get such a great sense of satisfaction when I put all of these empty bottles in the recycle bin, and gain a little breathing room in the bathroom cabinets and drawers.

Here are the full sized products and deluxe samples that I finished (hyperlinked product names lead to my in-depth reviews):

Crest 3D Whitestrips Classic Vivid: I have fairly sensitive teeth, and while preferable the super strength strips make them hurt. These seemed to do the trick, albeit a bit more slowly and gently-- but my teeth didn't hurt. They did a good job removing coffee and tea stains, but I think that I will do another cycle soon.

Perlier Volcanic Thermal Spa Scrub: I love this scrub because it effectively removes dead skin and reveals the softest silkiest skin imaginable. It also leaves no oil slick on the bottom of my shower-- so it cleans me without leaving me to scrub the shower floor.

Perlier Imperial Honey Body Butter: This is a thick and super rich body butter that leaves skin scrumptiously silky, soft and moisturized. 

Kai Body Glow Spray: Yes, I still love Kai! Kai Body Glow leaves skin soft and moisturized with a lovely glimmering sheen! It does, however, contain silicones-- so if you don't like silicone in your skincare products then you might want to pass on this oil and choose their luscious body butter instead.

Trader Joe's Moisturizing Cream Shave in Honey Mango: We love this stuff in my household, and I usually buy 3-4 at a time. They are often sold out at my local TJ's-- so me thinks that many other Angelino's love it too! It's gentle and moisturizing, and very affordable!

Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze Shower Gel Relaxing: A hand-me-down from my sister in her pre-move purge. I really liked it a lot. It smelled great.

Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze Shower Shampoo Refreshing: Also from my sister. Very nice, and it smelled wonderful.

Clarins Gently Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed: While I love many Clarins products, I found that this particular cleanser left my skin too squeaky-clean for my taste. It didn't dry out my skin or leave it parched, it just felt a tad stripped. 

Shannon's Soaps Tropical Coconut Sugar Scrub: This delectable scrub smells so good that one might be tempted to eat it (don't). It not only leaves skin unbelievably smooth, but it also is intensely moisturizing!

Shannon's Soaps Cocoa Butter Love: If you love the smell of cocoa butter and love rich body creams, then welcome to cocoa butter nirvana! This is one of my very favorite rich creams to use! I have another in my stash that I am just about to open!

Sponge Krema Imeras Day Cream: How I wish that Barneys New York still carried Sponge Skincare! Krema Imeras is a fantastic anti-aging day cream! I loved it from the first to the last pump! When I am in need of another day cream I will reorder this one from Dermstore now.

Bare Love Beauty Luxury Hair Fuel: This is a wonderful firm oil that leaves hair looking and feeling gorgeous! It does wonders for my curly hair, and it is super concentrated-- so only a tiny bit is needed to do the trick. The end result is smooth gloss hair!

While I got through a good many samples, I am only commenting on those of them that I either found particularly noteworthy, own a full size version of, or have used long enough to have formed a meaningful opinion. Single sample packets and small samples generally don't give me nearly enough time with a product to decide whether or not it might work for me. However, multiple samples of a product can help me determine whether or not I am willing to buy the product. The two noteworthy samples that led to the purchase of the full size products are the Aesop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment and the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength, and I am hopelessly in love with both.

Aroma M Camellia Hair Oil: I am crazy in love with this hair oil-- Maria has yet again created a masterpiece. Once I get through a few of my hair oils, I will be purchasing a full sized bottle of this amazingly effective and delectable smelling oil!

African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil: Where to start?! I'm madly in love with this luxury face oil, and covet my full size bottle. This is a miraculous product, and I plan on using it as long as Julia and Craig make it! It really is that good! African Botanics is one of those rare lines that makes one extraordinary product after another, and it is one of my all-time favorite lines! I truly, madly and deeply love everything that I have tried so far, and won't be happy until I have tried everything that they make!

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask: This is a super effective at-home peel that works wonders on the skin. I find that it effortlessly and quickly leaves my skin soft, smooth and with a pronounced clarity! Somehow I still have a pile of samples-- so it will be quite some time before I need to buy a full size bottle.

TATCHA Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder: I love this enzyme powder, and have a full-size jar that I use very often. It is effortless to use and gives consistently excellent results. I still can't believe how soft and smooth my skin is after use!

Koh Gen Do Spa Water Cloths: I have yet to find a product to beat KGD Spa Water (cloth or liquid form). It removes everything and leaves the skin feeling clean and balanced. I have a bottle and a full pack of the cloths in my current rotation.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength: I'm surprised that I only used a single packet this month, but this is no reflection on my love of this product! This is a fabulously effective at-home maintenance peel program. It will take me a while to get through my big box, but I will definitely continue using this product.

Aesop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment: It only took me a couple of sample packs of this gorgeous face oil to know that I had to have it! I will post a full review after I have used it a bit longer, but I really love it. While it is supposed to be for drier skin, I have found that it does an exemplary job on my combination skin!

What did you finish, toss, give away or return in March? Any great finds? Any huge disappointments? Do tell!

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

Shannon's Soaps: New Tropical Coconut Sugar Scrub Review

 Press Sample

Shannon's Soaps makes gorgeous products for the face, body and soul- and their latest addition is a scrumptiously good Tropical Coconut Sugar Scrub. 

According to Shannon's Soaps, "Dull-looking skin?  Not on my watch, sister.  When you need to scrub away those dead skin cells, grab a tub of sugar scrub or an exfoliating bar and gently buff your way to brighter skin."

This delightful body scrub strikes the perfect balance in texture between the amount of oil used, and the small sized sugar grains chosen. The result is a perfect exfoliation every time, and without an oily mess to contend with (as often happens when too much oil is used). The luxurious scrub smells so good that you might be tempted to eat it (don't), and the scent lingers on the skin and in the air for long enough to transport you to a tropical island. Everything about this scrub is fantastic, and it is affordable!

Choose from a natural essential oil scent (Peppermint) or a fragrance oil scents (Tropical Coconut).

Overall assessment: Fabulously effective body scrub, and the scent will make you deliriously happy!

4.5 oz. for $8.50 Available from Shannon's Soaps. (Unaffiliated Links provided for your convenience)

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2013 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Shannon's Soaps Shaving Soap in Bergamot Mint: Review

Shannon's Soaps really knocked it out of the park with their Shaving Soap in Bergamot Mint- this little unobtrusive round bar is so spectacular that you will actually really enjoy shaving!

According to Shannon's Soaps, "If you've already tried traditional wet shaving, you know what it can do for you.  If you're here to get started, congratulations on your decision. Those who have traded in their can of shaving goo for a brush and mug are apt to wax poetic on the transformation of a daily chore into an enjoyable session of indulgent self-pampering, but I won't go that far."

Shannon developed this shaving soap at the request of her husband, and after much research and testing she developed this amazing product.  Shannon muses that while they have a few cans of shaving gel left, that neither she nor her husband will use anything other than the Shaving Soap now! You will understand why they abandoned all other shaving products when you try this Shaving Soap!

Shannon describes this shaving soap as "A handmade 'expensive oil' shaving soap that provides superior lathering and conditioning for the gentleman who shaves with brush and mug." While this shaving soap may seem old school- trust me when I tell you that this is not your grandfather's shaving soap- not by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed, your grandfather would have delighted in this tremendously emollient and moisturizing shaving soap that outperforms anything that he could have imagined! In fact, women and men alike will become devotees of this amazing product from the moment that they first try it. Simply stated, it leaves your skin unbelievably soft, smooth and remarkably moisturized. The rich emollient lather will encourage an unprecedented close shave that will leave the skin baby soft and silky smooth.

Brian, Shannon's wonderful husband, offers a fantastic tutorial in order for you to get the most out of this extraordinary shaving soap:

How to Lather and Use Shaving Soap

It takes a bit of practice, but all in all, it will be well worth it.  There really is no comparison between the comfort you get using a shaving soap versus a can of shaving gel or foam.

There are a couple different basic techniques - you can lather in a mug or bowl, or you can lather directly on your face.  We'll discuss mug lathering.  As far as basic equipment, you'll need a mug (obviously), a brush, and your shaving implement of choice.  As far as brushes, you can use a badger brush or a boar brush.  Some feel that boar, which is a bit stiffer, is better for soaps, since shaving soaps can be on the hard side.  You certainly can use a modern cartridge razor, but for my money, nothing is as cool as an old-school double-edge safety razor.  If you're a straight-razor user, my hat's off to you - you're a more daring man than I.

1. Soak the Brush and Wet the Soap
Start by soaking your brush in hot water.  You can do this in your bowl or mug, or in the sink if you prefer.  I like using my mug, since it frees the sink up for brushing my teeth, washing my face, etc.  It also has the benefit of softening the soap (which is in the mug), which in my opinion makes it easier to lather.  If you're going to soak the brush somewhere other than in the mug with your soap, you might want to dribble a bit of water on top of your soap while you soak your brush.  Washing your face incidentally, will make shaving easier, as it softens up the hair.  It gets even easier if you shave after you shower.

2. Drain the Brush and Soap
After the brush has been soaking for a few minutes, empty the water from your mug, and let the excess water run off your brush until it stops dripping.  Give the brush a shake or two.  I personally like to start with a brush that is dryer than what I think I might need, and add water back in if I have to.  Shannon's shaving soaps seem to work a bit better with less water than some other soaps, so this seems like a wise precaution.  Removing excess water is a bit difficult.

3. Create the Lather
Work the brush in a circular motion on top of the soap.  Working more air into your lather, it will get stiffer, not unlike whipping cream.  If at this point you start to get a lather that's too thick and a bit stringy, you can add water, a few drops at a time, until things get back in line.  Be careful though, as too much water will make a runny lather that doesn't last.  Experience will eventually teach you how much water you need to get the most out of your soap.

4. Apply the Lather
Now it's time to apply your lather.  Use painting strokes and circular, swirling motions to thicken the later up on your face and work it into your stubble, so as to stand the hairs up, enabling your razor to do its job better.  Your goal is to get enough lather on your face so as not to be able to see the skin beneath it.  Sufficiently lathered, you can now begin your first pass with your razor.  Good luck!

Overall assessment: Best in class!

2.5- 3 oz round $4.00 each (available in 7 scents and one unscented bar) from Shannon's Soaps.
PR sample sent for consideration. All views expressed are categorically my own. Stock photo courtesy of Shannon's Soaps.

Shannon's Soaps Vanilla Bean Soap Review

I love everything that I have ever tried from Shannon's Soaps, and when the lovely Shannon sent me her Vanilla Bean Soap I was thrilled!

Handmade Fragrance Oil-Scented Soaps: "All these soaps have palm, coconut, olive, castor, and sunflower oils. Scented with fragrance oils, colored in various ways. A nice, hard conditioning bar with lots of lather. Different scents for different moods. (Some scents don't have essential oils that are stable or survive the lye reaction. For those, we use fragrance oils. And some are just for fun.)."

The Vanilla Bean Soap is, "A bold, creamy vanilla scent, and a deep vanilla bean color." If you love the smell of Vanilla Bean as do I, then welcome to Vanilla Nirvana (in caps because it is a real place courtesy of Shannon's Soaps)!!!!!!! This is a delectable smelling soap that is so yummy that you might be tempted to take a bite- though I definitely would not recommend it! It has a spectacularly rich and creamy lather, and the vanilla scent is so deliciously decadent that you will enjoy every single moment of using it! I highly recommend using it in the shower since the warm steam accentuates the scent and really is a treat to the senses. I also love using this soap as a shaving cream because it is so creamy and emollient.

Ingredients: Saponified oils of palm coconut, olive, sunflower, castor; fragrance.

Overall assessment: A+!! Absolute must-have soap!

2.5-3 oz. round bar $3.00 each & 4+ oz. bar $4.00 from Shannon's Soaps.
PR sample sent for consideration. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Shannon's Soaps- Handmade Winter & Holiday Collection

Shannon's Soaps has released a delightful assortment of delectable soaps for their Winter & Holiday Collection. While I have yet to try them, I feel the need to indulge in them!

Frankincense & Myrrh

"You've always wondered what these smell like - now's your chance to find out! A classic Christmas scent that's spicy, earthy and absolutely divine."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; essential oil and fragrance oil blend; yellow oxide; iron oxide red.

3.9 - 4.4 oz bars: $4.00 each

Spearmint Mint-tastic!

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; spearmint essential oil; ultramarine blue; chromium oxide green.

3.9 - 4.4 oz bars: $4.00 each

Spiced Cranberry

SOLD OUT 12/2/12  Spicy, sweet and irresistible.

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; fragrance; alkanet root; iron oxide red.

3.8-4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

Mint Chocolate Chip

"Decadent and refreshing, with a mild mint-chocolate scent. Packed with skin-friendly cocoa butter."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, canola, cocoa butter; cocoa powder; essential oil of peppermint; chromium oxide green.

3.8-4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

Mistletoe & Pine

"Celebrate the season while you bathe!  Floral, woodsy, and wonderfully refreshing."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; fragrance; chromium oxide green.

3.8-4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

Mulled Cider

"Perhaps the perfect winter scent.  I feel warm and toasty just thinking about it!"

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; fragrance; 

chromium oxide green

3.8-4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

Pumpkin Spice Soap

"Pumpkin pie fans rejoice!  Here's another soap you may be tempted to eat, with oils and spices that smell just like everyone's favorite Thanksgiving treat."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, olive, coconut, sunflower, castor; pumpkin puree; pumpkin pie spice; essential oils of clove, ginger, cinnamon

3.8 - 4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

2.5 - 3 oz round: $3.00 each

Peppermint Swirl Soap

"A little Christmas cheer."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, olive, coconut, sunflower, castor; peppermint essential oil; iron oxide red pigment.

3.8 - 4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

2.5 - 3 oz round: $3.00 each

Firelight

"A warm, manly blend of cedar, sandalwood, leather, amber and musk."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; fragrance; yellows #5 & 6; red #33.

3.8-4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

Starlight

 

"A devilishly feminine blend of fruit and musk."

What's in it: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, and castor; fragrance; ultramarines blue and purple

3.8-4.2 oz bars: $4.00 each

Handmade Holiday Lotions

"My fabulous handmade lotion, with organic shea butter, sweet almond, and avocado oils, in your choice of these Holiday scents:  Mulled Cider, Pepperminty, Pumpkin Spice, Spearminty, Spiced Cranberry, or Starlight."  Available in 2oz. or 4oz. jars.

Shannon's Soaps will be be selling her fabulous products this weekend at the following event:

Inspired by Nature Arts & Craft Show
Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9
9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center
Rocky River Reservation • North Olmsted, OH

More information is click here.
Information and images courtesy of Shannon's Soaps.

Shannon's Soaps Lavender Mint Balm- Review

It should come as no surprise at this point that I am madly in love with everything that I have ever tried from Shannon's Soaps, and as long as the delightful Shannon is making her glorious products I will be using them, period! This is a line that I can stand behind without hesitation, and I couldn't recommend her products more emphatically. Everything is made with the highest quality ingredients that smell delicious, and feel amazing on the skin.

My newest favorite product from Shannon's Soaps is her phenomenal Homemade Lavender Mint Balm- it is so great, in fact, that I can hardly believe that I am only just now starting to use it. This delightful balm is hardworking, highly effective, and it boasts a phenomenal sensory aromatherapeutic experience. I really had the perfect opportunity to test the efficacy of this product because my lips have been more chapped than ever thanks to a couple of unforgivingly drying lipsticks that I wore for a couple of days. In fact my lips were such a red, chapped and peeling mess that I nearly avoided leaving the house. I began applying this beautiful balm to my lips and within about two hours the redness had diminished significantly, and within a day my lips looked normal (though still healing). It was on the morning of the third day that I noticed that my lips were not only restored to normal, but that they were also unbelievably soft and supple. The smell is delicious and calming, and the texture is unbelievably emollient and refined. This beauty is also very concentrated, so only the smallest amount needs to be applied to the lips to produce astonishing results.

According to Shannon's Soaps, this glorious balm is "Loaded with healing oils and natural waxes" and "can be used virtually anywhere your skin needs extra healing help - like hands, lips, cuticles, and rough spots on your heels or elbows."

I also tried the balm on my hands, cuticles, elbows, and heels to see how it performed, and as suspected it did a fantastic job of deeply moisturizing everything that it touched!

Choose from: Lavender Mint (a natural essential oil scent), Tropical Coconut (fragrance oil scent), Jasmine (fragrance oil scent), or Monoi de Tahiti (fragrance oil scent).

Overall assessment: The best of the best! You need this in your life, period! The price is so reasonable for what you get that it is worth picking up a few of them!! I definitely want to try Jasmine next!

$5.00 1.5 oz. tin available from Shannon's Soaps. Shannon's Soaps is a Cruelty Free company.

PR sample sent for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are categorically my own.

Empties Post: Volume II- September 2012

I should preface this post by stating that I made a concerted effort to work my way to the bottom of lots and lots of samples this month. With real determination, I managed to get through a great many little vials, jars, and bottles. I have a rather frightening pile of samples that I have been testing, and the first on my hit-list were those that were partially used. Also in fairness, many of the full-sized products were getting pretty close to empty, but not empty enough to make it into my August Empties Post. 

Skincare Products: Lots and lots of Suki Skincare empties this month! I finished up a full-sized bottle of Suki Renewal Bio-Resurfacing Facial Peel (fantastic, but probably too active for those sensitive skin), and piles of the small glass vials of travel sized Suki products. Since they are natural products, I figured that I should use them up before they went bad- most of them were partially used up- so it took very little effort to empty them. There were a few Sunday Riley empties this month as well. Also lots of little jars of various creams, lotions and cleansers. I also made my way through two Shiseido sunscreens samples, a Tatcha Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (this stuff is extraordinary!), several packets of Sponge products (a truly magical line that has stolen my heart), there's also a Tata Harper sample, and then finally a full-sized jar of Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base- which was a really lovely oil-free lightweight, but moisturizing cream that works very well under makeup.

Body Care Products: The Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Bodyskin Cream was a great moisturizer, but sadly it was one of the many things that they seemed to recently discontinue (hopefully they are planning on bringing it back). The Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy & Honey Whipped Body Butter is awesome! It took very little time to get through the sample jar, but I still have a huge jar- so I am quite happy about that! I wouldn't usually even include a regular hand soap in my line-up, but all four that I featured were fantastic and worthy of mention. First the Green Tea French Milled Soap from Whole Foods is wonderful, and I will definitely repurchase it. The two Shannon's Soaps were lovely down to the last scraps, and definitely worth replacing. The biggest surprise was the In-Kind Natural Hand Soap that I grabbed from Pavilions (AKA Vons, Safeway) because it was on sale. It was a lovely moisturizing soap that I will definitely pick up again. The 80 Acres Verde Hand and Body Cream was a wonderful and delightful smelling and feeling discovery, and thankfully I have one of their soaps to try next. I made it through the small sized bottle of Shave with Benefits, and am now working my way through one of the full-sized bottles-- I love this stuff. Not that crazy about the Tom's unscented deodorant, but I am happy with the Lemongrass version that I am currently rotating with my Kai Deodorant (pure awesomeness). The Nourish Deodorant is a super natural deodorant made with Shea butter, cocoa butter and all sorts of emollient ingredients, but I found that it worked nicely.

Haircare Products: The Living Proof hairspray sample was quite nice, but I'm not much of a hairspray kind of girl. I loved the Oribe Signature Shampoo-- it was quite hydrating, smelled divine, and made my curly hair happy! The Davines Defining Paste was a great product-- I did dilute it with water in my hands and found that it gave me really nicely defined curls without feeling heavy or crunchy.

Makeup & Lip Balms: I made my way through a few more makeup items this month (which makes me very happy)! The Tarte emphasEYES inner rim eye pencil did not wow me in the least bit-- it was stiff and kept crumbling. I'm not big on wearing liner on my waterline, but it was too hard to use in that application. When I tried to apply it to my upper or lower lids- I would eventually get it to apply, but not without lots of wasted product. I really liked the Clinique Quickliner for Eyes, and was actually pretty sad when it was gone. The empty square pan beneath the pencils was a Trish McEvoy Mineral Foundation- it was another gift from my mom. It was pretty meh on my skin, and despite the fact that I have combination skin I found it a bit drying, but I did use the entire thing up. Yes, I actually finished both the EOS and the Suki lip balms, but let's all be clear that they were both well worn. All of the sample jars were either foundations, tinted moisturizers, or loose powders-- I was pretty pleased that I tried them all for a few days, and then the jars were empty.

Fragrances: Fresh Vanilla Eau de Parfum and Fresh Heperides Eau de Parfum were both lovely scents that I finally finished up (they were getting pretty old). To the right of the Fresh bottles is an empty reed diffuser that lasted quite a while. Of course I also have a nice pile of empty perfume samples, and as always if I don't like the way that they smell on me- I use them as room sprays near the kitty litter box. The only sample in this pile that resulted in a purchase was the kai perfume oil.

Almost Empties: I am absolutely determined to finish this pile of makeup. The MAC Eyeshadow Duo is getting pretty close- which is so exciting. The Trish McEvoy Blush & Eyeshadow pans are also almost done-- these were both given to me by my mom, and I have pretty mixed luck with Trish McEvoy makeup in general. These two products are okay, but nothing special for me. The two MAC eye pencils (Uniform and Feline) are nice, but won't likely be replaced because I have plenty of other eye pencils to use up first. I do believe that I have a backup of Feline though- so I will have to pull it out and use it once this one becomes a stub that can no longer be sharpened. The Shu Uemura lip pencil is really lovely, and while it is nearly gone I also have a backup of this beauty.

I am finding that my partially used makeup is serving as a source of motivation to really use what I have. I haven't set any sort of moratorium on makeup purchases, because that will only make me feel deprived- which will make me want to buy more makeup. Instead, I am forcing myself to be far more selective about my makeup purchases because my stash is already bursting at the seams. That said, skincare is my weakness, and all bets are off there. If I see something that really intrigues me- it will, in all likelihood, end up in my stash.

Did you manage to finish anything up this month? Have you tossed anything out because you didn't like it enough to keep using it? Did you return anything that was a total fail? Are you imposing any buying bans on yourself? Do tell!

Shannon's Soaps Honey-Oat with Goat's Milk Soap- Review & Pictures

There is something about Oatmeal soaps that I have always found immensely comforting. I love the smell, the feeling of the bar in my hands, and the general earthiness that a good bar possesses. There is just something so wholesome and therapeutic about Oatmeal soap, and for me it produces a sense of wellbeing.

I have tried many many Oatmeal soaps, from Trader Joe's (reviewed here) to high-end handmade versions, and I must say that Shannon's Soaps Honey-Oat with Goat's Milk Soap has quickly become my favorite. It is luxuriously creamy, it smells divine, and the ground oatmeal is very effective as a gentle exfoliant. The combination of the saponified oils (palm, coconut and canola), the goat's milk, and raw honey also make this an unbelievably non-stripping moisturizing soap. I keep it in my shower and use it daily-- it's that good!

Overall assessment: This is my favorite Oatmeal soap to date!
4.1 oz. bar $4.00

PR samples provided, but as always the opinions expressed in this review are categorically my own.

Shannon's Soaps- Lilacs Soap Review

I love lilacs. I love the way they look, the way they smell, the way their delicate fragrance wafts through the air to greet you. They are just the most divine flowers, and I get an unbelievable amount of pleasure looking at mine whenever they are in bloom. As a result of my deep and abiding love for this lovely flower it should come as no surprise that I have a penchant for lovely lilac scented body products. My newest lilac love is Lilacs Soap from Shannon's Soaps- this handmade soap is rich and creamy, and it effectively moisturizes your skin while cleaning it. All of the glorious oils in this soap prevent it from stripping the skin and leaving it dried out. One of the most satisfying things about this gorgeous creamy soap is the lovely and delicate scent of lilacs. Once the bar is wet- the fragrance is released, and it really rouses the senses! I keep this bar in my shower and it makes my entire bathroom smell of lilacs for a while. I have even found that this bar to be wonderful for shaving-- however those with more sensitive skin should probably opt for a fragrance free variety for shaving, or try out Shannon's Soaps Shaving Soap which I plan to try.

Overall assessment: This is a fabulous handmade soap with a delicious scent, and a reasonable price. I LOVE IT!!

$4.00 4.3 oz. from Shannon's Soaps
PR samples provided, but as always the opinions expressed in this review are categorically my own.

Shannon's Soaps- Cocoa Butter Love Lotion- Review

Source

I am a huge fan of high quality body lotions and creams, and I have always had a very powerful visceral reaction to the smell of cocoa butter- therefore finding a high quality handmade lotion that contains cocoa butter is a great reason to celebrate. 

Cocoa Butter Love, from Shannon's Soaps (to learn more about this fantastic company click here), is a glorious handmade cocoa butter- based lotion with sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, grapefruit seed extract and glycerin. The smell is mild and after a few minutes the cocoa butter scent dissipates, therefore it won't interfere with any other fragrance that you might be wearing. While the consistency feels like a cream (thick and lusciously creamy), Cocoa Butter Love applies like a dream and absorbs quickly leaving your skin luxuriously supple, smooth, velvety-soft, and immensely moisturized. This fantastic lotion competes with the best body lotions and creams on the market- yet does so without all of the chemicals that we are accustomed to slathering on in an effort to abate dry skin. The effects are long lasting- therefore frequent reapplication is rendered unnecessary. However, if you are anything like me you will reapply it just for the pleasure of feeling it and smelling it!

In addition to Cocoa Butter Love, Shannon's Soaps offers Pepperminty, Autumn Sunshine, and Tropical Coconut body lotions. One can also order custom blended scented lotions as well- therefore there is something for everyone.  What is surprising is that a product this spectacular remains affordable. Be sure to take a look around the website- you will see that they also offer bath salts, bath bombs, and a balm. I love this lotion so much that I am now curious to try their Homemade Balm!

Overall assessment: It truly doesn't get any better than this! Cocoa Butter Love is a luxuriously moisturizing lotion that is both safe and effective, but it is also joyous to use. In fact it smells so good that I leave my jar on my desk so that I can just smell it throughout the day! I simply cannot recommend this highly enough! Stay tuned- I have a couple of amazing soaps from this fantastic company that I will be reviewing shortly.

2 oz. jar $4.50
4 oz. jar $7.50 available from Shannon's Soaps
PR samples provided, but as always the opinions expressed in this review are categorically my own.