Empties Post Volume X: May 2013

I was rather pleased that I was able to get through a few full size products this month despite the fact that I was testing out new products. I did use up a few testers, and most surprisingly finished up every last drop of a full size foundation. I also used up a good pile of perfume samples- most of which were taken on my many out of town trips this month. I am generally quite pleased that I managed to finish as much as I did, but I will say that traveling makes it pretty easy to use up samples. They are such great space savers, and they generally provide enough product for a few days of use.

Shave with Benefits Shaving Foam in Pomegranate + Mango (reviewed here): Still a favorite! This is such an amazing product, and it leaves your skin so silky smooth and moisturized!

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water (reviewed here): I love this cleansing water, and it is by far my favorite. I will definitely be repurchasing it. It does a phenomenal job removing every trace of makeup and leaves your skin soft.

Rock Your Hair: Big Hair Rocks Shampoo and Big Hair Rocks Conditioner (reviewed here): These are fantastic products, and the bottles are so cute that I am keeping them as travel refills!

Mary Kay Mini Eye Makeup Remover: I somehow ended up with a small size sample of this makeup remover, and the first time that I tried it it made my eyes sting, but I have pretty sensitive eyes. I ended up using it to remove makeup from arm swatches, and it did a great job.

Reviva Labs Peel Light Skin Peel (reviewed here): This is one of my very favorite face peels- it is so gentle, effective, and fun to use. I will definitely get another one!

REN Multi-Tasking After Shave Balm: My husband used and loved this sample, but left enough in the bottle when he tossed it in the recycle bin that I was able to try a bit while cleaning out the tube. It is very nice stuff.

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (reviewed here): LOVE LOVE LOVE. I continue to use and love this highly effective mask. It dissolves dead skin with amazing efficacy, and leaves your skin clean, clear, and gorgeous!

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers SPF 30 (reviewed here): I love this stuff, and can't believe that I actually finished it. It imparts nice natural coverage with enough radiance to give skin a beautiful healthy glow. I have a huge stash of foundations, BB Creams, and Tinted Moisturizers that I need to use, but once I get through some of these products I will likely repurchase this.

Ole Henriksen Truth Crème Advanced Hydration: I can't really say how well this works because I didn't use it long enough to be able to evaluate it.

Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage Stretch Eye Sheet: I have used a few of these and really like them, but I haven't really used them long enough to really review them. They do make my eyes look rested and moisturized, and that is always a good thing.

Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder: This is a truly amazing product. I have never had a cleaning/exfoliating product do such a great job cleaning and removing dead skin while leaving my skin baby-bottom soft. You simply add a touch of water to the powder to turn it into a paste and then use it as you would any cleanser. However, the results are anything but run-of-the-mill!

Malin+Goetz Jojoba Face Scrub: This is a very nice gentle and effective physical exfoliant. I really love Malin+Goetz- they make solid products that do exactly what they claim to do.

Kai Perfume Oil (reviewed here): I am still madly in love with Kai. Sadly, I think that I have used the last of my sample vials- these are just fantastic for traveling. I will need to replace my full size bottle of the Kai Perfume Oil pretty soon because I wear it so often!

Assorted Perfume Samples: Nothing stands out or warrants a purchase.

What did you use up, toss, or give away this month?

Empties Post Volume IX: April 2013

Needless to say, this month I have a far less impressive pile of Empties! In fact, there was so little that I dispensed with categories and multiple shots in favor of a single picture. I managed to finish two full sized products, as well as a travel size, a deluxe sample, and the requisite assortment of samples.

I finished up a full size and a travel size of Shave with Benefits Shaving Foam (reviewed here), and this remains one of my all-time favorite products for shaving. It is so moisturizing and lovely- not to mention the fact that it is aromatic and delightful to use.

Kiss My Face Active Life Deodorant in Cucumber Green Tea was a lovely product, and it smells fantastic!

The Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Cleanser (reviewed here) is a great non-stripping facial cleanser that has earned very high marks in my book. It's lovely alone, but divine when used in conjunction with a Clarisonic.

Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (review forthcoming) has been in my Top 5 list for a while. You would be hard pressed to find a cleanser that leaves your skin more baby-bottom soft than this one. It's an absolute A+ product!

The Organic Pharmacy Rose Plus Marine Collagen Complex Anti-Ageing (review forthcoming, but featured here). This is one of my very greatest recent finds, and I purchased the full sized bottle which was pricey, but well worth it!

Kai Perfume Oil (reviewed here). Yes, I still have mad love for everything made by Kai! While I own the full size bottle, and use it regularly, I take the sample sizes with me when I travel.

L'Wren Scott Eau de Parfum. I liked the scent, but it didn't get on well with my body chemistry.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser. I really like this cleanser a lot. I may eventually buy the full size when I need a new cleanser, but as you can see from this picture- it will be some time before I actually need to purchase another cleanser!

Random sample of an already forgotten cream! I can't remember what it was for, and it wasn't marked- so I used it on my feet! It, whatever it was, made my feet feel very soft!

What did use use up, toss, or give away this month? Do tell.

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 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!

The Washington Post Features My Prime Skincare & Eco-Armour- CONGRATULATIONS Tessa, Robert & Zoe!

Click here to see The Washington Post coverage! Click here, here, here and here for my My Prime overview and reviews. Click here for my Eco-Armour reviews! As you can see, both made my August Favorites list! These two companies make fantastic products, and are owned and operated by forward thinking people who deserve all of the success in the world!! Congratulations- I am so proud of you!

August Favorites that are on My Best of the Best List!

In our recent hot weather, I have been trying to achieve clean exfoliated skin while using minimal makeup, and by using things that smell and feel like summertime (light, appealing, and feel and smell good). Some things are old favorites while others rank among my new obsessions. One prevailing theme, however, is that I am trying not to use too many products. This also does not reflect the only products that I am currently using, nor does it address the fact that I never leave the house without wearing lots of high SPF sunscreen. So here's what and why:

1) Suki Renewal Bio-Resurfacing Facial Peel (reviewed here): I have been using this product for many many years now because it is a safe and highly effective, and cruelty free (and vegan) peel that really does wonders. My skin glows and is smoother and more refined after use. It's probably going to be too active for people with very sensitive skin. I use it about once a week- sometimes less. It just depends on whether or not my skin appears to need some exfoliating. I would urge you to get a sample to try first because potent peels are definitely not for everyone.

2) Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (reviewed here): This is a seriously powerful exfoliating treatment, and definitely not for sensitive skin. She also has Exfolikate Gentle which is a much more, well,  gentle version of Exfolikate. This seriously removes dead skin, dislodges gunk trapped in my pores, and makes my skin glow. I would strongly urge you to try samples of both versions before buying to determine whether these products are right for you.

3) Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water (reviewed here): This is seriously one of the best skincare discoveries that I have made in the last 10 years or so!! This is great for removing all forms of makeup, but it is also doubles as an amazing toner. It feels amazing on the skin, and is so light and refreshing. However,  this is a bit too mild a formula to tackle waterproof makeup for me.

4) Sponge Gel Katharistiko (review forthcoming): This is my new favorite cleanser. There is something so soothing, refreshing, wholesome, and extremely effective about this product. I use it with my Clarisonic in the morning, and my combination skin feels thoroughly cleaned, nourished, and never stripped. It foams up just enough to make a delicious tactile experience. The more I try from Sponge the more I am in love.

5) Sponge Ladi Avokanto (reviewed here): I am completely obsessed with this gorgeous nourishing oil. The moment that I sampled it at Barneys it was true love and I bought a bottle. I usually am not quite this impetuous with skincare purchases, and tend to prefer trying a sample at home for a little while before committing to buying the full sized product. My skin is sometimes quite finicky and reactive, but I have had such great luck with face oils that this really seemed like a risk worth taking (plus I was given a few sample packets to try just in case I had an allergic reaction-- that way I could return the unopened bottle). Well, let me tell you my skin loves this oil! I have been using it primarily at night, but when I wake up the following day my skin looks glowing and healthy- and it is supple, smooth, soft and hydrated. This and Sponge Gel Katharistiko are my greatest new finds.

6) My Weightless Eye Cream (reviewed here): This is such an amazing and praiseworthy eye cream. I barely know where to begin singing its praises. It is light, it sinks in quickly, it profoundly hydrates, and it really improves the texture of the delicate under eye area. It also reduces the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, and it feels amazing.

7) My Multi-Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer (reviewed here): This is an amazing moisturizer that is power packed with anti-aging antioxidants. It leaves your skin soft and supple with an unmistakable lit from within glow. It is deeply moisturizing- yet it leaves behind no oily residue-- it really is mattifying! You really don't have to wait for it to dry down before applying sunscreen and finishing products. This is a remarkable product.

8) Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Shampoo (Colorific Plumeria): This is such a refreshing shampoo-- it has the intoxicating scent of plumeria, and it is very moisturizing on my naturally curly hair. I have always loved and trusted Alba products, but this one makes me feel like I am in Hawaii when I use it!

9) Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Conditioner (Colorific Plumeria): This is such a lovely and moisturizing conditioner. As anyone with curly hair knows-- getting a brush or comb through freshly washed hair presents many challenges. It is therefore essential to use a conditioner that leaves behind enough slip to avoid any damage to the hair- which this one does quite well for me. The smell is lovely, but it does fade so as not to interfere or compete with any fragrances that you may be wearing.

10) Shave with Benefits Luxurious Botanical Shaving Foam (reviewed here): This is such a lovely product! It not only provides you with a very close shave, but it moisturizes and conditions the skin while doing so. I love the texture- it is a light and creamy foam, but not as dense as traditional shaving creams or foams.

11) Kai Body Glow (reviewed here): M A D  L O V E! I'm crazy about every Kai product that I have used. Body Glow is especially lovely during this hot weather because it is neither heavy, nor overpowering. This is a gorgeous and moisturizing dry oil spray mist that not only deeply hydrates the skin, but it also leaves behind a radiant glow. That is uses the intoxicating Kai signature scent is enough to make me do a happy dance. If you love "gardenia wrapped in white exotics" then welcome to happy!

12) Cleopatra's Choice 100% Organic Argan Oil (reviewed here): This is a really fantastic Argan oil, and it sinks into the skin quickly and does not have a pungent odor. I have been using it from head to toe, and it leaves my skin unbelievably moisturized. This is a really good product for nourishing curly hair, and taming the frizzies and fly-aways without weighing down the hair.

13) Kai Deodorant (reviewed here): Best deodorant I have ever used, period. It smells divine, and has never irritated my sensitive under arm area.

Right now,  judging by this stash (which is proof positive of my unmitigated makeup insanity), my focus is on natural skin, pink-neutral lips, very little eye makeup, and a natural flush on the cheeks.

14) NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 in Alaska (reviewed here): This feels so good on my skin. It's light and breathable with light to medium buildable coverage. I love it during the summer months.

15) Chanel Glossimer in Star (LE) from the Soho Collection: I have loved Chanel Glossimers for years and years, but this is probably my all-time favorite. So much so,  that I bought two or three back-up tubes because I knew I would use them. I wish that Chanel would repromote this, or better yet make Star part of the permanent collection. It is icy cool pink perfection incarnate!

16) Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Troublant (review forthcoming): In the meantime, my friend, Becca has done one seriously impressive review here. This is an unbelievably gorgeous pinkish nudish color with multicolor pearl. It is almost like Chanel's Giggle Glossimer amped up with light shimmer. This is GORGEOUS, but sadly it is limited edition.

17) LORAC Lips With Benefits in Nick (reviewed here): I love the formula and love the pink sparkle. LORAC, in general, is an amazing line!

18) Rouge Bunny Rouge Eye Khol in Vera (reviewed here): Rouge Bunny Rouge + Vera Eye Kohl= Royal Purple Perfection. Enough said.

19) MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes Mat Black 0L Eye Liner: Once it sets it won't budge- making it perfect for warm weather, swimming, and any other challenges to makeup longevity.

20) MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream #02 (reviewed here): Amazing budge-proof cream shadows! Aqua Cream #02 is described as a silver gray shimmer, but it's taupe to me! This is my favorite out all of their glorious shades.

21) Rouge Bunny Rouge Sweet Excesses Glassy Gloss in Fleur Parfait (reviewed here): I love the formula, I love the color, and I love the company. This is one of my all-time favorite lip gloss formulas, and Fleur Parfait is a stunning example of the perfect MLBB pink.

22) Rouge Bunny Rouge Sweet Excesses Glassy Gloss in Cherry Clafoutis (reviewed here): This is the gloss version of RBR's Scrumptiously Devious Lipstick. It is a gorgeous sheer blue-based pink filled with magical golden opalescence, and you should see how it twinkles in the sun.

23) Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss- in Love (reviewed here): Another favorite gloss- it is a magical light pink with the perfect amount of shimmer. While the color is gorgeous- it is really the stellar formula that will have this at the top of my repurchase list. I find myself reaching for this all of the time, and I have piles and piles of lip glosses- so that is saying something.

24) Milani Illuminating Face Powder 03 Beauty's Touch (reviewed here): My newest highlighter find. I had been looking at these for some time, but I finally took the plunge because I had two coupons that made the price so attractive that I could no longer resist this charming product. I'm so glad that I got it-- it is very finely milled and the quality is outstanding! A+

25) Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Sherbet (reviewed here): This is a gorgeous peachy pink blush that has forever charmed its way into my "use all of the time" stash. Great company, great ethics, great ingredients, and great products.

26) Le Métier de Beauté Color Core Moisture Lipstick in Palm Springs (reviewed here): This gives the perfect pink pout, but with some dimension. It has is a cool blue-based pink juxtaposed to warmer pearl, and if that is not enough it is moisturizing. It gives my lips an indescribably full, moist pout.

27) Rouge Bunny Rouge Hues of Enchantment Colour Burst Lipstick in Nothing Unknown (reviewed here): One of the best cool leaning nudes I have ever seen.

28) Rouge Bunny Rouge Dazzling Sip Shimmering Luxe Balm in Sip of Pink (review forthcoming): Pure unadulterated gorgeousness! It's a lip balm, but imparts the perfect amount of sparkle that suggests that it is a lip gloss. There is the faintest hint of pink, and it has an addictive an intoxicating smell of warmed vanilla. A M A Z I N G!

29) Le Métier de Beauté Créme Fresh Tints for Lip & Cheek in Poppy (reviewed here): Why did it take me so long to try LMdB Créme Fresh Tints for Lip & Cheek?? They are outstanding multipurpose products in gorgeous infinitely wearable colors. Poppy is a neutral leaning bright pink with refined pearl luminescence, and it is a real stunner on the lips and cheeks.

30) Le Métier de Beauté Créme Fresh Tints for Lip & Cheek in Mystique (reviewed here): Mystique is a light cool leaning pink with a touch of lavender. It is simply stunning.

31) Le Métier de Beauté Tickled Pink Lip Créme in Mums the Word (reviewed here): This formula is remarkable- it is in the lipstick lip gloss hybrid family, and offers opaque buildable coverage. It can be sheered out- so don't let the vibrancy of this bright cool hot pink/fuchsia scare you. While it is a gorgeous stand alone shade it is pure unmitigated magic when mixed with it's friend Two Lips!

32) Le Métier de Beauté Tickled Pink Lip Créme in Two Lips (reviewed here): Two Lips is stand- alone peach perfection, but mixed with Mums the Word it is transported to the nether regions of peachy pink heaven. It doesn't get any better than this!

33) Rouge Bunny Rouge Forever Yours...Long-lasting Lip Pencil in Roald (review forthcoming): This is a blue-based muted rosy pink color that is gorgeous. Like Vasco, Roald has a creamy dreamy formula that is so comfortable on the lips-- it never pulls or tugs, and it stays put for hours.

34) Rouge Bunny Rouge Forever Yours...Long-lasting Lip Pencil in Vasco (reviewed here): This is a gorgeous light pink with a creamy dreamy formula.

35) Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres in Beige: This is the perfect light neutral shade for making your nude lip last for hours and hours.

Eco-Armour Shave with Benefits Luxurious Botanical Shaving Foam- REVIEW

When I was approached by Eco-Armour to try out their Shave with Benefits Luxurious Botanical Shaving Foam I was very excited. I have always loved great shaving products, and thought that this would be a great way to find a new eco-friendly line of products to use, get my husband to use, and to introduce you to.

The Shaving Foam is made in three different delicious scents: Bergamot+Pink Grapefruit, Mint+Eucalyptus, and Pomegranate+Mango. Eco-Armour designed this product to be gentle enough to be "great for men and women with super sensitive skin," and I definitely find that claim to be true since my underarms are on the sensitive side. The lovely scent combinations really enliven the experience of shaving, and the delicious scents linger in the bathroom for a while- which is really lovely. It is truly an aromatherapy shaving experience that simply delights the senses and lifts the spirits. I feel good when I use these products, and an added benefit is that my skin feels silky smooth and hydrated afterward.

According to Eco-Armour:

• For men and women of all skin types.
• These light luxurious shaving and body wash foams will leave skin looking, feeling and smelling AMAZING.
• The eco-armour plant-based patented formula acts as a first-aid to skin and razor blades.
• Helps to reduce ingrown hairs, red bumps, razor burn, nicks, cuts and dull blades.

One of the first things that I noticed was the lovely texture of the foam- it is very creamy and emollient- yet it in terms of density and foaminess it resides somewhere between a pumping liquid soap and a traditional shaving foam. I prefer the lighter texture of this product to the density of more traditional shaving products. 

I enlisted the help of my husband for this review, and told him that I needed a detailed honest assessment of this Shaving Foam after using it for about a month, and under varied conditions. His first experiment was under less than optimal conditions because his razor blade had become dull and was in dire need of replacement. I actually suggested that he replace the blade first, but he insisted on trying it this way first. He reported that he still got a close shave and that his skin felt good (soft, clean and moisturized)- despite the fact that he was using a pretty dull blade. When he did finally replace his dull blade he said that he really loved the performance of the product, and the fact that his skin was left baby soft with a remarkably close shave (without any nicks!).

I wish that I could say that I preferred one scent to the others, but all three combinations are fantastic. The Pomegranate+Mango is very fresh and clean; Bergamot+Pink Grapefruit has a tantalizing light citrus scent; and the Mint+Eucalyptus is invigorating. We both really love all three.

Eco-Armour also makes an amazingly effective and highly unique Botanical Insect Repellent & Moisturizer, and while it is not something that I am using- it is the one product that my husband was the most excited about (by a long shot). My husband has a nightly game of ball with Delilah that became pretty uncomfortable because of all of the mosquitoes that have been coming out at night- he would usually come in fairly quickly because he was getting eaten alive outside. However, he told me that since using this product that all insects have kept far far away from him. Now the boy and his dog can play ball until the sun comes up, if they so choose. Not only is this repellent DEET free, but it smells delicious-- it has a very pleasant lemony scent that is delightful. Add to that the fact that it moisturizes your skin and is safe. It's really a win win.

 Benefits:

• safe and effective for adults and children
• insect repellent
• pH balanced
• biodegradable
• moisturizing + deodorizing
• temporarily helps to reduce pain + swelling (sunburn)
• refreshing scent
• cleansing properties

Overall assessment: Amazing products from an amazing company with a real vision. CRUELTY FREE!

Shaving Foams: $24.00 each 5 oz. or $60.00 for all three scents. Botanical Insect Repellent: $9.00 2 oz, $15.00 4 oz, and $20.00 8 oz.

PR Samples provided for the purpose of review, but all views expressed are categorically my own.