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.
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