Empties | August 2015

Empties | June 2105

Where did the month go? Below are all of my empties (bath & beauty) for the month. I purchased everything, or I received them as samples with a purchase. For reference, I have normal, mature skin, and I use products and brands that are natural and cruelty-free.

Gemstone Organic Gold Créme

Gemstone Organic Moonstone Créme

Goddess Gardens Organics Sunny Face Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

JBS Farms Soaps Shower Steamers, Black Amber & Lavender

JBS Farms Soaps Toilet Bombs

Jordan Samuel Skin Dream Oil Face and Body Oil

Jordan Samuel Skin HydrOasis Face and Eye Serum

Jordan Samuel Skin Water You Waiting For?

Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes

LaVanilla The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 40 Face Cream

Life-Flo Organic Pure Rosehip Seed Oil

Naisture 15-minute mask pack, Brightening Arbutin

SKIN anti-aging grape seed facial mask

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm (sample)

Pratima Love Oil

Una Biologicals Pink Grapefruit Body Butter

YŰLI Skincare Metamorphic Elixir (deluxe sample)

Empties | April 2015

I can't contain my excitement! There aren't many, but it's time for April empties!  

April 2015 empties:

bareMinerals Frame & Define Brow Styler, Universal Light - I'd buy this again, but I'm on the hunt for an eye shadow palette that includes a brown that I can use for lining and for brows.

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30 - This natural sunscreen is a potential repurchase. Unless you have normal or oilier skin, this isn't a good stand-alone moisturizer. This blends well, and it doesn't leave me with kabuki face.

Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy Cream Healing with Aloe - This isn't a clean product, but it was a good handbag sized product that I stole from my mother. I can't say that I won't steal another; I'll do what's necessary to protect my lobster claws.

Jordan Samuel Skin Water You Waiting For? Face and Body Mist - Don't be fooled by the punny name. This is a great skin soother, and it's a skin care staple. I use it as a toner to prep my skin for my serum step. I've also used this to add some glow to powder foundation.

Tatcha INDIGO soothing silk body butter (sample) - Lovely stuff, but as it's preserved with phenoxyethanol, I will not purchase the full size.

Tatcha INDIGO soothing silk hand cream (sample) - Lovely stuff, but as it's preserved with phenoxyethanol, I will not purchase the full size.

Expired products:

Eminence Organic Hibiscus Calendula Recovery Masque (Sun Care Starter Set) - I ordered the set on Amazon.com in June 2014, and while Eminence claims a one year shelf life, this was the second product that seemed a bit off. This was hard, and there were stringy things throughout. As I don't sun myself, I don't see myself purchasing a full size of this product.

Josie Maran Argan Balm - The expiry date was 12/02/2014, so I misspoke in the video. I will repurchase this product once I use the various body butters and oils in my stash. This is a winter staple!

Empties | March 2015

It is time for this month's empties! Most of my items are natural and/or non-toxic, but there are always those few random items that are not. As I streamline my beauty routine, I expect to see less "toxic" products in the mix.

Complete List of Products (alpha order)

Aēsop Avail Lip Balm with Sunscreen SPF 30

Aura Cacia Natural Skin Care Oil Grapeseed

Celtic Complexion Calming Serum

Celtic Complexion Tinted Moisturizer SPF 31, Light 1

Dr. Dennis Gross alpha beta peel extra strength formula (sample)

Eminence Organic Skin Care Bright Skin Cleanser

Gemstone Organic Gold Créme   

JBS Farms Soaps shower steamer, Shalimar

Jordan Samuel Skin HydrOasis Face and Eye Serum

Life-Flo Organic Pure Rosehip Seed Oil

Prana Natural Defense SPF 25

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil (sample)

Shopping Spree (Spring 2015) - Beauty Items

When I lived in the suburbs, I trolled the mall almost weekly, but now that I live in the city, I need to make an effort (i.e., drive further) to be a mall rat. My desire to reduce my mileage, gasoline consumption, and/or time wasted sitting in construction-induced traffic has had a great impact on my shopping habits. I shop less. 

I had unsubscribed from most retail email lists, which decreased my desire for retail therapy. I follow a few green beauty sites, but I buy only if I need to replenish a beauty staple and/or if the current promotion is of value for me. For example, cream shadows aren't my thing, thus I passed on the RMS Beauty St. Patrick's Day promotion. This shopping spree was replenishment items purchased during with promotions.

R.L. Linden & Co. // customer appreciation promotion -- $18.00
The Bee Charmer Refining Cacao Honey Cleanser + Mask

iHerb // introductory order -- $20.38
Devita, Solar Protective Moisturizer, SPF 30+
Sierra Bees, Organic Lip Balms, Pomegrante, Vanilla & Cocoa Butter, 3 Pack

Jordan Samuel Skin // flash sale -- $50.00 + $8.00 shipping
HydrOasis Face and Eye Serum
Water You Waiting For? Face and Body Mist (free w/ $50 purchase)
NB: Rather than buy product I do not need, I paid for shipping.

Whole Foods // unwanted beauty item trade-in promotion (25% off) -- $28.04

Zuzu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner, Raven

Andalou Naturals All-In-One Beauty Balm Sheer Tint with SPF 30

NB: This is a 3.6-mile walk (round-trip) from my home.