Those of you with sharp eyes might've noticed that I titled my last empties post "January" even though I published it in the first week of February. There was a method to my madness though: I had so many other empties to talk about I had no choice but to feature half of them later in the same month. This one is heavy on skin and body care—anything to keep skin soft and smooth during winter! There are also quite a few discontinued products in the mix, which goes to show I can be pretty slow about using up samples.
Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask ($112, previously featured here)
Quick notes: Gorgeous scent and whipped texture; hydrating, soothing and cool to the touch; formulated without parabens, sulphates or phthalates. I have pretty good skin so I wasn't sure this mask was doing much, but when I used it on my husband (who never does anything to his face) it literally took 5 years off. I'm now a believer.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
The Face Shop Hwansaenggo Eye Cream (discontinued)
Quick notes: This tube of eye cream is huge—about the size of a tube of toothpaste. In the time it took me to use this up, the cream was discontinued! It moisturizes nicely but I didn't notice it doing anything more for me beyond that.
Would I repurchase? No.
Tata Harper Beautifying Face Oil ($89, previously featured here)
Quick notes: My skin positively drank up this floral-heavy facial oil.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($89, previously featured here)
Quick notes: This serum feels lightweight, absorbs quickly, and brightens and evens skin tone. At first I wasn't sure if it was doing much for me, but when I stopped using it my skin became noticeably ruddier. I love the fact that it brightens with all-natural ingredients instead of dubious chemicals.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Olay Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil (discontinued, previously featured here and here)
Quick notes: This bottle lasted ages! This facial oil is now discontinued, although I wish it wasn't because it's a great all-natural facial oil at an affordable price point.
Would I repurchase? Yes, if I could!
BUTTERelixir Body + Hair Oil ($39)
Quick notes: Notice a pattern with oils in this post? This blend of almond, argan, lavender, and chamomile oils smelled amazing; I got quite a few compliments on the scent. However, it had a tendency to sit on the surface of the skin instead of absorbing fully.
Would I repurchase? No.
Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence ($90, previously featured here)
Quick notes: All-natural, refreshing, and loaded with hyaluronic acid, I relied on this refreshing essence to really lock in hydration over the last couple of months.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift ($90, previously featured here)
Quick notes: About halfway through, I had to use the little plastic thingy included with Eye Lift to squeeze the remaining product towards the upper half of the slim tube. I came to rely on it to de-puff and refresh my eyes quickly in the mornings.
Would I repurchase? Maybe. It worked well and I was extremely pleased with it. However, there are eye creams that de-puff and relieve tiredness and dehydration available at the drugstore level that are more affordable.
Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara ($30, previously featured here)
Quick notes: Love!
Would I repurchase? Maybe bordering on yes. The frugal part of me can't justify buying a pricier mascara knowing they're only good for about 3 months, so if I can find a viable drugstore option I'd opt for that.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company Soothing Shampoo ($15.50, previously featured here)
Quick notes: Yummy scent, all-natural formula filled with ingredients I recognize. This did a great job of stripping away silicones and polymers left by drugstore shampoos and cleaning my roots—so much so I'd repurchase this as a clarifying shampoo.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Repair Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo ($7.99 on sale for $4.99 at London Drugs)
Quick notes: Solid option as far as drugstore moisturizing/smoothing/repairing shampoos go.
Would I repurchase? Yes, if I want an affordable and effective drugstore shampoo.
Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner
Quick notes: Note that this is the 3 Minute Miracle Daily Conditioner, which is not as intensely moisturizing as the 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner which I previously reviewed here and adored. It's solid as far as drugstore conditioners go and Pantene always works really well for my hair type, but this won't deliver the dramatic, hair-mask-like results of the Deep Conditioner.
Would I repurchase? Yes, if I want an affordable and effective drugstore conditioner.
The Body Shop Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream ($36, previously featured here)
Quick notes: Has this product been discontinued already? I couldn't find it on the regular Body Shop website but it was available on overstock retailers. In any case, I loved the slight cooling sensation and long-lasting hydration this body cream delivered. The tub was a generous size, the scent was delicious, and the formula was full of naturals and didn't contain any ingredients I was worried about. I also liked the fact that the caffeine content in the formula eliminated light bloating and firmed up skin.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
The Body Shop French Grape Seed Scrub ($32, previously featured here)
Quick notes: Provides more intense exfoliation and a slight warming sensation when used on dry skin. As with the Coffee Cream, I liked the scent and the generous-sized tub.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Olay Fresh Outlast Birch Water & Lavender Body Wash (previously featured here)
Quick notes: The refreshing scent and ultra-sudsy formula won me over, and I loved how my skin didn't feel stripped or dry after using it. I'm trying to go more natural with my beauty routine, but if I weren't this would be a solid affordable option at the drugstore level.
Would I repurchase? Maybe.
Leaves of Trees Pink Grapefruit Argan Hand & Body Lotion ($3-33, various sizes)
Quick notes: All-natural formula, yummy pink grapefruit scent, quick-absorbing and non-greasy. The only downside was I used up the tube way too quickly.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Deborah Lippmann The Stripper Nail Polish Remover ($21)
Quick notes: This is my Holy Grail nail polish remover and the one I keep buying over and over again. I like the pump-top bottle and the fact that it doesn't smell noxious like other nail polish removers. Plus, the acetone-mixed-with-gentler-ingredients formula is effective and quick at removing nail polish, all without stripping nails dry.
Would I repurchase? Yes!
BVSpa by Bon Vital Salt Scrub ($11.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart, previously featured here)
Quick notes: This is my fourth tube of this salt scrub. As you can see, I have to cut the tube in half to get the very last bit out—the formula is so thick it won't squeeze out. Affordable and available at drugstores, loaded with naturals. This is a finer-grained salt scrub and the granules are quite concentrated.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
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