So much aromatherapy in this month's empties round-up, as well as a good mix of drugstore and natural beauty! Let's get to it, shall we?
Leaves of Trees Argan Oil ($44, previously featured here)
Quick notes: A gorgeous natural hand-pressed, cold-pressed argan oil produced by a women's cooperative in Morocco. My skin just drank it up, which was both good and bad. During the worst of the cold weather, I felt like the moisturizing benefits lasted about 12-14 hours before my skin would feel dry, tight, and itchy again.
Would I repurchase? Maybe.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company After Sun Butter ($17)
Quick notes: As far as all-natural body moisturizers go, Rocky Mountain Soap Company's body butters are where it's at for me. They're affordable, spill-proof in a gym kit, easy to apply, smell great, and they really work! The After Sun Butter is meant to soothe skin that's gotten a little too much sun, but I repurposed it as a normal body butter and it worked okay. It feels less substantial compared to their normal body butters and leaves behind a bit of a sheen before absorbing into skin completely.
Would I repurchase? Their normal body butters, yes, but maybe not this one as it doesn't feel as moisturizing.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company Wellness Bath Salts ($6)
Quick notes: Infused with rosemary and wintergreen, this Sport formula epsom bath soak is supposed to soothe sore muscles, which it does wonderfully. Just what the doctor ordered halfway through my Bar Method Fitness Challenge. It's pricier than buying plain epsom salts and essential oils for a DIY soak though.
Would I repurchase? Maybe.
KB Collection Traceless Hair Ties ($6.95, available at Chatters salons)
Quick notes: Would you believe this is my first time ever trying those coiled plastic hair ties that look like telephone cords? I resisted for so long because I wasn't sure if they'd stay in my slippery, super thick Asian hair. When Chatters kindly sent these over as part of a PR package, this was the first thing I reached for and tried and I fell in love. The coils hold my ponytail in place without pulling in a tight or uncomfortable way, or creating kinks in my hair. They do loosen up over the course of the day—particularly if you wrap it 2+ times around your ponytail or messy bun like I do—but they shrink back to their original size when left to "rest" overnight.
Would I repurchase?Yes.
John Frieda Beach Blonde Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner ($11.99 on sale for $3.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here)
Quick notes:This was one of those PR samples I put aside and never returned to; I later gave it to Hubs when he ran out of conditioner and he used it up. It does a fine job of detangling in a lightweight way, but doesn't deliver the smoothing and moisturizing benefits I want out of a conditioner.
Would I repurchase? No.
Olay Luminous Brightening & Protecting Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 30 (previously featured here)
Quick notes: Loved the ease, affordability, and convenience of this SPF moisturizer, and how it evened out my skin tone. It felt great once applied too. I'm looking for a natural alternative that can do all of this (and I think I've found one!), but for a drugstore product this is a great option.
Would I repurchase? Yes, if I wanted a drugstore option.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser ($20, previously featured here)
Quick notes: This is a face cleanser I keep coming back to because of its jelly-like consistency, delicious scent, and gentle and soothing formula. It feels like such a treat to use, especially after a sweaty workout, and it's free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
L'Oreal Pure-Clay Cleanser Purifying & Mattifying ($12.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here)
Quick notes: This was another sample I switched away from and never returned to and gave to Hubs instead. The deep-cleansing/mattifying formula was great for my summer skin and reducing oil and shine, but come winter it just felt too dehydrating.
Would I repurchase? No.
Saje Pain Release ($38.95, previously featured here)
Quick notes: As you can tell from the fact that I purchased and used up the largest container of Pain Release that Saje carries, I use this pretty regularly. It's been a godsend during the Bar Method Fitness Challenge in particular. I just kept refilling the little Pain Release roll-on in my Pocket Pharmacy.
Would I repurchase? Already have!
Saje Quick Study ($19.95)
Quick notes: My brother bought me the At Your Desk Remedy Bar for Christmas, not realizing that I already had 2 out of the 3 roll-ons on my work desk, so I simply refilled the existing roll-on from the Remedy Bar one when I ran low. The citrusy notes in this aromatherapy blend help keep me focused and energized, particularly during more mindless tasks.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Saje Stress Release ($26.95)
Quick notes: Like Quick Study, this empty came from me using the Remedy Bar vial to refill a roll-on I already had.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Saje Moon Cycle ($19.95)
Quick notes: I was skeptical that this roll-on was doing anything for me until I used it during the last cycle, after not having used it for a long time. I've been tracking my symptoms pretty closely ever since the surgery because #endo; this time around, I noticed that the anxiety I usually experienced in the week leading up to my period had decreased. I also experienced less bloating and my energy was better overall. Was it the aromatherapy roll-on? I'd like to think so. Unlike other aromatherapy remedies which usually go on pulse points or your forehead or neck, this one is meant to be used on the abdomen, lower back, and thighs.
Would I repurchase? Already have!
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