Empties: September 2018

Yes, this post is 2 days late, but it still counts as a September empties post because I have another October empties round-up slated for later this month! It's funny how products seem to all run out at once. Let's get down to it, shall we?

L'Oreal Hair Expertise Smooth Intense Conditioner ($5.99 on sale for $3.99 at London Drugs)

Quick notes: This sample is so shamefully, embarrassingly old that L'Oreal has since reformulated their Smooth Intense Conditioner; it now comes in a more pink-y bottle and is infused with argan oil. I was never that intrigued or excited (that's probably why it sat around unused for so long), so I gave it to Hubs recently when his conditioner ran out. Fine as a drugstore conditioner, but nothing exceptional.

Would I repurchase? No.

Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Body Wash

Quick notes: Far from all-natural, but like all Olay body washes it's pleasant to use and super affordable. Light scent, rich lather, leaves skin feeling soft instead of stripped.

Would I repurchase? Maybe. Olay body washes are like a guilty drugstore pleasure for me. I like them, but I know it's relatively easy and better to go for a natural alternative.

Blancreme Paris Souffle Body Cream in Verbena Green Tea

Quick notes: I purchased this at BeautyMark's closing sale for half price because I needed body lotion. The verbena green tea scent was like a sweetened matcha, not too cloying or overpowering, and the glass jar the lotion came in gave the product a luxe heft. It went on silky, but applying too much would cause the product to pill and sometimes I felt like it sat on skin instead of absorbing fully.

Would I repurchase? No.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company Lemongrass Body Butter ($15)

Quick notes: Travel-friendly twist-up solid body butter stick. The natural lemongrass scent is invigorating and delicious; I get compliments every time I apply this after my barre class shower. At $15 a pop, these body butters are also an affordable all-natural body moisturizer option.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

BVSpa Body Lotion in Grapefruit

Quick notes: As much as I adore the BVSpa body scrub (I've gone through countless tubes since receiving my first product sample), I have seriously meh feelings about their body lotion. Unlike the scrub, the grapefruit fragrance in the body lotion seems too artificial. The texture feels too thin and runny and sits on skin in a thin layer instead of absorbing and actually moisturizing.

Would I repurchase? No.

For Beloved Girl Extreme Moisture Mineral Cloud-Silk Mask

Quick notes: For Beloved Girl is Taiwanese skincare brand For Beloved One's more affordable little-sister brand. These masks come in a 3-pack and are sold at T&T supermarkets nationwide. The "Extreme Moisture" tagline is accurate. Each mask is soaked in sodium hyaluronate-infused essence and there's usually enough leftover essence in the package to rub all over your arms and legs. The mask's material is not as luxuriously clingy and gel-like as For Beloved One's bio-cellulose masks, but still feels like it's better quality than, say, a cheap $2 paper sheet mask.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Trader Joe's Rich Hydrating Face Sheet Mask

Quick notes: So, speaking of cheap $2 sheet masks, I saw these on my last cross-border TJ's run and picked up a couple. For an affordable mask, it's loaded with a surprising number of naturals and actives like hyaluronic acid, honey, chamomile extract, turmeric extract, green tea extract, pomegranate extract, rose hip oil, blue algae extract, camellia oil, and propolis extract, with just a touch of natural cucumber fragrance. The fit of the mask was a little off and the edges of it didn't adhere completely to my jawline. The material ripped easily when I tried to readjust it on my face. The essence was also tingly in a borderline irritating way. Pass.

Would I repurchase? No.

L'Oreal Pure-Clay Cleanser Energizing & Brightening ($12.99 on sale for $10.39 at London Drugs, previously featured here)

Quick notes: Despite enjoying this cleanser when I first tried it, I set it aside to try other things and never picked it up after that. This was another product I passed onto Hubs. The deep-cleansing, charcoal-infused cleanser featuring three clays was perfect for his oily skin.

Would I repurchase? No, but maybe Hubs would?

Pixi Vitamin Wakeup Mist ($20 at Shoppers Drug Mart, previously featured here)

Quick notes: The Vitamin Wakeup Mist was one of my product highlights when I was first introduced to Pixi. Towards the end of the bottle though, my feelings changed and I disliked how the mist felt slightly residue-y when it dried down on skin instead of leaving a perfectly clean finish.

Would I repurchase? No.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company Pomegranate Day Cream ($34)

Quick notes: Just a lovely, antioxidant-rich, luxurious-feeling basic daytime moisturizer that also happens to smell divine. Love.

Would I repurchase? Yes.