Empties: August 2020

Ugh, this year. Before I recap the empty products I've used this summer, I need to get something off my chest. When the pandemic started, I have to admit, the bizarre novelty of the situation didn't faze me. Asking an introverted homebody to spend even more time at home? Okay! I still had my job and could WFH; I could do barre classes over Zoom; and my husband and I were spending more time together than ever. I found ways to fill my time, from reading more books and discovering new TV shows to trying different recipes. But as time wore on and the novelty faded, between the perpetual stress of 2020 humming in the background, and the work burnout I alluded to in previous posts, I've been pretty depressed this summer.

My mental health has definitely taken a hit being at home 24/7 for live, work, and play. Some days are okay, and some days are really not. When the anxiety and sadness start creeping upwards like a steadily rising tide, I have to let myself sit with it and just rest and retreat—sometimes for an hour, a day, or two days. Then I focus on small, achievable tasks that act like stepping stones back towards feeling normal. A shower? Yay, tiny victory! Making the bed? Yes! Not canceling a workout? You are a star!

Sitting down and writing this blog post is one of these tasks. Sure, I could've just rinsed out and recycled all these containers and scrapped the empties post entirely, but the flow state I've been in for the last hour as I've edited photos, put in HTML tags, and drafted this post with Spotify's Mood Booster playlist on in the background—this is the most inner calm I've felt in weeks. Maybe you'll spot a product that you want to buy the next time you're at the drugstore (and there are a lot of affordable drugstore gems here!); if not, that's okay too, because this post is for me.

Nivea Pure & Natural Body Milk (previously featured here, purchased by me)

Quick notes: Affordable, effective, and easily available. I finished the bottle, but I found myself missing the essential oil fragrance of my usual go-to natural body lotions.

Would I repurchase? Yes, if I'm in a pinch.

Garnier Whole Blends Almond & Argan Riches Shampoo & Conditioner (purchased by me)

Quick notes: I bought this at the beginning of the pandemic when we were stocking up on essentials. It's not as good as the Legendary Olive shampoo and conditioner from this line. The almond and argan oil formula left a lot of build-up on my strands and scalp.

Would I repurchase? No. We're still using up bottles of this stuff, but after that, never again.

Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo (PR sample)

Quick notes: I've never met a dry shampoo I really loved. I don't like the feeling of excess product in my hair, or the gritty texture that most dry shampoos leave behind. This one has a nice scent and it's paraben-free and affordable. It got the job done when I was desperate for a quick fix. If I was careful to hold the bottle about 20cm away from my head and move it around while spraying, it would not leave white residue in my dark hair.

Would I repurchase? No. Maybe I should take this as an opportunity to find a forever fave dry shampoo formula.

Not Your Mother's Naturals Blue Sea Kale & Pure Coconut Water Butter Masque ($2.99, purchased by me)

Quick notes: Smelled great and intensely moisturized locks without weighing them down. 98% naturally derived and free of many controversial ingredients like sulfate surfactants, silicones, parabens, dyes, gluten or phthalates. One pouch contained enough product for multiple uses.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

BVspa by Bon Vital Grapefruit Salt Scrub (purchased by me)

Quick notes: 9 empty tubes in the history of this blog and counting!

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Woodlot Unscented Soap (PR sample)

Quick notes: This was a PR sample from ages ago—so long ago, in fact, that Woodlot no longer makes unscented soap. Locally made, all-natural, and very moisturizing and gentle. The bar was a blend of nourishing oils (olive, coconut, avocado) and butters (shea and cocoa seed). The only downside of this soap was that I found it clung to my skin; rinsing it off took ages and a lot of scrubbing.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Soap Bar ($16, PR sample)

Quick notes: I'm pleasantly surprised by this soap bar. It thoroughly cleanses and deodorizes without leaving skin feeling stripped or dry; a godsend for sweaty summer days! Rinses off easily. The bamboo charcoal doesn't stain white towels or shower curtains either.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company Lavender Body Butter ($15, purchased by me)

Quick notes: A forever fave; I honestly don't know how many tubes of Rocky Mountain body butter I've gone through! Relatively affordable, all-natural, great scents, and I love that the company is Canadian. I wish they had more sustainable packaging/refill solutions for repeat purchases though. I go through them so quickly and the plastic twist-up containers add up.

Would I repurchase? Already have!

Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream (purchased by me)

Quick notes: An affordable, effective, naturals-heavy hand cream that goes on ultra-thick and emollient. Loved it in the winter months and during all that pandemic hand-washing.

Would I repurchase? I would if I could.

Bliss Foot Patrol (previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: File this under "Products I reviewed and forgot about, then rediscovered recently." The peppermint-y formula felt so refreshing on tired feet, and the AHAs gently exfoliated my feet over time and kept them feeling soft.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Garnier Bio Organic Argan Multi-Use Rescue Balm ($24.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: Natural, ultra-moisturizing balm for all-over use. I was mostly using this as a hand lotion, applying a little extra around my cuticles and nails.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Garnier Bio Organic Cornflower Micellar Water ($12.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: It was fine as far as micellar waters go. However, it didn't have the same effortless slip and glide that my all-time fave Bioderma boasts.

Would I repurchase? No.

Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum (previously featured here, $34 at London Drugs, PR sample)

Quick notes: Lightweight, quick-absorbing, natural formula. I loved using this during the day under sunscreen because of its hydrating and antioxidant benefits.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy Boosting Face Mask ($33-80 for assorted sizes, previously featured here, purchased by me)

Quick notes: Loved this gentle, hydrating, glow-boosting mask, especially after exfoliating.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mask ($30-77 for assorted sizes, previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: This really did help clear congestion around my nose and make pores look smaller, but I hated how it stained my washcloths.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Garnier Bio Organic Lavandin Smooth & Glow Facial Oil ($24.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: Adored the soothing lavender scent. A lovely, affordable, all-natural facial oil available in drugstores.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company Deep Sleep Wellness Balm ($18, previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: Not as effective as Tata Harper's aromatherapy sleep remedy in relaxing me and sending me to sleep.

Would I repurchase? No.

Saje Quick Study ($20, purchased by me)

Quick notes: This aromatherapy remedy is supposed to perk you up and promote mental alertness as you work. I kept it on my desk and would apply a little on my pulse points and temples and right under my nose when I felt myself dragging.

Would I repurchase? Already have!

Garnier Bio Organic Lavandin Anti-Age Eye Care ($24.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here, PR sample)

Quick notes: I really liked this eye cream.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

The Face Shop Real Nature Aloe Face Mask ($3.50, purchased by me)

Quick notes: Light, hydrating, refreshing, affordable.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

The Face Shop The Solution Moisturizing Face Mask ($3,50, purchased by me)

Quick notes: Same notes as above. I don't remember much about the first time I used this, but the second time around, the fragrance bothered me a bit.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.