Beauty Empties August 2017

So sad to see the summer end. I know it technically lasts well into September, but for us in New England, it gets chilly in September. I’m always wishing I could turn on the heat in the morning. But who knows, maybe there will be a beach day or two before October.

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In terms of beauty empties, August was a good month for using up some full size products. I’m also making myself toss some tools or accessories that should have been thrown out a while ago. Most months I use up mostly skincare, but this month, it’s a mixed bag with empties from all beauty categories. Let’s take a look.

Because I own so many beauty products, it doesn’t always make sense for me to say whether I’m going to repurchase something or not as a means of recommendation. I have so much in my stash that I’ve gotta use up. I may really like a product, but I can’t justify buying it again when I have another product waiting in the wings. Instead, I’ll let you know if I recommend it or not.

Bath & Body

• Farmhouse Fresh Body Wash, Rainbow Road: FHF launched three new scents of body wash back in the spring, and I received Rainbow Road, a light pear and coconut scent, to try out. Like all FHF products, Rainbow Road is a lovely scent. It’s less gourmand than most of their scents that smell like a bakery (in a good way), and more of a fresh, light scent. I liked it a lot. The consistency of the body wash is a loose gel. It makes a nice lather and doesn’t strip my skin at all. It’s definitely worth trying. I also love their Fluffy Bunny that’s a mint-julep, cream with a hint of lavender scent. Plus it comes in the gourmand, fan-favorite Whoopie Pie, as well as Pink Moon, a new scent that’s powder, licorice and spun sugar.

• Nature Island Botanical Citrus Sunrise Body Lotion: I’m sure you’re sick of me expressing my love for NIB Body Lotion and Body Butters, but for me, they really are the best. I adore this very citrusy-scented thick lotion that’s great for my super-dry skin. I had another Citrus Sunrise Lotion waiting in the wings, and I just bought my other fave, Caribbean Escape Body Butter, so I’m set for a while.

• Bliss Body Butter, Lemon + Sage, deluxe travel size: I got this as an amenity at the W San Francisco ages ago, and I had put it in my beach bag. I love the Bliss lemony herbal scent, and the Bliss Body Butter is thick and rich. In fact, I like the entire Bliss line. If you’re a fan of lemon scent, all the products are good ones and worth trying.

Skincare

• Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Nourishing Moisturizer, deluxe travel size: This moisturizer from Embryolisse is a favorite of makeup artists. In fact, I learned about it from one or more of the makeup artists in my blogging group. They like it for all skin types, especially dry or mature skin, and they sometimes use it under foundation without a separate primer because it’s so hydrating. I thought I needed to try on my dry, mature skin. I bought the 1 ounce size rather than committing to a full size. I like the fact that it comes in a squeeze tube: it’s easy to use and great for travel. The white moisturizer itself is rich, and a little goes a long way. I have used it under foundation with and without a primer depending on how dry my skin feels. It’s very moisturizing, and truth be told, it’s a little greasy. Though it says it’s for all skin types, I don’t think it’s great for oily skin. I liked having this moisturizer in my stash though it’s not my favorite moisturizer, and I wanted to buy another 1 ounce tube. I heard that Target sells Embryolisse, but they didn’t have it in my local store. I’d like another tube but I don’t want to pay shipping for a travel size tube so I’m waiting till I buy something at Target or at Alcone and I’ll add it to my list then. Have you tried Emryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre? What do you think of it?

• LATHER Bulgarian Rose Phytonutrient Elixir: If you’re a fan of rose toning sprays, you must try this one from LATHER. It’s made from Bulgarian rose essential oils, the best stuff on earth, and unlike the Jurlique Rose Toner that I bought a few months ago, LATHER doesn’t have alcohol in the formula so it’s much better for dry skin like mine. I wish I could return the Jurlique 🙁 My only small complaint about LATHER Bulgarian Rose Phytonutrient Elixir is that the pump spray doesn’t pump out as fine a mist like the Georgette Klinger Lavender Toning Mist I’m loving right now. But if it’s rose you’re looking for, this elixir is one of the best!

Nails

• Sally Hansen Kwik Off Moisturizing Nail Color Remover: Even though I adore Zoya Nail Polish Remover, sometimes it’s easier and faster just to stick my nail in a pot and twirl it around rather than having to use cotton pads. I like this particular Sally Hansen remover because it has a soft sponge inside, it smells pretty good, and it doesn’t dry out my nails. I haven’t been wearing glitter polish lately so I don’t remember how this does at removing glitter, but the first ingredient is acetone so I would say it would work. It has moisturizing ingredients in it so it’s not as harsh as some acetones. Frankly, I buy whatever nail polish remover in a tub is on sale or is in stock in the little CVS near me, so I didn’t repurchase this particular remover though I do like this one probably the best.

Makeup

• Mirabella Lasting Lash Waterproof Mascara: This is my fourth tube of Mirabella Lasting Lash Waterproof Mascara. It is definitely one of my absolute favorites. I don’t seek out waterproof mascara, but I like this thin wand and the formula that’s not too thick and not too thin a lot. Since it’s waterproof, it’s good for the beach though the ocean has been so cold this year, I’ve only been swimming once! The waterproof formula comes off easily with micellar water. I purchased another tube when it was on sale for 20% off at lovelyskin.com as it is right now, $20.80, and free shipping.

Haircare

• Living Proof Restore Conditioner: I bought this conditioner and the shampoo about a year and a half ago, but I’ve received so many shampoo-conditioner sets to try out, I didn’t get to use this as often as I thought I would. I still have some of the shampoo left. I had thought I would love this stuff, but honestly, it’s not my favorite. I thought it would make a huge difference in my hair, but whatever it does, it isn’t noticeable. In fact, I thought the LP Restore Conditioner would be thicker and do a better job reducing tangles for me. I often added another conditioner to it. I won’t be repurchasing the conditioner or the shampoo because there are others I prefer.

Beauty Tools

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds: I’ve written about these loads of times. I buy them in bulk with about 8 sleeves in the carton at Costco. I go through a sleeve every month or two. I love these cotton rounds because they don’t pill or fall apart, and in bulk, they are so affordable. I’ve got lots more!

• Hair tie: I don’t know what brand of hair tie this is because I got it over a year ago in a Beauty Box 5. In fact, it was the first hair tie I ever tried, and I loved it. It’s badly discolored from my hair, and it’s stretched out. But it lasted me forever. I bought some black ones from Goody, and they don’t show the dye from my hair.

• ViaBuff Exfoliator, face: I listed the ViaBuff Exfoliator as one of my favorite products for 2016. It’s time I tossed this fun sponge. I like sponges in general for my face. This purple one is soft but still gave my skin exfoliating benefits. I feel bad to say that I’m not rushing out to repurchase it in spite of the fact that I enjoyed it. I am using a natural sponge right now that I bought in Barcelona at a pharmacy. The new information about sponges and bacteria has definitely made me somewhat concerned, even sponges that are cleaned in the microwave. I use face cloths more often now than I once did.

So there you have it from me on my empties this month. Do any of these beauty products interest you? What did you use up this month?

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

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