June was a decent month for me in terms of using up some full size products in big jars or bottles.
And now at the beginning of July, I have finished up some full size products that I’ll talk about at the end of this month.
Bath and Body
- Vitabath Heavenly Coconut Creme Sulfate & Paraben-free Body Wash, full size: I’ve been using Vitabath for decades and the Heavenly Coconut Creme Body Wash for at least a couple of years. I love the gourmand scent of Heavenly Coconut Creme. I’ve bought many bottles of it. Repurchase? Yes, I just did. I bought more during Ulta’s recent 20% off coupon event, and Vitabath Heavenly Coconut Creme Body Wash was buy one, get one half off. I ordered it online, so I was surprised when it arrived and looked completely different. It’s now in a big tube instead of a bottle. But the biggest change is that I noticed that it’s no longer sulfate free. I wonder why? I don’t use it on my hair, but still why add sulfates back in? To save money, somehow? I plan to email Vitabath and ask.
- I finished up another gorgeous bar of Nature Island Botanicals Blood & Sweet Orange, Pink Grapefruit and Bergamot Vegan Cold Process Soap, full size. For the first time all year, I am completely out of NIB soap, and I am bereft. Daphne will hopefully be at the Waterfront Craft Festival in Gloucester MA toward the end of August so I will stock up then. But in the meantime, other bar soaps pale in comparison to hers. Repurchase? Yes
- Nature Island Botanicals Body Butter is one of my absolute favorite body products. I alternate between two scents: Citrus Sunrise and Caribbean Escape Coconut. In June, I used up a jar of Nature Island Botanicals Citrus Sunrise Vitamin C Body Butter. BTW, NIB Body Butter is actually lighter weight than their body lotion. I love both the butter and the lotion. Now I’m using the NIB Caribbean Escape Body Lotion. Repurchase? Yes. In August, I’ll stock up on everything: butter and lotion, Citrus Sunrise and Caribbean Escape. Check out Nature Island Botanicals on etsy.com or check the NIB Facebook page to see if Daphne will be at a craft fair near you.
Skincare
- StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream, full size: This is about the millionth jar of StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream that I’ve finished up. I love it. It’s a thick cream that’s especially wonderful for cold weather, but I use it year round. I also like the lighter weight gel cream version. Repurchase? I already have two jars waiting in the wings. I stockpile it when it’s on sale.
- Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45, full size: Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45 is a terrific daytime moisturizer. It’s a mineral-based high SPF sunscreen that has a slight tint to avoid giving skin a whitish cast. It’s also fairly lightweight. It’s an excellent daytime moisturizer for those who prefer a physical sunscreen and want more protection. Repurchase? I really like this daytime moisturizer, but right now I have so many moisturizers with sunscreen that I can’t justify buying more.
- IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream, travel size: I received this travel size moisturizer in a Sephora Play bag, I think. I had been dying to try it, and I was not disappointed. In fact, I loved it. I would especially love it in the colder weather because it was a bit on a heavier side. Repurchase? Not now, but I am thinking of buying it in the fall/winter during the next sale on IT Cosmetics, Ulta or Sephora.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel, sample: I got this sample in a Sephora Play bag. I like using retinol a lot, but I’m not usually a fan of ferulic because it can smell awful. I don’t remember exactly how this peel pad smelled, but I do remember that it was pleasant. I think there were two pads for two usage occasions in the packet. It seemed like a nice product, but using it only twice I can’t say I loved it enough to buy it for $88. Repurchase? No.
- Derma E Hydrating Facial Wipes Hyaluronic Acid, full size: I don’t use facial wipes all that often because I prefer micellar water or cleansing water. That said, I received Derma E Hydrating Facial Wipes with Hyaluronic Acid back in early February. I just finished it up in late June. Most facial wipes that I’ve tried in the past would be completely dried out if the pouch was opened for that long. Derma E Hydrating Facial Wipes with Hyaluronic Acid, very gentle, hydrating wipes that do a decent job removing makeup were still moist and very usable 5 months after the pouch was opened. Impressive. Repurchase? I recommend them, and I would repurchase these wipes, but I just don’t use them on a regular basis.
- Perfectly Posh Hello Sweetie Hand Cream, sample: I recently found this little sample of Perfectly Posh Hello Sweetie Hand Cream that I received and used up some time ago. Perfectly Posh is a direct sales natural skincare and bath & body company. One of the independent sales associates sent me a few little samples, and I loved them all. The Hello Sweetie Hand Cream smelled divine. Though it is described as “sugared vanilla” on their website, I’d describe the scent as lavender vanilla. At any rate, it smells great. Repurchase? In spite of the fact that I love the scent and the formula, I have lots of hand cream.
Makeup
These two products aren’t empty or used up. Instead, they are fails for me that I’m tossing.
- BUXOM Full-on Plumping Lip Polish, travel size: I got this sample in a Sephora Play bag a couple of months ago. It’s a pretty, pale pink sparkly topper that might be the shade, Mariah (it comes in lots of shades). I should have followed my instincts and given it away, but I decided to try it. Like many BUXOM lip products, I discovered that it contains either peppermint or menthol and that’s a no-no for my lips. Since I used it, I have to toss it. Repurchase? No.
- Beauty Junkees Blending Sponge: I’ve used several different shaped blending sponges from Beauty Junkees, and I’ve had good luck with them. They were easy to use, easy to clean, and lasted me longer than I should have kept them around. Not so this particular sponge. I wasn’t a real fan of the shape (it came in a variety pack), but the problem was that it ripped after a few weeks. Repurchase? Not this particular one.
Haircare
- OUAI Anti-Frizz Hair Sheet, sample: I was curious about this rather unique product. I opened the packet and took out the sheet and rubbed it over my hair. It didn’t much of anything. Frankly, I didn’t get this product. Repurchase? No way.
So this month I used up a lot of my personal staples that I always repurchase, and I got to try a number of travel size and samples that I may or may not buy in the future. What did you use up in June?
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I much prefer IT Cosmectic Secret Sauce than Confidence In A Cream! Secret Sauce is very nourishing and my skin really glows with it.
Shireen, thanks for the info on Secret Sauce. I would love to try it but the price is stopping me. Hope they bring it out in a trial size.
Sandy, there is a trial size of Secret Sauce for $20 sold on the IT website and at Sephora. Not sure if it’s at Ulta. I may have a sample somewhere, but I don’t remember where I put it. Confidence In A Cream is great for mature skin during the cold months – so rich and hydrating.
I’ve gotta find a sample of Secret Sauce that I got when I bought Bye Bye Foundation. I must try it!
Allison, I will get the Secret Sauce in the fall. I also don’t wear confidence in a cream in the summer either.
I think that was my favourite shape out of the Beauty Junkees sponge pack, but mine did the same thing. I seem to remember that I wound up getting a lot of use from the green pointy one though. Now I use one of the Sephora branded sponges, but you know how they love to change things… :/ Good thing I still have a backup or two.
The Ouai thing sounds like a dryer sheet for your hair. Weird. I like some of their other products but this does not sound like something I would ever want or need.
And if you get a response to your sulfate question please share? Not that sulfates are necessarily the root of all evil (hair colour-fading abilities aside!) and they do make very nice lather and soapy bubbles…but they can also be over-drying. I would love to know why a company would add that back if their product was preforming perfectly well without it.
How would you describe this Beauty Junkees blending sponge shape, rach? Bell-like?? That’s so interesting that yours ripped in the same way! I’ve had good luck with the others that I got in a BJ sponge variety pack. Yes, the green pointy one is a good one. I like that Beauty Junkees sponges are easy to get clean. I’m using Real Techniques right now, and it’s a good sponge, but I can’t get it clean, boo. I haven’t tried the Sephora branded ones yet. You nailed it on the OUAI Anti-Frizz Hair Sheet – a dryer sheet for the hair, indeed! But it didn’t work. I’ll let you know if I hear back from Vitabath. You’re right that SLS is a good surfactant, but after having gone through about 4 bottles of the old Vitabath Heavenly Coconut Creme, it seemed soapy enough. Frankly, I use body wash for the scent and skin benefits anyway! Have a good weekend!
Nice job finishing up products in June, Allison! That StriVectin neck cream is incredible, and I am not in the least bit surprised that you have two backup jars!
Vitabath Heavenly Coconut Creme body wash sounds so nice!
Oh gosh, I remember Vitabath from back in high school (a million years ago)! You used up some goodies this month. I love these posts!
Yes, the green Vitabath?? That’s what I started with decades ago.
I put aside my IT Secret Sauce moisturizer and Confidence in a Cream until the weather is cool. Maybe that’s why I never finish anything!! I finished up two liquid eyeliners and tossed 6 lip products. I know I finished two others but my memory is shot!
Hahaha, I know what you mean about remembering. I think I tried a sample of Secret Sauce, but I don’t remember it. I love Confidence In A Cream, but I’m with you – I’ll go back to it during the winter. I’m impressed that you used up liquid eyeliners – I don’t think I ever have. And I need to cull my lipstick collection too.
I would love the DermaE wipes. I try not to use them too often but I still use probably more than I should.
I think you’d really like these, Cindy. The HA and the fact that they don’t dry out as fast as other wipes gives them a clear advantage in my book!
I was actually sick and on bed rest for a lot of June so I didn’t use up any products except medication. You on the other hand did a great job of using up some products. I agree with you on the Derma e Wipes. I love and recommend them but I don’t reach for them enough to repurchase them as I’ve been reaching for micellar water in the mornings due to the heat.
I rarely have empties on monthly basis because I end up switching most of the things for reviewing purpose. The only empties I have every month or so are the ones I am using for years. :p