This month I used up some full size products that I’ve been using for a while, so I feel a sense of accomplishment! Also, I’m including at the end two products that I’ve hit pan on but I’m tossing because I’m not using them, and they’re over a year old.
Here’s what I used up:
Hair
- Just Natural Hair Care Shampoo Remove Build Up: I don’t know if everyone uses a shampoo from time to time that removes buildup left behind by haircare products. Neutrogena used to have one years ago; it was pink. I don’t use a lot of styling products, but every now and then I like to use a shampoo that gets my hair really clean. Just Natural sent me their shampoo that removes build up about 3 years ago. Yes, three years ago. Since I don’t use it that often, I finally just used it up! BTW, the photo from my blogpost of the Just Natural products that I reviewed 3+ years ago is my most frequently pinned photo in my Pinterest account (see below). If you like a color-safe, natural shampoo to use every now and then to remove buildup, this is the one! Repurchase? Yes, I will. It’s sold on the Just Natural website and on Amazon (though it doesn’t qualify for Amazon Prime shipping, boo.)
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- JOICO K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock Instant Shine and Repair Treatment: JOICO K-Pak Luster Lock is my favorite treatment product bar none. My hair absolutely loves this stuff. It’s a 5 minute repair treatment/conditioner that leaves my hair incredibly shiny and smooth. I don’t use it after every shampoo, but usually every other shampoo. IMO, it’s one of the very best haircare products out there…at least for my color-treated, coarse, thick hair. Repurchase? I already did. I’m so happy that Ulta sells it, and I can use their $3.50 off $15 coupon or code to buy it.
Skincare
- Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser: I have been using this wonderful glycolic acid cleanser from Jan Marini for the past year. If you’re looking for a glycolic acid cleanser, this creamy white lotion is worth your consideration. It has a bit of a medicinal glycolic acid smell, but it works very well. Repurchase? If I didn’t have two other cleansers that I must review waiting for me, I would. For $38 and you can often find a 20% off deal for it online, Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser is so worth it. It lasts about a year, and it works so well.
- Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA: I love this serum. It’s lightweight, fragrance-free, and it leaves my skin feeling so smooth. Wonderful stuff. I really recommend it. Repurchase? I think Paula’s Choice was kind enough to send me another one, but I can’t find the box. I’m panicking!
- AmorePacific Future Response Age Defense Cream, travel size: This creamy emollient moisturizer from Korean luxury and effective skincare brand, AmorePacific, was part of a set that I received from AmorePacific. It’s a wonderful anti-aging moisturizer especially for cold weather. A little goes a long way. Repurchase? No because it’s very expensive in the full size, and I am drowning in skincare products to test. But it’s a lovely anti-aging moisturizer especially for winter.
- IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream, travel size: I got this travel size moisturizer in a Sephora Play bag, and that makes me feel guilty that I just canceled my subscription. I loved this creamy but not heavy anti-aging moisturizer. And I probably wouldn’t have gotten to try it if not for Sephora Play. Repurchase? Not now because I have so many moisturizers to test, but I will buy it at some point.
- Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment, travel size: Although it has an awful medicinal smell, I loved Sunday Riley Good Genes serum. It’s a lightweight white lotion that sinks into my skin on contact and makes me feel like it goes right to work. Again, I got this in a Sephora Play bag, and it was a great discovery. Repurchase? I’m testing out new serums for review, so I won’t buy it now. And it’s really expensive, between $105-158. I’ll put it on my list to buy when Sephora has one of its 20% off sales.
- Koh Gen Do Cleansing SPA Water, sample packet: I’ve been eager to try something, anything from Koh Gen Do. I got this sample in a sample bag from Lovelyskin.com. It’s micellar water. I got two usage occasions out of it, and it worked well. It contains natural herbal essences, it’s natural, alcohol-free, and slightly acidic so a toner isn’t necessary. Repurchase? Though it worked well, I will most likely stick with Bioderma’s blue cap bottle that’s good for dry skin.
Bath & Body
- The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Body Butter: I really like Body Butter from TBS, and I was looking for a version that was fragrance-free so it wouldn’t compete with my perfume. I like this one a lot. Repurchase? I will buy it again at some point, but I currently have some unscented body butters and lotions. Also, I just bought the new banana Body Butter from The Body Shop.
- essence Kiss Care Love Lip Balm: I love this super cheap lip balm from essence that was designed to compete with Maybelline Baby Lips. I have bought 3 or 4 of these babies in the past, and they last a very long time. I kept this one in my purse makeup bag. Sadly, I finished it. Repurchase? essence, a brand that changes its product line twice a year, finally discontinued this, or at least it’s no longer on the essence display at my Ulta. Sad.
- Swisspers Premium Cotton Rounds: I’ve finished another sleeve of affordable, lint-free Swisspers Premium Cotton Rounds that I use for makeup and nail polish removal. As I’ve said before, I buy these in a box of 8 sleeves at Costco. Repurchase? I’ve got more waiting in the wings.
What I’m Tossing
A few months ago, I did a post about Products I’ve Hit Pan On, and these two foundations were included in that post. Paul and Joe Gel Foundation and IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Compact.
Both are solid, cream foundations, and I liked the formula of both. They feel so lightweight on my skin. But the problem is that neither one was a good color match for my skin tone. Even though I’ve hit pan on them both, I never reach for them because I have other foundations that match my skin so much better. I hate to toss them, but I’m not going to use them up, and they need to go. The Paul and Joe version is discontinued, I think, but the IT Cosmetics is still available in the core IT shades (about 5 shades).
What did you use up or toss this month?
What’s your Reaction?
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Impressive job on your empties, Allison! I love the Koh Gn Do Spa Water, and have used it, and the tips, for many years.
I’m so excited, Helen, that Koh Gen Do somehow saw my post and they’re sending me the Spa Water and cotton pads to really try it out!
I adore the Sunday Riley UFO oil so I need to add Good Genes to my experiment list too!
I finished up my Venn Effect moisturizer, MK eye makeup remover, tossed a few “snack size” mascaras that just didn’t do anything for me. I love seeing your empties and why/why not you’d buy them again.
Thank you, Marcia! I tried the Vin Effect Exfoliator since you said you liked the moisturizer, and it’s an excellent exfoliator with very fine granules in a creamy base. Very nice!
I love the Joico, I have repurchased several times and I adore their Brightening Blonde shampoo too!
I tried JOICO’s shampoo for color-treated hair in a red bottle, but I was surprised that it didn’t suit me. I need to keep trying some of the others, coz I truly adore that K-PAK. Glad that you’re a fan too.
I really love the Jan Marini product line a lot! I realized after reading your post, I haven’t used their products in a while!
I have a number of favorites among the Jan Marini skincare products, and this cleanser with GA is right at the top. A brand worth rediscovering!