I initially thought that I would make a larger dent in all of my samples during the month of December, but since I was using
vbeauté skincare exclusively I really didn't use other skincare products. Still, I did manage to use up a few skincare samples that didn't interfere with reviewing the entire line.
: My big surprise was the Clarins UV PLUS HP Ecran Multi-Protection SPF 40- this is hands down
the best sunscreen that I have
ever tried, period end of subject! Needless to say, I purchased the full sized bottle. It doesn't have a strange texture, it plays well with makeup, and feels silky smooth. REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (reviewed
here) is a fabulous peel mask- I used these samples while traveling. This is simply an amazingly effective mask, and I will continue using it as long as REN makes it! MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes- Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser (reviewed
here) handles even the toughest waterproof makeup, and it does so effortlessly and gently.
Body & Hair Products: I try to be judicious in my use of hand sanitizers, but I did have a really bad flu this year so I did use them after touching door knobs at work. The one from Traders Joe's was of the regular gel variety, but the one that I really loved was Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Hand Sanitizer (reviewed
here) because it was a pleasant smelling organic product in a spray bottle. It was so convenient to use because of the way that it was packaged, and I highly recommend it for this reason and for the quality of the product itself. My husband bought Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo and didn't use it because he preferred one of their other shampoos- so it just sat in the shower unused. Being one who
hates waste, I decided to repurpose it as a shower and shave gel- and it worked well as such. The Curls Gel-les'c curl gel/ shine serum (reviewed
here) was a really lovely product that felt moisturizing on my curly locks, and it really gave my hair a lovely shine! EOS Pomegranate Raspberry Shave Cream was an awesome and affordable product that left my legs very soft and moisturized after use.
Makeup, Lip Balms & Fragrances: I made a decent dent in my pile of fragrance samples- which I have vowed to get through. It drives me nuts having drawers filled with piles of things that I don't use-- so it gives me great satisfaction using up these perfume samples. As always, if they smell awful on me I end up using them near the kitty litter boxes to deodorize the area. I managed to get through another Suki Lip Repair Butter (reviewed
here) and a Weleda Everon Lip Balm (I love this stuff!), but both were nearly used up- so it didn't take much time to use the last bits of each of them. I also used up a Chanel Mascara sample, the last bits of a MAC eyeshadow duo, and the last bits of a Trish McEvoy Blush. For the last few months I have been trying to make a dent in some of my makeup, and the aforementioned MAC and Trish McEvoy products were on my hit list to finish up before 2013. I am so pleased that I actually finished both of them.
Which products did you finish, toss, or give away in December?
How in the world do you actually finish eyeshadow and blush?! Hmmm...now I secretly wonder how many eyes and cheeks you really have. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt took a real concerted effort to finish the eyeshadow duo and the blush. I actually forced myself to use them all of the time, and actually took them with me when I was out-of-town so that I had to use them up. I basically had to prove to myself that I could actually finish them. It doesn't hurt that the people from my planet are graced with three sets of eyes and checks- LOL!!!!!!
DeleteI KNEW IT! :D
DeleteLOL!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year!!! <3
DeleteOoooo must feel so good to start getting the products cleaned out. I need to do that for the new year! Hope you had a wonderful XMAS darling Lola :)
ReplyDeleteHi sweetie! It is pretty cathartic looking at all of those empty containers! I hate waste, and I feel wasteful enough when I look at the size of my stash-- so using things up really offsets the feeling of excess and waste associated with buying more than I need!! I totally encourage you to try it-- it really feels good! I had a mellow XMAS-- I hope that you had a wonderful one! Happy New Year!!! <3
DeleteThe Clarins sunscreen sounds like a dream.
ReplyDeleteThis month I finished up a Marcelle moisturiser and a tub of Fruits & Passion Tamanu body souffle. I used up a Benefit eye cream sample; I shall be getting a full size of this when I'm done my eye gel.
OMG the Clarins sunscreen is AMAZING!!! I highly recommend it! A little goes a long way and the consistency is divine!
DeleteYou did a great job with your empties this month, Iris!! I have never tried Benefit eye cream-- I will have to check it out. The Fruits & Passion Tamanu body soufflé sounds DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year! <3
wow good job! I have a handful of empties from the last few months, but not nearly this many! I don't know how you manage to finish things! also, i don't think i can use up that many perfume samples in a year! LOL! But i gave away a TON of samples, minis and things to a beauty obsessed friend earlier in the month!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce! It really does take a bit of a concerted effort to create these empties each month, but I can't stand being wasteful- so I really feel compelled to use up what I buy. Sometimes it's a bit of a pain when I force myself to use the last bits of shampoo- when I am losing interest in it-- especially when I have a new bottle that I want to start using. However, I feel so fulfilled when I see a pile of empties that it motivates me to continue on this quest! The perfume samples have gotten to be pretty easy to use up because I carry them with me when I travel. The ones that smell terrible on me get used near the kitty litter box-- and they work quite well in that capacity-- though I'm quite sure that's not what the manufacturers had in mind- LOL! Giving away your samples and minis to a friend is a great idea!!! Happy New Year!
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