Press Samples, GWP & Purchased by Me (Affiliate Links)
I am in a state of utter shock that March is winding down already. I was so busy at work that I barely had time to come up for air, and when I finally did the month was nearly over! I did manage to use up a few full size products and a handful of samples, and am happy to have added a few more empty containers to my recycle bin.
2) J.R. Watkins Naturals Lemon Hand Soap (reviewed here): J.R. Watkins makes my all-time favorite hand soaps, and their Lemon scent has to be my favorite. These wonderful liquid soaps leave skin soft and hydrated instead of stripped and dry! I need to buy more on my next trip to the grocery store!
3) Belli All Day Moisture Body Lotion (reviewed here): This lightly lemon scented lotion is ultra moisturizing, and so pleasant to use. I left it on my nightstand and used it every day until one sad day when there was no more to use!
4) Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash (featured here): This was a deluxe sample from one of my BB5 boxes, and it was so good that it's now on my must-buy list! It leaves skin clean, soft and hydrated– it is also wonderful for shaving legs and underarms!
5) Antica Farmacista Lemon Verbena Shower Gel: I absolutely love Lemon Verbena scented body products, and this has to be one of my very favorites. This deluxe sample was given to me by a friend, and it is so amazing that I am planning on buying the full size as soon as I finish up my current body washes.
6) The Honest Company Honest Face + Body Lotion (reviewed here): I have yet to use a product from The Honest Company that I don't really really like, and this lotion is perfectly hydrating and a true pleasure to use.
7) REN Glyco Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (reviewed here): I have been using this highly effective exfoliating mask for years, and I still think that it is one of the best of its kind. It effortlessly dissolves dead skin cells, and it reminds me a bit of Orange Marmalade without the rinds! Skin is left delectably soft, smooth and radiant!
8) TATCHA Radiant Deep Brightening Serum (featured here): This beautiful serum hydrates, smoothes, softens and illuminates so effectively and the results are so pronounced that this is a definite must-have for me. TATCHA remains one of my favorite lines.
9) Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream (reviewed here): This eye cream is a great hydrator for skin that is dry and dehydrated, and the results are immediate. It is also very affordable– making it a great choice for the wallet!
10) Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser (reviewed here): I initially thought that this was going to be a harsh and stripping cleanser that I wouldn't be able to use on my face, but was I ever wrong. Not only is this a gentle cleanser, but it leaves my skin soft and smooth. It's brilliant by itself and with a Clarisonic!
11) Assorted foundation samples: Nothing to report because I don't remember what was in each little pot!
13) Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Wipes (reviewed here): These are still among my very favorite cleansing wipes. They are gentle and never bother my sensitive eyes.
14) Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths (featured here): I haven't used these long enough to give you a full report, but I tried them during really hot weather at work when I was running around and sweating, and they were great for freshening up before reapplying deodorant.
15) Colbert MD sample packets (Soothe Night, Nutrify & Protect Day and Stimulate The Serum): Normally I wouldn't bother to comment on using a couple of sample packets, but in the case of Colbert MD I have to note that this exquisite line does not disappoint. Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil (reviewed here) remains one of my all-time favorite luxury oils, and I am thoroughly impressed by Colbert MD Uplift Eye Serum (review forthcoming), Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream (review forthcoming) and Colbert MD Intensify Facial Disks (review forthcoming). While the three sample packets in this post don't provide enough product to review– I will say that I am quite impressed and definitely want to try all three.
What did you finish up, throw away, give away, or return in March? Any great products worthy of mention? Any real duds to avoid?
Press Samples, GWP & Purchased by Me. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).
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Product #1 on this list is one of my favorite recent finds! Smells amazing, feels good to use, and is budget friendly! Drugstore shower gels have recently upped their game, I think! Also LOVE Tatcha serum. I particularly appreciate the fact that they have their products available also in "travel" size, making it more accessible to everyone, budget-wise.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you love that Suave Body Wash as well! That particular scent is so scrumptious! I completely agree with you about drugstore shower gels upping their game! Gone are the days that skin was left stripped and dry afterward! The TATCHA Brightening Serum really is incredible, and it was a great strategy creating travel sizes so that everyone can try their products without breaking the budget! :-)
DeleteOh yes, and that Dove Body Wash is a favorite too! I have a jumbo sized bottle in my shower. Perfect for those days when the skin feels a bit dry, or for shaving! I have also tried their "Winter Care" body wash (used it during Christmas when I was visiting the East Coast). That one is even more moisturizing! Haven't seen it around my neck of the woods, though :).
DeleteYes, I agree! I always use a good shower gel for shaving as well, and the more emollient and moisturizing, the better! Oooooh, I wonder if their Winter Care can still be found, or if they only roll it out during the holidays? That sounds amazing! :)
DeleteOnly saw it in the fall at Costco- best deal ever though.
DeleteI will keep an eye out! Costco definitely stocks some amazing deals in the beauty aisle!
DeleteThe Ren Renewal Mask is one of my all time favorites!! I had to purchase the full-size after trying the sample :) Great post! xo Kelly www.mydazzlelight.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly! Mine too– it really is an incredible mask! It's nice that getting a sample is pretty easy, and I definitely understand why you bought the full-size after trying it!
DeleteI didn't like the Physicians Formula Argan Oil blushes! I saw a lot of great reviews on them, but I don't like them at all!! I don't like anything about them! I'm very disappointed. I'll be giving them away. Thank goodness I got them on sale, and had a $9 rebate for both, on top of that. Also giving away the Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Mattifying Primer Base. Total dud. Though it might be good for someone with very lightly oily skin.
ReplyDeleteHi Miki,
DeleteI keep picking the PF Argan Oil blushes up and looking at them each time I see them at Rite Aid, but I always end up putting them back. What do you dislike about them? It's definitely good that you got them on sale! What a bummer that the SK Primer was a miss as well! I always find it so disappointing when I buy total duds!
I finished up my umpteenth jar of Atopalm moisturizer and have started on another- it's one of the best basic moisturizers I've found. I've also finished my jar of SkinMedica dermal repair cream, but I'm hesitant to buy another in the fall as I'm concerned the active ingredients don't withstand the jar packaging. For summer I have HadaLabo replenishing hydrator and I think I'm going to love it! The relatively new hydrating dove body wash is one of the few my dry skin can tolerate in winter, though my skin does best with shower oil or the yellow neutrogena bar. I love the scent of the JR Watkins lemon, but have only tried it as a dish soap. Will need to get some of the hand soap for my guest bath and see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteHi Kirsten! I haven't tried Atopalm moisturizer or SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream– I will have to look into both! I hope that you love the HadaLabo Replenishing Hydrator! Dove makes really great body washes, and they really do a great job hydrating the skin while cleaning it! I love shower oils as well, and I haven't bought a Neutrogena bar soap in years, but always loved their soaps! I will have to grab some next time I'm at the drugstore! I highly recommend the J.R. Watkins lemon hand soap, and if you use and love their dish soap this one should make you and your guests very happy! :-)
DeleteWhen I had crazy dry skin Neutrogena bar stuff was the only thing I could use. This is before the Dove hydrating shower gel- before that, anything they (and everyone else, aveeno, etc.) made was too drying. Eucerin used to make a shower oil and it is very soothing though doesn't smell as lovely as Loccitane's almond sh
DeleteSorry Loccitane's smells better than Eucerin. So Eucerin and L'occitane shower oils or plain old neutrogena soap are the best for crazy dry skin. This winter I tried the new Avene lotion, but didn't get a chance to try the cream or shower wash. Got the Atopalm free from skinstore.com as a gwp years ago and love the stuff. It is heavier than something like the HadaLabo replenishing hydrator, but absolutely nothing worked better in winter for my dry retin a ravaged skin. Atopalm's moisturizing lotion isn't really that great, I'd skip it.
DeleteI can't imagine that the Eucerin shower oil smelled anywhere near as good as L'Occitane's! I am definitely going to read up about Atopalm from Skinstore. Thanks for letting me know that their moisturizing lotion isn't that great!
DeleteYes the jar cream is truly fantastic but the lotion isn't a nicer lighter version; you just have to use something else. For a very short time Atopalm was even sold at Target. It isn't a very high profile product, buy boy is it a great hydrating rich moisturizer. I only use it in winter.
DeleteInteresting that Target carried it for a while– what a pity that they no longer do! You would have thought that the lotion would have been a lighter version of the cream! The cream sounds amazing!
DeleteI have gravitated towards more clinical skincare for a while now. Skinstore.com was the first place to offer some of the dermatologist brands, but they have more competition now. I love lovelyskin.com, but have also used skincarerx.com and dermstore.com. They are all usually offering discounts of some sort, so even when some prestige brands are excluded you can get 20% off la Roche-Posay and Bliss. The brands I like are replenix skinincare (for green tea), SkinCeuticals, SkinMedica, pca, paulas choice, and have also had good luck with elta md, neocutis eye cream and can't wait to try iSClinical eye cream. Oh, and colorscience. Happy shopping!
DeleteWhat a great assortment of dermatologist brands! Yes, those e-tailers are definitely definitely generous with their discounts! SkinCeuticals makes some truly amazing products! I want more than a few of their products! :-)
DeleteI finished a shampoo and conditioner by Ecru New York this month... nothing really to write home about but I was proud I finished them! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Krystal! I always find it a huge accomplishment to finish a full size shampoo and conditioner!
DeleteLOVE the Total Refresh wipes. They feel SO good after a work out. I really need to try that Suave body wash. I am always buying expensive ones and they get over so fast.
ReplyDeleteMe too, they are so great to carry around, and are perfect for after the gym, or on a hot day! This particular Suave Body Wash smells absolutely delicious, and leaves the skin so soft! I need to go buy another bottle ASAP! I love expensive body washes as well, but it's nice to have fabulous drugstore varieties as well since they are so much more economical! :-)
DeleteI agree. Sometimes, I like the cheaper ones to use as bubble bath. ;)
DeleteMe too! :-)
DeleteHelen, so many wonderful products from your empties that I have to check out and try! I have heard of Antica Farmacista but have never tried anything from them. I'm a big fan of Antica Farmacia de Santa Maria Novella in Florence but their products are rather hard to come by (though there is a source in LA & NYC). And you've sold me on the Mario Badescu eye cream with HA!!
ReplyDeleteHi Allison, Thank you! I really make a concerted effort to use things up and recycle their containers. I feel far too wasteful otherwise! I have only ever tried the Shower Gel from Antica Farmacista, and it is truly incredible! I definitely want to buy a replacement, and want to learn about more of their products! I have heard of the Antica Farmacia de Santa Maria Novella line, but haven't had the pleasure of trying any of their products (YET!). The Mario Badescu eye cream is a really lovely hydrator, and my bet is that you can probably track down a sample to try out first. :-)
DeleteI love seeing empties posts. I need to try those Koh Gen Do wipes
ReplyDeleteMe too, I always get great vicarious pleasure looking at empties posts as well. Of course there is a whole different level of satisfaction when you dump all of your own empties into the recycle bin! The KGD spies are awesome. I love to pick them up during the Sephora VIB events!
DeleteYou have so many empties! JR Watkins is my jam! My in-laws introduced me back when I met my husband and the products are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brooke! I actually thought that I could have done a more impressive job, but nothing else close enough to finished to make it this month. JR Watkins is the BEST! I agree, they really make amazing products, and they are such a pleasure to use!
DeleteThose cooling body cloths would be great for the summer.
ReplyDeleteThis month I finished a few staples:
- Belle Butters Blackberry and Sage body butter
- Dr. Andrew Weil x Origins Mega-Bright SPF30 sunscreen
- BeautiControl Spa purifying gel face cleanser
- Darling Girl Cosmetics Rock Roll Glam mini-lipgloss
- Bath and Body Works Sexy Dahlia Rush shower gel
- Michael O'Rourke Rock Your Hair Shampoo
The Rock Your Hair shampoo was only okay and I was annoyed the bottle cracked when there was still 1/4th or the product left. I transferred the shampoo to another bottle.
Hi Iris!
DeleteThey are perfect for the summer! Such a great invention!
Another impressive month with you empties, as always! What a bummer that the Rock Your Hair Shampoo was a miss for you, and that the bottle cracked. I used one of their shampoos a long time ago and liked it. I think that they may have other types of shampoo now since I last sampled their products.
Those cooling body cloths would be great for the summer.
ReplyDeleteThis month I finished a few staples:
- Belle Butters Blackberry and Sage body butter
- Dr. Andrew Weil x Origins Mega-Bright SPF30 sunscreen
- BeautiControl Spa purifying gel face cleanser
- Darling Girl Cosmetics Rock Roll Glam mini-lipgloss
- Bath and Body Works Sexy Dahlia Rush shower gel
- Michael O'Rourke Rock Your Hair Shampoo
The Rock Your Hair shampoo was only okay and I was annoyed the bottle cracked when there was still 1/4th or the product left. I transferred the shampoo to another bottle.
AWESOME job, Iris!
DeleteThanks! Sorry for the double post.
Delete:-) No worries!
DeleteSo many empties! Love Honest products!
ReplyDeleteI really do make an effort to use up products each month! I hate the clutter of too many partly used things! The Honest Company really makes wonderful products, I agree!
DeleteOMG twinsy, you beat me here, you have so many empties for March! I have one scheduled April 3rd.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your upcoming empties post! I always find them to be so motivating!
DeleteWow! That's an impressive amount of empties!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jamie! I really do make a concerted to use the things up that I have in circulation!
DeleteSo many empties! I have a bag I should be getting to as well... Someday :D
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your next empties post, Bailey!
DeleteBecause of this post I am now the owner of the Ren Renewal Mask (as well as their Active 7 Eye Gel and other things that brought my total up to over $200 for another Barneys Bag which arrived today). I can't believe my online order placed Wednesday evening arrived this morning! The only bummer is the bag is missing the Radical skin pads.
ReplyDeleteNice selections! I hope that you love this mask as much as I do. Great score on getting another GWP. I'm not at all surprised that you got it as quickly as you did since they aren't in the midst of bag event! Not all of the bags had the Radical Pads, and sometimes the bags that are leftover can be missing some items, or hammy have substitutions. Have fun with all of your goodies!
DeleteI sent them an email to see if they could send them to me. Worth a shot and we shall see!
ReplyDeleteIt would be pretty awesome if that worked out!
DeleteI received a reply. While they cannot guarantee that the Radical pads will be in it, they are having a new bag shipped to me. Total WIN if I get the pads in there and still GREAT even if they are missing....
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Are they asking you to send the first one back, or are they letting you keep both?
DeleteThere was no mention of a return! Psyched for sure! No shipping notice as yet but I feel great about this resolution and glad I asked!
ReplyDeleteCertainly a score if they don't send return instructions!
Delete