Empties Post Volume LII: February 2017

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February proved to be yet another month that I was able to clear out a lot of my mostly used up beauty products. Each month I dig through my cabinets and pull out the products that have largely been finished up, and I place them on the counter, and in the shower, so that I will remember to use them. I decided to use this method several months ago in an effort to declutter my cabinets, but also to reduce waste by using up products before they expire. I have to confess that it is very satisfying tossing all of those containers into my recycle bin each month, and while I still have a lot of decluttering to do– this method is proving to be quite successful for me.

Here is what I finished up in February:

Le Mieux Perfect Renewal (Review Forthcoming): The bottle is only empty because I poured the contents into the jar of exfoliating pads to activate them. I have not finished using it, but instead simply needed to recycle the empty bottle.

MANUKA SECRETS Night Crème (Reviewed HERE): This antioxidant-rich night cream is very lightweight and fast absorbing. It has a very emollient texture that delivers deep levels of hydration and moisture instantaneously, and it leaves skin nourished, soft, smooth and soothed. Manuka Honey soothes and softens the skin, Hyaluronic Acid binds moisture and plumps fine lines, Shea Butter deeply moisturizes, and CoQ10 supports skin's natural regeneration. It leaves skin soft, supple, hydrated and luminous. It has a light earthy scent that quickly dissipates.

Belli Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator (Reviewed HERE): is a lightweight ultra hydrating moisturizer, filled with botanical humectants, that softens and nourishes the skin. My skin is immediately hydrated and illuminated. While this is suitable for all skin types, those among you with particularly dry skin may want to use this more as a hydrating serum under a richer cream. On my normal to combination skin, however, Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator provides all of the moisture and hydration that I need. It has a very light citrus scent that smells wonderful, but it does fade soon upon application, and therefore should not bother people who prefer unscented facial products.

Arbonne RE9 Intensive Renewal Serum (Reviewed HERE): is a lightweight and fast-absorbing anti-aging serum that is formulated to hydrate, firm, lift, and soften the appearance of fine lines. It leaves my skin soft, supple, hydrated and fine lines are noticeably softened and plumped. It has a light orange aroma that, while delectable, fades as soon as it is absorbed.

Mirai Clinical 3-in-1 Multi-Tasking Face Serum (Reviewed HERE): In addition to being a serum, this multi-tasker is also a toner and a moisturizer. It is lightweight, fast-absorbing and immediately hydrating. The antioxidant-rich formula nourishes and protects the skin, and leaves it soft and supple. It is very concentrated– therefore one only needs to pump out a small amount to get optimal results. It can be used day or night, and can be worn alone or under your favorite moisturizer.

derma e Evenly Radiant Brightening Serum with Vitamin C (Reviewed HERE): is a very lightweight and fast absorbing gel-based skin-brightening serum that is formulated to even out skin tone, and to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and discoloration. While I don't have a lot of hyperpigmentation I definitely noticed that this serum brightened my skin, made it more luminous, and more even in tone. Furthermore, this antioxidant-rich formula offers my skin much needed hydration.

derma e Firming DMAE Serum (Reviewed HERE): is a firming serum that lifts skin and softens the appearance of fine lines. The very first thing that I noticed about this milky serum was that it felt silky smooth to the touch, and that it left my skin feeling that way as well. It is fast absorbing leaving behind no residue whatsoever, and it leaves skin feeling exceedingly hydrated. I only noticed a slight lifting effect after the first few uses, but did notice that my skin my fine lines appeared softened after about a week.

Monat Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive (Reviewed HERE): is a very nourishing blend of luscious oils that nourish the hair and skin effortlessly. For the hair, I warm a dropper full between my hands and massage it into damp hair from scalp to tips. My hair is rendered more manageable and tangle free, and once dried it is soft, glossy, tangle-free, and frizz-free, but never greasy. I also use it on dry hair for styling, and for taming any frizzies or fly-aways. My curls form into glossy ringlets that look and feel gorgeous. Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive is unquestionably outstanding in its capacity as a luxury hair oil.

As a face and body moisturizer, Rejuveniqe is a decadent oil that is lightweight and fast absorbing. I apply it to warm and damp freshly cleansed skin and massage it in until it disappears completely. The result is deeply nourished skin that is soft, supple, glowing and deeply hydrated. It does everything that I expect from a high quality luxury beauty oil, and it smells utterly divine. The scent is a delectable subtle fruity floral that smells edible!

Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer Hydroactive Cleanser (Reviewed HERE): This is a lovely gentle cleanser that effectively sweeps away makeup, dirt and surface oils without stripping the skin. It has a wonderful whipped texture that becomes a creamy lather when water is added. Skin is left clean, smooth and hydrated, but not stripped. It works well on its own, but also works beautifully with cleaning devices like the FOREO LUNA and Clarisonic.

Silkriller Moisture Cream (Reviewed HERE): This is a wonderfully lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizer that plumps fine lines, deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, and leaves it silky soft and radiant.

vbeauté Buying Time Everyday Crème (Reviewed HERE):  is a highly effective anti-aging twice daily face cream that is light in feel, but  heavy on moisture. This cream delivers deep moisture and hydration,  but it is not so rich that you must sit and wait for it to sink in before applying your finishing products.

LAVANILA The Healthy Body Wash 3-IN-1 Sport Luxe (Reviewed HERE): This sulfate-free body wash deeply and gently cleans the skin and leaves skin feeling utterly refreshed. It is formulated to gently cleanse the skin post-workout by removing excessive sweat, dirt and oil.

Mary Tylor Naturals Organic African Black Soap with Shea Butter all Natural Hand Made (Reviewed HERE): This is a wonderful 100% organic African Black Soap that thoroughly cleans the skin without stripping it.

Propolis Soap with Manuka Honey & Tea Tree Oil (Reviewed HERE): This is a nourishing and rich soap that achieves a creamy lather, and it thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping it. It has a warm earthy scent that does not linger, but it is exceedingly pleasant. It is formulated for use on the face, hands and body, but I have been using it as a hand soap at my bathroom sink.

Nature's Form African Black Soap (Reviewed HERE): African Black Soap has long been held as a natural healing remedy to treat a plethora of skin conditions such as Dermatitis, Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and dry skin. It is also very nice to treat dry skin during the colder months of the year.

Svelta Luxe Coffee and Raw Sugar Body Scrub (Reviewed HERE): is filled with coffee, raw sugar, olive oil, and other high quality natural ingredients, and together they create a delectable, and highly effective exfoliator.  Skin is left silky smooth, supple, luminous and toned. The consistency is thick, rich, and oily, and it needs to be rinsed off with soap and water to remove the excess oils, but it is such a lovely scrub that it is worth the extra step. The smell is a mouthwatering combination of coffee and cardamom that delights the senses from the moment that the jar is opened.

Mario Badescu Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E (Reviewed HERE): This is ultra thick and rich, and miraculously softens and moisturizes dry skin. I wash my hands frequently during the cold and flu season, and I routinely find the need to use a lotion or cream in order to avoid drying out my hands, and Mario Badescu Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E works miracles on ultra dry hands.

Amlactin Cerapeutic Restoring Body Lotion (Featured HERE): While I generally neither have dry, nor rough skin, Amlactin Cerapeutic Restoring Body Lotion leaves my skin very moisturized and smooth.  It effectively and efficiently exfoliates dry skin and reveals soft and supple skin. The texture is light and sinks into the skin quickly leaving behind no greasy residue.

Hask Kalahari Melon Oil Color Protection Shampoo (Reviewed HERE): is a gentle and non-stripping shampoo that preserves  hair color, and leaves hair nourished, manageable and shiny.

ColorProof SuperRich Moisture Condition (Reviewed HERE): This is a lightweight, and yet ultra hydrating color-safe conditioner that leaves my hair soft, frizz-free, detangled, hydrated and shiny. There is a minty aroma that smalls and feels refreshing and exhilarating.

Assorted Perfume Samples: While I managed to finish up more fragrance samples, none of them worked well enough with my body chemistry to warrant purchasing a full size bottle.

What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in February? Any hits or misses that you want to share?

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