May 2022 Skin & Body Care Empties

Purchased and Press Samples

May turned out to be a decent month for finishing up 7 full-size skin and body care products. I would happily use all of these products again, but it will likely be a while before I repurchase some of them because I have so many products to use up before purchasing more. 

Here is what I finished it May:

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel: is an utterly magnificent and delightful gel-to oil cleanser that effortlessly emulsifies when water is introduced. Apply a small amount of the gel to dry skin, and gently massage it until it melts and turns into an oil. Then you add a small amount of warm water and it immediately transforms into a white emulsion, and you simply rinse your face or remove it with a damp wash cloth or muslin cloth. It is gentle, it effectively removes every trace of dirt and makeup and leaves skin soft, smooth, supple and hydrated. It leaves behind no oily residue, and does not require double cleansing– unless of course you prefer double cleansing. It works wonders on my normal/combination skin, and it is a considerable joy to use. It has a very light and pleasant aroma, but it is not long lasting and rinses away without incident. ($56.00 for 100ml/ 3.4 oz. from Oskia London, Space NK, Nordstrom, Cult Beauty, and Bloomingdale's). Purchase Again? Oh yes, this is one of the most amazing cleansers that I have ever used!

Vitabrid C¹² Daily-C Balancing Foam Cleanser: is a luxe lathering cleanser that thoroughly cleans the skin without stripping it in the least bit. It gently removes dead skin cells, dirt and makeup while retaining moisture levels. Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil and helps to draw out impurities while the papaya fruit extract gently exfoliates dead skin cells. Stable Vitamin C brightens the skin, while Nelumbo nucifera flower extract soothes and calms the skin. My normal/combination skin is left balanced, clear and hydrated. Furthermore, my skin is left soft and smooth. It has a faint non-distinct aroma, from the ingredients, as opposed to added fragrance. ($32.00 for 4.06 oz/120ml. from Vitabrid and Nordstrom). Purchase Again? It is very likely, but I need to use up a few of my other cleansers first.

Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer: While this is described as a rich moisturizer for dry and dehydrated skin, I can tell you that it is a godsend for my normal/combination skin. It is ultra-lightweight and fast absorbing, and yet richly moisturizing. The consistency is silky-smooth and the aroma is a light and hypnotic blend of the the essential oils blend, and therefore it creates such an immensely pleasurable tactile and olfactory sensation. Skin is left soft, smooth, supple and hydrated. Furthermore, fine lines are plumped and skin is left with a luminous dewy finish. ($105.00 for 1.7 oz. from Sephora, Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, The Detox Market, Credo Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Selfridges and Bergdorf Goodman). Purchase Again? Perhaps at some point, but I am currently swimming in moisturizers that I need to use first.

Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream is a very rich and emollient cream that is deceptively thin in texture, and yet its richness becomes evident as you massage it into the skin. The texture is heavier than expected, but it melts into the skin in such a satisfying and luxurious way. You can really feel the richness imparted by the presence of the nourishing Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, and Shea Butter. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is aptly called The Rich Cream, and that it was formulated for normal to dry skin, more mature skin and for skin subjected to colder and drier climates. My normal/combination skin would dictate that I should have tried Augustinus Bader's The Cream, rather than The Rich Cream, but my penchant for face oils made me more interested in the ingredients used in the latter, rather than the former. 

I use this ultra-nourishing cream twice a day and I find it intensely moisturizing, without being in the least bit greasy. My skin had a pronounced clarity, and it was vibrant, luminous, soft and supple after about a week of use. I noted that going through the full month of use, when I first bagan using it, to coincide with a full skin cell turnover cycle, was a very wise choice. My skin had the same freshness and clarity that I experience when I regularly exfoliate my skin, but without exfoliating a single time in that 30+ day trial period, and that is quite remarkable to me. I also noted that my little spot of hyperpigmentation had faded considerably and my fine lines were noticeably softened.

While this is no doubt a very hyped product, and brand for that matter, I am very impressed by its efficacy and my results. This is an ultra-luxe face cream, with a price tag to match, but I am elated by the results and by the way it makes my skin look and feel. If you have normal to dry skin, then The Rich Cream is the right choice for you. If you have combination to oily skin, then it will likely be far too rich for you. It is definitely worth trying to get a sample, or purchasing the smallest size to try, or you could do what I did and wait for a Sephora sale since this is such a luxury splurge. I guess the biggest question is whether I like it enough to repurchase it again, or to try more Augustinus Bader products, and the answer is yes to both. However, I will definitely wait for another Sephora sale since this cream is so expensive. ($89.00 for 0.5 oz, $175.00 for 1 oz. and $280.00 for 1.75 oz.from Sephora, Nordstrom, Cult Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Violet Grey, Revolve, Net-A-Porter, Bluemercury, Bergdorf Goodman, Space NK, Saks Fifth Avenue and John Lewis). Purchase Again? ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT QUESTION!

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream in Vanilla Apricot is a very rich, exceedingly hydrating hand cream that is packed with good-for-you antioxidant-rich ingredients. It is lightweight and fast absorbing, but isn't in the least bit greasy. Chapped hands are immediately rendered soft, smooth, supple and hydrated. The Vanilla Apricot fragrance is the perfect blend of the two scents that together create a warm and creamy fruity floral aroma. ($40.00 for 4.6 oz. from Josie Maran). Purchase Again? Maybe once I use up a few more of my hand creams, but this one is truly lovely!

Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel is an ultra-gentle cleansing gel that forms a very satisfying lather. It thoroughly and gently cleans without stripping or drying the skin. It leaves skin soft and hydrated, and can be used as a shampoo and body cleanser. It has a very pleasant, warm and creamy aroma, but it isn't powerful or long-lasting. It is currently my favorite body cleanser, and it emollient enough that I can use it for shaving my legs and underarms. ($22.99 for 16.9 oz. from Target, CVS and Amazon). Purchase Again? Absolutely!

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant: LAVANILA makes wonderful healthy deodorants that are effective and smell wonderful (though they also make an unscented variant for sensitive skin). Vanilla + Earth for Balance is described as "A warm and woody combination of patchouli and sandalwood that enhances focus and concentration." While its description might summon thoughts of a heavy woody scent punctuated by a pungent patchouli, this is a light, sweet and creamy woodsy scent infused with warm florals, and without any detectable notes from the patchouli. It has a depth and yet it isn't in the least bit overpowering. ($14.00 for 1.7 oz. from LAVANILA and Ulta). Purchase Again? Always!

Overall Assessment: I am pleased that I was able to finish 7 products in May, and I am particularly happy that I didn't have to throw away anything that went bad. What did you use up, toss out, return or give away in May? Any hero products or duds to report?

Press Sample and Purchased (Affiliate Links). All opinions expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2022 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.