September 2023 Empties for the Face and Body

Press Sample & Purchased (Affiliate Links)

September has already come and gone! How is that even possible?! I managed to use up 11 products, and gleefully placed the empty container in my recycle bin. It feels so good to finish things up before they turn, and I hope that I am able to do a good job in October. Here is what I finished up, and my thoughts about each of these products:

Spongellé Riviera Collection Body Buffer in Ibiza Bloom ($18.00 from Spongellé):  Spongellé's brilliant body wash-infused sponges effectively and gently clean and exfoliate the skin, and they also leave the it deliciously baby soft, smooth, supple and moisturized. They really excel in their ability to clean and exfoliate the skin while delighting the senses with their delightful aromas. Ibiza Bloom Notes: Top: Orange Flower, Magnolia, Green Vines. Middle: Jasmine Buds, Tuberose, Ylang. Base: Sandalwood, Musk, Amber. Purchase Again? It appears that this line was discontinued, but there are so many other lovely body buffers from which to choose. I have already opened another one!

Cetaphil Deep Cleansing Bar ($10.82 for. 3-Pack from Amazon, Walmart, Target and iHerb): I can't believe that I have never reviewed this wonderful bar before! This gentle cleansing bar can be used on the face and body, and it deeply cleans without stripping the skin. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, this bar does what it says and it is rich, creamy and so satisfying to use! Purchase Again? Without question!

Baylis & Harding Goodness Natural Body Wash in Lemongrass Ginger ($6.79 for 16.9 oz. from Amazon and Target): I have been gleefully using Baylis & Harding body washes since the British brand launched in the US a few years ago, and their truly affordable luxury products are a treat to the senses without putting a dent in your wallet. If you are a fan of brands like Molton Brown, you will be elated by this affordable alternative.

One of my most coveted products is the Baylis & Harding Goodness Natural Body Wash in Lemongrass & Ginger, and I have really been enjoying it a lot these days. The uplifting aroma is a delight to the senses without being in the least bit overpowering. Purchase Again? Yes, as long as they make it!

Curél Foaming Facial Wash ($15.00 for 5 oz. from their Amazon Store): I was particularly interested to see whether this foaming and moisturizing cleanser, which is made for dry and sensitive skin, would be a good match for my normal/combination skin. I am a fan of hydrating cleansers that are gentle enough for sensitive skin, but I like them to rinse clean without leaving behind any sort of residue that requires a second cleanse (when they would be used last in a double cleansing routine).

This cleanser exceeded my expectations. It has a wonderful and dense foam that thoroughly cleans the skin without stripping it in the least bit, and it rinses clean without any sort of residue. It is fragrance-free (and unscented) and it leaves my skin silky-smooth and hydrated without feeling as though I need to wash my skin again to feel clean. It is gentle, a pleasure to use, and it feels like a great match for my normal/combination skin. Purchase Again? Definitely!

100% Pure Watermelon Cucumber Water Locking Facial Mist ($25.00 for 1.7 oz. from 100% Pure): This is an ultra-hydrating mist that refreshes, plumps and leaves skin luminous. Like their serum and moisturizer, this facial mist also has a wonderful watermelon and cucumber aroma, but it fades away quickly. Purchase Again? Probably not because I have a lot of moisture mists to use up, but I really liked this one a lot.

GOOD FAITH Softening Moisturizer + Plant-Derived Squalane ($26.00 for 1.69 oz. from GOOD FAITH and Amazon): is a wonderful lightweight and fast absorbing antioxidant-rich moisturizer that leaves my skin deeply moisturized all day long. This nourishing lotion has a very light citrus aroma that fades as soon as it melts into the skin. It can be used as a daytime and nighttime moisturizer, and it leaves my skin soft and smooth. It is formulated for all skin types, but if you have particularly dry skin you might want a richer cream during the colder months of the year. Purchase Again? I would if I wasn't swimming in moisturizers!

AveSeena Ageless Perfection Cream ($157.00 for 1.7 oz. from AveSeena and AveSeena's Amazon Store): is an ultra-nourishing cream that is lightweight, incredibly emollient, and it melts into the skin leaving it soft, smooth, supple, richly moisturized and velvety to the touch, and without any sort of residue left behind. It makes your skin feel so good that it might be difficult to keep yourself from repeatedly touching your face!

It is formulated for sensitive, dry, oily, prematurely aged, mature, combination and balanced skin, therefore it was formulated for essentially everyone. It was created to effectively treat dryness, dehydration, dullness and uneven skin tone. It can be used both as a daytime and a nighttime moisturizer, but you will need a separate sunscreen if you use it during the day.

It has a gorgeous aroma that is informed by a delightful compilation of Rose Damascena, cucumber hydrosols and lavender, and the scent is 100% natural from the listed ingredients. It offers a wondrous and luxurious aromatherapeutic sensory experience without being in the least bit overpowering. Purchase Again? Perhaps once I have finished up more of my open jars of face cream.

Erno Laszlo Phelityl Night Cream ($146.00 for 1.7 oz. from Erno Laszlo, Nordstrom and Amazon): which is pH-balancing, is formulated to repair, strengthen and hydrate your skin while you sleep. It is very thick, but miraculously lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy. It quickly melts into the skin, leaves behind no residue whatsoever, and deeply moisturizes. When I wake up my skin is so soft, supple, moisturized and luminous. Additionally, it softens the appearance of fine lines and makes my skin look incredible. It can also be used during the day, but it contains no sunscreen, and therefore you need to use a separate sunscreen if you use this during the day. It has a very light and pleasant aroma that quickly dissipates, and it can be used for all types of skin. It is perfect for my normal/combination skin, but I think that people with dry skin might prefer a richer cream at night. Purchase Again? I already opened another jar!

Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Gel Cream ($140.00 for 1.7 oz. from Erno Laszlo): is a moisture-rich, deeply hydrating and fast-absorbing gel cream that melts into the skin, leaves behind no residue whatsoever, and immediately delivers results. The antioxidant-rich cream is formulated to be utterly weightless and it does an exquisite job quenching dry and dehydrated skin. It calms and soothes inflamed skin, and leaves it soft, supple and luminous. While it contains fragrance, toward the middle of the ingredients, it doesn't have much of an aroma to speak of. Purchase Again? I already opened another jar!

Serendipitous Eau de Parfum Spray ($50.00 for 50 ml. from Lucky Scent): is a truly delectable fragrance with notes of Cocoa, Tahitian Vanilla and Blood Orange. While it may sound more like a gastronomic delight than one might imagine for a perfume, it is infinitely wearable, and the beautiful fusion of its notes create an aroma that is at once sweet, smooth, creamy, deep, rich, warm and hypnotic. In fact, this tantalizing fragrance is intoxicatingly addictive, soothing and scrumptious. Once it wears down, its sillage lacks longevity, but instead it sits close to the skin and mellows so as not to impose itself on passersby. I absolutely love this fragrance, and its warmth is perfect for the Autumn. Purchase Again? I am contemplating it because this smells utterly delectable!

Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Midnight Blue ($29.00 for 10g. from Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Beautylish, Selfridges, Cult Beauty and John Lewis): This wonderful formula is so creamy to the touch and easy to blend, and it glides across the skin without any tugging or pulling, and it deposits color evenly and effortlessly. It allows you to create a very clean crisp line, but gives you enough time before setting to make a smoky smudged line as well. Once it does set, it is completely budge-proof, and lasts on me all day long, and without a primer. I do not experience any transfer, smudging or fading, but I do not have very oily eyelids, and your wear-time may vary if you do.

I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Midnight Blue– which struck me as the perfect deep purplish blue, and I fell madly in love with it from the first moment that I saw it in person. This shade can be built up for greater pigmentation and saturation, but it can also be worn more sparingly, and therefore less intensely. Purchase Again? Absolutely, because this color is spectacular!

Overall Assessment: I am happy with what I finished in September, and there were no duds to report. What did you use up, toss out, return or give away in September?

Press Sample and Purchased (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2023 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.