October 2023 Empties for the Face, Body and Hair

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links)

In the month of October I finished up 13 products– 9 of which were full-sized and the remaining 4 were deluxe samples. There was not a single dud in the bunch, and I would happily use all of them again. However, in many cases I won't replace them in the near future because I have so many open products to use up before they spoil. While it looks as though I used a lot of products in October, it is important to note that many of these bottles, jars and tubes were simply finished up, and in some cases the were nearly empty. That said, it is always my goal to practice sustainability and mindfulness, and therefore I make a concerted effort to finish up products each month so that they aren't wasted.

Here is what I finished in October 2023:

Thinksport Epsom Salt Bubble Bath ($7.99-$8.49 for 8 oz. from Thinksport and Amazon): is an effective, and cruelty-free, bubble bath that is formulated to relieve sore muscles. Whether your muscles are sore from a vigorous workout or from a long and exhausting day, this bubble bath offers the perfect peaceful soak that soothes the spirit and relieves sore muscles. Instead of a pungent therapeutic aroma, that can be cloying, this wonderful bubble bath has a lovely citrus floral scent. I was so relaxed after my first use that I slept like a baby! Purchase Again? I have more bubble bath to use first, but I would definitely purchase this again.

RITUALS Fortune Oil Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood ($14.00 for 200 ml. from Rituals): RITUALS Fortune Oil Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood from the Laughing Buddha Collection is a wonderfully moisturizing shower oil for the body that functions in precisely the same way as the many facial cleansing oils that have recently flooded the market.

You simply apply a small amount of Fortune Oil Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood to your skin and as soon as it has contact with water it emulsifies and turns from an oil consistency to a thin milky emulsion that effectively cleans the skin, and leaves it delectably soft smooth and moisturized. The scent is a warm amalgam of Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood, and it is neither too sweet, nor too woodsy. While the scent is lovely it does not linger since it is, for the most part, washed away. Purchase Again? I will definitely purchase one of their shower oils once I use up more of my shower products.

Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub ($32.50 for 2 oz. from Ulta): This is a wonderfully effective facial scrub. This exfoliator features tiny, and densely populated, exfoliating particles suspended in a creamy base that has enough grit to sweep away dead skin cells effortlessly. The formula is gentle, effective and non-stripping. Skin is left soft, silky smooth, supple and refreshed. It is a very concentrated formula– so this 2 oz. jar should last a long time unless you are using it on your face and body. Derma e suggests that it can be used on your hands, elbows, feet, knees– or anywhere you need to exfoliate rough skin, and I definitely agree that it is quite effective on rough skin in those regions as well. Purchase Again? Most definitely!

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water ($15.00-$71.00 from Revolve, Neiman Marcus): is one of my holiest of holy grail products, and I have been using it for many years now. My eyes can be particularly sensitive when it comes to makeup and makeup removers, and I have even found many so-called gentle eye makeup removers to be very irritating for my eyes. Koh Gen Do's Cleansing Spa Water removes all traces of makeup and eye makeup without irritating sensitive eyes or skin, and it leaves the skin soft, clean and hydrated. On the nights that I am too tired to do my full skincare routine, I use this multi-tasker to clean my skin and remove all traces of makeup. Not only is it incredibly effective, but it neither strips the skin, nor does it leave behind an oily residue. Purchase Again? YES!

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Wipes ($62.00 for a 3-pack from Macy's, Amazon, Violet Grey and Neiman Marcus): My eyes can be particularly sensitive when it comes to makeup and makeup removers, and I have even found many so-called gentle eye makeup removers to be very irritating to my eyes. When I was first introduced to Koh Gen Do's Cleansing Water and Cleansing Water Cloths I assumed that I would be disappointed as I had been so many times before. However, much to my surprise these products actually lived up to the claims made (in fact exceeded them). Not only did my eyes not sting, but it removes all traces of makeup, and the surrounding skin was left feeling soft and supple. Purchase Again? Without a doubt, I love these fabulous wipes, they are by far the best that I have ever used.

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum ($195.00 for  30 ml/ 1 oz. from Space NK, Neiman Marcus and Cult Beauty (210.00€): This lightweight and fast absorbing golden elixir boasts a delectable warm and earthy aroma from which one can detect the Rose Damascena Absolute, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower and a fusion of the remaining essential oils. The intoxicating aromatherapeutic experience delights and calms the senses while it quiets the mind. I find that I slow down and inhale deeply as I massage in into my skin, and that any residual stress that I may have been experiencing just melts away. This ritual is utterly relaxing, and it heightens the sensory experience of using this luxe oil. This serum significantly bolsters radiance and it leaves skin silky smooth, soft and supple. I note a distinct brightening and evening of my skin tone, a lifting and softening on my fine lines, and an undeniable increase in the long term hydration of my skin. Purchase Again? I just opened a new bottle! This earns a definite A+!

GOOD FAITH Brightening Serum + Vitamin C ($28.00 for 1 oz. from GOOD FAITH): is a wonderful lightweight and fast absorbing hydrating hybrid serum that is lusciously emollient. It leaves skin very soft, silky smooth, hydrated and luminous. It softens and plumps the appearance of fine lines, and noticeably brightens the complexion.

While it is designated as fragrance-free, it does have a delicious light citrus aroma that is tempered by a clean herbal undercurrent, and the aroma is from the ingredients themselves, not added fragrance. It is formulated for all types of skin and it is vegan and cruelty-free. Purchase Again? Maybe at some point, but I currently have several Vitamin C serums to use up first.

TATCHA The Dewy Skin Cream ($72.00 for 1.7 oz. from TATCHA and Sephora): It a wonderful plumping, hydrating and antioxidant rich moisturizer that leaves skin luminous and happy. It is lightweight, fast absorbing and such a joy to use! Purchase Again? Not in the near future because I have far too many open moisturizers at the moment!

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 thoroughly enjoyed this gel cream, and would definitely consider buying it next summer.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream ($75.00 for 0.50 oz. and $225.00 for 1.69 oz. from Sephora, Nordstrom and Bluemercury): I now understand why this brand, and indeed this cream, has such a cult following. Described as, " soothing anti-aging face moisturizer that targets the signs of aging, promotes skin regeneration, and is infused with power ingredient purslane to keep skin hydrated and radiant for 24 hours"– this cream is a serious contender. It melts into the skin immediately and calms, soothes and deeply hydrates the skin. Skin is left soft, smooth, supply and luminous. Purchase Again? It is at the top of my list as soon as I finish up more of my face creams!

Zion Health's Deep Cleansing Scalp & Hair Scrub Pink Grapefruit Peony ($16.31 for 4 oz. from iHerb): This low-lathering scrub contains gritty little exfoliation particles that gently remove dead skin cells, product build-up, dirt and excessive oils. It leaves scalp and hair clean and exfoliated without leaving them dry or stripped. Simply massage it into the hair and scalp to activate the light lather, then rinse thoroughly and follow with your favorite conditioner. This is a very effective formula, and I only need to use it once or twice a month, but your use may vary. The aroma, which is informed by the pink grapefruit and peony, is unsurprisingly a bright and cheery fruity floral. The scent is uplifting and pleasant, but it does not linger. Purchase Again? Probably not because I have several other scalp scrubs to use, and it will take forever to finish them, but if I didn't I would.

OUAI Wave Spray ($14.00 for 1.7 oz. and $28.00 for 4.9 oz. from Sephora and Ulta): This is a wonderful non-sticky spray for effortless looking beachy waves. It has a weightless texture, it doesn't flake or make hair crunchy, s I run out.and it is suitable for all types of hair. While I have curly hair, this wonderful spray offers my hair touchable hold and enhances my curls. Purchase Again? I have two more bottles, and will definitely purchase more as soon as I run out.

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Shadow Pencil in Dark Pearl ($29.00 for 0.06 oz. from Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Beautylish, Cult Beauty and Selfridges): is described as a "sparkling grey eyeshadow pencil for brown eyes," but it strikes me as a bit more of a bronzy taupe shade. It has stunning shimmer that does not migrate, and the consistency is silky smooth. It glides across the skin effortlessly, depositing color evenly, and it sets after about 30 seconds, as suggested, so you want to blend it out rather quickly since I have found it budge proof after it sets. Whether you wear it as an eyeshadow, or as an eyeliner– it offers all day wear without any creasing or migrating on my eyes. I should note that I do no have particularly oily eyelids, and therefore I can wear this without a primer and it stays put until I remove it, but your wear may vary. It is also very important to avoid tightlining, or wearing this in your waterline because it "is infused with Synthetic Sapphire, a mineral gemstone" and Charlotte Tilbury suggests that you immediately, and thoroughly, rinse your eyes with water should it get into them. I have sensitive eyes, and always avoid putting liner on my waterline, but even when I used to I never put shimmering liners that close to the eye. Purchase Again? Oh yes, it's just that stunning! 

Overall Assessment: I am quite pleased that I managed to finish up 13 products in October! What did you use up, toss out, give away or return in October? Any serious hits or misses to report?

Purchased & Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own. 

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