May 2024 Empties for the Face, Body, Hair & Home

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I am a little surprised that this month I mostly used up body and hair care products, and that there was a single skincare product and a candle to finish off the month of May. Of the 10 items used, 9 were full size, and one was a travel size (that I used at home, incidentally). Here is what I finished up:

Spongellé Mini Buffer Bits ($10.00 from Spongellé): Inspired by delectable tiny donut holes, these Mini Buffer Bits are a sweet extension of Spongellé’s skin-nourishing Confection Body Wash Infused Buffer Line. Available in four mood-enhancing scents (Jasmine Brûlée, Burnt Sugar, Cocoa Bon and Chiffon Rose), these adorable, dual-sided mini buffers are the perfect size for precise deep-cleansing, softening cuticles, nails, heels or any other areas of the body with small dry patches. They feature a special soft cleansing surface on one side and a gentle textured exfoliation on the other. Each Buffer Bit is infused with skin-softening triple butter and exfoliating sugarcane extract. These are especially effective after gardening since they really clear all of the dirt from under the nails! Purchase Again? I have another set in a different scent that I am just about to open!

Spongellé Love Always | Bulgarian Rose Heart Buffer ($14.00 from Spongellé): This delightful body buffer makes skin look and feel incredible, and the scent is heavenly. "Send a love letter with Spongelle’s Love Always Heart Buffer in Bulgarian Rose. Perfect for travel, these heart-shaped body wash infused buffers will cleanse, exfoliate, massage and love your skin." Fragrance Notes: Top: Cinnamon Sticks, Sliced Ginger, Sweet Clove, Juicy Orange, Middle: Tuberose, Base: Whipped Vanilla, Cozy Musk. Perfect for travel, this heart-shaped body wash infused buffers cleanses, exfoliates and pampers the skin. Purchase Again? I have another one that is ready to open!

Spongellé Private Reserve Body Wash Infused Buffer in Blood Orange: (Was $16.00 from Spongellé): "These buffers with built-in body wash are infused with extracts of yuzu, edelweiss and vetiver root to cleanse, exfoliate, massage, and hydrate the skin for a spa-like pampering experience at home." Fragrance Notes: Top: Orange, Mandarin, Peach. Middle: Jasmine, Rose, Lychee. Base: Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla, Musk. This body buffer smells heavenly, and it is so refreshing. Purchase Again? It appears that they no longer have this Private Reserve scent, but if they bring out back I am going to buy several!

Spongellé Florica Candle in Mystic Rose ($45.00 for 8 oz. from Spongellé): is an ultra-luxe cruelty-free soy candle with a flickering wooden wick. Like to diffuser, the aroma is beautiful amalgam of Rose (top note), Water Lily (middle note) and Sweet Musk (base note), and the result is a complex floral that is neither too sweet, nor too musky. The substantial glass housing is beautiful, and it perfect to use for makeup brushes, eye pencils or pens after the candle has been used. The stunning gift box is truly noteworthy, and a true show-stopper. Purchase Again? I have had many of their candles, but this is definitely my very favorite. I will definitely splurge and buy another one!

Abhati Suisse Mahakali Nourishing Conditioner ($58.00 value from a Boxwalla box): This nourishing and hydrating conditioner weightlessly treats the hair and gives it a glossy shine without leaving behind any buildup or residue. Hair is left manageable, frizz-free and utterly gorgeous. It has a wonderful herbal aroma that lingers in the most pleasant, rather than cloying, way. Purchase Again? I would love to get this again, but I need to use up a lot of conditioners before purchasing another. I am still using their shampoo, and I absolutely love it!

René Furterer KARITÉ HYDRA Hydrating Day Cream ($36.00 for 3.3 oz. Karité Hydra Hydrating Day Cream from René Furturer): is one of my most reached-for hair hydrators. It is a leave-in that has a wonderful lightweight creamy-gel texture and a delectable light aroma. It is very emollient, and it offers sustained hydration throughout the day, but it does so without ever weighing down the hair. It fights frizz and fly-aways, makes hair more manageable, and it gives hair a lustrous shine. It is suitable for normal to dry hair, and it is a real gem for my naturally curly hair. I use the entire Karité Hydra Hydrating haircare collection, and I highly recommend it to anyone with hair in need of hydration. It is a game-changer for me, and it makes my curly hair manageable, frizz-free and decidedly glossy. Purchase Again? I will continue to buy this as long as they make it!

Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray ($46.00 for 8.5 oz. and $24.00 for 2.1 oz. from Oribe, Amazon, Sephora, Nordstrom and bluemercury): I haven't met an Orbit haircare product that I didn't love, and this is, without question, the nicest Beach Wave spray that I have tried. This one actually imparts moisture, offers a light hold and a lovely shine. It doesn't leave hair crunchy, flaky or stiff and it has that wonderful Oribe aroma! Purchase Again? Without question, it is well worth the splurge!

Curél Deep Moisture Spray ($15.00 for 5 oz. from the Curél Amazon Store): is an amazing find, and it is just perfect for the warmer weather! This ultra-fine moisture mist can be used on the face and body and it sinks in immediately leaving skin nourished and hydrated. It is fragrance-free, easy to use and effective. It is especially satisfying on a hot day to refresh the skin with a spritz here and there. Additionally, because it is so light and hydrating it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It does not, however, contain a sunscreen, so you will need to add your sunscreen after you apply this spray. Purchase Again? I just opened another one!

MyKirei by KAO Yuzu Flower Foam Hand Soap ($18.00 for 8.5 oz. from MyKirei and their Amazon Store): is, without question, the most charming hand soap that I have tried. Each pump of this fetching hand soap produces a floral shaped dense and creamy foam that is soft and creamy to the touch. It thoroughly cleans the hands, without ever stripping, and in fact leaves them moisturized. The lovely Yuzu aroma is uplifting and refreshing, but it doesn't linger for long after rinsing. Everything about this beautiful hand soap is wondrous. Purchase Again? I plan to buy the refill, and will continue to use this bottle.

Erno Laszlo Phormula 3-9 Repair Balm ($280.00 for 1.7 fl.oz. from Erno Laszlo and Nordstrom): is a great product to use when you have irritated skin. If you have a break out, a sunburn, or red and irritated skin that requires something gentle, nourishing and healing, then this mighty balm really helps. It makes this a perfect choice post-peel and post-exfoliation for that very reason. I recently had a bad allergic reaction to a product that I was testing, and it left an irritated patch of skin on my face that was dry, red and peeling, and nothing seemed to help it heal. 

Thankfully, I already had this balm, and while I had little hope that it would help, I decided to try it anyway. Much to my surprise the flaking, peeling, itching, redness and irritation went away after a couple of days of use. It is very concentrated, and only requires a tiny, tiny bit. It is very easy to overdo it and use far more balm than necessary, and therefore I start out with very little and add more as needed. Not only is it calming, but it is also incredibly hydrating and it leaves the skin very soft, smooth and supple. It is definitely a luxury product with a luxury price tag, but it is so concentrated that it will last a very long time. It contains no fragrance, Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, Mineral Oil, Urea, or colorants. Purchase Again? While I really loved this balm, I have far too many open balms, creams, serums and lotions to justify purchasing it again.

Overall Assessment: Well, there you have it. While I thought that I would use up more skincare products this month, I did finish up 10 products. What did you use up, toss out, give away or return to sender in May? Did you discover any amazing products or any much-hyped products that fell short of your expectations? Do tell!

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

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