I know you guys know this but I am going to say it again. . . our readers are amazing. LC and Ake are in the house today and I can’t you how amazing it has been to have a robust trash service this past couple of weeks. So hey you, if you are stalking, join in! email me at: mailboxjunkie@gmail dot com
1st up! An amazing display of natural trash!
LC’s can:
LC’s Empties (clockwise from top left):
(Note: ALL of these products are cruelty-free!)
1. Earthbody (now OM Cali Sacred Skincare): Dream Body Oil –(Goodbeing?) This is a product that sparks joy for me! It smells heavenly and it helps me relax. I like to use it on my feet/legs before bed. My mom gave me her’s so I don’t have to replenish yet.
2. Angel Face Botanicals: Super Detox Deep Pore Facial Cleanser –(Kloverbox Aug. 2015) I liked this a lot and bought a full size, but it hasn’t been doing much for my skin lately. It’s black due to the activated charcoal (so be careful), but it smells nice.
3. Eco-armour: Shave with Benefits, Bergamot + Pink Grapefruit –(Kloverbox May 2015) I really like this stuff! It definitely gave me a closer shave with no irritation! I wish the price tag wasn’t so high, but the 1.7oz bottle did last longer than I expected it to.
4. Blissoma: Free Rejuvenating Herbal Gel Cleaner & Make-up Remover –(Petit Vour Sept. 2015) My skin seemed to like this stuff, but I haven’t bought more because of the price tag. I wasn’t too crazy about the tangy(?) smell and it totes looks like boogers…not that it has anything to do with how I liked the product, lol.
5. Palmetto Derma: Collagen Booster & Restorative Serum – (Vegan Cuts online store) I LOVE this stuff and I just need to get off my butt and order more already. I got so many compliments on my skin when I was using this! Must. Get. More.
6. Pelle Beauty: Stellar Multitasking Facial Oil –(Goodbeing?) It’s supposed to be lightweight, but I’m not totally sure if I agree. I used it during the winter as a moisturizer, but it’s a little too heavy for me to use in the summer.
7. Balanced Guru: Tone It Lightly –(Goodbeing) I liked this and it seemed to help clear up my skin (I used it with other Balanced Guru facial products). I don’t think I would buy more in the future, but I have more than enough toners to last me awhile.
8. Meow Meow Tweet: Face Toner –(Petit Vour) I have since bought and used up a full size bottle…that I forgot to save. I liked it and would buy more, but again, I have enough toners for a while.
9. S.W. Basics: Exfoliant –(Goodbeing) This contains 3 ingredients: organic oat flour, organic almond flour, and sea salt. I liked it and I’ve seen it on the shelves at Target, but I think it’s a little pricy for what it is.
10. Meraki Botanicals: Cleansing Rose Grapefruit Facial Oil –(Goodebox) This smells loverly and my skin likes it. I’ve since bought a full size bottle. I also discovered that their Sage Orange Deodorant is the best deodorant I’ve ever used. Seriously, it’s amazeballs.
11. Vapour Organic Beauty: Clarity Make Up Removing Cleansing Oil –(Goodbeing) It’s ashame that this is so damn expensive, but I guess it’s because it works so well.
12. Earthwise Beauty Green Leaves & Co.: Facial Oil –(Goodebox?) I love this! I have since bought a full size and I use it at night as a moisturizer.
Ake’s Can:
Etude House I Need You – Bamboo: This one also has the thin, clear essence I like. It’s almost as nice as the Mugwort!
Etude House I Need You – Coenzyme Q10: This was a thick, milky essence again. It was just okay on my face, but the extras felt fabulous on my arms and legs. Since I’ve started using face mask extras on my body, my dry skin has improved immensely.
Etude House I Need You – Olive: This is supposed to be for deep moisture, and yup, that’s what it seems to provide.
Ettang Peeling Soothing Mask: This is a two-step mask. The first step was a packet of peeling gel where the product balls up when you rub it. I know many people are skeptical of these, but they do make my skin feel smooth. The second step was a soothing mask with a thick, creamy essence. I’ve never found peeling gels to be particularly irritating, but this mask was definitely soothing. Unfortunately, the essence just didn’t absorb into my skin. It still felt nice though!
Neogen Code 9 Lemon Green Caviar Essence & Tox Tightening Pack: I was sooo excited to get this sample. I’ve been really curious about these. You get a pack of pads and a jar of essence to pour over them. The pads have two sides, one soft for applying the essence and the other rougher to rub it in and exfoliate. As I expected, this was a fun product, but nothing I *need*. This sample has satisfied my curiosity and saved my pocketbook.
100% Pure Honey and Virgin Coconut Shampoo: I have a full size of the matching conditioner and the smell on this is a bit stronger and more artificial. It’s nice, but not as hydrating as my HG No. 4.
Homemade sugar scrub: This was a gift, not from a sub box. It was wonderful, and I’m going to try to make more like it once I’ve used up my sub box scrub stash.
Pre de Provence Argan & Shea Butter Exfoliating Soap: I actually just opened this bar, but I draw the line at holding on to the wrapper until I finish it. The oatmeal in it is more scratchy than exfoliating, but the soap itself feels great. It’s creamy and smooth, lathers well, and has a nice but mild scent. Yay!
Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel for Body: This one was fun! But wow do I have a lot of surface area on my body. This sample didn’t go far. I have more peeling gels in my stash than I’ll ever be able to use on my face. Repurposing them for my body is a great idea.
Mj’s Can:
S.W. Basics Body Scrub (Art of Organics)
Like LC, I tend to like the SW basics stuff but they almost do themselves in by making it too easy to just mix up the stuff yourself. This scrub had actual coconut flakes in it so it was quite delightful
Like LC, I tend to like the SW basics stuff but they almost do themselves in by making it too easy to just mix up the stuff yourself. This scrub had actual coconut flakes in it so it was quite delightful
Mahalo Petal Mask (Beauty Heroes)
Sigh, I seriously love everything they make that I have tried. This mask is so heavenly on. It lives up to its promise of “hydrating mask for daily glow”. I have seen some people describe the scent as overpowering but I find it addictive. I usually am like Heat and think that with most things I can’t really tell if it is working but this stuff is so intensely hydrating that I can totally feel a difference. Will repurchase when budget recovers from Avenue A and PSMH Summer box/
Eminence Stone Crop Moisturizer (Yuzen)
So this stuff was bright green and smelled nice. I can’t say that I would purposely buy this again. I did recently read some interesting things about this brand. Here is the link if you love this brand and are curious. Eminence
So this stuff was bright green and smelled nice. I can’t say that I would purposely buy this again. I did recently read some interesting things about this brand. Here is the link if you love this brand and are curious. Eminence
Hippie Hobby Tube Tea
Hooray for homemade tub tea! This stuff was super easy to make and made my bath a treat. I cut open the package though because I wanted it to float around and look pretty. I don’t recommend that as then you have a cleaning problem on your hands. And there you are all relaxed from your bath tring to fish oatmeal out of the tub. . .
Hooray for homemade tub tea! This stuff was super easy to make and made my bath a treat. I cut open the package though because I wanted it to float around and look pretty. I don’t recommend that as then you have a cleaning problem on your hands. And there you are all relaxed from your bath tring to fish oatmeal out of the tub. . .
Zents Sun Bath Truffle (Yuzen)
I used this at the same time as the tub tea and it was fun. It was awhile ago so I can’t remember if it fizzed or not.
I used this at the same time as the tub tea and it was fun. It was awhile ago so I can’t remember if it fizzed or not.
100% Pure Cream
I got this sample when I ordered the caffeine mask that Ake raved about. (FYI Dermstore has a sale on 100% pure stuff). It is very rich and heavily scented. I used it on my feet.
Earthwise Beauty Ferns and Moss Face Serum
This came as a sample when I purchased their Farizads Veil (a powder sunscreen you mix into stuff). It smells a little funky and I think I would need a larger size to really see what it does for my skin. I read great things about this brand so after I finish my Skin Owl Drops I may try the full size. I really love the brand
This came as a sample when I purchased their Farizads Veil (a powder sunscreen you mix into stuff). It smells a little funky and I think I would need a larger size to really see what it does for my skin. I read great things about this brand so after I finish my Skin Owl Drops I may try the full size. I really love the brand
Kahina Brightening Serum
So I swapped on MSA for enough of these samples to equal a full sized bottle. I have read such great things about it and I am wondering if it will help my Melasma. We are 10 days in so we shall see. They save it will take 4-6 weeks for any results.
That’s all folks!!
Amazing empties! LC, I’m putting the Palmetto Derma Collagen Booster on my wishlist! It’s exactly what my skin needs!
@ake, we have to get you some of Onderria’s coffee scrub! I was curious about the body peel as I really liked their face peel but I thought the same thing like where do you start?
@LC I love that vapour remover too. I have almost purchased it several times but it is so darn expensive I just can’t !
LC I have that Meraki Botanicals rinse but haven’t used it yet. I meant to give it to MBJ when I was in Hawaii, but I actually got scolded for the amount of liquids I smuggled onto the plane… oops…
Ake I do have a really awesome coffee scrub recipe! That’s actually what I got caught trying to take to MBJ because they couldn’t tell what it was. The TSA agent had me describe it to her, told me it sounded really awesome, then gave it back to me =D It’s coconut oil, coffee grounds [used or new], cinnamon, and sugar.
http://www.morethanamomofthree.com/2015/01/08/diy-cinnamon-coffee-body-scrub/
Whoa… that sounds amazing. I love coffee scrubs! But I worry when I use them because I’ve heard that coffee grounds can cause clogs in your pipes. Have you ever had problems? Actually, I’m a bit concerned about the oil in my scrubs too.
MBJ, the Mahalo Petal Masks sounds like exactly what my skin needs. So I went to the website to check it out and… fainted. But there’s a sample size + elixer on ebay right now for $25!
LC, does the Sage Orange deodorant work when you sweat? I would love to use a natural deodorant, but I’m awfully stinky,
Ake, I know. Luxury at its finest! Everything of theirs that I have tried is from Beauty Heroes. I will say that I intend to purchase full size at some point. I really want to try the Vitality elixir. It is pricey but man. . . you can totally feel a difference in the quality. If someone told me that if I gave up sub boxes they would supply me the whole line then I would do it-that is how much I love their stuff for my dry as bones skin.
Also I am in the process of testing 4 natural deodorants right now!! I am putting them to the test of crossfit, yard work, work stress and chasing toddler. Will let you know which one works the best. I have heard amazing things about good tidings.
Can’t wait to hear about the deodorants!
MBJ, can’t wait for your deodorant results!
Ake, yes, the Meraki Sage Orange deodorant works! It doesn’t irritate my skin and no matter how much I sweat it keeps me stink free! I’ve been using it for a couple months and so far so good.
I tried Schmidt’s deodorant (it’s heavy on the baking soda, which can cause irritation with sensitive skin) and it worked for me all last summer, but then I started to smell like a light sweat all the time. I bought a few full size jars of it so I plan to try to keep it in rotation, but not in the summer heat. I tried their stick form too, but the formula just isn’t as good IMO.
I’ve also tried Piperwai and Lovefresh. They both seem to do a pretty good job, but I haven’t put them to the test in the summer heat yet.
I was afraid to try natural deodorants, but I got them in sub boxes so I gave ’em a shot. I can honestly say that all of the brands I’ve tried work better than the Mitchum I used to use. And Mitchum was the only deodorant I could find in the stores that worked for me at all. Natural deodorants are totally worth trying!
Late comment but I’m finally catching up on my blog reading because I’m home sick today… Another week of amazing empties! Great job LC, Ake & MBJ!
These posts really do motivate me to use up my stuff! And give me great ideas on how to do so… Oil on feet & legs before bed, using excess face products on body… These things just don’t occur to me on my own. LOL
Thanks Heat! It took me wayyy too long to save up those empties. I need to start using things up faster. I’ve had a few natural products go bad because they have a shorter shelf life.
Catching up like Heat lol
@LC The Earthbody and Pelle Beauty items did come from GoodBeing. It was one of those mystery boxes and I remember because I bought two and received duplicates (luckily I loved all the products)! I love your sparking joy Earthbody Dream Oil I am on my second/last bottle 😉 Also I am almost done with one of my Meraki Botanicals face oils I love using that in the shower.
@Ake I need to do a sheet mask they are like bunnies mating in my refrigerator.
@MJ I have a swamp green face mist from Eminence (I forgot which box). Aside from the hideous color, it is one of my favorite face mists. Mahalo has the most gorgeous packaging and I hope we see more of that brand in subscription boxes I would love to try it out (and anything from Hawaii as you already know lol)!
As always, great empties everyone!