July Empties

I can't believe it is almost August already! I didn't think would finish much this month, but I think I ended up doing an OK job in the end. 

Lush Dreamtime Bath Melt, Lush Celestial Moisturizer, Lush Prince Charming Shower Gel, African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil, Malin + Goetz Pepperment Shampoo, Oribe Signature Shampoo, Rouge Bunny Rouge Foundation Sample, Burberry Foundation Sample, Diptyque Eau Rose Sample

I've reviewed a number of these items before, and I have to say that I would definitely repurchase Lush Celestial Moisturizer (review) once I use up a few more things as well as the Lush Dreamtime Bath Melt (review). In the end, the Lush Prince Charming (review) scent wasn't one that I want to stick with for a long time, and while I like the African Botanics Marula Firming Botanical Body Oil (review), I really just don't need it right now! 

I've already repurchased Diptyque Eau Rose (which you'll see in a few sample tubes here) as well as the Nars Smudgeproof Eye Primer. 

I liked trying samples of both the Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo and Oribe Signature Shampoo. Both have pleasant, subtle scents and seem to clean my hair nicely. I don't need any shampoo at the moment and generally prefer not to spend more than $15 on shampoo, so we'll see if I ever decide to buy those. (I would rather splurge on some Shu Uemura if I did decide to spend!)

I also realized that a few of the foundation samples I had were dried up! So... remember to use your foundation samples in little pots cause they dry up within a few months. :-P 

Life NK Ultimate Unwind Body Wash & Lotion, dr. dennis gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad, Diptyque Eau Rose

I am happy to have used up a few more samples as well, even though I didn't really care for the dr. dennis gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad. It was too small for body, and the color was a bit orange, though the sample may have been old. I have a few more, so I'll be testing those for sure. I did like the scent of the Life NK Ultimate Unwind Body Wash, but the lotion was pretty average. Space NK says this range is "Based on a formula of hydrating glycerine with lime, green tea, cardamom and ginger."

What products have you finished this month? Please share in the comments below! :)

June Empties & #JuneSampleMonth Fail

I was pretty surprised this past month at the number of full size products that I finished. Not bad at all, considering that I went into the month thinking about getting through samples, which I really didn't make much progress on at all! 

Clockwise from lef: Dove Creme Mousse Deep Moisture Body Wash, Origins Zero Oil Cleanser, Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo, Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water, Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner*, Origins A Perfect World SPF 25

Of the items I finished, I know I will be repurchasing the Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water (review), a long time favorite. My fiance really liked the Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo and the Origins Zero Oil Cleanser (review), and I may purchase the cleanser again once I've used up some cleansers in my stash.

I have another tube of the Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 Moisturizer, a moisturizer that he has been using and loving, though I'm not certain we would repurchase again once we finish that one. We've gotten tired of the Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner (review) scent, and since I love the concept, I am definitely eyeing their other varieties that were recently released. 

I was quite surprised at how quickly we used up the Dove Creme Mousse Deep Moisture Body Wash (review), but I think everyone was a fan. I definitely think this affordable body wash is worth repurchasing, and will definitely buy it again when winter hits or I need more body wash.

On the other hand, I did a terrible job when it comes to #JuneSampleMonth. I won't make excuses but the other ladies participating sure did a better job than I did! Check out their posts here: Gummy Vision, Jules Darling. Anyways, here are the samples that I finished. 

I can't believe I only finished FOUR measly samples! And actually, my fiance used two of them, so I hardly used up anything! I did start a number of others, though I gave up on a few that I can't even find and are still working on a few others... I will definitely have to revisit this again soon. Maybe July...? 

At any rate, of the two samples I tried, I liked the texture of the Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub. Every time I try something from this line, I'm quite impressed by the quality for the price, though at this point I have no need for any more scrubs!  Yes, the line is for men, but who really cares? There seem to be some gems in that brand's lineup. :)

The other sample I used was the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm, which I've sampled before and have a small tub from a kit that I purchased in the winter. I think this stuff is quite nice, though I'm not sure how well it would work for those with oily skin types. I find that my skin just feels smooth and looks clear and even after I use it. It has a creamy mud sort of texture, and definitely needs a cloth to remove if you don't want any oily residue. 

All in all, I'm pretty happy with my empties but horrified at my pathetic attempt to use up some samples. Oh, I definitely tossed some that were hanging around that I knew were old while cleaning house, but I clearly did not try as hard this time around as I did last October! 

What did you use up in June? Have you tried any of these products? Did you manage to get through any samples this past month? I'd love to know! 

April & May Empties

I haven't made a ton of progress when it comes to empties this past month, but I thought I would share anyway. :) 

I really loved using the Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Mask, which I just recently posted about here, and I would definitely repurchase it in the future. I'm sure you all remember my love for everything African Botanics, so finishing this bottle of their Pure Marula Oil (review) was definitely a sad day. I plan to purchase the Neroli version in the future, once I've used up more skincare. 

I liked the Rituals Zensation Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Shower Gel, and my fiance really liked it as well. It is foaming, and suds up well and isn't drying, but I think I will stick to shower gels that are less expensive for now. I find that the Philip B Peppermint and Avocado Shampoo is a really awesome non-stripping clarifying shampoo, but for now I won't repurchase because I have quite a few shampoos. I also liked the Hourglass Film Noir Mascara, which seemed to lift my lashes and give the roots some definition too. 

Have you tried any of these products? If so, what did you think of them? What have you finished lately? I'd love to know!