The All Natural September Empties

This is only my second empties post, but I'm quite stoked! I'm really not good at using stuff up, so when I do I feel like I've accomplished something... That's weird, right? I also translate that into being allowed to buy more... Another way to feed this girl's beauty appetite.

You'll notice since my Inaugural Empties post that the detoxing of my beauty routine has come quite along! Since I've started blogging, my husband has been curious and slightly bewildered at why I have a special place in the bathroom cabinet for "trash." Ha! 

Let's begin straightaway...

Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash - 5oz. ($11)

My Target doesn't carry this, but while on vacation in Florida I found this pleasant smelling cleanser. It has a strong (but not overwhelming), summery coconut scent - delightful! Pacifica is known for strong fragrances. It didn't foam up a great deal, but well enough. The charming packaging has a matte finish and is very pliable for squeezing out all the product. If it weren't for the remaining makeup after a wash (maybe it not foaming up a good deal has something to do with that), I'd give it a ten! However, I would have to wash my face twice. It's an issue I discussed in my last post on another natural face wash. Seems it's my new mission to solve this frustrating problem...

I love that it's free of sulfates, petroleum, parabens, SLS, and phthalates. It's also loaded with antioxidants, coconut water, and sea algae. 

So, I probably won't purchase again... Next I'm going to try the Willa Start Fresh Foaming Facewash with Birchbox; and I'll let you know how that goes.

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer in Fair - 1.7oz. ($36)

I'm a huge (HUMONGOUS, rather) Tarte fan, so I was sad when I didn't love this BB cream. I should have expected the light coverage, as it's called a "tinted moisturizer"; but I still wished for more. Being typically oily, I should've gone with something more matte. That's hard to find in natural makeup, though. Even with my Beauty Blender I found it a bit streaky, not setting into my skin all the way. I also didn't find it corrected any red spots, either. It worked tolerably well, but considering the price, I am still on a mission for something better. I'm currently using Yes To Grapefruit's CC Cream and, though light coverage, am happier with it. I used my Birchbox points and got it for only $5 + free shipping! Boom!

It is nice that it has SPF 20. And, as always, the packaging is fun. LOVE the wood cap, and that it's free of parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, SLS, and synthetic fragrance.

Giovanni Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Blow Out Styling Mist - 4 oz. ($9)

I try to not wash/dry my hair but 3 days a week. I have very fine hair, and tangles plague me after showers. So, I thought I'd get a blow-out and detangling spray to help remedy that. I've been using about 6 drops of pure argan oil in my hair after every shower for a while now. When I used this in lieu of that I didn't see a big benefit. I would then combine them and still have a lot of breakage. 

It does claim that it defends hair from heat, moiturizes for silky, voluminous bounce, detangles and banishes frizz. I'm, thankfully, not a frizzy headed gal, but I do need some volume and detangling. I didn't notice a significant amount of either.

I am going to try for a straight-up detangler next (while continuing the argan oil from the ears down).

Klorane Extra-Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - 50ml. - ($18 for full size 3.2oz.)

I received this sample size in my May Birchbox, and it took me eons to finish it. Not because I didn't like it... I'm just not typically a fan of aerosol dry shampoos. They always clog up on me, so I can't use it all up. Or, if they don't clog up, they run out quickly. I'd rather my money go further with powder versions that don't clog and last longer. 

This did work well, smelling clean and perfume-ish. If you've become a legit oil slick, this won't cut it. It's a super fine mist. That's when you'll need a powder to get the job done. It comes out white, but not so white you can't blend it in easily. I have dark brown hair and had no issues with that. 

Blum Naturals Daily Cleansing & Makeup Remover Towelettes, Normal Skin - 30 count ($7)

I paid $3.99 for these at TJ Maxx, so I got a good deal. The best way to describe the smell is "sweet powdery cucumber." Super odd, I know. I'm glad, because I don't typically like cucumber scents; this one keeps from smelling like vegetation and adds a sweetness to it. In regards to washing my face, they did the job just like they should. 

At first, I was in love with the dispenser, because some brands only have a flap that re-sticks down and doesn't always stick. I prefer these with a lid that clasps to keep them from drying out. After about half way through, the edges started peeling up on this one. I had to store it face down with something on top of it to make sure it stayed as air tight as possible.

My guess is I bought an old package on discount and the glue had begun to break down. When you peel it back, it looks like hot glue and doesn't go all the way around. Other than that, I loved these. Maybe I'll buy a newer package not on discount and see if they do the same.

If you like empties posts, check out my Instagram! I do some mean #beautyempties, #travelsizethursday and #samplesizesaturday (or Sunday) IGing!

And be watching out for the giveaway I'm getting together for y'all! So far I can tell you it'll involve two brand-new Julep polishes!

Tweet Me • Instagram Me • BlogLovin

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream Review

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream:

Mouthwash For Your Face

Well... hey! It's been eons since my last beauty post. [Insert frownie face]. With a new job that's 80% travel, I just flat out don't have the time or energy to keep up with this. But, it's all about enjoying it and not becoming a chore, right? Well, just today I was reading my FAVORITE beauty blog and felt inspired to re-enter the blogosphere with a review of one of my new fave things.

{Next to watch out for...? A giveaway! I've got a real good 'un cooking up for ya!}

A friend who's aware of my pitiful product obsession and attempt at detoxing my beauty ritual with natural products enabled my problem with this gift: Burt's Bees Deep Cleansing Cream ($8). When she excitedly gave it to me, the best way she knew to describe it was to say "it's like mouthwash for your face... in a good way." I thought it was an odd statement until I used it... She's so right!

When I told her the next day what a refreshing experience it was she said with a proud glint in her eye, "You're going to review that one on that blog, aren't you?!?" I chuckled... but here I am!

If you've read my "I've gone MINT-al" post, you know that I'm a huge fan of all things effervescent. This definitely feeds into that fixation and then some.

Instead of my typical gel or foaming cleanser, it is a legit cream. Upon first application I almost felt like a "mature" woman using a cold cream (trying to be real PC here...), but then it started to sing (no - not a typo; it says "sing" not "sting") and pleasantly tingle. Then I knew what my friend was raving about!

After you pat your skin dry, it just keeps on singing and tangibly glowing. Another plus - it's not drying at all. I have oily skin, so I was concerned it'd be too moisturizing, but it was just right.

I even enjoy the experience more when using it with my Olay Professional Facial Cleansing Brush. The combination of the menthol, rosemary, chamomile and lemon with the exfoliating brush makes my skin happy! It's like a spa facial, and it's so energizing. I love to spin brush my way into wakefulness in my AM shower.

Oh, and just look at these great ingredients! You can't go wrong with Burt's... so many good things all in one bottle, and even the fragrance is natural.

I especially love the absence of parabens, propylene glycol, SLS and phthalates. If you don't know why I care, I'd suggest a little research on toxicity in beauty products to help you make more informed decisions about what you're putting on the largest organ of your body!

The only con (and I see this with most of the natural cleansers I've used: Pacifica and Jason as two examples) is it doesn't remove all my makeup. I am still trying to find the best way to cleanse my face with natural cleansers. I'm either cleansing twice or using my Klorane Cornflower Water Makeup Remover I bought with my Birchbox points before the cleanser.

Ultimately, I'd say this is a winner and almost definitely a repurchase. I would never have picked this out for myself, but that's the fun of trying new products! 

What about you? Is this something you'd normally use? Do you use any natural cleansers that cut through the makeup? Or what products have you tried that were out of your norm?

Tweet Me • Instagram Me • BlogLovin

This Beauty Blogger Blogs Bananas

Forewarning: 

Just track with me. You will have the desire to downplay what you're about to read. Fight it.

So, we (husband and I) throw away a lot of produce. A lot. I might as well withdraw money from the drive-through bank ATM (since I never have cash) and drop it in the trash can. Or shred it. Or flush it. Or ask my dogs to eat it. I'm running out of scenarios here. But I know you're catching what I'm tossing. Moral: it's a serious fiscal problem in this family. 

Recently I decided to eat cleaner and be nicer to my body. When your brother is getting married in 93 days, you start to freak out about what you would currently look like in a Matron (could there be a more terrible title? (Think a la Chandler)) of Honor dress. You track your food intake and take your dogs for more walks than they've had in years. Trust me, skinny ones, it's a thing of desperation.

Anyways, we recently had three bananas that were turning black back in that corner in your kitchen bananas go to die and potatoes go to grow strange tumors. That gross, mushy black color that makes me slightly gag if I try to eat it. (Kind of like Ron Swanson on Parks & Rec when he tries to eat a fresh one).You know, it's like slimy yet gritty? Yeah - that texture. Blegh. I'm dry heaving just typing about it. Typically, my non-clean eating self would just happily toss those suckers without a second thought. But not now - not this new and improved me. I had a moment of brilliance (well, I saw it on Pinterest; busted) and froze them. Now, you may be thinking: "And...?" Come on! Just remember I'm a beauty blogger, not a lifestyle/food blogger. An appropriate dinner when my husband is mercilessly spending time with friends is a Lunchable sometimes accompanied with beer. 

What I'm trying to say is I've never frozen ANYTHING that wasn't already in a freezer at the grocery store. Ever. (Minus water for ice). All those women who freeze whole meals? They're my heros. Besides frozen berries and venison, our freezer gets little attention. Last time I opened it before this evening was to get an ice pack for my achilles muscle on my left leg. This was due to my recent increase in pre-wedding-clothes activity. Newsflash about working out: that shiz hurts. 

Wait, though. It gets better. Tonight I put one frozen banana in our one million dollar Vitamix I've never used. (The hubs acts like it's the greatest invention since... well, I can't think of anything mind blowing-ly great right now; but I know you're smart, and you're picking up what I'm throwing down). And to my shock and extreme excitement I discovered that I (yes, me... domestically challenged moi) just made friggin ICE CREAM! Yep, you read that right - ice cream. It was so effing good - with no sugar, no dairy, no preservatives, no nothing. Just a banana. It just literally made me giddy. I wanted to do it all over again, until I realized I originally did it to be healthy, not to eat hundreds of banana calories. But I will now NEVER, ever, ever throw a banana away again.

I still feel like you are downplaying this, Reader. It's a big deal. Just trust me.

Since I want to look like I know what I'm doing, blogging about things in a kitchen (and not my makeup bag):

Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Banana

Directions:

Peel banana

Freeze banana

Blend banana

Enjoy

Impressed? Yep, me, too.

And because I try to be a good #greenbblogger, here's an article on using those left over banana peels on your face. Who knew they could be used on acne, wrinkles, warts, poison ivy, etc!? I'll have to try that next time tomorrow!

Tweet Me • Instagram Me • BlogLovin