January Random Sampler & Empties

I didn't make much of a dent in my stash last month.  I think some of that is because I didn't stick with a lot of products.  I'd try something for a few days and then move on.  A couple of these items I didn't finish but know that I won't so they're being tossed.  Here they are:

The Mario Badescu super rich olive body lotion came in the beauty bag I ordered from Hautelook on Thanksgiving weekend.  It was nice and thick without being greasy and without much fragrance.  I did like it and would recommend it for anyone with dry skin woes.  As for the AHAVA velvet body lotion, this was the first time I had tried honeysuckle & lavender. I normally get the hibiscus & fig but HSN.com had this scent in a full size lotion and body wash set priced at $29.50 so I couldn't resist.  I love honeysuckle but hate lavender so this was a risky purchase.  Fortunately, I loved it.  I don't love it more than the hibiscus & fig, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.  If you're interested, at this moment, HSN.com has both scent sets priced at $29.50.  That's a steal because the full size lotion individually will run you $26 at Ulta or AHAVA.com.  Shipping is $6.21. Both of these brands are cruelty free.

The Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes were a part of the $10 sets Sephora was offering on Black Friday.  The makeup wipes came with nail polish remover pads (which I'm not really loving or using).  As I've mentioned before, I really want to love Josie Maran products because the company supports some great charities like the NRDC Polar Bear SOS Initiative. And of course, they are cruelty free.  But- but-  These makeup wipes have a clean, fresh scent and are a nice, thick cloth.  But I didn't find that they did an awesome job removing my foundation.  For those of you who don't use a primer (why would you not?!?), full coverage foundation, setting powder and setting spray, they might work better.  And I did like how they didn't make my skin feel dry or tight.

 


The boscia purifying cleansing gel also came in a $10 kit from Sephora.  I am considering this as my cleanser of choice because it's pretty gentle and seems to work well without irritating or drying out my skin.  The Sibu Beauty sea buckthorn nourishing facial cream came in the Hautelook beauty bag.  I've come to realize that sea buckthorn is not for me.  It feels greasy on my skin and quite frankly, I think it stinks.  If you like it, check out SibuBeauty.com because they have a range of skin care products made with sea buckthorn and are entirely vegan and Leaping Bunny certified.  boscia is also PETA certified as cruelty free.



Lather included this avocado mint hair repair sample with my last order.  I love Lather products so much.  The avocado mint moisture therapy was a bit thick and heavy for my thin hair so I wouldn't use it on a regular basis.  But if you're looking for a dry hair solution that is awesome, smells minty (not at all like guacamole) and is cruelty free, I'd recommend this one.  The Living Proof thickening cream came from....I don't know.  Heaven?  No, really, I think I got this from Sephora but cannot recall.  I love the full products from Living Proof because they add volume and body to my hair.  I just wish Living Proof was certified cruelty free.  They say they do not test on animals, but without approval from Leaping Bunny or PETA, that could mean just about anything.  If they ever get certified, this thickening cream will be stocked in my bathroom, no question.

The Night Renewal HydraGel from Exuviance came in one of those sample bags from Ulta you can get when you spend $35.  It lived in my stash drawer for a long time, probably too long, consider that it is meant to "repair and hydrate oily skin at night...clinically proven to improve skin texture and refine pore size".  This is a really nice product and I liked using it.  My skin in the morning was so smooth and soft.  The hydragel went on easily without feeling greasy or heavy.  Exuviance is owned by NeoStrata and they have a really clear statement about animal testing on their site: they don't do it.  However, they acknowledge that suppliers of some of their raw ingredients might.  Also, it looks like they sell in China.

Per-fekt skin perfecting gel came from Sephora I think. And I hated it.  Ugh.  First of all, this sample packaging is ridiculous.  It's really difficult to get out any of the product using your finger if you have longer nails, and I refuse to use my nails to scoop out stuff.  And the directions say to use just a little, and pat it into the skin.  Stop.  I do not have that kind of time.  Bottom line: it did nothing for me but I may not have even gotten enough on my face.  I gave up and I'm tossing what is left.  It's a shame because Per-fekt is Leaping Bunny certified and I'm always looking for new cruelty free products to love.  The Jouer matte moisture tint was a sample purchase from Birchbox using my points.  I got it prior to going to the dermatologist so I still had ugly, oily skin.  Now, I can't use it because it's way too drying.  If you're looking for a good mattifying, tinted moisturizer, consider Jouer.  Jouer has stated that neither they nor their manufactures test on animals; however, they are not certified by Leaping Bunny or PETA.

 Here's another sample that "magically" appeared in my stash.  Before I talk about this perfume, I want to talk about another Giorgio: Giorgio Beverly Hills.  I know I'm not the only one here who sprayed the crap out of the Giorgio Beverly Hills Designer Imposters during their younger years.  As a result, I can't look at anything labeled Giorgio and not think of that tacky yellow & white stripped bottle.  Giorgio Beverly Hills not from Giorgio Armani but my wacka-doodle brain still makes the association.  Fortunately, Acqua di Gioia smells nothing like GBH.  This scent is a little sweet from the mint and brown sugar, and a little musky from the Sicilian cedar.  It wore well throughout the day and I found myself really loving this perfume. And apparently, it's in the Fragrance Hall of Fame? No, that's a real thing! I saw it on the Armani site.  I also saw on the site that Armani does not test on animals or have 3rd party testing done of its products on animals.  They are not certified, though, and I believe they sell in China.

 This is the sweet face of my boy, JD.    How cute is he?!  He doesn't have anything to do with the products I used up last month but I do love him and love showing him off because I'm a proud mama.