Natural Empties Spring 2016

Hello Loves,

While we are still enjoying the last 5 minutes of spring, I hurry up to present you the natural empties post, this is everything I used and finishes in the last three to six months behind the scenes. Some of these products appeared on my Instagram feed, some didn't, some will be repurchased, some won't. I love doing these types of posts, and it seems to be one of the most popular with you too, so let's keep this tradition, shall we? Oh, and if you are wondering why I don't have a shampoo or deodorant in these posts, is because I am still working my way through 1 litre of my beloved Dermorganics shampoo (although I recently aquired Josh Rosebrook and 100%Pure shampoos and conditioners, stay tuned for reviews of those too). Dermorganics is my fave shampoo for the third year running and yet it dawned on me that I never reviewed it, doh! And as per deodorant, I am using my own DIY which works better than any of the shop bought one I have tried. I have a recipe post here on my blog, so just search for ir in the search box.

RMS Uncoverup in 11 and Smile (Lip2Cheek) samples
I purchased a sample of it to try out, because you simply have to try out this cult beauty product if you are into green beauty, and especially if you are a blogger! But let me tell you, l am so glad l didn't jump in with both feet like I tend to do, as in purchasing full size of the product. As you can guess, l am not getting full size of it, for two simple reasons - as a concealer it tends to last one hour on me, and as a full face foundation, it broke me out. The product is very pigmented so you really need the teeny tiny amount of it and it has really clean ingredients, l have to give them that, but it looks really good on me for five minutes (the fresh dewy bright look you see in the magazines) and it is completely gone within one hour, no matter if I set it or not. (It also creases like crazy if set). I know this is contravertial as soooo many green bloggers and Youtubers love it, but it is not a product for me. Breakouts are never nice, and my face can't handle the coconut oil, even though I love it for my body. I also own the sample of Smile, which is lip to cheek product which I really liked at the beginning and was gong to get full size of, but again, breakouts plus not lasting performance of the product (these tend to last a bit better, maybe 3hrs on the cheeks) made me change my mind. Plus I made my own DIY multiple, which is just so good! I will link it here.
A repurchase? Sadly no.

100%Pure Vanilla Body Butter 
I really wanted to check this product out to compare to other body butters that I’ve used over time, but I am not repurchasing this or any other body butters from 100%Pure for a couple of reasons - firstly you get very little product for the price ( plus I risk the damn custom fees every time I order from them), secondly mine came brownish greying purple tinge colour, not the white you see in the webshop, for some reason I didn't think of contacting them about it, so just used it up. After three months or so it developed a gummy texture like you were trying to rub in a rubber into your skin, so I had to leave it there and then. I am guessing I got an old product, but it seriously underwhelmed me.
A repurchase? No. But I will try their body lotions sometime.

Almond Oil (infused with camomile)
I use it to remove my eye make up and/or for oil cleansing sometimes, as well as for hair oiling, there are a million ways to use it, so it tends to go really fast in my house. Everything is better infused with calming chamomile, right?
A repurchase? Yes. It is a staple.

Lily Lolo BB Cream in Light 
Got a sample of it via Naturisimo and got hooked line and sink from the first use! I will have a full review very soon, so stay tuned for that, but let’s just say this is a first BB (or CC or DD for that matter) that I invested in a full size of. Spoiler allert.
A repurchase? Yes. Already did.

Rose Water x3
This is a staple in my house and I think I blogged about it already, so let's just say it has a multiple uses and I repurchased it many times over.

Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap x2 bottles (just one pictured).
The reason I was able to finish the whole 1 little bottle of it is because I use it as laundry detergent, and tge smaller one stays in the kitchen for hands and dish washing. Truly great all natural organic product that I never want to be without.
A repurchase? Yes yes yes!

Korres Wild Rose Eye Cream SPF 15
This didn't do anything to me, apart from giving me milia (I used to suffer from it a lot when I used creams for my under eyes. All of disappeared over time when l switched to gels and oil. That's my theory and l am sticking to it - millia is caused by creams).
It sat in my bathroom cabinet for ages, until l very recently, l tried to use it up as a hand cream, but it changed texture aka got old on me, so into the bin it goes.
A repurchase? No.

Kypris Antioxidant Dew
Again, this is going to be controversial as it is loved in the green beauty community, and I really wanted to try it as as pricy as it is, it is one of the cheapest things from the brand. Again, this did nothing for me apart from giving me big juicy pimples. I noticed zero difference in my skin or its hydration levels. Also I am kinda dissatisfied with the first two ingredients in the list (meaning they make the bulk of the product). It is water and glycerin. Well, I don't know about you, but if I pay 60-70€ for a product I would love to get actual active ingredients instead of water and glycerin. I hope you won’t take offence if you happen to love this product, we are all different and all we need different products to suit our needs.
A repurchase? No. But I am intrigued by their Moonlight Catalyst serum.

2x roller perfumes from Paris.
These are years old and I am giving those away instead of binning because they still work and smell good. I am downsizing my perfume collection The reason l kept it for so long is sentimental, l bought them in the Eiffel tower..
A repurchase? Err, we will see! My daughter (who is the owner of them now) demanded that we go back for more :)
If l will figure out how to squeeze a trip to Paris for 4 on a shoestring budget, l will let you know.

No Name Solid Perfume.
I got it in a trinket shops with chinese fans, cups, incense etc. The reason l called it no name is because I forgot a name of what I got, l used it maybe twice, and like four months later I can't smell anything at all, no it goes to the bin never to be repurchased again.
A repurchase? No. And I am kind of done with cheap natural perfumes. They never last and always end up disappointing me.

Tisserand DeStress roll on
It did do anything at all for my stress levels, and I didn't like the scent, two main reasons I am not getting it again. I tried to add sandalwood and frankincense essential oils to it, didn't work.
A repurchase? No.

PurMinerals liquid eyeliner
Tthis goes to my daughter as it is still technically good, but the reason I won’t use it again is because it dried out my eyelids like crazy - oddest feeling ever! I have never experienced it with any other eye liners. Once I used it really thich, Amy Winehouse style and it hurt to blink! Bizzare, l took it off within the half an hour.
A repurchase? No.

Symprove.
It’s my current probiotics, blog post review to come, stay tuned.
A repurchase? Still have three bottles to go
.
Weleda Stretch Marks Massage Oil
This was sent for me to review like two years ago, with a girl insisting it will help my stretch marks, despite me telling her they are years old and it won't work. I was right, it did nothing at all for my stretch marks, so l used it up as a regular body oil. Maybe it would help if you are preggo and trying to prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place, but it will do next to nothing if you have them already.
A repurchase? Not this, but l will happily repurchase Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn oil which is gorgeous and very luxurious.

100%Pure Blood Orange hand buttercream
This is good product, and smells gorgeous too! It still has a two weeks of product left, but l wanted to include it here so l could bin it once l am done. It is more like a night time cream, creamy texture more on the thicker side.
A repurchase? Yes, l loved it. Not right now, as l have two other hand creams to finish up, but some day for sure.

Viridian Organic Milk Thistle Tincture
 It lasts for a long time, l used it to help my liver detox. Did it help? Hard to tell. I will include this in my upcoming vitamins and supplements post where l will talk more in depth about it.
A repurchase? Yes.

NYR Bee Lovely hand cream (76% organic)
This is a lovely product, a bit runny in consistency, but it sinks in fast, so you could do anything you wanted soon after the application, as in drive a car, handle the documents, etc and you don't have to rub your hands together waiting for it to sink in, which can be a problem sometimes. This is a perfect day time hand cream.
A repurchase? Yes, l have bought it already.

Atlantic aromatics Carrot Seed Oil
I bought this essential oil because its healing properties to the skin, as well as high SPF factor. At that time l had my dermatitis really bad and it did help, but it also went really fast. It also has an earthy woody type of smell, which a lot of people don't like. I don't mind it.
A repurchase? Yes
.
Secret Natural Ippocratis Cream
I bought in Crete, Greece. Really natural ingredients and it has beeswax, propolis, honey, Chios Mastic gum and seven herbs and six oils. This turned out good for calming the dermatitis, plus l happily used it as my face cream too. I really wanted to repurchase it and searched high and low for it online, where it's nowhere to be found. When l finally tracked down its makers and emailed them about international order  it took them a month to get back to me with a €60 price tag, which really puzzled me as l paid 8€ for it in the shop, and when l inquired further about the high price they told me the skipping to Ireland costs them 23€ and the rest is for a couple of creams, because they think it is “no good” for me to get just one. And they wouldn't budge on the shipping cost, despite me telling them similar creams from Greece ship for 4€ in etsy.
A repurchase? Not sure. It is a fabulous cream, but I won't pay 60€ for it either. I might try similar cream from etsy with chios mastic first. Or go back to Crete for it, haha!

Nyr Frankincense Hydrating Cream
I used it until my poor skin reacted badly to it, After my dermatitis was gone I think I might have overloaded my skin trying on all these gorgeous products I had and could not use, including this cream. I noticed straight away that it made my dermatitis patch much redder, so I used it on the whole face apart that place, but after some time my skin stopped liking it and it got irritated every time l used it, and it was a clear sign to put it away. I still have a half of the jar left, I will give it away to one of my friends as it would be a shame to bin such a gorgeous product. I would suggest trying a sample first if your skin is sensitive and easily irritated.
A repurchase? No, but l will try some cream from their sensitive skin line.

Soulful Body Inc Pitta Balancing Body Massage oil
This is a fabulous holistic company from US that uses only the best qualify oils and other ingredients. I really liked it, and l am fortunate enough to own their chakra balacing oil, which I can't get enough of.
A repurchase? No, because I have too many body oils and lotions to finish first before I will allow myself to buy anything new.

Weleda Wild Rose Body Oil and Creamy Body Wash
I bought these tiny samples because they were heavily reduced in Holand and Barrett post Christmas, and I am so glad I did, turns out I don't like rose scented oils and the white creamy wash l wasn't a fan of either, l was as bit weirded out by it, too used to my clear soaps and shower gels l guess?
A repurchase? Weleda has many fabulous things for me to try instead, so it's a no for these two products from me.

A packet of Himalayan salts
Again, l used it for a detox bath, and l paid mere 75 cents for it. I don't think l will ever splash out for a posh jar of the same stuff, it is more likely to cost around 20€ if it is marketed as a “detox” salts, but they all work the same. I prefer to DIY with my bath salts and scrubs and spend the money elsewhere where I see more value.
A repurchase? Yes, this is the only salt l use for cooking, so l always have it.

Hurraw vatta lip balm.
Gorgeous lip balms that quickly became favourites.
A repurchase? Yes!

English Mineral Make Up Fairy Godmother sample
This is a fab product that can be used both before and after make up, and can be used as a night treatment! Full review to come
A repurchase? Well, I do own the full size now, because they sent it to me.

100%Pure Coconut and Honey Almond body creams (samples)
I liked them both than body butter, so yes, l am likely to purchase them.

Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturiser SPF 30
This l wanted to try to see if it will be suitable for a facial moisturiser. I liked it, but as a facial.moisturiser it is drying for my dry and sensitive skin. I get around it by adding raspberry seed oil, which also has SPF30-50. I already have a full size thanks to green beauty swap with CleanShelf, so it will see me through this summer, and we will see about it later on. You gals with oily skin would love this!
A repurchase? I do own a full size thanks to a swap.

Naturkosmetik Speick Thermalsensitiv body lotion
This German brand uses pure thermal water and concentrated algae extract for their products, and the ingredients are natural in this, so if l will come across it in the future, l will get it.
A repurchase? Likely.

Green People Age Defy Tinted SPF 15 DD Cream in Light
This l hated at the first sight, there’s product left for at least three uses, but it goes into the bin. This has zero tint to it, and as soon as you try to apply a second layer, it starts rolling away in weird rolls, you know, when you apply too much of a cream and trying to rub in more and your skin just won't take it and the products starts rolling away in these tiny pieces? This has happened with it, And coupled with too light of SPF is the reason l won’t get it.
A repurchase? No way.

Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel for sensitive skin
This I had since Christmas, and although I have a weeks or two product still left in it, l wanted to include into this post in order not to keep it for the next three months waiting for the next empties post. This I like, works just fine, didn't irritate my sensitive skin in the slightest, it is free of any harsh irritants. It makes my skin a tad dry afterwards, but then again. I am yet to meet a cleanser that does not, so it is ok. I like Ren products in general.
A repurchase? Yes, but not straight away, l have NYR facial cleanser to be opened.

Kjaer Weis blush in Sun Touched
Again, this came from Clean Shelf in a swap, l knew I had zero intentions of buying it in a full size, I just wanted to try. I tried, and now it is time to say goodbye to it.

A repurchase? No.

And a couple products I said goodbye to and sent to CleanShelf (check her out via Instagram!) in a #greenbeautyswap - and none of these will be repurchased, because we swapped what didn't work for us. These might be perfect products for somebody else, but for me they didn't work.

Sukin Chia Oil

I was really intrigued by chia oil and I kinda had a good talk with myself looking for a reason to get this, as I had two other facial oils at that time. Sadly all those efforts were in vain. as this oil did absolutely nothing for me. I used it for a week or two max, and noticed zero effect on my skin, my skin wasn't moisturised or nourished, far from it - it actually begged for moisture mid day. Yep, didn't work out. It has many gorgeous oils blended together plus kale and some other extracts, the ingredients list of it reminds me of a salad ingredients list. If you have oily to normal skin, you would love it! Dry skin girls, leave it.

NYR Beauty Sleep Body Lotion

This actually came with my NYR consultant kit, but as I am not a fan of lavender, I didn't use it, and neither did any member of my family, so it sat there collecting dust until this swap offer came along, and I gladly sent it off.

100%Pure Brightening serum

It was a gift with purchase a little while back, and as the previous product, I couldn't use it for some other reasons, so it went unused until I swapped.

DrOrganic Rose Otto Eye Serum

It did nothing for my under eyes except for giving me milia, I will repeat my theory here - milia is caused by creams. It all disappeared once I switched to oils and balms.

And a few NYR samples as well as Egyptian Magic Balm sample.

What have you loved and finished recently? Please share with me :)


So that is all for today, see you here again next Monday!
Lots of Love,
Renata.