* = Disliked the product - would not repurchase
** = Liked the product - might or might not repurchase
*** = Loved the product - would repurchase
1. EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Shampoo
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: One of my favourite shampoos! It is gentle yet effective. It is paraben free, sulphate free, and not tested on animals. I purchased this from the Glymm boutique but since that business is now defunct, I had to find an alternate retailer.
Rating: ***
2. Shu Uemura Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo
Source: April 2013 Topbox
Thoughts: This is the second time I've received this sample from Topbox. I didn't like it the first time. While I liked it a little bit better this time, I'm still not a fan of this shampoo. It doesn't seem to cleanse my hair very well (too gentle?) and it is a very runny formulation. The scent is nice though.
Rating: *
3. L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray in Unfragranced
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: I had high hopes for this hairspray because I've seen such good reviews on it. Unfortunately, this hairspray did not work for me. It's great if you're looking for a super light hold but I like super strong hold as I generally use hairspray to tame flyaways or to add volume. I purchased the "extra strong hold" version and it did nothing for my hair. The major deal breaker for me was the fine mist... I breathed in so much of this hairspray! Even if I tried to hold my breath, turn my face, or run to the shower and breathe through my nose, the fine mist still found its way into my throat.
Rating: *
4. Goldwell Jelly Boost
Source: December 2012 Topbox
Thoughts: I love the idea of this product but unfortunately the gel does not hold very well. I use this primarily to tame my flyaways but they go all crazy again within a few hours.
Rating: **
5. Coolway Boost Repair Mask
Source: February 2013 Beauty Box 5
Thoughts: Another product I didn't like. This mask doesn't make my hair soft and silky like other treatments do. I liked the scent at first but the more I smell it, the more it bothers me.
Rating: *
6. Asira Conditioner
Source: Hotel sample
Thoughts: How many Asira samples do we have?! I use up a few every month, but it seems like there are still so many remaining. This conditioner doesn't do anything for my hair. I do like it to condition my makeup brushes though.
Rating: *
7. Asira Body Wash
Source: Hotel sample
Thoughts: This product was ok but nothing special - I wouldn't be excited to see this brand at a hotel.
Rating: *
8. Provenance Bath Collection Shimmer Salts in Brown Sugar and Fig
Source: This product was included in a gift basket (can't remember who gave it to me)
Thoughts: Nothing too exciting - it didn't have a strong scent and I didn't really notice it in my bath.
Rating: *
9. Unearth Malee Organic Bath Tea in Thai Herbal Steam Bath
Source: January 2013 SeasonsBox
Thoughts: I liked trying this product - I particularly enjoyed the eucalyptus scent - but being a bath tea, it turned my bath water an unfortunate brown shade that just looked dirty.
Rating: **
10. Filthy Farmgirl Bar Soap in Filthy Pussy
Source: Purchased by me in Hawaii :)
Thoughts: If you haven't clicked through to the website for this soap, you have to just to read the tagline for this "flavour" - I really love how cheeky these soaps are! This soaps smells like mint and rose. It lathers beautifully but peppermint in this soap really stings your womanly parts... ouch! After learning my lesson the hard way, I only used this soap on my arms and legs. I guess it's called filthy pussy because you'll still have one after you use this soap! ;)
Rating: **
11. Filthy Farmgirl Bar Soap in Filthy Monkey
Source: Purchased by me in Hawaii :)
Thoughts: I really loved this soap. The banana scent was mouthwatering (even though it took some getting used to as I am not used to having banana scented products in the shower) and the soap lathered really nicely. I also love that this soap lasts a long time.
Rating: ***
12. Personal Paradise Noni Papaya Pineapple Body Lotion
Source: Volcano Teapot Cottage
Thoughts: I love the Noni Papaya Pineapple products... they smell absolutely divine!
Rating: ***
13. Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed Skin Indulging Body Cream
Source: Care package from Tammy! :)
Thoughts: This cream is so luxurious and it smells incredible! I would definitely purchase the full size of this product once I'm done the many many many lotions, moisturizers, and creams in my collection. I'm thinking of trying some of the other products in this collection because I love the scent so much. Thank you to Tammy for this lovely sample!
Rating: ***
14. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15
Source: April 2012 Glossybox
Thoughts: I liked this moisturizer but the scent was too strong for me. If there was an unscented version, I would probably purchase it.
Rating: **
15. Complex 15 Daily Face Cream
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: My favourite face cream but it is very light so I typically use it only as a bridge product between getting out of the shower and going to bed. I apply a heavier night cream or oil before retiring for the evening.
Rating: ***
16. Nivea Gentle Toner
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: This is my favourite toner! It is very gentle and has a nice light scent. It also does a great job removing any additional residue from my skin after cleansing and leaves my skin feeling moisturized and fresh.
Rating: ***
17. Pure and Simple Collagen Elastin Plus
Source: 2012 BlushPretty Beauty Board
Thoughts: I really enjoyed using this product. The consistency is very runny - almost like water but just a touch thicker. I feel it did make a difference in improving the moisture in my skin; however, I don't think I noticed enough of a difference to justify the price. It is quite an expensive product but I would consider purchasing it as part of a set or if it was on sale.
Rating: **
18. Face Q Sheet Mask in Grape Seed and Green Tea
Source: Purchased by me from T&T Supermarket
Thoughts: This is the first time I've tried the Face Q sheet masks and I really like them. They are very similar to the MaskerAide sheet masks except there is less essence inside. They are still very well saturated with product and stay on your face nicely. I had a little bit of slippage at the chin area but I just pressed it back into place. The price is incredible at 10 masks for around $12.99 (I think I got them on sale). I like that there is a little sheet of plastic layered in with the mask to make it easier to unfold. I want to try all the Face Q varieties - this particular scent was nice and light - I don't remember the exact scent but it was pleasant.
Rating: ***
19. Face Q Sheet Mask in Ocean and Aloe
Source: Purchased by me from T&T Supermarket
Thoughts: Same comment as above - I'll try to pay more attention to the scent next time but it was also light and pleasant. The packaging for these masks is so cute! The western version is actually cuter than the packaging of the masks in the Sasa.com link above.
Rating: ***
20. My Beauty Diary Sheet Mask in Bulgarian White Rose
Source: Purchased by me from T&T Supermarket
Thoughts: I liked this mask a lot but the scent was a little bit too strong for me. The My Beauty Diary masks are also folded in with plastic making it easier to open up. There is not as much essence as the MaskerAide sheet masks but I still find them very saturated.
Rating: **
21. Elizabeth Arden All Gone Eye and Lip Makeup Remover
Source: April 2013 Topbox
Thoughts: I thought I would really like this product when I first started using it... but then the more I used it, the more it felt like it was burning the skin around my eyes. I never thought I had sensitive skin but maybe I do! That being said, it did do a good job removing my eye makeup - even dark eyeliner and multiple coats of mascara.
Rating: **
22. Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment with SPF 15
Source: Sephora 2012 birthday gift
Thoughts: I like everything about this product - the scent, the lack of flavour, the texture, and the moisturizing properties. The only issue I had with this product is that both my samples from my birthday kit broke and then became a bit of a mess to use.
Rating: **
23. Elizabeth Grant Moisturizing Stick
Source: February 2012 Glossybox Canada
Thoughts: I still remember receiving this in my very first Glossybox. I really love this lip balm - it is a nice texture, reasonably moisturizing, and very comfortable on the lips. It smells wonderful (like melon) but has no flavour. I also love that the discrete packaging doesn't scream "lip balm!"
Rating: ***
24. Bailey Cosmetics Kabuki Brush
Source: March 2012 Glossybox Canada
Thoughts: I loved this brush right up until it started shedding like crazy. The natural bristles started clumping up, and even as I was washing it, I felt little hard bits among the brush hairs. I think the glue must have been dislodged from the ferrule.
Rating: **
25. Vance Kitira Incense Cones in Green Tea
Source: March 2013 SeasonsBox
Thoughts: While I enjoyed the Peach Cassis incense cones, the Green Tea variation was too strong and made me sneeze. Each incense cone burns for around 10-15 minutes so I'm not sure how the 45 hour burn time on the website was calculated. I think I've left my incense days behind so I likely will not be purchasing this product, regardless of the scent.
Rating: *
26. Miyu Beauty Hydrate Mi Beauty Tea
Source: 2013 BlushPretty Beauty Board
Thoughts: I am eagerly awaiting the launch of this product line in August 2013 so I can buy a full size of this tea! I still regret not picking up a few packets at the beauty board. If I recall correctly, the Hydrate Mi Beauty Tea is a green tea and rooibos blend with goji berries.
Rating: ***
27. David's Tea Razzmatazz Rose Bling Bling
Source: David's Tea sample with purchase
Thoughts: I got a kick out of saying the name of this but it looks like David's Tea has changed it to plain old "Organic Razzmatazz." I wasn't a fan of this infusion. The ingredients are rosehips, lemongrass, lemon verbena, hibiscus, rooibos, raspberries, stevia, and organic and natural flavouring. I wish I had read the website before using up my sample because it says this: "our favourite way to drink it is the Razzmatazz Fizz: brew a double-strong cup, then top your glass up with soda water. Stir in a little agave and a squirt of lime, and it’ll take you to the moon."
Rating: *
28. David's Tea Pineapple Oolong
Source: David's Tea sample with purchase
Thoughts: I love this tea with a little honey! The pineapple flavour is perfect (while I love pineapple, I'm usually not drawn to pineapple flavoured items) and the oolong is subtle yet present. I will be purchasing the full size of this.
Rating: ***
29. David's Tea Pineapple Oolong
Source: David's Tea sample with purchase
Thoughts: I love this tea with a little honey! The pineapple flavour is perfect (while I love pineapple, I'm usually not drawn to pineapple flavoured items) and the oolong is subtle yet present. I will be purchasing the full size of this. The ingredients are Tie Kwan Yin oolong, pineapple, apricot, and natural flavouring.
Rating: ***
30. David's Tea Organic Rooibos
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: I like that this is a pure rooibos so the only ingredient is organic South African rooibos. I enjoyed this tea but my favourite rooibos is still the Republic of Tea Double Red Rooibos Tea - I had it when hubs and I were in Hawaii earlier this year and it blew my mind.
Rating: **
31. NourishTea The Duke Of Earl
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: Earl Grey is one of my favourite types of tea but this version was a little too bitter. I rinsed the leaves before steeping and that definitely cut some of the bitterness but this tea was just alright for me.
Rating: **
32. NourishTea Warming Chamomile
Source: Purchased by me
Thoughts: This is such a delicious tea with a little bit of honey. I was drinking it every night and I think I have withdrawal now that I've finished it. I've actually repurchased this already and just waiting for it to arrive. I wish I took a photo of the actual "tea" itself because it is so pretty with the little chamomile flowers. I will definitely remember next time. :)
Rating: ***
It doesn't seem like I had as many empties this month... maybe because I finished a few more full size products? I already have a pile for June so I will make up for it soon! :) How are you doing with your empties? Are you getting through your products as quickly as you would like?
