Empties No. 3

Another dose of empties for you today! All skincare again as usual. I hope you’re all staying cool! We’ve been having a heat wave here in Vermont and I have been keeping cool in the only room in our apartment that has an air conditioner (my office/studio). I love summer, but admit I’ve started dreaming of Autumn already…doesn’t cozying up in a sweater sound lovely? Three words: Butternut squash soup!

Avalon Organics Moisturizing Shave Cream in Lavender: I’ve been looking for a more natural shaving cream for a while now and think I finally found one I like! This one contains 70% organic content and contains no synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or harsh sulfates. It does include a moisturizing blend of lavender essential oil, aloe, and Beta-Glucan for a smooth shave that is gentle on my sensitive skin. I just finished this last week and already miss it, but I have half of another kind I’m working on before I repurchase this one. They also have this in Peppermint or Unscented for those who are wondering.

Lotus Wei Joy Juice Mist: I finished this many months ago but have been holding on to it because I knew I might do an empties series and knew I definitely had to include this. I haven’t repurchased it yet because it is kind of expensive, but it is on my long-term repurchase list. I’ll probably wait until they have a sale (I don’t know if they ever have sales) or put it on a Christmas list. It honestly did bring me joy and you can read my original review here.

Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel: I loved this stuff! I got it in early July and finished it in about five weeks, so it didn’t last as long as I’d like, but it was the perfect moisturizer for the hottest weeks of summer. It is ultra lightweight and has a cooling effect on the skin that feels so good when it’s hot out. I’d never used one of these jar-pump type dispensers (you press down on the lid to dispense) but grew to quite like it. Only thing was you couldn’t see how much was inside. It was a little odd (and fun!) using a black colored gel on my face but it blends right in. It is black from the activated charcoal which helps to absorb excess oils, detoxifies, and refines pores. My combination skin seemed to really love it. I have a few other face creams to finish up, and then we are heading into fall and winter so I’ll be switching to more rich creams, but I’ll definitely be getting this again for next summer for sure.

L’Eclisse Rose Hip Cleansing Foam: This is the second one of these I’ve finished. It is definitely my favorite foaming face wash I’ve tried so far (and by foaming I mean the pump it goes through creates the foam). I love that it only has six ingredients, smells lovely from the natural rose hip seed oil, and works to remove makeup relatively well. I could literally feel this stuff removing the dirt from my pores, yet it was very gentle. Only thing is I feel like I go through it really fast. I originally reviewed it here.

Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash: I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this here before but this is the second one of these I’ve finished and I would definitely buy it again when I’m in need of another face wash. Obviously part of what I do for a living is try new products out, but this one definitely made it on my list of fallbacks for when I need to purchase one I know I can trust. It is a gel cleanser that works well to remove makeup and tone. It smells like coconut (yum) and contains marine phytonutrients. It is sulfate-free, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, SLS and phthalate-free. I feel it is also a good price at $11 per 5fl. A little goes a long way.

Acure Organics Lemongrass + Argan Stem Cell Clarifying Shampoo: I have a really hard time finding shampoo that works for me. It isn’t my hair that is so much the trouble, but my scalp. It gets itchy and dry and over the past few years I’ve started having an issue with dandruff. When I started washing my hair every other day instead of daily about a year ago it helped a bit… I think I was overwashing my hair, but when I do wash it I need something really clarifying (and of course sulfate-free). This clarifying shampoo is one of the best I’ve found to remove buildup, and gently cleanse without further irritating my scalp. I also like that it has ingredients to help support and strengthen the follicle connection because I have really long, fine hair which can tend to tangle and break easily. The lemongrass isn’t my favorite scent in the world, but I’ll be buying this again because it did such a good job.

Acure Organics Calming Body Lotion: Already on my second one of these and have a third at the ready! This is the old packaging seen here, and their new one has a slight change to their formula as well with sacred lotus stem cell instead of Echinacea stem cell. This has been my go-to choice for body lotion over the past year. It helps to calm my sensitive skin, keep my skin hydrated, and doesn’t feel greasy. It soaks in right away and my skin drinks up the nourishing Omega 3 fatty acids from organic pumpkin seed and argan oil.

That’s a wrap for today! Hopefully some of that was useful to you. What are you most excited about for fall? xo – Naomi