Empties: March & April 2019

Hello!  If you’ve wondered, yes, I am still out here in green beauty land, and yes, even though I have taken a break from my blog and social media, I am still using clean products every day, that much has not changed! I thought telling you all about my empties would be a great first post back and also give you a glimpse into exactly what I have been using and what I think about it!  

I have a lot here and am excited to dive in and share with you my thoughts on all of these products in everything from skincare and body care to personal care and wellness.  I hope you will enjoy! 

Skincare

Product: Fitglow – Calm Cleansing Milk
Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Decyl Polyglucoside, (Sugar Based Surfactant), Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, (Olivem®1000), Vegetable Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber), Rosa Damascene (Rose) **Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Leuconostoc/aloe Barbadensis Leaf/ Sorbus Aucuparia Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Price: $39
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this cleanser – particularly in the morning.  It was extremely gentle and never left my skin feeling stripped or dry.  It had a light scent, nothing that I felt was overpowering.  It also did a nice job of removing my makeup if I used this as my evening cleanser; I didn’t feel as though I needed a second cleanse.  Overall, I think this cleanser performed as it is described and it is great for someone with sensitive, normal to dry skin.
Repurchase: Yes, I would definitely repurchase in the future.

Product: Leahlani Skincare – Pamplemousse Tropical Enzyme Cleansing Oil (read my full review HERE)
Ingredients:*Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Citrus Paradisi (Pink Grapefruit) Peel Oil, di-ppg-2 myreth-10 adipate, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Oil, Lactobacillus/- Papaya Fruit Ferment Extract, *Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, *Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit, Carica (Papaya) Seed Oil, Musa Paradisisiaca (Banana) Fruit, Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis (Hibiscus) Flower Extract  *organic 
Price: $54
Thoughts: This is a lovely cleanser whether used in the AM or PM.  It rinses clean with water, turning slightly milky, and leaving the skin feeling clean and calm.  I find that many rinseable oil and balm cleansers tend to strip my skin, but this one does not.  It also works beautiful to remove makeup.  A great one to try if you are new to oil cleansing.
Repurchase: Absolutely, this is a beautiful cleanser!

Product: Leahlani Skincare – Mermaid Mask
Ingredients: Honey (Hawaiian Raw Honey), *Arthrospira Platensis (Spirulina) Extract, Illite (Montmorillonite Clay), Kaolin (Sea Clay), *Chlorella Vulgaris (Chlorella) Powder, *Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Peel Oil, *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Aqua, Dunaliella Salina (green microalgae) Extract, Ormenis Multicaulis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Wild Chamomile) Flower Oil, Monarda Fistulosa (Bee Balm), Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Martinii (Palma Rosa) Herb Oil, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower, Cananga Odorata (var.Genuana Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Rosa Demascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus, White) Flower Extract, Eriocephalus Punctulatus (Cape Chamomile) Oil, Beeswax (Honey Absolute), Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Seed Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Bean Extract
*organic **wild-harvested
Price: $38 
Thoughts:  A forever repurchase!  I have been using this mask since it was only available on Etsy!  It was one of the first masks in Green Beauty that I tried when I was just starting out, and it has continued to impress with each new jar I use.  It is a true multitasker, taking care of skin dullness, helps to boost moisture, and always helps to lessen any breakouts that I may be dealing with. I typcially use this at least once per week, but sometimes up to three and usually for 20-30 minutes.  Please try this if you haven’t yet! 
Repurchase: Of course!

Product: Leahlani Skincare – Aloha Ambrosia Morning Moisture Elixir
Ingredients:  *Olive Squalane, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen) Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis (Passionflower) Seed Oil, *Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi ) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract (Jasmine Essential Oil), *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, *Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, *Malpighia Glabra (Acerola Cherry) Fruit Extract *organic **wild-harvested 
Price: $56
Thoughts: This is a very hydrating serum for the morning. (although I did sometimes use it at night as well!) It smells incredible, as most of Leah’s products do.  It kept my skin feeling hydrated all day, and it sat nicely under makeup for me.  
Repurchase: Yes! 

Product: Leahlani Skincare – Bohemian Ruby Balancing Toning Mist
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Water, *Matricaria recutita (chamomile) distillate, *Rosa damascena (rose) distillate, *Calendula oficinalis (calendula) distillate, *Lippia citriodora (lemon verbena) distillate, *Pelargonium graveolens (geranuium) distillate, Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) Distillate, Leuconos- toc Ferment Filtrate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Distillate, Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile) Oil, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Saccharomyces/Sea Silt Ferment (Hawaiian), Rosa Sinensis (hibiscus) Fruit, Rose Quartz Gemstone
*organic
Price: $46
Thoughts: This is the second or third bottle I have used of this toner, and I always have enjoyed it.  It has gorgeous ingredients and leaves my skin plumped up and soft.  As with all of the Leahlani products, the scent is incredible and it truly makes me smile when I use it.  Her products are very special.  
Repurchase: Yes! 

Product: Leahlani Skincare – Bless Beauty Balm
Ingredients:*Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), *Theobroma Cacao (Cacao) Seed Butter, *Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, *Camellia Sinensis (Camellia) Seed Oil, *Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Seed Oil, *Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil,Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil, Tocopherol, *Passiflora Edulis (Passionfruit) Seed Oil, Clay (Rose), **Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Flower Oil, Orchis Mascula (Orchid) Extract, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Flower, Ascorbic Acid, *organic **wild-harvested
Price: $54
Thoughts: This has been a yearly repurchase for me since I first tried it.  This is my 3rd or 4th jar, and I absolutely love it.  The scent is so beautiful, it relaxes me almost instantly.  Used as a night moisturizer, I use a generous amount on damp skin and let it work its magic overnight, and my skin is always hydrated and happy in the morning.  I also really enjoy using Bless as a morning cleanser.  This does need to be steamed off, but it always provides me with a luxurious morning cleanse, leaving my face ready for the rest of my skincare. 
Repurchase: Yes, I will definitely repurchase this in the Fall.  

Product: Josh Rosebrook – Hydrating Accelerator (2 oz. bottle)
Ingredients: *Vitamin Infused Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, *Jojoba Oil, †Marula Oil, *Vitamin E, *Evening Primrose Oil, *Grape Seed Oil,*Sea Buckthorn Oil, *Hemp Seed Oil, *Borage Seed Oil, *Almond Oil, *Sesame Oil, *Goji Berry, *Ashwaganda, *Turmeric, *Calendula, *Black Cohosh, *Dandelion, *Fo Ti Root, *Alfalfa, *Bilberry, *Rosemary, *Elderberry, *Raspberry Leaf, *Burdock, *Chamomile, *Rose Hips, *Eyebright, *Beetroot, *St. John’s Wort, * Hawthorne Berry, *Chickweed, *Licorice, *Coriander, *Horse Chestnut, *Lavender, *Red Clover, *Olive Leaf, *Sage, *Thyme, *Vanilla Extract, †YlangYlang Essential Oil, †Rosemary Essential Oil, †Eucalyptus Essential Oil, †Bergamot Essential Oil, †Carrot Essential Seed Oil. *Certified Organic †Organic
*organic
Price: $22
Thoughts: Besides the Nutrient Day Cream, I haven’t tried many of JR products!  This toner along with the Advanced Hydration Mask was a pleasant surprise in a recent month’s Beauty Heroes Box, and I was so excited as I have heard rave reviews about both.  I can’t always tell a HUGE different in my skin from a toner, but this one did give my skin a nice glow and wonderful dose of moisture.  The spray on the bottle was fabulous, allowing just a very fine mist of toner out with each spray and the scent was sweet to me, almost like candy!  I enjoyed this toner and it did play very well with his Advanced Hydration Mask.
Repurchase: I would consider it!

Product: INIKA Organic – Micellar Cleansing Rosewater (this product was gifted)
Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Levulinate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Rosa Eglentaria (Rosehip) Seed Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Pelargonium Capitatum (Rose Geranium) Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium PCA, Oleyl Oleate, Sodium Anisate, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Citrate. *Certified Organic 
Price: $22
Thoughts: I have actually found myself missing this product now that it is gone!  It was a perfect quick and easy morning cleanser when I was in a hurry or didn’t feel like my skin needed much.  This would make my skin feel clean and ready for my skincare.  It also worked great in the evenings as a makeup remover or first cleanse.
Repurchase: Yes!  

Product: LILFOX – Jungle Glow Rainforest Honey Enzyme Cleanser + Mask
Ingredients:Mel**, Passiflora incarnata oil*, Kaolin clay, Theobroma cacoa*, Rosa rubiginosa oil* + powder, Citrus paradisi oil*, Citrus aurantium var.amara Oil*, Citrus sinensis oil*, Citrus bergamia FCF oil*, Cananga oderata oil*, Limonene***, Linalool***, Eugenol***, Geraniol***, Farnesol*** *Certified Organic **Certified Naturally Grown *** Naturally Occurring in Essential Oils
Price: $75
Thoughts: I received this product in a past Beauty Heroes box.  I primarily enjoyed using this as a cleanser as I felt like it was moisturizing and also gave a nice gentle exfoliation as well.  When used as a mask, I didn’t notice much difference to when I used it only as a cleanser and then rinsed it off after 1-2 minutes. It did make my skin feel smooth, but for the price, I think there are other similar products I would purchase first before considering this one again.  I was very excited to have the opportunity to try this though through Beauty Heroes.
Repurchase: Not likely due to price.  

Product: Odacite – Ac + R: Youthful Glow Serum Concentrate (sample)
Ingredients: Highest grade cold-pressed Acai (Euterpe oleracea) fruit oil, Rosa damascena (rose) flower oil, Citrus aurantium amara (neroli) flower/leaf oil, Jasminum sambac (jasmine) flower oil, Jasminum grandiflorum (jasmine) flower oil, Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil, Litsea cubeba fruit oil, Vanillosmopsis erythropappa (bisabolol) wood oil, Canarium lozonicum (elemi) gum oil, Cedrus atlantica (cedar) wood oil , Certified GMO-free Vitamin E (Tocopherols) oil.
Price: $58
Thoughts: This product is one I have actually used, in full size previously, and really enjoyed!  I received this sample in a Detox Market order, and forgot how amazing it was for my skin.  I have always preferred to use the Odacite serum concentrates on their own to benefit from the full ingredient strength as opposed to adding it into a face cream. The problem with doing this is that they do not last long at all – the bottles are very small.  This serum gives my skin an almost instant glow and hydrates deeply, but for me, it’s more of an every now and then purchase I would make to treat my skin vs a staple in my routine.
Repurchase: I would consider repurchasing this in the future.

Personal Care, Makeup, Body Care & Haircare

Product: Coral White Toothpaste
Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate (Coral Minerals), Sorbitol, Purified Water, Xylitol, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Spearmint Leaf Oil, Hydrogen Peroxide, Stevia, Golden Seal, Gingko Biloba, Echinacea, American Ginseng 
Price: $6.99 
Thoughts: Myself and my family have been using this toothpaste now exclusively for almost 1 year and we’ve had a great experience with it.  It has the same texture as a conventional toothpaste without any of the gross ingredients.  I really love that this product doesn’t contain glycerin as it is very difficult to find a natural toothpaste that is made without it.  I have had great dentist checkups since using this, and even had a few ‘spots’ my dentist was previously watching, and in most recent visits he hasn’t mentioned them at all.  
Repurchase: Every time we run out! We usually purchase the multi-packs on Amazon.

Product: Root – 100% Lash Natural & Organic Mascara
Ingredients: Water, Organic Chamomile Hydrosol, Carnauba Wax, Mica, Organic Coffee Powder, Organic Rice Powder, Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Corn Starch, Lecithin (from Sunflower), Vitamin E (from Sunflower), Oregano Leaf Extract, Thyme Extract, Cinnamon Bark Extract, Rosemary Flower Extract, Goldenseal Root Extract, Organic Lemon Peel Extract, Organic Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vanilla Planifolia, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Price: $14
Thoughts: This is one of my favorite mascaras in green beauty.  It is one of the first I found that didn’t flake and transfer.  This is my second tube!  It gives a really nice buildable length and volume, has great ingredients, and for the price you really cannot beat it!
Repurchase: Most definitely

Product: Kopari – Coconut Melt (sample)
Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera (ORGANIC Coconut) Oil
Price: $28 for a 5oz. jar
Thoughts: I recently realized that I had $10 left on a Sephora gift card, so I decided to purchase some sea salt spray that I needed, and at checkout was asked to choose my free samples.  Well, the only one that was clean was this one, so I added it.  You guys, this is just organic coconut oil in a pretty jar. This product is insanely overpriced and I feel like it is going after people who don’t know that you can buy a 54 oz. jar of the exact same stuff on Vitacost for around $17.  I love coconut oil, and I use it for a lot of things, but this specific product definitely leaves me scratching my head.  With that said, it was nice and did work as well as any other coconut oil I have used – no magical unicorns unfortunately.
Repurchase: Nope, no.

Product: Alaffia – Hand Soap (Mandarin Mango)
Ingredients: Moringa oleifera (Moringa) Leaf* Aqueous Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Saponified Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Butter* and Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Mangifera indica (Mango) Extract, Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Oil, Citrus reticulata (Mandarin) Oil
Price: $5.99 
Thoughts: I love this soap and I really like the scent of it.  This specific Alaffia product is MADE SAFE certified, which I appreciate, and it works great for my whole family.  We have purchased it multiple times.  It lathers up well and doesn’t leave my hands feeling terribly dried out which makes it a winner in my book!
Repurchase: Yes

Product: Babo Botanicals – Calming Shampoo, Bubble Bath & Wash
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionte, Coco Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Organic Molasses*, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Glycine, Organic Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Organic Nutri-Soothe Complex [Glycerin*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress) Flower/Leaf Extract*, Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu Root) Root Extract*, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Flower Extract*], Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid. *Certified Organic Ingredients
Price: $15.95
Thoughts: I have been purchasing this bubble bath for a couple of years, and although I cannot recall exactly, in the last 6-9 months, they have reformulated it and made it into a 3-in-1 product.  With the change, the biggest thing I noticed was the scent.  I used to love love the scent of this, but it is not the same anymore and doesn’t smell as nice to me.  I have always used this primarily as a bubble bath for my daughter, so I cannot review how it works as a body wash or shampoo, but as a bubble bath alone, it does work great.  There aren’t a ton of clean bubble bath products for kids that really bubble up nice for a sudsy bath, but this one does. I still enjoy it for that purpose.
Repurchase: Yes, I will likely buy this again

Product: Tom’s of Maine – Naturally Waxed Antiplaque Floss (Spearmint)
Ingredients: Beeswax, carnauba wax, natural flavor, jojoba wax, acacia senegal gum, commiphora myrrha resin extract, propolis cera
Price: around $3
Thoughts: I absolutely love this floss.  I know people don’t always like Tom’s since it is owned by Colgate-Palmolive, but I have tried other eco flosses, and I just haven’t found one that I like as much.  It is a thicker floss, so I feel like it really does a good job of getting between and cleaning my teeth.  The ingredients are good enough for me, the price is very affordable (I usually buy on Vitacost) and it performs great.
Repurchase: Yep!

Product: Shea Moisture – Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Lauroyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Glycol Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*仫, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Stearamide AMP, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin (Vegetable), Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend) *Certified Organic Ingredient. 仫Fair Trade Ingredient
Price: $11.99
Thoughts: While I don’t think all of the Shea Moisture products are very clean, this one I felt comfortable using, as I was looking for an affordable shampoo to give me a break from using Acure.  The scents in the Shea Moisture products are usually so overpowering and strong that I cannot use them, but this one for me wasn’t as bad.  For my thick, wavy hair, this worked well and gave it moisture but did not weigh it down. As I usually air dry my hair, when using this brand, I didn’t notice any big difference in my curls in comparison to how my hair behaved with other brands, but, for the price, it worked well and left my hair feeling clean and moisturized. 
Repurchase: I would likely repurchase.

Product: Lumineux Oral Essentials – Clean & Fresh Mouthwash
Ingredients: Organic aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, xylitol*, purified water (aqua), dead sea salt (maris sal), gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) leaf oil, mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil, organic mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf oil, ocimum basilicum (basil) oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) flower oil.
*Non GMO Xylitol.
Price: $12
Thoughts: I really like this mouthwash.  I have been using it for several months now, and it has become a favorite.  It has replaced my Dr. Brite mouthwash that I used to talk about a lot, primarily due to this one not containing glycerin, which is what I was looking for most recently.  If you don’t mind glycerin, the Dr. Brite would be my next best recommendation as it is a great product.  This one by Oral Essentials is very minty and has great ingredients.  I think it pairs great with the Coral White toothpaste because it doesn’t leave my mouth very minty, and this has a great minty flavor leaving my mouth feeling refreshed!
Repurchase: Yes 

Product: Aleavia – Enzymatic Body Cleanse (unscented)
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Dead Sea salt, Acadian Sea Kelp, Citric Acid, Plant Glycerin
Price: $19.99
Thoughts: This is an awesome body wash for anyone who deals with skin issues or has sensitive skin.  The formula is ultra simple, only containing a handful of natural ingredients.  I use this for both of my kids, and what really won me over was several months ago when this product completely eliminated my son’s severe cradle cap when NOTHING ELSE would.  Our pediatrician tried to have us use a prescription strength shampoo (which I didn’t) and his pediatric dermatologist told us to put hydrocortisone on his scalp (which again, we didn’t) because I knew there must be a natural product that could help.  We tried a ton of things, but this body wash worked.  We now use it to help keep his very sensitive and often inflamed skin under control as much as possible.  Highly highly recommend!
Repurchase: YES!

Product: Gaia Herbs – Organic Black Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients: Black Elderberry fruit juice concentrate
(Sambucus nigra)*, Vitamin C (from Acerola*), Acerola fruit dried extract
(Malpighia glabra)* – Other Ingredients: Organic sugarcane, water and lemon fruit juice.*Certified Organic Ingredient.
Price: $26 (varies depending on where you purchase – Amazon is usually the best price)
Thoughts: Until this past Fall, I had never taken elderberry syrup.  My daughter started preschool this past year, and I knew she would be exposed to more germs and viruses then she had been in her whole life, so I knew I wanted to boost her immune system naturally as much as possible.  So, I started her taking it a month or so prior to school starting, and I also decided to take it with her.  While she has still gotten sick more often this year than usual – I do believe it is in large part due to exposure and kids always putting their hands in their mouth still! lol But, I took this every day, and I have never had a healthier winter than this one.  Maybe coincidental, but I’d like to believe this has helped build my immunity.  I cared for my kids through many bad colds and upper respiratory viruses, even the flu, and I did not get anything.  I would like to make my own at some point, as this does get expensive purchasing it every month, but I do believe in its effectiveness.
Repurchase: Yes

Thanks for reading!

I hope hearing about my experiences with these products was helpful to you.  Thanks for reading through my most recent batch of empties!  Let me know in the comments if you have used any of these products and what your thoughts are!

*Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in the above post.  By using these links, you will not pay more, but I may receive a small percentage of a sale from you purchasing a product through my links or by using my discount codes.  If you do choose to use these links, I truly appreciate your support!  Please view my full disclosure page HERE for more information.