September 2014 Empties (and Some Garbage)

The beginning of a new month means it's empties time. I didn't finish up too many products in September (and sadly, only one sample), but I did gather a handful of things that are headed for the trash unfinished.

Emptied products:

Acure - Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner: I've been using this conditioner for a long time and have spoken about it a couple of times before. I don't really have anything more to add, so suffice it to say that I love this stuff.
Verdict: I have back-ups ready and waiting.

Zion Health - ClayBrite Extra Natural Toothpaste: This toothpaste looks similar to Earthpaste, another clay-based toothpaste that I've returned to many times, but the experience is pretty different. ClayBrite feels more like a conventional toothpaste: it's fairly thick and it foams quite a bit. This is due to the inclusion of ingredients similar to (or the same as) those used in conventional toothpastes, namely surfactants and sorbitol, the latter of which is the first listed ingredient. ClayBrite also contains glycerin as the second ingredient. I probably should have done my reading up before buying the product, but I did it after, and now I'm not sure I'm entirely comfortable with the ingredients list on this product.
Verdict: It's not the cheapest and potentially (?) not the safest of toothpastes, so I don't plan on repurchasing. 

Nourish Organic - Fresh & Dry Deodorant in Lavender Mint: I just spoke about this product in my "what's on my dresser" post, which you can read here. I loved the smell and found it quite effective against odor, but the product was quite gritty and not that easy or comfortable to apply.
Verdict: The texture is a deal breaker for me, plus it isn't vegan.

Elegant Minerals - Natural SPF-15 Mineral Blush in Orchid (sample): This is, simply put, a very nice blush. The color, a pale pink (you can get an idea of the color from the residue on the jar lid, below), is very natural looking on light skin and the color lasts on my face all day.
Verdict: I have similar products in my collection right now, but would consider buying the full size in the future.

Top: Vapour Organic Beauty - Star highlighter, Elegant Minerals - Orchid blush
Middle: Terra Firma Cosmetics - Bloom lip stain
Bottom: The All Natural Face - Purple Passion, bareMinerals - Passion Fruit, Honeybee Gardens - San Francisco & Karma

Garbage:

I did a little fall cleaning and found some items that are ready to be put out of their misery (stinky rubbery lipstick, I'm looking at you). I'm not saying these are bad products; they're just too old.

Michael Todd True Organics - Intensive Organic Cream Eye Treatment: This is another product I talked about in my last post. I'm pretty sure I'm getting towards the end of the tube anyway, but it's started coming out quite separated and has a slight smell that doesn't please me. I have no issue with puffiness (in fact, I'm a bit sunken under the eyes), and the lines I have around my eyes aren't due to age, so I can't comment on the puffiness-relieving or anti-aging properties of the eye cream. What I can say is that it wasn't able to lighten my dark circles, but there are many positive review on the product's webpage. 
Verdict: Not right for me.

Vapour Organic Beauty - Trick Stick Highlighter in Star (sample): This has gotten a bit of a rancid oil smell. It's a bit harder to blend than other Vapour products, maybe because it's so sparkly. I prefer more of an pearlescent highlight rather than glittery and frosty, so it's not something I reached for that often.
Verdict: It's not quite my style, but could be easily duped for less money. Also, not vegan.

Terra Firma Cosmetics - Longevity Lip Stain in Bloom: I've had this bright, springtime-y coral lip stain for far too long. I only wore it a few times since I don't find lip stains very comfortable. As I recall, the staying power wasn't mind-blowing in any way.
Verdict: Not a huge fan of lip stains, plus these contain carmine, so I'll take a pass.

The All Natural Face - Vegan Lipstick in Purple Passion: This blackened true purple is definitely not very wearable (the lip swatch on TANF's website actually makes it look more subtle than it is). Nevertheless, I was fond of this guy, but when a lipstick starts smelling, it's time to go. TANF lipsticks need to be built up, but they give a great punch of color when they are. They last an average length of time.
Verdict: I doubt I'll repurchase this color, as it's a bit outside of my comfort zone; however, I would buy other TANF lipsticks.

bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Passion Fruit (product discontinued): As I mentioned recently, bareMinerals seems to be shifting away from the natural minerals side of things and towards the more commercial. They discontinued their 100% Natural Lipcolor, a non-vegan but very nice lipstick line, in favor of their Marvelous Moxie line, whose ingredient list reads rather differently. Passion Fruit is a bright, fun magenta. It took on a weird rubbery texture, which is somewhat visible in the photo.
Verdict: Irrelevant now that the product is no longer available, but I have quite a few other bareMinerals lipsticks in my collection.

Honeybee Gardens - Truly Natural Lipsticks in Karma & San Francisco: Honeybee Gardens' lipsticks are neither the best nor the worst. They're a bit more prone to breaking than others, but their pigmentation is decent. Karma (discontinued, but looks similar to Innuendo) is a true nude, basically a light flesh tone with an extra little helping of peach. San Francisco is a warm rosey purple with a frost. 
Verdict: They're not vegan, and besides that, there are other lipsticks I greatly prefer, even though the price of these is right.

What's on My Dresser

There are a lot of this type of blog post/YouTube video floating around – "what's in my bag," "what's in my shower," even "what's in my fridge" (I'll spare you). I'm getting in on the action with an overview of the products currently cluttering the top of my dresser. I would love to have a better way of organizing them (although, truth be told, the best solution would probably be to hoard fewer products), but for now, I keep them roughly sorted into categories.


FACE

Juice Beauty - SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer in Ivory: I've been thoroughly enjoying this tinted moisturizer. It gives little to no coverage, but at least the color isn't too dark – in fact, it's paler than any other tinted moisturizer I've come across. It gives a relatively glowy finish and works well under loose mineral foundation, which is how I usually wear it, as my daily SPF. I would absolutely repurchase this.

Badger - SPF 30 Aloe Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion (no longer available): I was using this daily before I got the Juice Beauty moisturizer. I actually prefer the variety meant for babies, which contains calendula and chamomile, but Badger is currently reformulating their sunscreens, so it's a moot point until early next year. I definitely plan on at least checking out the new formula.

Michael Todd True Organics - Eye-o-sonic Duo (Intensive Organic Cream Eye Treatment & Sonic-Ionic Serum Infuser): I'm not the biggest fan of this eye cream. It's supposed to lighten dark circles, but I've never noticed any difference. I don't like the packaging, either: it's impossible to tell how much product is left. The consistency and color remind me of something unpleasant I won't mention. The infuser is a little wand that vibrates against the under eye area, supposedly helping the product penetrate the skin's layers. I have my doubts about its efficacy and I generally forget to use it. I've got my eye (pun intended) on Pure + Simple for a replacement when I toss this eye cream.


BODY

Acure - Cocoa Butter + CoQ10 Unscented Body Lotion: I love the formula of this lotion. It's thicker than many products labeled "lotion," but it works into the skin quite well. I will repurchase, but I'll go for a scented one. The unscented smells – at least to me (no one I've had sniff it has gotten what I'm talking about) – like tortillas. It isn't a bad smell; it's just not what I'm going for.

Nourish Organic - Skin-Softening Body Butter in Fresh Fig: This is definitely not a light moisturizer, so I haven't used it since the weather was cooler. The scent is slightly too food-like for my taste, but I wouldn't mind having it in a different scent now that it's getting colder again.

Deep Steep - Body Butter in Honeydew-Spearmint: I love this product. The smell is amazing, and it gives intense hydration without leaving the skin oily or sticky. Deep Steep has a bunch of scents that appeal to me, so, after I've used up some other products and samples, I'll be trying one (or all) of those.

Lush - Each Peach (and Two's a Pair) Massage Bar: This massage bar can also be used as a solid lotion. The hydration is relatively light and it does leave behind a bit of slickness to the skin. It contains fragrance (labeled a "safe synthetic" by Lush), but I don't find the scent to be chemical-y or unpleasant at all.


DEODORANT

Nourish Organic - Fresh & Dry Organic Deodorant in Lavender Mint: I find this deodorant very effective against odor, but I don't love the formula. It's quite gritty and despite the fact that it's housed in a traditional twist-up stick, it needs to be worked into the skin with the fingers. It can leave marks behind on clothes if it's applied heavily. On the plus side, the scent is lovely. 

Adama Minerals - Clay Dry Silk Deodorant in Citrus Blossom: I find this to be just okay. It leaves virtually no residue on the skin, but it's not super effective at deodorizing. I'm not planning on buying it again.

Milk of Magnesia (in an old reused bottle): Magnesium has seemingly magical deodorizing properties. When used topically, milk of magnesia is an anti-odor powerhouse. The brand makes no difference as long the only ingredients are magnesium hydroxide and water (no sodium hypochlorite). MoM raises the pH of the armpit, making it less hospitable to stinkifying bacteria. Magnesium oil can also be applied topically as deodorant, but it created an intense burning sensation on my skin when I tested it. Magnesium is a really powerful mineral with a host of health benefits when ingested, and some people (not me) find that they no longer need deodorant when take Mg as a dietary supplement. I've been layering MoM under cream and stick deodorants and occasionally using it on its own for quite a while now, and I still find it incredibly effective.

Miessence - Roll-on Deodorant in Ancient Spice: I'm on the fence on this one. On its own, it doesn't hold up against odor that well, but I like to use it for layering. What I'm not crazy about is the scent, which I can't quite describe other than to say it's a bit too heavy.

Bubble & Bee Organic - Pit Putty Cream in Jasmint: You can read my full review of this product here. The short version is that this is my favorite deodorant ever.


HAIR

Intelligent Nutrients - Leave-in Conditioner: I've been using this product daily for quite some time. It gives soft definition to my hair without making it look greasy or feel crunchy.

Beautiful Curls - Shea Butter Curl Reviving Tonic: To be honest, I've only used this once or twice. I got it intending to use it to "wake up" second day hair, but I just haven't been able to adjust to washing my hair every other day. My hair looks terrible – terrible – after it's been slept on. Also, the product keeps separating in a way that makes me wonder whether it hasn't gone bad.

Badger - Argan Hair Oil for Dry Damaged Hair: I've only used this a few times, both as an overnight treatment and on damp hair to tame frizz. I like it for both uses, but for the latter, I find it a bit difficult to get enough product in my hair to tame the frizz without it looking oily.

Oyin Handmade - Greg Juice Nourishing Herbal Leave-in Hair Tonic: I use this product right after the Intelligent Nutrients leave-in conditioner. It adds a bit more definition and hold. It can get slightly crunchy if too much is used, but that's easily avoided.

August 2014 Empties

Do you ever feel exasperated rather than pleased when you get free samples? Like, "Ugh, now I have another sample I have to slog through before I can use my real products." Maybe it's just me, but I had a grand plan of finishing all my blush and lipstick samples while my cream products spend the summer in the fridge, and it clearly isn't going to happen. Not by a long shot. I miss applying lipstick from the tube and having sifters on my blushes and I'm sick of the little clamshells cluttering up my life! Such a struggle. I did manage to use up a few, though, in addition to a handful of other products. 

Acure - Morrocan Argan Stem Cell + Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner: These are such phenomenal products, especially the conditioner. Seemingly everyone in green beauty loves them, and it's easy to see why given that, even though they're intended for normal to dry/damaged/curly hair, they seem to work on a multitude of hair types.
Verdict: When I find a shampoo and conditioner that work, I tend to stick to them. I've been using these pretty consistently for a long time and I've got more of both on the way.

Good Earth Beauty - Honey Oatmeal Scrub Unscented Soap: I got this as a free sample (sigh). The scrubby texture of the soap was quite nice, though I wasn't blown away by the base formula.
Verdict: It's good value for money, but contains honey and goat's milk, so I wouldn't purchase.

Earthpaste - Wintergreen: I continue to return to Earthpaste because it simply can't be beaten in terms of ingredient purity, though I sometimes get tired of the thin and almost watery consistency. Wintergreen is definitely my favorite flavor, though I enjoy the others as well.
Verdict: I'm ready to branch out to other products (and have), but I'm sure I'll be returning to this again.

The Jojoba Company - Pesticide-Free HobaCare 100% Pure Jojoba: I use jojoba oil as part of my makeup-removing oil cleanse (with castor and sesame oils) and also occasionally mix it into my daily SPF to up the moisture factor. I don't have any particular attachment to this brand (though they carry organic as well – it's just more expensive); I buy it because it's available at my Whole Foods. 
Verdict: Jojoba is such a great basic to have on hand for simple skincare and DIY's, so I always keep it around.

Blissoma - Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum: This serum contains a host of wonderful oils and extracts. Primarily targeted at mature and dry skin, it's also loaded with ingredients beneficial for sensitive, hormonal, and/or acne-prone skin. It's definitely not a light oil, but that's what I prefer. I feel like it helps keep my skin balanced and calm.
Verdict: I was totally ready to try out a new oil/serum, but I missed this one too much, so I've already repurchased.

Hurraw! - Earl Grey Lip Balm: Hurraw! is a company I feel really good about supporting. Their "About" page details the principles they follow in choosing and sourcing ingredients, and developing and packaging products. Their formula isn't waxy; it's just smooth and comfortable and nourishing. The bergamot scent is yummy and not overly sweet.
Verdict: I've already started on a different scent and have a few more in my stash of backups.

Zuzu Luxe - Brow Pencil in Russet: This is my go-to brow product. Russet works perfectly for my auburn hair, despite the fact that it's meant for dark blondes and brunettes (the color for redheads and dark brunettes, which I occasionally use for an ombre effect, is too dark for all-over use on my brows). The texture is perfect as well: not too creamy and not too waxy. I love that it has a spooly on the end.
Verdict: I'm already working on a new pencil.

Juice Beauty - Lash Defining Mascara: You can read my review here for details, but the short version is that this mascara gives nice length but not enough volume for my taste.
Verdict: Not a bad mascara; just not my cup of tea.

Zosimos Botanicals - Lipsticks in Burgundy & Terracotta Spice: I just posted a collection review of the Zosimos lipsticks I own, so check that out if you please. These two have gone bad, so it's into the bin with them.
Verdict: I'm not planning on purchasing any more Zosimos lipsticks.

Sample of The All Natural Face - Vegan Lipstick in Clear Gloss: This product is a lipstick without the color. Somehow, it's much nicer than a lip balm for putting over a lip liner. It has a lovely finish (not too glossy) and doesn't tend to pick up much color from any product it's applied over.
Verdict: I have a full-size as well as another sample (those accursed free samples again).

Sample of bareMinerals - Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Be Free: bareMinerals has started leaving a bitter taste in my mouth (figuratively, that is). They've definitely always been prone to a bit of green-washing, but I feel like it's become more extensive and pervasive of late. What really cinched it for me is their cruelty-free situation. bareMinerals themselves do not do any animal testing or work with manufacturers that do. However, they are owned by a company that tests on animals and sells in China (shout-out to Rachel of All Natural Aspirations, whose Animal Testing 101 post made me think about the issue of parent companies for the first time). As for this sample, I know they were going for something cutesy (you're supposed to press your lips against the lip-shaped patch of lipstick to deposit the color – I used my finger), but I found this packaging frustrating and didn't end up using all the product. 
Verdict: I wouldn't buy this particular product because I'm not a fan of the ingredients, and I also don't plan to buy from bareMinerals anymore. 


Sample of Vapour Organic Beauty - Siren Lipstick in Chère: Vapour's lipsticks are so nice, and this color, described as a soft mauve nude, is just about perfect. However ...
Verdict: Sadly, they are not vegan. Farewell, friend.

Collection Review # 4: Zosimos Botanicals Lipsticks

Collection review time. I'm doing lipsticks yet again and I feel no shame (I lied, I feel shame because my lipstick collection is so very, very unnecessarily large). These barely-used lipsticks by Zosimos were among the first things I pulled from my collection when I initially started planning blog posts back in May. At the time, they had been in my collection less than 8 months, and already (spoiler alert: this is another one of these posts) two of them were rancid. I'm not sure I ever even wore them, and the third (the one that isn't bad) I only tried recently. I definitely have to accept some blame here. It's true that less than 8 months (how much less I can't say) is a short shelf life for lipstick, especially given that I never let them get exposed to heat. But if I didn't own so stupidly many lipsticks, I would actually have a chance to wear them all before they went bad. That's the downside to having such a large lipstick collection: some of them inevitably wind up forgotten. Strictly speaking, I'm not even supposed to be buying lipsticks anymore. But lipstick, man. It's like an addiction. I just bought one about a week ago, for no particular reason. It isn't even all that different from other lipsticks I own. I have a problem. 

Anyway. On to the review. 

As I said, these aren't lipsticks I tended to reach for. Now that I've actually taken the last lipstick standing, Redbud, out for a spin, I don't feel quite so bad about the others' demise. It isn't a dreadful lipstick by any means, but it's also not terrific. It has a tendency to settle into the small lines on the lips, especially when worn in a lighter layer. Some lipsticks give even, sheer color with one swipe. Some give bold, opaque color. This does neither. It goes on patchy when I try to create a sheer wash of color (at full opacity, the color makes me look strikingly like Lorde, which isn't really what I want for a day at the office). Applying it over a lip balm goes a long way to fixing this problem, but even when I go for a full-on look by building up the color, it still isn't quite even. The lipstick is pretty matte, which could be a pro or con depending on your preferences. It lasts for a decent length of time and leaves behind a stain on the lips. 

L-R: Burgundy, Redbud, Terracotta Spice 
(sorry for the sloppiness – the texture made the off ones difficult to swatch)

Naturally, the two that went bad are the ones I prefer in terms of color. Burgundy is particularly beautiful: as the name implies, it's the color of a burgundy wine. Redbud is maroon with a tiny tinge of brown and Terracotta Spice is a warm brick red. I bought all three as part of my quest for the perfect natural red lipstick (for the record, this is pretty much it, in my opinion). Prior to my greenification, my favorite red was NYX's Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in Snow White. It was deep and blue-based, but I could detect just the tiniest, barely perceptible touch of brown – basically, the perfect blood red. It also contained tasty ingredients like BHA (a likely carcinogen and endocrine disruptor, and restricted for use in cosmetics in the EU because of it) and polyethylene (plastic, just what I want to be ingesting), in addition to synthetic fragrances and delicious toxic dyes. The Zosimos lipsticks are a vast improvement, ingredients-wise, and they're vegan and gluten- and soy-free (Zosimos clearly labels every product to indicate whether or not it's vegan and also has a detailed resource page for customers who are vegan and/or have allergies). 

So, why did two of these go bad so quickly? As I said, they've never been exposed to heat in the time I've owned them. I bought them in the fall and they went into the fridge as soon as the weather got warm. Based on the ingredient lists from a few of my favorite brands for lipstick, I'm thinking the lack of vitamin E or another antioxidant to prevent rancidity, and/or the inclusion of ingredients with comparatively short shelf life might be the culprit(s). It could also be that these particular lipsticks were made a long time before I received them. 

There is a difference between the ones that went bad and the one that didn't: Redbud contains a hydrogenated oil (castor). I like to avoid hydrogenated oils in makeup (and definitely avoid them in food), but these lipsticks provide an example of why even natural companies might be tempted to use them: it lends a decidedly longer shelf life without including an ingredient that can't be labeled natural without blatant lying. 

This whole experience may very well have been a fluke, but, given that these aren't the cheapest lipsticks ($20 apiece), I don't think I'll risk buying them again.

Any Zosimos-lovers out there who've had better experiences than I did?

Burgundy & Terracotta Spice Ingredients: Organic Castor Oil; Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter; Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil; Wildcrafted Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax; Organic Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil; Castor Wax; Organic Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil; Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Butter; Organic Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Nut Oil; Mica; Iron Oxides; Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Butter.

Redbud Ingredients: Organic Castor Oil; Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter; Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil; Wildcrafted Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax; Organic Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil; Hydrogenated Castor Oil; Organic Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil; Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Butter; Organic Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Nut Oil; Mica; Iron Oxides; Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Butter.

Vapour Organic Beauty's Summer Gift Set Mini-Reviews

Back in June, Vapour Organic Beauty hosted a giveaway, and I was lucky enough to be one of five winners. The package they sent out never actually made it to me, despite what USPS says (black hole in my mail box, I suppose?), but Vapour was happy to send out a second package when I let them know after waiting what was probably an inordinate amount of time.  

In a post about a month ago I mentioned my decision to go vegan with my makeup and personal care products, which were lagging behind my diet and other aspects of my lifestyle in that regard. This makes the timing of this giveaway a little funny for me, since if Vapour had hosted it just a month later, I probably wouldn't have entered at all. None of the products in the gift set are vegan (in fact, I'm not sure they make any vegan products), so I guess I'll be saying goodbye to Vapour when I finish all of the products and samples I currently have. It mostly comes down to beeswax, which Vapour puts in most or all of their products. I don't know enough about the chemistry behind the formulation of cosmetics to know how feasible this is, but if Vapour were to reformulate to swap out the beeswax in favor of a different natural wax, I would enthusiastically start adding every product on their site to my wishlist. 

All of this said, I fully intend to use (and enjoy, dammit!) what I've received and I certainly can't penalize the products for containing an ingredient that was still on my a-okay list when I entered the giveaway. I'll just ignore the beeswax and it'll go away and not factor it into the mini-reviews below.

L-R: Status Instant Skin Perfector – 902, Atmosphere Luminous Foundation – 090, Solar Translucent Bronzer – Mirage 221, Aura Multi-Use Blush - Radiant – Intrigue 205, Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss – Flirt 320

Stratus Instant Skin Perfector – 902: I actually already owned this product, so I've left the one I received unopened. Stratus is meant to be a moisturizer, primer and "no-color foundation" in one. For my dry skin, it doesn't do much in the way of moisturizing, but as a primer and perfector, it performs quite well. I saw a blurring effect on the capillaries on the sides of my nose and on my pores, as well as a lessening of the appearance of some yellowish discoloration I have around my mouth. When used as a primer, it makes foundation look more skin-like. It is very well suited to go with a cream foundation, like Vapour's own, and also works under powder foundations. When I tried it under a powder foundation that looks less than ideal on my skin (heavy, somewhat cakey), it greatly improved the look of the foundation, making it look, if not like skin, like a really nice foundation.  

Atmosphere Luminous Foundation – 090: This foundation is another product I already had in my stash. It looks very natural and gives a beautiful healthy glow to the skin.  I don't feel the need to set it with a powder, but those with oilier skin probably would (Vapour also has a foundation made for oily skin). This is definitely a light coverage foundation and not very buildable, so it's not a product I reach for when my skin is being troublesome. If you take a look at my vein (too personal?) in the photos below, it will give you an idea of the coverage.

Bottom-top: Atmosphere Luminous Foundation – 090, Solar Translucent Bronzer – Mirage 221, Aura Multi-Use Blush - Radiant – Intrigue 205, Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss – Flirt 320 

space
Solar Translucent Bronzer – Mirage 221: I never really wear bronzer because I'm just so pale that sun-kissed looks wrong on me. I'm pleased to say, though, that Vapour's bronzer in Mirage works very well as contour product for me. It looks more warm-toned in the swatch than it does in person, so while it wouldn't be ideal to contour cool-toned skin, it works perfectly for my somewhat warm skin, particularly since, unlike many bronzers, it contains no shimmer. 

Aura Multi-Use Blush - Radiant – Intrigue 205: Vapour's cream blushes have a beautiful texture (I have a sample of the classic formula as well). They blend phenomenally well on top of powder foundations without disturbing the makeup underneath. I like this blush a tad less on top of Vapour's cream foundation; it's a little difficult to build up enough color, probably because the foundation provides a little too much slip.

Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss – Flirt 320: I'm normally not much into lip glosses. They usually look too, well, glossy and tend to make me think of the word "moist." This one, on the other hand, isn't so bad. If you're a gloss person, you would probably love it.  It isn't sticky but it has decent lasting power (by gloss standards). The color payoff is good as well and I don't find it to be too wet-looking. As far as the plumping effect, I can't say I noticed anything.

Final thoughts:
Despite the lack of vegan products, I have a lot of respect for Vapour Organic Beauty as a company. All of their products consist of 70% organic ingredients and 30% minerals. Just take a look at their ingredient glossary, and you'll see the strength of their dedication to using truly natural ingredients. Something to keep in mind is that their blushes, glosses, and lipsticks *may* contain carmine (they explain their reasoning for using this ingredient here), though I strongly doubt the particular blush and lip gloss shades I received do. Despite this, I've found their products (I also have several lipsticks and a highlighter sample) to be consistently lovely. They all have creamy, blendable consistencies and smell amazing. The sleek packaging (which reflects the somewhat luxurious price point) is another plus, and their customer service is clearly responsive and helpful. 

I will be bidding farewell to Vapour Organic Beauty in the future myself, but would I recommend them to others? Yes and no. I can't deny the high quality of their products, so even though their ingredients don't quite meet my (relatively new) standards, I'd say it's a judgment call to be made on a personal basis.

Product Review: Juice Beauty Lash Defining Mascara

Finding a good natural mascara is hard; if you add vegan to the list of requirements, it's even harder.  That said, Juice Beauty's Lash Defining Mascara is only the third natural (or perhaps "mostly natural" is more accurate) mascara that I've tried, so I've far from given up hope of finding the perfect non-toxic mascara.  Since mascara performance is quite subjective, I should say what it is I look for.  My lashes are pretty long but they're thin and slightly sparse, so what I really need is a product that loads on the volume and separates my lashes, which like to grow at odd angles.  Length isn't a big factor for me since I don't need much extra, and if a mascara gives too much length, I can just gently pull the product off the tips of my lashes.

My tube of Lash Defining Mascara just reached the end of its 3-month lifespan, so it's time to report.  

When I first pulled the wand out of the tube, it came out quite clean, as you can see in the top photo.  After that first time, however – gloop city.  It had a seriously wet formula and for the first month or so, it was the gloopiest mascara I'd ever used.  When I pulled the wand out, there were big blobs on the bristles themselves, and the product also thickly coated the rest of the wand, leading to my accidentally applying a nice, even layer of mascara to my hair once.  The solution to this problem was to keep the tube standing upright, rather than storing it lying down in a drawer, as I normally would.  This kept the product at the bottom of the tube and on the bristles only, but because the tube is quite top-heavy, it had a bad habit of constantly falling over, which got pretty annoying, to be honest.  

The mascara became easier to work with (and store) when it started drying a bit, perhaps a month in.  The one downside to this was that it didn't glide on quite so smoothly.  Towards the end of the three months, it started forming itty-bitty clumps on my lashes, which made it a bit difficult to build up layers.  

Curled bare lashes

Single coat on top lashes

Built up on top, very light coat on bottom lashes

As you can tell from the pictures (taken the day I opened the tube), Juice Beauty's mascara gives decent, moderately buildable length but somewhat lacks in the volume department.  It helped straighten out some of my lashes' wonky angles, providing the better definition implied by the product's name, but it can also stick adjacent lashes to each other (those seem mutually exclusive, but apparently not).  The final look was pretty much the same throughout the three months, just a bit less smooth towards the end.  The feeling of the product on the lashes is relatively soft and smooth – not as smooth as bare lashes, of course, but not nearly as crunchy as some mascaras can leave lashes.  A major pro of this product is the complete lack of flaking (on me, at least); I had literally not a single flake, ever.  Also on the plus side: zero irritation and easy removal with water and a little gentle rubbing between thumb and finger.  

Like most mascaras, even those from the greenest brands, the Lash Defining Mascara's ingredients aren't completely pure.  Some of the ingredients don't quite meet my definition of "natural," but they do meet my standards for what I'm comfortable putting on my lashes.


The Bottom Line: Juice Beauty's Lash Defining Mascara would be best for people looking for either a natural look (easily achievable by applying only a single layer) or reasonably buildable length.  Since I'm looking for more volume than it was able to provide, it looks like I'll be leaving it behind for good.  



Ingredients:

Organic botanical extracts of serenoa repens (organic saw palmetto extract)*, aloe barbadensis (organic aloe extract)*, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla wax), triisostearyl citrate, hydrogenated glyceryl abietate, brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer, copernicia cerifera (organic carnauba wax)*, vegetable glycerin, theobroma cacao (organic cocoa seed butter)*, persea gratissima (avocado butter), methylcellulose, xanthan gum, tocopherol (Vitamin E), sodium hyaluronate (vegetable hyaluronic acid), ethylhexylglycerin, phenethyl alcohol. May Contain: mica, iron oxide.
* = Certified organic ingredient

July 2014 Empties (and a Few I'm Tossing)

Empties time!  This month, I continued to focus on using up (or throwing out) my many samples, though there are still dozens in my makeup drawer.

Things I used up:

Schmidt's - Natural Deodorant in Bergamot + Lime: I already talked about the Ylang-Ylang + Calendula version of this deodorant in my last empties post and I have pretty much the same feelings about this one: it does a very good job of controlling odor, though for me it's not quite enough on its own.  The scent is fresh and invigorating.
Verdict: I won't repurchase right away, but will eventually.

Real Purity - Deodorant: Real Purity actually carries stick deodorants now, but this one, their original formula, is a liquid roll-on.  It smells amazing!  It's floral, herbal, earthy, sweet.  By itself, it doesn't hold up against my BO, but it adds enough protection to make it perfect for layering under another deo.
Verdict: I will definitely repurchase this at some point.

Maia's Mineral Galaxy - Bath Salt & Body Scrub in Citrus Scent: This was kind of a disappointment.  I found the salt way too scratchy and the base too liquidy.  I think the salt grains are too large to exfoliate well.  It does smell lovely, but I was glad to be done with it.
Verdict: I won't be repurchasing.

Seventh Generation - Protecting Boost: This has been perfectly nice as a moisturizer.  I don't know that it does much else for my skin, but it certainly hasn't caused or exacerbated any issues.  It smells and feels nice, and it definitely hits the mark in terms of price.
Verdict: I'm actually working on a second bottle right now since there was a 2-for-1 deal when I bought it.  However, I will be exploring other facial oils/serums in search of something more effective.

S.W. Basics - Toner: For some people, apple cider vinegar is a miracle product, resolving issues of dryness, oiliness, acne, inflammation...  For me – not so much.  This was the second time I put my faith in ACV to solve all my problems to no avail.  I used up the toner so as not to waste it, but I honestly don't think it did a damn thing for me.
Verdict: I'm sure it's perfect for some, but it's not for me.

Samples of Meow Cosmetics - Purrrfect Puss Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Himalayan & Persian & sample of Meow Cosmetics - Pampered Puss Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Persian: I finally finished up my Meow foundation samples!  Like the others, these were all in shades that are slightly off but wearable.  The Purrrfect Pusses are slightly powdery-looking on my skin.
Verdict: I was perfectly happy to use up the samples, but I'll be sticking to the right shade (Mau) and right formula (Pampered) from now on, thank you very much.

Sample of Terra Firma Cosmetics - Barely There Blush: The idea behind this blush is that it works on every skin tone to give a natural, not overdone, look.  I didn't find it to be the longest-lasting, but it does give a very nice touch of color.  
Verdict: My blush collection is quite well stocked at the moment, but I would consider buying the full size.  

Things I'm tossing:

Elegant Minerals - Natural & Organic Mineral Lipsticks in Pale Roses & Red Blossom: For a detailed explanation of why I'm tossing these, check out the collection review I did.  Basically, they're rancid.  Good riddance.
Verdict: I haven't had the best experiences with Elegant Minerals' lipsticks and on top of that these contain phenoxyethanol, which I now avoid, so I won't be purchasing any more. 

Samples of Maia's Mineral Galaxy - Minerals Lipsticks in Ruby Red & Venetian Red: These samples have gone bad.  I've had them for quite a while, so it's really my fault for never bothering to use them.  I was hunting for the Perfect Red and didn't quite find it in these, although they're both nice colors.  They lean a bit more to the brick/orange side than I tend to like.
Verdict: I do own a full-size Maia's lipstick, and I'm not a huge fan, although based on the reviews on their site I might be the only one.  Won't be purchasing.

Sample of Meow Cosmetics - Flawless Feline Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Persian: This is simply not the right formula for my skin so I decided to just toss it.  The high zinc oxide content results in its looking cakey and gross on me.
Verdict: Not a "bad" product by any means – just not right for me.

Review: Bubble & Bee Organic's Pit Putty Cream in Jasmint

Real talk: my BO, though not particularly powerful stench-wise, is very resilient.  To combat this, I always (except when testing a new product) layer a liquid and a cream/stick deodorant, and frequently change up which deodorants and deo-combos I use (generally every couple of days).  This is simply what works best for me.  Since shelf life isn't typically a huge concern, I tend to have 4 to 6 deodorants going at a time.

As a result of my methods of layering and frequent product switching, I am always on the lookout for new deodorants to try.  To be honest, the thing that really drew me to Bubble & Bee's Pit Putty Cream was the availability of the Jasmint scent.  Jasmine + mint.  How could you go wrong?  On a more practical note, I've always gotten along well with cream deodorants and I have a theory (more investigation required) that deos containing mint are particularly effective against (my) body odor.  I was also quite impressed with Bubble & Bee Organic upon exploring their website (they're the same people who run the awesome resource Chemical of the Day).  Bubble & Bee are dedicated to using organic ingredients as much as possible, and among all of the ingredients in all of their products, the only synthetics to be found are gentle, plant-derived surfactants.  The Pit Putty Creams are all-natural, 100% organic (minus the baking soda, of course), vegan, and, like all Bubble & Bee products, gluten-free.  The scent combined with my love for cream deodorants and Bubble & Bee's ingredients and integrity made purchasing the Jasmint Pit Putty Cream a no-brainer.

My high hopes were not disappointed.  I'll come right out and say that this is my favorite deodorant I've ever tried.  I was right to be excited about the scent: it smells exactly like minty candy.  The mint is definitely the stronger scent, with the jasmine coming through not as a floral note, but as a touch of sweetness.  It would be even better if the two were more evenly balanced, but I love it as is.  When applied directly after a shower, the deodorant's peppermint EO creates a cooling sensation in the pits.  

Where this deodorant really shines above all the others I've tried is in texture and application.  Pit Putty Cream is so smooth and creamy; it melts into skin in a positively dreamy way, leaving behind literally no residue and no gunky fingers.  Even taking into account that we're in the midst of summer, I'd say it's a bit softer than most deodorant creams.

Of course, the most important thing to consider with any deodorant is how well it controls odor.  I wasn't disappointed here either.  It's no surprise given the ingredients: baking soda absorbs odor and slightly raises pH, coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal, and the essential oils both prevent stinkiness and make you smell like an after-dinner mint (or whichever scent you choose).  There is also arrowroot powder to absorb wetness.  I've been pairing Pit Putty Cream with milk of magnesia, which is also a great de-stinker (if you give MoM a try, be sure to get one that contains only magnesium hydroxide and purified water; certain brands add sodium hypochlorite, a.k.a. bleach).  Together they leave my pits bullet-proof.  When I tested the Pit Putty Cream on its own, I was totally fine on lazy days.  On busier days, I had the teeny tiniest bit of odor at the end of the day.  I couldn't even smell it myself when I tried (am I the only one physically incapable of getting their nose close enough to their pits to give them a whiff?).  A brave loved one (hi Mom!) was willing to put her nose right in there and said she could detect just a little bit of not-that-pungent odor.  Those of you with less waterbear-like BO would probably be completely covered by it on its own.

A note on the baking soda: some people can find it irritating, though I've never had much of a problem with it.  I would think the ease with which Pit Putty melts into the skin without requiring a lot of rubbing would lessen the potential for irritation.  If you have had (or think you may have had) issues with baking soda, check out Bubble & Bee's blog post on underarm rashes.  In case you're still concerned, they have several other deodorant formulas (check out their handy comparison chart) including many without baking soda.  Personally, I intend to stick to the Pit Putty Cream.  Its formula and ingredients appeal to me the most and there are still six more scents for me to try.  Definitely a keeper.


Ingredients: Organic arrowroot powder, organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, (aluminum-free) baking soda, organic jasmine extract, organic peppermint essential oil.

Collection Review # 3: Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Infused Lip Love Lipsticks

Afterglow Cosmetics is a cruelty- and gluten-free company with high standards for ingredient safety and a proclivity for organic ingredients, as you'll see if you sneak a peak below at the ingredients for their Lip Love Lipsticks.  The two above have been part of my collection for 15 months and haven't gone through any changes in quality, texture or smell (which is to say they haven't gone bad).  

Enchant (sorry about the chunk [?!]) & Secret

As you can probably tell from the picture, these lipsticks are super creamy, and they feel very comfortable since they don't dry as they sit on the lips.  With one swipe, they go on a little sheer, but the color can be built to full opacity.  They are pretty long-wearing as well, and last time I wore one without a lip liner, it left my lips with a bit of a stain after I washed it off.  I love the sleek packaging, especially the part at the top that shows the color (this must have a name, but I certainly can't find it).

You can't really tell from the swatch, but Enchant is what Afterglow calls a shimmer; however, the little shimmery bits are so tiny that the overall effect is more of a light frost.  Enchant is a beautiful purple, a pretty even mix of red and blue, and a bit darker than it looks in my swatch.  The little bits are blue.  It would be perfect for a vampy night look, but I actually have worn it for day, keeping the other parts of my makeup look subtle to balance the boldness of the color.  Secret, a very wearable, versatile rose, is matte in that it doesn't have any frost or sparkly bits, but its creaminess creates a subtle sheen on the lips.

All of this said, will I be buying more Lip Love Lipsticks in the future? ... No.  It's all about one ingredient: beeswax.  I recently switched my diet from lacto-ovo vegetarian to vegan.  Even before this change, I strictly avoided ingredients derived from/produced by animals other than insects in makeup and personal care, but I never really had a "policy" when it comes to insect-derived/produced ingredients (even carmine).  I was a bit on the fence about things like beeswax, but, based on research I've done and, basically, a desire to be more of a purist, I have decided from here on out to extend my taboo on all animal products to makeup and personal care.  This doesn't mean that I will throw out all of the non-vegan products I already own; that would be far more wasteful than I could justify.  And there will still be forthcoming reviews of not-strictly-vegan products on the blog.  But it will influence my future purchases and eventually the blog will feature only vegan products.  

Ingredients: simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil*, barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf gel*, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel*, cera alba (organic beeswax)*, candelilla wax (wildcrafted), tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), vitis vinifera (organic grape seed) extract*, punica granatum (organic pomegranate seed) extract*; May contain [+/-] iron oxide (77491, 77492, 77499), mica, titanium dioxide (77891)
*certified organic 

Collection Review # 2: Elegant Minerals Natural & Organic Mineral Lipsticks

The first thing you'll probably notice about the picture above is that two of those lipsticks are doing it wrong.  And the first thing you'll probably notice about the photo below is that two of those swatches are gross.  The exciting part is that only one lipstick is guilty of both offenses!

L-R: Pale Roses, Tropical Pink, Red Blossom

The advantage of doing a review of makeup I've had in my collection for a while versus brand-new makeup is that it allows me to give you an idea of how well the products keep.  Granted that they could be flukes, I'm afraid the news isn't great for these Elegant Minerals lipsticks.  Two of them have definitely gone off (they have a rancid oil smell and a sticky texture that drags across the skin).  Thirteen months passed from the time I ordered them to the time of creating this post.  I'm not entirely sure when they started turning, since I didn't reach for them that often, but I would really like my lipsticks to stay in useable condition for at least 2 years.  The one that hasn't turned (Tropical Pink) is the one that actually showed up in the mail already broken.  This is something that can happen with (natural, especially) lipsticks and not a huge deal, but these seem to be particularly prone to breaking.  Application is relatively sheer with one swipe, but can be built for opaque coverage.

As far as colors go, Elegant Minerals has a pretty nice selection.  Of the ones I own, I particularly like Red Blossom, which is very wearable for everyday, sort of a reddened MLBB.  Elegant Minerals' color descriptions, for these colors at least, are spot-on, while their swatches are decent approximations.  They don't tell you about the finishes, though – Pale Roses and Tropical Pink are both frosted.

If you take a peak at the ingredients down below, you'll see phenoxyethanol.  At this point, the inclusion of this ingredient would actually be enough to make me strongly question buying the product, since it's an ingredient I greatly prefer to avoid.  

At this point, Red Blossom and Pale Roses are going in the trash.  I have an (embarrassingly) enormous lipstick collection, so sometimes there are ones that get neglected.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to wear these many times before it was too late.  Tropical Pink will stay in my collection.  One lipstick with phenoxyethanol certainly won't kill me, and the breakage can be dealt with by depotting (sorry, bejeweled pink tube!).  

Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Avocado Butter, Stearyl Palmitate, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Castor Oil,  Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxide, Phenoxyethanol-SA, Provitamin B5, Vitamin C L-Ascorbyl Palmitate.


Have you tried the Elegant Minerals lipstick and perhaps had a better experience?

May & June 2014 Empties

My first empties post covers two months since I stewed over starting this blog for more than a month after I bought the domain (oops).  I may do these once a month in the future to keep the length down, but I'm thinking that May and June were heavier than average months for product-emptying, so we shall see.

Hair Care

Alaffia - Shea & Virgin Coconut Enriching Shampoo & Hair Lotion: These products have a gorgeous orange geranium scent and the ingredients are pretty clean, but beyond that, they weren't a success for me.  I found the shampoo slightly drying, though usable.  A little does go a long way, which is always nice.  The conditioner felt too light.  I like really dense saturation, which this guy just couldn't give me, so I ended up having to use a huge blob every time, meaning I went through the conditioner more than twice as fast as the shampoo.  The conditioner wasn't moisturizing enough for me and I ended up with a lot of frizzy-hair days while using it.
Verdict: I won't be repurchasing either, but if the shampoo fell into my hands, I would use it.


Acure - Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner - Triple Moisture Repairing: This is definitely my holy grail conditioner.  The smell is tantalizing (the shampoo smells even better), the texture is perfect (super thick), it seriously moisturizes, and it doesn't give me the frizzies.
Verdict: I finally bought the large-size bottle, which I'm currently using.

Intelligent Nutrients - Leave-In Conditioner: I use this as a styling product every day, generally in conjunction with another product.  On its own it gives my curls soft, natural-looking definition without making my hair look greasy or feel crunchy; pairing it with something like Oyin Handmade's Greg Juice gives much stronger definition, which I generally prefer.  This product has a strong scent that some might find off-putting.  It's very earthy and herbal and slightly spicy.  I really like the smell, but I don't find that it lingers in my hair, so I wouldn't worry about it either way.
Verdict: I have already started on a new bottle.

Bath & Body

Sample of Good Earth Beauty - Moisturizing Vanilla Soap: In terms of the formula, I feel sort of neutral about this soap.  I didn't love it, but I certainly didn't mind using it.  I would like, however, for the fragrance oil to be replaced with a natural ingredient.
Verdict: I don't have any plan to buy a full size, but if I got another sample I would use it.

Sunrise Soap Company - Essential Oil Soap in Peppermint, Lemongrass & Pumice (not pictured): I've tried several Sunrise soaps (all of them purchased through Honeybee Gardens), and have consistently enjoyed them.  They produce a pleasant-feeling lather and don't dry my skin.  The pumice in this one is quite scratchy, which I liked, but some may find it too intense.  The scent is also nice and invigorating, more peppermint than lemongrass.
Verdict: I'm conflicted on the issue of palm oil and I currently have a gigantic soap stash, so at the very least, I wouldn't be buying this again for quite some time.

Schmidt's - Natural Deodorant in Ylang-Ylang + Calendula: Schmidt's deodorants have been getting a lot of love lately, and understandably.  It's not the very most effective deodorant against my frustratingly persistent pit-smell, but, when I layer it with another deodorant as I always do, it works perfectly well for a regular day at the office.  The ylang-ylang and calendula scent is gorgeous!
Verdict: I am already well into a jar of the Bergamot + Lime and I like to mix it up frequently when it comes to deodorants, so I won't repurchase this right away – but I've got it on a list to repurchase eventually.  

eos - Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry: Remember that time when eos lip balms were super trendy?  Maybe they still are.  I never really got on that bandwagon, but I recently grabbed this to hit the free shipping mark on an order.  The smell is lovely, but I didn't love the balm.  It wasn't quite emollient enough for my taste, so I ended up applying it more often than I do many other balms.  I'm also not crazy about the packaging.  I know it's their trademark, but it's just not that convenient.  The size and shape make it a bit awkward to carry around and it seems unhygienic that so much of the balm is exposed.
Verdict: I probably won't buy one of these again.

Toothpaste

Sensodyne - Pronamel Toothpaste (mini tube): This product definitely doesn't meet my usual natural ingredient requirements, but I was given it by my dentist to help deal with intense hypersensitivity I've had lately.  As it turns out, the cause of the hypersensitivity is actually a recurrence of my TMJD, so the toothpaste hasn't been able to help me.  That said, this has a cleaner ingredients list than many conventional toothpastes, being free of SLS, artificial colors and some other common nasties.  If hypersensitivity is enough of a problem that you don't mind being a little lax about ingredients, Sensodyne's Pronamel formula is actually not that bad a way to go.
Verdict: I won't be buying this since it hasn't helped me, but I would consider it if it did.

Earthpaste in Cinnamon: Earthpaste is probably the simplest, most natural toothpaste available.  It is clay-based and completely free of all foaming agents, colorants, artificial flavors, and, most uniquely, glycerin.  I'm on the fence about glycerin in toothpaste.  It seems like there isn't much to back up the claim that it forms a residue on teeth, but it also doesn't have any actual benefits – so better safe than sorry, I suppose?  I got a bit tired of the cinnamon flavor by the end of the tube, but it's a pleasant, relatively subtle flavor.
Verdict: I may not return to the cinnamon flavor, but I'm  currently using the Wintergreen, which is my favorite.

Tom's of Maine - Clean & Gentle Toothpaste: I got this toothpaste because – confession – I recently got my very first cavity.  I had been using fluoride-free toothpastes since early on in my transition to natural products, but I got a bit freaked out when I found out about the cavity and went right out and bought one with fluoride (this one has it in the form of sodium monofluorophosphate).  Aside from the fluoride, which is somewhat of a controversial ingredient, the ingredients list is quite clean (it does contain glycerin) and it's SLS-free, unlike many Tom's of Maine toothpastes.
Verdict: I plan to repurchase this as an anti-cavity backup for my Earthpaste.

Skincare

Acure - Argan Stem Cell + Chlorella Growth Factor Brightening Facial Scrub: I've read a lot of positive reviews of this product and I couldn't agree more.  This is easily one of my favorite skincare products ever.  I love the experience of using the product and the results it achieves.  The scrub-factor is intense but not scratchy, and it leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth without any irritation.  I've been using it every 2-3 days for just under a year (the first tube lasted 10+ months) and I'm still completely smitten.
Verdict: I am already using a new tube and plan to continue using this product forever.

Honeybee Gardens - Alcohol-Free Facial Toner: This was the first skincare product I ever really fell in love with.  The first night I used it, the only thing I noticed was that I didn't love the smell.  The next morning, however, when I washed my face, I couldn't believe what I was feeling.  In a single night, this toner had made such a difference in my skin.  I felt so smooth and soft.  Continued use of this product has maintained a more even skin texture.
Verdict: I'm already working on another bottle ( I believe it's my fourth).

SkinFare - Lotion Stick in Verdant Remedy: The Verdant formula of SkinFare's Lotion Sticks is intended to lighten dark circles, scars and sunspots, so I decided to use it exclusively under my eyes and on some stretch marks on my hips.  To be honest, I don't think it did a thing besides moisturize for either area.  I love that all of the ingredients are organic and I like the stick application.  What I don't love about Verdant is the smell.  SkinFare describes it as smelling like grassy fields.  That's pretty close, and I don't like it.
Verdict: I wouldn't repurchase this particular formula because of the scent, but I would definitely consider the others since I like the base formula and the packaging/application.

Makeup

My lipsticks and cream blushes are spending their summer vacation in the refrigerator.  This is a double-win since it protects my precious products from the heat and humidity (and the melting and encouragement of microorganism proliferation that go with them) and gets me to work on using up my many samples.  My powder products are all still in my makeup drawer, but I've decided to go all out on all of my samples for the time being.

Sample of Real Purity - Powder Blush in Parfait: This is a very pretty bright pink blush.  The formula blends well on the skin and lasts a decent time.  The full-sized blushes are pressed, which is a plus in my book although not a deal-breaker.
Verdict: Given the size of my current blush collection, I'm in no need of new products, but this is one I would happily consider in the future.

Sample of Real Purity - Lipstick in Grape Sherbet: I love the formula of Real Purity's lipsticks.  They are highly pigmented and neither too balm-like nor chalky.  This color is also gorgeous.  It's a true purple, and while I usually prefer more of a matte lip, the frost here is lovely.
Verdict: I actually bought a full-size lipstick long before I finished the sample and I have no regrets.

Samples of Meow Cosmetics - Pampered Puss Foundations: Meow Cosmetics' foundation in the Pampered Puss formula has become my all-time favorite.  I ordered a number of samples a while back and, since minerals foundations are generally pretty forgiving in terms of color-match, I'm using up the ones that weren't an exact match.  The shades I finished were all 0-Inquisitive, the palest in their undertone categories ("breeds"): Siamese (neutral, which is slightly too yellow for me), Sphynx (beige/pink/peach, slightly too pink for me), and Himalayan (warm pink, slightly too white for me).
Verdict: I obviously won't purchase the incorrect shades, but I seriously love this formula.

Sample of Meow Cosmetics - Purrrfect Puss Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Siamese:  This simply isn't the right formula for my skin.  I can get away with it, but it tends to look a bit powdery, especially towards the end of the day.  The proportion of zinc oxide in a foundation is a major factor in determining how well it works on my skin, and this doesn't have any.
Verdict: Obviously I won't purchase a full-size, but I will still use the other Purrrfect samples I have.

Meow Cosmetics - Pampered Puss Foundation in 0-Inquisitive Mau: As I mentioned above, this is my favorite foundation.  It's definitely the best color match I've ever found, and given that Meow has 86 different foundation shades, I'm guessing a lot of people would be able to say the same.  The undertones of Mau are described as simply "warm," but I would say my undertones are more slightly warm with a helping of peach, a smidgen of pink, and absolutely no yellow at all.  The formula is also fabulous on my skin.  Even when I build up the coverage, it looks incredibly natural, especially after I use a setting spray (currently using George's Aloe Mister).  Even at the end of the day, I can get right up close to the mirror and still be impressed by how skin-like it looks.
Verdict: Even though I am using up my foundation samples, I just had to open up the new jar I had waiting.  Holy grail material.