November Empties

☑ Clarins Sheer Bronze Tinted Self Tanner For Legs

I have bought this out of curiosity at the first Clarins warehouse sale I attended maybe two years ago but at this time, I wasn't even into self tanners so I barely used it on my legs and it didn't impress me so I put it away. Now that I've gotten more into self tanners, I wanted to use this one up before buying some others.

I haven't used a lot of self tanners so I can't really compare this one to some others but it doesn't seem to do much for me - it barely gives me a slight glow. I don't know if it's due to the fact that I'm naturally pale - I'm a natural blonde - but I'm disappointed. I'll keep searching for a self tanner that will really make me look tan!

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Decolleté

☑ Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream and Avocado Pear Nourishing Nights Cream (samples)

These were average. The smell was a bit too strong for me and to be honest, it wasn't the most pleasant. I loved the texture too, it ws thick without being too thick.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel-Cream for dry skin (day) and Burt's Bees Radiance Night Cream (night)

☑ Dr Hess Udder Stick Pomegranate

OK I'll admit it - I'm actually cheating with this one. What happened is that for review purposes, I wanted to take a picture to show you the actual quantity of lipbalm in the tube but when I tried to slide it back in the tube, it broke! So I had to melt it in a Vaseline tin but I'm still including it in my empties =P

Repurchase: yes!

What I'm currently using to replace it: other Dr Hess Udder Sticks

☑ Fruits & Passion Georgia Peach Foaming Bath

Very average foam that last about 10 minutes. Disappointing for the price.

Repurchase: no

What I'm currently using to replace it: random bath treats

☑ Equate Exfoliating Cleansing Towelettes

These are great to gently wash my face in the morning. If they dry up, I simply spritz a little toner on them and them rub them on my face.

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes

☑Alberto Moisture Soak Conditioner

I bought this a long time ago when my hair was completely destroyed by the numerous bleaches I inflicted it, and I was happy to confirm that the claims were true - I really did see a difference after the first use! Of course, it didn't repair my hair on the first use, but I was actually amazed at how soft it left my hair so I kept on using it and I was never disappointed.

I also like the consistency of this conditioner, it's thicker than a lot of conditioners I have tried - it won't drip everywhere - in the past and I feel that it coats my hair really well.

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: I'm trying to use up those conditioners that come with my boxes of hair dye!

☑Escada Pacific Paradise Eau de Toilette

I bought this at a Clarins warehouse sale years ago because I instantly fell in love with its fruity yet not overly sweet scent, but I'm glad I finally used it up because I have way too many perfumes in my stash! Yes it's fun to use a different one every day, but they have a very limited shelf life, and this one almost didn't smell anything at all after all this time.

Repurchase: yes

What I'm currently using to replace it: other perfumes like Jessica Simpson Fancy, Harajuku♥Lovers Fragrance Baby, Aquolina Pink Sugar, etc.

☑ L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara*

Repurchase: no, only because L'Oréal tests on animals, and that's a shame because it's a pretty good mascara.

What I'm currently using to replace it: L'Oréal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes

*This product is NOT cruelty-free

Hip Apotheca - Naturally Hip Naturally You

Hip Apotheca is an online retailer specializing in natural, organic and cruelty-free lifestyle products that is set to launch in the first week of October. I was recently approached by the very kind Michelle who offered me some samples. Because I didn't know any of the brands featured on their website, Michelle offered to put together a package of items that she thinks would suit my skin type - how kind is that?

Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil ($12 for 60ml)

Adara is truly nature’s most precious hydrating & nourishing beauty oil. For the body, hair and face, adara Virgin Coconut Oil is the highest grade available on the market today. This luxurious oil is fair trade, organic, preservative and paraben free! Gathered on the Island of East Sumatra, it is only 24 hours between the time this precious organic coconut oil leaves its shell and nestles into the adorable adara bottles. Available in 6 scents-- Original Unscented, Innocent Rose, Heavenly Peach, Soothing Lavender, Oriental Jasmine, Refreshing Green Tea.

Let me be honest with you: when I first received these, I was super excited because I had never used coconut oil before, but I stupidly tossed them aside  because I was worried they would be super greasy and oily. Of course, curiosity took over and I had to give them a go, and I felt so dumb for not doing it sooner!

Another thing that put me off at first is that the formula tends to crystallize in the bottle in cooler temperatures, making it impossible to squeeze it out of the bottle. I first tried to dig some of the product by putting a finger in the bottle, but then I tried running it under hot water and tadah! problem solved! Once the oil became liquid, I could properly slather it all over my body and I was instantly pleased to see that it is not greasy at all! In fact, it has a light texture that tends to be runny, but it is very quickly absorbed into the skin without leaving an oily film behind. My skin felt moisturized, soft and smooth imediately after application.

Don't worry if you don't have time to heat up the bottle as you can also scoop out the product and apply it directly on the skin, it will melt on contact!

There are a few scents available. I was sent Innocent Rose and Heavenly Peach which smell absolutely amazing and not chemical at all! They do linger after application but I wish the smell would be a little stronger as it tends to be quite subtle. I also received a bottle that is unscented, which is great if you don't fancy fragranced products.

These Organic Virgin Coconut Oil are multi-purpose and can be used on the face, body, hair (wet or dry) and also as bath oil, massage oil and even as a makeup remover! Be careful not too use too much on your hair though as it can quickly become a greasy mess - but I guess that was my fault as it was the first time I used coconut oil.

Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum (CAN: $47 US: $49 for 30 ml)

Address signs of ageing with this intensive, oil-based, silky night serum that helps restore collagen overnight to repair ultra-dry and sun-damaged skin. Himalayan goji delivers up to 19 amino acids to replenish protein at a cellular level. The serum brings a dewy glow to your skin with red raspberry seed oil blending with New Zealand blackcurrant - a rich source of essential fats like gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Hibiscus flower and kiwi oil freshen your complexion, while berry fragrance imparts pure joy.

I must say I've never been a fan of oil-based products even though I have dry skin because I simply don't have the patience to wait for them to dry. This serum was disappointing because of that - the texture is light, oily and runny and it does take some time to be absorbed into the skin.

What I look for in a serum is a light texture and a fast absorption as I like to apply my day or night cream right after, which was not possible with this serum. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend it for day wear, but I personally use it only at night so it's not really a problem for me.

Other than that, I love the dropper dispenser which is very convenient and mess-proof as you control the exact quantity of product you want to use. Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum is very moisturizing and left my parched skin feeling soft and supple.

Antipodes Saviour Skin Balm (CAN: $50 US: $52 for 75g)

Nature's richest oils blend with the power-packed antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial healing properties of Australian tea tree and New Zealand totara. Cell and skin repair are dramatically optimized by antioxidant-rich echinacea and Vinanza Grape from grape seeds in this pure and natural cure-all that brings rescue daily. Use it to help the whole family with dry and cracked skin, grazes and bruises, chapped lips, sore muscles, sunburn, natural baby care, protection after shaving, conditioning cuticles, and in-flight hydration.

First of all, I'm a sucker for cute little vintage tins so I was thrilled when I received this balm! I was happily surprised by its size - it's huge! $50 is still pricey, but at least you get a big quantity of product for the price.

Size comparison with my hand

This product is a little wonder in a tin! It is multi-purpose and can be used all over your body. It works amazing on my dry cracked lips and also on the dry patches of eczema all over my body (elbows, behind the knees, hands, legs...).

The texture is amazing - it is solid in the tin but once you scoop it out with your fingers and soften it, it just melts and spreads really well on the skin. It is non greasy or oily and it's absorbed pretty fast into the skin. Because of its price, I don't want to use it all over my body but I'm sure it will works just as great!

The people from Hip Apotheca are giving a bottle of the Adara coconut oil to each person who signs their mailing list and makes a purchase when they launch. Those who don't make a purchase and register will receive a bag of samples. How amazing is that? You can also follow Hip Apotheca on Twitter and "like" them on Facebook.

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.