Some of my favorite YouTube videos to watch are empties videos where vloggers will hang on to their empty bottles and containers and give a full review after they amass quite a few items. I particularly like them because I feel there is no better time to review something than when you have finished the item up completely. And then the real test comes as to whether you are going to go out and repurchase the item or move on to something else.
I've decided to try something similar here on my blog but I have collected so many empties I'm going to have to break them up into sections. This post will only be dealing specifically with bath and body products I have used up, however my next two posts will focus on my skincare and makeup item empties.
I picked my bath and body items first because let's face it, they take up the most room and I'm ready to chuck these babies in the recycling bin. I suppose if anything you can call me logical! At any rate, read on for my detailed reviews on each of the above products.
Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion Original 12 oz $7.49
First I have to say I didn't purposely purchase this item. Years ago I placed an order from an online health food store for a natural allergy product and was sent two of these by mistake. The company re-sent the products and I was able to keep these as an apology. I normally like body lotions that have a strong and purposeful scent and these do not, which explains why I had them for so long that the packaging has since changed, before I actually started using them. I've decanted one bottle into a lotion dispenser I purchased from Target and I use it on my desk as a hand lotion so I'm still working on that bottle, and the other one I used after showers and baths as a body moisturizer.
The lotion has a light, non-offensive odor that goes away within an hour of applying so you don't have to worry about it competing with your fragrance. It is quickly absorbed which I love, and was very moisturizing for my dry winter skin. I also love that this came in a pump bottle and after using this repeatedly I have become accustomed to pump bottles. I would purchase this again, however like I said I do prefer to wear lotions that let their own fragrance be the star and this is just a nice run of the mill basic lotion.
This lotion can be found at most drugstores, is hypo-allergenic, 100% vegetarian ingredients, and paraben free. Also important to note (at least for me) is that Alba Botanica does not test their products on animals and they are EU Cosmetics Directive compliant.
Would I repurchase? Yes Will I repurchase? Not sure
Tree Hut Shea Extra Rich Moisturizing Lotion Coconut Lime 9 oz $4.79
While searching for a link and price for this item, I noticed it too has slightly changed its packaging. I purchased this over the summer so I didn't have it on hand nearly as long as the Alba Botanica lotion. Unlike the Alba Botanica one, this has a very strong coconut lime scent and at first smell it seemed quite lovely but over time the scent just got on my nerves. I was also spoiled from the Alba Botanica pump dispenser so I ended up buying a glass cobalt bottle off Amazon to decant this lotion into.
The actual lotion itself is very thick but easily absorbed and perfect for winter however it would probably be too heavy for summer use, at least for me. I know Tree Hut has other scents and I will try another one but as for this particular one in the lotion form, it was just too overwhelming for my nose over time.
This lotion can be found at most drugstores, contains no parabens, and no formaldehyde donors. It is also not tested on animals. One thing that stood out to me in reading the back of the packaging is its FOR EXTERNAL USE only disclaimer. Dang it, I was really hoping to use it as a toothpaste when I run out of my Crest.
Would I repurchase? Yes Will I repurchase? Yes, but a different scent next time
The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Rescue Treatment 3.56 oz $18.00
I purchased this item last year as part of their after Christmas sale. I can't remember how much I paid for it, but I did not pay $18 that's for sure. Is it worth $18? Absolutely not in my opinion. First of all 3.56 oz is not very big. This is a little tub even though it is their full size. It is very concentrated and does not absorb quickly. I was expecting a tingly feeling and did not get that out of this product not to mention the fact that I'm not a huge fan of peppermints, much less peppermint scented items, so needless to say this was a dud for me. For $18 I also expected the packaging to be a little more sophisticated but basically it is a plastic tub with stickers covering it and the stickers start to peel up off the product with use as you can see from the photo.
I must say The Body Shop isn't the company it once was for me. They are just now switching their products over to being paraben free which is a little late for a brand that in the past tried to give the image of being a more natural brand. This particular item still contains parabens so if that is a concern of yours then you should probably avoid it. While The Body Shop is Against Animal Testing it is owned by L'Oreal, a company that does test their products on animals.
Would I repurchase? No
LaVanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant Vanilla Coconut 1.7 oz $14.00
If you have a problem using aluminum on your underarms then you will probably be pleasantly surprised by this deodorant. It is 100% natural and contains no aluminum or parabens. What does this mean? You will sweat but you won't have a funk. This is the nicest way I can put it. I like to use natural deodorant every day but when I go to work out or I know I will be somewhere sweating a lot that's when I break out my Secret deodorant. For me the LaVanila is a supplemental deodorant and probably the best smelling one I've found yet. Are there cheaper ones? Yes, in fact I'm trying another one out right now by Kiss My Face, however I do like this one for it's sophisticated scent and good for you ingredients.
When I was searching for a link for this particular scent I noticed it is very hard to find, however I was finally able to find the Vanilla Coconut scent on the LaVanila website. Sephora and Beauty.com carry other scents as well if you're not into coconut scents.
This deodorant does not contain petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic dyes, sulfates, or parabens. The company also does not test on animals.
Would I repurchase? Yes Will I repurchase? Most Likely
So there you have it! Only one major dud so not bad. Stay tuned later this week as I will try to get two more posts out which will include my skincare empties and my makeup empties. Also I am working on a big project and should be able to let you all in on it some time next week with any luck. It's been killing me keeping it a secret so I can't wait to share my big news! Keep an eye on my Facebook and Twitter accounts (links below) for my big announcement.
https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethAnnHale
https://twitter.com/elizabethahale
No affiliate links used. All items were purchased with my own money.
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