Time for the July Samples & Empties Post. I had to split this month into two posts, this is part 1. Quick thoughts about each starting above left to right.
Margaret Dabbs Intensive Hydrating Hand Lotion: Loved this lotion. It smells faintly of citrus, love the pump and it manages to be hydrating while not being too greasy. Review here.
January Labs Daily Brightening Tonic: Loved this. It uses gentler lactic acid and citrus extracts for a mild brightening effect. Review here. I would buy it again.
Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Polish: Staple hero product. Love it. I have bought more jars of this than any other beauty item. Review here.
Skin Food Black Sugar Mask: This was OK. It is similar to Fresh Sugar Face Polish but not nearly as good. It's thicker and feels less hydrating. The sugar granules are also like raw sugar size which is a bit too big and scratchy for me. I'll stick with Fresh.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2%Â + HA: This was OK. It wasn't very effective. It has the same texture as "Buffet". It just doesn't layer as well for me. More to come.
Kat Burki Complete B Vital Hydration Face Mask: I love this moisturizing mask. It may look like pizza cheese when you squeeze it out (because the oil separates from the creamy parts). However, don't let that scare you it's not too greasy. It's really hydrating and has quickly become a favorite of mine for hydrating post peel.
Bioderma Sensibo H2O: Love this for eye makeup removal. It doesn't sting and it works. Review here. Nothing else just seems to work quite as well without stinging my eyes.
Archipelago Botanicals Lotion Coconut: I loved this lotion for years. When I lived in Montana it was my favorite. It's a touch too hydrating here in Texas. It smells like a natural coconut and not too fake and sweet. Review here.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser: I liked this. I thought the crushed walnut shells would be too abrasive like the St Ives, but it was actually really gentle. The creamy cleanser was also pretty mild and overall it wasn't drying or anything.
Jason Smoothing Coconut Hand & Body Lotion: I wanted to like this. It smells like natural coconut with some citrus to it. It has an odd effect when you apply it. It turns white when you rub it into your skin and it took forever to rub in properly. So I ended up using it for my hands as a lotion until it was gone instead. I wouldn't grab it again. It just didn't absorb right.
Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion Nourishing: I love the cocoa butter version of this. This version the scent was way too powdery and strong. It was too overpowering.
Kat Burki Form Control Marine Collagen Gel: Love this. Smells like a cucumber dream, it's a hydrating collagen boosting serum. Review here. I would repurchase.
Omorovicza Gold Hydralifting Mask: I like this. The creamy mask is a bit too heavy for me. But it's nice. This would be great for dry skin.
Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: I love this. It's gentle enough for an AHA serum to be used daily without irritation. It was a staple hero product for me for years and I still love it. It's kind of being replaced by Sunday Riley Good Genes for me. Good Genes is just more effective. I talked about it here and here.
L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate: This was an OK creamy lotion. Hydrating. Smells kind of like sweet almonds. Too rich in general for a daily lotion for me.
Sisley-Paris White Ginger Contouring Oil for Legs: I love the idea of this. The ginger is actually warming when you rub it in which is nice. The oil is thick and heavy but not too greasy. So it's like a thick body oil. It's insanely expensive so I wouldn't buy a big one. Good if you love to show your legs a lot.
skyn ICELAND Blemish Dots with Salicylic Acid: Love these. Staple in my household. Review here.
Sisley Paris Neck Cream: I liked this. Nice hydrating light cream. Light scent, nothing too overpowering. Too pricey for me to end up grabbing it.
Kate Somerville True Lash: This was a creamy eye makeup remover. It was OK. I had to use some Bioderma over it to remove all of the lotion feel after.
Sisley-Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream: I like this. It's a bit more hydrating than a regular gel cream. It's a heavy weight hydrating gel cream. Light rose scent. I'm sure I'll end up with a big one some day because it's Sisley and I like their Black Rose collection. Maybe in the winter.