Trimming My Stash - July 2019 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews*

I've been writing Trimming My Stash posts for a very long time now, and whilst they've changed a little bit in content and in format, my monthly empties posts have been one of the few constants in LouLouLand. A few years ago now I started integrating mini reviews into the posts and ever since every empties post that I've written has included at least one or two in depth product reviews. Today's post is a little bit different though, in that I've already reviewed most of the products in it!

May Beauty The Incredible Pore Strip - 1 x Pore Strip
Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Skin Wash - 500ml
Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel - 500ml
Moroccanoil Treatment - 15ml
Le Savonnier Marseillais Extra Pure Olive Oil Body Soap With Lavender Essential Oil - 500ml

Total - 5 Items

Now although I only managed to finish 5 items in July it's a distinct improvement on both May and June's total of 4 items, and 3 items respectively which has to be a positive. I'm also pretty happy because I managed to finish a couple of press sample products that became almost permanent fixtures in my bathroom, and just never seemed to end. There is definitely room for improvement but one of my major goals is finish all of those half finished products that I have floating around in my bedroom and in the bathroom, and in this case that's exactly what I've done. As I say I haven't got too many new reviews to share with you, but have a read below, and elsewhere on the blog, and you can find out exactly what I managed to finish in July.

1. May Beauty The Incredible Pore Strip - 1 x Pore Strip

The first product that I finished was one of the May Beauty The Incredible Pore Strips that I received in the July edition of Pink Parcel. You can read my thoughts here but seriously is there anyone that doesn't love a pore strip? They are one of those gross but slightly addictive beauty products, like peel off masks, and foot peels - I love products where you can see an instant result, and you may think that I'm a bit gross but seeing the gunk on the strip is one of life's little pleasures. I've still got another strip to use up but I'm saving it for a special occasion when I need my skin to look perfect. If you're interested in trying Pink Parcel for yourself don't forget to use my referral code PPLT2153.

2. Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Skin Wash - 500ml

Now although I think I've mentioned this product in the past, I don't think I've ever talked about it properly. Myself and Mummy Lou are obsessed with the entire range from Australian Bodycare. Based on, and containing, one of the best varieties of tea tree, Melaleuca Alternifolia, the full range is antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiseptic, it's also gentle, natural and skin friendly.

Although we've tried a lot of products in the range over the years, the products that we just keep coming back to, and that always have a place in our bathroom, are the body lotion and this body / skin wash. Crammed full of antiseptic and antibacterial tea tree, this thick translucent green gel transforms into gentle foaming body wash, it's powerful but it isn't harsh or drying. It's a perfect shower product if you have spotty, sore or irritable skin, or if you're prone to body odour or excess perspiration. It's especially good for this time of year when we're all feeling a little bit hot and bothered. It's also brilliant for shaving and for before and after waxing, and other types of hair removal, and you can even shave with it. You can also use it as a antibacterial and antiseptic hand wash, which is ideal if you're a gardener, or if like me you have pets. It does have quite a strong tea tree scent, which I personally don't mind I just find fresh and clean but if you aren't a fan it doesn't really linger on the skin, We normally buy our Australian Bodycare products from QVC UK, but you call also buy if from various other retailers including Australian Bodycare direct, as well as from Feel Unique, and Fragrance Direct. This 500ml size retails at around £26.99.

3. Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel - 500ml**

Next up one of the projects that seemed to have taken root in my bathroom, a gorgeous shower gel from the Yes To stable. I originally reviewed this for My Pure way back in 2012, and like so many products it just got pushed to the back of the cupboard as I moved on to something else. I know it's as old the hills but when I dug it out again it was just as good as how I remembered. A tiny amount of products produced a mass of moisturising, creamy bubbles, that had the most amazing milky, almost powdery scent. I think that's one of the reasons why it lasted as long as it did this was a huge 500ml bottle and you needed such a small amount that it seemed to go on forever. You can read my original review here but I'm sad to say that this now seems to have been discontinued by Yes To, whose tomato range now seems to focus purely on skin care. I'm actually super sad to see the back of this, and it powdery creaminess will live long in my memory.

4. Moroccanoil Treatment - 15ml

The fourth beauty product that I finished in July was another one that I've recently reviewed and again it was all thanks to a beauty box. Arriving at just the right time, the July edition of Glossybox featured a slightly larger bottle of this argan oil packed hair treatment oil. As I said in the original post it isn't my favourite hair oil but it certainly deserves it's cult reputation - you can read my full review here x 

5. Le Savonnier Marseillais Extra Pure Olive Oil Body Soap With Lavender Essential Oil - 500ml**

Finally another press sample, and another product from My Pure. This isn't quite as old as the Yes To Tomatoes body wash, but it was another one of those products that never seemed to end. I originally reviewed this way back in 2015, and whilst I think it had got a bit thicker with age, it was still as nice as I remembered. Containing olive oil and real lavender essential oil, you could use this as a shower product, but I actually ended up using it as a hand wash. Again you just needed a tiny amount mixed with warm water to produce a lovely creamy, moisturising hand wash. You can read my full review here, and whilst this still appears on the My Pure inventory it's currently out of stock, have a quick search online though and you can still find the range elsewhere.

So another 5 items to add to my 2019 empties total, As I say July was a definite improvement on the previous two months but I know I can do better and even though I'm off to a slow start in August I'm determined to do better this month. You know the drill, if you have any questions please leave me a comment below x 

*This Post Contains Both Affiliate And Non Affiliate Links 

**Press Samples

Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel And Yes To Carrots Hydrating Shower Gel - A Review For My Pure*

Over the last week and a bit the warm weather's meant I've embraced the salad big style, I love salads all that fab crunchy fresh veg, raw carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes - yum...OK I know tomatoes are technically a fruit but you get the idea ;) We all know how important it is to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, the vitamins and minerals that they provide are essential for our bones, our skin, our hair and our general well-being, but in this era of chemical, high tech ingredients we often forget that fruit and vegetables can work wonders in our skin, body, and hair care preparations.

US company Yes To Inc have used humble fruit and vegetables as the basis of their skin, haircare and body care lines. They have ranges of products based on blueberries, cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes tailored towards different hair and skin concerns. My first foray into Yes To was with the Yes To Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tints (click here to read my review), I have to be honest and say it really didn't rock my world but I would never let one product put me off a brand, so last month I went for two products from the Yes To stable to try out for My Pure.

I really couldn't decided what to choose so in the end I went for two body washes, one from Yes To Carrots and one from Yes To Tomatoes. Both of the body washes are formulated for different skin types and skin concerns and contain different active ingredients, but they both stay true to the Yes To philosophy and are free from parabens, SLS, and petroleum.

Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel

The first shower gel that I tried was from the Yes To Tomatoes brand - This product is described as a purifying shower gel which is ideal for combination skin. The key ingredient in this shower gel is obviously the humble tomato, tomatoes are really good for the skin, they contain huge amounts of lycopene which is an anti-oxidant which can help soothe, and smooth the skin. It also contains loads of other natural ingredients including watermelon extract which can help with clogged pores, green tea, red pepper extract, jojoba and sweet almond oils, and dead sea water.

The first thing you notice about this product is the size of the bottle, it is huge you get a massive 500ml of product - you can see the size of the bottle compared to my hand here!

The bottle has a flip top cap, so all you need to do it give it a little squeeze and the product dispenses quite easily. The gel itself is quite runny in texture and is a pale pearlised pink in colour.

You can use it in the shower where is produces a soft, gentle foam or in the bath where it produces loads of soft, silky SLS free bubbles.

This product feels great on the skin whether its used in the bath or the shower. I probably have normal skin on the majority of my body but my back is prone to a little bit of oiliness and I really think that this has helped. Don't think that if you have dry skin you wouldn't be able to use this, it's a brilliant, gentle shower gel for all skin types. I've really enjoying using this shower gel not only because of the feel but also because of the smell - OMG -  you not going to smell like tomato sauce, it actually has a beautiful soft fresh powdery smell, if you love Elemis Milk Bath or even the Ahava Salt Scrub I reviewed a while ago you will love this!!! - Great product, great smell!

Yes To Carrots Hydrating Shower Gel

Since we allegedly heading into summer I thought I'd try another shower product this time something to counteract summer dryness. Yes To Carrots Hydrating Shower Gel is marked towards people with normal to dry skin.

 As you would expect one of the key ingredients in this product is the humble carrot, carrots of full of beta carotene which is a great ingredient for drier summer skin. It also contains dead sea water to help lock in moisture, as well as moisturising ingredients such sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and olive oil

It comes in exactly the same packaging, and in the same massive size. The product itself is similar in texture, but this time it is pale orange in colour.

Again you can use it in the bath or shower, it produces the same soft foam when you use it in the bath, and again a lovely creamy lather when you use it in the shower.

This gel again has a light scent but this one is a tiny bit fruitier. This product, is a great cleanser and it's very gentle. I showered with this after a day in the sun and it caused no irritation or problems - another thumbs up from me x

I have to I loved both of these products - they were both super gentle and they left the skin clean and delicately scented but not dry or tight. If I was pushed I would probably say the Yes To Tomatoes Shower Gel is my favourite based on the scent but I would willing buy both products in the future. If your looking for great value SLS, paraben and petroleum free shower products then I would definitely recommend the Yes To Line - even Jasper approves - well they are cruelty free after all ;)

Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel 500ml and Yes To Carrots Hydrating Shower Gel 500ml both normally retail at £7.99 each from My Pure but there currently on special offer at only £5.99 each :) If you have any questions please let me know xx

*Press Samples

*As of May 2018 Yes To is no longer stocked on the My Pure website and these particular products also appear to have been discontinued and very hard to find elsewhere