Monthly Empties | Health, Beauty, Skincare Favourites and Fails!

Happy Friday, everyone! 💗

I'm way overdue for an empties post. I can't believe my last one was in January (linked here).

I had so many empties since then that I just had to toss some in the recycling as my empties box was severely overflowing.

I'll keep my reviews for each product as brief as possible and provide links to products whenever possible.

Skincare & Beauty

L'Oreal Wrinkle Expert 45+ Day/ Night Moisturizer (gifted)

I LOVED this moisturizer! I have never looked to L'Oreal for my skincare before, just their makeup but this moisturizer was as good as high-end products in my opinion. It was really hydrating and made my skin feel great, and it's SO affordable! Now I want to try the one for 55+ even though I'm not over 55 yet, but the more antiaging the better as far as I'm concerned. Seems that drugstore skincare has really stepped up their game! I was also blown away by Cetaphil's new moisturizer! L'Oreal Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Yes

Paula's Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster 

I love using oils to seal in my serums and moisturizers. This oil booster has a blend of oils plus ceramides and argan oil. I do like this oil but I feel like any oil gives me the same effect, whether it be argan, almond oil, or avocado oil which are a few of my favourites, and they can be purchased in large quantities at low prices. I usually get mine on iHerb as they are usually even cheaper there. Paula's Choice is linked HERE.

Repurchase- Possibly

Organic Nation More Than Rose Hydration Mist (gifted)

This is a gorgeous rose toner that's just about as organic as you can get. It's packed with amazing, skin-loving ingredients. I found it very soothing and hydrating and the scent was gorgeous! I love using it to set my makeup and to layer my skincare for better absorption. If it was more accessible and priced lower, I would definitely purchase it. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- No

Eco Tools Mask Remover Sponges

I adore these sponges. I don't just use them to remove my face masks, I also use them when I cleanse my face and remove my makeup. They are so gentle on my skin but help to remove all traces of dirt and makeup, plus, I get a bit of exfoliation with them. They are made of the same materials used in high-end spas! They are so cheap on iHerb and I'm always stocking up! I replace mine every few months. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- YES!

Simon & Tom BB Cream All-in-one Beautifying Balm SPF 15 (Light)

I loved this BB cream! I needed the tiniest amount and it evened out my skin tone and it looked like my skin but better! The only issue for me was that it's too dark for me and this was the shade light :( It lasted forever, too! Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Even though the light is too dark for me, I still may repurchase as I was able to make it work by applying very little. I loved the effect on my skin!

Maybelline Brow Precise Fiber Volumizer

Tinted brow fibres are my preferred way to groom my brows. Unfortunately, I could not make this product work for me. The brush is just too large for me. I always ended up with too much product and it would end up all other my eye area and I'd have to clean it up. I went back to my favourite one by Essence. The Maybelline one has great reviews, so perhaps it's user error. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- No

Sally Hansen Salon Manicure in I Lilac You

I am decluttering this polish. It looks more like a baby blue on me. Every time I put it on, I immediately want to take it off. So it has to go! I think it would suit someone with a darker skin tone.

Repurchase- Not this shade

Cocoa Locks Chocolate Hair Shake (gifted)

I adore this product! I had amazing results with it. I was losing heaps of hair and once I started the Cocoa Locks, the shedding stopped. I have before and after pics and a full review here. This stuff is the real deal. I was grateful to receive it in PR but unfortunately, it's not in my current budget.  Note: there is also a Hot Chocolate version. Both are good! Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- When it's in my budget, yes!!!!

Health & Wellness

GNC SuperFoods Ultra Mega-Green Women's Whole Food Advanced Multivitamin
This was my first time purchasing this multivitamin. It was on sale, so I decided to give it a shot. I also read that GNC had met many standards through 3rd party testing. I have to say, I was impressed. I felt good while taking these and noticed improvements with regularity right away. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Yes

Paradise Herbs Orac-Energy Greens 
This product won Best of Supplements. It has alkalizing greens plus freeze-dried berries and veggies, superfood concentrates, herbal adaptogens, probiotics and more! It's great in smoothies, I just kept forgetting to take it. I do love the blend of ingredients in this product and the fact that it's an award-winner. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Yes

Now Food Glycine Powder
If you follow my blog, you've heard me talk about this product before. I purchased it for its claims to help with sleep. Although I did not notice an improvement with my sleep, it did make a significant difference with my daytime stress levels. I still have stress but not as much. I have to take a full teaspoon of this in my bottle of water. I won't be without this product! Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Heck Yah!

Bach Flowers Rescue Night Spray
Although this product is certainly not a cure-all for my severe insomnia, it does seem to help somewhat so I always keep it on hand. Bach flowers have a very gentle and subtle action on the system. Would probably do wonders for those with less severe sleep issues. I even take a few sprays when I wake up and it often helps me go back to sleep. It's all natural and doesn't have any contraindications with medications. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Yes

Mercola Sleep Support With Melatonin
This has to be my best discovery for help with sleep in a LONG time! I can only imagine how it would help someone with less severe insomnia that what I have. The first night that I took it, I passed out almost immediately. My body gets used to things, so I no longer pass out immediately, but it does help. I did find that my magic dose is 2 sprays per night and the same if I wake in the middle of the night. The recommended dose is 6 sprays but you can customize it to your needs very easily. I use it every night in addition to other sleep aids. I always buy it in bulk! Can purchase HERE.

Repurchase- Oh ya!

Hyalogic HyaFlex for Cats, Oral Hyaluronic Acid, Joint Care

This product is pricey but worth it. Within 2 hours after my cats first dose, he was charging around the house like a kitten. I give him half of the recommended dose to make it last longer. If I need to, I will up the dose but he seems fine with half the dose. There is also a formula for dogs (linked here). I cannot recommend this enough if you have an ageing pet or one who has joint issues. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Yes

Now Foods Better Stevia French VanillaI have this stevia in about 5 flavours. They are not bitter at all and a bottle lasts for years! I use them in everything you can think of from baking to smoothies, coffee, tea and more. It's super affordable and great tasting. Can be purchased HERE.

Repurchase- Yes

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I finished up recently, what I loved and what didn't work for me.

*Remember to always check with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any new supplements

Some links are referral links and support this site. Thank you if you choose to use them!

All opinions are mine :)

Week 4: My Health and Weight Loss Journey to Get Fit and Lose Weight!

This is my week 4 update of my health and weight loss journey. Here is a link to last weeks if you'd like to check it out.

I didn't even get a chance to do this post until today. It was a super busy week for me.

My Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD broke on me right at the beginning of level 3! So much for finding out if I would have gotten ripped in 30....

I will say that level 3 was tougher. The exercises weren't as enjoyable as in the other 2 levels. I had some trouble with balance during week 3/level 3- and I usually have great balance.

I will also say that I've come to realize that I don't enjoy doing the same workout every day. 

Although, if the DVD didn't break on me, I would have continued with the DVD for the 4 weeks, just to see what kind of results I would have gotten (even if I wasn't able to do the workout every single day).

I have plenty of other DVD's that I can use and rotate through. I think I will enjoy it more when I change up what I am doing more often.

After my J.M. DVD bit the dust, I hit up my treadmill for a little workout.

Here are my workouts of the week:

Day 1- J.M. Ripped in 30 - week 3/level 3

Day 2- No workout

Day 3- J.M. Ripped in 30- week 3/ level 3 (DVD broke!)

Day 4- 30 minutes of HIIT on treadmill (walk 2 min / jog 1 min) + 50 bike crunches + 40 squats with overhead press (8lb weights) + 20 pushups + 40 arm curls (8lb weights)

Day 5- No workout (Thanks to a "visitor") ugh. 

Day 6- No workout  "

Day 7- 20 minute walk on treadmill

I did weigh in Friday morning.

My weight - no change

Fat % - no change

waah!

I hope this coming week will be better and I hope to see some results when I weigh in next Friday.

Have you found any great at home workout DVD's? I would love to find a few new and enjoyable one's that work!

Amy
xoxo

Week 3: My Health and Weight Loss Journery to Get Fit and Lose Weight!

Today is the end of week 3 of my health and weight loss journey. I totally fell of the "workout wagon" this week. I'm not going to make any excuses, I'm just going to climb back on.  (Here is week 2 if you missed it).

I came across the picture above of Dr. Jeffry Life while I was online this week. He is my inspiration this week to keep going.

I looked him up online after I saw this photo. He is now 77 and looks even better than in the above picture. Here's his website if you are interested in checking it out https://www.drlife.com/

Dr. Life goes to the gym 5 days a week. He has written 3 books on health and diet. It also states on his website that he's been on a number of TV shows. I had never heard of him until I saw this photo online but he's definitely captured my interest and I would like to learn more about what he has to say. I think it's pretty amazing to keep a physique like that in his 70's. I just want 1/2 of that and I'm a few decades younger, so I know I can do it!

If this man isn't inspiring, I don't know what is.

I'll be back next Friday with an update on the week to come. Hopefully, I'll do much better this week!

See you then!

Amy

xoxo

Week 2: My Health and Weight Loss Journery to Get Fit and Lose Weight!

Today marks 2 weeks since I started my journey to get fit. 

Last weeks post is linked here.

I treated myself to some workout shorts (pictured above) from Old Navy. They were on sale for around $7 a piece. I paid less with a coupon as you can see in this fun fashion haul!

I get too hot to workout in the summer so I really needed some shorts instead of leggings. I love these ones but I definitely wouldn't wear them to the gym. They are really short!

I continued this week with Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD.

This week I started week 2/level 2 of Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD. 

I found the workout more challenging but still doable. 

I still have to modify my push-ups.

It was nice to begin a new workout as I was getting bored from doing the same one everyday and the extra challenge was nice as well. 

Here are my workouts for this past week:

Day 1- 20 Minutes on stepper
Day 2- Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 (week 2/level 2)
Day 3- " (same as above)
Day 4- " (same as above)
Day 5- 30 minutes on stepper
Day 6- J.M. Ripped in 30 (week 2/ level 2)
Day 7- No workout

I weighed in this morning and there was no change from last week. It was disappointing after doing so much work - I went from doing nothing to working out everyday. But, I can feel muscles developing and that's motivation enough.

I'm excited to start week 3/ level 3 of the Ripped in 30 DVD and see how it goes.

I also have some nutritional supplements that I'm adding into my routine and it will be interesting to see if those help over the next week.

What workouts are you doing to get in shape? If you're just starting out like I am, let me know what you're doing to get in shape.

Amy

xo