Monthly Empties | Health, Beauty, Hair, Makeup

This empties post is long overdue! My empties bin has been overflowing for months and I had to recycle some just so this post wasn't too long and/or redundant.

Here, I'll share what I used up or what I'm discarding for one reason or another with mini reviews, and whether I would repurchase them or not.

Links to products will be provided in the headings if I can find one.

Hair

It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Conditioner 10 oz/ $30

This is the large sized bottle and it took me forever to use it up. I quite liked it but I recently tried FoxyBae's Leave-in Hair Mask (featured here) and I am preferring it to the It's a 10, at the moment.

Repurchase- I would like to try the version with keratin

Biologe HydraSource Conditioning Balm 500ml/ $32

I've always loved Biolage. This conditioning balm is great for dry and dehydrated hair. It definitely helps leave my dry hair feeling softer.

Repurchase- Yes

Skincare

Garnier Micellar Water for Dry/Sensitive Skin 400ml/ $15

This is a fabulous Micellar water. I use it as my AM cleanse and in the evening as my toner. It removes makeup, dirt, and oil and is gentle and doesn't dry out my skin.

Repurchase - Yes

The Ordinary Buffet Peptide Serum 60ml/ $15

I had really high hopes for this serum and I suppose it was okay but it didn't wow me. I did not notice any anti aging benefits like I did with the Sympli Peptide Serum listed below, now that one wowed me!!

Repurchase- Probably not but I'm not against trying it again because of the reasonable price

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil 30ml/ $24

This is a great alternative to Prescription Retin A! I used it in place of my Retin A when I had run out and it made my skin look and feel great and it only takes a few drops. It's like a dry oil, and it is hydrating and non irritating. I found that I could use it in places where I can't apply my Retin A like the mouth and nose areas etc.

Repurchase- Yes, if I'm out of my prescription Retin A

Sympli Beautiful Firming Triple Peptide Serum 30ml/$17 USD

This peptide serum blew me away! I read the reviews on iHerb when I saw it in the sale section of the website and I couldn't believe the reviews on it, so I had to try it for myself. Within 2 uses, my skin was so smoothed out and appeared much tighter aka less sagging. Read my full review on it here. There are no incentives to leave a positive review on iHerb, so I should have known but they just made it sound too good to be true. Luckily, it IS that good! You can use discount code AGU725 to get a discount on iHerb. 

Repurchase- I NEVER want to be without it! I have purchased 4 more so far!

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream - sample 

I enjoyed using this moisturizer as it is nice and soothing and hydrating. I don't notice any special anti aging benefits aside from moisturization, so I probably wouldn't purchase it because of its price tag. I find that I can get other moisturizers that perform just as well for less money. eg. Cetaphil Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid.

Repurchase- If at a great price

Whish Firming Sleeping Mask 60ml/ $54

Unfortunately, I was only able to use this on my neck as it made me breakout when I used it on my face. I did enjoy using it on my neck overtop of my serums and moisturizers to seal them in.

Repurchase- Possible for my neck only. Trying other neck creams for now

Makeup

Marc Jacobs Shameless Ýouthful Look Longwear Foundation 32ml/ $27

I loved this "foundation." I would consider it more of a BB cream or tinted moisturizer. It was very hydrating and had light-medium coverage that was very natural, just the way I like it. I found a cheap dupe though- Elf's BB Cream performs exactly the same for me at a fraction of the price! Read more about it here. 

Repurchase- If I find it at a great price again at Winner's or Marshall's!

It Cosmetics Lash Blow Out- sample

Loved this mascara! It gave me the big and long lashes that I love! It retails for about $24. I don't mind forking out that much money for a mascara for a special occasion, but for everyday use, I prefer to use something more affordable that gives me similar results like Essence Lash Princess Mascara for $5. 

L'oreal Collection Privee By JLo- Jennifer's Nude 370 / $10

Jennifer's Nude has been my favourite nude lipstick since it launched years ago! It's a pink/ nude and I think it would suit a lot of people. I still love it but don't wear lipstick very often since we are still wearing masks. Instead, I opt for tinted lip balms like Burt's Bees.

Milani Keep it Full Nourishing Lip Plumper in Soft Rose 3.7ml / $10

This was a gift from an online buddy and it became my favourite lip gloss. The colour is just what I like, a bit of a nude/ pink, my lips but better shade. It's super hydrating and really does make my lips look much fuller! There isn't any tingle or burn or anything, but it does work to make lips look more plump!

Health

VitaFusion Vitamin D3 1000IU 150 gummies $15

I'm not that picky about my Vitamin D3 supplements, I just happen to enjoy taking them in a gummy form as it makes them convenient to take, and they're yummy so it's easy to remember to take them. I also prefer the 1000IU so I can customize my dose and take more or less, depending on whether I'm getting a lot of sunshine or not. My blood levels of vitamin D are good, so I will continue to take it.

Repurchase- Yes

Garden of Life Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Women Multi Vitamin

Vitamin Code is my current favourite multi vitamin. I am rotating between this version for Women 50+ and the one below geared towards Women in general. I love that these are whole food vitamins that our bodies recognize and I feel better when I take them. I feel like they regulate my body as I sleep better and feel better overall. Garden of Life has several versions including ones for men, over 40 etc. Have a look at the ingredients and see which one has what your looking for. You really cannot go wrong with this brand, IMO.  Note: I sometimes take half of the recommended dose, depending on how I'm feeling, just to make my dollar go further.

Repurchase- Absolutely!

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Women Multi Vitamin

My thoughts on this multi are the same as for the one above by the same brand, just a different version. 

Repurchase- Already have!

Webber Naturals Super Sleep Tablets

I literally cannot live without this product! I have severe and chronic insomnia and this works wonders for me considering how bad my insomnia is. I take half of the recommended dose as that works best for me and also makes the product last twice as long. I take one tablet nightly and once my sleep starts to become more restless, I then take a break from this supplement (or any melatonin containing supplement), after a short break, I can return to it and it works great. Sometimes I take one if I wake prematurely and it usually helps me go back to sleep. I've also found it at Costco.

Repurchase- Yes!

Provita Astragalus Tablets

Astragalus is an adaptogenic herb with amino acids, trace minerals, and polyphenols. It's a great tonic and immune booster. It works as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory, and anti aging properties. I took it for adrenal fatigue and felt it worked well for that. I have also taken it in the past when my immune system plummeted after I was struck by a streetcar, and I found that it did indeed boost my immune system as I stopped getting sick all the time. Note: I took the Now Foods brand of Astragalus and will continue to take that brand. 

Repurchase- Yes, I would purchase Astragalus by Now Foods in the future

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I used up and maybe found some of the information helpful. Remember to always consult with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any new supplements. 

See you next week!

Post contains affiliate links.

Best Eyebrow Growth Serum | ADOREYES eyebrow enhancing serum

stock pic

Featured product:

Adoreyes Eyebrow Enhancing Serum - 6ml /SRP $79.99 CAD

Where to buy:

Amazon 

Acting on All Three Brows Growth Phases to Achieve Thicker, Fuller and Healthier Eyebrows

ADOREYES Plus Brows growth serum acts on all three phases of the brows growth cycle with Triple Peptide Complex. With time-released peptides, your brows will become thicker and voluminous looking, and you will be able to grow back your overplucked eyebrows. Merged with Hydro and Vitamins Booster, Natural Extracts, and DHT Blockers, our brow serum will condition and stimulate natural keratin and collagen production to keep your brow hair protected from breakage and dryness.

I used this brands lash serum and had such good results that I decided to take the plunge and give the brow serum a go. I was doubtful that my eyebrows had the ability to grow back at all after years of plucking them super thin. Plus, I had almost finished a whole tube of another brand's eyebrow serum and it did absolutely nothing for my brows after months of use.

I took a picture of my eyebrows just before starting the AdorEyes brow serum, that was on July 25th. I used this brow serum almost every day since (I missed to occasional day here and there). I took the after picture on August 20th, just under 4 weeks later and I am beyond excited to see the results in such a short period of time! Which confirms to me that my eyebrows can indeed grow back with the right serum!

Other good things to note, the doe foot picks up just enough product for your brows so no product is wasted. It's super quick and easy to apply. The click up style applicator from another brand made it so I couldn't control how much came out and a lot was wasted. Adoreyes can be used AM and /or PM. There was no irritation at all. When I used during the day, I applied before any makeup. Since the doe foot applicator only brings out a small amount of product, which is all you need, it will last for a long time!

Based on my experience after only 4 weeks of use, I expect to see even greater results with more time, and I'm so here for it!

Purchase here. 

Post contains affiliate links

No Need to Be Nervous: Here's Exactly What Will Happen During Your Colonoscopy

 

So, your doctor wants you to have a colonoscopy? No worries. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect and why you shouldn’t be nervous.

 

Your doctor may prescribe a colonoscopy if you have gastrointestinal problems, such as blood in the stool or a change in bowel habits that lasts more than two weeks. The procedure is also

prescribed for patients with an increased risk of developing colon cancer due to a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colorectal polyps or a family history of colorectal cancer. It’s used to check your colon for polyps, tumors and other health problems such as ulcers or hemorrhoids. 

 

What Is a Colonoscopy, and How Is It Performed?

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that checks the inside of the large intestine by inserting an endoscope into the rectum. An endoscope is a long, tubular instrument that is about a half-inch in diameter with a light and camera on one end. It lets your physician examine the entire colon to view tissue in detail and check for irregular growths or other problems; it can even take biopsies, if necessary, and remove polyps that can lead to colon cancer. So, that’s pretty neat!

 

Your colonoscopy will be a quick procedure—usually 15 minutes. The endoscope will transmit the images of the inner walls of the rectum and colon in real-time on a screen.

 

Preparing for and During Your Colonoscopy

Before your colonoscopy, your doctor you will be prescribed medications that will clean out your colon.

 

While the procedure is relatively painless, it can make people feel anxious and uncomfortable, which may contribute to a feeling of discomfort. During the procedure you will be sedated (put to sleep) and you will not feel any discomfort.

 

Having your questions answered helps, too, so if you have any concerns or more questions after this article, talk to your doctor; she’ll be happy to help you understand your colonoscopy process.

 

Aftercare and Recovery

Expect to stay in a recovery room for at least half an hour after your colonoscopy for observation while the sedatives wear off. You should be able to resume your regular activities in a few hours but plan on having someone drive you home from the procedure.

 

Some patients have reported feeling some pain or cramping after the procedure, particularly when passing gas.

 

Expect the doctor to tell you when you can eat and drink again. You should be able to resume your regular diet within a day or so. Still, the doctor might recommend avoiding solid foods for two days following the colonoscopy procedure and only consuming liquids.

 

For more info on what to expect before, during and after a colonoscopy, contact Gastro MD. We are cutting-edge clinical gastroenterology practice and set the standard in digestive health care.

Best Lip Repair Treatment | Doll 10 Perfect Pout Ultra Repair

As someone who has perpetually dry and dehydrated lips, I'm always trying new lip products designed to hydrate and repair my lips. Most of them fall short for me. 

I'm so happy to share that I have a new favourite lip treatment that actually delivers!

I'm talking about Doll 10 Perfect Pout Ultra Repair Night Therapy.   $24/ 3g

Description

Total therapy for your lips brought to you by The Lip Authority. We’ve looked at the source of where dry lips start and developed a system that will renew, repair and restore thirsty lips on a cellular level instead of just masking the problem. 3 g / 0.10 oz. Made in Canada.

Doll 10 Perfect Pout Ultra Repair Night Therapy transformed by dry and dehydrated lips after using it for only 2 consecutive nights! 

The product is quite thick and sticky, but that's a good thing. It not only hydrates my lips, but seals in the moisture. I find most lip balms have to be reapplied every other minute! Not with this product. I apply a thin coat to my lips before bed and wake up with my lips still hydrated. This makes my aging, dry, and dehydrated lips appear much more youthful, plump, hydrated, and my lip lines are so smoothed out. 

I love the way it makes my lips look and feel so much that I also wear it during the day. It lasts for such a long time that I don't have to keep reapplying it. 

Although the jar is small at 3 grams, you need very little product. And, because I don't have to keep reapplying it, I'm sure this little jar will last quite a while.

I haven't tested out Doll 10's lip exfoliator yet, but it's on my list to try next.

We are giving Doll 10's Perfect Pout a 10 out of 10! It's absolutely the most hydrating and long lasting, lip transforming, age-defying lip balm that I have used so far, and I've tried A LOT of lip balms and treatments! 

The list of ingredients is extensive so I will link to the product page if you want to check it out. This product is also vegan.

If you are like me and constantly searching for a lip treatment that really works and gives your lips that youthful, hydrated, and plump look, give this a try.

Doll 10 is a cruelty-free brand 🐰 

Doll 10 Perfect Pout retails for $24CAD and contains 3g of product. 

Click here to purchase. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Best Anti-Aging Serum For Sagging Aging Skin | No Botox Required

Stock photo

Featured Product:
Sympli Beautiful Firming Triple Peptide Serum

Size: 30 ml

Retail: $17 USD/ $21.92CAD

Where to buy:
iHerb.com (get $ off with discount code AGU725)


About:

• Sympli™  Beautiful Firming Triple Peptide Serum
• Chamomile & Bergamot Age-Defying Serum
• Peptide Complex plus Hyaluronic Acid
• Beautifully Cruelty Free
• Free of Sulfates, Parabens & Silicone

Sympli™  what’s best for your skin.

Sympli™  Beautiful­­ Firming Triple Peptide Serum utilizes multiple peptides to help stimulate the skin, encouraging it to look more plump and firm while relaxing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This beautiful chamomile and bergamot infused serum delivers remarkable visual improvements.

Stock photo

If there's one type of product that I'm willing to spend more money on, it's skincare. Haircare too, but this post is all about skincare. 

I've tried A LOT of anti-aging lotions and potions. Most of the skincare products that I've tried don't do a whole lot when it comes to firming the skin. However, I have had good success in the past with Biotulin and Robin McGraw's Revelation, and both have been featured here on Healthandbeautygirl.com.

I also recommend checking out Zo Skin Health reviews. The brand takes a comprehensive approach to skincare, offering products that not only address sagging skin but also target other common skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, acne, and fine lines.

Recently, I came across Sympli Beautiful Firming Triple Peptide Serum one night while shopping on iHerb.com.  I had never heard of this serum or this brand before but it was on sale in iHerb's clearance section and the reviews sounded WAY too good to be true! From experience, I know that there is only so much that skincare can do when it comes to firming or lifting the skin, but reviewers said this serum did just that. Because of the clearance price at the time, I figured that I had nothing to lose, so I threw it in the cart.

Fast forward a few days and I received my iHerb order (pretty quickly from the USA as usual from iHerb), I used it that day and night. The next morning, I looked it the mirror and thought holy s*it! I wondered, is this what I'd look like with botox!? My skin was so smoothed out, and looked so much firmer, I couldn't believe it! I realized that I had pretty much stopped looking in the mirror as I wasn't liking what aging was doing to my skin. I'd much rather deal with wrinkles than sagging. And, of course, sagging is much more difficult to address.  Let me tell you, those reviews on this product were no exaggeration! This inconspicuous little bottle full of peptides did wonders for my skin! Now, I couldn't stop looking in the mirror! I saw my younger self. My skin was snatched and jowls less prominent,  everything was lifted! I've used many peptide serums (including The Ordinary Buffet Serum) and never had results like this! I should have believed the reviews on iHerb, even though they sounded to good to be true, because there is no incentive on iHerb to leave a positive review. I'm here to back up all those rave reviews from my experience. This little serum is hands-down THE best anti aging product that I've used for firming and smoothing the skin. I think that the more your skin is sagging, the more you will notice a difference. 

I used 2 pumps of the serum AM and PM which covered my face, neck, and decolletage, and the bottle lasted for about a month. I applied various moisturizers over top of the serum for extra hydration.  I didn't find the serum hydrating enough on its own, but it is the product that made all of the magic happen with my skin. I only wish it came in a jumbo size! I have so much other skincare to use up, and once I do, this will be my go-to serum. I do wish that it was priced lower, although I wouldn't consider it expensive, I just felt like I went through it rather quickly. Perhaps I can use one pump vs the two that I had been using.

If you are like me and have sagging, aging skin, and you just can't find anything that really snatches your skin so you look like that younger version of yourself, give this a try! Then come back and let me know how it went for you!

You can get money off with my referral code AGU725 or use this link to have the discount applied automatically.   

Let me know if you try it! If you are sagging and/or want a smoothed out look without the Botox, definitely give this hidden little gem a try. Just make sure to leave some stock there for me! 

This brand is Cruelty-free 🐰 

This post contains affiliate links that helps us bring you content. Thank you if you choose to use them. 💕

New Study Shows COVID Could Be Treated for Less than $1 a Day

A double-blind study of an antiparasitic drug that’s been in the news a lot lately not only shows that the drug can reduce the duration and infectiousness of COVID-19, but can do all that on less than $1 a day.

That drug is ivermectin, and professor Eli Schwartz, founder of the Center for Travel Medicine and Tropical Disease at Sheba, says his studies, recently published on RXiv, show it is a cost-effective treatment that can help shorten the infection period. Schwartz studied 89 volunteers diagnosed with the virus. Half received ivermectin; the other half, a placebo.

“Nearly 72% of volunteers treated with ivermectin tested negative for the virus by Day 6,” The Jerusalem Post reported. “In contrast, only 50% of those who received the placebo tested negative.” And, besides feeling better quicker, fewer ivermectin patients also were found to be infectious — 13%, compared to 50% of the placebo group.

The findings also showed that “there is almost a 100% chance that a person will be noninfectious in four to six days,” Schwartz said.

Ivermectin is an inexpensive drug that was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1987 for treatment of a parasitic roundworm.

 

SOURCE: The Jerusalem Post August 2, 2021

Source: Dr. Mercola August 3, 2021 (reprinted) 

The Best Leave in Conditioner for Bleached and Damaged Hair | FoxyBae Leave in Hair Mask

Featured product:

FoxyBae 12 in 1 Magic Daily Leave in Hair Mask

Size: 8oz

SRP: $19.99

Where to buy:

Winner's, Marshall's - check local stores 

FoxyBae 

Amazon 

About:

Cruelty-free! 🐰 

The curse of bad hair days is finally over! Our Magic 12-in-1 Blend is formulated from the most nourishing, moisturizing, nutritious ingredients on the planet! Our 12 luxurious butters, oils, and proteins were crafted into this daily all-purpose, no rinse mask to be your magic potion against frizz, split ends and dull hair. 

Ingredients:

Aqua, Quaternium-91, Behentrimonium Chloride, Myristyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Amodimethicone, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed (Baobab) Extract, Hydrolyzed Orysa Sativa Protein, Eugenia Uniflora Fruit (Pitanga) Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis (Monoi) Flower, Tocopherol, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed (Kukui) Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed (Tsubaki) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed (Macadamia) Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit (Amla) Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Hexyl cinnamal, Buthylphenyl Methylpropional, d-Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate.

If you have bleached and damaged hair like me, you're probably always looking for the next best thing to help your hair look and feel better. I know I always am!

I saw this leave in hair mask by FoxyBae at Marshall's, and although I hadn't heard anything about it, I decided to give it a try as it was on clearance so I didn't have much to lose. I couldn't wait to try it out. I'm always eager full of hope when I get a new hair product full of promises of better looking and feeling hair. 

Since I started doing my own highlights, and maybe because I've accumulated more greys, my hair texture is so dry, brittle, and rough, on top of already being naturally fine and frizzy. The only way to make my hair look semi-decent these days is to apply a lot of heat with heat tools. But, since I'm trying to avoid more damage, I try and stay away from heat tools other than a basic blow dry. I have naturally curly and frizzy hair, and like it smooth, so going Au Natural is not gonna happen.

Since I'm always trying new hair products, looking for something that REALLY works for my damaged and difficult hair, I'm usually disappointed.  I came home with my new FoxyBae leave in hair mask, eager to try it, but ready for disappointment.  I shampood and conditioned as usual, then applied FoxyBae's leave in mask in place of my other leave in conditioners and treatments.  I used about 10 pumps, sprayed into the palm of my hand because it has a lotion consistency, this made for a more even application.  After blow drying my hair, I was wowed! Nothing has made my dry and rough hair feel soft like FoxyBae's Leave in Mask did, and it actually controls my frizz, and doesn't weigh my hair down at all. Plus, it didn't just work the first time (like some products can), it has kept my hair feeling soft and looking so much healthier and presentable than before each and every time that I've used it! 

I try not to buy backups of products anymore but I'm going to have to do just that! I'm afraid of running out of this fabulous hair-changing mask! And, hoping they don't ever discontinue it or change the formula! 

I don't know if it's making my hair any healthier, but it's making my hair look and feel SO much better! I still have other products that are supposed to "repair" damaged hair, but none of them have improved the look and feel of my hair like this product has.

If you have bleached, or dry, or damaged hair that feels rough in texture,  I highly recommend you give this and try.. then come back here and let me know how it worked for you! 

FoxyBae's Leave in Hair Masks lotion like consistency 

This is hands-down the best leave in hair product that I've ever tried! I'm so glad we found each other FoxyBae! 💖

Purchase FoxyBae Daily Leave in Hair Mask here!

FoxyBae is Cruelty-free 🐰 

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support if you choose to use them!