I'm gonna make this short and sweet. I ordered tons of shower gels for my bf and I, got tons of holiday stuff, and birthday coupons start to roll in come December! It's about time to review the empties project and my spending habit in year 2013 *face palm*. Anyways, to the empties of November:
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Solution (Jumbo size) - reviewed before, this WILL BE a continuous staple in the bathroom, even my derm nodded his head when he asked me what am I using to remove makeup (however he shook his head when I told him I"m using a cream cleanser as a skincare product, uh oh! More on that later). I had to mention this again, there's just something with the pump dispenser which I hate with passion, the solution spritze everywhere!
Johnson's Baby Shampoo (Jumbo size) - I use it for washing my brushes but I WILL NOT buy this again. There's nothing 'gentle' about this formula if you read the ingredients list closely. I've found a better soap to wash brushes, hell yeah!
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream - Utter cr*p. It says supposedly you should use this in the AM, (it took forever to finish), while the feeling was pleasant after application, I don't think it did much difference and I won't buy it again.
Hakugen 5-layer cotton puffs - I've finished another box again! These are great for makeup removal, in particular when you frequently use micellar water.
L'Occitane Rose 4 Reines Velvet Hand Cream - It's light on the skin and won't really help if you've got really dry hands. The scent also smells annoying and bland.
Crabtree & Evelyn Goatmilk Body Lotion - I adore this scent, it smells like babies. Unfortunately I'm on the look for more 'clean' products (ingredients-wise), so sad I won't be buying this anymore.
Burberry Eye Makeup Remover - If I had to draw a comparison with the Origins GinZing eye cream above? This eye makeup remover wins in the "cr*p" category, the formula is not the friendliest of eye makeup removers, it slightly irritated my eyes and you have to pump a lot onto the cotton puff to remove eye makeup thoroughly, so not user-friendly when compared with bi-phase removers.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Serum - It smells nice, skin seems to drink in but leaves a sticky residue after application. Needless to say this is the least thing my skin wants.
Giorgio Armani Luminessence Bright Revelator BB Fluid SPF 50 PA+++ - I love the high SPF, but it's not a BB cream per se, its slight tint won't be able to cover up any blemishes. That said, if you have perfect, even toned skin, this might be a great sunscreen plus radiance booster. My skin is far from perfect, I used it as a primer, and this cream can feel a bit waxy.
Kiehl's Algae Mask - This was discontinued in the brand's motherland? Anyways the texture is like hard mousse, if that makes sense. It's supposed to calm and replenish skin, this is an OK product but didn't WOW me.
Jill Stuart Moist Silk Foundation - Still got some leftover bottles to clear.
Chanel Demaquillant Yeux Intense Eye makeup remover - Loved this thing, can't have enough.
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser - The cream felt a bit too light for cleansing, but the texture might just be what my sensitive skin needed at the moment. I've ordered the full size when there was a great promotion with a full size hand cream from the same brand.
Muji Organic Moisturizing Lotion - It's in fact a toner, I can't remember if it carries any scent, but it felt good enough on the skin. I'm not entirely certain if I want to buy this again just because the ingredients are written in Japanese, and I don't know what is in the bottle without being able to read anything.
Chanel Sublime de Chanel Mascara in Black - This smudged so badly after 2-3 hours?! And the formula leans a bit dry, although that might have to do with how long I've had this mascara in the drawer.
Apivita Express Gold with Prickly Pear - A mask tailored for intense moisture replenishing. Apivita products look clean, but I've found cleaner products, waiting to be tested.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Complex (TOSSED) - I remembered the days when I first discovered this product, it seems to be a do-everything solution to my eye problems. However I suspect something in the formula broke my eye area out with cystic acne, also noticed is the smell going rancid after opening for more than a year.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (TOSSED) - This concealer is almost industrial strength goodness, but it was just too old so it had to go.
Full Size: (47) + 11 = 58
Deluxe Samples: (73) + 6 = 79
Small / Packet samples: (68) + 1 = 69
Masks: (80) + 1 = 81
Tossed: (15) + 2 = 17
I've thought about a good deal whether to continue with the monthly empties post in year 2014, what do you guys think?
Hey girl, a quick heads-up about the Caudalie serum: it really helps if your skin/hands are just a little humid! If I try to put it on with completely dry hands and face, it is sticky. However, if I move a bit faster after I have just cleansed my face, it is absorbed within seconds!
ReplyDeleteHi sunny! Idk if its just me or other have it too, for some reason Caudalie doesn't get along with my skin - I tried their Vinoperfect night cream and day fluid, both are a bit sticky :S I still have their vinosource serum to try next!
DeleteContinue with the empties! Or at least do it quarterly?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacq! I think doing the empties post (be it how often it is) definitely made me more conscious about my spending habit and consuming pattern, I'll keep it but trying to make it more sustainable (to blog about)!
DeleteWow! That's a lot of empties!
ReplyDeleteAny good eye cream that you would recommend?
Hi Raspy! It depends what you're looking for - hydration, fine lines, pigmentation? Natural or mainstream? For fine lines I like Lavera My Age Intensive Eye Cream and Trilogy Eye Contour Cream (both had been reviewed on my blog). I also like Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye cream to be used at night! I heard Origins Plantscription eye treatment got raves from other bloggers as well :)
DeleteI'm looking for an eye cream for hydration and fine lines, prefer mainstream since there it will be easier to get my hands on it.. I don't think Lavera and Trilogy is sold in my country..
DeleteI have samples of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream, but I don't dare to use it as the concentrate broke me out and my eye contours has just recovered from a bout of sensitivity.. Perhaps I should get a sample of the Origins Plantscription to try instead!!
I also did not like the Origins GinZing eye cream, or any Origins eye cream for that matter. They don't deliver on any of the claims and the formulas all feel the same to me. Also, I vote for more empties posts too!
ReplyDeleteP.S. It makes me sad that you had to suffer through so many dud products TT-TT
LOL what did you do with dud products Ashley? I"m curious! Some duds I just toss, esp those I know that won't work for my skin!
DeleteI heard the Origins Plantscription eye treatment/eye cream is great, but haven't tried it yet.
Wow, good job on finishing up a lot of products! Other than the baby shampoo, all of the products I have never tried. Thanks for your quick reviews on them too.
ReplyDelete*Kat*
it's nice to read your empties post too Kat! Let's keep them up LOL!
Delete