Empties: July - September

It's been a while since the last empties post - I think I have photographed one or two of the empties twice by mistake, sorry about that! Work has been getting in the way and my room is a mess right now, which means more empties must come forth!

L'oreal Ever Sleek Sulfate-free Shampoo & Conditioner - The shampoo is alright, I do enjoy using the conditioner, although  come winter time it's not moisturizing enough.

Jill Stuart Berry Scrub - Too much of gel / jelly but not so much scrubby beads, not so effective if you are really looking for exfoliation.

Apivita Cream with Calendula - Not the most effective calendula cream on the market, I'd choose Weleda or Jurlique one over this.

Luzern Laboratories Force De Vie Cream - ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS. It's like a gallon of oxygen being pumped to your nostrils (& pores). Skin looks positively radiant and plump. 

The Body Shop Virgin Mojito Body Sorbet - Such a lovely lime scent and the texture is wonderful for hot hot summers. 

Cremorlab Nutrition Deep Hydroplus Intensive Mask - Hydrogel mask doesn't soak the mask liquid well enough as fabric ones do, although the former one does hug the face tightly. This is also more expensive than the Herb Tea Calming range, won't be repurchasing.

KAO steam eye mask - Love these for a quick wind-down before dozing off.

Astalift Day Protector - The sunscreen is light orange in color and sticky, peels off.

Mrs Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap in Basil - Very fragrant, not basil-y at all, the lathering isn't as squeaky clean as Dr. Bronner's (I think I'm spoiled by Dr. Bronner's lather!). Won't buy this scent again.

Clarins White Plus Pearl-to-Cream Brightening Cleanser - Also quite fragrant, I don't like the texture of this, would prefer a creamy cleanser that doesn't require foaming action.

Yverum hyaluronic acid serum - Very expensive for what it is in the green market, also it smells of alcohol denat. Not great.

Yverum Hyaluronic acid cream - Also very expensive although it feels good on the skin. 

Mediheal Placenta Revital Essential Mask - Not as great as the Moisturizing nor the brightening one by the same brand.

 

Bioderma Crealine Micellar - Staple first cleanse for when I wore makeup / sunscreen.

Korres Jasmine Shower Gel - Contains SLS (shock I know), the floral scent too cloying after a while. SO GLAD it's gone.

 

Wet wipes - For body.

Elta Broad Spectrum SPF30 Face and Body Sunscreen - Nice mineral sunscreen. Doesn't look white. Coming from the same brand as Elta MD I think?

DiorSnow White Reveal Perfecting Makeup Base SPF35 PA+++ - Light baby blue in color that seems to color-correct. However I think it's long past its due date so it has to go.

Sofina Primavista Ange Long Keep Base UV - Think this is SPF30 or SPF25, the dry down is perfect and the liquid is baby pink so it'll color-correct any yellowness or sallowness of the skin. But it also has alcohol in it. Both of these are chemical sunscreens instead of mineral ones.

Apivita Mask with Orange - Zesty and cooling on the skin but nothing more.

Neogence Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Mask - Not as packed with moisture as I'd think even though it touted hyaluronic acid for this line.

Rhamnia Bynata Daily Face Cream with Sea Buckthorn - Anything sea buckthorn piques my interest and curiousity, but this cream is too greasy.

Logona Balancing Shampoo with Lemon Balm - This shampoo is definitely more clarifying instead of balancing, I'd recommend using once every 10 days otherwise it'll be drying your hair out if you have a dry scalp. Which probably explains why this tube has been sitting in the bathroom for a long time.

Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Scrub - LOVE the Pure Fiji range but it's impossible to get outside Fiji, I also heard the stock within Fiji is always in shortage which is a shame because this line can totally flourish with the right marketing and distribution overseas. Back to the scrub, it's emollient, not greasy at all and leaves your skin glowy after a scrub in the shower! Smells like vanilla beans too.

Green People Toothpaste in Peppermint & Aloe Vera (TOSSED) - This tooth gel is CRAP. Cannot get it to stay on the toothbrush after squeezing out, no cleansing nor foaming actions inside the mouth. It felt like a goop that disappeared in your mouth as soon as you brush it. Life is too short to endure crappy toothpaste (which will affect your mood for an entire day).

Neogence Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Bio-Cellulose Mask - The hyaluronic acid range by Neogence has lots, lots of products and they have 2 types of masks for this range alone, the bio-cellulose one, and the paper one I wrote above. Both ones aren't impressive.

Jason Sea Fresh toothpaste - This is what I alternate with the AloeDent one. Remember this is the paste, not gel formula.

Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV in 02 - Countless tubes of this has been finished before. Still a staple.

Canmake Gokunobi Mascara - IDK if it's just me or what, but Canmake mascaras don't do anything on my lashes. 

Ettusais x Swati themed Lip Essence Stick and Lip Essence - The stick form doesn't have a slip to it so it's like dry Pritt glue stick applied on your mouth (even the Pritt smells way nicer). The tube one doesn't moisturize at all, and makes my lips peel.

HURRAW Earl Grey Lip Balm - Too waxy, not enough slip to it. Doesn't moisturize well and most importantly, even though I'm a huge fan of earl grey (& teas in general), this scent gets cloying after a while and not such a close resemblance to real earl grey teas at all.

KATE Quick Eyeliner - Love the tip of the eyeliner but this smudged. Sad. 

Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask - Staple for sensitive / red skin days post-facial.

Neogence Ceramide Moisturizing Mask - This isn't moisturizing at all, I truly think I should stop exploring Neogence mask lines right now.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Booster Serum - Feels like a goop of silicone instead of a serum with green origins. Doesn't smell like the typical Juice Beauty products either.

Mediheal VITA Lightbeam Essential Mask - Staple brightening mask after moisturizing one (below).

Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Ampoule Mask - Staple moisturizing mask. I'll always have these two in my trove.

Lululun 7-days mask - All Lululun masks are too small to fit my face, also they aren't that soaked with mask fluid so easily dry up after 5 minutes of putting on your face. Nothing good except the price point. What's the hype around this in JP drugstores?

Lancome Visionaire Eye Cream - Not memorable at all. 

Apivita Pomegranate Mask - Revitalizing but doesn't last long.

Jill Stuart Shimmer Body Protector - Oily mess with shimmer, doesn't get why it has to include shimmer in such an oil-based formula.

Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Calming Mask - Staple as said.

Kiehl's Soothing Gel Mask - This gives you skin a bit of a sting, not particularly impressive, won't be repurchasing.

Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturizer SPF 30 - I used this on my neck since being so close to expiry date.

Bioeffect Body Intensive Serum - I don't buy the concept of a body serum and this is sticky after rubbing in for quite some time.

Muji Light Toning Water (High Moisture) - Scentless, nothing remarkable, good price point though.

Apivita Wine Elixir Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Night Cream - The cream is OK but doesn't really like the brand anymore.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - Texture too light. Doesn't feel like it did anything. Scentless.

Dior Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Eye Cream - OK but nothing remarkable. 

Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser - My new HG!! Have re-purchased. Cleanse very well, very gentle, and scentless for the most part too. 

DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumpling Serum - To say this is a lash serum is misleading, it's more like a mascara base that's waxy. I still prefer Talika's lash conditioning gel for serious lash growth. 

Cremorlab Mask - As said.

Mrs Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap in Geranium - This is a Diptyque Roses (?) dupe, scent-wise, still think the lather can be a bit more squeaky clean.

Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Ampoule Mask - As said.

 

Urban Decay Primer Potion - Not sure this packaging is any good. 

Apivita Wine Elixir Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Night Cream - As said.

Bioeffect EGF Serum - This leaves the skin glowy but also a bit moist, I'm not sure whether the hyaluronic acid has sunk down at all. It felt like it's sitting on top of surface. The serum is extremely expensive so it'd better absorb well.

 

Apivita Pomegranate Mask - As said.

Lululun 7-day Mask in Basic - Mask fit too small, dry up easily after 5 mins.

Laneige SunBlock Supreme SPF5 50 - OK to use on body but no-no for face! There will be a shiny look by mid noon and felt like a coat of grease.

Suki Intensive Nourishing Cream - Texture a bit light for being called 'intensive' and 'nourishing'.

Shu Uemura Tsuya Toner II - I start to like this range's toner and serum and cream now...bad news for wallet.

John Masters Organics Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Face Serum - This smells a bit off, like metal and fish. 

Mediheal Placenta Revital Essential Mask - As said.

DHC Moisture Mask - Smells of alcohol and doesn't moisturize that well at all.

Cremorlab Mask - As said.

Cremorlab Cleansing Veil Face Wipes - This is the best wipes on the market that doesn't sting my face, doesn't irritate it nor turn it into red angry skin. It comes in a big pack of 70+ wipes and the travel size (10 wipes), perfect for traveling and for flight.

REN Mayblossom T-zone Control Cleansing Gel - Fair.

Chanel Hydra Beauty Radiance Eye Gel - Mediocre.

TATCHA Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream - Enjoyed this! But too expensive for regular use.

The Body Shop Virgin Mojito Shower Gel - LOVE the scent. Already bought more.

Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion - Scentless and plumps the skin as a serum. Not sold.

Desert Essence Coconut Shampoo - Lathers well, but not overly keen about the coconut bit.

Mediheal VITA Lightbeam Essential Mask - As said.

Kiehl's Dermatolost Solutions Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion Scrub - The scrubby bits are made from shells, they're very fine but also can be harsh for sensitive skins. Definitely YMMV here, I've re-purposed it as a body scrub, love it.

Sulwhasoo Essentrue Hand Cream - Fair, not intensive moisturizing work though.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydration Mask - Not very moisturizing...

Yves Rocher Anti-Age Global Serum - Can't remember how it was.

Yves Rocher Serum Vegetal Wrinkle & Firmess Day Cream - Nice, purchased full size.

Yves Rocher Riche Creme Day Cream - LOVE this line, purchased the day and night creams.

Ila Night Cream - Drying, not moisturizing at all. Expensive for being such quality.

Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF110 PA+++ - Even though sunscreens are supposed not to be hat different after the SPF50 mark, I bought this out of desperation for a holiday in the tropics. It's very very drying on the skin. This formula contains nasties too.

Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Ampoule Mask - Favorite moisture mask hands down. Barrier Repair came close.

Shu Uemura TSUYA Moisture Lotion I - It made skin look brighter.

Fresh Peony Spot-Correcting Brightening Essesnce - It was alright, don't remember much about it.

Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream - This is rich in texture and I'd adore it in winter on days when lazing at home! I can't imagine layering SPF over it...

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF30 PA+++ - This thing smells. It's really goopy, like half-cooked egg white! And it leaves a weird velvety yet sticky touch on your skin - BIG NO.

COOLA Classic Sunscreen for face SPF30 Unscented - TOO WATERY. It doesn't feel like anything is applied and I think it stings my face a bit. It leaves my skin feeling weird when I touch it, it's one of the worst sunscreen I've used (next to the Supergoop one), I don't think it protects well. I ended up using this on my limbs (how wasteful!).

Yves Rocher Serum Vegetal Wrinkles & Lifting Night Cream - Was OK. 

Yves Rocher Anti-Age Global Complete Anti-Aging Care Day Cream - I detest creams that have the word "global" plastered on it, what the hell does that mean? Do they mean 'complete'? 'Multi-purpose'? Anyways for something that says anti-age, this cream isn't particularly moisturizing.

Barrier Repair Hyaluronic Acid Mask - Decent but not as good as Mediheal one.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask - This was gifted to me ages ago - finally gone.

Burberry Sheer Foundation in Trench - I used it as a setting powder mostly. Don't have much to say about it, except the packaging is solid and can be bulky for traveling. 

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Brightening - Too pale!

Guerlain Abeille Royale Daily Repair Serum - Not enough hydration.

Organic Young SPF15 No Gunk SPF15 Medium Face the Sun Moisturizer -  I found most organic sunscreens texture is more like a paste and is tiny bit more harder to spread even without streaks. This is fine but the SPF is too low.

Mediheal Vita Lightbeam Essential Mask - Staple.

Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Ampoule Mask - Staple.

Mediheal W.H.P. White Hydrating Charcoal Mineral Mask - Don't recall anything special about this one.

Shiseido White Lucent Power Brightening Mask - Mediocre, honestly.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate - Feels weird, kind of. Still not sure how to categorize this. Will use up a few more samples of this.

Mychelle Age Defense Fruit Fiesta Peel - This burned my face off. It smells like rancid tomatoes. YUCK.

Z'kin Calming Cream Cleanser - It says 2ml but utterly lacking in contents. It's a good cleanser afterall but disappointing because the sample doesn't deliver much to experience.

Barrier Repair Hyaluronic Acid Mask - As mentioned.

Sulwhasoo Cream - Nice but too expensive to purchase full size.

Nature Republic Snail Therapy Mask Sheet - So-so.

Sulwhasoo Cream - Mistakenly photographed twice.

Origins Brighter By Nature Brightening Anti-Stress Serum - Weirdly, as much as I want to like Origins products further than the Clear Improvement charcoal mask, this serum together with an other face cream I tried burned my face.

Innisfree Jeju Cedar Wood Hand Cream - Smells too fragrant and doesn't resemble cedar wood at all.

DHC Moisture Mask - Smells of alcohol and doesn't moisturize. 

Dewy Tree Squalane Resilience Solution Mask - Decent, could buy again.

Dewy Tree Ceramide Nutrition Solution Mask - Same, was fine and could buy again. 

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Revitalize Day Moisturizer - It felt rich and luxurious, however I won't buy the full size given its price.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Shower Gel - To be honest the whole range smells nothing like green tea. Haha.

Nature Republic Snail Therapy Mask Sheet - As mentioned.

Mediheal E.G.T Timetox Ampoule Mask - Did not do anything.

Leaders Mediu Amino Lifting Mask - Decent but not wow.

Leaders Mediu Amino Moisture Mask - Good, already bought a few.

Leaders Vita Bright Mask - It was good and worth trying again.

Origins Dr. Weil Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cream - Instead of soothing, it burned my face and turned it a bit reddish. Disappointed because I had high hopes for it.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Moisture Mask - Result is not dramatic even though it's Hada Labo.

Hakugen 5-layer cottons - Staple.

Mrs Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap in Parsley - My favourite scent out of all 4, probably. Only gripe is that the lathering bit isn't as squeaky as Dr. Bronner's. I must have mentioned this somewhere above already.

Sophyto Total Perfection Serum - Smells rancid after opening for 1-2 days before using it up. No.

Hada Labo Alpha Gokujyun Eye Mask - Need to give this a few more try before deciding.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-free Toner - Prefer the calendula one. Always.

Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover - Decent, but all bi-phase eye makeup removers are pretty much the same.

Lancome Absolue Yeux Premium Advance Replenishing Eye Cream - Did nothing.

Leaders Solution Aquaringer Skin Clinic Mask - Quite close to HG status. Would buy and try again.

Aromatherapy Associates Lip Balm - SO. GLAD. IT'S. GONE. It's so thick in texture and doesn't glide, doesn't slip. 

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Revitalize Day Moisturizer - As said.

Soapwalla Deodorant Cream - Fave "green" deodorant so far, doesn't cause itch, smells nice, and a little goes a long way! Mine lasted a little bit more than a year.

Neogence Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence - I bought this to compare with Bioeffect EGF Serum. This is less "glowy" when put on skin but it doesn't have the weird velvety touch of EGF Serum which is supposedly hyaluronic acid in content too?

SK-II Skin Signature Eye Cream - Love this in the past. Now it's OK but stings when a bit of it gets into the eyes.

Santaverde Xingu Eye Serum - Fastly absorbed and delightful, downside is expensive.

Barrier Repair Hyaluronic Acid Mask - As said.

Biore Aqua Rich Watery Mousse SPF50 PA++++ - Lovely texture, but to my shock, no matter how well you blend it into skin, when you sweat, there's white streaks.

Supergoop Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF40 - Goopy as I said, and it smells like rotten eggs. Drying on the skin even after a proper shower. And leaves a weird greasy touch and film behind on you face. 

Dior Prestige White Collection Satin Brightening UV Base Blemish Balm SPF50 PA+++ - This could the perfect BB cream with a proper SPF degree - however this shade is rather fair, and the texture is rather thick, so thick that it resembles a proper foundation...and it made you face looks flat and dull. Although coverage-wise, it's very nice.

Le Metier de Beaute Eye Revive Brightening Powder - Now I've used a setting powder for eye, it became a habit to use one. This one is used up (crumbled at the end), looking for a new alternative.

Fresh Rose Hydrating Gel Cream - Nothing impressive about it except the scent. It's not that moisturizing given that is a gel texture.

Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Face Moisturizer SPF30 - Imagine my shock when I found out there's citrus oils hidden in the formula and can be counter intuitive when under the sun. I used this on my arms and legs and neck ever since. 

Dewy Tree Vitamic C Whitening Solution Mask - Nothing memorable although not bad at all.

Dewy Tree Trehalose Aqua Solution Mask - Same comment as above.

Jill Stuart Berry Scrub - Too gel in texture and not enough scrubby bits in it, exfoliation isn't that proper.

SK-II Skin Signature Eye Cream - As mentioned.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil - Smells divine, but it seems not to get along well with some of the essence / toners which I applied before, it balled up. Otherwise just slap it on and call it a day, it's totally fine.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Cream - I love the smell of the range and bought a full size of this.

Leaders Insolution Mela-Tox Skin Clinic Mask - Nothing memorable although not bad.

Dewy Tree Collagen Resilience Focus Mask - Same as above.

Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Mask - Nothing special about it.

SANA Hadanomy Collagen Mask - This is overly fragrant for my nose now, plus is discontinued so won't buy again.

Argentum La Potion Infinie - This is an expensive face cream but is very very drying on the skin, weirdly.

Cremorlab Cleansing Veil - Hands down the best wipes that doesn't irritate skin after wiping. Will buy again.

GLYCEL Vital Hand Cream - I like the portable size of this, is a deluxe sample.

Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EDT - Decent but not falling for it.

The Body Shop Italian Fig EDT - Lovely, will buy full size.

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF30 PA+++ - This blends very, very difficult. It leaves streaks on you face, plus is worse than any average BB or CC Creams in the market. I had to wipe off everything and start again.

Mediheal N.W.F. Aquaring Ampoule Mask - This is less moisturizing than the N.M.F. counterpart... not sure what's going on.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream - Nice. Would prefer all Vichy products come unscented, although in this case the fragrance is not strong.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum - Had positive experience with this line from Vichy.

Mediheal Vita Lightbeam Essential Mask - Staple.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream - As mentioned.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum - As mentioned.

Neogence Ceramide Moisturizing Mask - Nothing impressive given that it contains ceramide! Disappointing.

SK-II Skin Signature Eye Cream - As mentioned.

Dr. Hauschka Almond Soothing Body Cream - Mediocre, won't buy again.

Dr. Hauschka Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream - Don't like lavender scent.

Bioeffect Daytime Cream - This leaves a tiny tiny bit of grease on the face...not sure what to say about this, it's not bad but it's not what I expect from Bioeffect.

Lovemore Mountain Tea Polyphenol Moisturizing Mask - Stung my face. Poor mask fabric...

Lovemore Pearl Barley & Milk Smoothing Mask - Same as above.

Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EDT - As mentioned.

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier EDP - The fleur part is definitely there overpowering the fig scent, which is sad.

Hada Labo Alpha Gokujyun Mask - Contrary to its counterpart (arbutin wihtening and the regular moisture ones), this made the skin looked brighter and smoother the next day. I'd continue to buy this.

Neogence C+ Whitening Bio-Cellulose Mask - I'm beginning to think all Neogence masks don't deliver much...

See, this post should be done at the end of September!