Empties

 Hello,

I'm back with the last post for the year. Away with used up products and I'm ready to enter the new year with a new skincare routine and new scents.

Hopefully this new year will also bring some more peace and much needed rest for everyone.

First is this happy Avon senses wild Strawberry Dreams body wash. Happy because this scent was just lovely, Strawberries with cream, who doesn't like that? I would absolutely repurchase this one. The texture was a bit thicker, pudding like. I liked everything about it and it is already on my repurchase list.

This next product I just had to get because  I wanted to try all three products from this line. It is Neutrogena refreshingly clear daily exfoliator with pink grapefruit & vitamin C. It says that it is meant for daily use so expect thick gel with sparse but still somewhat big and abrasive particles. I almost forgot how mechanical scrub feels and I really have to say that I prefer more gentle version of enzyme or chemical ones. They don't feel like much but the next day the skin is baby soft. With this one my face turned a bit red, I have extra sensitive skin and in retrospect I didn't use it daily nor rub too vigorously. I'm glad that I'm done with it and I learned a lesson to not buy mechanical peelings any more (I did found one from Biore in my cabinet so I guess I will have to get through another one and then I'm really done with them).

Avon Planet spa Treasures of the Desert body butter with Moroccan argan oil was amazing. Scent wise it was creamy and comforting, perfect to apply before heading to bed. My skin liked the formula as well since it didn't get dry or itchy. It was great and I am sad to see it gone but I'm adding it to my list to repurchase it in the near future.

Avon Quantium for him fragrance was something I would wear for work a few years ago. Now I rediscovered it and instead of wearing it myself I would spray my apartment and it made it smell very warm and cozy. Quite perfect for cold weather on my day off when I could read all day and drink hot tea :)

I'm still a bit sad that Essence discontinued these shine, shine, shine lip glosses. My shade is Happines in a bottle. It was brown toned color with no shimmer. The scent is slightly fruity and the formula is extra juicy and glossy but I started to get sick of this shade so I'm super happy to see this one being finished. While this one is gone, I still have five more bottles of different shades to go through.

Essence smoothie gloss in Sweet Peach variable was also a really lovely product and also already discontinued. They had a few different ones and this one was the most modest, shade wise. Light peach shade with true peach scent and the tube was super convenient to use on the go.

In the pot is my beloved Nivea lip butter. This is my last one (out of the four) that I had and I will miss it. It had great formula which kept my lips moisturized and nourished. I would use it at night (yes, it is tinted but I didn't care for that) and in the morning my lips were really nice. I don't know why they had to discontinue these, they were amazing.

Last are two Catrice Sheer Beautifying lip balms in Flirty Rose and Sheer you up. One a bit lighter while the other one more rose/brighter toned. The last one was my favorite among the two but still I would not repurchase them because they weren't moisturizing at all. After a couple of reapplications my lips were dry so I had to make sure I had a separate lip balm with me to properly treat my lips but at least the shades were nice :)

Thank you for reading and have an amazing new year :)

Project polish

 Hello,

I still have so many nail polishes and it was time to declutter some more. Two are completely finished the rest are just too thick to be manageable.

First is very old Avon nail polish in the shade Violetta Sparkle and it has a very dark purple base with golden flakes. Opaque in just two coats. I really liked it but I wasn't using it lately. I have a similar shade from Misslyn so I'm ok but something is happening with this brand in our Si stores. The last time I was there the stand was half empty... I wonder if the brand is pulling form our market.

Next is limited edition Catrice nail varnish in the shade Paralilac. Very interesting taupe shade because sometimes leans a little towards grey and sometimes it had a purple sheen... this is one out of the two that were completely finished up. Even though it was unique and quite special I don't want to wear such shades anymore.

In the middle is another super duper old Avon bottle and for this one I don't even know the name. It is not written on the bottle (probably it was mentioned on the box) so I refer to it as Lavender :) I love lavender hues and this one is just perfect, on the nails it dried a little darker but still fine with me. The last time I used it, it just didn't want to dry up so I have to part with it but thankfully I have another very similar shade also from Avon.

I bought a bunch of these Essence nail candies, especially in the shade Soda pop & Candy shop when they were discontinuing them. This one looks very sheer and only with three coats I get a slightly milky layer. I was using it as a base coat because I don't like to use three colored coats over my nails. I found another nail polish from Essence which looks almost the same but after two coats I get the desired milky look (Sweet like Candy). I still have two bottles left and I will try to finish them next year.

The last item was given to me by my sister because she wasn't using it. it is O.P.I. Lost my bikini in Molokini. Love the medium vibrant hue but the formula for me wasn't the best. The very next day I got tip wear on almost all my nails but since the color is so beautiful I used it a couple of times and then I got sick of fixing it, so at the end I will just trash it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

today's empties post is very special because all of the products shown are repurchases and therefore all amazing items which will be repurchased again in the future if I haven't already got them :)

Every few months I finish up one of these Neutrogena Oil free moisturizer, this one is from their Grapefruit line which has a slight scent but ingredients wise it is almost the same as the one from anti-acne range. I just get the one I ether see or is on sale. My skin loves it and I'm already using a new tube and have two backups.

Second is another one of my favorites and it is Essence Camouflage+ Healthy Glow liquid concealer in Light Ivory. This is light enough for me, creamy so it is easy to disperse but it doesn't crease under my eyes. Did I mention that it only cost a few Euros? The best one out there for me.

Summer inspired packaging belongs to Avon care revitalising with Banana hand cream. These are some of my favorites and even though they don't just change the scent but the formula sometimes is different this one is the best. Lovely, barely there Banana scent plus a very nourishing and lightweight formula which actually moisturizes my dry hands. The best one and I already repurchased it.

Terra Naturi made this Orange & Citrus lip balm which is my holy grail. I said in the past tense because they discontinued it and now make two different ones (I haven't tried them out yet, I'm hoping that they will be just as good). It is a bit on the greasy side, super moisturising and nourishing with a pleasant Orange scent. What more could I want from a lip balm? Nothing much and jet they still discontinued it...

This big bottle is Ziaja Bubble Cola body wash for kids, because I'm a big kid :) It is also repurchased item of mine (this empties post really is showcasing some of my favorites). It is brown like Cola and it smells exactly like it. I used it mostly as a shampoo, it made my hair super clean, removed all product buildup and it made them smelled like I poured Cola all over ;)  At the moment I'm using a grown up shampoo but after it is gone I'm going to start using my next bottle of Bubbly Cola :)

 

The last item in a glass pot in front is Avon mark cream eye shadow in Totally Taupe, also my second but unfortunately last pot because they discontinued it. Lovely silver/olive shade with silver sparkle which managed to keep my oily lids stay less greasy so my eye shadow stay put all day long. I would repurchase it if I could and get it in another shade as well.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Project Polish

 Hello,

I believe this is my first project polish for this year... and none of the polishes that you will see here were completely finished. That happens with old products, they just go bad...

First is Catrice Luxury Lacquers in the shade Thunder from Down Under. A beautiful black with silver sparkle, I thought it would have a rough finish but surprisingly it dried pretty smooth. This one didn't want to dry completely anymore so I'm throwing it out but I have two other similar shades in my collection so I won't be too sad.

Next is lovely Essence and their Millennial Pink shade. Pretty and opaque pastel shade which surprisingly applied nicely but after finishing a little more than half the bottle it became a bit too goopey and it is now hard to use. Again I found something else in my collection that looks similar but after that other bottle is gone I'm getting this one again. 

The last two are from Picture Polish brand. I won a giveaway years ago and I was able to pick three shades (the third one was picked by my sister and she has it), I picked up these two. Berry Nice and  Denim were the two shades that caught my eye. Berry Nice dries semi matte, I find the finish to be fun and slightly different from the rest of my purples but I can recreate it with a matte top coat. Denim is more unique I my stash and so far I haven't found a close enough shade. I have something that is more periwinkle and the particles are more of a shimmer than flakes... but so far it will do. 

I'm actively trying to use up what I have because clearly nail polishes that I have are old and going bad, the formulas just aren't as smooth as they used to be and aren't as fun to use. This year I have only buy two nail polishes and four are out the door. In the next few days I will go through some more polishes and I might declutter some more...

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

time is slipping through my fingers and it s almost December. This whole year went by in almost a blink of an eye. My goal of not buying as much as I did in the past is going well, from time to time I still slip and buy a bit more than what I need but in general I'm just using up what I already have.

Avon care softening moisture with Macadamia hand cream is the first item that I managed to use up. I usually love Avon care hand creams so when this one came out I had to try it out. It has a soft 'creamy' scent and a little goes a long way but the formula doesn't quite cut it for me. For me it doesn't sink in but rather stays on the surface and makes my hands slightly greasy but also it doesn't moisturize them as some other ones does. I'm glad that it is finished and I won't buy it ever again.

Next is Ziaja Enzyme peel for the face. It contains Papaya extracts for removing dead skin cells and since I'm trying to switch from mechanical scrubs to enzyme or chemical ones this Ziaja looked promising (there are also some moisturizing and calming ingredients included so the skin doesn't feel too stressed). It is a thicker gel and the instructions say to apply it on clean skin and rinse after 10 to 15 minutes... I figure it out that I'm too lazy to leave it on for that long :) I tried and when I did I did notice my skin being smoother but I already found other scrubs that are just as effective and work faster so I also won't buy this product again.

Essence came out with this collection of Hello, good stuff! items and I was quick to grab this face serum for hydration & glow with Pineapple extract. I heard a lot of people liking it so it didn't take long for me to pick it up. The scent is gorgeous, if you like Pineapple this is it. It absorbs into my skin and moisturizes it nicely, I was very pleased with it until I took it with me on my Summer vacation. I spend more time outside on the Sun and after washing my face I applied this all over thinking it will be good for my skin but then I started to notice this tingle, like the product seemed a bit too harsh for my sensitive skin. When I came home and avoided Sun as much as possible the tingle stopped. This is the only negative thing I have to say about it but it bothered me soo much that I won't buy it again.

There is Blistex lip balm Happy lips with Strawberry flavor. I think it was limited edition and it isn't available anymore. This has a nice soft texture (I love soft and buttery lip balms opposed to hard to melt into my lips ones), I enjoyed it a lot but after using it for so long I got sick of the artificial Strawberry scent.

The very last item is Dr. Grandel Hydro active eye contour gel with Hyaluron which is a proper gel but it can leave a bit of an oily glow on the skin. It has some shimmering flakes in the serum but I haven't noticed any big sparkle on the skin, it is rather the gel itself that shines because it takes a while to absorb. I have been using it daily (only at night time) and I feel like my eye area looks a bit better but it is hard to say. I haven't repurchased it (it is a bit expensive) because now I will see if my eye area will get 'worse' and that will be the 'proof' for me that it worked and if I will feel like it did something positive I will buy it again.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

Hello,

this mid of the month came out of nowhere. Time really is flying...

First is Dusch das Peach body wash which was super cheap but the scent was really nice. Very realistic Peach and it lather nicely, this gave me really nice experience and in the future I will repurchase it again.

I had this conditioner for a couple of years before I started to use it and the sticker at the back suggest that it was a gift with purchase. Honestly, I don't even remember when I got it. It is Nivea hairmilk care conditioner for dry and damaged hair. It has a thicker formula which coats hair nicely. I never left it in my hair for too long because I get bored in the shower but the results were still there. My hair looked and felt smoother and softer. At the moment I'm contemplating on cutting them short because they are really split but whenever I use this conditioner (I started to use it after every single wash) my hair looks lovely and people started giving me compliments on how great my hair look (they were never that spit and damaged but somehow they look the best and I have to thank this product). The only thing is that this particular one got discontinued but I found another one in a similar styled tube but it is light pink with almost the same ingredients list and it works just as good. This is my holy grail product and I hope to buy it again and again (in the new pink tube).

First I got a hand cream from this line and the scent was so soothing that I had to get the body moisturizer as well. At the end I decided to get this Avon care revitalizing with banana body butter. It has a slight banana scent which it the best. I don't smell like a banana peel ;) It is comforting and soothing, perfect for going to bed. The texture was a bit thicker because it is butter but it sink in really fast and it kept my skin nourished all the way. This will definitely be repurchased.

Bioderma sensibio AR cream for sensitive skin was a blast from the past. I remember having this years ago and it really worked but I remember this having thicker texture... Anyway, it is a light cream which with constant use reduces overall redness on my face. It is a slow progress but now, after finishing the entire tube the result is like night and day. My face is more even and has a skin tone like shade with only a slight pink hue. This is a big improvement and a really good product. Similarly also Rose oil works for me but I noticed that I'm moving away from oils (I still have them and use them but maybe not as much as I used to). This is a miracle product for me and I already purchased two backups :)

The very last item is Malinca Tea Tree hydrolat. I'm not sure if this does anything for me but the mist is soo fine that I will reuse this bottle for some other products. It has a strong Tea Tree scent which to me is calming and soothing (I noticed in the past that Tea Tree infused skincare helped with my acne prone skin, so now when I smell it it reminds me of clear skin ;)  Maybe now, I will see the difference... now when I can't use it anymore? If my skin will get worse I will repurchase it but otherwise I won't.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Super Glow

 Hello,

I love marbled powders, I'm sort of obsessed and when I saw this beauty in the store, I just couldn't help myself.

Trend it up Super Glow baked blush in the shade 010.

The marble design is something, that pulled me in and the soft pink shade... it looked so magical in the store but the spell only lasted until I tried it out...

On my skin it is more peach toned blush, which is a bit surprising but I do love peach cheeks on me so that isn't the issue. It is the over excessive glitter and to achieve this swatch I had to layer it on around six times with my finger over a slightly sticky base... there is no way I'm doing that on my cheeks.

Applied with a brush I only get the golden glitter and no color payoff  - that was a massive disappointment. 

I could overlook the sparkle if this blush would have reasonable color payoff but it doesn't. It looks so lovely in the pan but it is just not worth it for me. I don't know anyone who would like this blush so unfortunately I will throw it in the garbage can :(

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

it is empties time and this time they are all very, very nice products that I enjoy a lot.

Teaology Matcha fresh cream was a novelty for me. Some brands promote that they use the purest water in their products but Teaology brand goes further and use different tea blends. I picked this one predominately because of the gel texture which feels very light on my oily skin. It absorbs into the skin quickly but it doesn't keep me matte for long so I started to use it strictly in the evening because I don't care if I go to bed with greasy face. They claim that this formula protects your skin against dryness caused by pollution. On some days this moisturizer was enough but on the days that my skin felt a bit more dry I had to top it off with some oil, again not an issue for me if I use it in the evening before going to bed. I don't mind layering as I feel like I get even better results. This cream didn't cause my skin to freak out which is rare and I already repurchased it and will start using it immediately.

Last year I bought a few of these The Body Shop body yogurts and I decided to try out first the Moringa one. I already loved the hand cream and body butter so it was only natural to try out the different version. This smelled like Moringa line, perhaps a bit lighter but still very floral and nice. The texture is something between yogurt and gel. It applies like a charm and sinks in really fast, after using it for weeks I noticed that my skin started to crave something heavier and more nourishing. These are as suggested by the brand most probably better in the warmer weather so the other two that I have I will save for next Summer.

Rituals, the ritual of Karma holy lotus & organic white tea hair and body mist was given to me by my sister. The scent is very calming and relaxing. I enjoy it a lot but as every other body spray this one too doesn't last which is a shame but I find out that there is a whole line of products with this scent, so I have my eyes locked on the body lotion... 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

today empties basket isn't very full but I'm working on different items especially moisturizing and nourishing ones. Cold weather is starting to affect my skin.

First item I probably bought in a bundle because I can't see myself buying it myself, scent wise and it is  Avon naturals cosy Vanilla & Sandalwood shower gel. The scent was just as imagined, very sweet and creamy. I took it with me on a Summer vacation (maybe not the most appropriate scent for a hot Summer day but I liked it) and I have to say that I enjoy it a lot, I even washed my hair with it and it made them really clean (if I wouldn't use oil on the tips they might look a bit too dry). It took me a while to finish it up because it was a bit of a thicker formula but now I'm glad that it is gone because this sweet scent was starting to get on my nerves.

Next is Avon anew vitamin C serum. It is a bit goopey but not sticky on the skin, it absorbed super fast which I liked but the scent was what bothered me. I could clearly smell alcohol, my skin didn't feel irritated but I tried other vitamin C serums that didn't have that scent so next time I'm just going to get something else. I know I'm not completely fair to it because not every alcohol is bad for you but on the other hand I also didn't notice any change on my skin tone. I tried other vitamin C serums that performed better on me, so I'm not repurchasing this one.

The very last item is a very good one. I love Avon care range of hand creams but they make different formulas, thankfully this one is amazing one and also one of my favorites. It is Avon care restoring moisture with coconut oil hand cream. The scent is barely there, just creamy and slightly coconut-y and the texture is not too greasy. It sinks in and nourish my skin so the next time I wash my hands they are still soft and well taken care of. I already have a back up and I hope they will never discontinue it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Lost my Bikini in Molokini

 Hello,

I haven't done one of these in a really long time. I'm still painting my nails regularly but don't take the time for a little photo session :)

This time I was wearing bright purple and even though I love lavender there is something about this deeper hue that intrigued me and made me want to wear it more often.

It is O.P.I. Lost my Bikini in Molokini shade which was gifted to me (my sister didn't want it anymore so she decluttered it and gave it to me). I really like the shade but formula... I got tip wear the next day. I thought that was super weird since O.P.I. nail polishes are so expensive but I guess this one wasn't for me. This poor longevity irritated me so much that most probably I will declutter it as well. It is a shame because I really like the shade.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

todays post will be extra short and sweet. Just a bunch of my favorites and mostly repurchases.

Cute bottle is Yope Linden natural moisturizing hand and body lotion. It contains Shea butter, Coconut and Olive oil for moisturizing properties but the texture didn't feel very greasy. I hoped for this lovely Linden scent but it is more of a 'cream' scent, noting special, it is nice but not exceptional. They also included Chamomile and Marigold extracts for anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. All in all a nice cream but it didn't knock my socks off so probably I won't repurchase it again.

Second product is one of my favorite face washes of all times. It is Himalaya Neem Foaming Face Wash. I used it on my vacation when my skin was a little extra sensitive because of the sun exposure but it worked fine. It removes make-up and oil residue while still being gentle to my skin and it doesn't completely strip it off of natural oils. The price tag also seem fair so it is a win win for me.

REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial is amazing product. I already used up a few tubes and I'm already using new one. This is super easy to use and the results are visible right after removing it. My skin is softer right after use (first step works like a scrub) but the next day I can notice my skin being clearer and more even in tone, when I use it regularly, around twice a week my skin looks and feels amazing. I can only recommend this amazing product, but try to find it on sale. 

Beauty Glam Clear SkinSerum with 2% Salycylic Acid serum is another repurchase. I like this thick serum which absorbs super fast into my acne prone skin. I usually use it in the evening after cleansing my skin and afterwards I proceed with more moisturizing serums. I think this works for my skin and I already have a new bottle ready.

The very last item is Avon Footworks Orange and Cinnamon foot lotion, which was a limited edition scent years ago. In general I like their foot range and this one was not an exception. The cream has a nice texture which spreads out and absorbs quickly, it also had lovely Autumnal scent but after so many months of using it I kind of got sick of it. It kept my feet nicely soft and nourished so I'm definitely getting it again but in a different scent option.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I'm fresh from my Summer vacation and I feel super rejuvenated. I could finish up more than just two bottles of sun lotion but I was rotating among different tubes and that was all I could finish.

DM brand called Sun Dance makes affordable sun lotions and by my experiences very nice ones (they do protect my skin from UVB light because I don't burn ;). First is light sun lotion with SPF 20 with Coconut scent (very nice and tropical if I my add and it doesn't turn plastick-y). It is a mineral protection with Titanium Dioxide and because it is in nano particles it is not sticky or white. I actually really like it and because the protection is a bit lower as what I normally go for I layer it with something else and in this case I used another Sun Dance item. Sensitive sun lotion with calming Panthenol and with SPF 30. It contains the same mineral filter in nano particles but this one is a bit thicker and greasier for the first few minutes but after it sinks in I can't feel it at all. These two were with me last year already and I also came back from my vacation burn free and with a hint of tan. I will repurchase them again but I'm afraid that they revamped their range and have completely different range of products now...

Online I purchase this Jojoba oil from Dr. Feelgood brand that honesty I haven't herd of before. I really liked the packaging but the oil didn't feel quite right. I'm used to thicker oils and this one was extra thin. The good part was that it absorbed really fast and I used it as a moisturizer but I purchase it as an oil to remove my make-up and for that thicker texture is preferred. With this one I'm really on the fence because it isn't a bad product just not quite what I expected... and I'm not sure if I would repurchase it again.

Last two items are two face powders. First is Essence all about matt waterproof fixing powder which was available only in one white shade. This did gave me a bit of a white cast so I had to be careful when applying to prevent me from looking like Casper the ghost. I believe because the formula is waterproof it was extra drying so sometimes when applied over fresh, slightly sticky make-up it looked a bit cakey but the longer I had it on, the better it looked. Obviously, the illusion didn't last all day long (I have extremely oily skin) so after around four or five hours my natural oils would come through and I needed to touch up but it was better to use a different powder on top because this one looked too cakey. I'm glad that it is gone and I wouldn't repurchase it again even if it would still be available (I believe it is long discontinued).

The second is one of my favorite ones and it is Rimmel London Stay Matte in the shade Transparent. This one looks good applied over fresh make-up or reapplied through the day. The shade is great (but I also think that it doesn't have that much of coverage) and it is super inexpensive. I just ordered two more so I guess I can say that I love it :)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

a little selection of 'ordinary' items but next time expect to see some used up sun lotions because I'm finally going to the beach and have fun on the sun.

Essence Shine, Shine, Shine lip gloss in the shade Think Pink is one of my absolute favorites. Great shiny formula with a hint of color. Such a shame that they stopped making these but before they were completely sold out I got myself a back up of this shade so I'm not too sad.

Avon makes amazing mascaras, both, me and my sister are big fans of them and this one is actually my sisters favorite, I personally like to switch it up a bit but this Supershock mascara in Black always makes my lashes look super separated and long. My tube is a limited edition packaging but the brush is the exact same. At the moment I'm using different one (another one of my favorites) but soon I will repurchase this one again.

Another Avon product and this one is the body wash from senses, florist collection named Spring Bloom. To me, this was a bit fresher and with some zing, like it had some ginger in it. Not super floral or sweet, I liked it but wasn't my favorite and I'm glad I finished up this big bottle and I'm ready to start using something more up my alley (something sweeter and creamier).

Another floral product but in my opinion more true to its name is this Batiste dry shampoo called Floral. This is a typical Batiste dry shampoo, a bit white but nothing a good shake can't handle, it absorbs oils nicely through the day and keeps my hair fresher for longer. I'm super happy with this one and I'm going to repurchase it again.

The very last item is this lovely The Body Shop hand cream in Almond Milk & Honey version. The scent is creamy and super comforting, the formula absorbs fast and takes care of my dehydrated hands (hello sanitizers on every step). I can only rave about this product, the only negative thing that I can think of is small tube, because I finished it up way too fast... :)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

today I have super short list of items I have finished up in the first half of the month, I think in the second half I will have some more products, but we shall see.

Her it goes another tube of Neutrogena oil free daily face moisturizer. For years this has been my favorite and it still is. Love the light texture which keeps me matte for longer, how fast it absorbs and even if sometimes my skin feels dry this helps it relive instantly. This remains my holy grail and I'm already on my next tube.

I randomly picked up this Biobaza natural doe in Green Tea Sensation and it was a lucky pick. It is a deodorant and not anti-perspirant so I still sweat but the formula made me smell fresh all day long. For me this really thick all the boxes and the green tea scent is so calming and fresh smelling... I would definitely repurchase it  again.

The last two items are exactly the same and are The Body Shop Peppermint Candy Cane body lotions. They were limited editions scents but I bought a lot of them because I can't resist the cooling peppermint-y scent with sweet sugar notes. I loved using them even now in the hot Summer and I'm super sad that this line isn't permanent. I still have one hand cream left and then it is gone. I sincerely hope that soon they will bring it back and I would go and buy some more :)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Big Softie and XXL Charm

 Hello,

today I have some of my favorite make-up products to talk about... that is lip products and more specifically lip glosses. I'm still loving the glossy lip.

Essence Plumping nudes lip glosses in shades Big Softie and  XXL Charm are the two that I picked out for the range.

In the name there is a clue of what kind of shades to expect :)

I picked out one 'neutral' nude and one sparkly number to have fun with it.

It has a regular applicator and the packaging holds up to 4,5 ml of product (it seems to me that they are making glosses smaller and smaller, tubes used to hold around 8-9 ml of product...).

Big Softie has a cream finish and it is a touch warmer, if I don't apply whole lot it doesn't bother me otherwise it can be a bit too warm toned for me. The other fun shade is XXL Charm and it doesn't have whole lot of pigment but it is jam packed with shimmer. On the lips it looks almost frosty but because it is glossy it doesn't bother me. I just have to be careful and not over do it.

They are a bit cooling but compared to some other plumping products these go on the mild side and so far I'm liking the fact that they aren't very strong because I'm starting to realize that I prefer non-tingling lip products. They also have a mild fruity scent which is a bit unexpected but really nice. 

All in all I'm quite happy about them, they are not my favorite and most probably I won't repurchase them but still. Fruity scent is a plus, light tingling also doesn't bother me and the shades are wearable. I can see myself wearing them daily and finish them up before this year ends.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

since time flies so fast I only have time for a short empties post.

This is my favorite eye cream but sadly they decided to discontinue it. It is Avon anew hydro-advance eye cream. It has a bit thicker consistency and it feel extra nourishing. I would use it in the evening and I didn't mind the heavier texture (I think it would not be very appropriate under my make-up). My skin around my eyes looked much better when I was using it, smaller wrinkles were filled in and it made me look more youthful. Now I'm on a hunt for a new eye cream that would work at least half as good as this one.

Next is my favorite foundation. Catrice HD liquid coverage foundation in the shade Porcelain Beige. I went through various bottles and I'm already using up a new one. I love the shade, coverage is buildable so it is great for the days when I don't need much coverage or on other days I can pile it on, and it covers almost everything. 

With this one I'm not 100 % sure that the brand name is Acqua alle Rose or Roberts?? Anyway, it is a micellar water infused with Rose water. In general my skin responds nicely to Rose water that was the reason I purchased this one. I think that there are better micellar waters, more effective but it was nice one. Nothing bad to say about it, it just felt like it didn't remove all my make-up from my face. I won't repurchase it but I'm interested in their toner.

Last item is this limited edition lip balm from Essence High beauty line. I didn't like the wide opening because it made applying it  harder than it should be but the formula was great. Slightly pink toned which looked nice on my lips and formula was super glossy almost as lip gloss but the best part were the hydrating properties. My lips were soft and supple all day long. If they ever come back with it I'm repurchasing it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

Hello,

in todays empties I only have amazing products. Some are definitely going to be repurchased and back with me soon.

 

First we have the Ziaja Olive body wash. I purchased a full set from this olive line and so far I quite like their products. This is a body wash which was pretty liquid and a little bit at the time was enough to wash my entire body (sometimes I even used it as a shampoo and it cleansed my hair very well without stripping them too much). This big 500 ml bottle lasted me for months and thankfully the scent was also very pleasant. Creamy olive scent, I think ;) Very, very nice and I would repurchase it again.

Next is  my beloved Burdock shampoo from Ilirija. Very simple and basic looking bottle but the product does its job. It is a bit thicker and it foams really nicely. It cleansed my hair, removed all product buildup and the next day my hair were silky soft and they smell naturally herbal. This shampoo has become my favorite and it is dirty cheap. At the moment I'm using something else which is also very nice and could become my new favorite... well, they could share number one spot ;)

A couple of years ago I purchased this The Body Shop Satsuma body spray (back in the days I liked body sprays but now I prefer something more longlasting). This is a truly zesty and sparkling scent. It really reminds me of this citrusy fruit and especially the peel, because it is a little bitter and sparkling. It was a really nice refreshing scent but as I mentioned before it does not last, so I won't be buying it again in a body spray format but perhaps I will get something else from this line because the scent was lovely.

Second to last is Catrice Prime and Fine fixing spray. I have tried some of their limited edition options and so far I liked them all so why not try the 'regular' one. I did and I think it is just as good. The spray creates a fine mist and my make-up lasts longer, especially under my mask. I will definitely pick up another one but so far I have one from a previous LE and I just bought the new one form their current LE Bronze away to... after all of them will be finished I'm going back to this one.

The very last item is another Catrice product and it is from their Clean ID line and it is lip oil and since it only holds up to 2 ml it was gone pretty fast. It was a clear oil but very glossy looking and not super thin compared to some other lip oils. It also hydrated and nourished my lips so I liked it very much, unfortunately it is discontinued and I can't get a hold on it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Think Pink, No - Brainer, Oh my Plump! and Strawberry Red

 Hello,

a little while ago my heart skipped a beat when I found out that Essence is discontinuing their line of Shine, shine, shine lip glosses. These are some of my favorites and will now be gone :(

Later on, I figured that they reformulated them and packed them in a different packaging. I have not tried the new versions but I took the advantage and bought four more before they were completely gone.

I could not resist in getting a back up of my beloved Think Pink version, next is No - Brainer (slightly warm, brown toned nude), Oh my Plump! is a bright coral with the volumizing effect (this one has a cookie scent and a minty feel to the lips, it is not very cooling which I appreciate because I figure it out that I don't like super cooling lip products anymore) and the last one is named Strawberry Red. All three, besides the volumizing one have fruity scent, which I think is very nice and pleasant.

All four have intense shimmer which helps with the glow, but they could tone it down a notch. After they dry the shimmer stays and can migrate around my lips but I don't think it is very bad, I can manage it.

Think Pink, which is a soft pink shade is still my favorite. No - Brainer is a bit too warm for me but I try to put a thin layer on my lips and I'm fine. Oh my Plump! and Strawberry Red are both on a more pigmented end and I have to be careful when I'm applying them, because otherwise I can look like a clown ;)

These have nice scent, pleasant, non sticky formula that I really like. At first I was sad to see them go but seeing all the new versions... I think after all of these are used up, I will happily pick something from the new range. I can't find many reviews on them, so I guess I will have to test them myself.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

coincidentally products featured today are mostly from Avon. I still very much like their stuff, especially their scented products, they really make amazing scents to this day.

Avon Morrocan Romance with Rose oil, soothing bath & body oil really smelled nice and I think this was my second and last bottle since they don't make it any more. This one I used in the shower after a wash, I would lather it on and rinse it off. A thin layer remain on my body and as mentioned before it smelled divine. So, to put it simply, it was an in shower moisturizing oil. The product itself wasn't anything special but I liked the scent so very much that I would repurchase it if I could.

Next is one of my sisters favorite mask, it is Avon advance technique treatment mask with Argan oil.  Even though it is a hair mask and you are supposed to leave it on for a couple of minutes I noticed that it worked its magic even if I had it on my hair for only a minute. It is such a quick little helper that I'm sure to repurchase it again. My hair looked smoother and felt silkier after each use.

In my previous post I raved about Neutrogena face cream from this pink line, so of course I had to get the matching face wash. This Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear face wash with Pink Grapefruit also had a little bit of a scent and the texture was a bit goopey. Mixed with water it was okay but I had to be careful not to get it in my eyes because it would irritate them, not so much burning them but they would just turn pink (like swimming in the pool). There are kinder face washes out there and I don't need to hurt my eyes with this one. I'm glad that this one is gone and I won't repurchase it.

The very last one is another lovely Avon product. It is from their Planet SPA line and it is Fantastically Firming with Columbian Coffee extract body cream. To me this smelled like a latte, more milky than coffee like but the scent was definitely perfect for sleeping. So calming and soothing. I also enjoyed the the txture of this cream because it wasn't a hard butter but closer to the lotion than anything else. I would repurchase it in a heartbeat if I could.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Clean ID lip oil

 Hello,

I have been using this lip product for a while now and I know I should talk about it sooner but I just couldn't find the time...

Catrice clean ID lip oil in a 2 ml tube. The packaging looks pretty regular just the walls must be super thick to carry such little product in it. 

It is clear (no color changing agents on the way) so it is pretty okay to reapply through the day because there is no color buildup. It has no scent or taste just a nice non sticky slip.

If I wouldn't know I would say it is a lip gloss not a lip oil, because usually oils are lighter and disappear within minutes, this one last longer and it is also pretty hydrating.

It has a standard applicator which does the job. 

This product is already discontinued (I managed to buy it while it was on sale for half the price) and since then they replaced this with tinted versions but I don't know how they compare.

This one is nicely hydrating and nourishing for my lips and I find myself reaching for it non stop, it is a shame that the tube is so small. I already used up more than half of it and soon it will be gone but now I'm intrigued to try out the 'new' versions Catrice has.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I'm back with another bag full of empties. 

A little while ago I was really into body sprays especially from Victoria's Secret. They had reputation of being divine so of course I picked some up, besides this one I also had Mango Temptation which smelled very nice, but I prefer this Pure Seduction body spray. It was ripe, juicy and sweet Plum scent and I really like it but longevity isn't the best simply because it is a body spray. I used it when I went to bed so poor longevity didn't bother me too much but no matter how much I like this scent I won't be repurchasing it again.

Next is an empty bottle of Iliria shampoo in  the Nettle option. I really like one shampoo from them and so I decided to try out some more. This one has a lovely fresh herbal scent but I don't think it is as good as my favorite Linden one. It did cleanse my hair but they got oily quicker than usually and they are also a bit more dry at the end... nothing major but a little difference was noticeable and  there is noting else that I have changed in my routine so I think for the majority of  it I can blame this shampoo. It is not bad, I just prefer other version.

Next is Ziaja cleansing peeling gel for normal, oily and combination skin from their Manuka tree line. This one is a proper gel formula with tons of peeling particles which are so very small that I was barely able to feel and I felt like it did nothing. My love for mechanical scrubs has faded and while I still have two left I think this will be the end. This one also didn't impress me but as of now I prefer enzyme ones.

Speaking of the more gentle kind of a scrub is this Avon Planet SPA Perfectly purifying with Dead sea Minerals gommage face mask. It contains enzymes which does the job and since they are in this thicker cream. I put it all over my face and when it gets even thicker you just wipe it off and your face is removed of dead skin cells. This type of scrubs works better for my sensitive skin but I think this one was a bit old and I didn't notice much difference. My favorite remains from Ren but recently I started to use one form Ziaja, so we will see.

I really like this Essence fruit kiss caring lip balm with strong Strawberry scent. It is very pigmented and has frosty shimmer. If applied lightly I think it works nice or even with a light gloss over... so very beautiful and did I mention that is smelled like real forest Strawberries? The thing is that I haven't finished it up but I dropped it and now the packaging is broken in a way that  I can't access the product, I never thought that can happen but trust me, I can make it happen so I'm just simply throwing it away.

Next is another lip balm but this one is more modest. It is Neutrogena one with Norwegian formula. Modest because it has no tint or scent and it just works. It has Ricinus oil as a main ingredient and I'm realizing that Ricinus works for me. It kept my lips soft and moisturized plus it has this nice slip to them. Very very nice and also quite inexpensive. This one I will definitely repurchase after I finish some more of them.

The very last item is Avon always on point eye liner in this magical shade called Lavender Grey. This line of lines is amazing, there is some kind of sharpener build in the lid of the product so whenever I was about to use it the tip was sharp, hence the name. This formula is extra creamy and easy to work with and to top it all off the shade is lovely. I finished it all up and have zero left to show but it is darker grey shade with a lavender reflex to it. It is barely visible but just enough to make it special. I would repurchase this one but first I have to go through my extensive collection. 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I'm a little late but empty products pilled up so I still wanted for them to be in the spotlight.

First tube is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (surface hydration formula). I fell for the hype and decided to try some of their products, among all of them I decided to try this face moisturizer for extra hydration but my skin didn't think so. For me it just wasn't hydrating enough, It sat on top of my skin and make it look greasy. At the end I just decided to use it as a hand cream and all over my body so I was able to finish it up quickly and be done with it. I won't be repurchasing this particular one again but there are still some items that I would like to try out from them. I don't feel discouraged to try more for this brand just because this particular product didn't impress me.

I really like Batiste dry shampoos and when I saw this Sweet and Charming Nice version I just had to have it. It really is very sweet and powdery smelling and I liked it very much, there is also a Naughty version but I wasn't brave enough to test that one out ;) This one I will definitely repurchase.

This is second and last  product from the brand 183 Days that I will own because I noticed that they went out of business. I saw this foundation on sale for 2 € and decided to get it. It was very light in texture and coverage but that worked in my favor because otherwise it would be too dark for  me. I bought and used it only on my neck and chest, to match my foundation face to the rest of my body and for this it worked wonderfully. If they would still have it I would get it again, but as I said I wouldn't use it on my face.

Next to it is a lovely The Body Shop hand cream with Shea Butter. The consistency was almost gel like and very unusual considering that it is promoted as a Shea Butter cream. The texture was lightweight and fast absorbing but at the same time very hydrating (I have tried some other ones from them and they all seem to have this amazing formula that works for me like a charm). The scent was light, creamy and slightly masculine, I liked it very much and I will try to get a lotion or body butter in this scent beside another tube of hand cream.

I finally finished this The Body Shop Moringa body butter for 24 h intense moisture especially for dry skin texture. It was quite thick and a little went a long way, no surprise this big tub lasted me for months. I bought it after using up a hand cream in the same scent and I loved it so much to get this big boy but I noticed that the scent wasn't exactly the same. While the  hand cream was super floral, fresh and creamy at the same time this one felt a bit 'dusty' and not as bright. Maybe that was due to its age (I had it for a year and a half in my possession before I started to use it...) I'm not tempted to get this body butter again but I will get the hand cream which had the same gel like consistency as the Shea Butter version.

The very last item is super popular Weleda Skin Food Light (there is also 'regular' version and this one is a bit lighter). The scent is the same herbal which can be a bit too much for me. This is still very greasy and it doesn't absorb that fast, I also noticed that I have other more hydrating and moisturizing creams in my bathroom... plus the strong scent on this... at the end I used it all over my body just so I finish it up as fast as possible.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

this time I will be super short and sweet :)

I finished this Dusch Das body wash in Magnolia scent. It is one of my favorites but I think next time I will try something else, a different scent. Right now I crave something extra fruity and refreshing. These are super inexpensive and I think they do the job properly.

Next is another oldie, it is Essence nail polish remover with Strawberry and Passion fruit scent. I had this one for so long that I wasn't able to pick up the scent, just regular acetone. This one is also very inexpensive and it does the job, so if it is still available I will repurchase it again.

In the glass bottle is Beauty Glam Hyaluronic Boost Serum. I like using this ingredient under creams and oils in the night time to make sure my skin locks up enough moisture especially when it feels a bit dry. I found this brand in our local store and they carry a few varieties. I am slowly trying them all and so far I haven't been disappointed.

The very last item is my tried and trusted Rimmel London Stay Matte powder in the shade Transparent. I finished up a few of them and I just keep coming back to it. I like how it sits on top of freshly applied make-up or after a couple of hours when my nose need some touchup, plus it doesn't cost an arm and a leg ;)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I'm a little late with this one but I had some online issues...

It is a small batch of products but they are all really nice and lovely.

First is one of my favorite shampoos, it is from Iliria and it is their Birch shampoo version (I usually get it in a smaller and more simplistic packaging). It has a lovely natural/green like scent and I would say that this shampoo is on the cleansing side. It doesn't completely strip down my hair but I think it removes nicely all the oil/product buildup and leaving my hair smooth and shiny. I already repurchased it and will start using it again.

This is my first Yope product and I decided to get this Honey and Bergamot hand lotion which I also used all over my body. The scent was a light honey one, I personally wouldn't mind if the honey note would be stronger because I love this note. The lotion had a light texture which absorbed quickly and left my skin soft. After using it at night all over my body I started to notice my skin wasn't hydrated enough because sometimes it would start to itch. If I will get it again (the scent is what convinced me) I will pair it something more hydrating and nourishing.

Neutrogena makes amazing hand creams and this one is no exception. This is their concentrated hand cream and it is fabulous. You need very little and it does the job, my hands are left soft and nourished. Previously I had the same one except it wasn't in the concentrated formula. They are both amazing, this one just last longer.

The very last item is a true gem. It is Dr. Grandel ferment enzyme peeling. It is finely mild powder which you mix with a little water until it completely dissolves and then you massage your face with it. It looks like a thin foam and my skin felt baby soft the next day. There are no harsh particles or ingredients which would cause discomfort on my face, even if I had some pimples or agitated skin. There was no pain or burning sensation. I would recommend it to people with sensitive skin, I love it so much that I already have a backup of it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

for today I only have a little selection of my used up products but let me tell you, all of them will be repurchased if I haven't already.

Nivea Intensive hand cream has this amazing almost rubbery packaging. I had two different versions before this one and this one is just as lovely as the previous ones. Light texture which absorbs quickly and nourishes dry skin and did I mention this soft 'packaging'? I know I still have one more to go through and after that one gone I'm buying it again.

For this next product I can't 100% testify that it does miracles but most definitely I don't have any bad reaction from it. It is REN bio retinoid anti-wrinkle concentrate oil. I did  some research about benefits of using vitamin A and REN is a brand a lot of people with knowledge trust... I think it is a win-win combination. Truth is that I don't get that many acne anymore and my old acne scars are slowly fading. They are still visible and if I use products which are proven to even out the color and texture faster I will most definitely keep buying and using them. I already bought myself a new bottle and I hope that they don't amp up the price or discontinue it.

This product I bough out of curiosity because Neutrogena products seems to work for me and curcuma is an ingredient with lots of positive effects. I don't know just how much of it they used but it is in the first half of the ingredients list... It has a pleasant, light orange scent but it also burn my eyes if it gets too close. At first I thought that I won't repurchase it because of it but after I finished it I started to use something else and my face immediately responded with a bunch of nasty bumps on my chin, the only product that was changed was the face wash... So I think it is safe to say that Neutrogena Curcuma Clear face mousse wash is something I will repurchase again and now I have three holy grail face washes, each from a different brand.

The very last item is L'oreal Magic invisible dry shampoo Fresh Crush. This is my second bottle of it and I really like it. The scent isn't really fresh but it is somewhat bubble gum inspired and quite strong, thankfully I like it but maybe next time I will get a different one just to mix things up. This definitely has a white cast which requires some extra work but other than that I have nothing bad to say about it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

another quick empties post in a row ;)

I'm crushing these lately but that is just how it goes sometimes.

First is this amazing The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet for all skin types. They have different versions (different types of creams and gel formula), the only one that I tried it this sorbet and I can't find it online!!! Oh, no. :(  I really like the super light texture which absorbs super quick and leaves my skin nicely hydrated without greasy feeling. I love super hydrating formulas which feels so lightweight on my face and it is such a shame if it is really gone but I will try out the gel one, maybe it will feel similar?

Next is another used up bottle of my favorite foundation, Catrice HD Liquid Coverage foundation in the shade Porcelain Beige. Great color match, buildable coverage (enough to cover most of my acne scars without any additional concealer), matte feeling and it lasts for hours, did I mention that it is also very inexpensive? This is simply the best one for me.

e.l.f. makeup fixing spray is the next to go. I was super curious of this brand because it looks like everyone loves them and the prices are okay. I went with this fixing spray which is nice but the sprayer on it is a bit weird and dare to say defected. It didn't leak, it just sprays sideways... very weird and I'm not sure if I will get a new one just because of the funky sprayer.

Such a cheapy but a very nice one, in my opinion. It is Dusch Das Pomegranate body wash. I don't mind using inexpensive body wash, as long as it lathers I'm good. I also loved the fresh fruity scent, I feel like I could never get sick of it and after I'm done with what I'm using right now I'm getting this one again.

The very last one is another body wash but this one is quite different. It is Ziaja Cookies 'n' Cream body wash. A bit milkier and creamier by the scent. This smells just like a vanilla ice cream in a cone. So very yummy but I got sick of it real fast. It is very sweet and at first I liked that after a month I had to bring out the Pomegranate one to switch it up and refresh. It is a nice scent but it started to smother me after a while and I won't be getting a new bottle of it anytime soon if ever.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I'm back with some empties. This time all but one are ether already repurchased or I will get them again someday. There are some really nice products ahead.

This is one of my absolute favorite mascaras. It is Avon Supershock mascara in black with a limited edition packaging (otherwise it is plain black). I love the wand with its rubber head and tiny spikes which combs through every lash and separates them like no other. It hold a curl nicely but it doesn't elongate them but I'm cool about that. I am already using a new tube of the same mascara and I couldn't be happier.

This wand looks like it is washed, completely clean but trust me, there is still enough mascara left on it to make lashes look bomb. I used it for a couple of months and now I started to notice that it doesn't hold my curl any more so I'm replacing it with a fresh one.

Next is Essence Camouflage matt concealer in the shade Light Rose. I'm a massive fan of the Healthy Glow range of these concealers (the same packaging just instead of matte it says healthy glow). The thing is that when I was in the store I could not find my beloved version so I picked out this one and honestly I don't notice any big differences beside the shade. This is not dry as I was scared but it is super creamy and it doesn't sink into my lines. At the moment I have healthy glow version but in the future I don't care which one I will get as long as it is the light enough shade for me.

This Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear oil free moisturiser with Pink Grapefruit got me with the oil free claim and it reminded me so much of my 'regular' one from Neutogena (Visibly Clear line) in the orange tube with oil free claim on the front. On me this one performed the same except this one has a noticeable grapefruit scent. Below I will even put photos of the ingredients list (sorry for the bad photo but since the one in orange tube is full I wasn't able to squash it to get all the writing on it). The list is super similar and no wonder they both work for me. 

Neutrogena Visibly Clear oil free moisturiser

Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear oil free moisturiser with Pink Grapefruit

At the end there are two Ziaja products. First is hand cream with cashmere proteins and shea butter. At first it can be a bit oily especially if I put too much on but otherwise it protects and nourish my dry hands nicely. Light scent never bothered me and this cream never failed me. I would like to finish up a hand full of hand creams that I have and then I would repurchase it again.

Very last is Ziaja Natural Olive body lotion for dry to normal skin. It comes in this gigantic 400 ml bottle but I was surprised that I was able to finish it up so fast. It has a barely there scent, nothing too specific, I would say it smells like a lotion... This too can be a bit oily, the cream absorbs fast but slight oiliness remains which I don't like too much, this oily film would remain and it started to annoy me. My skin seems to like it because it didn't feel or look dry, so something in this formula is right, for me it is just that excessive film that bothered me and I won't repurchase it again.

Thankyou for reading and have a nice day