Empties

 Hello,

my plan to be more on time failed again, but it is okay since I am making the rules I can as well break them  :) Below are my empties for the month of June... time really flies through lately

I have used up two body washes simply because I couldn't decide. They are both Balea body washes which are very inexpensive and easy to get. First one is Plum and Almond scent and second is Floral (it reminded me of Cherry blossoms the most). I really like both and I can see myself repurchasing them if they will be still available (at the moment I have plenty of body washes so I really should not buy more).

Next two Rituals items were purchased together because I mistakenly thought that it is a body lotion and I wanted to top off the scent with a matching body spray... In reality this is a nourishing conditioner with argan oil and shikakai. The body spray is also a hair mist with Indian rose and sweet almond oil. Both scents were very close to one another, conditioner was liked by my hair and it made them soft and less frizzy but the mist didn't last long so I will not get it agin. Nice scent but not worth the price for me. 

Blue bottle is Ziaja micelar water. I was using it to remove last bits of my make up but after time I notice that it did not do its job very well. Often I would wake u the next day with mascara on my under eyes. It took me forever to use it up and I won't be buying it again.

Another blue product is The Body Shop seaweed oil-control lotion with SPF 15. I bought it a long time ago and I remember that I didn't like it on my face because it left my face oily. Only recently I started to use it again but this time on my body and it did sink into my skin pretty fast... I don't know if it is just my face which reacts differently of maybe I didn't wait long enough... anyway, now it is too late since the product is gone and so it seems The Body Shop in my area.

A while ago I purchased a full set of Bloom&Blossom products and one of them is this smooth moves stretch mark oil with Almond, Argan and Jojoba oil. It has a convenient pump but the product doesn't have a nice scent. In the past I had oils mentioned above and none smelled bad as this mix. The worst part is that my PJ and bed smell like it and I really didn't like it. I am super glad to be gone and I won't be buying it ever again.

The last two items are my beloved Essence Shine, Shine, Shine lip glosses. They are the last two that I will own because they reformulated them (I have already bought two new ones and I am loving them as well, so I won't be too sad). Warm nude is called Bright on! and the red one is Strawberry Red. Nude one is more pigmented and has more shimmer but I liked the fact that the red performed more natural looking and I didn't mind the nude being more obvious. They were very smooth, smelled great and lasted on my lips a decent amount of time. They will be missed but I am excited to dig into the new tubes.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

this time I combined my empties from the past two months into one. There were some unforgettable products that really made an impact on me.

First is Syoss keratin heat spray. My mom used to love this brand so I decided to try this heat protection spray. It did smell very nice and was very liquid in texture. I don't know how well it protected my hair since heat damage isn't something I can detect quickly. My hair don't look split or dry but I did notice less frizz, so it had to do something :) plus I really liked the scent. I will probably get it again but first I have to use up the product I am using right now.

Big bottle next to it is Bioderma Atoderm ultra-soothing balm, great for sensitive and reactive skin. I had high hopes for it but the best part for me was the packaging. I liked the pump but the product wasn't nourishing enough. My skin went through itchy faze and this balm didn't help me much. I was glad that it was used up and I won't be buying it again.

Next is another body balm and it is The body Shop Argan lotion. The scent on this is divine, the texture is light but the scent just keep on lingering. As weird as it might sound this felt more nourishing on my skin than the previous balm... I would get it again but our shop is closed, I fear that it is permanent.

A little while ago I was eager to find face cream with Salicylic acid and I have purchased a bunch of La Roche Posay products. First to go for a spin was this Effaclar duo + cream with corrective and unclogging care for anti-imperfections lotion. I used this a few days in a row all over my face and little pimples emerge. I stopped using it and after my skin calmed down I used it again and same thing happened so at the end I was using it sparingly, two or three times a week just to get it done. Something in it just doesn't suit me. It could be the zinc but I can't be sure.

This is my second tube of Essence bye, bye panda eyes mascara. I really liked it the first time and my love continues. It coats my lashes, makes them a bil longer and thicker but not clumpy (I don't like the clumpy look), quite natural but a bit more visible and I liked the name as well. It just made me smile.

On the bottom there is Ahava Time to Hydrate active moisture gel cream (I previously had day moisturiser from the same line but this one feels lighter in texture). I was using it in warmer days and it was perfect. The other one felt a bit light and not hydrating enough but I have used it in cooler weather so I did not made the same mistake and I did use this one when my skin didn't need a heavy layer and it was really nice. The mix of gel and cream texture felt perfect. I would get it again for warmer days.

In the past I used up one of these Beauty of Joseon serums and I wasn't too impressed, now I have the remaining two (I know there is a fourth one out there but i don't have it). One is Glow Deep Serum with Rice and Alpha-Arbutin, the other is Glow Serum with Propolis and Niacinamide. The first one felt like water and I used it under moisturisers but with not much of an effect. Second one was my favorite, I assume Propolis made the texture thicker and my face had glow for longer. Somehow I conected that with hydration and under the line the glow serum with Propolis was my favorite but I can't decide if it is worth buying it again. 

My favorite COSRX product is this salicylic acid face wash. It creates thick white foam/cast and it is so soft to the touch. I noticed that I was massaging it into my skin for minutes since it is so pleasant and my skin loves it. The active ingredient helps my oily and acne prone skin stay fresh, only thing is that this seems to be out of stock here (it is back :)

At the end I used up two mini hand creams. I love these in my purse as little helpers on the go. I purchased a set of Frudia hand creams, that is the reason I have so many at once. Brown lid indicates richer texture. I am usually not a fan of thicker creams but this particular one in Cactus was an exception. The scent was freas and fruity and the formula quickly absorbed into my skin. The other one is Banana scented (it was like the real fruit but sweeter) and it should be lighter in texture but it wasn't. They felt quite similar besides the scent. I like both of them and would get them again. 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I am super late but my empties have been waiting for me. First photo is showcasing my empties in March and second is from April.

First is one of my favorite hand creams. It is Avon care coconut hydrating hand cream. Lightly scented, easily spreadable and very moisturizing. The price is also not too high and this one remains as one of my favorites and I am buying it again.

Next is Teaology matcha tea ultra firming face cream. This was a blunder since I wanted the gel version but I was in too much of a rush and I also didn't know that there is also a cream version. It is super green and if I didn't blend it all the way in I could look like shreek :) towards the end I started to really like it (the formula not the color) but I will rather get the gel version since it is moisturizing enough and I prefer the texture.

On top is my beloved Artdeco eyeshadow base. It is somewhat my skin tone and has some minor shimmer but I don't mind it since I rarely wear matte looks. This is one of the rare bases which holds my eyeshadow s in place. I already purchased a new pot and I already started using it.

Holika Holika petit moisturizing BB cream is one of my old school products. I used to wear it on its own but now I only wear BB creams on my vacation or I put them on my neck to help matching my face to the rest of my body. At the moment I am using another one of my holy grails which is Skin 79 Gold BB and that one tops this one for me. This one has a bit thinner texture and can look a bit dark on me but with a little effort I can make it work.

The very last item is Beauty of Joseon calming serum Green Tea & Panthenol with calming and moisturizing properties. Full of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. I liked the thin formula and slight green tint but honestly I didn't noticed much of a difference in my skin. I also have two other versions and I will see if the two will be more effective but for now this green version won't be bought again.

I has been ages since I used Herbal Essences shampoos and when I saw this one I just had to have it. It is deep repair with manuka honey. The scent was divine and it did made my hair softer but using it non stop the conditioner on top also made an impact. I hoped this shampoo will be even more moisturizing but I guess I can't have it all. I haven't decided if this shampoo will be repurchased since I have a bunch of other shampoos but I loved the scent and that is also important :)

I had this Balea Flower Shower body wash before. It is super inexpensive and smells like Blackberries. For me thise Balea body washes are a hit or a miss, some scents turn out plasticky but fortunatelly this one is nice I am not picky as long as I get some bubbles and it gets me clean. Att he moment I am using a plum scented one which is also nice.

Heimish makes All clean make-up cleansing balm. This is first time using a balm to remove make-up (I think) and it is amazing. It does removes everything and it doesn't leave much residue. I always follow with second wash so it is fine if there is some product left. I was really impressed with it and I will probably buy it again. Something to mention is also a little plastic spoolie that comes with it so I never had to stick my fingers in it :)

Little tube on top is Kiehl's Creamy Eye treatment with Avocado. Me and my sister made a little purchase and they let you pick some items. My sister really likes it and she suggested to get this mini for myself. I find this formula weird. It doesn't mix with water or serums. I had to make sure my skin and fingers were dry othervise it just didn't want to move around but when I figure this out it was nice but it started to bug me so much that at the end I just used it up and I won't be buying it.

Next is hand cream from Iliria, their famous 48h protecting hand cream. The formula is easily absorbed, it doesn't leave greassy stains and makes my hands super soft. It is neck to neck with Avon coconut one, the scent on this one is gentle and cream like (when you smell it you get the idea that you are smelling a lotion). I already purchased two of them as backups.

Another one of Catrice fixing sprays is gone. Such a big impact in a small 50 ml bottle. It can feel like hair spray on my face if I apply too much at once but it does hold my make up in place. Everytime I place an order through online skincare and fragrance store I get a few of those, probably I have now around 20 backups and I am not planing on stopping anytime soon.

The very last item is another holy grail of mine and I went through so many tubes of it already and I already have two backups ;) It is Neutrogena oil free face moisturizer. It is normal cream texture but absorbs quickly and hydrates my skin all day long. One weird fact is that I have been using it for a few years but the packaging changes so many times... it is insane, thankfully the product remains the same.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I got a bit lazy and I decided to join both empties posts into one. First photo features products used in the first half and second photo shows products used at the end of the month.

First of there is Balea Flower Dream body wash and shampoo. I only used it as a body was and even though it implies floral scent to me it smelled like fresh Raspberries. I really liked it and I would get it again in a heartbeat.

Next is a staple of mine, Beauty Glam Niacinamide serum, I love adding it to my night time routine under heavier creams to smooth my texture and help with sensitivity of my skin. I already have a new bottle of it and when it will be on sale I am getting it again.

Third is my beloved Dr. Grandel ferment peeling. It comes in a glass and inside is thin white powder when mixed with water it gets activated. The foam is super thin and light, I just massage it onto my face and rinse afterwards, my skin is immediately smoother and what I like it is how gentle it is. No particles and no burning, my sensitive skin approves and this is my second bottle already. These last for about one year so for me it is money well spent.

Tube is Frudia Mango lip balm. It is a thick product with barely there fruity scent (I hopped for a stronger and juicer scent) but I did like the which texture, perfect for night time. More often than not I would wake up with product still on and that is something I like. My lips never looked dry or chapped afterwards so formula is right. Next time I would like to try some other versions as well, I am tempted by Grape version.

Last in line is Catrice Illuminating blush in the shade I'm nuts about you. Lovely peach shade which added some brightness to my face. I really grow to like this blush as I think it looked really nice against my skin tone. In a way it will be missed but I'm also very excited to wear something else, maybe pink blush.

One of my favourite dry shampoos is this Batiste blush option. Fresh Peony scent and well known and loved formula. I already have a few backups of it, it just shows my love.

Second is Balea perfumed deodorant. This is my second and last bottle of it, I purchased it of well know Mugler Alien scent but I don't trust this formula enough to wear it on its own. Usually I would top my other deos with it to add some scent. I also have lotion with this scent and I enjoy it very much.

Avon advance technique smooth as silk hair oil is the bomb. In the past I have used up a few bottles of it and I sill like it. My hair loves it and look less brittle or dry if I use it. I got into a habit of using it on clean damp hair every time I wash them and my hair look healthy and happy (if that is possible).

Last is my beloved Catrice ultra last fixing spray. It does feel like hairspray but with right dosage it is not noticeable and my make-up lasts all day long. I already have 10+ backups of it :) Talk about obsessed ;)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Project Polish

 Hello,

I completely forgot to upload my last batch of finished polishes from last year. This year I am starting over and continue with my quest of minimising my nail varnish collection.

I keep coming back to this Essence Sweet as Candy color as it is inexpensive and light, just as I like. I went through four bottles already and have a few backups but I see that this shade is discontinued :( I like this barely there look, it just looks polished and goes with everything. I am already buying different but similar looking shades to replace this beauty.

Next is my very last Essence Soda Pop & Candy Shop nail varnish. I had many of these (I purchased them when they were on sale before they discontinue them). This one is a similar concept but even more sheer and therefore I liked it less. Mostly I was using it as a base coat. I am really glad that they are gone for good.

Rockablue is the name of the next Essence polish but it is grey not blue. Very light and I love this type of grey. I don't think I have similar shade to this one in my stash at the moment but it will be replaced with light blue... as I'm still trying to minimise my purchases and replace varnishes with what I already have.

The very last one is Essie Mademoiselle. Again, a light pink but this one is super sheer (similar to Essence Soda Pop & Candy Shop) but more expensive... at the end I was using it as a top coat to add a bit of jelly look. I have some other Essie nail polishes that I like better with similar effect.

My goal to reach 10 or less nail polishes is still in progress, at the moment I have 56 colored or textured bottles. Still much better than last year and I need to speed up a bit (less buying and more focus :).

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

it is time for my empties. There are some big bottles included and they took me long time to finish them up but fortunately I liked both of them.

I purchased this Nuxe body revitalising nourishing milk with green tea extract a while ago but it took me quite long time to finish it up (actually it isn't completely gone since there is still product inside but I can't pump it out, I will have to tilt it and pour it out into some other container to use it all up). It had a slight green scent which isn't my favourite but it did absorb into my skin fast and kept it nourished. Towards the end I was using another scented lotion over it to compensate for the scent. It isn't a bad lotion, my only complaint is the scent which isn't unpleasant but I like something else.

Big black bottle is Avon advance techniques miracle defender shampoo for fuller and thicker look since my hair are thin and lack volume. It was a nice shampoo and my hair liked it but it is already discontinued so I won't be able to get it again. At the moment I'm using something with Honey and I prefer the new bottle so even if I would have a chance I would not get it again.

Next in line is Estee Lauder enlighten, dark spot correcting night serum. It worked as a serum for evening out my skin tone all over and as a dark spot corrective (for targeted areas and for my whole face to match with the rest of my body) with consistent use it also helped to reduce my redness. I was very pleased with this item and it is such a shame that I can't find it again, it seems like it is discontinued :(

Bloomin Garden is a limited edition hand cream from my favourite Avon care soothing line and it is their standard Jasmin & Glycerine version. I like the change of packaging but the content seems to stay the same. It is fast absorbing and nourishing enough hand cream with a light floral scent. Definitely my favourite together with Coconut and Banana version.

Second to last is Dove anti-perspirant with Lotus flower and Rice water scent. It is a roll-on product which is my preferred way and the scent for me is perfect. Very light (not strong in the sense that people across the room would smell me) but it is also gentle as a type. Sort of like a fabric softener, at the moment I'm already using something else and it doesn't compare with this one. I did not sweat much so full test was not made but still I like it enough to buy it again.

And the very last item is Alkemilla cosmetics lip balm in the Banana scent. It is a bit on the sweet like candy banana scent but still very nice, I have a problem with the texture since it is very hard and extra waxy. I would be okay with it if the harder texture would mean longevity but I have to constantly apply more and it bugs me. The scent is a plus for me but hard texture and applying it every 15 minutes bothers me soo much that I am willing to throw it away before finishing it up completely. 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

new year and a fresh start. Apparently I'm starting January with some new lip balms :) These below are really lovely and so far what I'm using doesn't get close to these three. 

I finished up another bottle of Catrice ultra last fixing spray. I love this one the most out of all of fixing sprays that I have tried. I love the long-lasting matte effect that it has on my face but it doesn't look flat matte. It almost looks like shiny skin but matte... it is really impossible to describe. If you are on a hunt for a new fixing spray and have oily skin I would suggest you to try it out.

On the bottom is Ahava time to hydrate essential day moisturiser. It had a lightweight feel and it absorbed completely into my skin in about 15-20 minutes. If my skin was oily it was hydrating enough but on days when my skin needed a bit more it just didn't cut it. Later I started layering it with more hydrating serums and then it was better for days when my skin needed some extra care. I don't think I will get it again even though it wasn't the creams fault but I should use it on warmer days. 

Lastly there are three lip balms which are completely used up. Yellow one is Crazy Rumor's Honey Comb. I am obsessed with anything honey related and I like the scent on this one, even though it is honey and floral scent. I had one from them before, it was the Grape Jelly flavour which was a bit softer in texture and because of that I prefer that one. This isn't bad at all but comparing the two I liked the softer, more buttery formula. I will definitely try more versions as soon as I use up some more balms.

The last two are reformulated Terra Nature lip balms (before they also had two and I loved one, the other one was just okay) and I was nervous to try the new versions. I hoped for the best and I can say that I love both of them :)  Nude one is Shea butter & Argan oil and the pink one is Shea butter & Almond oil. They are both super soft (they might melt in hot Summer weather but that is the kind of formula that I personally like). They both just melt into my lips and keep them nourished all day long, I like the glossy finish and the pink one has tiny, barely visible shimmer particles which only add to the glow. I honestly love them the most in my collection and when I saw double pack of the nude one I immediately purchased it, shame that I couldn't find the pink duo as well since I would get it as well. These two are my favourite formulas at the moment and I only wish for them to bring more flavours or if I stay more humble I hope they will not discontinue them.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day