Empties

 Hello,

this is the second part of my empties for the month. As fast as this month went by I still managed to use up a lot of items, only now that I see all of them together I am realising that I finished a lot.

First item is Lily Lolo makeup mist. I decided to try something else so to not be too dependant of my regular Catrice fixing spray. I noticed Lily Lolo spray did not mist super fine mist and my make-up did not last long in this heat, my trusty old fixing spray still triumph this one and I will not be repurchasing it.

A little while ago I purchased this serum from Q+A. It is Zinc PCA facial serum, especially recommended for oily/combination skin to calm it down, minimize the pores, add hydration and improve skin firmness. I liked it but over the whole month I was using it I have not noticed any big differences. I probably will not be buying it again... unless if my skin will start to miss it after not using it. 

Next tube is a bit old one. Ihave completely forgot that I have this La Roche-Posay effaclar mat sebo-controling moisturizer (thankfully it have not expired jet). It has matte formula and I started to use it in the morning under my make-up. I ended up really liking it and it started to battle first place with my long time love Neutrogena oil free moisturizer but this one is more expensive so probably i will stick with the cheaper option but if it ever gets discontinued then I am swapping it with this one. It is very nice for my oily skin. 

Pink tube is Holika Holika Shimmering Petit BB cream with SPF 45 +++. I have been so afraid to use it since name implied that there are sparkling particles inside the formula but fortunately there are none. It comes only in one shade which is a shame, shade is a tad dark for me but with a highlighting powder I can lighten and brighten top areas. Formula is very smooth and it glides over my skin like butter, dry skin, flakes, bumps and acne, it covers them without accentuating them. This one quickly became one of my favorites. On top of amazing formula this one is also very inexpensive. Bellow I have made one more swatch and after I am done with the current BB I will buy this one again. 

Next is Avon Anew sensitive + dual collagen eye cream with protinol. It had nice formula which absorbed rather quickly into my undereye area but did I notice any difference in fine lines? No, not really. I liked the light texture, there was no irritation but also no results so I will not be buying it again. 

This little pink tube was a gift with purchase, it is Medicube PDRN pink collagen exosome shot serum 2000. It is supposed to be for people with dark spots and it should help them remove them, my tube was 5 ml only and after using it just a few times there was no visible results but I experienced the little needles in the formula. They were not too much and I was only feeling them on more sensitive areas around my nose and mouth, also a bit on my cheeks but forehead and neck were completely numb. I could not feel it at all. I might buy myself a larger bottle but first I have to go through some more serums that are already in my possession.  

Blue tin is famous Nivea cream. I honestly don't know when I purchased it, it had to be part of some kind of a set since I would not buy such a thick cream myself. I used it all over my body, little by little, day after day. Formula is thick and one tub lasts a long time. Recently I am experiencing a lot of itchiness on my back and thighs. I don't know what is causing it but this cream helped reduce the persistent itch. It was nice but I prefer creams with lighter formulas so this one will not be repurchased.

Little white tube is Avene Cicalfate+ repair lip balm with a 10 ml of product. It comes out pretty white but applied all over lips it quickly turns transparent. It creates film and I liked using it at night time. Every morning I woke up with a little product remaining still on the lips. It kept my lips hydrated and I really liked it and I would repurchased it again.

Tall pink tube with all the writing rubbed off is Catrice Peptide lip tint from their limited edition named Kiss & Glow in the shade Kiss Bomb (there is swatch made with it above). I purchased it las year and I fell for it completely. It has very jelly like texture with a medium but not too bright pink shade, it is not tint so there is no staining but shine is intense and it is hydrating. I since already repurchased this one and I also bought the nude version :)

Last item is mini Bbia Over Glaze gloss in Fresh. I recently acquired it with another shade and while I was testing it I also finished it up. I really like this formula, it has a little cooling sensation but barely there. Shine is intense, very mirror like and since it isn't very liquid it does not pour down my chin. It stayed put for more than one and a half hours and that is very very good. I liked it but it was clear and that by default is not my favorite, I have a lot of tinted versions (I think I have eight by now) so I will not be missing this one for long ;)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

the end of month is here and I used up only a small portion of my products this round. There are quite a few items that were close to be finished but I will have to transfer them into a new month.

First item is Mac fix+ matte fixing spray. It has a concealed bottom part (white gradient paint from the bottom up) and I did not know that there was white powder on the bottom. First time using it I did not shake it and I got white specks all over my face, my boyfriend thought that this was a new dotted make-up :) I was able to cover specks up with foundation sponge but I learned that there is matte powder and to use it properly I had to shake it first. It was a nice spray, it did keep my make-up for longer (not as long as the next one) and my skin looked matte/dry. I am used to glowy spray like the Catrice next to it.

Second is another fixing spray, this one is my beloved Catrice ultra last fixing spray. Bottle holds 60 ml of product and I use it up pretty fast, now in the hot Summer even faster. It creates a glowy film and my natural oils don't come out or towards the end of the day there is a little shine (it depends from the temperatures). It makes me naturally glowy (there are no shimmers) or if I apply more I can look super glowy but I like to keep it at the natural level. I used Mac and this Catrice ones together to get enough setting but with a moderate glow.

Next is Neutrogena oil free moisturiser. I used up another tube of it. I find this formula just right for under my make-up. I find it hydrating enough for my skin but still not greasy so my make-up would slip off. It nourishes, salicylic acid tries to keep my pores clean and my make-up blends with my skin. Still after so many years I love reaching for it and keep repurchasing it.

White tube is Embriolise hydra light cream. First I find this tube to be hard to squeeze, I bet there is still enough products left for at least three full face sessions but I was not able to get it out. Texture was visually grainy, soft to the touch but when it cam out of the tube it was kind of clinging like there are some hard particles inside. I don't know if this is just how the formula is or I might had it too long and it started to separate. Scent was fresh and slightly green (like a bouquet of fresh stems), texture was lightweight but it took a while to absorb. I was not the biggest fan of the formula so I will not be buying it again.

La Roche-Posay daily repair fluid moisturiser from the Toleraine Dermallergo line. It is meant for sensitive and redness prone skin. The texture was lightweight and it absorbed quickly. I have not noticed any breakouts but sometimes it was not hydrating enough for me so I would combine it with something more nourishing but only at night time not under my make-up. Packaging was also pretty neat, inside is a plastic clear bag and it sucks the product, it is airtight and less prone to go bad or contaminate. I probably will not be getting it again but it wasn't a bad one, just not hydrating enough.

Last item is another frequently repurchased item, it is Essence camouflage+ matte concealer in Light Rose. I use it around my eyes to conceal darkness and slightly brighten my area. I prefer to use little since it has a nice coverage but I still prefer to leave a bit of my natural shadows to come through since it looks a bit more natural and it is less creasing. This formula is nicely creamy but after months of using it gets more and more dry and that results in even dryer under eyes. I usually go through one per year and it is not even completely finished - I always open a new one before my previous is completely finished to avoid creasing. I noticed that this one is discontinued but they came out with a new revamped line... it is intriguing but I still have one back up left.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I am back with March empties. I had these photos saved for six months now and it is finally the time to share them and add these product to my virtual library.

First only lip products.

I was head over hills to get this Catrice tinted lip oil. I got it in the shade Keep it juicy!. On me it turner quite hot pink and I wasn't a fan of this shade but I loved how glossy and juicy my lips looked after applying it. I would get it again but in a different shade even though this one was lighter pin out of the two.

Next is the limited edition Catrice lip oil from their Secret Garden collection and I picked 02 True Bloom. Soft pink which looked almost clear on my lips but it wasn't as glossy as the previous version. If they would make this shade but with a high shine from the previous glow I would make a lot of purchases :)

Red bullet is Blistex lip brilliance with Strawberry scent and red coloring with silver shimmer, on the lips it looked frosty. I liked the color and shimmer on my lips but it didn't nourish them one bit and from times it made my lips tingle and not in a good way. I actually didn't even finish it but used around half and I gave up.

Last balm is another Blistex but this one is Hemp&Shea hydration lip balm. This one is clear and has slightly vanillia like, I like the feeling and scent but hydration wasn't there. At the end of the day my lips were dry :( I will not be buying any of these two again.

I have received this bottle of L'occitane Citrus Verbena EDT from a friend. I am not particularly fond of fresh and citrusy perfumes so I just used it in my bathroom as a room freshener or I sprayed it on my clotes if the fabric softener scent was gone. Unfortunately this doesn't have a long lasting properties and I will not get it again or any other from this line.

My first Banilla co. original cleansing balm and I got it in the largest 180 ml packaging. Thankfully I really liked it, so much that I have bought three more :). This one didn't irritate my eyes and removed all of my make-up. I even like the little spatula that comes with it and keep it sanitary. I was using if for solid 5 months, comparing it to the price I think that is pretty good. 

Little tube is CeraVe eye repair cream. It had a light texture and it felt nice but nothing extraordinary. For me it was very forgettable :(

Last is huge La Roche-Posay lipikar body moisturizer. I liked the light texture and fast hydration. Pump was a nice touch but not seeing through made using this product a mystery. At the end I just didn't know when it will end. I would still get it again but it takes forever to use it up because of the big 400 ml bottle.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

this is the second half of my empties for February.

This time around I have used up a Skin 79 BB cream. This one in the golden packaging is one of my favorites even though on the swatch (below) it looks a bit dark. It is easy to blend (like all Skin 79 BB's are) and is quite pigmented. I usually use it on vacation or for walks outside when I don't want too much make up and some extra spf.

Next is my very first bronzer which I got on sale for 1 EUR when it was discontinued approximately 10 years ago... and it is not even finished :( This Essence sun club 2 in 1 bronzing powder is in the shade Sunshine. The missing part was mostly highlighter which mixed together gave me pink glow on top of this bronzer. This one was so pretty on my face that now I am really sad that it is gone. Bronzer on its own is a tad too orange so I am throwing it away but it will be missed. Ever since I have been looking if Essence would come back with something similar but so far no luck

Skin79 BB cream and Essence Sunshine bronzer but only the remaining part without the highlighter.

My mom used to have this and I remember this being expensive so when I saw it at reasonable price I grabbed it immediately. It is Revlon 10 in 1 hair treatment. It smelled really good and it was a bit thick for the spray nozzle (towards the end I diluted it with some water to make sure most of it came out). I used it mostly on damp hair on my hair wash days and my hair were a bit smoother. I haven't noticed any big differences so probably I won't get it again but the scent was really nice.

I purchased a bunch of these Korres body lotions because the scent combos sounded so nice and before even trying them out I ended up with 5 or 6 of them. First I decided to try out Thyme & Honey option. At first I was disappointed because I hoped to be more honey like, instead it is creamy with some thyme and in the backdrop I can find a bit of honey. The lotion itself is nice but I wish it would smell more like honey.

This body wash from La Roche-Posay was gifted to me. It is their lipikar huile ap+ oil wash and the scent is somewhat green and bitter to me. Not my favorite but I power through, thankfully it was in a small tube. The oil was thin and didn't left any oily residue. I prefer the cream version used up earlier.

Lastly there is Xmas hand cream from Afrodita. It didn't have any particular scent but it was shimmery. I used most of it as a prank on my boyfriend. He always forgot that there was golden shimmer and then he would sparkle all night :) I used it too and it was really nice moisturising hand cream, I would prefer it without shimmer but we used it up nonetheless.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

this is the last empties post for the year and items below are the ones I used up in December.

First tube is Avon Today, Tomorrow, Always body lotion in the Today scent. To me it smelled great, floral and sweet, I did pair it with something moisturising and unscented to get the best of both worlds. The tube did get empty pretty quickly, I don't know how that happened but since I have a lot of body lotions that is a good thing. If I will find it for a low price I just might get it again.

Next is Nuxe face and body honey cleansing gel. When I saw that they make honey scented something I had to get it, so I have a big bottle with a pump and this smaller 100ml free item. I decided to get the smaller out of the way and it was amazing, my entire bathroom smelled like honey not to mention my skin. I can't wait to start using the big bottle since that one will last me for weeks.

I used up another Frudia hand cream, this time it was the Shea Butter one in the rich formula. I prefer the ones with white lids since the textures are lighter, this one smelled great (typical shea butter scent) but it was heavier in texture and it left my pals all greasy. I will not get it again but there are some lighter ones that I will buy again.

Some by Me bye bye blackheads 30 days miracle active cleansing gel (I recently used up 4 minis from this line but the face wash was different than this big sized bottle). This one comes out like a thick gel and you are supposed to apply it over clean and dry face, you leave it for a while and the gel starts turning into a thick bubble foam (I can actually hear them forming and bursting). Then I start massaging it into my skin with damp hands and it feels nice but it is time consuming so it took me quite a long time to finish it off. I probably won't get it again because of that plus it made my skin feel a bit dry.

I wanted to try something from Embryolisse and I found this radiant complexion serum. This is a full gel like product but it had a weird scent, nothing spoiled but rather plastic. It felt lightweight and great for layering but at the end I didn't liked it more than Avene or Teaology gel moisturisers so I would rather get those two over this one.

At the end I have a little La Roche-Posay sample of their Hyalu B5 serum. It is thick gel which doesn't ruin down my palms and that is a major plus for me, it absorbed quickly but this is quite expensive compared to some other brands. I already have a big bottle of hyaluronic acid serum  for much less but probably I won't buy it.

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