Empties

 Hello,

my last empties for this year and it is a handful. I always like to finish as many product as possible to start fresh in new year.

I used up another Catrice ultra last fixing spray. This one is my favorite and I fear the day they replace it with something new. So far it is the cheapest and best for me to date. It keeps my make-up in place and holds back my natural oils.

Next is Revox 5% Hyaluronic acid serum. A very nice, thicker texture for adding/bonding the moisture. I always like to keep something with Hyaluronic acid around my skin care and would get it again.

Little guy is Alverde Rose oil which I have been using for years but in the last few years I stopped using it. I used to love it since it calm down my redness but now I feel like my face don't get as red as used to so now I have not noticed as much of improvement since I don't have the same skin issues. I think I will not be buying it again because my skin just does not need it.

Big pink tube is Bloom & Blossom hand cream. In the past I had a little version and I liked it a lot so I decided to get the big one and I had this tube unopened for a few years and I wonder if it went bad. The scent in the little one was fresh citrusy, here it was a bit different. I still used it but it was quite greassy, I remember the first tube had thiner consistency 

Another product from my past is this Alkmene tea tree face wash. I used to have super oily skin with a lot of acne and tea tree helped me. Now my oils are better controlled and rarely get any acne so I just used it up and probably will not be getting it again.

Bottle next to extremely large one is Subrina Moroccan treasure body wash. It has a clean and relaxing scent. It does not smell of spices but rater like see with warm air. I really like this one and I am sad that it is all used up. It was a gift and probably I will not be getting it again because this one is not the cheapest, but the scent might be worth it :) Next time I will be in the store I will check if it is perhaps on sale and maybe get it then.

And the big boy is Afrodita Hemp shampoo for hair strengthening. It had a nice refreshing scent, thicker texture and my hair afterwards were super clean but not dry like straw. I think it cleansed them of all excess oils and remaining products and it was a nice clarifying shampoo. Usually I used it for my firsh shampooing and for the second one I used something else, following with some conditioner or a mask. I would get it again.

I finally used up another bottle of perfume and it is one of my favorites, Versace Crystal Noir EDT in a cute 30 ml bottle. I love the warm and spicy scent of it and the bottle is the cutest. I still have another larger bottle of it and also a EDP which smells the same to me.

I used up Catrice Glossing Glow nail varnish with a striking pink tint to mask the yellow from my nails. I really liked this one since it not only hide the yellow tint but it also gave my nails a slight pink tint. Very nice, easy to apply and would get it agin but I can't find it. Is it discontinued?

Big round pot is Avon planet spa from their Energise Ritual line with Chinese green tea extract body butter. The butter itself was a bit thick but the relaxing and cosy scent was magical, I would get it again.

In front there is Rimmel lasting provocalips duo in Come up Roses. This includes very drying liquid lipstick on one side and nicely hydrating lip balm on the other. The color of the lid is supposed to match with the color but this shade is much darker on the lips than shown here. I did not care about the liquid lipstick part but I did used up the clear lip balm. It was very shiny and nourishing. If Rimmel will ever release it on its own I would get it in a heart beat.

On the first swatch is polka dot Apivita Pomegranate lip balm. This one is waxy and stiff but the color payoff is nice. I noticed that it is not the most hydrating balm but the emphasis is on the color. Mine is a bright pink and it was nice but I would get the dark plum one (I think it is Currant and brown in Chestnut). Again, I would not get these for nourishing properties but for the color alone, for me this is like a lipstick. I care about the color and that is it.

Next are already discontinued Mac glow play tinted balms in Sweet Treat and Floral Coral. Sweet Treat was a bit too pale on me but after around 15 min it settled and it was fine, Brighter coral one was my favorite and I liked the added brightness. When applied they were very glossy but the shine went away a little too fast for my liking and there were no moisturising properties. I still have one shade left and after that I will not be missing them.

I used up both Avon power stay liquid stains in Stay Naked (bright peach) and She's a Natural (poop kind a color :) I liked the formula on these. They applied like pigmented gloss, then it started to dry, the pigment deepened and settled but then the shine came back and it looked glossy. I really like that progression and first shade. I will probably get it again and I am also thinking about the pink shade.

Burt's Bees lip shimmer with peppermint oil in Peony option. It is swatched last and it has a very strong peppermint scent to it, pink shade and it is packed with shimmer. At first it looks nice but after 10 min it dries and I am left with dry shimmer and I don't like that. It is not actually finished but I am still throwing it away because I don't like how it looks on me and strong minty scent is also not doing it for me.

Last mini is Clarins lip comfort oil in Pitaya. It smelled very nice and it was juicy on the lips, whoever the shine did not last but it did leave a stain which was bright pink. Not my favorite color but I loved the scent and glossines. I will probably not be getting more unless they are included in some sets or free gifts with purchases.

Hopefully I will continue using up products in the next year and only buy the bare minimum so my extensive collection of items will get reduced.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

below I have a small batch of empties but they are just for the first half of May, second half will be fuller.

Tall bottle throwing the balance of the line is Batiste Floral dry shampoo. I still like them a lot and rarely buy from other brands just because these are so nice. It is slightly white but if I am careful it is okay. Lovely scent of a non descriptive floral scent but I will get it again.

Next is It's skin power 10 formula VC effector with vitamin C. I really liked this serum, the texture was just right and the bottle lasted me a long time. I like vitamin C products since I still have some acne scars and they disappear faster with use and this one did a nice job. I would get it again.

While purchasing some of their products (mostly body moisturisers) I have also received this mini Korres Greek Yoghurt nourishing probiotic gel cream for calming and hydrating my skin. I liked the light texture (I am a sucker for gel textures) but sometimes it was too 'light' for me, I would follow with some oil on top. I probably won't be buying it, because there are other ones with similar texture that I have tried and work for me better.

In the middle there is oil from Milnica and it is Castor oil. I used it mainly for my hair to promote hair growth but I haven't noticed any big changes, I still prefer Great Burdock for my hair. This one is also very thick and greasy. I need to check if there is another bottle of Castor oil in my 'collection' to use it up and then I probably I won't be buying it again.

I have finished up another Avon advance technique supreme oils hair oil. I absolutely love these, no matter which option I get I love them all or maybe I should say that my hair loves them. I like to use them on still damp hair after washing and it smooths them and makes them silkier and shinier. Right now I am using oil from a different brand but I don't like it as much. These are not as greasy, one pump for the ends of my still slightly wet hair and no oilyness in sight. 

Last but not least is one of my favorite scents at the moment. It is a travel option of Lancôme La vie est Belle Oui perfume. I already purchased big size (hello sparkly bottle) and later received this one as a gift with purchase. This size is nice to just put it in my purse and refresh while on the go even though this one lasted on me almost whole day (usually I use three sprays) mostly I would use it if I forgot to use perfume at home. Because this is so long lasting on me it also lasted me a long time, thankfully I still have almost full 100 ml bottle.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

this is the second half of my empties for the month of August (okay, one isn't completely empty but it has probably gone off).

First is Pflanzen kosmetik von Miller Jojoba oil. It is a staple in my make-up since I like to use it as a make-up remover and as a moisturizer. I think I already have a new bottle but I got spoiled with make-up removing balm which I think I prefer, so now this Jojoba oil will become more as a moisturizer for me. 

I did not use this oil from The Body Shop Tahitian Orchid as a massage oil but in the shower after washing (applying it on wet skin) and my body had nice herbal scent when I went to bed. I used to love oils on my skin but now I am just not that much into greasy filing so now I prefer lotions. I am glad that I used it up but I won't be buying it again.

The only item which isn't completely finished is this old H&M color essence eye cream eyeshadow in Shirocco. I had this for way too many years and now it is time to declutter it. It was still very creamy but it started to crease and so it hit the bin.This one was doubled as a primer as well since it lasted on me all day long. Beautiful warm brown which could be sheered out and I often applied something powdery on top to change the tone and made it slightly different and interesting to wear. If H&M would still have them I would get it immediately.

Big pot ia Afrodita's Pure Coconut body butter. In a way it was light but it didn't completely sink into my skin. I wanted to get the scrub but I accidentally got the butter... I wasn't mad because I liked it but probably I will get the scrub next since I have too many body moisturizers.

I have finished another bottle of my beloved foundation, it is Catrice HD liquid coverage foundation in Light Beige. I really like it because it is buildable, shade matches me and it is very inexpensive. I already have a backup and I am full stocked with it if they perhaps discontinue it. I hope that will never happen but why my luck you never know. 

I wanted to try some of their loose powders and at the end I also picked up two of their lip products, one of them is this Makeup Revolution London glaze lip oil Glam Pink with Cherry scent. This oil was slightly pink tinted but on the lips it was clear. The scent was present but it didn't remind me specifically of Cherry. This was super thin lip oil which disappeared within 10min of of my lips, my lips got a bit dry and flaky towards the end of the day and that is major reason for not getting it again, plus it was gone in just three days.

Next is another Dr. Paw Paw plumping lip oil. Recently I was talking in detail about it and I was not a fan. It also disappears within 10min, it doesn't hydrate much and constant reapplying is a must. For me this is just too much of a hassle and I don't want to get it again, their multi purpose balms suit me better. 

And the very last item is another lip product it is Mixa lip balm  anti-dryness for dry, flaky lips. This was a solid lip balm, hydrating and nourishing but it also disappeared from my lips too fast. I probably won't get it again but out of the three used up lip products from this post this one was my favorite.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

it is time to do the empties and again I have not finished up whole lot, just a few necessities. 

Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda hand balm is supposed to be scented with almond oil and Indian rose. To me it smells very nice, creamy and comforting, lovely to go to bed to. I was using it after washing my hands daily but also at night time before going to bed I put it all over my arms and upper body for the scent alone. It had such a nice light texture and the scent was my favourite part.

I also finished up a bottle of perfume which is Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Pin up in the limited edition bottle. It held 50 ml and I already have a regular larger bottle of it. It is a sweet orange blossom scent which opens up a bit bitter (not my favourite part but manageable). After an hour or so of wearing it it gets more airy and slightly fresher so wearing it in the summer it doesn't feel like too much. I still very much love this scent so I'm glad to have a backup but before using the new one I will give a chance to some of my other fragrances to avoid getting tired of it.

In the glass bottle is The Ordinary 100% organic cold pressed rose hip seed oil. I love using rose oil since my skin responds well to it. This one didn't feel any different than any other that I have tried except towards the end it got a bit more milky and less transparent, I wonder If that is due to its age (I can't quite remember when I bought it but I can tell it is old). I think I already have a new bottle and I will continue using it. 

Last is Catrice ultra last fixing spray and this one is the best I have ever tried, if applied enough it feels like a hair spray on my skin. I will admit that it does feel weird but my make-up last the longest. It is a product that I will buy for as long as they will make (I already purchased three backups).

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

a little late, out of my regular schedule but nonetheless back with my empties list. It is short but sweet.

First is body wash from Dusch Das in my longtime favourite Magnolia scent. I went through countless of these and slowly I'm getting sick of this scent but I get nostalgic every once in a while. These are very inexpensive and they have a wide range of different scants to pick from, I will probably get more in the future and this particular Magnolia scent as well.

Purple bottle is limited edition Balea Golden Moon perfumed deodorant. I wanted to get the lotion (I did found one last tube) and while I was there already I also got myself this deodorant because of the lovely scent. It is a spot on Mugler Alien scent and I fell in love with it. This deo is not the best and I just layer it over my 'regular' deodorant, I have another bottle and when it is gone it is gone. I will not get it again because they aren't for me but the scent is really nice and what got me in the first place.

Last is Pflanzen Kosmetik von Mueller Wild Rose oil. I mostly used it for removing my make-up, occasionally as a moisturiser as well. It is also very inexpensive and already on my to buy list. I think it does the job, just like any other more expensive Rose oil that I have tried. 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

as promised this time I have way more finished items than in my previous post. I was working overtime on some of them to be able to finish them up.

This is already my second and maybe also my last tube of Cosrx Salicyilc acid daily gentle cleanser. I love using it at night after already cleansing my face as a treatment. It is a cream product and it gets creamy and slightly foamy while mixed with water. I just gently massage it onto my face and afterwards my skin feels and looks softer with less texture. I would buy it again if I would find it but I bought from the same brand another one with the same active ingredient and I will see if it is just as good.

Next is this Balea Almon and Cherry Blossom body wash. It smells divine and my first thought was to get a backup immediately but the texture didn't convinced me. It is watery and it doesn't foam... it feels weird and I get a feeling like I'm not properly cleaning my body. I do have another scent which I'm using at the moment and after the second tube is gone I will no longer buy this body wash no matter how good it smells.

In the white tube is Ziaja hand cream with silk proteins and provitamin B5. It is a lightweight cream which absorbs quickly and makes my hands soft but I have noticed that after I wash my hands (even after hours) it just comes off and my hands aren't any better... it looks like it works while it is on but after washing my hands the benefits are washed away. It seems like it doesn't penetrate my skin and work its magic. I did finish it up but I will not buy it again. 

Next is basic Jojoba oil by Pflanzen Kosmetik. I primarily used it as my make-up remover. It melts my products nicely and afterwards a gentle cleanser is able to remove it all. In my opinion very simple jet effective product and I have already repurchased it.

This is super old limited edition Carice Bronze away to... hydrating fixing spray. At first I was scared that there will be some shimmer or glitter particles but it doesn't contain any. I really liked this one and I'm eager to see if they will have another LE one this year and in the mean time I just got their 'regular' fixing spray. 

Another repurchased item is this Eveline cosmetics Expert C serum with 12% active vitamin C. I love Vitamin C on my skin and how well it combats my hyperpigmentation left after acne. This one is on the inexpensive side of the range and it works so I already have a new bottle of it. 

Under is Nuxe Honey balm which was my lip balm of choice for night time and it was really nice. Not quite fantastic so I am using something else at the moment but it is quite possible that I will get it again. I love the honey scent and how greasy it is but at the same time sometimes I thought it was just too greasy, but none the less it was nourishing enough for me to get me through some dry patches in my life.

The last one is my beloved L'occitane hand cream in the Neroli and Orchide Intense version. I'm still not the biggest fan of their formula (they do have different ones, gel has to be my favourite) -this one being a lightweight cream but the scent is what I was sold on. It is a gorgeous sunny and warm neroli and since I love it so much my sister already got me another one as a gift :)

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

we are already at the end of this short month and just when we thought that the Winter is over it showed us some more teeth. 

In front there is Avon color trend lip gloss in Berry Drizzle. I remember getting this shade is a bundle because I could't choose any other. It was a purple with a blue shift, not very noticeable but if looked close you could see it. The scent is fruity (not sure of which fruit) and it also tastes like it, so that is big thumps up for me, the shade was not my favourite but if I applied it lightly it mostly looked like a clear gloss. I would get it again but in a different shade.

Next to it is another Alverde bottle of Rose oil. I love getting them because the pipette works and I don't make a mess with this packaging (think big opening and every time you have to pour it out...). My skin is often a bit pink/red looking and constantly using Rose oil helps reduce the redness. I'm already using a new bottle of it.

In the back there is this big bottle of Garnier Pure Active micellar cleansing water for combination to oily and sensitive skin. I really liked this one. My skin liked it, it didn't break out from using it and it removed any traces of make-up. I would get it again but I already have two other bottles that need to be finished up before getting new one.

Next are my favourite bottles of Catrice HD liquid coverage foundations. First one is in the shade Porcelain Beige (lighter and yellow toned) and next one is in Light Beige (compared with the first one slightly darker and neutral in tone - which also suits me better but I use the Porcelain Beige to mix it in because I purchased it by mistake and I have to use it up somehow). It is just a coincidence to have them both run out. My shade, Light Beige will forever be on my shelf but the Porcelain Beige feels unnecessary but since I have another full bottle of it I have to use it up and then hopefully I won't make another mistake and will buy the right shade.

From The Body Shop I have two body moisturisers from last year and they are both in the same scent. It was their Holiday themed Spiced Orange (Orange, Vanilla and Cinnamon scent). Top one is body yogurt and the bottom is their body butter. This had a very strong predominately spicy scent with some fresh Orange. Very nice and comforting but I had enough of it and I'm ready to move on to something fresher and lighter. If they will have it again at the end of the year I might get it again, I loved both formulas even though their yogurts aren't the most moisturising in the Winter time for my skin.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

it is the last day of this year and I'm cleaning my space. Pretty much my entire closet got a fresh start and I have to do the same with skincare and make-up. These are the last empties for the year and it is time to move on.

I purchased this body wash this year and the scent was so nice that I just had to use it immediately. It is from Balea and is named Flower Shower, to me it is a creamy blackurrant scent and I liked it a lot. I know this is a limited edition scent and probably I won't be able to get it again but if I see it I will buy it.

Next is Biobaza body lotion in the Spring Flowers option (Rose and Geranium). This to me smells more like Lavender and I was ok with that because it smells so comforting and lovely, quite perfect for going to bed. I think this is still available and I will get it again. The texture was on more liquid side so I had to be extra careful when I would open it but that is the only minus I can see. 

Then there is Hazelnut oil from Milnica and I used it as my first step of removing my make-up. The packaging is a bit awkward because it has a large opening so spilling too much happened frequently. The oil itself is nice, it lifted my make-up and didn't irritate my eyes. I would get it again. 

The very last item is my beloved Catrice Powerfull 5 liquid lip balm in the shade Fresh Acai Berry. I treat it more like a lip gloss but in reality it is more of a hybrid between a lipstick and a lip gloss in my opinion. It has pigment (that lovely fresh off red shade which made my lips look more plump but not overly tinted) but still is a bit shiny (not glossy but also made it last a bit longer than a regular gloss). The pigment stayed on my lips for longer than the shine did and I love that also this particular shade was a good match for me. I really liked it and would get it again in the same color, the only negative point is that it wasn't moisturising at all.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

  a little late but still here :)

First is The Body Shop Wild Argan oil for body and hair. I had this bottle for so long that now it really was the last time to start using it before it turned on me. To me it smells divine (I had a body butter in this scent and it was also a love) and it was a bit of a shame that I used it as a make-up remover... but that was the only way to finish it up before going bad. It did work well as a first step of removing make-up but the scent is just too good to use it for that. I would buy it again but to use it a moisturizer as intended so the scent would linger and last all night.

Next is another oil, this one is Avon Advance Technique moisturizing serum with Argan & Coconut, this one is specifically for hair and surprisingly I did use it on my hair exclusively. One pump on slightly wet hair after washing them really made them soft and less frizzy. I would buy it again but I have a few other just as amazing oils left and I really need to go through all of them before buying more.

A few years ago I fell in love with chemical and enzyme scrubs because I find them more suited for my acne textured skin. This is Q+A Apple AHA exfoliating gel. I used it on cleansed skin in the evening and the next day my skin felt softer and smoother. It is a gel texture so I had to be careful when I opened the tube because the product would just come out. Even though acid can be strong for my sensitive skin this one didn't irritate me and I just massaged it into my skin and then rinsed it off and continue with my night time routine. I would get it again but at the moment I'm using something different and I need to finish what I already have.

I previously had hair conditioner from Nivea in a blue tube but they discontinued it and replaced it with this pink tube so I decided to buy it and see if it is just as good as the previous version and I can say that they are super similar and make my hair look their best. It is Nivea hairmilk natural shine mild conditioner. It is a thicker gel which I use after washing on damp hair, I leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse. My hair are softer, smoother (less frizz and shinier) I also noticed that my hair would be more straight (my hair are naturally straight but sometimes I get a random curl after sleeping on them but not after using this conditioner, they look almost as if I straighten them, just more polished and it looks like I put way more effort into styling them in the morning than I actually did). I already bought a new tube and using it in my shower.

The last item is Nivea hand cream, smooth care in mini 30 ml packaging. I received mine in an advent calendar so I'm not sure you can buy this little size (I at least haven't seen it in the store but I can get it in the same type of packaging but bigger). This is super cute and the product inside is also nice, scent vise it is nothing special but the cream is lightweight and absorbs quickly. I do find it moisturizing when my hands aren't very dry, when I get super dry skin this isn't enough. I know still I have Cherry Blossom version that I need to finish but probably I won't buy more because there are better creams out there.

Thank you  for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

it is the end of the month and I expected to havemore finished items... probably I will finish a whole lot more in the next couple of days.

First is Avon's care revitalising with Banana hand cream (one of my absolutely favorites). It is lightweight and it does its job done. My hands are soft and supple even after washing, that for me is the ultimate test and this one succeeds. This particular one is in the limited edition packaging but is it exactly the same. I already have a new tube waiting to get used.

Next is another hand cream and is also a gem. It is Neutrogena's unfragranced hand cream which has a very interesting formula. Like a thick gel, perhaps? A little goes a long way and I agree, this tube lasted me more than a year (I didn't use it all the time but still it lasts way longer than any other hand cream that I tried). I like that it isn't sticky or tacky (well, it can be if I put too much on at once but if I apply little by little it is okay). I also already repurchased it but I think now I have the fragranced version.

In the middle is a Rosehip face cleansing oil from the Q + A brand. I recently discovered this brand and I bought a bunch of their products, this oil is just the first to be finished. I liked the packaging (the bottle has a nice and precise pipette and it doesn't leak) but I expected this oil to be more Rosehip... in fact there is Sweet Almond, Rosehip, Hemp seed, Avocado, Argan, Kernel, Castor and Sunflower seed oil. It was on the thicker side and it definitely leave oily residue but that doesn't bother me too much since I double cleanse if my first step is oil. The one thing that is making me rethink is that it didn't completely remove my eye make-up, in the past I had some other oils and were better at removing my eye make-up so I won't repurchase this one again.

The last are two bottles of the same Cucumber toner from Milnica (I ordered 100ml bottle but apparently they were out of it so they send me two smaller bottles). The packaging has a big opening and since I am a very clumsy person I often spill... my solution was to pour it in a spray bottle and use it as a mist to refresh in the evening in the middle of my moisturizing routine or on days with no make-up or even on top of freshly applied make-up to make it melt into my skin better (but always setting with a powder on top). It was a nice refreshing toner, I didn't noticed any big difference but I like spraying my face :) my favorite still remains Lavender... I still have a few toners left that I need to finish before buying more but honestly I don't think I will repurchase it again, I might get the Chamomile one next.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

the first half of the month is already behind us and I seriously thought I would have more items finished up. There is a whole bunch of products hanging on their last legs which will be featured at the end of the month.

Teaology Matcha Latte body milk with Matcha Tea infusion and organic vegan milks is a lovely body moisturizer which I received free of charge when I bought my first face cream from them  (it is already used up and I already have a new one), the scent is the same, green tea like and very comforting and nice. It felt nourishing and my skin liked it but I didn't think it was anything too special, especially not for a bit higher price tag. Maybe I will get it again if I see it on sale but this 100 ml tube was finished up in just two weeks...that is a bit fast even for me. 

Next is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% toning solution. I heard a lot of good things about this type of acid in toners and I wanted to try it out. I haven't noticed and changes which I could pinpoint to this product, after a while it started to get pointless for me and I started to use it less regular and that helped my skin even less. I know I just got lazy with this item because I know I should use it regularly but my laziness got the best of me. I still have some bottles laying around that I have to use up and maybe this next one I will use as instructed.

I managed to finish up a  bottle of a fragrance. It is only a 20 ml version of Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume but still, this is a big deal for me because I have a lot of bottles. I really liked this scent but probably I won't repurchase it again because I have two other fragrances that smell similar but are even better to me (Armani In Love with You and Dior Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming).

This next item is a love of mine and I already have a backup of it. It is Alverde Dog Rose face oil. This little 15 ml bottle lasts for quite a while since I don't need a lot but it helps with my overall red tone of my face, it sooths and calms down my skin and I love it. Extra bonus is the nice rosey scent.

Second to last is The Body Shop Tea Tree pore minimizing face primer which is my very last tube of it because they don't make it anymore :( My skin is acne prone and using something with Tea Tree under my make-up makes my skin happy. I'm not 100% sure it helped fight off acne but it sure did have trick my brains and had a big psychological impact on me. I was sure I will buy this till the end of my days... my make-up also did look very nice on top of it. This doesn't feel like a regular silicone primer but rather like a face moisturizer, my skin afterwards did look a bit more matte but it didn't hold my oils at bay for long. As mentioned above, I liked the strong Tea Tree scent which triggered my brains into thinking that I'm using skincare under my make-up. If they ever come out with a similar sounding item I'm getting it immediately.

The very last item is Catrice LE lipstick (collaboration with Peta) in the shade Feel Good. A lovely mauve toned shade (my favorite  out of the three I had). I liked that it goes on pretty sheer but it can be intensified with an extra layer, it looks pretty glossy and juicy on the lips and it did nourish my lips for a while. I still used regular lip balm in between just so the color didn't build up too much but my lips looked happy using it. 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I finished plenty of items just before 2021 ended so there is no surprise that this time around I don't have that many... 

First top product is my beloved Alverde Rose face oil. I love the packaging with a precise pipette and product works for me. I still notice after using this oil for a couple of days in a row my skin is less red and more even in tone. I already have a new bottle ready to use up.

Big pot is The Body Shop Mediteranean Almond Milk with Oats, Instant Soothing Face Mask. This smells great, that is the best feature for me. The formula was a bit thick and oat particles were still visible. Honestly I didn't see much of a difference after using it. My skin definitely didn't hate it but also there wasn't any magical result visible. I won't repurchase this mask but maybe I will try some other mask from the brand.

Next is another The Body Shop item and it is their Almond Milk & Honey Soothing & Restoring body lotion for sensitive skin. This smells similar to the mask but even better. This helped me sleep like a baby at night. It is just such a comforting scent and I will definitely repurchase it again but at the moment I'm on a no buy for lotions because I have way too many.

The very last product is Dusch das Magnolia body wash. I stopped counting how many of these I finished already. The brand makes very inexpensive body washes and this scent is lovely. I always grab one of these at the store, I just can't resist. At the moment I don't think I have a back up but since I have plenty of different ones I'm not stressed but after I finish some more I'm getting this one again.

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,

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,

this will be my last empties post for this year and I tried to squeeze in as many products as possible.

Here is another Himalaya foaming Neem face wash (there is still a little bright green liquid visible but in the evening I will use it all up). This is one of the two of my favorite face washes. It effectively removes my make-up residue and does not strip my skin out. It creates nice foam which feels like a cloud and it is quite inexpensive but I usually just wait for some extra sales and buy two bottles at the time.

I like to use oil first on my face to melt the make-up and then wash it off with a face wash, so this oil form Milnica was a first step. I had this Apricot oil which smelled like roasted Almonds. In general I like Almonds but this was a bit too strong for me and I didn't like it. The oil itself was pretty nice, quite thick and it worked at removing my make-up very well. It did its job nicely but this scent bothered me too much to repurchase it again.

Then I have two Catrice LE fixing sprays which worked exactly the same for me. First is from Active Warrior LE and I loved it so much that this is my third and last bottle of it. I would repurchase it in a heart beat if I could. The other is newer and it is from Sungasm collection and had fake/plastic scent to it. I didn't like it that much but at least it is faint and it goes away pretty fast. I do have one backup left. I love using them on my face especially now when I have to wear a mask so much.

Here is my last batch of lip products for this year. First is L'occitane Shea balm with Apricot. It smelled very nice but it was very thick but at the same time it got absorbed super fast and it left my lips bare and exposed. I didn't like the formula that much so at the end I just used it on any dry patch on my body and didn't only focus on my lips because I wanted it gone.

Next to it is one of my favorites and I'm super sad that they don't make them anymore. It is Nivea Lip Butter, mine is in the Blueberry scent and it had Blueberry yogurt feel. I love this. The scent, the soft texture, the creaminess which stayed on my lips till the next morning and managed to moisturize my lips all night long... why, oh, why did they had to discontinue it. This is marvelous lip balm. 

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit lip balm is a big fail for me and I won't talk too much about it because my heart still hurts. I bought it a couple of years ago and the other day I wanted to use it for the first time I noticed that it went bad... brand new product that I had around for way too long, shame on me :(

This is one of my favorite lipstick and of course it is already discontinued. It is Essence Sheer & Shine lipstick in the shade BFF. This is a lovely pinky/red shade. It looks very gloss when applied and stayed like that for quite some time, after it dries completely the soft stain remained and it looked more fuchsia than pink on me. Very, very nice. This was my third and also last shade I had, I can only hope that Essence will come back with this lovely formula.

Kneipp Elderberry lip balm was one of those necessities that I always carry in my purse or have at work. It was a nice little balm which kept my lips in check. I like the formula but the scent/taste was when it lost me. Sometimes this gave me mud/dirt vibes and honestly it was quite surprising and unpleasant. Fortunately that only happened occasionally and it disappeared quickly. I might buy another one from this brand but for sure I will pick another flavour. 

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

not much time has left of this year and we can only hope for a better future. I like to finish with lots of used up products, it feels sort of like a Spring clean. I find products that are a bit dusty or almost forgotten and I try to just finish them up and start the year with some less clutter.

For this round there are a lot of my favorites which are already or will be repurchased.

First is Nivea Cherry Blossom and Jojoba oil infused body lotion and I have to say that the scent is divine. Usually Cherry Blossom scents are very faint but here they made it quite strong and it is beautiful. I loved putting it all over me and then going to sleep, it was perfect to sooth me after a long day. For me it gets ten plus points for the scent. Next I would like to touch on the texture a bit, it is lotion like but it has oil infused formula which makes this lotion a bit more greasy than usual, so it takes a bit longer to absorb. After using it for days I noticed that my skin felt a bit itchy sometimes which is a sign of dry skin so I started to use it even more and combining with some other moisturizers to help out my skin. I love the scent but probably I won't repurchase it again because my skin need something more nourishing than this but I will miss this scent.

This is my second (I think, or is it already third?) tube of Ren flash rinse 1 minute facial with water activated vitamin C. My sister actually hooked me on this and I already have a new tube of it. Tiny scrubbing particles nicely exfoliate but in touch with water the texture turns into oil like consistency. I used it approximately twice a week and the tube lasts for a long time (I cut it in half so it looks smaller than it actually is). The next day my skin is softer and pimples are reduced, it is such an effective product and I hope they never stop making it.

Another Ren product but this one is glycol lactic radiance renewal mask. This was suggested to me by a shop assistant and I bought it in a good faith that it will retexturized my skin (I have acne scars on my cheeks and also still some fresh pimples every once in a while) but I haven't noticed any drastic results (like I did with the product mention above). You are supposed to put it on in a thick layer and leave it for ten minutes and then wipe it off. My skin is on a roller coast and testing this product in these months full of stress and all day wearing mask is not ideal and maybe I was expecting too much from this Ren mask. I will see how my skin will respond now when I'm out of it, because sometimes I notice how good a product is when I ran out of it and then I will choose if I need to repurchase it or not.

Pflanzen kozmetik von Mueller Jojoba oil has also became a staple in my routine. I get it because it  is inexpensive and my skin likes it. I use it in the evening as a first step to remove my make-up and sometimes after my face is already clean to moisturize it. My skin don't react poorly to it so I will definitely repurchase it again after I use my extensive face oil collection.

Next is Milnica's Lavender toner. I tried other ones from this brand and I liked them all so I decided to finally get my favorite Lavender toner (I loved it from other brands but I never tried the one from Milnica) and it is just as amazing as from any other brand. I pour it into a spray bottle and love using it over my fresh face of make-up to melt my make-up with my skin, it looks super natural and hydrated, after it dries I apply fixing spray to lock everything and when it is dry, a generous layer of face powder. For me that proves to be the most long lasting combination under a mask and Lavender tones is already on my to get list.

This product is the only one I am disappointed within this round and it is Avon Planet spa Heavenly Hydration with Mediterranean olive oil hand cream. It smells divine just like the other products from this line (I remember loving the hair balm/conditioner) but this cream is way too greasy. No matter how little I use it never absorbs and just leaves greasy stains all over. When I would go and wash my hands it came right off and my skin on my hand seemed dry and dehydrated. A fail in my books and I will never ever repurchase it again but I know that my sister had another one from this Planet Spa collection and she really liked it, now I have to ask her which one it was and maybe I will get that one...

The very last item is a surprising one and it is the EOS Sugared Plum lip balm. In the past I tried their sphere balms and I didn't liked them one bit but I gave them a second chance and get this one. It smelled like sweet Plum and the formula was quite greasy which I like. It felt moisturizing and nourishing on my lips and if I wore it all day long my lips were well taken care off. I googled and found out that this scent is discontinued but after I am done with some more balms I will pick another one from the extensive EOS collection that they have and if the formula will be the same I will like it just as much as this one.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

 Hello,

I just got from my beach vacation and I seriously thought I will finish more SPF infused products but I took with me way too many bottles and use all of them, so no wonder I couldn't completely finish up many.

First is Milnica's Almond oil. I liked this thicker oil (it doesn't absorb super fast into the skin) on my face to help me remove my make-up but soon I realized that my skin doesn't like it which resulted in some new acne. I quickly switch it to my body and managed to finish it up. I like it but I prefer oils which I can use on my face and body so I won't be buying it again.

I purchased this sun protecting lotion for the face a while ago. It is Vichy ideal soleil SPF 50 emulsion mattifying face fluid with a dry touch. High protection and matte finish really caught my attention but unfortunately didn't work for me. At first it is greasy, just like any other SPF cream, it takes a while to settle and even then I had a feeling like my make-up doesn't sit well on my skin (it created a layer on my face so foundation couldn't grip and when my skin got oily it just moved around). It also has a non typical scent, more alcohol and something artificial, but then again I wouldn't be surprised if they would claim that they didn't add any fragrances to make it more pleasant. At the end I used it up on my arms and legs, far away from my face.

Avon care glycerine hand & nail cream with and vitamin E hand cream has to be one of my favorites. I love this light jet moisturizing formula and the scent is somewhat clean (like fresh soap), I don't get much floral. I think this is discontinued but I should have a backup or two left.

Krauterhof aloe very gel was somewhat failed purchase. I remember they had a really good deal if you get two of them (which I of course did ;). The first one is already gone and this is the second one and I'm overjoyed. Aloe vera gel from Fruits of the Earth is my favorite but can be a little expensive so I opted for this brand thinking I will get the same thing for less. I still remember when I applied a thick coat of it all over my face and after a couple of minutes my face started to tingle (it felt like my face is covered with tiny ants, not quite burning sensation but very unpleasant) I checked myself in the mirror and notice my face turned bright red (neck and chest areas where I also used the gel were normal). I quickly washed it off and promised myself that I will never again buy cheap aloe vera. I used it on my body and as a hair gel.

Next is my beloved Fruit of the earth aloe vera gel which is the best that I tried. This is the large bottle and it took me years to finish it up. There is no irritations just relieved skin. I love putting it into toners (it completely dissolves if you use little bit and amp up the moisturizing properties), under my oils, after sun exposure, on bug bites, on my hair (it is a fabulous hair gel, on its own or again you can mix it with some water and pour it into a spray bottle if that is your preferred way of applying it) and probably there are some more ways to use it but I can't think of at the moment. I already repurchased it but this time in a smaller tube.

The very last item is Avon advance technique sun-light spray beautifying hair protector with UV protection. It had this signature AT scent which I love and since I am slightly obsessed with applying SPF on my skin I thought why not protecting my hair? It turns out I would mostly forget about it and again it took me years to finish it up. Most of it was also used on a vacation where I used tons of it at once. I even added some shimmer in it (I crushed one of my older highlighters which I didn't love anymore) and finally this year it is gone. I don't think I will repurchase it again because I just couldn't get into a habit of using it.

Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

Hello,

today, most of the day was raining and we had such a gloomy weather. It is so hard to believe we are in the middle of the June and the temperatures don't match. Basically nothing in the world these days give me the carefree Summer vibes...

First is serum from Milnica named Wake up with vitamin C and Acai Berry. I actually used it in the evening (oily skin here) with some other moisturizers or serums underneath. It wasn't moisturizing enough for me on its own but it did absorb pretty fast. I probably won't repurchase it again unless my skin will now start to act out after finishing it up.

I actually have to search for the name of this brand and apparently it is simply: Pflanzen kosmetik von Mueller. For my first try I got myself the highly popular Jojoba oil. I mostly used it on my face full of make-up in the evening. It gently lifted my make-up from my skin and the super amazing Alkmene tea tree face wash washed everything off. I also used oil as a moisturizer all over and it was hydrating my skin and also absorbed pretty fast. I got curious about it after I heard that Jojoba oil is the most similar to our natural sebum and it moisturizes our skin very efficiently. I was very happy with it so I got myself another one already.
Quickly jumping to the Alkmene tea tree face wash which is a staple in my morning and evening  routine. It washes everything off and doesn't strip my skin completely off of its essential oils. I'm already using a new bottle of it.
The largest item in the middle is Avon Advance Techniques shampoo with Argan oil. I already had mask from this collection and it was really nice so I decided to also get the shampoo but I was a bit disappointed with it. It is a moisturizing shampoo and it left a bit of a greasiness behind ( I would suggest it to people with dry scalp and hair), meaning that my hair in the morning didn't feel completely clean. In order to finish it up I started to use it only as my first wash, for the second shampooing I used something more cleansing (cough, body wash, cough). I will not buy it again but the mask in a tube from this collection is nice.





Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

Hello,

I wanted to start this year with more of a bang but mid of the month caught me and it is empties time.

First is Aveo nail polish remover. Nothing special but very cheap and effective. That is all I can say and need from a nail polish remover.

Mueller jojoba oil was on sale so it was obviously calling me  ;) I noticed that jojoba oil is quite moisturizing on my skin and has quickly become one of my favorite oils. Since this is gone I already started using a new bottle. I used it on my face to gently melt my make up off (I always follow with a face wash to remove oils and clinging make up) but my skin felt really nice since the oil method doesn't require any harsh moves. After a thorough cleanse I would apply a fresh layer of this oil on my face over some night serum and my skin felt hydrated and loved.

This body butter used to be my favorite but now I though it was just average (how our taste changes through the years, are you amazed just as I am?). It is Avon skin so soft body butter with shea butter. It has nice comforting, creamy scent and the butter is thick . You have to warm it up and massage it a bit in order to let it absorb and not be sticky. Nowdays I prefer lotions which sinks into my skin faster.

This next cream is a total winner in my books. I always liked this line of hand creams and this particular scent is amazing. Avon care hand cream with banana doesn't smell plasticky or weird but rather like that dessert (foamy bananas covered in chocolate from Casali, one of my favorite snacks). I am in need of a new tube.

Second to last is this Yves Rocher nutri silky conditioner which was given to my by my sister (she tried it but didn't like it so she passed it onto me). I was unsure but when I actually tried it  I was sold. My hair felt silky smooth and very straight (they are naturally straight anyways but sometimes there is a random wave in there) not after I used this conditioner. My hair looked perfect, like I just got out of a saloon with a fresh cut. Basically, my hair looked like I put some effort in it when I just washed them. I will definitely repurchase it again if it is still available.

The last item is this magical Avon senses gelato moments, vanilla ice cream body wash. It is a bit thicker and it smells exactly like vanilla ice cream. It is crazy how good it smells and I want it back.


Thank you for reading and have a nice day

Empties

Hello,

I have a new empties post. I am preparing for a new year and I would like to use up as many products as possible so next year I will start fresh, do any of you have the same felling? When you just want to get out of the way as many products before the change of year?

First is Le Petit Marseiliais body lotion with cotton and almond note in this beautiful bright red bottle. It reminds me of Poppies and my mom|s old favorite fragrance Kenzo Flower (anyone else?). It was really nice but I prefer the one in the pink/lavender bottle that I have finished earlier this year.

Next is a *miracle* product from REN and it is their flash rinse 1 minute facial. Basically it is a scrub that you apply on a clean and dry face (it has to be dry), it has little scrubby parts that do not feel too much and when it starts balling up I rinse my fingers with lukewarm water and go over my face again. Water turns it into an almost oily product and the scrubby particles dissolves. If my skin is sensitive (acne) it will burn a little (it claims to have water activated vitamin C in it, that is why it is so important that in the first step there is no water involved). My skin will not turn red, even when it feels extra sensitive and the next day my acne are reduced or smaller ones are gone, the texture is improved and the skin after using it a couple of times looks more even. This is gorgeous so I did not hesitate and purchased another tube even though it is expensive.

Next is my beloved Avon advance technique silky hair serum. This is my second used up bottle and third one is already in rotation. I love this oil in my hair not only because it smells nice but also because it makes them look less dry, basically silkier (as the name suggests). My preferred method is to use it on damp hair and in the morning when I wake up they are exceptionally smoother and silkier.

Caudalie vinosource overnight recovery oil was my last years black Friday deal. I also got the one in the green bottle and honestly I did not saw much improvement in my skin but this one in the red bottle (also cheaper) suited me better. It contains Grape seed, Jojoba, Sesame, pure Rose, Sunflower and Palmarose oils mixed together. Using it on a regular base I noticed that my skin looked more even (less red which I can thank Rose oil). I was using it with different serums and my skin improved a lot since last year but I think it was a combination of products. This one was nicer than the one in the green bottle but still it is a bit pricey for what it is. I already bought Jojoba (nourishing) and Rose (redness reducing) oils and just mix them myself since I notice the biggest difference while using these two oils.

These two are the last heroes from this amazing Essence line called prettifying lip oils first one is red SOS, my heart and the other one is actually pink named First, help Pinky (they were hard to tell apart even when they were full). I think I talked and raved about them quite a lot so I will try to be quick. They smell and taste lovely, a bit fruity, they are super glossy and nourishing. When my lips were cracked I applied this miracle oil a couple of times and it healed them within one hour. I think this is pretty good because I have plenty of lip balms and hardly any get that close at fixing my chapped skin. The only downfall with these is that they are pretty thin and disappear too fast. If Essence will ever bring them back I am buying more of them.

Next is also my very last of the Avon SuperShock gel eye pencil in Golden Fawn (both me and my sister owned three of each). This was a limited edition shade and what a pity. The gel in the name suggest that is very creamy and it is but it also dries and does not move around (amazing formula, they still have them but in more modest shades). This one was more of a taupe than gold and had that multi dimensional feel where it looked like you used more than one shade because it looked more complicated and the shimmer made it look sparkly and glowy. Such a good shade that could transform and elevate any look. I would get it again in a heart beat if I could.

Next is another discontinued item and even though  love it I will not be crying my eyes out because I have similar shades already in my collection. It is Catrice Ooops, nude did it again eye shadow, It is a bit hard to spot because it is so close to my skin tone but what is fantastic about it is the sateen finish and I mostly used it as a highlighter on my cheeks. It looked soooo good but I have another shade from Essence that is almost the same and plenty of highlighters to go through, sooo... I am glad that I was able to use up another item and I can not wait to start seeing dips in some of my other shadows.

The very last swatch belongs to Maybelline 24h color tattoo from creamy mattes in the shade Creamy Beige. I absolutely love it. I usually use much less and blend it out so I only get a light shadow on the eye plus this one does not budge. It has some build in primer that even my greasy lids could not get through. I would repurchase it again but I have another brown cream shadow that needs to be used (I was neglecting it because I was focusing so much on this Creamy Beige shade).


I did a little damage on the biggest, blackest Friday. I bought backups of REN mask seen above, backups of my favorite face powder and concealer, daily face moisturizer, new blush and I have also ordered two new fragrances and I can not wait for them to arrive. Nothing too crazy like I did last year.


Thank you for reading and have a nice day