Current Favorites

I choose my favorites whenever and however I like! Sometimes they are repurchases, sometimes an one-off mini size.

Dr. Ceuracle Cica Regen Vegan Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Wow, what a good sunscreen. I just opened&tested it a few weeks ago and haven't wanted to use anything else since... Cica Regen Vegan Sun (what a crazy name) is just like a moisturizer. No white cast, not greasy, only a little shiny, very moisturizing but not suffocating, also feels calming. I really like using this sunscreen when I have used something exfoliating beforehand. The scent is a bit like glue-herbal mix, but I don't find it very noticeable and it fades soon.

Ingredients: Water, Dibutyl adipate, Propanediol, Alcohol denat., Ethylhexyl triazone, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 distearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Caprylyl methicone, Pentylene glycol, Polysilicone-15, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Methylpropanediol, Polyether-1, Carbomer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Centella asiatica extract, Myristic acid, Butylene glycol, Actinidia arguta fruit extract, Madecassoside, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Nelumbium speciosum flower extract, Asiatic acid, Tocopherol.

Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish Mini

One more thing from my old Exuviance mini set! And again, wow, what a great "scrub" (the instructions tell you not to scrub, but gently massage for 30 secs, then leave on for 2 min). Makes me stupid I didn't try it before. So gentle and effective! And fast to use. Even my partner, who never knows/notices/doesn't care what I use, commented how silky soft my face was. Usually my skin doesn't like Glycolic Acid, but it seems a short contact like this is all good. The product has a bit strong fruity scent, not my favorite but not disgusting either.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycolic Acid, Alumina, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Isononyl Isononanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Lactobionic Acid, Papain, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, PEG-75 Stearate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Algin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI 14700).

Paula's Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream Mini

Buttery eye cream that I actually missed when I misplaced it for a few days! This one immediately melts into skin, doesn't feel heavy at all despite the consistency. Haven't got any irritation or milia. Feels good during winter and summer! Moisturizing and smoothing. No scent.

Empties Since March

My empties from March to February 2023. And some spring cleaning. Not much though because I am a procrastinator and it hurts me to throw away stuff even though I know it's expired and I have barely used it. I should do an inventory again.

Also, it seems to be about 6 years since I created my blog! Never thought I would keep up with it. But, maybe it's because I have no rules for myself! Sometimes I post, sometimes I don't! :)

Face

It's Skin It's Top Professional Waterfull Highlighter Polish 02 Golden Vanilla

I bought this in 2017, back when k-beauty was easier and cheaper to get. I don't think I used it many times, I think it broke me out. I am unsure where I could find the ingredient list, though. Maybe it came in a box and I have a photo of that somewhere? (I try to photo boxes before recycling them.) It's definitely not a subtle highlighter. I find it very sparkly, lots of chunky-ish glitter, shows very well even without sun hitting my skin. I also thought it left kind of layer on skin that showed the tiny imperfections on skin, gathered into fine lines. I swatched it next to Essence The Highlighter Luminous Glow 01 Mesmerizing, which has a more subtle, wet look shimmer without the layer. I realized I really prefer Essence and so why would I hold onto another probably expired highlighter.

Peripera Ink Airy Velvet 05 Elf Light Rose

Bought in 2018! From the get go, I found it looked way too pink on me instead of MLBB that it was marketed as. I blind bought lip products back then because I had no idea what I would like or how they would look like on me. The liquid formula was very exciting. Peripera's Ink Airy Velvets weren't quite as amazing I thought that they would be, they weren't all that long lasting, didn't fade gracefully - they turned into bright pink no matter the shade and were drying. But I liked the two other shades more (Celeb Deep Rose and Glimpse Brick Brown), and I am not ready to throw them out yet! Maybe in couple of months!

Pixi by Petra Set Glossy Lip Plumper

Wasn't a fan of the minty scent and feeling on lips, but I actually liked the look and shimmery lips! I thought I was maybe too old or basic for this sort of gloss, but it actually was flattering. This one came from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar 2017!!! Back then I wrote: "I'm not that much into lip products and this one seems like it can be a catastrophe for someone who doesn't know what they're doing." Safe to say I never would have bought the shimmery gloss myself and now I do want to buy another similar one!

Paula's Choice Azelaic Acid 10% Booster Mini

I think, this helped me with my hormonal chin acne. I found the formula pleasant to use as well.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate Mini

I was suspicious when I got the serum from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar, it has a great amount of alcohol and it's very expensive, so how can it possibly be worth it? But actually, it is a very good hydrating and calming serum. It even smells of alcohol when you apply it, but I find it pleasant, it's very similar to a toner I used to use when I was a teenager. I would definitely use more but I am not ready to pay closer to 100€ for full size bottle!

Exuviance Soothing Toning Lotion Mini

Ok toner, but a bit weird, as it wasn't really super hydrating, but wasn't purifying either.

Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Creme Mini

Too gentle and mild for me, doesn't remove makeup and leaves some film on skin, doesn't feel clean at all. But, it seems I am not a fan of creme cleansers anyway.

Exuviance Sheer Refining Fluid SPF35 Mini

Slightly greasy, otherwise quite nice. Didn't break me out! Been discontinued and reformulated as SPF40 I think?

Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash Mini

Herbal scent, not exactly pleasant but not too strong. Felt very effective and purifying, but not drying. My skin looked good! Been contemplating on repurchasing for weeks but it's not exactly cheap, 35-45 €/250 ml depending on a sale. Would be a great cleanser for summer though...

Caudalie Vinosource Hydra SOS Intense Moisturizing Cream Mini

Nice, soft cream, moisturizing without being greasy. When my skin was very dry, it was ok, but when normal, I thought it was too much and was maybe breaking me out. 

Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanded Super UV Fluid SPF50+

Great fluid sunscreen! I think it's been renamed... reformulated... and repackaged into a smaller size! Called serum something. Nevertheless, I am going to pick up the new version at some point. I hear it is less shiny. 

De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment 6g

Sulfur it great. Had this tiny jar since 2020. I used it as leave in treatment during night so I had to apply veryyy little at a time. I have repurchased the jar with 73,7g and I will have to make a note to throw it out after a few years, as the amount would last me almost a life time otherwise... 

Etude House Collagen Sheet Mask

Funny thing, I can't even remember how the mask was. Probably ok then! Old and expired. I am not really into sheet masking these days but sometimes my face gets so painfully dry (hormonal) that the only relief is masking.

Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask Rice

Very old and expired as well but still calming and moisturizing! I think oatmeal and rice were my favorites from My Real Squeeze Masks.

Catrice Lash Brow Designer Shaping and Conditioning Mascara Gel

Very old, bought in 2019 or so. My first brow gel mascara? No hold whatsoever, but did leave my brows more shiny&conditioned, so it was great for beginner who was lost what to do with brows. Made me less scared of colored brow gels!

Catrice Brow Colorist Semi Permanent Brow Mascara 

I think this one is discontinued, the shade is Soft Brunette. I also bought it in Dark Brown or something similar. I really did like it! Great neutral color and tiny precise brush. It has dried out a long time ago and I am thinking of cleaning and saving the brush. Soft Brunette is definitely closer to my natural coloring, but I dyed my hair dark brown so I was able to give my brows a bit moore oomph as well as a result. I am still dyeing my hair dark brown! It gives some contrast to my face.

Body

Rituals Ritual of Sakura Body Scrub

I used the scrub maybe twice, but disliked it very much, so it's time to throw it away finally. It was oily, not very scrubby, left skin slimy and difficult to get "clean" feeling afterwards, plus the fragrance is insanely strong! My bathroom stank for a while. I can see people with dry skin and strong nose perhaps like it...? But it's a definite no from me. I got the scrub from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar.

Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel

Ok, I really do like foaming gels! There's something very pleasing about the soft foam. I think the scent wasn't for me though, so artificial somehow. Weird that I liked Sakura foaming gel scent more, even though the Sakura scrub I hated...

Rexona Maximum Protection Sport Strength Antiperspirant x2

My staple antiperspirant! Have repurchased several bottles. Should buy more. Usually I've gotten these from Notino, but Notino's prices have gone up significantly (now 8,8 €, used to be 4,8 €) so it's probably cheaper to find deals in my country at this point.

Verso Body Peel Mini

I actually really did like this body peel! Was gentle and effective and didn't smell bad. Not ready to pay 60€ for a full size though. 

Espa Positivity Bath&Shower Gel

I felt like I was a cured salmon everytime I used the shower gel. It smelt exactly like dill/herby mix that is used with fish. Could just be that my scent of smell is broken... Or I got a bad batch. The gel is supposed to smell like "Positive Signature Blend using a combination of Jasmine, Gardenia and Rose Geranium for a burst of joy while the confidence and vibrancy of Bergamot and Sweet Orange are a fragrant reminder to focus on the positive".

Hotel Shampoo x2

Found these in my box. Must have taken/my partner took them from hotel so I used them as shower gels because I still haven't bought more shower gels despite running out. They were ok, too runny for my taste.

Fair Cosmethics Body Cleanser (from hotel)

Also a hotel cleanser I reckon? Actually pretty good! I thought it was good cleanser, I felt clean, it also had a nice scent.

Masque Me Up Foot Peeling Mask

Ok mask, and for the price, about 4,5 € I will repurchase. Usually the peeling socks are around 12-15 €. I used the Masque Me Up mask quite soon after another one (2 months in between), so the peeling effect was quite mild. My feet were softer afterwards anyway.

Hair

None!

Shopping from March to April

All my beauty shopping from March to April.

Well, March was an expensive month for me even though I didn't accumulate much new products. I went both to the hair stylist (162 €) and lash/brow lift combo (115 €) appointment. Hair fix was long overdue and we chopped all the leftover permanent bits off and now I have a short, straight dark brown bob and some lighter brown highlights.

Lash/brow lift on the other hand I wanted to try a bit ex tempore. To see if I get an allergic reaction, how the results look on me, and how long they will last.

I believe I had InLei lash/brow lift, because the cosmetologist said it was an Italian brand. When I later took a look at beauty salons around me, most seem to be doing Yumi lashes, which I understand to be French and one of the first lash lift brands. For me it was all the same as I don't have experience to have preference. My cosmetologist was well recommended and had been long in the industry so I chose based on that.

The treatment took 1,5 hours. It didn't hurt or sting at all. It was slightly uncomfortable of course, and at some point I felt a panic rising due to having my eyes basically glued shut. I had to keep repeating to myself  "remember to breathe". But once I got over that, the time went pretty quickly. But I find it's pretty important that the cosmetologist has their own room or otherwise closed space and concentrates on you. It would have been very distracting if they would have answered phone, had another client, had coffee or whatever at the same time.

I must say, it felt weird then someone combs your lashes and she did it several times over and over. I think I have quite dense lashes, so they grow on top of each other. She did say it makes the lash lift last and look better if everyday I comb my lashes as well so they don't clump. My lashes are long-ish, but wouldn't say long.

The permanent solution smells bad but that I knew already. Not bad like making you sick, just generally unpleasant smell. 

After doing the lifts, she dyed my lashes&brows and that makes a huge difference as well. The tips of my lashes are very light.

Because I have oily skin (she could tell immediately) she said the lifts might not last as long, the oiliness helps to grow/shed hair faster. But everything depends on individual. The lifts should last 4-8 weeks.

However, the end results were great! Both lashes&brows. I definitely look like I would have applied mascara and curled my lashes. For me, mascara is the most important make up item after foundation. I look more awake. After that comes brow gel.

Brows look good too, but if I wanted to save, I would skip brows and take only lash lift. I can dye my brows at home and style them pretty well, both shaving and plucking. Of course having brow lift makes them easier to brush/style at home in the morning. I have a good amount of hair so brow lift didn't really make a difference in that sense.

Together the lash&brow lift cost 115 €, separately lashes are 75€ and brows 65 € at that salon. The prices are similar elsewhere as well. I think I'd like to try Yumi lashes too, just to compare. 

Interestingly, she did not recommend any lash/brow serums even though she applied serums and conditioning butters at the end. I might purchase a lash serum at some point anyway, my lashes do have potential to be even greater on their own.

I do not count beauty salons in my yearly cosmetics budget, yet. Because I have never done it in the past either, I rarely go anywhere except hair salon every two years, lol! But I will keep them in my bonus budget and maybe will merge them at some point.

EDIT: More about the lifts after 3-4 weeks! I can see some lashes growing more downturned but I haven't lost all treated lashes yet. However, my left eye with originally more down turned and sparse lashes didn't respond to treatment as well as my right eye so they look a tiny bit mis matched. But the lifts didn't make my lashes/brow hairs any weaker and I didn't lose them faster than usual! My brows were a bit dry for a while though. 

After 5 weeks, I think my brows are completely new hair. Can't comment on lashes, probably almost all new as well. Maybe the fact I can't tell means, that my natural lashes are quite ok as well! What a pleasant discovery.

Anyway, back to the purchases. Quite boring repurchases and basics mostly this time! Altogether 75 €. 

CCS Cracked Heel Repair

Vichy Capital Soleil UV Clear Anti Imperfections Water Fluid SPF50+

From a pharmacy. Been using the foot cream for a month, maybe? I think it does work. It uses a combination of 25% urea and some lactic acid. Something to keep my feet soft between foot peeling socks. 

I actually haven't used the sunscreen yet, but it was just too tempting! Gah, I am not a diligent sunscreen user even though I'd like to be. (I just counted, last year I finished 4 facial sunscreens.)

Blistex Sensitive Lip Balm

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

Four Reasons Color Mask Toning Treatment Chocolate

Essence The Nail Care Oil

Masque Me Up Foot Peeling Mask 0% Perfume

Altogether about 29 €. I actually did need a new lip balm by my bedside, so I repurchased the same one from Blistex. I actually needed a new face wash, so I repurchased Garnier's Micellar Wash that is my affordable staple product. 

I haven't used nail oils before, so I opted for something cheap to try them out - Essence's cost only 2,5 €. Now I just should get into habit of slathering it on every evening before bed! I've been using it for a few weeks now 1-3 times a day and honestly I am not sure if I see any difference. It is fragranced and the scent lingers for a while. It does absorb quite quickly, 5-10 minutes.

The hair mask I bought from the hairdresser to keep up the color. Haven't actually used it yet at all. Wonder if it was an unnecessary purchase after all. 

But I did use the foot mask already! It was from Normal (a chain store selling a bit of this and that in Scandinavia) and cost only about 4,5 € maybe? It was ok and it took 3-4 days for my feet to peel a little (I kept them on for 40min). But I wasn't expecting anything crazy, since I had just used 2 months ago Dermosil peeling socks and they were very effective! And afterwards I puchased CSS Cracked Heel Repair cream and had been using that. 

 

De La Cruz, Acne Treatment Ointment with 10% Sulfur, Maximum Strength

My skin does love sulfur. It is affordable and attacks both bacterial&fungal acne, but it smells soo bad! Worth a shot if you struggle with weird acne. This is a repurchase. From iherb.