Current Favorites

Wet'n'Wild Color Icon Blush in Apri-cot in the Middle

I am shopping my stash regularly and picked up this blush again. And afterwards, used it everyday for a month! The formula and shade are both beautiful, don't let the cheap packaging trick you... The shade has been discontinued and I don't think the new Nude Society is the same. I feel tempted to buy Nude Society though, as WnW is affordable. 

Apri-cot in the Middle is a very natural shade, brightens up my face but doesn't stand out too much. It is easy to blend, buildable and very hard to f*ck up. Everytime I use it, I look great, no matter how much I am in a hurry. Usually I layer it 2-4 times, I tend to dip my brush very lightly into the pan. 

I also have Rose Champagne (also discontinued) and as a shade, it's very nice, but Apri-cot in the Middle is just miles better so in comparison Rose Champagne is blah.

I couldn't photo the swatches properly no matter how I tried... they look similar here, yet they are so different on face. Rose Champagne is clearly rosier. It disappear into skin more. I don't get the same brightening effect.

De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment

I don't know what I expected when I purchased the tiny tub of  sulfur ointment. But it actually works! I didn't like it as a wash off mask and it can burn the skin when applied generously. But as a spot treatment for night it makes wonders. I apply it a tiny bit before or after moisturizer depending how I remember and I am able to clear some stubborn weird stuff in a few days, near my hairline and on my nose where eyeglasses touch, also around my mouth where I sometimes get this "acne" that is not really acne because other treatments can make it just worse.

Sulfur smells really bad just in case you didn't know. And it lingers. And lingers. But it is worth it. If I felt headache or possible migraine coming, I would definitely not apply sulfur on my face!

Oskia Renaissaince Cleansing Gel

I am very pleasantly surprised by this cleansing gel. I got the mini from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar and "forgot it" (as usual). But it is a good one! It glides well on skin without tugging, it feels like an interesting mix of gel and oil and rinses off fairly well. Takes off daily light make up really well. Doesn't even irritate my eyes. It does leave residue on skin but I follow up with tiny bit of a regular cleanser (currently again Garnier Micellar Cleansing Gel). Has rose scent as well but I don't find it to be too much - I wonder if it is because my tube is getting old and even fragrance has deteriorated.

The price of Renaissaince Cleansing Gel is steep though. Around 18 € for the mini 35 ml, 40 € for 100 ml and 68 € for 200 ml. However I think the mini will last me around 3 months when used once daily (I think a small blob is enough at a time) so I am not too mad in case I want to repurchase some day.

Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream 50 ml Review

 Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C14-22 Alcohols, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Cryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Steareth-21, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannitol, Xylitol, Hexyldecanol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Rhamnose, Malachite Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Tocopherol, Fragrance (Parfum).

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- Doesn't seem to work for my skin too well during winter, even if I layer products to bring more moisture, almost seems like makes my skin texture worse or breaks me out. Strictly summer time product for me (or for a hot country trip that is not happening for a while)

- Medium strength fragrance in case you dislike scents

- Price varies a lot and must be ordered online - stressful to acquire



+ Leaves a soft, silicone-y smoothing film on skin, feels very nice if you like that sort of thing!

 
+ Good under makeup, no pilling so far

+ Smells fresh, fragrance strength I would say medium, it doesn't seem to linger on me. I appreciate the scent not being strong floral etc.

 
+ The moisturizer seems to work for my skin well during this unusual hot summer, just enough moisture but not too much that it would get disgusting

 
+ Absorbs immediately, not greasy or shiny

+ Pump bottle works very well

+ Consistency is like a gel, as promised

* I bought Bioderma's Hydrabio Gel Cream because I wanted to try something lighter and something different! Also it was on sale. I kind of hoped it would be instant love or something. I really do like the packaging and the tube, very convenient and informative.

* I don't remember trying any Bioderma products before. But I am open to try more in the future! The availability has gotten better compared to only a year ago.

Price: 

12-25 € / 50 ml, I paid 14 €, look out for sales

Bought from: 

Lookfantastic

Buy again? 

Maybe? For summer?

Worth the money? 

I feel a bit undecided! Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream is an ok moisturizer, especially for super hot, sweaty weather. I can see oily skin types liking this one a lot. At least I do when I am oiliest, usually though I am a combination skin and during winter Hydrabio Gel Cream just didn't seem to work me. But I kind of think I could go with a regular Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturiser as well and save money, especially if in a pinch (6,50 € vs 12-25 €). Except that old favorite of mine seems to be discontinued/reformulated - I think Clear & Defend Moisturiser is the new one?

Empties since March 2021

I was on a roll with using and finishing old products so I decided group together a longer timeline of empties rather than the 2 months I use as a baseline for shopping. I think I need to be more mindful with buying new things so I have to check-in more often with that. And when it comes to empties, I get pleasure in seeing how the trash pile accumulates so I didn't want to get rid of them in case I jinxed myself! Superstitious much?

So let me present you 4 months' worth of empties, from March to June.

But before that let's have a quick look of my skincare inventory picture from December -20/January -21, just to remind me that yes, I have a lot of stuff and I should not buy more experiments before most of it is finished (picture doesn't even include everything, e.g. products from shower, the new advent calendar stuff, makeup):

Face 

Dermatica Prescription Treatment Tretinoin 0.025 % + Niacinamide 4 %

I think Dermatica's product itself is very good! Very drying though. And more irritating than Differin. The only problem with their service is shipping as they are located in the UK and I am in the EU. And the short expiration time which forces me to use their product 1-2 months after expiration date. 

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum

Ok serum, but nothing super moisturizing SOS about it! Basic serum, I feel. Could use more, but also could be without.

Filorga Sleep & Lift Mini

It was ok moisturizer, nothing ground breaking really. Even though it is a cult classic. Felt nice though, like all Filorga products I have tried!

Filorga Lift-Structure Cream Mini

I could say exactly the same about this Filorga moisturizer! They are ok but for the price? I would really have to think about it.

Lumene Kirkas Clarity Radiance Boosting Toner

Wasn't for me... oldie. Bought on sale. I think sales are my Achilles heel! Broke me out and had strong fragrance. I used it to wipe my neck and back, and I thought it even broke me out in those places and left me feeling a bit slimy. 

Tosowoong Apricot Cleansing Oil

I had a good run with this cleansing oil! It has been discontinued and this was my last backup bottle. Great stuff. Will mourn until I find something as nice. It smelt nice, washed off well, removed makeup well, I liked the consistency for massaging face. Good slip, didn't tug, didn't have to use a lot, didn't break me out. 

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

I like it! One of my cheap and safe staples. A tube of 100 ml seems to last about 10 to 12 months because I am using other moisturizers as well! I have a backup but can't find it and now I am upset. Even though I have many other moisturizers! I wasn't planning on ordering from Deciem until November again.

Garnier Sensitive Advanced Face UV Fluid SPF 50+

Good sunscreen. Already have another bottle in use (back up). Absorbs well, sometimes "burns" slightly when applied. Doesn't pill at all, zero white cast, not oily but leaves shine. Doesn't seem to break me out and hasn't burned my eyes yet (but I do not apply sunscreen near eyes, sometimes chemical sunscreens burn my eyes badly despite me being careful not to get it near eyes).

Nivea Effective Cleansing Gel

Found this old bottle in my stash! It has been discontinued already. Nivea still has similar cleansing gels but ingredient lists are not the same, maybe the closest is Daily Essentials Purifying Wash Gel (green tube). I used to go through so many of these gels&toners from Nivea! They really did work for my skin. And it still worked for my skin, it takes longer to wash off than Garnier Micellar Gel and it's not as effective for make up removal, but it doesn't sting eyes like Garnier and my skin feels more "purified". I could use Nivea's cleansers again.  This bottle lasted me at least 4-5 months with daily use so it was great value.

Pladerm Dual Sun Cream SPF 48

I'm again surprised how long this tinted moisturizer/BB/sunscreen hybrid has lasted me. I've had it for about 3 years?! I feel I had all sorts of problems with it despite using it at different times with different skin conditions, it was never quite right... but the yellow, sheer shade was a good match for my skin and it didn't break me out. But it always seemed to turn patchy, uneven, and transfer.

Missha Time Revolution White Cure SPF50 PA+++ Transparent Beige

I just finished one already opened, expired tube of this same stuff in the beginning of the year, and I still had an unopened backup I had bought a long time ago. Well, the backup is expired by now too of course. So this is why going crazy and buying everything and their backups is not smart! This is a good product though and I like the familiar scent! Sometimes I feel it is breaking me out though. I used it as a moisturizer and "indoors sunscreen" (god I hate that term but it suits the use here) meaning that even though it is expired it probably still has like SPF4 left because filters do not just instantly die one day, they deteriorate constantly. And I am fine with being inside and going outside for a little walk with something like SPF4 (blocks 75% of UVB rays). Just not for several hours in middle of the day. I am so done with "sunscreen obsession" and sun avoidance, I just want to live, sunscreen or not. Missha has discontinued this particular line up but I wonder if any of the new sunscreens is similar to Time Revolution White Cure formula.

Skinfood Aqua Grape Mist Toner Sample Bottles x3

Bought these samples a long time ago because I thought Skinfood was such a cute brand and "Aqua Grape" was a cute name! Been saving the samples for travel but it's time to let go of expired stuff. The toner actually feels quite nice! I wouldn't mind using more. It has a sweet scent that I actually like, and it doesn't linger. Feels purifying but gentle. Maybe my skin agrees with sea water and this toner has 40 % of Sea Water and 20 % of Caulerpa Lentillifera (Aqua Grape) Extract.

ModelCo Instant Brows Brow Pencil Light/Medium

Got from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar, again, I think 3 years ago?! Ahaha. This probably tells you enough. It wasn't my favorite and actually it was one of the first eyebrow products I owned so I have just practised with it. I have no idea how other people just fly through eyebrow pencils. But yes, I am learning. I think the formula was quite waxy and it wasn't long lasting. It didn't really stick to skin and  I had to sweat only a tiny bit and it was a mess and transferred to sun glasses etc, generally I looked a bit dirty on my eyebrow area. Maybe I am just too oily. It was too warm as well but I got away with it when applied lightly. I can't believe Lookfantastic used to sell this pencil for almost 16 €! I would never, ever pay so much for this product even though it is ModelCo's bestseller based on what they say on their website.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Mattifying Lotion

Super old tube again, but decided to use the rest. It is exactly as mattifying and drying as I remember. Quite amazing actually. Doesn't break me out! Could consider repurchasing! Strictly only summer time/oil problem product though. Doesn't work with all my foundations/other skincare though... sometimes just starts to pill.

Body

Natura Siberica Alladale Scottish Wild Thistle Nourishing and Repairing Natural Hand Cream

Took over a year to finish. I am clearly lazy. Even with dry hands, I just let them be until they have micro wounds and hurt so badly... Anyway! I liked this hand cream and I could repurchase.

Rexona Maximum Protection Antiperspirant Sport Strength x2

Still my current staple antiperspirant and I have backups. Works well! One tube seems to last about 2-3 months if I am not using other antiperspirants much. I have a few less effective ones I am using up when just laying around at home and also still have some left of super strong, irritating Absolut Torr that I can apply only once a week if I do not want too much armpit itchiness or rawness!!!

Dermosil Hand Cream Kaura/Oat

Got this freebie hand cream from my mom because she couldn't handle the fragrance. Didn't particularly like it either but it was ok. Not very moisturizing or hydrating cream but seemed to dry down quite quickly so used this during the day. Sometimes pilled when applied too much or too often. Not effective for dry hands. Definitely will not purchase. I have another freebie Dermosil hand cream I also got from my mom! Time to crack open Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream.

Yves Rocher Shower Gel Lily of the Valley

Nice shower gel! Bought it last summer. Soft, non offensive soapy lily of the valley scent. Lily of the valley scents are so difficult to replicate, they never feel like the real thing. Anyway, could repurchase at some time. Lily of the valley is my weakness and I use shower products so slowly so I think I can splurge on them too.

Skin Treat Pure Clarity Shower Peeling

Discontinued, I believe. It was ok, I think. Sometimes I thought it smelt bad, sometimes I thought it was ok. Sometimes I felt it was peeling, sometimes I thought it wasn't. Who knows! At least it was a scrub with some crumbs in it so it felt like a scrub. Wouldn't repurchase even if it were still available.

Hair

Head&Shoulders Classic Clean -Shampoo 1 L

Nice, basic shampoo that comes in a big bottle for now. I like having less bottles in the shower and also I need to buy only two bottles a year!

Redken Beach Envy Volume Shampoo

I do usually like Redken's products a lot but I felt that this shampoo caused me lose some hair. Also, it made hair ends dry, but didn't cleanse scalp. Weird thing! My partner used the rest after I was fed up trying to make it work for me. But I do think it did give some volume, for a few hours maybe, lol. Then my scalp just looked greasy again.

Nizoral Ketoconazol 20mg/ml Shampoo

I think I am always going to repurchase Nizoral just in case... nice for flare ups. Because I use it sparingly I can make it last, it is quite pricy compared to how small the bottles are. But it is a treatment shampoo, not an everyday product.