Empties since November

Nothing too exciting this time around... Two months' worth of empties, from November to December. Been lazy, yet again. But my skin has been good so it's not like I need to slather a million things on everyday as long as I use the right products for my skin! As you can see it is becoming a trend to finish products I have received from advent calendars!

Face

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

Just works great, always a repurchase. Affordable as well. Sometimes I do wonder, why do I even try other cleansers. Out of boredom?

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

My basic cheap moisturizer. It just works. Have repurchased, 3 new tubes actually because of the November sale.

Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara Mini

Not sure if I felt my lashes were super volumized, but otherwise a great mascara! Didn't smudge much if at all, easy to apply and easy to wash off with water... Tubing mascara maybe or otherwise just good? Too bad Lookfantastic doesn't seem to carry Doucce anymore (everything is listed sold out) and no one in EU does. I wouldn't mind buying another mascara. This one came from LF Advent Calendar. But, no matter, there are lots of great mascaras around these days. Currently I am using Maybelline's Snapscara and it is very good!

Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara Mini 

Ok, so, this one is so old I haven't used it in ages but haven't thrown out because I was saving it for the brush. I like the shape, it's a bit different with the curve. Ok/good mascara, wouldn't mind using another one, but not a great one. Didn't smudge but was more difficult to wash off than Doucce and not as easy to apply because it was a lot more dry. Still easier to wash off than most mascaras because water is enough! Could buy more Eyeko mascaras to try out though. This one was from LF Advent Calendar.

Bioeffect EGF Serum Mini

I really liked this serum! I got it from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar. It always leaves my skin looking good, I used it in the evening alone usually like Bioeffect recommends to do. A little goes a long way. It is crazy expensive (around 120-145 €/15 ml!!!) but maybe one day I'll dare to purchase it to re-evaluate how much I love or need it! I am thinking the serum just doesn't include anything that I react to rather than the EGF part doing something amazing. Interesting nevertheless! It also pared down my evening routine when I used only this one thing after cleansing, so that was nice. (+ Eye cream after the serum had absorbed.)

Body

FAB Ultra Repair Cream Moisturizer

From 2017 Lookfantastic Advent Calendar. Really don't like the scent of this product, it's unfragranced so it has this really stuffy smell from the very beginning I opened the tube for the first time (so can't be because expired), it doesn't even fade fast. But it is soothing and despite being light, feels more heavy duty as a hand cream than many others. I used it also sometimes on my face when there was irritation, then it felt nice, otherwise I felt it was breaking me out. Don't think I'll repurchase. Wonder if there is a cream that is just like this one but it smells better? I just can't handle the stuffy scent.

Rexona Maximum Protection Sport Strength Antiperspirant

At this point, my everyday antiperspirant, gentle and effective at the same time. A bit masculine scent but not bad at all.

Hair

Head&Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo 1 L

My basic shampoo that is effective and affordable. 1 liter bottles mean I do not have to repurchase every month!

Lookfantastic Advent Calendar 2021 Review

I have enjoyed this year's advent calendar from Lookfantastic. I don't think the products are exceptionally great, but because I didn't expect too much and I happened to need hair care stuff at the moment it was ok. Also, my skin's been very good lately, so it has made me more free to choose what I throw on my face. Also 2021 is the first year I searched for the calendar's contents beforehand and spoiled myself. But the good thing is my memory is very bad and during the two months I waited to open the boxes I had forgotten the most.

I am a bit disappointed the calendar didn't have Molton Brown shower gel like usual. 

Would I repurchase Lookfantastic advent calendar? I don't know, this one was a gift, like all my calendars, thanks to my partner. This year I tried to find another calendar to ask for, but couldn't find one with the same price range and surprise element. I wanted to love Feelunique calendar, but it had too many items I have already tried and didn't like. I also wanted to love MAC calendar, but in the end there were only a few items I really wanted from it, and I could purchase them separately. Which I haven't even done yet so clearly it isn't too important.

The 2021 advent calendar cost 95 € and the claimed full value is 475 €. So interestingly, 25 € less than last year. Of course the value is not the whole point, pricy item is not necessarily good. And I do think they claim too high value considering the products are either minis or clearly overpriced like Avant. 

The 2020 advent calendar cost 95 €. Lookfantastic claims the full value is about or even a bit over 500 €. Year 2019, the calendar cost 89 € and the value claimed was 455 €.

The 2021 calendar had 25 boxes, 5 make up, 10 skincare, 5 haircare, 5 bath and bodycare. Compared to earlier calendars this year had more haircare and less make up. Wonder if it was easier to source in the middle of pandemic or if they thought that people are not wearing make up right now because of masks.

The 2020 calendar had 25 boxes, 8 make up, 10 skincare, 1 haircare, 6 bath and body care.

The 2019 calendar had 25 boxes - roughly 8 make up, 11 skincare, 2 haircare, 4 bath and body care.

Yay

Nars Blush Orgasm Mini

What surprise! I just bought 2 full size blushes from Nars in Taj Mahal and Sin and now got a mini Orgasm. I don't think I would have bought this one myself but damn is it such a pretty pink shade with golden shimmer. The same goes for last year's LF calendar's Natasha Denona Mini Blush Glow Duo with the pink (golden coral) blush - I never would have bought it myself but now I love it... 

Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra S.O.S Intense Moisturizing Cream

I have a soft spot for Caudalie! But because of the price rarely buy their products myself. I bet I will like this cream, so far I have liked everything from Caudalie that I've tried (few products only though!).

Bioeffect EGF Serum

I really like this serum! LF calendar had it before too. This time the bottle is even smaller though, last time it was 5 ml and now only 3 ml. So you can imagine it is very tiny. 

AHC Hydrating Essential Real Eye Cream for Face 

I needed a new eye cream so good timing. Also, I have heard about this product a lot so I am curious to finally try it.

Omorovicza Facial Polish 

Quite a rough scrub, I have to be very gentle when rubbing my face, but seems effective as well. At least I noticed that my face was smoother afterwards for a day. Didn't notice breakouts. Wasn't too excited about the polish when I opened the box, but actually find it now good and useful!

Philip Kingsley Elasti-Styler 5-In-1 Treatment

Tried once already, seems like a nice product, not too heavy but hair feels definitely smoother. Philip Kingsley seems to have good products for dry hair!I have gotten 2 mini Elasticizers from LF calendars so it wasn't a surprise that the same brand was featured again.

Ok +

Delilah Lip Line Long Wear Retractable Pencil Buff

First thought that the lip liner was too pink but actually it is a nice nude! Long lasting as well. I really do like it. I did also like the eyebrow pencil from Delilah that came from last year's calendar. Seems like a good consistent brand, a bit expensive though at around 20 € for lip or eyebrow pencil.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser

Interesting cleanser! At the moment I'd rather get mystery cleansers than moisturizers because I have found so many nice moisturizers already and cleansers are more risk free to try. Because they work or don't work and stay on skin only for a little while.

Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment 

Looks like an ok product, currently with dry hair I use everything I get. 

Percy & Reed Wonder Balm

The same as above - looks like an ok product, will use. Quite many similar hair products though!

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub 

Scalp scrubs are always welcome! This one has sea salt. I tend to have an oily scalp and other scalp problems like oily dandruff sometimes. But, like I have said, after I got permanent curls my scalp&hair has been a lot better and easier to manage! Because my hair is not flat against my scalp anymore and it is processed so it's damaged&dry which is great compared to oily&straight.

REN Clean Skincare Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream 

As a brand REN is not really on my radar. I do like their aesthetics and products seem good, but I still feel uninterested, maybe because they promote themselves as "clean" and "natural" and they are not affordable (to me). But I will use this cream and I'm pretty sure I will like it!

Avant Skincare Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm

Hand cream is pretty much always ok, but a bit boring thing. I don't think there is much glycolic acid in this cream though, it is almost the last ingredient in the list. Also the value is supposed to be closer to 100 euros. What a scam, but I will use this cream and I think it will be basic.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash

I like receiving facial washes to try! As a brand Elemis hasn't been a good match for my skin before. But I can try again.

Ok -

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

Shiseido as a brand is expensive and interesting, and Ultimune is one of their bestsellers I gather, but for me it is not exciting. It is a serum/essence/hydrator and according to ingredient list, is not worth the price tag. But I bet it is an ok product.

Rodial Dragons Blood Sculpting Gel 

Not really exciting product but doesn't look bad either. Expensive. Consists mostly of dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, etc. silicone derivates so it is basically a smoothing primer gel. Nothing wrong with that. I don't believe it will do much for my skin but will try!

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 

Hmm, instructions say "Requires blow-drying to activate". I am lazy and blow dry once in a while sooo... Probably will just spray this to my hair and see if it does anything.

Iconic London Illuminator Original

Very tiny bottle! But it's ok. The shade looked initially dark but blends into my skintone well. At the same time I love receiving something popular like this to play with (because I never would have bought it myself) but I also feel like it's a waste because I am not a highlighter person generally so maybe I will just forget it and then trash!

Illamasqua Hydra Setting Spray

Will try this setting spray like I've tried many before! But it seems I never do quite like them. Or take them into my daily routine. But I do have hope that I will find the one I like and that works for me!

ESPA Clean & Green Detox Mask 

Looks interesting, but I am usually too lazy to use masks. Probably, because I usually I do not notice enough difference so that it would be worth my time and effort. But the mask looks nice, it has kaolin and some oils etc. Kaolin is good for oily skin after all.

Meh

Rituals The Ritual Of Sakura Candle

Bleh, no candles for cosmetic calendars, please. I highly dislike the scent as well. Too strong. I will try to give the candle to someone and will trash if no one wants it. I also disliked the Sakura body scrub from Rituals from last year's LF calendar. This is the exact same scent. The scrub wasn't scrubby enough for me either and left a layer of slime on my skin and took forever to try to wash it off afterwards!

ThisWorks Stress Check Mood Manager

What an amusing concept, a scent that helps sleep or reduces stress. The actual scent is not bad actually, reminds me of walking into furniture store or similar. Apparently it is an essential oil blend of Ylang Ylang, Neroli and Patchouli. But as an item this is useless. I wish they would have put in some popular mini perfume instead.

BubbleT Bath Bomb Rhubarb&Custard

Still do not own a bath tub. And when I have tried bath bombs in hotels, I find them a bit disgusting actually. Usually I do not like the fragrancies and water just feels dirty. 

Balance Me Beauty Sleep Hyaluronic Mist

So. A mist that you're supposed to spray on your hands and chest and it smells like lavender, chamomile... and is supposed to help you sleep. I highly dislike lavender scent (unless fresh lavender still growing in a flower bed). Yuck! Will trash unless someone wants this. Why put 2 stress manager/beauty sleep mists into one calendar? But at least ThisWorks mist doesn't smell bad. Just put mini fragrances or floral shower gels or something!

Diego Dalla Palma Khol Kajal

Yet another black kajal, every year. Still doesn't suit me, dark brown looks better. 

Shopping from November to December

At this point I just have to admit I enjoy shopping too much. I should probably publish this blog post as soon as possible to realize how much stuff this is and it would deter me from buying anything else for a while! I spent in two months about 424 €. I have surprisingly little regrets, though. Maybe they appear when I put together the whole year's number.

I will add more photos when there is actually some daylight... sigh... In December the sun barely rises for a couple of hours. Can't believe the first blush photos were taken only around start of November and there was still sunlight! Or maybe I just waited for the right day!

Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Duo Blush Raw Honey

Kevyn Aucoin The Neo Blush Rose Cliff

Kevyn Aucoin Neo Bronzer Sunrise Light

Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray Bridal 20ml

Ok, so, Beautybay had a sale and these things were -30 %. I had wishlisted these products and put them in and out of my shopping basket multiple times and never seen them on sale. I was weak and just bought them finally, 91 €.

My first impressions? Kevyn Aucoin's blush&bronzer are excellent shades, so natural. So sheer, not too much pigment, it is absolutely impossible to mess up the application. But they are buildable. They basically blend themselves on my skin so they are zero effort products. When I tried the blush I just thought "why haven't I bought this one before?". Probably because I have gone for crazier shades to have instant gratification of a totally different look...

Melt's blush is very pretty and highlighter-y, the finish feels similar to Dior's Hologlam (how there is the base color and how the shimmer/glitter sits on top and looks multilayered) but the formula is a lot more buttery and pigmented. But the color is just warm bronze on me. I mean it is a pretty color and bronze suits me and I love bronze but I expected more a reddish bronze or mauve-ish bronze... Starting to think I should've gone with the peachy one Buzz Kill!

The Ordinary - Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA x3

NIOD - Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3)

NMFs are a basic moisturizer for me and just decided to go all out and buy 3... definitely will last a whole year until the next sale! Deciem has November sale instead of Black Friday and I do believe they will continue this campaign. I like cheap moisturizers and I cannot lie. The whole order was 52 € mainly because of CAIS.

CAIS3 I just want to try to see if it really is as amazing as people say. Interesting that Deciem has managed to the make the formula stable so that the copper doesn't need to be in a separate bottle anymore like in discontinued CAIS2. (I never tried it though.) I enjoy opening NIOD packaging, their designs are always elegant.

Lethal Cosmetics Custom Palette HIVE:

Symbiosis, Equinox, Limbo, Rise from the Ashes, Stargaze, Lithium, Vertigo, Inhabit, Defiance, Acolyte, Covet, Backdraft

Customizable Palette PRISMATIC

Pressed Multichrome Shadow PROXIMA

Again, Lethal Cosmetics order for all my shimmery eyeshadow needs. They had a good Black Friday sale, custom palettes were -40 % or so. I spent about 89 €. All the shades I took were shimmers! My palette looks like a box of jewels to me! I did really like the shimmers in my last custom palette I ordered (very glittery and impactful) and because I do not actually have the basic golden etc. eyeshadow I decided to splurge. I also bought one of their new pressed multichromes. I chose the safest one, Proxima.

I took the smaller black magnetic palette Hive and also the bigger one, Prismatic. I like their palettes, they are not too big or heavy to hold.

I haven't tested all the shadows yet, but I am gravitating towards Backdraft immediately. Peachy/coral shades just seem to be my thing! Also Limbo is a great one and done champagne, not too out there except with the glitteriness and makes me look more awake (I think my eyes are hooded so some light shimmer makes them look bigger).

Quite random foundation selection, sorry! Just grabbed whatever I had nearby. To have at least some reference.
Out of these, I think IT Cosmetics Fair is the best match. (Otherwise it would be Missha but 23 is a tad too dark.)
Laura Mercier is a lot more orange when piled on and compared to other foundations!
I knew the match was off but when used only a little and blended a lot it felt fine. If I buy another Laura Mercier, it will be something else than Porcelain.
Maybe Pearl or Vanille.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector Mini 25ml Porcelain

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF50 12ml Fair

NARS Cosmetics Blush Sin

NARS Cosmetics Blush Taj Mahal

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Home & Away Duo

Olaplex Intense Single Use Repair Kit

This haul was from Cult Beauty. Everything I wanted was in stock and was able to use a discount code so I went for it. Black Friday is my downfall, the order was about 120 €.

I must say when I tried IT Cosmetics CC Cream my first thought was "why haven't I bought this before???". It is great. The shade fair is great. It blends and layers great. It doesn't seem to break me out. I am impressed.

As for Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, it is nice at first impression and even the shade porcelain is good despite looking a bit dark at first. But it sheers out when applied. The product seems good, but for some reason I am not as wowed as with IT Cosmetics! I don't know what it is! My opinion might change later of course.

I thought I should try Olaplex because people seem to praise it and now I have perfectly damaged and processed hair to see results. There is enough for maybe 3 uses in this mini set. I tried it once and sadly must say didn't notice any immediate results. I even kept the product in my hair quite a long time. Maybe you need to use Olaplex constantly to notice anything or I have too processed hair for it to work. That kind of defeats the whole purpose though.

I also bought Philip Kingsley Elasticizer set because I have noticed that this product really works for dry and processed hair! But I use it as a leave-in treatment even though the instructions say to wash it off. Maybe I should try Olaplex No 0 and 3 as leave-in products too?

NARS blushes are something I have pined after for a long time! I love both colors but Taj Mahal looks so unapologetically orange in the pan and as a swatch but on my face it's more red :(. Even the brush looks almost poppy red after applying it. I am still on the lookout for a true orange blush. Maybe have to choose one that looks very yellow orange? Sin is delightfully muted and bright on my skin at the same time and it looks more true to swatch. Less purple on my face though, surprisingly natural!

Real Techniques Cashmere Dreams Eye Fantasy Brush Set

Real Techniques Cashmere Dreams Blush Brush

Real Techniques Cashmere Dreams Powder Brush

Cashmere Dreams was last year's limited edition set from Real Techniques (I think) and I drooled after it because it is pink. But never got around to buy it and then it had already disappeared from stores. So you can imagine my surprise when this year during black friday it was on sale in Oletkaunis! Of course I bought the eye set and two brushes. It took over a week that they shipped them but they did notify that it would take longer and would include a free gift, but the gift was only a body foundation that I am not sure if I will just trash. I don't know anyone who would use it!

The order cost a bit over 30 € and while I think they are worth it, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed in them. I have been using my IT Cosmetics brush set mainly ever since I got it and I do think I like them better! So maybe it was the comparison that made me feel less excited. Also I find the handles awkward shape and weight to hold. Nevertheless, I do like these Real Techniques brushes and will use them, but the question is, will I purchase more from RT in the future? 

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel

My trusted face cleanser! Yet another repurchase. Rituals shower foam I got as a gift. I haven't tried this Ayurveda one before, just Sakura, and I did like it.  Weird because I really didn't like the Sakura scrub and candle from Rituals!

Head&Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo 1 L

Rexona Maximum Protection Sport Strength Antiperspirant x6

Stocked up for the next year, antiperspirants from Notino, about 30 €. My staples. Expecting that I do not have to buy antiperspirants next year. Also basic shampoo from supermarket.

The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel

The Body Shop Honey Shower Cream

Christmas presents! I wouldn't have chosen the shower cream myself, especially with a scent like honey, to me it is a bit "stale" scent but I appreciate the thought and maybe I will learn to like the scent as well.