Empties Since January 2022

My empties from January to February so two months. Halfway through February I realized I wasn't going to finish as many bottles as I wanted and switched to sample pouches for instant gratification! Also I had been itching to buy something (anything!) in the beginning of February and wanted to shop my stash every day to keep me in check. In the end I didn't buy anything beauty related in February. 

Again, I want to say that I would rather donate my shopping money to Ukraine and I wish other people would do the same. There are several charities you can donate to. You can support Ukrainian businesses and products. You can boycott Russian businesses and products. I don't want anything when I know there is war and people need necessities, shelters, peace and independence! Currently many hundred civilians and even a lot of children have been killed!

Face

Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Creme

Gel moisturizer. Don't know if I will repurchase. Sometimes, especially during hot sweaty summer it felt nice. Sometimes I felt like it was breaking me out or making my skin worse. So maybe it is just not moisturizing enough for other times. But it is not a bad product at all, great under makeup, absorbed well, no greasiness. Surprisingly strong fragrance though.

Avant Moisture Surge Overnight Treatment 

I really liked this moisturizer for the night. Really locks the hydration in and in my opinion felt and smelled luxurious. Not going to repurchase, price is crazy (80-100 € or so). This was in Lookfantastic Advent Calendar, they tend to try to up the value of boxes with overpriced stuff.

Dermatica Treatment Subscription Tretinoin+Niacinamide

I am using now several months old bottles, ha! It seems the cream doesn't expire as fast as the expiry date implies. Of course I am disgusting so I do not recommend you to do as I do. The cream felt still effective even 3 months after the date. Mind you, I store all my skincare/makeup in a dark, cool corridor shelf, I keep only the opened shower products and face cleansers in the bathroom where the moisture and warmness can get to them. When I have finished my last expired bottle, I will renew my subscription, it's been paused for now.

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

My last bottle of this product! I had bought it as a back up long time ago. So I quite liked it! Like a high SPF sheer foundation. It has been discontinued now though.

Neulii BHA PHA Peeling Pads

Good gentle peeling pads! A tub lasted forever because I cut the pads into four pieces. I have repurchased. Not sure if they are still available... their price doubled at least. So I highly doubt they still exist when I am finished with the new tub.

Pile of samples

Some of my samples are already expired, I have just been hoarding them! I guess, I like getting them, but I am stressed to actually use them because my skin is slave to routine. Now I made myself a promise to use all samples as soon as I get any new. Not that samples are easy to come by anyway these days. Many are something I would have used during travelling in the summer of 2019, I had several trips booked... So I guess it also makes me a little sad to see them and think of all the adventures I might have had.

My goal was to use at least 10 sample pouches by end of the February. I ended up using 16. My goal is to use at least 20 during the next two months (I think I have left about 50?).

Body

Rexona Maximum Protection Sport Strength Antiperspirant

Yet another one of these! My staples.

Ceralan Shower Oil Cream

Basic shower product, have repurchased a couple of times. Maybe will repurchase again. Currently will use a face wash that I didn't like as a shower cream. 400 g of Ceralan costs about 15 € so I am thinking I could try a cheaper shower gel without fragrance from supermarket that I saw, it was 1 L bottle for 5 € (for comparison, 5 €/1 L vs. 30 €/800g for a basic shower product is a big difference). I often do get the feeling that a shower product is not cleansing enough so it is always a surprise!

Kicks Beauty Glowing Beauty Exfoliating&Tingling Mask

Super old face mask! I believe it was based on glycolic acid. It was too harsh on my face or at least my face always looked so much worse after use that I just didn't use the mask anymore! In the end I used it for feet&legs.

Prai Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme

Funny, almost whipped cream consistency! That was nice. But I disliked the scent even though it wasn't strong. I felt it was too heavy and started to pill eventually. But I have oily neck so if I put there something it needs to absorb completely and be very light. I got this cream from LF calendar. In the end I used it for arms&legs.

Hair

Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave In Treatment

Got this from LF calendar. It was ok, I think. Not a fan of the minty/eucalyptusy scent. It was quite strong. Didn't notice much extra moisture or softness but hair was better after application than without, so there's that! Wouldn't repurchase.

Shopping from January to February

From January to February so during two months I spent about 63 € on cosmetics. I must admit I had a hard patch in the beginning of February, browsing a lot of beauty stuff. It was so weird, I felt like I wanted to find something new to obsess over! Even though I have a box full of unopened things at home! In the end I didn't purchase anything in February.

Right now I don't even feel like purchasing anything, the situation in Ukraine is very bad and surreal, I never thought Russia would actually attack. I feel physically sick and urge people rather to donate to Ukraine's cause than shop cosmetics. Just a few years ago I worked with Ukrainian girl and we ended up discussing politics and she strongly expressed her worry over her country and she just knew something would happen eventually. I hope she and everyone else are safe and get the help they need and this situation will be rightfully solved soon without Russia completely and unnecessarily destroying Ukrainians' beautiful country. 

All orders made during January planted a tree.

Lethal Cosmetics Charity Singles:

Professor Patch

Meekha

Mercredi

When I saw these singles, I couldn't help myself, I just went and bought them. They are very, very pretty, and they will compliment my custom palette!  29 € including shipping. I am not sure if they are limited. 100% of the profits are donated to animal charities Born Free and Gut Aiderbichl in Germany.

I do hope Lethal Cosmetics releases more special products in the future! Maybe marbled blushes next, with exxxxtra fine golden shimmer. And marbling with apricot, orange, yellow, peach, coral.

They have just released a new purple palette but purple shades are not my thing. The new pink multichrome single Allure looks pretty though. Unsure about buying more pink eyeshadow though, pink is so difficult color to pull off for me.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet Eau de Toilette 20 ml

Burberry Her Eau de Parfum  7,5 ml

I wanted to try something new! I like mini sized fragrancies. I expected more mini sets for the holidays but nothing was released or just available last year. I think it is about time to try something from Marc Jacobs and Burberry and of course I went for sweet! 34 €.

Burberry Her is definitely a slight disappointment! Turns out it starts as a sickly sweet artificial strawberry and doesn't evolve for a long time. Reminds me of being a teenager and dousing myself in cheap strawberry-vanilla body spray. I had no idea I disliked strawberry note this much. Considering I really like raspberry+vanilla. Can't even smell raspberry here but like I've mentioned, I don't have a good nose. At least this perfume is something different from my usual purchases. Maybe the other Burberry Her scents like Eau de Toilette and Blossom would be more to my liking.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet starts a bit too screechy for me, but when it dries drown I do like it. This is sweet and fruity and sugary in a right way for me... But definitely not elegant at all or everyday scent. It is very, very sugary. And raspberry. But it is not heavy so I do not get headache. I wonder if I would like other Daisies as well. I always try to test them when I get a chance in store but they are not very memorable!

Head&Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo 1 L

Bare Minerals Brush

Bare Minerals Brush

Blistex Sensitive Lip Balm

Dermosil Sea Salt Shampoo

These were gifts. Very useful! Bare Minerals brushes were found in random store (Rusta) for cheap. Wonder if the brand is going to fold this year because this is extraordinary for where I live, my country doesn't have anything like TJMaxx etc. Why would BM get rid of perfectly fine brushes? Never thought of trying these brushes before but they seem quite ok!

Blistex Sensitive is a good no frills lip balm, no scent, no color, soft, affordable... Probably will get another one.

Dermosil's sea salt shampoo is a purifying shampoo to be used every 1-2 weeks. It's like a scrub because you have to get the salt goo to melt against your scalp. But it really works! My scalp felt very clean, airy, zero itchiness afterwards. My hair felt really dry though, too, because it has been treated. But if I would have my natural oily hair I would wash my scalp with this at least twice a week to keep it clean! Excellent product so far but I'll try to limit my use to only every 2-3 weeks.

Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 8 Innisfree, Miscellaneous

My earlier sample reviews:

Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 1
Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 2
Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 3 Feat Tonymoly
Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 4 Feat Innisfree, Dr. Belmeur
Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 5 Feat Purito
Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 6 Feat Sunscreens

Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 7 Feat Tonymoly
Peeling Pad Sample Reviews


Missha Super Aqua Peeling Gel DISCONTINUED
 

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water, Milk Lipids, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Oxygen, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Mannitol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Lactic Acid, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Urea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin, Bromelain, Papain, Carbomer, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance(Parfum)

* Tried 1 sample

* White-ish gel

* Not much scent, very light and sweet

* Balls up on your skin when you rub it in

* Very gentle in my opinion, could feel my skin was slightly smoother afterwards, but while using it didn't feel like there was any peeling/purifying action going on, the balling doesn't feel hard at all. When I went to use the second half of my sample in the evening (so twice a day) I actually felt some discomfort. So while it is gentle, it is also effective.

* Good everyday product maybe? Has been discontinued but there are many other "gommage peels" out there. Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Peeling Gel seems to be Missha's new version? I could very well try it!

Huxley Body Oil Moroccan Gardener
 

Ingredients:

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Parfum/Fragrance, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecylp-Cresol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butylhydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Aqua/Water/Eau, 1,2-Hexanediol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Eugenol, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene.

* Tried 1 sample

* Clear runny thin oil

* Takes some time to absorb for me, I can feel later on as well on my skin, but it is not slimy or anything. Not a "dry oil".

* Moisturizing, but not deep moisture, almost like just skin softness.

* Scent is actually quite nice, I don't mind it at all! Opens so fresh and greenish, like I've been just cutting some flowers, a bit rose in the beginning but then I lost it. When I applied the oil the scent got a bit soapy on my skin. It's also lingering for some time but it is not strong, quite perfect balance and lightness.

* As nice as body oils are, I am not sure I would actually commit to apply body oils/moisturizers constantly because I am so oily all over!

Tosowoong Spot Whitening VITA Clinic S.O.S

Ingredients:

???

* Tried 1 sample

* Very thick gel that just wouldn't absorb when I rubbed it in

* Almost like exotic fruits scent

* Left skin very sticky, also felt like there is a film on my skin

* Felt very hydrating/moisturizing!

* All in all weird product, but feels very nice on skin and I could see this working as a sleeping mask if you don't mind that your face sticks to the pillow


Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Essence

Ingredients:

Sea water, butylene glycol, glycerin, squalane, butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, citrus unshiu peel extract, orchid extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, camellia japonica leaf extract, achillea millefolium extract, adenosine, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, xanthan gum, tromethamine, polysorbate 20, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

* Tried 1 sample

* Minty scent? Not really for me

* Feels very moisturizing

* Basic serum/essence type consistency, not thick, not watery

* Maybe I should try more sea water products?

Innisfree Brightening Pore Serum
 

Ingredients:

Water, Propanediol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, 1,2- Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Fragrance I Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium Edta. Hyaluronic Acid, 3-0-ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol

* Tried 1 sample

* Smells a bit like soap, very faintly

* Clear liquid

* Absorbs well, didn't pill, pleasant easy everyday formula feel, like I could use it daily

* Didn't notice any effects

* Mildly hydrating

Innisfree Truecare Allantoin Waterdrop Essence
 

Ingredients:

Water, Squalane, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin(2,000 ppm), Tromethamine, Glyceryl caprylate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, vitamin E, Disodium EDTA.

* Tried 1 sample

* White emulsion consistency

* No scent

* Absorbed well

* Moisturizing enough, that could replace moisturizer for me during summer

* Feels soft and calming

Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Oil

Ingredients:



* Tried 1 sample

SKINFOOD Aqua Grape Bounce Mist Toner

Ingredients:

Sea Water(40 %), Water, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract(20 %), Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Ethanol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Citrate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferulic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Carbomer, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Tripeptide-29, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

* Tried 3 sample mini bottles

* I thought this toner would have been already discontinued as I bought the sample bottles several years ago because this products a) looks cute in green color and b) the name is cute. (priorities, right!) But it is actually still available!

* Scent is sweet, but not overpowering, doesn't linger at all - I do actually like it a lot

* Watery toner

* Feels purifying but not drying. Not particularly hydrating but ok. I used the toner with cotton pads.

* Didn't notice breakouts or irritation, actually I think my skin seemed to agree with the toner. Could use more but unlikely I'll repurchase as it is a bit pricy and difficult to get!

Haruharu Wonder Honey Green Repairative Cream
 

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, 1.2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Lecithin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Honey, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylate- 13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Adenosine, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Ethyl Linalool, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl ethyl hexanoate, CI 26100

* Tried 1 sample

* White-ish lotion

* Barely any scent, can't even say what the light scent is

* Absorbs well, is not heavy but not too light either

* No pilling with other products

* Didn't notice breakouts or any effects

Current Favorites

Inglot Duraline 

Lately I've been using Duraline with eyeshadow every time! I really think it helps with my creasing issue. Of course it is winter right now so I haven't been sweating much but I do have high hopes for summer as well... I prime my eyelids with Canmake as well. It's the best eye primer I have tried so far but I have very limited experience.  I also have used a light dust of powder before eyeshadow. I have extremely oily and I think hooded eyes.

I use Duraline just by mixing as many drops as I want on my hand with eyeshadow. I think I need to get a mixing palette so that it doesn't start to absorb to my skin/slide off while doing this. I try to not get Duraline straight to eyeshadow pans because I don't want to ruin them. Duraline is a massive help with glitters or shimmers because they do not have fall out when applied this way, plus they look more glittery and kind of part of the skin, not like a dry or dusty layer on top. 

This is the exact look I've wanted to master, a natural sheer shimmer/glitter that looks very effortless! So, it is not about the eyeshadow itself, it is the technique! I have experimented both with eyeshadow and highlighters. I felt so stupid when I realized that this is how you create the ethereal barely-there-but-bigger-glistening-eyes look, lol!  For eye shadow I have mainly used Lethal Cosmetics because I just bought a lot of singles from them last year and the shades are very pretty! I do have to say l like the most boring shades like champagne, gold, taupe...

Duraline is clear and very oily. It comes in a tiny dropper bottle. Canmake's eye base is very thick.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment

I already wrote before that I feel a bit meh about this popular conditioning product and said that maybe my hair felt softer, not sure. So the tube I got from LF advent calendar back in the day was left halfly unused.

But. The thing is, my hair was healthy and straight back then, and easily oily. Now, I got a permanent and have curls and my hair is amazingly dry (and damaged) and I can put oils, hydrators on everyday and my hair just slurps everything in. (My scalp is still oily, just so you know. Just not as bad as before permanent.)

Back to Elasticizer! It makes my curls shiny and refined. Using the Elasticizer once a week (or at least every other week), I don't have to throw oils at my hair everyday and my hair texture is nicer. I use it by washing my hair, then applying the cream onto very damp hair and just lift the hair up with a clip and let it sit on for as long as I feel, an hour or two, or overnight. Then rinse a bit. Or don't rinse at all if it looks fine.

As long as I have curls, I think I will keep using Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer. This was definitely an eye opener yet again, why some products are raved about and I don't understand the hype. Because if I don't need a certain product, of course it is going to do nothing for me!

Versace Bright Crystal EdT

Not my favorite scent or perfume overall, but, must give credit where credit is due... Lately been using Bright Crystal daily to work, it is so inoffensive and light! It lasts only a couple of hours on me but at least I know I haven't overdone it. I kinda think it is impossible to overdo such a soapy, fresh watery sweet floral scent though. That's all I smell, I can't detect any specific notes. I also have Yellow Diamond, and I like both equally. But for some reason I pick up Bright Crystal easier in the morning - maybe it is more of "shower clean fresh" scent for me than Yellow Diamond with citrusy notes?

The Ordinary NMF + HA Moisturizer

Such a nice boring bland moisturizer in a big tube for cheap. Plays well with anything or almost anything. I guess I can keep repeating this as a current favorite from time to time! (As I don't have any rules for what I list as favorites and when I list them.) Not luxurious feeling moisturizer at all, though. 

Maybelline Snapscara Mascara Waterproof

Excellent everyday mascara. I actually do like the shape of the brush and find it easy to use. I think the product is not too wet or dry. I usually never make a mess while applying and it hasn't smudged during the day. Obviously right now I haven't worn it outside in the rain or in extreme heat, just normal weather conditions. The mascara is also easy to remove with warm water. I have to say I do not get much volume with this mascara, mostly I go for my lashes but better look.