Empties Since September

Empties from September to October. I think I did okay. Finished a lot of mini cleansers because I still haven't repurchased my usual face cleanser. Clearly my skin is far less finicky with cleansers compared to moisturizers.

Face

Samples

Trying to get back to using my samples before they go bad. I used only 6 samples but it is more than none! They all were surprisingly good products as well. 

Malin+Goets Vitamin E Face Moisturizer Mini

Smells like some cream my grandma used for cows but maybe it is a general un scented vitamin E smell then? First I thought the moisturizer was slightly clogging my skin but afterwards noticed it seemed to calm some redness too. Absorbs super well, in a few minutes almost to nothingness. Wouldn't mind trying another mini, I'm on the fence how I feel!

Filorga Time-Filler Absolute Wrinkle Correction Cream Mini 

To my surprise I really liked this Filorga cream. But it seems to be discontinued/refomulated. Still, this moisturizer played well with all my other products, was moisturizing despite not being heavy and didn't break me out. Maybe one day I'll get to try to new reformulation... Will have to look more into this matter. Because the cream just worked for me.

Filorga NCEF Night Mask Supreme Multi Correction Night Mask Mini

I liked this cream as well! Didn't break me out and seemed to calm my skin. Not super moisturizing though. Why are Filorga products so expensive though?

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser Mini

A bit funky herbal scent but I did really like this one. Slightly foamy gel, not much is needed, feels purifying but not drying on my skin. Could repurchase a full size sometime. This was from Lookfantastic calendar.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

I did like this cleanser! I used it as a first cleanse and also alone. I'm not into strong rose scents in skincare products but here the scent was quite mild and felt more like real rose. Definitely not drying, quite gentle but effective if there was not too much makeup. Yet, I didn't feel my skin was "clean" when I used this alone for several days so I personally need something "purifying" as well. Still, could repurchase a mini sometime.

Nivea Soothing Cleansing Oil Grape Seed Oil Sensitive Skin

Not my favorite, didn't emulsify well and was a bit of an extra hassle but it did remove makeup well and was unscented. Was cheap too when I purchased it. Now it's not even available to me anywhere so wouldn't repurchase.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser Mini

A good cream cleanser, the best I've tried actually! Has honey scent but it actually didn't bother me. Not drying, yet cleansed well. Used mostly in the morning. Could use more, but the price and poor availability to my country is putting me off.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Serum

Half used. I really did try to use this serum, but my skin always looked worse after a couple of days so finally I'll just trash it, it is too old anyway. Sticky on skin as well, not that good under other products/makeup. I'm not sure if it is because this formula just didn't work for me or is it Arbutin in itself that my skin doesn't like. Or maybe the serum had gone bad. I'd like to try some watery Alpha Arbutin serum.

Body

Nivea Protect&Dry Touch Extra Water Resistant Cream Gel SPF 30

A few years old and still haven't used this much so time to go. The product applies well, is not greasy and no white cast, BUT I can't deal with the scent. Everytime I applied body sunscreen, I opted for the sensitive kids versions (from both Nivea and Garnier) over this perfumed mess.

The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Shower Cream

Ok shower cream but not my choice and wouldn't repurchase. The fragrance was surprisingly strong and not my favorite, but it wasn't bad, it wasn't too much like artificial honey. Felt gentle and was ok at cleansing but I had to use another shower gel as a second wash for armpits etc.

Rexona Maximum Protection Antiperspirant Sport Strength

My staple. Just repurchased 8 new bottles last month.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Scrub

Now, this one was a gift that just kept giving. Lasted for so, so long, but admittedly I used it only a little at a time. I actually did like using this scrub even though I didn't notice that it would actually do much. So I don't think I'll repurchase, but I wouldn't mind getting this as a gift again.

L300 Intensive Moisture Body Lotion

I don't even know how old this bottle is! It is an urea based light gel like moisturizer. I quite liked it, didn't irritate my face either and was effective for my partner's eczema. Cheap too if I remember right. But leaves the slightly slimy sticky feel on skin.

Hair

L'Oreal Paris Preference Shine Protect Conditioner (from hair dye pack)

I do like these mini conditioners. It really is good for dry hair and especially after the dye job.

Redken No Blow Dry NBD Airy Cream Mini

Actually, this one was good for curly hair! Not heavy, dried well, complimented the curls. Fruity fresh scent. But sadly discontinued. For straight hair, did nothing.

The Curl Company Enhance&Perfect Curl Cream 

Excellent for dry curls! Feels like heavy cream but my hair just slurped it. Cheap as well. But the scent is very strong. Might repurchase if I get another curl permanent. Soon I'll get my hair chopped off, getting too long.

Shopping from September to October

My beauty shopping from September to October. I spent about 112 €. It's actually more than I expected considering I didn't even buy much! 

Skincity Skincare Advent Calendar 2022

Skincity advent calendar had the most potential this year in my opinion! It has many cult products I haven't tried and interesting, different brands compared to the Lookfantastic Calendar (that I've had a few times). The calendar costs 149 € and it seems to be sold out currently. It took a while to sell out, maybe 1-3 weeks. It shipped immediately after purchasing so they were ready and in stock, no pre-order. I think it took only 2-3 days to receive the calendar. It includes 25 pouches and no annoying filler products like candles or facial cleansing devices.

My partner bought the calendar for me as a gift. It is a tradition for us to open the boxes together even though he is not into beauty stuff at all. :) 

I do like the calendar box itself as well. I am going to store some makeup in it after christmas.

Absolut Torr Antiperspirant Wipes

Bats Expert Original Antiperspirant

Nivea Q10PlusC Skin Sleep Cream

About 27 €. 

Nivea cream was definitely an impulse purchase. Note to myself: avoid stores when tired. No "I am just looking". It seems like an ok cream though, it absorbs well, I actually have to apply generously. Not sure yet what my skin thinks.

As for the antiperspirants, I want to try Absolut Torr wipes for my body. Maybe better product for summer when I sweat all around! But I can test if it irritates my neck, feet, etc before the next summer. Less embarrassing to go to gym when I am not dripping in sweat, maybe?

I wanted to try Bats Original as well, it has 15 % Aluminum Chloride. I thought it maybe irritates my armpits less than Absolut Torr that probably has 25-30 % Aluminum Chloride. According to my first impression, Bats Expert Original sadly seems like a failure. At first it didn't irritate my skin, then my armpits started to itch and smell BADLY in 5-8 hours. Like I hadn't put antiperspirant at all. My armpits didn't get wet though. Just very smelly and itchy. Absolut Torr both irritates and itches badly but it is also very effective at tackling the smell and wetness. 

It is such a pain to suffer from sweating! I am always looking for new solutions and I always have high hopes.

Rexona Maximum Protection Sport Strength Antiperspirant x8

Beauty Discovery Box Notino The Iconic Fragrances by Chloé 

Beauty Discovery Box Notino Floral Scents for Women 2 

Beauty Discovery Box Notino Introduction to Niche Perfumes

Beauty Discovery Box Notino Notino Recommends 

Beauty Discovery Box Notino The best of Guerlain

Beauty Discovery Box Notino The best of Givenchy & Kenzo

From Notino. They had a free shipping campaign so I decided to replenish my antiperspirant stash as I am currently using my last Rexona bottle. I discovered Notino's fragrance sets as well! So naturally I bought everything that I had some interest in. I like perfume samples. I hope Notino will release more discovery sets. 85e

Some comments after trying fragrances:

Giorgio Armani Si Intense EdP: Instant like, but I like Si and they all smell similar enough to me so I am not sure how Intense is different from original - it does last very long on my skin though!

Novellista Crazy Rich EdP: Just old floral soap to me. Quite strong. Meh. A bit headachy. (However I am migraine prone.)

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Pure Musc EdP: Very tuberosa/lily scent on my skin but not as headachy as tuberosa usually is. Gently soapy. I understand that this is a cult favorite but I think I like Narciso Eau de Parfum Cristal a lot better but I only tried it at the store once.

Tiffany & Co. Sheer EdT: Oh, so nice almost aquatic fresh opening. But it didn't take long for it to turn sweeter and more ordinary on my skin. Very inoffensive. I still like it but it wasn't as exciting as I initially thought.

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire EdP: Very interesting! Not a perfume I would actually wear out in the world. But this is so different from my usual florals. As a scent, almost addicting.

Givenchy Irresistible EdT: Reminds me of Michael Kors Sparkling Blush! Should compare these at the same time. But I maybe like Givenchy Irresistible better?