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.

A-Derma Dermalibour Repairing Cream Mini 15 ml Review

 Ingredients:

WATER (AQUA), MINERAL OIL (PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM), CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, GLYCERIN, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, ZINC OXIDE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-22/DODECYL GLYCOL COPOLYMER, AVENA SATIVA (OAT) LEAF/STEM EXTRACT (AVENA SATIVA LEAF/STEM EXTRACT)*, COPPER SULFATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE ZINC SULFATE.  

*Rhealba(R) Oat from organic acriculture

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:

- Does leave a bit of an white cast

- Leaves a feeling on skin, leaves a film, not good under makeup

- Zinc oxide can clog my skin but it is not too bad with this product, also I don't use it daily, but I believe daily use would be clogging. For some people mineral oil is clogging, but actually I haven't found that to be the case with my skin!



+ Very occlusive, includes mineral oil

+ Calming on red or irritated skin

+ I think for calming and dryness, Dermalibour Repairing Cream is actually better than La Roche Posay Cicaplast, at least for my skin (LRP Cicaplast irritates my eyes too, Dermalibour doesn't)

+ Includes oat, just like other products from A-Derma

+ Quite affordable

+ No scent, no fragrance

+ Even though the cream is thick, and you need enough not to tug your skin while massaging it in, it still feels somewhat soft and even luxurious to me!

* I got A-Derma Dermalibour Repairing Cream for free because I purchased another product from A-Derma. I never would have purchased this cream on my own, but I really ended up liking it!

* I wouldn't say these calming occlusives are must haves, but they are nice to own, just in case I get a flare up.

Price: 

50 ml / about 8-12 €

Bought from: 

I got mini free with purchase, available at pharmacies

Buy again? 

Yes, I think so. EDIT: Have repurchased!

Worth the money? 

Yes. If you need or want a product that is thicker occlusive with oats, zinc oxide and mineral oil.

This is 100 ml tube of La Roche Posay and 50 ml of A-Derma.

A-Derma is yellow-y and La Roche Posay is white.

Similar texture but A-Derma is thicker, more difficult to spread.

Both leave some white cast, depending how much you apply. Not bad, but it is there.

Ekopharma Herukka Blackcurrant Puhdistusemulsio / Cleansing Emulsion 75 ml Review

 Ingredients:

Aqua, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil (Mustaherukka/Blackcurrant), Rosa Damascena Flower Water (Ruusu/Rose), Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil (Viinirypäle/Grape), Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Stearic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract (Mustaherukka/Blackcurrant)*, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract (Mustaherukka/Blackcurrant)*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Olus Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid
*Extracted to water

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:

- Sometimes I feel like it leaves my skin squeaky or with a slight film, maybe because it doesn't feel super purifying, this seems to be normal for emulsions

- Not very good at make up removal (but after oil cleanser or micellar water is ok usually but still I can get a slightly dirty cotton pad if I wipe afterwards!), doesn't work as a single cleanser for me

- I have to admit I dislike the rose/herbal scent of the unfragranced version even though it isn't super strong - maybe the fragranced version would be better for me (unless I dislike the orange oil scent too)

- My partner used this cleanser once and claimed he got irritated skin immediately, didn't want to touch it again

- Irritates my eyes sometimes, but low pH cleansers tend to do that



+ Not drying, quite gentle, leaves skin soft (film or not, squeaky or not, it is still soft)

+ As far as emulsion cleansers go, Ekopharma's Cleansing Emulsion is a lot better at cleansing than L300 Emulsion for example. Good for morning cleansing.

+ Very pleasant texture, not too thick or watery

+ Washes off well for an emulsion cleanser in my opinion

+ The small trial bottle is excellent quality, sturdy and pump is very precise and works well

+ I like the ingredient list that includes blackcurrant oil and extracts

 

* As you can probably notice, I don't have much experience with cleansing emulsions as my skin is not usually on a dry side. I have used gel cleansers for 20 years... so for me emulsions tend to feel ineffective at cleansing and I dislike the film they usually leave on skin. However, as far as emulsions go, I think Ekopharma's Herukka (Blackcurrant) Cleansing Emulsion's texture and how it washes off is very pleasant!

* I have a few other products on my list to try later from Ekopharma. However, they can get a bit pricy (for me) without discounts and they are available online only (for me). So I've been putting them off for now. I do like the brand image of being vegan and organic and highlighting ingredients like blackcurrant. But it seems the products have a shorter shelf life than normal products, this cleanser has been marked as 6 months from opening (usually cleansers have a year or so).

Price: 

 9,60 € / 75 ml 

24,50 € / 250 ml

Bought from: 

Hillankauppa

Buy again? 

No or maybe, another small bottle for morning cleansing?

Worth the money? 

For me Ekopharma's Herukka Cleansing Emulsion is not worth it unless the product is on a sale. For my skin, it is not as perfect or the full package as I would expect a cleanser of this price range to be. However, I do like how it makes my skin feel when I use it when my skin is almost clean already (morning, after another cleanser...) so I can imagine dry skin folks might really appreciate the feeling. The herbal scent is not for me either so I would be willing to give a chance for the fragranced mini bottle before writing the whole product off my future purchase list.

Shopping from May to June

Right, the first 4 months of this year I'd been doing very well with spending and suddenly comes May and I explode! During May and June I spent about 194 € altogether. Before May I spent about 123 € in 4 months. To be honest I did get a new job and had birthday so I felt that I deserved a treat... or several... So maybe I just post these now before the end of the June and hope that seeing everything deters me from shopping more!

TOP Idol, Kindred, Relapse: BOTTOM Sigil, Incarnate, Vertex.

Picture screencapped of Lethal Cosmetics Palette Designer. I love that tool! I have probably spent hours making different color combinations during the last year. I find it relaxing.

   TOP Idol, Kindred, Relapse: BOTTOM Sigil, Incarnate, Vertex.

Poor Unearthed couldn't fit into this palette. But I think I'll switch them around when I feel like it a lot. The sleeve is nice and protective but there was still some fall out with most of the shadows, especially Relapse. But the shadows are quite soft so no wonder.

Such a cute palette with surprise petals! They can't be seen when looking from straight ahead.

All the shadows came in individual sleeves as shown. Just couldn't wait to pop the shadows into the palette!

Lethal Cosmetics Custom Palette: Cluster Palette,

Eyeshadows: Idol, Kindred, Relapse, Sigil, Incarnate, Vertex, Unearthed

Depotting Tool

My birthday gift for myself! I chose colors that I do not have and are partly out of my comfort zone. For my new bright and glittery eyeshadow obsession, you see. Safe choices were the peach one Kindred and the grey brown Unearthed that wasn't able to fit into the palette anymore!

My order was a bit over 50 €, I got a few euros off with a first order coupon (10%). So it was quite a pricy palette by my standards, about 38 €. Relapse wasn't in stock and got backordered and they told it would take 1-2 weeks for them to ship my order. They estimated it would take about a month for me to receive it. It took exactly 3 weeks including weekends. No customs because Lethal Cosmetics is based in Germany.

Everything was packaged really nicely, truly felt like gift. The palette had a plastic cover and wrapping. The individual eye shadows were in sleeves and also inside an extra paper wrapping. 

The shadows are quite soft. What I have tried so far, they are pigmented and I am careful when dipping my brush in. But they are also easy for me (totally not pro) to blend, I feel it is effortless to create an impactful look. I have used these colorful shimmers as "one and dones" and they look really pretty just on their own, maybe not the most elegant look but they seem to be long lasting and catching the light really nicely. They are a bit messy to apply so I've had to learn to do my eyes before the rest of my face so I can wipe the fallen glitter off. But I do not notice the look getting messy during the day.

Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation in 1W 

Dior describes 1W for "fair skin with warm yellow undertones". I swatched 0W and 1N at the counter as well, 1N was definitely too orange and 0W too light. Actually the jump from 0W to 1W looked quite big and I wish there was an in-between, or a more muted yellow. But, it seems the formula is sheer and blends into skin effortlessly, so the match doesn't have to be perfect. 2W was too dark however. 1W looks very yellow straight out of the bottle, but matches well once on face as a sheer layer! I would say it is for fair-light skin, it looks darker in real life than in the photos I saw online. So if you are truly fair and warm toned, maybe go for 0W. 1W starts to look too yellow on me if I layer it more than once. Maybe I'll try to add a drop of something else, like white, blue mixer or pinker foundation and it'll tone it down, if I want to layer Dior. But I think the point of Dior F&B is the sheerness. 

Why did I buy another foundation and why Dior's F&B? I saw the ingredient list and alcohol is the third ingredient. I saw many people complaining that it is drying or enhances dry patches sooo... I figured it would be great for my combination skin for summer! Doesn't feel drying on me. Actually I was hoping it would feel dryer than it does. Anyway, it just disappears in and dries quite fast and requires very little blending so it is almost effortless to put on. I just use my fingers. It doesn't crack or slide during the day and wears nicely, even if I sweat. But, if I sweat and touch my face/have eyeglasses/mask it comes right off and looks very messy! Absolutely not as bullet proof as I hoped a high alcohol, face and body foundation would be.

So far I have to say I am pleased with my overpriced foundation purchase, even though there was a small issue with the shade and the lasting power because I expected more. But it is the easiest foundation to apply from the ones that I own and suits fast mornings when I can throw it on in 30-60 seconds. But Lumene's Skin Tint comes very close in my mind despite it being very different product, it is fast and easy to apply as well and wears nicely. If only I would have the right shade of that one, lol. I bought light instead of medium back in the day.

I didn't want to edit this picture in case I lost the true color of the blush! It is difficult to photo.

Finger swatch, had to do about 4 layers. Tried to blend it towards the end but it just almost disappeared.

Catrice Cheek Lover Oil-Infused Blush - 010 Blooming Hibiscus

This was called a dupe for Nars Orgasm but I can't compare since I don't have Orgasm. The golden shimmer is simply divine! The color is more pink on me than in the pan and on my face looks more pink than the swatch. So it is loveliest when applied lightly and it is easy because the blush needs a lot of layering, it's very sheer. Too bad the golden shimmer is not super visible unless heavily applied. Maybe I do need that proper golden highlighter. I wish Catrice would release similar blushes to this but with more peachy or plum tones. But, I think they should change the formula a bit too, I feel this is breaking me out a bit. So I can't quite decide if this impulse purchase was worth it.

Dermatica Subscription Tretinoin 0.025 % + Niacinamide 4 %

First full price bottle, about 28 € I think? Dermatica's customer service was excellent and they stood behind their promise to pay the custom charges in case EU customers got some. I had to pay almost 10 € customs and handling charges and contacted them, they requested proof, I sent the proof and they paid the whole sum back in a few days. I think I may have sounded quite annoyed in my emails as well, now looking back, but I was annoyed and the language barrier doesn't help. (English is my second language and my mother tongue is very to the point and lacks polite add-ons.) Anyway, just wanted to say, I keep complaining about Dermatica but it seems they really do try to make the service work well.

Neulii BHA PHA 5.5 Peeling Pad

About 20 € including shipping. Urgh, I think these pads used to be closer to 10 € including shipping back in the day before corona! But I felt I wanted another jar, and by cutting the pads into four pieces, they do last me forever. I do love how convenient the already soaked pads are and the essence is at the same time effective and very very gentle!

By Terry palette after two uses. The shades are quite soft so they make a bit of a mess.

Schwarzkopf Got2B Glued Water Resistant Spiking Gel 

Depend Everyday Eye Brow Knife

BaByliss Tweezers

RefectoCil Oxidant 3% Creme

RefectoCil Natural Brown No. 3

LA Girl HD Pro Conceal Green Corrector

By Terry Brightening Cc Palette Beach Bomb

I ordered from Lyko again. I was happy with the selection, speed and packaging the last time I ordered, so I return to browse their website from time to time. 

Now it was all about my eyebrows that I have had an obsession with. Funny because I used to do nothing to eyebrows except pluck, and just about 1-2 years ago started to actively seek ways to do them naturally, easily and fast. And here we are, buying oxidants and dyes... I am lazy and not a morning person so I figured that my next step is to actually dye the hair to get a small lift for the look even if I only brush in clear gel that can't turn into clumpy mess for hold. And for that I bought Schwarzkopf Got2b Gel. I have heard a lot of good things about RefectoCil dyes so I chose them. As for tweezers and brow knife, I lost my previous knife and the tweezers look like the grab tweezer shape I love but they are so difficult to find!

I have been eyeing the blue color correctors and thought to try the green one first because they are cheap and easily available. And I have had good luck with green ones before for cancelling the surface redness. This time around I'll mix a bit into foundation to see if it neutralizes them at all and I can use green on its own anyway.

And the impulse purchase of the day... dun dun dun... is By Terry face palette. It was only 16,80 € and the real price is around 49 € - and it is a brand new release as well. I think someone messed up when putting in the price. Or Lyko just has a lot of dead stock they want to get rid of but a discount of 60-70 % seems a bit too good for that purpose. My whole Lyko order cost me about 49 €, including the palette. Lol. You see, I couldn't resist even though I have never entertained the thought of buying By Terry products before. I have already reviewed the palette a bit here in my random favorites post.

Nivea Sun UV Face Sensitive SPF 50

Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dryness Super UV SPF50+

Got these sunscreens from my mom. Interesting to test new sunscreens! What I tried so far, Garnier is indeed emulsion like it claims to be, and it is very moisturizing on my skin during this hot summer. Too much, almost. I do not need a separate moisturizer. No whitecast, no fragrance. I like it, but I like the UV Fluid more! But it is difficult to find at the moment for some reason.  

Nivea is a cream, and it is very moisturizing as well. No white cast, no fragrance. Takes longer to set than Garnier one. The new sunscreens seem to be very good these days!!! If only they would be geared more for oily skin as well! This summer I have been sweating like a pig and I would survive completely without any moisturizers or hydrators, even when on tretinoin!!! This Anti-Dryness Super Uv from Garnier hasn't irritated my eyes yet. Haven't used Nivea very much so far. They are definitely not matte, they leave the satin, shiny finish, but not greasy.