Happy New Year! I declare this year the year of decluttering/destashing!
These empties posts are really addictive, I say. I love chucking stuff out (must've got that fom my mum!) but at the same time I'm completely horrified at how much I've accumulated in the short time I've been here.
The weather's cooled down considerably and it's a really nice time of the year right now before it gets crazy cold in the coming months. I'm not much of a "switch up my skincare" kind of person, I'm more of a "finish up before you buy more" person so most of the empties from last month were leftovers except for a few.
Red Earth eyeshadow in GR066
This is embarrassingly old and I refuse to say how long I've had it. Is the brand still out there? Or did it die out a long time ago along with my youth? Let's just put it this way, it's traveled with me ever since I started traveling alone (it was one out of my 4 eyeshadows!). I've worn this almost everyday since I've started working again and although it actually contains glitter particles, the color layers surprisingly well over one of my cream shadows to create depth but remaining subtle enough for the school environment. Glad I'm finally done with this one.
Repurchase: No
Love it! Used it as my night after shower cleanser in winter and I find that it's less harsh on my face as compared to the foamy type. The smell is really soothing and helps prepare me for bed. I've always practised double-cleansing when I wear makeup so this is great as a second cleanse because I don't feel tight or stripped after patting my face dry. Through experience, milk cleansers work really well for me in cold weather without causing any adverse reactions, although I've used it day and night for about a week when I was back in Malaysia last year and it worked, too. This comes in a heavy glass bottle that I wouldn't recommend having in the shower. Also, sometimes it's hard to control the amount you pour as it's pretty liquid-y and the bottle opening is kinda big so I ended up with too much a few times. 100ml seems to be pretty standard size for cleansers but with the occasional over-pouring and seeing how runny this is, I went through it pretty quickly, which is pretty unusual as my cleansers usually last for at least 2 or 3 months. It doesn't break the bank if you can get a discount on the price, and I honestly do love it, but I'm happy to explore other options that are more cost effective.
Repurchase: Maybe
Perfect morning cleanser for lazy people like me. I wake up well ahead to make sure I get a good breakfast and have time to enjoy my cup of tea before going to work. Somehow, almost every single time, I end up having to rush through the motions before I run out the door to catch the train. This cleanser saves me that few precious seconds of having to pat/swipe on toner/lotion since it's 2 in 1. I wouldn't recommend it for night use since I like something a little heavy duty to get rid of the day's grime and dirt along with traces of makeup. Love the refreshing scent that perks me up and I spend less time than usual rinsing it off. My skin never feels dry after cleansing; just soft and a little plump. Like the cleansing milk, it comes in a heavy glass bottle, which I don't mind since I don't take it into the shower with me. My gripe is the over-pouring bit because although it comes with a dropper-cap type that allows you to shake the product into your hands, it's so runny it's practically water and you'll have it spilling out of your palm before you even know it's way too much.
Repurchase: Maybe
I'm not so well-versed in seasonal scents but I have to say this is awesome with the cooler weather. Never mind that it's not really that moisturizing or that it's basically perfume disguised as a body lotion. I guess it's alright when it's not too cold and dry yet. Unlike some vanilla scents, I find this not too sickly sweet and just right for before bed. No stickiness and tackiness that makes me feel uncomfortable about rolling around in my clean sheets.
Repurchase: Maybe
Sunscreen (sample from dermatologist)
You may or may not know that I'm highly allergic to certain ingredients in sunscreens. I'm more prone to getting reactions from chemical sunscreens than physical ones. Was given a small sample at the skin clinic without any label :( and I had zero reaction from wearing it. No rash, no redness, no itching, no swelling, nothing. And it wears well under makeup, too, surprisingly. None of that dreaded white cast or extra oiliness after an hour or so. Wish I'd taken a picture of what this actually is :(
Repurchase: No
I'm blessed with good genes in the sense that neither of my parents age before their time. But years of squinting in the sun from working outdoors have given me a few very faint lines here and there. I've been using eye cream for a good few years now, but I'm not actually sure if they're doing anything for me. This is a very affordable alternative to what I used before I came to Japan and 10ml goes a really, really long way considering that I don't use it during the day. It's more like my "extra" step in my night routine. I haven't seen any improvement (nor deterioration) so I guess this is more of a preventive measure...? Doesn't feel oily or greasy like other eye creams I've used in the past and I can almost immediately moisturize without needing time for it to "sink in". I don't feel heaviness in the morning, either. I'm not big on anti-aging (yet) and I'd say this acts more as a moisturizer for the delicate skin around the eyes than a smoothing one.
Repurchase: Maybe
Biotherm Biopur Pore Reducer One-Minute Unclogging Mask
Discontinued, maybe? One of my favorites from Biotherm. I know it says one-minute unclogging mask but I always use it like a regular clay mask. Cleanse, pat dry, slather it on, lay back and relax (sometimes squeeze in a little snooze) and wait for it to dry. The cool, minty feeling is really calming and I especially love using this in warmer weather. When it dries, I sometimes see translucent spots where I'm especially oily, mainly on my nose and occasionally on my cheeks. I've had oily/combination skin for a long time so this mask helps to keep it in check. I wet my hands and splash some water on my face to moisten the mask slightly and massage the exfoliating beads a bit before rinsing everything off and wrapping it up with toner and moisturizer. Might be my imagination but my skin always looks clearer and brighter after my once a week application. Much, much love and I'm pretty sad to see it go :(
Repurchase: No
Dislike. Sickly sweet, even for me. Soap and paraben free, like the rest in the shower gel range.
Repurchase: No
Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
Needs no introduction. Used up countless bottles and still have many more to go. It does its job really well, but I mustn't have been in the right frame of mind when I bought way too many bottles. Time to try out something else.
Repurchase: Have backups
rinRen Konatsu & Camellia Shampoo
Dislike it just as much as the Yuzu & Ginger version which I've used up previously. First whiff, ooooooh, nice and light! Sadly it stops there. My hair is not shinier nor less tangly. If anything, I get more frizz than usual, which is so strange since I've never really had this problem before. The smell doesn't linger, either. So underwhelmed by the experience. Again, I must have hit my head or something because I have another 2 bottles of this atrocity :(
Repurchase: Have backup bottles
6 full-sized products and an eyeshadow. Am I a goddess or what?
