*Moving Day! Post is scheduled so that I could still get it up on time!*
We're probably internet-less and sleeping on a futon at our new place right now, surrounded by cartons and mess. It's a nice change not living right next to the train line where we're so close to the platform we can listen to entire conversations.
Anyway, I've been desperately trying to use up stuff so that there'd be less to pack and to be really honest, I'm also sick of looking at all the half-used bottles that I have lying around. Some work, some worked, some I got tired of, some I don't care for, some I disliked.
On to them, then. I'll make it short!
I had originally purchased this as a before-moisturizer mist since I couldn't really afford serum and I'm not a big fan of anything that I think might make me wake up oily. In cold weather, I used this after toner/lotion and before night moisturizer, whereas when it's warmer, I skip my day moisturizer altogether and spritzed this on before I apply my makeup. Both ways had worked for me, although I was a little reluctant in winter because it's so cold after my shower and I didn't want that additional shock of cold mist on my face after cleansing. I like the light refreshing scent and while I know there is absolutely no benefit to applying collagen on our faces since it won't be absorbed into skin, I thought this was a good and cheap way to help stave off whatever dryness I had. No stickiness or tackiness, either. For the price, this big bottle is really value for money and I might go back to it in a pinch.
Repurchase: Maybe
Used up my first bottle here. Going through this too fast for my stingy liking.
Repurchase: Maybe
This was good, but not great. I typically use body butters in winter as I like my hot showers and they dry out my skin terribly so this was a nice temporary switch from digging my fingers into a tub and getting globs of product under my fingernails (TMI?). It's runnier than I expected for a dry skin moisturizer and sinks in to the skin pretty quickly. I like that there is no sticky feeling after application and it still keeps my skin smooth and tack-free. The scent, however, is a little too strong for my liking but nothing I can't handle. Does its job, but that's all there is to it.
Repurchase: No
Got this as my winter night moisturizer as I thought my skin needed something heavier in the cold weather. Hate it. It's a lot thicker than the lotion version and not as easy to spread even with the "Japanese way" that I've been using. While it didn't make anything worse, I saw no improvement, either. All it did was sit on my face till morning. No extra softness/plumpness/moisture. Really struggled to finish it up.
Repurchase: No
Mister Homebody had kindly picked up some samples for me to try from the the counter as I've been miserable for a couple of months now (skin woes, harsh winter, crazy hormones etc.) and this was one of the few things they included. I didn't follow the Clarins cleansing method because obviously I don't read instructions very well. I did, however, use it like I do with any other cleansing milks, dry hands, dry face, massage onto face and rinse off. I love the feeling after patting dry. Soft and not tight at all. And, oh, the scent! Totally relaxes me! Mister Homebody had promised to get them for me if I ended up liking it...so I'll be seeing some new skincare in my routine soon!
Repurchase: Yes
Another sample from the bag Mister Homebody picked up. Another one that I love, although, I'm a little puzzled by how it gets on my lips since I could always taste it after. I know this is not meant for consumption (duh!) but maybe all that swiping with the cotton pad somehow managed to deposit some product on my lips. Like all other Clarins products, it smells heavenly and I've started to really enjoy my nightly skincare routine even in freezing temperatures. It's a pretty small sample so I can't say if it worked or not, but I didn't experience extra oiliness or dryness with use, so, yay! Another item that Mister Homebody is getting for me!
Repurchase: Yes
Hershey's Hugs Milk Chocolate & White Chocolate Scented Lip Balm
Not sure why this is called a lip balm when it doesn't really do anything. But I suppose all novelty "lip balms" are pretty much the same. I have a ton of these crappy things so I melted this with some coconut oil and a lipstick that I rarely used to make my own lip balm pot. At least they smell nice.
Repurchase: No
Bonne Bell Cookies 'n Cream Lip Smacker
Yes, another novelty product which is absolutely useless and a waste of money. Also melted this one with some coconut oil and lipstick.
Repurchase: No
So, yes, I'm pregnant! I'm naturally very thin but I do have some stretch marks from a long time ago when I had a wee bit more meat on my bones. It's kinda baffling since I've been exactly the same size since I was 14 so I'm not sure where they came from. With a growing baby in my growing belly, I've been experiencing a lot of stretching and even more itching. The dry winter air isn't helping, too. I picked this up myself after Mister Homebody told me about it and encouraged that I give it a try. This tiny bottle of 5ml sample actually lasted me a good 5 days and I have to say, I'm very impressed. Not only does it smell really, really good and has a calming effect on my crazy hormones and nerves, it makes for a really relaxing massage after shower. My skin feels moisturized and not dry at all. Wish I discovered it sooner! Another one from Mister Homebody's pocket for me!
Repurchase: Yes
Ice Breakers Sours Pink Lemonade Flavored Lip Balm
Nothing to talk about here. Melted, mixed with coconut oil and lipstick.
Repurchase: No
Woohoo to getting some new (luxurious) items soon!
