May '14 empties

I believe that I'm now in my "nesting" mode. Or I'm just product demon. How else am I to explain my insane mowing through of products?

rinRen Konatsu & Camellia Treatment

Talked about the shampoo here and the Yuzu & Ginger treatment here.

Repurchase: No

Hada Labo Gokujyun Light Lotion

Took me a really long time to finish this one up. Like, more than a year, with on and off use. Seems like a pretty standard sized bottle for toners (lotion in Japan), but at 170ml and 7 drops per use once a day, this really went a long way. I found it particularly useful on warm days when I'm too lazy to moisturize or when moisturizer makes my makeup melt faster/face oilier. 7 drops of this, some BB cream and I'm good to go. It's not particularly hydrating but it gives my skin a little something to cushion the BB cream as the ones I use are not particularly good in providing moisture. It's also nicer to be able to pat on product in the morning instead of soaking up a cotton pad and swiping as I sometimes find that it's a little too harsh especially when I have really irritable skin. With no fragrance and color, I'd say this is a good budget buy for people with sensitive skin. At my age, I need something that will improve the appearance as well as maintain moisture so I'm gonna move on and experiment more.

Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Olive Shower Gel

For men, apparently. Since Mister Homebody and I share shower gels, I try not to get anything that's too girly. Love, love this. Probably second in line after their Satsuma Shower Gel which we used one giant bottle of here. Not your typical refreshing, fruity scent from The Body Shop and I'd say this is good regardless of season. I always step out of the shower feeling relaxed after my shower.

Repurchase: Yes

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil (travel size)

I've used up a bottle here. Still have a few bottles in my stash (yes, I'm a crazy hoarder, I know).

Repurchase: Have backups

NOV UV Shield EX SPF 50+ PA+++

Comes in a squeezy tube with a needle point sized nozzle. Perfect for not having too-big globs when you don't need them. Recommended by my dermatologist when I was going for some skin peels and treatment last year (not much improvement, long story) and always left the clinic with hypersensitive and red skin. I get reactions from most chemical sunscreens and have therefor stayed away from using sunscreen ever. Imagine the amount of damage I've suffered through the years :( This is a purely physical sunscreen without UV ray absorbing agents that can be used on both the face and body although I used it only on my face due to the 30ml size and price point. Loved it in the beginning as it didn't contribute to the oiliness in my face and seems to spread easy enough. I used it on days when I have to spend a lot of time outdoors (walking to school, taking pictures on a sunny day etc.). At a glance, I have zero white cast, but after putting powder or foundation on, everything goes horribly wrong. Instead of a smooth base, I'm uber cakey especially around my nose and mouth. I credited it to my lack of moisturizing at first, but even after moisturizing and smoothing this on, I still get cake-faced. Whichever way I tried it, I always ended up with a mask-like face. Slightly darker foundation, moisturizing foundation, BB cream, powder foundation, nothing worked. I loved that my skin had no reaction to it and I never get a burn or even feel remotely sore when I used it, but I don't think I can make it work with other products.

Repurchase: No

Claudia Jansen & Co nose strip

Used here. Does what it's supposed to, that's all.

Repurchase: Have a few more strips to go

Esprique Precious Powder Foundation SPF22 PA++(sample)

Not entirely sure which one this is as Esprique has a few powder pacts in their line, but I love it! Got the sample along with the makeup bases that I used up here and it lasted me a good couple of uses. The salesperson must be psychic and know that I'm always wearing mismatched bases because this is the perfect match for my skin (OC-410 for my own future reference). Either that, or I'm just lousy and still have much to learn. It works beautifully with their makeup bases and it's so natural that I'm almost able to fool myself into thinking I'm not wearing any makeup! No dryness or oiliness detected, just smooth beautiful skin. I used my Sephora mineral powder brush with it and was rewarded with the most beautiful finish I've ever seen on myself! Win!

Repurchase: Yes

ELAN Cleansing Cloth

A sample thrown in during a purchase I made from a Korean skincare store some time ago. Rub the cloth on wet hands to foam it up and then massage onto face. Acts as an exfoliant as well as a cleanser. No scent that I remember of, but I'm not entirely sure what the ingredients are since it's all in Hangul. I liked it, but feel it's a little wasteful to discard one cloth with each use.

Repurchase: No

Muji Cotton Puff

A staple which I've talked about here.

Repurchase: Yes

Dermal Grape Collagen Essence Face Mask

Another freebie from a Korean purchase. For relaxed, clear and moisturized skin. As mentioned before, I don't use sheet masks often enough to be able to see the results. At most, I pop them on after my night time shower and go to sleep after I've removed them. I know most people massage the essence in, moisturize and call it a day. I can't stand the stickiness, really, so I moisten a cotton pad with toner and wipe the essence off before rounding up my night routine. My skin did feel a little plumper and smoother immediately after use (as with any other mask I use) and it felt like I had a bunch of grapes on my face, haha. 

Repurchase: No

My monthly 10 done! So looking forward to thinning out all this stuff I hoarded and eventually just be able to stick to staples and products that actually work for me.

April '14 empties

We're a little more settled now although the baby room is still strewn with miscellaneous things that we don't often use. It's become a store room of sorts and I'm beginning to to feel a little bothered by how I'm not actually bothered. I can be quite a demon when it comes to tidying and cleaning. I did, however, managed to get all my makeup unpacked and organized. Priorities, heh.

April saw the change of seasons here and the sunshine was a welcome sight for me. My skin, however, couldn't decide on what it really wants. I used to think that I have combination/oily skin and then when winter comes around I just have "winter skin". It could be the hormones wreaking havoc here but I've been getting dry patches and flakiness for a while now.

In an attempt to hydrate my skin and make for easier makeup application, I turned back to something that I haven't been doing for many months: using face masks. I haven't seen any significant results as yet, since I'm not exactly consistent with it. But I do like that I'm using up products that I already have instead of running out to buy something new.

Kose Cosmeport Softymo Super Makeup Remover Q10 (refill)

Probably my first foray into makeup remover wipes and I now know why I've always used cleansing oils instead. Not gonna go into that here. I'm not sure if this has been discontinued but I haven't seen it in the drugstores for a long time. I'm assuming the Q10 in the name suggests some anti aging properties but I can assure you that I saw none of them. The sheets seems saturated enough and considering that I use only one sheet at a time (there are 52 in a refill pack) and I don't wear makeup everyday, it took me a long time to get through this. I have to say I'm surprised that even with all that sealing and resealing everyday, the sheets remain moist enough up till the last one. As a makeup remover, though, I'd say it takes some work because I have to use both sides and even then, the sheet is still stained with foundation (I don't wear a lot!). I use a separate eye makeup remover so I can't comment on how well it works for mascara and the likes.

Repurchase: No

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

I rarely used this and even when I did, I can't really tell if it made my eyeshadow last longer since my crazy oily lids are out to ruin all forms of eye makeup. Neither did I notice my eyeshadow "pop" as so many beauty bloggers would say (I personally detest that expression). It just seems like an extra step and 20 seconds to waste. I almost feel like a criminal for saying this when so many girls out there "swear by" this little tube of wonder. I guess for $1 I didn't have anything to lose out on, really.

Repurchase: No

Feverlet N.M.F. Essence Mask

Provided my really dry skin with some moisture but the effect didn't last. I slapped it on after my bedtime shower and cleansing and left it on for about 20 minutes before wiping off with a toner-soaked cotton pad. My skin felt smoother and less dry when I went to bed, but it was back to the same old the next night. I like that the cotton sheet is well made and fitted my face without essence running down my ears and neck. Might work better if I used it more often, but, I don't know.

Repurchase: No

Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Lotion

I got this in a bid to "go natural" with hopes that my skin would take better to less ingredients. I was expecting it to be unscented but was mildly surprised at a faint almond-y scent upon application (I didn't like it so much when my sense of smell reached new heights due to morning sickness, though). To its credit, I used it as a night time moisturizer when I was back in Malaysia and it worked extremely well for me. Mister Homebody even complimented me on how my face looked a lot clearer when we came back to Japan after a short 5 day break in Malaysia. It goes on pretty easy and absorbs fairly quickly without me having to sit around to wait or think up of other stuff to do while getting ready. On colder days, I can smooth this on and layer my sunscreen on top immediately without any clumping or balling up. I wish to say it worked for me, but somehow, halfway through the tube, it stopped doing anything. It wasn't hydrating enough even as a day moisturizer and I was struggling to finish it up.

Repurchase: No (but have one more tube :()

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (sample)

I've talked about it here before so I won't go into it again. It was a nice switch after I finished up my Weleda one, even if only for a couple of days.

Repurchase: No

Dr. CiLabo Aqua-Collagen-Gel Enrich Lift EX (sample)

So this is supposed to be an 8 in 1 product that simplifies your skincare routine and helps you save time. You still need a sunscreen separately, though. I like it, actually. Since there was only one small sachet (which I managed to use for 2 applications), I can't tell if I got to reap any of the benefits they claimed. I do, however, know that it's non greasy, pleasantly scented, spreads easily (although I needed a bit of time to let it sink it before sunscreen) and kept my skin moisturized through the day. Wonder how it holds up in summer, though.

Repurchase: Maybe (need to finish up all the others first!)

Weleda Natural Iris Hydrating Facial Lotion (sample)

I've also used up one of these before here, so there's no need to be repetitive. Using up the samples, yo!

Repurchase: No

Rinren Konatsu & Camellia Shampoo

For some reason, this variant is not listed in any of their websites. Eerily similar to the Yuzu & Ginger one I've used before here and the experience is equally blah. To make things worse, I actually bought this as part of a bulk buy(!) in order to save some money. Sigh.

Repurchase: No

Biotherm Aquasource Skin Perfection Toner (discontinued)

One of the last (very) few Biotherm items that traveled here with me. Not usually something that I'd pick from my hodge podge of products. When I first started using it years ago, I didn't like it for being too hydrating and turning me into a grease ball quickly. However, with my yoyo-ing hormones and low winter temperatures, I thought this might be a better option than the others in my stash. I was reminded of how much I loved the fresh scent that all Biotherm products share and it worked really well as my night time toner. My skin felt a little less dry than before and the flaky bits seemed to have lessened as well.

Repurchase: No

Another 10 more empties this month (with 1 makeup product thrown in, yay!) and nothing I would repurchase (boo!)

March '14 empties

March had been a crazy busy month for me. Between settling into a new place and trying to adjust my schedule now that we live slightly further from the train station, I was also wrapping up my first year of teaching in high school.

Our apartment was still filled with boxes (most of which I packed and labeled, but still manage to forget what's exactly inside) that I had to dig through almost everyday to get what I want. Not easy, I'll tell you, when the Little Tako seems to be getting heavier and more wriggly by the nano second.

This month saw some samples and a couple of products that I  had really enjoyed using.

Bifest bi-phase Eye Makeup Remover
Something that has already been featured in one of my previous empties posts and needs no introduction nor explanation.
Repurchase: Have another backup bottle somewhere in one of my many boxes...

E.L.F. Shimmer Gloss in Miami (discontinued)
Exactly the same as their (also discontinued) Minty version except this one smells and tastes a little fruity. Plastic-fruity, if I may add. Boring, work-safe, kept my lips moisturized for a couple of hours, nothing to write home about.
Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Comfort Cream (sample)
Something that Mister Homebody had thoughtfully picked up for me seeing that I'd been having skin woes due to hormonal changes. This is the first cream in a long while that didn't make my face oily overnight. Instead, my face felt normal which is something I don't even remember feeling first thing in the morning. Smells relaxing and luxurious, too.
Repurchase: Bought the full-sized jar

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind (sample)
Came together with the little baggie from Mister Homebody. Has little scrubby bits that I'm pretty sure are not synthetic because they feel like crushed nutshells on my face. Love the scent and the fact that it rinses away clean with no residue. I used this as my morning cleanser and it didn't leave my face tight even in the cold and dry weather.
Repurchase: Bought the full-sized tube

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Light/Light Medium
I'm not sure if this has been discontinued as I got it in a swap and it's not available in Japan. Never having been a fan of BB creams, I had actually really enjoyed using this as the cut up tube shows, till the very last bit. I loved the zero effort needed for the sheer and light coverage it gave me and wore it all summer through winter. Only difference was, I skipped the moisturizer in summer as I tend to get oily. A quick buff with a face brush followed by a light sweep of powder and I'm good for the day. I do get shiny through the day, of course, but that's by no fault of the product.
Repurchase: No (not available in Japan)

Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Color in 01 Peony
Color is crazy pretty (for lack of more descriptive words) but it shattered and became so messy that I hardly bothered since I transferred it into a little jar. Soft and easy to blend but may be a little light on my skin tone.
Repurchase: No

Canmake Perfect Serum BB Cream Light in 02 Natural (sample)
Not sure if I used this wrongly but it looked really cakey and melted on the sides of my nose and below my lower lip. I did powder over it as I tend to do on long days but I just look cake-faced. It was also a shade darker so I'm glad it was just a sample. I might try out the lighter shade if I can get my hands on another sample, though.
Repurchase: Possibly in a lighter shade

Esprique Moist Makeup Base (sample)
Love. LOVE. I'm not one who bothers with primers and foundation bases but I wish this little foil packet had more than just one use because I'm so in love! It worked wonder for my winter skin and I saw zero dry patches, yet, no trace of shine. So easy to smooth and the SPF25 was a bonus for me as my skin is highly reactive to sunscreen ingredients.
Repurchase: Definitely (after I'm done with my current tube of sunscreen)

Esprique Flat Control Base UV (sample)
Another win for me. Should've discovered this sooner and I imagine that it would work very well for me in summer. No allergic reactions, too!
Repurchase: Yes

Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream (sample)
Item #3 from Mister Homebody's baggie and you must be thinking, "Is it safe for pregnancy?" Answer is yes. Clarins has stated that their products are pregnancy safe, but of course, if you're feeling iffy then skip along. I liked this one, very much. Not heavy or oily for day use and perfect under makeup (although I'm still figuring how to layer on the pesky sunscreen and not be cake-faced). Smells beautiful, just like other Clarins products and seems to calm my skin more than my current moisturizer.
Repurchase: Bought the full-sized jar

All in all, it's probably the best empties month I've had so far with wonderful new discoveries as well as using up makeup products (they never seem to die, do they?)

What did you finish up in March?

February '14 empties

*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!

Sana Hadanomy Collagen Mist

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

Weleda Gentle Cleansing Milk

Used up my first bottle here. Going through this too fast for my stingy liking.

Repurchase: Maybe

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer

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

Weleda Soothing Almond Facial Cream

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

Clarins Cleansing Milk with Gentian (sample)

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

Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris (sample)

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

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil (sample)

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!

January '14 empties

Someone once told me that seasons in this part of the world is a balance of temperatures. No, I say, winter cold bites and summer heat melts.

Where I am, winter temperatures are considered not too bad with lows of -2℃ (give and take a couple of degrees) and in summer, it may go up to 40℃. This is not a balance for someone who comes from a tropical country and temperature variation sits in the 10℃ region at the very most.

I'm one of the unfortunate ones who suffer from "winter skin" and this means extreme dryness and eczema flare ups. To add salt to injury, I also have sensitive skin which doesn't take too well to, well, many things that I've yet to discover. 

I don't "switch up" anything in my skin and body care when the seasons change; I do as I see fit. And this usually means when some damage has already been done :(

Jonhnson's Dreamy's Skin Body Wash (refill)

Something I'd always picked up to have a sniff at whenever i'm nosing around in the drugstore and I finally got myself some after they had a bit of a price cut that day. This is part of the adult range which is made to calm the senses and prepare one for bed. I love the scent because it's so relaxing and sets me in the mood for a good night's rest. The consistency is creamy and it lathers up very well in the shower with my bath puff. I thought this might be a good skin savior which is less drying than my usual Body Shop shower gels in winter. Smells awesome but no less drying.

Repurchase: No

L'occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil (sample)

I've used a few of the other products from the Almond range before and it was always love for me. Of course, this was at a time when I was still splashing money on stuff and saving almost none, haha. This small sample was part of the never-ending gift packages that they used to give out for a minimum spend. The scent is similar to the other products in the range and having never used a body oil before, I was quite eager to try this one out. Anything to save my itching skin, really. I love it. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's not greasy at all, for it is, after all, oil. I apply it on my legs after shower in place of body butters/lotions/creams and I much prefer it over anything else I've used so far. It goes on so easy and the scent lingers for a bit. Like most of other L'occitane products, it smells pretty luxurious. There was no staining on my clothes or sheets and Mister Homebody made no comments about how "something smells". My skin feels protected and less dry after a few uses. Unfortunately, that was the extent of my experience since it was only a small sample and I couldn't use it long enough to be able to enjoy the long term benefits.

Repurchase: Maybe

Clinique Kohl Shaper for Eyes in 203 Blackened Taupe

I'm guessing this is a discontinued shade since it's no longer available on the website. While looking it up, I noticed that there were more negative reviews for this item than positive ones (2 stars out of 5). Main complaints were that the tip gets dull quickly and it's too soft so it smudges and melts easily. I agree, I do. But this is also the eyeliner that got me through months of working in high schools where it's sweltering hot in the classrooms and I have 25 minute walks one way before I even get to school with 10 minutes to cool down before lessons. In summer, I stick it in the freezer first thing in the morning when I wake up so that the tip hardens slightly while I go about with breakfast and other whatnots. It has always worked well for me. I hardly get tugging on my lids and when I do, I usually credit it to my extreme lack of skill. You see, this is the very first eyeliner that I've used on an almost-daily basis. I have oily lids that hate every single kind of eye product that goes on them. Nothing stood a chance so far and everything creases. I usually use an angled liner brush to smudge out the lines and when I have the time, I could even wing it out slightly. The results were always satisfactory and for someone who just started using eye makeup a year ago, this is a pretty damn good thing. I love the bonus sharpener on the end, but again, the tip is soft and sticking it in the freezer before sharpening is always better. I love the color and it makes my eyes look slightly smoldery without the drama. Perfect.

Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Hello Kitty non-alcohol wipes from Daiso

100 yen for a whole pack of 80 wipes so there's nothing to think over, really. In general, I grab whatever's available at the 100 yen store when I need wipes (not for my face, ever, but for fingers after makeup application, cleaning eyeliner brushes, wiping up spills on my vanity etc.). I actually prefer this over the other wipes that I previously bought. Not as saturated as it wasn't meant for makeup removal, but the weave makes it easier to clean my fingers after cream shadows and blushes. Plus, the packaging to way cute, so who could resist?

Repurchase: Yes

Weleda One Step Cleanser & Toner

Used up my first bottle here. I really like it, but this runs out way too fast and is in no way economical even if I can get it at a cheaper than retail price. Might go back to it in future, but I'm ready to explore my options.

Repurchase: No

Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Conditioner

Perhaps another discontinued item as my search didn't turn up anything at all. This is old, I admit, and one of those Shanghai-Kuala Lumpur-Kanagawa that traveled halfway around the world with me. Lavender is always welcome to me when I need to wind down. I used this one every other day, alternating with my much-loathed rinRen one and I can't recall if silicones are part of the ingredient list, but it sure smooths out the tangles a lot faster and easier. There's also usually more slip and my hair dries a lot faster even in the cold weather. Wish I have another bottle in my stash :(

Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Bath & Body Works Carried Away Body Lotion (travel size)

Slowly going through my body lotion stash here, with the cold weather and all. Like the Warm Vanilla Sugar one which I used up here, this is not really meant to hydrate or provide moisture to the skin. I find that Bath & Body Works scents are usually hits and misses. I don't hate this, but I didn't love it, either. It was pretty blah. Very girly, very feminine, very not me. 

Repurchase: No

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Lotion (travel size)

First bottle used up here.

Repurchase: Maybe

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Love, yes. Meant for volumizing and thickening, but I'll be honest and say I didn't really see any of that on my sparse lashes. Instead, what I saw was beautiful, natural looking lashes that separates with zero clumping. The first time I wore this, Mister Homebody (from a few feet away) said my eyes looked pretty that day. The brush is also perfect for me since I tend to smudge mascara on my lids pretty often, but with this one, I still do smudge, just not so often. I noticed a wee bit of lengthening but nothing really significant. Love it for everyday wear and it comes off easily with my eye makeup remover. No need for rubbing or tugging to get the fibers out. The non waterproof version took me through the rainy season and crazy summer heat here so I think that says how well it stands.

Repurchase: Yes

rinRen Camellia & Konatsu Treatment

My thoughts about it are the same as what I felt for the Yuzu & Ginger version that I used up here. I have no love for it.

Repurchase: No

There you go, minor shavings off my hodge podge of products that mostly don't work for me.