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.

December '13 empties

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

Weleda Gentle Cleansing Milk

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

Weleda One Step Cleanser & Toner

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

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

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

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Cream

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

The Body Shop Blueberry Shower Gel

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?

September '13 empties

What is up with this heat here? I'm beyond melting and it's pretty crazy how hot it gets here in summer!

It's true that I'm from a tropical country and it's hot all year round, but not 37 degree kind of hot :(

At least I used stuff up this month so I guess that makes it alright in a completely unrelated way, yes?

b. Strong Wash Shampoo

Mister Homebody got this for his itchy scalp and I ended up using it more than he did since I'm a sucker for all things cool/fresh/minty/tingly. I love lathering up and massaging into my scalp, then waiting a few minutes before rinsing off. Gives me the tingly menthol feeling and it's really refreshing in crazy summer heat. Since I use it once or at the very most twice a week, I'm not sure if it did anything for me. My hair texture remained the same (though thats fair since it wasn't for beautiful hair anyway) and my scalp condition remains unchanged. I didn't have much scalp problems to start with so this was more a pick me up than a treatment.

Repurchase: No

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist)

This is the original version of their facial lotion and believe it or not, I'm finally done after a year. Yes, it really took that long. Since the consistency is almost like water, I didn't have to use a lot, just 5-7 drops at most. I didn't even have to use cotton pads so you can imagine how slow my progress was with this bottle of 170ml. Free of fragrance and coloring, this is supposed to be ideal for sensitive skin in providing moisture without contributing to oiliness. I'd say it did all that it claimed, but nothing more than that. There was no improvement, but I'm happy that my skin didn't get worse. It does get tiresome, though, to be using the same thing for an entire especially when it doesn't feel luxurious or give me a boost of...anything.

Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Earth Lovers Lemon and Thyme Shower Gel

I'm in love with this! But sadly, it's been discontinued with the rest of the Earth Lovers range :( Mister Homebody and I have been really enjoying this shower gel over summer as it's got that zing and it's oh-so-refreshing in this heat. Paraben, colorant and sulfate free, which is just my thing. Works like all the other shower gels from The Body Shop, but I have to give it some extra love for smelling absolutely delicious!

Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Bath & Body Works PocketBac in I Love Bling Rock Candy 

I think Bath & Body Works products are mostly misses for me being that they're usually too strongly scented. This one here smells sickly sweet and I get really embarrassed each time I use it in the teachers' room after a lesson. To think it's one of the milder ones that I have in my stash. To be honest, I don't actually know how effective it is for clean hands, but I'm too lazy to walk all the way to the washroom in between lessons, so this does the job.

Repurchase: No

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

I've used a bottle up here.

Repurchase: Have backup bottles

Feverlet E.G.F. Essence Mask

One of the many masks from my haul at Incheon Airport. I like this way more than the Etude House ones. Saturated with just enough essence so I don't get anything running down my neck while I relax and the fit seems a lot better, too, with minimal adjusting. The cotton sheet is slightly embossed and thinner than others, but I don't know if it's just by design or if it functions to provide more benefits to application/absorption. I can actually massage the essence into my skin after taking it off, as opposed to doing some rinsing with other masks before I proceed with the next steps. Stick it in the fridge for a while and there you go, a cool sheet for your face in 35 degree heat. 

Repurchase: Maybe

Biore Pore Pack (Black)

Found a few strips of these when I was digging stuff out. I always buy the black version because I like seeing all the gunk on the strips clearly when I rip it off my nose. Yes, TMI. I actually prefer this brand over the Claudia Jansen one.

Repurchase: Yes

Claudia Jansen & Co nose strip

Talked about it here.