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?

November '13 empties

A full month of work and I'm ready to take a break from the cold and just put my feet up with a mug of hot Milo. So, so looking forward to winter break next month.

Daiso Vitamin C Cleansing Tissue

I don't use wipes on my face, so this is mainly for my grubby fingers when I apply makeup with my hands. Can't say much, except that it was only 100 yen a pack, so why not? It's saturated enough for face (I guess) and the snap lip closes tightly so I imagine that it would keep the packet moist right till the end.

Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Olive Body Butter

Didn't realize it was for men haha. But I actually prefer this over the other sickly sweet scents they have. Body butters are an absolute must for me in winter (I know it's not winter yet but it's getting cooler = drier skin) and this helps with the dry knees, elbows and legs. I probably go through 2 tubs every winter. By myself.

Repurchase: Yes

L'Occitane Relaxing Body Lotion (travel size)

I love this. Never mind that it's not as rich a moisturizer as I would like, but I think it helps prevent my skin from getting drier. Like all other L'Occitane products, the scent is in no way chemical-y and it's so relaxing it's absolutely perfect for before bed. Consistency is pretty runny and spreads easily enough, which also means I don't have to use as much. It absorbs quickly into skin and leaves no residue or tackiness. Wish I could afford this for everyday :(

Repurchase: Yes

Shiseido Oil Blotting Paper

A resident in Japanese drugstores which comes in a few different sizes. Personally, I don't look into sizes too much because, well, it's just paper. It's not life changing if it's got a 5mm difference. I want to like this, but it's really pretty meh, in my opinion. I don't see it really blotting because even when I gently press, it doesn't seem to lift much off and I have to press on the same spot repeatedly to be able to get a matte effect. 3 or 4 sheets per use seems to be the norm and I definitely spend way too much time on this than I want to. Unfortunately for me, I was out of my mind and hoarded, like, 5 or so of these so it's a long way to using them up :(

Repurchase: No

2e sunscreen for sensitive skin

I have absolutely no information on this product since it was a sample from my dermatologist. Never seen it in the drugstores, either. It's slightly thick, as physical sunscreens go, but I was surprised with how my makeup went on with no problem at all. Zero reaction is always a bonus for me and I'd love to have more than a sample of this, to be honest.

Repurchase: No

Muji Nail Polish Remover

My first bottle was used up here.

Repurchase: Yes

Biotherm White D-Tox Micro-Scrub Cleanser (sample size)

Lasted me pretty much forever since I don't use it often. Once a week, at most. I find it slightly harsh for my temperamental skin. The beads are in no way large, but rinsing off makes my face really squeaky. I get some tightness after drying with a face towel and it's really not something that I like. I don't see any brightening/whitening effect and this is probably one of the few (maybe only) product from Biotherm that I dislike.

Repurchase: No

Weleda Iris Hydrating Facial Lotion

My road to using more natural products in my daily life seems to be a rocky and difficult one. While I love the lavender scent (I thought it was meant to be iris but smells very lavender-y to me), this is really terrible under makeup. It's terrible under everything. It's terrible alone. I know it's meant to be hydrating but the facial lotions are supposed to be less heavy and more suitable for day use. I used it under powder foundation, it caked up. I used under BB cream, it pilled. I used it alone, I was oilier than ever. It really didn't help my skin in any way. No deterioration, but I saw no improvement and really struggled to use it up. Even using it as a night moisturizer proved to be too much when I wake up oily.

Repurchase: No

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation in Fair

Cheap and works awesomely for me. This is not my shade, of course, and I never use it alone. I had a darker shade that didn't suit my skin tone so much so this one evened it out nicely. Goes on smooth and dare I say, it disappears into my skin so much so that it look like I'm not wearing any foundation. My redness and slight blemishes are covered and it holds up pretty well in summer, too. I buff it in with a Sephora brush and it's one of the quickest ways for me to do my makeup. I use it when I have moisturizers that stay tacky no matter what, or when I've got sunscreen on. It seems to mattify pretty well. Of course, I get oily through the day, but it doesn't break down in any obvious or patchy way.

Repurchase: Yes

One short of my monthly target of 10, but I think I did very well, considering there are a few products I'd never repurchase, but yet managed to finish up.

A year of lip products #46

I have recently discovered that I own an obscene amount of lip products. In an effort to downsize without having a blog sale or burning all the makeup in my possession in a bonfire, I thought it would be a neat little idea to take inventory of my lipsticks, glosses and stains.

Pictures are taken in natural daylight with no color correction or manipulation.

E.L.F. essential lipstick in Posh

I think I've just found my perfect Autumn lipstick! This baby may not look like much in its cheap plastic packaging that doesn't roll up properly all the time, but once on my lips, wow! In the tube, it appears to skew to a purple-blue-pink kind of color, but the swatch on my hand says otherwise. It's a pleasantly fruit scented warm berry hued pink that is perfectly wearable even for scaredy cats like me who work in conservative environments! Although it doesn't glide on as smoothly as other moisturizing lipsticks, the tugging is very minimal and one swipe produces very opaque results. I didn't experience any feathering or bleeding, nor did I see any product settling into my lip creases and clinging on to dry patches. I wouldn't go as far as to say this feels light as air on my lips but I've worn more expensive lipsticks that made me feel a lot less satisfied. No stickiness and for the first time ever, I didn't get any lipstick on my teeth (which is saying something!). I also love, love, LOVE that it doesn't pool up on the inside of my mouth leaving a line that gives a stark distinction between where the lipstick stops and my natural lip color starts. I saw a slight stain after wiping off with a tissue but who cares when it's in a pretty warm pink! So much win, this one!

June '13 empties

Finished up a whole bunch of stuff and one discard this month. Not bad at all, homebody, not bad at all!

Étude house Pomegranate and Royal Jelly Sheet Mask

Hate pomegranate but love LOVE the royal jelly one! Both didn't do much for my face in terms of beautification. But the royal jelly smelled so good that I wouldn't mind using it just for that. Used up 2 this month because the weather was absolutely sweltering and having them chilled in the fridge and on my face after is sheer bliss.

Repurchase: No

Claudia Jansen & Co nose strip

Funny story. My face was going through a very dry phase because of the medication I'm on but it's also oily at the same time with the crazy high humidity in summer. My blackheads were annoying the crap out of me and I couldn't stand them anymore so I applied this after my usual nightly shower. Thing is, I exfoliated the night before, and I usually exfoliate again before I put on a nose strip. Left it on for too long, peeled it off, and I saw bright scarlet dots on my nose bridge. Yep, I was bleeding. Actually, that wasn't really funny. And I didn't even manage to get a lot of gunk out.

Repurchase: Yes

Shu Uemura eyelash curler pad

Finally changing the pad after 7 years! I read somewhere that you're supposed to use it for only about 6 months, no? But I wore makeup like once in a month in the past 7 years and didn't curl my eyelashes all that often so I think I can make an exception.

Repurchase: No (not for sale)

E.L.F. minty lip gloss (shade Miami)

My favorite lip gloss, which has been sadly discontinued. Why?! I love the way my lips get all tingly and cool when I slick it on. I even believe that it cools me down in summer, even if it was just for a few minutes. Color wise, it was pretty sheer and did nothing to dress up my face and the applicator doesn't pick much product up at all. I usually have to dip twice just for my bottom lip and twice again for my upper lip. Guess that explains why I could finish it up quickly. That, and also the minty taste.

Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Ban medicated antiperspirant roll on deodorant

This isn't technically a beauty product but I thought it's worth the mention because of how good it is. There's been many comments about how Japanese deodorants are utterly useless and I haven't tried enough of them to know. While I'm not big on antiperspirants in general because they contain aluminum and aren't all that great for our bodies, I do like that this one is unscented and kept me stink free. I wear light perfume and body sprays and hate when my deodorant interferes with my scent of choice. There is some wetness if I'm sweating way excessively (which happens when I take the 25 minute walk to school) but I don't smell. I'm on the fence about this because I want to switch to a more natural deodorant but at the same time I also can't go through an entire day with soaked pits.

Repurchase: Yes

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

First bottle that I got in Hong Kong had me hooked. I know there is another variant that is generally preferred over this one (don't know why) but this one does exactly what I expect it to. My face doesn't feel stripped or dry and it gets all the warpaint off.

Repurchase: Yes (a few backup bottles in storage)

Clinique Sun Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Cream

I have very sensitive skin and while my experimental nature and attention span of a goldfish makes me want to slather every possible product on myself, the (sometimes horrible) reactions that I get after always made me think more than twice. This product is supposed to be suitable for sensitive skin, oil-free and dermatologist tested. Horse crap, I say. I applied a thin layer on my arms (prefer not to go straight to my face) and I broke out in a rash that refused to go away for days. The allergy reaction wasn't as bad as the worst I've had, but it was enough to make Mr. Homebody sit up and notice that my arms had splotchy red patches and they felt like hundreds of little bumps on my skin. The redness went away after a few days but the bumps were more stubborn. Luckily for me, this was thrown in with a bunch of stuff for a swap so I didn't have to spend actual money on it. Mr. Homebody, who has tougher skin and is religious with his sunscreen wanted to try it before I threw it out, until I pointed out that this is purely a chemical sunscreen and I'm not sure if it'd be such a good idea. Out.

Repurchase: No

Biotherm Biosource Exfoliant

This baby has been with me for a very long time. I mean, VERY. Got it when I was still living in Malaysia, took it with me to Shanghai and finally ended up here. Like other Biotherm products, I love the fragrance, which I can only describe as fresh and slightly manly, yet totally female-friendly. I know I totally excel at describing scents but, whatever. The exfoliating beads are not too grainy and they don't hurt my skin when applied. With this one, a little goes a long way as the gel is so densely packed with beads that I don't have to work on spreading it around so that I get an even scrub. My face always feels smoother and softer after using this and I absolutely love that I don't get that tight feeling after rinsing. All that said, I'm moving on from Biotherm simply because I prefer to use stuff that have shorter ingredient lists due to my highly reactive and temperamental skin.

Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Bath Lily

Can't say how many of these I've used in the span of the past 15 or so years, but I just can't stop using them! As you can see, this one is totally floppy and out of shape and coming loose from the center so it had to go. I find that the bath lily works extremely well for people like me who love lather and suds. They don't grow mold or get that damp smell and they rinse out pretty good. I love the gentle exfoliation that isn't as harsh as say, a body brush or scrub gloves, and I use less product when I have this. 

Repurchase: Yes

E.L.F. Essential Lip Stain (Pink Petal)

The thing with marker/felt tip makeup is that they tend to soak up whatever's on your skin, like saliva and dead skin, possibly small food particles. So, that's just way gross. This marker had a sharp felt tip that proves to be good for precision lining and the tip is saturated just enough to deposit the right amount of product on your lips. The color looks a lot pinker that I'd usually go for but once on my lips, they looked right at home there with that I'm-wearing-a-lip-color-but-it-looks-just-like-my-lips kind of pink. The lasting power, though, isn't great, although that might be the color and not the longevity of the stain itself since it's so light. Apply this on, top it with a balm and you're good to go, for a couple of hours at least. Now, the really horrible thing about this is that awful, awful smell that tells you that something had contaminated it and is multiplying disgusting germs by the bajillion per nano second. I've managed to get only one use out of this before it smelled worse than a month's worth of dirty socks. Out.

Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Cleansing wipes from 100 yen store

One of the better ones that I've tried. I have no loyalty for wipes, really, since I never use them on my face. At most they make their way to my inner arm when I'm swatching makeup, but that's the furthest they'd go. The seal worked pretty good at keeping the moisture in and I was able to go through all 30 sheets with minimal drying out. Problem is, I can't remember exactly which 100 yen shop I got them from when there's one around every corner.

Repurchase: Yes

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (old formula)

Cult favorite, this one is. To be very honest, I loved it. My parched winter skin was saved by this little tube of awesome. I didn't wake up greasy faced and most of the time I could even use it in the day, and this is saying a lot, coming from someone with oily skin. The texture is so much lighter than the rich cream-type moisturizers that companies churn out for dry skin and it spreads easily with an absorption rate that isn't too time consuming. I don't feel like I have product sitting on top of my skin and this is one of the most important factors for me, even if I was just going to bed and will probably know nothing when I'm asleep. The bad: very long list of ingredients that essentially tells me I'm using too many things on my face that I don't need. I used to think that Clinique was the perfect brand for people like me, no fragrance, dermatologist tested, allergy tested, blah blah blah. But then I started clueing myself in and realized that HORSE CRAP THAT IS A LOT OF CHEMICALS GOING INTO ONE PRODUCT.

Repurchase: No (discontinued)

Clean & Clean Oil Absorbing Sheets

My absolute favorite oil blotters. I get so much satisfaction from seeing the sheets turn transparent from the oil that's lifted off my greasy face. I'm weird, I know. This is by far the best oil blotters that I've tried, and I've tried many. Even the superior Japanese brands with their powdered and fragranced sheets can't compare to this. With this, I'm shine free in 2 sheets maximum. With the other ones, I can go up to 6, and they're usually bigger, too. I've always just used the press motion when blotting and never wipe like how some people tend to, and I do notice some makeup being lifted off, but I suppose it's normal when my facial oils have melted my face off? Only thing that I'm not very happy with is that this is not a cruelty-free brand.

Repurchase: Yes

You got through this empties post (phew!) so, congratulations! Soldiering on to pare my collection down!

May '13 empties

Not a whole lot of empties in May, but, look, I finished up a lip product!

Only 2057534 lip products to go. Yay.

Let's get to business.

Rinren Yuzu & Ginger Shampoo (Refill)
I like that this doesn't have all the stuff that I don't want in my skin/body care products. No parabens, no mineral oils, no silicones and no animal products. I've probably been using silicone products on my hair my entire life, although I can't be sure about the time when I was not part of the decision making process. The fragrance is light and quite refreshing and never, ever overpowering. Lathers up pretty well and when it rinses out, my hair doesn't feel all squeaky and tangly. But, with all the organic/natural/gentle products, I find that while they generally mean well, they don't give results that you could write home about. I like this shampoo, but I'm not wowed. 
Repurchase: I would repurchase it simply for the fact that it's a silicone-free shampoo.

Bath & Body Works "I Love Cookie Dough" Pocketbac
The scent alone is enough for me to want to eat it! Love the size because it's small enough for my makeup bag and it doesn't weigh a ton (I carry my entire life around in my bag when I go to work). I don't find it drying for my hands even when I use it more than once a day, usually after my lessons when I've been using chalk (yes, unfortunately, Japan still uses chalkboards). Only one gripe here, Japanese people are so subtle with everything in their lives that every time I use it, I notice that the people around me will sniff the air in suspicion.
Repurchase: Not in this scent since there's so many to choose from!

The Body Shop "Cranberry Joy" Shower Gel
Hates it. I bought this on a whim when they were having a big 50% sale, or was it one of those BOGO deals? Really should've sniffed it first. Now, I've been using shower gels from The Body Shop for a good many years and it's safe to say that there aren't really any that I find unpleasant. But, well, this one is. The scent is too sickly, chemically sweet and it doesn't seem to lather as well as the others. I practically had to use up half the bottle when I run a bath. I usually like it when the scent of my shower gels linger on my skin after my showers, but with this one, I find that I try to rinse out every trace of it. 
Repurchase: Definitely not.

Skittles "Blueberry" flavored Lip Gloss
Just one of my many kiddy indulgences. Yes, I'm 30 going on 8. Shame, shame. It smells and tastes like what a kid of 8 would like. Completely colorless and pretty shiny, I use this on occasions when I'm too lazy to dig around for a color that matches my mood.
Repurchase: I still another 3 or 4 of these in different in flavors!

Sally Girl bright pink nail polish (Mini)
One of the brightest nail polishes I own. It's practically neon and glow in the dark! Sad that the color is completely off in the picture. Formula is pretty crap, or it could really be just that it went all gloopy and thick. The brush is tiny and all I get is streaky nail polish which I usually end up topping off with a glittery or confetti coat to mask all the imperfections. Usually chips after 3 or so days (even on my toes) and the weirdest thing about it is that it kinda flakes off instead of the usual chipping that I'm used to. Love the color, though, but that may possible be its only merit here.
Repurchase: Whatever for?

Elf Studio Brush Shampoo
I've read enough good reviews about this cheap-but-so-effective brush shampoo that I bought it without thinking twice. Well, next time, I really should think at least twice before I buy anything. Because this brush shampoo really sucks. I don't care if it's cheap and that I shouldn't expect much from it. It sucks. I have to use a very generous amount for each face brush (500 yen coin-sized) and I have a really OCD rule of washing my brushes every week. Even with that much shampoo per brush, I have to shampoo each brush at least twice before the water rinses out sorta clear. And then there's the thing about the brush bristles still being stained. What is that about? I think I wash my brushes often enough for them not to accumulate too much gunk that it doesn't rinse out properly or it becomes permanently stained. Sad to say, I've used body shampoos that worked much better than this bottle of crap. Oh, and it contains parabens.
Repurchase: Never

So that concludes my May '13 empties. Have you used any of the above products and felt differently about them than I did? Tell me if you have!

A year of lip products #10

I have recently discovered that I own an obscene amount of lip products. In an effort to downsize without having a blog sale or burning all the makeup in my possession in a bonfire, I thought it would be a neat little idea to take inventory of my lipsticks, glosses and stains.

Pictures are taken in natural daylight with no color correction or manipulation.

E.L.F. Studio Minty Lip Gloss in Miami

One of those products that I wear often because everyday makeup is really understated here. Also, I'm too chicken to prance around in something bright. Nothing that stands out, to be honest, but I have a deep love for everything that's mint and it makes me insanely happy when my lip products are mint scented or gives me that tingly feeling. Here, you have one of those MLBB colors that gives your lips a slight shine with some barely there shimmer. Wear time isn't great but I'm a really bad judge because I'm always eating or drinking. Not that I can complain because it gives me more excuse to reapply! I find that E.L.F. lip gloss wands are not the greatest when it comes to picking up enough product for application so I basically need 4 dips to do my lips. Yes, 4, since I like them shinier and one dip is barely enough for either upper or lower. The tingly sensation lasts for about 5 minutes but don't expect lip plumping effects or anything, though. I'd repurchase in other colors, but sadly E.L.F. doesn't carry them anymore :(

A year of lip products #1

I have recently discovered that I own an obscene amount of lip products. In an effort to downsize without having a blog sale or burning all the makeup in my possession in a bonfire, I thought it would be a neat little idea to take inventory of my lipsticks, glosses and stains.
Pictures are taken in natural daylight with no color correction or manipulation.

e.l.f Studio Matte Lip Color in Natural

As the name of the shade suggest, this is a very natural-looking color that beauty bloggers refer to as MYBB (my lips but better). It comes in a pen-like applicator that you can twist up just like a regular lipstick. The products itself glides on smooth and I like that it's skinny enough for me to line my lips before filling in the color. Although meant to be worn as a matte color as shown on the skin swatch, I prefer to layer a good lip balm under to minimize the appearance of fine lines and any possible dryness.

Buy it here.

Purchase Mistake: ELF Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF20

Product: 

ELF Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF20

From here:

This lightweight and hydrating formula is breathable and provides anti-aging sun protection with UVA/UVB SPF 20. Achieve even skin tone and naturally radiant skin with this moisturizing sheer tint of color. The smooth formula enhances your complexion with the nourishing key ingredients Aloe, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E.

Why I bought it:

I developed an allergy to SPF products in my early 20s after a bad bout of sunburn. As a swimmer in my teens, I trained 7 days a week, rain or shine. I had a perpetual tan and my skin gladly welcomed sunblocks and creams of any kind. Somewhere between school and college, my body had started to reject sunscreen. Each time I applied it would result in breaking out in hives. One time, the allergic reaction was so bad that I had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment because my throat had started closing in. When I went to college, I stopped swimming and my lifestyle changed. Where I spent most of the day at the pool when I was a teen, I now spent my nights outdoors instead, going to clubs, working on college assignments and indulging in late night suppers. It was perhaps this change of lifestyle that threw my body off balance (I'm just assuming, really) and I was baffled when I had a bad burn after a weekend at the beach with friends. To say it was a bad sunburn was understatement; I had to get a jab on the drive back from the beach to the city. I was in so much pain and my body temperature was rising steadily. During the consultation, the doctor told me that I suffer from a condition called sun allergy. I know, right. What nonsense! But, yes, in addition to being allergic to sunblock, I also have sun allergy. Oh, joy. Needless to say, products that said "SPF" on their labels couldn't find a customer in me for years. Slow, though, I started experimenting with SPF products again. After all, the doctor did say that we develop and get rid of allergies in our lifetime. It started with a powder foundation with an SPF. My skin didn't react to it any more than when I didn't use it. Being in my late 20s now, I shudder at all the sun damage inflicted on my skin in all the years that I did away with sun protection. I thought it was safe to reintroduce it into my beauty regime.

Why I hate it:

It has practically zero moisturizing properties. The first time I tried it without my regular moisturizer, it just dragged across my poor face like a very dry expired moisturizer. It went on streaky and wouldn't spread properly. When I finally (and with much difficulty) managed to smooth it out as best as I can, it just sits on the surface on my skin like an orange mask. I looked like I had a very bad fake tan on my face. Being so dry, it was flaky on some parts, which is a huge surprise for me as I have always had a combination-oily skin type. Flakiness was unheard of until then. I gave it a second try the next day and applied it over my regular moisturizer. Nope, didn't work, too. While it went on streaky before, now it clumped up my moisturizer and I was left with little orange balls all over my face. So I spent another 5 minutes fixing my face. It worked badly with makeup, however minimal. My face was oilier than usual in less time, and blusher doesn't seem to sit well on it. The cherry on top, however, would be when I broke out so badly the next day. I had more than 10 pimples all over my face and rashes in certain areas. It took me 4 days with an antihistamine and 2 weeks for it to clear. Needless to say, there was no third try for this product. I gave it to a friend to try (hence no actual picture of the culprit) thinking that she might fare better than I did, given my history with sunscreen allergy and sensitive skin. She had the exact same reaction as I did. So, off to the bin it went.

Why I definitely won't repurchase:

Not only did it not work for me (and my friend), it caused so much damage to my skin that could possibly be irreversible. It has been 2 months since that incident and I still have some dry spots from when I had rashes. I had badly wanted to like this product after reading all the good reviews about it. Sadly, this falls far too short of my expectations, even with its $3 price tag. Also, not sure if this is a usual complaint, but the tube was only half full when I got it. Dud, much?