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.

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.

November '12 empties

I went through quite a few products in the month of November and honestly, I think I get a kick out of finishing stuff up. Just the sight of half empty stuff that's been sitting around forever finally finished gives me flutters in my stomach. True story.

On to the suspects.

Product #1:

L'occitane Aromachologie Repairing Shampoo

L'occitane Aromachologie Repairing Shampoo

From here:

Care and give radiance to your hair. This shampoo smoothes and softens capillary fibers. Your hair is left looking and feeling supple, shiny and silky. A natural complex of 5 essential oils - Angelica, Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-ylang and Patchouli - plus wheat proteins work together in synergy to help repair, strengthen, regenerate and soften dry and damaged hair. The perfect shampoo for those who color treat, permanent wave, blow dry, curling iron, or use drying styling products on hair.

What I think:

I love it! The smell is so wonderfully relaxing and shampooing my hair was one of the things I look forward to at the end of everyday (yes, I'm one of those people who has to shampoo everyday). It doesn't strip or leave my hair feeling squeaky after the suds are rinsed out. Lathers nicely and the scent lingers on forever! I get an oily scalp if I use creamy shampoos or stuff with silicones so this one is perfect for everyday use even if my hair isn't damaged.

Will I repurchase:

I have been repurchasing this for about 4 years (when I still had a job) and finally, this year, I realized that I had to give it up due to the price. No job, no nice expensive shampoo =( But having said that, I've always thought L'occitane products prices are a bit way out of my reach and yet, I've been stubbornly paying through my nose for years. Yay, me! I'm likely to come back to this as a treat for myself in the near future but I definitely won't be purchasing it on a regular basis. Not by choice, sadly =(

Product #2:

Hada Labo Gokujyun Face Wash

Hada Labo Gokujyun Face Wash

 From here:

Preserve your skin’s natural moisture as you wash. A small amount works up into a rich, foaming lather, then rinses clean—without drying out your skin. Used morning and night, this is the luxurious yet practical start to softer, more supple skin.

What I think:

It's free of fragrance and color. Boring. I got this in summer and had been using it regularly for my night time cleansing with my Clarisonic Mia to combat the oilies and for extra gentle exfoliation. Nothing exciting, but it didn't irritate my skin like my Biotherm cleanser did and my face wasn't left feeling tight and stretched after I dry it. I went through a crazy skin phase for a few months were my breakouts were deep under the skin and painful and they happen all the freaking time! At the same time, my face would be oily and I get so afraid to exfoliate in case I aggravate it further. My usually-normal skin became extra sensitive and rejected all my regular face products so this kinda saved the day at a highly affordable price. Overall, it's a simple cleanser that does its job. Great for sensitive skin types.

Will I repurchase:

Already did. I like that it keeps everything under control face-wise and no comings-out will be happening soon with the closet zits, but honestly, it's so boring! I like my products to be lightly fragranced so this one just really doesn't make the cut for me. Although, to be completely fair, I did get it because it's fragrance/color free to help with my crazy skin phase.

Product #3:

 Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel

From here:

This soap-free shower gel contains zesty satsuma essential oil and has a refreshing citrus scent.

• Soap-free

• Lather-rich

• Refreshing citrus scent

What I think:

I like Body Shop shower gels in general. And when I say like, I really mean I've been using them regularly since I was about 13 years old or so. In recent years, however, I find that they can be a tad on the drying side if I don't follow up with a lotion or a body butter after. Not sure if the formula has changed over the years, or that my age is showing in my skin =( The citrus-y smell is a good wake-up scent and I love having it waft through the apartment when I decide to step out of the shower. I find that it's best used with the Bath Lily and I need only a small amount to lather up for my shower. I don't like using it for baths because, while the bubbles grow pretty quickly, I often have to squirt a lot of it for that effect. Wasteful, in my opinion. This jumbo size lasted the man and I a good few months and it seems to be pretty good value when there's discounts.

Will I repurchase:

Sure. I've gone through many of these over the years. It's one of my favorites from the Body Shop. We tend to rotate our shower gels with other scents so things doesn't get boring, but I'm pretty sure this one will make a repeat appearance.

Product #4:

Body Shop Born Lippy Pot Lip Balm - Passionberry

Body Shop Born Lippy Pot Lip Balm - Passionberry

  From here:

Our cult lip balm in a pot. Gives colour, flavour and moisture for more kissable lips.

• Purple tint

• Shine finish

• Fruity passionberry flavour

What I think:

Judging from the battered packaging I guess it's easy to come to the conclusion that it was well-loved. It wasn't. I've just had it around for a really long time and finally decided that enough is enough. I don't want to look at it for a second more (I did make a very conscious effort to finish it up, though). While it met my criteria of smelling good, I didn't feel that it made my lips any softer or more moisturized after repeated uses. The effects were instant, yes, but not long lasting. I also hate the way my hair always get stuck on my lips whenever I use this. Oh well, for something that I bought for an emergency on a beach getaway, it lasted me a good few years.

Will I repurchase:

Nah. I like that it reminds me of my childhood when The Body Shop products were a luxury and they always smelled and tasted so good. But now that I know better and my lips need the actual moisture from a good product, I'll look for something else.

Product #4:

Kneipp Bath Salts (Orange Linden Blossom, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lavender)

Orange Linden Blossom

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Rosemary

From here:

Kneipp Mineral Bath Salts contain salt crystals that are generated from salt water that is pumped up 460 meters from an underground sea in Germany. The water is boiled off using Europe’s last existing traditional pan method and the remaining salt is then infused with Essential oils. This process allows the Kneipp Mineral Bath Salts to be created without chemical additives, remain free of modern pollution and naturally rich in minerals.
The Bath Salts contain a much higher percentage of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Zinc than sea salts and industrial salts. The unique crystals naturally absorb the Essential oils until released into a warm steam bath.
The Kneipp Mineral Bath Salts are alkaline free, preservative free, dermatologist tested, bathtub friendly (leaves tub clean) and skin friendly. Activated by hot water, Bath Salts help build resistance to daily aggressions, exfoliate, tone and increase elasticity of the skin. Taking a Kneipp salt bath relieves the discomfort of minor aches and pains, relaxes tired muscles, refreshes the body and can promote a restful, sound sleep.
Kneipp Bath Salts are a great way to detoxify. The salts bind protein on the surface of the skin and form a layer that prevents the dissipation of heat from the body. The salt then promotes perspiration and the body’s toxins are eliminated in sweat. This opens the pores and allows the body to absorb minerals and trace elements (Rosemary and Juniper are specific herbs that promote the detoxification process).
Directions for a Jacuzzi/whirlpool bath: slowly add 1/4 capful of bath crystals. Turn on jets, turn off if they create too much foam. You may add up to 1 capful of salts as the foam subsides being careful to turn the jets off if it is too sudsy.
Directions for a regular bath tub: Add one capful of bath crystals to bathwater of approximately 97°- 100° F/ 36° - 38° C in temperature. Optimum bathing time is 10-20 minutes. You may choose to shower after your bath.
Kneipp Mineral Bath Salts boost the health-promoting benefits of the Essential oils. Oily skin may find that the salts are the best alternative.

What I think:

Love. My very kind (then) new neighbor Moriyama-san gave us some gifts as a greeting when she moved in next door and included 4 sachets of bath salts as it was still early Spring. They all smell wonderful and if I could sleep in the bath, I would! I've always had a problem with winter skin and sometimes it would get so bad that the rashes would bleed (TMI, I know!) so I've been avoiding having baths , because everyone says so. These leave my skin smooth and while not exactly moisturized, not dry at all! No itching, no tightness. I don't even have to follow up with my nightly regime of slathering myself in body butter before bed. My favorite of the 4 has to be eucalyptus, mostly because I like minty/herbal scents. It helps clear my sneezies and I always have it in my mind that anything that smells like eucalyptus has to be good for the body.

Will I repurchase:

Already did! I will, over and over again, every winter, as long as they keep stocking up the shelves.