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!

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.

August '13 empties

Compared to say, 2 years ago, I'd say that my hoarding habits have been greatly toned down.

Yet, I feel pretty amazed at the end of each month that I go without buying, I still have a large stash of stuff that I can mow through.

No finished makeup products this month, but loads of full sized bath and body items on their way to the recycling bin!

Rinren Yuzu & Ginger Shampoo
I've talked about it here before. Frankly, I'm glad this one is done with because I was getting tired of how mild the scent is.
Repurchase: No

Shiseido Tsubaki Shining Conditioner
Wish I got this sooner because it made my hair a lot less tangly. Less tangles = less hair loss in the shower = very good. It has silicones, yes, but I'm quite ready to admit that those non-silicone shampoos and conditioners just don't work for me. If anything, my hair got drier, frizzed up and it takes forever to detangle in the shower, not to mention the hair loss. I'm not exactly blessed with thick hair and being able to save some from clogging up the shower drain everyday is a good thing. The scent is not overpowering and very feminine. For an inexpensive drug store conditioner that is easily available everywhere (even in convenience stores sometimes!), I'm pretty happy with the results.
Repurchase: Yes

Rinren Yuzu & Ginger Treatment
This is no treatment, by any means, as conditioner is often referred to as "treatment" here in Japan. I wanted to go down the no-silicone path and picked this in hopes that my life will be changed forever. And change it did. I noticed more hair in the shower drain after rinsing off and it did nothing to make my hair smoother. Nor did I have a healthier scalp. Nothing. At all. Glad this one is finished.
Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Cucumber & Mint Shower Gel
Yes, love x100000. Never thought that the cucumber-mint combo would work in the shower although it's a drink that I've had many times before. Paraben/soap/sulphate/colorant-free. So much win here! I wish this came in a larger size like those jumbo 500ml bottles that they occasionally have in store. This was a real breath of fresh air in the crazy summer heat and makes an awesome body wash for that end-of-the-humid-day grime and dust.
Repurchase: Yes

Feverlet Collagen Essence Mask
One out of the 120(?) sheet masks that I hauled from Incheon Airport last year. Yes, they're still around. This feels like it's better quality than the Etude House ones that did absolutely nothing for me. The cotton sheet is a little thinner than the Etude House masks that I used. They have a texture that seems to work quite well in holding the essence. Although less saturated than Etude House masks, I find that it has just the right amount and doesn't drip down my neck. I also find that I don't have that sticky residue after I take them off and I don't need to splash my face with water again before I apply toner (or lotion as the Japanese version is). Not sure if my face is any less wrinkled or more plumped up, really, since I've never had any life changing experience with any sheet mask except for SK-II. I usually pop sheet masks in the fridge for a few minutes while I go through my cleansing routine in summer because let's face it, who doesn't like that temporary relief when it's 40 degrees out there?
Repurchase: No

Claudia Jansen & Co nose strip
First mentioned here. I'm not sure if this is a charcoal strip but I love my nose strips black, nonetheless. Makes it so much more satisfying when I can see those little blackheads clearly. Nothing to shout about here, just your regular nose strip, if you're into that sort of thing. I did find it a little harder to peel compared to the Biore ones that I've used previously.
Repurchase: No. Happy to finish up the remaining strips and be done with them

Muji Nail Polish Remover
Only slightly more than 500 yen and I wish I'd discovered this sooner. Smells citrus-y with none of that eye-watering suffocating deathly fumes that comes with cheap polish remover. Does a really good job with removing nail color and doesn't leave my cuticles or nails dry and flaky like the really strong ones do. A little pricey for probably half the amount that I get from the 100 yen shop, but hey, it's worth not having my bin and entire apartment smell like we've been doused with alcohol.
Repurchase: Yes

Shiseido Sebum & Oil Blotting Paper
Dislike. I need at least 3 sheets in a single blotting session and even then my fingers feel oily after as if the sebum has soaked through the entire sheet. TMI? I still haven't found a Japanese blotting paper that actually works like the Johnson & Johnson ones. This feels no different than if I blotted my face with regular paper.
Repurchase: No

Sally Girl neon orange nail polish
One of those things that got thrown into a package when I bought some stuff off a blog sale. What a rip off since it was already gooey and I could use it only once after adding a few drops of solvent in it. The brush is really tiny and makes my shaky application look even worse than usual. I'd have love to wear this color when it was still usable as it was totally a summer color that doesn't look too out of place, neon and all.
Repurchase: No

iHerb.com nail file 
Think low quality sand paper stuck onto a foam board. It goes all floppy at the slightest pressure that I apply when filing my nails. Good for one use only. At least it was free gift, useless as it was.
Repurchase: No

Nail file from drug store in Malaysia
I've had it for so long that I can't even tell the brand anymore. It went with me from Malaysia to China and finally ended up here in Japan. I guess that says a lot for a nail file because it gave me countless uses over the years. I never torn a nail or had jagged tips that snagged on clothing from this one. It was pretty hard and didn't bend during use. I haven't found anything as good here yet, sadly.
Repurchase: No

So there, 10 is the magic number this month. I'm pretty good in using up stuff, regardless of whether they work or not. Don't you think?

July '13 empties

Another month, another empties post. Seems like all this blog is about is just the garbage that I accumulated, eh?

This month brought me tons of disappointments, but as is my OCD nature to finish up everything right down till the very last drop/dollop/sheet, I think I did pretty damn well.

One more finished lip product this month!

Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip Face Foam

Hates it. Even with my oily skin, I always feel like my face is stretched beyond limits after I use it. And don't get my started about the itching that came with that crazy dry feeling. On the bright side, I use it with my Clarisonic and I love how it really foams up.

Repurchase: No

Cleansing wipes from 100 yen store

I don't use these on my face, ever, but I keep them on my vanity for wiping my fingers off after using cream shadow, BB cream, before dipping my fingers into anything etc. You get the idea. Somehow this box must be either a really old one or the seal sticker inside doesn't really seal. They were pretty dry by the time I got to the third sheet. They don't seem to clean very well. either. I usually have to press hard on the dirty spot and swipe a few times before anything comes off, especially cream eyeshadows.

Repurchase: No

Bifesta bi-phase Eye Makeup Remover

Went on a crazy buying spree during my brief period of insanity and bought 3 bottles of these. I didn't even really start wearing eye makeup regularly till I started working in April. Must've been some demon possession going on there when I clicked purchase, I'm sure of it. This bi-phase eye makeup remover does its job well and lasted me a very good 4 or so months before I got to the last drop. Doesn't sting my eyes and never left me with cloudy vision either. Some of my eye makeup can be a little stubborn to remove, like my Bobbi Brown gel liner and waterproof mascara, but all they need is 10 seconds of this stuff on a cotton pad on my eye, and a few very gently swipes. All clean. Even in between my lashes. My only gripe is that it doesn't smell like garden flowers and babies, but I guess that's alright.

Repurchase: Already have 2 backup bottles

Etude House Lemon sheet mask

So I went trip happy at Incheon Airport during my many flights between Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur and I bought, like, 10 of these. Which is a lot, considering I don't use sheet masks. So, what did this do for my face? Absolutely nothing. It claims to brighten skin and is supposed to be great for acne skin types. But, well, nothing happened. Smells great, though. And chilling it in the fridge 10 minutes before applying it onto my face felt pretty awesome in this summer heat. I do, however, hate the sticky feeling that the essence left. I don't care what anyone says, it does not absorb into skin. It just stays on the surface no matter how much I try to massage it in. I ended up rinsing a second time just so that I could apply my moisturizer after. Oh, I have to say that it's a pretty good fit for my face too. And they weren't skint on the essence because there was plenty left in the packet even after I took the mask out.

Repurchase: No

Etude House Pearl Extract sheet mask

Bought 10 of these as well on the same day I got the Lemon ones(!). Nope, didn't like them, either. Claims to brighten skin, hydrate blah blah blah. Whatever. This one didn't even smell nice. I had the exact same issues I did with the lemon one. But I do love the feeling of slapping one on when the summer heat is unbearable and taking a short nap with the air conditioning on. Not sure if it's just me, but my face itched a little after.

Repurchase: No

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel

I'm one of those devoted lifelong users of The Body Shop's shower gels. While I won't particularly pick this one first out of the many other scents they carry, this one's apparently manly enough for Mister Homebody. I like how foamy it becomes and how the scent lingers in the shower. However, it contains SLS which I'm trying to cut down and eventually out.

Repurchase: No

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

I first tried this one out when I was in Hong Kong and everything sells for cheap there. It removes my makeup very well and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry. Now, I have a very complete cleansing routine whenever I'm wearing makeup (which is pretty much almost everyday now that I have a job) and it involves what most people would call "tedious". I start with the Bifesta eye makeup remover to remove all my eye makeup (obviously) and I use the cleansing oil for the rest of my face. After I've rinsed off, I always follow up with my regular cleanser, which may be whatever I'm using at the moment as I've not been loyal to any particular brand since Biotherm. I've been doing this for ages and it seems to work best for me out of all the other methods I've tried, from cream cleanser to makeup wipes and everything in between. It's slightly runnier than other types of cleansing oils that I've used previously but I don't see how that makes it inferior or work any less than other more expensive types. Although I have sensitive skin and really should stay away from fragranced products, I do sometimes wish this had at least a teeny bit of fragrance in it to spice things up.

Repurchase: Already have 2 backup bottles

Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Clearly Pink

I've never had a Clinique lip gloss before and I'm clearly blown away by this one. It fills out all the fine lines and gave me smooth silicone looking lips while not making me look like I used a lip plumper. The formula is awesome and glides on easily. I never needed to double dip because somehow, the doe foot applicator always picks up the right amount of product. The SPF 15 is an added bonus too, though they're chemical sunscreens which I randomly get allergic reactions from. While I love almost everything about this lip gloss, I don't think I'd repurchase simply because I'm currently trying to phase out buying products with ingredients that I'm iffy about.

Repurchase: No

DHC Eyelash Tonic

I used this for the recommended 6 months because apparently that's how long it takes for some people to see results. I did miss a few days in that span of time but I don't think it's supposed to make a difference to the results I was supposed to get. Because it did absolutely nothing for me. If anything, it annoyed me that I had to apply this to my lashes everyday and sometimes I somehow manage to poke my eye with the wand. It started out as a clear gel but in time it grew cloudy and I think it's due to the fact that I always moisturize beforehand and it's the moisturizer that's making the product cloudy. In the beginning I felt that I had less falling out of my lashes but after 6 months, it was just another extra 2 minutes that I had to spend every night which yielded zero results. I even tried using this on my eyebrows because mine are so sparse. Nothing. Just a waste of my time.

Repurchase: No

Muji cotton pads

Not sure if these cotton pads are organic cotton but I find that they tend to shred less than the ones that I usually get from the 100 yen store. They even withstand removing glitter nail polish, and that is really saying something. I don't feel like they work any better or any worse but I do like that I don't get bits of cotton stuck on my face and fingers all the time. They feel smooth enough on my face, yet rough enough to remove nail polish easily. Slightly more expensive than my regular 100 yen cotton pads, but since I live in Muji land and prices here are cheap-to-reasonable, I don't see why not?

Repurchase: Yes

So out of 10 empties, I ended up with no to 7 of them. Not sure if I'm just too picky or I buy all kinds of crap products because of my no-loyalty personality. I do, however, like seeing my stash get smaller after I've used up/thrown out stuff, though.

On to more product discovery!

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!