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.

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.