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.

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?

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!

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.