March's farewelled products (and beauty diet update)

 

This month's not just about empties - there are also a few product fails in here I finally psyched myself up to let go.  Read on and you'll find out why...

Skin care

 

24) Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (30 towelettes) - These pleasant smelling wipes promised to "...remove makeup, cleanse and tone in one easy step". They were sufficiently moist to do a thorough job and leave my skin feeling comfortable afterwards.  Besides White Tea Extract other botanical goodies include Aloe Leaf Juice and Cucumber Extract. I liked the snap seal on the package too. 

 

25) Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser SPF 15 (75ml) - I normally go for moisturisers with higher SPF but I got this as a magazine freebie a while ago so I was happy to use it.  The oil-free, soy enriched formula felt light on the skin and two pumps were enough to moisturise my face and neck so the bottle lasted a few months.  It did leave a bit of sheen on my combination skin though so I needed to mattify afterwards.

 

26) The Face Shop Collagen Essential Mask Sheet - I loved this lifting and moisturizing mask because it did as it promised as my skin felt softer and firmer afterwards.  I will be repurchasing this (and my other favourite Pearl Extract) from The Face Shop the next time I need to replenish my sheet mask supply.

 

Hand and body care

 

27) Natio Meditate Hand Wash Yoga Scent Khus Attar (240ml/8.1fl.oz) - I loved this moisturising hand wash but I used it up far too quickly and now I'm pretty sure it's been discontinued.  As you can infer from the yoga reference the Khus Attar scent was distinctly relaxing and I'm sadly deeply inhaling the remnants of the bottle now as I prepare to throw it away.

 

28) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - My third bottle for the year. 

 

29) MOR Grapefruit Body Butter - This little tub was part of a 3-pack I bought for a Christmas gift a couple of years ago but then naughtily decided to keep! The truth is I found something more appropriate for that person and then I put these away and forgot all about them! The grapefruit scent has the perfect mix of citrus zing and sugary sweetness and it absorbed beautifully into the skin.  The small tub (say around 50ml) didn't last very long at all unfortunately and this scent has been discontinued.

 

Cosmetics

 

I decided to get a bit more brutal on my beauty diet this month and following Anissa's very brave and sensible lead (Norlin has also made fantastic progress!), so in addition to accumulating the empties I'm taking a long hard look at some of the makeup items which shouldn't be taking up space in my drawers.  Let's start with the empties first:

 

30) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment Concealer (20 Light) - Perhaps all the hype around this concealer set my expectations way too high because I was underwhelmed by it.  The coverage was too sheer for me, meaning I had to build it and sometimes even reapply it under my eyes later in the day.  I don't have anything against Maybelline concealers per se because I still swear by my old favourite Dream Lumi - I just won't be buying this one again because it doesn't stand up to my PANDA EYES!

31) Lancôme Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara (Black) - I was sad to let this mascara go and not just because it's limited edition.  Read my original mini review here.

32) Bloom Eye Base (3.5g/0.12oz) - I thought this was quite a good eye primer until I switched up products recently.  No matter as it's been discontinued anyway.

 

Culled...

 

Yup, I've finally taken the plunge and decided to get rid of a few products that didn't quite work for me.  At this point I'm deciding these won't count towards makeup empties and I won't use them as credit towards new products in my beauty diet - if they don't work they don't necessarily need to be replaced!

 

Styli-Style Timeless Lipstick (Beauty 1512) - I received this in a swap ages ago and unfortunately silvery matte beige lips are just not for me.  If this was glossy I could have used it as a topper and I suppose conversely I could have topped this lipstick with gloss but seriously I have too many lipsticks already to have to worry about making this one work!

 

L'Oreal Shine Caresse (Princess & Eve) - Ugh, I do feel bad about not loving these and I so wanted them to work for me. Another case of not being swayed by the hype perhaps - but for me they applied unevenly, felt weird on the lips and worse still, bled out in a tacky mess beyond the lip line. Out they go.

 

Essence Cherry Blossom Girl Lipstick Pencil (Cherry Cherry Girl) - Considering they are a budget brand Essence are usually surprisingly good quality so I was in a state of disbelief over the shocking performance of this pencil.  It applied way too thickly, virtually pilling into balls of colour on the lips.  Very hard to describe but trust me it was horrendous and unwearable.  The only positive was it didn't cost much.

 

Fragrance



33) Tom Ford Lys Fume EDP (1.5ml sample) - This is my second sample vial of Lys Fume so I don't need to say too much.   Top notes:  Italian mandarin, pink pepper, turmeric and nutmeg;  middle notes: white lily, ylang-ylang, Artemisia and rum;  base notes: Madagascar vanilla, labdanum, styrax and oak. 

 

Now that feels lighter!

 

June/July's farewelled products (2013 mega edition)

 

Let the purge happen before the beauty binge you're going to see in my next post!

 

Skincare

 

 

52) Johnson's Daily Essentials Fragrance Free Facial Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes) - It was so long ago I finished these that I'm a bit fuzzy on the details.  Suffice to say there wasn't anything memorable about them. They did the job of cleansing with a single wipe but I think I wasn't a big fan of the cloth texture as it was a little too slippery on my skin.

 

53) Sasatinnie Cherry Blossom Makeup Remover Wipes For Normal Skin (10 wipes) - I forgot to pack wipes when I went overseas so I bought multiple packs of these in Sasa Hong Kong, firstly because of a 3 for 2 offer, then bought some more because I loved them so much!  They border on being sudsy, and quite wet, but these well textured wipes did a thorough job of removing makeup and grime from my tired face at the end of the day and left my skin feeling soft and moisturised.  These do have a lingering soft scent so they won't be for everyone but I personally loved the relaxing floral scent on my face.

 

54) Sasatinnie Rose Makeup Remover Wipes for Sensitive Skin (10 wipes) - As above but supposedly gentler (I found the Cherry Blossom wipes equally gentle on my skin) and these have the distinct scent of rose petals. Very pretty and indulgent!

 

 

 55) Skinvitals Hydraflex Multi-Peptide Flex-Cloth Mask (sample pack) - This mask was my first ever sheet mask experience! Funny it was too because my unsuspecting son walked in on me mid-mask and jumped backwards in shock - ah well, lol! The formula promises firmer, brighter, more youthful skin.  I can't say any miracles took place in 15 minutes but I massaged the residual serum into my skin after removing the mask and woke up with soft skin the next morning so at least it provided lasting moisture. I now have a bundle of sheet masks to try from my trip - but you'll have to wait and see...

 

56) Maybelline City Rescue Total Clean! Express Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (70ml) - See May's post here for my full review.

57) Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel (50 ml) - A basic, no-frills gel formula cleanser.  I bought this to take away on vacation and it lasted the distance for 3 weeks of cleansing.  I've reviewed this cleanser previously here and felt a bit underwhelmed by it but it's one of the few travel sized cleansers in the Australian drugstore market and so I bought it for the convenience.

58) Garnier Dark Spot Corrector Daily Illuminating Moisturizer (50ml) - If you've been following my empties posts you'll know I've tried a few different anti-pigmentation products over the past few years and I've had pretty modest results.  I've moved from product to product as a result.  Well finally I think I've hit on a winner.  I had significantly pigmented patches on my cheeks after my January beach vacation and after using the dark spot corrector the patches have noticeably faded.  Noticeably faded.  If only I'd known I would have done the 'before and after' photo comparison to prove what I'm saying.  I love the convenience of this product too as it's a treatment and overall moisturizer in one.  Just so you know I'm not just blowing hot air I've bought another tube today!  

 

 

Hand and body care

 

59)  Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (1 litre) - This is my number 1 no-fuss, gentle body cleanser and my second bottle used for the year. 

 

60) QV Flare Up Wash (150ml) - I've been using this as a hand wash during the colder months to relieve the itchy eczema on my hands.  This cleansing foam is pH balanced, soap free and fragrance free and formulated to remove any bacteria that can aggravate eczema.  It can also be used in the shower or bath as an overall body cleanser although I personally prefer using it just for my hands because it's not as moisturizing as the Cetaphil cleanser. Repurchase for my seasonal eczema? Yes.

 

61) Daiso Enamel Remover (120ml) - I bought this $2.80 nail enamel remover on a whim from Daiso.  It works almost as well as my usual OPI remover although I did find it a little more drying. Probably not a great idea for a fickle nail polish wearer like me but perfectly fine if you're not removing polish several times a week and a bargain for the price!

 

62) The Body Shop Chocomania Body Scrub (200ml/7.75 oz) - Yummy stuff! This is the second tub I've used this year.  If there's one thing I could fault it's the fact that a tub doesn't seem to last long enough - but then I do scoop out very generous amounts to exfoliate my skin!

 

 

 

63) Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion (10ml sample) - I've used this moisturiser many times before and would definitely purchase it again.  It absorbs quickly, leaves skin soft and not greasy at all, and is unscented so doesn't clash with perfume.  Unfussy and reliable stuff.

 

64) Vaseline Total Moisture Aloe Fresh 24 Hr Nourishing Lotion (120ml) - I bought this travel sized lotion from Watsons in Singapore.  My opinion of Vaseline body lotions hasn't changed - I still don't love them.  The only thing I did like was the refreshing aloe scent.  The lotion itself just sits on my skin and never fully absorbs.  Proof of this was my son recoiling from touching my 'sticky' arms.

 

65) Palmer's Olive Butter Formula with Vitamin E (50ml/1.7 fl.oz.) -  Unlike the Vaseline lotion I love this stuff because it balances perfectly between being rich and being easily absorbed.  I would have been better off buying two of these little bottles instead of the Vaseline for my body moisturiser!

 

66) The Body Shop Chocomania Body Lotion (250ml/8.4 fl.oz.) - It has the same delicious chocolate scent as the body scrub.  Chocolatey but not too sickly sweet or strong so I found it quite wearable.  The lotion formula is quite thick but spreads easily for good coverage and absorbs easily too. 

 

 

67) Dermaveen Everyday Intensive Hand Cream (100ml) -  This hand cream was my bedside table overnight hand treatment.  It's formulated for dry, sensitive skin and where other hand creams can actually sting when my skin is irritated I found this one instantly soothing on my eczema inflamed hands. 

 

68) Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy (25g/0.9oz) - I'm becoming quite a fan of Crabtree & Evelyn's hand creams! They're right up there for a luxe pamper because they have a silky, easily absorbed formula and a lovely range of scents.  La Source has a fresh beachy (if that makes sense), slightly salty scent and I loved carrying it as my handbag pick-me-up and an antidote to winter.  I would definitely purchase a full size tube for a treat.

 

 

Cosmetics

 

 

69) Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer (02 Nude) - My review keeps popping up on my sidebar.  This concealer is one of my favourite discount beauty products.

 

70) Essence XXXL Nudes Lipgloss (03 Nude Kiss) - I think this shade has been discontinued? Anyway I packed this natural lipgloss for my vacation and I wore it literally every day.  I loved the vanilla sugar scent, although the watery formula meant constant reapplication was necessary and it's not surprising I used it up in that time!

 

71) Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara (001 Black) - This is a great drugstore mascara.  Waterproof and most definitely sweat and tear-proof and it served me well through the heat and humidity of Hong Kong.  It coated my lashes evenly, and my lashes felt soft rather than crunchy.  I'm already using a backup.

 

72) BYS Minerals Naturale Compact Foundation (Sand Beige) - I'm glad I only spent $10AUD on this foundation because I've never finished a powder pan so quickly! The foundation offered light coverage (medium with primer) and was not as finely milled as many other powder foundations out there.  It's fine as a budget product but I doubt I'll repurchase.



 

Fragrance

 

 

73) Tom Ford Lys Fume EDP (1.5ml/.05 fl.oz) - Another Tom Ford sample vial, and another intoxicating scent.   The top notes are Italian mandarin, pink pepper, turmeric and nutmeg;  middle notes are white lily, ylang-ylang, Artemisia and rum;  base notes are Madagascar vanilla, labdanum, styrax and oak.  This powerful lily fragrance vaguely reminds my undiscerning nose of Dior Poison and I preferred wearing it as an after-dark scent.

 

74) Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude (1.5ml/.05 fl.oz) - I took this vial away with me on vacation because it had such a deliciously warm summer feel about it.  Such a smooth honeyed scent and yes, sensuous. Top notes are Sicilian bergamot, mandarin, black and pink pepper;  middle notes are jasmine, lily of the valley, coconut water, honey and musk;  base notes are sandalwood, vanilla, amber (all guaranteed to hook me into a fragrance), heliotrope and wood.  This is one of the most appealing fragrances I tried from EL for a long time.

 

 

If you've read this overblown post in its entirety I thank you for your patience! 

 

 

Now I'm off to sort through my HK haul pics...



REVIEW: August's farewelled products

There were too many large emptied containers to arrange prettily on the windowsill for photos like I did last month so I've strewn them 'artfully' on the bench!  I've been charging through loads of hand and body products and I've noticed quite a few of the usual suspects in this lot...

Skin care

77) Nivea Creme (75ml)

This tin gave me a sense of nostalgia as soon as I opened it and inhaled the familiar scent.  Nivea's famous fragrance is something you never forget so this took me back to my childhood, and those lazy summer days before we all became 'sunsmart' when my Mum used to slather me with this uber thick cream.  I just loooove the scent, but the thick formula was a bit of an issue.  Over winter I used this to moisturise my dry limbs and I found it took time and patience to rub in and was impossible to use over damp skin - it just slid right off!  I probably used it for the wrong purpose and I'd recommend it for problem spots like knees and elbows rather than all over the body.   It DID do a pretty good job of providing deep moisture and it acted like a barrier cream! I'd repurchase as a specific treatment for extra dry areas.

78) Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Gentle Face Cleansing Wipes - Dry & Sensitive Skin (25 wipes)

These wipes also have that famous Nivea scent which you'll either love (like me) or hate if you dislike fragranced products.   While I like the fragrance the wipes were a bit average for me.  More often I found I need more than one wipe to get all makeup residue off my face and my skin did feel a little tight afterwards - surprising because these wipes are meant for dry skin and and are "...enriched with natural Almond Oil & Calendula Extract."  I won't be repurchasing.

79) Maybelline Express Care Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (90ml)
My HG remover because it's effective and inexpensive. Of course I'm onto my next bottle.  See my original review here.

Hand and body care

80) Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (500ml)

Yep, my third 500ml bottle done for the year - and now that Hubs has discovered it in the shower I've already almost emptied my fourth.  Solution?  I've bought a 1 litre bottle!  I can't rave enough about this as an extremely gentle, moisturising body (and face) cleanser.  It comes in all sizes from mini travel sized bottles upwards so I'm covered for all situations.  I'll repurchase again, and again, and again...

81) RPR Hold Me Gently hair mist (300ml/10.56fl.oz)

This gave my fine, flat hair a bit of soft oomph without any of the crunch.  I bought a travel sized bottle last year and liked it enough to buy the full sized bottle.  I only need 3 to 4 sprays of product on my hair before blow drying so it lasted me quite a few months, however I did notice I would have drier, flyaway ends.   I've since discovered L'Oreal's Volume Expand mist which leaves my hair looking less flyaway and shinier so I won't be repurchasing RPR.

82) OPI Original Polish Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz)

My seventh bottle this year.  That is all.

83)  Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion with Alpha/Beta Hydroxy & Shea butter (250ml - 8.5fl. oz)

My third bottle this year and not surprising at all.  This partnered with the Cetaphil has brought my ugly keratosis completely under control.  My upper arms have never been smoother!  Repurchase, repurchase, repurchase!

84) Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream (100g) 

I turn to this in winter to relieve my dry, eczema wracked hands.  It's reliable, no-nonsense stuff, not sexy but effective and soothing.  Another one of my repeat purchases.  Click here for my original review.

85) Sally Hansen Massaging Cuticle Treatment (2.6ml/0.09fl.oz)

Not a bad little product for moisturising my cuticles but the packaging annoyed me because I couldn't see how much product I had left!  In any case I prefer Burt's Bees cuticle cream for softening my cuticles because it's a balm rather than an oil so I probably won't repurchase.

86)  L'Occitane LE Cocoa Flower Hand Cream (30ml/1.oz travel size)

Mmmm...the soft cocoa scent was amazing and the buttery texture of the L'Occitane Shea Butter hand creams is second to none.   The 20% Shea Butter content makes this cream rich and buttery smooth to apply and my dry hands would soak it in and say "Aaah".  Such a shame this was limited edition - I'd definitely buy more of it because it's so addictive and luxe.

87) Natio Wellness Hand Wash (240ml/8.1f.oz)
This gentle, non-drying hand wash contains chamomile, pomegranate, and wheatgerm.  I love just about all of the Natio products I've tried and this is no exception.  It's not too thick or sudsy so it doesn't need a lot of rinsing and it leaves my hands feeling soft and smelling rather like baby shampoo(!).  I've already repurchased from the Natio outlet just last week.

Cosmetics

EDIT:  This is for you Liz - observe the empty pans in all their glory!

88) Nyx Twin Cake pressed powder (CP10 Sand Beige)

I loved the versatility of this powder:  it can be used with a brush, or a dry or wet sponge depending on the coverage needed and all for $22AUD!  This is the second pan I've used and I would definitely repurchase.

89) Heavy Rotation Enamel Gloss (Berry)

So sad to this tube go - the 'Lip Gloss Terminator' strikes again as this is the 7th gloss I've emptied this year!

This was the perfect buttery caramel nude and if I didn't have to go all the way to Japan to buy it I'd definitely buy more.   When/if I go back I'll definitely stock up on more!  See here for a swatch.

90) MAC Eye Shadow (Satin Taupe - Frost)

I dropped the pan and smashed it, wahh!  Such a dramatic purple toned taupe and I'd hardly used it, see here for a swatch and brief review.  Oh well, it does count towards Back 2 MAC...

91) MAC Eye Shadow (Shroom - Satin)

The perfect mushroom pink-beige multitasking shadow and I'm not sure if this is the second or third pan I've finished up over the years.  I've a backlog of similar colours I'm going to use up but then I'm sure I'll go back to Shroom again.  Click here for my recent comparison review.

That's it for this month - I've been enjoying all of your empties posts as always.

Vita :)

REVIEW: June's farewelled products

We're officially half way through the year.  Not sure if I should be cheering or crying?!  I STILL haven't finished my lipstick ban but I have finished these bits and pieces over the past month - I swear I have nearly finished that ban.  It's just that long lasting lipsticks are, well, so long lasting (even in the tube!)...

Skin care

56) Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Brightening Facial Towelettes (30 towelettes)

These wipes had quite a tart scent because of the apple and lemon peel included in the organic blueberry formula. Honestly? These are the least impressive cleansing wipes I've tried so far - they're not as moist as some so sometimes one wipe wasn't quite enough and they left my skin feeling a little tight,  meaning I had to use a night cream afterwards to feel comfortable.  One plus is the resealable flip-top opening but I definitely won't be repurchasing these.

57) Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Daily Repairing Moisturiser (1.7 fl.oz/50ml)

Sweetly scented and very rich, I only needed a tiny amount to moisturise my face so it went a long way.  I learnt very quickly to be careful not to overdo it because it could become greasy and filmy on the skin. Good value for those who want their moisturiser minus the SPF and a single pump of the bottle dispenses just the right amount.  Nice but not special enough for me to repurchase.

58) L'Oreal Gentle Make-up Remover for Eyes & Lips (125ml)

I used this bottle up just to clear out my backlog of products.  It's a good, effective and gentle makeup remover but you probably know I've now switched my love to Maybelline's slightly cheaper, and much better packaged version.  I've got no more of these up my sleeve and I won't repurchase unless Maybelline discontinue their makeup remover!

59) Biotherm Age Fitness Power2 Active Smoothing Care (0.16fl.oz/5ml sample)

This teeny weeny tube gave me just enough product for three mornings and I was already seduced on the first morning!  The cream is light and absorbs easily into the skin and the scent - it's like a shower fresh wake me up - I loooved it.  I've read that this cream contains pure olive leaf concentrate, pure olive extracts and antioxidants and is targeted at reducing the signs of aging.  I'm intrigued enough to put it on my wish list.

Hand and body care

60) Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion (12fl.oz/354ml)

This lotion was 'prescribed' to me by my doctor a few months ago when I was suffering with dry, itchy, hyper-sensitive skin.  This thick lotion contains natural colloidal oatmeal to provide long lasting soothing moisture and menthol for its cooling anti-itch properties. The minty menthol scent thankfully fades away quickly so it doesn't clash with any perfume.  It was a godsend when I was suffering and I slathered it from shoulders to ankles.  I would definitely use this again if I have another bout of sensitive, itchy skin.

61) Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion with Alpha/Beta Hydroxy & Shea butter (250ml - 8.5fl. oz)

This the second bottle I've finished for the year because it effectively controls my ongoing keratosis.  Yep, I'm onto my third bottle!

62) Manicare Nail Polish Remover (125ml)

Of course I have to include an empty bottle of polish remover in my monthly empties! The formula in this budget remover includes acetone with tea tree oil and vitamin E.  Slightly less effective than my usual OPI but I'll turn to this as a good cheaper alternative. 

Cosmetics

63) Essence Glossy Lipbalm (Pink Dragonfruit)
Here's the proof I've finally finished my lip gloss ban! This lovely fruity scented gloss was a juicy, vibrant pink with an almost indetectible shimmer and I know it only cost me a few dollars. Cheap and cheerful but sadly I think these have been discontinued in Australian stores at least. I'd definitely snap up more if they were still available here because the little tubes are so easy to tote around in my pocket.

64) YSL Touche Eclat (01)
The last one in my stash and the end of an era in my own beauty journey.  I used to swear by these luxe illuminating concealers for years until I discovered other newer, cheaper, and frankly better coverage versions. This was the first of its kind so it was groundbreaking when it was launched. Even though I've moved on I'll remember it fondly...

65) Rimmel Volume Flash x 10 Mascara (001 Black)
I don't want to tell you exactly how long I've been using this budget mascara - just know it's been way too long because it just goes on and on and on... It promises up to 10 x more volume and this creamy mascara does a pretty darn good job at thickening the lashes.  If I have to be picky about it, I did find it was a little too wet when I first used it so the formula needed to dry up a little to get the perfect creamy consistency.  At around $10AUD I would definitely repurchase. 

 

Fragrance

 

66) Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Collection EDP LE (.04fl.oz/1,2 ml sample)
I'm a fan of Narciso's Essence Eau de Musc and got this as a free sample when I made my Eau de Musc purchase. This fragrance has "...dominant aromas of musk, with aromas of ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom". 

That's it for another month of empties!

Vita :)

My hand & nail care routine...

I should have done this post a long time ago.  I've been asked a few times to share my hand and nail care routine so here it finally is!  One important disclaimer:  I just need to remind you I'm not a beauty professional or manicurist, I'm just a beauty fanatic and these are the hand products I currently have on rotation. (I am known to change my products on a whim, particularly when it comes to hand cream because I'm a total product whore!)  Anyway, here we go...

Hand & cuticle moisturisers

I've always got at least a few hand creams on rotation, and my highly original mantra is "moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!" because my skin on my hands is really dry, sensitive and prone to cracking if I neglect it. I always try to apply after I wash my hands (which is frequently), and last thing before I go to bed. At the moment I have two tubes on my bedside table and one in my handbag/purse:

Aveeno Intense Relief hand cream - The first of the bedside table brigade this hand cream is the sensible "cotton underwear" option in moisturisers, and a soothing, reliable option I turn to when my skin's particularly dry or I have an eczema flare up. I've been wearing this one a LOT lately because the wickedly cold weather and the drying effect of indoor heating have been playing havoc with my skin

MOR Orange Blossom hand cream - I bought this earlier this year for the unusual orange blossom scent and the very pretty tube. Luxe packaging is suitable for the boudoir so that's why it's the second hand cream taking up residence on my bedside table. It is rich and lovely and as long as my hands aren't cracked I'll slather it on just to smell the scent!

SHE Sheer Brightness hand cream - To be honest this tube's my current handbag staple just because it was at the top of the hand cream stash! I bought it for the youth preserving properties and the list of magic ingredients include Vitamin C, Antioxidants, Pomegranate and Vitamin F. It absorbs quite well and leaves my skin soft, but the essential oil scent is a little heavy for my personal taste.


OK, when it comes to my cuticles I'm not as vigilant about specifically moisturising them as I should be and I'm also guilty of not using a cuticle remover. I'll use cuticle treatments when I remember and when I apply the treatment and the cuticle has softened I'll very gently push them back. My favourite cuticle moisturiser is Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream but currently I'm using:

Sally Hansen Quick Care Massaging Cuticle Care Treatment - This is quite a nifty little product but it gets buried in my makeup purse and I forget about it! The sweet almond oil and mango seed butter are housed in a pen applicator. One twist and it oozes through the rubber bristle tip to quickly massage into the cuticles and there is a curved edge on one side of the tip perfect for easing the cuticles back

Lucas' Papaw Ointment - This soothing all-rounder sits on my bedside table and I'll use it as an overnight treatment for dry, ragged cuticles and anything else that's dry and ragged! Click here for a full review.

 

Shaping tools

I very rarely use nail clippers to shape my nails and it's only when I want to drastically shorten them, so instead I use my nail file at least weekly to keep them even and under control.

Glass nail file -   I use a glass file to shape my nails rather than an emery board as it doesn't wear down and need to be replaced and it is gentle on my nails.  I have noticed my nails split and chip much less than they used to since I switched from emery to glass so now I have one of these at home and and a pretty crystal bejewelled version in my makeup purse.

Buffer - I'll use a buffer once a month to smooth out any ridges on my nails.  I'm careful not to overdo it and never buff more frequently than monthly as the buffing thins and weakens the nails if done too enthusiastically.

Remover, base & top coats

Because I do my nails quite frequently (i.e. more than once a week) I stick to moisturising polish removers and nourishing, strengthening base coats to minimise the chemical damage.  And because I'm always in a hurry I use quick drying, long lasting top coats! Currently these are:

OPI original polish remover - Recently repackaged in a sleeker, slightly larger bottle for the same price (Yay!) this remover does a decent job of removing my polish and moisturises my nails with aloe vera.  From time to time I do try other products but keep coming back to this and I really don't want to think about how many litres I've gone through...

OPI Nail Envy nail strengthener -  I have used this treatment for years and it seems to have saved me from the damage caused by years of nail biting.  I'll wear two coats over naked nails as a strengthening treatment, although I haven't had naked nails since I started blogging!  Mostly I'll wear a single coat of Nail Envy as my base coat and it works really well as a smooth, protective base for coloured polish. 

China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat - Not my usual quick drying top coat of choice (Hello OPI RapiDry!) but I saw this at a beauty discounters so decided to try it.  It's a bit stinkier and smells more toxic than OPI and has a skinny brush but - bottom line - it does dry quickly and my manicure can last up to 6 days with a single application.

Sally Hansen Megashine Extended Wear Top Coat - This is my other top coat of choice and it really gives that ah-may-zing lacquered shine to any mani.  It dries almost as quickly as RapiDry so it's touch dry within a few minutes and is a really durable top coat where week long mani's are required.  I alternate happily between this and RapiDry.

Quick dry drops

A friend (and follower) introduced me to quick dry polish drops and I've been hooked ever since.  Because I need my polish to dry so quickly with all those colour changes and I want my cuticles to look you know, nice, in those unforgiving closeup pics, quick dry drops take care of both of those needs.  My manicure is good to go in minutes and my cuticles are moisturised by the oils.  Usually I'll use OPI's Drip Dry Drops but at the moment I'm trying Sally Hansen's Speed Dry Drops.  These are considerably more affordable than the OPI drops but are a little oilier so they're not my personal fave.

So - now you know it takes an army to take care of my hands!

  What are your must have hand or nail care products?

Until next time.

Vita :)

REVIEW: Products farewelled in December & the final 2011 tally!

Well, here's my final 2011 empties review post.  Now how close did I get to my goal of 100 empties for the year?

Skin care

87) Palmer's Daily Facial Lotion Lightweight Moisturiser SPF 15 (15ml/.5fl. oz sample size)
I'm a huge fan of Palmer's body lotions and potions but this sample tube is my first experience with their facial range.  This SPF lotion is quite rich and creamy in consistency and because it's the Palmer's signature cocoa butter formula, it has a subtle yummy cocoa scent.  It's also loaded with the following goodies:  shea butter, peptide complex, vitamin E, aloe vera, milk proteins and evening primrose.  It takes a few minutes to absorb  but provides a smooth base for makeup.  I would definitely buy a full size of this moisturiser and as a good beauty blogger I'd actually consider trying the rest of the range to do my 'research'.

88) Lucas' Papaw Ointment (25g)
I did one of my very first review posts on this fab little ointment back in February 2011 (click here).  At that time I wrote that a tube lasts me several months and this is the proof!  I honestly use a tiny dab of this every night as an overnight lip treatment and here we are 11 months later.  It's an all-in-one treatment and is great for treating dry cuticles, scratches, grazes and insect products.  A little wonder product, and a bedside table staple so this is a definite repurchase for me!

89) L'Oreal Gentle Make-up Remover for Eyes & Lips (125ml)
This was my 5th bottle finished this year. I've yet to find anything to beat the gentle but effective formula (click here for original review) but I've recently found a very similar product from Maybelline with less messy packaging.  Expect a full comparison review soon.

Hand & body care

90) Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion (354ml/12 fl. oz)
This was the second bottle I finished this year solely because I bought a twin-pack.  Aveeno's Daily Moisturising Lotion is the cotton underwear equivalent in body lotions IMO - functional and reliable but not sexy.  Great for scaly winter skin hidden under layers of clothes, but when my skin's exposed in summer I want something with a bit of fragrance. The other thing which annoyed me was the struggle to get the last bits of lotion out of the bottle, and I hate wastage.  I'm moving on to more interesting things for moisturising my body this summer.  See my original review here.

91) & 92) OPI Polish Remover (non-oily, moisturizing formula)
Well, Hello I've finished two bottles again this month, making 10 bottles for the year.  All my glitter mani's and regular summer pedi's will account for the increase.  Still my favourite I'm afraid.  If you haven't read my original review click here.

93) OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers Berry Juicie (30ml/1 fl. oz travel size)
Moving on from my unscented Aveeno body lotion I found this little bottle of Avojuice in my stash.  This isn't particularly sexy either but it is fruity! I didn't smell like berries but rather like grape bubblegum, which was fun and funny.  Anyway this lotion has avocado oil as one of its key ingredients and it absorbed super quickly and really did a great job of moisturising my limbs.  I know OPI has a whole range of different 'flavours' so while I wouldn't choose this fragrance again I'd love to try some others such as coconut melon or peach because it makes my skin feel really soft without being greasy and is a fun summer option.

94) Cowshed Cow Pat moisturising hand cream (50ml/1.69 fl.oz travel size)
Cute and amusing name!  I didn't buy this hand cream but got it as a freebie with a UK magazine.  UK mags are the best for freebies but that's another story... I don't know anything about the Cowshed brand because it's UK based but from the Cowshed website, it's very earth-friendly,  using "100% natural, premium quality essential oils" and doesn't test on animals.  Very worthy, and the hand cream felt great on my hands, but the scent is so strong!  Cow pat contains grapefruit and coriander essential oils but according to my son my hands smelt like pesto!  Every time I put this on around my hubby and son it provoked a verbal reaction from them.  This one's a fail.

Cosmetics

95) NYX The Twin Cake powder (CP10 Sand Beige)
The packaging on this shamelessly declares, "This is the best powder I've ever used!!"  I bought this powder early 2011 as part of a bargain beauty challenge and I did fall a little in love with it because of the fine finish and because it's such versatile product.  I can brush it lightly over my skin for a soft sheer finish, use the dry sponge for medium, dewy coverage (my preferred way of wearing it) or use a wet sponge for full foundation-like coverage.  All this for $22AUD.  A definite repurchase.

96) L'oreal Touche Magique illuminating concealer (Rose Beige)
Not too bad a product but the brush drove me mad and I've moved on to Maybelline's Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer as the best of the budget illuminating concealers.  See my post here .

So, I got pretty close to 100 empties and if I waited another week or two I'd probably have hit the century. It gives me something to aim for in 2012.  For a truly impressive yearly consumption tally check out Lil Lady's Life post here.  She managed to finish an amazing 165 products in one year - I'm in total awe!!

Now what's the breakdown of products?  This year I finished (including sample sizes):

• 11 x bottles of nail polish remover
• 9 x hand creams
• 8 x facial moisturisers
• 7 x body moisturisers
• 6 x lipsticks
• 6 x fragrances
• 5 x concealers
• 5 x bottles of eye make-up remover
• 5 x facial cleansers
• 4 x facial serums
• 3 x eyeshadows
• 3 x mascaras
• 3 x nail polish drying drops
• 3 x pressed powders
• 3 x mascaras
• 2 x cuticle oils/creams
• 2 x lip glosses
• 2 x top coats
• 2 x facial softeners
• 2 x body scrubs
• 2 x hair volumising products
• 1 of each of the following:  Lucas' papaw ointment (don't know the category because it fits more than one!), lip pencil, nail strengthener, nail polish, eye pencil

Whew, I did that final tally to satisfy my own curiousity, just to see what I actually used most of during the past 12 months.  Let's see what this year brings!

Until my next post.

Vita :)

REVIEW: Products farewelled in May

You can tell the weather's getting colder.  Half of this month's empties are to prevent parched skin!

Continuing with my progressive tally here's what I thought of these.



24) OPI Polish Remover  (non-oily, moisturizing formula)

My fourth bottle for the year and not my last!  For my original review click here.

25) Natio Spa Heavenly Hand Cream
I've been using this since March just to get rid of it.  The product is okay but I don't like the particularly 'green' grassy fragrance.  I won't be buying this again.  For a more detailed review on both this and the Redwin Sorbolene Moisturiser (below) click here.

26) Redwin Sorbolene Moisturiser
This is a hard-working favourite of mine for my hands and actually it's a great multi-tasker that can be used as a body moisturiser, shaving cream, to soothe sunburn and nappy rash.  I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase this.


27) OPI RapiDry Top Coat
I've used several bottles of this over the years and it's great at sealing my manicure quickly and lets me get on with things without worrying about dented or sheet-printed manicures.

Pros:

• My manicure is touch-dry within five minutes
• Provides a high shine finish
• Gives my mani durability (up to a week)

Cons:

• You need to use lacquer thinner to extend the life of this product (otherwise it becomes too thick after about two-thirds use)
• The brush actually broke on this bottle!
• Price:  $25.95AUD

Would I buy this again?
Actually I have, but I'm also a fan of Sally Hansen's quick-drying products when I'm on a budget.


28) Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion
I bought this as a two-pack from Costco a few months ago because I was already a bit of a fan of the Aveeno hand cream and figured I'd give this a try as well.  This is very similar in formula to the Aveeno hand cream as it contains natural colloidal oatmeal to prevent and protect dry skin and claims to moisturise your skin "...for a full 24 hours".

Pros:

• Good for sensitive skin
• Fragrance free so doesn't compete for attention with your perfume
• Makes my wintery skin silky soft and prevents the usual scaly dry skin
• Soothes itchy dry skin immediately
• Absorbs well,  non-greasy
• Large bottle size - 354ml/12fl.oz

Cons:

• I found the pump mechanism made it difficult to get the last bits of lotion out of the bottle

Would I buy this again?
I've already got a back-up because of the twin pack but I'd definitely buy this again for winter moisturising and preventing the usual crocodile skin.


29) Lancome Rouge Attraction Lipstick (Orange Hypnose) - Discontinued 
I bought this lipstick at half-price a few years ago and it's been my staple evening lippy ever since.  This was a faintly sparkly orange-red lippy with a semi-matte finish.  The formula was heavily pigmented with good staying power and no bleeding.  I'm disappointed these lipsticks have been discontinued otherwise I'd certainly consider buying this again because of its unusual finish and the gorgeous luxe packaging (matte silver bullet with slanted gold-tipped lid).




*Thanks to everyone for their comments on yesterday's post.  Here are my comments right back at you:

@Izabella - Thanks!

@Leanne - Glad you're a purple fan too.  I really loved MAC's Rebel and used it up to the last drop.  I have a friend who still has a bottle on hand.  I might see if I can borrow it to post a swatch for you!

@Melyssa - thanks for the tips on Blogger.  I'm going to get my Hubby to check it out this weekend to see if we can solve this ourselves too :)

@Vintage - Thanks!  Ingrid swatch coming soon!

@McDiaz714 - Shame this colour didn't work out for you.

@Makeup and Macaroons - Hi Lilit, glad you liked the swatch!  Seems we're all having Blogger probs at the moment :(

That's all for now.

Vita :)

REVIEW: Products farewelled in February

Hi!

It's been a pretty slow-w-w month for me in terms of finishing off products.  A bit frustrating 'cos I'm itching to complete my Project 10 Pan and go shopping!   Back in January I'd emptied my first four products for the year.

Here's how I went and this month's review:

5)Loreal Gentle Make-up Remover for Eyes & Lips

I've tried several waterproof make-up removers with varying success (and failure!) over the years. Some have been blindingly greasy, literally blurring my vision, and some have been downright ineffective! Some have just simply been a bit too pricey for my budget.  I've found this Loreal remover to be a reasonable product, at a reasonable price.  This bottle is filled with half and half oil and watery lotion which you shake to create an emulsion to remove your make-up.

Pros:

-Gentle on the eyes and does not sting
-Suitable for contact lens wearers

-Doesn't leave greasy residue on the lids

-Removes waterproof eye make-up and long-wearing lip products

-Reasonable price - retails at around $12AUD

Cons:

-Requires a bit of elbow grease to remove heavy waterproof mascara (or risk panda eyes in the morning)

-If you shake the bottle too vigorously you risk drips of this product on the bathroom bench!

Would I buy this again?

Yes, for the price.

6) OPI Polish Remover

 (non-oily, moisturizing formula)

I've got to confess to having used OPI's green bottle of remover for years, as a logical partner for all of my OPI nail polish.  As per the back of the bottle the... "Mild acetone formula moisturizes with Aloe Vera while removing all traces of nail lacquer without streaking or staining."  I pretty much agree with this.  To maximize   effective removal of polish I hold the saturated make-up pad onto the nail for a good few seconds prior to wiping the polish away in one downward stroke along the nail.

Pros:

-Not too drying on my nails

-Effective at removing all brands of polish

-Pleasant fragrance

-Reasonable price at under $10AUD for 120ml

Cons:

-The screw-top lid is an issue for me as I've had a few spillages.  I'd prefer a flip-top or small nozzle.

Would I buy this again?

Yes - unless someone can recommend a better product :)

7) Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream

This is the second tube of hand cream used up in two months!  Not surprising really as I've got really dry, sensitive skin so I'm always applying it.  The Aveeno hand cream was my bedside table tube, applied every night before bed.  The special ingredient in this cream is natural colloidal oatmeal which is meant to form a protective barrier on the skin, moisturising for 24 hours and even lasting through hand washing.

Pros:

-Easily absorbed and non-greasy

-Neutral fragrance

-A little goes a long way

-Non-irritating on my sensitive skin

-Moisturising effect lasts to some degree after one hand wash

-Middle of the range price at around $10AUD

Cons:

- Large 100g tube not handbag friendly

- I found it a little difficult to squeeze the last little bits of product out of the tube

Would I buy this again?

Yes, for the bedside table.

8) Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion

I ummed and ahhed over whether I would include body lotions in Project 10 Pan as originally I was going to restrict myself to face and hand products only.  I finally decided I would because I really love this product and wanted to share the love.  Okay...I have keratosis on my upper arms which gives me an annoying goose-bumpy look. This stuff keeps it under control with its Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids which exfoliate the skin.  It additionally contains Vitamin E & Shea Butter which moisturise.

Pros:
-Absorbs quickly
-Smooths and moisturises the appearance of my skin
-Pleasant fragrance
-Reasonably priced at around $8AUD for a 250ml bottle

Cons:
-Packaging:  I had to stand the bottle on its head to get the last bits of product

Would I buy this again?
Yes, it's a skin saver for me.

Eight products down, two to go, then I hit the shops!

Until the next post.

Vita :)