August's farewelled products

Here are the last bits and pieces I finished for the winter season - quite an even mix of skin care and makeup this time around...

Skin care

89) La Clinica Anti-Ageing Gentle Milk Facial Cleanser (200ml/7.4 fl.oz)* - This creamy and gentle cleanser was my morning in-shower choice although it's so gentle it can simply be wiped off with a damp cleansing cloth. I loved the natural Rosehip oil scent too.

90) L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water (200ml) - Just as effective and soothing as the other micellar waters I've used although for whatever reason I found it really messy to squeeze out of the bottle.  A bit of a packaging fail for me.

91) Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths (25 towelettes)* - These fragrance-free cloths live up to their claims as they left my skin feeling simply clean with no residue whatsoever.  My one criticism? The cloths are reasonably small so sometimes more than one cloth was needed for a full cleanse.

92) Palmer's Daily Facial Lotion SPF 15 (100ml/3.38oz.)* - This daily moisturizer had a disconcerting 'grainy' feel when rubbing it into my skin.  I usually love Palmer's products so I was disappointed this didn't live up to their usual standards - I don't know if I was unlucky and received a faulty product?

93) Timeless Truth Stem Cell Extract Mask - I used this to replenish my skin as the second step in a two mask pampering session, following a deep cleansing clay mask.  Problem? This tiny little sheet mask was designed for a smaller face so I felt quite claustrophobic while it was on my face!

Hand and body care

94) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - Yet another bottle of my favourite remover done.

95) Italian Garden Honey & Almond Shower Gel (245ml/8.28 fl.oz) - This was given to me as part of a set for Christmas.  I really loved the strong, predominantly honey scent and it was a cozy choice for a winter morning shower!

96) Italian Garden Honey & Almond Body Scrub (145ml/4.9 fl.oz) - I didn't love this at all.  The scrub was less effective than the shower puff I squirted it into.

Cosmetics

97) Rimmel Idol Eyes Mascara by Kate Moss (004 Eye Rock Jet Black)* - This is such an intensely black mascara as evidenced by the black residue soaking all the way through my makeup remover pads! The heart-shaped brush did require a little twirl of the wrist for the best effect but I really enjoyed the thick black lashes and this product did not flake or run.  

98) Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder (001 Transparent) - Not a bad mattifying powder but not a HG either and the cheap plastic lid cracked and broke in my makeup purse.

99) The Body Shop Flavoured Lip Gloss (10 Coconut) - Deliciously flavoured and the shimmery, milky shade was a gorgeous topper for nude lippy. I'm considering a repurchase of this some time in future.

100) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (Honey) - I loved this go-to mauve-pink lip colour so much that I have a backup!

101) Urban Decay 24/7 Liner Pencil (Ransom) - Such gorgeousness in a purple liner and I love the glide on formula. I'm considering a repurchase of this one too!

Fragrance

102) Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet (1ml/0.03 fl.oz sample) - Very soft and delicately pretty for spring, but no lasting power at all unfortunately.  From the Dior website this fragrance: "...glorifies the mandarin and the peony on downy notes of white musk. The peony is at the heart of this new signature. Its unique trail combines the rose Damascus essence with fruity notes to recreate the outstanding scent of this flower, elusive in its natural state."

And some more samples...

Over and out for now!

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

November's farewelled products (2013 edition)

I don't have much to say by way of introducing this post although I suppose it feels like November was skincare month for me because I got through a lot of it...

 

 

Skin care

 

125) Vanedo Beauty Friends Raspberry Essence Mask - Expect to see sheet masks popping up every month from now on because I have a new skincare addiction and I've recently replenished my stock!  This particular mask claimed to be firming and brightening and I certainly did notice a comfortably firming effect while I was wearing the mask and for a little while afterwards.  I love the Vanedo brand of sheet masks although they've been a bit difficult to source online so far.

 

126) Skinlite Green Tea Essence Mask - I know the Skinlite range of sheet masks can be purchased via the Sasa website.  This green tea essence mask also claims lifting properties but I didn't particularly notice, although it was hydrating so I guess I'd score it a 5 out of 10.  Nice but not remarkable.  See I am starting to get picky about these finally!

 

127) BE Fresh Make-up Remover Wipes For Sensitive Skin (25 wipes) - This is the second variety of wipes I've tried from this Priceline brand (see my previous experience here).  Although these are for sensitive skin and are fragrance free, they do contain alcohol - not an issue for me but possibly worth noting for some of you.  Anyway they did a perfectly good job of removing my makeup so I would repurchase if I wasn't still on my journey of trying every different makeup wipe in sight!

 

 

128) Maybelline City Rescue Total Clean! Express Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (70ml) - This is the third bottle of Maybelline's City Rescue Total Clean! I've used this year which means a couple of things: 1) I like it; but...  2) The 70ml bottle's a little small for this makeup junkie!

 

129) Pond's Flawless White Ultra Luminous Serum (30ml) - Serums are always so dang small in volume aren't they? I inevitably finish the serum first when I'm using an entire skincare range so of course this happened.  I don't think I'd ever tried a Pond's product until they brought out the Flawless White range this year - anyway, the serum is one of those slightly velvety, almost silicone feeling products that slides onto the skin making it feel instantly smooth.  Apart from it feeling nice I can't say that I noticed any remarkable changes in my skin's appearance so I won't be repurchasing. 

 

130) Neutrogena Healthy Defence Daily Moisturiser SPF 30+ (40ml) - One of my old faithful SPF moisturisers and a repeat purchase because of its high SPF and light, non-oily formula. 

 

 131) Dior Capture Totale Multi Perfection Concentrated Serum (3ml sample) - Another teaser from my little collection of Dior skincare samples this serum is meant to "intensely correct even the most deep-set visible signs of aging".  It's a light gel fluid, quickly absorbed and left my skin feeling refreshed.  Indulgent but tempting all the same. 

132) Dior Capture Totale Multi Perfection Crème (3ml sample) - As with the serum this is an anti-aging product. A very easily absorbed daily moisturiser with a lovely gentle scent.  A nice teaser as above!

133) La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Extreme Fluid SPF 50+ (3ml sample) - This facial sunscreen is suitable for oily and acne prone skin so I expected it to be more matte than it was.  A good product in terms of its high protection factor but be warned:  more powdering of the T-zone is necessary!

 

 

Hand and body care

 

134) The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Hand Cream (30ml/1.0 Fl.oz) - I loved this little tube of rich, almost edible scented hand cream a little too much because I used it up so quickly, applying it at every opportunity.  Just how yummy does it smell?  Well, the deliciously sugary vanilla scent was so irresistible that my work colleague had to buy a tube too! The 30ml tube is the perfect handbag size so I would definitely repurchase this for moisturising my hands on the go.

 

135) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120 ml/4 Fl.oz) - This remover promises "superior performance" and, well, it works - I'd have to do some kind of comparison trial to tell exactly how much better this is than the original!  Even though it is slightly more expensive than the original formula I'll be sticking with this now that I've discovered it because I feel it does a better job of dissolving nail polish with less wiping or rubbing necessary. 

 

136) Garnier Bodytonic Sugar Scrub (200ml) - This scrub is a repurchase after a long break.  It does a reasonable job of exfoliating and I like the citrus scent as a morning wake me up and the ease of application from the tube.  Also being a sugar scrub means it's easily rinsed off and doesn't leave any pesky granules in the shower.  Not a bad drugstore option so I can see I'll buy it again when the mood strikes. 

 

Fragrance

 

137) Tom Ford Café Rose EDP (1.5ml/.05fl.oz) - I have collected quite a few TF sample vials and I've been stupidly torn between hoarding them and using them - the problem being, what if I love a particular scent? And then of course it'll be prohibitively expensive and I'll be pining over it because I've used it all up.  Oh well, I've decided I'm just going to use them and risk that broken heart.  Café Rose was one to break my heart a little because I enjoyed how it was clearly rose but with a distinctly spicy, incense slant. The top notes are saffron, black pepper and may rose; middle notes are Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose and coffee; base notes are incense, amber (the note I come back to again and again), sandalwood and patchouli.

 

138) Bulgari Mon Jasmin Noir EDP (50 ml/1.7 fl.oz) - Okay so this one has broken my heart to finish largely because it was a gift from my husband.  I'm considering holding onto the bottle as a keepsake for that reason and for its elegance.  This fragrance was a bit of a sleeper for me - initially I felt it was too straightforward floral jasmine but there is also a slight woodiness about it which gives it that little bit of interest.  The notes are:  lily of the valley, sambac jasmine, musky nougatine, vibrant wood.

 

 

So that's it for November's empties.  I was considering a video post too but it's been a little too hectic around here to coordinate! 







VIDEO POST: Collective Haul (Bite Beauty, Dior, Hourglass, L'Oreal, MAC, Napoleon Perdis, YSL & more!)

It's been a while but Ling and I finally had the chance to record another video! 

 

This time we share all of the beauty booty we "accumulated" during October via gifts, free offers and obviously shopping.  Sit back and relax in front of your computer screen while we take you through and give some first impressions - mostly good but there was one notable disappointment...

 

Brands and products featured:
 

 Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick - Rose

Butter London Nail Lacquer - Scouse

Dior Vernis - 658

Face of Australia Carnivale Nail Enamel - Between the Flags

Face of Australia - Gentle Make-up Remover

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - Dim Light

L'Oreal Color Riche nail polish - Atomic Purple, Neon Turquoise, Flashing Lilac

 MAC Ri Ri Hearts MAC Collection - Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush, Ri Ri Woo matte lipstick

Milk - beauty wipes

Napoleon Perdis - Cream Blush, Lip Gloss, Lashes to Lashes Mascara 

Pati Dubroff Lip Balm Crayons - Bare Petal, Dark Orchid, Honeysuckle, Persimmon, Rosebloom

She lipstick - Afina

YSL Glossy Stain - 104

 

Until next time...