Product Empties and Review: July - December 2018


In the past 5 months, I am quite proud of the amount of products used up. As usual, I have separated my review in different categories for convenience - facial wipes/puffs, cleansers and moisturizers, body products, haircare, makeup and miscellaneous. 


FACIAL WIPES/COTTON PADS:
1. Wide Cotton Puff - I purchase these from a Japanese store in Market Village back then (I'm sure you can find these in Pacific Mall now). They retail for about $2 a box, and have high quality, thick and big cotton pads that can remove my entire face's worth of makeup. I always have a backup of these, I think I have about 6 boxes right now! They don't fall apart and it just works!

2. First Aid Beauty - Caffeine Matcha Wipes* - These wipes work well to remove my makeup, I like to use these when I am removing makeup from the tutorials that I do - the textured wipes work really well to remove layers of heavy makeup from my face. These are infused with antioxidant-rich Matcha Tea, brightening Vitamin C, Aloe Vera to soothe and Caffeine to energize. These do make me feel energized after, like my face is refreshed. I really like the and it does not irritate my skin. 

3. Vichy - Pure Thermale Makeup Removing Micellar Cleansing Wipes* - For those of you who have sensitive skin, this product is great for you. It works well to remove your skin of makeup and dirt and the Vitamin E soothes and refreshes the skin. Since these wipes do not have alcohol in it, they will not irritate you and these have been tested by dermatologists and are hypoallergenic. 


FACE/LIP CLEANSERS/MOISTURIZERS/SCRUBS/OILS:
1. LUSH - Chocolate Lip Scrub - you know those chocolate oranges that are amazingly delicious? LUSH has somehow been able to bottle that up into a lip scrub that works wonders in getting rid of the dead and flakey skin on the lips. As well, it leaves your lips feeling soft and moisturized because they packed it with jojoba oil! This is a definite repurchase in the future, it's my favorite scrub from all the ones they have!

2. Clinique - Moisture Surge - This is a product I have been using on and off for the past few years, it is a gel based moisturizer that works well to really hydrate the skin without being sticky or feeling heavy. It absorbs rather quickly so that you can go about your day, uninterrupted. 

3. Institute Esthederm - Esthe White Brightening Youth Cleansing Foam* - I really like this foam cleanser, one pump delivers a perfect marshmallow cloud like amount of foam that you rub gently in circular motions on the face. I find that it works really well to make my face feel really clean without stripping it, and through time I did notice that I looked brighter, more radiant. I typically use this after I have removed my makeup with micellar water and a cotton pad.

4. Laneige - Essential Power Skin Toner - The one I have is in the older packaging, in case you were wondering why it looks difference. This is a really nice soothing toner that works well to remove any traces of dirt on your face that cleansing couldn't do. It's hydrating and soothing and smells great.

5. L'Oreal Paris - Pure Sugar Scrub with Kiwi* - This stuff is gold - it goes on and warms your skin up a bit, but the exfoliation is great and the scent is magical - like white grape kiwi deliciousness. I really wish they would just make this in a bigger form, perhaps in a plastic squeeze bottle as the glass jar is quite heavy and doesn't house enough product for me. I really love it and will continue to re-purchase it!

6. Laneige - Water Sleeping Mask - Again, what I have pictured above is the older packaging - this is a product I use at night before I sleep to let it sink in and work its magic. I wake up to plumper more hydrated skin and I look like I got an extra hour of sleep. 

7. Sunday Riley - Ceramic Slip Cleanser - This is yet another product where the packaging and formulation (I see online) has changed since the one I used up. The one I used in the bottle you see above was great, I enjoyed the herbal scent it was very relaxing and it worked to decrease the oil production on my face and keep my oil at bay. 

8. Poetic Blend - The Hero Oil - I purchased this a few years back at the One of A Kind Show and even met the owner, Mikayla who is such a genuine and sweet person. Her passion for skincare and beauty products is evident and I really love to support local businesses. This oil worked wonders on my skin and is even better than products that are more expensive than this that you find at department stores. Unfortunately, I never got to truly finish the product, I had about 1/4 bottle left, but man I miss it so much! One day I want to try more from her line when I'm back at work!


BODY PRODUCTS:
1. LUSH - Lord of Misrule Shower Cream* - this shower cream is limited to the holidays and I like to buy two big bottles and just hoard it to use through the year. It smells so amazing, a bit spicy a bit sweet... its literally holidays in a bottle. I love it!

2. BIODERMA - Atoderm Shower Oil* - I particularly like to use this in the drier weather as the oil formula really keeps you moisturized. It stays on the skin after you've towel dried, in a good way, just adds a layer of protection! 

3. Live Clean - Invigorating Body Wash* - I used Live Clean products throughout my pregnancy and loved it, you will find countless reviews of their products on my blog! This one smells of lavender eucalyptus, a great combination to make you feel relaxed and refreshed.

4. LUSH - Yuzu and Cocoa Shower Cream - I really wish they would make this permanent, it smells like orange chocolates, in a subtle good way, not overwhelming at all, and is so moisturizing on the skin. I could use this all the time if possible! 


HAIRCARE:
Live Clean - Mineral Clay Rebalancing Shampoo* and Conditioner*: I have gone through a set of this already, and this is my second one. I already have my third set in the shower - that's how much I love it. It helps control the oil production on my scalp and I find myself no longer having to wash my hair everyday. I have now worked up to going about 3 days without having to wash my hair and its amazing. Plus the scent is beautiful, I wish it would be a room spray or something!


MAKEUP:
1. Milani - Brow Shaping Clear Wax - When I first started doing my brows, I used this to set my brows first, and applied powder and it helped the product and hairs to stay in place. It goes on clear and works well in making your brows look natural.

2. Revlon - Photoready Insta-Filter Foundation* - I have written about this product on the blog before, if you're interested in seeing my thoughts, then click here.

3. Murad - MattEffect Blotting Perfector - This stuff is gold, it does dry out fast though so make sure you keep the cushion lid on tight. but this stuff keeps you MATTE. They say you can use this under and over makeup (as a touch up), but I prefer to use it as a primer and honestly it made me matte all day. LOVED it and will repurchase in the future!

4. Stila - Perfectly Poreless Putty Foundation* - This product is a hit or miss in my opinion from reviews I read, but for me it was a hit. It almost has a silicone like feeling, that makes my skin look airbrushed. You do not need alot either so a bit goes a long way! It feels weightless and I bring this with me on vacation! It layers well and can go from a sheer to medium buildable finish. 

5. Elizabeth Arden - Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer* - this has a whipped weightless texture that smoothes out pores and fine lines on the face. It made me look airbrushed under makeup and also let makeup sit really well on the face. I would repurchase this for sure in the future. 

6. Flawless by Friday - Natural Knockout Lip Duo - I have written about this product before here, and also have worn it in a tutorial - if you're interested about it then you can read it here. This is a great my lips but better shade and having a liquid lip and gloss together in one tube is very functional.

7. Kat Von D - Ink Liner - Though KVD does make great products, I have decided to not repurchase products at this time. It is a great matte black liner with a great felt tip and is one of the best liners I have used and I have mentioned it before on the blog before. So if you're interested in reading my thoughts on it then you can look for it in the search bar on the side of my blog. 

8. YSL - Touche Eclat - This is a very nice highlighting product that is natural and just helps you add the touch of radiance to the face and natural light. I like to apply it to the high points of my face and a bit over my concealer. It just adds a bit of diffused glow which is perfect. 

9. Avon True Color - Fiber Full Eyebrow Gel - This pen has soft plastic bristles on the end that dispenses the product. It works well and the bristles brushes the hair in place.


10. KOKO Lashes - KOKO x2 - I have been using these lashes for a few years and I really like how comfortable it is on my lashes, it's weightless and adds enough volume without looking like I have two big fuzzy caterpillars on my eyes. They are super affordable too, about $7.99 USD and I get about 10-15 wears from them, or more!

11. Annabelle - Lipsies (Lychee) - Lychee is one of my favorite scents/fruits/flavors so when Annabelle released this, I was ecstatic! I think it is limited edition though, or they no longer make it - boo!

12. Amazing Cosmetics - Amazing Concealer - I really did like this concealer while I had it, it is like heavy duty thick concealer that covers everything. However, I won't be repurchasing this as it goes bad so quickly! I think I only had this for 2-3 months and it started smelling like crayons, and it was brand new when I bought it. Plus, there is a learning curve to use this as it is such a thick paste. 

13. Bobbi Brown - Under Eye Corrector - this stuff is magical, I don't know why I stopped using it! The light peach shade conceals my dark panda eye bags and then when I go to apply concealer over it, it's flawless! I should repurchase this!

14. Anastasia Beverly Hills - Dip Brow Pomade - This stuff is great, but it dries out before I even make a dent in it. I prefer using their pencil or powder to be honest as I liked the more natural look. 

16. Bobbi Brown - Creamy Concealer Kit - Again, Bobbi Brown makes amazing concealer type products. This one features a concealer and setting powder in one compact that compliments each other well. The powder is lighter than the concealer to help add brightness to the under eye. 

17. Pixi Beauty - Endless Brow Gel Pen - This brow pencil is soft and therefore makes it easy to fill in the sparse areas of the brow and also holds it in place. I do prefer a harder product, but for a drugstore this was pretty good. I would however like to try other products first in the future before gravitating back to this.

18. Burberry - Cat Eye Liner*- I really like some items Burberry comes out with in terms of their makeup, but this one was a miss for me. The liquid liner was not pigmented, it was hard to apply as the tip was very flimsy and it just didn't quite work. For a Jet Black liquid liner I want it to be black, opaque, not grey sheer. Sorry! Their blushes, lipsticks, shadows and mascaras though are fantastic!


MISC:
1. Zoya - 3-in-1 Formulat Remove + - this stuff is amazing! I'm on my second bottle and will keep on repurchasing it. It has a great pump bottle and can even turn the cap to lock if you need it to. It wipes off glitter polish just as well as regular polish and doesn't dry out or damage my nails. I will be usign this forever! 

2. Sephora - Solid Brush Cleanser - This is the full size version, and boy do I miss it. I wish they still had the big ones, but it seems like they only have mini ones. I have three back-ups of the mini ones just in case they decide to discontinue it too. This just works well, smells great and effectively cleanses all my brushes. It also comes with a silicone textured pad to help reach into the bristles of your brushes. It makes the bristles soft and doesn't damage it.

3. Seche - Instant Gel Effect Top Coat* - I prefer this formulation over the original Seche Vite, it does make it look like I had a gel manicure and it also dries relatively quickly. I would say this has a longer shelf life than the original as well, it doesn't thicken as quickly. I am currently on my second bottle, so 

Have you tried any of these products before? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were sent to me for review/consideration, all opinions are my own.

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