January 2023 Empties!

 

Wow, it's been some time since I posted an empties post...almost a whole year later ;)  I had a bit of free time on my hand I been trying to finish up some stuff. Some weeks, I do manage to finish stuff but, other weeks I get lazy and don't do anything but scroll on Instagram.

I stopped buying facial sheets unless I see a really good sale because as great as they make my skin feel, I just never feel like doing them. When I was on break during the holidays I tried using a few from my stash and while they left my skin hydrated and soft, none was really noteworthy enough to re-purchase. Plus, I find that I get the same results from layering and moisturizing more throughout the day. Perhaps, when I get out of my lazy phase I might start using them again but, it's to be seen.

I love the idea of shower steamers but, they can be a hassle because I have to really plan ahead. I used to unwrap and use the steamers while I was taking a hot shower. Now, I let the hot water run for a few minutes until my bathroom gets all hot and steamy and then I drop a steamer under the water. I find the scent to be more noticeable. I bought Dew.Well and Popchose from Amazon and I had the best results from these brands than other ones I have tried from Amazon. The scents were really fragrant and could be smelled from outside of the box. I actually been using two of the shower steamers from Popchose as air freshner as it smells so good.

I have shopped at Bath and Body Works for many years and I was so excited when I noticed they make bar soaps in some of their favorite or maybe best selling scents. I bought the Eucalyptus Spearmint and Butterfly scents. The bars smelled great and were true to their scents. The bars were a bit smaller than I was expecting or maybe it's I seem to go through them quicker than my other bars of soap. The soap is very creamy and it's not drying. However, I still had to follow up with lotion. They are a bit steep at $8.50 a bar but, that's on par with how much I pay with other triple milled or goat milk soap bars. The great thing about BBW is that they always have tons of sales though!

Is there anything you got this new year that you are excited to try?

April 2022 Empties!

 

I finished quite a few things this month! But, I need to hold on to this momentum and not buy anything else...or at least try not to ;)

I finished a few masks this month. I was trying to do a new sheet mask every other day and I think I managed to meet that goal. I like the Let Me Skin mask because it was so hydrating. I am not sure why it was called "ultra bubble" but, it was super hydrating.  I like the Purenskin Natural Effect Real Green Tea Mask but, it was a bit more messy than it needed to be. I also had a hard time to pop the bubble to mix the products. I liked the Super Hyalon G:H8 Super Hyalon Ampoule product. However, I felt like the packaging was a bit wasteful.

I like the creamy Payot Paris Hydra 24+ Creme Glacee. It goes on smoothly and my skin just drinks it up. I wasn't a fan of the Meta~Pora Smile Daily Eye Serum. I didn't really notice any results and felt like it was just regular aloe vera I was rubbing on.

Here is everything I finished this month -

Frecipe Peach Jelly Bomb Mask

Nature Republic Acai Berry Mask Sheet

Jant Blanc Honey Essential Sheet Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack - Rose

Miss Spa Brighten Mask

Innisfree Kiwi Face Mask

Let Me Skin Ultra Bubble Bubble 02 Mask

Bathorium Crush Baslam Fir + Frankincense

Innisfree Green Tea Face Mask

Innisfree Pomegranate Face Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask

Purenskin Natural Effect Real Green Tea Mask

Bathorium Crush Vanilla Cream

Purenskin Pear Mask

Skinfactory Aqua Skin-in

Flaunt by Lauren Napier Facial Cleansing Wipes

Super Hyalon G:H8 Super Hyalon Ampoule

Y.N.M. Quick Morning Mask

Bathorium Mistletoe + Holly

Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask

Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb

Payot Paris Hydra 24+ Creme Glacee

Earth Harbor Tidal Rose Crystal Hydration Mist

Laura Geller Dramalash Maximum Volumizing Mascara

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

Meta~Pora Smile Daily Eye Serum

Nuria Defend Skin Shielding Essence

Tsubaki Extra Moist Conditioner

Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask

Earth to Skin Tea Time White Tea Cleanser

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser

July 2021 Haul!

 

Ah, July is almost half way finished and it can take the hot weather with it! I can't wait for cooler temperatures. On a side note, what happened to Spring? It was like winter one day and then blistering heat the next. 

I got a few products that I am very excited to try. Broo is a shampoo and condition set made with beer. I read somewhere that beer can actually make your hair really shiny. The packaging notes that it has a citrus scent which is good because I do not want to smell like beer.

I have used a few of Wander Beauty products and I love their skincare products and find their beauty items like mascara and eye palettes to be mediocre. I got two new skincare products from them - their Do Not Disturb night concentrate and their Sight C-Er which is a vitamin C concentrate. I have tons of dark spots and I heard vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of dark spots. 

I bought a few products from Aster Raine. I bought a Omni Scrub, the reverse serum. firm & glow serum, and  rejuvenating cream. I am excited to try this organic and simple ingredient brand. 

I bought another Marc Jacobs in Enamored. I love the Fresh brand but, I have a love and hate relationship with their lip balm. I saw they have a new Rose petal soft lip cream and I am excited to try it. I got two bold new colors from Stila in Beso and Mac in Starf*cker. I can't wear to wear these beauties!

I got a new scrubby face wash from HoliFrog that I am excited to try. The packaging is very beautiful. I have a few of the sleep spray and bath salts from ThisWorks and I enjoyed it. I got the Deep Sleep Body Cocoon body cream to promote restful sleeping. 

I heard so many good things about the brand Serumkind and I got their Royal Black Tulip hand cream. I been washing my hands like a crazy and most creams haven't really made an impact on my dry skin. I am really hoping this helps my skin.

Have you gotten anything this month that you are excited to try?

May 2021 Empties!

 

 

 

May? Is that you? I thought it was just April. The year has gone by with the blink of an eye. I feel like the month goes by fast when you least expect it. I managed to finish quite a few things this month and hopefully, I finish more things next month...cause I bought over 400 new things this month already....

I liked the Elemis Superfood Cica serum. It went on smoothly but, it was a bit tacky. It felt nice against my skin during the warmer days. I liked the Evolue super oil but, I am not sure if it did much. It had a bit of a greasy feeling on my fingertips.

I heard good things about Micellar water and thought I would get on the bandwagon. I am not impressed with the Hello Fab makeup melter. It took several applications to remove my eye makeup and I had to follow up with additional cleanser.  I had a similar experience with the Pacifica makeup wipes. I had to put additional makeup remover on each wipe to remove my eye makeup.

Here is everything I finished this month -

Evolue Super Oil

Skinceuticals Phyto+ Correct

Akar Skin Pure Lip Restoration

Native Deodorant

Neogen Dermalogy Real Vita C Serum

Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray

Sabon Anti-Aging Smoothing Night Cream

Cargo Cosmetics Lip Gloss - Vienna

Merci Handy Hand Cream

Hello Fab Coconut Micellar Makeup Melter

Fekkai Glossing Cream

Purenskin Natural Effect Real Oatmeal Mask

Facetory Woah That H20 Hydrating Mask

SpaLife Tell Your Blackheads to Stop Being So Nosy Mask

Avette Daily Fresh Squeeze

Ojena Moisture Essential Vita Mask Water Hydrating

MediHeal Warming Eye Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Sodium Hyaluronate + Lotus

Pacifica Purify Facial Cleansing Wipe

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Chamomile + Tea Tree

MediHeal N.M.F Intensive Hydrating Mask

Jayjun Cosmetics Rose Blossom Mask

Niveola E.G.C 3D Festival Mask Pack

January 2021 Empties Part 2!

 

 

I am really proud of myself for finishing so many things. I have consistently finished quite a few facial sheet masks and full sized products. I finished three nail polishes which is the most I ever finished in one season! Although, I buy at least 20.... I am little sad that some of these indie brands nail polishes tend to dry up when they are about half way finished.  I noticed a lot of times the brushes don't even met halfway to the bottle so there is a lot of product that can't be used which is very wasteful.

I used to love Black Dahlia Lacquers but, I found that their formulas are a bit chunky and they become dried up after a few uses. This was my first nail polish by LynB Designs and  I loved the cheery yellow color but, when the bottle was half way finished, the formula became unstable and chunky. It completely dried up and the brush that was provided didn't reach the bottom so I could try to use it up.

I been doing a lot of scrubs lately and I am not crazy over the dp Hue ACV salt scrub. It was kind of underwhelming and it didn't lather. Although, I like that I wasn't stuck with bits of salt in my hair after washing. I loved the Pistache body butter, it left my skin so soft and hydrated without the greasy feeling. It was such a treat to apply, I found myself applying it throughout the day and it left my skin feeling amazing and delicately scented.

Here is everything I finished -

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Bath

23 Years Old Seaweed Silky Mask

Huangjisoo Tea-Tree Soothing Mask

Dewytree Cica 100 Mask

Aroh This Mask Pack Brightens Your Skin in a Twinkle

Facetory Be Bright Be You

Pistache Skincare Pistachio Oil Pistacho Body Butter

Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches

Facetory Everday Olive Squalane

Facetory Sun Bae Soothing Mask

HaruHaru Maqui Berry AntiOxidant Wonder Mask

Feelxo Firming Camellia Mask Floral Skincare Recipe

Cosmetea Black Tea Nourishing Moisture Mask

Grace & Stella Anti-Wrinkle Face Mask

Black Dahlia Lacquer - Moonlight Daisy

Doctor Babor Derma Cellular Collagen Booster Cream

Golden Door Soothing Cleansing Foam

LYNB Designs Nail Polish - Trying Very Hard Not to Connect With People Right Now

Julep Nail Polish - Hana

Dove Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner

BBW Love Luxury Bath

Generation Clay Urban Defence Purifying Pink Clay Mask

Ode Orchard Alchemy Antioxidant Face Oil

Glamglow GravityMud Firming Treatment

OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub

Sunday Riley Luna Retional Oil

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

H2O+ Hydration Sensitive Gel Cream Moisturizer

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm AGE Smart

dp Hue ACV Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub

January 2021 Haul Part 2!

 

 

Ahhh, January is almost done and gone! I can't believe how fast the days go but, when I am working the hours and minutes move by so slowly. I been trying to keep my makeup spending to a minimum but, honestly, I have no self control. I have no idea why I buy so many palettes and use the same one over and over. I really can't refuse a good sale. I am trying not to buy everything on sale but, limiting myself to only a few sale items so that I can have more in my spending account for the "good" end of the year sales.

I bought a boatload of new facial masks. I got this oatmeal mask from Purenskin that I am really excited to try. I have tried a basic oatmeal mask and it really soothe my skin. I hoping this one has similar or even better results. I got a few Facetory branded masks from their new lines and I am really excited to try them. I got the chamomile and artemisia ones that look pretty awesome.

I got two new bar soaps that I found from TJ Maxx. I got one Peony scent and another Bourbon and Pine scent that has a nice winter-y scent. I love trying new bar soaps because it can make an ordinary moment more special.

I got a few more lip products that I am excited to try them...at home. I got the beloved Ruby Woo MAC lipstick that heard has a cult following. I love lip products and the color red. I got a new Juice Beauty lip product in Gwyneth and NYX lip oil in Sheer Blush. I heard of people liking both of these products and I can't wait  to try them.

I got a few new Korean facial care products that I am excited to try. I got this clay ampoule cleasner by Lala Chuu that looks interesting.  The cream version of the Facetory's Artemisia line and a few facial oils from Keep Cool, Pixi beauty and Akar Skin.

Did you get anything new that you are excited to try?

December 2020 Empties!

 

 

Happy Holidays, dear Reader! I can't believe the year is almost over...I really hope next year brings better tidings for us. Usually for the holidays, I am in a festive mood...this year I just feel off and don't really want to do anything. How about you? Are you looking forward to next year? Are you celebrating this year?

Once again, I finished quite a few face masks and treatment masks. I been taking a lot more baths lately and trying to clear up my bathroom shelves for the after the holiday sales. I don't think there was anything that I would try again or go out of my way to buy. Most of the facial sheet masks were okay, I didn't really notice anything noteworthy. I did try a new lip mask and it was disappointing. My lips didn't stay hydrated and was still dry after application.

Overall, most of the empties were meh products. I did like the IT Cosmetics night cream but, I had already owned the full size when I got this sample. I hope next month, I finish some more interesting products.

Here is everything I finished -

Jigott Pearl Real Ampoule Mask

Feelxo Pore Care Lotus Mask Black Charcoal Sheet

HaruHaruHoney Green Repairative Sheet

BlingPop Cucumber Face Mask

23 Years Old Hyaltox Petit Mask

Sur.Medic Bright Glutathione Mask

Masqueology Pucker Up! Lip Plumping Kit

Simply When Present Perfect Firm Up

ElishaCoy Lift-Up Mushroom Mask Sheet

Facetory Save Our Skin Restoring Mask with Royal Jelly

Starskin 3-Steps Cleansing Strips

Pura d'Or Scalp Therapy Shampoo

Inoface Cosmetics Body Jelly Wash in Cooling Mint

Belief The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

L'Oreal OleoTherapy Oil Infused Shampoo

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

ElisaCoy Moisture Up Super Hyalurone Ampoule Serum

IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep

Evio Skin Rejuvenating Mask

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

Avene Eau Thermale Soothing Moisture Mask

Papa Recipe Eggplant Mud Cream Mask

Hey Honey Show Your Glow Collodial Gold and Honey Beauty Mask

Tocca Simone Crema Da Mano

Celavi Pomegranate Sheet Mask

Since I have more "free time" on my hands being stuck in quarantine, I have been using all the sheet masks "I never had time for". I bought this off Amazon as a package of assorted "flavors" but, all from the same brand. I always loved pomegranates so, this was one of the first masks I tried from this brand. The mask went on easy and fit my face well. It didn't have a strong noticeable scent. My face felt refresh and hydrated but, it didn't wow me. I felt like this was a very basic mask that was mostly for hydration purposes. For around $2 a pop, it was an okay buy and I might get it again if I am looking for a hydration mask and on a budget.

Go To Face Hero Face Oil

I love facial oils! They make skin feel so soft and hydrated. It does wonders for your skin. This lightweight facial oil is composed of 10 plant and nut oils that leave skin hydrated and revitalized. It has almond, jojoba, macadamia, brazil nut, apricot kernel, evening primrose, buriti, rosehip, kiwi fruit seed, and vitamin E oils. It is also enriched with calendula, arnica, and rosemary leaf extracts. The face oil went on smoothly and left my skin feeling glowy and radiant in the morning. The oil has a pleasant but otherwise unnoticeable scent. At $34 a bottle, the facial oil is pretty affordable as it's quite the workhorse.

Bonvivant That Day Mask Pack - Blemish Care

Bonvivant was Memebox’s own foray into the sheet mask game. The blemish care mask is enriched with swiss alpine herbs, mugwortand, aloe vera, and lime oil. The potent mix of ingredients promises to help fight pimples and blemishes that usually occur during that time of the month. The mask  fit my face decently well and left my skin feeling soft, smooth and radiant. I had a small pimple that looked smaller but that could be wishful thinking. For around $2-3 a piece, a decent mask for the price.

Goldfalden MD Wake Up Call Overnight Regenerative Facial Treatment

Photo Credit - Amazon

The overnight treatment is packed with CoQ10, DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Retinol, Vitamin E, Avocado, Grapeseed Oils and Organic Red Tea to revitalize dull complexion. The creamy moisturizer goes on smoothly and left my skin feel soft and smooth. When waiting up in the morning, my face felt soft, smooth and radiantly beautiful. I didn’t notice my skin feeling any firmer but it definitely revitalized my skin. I tried a small sample and I am sure the full size product might have enough product for me to notice my skin getting firmer. I would definitely get the full size but it’s a bit pricey ($85) so I might wait for a sale.

Patchology Exfoliate FlashMasque Facial Sheets

As a mask fiend, I came across good reviews for this mask and couldn’t wait to try it out. It bills itself as an affordable option but I was able to find cheaper masks online and in store due to the growth of their popularity. Granted, this mask ($8/1 or $50 for 8) is a bit more luxe feeling than the traditional $5 and under masks I have used before. The luxe fabric stays put and has a barely there look according to the package. I had a slight movement and the mask look anything but barely there. However, my skin did feel smoother, softer and hydrated thanks though the lactic acid, papin, aloe leaf extract, yeast amino acids, trehalose, taurine, inositol and betanine. The  Asian pear blossoms and citrus notes give the mask a subtle floral scent, which I didn’t really care for. A good mask but a bit pricey and I am in no rush to try it again.

Tosowoong Pure Blueberry Mask Skin Whitening

Just like real blueberries, this mask is packed with good for you ingredients, such as vitamins A, C, E, niacinamide, and adenocine. The skin brightening mask fits well and was soaked with “blueberry” scented serum. Personally, I didn’t care for the scent but my skin was left smooth and soft to the touch. My dark spots looked less visible on the next day.

Freeman Beauty Star Fruit Purifying Facial Paper Mask

I have used Freeman Beauty products before and I always been a fan of paper masks. Paper masks  are the latest "trend" and can be pricy but these are affordable option. This paper mask is infused with star fruit extracts, lavender, tea tree, witch hazel, and niacinamide. The skin soothing mask helps soothe  acne flare ups, balance oil production, minimizes the appearance of pores, and soothe breakouts.

The mask took some working to get on my face. The mask was too thin and kept sticking to itself. I gave up after 3 tries and just the bottom part of my left cheek was left uncovered. Like many other masks, it is best to use after cleansing the skin. However, unlike other masks whose wait time is around 30 minutes or more; this wait time for this mask is only 5 to 10 minutes.  After removing the mask, my face did feel softer but my face did have a bit of at tingly feeling. Granted, this mask is very affordable (can be found in drugstore around $2) so I might try these masks again more often. On a side note, I did notice a difference but not as a big difference as the more expensive masks. Given that, these are more appropriate for a quick pick me up instead of whole relaxing spa day type of masks.

Iroha Nature Intensive Facial Cloth Mask Q10

This paraben free paper mask is packed with hyaluronic acid, Q10, collagen, and soy. Soybeans are known to prevent premature aging of the skin and retaining moisture. It is also known for its antioxidant properties such as fighting free radicals and promoting the growth of collagen. My face felt firm, supple, smooth and soft after I put the mask for the instructed 15 minutes. I did like after I finished remove the mask there was some excess serum left over and  I massaged into my neck so it can reap in some of the benefits too! I sometimes wonder how come they don’t make a mask that covers a the neck as well. Because I know some people who take really good care of the face but neglect their necks and the neck is actually makes people look older.

Acure 100% Organic Moroccan Argan Facial Oil

Photo Source - Birchbox

I have many benefits of facial oil, after reading some good reviews about this product -- I decided to try it. I was going to try it on my face after cleansing but I had a seriously breakout and I didn’t want to chance getting an allergic reaction or make my acne worst. I decided to use it on my body as usually oil has more than one use. Upon opening the bottle and sniffing the product, I was  immediately was turned off by the rancid odor, I always though argan oil was a sweet scented oil. I guess, I was wrong. Upon putting the oil on my legs which suffer razor burn this morning [I know, why didn’t I use shaving cream I couldn’t find it until it was too late!] and it started to burn and I got a bunch of little red spots everywhere. I am guessing from the spots that got inflamed from this morning and made my skin on my legs very sensitive to the touch. The oil was a bit greasy and left a bit of residue. I had to wait for a while for the oil to sink in. Overall, I am not impressed, I say skip this oil and find another as the “oil market” is quite saturated with other products.

Boscia Bright White Mask

This anti-aging masks promises to brighten, hydrate, and smooths your skin. The white mask is packed with vitamin C to reverse the skin damage caused by UV radiation. The mask is not formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, preservatives, ethanol alcohol, artificial color and animal ingredients. The whitening ingredients brightens, even outs skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots. Not only does it promises to improve the condition of your skin but also reduce the appearance of line and wrinkles but supports the production of natural collagen. I really love this white peel off mask. It made my skin feel soft, smooth and absolutely just glowy. I couldn’t stop staring and touch my skin. I totally love this mask, I can’t wait to try the other Boscia ones.