Showing posts with label Empties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Empties. Show all posts

Monday, October 6, 2014

Empties #11


My favourite scrub so far. I was so frugal with it just so it would last me longer because I can't get this brand anywhere else than on eBay. It's a very harsh sugar scrub, just the way I like it and it has a very moisturising, oily formula meaning there is no need for moisturisers afterwards. It smells like a gentler version of Miss Dior Cherie.
Repurchase: Yes.

Such a wonderful shower product. It's has quite a unique gel-oil texture that transforms into luxurious creamy foam. The scrubby particles aren't too harsh, so I used it as a regular shower gel. It also smells lovely, kind of sweet nutty-floral.  
Repurchase: Yes.

A fantastic dry oil in a spray that is so easy to apply. It literally takes seconds and you're done. It has the same scent as the scrub.
Repurchase: Yes.

This is my favourite gradual self tanner. Even from one application I get a decent amount of colour, but it's after three that people start asking where have I been sunbathing. I loved using this for my face because it is more moisturising than the Clarins lotion which I used before. I've actually stopped self tanning or at least I don't do it particularly often, since everyone has made it their mission to inform me of how pale I am, so I like to annoy them by being the human counterpart of Snow White, as it appears they can't wrap their heads around the fact that people with fair skin do exist and they like being pale (in their minds it's almost criminal). Therefore this tan is very old and as it's expected by now it does develop that classic self-tan scent by the morning, but when it was new, the scent was barely detectable and it had a melon-citrus scent upon application.
Repurchase: Yes.

Though it's a creamy cleanser that I had trouble adjusting to, since it doesn't feel quite as luxurious as a balm or cleansing oil, my skin adored this. In those three months that I've been using it, my skin looked so healthy and there wasn't a blemish in sight, even though I skipped AHA products during the summer (I didn't want to risk sun damage, which is ironic considering there were about three sunny days in total this summer). Only Balance Me kept my skin in such good condition. I know I said I find it unremarkable, but now I think it's bloody brilliant. I did use it up quite fast, however, it's inexpensive, so I don't mind.
Repurchase: Yes.

One of my HG items, I pretty much can't be without it for a day, so I always buy a spare well before the previous one runs out. I've been using it as a face moisturiser for three years now and my skin is in such good condition, it looks healthy and is super soft. I adore this stuff and one bottle lasts me ages.
Repurchase: Already did.

A nice shampoo that does its job, but that's it. It leaves the hair "too clean" for my liking, by that I mean too stripped, which is something that an an individual with dry hair don't particularly like. It's ok, but not exceptional enough to justify the price and I much prefer the Oleo-Relax. It smells lovely just like the oil, maybe a bit more masculine.
Repurchase: Not likely.

I've tried quite a few of these salon brands silicone-oils and this one along with Orofluido are my absolute favourites. I find it's the best one for dry hair and has great frizz reducing capabilities. The scent is a love-it-or-hate-it one, to me it smells like my grandfathers cologne, so masculine, but I've heard some say it reminds them of vanilla and sandalwood. I sometimes loved the scent and then sometimes not so much, but it definitely slowly grew on me. 
Repurchase: Yes.


REFAN fragrances 
I used a bunch of Refan fragrances, all 15 ml that I've had for a really long time. I love these, but I just want to warn you that these do go a bit off after three years, which is a period most people use up their fragrances already, but I'm obviously not such a person. By off I mean that the scent changes a bit, mostly it gets more alcohol smelling and more bland from the start, but it develops the same, so clearly the top notes are the first to go. 
A tropical hibiscus scent: floral, clean and a bit juicy. When you smell it, it's like - yeah that's what coral colour would smell like if it had a scent. Actually, it smells similar to Kérastase Chroma Sensitive Cleansing Balm, but it was never my favourite. 
Repurchase: No.

A creamy, woody fragrance with some vanilla. I hear others notice a strong plum note, but it doesn't develop on me. To me it lacked something that would make it special.
Repurchase: I'm not sure they sell it anymore. 

A sweet, fruity, yet a warm scent that has quite a lot of silage. I get strawberries and other berries with some musk and violets. I liked it, but I got bored with it after a while.
Repurchase: I'm not sure.

The wood, floral notes and musk combined create a simple, fresh, clean and classic scent that is slightly bitter and unisex. This is very highly rated on Make up Alley, but I just never really got it. It's not bad, just a bit odd for my liking and no one liked it on me.
Repurchase: No.

I'm a huge fan of peach scents and The Body Shop's version is my favourite, but this YR version doesn't even remotely resemble anything peach. It is quite a strange scent, like it's not even fruity, but completely artificial. I used it as a room scent to get rid of it. If you want to try any of these Les Plaisirs Nature scents, go for coconut or vanilla, because they are awesome and the scents are true to their name.
Repurchase: No.


Have a great day!
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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Empties #10


What a terrible concealer. I've disliked it since the first time I tried it, but I just kept it in my drawer for no particular reason, gave it a few more tries and still hated it. It's waxy, doesn't apply nicely, looks patchy on the skin and doesn't even cover well. The only bright side is that the light shade is very light, however, the time has come to toss it in the garbage.
Repurchase: No.

As I suspected, this didn't last me long, but I was still surprised when it ran out. I can honestly say, I've never used up a concealer so fast as this one, but since it has only 1.5 ml of product inside, it's almost like a tester - just for a full price. Even though the coverage was about medium, this concealer really grew on me. It looks incredibly natural due to a light, thin consistency and the shade is wonderful because it has a neutral undertone. It's become one of my favourite drugstore concealers for under the eyes, but the amount you get for the price is a complete joke.
Repurchase: Yes, despite the stingy amount.

I was never a fan of this foundation as it just never looked right on my skin and it leaves that awful greasy feeling like it never truly sets. However, the lightest shade 010 Light Porcelain is one of the best matches for my pale skin and I loved using this for mixing with other more yellow or darker foundations to get the absolute perfect match for my neutral skin tone. I talked about mixing foundations recently in this post. 
Repurchase: I would purely for the need to mix it with other shades, however, I have found that there is another Rimmel foundation that is as light as this and I'm going to try that one first.


My HG mascara. It does everything I want - gives plenty of length, volume, it defines, it's super black and most importantly it holds the curl all day. Fantastic stuff. It costs an arm and a leg, though. 
Repurchase: Yes.

This mascara is so tricky to use, but it produces some wonderful results. The brush is just a thin weird plastic comb, which doesn't really make the application easy, I would definitely prefer a standard wand with this formula. The formula is the blackest one I've ever tried to date and it's also quite thick due to the fibres in it. The fibres itself didn't make my lashes look any longer, they did however, ruin my contact lenses when a fibre crumbled off the lashes and fell into my eye attaching itself on the lens (it was so adorable *sarcasm off*). The fibres drop during the day landing under the eyes and on the cheeks, but the lashes keep curled all day. Basically, it's a mascara that gives a lot of volume and is intensely black, but the fibres are annoying as is the brush/comb thingie.
Repurchase: No. 


This was my favourite eyeliner before I discovered felt tip versions. It's really black with a glossy finish and lasts well on the lids. The applicator is precise, but needs to be re-dipped in the product during application if you want an intense line as the product on the applicator doesn't suffice for one eye.
Repurchase: No, although it is really good.

This is and was my favourite eyeliner, though currently Kardashian's version is kind of kicking its ass. These felt tip liners are the bomb for non-liner savvy kids like me because due to the thin, precise applicator, drawing a line on the top lash line is so simple and precise. This product made me fall in love with eyeliner after years of thinking that I just can't wear it due to my hooded eye shape. It's super black and on me it lasts all day. The nib stays saturated for several months of regular use, however, the tip doesn't get as much colour after a while, so drawing flicks is a bit more difficult once it's older.
Repurchase: Yes.


BOURJOIS Magic Nail Polish Remover
I've been loyal to these since their launch. These are the best invention ever - you just pop the finger inside the pot, swish it around for a few seconds and the nail polish is gone. The formula of this one is oily, which means that it moisturises the skin around the nails and it also smells lovely like forest fruits and vanilla. However, that oiliness was a bit off-putting because I needed to wash my hands right away. I'm currently using Ebeline's version, which is really good.
Repurchase: I think I might switch to Ebeline's, but I'd love to try that purple version for hands and toes.

I know it looks tragic that there is a third left, but once this thickens it's useless.  I bough the Seche Restore, but it didn't help, I'm guessing it's just too far gone. Despite that, this is my absolute favourite top coat because as a woman of little patience when it comes to nail polish application, I truly appreciate how this dries the nail polish in under a minute. Great stuff.
Repurchase: Already did.


Limited editions and discontinued products
The can lasted about three days on my holiday and you get drunk just by inhaling the alcohol vapours in it, plus it's greasy which is really "handy" when your trying to hold the can, though the application is a breeze due to it being in aerosol form. There wasn't a sunburn in sight, so it works very well. It smells like papaya and oranges, so sourly-juicy sweet or for anyone that's familiar, it smells really close to Balea's LE Mango Mambo shower gel (or last year's Brazil Mango). 
Repurchase: No.

This is one of those liquid highlighters that are quite subtle and can be used as a base, mixed with foundation or/and on top of foundation just like L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Primer. Mine was the pink toned version and it was a lovely product, however, L'Oreal's is better. Curently, Essence has a cream highlighter instead of this.
Repurchase:It was discontinued about a year ago.

Technically this was a limited edition, however, as far as I'm aware it's the same formula and scent as the regular Vanilla line, it just contains gold shimmer. Texture-wise it's a light lotion that is very average in terms of moisturisation and the scent was not as lovely or intense as at the shower gel (it's a vanilla extract for baking type of scent), but the gold shimmer was nice and gave that "glow" to the skin that looks nice when you're tan.
Repurchase: No.

I've only owned two pot gel eyeliners in my life, MAC's and this one. Both seemed exactly the same in terms of formula. It was super black, applied nicely and lasted well on the lids. Mine dried out, but I really liked it. Catrice's might be similar since it's made in the same factory.
Repurchase: It's discontinued, but I would.


I have thirteen more empties to talk about, so part 2 a.k.a Empties #11 with fragrance, body and hair care products will follow soon.

Have a great day!
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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Empties #9

I must say that I completely get why Batiste is so popular and it has fast become one of my favourite formula of dry shampoos. It's not white (except if you apply it on one spot too close), it really refreshes the hair well and it doesn't leave too much of the powdery residue. I had the massive 400 ml can of Tropical version, which smells like coconut bread or coconut pastry and personally I'd prefer something more Rafaello like, but it's all right.
Repurchase: Batiste dry shampoos in general - yes (currently I have the Wild version). Tropical version: Maybe.

I've often sang praises about this hair hero and for good reason. It has come to a point where the mere though of being without for a single wash is almost unbearable. I am being dramatic or what? But in all seriousness, I find it a brilliant product that nourishes my hair, keeps it hydrated longer, reduces frizz and it has made my hair a lot more healthy since I started using it - a fact even my hairdresser noticed. I should also note that it's extremely light-weight, so I would recommend this to pretty much all hair types. I've been using it after every wash without fail on damp hair and one bottle lasted me about a year - at about 12 € per bottle (on Beauty Bay) I consider this a bargain.
Repurchase: Already did.

Now this is what every shampoo should be like. It's the one shampoo that I consider as being exceptional and well worth the price. My hair is dry, as I've often complained, and this is like a shampoo plus conditioner in one in a sense that it leaves my hair clean, yet nourished, untangled and smooth. The scent does become a bit annoying with frequent use because it is one of those that has a sharp, potentially headache-inducing note in it, but it's worth putting up with it. I currently have Elixir Ultime version and Oléo-Relax is much better for my hair type.
Repurchase: Without a doubt.

As I've said in my Hair Oil series, I find there is very little difference between this one, Macadamia oil and Orofluido. All three are seriously good and I believe the main difference is just in the scent as well as the price. This one has my least favourite scent out of the three because it's sort of a generic fabric softener type of scent and I much prefer the rich, oriental version of Orofluido (which is also cheaper). 
Repurchase: Maybe, but I prefer Orofluido.

A nice, simple and affordable shower gel that smells very lovely tropically fresh (I described it before as similar to a grapefruit scent, but sweeter). Out of all summer LE by Balea this one is my favourite so far. 
Repurchase: It is a LE and I have enough of shower gels at the moment, so I suspect not.

I love these Alverde oils and I use them for so many things. This is my second or third bottle of this scent, which is a coconut muffin type of smell and it's ok, but I've grown a bit tired of it. One of the best features of this oil is the packaging, which is just perfect due to the brilliant pump.
Repurchase: Already did, but a different version.

I'm quite sad I've used this up. This is my favourite cleanser so far because it just suits my skin so well and it looks its best when I use it. It's a balm with scrubby particles and it cleans well, removes makeup and leaves the skin moisturised, so the dry patches are the thing of the past. It smells wonderful, the texture is nice and I love that it comes in a tube, which makes it very hygienic. The only bad side is that it's expensive. I have three other cleansers at the moment and none live up to it.
Repurchase: Yes.

I actually liked this one. It worked ok for a spray deodorant and it smells pleasantly generically fresh, but I've used up this little 50 ml bottle in about a week or two. Currently I have the Pearl & Beauty version.
Purchase: Maybe.

I'm a huge fan of tropical scents, with Escada's yearly LE's being my favourites, but this YR version was the one I never truly loved. It's a very simple, fresh, yet sweet scent that doesn't last particularly long and it does smell like a tropical drink with a prominent note of mango, while the passion fruit is more subdued. Both mango as well as passion fruit are my favourite scents in products, but in this combination it just didn't really work for me. 
Repurchase: No and I believe it's not available any more.

This was a blind buy for me because it was 50 % off at the time of the purchase. It was never my favourite scent, but it's still a lovely, everyday fragrance. It's a mix of fresh bamboo, juicy apple and floral notes (gardenia, freesia) with subtle sweeter notes of coconut and vanilla that get more prominent with time. I think the bottle is adorable and I'll keep it as decoration.
Repurchase: No.

Since 2007 there hasn't been a day when I was without this shower oil. I keep repurchasing it and I buy these eco-refills with 500 ml (that's two regular bottles) with which fill my old bottle. It's a fantastic shower oil and it provides a true pampering experience in the shower due to a super luxurious oil texture that transforms into a thick, creamy foam when water is added, not to mention that it smells bloody fantastic. It is a great product for those with dry skin as I find I never need to use a moisturiser afterwards. You should try it at least once in your life.  
Repurchase: Yes.

This is just a simple, super thick ointment with panthenol (B5) for treating any type of damages on the skin from cuts, grazes and wounds. It was fine, nothing more to say about it.
Repurchase: I found something cheaper, so probably not.

ESSENCE 4 in 1 nail file
I buy these all the time. It's just regular nail file with four different textures that vary in roughness. It does its job and it does it well.
Repurchase: Already did.

I never liked this for it's original purpose as I find it not moisturising enough for my cuticles and I am not a fan of the strange herbal-lemon scent, but I did love this for my very dry soles.
Repurchase: Probably not.

BALEA Hygiene Reinigungstűcher
I bought a few packs of these before even trying them out first and I'm not a fan of them. They are nice and thick, but they have a strong hospital-disinfectant scent and Preven's don't. They do their job, but I probably won't repurchase. 
Repurchase: Probably not, I prefer Preven's ones.

 MAX FACTOR Khol Eye Liner Pencil
20 Black
I used to like this one and before the gel/khol hybrids such as Supershock by Avon came on the market, it was one of my favourite khols, but now I find it not black enough, too smudgy and not long-lasting. It has nothing on my favourite black eyeliner UD's Zero.
Repurchase: No.

Things that are discontinued:
TIGI Curls Rock Curl Booster
After years of collecting dust, I'm finally tossing this away. I never got this product. Is it a hairspray that's just super wet or is it like a replacement for mousse? I tried using it in so many different ways and it did nothing. Curls Rock Amplifier, on the other hand, I loved and I've gone through several bottles (if you'd like to define your natural curls, try it). 

BALEA Body Spray Aqua
I used this on hot days as a refreshment and it worked a treat. I also sprayed this on my face, when my foundation/powder looked cakey. I really liked how the spray did a very fine mist and it never just dripped. However, I'm still not sold on the whole water in a can fad, so I've refrained from purchasing the more expensive version from pharmacy brands.

BALEA Hawaii Deospray
I really liked this version of scent and I've owned several cans, but it's now discontinued. These Balea ones are, as described, just deodorants, so fragrance in a can, rather than actual antiperspirants such as Nivea's, but they always have some nice scents.

I loved the scent of this - it was a good peach scent, but I didn't find it moisturising enough for my legs as the skin was dry again in the morning. It was simply too light. I presume the still existing coconut version is similar.


After almost four years of blogging and more that a million views, the day has finally come and I have created a Facebook page, Instagram as well as decided to finally start using my Twitter account (which is also four years old). If you'd like to follow me on any of these social media, feel free do to so and if you decide to check them out on a later date, the links are also in the side bar. I can't promise you I'll be particularly interesting, as the tittle of my biography could be named: The Unexciting Life of the Unremarkable Woman,  but you might see new posts faster than now. Out of all social media, I still love Pinterest most and I'll probably be most active there.

Have a great day!
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Monday, June 2, 2014

Empties #8


I haven't got the foggiest who actually used this up (thieving bubble bath fairies?), but here it is even though I only used it a couple of times. It's a bubble bath with a piña colada scent, however, the bubbles are pretty pathetic. The scent, on the other hand, is lovely exotic and it makes you feel like you're bathing in a massive piña colada cocktail. It's inexpensive for a big bottle, but I prefer more bubbly products.
Repurchase: Probably not.

One of my favourite shower gels ever! It smells divine - like peach flavoured bubble gum and it's only a €. Love it!
I hear they released a passion fruit version recently, which I obviously need and I have my eye on the strawberry one as well.
Repurchase: Already did.

Another lovely smelling shower gel, except this one smells like sweet honey. It had one of the best honey scent ever and a gentle, jelly-like texture formula. Unfortunately, it was limited edition, so I was super frugal with it, but sadly it had to run out one day.
Repurchase: I would if it weren't a LE.

A boring empty. It's a staple in my bathroom. I love the powdery floral scent and the quality is fantastic for the price.
Repurchase: Already did and I got the Summer Garden version as well (which smells amazing).

Another product I was very sparing with since VS isn't available in my country. The scent is a winner at this body butter. Love Spell is one of the most delicious tropical scents I've ever tried and layering the body butter with the body mist made me smell like a fizzy tropical drink. The texture is almost like a body butter meets gel and feels strangely wet, but it's super moisturising.
Repurchase: Yes.

Yes, I'm getting boring again. I used up another one of these. You know I love it and there is nothing more to say.
Repurchase: Yes.

Maybelline Eye Makeup Remover Waterproof
The same story as with Bioderma, this is my staple and it excels at removing waterproof mascara. I recently purchased Nivea's version because DM doesn't carry Maybelline's one and it just made me appreciate it more. Fantastic product for a reasonable price.  
Repurchase: Yes.

It is great defrizzer in a spray that smells like lemon candy. I used this before I found Healthy Sexy Hair Three-Wheat Leave-in conditioner, which also defrizzes very well as well as provides my dry hair with extra moisture. Spoil me is a super light product that feels like nothing on the hair and yet it works. It's great for those who have hair that gets weighted down or greasy easy and need a light taming product. The bottle is massive and it lasts long, however, it appears that perhaps gas escaped from mine, since there is still product inside, but it won't come out.
Repurchase: No. Since I discovered Three-Wheat Leave-in conditioner I don't need it any more. 

Another dandruff shampoo that I gave a try and it failed. It's a very gentle sulphate, silicone and paraben free formula that doesn't clean the scalp well which is essential if you have dandruff. It's also a bit stripping and it leaves my hair tangled. Basically, I didn't like it at all.
Repurchase: No.

I have to say with each use I love it more and it's fast becoming one of my favourite hair treatments. I literally repurchased it the day I used it up (and I haven't repurchased the Dove Oil care one yet). It hydrates my dry hair well and performs similar to much more expensive products. Not to mention it smells amazing like bubble gum. A winner.
Repurchase: Already did.

I have mixed feelings about this one. It's undoubtedly a good product, but is it really so good that it deserves that extra few euros when there are very similar performing products in the drugstore range? It just lacks that bit of oomph that something from Joico or Kerastase has. The pot contains only 200 ml of product which didn't last me many treatments and though the scent is very cinnamon-clove-Christmas-y, it is strong and only appeals to me in the winter months. I also noticed a very unattractive crust on the top when I didn't use it for a few weeks. It's not bad, but for the price there are better.
Repurchase: Probably not.

Rexona Clear Pure Crystal
Deo stick antiperspirant
This is the first deodorant ever that didn't stop working on me and I've used every bit of it! I was quite shocked when I hit the plastic bit at the bottom as I didn't expect to use it up and not toss it before that. It's a stick deodorant that smells nice (fruity) and works well enough on me by keeping BO at bay. The only bad thing are the white marks, however, I can forgive that. I actually bought a different deodorant out of curiosity, but I don't like it nearly as much.
Repurchase: Rather surprisingly yes.

lee stafford POKeR STRAiGHT DeHUMIDIFIER
The so called "invisible umbrella" that promises to prevent curling due to the moisture and fight frizz. It should work in theory, but in real life situations it didn't quite cut it. Actually, it's pretty much the same thing as got2b Öl-La-La Styling Öl-Spray and it leaves the same same light oily-siliconey feeling as well as gives loads of shine. And that's what I've been using it for, as a shine spray and a tamer. It has the typical Lee Stafford scent, a heavy oriental one with flower notes and patchouli. I would recommend only girls with dry(-ish) hair should use it as it is oily.
(Re)purchase: No. I prefer Öl-La-La because it smells nicer.

 lee stafford Dry ShaMPOO ORiGiNAL
Not my favourite dry shampoo since its oil absorbing properties are not the best and it doesn't refresh the hair as effectively as for example Batiste, however, it doesn't leave that powdery, gritty texture as most dry shampoos do. It has a very strong parfumey scent, again the typical Lee Stafford one, but a very intense version which can be headache inducing for more sensitive people.
(Re)purchase: No.

Have a great day!
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Friday, March 28, 2014

Empties #7

 L'Occitane repairing shampoo
dry and damaged hair
 I bought this after a very positive experience with a sample and I never posted an actual review for this, so here we go. I had a 500 ml bottle, which comes with a very handy pump, but surprisingly it didn't last me nearly as long as I would have wanted. It's a sulphate, silicone and paraben free shampoo and a lovely one at that, but the lack of soap shows in terms that I needed to use at least five pumps of product to get it to lather. It also didn't help that the pump doesn't dispense much product in the first place, so I ended up using over 10 pumps per wash for my hair that is lower-back-length. The product itself is very liquid and light, it cleans the hair well, leaves it very light and fresh. However, I felt at times it wasn't moisturising enough, I don't want to say it's stripping, but it doesn't have that creaminess like most shampoos for dry hair do. Actually, I would say it's appropriate for all types of hair, even oily. It was very gentle on my scalp and I particularly loved using it in combination with baking soda as a sort of a cleansing shampoo to get that dandruff and flakes that are stuck on my scalp off at least temporarily.The scent is something I never got used to. It's the second L'Occitane product I've had with this particular strong herbal, slightly sharp scent and I honestly don't like it at all.  It's a lovely gentle shampoo and one of the best out of SLS free ones, but my two gripes are that you need to use a lot of product and the scent. 
Repurchase: No.

A lighter sister of my beloved Oil Care treatment. I have really dry hair and due to coarseness and thickness of it, the only way most (drugstore) products work for me is if I use a lot and I leave it on for about 20-30 minutes to get the maximum effect (for someone with thin hair 5-10 minutes is enough). Used in this way it leaves my hair sufficiently moisturised and feeling nice, however, I once left it on for only 15 minutes and the effect was minimal, moreover my ends were still dry. I'll stick with Oil Care version, but it's a nice treatment for moderately dry, thin hair. 
Repurchase: Probably not.

Balea Power Volume Hairspray
This is just bad. It has no hold whatsoever, especially for a hairspray that claims to be extra strong. The mousse from this line is good, though.The scent is nice, a bit fruity, but that's the only positive thing about it.
Purchase: No.

My favourite hairspray so far. It has a nice hold without feeling crunchy, in fact I can't even feel it on the hair. It's similar to Elnett, but with a more tolerable scent, even thought this one has a pretty strong oriental scent itself. By the way, I noticed that on thin hair, this has a tendency to make it feel stiff, but again this is not the case on my thick hair.
Purchase: Already bought the full size version.

L'Oreal Elnett Extra Strong
A very decent hairspray that doesn't feel crunchy at all and has a nice hold, but it's not extra strong, actually I'd say it's closer to medium. I know a lot of people hate the strong granny scent of it, I find it a bit like a more annoying version of Chanel n°5, but I don't find it horrible, just too strong and sometimes suffocating. 
Purchase: Not sure, but probably not.

A nice, thick shower gel with lots of glitter which washes off. I believe it's the same thing as their regular vanilla shower gel and this was only a glittery limited edition version for Christmas. The scent is like vanilla extract for baking, great for those who like gourmand scents.
Repurchase: Maybe.

One of the more whipped and creamy body butters, yet still deeply moisturising. The heavier texture means it takes a bit more time to sink in, so I preferred to use it right before going to bed. It smells like Miss Dior Cherie, so the same super sugary, but sophisticated young lady-like scent. Great product for colder months.
Repurchase: Yes, if we had Soap and Glory around. Currently, I have no desire to track it down on eBay again.

Aveo nail polish removing pads
(Nagellack-Entferner-Pads)
Hated these. They removed nothing as the remover is disappointingly weak. They feel moisturising due to some oil inside and they smell lovely, like a classic tropical fruit scent they put in cheap products. Honestly, don't bother with these.
Repurchase: No.

I really liked this. It's nice even for dry skin due to a lovely creamy texture, the ingredients are nice (SLS free, has glycerine and loads of extracts) and it smells lovely, like apples. I don't know if you can get this without joining their programme, which I not wiling to do anyway.
Purchase: I can't, beside even though it's good, it's not worth tracking it down.

Yes, I know it's pointless to put a shower gel that is not available any more here.
This smelled amazing like Nesquick cocoa and I really wish it were they'd make it permanent.
Repurchase: it was a LE, but I would if I could.

A super nice shower gel that is very cheap. It's creamy and similar to Dove versions that are three times the price. The scent is generic, but nice for something that cheap. It's sold in Lidl.
Repurchase: Yes.

A nice peach scented shower gel. Though marketed as hydrating shower gel for dry skin, I find the runny gel texture too light for dry skin.
Repurchase: I don't know, but most likely not.

Have a great day!
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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Empties #6

It's been only a month since my last empties post and again I managed to accumulate a double post worth of products. Again this will be in two parts otherwise I might lose your attention somewhere in the middle. As always blue text are links to either original reviews, additional information like prices, ingredients, more pictures and swatches.
I had the shade number #2 which was a bit too dark for me if I wasn't self-tanning. This is a very rich and thick BB with medium to full coverage that is fantastic on dry skin. If you're the one with parched skin and dry patches, this is great. Applied with a big buffing brush such as E.l.f. Powder brush it makes your skin look flawless. The staying power of this BB is really good, it pretty much lasts all day, in this respect it's bested only by Estee Lauder Maximum Cover in my stash of foundations. It also has a mini beautiful cream coral blush in the lid and a mini mirror. I like light-feeling foundations and I dislike ones that take more than a minute to dry/set like this one, so that was my main complaint. I did like it because of the coverage, staying power and it was great in colder months, but tackiness is a turn off.
Repurchase: Perhaps.

I used up both tubes of my absolute favourite concealer for under the eyes. It feels light and looks like skin while still covering enough to hide my under eye redness. Some may not like it because it has more of a medium coverage or they may find it too creamy, but I truly love every bit of it. I even love the sponge because it really cuts down the blending time.
Repurchase: Yes. I already went to Croatia in search of it only to find they don't sell it there any more, so I'll have to resort to eBay. 

Normally I don't like cleansing foams at all, but this one is seriously good. It feels so soft and it's absolutely lovely to use, however, the floral scent is too strong for my liking. So far this is my preferred choice for a morning cleanser, however, I'd like to find something cheaper and better smelling.
Repurchase: Perhaps.

Wonderful product. My skin loves this cleanser. It's gentle and feels rich, it cleanses the skin while leaving it really balanced. The texture is perfect as far as my preferences go, my complaints are that it only comes in a 30 ml version and the frankincense-churchy scent mixed with D&G Light Blue, but scents are subjective and my cousin informed me I was out of my mind and that it smells fine.
Repuchase: I would, but I get more bang for my buck if I buy Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm.

I don't think I can go without it in my skincare. It's a toner with glycolic acid that keeps my skin, mostly forehead, smooth and clear. Even at the "delightful holy women's days" (can you detect the sarcasm?) my skin is pretty much always clear. It feels moisturising despite the high alcohol content due to the glycerine in it. This has become a staple in my skin care routine.
Repurchase: Already did.

I love this moisturiser, this was my third tube so far. It's light, yet really hydrating, it sinks in fast and it's a great base for makeup. The scent is very gentle, a typical pharmacy cream one. 
Repurchase: Of course.

Quite an attractive sight, isn't it? This massive 400 ml pot only lasted me two "sessions". I love the idea of a wax that hardens and you just rip off, but unfortunately this isn't very effective. Ever if I went through the same area several times, it only removed about 1/3 of hair. Also there could be more spatulas included. The scent is a bit weird burnt-plastic-like, but nothing too annoying.
Repurchase: No. I'm wondering if there are better versions or is this as good as it gets?

Part 2 a.k.a. Empties #7 will follow soon.
Have a great day!
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Friday, February 14, 2014

Empties #5

This is surprisingly good for a drugstore conditioner and it's so affordable at only 2.45€ per bottle. I love the effect of it, the scent is nice and it moisturises my dry, coarse hair very well. My only real gripe is the packaging because when it's about to run out, you need Hercules' strength to get the rest of the product out (hence why mine in cut in the middle). I know there is a pot version available, which I'd prefer, but it's not sold in my country.
Repurchase: Yes.

An absolutely lovely conditioner that I have been repurchasing for years and have rarely been without a tube of this in my bathroom. In fact, I currently have a 500 ml bottle of this with a pump.
Repurchase: Yes.

(a.k.a. Dove Oil Care Nährplege 1 Minute Kur-Spülung)
I used up another one of these - I must have gone through at least a dozen tubes so far. This is one of my favourite drugstore treatments for dry hair. It's very thick, which I love, works great on my dry hair and it smells gorgeous. I recently bought the blue Intensive Repair version to try and it's nice as well, but I still prefer this one.
Repurchase: Yes.

Tigi Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hairspray
This was my only hairspray for years. I used to love it, but since I discovered Lee Stafford's Hold Tight, I find it a bit sticky from the start and doesn't hold as well as I would like. It can also feel a bit crispy, especially when you really go to town with it, while at Lee Stafford that doesn't happen to me. That being said, this is still a great hairspray and my second favourite. It smells like pineapples (like the (old) Dumb Blonde line), so obviously I like it. 
Repurchase: Probably not, only if Lee Stafford's Hold Tight gets discontinued.

L'Oreal Elvital Volume-Collagen Push-Up Spray
I actually bought this only for the packaging. I needed a better, preferably a spray bottle for Alpecin Medicinal Forte that needs to be applied on the scalp. The nozzle looks right, however, the I find it so hard to squeeze.
So on to the actual product. It's a volume spray that is supposed to be applied close to the the roots. It's a liquid that pretty much feels like water and can be used on damp or dry hair. Due to it's lightness, it doesn't weigh down the hair at all. I notice no additional volume, which is not surprising considering that it has no hold at all. It has a high alcohol content, which is never a good thing in my book, and it also contains sollutable collagen - in all honestly, I have no idea how collagen would be creating volume. It has a chemical scent that is nothing special nor does it last. There are far better volumising products.
Repurchase: No.

The Body Shop Coconut Oil Hair Shine
I wanted to like this, but I just can't. Though the ingredients are nice and there are no silicones, it feels too waxy. As a dry ends treatment on dry hair, it feels too heavy, waxy and it doesn't even give much of a shine. As a pre-wash treatment, it doesn't do much of anything either, particularly compared to proper coconut oil. This has a very hard consistency, especially if it's left in bellow 22°C degrees, so it's hard to scoop it out. You need to warm it up a lot between the hands and then it turns into a waxy oil. I place it on a radiator before use and it feels much more creamy, almost buttery and therefore easier to work with. It smells strongly like hazelnuts to me. The tin is nice and great for travel, I just wish there were a better product inside.
Repurchase: No.

Orofluido Shine Spray
It does what it's supposed to and nothing more. This is a typical shine spray with a high alcohol content as so many of them, though it didn't dry out my hair. As it's expected, it gives lot of shine, but doesn't weight down the hair. Orofluido packed it with their delightful fragrance, so I loved using it as a hair fragrance. It's nice, but I prefer Orofluido Sahara because it also provides care on top of shine (but it is much heavier than this). 
Repurchase: No, but it's nice for those whose hair gets weighted down by products and just want shine.

This is a very waxy feeling lip balm, but still moisturising, though you can feel how it mostly just coats the lips. This waxiness makes it less appropriate for wearing it under a lipstick. The scent is more of a honey and milk meet plastic and beeswax, but not in a bad way. 
Repurchase: No.

Labello Soft Rose Lip Balm
A very average lip balm, but one that a lot of people have/had and some really like it. It really doesn't stand out in any respect, neither the scent, colour or effect.
Repurchase: No.

Balea Sweet Wonderland Lip Balm
I used this only once and I'm tossing it. The scent is a weird, chocolate-chemical one, nothing like the yummy smelling shower gel from this LE. The texture and the moisturising power are below average.
Repurchase: No.

Yves Rocher Noix de Coco Malaysian Coconut Lip Balm
Apart from the scent, which is one of the best coconut scents I tried, it's just not worth it. It's not really moisturising and the packaging is very impractical. The opening is way to small, so the only way to get the product out is with a lip brush and I just can't be bothered. 
Repurchase: No.

Essence Matte Top Coat
I actually ended up using this a lot also as a base. It may sound odd to use it in such a way, but I like it because it dries in less than 10 seconds. The bottle didn't last me that long and what was left got completely unusable.
Repurchase: Not sure if they sell it any more, but I liked it.

Essence Profi-Nail File 4 in 1
I bought several of these so far. There are four different textures: one to trim, one to clean, one to smooth and one to polish the nails. I like it, it does what it's supposed to, does that well, and it's affordable. I still have one that I use all the time.
Repurchase: Not sure if they sell it any more, but I'm sure Essence has a similar one and I will purchase that one.

Have a great day!
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