I'm Feeling Empty - Part 4

Ever since 2012 started, emptying has been a quick process. There was one week where I managed to empty four full sized body products at the same time. This could possibly be my best record so far. And now that it's a quarter way into the new year, it's time for another epic empties post!

Skincare


My Beauty Diary Sheet Masks - My new rule is that every 10 sheet masks will count as one full size product. The count today? 10.

Hada Labo SHA Facial Wash - I still really, really love this cleanser and I am sad to see it go. However, the AHA + BHA cleanser is much more effective so I'll be repurchasing that one more over this one.

Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel - If you haven't read my review on this fantastic gel moisturizer yet, do it now. It will be the perfect moisturizer during the Spring and Summer. It's refreshing, lightweight and cheaper than my old HG - Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief!

Lip Care

100% Natural Lip Roll-On Coconut* - This isn't actually emptied but I'm tossing it on account of it is a strange lip oil?? I feel nostalgic each time I use the roll on but the actual oil inside isn't moisturizing and rather greasy.

Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Pomegranate Lip Balm* - Also unfinished but I'm tossing it out. My lips used to love beeswax-based lip balms but not so much anymore.

Nivea Milk & Honey Lip Balm - The only lip balm that is actually emptied! I quite like this lip balm and when I thought I had lost it, I bought another tube of it. Soon after, I found the first tube under my car seat. It's cheap and it works, what else can I say?

Hair Care

Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray - This is my second can of Suave's dry shampoo and while I don't use it often, it seems to run out very quickly. It's cheap, it works, I like the scent but it is not available in Canada as far as I can tell. I bought four back ups the last time I crossed the border.

Korres Hair & Scalp Scrub - Discontinued but I'm not mad or sad about it. This stuff sucked big time.

Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner - Average conditioner, not much to say about it. It weighs down my hair if I use it too often and it doesn't fight the frizz too well.

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter - I love this stuff to death! It's the best deep conditioner/hair treatment I have used to date. It's lighter than most conditioners but I still get that deep hydration my hair craves. It fights the frizz, the scent isn't too salon-ish.

Body Care

The Body Shop Earth Lovers Apricot & Basil Shower Gel - I thought I liked the smell of Apricot & Basil until half way through the first bottle, I realized I don't. And by first bottle, I mean that it's the first of three to go.

Lush Honey I Washed the Kids - "Mmmmm" is all I can ever say when I smell Honey I Washed the Kids. The scent doesn't last long but it's enough to make me want to eat my own arm off.

Soap & Glory Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em - UGH. Have I mentioned how mad I am that Soap & Glory prices were raised? I have? Well I'm still pissed. For $20+, I say pass on this body exfoliator. It melts quicker than I can spread the stuff over my body. Between Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em and Scrub, Actually, the latter is much more worthwhile. It works and the squeeze tube packaging is easier to handle in the shower.

eos Refresh Hand & Body Lotion - I will forever hate the smell of this lotion but forever love the formula. If you've ever tried the hand lotion, they're exactly the same. As I hand lotion, I own and use better but as a body lotion, it's great for the warmer seasons. The lotion delivers the perfect amount of hydration without any residue. It spreads easily and it's also fast-absorbing. Though, the SO whom has acute dermatitis can't use this lotion. Each time he's used it, he break out in itchy hives.

Deluxe Samples

Elizabeth Grant Biocollasis Complex Gentle Cleanser - When Luxe Box was still called Loose Button, I jumped on the subscription band wagon. In my box was this cleanser. The cleanser has a thin, fluid consistency similar to the Korres White Tea fluid cleanser. However, this cleanser turns into a foamy, drying mess. Although the cleanser is touted to re-balance the skin's natural pH, it does the opposite for me. Do not recommend.

Avène  - No idea what this stuff is called but it's one of Avène's makeup removing lotions but with a gel texture. I hate it.

Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover - Love, love, love! To be fair, I will officially review this eye makeup remover when Canada opens its first Target.

Korres Vitamin E Face Primer - No matter what moisturizer I used underneath, this primer would always pill. Instead of a smooth canvas, I ended up with little bits on my face and my foundation would look uneven and streaky.

One 'n Only Argan Oil - My hair dresser gave this oil treatment way back when my hair was damaged to no end. Of course, I forgot to use it until now and even with my healthier hair, I find this argan oil to be "meh". Dimethicone is the very first or second ingredient listed in the back while "argan oil" is further down. This probably explains the "meh" response my hair had.

Pond's Evening Sooth Wet Cleansing Towelettes - Surprisingly good but I won't be repurchasing. Pond's still tests on animals *sadface*

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser - No good. NO GOOD!

Nexcare Acne Dressing - I am waiting for the perfect angry pimple to review the Nexcare Acne Dressing, I swear. These little sticker things are magnificent and everyone and anyone needs an emergency pack on hand!

Samples

Lastly, the samples I managed to plow through (not many) since January. I mainly focused on hair shampoo & conditioner packets and now it's time to go through some tinted moisturizers and foundation samples. I have many skincare samples to go through too but I'm happy with my regimen at the moment. Time to tally!

Full size: 10
Deluxe/Travel size: 8
Samples: 14
Tossed: 2

I will admit that there are moments where I want to simply throw out a product but when I can help it, I do my best and persevere and that is what makes emptying such a rewarding experience for me. But that's just me.

What about you? What do you like about emptying and how well have you been doing with your emptying challenge?


* Items marked with an asterisk were a part of a giveaway prize. 

I'm Feeling Empty - Part 3

I lied. Before 2011 comes to an end, I want to pump out one last empties post for 2011 so that next year will start on a fresh slate. Plus, neither part 1 or 2 features any makeup (excluding mascaras) but part 3 will!

Up first are the skincare empties:


Avène Thermal Spring Water - I finished a much larger size early in the year which made an appearance in Pt. 1 but this travel sized lasted much longer (say what?!). It's a staple, much better than the Evian spray but I'm going to branch out next year.

St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser - Too drying and strongly scented. In the end, I used it as a brush and wash cloth cleanser. This happens to all bleh facial cleansers.

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask - When did the Volcanic Ash collection last come out? Well whenever it was that's how long I've had it for. The tube is actually 50% full but I'm tossing it. Never EVER listening to the certain Youtube guru that raved so highly about this mask ever again. It's expensive and.. IT DOES NOTHING AT ALL.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - Technically, this was the SO's and it was about 1/5th full when he left it with me to finish. Absolutely hate the smell which is very much like an ebi sunomono. The consistency kind of grosses me out too; reminds me of boogers and slime.

Etude House AC Clinic Acne Foam Cleanser - Almost as good as my beloved HadaLabo Tamagohada Face Wash but this one stings my eyes. Strangely enough, I enjoy the Glysomed-like scent.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream - Nooooo! This is my last travel sized tub of this cream. At first I didn't think it was worth it is. It has saved me from a lot of scarring. Must repurchase this ASAP in case of emergencies!

Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum - Seems like all the Murad products I've tried finish off extra quickly. If you haven't already read my full review, don't bother. In short - I don't recommend this serum.

Hair Care:


Earlier this year I made a P5P for shampoo's & conditioners. Well, I broke that project but I finished everything but the humongous Shiseido Tsubaki conditioner. Since I also finished a few other hair products this year, I'll say the P5P was successful. Hurray!

Essential Nuance Air Shampoo and Treatment - A year after I bought this pair, Kao reformulated the line. Not sure how the new formula compares but the shampoo was very meh. The SO loved how the shampoo smelled but all it reminds me of is the $12 Cut & Wash salons. Read: cheap hairspray.

John Freida Frizz Ease Serum - I'm trying to cut out silicone's from my hair products so after I finish my back up of this serum, I'll be leaving John Freida behind. Can't believe I used to call this stuff HG - it did nothing for me this fall!

Body Care:

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Extra Strength - Be gone! Finally finished off the LAST bottle of the Intensive Rescue. The first bottle made an appearance in Pt. 1 and the last bottle makes an appearance in Pt. 3. Good riddance, I hate this lotion but the SO loves it. Must convert him to something animal friendly next year!

The Body Shop Raspberry Ripple Bath & Shower Gel - The scent, oh the scent! If you like raspberry and cotton candy, this is a sweet mix. I want to gulp this shower gel down - it smells that good but burping out bubbles isn't lady like. Plus, I hate the taste of soap. How people willingly eat soap candies baffles me...

Makeup Removers:

There was a P7P made earlier this year on all make up removers in my stash. Well, I broke that project too... I know, I'm horrible BUT I finished all but one remover which was the humongous bottle of Shu Uemura's cleansing oil. I'll also claim this as a successful run because I finished a few new makeup removers.

Kracie Naive Cleansing Oil - This is a good cleansing oil and far better than the cult favourite  Shu Uemura cleansing oils. For no more than $15, I'd buy this again but it's hard to get a hold of. I bought this of YesAsia.com almost two years ago!

Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water - Read Rae's review on the Marcelle cleansing water and I jumped aboard the cleansing water train. Best enabled purchase of 2011!!

Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes - The pack probably has about 20 left but into the trash they go. This year I have learnt a lot about myself like how I despise cucumber scented products. Aside from the awful vegetable scent these towelettes strung my face red. That's no good!

Miscellaneous:

OPI Matte Nail Envy - MUST review this nail strengthener! Forget about Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Salon Strengthening Treatment, Nail Envy is 100x better. It's slightly more expensive but ooooooh so much better. Yeah, I seriously need to review this soon.

eos Medicated Lip Balm in Tangerine - Where is the tangerine scent in this lip balm? WHERE? eos has some of the best smelling drugstore lip balms around but Tangerine is not it. None of the eos

Masks:


A stack of empty My Beauty Diary mask packs. This collection started back in August (or September?) and up until today there are 17 masks here. That is nearly one used each week up until today! They all smell amazing and hydrate well but my favourite is the new My Beauty Diary mask in Royal Jelly. 

Samples:

Who else is swimming in samples? I still have a drawer full of samples but these were the first ones I decided to clear out. None of them were impressive enough to warrant future purchases but that's all good because I clearly do not need anything for a long, long time.

And what everyone has been waiting for.... the makeup!

Too Faced Eyeshadow (depotted) - This eyeshadow is from the Too Faced Naughty or Nice palette which came out in 2009(?). It's a beige eyeshadow that I used as an all over colour. After 2 years, it's FINALLY finished. This is the first eyeshadow I have ever finished but truth be told, I don't think the pan it was held in was all that big... *hangs head*

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Not bad but the Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is better and cheaper. Good thing I never splurged on the full size!

Baviphat Magic Girls Plus BB Cream - I won this on an eBay auction earlier this year. Funny how I finished this one first but not the other dozen BB cream samples I've had since 2010. Then again, Magic Girls Plus is the only BB cream that matched my skin tone!

Skin79 Diamond The Prestige BB Cream - Grey. Grey. Grey. Next!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - So... this eyeshadow primer is still 50% full but I've had it since December... of 2009. Now to go through the two back ups. In my defense, the back ups came with two Too Faced palettes I have. - I don't hoard that badly, really!

Shiseido Eyeliner - Tossing this. It's from 5 years ago, need I say more?

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes - There is no way I could ever finish up a full sized eyeliner which is why I'll admit the Quickliner is a sample. The sample lasted three uses but each time it would smudge.

Wait! There's more! 


Mascaras galore! These are all of the mascaras I have used this year; nearly one tube per month. It seems kind of wasteful but I had to toss half of it due to a) flaking b) smudging c) curl killing.

My favourite mascaras out of the bunch:
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl -  Long & Curl is a waterproof mascara that volumizes, lengthens, and holds a curl. It will flake later in the day but there is virtually no smudging. Two words: HOLY GRAIL.

Imju Dejavu Fiberwig - Fiberwig will forever be my favourite lengthening mascara and it's so fun to remove too!

Prestige My Longest Lashes - My Longest Lashes deserves an honorable mention. While it isn't waterproof and it smudges (only a little), it thickened my lashes and held a curl better than any other Western mascara I've tried all year.

Pheeeewf, all done! After all of this emptying and tossing I realized the tallying system needs to be revised but only slightly. From now on, every two travel/deluxe sample sized items will equal to one full size and every ten sample packets will equal to a full sized product. 
In total, there is 20 sample packets, 10 deluxe samples, and 11 full size which equals to... *drum roll* ... 20 empties (37 if you including the sheet masks!) and 9 tossed! 

Sweet relief! Now I feel a whole lot less guilty about the never-ending shopping & splurges since November. Until next year (for serious this time)!

I'm Feeling Empty

Boy, what a depressing blog title...
Don't fret dear, I'm only talking about all of the products I have used up since January to July!
Besides showing off my most amazing purchases, I also love to brag about using up a pile of products. It's insanely hard to use up anything when you're a hoarder like me, believe me.

I'll start off with the small stuff:


My new favorite hair products. If only the Suave dry shampoo was available in Canada.
Good thing I picked up two bottles of it when I was in Seattle because I only used my first bottle ten times before it went empty (wtf??). The Body Shop shampoo & condition will be reviewed very soon. It's good stuff!


I finished a few full sized tubes of mascaras too but I accidentally threw those out yet I remembered to keep the sample sizes... Let's blame my selective memory for that.

I'm really glad I get to throw out this small collection of eye make up though.
The Physicians Formula Eye Booster serum in Clear doesn't work. I'm glad there was a full rebate sticker included because I seriously want my money back.
Clinique mascaras are horrible for my thin, pin straight lashes. They weight down my lashes (can't hold a curl for the life of it) and smudge at the tiniest sight of tears. I have tried Benefit Bad Gal twice now and I still hate it.
Lancome Définicils is the best mascara I have tried for lengthening but it's not something I'd purchase. I don't pay for mascaras over $10 unless it's a Japanese brand. I've been spoiled by Kiss Me Heroine Make and Dejavu Fiberwig!


A random assortment of cleansers and make up removers.
I used the Bioré cleansers to clean my facial clothes and make up brushes. Good for the brushes, bad for my face. The make up removers to remove make up of course. I prefer cleansing oils/waters now but these duo-phase make up removers are good. Too bad they're a waste of cotton pads and tissue. Can't you see I'm trying to shrink my carbon foot print??


The Vaseline lotion was only half full (or empty) when I started using it in January. The SO left it with me so he didn't have to take it back home with him on his last visit (lazy); yet it took me half a year to finish it. My excuse is that I have been rotating various lotion samples throughout this time. The Elizabeth Grant Lubricating Body Cream was from a Luxe's May order. Do not like it - it's sticky and smells like glue. Do not like Nivea's lotion either but I had to use it all up, including this extra sample packet of it from an Elle magazine.

When did I buy this exfoliator? It feels like I've had it forever but it can't have been too long.
I actually really like this and will probably do a review on it. If I didn't have the Salux, I would repurchase this or try out the infamous Soap & Glory Flake Away scrub!


Another random assortment of cleansers but toners as well. Eye spy a sad and empty bottle of CURE Natural Aqua Gel, do you?
I have reviewed most of the items in this picture or have spoken briefly about them. The only products I am not a fan of is the Lancôme toner and the Clinique toner. Something about mid to high-end toners always ticks me off. It could be the amount of alcohol that's in them or my skin but I'll stick to softeners and lotions from now on. Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion, anyone?

So this is my collection of empty bottles and tubes dedicated to a post where I can brag about the stuff I have used up instead of stuff I have purchased! I am upset that I can't brag a bit more because of empty bottles that have gone missing but there's always a next time.
In fact, I have a few bottles nearing it's recycling death but I'm saving that for later!

What have you used up recently and do you ever recycle afterwards? I'm thinking of joining Terracycle.com but I normally put my empties in the blue recycling basket for weekly recycling. 

Avène Redness Relief Soothing Cream (SPF 25) - Review

I'm a little behind in reviews but I couldn't wait any longer to write this one.
Today's review is on the Avène Redness Relief Soothing Cream. I haven't hated a product this much to want to review it but here I go!

Avène says:

Light green cream neutralizes and helps minimize the appearance of redness while improving microcirculation and providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection

- Helps minimize the appearance of swelling

- Helps reduce the appearance of redness
- Improves overall vein health
- Clinically proven to reduce the amount of recurrences of flushing and blushing
- Broad spectrum SPF25 protects skin and helps prevent future redness
- Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften the skin
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

Basically, this cream is for redness-prone skin. A few examples Avène provides:
- Intermittent redness (Flushes)
- Persistent redness (Rosacea)
- Dilated, enlarged blood vessels
- Bumps or pimples
- Burning, stinging, flushing

Like with any sunscreen or cream with SPF, apply generously onto thoroughly cleansed skin and 15 minutes prior to sun exposure!

[Review]
I love the idea of cream or moisturizer that neutralizes the redness in my skin. However, Avène's "light green" is far too light to do neutralize or conceal anything. It's so light in color that I feel as if I'm imagining the green in the cream. I am still as red as before I applied the cream.
I'm constantly trying to reduce the redness around my nose, on pimples and cheeks but nothing seems to work. I have thin facial skin (got it from my mama) and years of hot towel abuse caused broken capillaries on the cheeks. Don't worry though, my case is very very mild and the capillaries are extremely tiny but altogether, I constantly look like I'm blushing. Or perhaps I look like I've applied my blush all splotchy. I don't even bother concealing the mess anymore. All I want is to heal my skin in some sense. I expected my "vein health" to improve but I've not experience this whatsoever. I always have atleast one tiny flare up and this cream does not minimize the appearance of swelling either.
Of course the SPF prevents future redness but I expect a minimum SPF of 30 for real protection. I do not want to be settling with SPF25 during the summer. During the winter, maybe. But wait, wait, wait! This cream offers preventative measures while claiming to cure the present issues. However, we already know this cream fails at helping and reducing redness now so why expect for a better future?
Other bad news - this formula sucks.
Reminder: I have dry skin and the occasional dry patches.
This cream doesn't cause breakouts or further sensitivities but even the smallest dot of product makes me look greasier than melted butter. If those who suffer from dry skin turn into greaseballs after using this cream, what makes you think anyone with oily skin is capable of handling this formula??
My best comment comment is that the scent is.. average; Avène's signature scent(?). Not floral, not fruity. Maybe even soothing - not strong at all, quite light! The cream comes housed in a tube; good for hygiene freaks and good at maintaining the potency of the ingredients!! As for the ingredients, I only found ingredients Avène specialize in and my gift set didn't include a list of ingredients. Oh well, you can deal with this:Avène Thermal Spring Water (45%)
- Soothes, softens, calms and cools
Dextran sulfate (0.3%)
- Helps minimize the appearance of swelling
Ruscus extract (0.2%)
- Improves overall vein health
Hesperidin methyl chalcone (0.2%)
- Helps reduce the appearance of redness
Titanium dioxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene
- Provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection

If I wasn't clear before, I do not recommend this cream at all. My best advice is to find a separate sunscreen and moisturizer/cream and use them in conjuction of each other.
On the other hand, I'd certainly recommend Avène's Thermal Spring Water. I've tried the Evian mist and it does not compare to how well Avène works. I know they're essentially both water in spray cans but Avène really helps sooth redness and calm any burning or stinging skin!                    

Much Love
(just not in the review),