Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Products I've Used Up/Empties Vol. 19

Time for a giant empties post! 

I hope I learn my lesson soon and do these empties at a quicker intervals otherwise there is just way too many empties and it gets harder to record my thoughts. These empties are from the last 2-3 months! I also discovered quite a few of them hidden in nooks and crannies of my house. I am also trying to finish all the sample/travel size products. Now that we are not really travelling, I wanted to finish these up before they go bad.




NEUTROGENA Body Oil Light Sesame Formula: Nothing much to say about this. It is my go-to body oil, I especially need it during winter. I have gone through many, many bottles of these and I will continue to repurchase.

AVEENO Creamy Moisturizing Oil: This is called an oil but I feel this was just some normal body lotions. I liked it; did what it meant to do but I would not repurchase.

KATE SPADES Live Color Fully Body Lotion: Body lotion that I got with a value/gift set. I had it and I used it up. That's about it! 

HERBIVORE Coco Rose Coconut Oil Body Polish: It was nice enough. But I felt like it was expensive; I could get similar experience from less expensive alternatives. I would not repurchase, at least not at full price.

TREE HUT Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion: I typically get it as a part of a value set. I love Tree Hut products and I definitely  see myself repurchasing this, in a value set.

TOCCA Giulietta Nourishing Body Scrub: I got it in a set and finished it. That's it :-) 

L'OCCITANE Shower Oil: Among all the bath products, this is definitely my most favorite. I already have a full size as backup.

L'OCCITANE Milk Concentrate & Ultra Rich Body Lotion: Some travel size that I finished. I will definitely repurchase this in a value set.

PHILOSOPHY Amazing Grace Body Emulsion: Travel size that I finished. I actually do like Philosophy body products. And I like to save them for when I am travelling - which isnt gonna happen anytime soon.

ORIGINS Ginzing Energy-boosting Moisturizer: This is one of my ABSOLUTELY favorite moisturizer, especially for summer. It has a thin gel-like consistency and smells very fresh and bit citrus-y. I will definitely repurchase in the future.

AMOREPACIFIC Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Eye Treatment Gel, Sleeping Recovery Masque & Enzyme Treatment Peel: I have only used a handful of Amorepacific products that too in sample sizes but I do like them. I liked this one too but I don't necessarily use eye creams that much.

DR DENNIS GROSS Exfoliating Moisturizer: Out of all the tiny little samples I finished up, this one impressed me the most. It was moisturizing but I think the exfoliating nature also helped. I would be interested to invest in a full size - but it is a very expensive product.

No 7 Booster Serum: Sample product used up.

OLE HENRIKSEN Invigorating Night Treatment: Another sample that I am glad to use up! Nothing special to report.

The Estee Edit Pink Peony Overnight Water Pack: This was an older product that was lost in my bag I keep my travel sizes products in. Glad I used these up.

BELIF The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb: I really like Belief moisturizers. I try to get them in sample sizes. And I do prefer the moisturizing bombover the aqua bomb. This one is a bit more moisturizing.

PETER THOMAS ROTH Water Cloud Cream Cleanser & PACIFICA Sea Foam Complete Face Wash: Two cleansers that I never tried before. They were ok. Nothing special that would make me want to repurchase.  

Vita Liberata Broad Spectrum SPF 50: It was ok but I dont see myself repurchasing this one. 

JACK BLACK Sun Guard: I actually used this sunscreen long time ago but I forgot to put this in my empties post. While cleaning up my vanities, I discovered it. I did like this sunscreen. It was not greasy at all and it sat well under my makeup. I have a few open sunscreen tubes that I need to finish but I can eventually see myself repurchasing.

CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir: I used to love this a long time ago. I used up 1-2 bottles and then for some reason I didn't repurchase. Then I started using it again earlier this year. And I really did enjoy it, again! I am not sure though, if I would repurchase just now. I have other toners in my backup that I need to use up.

PETER THOMAS ROTH Cucumber Gel Mask: Another staple mask in my skincare routine. It’s a hydrating type of mask; simple and easy. I tend to use it at least once a week - this or the next one.

FRESH Rose Face Mask: Another one of my fav go-to hydrating masks. This is even more hydrating than the one above. I often use this one when my skin is severely parched - will definitely repurchase.

ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask: I have gone through 2 full-sizes and many many sample size of this mask - definitely one of my go-to masks. It clears up my pores, tightens my skin and brings a lot of liveliness to my skin! I am currently using another full-size. I am a little bit annoyed with Origins that they reduced the size of the tube while increasing the price.

And now, soooo many Drunk Elephant empties. 

I typically buy their value set, and the little ones come very handy when I am travelling. We all know, drunk elephant is expensive. I did not have any bad experience with any of these, however I don't think all of them is worth the price.

T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: Out of all the DE products, this is my most favorite. I have gone through a few of these bottles. It helps with my acnes - I dont really have senstivie skin but I do get acnes occasionally and sometimes it can get out of hand. This serum I feel like helps in controlling those type of acnes. I can definitely see myself repurchasing.

C-Firma Day Serum: This was ok. It sank in quickly and it was nourishing. I am not too sure if it helped with brightening. But I have used Vit-C serum that I like better and which costs less. I will probably buy it in a value set or in a set but I dont think I will repurchase in a full-size. 

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum: To be honest, this felts more like a gel moisturizer than a serum. I did like it - mostly I mixed it with the Marula Oil and it was perfect. But I still feel like it is too expensive for what it is!

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil: Another product that I loved using but not enough to repurchase. It was nice lightweight oil. On my less dry skin type of days, I would use it alone or if I am feeling particularly dry, I would mix it with B-Hydra Serum.

C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream: This is the product that I did not like. I mean it was ok, however after I used for some months, I could see some milia developing around my eyes. I am still trying to get rid of them. There is still a little product left in here that I am not going to use up.

Lala Retro Whipped Cream & Protini Polypeptide Cream: They were just ok and I know that both of these felt different but honestly, I do not remember if I could differentiate how I felt about each one. Which definitely indicates that I did not enjoy either f them enough to repurchase, not in full size at least.

MAKEUP & HAIR

BECCA COSMETICS Backlight Priming Filter: ❤✔️ Absolute FAV! I love wearing it on its own for a subtle, healthy glow! It also plays nicely under foundation. This packaging was 👌 for travelling. Already repurchased full-size.

CLARINS Instant Eye Make-up Remover: ➖ It was just meh. Will not repurchase.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover:  ➖  It does the job, but not my fav. Will not repurchase. 

MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix Setting Spray: I think I used long back. I have no recollection if I liked it.

LILAH B BEAUTY Aglow Face Mist: ➖ It was ok. Didn't justify the price for me. Would not repurchase.

@skindinavia the Makeup Finishing Spray: ✔️Classic product for a reason. I don't have issues with makeup sliding off my face, but I think this is a great setting spray! Currently using a full size.

@marcjacobsbeauty Perfecting Coconut Setting Spray: ✔️ Very hydrating for my dry skin. Loved the glow it added to the look. It's expensive; I would repurchase only if I find a good deal. Honestly, I don't exactly know if it's still available.

@narsissist Longwear Eyeliner: ➖ Decluttered - I used up half of this & I liked it. But it is old/dried up! And, I don't by from NARS anymore.

@stilacosmetics  Stay All Day Waterproof Liner: ❤✔️Absolute FAV! I can create wings very easily with this and it does not budge all day. Already repurchased.

@anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Wiz: ✔️Most fav brow product. This & the clear gel is their only product I use. Lately, the brand's actions has been questionable! I have a backup and then I will see if I repurchase or not. 

I finished up a lot of perfume samples; Tocca, Atelier, PLur are the standouts but I have 7864 bottles of perfume that I need to finish before I think of repurchasing.

Dry Bar Triple Sec 3-in-1: This did nothing for me.

Lumiere D'hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect: Another sample size I acquired from somewhere. Glad to be done with it. 

MASKS & SAMPLE:

I love the Sephora & Farmacy masks. The Karun hand and foot masks were such a luxurious at-home-spa like experience. 

At the top are some declutters. Most of them I used at least 50% but did not like or cared enough to finish it up. 

Alright, that's it for today.

Love,

~Arrru

Friday, September 4, 2020

Monthly Favorites ::: August 2020

So apparently, this is September. Some days I feel like 2020 is going very slowly and on some days I feel like it was March just moments ago! 

I shared in my Monthly Favorites post from May (see here: 'Monthly Favorites') how makeup has been a very positive distraction from all the chaos in the world during this quarantine. And I am still playing with makeup during weekends and I am still loving the process! This is one of the creative hobbies that is doing good things for me during these challenging times!

So here are the products I loved during the month of August -

VISEART Editorial Brights Palette: I had so much fun with this palette this month! So. Much. Fun! I shared in my IG feed how I have longed for this palette for years and I am so happy that I finally have it. All the colors show up as vibrant as they appear on the pan! I love the Yellow, and the Purple shades the most; they are simply amazing. The blue shades are a tad bit dry and takes effort in blending. 

I have created looks with all these shades, so I have enough info to write my blogpost and yet, I am still so excited to keep experimenting with the palette. Typically, once I have tested out all the shades in a new palette, I would move on to the next new (to me) eye product! The fact that I am still interested in playing with this palette is a tell tell sign for me that I am absolutely loving this palette. 

DANESSA MYRICKS Colorfix Cream Color in Matte "Primary Red": As anticipated, I have completely fallen in love with this Colorfix in Primary Red. This is the red of my dreams! Fierce and unapologetic RED! It took me a minute to figure out the best application technique but I think I have got the hang of it. I wear it alone or mix it with other cream formulas to get custom colors. I have been using it to create graphic liners and I absolutely love it.



MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder in "Ultramarine": If the Colorfix above is the Red of my dreams, this is Blue of my dreams! You may or may not know, I am obsessed with this type of deep cobalt blue eyeshadows! And within the embarrassing amount of blue eye product I have, this is the most beautiful blue ever! This is a 'star powder'; it is an extremely refined powder that has a beautiful, soft but impactful shine! It looks simply gorgeous on the eyes! Its hella messy but I don't even care!

MILANI Ludicrous Lights Eye Toppers in "Pink-Aroo, Peach-Ella, Lalapa-Blue-Za": Sparkly eye toppers are my MOST recent favorite thing in makeup! Last few months I have worn them a lot and I just simply adore them! These eye toppers are fantastic; the shimmer particles in the formula are small but punchy; they shine so beautifully. All three shades here have a slight duochrome to them which makes them easier to pair it with more colors! I am also impressed with the wear time! I am still testing them out; but it's safe to say that I love them!

RITUEL DE FILLE The Alchemist Highlighter and  Color Nectar Pigment Balm in "Bloodflower" & TOWER BEAUTY Bronzino in "Best Coast": These has been a favorite last month and I am still loving and using them in my looks. 


Bloodflower is still an absolute favorite - I can wear it alone in lighter layer or increase the intensity to creating blush-draping type of looks. See my post here for detailed review! 
And yes, I am still enamored by The Alchemist. It has very visible but very intricate, beautiful glitter particles that just makes me sooooo happy. I have been creating fun, editorial looks which has made me feel like an artist 😀!
And yes, I am still using bronzino to create a fake sense of summer in my life, lol! I can read more about why I love the bronzino on my blogpost here.


NAILS INC "Naked in Neon" Nail Polish in "Knightriders Street": This is a set and I actually love all four shades in this set but this Neon green shade has my heart! I never thought I would find a neon green shade that would would look flattering on my skin-tone. It is very opaque in two coats, does not flake and on me it has lasted 10+ days. I have loved it since beginning of summer but I keep forgetting to add to my favorites list every month! Anyway, I am still gonna wear this even though the weather here has cooled down quite a bit.


Lip products: I haven't talked about lip products in a a hot minute. Mainly because between working from home, having no social event to attend and having to wear mask everytime I go out, Lipsticks has lost its intrigue. I only wear lipsticks if I am trying to pan something or to get a complimenting lip-shade to go with my eye looks. These are the products I have been using constantly to layer to custom color. Bite Beauty Cin Cin is a long time favorite, Ilia Beauty Nobody's Baby is kind of a neutral pink shade that I love to layer when I am trying to get a lighter version of my bolder lip shades - just like a wash-of-color. Lipstick Queen Magenta Fully Loaded, Berry Tacoma is relatively new but I am loving the formula and how easy it is to manipulate the shade.

That's it for this month! If you made it to this far, tell me what did you love this month?

Love,
~Arrru