January's farewelled products (2013 edition)

It's already the beginning of my third year recording and sharing my thoughts on those emptied beauty products!  Last year I was on a mission to use up 100 products - this year I'm just going ease back, relax and not let myself get stressed about the numbers. On a silly, slightly random note, man, I do have an ugly bunch of products this month. It looks like the proverbial pile of rubbish. Not that it's how I feel about the actual products though...

Skin care

1. Neutrogena Night Calming Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes (25 towelettes) - I finished this pack almost a month ago, way back at the start of January.  These towelettes don't just cleanse off the makeup but apparently also have a "unique calming fragrance" to help "unwind" and prepare you for a "good night's sleep". Hmmm...I can't say I noticed anything remarkable in that department! Yes, they did have a pleasant scent but I don't think I felt any more zen than usual.  Besides that the wipes did perform well in the makeup removal department and because they're alchohol-free and felt quite moisturising I didn't need any night cream afterward. Not bad.

2. L'Oreal Youth Code Luminosity Hydrating Day Cream (50ml) - Although called a day cream, this can be used for day and evening to improve and even out skin tone.  I didn't realise how effective this was at correcting my complexion until I went away on holiday and left the jar at home - my cheek pigmentation became noticeably worse when I stopped using it!  I'm currently working my way through my backlog of facial moisturisers (and targeting spot removers) but I can definitely see myself coming back to this cream in future.

3. Face of Australia Purifying Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes) - I bought this pack for the bargain price of $4.  These alchohol-free wipes were as effective as any and non-drying.  A great budget option (other than baby wipes I guess?) and - while they are a little smaller than some of the other wipes on the market - for the price I don't think it matters if I occasionally had to use two to remove heavy makeup.

Hand and body care

4. OPI Original Polish Remover (120ml - 4 fl.oz) - My only criticism of this remover will be the price at $9.90 per bottle, or per month for me. 

5. Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Age Defying Hand Remedy (100ml - 3.4fl.oz) - Whoa, with a name like that this hand cream promised a lot! I find lavender a very soothing scent so I used this hand cream as my overnight hand treatment.  The texture and appearance actually weirdly reminded me of antiseptic cream but the Vitamin C & E and shea butter formula absorbed quickly and did a great job of moisturising.  And the scent - I've always loved old-fashioned lavender so it was a perfect fragrance for drifting off...

6. Dove Visible Beauty Nourishing Body Lotion (50ml travel size) - I used this little lotion on holiday.  I found it very light and easily, instantly absorbed.  The pleasant fruit scent evaporated away and my sun-dehydrated skin felt silky and not at all greasy.  Because the lotion spread so easily and provided great coverage the small bottle lasted surprisingly well. 

Fragrance

7. Estee Lauder Pleasures Exotic EDT (7ml) -  I'm a bit of a fan of the original Pleasures and the sweet Pleasures Delight spin-off but I wasn't as enamored by the sharp edge to this variation.  Top notes:  Pink Grapefruit & Mango.  Middle notes:  Green leaves, Peony, Hibiscus, Lychee & Cassis.  Base notes:  Sandalwood, Amber & Violet Woods.

That's January 2013 summed up!

Vita :)

REVIEW: October's farewelled products

It probably sounds crazy but every time I have a few days off from work it seems like I have less time for the quieter pastimes like blogging - there's just way too much other stuff to do with the family!  We're nearing the end of a 4 day long weekend down here, hence my mini absence and the explanation for the lateness of the empties post.  Well, here it is now and I've surprised myself again with the amount of products I managed to finish over the past month...

Skin care

101) Neutrogena Healthy Defence Daily Moisturiser SPF 30+ (40ml)

This is my favourite facial sunscreen because it's light enough to go over my usual moisturiser without leaving my face feeling like an oil slick.  For my original review click here.

102) Maybelline Express Care Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (90ml)

Out of curiousity (and just so I don't rest on my beauty laurels) I'm currently trying out another product but I already know I'll return to this budget makeup remover.  See my original review here. 

103) Avene Eau Thermale Extremely Gentle Cleanser (200ml)

This soothing cleanser saved my skin from burning, raw irritation (here) so I can only sing its praises too.  I would certainly repurchase if my skin has another bout of sensitivity. 

104) Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes (30 towelettes)

While I liked the cucumber and aloe scent I didn't love these wipes as much as I'd expected to because my skin actually felt a slightly tight and tingly after using them and I had to use a night cream afterwards.  I probably won't repurchase.

105) Missha M Signature Real Complete B.B Cream Cleansing Tissue (sample pack)

I have no idea what the ingredients are in these wipes because it's all written in Korean!  Yes, these wipes are made of delicate tissue, rather finer than the usual thicker material and they have a rather unusual, albeit not unpleasant scent about them.  They gently wiped away my makeup and I didn't feel tight after using them so that's a plus.  I have no idea on price etc after searching online so I'm a bit up in the air as to whether I'd actually go to the effort of buying a pack!

Hand and body care

106) OPI Nail Lacquer (Kalahari Khaki)

This was my first ever bottle of OPI polish so I feel a bit sad about getting rid of it.  It was used just about all the way to the bottom of the bottle so I can't complain about that!

107) OPI Original Polish Remover ( 120ml/4fl.oz)

My ninth bottle for the year. 

108) Natio Lavender and Rosemary Hand and Nail Cream (75ml/2.5fl.oz)

Natio is one of my favourite local skin care brands and this product was another winner for me. I loved the natural oil scent of this hand cream and how well it absorbed into my skin.  The 75ml tube is a good size for the handbag too so I would easily repurchase this one!

 

109) L'Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream with 5% Shea Butter (250ml/8.4 fl.oz) 

Oh how I looooved this stuff - so divinely creamy on my skin in the shower, and it has that wonderfully slightly nutty scent about it! Damn shame about the price cos I hate the idea of washing $30AUD of product so quickly down the drain.  I tried to make it last as long as possible by alternating with my Cetaphil cleanser so it took me a couple of months to finish, but still I'd hesitate before buying it - until I feel like another skin care splurge anyway (Gah!) 

 

110) Dove Silky Nourishment Body Cream (300ml)

The only criticism I have about this fluffy, instantly absorbed and divinely scented body cream is that it doesn't also come in a tube so it doesn't travel well - a shame because I'd love to take this budget beauty everywhere! A definite repurchase.  My full review is here.  

 

Cosmetics

111) Essence Silky Touch Blush (10 adorable)
I actually finished a blush pan! Woo-hoo! I wore this little blush almost everyday to work because it was such a soft, natural shade for me. It did need a touch up after lunch but for a product which costs a mere few dollars that is not much of a complaint really. The only reason I won't repurchase is I have "magically" accumulated quite a few blushes over the past year or so. For full review and swatches click here.

112) YSL Touche Eclat (Sample)
Using this illuminating concealer again reminded me why I'd used it for so many years - it's actually pretty good as a multi-tasker as it brightened my under eye area and provided enough coverage for areas with light redness. Ultimately the problem is the price - At $55AUD a tube this is enough to pay for three of my Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealers! Granted the Maybelline's not packaged in a gorgeous gilt tube but it-does-the-job. Maybe next time I travel overseas I'll consider the YSL as a duty-free indulgence but for now I'm happy doing without.

 

Fragrance

113) Herve Leger Femme EDP (50ml)
I don't normally buy my fragrance from Avon but this one wasn't too bad, although perhaps a little too sugary sweet for me to wear every day.  It's a woody-floral fragrance with notes of "...Chinese Magnolia, Sicilian pink grapefruit, orange blossom, honeywood, hot benzoin tears (what?!?), cypress and vanilla." In terms of the packaging I do like the bandage bottle design which is synonymous with Herve Leger.

So, that's it for another month of beauty consumption!

Vita :) 
 

REVIEW: Dove Silky Nourishment Body Cream

I'd like to introduce you to my latest every day moisturiser -

Dove's Silky Nourishment is my current pot of body moisturizing indulgence which I received as part of a Priceline skin care pack a few months ago.  I'd never tried it before and I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I'm enjoying it - any excuse and I'm slathering it on.  Without further ado let's get into my rave review!

These pictures are just about life size - look at that great big tub!

I'm always using some form of body moisturiser so by now I've identified what my needs/wants are in a body cream or lotion.  I want it to be rich and obviously moisturising, but I don't want it to be too rich to glide over my skin for easy all-over body coverage - tick!  I'm usually in a hurry in the mornings so I'm going to want quick absorption - tick! - and I want soft skin, but I don't want it to feel greasy - tick!  Finally, for an everyday moisturiser I want a soft, subtle fragrance which won't clash with my perfume - again, tick!  The lovely, very subtle fragrance fades away and I just smell like a nice(er) version of me! 

Every time I look at the contents of that pot I just want to dive right in!

You can see this cream achieves the balance of richness and lightness at the same time.  It reminds me of lightly whipped cream - you, know the 'soft peak' which just holds its shape.

According to Dove, this Silky Nourishment Body Cream feels silky and indulgent because it actually contains "...pure silk, contained within Dove's rich, creamy moisturisers" .   I love it because, yes, it feels indulgent, yet at less than $10AUD for a generous sized tub I can slather away to my heart's content without hurting my wallet.

Pros:

• Richly moisturising and feels like a more luxe product
• Great coverage,  a little dollop glides a long way over the skin
• Can be applied on shower damp skin and absorbs quickly and easily
• Non-greasy
• Good value at just under $10AUD for a 300ml tub
• Pleasant, subtle fragrance that won't clash with perfume

Cons:

• Packaging - a tub won't be suitable for those who don't enjoy sticking their fingers into product!
• Again, packaging - the large tub takes up a lot of bench space and isn't travel-friendly

Would I repurchase this?

For at home use, definitely!

What's your favourite everyday body moisturiser?

Vita :)

REVIEW: Products farewelled in August

At the end of July I'd finished 46 beauty products - now here are 9 more to add to my yearly beauty consumption tally!

 

 

Skin care

47) Natio Ageless Gentle Cleansing Milk (30ml/1.0fl.oz travel size)
The products in Natio's Ageless skin care range are plant based and contain organic Rosehip oil which is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. This was my first experience with Natio's facial skin care and I really enjoyed using this cleanser because of its lovely essential oil scent and how it left my skin feeling clean but not stripped or tight. 

Pros:

• Light textured, milky formula which rinses off easily or can be wiped away with a cotton pad
• Skin feels moisturised after cleansing
• Pleasant natural fresh fragrance 
• Plant based, containing Rosehip, Sweet Almond and Sesame
• Reasonably priced at $15.40AUD per full sized product (125ml/4.2fl.oz) 

Cons:

• None

Would I buy this again?
Yes, this is a lovely luxurious budget cleanser.


48) Revlon Age Defying Day Cream (15ml/0.5fl.oz)
I picked this up as part of a gift with purchase.  It's super-rich cream and according to the packaging a firming, anti-wrinkle formula.  This little tube lasted me quite a few days because I only needed to use a small amount due to its rich texture.  I also did feel some kind of firming effect on my skin, although I attributed it to the thickness of the cream as the sensation only lasted immediately after I applied it. Obviously, only using it for days rather than weeks I can't say that I noticed any of the anti-wrinkle properties.

Pros:

• Great formula for winter-parched skin as it's suited for normal to dry skin
• Rich formula goes a long way
• Absorbs well into the skin and provides a smooth base for makeup
• Skin feels firmer immediately after applying
• Contains SPF 15
• Subtle fragrance
• Moderately priced at $46AUD for a 50ml jar

Cons:

• This formula would be too rich for normal to oily skin, i.e. my skin in summer (however there is a lighter lotion formula available for normal to oily skin types)

Would I buy this again?
I like this product and at less than $50AUD I'd consider buying it to use in winter or if my skin's feeling dehydrated and needs a pick-me-up.


49) Shiseido Benefiance Daytime Protective Emulsion SPF 15 (15ml/.5fl.oz)
Ah, Shiseido, my HG skin care brand...Another GWP sample I had to try.  This was a light silky lotion which smelt glorious, absorbed quickly and made my skin instantly feel softer without any hint of greasiness.  I won't do a full review because this product's now been superseded by Shiseido's new Benefiance 'WrinkleResist24' Day Emulsion. 

Hand care

50) OPI Polish Remover (non-oily, moisturizing formula) 
My sixth bottle this year so say no more. (for the original review click here).

51) Dove Visible Beauty Hand Cream (75ml)
This was a nice and light, super quick absorbing hand cream, which instantly gave me silky hands!  Only downside for me was the lingering zesty fragrance was a little too overpowering for my taste. (For a full review click here ).

52) L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream (30ml)
My HG hand cream, lovely and rich because of the 20% shea butter content.  I use this when my hands need heavy duty moisture or just before bed for an overnight moisture treatment. A definite repurchase. (Click here for my original review).

Cosmetics

53)  MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder (NC 20)
This is the second MAC powder I've finished this year.  I use this every day to set my makeup and keep away the shinies.  I love the sheer soft finish this gives to my skin.  (Click here for my full review).

54) MAC Eye Shadow (Soft Force - Veluxe Pearl finish)
This was a very glam shimmery gold limited edition shadow from the Style Warrior Collection.  I used it on the inner corners of my eyes for a subtle daytime highlight or all over the lid for a more glamorous evening eye.  I love my MAC shadows because of their rich pigmentation, silky texture and long lasting wear. I can always find new gems in MAC's vast array of shades and finishes.

Fragrance

55) YSL Opium Eau de Toilette (75ml)
This was a gift from Hubby.  This is a very sexy, heady oriental fragrance my Hubby loves on me and it's my date night scent.  According to YSL, Opium has topnotes of mandarin, bergamot, lily of the valley; a heart of jasmine, carnation, myrrh; and a base of vanilla, amber, sweet myrrh, and patchouli.  It's a very potent scent and for evening wear only!  I will definitely repurchase this - unless my husband buys it first. ;)


That's it for another month. I wonder how close I'll get to 100 empties by the end of the year?

Until next time

Vita :)

REVIEW: Dove Visible Beauty hand cream

Dove's Visible Beauty hand cream has been my handbag companion over the last month or so and I've been using it every day.  One of my morning rituals is applying hand cream during my morning commute to work.  I usually do this while sitting on the train, but this hand cream is so fast absorbing I can do this while I'm on the platform and not have to worry about my greasy mits opening train carriage doors - strange observation isn't it?  Most importantly this hand cream leaves my hands feeling as smooth as silk and with absolutely no hint of greasiness!

So what do Dove say about this product?  According to the tube Dove Visible Beauty "...has a unique breathrough formula with a patented Multi-Layer Complex that nourishes every layer of your skin's protective barrier - the surface, the middle and deep down where beautiful skin begins." I was interested to find out more about this patented "Multi-Layer Complex" but could only find the above blurb repeated across Dove's website without any further explanation.  Glycerin is one of the main ingredients in Visible Beauty and the tube is a handy 75ml size.

 As you can see in the picture below, this cream has a light almost gel textured formula which absorbs readily into the skin:

Pros:

• Light formula is easily & rapidly absorbed deeply into the skin
• Leaves skin super soft
• Non-greasy
• Handy 75ml tube
• Price - $5.50AUD

Cons:

• Zesty fragrance is quite heavy and lingers long after applied

Would I buy this again?

Definitely.  Until something else catches my eye!

Do you have a favourite hand cream or do you like to change brands frequently like me?

Until my next post.

Vita :)