Heeeey all! It's been awhile since I last posted but I was going through finals. I've never studied so hard before in my life, haha. Now that those are out of the way, I can finally put all my ideas down and into the blog! Starting off with my October and November empties, I wanted to share this before it adds up. I've even finished some makeup products, which is always exciting. So let's talk about which ones I'd repurchase and which ones I'm glad are gone.
SKINCARE
GARNIER SKIN RENEW DARK SPOT CORRECTOR (not CF) -- As you all know by now, this is my favorite Vitamin C product. It's great for fading acne hyperpigmentation and adds a nice boost of hydration. I think I still have one more tube of this but after that, I am going to have to find a new one to try. I've bought one from Paula's Choice that I'm excited for but if you have any recommendations, let me know!
Bottom Line: Won't repurchase, sadly.
THE BODY SHOP CAMOMILE CLEANSING OIL -- Cleansing oils are my preferred first cleanse and the Camomile one from the Body Shop is good. It has a nice scent and isn't too thick; a little bit goes a long way. However, this one seems to get into my mouth and I can taste the fragrance, which I haven't noticed with other cleansing oils. I do use this to remove liquid lipstick and eye makeup, and it does so nicely. It doesn't take off waterproof mascara but I have yet to find one that does. A huge con for me is that it leaks from the top, leaving the outside of the bottle greasy and slippery.
Bottom Line: It was nice while it lasted, but due to the faulty packaging, I wouldn't repurchase.
SKINFOOD PREMIUM TOMATO WHITENING ESSENCE -- The term "whitening" seems misleading as I don't think it is intended to significantly lighten the skin. The Tomato line is marketed for acne prone skin so this is supposed to help fade the marks. Since this was only a sample size, I didn't see a difference in hyperpigmentation marks but when used in conjunction with the other items in the line, my skin felt soft and hydrated without the sticky and heavy feeling from most creams.
Bottom Line: I don't know if Skinfood is cruelty-free so I won't be purchasing.
UP & UP REGULAR COTTON ROUNDS -- I found conflicting information on whether or not the Up & up Brand, a generic Target brand, is cruelty-free. But besides that, these are my favorite cotton rounds ever, and I've tried pretty much all the generic drugstore ones. They don't tear easily, making them ideal for nail polish removing. They're lightly textured so removing eye makeup is a breeze. I also use them to apply my toner so all in all, a great product! I hear the Shiseido ones are awesome but I cannot justify spending that much on something I toss away after one use. Maybe when I'm a millionaire...
Bottom Line: Would repurchase if I can verify Up & Up's cruelty-free status!
MAKEUP
BUXOM LASH MASCARA -- Not going to say much on this because I'm planning to review this one. But I will say that if you have short, sparse and thin lashes like I do, you aren't missing out on much.
Bottom Line: Wouldn't repurchase.
BOBBI BROWN SMOKEY EYE MASCARA -- Also drafted a review on this mascara as well. Again, not missing out on much. Also, Bobbi Brown isn't cruelty-free.
Bottom Line: Wouldn't repurchase.
Bottom Line: Wouldn't repurchase.
BAREMINERALS ORIGINAL FOUNDATION IN LIGHT -- Powder foundation is something I enjoy in the summertime. Just easy to put on and not worry about. I had a teeny bit left so I removed the sifter and had enough for one use. I liked it a lot and the color matches me best in the summer. There's another Bareminerals foundation that I can't wait to get my hands on so I do think that Bareminerals make the best foundation!
Bottom Line: Would repurchase!
Bottom Line: Would repurchase!
URBAN DECAY DE SLICK OIL-CONTROL MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY -- Oh boy, how I love this stuff! I live in Southern California and we had one of the hottest summers ever, leading into fall. So this stuff worked to keep my makeup where it's supposed to be AND kept the oil from surfacing. I only had enough for 2 uses before it ran out. I have a couple other setting sprays I want to use up before I repurchase this one.
Bottom Line: Will repurchase!
Bottom Line: Will repurchase!
STUDIO 35 LASH & BROW COMB -- I bought this as part of a set when I first started using makeup. The brush side didn't get much use as I wasn't sure what it was supposed to do. But I thoroughly enjoyed the lash comb side because if my mascara looked too clumpy, this sorted it out nicely. Unfortunately, I was a bit harsh with wiping the mascara clumps off the comb and it broke. Lash combs aren't the most exciting thing to buy but it comes in handy! Not sure if the Studio 35 line (Walgreens brand) is cruelty-free.
Bottom Line: Wouldn't repurchase this exact one but I will be looking into getting another one soon.
Bottom Line: Wouldn't repurchase this exact one but I will be looking into getting another one soon.
BODYCARE
AHAVA TIME TO SMOOTH AGE PERFECTING HAND CREAM -- I liked that it had SPF 15 in it and that it wasn't overly greasy. The size is nice for a handbag or purse. However, the scent was not pleasant and after I washed my hands, my hands went back to being dry like before. Not sure if it is cruelty-free or not.
Bottom Line: Would not repurchase.
HEMPZ POMEGRANATE HERBAL BODY WASH -- I've had this lying around for ages so I finally put it in the shower to make sure I used it. This is a gel texture so it went by pretty quickly. It lathered up nicely and left a squeaky clean feeling behind. My skin is pretty dry as it is but this did not exacerbate the dryness. I didn't smell pomegranates from this but it wasn't an offensive smell.
Bottom Line: Hempz is a cruelty-free brand so I would purchase other things from their line.
EARTH THERAPEUTICS LOOFAH EXFOLIATING SCRUB IN ALOE VERA & KIWI -- I use this to exfoliate my feet. In the summertime, my feet get so cracked and gross from wearing sandals and flip flops, so this helps keep them looking nice. I also add this to my shower poof to mildly exfoliate the rest of my skin to prevent buildup.
Bottom Line: Would repurchase when I run out of my stash, hehe.
VICTORIA'S SECRET BODY CREAM IN SECRET CHARM -- I got this as a Christmas present from my bestie almost two years ago so I used it up quickly. It has flowery notes of rose, gardenia, hyacinth, sweet pea, with a hint of pear and a dash of vanilla. It was sweet without being sugary and floral without being cloying. Sad that it's gone but I do still have the body mist.
Bottom Line: Victoria's Secret used to be cruelty free but started selling in China a while back and is no longer consider CF. Will not be repurchasing.
What have you all been using up lately?
I want to move out as many products as I can for the new year!
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