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EMPTIES | January to March 2019 Skincare Empties

Welcome back to part two of my empties series for the months of January to March! Part one covered all the makeup items I finished, so check that out if you're interested in reading my thoughts on various concealers, setting sprays, and eyebrows pencils. But for now, let's discuss my skincare empties.


Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil with Rosehip Seed Extract (CF/GWP) $19.99 usd for 0.51oz/$29.20usd for 1 oz /$1.96 usd for 0.05 fl oz -- Isn't this the cutest tiny bottle packaging you've ever seen?? It makes various claims such as fighting the signs of premature aging, providing nourishment for healthy skin, including all-day hydration. Now, I'm in my mid-twenties and this was a sample size item so I cannot attest to any premature aging claims. However, it did prevent my face from feeling tight due to dryness and kept away the dry skin flakes. Following the Drunk Elephant method of mixing my serum and oil worked well for keeping my face moisturized throughout the day. Alternatively, you could apply this first and then apply your moisturizer afterwards per Burt's Bees' recommendation. This facial oil can be used morning and evening and they recommend 2-3 drops but I'm sure I used more than that. The scent is peppery,which may be the rosemary oil included in the formula.
Bottom Line: Overall, a pleasant experience but for the price, I would not purchase.

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover (not CF/GWP) $26 usd for 6.7 fl oz (value size) / $3.88usd for 1 fl oz  -- I'm not partial to any one eye makeup remover but I do prefer a bi-phase one. I find that it removes all of my eye makeup, even the  tough stuff: waterproof mascara, glitter, cream eyeshadow, and gel liner. Nothing in particular stood out for me with the Clinique in comparison to other ones I've tried from the drugstore. The Clinique did everything I expected a bi-phase eye makeup remover to do and I am happy that I got a chance to try it out. I appreciated that it didn't have a scent and didn't sting even when the product got into my eye. 
Bottom Line: All in all, a solid eye makeup remover but I would not purchase. 

Derma-E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum with Hyaluronic Acid (CF/P)  $19.99usd for 2 fl oz/$10usd per oz  -- Ever since I went CF, I've been looking for a replacement for my beloved Garnier Vitamin C Dark Spot Corrector (product smackdown). If my memory serves me correctly, I've gone through two bottles of this and am working on my third. I am working on a full review of this product so I won't go into detail here but will link to the dedicated post once it goes live. 
Bottom Line: Spoiler alert: I'm not going to be repurchasing. Let me know your recommendations for Vitamin C serums!

Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream - review (not CF/P) $13.24usd for 1 oz -- This is another one of those products that had been languishing in my collection. I vacillate back and forth between using and not using eye cream as I don't have any fine lines or wrinkles around my eye area *knocks on wood*. However, I heard about this product from many Korean youtubers way back in the day and thought I'd give it a try. The rose water scent wasn't off-putting and stayed throughout the years, though it did lessen in intensity. It was slightly cooling in the beginning but after a few years of sitting in my drawers, the eye cream felt like room temperature. The texture is somewhere between a gel and cream as it felt hydrating without being oily.  I didn't use it in the morning as I never have the time to let it sink in before applying concealer; it became a creasy mess. I did like it to remove any eye makeup smudges and to rehydrate the undereye area if I over-powdered. From my severely limited Korean, the words I could understand were, "Bulgarian rose water with 20% rose essential oil," -- make of that as you will.   
Bottom Line: Good until the last drop but not something I'm in the market for currently. 

Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (not CF/GWP) $15usd for 1.7 fl oz/ $8.82usd per oz -- You already know my thoughts on bi-phase eye makeup removers from above and again, nothing special in particular about the Lancôme other than the rosewater scent, which may be pleasant to some or a dealbreaker to others. It also didn't leave any oily residue behind yet my eyes nor did it dry out the eye area. 
Bottom Line: I've gone through two now and wouldn't oppose to receiving them for free. Wouldn't purchase because the price is exorbitant for a basic eye makeup remover. 

Lancôme Créme Radiance Clarifying Cream to Foaming Cleanser (not CF/GWP) $27usd for 4.2oz/ $6.43 usd per oz/ $12.86 usd for 2.0 fl oz -- I remember having this in 2015 so it's been in my collection for quite some time. It claims to be for normal to combination skin, gently removes even waterproof makeup without over-drying the skin, and purifies the skin.  While I do have combination skin, leaning to the dry side as I entered my mid-twenties, I do not agree with it being gentle. It is very drying, even when I did have oily skin. My face felt tight and dry after using this cleanser. As for makeup removal, it did remove eye and face makeup well enough but do not get this in your eye. Oh how it stings...and that "purify the skin" spiel? What's that even supposed to mean? The skin does a pretty good job of maintaining the normal microflora and discouraging the growth of bad bacteria and transient flora. Anyhoo, don't fall for marketing buzzwords.
Bottom Line: Not something I'd purchase for my skin type and needs.

NUDE Progenius Rescue Oil (unk./GWP) discontinued $78 usd for 1 fl oz/ $14.26 usd for 0.17 fl oz -- Some key benefits of this oil are that it has omegas and bakuchiol to protect against environmental aggressors, pollutants, dehydration and stress. I did notice my face feeling calm and hydrated, as well as looking slightly glowy the next morning. This definitely had a luxurious feel, matching the luxurious price tag. It can be used day & night with 1 to 2 pumps on cleansed face and neck. Again, I only used this at nighttime because I don't like an oily feel for morning. I don't recall the scent but if there is one, it wasn't unpleasant. 
Bottom Line: Overall, a nice product if you feel like treating yourself but I've heard the brand has been shuttered indefinitely, a pity really.

Pixi Beauty x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse (CF/P) $24 usd for 1.69 fl oz each; 3.38 fl oz total/ $7.10 usd per oz -- If you're not following Caroline Hirons, what are you doing?? She's a skincare expert with many years of experience under her belt. Following her advice has made a world of a difference in my skin and I will always trust her recommendations. I was planning on doing a separate review on this product but used it up completely before I got around to it. Anyway, this solid cleansing oil and cleansing cream duo was magic for my dry and parched winter skin. She recommends removing this with a flannel but I don't have the time to be faffing around with one and to be quite honest, I'm lazy to keep washing them. I used the solid oil side first to remove all my makeup, splashed water to emulsify and remove the mixture. Afterwards, I patted my face to remove excess moisture, leaving my face damp. I went in with the cleansing cream side to remove any remaining traces of makeup and removed it with plain ol' tap water. The results were a clean face that didn't feel stripped, totally ready for all the skincare goodies to come. I loved this so much during the colder months but I do think it's too much for my skin during the warmer months, which was perfect since it lasted roughly three months with near daily use. Don't let water linger in the container was it started smelling musty towards the end. 
Bottom Line:Definitely repurchasing for the winter months!

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM (not CF/GWP) $65usd for 1oz/ $26usd for 0.40 fl oz -- I don't have much experience with retinoids and this was the first one I tried.This particular PTR serum contains 1.5% retinol with vitamins C & E to help "improve skin tone and texture, assists in collagen production, and reduces lines and wrinkles to create a vibrantly youthful and healthy complexion." Initially, I didn't notice any difference in my skin when I used it in my early twenties. However, my skin has been drier and flakier than it used to be, looking dull overall. This helped tremendously to brighten my skin and smooth the texture. I didn't experience any irritation while using this, even when I used it for consecutive nights. 
Bottom Line: I'm interested in trying out retinoids, especially after this one. If you have any good recommendations, please let me know!

ULTA Beauty Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion (CF/P) discontinued $10.99 usd for 6 fl oz/$1.83 usd per oz --  I've gone through several bottles of this sunscreen. The first one was just what I was looking for, broad spectrum protection, at least SPF 30, didn't leave a white cast, didn't dry my skin out, and played well with my other skincare and makeup. However, subsequent bottles were harder to blend in, left a white cast that eventually disappeared, and the deal breaker, stung upon application and weirdly, caused my face to heat up. I compared the ingredients list to an older bottle I had but I couldn't pinpoint exactly what changed. That's the thing about buying in-house brands. They don't formulate themselves and purchase a proprietary blend from somewhere that may or may not change without notice. It also claims to be "water-resistant and oil-free" and contains 3% avobenzone, 7.5% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 2.75% octocrylene, and 2% oxybenzone. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene aren't considered reef-safe ingredients and I'll be doing my best to avoid non-reef safe ingredients in the future. Take a look at this article from Badger Balm for more info. I know they do sell their own products but the info is backed up by recent peer-reviewed research. I didn't test the water-resistant claims as I don't remember the last time I was at the beach but I haven't had a sunburn since a decade ago.  I'm working on another one now and have one more backup.  
Bottom Line: This specific formula has been discontinued and they've replaced it with a mineral sunscreen that's more expensive ounce-wise than the old formula--meh. Don't know if I would give that one a try as I have yet to find a mineral sunscreen formula that works for me.I think I'll go back to my Supergoop! after I finish the one I bought from Drunk Elephant.

ULTA Beauty Premium Quilted Square Cotton Pads (CF/P) $3.49 usd for 200 ct -- I use these to apply my toner and remove my nail polish. These are on the flimsy side but got the job done. I'm trying out a different kind but all I'm looking for is the one that costs the least in terms of cost-per-use.
Bottom Line: Will repurchase.

DECLUTTERS

Paula's Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Regular Strength-review (CF/P)  $18usd for 2.25 fl oz/ $8usd per oz -- I've yet to finish one up before it expired. These full size ones usually come with the kits that do go on sale from time to time. But I don't think the deal is worth it anymore as this is the second half full tube I've had to throw away. I'm working on another basically full one and it's about to expire in 4 months time as well. I much prefer the travel size even though it cost more per-ounce but at least I finish it and get my money's worth. Nothing to complain about this one and stands out amongst other BP treatments as it doesn't sting and doesn't dry my skin out.
Bottom Line: Would repurchase in the travel size.

Saponin Story Gel Soap (unk./sub.) -- I don't even know what the brand is but it can be used to cleanse the hair, face, and body. Never got around to using it and I noticed a weird brownish growth in there. Didn't bother to open it up to smell, safer to toss. 
Bottom Line: Would not repurchase.


And that concludes part two of my empties series for the months of January to March. I used 11 products and decluttered two items, totalling $163.67usd worth of product. Not too shabby for three months of product.

This entire week has been super gloomy and the one day it was sunny, I was stuck indoors at work. Still have a ton of tasks to do but I can check off this blog post on my to-do list!

Does the weather affect your mood? 
I seem to be affected by all this June gloom; doesn't feel like summer at all!


XOXO,
Cindy ♥
(CF) denotes a brand that is cruelty-free.
(not CF) denotes a brand that is not cruelty-free.
(unk.) denotes a brand whose status is unknown/unverified.
(P) denotes a product I purchased with my own money.

(*) denotes a product I received in PR.
(GWP) denotes a gift with purchase.

(sub.) denotes a subscription box item.

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