Weekly Empties (4)

When I saw these new Dr. Jart+ Shake & Shot rubber masks, I was so intrigued that I had to get one right away. I picked a firming one (link). Honestly, I bought it more for fun and innovation rather than expecting some miracle result. There are two packets inside that you empty into the cup and shake until the two mix. Then you apply the mask with a spatula and 15-20 minutes later peel it off the face. I saw only a few reviews and in some of them there was so little mask that it barely covered the face. I'm not sure if those people didn't shake well or something, but I covered my face in thick layer and still had some mask left. As the mask dried it become like rubber. It was very easy to remove from the face. The mask left some oiliness/slippery residue on the skin, which felt a little unnatural, but it also made the skin very soft and hydrated. My face was left feeling fresh, plump and firm. Though it's really nothing much different from other face masks.

Another mask that I used this week was Double Dare Detox Bubbling Microfiber Mask (link). The only other bubble sheet mask that I've used was from Glamglow, so of course I compared the two. Double Dare mask didn't produce bubbles as quickly as Glamglow, but Double Dare one was more gentle on the skin. It's a two step mask and after washing the face there's another serum sheet mask to be used. The mask left my skin bright, soft, plump and very even toned. Just like with the mask above, I tried this one more out of curiosity rather than expecting to keep repurchasing. I used it, I enjoyed it, but I'll stick to my favorite masks.

I only had a sample size of Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift (link), but it lasted really long. I used this cream not only on my undereye area, but also on my lips. This cream was really light and absorbed to the skin quickly without leaving any residue. It hydrated the skin with a long lasting effect, but I didn't notice any visible lifting. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this eye cream a lot and would be happy to use it again.

Sukin Micellar Water (link) lasted forever. I wanted to try out this product for some time and was excited to finally get it, but once I did, I couldn't wait to finish it. It's not a bad micellar water, it removed makeup well, but it was very basic. I don't even know why exactly, but it didn't excite me and I didn't reach for it if I had other options.

I received this Sanitas Skincare Moisture Mist* (link) as part of their normal skin set. It's the first product that I used up from the set. I have a full review on the set (and the mist) HERE.

Danish Skincare Clean Skin Face Wash* (link) was a light, gentle, fragrance-free face wash. It wasn't bad, but it was very basic. I have my review on the brand HERE and while initially I liked this cleanser, it ended up being not what I reach for. It is touch enough to remove makeup, but the more I used it, the more times it failed. I guess it all depends on the makeup I wear, but I want my cleanser to be reliable and to remove everything all the time. Since I didn't reach for this face wash for some time, I ended up using it as a brush cleanser and it did a great job.     

I keep getting Molton Brown Body Wash (link) samples as GWP and I love them. This shower gel smells great, it doesn't dry or irritate the skin and it lasts well.

I received Nia24 Sun Damage Repair for Decolletage and Hands (link) in my BeautyFix subscription box. I used this moisturizer all over my body and while 5 oz might not seem like a lot, it lasted my since September. It was light yet provided a long lasting hydration. I don't really stay in the sun and I don't have sun spots, so I can't comment on this cream working on those skin issues, but it was a really nice moisturizer that hydrated the skin and didn't irritate it.

I heard great reviews about Essence mascaras, so I got myself a Rock'n'Doll (other mascaras by the brand), which I don't see for sale anymore. It was a great volumizing mascara. One layer was enough to make eyelashes look big and beautiful, but 2 layers made them doll-like. I used it a lot and it is still good (3months later), but I always change my mascaras every 3-4 months, so it's time to throw it away.

I got good use of Revitalash Volumizing Primer* (link), but I had it for a while and it's time to get rid of it. I haven't tried many lash primers, but this was the first one that wasn't white. I really enjoyed blue tint as it made it less noticeable if some spots were not covered in mascara. This primer helped make lashes bigger and gave more volume, but it's not a necessity in my makeup bag. I use a lash primer when I get one, but I don't use it every day and I don't buy them myself. If you are interested to read more about this primer and other Revitalash products, I have a brand review HERE.        

I like Pacifica and especially their face washes and hair masks, so Banana Love Deep Intensive Moisture Mask (link) was no exception. Just like 99% other hair masks, I use them as conditioners. Banana Love smelled really nice, but not overpowering. The mask was on the thinner side, more like a conditioner. I enjoyed using it and it did hydrate my hair, but I wouldn't call it deep or intensive mask. I have fine hair, so any mask that is intensive will leave my hair weighed down if I keep it on my hair longer than I would a conditioner, but this Pacifica mask I would keep on my hair for a few minutes and it didn't lave any heaviness in my hair. I really liked it a lot and I would repurchase it again.

While I love shampoo and conditioner from the same line, Less Is More Lindengloss Finishing Spray* (link) wasn't for me. I used it a couple of times, but since I have other products that I prefer, this glossing spray just stayed in my cabinet untouched. I don't even remember why I'm not into it, but I remember that one of the reasons is that I don't like the scent.

There's really nothing too wrong with Goldwell Kerasilk Protctive Blow-Dry Spray* (link), but I'm trying to clean out my cabinets and either use up products or get rid of the ones I don't use. This protective spray is just one of those products that I haven't used for a while. I rarely use a hair dryer and I don't use any other styling tools on my hair. This spray also has a strong scent that is a bit too much for me sometimes. It does make hair look shiny and sleek, but I feel like next day my hair looks worth/oilier if I use this spray vs. when I don't use it.       




* marks PR samples received complimentary

Brand Review: Sanitas

I love taking care of my skin and I enjoy trying out new products and new brands. With so much selection around I am picky when it comes to product performance/texture/etc. While I like most of the skincare that I use (at least the products that get on my blog), there's something extra special about Sanitas Skincare.

Sanitas Skincare is a brand that doesn't test on animals. Their products contain clinical doses of active ingredients and are free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, gluten and harsh preservatives. Sanitas Skincare products are formulated to help skin change itself. It's a brand that started by creating a product to treat a clinically burned patient and it still uses scientific research when creating products.

I received a normal skin kit* (link) that contains products to keep skin balanced and hydrated. It consist of 2 face cleansers, resurfacing solution, facial mist, serum and moisturizer. The sleeve has skincare routine printed on the inside that gives guidelines how to use the products. I'll review each product below, but let me just say that this kit changed my skin so much. While I don't have many issues and I have normal skin, I do have some redness on my cheeks. When I received this kit, I wanted to try the products as soon as possible, so I started using them right away. On the second day I saw an obvious difference in my skin. It was smoother, even toned and very soft. My skin continues being extra clear and even and I almost don't need foundation. I say almost, because I have light skin and I feel better with light makeup that accentuates my features. However, I did notice that I even need less foundation and I can use light or light-medium coverage one as my skin looks so good. 

Usually I introduce new products gradually one by one to make sure that my skin tolerates them and in case something doesn't go with my skin, I would know what exactly it is. However, Sanitas Skincare kit has products that are supposed to work with each other and include a whole routine, so I started using them all at the same time. I didn't use any other products during that time. About a week into the new routine I got back to using my regular eye cream and some face masks.

The routine tells to use Glycolic Citrus Cleanser and GlycoSolution 5% up to 3 days a week and to use Lemon Cream Cleanser for the rest of the week. Just as the name suggests Lemon Cream Cleanser is a creamy face wash while Glycolic Citrus Cleanser has gel texture and is more runny. All the products are meant to be used both in the morning and at night. Both cleansers wash skin well no matter if I have makeup on or not. They last very well as only a tiniest amount is needed to wash the face. I used these cleansers with my Clarisonic, with Foreo Luna Play, with a silicone pad (like this) and with my bare hands and in each case they clean the skin well. I apply the cleansr on my skin and leave it on for 20-30 seconds before washing off. I have no complaints about any of them. Since so little is needed to do the job, these cleansers will outlast other products in the kit.

GlycoSolution 5% is a glycolic acid based resurfacing solution. I use acids, including glycolic acid, in my skincare, and my skin rarely reacts to them (in terms of tingling or other sensations or redness). When I applied GlycoSolution 5% with a cotton pad to my skin, I felt some tingling that wasn't painful or uncomfortable, but it rather felt ticklish. I've used a 7% glycolic toner by another brand that I almost didn't feel on my skin, so I got a little worried about Sanitas and that my skin can get irritated. I was wrong as my skin didn't get any redness, irritation or anything. It was as clear as before using the solution. I use this product 2-3 times a week and I feel that tickling sensation each time, but my skin never gets irritated.         

Next three products are to be used every day am and pm. When I don't use GlycoSolution 5%, I apply Moisture Mist to a cotton pad and wipe my face. Then every morning and night before applying other products I spray Moisture Mist on my face and leave it damp. It does hydrated my skin, but I think it does the most in helping other products to apply and work on the skin.

I'm not into pure oils or oil based products, so my first reaction to VitaRich Serum wasn't a positive one. This serum contains antioxidant multivitamin complex, squaline and essential fatty acids and it has an oily feel to it. It is recommended to use 2-3 pumps, but 1.5 is enough for me. It's a very concentrated product that I find spreads better on a moist skin, so that's one of the reasons why I leave my face damp when using Moisture Mist.

I don't wait for the serum to sink into the skin and apply Antioxidant Moisturizer on top. Just like all these Sanitas Skincare products, the face cream is very concentrated and a little goes a long way. Having Moisture Mist and VitaRich Serum on the face help the cream go smoother on the skin. This moisturizer is rich in reconstructing multivitamin complex, shea and avocado butters as well as hyaluronic acid.

When I finish my routine my skin feels very comfortable and soft. It is not shiny and has a very natural look (satin-y, glowing from within) though I feel some slippery/moist residue on the skin. It does take a little while to sink in, but my skin never feels too dry or too oily when using this skincare system. It always stays plump, hydrated, extra soft and very even toned. In fact, my skin is left very well balanced and I never experienced any clogged pores, pimples, irritation, dryness or anything like that. Like I mentioned before, I didn't even use an eye cream or a mask for the first week when using this kit and my skin looked gorgeous. I never had an issue with applying my makeup as well as the foundation and other products stick to the skin well and don't move around the face throughout the day. My mascara doesn't transfer to my eyelids or undereye area. Some serums/creams that leave residue on the skin roll off/pill when makeup is applied, but that is not an issue with Sanitas products.



* marks PR samples received complimentary         

Weekly Empties (3)

This week I finished Dr. Canuso Daily Exfoliating Cleanser* (link) and Foot Repair Serum* (link). I enjoyed using both products, especially the serum. The cleanser has tiny exfoliating beads and is very gentle. It is not harsh on the feet, but does the job. I used Foot Repair Serum after the shower in the mornings and sometimes before going to bed. It's a light serum that sinks into the skin instantly and doesn't leave any greasiness. I'm used to foot products being thick and rich, so I didn't expect much from this serum, but it really worked. It makes feet soft and smooth right away and the result is lasting. I have very dry feet in winter and they crack easily, but I never had any problems while using this serum. My feet still got dry, but they didn't crack and the serum would make them feel extra soft. It's really one of those products that I wish was bottomless. 

I've tried quite a lot different micellar waters, but I've never got to try Bioderma micellar water (link) in the past. It has so many great reviews and I have to agree with them. I received this bottle in October's BeautyFix subscription box and it really lasted long. I use either makeup remover wipes or micellar water to remove eye makeup. Bioderma did the job quickly and easily without irritating my eyes. I liked it a lot and would repurchase though it's not my favorite micellar water (my favorite one is from Melvita and it seems to be discontinued).

I've read various reviews about Biossance Cleansing Cloths (link), but I really liked them. If I wasn't so curious to try new products I would definitely repurchase them. As mentioned above, I use either micellar water or wipes to remove my eye makeup. These cloths did a great job and while they were not very wet, they were wet enough to deal with makeup. I never felt like they are too dry or don't wipe off makeup clean. Once I remove eye makeup, I would swipe the cloth over the face to clean some of my face makeup before using a face cleanser. I never had to use more than 1 wipe.   

I got Petitfee Hydrogel Eye Patch (link), because I wanted something to give extra hydration for my undereye area. Sometimes I would use these patches after my regular skincare routine, but mostly I used them while masking (I applied these to my undereyes and a different mask to the rest of my face). These hydrogel patches tend to get thinner as the skin "drinks" the serum from them. It's interesting to note that they should be used within 2 months from opening, so I really tried to use it every other day. They lasted well and the last pair was as moist as the first one. Overall I enjoyed using the product, but I might try some other patches next so I could have something to compare these to. 

I used up this sample of Malin + Goetz Revitalizing Eye Cream (link) as part of my nighttime skincare routine. While it was a small sample, it lasted really long and only a tiniest amount of the cream is needed. It is very rich, but it sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't leave any residue. It hydrates undereye area and makes it soft. I did like it, but I don't think it is worth the price tag.

It was my second sample of Sunday Riley C.E.O. Moisturizer (link). I like it a lot, but I don't think I'll commit to buying a full size of 1.7 oz because of my skin needs. I have normal skin that tends to go towards combo in warm months and towards dry in colder months though it never gets fully dry. This cream is rich and thick and it is too much for my skin to be used constantly. However, I love it as a nighttime moisturizer when my skin needs extra hydration or during cold weather (I will sometimes apply it during the day as well). Just because it's a cream that I use only for a certain period of time, I am good at getting a sample size or purchasing a 0.5 oz container to get me through those moments when I need a boost of extra hydration.     

I use hand cream all year round, but especially during cold weather. My hand and body skin gets dry instantly when the temperature drops and I need to put an effort in keeping it hydrated. I have a few favorite hand creams that I keep repurchasing, but this time I decided to try EOS Hand Lotion in Berry Blossom (link). I purchased it as part of 3 lotion set, so I'm on my next one already. It is a really light product that absorbs to the skin easily. You don't need a lot of it to get good hydration. It makes hands soft and smooth and the effect lasts for some time. It's not as long lasting as some rich hand cream, but it's great when I'm in a rush and need to get dressed, put jewelry on, touch things as it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave stains on anything.

I love the idea of flavored dental floss, so I was very excited to try Cocofloss. I've already used up the coconut one in the past and I'm currently using strawberry one. I've finished Dental Floss in Delicious Mint* (link) recently and I enjoyed it as much as I did the other two. This floss comes in a few different flavors though they're very light and you barely smell/taste anything. However, it's something different when you want something else than the regular minty flavor. This floss is infused with wax and oil, so it goes between teeth easily and doesn't cut into the gums. I also love that the container is see-through and also has marks to show how much of the floss you have left (1 month, 2 weeks, etc.).   




* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (2)

This is going to be probably the shortest post I've ever written. I've used up only 4 products last week as I've been sick for a couple of days and not only didn't go out, but didn't even go through my regular skincare routine fully.

La Chatelaine hand cream in Pear scent (link)is a very nice and hydrating hand cream. I love small tube as I can carry it with me easily. This cream gives long lasting hydration, it's rich, but absorbs into the skin quickly and well. In fact, I got a whole bunch of these hand creams and had them everywhere (on my bedside table, in my handbag, on the bathroom counter, in the kitchen drawer, etc.). They remind me of L'occitane shea butter hand cream. 

I used First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (28 count, link) 1-2 times a day, but I didn't see any difference in my skin. They performed as mild exfoliators due to their textured surface, but I didn't notice anything else. These pads contain lactic and glycolic acids. My skin responds very well to lactic acid, but I guess these just weren't strong enough.

It's not the first EOS shave cream (link) that I go through. It smells nice, it hydrates the skin and does it's job when shaving. I'm sure I'll repurchase it in the future.

I received this Pureology Hydrate Sheer shampoo (link) as part of GWP. I didn't expect much, but it was so perfect for my straight fine hair that I already repurchased it in full size (1 liter). It makes my hair very light, soft, hydrated without being heavy. 

BeautyFix January 2018

I don't think I continued with any subscription box as long as I do with Dermstore's BeautyFix (link). There wasn't a single box that disappointed me and I think the subscription cost is worth what's inside. Yes, there were a few things that I didn't use or am not crazy about, but overall this is a box that offers me the most for my money. Anyway, enough talking and let's look into the new January BeautyFix.

This month one of the two full size products is Avene Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream (link). It's really worth getting the box just for it. I haven't tried it myself yet, but I've heard so many great reviews that I can't wait to use it.

There's also mini sizes of Skinmedica Dermal Repair Cream (link) and Skin & Co Roma Truffle Therapy Serum (link). Both are expensive brands, so I love the opportunity to try their products and see if that's something that I would get myself.

I've seen these Yuni Shower Sheets (link) in the past and I was curious to try them out, but never did. They are body wipes for cleansing, refreshing. January's BeautiFix has one of these sheets included and it couldn't come at a better time as we're planning a long weekend trip.

Th box also has Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist (link) which smells great. I haven't had a chance to try it out on my hair yet.

It's funny how recently I've started looking for a new highlighter and this box has one. Jouer Highlighter in Tiare (link) is a beautiful gold shade that looks perfect both for everyday and for going out. Cream highlighters aren't usually my first choice, but I'll definitely give this one a chance.

Another full size product is Dermstore Lip Quench (link). I have so many lip balms open right now that this one will have to wait its turn. However, I always love getting lip balms as I constantly use them and have them everywhere. 

Weekly Empties (1)

I finished the year with an empties post and I'm starting new year with one. I decided to do some changes on my blog this year and one of them is Weekly Empties where I'll review the products I used up once a week instead of doing it once a month. So let's get into my trash stack.

As always I have to have Leaders 7 Wonders (link) mask in my empties. They are great and I continue to use them.

Andalou Lash + Lid Makeup Remover (link) wasn't bad, but it just wasn't reliable, so I never finished using it. It seems that sometimes it melted all makeup in an instant, but other times I had mascara left even after keeping cotton pads soaked with this cleanser on my lids for a while.

Danish Skincare Smooth Skin Treatment* (link) had a really interesting texture. It's a salicylic acid based liquid product that doesn't feel watery. It felt a bit more rich, but not really oily. I enjoyed using it though I probably would not purchase it again as I don't like to wait for my products to sink in before moving to the next skincare step.

I usually don't include samples/mini sized products, but this was wonderful and I wanted to share it. I'm talking about Kate Somerville Clinic Reserve Advanced Rejuvenating Cream (link). Usually I don't like heavy fragrance in my skincare, but this smelled nice and didn't bother me. As for the cream, it was light, almost gel-cream like, but it hydrated the skin well. A little bit goes a long way. My skin was very nice, soft, even while using it.   

I received Trufora Triple Action Exfoliator (link) in my December's Beautyfix box and I really liked using it. It is strong exfoliation, but it isn't too harsh and it doesn't bother my skin. I would leave it as a mask for some time and my face would feel very smooth and soft. It didn't dry my skin at all. Actually, my skin would be left feeling hydrated.

Form Multitask Leave-In Lotion (link) wasn't bad, but it's just not the product I would pick myself. It's a spray lotion that you're supposed to spray closer to the hair if you want it more applied heavier and spray from further away to give lighter conditioning or you can spray it into your hands and apply to the hair that way. No matter how I used it, it worked. My only issue is that I have fine hair, so I prefer any leave-in sprays/conditioners to be on the lighter, more watery side, not cream texture. Whatever I use in richer texture (lotions, creams, serums) I apply only to my ends. This lotion was a bit hard to control and a bit too heavy for the length of my hair, but it worked fine for my ends.

I've been using John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler (link) for years. I've just finished this one and I already have a new one. This is my go to product to apply to my damp ends after washing the hair. It makes brushing the hair so easy and it also hydrates my ends without overweighing them.

I only have one bodycare product so far. It's Clarisonic Refining Skin Polish (link) that I received with my Clarisonic Smart. It was ok, but nothing special. It did work well with Clarisonic body head, but I think the head itself does most of the job, so any body scrub/wash would be good with it.   

Ecocare makes my favorite makeup remover wipes (Apple & Honey scent), but I can't get them anymore. I decided to try their Vanilla Baby Wipes (link), but ended up using them to wipe my hands, brushes and surfaces while applying makeup.

I'm not into blushes, but there always comes a time when I want to try and start using blush, so I get one, I use for a few times and I stop. It makes me sad that Lily Lolo Cheek Duo in Coralista (link) is going to trash barely touched. There's nothing wrong with this product and the colors are beautiful and look great on light skin, but I just didn't use it enough. I just can't get into using blush. The highlighter was pretty and subtle, perfect for everyday use, but since I used one side, the duo was mostly forgotten in my makeup drawer. I actually had Sculpt & Glow Duo from the brand in the past and I loved it. As for this cheek duo, it started smelling weird, so even though it's a powder product, I'm getting rid of it.

Next product is from Lily Lolo as well - Illuminator in Bronze (link). This is a beautiful product and I used it up. It is well pigmented and a bit darker than I expected, so I had to be careful when applying it during daytime. I had no problems using it for going out at night. It was easy to fix using some powder and blending out if a little bit too much was applied. I used this illuminator on my cheeks/cheekbones.

I love the color of MUFE Artist Rouge Lipstick in C211 Rose Wood (link), but it wasn't my go to lipstick and I used it only a couple of times. It's one of those lipsticks that I can't apply nicely if I'm in a rush and have to spend some time applying it perfectly to the corners of my lips. It also transfered on my teeth sometimes, so it's not a lipstick I wear confidently. However, the color was really beautiful and perfect for cold months. I also loved applying one of Buxom lip glosses on top to give it a sparkly effect. I took the lipstick to use recently and it smelled weird (old lipstick/clay smell), so I think it's time to say goodbye to it. I can't remember how it smelled when I got it and I think it wasn't smelling too nice at that time also, but it's just not worth keeping. Besides, that's a great excuse to go lipstick shopping.

Another lip product that doesn't smell as it should is Honest Beauty Demi Matte Lip Crayon in Marsala Kiss (link). I used it a lot, but it seemed to never end and since it change the scent, I'm tossing it out. The color is gorgeous. It's described as muted mauve, but on my lips it's more of a medium pinkish nude. I've got lots of compliments wearing it. The lipstick is very comfortable and hydrating on the lips. It wears well. It did transfer on my teeth a few times even after doing the O trick, but I loved it too much not to wear it. I have a ton of lip products and there are many more I wanna get, but I would consider repurchasing this one.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Eyebrow Powder Gel in Taupe (link) was my must have brow product for so many years. This is the first time that I have to throw it away unfinished as it changed its scent. That's because I had some other brow products that I've been using and because this eyebrow pomade lasts so long. I think it's supposed to be good for 6 months, but I can never use it up in that time and always end up using way longer. While I still love it, I recently found a new brow pencil that is a bit quicker to use and gives just as perfect of a result, so I might switch to that pencil for now.

Another 100% Pure brow product is Green Tea Fiber Builder in Soft Brown (link). I didn't like it the first time I tried it, but I tried to gt used to it and find a way to use it. It's been over 6 months and it didn't happen. I don't like it, I don't reach for it and I don't wanna force myself to use it up. The brush is small, but it's not comfortable for my brows and I end up messing the area around the eyebrows when I try to use it. It also doesn't look natural and sticks the hair together if more product is applied.

I used up a sample size of It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination (link). I liked it alright, but I think I prefer the regular CC+ Cream that I've recently finished up. While it's called CC cream, it's really a foundation and a medium to full (more full) coverage one. I would get it again for sure.

Last but not least is Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Creme (link). I'm on my second sample right now and I'm planning on getting a full size one. I only use concealer for my undereyes and this is perfect. It brightens the area, it doesn't crease, doesn't get in lines. It applies well, blends easily and stays on all day.



* marks PR samples received complimentary