Weekly Empties (6)

I like Drunk Elephant a lot, so once they released Protini Polypeptide Cream (link), I had to try it. I'm happy that Sephora was offering a sample of this (with a code when shopping online), because this cream was just ok for me. Yes, it is moisturizing. It has a nice light texture, a little goes a long way, but apart from hydration I didn't see/feel anything else. For me it was just a basic moisturizer.

I'm a little unsure how I feel about Real Chemistry Luminous 3 Minute Peel (link). I received this sample as part of gwp and with all good reviews around I was excited to try it. However, I don't really see much difference after using it. It felt just like a gentle exfoliator that leaves skin soft. I don't feel or see my dead skin being removed.

I really liked Algenist Splash Hydrating Mist (link), but I got tired of it. I literally used it for a year (got it in the middle of last February). It smells nice, the mist is pretty fine, it doesn't leave water drops on the skin. I sometimes set my makeup with it, but mostly used it to refresh my face throughout the day or as part of my skincare routine.

Another face mist that I enjoyed a lot is Hana Gentle Toner* (link). It smelled so good! I mostly could detect ylang ylang. It was very calming on the skin. I would spray it on the face before serum application.

Pour Moi White Serum* (link) was nice, but I prefer day creams from this brand (and they make more sense price-wise). This serum was like light lotion/milk, but it was very hydrating. I used it under my day and night creams, but I mostly used it by itself. I would either just use this serum or layer it on top of a water based serum. While it was really nice and hydrated my skin well, I think it's too basic for the price and I would recommend Pour Moi day creams, which are half the price and give more effect on my skin.

Last week I wrote a review on Image Skincare (HERE) and one of the products I mentioned was Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask* (link). The sheet mask didn't fit my face properly and needed some adjustment, but the mask itself was nice. It was very hydrating and it firmed my skin. I would use it again.

I'm throwing away unfinished One'n'Only Argan Oil Cream Cleanser* (link) and I finished Argan Oil Dermabration Exfoliator* (link). I reviewed both products on my blog a little while ago and my opinion didn't change. In general, I think it's a very basic brand that is not bad. However, I can't stand the overly sweet scent of this line. The dermabration scrub was very creamy and very gentle and I would never call it dermabration. I used it up as a body scrub. When it comes to Cream Cleanser, I didn't even finish it. It was gentle on the skin, but it didn't remove makeup. Usually if face washes don't work for my face I use them to wash makeup brushes, but this cleanser did a bad job on brushes too.     

I received Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner (link) as part of gwp. I also received a shampoo and while I loved it (already use 1 liter bottle), the conditioner was just ok. It wasn't bad, but I like my conditioners to be heavier and give plenty of hydration. This one was too light for my liking.

I love the feeling of freshed hair. I also don't like how styling products or dry shampoos/texturizers feel in my hair, so I never use them. But I received Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray (link) with gwp (see the pattern here?). I've heard great things about the scent and this product, so I wanted to give it a chance. It didn't work for me (though it does smell great) and I forgot about it... Until one evening while I was getting ready to go out I used a brand new oil based hair product and went a little too heavy handed with it. I remembered this texturizing spray and it did save the situation. It made hair more volumized and soaked up oil. Though this container only lasted me for 2-3 uses. 

I think this is the last time I'm using blush. I'm not into blush, but sometimes I'm tempted to try and use it. I end up throwing away pretty much new blush as they expire before I even make a dent. This mini of Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (link) was part of last year's Sephora vib birthday gift and while I love the shade (very neutral and universal), I barely used it.

I love Avril lipsticks, so I decided to try eyeshadow as well. I picked out Eyeshadow in Marecage (link). The color looks very nice in the packaging. However, it is lighter and not as beautiful once swatched on a hand or applied to the lid. It doesn't have fall out and is easy to work with even though the pigmentation could be much better. I don't wear eyeshadow often, but when I do, I pick something that works better. Since I've had this eyeshadow for over a year and barely touched it, I'm just getting rid of it.

Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara (link) is one of my all time favorite mascaras. It makes lashes big, thick, it layers nicely, it doesn't clump lashes, it doesn't flake and is perfect from the first use until the last one. Sephora has this mascara as a 100 point bonus quite often, so I always stock up on them. Mini size is perfect. I toss my mascaras every 3-4 months and I never run out of it.

I got a sample of Juice Beauty Liquid Lip in shade Gwyneth (link) and I'm not keeping it. It's a beautiful color for the summer, but I didn't like the product. This lip gloss doesn't taste good (tastes like chalk/old lipstick), it is sticky and applies unevenly.

Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm (link) smells and tastes so good! It's like liquid toffee. In general I'm not a fan of sticking my finger into products, but I didn't care with this one. I had a sample and used it before bedtime and first thing in the morning to hydrate my lips. It's a very soft product that hydrates and softens the lips well.   




* marks PR samples received complimentary