Weekly Empties (18)

I love sheet masks, but recently I have been using less of them. I did use Beautigenix Lifting Mask* (link) this week. This mask is really sturdy, not too thin, but applies to the face well and stays on well. It leaves my skin hydrated, soft and plump. I don't really see lifting effect, but I love it for its other properties.

I only use Boscia Luminizing Black Mask (link) on certain parts of my face, because it's a peel-off mask and it's one of those painful ones. It is fine when I spot treat my face with it. I like using peel-off masks for the fun of it, but I don't really see any visible results afterwards. I much more prefer clarifying or detoxifying clay/mud masks or sheet or regular wash-off masks for hydration.

I don't even know why I got Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask with Vitamin C (link), because I'm not a fan of modeling masks. Yes, they are a lot of fun to use, but they are too messy for me. However, they are great if you have someone to apply them or to be used at a spa/salon. This particular mask left skin extremely soft and hydrated. It was one of the best moisturizing masks that I've ever tried, but like I mentioned before, it was messy and I had to work very very quickly as the mask would start sliding down and dripping. I tried laying down as fast as I could to make the mask stop from moving, but even when laying down it would go towards hairline or back of my neck before it thickened up.

I have too many cleansers, but I get tempted to open some new one before finishing the other ones, so I often end up using them to wash my makeup brushes. This happened with Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Cleanser (link) as well. It was a very nice creamy cleanser, but you only need a little bit, so it lasted for ages. I prefer gel or lighter consistency cleansers, but this one was good and did the job. It removed makeup without drying the skin, it was easy to wash off the face and it left skin feeling comfortable.

Just like with cleansers, I like trying out new moisturizers. I've been using Danish Skincare Perfect Skin Moisturizer* (link) for some time, then put it aside and never took it again. Since I go through my skincare once in a while trying to used it up, to repurpose it, to give it to someone or just to get rid of it, I came across this face cream and ended up using it as a body moisturizer. I know I probably sound negative, but don't get me wrong. It is not a bad product, it is lightweight, it hydrated the skin and doesn't irritate it, but it is pretty basic. It did make my T-zone somewhat shiny, which wasn't a big deal as it is a nightime cream. Overall I enjoyed using it and it felt fine on my skin, but I just want something more exciting.

I'm not a fan of all Burt's Bees products, but some of them (both makeup and skincare) are great. When Burt's Bes came out with new makeup line last fall, I got most of the items to test and the only things that I kept were brow pencil and Mattifying Powder Foundation (link). I don't remember if I ever tried it by itself, but it's pretty sheer, so I wouldn't call it a foundation. I used it as a setting powder and I enjoyed it a lot. In fact, I liked it so much that I already want to repurchase it, but not doing that until I use up some of the setting powders I already have. This powder is very finely milled, it doesn't leave skin cakey, it applies nicely and keeps makeup in place. 

I've only used Grande Cosmetics Grande Mascara (link) for a few times, but it's already going to my empties. I like the big full brush, but the formula is very dry. I have to work hard to make my lashes the way I like and they still lack thickness/volume. It arranges the lashes nicely, doesn't stick them together, but th end result is too natural. There are days when I don't mind that look, but I know myself and I know that this mascara would end up not being used anyway.

Lip products are my weakness and I have way too many of them, so it's easy to say goodbye to Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Rose (link). This was a beautiful nude shade that's just right (not too dark, not too light, not too grey/brown/pink). It was easy to apply to the lips, stayed on well all day. However, it was a bit drying and didn't feel comfortable in a few hours. Very often I apply lip gloss on top of my lipsticks, so I didn't experience a lot of drying. The formula is on the dryer side and I had to keep redipping my brush to apply the lipstick well and evenly (at least on the sample that I had).



* marks PR samples received complimentary