Weekly Empties (23)

Beauty Garde Lash + Brow Shampoo* (link): I like the concept of this makeup remover as it has an attached brush to make face cleansing easier. The product itself was gentle on my skin, didn't irritate the skin or eyes, but it lacked in performance. It did remove makeup, but I couldn't trust it 100% as it struggled with the more stubborn one. Since I have a lot of face washes/makeup removers to choose from, I decided to use this up as brush cleanser, but again it wasn't performing its best and I had to double cleanse with a different product.

Leaders 7 Wonders Sheet Mask (link): There's one of these sheet masks in pretty much every empties post, so there's no need to tell how much I love them. I used up more than one in the last couple of weeks, but I was traveling and didn't save packaging from the others. 

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream (link): I had a sample/mini size of this eye cream and that was enough to gt my opinion about it. I will not be repurchasing this cream as it didn't make any significant difference. I didn't notice any depuffing or brightening of my undereye area. The cream was rich enough yet light in texture. It applied smoothly and absorbed quickly without leaving any residue. It hydrated my undereyes, but I get the same results from less expensive eye creams.

BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion Serum (link): It's not my first mini bottle of this serum and I still love it. It is light, but not watery, so it can be used both by itself and under another moisturizer. I do have it in my wishlist for getting in full size.

Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme (link): While I didn't really notice any brightening effect (especially after using a sample size), this cream was very nice. It gave plenty of hydration for my skin and was perfect for warm weather. I think normal to oily skin could use it in colder months as well. It sat nicely under makeup. My only issue is that it leaves a little bit of shine on the skin, which is no problem when wearing makeup, but might be annoying if one doesn't put makeup on. Overall I liked it a lot and would buy it in full size.

Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel (link): This is another moisturizer that impressed me a lot. It also smells so yummy (like candies)! The texture is light, but it feels very hydrating. It leaves skin soft, hydrated and plump.       

EOS Hand Lotion in Berry Blossom (link): I'm not a fan of EOS products, but I decided to try this hand lotion. It smells nice, but it is very very light and doesn't give lasting hydration. It was ok to be used during warmer weather, but it wouldn't be enough for cold months.

Marin Bee Honey Butter* (link): I loved this multi-functional cream! I used it for my hands, body/dry spots and feet and I loved it every single time. It is very rich and gives long lasting moisture to the skin. It applies easily and sinks into the skin pretty quickly.

Trader Joe's Shave Cream (link): It was an ok shave cream, nothing impressive. I would buy it again only if I needed a shave cream right there and then, but I would pick something else if I could.

Giovanni VitaPro Fusion Leave-In Conditioner (link): This is my holy grail product! I've been constantly using this product for over 7 years and I still love it. It is perfect for my fine hair and leaves my hair soft, detangled and hydrated without making it look heavy/greasy. 

BareMinerals Invisible Light Translucent Powder Duo (link): I've read both good and bad reviews about this product and I'm the one who liked it a lot. I tried it all over the face, but sometimes it would leave a bit of white cast, so I used it to set concealer under my eyes only. It is a very finely milled powder and I would swirl my makeup sponge/brush into the shimmery side first and then into the matte side and apply to the skin. I loved the way it brightened up my undereyes and how smooth the skin looked.

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Fair (link): I use concealer only for my undereyes and this was great. It blended nicely with any foundation I used, it brightened up the area, it looked smooth, natural and lasted all day. I will definitely repurchase it again.

Memoize London Luxuria Fragrance (link): I received a full size bottle of this perfume as well as samples of the other ones from the line right before my trip. I fell in love with the scent instantly, but I didn't want to take the whole bottle, so I took a sample with me. This fragrance has noted of raspberry and casis, but it doesn't smell too fruity/berry-like. It is a very subtle sweetness. It's a perfume that can be worn for any occasion, day or night and radiates sophistication, sexiness , femininity.   




* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (22)

Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion (link): When it comes to basic toners, I tend to pick inexpensive ones and spend my money on toners with a specific goal (e.g. acid toners) or other skincare products. I really liked Cucumber Cleansing Lotion and used it twice a day after washing my face. I would repurchase it as well as other products by this brand as they are affordable and good.

Leaders 7 Wonders Amazonian Acai Anti-Pollution Sheet Mask (link): I've talked about these sheet masks a lot. There is a variety to choose from and they are all great. While they are meant for different concerns, they all hydrate my skin well leaving it super soft.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Cleanser (link): Usually I don't care for creamy cleansers, because I'm not a fan of the texture and very often they don't remove all the makeup. I still prefer different texture, but this one was really great at removing makeup and wouldn't leave any residue. I wouldn't buy it myself, but if I got it again I would happily use it. 

Botanics All Bright Refreshing Eye-Roll (link): I've been using this for 6-7 months twice a day under my eye cream and I feel there's still about half of it left. It has to be used within 6 months after opening and since the roller ball isn't hygienic due to touching the product, I'm getting rid of it. I had an eye cream by this brand and liked it, but this gel didn't do much. It wasn't enough by itself and I still needed an eye cream afterwards.

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream (link): I'm in love! I discovered Skyn Iceland pretty recently, but so far I love their products. This cream has a very light, airy, almost whipped texture. It applies and sinks into the skin quickly leaving it hydrated and soft. Definitely putting it on my wishlist.

Burt's Bees Medicated Lip Balm (link): I love Burt's Bees lip balms, but this one wasn't for me. The scent is too strong and I smell too much eucalyptus. It might be nice when you have a cold, but otherwise I prefer more neutral or sweet scents under my lipsticks or when worn alone.

Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder in Real Sand (link): This powder is amazing and I used it for a couple of years as my powder foundation. It gave good medium coverage, didn't look cakey, looked very natural on the skin and stayed on all day. Since I went to using liquid foundations, I used this powder for touch ups during the day. It was amazing for that as well, but it got discontinued. There's still loose mineral powder that is just as good, but the pressed one was wonderful when on the go or traveling. I was saving this one and used only for touch ups, but eventually I ran out of it. 

Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick in Champagne Flash (link): It seems people love this, but I wasn't impressed. I used it before foundation, but I didn't see much effect after applying foundation and other products on top. I did try it on my foundation, but I found it rather thick and patchy making it hard to blend. I'm not a fan of cream products in general, so I ended up using it on my legs and I liked it ok for that.

Plume Science The Serum* (link): I have a review about this and a few other products by this brand on my blog. This lash serum did give me visible results and my lashes got thicker and stronger while using it. I got a little more effect while using a different lash serum, but this one was still good and it was better for my sensitive eyes. I never had any irritation or uncomfortable feeling. 



* marks PR samples received complimentary

Weekly Empties (21)

Beautigenix Lifting Mask* (link): I've used up a couple of these and I still like them. They are on the thicker side, but attaches to the skin well, it gives hydration, plumpness and softness to th skin.

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream (link): It was just. I hated the design of this jar as the cream seemed to slide around the jar under the neck curve, but not get on my fingers (it would get under my nails though). I don't have patience for that, so I ended up using a spatula and using it as a neck cream. The cream it self is quite light, hydrating, but basic.

Danish Skincare Perfect Day Skin Protector* (link): It's a pretty light cream, but I had to be careful and to use just a little bit as anything else wouldn't sink in to the skin. It is a pretty basic moisturizer with spf. It lasted for a very long time, but since it didn't excite me enough, I ended up using as a body cream.     

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bod Buff Smoothing Scrub 'N' Mask (link): It's a nice product, but I don't know if I really need it. I applied it on dry skin before shower and it was gentle, so to use in the shower it would be too gentle. It does smell and fell nice.

Skinfix Ultra Rich Hand Cream* (link): You need just a tiny bit of this cream or else it will take a while to sink in. Other than that, it's a nice basic hand cream that hydrates skin well. I prefer creams that sink in faster, so I don't think I'll use this again.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Stength + Moisture Leave-In Mask (link): Maybe full size container is different, but the sample kept clogging and at times I'd think that it's empty as it wouldn't spray anymore. Though after shaking/opening the bottle I'd see there's still product inside and it would work again. The mask itself wasn't bad, but nothing to make me run and buy it. I do love wash off hair mask from Briogeo and other products, but just not this one. It seemed that either I don't spray enough to get full benefits or I spray too much and my hair is left limp/greasy looking. I jsut couldn't find a good balance.

Etos Blood Orange Shower Cream (link): It's very unusual for me not to like a shower gel as it is such a simple product, but I didn't like this one. I didn't like the scent, the texture, the feel on the skin. I still used up, but I used way more than needed. It was a quick grab at the grocery store, but I hope I won't have to do it again. 

Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Kitten Karma (link): This was amazing! It was super glittery, but didn't transfer all over the face, it stayed on well and it didn't bother my sensitive eyes. I've got a good use of this tiny sample and while it still looks full, the doe foot applicator has no product on it. I would repurchase full size of this color as well as some others.

Beautyblender Sponge in Pop (Orange, link): This one came from a Spring Fling Set containing 3 sponges. I have a regular Pop sponge and the feel the same, except that the one from a set it a tiny bit smaller (that doesn't interfere with use). I love Beautyblender and I will continue using them.

Sephora Makeup Sponges (blue and purple): I've tried a few of Sephora's makeup sponges and some I liked alright and others were not for me. These two came from a set and were ok, but I really don't need a small one (I use a tip of my big sponge for whatever I need) and the big one wasn't soft enough, so it ended up not bing used after few tries. The only other sponge that I use for my makeup and love as much as Beautyblender is Sephora Total Coverage Sponge.

Japonesque Kumadori Powder Brush (link): I used it a couple of times, but I didn't like it and didn't find any other purpose to use it for. This brush seems soft and gentle, but after I use it my skin gets itchy and tingly. I tried using it for bronzer or blending cheek products, but I don't like the shape of it for that.   



* marks PR samples received complimentary