EMPTIES: July 2017

 Not much to say here except for that empties are going at a ...healthy rate.

Sheet Masks

Detangler.  I really want to get this one again!

Hydrating Toner/Lotion.

Hand Cream

Wrinkle Filler

Hair Treatment

Facial Cleanser

Sunscreen

Facial Oil

Eye Cream

Concealer - Will definitely buy this one again. It's so good!

EMPTIES: March 2017

From having a one quick glance over this month's empties I've concluded that stores here give me almost enough samples for me to live on :P

EDIT 10/4/2017 - forgot a few things so I added them on.

Sunscreen.  I think it's time I retire this sunscreen.  I used to use it thinking that the Watery Gel didn't suit my face because it dried me up pretty badly, but it turned out that that wasn't the case; my face was just trying to adjust to the retinoid I put on it. The Watery Gel works just fine now and I'm just going to stick to it and not this.  There's a lot more product for the same price in the Gel.

Facial Oil.  I used it up relatively quickly because I don't like it that much.  It just smelled a bit 'off', so I ended up putting it on my body too to use it up more quickly.

Body Scrub.  It's ok but it's a bit milder than what I'm used to in scrubs.  It's not bad but it didn't really wow me, so would probably not repurchase.

Hair Treatment.  Not much to say. I like the smell. I am not sure if I will buy the full size.

Makeup.  I enjoyed them while they lasted but probably won't buy either again.  Maybelline Fit Me concealer was considered holy grail by many, but it was just meh for me.  It's runny and doesn't provide enough coverage. I am loving their Age Rewind a lot more.

Hair Dye.  Yet another tub gone :D. I repurchased Rubine after this, because to be honest I'm struggling to see a difference. Will come back to this anyway.

Body Cream. I would not buy this, it's way too strongly perfumed and too thin to be really meaningfully moisturising.

Targeted Treatment. I have already bought a second tube because I took photos of myself on the first day of using it and on day 28 and I can tell that the loss of volume on my nasolabial fold and tear trough got shallower.

Essences.  I heard great things about the Benton essence but the samples I used are too small for me to be able to use for long enough to see any difference.  As for the Belif one, I don't know if it was just my eyes or using other products at the same time (like the Sulwhasoo sleeping mask everyday) but I felt like my skin was so glowy while using this.  However, I'm still not sure what it really is supposed to do.

Facial Cleansers.  I haven't used facial wipes in such a long time, but bought this one for travel.  I liked the other cleansers too, but won't repurchase the Innisfree ones because I discovered the importance of pH in cleansers, and through research found out that the pH of these Innisfree cleansers are too high.

Sheet Masks.  Used up fewer sheet masks this month than the previous two months, but still a bit more than I thought I would.  I guess I'd treat myself while I was in Sweden, considering how I used all the Hada Labo sheet masks I had. It does give a bit more of a luxurious feel than the cheaper masks, but I don't think it's enough that I'd pay so much extra for it.

Wash-Off Mask This was nice, and it was really good for my retinoid-dry skin at that time, but I wouldn't buy it on my own.

Face Creams.  I'm in love with the Honey Cera eye cream, and every other creams here did just fine. In fact I have the full size version of the Belif Moisturising Bomb.

EMPTIES: November 2016

BELIF Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream sample - My mum gave me this. I loved this cream because it feels super thick and creamy and emollient and felt very soothing on my eye area. It could have lasted me 3-4 uses but too bad I accidentally used too much and it only lasted me 1-2 uses. I'm bad with these sachet style samples. I am currently using another eye cream deluxe sample and I might purchase the full size of this when that's gone.

 

BELIF The true anti-aging essence deluxe sample - My mum gave me this. In fact she gave me a buttload of these K-beauty skincare samples even before I knew what to do with them. I thought this was a refreshing essence. I will probably buy the full size of this at one point but I am still new to Korean skincare routine and its products.

BELIF Bergamot herbal extract toner deluxe sample -  My mum gave me this.  It's really hydrating even though it's geared towards oily skin. I might purchase the full size version in the future.

THE FACE SHOP THE SOLUTION Brightening Face Mask - This month marked the first month I seriously bought more expensive Korean sheet masks for myself, and I was impressed ...realized you get what you pay for! The serum is very thick and there is a lot of it, and the face mask fits the planes of my face very well.  I really enjoyed this and will continue to repurchase from the line.  It's still considered mid-range in price. 

THE FACE SHOP Real Nature Peony mask - This was one of the series of sheet masks given to me by my mum. It's one of the cheaper ones and I wasn't as enamoured by these. The serum didn't feel as thick or as generous and most importantly the mask didn't fit very well. Maybe I left it for a bit too long.

THE FACE SHOP Heaven Grade Ginseng Essence - My mum gave this to me. It's nice but I think it was too small for me to have an opinion on it either way.

INNISFREE skin clinic mask PEPTIDE - Thick serum and sheet mask that fit very snugly, very similar to The Face Shop mid-price masks. It's one of those sheet masks from the mid-priced line from Innisfree too.

INNISFREE skin clinic mask BHA - Same as above. I feel like my face was smoother after using this mask.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Green Tea Sleeping Mask - Claims to "Absorbs excess sebum and purifies for a matte, clean complexion." I read reviews from other users and they said they got 2 uses out of this, but I got 3.5-4 uses out of these masks. I don't know why, maybe I don't use that much? Anyway my face really felt less oily when I woke up after using this.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Orchid Sleeping Mask - Claims to "Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and signs of aging while moisturizing for skin that appears smoother and firmer." My face also felt less oily when I woke up after using this too, so maybe it wasn't just the formula specific to the green tea line?

ELIZABETH ARDEN Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer - My mum gave me tons of sample sachets and a deluxe size sample tube of this, and I didn't care for much for it at first but it now is really starting to grow on me. I think it pairs really well if used with a mattifying primer. Made my face feel really smooth!

 REDKEN All Soft Supple Touch Softening Cream-Spray - The description claims: "Lightweight moisturizing softening hair treatment spray for dry and brittle hair that gives hair shine and added manageability." and that's why I bought this spray, though I don't think it performed as it claims/ I expected.  Maybe it's because my hair had been bleached to hell and back and it's so damaged and felt so dry and crispy, and it needs far more than this to get it back into shape. By the end of the bottle I felt like my hair is beginning to feel softer, but I have been also using many other products.  I don't hate it, but overall I'm not too impressed and won't be buying this again.

 URBAN DECAY Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in 3.5 - I had this lying around in my makeup vanity for about a year now. I got this sample as I bought my Naked palettes. I guess I left it this long before using it because I wasn't sure if the shade will match my skin, and also I don't really tend to use traditional liquid foundations.  This foundation is medium coverage  and build able, and I would have gotten 2 uses out of this if I didn't kind of mess it up and squeezed out too much.  It felt amazing! It's really as weightless as it claims and it controlled oil really well, too! My face was less oily by the end of that day than the other days.  It also didn't look cakey.  I'll definitely consider buying this and other Urban Decay foundations in the future.

BURT'S BEES Almond & Milk Hand Cream - I bought this 25th June this year, so it took around 4.5 months for me to go through this. I loved the smell and how thick and creamy it was! The performance was above average. I'd definitely consider repurchasing this in the future but for now I want to move on and try other hand creams.

KIEHL'S Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Shampoo sample - It's nice but it's too little for me to say anything either way.

 KIEHL'S Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Conditioner sample - same as above.

KIEHL'S Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Leave-In Treatment sample - I think this was nice. I could notice a difference. I might buy the full size in the future.

KIEHL'S Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner deluxe sample - It's so soothing and it smelled so nice.  It smells like putting chrysanthemum tea on my skin! It made me go on a chrysanthemum tea bender. So soothing and refreshing! I'd definitely repurchase this, but not soon.

KIEHL'S Midnight Recovery Concentrate deluxe sample - I love the smell of this, it's lavender and it's soothing and my skin feels softer and smoother when I wake up the nights that I use this. I'll repurchase this in the next few days. December is my birthday month and I'll get 10% discount!

Eyelash curler - it's one of those crap cheap eyelash curlers that did nothing, despite having recently changed the rubber band. Bleh!

FLORALE Nettoyante Corps Body Wash Lily of the Valley & Peach deluxe sample - My mum gave this to me. This lasted a long time even though ti doesn't look like a big bottle!

MAYBELLINE 2-In-1 Impact Shadow Liner - I had this for like, 3 years now! It took so long for me to use it. I bought this when I was trying to find a white eyeliner pencil, just a bit before I discovered the cult favourite NYX Jumbo eye pencil in Milk.  I hated this pencil!  It's not pigmented and it did nothing when applied to the waterline.  It's discontinued now but even if it wasn't, I'd definitely not repurchase. Also it's shimmery which I didn't like. I wanted a matte eyeliner pencil and couldn't find anything better at that time.

HAULS: October 2016

URBAN DECAY Naked Flushed in Strip

with flash

without flash

I felt like building up my UD Naked Flushed collection and thought that Strip would be the next one to get (I already own the original one). I like the mauve toned blush but so far i don't think it performs as well as the original.

 LORAC Pro Matte Palette

with flash

without flash

I got this palette because I thought it would be a nice neutral, everyday palette. The pigmentation is very intense and the texture is very soft! Be careful, though! I jammed my brush into it because I'm used to harder, less pigmented shadows and kicked up a whole lot of powder! It just needs the lightest touch of your brush.

KIEHL's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate

I have pretty bad dark circles so I'm all for something that promises to brighten those.  I could only use a very tiny amount of this product on my eyes, though, because it STINGS...very badly.  Still too early to say if it works yet.

KIEHL's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

Recently watched a video in Youtube in which the blogger said that we need vitamin C in our skin care routine so as to brighten our skin, so I got this.

 SEPHORA sleeping masks in Orchid (Youth-activating & regenerating) and Green Tea (Mattifying & anti-blemish)

I recently discovered that sleeping masks is a thing. I've been skeptical because I have combination/oily skin and when I wake up my face is almost always a grease ball. So I was intrigued by Sephora's green tea sleeping mask because it claims to soak up the oils on your face. While I was there I got the Orchid sleeping mask, too, because let's face it I'm not getting any younger

BH Cosmetics Sculpt and Blend - 10 Piece Brush Set

As I incorporate more products into my makeup routine like bronzers and highlighters, I realise that I need more brushes and this is what I got. By the way, the brushes shown are not just BHCosmetics, the ones with all-black handles are from Sephora.

BH Cosmetics Pride + Prejudice + Zombies Eye + Cheek Palette

Can't lie, I only got this palette because I love the packaging.

BH Cosmetics Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale in Beach Goddess

I got this because I love the neutral colours and it looks like it will be great for a quick, everyday work look.

 BH Cosmetics Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale in Night Goddess

Got her other palette just to complete the collection.

 Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Intensive Cream

I ran out of hand cream for my handbag so I bought this for my handbag.

 Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Body Lotion

My hand cream/lotion for home.  The reason I use Physiogel is because I feel like their products really hydrate my skin, unlike a lot of other creams/lotions/butters I've used in the past. Of course I'm just really truly learning about the difference between humectant/emollient and occlusives.

Ben Nye MediaPRO HD Mellow Orange corrector & concealer in M0-2 Medium

My beloved Bobbi Brown Corrector is running out soon, and while I love it the price tag makes my eyes water, and considering how it doesn't really last that long if you use it everyday. I was looking for more affordable alternatives and this is one of them that I got. At the time of this post i haven't tried it yet, but the shade is pretty much matches my corrector, so I have a good feeling about this.

 Ben Nye MediaPro HD Mojave Adjuster in SC-9 Apricot

I tried another one from their Mojave line, but looking at this in person I feel like it will be too intense for me. I don't know why I keep on buying from the Mojave line when my skin tone isn't even that deep!

Ben Nye Luxury Powder in Banana

The much hyped banana powder! I'm currently using this as my under eye setting powder. 

 Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer in Light/Medium

I sometimes watch videos by Makeup Geek and she keeps on raving about Eve Pearl Salmon concealers, and while this isn't the exact one she raves about, I wanted to try something that I think is similar to my Bobbi Brown Corrector.  It claims to be both concealer and treatment in one, but I have not tried it yet. It says it's fortified with coconut oil and vitamin E.

 MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Stick in NC25

It's a nice concealer, though I paid way too much for it. Got it at Qatar Hamad airport duty free. I went on a bit of a concealer-buying spree (as you can see) because when I was overseas last month I brought only one concealer with me and halfway through it threatened to run out on me.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+

An expensive way to hydrate my Beauty Blender, I guess.

NYX Matte Lipstick in Bloody Mary

This is kind of a repurchase. The last lipstick I had, I accidentally bought the tester version and after using it a few times, with even cutting off the top and spraying with alcohol, I was just too grossed out knowing that a lot of people have used it that I couldn't bring myself to use it anymore, so I threw it away and bought this one. Love the colour, love the finish and texture. It's matte without being drying. Love the price also (although NYX in Singapore is more expensive than NYX in the US).

 MAYBELLINE Fit Me Concealer in Light

It's the concealer everyone on YouTube makeuposphere raves about. I can't stop using it! It's often compared to NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer but I don't think it's a dupe. It's runnier and doesn't have as full coverage, but it's very good and very affordable so it means I won't wince when it runs out in a few months' time.

MAYBELLINE Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Medium

Another much-raved about concealer. I tried it once and it really is as fantastic and I was impressed.  Took the sponge applicator out though.

DAISO Creamy Blush in Rose

I keep on seeing makeup on Daiso and all this time I have been giving it a wide berth because....$2 makeup! I just couldn't believe it would be good. So I bought this as a leap of faith because at the end of the day it's just $2 so no biggie, right? This product turns out to relatively decent, too! The only other cream blush I have used is MAC and this is comparable to that. I can't use cream blush much in Singapore anyway, because of my combo skin + heat and humidity here.

 CETAPHIL Daylong SPF 50+ PA++++ Light Gel Face & Body Oil Free, non-greasy formula

I ran out of my sun cream so I got this one.  I usually go for the Biore ones but I thought I might dabble with something a bit more expensive to see if it's better.