EMPTIES: January 2017

From this month onwards I'm trying a new way of arranging the empties: sorting them out by categories rather than listing them individually. Hopefully this way it's faster for me to write up and gives you a better picture of what I've used up in a month.

Sheet masks:

 I used up more sheet masks this month than I ever did in any month before this, due to my face doing a 180 almost overnight and becoming so dry that my skin threatens to shrink from my face. I need all the hydration I can get!

Oil:

SO glad to see the back of this bottle. It so old and gross. I remember my mum buying it and for some reason I'm the only one who even used it. I used a few drops on wetted cotton pads to cleanse my makeup.  The worst thing is that it took FOREVER to use up. Ugh.

Sunscreen:

 I literally used this much sunscreen in a month, but to be fair I was applying it to both my face and body, and it's not that expensive and it's better to use too much than too little when it comes to sunscreen anyway!

Vitamin C:

They're really good vitamin C serums, I bought the second bottle of the one on the right but I don't think I'll repurchase the bottle on the left. I'm currently trying another vitamin C serum but this one has all the elements of a stable vitamin C formula (vitamin C is known for oxidising very quickly): no-water formula, airtight pump and dark bottles.

Body Scrub:

I also go through body scrubs very quickly. I used this up in just over a month or something. I am just really addicted to having and keeping my smooth skin, with no rough flaky patches or something. My feet in particular is very susceptible to that.

Foaming Cleanser:

I kind of like the smell of this, it's mild. and I like the mild scrubbing thingies in this, but a cleanser is a cleanser IMO, so whatever.

Face Cream:

In conjunction with sheet masks I also blew through a prodigious amount of face cream, to relieve the aforementioned retinyl palmitate-induced dryness. I had some of these jars for several months, back when my skin was combination-oily because I felt like i had enough oil on my face and didn't need this. I'm glad I kept them! This month marked the first time since I can remember (probably ever?) that I bought a full-sized proper face cream because I actually need it.

 Eye Cream:

Free stuff I got from buying some Innisfree stuff at some point. It's okay, nothing special.

Hydrators, toners, essences, serums:

forgot to include this in the photo above.

Yes yes I still need all the hydration I can get. My face is VERY thirsty! It demands hydration!  Speaking of which I may need another skin/essence/hydrating serum or five SOON, because the only basic ones I have (that aren't supposed to be doing other things like whitening/anti-aging) are for oily skin.

Setting Spray:

It's not strictly a setting spray. It's good I guess but I'm still new to the world of facial sprays and mists, so I'm still not sure what the hype is all about. Maybe I will understand after I try a few more sprays.

 Clay Mask:

It feels nice and tingly when I use it but I probably won't buy the full size version of it.

Make up:

Just. No.

EMPTIES: December 2016

SKIN INC. My Daily Dose Get Glowing' Hyaluronic Acid Serum deluxe sample - Got this in a set for my Sephora 500 points gift. Pretty nice I guess. I didn't notice much of a difference on my skin after using this. Maybe the sample size is too small, but I'm not going to buy the full size one because I think it's overpriced and the reviews don't seem to be too flattering.

SKIN INC. My Daily Dose Get Glowing' Chlorella Serum deluxe sample - same as above.

URBAN DECAY Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in 5.0 - I got this sample and the one below over a year ago when I bought a bunch of Naked palettes. I used another one of the foundation in 3.5 which is a much closer match to my skin. I had to lighten this foundation by mixing it with the creamy white pencil.  It indeed feels weightless on my skin! I'm really impressed with it. It also helps control oil, and when used with mattifying primer and powder my skin is almost matte from morning until when I finish work. I will definitely consider buying the full size.

URBAN DECAY Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion - The texture is creamy-gel and is beige in colour. It glides on very smoothly on my skin and I liked it so much after using this that I went out and bought the full size tube.

BONJELA Fast acting gel for teething and mouth ulcers - This helped me get through my worst brace pain days. It tastes like, I don't know, liquorice or aniseed? Anyway I'm at the finishing stage of my braces now so I won't need it anymore. But I will repurchase if needed again.

BOBBI BROWN Corrector in Light to Medium Peach - This is a holy grail product for me! The  peachy toned thick gel like product glides on and blends smoothly under my eyes, and I have pretty bad and almost impossible to cover dark circles and this is by far the best product for concealing my dark circles.  When I use this it almost makes me feel like I don't have them! I'd definitely repurchase this, though the downside is that the compact is so small and it's so expensive.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Impressive - This is a second time purchase, the first time was some years back. It feels moisturising on my lips and this is a bit darker than MLBB shade for me. Definitely will repurchase.

MAC Eyeshadow in Espresso - I've been using this eyeshadow as a brow filler. It works very well. I'm just annoyed that the reason it ran out now and not later is because I dropped it a few times and lost quite a good amount of the powder with it :(. Wish I hadn't done that. Anyway, I have no complaints so will repurchase.

MAC Studio Fix Perfecting Powder in Medium - The powder is okay. It's nice but nothing special, it's not as good as oil-controlling as it's advertised/I expected. The worst thing about this product is the dispenser, which is very difficult to dispense powder through the net. I had to spank both the lid and the bottom many times if I want to use it, and in the end I resorted to cutting the net as you can see. Not worth the price and won't repurchase.

ELIZABETH ARDEN Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer deluxe sample - It's good but now that I've used enough of it that I think I will purchase the full size if I happen to be out of a pore smoothing primer and walk past the Elizabeth Arden counter at the same time. Otherwise there are better/more affordable options that I've tried.

KIEHL'S Lip Balm #1 in Cranberry - This lip balm lasted FOREVER! I bought this in February and only just finished it, so this tube lasted 10 months! You only need just a tiny bit because it's very potent and moisturising. In fact I often used more than I need (I can be heavy handed with squeezing the tube sometimes). It's great, I have no complaints and because of that I will repurchase, but not so soon because I have two more tubes of this and after this I want to try out something else.

KIEHL'S Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF PA++++ deluxe sample - The only western brand sunblock that I have tried so far that absorbs quickly and does not leave a greasy residue.  However I will not purchase the full size tube of this because in terms of performance it's compatible to the Biorè sunscreens but Biorè is so much more affordable.

KIEHL'S Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate sample - I have not been impressed with Kiehl's hair products so far but each time I go there the staff keeps on plying me with hair product samples. Anyway they seem to be working for me these days, but maybe it's because my hair has recovered by a lot compared to a few months ago. I love the smell of this oil (it reminds me of a Dove hair serum) and may pick it up the next time I buy something at Kiehl's, but it's not a high priority.

KIEHL'S Turmeric Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque sample - A drying clay mask with cranberry seed granules.  It made my face feel tingly when I used it, but I don't think the cranberry seeds does anything in terms of exfoliation (like it claims) and I don't think my face looks more radiant/rosier after I use this. I don't care about it enough to purchase the full size.

KIEHL'S Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream samples - It feels so light and helps control oil on my face while hydrating my face at the same time. I may consider purchasing the full size but I want to explore other oil-free moisturizer options first.

KIEHL'S Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner samples - It's ok. Won't repurchase.

KIEHL'S Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo samples - same as above.

MARC ANTHONY Repairing Macadamia Oil Treatment - I kind of like the smell but in terms of performance I feel it does nothing for my hair, so I will not repurchase.

MOUNT MA HAY THI Ginseng Pearl Cream - I love what this cream does to my face. When I used it my face did not break out at all, even during my PMS week when I inevitably break out, but I hate the smell and the heavy texture and the white cast it gives to my face. I won't repurchase for those reasons, but this was given to me by my mum. Also, the dude looks creepy.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer - It's good but I think the Becca primer is better value for money and performs better, and because of this I will not repurchase this.  Plus the markup in Singapore is insane.

CETAPHIL Daylong SPF 50+ PA++++ Light Gel Face & Body Oil Free, non-greasy formula - EVERYTHING in this sunblock is a lie. It's not light, it's not a gel, it's not non-greasy.  In fact it is exactly the opposite of what it says it is.  Plus it's twice as expensive as the Biorè sunscreens. Anyway, if you want water resistant sunscreen, get a Banana Boat. Same consistency and feel BUT less expensive.  Definitely will not repurchase, and I recommend that you don't either!

SOAP & GLORY Scrub 'Em And Leave 'Em Body Buff - I love the smell and it feels very luxurious! It contains scented oil which feels very thick and makes my skin feel soft after using. I would repurchase but not so soon, and honestly there are a lot of less expensive options that performs just as well. I relegate this to an occasional splurge.

BODY GLIDE Body - for my chub rub! I don't know if I will repurchase or not, because while it performs well, I didn't end up using it as much as I thought.

THE FACE SHOP Jeju Aloe 99% Fresh Soothing Gel - Put this in the fridge for a cooling, refreshing moisturiser perfect for the Singapore weather.  I also use it on my hair sometimes for added hydration. I will repurchase this but in tube form as it feels more hygienic than dipping my fingers into the jar every time. It lasted me a long time.

THE FACE SHOP Myeonghan Miindo Heaven Grade Ginseng Mask Sheet - A premium face mask that has actual gold in it! It comes in two part and they're very thick and luxurious and has just enough serum.  My complaint is that the bottom part of the mask keeps on threatening to slip off. After I take this mask off my face is the softest and juiciest that it's ever been, but it's so expensive that I can't justify using this on a regular basis.

THE FACE SHOP The Solution Pore Care Face Mask - a nice sheet mask with thick, hydrating serum. The sheet fits well on my face and the amount of serum is good. The serum on this mask doesn't feel as thick as the other ones I used in this series however. Have no complaints so I will repurchase.

THE FACE SHOP The Solution Hydrating Face Mask - same as above, but the serum is thicker.

THE FACE SHOP Chia Seed Fresh Cleaning Foam - nice foaming cleanser. I love the smell. Will repurchase.

THE FACE SHOP The Solution Soothing Face Mask - refer to above.

THE FACE SHOP The Solution Nourishing Face Mask - refer to above.

THE FACE SHOP Seed in Seed Core Seed Purifying Essence - a nice light hydrating essence with a nice scent. I will consider purchasing the full size.

PHYSIOGEL Daily Moisture Therapy Body Lotion - great light moisturising lotion. It's a repurchase.

COCOCARE 100% Coconut Oil - A decent coconut oil, but I am not a fan of the jar container in Singapore temperature, as coconut oil is always liquid at this temperature. Towards the end there was some weird stuff in there that I can't seem to get out. It was disconcerting. Anyway, as long as I'm in Singapore, I'll stick to coconut oil in bottles.

DIRECTIONS dye in Rubine - LOVE this colour. A rich, deep orchid magenta. Will definitely repurchase.

INNISFREE Skin Clinic Mask Collagen - the serum consistency is thick and rich and my skin feels bouncy after using this mask. It's a staple in my skin care routine.

INNISFREE The Green Tea Seed Cream deluxe sample - a good moisturising cream but it doesn't stand out to me. I will happily use it and purchase the full size but right now I want to explore other options.

INNISFREE It's Real Squeeze Mask Green Tea - I got this for free so I don't expect much, and it's one of the lowest priced sheet masks from Innisfree. You get what you pay for; the sheets tear easily and the serum is run-of-the-mill. I most prefer mid-range masks like Innisfree's Skin Clinic Mask or The Face Shop's The Solution because it has the best balance of affordability and quality.

INNISFREE It's Real Squeeze Mask Aloe - see above.

INNISFREE Special Care Mask (hand) - I love it so much, though mostly for the scent.  I will continue to purchase this.

INNISFREE Special Care Mask (foot) - I think this is cool too, I will repurchase.

INNISFREE Skin Clinic Mask Catechin - refer to above.

REPIEL Smart Peeling Perfect Care - It took a week for my feet to start peeling and even now that it's peeling it's not as dramatic as the pics I saw on the internet. It's kind of cool to watch but right now I want to try other foot peeling mask brands.