Sunday, August 12, 2018

July Beauty Empties + Mini Reviews

For a girl who washes her hair once, maybe twice, a week I sure did go through a lot of hair products! This is unusual so don't get too use to it! I have also continued, slowly, using up all my travel/sample sized products, which I am finally seeing an end to. And with the upcoming Sephora VIB Rouge Sale at the end of this month it couldn't have come at a better time. Like usual you will see a lot of familiar faces, as well as some one-timers. What I can promise you is that I won't have as many August Empties as this month. Starting fresh products is exciting but can also mean a long road ahead! Well... let's get into my trash!
1. Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment for Lips - This took me forever to get through, but I think that is because I am not the biggest fan of pot chapstick, the whole dipping your finger in kind of creeps me out. However, this chapstick is an OG and for good reason. The perfect everyday and night product to heal dry and chapped lips. Does anyone know if it comes in tube form?
2. Lotus Spa Conditioner - Another Princess Cruise Line product that I continually use and surprisingly enjoy. For a free-bee this conditioner does a great job at leaving my hair smooth and tangle free without that heavy greasy feeling.
3. Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer - By far one of my favourite Ranges from Origins. This moisturizer does everything it claims, it energizes and moisturizes without that greasy after feel. It is great up makeup or mixed with your favourite bronzing serum. Overall one of my go-to face moisturizers.
4/5. OGX Shampoo & Conditioner: Candy Gumdrop - Definitely a "YouTuber Made Me Do It" purchase. There was huge hype around Kandee Johnson's Capsule Collection and I had to have them all! Overall it was an average shampoo and conditioner for the price, I believe they were $9.99 each. Did their jobs, however I wouldn't run out to purchase more... oh wait I have the other two scents in my closet!
6. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream - Another Origins product that I cannot say enough about. This is my all time, holy grail, favourite day time eye cream. It is perfect on its own, as it has a subtle iridescence to it, or under makeup. 
7. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser - Although I did enjoy using this cleanser and it did make my skin feel squeaky clean, I sometimes felt it was on the drying side. I used it both day and night, and for a week or two may I add, with the respective routine, and it just left my skin craving 
more hydration.
8. Alterna Caviar Repair Lengthening Hair & Scalp Elixir - I love this product! It not only moisturizes your scalp, it also conditions and nourishes your hair to promote faster and healthier hair growth. I did notice my hair growing faster and a strong root, however it doesn't look like it is available anymore, any suggestions?
9. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex - I loved this! The thick consistency allowed minimal product and maximized overnight hydration. My under eyes felt rejuvenated in the morning, showing reduced puffiness, fatigue, and signs of ageing. I would definitely purchase the full size of this... maybe during the VIB Rouge Sale?
10. Secret Invisible Cool Waterlily - Standard deodorant, however the smell was heavenly. I did find however after sometime it would start to smell stale. 
11. Bonnyhill Collagen Wrinkle Care Mask Pack - Another FaceTory win! This mask was excellent. The tightening was almost instant, and it left my skin feeling hydrated and smooth. If you guys haven't heard of or checked out FaceTory yet click here, it is the best monthly subscription allowing you to try out Korean Brands of Sheet Masks!
12. Mask Package I Love Myself - I believe this sheet mask was suppose to help with smoothing and resurfacing skin, however I didn't really notice any results. However, the message of this mask to love yourself and that you're beautiful was super cute.
13. Secret Invisible Va Va Vanilla - This is my all time favourite deodorant. The smell is subtle yet there and last all day long whether you are working out or lounging at home. I purchase this scent over and over again!
14. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion - Already repurchased this product. I used this day and night, although night time use is preferred, due to sun exposure during the day, and really saw my skin transform. Retinoid truly does smooth and resurface your skin and this product, at just $9.80, is truly a must have in your skin care routine!
15. Marrakesh Endz Argan & Hemp Oil Therapy - I used this on wet hair after washed to help with my split ends, and boy do I have A LOT! I have noticed my ends do look better than they once did and will continue using a split end mender and preventer, just doesn't necessarily need to be this exact one. 
16. Marc Anthony Extra Hold Hairspray: Argan Oil of Morocco - This product should be no surprise to you. It is my everyday, go-to, if they stop making this I'd die, hairspray. Dry texture, firm hold, and perfect for styling! Love Love Love!
17. GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment - Another holy grail product that I just can't live without. I strongly believe this is the best detoxifying mud mask out there and if anyone wants to challenge me on that send me your recommendations. My face feels super clean after using this, down to every last over sized pore and crevice! 
18. SkinFood Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam - I did enjoy this, as it left my skin feeling extremely clean, however like the First Aid Beauty Cleanser, it left my skin feeling even more dried out. Like if I opened my mouth to wide my skin would crack, dry! Maybe a great option for a once a week clean, but not twice a day. 
19. Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask - I had high hopes for this mask, it had great reviews and was reasonably priced, however it just fell a little flat with me. Don't get my wrong my hair felt fantastic after using it, I just had higher expectations, and I believe for the price point of $36 there is something better out there... now I just have to find it!
20. Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil - I only really used this while travelling, however loved it. It left my hair feeling nourished and soft even with all the exposure to the elements. It also did not drag down my hair or leave it greasy looking. 
21. Sephora Cleansing Wipes: Coconut Water - These use to be my go-to wipes, however Sephora must have reformulated when the re-branded and there is something almost greasy about them now. I repurchased a different scent hoping it would be different, however it isn't. What are your go-to Facial Wipes? It's officially time to move on. 
22. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - An oldie but a goodie! I have been using this all summer to lock in my moisturizer before putting on my translucent powder and bronzer/blush/highlighter and have been loving this added step. It has help hold my makeup in place longer, stopping a greasy mess from happening, and also keeping all the moisture in instead of mixing with my face powders. I now cannot put makeup on without priming my skin first!
23. Tatcha The Water Cream - The daytime moisturizer is truly a dream. My perfect before makeup moisturizer that quickly penetrates my skin leaving it feeling silky smooth and ready for makeup. If you haven't tried it before run, don't walk, and get your hands on a jar!
24. Sephora Avocado Eye Mask - It must have just been those last couple of eye masks that were duds, or this was a good one... I don't know, I have 2 more to use to make that decision. However, like I use to, I loved this mask. My under eyes felt hydrated, nourished, and smooth. Perfect after a late night out!
25. L'Occitane Precious Eye Balm - I used this product mostly at night time, which I loved because it was a thicker more lux texture and left my under eyes feeling recharged come morning. It also helped fill and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as any discolouration from lack of sleep. I did however notice that sometimes I would flake off after absorbing, which was annoying.
26/27. Alterna Caviar Anti-Ageing Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner - My all time favourite shampoo and conditioner duo, even though it is SUPER expensive. And hence the reason for the travel sizes, which I only pick up during Sephora Black Friday Sales! This shampoo/conditioner is a dream, leaves your hair super soft while protecting and repairing from the elements and everyday damage. 
28. Tatcha Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate - I can probably give partial credit to this product for how good my skin has been looking over the last handful of months. My fine line and wrinkles have reduced, my skin has been smooth to the touch, and hyperpigmentation to a minimum. This was a quick nightly step that I could see results almost immediately. I will truly miss this product in my nightly routine.
29. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% - Once you get past the tingling and slight burning of the first couple of uses I grew to love this product. I mixed in a dime sized amount into my night cream for that extra dose of Vitamin C. This could also have played a major part in the reduced fine lines and wrinkles. I have since repurchased and will let you know!
30. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - Can we just take a moment for how exception this product was, even though the packaging made it impossible to fully experience. I have never, and I mean never, used a primer that left my skin feeling so silky smooth as this one... although it is unfortunate that I probably won't feel my skin that way again due to the hefty $65 price tag. But if you can afford it or swallow the price tag I promise you, you won't be disappointed!
31. Origins Night-Potency Night Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream - Another one of my go-to daily products. I use this each and every night, in conjunction with The Ordinary Vitamin C and have loved it since the first application. It is thick and moisturizing but not greasy and easily absorbs. My skin loves this stuff, and I can tell each morning.
32. Dr Brandt Needles No More: No More Baggage - I really enjoyed this mini and saw some great potential. It felt cooling on my skin, reducing the signs of fatigue, however helping with fine lines and wrinkles at the same time. It also has a slight orange hue to help with any discolouration. I received a full sized from BoxyCharm and can't wait to get using it! Hopefully the week or two of use stands true to however long the full size lasts me. 
33. Foil Samples - Cleansers (x8), Serums (x2), and Eye Creams (x2). 

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