Empties (products I've used up): August 2016

This month I'm making up for last month, when I only had a few empties. The month of August has been a very productive one, since it looks like I've finished everything...well, not quite, but you know. Let's get started.
Face
L'Oreal Skin perfection Velvety-Soft Toner - I have had this product for ages. I only used it once in while, because I didn't see or feel any difference in my skin when I've used it. It didn't make my skin feel any different, so I must admit I kind of 'stuggled' to finish it up. I'm still looking for a good toner, something that makes a difference in my skin.
Will I repurchase? Probably not.

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water - my favourite micellar water until I've discovered the Garnier one (which I am using at the moment and loving). The later has taken this one's place and has become my favourite. I do have good things to say about the Simple micellar water, it cleaned my face, removed my makeup (though comparing it with the Garnier one, I must admit I did a bit of extra rubbing - especially around my eye area, in order to remove that stubborn mascara) and it left my skin feeling cleansed and soft.
Will I repurchse? It's in the back of my mind, but I think I'll be reaching for the Garnier one first.

Tea Tree deep cleansing nose pore strips - Another box of these (actually I'm sure there were more, but just one made it into my empties bag). I've been talking about these in my previous posts. I like them.
Will I repurchase? I will.

Clinuque anti-bleamish solutions - I've bought this at the begining of the year and it came in a pack with a cleansing foam and a cleansing solution I believe. Those two have been long gone - as in used up to the last drop - but this it has taken me a while to get through it. I do switch up between my face creams and face products, so that must be one of the reasons. It felt very light on my skin, it helped with preventing spots to 'evolving' if you know what I mean, but it didn't really 'wow' me.
Will I repurchase? Most likely not.

Garnier Oil Control Complete Vanishing Cream - Love and hate relationship with this one. I've had this for ages and I really liked it at first, so much that I went looking for it to repurchase. I mean, finally a cream that controls the oil production on my face. I couldn't find it, I guess it was discontinued. Ok, let me tell you the story. When you apply it to your face it definitely mattifies, absorbs the oils and leaves a nice matte finish. You'd think it's perfect - especially for someone with extra oily skin like myself. The problem is... I noticed that during the day I get extra oily after having used it. I mean it works for the first 2-3 hours but I feel that after that it gets my skin to produce extra oils to make up for it, like overcompensating.
Will I repurchase? Don't think so.








Body

Nivea Creme Soft Liquid Handwash - I'm not fussy about my hand soaps, I like to try different brands, but I would always have a Nivea one around. I find it moisturising, doesn't dry or damage the skin, like other brands might do. I wasn't very impressed with the scent of this particular one, maybe because my all time favourite when it comes to scant is the Nivea Honey and Milk one. That scent is absolutely yummy.
Will I repurchase? Yes.

Dove Caring Bath fine silk - as I said in a previous post, Dove are my favourite bath/shower products to use. They are creamy, they are hydrating, they smell nice and I feel they're not as rough as shower gels. I know if that makes sense. Some shower gels leave your skin squiky clean and not the good kind of squiky clean. Basically, they leave your skin dry and that's something I totally dislike. Dove products are more gentle and more hydrating, in my opinion.
Will I repurchse? I have 10 more as back-ups.

Dove DermaSpa summer revived (body lotion with self tanners) - During summer everyone likes to look tanned and as I have very fair skin, getting tanned is quite difficult (I pretty much get sunburned). As I don't have the best expericnce with self tanners (I'm sure everyone has experienced the self tanner streaks), I like to use lotions that enhance and even add a little colour to my skin. My all time favourite is the Garnier one, I have been using that for years and years, but this year I thought I'd try something different, so I went for the Dove one. Comparing it to the Garnier one, Dove has a much better scent - the Garnier one has a bit of that self tanner scent, but it doesn't make much of difference on my skin when it comes to tanning it. The garnier one would leave my skin a little more dark and it would add that beautiful glow that everybody is after. Dove has been moisturising and it did feel good on my skin, leaving it soft and hydrated, so that's a plus.
Will I repurchase? I think I'm going to stick to my Garnier one.





Hair

Gliss Hair Repair Liquid Silk - a leave in spray conditioner that it's supposed to add shine to your hair and make it look healtier. I didn't see much shine to be honest, but still I'm a sucker for anything that has the word conditioner written on it, as my hair needs that desperately. I like the scent of it, I think that just having your smell smell like that it's a big plus. Did it have much of a positive impact on my hair? Not really, but still... Will I repurchase? I have bought a second bottle after I syarted using this one, so I guess that's a yes.

TRESemme dry shampoo -  it took me forever and a day to finish up the dry shampoo, as I don't use it very much. I have mixed feeling about this particular one, there were times when I loved it, there times when I didn't. I'm kind of obssessed with washing my hair...every day (BAD!), so I rarely used it, but I guess it did it's job when it was used.
Will I repurchase? I have purchased the ultra-super-hyper cheered Batiste, so I'm curious about that one.














Makeup
Garnier BB Cream - I have had this BB cream for ages. I have alternated between this and my foundation, though I reached more for my foundation lately, as it has a better coverage. I have liked this BB cream, it has a pretty good coverage for a BB cream, it doesn't feel heavy on my face, it's pretty buildable.
Will I repurchase? I would like to try out different brands, so it's a no for now.













Random
Britney Spears Fantasy perfume - my favourite celebrity fragrance. My boyfriend use to spray this on my every time we would go to a perfume shop, as he liked the scent and thought it suited me and I started to like it a lot, so he bought it for me. I'm bad at describing scents, but this one is flowery, fresh and just perfect for every day. I love it, his mum bought me a bigger bottle of it and I
Will I repurchase? would definitely repurchase, it's my go-to every day scent.

Coconut Oil - I didn't know where to include this as it has multi-purpose use. I have had this one since winter, when I used it as a body lotion. During winter my skin gets very dry and this has been amazing. The skin absorbs it sooo quickly and it leaves my skin very soft. However since the warmer weather, I've stopped using it as a body lotion. But don't worry, there are other ways I've been using it. As a hair mask. I would apply this on my hair, especially towards the end and leave it in for about 30 mins-1 hour before jumping in the shower. My hair feels silky smooth after I've used it. I use it on my feet as mask as weel. I have dry feet and this is very moisturising. On my chapped lips and pretty much on every area with extremely dry skin. I looove Coconut Oil, I love it's scent (there are some people who dislikte it) and I think it's an amazing product.
Will I repurchase? YES!



Until next time, take care of your mind, body and soul!

Empties (products I've used up): July 2016

Just a few products this month, as I have quite a bunch that are about to be empty, but those will be saved for next month most likely.
Let's get started.
Oral care

Colgate Max White One - Colgate is my favourite tooth paste brand, I've been using Colgate ever since I can remember. Lately I've tried other brands, like Crest or Blend-a-Med, but I would alway go back to Colgate. Did it whiten my teeth? No, but then again, I haven't found the toothpaste that does. I like the tastem I like the freshness, I like it.
Will I repurchase? Definitely.

 Oral B complete mouthwash - when it comes to mouthwash, I would always go for Listerine. It's strong, cleanses my mouth and my breath feel fresh. The Oral B one was a little weak compared to the Listerine. Weak as in... the mint and the freshness aren't very strong and I like that to be strong. It was alright, but it didn't really impress me.
Will I repurchase? Probably not.

Face
Tea Tree deep cleansing nose pore strips - Just like the month before, I went through another box of these. To the moment they are my favourite, they remove all that dirt and disgusting things that otherwise can't be removed.
Will I repurchase? Already have.

Nivea Cleansing Wipes - I likes these for removing eye makeup, I think they did a great job at that. However, they are a little bit too much for my face. When I bought them I haven't really read what it says on them and they turned out to be for dry skin (I have oily to combination skin). So they left a greasy residue on my face which I didn't like, that's the only reason I didn't like them.
Will I repurchase? Hmmm, no.
Body
Carex Complete hand soap - I liked this, it smelled nice, did it's job well. There's nothing much I can say, nothing special about it. I'm not picky with my hand soaps, as long as they smell nice.
Will I repurchase? Yeah, at some point.

Lynx for her body wash - this came in a set with a deodorant (which I haven't finished up yet). It was... different. The product leathers up well, it does it's job. However, for me, the scent was a little overpowering, a little too... Lynx. And Lynx is a brand for men. To be honest, every time I used it I felt like I was washing myself with a shower gel for men.  I like flowery, fresh scents and this was just too much.
Will I repurchase? The strong manly scent is the reason I won't be repurchasing it.

Until next time, take care of your body, mind and soul!

Feelings of you

I miss the way I get lost in your eyes
I miss how your scent invades me when I hug you
I miss your childishness
I miss the way you make me smile
I miss the way your eyes sparkle when you look at me
I miss the spontaneous passion
I miss the whispers of your love
I miss  the fast beatings of my heart when you smile at me
I miss the goose bumps on my skin left behind by your touch 
I miss being abandoned in your arms
I miss how your lips are hungry for mine
I miss the way our bodies seem made for each other
I miss the way you make the world seem perfect
I miss how you never say you love me, but you always show it
I miss you, I miss the self I am when I'm with you, I miss us

Empties (products I've used up): June 2016

All the products I have finished this month, which include a lot of hair stuff for some reason (I consider myself to be pretty lazy when it comes to my hair - I have thin, straight hair, which I don't style; I just air dry it and I'm done).

Hair:

I have used up a travel size Charles Worthington Colour Enhancer Brunette Shampoo. Last year, when I died my hair, I have used up another one plus the conditioner. It did work quite well, it helped maintain my hair colour for a longer time. I have decided not to dye my hair anymore (I have dark brown hair). Since I had this little thing hanging around I decided to use it. And I was very surprised that after just a few uses I had a bunch of people asking me if I dyed my hair. I haven't. So that was just another proof that it works very well even with natural hair colour. 

Will I repurchase? I definetly consider purchasing the full size version in the future, just to help enhace my natural hair colour.

TRESemme Salon Silk shampoo - this has lasted me forever. I have finished the conditioner a while back and it took me a while to get to the bottom of the shampoo. It was ok, I don't really think it has done much of protecting my hair colour, but I did use to wash my hair every day. As a shampoo it worked fine, cleaned my hair nicely. 

Will I repurchase? Maybe... but I'm definitely into trying different types of shampoo, just to see what works best for my hair. And I will definitely not be repurchasing such a huge bottle.

Matrix Miracle Treat lotion spray - I have bought this when I dyed my hair as it supposed to help protect coloured-treated hair, condition, detangle and basically protect from damage. I have used it up, but I didn't really like it. You're supposed to apply it on towel dried hair and once my hair completely I felt that it left it a bit crunchy. Did it help prolong the hair colour? Possibly, but as I said I've been using other products as well. Did it help detangle my hair? Not really, as I have a type of hair that gets very tangled. 

Will I repurchase? No. All in all, I didn't like it, I think there are other products out there that work better for my type of hair.

Kallos Placenta hair mask with vegetable extracts - it's hair mask which you're supposed to use on wet hair, leave in for 10-15 mins and rinse. It makes the hair soft and detangles. I liked this mask. My hair was very easy to detangle every time I used this, it did leave it soft and silky.

Will I repurchase? Yes, it's easy to use, made my hair feel and look nice.

Body:
Dove invisible dry deodorant - despite all the controversy that surrounds them, I'm a big fan of stick deodorants. For me, they work the best. I have tried roll-on, sprays, but those didn't do much for me. Stick deodorants, on the other hand... they work. They're not perfect, they don't do miracles, but out of all that's out there, I prefer sticks. And this month I've finished the Nivea one. Invisible? Not really. All the 'leaves no marks' deodorants that I've tried have left marks on my clothes, so that's the downside of deo-sticks.
Will I repurchase? Yep. I'm not tied to a specific brand though, I like to try them out, but I will repurchase in the future.

Femfresh intimate skin care - for me all of the intimate cleaning products work the same. It didn't create any problems, it was gentle. 

Will I repurchase? Yes, like I said, I don't have a favourite, I just grab whatever I find in the drugstore.

Dove purely pampering nourishing body wash - when it comes to body wash and shower creams and gels, I pretty much always go for Dove. I like their products and this was no exception. It's my go-to body wash. It's very creamy, cleans and hydrates the skin and leaves it very soft. I know that some people like their body wash to be very foamy, but I like the creamy feeling of them as I consider that to be more hydrating and less damaginf to the skin. But that's just me. I liked the scent of this one, very subtle and a hint of vanilla, which is always a plus for me, I love vanilla scents.

Will I repurchase? Already did... like 6 more, in different scents. Can't wait to use those.

Face:
Simple quick fix cleansing wipes - I have emtioned these in my previous post (beauty favourites) and yes, these are my favourite cleansing wipes so far, they remove my make-up and leave my skin feeling soft. Also, I do think they help fight spots.

Will I repurchase? Definitely

T-Zone Skincare charcoal nose pore strips - I have been trying different brands of nose pore strips lately ( I havent tried the raved Biore ones yet) and so far, this is my second favourite. It draws out impurities, but there are still nasty things left behind. Another downside is that it leaves black residue on my skin, like small black patched here and there where the strips were. But that's not a major problem for me.

Will I repurchase? No. The next brand is my favourite so far.

Beauty Formulas tea tree deep cleansing nose pore strips with skin calming witch hazel - these definetly work better for me. They remove quite a lot of the impurities and I like the way my skin feels after I used them compared to other types of nose pore strips.

Will I repurchase? Yes, I think I will.

Random:

Nail varnishes - this is more a declutter than empties, but there I go. Random nail varnishes from random brands. Some of them are used up, some of them have dried up, some of them have been 'revived' so many times that the true colour and quality is totally gone.

Yankee Candles:
Black Coconut - I love everything coconut and this candle had a lovely, coconuty scent.
Strawberry Buttercream - I could have eaten this candle, it smelles so good.
Will I repurchase? To be honest, I think they're a bit too pricey. They do smell absolutely divine, but I think there are more affordable ones that do the same job.

Until next time, take care of your body, mind and soul!

Current beauty favourites

It's been a while and with all the craziness that every day life brings, I found that I get some peace and relaxation in... exploring beauty products (that is trying them). So why not share my "passion" with everyone?
These past months I have discovered and started to enjoy a various range of products, some of which will be listed belov. Let's start.

Make-up

One of my recent descoveries is the NYX Shine Killer primer. I love it. I have a very oily complexion and this mattifies my skin and reduces the shine and makes my make-up last longer.

Of course that I still get oily throughtout the day, so this takes me to the next product I've been loving: NYX Matte Blotting Paper. Whenever I feel that my skin is getting oily or whenever I notice that it getting shiny, I just use one of these and... shine gone!










Sticking to face products, my current go-to foundation is L'Oreal Infaillible 24h Stay Fresh Foundation. I like the way this makes my skin look, it has got very good coverage, it's buildable and a very nice finish. The only downside to this is... I got this at the beginning of the year, in shade Vanilla, hoping that once the winter is gone and the sun is up I will catch some sun (I'm veeeery pale). It's June and that hasn't happened, so this foundation is a little to dark for me. Also it has a yellowish undertone which doesn't go with my skin.















But there's a fix to this. My next favourite product: The Body Shop Shade Adjunsting Drops - Lightening. I adore this product. I put one pump of foundation on the back of my hand and then add two drops of this magical 'potion' and mix them together. My foundation instantly gets lighter withouth changing it's composition.














Face

For my face, I have been loving the products from the Simple range.

  

Let me start off with the Simple Spotless Skin Cleansing Wipes. I have been using the original Simple Cleansing Wipes until I ran across these ones and loving them more. I have an oily, acne prone and with dry patches skin, so these have been very nice for me. They take off my make-up well and at the same time they're quite gentle with my skin and I have noticed an improvement in my skin.











The next Simple product is the Simple Micellar Cleansing Water. Again, it takes off my make-up very well, cleans my face without being rough, removes eye make-up and it doesn't sting my eyes (I have heard people complaining about this, but it's not the case for me).
















And the last one is Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion. I use this after I've removed all my make-up and cleaned my face, just to make sure there's nothing left on my skin and also to hydrate my skin in the process. Removes any residues and leaves my face soft.










When it comes to washing my face, I've been leaning towards Biore products.

My every day facial wash is the Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser. This cleans my face nicely, without drying my skin and I think it helped clear out my skin and at the same time balance it.

Every other day I'm using the Biore Blemish Clearing Scrub. It's a very gentle scrub, doesn't damage my skin and cleans it very well. It has small, fine exfoliating beads and also larger exfoliating beads. I find it to be gentle and purifying.










Body
Moving on to body care, I have just one product that I've been loving a lot lately: Superdrug Body Butter Cherry and Macadamia. The main reason I got this is the smell. It smells AMAZING. My boyfriend was smelling random lotions and body butters and when he got to this he loved it. He had me smell it as well and I couldn't resist, I had to buy it. and it was a bargain: buy one get one free, so I did. Not only does it smell nice, but it also feels very light on my skin and I think it's perfect for summer and definitely a change from all the heavy stuff I've been using during winter and even spring. Did I mention it smells divine?






Hair

Ohh, my hair... I have thin, oily, with dry ends and tanlgy kind of hair. I've just started to use the products from the L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Clay: Re-balancing Shampoo, Re-balancing Conditioner and Clay Masque. So far they've been working great. I wash my hair every day, yes, it gets that oily and ever since I've started to use this range I find that I can go a day without washing it. Which is a big accomplishment for me. I know that washing your hair every day is very damaging to the hair, but I can't stand feeling my hair dirty and seeing it oily, not even a bit.

As long as I use a dry shampoo the second day, washing it every other day is ok. This brings me to my first ever dry shampoo that I've used: TRESemme Instant Refresh. I've had a hate-love relationship with this dry shampoo. I had it for ages and when I first used it, I must have been doing wrong because it would leave a white residue on my hair which was very difficult to remove. So I put it away. Until about a month ago. I started to use it again and this time I guess I did it right because it worked. No white residue left and my hair felt clean the second day. The only thing I don't like is the smell, I can't describe the smell, it's just not for me.






And lastly... my hair brush. My detangling hair brush which I cant live without. My hair gets soooo tangled and I needed this brush in my life. It detangles my hair so nicely and it's a life/hair saver for me.

Until next time, take care of your body, mind and soul!

2 months later...

Wow! Time flies by so fast when you are busy. The craziness of the first weeks in a new country are long gone... I have a rutine now: work-home and repeat. I got accustomed to the people, language and places. I just wish I had more time for myself. I am either busy or tired and always on the run. But hopefully this hectic schedule will change next month when I move. I will be living closer to my workplace and I will have time for myself (Yes!).
Looking back over these months that have passed I can't help but think that time on Earth is flying with an outer space speed. I can't remember what I did, execept the same routine over and over again: Week of work and looking forward for the weekend to sleep. But enaugh with the complaints. Why was I MIA for so long? Well... The other day I remembered I started a blog and totally forgot about it. So I downloaded this app that allows me to write my posts on the phone (why didn't I do this sooner?). So I hope that now I get to write a little bit of something everyday.
For now I leave you with something I really miss (didn't have one today :( ) :