January empties. It's a big one this time.
1. Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser. This is one my most repurchased items ever and I'm not sick of it yet. I don't have a stash of this hidden away, but I typically miss it pretty quickly after I finish it. I like it when my skin feels congested and I enjoy using it as a mini face mask keeping it on while I brush my teeth or even take a shower. It's got glycolic acid in it, so I wouldn't follow up with an acid toner or use it if my skin is feeling irritated. Repurchase guaranteed.
2. Omorovizca Moor Cream Cleanser. I wanted to not like this purely for it's price. It's expensive for a cleanser. But this is one clever cleanser. When I had a dry, irritated and angry skin that was breaking out of nowhere, this was one of the products that made it more balanced, soothed and clear. It's got mud, minerals such as zinc and magnesium in it. It has also got a rather strong smell of muddy camphor, peppermint and menthol, so may not be for everyone. I wish it had a pump and it should have a pump for the price we're paying but I'm not an expert, perhaps there's a reason for it not having it. I may repurchase this.
3. Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. This has lasted me a long time because I only used it sporadically. I don't know why, I think I just had a lot of acids on rotation. It's nice, not too strong so would be good for an acid-newbie. The smell was not particularly pleasant - like sour fruit and that smell that lactic acid has. I got this more than a year ago for a really good price, so if you want to try this, watch out for the deals.
4. QMS Medicosmetics Travel Size Activator Mask. A hydrating, refreshing hialuronic sheet mask. The sheet didn't fit my face comfortably - but then I do have long nose and most masks don't fit me properly. The skin felt nice afterwards but it's not repurchase-worthy for me.
5. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres lip balm. i had this little tube for quite a few years. It's very good. Nourishing, soothing, not too shiny, not fragranced. May be repurchased.
6. Tresemme heat defence travel size spray. It's been here before, it will be here again. Just a basic heat protection.
7. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%. This is a clever little thing, especially great for dry skins. Lactic acid is already quite mild and it's also a humectant. Combined with hialuronic acid, it offers a nice combo of mild exfoliation and hydration. It also contains Tasmanian Pepperberry (hence the pink tinge) which reduces irritation. May be repurchased.
8. Dr Sebagh Serum Repair. I don't know. I wasn't wowed. The immediate lifting and tightening effect (that lasts until you put moisturiser on) can be provided by much cheaper serums and I actually do not enjoy that effect, this may be different to those with more mature skins. It's got hialuronic acid, collagen and patented peptide that provide anti-ageing benefits. Like with most peptide and collagen boosting serums, the effects are never immediate so I cannot comment on that. It's expensive (£69 for 20ml) and the screw cap somehow broke. Will not be repurchased.
9. Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body scrub. I like the smell, give me all the limes and sugar. But as a body scrub, I'd rather use an exfoliating glove as it did bugger-all to my skin.
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It's that time of the month again!
L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Low Shampoo - good, I have mentioned this in favourites a while ago. While it is really gentle, it struggled to wash dry shampoo out of my hair. I ended up with a build up near my scalp... I purchased the white and red version of this for coloured hair but I will be using a clearing shampoo once a week or so. The L'Oreal shampoo also gets used up rather quickly. It's a whopping 400ml but you need 10 to 15 pumps per wash!
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm - old favourite and holy grail. I will repurchase it when there's a discount somewhere. Am I the only one who wishes they still had the 3x 50ml pots for sale? And what's with the music on their official website? It's 2017 for Christ's sake...
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse - this took me ages to finish. Didn't want to use it on my face or my hair. It was fine on my body after shower. The smell lingered for quite a while. I wish it smelled less perfumey.
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - I repurchased this already. You can't see it in the picture but part of the bristles are about to fall out. My fault, I didn't look after it properly and it still lasted for 4 years or so. This is still my favourite to apply foundation. I will try beauty blender sometime. I swear.
Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser - also a favourite. Gentle, clearing cleanser with a bit of clay and glycolic action. Non foaming. Perfect as a second cleanse in the evening when you want something with a bit more oomph than your typical cream cleanser.
The Ordinary NMF + HA - basic good moisturizer. I will repurchase this later in the year.
The Ordinary Buffet - I grew to like this, especially for warmer weather. Nice and gentle, slightly hydrating. I still don't know if it's doing anything anti-ageing but I would use it again.
Overall, I am very happy with this box. I knew I wanted to get it because I was particularly interested in Zelens Power D oil and Tata Harper Regenerating eye cream and I would have probably bought them at some point this year. Just these two items cost £195. The box also includes Indie Lee toner, Dr Dennis Gross peel pads (both brands I have heard of a lot and haven't tried). And Pixi + CH double cleanse, of course, which is a favourite of mine.
The only product that I had my doubts about was the January Labs lotion, purely because they call it a lotion. I, as an owner of a dry-ish and dehydrated skin, don't typically go for lotions. However, I LOVE the consistency and feel of January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion. It is light, yet really hydrating and will be perfect for warmer summer days.
Another product I know I will love until the end is Tata Harper Regenerating Eye Cream. It's not only a texture that I like (creamy but not too heavy. sinks in fast and moisturises well) or the smell (reminds me of Dr Hauschka eye cream) but also the effect on my skin. I don't know how to describe it, but it just looks and feels better. Instantly. The pump is a bit annoying because it deposits way too much product, I only need like a third of a pump because a little goes a long way (thank God, because this is one pricey eye cream!).
Zelens Power D is a lightweight oil which sinks in fast and leaves the skin comfortable and nourished. Indie Lee CoQ10 Toner also has some calming and soothing properties. Can't say much about anti-ageing but my skin liked it. And it smells good!
The only thing I haven't tried is the Dr Dennis Gross acid pads because I currently have three different forms of acids on rotation (liquid, serum and mask. and not all at the same time!) and I need to finish some of them up.
I wish the box had included some kind of fancy SPF but that's just me being super picky. All in all, money well spent. I am probably sorted for most things skincare until autumn. Except SPF.
How is it the 8th of May already and it's STILL dark and cold outside. So NOT impressed with this spring. Apologies for a grainy picture yet again, I blame the weather, clearly.
I haven't bought anything much this month and that's because I forked out the big bucks for a 100ml of Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady. It is a gorgeous rose scent, quite dark and intoxicating and the staying power is superb. Try it if you get a chance!
Next, it is The Ordinary again with two overnight treatments: Advanced Retinoid 2% (full review is coming soon) and Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%. Both are super gentle but effective.
Pixi by Petra Multi Balm in Wild Rose is so easy to use and has been my blusher of choice for months. I just apply it straight from the stick and blend it out with a brush.
Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defense spray is an old favourite. Offers heat protection, doesn't weigh my hair down and smells GOOD.
And finally, style favourites: my 22k yellow gold earrings I bought in India and my monochrome leopard blouse from Primark. A true high and low mix here.
Anyone else excited about CH + Cult Beauty box? Fingers crossed I will manage to snap it up!
Pixi + CH double cleanse - great. Full review here.
Philip Kingsley Elizastisizer - this is another #carolinehironsmademedoit product. Nice mask/pre-wash treatment for dry coloured hair. I will repurchase.
Philip Kingsley Perfecting Spray - meh. I used this before blow drying my hair and it was alright. But I much prefer the daily defense spray from PK which I am using at the moment.
Ren Flash Rinse 1 minute vit C facial - good. full review here. It oxidised slightly in the end. Will not repurchase. I think when it comes to vit C, serums are the way to go.
Clinique City Block Sheer SPF25 - my favourite. I want to get the SPF40 from the same line but it is sold out everywhere! Argh.
More empties and stuff that just went bad:
Dr Hauschka cleansing cream and toner - both products I like and have used previously. Love the smell and how gentle they are.
MAC Prep+Prime eyelid primer - had this for too long. And there are better primers on the market.
By Terry lip gloss in cupcake glaze (?) - Nice lip gloss. Not worth the price. I did not purchase this. The smell went bad so to the bin it goes.
NYX lip liner - It was okay, I prefer a liner that stays put better. This one was... too creamy.
Eyeko eyeliner - If you're considering buying this, don't. It dried up within weeks and was difficult to use. Get the Stila stay all day eye liner instead ;)
Real Techniques brow brush - this is quite old and the bristles caved in to the brush handle, if that makes any sense.
L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Low Shampoo: just got it last week, but I love it. Gentle, non foaming, hair feels super soft. I think I'm done with SLS for good.
Next sunglasses: self explanatory. Dior inspired.
Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser: This is an oldie but goodie. Gentle but effective, I like using this as a morning cleanse, the skin feels instantly brighter and soft, but not tight or dry.
Hydraluron: A staple in my routine. The best hyaluronic acid serum I've tried so far.
The Ordinary NMF. Good basic moisturizer. See review below.
Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quad in The Sophisticate. I don't like palettes in general because I never use them up but this one has a nice selection of basic colours that are nearly matte. Great quality.
Okay, as soon as I read that rockstar of skincare Caroline Hirons was collaborating with Pixi to release a cleanser two things were absolutely clear to me: 1. I need it. 2. It will be awesome. And I was right. After all, I love Pixi skincare and I love Caroline.
Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse is two cleansers in one round pot separated like Yin and Yang. The solid oil cleanser (with vitamin E, camelia and evening primrose oils) removes all the makeup, spf, dirt, grease, what have you, and the creamy cleanser (with vitamin C, peptide complex and Arginnie) gently cleanses the skin. The skin feels soft and nourished afterwards. I especially like using this cleanser whilst taking a bath. I slowly massage the oil cleanser over my face, emulsify with a bit of water and remove it with moist flannel, then I apply the creamy cleanser and leave it on my skin as a mask. Gorgeous.
I kind of wish this cleanser had a smell but I must be a minority and I do realise that they wanted to create a cleanser that even the most sensitive of skins could use.
The cost is pretty great too, £24 for a tub that lasts a long time. It's only 2x 50ml but you don't need much at all. Emma Hardie Moringa Balm (another of my favourites) costs £38 for the same 100ml.
Will I repurchase? Absolutely. It's out of stock in my local M&S. And M&S online too. How rude. I need to stash some away, in case it gets discontinued.
I kind of wish this cleanser had a smell but I must be a minority and I do realise that they wanted to create a cleanser that even the most sensitive of skins could use.
The cost is pretty great too, £24 for a tub that lasts a long time. It's only 2x 50ml but you don't need much at all. Emma Hardie Moringa Balm (another of my favourites) costs £38 for the same 100ml.
Will I repurchase? Absolutely. It's out of stock in my local M&S. And M&S online too. How rude. I need to stash some away, in case it gets discontinued.
This is not a constant routine because I do change things up quite a bit, but I have been using the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil every day. Review coming soon.
Also pictured: Pixi + CH Double Cleanse, Ren Flash Hydro-boost emulsion, Emma Hardie Moisture Boost vit+C cream and Skyn Icelandic relief eye cream.
TGIF!
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