Beauty and Etc.

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May' 22 Empties

Face Empties

 

-          Stratia Velvet Cleansing Milk

 Price: $15 for 4oz

The Stratia Cleansing Milk is a non-foaming cleanser that claims to gently remove makeup and impurities all while protecting the skin’s barrier. I enjoyed the texture of it and velvet is the perfect way to describe and I enjoyed using this as my morning cleanser to provide a gentle cleanse that also moisturized my skin. As for removing makeup, this wouldn’t be my first choice, but it worked decently. I felt like i went through this 4 oz size fairly quickly.

-          First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads

Price: $20 for 28 pads

The First Aid Beauty Ingrown Pads are formulated with Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and witch hazel. It helps to gently exfoliate the skin through the usage of gentle exfoliating acids and physically in a gentle manner by the usage of the pad. I used them 1-2x a week and I really think it helped to lighten some of the dark spots I had located near my stomach and bikini line. I found these to be gentle -even when I used them more frequent. The pads are great to travel with and something i would consider repurchasing in the future. I do think the price matched how well they performed!

-          Glow Recipe Watermelon Ultra Fine Mist

Price: $28 for 2.5oz

This is an ultra fine mist that is made with watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and hibiscus to refresh and hydrate the skin. I know this could be used during your makeup routine, but I enjoyed using it as more of a skincare product. The mist is super fine, which I think adds a nice touch to the sensory experience of using it. The mist itself is lightly scented with watermelon and provides a decent amount of moisture to the skin. I really enjoyed using this while my skin was still damp after washing it to help lock in moisture. This isn’t as moisturizing as the cream skin mist, but this one was a great runner up! 

Rating All My Facial Mists Review  

 

-          Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Mask

Price: $40 for 2oz

The Glow Recipe Glow Hyaluronic Mask is not like any other clay mask that I’ve tried. Its formulated with hyaluronic-infused clay, BHA, PHA, and watermelon enzymes. This mask is only meant to be left on the skin for 5 minutes tops and doesn’t fully dry down. There’s been times I left it on longer and didn’t experience any sensitivity. I do think this mask is more on the gentle side and I really enjoyed using it. It helped to detoxify my skin without over drying. I used it once a week - sometimes once every two weeks. Thankfully I have a backup because i think my skin will enjoy this even more during the summer months.

 

-          Laneige Cream Skin Mist

Price: $27 for 2.5oz

 The Laneige Cream Skin Mist is fine mist spray that provides intense hydration.  When this first launched I’m unsure if this was presented as a facial mist or a spray moisturizer, but I actually used it as both. During the warmer months I used it as a light moisturizer during the day over my serums, but before my sunscreen. During the cooler months I loved applying this to my face while it was still damp to help prevent any moisture loss as my skin is really dehydrated. I loved using this in my Tretinoin/Retinol Routine as a toner. I actually prefer the cream skin mist over the regular cream skin and I will definitely repurchase- but closer to the winter months.

Rating All My Facial Mists Review  

 

-          Peace Slices Snail Rescue Intensive Wash-Off Mask

Price: $16.99 for 3.3oz

This a jelly mask that is made with 95% Snail Mucin. It claims to clear skin, target dark spots & deeply hydrate the skin. The mask lasted me a really long time and I used 1-2x a week. I know people love this mask but I didn’t see or feel a noticeable change in my skin when I used it. The jelly mask is also pretty thick and can be a nuisance when its time for it to be removed. This is not a mask I would think about repurchasing.

 

         Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench SPF45

Price: $55 for 1.7oz

One of my favorites! This is what I would consider a hybrid moisturizer and sunscreen in one. When I use this I do not use a moisturizer with it as the Water Drench line is known for being super moisturizing and formulated with Hyaluronic Acid. I feel like this provides a nice balance for my combo-oily skin and I can get away with using it year round. This is probably one of the priciest sunscreens that’s in my routine. If you’re thinking about purchasing, it now comes in a mini size and I’ve recently seen Ulta offer it in a past sale.

Top 10 Products of 2021

 

-         White Rabbit-  Naked Cotton Classic Cotton

Price:  $11.49 for 100 pieces

These cotton squares are Authentic 100% Cotton-Unbleached and Untreated Grown Free of Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers. The Classic Cotton Squares are also lint free and do not fall apart when being used along with being soft on the skin. I used these with my micellar water and toners. In comparison to my regular cotton rounds, these are smaller and thinner. Sometimes I was able to get use 1 at a time and other times I needed 2. I liked using these, but I much preferred my regular cotton rounds from Chanel Beauty as they are larger, softer and thicker.


Bodycare Empties

 

-          Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub

Price: $38 for 8.8oz

The Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub is a deep cleansing sugar scrub that exfoliates the scalp without over drying. A little of the scrub goes a long way and it quickly emulsifies with water. I tried using it on my scalp a few times and I thought it was okay. But I actually love it for my body! When used on the body it’s almost like a shower gel and light scrub all in one. The original scent of Melrose Place is a fresh floral rose scent, which I love. After using this scrub on my body, it always felt softer and more nourished than before. I used this 1-2x a week and the jar lasted me several months. I will definitely repurchase in the future!

 

-          European Wax Center Ingrown Hair w/Vitamin C

 Price: $40 for 1.7oz

The ingrown serum has been my go to for several years on and off. I used to use the original version of this one that was in a pad form. But this newer version infused with Vitamin C and Azelaic Acid has been my favorite! The serum is light well unscented gel that quickly absorbs into the skin. I used this once a day -everyday and I feel like the serum lasted so long! With everyday usage I do think this helped with ingrown hair and to lighten my bikini area.

-          Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

Price: $4.99

This may be one of the best and affordable hand creams that I’ve tried thus far. Its formulated with 20% pure shea butter, vitamins C & E, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, and linseed extract. I left this one at my work desk and it really helped to keep my hands and cuticles in great condition over the dry and cold temperatures. The cream itself is on the thicker side, but easily spreads. One tube is guaranteed to last at least several months. This item was gifted to me in a Christmas gift and I will definitely purchase again. They also make this in a Rose scent, which is really nice!

 

-          Trader Joe’s Cleansing Oil

Price: $6.99 for 6oz.

I like having a body cleansing oil in my shower for when my skin is really dry and in need of extra nourishment. I also love using these to shave with over typical shaving cream. The TJ’s version is lighter and it smells really pleasant. But I feel like I had to use a lot of product at a time. Although, it’s a little less than my typical Cleansing Oil from Bioderma and  I would much prefer the Bioderma version.

 

-          Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

Price: $48 for 5oz

Overall I love the scent of this and how soft it keeps my body feeling. The fact that it has a pump applicator makes it so much easier when dispensing.

Previous Review and Try-on

 

-          Osea Anti-aging Hand Cream

Price: $38 for 1oz 

This is described as an anti-aging hand cream that helps to nourish dry hands and is formulated with antioxidants. The cream itself is non-scented and on the thicker side and the is housed in a glass container with a pump for applications. This hand cream did a great job at keeping my hands looking and feeling nourished, but other than that I can’t attest to the anti-aging benefits. It’s a lovely cream and very much on the pricey side. I think it’s just a little too pricey for my liking.


Etc. (Other Empties)

 

-          Apotheke Santal Rock Rose Hand Soap

Price: $22 for 10oz

The Apotheke hand soaps are formulated with aloe vera and essential oils. I absolutely loved the Santal Rock Rose scent.  I actually love mixing earthy scents and floral scents together. This Santal Rock Rose scent was the perfect blend of sandalwood to provide a  nice earthy scent and the rose additional warmed it up beautifully. I was thinking of using this as a body wash, which could’ve easily been done. But I wanted to savor the scent longer as used it for its intended purposes as a hand-wash. Overall the soap cleansed my hands well and it really was moisturizing!

 

-          LAFCO New  York Candle

Price: $70 for 15.5oz | Scent: Black Pomegranate

 The LAFCO candles are made with soy wax and are all housed in beautiful vessels that are made out of handblown glass. The Black Pomegranate is classified as a fruity floral with notes of black pomegranate with deep notes of cognac and tart cherry. This particular scent is sweet, but very much on the light side. It’s a candle I liked to let burn hours at a time and never felt overwhelmed by the scent and could lightly smell it in the air. I would often let my candle burn for hours at a time and I feel like this one lasted for a decent amount of time.

 

- Target Cement Candle- Hearth & Hand – Fig

Price: $13 for 9.3oz

I picked up this candle a few years ago. They still make them, but the sizes seem to be a little smaller and they have a different variety of scents.I purchased this for the design and the Fig scent was a nice everyday type of sweet scent.

 

- Target Heart and Hand – Large Brass 2Wick Lemon Candle

Price: $20

Great price and scent! I love the brass packaging and having it on displayed. The lemon scent was refreshing, but yet still warming at the same time. Unfortunately, they no longer make this one, but I was able to link some similar options to check out.


Total  Monthly Empties Value: $514.50