Monday 12 June 2017

SPOTLIGHT: May Empties!...

After last month's mammoth post, I thought I'd put this one together nice and early as I powered through quite a few in May as well. And to be honest, having all the empty containers lying around is a space issue for me, so here we go...


Hair & Me Hair Rejuvenation Treatment (90ml, RRP $16)
I've lost track of how many sachets of this magical hair elixir I've gone through - first discovered it two years ago, full review HERE, nothing's changed, it's still awesome and I can't live without it ...
Repurchase?
3 spares in the bathroom drawer ...


Skin Republic Youthfoil Face Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $12.99)
Like the Hydrogel ones, this is special, which is why it's more expensive. It's a 2-piecer (much more comfortable) with lashings of hyaluronic acid serum. The foil fabric itself dries out by the end of the 20 minutes (no it's not alfoil lol), but the serum stays locked in underneath - when you peel it off, there's heaps left on the skin, which I massaged in, and that was my skincare regime for the night, nothing else required. Amazingly hydrating ...
Repurchase?
Already have 2 waiting in the queue ...

Hylamide Low-Molecular HA Multi-Depth Rehydration Booster (10ml, 30ml RRP $29.99)
This sample came in the Bloggers United AU goodie bag last November - amazingly thick and enriching serum, I can't imagine a dry skin cell making it out the other side of this stuff without transforming. Can't say I noticed any obvious change in my skin over such a very short period of time (barely a week), but I sure as eggs didn't need much else to moisturise my skin ...
Repurchase?
Probably - I need to investigate this whole brand (The Abnormal Beauty Company) in more depth, but right now I have no less than 6 serums backed up waiting for their chance to shine ...


NeoStrata Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy (15g, RRP $69.99)
My favourite eye cream to date - I buy it from Pharmacy Online as it's almost always $20 cheaper. This has certainly helped diminish my crows feet and smoothed out my crinkly hoods a bit, but does nothing for my eye bags, and therefore doesn't technically qualify as an HG, but it's the best I can find for now ...
Repurchase?
Definitely, but again I have around 5 other eye creams to use up first - will probably buy some later this month and alternate with the others I'm testing as I don't want to lose the benefits I've already gained ...


Matt Miller Mega Lash Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum (3ml, RRP $49.95)
Believe me I SO wanted to love this as it's a far more natural eyelash growth enhancer than the one I've been using for years (RapidLash). And it works a treat - rave reviews all over the internet including some of my blogger pals, but...over the space of a month or so, I developed a painful sensitivity to it (stinging), so I've gone back to RapidLash which gives me no such problem :-(
Repurchase?
Ouch, no...


Skin Republic Brightening Vitamin C Face Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $7.99)
This one targets freckles (yay!) and age spots, so it will be a regular in my routine, unless the Eaoron (in June's empties) ones prove to be more effective. My skin tone did look more even and overall a tad lighter after using it, so there's definitely potential. Also contains Vitamin E & 7 plant extracts ...
Repurchase?
You bet ...


NATIO Cucumber & Aloe Micellar Cleansing Water (all skin types) - (200ml RRP $14.95)
Reviewed HERE, this is still the most gentle micellar water I've tried, just not as effective as some other brands ...
Repurchase?
Possibly, but I still have a stack left over from my research, and more in the wings to test lol ...


Natural Secrets Goatsmilk Moisturising Hand Wash (300ml, RRP $6.99)
Reviewed HERE, love this hand wash - it's actually one of my winter staples as it is very hydrating and smells delish ...
Repurchase?
Already have another one on my vanity ...


Dettol Profresh Peach Burst pH-Balanced Shower Gel (500ml, RRP $6.49)
Very nice body wash, lathers well but not a standout as far as fragrance or skin hydration are concerned...
Repurchase?
Maybe once we get to Spring/Summer - but hey, there are so many more out there that ARE special...


botanicES Face Creme (50ml, RRP $45)
Rave review HERE, I am NEVER without this face cream. I try a truckload of skin care products, some of which clog my pores because they're too rich, so in between trials, I go back to this darling and it sorts out my congestion in a couple of weeks. Love everything about it, it's the perfect formula for balancing my combo skin, but I'm still in search mode for one that will turn back time ...
Repurchase?
Done deal ...


Skin Republic Stem Cell Plant Protein Face Mask Sheet (25ml, RRP $7.99)
Especially for fine lines and deep wrinkles, in which case I probably need to use one of these every night for the rest of my life lol! Also containing CoQ10, this one (like all SR sheet masks) is refreshing and gave my complexion a definite lift. I don't see how it could possibly change wrinkle depth after one use, but I'll let you know once I've had a few more goes - I'm thinking of at least twice a week for a few months, just gotta squeeze it into the schedule ...
Repurchase?
Yes - there's not one of these that I've tried that I wouldn't use again and again ...


L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Anti-Ageing Power Serum (30ml, $49.95)
Bought this because of the outstanding success I had with the Dual Action Moisturiser in the same range. Silky texture, smells lovely and fresh, absorbs in a flash. Can't say I noticed much difference in my pores or wrinkles, but I should imagine that using it in conjunction with the moisturiser is the way to go ...
Repurchase?
Yep - I have two bottles of the moisturiser stashed away (bought at half price) and once I'm done with a few of the other serums on my bench, I'll launch a major anti-ageing attack on my face ...


For Beloved One Hyaluronic Acid GHK-Cu Moisturising Serum (30ml, RRP $113)
Crikey, I think this is the most expensive serum I've ever tried, and interestingly I had no idea of its pricepoint until I looked it up for this post - it's another one that was in the Bloggers United AU goody bag. Beautiful serum - rich and thick, barely any fragrance, absorbs in nano-seconds, and hydrates like there's no tomorrow. I was kinda sad when I finished it as I was sure enjoying the feel of it on my skin, and the added juice it injected into my complexion. No visible reduction in wrinkles, but if you have super dry skin, I reckon this'll fix it.  To read more about the technical side, check out Labmuffin's highly informative review HERE ...
Repurchase?
Hmmm, I probably should for the sake of my face, but the cost is a wee bit prohibitive - it's available from Sephora ...


Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum (Miniature) - (100ml, RRP $89)
I've had this teeny little bottle for more years than I can remember, but the fragrance stayed pretty true till the last drop. This is a classic and timeless floral that I reviewed HERE ...
Repurchase?
Wasn't going to as I have so many already (!), but it's half price at Chemist Warehouse right now, so...maybe ...


Skin Republic Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Face Mask Sheet (20ml, RRP $7.99)
Already covered this in February's Empties post HERE, but I love it so much, it deserves another mention ...
Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patches (3 pairs, 18g, RRP $9.99)
Ditto ...
Repurchase?
Yes yes yes yes yes ...


Lush Ultrabland Cleanser (46g/100g, RRP $17.95/$29.95)
This and the two creams below were a few of  the goodies gifted to us at the Bloggers United AU Birthday Bash at Lush earlier this year (HERE).  It's a lovely cream cleanser, but not my thing - I'm into the foaming/wash-off kind, and while you can use warm water and a cloth to take the bulk of this off, it doesn't rinse away completely because of the oil content, and my face just didn't feel clean. It's one of their best sellers though, vegan and full of goodness...
Repurchase?
No...

Lush Vanishing Cream Facial Moisturiser (45g, RRP $39.95)
Fell head over heels in love with the smell of this cream - so fragrantly herbal and organic, sigh...it's just gorgeous! Very very rich though, in fact both this and the Celestial one below were just too rich for my skin - I had major congestion problems which annoyed the hell out of me because I loved this cream so much. Unfortunately, me loving it and me dealing with the lumps and bumps and pores filled with goop are too different things that just can't live together... Boo!
Repurchase?
Sadly, that's a no...

Lush Celestial Facial Moisturiser (45g, RRP $29.95)
Another lovely cream made from delicious natural ingredients. Lighter than the Vanishing Cream and delicately fragrant, but still too heavy for my pores...
Repurchase?
No, same reason as the other one...

Lush Sugar Scrub (100g, RRP $6.50)
Another one that I adored the smell of, which is why I bought it - that and the fact that I'm only just discovering body scrubs, and only just discovering the joys of Lush! Refreshingly herbal fragrance (fennel, ginger & lavender), at the time I chose it I wondered why there was a stack of metal boxes near the display. The first time I used the scrub in the shower (and left it on the shelf) I discovered that the boxes were for keeping the scrub intact and reasonably dry. Oh how I wish someone had told me! To my dismay, by the time I got home that night, most of the scrub had melted and oozed down my shower wall throughout the day, and very little was salvageable. Still I was able to scoop up about one third of it, and left it to dry out in a bowl for a couple of weeks, and have used it with reasonable success since, although a lot of the oils were lost so it was pretty rough and scratchy...
Repurchase?
Ermmm, I think I'll go for a tub or a bar next time - they make lots of other yummy scrubs in far more practical formats...


Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. As always I'm linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - come check out all the brilliant blogger posts ...

20 comments:

  1. You did so well finishing up so many products, and lots of winners! Too bad about the lash serum and the Lush products. I need to do my empties more often so my box isn't overflowing! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amy, I haven't had any "misses" for a while so I'm sure not complaining, and all the other Lush products I scored are brilliant. I seem to be going through a phase of finishing off a whole bunch of almost-finished products - my June box is already overflowing so I might have to do a post half way through the month lol ♥♥♥

      Delete
  2. I tried that Hair & Me treatment ages ago too and I remember it was AMAZING and the smell was delicious! :D I have another one of those BotanicES Face Creme's which I am working my way through at the moment. However I am ridiculous and change which face cream I use almost every day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a challenge to get through the backlog Candy - while I don't change my face creams daily, I have at least half a dozen that are part-used so I'm putting in a concerted effort to finish them up before I open anything else. The Hair&Me coconut scent is something else hey ♥♥♥

      Delete
  3. Ok, I need to try the BotanicES Face Creme, if it's one of your staples, I must have it! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love it Indie - it's a total pleasure to apply, gives my skin all it needs to stay healthy and hydrated, and the earthy fragrance always gives me a lift ♥♥♥

      Delete
  4. You empties are always so inspiring and make me want to finish more of my beauty products! But I must say I have no problem finishing my Skin Republic masks, how amazing do they make your skin feel! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really quite satisfying Marisa, although I still have drawers of stuff - I should try a no-buy month and see if that helps lol. The SR masks are so good aren't they - but I think I need one that targets EVERYTHING all at the one time ha ha ♥♥♥

      Delete
  5. The Lush Ultrabland Cleanser was not my thing either. Like you I prefer foaming cleansers.

    Ingrid
    http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Ingrid, I sure didn't want to sound ungrateful for the freebies - it was so wonderful to have a chance to try so many of their products, but I guess it's inevitable that now and then something just doesn't suit xxx

      Delete
  6. Great job Kats on finishing so many products!!! Love all the masks that you have been testing out lately too. That bubble one makes me chuckle LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol Tal, it makes me giggle whenever I use it - honestly it's the cutest sensation on the skin xxx

      Delete
  7. Gosh you go through so much! I can't even achieve this in 3 months let alone one month! You've inspired to use more of my sheet masks up ����

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truly I usually have less than 10 in a month Felicia, but lately I've been finishing off a whole heap of stuff that was almost finished, if you know what I mean lol. Go the sheet masks! I'm totally committed now, they're really making a difference to my skin ♥♥♥

      Delete
  8. Yet again you've finished so much! I almost bought the BotanicES face cream whilst up in Brisbane recently (if only to get the eye cream for free!), but left it on the shelf. Kinda kicking myself for it now as I've been wanting to try the eye cream for ages.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol Shell I'm definitely on a roll - June is shaping up to be about the same! Patting myself on the back ha ha ♥ Free eye cream? Gee was that at a chemist? I've never seen a deal like that on their website, sob ♥♥♥

      Delete
  9. i am really curious to try the NeoStrata Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy. Most of eye creams are disappointing so i am glad to hear that this one is doing something :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty good Claire - for an eye cream to have an effect on my old peepers is really quite something xxx

      Delete
  10. Gotta love that botanicES Face Creme! It's a beauty ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Affirmative! I'm still madly in love with it (thanks to you ♥), and intend stocking up during their EOFY sale xxx

      Delete