little white truths

Hello and welcome to my first empties post for October 2017.

It's already been a good month for empties for me, and just from looking at my skincare and makeup products, I can tell that it will continue to be a good one because many items are getting close to being finished.

Schwarzkopf Fibre Therapy Bond Restore Shampoo & Conditioner with Omegaplex

I've reviewed these here. They were sent to me for review (I'm part of two review teams), and I remember when I reviewed them that others seemed to like them a lot more than I did. Mind you, I think that's partly because others loved the smell of these products while it gave me a headache!

For me, the shampoo was the better product: it washed well without stripping my hair, and after use my hair felt clean and looked shiny without feeling dry. My locks also felt a bit stronger while I was using the shampoo so I do think it helped restore/repair the hair without weighing it down or leaving it feeling coated.

The conditioner I struggled with because I couldn't seem to find the right amount to use. If I used too much, it left my hair greasy, weighed down and coated (so I had to wash it again the day after), and if I didn't use enough, it left my hair super knotty and very dry. It also didn't manage frizz well and while I don't think it's an awful product, I don't think it's the right one for my long, dry hair.

Purchase? No to both.

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl Eye Illuminating Serum

Full review here. If you read this blog, you may know that the Lancôme serums in this range blew my socks off this year: I really loved two of them in particular. Of the three I tried, however, this eye one did the least for me and it's not one I would personally recommend - not because it's a bad product, but because I reckon my eyes are the problem (they're puffy and very hooded: so beyond help, basically ; )), which is likely why this serum worked well on my face but not on my eyes.

It's a thin product (just how I like my serums) and it spread and absorbed beautifully. After use my eyes looked brighter and more awake, but that was about it. It also wasn't very hydrating so I needed to go in with a good eye cream afterwards to keep my dry skin feeling comfortable. 

Once I switched to using it on the face, however, I noticed similar effects as I did from the matching face serum (reviewed here): that is, an impact on fine lines and wrinkles, more hydration and some toning and firming action. So yes, my eyes are likely the problem here! Purchase? No.

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Sensitive Dual Concentrate

This product was also sent to me (all three Lancôme serums were) and it was fantastic. I've reviewed it here.

What I loved about it was that it absorbed and spread beautifully, plus it had a brightening effect so it boosted radiance. It also plumped up fine lines and wrinkles so it made my skin look smoother; and it firmed and toned, too.

I was using a strong lactic acid and also a vitamin c product not long before I introduced this serum, which I knew would cause some sensitivity during the adjustment period, and they did: my skin suddenly became more sensitive, a little red, tight, very dry and on the border of flaking - so I then introduced this product. 

I'm happy to report that it targeted those problems and helped soothe any discomfort, bringing my skin back into balance and heading off any flaking at the pass. I still prefer the original (linked above) but this is a great pick for sensitive, easily irritated skin. Purchase? Yes.

Son & Park Beauty Water

Full review here. This came from Maslow & Co. Although it was nice and I enjoyed using it while I had it, it didn't perform backflips and there's not a place for it in my collection so it's not one I would buy.

You use it as you would a toner and it did a great job of removing that last layer of gunk from my face, plus it was gently hydrating so it didn't strip the skin like some toners can do. Mind you, I can find budget toners that do the same thing so I wouldn't pay extra for something like this.

It claims to exfoliate the skin and it didn't do that for me, nor did it do anything for uneven texture or skintone as claimed. It was just a nice toner, but it wasn't special enough to stand out for me. Purchase? No.

DrGL Post Cleanser Step 2

This came from the same Maslow & Co box. I've reviewed it here. I was interested in trying it because it's a lactic acid based chemical exfoliant and I've traditionally used glycolic acid, so it was nice to try something else without having to buy a full size.

I applied this directly to my face (I didn't want to burn through the sample by using a cotton round) and I liked that it didn't irritate my skin or cause any adverse reaction. I agree that it's gentle so it might be a good pick for those with sensitive skin who need to tread carefully with their active ingredients.

It did resurface a little but not as much as glycolic acid does for me, and it also caused my skin to purge so I got a few breakouts while I was using it (these calmed down after that first week of purging). It didn't however brighten or resurface (or plump) my skin like glycolic acid does, so I'll be sticking with my 'tried and tested' products for now. Purchase? No.

Rituals, The Ritual of Sakura Body Scrub

Full review here. I've been rationing this body scrub ever since Rituals packed up and left Australia: I've no idea if I'll easily be able to get my hands on it again, so I couldn't bear to speed through it.

The Sakura line is my favourite from Rituals - it's sweet but not sickly so, and complex and interesting at the same time - and I'll shed a tear when I finish my last Rituals product because this scent is one of my favourites on the planet.

The product is one of those oily, sugar scrubs that hydrates as it exfoliates, and my skin always felt beautifully smooth and nourished after use. The packaging is also divine and Rituals is one of the few brands that does things well without costing the earth. I'll miss it. Repurchase? Yes, if I could.

Klorane Conditioner with Quinine and B Vitamins

I haven't reviewed this because it came from the Parcel without a matching shampoo, so I wasn't able to test the pair together (I really hate that).

I did however receive a sample of the shampoo in an earlier box (hated it) and I hated this conditioner too so let's assume that both items wouldn't have worked any better when combined.

The conditioner reeked like cheap men's cologne and it was quite thin so you needed to be careful not to squeeze out too much, although I did need to use quite a bit each time because it did absolutely nothing for me if I used too little. After use my hair always felt knotty and coated/weighed down, plus it was more frizzy and dry than usual so in the end I got through this as a shaving 'cream'. Ach. Purchase? No.

Models Prefer Finale Makeup Setting Mist

Full review here. I didn't like this product at all. It occasionally stung my eyes and it also smelled like cheap perfume - not a scent I enjoy putting all over my face.

It didn't feel refreshing or cooling when applied, nor was it hydrating at all so it's not one I would recommend for dry skin.

It also dried down to leave a sticky finish and it built on itself during the day if I reapplied it, so I was aware of it on my skin and didn't like how it felt. Plus it didn't make my makeup last any longer, nor did it plump up lines or make my face look healthier or younger after use. Repurchase? No.

Mecca Cosmetica All Set Makeup Perfecting Mist

This came as part of our Mecca birthday gifts this year and I really enjoyed it. Full review here. Indeed, the only thing I didn't like about it was how expensive it is when you consider the small amount of product you get, and that's the only reason why I wouldn't buy it.

It's lightweight and has a nice, refreshing scent that I enjoyed. The mist itself was also very fine (just how it should be) and what I noticed most about the product was just how refreshing and cooling it felt on the skin. Soothing. I would almost buy it for that reason alone: my dry skin loved it.

The product also helped stopped makeup transfer throughout the day so it's one to consider if you're someone who touches their face a lot or has young kids (who tend to put their hands on your face frequently), as I do. Purchase? No, but only because it's expensive for the amount of product you get.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream

Full review here. This was my second tub of this product: it's an excellent, budget alternative for those with super dry eyes who need something rich that works.

It's thick and heavy, and it does cross into greasy territory so I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with oily skin. It may even be too heavy for you if you have normal skin. But for dry, dehydrated skin? This is definitely worth testing.

Not only is it reasonably priced, but you get heaps of product and only need a tiny amount each time so my tub lasted for ages. I used it overnight and it did a great job of keeping my dry skin feeling comfortable while I slept so I didn't wake up with dry, tight eyes over winter as I normally would. Repurchase? Yes.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream

This was a fantastic product. I bought mine for just under $50 AUD and it lasted me almost a year of daily use (I used it in the mornings) so it turned out to be excellent value and I definitely recommend it. I've reviewed it here.

While most Dermalogica products don't work for me (at least, not the bundles I've sampled), this one did and I've missed it since I finished it. It's just a good, basic everyday cream that does the job and it kept my dry skin feeling comfortable without being too heavy or weighing it down.

It was also nourishing and smoothing (so it's been well-named) and it was a great product to use under makeup. Repurchase? Yes.

In sum

That's all from me! I hope you enjoy empties posts as much as I do.

The best items in this lot were the Dermalogica cream, the Mario Badescu eye cream, the Rituals body scrub and the Lancôme face serum. I did also enjoy the Mecca setting spray, but as mentioned, it's expensive for the amount you get so it's not one I would buy.

Hope all's well with you, and speak soon x