little white truths

I've been meaning to write another empties post all month, it's just that it's been a bugger of a month here so I'm behind with everything. Annoying!

Hoh well, we're here now and I hope to have at least one other empties post photographed in the next couple of days.

In no particular order...

Body Blendz Coco Luxe Coffee Scrub

Full review here. I like using coffee scrubs for the scent alone, and I do love the scent of this one. Note there are visible sugar grains in this formula, which is really the only difference between this one and other coffee scrubs I've used.

I use this twice a week and my skin always feels polished and refreshed after use. I'm someone who enjoys a rougher scrub for my body (my face is another story) and this one fits the bill nicely. Note, though, that if you prefer gentle scrubs, then this mightn't be for you.

While it mightn't be the best coffee scrub I've used, it's still good and it's readily available at the chemist for a reasonable price so that's always a plus. Repurchase? Already have.

Keisha & Co Purifying Clay Mask

This mask doesn't do anything for me and it's fiddly to use because it's a powder that you need to mix before application, so I wouldn't recommend it and I'm glad I've finished it. I've reviewed it here.

It's messy and I always get stuff all over the bathroom sink (and sometimes on the floor) when I use it, so it's a bigger hassle to use than most masks and that's reason enough for me to avoid it.

I like that it doesn't feel uncomfortable as it dries down (many mud masks can on my dry skin) and I also like that it doesn't take too long to dry, so I can wash it off after ten minutes and not spend too much time on the whole process.

Unfortunately, though, my skin feels exactly the same after I've used it so it's a waste of time for me personally. Purchase? No.

Essano Gentle Facial Exfoliator

Full review here. While this product wasn't awful, it didn't do much so there was no real point in me using it.

It's a cream product and it does contain some very fine grains, but they're super fine and there aren't many of them so they don't do much when it comes to exfoliation. Yes you might get a mild polish from this, but it's honestly not enough to do anything useful in my case and I never use this when I actually need to exfoliate my skin.

In terms of what else it does, I suppose it works ok as a cleansing cream and it does dissolve most of my 'easy' makeup, but it doesn't stand a chance with heavy eye makeup so I wouldn't use it for that purpose and it's probably better used as a second cleanse. Purchase? No.

Trilogy Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil

Happily this is one of the better cleansing oils I've tried, and I would absolutely use it again. I've reviewed it here.

It’s a thin and light oil, and it applies like silk and feels gorgeous on the skin. It also spreads well so I don't need to use too much per application. Better still, it works. I apply three to four pumps, massage it, add water so it turns milky, massage it some more and then remove it with a damp face cloth. It takes care of all my makeup, and while most cleansers don’t deal with my waterproof mascara well, this one removes most of it so that's a plus. After use my skin feels soft, clean, hydrated and comfortable. Repurchase? Yes.

Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bare Naked

Full review here. This is a lovely product and I'm really enjoying it. It has a delicious, sweet vanilla scent and it may well be the nicest scent I've come across in a gloss formula. Indeed, I would almost buy one of these for that reason alone.

I love that it's hydrating enough so I can rely on it for moisture, and I also love that it plumps up my lips nicely and also reduces the appearance of lines. Plus I love that the formula isn't sticky (it has more of a 'glassy' feel) and that it wears reasonably well for a gloss, and it doesn't travel outside my lip lines. Worth trying. Repurchase? Yes.

Chapstick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint

This product is ok but it's dried my lips out (or at least failed to moisturise them: they're already dry) so I can't recommend it. I've reviewed it here.

It's a tinted balm that's quite hard in texture so not much product comes off when applied, and I find that I need to do a good few swipes in order to get enough product onto my lips. It isn't sticky or slippery, and I like the texture because I don't notice the balm once it's on. It's also not a waxy product, which I appreciate because I don't like the feel of waxy balms on my lips.

While it feels reasonably nourishing and hydrating when applied, pretty soon I'm aware that my lips feel dry so I need to apply something else along with this for moisture. I've also found that, over time, my lips have dried out while I've been using this. They're more cracked and flaky than they were before, so this isn't the kind of product I can wear every day because it doesn't keep my lips conditioned. Purchase? No.

Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream

I really enjoyed this and I may well buy it: it's perfect for those who need good moisture but don't want anything with bells and whistles. Full review here. 

It's a white cream with a fresh floral scent. It's lightweight and it sits beautifully under makeup, and it somehow manages to be very nourishing without being too heavy or clogging pores.

I love that it feels beautifully soothing, refreshing and cooling when applied, and although it hasn't done anything specific for me (eg, reduced the look of wrinkles), it has kept my dry skin feeling moisturised and comfortable - which is all I really need it to do. Purchase? Yes.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

Full review here. This is a really fantastic product and I've been through countless sachets and two travel-sized tubes already, so it's definitely a repeat product for me.

This is one of those exfoliants that's not for the fainthearted or for sensitive skin, although my skin can be sensitive and I haven't had any issues with it - so it's worth trying at least even if you're prone to sensitivity (and there's also a gentle version if this one is too much). 

It's one of my favourite exfoliants and it leaves my skin beautifully polished and renewed, and I always look forward to using it because I know my skin will feel smoother for days after use. I can only use it once a week max, however: otherwise it's too much for me. Purchase? Yes.

Dermaveen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser

Full review here. This is a decent moisturiser for the price, and I recommend it if you're after something simple for everyday use. Nevertheless, it's not enough for my dry skin and it's not one I would be able to use in winter when my skin's at its driest. 

I like that it spreads and absorbs well, and it has kept my dry skin feeling soft and lightly moisturised without feeling weighed down. The other good thing about this product is that it doesn't leave a greasy residue or tacky film on the skin, which confirms to me that it's sinking in and delivering moisture where I need it most. A nice product but not quite hydrating enough for me. Purchase? No.

Manuka Doctor ApiRefine CC Cream SPF 20

This is a good little product and I'm enjoying mine, although I would never spend $40 on the full size - especially because I need quite a bit per application and I would burn through it too quickly. I've reviewed it here.

It's a standard CC cream that comes in a pump bottle and it blends beautifully into the skin. I love that it colour-adapts well to my skintone, and while it comes out looking rather cool-toned and flat (it has a grey undertone), once I've applied it to my skin, it deepens and becomes more yellow.

While the coverage isn't huge, I can build it to a light-medium and that's enough for me. You can also just use one pump and go for a sheer-to-light coverage if you want to. I love that this looks natural on the skin and I also love that it suits my light-medium to medium, yellow-based skin. A nice product. Repurchase? Maybe.

In sum

That's all from me.

My favourite items in this lot were the Trilogy cleansing oil, the Alpha-H face cream and the Kate Somerville exfoliant. Everything else I likely wouldn't buy again.

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