little white truths

Hello and welcome to my third empties post for May.

I should have done three empties posts for the last couple of months, which effectively means I've got six I could do this month - but I'll limit myself to three and make sure I start them early in June.

Let's get straight into it.

BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion 

Full review here. This is a really nice serum, and while it's not quite as good as my HG Lancome serum (reviewed here), they're similar in terms of effect - it's just that the Lancome serum yields stronger results. 

What I love about this BareMinerals offering is that it has a brightening effect so it boosts radiance, plus it plumps fine lines and wrinkles (at least temporarily) so it makes my skin look more even. 

I also feel that it firms and tones the skin for a while after I've applied it. Indeed, my skin looks more healthy when I use this, and it feels softer and smoother so makeup glides on better, which is always a plus for me personally. Repurchase? Yes.

Mecca Enlightened Illuminating Body Oil

I didn't like this oil much and I'm glad it's gone. It came from Mecca last year as our birthday gift, and it's probably the only gift I've received from Mecca that I haven't liked. I've reviewed it here.

First, I don't need a shimmery body oil and I certainly don't need one that's this expensive. Second, the texture is thick and it doesn't spread well so I need too much per application. Also, while I do think it moisturises a little bit, it leaves a sticky finish so I suspect it won't be for everyone, and not all of it is absorbing and nourishing my skin where I need it most. So I would steer clear of this if you need hydration, because this likely won't deliver. Not for me. Purchase? No.

Goldfaden MD Wake Up Call

Full review here. I absolutely love this product and I recommend it. Yes it's expensive, but gosh it works well and I'm almost prepared to forgive the massive price-tag because it does such good things for my skin. 

I've been using mine for the last six months, and my skin hasn't been in this good condition for a while. It's not just that it looks brighter and fresher these days, it's also a lot clearer and I don't have those break-outs along my chin anymore - which I've been getting for as long as I can remember - so it's a huge deal for me that something has finally targeted them. Love. Repurchase? Yes.

Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

Full review here. This is a good toner and I recommend it. What I love about this is that it feels like it's clearing the gunk from my face, and the makeup pad certainly comes away dirty whenever I use it. It has that slightly astringent feel as it pulls away the dirt and impurities from my skin, and I can also feel it clearing away dead skin cells. But despite how effective it is, my dry skin has been able to tolerate it well.

After use my skin is left looking brighter and feeling smoother, and this has also helped keep my face clear over time so I don't have as many breakouts as I do when I'm not using a product like this. I also think it clears the path for my skincare to absorb better, because it has a resurfacing effect so it's removing the dead skin and leaving the newer skin ready for skincare. A great little product. Repurchase? Yes.

Andalou Naturals Bioactive 8 Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask

Full review here. I wanted to love this mask because I generally enjoy Andalou as a brand, but unfortunately it didn't work for me so I had to put it on my Project Pan list, just to get through it.

It's a gel mask that smells like fresh berries. It feels nice, cooling and soothing when applied, but it's also one of those masks that doesn't feel like it's doing a hell of a lot once I've got it on. Indeed, when it comes to washing the product off, I can barely notice any change in my skin. Perhaps it feels a little more hydrated and perhaps it looks a little brighter, but I think I'm reaching here and I don't notice much change at all. Not for me. Purchase? No.

Nivea Irresistibly Smooth Body Souffle

I really like this product and I would absolutely buy it again. It's been perfect for my dry skin and I enjoy the experience of using it, plus it's not super expensive so it's one I would recommend because it won't break the bank. I've reviewed it here.

It's a beautifully rich, thick and creamy product with that familiar Nivea scent. I like that it's super nourishing and hydrating, but it doesn't feel too heavy for my dry skin. Plus it spreads and absorbs well so a little goes a long way and I don't need to work too hard to get the product to sink in. While I think it would be too much for oily skin, if you have dry skin like I do, this is definitely a product to try. Repurchase? Yes.

Grown Alchemist Anti Frizz 0.5 Shampoo & Conditioner

I have mixed feelings about these products because I do think they work well to reduce my frizz - as they're designed to do - but otherwise they're not the most effective haircare items I've tried so it's not all good news. I've reviewed them here.

I found that the shampoo didn't wash my hair properly on its own, so I always needed to wash it with another shampoo when I used it. I also needed to use far too much per application, so I burned through it too quickly. The conditioner was better, although I still needed to use a lot per application - meaning it wasn't great value either.

When combined, the first two times I used this, my hair was definitely less frizzy but it was also very knotty and it wasn't properly clean either. After I started washing my hair with a more effective shampoo first and using more of the conditioner, things got better. The products not only helped manage frizz, but also left my hair feeling clean, soft and hydrated. Still, I wouldn't buy these because they're not cheap and they're not perfect. Repurchase? No.

Dermaveen Daily Nourish Foaming Facial Cleanser

Full review here. This was sent to me for review and I'm glad it was because I really enjoyed it. It's a clear gel cleanser that foams surprising well for something that doesn't contain any nasties. The foam it creates is soft and creamy, and it feels nice and gentle on the skin. I can absolutely tell that it's pH balanced too.

It leaves my skin feeling soft, clean and hydrated after use - never stripped or dry - which is a plus for me because I have dry, sometimes sensitive skin and I need something that doesn't exacerbate the problem. I love that it cleans well without irritating my skin, and I also love that I can use it as often as I like without my face feeling parched after use. Plus it's fragrance free, which is always good for those of us with sensitive skin. Worth trying. Purchase? Yes.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Cleansing Cream

I don't think this is a bad product and it's had some good reviews online, it's just not the right cleanser for me because it's quite strong and I don't want a cream cleanser that's heavy on the acids (I have other products for that). I've reviewed it here.

It spreads and applies well, and although the texture is creamy, it doesn't feel hydrating on my skin - if anything it dries it out a little. When applied it starts to tingle - not in an uncomfortable way, but in a 'this is working' way - so I can tell there's a good amount of active ingredients in the formula, which may be a plus for some. After use, my skin always feels a bit too resurfaced and sometimes uncomfortable. So while I think there's a place for a product like this and I do think it's decent, it's not the right product for me. Repurchase? No.

In sum

Yay to finishing another empties post. I do have another bunch of empties that I recently photographed, so I'll aim to get that post up early in June because I'd like to make a start on the empties pile sooner rather than later.

The best items in this lot were the BareMinerals serum, the Ren toner, the Goldfaden cream and the Dermaveen cleanser. Everything else I can live without.

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