little white truths

Yes, that is correct. I am writing a THIRD empties post for the month of September. I've discovered that ten to twelve products per empties post is enough - otherwise the damn thing gets too long and even I get bored of it by the end so others must too!

I've finished so many things this month that I've happily been cleaning out my stores. Of course, not all these products are full-sized items (so I'm really not that wasteful ; ) ), but even the smaller items warrant a mention because enough product was in the samples for me to get a feel for them.

Talika Eye Dream, Bedtime Eye Mask

Full review here. Maybe the best thing about this product was the metal roller ball, which I loved running over my eye area at night because it was so soothing and I liked the ritual of it. I did notice a temporary brightening effect after it was applied, but it didn't add anything overall (other than my enjoyment of using it) and any effect was gone by morning. Repurchase? No.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge

This little sample perfume arrived in the Spring Edit of Marie Claire's The Parcel (reviewed here), and while I don't mind the occasional sample to test, I wasn't a fan of this one. It's far too heavy for me and I prefer lighter scents. The longevity was good though - and you can't say that about all perfumes so that's a plus. Purchase? No.

Royal Moroccan Hair Mask Treatment

I love this hair mask and I'm sad it's gone, but I'm also glad that it's finished because I'm more than ready to try something else. I've reviewed it here. My hair is dry and frizzy, and few products really deal with that well: either they're not heavy enough, or they're too heavy and leave my hair looking limp, greasy and lifeless. This one strikes exactly the right balance and it leaves my hair feeling soft and hydrated, and so much easier to manage. Repurchase? Yes.

Purederm Nose Pore Strips, Charcoal

Full review here. These strips are sensational, and they're one of the few things I received from Memebox that I really liked. They're easily the best nose strips I've used: they suck out blackheads brilliantly (yuck! ha) and leave your skin looking and feeling much cleaner. I notice the difference with only one use, and they make your skin look smooth and fresh. Happily they're readily available online (eg via Amazon and ebay), so they're on the list! Purchase? Yes.

Starlooks Satin Finish Lip Gloss in Cuddle

This was a Violet Box inclusion and I quite liked it (see my review here). It's one I would consider buying if it didn't cost $14 for such a small tube. It has a nice 'exotic vanilla' scent that's not overpowering or too sweet. The gloss itself has a great texture, and while it is a little sticky, it's sticky in a good way because it adheres well and lasts a lot longer than many other glosses I own. It's also moisturising and creamy, and adds a nice glistening effect. Purchase? No, due to the price.

Lancome Primordiale Optimum Yeux, Visibly Soothing Eye Treatment

This product has had some terrible reviews online, but I actually quite liked it. Lancome skincare has always agreed with my skin, and this product is no exception. Full review here. It's a gorgeously thick, white cream that feels rich and velvety on the eye. My skin loves it and a little goes a long way, so this little sample has lasted a lot longer than other samples might. It has an immediate brightening and plumping effect, plus it's cooling and soothing to use. Purchase? No - it's not available anymore!

Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath & Shower Gel

This product is fine, it's just expensive for a body wash and I personally don't think it's worth the price. Full review here. It foams nicely and lathers well, and it's quite a velvety gel that feels nice to the touch. I also think it does a good job in terms of washing away dirt and grime. The scent is quite strong and I don't love it - I smell slightly bitter citrus and woody musk - but it's not horrible and I can live with it. Purchase? No.

Pure Smile Jewelry Scrub, Amethyst

I've reviewed this here. This was a Memebox inclusion, and while it's gimicky (jewellery glitter scrub?!) and looks rather tacky, it's certainly not the worst scrub I've used. It contains a decent amount of scrubby matter and does the job well enough -plus it feels quite moisturising, like a hand scrub - but I much prefer other body scrubs so I'm happy to see the back of this one. Purchase? No.

Tarocco Cleansing Body Wash with Sicilian Blood Oranges

This was a Violet Box inclusion - full review here. It foams nicely and you only need to use a small amount each time. I use a blueberry-sized dollop on my shower puff and that's enough for my whole body. I like the orange scent and it cleanses well enough, but I don't think it's particularly hydrating as claimed. If anything it strips the skin a bit, and I notice a tight feeling in my hands especially after use. A good product but not great. Purchase? No.

Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser and Liquid Gold Rejuvenating Cream

I don't love the cleanser (full review here): don't get me wrong, there's nothing I really don't like about it - it's just that I don't think it's that great. It's a white cream with a light, fresh scent, and it feels nice and soothing on the skin. It does an ok job of removing makeup and grime, but I don't feel I can rely on this as my only cleanser, so I use it for a first cleanse and then use another product to really get the gunk off. Purchase? No.

As for the cream, this hit HG status from the first use and I can't imagine ever being without it. Full review here. Since introducing this cream into my skincare ritual, the change in my skin is nothing short of insane. After only a week of use I could feel and see the difference, and after a month of use the benefits were even more marked. It's made my skin look and feel healthier, smoother and more plumped, and it's softened my fine lines too. Plus my blemishes have cleared up and it's had an effect on skintone and age spots, and it acts as a light exfoliant too. Happily I have a back-up ready to be used! Repurchase? Yes, already have.

In sum

The Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rejuvenating Cream is hands-down the best product in this bunch, and I love the Royal Moroccan Hair Mask too. An honourable mention goes to the Purederm Nose Pore Strips, but the other products I can take or leave.

Looking forward to seeing what I finish in October!

I've been meaning to do a round-up post on the products in this kit for ages, but I've been busy making some changes to this blog and also giving myself a crash course in photography.

This post won't contain any fancy photos I'm afraid, but it will at least give you my thoughts on this kit as a whole and whether I think it's worth trying (spoiler: it is!).

While I don't love all the products in this set, there isn't a bad product in there and a couple of them have become firm favourites that I can see myself repurchasing forever.

Note: I've reviewed each product separately and I'll include links to those reviews below, but I also wanted to make a brief comment on each product here so you can see whether the whole kit is something you might be interested in.

Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex with Cucumber & Vitamin B5

Full review here. It took me a really long time to work out how I felt about this product, which usually means that it's not super amazing.

In this case, however, I think I had to get used to the idea that a gel this light could be hydrating, since I'm using to heavy duty eye creams that are thick and rich and feel nourishing to the touch.

This gel is so light and runny that you almost don't realise you're putting it on, but it does make a difference. It has a brightening effect and it absorbs and hydrates well; however I haven't noticed any effect on my dark circles or puffy eyes since I've been using it. While it does plump my eye area a little, it does nothing to reduce my eye-puff.

I think if you were younger than me you might really love this, but I do prefer a heavier eye cream because I can see and feel the effects of those more readily.

Age Delay Facial Oil with Beta Carotene

Full review here. This is absolutely divine and I've given it an HG tag because I reckon it's the best facial oil I've ever used.

It's a yellow oil that smells quite strong (I'm smelling patchouli) and absorbs beautifully. My skin drinks it up, even now that my skin is more normal that dry, so don't discount this if you're worried about putting oil on your skin.

It does leave my face looking a bit greasy, but the grease factor doesn't last and it's gone after I apply my moisturiser. I do prefer applying it at night though, and I've put it aside for winter when my skin is drier and needs the extra hydration that this product delivers.

It also leaves my skin feeling beautifully soft and looking plump - so it's great for fine lines. Plus it's soothing and helps manage reddened, stressed-out skin.

Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser with Aloe Vera

This is my least-favourite product in the set (full review here). Don't get me wrong, there's nothing I really don't like about it - it's just that I don't think it's that great.

Note, though, that it has some super reviews online, which surprised me because I've used better cleansers from Alpha-H and this isn't the one I would choose - eg I much prefer the anti-ageing cleanser (reviewed here). Each to his own though!

It's a white cream with a light, fresh scent, and it feels nice and soothing on the skin. It does an ok job of removing makeup and grime, but I don't feel I can rely on this as my only cleanser, so I use it for a first cleanse and then use another product to really get the gunk off.

The good news is that it's quite gentle and doesn't irritate my sometimes-sensitive skin, so that's a plus - but all in all, I don't think this is a great product and I need something with more punch.

Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 30+

This is a white cream that's quite light and smells like sunscreen. It's not too thick and it spreads easily and absorbs well. Full review here.

It's fine as a sunscreen, but I don't love it as a face cream - the reason being that it's quite greasy and doesn't feel like it's hydrating my face much. Plus it doesn't have a brightening or plumping effect, and I look for both those things in my day cream.

Also, be careful of putting it near your eye area because if some of it sneaks in there, it stings!

This product is ok, but along with the Balancing Cleanser, it's my least favourite item in this set and it's not one I would buy.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid

This has to be one of my top five skincare products of all time. Full review here. I've repurchased it so many times - I can't get enough of it.

If I ever go for a period without using it, I notice the difference in my skin straight away (it looks older and more tired). When I start using it again, the results are almost instantaneous: my wrinkles are reduced, I look brighter and younger, and my skin feels soft and supple. It also makes life easier when it comes to makeup application because I'm working with a smoother canvas.

Thankfully it's gentle enough for me to use - I've tried other glycolic acid products that have left me with red, flaky skin. This one has never done that, so if like me you have sensitive skin and can't tolerate other glycolic acid products, you may be able to tolerate this one.

If I had to pick one product from this particular kit, it would definitely be this one.

In sum

This kit is a great introduction to Alpha-H's products. Quite a few kits are available and, overall, this one works well for my skin - although I think it would work well for just about anyone.

You also have to love that Alpha-H is an Australian brand and cruelty free. I must say, I think I've finally found my skincare brand and I can't imagine using anything else!

little white truths

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