Empties Post #1

Oh my goodness, I've been meaning to do this post so so long ago (almost 3 seasons ago... in the summer time)... and since I've waited forever it actually really looks like I am just hoarding plastic bottles in my room =_=



Anyway, it's a great time for room cleaning and an empties post at the same time! Since there's quite a few things, I'll keep it short and sweet.

a) NAME
b) Pros & Cons.
c)Would I Buy Again?

Since high school I've been a pretty huge fan of Clean&Clear products. I found that they worked really well for me throughout my teenage years and University as well but now that I've started to care more about the aging of my skin, spf protection and the ingredients in my skin products - these products don't cater well anymore to my needs. I also think that because I've been using them for such a long time my since has become used to them and so they've stopped working as well. 

1)

a) Clean & Clear - Deep Cleaning Astringent for Sensitive Skin

b) Pros: Didn't sting my skin (hence I chose it for sensitive skin), not a lot of the strong alcohol smell

Cons: None that I could think of.

c) No more Clean&Clear products for me. They also contain parabens and that's doesn't compliment hormonal acne well (which is something I have, especially during my period).

2)

a) Clean & Clear - Acne Wash

b) Pros: None. 

Cons: It didn't actually reduce my acne. It did not wash off my makeup AT ALL so I never felt like it truly cleaned my skin. I didn't like the smell for some reason.

c) NO

3)

a) Clean & Clear - Dual Action Moisturizer

b) Pros: Great moisturizer for the summer time. Light, and oil-free. Doesn't really reduce acne but at least keeps the acne under control (doesn't make me break out more).

Cons: Horrible moisturizer for the winter time. No matter how much I put on it doesn't make my skin any more hydrated. It stings if you put it on cracked skin. No Spf protection.

c) No

UPDATE: I lost my moisturizer bottle this week and actually found a bottle of this moisturizer in one of my travel bags. I was using this moisturizer this week and even with weird sleep patterns my skin hasn't been breaking out... it's actually been getting better! I don't know what it is, if I've been sleeping more in comparison to before or if my skin is just responding to the novelty of this product (since I haven't used it for so long).

I think I may just keep this around. Weirdly enough, it also works great in moisturizing my skin right now while the weather is cold. I just have to apply a lot more than I usually would in the summer time.

I think I'll give this product a second chance as my skin has probably changed quite a bit since I've last used it. I also like that there's no fragrance.

4) & 5)

a) Vichy - Normaderm Acne-prone skin astringent

b) Pro: Kept acne under control in the first week of use.

Cons: Stung my skin. Made it feel tight and dry. Would flake the skin.

c) No. Would not repurchase.

&

a) Vichy - Normaderm Total Mat

b) Pro: Really did keep my face matte. Smelled pleasant. For a period of time, did keep acne under control.
Cons: Face felt itchy and would turn a little flushed after putting on this product. Made skin feel tight, was not moisturizing enough.
c) No. Would not repurchase.

Both of these products worked great for the first week and a half but over the long term my skin (sensitive and acne prone) starts to get itchy, starts to flake, and feels overall uncomfortable when I am using these products. They're meant to be used for everyday but I think that's too much for my skin to handle.

6)

a) Eyelashes:

I forgot to take a photo of these when they were full so I am not going to review these specific ones but I wanted to throw it in to show that I actually use these lashes! They can be purchased in my blog shop as well :)

I used the most natural pair as I try to keep a "natural but enhanced" type of look. I used to go clubbing in University and at those times I'd use more dramatic lashes, but now I honestly don't have a need most of the time to use them. And for the past 4 months I've actually only used mascara, and now... I'm too lazy to curl my lashes. I feel like our eyes take so much abuse all of the time so now I'm trying to preserve their youth by moisturizing them with eye cream being less physical (tugging, rubbing) with them.

7)

Britney Spears Curious Lotion + Elizabeth Arden Pretty Lotion:

I am too lazy to write out everything about these two. I just do NOT like them. Neither of them are moisturizing, their scent is too strong (Esp. the EA one). they make my hands feel like they have friction from residue after I've used them to apply lotion to my body (instead of feeling supple and moisturized).

Just hate every bit of them, so happy to throw them out. They're both full too =/

8)


Brilliant Glossing Creams by Fekkai:

I don't actually remember if these worked well or not but I just remember not really liking the smell. I like things that smell really expensive (LOL I don't know why because I never spend too much on hair stuff) or real fresh and fruity. This smelled like neither of those things. But anyway, it did not leave an impression on me because I barely remember anything about it. The scent wasn't anything special, and the feel that it left on my hair wasn't any different from any other regular drugstore shampoo and conditioner. Probably would not ever purchase again. My hair falls out a lot as well so I try to only use special shampoos that stimulate hair growth and prevent hair breakage/fall out.

9)


a) My Beauty Diary - Orange Blossom and White Lotus Moisturizing Spray.

I have a full review on this product right here: http://valentinadang.blogspot.ca/2012/03/my-beauty-diary-orange-blossom-white.html

b) Pro: Smells amazing, great packaging, quenches your skin. Feels so refreshing
Cons: For some reason my face feels like there is friction after I apply this and it does not mattify, it makes my face look shiny.

Note: I usually spray this on before I go to bed (*rather than using it in the day time) because I am lazy to moisturize with my hands, it's a quick solution and I wake up with a fresh smelling face too. The best time to use this is summer time though, I would not resort to using this in the winter. In the winter it does not provide enough moisture.

c) I would definitely re-purchase. It's only a few dollars!

10)

a) Clinique - Acne Solutions Foundation 

I've repurchased this foundation twice now. It might be the last time that I purchase it because I do want to try more luxe foundations. It has served me well, esp in the summer time but I think it's time to try a new foundation. In addition, I also feel that my skin tone has changed over the year as I age because the shades that this line of foundation provides no longer matches my skin tone as well as before. 

Pro: Does not make me break out. When blended out, dries like a powder, is not greasy at all, makes your face look matte. Stays on your skin well, doesn't move or smear. Can be doubled up as concealer.

Con: Extremely hard to blend. If you leave this for 10 seconds on your skin without blending (espppp in the winter time), you're doomed! It dries quick but that's why it stays well. Even though it's for acne-proned skin, it does a bad job at hiding pimples that are larger, small ones are fine and it's only good with covering flat red spots.

11)

a) TRESemme Heat Protection Spray

b) Pro: Does it's job, protects your hair. One time when I forgot to use it for a week, I really felt the difference in my hair due to the damage from blow drying. My hair felt a little more dryer than usual and I had more knots in my hair. Physically, it looked more dull as well.

Con: Does not make your hair shiny or silky enough to not use serum afterwards. I always need to apply serum on afterwards if I want my hair to have a healthy shine. 

c) Yes & No - I am going to try to find one that leaves your hair absolutely soft and silky afterwards. But for now, I know that this works so I may stick to it for a while longer. It's also very inexpensive but I'd consider getting salon quality products when it comes to protecting your hair. Anyone have any suggestions? 

12)

When I received this product in one of the very first Loose Button Luxe Boxes. I fell in LOVE. This was back in June 2011 and I reviewed it within the blog post with pictures of before and after I had used it. You can view that here --> June 2011 Loose Button Luxe Box Review Blog Post.

a) Consonant Organic Foaming Face Wash
b) Pros: Organic products. Powerful, washes off all of your makeup. Odorless/"clean scent". I love that it foams right away when you pump it out of the bottle, there's no need to lather the product, you just massage it right onto your face and the makeup and residues start coming right off. Does not dry out your skin! Skin feels clean, refreshes, and not stripped of moisture.
Cons: So expensive for frequent usage. It's not that expensive for a bottle, but using this everyday will rack up your costs on hygienic and cosmetic products over time because it seems to run out quite fast.
c) Yes I'd definitely consider buying it when I have more money..

PHEWWWWWWW* Boy am I glad to have just thrown away/recycled all of that packaging and this post feels like a big emptying of my thoughts that I've been keeping inside my head for so long for this single blog post. Next empties post I think I will just run through the items really quickly, or I might only concentrate on the products that really stood out to me (products that I really loved, and products I really hated :s).

Hope this was helpful, thanks for reading!

Valentina :)