Skin & Haircare Empties // September 2014

SKIN

Philosophy Purity cleanser - This was a little sample probably from a Sephora order or reward. This is a good go-to, basic cleanser. It's milky in consistency and has a slight scent. It's just fine. Pretty basic. I don't love it, don't really hate it. If it's free, I'll use it.

Philosophy Take a Deep Breath - It was an okay moisturizer. It started out really great and then not so much. I can't tell what happened... maybe just lost its shelf life. Anyway, it was ok. Now I'm using the Boscia Nightly Hydration.

3 bottles of Ko Gen Do - I am all aboard the cleansing water train that took over a few years ago. There aren't many in the states yet but Bioderma is available on Amazon and Ebay. I saw these little guys on Hautelook for a pretty good deal and decided to give it a shot. They were good and nice size, but I still like Bioderma better. They both take makeup off, I just feel that Bioderma does it faster and easier. But like... if B was out of commission, I'd for sure buy the KGD, ya dig?

Shiesedo cotton pads - Ok. Before you knock me for buying a $9 package of cotton pads, hold up. I've written about these in an earlier post, but I cannot get enough. It makes me want to tell everyone buying cotton balls at CVS to STOP! This is like a f'ing facial every day I use them to take my makeup off. Cotton companies should take a lesson from these and step up their game.

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter - I got this in a gift set years ago and it's not technically empty. I realized after taking it on a few trips with me to finish off, I never reached for it. Even when it was my only lotion. I think my main turn off was the scent which was too perfume-y. I didn't feel like it did anything great.

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate - I finished this a while ago and am remembering how much I loved it. It's a great everyday moisturizer that feels almost weightless. Very basic concept and little scent. It's surprisingly hard to find something that is lightweight with no SPF, but gives enough moisture. I purchase mine from Hautelook when it comes up on their sales -- you can also find it here.

Jergens BB Body Lotion - I really liked this stuff. I bought another bottle and am halfway through that already. It's a good mix between regular body lotion and the Jergens Natural Glow. It kind of gives the effect of pantyhose since it "blurs" your imperfections. There is a slight scent but no where near as potent as Jergens NG.

Korres Wild Rose Scrub - Finding a good face scrub is so difficult. There is always something to nitpick. I liked the fineness of this Korres one because I felt like it was actually doing something. It's so frustrating when you get a gentle "scrub" and it feels like a cleanser. Then again, I like really rough, sand-like scrubs. Anyway, this was good but I won't purchase again.

Neutrogena Daily Blackhead Scrub -  So I my mother found this scrub when I was in my teens and shame on me for ever giving up on it. Since finishing this bottle, I've bought two more. It's just rough enough, yet gentle enough to use it as your everyday cleanser. It's great and affordable. Silly me for thinking otherwise.

Bath and Body Works Country Chic - This is my go-to body wash for taking on trips. I feel like it gets me clean, smells good, and is fairly cheap... as in Bath and Body Works is always having a sale. Their website says that it's a "carefree blend of wildflowers, wood, and citrus". Carefree? Sure. Anyway... it's good.

eos Shave Cream - I really like this shave cream because it sticks to my skin. There are few things more frustrating than pumping out shaving cream in the shower and it falling into the drain before you can spread it out. I like the smell of this, and the packaging. I'll probably buy it next time I'm at Target.

Victoria's Secret Body Wash Flirty Peony and Waterlily - I don't think they make this anymore, but I bought a bunch of it at a sale once. It's really light and fresh, but the bottle was nearly impossible to get out any product. Pissin' me off until the last drop.

Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray - I guess this isn't really skincare but it's damn good. I did a review on the Urban Decay one and Skindinavia manufacturers both of them so...

HAIR

Nuance Deep Conditioner - This was pretty good but I didn't love the scent. It usually takes me about 6 months+ to finish a deep conditioner because my hair is so fine that a conditioner weighs it down. I only use a tiny amount once a week.

Nuance Volumizing Shampoo - I really like this. Not sure if it really volumized but it didn't weigh my hair down or make it too oily, which can be a problem. They run this on sale quite a bit, so I'd recommend picking it up!

Purology Perfect 4 Platinum Shampoo - This was a nice one, with a terrible price tag... which is why I just got the tiny size to try it out. I really like their products, but can't validate spending the money...yet.

Nume HydroPunch Conditioner - I got this in a Birchbox or Ipsy or something. I liked it a lot - hydrating and smelled nice. I'd probably buy it if it were convenient, but you can only get it online.

Batisse Dry Shampoo - This. Is. My. Lifeblood. (see previous posts)