Saturday 19 November 2011

Operation Use It Up

Managed to use up several full-size products this month.

1. Olea Essence Olive Soap Scrub: I picked up many months ago on a trip to Israel. I love the lemongrass scent but it is quite watery, so I usually have to use a huge dollop to get sufficient scrubbing action for the whole body.

2. Tsubaki Damage Care Conditioner: This works very well for my dry, dyed hair and I've re-purchased it countless times.

3. L'Oreal Color-Vive Conditioner: This is supposed to help maintain the colour of dyed hair and contains UVA and UVB filters for sun protection. However, the redness of my recent home dye job still lost much of its vibrancy in less than three weeks. In terms of moisturising my hair, it was barely average.

4. Biotherm Biopur Gentle Purifying Lotion: This purports to help refine skin texture and brighten the complexion with a combination of saponine water, witch hazel and oil-regulating copper and zinc. Although it refreshes the skin without stripping it, it did not help to reduce the oiliness of my skin.

5. REN Rosa Centifolia Facial Cleansing Gel: This is a very gentle, watery gel cleanser that I like to use in the mornings. It cleanses without stripping the skin and has a lovely soft rose scent. The only thing I don't like about it is the bulky plastic packaging. It is rather expensive at around S$53 at Escentials in Tangs but a bottle lasted me just over three months with daily use. I will probably re-purchase this. Vivawoman has reviewed this too.


6. Maybelline Make Up Remover Eye & Lip: This bi-phase remover worked well for taking off eyeshadow cleanly with one swipe of the cotton pad, although liquid eyeliner and waterproof mascaras require a few more passes. It didn't sting my eyes and it is very affordable at less than S$10 but the relatively puny amount of product (70ml) means that BiFesta Cleansing Express Eye Makeup Remover works out to be better value for money.

7. L'Occitane Plum Blossom Polishing Shower Gel: Enriched with almond shell granules and plum blossom extract, this shower gel/scrub provides an effective exfoliating action that leaves my skin soft and smooth. I also find the sweet plum blossom scent to be nicely relaxing and non-generic.

8. Coast To Coast Rainforest Clarifying Facial Cleanser: This has a strong scent of the essential oils. It rinses off easily and leaves my skin clean and supple without any dryness but I don't notice any significant effect in helping to prevent acne or oiliness. I usually use this at night with my Clarisonic Mia to thoroughly cleanse my skin after using a cleansing oil to remove makeup.

9. Daiso Sponge Detergent: I've recommended this several times on the blog as it's cheap and effective for cleaning both sponges and brushes. It works very well on getting powder foundation out of makeup sponges, but I've noticed that it doesn't seem as good in removing liquid foundation as the sponges often still contain minor traces even after a thorough washing with a generous amount of the detergent. Recently, when when it was re-stocked at Daiso in Ion, I quickly snapped up another five bottles.

10. Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: Although this bi-phase remover took off eye makeup effectively and quickly, it stung my eyes occasionally when I pressed the cotton pad against my lashes to remove mascara.


11. The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel: I found the sweet mango scent generic and it was slightly drying on my skin. I would not re-purchase it as I much prefer the Body Shop's Earth Lovers range.

12. The Body Shop Mandarin & Tangelo Linen Scented Candle: With a burn time of up to 40 hours, this candle lasted me for about two weeks with nightly use for two to three hours. I find it reasonably priced at S$29.90 and it has good throw. The slightly sweet citrusy scent is comforting without being cloying.

3 comments:

shopaholic said...

Tsubaki has some of the best ingredients inside.

sesame said...

How do you manage to use Ren for 3 months. I think it lasted me slightly over a month or maximum 2. Maybe I squirted too much sometimes. But yes, dislike the packaging. I just finished the cleansing milk though.

Haru said...

hi sesame,
I use the Ren cleanser only once a day, in the mornings so maybe that's why it has lasted me longer. I always use one full squirt.