Products I've Used Up #9

Time to run through another batch of products I've used up recently. My last post was almost exactly 1 year ago, (read it here) and this is definitely not everything I've run through. I'm partial to bringing items to Joseph's place when they're half-done and using them there, or bringing items on vacation to leave in the room even if there's product left. Here are some notable empties that I have on hand and want to share.

✓ I love and would repurchase
✓ I would recommend, but would not repurchase
✗ I do not like and would not recommend

✓ L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil - A staple in my shower caddy, this gentle body wash is decadent, soothing and works very nice as a shaving cream. I have the giant pump bottle which I buy refills for. Very eco-friendly.

✓ Kaia Naturals Deodorant and Bath Soak - The most effective natural deodorant, and most soothing bath soak that puts me straight to sleep. Would recommend these both to the high heavens, see more here.

✓ Miracle 10 Lactic Acid Cream - An incredible nighttime cream that works like a dream on combo skin. It's a gentle exfoliant that sloughs off dead skin and tightens pores while you sleep. It's expensive and hard to come by (only sold online and at their clinic) but I'd highly recommend for those that respond well to lactic acid.

✓ Delia Organics Wash and Cream - Both of these products started out amazing, especially in the summer. After a year they changed smell, and still worked ok but note that natural products get old faster. The face wash makes my eyes sting like a mofo so I’d pass on it going forward. I like washing my eye area thoroughly before bed (avoiding sties) so I’d recommend any L'Occitane cleanser for that.

✓ Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel - An outstanding dry exfoliating powder that costs an arm and a leg, but works so well. It's gentle, cleansing, lasts for ions, and makes your skin feel so fresh and soft. Love me some K-Beauty!

✓ L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Foam Cleanser - I don't think foam cleansers are worth it. This one worked very well to clean my skin, but the pump was finicky and didn't pump smoothly close to the end.

✓ Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara - Tragically discontinued, I'm down to my final tube of this mascara. The figure-8 brush is similar to L'Oreal lash paradise, but this is still my HG for the lasting curl, weightless volume and no-clump effect. Boo hoo.

✗ Boscia Warming Black Cleanser - Not for me. This cleanser didn't work well, and got everything black that it touched. Sure it has a warming texture for a few seconds, but that's not enough to win me over - esp. since it's a bit drying.

✗ Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Cream - This product is discontinued for a reason. It doesn't sink into the skin well, doesn't feel like it has full 2% acid impact, and the texture is almost soapy. I'd recommend the 2% liquid or Pixi Glow Tonic over this.

✓ Paula’s Choice BHA 9 - I loooooved this stuff. So sad to see it go! I would apply this to any congested areas, especially on the top and sides of my nose after extracting black heads. Really nice high-potency Salicylic Acid gel that is moisturizing and calming. Great find.

✓ Annabelle The EyeInk² Liquid Eyeliner Duo - Allll hail this liquid liner. It is not red-toned, and is very nice to apply. This brown shade is not too harsh, lasts a long time, doesn’t dry out when used on powder shadow, and is so easy to apply. The two in one feature (one thin and long, one thick and stubby) is unreal for the price ($11!)

✓ Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - Batiste is the OG of dry shampoo and this one was a great option from the brand if you like fun fragrance. It is a nice, powdery aerosol spray that comes out white (they do have a dark brown if you need) and quickly absorbs oil.

✓ Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster - If you need some quick skin-plumping action, look no further than this convenient HA booster. I enjoyed the product but wouldn't repurchase since a serum like Bioderma Hydrabio is more up my street.

✓ Caudalie Oil Makeup Remover - I really enjoyed this remover oil while it lasted. Worked well, smelled great, but unfortunately isn't worth the high price tag. I far prefer L'Occitane's Immortelle Makeup Removing Oil.

✓ Neutrogena Face Wipes - A drugstore gem! They’re the best IMO for removing makeup in a jiffy without making your eyes burn. I also don't find them to dry out super fast.

✓ Sensodyne Toothpaste - I have mild gum recession and rarely get sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. This toothpaste works well and seems to keep my sensitivity at bay.

✓ Nicole by OPI Hard Kourt Fashionista - Hands down my favourite vampy polish ever. This was a limited edition shade and I ended up finding a few backups at Dollarama a few months back. I always love wearing this in the winter time.

✓ L'Occitane Face Masks - Reviewed here these face masks are really good for a gal on the go. There’s a lot of product in the pods so expect to get 2 uses out of it that week.

✓ Diva Wash - This is the cleanser that comes with the Diva Cup. It can be used on the body as well. I don't like the smell but it works just fine.

✓ Lush confiture de rose / Rose Jam - This is an amazing body wash if you like sweet rose scents. Wonderful texture and a classic LUSH shower staple.

✓ The Body Shop Tea Tree Wash - Not bad, but not my favourite. This facial cleanser was good for the chest and back areas. I wouldn’t repurchase since I prefer something more gentle on my face.

✓ Japanese Milk Bath Powder - Oh how I miss this! Japanese beauty brands make such interesting bath products. I first tried milk bath powder from my Brother-in-law's mother when she came back from Japan, and fell in love. Similar to bubble bath but way more worthwhile, this fragranced powder will soften and rejuvenate your skin while you soak.

✗ Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Wash - Received in a birthday perk from Sephora, this was a fine cleanser. I used it while on a vacation and ended up putting it on a loofah as body wash since the acids burned my eyes and face overall.

✓ Klorane Blonde Shampoo - Klorane makes some of the best haircare at the drugstore. I adore their dry shampoo, and this normal shampoo has a great texture and formula. It's good for daily washing and since I have natural blonde hair, this helped to maintain my shiny colour.

✓ Patchology Milk Peel Sheet Mask - This was a really nice, softening sheet mask. Good for combo skin, it provided lasting hydrating results and improved tone/texture.

✓ Kirkland Makeup Wipes - A close competitor with Neutrogena, these Costco makeup wipes are very good for nights when you can't bare to do the full routine. For some reason the clip packaging has trouble staying glued to the bag, so I only have the clip left. A bit frustrating but either way, they’re good.

✓ Clarins Super Restorative Instant Lift Serum Mask - This luxurious sheet mask is very intense, and great for dry skin. It feels amazing on the face and is easy to apply. I love that it has a separate neck mask. Genius! Would highly recommend for use before any big events.

✓ GUM Flossers - I've received a few of these flossers in Teen Packs from Shoppers Drug Mart around Back to School time. They're so easy to use and work amazing on-the-go. I'd highly recommend using these when you need a quick flossing fix. They fit between my tight contact teeth and never make my gums bleed.

✓ Mediheal Line Friends I.P.I Lightmax Ampoule Face Mask Sheet - No complaints with this mask. Tbh I forget what it smelled/felt like, but I knew it worked super well for the price (~$2.50 ea)

✓ Tiger Exfoliating Cloth - This was a nice idea, but this long loofah-style cloth gets gross kinda quick. I prefer cotton cloths to this plastic one, since they're more eco-friendly.

✓ Babyish Sheet Mask - This sheet mask was really nice and gelly, made for a very plumping and restoring treatment for dry skin. These are amazing to use if you have healing scabs/breakouts.

✓ The Body Shop Tea Tree Wipes - I loved these face wipes for the summer months. They did dry out relatively fast, since the package is hard to keep sealed. They're a bit harsh on the eye area but good overall for removing makeup and cleansing the skin quickly.


See all of my previous empties here.

xx