Empties #14

MAKEUP

KARDASHIAN BEAUTY Deeply Felt Precision Tip Eyeliner

This is my favourite liquid eyeliner and the more liners I try, the more I stand by that claim. Due to a lovely formula, it glides on the eyes like a dream and flicks were super easy to do. It lasted all day without smudging or flaking, basically it was just perfect. The only thing that I can point out as a negative is that it dries out a lot quicker than L'Oreal's Super Slim and that the brush applicator frays in time.

Repurchase: Yes.

COLLECTION Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer

1 Fair

This is a very similar concealer to Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, especially when it comes to coverage. I have the whole side by side comparison in my review, but I'll say again that I don't notice much difference between the two, except that Nars has a far better shade range for us Snow Whites. The coverage is pretty much full and it has excellent staying power. It can look cakey under the eyes after a while if you use tons, but it's better than anything we have in Slovene drugstores when it comes to full coverage.

Repurchase: Already did.

SKINCARE

GREEN LINE Clear Active Micellar Cleansing Water

I think that out of all the drugstore micellar waters I've tried, this one is the most effective one, especially now that I've used up most of them. However, the packaging is stupid. The screw cap is positively medieval and the design of the top part of the bottle prevents you from getting the last drop out. I would buy this again, but I would move it to another bottle. Unlike most micellar waters, this one is scented.

Repurchase: Probably.

EBELINE Ultra Sensitive 20 Feuchte Washlappen

I just used these for taking of swatches or fixing mistakes, but even so these didn't leave me with a lasting impression. They could be softer considering they are meant for sensitive skin.

Repurchase: Only if they are the cheapest option when I'll be buying a new pack.

Lavender Hydrolate

I originally got this because I hoped it would smell like lavender and I could use it as a fragrance mist, but it smells horrible, like lavender vinegar - yuck. I used it as a face mist and I think it worked well on my skin. The effects were nothing drastic, but my skin did look better when I used it. Lavender oil has anti-bacterial properties and it helps regulate sebum, so maybe that's why. 

Repurchase: I will get something similar.

BODY

BALEA Creme & Duche Cocos & Nektarine

One of my favourite shower gel because of the gorgeous peach bubble gum scent. I have a few in my stash.

Repurchase: Yes.

BALEA Totes Meer Salz Dusche Pfirsich - Mango

Though this is marketed as being for dry skin, I find it's just a classic Balea shower gel. They don't dry out my skin, but I know many dislike Balea shower gels because they are just too basic. To me this was a pleasant shower gel with a nice mango tropical scent (candy version), but not much peach.

Repurchase: It's likely.

BALEA Rasiergel

Summer Garden

A staple in my bathroom and I always have a spare because you never really now when exactly it will run out. This was by far my favourite limited edition version and it features a candy tropical scent.

Repurchase: Already did.

YVES ROCHER Vanille Collect'OR 

Eau de Toilette Intense

This is the most authentic gourmand vanilla scent. It literally smells like vanilla extract for baking. It's quite an intense scent and because it's a one note fragrance, it's nice for mixing with other scents.

Repurchase: I'm tired of vanilla scents at the moment, but someday I might.

THE BODY SHOP Vineyard Peach Body Butter

Probably my favourite body skin care item ever. It smells AMAZING and I aspire to have the whole collection. The texture is really moisturising and thick, which is how I like my body butters.

Repurchase: I already have another and yes, I would.

YUMMY Strawberry Body Butter

I loved the smell of this as it smells like strawberry chocolate or strawberry yoghurt, though I did get tired of the scent after a while. The texture was nice, somewhere between a cream and body butter, so it was nice for everyday use, but wasn't quite enough for super dry skin on my soles and elbows. 

Repurchase: No or maybe in a different scent.

HAIR

KÉRASTASE Masquintense Epais-Thick

My absolute favourite hair treatment in the world. This makes my coarse, dry mane feel like normal hair. Time and time again I'm astonished at how well this works for me. I use it primarily for special occasions because it's quite expensive, but so worth keeping in the stash.

Repurchase: Already did.

REDKEN All Soft Heavy Cream

I can't say I was impressed by this. It's good, but not 20 € per pot good. In fact it reminded me of the conditioner in the same line. It actually has the same effect on my hair and the conditioner is cheaper than the mask. It made my hair more nourished than an average drugstore treatment, but the margin was rather small. It was so unremarkable, I never even properly reviewed it, even though I had the pictures ready. It has quite a heavy sweet deep scent. This should probably work better on someone whose hair isn't as dry as mine.

Repurchase: I'm not sure, probably not.

Le Petit Marseiliais Masque Nutrition

While this was a very nourishing mask, I never felt like it does all it should for my hair. I mostly missed the silkiness that conditioners and masks usually leave, which is important if you have such coarse hair like me (it's silicone free). I ended up always mixing it with some other silicone based conditioner. The masks smells lovely, like honey. 

Repurchase: No.

PHYTO 9 

This disappointed me from the start. I expected a smooth, nourishing cream-serum-oil, but it turned out to be like I'm applying an actual face moisturiser to my hair. I never felt like it really fixed my dry ends whether I used it on dry or wet hair, but what bothered me most was that it leaves white bits in the hair, like the cream never completely melts, which on my dark hair looked like dust and as if my hair was dirty. I ended up mixing it with Nuxe shimmery oil for a better effect.

Repurchase: No.

TIGI Bed Head Urban Anti-Dotes Conditioner 

Damage Level 2

A nice conditioner, but not ground-breaking. Most people with moderately dry and damaged hair will like it because it not heavy, yet it moisturises well. It smells typically Tigi-ish, tropically sweet, like a mix of pineapple juice with Kiki sweeties.

Repurchase: No.

PHILLIP KINGSLEY Elasticizer

This was a massive disappointment for the price. I expected a lot because of the ton of raving reviews and because it's supposedly a cult favourite, but this doesn't hold a candle to Kérastase Masquintense. It's a pre-wash treatment that you apply on damp hair and leave on for 20 minutes (or overnight if your hair is really damaged). Apart from the hair feeling silky when I was rinsing it off before shampooing, I noticed no particular effect on my hair. It wasn't more manageable, or shiny, it really didn't do anything special.

Repurchase: No.

LEE STAFFORD Hold Tight Hairspray

My favourite hairspray by far. It's super light on the hair, not sticky or stiff, but it holds very well. The scent is annoying, but worth putting up with.

Repurchase: Already did.

PANTENE Expert Collection AntiAge Conditioner

I don't have any kind words about this apart from that it smells nicely clean. It didn't do squat for my hair and I ended up using it instead of a shaving gel.

Repurchase: No.

PHYTO Phytosquam Intense

Sample

A new dandruff treatment by Phyto that is quite unique as far as my experiences with anti-dandruff products go. I've tried all of Phyto treatments before and so far they were the best ones, however, didn't completely help me get rid of the problem, just alleviated it. This product is one that you apply on dry scalp, leave for 5-7 minutes, then add water to emulsify it and rinse off. Regular Phyto's shampoos are very runny, but this is closer to how average shampoos are like in terms of texture. It's a thick gel that I had a hard time distributing evenly on my hair, simply because I was working with a sample bag, but also because I have very thick, long hair, so it's not easy getting product on the scalp. The full size has a nozzle, so that should work a lot better. One bag had a lot of product inside, 12 ml, but I used up all and I still could have a few ml more to completely cover my scalp. When it was on my scalp, I didn't feel anything, so no tingling or anything similar. Once I added water it emulsified well, like a normal shampoo, which is surprising since Phyto's shampoos, don't foam well. Once I rinsed it off, my hair felt super squeaky clean, which is not something I'm terribly fond off, but that's just because I have dry hair. Where I managed to get on a thick coat of the treatment, it did remove most of the dandruff that is stuck on my scalp (about 85 %), while where I only had a light coat, a lot of the dandruff was still left, which leads me to believe this is a product that would be empty very fast. But results are promising. It removed the persistent layer of dandruff and let my scalp breathe a bit. The itching was still a problem, but for the first day there was significantly less of it. Impressed by the sample, I purchased a full size.

Purchase: I did a few days ago (Leposana 20.50 €).

Have a great day!

Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin 1

As far as hair care goes, I'm aware that I am very fussy and demanding, but I want only the best for my hair and that's because my hair isn't the easiest to deal with due to the dry, coarse and fizzy condition of it, so it requires a lot more care than average hair. Kérastase Nutrive line contains some of the by far best hair products I've tried so far, with Oleo-Relax shampoo being my favourite shampoo of all time. Bain Satin 1 is another shampoo in that line, but one designed for normal to slightly dry hair. There is also Bain Satin 2 which is meant for dry, sensitized hair.

Bain Satin 1 has a creamy formula and not a gel one like Oleo Relax. Despite that I find it less nourishing and it doesn't leave my hair so magnificently silky as Oleo-Relax, but also doesn't leave my hair stripped. While Oleo-Relax feels like a 2-in-1 product, so like there is also some conditioner added, Bain Satin 1 rinses of completely without leaving that silky layer on the hair. That's why it might appeal more to those who have moderately dry hair and avoid shampoos that could weigh down the hair. It foams very well, cleans the hair well, almost to a squeaky clean point, but doesn't make the hair feel like straw and it smells very classically clean, so similar to Nivea and the likes.

The one thing that kind of does bothers the spoiled side of me is the absence of a flip lid. It's all very old school with the screw off lid. 

I much prefer Oleo-Relax for my hair type and it's still my favourite ever shampoo. Bain Satin is better suited for those with normal/moderately dry hair or even hair with dry ends that gets greasy fast (but don't quote me on that) as it leaves nothing behind, but clean hair. If it's in your budget and fits your hair type, give it a try as it's a lovely shampoo, but for super dry, frizzy hair I'd still go with Oleo-Relax.

Kérastase is sold in hair salons (for example Simple in Slovenia) and in online shops. It costs around 20 €.

Have a great day! 

Empties #15

L'OREAL Lumi Magique Concealer

This is an illuminating concealer, so it doesn't conceal in a regular way of adding coverage, but instead it has these light reflecting particles that brighten the skin. It's subtle, but it does work and helps counteract shadows. It's really expensive for the quantity you get and I actually didn't even use it that often, instead I saved it only for special occasions, but it ran out so fast.

Repurchase: Yes.

L'OREAL Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil

I love this, truly, but there is this one little thing - it breaks me out. It's a wonderful cleansing oil that removes makeup well and it's not too expensive, plus it also smells absolutely divine to me. I ended up using it as a shaving oil and it worked so great, especially because it emulsifies when water is added and washes off completely (so no greasy razors). This orange version isn't sold here, instead there is a gold version sold in Műller.

Repurchase: I would, purely for the scent.

INELL Démaquillant Yeux Spécial Waterproof

Waterproof makeup remover

Hated this, apart from the packaging. It's not effective enough and felt odd around the eyes (and nothing ever irritates my eyes or skin). I was glad when I finished this and I had to really hold back to not just throw it away.

Repurchase: No.

CADEA VERA Hautverfeinernde Clear-up Strips

These are one of those nose strips that pull the blackheads out of your skin and they were ok. They worked decently, but weren't miraculous. I like that there is quite a few of them in one pack.

Repurchase: I'll try something else first, but maybe.

JOICO K-Pack Intense Hydrator

I adore this. I always rave about that Kérastase mask, well, this is the second treatment that I treasure just as much. While Kérastase one does the whole deal, this is the product that excels at nourishment. When my hair is super dry, coarse and drab, this works like magic in restoring it. 

Repurchase: Already did.

KÉRASTASE Specifique Bain Exfoliant Hydratant Shampoo

I had such high hopes for this. As someone who's been suffering from dandruff for years, I always wish that the next treatment will cure it, but unfortunately this one didn't work at all. I love Kérastase, it's my favourite hair brand, but this was a disappointment. It's a nice idea - a shampoo with exfoliating particles and an applicator with a nozzle that makes sure the product is deposited on the scalp, but it didn't manage to remove my dandruff nor cure it or prevent it. Baking soda mixed with any regular shampoo removes dandruff much more effective than this. It wasn't even a particularly nourishing shampoo, so this was an expensive fail.

Repurchase: No.

GOT2B Volumania Styling Powder

I've told this a few times before, but this is basically a dry shampoo for those who hate dry shampoos. It's not as effective as the real deal, but that doesn't matter to me as my hair pretty much never gets greasy and I just need something to refresh it and give it back some volume. It feels like a can of nicely smelling air, but it actually manages to give back a bit of volume without being an actual texturizing spray, so there is no powder residue or a hairspray feel. It sounds like it's nothing special and it really isn't, but for some reason I just really like this. By the way, it smells like raspberries.

Repurchase: Already did.

BALEA Trend It Up Dry Shampoo

Lovely Berries

This is a limited edition item, they basically just released a new scent of their regular dry shampoo. It was not my favourite as it was very white and it didn't really make my hair as fresh as Batiste. It's decent, but nothing special. The scent was of strawberry candy.

Repurchase: It was a LE, but I probably won't be buying a regular version.

TIGI Catwalk Sleek Mystique Blow Out Balm

A standard, but a lovely heat protectant. It's in a form of a silicone serum with small shimmer that actually makes your hair look more shiny. I liked it because I could use it on dry or wet hair and on dry hair, it also acted as a taming product. I don't find it heavy at all, but it is a thick serum, almost like Orofluido, so I can't be certain that it won't weight down thin hair, but when I used it on other people's hair, it always worked just fine. I also love the packaging with a pump. 

Repurchase: Yes.

YUMMY Strawberry Shower Gel

A very liquid shower gel, but it still foamed ok. The scent was similar to Milka chocolate with strawberries, though this one had an artificial note in it, so it's not as good as the body butter's. I much prefer their new Orange and Rhubarb version.

Repurchase: No.

I LOVE… Honey Almond Nourishing Shower Cream

It's so ironic that they called it a cream because this is basically liquid and as such it's very difficult to use. It doesn't foam at all unless you use a mesh, but at least it smells nice - not exactly like honey, but it's a nice warm, sweet scent.

Repurchase: No.

REXONA Dry Deo Stick

Clear Aqua

My standard deodorant and the only one that actually didn't stop working before I had a chance to use it up. This was the first time I got Clear Aqua version and it smells like Nivea/just clean. I have the pink version now and I like the scent more.

Repurchase: Already did.

EBELINE Nagellack-Entferner

I just love these pot nail polish removers. This one is one of the cheapest one around here and I like that it's a bit shorter than Bourjois' as well as the foam is softer. There is a regular remover inside it, so there are no greasy fingers like at Bourjois', but this also means that it can be a bit drying. It also gets dirty far, far quicker, but I still like it.

Repurchase: Already did.

ESSENCE Studio Nails 4in1 Profi File

I don't fuss about my nails at all, so I just buy this nail file because it's cheapest and I'm used to it. It has four different textures that vary in roughness and it's good enough for me.

Repurchase: Already did.

Yves Rocher Hydra Végétal 24h Intense Hydrating Gel Cream

This is good. I compared it with L'Occitane's Pivoin Sublime Perfecting Creme side by side and they are similar in terms of that velvet finish they leave behind, though YR's is a bit greasier and doesn't feel quite as high quality as L'Occitane's, but for an average user they are very close. It's has a similar medium thickness consistency, it sinks in fast into the skin and leaves a velvet finish, but it's not as dry to the touch as L'Occitane's. This is a great base for makeup. As all YR stuff it smells so lovely - this one has a nice floral scent similar to lillies of the valey.

12.11 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: Yes. It's my favourite product out of these samples.

Yves Rocher Sebo Végétal Mattifying Gel Cream

The texture of this is a sort of a mix between a serum and lotion consistency that goes on quite wet/moisturising at first, but then after a minute it turns into a more satin-matte finish. It's not as good as L'Occitane versions of mattifying lotions because those contain either more or better powder particles and silicones. This one also contains alcohol on the fourth place, but I got no dry patches during the day, which is a good sign. The scent is great, just like freshly picked apples.

10.39 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: No.

Yves Rocher Nutritive Végétal Creamy Repair Mask

A super thick mask that is actually way thicker than Origins Drink Up or Balea Power Maske, but promises the same. It's like a very thick moisturiser that you're supposed to apply in a thick coat, leave for 5 minutes and then take the excess off with a cotton pad. I never do it like that, but I just apply a thicker coat and leave it on overnight. This product should work great for dry and dehydrated skin. The scent is strange - it has that fresh fruitiness like the rest of the product, but it's overshadowed by a stale, musky scent, so it's like walking into a cellar where the apples are kept.

 12.11 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: No. I might consider it if my skin was very dry and nothing else helped.

Yves Rocher Anti-Age Global Complete Anti-Aging Care Eye

A thick and very moisturising eye cream, which I'm surprised it comes in a tube since it's so thick, but I'm sure it works. It doesn't just sit on the skin, but most of it manages to sink in quite fast and it nourishes the under eye area well. It smells like margarine which is fine to me.

32.37 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: I really like it, but the price is too much for me.

Yves Rocher Sérum Végétal Wrinkles & Firmness Ultra-Plumping Serum

A light milky serum that sinks in fast, yet manages to hydrate the skin well even without any additional care afterwards. I had a few samples, but I could already see some positive effects on my skin, not in terms of wrinkles, but just in general of how my skin looks. It also works well as a base for makeup. It smells great - comfortingly professional, like walking into a salon. There is alcohol on the 8th place among the ingredients, but this is low enough for me and you can't smell it at all.

27.50 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: I would love to have it, but it's expensive.

Yves Rocher Sublime Skin BB Cream

Light

This is just a horrible BB cream. It reminds me so much of those cheap tinted moisturizers from 00's. It looks patchy/blotchy on the skin, no matter how much you try to blend it or what moisturiser you use under it. And when you start to blend it in more, it starts to flake off this little rolls. The coverage is really minimal, so it's not even worth putting it on. The only pleasant surprise is the shade. I just automatically assume that the lightest shade is ridiculously dark, but this one would easily fit someone who wears Healthy Mix 51 or NW 15-20. It's very pink toned, but I like that because it brightens up the skin a bit. It has that classic makeup scent which you'll recognize if you bought any makeup in the 90's.

15.92 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: No. 

Yves Rocher Serum Végétal Wrinkes & Lifting V Shaping Care

A very thick cream, similar in texture to the Creamy Repair Mask, however, it takes even more time to absorb. It's sits on the skin, so I would use this as a night moisturiser only, but it should be great for dry skin. It has a pleasant powdery YR-cream-like scent.

27.50 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: No. 

Yves Rocher Elixir 7.9 Youth Energy Day Care

A light moisturiser with a gel-lotion texture that sinks in fast and leaves a velvet finish on the skin. It's lighter than intense Hydra Végétal 24h Intense Hydrating Gel Cream, but has a very similar effect, except it's a bit more sticky after application. It has another one of those high-end-ish slightly fruity scent that reminds me of apples.

28.95 €, ingredients here.

Purchase: I liked it, but the Hydra Végétal cream is cheaper.

Yves Rocher Muguet en Fleurs eau de toilette

Lilly of the Valley

 Smells exactly like lilies of the valley. It's a great scent for spring, but it has such poor staying power. 

20.79 €

Purchase: No.

Yves Rocher Cerisier en Fleurs eau de toilette

Cherry Bloom

The cherry trees were blooming here when I tested this, but as far as our trees go, the blossoms have no scent. However, when I tried this, it was instantly recognizable as the cherry blossom scent. It's a very gentle floral cherry scent that I find so delightful, but the projection is minimal and so is the lasting power. I give it an A+ for the actual blend of notes, but a D for longevity and strength.

20.79 €

Purchase: No. 

In general I'm very impressed by Yves Rocher skin care. I've never tried their face creams before, but they feel so nice, they all smell lovely and just feel like they are expensive. Thanks to Katja for hooking me up with so many samples.

  

Have a great day!