Empties!
I think it’s time to do my first empties. I like reading or watching videos like these to see what people like and dislike. I have accumulated some products in the past couple of months. I will be giving a quick review of them and if I will repurchase them in the future. So, let’s get started.
Everyone needs a facial cleanser if you’re into skincare or not. It is an essential part of your day/ night routine.
There are cleansers for all types of skins dry/sensitive/acne prone skin. The most important thing when choosing a cleanser no matter what your skin type is, is a non-drying cleanser, a cream cleanser is preferred. A cleanser that drys your skin and makes it feel tight is not a good sign.
Neutrogena: oil free acne wash cream cleanser
This is great if you have combination and congested skin. It has glycolic acid which gently exfoliates your skin. It has a cream texture that does not dry out your skin. I like to use it in the morning because it refreshes and wakes up my skin.
Would I repurchase: YES
Affordable: YES
Youth To The People: kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins.
If you’re looking for a clean brand than this is for you. This gel cleanser is full of antioxidants. It’s gentle and does not dry your skin and gives it a healthy glow. Suitable for all skin types.
Would I repurchase: YES
AFFORDABLE: NO
Sunday Riley: Ceramic Slip
This is a clay cleanser that cleanses the skin from impurities and visibly tightens your pores without tightening your skin. This is a gentle but effective cleanser it gives my face a glow and I immediately notice my pores looking tighter. It’s suitable for oily to normal skin types.
Would I Repurchase: YES
AFFORDABLE: NO
I love face toners. They are an essential part of my skincare routine. They have made a huge difference in my skin from texture to evening out my skin tone. There are so many toners on the market for all skin types. I personally love an acid toner that has glycolic or Lactic acid in them and they range from strong to mild strength.
Son&Park: Beauty Water
This is an all around toner. It’s gentle on the skin (safe to use on the eyes) it has some exfoliating ingredients like Papaya to brighten the skin and lasts forever. It is an 11.49 oz bottle that lasted me 7 months and I used it twice a day everyday.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: NO
NATURE REPUBLIC: Aloe Vera Toner
This is a Korean brand and Korean skincare is a popular and affordable. I bought this on a whim and I actually loved this toner. This is a moisturizing toner whenever I used it, I never felt the need to put moisturizer on my face because my skin didn’t need it. Aloe Vera is known for its moisturizing benefits. I feel dry skin would love this toner.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: YES
PETER THOMAS ROTH: 8% Glycolic Solution Toner.
As you know I love strong toners and this is one of them. Glycolic toners exfoliates, brightens, smooths and clears my skin from congestion build up like black heads and white heads. Suitable for combination/oily skin.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: No
AFFORDABLE: NO (because of the price and the amount you get. There are other brands that offer a better price. Or if it goes on sale)
Dr. DENNIS GROSS: C+ Collagen Mist
This claims to have vitamin c antioxidants to hydrate the skin. I personally didn’t like this product I didn’t feel it did anything for my face.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: NO
AFFORDABLE: NO
Vitamin C is so essential to incorporate in your skincare routine, why? Vitamin C is a strong antioxidants that’s helps to protect skin and help promote healing of sun damaged skin. It helps to fade dark spots in your face and brighten it. It also helps collagen production and protects elastin. So, if you don’t use it start now.
Vitamin C comes in three different forms in skincare.
Oil/gel like
Cream base
Powder (which is the Pure most concentrated form)
Philosophy: Turbo booster C powder
This is a powder form Vitamin C (which is more potent form) You mix it into your moisturizer or serums and even in your spf (but I prefer to mix it in my moisturizer) Your face will feel a tingle but it will fade away. If you have sensitive skin then I wouldn’t recommend this. I didn’t love this or hate this product. It was an ok for me.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: MAYBE
Affordable: No
OLEHENDRIKSEN: Truth Serum
I didn’t like this product. It comes in a gel form. People rated highly but I didn’t feel it did anything to my skin. It was a blah.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: NO
AFFORDABLE: NO
KIEHLS Powerful-Strength Line Reducing concentrate.
I received a sample of this in my Sephora play box. This is an interesting texture when you put it on you feel a warm sensation on your face but goes away. It claims to reduce lines. I can not attest to that from a sample size.
Would I repurchase: Undecided
AFFORDABLE: NO
CLINIQUE: Even Better
Even Better is my favorite moisturizer to use in the winter because it truly does what it claims to do. It brightens, exfoliates clarifying hydrator. When I use this I definitely see a difference in my skin tone. The consistency of this moisturizer is thick so it’s great for dry skin types and it has spf 30.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: NO (but you won’t be disappointed)
GARDEN OF WISDOM: Niacinamide Serum
This is a a new affordable brand on the market that has been highly rated by beauty bloggers like Nadine Baggot. Niacinamide helps with pore size, breakouts, hyperpigmentation and hydration. I definitely loved using this and felt it helped with my breakouts. I actually prefer this over The ordinary Niacinamide with zinc.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: YES
Sunday Riley: UFO
This oil has salicylic acid which is supposed to help with congested/blemish prone skin. This actually did nothing for my skin.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: NO
AFFORDABLE:NO
Sunday Riley: Juno
This oil is rich in antioxidants + vitamins to gives moisture + glow to your face. I liked it, it was nice but not wow. This would be great for dry skin.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: MAYBE
AFFORDABLE: NO
Boscia: Charcoal pore pudding intensive wash off treatment.
I received this mask in my Sephora play box. When you open the jar you see two colors white+black like a ying and yang. You scoop up both colors and mix them then you put on your face. This mask does not dry up like the usual charcoal mask we are used to. I liked using it, my face felt nice afterwards. It’s not the best mask out there.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: Maybe
AFFORDABLE: NO
Sephora: Mud Mask purifying + mattifying
I also received this in my Sephora play box. I would have never bought this. I actually liked it. It has zinc+ copper which helps to purify pores, reduce access sebum and reduce the size of the blemish without overdrying it. It can also be used for spot treatment. This mask does dry up so, you will feel your skin tight when it’s on. This is great for oily and blemish prone skin.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: YES
FRESH: Rose Face Mask
Fresh brand in general is a brand I feel anyone can use. There products are gentle yet effective. This rose mask is beautiful it has real floral petals. It hydrates and tones your skin. I like to use this mask in the morning because it freshens and brightens my skin. It has such a lovely rose smell that is not overpowering or artificial.
Neogen: Day-Light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
Sunscreen is the most important part of your skincare routine. My motto is never leave home without it. Besides it being an anti-aging it also protects our skin from sun damage that can cause cancer (God forbid). Also, if you use products like retinol and AHA+BHA these make your skin sensitive to the sun therefore, spf is a MUST.
There are soo many sunscreens on the market. Many ppl. Complain about sunscreen being to greasy, having white cast on the skin and breaking them out. Sunscreen does clog pores for some ppl. This sunscreen I found to be different than any sunscreen I’ve tried it’s light weight +fast absorbing + gives no white cast. I actually felt like I was putting light weight moisturizer. It’s everything you want a sunscreen to be.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: NO
Kopari: Lip Love
It is a clear liquid gel. Gives instant moisture+ relief to dry chapped lips, not sticky. If you love coconut it smells like it. Love it.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: YES
AFFORDABLE: YES (recommend getting it in a set that comes in different scents)
Belif: Moisturizing eye bomb
I like this brand. They are known for their moisturizers. I received this in my Sephora play box. It’s a thick consistency which has a slight cooling sensation. I liked to use this at night as eye mask but you can also use it in the morning if you get puffy under eyes.
WOULD I REPURCHASE: NO
AFFORDABLE: NO (too pricey it had to blow mind away but it was nice while I had it 😉)
I hope this blog post was useful and you gained some background knowledge of the products mentioned. Just for reference I have combo+normal skin. Our skin tends to change during the seasons so take into account how your skin is feeling/looking at the moment. Let me know if you have a favorite skincare product that you like to repurchase.
Disclaimer: These products were bought by me and my opinion is from my own experience. I’m a consumer just like you, but I love skincare and love to try+ test new products.
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