Completed Items in August 2013
I feel like I am running a really quick race against time every month; before I knew it, another month has gone by and I am not even quite sure what I have done the whole time! I did however, finish tons of items again this month - I really don't know how it happen... and as I type this, there are still a few more days left to August! I was so shocked when I looked into my basket and realized it was nearly full to the brim! Majority of the items are still skincare and body stuff, but I do finally have a few makeup items. So read on to find out what I have completed this month!
1. Himalaya Herbals Hydrating Face Wash Cream
Received this free from a magazine contest; I quite liked it - it feels very creamy and hydrating, and does not leave my face with a tight feeling. Apparently it is a soap-free herbal formulation, with aloe vera and cucumber. There is a bit of scent which I can't quite place, but it's not very strong. The price point is also very attractive; will repurchase!
2. Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula
I have tried several different types of Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils and I think this is one of the "oilier" ones. It does do a brilliant job at removing waterproof makeup - though it does cloud up my eyesight for a few minutes after using it. I don't think I will repurchase it though as I prefer cleansing waters.
3. Bliss Lemon+ Sage Conditioning Rinse
4. Biore Cleansing Oil-in-Cotton
A couple of items that I have used up quite a few previously; I believe the Bliss rinse is the last bottle in my stash - finally! It feels like a normal shampoo, and I wont be repurchasing. Biore Cleansing Cotton is one of the better affordable cleansing cloths that I have tried, which I always come back to.
5. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution Sensitive Skin
6. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution Sensitive Dehydrated skin
I bought several of Bioderma's micelle solution because of all the hype on youtube and blogs - I like it, just the way I like most cleansing waters, but I don't think it was life changing or particularly different from the other cleansing waters out there. I just didn't think that it lived up to all that hype, and multiple youtubers claiming that it's 'amazing' and 'holy grail'. For me, it does its job at removing most of the makeup but it doesn't remove waterproof mascara or long lasting eyeliners as well as the Bifesta ones. It's more expensive than the Bifesta cleansing waters so I don't think I will be repurchasing these.
7. Maybelline Makeup Remover Eye & Lip
A little gem that I found the mini size of in Watsons - I think they were selling them for S$2 each. I really liked it! I think it's really cheap and does a really good job at removing waterproof eye makeup without having to rub; it also does not sting my eyes. Like most bi-phase removers, it can feel slightly oily after using (after all, part of it is oil), but that can be easily solved by a rinse or a second wipe with a cleansing water. A mini bottle like this lasted me quite a while; I'm not sure if the mini bottles are still available, but I would gladly repurchase the full size.
8. The Face Shop Tissue Specialist Olive Cleansing Wipes
One of the more expensive cleansing wipes; I won't repurchase because it's overpriced and quite useless. It's pretty dry, with what seems like not enough makeup remover on it. It doesn't remove my makeup properly - I had to use quite a few sheets every time which can add up quickly.
9. Ginvera Jade Dark Eye Circles Roll Away
Another product that I was 'persuaded' to buy due to rave reviews by a few sponsored bloggers; I really have to rein in my purchases of products based on these. When I first started reading blogs, I was quite indiscriminate at buying products that people review and rave about, without doing research on it first and checking if they were sponsored posts. This product was really gimmicky but really did nothing for my eyes. It feels good rolling the 'jade' ball on my eyebags, and it's pretty cooling, but I don't see any lasting effect. Will not repurchase.
10. Clio Gel Expresso Waterproof Gel Liner in Black
Also another highly raved about product by a few local bloggers; I quite like it but I wished that the bloggers hadn't hyped it up so much. It glides on easily and doesnt really tug on my lids - maybe just a teeny tiny bit. It goes on rather opaque as well and comes in many colours, and can easily be blended for a smokey look when freshly applied. The price point is pretty nice too at S$18.90 each, if I didn't remember wrongly. The only issue I have is that it is not quite waterproof; past the 6hr mark, it smudges quite a bit on me, giving me panda eyes. I'm not sure if it is just me though, as I have not read about this happening to anyone else.
11. Bourjois Liner Stylo in 41 Noir
I love retractable pencils because they are just so convenient. I do like this eyeliner - it's not super creamy but it does go on smoothly and doesn't tug on my lids. This pencil does smudge quite a fair bit throughout the day especially pass the 4 hour mark, though not at the start so it might be the oils from my eyelids breaking the product down; I would say a wipe on hand is essential and it's not something I would use on the waterline.
12. Loreal Double Extension Mascara in Black
To be honest, I don't even know if this is still being sold! I found a brand new unopened tube that I must have bought a really long while ago and started using it a couple of months back - it was sealed so I guess it's still okay to use? I quite like it as it did give me really long wispy lashes and it didn't clump my lashes, but the whole 2-step process is a bit too tedious for me as I have to wait for the white part to dry first before layering the black otherwise it will turn grey.
13. Sulwhasoo Time Treasure Renovating Eye Cream
A really lovely eye cream - this has a weird texture that seems a bit like grounded paste but goes on smoothly and absorbs very quickly without any greasy residue. I find it 'dry' enough to use in the day - it doesn't cause my eye makeup to shift around too much. It has a really strong ginseng smell, which I love, but may be too much for others. It is insanely pricey though - but I will be saving up my pennies to buy it.
14. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift & Firm Eye Cream
15. Dior Capture XP Creme Yeux Haute Correction Rides
A couple of sample sized eye creams; I liked both - they applied smoothly, were very creamy and absorbed really quickly without leaving behind an oily residue or heavy feeling. I don't have lines yet though which both creams seem to target, so it's quite hard for me to say how it performed on that front.
16. Essence Color & Go in 120 Cookie Love
17. The BodyShop Nail Colour in 02 Twinkling Pink
A couple of nail colours that I have run out of; I actually spilled the entire bottle of the Essence polish over my bag accidentally, which is a pity because I really liked the colour. I've had TheBodyShop nail polish for quite a while and loved it for so long, but I feel like I'm kind of growing out of the shiny pink polish phase.
18. Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit
19. Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Cream
A sample sachet and a teeny tiny sample cream; I don't really have a strong impression of either.
20. Biotherm BB Cream White D-tox SPF25
Not usually a fan of Biotherm products, or BB creams, but I found that this worked really well for me. I thought the coverage was pretty good for a BB cream, and the texture is light and not drying - though I wouldn't say it is moisturizing. Unlike other BB creams, the tint appears to be very neutral, without a grey or white cast, which I like. Will consider purchasing.
And that's it! How has your August been? Did you complete any items? :)
1. Himalaya Herbals Hydrating Face Wash Cream
Received this free from a magazine contest; I quite liked it - it feels very creamy and hydrating, and does not leave my face with a tight feeling. Apparently it is a soap-free herbal formulation, with aloe vera and cucumber. There is a bit of scent which I can't quite place, but it's not very strong. The price point is also very attractive; will repurchase!
2. Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula
I have tried several different types of Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils and I think this is one of the "oilier" ones. It does do a brilliant job at removing waterproof makeup - though it does cloud up my eyesight for a few minutes after using it. I don't think I will repurchase it though as I prefer cleansing waters.
3. Bliss Lemon+ Sage Conditioning Rinse
4. Biore Cleansing Oil-in-Cotton
A couple of items that I have used up quite a few previously; I believe the Bliss rinse is the last bottle in my stash - finally! It feels like a normal shampoo, and I wont be repurchasing. Biore Cleansing Cotton is one of the better affordable cleansing cloths that I have tried, which I always come back to.
5. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution Sensitive Skin
6. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution Sensitive Dehydrated skin
I bought several of Bioderma's micelle solution because of all the hype on youtube and blogs - I like it, just the way I like most cleansing waters, but I don't think it was life changing or particularly different from the other cleansing waters out there. I just didn't think that it lived up to all that hype, and multiple youtubers claiming that it's 'amazing' and 'holy grail'. For me, it does its job at removing most of the makeup but it doesn't remove waterproof mascara or long lasting eyeliners as well as the Bifesta ones. It's more expensive than the Bifesta cleansing waters so I don't think I will be repurchasing these.
7. Maybelline Makeup Remover Eye & Lip
A little gem that I found the mini size of in Watsons - I think they were selling them for S$2 each. I really liked it! I think it's really cheap and does a really good job at removing waterproof eye makeup without having to rub; it also does not sting my eyes. Like most bi-phase removers, it can feel slightly oily after using (after all, part of it is oil), but that can be easily solved by a rinse or a second wipe with a cleansing water. A mini bottle like this lasted me quite a while; I'm not sure if the mini bottles are still available, but I would gladly repurchase the full size.
8. The Face Shop Tissue Specialist Olive Cleansing Wipes
One of the more expensive cleansing wipes; I won't repurchase because it's overpriced and quite useless. It's pretty dry, with what seems like not enough makeup remover on it. It doesn't remove my makeup properly - I had to use quite a few sheets every time which can add up quickly.
9. Ginvera Jade Dark Eye Circles Roll Away
Another product that I was 'persuaded' to buy due to rave reviews by a few sponsored bloggers; I really have to rein in my purchases of products based on these. When I first started reading blogs, I was quite indiscriminate at buying products that people review and rave about, without doing research on it first and checking if they were sponsored posts. This product was really gimmicky but really did nothing for my eyes. It feels good rolling the 'jade' ball on my eyebags, and it's pretty cooling, but I don't see any lasting effect. Will not repurchase.
10. Clio Gel Expresso Waterproof Gel Liner in Black
Also another highly raved about product by a few local bloggers; I quite like it but I wished that the bloggers hadn't hyped it up so much. It glides on easily and doesnt really tug on my lids - maybe just a teeny tiny bit. It goes on rather opaque as well and comes in many colours, and can easily be blended for a smokey look when freshly applied. The price point is pretty nice too at S$18.90 each, if I didn't remember wrongly. The only issue I have is that it is not quite waterproof; past the 6hr mark, it smudges quite a bit on me, giving me panda eyes. I'm not sure if it is just me though, as I have not read about this happening to anyone else.
11. Bourjois Liner Stylo in 41 Noir
I love retractable pencils because they are just so convenient. I do like this eyeliner - it's not super creamy but it does go on smoothly and doesn't tug on my lids. This pencil does smudge quite a fair bit throughout the day especially pass the 4 hour mark, though not at the start so it might be the oils from my eyelids breaking the product down; I would say a wipe on hand is essential and it's not something I would use on the waterline.
12. Loreal Double Extension Mascara in Black
To be honest, I don't even know if this is still being sold! I found a brand new unopened tube that I must have bought a really long while ago and started using it a couple of months back - it was sealed so I guess it's still okay to use? I quite like it as it did give me really long wispy lashes and it didn't clump my lashes, but the whole 2-step process is a bit too tedious for me as I have to wait for the white part to dry first before layering the black otherwise it will turn grey.
13. Sulwhasoo Time Treasure Renovating Eye Cream
A really lovely eye cream - this has a weird texture that seems a bit like grounded paste but goes on smoothly and absorbs very quickly without any greasy residue. I find it 'dry' enough to use in the day - it doesn't cause my eye makeup to shift around too much. It has a really strong ginseng smell, which I love, but may be too much for others. It is insanely pricey though - but I will be saving up my pennies to buy it.
14. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift & Firm Eye Cream
15. Dior Capture XP Creme Yeux Haute Correction Rides
A couple of sample sized eye creams; I liked both - they applied smoothly, were very creamy and absorbed really quickly without leaving behind an oily residue or heavy feeling. I don't have lines yet though which both creams seem to target, so it's quite hard for me to say how it performed on that front.
16. Essence Color & Go in 120 Cookie Love
17. The BodyShop Nail Colour in 02 Twinkling Pink
A couple of nail colours that I have run out of; I actually spilled the entire bottle of the Essence polish over my bag accidentally, which is a pity because I really liked the colour. I've had TheBodyShop nail polish for quite a while and loved it for so long, but I feel like I'm kind of growing out of the shiny pink polish phase.
18. Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit
19. Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Cream
A sample sachet and a teeny tiny sample cream; I don't really have a strong impression of either.
20. Biotherm BB Cream White D-tox SPF25
Not usually a fan of Biotherm products, or BB creams, but I found that this worked really well for me. I thought the coverage was pretty good for a BB cream, and the texture is light and not drying - though I wouldn't say it is moisturizing. Unlike other BB creams, the tint appears to be very neutral, without a grey or white cast, which I like. Will consider purchasing.
And that's it! How has your August been? Did you complete any items? :)