Empties: samples
A bit chaotic continuation of my Empties saga...
AG Hair Cosmetics Thikk Wash Volumizing Shampoo and Thikk Rinse Volumizing Conditioner
Could work if not for the fragrance... It smelled exactly like those dry drinks/concentrates. Sickeningly sweet/fruity... Awful.
Living Proof Full Conditioner
Contrarily to the name made my hair stringy and dirty looking. A complete fail.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
A skin saver for my hubby this winter! It contains a little oatmeal to soothe and calm skin and works wonders on his dry patches. Absorbs very quickly, smells pleasant - we liked the sample so much we bought the full size already!
Sisley Phyto-Blanc Buff and Wash Facial Gel
A bit on a fence with this one. True, it exfoliates quite gently but effectively with polymer micro-beads, low sudsing formula isn't drying at all, smells delicately of lemon etc. But it's rather expensive. $125 for 3.5 oz. Ouch!
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum
Meh. Smells nice. Weird orange-green color. Nothing to report, really.
Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Concentrate Continuous Action TXC
I think this works! During my never-ending quest for a brightening holy grail product I've tried a gazillion different creams/gels/serums/masks etc., but only a few did actually work. This one definitely deserves a second look.
Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Blue Copper 5 Firming Elasticity Repair
I was very excited to try this sample - the color promised a wonderfully moisturizing gel-like cream but in reality it turned out to be a thick gloppy concoction I had difficulty applying. Clearly a miss.
Ole Henriksen Truth Eye Peel
Eh... This left me puzzled - what's the purpose of the product? Is it an once-a-week treatment or a daily maintenance product? It wasn't dramatic enough for a treatment and moisturizing enough for daily use. Plus, I really don't like gels.
Lancome Collaser-SX
A discontinued item. Although I kinda liked it...
Perricone MD High Potency Evening Repair
A lotion-y serum contains OTC retinol - a no-no for me... My skin always reacts the same way in presence of retinyl palmitate - blocked pores on the chin. Period.
Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner
An alcohol-based but not drying (is it possible?!) toner with DMAE, the most promising ingredient to prevent and correct loss of skin elasticity. Love this one. Already bought the big bottle!
L'Occitane Milk Concentrate
A great alternative to The Body Shop butters! I think this one is even better: smells divine, absorbs fast, no tackiness, make skin soft. What else can I ask for in the winter?!
Diptyque Smoothing Body Polish
Granted it's very emollient and contains a million little exfoliating beads, I was rather underwhelmed by its fragrance. In this light it also seems overpriced. Nah...
Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Creme
A glorified tinted moisturizer. The Light color choice is not light at all! On what planet is it light?! Simply a fail.
Amaizing Cosmetics Anti-Aging Face Primer
A largely underrated brand with a bit exaggerated prices. But this product I liked. It reminds me Givenchy Mister Mat primer: a thick silicone-y texture erases pores and slightly mattifies the complexion. Would consider buying the full size actually.
AG Hair Cosmetics Thikk Wash Volumizing Shampoo and Thikk Rinse Volumizing Conditioner
Could work if not for the fragrance... It smelled exactly like those dry drinks/concentrates. Sickeningly sweet/fruity... Awful.
Living Proof Full Conditioner
Contrarily to the name made my hair stringy and dirty looking. A complete fail.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
A skin saver for my hubby this winter! It contains a little oatmeal to soothe and calm skin and works wonders on his dry patches. Absorbs very quickly, smells pleasant - we liked the sample so much we bought the full size already!
Sisley Phyto-Blanc Buff and Wash Facial Gel
A bit on a fence with this one. True, it exfoliates quite gently but effectively with polymer micro-beads, low sudsing formula isn't drying at all, smells delicately of lemon etc. But it's rather expensive. $125 for 3.5 oz. Ouch!
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum
Meh. Smells nice. Weird orange-green color. Nothing to report, really.
Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Concentrate Continuous Action TXC
I think this works! During my never-ending quest for a brightening holy grail product I've tried a gazillion different creams/gels/serums/masks etc., but only a few did actually work. This one definitely deserves a second look.
Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Blue Copper 5 Firming Elasticity Repair
I was very excited to try this sample - the color promised a wonderfully moisturizing gel-like cream but in reality it turned out to be a thick gloppy concoction I had difficulty applying. Clearly a miss.
Ole Henriksen Truth Eye Peel
Eh... This left me puzzled - what's the purpose of the product? Is it an once-a-week treatment or a daily maintenance product? It wasn't dramatic enough for a treatment and moisturizing enough for daily use. Plus, I really don't like gels.
Lancome Collaser-SX
A discontinued item. Although I kinda liked it...
Perricone MD High Potency Evening Repair
A lotion-y serum contains OTC retinol - a no-no for me... My skin always reacts the same way in presence of retinyl palmitate - blocked pores on the chin. Period.
Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner
An alcohol-based but not drying (is it possible?!) toner with DMAE, the most promising ingredient to prevent and correct loss of skin elasticity. Love this one. Already bought the big bottle!
L'Occitane Milk Concentrate
A great alternative to The Body Shop butters! I think this one is even better: smells divine, absorbs fast, no tackiness, make skin soft. What else can I ask for in the winter?!
Diptyque Smoothing Body Polish
Granted it's very emollient and contains a million little exfoliating beads, I was rather underwhelmed by its fragrance. In this light it also seems overpriced. Nah...
Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Creme
A glorified tinted moisturizer. The Light color choice is not light at all! On what planet is it light?! Simply a fail.
Amaizing Cosmetics Anti-Aging Face Primer
A largely underrated brand with a bit exaggerated prices. But this product I liked. It reminds me Givenchy Mister Mat primer: a thick silicone-y texture erases pores and slightly mattifies the complexion. Would consider buying the full size actually.