Trash Talk | Attempting to Conquer Trash Mountain
I like to have a little variety in my posting schedule so it's annoying me a bit that this post is very similar to my last. Buuut, my annoyance with my growing mountain of trash trumps (...triggered) my annoyance of the redundancy.
I have been hoarding my empties like a good, little beauty blogger since the beginning of the summer, but kept delaying an actual post. Instead of making one mega long post to exterminate the literal pile of trash I've accumulated, I'm going to be doing empties quite frequently over the next few weeks. So voila, here's my first empties post!
Products I Will Repurchase
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water available via Beautylish, Amazon, and New London Pharmacy, Violet Grey
I've reviewed this micellar water multiple times on my blog-- first in comparison to the Sephora micellar water and Simple micellar water here, and then compared to the two new Garnier micellar waters here. My findings were the same in both reviews, Bioderma's is simply the best of the best!
It's gentle and effective, it doesn't break me out or dry out my skin, and it doesn't leave behind any sort of scent or residue. I can't get enough of it!
P.S. if you live in the NYC area, check out New London Pharmacy in Chelsea! They have a ton of Bioderma products plus testers. I've never seen testers for Bioderma products before so I was pretty much in heaven. They also have testers for other hard to find brands like RMS beauty, Eve Lom, and Kevyn Aucoin. If you don't live near the city, you can check out their site where they offer free shipping over $35. If you sign up for their email list, you can also get an extra 15% off!
BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Solid available via Sephora, Nordstrom, Dermstore (Currently on sale for $12.80 + Free Shipping), Macy's, Cult Beauty
This guy cleans both beautyblenders and brushes really well, without leaving any smells or soapy residue behind. It also doesn't take a lot of soap to clean each brush, which is the biggest reason why I prefer it over its dupes (aka various regular bar soap.) More soap = more suds = more cleaning time = an unwanted pain in my ass.
Maybelline Full N' Soft Waterproof Mascara available via Target, Ulta
I'm really gross and have had this mascara well over a year, partly cause I kind of forgot about it. But I have repurchased it cause it's the best damn mascara from the drugstore that I've ever tried! It doesn't get as much hype as the other Maybelline mascaras and the packaging is so bland, but all that is inconsequential since it works.
If you like feathery, fluttery, non clumpy lashes, this is a wonderful mascara. It also does a pretty good job at making my stubbornly straight lashes stay curled for at least 4 or 5 hours. Not as good as Dior's Diorshow Waterproof Mascara or Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara, but better than any other drugstore mascara that I've tried.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer available via Sephora, Ulta, Nordstom, Macy's
This was the first primer I ever purchased and it was a total game changer. It's got that classic silicone-y primer feel and I was blown away by the way it blurred my pores. Fast forward a few years and I've tried out half a dozen more pore blurring primers and this is still one of my favorites. I like using it on my nose where it's sebaceous filament central.
It is a bit pricey but Smashbox frequently releases gift sets and holiday kits that drives down the price. I can't say I would repurchase it for $36 but I did repurchase it in a holiday kit I found at Nordstrom Rack last year. At the moment there's a primer set which includes a full size photo finish primer and a travel size of the primer water for $36, you can find it at Sephora, Ulta, or Macy's.
Ouidad Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil available via Sephora, Ulta (Currently on sale for 20% off!), Amazon (Also on sale and eligible for their spend $50 on luxury beauty, get $25 credit promo)
If you're thinking "oooh, a cleansing oil for hair?! Color me intrigued," lemme stop you right there. It isn't actually an oil, it's just a slightly more liquidy shampoo. Gimmicky name aside, this is a fantastic, gentle clarifying shampoo.
I use a lot of hair products so build-up is sort of inevitable. This shampoo removes all that shit without turning my hair into straw. On the bottle it explains how the "oil" is supposed to help curly hair by replicating the hair's natural oils to remove dirt and buildup but also hydrate at the same time. It also claims to use replenish the hair through the use of high absorbency oils.
I don't know if that's a bunch of marketing hooey or not, but I like to think it's true since my roots don't get as oily and my ends feel hydrated after I use this shampoo.
Products I May Repurchase
Clinique Moisture Surge available via Sephora, Nordstrom, Neimans, Selfridges
While this is in the products I will repurchase photo, it actually belongs in the may repurchase category. Since I just talked about this in my last post, you can read about it there.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm available via Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta, Saks, Lord & Taylor
Because I used to have oily skin, I've always veered away from the whole oil cleansing method thing. But as I continued on my skincare journey I discovered the world of cleansing balms and oils and my life changed for the better!
Clinique's cleansing balm is a no nonsense first cleanser that removes all your makeup of the day-- including waterproof eye makeup (!!). It doesn't sting the eyes, didn't break me out, doesn't have a smell, and doesn't leave any residue behind. It's so beautiful in its effective simplicity. The only reason it's on my maybe repurchase list is because towards the end of the tub, it started to have a really bad stink to it. The actual product didn't smell, but the container did. I think this may be due to user error, as I stuck my wet fingers into the container all the time and would close it before letting it dry 😬
Spoiler alert: I did end up repurchasing this at the VIB sale and cashed in my points for mini versions.
Glamglow Supermud Kit available via Sephora
Glamglow supermud has been my go to clay mask ever since I first tried it. Not only is it effective, but it's really fun to use since you can see all the gunk that's being pulled out of your face. It's also ridiculously expensive. This travel size kit is immensely more cost effective than the full size, but it's still pricey.
There are so many other mud masks out there that I haven't tried that I don't think I will be repurchasing this mask in the near future. But it's going in the maybe category because I genuinely like the product and will probably repurchase it at some point, just not some point soon.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser available via Macy's, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom
I like to think of this face wash as the stepping stone to my skincare addiction as it was one of the first higher end skincare products I ever bought.
It's a formula that works for all skin types-- oily, normal, acne prone, dry. But I don't like it as much as my HG status face wash which I think is better for dry skin: Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser. It's gentler and doesn't sting if I accidentally get it into my eyes.
The reason Purity is in the maybe category is because I would repurchase it if I were in a pinch or if I found it at a really good price... because I like variety in my routine ;) Also I know that Black Friday is around the corner and in previous years both Nordstrom and Sephora have run really good promotions on it.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads via Sephora, Dermstore, Ulta, Feel Unique
This is another product I just talked about in my last post, so you can read about it there.
Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go available via Target
My reasoning for putting this in the maybe repurchase category is the same as my reasoning for putting the FAB facial radiance pads in this category. I will say I think this is a bit stronger and more astringent than the FAB pads.
Products I Won't Repurchase
Ouidad Curl Quencher Conditioner available via Sephora, Ulta, Dermstore
There wasn't anything blatantly bad about this conditioner, but I've tried many drugstore conditioners that work the same or better. It sufficiently moisturized my hair without making it feel heavy, but it didn't give me that silky soft feeling that I find from only a select few conditioners.
It was fun to try but I don't think it's worth the $20+ price tag for me.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in Medium available via Target, Ulta, Amazon
This concealer is one of the most talked about drugstore products in the online beauty community and I don't get it.
The coverage is soo sheer and when I try to build it up, it turns cakey very fast. Since I'm still in my early 20s, I can't say I have too many wrinkles in my under eye area but this concealer makes my under eyes look crepey. I'd like to appreciate my young age while I can, thanks.
Also the color selection sucks. I would say I have a medium tan skin tone and the range is veering even too light for me. It's a shame that even though this product is so popular, Maybelline couldn't release more shades to accommodate people with deeper skintones.
Glamglow Youthmud Mask available via Sephora, Nordstrom
I didn't find this mask to do much for me. It worked just okay and didn't really make my face feel squeaky clean. My acne didn't get any worse or better by it. The weird chunky leaves in the mask were also very off-putting. Overall, it was a very meh mask for me.
Then again, I don't have mature skin so I'm not the target audience for this mask. Either way I much prefer Supermud and Thirstymud.
Ole Henrikson The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths + Equate Beauty Original Clean Wipes + Global Beauty Collagen Wipes
I'm dumping all three of these together, because despite their various prices and ingredients lists-- they were all very mediocre. Usually I prefer micellar water over wipes because I don't find them very effective. They also have a tendency to dry out my skin.
The Ole Henrikson ones had a nice orangey scent and held more moisture than the other two, but I can't see myself paying $15 for them. While they do contain Vitamin C, it's so far down in the ingredient list I can't see it having much effect.
I bought the Equate wipes before I went to Italy and I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed that they didn't dry out since it took me 3 months to finish them (like I said, not a big wipes user.) But again, they're not very effective at removing makeup, especially eye makeup. And they dried out my face.
The Global Beauty Collagen wipes I bought at the dollar store but I've also seen them places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. They were by far the driest wipes in that it would take me 2 or 3 of these to get the same effect as the Ole Henrikson ones.
And that's the end of my empties! Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts on them?
Alsoooo I apologize for being so terrible at responding to comments over the past week. Hopefully I will be able to catch up tonight!
I have been hoarding my empties like a good, little beauty blogger since the beginning of the summer, but kept delaying an actual post. Instead of making one mega long post to exterminate the literal pile of trash I've accumulated, I'm going to be doing empties quite frequently over the next few weeks. So voila, here's my first empties post!
Products I Will Repurchase
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water available via Beautylish, Amazon, and New London Pharmacy, Violet Grey
I've reviewed this micellar water multiple times on my blog-- first in comparison to the Sephora micellar water and Simple micellar water here, and then compared to the two new Garnier micellar waters here. My findings were the same in both reviews, Bioderma's is simply the best of the best!
It's gentle and effective, it doesn't break me out or dry out my skin, and it doesn't leave behind any sort of scent or residue. I can't get enough of it!
P.S. if you live in the NYC area, check out New London Pharmacy in Chelsea! They have a ton of Bioderma products plus testers. I've never seen testers for Bioderma products before so I was pretty much in heaven. They also have testers for other hard to find brands like RMS beauty, Eve Lom, and Kevyn Aucoin. If you don't live near the city, you can check out their site where they offer free shipping over $35. If you sign up for their email list, you can also get an extra 15% off!
BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Solid available via Sephora, Nordstrom, Dermstore (Currently on sale for $12.80 + Free Shipping), Macy's, Cult Beauty
This guy cleans both beautyblenders and brushes really well, without leaving any smells or soapy residue behind. It also doesn't take a lot of soap to clean each brush, which is the biggest reason why I prefer it over its dupes (aka various regular bar soap.) More soap = more suds = more cleaning time = an unwanted pain in my ass.
Maybelline Full N' Soft Waterproof Mascara available via Target, Ulta
I'm really gross and have had this mascara well over a year, partly cause I kind of forgot about it. But I have repurchased it cause it's the best damn mascara from the drugstore that I've ever tried! It doesn't get as much hype as the other Maybelline mascaras and the packaging is so bland, but all that is inconsequential since it works.
If you like feathery, fluttery, non clumpy lashes, this is a wonderful mascara. It also does a pretty good job at making my stubbornly straight lashes stay curled for at least 4 or 5 hours. Not as good as Dior's Diorshow Waterproof Mascara or Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara, but better than any other drugstore mascara that I've tried.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer available via Sephora, Ulta, Nordstom, Macy's
This was the first primer I ever purchased and it was a total game changer. It's got that classic silicone-y primer feel and I was blown away by the way it blurred my pores. Fast forward a few years and I've tried out half a dozen more pore blurring primers and this is still one of my favorites. I like using it on my nose where it's sebaceous filament central.
It is a bit pricey but Smashbox frequently releases gift sets and holiday kits that drives down the price. I can't say I would repurchase it for $36 but I did repurchase it in a holiday kit I found at Nordstrom Rack last year. At the moment there's a primer set which includes a full size photo finish primer and a travel size of the primer water for $36, you can find it at Sephora, Ulta, or Macy's.
Ouidad Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil available via Sephora, Ulta (Currently on sale for 20% off!), Amazon (Also on sale and eligible for their spend $50 on luxury beauty, get $25 credit promo)
If you're thinking "oooh, a cleansing oil for hair?! Color me intrigued," lemme stop you right there. It isn't actually an oil, it's just a slightly more liquidy shampoo. Gimmicky name aside, this is a fantastic, gentle clarifying shampoo.
I use a lot of hair products so build-up is sort of inevitable. This shampoo removes all that shit without turning my hair into straw. On the bottle it explains how the "oil" is supposed to help curly hair by replicating the hair's natural oils to remove dirt and buildup but also hydrate at the same time. It also claims to use replenish the hair through the use of high absorbency oils.
I don't know if that's a bunch of marketing hooey or not, but I like to think it's true since my roots don't get as oily and my ends feel hydrated after I use this shampoo.
Products I May Repurchase
Clinique Moisture Surge available via Sephora, Nordstrom, Neimans, Selfridges
While this is in the products I will repurchase photo, it actually belongs in the may repurchase category. Since I just talked about this in my last post, you can read about it there.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm available via Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta, Saks, Lord & Taylor
Because I used to have oily skin, I've always veered away from the whole oil cleansing method thing. But as I continued on my skincare journey I discovered the world of cleansing balms and oils and my life changed for the better!
Clinique's cleansing balm is a no nonsense first cleanser that removes all your makeup of the day-- including waterproof eye makeup (!!). It doesn't sting the eyes, didn't break me out, doesn't have a smell, and doesn't leave any residue behind. It's so beautiful in its effective simplicity. The only reason it's on my maybe repurchase list is because towards the end of the tub, it started to have a really bad stink to it. The actual product didn't smell, but the container did. I think this may be due to user error, as I stuck my wet fingers into the container all the time and would close it before letting it dry 😬
Spoiler alert: I did end up repurchasing this at the VIB sale and cashed in my points for mini versions.
Glamglow Supermud Kit available via Sephora
Glamglow supermud has been my go to clay mask ever since I first tried it. Not only is it effective, but it's really fun to use since you can see all the gunk that's being pulled out of your face. It's also ridiculously expensive. This travel size kit is immensely more cost effective than the full size, but it's still pricey.
There are so many other mud masks out there that I haven't tried that I don't think I will be repurchasing this mask in the near future. But it's going in the maybe category because I genuinely like the product and will probably repurchase it at some point, just not some point soon.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser available via Macy's, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom
I like to think of this face wash as the stepping stone to my skincare addiction as it was one of the first higher end skincare products I ever bought.
It's a formula that works for all skin types-- oily, normal, acne prone, dry. But I don't like it as much as my HG status face wash which I think is better for dry skin: Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser. It's gentler and doesn't sting if I accidentally get it into my eyes.
The reason Purity is in the maybe category is because I would repurchase it if I were in a pinch or if I found it at a really good price... because I like variety in my routine ;) Also I know that Black Friday is around the corner and in previous years both Nordstrom and Sephora have run really good promotions on it.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads via Sephora, Dermstore, Ulta, Feel Unique
This is another product I just talked about in my last post, so you can read about it there.
Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go available via Target
My reasoning for putting this in the maybe repurchase category is the same as my reasoning for putting the FAB facial radiance pads in this category. I will say I think this is a bit stronger and more astringent than the FAB pads.
Products I Won't Repurchase
Ouidad Curl Quencher Conditioner available via Sephora, Ulta, Dermstore
There wasn't anything blatantly bad about this conditioner, but I've tried many drugstore conditioners that work the same or better. It sufficiently moisturized my hair without making it feel heavy, but it didn't give me that silky soft feeling that I find from only a select few conditioners.
It was fun to try but I don't think it's worth the $20+ price tag for me.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in Medium available via Target, Ulta, Amazon
This concealer is one of the most talked about drugstore products in the online beauty community and I don't get it.
The coverage is soo sheer and when I try to build it up, it turns cakey very fast. Since I'm still in my early 20s, I can't say I have too many wrinkles in my under eye area but this concealer makes my under eyes look crepey. I'd like to appreciate my young age while I can, thanks.
Also the color selection sucks. I would say I have a medium tan skin tone and the range is veering even too light for me. It's a shame that even though this product is so popular, Maybelline couldn't release more shades to accommodate people with deeper skintones.
Glamglow Youthmud Mask available via Sephora, Nordstrom
I didn't find this mask to do much for me. It worked just okay and didn't really make my face feel squeaky clean. My acne didn't get any worse or better by it. The weird chunky leaves in the mask were also very off-putting. Overall, it was a very meh mask for me.
Then again, I don't have mature skin so I'm not the target audience for this mask. Either way I much prefer Supermud and Thirstymud.
Ole Henrikson The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths + Equate Beauty Original Clean Wipes + Global Beauty Collagen Wipes
I'm dumping all three of these together, because despite their various prices and ingredients lists-- they were all very mediocre. Usually I prefer micellar water over wipes because I don't find them very effective. They also have a tendency to dry out my skin.
The Ole Henrikson ones had a nice orangey scent and held more moisture than the other two, but I can't see myself paying $15 for them. While they do contain Vitamin C, it's so far down in the ingredient list I can't see it having much effect.
I bought the Equate wipes before I went to Italy and I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed that they didn't dry out since it took me 3 months to finish them (like I said, not a big wipes user.) But again, they're not very effective at removing makeup, especially eye makeup. And they dried out my face.
The Global Beauty Collagen wipes I bought at the dollar store but I've also seen them places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. They were by far the driest wipes in that it would take me 2 or 3 of these to get the same effect as the Ole Henrikson ones.
And that's the end of my empties! Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts on them?
Alsoooo I apologize for being so terrible at responding to comments over the past week. Hopefully I will be able to catch up tonight!