Staff Picks: Products we finished up this July
Did anyone else feel #shookt after reading Liz's discovery of how much lipstick is really left in the tube? I had just made a resolution to finish up at least one lippie in the coming month - and now I'm not sure that it's even possible!
Working towards empties has been extremely satisfying and though I've been able to use up quite a bit of skincare, it's been a bit more challenging to do the same for makeup products. I'll still be working on it anyway because it's really quite a fun challenge, and these latest batch of empties has me inspired!
Liz: When we were developing the In Her Element Rose Gel cleanser and moisturizer, I wanted them to be must-have basics that I will love using everyday. I admit I am a little bit selfish for wanting something specifically for my problematic oily combination skin, but it's worth it! I've been using the Low pH Rose Gel Cleanser and the Rose Gel Serum Moisturizer pretty much everyday since the beginning of May, and I finally emptied both out by end of July! Love, love, love this stuff.
I've also emptied the Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treament, which is a mud mask that works super fast to reduce an impending breakout. It stings like hell but it really does clean out my pores and dry out pimples effectively. Ohhh, not in the photo but I also finished a half liter bottle of the Kracie Ichikami Moisturizing Shampoo! It's my current HG shampoo! Finally, I used up another K-Palette Eyebrow Pen.
Den: It was a bit of a hassle to wear a mask everyday but I did enjoy how the LuLuLun masks made my skin look so luminous and feel so moisturized! I would definitely consider masking daily again if I had a special event to prepare for but I'm not sure I'd get LuLuLun because it wasn't a good fit for my face shape, but the essence was pretty good!
It made me really sad to bid goodbye to the last of my Proud Mary collection. After about a year of (irregular) use, I finished up the sunscreen, anti-aging serum, and finally this EGF Complex Ampoule. It has a thicker formula than the serum so it became a little tricky to apply when I ran out of serum first, but the smoothened texture and radiant glow makes the ampoule + serum combo makes these must-buys from Korea.
I'm generally still too lazy to put foundation on (because that would mean putting everything else on) so the Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Repair has been my go-to. It has just a tinge of tint that seems to help brighten and even out my skin tone.
The Happy Skin Eye Am Here To Stay 24H Gel Eyeliner in Chic Brown changed my relationship with eyeliner pencils. I could never understand how anyone could enjoy using them until I tried this creamy formula! It began to have a little more drag the longer I had it because of constant air exposure but I just rubbed off a bit of the hardened formula on the back of my hand and it would apply smoothly again.
Marielle: My usage of the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is what you can describe as "simot na simot". I still prefer this to gasp sheet masks, because I get so many uses out of a single jar.
I'm down to my last three uses of the In Her Element Rose Gel Serum Moisturizer. I can't get enough of the fresh burst of rose scent. It's nothing like the usual incense-smelling rose essential oils that I get a whiff of in most skincare products. This one makes me think of a thousand petals floating in water. It also goes under my oil ampoule for added moisture.
I've had this bottle of Maybelline Makeup Remover for years. Because I've switched to washable albeit long-wearing mascara formulas, I've also made the move to using cleansing oils. Didn't want this to go to waste though as it is perfectly effective on the waterproof stuff!
Gett: The Mizon Gel Moisturizer is a lightweight, easy moisturizer. Won't repurchase. While I do like it as a lightweight moisturizer during the hotter months, it doesn't fit my needs anymore.
The Happy Skin eyeliner is one of my best finds this year! Chic Brown is a rich brown with shimmer. Personally I prefer my liners matte but the formulation on this one gets a thumbs up from me and my oily eyelids as this stays put pretty well. It does tug a bit but I think that helps its staying power. Would repurchase especially if Happy Skin comes up with a matte brown!
I prefer the Nature Republic Aloe Vera Body Cream to the Gel version, which can feel sticky, and this one feels more like a lightweight lotion than a cream. Love this as a hydrating body cream!
My Marionnaud dual eyebrow brush and spoolie looks so well-loved and abused. I had to retire this already because it's too old and the brush has frayed. Sadly, Watsons doesn't seem to sell this one anymore though.
My mom passed on this Calvin Klein Escape to me and I fell in love with how different this is from my usual fruity flowery scents! It lasted me for a year, and the scent stays well.
Crystal: I enjoyed using my Silka Green Papaya Whitening Lotion. Now that it's not so hot anymore, I used this as an everyday lotion. It's quite moisturizing, plus it has SPF30!
I always buy generic Glycolic Acid Lotion 15% from my derma because I find it effective for my bacne. I've used up so many bottles and I don't plan to stop anytime soon.
I gave in to the hype on FB groups and tried the Real Kill Black Horse Oil Cream. I've read so many raves about it so I decided to use it to help lighten my underarms. I did notice some lightening effect, plus it was moisturizing, too.
I emptied a travel size of Clinique Happy in Bloom, a nice floral scent that is very young and fresh. This is a good everyday scent for school or work.
Kim: The hoarder in me is finally getting overwhelmed with products so I'm going through skincare samples at the moment to quickly free up some space. I've finished deluxe samplers of the dpHUE's ACV Rinse, Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Moisturizer, Glamglow's Thirstycleanse Hydrating Cleanser, and Shiseido's Ibuki Cleanser. Of these four, the only thing I didn't like was Ibuki, which I found too basic and stripping for the hefty price tag.
I'm currently on my fourth bottle of the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and this is also the fourth pack of CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch that I've gone through. Both are PV-approved and definitely worth the repurchase!
Angela: I feel sad about saying goodbye to my Sephora Teinte Infusion. It is super lightweight and gives a natural, medium coverage.
I finished my Pond's Spotless Rosy White day cream in about two weeks. I like it because I can comfortably wear it in the day and under makeup. I think it also brightened my skin somehow.
My Elizavecca eye cream has been with me for months and I just love it. It moisturizes my undereye area unlike anything I've ever tried. I will be repurchasing soon!
I really liked the Laneige Water Bank trial kit! The essence is perfect for warm days when I know my face will oil up, and the gel cream is great for night time skincare routine and cold days.
That small jar is a sample container of In Her Element Serum Moisturizer that I personally love. My favorite thing about it is its scent. The moment I open the jar, I already smell the luxe scent of roses! It is also a good moisturizer and made my skin look healthy and glowing. I know i just got the sample size but there are just products that you'd know are good at first try. I'm currently saving up to buy the full-size.
Dove Ultimate White made my armpits lighter and smoother! It's my favorite deodorant at the moment.
Lastly, my Johnson's Milk and Oats baby lotion is a must-buy. It smells so good and tender. I love using it after my night shower before going to sleep. It relaxes my senses.
Did you get to empty out any products lately? Have you ever fully used up any of your makeup? Do share your best tips for getting through products faster - I've already started using liquid lippies as blush and topping them with a powder blush after, and it also helps to prolong my flush!