This year, I'm going to add a monthly Empties and Favorites post to the blog rotation in an effort to add content. This is another hugely popular type of post in the blog world and one that I love reading. On the rare occasion that I watch YouTube videos, I always gravitate towards the favorite and empties videos.
In January, these products were my trusty allies:
First, I have to tell you about Mac's Cleanse Off Oil.
I'm not sure if Philosophy is still making When Hope Is Not Enough because it's not on their website. I understand it to be an even more moisturizing cream than their iconic Hope In a Jar. I bought this for Curtis because his skin is dry year round. Recently, with my uncharacteristic dry skin, I've had to rummage through his small arsenal of products to "borrow" a few dry skin staples. This helps keep my crocodile skin much less crocodile-y.
Not sure if this is the color the cream is suppose to be. I wanted it to be white and fluffy for some reason. It's not old so I'm continuing to use it in spite of my aesthetic disappointment.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse oil not only sounds luscious but it is in application as well. This dry oil smells insanely good--a light floral that is delicately pretty. The oil is a blend of macadamia, hazelnut, borrage, almond, camellia and St. John's wort.
Now that I've ordered more of the shaving whip, I can use this last bit that I've been squirreling away.
EMPTIES
Doesn't Hyaluronic Acid sound wretched? How about-I bought this to use after giving myself a home administered chemical peel?
Turns out, Hyaluronic Acid is incredibly gentle and evens out my skin tone. I'm not exactly sure how it works on my skin but I like how my skin has changed for the better after using it. Definite repurchase.
I'm a bit embarrassed by them though, mainly by the amount that I've amassed. Every once in awhile I wonder if I should be using some other grown up version of hand soap.
The cherry almond shortbread scent, though? So good. I'm hoping it comes back next season so I can buy dozens in that scent.
Hopefully February will be much better in terms of using some of my beauty and bath products. I need more empties and less purchases.
I have a rapacious interest in what you've recently fallen in love with in the beauty/body care world. Do tell!
I agree, Hyaluronic Acid is great! And if you ever get a pimple just put a blob on it before bed and miracles will happen.
ReplyDeleteSince you love Mac's Cleanse Off Oil, I highly recommend trying DHC Deep Cleansing Oil!! It's my AH-mazing product and I bet it would work wonders removing your mascara :)
http://www.dhccare.com/deep-cleansing-oil/
Love this post. I am right there with you on hairspray. I have used Rave 4 since I was in high school. Cheap and reliable. The can even looks the same o_O
ReplyDeleteNext time I go to the Company Cosmetics Store outlet I am going to hunt down that MAC makeup remover.
Mary Kay eye makeup remover is my go to formula but I am almost out and wondering if I should branch out.
So true about hairspray. The $4 Dove stuff keeps my superfine, stick straight hair in place just as well as the $20 Bumble & Bumble, thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteI'm really bad about hoarding bars of soap. My cat sitter thinks I have "a problem" but I keep trying to explain that it's because I have to rotate the scents to suit my mood and the season :) That's reasonable, right??
@Lynda - Yes! The DHC oil! It's been in my Amazon cart to try, but then my friend at work gifted me the MAC. Once I use up most of the MAC oil I will purchase DHC and compare. :)
ReplyDelete@Julie - Company Cosmetics Outlet? With brands such as MAC? Fabulous! I can't sing enough praises for this MAC oil --it will make the additional makeup remover from Mary Kay unnecessary.
@Kate - It's an unofficial consensus about cheap hairspray vs expensive stuff. Go cheap!
Completely, 100% reasonable about your soap hoarding :)
Love this post! That Mac oil looks great -- I used to wear Mac makeup exclusively in the 1990s, but haven't stopped by a Mac store or counter for years. I need to get on that, stat! I love DHC as well! I used to use their system, then I got lazy and never reordered. I highly recommend them, though, and will probably go back to them at some point. I still get their catalogues and love their samples. Great company. I have some other things I would like to try first, though, like Tatcha and finally treating myself to a Clairsonic! I've been wanting one for years but keep putting it off.
ReplyDeleteAs for hairspray -- I completely stopped wearing it in my 20s and only just recently started using it again. I get Drybar Money Maker, after having them use it on my there and loving it. It smells great and feels soft, not "helmety" -- that's why I love it.
I wish I could use BBW hand soaps, but they seem to make me shrivel up and even bleed! I had never used them before, and bought a bunch back in the fall. I had to take them back, because literally after using them a couple of times, my skin started cracking and bleeding. So none for me :( I generally get Method hand soaps and refill cute bottles I have.
Lovely post, as always!
Hi Sunnee, just wanted to chime in with a deo rec having been in the same camp as you for a while. A lot of the natural deo's I've used have the consistency of a salve with some baking soda and EO's, which work for low key days but not on busier ones. The only one that keeps up with me is Mum Mum's Crafts. It is thicker, creamer, stays put and lasts all day. It is opaque but that's fine for me most of the time...despite the uber-homemade look of it, it is on par with the big guys!
ReplyDelete@futurowoman - I've only heard great things about DHC, I'm excited to start using their products. My mom recently sent me some skincare products from Japan. I didn't realize until after I read these comments that the brand is DHC. I didn't even notice it --I was too focused on the Japanese writing all over the boxes.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for you to get your hands on some Tatcha!
The Drybar Money Maker sounds so confident, I can't help but be intrigued. :)
That is awful about your B&BW's soap experience. Luckily they're very gracious with their returns. Have a great week!
@Jean - Hello! Thanks for stopping by and recommending the natural deodorant by Mum Mum's. I noticed they have a cleansing oil as well. I'm going to give them a try. Take care Jean :)
We use the same hairspray! :P
ReplyDeleteEmpties and Favorites, yayasyayay!! I am so excited to see these every month. I love posts like this and your photos are always so pretty. :D
Intrigued by the MAC Cleanse Off oil. Hmmmm, I haven't bought from MAC since Lady Gaga came out with her lipstick. Trip time? I know exactly how you feel about B&BW soaps! UGH they are so addicting to buy and hoard and then sit there, lol!
@Lolo - that hairspray works great! So glad you enjoy these type of posts.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I didn't mention about the MAC oil is how soft my face is after using it. I'm still loving it!
Sunnee, I was wrong about the possibility of DHC Deep Cleansing Oil being good to remove your mascara. Tonight I used it for the first time to remove my eye make-up and no bueno.
ReplyDelete@Lynda - bummer! I think I can do my comparison earlier than I thought. When I placed my last amazon order, the DHC oil was in there. It's sitting on my dining room table just waiting for me to put it to use :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sunnee :)
ReplyDeleteDo you use the MAC cleansing oil as a complete cleanser or as a facial make-up remover? I use the DHC before washing my face. On a dry face I thoroughly rub it all over, which loosens any make up. My make-up comes right off when I then splash it with water prior to using my facial soap. I probably don't need the second washing with soap but I always go overboard when it comes to my facial care.
@Lynda - my friend (who has gorgeous skin) uses it as her primary cleanser. I usually follow up after using the oil with my Bioderma cleansing toner.
ReplyDeleteYou have beautiful skin so whatever you are doing, you're doing it right! <3