Empties: July 2017

Already Repurchased:

1. Naruko Tea Tree Night Gelly

2. make remake Cloud all in one Cleanser- I've read mixed reviews on this, not the best makeup remover for me but as a second cleanser, it works well. Made with plenty of grain extracts and the texture is quite unique.

3. Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream

Just recently discovered the Naruko Tea Tree Gelly and I have to say that I reaaaaallllyyyy like it! Ok scratch that, LOVE it. It really helps with minor blemishes (not sure about cystic) and also redness, I always wake with clear and calm skin. Also the scent is right up my alley, minty and herbaceous. Love!! 

Empties- 6

Total Empties- 70

Empties: June 2017

6 months have gone by, I don't really feel that it has been half a year already if not for doing these monthly posts. I mostly share my thoughts on beauty on Instagram (username: xxenn) these days but I also repost them here.

Already Repurchased:
1. Scinic Honey All in one Ampoule
2. Clarins Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum

Note: I would repurchase the Innisfree Green Tea Scalp Scaler, however it's been discontinued.

Empties- 6
Total Empties- 64

Empties: May 2017

Came back to Japan with soooooo many beauty products, I managed to lug back 1 whole suitcase full and I have another coming when my family visits in October. Thank goodness for ANA's generous baggage allowance. 23kgs x 2 pieces of luggage per person and I even got to take over Y*'s space, total weight- 92 kilos! Thank you my love!

I have decided to self-impose a no-buy, I most definitely have enough skincare and bodycare to last me for a long time. Starting next month, I will be holding off all beauty purchases until end October (5 months!) cause that's when my family comes for the final part of #MrMrsKomai and we may or may not go shopping and also Y* and I will be heading on our honeymoon, so I forsee that there will be beauty purchases LOL.

Anyhow, on to May's Empties!

There is only 1 item which I've already repurchased- the Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover. This has been my absolute favourite eye makeup remover for the longest time. Ive recently discovered a Japanese drugstore brand which performs just the same, if not better and for less than half the price. Would be switching out after I finish my backups but it's still an excellent product!

I also want to note that the novelty of the Kanebo Evita Rose Whip Soap ran out for me, whilst it wasn't a bad cleanser I just got bored of it and ended up using it as a body wash to speed up usage.

Empties- 6

Total Empties- 58 

Empties: April 2017

Just a quick update! I forgot I had so many half-open products in KL and since I've been back, I've been making an effort to use them all up. So satisfying to see this huge pile of empties at the end of the month.

Already Repurchased:

1. La Mer Treatment Lotion

2. Clarins Contour Body Oil

3. Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Gel

4. Clarins Shaping Facial Wrap

5. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea & Honey Drops Body Cream

6. Swisspure x Le Petit Prince Cushion

Planning to Repurchase (when I run out of a replacement):

1. The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub

2. Laneige BB Cushion

Empties-28!!!

Total Empties- 52 

P/S: Super excited that Y* is arriving tomorrow morning!!! #MrMrsKomai in less than a week!!!

Empties: March 2017

I haven't been using makeup on a daily basis since mid last year and it's becoming even harder to finish or even hit pan on makeup items. Will try harder for next month!

Will just be listing down what I've already and also those which I plan to repurchase in the future.

Already Repurchased:

1. The Saem Snail Soothing Gel (sorry still no review, this is my super love!!!!)

2. Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum

3. Clarins Contour Body Oil

4. Clarins Blue Orchid Face Oil

Planning to Repurchase (when I run out of a replacement):

1. Caudalie Grape Water

2. Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel

3. Fujiko Mayu Tint in Chocolat Brown

There wasn't any bad product in this lot, just that I decided not to repurchase some as I've plenty of replacements in my stash and they weren't exceptionally good. The Cosrx Centella Blemish Ampoule was handed over by my sister, I finished it within 2 weeks but I can't attest to the blemish fighting properties as my skin isn't problematic at the moment. It did however leave my skin smooth and I could apply other serums on top without any issues.

Wedding in about a month! Getting so excited yet nervous at the same time!!!

Empties- 14
Total Empties- 24

Empties: February 2017

Didn't manage to finish anything in January, so skipped straight to February. Haven't been finishing any makeup items lately so I was quite excited to hit pan and also throw out some very old lippies. There's even an item contributed by Y*!

Already have backups of the following:
Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover
ClarinsMen Revitalizing Gel (for Y*)

I would consider repurchasing:
Moist, Diane Oil in Body Milk (review here)
Shiseido Fino Premium Touch

I also managed to finish up/hit pan/disposed of the following beauty items:
Isa Knox x Bambi Micro Foam Cushion Silk Cover- not bad! I still have a refill.
Sportsgirl Lipsticks in Bombshell and Fuschia Splash
Maybelline Lipstick/Gloss
Chanel Bronze Corail bronzer- I've hit pan!! Let's see how long it will take to finish it.

The 3 lip colours were thrown out because I finally found replacements, they are actually VERY VERY old but I kept them around to match with potential dupes.

That's all for February, aiming to live a more simplistic and hoard-free beauty life this year!

Empties- 10
Hit Pan- 1

Empties: December 2016

Annazarube Ace Nikibi Acne Cream

Lip Smacker Dr Pepper Lip Balm

The Saem Masterchef Cheesecake Hand Cream

Aesop Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser

I've repurchased the Annazarube Ace Nikibi Acne Cream a few times now for myself and my sister. This is the best Japanese acne cream which I have used! They are especially good on those large painful pimples. I rarely need to use it these days so this was actually finished by my fiancé. Slather some on the pimple and the next day it would subside or dry up making it easy to come to a head. Already have a spare in my stash for emergencies!

I usually go through quite a number of lipbalms but this winter I wasn't as diligent because I've been using an amazing sleeping mask for lips which leaves them feeling so soft and moisturized, and in the morning I forget that I still should apply a balm. Only managed to finish off one, the Lip Smacker Dr Pepper flavoured lip balm. It had a slight red tint to it which made my lips look healthy and also smelled and tasted like Dr Pepper. Not bad but wasn't as moisturizing as I hoped.

My sister and I used to be big time Aesop users, we've probably tried most if not all the products between the both of us. With each purchase, they always give plenty of samples and I am still going through them. I remember trying the Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser in the past but didn't like it. It kinda left a film after washing off. However, this time my skin really felt good- soft and comfortable without any greasy feeling. I'm not sure if it's the weather being cold and all but I kinda want to try a full size now. Used it as a second cleanser, so I can't vouch for makeup removing claims.

I always have one hand cream in my bag and this one from The Saem is from their limited edition Masterchef series- a range of dessert scented hand creams. I picked up quite a few during my visit to Busan, this was labeled as Cheesecake but smelled more like coconut to me. Not bad, moisturized well without leaving my hands greasy and the scent didn't give me a headache (most strong florals do). 1 down, 100 more hand creams to go!

Hoping to finish up more skincare and hopefully some makeup this year!

Empties: November 2016

CHANEL Hydra Beauty Gel Creme

CHANEL Hydra Beauty Micro Serum

CLARINS Extra-Firming Eye Concentrate

CHANEL Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde Clair

KOSE Softymo Honey Whip Cleansing

I have finished full sizes of both the CHANEL Hydra Beauty Micro Serum and Gel Creme and whilst I did like them, I didn't think they were awesome for the price tag. Love the scent, but having tried less expensive hydration products which perform just as well, I would not repurchase. However, if you are interested in the brand, do give their hydration products a go.

I've finished travel sizes and also full sizes of this CLARINS Extra-Firming Eye Concentrate, and it's my favourite eye cream. This 3ml size lasts me for more than a month with daily use and you only need a grain size each time. No oil seeds nor irritation and it keeps my eyes smooth. Okay my first favourite is actually the Super Restorative Eye but it is significantly more expensive (and not intended for my age range, its targeted at women in their 50s). Will keep repurchasing.

This CHANEL Eyebrow Pencil has been in my makeup case forever, glad it's finally finished because I sort of forgot about it. I really liked it but kept "saving" it, as I do with many of my brow products. I used to hoard brow products (and then open them to test it out) so I don't have to worry when one of them finishes. The eyebrow pencil was a good match for when my hair was very light and even now in a darker shade, Blonde Clair still matched it. Easy to use, but I prefer brow powders now so I would not be repurchasing.

KOSE Softymo Honey Cleansing Whip was sent over by Wonect (full review here) and I used it as my morning cleanse and also at night if I have minimal or no makeup on. This lasted me for a good 4 months, a nice gentle cleanser which foams up when pumped out and removes all traces of light makeup. Still have many morning cleansers in the testing queue but I wouldn't rule out repurchasing this.

Empties: August 2016

I'm back with Empties reviews! Living in Japan these 2 months has led me to discover so many new products, and I would like to share my thoughts on them.

My beauty regime is currently made up of a mix of Western and Asian brands (Clarins, Shiseido, sukin, La Mer, etc) and though they are working well for me, some products are not readily available here in Japan and I will soon have to look for substitutes. Exciting (yay, new products!) and unnerving at the same time (what if I breakout???).

However, I am positive and looking forward to discovering new loves. This month will be a tiny Empties post:

MAYBELLINE Lasting Drama Gel Liner

CLARINS Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum

CLARINS Extra-Firming Eye Complete Rejuvenating Cream (Travel)

KOBAYASHI Keshimin Lotion (Travel)

MAYBELLINE Lasting Drama Gel Liner (comes with a good quality brush) is an oldie but a goodie. Long lasting, super black black, smudge-proof and every bit as good as Bobbi Brown's Gel Liner but without the hefty price tag. I have oily lids and sensitive eyes, this gel liner checks all my boxes have repurchased and will continue doing so.

I've been using this CLARINS Serum for a few years now, I like this as it doesn't irritate my skin, is light and absorbs quickly. This serum was marketed as an anti-ageing for 25+ year olds who don't need intense treatments yet. However, this has been discontinued so you can't get it at the counters anymore (apparently Double Serum has taken over) but I do have a few backup tubes to last me until next year.

The CLARINS Extra-Firming Eye Cream was a gift with purchase, it contains 3ml of product which is great as the actual product is 15ml and you only need a grain size each use. Mine lasted for a whole month! This eye cream is good for sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers and absorbs well. Not bad, however I actually prefer the Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate which is not for my age group BUT! it leaves my eye area soft and moisturized and I never had any problems with oil seeds.

I received the Keshimin Lotion as a gift with purchase of the Cream,  this is a Vitamin C medicated toner for melasma, freckles and dark spots. It also contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize whilst brightening the skin. I like it as it has no fragrance and is a slightly thick water-lotion but absorbs well. I could be mistaken but my skin looks brighter and no breakouts. Am thinking of purchasing the full size.

That's all for August!