Beauty products used up in March 2014 (empties)

Beauty products used up in March 2014 (empties)

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, April 01, 2014

I love April, and not just because it is my birthday month. First of all, there are a tonne of holidays. Secondly, really nice things have happened to me in Aprils past overall. Right, not-so-nice things such as walking into a wasps' nest, peritonitis and emergency surgery, a fractured nose and a bad motorbike accident have also happened just before previous birthdays, so much so that my family always views the first two weeks of the month with trepidation and tells me to watch my step. So here's hoping I - we all - have a hassle-free and superb month (and year) ahead!
Now for the empties from March. As usual, I finished up more skincare than makeup. But unlike February, this time, there were more products I really liked, although there were some serious duds.

Here are the beauty products I used up in March 2014 and my quick thoughts on each.

Why I will not buy The Body Shop body lotions and butter again

Why I will not buy The Body Shop body lotions and butter again

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, March 16, 2014

Fair trade. Non-cruelty to animals. Social- and environment-friendly ingredients, sourced ethically. These were some of Anita Roddick's principles when she founded The Body Shop in 1976. My first TBS products were a lipstick and loose powder, from their outlet in Heathrow Airport, London, when I was going home for the holidays, and found I had accidentally packed my makeup in the check-in luggage and couldn't powder my oily face. From then, TBS body butters and body lotions have been my moisturisers of choice, as you must have seen from many haul and empties posts here. So what's wrong now?

Beauty products used up in January 2014 and quick thoughts on each

Beauty products used up in January 2014 and quick thoughts on each

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, February 02, 2014

I haven't skived off full-on moisturising even one day in January 2014, though I have been super-busy that I didn't even wear a face mask all month until the last day. I also used hand cream more or less regularly, though I must confess to wiping it off on my PJs soon afterwards. Not too bad for my resolutions. I didn't make any major beauty discoveries, nor was I too disappointed with anything.

Anyway, here are the beauty products I used up in January 2014.

Beauty products used up in November 2013 and thoughts on each

Beauty products used up in November 2013 and thoughts on each

Tony Moly Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, December 01, 2013

I found some must-have beauty and skin care products in November 2013, and some rather meh ones. Unfortunately two "empties" I used up while travelling are missing thanks to some haphazard unpacking after my break - Shiseido SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, which I now love, and Est-Lab. Sunshield sample from my September Glamabox. Ah well. I'll write about those when I find them.

Here are the beauty products I used up in November 2013 and my thoughts on each:

October 2013 empties

October 2013 empties

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, November 02, 2013

I used up eight full-sized products in October and two samples - 10 in all. Four of them were sheet or packet masks/patches. Nor did I get around finishing up any makeup products. Here's what I've run through:
1. The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter: I love The Body Shop body butters and if I had a favourite, it would be Moringa for the mild fragrance and the quick absorption rate. I have too many body butters to finish, though, and will keep trying new ones.
2. No7 Protect And Perfect Beauty Serum: Detailed review here.

August 2013 empties

August 2013 empties

Vichy Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Apart from some Lush empties which I can't photograph since I exchanged the pots for a mask (see previous post here and my Lush empties here), I used up more full-size products in August than I did in the last couple of months!
Full-size empties:

Stain, scrub and salve: My top lip products

Stain, scrub and salve: My top lip products

Yes To Carrots Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, August 05, 2013

Five is too small a number, but this tag has been going around for a while and Shikha of Sorelle Grapevine, who tagged me, insists that I need to stick to five. So I'm sort of cheating with an also-rans section!
Here are my Holy Grail lip products:
1. Chanel Rouge Double Intensite in Rose Garnet
2. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub
3. Smith's Rosebud Salve
4. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in N@ked
5. Lancome La Laque Fever in Chromed Pink

May empties

May empties

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, June 03, 2013

I keep wondering how other people manage to finish so many products in one month. I need a few months to even reach half-way, because, at any time, I've got around four moisturisers, four shampoos, six or so lipsticks and so on open. I'm proud of the six I used up in May, thanks to liberal application! 
From right:

The Body Shop haul - skin and hair care

The Body Shop haul - skin and hair care

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, April 13, 2013

Some days back, I hit The Body Shop and picked up the following:
Banana Conditioner: Smells like a bunch of sweet bananas and feels awesome on the hair. I wish they would bring out a bigger bottle; I'll have to rush back every few days otherwise.
Nettle Oil Balance Conditioner: I bought this for the days I oil my hair, so I can get rid of the grease.
Peppermint Foot Lotion: Ever since my local drugstore stopped stocking Freeman, I've been struggling to find a non-greasy foot lotion. Here's the answer. Very cooling on the feet, plus smells fresh.
Sweet Lemon Body Butter: I have a weakness for TBS body butters and I've never tried the Sweet Lemon one before.
Floral Acai Body Butter Duo: Contains two parts, one is a regular lotion. The other provides intense hydration for rough areas such as knees and elbows.

Do check out my international giveaway - multiple lots of prizes to be won.

February empties and March wishlist

February empties and March wishlist

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, March 03, 2013

I'm on a spending ban for now, but once it ends, here's what I want this month (giveaway will take place post-ban, before my birthday in mid-April):

1. L'Oreal nail art sticker in python: Love this pattern.
2. The Body Shop sleep mist: I'm a restless and tense sleeper, so let's try this out.
3. YSL Vernis Pur glossy stain: I love the packaging and badly want it, in a shade that suits me. Let's see - I plan to visit YSL later this month (my mum wants one, too).
4. Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner: I really hope they still produce this. It's on my list when I go Lush-hauling to mark the completion of my spending ban.
5. Caviar microbeads: From MUA or wherever. Doesn't matter. I've wanted to try this effect out, but I'll have to go easy, because the  beads don't last for days and you can't reuse them. Maybe a birthday mani?
6. Burt's Bees lip balm: A regular favourite.
7. L'Oreal primer: I tried a tester and found it quite silicone-y. If it is a good enough alternative to Porefessional, why not?
8. Shiseido Lacquer Rouge
9. Maybelline Rocket mascara: Blame Hannah for the presence of this on this list!
10. The Body Shop Peppermint pumice foot scrub
11. Lush Buffy Bar: Or any body butter bar, and a couple of massage bars, really.
12.  China Glaze Scattered and Tattered: I don't see myself buying this anytime soon, but if divine forces, if any, are reading this....
13. O.P.I. Polka.com: As above.
14. Shiseido Camellia Compact: This is more of a wish to swatch it and see if it's fab. If not, Benefit Fine One One?
15. Shiseido Shimmering Rouge: It'll be either this or the lacquer rouge mentioned above, depending on which one has greater staying power.
16. Rimmel Waterproof Liquid Liner: A couple of my liquid liners are nearing the end of the bottle, especially deep blue and brown, so....
17. China Glaze Transitions, in any shade, really.
18. L'Occitane hand cream
19. Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose Eau de Parfum: I've finished a sample and I know I'm buying this soon :)

Now for my empties this month:

Lush Blousey Banana shampoo: Loved this - the smell, the feel, everything! Contains ALS, though.
Olay Body Wash: Whew, took forever for that to get over.
Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly: Bought this only in January, but I was rushing through it to get five empties!
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Lotion: A February favourite. Loved the smell and the soft feel it gave my skin.
Lush Curly Wurly shampoo: While it is a non-drying yet cleansing shampoo, the coconut bits kept clogging my drain.
Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation: I've had this for a while - very little is enough, and no white residue/shine. Besides, this is great for those days you're too lazy to wear SPF.
Max Factor Lipfinity 180: They changed the formula so that Lipfinity is now quite flaky and sticky. This is pre-change. I saved it for a long time because I love the shade and finally decided to finish it off.

February (and January) favourites

February (and January) favourites

YSL Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, March 02, 2013

Since I didn't do a favourites post for January, this list incorporates both Jan and Feb favourites. I've segregated them into make-up favourites and skin/hair/body care favourites. Make-up (and perfume) first:

So here are the items (top to bottom, left to right). Whatever I've mentioned in this blog has been linked:
1. Dior J'adore Eau de Parfum: My current favourite perfume, since mid-2012
2. Smith's Lip Balm: Will talk about them soon
3. Lancome Hypnose mascara: Gives my eyes decent shape
4. Shiseido Sheer Mattifying Compact: My HG compact foundation
5. O.P.I. Ski Teal We Drop
6. Rimmel Glam' Eyes quad - State of Grace 
7. M.A.C. Liquid Eyeliner in Treat Me Nice 
8. Bourjois Blush in Rose d'Or
9. Dior Addict Extreme in Avenue 
10. O.P.I. Mrs O'Leary's BBQ 
11. Rimmel Glam' Eyes quad - Sun Safari: a bit summery, but I wore it anyway :)
12. Chanel Rouge Double Intensite in Rose Garnet: this is my absolute favourite lippy ever, ever!
13. YSL Matt Touche Compact: Fell in love with it after buying at the airport

Now for skincare:
1. TIGI Rockaholic sulphate-free shampoo
2. LUSH Snake oil bar
3. Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover: My HG nail polish remover. Click to read review.
4. The Body Shop Moringa soap
5. Clinique All About Eyes Rich
6. The Body Shop Satsuma Puree Lotion: This is also in my list of empties in February
7. The Body Shop Cuticle Oil
8. Figs and Rouge lip balm in Aloe and Mint
9. Lancome Genefique Youth Activator Serum
10. Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
11. The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Shampoo

I'll do a post on February empties and my loooong March wishlist soon :)

Sulphate-free shampoo showdown: TIGI, Burt's Bees, Nature's Gate, Body Shop

Sulphate-free shampoo showdown: TIGI, Burt's Bees, Nature's Gate, Body Shop

TIGI Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, February 25, 2013

I hope everyone enjoyed the Oscars. I sat up with a bowl of pico de gallo and Pringles :)
I've been using sulphate-free shampoo for a while now and I find a huge reduction in dryness, frizziness and split ends. I'm willing to say that under oath! I've tried many brands from Kiehl's to Deva Curl. Here are my favourite four, in no particular order, and my unbiased review of each. You can click the pictures to enlarge and read the labels.

The Body Shop Haul

The Body Shop Haul

The Body Shop Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, February 19, 2013

When I first saw the Tea Tree Blotting Tissues at The Body Shop, I thought it was weird to have tea tree oil on a tissue that was meant to remove excess oil in the first place. Was I wrong! As I have a very oily face, I use blotting paper - one sheet a day. This is a great blotting paper and is now a staple in my handbag. The sheets are slightly smaller than usual and have a green tint. They are not the rubbery-looking ones. These are transparent and matte. They work very well and I need only one side to mop up my whole face. This packet contains 65 sheets.

I also bought a Tea Tree Blemish Gel. You're supposed to apply the gel directly to blemishes. As I have a couple of zits, I thought I would give it a try. It hasn't caused more breakouts, but the zits are still there.
I love the Grapeseed Glossing Serum. It works well at reducing frizz and my hair doesn't feel greasy, but is shinier.