January 2014 Empties

So I managed to use up a ton of products this month.  I tried taking one picture of everything, but there was just too much.  There are some really great products in my empties this month, and I’m sad to see them go, but thrilled that I am starting to make a dent in my collection.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (Sephora, $24) This is the first activated charcoal mask that I ever tried, and it works wonders.  I noticed improvement with just one use, this mask is great at cleaning out your pores and melting blackheads away.  It dries in 10-15 minutes, and doesn’t feel harsh on my skin.  I am sure I will repurchase this once I make a dent in my drawer of masks.

Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask (Target, $3)  Target had these single sheet masks in the one spot section, so I picked one up.  I would obviously have to use more than one mask to notice any dark spot improvements, but this was a decent mask.  I am sure I will repurchase again.

Dr. Jart+ Water-full Hydrogel Mask (Sephora, $9) Another sheet mask, but a huge disappointment.  This mask is a gel sheet mask that is supposed to infuse moisture into your skin.  I wouldn’t say it left any moisture behind.  After use, my face didn’t feel tight or dry, but I definitely wasn’t “water-full” either.  Will not repurchase.

Dr. Jart+ Pore Medic Pore Purifying Mask (Sephora, $6) This one was much better.  The sheet is absolutely soaked in product, and after use I noticed a more even complexion and a definite improvement in my pores.  I did have to rinse my face off afterwards, because there was so much product left over it would have been impossible to rub in.  I will probably repurchase at some point.

Que Bella Balancing Ylang Ylang Mask (Target, $1.50) I got a bunch of different Que Bella individual masks in my Christmas stocking, but this is the only one I’ve tried so far.  It was alright, I didn’t notice a huge difference in my skin, but I also don’t have oily skin that needs to be balancing.  I probably wouldn’t repurchase this particular mask.

Glamglow Youthmud (Sephora, $19) I reviewed this here.  I enjoyed this mask very much, and I think Glamglow is absolutely worth the money.  I will definitely repurchase at some point.

Ole Henricksen Truth To Go Wipes (Sephora, $15)   I am so glad to be done with these.  This was part of a Sephora Black Friday Deal that I got, and they were just ok.  They did what they were supposed to, but I didn’t find anything special about them.  The smell was a very strong citrusy candy smell, which I didn’t really enjoy.  I would not repurchase them.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream (Sephora, $22) I reviewed this here.  I loved this hand cream.  I have one more tube to use up, and after that I will probably repurchase.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial (Sephora, $48) I’ve gotten deluxe samples of this a few times, because I always forget that it makes me break out.  Aside from that, I don’t notice much of a difference when I use this.  It doesn’t really do anything for me that a less expensive night cream will do (besides break me out!)  I will not be purchasing.

L’Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil (Sephora, $24)  It took me forever to get through this deluxe sample.  I’m not big on body washes or shower gels, but was intrigued by a shower oil.  I expected that this would leave my skin very moisturized, but it really didn’t.  The oil lathered up like a soap, and it didn’t leave much behind in the way of moisture.  I won’t be repurchasing.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream (Sephora, $25)  I’ve gotten tons of samples of this over the years, and have a full size tub that I completely forgot about until recently.  It has the consistency of petroleum jelly, but moisturizes well and sinks in quickly.  Even though I like it, I don’t think I’ll purchase it again.

Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream (Sephora, $75) This is a deluxe sample I got from Sephora, and I really enjoyed this cream.  I used it as a night cream, it is very thick and super moisturizing.  Unfortunately, it caused me to break out, so I will not repurchase.

Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream (Clarins, $25) This is a deluxe sample that I’ve had for a while now, but I really liked it.  It has a light peppermint scent, and leaves moisture behind without being greasy.  Because of the price, though, I don’t think I’ll repurchase.  I’m currently using a foot cream by Curel that I think works just as well as this one.

Guerlain Maxi Lash Mascara (Sephora, $30) I am very sad to see this in my empties, because it is the best mascara I have ever used.  Its super black, gives great volume and length, and holds curl.  It lasts all day without smudging or flaking, and never clumps.  It is pricey, but worth every penny and I will absolutely be repurchasing.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara (Sephora, $23)  This came with Sephora’s Lash Stash, and the tube isn’t even close to empty, but it just doesn’t work for me.  The mascara looks nice, but smudges within a couple hours, without fail.  After a few more hours, it starts flaking.  I will most definitely not be repurchasing.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation (Sephora, $36) This is probably one of the first bottles of foundation I’ve ever finished, I usually get bored with them way before that happens.  This was a very nice foundation.  Medium coverage with a natural finish.  I probably won’t repurchase, though, since I have a ton of other foundations I want to try.

Urban Decay Primer Potion (Sephora, $20) I have a ton of these little samples in my drawer, this one happened to be dried up when I pulled it out to use it.  Urban Decay is my favorite eyeshadow primer, and while I don’t wear eyeshadow as much as I used to, I will always have this on hand.

Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream (Sephora, $36)  This stuff is amazing, and it is part of what inspired me to switch to silicone/sulfate free hair care at the beginning of this year.  It leaves hair super soft, adds shine and almost completely eliminates frizz.  It is very light as well, so it does not weigh down hair at all.  I am definitely planning on repurchasing.

Clear Scalp & Hair 7 Day Intensive Treatment (Drugstores, $14.99)  As you can see, I found this on clearance and that’s the only reason I bought it.  I did not quite finish this, because it contains silicones, but I did like it when I used it.  The box contains 7 individual tubes that you are supposed to apply to your scalp for 7 days in a row.  I did not use them in a row, but I still noticed an improvement.  It leaves your scalp feeling moisturized.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray (Drugstores, $5.99) I LOVE this stuff.  I only just recently started using heat protection, I always felt like it was an extra step that would just weigh my hair down.  But this stuff gets the job done without the feel of added product.  Even when sprayed liberally, there is no build up.  Unfortunately, since this contains silicones I will no longer use it in my hair, and I am not having very much success finding a replacement.

The end, finally!  Anything in here you’ve tried?  I’d love to hear your opinions on some of these products!

Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin Liquid and Cream

As a long time sufferer of dry, dry skin, I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers.  In the summer, I can keep the dryness under control, but have yet to find anything that keeps the flakes at bay throughout winter.  Until Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin came into my life, that is.  I first saw this reviewed by the Muse, and knew I had to have it.  I was a bit hesitant, as the Dr. Jart BB Cream, while amazing, broke me out like crazy.  But the Ceramidin combination is a miracle.  After one use, my stubborn dry spots were gone, leaving my skin was super soft.

The Ceramidin Liquid is like a liquid primer for the cream.  A little goes a long way, and it soaks in quickly and feels light.  After the liquid soaks in, I apply the cream to add a heavier layer of moisture.  A little goes a long way with the cream as well, and the combination leaves your face soft and moisturized.  I do prefer to use this overnight, as it’s a bit heavy under makeup.  If my skin is feeling extra dry, I will use a very light layer of this in the morning as well.

These do have a pretty strong scent, and after testing it out on the back of my hand, I thought there was no way I’d be able to handle this on my face, as I’m pretty sensitive to scented products.  But on the face, it was bearable.  A bit strong at first, but it dissipated quickly.  After a few days of use, I no longer noticed the scent.

Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin has quickly become my HG moisturizer for winter.  Since I started using this, I have not had a problem with drier skin, it also keeps my skin looking brighter and healthier overall.  My makeup goes on smoother, and the condition of my skin is steadily improving.

If you struggle with dry skin, you need these!  Dr. Jart Ceramidin Liquid and Ceramidin Cream are both available from Sephora for $39 and $48, respectively.