[Empties] April 2013

REGULAR-SIZED PRODUCTS

Lancome Visionnaire (30ml | $90) 

This product functions as moisturizer and, although I am not a person who is very weary of the changes on my skin, I was able to tell that this product has minimized severe acnes and most of my minor acnes. ★★★★☆ 

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory ($12.99)

This product is used to brighten up under & inner corners of my eyes as well as my nose. While it definitely highlights and glides on the skin quite smoothly, but it fails to cover up much and settled in creases. The brush is slightly harsh too. ★★★

Bioderma Sensibio H2O (500ml | $30)

This product is effective even for base and waterproof makeup. I apply this product on two cotton rounds to remove the entire makeup. It leaves the skin hydrated. ★★★★☆

Purell Hand Sanitizer (236 ml | $?)

Hand sanitizing is the key in reducing acne problem; therefore, I usually sanitize my hand before starting my makeup routine. I've tried other brands, but this sanitizer moisturizes while sanitizing. It also dries fast. ★★★☆

Jack Black Lip Balm in Lemon (0.25oz | $7.50)

This is my Holy Grail lip balm that I use everyday. It is the only product that will melt my lips. ★★★★

Deborah Lippmann Rehydrating Base Coat (15 ml | $20.00)

I don't really agree with the hydrating part, but this base coat is still great. ★★★

Delon+ 100% Pure Cotton Premium Cotton Rounds ( 8 Packs of 100 Rs | $10.99)

It is just a pack of cotton rounds, but it has one piece/layer of slightly rough fabric attached on top of the cotton rounds. The rough side is quite helpful in removing nail polishes. If it is not used for the purpose of removing nail polishes, remove that fabric to use soft sides. It is hypoallergenic,  soft, absorbent, and used by cosmeticians. It also contains aloe vera and provitamin B5. It is also not tested on animals. ★★★☆

Macadamia Rejuvenating Shampoo (ml | $18)

(Image Credit: Amazon)

It is a shampoo that helps maintain my brunette hair colour. My hair tends to turn brunette/brown colour into lighter colour (ex. brassy blonde-brown), but this shampoo has helped me maintain the colour that I prefer. However, it is expansive, does not make my hair smooth in comparison to my other shampoos and fails to keep the scent last all day. ★★☆

SAMPLE & SAMPLE-SIZED PRODUCTS

Dior Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet (Sample Size | $0) 

This product is one of my Holy Grail perfume that I use everyday. It is very floral and fresh; but it does not last more than 2-3 hours, so I always keep a sample-sized container in my purse. Unfortunately, it was a limited edition perfume and it is no longer available. ★★★★☆

Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System (2ml each | $0)

(Image Credit: Sephora)

This skin care system contained 4 try-ons of Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion 2, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (2-day supply). As for the Facial Soap, it was very mild, but there was not a factor that would attract me to purchase the actual product. Clarifying Lotion 2 felt like nothing but an alcohol. Although I avoided my eye area, it was burning and irritating. I tried it several times in order to see the difference, but it never got any better. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion was definitely hydrating and made the surface very smooth. However, it was not enough for night time use. ★★★☆

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream With Super 7 Complex (Sample Size | $0)

(Image Credit: Sephora)

It feels like whip cream melting onto your skin. It sinks into the skin quite easily and smoothly too, leaving your skin very fresh and healthy-looking. It smells like freshly-cutted cucumber. ★★★★

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream (0.05 oz | $0)

(Image Credit: Sephora)

I enjoyed using this product at night. It was very smooth, keeping my skin extra moisturized overnight. ★★★★


I hope this empties/mini-review was helpful. See you tomorrow with my April Haul!

xoxo
Cynthia.

Cynthia's Beauty Favourite of 2012

FOUNDATION (FLUID)
Giorgio Armani "Luminous Silk Foundation"
This foundation creates a natural-looking complexion that really brings out the luminous sheen. It gives a medium coverage, but it is buildable to create a full coverage. The result is quite flawless: it covers visible pores, redness, and even faded acne scars. Moreover, it feels quite light and soft. It may, however, require an additional step of powdering for those with oily skin.

FOUNDATION (CREAM)
Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation SPF 32 PA++
This foundation gives a medium to full coverage with dewy finish, but it feels amazingly moisturizing at the same time. The product comes in a compact that contains a compact-sized mirror along with an "air cushion puff" that helps to pat on the foundation to the face. The "air cushion puff" contains rubicell, the element that helps creamy-textured foundation to create better coverage and more luminous look.

EYESHADOW (SINGLE)
Nature Republic "Crystal Smoky Shadow #4 Smoky Dia(mond)"
This loose eyeshadow is highly pigmented and stays on all day with the help of an eye primer. It comes in a container with a sponge-tipped stick applicator, so it is quite easy to carry around.

EYESHADOW (TRIO)
Wet n Wild "383B Knock On Wood" 
Not that this fact matters, but a vampy look has been in high demand this year and this trio makes a perfect fit for this trend. Especially the dark plum eyelid colour really brings out the vampiness of this look. Aside from the chat about this year's trend, all shades are highly pigmented, long-lasting, and inexpensive.

EYELINER (LIQUID)
Estee Lauder "Double Wear Zero-Smudge Liquid Eyeliner"
This is one liquid eyeliner that I swear by that is highly oil resistant and somewhat water resistant at the same time. Compared to Lancome's Artliner, this one is more oil resistant, slightly more water resistant, and, most importantly, cheaper.

EYELINER (GEL)
MAC "Glitz & Blitz"
This is a smooth and easy-to-use eyeliner that really intensifies the look. It hardly smudges and lasts up to 8 hours without touch-up's. For a more defined look, avoid Glitz & Blitz and go for Blacktrack.

MASCARA
Maybelline "The Falsies Volum'Express Flared"
This mascara does not lengthen much and smudges a bit, but it can give a perfect amount of curl and thicken the lashes.

Maybelline "The Falsies Volum'Express Black Drama" 
This mascara can really lengthen and hold curls, but it fails to thicken the lashes at all and smudges a bit as well.

L'Oreal Paris "Voluminous Mascara #395 Carbon Black"
This mascara is quite capable of thickening, lengthening, and separating lashes, giving a dramatic and "false lash"-like result. It, however, does not hold the curls very well.

*FYI: If you have straight, pointing-down Asian lashes like mine, I would advise to use Maybelline Volum'Express Flared or Volum'Express Black Drama and then use the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous mascara next to thicken the lashes.

**FYI: I apologize for not having a single pencil eyeliner. I haven't found a pencil eyeliner that does NOT smudge.

LIP BALM
Jack Black Lip Balm in Natural Mint & Shea Butter
This product contains mint that "freshens breath" and Shea butter that "conditions and moisturizes the lips, keeping them soft and supple". It has minty cooling effect and nourishes the lips, keeping them soft and moisturized all night. For a more in-depth review, click here.

LIPSTICK
Lancome Rouge in Love 230M Rouge Rendez-Vous
This is a rose-scented rose-pink lipstick that is appropriate for everyday, especially for Spring and Summer. This can be worn by the ones with both warm and cool-toned complexion (neutral tones too). Because it leaves a semi-glossy finish, it obviously does not last long, but it is a long-wearing lipstick for its texture.

NAIL POLISH
Essie "#928 Don't Sweater It"
This is a taupe-brown shade that is closer to brown. It is almost opaque after one coat and did not chip for three to four days.

FRAGRANCE
Dior "Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet"
This fragrance is a limited-edition fragrance. While Dior's fragrances are intended for matured customers, Miss Dior perfumes are for everyone. This fragrance is definitely worth trying.

Dior "Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle"
Dior describes this fragrance as "an 100% addictive elegant floral" and "a fragrance that unfurls like a bouquet of extremely noble flowers". It contains "[t]he stiking encounter between a sparkling rose, a vibrant jasmine and white musk".

Bath & Body Works "Twilight Woods"
This fragrance mist smells quite sweet but it seems to suit slightly more matured customers because it is quite overpowering for first few minutes. Bath & Body Works describes this scent as "[w]oody notes like Tuscan Cyprus and sandalwood give Twilight Woods its rich and warm scent. Notes of vanilla and coconut make it sweet and comforting" (click here to read more).

REMOVER (EYE MAKEUP/LIQUID)
Clio "Fresh Lip & Eye Remover"
The remover is a cheaper alternative to Lancome's "Bi-Facil", only it is in light pink shade. It is extremely gentle but still works well on all types of mascaras, eyeliners, and makeups, including waterproof products and makeup's. On top of that, it has subtle hint of rosy scent that is not overpowering. If Lancome's "Bi-Facil" is considered overpriced, try Clio's "Fresh Lip & Eye Remover".

REMOVER (FACE MAKEUP/CLEANSING FOAM)
Laneige "Mild & Thorough Cleansing for Clear & Bright Skin Multi Cleanser"
This product is a thick lotion-textured makeup remover that has micro-beads for gentle exfoliation. It is not as harsh as scrubs (it's very gentle and mild), so it is perfect for everyday use. The result is amazing: it does not leave oily residues behind and gives a clean face to work with.

REMOVER (FACE MAKEUP/LIQUID)
Bioderma Sensibio H2O 
This product is a god-sent product that really helps cleanse sturdy makeups off. Despite its strong metal-like scent, it is quite capable of removing even the waterproof makeups off without much effort. It is also gentle and soothing. The only downside is its price.

REMOVER (NAIL POLISH)
Skinfood Lavender Nail Polish Remover
This product does not damage nails too much but it really can remove nail polishes quite easily. It also has an amazing scent. I also used the Grapefruit Nail Polish Remover from the same brand and, although it has stronger scent, it works just as well.

[Review] Bioderma Sensibio H2O / Crealine H2O Makeup Remover Cleanser

Size: 250mL 

Price: C$
Type: For Sensitive Skin

Availability
This product can be purchased at your local drugstores. 

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, cucumis sativus (cucumber), fruit extract, mannitol, xylitol, rhamnose, fructooligosaccharides, prypylene glycol, disodium edta, cetrimonium bromide.

Container/Packaging

A round translucent plastic bottle with a red cab on top.

Product
Made for sensitive skin, this Bioderma cleanser "gently cleanses and removes make-up from face and eyes". Bioderma continues to claim that its "soothing active ingredients prevent the skin feeling irritated". These claims have been found to be more than truth indeed. Soaked in the cotton pad, it cleanses and removes any make-up (even waterproof) very effectively without leaving any residue behind. It can even be used for your lips. 

Moreover, It has never irritated nor stung; indeed, it feels just like water too. Although I had to purchase a new cleansing water in order to experiment with other products, this cleanser is how in my holy grail list.  

This product is also oil-free and does not cause blemishes.

Scent

It has a very heavy metal scent that can be irritating for some; however, please note that this is because this cleanser is fragrance free.

Would I Recommend This Product? 
Yes. I've been penetrated with good cleansing products for the last few months but if I had to choose the best out of the best, this cleansing water would be my choice. The only downfall to this product was its cost; however, I would say that this product is definitely worth every penny. 

Pictures