It honestly seems like just last week that I was posting my January empties and now here we are already at the end of April. Here in Virginia, April hints at spring but has some really cold days too. It is not unusual for us to have snow or snow flurries in April. I have been trying to finish up winter products so I can start spring and summer items.
Since last summer I have been trying to work my way through my stash of bath and body products. I have a linen closet full of shower gels and lotions. My goal is to finish up 2- 4 each month. So, how did I do in April?
SKINCARE
Olivia Care Organic Rose Water Face and Body Mist – Organic Rose Water is made from the intensely perfumed and many-petaled damask rose. Carefully selecting the best roses cultivated at high altitude plantations in the Himalayas, our rose water is sensitively produced from start to finish. Full of antioxidants and vitamins, rose water will instantly give dull skin a pick me up, and brighten up your mood! It can bring benefits to all skin types, it can help soothe and cool sensitive and irritated skin, balance and cleanse oily skin, help prevent aging by softening and toning mature skin, revitalize and add beautiful glow to the normal skin.Rose water also has natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. It’s multipurpose use makes this a definite addition to any beauty routine! Suggested Uses: Refrigerate and mist throughout the day to freshen up skin and makeup. Use as toner or makeup remover by applying directly on skin or cotton pad. Pour a couple capfuls to running bath for a relaxing skin nourishing experience. I have read a lot about the benefits of rose water and I wanted to try it. I love the smell of roses anyway and this smells so wonderful. In the morning and at night I sprayed this on right before applying my moisturizer. I purchased this as part of a T. J. Maxx Haul and loved it enough to include it in 5 Faves October 2016.
Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask – Pollution…debris…it’s a wonder skin can breathe! This unique mask and scrub works double time to detox skin. First, naturally purifying Activated Charcoal helps absorb oil and impurities without over-drying. Then, Black Sugar helps exfoliate away dulling skin cells for softness and clarity. Perfect for all skin types. I like this mask and use it often. It is a bit messy because the sugar chunks fall off. It warms the face and leaves it soft and smooth. I have a spare already!
Rouses Point Tretinoin Cream, USP 0.05% – this is the generic for Retin A and this tube lasted almost a year. The next tube won’t last that long because you need to give your skin time to adjust and start out slow. You can read more in Tretinoin (Retin A) and Tretinoin / Retin-A Cheat Sheet. Learn about my experience with it in Restarting Tretinion – Month 6. I already have a replacement because I like what it does for my skin.
Clinique All About Eyes – This lightweight eye cream diminishes the appearance of puffs, undereye circles. Non-creep, cream/gel formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place. I don’t see anything special about this eye cream. I have a few because you get them as GWP from Clinique a lot. I don’t see paying $32 for .5 oz of this.
The Creme Shop Anti-Aging Egg Nog Sheet Mask – The next best thing to a time machine, for instantly younger skin, treat yourself to an egg white facial. Tightens skin by shrinking pores and correcting discolorations. I use a mask 3 times a week so I go through a lot. I liked this mask. I picked it up as part of a Marshalls Haul.
NUXE Nuxellence Detox – This silky-smooth serum purifies and detoxes. After a few uses, our skin looked luminous and well-rested—even after an all-nighter.Stimulates circulation in our skin and leaves us with a lasting glow. Quick fix. Fast-absorbing formula never feels oily. Works for all skin types and all ages. I received a sample of this in the Ipsy Bag November 2016. I use a serum every night and this sample lasted several months. It was good. I didn’t see anything amazing but then I wasn’t expecting to. This was a cream serum and I prefer liquid serums. I just feel like they absorb better.
When The Last Choice Sheet Mask – WHEN The Last Choice is a premium hydrating sheet mask made from coconut using advanced bio-cellulose technology. Hyaluronic Acid and Saccharide Isomerate have been added to the serum to maximize the delivery of moisture and to provide long lasting hydration. WHEN Bio Craft Serum is formulated with gentle ingredients, plant extracts and enriched with Ginseng Extracts to keep skin looking healthy and glowing. With WHEN masks you can have your favorite Spa treatment any day, anytime. You can read my thoughts on this mask in When The Last Choice Sheet Mask Review.
Konjac Sponge – these sponges are made from the root of the Konjac plant. When you get them wet they expand and get softer. You squirt your cleanser directly on the wet sponge. It gently exfoliates your face without being harsh and damaging. I use these in the morning. You can buy them a TJMaxx, Ross, Target and Wal-Mart or order online at Amazon. I got a package of 3 from Amazon for around $7. I keep a supply of these because I use them every day.
Malie Pomegranate Ultra Hydrating Essence Mask – This mask is part of an assorted pack I purchased on Amazon. They are really decent sheets masks at a very affordable price. They do hydrate my face and make it feel soft and smooth.
Acure Day Cream – Face the day with gotu kola stem cells and chlorella. This powerhouse combo helps moisturize and protect with a one-two punch. Easily absorbed moisture + effective ingredients = great day! It is for normal to dry skin. This is a sample size that I’m pretty sure came in a Birchbox. Although it says it is for normal to dry skin it is a very lightweight moisturizer. It has a nice citrus scent. I liked this a lot and may repurchase it at some point. It is available at Target and is around $15 for a 1.7 oz tube.
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream – This non-greasy moisturizing cream is especially formulated for use around the delicate eye area. It evens out the look of dark circles and helps to reduce the look of puffiness in four weeks, and it visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and crow’s feet in 12 weeks. This is a full size tube that I received in either a Target or Walmart beauty box. It is ok. I use an eye cream morning and night but I am never sure that any of them do anything.
Olay Regenerist Mico-Sculpting Cream face Moisturizer – Regenerist is Olay’s Advanced Anti-Aging Skin Care Collection. Micro-Sculpting Face Moisturizer Formula is designed with Advanced Anti-Aging ingredients for visible wrinkle results starting day 1.
Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Amino-Peptides and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), this Moisture-Binding Formula Instantly Plumps & Lifts Surface Cells. The luxurious-feeling moisturizer immediately leaves skin hydrated, softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles and firms the look of skin with plumping hydration, to help take years off your skin age. This stuff works and I will repurchase.
Leaders 7 Wonders Mediterranean Olive Brightening Mask – Struggling with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation? This coconut gel mask is infused with olive oil to remedy dull, tired skin and leaves the skin dewy! I like the 7 Wonders line of masks a lot.
HAIRCARE
Lador Damage Protector Acid Shampoo – Product buildup, excess oil, and environmental irritants all contribute to the daily wear and tear your hair goes through. Protect your hair with Lador’s Damage Protector Acid Shampoo, a special care cleanser that removes residue while restoring the hair and scalp, preventing split ends and future damage. Argan oil richly hydrates your tresses to nourish and condition hair with Vitamins A and E, for softer and smoother hair. This came in the now-defunct Beauty Beyond Borders box. It was a good shampoo. Nothing special.
L’Oreal Superior Preference Sun Kissed Caramels Hi-Lift Color and Shine System – I got this is the shade HiLift Gold Brown. L’Oreal is my favorite hair color and what I almost always buy. I do all my own hair coloring so this is a monthly empty.
L’Oreal Superior Preference Color & Shine Conditioner – this comes in my hair color and I use it once a week to keep my color from fading.
MAKEUP
Chella Eyebrow Pencil in Tantalizing Taupe. This is the type of tool you use when you want the most defined, yet natural-looking brows you can get. The sleek, European-engineered mechanical pencil is made with a creamy consistency that glides on for a true, hair-like finish. I got this using sample choice in my Birchbox November 2016. I got it in another subscription bag/ box and really liked it. I included it in Best of the Boxes November 2016. The shade works well for me and it has the nicest point on the pencil. I like this a lot but it is pricey so I’m not sure if I will replace this or not.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer – Of all the beauty minefields out there, visible pores are one of the trickiest to dodge. Foundation alone doesn’t do the trick, which is why we turn to this translucent balm to shrink the appearance of our pores. The silky, oil-free formula diffuses pores and fine lines for an airbrushed finish, and it goes on sheer, leaving skin smoother and more even. We can use it as a primer in the mornings or as a touch-up treatment throughout the day. Perfect T-zone, here we come. This sample sized tube came in Sephora holiday set. I like it as much as I like any primer. I am not sure I can always see any benefit from using primer. I have another sample of this that came in my Birchbox March 2017.
e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set – Wish you could have a product for your makeup that’s like hairspray is for your hair? Well…keep your makeup staying in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold with our new Makeup Mist & Set. The invigorating mist moisturizes and soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E. The lightweight, comfortable and alcohol free formula improves makeup wearability and prevents color from running or fading. I use this every day and feel like my makeup isn’t done without it. I stocked up in my last e.l.f. Haul.
Maybelline Dream Velvet Gel Whipped Foundation – Hydrating matte finish, velvety smooth feel. Seamless coverage, it’s the perfect foundation for facing the world boldly. This single use sample came in some beauty box. Walmart most likely. I liked it a lot. I love the Dream line of Maybelline foundations. I have the Dream Liquid Mousse and I love it. I have tried the Dream Matte Mousse in the past and I loved it too. This is a great, inexpensive drugstore foundation that I cannot say enough good things about.
The BrowGal by Tonya Crooks Clear Water-Resistant Eyebrow Gel- Hold the shape of your brow perfectly and with staying power! The BrowGal Eyebrow Gel works with pencils and powders to seal and protect badass brows for anyone too cool to fuss and too busy to have to reapply. This came in some subscription box, Boxycharm I think. It was the first brow gel I ever used. It seemed ok, nothing special. It retails for $20 so it has been replaced by a cheaper drugstore brand.
Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation – A feather light, oil free formula with an airy mousse texture that won’t feel heavy or greasy. Delivers all day shine control and blends flawlessly for a natural looking matte finish. Minimizes the appearance of pores. The weight is over – finally, shine has met its matte. I received a single use sample of this in the Walmart Spring 2017 Beauty Box Trendsetter. I liked it enough that I have already purchased a full size. Stay tuned for a review of it.
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara – Now lift your lashes all the way to big, bold, beautiful. With weightless volume, Sumptuous creates daringly full, sensuously curved, all-out seductive lashes. Unprecedented Bold Volume formula has ultra light, lash-thickening fibers. Lifts and plumps even sparse lashes into big, lush lashes that are all lightness and flirtatious curl. This was a gwp when I tried some Estee Lauder skincare a while ago. It was ok. I have a hard time using sample sized mascara. The wand is super short and the brush is big. It is hard to maneuver and I end up getting mascara all over my face.
BATH AND BODY
Avon Skin So Soft Gelled Body Oil – Pamper your skin with this intensely moisturizing gelled body oil. Formulated with precious argan oil, it locks in 24 hours of sensually soft moisturization, leaving skin silky smooth and luminous. Delicate floral fragrance. No greasy after feel. If I could choose only 1 bath and body product this would be it. I cannot imagine living without it and if they ever stopped making it, I would be devastated. It makes my feet and yes, that includes my heels, look pedicure soft and smooth Every. Single. Day. Even in the winter, my skin feels like silk. No itching. No peeling. No crusting. Just soft, smooth legs and feet. I love it so my much that a review of it was my first post. It is one of my absolute must-have products and I will always repurchase it and use it daily. Love it!! It was obviously 1 of my 2016 Favorites.
Estee Lauder Modern Muse Body Lotion – This was a gwp at the Cosmetics Company Outlet. Like most perfume based body lotions it was not a great lotion. However, I really liked the scent. If I wore perfume I would definitely check this one out. Since I don’t count SSS Gelled Oil in my bath and body reduction count this was the 1st one I finished in April.
Avon Naturals Waterflower Body Lotion – Like a fine shower of flower petals…Smooth on waterflowers body lotion all over for softer, smoother, lightly fragranced skin. This is a discontinued line but I did enjoy the scent. It was a light, floral scent that lingered all day. It was a decent lotion as well. I have met my goal of finishing at least 2 bath and body products each month. Anything else I finish will be a bonus.
Avenue Moods Tranquility Shower Gel – Cascades of refreshing water, bursting with scent. This is not a tropical rainforest. This is your morning shower, enriched with quick-to-lather Avenue Moods Tranquility Shower Gel. Could there be a better way to jumpstart the day? This is from my bath and body stash. It is old so I have no idea where it even came from or if you can still get it. It smelled great and lathered really well.
I dd imeet my goal of finishing 2-3 bath and body products this month. Yah Me!! I actually finished 3 so I was on the high end of my goal. I also went through a bunch of skincare products. That is typical for me, though. I get a lot of sample sized skincare products and I like to try them out. Plus I use a mask 3x per week.
What did you finish up this month? Do you use any of the products in my empty list? Do you like them? Do you hoard any beauty products like I do bath and body products?
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Makeup and Skin Care for Mature Skin 