EMPTIES LATELY: SKIN & HAIR CARE HITS & MISSES

Skincare empties

There's always a post that a blogger dreads. For me that's empties. It literally gives me anxiety to even think how many I accumulated, so I prolong it and then gather some more. It truly becomes a Herculean task. Funnily enough, it's also the most cleansing and once I finally sit down to write it, it becomes a very relaxing experience. Like a spring clean in the middle of October. Without further ado, let's try and see if we can get this monster under a thousand words now shall we?

Sheet mask gathering

Ok, so I love me a bit of sheet mask. They don't always work best, but I love to try them. They make a great and easy mid-week facial or could replenish moisture after a stressful day. Top points for brightening and adding a bit of healthy glow get my firm favourite Boots Ingredients Luminous Youth, which I've repurchased over and over. It's very reasonably priced and gives my skin the most glorious glow. I feel it's also nicely firming and lifting without being overly drying. In fact, it kept my skin nourished. It's my second favourite after their Radiance & Brightening and one I'll repurchase many times more. Soap & Glory Party Recovery Radiance Boosting Mask comes second in radiance top up category. With white flower, lotus flower, cherry blossom and rooibos extracts, it gave my skin a little glow and kept it hydrated. Great post party trick for sure. I'd happily repurchase and I'm glad to see some more exciting launches in S&G facial skin care. I expected a lot from Vitamin C infused Andalou Naturals Instant Brighten & Tighten Hydro Serum Facial Mask. Whilst the effects weren't instant, this mask allowed my skin to truly recover. Skin looked its best around 20 minutes after taking the mask off. Not as nourishing, it left it glowing but without an oily residue. Definitely, something to try, if you rather enjoy the effects of Vit C without it stabilized in too much oil.

Sheet masks review

Kore Beauty Anti-Ageing Hydrogel Sheet Mask* is an innovation on its own. Cotton sheet is replaced by a hydrogel which allows better contact with skin and more efficient nourishment. I have thoroughly enjoyed using those masks and will recommend them to anyone wanting to stimulate the collagen production. With the continuous use, my skin appeared firmer, whilst instant results showed well hydrated, glowing complexion. Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Mask have gotten my attention only recently when I started to use some other skincare from the brand. If it's moisture you're after these masks will transform a dehydrated skin. 

Lastly a couple of masks I just couldn't get on with. Surprise here is the SNP Charcoal Mineral Black Ampoule Mask, which I used to really like and now it does absolutely nothing to my skin. It supposed to be clearing, yet it left my skin almost congested. Sadly a no from me on this occasion. Second sadly is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Soothing Chamomile Tissue Mask. It's not bad per se, but I just don't find it soothing and the alcohol quite high up seems to be adding on to my dehydration problem and not fixing it. Having said all that, I found the mask ok, just not as good as some others, that's all.

Cleansers to try

I loved both cleansers I've managed to use up and I've already repurchased both. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is such a cult classic and for good reason. Super creamy, it cleanses deeply without stripping the skin of most important moisture barrier, not leaving any oily residue. Best used with hot cloth, but for delicate and rosacea-prone types, I'd probably recommend warm towel instead. I love the dispenser pump as it provided with a perfect amount of product to cleanse both face and neck. 

Second and one of the very much loved cleansers is Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm*. I always seem to have a deluxe sample and already have two to keep me back up. Brilliant second cleanses, it melts and removes all the impurities gently and leaves skin thoroughly cleansed. I love the stuff! I have yet to purchase a full size, but as I said, I always seem to have a deluxe sample or two stashed away. 

Masks & exfoliators

Omorovicza Copper Peel must be one of the easiest exfoliators out there. Two vials combine a blue copper paste and lactic acid activator. I love to use it when my skin experiences some problematic moments, especially around PMS time. It's brilliant at actively reducing enlarged pores. It smoothes any texture and uneven skin tone. The duo allowed me for 3 applications, which is great considering how pricey these are. What I most love about it is how quick it tends to work. I apply Copper Peel Paste first, then Lactic Acid Applicator and massage gently for 2-3 minutes. The results are immediate after washing off the product and it leaves my skin radiant and clear. I absolutely adore Oskia Renaissance Mask. It is by far one of the most gentle, yet effective AHA exfoliating masks out there. It's texture, scent and the ease of application allows for the true salon-like experience. In around 20 minutes my complexion is brighter, clearer and glowing. Fine lines and scarring appear reduced and imperfections cleared with prolonged use. I tend to use it 1-2 weekly and it's a true joy. I have a couple of more deluxe sample pots which last for a minimum of 8 applications but once they're gone, I'll be buying the full size for sure!

I enjoyed using Lancome Energie De Vie Nuit Sleeping Mask overnight, I didn't overly love it though and will not repurchase. Whilst it left my skin clear and didn't contest it, it did nothing in terms of radiance the next day. I also didn't find it overly hydrating and had to top it up with oils or moisturizer, otherwise, I'd wake up a little too dry for comfort. I feel this mask would be better suited to combination oily types. I feel it's a nice enough mask, however, I have better overnight treatments than this. Same goes for Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Mask. I used to like it, so I repurchased a few months back during a sale. Sadly either my skin needs have changed or the formula of this mask, but it left me in spots after use. I tried again thinking it was a hormonal occurrence, but sadly this mask has left my skin congested and spotty. Not sure what happened. In the end, I ended up using it on my neck few times, but that again left me with spots there. I'm ending up throwing more than 2/3 of the mask, but I simply can't make it work.

Hair care & dry shampoo bonanza 

Ok, so I didn't have the best luck with dry shampoos lately. That is until I have found love with Soap & Glory The Rushover. It smells incredible, gets rid of the oiliness quickly and gives volume. This is the main things I look for in dry shampoos. S&G did well here and once I'm done with my others, I will most likely repurchase. Another great or greats were two by Klorane. Klorane Tinted Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk* and Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle* both cleansed well and they seemed to nourish the scalp and not dry it out which in the end leads to excessive sebum production. Not the cheapest by far, but definitely one of the best. I preferred the Oat Milk version ever so slightly, as it smelled better and the tint was great and minimised the white residue. Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo is a firm favourite for years now. It smells pleasant if only leaving a little more residue than others. Nevertheless, the great price and availability make it an excellent choice if you run out. 

Finally finished the L'Oreal Everstrong Fortifying & Vitality Shampoo. I used to love it and I've been repurchasing for a really long time. Now with others, I'm currently loving, I just can't see myself repurchasing it anytime soon. It gives a good lather but I find it leaves my locks quite dry. Maybe a change in formula or my hair needs have changed? Whatever the reason, I'm taking a step back for now. That's not the case with Naobay Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner. I really loved the stuff and it was one of those creamy yet weightless products my fine hair actually got on with. It smelled lovely and once I'm done with countless conditioners I have on a go right now, I might have considered a repurchase, if it was available in the UK. 

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer shapes up to be one of the best pre-shampoo treatments I've ever used. If I find myself getting ready for a date or an event, I'll use it to ensure my style be easier to achieve and my locks smooth and shiny. I still have a couple of deluxe samples but I'll definitely repurchase once they're gone. I loved the little sample of Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment. It made a great add-on to my haircare routine. Couple of drops massaged into lengths and ends of wet hair made sure my locks were always smooth and cared for. I currently have few brilliant hair oils on the go - POST - but I would consider repurchasing. 

Body greats

I love a good scrub and Grandma Agafia Body Scrub** was lovely. It's made of all natural ingredients and left my skin super smooth. Natural oils care for dry skin and truly make a difference. Well priced too and definitely a repurchase once I'm done with my current body scrubs. I mentioned it before and I'll say it again. Nothing is as bad as lack of intimate care for out intimate bits. Since switching to natural SLS and Paraben free intimate gels, I no longer have problems with thrush and other uncomfortable situations. Vianek Moisturising Intimate Hygiene Gel** will last you forever too. A quick mention to Ooh Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil which happens to be a lifesaver. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my Stories, you'd know I got a tattoo whilst on holiday in Spain. Having a very limited skincare stash with me, I used this argan oil on my tattoo. It worked a dream and allowed my tiny tattoo to heal well. I also used it as an overnight facial treatment and it worked a dream on my sun-exposed complexion. Finally I used up an another of Merci Handy Antibacterial Gels. This stuff is incredible, not only protects me from all the bacteria but also smells incredible. Definite repurchase!

* gifted
** available in my online store
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**** all opinions are my own and not influenced, nor sponsored in any way

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Thank You For Reading,

Love