Showing posts with label Philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philosophy. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Product Empties #2

I know that it seems like a short amount of time in between these product empties posts, but believe me, I have not used up all of these products in two month's time. The last empties post was delayed, because of my laziness. The pictures were taken, edited and added to a new post, just waiting for me to write everything out. And I didn't. While the last empties post was waiting to be completed, I collected my empties products for the next Product Empties post. Well here it is, un-dulated in all it's timely glory. Keep reading to see what I have used up in the past couple of months and a mini review on each of the products. 



ProductAmore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact (sample)
Where to get it: I received this in my New Beauty Test Tube September 2013 box. It can also be purchased at Sephora.com and the Amore Pacific website.
How it worked:When I received it I didn't know what this product was. I ended up checking out some reviews on the product and realized that it is a CC cream - just not in a cream form. I really liked this product. It gave me light to medium coverage and felt really nice on the skin. It lasted all day long. The only thing that people might have an issue with this product is that it's is very dewy. Almost to the point of looking oily. Oily skinned ladies should not use this product. I was able to somewhat tone down the dewiness with a setting powder but I still retained a dewy finish, which I did like. Repurchase?: YES! I have a few BB creams and foundations that I need to get through and I may end up picking up a full size of this product. The only issue is that it sells for $60.00.  According to the reviews on the Sephora site, it comes with two cushions in the product so it's basically like buying two foundations for the price of one. 



ProductRevlon Lash Potion mascara in Black
Where to get it: Drugstores
How it worked: I really liked this product. I got the waterproof version to help keep the curl of my lashes and it worked to keep most of my curl. It doesn't work as well as my Urban Decay Cannonball mascara, but it's a cheaper alternative to my high end holy grail. I really didn't like the brush on this product, it was too big for my short lashes and I prefer a smaller brush. 
Repurchase?: Maybe, I liked the mascara formula, but hated the brush. I am on the lookout for a drugstore mascara formula AND a brush that I like.



ProductBare Minerals Prime Time foundation primer. (I cut the top corner to get more of the product out)
Where to get itBare Escentiuals stores and website, Ulta and Sephora. I received a sample of this with the starter set when I first purchased the powder foundation. 
How it worked: I didn't really think that this primer worked for me. I didn't notice a difference on how my foundation lasted with and without using this product. 
Repurchase?: No.



ProductLancome Clis Design Mascara
Where to get itLancome website or counters. This product is not currently sold anymore.
How it worked: I liked this product. Lancome is famous for their mascaras and this mascara held up to the hype. I think that I liked the design of the mascara more than the formula on this one.  The mascara came in two parts. One side had a skinny mascara wand and the other side had a tiny comb.  The comb could be used to apply mascara to the bottom lashes, or if you area like me and don't have enough bottom lashes to put mascara on them, you can use the little comp to define your top lashes and get in the inner corners of your eyes. I have had this mascara for a while and am making a conscious effort to use up all the samples and older makeup items that I have. This is one of them that I had and hadn't used up.
Repurchase?: No - only because it is not for sale. 



ProductBatiste Dry Shampoo in Floral and Flirty Blush
Where to get it: I get my bottles from T.J. Maxx or Marshall's. They are usually the lowest price for the product.  I get it for $6 as opposed to the $8 or $9 that you will usually pay at other places.
How it worked: This is my favorite dry shampoo. I think that it works the best and comes at a really good price. 
Repurchase?: Yes. I already have repurchased another bottle of this dry shampoo in a different version.



ProductReNu Contact Solution
Where to get it: I get my contact solution from Costco. It usually comes with two full sized bottles and either/or an extra contact case or a travel sized bottle of the solution.
How it worked: It's contact solution. As I said above, I am trying to use up my sample products and was able to get through two of the travel sized bottles of this solution. 
Repurchase?: Yes. 



ProductCVS Skin Purifying astringent in Deep-Clean
Where to get itCVS
How it worked: This is the cvs store brand version of Sea Breeze's astringent. I use this in the mornings to clean up my skin, especially if I used my Mario Badescu Drying Lotion the night before.  The Drying Lotion is an overnight spot treatment that has a pink tone. When I wake up in the morning after using this product, there is usually traces of pink all over my face. I use the astringent to get rid of the pink spots and clear up my face. 
Repurchase?: Yes.



ProductJohn Frieda Radiant Red daily conditioner
Where to get it: Most drugstores and super stores will have this brand in the store. The red version is hard to find and the same chain of stores will have different stock of this product in each store. 
How it worked: I didn't really like this product. I have colored, red hair, which is hard to maintain.  This conditioner has a slight red tint to maintain the red hues in colored hair. I didn't think that the product maintained my red hair and it dulled with this product. It was also really drying. My hair was so dry that it was at the point of constant frizziness. Because the product was so hard to find, when I did find the product (shampoo and conditioner) in a store, I stocked up when I initially dyed my hair red. I still have shampoo and conditioner bottles to get through. 
Repurchase?: No.



ProductYes to Cucumbers trial size facial towelettes
Where to get it: I received this in my Fab Fit Fun Summer 2013 box. 
How it worked: I liked the scent of this product and that's about it where the accolades for the product ends. I thought that the size of the product was too small. It was about the size of half of a normal sized face wipe. The small size made it hard to handle in your hand. I also felt that the product was a little dry. I wish that there was more product on the individual wipe. 
Repurchase?: No.

Product: Kirkland daily facial towelettes 
Where to get itCostco 
How it worked: I like this product. I like that the opening has a plastic snap closure instead of the regular sticker opening. The wipes are big enough and saturated with the cleanser that I am able to wipe my whole face without the towel drying out. These wipes come in a boxed set from with multiple packages of the product in it. 
Repurchase?:Yes.

ProductNeutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit
Where to get it: I got my wipes from Walgreen's when they had a buy one get one 50% off sale.
How it worked: I liked these products.  They are specifically made for acne prone skin.  The Pink grapefruit line from Neutrogena are all catered to treat acne. The scent doesn't really smell like pink grapefruit to me and I initially did not like the scent. Eventually I got used to the scent and didn't mind it as much.
Repurchase?: I will probably repurchase these in the future, but right now I have enough of the face wipes from Costco that I don't need any more at this time.



Product: Status nutritive hair mask
Where to get it: I got this from T. J. Maxx  or Marshall's. I can't remember which one. 
How it worked: I really liked the smell of this mask and it lingered on my hair. I usually applied this mask in the shower and then put on a shower cap while I finished taking my shower.  
Repurchase?: ...if I knew where to get it from - I haven't seen this mask anymore in stores.



Producth2o plus Anti-Acne Calming Corrector
Where to get it: I got my bottle from T.J. Maxx
How it worked: This product technically wasn't empty, but I really didn't like the product at all and had to throw the rest of it out. Firstly i didn't see any noticeable results from using this product. Secondly and most probable was that when I used the serum, it would ball up on my face and ruin my makeup.  
Repurchase?: NO.



ProductOrigins 'A Perfect World' Age-defying moisturizer.
Where to get it: I received this sample size from the Sephora Sun Safety Kit that I hauled.  
How it worked: This was a nice moisturizer. It has the added bonus of having the SPF in it, so that was nice. I used this in the morning because of the SPF. 
Repurchase?: Maybe. 



ProductMario Badescu Whitening Mask
Where to get it: I received this mask as a sample with purchase from Ulta.  
How it worked:
I really liked this product, I felt that it worked nicely to help even out my skin tone.  This is a clay mask that applies soft and hardens as it dries. I did notice a difference in my skin after using this product. I have a slight issue with "whitening" products though. I just think that it's really weird to basically be bleaching your skin to even it out.
Repurchase?: Maybe. Once I get over the whole skin bleaching issue.



ProductClairsonic Deep Pore brush head (blue) and Acne brush head (lime green)
Where to get it: I'm pretty sure that I got my brush heads from Ulta when they were having a sale or a coupon. 
How it worked: I use these with my Clairsonic Mia 2. I didn't really see or feel a difference in these two versions. 
Repurchase?: Yes. I already have repurchased the Acne brush heads. 



ProductSephora Age defy moisture cream SPF 15 Sunscreen
Where to get itSephora stores.  I received this from the Sephora Sun Safety Kit that I hauled in May of last year.
How it worked: This worked well enough. Nothing about it was very memorable. 
Repurchase?: Probably not.


Product:  True Blue Spa Grin and Bare it body lotion
Where to get it:Bath and Body Works. Although I received this from a hotel that I stayed in. 
How it worked: I really liked the scent of the lotion. 
Repurchase?: I don't think that I would purchase a full size of this product, mostly because I took multiple sample sizes of this product that should last a while. I also wasn't really impressed in a memorable way with the efficacy of the lotion.



Productboscia Self-Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Where to get it: I received this in my Sephora Sun Safety Kit that I hauled back in May.
How it worked: I liked this moisturizer. I know it's weird, but I really liked the applicator for this product. I also like the packaging. 
Repurchase?: Maybe.



ProductStri Vectin Get Even Brightening Serum
Where to get it: I received this in my New Beauty Test Tube November 2013 tube. 
How it worked: AMAZINGLY! I have acne prone skin (as evidenced by all the acne clearing products in the post) and when I get a zit the mark left after the zit leaves lasts for a really long time. I used this product to help with the acne marks and I have seen a difference since using this product and notice when I miss application.  The serum helps with my redness and evens out my skin tone as the product claims to do. 
Repurchase?: I have already repurchased this product from T.J. Maxx. Stri Vectin is repackaging their products so I was able to get these for a really good deal. I think that I need to get even more backups since it's such a low price and I won't be able to get them again. The bottles at T.J. Maxx are in the old packaging. 



ProductNeutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit
Where to get it
How it worked: Oh look I found another one of these in my empties pile. This is the second package of these wipes that I purchased at Walgreen's on the buy one get one 50% off sale.  See the review above.
Repurchase?: Probably.



ProductDelon Premium Cotton Rounds
Where to get it: I got these from Costco in a pack of eight.
How it worked: I really like these cotton pads.  These flat cotton pads are two sided. One side is a soft cotton, the other side has a mesh netting over it to scrub the face a little bit more. Even the side that has the rougher netting is soft. 
Repurchase?: I will definetley be repurchasing these after I run out. But with the amount that I got from Costco that won't be any time soon.



ProductPhilosophy Hope n a jar moisturizer
Where to get it: I'm not sure where I received this sample from. But this brand is fairly easily found from Sephora to QVC to everywhere else in between.
How it worked: This was a really light moisturizer. I have dry skin so I tend to prefer heavier, thicker moisturizers, but this did keep my skin hydrated. 
Repurchase?: Probably not, in favor of a thicker moisturizer.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

New Beauty Test Tube March 2014

New Beauty Test Tube

Price: $29.99 plus $8.95 shipping

Ships out: Every other month

 First Look!

Bioxidea Miracle 48 Gold sheet mask There were two versions of this mask that you could have received. The Gold Version (above) or the Diamond version. This can be used as a regular mask or placed in the bath to mix with the water as a body treatment. I received another version of this mask in my Fab Fit Fun Winter 2013 tube. 


 Simple cleansing facial wipes travel pack of 7 wipes 


FULL SIZE Professional Solutions triple action vitamin c antioxidant serum

2 fl. oz. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In in Lite I received the Keratin version in the New Beauty Test Tube September 2013 tube and the same version in the New Beauty Test Tube July 2013 tube. Normally I would be pretty upset that I'm receiving this in so many of these tubes. But I like this product and I just ran out of my leave in, so I don't need to buy anymore- by just going through all these samples. 


0.5 fl. oz. YBF Beauty Perfect Prep Face Primer

0.5 fl. oz. Glam Glow 'Youthmud' Tinglexfoliate treatment. I love getting to try out these masks. I received a sample of the Supermud Clearing treatment in my January 2014 Sephora Haul.  I really liked the Supermud version, so I'm excited to try out this version.


Grande Lash-MD mascara in black This product has a special ability to look both cheap and expensive, modern and stuck in the 90's.

0.4 fl.oz. Philosophy 'hope in a jar' daily moisturizer


FULL SIZE Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Frisky This is not normally a blush color that I would have picked for myself, it's a red blush with gold glitter flecks. I tried it out anyways and ended up loving it! I received another full sized blush in a early New Beauty Test Tube. Again, I don't mind. This blush and this brand is one of my favorites. 



The following products were included in the Bonus Products bag that were not part of the regular tube.  These products vary for each person.
1.77 fl. oz. Phyto phytomist leave in conditioner for color treated hair I received this in my New Beauty Test Tube Spring "Box"

0.4 fl. oz. Philosophy 'full of promise' dual action restoring cream for volume and lift


0.03 fl. oz. Rodial Stemcell Super-food facial oil. I received the same sample New Beauty Test Tube November 2013 tube. 


1 fl. oz. Suki exoliate foaming cleanser I received this exact sample in my New Beauty Test Tube Spring "Box" I really liked this sample. It foams up, while also having tiny exfoliating beads to get a really deep clean.



So, my past complaints about this sample service is that I keep receiving the same products in multiple tubes. This box isn't any different. However, I'm satisfied with this month's tube because the products that I have received repeatedly, were all products that I really liked, and probably would have gone out and purchased. This just makes it easier on me. Now I'm even more confused if I should cancel this subscription or keep it. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Product Empties #1

I decided to do a product empties post a couple of months ago, and then I forgot about it. I'm just now getting to the post.  These are the products that I used and a mini review on them. I also included if I would repurchase these products in the future and why or why not. 




Product: Vitamin conditioner in Mangosteen and Yogurt
Where to get it: Amazon I'm pretty sure that I got this from CVS although I"m not sure if you can still get it now. 
How it worked: It worked fine. The thing that I liked the most about this conditioner was the smell. The Mangosteen scent was really nice. I used this after returning from Thailand, where I tried and loved eating mangosteens.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to find anywhere that I can buy them in my area. 
Repurchase?: Maybe, if I see it somewhere. I'm really not going to go out of my way to purchase this online, but if I were to see it somewhere for a good price, I might purchase another bottle. 



Product: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sugar Body Scrub in Tranquil Mint
Where to get it:  This is a really old bottle of this scrub that I have had for years. I was finally able to finish it.  Because it has been so long that I have had this product, they don't sell the same thing at Bath and Body Works anymore. I found a product that is similar on the Bath and Body Works website here.
How it worked: I really liked this scrub. The mint smell was very nice and made the whole shower smell when I used this.  There were essential oils in the scrub, so it made my skin nice and soft after using the scrub. 
Repurchase?: Maybe. I like trying out different scrubs and even making my own. Right now I am not in the market for a scrub, with all the ones that I have to try in my supply.



Product: Philisophy "Happy Birthday Beautiful" 3 in one: shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath.
Where to get it: Sephora gave this out a couple of years ago as the birthday gift for their rewards program. They no longer give these out as birthday rewards at Sephora and the packaging for this product was exclusive to Sephora. The actual product in the bottle is still sold here from Philosophy.
How it worked: I used this product strictly as a body wash. I liked the scent, but I really wasn't impressed with the actual product.  I felt that it look a lot of product to get a good lather - there was several times that I needed to reapply the product to my poof, mid wash.  I know that a lot of people love Philosophy body wash, but I wasn't impressed.
Repurchase?: No.



Product: Cristophe Beverly Hills daily shampoo
Where to get it:  Looks like this product is no longer made and the packaging has been redone. Here is a link to the company that makes this product.  They don't make the daily shampoo anymore, but they have other types of shampoo that they do make. 
How it worked: I really liked this shampoo and even looked into where to purchase it again.  I'm not sure how I came into possession of this bottle in the first place, but I'm happy that I did. 
Repurchase?: This is another product that I'm not sure that I would go out of my way to order it online, but if I come across this brand in store, I will definitely buy it. 



Product: Mary Kay makeup remover
Where to get it: Your local Mary Kay consultant.  My sister bought this product for me. She works at a retirement home and there is a lady that comes to the home occasionally selling Mary Kay products at a deep discount. I think that she sells older products, which is why she can sell them at such a discount to reduce her stock.
How it worked: This is one of those products that you have to shake to mix up and activate the remover.  I thought that this product worked well while I was using it. After I finished off the bottle and tried another product of eye makeup remover, I realized that this product didn't work as well.  I felt that this product needed to be applied and reapplied multiple times to completely remove my eye makeup.

Repurchase?: No.



Product: Oscar Blandi heat protectant spray
Where to get itOscar Blandi Website. I received this in one of my sample boxes, I can't remember which one, but I'm thinking that it might have been my Birchbox. 
How it worked: It was a heat protectant. I used it until it was done. 

Repurchase?: Probably not.  Heat protectants are hard to gauge effectiveness, especially when your hair is already damaged. I don't think I could justify purchasing a $23.00 heat protectant when I can't see the results. 



Product: Avon Anew Platinum night cream
Where to get it: your local Avon consultant.  This is another product that I received from my sister, I'm not sure if it was from the same lady that sold the Mary Kay products at the retirement home that she works at or if it was another lady. 
How it worked: This was nice and seemed to moisturize my skin, but I don't think that it meshed that well with my skin. Sometimes when I applied this cream it would tingle, sometimes it would sting my skin. I used the product up, it was a small sample size. 

Repurchase?: No.


Product: Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer
Where to get itClinique website or your local Clinique counter.
How it worked: I really liked this product. I want to try the Moisture Surge Intense moisturizer once I am finished with the other moisturizers that I currently have to go through. I have dry skin, so I want to see how the intense version works with my skinI will also only purchase Clinique products when there is a gift with purchase promotion going on that I like. Those are good ways to try out different products from the brand's line. 

Repurchase?: Yes, the intense version of this product. 



Product: CVS brand nail polish remover
Where to get it: CVS stores
How it worked: This seemed to work well. 

Repurchase?: I'm not really loyal to this nail polish remover, when I need some more I will buy whatever is on sale. 


Sunday, September 8, 2013

New Beauty Test Tube July 2013

New Beauty Test Tube is a bimonthly subscription service. 


First Look!



1 fl. oz. Philosophy "Purity" cleanser This is my current cleanser that I use everyday. I wish I had gotten this box before I went on the trip, the bottle of Purity is the perfect size for traveling. 

FULL SIZE Orly nail laquer in 'Haute Red'  This was really weird. The polish was so thin! I have never had a polish that was so thin in consistency like this polish was.



.017 oz. Perlage Illuminating Primer

Your Best Friend (YBF) Cosmetics Automatic Eye Brow Pencil in 'Universal Taupe' This actually worked pretty well. The liner is really skinny, but doesn't break when used. I have dark hair and it worked for my hair color. 


Pantene "Expert Collection" 'Pro-V Age Defy' 3.9 fl. oz. shampoo and 2.5 fl. oz conditioner  I gave these to my sister because they are not color safe. 


2 fl. oz. It's a 10 "Miracle Leave In" in 'lite'

0.6 fl. oz. Tarte "Pure Maracuja Oil" rollerball I really wanted to try this oil out. I have heard some good things about it. Love that it's in a rollerball, which makes application super easy!


Lumene "Pure Radiance Night Cream" I have received a Lumene Day Cream in another sample box, so it will be nice to try out both products as a set to see how it works. 

Moroccan Oil Body Butter I actually didn't know that Moroccan Oil made body products. I'm interested to see if this works as well as their hair products.

  
.25 fl. oz. Boost-it! "Instant Complexion Enhancer"


   
0.21 oz. Dalton "Color Creme lip gloss" in 'Lisa Lou' This is in a shimmery sheer pink shade. 

(2) 0.034 oz. Nip + Fab "No Needle Fix Serum"


I'm really liking the "Bonus Products" that New Beauty is adding to all of their tubes. For the most part everyone receives the same products in each tube, except for the bonus products. As I said in a previous post, it seems like the bonus products are left overs from previous tubes, but since I am a fairly new subscriber I haven't received anything that I have previously. It seems like the bonus products are the smaller, foil packet sized samples, I wonder if they will give out any of the full sized products as a bonus...