Product Empties: Skincare and Makeup

Hello and welcome everyone!

Today is a quick post about products I've used up, or am about to completely finish, and give you a small update on the products, if I've reviewed them before.

Skincare:

1. Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub - This scrub is the purest definition of non-abrasive exfoliant. It is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin, as it does not irritate the skin, nor does it have any fragrance or perfume. However, for my skin, it was far too gentle. I have oily/combination skin, and sometimes my skin needs something with a bit more grit to it. Lately, my skin has been tumultuous and this scrub did not cut it. At the moment, I'm back to using Freeman's Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask, which I adore. Although this scrub is nice, it isn't a favourite, and sadly this is one Simple product I will not be repurchasing.
   
2. Bio-Oil - I already have a back-up bottle of this stuff. I really love Bio-Oil. It has helped with my hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone greatly. This product is amazing. 

Makeup:

1. Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Brown - I know you're probably looking at the picture and saying that it is not nearly used up, however, the brow gel has begun to dry out, and the pencil is now merely a stub. This is my usual everyday, go-to product, but I do want to try something different for a bit. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would. It is a great two-in-one product to have especially if you're always on the go, and need to do your brows in a pinch.
   
2. Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) - A fresh tube of UDPP is an amazing experience. Perfectly smooth application, that allows for creaseless eyeshadow wear all day.
   An old tube of UDPP is a wreck. I found that the product itself did not apply well to my eye region, my eyeshadows ended up creasing within a couple of hours of wear. I already have a second un-opened UDPP that was gifted to me by a friend, which I will hold onto, because I've really been enjoying my Milani Eyeshadow Primer. Although the UDPP is great, the Milani Primer does the same job, maybe even better job, and is a fraction of the price. Sorry UDPP, you've been benched!
   
3. L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Makeup (328 Sun Beige) - It took so long to finish using this foundation, because a little goes a long way. I love the finish and the weightless feel of this foundation. In recent months, Trinidad's temperature has been hitting some staggering highs, and this foundation never completely broke down. My oils would break through the foundation, but rarely did I ever notice the product disappearing from my face. In the extreme heat, it held its ground. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would but only if the price drops at my local stores. TT$100 really??? L'Oreal True Match and Maybelline Matte and Poreless are both less expensive, and I absolutely love them, and I would quicker repurchase them. 

 See, a super quick and simple post. My internet has been dropping all day, hence the super late post. Nonetheless, thank you all so much for stopping by this crazy place known as J's Mind Palace. I'm J, and I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Bye guys!
(^_^)/

My Current Skin Care Routine

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to my blog. Today, as promised I bring to you the products that are in my current skin care regime.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and let's jump straight in!

Cleanser: Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser

I have always been a fan of Bioré face washes and cleansers, so I was really hoping to enjoy using this one also. Verdict: I really like this stuff. It cleans the face without stripping it, so essentially, after washing your face, it doesn't feel tight or uncomfortable. My face feels a lot smoother after using this wash, and looks brighter and more alive. I've recently repurchased this product, because I am almost out, and it cost TT$56 at SuperPharm.

Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser *new bottle*

 

Exfoliators: Frutique Papaya Enzyme Exfoliating Gel & Freeman Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Scrub

Frutique Papaya Enzyme Exfoliating Gel

Frutique is a fairly new brand I've seen in SuperPharm, and I decided, why not give this a shot to see how it works. This exfoliating gel is considered to be a resurfacing gel that detaches dead skin cells and removes impurities. How it works, is you pump product onto your finger tips, massage into the face for 30-60 seconds, until you start to see your dead skin cells "appear in flakes". Those flakes for me a just big balls of gunk, that initially freaked me out! You do get used to it though, and after you rise with warm water (it has to be warm water, or else the flakes and product won't wash off properly), it's like your skin has just been revived. After using this, my skin looks brighter, my skin feels softer, and appears more even in terms of my skin tone. I really like this stuff, but if I do recall correctly, it is bit pricey between TT$75-TT$120, but to me it was worth it. Since purchasing, I actually had a week when I chose not to use this product, and my skin was not happy. I didn't realise that my skin needed something like this to truly remove dead skin and impurities.

N.B. It is recommended that you use this product twice a week, and I only use it at night!

Frutique Papay Enzyme Exfoliating Gel

Freeman Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Scrub

This scrub is on the gentler end of exfoliating scrubs, it's not abrasive, it does not contain microbeads, and it smells heavenly.   

I probably use this once or twice a week, depending on whether I've been wearing more makeup than I normally do, but I don't use it on the same day as my Frutique Exfoliating Gel. It does the same job as the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, but with a better scent and price (roughly TT$30), and not to mention it is very gentle on the skin, I would highly recommend this for sensitive skin guys and girls out there! 

Freeman Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Scrub

Toner: Witch Hazel

Serum: L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum

I enjoy changing my skin care products every 3-4 months, so it is rare that I have one product that sticks around for an extended period of time. This product has been in my regime for approximately 2 years, maybe more, and I genuinely love it! It has been in past empties posts I've done, but this stuff just works for my skin and for getting rid of hyperpigmentation. It does cost TT$180, but it works!

L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Day Cream: L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Day Cream with SPF 30.
 I figured if I love the serum, why not give the day cream a try. So far it's been working pretty well. It isn't super greasy, or too heavy for my skin, but it is a thick consistency creamy, so you only need to use a small amount to cover the surface of the face. I don't have any major complaints, but I am not 100% sure if I absolutely love it.

L'Oreal Youth Code Day Cream

Night Cream: Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream
Now I honestly don't think miracle is the correct word to describe this. This cream is marketed as an anti-age and anti-fatigue night cream, and claims that after the first use, the first morning, 93% of users said skin felt smoother & hydrated, while 77% said their skin looked well rested.
Well, after my first use I woke up with oily skin, but it did look brighter. After continued use, I still found that my skin would look bright, but not feel hydrated, it just looked oily.
The consistency of this product is very weird, it feels like pizza dough, and even smells that way also. It hasn't broken me out so I'll use it until I finish it but I don't see it becoming a necessity...and yes I know this is targeted towards older adults, but hey it's never too early for a near 24 year old to start thinking about anti-aging products.

Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream

Optional: Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream & Bio- Oil
These two products I rotate in and out of my routine, as moisturising options after having used my Frutique Exfoliating Gel. They both absorb into the skin quickly, and leave the skin feeling hydrated. The Bio-Oil has the added benefits of evening skin tone, reducing the appearance of scars. The Bio-Oil is roughly priced around TT$99, while the Garnier price, I cannot recall.

Bio-Oil and Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel Cream

This is my current skin care routine, and it will definitely be changing towards the end of the 2015, but I do hope you enjoyed. As always, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit J's Mind Palace, and I hope you will stop by again very soon. I won't be doing a dedicated favourites post this month, because I haven't really bought much new products that I haven't already spoken about, but I may post something over on my Instagram (@ladyjpsych).

Thanks again for dropping by, stay happy, healthy and positive, and I shall see you next Friday!
Bye (^_^)/

Itsy Bitsy Haul for July

Hello all!
I was supposed to post this haul last week but life happened. Better late than never, right?!

 

 

 

 

July Haul 

 I picked up a few Jordana nail polishes, and yes the black, red and yellow I bought specifically for the World Cup Final (Deutschland!!) and the blue and bright coral-pink were mainly impulse buys. Starting from the left, the nail polishes from Jordana are;

1.  Black 
2. Holiday Red
3. Mellow Yellow
4. Strawberry Marmalade
5. Sapphire

The coral-pink is Strawberry Marmalade and it is beautiful on the nails. It's very "summery' and if you have a tan, you'll love it! I'm quite impressed by the Jordana polishes, they're very smooth and opaque with just one coat, but I usually do two coats anyway.

I also picked up the L'Oreal Youth Code Serum. This is a staple in my skin care arsenal. It really helped fade my hyper-pigmentation/ post breakout dark spots, which let's face it everyone hates.

Now, I have stretch marks and I'm not ashamed to say it. I've been working out more and losing fat (I hate the phrase losing weight!), so I have more stretch marks and I've heard that Bio-Oil was pretty good at fading them, so I picked up the small size just to test it out for myself.  

L.A Girl Glossy Lips lipglosses. I bought 3, kept 1 for myself and gave 2 to my friend as part of a gift. They are sheer lipglosses, with a brush tip applicator. At first it feels quite sticky, but not uncomfortable. Usually sticky glosses last longer on the lips but I haven't worn this lip gloss for a substantial amount of time, so in terms of wear time I can't give an accurate estimation. The shade I kept for myself is a deep red called Caramel Apple, it has no shimmer or sparkle.

July Haul - Avon

Finally, my small order of Avon lipglosses came. I bought 2 for myself and 2 for my mom because we bought love Avon lippies, in fact Avon makeup is one of my definite favourites in general. I purchased the shades, starting from the left;

1. Rich Raspberry
2. Palm Beach Pink
3. Darling Pink
4. Fuchsia Frenzy

I kept Rich Raspberry and Palm Beach Pink for myself and Palm Beach Pink has not left my bag since I bought it. It's perfect to just throw on with you're in a hurry, it adds a subtle hint of colour to the lips and it isn't super sticky. I'm not a lipgloss girl, I prefer lipsticks but I have been enjoying these Avon lipglosses and I'm sure I'll purchase more in the future.

We've come to the end of my mini-haul. I've been under the weather all week, so I don't know what my next post is going to be or when it will done, but it will happen!
However, until my next post, I hope you all have a great weekend. Stay happy, healthy and positive and I'll see you lovely people again soon.
Bye :)