Product Empties Pt.2 - October 2018
As much I love accumulating products, one of the best feelings for me is using and finishing products to the very end. During the month of October I finished more products than usual; thus leading to a Part 2 Post of Product Empties.
If you’re interested in seeing those previous reviews - Further Reading: October Empties Pt.1
Face
During the month of October I used quite a few sheet-masks. I love using them after using detox or clay masks as those types of masks can be very drying to the skin. I also love how easy sheet masks are to use and the fact that an additional step like washing your face after is not needed. My current favorites are the sheet masks from Etude House.
Etude House Sheet Mask- Therapy Air Mask
These sheet masks are more on the thinner side of weight, but they hold a great deal of moisture. I find them to be light and comfortable to wear.
Directions:
1. Apply toner to skin after cleansing.
2. Remove mask from pouch and apply to face, placing mask to fit eye and lip area.
3. Remove mask after 10~15 minutes and lightly massage remaining solution into skin with hands.
I really like that the Etude House Sheet Masks are also 7-free, which means they are made without the following ingredients -fragrances, pigments/dyes, silicon oil, mineral oil, triethanolamine (a strongly alkaline substance used as surfactant and pH adjusting chemical), polyacrylamide (a water-soluble polymer used to form or stabilize gels and as a thickening or clarifying agent). At about $1-$2 each, they’re the most affordable sheet masks I’ve ever used! My only con is that they’re not the easiest to find. A friend picked them up for me when she was out of the country. When my stock is low I’ll try to order them on Amazon.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask
Price: $3-$5 (top right)
The Garnier Super Hydrating Sheet Mask - Anti-Fatigue is one my favorite drug store sheet masks. I like that they provide a lot of moisture and the price is very affordable. I would usually purchase them when their on sale at the drug store for 2/$5. Now that I’m looking at the ingredients in my products more, I noticed that the ingridents in these sheet masks are not the best. They’re also not the worst if you’re looking for something quick, it’s a good option. This month I finished my last Garnier sheet masks. I really love the Etude House sheet masks more, therefore I will no longer be purchasing the Garnier sheet masks anytime soon.
Ingredients: 967294 7 AQUA / WATER / EAU PROPYLENE GLYCOL GLYCERIN PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL PVM/MA COPOLYMER POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE LAVANDULA HYBRIDA OIL GLYCERYL ACRYLATE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER SODIUM HYALURONATE p-ANISIC ACID MANNOSE DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATE HYDROXYACETOPHENONE HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE XANTHAN GUM PHENOXYETHANOL LIMONENE PARFUM / FRAGRANCE D204311/1
Origins Flower Fusion™ Rose Hydrating Sheet Mask
Price: $7.00 (top left)
This was my first time trying out a sheet mask from Origins. I choose the Rose Mask as roses are known to be hydrating. The first thing I noticed about this sheet mask was that the weight of the material is more substantial in comparison to others that I’ve tried in the past.
After about 15 minutes of wearing the mask I noticed that the sheet mask started to feel very dry. I knew at that point it was time for the mask to be removed. I know if a sheet mask is left on too long it could actually cause an adverse effect and draw moisture from your skin. Upon removing the mask I didn't notice a real difference with my skin. I don’t feel like the mask provided anymore moisture than any of my less expensive sheet masks.
My overall feeling of the mask is that it is mediocre. I would not repurchase it again in the future. I don’t think the mask is worth the price point. Also the mask is labeled as being Clean at Sephora, but it contains essential oils, dimethicone and other ingredients.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil*, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil*, Triethly Citrate, Citronellol, Linalool, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Caffeine, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Dimethicone, Squalane, Arginine, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol * Essential Oil
*The other skincare products that were completed during the month of October can be found in my previous post of October Empties Pt.1
Hair
Aussie 3 minute Miracle Moist Deep
Price: $3.00 | Size: *8 oz. (left)
I’ve been using the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle as a quick deep conditioner for when I’m in a rush. Although I’m not pleased with the ingredients, I am pleased with the results. This conditioner works quickly and leaves my hair very soft and helps to detangle. I really do think this deep conditioner would work great for all kinds of hair textures. Those with very curly and thick hair would love this conditioner.
I do plan on repurchasing the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle. The price and the results make it worth it for me. I wish that it didn’t contain so many harmful ingredients. If you know of something similar, please leave me a comment below.
Ingredients: Water/Eau, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dimethicone, Glutamic Acid, Fragrance/Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Edta, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ecklonia Radiata Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.
Oyin Handmade (middle) Sugar Pomade ~ humectant hair pomade
Price: 4oz $13.99, 8oz. $20.99 (middle)
Oyin Handmade is a hair and body care line that was created back in the early 2000’s. Their products are gentle, cruelty-free, and moisture focused without the uses of no petroleum ~ no silicones ~ no sulfates ~ no animal testing ~ no parabens ~ no non-nourishing fillers
I’ve been using the Sugar Pomade around 2011-2012 and I haven’t been without it ever since. I’ve tried multiple products in search of something similar, but nothing has compared. When I originally started using the sugar pomade it could only be found online, the line now can be found in local beauty supply stores, local drug stores and even bigger stores like Target.
How to use: Rub between your fingers or palms to soften/liquefy. Use to moisturize scalp, to twist locs, to seal the ends of twists or braids, to polish a pulled-back style or an updo, to add weight to the canopy of your hair, to weigh down flyaways or control frizz, or to create waves on super short cuts.
Ingredients: castor oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, organic virgin coconut oil, mango seed butter, olive oil, unrefined hempseed oil, candelilla wax, cocoa butter, broccoli seed oil, fragrance
As previously mentioned, the pomade texture needs to be warmed up prior to applying it to your hair. The sugar pomade comes in two scents- Burnt Sugar Pomade and Sugar Berries Pomade. I’ve used both scents and I don’t prefer one over the other. I’ve been using it for so long that I’ve become accustomed to the smell. I tend to get compliments on the smell of my hair and I know it’s from this Sugar Pomade.
I apply the pomade to my hair after its freshly washed to to moisturize my scalp and my hair. The pomade provides great moisture, but is not oily. The sugar pomade keeps my hair moisturized for multiple days at a time without me needing to reapply. I’ve also used the Sugar Pomade in my natural hair straightened to tame fly-aways and to smooth my edges.
I will continue to purchase the Sugar Pomade along with other products from the Oyin Handmade line since the products are made with such great quality. Over the years the formula has remained the same and has provided me with the same great results.
QHEMET BIOLOGICS- Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter
Price: 4.7 oz $18.00 (right)
The Hydrate and Twist Butter was originally featured in my post of Products I Will Not Repurchase. In that post I highlighted one major flaw in the product that really disappointed me. After further researching the hair butter I found out that it could also be used on the body as a moisturizer. Instead of throwing out the hair butter I wanted to figure out a way to make it work. As a body moisturizer the Hydrate and Twist Butter was pretty nice. It provided a nice amount of moisture to the skin, but didn’t leave my skin feeling overly oily.
I still will not repurchasing this product in the future. But I’m happy I was able to figure out a way to completely finish it.
Body & Lifestyle
Trader Joe’s Vitamin E Oil
Size: 4oz
I originally purchased the Trader Joe’s Vitamin E oil to help diminish scars on my body. I’ll be completely honest, I didn’t use the oil on a continuous basis to determine if the oil helped with the appearance of scars. But I did find the oil to be very hydrating. I’ll likely repurchase it, but I’m not in a rush to do so.
Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Vitamin E, Coconut Oil. Contains 24,000 International Units of Vitamin E Oil per 4 Fl. OZ
Tocca Florence Perfume Roller Ball
Price: $25
I have a full review on the Tocca Florence perfume rollerball in my post “August 2018 Loves”.
Just to recap
Notes:
Italian Bergamot, Grapefruit Leaves, Green Pear, Apple, Ivory Gardenia, Crushed Violet Petals, Jasmine, Tuberose, Blue Iris, Blonde Wood, White Musk.
Style:
Sophisticated. Romantic. Feminine.
I really do like the perfume and will likely repurchase it in the future. The scent is very much spring/summer scent to me. Therefore, I’ll likely wait until that time of the year next year to repurchase..
Bath and Works Wallflowers
Price: 5/$23 | Scent: Rose Water Ivy
The Wallflowers are great for places that are not ideal for candles. They last about a 1.5 months and come in so many different scents. I buy them in large stocsk and my current favorite scents are the Rose Water & Ivy, Sweater Weather, Warm Vanilla and Japanese Cherry Blossom.
Bath and Body Works Concentrated Room Sprays
2/$12 | Scent: Rose Water Ivy
I love getting the scents from Bath and Body Works for my home. The room sprays are very potent and only 2-3 spritz at a time is needed. Like the wallflowers they too come in multiple different scents.
If you would be interested in seeing more of home or lifestyle empties, I can include them more and add them to the Lifestyle tab.