Skincare empties and mini reviews

I have a confession to make. I have beauty ADD. No matter how much I tell myself I’m going to have a dedicated skincare or makeup routine and consistently use the skincare products and makeup, I always end up getting distracted by a new product and move on to that. I mean how else will I be able to review and tell you how great they are! So really, it’s not me, it’s my job. Which is why it takes me very, very long to collect empties and these posts will not be a monthly occurrence. I did however manage to get through these few and thought I’d share my thoughts with you.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Makeup Removing Micelle Solution for Sensitive Skin
I first heard about Bioderma from a makeup artist friend of mine who used it on models on set and ever since then it’s been a staple in my cabinet and kit. I had to buy the Sensibio H20 for sensitive skin as the Hydrabio H20 version for dehydrated skin was out of stock. Not that I’m complaining. I prefer to use this as the second cleanser – after I’ve already removed most of my makeup with a makeup remover. You can use it as your first cleanser to remove makeup, but you will end up using a lot and run out of the 500ml bottle fairly soon. And at $40 a pop, it’s not cheap. I also use it to remove kohl from the waterline as it doesn’t sting the eyes at all. The formula is hypoallergenic, alcohol- and paraben-free and doesn’t dry out my skin. The best part is, you don’t have to rinse your face after you’ve used this, which is great on days when I’m really sleep and any splashing of water on my face would just wake me up and have me staring at the ceiling.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
I’d seen glowing reviews of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil all over the Internet but refused to buy it because I was afraid the ‘deep cleansing’ would dry my skin out. Most deep cleansing cleansers are meant for people with oily skin and have never worked for me. But when I went to Japan, I couldn’t resist and this became part of my Japan beauty haul. I am happy to report that the rich oil, which has olive and rosemary leaf oil, does not dry my skin. It’s great to remove makeup including waterproof mascara and I like that the packaging has a pump and a cap which can be taped up when I’m travelling – which means I will be saving this empty to decant other oils.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
I started using Kiehl’s when it launched in India in about 2009 or 2010 and since then it has become one of my favourite skincare brands. Over time I have tried various products from the brand, but my all time favourite will always be the Ultra Facial moisturisers. Before moving to Singapore, I used to use the Ultra Facial Moisturizer, which seemed a bit heavy for the island’s year-round humid weather so I switched to the Ultra Facial Cream. And I have no complaints. What most people don’t realise that while Singapore is hot outside, you spend most of your time in an air-conditioned environment that dehydrates the skin. This moisturiser keeps my skin hydrated and plump and I don’t get that feeling of tightness you so often get when a moisturiser under-delivers. (Avoid this if you have oily skin though.) It’s also great under makeup – because it’s excellent at hydrating, you don’t see any dry patches and your foundation just glides on. Did you know Kim Kardashian uses this for the exact same reason too? Yup, we have that in common.

Botani Olive Skin Serum
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you will have seen this tiny bottle pop up in a lot of my skincare posts. And with good reason. Just two to three drops smoothed on to damp skin (which you can dampen with a face mist) sink in to give you the softest, hydrated skin. The key ingredient in this is olive squalene, followed by vitamins C and E and lecithin, also a natural moisturiser that helps all the ingredients penetrate the skin. The reason my skin (and yours as well) loves this so much is because olive squalene is akin to the natural moisturisers present in your skin, making it easier to be absorbed. It does feel a bit like an oil, but is easily absorbed on damp skin. Note: you have to dampen your skin before you use this. If you forget and apply the serum first, spritz over it and massage in. Because my skin is super dry, I use a moisturiser over this, but if you have normal skin, you could get away with using just this and your serum. This 15ml bottle has lasted my five months with fairly regular use.

Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner
I’d always wanted to try something from Sukin – the brand that brings you natural skincare at affordable prices – and when the time came to replace a mist, I thought why not get this one. It has a faint rose fragrance and instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin when spritzed on. Since I mainly use it when applying the Botani Olive Skin Serum, I can’t say how well it works over makeup. It’s alcohol- and paraben-free, light and gets the job done. Again I like the packaging – sturdy plastic bottle, with a cap that can be taped up when I’m travelling.

Clio Kill Brow Tattoo Lasting Gel Pencil
I think the fact that it doesn’t twist up any more makes it an empty. First of all I love Clio: it’s one of the Korean brands I can actually use – which means aside from their foundations, their eyeliners, liner pens, lipsticks and brow pencils come in shades that suit slightly deeper skin tones as well. This is a great eyebrow pencil if you’re on a budget – the formula is creamy, glides on and stays well. I can’t say that it is waterproof – simply because I haven’t tried getting into the water with it – but it does stay for long. All in all a good drugstore product – just wish the tip was slanted like the new ones they’ve launched. Though I don’t think they have this shade in that line.

Daylong After Sun Repair
A must-have on any vacation or day in the city that involves a lot of sun. Without going into too much detail, it helps repair skin that has been damaged by the sun’s rays. I always apply a generous layer of this after a day in the sun and my skin is instantly soothed and calm. If I’ve spent more than just a day in the sun, I continue to use this everyday even when I am back from vacation for at least a week. This can be used on the face and body, is lightweight, easily absorbed and has a faint refreshing smell. You can even mix in a body or face oil for added benefits and hydration. I’ve noticed after I use this, my dry skin looks better – not as dehydrated and lines look fainter. Honestly, I wish I could use this everyday as a moisturiser, but I’d just run out of it in a few days.

So that’s it. I hope you enjoyed reading my mini reviews. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the products!