Confession of a mascara junkie

Indeed, this is still part of my decluttering series, only this is for my mascara obsession. I will have to admit that when it comes to mascara, I am guilty for not tossing them away as frequently as I should. But I do sanitize my mascara once in a while to keep them fresh(-er). But since I have come to the realization that, if I don't use them up or at least toss them away after a few months of usage, I will never get to try new mascara (well, not entirely true because I always keep buying new mascaras). I guess the point is, I really shouldn't have a million mascaras around and not using them while they are at their full capacities. So in my effort to declutter my mascara stash, here I present the empties...... 

Before I begin, here are a few points to keep in mind: 

• I almost always use waterproof mascara because they hold my curls better 
• I look for volumizing rather than lengthening 
• Black all the way, or blackest black 
• I usually do not like synthetic, plastic kind of brush 
• I use the Shu Uemura eyelash curler before applying mascara 

• L'Oreal voluminous waterproof 
  - This is a rather popular one on the youtube/blogger world and I admit I agree to a certain degree. I enjoyed it a lot more while it got dryer. This is one that I would keep in mind for replenishment.  

• Make up for ever aqua smoky lash 
  - SO MANY people RAVED about this mascara, naming it their holy grail. I just could not make myself love it. I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that it is waterproof formula and most people referred to the original formula. But as I mentioned, I use waterproof formula all the way. This mascara just makes my lashes so clumpy and I usually do not mind a bit of clumpy-ness. However, I found this mascara really made my lashes so unnatural. Plus, it made my lashes straight. To me, this is a "miss". :S  

• Heroine make volume & curl mascara
  - An Asian drugstore popular mascara and this is not my first tube. I love this mascara and it is one of my all-time favourites. Only downside is it is hard to remove. I also found this does not transfer even in humid weather. So this is a trustworthy one.
  
   

• Maybelline full 'n soft waterproof  
  - Too natural for my taste. Did not give enough impact to my lashes in my opinion but I guess it is supposed to be like that? 

• Diorshow maximizer lash plumping serum 
  - Sometimes when I fancy, I do use a lash primer because it will help those not-so-great mascara to perform better, as well as conditioning my poor lashes. I do like this one. I can't say if I like this more than my Shiseido one but I think this serum is more separating than the Shiseido mascara base. However, the Shiseido mascara base holds curls better, at least for my lashes and at least for the old formula. I have yet to test out the new nourishing mascara base from them. 

• Estee Lauder sumptuous bold volume lifting mascara 
  - This was a rather surprising find. I got this sample from my friend randomly and I honestly did not expect much because I have never heard any reviews about Estee's mascaras. But OMG, I absolutely love it!!! By far my favourite in the non-waterproof mascara world. The main reason I chose waterproof is for curl-holding properties. But this mascara separates, volumnize and hold curls perfectly! I really want to purchase the full size! 

• Lancome hypnose waterproof 
  - Who doesn't know about Lancome's mascaras really? And this one? I adore. On top of my favourite mascara list. I am really curious to try out other of their mascaras. 

• Tarte lights camera splashes waterproof 
  - I did enjoy it while I had it. But towards the later stage of its service period, I just don't find it to be amazing anymore. It could have been me just holding onto it for too long. Anyhow, it's a good mascara in my book but I probably would not repurchase. 

Decluttering 102

Some more things that I used up =P 

Lierac body scrub - it an okay scrub. I am not a huge fan of the scent. The scrub itself, like a lot of french pharmacy brands, is much more fine that other scrubs I have used. It is more like a true exfoliant I supposed. I got this from Winners, so this is not something that I can get on a regular basis. But I am partial about repurchasing this anyways.

Opalen - my acne treatment, 0.1% adapalene gel. It is essentially the same as Differin, just a different brand name. I used this or Differin in the night time to treat my acne. I do not know why I ever stopped using adapalene as my acne treatment of choice, but I will always have one on hand from now on. This is not something you can get over the counter (not in North America at least), it has been prescribed to me by my dermatologist.

Bioderma hydrabio moisturising concentrate - bought this on a rim while it was on sale. I have tried the toner form the hydrabio line so I am confident in this line that it will not irritate my skin. Turns out, I love this hydrating serum! Absorbs quickly and my skin feels moist and supple after using it. Definitely on my repurchase list for the future.

H2O+ night oasis oxygenating energizer serum - another hydrating serum, but one that I don't really fancy. I do not like the scent and do not think it did much to my skin.

Dior hydra life skin energeizer pro-youth hydrating serum - I used my optimum (shoppers drug mart reward program) points on this product and I do like how it feels when I use it. I don't think it is like absolutely amazing but it is definitely luxurious. I am just not sure if it is worth the price tag? Probably will not repurchase anytime soon.

Skinfood nail polish - just too old, I have to toss it away.

Avene spring water spray - I kept this in my purse for refreshing in the mid day. I think it's okay, not like now other people rave about it. And now that I love the Caudalie beauty elixir so much (but probably triple the price...-.-), I don't think I will repurcahse this anytime soon, plus, I can't bring this Avene spray on the plane with me because of its packaging.

Bonaza enzyme mask - I love this mask! If you are from Asia, you might have heard of this brand. It is a gel mask that clarifies, moistruizes and brightens your skin. The only down side is you have to apply it for 40 minutes so I only use this when I know I have time for a night time pamper. It is wonderful for an emergency treatment as well (when your skin is not in a good shape and you need something that will boost your skin in one night so you look 10 times better when you wake up). I will repurchase when I am back to Hong Kong next time.

Shiseido pureness gentle cleansing sheets - oil-free, alcohol-free, this product is truly gentle. I do not prefer cleansing sheets over my cleansing oil, but out of the few cleansing sheets I have tried, this one is the best in terms of how it made your skin feels.

Skindinavia makeup finishing spray (original) - it really keeps my makeup last longer so I now keep a bottle of this thing in my makeup stash at all times. Because Skindinavia is not readily available here in Canada, I purchased the Urban Decay one for now, and they are from the same maker as far as I know. I do not notice any difference between how the two performed either.

Yet another beauty wishlist

What do you do when you are itching to shop? 

Make a wishlist and call it a day. 

1.) Dior Shimmer Powder in Amber Diamond 

Applying a highlighter is not part of my regular day-to-day routine but isn't this shimmer powder gorgeous even just to look at? I have heard numerous people raving about this highlighter and I have been wanting it forever! Not to mention this is totally a multi-task product because it doubles up as eyeshadows. I know Physician's Formula makes similar products called "shimmer strips" but I don't think my desire of wanting this powder will ever rest until the day I got it.

2.) L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil 

I have chronic dry skin due to eczema so a moisturizing, gentle shower product is a must-have, especially during the colder seasons. As Winter is approaching, this L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil sounds appealing to me. I believe I first heard about this product from Hannah (her youtube channel), and although I don't think I am a huge fan for almond scent, I am intrigued. I smelled it once in the store and there isn't an over-powering almond scent at all.

There is only one problem. 

I have been holding back because I just have way too many shower gels sitting in my cabinet....... -___- Two in use, eight still waiting at my beauty stash, hoping I will pick them up next..... I blame Bath & Body Works' semi-annual sale for this...... How on earth will I be able to to finish all of them before Winter hits? I don't think it's possible, but I will at least try my very best to use them up. I really don't think those B&B shower gels are moisturizing enough for my skin's need. Not to mention, I get super sick of those scents very quickly... (I must have lost my mind when I picked those up, clearly my brain was shut off. Sales are dangerous!)

So let's see when I will pick this L'Occitane baby up.

3.) pai camellia & rose gentle hydrating cleanser 

Not going to deny I have never heard about the brand pai before my fellow Canadian blogger/youtuber Sandra (her youtube channel) talks about this cleanser in one of her latest videos. She said she bought this upon A Model Recommends' (her youtube channel ) recommendation, and as a 3rd party here myself, it is simply impossible pass on this. As far as I heard, it is a creamy cleanser without any preservatives. And of course anything rose-related attracts me. pai is not available in stores here in Canada so I will have to order it online if I really decide to take the plunge.

Let the empties continue...

OK,
so let's just jump right in without further ado, we have lots of talk about!

(Left to Right)
My beauty diary peach soda eye & lip makeup remover (dual-phase)
MAC Fix+ skin refresher / finishing mist
Fancl mild cleansing oil (special edition bottle)

• My beauty diary peach soda makeup remover - I remove my eye makeup separately from my face makeup and I have come to the realization that dual-phase removers work the best. This is no exception. I like it a lot, doesn't leave a greasy film on my eyes yet effective! There isn't any special scent to it despite the name. It is pretty to look at though because the bottom layer is a pink liquid. =) I also like the scroll cap packaging, easy and do not have to worry about leaking. Good for traveling! 
• MAC Fix plus - a very popular product in the beauty community. It's an OK product to me, it works in terms of making your makeup looks more dewy and less powdery. Staying power? I am not 100% sold. I also am not too crazy about the mist, the packaging doesn't produce a mist that is fine enough. As opposed to what the salesperson said, I didn't think MAC Fix plus helps to fight humidity. I was using it during my stay in HK, where heat and humidity are all there is left in Summer months. Still, I think this is not a bad product and I might consider repurchasing for Winter. 
• Fancl cleansing oil - Holy Grail status in my book! My first cleansing oil and I always have this on hand no matter how many cleansing oils I try. 

(Left to Right)
Laneige water sleeping pack plus
Chanel Precision UV essentiel daily protection SPF 45/PA+++
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri anti-chip top coat
NUXE intensive firming cream
Origins super spot remover
Dior Miss Dior Cherie L'eau Eau de Toilette 

• Laneige water sleep pack plus - an overnight mask that gives moisture to your skin when you are sleeping. To be honest, I have used a few jars of it before even though I can't say I am crazy about it. However, I discovered it is quite good to use during long haul flights. May repurchase but I kind of want to try something else for the moment. 
• Chanel prevision UV essentiel daily protection fluid - big NO NO for me. Yes, you would think everything from Chanel must be good but I struggled to use this up. I hate sunscreen being thick and greasy and this is exactly how I feel about this. I used this up by applying it to my neck area. I do not recommend this at all. =(
• Sally Hansen insta-dri top coat - a great, affordable top coat and I did enjoy it a lot. Like the mega-shine top coat, it is no exception that towards the end of the bottle, the product gets too thick and goopy to use. Still trying to find my favourite top coat but I will certainly keep this in mind. 
• NUXE intensive firming cream - I love the smell of this cream! It came from a sample set and it claims to have bamboo, amazonian plants and kigelia africana in the product. Can't speak for the firming ability but I would repurchase just for the scent. However, I am unable to find this line in stores so I wonder if it's like a limited edition thing? 
• Origins super spot remover - I need to have at least one acne treatment on hand at all time and this serves the purpose. I actually already repurchased and am using the 2nd bottle of it. I find it hard to say if any of these acne clearing products really works, but my philosophy is to "keep holding on". This spot remover doesn't make my skin peels with 1.5% salicylic acid in it, and it works well underneath makeup which is critical to me. 
• Dior Miss Dior cherie L'eau EDT - I am trying to use up some of my perfume samples and this is first in line. I do not own the original Miss Dior cherie perfume so I am not sure how they compare. Scent is very personal and hard to describe but all in all, I am not intrigued to buy the full size. 

(Left to Right)
Prestige my blackest lashes mascara
Fairy Drops mascara
Lancome cils booster mascara base
NARS pro-prime smudge proof eyeshadow base 

Finally some makeup bits! 

• Prestige my blackest lashes mascara - heard a few people raving about this mascara, claiming it to be similar to the Makeup Forever Smoky Lash. First of all, my Asian lashes are extremely hard to hold curls so waterproof mascara is almost always a must. My blackest lashes mascara does not come in a waterproof formula but I was still intrigued to try this out. Well, my lashes went straight almost immediately after I applied this mascara... so needless to say, I won't repurchase this. 
• Fairy Drops mascara - a Japanese brand mascara and I often prefer Japanese brands when it comes to mascara. Maybe because our lash types are more similar. It has a very interesting wand with 3 "balls" on it and it was amazing at keeping my curls. I already bought a 2nd tube of this (with different packaging and slightly different wand) because I am a sucker for mascaras. Also, I found that with this mascara, it is best to wait for a period of time before it reaches its best performance stage (in other words, it might be too wet when you first start to use it). 
• Lancome cils booster mascara base - this was a gift from my friend, before I knew anything about makeup (I still don't know a lot of things of course). It was basically sitting in my drawers for years before I finally open it. Despite the fact that this is a "star" product, I can't say I love it. Again it made my lashes straight.... I don't know if they have changed the formula over the years (probably have) so I might try the new formula some day. 
• NARS pro-prime smudge proof eyeshadow base - got this sample size from Sephora in a mini NARS set. After finishing this little sample up, I ran to Sephora and bought the full size. It serves its purpose well and I think it performs even slightly better than my Two Faced Shadow Insurance in humid weather. The only downside is the packaging... it gets dirty so easily and I would prefer it in a tube like the Two Faced one or the newly packaged Urban Decay primer potion. 

Woooo, so this wraps up my super long and overdue empties post. I hope I can keep this spirit going and let's also hope that I won't accumulate that many to blog at a time again....-.-