Product Empties #1

¡Hola! What's up? Over the last few weeks I have been collecting garbage. Well...kinda. Basically products that I have used up and wanted to share with you. 

Quick overview of all the products. Very exciting.

Lavera Handcreme (Organic with Almond- and Sheabutter) - This is the best handcreme I have ever tried. Therefore it is already my second tube. It is really nourishing but sinks in within seconds. 

L'Oreal Elvital Total Repair Extreme Reconstructing Conditioner - This is a conditioner I just tried because it was on offer and I must say that I do like it. Compared to the Lush one I am currently using it is not my favourite, but it does the job and leaves your hair feeling really soft. But full of silicone probably.

Alverde Repair Shampoo Grape and Avocado - This smells vile, like some cough medicine I had to take when I was a child. And it also left my hair feeling coarse. In the end I just used it to wash my brushes with. 

Lush Aqua Marina x2 - This is a face cleanser and apparently I must really like this because I had two of those in my Empties- Bag and I totally forgot about them. I would this cleanser is great for oilier and/ or acne prone skin. And it did make a noticeable difference in my skin. Smells a bit fishy though, but I was able to get past that because it's just a great product.

Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask - This is a face mask for acne prone skin with Garlic! What is it with me and bad smelling things?! This smell made me gag a bit, not gonna lie and it didn't work THAT well either. I am not gonna repurchase this one, for sure.

And another picture of the open Lush containers, just so you can see that I am not a liar. 

Dr. Hauschka Face Mask - Really moisturising and soothing and it is natural, so you can't go wrong with this one. You can even apply it underneath your eyes and leave it on for as long as you want. Big thumbs up for this one.

Dr. Hauschka Ice Plant Body Lotion - This is just a life essential. Always. I have incredibly dry skin on my arms and this is the only thing that can soothe the dry-, itchy- and redness. 

Luvos Face Moisturizer with Healing Earth - This is great for all skin types, except if you have really dry skin. Like really really dry skin. Otherwise this is perfect. Not to heavy, but still moisturizing enough and it helps keep blemishes at bay. Also perfect as a primer underneath make up if you have slightly drier skin. Unfortunately for me, since I am on Roaccutane at the moment, this is not enough for my skin, but I can see myself repurchase this after the 6 month course.

Dermalogica Precleanse - This was just a sample, but I thought I'd still mention it. To be honest I don't really get the concept of a "precleanser", doesn't double cleansing with your regular cleanser do the trick? I mean, it was nice and everything but I think it's just a money maker. 

Lavera Cleaner for Dry Skin - It says "foam" on the bottle and that was what kept me away from it for the longest time. But my bought it and I tried it and fell in love. It is not drying at all and really light. I'm already on my second bottle.

Clinique Take the Day off Cleansing Balm - This was my very first cleansing balm ever, after I read about cleansing balms on Caroline Hirons blog. And once you use a cleansing balm, there is no going back. But really. Cleansing balms are the best. Especially this one from Clinique since it is so gentle and doesn't contain a bunch of unnecessary ingredients. BUT ever since I ran out of this, I use plain old coconut oil and it works just as well.

Lush Breath Of Fresh Air Toner - Didn't do anything for me. I initially bought it because I read so many good reviews about it. Since it contains tea tree oil and what not and it's supposed to help with breakouts. But the effect was just like I was spraying water on my face. And the spray- thingy squirted out way too much product and made your whole face wet (that's what she said- I don't know about you, but I am cringing over here haha).

MAC Eyebrow Pencil Fling - Nice colour. Way too much money for an eyebrow pencil and way too little product, though. I ran out of this after 3 weeks of using it. Not cool.

Manhattan Tasty Lips Peach - A shimmery, peachy browny lipgloss that isn't sticky and smells of peaches. Excuse me? Does it get better than this? I don't think so. Already repurchased.

I am going to "Back to Lush" the three empty containers and you're allowed to choose one face mask for it. Do you have any recommendations for their face masks? Thanks ;)

- Julia xxx

Brand Focus - Dr. Hauschka

Over the past one and a half years I have tried my fair share of Dr. Hauschka products, since my mom is a big fan of this brand and introduced me to them. 

Products and how I like to use them:

Face

Melissa Day Cream: for combination skin, after cleansing morning and night*

• It's not very rich and therefore not enough for my dry skin, it does leaves a matte finish
• I tried the rose cream before, it's targeted for dry skin and I personally liked it a lot better for my dry skin. It is definitely something for dry skin, instead of dehydrated skin.

Clarifying Steam Bath: for blemish prone skin, before applying a face mask

• It's quite nice for a pampering day, but I doubt it does much long term

Translucent Bronzing Tint: you can mix it with your moisturiser for a subtle glow, I like to apply it as a liquid bronzer over my foundation

• Mixed with my moisturizer, I can't even see it on my skin, but over my foundation it looks lovely and I like that it's a liquid, which makes it easy to blend and it's not too dark for my pale skin. It is also not shimmery, so you could use it to contour your face.

Facial Toner: after cleansing in the evening

• You are supposed to use it at night after you've washed your face and leave it at that
• I found it to be quite drying and using it without a moisturizer was not an option for me. But it is quite refreshening anf if you have oily skin this might work really well for you [you still shouldn't skip the moisturizer...but that's just my opinion. check out what I wrote about that here]. 

Eye Balm: after moisturiser at night

• It is a pretty heavy consistency, so I only use it at night, but if you have a really dry under- eye area this would be great for you. Not only to moisturize but also to already prevent fine lines.

Cleansing Cream: morning and night 

• Smells amazing, but didn't quite work for me, but my mom has normal to dry skin and she loves it. If your skin is normal to irritated but doesn't need much, the Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream would be great for you. But I have acne prone skin and it's not enough for me.

Clarifying Day Oil: for oily and blemish prone skin, after cleansing, morning and night*

• This product is really nice if you have oily skin! It sinks in super fast, doesn't leave a greasy residue and leaves the face looking matte. This is a perfect light moisturizing option for people with oily skin. And no, oil won't make your already oily skin oilier.

Ice Plant Face Cream: for very dry, itchy, flaky skin, after cleansing morning and night* 

• I really like this one! Though expensive, I works wonders especially if you have super dry and irritated skin like I do.
• It is really rich but absorbs very quickly. 

Mascara: I think I don't have to explain when or how I apply Mascara ;)

• comes in three shades: black, brown and blue
• Unfortunately it didn't do much for my lashes 

Body

I have tried three body lotions and I like all of them. The Quince Body Moisturizer is nice for normal skin. It is super light and liquid-y, almost like water and sinks into the skin very quickly.

The Almond Body Moisturizer is a little heavier, I would say for normal to dry skin. It doesn't absorb into the skin as quickly as the Quince Moisturizer, but after around 5 minutes you are good to go.

The star of the show is without a doubt the Ice Plant Body Care Lotion. It is so so so hydrating and I am already on my third bottle. And everyone in my family loves it, as well. I have very dry and dehydrated skin and red patches all over my arms, especially in the winter. This is the only body lotion I've ever tried that gets rid off it. When my skin is extremely dry, I apply it day and night, but mainly after I get out of the shower at night. And even though it is so moisturizing, it is absorbed by the skin in less than 5 minutes. 

                                                         Daily Face Care Kit

One of the things that I really like about Dr. Hauschka is that they sell small Face Care Kits for either normal to dry skin or oily and blemish prone skin. So you can really test out all the products before you decide on buying them. And the samples come in nice sizes as well, so you have the chance to really properly try them out for a week or two. I tried the one for blemish prone skin, which contains the cleansing cream, clarifying toner, clarifying day oil, steam bath, clay mask, and revitalising mask. My mom got herself the kit for normal to dry skin, because the products are nice sizes for travelling.

Products I really like | Products that are OK

Most products that I have tried were quite nice. But there are some products which are amazing and I will keep repurchasing. Those products are the Ice Plant Body Care Lotion and Face Cream and the Quince Body Lotion. Next I would really like to try more of their makeup. 

Have you tried Dr. Hauschka before and what do you think of their products? Let me know!

 

*Dr. Hauschka don't believe in applying a moisturiser at night after you cleansed your face, because they believe that your skin has to be able to breath at night, and apparently it can't do that with a moisturiser (?). I mean, do whatever works for you. I have very dry skin and the thought of not moisturising my face after cleansing hurts. I wonder what Caroline Hirons would say to that. 

**Most of the products do contain alcohol and fragrance so be aware of that. I found a few products to be pretty drying, others on the other hand are real gems and I will keep repurchasing them.

Dr. Hauschka doesn't test on animals.