In the dusty corners of this blog, I found old posts which I drafted 2 years back which I did not post, because I was into the whole neglecting-my-blog thing. ๑•́ㅿ•̀๑) ᔆᵒʳʳᵞ
Most of the draft posts I’ll trash, because I forgot I’ve used those products (e.g. The History of Whoo Myeong-Ui-Hyang Secret Court Cream). But certain posts I think are worth sharing–2 empties posts from back in 2015, which featured an interesting range of products. Some are defunct / discontinued, but there are many that I am still repurchasing now.
So to give the old posts a new life, here I will combined 3 empties posts into 1:
- March 2017
- May & August 2015: Kept exactly how it is written 2 years ago, with any updates to my thoughts in italics.
Current Empties: March 2017
Melano CC Whitening Lotion (150g) is the companion to my favourite Melano CC Essence. I’ve enjoyed using this toner, but I’m not impressed by the dish soap scent. The Lotion relies on 2 derivatives of vitamin C, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid (EAC) as well as the standard ascorbic acid. But who knows how stable the ingredients are in such a standard toner packaging. Not likely to repurchase.
Hada Labo Super Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (150g) I have no idea how many bottles of this I have gone through over my skincare life. It is a good product to have in anyone’s repertoire, but I think users need to be realistic about expectations. This is a hydrator which provides a boost of hydration. It doesn’t deliver antioxidant or vitamins and other goodness that you skin can benefit from. I will still repurchase (on and off) as a supplement to my standard hydration serum.
Dove Nutrium Moisture Face Foam Cleanser Sensitive (130g) is a decent foam cleanser which I’ve enjoyed using. My only anxiety comes from the fact that its pH level might be too high. I won’t know because I haven’t gotten myself pH test strips and stuff, because I’ve been busy! because I’ve been LAZY HAHAHA
HABA White Lady (30ml / Review) is a SAP serum which is great to layer under daytime skincare. It doesn’t do much for spots but it is good for boosting overall clarity. I will not repurchase at this point, because I have 3 other brightening serums to try (Muahahaha Shiseido Haku Melanofocus, SK-II Aura and SK-II Spot)!
Melano CC Melanin Whitening Anti-Spot Essence (20g / Review) Is much more effective than HABA White Lady in terms of spot reduction. If you’re into OST C20 (you’ll see four empties below from back in 2015), you should try this.
Flow Fushi Matsuge Biyou-eki (15g) is an eye gel and lash serum. After abusing my lashes I have stopped wearing mascara and eye liners to work, and applied this daily. No effect for now, but I’m giving it chance by using a second tube.
Shiseido Bio Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream (50g) A HUGE NO IN CAPS. I hate the feel of diamethicones in this, and the cream is so difficult to spread and tap in.
Emptied the #shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream yesterday! Took me close to 2 years 😒 not wild about this, so writing a quick review about my thoughts . My skin type is normal, so generally I can use gels and creams of all textures with no problems. This one, though, should be reserved for super-ultra desert dry skin only 🌵 🌵 🌵 The cream is a lot richer, thicker and more emollient than most other creams, and it can be difficult to spread, and impossible to massage. To apply this, you need to lightly tap and dab it into the skin until absorbed. . Following the application, my skin feels soft and smooth, but don’t be fooled, dimethicone is the 5th ingredient on the list 😱 Despite the texture of the cream which is more suited to dry skin (or someone who likes to spread heavy stuff on the face), it should still give you anti-aging benefits. There is a tiny tiny bit of “morning after glow”, but it is not enough for me to justify the price 💸 . So sorry, Restoring Cream, you ain’t for me. #donotbuy . #japaneseskincare #asianbeauty #rasianbeauty #skincare #skincareroutine #skincarejunkie #skincarediary
A post shared by A Banquet of Roses (@theskinchronicles) on Mar 21, 2017 at 8:59am PDT
Old Empties Post: August 7, 2015
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence (155ml / Review) In my previous review I said I would not repurchase this essence, but I did. And I’ve used 3 whole bottles (hides).
Hanyul Optimizing Serum (120ml / Review) has survived the Hanyul revamp, but it now comes in a different packaging. I still like it for its calming effects on the skin, but age has necessitated that I need to amp up my dose of antioxidants, vitamins and skin-repairing ingredients. While I may still repurchase it, the days of using only the Korean brown bottle is over.
C20 Vitamin C Serum (15ml) is a necessity as I am recovering from holiday sun burns. is a much more affordable dupe for the La Roche-Posay Redermic C (featured here) series and its effect is very immediate and observable. [Update March 28, 2017: I prefer Melano CC now~ seriously, try it! ]
Hanyul Finish Essence (50ml) I have never heard of this product, nor could I find it on the official website. It is supposed to be an all-in-one serum, moisturiser and primer used as a last step of skin care. I was not expecting much, because while Hanyul has its fair share of winners and HGs, but it also produced some fails like the Eungyeol Light Eye Cream (Review). Turns out this does exactly what it says and more. As a moisturiser, provides just the right amount of moisture and protection; as a primer, my make up stays put even hours after application. It’s a bit of a stretch to call it a serum, but for S$10 this is a bargain beauty purchase. [Update March 28, 2017: Didn’t manage to find this on Gmarket again, so I couldn’t repurchase.]
I used to use Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil to massage my calves after jogging. After an ankle injury last year, I’ve had problems jogging, so any exercise that is intensive on the ankle is out of the question for now. Nevertheless, I finished it with determination since oils will run rancid after a while. Not going to repurchase.
The Asahi Suhada Pack Gel is supposed to be a lotion, emulsion, serum, cream and mask in one. I suppose it is for busy (or lazy) people who have no time for the full set of skincare routine before sleep. The gel melts into the skin and becomes almost the consistency of water as I pat it in. It doesn’t do much except provide hydration through hyaluronic acid, so I found it quite boring after a while. Not going to repurchase.
And here comes the product I was most disappointed by. I was initially drawn by the advert of Mamonde Age Control Power Serum (40g) which is so darn pretty (see above). The product’s performance however is lackluster. It did not break me out, but the only thing memorable was the fragrance, which is what you look for in a perfume, not a serum. I guess the disappointment came because of the unreasonably high expectations from such a pretty poster AHAHA. Eventually I finished the bottle by mixing the serum in my body lotion.
Old Empties Post: May 17, 2015
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil (150ml) is just a bad cleansing oil, period. The whole point of using a cleansing oil is to be able to spend time to give the face a good massage (using the Caroline Hirons method) with the oil/balm as a lubricant. This oil emulsifies so so quickly that there isn’t time to work the product in at all. It came in a set of 3 when I bought it on Gmarket AmorePacific Store, so I still have 2 more bottles to work through though. I’ve learnt my lesson now! T.T [Update March 28, 2017: Finished up the remaining 2 bottles as sunscreen removers for body, still not impressed, I have not bought anything from the Face Shop since]
Rosette Scrub (120g) us a dupe for Cure Natural Aqua Gel, and this is not up to the standard, but it is 20% of the price of Cure so I suppose it’s alright. [Update March 28, 2017: I am still using and repurchasing this!]
Kikumasamune Sake Lotion 菊正宗 日本酒の化粧水 (500ml) was lugged all the way from Japan in June this year. It is a really good toner, lasted me a good 6 months, so I should probably have bought a few more. Naris Up Skin Conditioner Pomegranate (500ml) is not used as a toner, but rather a DIY mask in the Chizu Saeki method. Soak 2 pieces of cotton pad with the conditioner and spread it on face like I would a mask. It doesn’t do much except provide a hydration boost, so I will not be purchasing again. [Update March 28, 2017: I am currently using my 3rd bottle of Kikumasamune Sake Lotion!]
La Roche Posay Redermic R (40g) – is my second retinol product and a great introduction to the ingredient. It is only 5%, and therefore comes with none of the drawbacks of retinol such as skin irritation and flaking. I wish I could repurchase this, but sadly it is so expensive everywhere except Citi Pharma in Saint Germain. [Update March 28, 2017: I lost the photos for the LRP empties, but you can see some photos featured in my super old routine here]
La Roche Posay Redermic C (40g) Nah. Go for cheaper alternatives like OST C20. [Update March 28, 2017: Nah go for Melano CC! ]
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (30ml / Review) I still don’t know how I feel about this facial oil. The first few months really gives amazing results, the effect declined after a while, but even after a second bottle, I can’t decide if it is worth the money. [Update March 28, 2017: The uncertainty remains! In 2016 I used the Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate as well, I still can’t decide for sure it I will repurchase either.]
There’s nothing to be said about Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask (118ml / Review), except it is one product that does not deserve the many rave reviews floating out there in internet.
There you have it, my cheat 3 in 1 empties post! As I get older i go through skincare a lot more quickly than I used to (I really don’t wanna see myself aging) so I’d expect to write a lot more empties posts this year~
a banquet of roses 