Empties #44

CEZANNE Skin Conditioner High Moist

A product I use every day morning and nights. It's a hydrating liquid that's easy to layer and contains all the good stuff - ceramides, different versions of hyaluronic acid, extracts, aminoacids, cholesterol,…. Bottle has a generous 500 ml that lasts quite a while. 

Repurchase: Yes, but I'm shipping went up so much since I last ordered it. 

GLAM GLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment

My favourite clay mask that I use only in emergencies when my skin is spotty or behaving odd. It combines AHAs (six of them), clay and charcoal, so it's an exfoliating cleansing clay mask. It has a liquid type of texture and I find you need a thin application, as it just works better than way, so one small pot lasts a while. I don't get any tingling from AHAs when using this, but my skin looks maybe a bit brighter after. It sucks the stuff from my pores and when I have a spot it helps it go away a bit faster. 

Repurchase: Done, again a mini, since I rarely need to use it.

GEEK & GORGEOUS Stress Less 

Another product that was essential in my routine. It contains 0,5% Beta-Glucan and Madecassoside, meaning it's a repairing serum, especially great for sensitive, irritated skin or skin that needs some repairing of the skin barrier. It's a light serum that absorbs quickly, so easy to include in the routine. I realised this helps a lot at preventing retinols side effects (mostly keeps the dryness away at me). 

Repurchase: Yes, but I also have my eye on A'Pieu Madecassoside toner since it's much larger (300 ml, while this is 50 ml) and has similar ingredients. Since G & G was out of stock where I buy it, I bought Balea Madecassoside cream, which is working well with retinol products too, but it's not as light.  

SVR Ampoule Anti-ox

This is a deluxe sample size, but it lasted me several months. It's a product with 20% stabilised vitamin C (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid), evodia fruit extract, aminoacid serine, hyaluronic acid and urea, but it also has alcohol high on the list, which I can't smell. It's light, but slightly oily on the skin and easy to layer. I switched to this from Afrodita's one in the summer because a combination of that vitamin C + SPF ends up very shiny, while this ampoule is lighter. Anti-ox is just ok. I find that it's not as effective as Afrodita (who uses a different version of vitamin C that suits me more), so I didn't notice any lightening of pigmentation.  

Repurchase: No.

URIAGE Bariésun SPF 50+ Ultra-Light Fluid

This is as liquid as Garnier Ambre Solaire fluid, but it's not as light on the skin, as when you start to rub it in, it becomes a more thick creamy emulsion. It is alcohol free, which I assume makes that difference. There is that sunscreen oily feeling for a while when applied in a large amount (in half the recommended amount is absorbs instantly and it's dry to the touch) and there's sunscreen shine. I ended up disliking it mainly because it irritated my eyes, so they were watering and burning, especially on hot days when it slipped into my eyes. I struggled to use it up, to be honest. However, it did feel most reliable in terms of staying power and it's most waterproof, plus it has an SPF 50+. The packaging is great - super small so it fits into pockets. It's unscented. 

Repurchase: No.

IT'S SKIN Power 10 Formula Propolis

My skin likes propolis and this was one of the products that used to be sold in DM. I used up two bottles so far, but now they changed the packaging and formula (it's also not in DM anymore). This old version had honey extract first on the list, then propolis and it also has niacinamide and a couple of extracts, plus it smelled lovely. My skin loved it, as it made it look more healthy and bright, as well as kept it clear without spots. The new one doesn't have honey extract nor niacinamide and and the scent has changed. The formula is thinner now, almost a toner-like liquid. I haven't been using it long enough to say if it does the same as the old formula, but I'm hoping for the best. 

Repurchase: Done, but we'll see if I like the new version as much as this one.

THE FACE SHOP The Solution Soothing Face Mask

One of my favourite sheet masks. It's a soothing one and it helped my skin heal, fix dryness and tone down inflammation. 

Repurchase: Yes, but since shipping has been so high in the last two years, I've not been buying K-Beauty much. 

SCHAEBENS Cell Therapy Hydrogel Maske

Another one of my favourite sheet masks, though I'm not sure what's happening with this version, as I haven't seen it in Müller for a while. It's a clear hydrogel mask that's in two parts. It's slippery to put on, but one it heats up on the skin, it stick well to it. Effect is comparable with Asian brightening sheet masks. It evens out the skin and gives the appearance of a healthy skin just like for example My Beauty Diary Black Pearl and other similar formulas do, the only difference is that this is very light and I need some extra moisturiser after. 

Repurchase: Yes, but I have no idea if they'll be restocked here. 

FOREO Call it a Night UFO Activated Masks

Call it a Night

Mini round sheet masks that are used with Foreo's UFO - a light-emitting, sonic-vibrating, heating device. There's plenty of essence in these, so after one treatment with UFO, I squeeze the rest of the essence from the packaging on the sheet that's on UFO and do an extra treatment or even two. My skin is always much softer after these and nicely hydrated. UFO helps that massive amount of essence absorb so much quicker. These masks and UFO are the most effective way to get a ton of hydration to my skin and they fix dry, rough skin with one use. So far I've only tried two versions, aside from this one I have a pack of Make my Day (these two are also the cheapest ones at about 11 € for 7 sheets). I don't see a difference between the two, but this one has ginseng, otherwise they are similar ingredients-wise (arganine is higher on the list at this one).

Repurchase: Yes, I have them in stock. But I would also love to try other versions, mainly Glow Addict.

AVEO MED pH 5,0 2 in 1 Pflege-Dusche & Shampoo Totes Meer Salz

 I don't use this as often as I did in the past, as now my shampoo combination isn't Aveo + L'Oreal Extraordinary oil, but Joico Defy Damage + Olaplex n.4 (or n.4P), but I do use it every time I bleach my hair because it has a low pH and it's gentle. I've gone through many bottles of this and I like it because it suits my very dry hair, it works similarly to L'Oreal's Extraordinary shampoo, so it's like it has a bit of conditioner in it and it doesn't leave my hair stripped nor tangled. It's a good all-in-one product for minimalists because aside from being a shampoo and shower gel, it's also gentle and not drying enough so it can also be used for the face.

Repurchase: Yes.

JOICO Defy Damage Protective Shampoo

I use this at almost every wash for the first shampooing (it's followed by Olaplex n.4, which I leave on the hair for a couple of minutes). It's got proteins, aminoacids, peptides, oils, a protective lipid, so it's great for damaged hair. It foams well, the foam is dense (not like Olaplex, but it beats regular shampoos), it's a bit nourishing and doesn't leave that squeaky clean feeling I dislike (because my hair is so dry).

Repurchase: Done. 

SEBAMED Anti-dry Revitalising Shampoo

This was sent to me and I hate being negative about it because I like this brand, but this just isn't for dry hair and scalp at all. At least my level of dryness. I didn't even use it up for my hair, but as a body wash. Formula is a thick gel that barely foams at the first wash, so I used a lot of for one use it because I had a feeling it's not spread well on all the hair (second is a lot better). I've used this completely alone and left my hair air dry - my hair felt dry and hard without a conditioner and leave-ins, I was left with a ton of frizz. With Aveo, which is cheaper and also has a pH friendly pH, my hair looks better and it's a bit softer. The formula is not nourishing, however, I also wouldn't say drying, it's just bare and my hair needs more. In combination with a conditioner/mask and leave-ins this is a perfectly nice shampoo, but Aveo is cheaper and better. Like all Sebamed product’s it's got skin friendly pH 5.5. 

Repurchase: No.

OLAPLEX N.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Currently my favourite shampoo. The formula is so thick and it creates a very rich, dense foam, which I'm a fan of. I tend to leave it on for a couple of minutes before I rinse it off. 

Repurchase: Yes. 

SUBRINA Recept Sensitive Action Anti-dandruff Shampoo

This is my favourite from the Recept line, though all are nice, except Intensive & Balancing and Clean & Fresh are not as suitable for my dry hair (they are for oily hair). Formula foams nicely and it's not at all drying. Formula reminds me of a slightly richer Aveo shampoo, so like that one it doesn't make my hair all frizzy and tangled when I don't use anything after it. It didn't help with my dandruff, but I'm not surprised about that since if the pharmacy shampoos Oronazol, Vichy, La Roche Posay and countless others did nothing for me, I honestly can't expect it from this one either (it contains piroctone olamine from the anti-dandruff ingredients. By the way the most effective formula I tried was from Neutrogena T/gel, but it stopped working eventually. I don't care anymore anyway - don't give me advice, trust me I tried everything, besides I colour my hair now and dandruff shampoos remove colour). I like this one a little bit more than the new Probiotic Care, but that one is better in terms of ingredients. 

Repurchase: I have all of them anyway and a ton to use up because the label was changed, but when it comes to what shampoos I buy myself and use regularly, it's Joico Defy Damage, Olaplex n.4 and Aveo. I would buy this one if I didn't have bleached, coloured hair, as it's cheap and comes in a 400 ml bottle. If you have dandruff it's worth a try.  

JOICO K-PAK Reconstructor  

An essential product for me, especially since I bleach and colour my hair - but for me using Hydrator with it is a must. This is the first part of my ultimate saviours duo, which so far has never failed to return my hair from feeling stiff and hard to properly more "normal feeling hair". I find them better than Olaplex n.3, but only when used together. Reconstructor is a protein treatment and it doesn't leave my hair feeling soft, since it's dry, but it strengthens the hair. To add back that bounce and pliability to the hair, I always use K-Pack Intense Hydrator which adds moisture and makes my hair more soft again. After I use K-Pak combo, the rest of the hair care starts to work much better. Hydrator works fantastically on its own too, but after bleaching I need to combine them. Reconstructor sadly separates quickly, so I need to remember to shake it well before use, but it doesn't affect its performance. I've used up many tubes so far and it's always the same. 

Repurchase: Done.

JOICO Defy Damage Protective Mask

This is just a small try-out/travel size, but it lasted me two uses. I was very impressed by its performance. Formula is thick and rich, and it left my hair nourished and the effect lasted the whole week (in combination with Palmers hair oil on my ends). For very dry, bleached hair, this is lovely. 

Repurchase: Yes, I want a full size. 

 PANTENE PRO-V Miracles Intense Hair Rescue Hair Mask

One of the best drugstore hair masks I've tried. It leaves my hair feeling silky, detangled and it's nourishing enough for my very dry hair. In combination with Moroccanoil All in One leave-in, my ends don't dry out for several days, which is an achievement for a drugstore formula. I use it also for a minute if I see the conditioner/mask I'm testing/using didn't leave my hair feeling silky enough when I'm rinsing it off (for example Cantu conditioner is a fantastic hydrator and nourishing formula, but it doesn't leave my hair silky, so I use this at the end). This mask can work pretty fast compared to others, despite my hair being thick. 

Repurchase: Yes and I have spares. 

MOROCCANOIL All in One Leave-in Conditioner

An essential product in my routine and I use it every time I wash my hair. This is the best leave-in conditioner I’ve tried and there were a lot of them. Most such product don't do much for my hair, but I used them for ingredients (mostly protein or added hydration), while this one makes a difference. Even when I use a not so good conditioner, this helps my hair be softer to the touch, the ends are nicely hydrated (the promised 72h), it protects against heat and it has proteins + amino acids, so it really is all-in-one. The only thing it's not so good at, is taming frizz (but their Smooth line is amazing for it).

Repurchase: Done. 

PALMER'S Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Hair Oil

Another essential I use every time I wash my hair. I love it on damp hair to sort of lock the moisture in and add some nourishment. It lengthens the time before my ends are dry again and it helps smooth down my hair. I like it on dry hair too, but it has best effect on damp hair on me. This is not a silicone oil, it's mostly canola oil and some others, so it's heavy and only for thick, dry hair. I bought a new bottle and the pump was broken - luckily I had an extra one from the old one, but this doesn't shine a favourable light on the quality of Palmer's packaging. It smells like mint chocolate. 

Repurchase: Yes, but lately Palmer's made a lot of changes to their products. I hope they don't discontinue this. 

DOVE Gentle Scrub Shower Gel

Dove keeps discontinuing versions I like, but in the latest selection, I found this one that is really nice. It's rich like the original and smells lovely creamy. It has small beads in it that don't do anything for me, but it doesn't matter. 

Repurchase: Yes, at least I hope I still can. 

DOVE Care by Nature Restoring Shower Gel

With coconut milk and almond extract

I got this one after someone recommended it to me because it smells like coconut. I find the scent bland, barely coconuty - but that's my opinion, obviously some like it. Formula is thick, but not as rich as the original version. 

Repurchase: Not this version.

NIVEA Soft Care Shower Apricot & Apricot Seed Oil

I love the authentic apricot scent of this. Formula is not as nice as Dove, but better than most cheap gels. This is the new packaging and below is the old one. 

Repurchase: Yes.

AFRODITA COSMETICS Lavender Relaxing Moments Oil Shower Gel

It's nothing special in terms of texture, just gel, which is a bit thicker than average. The reason I buy this is the lovely lavender scent, which is one of the best I've found so far. 

Repurchase: Yes.

DOVE Care by Nature Uplifting Shower Gel

This has the same thicker texture and the coconut one, but with a mango scent. It's not the nicest for my taste, as I prefer more juicy and fresh versions of it. 

Repurchase: Not this version.

BALEA Duschgel After Sun 

DM brings this back every summer. It's thin, but a bit oily and it lathers up ok. Scent is difficult to describe, but in the "solar category" without smelling typical of coconut or tiare flower. 

Repurchase: Yes, next summer.

BALEA Duschgel Flower Shower and Jungle Breeze

This and the one on the picture below are LE shower gels. Jungle Breeze smells like peaches, but with an orange flower note that cuts though the juicy freshness. That last note bothers me. Flower Shower smells like Haribo raspberry sweets in a plastic way, so neither of the two are Balea's best scents. I'm glad they are gone.

Repurchase: No.

BALEA Rasiergel

One of many in a row I used up. It's a great cheap gel-to-foam shaving product. I recently bought an Aveo one from Müller and it's the same, so now I know both shops have affordable great options. 

Repurchase: Yes.

LACTACYD Prebiotic Plus

Normally I buy Sensitive version, which is one of the rare formulas I trust. This one was a mistake as it stupidly has fragrance, so I got irritation after first use. I used it up for my face and it was nothing special. I also used it as a shampoo a couple of times after bleaching to lower pH (bleach has a high pH) and it was ok.

Repurchase: No.

CIEN Nail polish Remover

I bought this a long time ago when I couldn't get to a drugstore, so I grabbed it in Lidl. It sucks compared to DM's Ebelin or Müller's Aveo as it's so much weaker. It took ages to get the nail polish off. I'm sticking to drugstore brands from now on. 

Repurchase: No.

AFRODITA COSMETICS Probiotic Therapy intimate wash gel

This was another immediate miss for me because it also has fragrance, so I got an irritation after first use - should have checked beforehand, but I wrongly assumed it doesn't have it. I used it up for my face and I wasn't that happy with it because it leaves a filter on the skin. 

Repurchase: No.

DOVE Original Anti-Perspirant

I got this original version as a replacement when I couldn't find the coconut one. While I like the Nourishing Secrets one, this one surprisingly doesn't work as well on me. On some days I could smell my BO, so I switched to Borotalco. 

Repurchase: No.

DOVE Nourishing Secrets Restoring Ritual 48h Anti-Perspirant

My anti-perspirant of choice for years and it never let me down. Sadly it looks like it was discontinued. I found Borotalco anyway and it works just as well. 

Repurchase: It's possibly discontinued.

SUBRINA Charm Super Cool Toner

I think this is still the only demi-permanent toner for blonde hair in drugstores here. I love the colour I get with this, it's a pretty very light cool blonde and it makes my hair look shinier than with Garnier Color Naturals. It's a far better choice to use after bleaching than Color Naturals, since it's a demi permanent colour, thereby more gentle, however, I sadly don't manage to bleach my hair light enough every time, so when it's too golden-yellow, I need to use Garnier's 9.1, which is a shade darker, as this toner can't cover deeper shades of yellow well. Result I get with Charm Toner is pictured here - it can be an ice blonde, almost white blonde if you manage to bleach light enough. This can also be used to refresh the colour between colourings if it's yellow. 

Repurchase: Done

GARNIER Color Naturals Crème Nourishing Permanent Hair Color

9.1 Natural Extra Light Ash Blonde

My toning shade, an ashy light blonde that is slightly darker than the average blonde toner, so it can cover bleached golden blonde hair. I can't bleach my hair to a pale yellow in one go, so I use this shade (or it the past L'Oreal's 9.1 and Revlon's Colorsilk 70) or the one shade darker 8.1 to tone after bleaching. I swap the developer for a weaker 3% one (10 vol). 

Repurchase: Done.

SUBRINA Colour Refresh Mask

Diamond Blonde

A purple mask that's very intense and can be mixed with any conditioner or mask to control the strength of toning. It tones well and the shade is a nice ice-meets-pearl blonde without looking too ashy. I eyeball the amounts, but I don't need that much as this can overtone quickly too if I don't dilute it, so one tube actually lasts a while. 

Repurchase: I have all shades of these. I love violet for toning too. 

LANGHAAR MÁDCHEN Haarmaske Moisture Care

One of the worst hair masks I've tried for my type of hair. It's discontinued anyway. I bought it because ingredients as it had glycerine, panthenol, arginine, hyaluronic acid, serin and other amino acids.  For me it was overall way too light, I had an unprecedented level of frizz and my ends were bone dry on the second day & very tangled. I couldn't fix it with anything, my hair was just absorbing everything in hours and became so brittle. 

But I used it up in another way - homemade playdough. It's 50 % conditioner or body cream and 50% corn starch. It's great, but becomes dry fast in the next days and you need add some conditioner to make it useful again. 

Repurchase: it's discontinued

BEAUTY & CHIC Clean Brush Cleaner

This is discontinued too, so it's pointless to mention it, but I can say what I'm using as a replacement and it's just as good. Ebelin Pinsel Reiniger (brush cleanser) in the same as this one: I spray some of a paper towel and swirl the brush on it until it's clean. Both have an intense pleasant fragrance and don't leave residue on the brush.

Repurchase: it's discontinued

Posted in: Skincare