Today, I’m reviewing my expenses for 2020! I bought makeup in January before our first lockdown happened. So I have some unopened makeup sitting in my drawer. The rest of my beauty purchases were all skincare or hair related.
As you can see, I spent just over a quarter of my planned 2020 budget. I only purchased makeup in January and I also spent less on skincare. I’m not exactly sure why the skincare expenses went down too. I am still using skincare on a daily basis whereas I haven’t used my makeup in a year.
My 6 most expensive beauty purchases of 2020 (all products purchased from Sephora during VIB sale at 15% off, prices are approximate):
Volition Beauty Snow Mushroom Water Serum – $75
Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel – $62
Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – $52
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Superfoods Shampoo & Conditioner Hair Pack – $53
Out of the products listed above, I would repurchase the Volition Snow Mushroom Water Serum, Clinique Even Better Eyes Darck Circle Corrector and Glow Recipe papaya Enzyme Smoothing Cleansing Balm. You can read my review on the Helix AM/PM Eye Gel.
For the Briogeo products, I didn’t like the Scalp Revival Soothing Travel Kit and ended up sending the products to my friends. The Banana + Coconut Superfoods Shampoo & Conditioner are nice, but I’m not the biggest fan of the scent. I might consider trying the Be Gentle, Be Kind Matcha + Apple Replenishing Superfood Shampoo and Kale + Apple Replenishing Superfood Conditioner.
2018 was the year I spent the most on beauty products. I bought a lot of makeup at Winners back then. In 2018, I had 340 makeup items (including nail polish, perfumes and makeup remover). The majority of those were eyeshadows (I counted each pan instead of the number of palettes). I decluttered a bunch of makeup/nail polish by the end of 2018. Since 2019, my makeup inventory has been under 100 items. I’m hoping that I can get my inventory down to 30-50 items by the end of this year. I know it sounds counterintuitive as a beauty blogger, but I’m just not as drawn to new launches as others. When new products launch, I don’t HAVE to have it immediately. I actually prefer to read the reviews on products and wait until the hype has died down to see if others actually like the products and continue to use them in their daily makeup routines.
For 2021, I hope to spend the same amount on beauty products (around $500). I doubt I will buy much makeup this year, but maybe I will buy a few items just so I can have some new reviews on the blog. I know last year, I didn’t write many blog posts and I’d like to get back into it again.
I am revisiting last year’s favourites. There were some products I really enjoyed, but I don’t love them enough to repurchase. Others are favourites and I will repurchase again in the future. Keep reading to find out which products from my 2019 favourites made the list!
Check out my other posts revisiting my old favourites!
This year, I’ve taken a look at those “Revisiting” posts and reviewed them again. I’ve decided that every year, I will take a look at all of my favourites to see how my tastes change as I get older.
I have a few empties for you this month. I decluttered a few makeup items. I know you can keep some makeup for a while, but I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, so I don’t really want to keep makeup longer than two years.
Good Molecules Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel* – This cleansing gel was just okay for me. It didn’t really do much more than my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser which is less expensive.
Repurchase? No.
Skyn Iceland Arctic Repair Cream* – I tried it once as a face moisturizer, but I found it too heavy. I really enjoyed this as a body cream. I would use it after showering and I loved that it wasn’t greasy at all. The container is a 100% recyclable jar made from sugarcane. I found sometimes it was hard to twist the lid on nicely. Since it comes with an insert that holds a spatula. It wasn’t a big issue for me, but I would be worried if I put it in a bag.
Repurchase? For the colder months, I would definitely consider purchasing it.
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Shine Shampoo & Conditioner* (read my review) –
Repurchase? I would consider trying a different scent.
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light – I really liked this powder. Even though it’s a finishing powder, I used it as a foundation for days I wanted light coverage. I wish they had more shades though. The light shade wasn’t the perfect match.
Repurchase? Definitely!
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Light Neutral – I really liked this powder. It was the wrong shade, but it looked really nice on the skin. I know it’s called a full coverage foundation, but if you use a light hand, it won’t look heavy.
Repurchase? In a different shade, yes.
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7 – I purchased this when I bought the Luminous Silk Powder Foundation for my mom. The fluid sheers were on sale and this was one of the shades they had left. It was a good deal and I really just wanted to try it, so I chose #7 (a pinky pearlescent shade). I used this more like an illuminator mixed in with foundation instead of as a highlighter since it was a pink shade. It made my foundation look glowy. I still would’ve preferred to get a different shade, but I liked it.
Repurchase? I want to try other liquid illuminators from other brands, but if I were to get this again, I would get it in shade #2.
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review.
It’s time for another makeup inventory update! I bought a few makeup items in January 2020 (which I haven’t even opened yet). I was lucky enough to be sent some makeup and that’s the reason my collection grew a bit last year. I wasn’t able to reach my goal of getting down to 50 items like I wanted.
Even though I didn’t reach my goal of 50 items, it’s amazing to see that my collection is a fraction of what it was in the summer of 2018.
The bronzer, blush and highlighter categories went up because I decided to count the pans as 1. Before, I used to count 1 palette as 1 blush/highlighter/bronzer. Even if it was a mixed palette, I just chose to count it as 1 bronzer/blush/highlighter.
I haven’t used my perfumes since early last year. I bought 2 of them during a warehouse sale and they were probably older inventory at the time. I’m wondering if I will get to use them up. I stopped using one of my old perfumes because the scent changed after a few years. I still have it on display though because it’s such a pretty bottle.
I haven’t worn nail polish in a couple years now. I would definitely consider buying a neutral colour and maybe a red/wine in the future.
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Shine Shampoo* (read my review)- At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of the scent since it’s a bit sweet, but it grew on me. I liked the shampoo and it did make my hair shine. The bottles are interesting and I like that they sell refills in bags.
Repurchase? Maybe. I would consider trying one of the others.
Garnier Fructis Clean & Fresh Fortifying Shampoo + Grapefruit – I liked the clean scent of this one. I don’t really do anything to my hair, so it’s not damaged or anything. So I mostly just buy shampoos that are on sale.
Repurchase? Maybe.
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil – I love facial oils for my dry skin, but this one seemed to break me out. I’ve tried a rosehip seed oil from Good Molecules and it didn’t break me out. Even though it broke me out, it did seem to keep my face moisturized.
Repurchase? No.
Goli Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies* – I was sent these gummies to try. I was expecting the texture to be like gummy candies, but it wasn’t like that. I can’t even think of anything that has a similar texture when you bite into the gummy. I don’t think I tried these long enough for them to help if they even do help digestion and other things.
Repurchase? No.
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion – I liked that it didn’t have a scent. I would use it as a toner as my first layer of skincare after cleansing. It’s nice for the colder months where I need a little more hydration. I’ve tried other products that I prefer more, so I probably wouldn’t repurchase this specific one. I might look into other products from the brand though.
I know it’s been a while since my last post. I know I’ve already said this, but I haven’t bought many new products this year, so I don’t have a lot to review. Here are my empties for the last 2 months. I decluttered the makeup items since I’ve had them for a while.
Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule* – I really liked this product. I was sent it to try, but would repurchase it in the future. It comes in a huge bottle which lasted a long time. When I used this at night, I noticed that it calmed down the redness on my face. The redness wasn’t completely gone, but it didn’t look as bad as the day before.
Repurchase? Yes.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This lip mask lasts so long. I wish it came in a tube to make it a little more hygienic since it took so long to finish. I would wake up with my lips feeling moisturized.
Repurchase? Probably.
Burt’s Bees All Aflutter Volumizing Mascara* – The Burt’s Bees Mascaras are nice and natural. They don’t look clumpy at all. While it was a nice mascara, it’s a bit more expensive than other mascaras I like better.
Repurchase? No.
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in 65 Seductress – I really liked this lipstick and would definitely repurchase in the future and consider other shades as well. It was a comfortable matte lipstick, but it was time to declutter it.
Repurchase? Yes. I would try other shades too.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel (read my review) – It was a good cleanser, but it’s expensive and it didn’t do much more than my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser which is a fraction of the price.
Repurchase? No.
Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Eye Patches – They felt cooling to use, but I didn’t really notice a difference after using them.
Repurchase? No.
What have you finished lately?
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review or gifted.
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I haven’t had much to review lately since I haven’t purchased anything in a few months. I have been trying some skincare products that I’ve been sent and hope to post some reviews on those products next month.
Reveal smooth, glowing skin from the start of your routine and effortlessly dissolve makeup, dirt, and oil with the PEG-free Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm. This balm-to-milky oil harnesses naturally-enzymatic, actively smoothing papaya to satisfy and gently resurface skin, creating the ultimate baby-soft canvas for skincare and makeup. The mix of exfoliating and calming papaya seed oil, papaya enzymes, papaya extract, and antioxidant-packed blueberry, leaves skin clean, bouncy, and glowing.
I like this cleansing balm! I’ve used it a few times now. I think I like it better than the Banila Co Clean It Zero and Heimish All Clean Balm (read my comparison review). I know the Glow Recipe cleansing balm costs more, but it does come in a glass container which you can reuse. I usually don’t like the smell of papaya, but this one has a very pleasant papaya scent. I don’t use waterproof eye makeup so I can’t comment on how well it removes that. It removes makeup easily, I do see what people mean when they feel a bit of a film after, but it shouldn’t be a problem when you’re following up with your second cleanse (which you should be doing anyway).
RATING: 4/5
I’ve only tried a handful of cleansing balms, but I would say this is in my top three.
I haven’t finished many items over the last few months (especially makeup products). I only have two products for the last two months.
Volition Beauty Helix AM/PM Eye Gel (read my review) – I liked this eye gel, it didn’t give me any reactions under my eyes. It made my under eyes feel smooth and it was perfect for summer time, but I need something more moisturizing in the fall and winter.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo – I liked this shampoo and the scent. I would buy it again on sale.
Today I’m reviewing some products I received from NatureLab Tokyo. Here’s a little bit about the brand from their website:
Through our own research and discovery, all NatureLab products use active Botanical Stem Cells to maintain scalp health, improve follicle strength and promote hair growth at a cellular level.
Free of harsh Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Gluten, Mineral Oil and other harsh chemicals that not only damage hair, but the environment. Cruelty Free and Never Animal Tested.
Their shampoo and conditioner bottles are really cool. They sort of look like round-bottom flasks that you see in science labs. They also sell refillable pouches so you can reuse the bottles. The bottles are made of a harder plastic (not squeezable).
They have four different collections that target different hair types.
I chose to try products from the SHINE collection – Antioxidant-rich Stem Cells from Grape regenerate scalp papilla cells and revitalize shine. Hyaluronic acid seals in moisture while Pearl Extract stimulates enzymes for an iridescent finish. Shine on.
When I first received the products, I obviously smelled them right away. The scent was a bit strong (sweet and floral) from the bottle, but once you rinse it out, it’s a lighter scent. In the past, I’ve used shampoos that gave me headaches because they’re too strong.
The shampoo and conditioner made my hair look so shiny and sleek. The violet scent is pleasant, but I prefer fruity scents over florals.
I don’t really like using hair oils because my scalp is already oily. It’s definitely easy to go overboard. The first time I tried it, I sprayed too much and it looked greasy instead of a healthy shine. The scent of the oil is stronger since you don’t rinse it out like the shampoo and conditioner.
Get back to your roots with this deep conditioning treatment masque that restores dull hair from scalp to strand. Smart Keratin technology fortifies the hair cuticle and penetrates the cortex to rebuild body and revitalize shine. Potent plant Stem Cells from Bamboo strengthen the hair shaft and promote healthy hair growth while antioxidant-rich Argan and Prickly Pear oils add a protective luster. Damaged hair is visibly improved and new hair sprouts stronger.
In addition to the shampoo, conditioner and hair oil mist, they also sent samples of the Repair Treatment Masque. I really like the smell of the Repair collection. It’s green tea and cyprus. It smells similar to the Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo (which is green tea and cucumber). I really liked the masque and it also made my hair look shiny and healthy. I don’t do much with my hair, so it’s not damaged. I’d be interested to see if it works well for someone with damaged hair.
I have dry under eyes, so it’s hard to tell if this helps prime the skin. When I apply concealer, my under eyes look dry still.
On a good skin day, my under eyes does feel smooth after I use this eye gel. I don’t have fine lines or wrinkles so I can’t say if it helps with those. It has a silicone-y texture that’s similar to the original Smashbox primer.
I find that eye creams in pots are easy for me to overuse. I used way too much when I first started using it. I purchased it earlier this year and I’m almost finished. I was using it twice daily (day and night) until I got the Retinol Eye Cream from Pixi Beauty.
RATING: 3.5/5
I’ve tried a handful of different eye creams and some have caused reactions under my eyes (milia and even red spots). This is one of the few eye products that hasn’t caused any reactions to my under eye area.
While it is a nice eye gel, it’s not my favourite Volition Beauty product. As someone with dry skin, I think I can only use it during the warmer months. Even now, my under eyes are dry. I need something that moisturizes and hydrates in the colder months.
UPDATE: They sell this in a bottle with a pump now which I prefer. I may consider trying this during the summer and using it in the morning only.
Have you tried Volition Beauty products? What are your favourites?
I’m sharing what I bought from the Welcome Back Sephora Canada sale. If you spend $100, you get $20 off and if you spend $75, you get $15 off. Unlimited times for in-store and one time use online. For online, use code WELCOME BACK. The sale is on until August 23rd, 2020!
I didn’t buy any new makeup since I haven’t been wearing any and have quite a bit of makeup to get through first. I chose 2 items I have been wanting to try and repurchased another one that I’ve reviewed before.
Bite Beauty Agave+ Nighttime Vegan Lip Therapy (1st time trying) – A hydrating lip sleeping mask in a decadent, balm-to-oil formula, with a dreamy chamomile-bergamot scent, for more supple lips overnight.
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm (1st time trying) – A PEG-free cleansing balm that smooths the look of skin with natural papaya enzymes, while melting away stubborn makeup, dirt, oil, and SPF.
amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask (repurchase) – A daily or weekly luxurious, deep conditioning treatment that completely restores and repairs dry, damaged hair.
I also redeemed some points. Both were 100 points:
Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder (1st time trying) – A weightless setting powder that refreshes and cools the skin with all-day moisture.
belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb (1st time trying) – A lightweight, refreshing eye cream that smooths fine lines with a 26-hour burst of moisture, boosts elasticity, and increases the resilience of the skin for flawless makeup application.
Today I’m reviewing Burt’s Bees products. Out of all the brands I’ve tried, I think Burt’s Bees is now #1 in Most Products Tried with 19 products. I was lucky enough to receive all of these products complimentary from Topbox, but I’m giving my honest opinions on the products. I have a few Hits and Likes, but I’ll be honest and say nothing from the brand has blown me away. I don’t think I would buy any of the products myself.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Blush in 1210 Shy Pink* – It’s really pretty! It’s a subtle pink, but gives you a beautiful, blushed look.
LIKES
The Luminizer Nourishing Highlighter in Star Light* – I like this highlighter for a natural glow/highlight.
Moisturizing Lip Balm in Tropical Pineapple* – It’s like any other lip balm. Keeps my lips moisturized and this one smells like a Piña Colada.
Gloss and Glow Glossy Balm in Winning in Pink* – This is a nice balm that makes the lips look glossy, but not sticky.
Natural Mattifying Powder Foundation in 1115 Sand* – This powder was quite pale on me, I need to get a darker shade. I did a light powdering of it on my t-zone after using the foundation and it instantly mattified my skin.
Natural Eye Liner in 1405 Soft Black – This was a very nice black liner. You can take your makeup look from day to night by applying it on the outer V and smudging it out.
Nourishing Lengthening Mascara in Classic Black* – I like the brush of this mascara. The mascara added length to my lashes, but still looked natural and it wasn’t clumpy. It came off easily with water, so it’s definitely not waterproof.
All Aflutter Multi-Benefit Mascara in Classic Black* – Similar to the nourishing mascara, this is a nice mascara that doesn’t make your lashes clumpy. It also came off easily with water. After wearing it for a day, my lashes were still curled. Between the two mascaras, I think I prefer this one.
MISSES
Sensitive Facial Cleanser* – This one isn’t really a ‘miss,’ but I didn’t like it that much either. It had a creamy texture which I didn’t really like. I prefer a gel cleanser. It leaves your skin with a bit of an oily feel. Not quite a film, but your face isn’t squeaky clean.
Burt’s Bees Renewal Refining Facial Cleanser* – I didn’t like the smell of this one.
Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion* – This also isn’t a ‘miss,’ but I didn’t find it to be anything special. It’s fragrance-free and it has a nice texture, but it didn’t really do anything for my skin.
Hydrating Facial Towelettes with Watermelon* – These are very strong/thick towelettes, but the watermelon scent is so strong that it gave me a headache.
Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation in 1025 Natural Beige* – It covered the redness around my nose and chin, but you definitely need a concealer to cover up acne or dark spots. This is NOT waterproof. It washes off easily with water which I don’t like.
Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturizer in 2025 Natural Beige* – This didn’t cover much for me and just like the liquid foundation, it washes away with water very easily.
Defining Retractable Eyeliner in Mulberry & Onyx* – This eyeliner pulled on my skin as I applied it to my waterline and it smudged so much. I tested it out for a day and after a few hours, the eyeliner was patchy. By the end of the day, the eyeliner had rubbed off. I hadn’t rubbed my eyes at all. I did close my eyes tightly a few times to see if any eyeliner or mascara would transfer. I was also disappointed in the Mulberry shade because it just looks black/brown on the eyes.
Natural Eyeshadow Trio in 1505 Shimmering Nudes* – The eyeshadows were okay. I prefer to have a palette that has at least 1 matte shade.
Natural Brow Pencil in 1610 Brunette* – This was too light for me, it almost looked reddish brown on my brows. I prefer to use a darker pencil. I didn’t love that it was waxy because the hairs would get matted down.
Matte Sticks in Buttery Blush & Liquid Honey* – These are a comfortable matte lipstick that doesn’t feel drying. Although the lipstick can be a bit crumbly. (I used to have these in the LIKES, but they got moldy very quickly).
Glossy Lipstick in Peony Dew* – It’s a sheer lipstick that’s a bit waxy. It’s like a morph of a gloss and lipstick because it’s a bit tacky.
Lip Gloss with Avocado in Tulip Spring* – This lip gloss had a passionfruit scent, I believe. It looked nice and gave a bit of tint to my lips, but I wouldn’t purchase this on my own. It felt moisturizing and wasn’t too sticky which was good, but I prefer a lip gloss with a wand for a more precise application.
Squeezy Tinted Balm in Mandarin Granita* – The shade of this is nice and it does keep my lips moisturized for a bit, but I’m not a huge fan of the scent. Also, when I was sent this, I was told that it’s best to apply with a brush or fingers. If you’re on the go, you don’t really want to use your fingers to apply lip balm. So I find that a bit annoying. I’d rather just use a stick lip balm.
Burt’s Bees is fairly new to the makeup game and they need to expand on their shade ranges. If you are looking for a brand that sells natural products, then this is a great drugstore brand to consider.
Today I’m reviewing the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel that I purchased during a Sephora sale. After a year, I finally finished the 500mL Kiehls cleanser. So, now I’m back to using this one. I did try it out for a week or so just to see what it was like and I got a breakout (which was unrelated to the cleanser).
Soap-free, foaming gel cleanses all skin conditions. Refreshing lather thoroughly removes impurities, without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance. This iconic cleanser, which contains naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria, gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave skin feeling smooth and clean. Lightweight and mild enough to use every day, it also features calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts to soothe the skin.
It is gluten free, cruelty free, vegan and has no artificial colours or fragrances. I can smell a hint of the mint and sometimes lemon.
I purchased the 16.9 oz/500 mL bottle which is normally $87 CAD, but with the Sephora sale, it was $74. I wish the pump could dispense the perfect amount of cleanser like the Kiehls one. The Dermalogica cleanser pumps out a lot and I only need half a pump.
RATING: 3/5
The cleanser is okay. It’s gentle and my skin doesn’t feel stripped of its oils after using it. I haven’t had any breakouts from using it, but I don’t find it particularly special. Also, I don’t think it’s worth the high price tag. I would rather repurchase the Kiehls Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash (even though it isn’t meant for my skin type).
I don’t have too many empties this month. I think most of my products are fairly new so my product empties posts will only have a few items every month.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer – I started using this as a moisturizer since I have quite a few primers and I know it keeps me moisturized. My skin was having a reaction and this was the only product I had that wasn’t new.
Repurchase? Absolutely! (Note: the travel size is more cost effective than the glass bottle)
Kiehls Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash – This cleanser is meant for normal to oily skin. I have dry skin so it’s not really geared towards my skin type. I really wanted to try it though. It didn’t make my skin feel overly dry either. I purchased the 500mL bottle which was expensive for a cleanser, but it lasted a year. I used one pump every day during my nighttime skincare routine and it lasted more than a year.
Repurchase? No, but I would try something for dry skin from Kiehls.
Nanacoco Cleansing Oil* – This was a good cleansing oil. It had a floral fragrance to it which I didn’t mind. However, I would prefer a cleansing oil without a fragrance since I have sensitive skin.
Repurchase? No.
Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel – This acne gel works great as a spot treatment. It will help dry up a pimple that has a whitehead. It won’t be immediate, but if you use it for a couple days, you should see your blemish go down. This little bottle lasted a long time since I only used it as a spot treatment.
Repurchase? Probably not.
What did you finish this month?
Love,
Products marked with (*) were sent to me for review.
I have two makeup empties for this month. I don’t think I’ll be finishing any other makeup any time soon.
Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss in 236 Pour Toujours (read my review) – I used this up the best I could and then cleaned the tube. I absolutely loved this gloss and would definitely buy it in this shade and others. It’s actually more of a tint/stain than a gloss. It’s not matte, but it’s not super glossy either.
Repurchase? YES!
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder – This powder panned sooo quickly! Also, there are only 3 shades which is unacceptable. All brands need work to be more inclusive in their shade range, but especially luxury brands. Like anything, the powder can look cakey if you apply too much. If you do a light dusting with a fluffy brush, it looked very nice. I just didn’t find it that amazing especially with the price tag and how fast it panned. I prefer my Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder which I’ve had for twice as long and still haven’t finished.
