Monthly Empties: 4Q 2013

Sad to say that my monthly empties turned into a quarterly empties post! I just haven't been able to finish enough products I suppose, which is not good as I've accumulated so much more products this quarter. ::raises fist to Sephora VIB sales::

First up is the Oct 2013 empties. I can probably even nickname this the toner empties month.

Oct 2013 Monthly Empties

My New Project Pan 5

Well the title says it all, it's just 5 instead of the popular Project Pan 10. I'm currently in the process of preparing my room for renovations. Clearing out things that I don't want and need anymore. In the 3 years I've started using makeup, I've accumulated A LOT of beauty products. And of course with all the different sales, limited editions, gifts with purchases, 90% of them are barely touched. So to make sure products do get used up and their containers are out of my room, I'm starting this Project Pan. I thought it'll be a good idea to use this chance for short reviews for items that would probably never make its way into a detailed review.

Physician's Formula Powder Palette Multicolored Blush - Blushing Peach
I've owned this blush for years. It is a peachy summery color (like you can't tell from the name =P ) with a mix of matte and shimmers. It is somewhat pigmented but definitely as much as the Nars or Benefit blushes. Not very long lasting either, maybe for a few hours max. I generally don't see the color anymore after I get out of work. But I like to carry this in my purse because of the mirror & brush included in the palette, makes touch ups very convenient. I've hit pan on this, but it's still a long way to go.

(picture from Amazon)

philosophy on a clear day oil-free foaming acne cleanser
I bought this part of the philosophy on a clear day set but this line has been discontinued (it's still available on Amazon though). It has salicylic acid as an active ingredient, so I like to use this during my girly days when I'm more prone to breakouts. Well, if it indeed helps, I never saw the results. There's been no noticeable effects at all, so I wouldn't recommend it if that's what you're hoping for. As a regular.cleanser, I think it does the job. I like that its very lightweight and easy to wash off, no worries of residue leftover on your hair lines. Because its so lightweight, it makes a good cleanser to use in the morning just to wash off any oil buildup from overnight. But because it IS a foam cleanser, it doesn't work well with the Clarisonic brush, which is ok since I, only use it in the daytime. I only need 1 pump to get enough product to wash my face.

(picture qiora.com)

qiora Face Cleanser DH Cleanser
So to complement the philosophy cleanser, I use this qiora one. Also got it as part of a gift set. And is still $36 on Amazon and in Shiseido retail stores. Despite the name, this is a cream cleanser. It works up a beautiful lather and works perfectly with the Clarisonic. If you ever tried any of the Shiseido cleansers this is almost an identical twin. Light fragrance but not very makeup friendly. I don't love it enough to repurchase, especially when I have so many other cleansers.

(picture from clinique.com)

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
Now along with all those cleansers is this little makeup remover that I neglect. This is a two tone oil-based remover though you can't tell from the purple container. It removes makeup very well on a saturated cotton pad, but I don't wear waterproof makeup so I can't attest for that. I don't like using this remover by itself because it leaves a greasy residue on your face that forces you to use some other cleanser along with it. Definitely wouldn't repurchase, if you want to try an oil-based makeup remover, I'll suggest the DHC oil cleanser.

(picture from nivea.com)

Nivea Age Defying Q10plus Hand Cream
I bought this in one of my sasa.com hauls for 90 cents and I believe it is not available in the US. It has q10 as one of its main ingredients so it aims to be an anti-aging skincare product. The hand cream is very moisturizing and feels heavy on the hands but not greasy. It has a light fragrance. I don't really see the anti aging effects on my hands but I like to keep this handy in my purse for fall/winter seasons. I can't really find it anymore but I think there's other hand creams out there that are just as promising.

And that's it for my project pan so far. I still have a lot of products I want to see hit pan but one step at a time! Let's see how well this goes, I already have a mental list of products I want to finish right after these are gone.

Dior Diva & Beauty Haul June 2011

Hello everyone! Work has kept me busy and exhausted. I miss blogging so much already!

June might have came and went, but it didn't go without a heavy damage to my wallet. =)

First off, for the freebies.

If you love Dior and have not signed up as a Dior Diva, shame on you! Dior Diva is Dior's loyalty program that rewards their customers with freebies! You just have to save all the receipts of your Dior purchases from major retailers like Sephora, Macy's, or Lord & Taylor. Then depending how much you spend annually ($100, $250, $500, or $1000), you will be rewarded a different gift set of Dior products. Click here for more details.

For 2010, I bought mostly Dior lip sticks/glosses during Sephora's 20% discount events. I reached the $100 mark and Dior shipped me my package within less than 2 weeks.

Dior Diva Rewards Package

Dior Addict Lipstick in 783 Londres

I love the detail of the signature Dior logo in the packaging. =)  It's silly but I admire companies who brand their shipping material as well. My Dior Diva Rewards package came with a travel size Hypnotic Poison perfume, DIORSHOW mascara, Dior Addict lipstick and a mini Dior shopping bag. Not sure what I'm going to do with the shopping bag but it's cute nevertheless.

Next, I had a little haul from Sephora and got some freebies.

Sephora Haul June 2011

I redeem 500-point perk on my Sephora Beauty Insider Rewards. The Best of Caudalie set came with super deluxe sizes! I calculate it to be about a $65 retail value.

Best of Caudalie - Sephora Beauty Insider 500-point perk

This sample set includes the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, Pulpe Vitaminée Eye and Lip Cream, and the Instant Foaming Cleanser. Sephora sells a similar set called the Beauty Essentials from the Vine.  This perk is sold out on sephora.com already, but do check your local Sephora store if they still have it in stock!

Also received in the mail a postcard from Sephora regarding a free Bare Escentuals sample summer kit. I already use Bare Escentuals, so this was a good travel set to bring with me.

Sephora/Bare Escentuals Sample Set

This set came with the bareMinerals Mineral Veil, foundation, and their new line of Purely Nourishing Moisturizer and baby kabuki brush. Personally, I don't care for the kabuki brush because I think it is a bit rough.

Now for the only paid purchase on the same Sephora visit, haha. I got the Sephora Favorites In the Glow Set.

Sephora Favorites In The Glow Set

This set is a deluxe sample set of all the exfoliating and skincare for bright complexion. I already own the Boscia Black Illuminating Mask and adore it, just thought this will be perfect for travel. The Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster, I also do love from another 500-point perk. I mostly got this kit for the Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate Treatment. Can't wait to try it!

Also bought this Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit. Every year Sephora sells one of these kits to allow you to sample a bunch of skincare/sun care products. All proceeds to these kits are donated to the Skin Care Foundation.

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit - with the tote

This year's kit comes with a full size Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips that retails for $10 alone! Also comes with a cute Little Miss SPF tote that will be perfect for the beach. You can check out last year's kit here.

Also went to Lord & Taylor to use up the gift card from the special deal I got from RueLaLa ($25 for a $50 L&T gift card). I was looking for a new eye cream and stopped by the philosophy counter for the eye hope eye cream. It retails for $48 and came with this cute gift with purchase.

Lord & Taylor - philosophy haul

The gift with purchase came with samples of their famous purity cleanser and grace shower and shampoo. I wanted to try out their new hope in a tinted moisturizer and the sales representative was nice enough to give me a deluxe sample to try! She matched me with the light to medium one. We'll see how it works out.

That's it for the Beauty Haul, clothing haul and swatches coming up really soon! I'm totally back-logged. >.<