WINTER 2019 EMPTIES

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2yDNUducUQ&w=560&h=315]

I should’ve had this post live back in March when it was the first day of “Spring”, but here we are! I completed my Roundup 2018 Series, and I thought for the year of 2019 I’ll section off my Empties and Current Favourites posts by season. Here are my first set of empties from January 1, 2019 – March 20, 2019!

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DISCLOSURE

Some products are PR samples, and are indicated down below. This post contains affiliate links. If you use this link to make a purchase, I make a small commission. Thank you if you decide to use it! If you don’t feel comfortable, feel free to google a new link.


SKINCARE EMPTIES

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

Marcelle Gentle Makeup-Remover for Sensitive Eyes

Uriage Thermal Water

La Roche Posay Serozinc Purifying Mist

Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner (PR Sample)

Avene Skin Recovery Cream Riche

Weleda Almond Soothing Hand Cream (PR Sample)

Weleda Skin Food

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MAKEUP

Koji Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner

Saint Cosmetics Lucky Stiff Black Mascara (Discontinued)

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HAIRCARE

Acure Dry Shampoo (PR Sample)

Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo

Aveda Clove Color Conditioner

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Sea Salt Mini

Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste Mini

Christophe Robin Color Fixator Wheat Germ Mask


Hope you enjoyed the video!

xo, M

Neostrata Defend Sheer Physical Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Matte-Finish Tinted Sunscreen PA++++ Review

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ABOUT:

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“This mattifying fluid sunscreen combines potent antioxidants with a Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) complex to protect and strengthen skin’s moisture barrier against environmental aggressors. Formulated exclusively with mineral sunscreens: Zinc Oxid and Titanium Dioxide.”
ADDITIONAL CLAIMS:

  • For all skin types
  • Tinted matte finish

Price: $33 CAD
Amount: 50ml

UV FILTERS:

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Type: Mineral
Titanium Dioxide: 7%
Zinc Oxide: 6%

Protection: UVA/UVB
Strength: SPF 50, PA++++

INGREDIENTS:

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Aqua/Water/Eau, Dimethicone, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Gluconolactone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Alumina, Ammonium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenethyl Benzoate, Nylon-12, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Sodium Citrate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Bisulfite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499)
CONSISTENCY: Liquidy

FRAGRANCE: No noticeable sent.
APPLICATION: Shake 15-30 seconds before applying. I use 64% of 1/4 tsp (will explain this in a future post). Feels greasy and spreads easily.

FINISH: Instant finish is is VERY shiny, and takes a while for it to eventually be matte.

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FEEL: Light. Slightly drying once it decides to dry down.
STINGS EYES? No.
WHITECAST / TINTED? Not all tints are created equal… In other words, your face is GREY! I gave it a second change and did a sheer application to see if it would match my skin tone. As you can see, it’s better, but still slightly grey, and mattifies quickly.

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WATER RESISTANT? No.
SKIN BENEFITS?
There is PHA (lactobionic acid) and EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), making “Defend” in their name suitable along with the SPF. However, I still treat this solely as a product with sun protection benefits.
UNDER MAKEUP:
Just like other physical sunscreens reviewed, it grips onto my It Cosmetics CC Cream really well and mattifies it.
WHERE TO BUY:
Well.ca
Shopper Drug Mart

PROS:

  • Thin
  • Not chalky
  • Light feel
  • Evens out complexion and reduces pigment intensity around blemishs / marks
  • Lists both UVB and UVA protection level

CONS:

  • Grey cast
  • Greasy on application
  • Takes longer than 30 minutes to dry if you apply the necessary amount to get the SPF labelled
  • Literally same ingredients as the brand Exuviance but just a price difference, they could’ve changed it up a tad to justify this!
  • The package says “new advanced formula” but when I compared this INCI list to their “Target” green line sold in the U.S. (and Exuviance), it’s the same formula! Can someone confirm whether or not we had this formula (or sunscreen for that matter) in Canada prior?ss2-inci-lists

IN BETWEEN FEELS:

  • Mattifies CC cream

Neostrata Defend Sheer Physical Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Matte-Finish Tinted Sunscreen PA++++ is disappointing. I was hoping this would be my go-to tinted physical sunscreen so I wouldn’t have to rely on foundation, but alas, the tint doesn’t change significantly for me. This will be going to my younger cousin who is so fair and oily skinned, she can actually benefit from this SPF, its finish, and how it evens out the complexion for her also acne-prone skin.

xo, M


[RELATED CONTENT]

SUNSCREEN SUNDAY:
SUNSCREEN SUNDAY #1: Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
Sunscreen Sunday #2: CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++
SUNSCREEN SUNDAY #3: Bare Republic Tinted Mineral Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

SUNSCREEN WEEK:
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #1]: Make P:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #2]: Elta Md UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #3]: Boo Bamboo Natural Sunscreen Mini Spray SPF 30 (Regular and Baby & Kids)
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #4]: The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #5]: Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #6]: Riversol SPF 30 Lightweight Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
SUNSCREEN WEEK [DAY #7]: La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Fluid Lotion SPF 50

REVIEW: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Masks

Glow Recipe is another online K-Beauty retailer, but they curate more indie brands that are not as known or easily accessible to those of us in the Western World! Think Make P:rem, Blithe, Huxley, Whamisa… Working in the Korean and American beauty market for so long, and having their own business, the founders Sarah and Christine curated their own line, Glow Recipe!

I first purchased the original Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser and Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, and eventually wanted to try their Jelly Sheet Mask! Since the Cleanser has been reformulated, I won’t be reviewing it * missed my chance *. If you would like to see a review on it despite it being the older formula, let me know in the comments! We’ll be focusing on the 2 Watermelon Masks I purchased from their line:
Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask

Why watermelon? I actually find it a very cute and sentimental reason. In the summertime during their childhood, their grandmothers would rub the rhine and flesh of fresh watermelon on their backs to soothe irritated, inflamed skin.  My grandmother never did anything like that, but she’d always prepare a copious amount of snacks for me and my cousins!

Quick Facts:
– Cruelty Free
– Formulated without synthetic dyes and mineral oils
– Good for all skin types
– Made in Korea


Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

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Price: $59 CAD, Mini $29 CAD
Amount: 2.7oz/80ml, Mini 1oz/30ml

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Description: “The Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask is a luxuriously bouncy, breathable sleeping mask that smoothes and perfects skin, overnight. This pillow-proof formula acts as a radiance-boosting hybrid hydrator, formulated with soothing, amino-acid rich Watermelon Extract, hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, and pore refining AHAs that work while you sleep to gently exfoliate and clarify.” – Glow Recipe Website

Key Ingredients: Watermelon, Hyaluronic Acid, AHA

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Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Caulerpa Lentillifera (Seaweed) Extract, Simethicone, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit, Silica, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract , Paeonia Suffruticosa (Peony) Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas (Sweet Potato) Root Extract, Betaine, Beta Glucan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Fragrance

Usage: Bath time, 1-2 times every 2 weeks.

Texture: Slimey. You have to mix before applying because there is separation.

Fragrance: Artificial watermelon, like a candy or a popsicle.

Application: I use the spoon to apply dollops on my forehead, cheeks and neck. I had to be fast, the texture is slimey and slippy!

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Face with Sleeping Mask

Instant Results: Skin felt soft and smooth.

Long-Term Results: Don’t use it enough to know. I rely on higher strength chemical exfoliators for this purpose.

Where to purchase:
Sephora
Glow Recipe


Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask

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Price: $11 CAD
Amount: 1.17oz/33g

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Description: “This one-of-a-kind sheet mask gets its jelly texture from a blend of watermelon extract and natto gum. That’s right, it’s a sheet mask made out of watermelons that gives you all the benefits of the amino-acid rich fruit directly into the skin. The watermelon base gives the jelly a naturally translucent pink hue that’s almost invisible on the skin, meaning you can mask anywhere, anytime without anyone knowing what you’re up to. It’ll be our little secret.” – Glow Recipe Website

Key Ingredients: Watermelon, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica

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Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit, Soy Amino Acids, Fructooligosaccharides, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Hyaluronic Acid, Natto Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Glycerin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Xanthan Gum, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa (Peony) Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, (-)-Alpha-Bisabolol, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas (Sweet Potato) Root Extract, Fragrance.

USAGE: 10 minute one night stand.

Texture: Thin, jelly gel mask.

Fragrance: Artificial watermelon, like a candy or a popsicle.

Application: 2 pieces, apply top and bottom.

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Face with Jelly Mask

Instant-Results: Somehwat hydrating.

Where to purchase:
Sephora
Glow Recipe


Final Thoughts

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PROS:
One of the few Korean-inspired products with a decent-sized ingredient list. When Korean brands use plant extracts, the list is so insanely long and features a lot of exotic ingredients that I don’t even bother to check all of them. Glow Recipe’s list is actually readable.
Key ingredients are actually near the top of the list. Too many times I have seen Niacinamide, collagen, HA, and all the good stuff at the bottom of a 50+ long ingredient list. I never thought it would do anything significant for my skin. Watermelon is noticeably high on the GR INCI lists.
Texture – the Sleeping Mask has an interesting and fun texture, which adds to my enjoyment using the product.

CONS:
– Price – $59 For a sleeping mask that dries way too quickly for my skin, PLUS I have to use extra layers to feel a decent amount of hydration… Not worth it.
– Artificial fragrance – I don’t mind fragrance if it is somewhat natural smelling. The watermelon definitely smells like fake candy. It’s not overwhelming, but it takes away from a more enjoyable experience with the mask.
– This isn’t an attack solely on the Watermelon Glow Jelly Mask, but after trying multiple gel masks this one just continues to prove to me that gel masks are MEH. Not worth $11 When a $2 cotton-sheet has shown to be just as efficacious, if not more.
Jelly Mask in general is flimsy and I managed to puncture it a few times when trying to get it to adhere to my face.

IN-BETWEEN FEELS:
More suited for oily skin. I wouldn’t say these products can be for all skin types, I don’t feel like my skin is nourished enough, even when I applied extra layers. Having said that, they still somewhat performed, and someone with an oilier skin type may see better results.
Mild enough for sensitive skin or for those who have never used chemical exfoliants. I’m used to stronger chemical exfoliants, but I did notice my skin would look fairly smoother with the mask. I just feel like I have tried better, but for someone starting out, you may want to look into the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask.

I appreciate Glow Recipe, admire the founders, and generally like the products. I’m sort of interested in trying the Avocado Mask, but I don’t really have an urge to try anything further from the brand. Have you tried the Avocado Mask? Let me know in the comments below!

xo, M

SUNSCREEN SUNDAY #3: Bare Republic Tinted Mineral Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

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ABOUT:
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“Face the day protected! Sun and environmental stressors can affect the health of your skin year-round – so fight back with our lightweight and non-whitening, tinted mineral face susncreen. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide protect physically, not chemically, providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Antioxidant-rich oils and plant extract offer intense hydration and reparative benefits to help keep your skin looking its best, no matter the season.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0wTUtwx-vo&w=560&h=315]

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ADDITIONAL CLAIMS:

  • Paraben free
  • No chemical sunscreens
  • No synthetic fragrances
  • Cruelty Free
  • Non-GMO
  • Gluten-Free
  • TSA approved size
  • No worries


Price:
 $19.98 CAD
Amount: 50ml

UV FILTERS:

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Type: Mineral
Titanium Dioxide: 3.2%
Zinc Oxide: 1.7%

Protection: UVA/UVB
Strength: SPF 30

INGREDIENTS:

IMG_20190402_104605.jpgAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil*, Alcohol, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil*, Algae Extract*, Allyl Heptanoate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dodecane, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract*, Gamma Decalactone, Gamma Octalactone, Gamma- Nonalactone, Glycerin*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Heliotropine, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Mica, Polyamide-5, Polysilicone-11, Propylene Carbonate, Raspberry Ketone, Silica, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Synthetic Wax, Triethyl Citrate, Vanillin *Certified Organic Ingredients

CONSISTENCY: Liquidy / oily AF

 

FRAGRANCE: Heavy vanilla scent that *eventually* disappears.

APPLICATION: Shake 15-30 seconds before applying. I use 64% of 1/4 tsp (will explain this in a future post). Spready easily.

 

FINISH: Instant finish is shiny and face feels oily. Waited ~20 minutes for it to dry down.
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FEEL: Light and matte. Drying.

STINGS EYES? No.

WHITECAST? No.

TINTED? Yes. Even though it’s tinted one colour, it IS universal because it’s undetectable on my skin. I don’t even think this will even out redness or cover a cast from another SPF.

WATER RESISTANT? Yes – 40 minutes.

SKIN BENEFITS?
You’d think that because this is oil based it would be moisturizing. But because alcohol is the 2nd ingredient on the list, it actually gets rid of the greasy look on your face.

UNDER MAKEUP:
If you wait the 20-30 minutes, it grips onto my It Cosmetics CC Cream really well and mattifies it.

WHERE TO BUY:
Well.ca
Amazon.ca
iHerb

PROS:

  • Actually a universal tint
  • Affordable, but moreso for Americans
  • No cast

CONS:

  • On application, when I was gliding the product, it still managed to attract dead skin on my hands, like I did a little exfoliation.
  • Have to wait 20-30 minutes for it to dry down
  • Alcohol too high on the inci list
  • Face LOOKS dry, makes my fine lines look more noticeable, dry patches
  • Unpleasant to use

IN BETWEEN FEELS:

  • Mattifies cc cream; can be good or bad depending on skin type. For me it’s bad :p

Bare Republic Tinted Mineral Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion was just okay. It’s great that this is a cruelty-free physical sunscreen with no cast whatsoever, but it’s very unpleasant to apply because of how liquidy/oily it is. For my dry skin, I don’t like it on my face at all because it makes my skin look dull. Perhaps in hotter, more humid weather it’ll perform better, but I’ll let oily-skinned peeps enjoy.

xo, M


[RELATED CONTENT]

SUNSCREEN SUNDAY:
SUNSCREEN SUNDAY #1: Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
Sunscreen Sunday #2: CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++

SUNSCREEN WEEK:
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #1]: Make P:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #2]: Elta Md UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #3]: Boo Bamboo Natural Sunscreen Mini Spray SPF 30 (Regular and Baby & Kids)
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #4]: The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #5]: Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
SUNSCREEN WEEK [Day #6]: Riversol SPF 30 Lightweight Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
SUNSCREEN WEEK [DAY #7]: La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Fluid Lotion SPF 50