Empties November 2017

Left to Right:

Labo Labo Super-Keana Lotion

This is a highly raved toner in the Asia market that targets enlarged pores and blackheads. It was recommended by a friend when I was looking for a clarifying toner that can help with my whiteheads and blackheads. The brand is quite a well-known Japanese brand and this toner was very affordable - only around $15 if I recall correctly. I really enjoyed using this toner. The way I use this toner is not to use every day, but to use it after a deep cleansing mask and a quick extraction of blackheads. After the extraction, I soak a cotton pad with this toner and wipe it across my t-zone then leave it on my nose as a quick toning mask for around a minute. I find that it shrinks my pores which are a bit enlarged after all the extraction and calms the skin. I understand it contains lactic acid, malic acid, hyaluronic acid and collagen. It is particularly nice to use in summer because it gives a cooling sensation upon contact with skin.

In fact, I might repurchase this toner. You can get it online here.

La Mer Treatment Lotion

I have previously reviewed this toner here. It is my staple and I already miss it now it’s gone. I will definitely repurchase it when David Jones has its beauty gift card offer. This toner/essence is so soothing and hydrating and I always come back to it when winter/autumn comes.

Mecca Cosmetics - To Save Face SPF 30 Mineral Gel

Mecca Cosmetics knows how to do sunscreen. This mineral gel was a relatively new addition to the “To Save Face” line-up of sunscreens. I bought it on a whim and to my surprise I really enjoyed it. Unlike other mineral sunscreens that are thick and leave white cast, this gel was very lightweight and slightly tinted. It was almost a bit drying if I didn’t use a proper moisturiser underneath, so I image people with oily and/or combination skin would really enjoy this. The tint goes on almost transparent once on the skin, just enough to even out my skintone. And it comes with a pump –hygienic and practical. The only downside is that the product goes off quite quickly. The texture of my tube changed towards the end of my use – not as smooth and slightly separated. Not sure if it was just my tube.

The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2%

I was a bit disappointed by this because I did not see visible results at all after using up the whole bottle. Retinoid is supposed to be quite an effective anti-aging ingredient so I do not know why this has not worked at all for me. Please let me know if you have used it and how you feel about it.

L’Oréal Gentle Eye and Lips Makeup Remover

A budget friendly and very effective eye makeup remover. It removes my waterproof mascara in a breeze. I dislike the packaging with a passion though. The lid leaks every time I try to pour to a cotton pad. Please change the packaging L’Oreal if you are listening…

Du’It Foot and Heel Balm Plus

This foot cream contains ingredients like 25% urea, AHAs and vitamin E which help to exfoliate the dead skin cells as well as moisturise. It is quite lightweight in texture – almost gel-lotion like. It does moisturise my skin but they didn’t leave my feet baby soft. I think I have used other more moisturising foot creams before so I will not repurchase this one.

Neostrata Bionic Eye Cream

This has earned its full review here. I love it for the price and the results. I have already repurchased.

Clarins Tonic Body Polisher

Full review here. A beautiful body scrub that leaves my skin smooth and moisturised. The essential oils in this product smells heavenly and very relaxing. I will repurchase this when Clarins has a GWP.

(Some links might be affiliated but this post is in no way sponsered. All opinions are my own.)

L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eyes eye cream

L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eyes eye cream

This eye cream claims to do wonderful things such as anti-aging, reducing dark circles and puffiness and smoothing eye contour. Unfortunately I was not able to experience any of these results because I had a terrible allergic reaction to it. More on that later.

What L’Occitane says/product description:

• With 3 patents, the Divine Eyes formula helps to fight visible signs of ageing.
• With daily use, it helps to:- Maintain the skin's youthful potential- Intensely nourish the eye area (74%)*- Visibly reduce puffiness (74%)* and dark circles (81%)*- Visibly smooth the eye contour appearance (91%)* and lessen the appearance of crow’s feet lines (85%)*- Visibly even out skin tone around eyes (85%)*
• Tested under dermatological and ophtalmologist supervision.*Satisfaction tested on 53 women over 4 weeks. **Upper layers of the epidermis.
• RRP: AU$95/15ml

My experience:

As a disclaimer, I should start by saying that I have slightly sensitive skin. I do not normally react to skincare products, including those containing fragrance or strong chemical ingredients. But from time to time, I do find myself reacting to certain products, often leaving me with a mild rash, itchy skin or just general skin texture/tiny bumps. In the past, I have had a similar allergic reaction with the Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil eye cream. Sadly, L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eyes is another.

The texture of this eye cream is very light and serum like. The first time I put it on, it felt light and refreshing but it did not give me enough moisture for my 30yo eye contour…As a back up plan, I planned to use this eye cream as an eye serum, followed by another richer eye cream such as the Neostrata one which I really enjoyed. But to my horror I woke up the next day with red and swollen eyelids, and they were very itchy. I stopped using this eye cream immediately. In fact, I stopped using all my skincare products, and only used the Blackmores Vitamin E cream as a moisturiser and eye cream (I bought this on a whim for my daughter to use as a body moisturiser when we were travelling earlier this year). After about a week of using the Blackmores cream only, the rash on my eyelids finally went away. But I was stupid enough to give the eye cream a second try, and miracle did not happen. I was left with swollen and itchy eyelids yet again.

So it is safe to say that I did not enjoy this eye cream. Especially given the price, it is marketed as a high end eye cream targeting the mature aged group consumers. But I felt it was not nourishing and moisturising enough for its target consumers. I wish I could return this product back to L’Occitane but I did not keep the receipt either.

Lesson learnt – do not throw away my shopping receipts.

Update: I contacted L'occitane's customer service and they were very helpful. I was able to bring this eye cream back and exchange it for something else of the same value. I ended up exchanging it for a hand lotion, the Almond shower oil which I adore and the Almond milk veil...

Repurchase? Definitely no.