Time to take a look at my beauty garbage:
Some products were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links
This is a really great moisturizer - I actually just raved about in my July Favourites! It absorbs well in to the skin and is really nourishing and I have used it as both a day cream and a night cream! I noticed a big difference in the overall appearance of my skin while I was using this!
Repurchase: Yes
Paula's Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid ~ $33.00 US. An innovative water-light formula that contains a vital selection of antioxidants and broad-spectrum sun protection to fight visible signs of aging and prevent premature aging of skin.
I've used this and really liked it last year as a daily SPF; but, earlier this year, and this Summer it really impressed - it held up to the humidity and wore well and really did protect my skin the whole time. I really thought this is fantastic face moisturizer and it wears well under makeup! Repurchase: Yes
Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water ~ travel size $8.95 CAN (full size is $14.95 CAN).
Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water is charged in 15 minerals, the highest diversity of minerals amongst all French thermal waters to make skin stronger day after day against all aggressions.
This is a long time favourite mist - it's such a fine spray and I love the Vichy formula. I think it adds to my skin's strength and appearance. This little bottle was great to take along for all the little trips we had this Summer and earlier this year!
Repurchase: Yes!
Miniso Grape Seed Moisturizing Facial Spray ~ $?.
I feel like I have had this mist forever because it just gets pushed back when I'm trying something new and then I usually prefer them over this formula. This was a mist and worked fine, but I didn't really feel like it did anything special for my skin.
Repurchase: No
3M Acne Absorbing Covers ~ $10.99 CAN.
The drug-free cover that works like a sponge to absorb pus and oil from acne blemishes.
I picked these up as I was trying to find some different acne patches (or ones that were easier to get at a local store), so I added these to a Shoppers order. These were pretty terrible - they hardly stuck to the skin. I thought 36 in a pack was great, but honestly probably threw at least 5 or 6 out because they wouldn't adhere at all. I didn't think there were effective either.
Repurchase: Nope
Thursday Plantation Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner ~ $12.99.
Thursday Plantation Step 2 Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner captures the antibacterial power of tea tree oil and the toning benefits of witch hazel to purify the skin and tighten pores without over drying.
I really liked this in June (and previously) when I was using it - it helped keep breakouts at bay and my skin is feeling clearer. But, I thought this quickly turned on me this month and my skin looked terrible. I think it was past expiry and I was stretching it before.
Repurchase: Maybe
Vichy Idealia Smoothness & Glow Energizing Cream ~ $?
This seems like an older product - I think Vichy has revamped the Idealia line, so I can't find this exact cream. This was a thicker moisturizer so I used this as a night cream while on vacation and it worked well.
Repurchase: Maybe
Arbonne Re9 Advanced Night Cream ~ $?
This was fine - a nice night cream for when I was away from home. I know this is expensive, so nothing outstanding to me but it was fine.
Repurchase: Not likely
Su:m37 Flawless Regenerating Essence x3 ~ sample (10 samples for 2,800 Won - approx. $2.40 USD).
This serum is a creamy texture and it made my skin feel nice, but it was a little too medicinal smelling..
Repurchase: Probably not
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum Concentrate x2 ~ samples (full size is $90.00 - $130.00 CAN).
A fast-absorbing serum for all skin types that hydrates, visibly strengthens and firms, and defends against daily damage while boosting the effects of any moisturizer layered over top.
I think I've mentioned recently that I'm trying to use up older skincare (I organize them all in bags by years received), so I'm bring samples on vacation with me, but also just trying to get through them. I think this was really good; but, I find the scent of Shiseido so strong and it makes it hard to use.
Repurchase: Not likely
Another older moisturizer I was trying to use up - I feel like I've been saving this up because I know it's so expensive. But, the scent was sooo strong that I actually couldn't use them - it was so floral and it didn't fade. I'm not that sensitive to scents and I just could not use.
Repurchase: Never
Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying Daily Skin Booster ~ sample size (full size $41.95 CAN).
Minéral 89 fortifies and makes skin more resistant to help protect against external aggressors like pollution and cold weather. It boosts hydration to replenish the skin's moisture barrier. Skin feels more hydrated, plumped and toned. Day after day, skin radiates with a healthy glow.
This is a holy grail booster of mine - I love how this makes my skin look and feel. Whenever I have it, it's my daily serum in the morning! Just so so good at strengthening my skin!
Repurchase: Always
Harper + Ari Juice Cleanse Exfoliating Sugar Cubes ~ $16.00 US. To use take a single cube with you in the shower or bath and gently massage over wet skin. (we like to break the cube up in our hands first with a little water!)
These smells like pineapple, kiwi and green apple and they smell delicious. I didn't really enjoy these - my toddler ending up loving these so they did get used up. I just didn't think the formula broke up very well and I like my scrubs to emulsify a little more.
Repurchase: No
J.R. Watkins Foaming Hand Soap ~ $6.29 CAN.
I really liked this and now these look they are discontinued and I can't find them anymore!
Repurchase: Yes, if I can find it
Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion ~ hotel sample.
I cannot go in to a hotel and not use the products in there, so this was great to take along for the rest of my trip to see my family and it was fine.
Repurchase: I would use it again
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion ~ $9.97 CAN. Hypoallergenic. Non-irritating.
This is a good kids screen - no complaints from me.
Repurchase: Yes
John Masters Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair with Honey & Hibiscus ~ $41.00 CAN. This gentle shampoo has a rich lather thanks to a coconut-derived foaming agent, and removes buildup while balancing sebum levels without drying scalp.
John Masters Repair Conditioner for Damaged Hair with Honey & Hibiscus ~ $41.00 CAN. Organic honey coats strands in essential nutrients and draws in moisture, while organic hibiscus flower extract helps to repair and strengthen strands.
These were okay - I think these made my hair super soft and smooth. This wasn't a line that I could use every time I washed my hair because I do have fine, thin hair and found this to be a little heavy when used too often. But it was nice weekly to use!
Repurchase: Maybe
Gilchrist & Soames Shampoo ~ hotel sample.
Gilchrist & Soames Conditioner ~ hotel sample.
These are from the same hotel stay as the lotion and I just kept using them. I've seen this brand at higher end hotels, so it seems good and I actually thought this set worked really well!
Repurchase: I would use them again!
Exact Shave Gel Dry Skin ~ $2.99 CAN.
This is a shave gel - nothing miraculous or crazy. It worked!
Repurchase: Sure
Clear Care Plus Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution ~ $19.97 CAN. Not only does CLEAR CARE® PLUS Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution clean and disinfect your contact lenses with the bubbling power of hydrogen peroxide, it also surrounds your lenses with long-lasting moisture.
This is a great contact solution - I switched to a hydrogen peroxide solution a long time ago now and it's great. This is at least a 6 hour solution so you can't wear your contacts the next day unless you have enough time; but, it's great! Much better at cleaning than regular solutions!
Repurchase: Yes!
Joe Fresh Cotton Pads ~ $2.00 CAN.
I always say that these are just good; but, once you use a really crappy cotton pad, you realize that these ones are actually really good! Really good! These ones work well for my face and nails, so they are good!
Repurchase: Yes
The Body Shop Shea Butter Soap ~ $5.00 CAN. Work this vegetable based bar into a rich lather for skin that feels thoroughly cleansed. Community Trade shea butter from Ghana will leave you feeling more soft and hydrated.
I think I got this in an advent calendar and the soap is fine - I prefer a softer, handmade soap formula myself. Also, I don't love a straight Shea scent.
Repurchase: Probably not
Lush Eggplant Bath Bomb ~ $6.95 CAN. Deep purple waters with streams of green and blue set the scene, while uplifting bergamot, ho wood and zippy litsea cubeba keep their energy soaring.
I felt a little dirty taking a picture of my eggplant for the blog. But, along with hoarding skincare products for years, I also hoard bath bombs for far too long. I'm really trying to get through an old supply and get back in to bubble baths. This one smelled great and left a nice purple bath.
Repurchase: Probably not
Purlisse Coconut and Rice Nourishing Sheet Mask ~ $8.00 US each. Restore, brighten, and nourish your skin with only one mask!
This was pretty good - I find the Purlisse material a little thicker than I generally prefer, but it fit okay. It came with a lot of essence so it did last a long time and it smelled a little coconutty. It did leave my skin really hydrated and soft.
Repurchase: Maybe, these are a little pricey I think!
So, in July I used 29 products up - this is actually a little less than normal, especially if you consider that quite a few of these are samples! I was away from home a fair bi this month so that certainly adds to it!
I'm going to add up the totals of each category I'm using up to see how much I use up by the end of 2020, so these numbers are from the start of the year:
-Makeup: 32
-Skincare: 55
-Bath and Body: 32
-Haircare: 20
-Nails: 3
-Masks: 30
-Other: 29
