Product Empties #1
Hello everyone! Today we are talking about all of the products that I have completely used up over the past few weeks and I thought I would share my overall thoughts and feelings on them. I hope you enjoy!
Product #1 : L'Oreal's Extraordinary Clay Hair Mask
This is a pre-shampoo treatment that you are supposed to leave on your scalp for about five minutes and wash off before you use your regular shampoo and conditioner. The clays are meant to soak up excess oil as a way to detoxify your scalp. In my mind, I thought that this would extend the life of my hair between washes kinda like an alternative to dry shampoo, but unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations. First of all, this stuff smells awful, and secondly, I don't think it does a damn thing. I didn't notice a single difference aside from it taking longer to wash my hair than normal. If you want to detox your roots, just get a detoxifying shampoo and stick to dry shampoo because this stuff is pointless.
Product #2: Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer
Before I get into this: yes, I use a wrinkle cream at the age of 20. No, I don't have wrinkles to repair. However, this stuff is amazing. Now, if you are not familiar, wrinkle creams and treatments use Retinol (vitamin A) which believe it or not also helps to combat acne! So all those wrinkle creams - which may be believed to only be for older people - can also be for younger individuals suffering from skin imperfections. Makes you wonder why they aren't marketed that way in the first place.
Anyway, this stuff is totally magical. Not only does it moisturize my skin, but it also treats and prevents acne. I find that breakouts disappear much quicker when I use this, and I get fewer of them in general when this moisturizer is in my regular rotation of products. I of course only use this at night because, as with retinols, you certainly need to use a SPF over top, but I do know that there is a daytime form of this product that I would love to try. Do I know if this product reduces wrinkles? I can't say for sure, but I can say that if you acne-prone skin that this stuff is worth a try.
Product #3: Klorane's Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a magical thing, especially during the summer when it is too hot to keep washing and styling your hair, but sometimes it is hard to find one that actually works and doesn't leave behind any residue. This one, thankfully, is the best one I have found yet! I usually only use drugstore dry shampoo, but fortunately I got this sample in my June Sephora Play! box and I'm so glad that I did.
I had never heard of this brand before getting the deluxe sample, but after some research, it is actually one of the more affordable hair care brands at Sephora, so that is a huge plus. This particular dry shampoo is made with oat milk and I have to say, it smells so damn good. It is even a four-time Allure Best of Beauty winner, so you know I am not lying when I say this is a wonderful product. It cleans my hair and makes it look like I just washed it, and even adds volume. This shampoo beats out every other dry shampoo that I have ever used and I am so thankful to have found it.
Product #4: Sunday Riley's Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser
Another product that I received in a Sephora Play! box, but one that doesn't come with a great review. I have tried billions of different cleansers and I know which ones work for my skin and which ones don't. I don't think that there is anything really special about this cleanser. Did it clean my face? Yes, but I can think of a dozen (much cheaper) options that do the same thing, and it's nothing spectacular. This cleanser doesn't leave me thinking "wow this stuff is amazing, my skin is glowing" - it's just OK and certainly not worth the hefty Sunday Riley price tag. I should also probably mention that this cleanser smells pretty unusual and not in a good way. Some people may enjoy it, but I am definitely not a fan.
Product #5: Shea Moisture's African Black Soap Problem Skin Moisturizer
Acne-prone skin sufferers, I found a moisturizer for you! This stuff will treat your acne all while preventing new acne from forming, all while moisturizing your skin. It is truly a miracle. I have to say, I was a bit worried using this with my dry skin because it is directed towards more oily skin, but it did not catch on to any dry patches and it helps to keep me matte throughout the day. I also find that makeup goes on so well on top of this moisturizer - better than a lot of mattifying primers to be honest. While the texture of this stuff is kinda sticky and the tea tree scent is strong, it is still a great product and I would totally repurchase it.
Product #6: First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream
If you weren't aware by now, I suffer from dry skin and I try a lot of different products to combat it. This stuff unfortunately doesn't do a hell of a lot to help it. Now, I love First Aid Beauty, and I use their Coconut Smoothie Moisturizer Primer almost every single day, but this stuff just didn't give me the hydration I needed. To be honest, I prefer using Aquaphor as a hydrating sleep mask to this because it is more affordable and does a better job at holding in hydration. I would use this cream over top my usual moisturizer before going to be as a sleeping mask, but I would wake up and my face would not be hydrated and I would have dry patches. Talk about disappointment. It also doesn't spread very well and has an odd consistency. It almost breaks apart when I am rubbing it into my skin and I am just not a fan. I would not repurchase nor do I recommend it.
Product #7: Philosophy's Miracle Worker Moisturizer
One last moisturizer and one last product, but I saved the best for last! This delightful piece of heaven is my all time favorite moisturizer and the only one that truly works for my skin! Yes, I know this is totally not directed towards my age group, but my mom had bought this stuff a while ago and found that it did not work for her, so she gave it to me, and boy am I glad that she did. I get extreme hydration from this moisturizer and the texture of my skin has become so super smooth and feels amazing. The texture of this product is a tad goopy, but I don't mind one bit because of how well it works for me. It absorbs into my skin in minutes and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and plump morning and night. The only downside to this product is how expensive it is... like really expensive, but would I save up to buy it again? Absolutely, without hesitation. Hydrated skin=happy skin, and happy skin= happy Christina. And I am never looking back.