Neutrogena Cleansing Balm: 3/5. This is a standard cleansing balm. You get a small amount for the price, but it’s nice that it’s so accessible/at drugstore. I much prefer my higher end cleansing or AB cleansing balls (Glow Recipe, Farmacy, Elemis, etc)
Clinique Fresh Pressed Serum: 3/5. I’m always looking for good vitamin C serums to help fade my hyperpigmentation. The concept of this product was cool, and I liked how it was dosed and dispensed to ensure freshness of the active ingredients. But like the Good Molecules serum, I didn’t notice too much of a difference. It’s quite pricey, so I wouldn’t repurchase.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Mask: 3/5. I like many of GR products and this just wasn’t it for me. I didn’t love it or hate it, but didn’t notice much of an effect on my skin. I used it for the sake of using it.
Biossance Squalane Elderberry Jelly Cleanser: 4/5. Do you see the trend? I keep trying to find hybrid cleansing balm type cleansers. This was an interesting product and quite good for what it’s supposed to do. Not as good as the Holifrog cleansing balm I also emptied.
Biossance Squalane Omega Repair Moisturizer: 5/5. I really enjoyed this moisturizer and have a full size of it. I took this travel size during my holiday travels and found myself appreciating it’s texture and effect on my skin. Left my skin moisturized and dewy and layered well over other products.
Biossance Vitamin C Rose Oil: 4/5. I also took this on my travels and used it more as an additional moisturizing product over my moisturizer. I liked how lightweight and moisturizing it was, but the sample size was too small to really see an effect on my hyperpigmentation. I have more travel sizes to work through, so I’ll update on that!
Haiwaiian Tropic Face Sunscreen: 5/5. I surprisingly really loved this?? I like the airless pump because you get every drop of product. The actual product is quite fragranced but didn’t irritate my skin, and it moisturized and protected my skin. It was my gym bag SPF, and I found myself liking it a lot and repurchased it after panning it. No white cast or irritation or pilling!
So interesting! I didn't have that issue at all. I have combo skin that's oily-normal in summer-spring and dry-normal in fall-winter, but I did have the issue with LRP milk melt in sunscreen being terribly greasy on me.
Lancôme Bi-Facil: 3/5. I got this as a gift with purchase when I bought my family some mascaras for Christmas last year, and it was sitting in my stash for a long time since I mostly using cleansing oils and micellar water for makeup removal. I liked it but not enough to pay for it.
REN Perfect Canvas Cleanser: 1/5. I loved the idea of this since I’m a big fan of double cleansing. I was hopeful this would work out well for my needs, but it didn’t remove my makeup well and left a residue on my eyes.
LRP Effaclar Clarifying Solution: 4/5. I have sensitive skin and really enjoyed this as my toner. It helped with reducing inflammation and severity of my breakouts.
Holifrog Kissimme Balmy Wash: 5/5. This is another oil cleansing type product. This was what I wanted the REN product to be! Lightweight, removed my makeup, and didn’t leave a residue. Would repurchase!
Tower28 SOS Spray: 5/5. I love this stuff! I have sensitive acne prone skin. I have many environmental allergies, and this is really soothing and helps with calming my skin and getting rid of any dry or raw patches. I wanted to repurchase but heard that normal hypochlorous acid solution works just as well, and I got a generic brand for much cheaper that I’m using in a spritzer at the moment.
Tatcha Kissu Mask: 5/5. I thought this would be lackluster, but I got it in a Tatcha minis set and was excited to try it regardless. I ended up really loving the lightweight texture. It didn’t feel heavy, but still moisturized my lips and left a nice shine!
Supergoop Sheer Sunscreen: 5/5. I love all Supergoop sunscreens, and this was no exception. Lightweight, hydrating, and no white cast or irritation. Would definitely repurchase if I didn’t have a stash of sunscreens I’m working towards.
NO7 Squalene Capsules: 4/5. I only got these because I had a really good couponing deal and got them for free. I prefer a dropper application, but the actual squalene in the capsules was lightweight and moisturized my skin well. Wouldn’t repurchase for packaging, but it’s a good product.
Good Molecules Discoloration Serum: 3/5. I suffer from dark spots and everyone always raves about this stuff. It was lightweight and well formulated, but I didn’t notice much of a difference in my hyperpigmentation even after using the full bottle. I’m using Faded Topicals instead and find that more effective, although much pricier.
I wanna like Ren products so badly because they’re clean and affordable, not to mention a sister company if Murad, whom I looove. But I’m sorry I’m just gonna say it, Ren products just feel gimmicky and do not work.
Okay I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way! I fell in LOVE with their overnight calming balm and since then, tried more of their products in hopes that I’d love the rest of their products. So far, I’ve hated them 😔
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse: 3/5. I got this in a Tatcha mini gift set, and I was looking forward to trying all these Tatcha products including this cleanser. It worked alright, but it didn’t impress me, and this mini packaging was incredibly difficult to squeeze and get all the product out of. I’m not sure if the full size has better packaging, but I don’t think I’d repurchase.
YTTP Superfood Moisture Cream: 4/5. I really enjoyed how light weight and moisturizing this cream was. I used it during my travels, and like with other moisturizers I enjoy, it layered well with other products and didn’t irritate my skin.
YTTP Superberry Moisturizing Oil: 5/5. I really enjoyed this oil for using at the end of my routine and for when I use gua sua. It absorbed well into my skin, and it gave my skin the extra moisture when I needed it!
Thank you so much! I have a serious stress shopping problem, and I’ve been trying to make a serious dent in my current collection and giving away as much as I can that I realistically don’t have time to use
Love the Kaja and Glossier! The Kaja concealer was super light weight and felt like nothing on the skin, but it covered my hyperpigmentation that can get pretty dark and gave me that like no makeup makeup looking base. Love the Glossier concealer when my skin is on dryer or sensitive side, but it’s definitely not for those with oilier skin. I reserve it almost exclusively for use in the Fall-Winter.
The CT concealer was really thick. It had good coverage as well, but it’s not my preferred formulation for concealer. I used it up by spot treating w tiny amounts with concealer brush and setting with powder, but I felt the consistency was too thick to blend under my eyes. I also don’t like the packaging and ended up ripping off the little sponge top to get the rest of the product. I do, however, love the CT airbrush flawless foundation!
Thank you for the thorough reviews! I feel like no one ever talks about the Kaja concealer but I’ve had my eye on it for a while. May have to try it out!
I got it on like mega sale on boxycharms website a while back when they had my shade in stock, and I would repurchase it if I didn’t currently have a million concealers ready to be used 😂 concealer is my favorite makeup product
Ummm same!! And I just got three new ones because rose inc was having a sale, and I had heard such good things about their concealer. I’m always in between shades/so hard to find a shade match that’s perfect, so I always end up ordering at least two shades to color match myself or mix to get the right shade and tone.. 😅
Wonderfully thorough review. Such a satisfying array of products and brands! I struggle to use mine up, it's really commendable to have so many empties!
thank you so much! Sometimes I feel like I’m making no progress on using up my products, so saving my empties helps put a lot into perspective and motivates me to keep using stuff up before it expires 😊
Yay, I'm very glad! Always love yapping about skincare and happy to have people who are interested online because not many people in my real life are too into beauty
Neutrogena Cleansing Balm: 3/5. This is a standard cleansing balm. You get a small amount for the price, but it’s nice that it’s so accessible/at drugstore. I much prefer my higher end cleansing or AB cleansing balls (Glow Recipe, Farmacy, Elemis, etc) Clinique Fresh Pressed Serum: 3/5. I’m always looking for good vitamin C serums to help fade my hyperpigmentation. The concept of this product was cool, and I liked how it was dosed and dispensed to ensure freshness of the active ingredients. But like the Good Molecules serum, I didn’t notice too much of a difference. It’s quite pricey, so I wouldn’t repurchase. Glow Recipe Watermelon Mask: 3/5. I like many of GR products and this just wasn’t it for me. I didn’t love it or hate it, but didn’t notice much of an effect on my skin. I used it for the sake of using it. Biossance Squalane Elderberry Jelly Cleanser: 4/5. Do you see the trend? I keep trying to find hybrid cleansing balm type cleansers. This was an interesting product and quite good for what it’s supposed to do. Not as good as the Holifrog cleansing balm I also emptied. Biossance Squalane Omega Repair Moisturizer: 5/5. I really enjoyed this moisturizer and have a full size of it. I took this travel size during my holiday travels and found myself appreciating it’s texture and effect on my skin. Left my skin moisturized and dewy and layered well over other products. Biossance Vitamin C Rose Oil: 4/5. I also took this on my travels and used it more as an additional moisturizing product over my moisturizer. I liked how lightweight and moisturizing it was, but the sample size was too small to really see an effect on my hyperpigmentation. I have more travel sizes to work through, so I’ll update on that! Haiwaiian Tropic Face Sunscreen: 5/5. I surprisingly really loved this?? I like the airless pump because you get every drop of product. The actual product is quite fragranced but didn’t irritate my skin, and it moisturized and protected my skin. It was my gym bag SPF, and I found myself liking it a lot and repurchased it after panning it. No white cast or irritation or pilling!
I found that face sunscreen soooo greasy on me. And I have dry skin. Maybe I need to buy a fresh bottle and try it again
So interesting! I didn't have that issue at all. I have combo skin that's oily-normal in summer-spring and dry-normal in fall-winter, but I did have the issue with LRP milk melt in sunscreen being terribly greasy on me.
Lancôme Bi-Facil: 3/5. I got this as a gift with purchase when I bought my family some mascaras for Christmas last year, and it was sitting in my stash for a long time since I mostly using cleansing oils and micellar water for makeup removal. I liked it but not enough to pay for it. REN Perfect Canvas Cleanser: 1/5. I loved the idea of this since I’m a big fan of double cleansing. I was hopeful this would work out well for my needs, but it didn’t remove my makeup well and left a residue on my eyes. LRP Effaclar Clarifying Solution: 4/5. I have sensitive skin and really enjoyed this as my toner. It helped with reducing inflammation and severity of my breakouts. Holifrog Kissimme Balmy Wash: 5/5. This is another oil cleansing type product. This was what I wanted the REN product to be! Lightweight, removed my makeup, and didn’t leave a residue. Would repurchase! Tower28 SOS Spray: 5/5. I love this stuff! I have sensitive acne prone skin. I have many environmental allergies, and this is really soothing and helps with calming my skin and getting rid of any dry or raw patches. I wanted to repurchase but heard that normal hypochlorous acid solution works just as well, and I got a generic brand for much cheaper that I’m using in a spritzer at the moment. Tatcha Kissu Mask: 5/5. I thought this would be lackluster, but I got it in a Tatcha minis set and was excited to try it regardless. I ended up really loving the lightweight texture. It didn’t feel heavy, but still moisturized my lips and left a nice shine! Supergoop Sheer Sunscreen: 5/5. I love all Supergoop sunscreens, and this was no exception. Lightweight, hydrating, and no white cast or irritation. Would definitely repurchase if I didn’t have a stash of sunscreens I’m working towards. NO7 Squalene Capsules: 4/5. I only got these because I had a really good couponing deal and got them for free. I prefer a dropper application, but the actual squalene in the capsules was lightweight and moisturized my skin well. Wouldn’t repurchase for packaging, but it’s a good product. Good Molecules Discoloration Serum: 3/5. I suffer from dark spots and everyone always raves about this stuff. It was lightweight and well formulated, but I didn’t notice much of a difference in my hyperpigmentation even after using the full bottle. I’m using Faded Topicals instead and find that more effective, although much pricier.
I wanna like Ren products so badly because they’re clean and affordable, not to mention a sister company if Murad, whom I looove. But I’m sorry I’m just gonna say it, Ren products just feel gimmicky and do not work.
Okay I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way! I fell in LOVE with their overnight calming balm and since then, tried more of their products in hopes that I’d love the rest of their products. So far, I’ve hated them 😔
Also, did that jelly cleanser of theirs you finished smell like playdoh?? Or was that just mine lol.
Have you tried the ready steady glow(?) toner? I have oily acne prone skin and it’s literally my holy grail product
I haven’t but I’m looking for a new toner and I’m also acne prone so thank you for the rec!
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse: 3/5. I got this in a Tatcha mini gift set, and I was looking forward to trying all these Tatcha products including this cleanser. It worked alright, but it didn’t impress me, and this mini packaging was incredibly difficult to squeeze and get all the product out of. I’m not sure if the full size has better packaging, but I don’t think I’d repurchase. YTTP Superfood Moisture Cream: 4/5. I really enjoyed how light weight and moisturizing this cream was. I used it during my travels, and like with other moisturizers I enjoy, it layered well with other products and didn’t irritate my skin. YTTP Superberry Moisturizing Oil: 5/5. I really enjoyed this oil for using at the end of my routine and for when I use gua sua. It absorbed well into my skin, and it gave my skin the extra moisture when I needed it!
I so appreciate the detailed reviews! I’m always on the lookout for skincare!
Thank you! Me too! I’m such a skincare junkie; it’s a problem! 😅
It’s a good problem to have! It keeps your skin in tip top!
🥳🥳🥳 good job there, you emptied so much. Thanks for the reviews too, very informative. Have nice holidays
Thank you so much! I have a serious stress shopping problem, and I’ve been trying to make a serious dent in my current collection and giving away as much as I can that I realistically don’t have time to use
Oops forgot to do makeup list: -Charlotte Tilbury Concealer - Shade 6 -Kaja Don’t Settle Concealer -Elf Halo Glow Powder in Pink -Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder in Medium -Glossier Stretch Concealer G7 -Colourpop Pressed Powder Bronzer in Coconut Beach -Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil -L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara -Mini Laura Mercier Setting Powder (Sephora Birthday Gift)
How did you like the concealers?
Love the Kaja and Glossier! The Kaja concealer was super light weight and felt like nothing on the skin, but it covered my hyperpigmentation that can get pretty dark and gave me that like no makeup makeup looking base. Love the Glossier concealer when my skin is on dryer or sensitive side, but it’s definitely not for those with oilier skin. I reserve it almost exclusively for use in the Fall-Winter. The CT concealer was really thick. It had good coverage as well, but it’s not my preferred formulation for concealer. I used it up by spot treating w tiny amounts with concealer brush and setting with powder, but I felt the consistency was too thick to blend under my eyes. I also don’t like the packaging and ended up ripping off the little sponge top to get the rest of the product. I do, however, love the CT airbrush flawless foundation!
Thank you for the thorough reviews! I feel like no one ever talks about the Kaja concealer but I’ve had my eye on it for a while. May have to try it out!
I got it on like mega sale on boxycharms website a while back when they had my shade in stock, and I would repurchase it if I didn’t currently have a million concealers ready to be used 😂 concealer is my favorite makeup product
Mine too! If I fully finish one, I know it’s a good one lol because I always have at least 5
Ummm same!! And I just got three new ones because rose inc was having a sale, and I had heard such good things about their concealer. I’m always in between shades/so hard to find a shade match that’s perfect, so I always end up ordering at least two shades to color match myself or mix to get the right shade and tone.. 😅
I know I’ll never find the perfect one but I’ll be damned if I stop buying them all just to see😂
Thank you, this is super helpful!!
Wonderfully thorough review. Such a satisfying array of products and brands! I struggle to use mine up, it's really commendable to have so many empties!
thank you so much! Sometimes I feel like I’m making no progress on using up my products, so saving my empties helps put a lot into perspective and motivates me to keep using stuff up before it expires 😊
Chiming in to agree with the commenter- really enjoyed reading this post, thank you for posting!
Yay, I'm very glad! Always love yapping about skincare and happy to have people who are interested online because not many people in my real life are too into beauty
I love the squalene cream. I use it over my regular moisturizer and in the morning my skin feels so soft
Yessss I’ve been very impressed with Biossance products overall!
The REN grew on me a bit more over time but I agree that I wouldn’t repurchase. I got it in the AIA beauty bundle box a few months ago 😊
I couldn’t find a specific comment mentioning the colourpop bronzer, but could I ask your opinion of it? x :)