April 2020 Empties!
In anticipation of Sephora’s annual Spring sale, I’ve been trying to do my part in trying to finish up the products I already have. It pains me to waste skincare products (especially because I spend an exorbitant amount on them), and in the past I’ve found myself having to throw away a lot because I kept them around for too long. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been trying to create better habits not only in reducing waste, but also improving how I take care of my skin and body.
In April, I’ve finished these three products:
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence: Famed for containing SK-II’s trade secret PITERA™, even so far as being called “Miracle Water”, this nutrient-packed essence is supposed to soften and smoothen skin, as well as keep it looking youthful. I think my skin felt more plump and hydrated after using this, but I didn’t notice too much of a difference in my skin’s texture or tone. It does run a little on the expensive side (the standard 160 mL bottle running for $185), but SK-II has many different value kits where you can try smaller sizes of a few of their products. When I first wanted to try SK-II, I actually bought the PITERA™ First Experience Kit ($99 at Sephora), that includes the facial treatment essence (75 mL - the kit is already worth it as this size is worth $99), facial treatment clear lotion (30 mL), and a facial treatment mask). Perhaps one day, I will give it another chance.
innisfree Intensive Hydrating Cream with Green Tea Seed: This was actually part of a gift set I received for Christmas, including the Intensive Hydrating Serum and Hydrating Sleeping Mask. I really love the scent of this collection, and green tea is a great ingredient in skincare (known for its antioxidant power). This moisturizer is super light and applies easily, however I didn’t find it to be quite as hydrating as I had hoped. This may have been due to the fact that I used this during winter months (when my skin tends to be much drier), but I am willing to try this moisturizer again during the summer. (Bonus: innisfree is an affordable and super trendy Korean skincare brand. I remember visiting the flagship store, seeing the two-story greenery wall around the perimeter of the store, and momentarily forgetting I was in the middle of New York City. Most of the products are inspired by clean and natural ingredients, and smell amazing!)
Shiseido Extra Rich Cleansing Milk: I really like this product, and it’s one of my favorite cleansing milks! It comes out as more of a creamy consistency (it actually reminded me of the look and consistency of Aloe Vera Softsoap® hand soap LOL), but lathers and cleanses well. It’s marketed for dry skin, but I think it would be compatible for any skin type. It doesn’t strip the skin or leave any film after washing. My skin feels hydrated and soft after every wash. I wanted to order this again, but it’s currently sold out on both Sephora and the Shisedo website. I ended up buying the new Shiseido Complete Cleansing Microfoam instead. I’ve been using it for about a week now, and I love that it’s light and airy but cleans thoroughly - perfect for warmer weather!
Since I drafted this post, 2/3 of my Sephora Spring Sale deliveries have arrived! I’m looking forward to trying more products (namely the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid) - but most importantly, I’m looking forward to narrowing down the products I use and develop a consistent routine instead of constantly cycling through new ones. Lately, I’ve been breaking out - constant quarantine snacking and emotional/mental up-and-downs definitely aren’t helping - so I want to begin embracing the “less is more” philosophy, especially as I enter my mid-20’s and experience different skin needs.
XO.