Cleansing & Exfoliating Powders

We see it everywhere now, cleansing / exfoliating powders. An ancient concept and like many other Asian girls something we took for granted as a part of our childhood. I distinctly remember when I was little, my Mum made a paste and gave me a bath with that paste. Yes all over the body. Many of you will instantly think of garbanzo bean powder, or powdered green mung beans, turmeric and milk or yogurt….yes that’s exactly the ubtan I’m referring to. That exact concoction is also applied to a Indian brides before the wedding. It’s said the ubtan aids exfoliation and imparts glowing flawless skin.

So you ask, well explain what is an Ubtan? As per ancient Ayurvedic principles and texts, it is roots, flowers, mud, clays grounded and mixed in a powder form. The benefits are endless – Natural ground powders of clay, mud, roots, flowers, spices, salts, lentils, dried fruit skin’s which can be mixed with rose water, milk, honey, yogurt whatever your skin and heart desires. Aids exfoliation, helps with glow, wonderful cleanser, incredibly cost effective however there are plenty of options to splurge on. Multi purpose as it can be cleanser or mask or an exfoliator.

Finally, the western world of skincare has caught on, well more specifically ‘western natural skincare world or green beauty world’, call it what you may! I’ve noticed three distinct categories of this, western skincare entirely, western brands inspired by Ayurvedic principles and then of course eastern brands that are entirely based on Ayurvedic principles and elaborate methods of preparation.

From May Lindstrom to Leah Lani, they’ve all formulated a version of their very own and sold as cleansing powder or exfoliating powder. The ingredients are varied between brands but after a while you tend to see a consistent trend (albeit with slightly different proportion and formulation).

Westernized Versions (bold ingredients are common)

May Lindstrom – The Clean Dirt ($60 for 200ml)
white halloysite clay, red morrocan rhassoul clay, sea salt, vitamin c, sodium bicarb, marshmallow root, spices like cinnamon, clove, turmeric, ginger, vanilla and cacao

Leah Lani – Kalima Cleansing powder  ($46 for 100ml)
coconut milk, brown rice, clay powders, guava fruit, banana, camu camu, rosehip, honeysuckle, sea salt, hibiscus, vanilla, rose, vitamin c

de Mamiel Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate ($60 for 70g)

rhassoul clay, rose clay, sodium bicarbonate, white clay, oat flour, vitamin c, cocoa, rose, himalayan cedar wood, sandalwood, frankincense, vanilla, elderflower, marshmallow, grape, cucumber, calendula, german chamomile, gotu kola, ginseng, chrysanthemum and horsetail

Farmacy New Day Exfoliating Grains ($30 for 100g)

sodium cocoyl isethionate, corn starch, sodium bicarbonate, cranberry, water, adzuki seed, vitamin c, camellia, carrot, echinacea, glycerin, lemon willow bark, spiraling powder

One Love Brand New Day ($39 for 48g)

zea mays (corn) starch, pisum sativum (pea) flour, sodium cocoyl glutamate, kaolin, ananas comosus (pineapple) fruit extract, fragrance/parfum

The common ingredients that overlap between some of these products are Sodium Bicarbonate (resulting in fizzy emulsion making it more appealing & fun), Sea Salt, Vitamin C, Marshmallow Root, and Clay Powders. The first three ingredients mentioned is what clearly sets the Western Cleansing Powders apart from traditional Ayurvedic ubtans which are far more gentler on skin and dare I say far more “green” for skin! In my experience and opinion, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sea Salt and Vitamin C (assuming its pure Ascorbic Acid powder) can be very harsh on sensitive and sensitized skins.

Coming to my second category, which is western skincare brand based on Ayurvedic principles and ingredients. This brings me to Mauli Rituals Radiance Exfoliant and Mask (£36.00 for 30gms or 1oz).

The inch list truly excites me, with inclusion of Fullers Earth Clay (that unmissable sweet scent),  Rose petal powder,  Sandalwood powder, Turmeric powder, Vetiver powder, Kashmiri Saffron, Asparagus, Sandalwood Oil, Rosehip,  Rose Absolute, Kashmiri Saffron Extract.

Works wonderfully as cleanser, exfoliant or mask. Versatile in use and mixing base. The luxurious  ingredient listing is much closer to authentic Ayurvedic ingredients with a clear exclusion of Sodium Bicarb, Sea Salt or any other skin stripping harsher elements.

Closer to Ayurvedic Texts, Principles, and Ingredients

Forest Essentials ($18-$20 for 60g)
Tejasvi Milk – neem, cinnamon, fennel powder, sweet almond meal, sandalwood oil, fenugreek powder, peepal extract, anantmool powder, apricot kernel, saffron, durva extract and milk
Soundarya – orange peel, rose, jasmine, neem, oatmeal, sandalwood, turmeric, fennel, anantmool, saffron flower, lemon peel and star anise.
Multani Mitti  (my personal FAVE) – fullers clay, neem, turmeric, fenugreek seed powder, lodhra bark, woodfordia powder and banyan bark powder
Narangi (Orange) & Nagkesar (Messua ferrea) – orange peel, marigold flower, licorice root, messua ferrea, bala root, vetiver, ashwagandha, durva, neem, brahmi leaf, anantmool and cinnnamon
Roop Nikhar & Gulab (Rose) – lentil seed, rose, ornage peel, oatmeal, anantmool root, neem, katsuya powder,turmeric, saffron, cinnamon

Kama Ayurveda ($22 for 40g)

Mridul (face & body) – oatmeal, green gram, almond, neem, sandalwood, turmeric, rose and fennel.

PurEarth ($60 for 100g)
Turmeric Exfoliating Face Sand – Bitter apricot kernels, fullers earth clay, persian walnut, neem, turmeric, pomegranate, lavender, rose, seabuckthorn berry, and saffron

The web is also inundated with several DIY recipes, of which garbanzo bean powder,  mung bean powder, turmeric and milk or ghee is by far the most popular. However based on your skin’s needs, concerns and what’s available in your kitchen, these ingredients can also be used: Oatmeal, almond meal, rice flour, sandalwood powder, fenugreek powder, turmeric, grounded spices (cinnamon, clove, star anise, though not recommended to sensitive or reactive skins). Mixing bases may include purified water, steam distilled rose or any other flower water, full cream milk, cream, yogurt, honey, lemon juice, aloe vera juice, witch hazel, vinegar.

Ultimately it filters down to what your skin needs, how much are you willing to spend, where your brand loyalties lie, your preferences with traditional ubtan or westernized  version or a happy medium between western and eastern etc. Personally I’ve tried homemade Grandma’s ubtan recipes to modern Ayurvedic shops like Forest Essentials and Kama Ayurveda. My personal preference lies with more traditional format minus Vitamin C, Sodium Bicarb, Sea Salt.

HHW.com

xx

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Enzyme & AHA Exfoliators

Today in the market we have a massive range of exfoliators to choose from, of course the traditional physical exfoliator continues to exist, but many have evolved to chemical (AHA and Enzyme) exfoliators. There is also a combination of physical and chemical exfoliator. So ultimately it comes down to your own preference and skin’s tolerance level. The general theme to all these products is the following category of ingredients:

• Natural fruit enzymes loosen dead skins cells from the surface of skin. Also includes fermented fruit extracts
• Physical exfoliants can be a huge range from botanical, herbals, precious stones to buff away surface dead skin cells
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) gently exfoliates skin and depending on type of AHA (and it molecular structure…to learn more about AHA click here), goes deeper in the skin than enzymes (learn basics of enzymes, click here). Lactic acid, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid
• Cellulose peels & Sugar extracts polishes, lifting away dullness revealing brighter skin

Choice of product depends on many factors such as:

• How many actives? Just enzymes or AHA’s or combination?
• Purely chemical exfoliation or including physical exfoliation too?
• Product effectiveness?
• Other factors to consider such as packaging, consistency, texture, smell?
• Of course how much $$$ we need to fork out?
• Certain brand principles and ethos?

In this post, I have attempted to round up all exfoliators I’m currently using and provide a brief summary on their composition and performance. Any questions or feedback you’d like to add to any product please post in comments below.

PCA Skin Revitalizing Mask was a complete surprise for me! The ingredient listing, performance, results and finally the price. Primary base and first ingredient as Papaya fruit extract adds to the distinct green colour of the product. Tingles in a good way and sloughs off dead skin from the surface. The product is enriched with Squalane, Sugarcane Extract, Sodium Chlorophyllin-Zinc Complex, Honey/Mel/Miel, Rose Geranium Flower Oil, Fennel Oil, Patchouli Oil, Green tea leaf Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Soybean Oil, Rosewood Wood Oil, Lime Fruit Extract, Orange Peel Oil. The skin glows and if followed by a clay mask, the final result is spectacular. This is certainly not for sensitive skins, with combination of strong enzyme and essential oils it might be tad much.

Planted in Beauty Detox Exfoliant is a classic combination of physical and chemical exfoliation (pineapple enzyme). The physical exfoliation is very fine and wouldn’t scratch or damage the skin (something that could work for some sensitive skins). It is also enriched with some lovely antioxidants (Raspberry and Moringa Seed Extract), plants extracts (Great Burdock, Fenugreek, May Chang, Alpine Willow Herb, Wintergreen), and sugars (Alpha Glucan Oligosaccharide). It appears to be well rounded in terms of formulation and performance is immediately visible results. Packaged in a tall 120ml/4oz pump bottle makes it very convenient. The addition of essentials oils makes it smell something like a product used in a spa.

Dr Lewinn’s Reversaderm Enzymatic Detoxifying mask sounds promising and heavy in its name. Purely chemical exfoliation, with slightest tingle however in terms of performance it does ‘ok’ for people with low expectations. Don’t get me wrong, it does it’s job however its limited in its performance compared to many others in this post. The inci list stars include, Irish Moss Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Papain, Bromelain, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Vitamin C, Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Oligopeptide-24, French Saffron Extract, Glycolic Acid. Also the availability is limited to Australia and possibly online in UK.

BeautyPie Fruitizyme Five Minute Facial is a newer product on the market, with an interesting brand concept where their members can shop from an ever-expanding selection of unbranded luxury skincare and makeup products, and pay only the straight off the production-line prices. Anyway aside that, let’s talk about product formulation and performance. So formulated with Glycolic Acid, Pumpkin Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Pomegranate Fruit Extract, Quartz Powder (physical exfoliation), Bamboo Stem Extract, Rice Starch, Pomegranate Bark Extract, Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Witch Hazel Bark Extract, Raspberry Leaf culture. It is a thick, mild physical exfoliating gel which positively tingles the skin and definitely does its job.

Själ Pearl Exfoliating Mask is the most expensive product on this post. A triple-performance exfoliant and mask that effectively detoxifies pores and brightens skin texture through a complex of enzymes, multi-fruit acids, and crushed pearl to minimize dullness, remove dead skin and excess sebum. The inci list is dissected below for each category of ingredient:

• Galactoarabinan: Larch Tree extract (recommend reading this article by Oskia)
• Precious Stones Exfoliators: Pearl Powder, Sapphire Powder, Diamond Powder, Citrine Powder, Amethyst Powder, Tourmaline Powder, Ruby Powder, Amber Powder – claims to have its own vibration that creates a gentle cooling effect when applied to skin that stimulates micro-circulation while helping to improve clarity and brightening. I don’t know enough about precious stones vibration and its impact & effectiveness in skincare but surely intrigues me a lot.
• Enzymes: Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Pomegranate Fruit Ferment Extract, Bromelain, Papain, Bilbery Fruit/leaf Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract.
• Other Extracts & Cellulose/Sugars: Smithsonite Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Mushroom Stem Extract, Algae Extract, Fennel Extract, Mannitol (type of sugar), Cellulose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Royal Jelly Extract.
• Essential Oils: Blue Tansy Oil, Rosewood Wood Oil, Lavender Oil, Lime Peel Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil.

Upon application this product does tingle my skin, dries fairly quickly, and finally the skin is visibly radiant. To remove, I wet my fingers and gentle buff away the product as it has slight physical exfoliation component through precious stone powders. It is pricey and has a competitor in the same price range which I’ve talked about below (Omorovicza Copper Peel).

Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator’s is much revered among the blogosphere, and social media. Of course I had to grab myself a 1.5oz (45ml) jar at $60. Quite a pricey proposition and the formula is basically Honey, Plant Oils, Herbal Enzyme (powders), Papaya Enzyme (41th / 49th ingredient) and Essential Oils. While it leaves skin soft, smooth, radiant, its essentially a physical exfoliant in a honey base (which can be called as Enzyme base) and very little active enzyme (Papain, of course honey too). I feel no tingle expected from a typical enzyme exfoliant, however get more from this product through its physical exfoliation. I’m possibly the only one who feels this way about this product, and also feel there are other physical exfoliators at a much competitive price too.

Colleen Rothschild Dual Enzyme Polish (50ml at $55) is unique formula in this category of peels and exfoliants. While the formula consists of usual Bromelain, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Papain, it also has notable ingredients like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and finally few more ingredients like Comfrey Leaf Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Argan Kernel Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Olive Fruit Oil. The Vitamin  and C are on skin for such a short while I don’t see them making an impact on skin. This polish to be applied, left on for few minutes and then gradually exfoliated off the skin. The result is more visible from the physical exfoliation than the enzymes, it does leave skin smooth and soft.

SkinJuice is an Australian skincare distinguished by its intense bright coloured packaging. Not widely known to the world but it is surely a brand to keep an eye out for. I tried their Facial in a Jar mask which is basically a hot pot of AHAs, Enzymes and potent botanical extracts. Some known ingredients included in this formulation are: Lactic Acid, Witch Hazel Distillate, Pomegranate Fruit Ferment Extract, Mandelic Acid, PhytoCide Elderberry Extract, Sodium Lactate, Manna sugar, Malic acid, Pumpkin Fruit Extract, Seabuckthorn Berry Oil, Moth Bean Seed Extract, Irish Moss Extract,  Rapeseed Oil, Ginger Root Extract, Papain, Sodium Hyaluronate etc. Packaged in an air tight pump up jar, and need only 2-3 pumps for a layer over the face. Slightest tingle on skin and leaves skin incredibly radiant and refined. No physical exfoliation at all, however it major concoction of AHA’s and enzymes I doubt the skin needs any more exfoliation.

January Labs Power Peel & Go is one product I was very excited to try however it left me very underwhelmed. It appealed to me for its short, concise inci list and hoped it performed like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, but it left a lot to be desired. For non-elephant skin individuals this peel might work, however for me it didn’t do a thing. I contacted brand and they sent me the Pro version, which gave me mild tingle and flush to skin mainly because of Cinnamon Oil. Sensitive skinned people should be careful using Cinnamon oil in this formulation, as it may irritate the heck out of your skins. Long story short, for USD $75, there are much better alternatives available. Full Inci List: Water, Hypromellose, Phenol (magic ingredient in Biologique Recherche P50 1970, for numbness), Cinnamon Oil (stimulate the skin and increase circulation), Potassium Sorbate, Chloroxylenol, Grapefruit Extract (purifier, antiseptic, and preservative).

Chantecaille Fruit and Flower Mask is a gorgeous cream mask with not so clean ingredient list but performance surpasses many masks! A light whipped cream consistency mask, packaged in thick glass bottom jar, and enriched with Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Hibiscus Flower Extract, Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Grapefruit Fruit extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Papain (Hyaluronate and Papain/Papays enzyme are last few ingredients). I do feel a mild tingle on applying this mask, it smells just gorgeous of florals like Rose, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Narcissus. I also enjoy steaming my face as this mask eats away dead cells (image of Pac Man comes to mind) from surface.

Pixi Peel & Polish is a mild physical exfoliating or a leave on peel. Hence the name Peel and Polish. P&P is formulated with Lactic Acid, Sunflower Seed Oil, Witch Hazel Water, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Papaya Fruit Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Bilberry Fruit Extract. The physical exfoliation is courtesy of Polylactic Acid beads which are tiny, and can feel tad abrasive on skin’s surface. For $24 this product performs well, and quick spruce up for skin. By no means this is an indulgent luxurious or clean product but like I said, does the job. The strong cucumber scent is not my cup of tea (just a matter of personal preference).

Speaking of luxurious and indulgent lets talk Omorovicza Copper Peel. A brightening two phase peel for brightening skin, combining a blue copper paste and a lactic acid activator, polishes and smooths the complexion and visibly reduces pore size for a brighter, more even skin tone. I was very dubious about this product, given the price and ingredient list appeared reasonable but basic.

So let me cut to the chase, did it live up to the hype? Yes! The paste is very very fine and very gentle to massage on dry skin. Paste is enriched with Sodium Bicarbonate, Squalane, Copper Gluconate, Camphor, Yeast Extract, and essential oils like Sage Oil, Chamomile, Geranium. I tend to leave it on for few minutes before proceeding with the Activator enriched with Hungarian Thermal Water, Lactic Acid, Hungarian Thermal Water Ferment Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, and Chlorella  Protein Ferment. Gently massage in the activator and it forms white foam (don’t think soapy suds, no). Finally splash water on water and thoroughly remove any residue. The skin feels soft like cloud, radiant like first ray of sun. The tubes last least 3 uses, for me personally I used 4 times. So it seems the dollar goes much further than initially anticipated and results surely made it worth it for me.

So as a final round up, couple of quick points from usage perspective, I tend to use 2-3 times a week. Typically after cleanse and before a dense purifying clay or mud mask. Also highly recommend steaming your face with these products on your skin, the results are astounding. If there is any product you’d like to recommend in this category, please leave your recommendation in comments below.

HHW.com

xx

Myth Busted – Peeling Gels

Peeling Gel – Groundbreaking…Absolutely Not, here’s why!

Peeling gels are very popular in Asian skincare and gradually bursting on Western skincare scene. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy using peeling gels but have a proper problem with the way they’re sold to consumers.

We’ve seen Peter Thomas Roth, Boscia, Attitude Skincare, Seacret etc releasing their versions of peeling gels. Let’s get one thing clear on the onset, neither are they serums nor exfoliators. Certainly not a chemical exfoliator, and in my opinion not a mechanical/physical one either. They claim as you gently rub the product on your skin, the product lifts, rolls and sweeps dead skin cells off your skin. Seriously who buys that? Your dead skin will just roll off….?

My curious investigative mind, led me to finding the catch. Always in the inci list and some google search on specific ingredients can open a world of knowledge. So all these peeling gels have one ingredient in common, Carbomer! It forms a film on the skin and then as we obediently follow the product instructions and rub all over our skin, Carbomer gets crumbled/rolled/lifts/sweeps dead skin cells off our face.

False and misleading marketing leads naïve consumers to believe that rolled off Carbomer is actually dead skin. May be…just may be some flaky skin might get rolled off with Carbomer but it is not “all of your dead skin”. Think about it, your skin might fall off your face.

I know these products have earned some serious raves in the blogosphere based on the belief that dead skin rolls off our face. However I felt the need to get real with this concept. Having said all this, I still enjoy using these products. Sometimes skincare doesn’t have to be all serious business.

xx

HHW.com

Birchbox – February 2015

Good morning beautiful people 🙂 Ive been away traveling for work and when I return home I find a nice welcome home package waiting for me. Yes its Birchbox time.

Derma E Anti Wrinkle Vitamin A and Glycolic Scrub – Trialled this last night after a draining and dehydrating flight home, it just gave my skin a boost. Its going to be my travel companion.

Fake Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo – Loved the fragrance of the dry shampoo, but yet to try it properly.

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash – Yet another body wash, just like any other body wash…..mehhh

Summit Color Contrast Eyeliner (shade teal) – Holy smokes, this liner doesn’t budge or smear at all. Its soft, smooth no need to pull or tug the eye and incredibly pigmented. Need an oil based cleanser to get rid of it. Certainly will purchase black and brown shades of this pencil.

theBalm Read my Lips – Such a lovely peachy coral-ly shade, nicely pigmented, very moisturizing to the lips. Definitely purchasing a full size tube and curious to explore other shades.

Overall this month made up for last months boo-boo. I also love the classy floral print on sides of the box 🙂 Birchbox you made me a very happy gal for the short month of Feb.

Did you receive your boxes, what did you think of them?

xx

HHW.com

2014 EMPTIES

GOOD LORD!!! Where did 2014 go? This is pretty much the same thing I say every year end. Anyway so as I mentioned few months ago, I was gathering most of my empties for 2014 and would do a post on them. So without further ado let’s get started (based on categories).

Andalou Naturals Clemetine Ginger Shower Gel – nice while it lasted.

Dr Bronners Magic Soap – comes in many fragrances and I’ve pretty much tried ‘em all. Always a repurchase.

Forest Essentials Mashobra Honey & Vanilla Shower Wash – got these during our holiday in India and these smell heavenly.

Kiehls Vanilla & Cedarwood – nice but not a repurchase left my skin dry.

L’occitane Amanda Shower Gel – Love & repurchase.

The Body Shop Tropical Oasis Shower Milk (now discontinued) – creamy wash which smells frigging awesome but sadly discontinued.

Yes I’m Eucerin Junkie and so is my husband. One bottle for each quarter.

Dove Nourishing Lotion – this was a holiday emergency purchase, needless to say went back to Eucerin.

Argan Body Crème – this stuff is RIDIC, sold in Spain supermarkets for ‘a Euro’ and smells divine and ultra-nourishing. Waiting for next Spain trip to stock up.

Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods – purely used it for its fragrance period.!

EO Organic Deodorant – purchase from Whole Foods, nice while it lasted.

Bath and Body Works Brown Sugar and Fig Body Splash – simply and purely for fragrance.

Secret Clinical Strength Sport – have repurchased this many times and will continue to do so.

This one is a mixed bag. Somehow I managed not to save my shampoo or conditioners!

Aveda Invati Shampoo, Conditioner and Scalp Revitalizer – good while it lasted, not a repurchase

Aveda Pure Abundance – same as above

Daily Beauty for Wildlife Beach Spray – Yep I will repurchase, once I get through the million products I’m working through.

L’Oreal Everstrong Overnight Hair Repair Treatment – Nope made my hair flat.

Eva – Nyc Therapy Session Hair Mask – Nice while it lasted not a repurchase, same as above.

Random Samples – Molton Brown conditioner, Lush Hair Doctor – not purchasing any of these.

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser – very affordable glycolic cleanser with slight tingle, repurchase at some point in future.

Priori Gentle Facial Cleanser – expressed my love before, repurchase at some point in future.

Reviva Brighten and Lighten – experiment which was pleasant and will keep this cleanser in mind when I’m seriously broke but don’t want to compromise on results.

Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk – love the scent, repurchase at some point in future.

Skin Blossom Gentle Cleansing Milk – nice but won’t repurchase.

Vasanti Brighten up – read here why I won’t repurchase this cleanser.

Dermalogica Precleanse – we’ve had on and off relationship, repurchase at some point in future.

Clinique Take the Day off Makeup Remover – same as above.

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm – Defo repurchase when I’m in London.

Frutique Papaya Enzyme Exfoliating Gel – raved earlier about it here, though not a repurchase.

Real Chemistry Peeling Gel – trial from Birchbox, did nothing to my skin, therefore not a repurchase.

Organi Enzyme Honey Peel – Extremely pricey but darn good. Can’t repurchase as it’s sold only in Australia.

Neostrata Oily Skin Solution (2 bottles) – we’ve been consistent with each other and will repurchase at some point in future.

Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid – same as above

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Floral Toner – nice while it lasted.

L’occitane Roses Hydrating Face Mist – same as above

Pixi Glow Tonic – Love this product and working through the back up bottle now.

Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyun Hylauronic Lotion – will repurchase at some point in future.

Alpha H Liquid Gold Intensive Night Repair Serum – This has been repurchased for second time and it is FAB.

Aesop Oil Free Hydrating Serum – Whilst it’s pricey, it lasted forever. Made my skin appear oilier hence not a repurchase.

Juju Aquamoist Whitening Essence – experimental order from sasa.com which left me underwhelmed.

The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Serum – This is excellent as day time serum, working on my second bottle now.

For localized spots in addition to La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, I tried Aesop Control Gel (great product but too pricey for what you get) and Burts Bees Acne Solutions Spot Treatment (no repurchase, except giving a cooling sensation did nothing).

Hydraluron – I have ranted about this endlessly….refer Here.

Bioderma Hydrabio Legere – Excellent product, immediate nourishment and have a back up.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo – Lifesaver, always a repurchase.

Juju Aqamoist Hylauronic Essence – experimental order from sasa.com which left me underwhelmed.

Origins Ginseng Eye Cream – Loved it, wanted to repurchase but it was out of stock. Hopefully when I finish my existing one I may come back to this.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask – working through my third jar right now and still loving it.

Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Enzyme Mask – Holy smokes this stuff was good, but many similar products on market which I’m keen to try.

Aveda Intense Hydrating Masque – Loved the scent, this was a trial pot but lasted me a while so I might take the plunge at some stage.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Jelly and Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, bantered on about this in my previous posts too.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation – always there, one of my unsung hero.

Lakme Absolute Foundation – plesant while it lasted.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer – In a committed relationship with this concealer, currently working through 2 of these simultaneously (one in purse and one in ‘concealer drawer’).

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner Black – Loved it! Trying Maybelline now.

Mac Paint Pot – Bare Study – this shade dried out too soon, not repurchasing.

Nars Pro Primer – Defo repurchase.

Guerlain, Clinique, Make Up Forever & Lakme Lipstick – Loved ‘em all while they lasted. No repurchases here.

Kiko Night Balm – Nice but can’t repurchase till I travel to Europe.

Nuxe Reve De Miel – we share a very committed relationship where I have backed up 3 more of these lovely pots.

Kiehls Hand Salve – www.thebomb.com yes love this product and been using for 4-5 years now. Always a repurchase.

Eucerin Intensive Repair Hand Cream – by now you may have guessed anything with AHA and I’m all over it.

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year eve and may the new year bring you lots of love, luck, happiness, health, wealth, and peace in your lives.

xx

HHW.com