Happy end of July, folks! Not going to go on and on about time flying because it’s been said to death but you know what I mean. I’ve been using a number of new products for the past few months and since a few of them have finally been used to their very last drop, this is as good a time as any to share those empties as well.
Alrighty, let’s get started with my July’s Hit List!
The Hit List
Aurora Spa Rituals Rose and Shea Hand and Cuticle Cream
I love the body care products by Aurora Spa Rituals (their Ultra Rich Body Cream is one of my top 5 favourite body lotions) and this hand cream certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s quick-absorbing, not greasy and smells divine. As it’s quite expensive for a hand cream, I save this for my bedtime treat.
Estée Lauder CyberWhite HD Advanced Brightening Moisture Creme*
Yay an empty! I’ve been using this moisturiser as my night cream for the past few months and love it. The CyberWhite HD has a night cream version but I prefer to use this as my night cream instead even though it’s light enough to be used during the day. I saw an increase in radiance and brightness in my skin after using this even though it’s not a significant one. Worth a repurchase.
Kiehl’s Line-Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate
Oh boy, another empty! This is one of the better eye creams I’ve used in a while now and gives me the same results as SK-II’s Skin Signature Eye Cream does. I have dark circles under the eyes and this isn’t due to lack of sleep. I’ve always had it growing up and it’s the issue I’m more concerned about compared to puffy eye bags. This eye cream helps to brighten the skin under my eyes while keeping the area well-hydrated. It also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, which, believe you me, are aplenty. I’ll definitely be repurchasing this.
Batiste Dry Shampoo in Mamba*
I love the smell of this dry shampoo! It’s fruity and sweet but not cloyingly so. It freshens up day 2, 3 or even 4 hair without leaving it crusty. There’s no white powdery residue on my scalp either. I hope this also comes in a travel-sized can because I ran out of my travel-sized dry shampoo and am hoping to purchase one in Mamba.
Garnier Body Beauty Oil Scrub*
I love a good body scrub and this new Body Oil Scrub by Garnier is fab. It contains tiny kernels that act as an exfoliant but it’s not so harsh that it scratches my skin. It has a nutty fragrance that is surprisingly up my alley when I’m usually not that big of a fan of nutty scents. Tim loves this one too and I know he’s been nicking mine to use because I found scrubby bits on the bathroom wall just after his shower. Tsk tsk! 😛
Ecotools Pure Complexion Sponge (for sensitive skin)
I’ve been using cleansing brushes for the past year and have forgotten how easy and good it is to go back to the simple Konjac sponge. I picked this up during my last iHerb haul and have been using it twice daily since. There’s no way I’d be able to use a cleansing brush daily let alone twice daily without stripping layers off my skin and irritating it. The Ecotools sponge is gentle enough for me to use daily without any issues.
The Miss List
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Tinted Cream SPF50+*
As it’s sold as a tinted cream, I expected it to have very light coverage like a tinted moisturiser so that wasn’t my bugbear. It’s the thickness and heaviness of the cream that I’m not a fan of. It’s also quite greasy and makes my skin look oily. Those with dry skin may prefer this but me, I’m giving it a pass.
Face of Australia Pure Skin Cleansing Oil*
This actually started off quite well. It’s nowhere near the quality of Shu Uemura’s cleansing oils of course but I didn’t think it was bad. That was until I used it to remove my eye makeup. You see, I’ve never had any issues using cleansing oil to remove my eye makeup. Unfortunately, this one stung my eyes so bad that it still hurt for at least an hour after my shower. I’m still shuddering at the memory of badly stung eyes. However, if you don’t intend to use it on your eyes at all, then it’s all right for the face.
Olay Regenerist Skin Renewal Cleanser
This cleanser came with the Olay Specialty Cleansing Brush (a full-sized one is also available for individual sale). I thought I’d not waste it and use it up. It’s empty now but it’s not something I’d purchase because it’s quite drying on the skin. It’s one of those squeaky clean grainy cleansers that I’m not a fan of.
It’s Not All About Beauty
Book channels on YouTube (also known as BookTubers)
I’ve never heard of the term BookTubers (YouTube book reviewers and book fans) until about a month ago. I find them so interesting! Watching them show their book collections is even more fascinating than watching yet another makeup collection video. A lot of the BookTubers I stumbled across were fans of young adult fiction and as that genre doesn’t appeal to me, I had to keep searching further. My current favourites are Novella Zoo (she’s hilarious and often sports an expertly applied flicked eyeliner and a bold red lip), Books and Quills (even though her preferred genres of books aren’t my cup of tea, she had me at her gorgeous accent) and She Loves To Read (I discovered many new books from her videos). If you know more, let me know in the comments! Preferably those who enjoy psychological thrillers, crime novels and medical dramas. No young adult fiction please. 🙂
The Lizzie Bennett Diaries
I discovered this via Kimberley and dang it, how is it that I didn’t know of this earlier? The Lizzie Bennett diaries is a modern twist on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice where the story unfolds in vlogs and conversations on Twitter. The videos are really light-hearted and funny. I haven’t finished the whole series yet. I’m taking my time and slowly enjoying it. Do check it out if you haven’t!
Endota Spa Essential Oil in Clarity
Next to candles, I do have an insane amount of fragrance and essential oils at home that I like to use with my oil burners. I’ve tried a lot but the ones I like the most are by Endota Spa. My favourite is Clarity. It makes my whole room smells like a spa. Mmmm …
Circa Home Soy Candle in Vanilla Bean and Allspice
I love soy candles from Circa Home. They’re slightly cheaper than Glasshouse candles but the fragrances and quality are just as good. I was gifted one in Vanilla Bean and Allspice in a recent event and it’s perfect for winter. I’m not usually a fan of spicy scents nor even the basic vanilla but the combination of both is perfect.
That’s it for July’s Hit and Miss List. There were actually more hits than just the items listed here but I’ll save them for another month or else this blog post will be a freaking thesis. I have to say, I’m loving the non-beauty favourites more and more these days. I might just turn them into a separate post in future!
What made your hit and miss list in July? What’s worth repurchasing and what’s not?
Disclaimer: Products marked with * were provided for editorial consideration.
Woah thanks for the tip about the Kiehl’s eye cream being kind of a ‘dupe’ for the SKII one! Now it’ll save some people money lol. Sad to hear that you aren’t a fan of young adult fiction, as I’m one myself. I don’t know if this counts as ‘young’ adult or for those older, but have you read any books from this author called Dan Brown before? He’s the author of the Da Vinci code and I’ve got to say, his novels or books, are good. Used to be a massive bookworm myself until the work start kicking in, sigh. Oh and I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning but have you read the book called ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ (yes they have a movie made out of it too) by Arthur Golden? One of my all time faves (besides the harry potter & percy jackson series heh -cough-). It really delve deep into some roots into the culture of olden Japan and it’s patriarchy-ness, which I find very interesting.
Anyways, sorry for the long comment ha.
Robert C. recently posted..[Review] Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel
and sorry for the grammar mistakes and some minor errors >.< was touch typing + multi tasking.
I wouldn’t call it an exact dupe because their textures are not the same. But I did get the same results (if not better) with the Kiehls’ compared to the SKII’s. Hahaha I’m not knocking young adult fiction, they’re just not for me. I guess as I grow older, my taste in books change over the years. When I was a young adult, I was really into chick lit. These days, not so much. I’m more into crime novels and psychological thrillers now. I’m even reading a lot more non-fiction books when back in the day, I couldn’t even pick one up without zzzzzz. Ah yes, I’ve read all of Dan Brown’s novels. Personally, I still find his Da Vinci Code the best. Have also read Memoirs of a Geisha. Definitely prefer the book than the movie.
Okay, since you brought it up, I must admit that while I don’t enjoy most young adult books, I really enjoyed the Percy Jackson series. I don’t classify them as children’s books because there’s a lot of death portrayed in the books. I’m a sucker for anything to do with Greek mythology. By the way, if you enjoy those kind of books and especially with Hong Kong fantasy drama series tie-ins, check out the books by Kylie Chan. It’s about gods and qi gong and all that. The writing style is questionable (I don’t enjoy it) but the story itself is quite interesting if you’re into that genre.
Wow, the Kiehl’s eye cream is that good eh? Will check it out once my Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector finishes. Like you, I have always had dark circles but I have already learn to accept them. I am also using Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream at night and it really helps to keep eyes hydrated and also fines lines at bay.
Haha yeah I do like the Kiehls eye cream. I was surprised at how good it is too!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying The Lizzie Bennett diaries!!!
Thanks so much for the recommendation! It’s really funny! 🙂
Ooo the Estee Lauder cyberwhite cream and the kiehl’s eye cream have certainly got my attention. Have never tried them so will test them out next time I have a chance. I like Batiste dry shampoo too! I think they work great but I’m not really a fan of their tropical or blush scents (they seem to be the most commonly available) so would love to give mamba a go – and has no white residue!! The ones I have tried leaves some white residue which can be easily combed out but am keen to just spray and go. Too bad Japan doesn’t sell dry shampoo so will have to stock up when I come to Oz this Dec 🙂
Beauty Box recently posted..July Faves: Summer Essentials
You’re coming to Australia in December?? Any chances of coming to Melb? Would love to finally meet you in person! 🙂
I would love to meet in person too! Unfortunately no plans to go to Melbourne but if we do, you’ll be the first to know! 🙂
Beauty Box recently posted..Mummy Monday: How To Enjoy Fuji Rock Festival With A Nine-Month-Old Baby
Aww shucks! Yeah do let me know if you do decide to come to Melb! 😀
Ah, I love BookTube! One of them actually spearheaded a challenge called BookTubeaThon (which I failed spectacularly). Also, Pemberley Digital is making an adaptation of Emma right now, actually, but I loved me some Lizzie Bennett.
Carina recently posted..FOTD: Winging It
Ahh I’ve been catching up on the BookTubeaThon videos! Man, I would also fail that for sure! 😛
I’m sure that you’ll love the fluid version of the Anthelios I even like it in my really oily T-zone.
I haven’t heard about booktubers, but I’ll check them; also I need to see Lizzie Bennett (first I’m going to finish the book, believe it or not I haven’t read it neither watched the movie).
Efraín recently posted..Los imprescindibles en belleza cuando falta tiempo
I’ve tested it in store but I don’t think I like it either because I did find it a bit greasy. But I do have a bottle of it so will properly try it out on my face to be doubly sure.