Minimalism..

I've said that I created an Instagram account to document my minimalism journey. Sometimes I get jealous with other accounts and want to move on into something else like posting my movie recommendations. But each time I do, I just cannot. Not until I am 100% done with my minimalism thing. One time I thought since it is a lifestyle, there is no end to this. But as I keep on minimizing my stuff ~ well it is a lifestyle, but then there will come a time that I will no longer need to document anything at all. When I am fully practicing living in a limited stuff. And doing that one in, one out with whatever I have. When I am fully disciplined not to fall into hoarding again. I guess I should not also be hard on myself if I am making purchase mistakes. Money is important to be wasted but isn't mistakes part of our lives? As long as one is not doing it intentionally. 

Like since this year started I only bought two items and not because I wanted them, but because I needed them. One white brassiere and two pairs of socks. I've always wanted a socks that I can wear together with my black formal shoes. That was the reason why I never wear formal shoes at work. I want to wear socks all the time. I am wearing one now and getting the feel of this brand. If at the end of the day it does not feel good at all then I will discard it immediately. No need to hold on to stuff that will not work.

Minimalism..

Even though I say that I am a minimalist and frugal in progress from time to time, I look for photos. Watch videos. Read blogs. Because I always need an inspiration to go on. So from watching videos last week I came across this woman ranting about minimalism. But then I was not mad at her. There is nothing to be mad at her. She's making sense anyway. If you will google now about a dirt poor's version of minimalism and frugal: you'll find none. All you will find are people who in case get tired of minimalism and decide the next day to live in a material world they can do so. All my life I had always been a poor. Until now. Poor people do not really have choices. The only difference between now and then was at least I have a work. 

But even with work I am still living a hand to mouth kind of life. If ever you see me spending money in the past like when I went through the hoarding phase, it was not because my salary was overflowing. Like the money I spent I should have kept it in the bank for future use. Or I should have instead go on yearly vacation to unwind. Anyway it is over and down. Also the woman ranting about minimalism was also looking for money saving tips and she was taken aback about other people's way of saving money like not drinking Starbucks everyday. Haha. I had been here in UAE for 12 years and I bought from Starbucks only once. I enjoy their ice cream which they do not sell on their shops. The service crew does not even know Starbucks ice cream exist. My favorite is Cinnabon Mochalatta which I drink only once a month but it has been years that I don't. Trying to keep my glucose down. So yeah I can fully understand the rant.

This also reminds me.. Months and months ago.. I was looking for Filipinos like me who are also poor ~ wanting to hear their POV on how they do minimalism and frugality. Even if it means eating once once or twice a day. I want to hear their stories. On how on earth they can do it in spite of limited resources they have. But I cannot find anything. Or maybe extremely poor people do not have gadgets, internet connection nor time to spare to share their lives online. Or maybe they rather not share as it is very personal. And do not want to let the whole world knows what is going on with them. Or it is painful to talk about. I remember reading somewhere about Japanese people who are also dirt poor (but in better situation if compared to a Filipino) that they will try to hide their predicament. Like not socializing so other will not find out that they can no longer afford eating out, drinking or shopping. Those are the reasons I can think of why we do not hear from them. And it is mostly rich people all the time we see preaching about minimalism. 

In the end I still believe in minimalism. It is just not something like one size fits all. It is just annoying when you want to meet/see someone who's on the same boat like you but cannot find anyone.

Tracking down my Empties ⚓✻

Hi there!
Well this is not a beauty blog.
I'm just a simple office worker who happened to be addicted to skin care products since 2014. And one day I woke up that I have way too many in my stash that I have to put a stop to it. Sadly most of my purchases were just a waste of money. And so to document the products I used and if I'm happy with it I started writing an almost daily post of Empty Bottle post.

I'm trying hard to finish off my stash. To have a clutter free space. A space without a mess is somehow related into having a peace of mind. Pleasing to the eyes. Naughty insects will get nowhere to hide. And helps the pocket too. As I'm not hoarding anymore. This may not be a rigorous review of the said products I used but I'm compiling it anyway. In case you are in the UAE and might be looking for these products/brands. It will help if you just want to know where I purchased them and for how much. Little details that might be useful to you.

And here are the list:
Empty Bottle 1: Avene Cold Cream

Empty Bottle 2: Byphasse Hair Conditioner

Empty Bottle 3: VS Deep Softening Body Butter Sheer Love
Empty Bottle 4: VS Sheer Love Body Mist
Empty Bottle 5: VS Secret Charm Body Mist
Empty Bottle 6: Neutrogena Oil Free Wash
Empty Bottle 7: Olay Instant Smoothing Serum
Empty Bottle 8: Corine De Farme Wash
Empty Bottle 9: Baby Bench Bubble Gum
Empty Bottle 10: Corine De Farme Hand Cream
Empty Bottle 11: Daiso Body Milk
Empty Bottle 12: Bioderma Micelle Solution
Empty Bottle 13: Byphasse Micelle Solution
Empty Bottle 14: Soap & Glory Body Wash
Empty Bottle 15: Nectar of Nature Body Wash
Empty Tub 16: One Earth Organics Underarm Cream
Empty Tube 17: VS Sheer Love Hand Cream
Empty Tube 18: Byphasse Hand Cream
Empty Tube 19: Avene Cold Hand Cream
Empty Bottle 20: LCS Body Mist
Empty Bottle 21: Bourjois Velvet Shower Cream
Empty Bottle 22: BBW Mad About You Shower Gel
Empty Tub 23: Byphasse Hair Pro Mask
Empty Bottle 24: Vichy Face Wash
Empty Tube 25: LRP Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream
Empty Tube 26: LRP Cicaplast Hand Cream
Empty Bottle 27: LRP Anthelios KA SPF100
Empty Tube 28: BBW Aromatherapy Body Scrub
Empty Tub 29: VS Deep Softening Body Butter Love Spell
Empty Tube 30: Byphasse Gel Face Wash
Empty Tube 31: iWhite Nose Pack
Empty Tube 32: LRP Effaclar Duo
Empty Tube 33: Daiso Ellefar Water Pack
Empty Bottle 34: LRP Pigmentclar Serum
Empty Bottle 35: Loreal Eye Makeup Remover
Empty Bottle 36: VS Secret Charm Body Wash
Empty Bottle 37: VS Love Spell Body Wash
Empty Bottle 38: VS Passion Struck Body Mist
Empty Tube 39: Essence All About Matt Oil Control Makeup Base
Empty Bottle 40: LRP Pyshiological Soothing Toner
Empty Bottle 41: Byphasse Toner
Empty Bottle 42: Carefree Wash
Empty Bottle 43: VS Endless Love Body Mist
Empty Bottle 44: Byphasse Keratin Liquid
Empty Bottle 45: VS Deep Softening Body Butter Total Attraction
Empty Boxes 46: Nectar of Nature and LCS Wax Strips
Empty Tube 47: Daiso Komenuka Cleansing Foam
Empty Bottle 48: VS Total Attraction Body Mist
Empty Tub 49: BBW Aromatherapy Blackcurrant Vanilla Body Scrub
Empty Sachet 50: Daiso Foot Mask
Empty Bottle 51: BBW Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla Hand Cream
Empty Box 52: Daiso Aloe Makeup Remover
Empty Sachet 53: Daiso Sumi Hair Charcoal
Empty Sachets 54: Wet Wipes
Empty Sachets 55: Cotton Wipes
Empty Sachet 56: Daiso Collagen Face Mask
Empty Bottle 57: BBW Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Wash
Empty Boxes 58: Daiso Pore Care Pack
Empty Bottle 59: Pantene Leave On
Empty Tube 60: iWhite Nose Pack
Empty Tube 61: Cream Silk
Empty Box 62: Daiso Collagen Face Mask
Empty Tube 63: I Love Body Scrub
Empty Tub 64: Camellia Care Mask
Empty Bottle 65: VS Weighless Body Oil Passion Flower
Empty Bottle 66: Bourjois Happy Light Serum
Empty Bottle 67: Muji Toning Water
Empty Bottle 68: Clean Body Wash
Empty Tube 69: Celeteque Acne Cleansing
Empty Bottle 69: Evoluderm Keratin Liquid
Empty Bottle 70: LRP Hydraphase Riche
Empty Bottle 71: Lush Tea Tree Toner
Empty Bottle 72: Secret Key Dragon Blood Essence
Empty Bottle 73: Ponds Oil Solution Pore Conditioning TonerEmpty
Empty Bottle 74: VS Weightless Body Oil Verbena
Empty Bottle 75: L'occitane Jenipapo Jelly Milk Sunscreen
Empty Bottle 76: M Chue Tofu Scrub
Empty Bottle 77: Vitress
Empty Bottle 78: Muji Sunscreen
Empty Tube 79: iWhite Nose Pack
Empty Sachet 80: Daiso Sumi Charcoal Hair
Empty Tube 81: Une Breezy Cheeks Blush B06
Empty Bottle 82: VS Love Addict Body Mist
Empty Tube 83: Olay Total Effect Moisturizer
Empty Bottle 84: La Roche Posay Physiological Toner
Empty Bottle 85: Botanics Cleansing Toner
Empty Bottle 86: Soap & Glory Peaches and Cream
Empty Tube 87: Botanics Hand Cream
Empty Bottle 88: Nail Polish Remover
Empty Bottle #89: Lewis and Pearl Scent Shop Wish
Empty Bottle #90: Daiso Foot Cream
Empty Tube #91: Ponds Flawless White
Empty Tube #92: Une Rouge Lipstick R06
Empty Bottle #93: BBW Aromatherapy Pillow Mist
Empty Tube #94: Eucerin Hand Cream
Empty Bottle #95: Evoluderm Shower Gel
Empty Bottle #96: BBW Velvet Sugar Body Mist
Empty Bottle #97: VS Body Lotion Verbena
Empty Tube #98: Clean & Clear Moisturizer
Empty Tube #99: Cetaphil Lotion
Empty Bottle #100: Byphasse Body Wash
Empty Bottle #101: Cetaphil Cleanser
Empty Bottle #102: VS Ultrarich Cream Wash Verbena
Empty Bottle #103: Hype Angelica Body Mist
Empty Bottle #104: Corine De Farme Micellar Cleansing Foam
Empty Bottle #105: Corine De Farme Baby Perfume
Empty Bottle #106: VS Sheer Love Body Mist
Empty Bottle #107: Sebamed Soap
Empty Tube #108: iWhite Nose Pack
Empty Tube #109: Skinfood BB Cream
Empty Bottle #110: BBW Lavender Pillow Mist
Empty Box #111: CY Gabriel Soap Bar
Empty Bottle #112: Bioderma Gentle Wash
Empty Pan #113: Bourjois Exclusif Blush
Empty Plastic #114: Coffee Seaweed Soap
Empty Bottle #115: Cathy Doll One Day Whitener Cleanser
Empty Tube #116: Daiso Nano Charcoal Hair Treatment
Empty Tube #117: Vitress Hair Repair
Empty Tube #118: Essence All About Matt Base
Empty Bottle #119: Wakilala Clear Wash
Empty Bottle #120: Deborah Milano Nail Polish
Empty Bottle #121: Victoria's Secret Love Addict Shower Gel
Empty Bottle #122: Mt. Provence
Empty Bottle #123: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom
Empty Box #124: Kaufmann Soap
Empty Tube #125: Point Clensing Foam
Empty Bottle #126: Botanics Cleansing Mousse
Empty Tube #127: Cathy Doll Pompom Girl

Empty Tube #128: Missha Fitting Wear Pore Cover Primer
Empty Bottle #129: Nivea Micelle Solution
Empty Bottle #130: BBW Sky Shower Gel
Empty Bottle #131: Cathy Doll Snail Bright
Empty Bottle #132: Byphasse Cleansing Milk
Empty Bottle #133: Wakilala Bright Up Essence
Empty Tube #134: Wakilala Clear Wash
Empty Bottle #135: Tofu Body Cleanser
Empty Bottle #136: Kera Hair Treatment
Empty Tube #137: Caronia Nourishing Hand Cream
Empty Bottle #138: Nectar of Nature Cleansing Milk
Empty Tub #139: Gliss Hair Treatment
Empty Bottle #140: Woods of Windsor Blue Orchid
Empty Tube #141: Crabtree and Evelyn Pomegranate Hand Cream
Empty Tub #142: Dirty Works Body Butter
Empty Plastic #143: Gluta Soap
Empty Bottle #144: Metro Flocking Perfume
Empty Boxes #145: Scented Candles
Empty Bottles #146: Bioderma White Moussant
Empty Tube #147: Dove Derma White
I purchased these items from June 2014 to September 2016. I was hoarding up to March 2016 then slowly lessening. Finally last quarter of 2016 I can say that it is under control. Will no longer included purchased items from November 2016 onward as I don't see them as clutter anymore.

Goodbye #191: Daiso Mesh Bag 🌸

Just another Daiso mesh bag I am letting go of. Purchased for only 7AED and used as storage for some lipsticks. But then I now have to let go.

Goodbye #190: Daiso Mesh Bag 🌸

Bought this Daiso mesh bag during my hoarding phase. Used it to store some lipsticks. Now giving it up. If you want to be frugal and minimalist avoid buying organizes in any form. The more organizers you have the more you will be tempted to buy things.

Empty Bottle #148: Kera Hair 🌸

Bought this on Carrefour just because it was on sale. And again as always I do not have an in depth review. I am just glad whenever I post an empty bottle as it means one less item inside the house. And the items I am posting were all from back in my hoarding days.

I am not happy with all the hair products I used. As my hair is quite different. I can use any shampoo and any brand of shampoo gives the same results. Cleanses the hair but making it stiff so using a conditioner for me is a must. But then the only conditioner that helps my hair is Cream Silk. Yes I also tried various brand of conditioner in the past. And since I have extremely thick hair that I also used different brands of hair care just like this Kera Hair Treatment in the photo. Again none satisfies me.

Hair rebond can give me a headache for up to 3 days because I cannot take the heat from the hair blower but then afterwards it gives me months of having a thin hair which is all I ever wanted. And any other products in the market like Kera Hair Treatment cannot give that. It tames the fly away hair but the hair will still look as thick as ever. So no more hair products for me. I wasted enough money in the past.

Goodbye #189: Sachets 🌸

Hello!!!!!!! I am back again in being a Purging Queen because in just a few days the month will end and we will enter 2018. I wish to be fully done with all the decluttering. So I keep on looking around as there might be useless items I missed. Like these sachets or envelopes. When I made the online orders in the past. It has been a month since my last online order. There's no point in keeping things like that. So goodbye! Adios! Sayonara!

Goodbye #188: Daiso Charcoal Cleanser 🌸

Daiso is a Japanese shop that the idea is just like the dollar shop in USA. It is available in UAE and used to be very affordable. And me being a hoarder, used to be a customer. I used to do Daiso hauls and does not even matter if I badly needed the items I purchased or not. When I have first seen the Daiso Charcoal Cleansing Cream I bought at least 6 pieces without thinking twice. As an end result? For how many years I managed to finish only 3 tubes of it. As being a hoarder that I was, I have almost all the known makeup remover. Even though I am not using makeup on daily basis. So as of December 2017, I am getting rid of the 3 tubes left.

I am not sure if this product is still available but in UAE not anymore. And as of the charcoal it has been said to be good in our skin. I believe them. Daiso Charcoal Cleansing Cream is a good makeup remover. But no matter how good the product is I cannot finish it for the simple reason that I have way too many. 

For the last 3 days I had been very busy decluttering the PC I have at work and at the same time my space in the tiny flat. I mean I had been decluttering for the last one year and half but only now that I felt the urgency to finish it as soon as possible. As my goal is that everything I own will fit into 2 luggages only. End of the year there will be mass termination across the country. And so for sure mass termination of my stuff will help me in the long run. That's all thanks for dropping by.

HM Kobai Azalea

Finally I am now on my 11th eyeshadow from H&M. And it is called Kobai Azalea in the shade of red. Last June 2016 when the shop went on sale and the eyeshadow were up for only 5.00AED each. The hoarder in me bought 2 dozen or more. And since I will not be able to finish them the plan was to use one each day then take photo and post here as a remembrance. But then I do not have that much time and I do not use makeup on daily basis. So the year is about to end that I managed to use only 11 colors.

I do not know why I have taken bright shades like red. Lucky for me it does not look so bad on my eyes to think that I look like crazy whenever I wear bright colors. Used it only once by the way. That is the story behind all the makeup I own. And getting rid of them as soon as I can to maintain the neatness of my small space in the flat. 

Second photo shows how the eyeshadow looks like on its pan while the last photo shows the swatch. All the eyeshadows from H&M are highly pigmented even without eye primer. But I will not buy again as eyeshadow is not really my thing. 

Other shades I used:
Stargazer
After Hour
Triple Raspberry
Sharp As Mustard
Mediterranea
Ignite
Shitake
The New Yew
Ginko Green

HM Tempest

My 10th eyeshadow from HM. June 2016 when they went on sale and an eyeshadow was available for only 5AED each. I may have purchased around 30. And I know I will never be able to finish that in this lifetime and so what I have done is whenever I use one I take photos and post it here as mementos. Then get rid of the item. I know waste of money but what can I do? It is over and done.

Today is for H&M Tempest. It looks like blue green if you are going to look on the label at the side of the box. But when you open the item and swatch it there's not hint of green on it. It is just simply another shade of blue.

I do not know if Tempest is in the permanent collection. If you will visit any H&M shop you will see that they have tons of makeup. For my budget it is expensive if not on sale. But to be honest I do not know what I was thinking when I made the purchase. But if I were to use makeup daily I do not have any complaints with all my H&M eyeshadow. Except for the regular price.

Thanking it for the memory and goodbye. If you'd like to see the last one I've used here is the link.

Empty Tube #147: Dove Derma Series 🌸

Been using Dove soap as long as I can remember and so when I saw this Dove Derma Series that I got so curious. Bought it since it was on sale. Verdict? The bar soap will always be better. Finished it off just like every cosmetics or skin care products I own. And I think even on 2018 I won't have to buy anything. As an end result of my hoarding from 2014 to 2016. Ciao!

Empty Bottles #146: Bioderma White Objective Moussant 🌸

Bought this Bioderma White Objective Moussant last January 2016 just because it was on sale. Buy 1 Take 1 for only 99.00AED and I was able to finish it only this 2017. Verdict? I do not feel any difference from the other brands I am using. As an end result I do not hoard anymore with skin care products. Whenever I need a facial wash or scrub I just buy whatever is on sale in Carrefour. Managed to finished this 2 big bottles just to avoid wasting them. The year is about to end but I am not yet 100 percent free from clutter and mess. But will get there. As I cannot afford to buy anything new.

Empty Boxes #145: Scented Candles 🌸

2015 or 2016 when I purchased different scented candles on sale. It is quite dangerous but I was hoping it can kill the smell of cooking like bacon. Well good ventilation is the only solution. Finished all the scented candles just for the sake of finishing it. After these batches I never purchased any scented candles again. Ever.

Empty Bottle #144: Metro Flocking Perfume 🌸

PHOTOS overload:

So many photos but very little review. The thing is I was a hoarder up to the third quarter last year. One day I woke up and decided that time to stop. Just used up all the items I purchased and get rid of whatever I can. My life and my place is not as neat as I want them to be but it is better than before.

One of the items I hoarded in the past was perfumes of some sort. Not because I am addicted to them but I need them to make the smell inside the house go away. The problem one will encounter when living in a very little space and no good ventilation. Do not get me wrong I do not have issues with small spaces. But lack of ventilation is a huge concern. Not unless it is now socially acceptable to go out of the house smelling like a bacon or fried fish. 

I will give low score/bad reviews to all the perfumes and air freshener in the world as none of them can solve the issue. So I stopped buying them. And I am just finishing whatever I have in my stash. Still have a few left that I will finished in 2018. They can hide the smell away for a few seconds. Then back again. I just avoid cooking or frying when I am drying out clothes. And shed as much as clothes as I can. So the remaining clothes can be hidden properly in the cabinet to avoid the smell hanging onto them. 

For those who are interested to try it out I bought it at Home Center. The only item I ever purchased and I bought it on sale so that was less than 20.00AED. 

Goodbye #187: Biore UV Aqua Rich BB Cream 🌸

Biore is a Japanese brand of cosmetics. I think the company name is Kao. And until now I am not sure if this is related to Biore from America. Anyway this brand is not available in UAE. Maybe because it contains alcohol as that was the reason why DHL won't bring here Shiseido Senka Anti Ageing Sunscreen from Japan. The only way you can buy Biore is through Ebay where I purchased them for the first time a year ago. But you have to wait for one month as they are using only the normal post.

But if you are in the Philippines, Biore is available through Watsons. So that is where I've got the complete variants of Biore. One of them is this Biore UV Aqua Rich BB Cream. I bought two bottles of it but my skin does not like it that I had given away the other one. While I tried my best to finish this tube to avoid wasting it but then as you can see the year is about to end with no such luck. That now I do not have a choice but to just throw it out.

I do not have anything but love for all the Japanese sunscreens I ever tried but I cannot say the same for Biore UV Aqua Rich BB Cream. Maybe I just got a bad tube. Maybe I just have a bad skin. Maybe bb creams are not just for me. Japanese cosmetics do not have expiration date on them but I read before that sunscreens are good for one year only from the date of the production. This Biore BB Cream was produced on May 25, 2015 so by 2017 is it expired already? Also I noticed that this was made in Taiwan. While the rest of Biore I have were all made in Japan.

Actually since Day 1 I never liked foundations. Honestly I do not know how they should look like or feel like on the skin. But back in Philippines I do not use them. I found them to be expensive. And you will really feel that there is something in your face. It transfers to anything you put close to your face like phone, handkerchief. Lastly it clogs the nose that produces white heads 24/7 so no, foundation is not for me. But when BB Creams came out in the market and people were raving about it that I joined the band wagon. But then out of all the creams I tried none works for me.

Feels like they make my skin drier. And if you will look closely on my face there seems to be specks of it. It highlights the fine lines of my skin. Also I do not believe in using creams to conceal the dark spots or imperfections of our face because I do not like temporary solutions. So there is no other way for this Biore UV Aqua Rich BB Cream but the garbage bin.

Took a lot of photos to show the product and this is the best that came out from the camera. Forgot to take a photo when spread though. So this is the start. I could be throwing out all the remaining bb creams at home. And at the same time never ever to buy them again. 

If I have the money I will just to straight to dermatologist and have them remove my sunspots. Do something for my nose if they can. As I am never without white heads and using bb creams making the large pores and white heads more visible. Those are my concerns why I started buying cosmetics in 2014. Plus the dryness of my skin especially near the chin that seems to happen every October. I eat vegetables. Do not smoke. Do not drink. Sleep well. Drink loads of water. But all to no avail. 

Empty Plastic #143: Gluta Soap 🌸

Once again I am sorry as this is not an in depth product review. Just documenting the products I finished. Products I accumulated during the hoarding phase of my life. So now I am done with this Gluta Soap from Thailand. Got it for free back in 2015 if me memory serves me right. Review??? We all know that whitening soaps will never really work. So this is nothing extraordinary. Just a simple soap that cleanses the skin. That's all. And because I was such a hoarder I still have 20 plus soaps to finish until next year.

Goodbye #186: Garnier Light Oil Control 🌸

Hello there! Please do not expect much from this post. The story was I purchased Garnier Light Oil Control cream during my hoarding phase. Since it was very affordable anyway. But it turned out to be not a product for me. My skin does not like it. In short my 16.00AED was wasted. And as I can remember it leaves a white cast on my face. So even though I am someone who does not want wasting I have to get rid of it.

That's all and thanks for dropping by. The year is about to end but in a few weeks time but then I still have a long way to go in my minimalist goal.