Empty Tube 31: iWhite Nose Pack 🌸

iWhite Nose Pack
Price: 189.00PHP
Made in Korea
Purchased at Watsons Market Market
Purchased on June 2014

Not much photos to share today. So last June 2014 I was in Manila during a short vacation and I was roaming around the Watsons in Market Market. I was not looking for something in particular. Just browsing the products because there might be some that would interest me. And so iWhite Nose Pack was one of those purchases I had. As I've said repeatedly I was obsessed into banishing all the whiteheads on my nose. That I purchased a lot of products that has something to do with removing whiteheads and improving the pores in my nose.

Price ~ I'm not sure how much other similar products would cost in the Philippines. But if I were to convert this price into AED then I'd say it is affordable. To think this product can last up to one year. Depending on your usage.

 

Scent ~ It does not have any scents and I'm fine with it. I did not purchase it because of the scent anyway. There are some products with no perfume on it and smells off. But this is not.

 

This product works. But it has taken me time to make it work. Put on too much and it wont take the whiteheads properly. Put on a little and it will not work also. It would help if the face/nose is clean or washed before using it. And in my case I'm even using Daiso Water Pack Jelly or any facial scrub. Which will make removing the whiteheads easily.

 

It has taken me more than a year to finish it because in between I was also using other products like Daiso Charcoal Nose Pack. Among others. What makes iWhite stood out is because it is safe to use often. It does not dry out the skin. Drying out of the skin can happen if I use nose strips more than the recommended times of usage. And it gives off a cooling sensation. Which makes me more comfortable to use. But I don't know if I will repurchase if given a chance because it does not seem to be available outside the Philippines. And I still have 4 tubes that I don't know when will I finish them all.

 

And now on other stories.

I once said that I have at least hundred items in my stash of beauty and skin care products but when I said it I was just joking. And when I started organizing my stuff and decluttering the tiny room only then I realized how close I was to the real numbers of items I own. 100 items are just the items at my dresser. Not yet included those that are in my cupboard/drawers/bags/paper bags all over the room. And mind you this is just a very small room. And my space is very small and limited. As I write this I think I may have finished 50 items. But even so if I were to compare it with my stocks it feels like this number is just nothing. So yeah its still a long way to finally used up them all.

And this decluttering does not end up with skin care and make up only. Shoes and bags are included too. And of course clothes. I'm trying to keep away one clothing a day. Some I have taken photos and so I can share them but some nah didn't bother anymore. I would start another self impose ban soon. I'll ban myself from buying any clothing. Be it socks or underwear or any kind of clothing. Well the exception might be my trousers in the office. Oh my, if you guys only knew how lousy the tailor the company hired for our uniform. The trousers are so awful that it hurts even my private parts. 

Empty Tube 30: Byphasse Gel Face Wash 🌸

Byphasse Gel Face

0% Soap

Price: 19.00AED
Sale Price: 15.00AED
Made in EU

Purchased at Tati MCC

Purchased on 2015

For those who doesn't like to hear my stories but landed on my page to know if its good or not: well I did not like it. And I can't think of something to like about it. If soap free is your thing then you'll love it. But its not my thing. I don't believe that soap is bad for our body or face. I mean come on it has been part of a human skin cleansing regime for the longest time. And I never heard anyone died because of it.

Now here's my story: I discovered Tati Department Store last year. Well thanks to Google I've known that this is a French department store that sells affordable items. And thru Tati I was introduced to Byphasse. A Spanish brand of affordable skin care products. I became interested as when I first saw Byphasse prices were really, really low. As opposed to all the other brands I have seen in UAE market. So even without reading reviews I went ahead and made a haul for myself. I've tried so many things from Byphasse: Micelle Solution, Rose Water Toner, Body Washes, Body Lotions and others that I can't remember now.

Price ~ 15AED is affordable but 19AED? No. There are facial washes in the UAE market that retails as low as 7AED. But then if you are someone who uses soap less face wash then this is the most affordable in the market in that category.


Scent ~ It does not have any scent. Not that I care anyway. But it doesn't foam up either. Which makes me dislike it. Since it does not foam up I have doubts if it was really able to clean up my face.

I managed to finish this one as I've said that I'm not the type who throws away products just because I don't like it. Throwing it away without using it equates to me throwing my money away. But even if I dislike it at least a lesson learned from me. To never buy it again. And stick to the brand I'm using. And never again to soap less face wash.

This Empty Post is still a part of my decluttering process of my room. Will not buy anything until such time I seem my room and the bathroom clear of the products I own. So no more hauls for me. The only exception would be body oils that I'm very much interested it. And I'm itching to buy that I can't help mentioning it every time. That's all for now. Thanks!


Empty Tub 29: VS Deep Softening Body Butter Love Spell 🌸

Warning: Photos overload.
Ironically I dislike the scent.
Victoria's Secret Deep Softening Body Butter
Love Spell
Cherry Blossoms and Peach
Price: 70.00AED
Mix and Match: 5 products for 200.00AED
Made in USA
Purchased at Victoria's Secret Dubai
Purchased on October 2015
Discontinued Product

Price ~ Whenever I mention the price of a product there are two factors. First factor is my financial status. I'm just a plain office employee with almost the same salary for the last 10 years. So everything automatically are expensive for me. And if you will wonder how on earth I can afford these products well think about the food I'm skipping. And sometimes there are bills that I'm not paying in full. And lastly the vacations I'm not taking. So many sacrifices just because I'm crazy about skin care products since late 2014. The other factor is when I get to compare the prices of different brands in the market. If I were to compare it with brands like Soap and Glory, Lush, L'Occitane and The Face Shop then it automatically falls into the category of affordable.

Moisturizing Agents ~ Well this is moisturizing enough but not really outstanding. Because in the market all the body moisturizers can do the same. But this is the best for me because it sinks into the skin easily. And no watery feeling. Ever experience the back of your knees so wet that it irritates you? So imagine my surprise upon finding a product that is not like that. Those are the things that made this Deep Softening Body Butter stood out from the rest. And mind you by now I already tried at least 4 brands of body butters. The others failed me unlike this one. Dirty Works does not give a watery feeling but tends to sit on the skin for a long time. Don't know how many minutes it will take before it sinks in. There is even one body butter that I tried only once and I'm about to hand over to my younger sister.

Scent ~ Cherry Blossoms and Peach. So the scent is supposed to be floral and fruity at the same time. As you can see in the photo I used it up to the last bit. As I always do with all the Empty Bottles. But it does not mean that I enjoy the scent. This scent comes off as a fake to me. An overly sugary candy. It has taken me 6 months to finish it off as I can't stand the smell. But I had to finish it. As who wants wasting product/money anyway? It usually takes a month for me to finish a tube. If its delicious enough.

Staying Power ~ Whenever I use it in the morning (but not this variant) I can say that the scent can stay up to lunch break. That is at least 4 hours top. In the case of Love Spell I'm using it at night and the scent stays the whole night long. I can still smell it in the morning when I'm about to go in a shower. It will be gone once I'm done showering. Another information: I had been told a numerous times by the SA at Victoria's Secret that this is their most popular scent in the Fantasy Line. When they revamped the packaging of Fantasy Line this is one of the scents that has not been discontinued. And there are forums where people are commenting how they love this smell. But again, this is not for me. I got this one because of Cherry Blossoms.

The bottom of the tub that says massage for long lasting, intensive moisture, focusing on dry, rough areas. Meaning the knees and elbows. The cream has a light violet color that coordinates with the color of the tub. That's the fun thing about Victoria's Secret Deep Softening Body Butter. With the variants with scent that I love like Sheer Love I'm applying it to my body generously and religiously. But even the generous amount seems to melt in the skin easily. I know because I tried it a few times after I take a swimming and shower on the weekends. And I'm sort of experimenting also if my sweat would smell sweet because of the body butter. But unfortunately I almost don't sweat even on summer. No matter how hot I feel.

This is not a beauty blog. But I had been posting a lot of beauty or skin care products lately as it has been quite an obsession for me since late 2014 up to 2015. Well at first I just wanted to have whiteheads free nose. Then a sunspots free face. Then in the end I just wanted to have a hydrated and soft skin. So I went ahead and try out different brands hoping to find one that will suit me. So far Victoria's Secret Deep Softening Body Butter is the best for me. But as I've stated above it has been discontinued.

And as you can see from the photo above I just finished the Love Spell Body Butter. And I'm already about to finish the Total Attraction Body Butter. That's how I love it. I consumed a lot of it. I'm really pampering my skin. In spite of its price. I'm just justifying it by telling myself (and its true) that I don't have vices anyway. There are too many things that I don't buy just so I can purchase the skin care products of my liking.

Now in this photo as you can see the product from Victoria's Secret sister company Bath and Body Works. My latest obsession is their Aromatherapy Body Scrub. I just don't know until when it will be. As they are not always on sale or on a discount anyway. And what I like in the scrub is the oil in it. That's why I had been thinking about buying myself the Aromatherapy Oil or Victoria's Secret Weightless Oil. At least those I can also use at night as an extra TLC for my skin aside from the body butter. To lock in the moisture.

And in this last photo ~ another Victoria's Secret product I'm about to finish. The Love Spell Body Wash from Victoria's Secret Fantasy Line but also a discontinued product. Well because I had been obsessed with skin care products that I have hoarded a little. And as an end result I have quite a messy (life) and room. So months ago (or weeks ago, maybe?) I stopped buying skin care products (okay there are few purchase but products I don't have like the scrub)  and trying to finish whatever I have and at the same time free my room from all the clutter. And writing a post about my Empties to track down my progress. And at the same time to share my experiences and reviews about the said products. Okay thanks for visiting my page. That would be all for now. But this Empty Post might go for another year as aside from the dresser and cabinets even my bags have something in them too. ☺

AL ANSARI EXCHANGE
We are getting out salary earlier than most of the people here. And because of this reason I'm sending money early too. The advantage would be there's no queue in the ATM machine and even at the exchange. Al Ansari Exchange is the nearest exchange near to me. And I had a not so good experience with them last Wednesday. I rushed from the office to avoid the crowd even though it was freaking hot outside only to be turned away. Because I don't have an ID. Friend said I should have fought with him but I was in hurry to even think about fighting with that damn guy at the exchange. It was unpleasant as I had been sending money back home through them for the last 8 years! If this a new policy they should have informed me instead. Customer Service and Humanity seems to be lost nowadays. Law abiding citizens are being treated as criminals most of the time while they are always letting the real criminals walk away. The irony of life.

Empty Tub 28: BBW Aromatherapy Body Scrub 🌸

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Body Scrub

Stress Relief: Eucalyptus Tea

Price: 60.00AED

Promotion: Buy 1, Take 1

Made in USA

Purchased at Bath and Body Works Dubai

Purchased on April 2016 

Price ~ If I'm going to base on my financial status then 60.00AED retail price is expensive. But if I'm going to base in the market with other brands then this is affordable.

Scent ~ Eucalyptus Tea so it gives of a minty smell and at the same time sweet because of sugar grains. And soft because of the oil. The scent stays for a long time sometimes up to my lunch break and there are times up to when I get home from work. The only time that I don't use it is when I have a massive headache. Because when I do any scents aggravates the pain.

Moisturizing Agents ~ Yes it is moisturizing because of the oil. After using it no need to put on a lotion. People say that we should use body scrub once a week or twice a week maximum but I used it everyday. It does not dry out my skin. In fact I saved time in the morning as I don't use lotion anymore every time I use this scrub.

Once I purchased a body scrub from good old Safeer Mall but I used it only twice and as much as I hate wasting product I had to discard it because the gigantic granules hurt my skin. So I consider Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Body Scrub to be my first body scrub ever. The difference of this scrub even though the granules are big it does not hurt. As the sugar granules dissolves in the skin easily. While giving off a minty and sweet smell that's quite heavenly. Well at least for me as I have read that there are people who dislike the oil in it. Plus the aroma stays long in the bathroom which I love. It is better than smelling the alien scents coming from the neighbor! Sorry for the bad photo but as the back label says: Use in the shower to smooth skin. While enjoying the Aromatherapy. Yes they are right. Knowing me I hate products that promises something but can't deliver. But with this scrub it do as it say.

Tried taking a photo of the ingredients. Didn't know that my photos are this bad as the clarity is not good enough. Anyway ingredients list can be found at the bottom of the tub. But I don't mind this anymore. I just let my skin decide if the product is good or not. If a product irritates my skin then it is bad product. But if the product helps my skin to stay hydrated and soft then it is a good product. I bought this scrub on a whim and I had no idea that I would love this.

I was introduced to Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy as someone has given me a Stress Relief body wash. This was during the time that I'm staying away from BBW body washes as they are too sweet for me. Well even the Stress Relief has a faint hint of sweetness but this Aromatherapy thing works on me. As I find it quite relaxing (the scent) and so when I have a chance to purchase the body lotions I did. Even though those lotions are watery I love their smell. I'll just get the body cream next time around.

After being in love with the scents of Aromatherapy body wash and body lotion led me to be interested in trying out the body scrub. And because this body scrub is moisturizing enough that I become interested in their Aromatherapy Massage Oils. I'm just waiting for another promotion. Only when they are on promo that I can actually afford their items. I will be making a mini haul. As I'm interested in their massage oils and body creams. And also planning to purchase some from True Blue Spa. That is if my budget will allow me to during that time.

Last photo shows the sugar granules in oil. I appreciate that there is too much oil in it. Visiting Bath and Body Works is not a pain because the Sales Associates will not follow you like a lost puppy. They will not shove products on you either. Once in a while they will ask you to try out a certain product but once you decline then they will stop. They will let you know that they are there to assist you but not to annoy you. I wish all the SA from other brands will learn from it.

Aside from BBW Aromatherapy I am currently interested to try out Victoria's Secret 4 step body care line. My mistake was it was on sale when it was introduced in UAE market last January 29, 2016 but silly me I had mistaken it for Victoria's Secret Fantasy Line that I did not avail the offer. Introductory price was 125AED for 4 products. And now each product retails for 85AED. 175AED for 3 pieces. The Victoria's Secret Body Care Line has scrub and body oil that I'd like to try. Scrub and oil are my current thing. But even so I'm still careful with my budget and with hoarding as my magic dresser and cupboard still over flows with products. This is my 28th product down. I know there is a progress but a slow one. I have taken out my stash from cupboards and put then in the dresser where I can see them everyday as a reminder. So I'll not fall into another hoarding spree again.

P.S.

I was in Bath and Body Works yesterday. And there was a huge crowd because its the time of the year that the prices are very low. It will run until June 04, 2016. Meaning next weekend. Limited selection are for sale for only 20AED unfortunately for me Aromatherapy and True Blue Spa are not included. I know I keep on saying that their scents are too sweet for my liking and I'm staying away from it etc. But then I was not able to hold back myself yesterday anymore. Bath and Body Works is very expensive in Manila and so I thought I'll give some to my younger sister to try. While I haven't decided yet what to send for gifts on December to others. In short I made a mini haul. Which contradicts my currently uncluttering of the room. Will try to share the mini haul I made. For those who can't visit their shops this Annual Sale will happen again in December to January.

Of course another shop I visited was Victoria's Secret Beauty Store in Mirdif City Centre. They are having 30% to 50% off in selected items. I thought it was only for lingerie. And it was pretty useless to ask around through the comments section of their FB page. No one was able to answer me if the skin care products are included. Visiting the shop than asking around was a big help. Old packaging of Victoria's Secret Fantasy Line are available for only 25.00AED but no more body wash. Available are body lotions, body creams and body mists. Some fragrance lotions and body mists are 50% off but I don't know what do they call with that line. For example I got myself a Winter Bombshell fragrance lotion for 50% and I'm thinking if I should get next week the black tube that I can't remember if it is Victoria's Secret Night Fragrance Lotion or Victoria's Secret Dark Angel Fragrance Lotion. And from Victoria's Secret Body Care Line; Verbena collection is up for 50% off. I read somewhere that it has been discontinued in the US (the Verbena scent I mean but not the Body Care Line Collection) that could be the reason why it's up for sale. Will try to share also some time my mini haul from Victoria's Secret Beauty Store.

Empty Bottle 27: LRP Anthelios KA ♚

La Roche Posay Anthelios KA SPF100
Price: 110.00AED
Made in France
Purchased at Aster Pharmacy
Purchased on November 2014

Another item purchased way back in 2014 but consumed only this 2016. I was into French brand of skin care products when I started having a skin care regime. I was hoping to fight off the whiteheads on my nose. As well as to banish the sun spots on my cheeks. And at the same time keep my face moisturized. I bought it in spite of me having doubts just because Alcohol is listed as one of the ingredients though I was not sure if it is the good or the bad alcohol. Unfortunately I don't have other photos to share anymore. Maybe I might have taken some but its buried now in one of my external disks at home.

In spite of it having an Alcohol I bought it because of the SPF. That was the time that I was looking for a moisturizer with an SPF in case that I forgot to apply a sunscreen or run out of sunscreen. Used it for a while and hid it in my magic dresser and went on to use other moisturizers I have. Got lazy in the middle of 2015 and used less face products. And voila! It's 2016. And my little space is a total mess. So I decided to finish all my stash. Prepare my place and my life as if this is my last year here. Started organizing and decluttering. Hence, all my Empty Bottle posts. As a way to follow up my progress. And at the same time record my experiences. Here's what I have to say about La Roche Posay Anthelios KA SPF100

Price ~ this is expensive. Well not surprising as all the La Roche Posay products I purchased were all expensive.

Moisturizing Agent ~ yes this delivers when it comes to keep the skin moisturized and hydrated. When I first use it I was bothered as it looks shiny on my face. Then later on that shine turned out to make the skin looks like glowing. I never had any moisturizer like that so this is a plus for this product.

When I bought it I  thought 50ML was not enough. But when I started using it again this January 2016 on daily basis it has taken me 3 to 4 months to finish. Our face only need a little cream. Up to 2 small pumps and its good to go. Will I repurchase? If I am done with all the moisturizers I have and it will be on a promotion of Buy 1, Take 1.

Lesson Learned: Buy face products as little as 5ML to 20ML only. Or the travel size. And never ever hoard again. At least this is one bottle down. And I'm currently finishing another La Roche Posay face moisturizer.

That's all for today.
Thanks for dropping by.
Ciao!

Empty Tube 26: LRP Cicaplast Hand Cream♚

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream

Price: 60.00AED

Promotion Price: 3 pieces for the price of 2

Made in France

Purchased at Aster Pharmacy

Purchased on November 2014

 

Price ~ expensive when not in promotion. But this is the normal price of hand creams in the market especially those being sold in the pharmacies.

 

Scent ~ this does not comes with a scent. Unlike La Roche Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream. And this is in between a cream and a balm.

 

Moisturizing Agent ~ some swear by it to be their holy grail which got me interested. But with my dry hands and with my line of work I have to keep on applying it the whole day.

 

Didn't repurchase because after more than a year I still have the 2 tubes with me. I consume a lot of hand creams but during my crazy hoarding moments I purchased a lot of hand creams and moisturizers that I'm using alternately.

 

Here's a photo of the product. I actually cut it in half to find out that there's still too much product inside which again took me a long time to finish. And one more thing my dresser seems magical. Last time I checked items are at least a 100. This is already my 26th empty bottle post meaning I have consumed and thrown a lot. Those undocumented not yet included but instead of the dresser being clear it's becoming more congested. To think I haven't purchase anything yet. No matter how badly I want to make a purchase. I'm trying to finish all the hand creams I own and not buying anything new. And when I'm done with them I won't be making any purchase again. Well body moisturizers are enough for me that I don't feel the need to buy products separately for my hands and feet.

I have taken a photo of the back of the product hopefully to show the ingredients list but could not find any. But this is Paraben Free. I don't care about Parabens but I know other people do. And that's all for now. Tomorrow I'll be back again with another Empty Post which is a part of my decluttering project. But oh my golly! It will take me more than a year to actually finish everything. There was a time that I thought an 30ML or 50ML product is not enough. But now that I'm documenting the products I'm using I realized that actually 15ML or 20ML would do just fine. Especially for the face.

I can't wait to finish all my stash. Because after this I'll be switching to L'Occitane. I had my eyes on it for the longest time now. But I'm not making any purchase yet. Because it is high end. It is very expensive. They don't even have any sale or promotion. It's out of my budget. But when I finally buy something I'll just settle for those travel size products. At least that way I won't take forever to finish one.

My current favorite skin care product is Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Body Scrub. But I don't know how long it will be my favorite. Heaven smelling it may be but there are times that it can fuel the headache. And the skin care product that I'm very much interested in are Body Oil and Face Oil. I had been looking up at the prices so I can prepare my budget when the sale comes in June.

Empty Tube 25: LRP Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream ♚

And here I am with my usual introduction as to when did I actually start taking my skin care regime seriously and when did I start documenting my experiences.

So I have a dry skin and naturally dry hands whatever the season maybe. When I started skin care regime in the late 2014, I was into French brand of skin care products. One of the earlier purchase I made from Aster Pharmacy was La Roche Posay. I got this La Roche Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream for 60AED. It was on sale for Buy 1, Take 1. And maybe as of this writing it may not be available anymore.

La Roche Posay is an expensive product in the UAE market.I'm not well off but I purchased La Roche Posay products before because I thought it will be the answer to my skin concerns because of the price tag. But since then I've tried too many brands for me to say that an expensive brand does not equate to being the best in the market. I'm not saying that La Roche Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Cream is a bad product. But I used to say that this is the best out there.

If you will visit the website of La Roche Posay you will see a photo of a man or woman wearing a white coat. Which gives an impression that people behind this brand are professional in the medical field. And look at the tube of the hand cream. White and blue. The looks alone reminds me of hospital. No nonsense. That is the vibe I'm getting with this brand. The only reason why it used to be the best hand cream for me was I love the smell and softness it gives. But I never repurchase this. Yes it is moisturizing so do the other brands I used. Actually when I finished off all my hand creams I stopped buying altogether. People will say that skin of our hands is different from the rest of our body. Also different from our feet. But the frugal side of me thinks skin is skin. So I resorted into using my body moisturizers also to my hands and feet. Rather than buying separate products for each part of my body.

Taken this photo to show the list of ingredients and sorry it was not very clear. But one thing is for sure La Roche Posay is not using Parabens in their products. It is worth mentioning as I know some people are avoiding this ingredient.

And that's all. I don't have much to say about this hand cream. In the future if La Roche Posay will give huge discounts I don't mind purchasing from them again. This line has a good facial moisturizers. I'm already on my 3rd tube from them which I'm about to finish anytime soon. Price is the only thing that holds me back.

Nowadays even so I have a Wish List of the brands I want to try when it comes to skin care products I'm sticking to familiar brands that I'm currently using. And I'm just waiting for another sale before I make another purchase. Maybe there will be another sale this June due to Ramadan and Dubai Summer Festival. That's all and thanks for dropping by. Till next time.

Empty Bottle 24: Vichy Face Wash ♚

As I keep on organizing and decluttering the room I was surprised that actually my dresser alone has 100 items, mostly are small items. That I did not notice immediately that they keep on piling up already. With this number on my mind I can hold back purchasing anything. Even though there are times that I can't wait to buy some items like for example right now I am interested into body oils and massage oils. Aside from their prices with the number of stuff I have that I'm trying to lessen was enough reason for me to set aside that want. And with this decluttering and posting Empty Bottles more than ever making me realize that I don't really need expensive items. And I don't need much.

For today's Empty Bottle post it is about Vichy Face Wash. Purchased last 2014 when I was still crazy over French brands of skin care. And just started having a regime in hoping to fight off some skin concerns. But because I got excited and hoarded a lot it has taken me more than a year to actually use it and finish it off. I used it up only this year. I got this on Buy 1, Take 1 from Aster Pharmacy. Price was between 95AED to 100AED. I still have another unused bottle which I'm just going to give to my younger sister when I send the cargo box this June. I like this product but I don't think I can still finish the second bottle because as of this writing I still have at least 5 face washes that I need to finish. So better hand it over than let this product expire and go to waste. That is the problem when you hoard products as if there is not tomorrow or as if another sale will never ever come again ever. But at least now I learned my lesson. I'm not hoarding products anymore. Hoarding phase of my life lasted for only a year.

This is Vichy Face Wash is made in France. And I tried to take a photo of the back of the bottle to show the ingredients for those who wants to know. Please refer to the second and third photo and sorry that's the best I could do. I'm using the Auto Mode of my camera and yet most of my photos are still a major fail. That will never be my talent, tsk. But then back to the product I know you've heard this word from me a thousand times already but this is a good product. I'm not really fussy about any product that unless it promises something so grand and yet can't deliver. I'd say that this is good as it did not irritate my skin. Foams up well. Believe me if you experienced face washes that stings the skin then when another face wash comes along that is gentle to your skin you'll surely call it good.

The last attempt to capture that ingredients list properly. But if I got it right seems that European products (well based on those I used) are not using Parabens. I often see European products saying Paraben Free. And sometimes organic. Whether the product is inexpensive or not. So if you are looking for Paraben free products better check European brands well like Vichy. As for me I don't really mind even if the product has parabens. Or made of organic ingredients. As long as the products are affordable and easily available. And most importantly gentle on the skin. Having a good scent that I would love is just a bonus. So methinks this will perfectly suit people with sensitive skin. The only downside would be the price as this is too expensive for a face wash. I just happen to have it on sale.

And that's all for now. For those who landed on my page and hoping for an in depth reviews like me grilling the ingredients list or something like that then I'm sorry to disappoint you. Because for me actually everything in the market actually works. You just have to know your skin type and get a brand that will suit you based on that. Products are being sold to us in different marketing strategy. Sometimes they would even promise the heaven and earth with their outlandish claims. And sadly we often fall for that. Also bear in mind that the ingredients they are using are almost the same so the most brands probably get it in the same prices. In the end the factor why we pay brands differently is based on their status/reputation.

I still have a few brands of face wash (and other skin care products) that I will be sharing soon. If a product did not irritate my skin or gives me discomfort then I will say it is a good product. Especially if the price is reasonable. But I can't for the life of me can sing praises for them (although at a time I did with some) as if I found an oasis on the desert or something similar. Because all of them are made to clean our face and nothing else. Whatever their extra claims might be are just solely for trying to caught our attention/interest. Seriously? Whitening face wash? Anti aging face wash? Duh. I think in the end the good thing about my posts will be letting other people know that such product exists in the area. And of course the price. Or if there are on going promotion.

SPEAKING of promotion:
Victoria's Secret UAE sent an SMS that starting today Victoria's Secret and VS Pink are 30 to 50% off. Not just sure if beauty products are included. Will try to visit them on weekend. And so I'm just sharing this information in case that some of you might be interested. Ciao ♥

Empty Tub 23: Byphasse Hair Pro Mask ♚

Let me start by saying that it would be a big help if one has a before and after photos of the mess or the room, when organizing and decluttering. Photos are visual proof or reminder that somehow there has been a progress. Even though the end results take time. Because honestly there are times that I feel so impatient. But then looking at my place now compared before there has been an improvement. I filled up 2 little boxes of items I'm going to send to my little sister. Clothes I never used. Clothes I used once. Clothes that does not fit me anymore. Skin care products I wont be using. Glass wares I wont be using. Little things that might be useful to other people but not to me. This 'Empty Bottle' posts too help me somehow. As time goes by I'm realizing that I don't need much products in my life. In fact I even made a vow to myself never again to buy another make up. And lesson learned never to hoard again just because they are on sale. But admittedly there were hoarded items that has been useful to me like the Daiso Charcoal Nose Pore Strips and Nectar of Nature Wax Strips.

Another lesson I learned out of it all is that when you found a brand that you trust better to stick with it than doing a trial and error. Because doing so in the long run you'll just be losing a huge amount of money and might be left using a product you dislike. It would have been great if companies are giving out samples first. But I don't see that being practiced here in the UAE. Even Aster Pharmacy who used to give out samples are not doing so anymore. And not all the products have tester either. Especially with drug store products. Whoah that's a very long introduction when my topic is supposed to be for the Byphasse Hair Pro Mask. And I believe that I already posted this one before. This is a good product but remember being a good product does not mean that it will be good for me. As a customer/consumer I have my own set of expectations. I'm trying out products to see if they can work beyond their claims and promises.

Byphasse is a Spanish brand of cosmetics and very affordable and in the UAE market it is available in Tati Deparment Store at Mirdif City Centre. I found it last year and purchased quite a lot. I'm trying to share them all here as they are good and so their prices. They may not be my thing but it could be perfect for someone else out there. Byphasse Hair Pro Mask retails between 25AED to 30AED and I forgot the exact amount as it has been months. It is Made in EU. And a huge tub of product. But since I have a thick hair it lasted on me for only a week or so. People says that you should use a hair mask only once a week. But I don't know I was crazy to use it differently. Was it everyday or every other day? Can't remember now. The end results? It has given my hair an extra softness than the usual. BUT even so it does not make me repurchase another hair mask nor add it up to my regime. Because for the simple reason that I was not aiming for an extra soft hair. And I wanted is to have a buhaghag free hair that seems like only hair rebonding can do.

And so that's it. If you want a softer hair but you don't want to spend going on a salon or don't have time to do so you should try Byphasse Hair Mask. But if you are like me who has a thick hair and buhaghag most of the time then I'm sorry to tell you that no hair mask in the world can help you with it. I would rather save my money just so I can go to a Chinese Salon for hair rebonding that would cost me only 200AED plus tip than spend my money in hair products that will never give me a buhaghag free hair. 

But as I look at my dresser I still have at least 4 or 5 hair products that I'm trying to finish. All of them are the same. Makes hair shiny and soft but won't make my hair thin or look like thin. Will share about them soon.

And about my favorite brand Victoria's Secret ♥

VICTORIA'S Secret Weightless Body Oil ~ I purchased it over the weekend because the Victoria's Secret UAE shop was on promotion of 2 products for 85.00AED. I had been eyeing it for weeks now but I was holding back because of the price. Normally a bottle would cost 85.00AED and I find it too expensive. I wonder why they are not using the term Buy 1, Take 1. Initial impression: I think it will be one of my favorites from now on. It is oil but it is not greasy. Works well with the Victoria's Secret Deep Softening Body Butter. I know this is meant for body but I'm wondering if I could use it on my face too? I'm looking for blogs about this but I can't find much. So maybe one of these days if I'm crazy enough I'll try it on my face and on my hair..

Empty Bottle 22: BBW Mad About You Shower Gel ♚

As I have said I am currently on the process of decluttering my room. And in this process one of the things I am doing is using up whatever stocks I have in skin care products. While not buying anything new. I'm posting all the empty bottles I have as for me to see my progress. And besides this blog of mine is an online diary. That reflects my UAE life and yes including tiny details of my everyday life here as an OFW. And today I am already in my 22nd empty bottle of skin care products I own. This post is about Bath and Body Works Mad About You body wash. Each bottle has 295ML and a bottle costs 60AED. But anyway I don't buy when it is not on discount or special promotion. I got this one when they have a Buy 1, Take 1 in all the body washes last year. Around October or November. Said to be with Shea Butter and Vitamin E. It smells floral, fruity and sweet at the same time. Well everything from Bath and Body Works Signature Collection line that I tried have some sweetness in their scents. This sweet scent was the reason why I stopped buying body wash from Bath and Body Works. Whatever body wash from them I have are the remaining from my purchased last year. I got myself 4 bottles of body wash. And after 5 months I managed to finish only 2 bottles.

As I have repeatedly said I tried many brands or variants of body wash hoping to stumble on a dirt cheap brand with heavenly smell. As all body washes works fine and all we have to do is choose the scent we like in the price tag that we can afford. At first I love the scent of Mad About You that's why I have chosen this. But to use it daily was not fun for me at all. The sweetness sickens me. Not only this variant but almost all the variants from Signature Collection that I tried. So in the end I have to use another brand alternately. I used this every other day.  This was the reason why I stopped buying at all from Bath and Body Works for 4 to 5 months. And It was the Aromatherapy Line that made me come back again. And as I write this the only item I purchased in the Signature Collection line recently was the hand wash. And just because it was on 75% off. Needless to say I will not repurchase this Mad About You body wash. If ever that I'll purchase a body wash again from Bath and Body Works in the future it will be from their Aromatherapy Line or True Blue Spa Line. But to be fair the sweet scent is my only issue. All their body wash are gentle on the skin and making my dry skin drier.

The French Lavender and Honey I finished it off some 2 months ago? While Mad About You I just finished recently. 2 bottles down. 2 more to go. This line will suit people who loves to experience new scent as they take a shower because this line has more than a dozen scents to choose from. I'll be a fan again only if they will lessen the level of sweetness the comes off from their body washes.

Now here's a story that is not entirely related to the shower gel. We have a new manager since last year. And he asked me why I'm taking my leave days not all at once but every now and then. Meaning I have taken 2 days last February then another 2 days for the month of April. I told him that for the last 10 years I am not taking an annual leave and so my wish for this year is to be able to use all my annual leave. Well to make the long story short he does not care about me or what happened to me in the last 10 years. He made it clear that he wanted all of us to take our vacation one time only. Once a year only. Wow. I was taken aback that I was not able to answer him. Are we a robot? That nothing should come up out of the blue every once in a while? And there goes again the feeling that whatever I contributed to the company for the last 10 years meant nothing at all. I don't matter to the company nor to this country.

It did not even occur to him that at least now compared to before we now have new employees. Unlike before. This is sad. Because I was not asking for something extra. But then what can I do but to just comply. So you see its easier for me to just share about little things that to go on about my life as an OFW here.

And on the other stories..
UPDATE about the current Bath and Body Works Sale: It will run in the UAE until June 06, 2016. I visited the Mirdif City Centre branch yesterday. Price starts at 30AED ~ that price is for body wash or body lotion in the Signature Collection. The Signature Collection I have seen were the recurring scents. Aromatherapy and True Blue Spa ARE NOT included in the sale.

UPDATE about the Boots Pharmacy Sale: Promo ends tomorrow. Even Nuxe is included in the promo. I feel like I have to share it. Their famous oil is not included in Buy 1, Take 1 but if you'll buy the big bottle you can ask the SA to give it to you in their promo. I know because I asked. But I did not bother buying it.

UPDATE about the Victoria's Secret Promo: This promo ends tonight. Any Body Care Line for 2 would costs only 85.0AED. In short that's Buy 1, Take 1 as each bottle is 85AED. Same promo for the Fantasy Line. I did not received any SMS about it. I just happened to dropped by. Victoria's Secret often has promotion that's valid for the weekend only. But often times you will only know about it when you visit the store and actually look around. Or ask the SA what promo or discount they are currently having. I finally purchased the Victoria's Secret Weightless Body Oil.

Empty Bottle 21: Bourjois Velvet Shower Cream ♚

 

First let me start that since last year I had been using body wash or body gels instead of bar soaps. To think that all my life I am using bar soaps. While body wash has been around for quite some time now but I was not paying attention to it as this is more expensive than a bar soap. So what made me change my mind and jump into band wagon of people using body wash instead of bar soap? Because it has been said that it is better when you have a dry skin. And I was sort of desperate to have a soft and hydrated skin.

It has been a year since I'm using a body wash. Are there any difference? I would say yes but it cannot be attribute only to me using body wash. As body wash alone cannot give someone a soft and hydrated skin. It just happened that I never forget to put on a lotion and sometimes even sunscreen in the morning and in the evening. I tried different brands of body wash hoping to find a holy grail. Meaning cheap brand and yet with smell that I would enjoy and love.

Bourjois is a French brand of cosmetics. A drug store brand of cosmetics to be exact and I used to think it was bloody expensive. But not really. I have a few make up from Bourjois and Une and I'm loving them. So I did not hesitate to get their body wash when it was on sale at Carrefour. I got this body wash for around 13AED and for two bottles. But I can't find the other bottle now. And this post is loaded with photos of the one bottle only that I managed to finish. It has been said to have Lily Flower in ingredients though I can't remember even how Lily Flower looks like anymore if I have seen one before.

In short I purchased the Bourjois body wash because they have a great make up line and I'm hoping that the skin care products are great too. And in Victoria's Secret my favorite scent is Sheer Love which is made of cotton and pink lily. And so I thought this Bourjois would resemble Sheer Love a bit because of Lily Flower. But sadly it did not. To be fair all body wash works fine and works the same. It's the matter of preference over the scent and price range. And if it is easily available when needed in your area.

If it would help Bourjois said to be Paraben Free. As there are some people who are avoiding products with parabens. But I don't anyway. But as of the scent? Remember I'm looking for a cheap brand with scent that I would enjoy. Sadly it did not live up with my expectations or the kind of scent I'm looking for. I would not buy this again even if it is inexpensive. I still have other variants sitting at home that I painfully has to finish. This one seems to be having a hint of coconut which a scent that I don't like. I ended up using it as hand wash than body wash.

I finished this bottle in spite of me not liking the scent as of course I don't want to waste money or a product. Currently I am not buying anything. I'm trying to finish all the stocks of body wash regardless whether I like the scent or not. Just like the remaining 3 bottles of Bourjois body wash that I still have somewhere. But at least at the end of it all lesson learned. And because I am currently in the process of decluttering my little space there will be more empty bottles post from me in the future. As I'm trying to finish everything this year. I want to live a minimalist and mess free life.

That's all for now.
Thanks for dropping by to my page.

Empty Bottle 20: LCS Pure Water Mist ♚

One product finished and thrown away means one less clutter in a room. If this will continue until the end of this year then my room will be clutter free. Aside from using all the products I own I will also be disposing other items that I no longer use. Or whatever items that I can hand over to my younger sister. Since I will be sending a cargo in the Philippines soon. And those items are quite handful as per my inventory list. 

The UAE climate can be extremely from just hot and last year the AC at work keeps on breaking down. I had to keep on washing my face as I can't stand the heat. Feels like I was about to faint anytime soon. Because of that situation I purchased water mist. And when I saw this LCS water mist on Carrefour Ajman sale I grabbed all their remaining bottles. But it took time for me to finish one bottle as before the extremely hot summer ends they were able to rectify the problem in our AC.

LCS Water Mist
Price: 5.00AED
Made in France

There is nothing to it but just water. In short this is just to help me freshen up anytime. Especially during summer. I purchased it since it was dirt cheap. Because if it is not there's no way that I'll buy it since I can make a DIY water mist. But I don't think I will be making a DIY anytime soon as I still have 6 bottles of body mist in my stash.

Wow this is already the 20th bottle. I am making a progress in decluttering thing that I am doing. And along with it I hope I will always be a smart spender from now on and until my old age. Even though right now I'm thinking about the massage oils I want to buy from Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. I'm just waiting for them to go on sale. ♥

 

MY UAE LIFE is not just all about beauty products. Honestly what I wanted to share was about cooking and food. And all those UAE and Oman adventures I had in the past. But then writing is not my forte so do my photos. None of my photos either seem to justify those beautiful places I have seen. But all the memories are forever in my mind and in my heart. Sometimes I want to share simple things about OOTD which seem to be a fad last year. But then again I suck at taking a selfie either. So here I am just ended up sharing all my rants. And that's all for today. More Empty Post Series to come. As I'm decluttering the room. Aww I was right when I said it will take a year before the dresser becomes clear at all. Whenever I finish a product I'm taking out other products from where I'm hiding them. From multiple bags and drawers. Its better for them to be in the dresser where I can see them often. Therefore I'll not forget to use them.