May Purchase: Xo, Victoria 💕

NOTE: This is not a product review.

Whenever Victoria's Secret UAE has an ongoing promotion they are sending an SMS to customers but this service does not work all the time. Seems like they are selective as to what SMS or promo they are going to send to their clients. For the month of April when they launched the Victoria's Secret Love Me More in the UAE I was able to get myself the fragrance lotion because I happen to received the SMS that they are launching it at half the price.

But in the case of Victoria's Secret Xo, Victoria when it was launched in the UAE market at the 2nd week of May I did not received any SMS about it. I found out about it just because I happen to pass by at Victoria's Secret Beauty Shop in Mirdif. Well I always go inside the shop whenever I'm there even if I'm not going to buy just so I can try out their moisturizers anyway.

I think I had been saying it repeatedly how bipolar I can be when it comes to body moisturizers. I know I have to stop. But a part of me says it is okay as long as I'm not hoarding. And lastly it could be the last year that I get to enjoy Victoria's Secret goodies. So the latter won. Original price of the lotion is 125AED. But I got in during their launch so I paid only 65AED. But I'm always skipping the body mist as I think the price even on sale is too much for a body mist.

And that's all for now.

Thanks for dropping by.

Till next time.

Ciao ♥

May Purchase: Columbia Bag 💕

For the month of May I was a little bipolar again. What I meant is I told myself that I should not buy anything as long as I am not yet done organizing the room, discarding some stuff and emptying out all my skin care products. And I know it will take me until end of this year for everything to be done. As I don't have much time for it. But then month of May was the start of the sale across the UAE. So I can't really help it making some purchases for various reasons.

Sometime in 2013 when I switched to using leather goods and bags are included. There is nothing wrong in owning a leather bag. As it can last a lifetime. But my mistake was I got excited and over the years I accumulated at least 6 leather bags without considering other things. Yes leather bags look good in the office and formal occasions. But what about other occasions? I was about to go on a vacation and I don't even have a travel bag, travel kit for toiletries. Or any other practical bag that is not too heavy when travelling or roaming around.

This was my first ever purchase from Columbia. Well I know that this is a well known brand for shoes and apparel meant for outdoor activities. I always wanted to have a Columbia shoes but no place or occasion for me to wear them. And its a bit expensive for me. Everything are expensive as per my salary bracket. The only reason I have chosen this Columbia bag was during the sale it was the cheapest I can find in the market. And because of the color I can also use this in the office.

I LOVE colorful bags but I have an issue on how to clean them so I opted for a gray color at least it won't get dirty so much. And this is a very huge bag. I can even use it when I will go for swimming or shopping. And upon the first use I wanted to get some more Columbia bags like travel kit and bagpack.

From what I understood it meant that the bag is water repellant. I know there's no rain in the UAE but I also considered what if I'm somewhere where it has a rain or snow? And even if I'm not what if I'm outside and someone accidentally spill a drink on it? And also I take it as this material is easy to clean. I'll just put it in the washing machine and voila! I tried to use a small bag in the past but to no avail. I'm someone who has to bring the whole house with me whenever I go outside.

I'm not sure how much was the original price but the sale price cost 65.00AED and as I've said this is the most affordable I can find in the market. Compared to other bags from Adidas, Reebok, Nike, The NorthFace and Timberland. And that's all for today. Thanks for dropping by. Till next time. Ciao!

Empty Tube 44: Byphasse Keratin Liquid 🌸

Please note that this is not a meticulous review of the product. And I view ALL hair products just the same. But I'm writing this anyway as this is part of my 'Pan Project' that will go on until end of this year. Means I'm finishing off whatever products I have in the room as I badly wanted a clutter free space. And at the same time avoiding hoarding products even though I made some hauls last month. ☺

And this post also is sort of loaded with photos so for those who are interested in this product you'll know how it looks like.
Byphasse Keratin Liquid
Price: 15.00AED
Promo: 3 pieces for 30.00AED
Made in EU
Purchased at Tati MCC
Purchased on 2015

Tried taking photos of the back of the bottle as product information and ingredients are written there. But photos are not clear as after years of photography I still suck haha.

Whenever I see Keratin the first thing that comes to my mind is a product that straighten the hair. But when it comes to Byphasse Keratin Liquid what it does to hair is to make it more shiny and silky. And yes it delivers. But then it will not make me repurchase nor use the remaining bottles at home as I was and I am looking for something entirely else. I have a thick and buhaghag (loose) hair and the only way that it will looks thin is if I will go on hair rebond. I don't have any other hair issues aside from that. So in the end products that can give extra shine or glow or softness to my hair does not really mean anything to me. But sadly that's all the hair products I used can only offer.

I still have another bottle at home which I'll be sending to my younger sister. But I'm not too sure if she'll enjoy it as I think whatever hair concerns I'm having will still be the same thing with hers. Were siblings after all.

Because of my experience with it I'm not too interested anymore with other hair products sitting in the flat. Waiting for me to use and finish them. Next time around I'll just save my money so I can visit the good old Chinese Salon nearby and get my hair rebounded.

Aside from Byphasse Keratin Liquid I also managed to finish 3 more photos that can be seen in the photo and I might have share already some of them. But inspite this is being a 44th product down for me I still have a long way to go. I will not repurchase any of these products by the way.

Last time I have at least 6 bags of skin care products at home (that's why I had to buy a new bag as I can't use my other bags because of it) but now I managed to emptied out 1 bag. That's how my 'Pan Project' going on now. Hopefully after my vacation I'll check the make up next. To sort what to throw or give away.

That's all for today.
Thanks for dropping by.
Till my next empty post again.

Empty Bottle 43: VS Endless Love Body Mist 🌸

I'm not crazy about body mists.
But this post has too many photos.
This is not a rigorous review of the product either. I just happen to be on the process of uncluttering the room and posting my Empty Bottle series to track down my progress. For last month I managed to emptied out at least 50 bottles and this is the 43rd bottle. Victoria's Secret Endless Love Body Mist from their Fantasy Line.

Victoria's Secret

Endless Love Body Mist

Apple Blossom and Ylang Ylang

Made in USA
Price: 39.75AED

Purchased at Xpressions Style Safeer Ajman

Purchased on October or November 2015

Just like all the other Victoria's Secret body mist from their Fantasy Line ~ Victoria's Secret Endless Love body mist is expensive, scent is floral and fruity at the same time but not too strong and does not last for a long time. If you will use this on your body you may need to reapply after an hour or so. But I'm using it as a room spray. It is okay as a room spray EXCEPT when I'm frying a food. I'm living in a small and closed space (flat) and fried food overwhelms the scent. Making it useless against the smell of frying and oil.

Its scent is soft and delicate but I will not repurchase since body mist is not my thing. I purchased different scents just to try which one can fight against the smell the cooking emits every time.

Back of the bottle.

Product Description.

Ingredients.

Country of Origin.

I also have Victoria's Secret Endless Love in lotion and the scent is the same as the body mist. The lotion is watery and so it's taking me forever to finish. Instead of using it on my body it ends up as foot cream for me.

And as you can see from the photo below along with Victoria's Secret Endless Love body mist I was also able to finish other 3 products. As I am really eager to finish all my stash. And posting an entry per day as much as possible to track down my success in doing so.

As of the Victoria's Secret body mist I'm currently using at least 3 variants. Pure Daydream is about to finish. Followed by Total Attraction and Love Addict.

Empty Bottle 42: Carefree Wash 🌸

Please note that this is not thoroughly a product review.

I got this Carefree feminine wash from Carrefour during one of their promotions. In the UAE Carrefour seem to have a promotion going on almost every month. And I have known the brand Carefree for so many years now. Even back when I was in Manila. 

I don't have anything against Carefree feminine wash. But now that I'm old I don't believe anymore that there should be a separate wash for women for their private parts. So needless to say this will be my last purchase of feminine wash. But I have taken a few photos anyway as the lighting was good.

I'm writing this post as this is part of my Empty Bottle Post Series, where I'm documenting the products I purchased and managed to finish while avoiding falling into another hoarding spree again. Though admittedly I made some mini hauls for the month of May due to some Semi Annual Sale going on.

This is my 42nd bottle down. And more Empty Bottle Posts to come. As for the month of May alone I finished up to 50 bottles of products. Well I was into skin care products mostly in my attempt to keep a soft and hydrated skin.

And I think it will take me up to end of this year to finish this project of mine. The last photo below were the other products I finished the same time I'm done with this Carefree feminine wash.

I think the positive side of this posts of mine is somehow I get to reflect that there are so many purchases in the past that I don't really need. I was able to live without them. And so I will survive the rest of my life without them. I get to reflect which ones that I really enjoyed and loved using. And which ones I would really repurchase.

For the month of MAY because Victoria's Secret was having a Semi Annual Sale and it was the first time for me to visit them during this time as I'm a new customer, I can't help myself into buying body oils that I can buy based on my budget. As well as some lotions even though I dislike lotions. Just because I love their scents. And ended up being my hand creams here in the office. Right now I have 3 bottles of VS lotions as my hand creams. Will be posting about those hauls soon enough. Thanks for dropping by. Ciao ♥

Empty Bottle 41: Byphasse Toner 🌸

Byphasse Rose Toner

Price: 8.00AED
Purchased at Tati MCC

Purchased on 2015

Made in EU

Hi Ladies!
Sorry this is not a thoroughly review of the product. Well first of all toner is a facial product that helps us clean our face from any remaining residue of make up and cleanser. Some people says it is just a waste of money. While some says it is a must. A year ago I would say it is a must. But not anymore. If I have them fine I would use it but if not its fine with me also. I can live with or without it.

The good thing about Byphasse toner is it is very affordable. And the bottle is 500ML so it will last you for a very long time. It is non alcohol so it will not dry out your skin. Rosewater said to be good in maintaining the PH balance of the skin as well as controlling the oil. But then my nose is the oily part of me face.

I can't think of anything I dislike about this product. But I will not repurchase as I still have other toners at home to finish. And since I don't use make up anymore the less I need to use a toner. If you don't wear make up then all you need to clean your face when you get home will be water and facial wash. Next photo is the back of the bottle where the ingredients are written for those who wants to know.

I kept on saying that for the month of May alone I finished at least 50 bottles of different products. On this photo shows the toners I've managed to finished and I think mostly I have written already here. These brands are gentle on the skin. Does not contain Alcohol. Does not contain Paraben.

Here are the two products of Byphasse that I would recommend. Their Micelle Solution and of course together with the their toner. I managed to finish both after a year.

Okay as I have said I'm decluttering the room. I have said that a hundred times already. I have said also that I will not make hoard anymore. But then as the last week of May approaches I broke that vow. As I made a haul from my two favorite shops in the UAE. Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret as they were having their semi-annual sale. At this point in my life I'm no longer concern with the supposed to be skin problems. I'm just now trying hard to maintain having hydrated skin and soft if possible. And so I'm into scrubs, moisturizers and oil. And my the said two brands happen to be creating scents that I'm enjoying. And in the UAE market US brands tend to be more affordable than UK/European brands. As of Byphasse I haven't purchase anything yet from them as Tati Shop no longer offers something new. There are items I'm seeing via Social Media that are not available in Tati UAE like Byphasse scrub.

And so in the following days you'll see my posting hauls I made which is very opposed to my supposed to be 'Panning Project'. But anyway I'm still hopeful that I'll clear all the items I have at the end of this year even if I stray a little from my no hoarding vow. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. ♥

Empty Bottle 40: LRP Physiological Soothing Toner 🌸

When I started having a skin care regime I included toner in it. There has been a debate online if using toner is a must or not. Initially I was on the team of using toner. Well I did not see any drastic changes because of using toner. But somehow I felt that my skin is extra clean whenever I use a toner. But then as the 2015 goes by I was using toner less and less. Major reason was I'm no longer using a make up. If there's no make up on my face then there will only be some dirt and impurities from environment.

La Roche Posay

Physiological Soothing Toner

Price: 76.00AED
Purchased at GMC Hospital

Purchased on December 2014

Made in France

The back photo that shows the list of ingredients for those who wants to know. La Roche Posay just like the other French brands of cosmetics are Paraben Free. And gentle on the skin. I think that's their main selling points. Not using Parabens on their products and being very gentle on the skin. Some toner tends to use strong alcohol content that dries out the skin which is the exact opposite of La Roche Posay Physiological Toner.

 

Ladies, sorry that I don't have much deeper information regarding the product. Price wise this is very expensive. But as a toner it really works well. Because for me the main thing would be it should not be harsh on the skin. But as I've said above I'm no longer using makeup on daily basis hence the less need for a toner. I just finished it off for the month of May as I was uncluttering the room.

 

Gentle as it may be if in the future I will need a new toner I'll check out other brand just because it is too expensive. But I'm hoping there will be no need for me in the future to go back to toners. ☺

Last photo shows the toner and facial wash that I managed to finish. This Empty Bottle Post is still a part of my project of uncluttering my space. Meaning I have to use all the stash I have especially the old ones before they expire and if it can be totally avoided not buying anything. And if ever that I have to buy an item make sure that I will not hoard. I'm aiming that at the end of this year I will be having a minimal stuff in the room. And it will be totally clutter free.

 

You'll be seeing the other bottles in my upcoming posts and you'll notice that I don't think there are really something special in them. I mean a facial toner is meant to clean the face. No more and no less. And none of them was able to bring in something extra that is not expected from them. And that's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. Ciao!

Empty Tube 39: Essence All About Matt Oil Control Makeup Base 🌸

Essence All About Matt!
Oil Control Makeup Base
Price: 20.00AED
Made in Italy
Purchased at Exquisite Ajman
Purchased on July 2015
Note: Exquisite Shops no longer carries Essence Makeup.

Product Claims: Lightweight make up base for a long lasting matt and smooth finish. My story: Purchased this at the time that I was into makeup well only lipsticks and blushes to be exact. And Essence was my favorite brand since it is the most affordable makeup in the UAE market. Bought this All About Matt Oil Control Makeup Base as I have an oily nose and I thought it could help me with my whiteheads.

See there are people like me who always have whiteheads on the nose no matter how I clean them or whatever products I use. Just because I have an oily nose. So I thought controlling the oil on my nose equates to controlling the whiteheads. I used this product for a few weeks then kept it. It can control the oil but not for the whole day or 100%. But to be fair there is no such product in the world that can do so. For that reason that my interest in this waned.

And because it is not required for us to wear make up in the office that I lost interest into it. Decided to use this again this January as I want to finish all my stash in the house. This is lightweight. Does not feel heavy on the skin. Controls the oil for a few hours. Makes the blush on stay a little longer. And I think I still have at least 4 tubes lying at home.

It has taken me 4 months to finish the small tube of All About Matt Oil Control Makeup Base because a small pump or two is enough to cover the whole face. So I don't think there's a need for me to purchase again ever.

Maybe I'll try again another oil control product after 2 years. If I'm still alive by then. I bought this because of the oil control than because of being makeup base. But still I'm not satisfied with what it can give. Maybe after 2 years there will be a new technology that can really address the oil and whiteheads in the nose.

I finished this tube last May 2016. This is the 39th product and as I have said I finished around 50 products already. Just don't have time yet to post them all at once. This Empty Bottle Post is part of my project to unclutter the room. Takes time but then hoping to get there at the end of this year. Even though I still have 6 bags of goodies to finish.

TWICE a colleague visited the place and twice he commented how dirty the place was! But looking back it was not really DIRT he was seeing. What he saw was a lot of items stashed everywhere in the flat. So if anyone will visit the house they will surely have a not so good impression. Now more than ever I know that it is wrong. Totally wrong. Aside from an outsider the flat would look like a junk shop, having far too many items will also give a nesting place for insects like cockroaches. Cleaning alone is not enough. Organizing and having less stuff helps a lot too. Here's a peek of my dresser. Can you still see a space?

Thanks for dropping by.

Till next time.

Ciao!

Empty Bottle 38: VS Passion Struck Body Mist 🌸

Another day, another Empty Bottle post.
Warning: Photos Overload
I seriously started this decluttering since April 2016 and to track down my progress I'm writing almost daily about Empty Bottle post while not hoarding. But then sometime in MAY I found myself owning a dozen products because the shops in UAE decided to go on sale and I grabbed it because I won't be able to afford them on regular prices. So I have thrown away almost 50 or so Empty Bottles. But at the same time acquire at least 12 new bottles of skin care products. Thus slowing down my uncluttering. Along with skin care products I got myself some bags as well. While I was on the middle of discarding items as I want to lessen the number of items I own. Phew. I can't help those purchases because in the next few weeks I'll be on my vacation. And I don't even have a travel bag or big bags for travelling! Like an overnight bag or something. Tsk.

Victoria's Secret

Passion Struck Body Mist

Fuji Apple and Vanilla Orchad

From VS Fantasy Line

Price: 39.00AED
Made in USA

Purchased at Xpressions Style Safeer Mall

Purchased on October 2015

Victoria's Secret Passion Struck body mist is a combination of floral and fruity scent. Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works are sister companies. But I noticed when it comes to scents Bath & Body Works tend to be more sweeter than the scents Victoria's Secret creating. This is an expensive body mist. But scent does not lasts longer. I'm not crazy about body mists but I purchased a lot last March 2016 as I'm using them as room spray. Because they are cheaper than room sprays. Well I only have issues at home whenever I'm cooking food like fried food.

People who loves body mist and loves trying out new scents would definitely love this one. While I can't say much because even though I enjoyed the scent this is not something I'm keen on repurchasing. If only I don't need to buy another body mist then I won't. For me this is unnecessary. But I just happened to be living a small and closed flat. So the smell the cooking emits just go around inside the house. And so the need for body mist to mask and chase the smell away.

Victoria's Secret had their Semi Annual Sale last week of May. Old packaging of Victoria's Secret Fantasy Line were on sale for only 25.00AED but I did not make any purchase. I bought at least 9 pieces last March 2016 and I'm trying to finish them all first. And when done I'll think of other ways to handle the cooking smell at the flat.

And that's all for now.
One empty bottle down.
100+ more bottles to go.
But as of the body mists below is the photo of my purchased from March 2016. At least 3 bottles finished. So 6 more to go. And so I don't know anymore until when this will go on. I'll be out of the country next month for almost 30 days. Honestly there are so many thoughts running in my mind but sharing them over here would look like as if I know nothing but rants in life.

Empty Bottle 37: VS Love Spell Body Wash 🌸

Another day and another Empty Bottle Post. If you are wondering why most of my posts are about Empty Bottles because I'm currently on my project which will lead me into a minimalist home/life soon enough. I just don't know how soon is soon? ☺ Since 2016 came I stopped making trial and error with different brands of skin care products. And I stopped hoarding too. I'm just finishing off whatever stash I have at home. Of course I'm still a consumer and I get to buy new skin care every once in a while. But then I'm disciplined now as opposed to before. This post is about another bottle down. Victoria's Secret Love Spell Body Wash but as you can see in the first photo its together with Victoria's Secret Deep Softening Body Butter in Total Attraction. Another tub that I'm about to finish and will post one of these days.

Victoria's Secret

Love Spell Body Wash

Cherry Blossom and Peach

From VS Fantasy Line

Price: 70.00AED
Mix and Match: 5 pieces for 200.00AED
Made in USA

Purchased at Victoria's Secret Mirdif City Centre

Purchased on October 2015

Discontinued Product

Isn't it ironic?
I don't really like this scent and yet for this post I have way too many photos to share? Well if you walk into the Victoria's Secret Beauty Store the first scent any SA will offer you will be the LOVE SPELL. According to them this is the most popular variant in their Victoria's Secret Fantasy Line. And I'm reading the same thing from some forums in the internet. Well its them not me. This is their scent that I can't really stand.

I purchased this because of Cherry Blossoms. Who does not want the smell of Cherry Blossoms. But then mixed with Peach and I don't like the outcome. Floral and fruity scent but comes off to me as a medicine that has gone wrong. It has taken me ages to finish as I was putting it back and forth in the bathroom and the drawer. Decided to finish it off when I started uncluttering the room. And I know I must finish off whatever stocks I'm having. I managed to use at least 3/4 of it then the remaining 1/4 I mixed with the hand wash just so not to waste it. So when the bottle was finally empty there was a sigh of relief.

This is expensive. The scent just like the other body wash in the market no matter how expensive they maybe won't last long after showering. Because of this I don't think that a body wash should be a bloody expensive no matter how delicious they might smell. But then for sure I'll be trying out different scents every now and then.

This is the 37th bottle down for me for the month of May. More Empty Bottle Posts to come. Been watching YouTube videos about minimalism way of living and being inspired by them. And so everyday I'm finding ways how to organize the room. I'm discarding one clothing per day. As well as discarding a bottle per day. But does not mean I'm wasting those products as I'm finishing off to the last bit. Though it will take time for me. Perhaps it will go on until the end of this year.

And that's all for now.
Till my next Empty Post again.
I'm avoiding saying that I will be on a NO BUY BAN because I can't fully follow it. Its better to say that I'm no longer hoarding products like when I just started going crazy with skin care products. At least my hoarding moments are now over even though I'm still making purchases. The purchase that I can't totally avoid yet is buying jeans.