Empty Bottle 72: Secret Key 🌸

The year is about to end. And I'm sharing you my 72nd empty bottle during my Pan Project. Well my Pan Project is still very much ongoing. And I think I'm close enough in clearing out my dresser. I will decide what I will do with it once it is free from all the clutter. So my 73rd empty bottle is a Korean product called Secret Key Dragon Blood Essence. Please be warned that this is not a rigorous review of the product.

 

Let me share you what I know about Korean Skin Care Regime:

1. Make up removal

2. Cleansing of the face

3. Exfoliator

4. Toner

5. Essence and/or Emulsion

6. Ampoule/Serums

7. Sheet Mask

8. Eye cream

9. Moisturizer

10. Night Cream

Of course you don't have to put on everything on daily basis you have to listen to your skin's need. For example I don't wear make up so it will not make sense for me to use a make up remover. I can go straight to cleansing. There are times that I am too lazy to clean my face with water and facial wash then I could go straight to using toner. Exfoliator and sheet mask are not an everyday thing. You can do it once a week. Serums has many kinds so choose according to your needs. Lastly this is for the night routine. The make up removing process is already a give away though. The morning routine is almost the same just with the additional of sunscreen and of course minus the make up remover and/or toner.

2015 I was into Korean skin care regime. Meaning I purchased too many Korean skin care products. It may not be much to some of you but for someone like me it already was. Secret Key is one of the many brands in South Korea. They have too many that even a beauty aficionado will find it hard to keep track of them all. First of all Secret Key is not available in any physical stores in UAE. Second you can purchase it only thru online sellers. Quite popular is TheBBCreamGirl. Third the amount is around 57.00AED that is if haven't changed. But I got mine for free. The seller was about to go home in the Philippines so maybe she was clearing her stuff. Or maybe Essence is not her thing. Or maybe she just want me to try it out for myself since she knows I am into Korean Skin Care and purchased quite a lot from her. As of this writing I'm still struggling to finish some and I must finish them fast before they expire.

I got this around 2015. Used it for a while and kept it. That's the same old story with all the beauty products and owned since 2014. Managed to finish it before the 2016 expiration date. I don't know the counterpart of Essence in Western beauty products. You will not use cotton balls in applying essence. You just need to tap in into your face. It is lighter than a face cream or night cream. But this is thicker than toner. The best way I understood it is this is a facial moisturizer in the lightest form. And as you can see it claims to be an anti ageing and whitening. I don't believe those claims but I always end up trying anyway. Just the way I don't see dragons around but how come they were able to have a dragon blood to turn into essence.

If I put on a make up the I definitely do layering of essence, serum and facial cream. But if I did not then any of them would be just fine with me. After all they all have something in common. That is to moisturize the skin. There are times that my skin feels extremely dry then I need something tough to put on my skin. But there are days that it is not and so essence would be just fine. But even after finishing it I can't say if I love essence or not. Or will I purchase again if given a chance. As while using it there was an itch on my face. Don't know if it is because of the product itself or because it does not blend well with other products. But the itch is not for all over my face. Only with some areas. I never got around into finding the root cause. I finished it off just to avoid wasting it. And lucky for me I did not develop any rashes or bumps due to itching.

Took photos of the back of the bottle to show you but it is mostly written in Korean. Before I forgot this product sinks fast and well into the skin. And that's all for Secret Key Dragon Blood Essence. If you will scroll down below you'll see that the essence is pinkish in color. Probably to give off the impression of Dragon Blood.

Moving on to my personal story as an OFW. Yesterday I was trying to explain that sounds like ranting how expensive the houses here compared to the salary. Some of you might be wondering if I am living a hand to mouth kind of life then how on earth I was able to hoard beauty products in almost 2 years? How I was able to accumulate clothes for the years that I am here in the UAE? Well I have taken an accommodation that is a walking distance from work. In this way I don't have to spend money on taxi. Walking in UAE is something unheard of. Maybe if you want to die early due to extreme hot weather or fast cars. I go to Dubai and places with a friend who has a car again to save money. 2015 I did not go to vacation and spent my ticket money for my stash. It was so wrong of me. Whatever is happening in my life is not only because of the system but also with mistakes. And I'm trying to correct those mistakes. But sadly I can't change the system.

 

It really is just a take it or leave it situation. I'm still clueless with what I will do next. By 2017. For the mean time I just want to have a clean and free space. Work and save a little before making major decisions. It may irritate some with my whining but then writing it is my way of coping. This is my therapy.

 

The only love affair that I found hard to resist was with lipstick. I can't help myself to purchase some while I was on vacation last August. But after a month I was able to break off. Because I had to. As I don't know why I developed a super dry lips. So dry that there are wounds at the sides.

 

“When you live surrounded by clutter, it is impossible to have clarity about what you are doing in your life.”  ~ Karen Kingston

Empty Bottle 71: Lush Tea Tree Toner 🌸

As I have said, my story about skin care products: I became addicted since last quarter of 2014 and for almost 2 years I accumulated around 300 items, my make up not yet included. Only to realized later on what a waste of time and money it has been. It would have been better if somehow I am not without whiteheads on my nose and sun spots in my face but I still have them no matter what. So having those items did not change my life or my skin at all.

 

Doing Pan Project since second quarter of this year towards minimalist and frugal life. Writing down Empty Bottle Post Series to document my progress. And now I'm sharing the 71st bottle I managed to consume while I am on my Pan Project. Would you believe that before my vacation I managed to consume at least a hundred products? I'm just posting them late as I don't have much time as always. Then there was a slow down during my vacation. And when I came back from vacation I'm using moisturizers less and less.  

 

Someone on my Instagram loop said that Lush Tea Tree Water toner is good for the skin. Because it is gentle and free from harsh chemicals. Not really sure if I made this purchase in 2014 ~ if you have way too many its hard to keep track anymore. All I can remember is it is expensive for a small bottle. Tried it a few times. Kept in the dresser. Used it up when I started the Pan Project. This is just another gentle toner. It is okay to have this around but if not then it is fine. All the toners I tried are all the same. Gives the same results. It is just between a gentle one which I love and need or something strong that usually contains alcohol which is perfect for my oily nose but not for the rest of my face.

Just an  additional info about Lush. It is a brand from UK. Said to be fresh handmade cosmetics. Fresh. Handmade. That makes a difference. It is available in Dubai but not in Ajman. I am in Ajman. It is a Northern emirate next to Sharjah. Most of the brands I mentioned here are not available in Ajman. So I have to go all the way from Ajman to Dubai just to shop. That sucks.

In fairness to Lush they have a good advocate. About ingredients sorry as I am not taking a look anymore. Well as of the Lush advocate as can be see in the photo below the item I bought was made by an employee name Bryn. Imagine saving those people jobs upon supporting the brand. Basically we are supporting people whenever we buy something but what I'm trying to say is Lush have taken it far more too personal. By stating the person's name. And a photo so you can imagine what the worker looks like. As well as to remind you about it. I may not be good at work but you get what I mean. But no matter how good their advocate might be Lush simply is too expensive for me. Maybe not if I am in UK. UAE is such an expensive place. I have to always mention this piece of information to serve as a head on for my fellow kabayans planning to come here.

As I write this I only have remaining 2 bottles of toner. Thankfully. I will surely finish the two bottles before the year ends. And will try without a toner. Since I'm already using a Micelle Solution. And I have at least 3 or 4 facial wash to finish anyway. (Which reminds me I want to experiment turning them into facial foam). As I keep on writing my Empty Bottle Post Series and seeing that the items on my dresser is getting less as time goes by; there's a flutter in my heart. This may sound nothing to you but it is a big deal for me. Being able to break away from hoarding. Being able to contain myself from buying. For me that is something. That is already a success.

Sorry for those who are expecting a thorough review as this is a personal blog. I'm not a professional blogger or writer.

 

But anyway moving on to something else as you know I keep on saying that I am living in a small flat without a good ventilation. If you will ask anyone living in the UAE they will tell you how expensive the cost of the housing is. And please don't believe the Google when they say that the salary is ranging from 10,000AED or more. It is true but only for some lucky individuals. Either you are an Emarati or Western Expats. Or someone with a very good job. But for the rest of us the commoners it is not true. Methinks there are at least 80% of us the commoners in the modern time in this country. And yet we can't tell that to the real estate just so they will give us a lesser price for the housing. Sharing flat by law is not allowed but it is an open secret to all that people are doing it anyway to survive.

 

The next photos are not mine and I got them all from Google. If people will talk about tiny house or small apartment. Whatever term you want to use ~ this photo will immediately come to your mind, right? This is a 13 square meter apartment. Owned by a Western guy living in a Western country I assume. Or someone with money. Not your typical paycheck to paycheck kind of life. Looks clean and neat. Organized too. And of course there's only one person living in the this tiny apartment. I'm dreaming of having one. Only in my dream. Not trying to be bitter here. Just stating the fact.

Here's another photo. I forgot where I get this one. But the thing is even if it is a small apartment at least it has a proper appliances. Right? Look at the stove. That's cool and neat also. But you know what? Even I in the UAE can't afford a small space all by myself. That is one of the things that I had been trying so hard to explain to my family and friends who thinks life here is so good. And feels like heaven. Some parts are. But there are a lot of hardships most of the time. There are far too many that it is all I can remember. Just a few weeks ago a brother told me he wants to come here and look for a job. After knowing all the hardships I went through. Duh.

For us Asians or people who are living a hand to mouth lifestyle this is what we meant by a small house. This photo is from Hongkong. Well I'm not saying that the flat I am living in looks like this but since it is a sharing flat my space more or less is just like this. And imagine the lack of ventilation too. So when I accumulated so many things when I had a hoarder disease for almost 2 years those items immediately become nothing but clutter. The walls in my flat are okay (even though some areas start peeling) but I remember how my space looks like when I have my stuff scattered on the floor as there was no extra space for me to put them at. But I can't keep on being hard on myself as it has been over and done. And as I have said it was a disease. I'm just thankful that I had been cured.

Eating out is a big no with this kind of salary. Well even if I have a big salary I will not choose eating out. The best would really be cooking your own meal at home. But living in a flat with limited space and sharing even just frying an egg is such a hassle. We don't complain about the smell but the issue is there is no way the smell will go out of the flat. And the hard part is when the smell of food clings to the bed sheet, pillows and blanket. Is it cool to sleep with the scent of a bacon? It is acceptable to go out and people can sniff the fried fish from your clothes? So even if I don't want to spend I end up buying body mist that I can use for the clothes and room. I had been experimenting which body mist or room spray will work best. Tried scented candles too but they are expensive and dangerous. So you'll see numerous body mists on my Empty Bottle Post Series too. And how it became a necessity in my life over here.

Cigarette smoke sadly can trigger my migraine but then I have to live with it. A couple of times I can smell it while I'm in the bathroom. Coming out from the flat next to ours. Why do smokers have to blow out the smoke? I know I'm already ranting but please let me be. I only have one life and I want to enjoy it in good health.

As I do my little things to achieve a minimalist and extremely frugal life I can't help but remember and reflect the life I am living in for the last ten years. And realized the mistakes I have done big or small. Especially on matters of money and relations. Maybe being a girl has something to do with it. As we are the gender who loves so many things. Especially when we are young. That's all for today. I still have too many rants stories to tell some other time.

Empty Bottle 70: LRP Hydraphase Riche 🌸

And here's my 70th bottle down with my Pan Project. Hopefully before my vacation in Japan my dresser will be totally clear from all the clutter. I purchased this La Roche Posay Hydraphase Riche back in last quarter of 2014. Forgot the exact amount but it is more than 100AED from Aster Pharmacy.

 

La Roche Posay is a French brand of skin care and it is under the company of Loreal. I don't know why it has to be so expensive. All I know is they create products without Parabens and gentle on the skin. But in the span of 2 years I already tried and tested other brands that have the same features in a lesser amount.

 

It has been inside my dresser for the longest time as end result of having far too many facial moisturizers. Taken it out this year and finished it within a few months. Used it every morning before applying anything else like sunscreen.

Those who wants the ingredients list or additional information please refer to the photos as I tried taking photos as many as I can. I admit no longer caring about ingredients a long time ago. Since I wont understand them. I'm just always mentioning Paraben free or not as I understood people are concern about it.

Basically I don't have any new information to offer about La Roche Posay Hydraphase Riche moisturizer. I mean I don't have complaints from all the La Roche Posay products I used except for the price. And I would even say La Roche Posay is my favorite next to Avene. Their products are gentle on the skin. Feels luxurious on the skin. Words are not enough you just have to experience it. But too bad pharmacies in the UAE are not giving out samples so if you want to try something you have to buy the full bottle.

Right from I'm using another French brand of facial moisturizer called Origen and Naturel. Just like La Roche Posay its also gentle on the skin but smells funny. Which makes me remember that La Roche Posay is not exactly with perfumes but does not smell bad either. Smell is just neutral. I guess that's the way a moisturizer should smell. Fresh.

And that's all for today. Pan Project is my attempt in having a minimalist and frugal life. When I started hoarding back in 2014 I accumulated clutter and the numbers if I got it correctly is around 300 make up not yet included. Money wasted. Small spaces has been taken up. The only positive thing that came out of it was the lessons I learned.

I'm still doing the South Korean skin care regime whenever the need arises. Like if my skin is extremely dry or just about to go on that road. But having a skin care regime does not require to have a hundred items on the dresser. The minimalist you become the easier to move around. No earthly possessions will hold you back. I'll be continuing this Pan Project of mine until such time comes that I only have at least 10 items in my dresser. It is possible but slow process due to the amount of items.

From this source:
One thing minimalists have in common across cultures is the desire to travel and experience life. A life without shopping and clutter offers a freedom to save money and see the world. Friendships thrive when time is spent on people and not things.

Empty Bottle 70: LRP Hydraphase Riche 🌸

And here's my 70th bottle down with my Pan Project. Hopefully before my vacation in Japan my dresser will be totally clear from all the clutter. I purchased this La Roche Posay Hydraphase Riche back in last quarter of 2014. Forgot the exact amount but it is more than 100AED from Aster Pharmacy.

 

La Roche Posay is a French brand of skin care and it is under the company of Loreal. I don't know why it has to be so expensive. All I know is they create products without Parabens and gentle on the skin. But in the span of 2 years I already tried and tested other brands that have the same features in a lesser amount.

 

It has been inside my dresser for the longest time as end result of having far too many facial moisturizers. Taken it out this year and finished it within a few months. Used it every morning before applying anything else like sunscreen.

Those who wants the ingredients list or additional information please refer to the photos as I tried taking photos as many as I can. I admit no longer caring about ingredients a long time ago. Since I wont understand them. I'm just always mentioning Paraben free or not as I understood people are concern about it.

Basically I don't have any new information to offer about La Roche Posay Hydraphase Riche moisturizer. I mean I don't have complaints from all the La Roche Posay products I used except for the price. And I would even say La Roche Posay is my favorite next to Avene. Their products are gentle on the skin. Feels luxurious on the skin. Words are not enough you just have to experience it. But too bad pharmacies in the UAE are not giving out samples so if you want to try something you have to buy the full bottle.

Right from I'm using another French brand of facial moisturizer called Origen and Naturel. Just like La Roche Posay its also gentle on the skin but smells funny. Which makes me remember that La Roche Posay is not exactly with perfumes but does not smell bad either. Smell is just neutral. I guess that's the way a moisturizer should smell. Fresh.

And that's all for today. Pan Project is my attempt in having a minimalist and frugal life. When I started hoarding back in 2014 I accumulated clutter and the numbers if I got it correctly is around 300 make up not yet included. Money wasted. Small spaces has been taken up. The only positive thing that came out of it was the lessons I learned.

I'm still doing the South Korean skin care regime whenever the need arises. Like if my skin is extremely dry or just about to go on that road. But having a skin care regime does not require to have a hundred items on the dresser. The minimalist you become the easier to move around. No earthly possessions will hold you back. I'll be continuing this Pan Project of mine until such time comes that I only have at least 10 items in my dresser. It is possible but slow process due to the amount of items.

From this source:
One thing minimalists have in common across cultures is the desire to travel and experience life. A life without shopping and clutter offers a freedom to save money and see the world. Friendships thrive when time is spent on people and not things.

Empty Bottle 69: Evoluderm Keratin Liquid 🌸

Hello there! This is the 69th bottle down with my Pan Project. Although there's no new information I can offer. This is my nth hair product different name and price but same results. Let me start by telling you that I was a hoarder. And I misused my hard earned money in the past. Especially from 2014 to early 2016. I decided that it has to change and I should start my journey towards being minimalist and frugal. In doing so I must first clear all the clutter I stupidly created. In the process of decluttering either I am doing the project 'get rid of an item per day' or 'pan project' which means used up all the products I have. It could be food or beauty products. But mostly the latter. So the 70th bottle I was able to consume was Evoluderm Keratin Liquid.

I have taken all the photos I could as the bottle contains all the information that one would like to know. I got it for around 15.00AED at Tati in Mirdif City Centre. To enlighten those who does not know or interested to know Evoluderm is a French brand of affordable skin care products. In the same league with LCS and Nectar of Nature . In the UAE market it is available only in Tati. Tati has only one branch which is in Mirdif City Centre. And Evoluderm reviews I have seen in Google were all in French.

I had been going for hair rebonding since 2009 but only this year I felt bored with it and as end result I purchased a dozen or so hair products hoping one of them can give me the illusion of thin hair or super straight hair. All of them are the same. They all have given me soft and smooth hair but even so that was not the goal I was aiming for. Hence even if the product is good I don't see myself repurchasing. I managed to finish the hair products like Evoluderm Keratin Liquid because I had too as to avoid wasting them and not because I'm enjoying or loving them.

If you want to tame your frizzy hair then go ahead and try Evoluderm Keratin Liquid. If you want a soft and smooth hair it will help too. But having a straight and thin hair? Fat chance. And so I'm seeing myself going back to Chinese Salon in a few weeks to rebond my hair once again. Need to sit for 6 hours or more once again.

So for me Evoluderm Keratin Liquid is just a waste of money. My good old Cream Silk can take care of the softness and smoothness of my hair that I don't need any other product. If there is another hair product that I need is a hair fragrance just so I would not smell of food whenever I come back to work from lunch. As I'm mostly cooking for lunch. And the space is closed and no way for the air/smell to go out. No proper ventilation.

I still have at least 4 or 5 hair products that I'm trying to finish at home and I'll be writing about them as this is my way to document my Pan Project progress. And that's all for today.

2017: I am not sure why but I have a strong feeling that maybe that year my dream will come true. Or I'm just being optimistic as ,y tiny place is getting cleaner and clearer as day goes by.

“Editing is a big part of organising. It's about selecting the best and letting the not-so-good go... Life is like this. There's lots of stuff that doesn't matter: things that you're 'going to do'; outdated, broken or not-so-good stuff... Be an editor every day. Constantly reassess and you'll find that the things that don't matter easily slip away.” ~ Unknown

Empty Tube 69: Celeteque Acne Cleansing Gel 🌸

Yehey! I am already on my 69th bottle down for my Pan Project. Maybe by 2017 I can finally ditch my dresser. Well I love having a dresser but if you want to be a minimalist and frugal you'll see that as long as you have closet or drawer or dresser it will just encourage you to buy products as you have a place to put them. That is what happened to me. As soon as you need drawers to organize your things it only means that you already have way too many. So organizing is not the solution but decluttering is.

As I have said it was late 2014 when I started hoarding. I came from Manila with stash of beauty products. But since I have too many of them that it has taken me long time to consume them all. That is when you know that you have too much of it. Maybe Celeteque is a Philippine brand of skin care products. I'm not sure. I have this brand from Watsons in Market Market and I have forgotten the amount I paid for me. More than 100PHP. Took photos of the back of the tube for those who wants to see the ingredients and other details about the product. That I admittedly did not even bother to look at for more than a year that I have this with me. 

My greatest enemy in my skin are the whiteheads that decided to reside on my nose forever. And so there was a point in my life that I was so obsessed in banishing them. That led me into buying anti acne products. Whiteheads are said to be a kind of acne. So I bought Celetque Acne Cleansing Gel for my whiteheads. I used it up only this year when it was about to expire. But sadly it did not do anything for my whiteheads. Yes it is losing battle. Needless to say there's no need for me to repurchase. 

Inexpensive and good cleanser though but it is not for me. Any facial cleanser or facial soap will do just fine with me. I just need maintenance in nose pack and/or nose strips plus facial toner once in a blue moon. Or facial scrub if the budget will permit.

 

That's all for today. Will check now if there's anything inside the house that I should ditch now. An item dispatch per day is the path to a clutter free room. I only have 2017. At least before I go for another vacation. And this vacation my target is Japan. Wish me luck.

P.S. For more than a year I was crazy about blushers and eyeshadows. Sadly I was able to use them all one time only. Even if I want to declutter them now I don't have enough time. Maybe I will be during Christmas vacation. I know what a way to spend my vacation. But I can't think of any other time. While my love affair with lipsticks is still on going that I put different colors every hour just to finish them all of. It is crazy but its one of the girl things that is quite hard to decipher.

'Keep the things that add value to your life. If the item does not add value to your life, it is just clutter and needs to be cleared from your space.' ~ Dub Haynes

Empty Bottle 68: Clean Body Wash 🌸

Hello there! And here I am again with my 68th bottle down in my on going Pan Project. When I started this one I thought it would take me years to finish although my target time is end of this year. And I'm so bored with that thought. But as I write down my Empty Bottle Post Series to track down my progress then the boredom goes away as after my vacation my progress sort of speed up a little. Maybe also because aside from Pan Project I am taking away at least one item per day. Maybe also because that the space of the floor is getting clearer that's lifting my spirit enough to continue in what I am doing. I'm just sorry to disappoint those who comes to my page hoping for an in depth reviews. But there was none. This is personal blog so more on rants and views rather than digging the product.

Clean is the name of this body was. Clean in Fig and Verbena. I know Fig and in fact I have seen the tree of it. But I don't know Verbena. This brand is from Poland. It is available in Carrefour for only 10AED for 500ML. That is a great deal. But then this is not my favorite or something I am so keen in repurchasing. Maybe strong scent is the reason why Bath and Body Works or Victoria's Secret skin care are still very much alive. Great smell while taking a shower is relaxing and making taking a shower enjoyable. How to make strong and long lasting scent is one thing drugstore brands haven't found out how to do yet.

A year ago I switched from bar soap like Dove to body washes or body gels as I had been told that it is the better choice for people with dry skin like me. It could be true but the downside is body wash is expensive than bar soap. But I am enjoying it so for the mean time I can't go back yet to using bar soap again. Plus I still have a stash of at least 20 bottles of body washes that I must finish so going back to good old Dove will really take some time. Maybe a year at least.

I have taken photo of the back of the bottle to share some more information regarding with the product but for me this is not really a big deal or very relevant. I mean all the body washes or body gels will have the same formula. Difference would just be the scents. Some are said to be organic. But I don't give a damn about that too. Some would be Paraben free and again I don't care about it too. I care only about the price and the scent. When I started using body washes I admitted hoarding as I wanted to try out all the possible scents in the market. But luckily I was able to stop myself from going further and especially when I started this Pan Project.

I don't know what else can I say or share regarding the product. As all body washes in the market are the same. But I did not find anything special with this one except the price. It is very affordable. It is white in color but turned out to be pink as I added the bath salt I purchased from Daiso which is another story as the bottle is still lying in the bathroom waiting for me to have time and mix it up with some other body gels I'm using.

That will be all for today. Till me next Empty Bottle Post again. I think I still have at least a hundred products. And I'm trying to finish them all.

'Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life.' ~ Katharine Gerould

Empty Bottle 67: Muji Light Toner 🌸

Muji is a Japanese brand of household items, skin care products and school supplies. And everything else under the sun. Muji is available in Mirdif City Centre and Dubai Mall. For me as a regular consumer the downside is the prices are very expensive. It is supposed to be a no name brand but prices are like buying a high end brand. And so the only items I was able to buy from Muji in the past were some ballpens, some skin care products and some shirts on sale.

Muji in Mirdif City Centre used to have skin care products but when I visited months ago those skin care products were nowhere to be seen. One of the skin care products I no longer see is the Muji Light Toner which is my topic for today in my Empty Bottle Post Series. When I joined the bandwagon of South Korean skin care regime and Japanese skin care regime facial toner has been included as both skin regimes require toner. But there has been a discussion online regarding toner. While some believe that it is a must other says that is it just a waste of money. But I would say that I am just in between in this scenario. [Visited again last October 2016 and skin care products are back on the shop again. Including the Muji Toning Water. Wider selection now but I'm not sure if all the products in Japan are available in UAE.]

I'm in between of saying we need a facial toner and we don't because the purpose of toner is clean the face from the make up and any residue left by the cleanser. So toner is making sure that our face is thoroughly clean and prep up for the next products that we want to apply. But then in my case since I barely use make up or even if I do my make up is very minimal that I don't feel the need for double or triple cleansing at night. But I still need toner every once in a while especially when my nose gets too oily. And another thing bear in my mind that I am in UAE. Meaning it is hot in here most of the time but even so all establishments have AC. My flat is just a walking distance from my workplace. So no matter how hot it gets I will be exposed to the sun only for a few minutes everyday. Maybe because of this weather and the AC that I don't get so oily (based on my observation) hence the less need for facial toner. But then I had a different experience while I was on vacation in Turkey. The weather was hot but bearable unlike in UAE. But most establishments and houses do not have AC. So I end up sweaty and producing more oil than ever and in that case I badly need facial toner and all the face products in the world for cleansing and oil control.

And there goes the 67th bottle down  for my Pan Project. I'm not sure until when this Pan Project of mine will go on. I even stopped making inventory about the items that I currently have. To anyone reading my post right now please, please don't fall into the same mistakes I have done. Don't hoard beauty products or anything. It is not cool or effective. I can't see even a single benefit from hoarding. If you are in a place where you can get a sample then by all means get all the samples you can get before buying a full size of the product. Anything excessive will not do you any good. Take it from me.

 

December 01, 2016: Sorry gals I was using Muji Toning Water the wrong way. I was using it as a regular toner just like the facial toners we all know. Japanese Toner actually is skin/skin lotion/skin conditioner. It is not meant to clean the skin but meant to soften the skin or hydrate it or prep it.  

 

'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication' ~ Leonardo Da Vinci 1452

Online Shopping 💕

Again my topic is shopping. But this time it is about online shopping. I know once again it defies my purpose of wanting to have a minimalist and frugal life. For the first time I made an order in the Desert Cart. I have done so because I had been searching high and low for a good sunscreen that will not break my account. Alas, the sunscreens I have seen in the shops are just too bloody expensive. I looked at the pharmacies ~ one sunscreen would cost more than 100AED. Same with The Face Shop. One of these days I will be sharing what I purchased and my experience with Desert Cart.

And recently I also placed an order from Amazon Japan. I have taken the risk as there are many Japanese skin care products that I badly want to try. Those products are so affordable but the shipping fee is not. Making me wish I can visit the Japan ASAP. Once received I will be sharing them over here too. But then even with the shipping fee it is still way more affordable than buying from the physical stores in the UAE. That's all for now. Ciao!

Empty Bottle 66: Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer 🌸

Hello there. Well as of the product reviews I'll just laugh and say that I am the last person you should ask me about it. But why am I writing so many posts about beauty products? Well I am currently doing a Pan Project. It has been going on for a few weeks now. There was a year and half of my life that I hoarded far too many products. And came to a point that I realized it was a mistake. I can't throw them. I can't keep being hard on myself. I just need to use them all up and learn my lesson.

 

So for today I'm sharing with you the 66th bottle I managed to from finish my stash. I purchased it more than a year ago that I can't remember the price anymore. But one thing I remember clearly that I got it on sale. So the amount could be just around 60AED. I bought it at the time that I was sort of attracted to make up. Women who wears make up usually use primer to make the make up stay longer.

 

Can't complain about the price as almost all the brands do have the same price range in the UAE. Can't complain about the brand of Bourjois either. It is one of the brands of make up that I trust. It is a French affordable brand of make up. But as of the effectiveness of Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer I should be the last one you should ask. But for a reason. I love it because it is moisturizing enough. Does not feel heavy on the skin. Sinks well I mean. But whatever make up I'm wearing will surely be gone by lunch time. But is 4 hours of wear time enough to say that it is effective? That's the time the make up lasts on my face using this primer.

My house is just a walking distance from work that I go home for lunch even on summer and while on lunch I'm likely to wash my face or use a lot of water mists the whole day. Or use nose pack. So even if I have the best primer in the world my make up stays only at least before lunch time. Hence I can't observe it primer indeed makes the make up lasts the whole day. And I'm using the make up I own just to finish it off and not because I so love it or enjoying. No amount of make up can ever solve my skin concerns like the whiteheads on my nose. Make up are pretty to look at but pain in the ass when applying.

And so girls thanks for dropping by at my page. Throwing out this bottle is one less bottle of clutter in my very tiny room or space. Please if you are reading this think a thousand times before buying anything like I used to do.

 

'Have nothing in your house that you do not know how to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.' ~ William Morris.

Shopping 💕

For almost a decade that I am here in the UAE, I accumulated more than 500 pieces of clothing. Not because I have an overflowing money in my wallet but because this country seems to be having a sale every month. Even if I spent only 100AED per month. But please don't get too excited with all the upcoming sale. Those days of cheap items on sale are over.

For the record I only started this journey to a minimalist and frugal life only at the start of 2nd quarter of this year. Meaning up to last year I was a hoarder of just about anything cheap I could get my hands of. Clothing included. Please don't get me wrong as I am not encouraging this kind of attitude/lifestyle. I'm just sharing this little part of my UAE life.

Up to 2013 I was able to buy clothing as low as 10AED in the market. Well that was just a distant memory as I noticed since 2014 that I can no longer find clothes on sale that cheap. If you are someone who constantly window shop during sale you will easily notice this change. Even during the time that I started my No Buy Ban I still look around. I am on a No Buy Ban for myself but not for sending back home.

Last year I was singing praises upon finding out how affordable it was to shop in the Splash brand in Dubai Outlet Mall. I was able to buy long sleeves for as low as 15AED and as end result I kept on coming back and checking them out as I wanted to shop for my family back home. But sadly that again was just a memory. For a few times this year that I visited the said shop; all those times I went home empty handed. Well because the prices increased that they should no longer be in Dubai Outlet Mall. Fine there were items for only 10AED which were good for nothing.

Now I had the chance to go on vacation on Turkey last August. Then the shopping experiences I had just blow my head off. In their weekend market I was able to find a piece of clothing for as low as 1TL or 1.25AED. Pants for only 5TL or 6.25AED yay! All those years that I really thought I was saving money buying from the sale items when in reality (and in some places of this world) clothing shouldn't really be that expensive. Not unless you are buying a high end brand. Do you get my drift? I don't know if I'm really able to express myself well. On what I am trying to point out... I feel like the clothing is getting expensive here when it is not overseas. So as an end result I can't bring myself anymore to shop further. More than ever I feel like that the prices I'm seeing here are rip offs.

I am aware of the current prices as until now I still keep on looking around. Who knows I might really be able to score a real good deal. You might be thinking that I am talking about being minimalist and frugal and yet I'm doing some window shopping? Well because the clothes I accumulated, if only I can afford to just get rid of them all, I would. I have those colorful clothing I got during sale. But I don't think that they are still appropriate with my age. There are clothes that are way too smaller with my current body frame. That's the downside if you are shopping just because it is on discount. You end up shopping without thinking. Yeah so most of them are good for up to two times only.

And so in the following weeks to come my 'getting rid of an item per day' will still continue especially with my clothing. But sadly I can't shop just yet. And when I think about shopping (I would still need to but not to the point of hoarding like what I have done in the past) I feel like I can only do it once I visit Turkey again. And visiting Turkey brings me to another concern. It is a matter of when? There are times that the air fares are very affordable. As well as the hotels. But the current manager is very strict regarding with the leave days. The HR has rules but then the manager has the last say regarding with those rules. Even standing up from the seat to get a tea from the pantry is something he frowns upon. But then this is my life over here. And besides clothing is the last of my worries.

Empty Bottle 65: VS Weightless Body Oil Passionflower 🌸

Photos overload once again for this post:

2015 when Victoria's Secret released a 4 way body care system. 4 way as there are 4 products in this line that they are recommending for total care and protection of the skin. Products under this line are said to be organic. It has body scrub, body rich cream wash, body lotion and weightless body oil. It was introduced in the UAE market last January 2016. Current price is 85.00AED each which is expensive for me. Or you can get 3 products for only 175.00AED or 185.00AED I can't remember now the exact amount and that is still expensive for me. Because of the price even if I'm too keen into trying out the Victoria's Secret Weightless Body Oil I had to wait until they went on sale. Sometime in May it was available for Buy 1, Take 1 and I immediately got myself at least 2 variants. And one variant dropped the price finally during the Semi Annual Sale for only 25.00AED that I got myself more. I haven't check the current price in the UAE as I still have some bottles left at home. And I'm planning to come back to Victoria's Shop only when they will be having the Semi Annual Sale again which I think will happen on December or January.

I started purchasing from Victoria's Secret around October 2015. But I would not say that I am a regular customer. Sure I visit them often but to only see if they have a latest skin care product or if they have an ongoing promotion. I only buy when they are on sale. Victoria's Secret Fantasies used to have body washes and I tried a few variants. The same line has Deep Softening Body Butter which I fell in love with and when it went on sale I made sure that I got enough stock. And if you will ask me why I became a customer of Victoria's Secret simply because of the scents of their skin care products. Most flowery but strong but the level is not enough to trigger my migraine. I think that's what is missing in most drugstore products where the scents are weak and does not last long.

I am a huge fan of Deep Softening Body Butter but it has been phased out. Then Victoria's Secret Weightless Body Oil came out with the intent of locking the moisture. The idea is you will use a lotion then followed by the oil. It is a skin care regime layering. Since I have a dry skin which made me a huge fan of their body butter in the first place and so this idea captured my interest. I was thinking that finally I can have the soft, smooth and hydrated skin all the time. As admittedly their body butter can only do so much. It has a limit just like every product out there. Plus there has been write ups how people are switching from conventional lotion to body oil. I was sold.

As I have said price of Victoria's Secret Weightless Body Oil is 85.00AED and that is still expensive for me that I waited for the sale. I know I just keep on repeating myself but what I want to point out is even if it is deem expensive for me, it is still cheaper in comparison with other known brands in the market like Nuxe or Caudalie. Price could go lower if they have an ongoing promotion and goes lowest if they are going to phase it out during their Semi Annual Sale. (Whenever I write something over here I never forget to mention how I find it expensive; I hope that gives you an idea how much the salary here is versus the cost of living. Anything more than 30AED is already expensive.) I feel like I really have to mention the prices all the time as there are a lot of office workers like me who wants to buy something or try out something but they just couldn't for the fear of the prices. I know people who would not even dare to go inside these shops.

As of the Passion Flower duh I am not a chemist nor a perfumer that I suck in describing smell. I don't even know what a Passion Flower is. All I can say is for me it smells good. I am the type of person who enjoys fruity smells like Victoria's Secret Love Addict. But then Victoria's Secret Weightless Body Oil variants are all flower and plant scents. The smell does not lasts long. As I'm applying it at night and in the morning I can't smell any. But rest assured it is very moisturizing. It is oil but it does not feel heavy on the skin. And ironically lotion feels more greasy than oil. I mean when you think of oil you think about it being greasy right? But no body oil is not greasy at all. Sorry girls that is all I can say to describe it.

Normally I am the type of person who always do trial and error whenever I am using a product to test what is the best out there and with value for money. But when it comes to body oil I didn't do that. Well there could be body oils in the supermarket with lower price maybe but they surely don't smell like Victoria's Secret. Maybe it will cost more money in adding up perfume with body oils? There could be a better brand of body oil but would surely cost twice the Victoria's Secret. So no thanks I'll settle with this one. Took photos of the back of the bottle to offer more information about the product.

I think the selling points of the this product are being organic and  paraben free. Am I the only one who does not care about whether a product is organic or not? If the product is paraben free or not? I could consume a bottle in a month that is if I'm using it continuously but then there are days especially on summer that I'm too lazy to moisturize my skin. The solution to hide my dry skin? I wear jeans all the time. Haha.

And that will be all for today. This is part of my Empty Bottle Post Series. What happened was late 2014 to early 2016 I hoarded a lot of beauty products and other tidbits that they are now nothing but clutter all over the tiny room. Occupying even the floors. Lucky that I haven't got any accident yet by accidentally tripping over at night as I thread my way into the bathroom. When I was at my lowest only then I woke up and realized that life would be much happier and easier if I am a minimalist and frugal. Well being one does not necessarily mean I would deprive myself with a few wants in life. I will still buy but not to the point of hoarding. Since May to June I am painfully trying to finish off all the products I hoarded in the past.

Here are the other the Victoria's Secret Weightless Body Oil I purchased during their Semi Annual Sale. I know it defies my Pan Project but I purchased them as there are a few experiments I'm itching to do. I want to try mixing a huge part of oil in my body wash. And on my facial wash to see if it will become a facial foam. I'm asking Google for advices but all Google giving me is DIY.

 

'Your home is living space, not storage space.' ~ Francine Jay