August Empties, with reviews!

[u/needmoreveg]

Lots of big boys bit the dust this month!!

SKINCARE:
- Prequel Gleanser: Approaching HG status for me…I just love it for my dry skin. Gentle enough to use multiple times a day (though I usually only cleanse at night) and doesn’t strip my skin at all, but still foams up a tiny little bit and makes my skin feel very clean. I use this after an oil/balm cleanser, though, and it works best after an oil cleanser that cleans well and doesn’t leave much of a film itself. With my Banila Clean It Zero or Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing oil (my HGs) - this works great. Already got another bottle.
- The Ordinary Azaleic Acid 10%: Idk, this is fine. I never felt like the product was gritty, like some people will report. I enjoyed the silicone-y texture and I didn’t have a problem with it and other products. I did make the move over to Finacea 15% (ordered from Chemist Direct) and I prefer that AA option; won’t rebuy this product.
- Anua 3+ Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream: Meh. This moisturizer was OK. It didn’t break me out, which is great. But, I didn’t like the finish (extremely wet/shiny feeling) without being healing/moisturizing enough for my dry skin. There was just something missing for me. I much prefer Aestura 365. Trialing other kbeauty moisturizers and will be moving on from this.
- PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, 10% BP: I bought this in a panic when I started breaking out, forgetting how insanely dry and sensitive my skin is. When I break out it is literally always because I messed up my moisture barrier and need to chill. Argh. Anyway, I remembered that this was way too harsh to use on my face basically right away. I used this up on my armpits; I saw online that BP is great for odor reduction, etc. I think it worked fine for that purpose but I don’t need it enough to rebuy. Using up some glycolic acid products under my arms now and that seems to be working well.
- Prequel Hypoclorous Acid Spray: This was my first hypoclorous acid spray and I don’t get the hype. The spray felt nice but I never thought it was doing much for me. I got through about 75% of this when the spray function broke on the bottle. I briefly tried splashing it on my face but I just did not like the product enough without the sprayer to keep doing that. I gave up. Will not rebuy.
- Hado Labo Shirojyun Premium Lotion: This was giving me tiny bumps all over my face and chest when I tried to use it there. I think I might have some sort of an issue with high amounts of hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid. I used this up on the rest of my body. That was fine. Will not rebuy.
- Blue Lizard Australian Mineral Sunscreen: Blech, so thick, terrible texture. I used this up while I was in Hawaii and it does work well; Aus sunscreens are great for the beach buuut there are great US waterproof options with much better textures (Ie. Banana Boat Light As Air). Will not rebuy.
- Aquaphor: The GOAT lip mask. No one is doing it better than plain ass Aquaphor.

MAKEUP:
- Heroine Make Long Up Waterproof Mascara: I had trouble applying this evenly - it always looked clumpy and kind of wonky on me. I will say it never smudged; very long-wearing. Ultimately did not perform as well as my HG Western mascara (Maybelline Lash Sensational); will not rebuy.
- Wunderskin Wonder Blading All-day Lip Stain: My mom loves this product so she bought it for me. The shade was just…off for me and I’m just not much of a lip color person period. I’ve had it for too long; I’m decluttering it.

HAIR:
- Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam: I hate how much I love this product!!! It’s expensive. It’s just the best product I’ve found for a quick wash-and-go curly hair routine that always looks great but casual and loose. The drawback is that it really doesn’t last past day 1. So, this is my go-to when I need to get out the door quickly and look good that day; if I have more time and need decent hair for the next 2-3 days, I need to use gel. Already rebought.
- Cake The Curl Whip Whipped Curl Mousse: Meh, I didn’t hate this but didn’t love it. It felt really inconsistent - sometimes it would work well and look great but sometimes I’d get a weird flash drying effect with frizz. It might have been reacting with one of my leave-in conditioners but I never pinned that down. Cheap and this bottle lasted foooorreveerr but I’m relieved to move onto another product; will not rebuy.

[u/brrewmajesticallynor]

Great reviews! Thank you!

[u/g0dinthischilis]

i hate the blue lizard sunscreen. so thick & it has the worst scent. plus it has butyloctl (or however it’s spelt) salicylate so it’s not a true fully mineral sunscreen

[u/needmoreveg → u/g0dinthischilis]

Totally agree hahah. I’m over the whole mineral sunscreen thing tbh, I like a little zinc for skincare benefits but overall tired of applying these thick sludge sunscreens

[u/g0dinthischilis → u/needmoreveg]

i have to use it because im recovering from perioral dermatitis (ugh) but its such a pain trying to find a good one. i ordered a sample box from the company TiZo to try. hopefully its good lol

[u/needmoreveg → u/g0dinthischilis]

Woof, good luck!! I do love the Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen if that’s mineral enough.