Beauty Empties January 2018 + Project Pan Challenge

Beauty Empties January 2018 + Project Pan Challenge

Soap and Glory Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, January 30, 2018

January 2018 marks the start of my 12-month Project Pan challenge. This is a group collab on YouTube, wherein six beauty YouTubers have set themselves individual targets for finishing up products in their stash. These targets vary; in my case, I've chosen the rather ambitious figure of 118 beauty products to be used up in 2018! Of these eight NEED to be makeup products; the rest can be skincare.
The other vloggers participating in the collab are Ashley DeVino, Kirstie of Behind the Scenes, Krista Burtner, Kathleen of Rented Fashion, and Tina Maughan - do check out their channels!
In January, I've managed to use up 14 products, which means I only have 114 products to go in 11 months. Unfortunately, none of these is makeup, but hopefully I can get some cosmetics used up over the next few months.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in January 2018, and for my thoughts on each.

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Beauty Empties For August 2017

Beauty Empties For August 2017

Vitamin C Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 29, 2017

I only managed to use up a handful of products in August 2017. It has been a distracting month all around. I hope September is more stable.
Among my empties for August 2017 is one of the best facial oils ever, and the best rosehip oil I've tried (out of three different brands). Not much by way of makeup in here, save for the one mini-sized item. You'll see it all below.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in August 2017, and my mini-reviews in each.

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Beauty Empties: July 2017

Beauty Empties: July 2017

Toner Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 01, 2017

July has been a stressy month for me, with too much to do in my schedule. I'm hoping that August will be a lot more relaxed. It's also my Dad's birthday month; I got him a lovely set of gifts, only to misplace the lot, and I've turned my place upside down and cannot find the slightest peep of the package. Nor can I remember where I put it. So I've just bought a backup gift. The first box will turn up now, of course.
Be that as it may, it's time to show you the empties of the month.

Scroll down for a look at the beauty products I used up in July 2017, and for my mini reviews.

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Beauty Products Emptied in June 2017

Beauty Products Emptied in June 2017

Vitamin C Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, June 26, 2017

I'm going to be travelling from the second week of July, so my mid-year makeup haul will be from Selfridges, Boots, Harvey Nicks, and so on. As I have been on a shopping ban for a while, I'm making a rather large list of makeup to get. Recommendations welcome.
But all that is a good month away. Here's what I used up this month - featuring my favourite Vitamin C.

Scroll down for thoughts on the beauty products I used up in June 2017.

Benton Cacao Moist And Mild Cream Review

Benton Cacao Moist And Mild Cream Review

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, June 19, 2017

Any K-Beauty fan knows their Benton. I've reviewed their entire snail range here. Fast-acting healers for distressed skin, the lot.
For K-Beauty newbies, Benton was inspired by the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where the protagonist grows younger with time. Benton aims to take your skin back in time, restoring it to peak condition.
Recently, they launched a Cacao Moist and Mild Cream for the face. It is fragrance-, alcohol-, and colouring-free.
A bit of trivia for you: Cocoa's scientific name comes from Theo (God) and broma (food). What woman is not going to agree that cocoa is the food of the gods?  

Scroll down for more on the Benton Cacao Moist And Mild Cream.

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Beauty Products Emptied in May 2017

Beauty Products Emptied in May 2017

Toner Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, May 31, 2017

I'm due for Microneedling/Infini RF on Thursday and am understandably nervous after reading all about grid marks and months and months of downtime. A sudden onset of three new pimples has not helped. On the other hand, I read horror stories about subcision, and that wasn't a painful procedure, so I'm hoping this one will go as smoothly as well. Stay tuned for updates.
I've been "building up" my skin to withstand the aggressive procedure, with plenty of TLC. Here's what I used up.

Scroll down for a closer look at the beauty products I emptied in May 2017.

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LookFantastic Beauty Box March 2017: The Elle Edit

LookFantastic Beauty Box March 2017: The Elle Edit

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, March 13, 2017

March 2017's LookFantastic Beauty Box is the Elle Edit - for a while now, the beauty box has been accompanied by a copy of the Elle UK magazine each month, something that I've come to love. This month's box has been specially curated to bring us "the most exciting beauty products" around.
Of course, the box comes with the Elle UK magazine, featuring Emma Watson. There's also the Beauty Box magazine - now a glossy number with a few articles, and not just a product card. 

Scroll down for the contents of the LookFantastic Beauty Box March 2017.

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February 2017 Beauty Empties

February 2017 Beauty Empties

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, March 03, 2017

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1.00%. That's the hero of this empties post; it is also the one product I will be repurchasing consistently, for a long time ahead.
The name of the product sounds weird. You'll know what I'm on about as you read my empties post.

Here are the beauty products I used up in February 2017, and my thoughts on each.

I bought everything. affiliate

Beauty Products Emptied in January 2017 + Link Up

Beauty Products Emptied in January 2017 + Link Up

Yardley Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Several products among the January 2017 beauty empties have me torn up on whether to repurchase or not. On the one hand, they are brilliant, and they work. On the other hand, I do have quite a few equally brilliant replacements in my cupboard at the moment. Read on to find out which products.

Here are the beauty products I used up in January 2017, and my quick impressions of each.

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Allies Of Skin 24/7 Skincare Kit Preview

Allies Of Skin 24/7 Skincare Kit Preview

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Last year, one of my favourite beauty retailers, Cult Beauty, came out with a Fall Goody Bag, containing full- and sample-sized products. Among them was a set of four sachets from a brand I had never heard of before - Allies of Skin, who are based in Singapore and manufacture in the United States.
There were two sachets of an Overnight Mask, and two of the All-Day Mask. Not being a huge fan of foil sachets, I put them away in my travel bag.
And then, one weekend away at my Gramps's, I saw the sachets and opened the Overnight Mask, applied it, and went off to sleep. What I saw the following morning made me head over to Cult Beauty and buy the full sized tube immediately, and leave a review, which I now feel was understated.

Scroll down for more on the Allies Of Skin 24/7 Skincare Kit.

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Skincare With Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin, Essence, Lotion and Steam Cream

Skincare With Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin, Essence, Lotion and Steam Cream

Toner Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, January 06, 2017

After all the Holiday excesses and sleepless nights, it is time to heal and rejuvenate the skin. I have been using Benton's Snail Bee High Content range - firstly, it contains neither dead snails, mucus/bogey, urine nor crushed bees. The "snail mucin" in question is the lubricant that the gastropods secret from their legs as they glide around. I have a scary story about snails further below.
My other favourite Korean brands, Mizon and CosRx, have provided documentation saying they do not harm the snails while collecting the lubricant. Benton say they have been certified cruelty-free.
Although I had heard a lot about Benton, I was put off by some mentions of the smell - it was supposed to smell like something I won't mention here - because you are going to puke and then call me names afterwards. To add to my apprehensions, I had heard horror stories about product contamination about two years ago. But I received a couple of samples and opened them - there was no smell! Neither pleasant, nor unpleasant. I bought the lot pronto in November, and here are my thoughts.

Scroll down for my post-Holiday skincare routine with Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin, Essence, Lotion and Steam Cream.

Beauty Products Emptied in October 2016 + Link-up

Beauty Products Emptied in October 2016 + Link-up

Yardley Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, October 31, 2016

In October, my skincare routine has been more regular and diligent than it was in September. I have been going through a multi-step routine for the face every morning and evening, including double cleansing on most evenings, and have moisturised all over twice daily. I've used AHA/BHA acids and Vitamin C almost every day. See here for my 10-step skincare routine.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in October 2016, and my quick thoughts on each.

Antonia Burrell Forest Dew Skin Conditioner Review, How To Use

Antonia Burrell Forest Dew Skin Conditioner Review, How To Use

Toner Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, October 06, 2016

Antonia Burrell Forest Dew Skin Conditioner is versatile. It is a one-step product. It is a layer-able product. It is a moisturiser. It is a toner. It is a serum. It is an essence. It is a conditioner for the skin. What it really IS, is incredibly lush, nourishing, pampering, and gentle. Not to mention sustainably made, and cruelty-free.
Antonia Burrell, a UK-based faciallist with more than 20 years' experience, is Associate Lecturer at the London College of Fashion. Her Holistic Skincare collection is a range of multi-tasking products that are a natural blend of potent, predominantly organic, pure, bio-active plant extracts. The Forest Dew Skin Conditioner is my favourite in the range, and a part of my daily skincare routine.

Scroll down for more on the Antonia Burrell Forest Dew Skin Conditioner.

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Holiday 2016: Molton Brown Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar Ships Worldwide

Holiday 2016: Molton Brown Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar Ships Worldwide

Shopping Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, October 04, 2016

The best body wash brand ever - no exaggeration here - Molton Brown has its own Advent Calendar for Holiday 2016! And it is not just body washes - the calendar includes other products as well, including hair care, hand care, homeware, body lotions, and more!
Twenty-four decadent beauty products, all ranging from 50ml to 100ml, all good for months of pampering yourself in 2017. This Advent Calendar is the last word in luxury - you'll know what I mean when you read more.

Scroll down for the contents of the Molton Brown Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar for Holiday 2016, and how to order.

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September 2016 Beauty Empties + Link-up

September 2016 Beauty Empties + Link-up

Vitamin C Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, September 26, 2016

In September, I haven't managed to use up as many products as I usually do - a bout of viral 'flu, followed by a stint of severe motion-sickness meant that I ended up skipping my skincare routine for a few days. And I have a medium-sized pimple on the middle of my cheek to show for it. 

Scroll down for the beauty products used up in September 2016 and my quick impressions of each.

Belli Skincare Face Wash, Eye Cream, Hydrator: For Glowing Skin

Belli Skincare Face Wash, Eye Cream, Hydrator: For Glowing Skin

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 02, 2016

A couple of years ago, "glowing" skin meant oily in my book, and I was doing all I could to make my skin as dry as a desert. Harsh treatments; little hydration. A huge protest later, my skin got its message across - the glow comes from within as fresh skin is revealed, is a sign of health as dead cells are cleared away, and can be achieved with active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which increase the rate of cell turnover and replacement.
The world of skincare acids can be daunting. One of the gentler AHAs out there is lactic acid, which occurs naturally in our bodies. American brand Belli Skincare incorporate lactic acid in their products.

Scroll down for review of Belli Skincare Facial Wash, Eye Cream and Healthy Glow Hydrator - a harm-free, pregnancy-safe range for glowing skin.

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Beauty Products Emptied in July 2016 + Link-up

Beauty Products Emptied in July 2016 + Link-up

Soap and Glory Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, July 25, 2016

When you have a 10-step skincare routine - see here for the steps - and moisturise all over, two times a day, chances are that your empties will mostly be skincare. July's empties are no exception.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in July 2016, and my quick impressions of each.

10-Step Skincare Routine: FAQs And Doubts

10-Step Skincare Routine: FAQs And Doubts

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, July 14, 2016

Yesterday, I published a guide to the 10-step skincare routine (click here to read it). Posts on each of the steps listed will follow later. I'm going to address common doubts and frequently asked questions about the 10-step skincare regimen today.

10-Step Skincare Routine Guide, Tutorial: Why, What, How To

10-Step Skincare Routine Guide, Tutorial: Why, What, How To

Tutorials Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Ten points before we go any further:

1. This is not about a typical Korean skincare routine. I use a mixture of mainstream and Korean brands. 
2. Nor is it a strict 10-step skincare routine. You will find suggestions with just four products. Or even 12 steps.
3. This regimen is only at night. I have a life. My morning routine is a condensed 4-5 step version and includes SPF. That is for another post. 
4. Do not wake up tomorrow and decide to pile on 10 products at one go. Step by step. Introduce one product into your routine at a time. Build up to it gradually. I began with no/three steps.
5. There is no panacea out there. Some things work for some people. So include whatever suits you in your *-step routine.
6. Your mileage may will vary. Read that again. And again. Customise the routine according to your skin type. Skip/combine/split up/add steps.
7. You can use spot treatment, hyaluronic acid, a rinse-off mask, a sleeping pack, and a sheet mask on the same day you use Vitamin C. You can add every step you can think of and do a 20-step routine. Entirely up to your skin. 
8. My skin type is acne-prone, and very oily (the kind where countries think of replacing their oil export deals with my face).
9. An FAQ post will be posted tomorrow. Detailed posts on each step are also in the works.
10. Verbose post ahead. 

Scroll down for the Ultimate 10-Step Skincare Routine Guide and Tutorial.  

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A Beautiful World Spring/Summer 2016 Sampler Box

A Beautiful World Spring/Summer 2016 Sampler Box

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, June 24, 2016

Eco-friendly luxury beauty retailer A Beautiful World comes out with two beauty boxes each year - one for Spring/Summer and one for Autumn/Winter. The products chosen - from the brands ABW carries - are organic, eco-friendly, preservative-free and cruelty-free. The boxes are always sold out in an hour or two of the launch. This year, I managed to snag one before they sold out.

Scroll down for the contents of the Spring/Summer 2016 Sampler Box from A Beautiful World.