I don’t know why I just want to write about skincare and makeup nowadays. Haha! Anyway, I decided to include some of the products that just didn’t work for me on this entry on my February 2017 favorites. If you haven’t checked out the January entry, then please do so here. So from now on, we’re having a fave and fail entry for this series. My favorites will include both skincare and makeup products again and these are tried and tested by me. Haha! A bit biased I know, but I’m quite happy to report to you what I liked! And also, I’m a bit sad when a product doesn’t work well for me because it just meant I wasted my money on it. You know, our money is too hard-earned to waste on products that don’t work. I’m sharing your product fails so you don’t make the same mistake I did in purchasing these so yes you’ve been warned. Up to you if you still like to try it. So, here we go!
FAVES:
1. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Face Palette
My favorite face palette of all time.
What: A collaboration with Jaclyn Hill, the creator of the original Champagne Pop, this limited-edition face palette features five iconic shades to give you all the customized glow you want. Mix and match two Shimmering Skin Perfector highlighters, two shades of Mineral Blush and a pop of color with Luminous Blush to create endless layers of light and color.
Price: SR 230 at Sephora (out of stock) / SR 310 at Irene’s Closet (pre-order when bought)
Where To Buy: Sephora branches in Al Nakheel Mall, Hayat Mall / amazon.com / ebay.com
I’ve been lusting over this face palette created by beauty Youtuber Jaclyn Hill with Becca Cosmetics ever since they launched it in 2016. I love Jaclyn Hill’s Champagne Pop highlighter and I’m pretty sure this face palette is also awesome! There was limited ways to get it to Saudi Arabia though during that time so I didn’t bother. Fast forward to the latter part of 2016 when Sephora Middle East finally brought Becca to Riyadh. They mentioned the face palette as one of the items they’re bringing to their branches in Al Nakheel Mall and Hayat Mall and I was really excited because I know that the face palette was already sold out any where else. I went to the branch in Al Nakheel during the day they said it will launch but there was no Becca any where and the sales lady there said it didn’t come yet. I have to come back again on a date they were not sure when. What a failure! It’s not easy to go to Al Nakheel because it’s a bit far from where we live. Anyway, when it finally came, it sold out in a matter of days and I was left longing for it again with no assurance if I’ll ever get my hand on the elusive palette. Finally, Sephora US restocked their online store of it and I ordered through Irene’s Closet last December (what a lifesaver!). When I finally got my hands on it, of course I just ooohed and ahhhed and I didn’t think I’ll be able to use it because it’s just so luxurious for me. Of course I used it and that’s why it’s here in my Faves list. The blush and highlighter were so buttery and pigmented! It creates a great color and glow to the skin and it’s just as awesome as I imagined it to be. I LOVE THIS!
2. Nature Republic Soothing Aloe Vera Gel
That looked like the inside content of an aloe vera all right.
What: Enriched with natural aloe vera! This soothing gel with California aloe vera can be used to mildly moisturize various parts of the body such as the face, arms, legs, and hair.
Price: SR 28
Where To Buy: iHerb.com
I have dry skin and no amount of lotion can make it feel hydrated. Okay, I might be too lazy to put lotion because I don’t like the sticky texture that most of them have. Fast forward to my order in iHerb recently. I decided to try aloe vera gel because I’ve read so many good things about it. It’s such a multi-purpose gel that has skin-firming and moisturizing effects that can be used in the face, arms, legs and hair. When I slathered on the gel in my legs, I immediately like the light, cool formula. The gel was absorbed immediately and it left a refreshing feeling. It didn’t leave a sticky feeling behind! And, after just two days of using it, I can already see a huge difference on my skin. It feels hydrated! I like how mild this gel is so I began using it as moisturizer for my face too. The only negative thing about this is that I waited for a while to have this because I bought this online. But it’s not too long too; you know iHerb ships through DHL and it only takes a few days for the package to reach me.
3. The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil
Truly smooth and silky when applied.
What: This luxurious, natural facial cleansing oil containing Community Trade camomile effortlessly melts away make-up, grime and other impurities from skin, leaving skin feeling clean, soft and clear of impurities. Ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.
Price: SR 69
Where To Buy: The Body Shop in Faisaliah Mall, Tamimi Plaza Dabab, Kingdom Mall, etc.
I’m doing the 10-step skincare for the past few days and I needed a cleansing oil that’s inexpensive but hopefully works. Enter The Body Shop’s Cleansing Oil. It’s the only cleansing oil I found to be below SR 100. I’ve never tried using cleansing oils before so it’s a new step for me to wipe off my makeup with oil. I slather and massage it on my face and the makeup just melted off! Even my waterproof eyeliner budged. After massaging my face with the oil, I mixed water and it lathered a bit. I washed it off completely and I was pleasantly surprised how my makeup was also completely gone! Amazing! This vegan cleansing oil is also gentle on the skin. I love it!
FAILS:
1. Tony Moly Mini Peach Lip Balm
Cute packaging but less than stellar moisturizing property.
What: Tony Moly’s Mini Peach Lip Balm is a hydrating and soothing lip balm with a blend of real peach extracts to help protect and plump the lips.
Price: SR 49
Where to Buy: Tony Moly at Al Qasr Mall
There was a reader who asked recently if Tony Moly is available in Al Qasr Mall and I remembered the lip balm I purchased in that branch. First of all, yes, Tony Moly has a branch in Al Qasr Mall and it’s probably the only branch as of now. Not sure, so let me research on that later. Anyway, one of my first purchase was this peach-scented and -flavored lip balm which has a very cute packaging. I remember it so clearly because when I paid for my purchase, I was surprised that it cost me SR 49. WHAT? For a lip balm?! I decided to buy it anyway because I was into peach stuff then. This became one of those products I truly regret buying. While I enjoyed the sweet scent of peach (it’s the saving grace of this product), it didn’t do anything for my chapped lips. It doesn’t soothe and definitely did not made my lips as soft as I expected. It promises to to make my lips plumped up too but nope, it doesn’t do anything apart from being a usual lip balm. It should have been okay if it’s not as expensive as it is because seriously, I won’t be paying that much for a normal lip balm.
2. elf Moisturizing Foundation Stick
I wanted to love you.
What: This creamy e.l.f. Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick glides on effortlessly for adjustable, natural-looking coverage.
Price: SR 23
Where To Buy: iHerb.com
I was really excited to try this product because it’s recommended by Kathleen Lights and her recommendations are always on point. It doesn’t hurt that I also emptied out my Maybelline Fit Me! Foundation Stick so I thought this will be a good alternative. I ordered this from iHerb which carries a lot of elf cosmetics. This foundation is enriched with antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients like shea butter, Vitamin E, cocoa, grape, avocado, macadamia, and aloe. It has an easy to use twist-up packaging and I like foundation sticks because they’re really easy to apply. Perfect for the on-the-go woman! Anyway, this product didn’t work for me because it’s oily and I’m oily so yeah… remember, oilines sis next to ugliness. Hahaha. Anyway, this foundation just sits in my skin. It wasn’t blending well and after an hour or so, I look like a grease ball already. So that’s a downfall. It doesn’t mean though that it didn’t work for me, is it won’t work for you too. If your skin is dry like Kathleen’s then this will probably work better for you.
See you for my March Faves and Fails!
