Sara Bartlett
  • Welcome
  • Blog
    • Sara's Favorites
  • TV
  • About
    • Privacy Policy

Product Empties: Will I Repurchase?

8/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Spoiler Alert:  Everything in today's post are products that I continue to buy over and over. And! I don't know what's going on, but lately I've squeezed that last glob of shampoo and conditioner from the bottles...at the same time! What? How? No clue! How often do you go through shampoo and conditioner? Do you normally finish them at the same time?

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo & Keratin Cream Rinse, $11.00 each for 3.7oz
These products are ideal for dry, color-treated hair - the color stays true, and my hair feels smooth and hydrated once dry. But let's be real: I'm mostly here for the scent. It's gorgeous. Light, floral, gingery which makes me like I'm treating myself at a tropical spa every time I jump in the shower. 

Andalou Naturals CannaCell Hydrating Toner, $12.99 for 6.7oz
I've purchased countless bottles of this hydrating toner for two reasons: the mist is so fine and even that it feels like a true luxury to spritz it alllll over my face, and the citrus scent is incredibly refreshing. In the morning, I spritz it right before moisturizing in order to add a light layer of pre-hydration. In the evening, I apply it right after my retinol and before my rose hip oil. 
​
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil, $10.99 for 5oz
This oil serves as the first cleanse during my nighttime routine. Two pumps removes every stitch of makeup on my face. It's especially effective at removing eye makeup and mascara without any undue tugging or scrubbing. My purchase history says I've bought this 6 times over the past few years. I'm trying something new at the moment, but this will absolutely be in my cart for the 7th time, soon. 
0 Comments

Product Empties: Will I Repurchase?

7/30/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
This week, I finished up three products.  I'm going to put these posts up more frequently - when I have a handful of products instead of a basketful - because my mom told me my longer empties posts are overwhelming to read (hi, Mom!). Do you agree? Do you prefer shorter posts of fewer products more frequently, or one long post once a month or so? Let me know in the comments.  Here's what I have, right now. 

Cover Girl Exhibitionist Mascara, $8.99 - will not repurchase
This mascara claims to provide show-stopping volume that defines, lengthens and separates lashes, with no flaking or smudging.  No shows were literally stopped by my lashes when I wore this mascara, but I did think they looked fuller and longer. However, my sensitive eyes couldn't take this formula which includes an extremely strong chemical scent. 

Mad Hippie Eye Cream, $24.99 for 0.5 fl oz - might repurchase

I've used this eye cream off and on over the past few years and tend think it's fine. Just OK. It's never changed my under-eye area in a noticeable way, but it's also never done any harm either. The formula is thin and has a nice amount of slip going onto the skin, which means it wears well under makeup. I appreciate that. I don't yet have an eye cream that wows me and that I go back to over and over, so it's likely I will buy another bottle of this one at some point. It's overpriced, so if I do repurchase I'll look for a sale at Whole Foods or Ulta. 

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum, $49.95 - would repurchase
I've used RapidLash off and on for the past 5 years because it produces visible results - my lashes are fuller and longer when using a lash enhancing product, and when I skip it the lashes look less lush - and it's an affordable option. This isn't my favorite lash serum (that would be the Epitome Skincare Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum, $80), but it does the trick. I will admit to having purchased this off Amazon a time or two for half the retail price, which I won't do again. Amazon is just way too sketchy when it comes to selling artificial beauty products from third-party retailers, and I'm not taking a chance with putting a knock-off product on my delicate eyelids. 

So, that's what I've used up this week. How about you? Have you finished any great products the rest of us should know about, or anything not worth the purchase? 

2 Comments

Mini Reviews: 2 Fails and a Maybe

7/28/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
Do you find that in this heightened era of online ordering, it's even more of a blow when something doesn't work out for you? Ordering a product, then (obsessively) tracking its delivery progress, and finally seeing that box land outside my door creates such an extended sense of anticipation for me. And if whatever I've ordered doesn't live up to its website description (or however I've built it up in my mind), it feels so much worse than when I've walked into a store and made a dud purchase in person. Last week, I ordered a few new things and the success rate was...not great.

If you'd like to watch me talk about these products, head over to my IGTV channel and look for the video titled Mini Reviews: 2 Fails and a Maybe. If you'd rather read through a quick review, here we go!

L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, $15.99 for 1 oz.
  • The product promises all-day hydration in a lightweight formula with SPF 50.
  • I thought it lived up to the claims, but was too hydrating for my skin right now. It made my t-zone an absolute oil-slick, and wore away easily on my cheeks. 
  • This is a seasonal fail; I'll try it again in the winter when I'm really dry. 
Clinique Sunkissed Perfection Palette, $29.50
  • This generously-sized palette contains a matte setting powder, a highlighter, blush and bronzer. 
  • The matte setting powder was a total bust; it couldn't handle the shine in my t-zone, at all.
  • There was nothing in the product description that prepared me for the blush and bronzer to be shimmery - that's not what I was expecting, nor what I wanted. If you like a shimmery blush and bronzer, you might like this. The formulas were fine, the colors were nice, and they wore pretty well for most of the day. This palette has a lot of wow-factor, but isn't for me. 
L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara, $10.99
  • Promises that the no-clump brush will deliver long, defined lashes, and is suitable for sensitive eyeballs. 
  • The long, thin plastic brush does a great job of defining each and every lash, but the mascara formula is very wet - so careful application is a must. This isn't the kind of formula I can whack on in a rush.
  • My sensitive eyes don't itch or tear up while wearing it, and I really like the overall lash effect the mascara creates.  It's worth the trouble - some days - of the careful application.
1 Comment

    Sara Bartlett

    This is a place to celebrate all the parts of yourself that come with age and experience. I'm here to share with you what I know and to explore with you the many (many) things I don't. 

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Beauty Favorites
    Beauty Mini Reviews
    Product Empties
    Read This
    Show Up For
    Try This Not That
    Twin Cities Live
    What I've Learned At 40

    Newsletter Sign-up

    RSS Feed

    Warehouse Sale | $30 Separates + $60 Dresses
    Shop Green Beauty at The Detox Market
Copyright Sara Bartlett 2022
  • Welcome
  • Blog
    • Sara's Favorites
  • TV
  • About
    • Privacy Policy