There used to be such a hype about these blushes and I originally wanted the popular shade called Happy, but since it was always out of stock I picked the shade that was most similar on swatches and that was Grace. It ended up too pigmented for me, but based on conversations I had apparently some shades are less pigmented and probably easier to work with. It's a shame I couldn't get the shade I wanted, which may be not as intense, but it is what it is. 

A repurchase. I've been using this on most days since I got my first tube. It's a gel overnight mask with propolis and plenty of nice ingredients. Texture isn't that heavy, but the gel formula doesn't absorb quickly and stays on the skin for hours. I apply a medium thick coat of this as the last step and sometimes I can still feel a layer of it in the morning. It's deeply hydrating and calming, since it has a lot of centella asiatica. It's scent-free.

A repurchase. It's a brightening serum with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, vitamin C, glutathione, arganine and peptides. It's light, absorbs quickly and it's hydrating enough to be used on its own if desired. It keeps my skin in good condition, though I'm not sure I noticed actual brightening. It has no scent.

Most people get the serum, but I got this instead. It contains salmon PDRN, collagen and niacinamide, and it promises to even out skin tone, firm the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. It looks odd, but those capsules aren't really solid balls, instead they are more like drops of a cream suspended in a thick gel. There's a spoon added for scooping the product out and most of the time you can't get the ball out intact, as it already mixes with the gel. Texture is heavy and rich, something you can use as the last step in your night routine like an overnight mask. I use it on most days now as an overnight mask and I see only hydration as its effect, but my skin is in good condition - feels comfortable given that's it's winter and my skin feels very tight if I don't use good skin care.

I got this as a gift with purchase. It's a brightening serum, similar to the Nineless B-Boost and it has tranexamic acid (5%), niacinamide (10%) and arbutin. It's a light serum, tinted red and feels very similar to the Nineless one. It absorbs quickly, but leaves the skin hydrated. I've started using this one instead of B-Boost in the mornings. I've been using it for about two months now and I'm not sure I see any brightening, but my skin does look healthy.

A mist essence with 27% cica extract, 2,000ppm of hydrolysed collagen, EGF peptide, hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan. It’s very light and absorbs quickly. I spray it when my skin feels tight and on my dry hands. It has no scent.

A moisturiser with peptides, collagen and a bunch of other stuff. It's got a light texture for a cream, but feels hydrating on my dry skin. Most of it absorbs quickly and this works as a base for makeup. It's got a nice scent of candy. There are several versions of these Esfolio creams.

I got this as a gift with purchase and it took me a while to open these because I assumed they are some boring soft pads with a weak exfoliating effect. But I was quite impressed by these at first try. The pads have two sides - one has a quilted design and it's soft as I expected, but the other has a sort of rough mesh that feels like a great manual exfoliator. I don't know how they compare to others, since I never had peeling pads (Neogen's look similar to me on pictures), but I'll likely repurchase these. Formula feels hydrating as first, by my dry skin soon needs more. It has some extracts, salicylic acid (it says Salicylate so BHA), Madecassoside and Tea Tree oil. They smell like tea tree oil.

I got this for points that were about to expire and there were just two choices. I already gave this away as a gift, since I use other eye creams (CATRICE Caffeine Kick Under Eye Serum and A.H.C Ten Revolution Real Eye Cream For Face). There are several versions of these; this one has hydrolised collagen, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and a peptide. This has the same three metal ball massaging applicator as Catrice's Caffeine Kick, which is cooling. 

I got a pack of these as a gift with purchase. Description says it has a triple collagen complex with hydrolyzed collagen, soluble collagen and atelo collagen. The packaging is semi see-though. These have the thickest, richest formula I've tried. The essence is gel-serum like, not a liquid or a light lotion like they usually are. It didn't dry out for ages and there was plenty of essence left, which I used for the rest of my body. My skin felt comfortable and hydrated after use. These are quite nice.

A pack of 30 sheet masks for about 10 €, so quite affordable. They pull out like wet wipes and they added a plastic tweezer so you can get them out easier. Ingredients include niacinamide, arganine, allantoin, panthenol, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, rice extract and beta-glucan. They are fully saturated in essence, which is a classic rich-toner-like and the material is reasonably thin. They dry out faster than individually packed masks, but it takes at least 20-30 minutes for some parts to dry fully. These leave my skin nicely hydrated and feeling nice. 

A repurchase. It's a great affordable hair mask with hydrolised proteins and aminoacids that does what more expensive stuff do. I like it has Amodimethicone high on the list as that always works well for my hair. It also has ceramides (a.k.a. "hair cement") and a bunch of extracts. This is one of the best products I've tried. It makes my hair feels so nice - airy, nourished and silky. When my hair was still bleached, this helped it dry a lot smoother. It's a protein treatment that doesn't leave the hair stiff, so there's no need for an extra conditioner after it. Texture is easy to spread in a small amount, but it's only 100 ml, so my long hair I don't have it for many uses - luckily it's not that expensive compared to some brands. It's has quite a boring classic hair salon cosmetics scent.

I managed to get a perfect shade match at this formula (15C Fair Porcelain), so just like Missha's Radiance Cushion, it's kind of an eraser for me and I can apply it only on parts of the face, so where I need it and it just blends in, looking almost invisible. Coverage is light-medium and finish is glowy. This is a mini size, which I carry in my bag and it has come handy a lot this year.

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A good formula for my dry skin, as it's hydrating and looks fresh. It's described as a skin tint, but the coverage is higher than just a tinted moisturiser and most of the redness on my face and even freckles are quite well covered. It's takes a long time to set and it's got a glowy finish that lasts for hours. It tends to slip into lines, which is my only real minus at this formula, so I put some powder over those areas and keeps it in place better. I wear shade 117, which is a great match for me, a pale shade with a neutral undertone, while 113 also fits me ok, but the undertone is warm.

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A tinted moisturiser that's one of the best "no-makeup makeup" formulas I've tried. The pearls suspended in the gel formula have just the right amount of tint so it looks like your skin, but better and it's properly hydrating. It takes a while to blend it with fingers, but it can be done faster with a sponge if you don't mind using more product. Shade 01 Fair fits my pale neutral skin tone well.

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I used up a whole tube of this and repurchased it (in violet version because this one was missing). I partly don't want to feature this here because the twist up mechanism on the new violet one broke with 90% of the product still inside, but I have to praise the soft, buttery, moisturising texture that is an excellent lip balm. It creates a nice level of glossy shine, but the shade range is not my favourite - I only like the clear version (I tried the pink and violet one as well).

A nice, subtle shade. Two coats looks perfect for my taste with nail tips visible, but not too much. Staying power in combination with Catrice's Quick Dry Top Coat is excellent.

This a very light sunscreen. It's similar to Canmake Mermaid Skin in terms of texture and I can apply a large amount of it without it feeling greasy or like a mask, it doesn't irritate my eyes and it doesn't peel. It’s shiny from the start, but it sinks in within a few minutes and leaves a subtle enough level of glow. It works as a base for makeup too. It has Niacinamide, Squalane, Centella Asiatica Extract, several other extracts, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glutathione, Beta-Glucan, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside and it's alcohol free plus it doesn't have a scent.

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An overnight mask with propolis and a bunch of other nice ingredients. Texture is something between a gel and lotion, it's more on the rich side, but not greasy. I apply a generous coat of it as the last step and in the morning when I'm washing my face, I can still feel a light coat of it on. As far as results go - I don't think it makes my skin glow (its original promise), but it's deeply hydrating and calming, since it has a lot of centella asiatica. It's scent-free.

A surprisingly nice formula for an affordable price. Texture is quite rich and it reminds me of Pantene Repair mask and conditioner, as it leaves that slippery feeling on the hair that I like, plus it's nourishing enough. It's silicone free.

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I got very boring over the year, wearing about the same makeup all the time:

- A glowy foundation. Either one of three above and a couple more choices in my drawer, but mostly IT COSMETICS CC+ Nude Glow | video | 

- MAYBELLINE Eraser concealer. Still my favourite after many years.

- ESSENCE Lash Like a Boss Waterproof mascara  | video | 

- ESSENCE Baby got Blush Stick Blush 30 Rosé all Day  | video | 

- MAX FACTOR Color Elixir Moisture Kiss Lipstick 005 Simply Nude  | video | 

- HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Powder Diffused Light, which I'm only using because I want to use it up and it's honestly nothing special. 

(not on the picture) MIXA Baby Soothing Cleansing Oil 

(not on the picture) NUXE Very Rose Delicate Cleansing Oil 

 VT Reedle Shot 100 (not every day)

A'PIEU Madecassoside Fluid 2x (almost empty, but I loved it. I think it's discontinued ) 

 THE ORDINARY Retinal 0.2% Emulsion (not every day)

Sleeping masks (I use one, obviously):

IUNIK Propolis Vitamin Sleeping Mask

medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream

LA ROCHE POSAY Cicaplast Baume B5+ 

 CERAVE Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum for Anti-Aging (not every day)

THE ORDINARY GF 15% Solution 

medicube TXA Niacinamide 15 Serum (currently replacing NINE LESS B-Boost 1% Kojic Acid Serum, which is very similar and I like it too) 

A.H.C Ten Revolution Real Eye Cream For Face 

APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

A type of a solid primer that's not really a balm, instead it's more lightweight, Milani describes it as whipped. It promises intense hydration, instant blurring, creating a soft-focus effect, smoothing and a refreshing feeling on the skin. It has 5% glycerine and 3% niacinamide plus hyaluronic acid. At application it feels wet and cooling, yet the texture doesn't match this feeling, as it's a solid, silicone-feeling primer that creates a smooth, velvety base. Usually such primers feel dry and create a matte finish that can feel dry on such skin as mine, but this one feels hydrating like they promise. It's not a primer you can apply quickly, as you need to drag it in one direction for a smooth application otherwise it may look flaky. I can't say I a difference after application in the mirror. Maybe if it had a skin-like tint if might "fill in the pores" better, but I can see in before and after pictures there is some difference in the appearance of pores, so at least it looks good in photos. I used Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation over it and it retained its signature glow.  

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A primer for lashes that don’t hold a curl. It isn't anything ground-breaking. It's just a waterproof formula that's got a sheer black tint. On its own it looks like a very natural-looking mascara and it holds the lashes curled. I used a Revlon ColorStay Xtensionnaire over it, which is a regular formula and my lashes stayed curled all day. It works, but it's even more difficult to remove that waterproof mascaras and even my Maybelline dual-phase remover struggles to get it off. I wear it on its own because I like the natural look at the moment. 

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I wanted to repurchase the coconut version, which I used up, but it's sold out everywhere I checked. The formula of these is soft and buttery, which makes them a great lip balm, but the shade range is not my cup of tea. I already bought the pink one which is too magenta for every day. The other choices are a peachy-orange, green and brown, so I got this one hoping it's not very tinted. Due to the soft formula that deposits a thick coat, it’s quite purple on the lips, which is not my shade. At least the scent is nicer than the coconut one, a fruity candy one. 

A nail polish that cracks while drying, which happens quickly, so it's fun to watch. Essence had a black version, which I owned, this time I believe only this light blue shade is available. Best results are when a thin coat is applied over another nail polish.

Like all these Essence lip glosses the formula is nothing special, quite thin compared to many other formulas. Shade is sheer with small pink shimmer. It smells like vanilla cake. 

There are two shades of these jelly blushes. They don't have any “bounce”, just a jelly see-through formula. It’s hard to work with, especially compared to their creamier stick blushes, as the formula is thin and hard. While the colour pay-off is good, it lacks the creaminess that would help blend it evenly. It's not that big of a problem when combined with a hydrating, glowy foundation, but when I tried it with a matte formula blending was difficult. On the lips I can only get an uneven, sheer application, plus it's not a hydrating product, so not ideal for dry lips. On my cheeks it looks similar to peachy-pink shades, while on the lips it’s a warm, sheer red. Staying power is great on the cheeks, this lasted all day over Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation. 

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The next “upgrade” of the makeup sponge - this one has two flat sides covered with a special foil that mimics fingerprints. It's a new twist to the silicone sponges that were popular a few years ago, except here you still get the classic porous, bouncy texture combined with a non-absorbing surface. You save foundation, since it's not absorbed into the foil part of the sponge, but it also takes a bit longer to blend it. The result doesn't differ from using a regular sponge, however, the sides of the nose are a bit challenging and I had to press it firmly to get it to reach there. I got a seamless blend everywhere else. It's very easy to clean since pretty much all of the foundation ends up on your face anyway. The rest can be wiped or washed off. It's an interesting innovation.  

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Nowhere on the front of the box or in description does this mention it has retinal, which is weird because it's on the ingredients list and it's kind of a big selling point. I haven't been able to find what's the percentage, but given that the colour of it is not yellow, like at other retinal product I've used, it's maybe not a lot. In any case it's a rare product in drugstores here with it. It has 3% Tranexamic Acid, 2% N-Acetyl Glucosamine and 5% Niacinamide - all brightening ingredients. Texture is a liquid light lotion that almost feels like a serum, but it has some oiliness to it.  On my dry skin most of it absorbs quickly, but a layer of it remains. It has no particular scent. I haven't included it into my routine yet, but it will get its turn eventually. 

A repurchase. I use this as hair and scalp oil, and I've used up at least a couple of these so far. Formula is light and not overly greasy. It has a gentle vanillary bland scent. Ingredients include canola oil, shea butter ethyl esters, vitamin E, coconut oil, sunflower oil and almond oil + some fragrances.

This launched years ago and by now just about everyone already forgot about it, I think. It's meant to be used in the shower after using a cleansing gel and is designed to replace regular moisturisers. I'm terrible when it comes to regular use of moisturisers, but my skin is quite dry in the winter. I don't use this as intended because I feel that by applying a generous coat of it only to wash it off is wasting product. This feels no different than their regular body milk. I apply it on damp skin before drying off with a towel or even after - it doesn't matter, just that I do it in the shower, since it's conveniently there. But I could just buy their regular moisturizer or from any other brand and it would be the same. 

A repurchase. I've used up many bottles of these. It's a liquid that emulsifies with water and massaging, turning into quite a nourishing formula that leaves a silky coat on the hair. It just so convenient and quick to use.