Have a great day!

MAKEUP

BEYU Beauty Queen Volume Mascara

This is my favourite mascara with a regular, meaning non-waterproof, formula and I already miss it so much. Every mascara I get to try disappoints me in some or other way, but mostly because they don't keep my lashes at least a little bit curled. This one does everything I want - gives volume, definition and keeps my lashes lifted enough so I don't look like I have no lashes looking straight on. It can't compare to a proper waterproof mascara, but it does enough and it's easy to remove. The price is the thing that keeps me from buying it all the time, but every time a new disappointment lands in my mailbox, I regret not having this in my collection.  

Repurchase: Yes.

MAYBELLINE Volumin' Express the Mega Plush Mascara 

Such a boring mascara, though not a useless one. It's so light and probably the most natural looking mascara I've tried. I had hoped this would thicken in time and start producing more volume, but that never happened. It doesn't give much volume, but it excels at definition and has a great multiplying effect, since it catches every lash, combs them very neatly and fans them out. The main feature is the a wand that bends, but that turned out to be a major disadvantage because it didn't allow much product to be deposited on the lashes at once, so a lot of layers are needed for a good effect. From Maybelline mascaras Lash Sensational is a big winner for me, but this one not so much.

Repurchase: No.

CATRICE Lashes to Kill Pro Instant Volume Mascara 010 Ultra Black

This was such a major mess when it was new. It was one of the wettest formulas I've tried, so application was clumpy, it weighed my lashes down and it took long to dry, so it was prone to smudging. I hoped that in a few weeks of use this will thicken and dry a bit, and start producing a better result, but against all expectations this became a very tame mascara that stopped creating a lot of volume, instead it was more about definition and just tinting the lashes. It's still not dry, but it became very natural looking on the lashes. 

Repurchase: No.

MAX FACTOR Black Magic Mascara

I'm a fan of Max Factor mascaras (apart from the super messy 2000 calorie) and this one had an almost the same effect as one of my favourite mascaras ever, Voluptious False Lash. However, unlike that one it didn't hold my lashes curled, so that was always an issue for me. If you don't have a problem with stubborn lashes, it's a nice drugstore buy, but I'd get Voluptious instead.

Repurchase: No.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly 

I never considered this a unique formula, as even as I got it I noticed that Collection's Lasting Perfection acts exactly the same on me, and now I have plenty of other similar formulas, but the main appeal of this concealer is the shade. It's the lightest product I've ever found, almost an off-white with a neutral undertone and it was almost too pale for me. Now I prefer Look By Bipa's concealer in 010 because the shade is less pale and suits me better. The cap broke at one point which did not make me terribly happy, but otherwise this is a nice formula, it's just that I can get cheaper products that look, cover and last the same.

Repurchase: Probably not because there are so many good drugstore alternatives.

CATRICE Liquid Eyeliner

This is just the bunch I used up last year and I think there should be more hiding in my drawers, but this is my favourite eyeliner formula that I use every day and I always have a spare in stock. It's super black, dries matte, has a great applicator that is easy to use and it lasts all day on my lids. I'm always scared Catrice will discontinue this and I really hope this evades their discontinuing frenzies for years to come. 

Repurchase: Done.

SKIN CARE

MIXA Micellar Water Anti-Dryness

My favourite micellar water that just does the job of removing makeup, it doesn't leave any layer behind and it's not drying. It has no scent, it feels like water and it's got a skin friendly pH. I've used Bioderma before and this works the same for me for less money.

Repurchase: Done.

GARNIER Biphase Micellar Cleansing Water in Oil

One of my favourite micellars. It's one of the strongest I tried, as the extra oil makes it some kind of an hybrid between a regular micellar and a waterproof makeup remover, though it's not quite strong enough to get off a waterproof mascara. I prefer Mixa's version, but this is a close second.

Repurchase: Yes.

BALEA Erfrischendes Waschgel

One of many tubes I've gone through. This is the old one before they changed the formula a bit and I actually like the new one more because it doesn't have a strong scent. This is my second cleanser after oil and it does its job well without being drying.

Repurchase: Done.

BIOBAZA Exclusive Face Cleansing Micellar Oil

My standard cleansing oil, I've been through quite a few of these so far. It's not the best oil, but it's half cheaper than L'Occitane's Immortelle. It's rubbish at removing mascara and liner, but it removes all the rest and it works well with my skin, which is something that doesn't happen with most oils. I want to find something cheaper and better, but I'm reluctant to experiment for now. 

Repurchase: Done.

BIOBAZA Beauty Micellar Water Mix

Chamomile and cucumber

This was in my stash for quite a while, mostly neglected and I think it got bad because at the end it just wasn't removing much and I tossed it away (not that it was a top performer to begin with, but averagely ok). However, I kept the bottle because this is the best packaging for micellar waters due to the pump and I now use it for Mixa Micellar water. 

Repurchase: No.

L'OCCITANE Pivoine Sublime 2 in 1 Perfecting Scrub

I was not a big fan on this. It's gel with sparse scrub particles which turns into oil when rubbed into skin and emulsifies in contact with water. It just didn't fit into my routine - it's too weak for a scrub, I couldn't use it as a stand-alone cleanser because of the oil because it needs a second cleanse and even though it was an oil, it didn't work as a makeup remover (though it doesn't claim to do that any way). I was glad to see this gone.

Repurchase: No.

INELL Mousse Nettoyante Hydratante

This was my morning cleanser for years before I started just using water to avoid messing with pH too much. But I used this can as a shower mousse and it was lovely. The formula of this is very fluffy and the mousse is nicely thick, plus I liked the simple scent. I'm not sure if it's still sold, but I used to buy these in Leclerc.

Repurchase: No.

TONY MOLY Panda's Dream White Sleeping Pack

I love this stuff. It's nothing special and texture is similar to regular gel-cream moisturisers, except it stays on the skin longer when a thick coat is applied (as a sleeping pack). I mostly used it in the morning under a foundation and it always worked great, while for night routine it was not quite enough in these winter months, but for most of the year it was fine (I'm currently using Creatures de Monoi moisturiser, which fits my dry skin better). It works with my skin and it never lets me down, but it's just a moisturiser and I'd like to upgrade to Beauty of Joseon cream because I really liked the sample I got.

Repurchase: It's likely. 

PALMER'S Flip Balm 

Ripe Mango

Palmer's makes the best lip balms, I'm especially a big fan of their Swivel Stick which apart from this Flip Balm is the only lip balm I use. They are the only brand I found that doesn't make such a waxy formula that sits like an annoying layer on the lips, instead it feels more creamy and smooth. This one actually dried to an useless state, which is no wonder since it was both quite old and I almost never have dry lips, so I very rarely apply a lip balm - sometimes I forget them all together for months. Regardless I really liked this one, not just the formula, but also the fruity-cocoa butter scent and the great packaging.  

Repurchase: Yes.

BALEA Clear-up Strips 

These were very flip-floppy. They never worked as effectively as Biore's, but sometimes they were quite decent, yet sometimes they did nothing. They just didn't impress me much.

Repurchase: No.

ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Emulsion 

I loved this. It's a light moisturiser that I used in the morning under makeup and it worked under all foundations. I also loved the grapefruit scent which is so uplifting. The toner and cream from this line are also great.

Repurchase: Yes.

ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Essence

My least favourite product from this line. It just didn't do much apart from light moisturising, which other products did better anyway. 

Repurchase: No.

THE BODY SHOP Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil

This little bottle lasted me so long, though I had some long pauses to test other products, and I loved it a lot. Every time I used it my skin was in such great condition - clear, soft and very radiant. It's a dry oil, so there's very little of that greasy feeling, even less than at Nuxe, so that's a step up in my books, except for the scent which is somewhat nutty-herbal. Nuxe is still brilliant, though, and way cheaper, especially per ml, but I'm very tempted to buy a full size of TBS. 

Repurchase: Yes.

THE SAEM Natural Skin-fit Mask Sheet

Grapefruit

One of my favourite moisturising masks. It's got such a pleasant, comfy lotion formula and it feels like heaven on the face, plus the grapefruit scent is so nice. I highly recommend this one, but in this formula. I've tried lemon from this line and it's different. By the way, this is a LE packaging and the regular one has a picture of grapefruits.

Repurchase: Yes.

PAPA RECIPE Bombee Whitening Honey Mask Pack

My favourite sheet mask formula by far because it does everything I want, which is nourish, even out the skin and noticeably brighten. It also smells like honey which is an extra plus. It's one of the more expensive mask formulas, but it's worth it.

Repurchase: Yes.

THE FACE SHOP The Solution Soothing Face Mask

Alongside with Pearl, Madecassoside is my favourite formula of these. It's nourishing, calming and tones down any redness. It also promises to promote healing, though I never used it when I had spots. Etude House's version is very similar and the only difference is the sheet, which is marginally better at The Face Shop (mostly in terms of fit for me), so it doesn't matter which one you get.

Repurchase: Yes.

MY BEAUTY DIARY Sheet Mask

Natto (tightening)

A simple moisturising mask, which wasn't as impressive as Black Pearl, but it had a nice milky essence that absorbed fast and it left my skin feeling nourished and looking better, less bland. I didn't notice a massive tightening effect, but all the extra moisture filled my lines for a couple of hours.

Repurchase: Maybe. I'd like to try more formulas of these.

MY BEAUTY DIARY White Lily Brightening Essence Mask

I expected this to be a better version of Black Pearl based on what I heard about it, but it wasn't as brightening. It was a nice moisturising mask, but are more impressive ones.

Repurchase: Probably not. I prefer Black Pearl.

ETUDE HOUSE 0.2 mm Air Therapy Sheet Mask

Snail, Ceramide, Madecassoside and Manuka Honey

All of these had a similar very comfy, nourishing formula and all are great formulas I'd like to use more. Especially Snail and Madecassoside are my favourite because the tone down any redness or irritation. All have the same chemical creamy scent, which is fine, but I expected a honey scent at Manuka Honey and I was a bit let down, though the formula makes up for it. 

Repurchase: Yes to all.

BODY

BILOU Creamy Shower Foam 

Tasty Donut

These has such a nice fluffy formula, but that not the main plus for me. It's the fact they last so much longer than shower gels. Too bad we don't have these here in Slovenia, but Balea's are the same anyway. This scent was very sweet and fruity, the description mentions the scent of strawberry jelly in donuts and it's indeed something similar.

Repurchase: Other scents.

BALEA Duschgel 

They see me rollin'

This smelled like Vademecum kid's pink tooth paste with the crocodile, so like berries with mint. It was much thicker than Balea's other gels, which did not work out that well, but it's already gone from our DM's anyway.

Repurchase: It's discontinued, but yes to other scents.

BALEA Rasiergel 

Peach Love

This was one of my favourite editions so far because it has such a nice peach scent. I hope they make a similar one soon as this is already gone.

Repurchase: Always, but in scents currently available.

SILISS Creme Depilatorire

I got this in Leclerc and it has to be the most useless depilatory cream ever. Most such creams don't work on me anyway, but even a very thick coat of this did not make my skin smooth. Waste of time and my bathroom had the depilatory cream smell for two days.

Repurchase: No.

BALEA Feel Well Fuss Horhaut Entferner Socken

Hard skin removing socks

I didn't see this anymore in our DM, but it's on meindm.at which I guess it means they brought it back after being a LE. It works exactly the same as Korean versions, which I'm very pleased about. It's a high percentage mix of lactic and glycolic acid which come in plastic socks that you're supposed to wear for about an hour. You can't really walk in them (far), so be ready to be off your feet for that time, thought you can put other socks over them. I didn't feel any tingling, but it does have a strong scent of green tea. The peeling began on day 6 and it continued for almost week. The first to go is the thick skin on the soles and the last the thin layer at the top of the feet. They look pretty bad for those days and they are very flaky, so it's not something to use when you plan to wear any open shoes. They didn't make my feet super soft, but neither did K-Beauty ones and that's because I have very hard skin on my feet that even proper files can't get remove. But it's nice because it removes the dead skin from places you can't normally reach with a file. I hope I find these again in our DMs.

Repurchase: Yes.

HAIR

MATRIX Biolage Anti-Dandruff ScalpSynch Shampoo

I loved the discontinued scalp scrub from this line, so I got the shampoo too, but in terms of anti-dandruff effect this did nothing for me. As a shampoo it was fine, one of the thick ones, it foamed well and didn't leave my hair dry. 

Repurchase: No.

ALPENCIN Medicinal Intesiv Kopfhaur- and Haar-Tonikum Forte

I've been through a few bottles of this. It's a liquid that I use when my scalp feels itchy and this alleviates it. It smells awful, though, like you soaked your hair in schnapps.

Repurchase: Yes, but I found something better - Subrina's Recept Intensive Balancing does the same thing, doesn't smell as terrible, has a way better packaging and it's cheaper.

DOVE Quench Absolute Intense Replenishment Mask

I adore the crème serum from this line, so I thought this might be equally impressive. However, it's a pretty standard moisturising mask that was ok for my hair, but not amazing and its effects didn't last more than a day or two. Still, it's one of the better drugstore masks.

Repurchase: Maybe.

DOVE Hair Therapy Style + Care Frizz-free Shine Cream Serum

This is almost exactly the same as my HG hair product Dove Quench Serum, but neither are sold here anymore. It's a true miracle leave-in conditioner that leaves my hair smooth, it tames frizz and just makes it look better. I wish either of these two were still sold here.

Repurchase: Yes.

SCHWARZKOPF Color Expert with Omegaplex 

L8

I got two of these to do a balayage and it got me from a coloured level 4 (medium brown) to a level 6-7 (dark blonde) and in some places level 8 (medium blonde) which on dark hair means an orange and in some places golden tone, so right now I'm kind of ginger, though I already toned it to a more neutral shade (If you're not familiar with bleaching levels, you can see them here). It did what I expected and I was aware it's going to take several sessions on my hair to go lighter and it did so with pretty much zero additional damage. It's got a special Omegaplex serum inside the box which I think it's about the same bond builder as Olaplex and it helps prevent any major damage or breakage. So it that respect this is a great formula, though not quite as nice as L'Oreal's Excellence, but considering this is bleach, it's definitely one of the more gentle options. They have a stronger version called L9, but it's not sold everywhere and this one is more common. However, as good as the bleach is, Schwarzkopf is mental for putting the tinniest packets of violet toner and conditioner. I used two boxes, so I had 22 ml + 22 ml available and enough for maybe a third of my hair. Plus the toner is crappy, as the tint is quite sheer (I got a far more intensely tinted purple shampoo in the drugstore called Ice Cream No-Yellow shampoo), so I really recommend you get a separate purple shampoo or a toner - either Wella Color Charm T18 or T14 everyone raves about (sold in the US) or here in Slovenia Subrina Spectra demi-permanent colour 8/10. But you need to get to a level 9-10 first, so very pale banana blonde for them to work. I didn't get to that level, so I used L'Oreal's Excellence 9.1 which I had in stock and it's ashy, so it counteracts orange tones (I'd be better if I had 8.1 though).

TL;DR version: It's a great quality drugstore bleach for light brown hair at most, but get a separate purple shampoo or a toner unless you have very short hair.

Repurchase: Maybe L9 if I can find it, but I ordered Schwarzkopf Blondme bleach and developer for the next session because it's got fantastic reviews for being strong and having an added bond builder.

L'OREAL Excellence Crème

I've talked about this a lot and posted pictures of results, so it's no news I love this. I recently did my roots plus toned orange hair with it and it did a decent job, better on the roots, while it's still a bit more gingery on the lengths. It did a remarkable good job on the pieces that were golden blonde. Again I have to praise the formula because this is such an amazing one that makes my hair feel like the best conditioner ever. I'd really like to try L'Oreal's Preference version because I hear it's great as well and I want to see what's the main difference for those 2 or 3 €. Also I need to praise L'Oreal for being one of rare ones with a nice selection of ashy shades that are great for toning if you're lightening dark hair. 

Repurchase: Done.

GARNIER Olia

I've also already talked in depth about this one and posted results. L'Oreal's is just miles better and stronger, so it lightens even dark hair. However, I've mentioned before that a shade my mother uses, 8.3 lightens her hair just fine.. The formula is the thing I have major gripes with because this is so drying and it's just not a very good one compared to some of its competition. I'd pick L'Oreal Excellent over it any time. 

Repurchase: No.

MAKEUP

 *BOURJOIS Eye Catching Mascara

The latest mascara by Bourjois which comes in an adorable packaging with cats embossed on the cap. The brush is a classic one and it's dented (has shorter bristles) on one side, while the opposite side is very bushy. Formula looks thick and very creamy, but it's not a super messy type of formula like Catrice Lashes to Kill Pro. At first it created a natural & separated look with one coat, while several coats gave a moderate amount of volume. Now it's dried a bit and the volume is built up faster, though it's not as defining as it was from the start. For an "eye opening" mascara I expected it to both lift and hold lashes, but it does neither of these things. In fact I really put an effort in curling, plus added a thin layer of a waterproof mascara under it and yet this just dropped my lashes completely. It's an ok mascara in terms of being volumizing, but it's not for me because I want lift too.

13.49 €

BEYU Beauty Queen Volume Mascara

I finally repurchased one of my favourite mascaras, even though I currently have a few opened, but none I actually bought and picked myself, so none really work for me. I was going to buy Lash Sensational which I also love and it's cheaper, but I couldn't find a single full stand in my town - so weird. There are a lot of good mascaras in the drugstores in terms of how much volume they give and how they define the lashes, but very rare ones do the thing that I want - keep the lashes lifted and without being waterproof. This is one of those mascaras. It does everything - gives volume, defines the lashes and keeps them lifted enough so I don't look like I have no lashes. It can't compare to a proper waterproof mascara, but it does enough and it's easy to remove. It's only minus is the price. By the way, I also like the cheaper Essence Volume Stylist Curl & Hold Mascara, but I decided not to repurchase that one this time because it's almost as difficult to remove as a waterproof mascara.

DM, 11.99 €

CATRICE Liquid Liner Matt

010 Meeting Joe Black

This is the liner that I wear every day and I've bought several in the last year since I discovered it. I had a spare tube that I got in in January and when I opened it, the formula was watered down, so it looked grey which is weird because these are the most intense black liners I've tried. I was afraid they messed with the formula when they changed the packaging a bit, but luckily this new one is just as intense as all others I bought and that January one is a dud. Very annoying that Catrice has such loose quality control. I hate I had to spend extra money for a new eyeliner, even though it's not that expensive. 

Müller, 3.79 €

 BOURJOIS Radiance Reveal Concealer

A repurchase of my favourite concealer. I love this one so much I even used it instead of foundation on occasions. It's got only a medium to full coverage, but it looks so natural and hides imperfections without drawing attention to them by looking too matte or cakey. I have the lightest shade 01 Ivory which swatched looks a shade too dark on me, but this blends into the skin so well, you could never tell the shade is slightly wrong. If you like concealers like Maybelline's the Eraser, you'll love this one.

Salma, 7.77 €

 *RIMMEL Good to Glow Maxi Bronzer

002 Amber 

There are two shades of these bronzers, I got the darker of the two and both are described as having a soft glow. The latter is subtle, the finish is actually more of a satin, so it's closer to a matte bronzer and there is no fear that any shimmer particles will ruin the look. Formula is crumby soft, though it applies smoothly and it's a very pigmented bronzer, so I need to be careful. The shade is too dark for me as well as too warm, almost orange, so it'd be best suited for medium skin tones with a warm undertone. 

 *MAX FACTOR Colour Elixir Cushion

035 Baby Star Coral and 030 Majesty Berry

These just landed in my mailbox, so I'm reporting the very first impressions. These have exactly the same packaging as Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors and the discontinued Catrice versions, so they have a comfortable foam applicator. The formula is similar to Honey Lacquers in terms of how they feel on the lips, so very comfortable and like they are mixed with a lip balm. Pigmentation is sheer and these only give a tint to the lips. The coral one gives a gentle orange hue to my lips, while the berry, which I prefer, gives it a natural looking rosy shade. These have a nice vanilla scent. There are 7 colours available in Slovenia.

8.99 €

NAILS

 *SALLY HANSEN Color Therapy Nail Polish

180 Chai on Life

A nail polish formula that contains argan oil, which I don't know if it does anything, but I'm sure it can't hurt. My shade is a warm toned beige nude that looks absolutely perfect on my toes, so this was already in my last monthly favourites. The formula is a bit too liquid, similar to Essie Fiji, so when I try to apply a thick coat, it spills around the nail. It's better to do thin coats with this, though it's pigmented enough and it's a standard two coater. 

About 10 € in DM.

*SALLY HANSEN Miracle Gel Nail Polish

550 Hunger Flames 

For a gel formula this is quite thin and not like other such formulas. It's like a standard frosty, pigmented formula that needs three coats for the best result. Hunger Flames is a purple with red frost that can look pink-purple with a thin coat, while thickly applied it looks more true purple.

Swatches of both shades are in a highlighted stories "Updates" on my IG.

About 10 € in DM.

ESSENCE 4 in 1 Profi File

I've bought so many of these through the years. It's a simple nail file with four sides of various roughness that does its job.

Műller, 1.59 €

SKINCARE

 BALEA MED Ultra Sensitive Waschgel

I got this before I could find the new updated Erfrischendes gel version, which is the gel I've been using regularly as a second cleanser for quite a while now. This is more expensive and not scented, however, I don't see a difference between the two formulas. Both are slippery gels that do their job of cleansing the skin and don't feel too drying. I'll keep on buying the blue version because it's cheaper.

DM, 2.99 €

BALEA Erfrischendes Wasch Gel (New 2018 version)

Balea not only changed the packaging of my old favourite, but also they tinkered with the formula. They added aloe vera quite high on the list and I can also report that the strong, masculine scent is now much fainter. Formula still feels the same and does the same job. I like the change, but the price is 80 cents higher now.

DM, 1.99 €

BIOBAZA Exclusive Face Cleansing Micellar Oil

My fourth or fifth bottle is a row. I use this every day as my first cleanser, but I only use it because it works so well with my skin, while in other respect, namely removing makeup, I'm being consistently let down as it doesn't remove mascara well. Until I find another (cheaper) oil that doesn't break me out, I'm stuck with this one.

DM, 12.79 €

 ETUDE HOUSE Air Therapy 0.2 mm Sheet Mask

Snail (Smoothing and firming)

I already raved about this one in one of my favourites, so I ordered more of these. It worked wonders on an infected spot and just in general made my skin look good. 

eBay, $7.40

 *SHIELDS OF GLORY Hydro Delight Ultra Hydrating Face Cream with Saffron

A deceptively light moisturiser that actually reminds me of sleeping packs because despite the light formula, it needs some extra time to absorb, so it leaves a layer of product on the skin before it sinks in completely. I prefer it as a part of the night routine, even though it works just fine under makeup and I've used it for most of the month in the mornings. This feels to me as a moisturiser that's more suited for dry, normal skin & dry-combination skin, while those with oily skin might find it's a bit heavy because it needs time to sink in. Scent is floral creamy of moderate strength. I still prefer Creatures de Monoi moisturiser from moisturisers sold on Click2Chic. Shields works as an average moisturiser on me, which is just fine and it has saffron high on the list, so ingredients-wise it's better, but CdM works great for my skin and it's still one of my favourite face creams I've tried so far.

Click2chic, 16.49 €

BODY

*SHIELDS OF GLORY Golden Pleasure Perfumed Shower oil with Camelia oil

This smells exactly like Angel fragrance. It's got a strong oriental vanilla scent that if I judge from the Angel notes has patchouli (I notice it most), chocolate, vanilla, honey, amber plus a ton of fruity and floral notes, but basically it's smells either of two ways depending on peoples chemistry: a delightfully sweet and sexy vanilla spicy scent, or horribly strange spicy (it's the patchouli that's so hard to handle). If you like Angel, you will love this oil. The formula is a great one, very similar to L'Occitane's in almost all respects, so it's a medium thick oil that emulsifies into a rich emulsion with water. Too bad they only have this scent. Angel is something you need to be in the mood for, but I like the formula a lot and I'd like an lighter, more basic scented version. Ingredients-wise it's good, only the perfume is quite high up, but it has tons of oils and extracts.

Click2chic, 11.49 €

 NIVEA Pflegedusche 

Sun Welcome Shine

Nivea made a shower gel that smells like their original sunscreen scent, so this is not that typical summery coconut/tiare sunscreen scent that you get in other such products, but it's the actual scent of sunscreen, so that slightly bitter creamy scent that some really hate, but I like it. I never owned a Nivea sunscreen because they are way too expensive when you want to buy a SPF 50, but regardless I'm familiar with the scent because it smells the same as SunDance and Lavazon sun creams that I usually buy. So again don't expect a Hawaiian Tropic/Guerlan Terracotta scent like you get in Balea's version, Nivea's smells like a classic sunscreen. Disappointingly, the bottle lasted only two weeks when two of us were using it.

Müller, 1.85 €

AVEO Intensive Care Duschöl

A repurchase, twice in the last months actually. I use this to wash my hands and it works great. It's a very runny oil, which surprisingly forms a thick emulsion and the only thing I'm not 100% happy about is the bland scent.

Müller, 1.95 €

BATH & BODY WORKS Ultra Shea Body Cream

Country Apple

After I found the Twilight Woods version of Ultra Shea a complete success, I wanted more and Country Apple was the first on the list. The texture of these Ultra Sheas is amazing. They really feel like rich body butters in a tube. This and The Body Shop's body butters and my favourite formulas ever. I have another BBW apple scent called Champagne Apple Honey, which was an autumn LE, but it's the most amazing proper crisp apple scent, so I hoped this was the same. It's similar, but more musky, so it doesn't end up smelling as fresh, but it's also not bad. I'll likely buy more versions of these when I used up my stash. I highly recommend you try one of these if you like rich moisturisers.

Salma, 13.10 €

BALEA Rasiergel

Peach Love

My standard shaving gel. They finally made a peach version and it's a pretty good one. I think it's my favourite so far.

DM, 1.99€

  BALEA Elektrischer Hornhaut Entferner

I've been eyeing this for a while because I find using foot files such a chore. I've used those famous acid peels (from Etude House), but unfortunately they are too weak for my hard skin and they didn't leave my feet soft, though the removed the top layer like they should. I checked some reviews before buying this and they were mixed with the negative side focusing on it not being good enough for very rough skin, but I still took a chance. I was picking between this one and Barefuss one from Müller, while I find Scholl's too expensive in the long run because the replacement rolls. Balea won because you get four rolls in the box, one very fine, one medium and two rough ones, plus you also get batteries. Design is very 80's or 90's and it's very basic, but that doesn't matter to me. I tried the medium one first and I could see it works, still I switched to the rough grey one for better results. I took a while, but it did a decent job. My feet didn't feel soft, but they felt smoother and the skin wasn't as hard. I was satisfied with the results, though it could be rougher and I can't say this will work on very rough skin or bunions. It's also not fast, so you need to take your time, but I also feel this won't take off too much. 

DM, 19.99 €

FRAGRANCES

 BATH & BODY WORKS Body Mist

Oahu Coconut Sunset

This was already in my last favourites and I can only repeat what I've said there. It's a deeper version of a beachy coconut scent that reminds me of Lolita Lempicka Elle L'Aime. The traditional creamy coconut-tiare combination is here mixed with sultry amber and incense that give the scent depth, while there's also a sweet juicy (Taj Sunset mango-like) note present, but only at the start. It's a going out/night time version of a beachy scent that can be worn in colder months as well. I'd really love to get more of BBW mists, they are such amazing value with 250 ml.

Salma, 12.90€

 AVON Luck La Vie eau de parfum

Admittedly I got this in part for the gorgeous packaging, but I also liked the notes listed in the description. I already tried the original Luck once and loved it, so it's still on my list to get, but La Vie version drew me in with its woodsy notes that I'm obsessively seeking in fragrances now since I absolutely love them in BBW Apple Wood sanitizer and Twilight Woods mist. The wood notes are not nearly as apparent in La Vie as in those two, instead it's a fresh floral fruity fragrance with a cedar base that reminds me of Marc Jacobs Daisy and its flankers. First burst is sweet strawberry with the florals starting to make their appearance. Then the fresh, green florals take centre stage with lily-of-the-valley being the most apparent note. It's the latter than reminds me of the Daisy fragrance since they are both so green and fresh. The base reveals the cedar note, but it's still got that a fresh fruity-floral and green character. It definitely smells more like a designer fragrance that celebrity scents which tend to me more sugary vanilla. It's youthful, but still serious enough that you'd be comfortable wearing it to the office. Compared to the original Luck, La Vie feels greener and less smooth, that's why a lot of people prefer the original. The main notes of that one are berries and sandalwood, so it's warmer. La Vie also has notes of peach which I can't detect, which is a shame. It's about medium strong and lasts a few hours.

Top: strawberry, mirabelle, mandarin orange

Heart: lilies-of-the-valley, Lime (linden) Blossom, mandarin orange

Base: marshmallow, peach, white cedar extract

Salma, 13.90 €

HAIR

 HEAD & SHOULDERS Supreme Feuchkeit 

Supreme Moisture Conditioner

This is the first anti-dandruff conditioner that I saw in our drugstores (I only knew about KeraCare up until now, which I never got round to ordering). It's got zink pyrithione on 7th place among the ingredients, but otherwise it's a pretty standard conditioner with the usual mix of moisturising ingredients and silicones. I've been battling dandruff since I was 11 and I wrote about it here many times, as well as documented some of the stuff I tried over the years, but I never tried a conditioner, which sounded like a great idea, since my scalp is everything from super dry (I never have oily hair) to flaky and itchy, so this sounded like a nice moisturising treatment. As a regular conditioner, I like it because it left my hair very silky due to a lot of silicones, which my hair loves. It could be a bit more nourishing, but for drugstore stuff it's one of the best. I applied it generously on the scalp too, but unfortunately, it didn't help with the dandruff much and actually the state was pretty much the same, my scalp was a bit less dry, but still flaky and as usual occasionally itchy. It doesn't work the way it promises, but I still like it as a regular conditioner.

Müller, 4.29 € for 220 ml

 SCHAUMA Nature Moments Honey Elixir & Barbary Fig Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

I got this because they were offering it at the register in DM as a part of a promotion and I've always been interested in Schauma because I remember hearing someone talking about it being good. Well this was a complete waste of my money. The best description of a shampoo is average - cleans well, but not nourishing and neither too drying, it's got this basic "trying-to-smell-like-honey" scent and is in general just a boring shampoo that's not good for my very dry hair. The conditioner has very promising ingredients with keratin high on the list and it smells nicely of honey, but it's very light and it did nothing for my hair. Washing my hair with these made me wash it again using more nourishing products. They are probably completely ok for normal hair with slightly dry ends, even maybe oily hair because they are light, but I'm using the shampoo as a shower gel and the conditioner instead of a shaving gel.

DM, it was about 3 € as a part of the promotion where the conditioner was a gift.

*L'OREAL Magic Shampoo Invisible Dry Shampoo

Fresh Crush, Tropical Splash and Sweet Fusion

L'Oreal released these a couple of months back in five versions, but I only saw three in our Müller. I never have greasy hair, so I'm sorry that can't say how well they perform on oily hair, but I can say that these have absolutely no white cast. In fact when you spray them there is no powderiness in sight. For my dark hair these work really great as a refreshing type of product that add fragrance to my hair. The don't create as much volume as Batiste do, which is expected given that they don't create that powdery texture, but it's still enough on my hair. 

Fresh Crush has the most classic type of clean scent, though this one is a flowery version and not the typical aldehyde "clean laundry scent"

Tropical Splash has a flowery tropical scent, which reminds me most of a hibiscus scent Balea used to make.

Sweet Fusion is the most girly and sweet type of scent, which is again very floral with (maybe) some vanilla notes (it's something warm and sweet).

4.60 €

 *LUXURIOUS COCONUT Hair Care

The collection consists of two ranges: Repair and Colour, I've given Repair a try. Colour has only a shampoo and conditioner, while the Repair has an extra hair mask and hair oil. I'm very fussy when it comes to hair care because my hair is so dry, so I won't say this is the best hair care line I've used, but when it comes to drugstore it's very decent, especially the hair mask. Shampoo is one of the rare ones that doesn't leave my hair striped and it doesn't leave my hair too tangled, so I give it a 4/5. The conditioner is thick and I can feel it'll be nourishing enough for most people, but for me it's on a light side. The hair mask again feels similarly thick as conditioner, but it's got a much better effect on my hair and it gives a good hydration boost. Sadly the nourished effect lasts only a day or two on my hair, but that's usual for every good drugstore mask I've tried (that's why I mostly use more expensive, hair salon stuff). For very dry hair, the mask is great, but those will thin hair will find it too much and for those the conditioner is a better choice. Oil is quite light, so I need to use a lot of it, especially on dry hair, but it does its job of taming the hair and giving shine. The shampoo-mask-oil on damp hair combination pleasantly surprised me because my hair dried so sleek and super shiny with a hair dryer and that doesn't happen often. Scent is the thing that I have mixed feelings about. The shampoo and oil have a nice creamy coconut scent, but the conditioner and mask smell more like coconut water, so on the sour side. 

Click2chic and Müller, everything apart from the oil 5.49 € per piece (shampoo and conditioner 500 ml, hair mask 250 ml), oil is 9.49 € (100 ml)

Have a great day!

* - PR products