Here’s a combined trash stash post for the last 2 months of 2017:
I forgot to take a group shot and was too lazy to take the items out of the bag for recycling.
I initially felt that my steam dwindled a bit toward the end of the year to finish up products but once I started to list them out, I found that I did finish quite a few items in the last 2 months. I decided to do a big post instead of separating into 2 posts, so grab a cup of hot tea.
Skincare
Diadermine PH5 Hydratant Protecteur Soin de Jour – €4.10 for 50ml
I was sent this by Joyce and it is a wonderful daytime cream! I was at first worried it wouldn’t be hydrating enough for the cooler months but this worked so well. It wears perfectly under makeup and keeps dry patches at bay. It’s that optimal balance of deep hydration while not turning my face into a grease ball. My skin did not break out or react negatively to this cream at all. There is a moderate perfume-y fragrance but it doesn’t linger. I also really like the compact tube – sanitary and good for travel. I checked what the sunscreen ingredient is in this and it turns out to be a mineral sunscreen: titanium dioxide. There’s no indication of what SPF factor it is though. If you live in France or other countries that sells the brand Diadermine, please give this economical drugstore brand a try!
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Kibio Ki-Crème – $37 for 50ml
I also managed to use up my nighttime cream in December. This provides terrific hydration due to the shea butter content but it does leave a bit of a shiny look to the skin. I did attempt to use this during the day but it pills up under foundation. The whole Kibio line was discontinued, sadly.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: No (discontinued)
Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour cream – $70 for 15ml
As I mentioned in my recent HG post, if Shiseido ever discontinues this or reformulate it, there would be hell to pay! I’m sure many thousands of other loyal customers would feel the same. This deeply hydrates my under eye area, doesn’t cause milia, and I feel, has helped with fine lines. Also, this little jar lasts me at least 9 months since so little is needed with each application. This product is the holiest of grails!
Stash worthiness: 10/10 Repurchase: Yes
Pure + simple Lactic Acid plus 10% – $60.45 for 50ml
I got this for half price during the Pure + simple skincare trade-in event last year. It’s a good AHA chemical exfoliant but it can sting the skin quite sharply – products don’t have to be uncomfortable to “show” that it’s working. I also think it’s overpriced for what it is. This product claims to not dehydrate the skin but I found it to be drying. I usually have to pair this with another serum, and only use it once a week.
Stash worthiness: 7/10 Repurchase: No
Elizabeth grant supreme Cell Vitality 3-in-1 Cleanser – $30 for 240ml
This was a Christmas gift from 2 years ago and I finally got around to using it. The scent of this product is probably my favourite thing about it – like a soft citrus with a hint of vanilla. It foams up nicely and is gentle on the skin.
Stash worthiness: 7/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Mandom barrier repair Concentrate Serum – $16 for 60g
This wonderful product is discontinued (of course!) but I managed to score one in April. I did a full review of it a while back.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: No (discontinued)
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater – $9 for 118ml
This is a cult favourite and it was good, but not mind-blowingly good. I didn’t find it as hydrating as other facial mists I’ve tried like MUJI High moisture Toner or Sukin Hydrating mist Toner. Observation: I accidentally tasted this product (spraying with my mouth partly open, doh) and it tastes slightly sweet. No, I didn’t drink this to use it up!
Stash worthiness: 7/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Lise Watier Magnifix Make-Up Fixative With White Tea – $26 for 115ml
This used to be my favourite makeup fixing spray until I found the Avon one. The smell of this is the biggest draw for me – I love tea scents! This glycerin-base spray doesn’t so much as sets my makeup as it gets rid of the powdery appearance on the skin. It does help to prolong the wear of my makeup slightly but not as well as other setting sprays on the market.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes
Tony Moly I’m real Purifying Seaweed Mask – $1.67 (12 for $20 deal)
Something in this mask caused my cheeks to turn quite pink and a spot of a hive appear on my forehead after I removed this. I read through the ingredients and nothing jumped out at me except for apple extract – maybe it had an exfoliating effect?
Stash worthiness: 5/10 Repurchase: No
Tony Moly I’m real Nutrition Avocado Mask – $1.67 (12 for $20 deal)
In general, the Tony Moly masks are too short for my face but the face openings align well. The serum of this one had a good slime factor so it adhered well to my skin. There’s a bit of tingle with this mask which I wasn’t expecting. My skin felt plump and hydrated after using this. I also love the scent of this – reminds me a bit of an artificial almond smell rather than avocado though. This is my favourite of the Tony Moly masks that I’ve tried so far.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes
Naisture sweet Honey Mask pack – $1.13
Got this from the pack of masks off miss A. The sheet was a medium thickness, and fit nicely on my face (tiny bit short on my forehead) and there was a good amount of serum. I especially liked the soft honey scent and how soothing it felt on my skin. The next morning my skin felt supple and hydrated – just as the mask promised.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes
The Creme shop Milk face Mask – $1.13
This smelled nice and that’s all I can really say about it. I’ve tried enough of these Creme shop masks to know that I’m not a fan of them – the material feels low-cost and I haven’t experienced any results with any of the masks.
Stash Worthiness: 6/10 Repurchase: No
Tony Moly I’m real brilliance Tomato Mask – $1.67 (12 for $20 deal)
I was afraid I wouldn’t love this one after buying 3 of them, blindly. This mask is probably the most raved about of all of the TM I’m real line… and I’m not really sure why. There’s nothing remarkable about it. I didn’t find my skin showed any benefits and I didn’t wake up with radiant skin in the morning. fear not, it doesn’t actually smell like tomatoes, more like soapy wilted salad.
Stash worthiness: 6/10 Repurchase: No
Tony Moly Pureness 100 Collagen Mask – $1.67 (12 for $20 deal)
The first noticeable thing about this mask is that it’s made of an unbleached material so it contains little speckles of dark particles (wood chips?) The fit was pretty good but the sheet itself is on the thicker side so it has a tendency to not stick completely to the skin. It contained a good amount of serum – there’s a soft floral scent to the serum which wasn’t offensive. My skin was smooth and plump in the morning.
Stash worthiness: 7/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Mediheal Platinum V-Life vital Mask x5 – $12.99 for a box of 10
I took a risk buying a box of 10 at Winners and ended up loving this mask. It’s a shame that it’s impossible to find them again. In my last trash Stash, I vowed to finish up the box – I had 5 left and voila, I finished them all. I reviewed this mask as part of my 30 Day masking Challenge.
Stash Worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Malibu Glitz Facial Mask in Pearl – $1.13
This is the fourth mask I’ve tried from this brand and while the others only scored 6/10, this one is better. Where the others irritated my eyes, this one didn’t. The material of this mask is really thin and the serum was soothing.
Stash worthiness: 7/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Etude House 0.2 therapy Air Mask Hyaluronic Acid – $1.30 each
This mask is my favourite sheet mask that I’ve tried – it checks all the boxes for me: fit, amount of serum, and noticeable results. The more masks I try, the more they reinforce for me how much I love this one!
Stash worthiness: 10/10 Repurchase: Yes
C.O. Bigelow Cinnamint supreme 2X Lip shine – $8 for 14g
This cinnamon flavour is too strong for my liking – I prefer the more mellow scent of Vanillamint. but the formula is stellar – see my rave review on all of the flavours here.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: No
H&M Overnight Lip Rescue – $10 for 8ml
If scented or flavoured lip treatment isn’t for you, this is a wonderful alternative to the C.O. Bigelow supreme 2X Lip Shine. It has a thick formula that isn’t sticky and stays put through the night, and contains shea butter in the formula. I should mention that both this and the C.O. Bigelow have a slanted applicator opening, which I find useful.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Delon+ premium Cotton Rounds – approx $1.60 for 100 count
A staple in my skincare routine. I like how these are lint-free and have a meshy exfoliating side.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
MUJI cut Cotton White – $3.50 for a pack of 165 pcs
Detailed review here where I compare it to Shiseido’s crack cotton. It’s a dupe!
Stash worthiness: 10/10 Repurchase: Yes
The face shop Konjac cleaning Puff – $4
My favourite konjac sponge and still the best price. It’s got a soft squishy texture when wet that is super gentle on the skin. I use this in the mornings in the shower with a foaming face wash.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Body Care
Nova Scotia Fisherman original lotion – $10.95 for 100ml
I hauled this here and intended to use this as hand cream but I found it too lightweight for that purpose. I used it up as body lotion but 100ml doesn’t last very long. I used up this tube in about 2 weeks. It’s a non-greasy and hydrating lotion that has a light shea scent. next time I need to get the larger size with the pump!
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes
Dormer 211 cream – $16 for 110ml
This is such a terrific no-frills moisturizer that I’ve bought on and off for years. I used to use this on my face but I found it to be a bit too thick so I ended up using it on my feet. I recommend this if you have super sensitive and dry skin. It’s fragrance-free and contains fairly basic ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid but it does contain mineral oil and petrolatum which some people don’t care for.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes
Garnier Intensive 7 Days Soothing lotion with Honey
I was skeptical about the claim that this provided lasting hydration. Now, I don’t know about 7 days since I shower daily, but, it does provide hydration all day. Often, my skin feels itchy and tight by nighttime with other lotions so I have to reapply in the evenings but not with this one. The honey scent is lovely too – soft and comforting. Sadly, I just learned that this is discontinued. teach me to wait so long to use something!
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: No (can’t!)
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (Multi-Purpose dry Oil) – $27 for 50ml
I love this stuff for my scalp during the cold, dry months. It’s not greasy at all but provides a terrific barrier to the winter air. but I use such a tiny amount each time that I was concerned my bottle would go rancid after having it for a few years so I decided to use this up on my body. It smells like a summer vacation so it has been terrific to counteract the nasty winter we’re having. I always opt for the smaller bottle since I take so long to finish it, plus, I don’t like that the larger bottle has a spray nozzle – this one just has a hole to pour out the oil.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
The expiry has rubbed off but I think Sept 2018.
LUSH Sleepy Body lotion – $9.95 for 90g
This is meant to bring a sense of calm as a nighttime routine but I used this up as my morning lotion! normally lavender isn’t my favourite but the tonka adds a sweetness I like. This is a thicker consistency lotion so it does take some time for it to absorb into the skin. This small pot did not last me long – about 2 weeks only. contrary to popular belief, I don’t eat my body lotion, I just like to apply a liberal amount, sometimes twice daily.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Maybe
Kiehl’s Richly Hydrating Hand cream in Coriander – $20 for 75ml
I enjoy this hand cream mainly for its scent. The product itself can be slightly emollient so I can only use this at night. It’s expensive for what it is too. This tube lasted me about 3 months.
Stash worthiness: 8/10 Repurchase: Yes
The Body shop Wild rose Hand cream – $10 for 30ml
I haven’t tried TBS hand creams before and was worried it would be a greasy mess but this actually has a whipped / sorbet like texture and feels quite lightweight. When massaging into the skin though, it becomes quite thin and feels like dry oil but doesn’t absorb well into the skin. I didn’t feel my hands were well moisturized when I used this. I ended up using this on my feet at night. The rose scent was lovely though – soft and authentic.
Stash worthiness: 5/10 Repurchase: No
Bath & Body works Foaming Hand Soap in Sunshine & Lemons (LE) and Peach Bellini – $6.50 for 259ml
Lemon and peach scents are our go-to for both hand soaps and Wallflowers. I guess we’re creatures of habit.
Stash worthiness: 9/10 Repurchase: Yes
Bath & Body works Wallflower in Vanilla Snowflake and hot Cocoa & cream Refills – $6.50 each
I don’t have the hot Cocoa one to show because the SO hated it so much that it was sealed in a bag and tossed after only a week of usage. He really dislikes sweet baked type of frag