Here's an old mini empty of MISSHA's Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence thats peeling like crazy. I have no idea which generation this is given I've no idea when I got my hands on it. I do know that it has been living in my travel kit, which I didn't do so much.
Finally got to watch interstellar on IMAX at 2025 at SM Mall of Asia.
NO REGRETS, worth the ~ Php 1,000 for premium seats bought online (to ensure the best seats in the house).
For those interested in buying, the website is buggy but try to purchase tickets online beforehand to get the best seats. I strongly suggest going to MOA for the best experience. Don't buy at the concessionaire if you get premium: it comes with a free giant softdrink and popcorn. Empty your bladder beforehand.
Just sit back, relax and enjoy a 3 hour masterpiece.
I've been super late to the game given that this was promoted to high heaven years ago but I finally bought and finished a bottle of D'Alba White Truffle First Spray Serum.
It isn't just me... there is a lot of viral illnesses around and I think I've been affected.
Whenever I feel the beginnings of an illness, I turn to this giant bottle of mouthwash: Betadine gargle.
Does it work? It helps. Its an antiseptic of povidone-iodine 1% that I gargle to head off and sooth a sore throat or sniffle. However, I use it exclusively when unwell because well....
You know something is to good to be true sometimes but you check to see if it could be a hidden gem?
A total fail was this Hand Cream from the Bath Lab.
This was actually purchased by M but she said it was a pass for her... and gave it to me instead.
I ended up finishing it to save it but its not something worth purchasing, IMO. Not sure how much this was bought for but its currently Php 63 on shopee.. and on sale for good reason.
While cost per ml is low, it's a light lotion that's only advantage is that it comes in a convenient tube.
There are far better options out there. Use it if free but don't bother buying.
Used a bunch of different face masks this year, mostly because summer was terribly hot and working my way through my stash.
1. Common Labs Gglutamin C Real Gel Mask - current formula already unavailable so idk. 2 part mask: 1 calamine peeling pad then 1 cupra sheet mask. Used when face was super hot and instant cooling and soothing. Would have repurchased on sale.
A very late empty and gifted repurchase: Shiseido's Complete Cleansing Microfoam is the little luxury I've been using in 2024... and will continue to use this 2025.
Bought this a while back since I was on the market for a mist and this caught my eye. Soul Apothecary's Radiant Boost Essence was a 100 ml mist I was eager to try.
Why? First ingredients: Panax Ginseng Root Water, Glycerin and Niacinamide. The rest of the actives were a bunch of extracts but these were key.
Emptied out this year a femwash: pH Care Natural Protection.
Actually bought this because it was a new variant from a brand I used before and thought I'd never go back to.
And in the end...
Took me forever to finish but I finally finished the OLD formulation of Hada Labo Gokujyun Alpha Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen + Elastin Lotion.
Here's why I won't be buying this again.
I've tried the white and the gold versions previously as I like their texture better. I bought this because I thought I'd need to step up my "anti-aging game" but I ended up using this the least. This lotion is thicker and a slight bit tackier so you can only put on one layer... and 1 layer isn't enough for me. I ended up using it over a more hydrating toner. I couldn't also see a long term benefit to this since I wasn't using it as consistently as I would want.
Additionally, I bought it here in the PH from a supplier and... it was more than twice its cost in Japan. So it was a fair bit more expensive than what it ought to be.
I think that it's a decent product for its SRP. But given its costing here, I'd rather get something that will give me more value at the price I paid.
Those who have access to this at local pricing may want to try this but it's a pass for me.
Take this with a teaspoon of salt, because I'm not sure I'm fully able to do this justice given the late hour and my terrible experience with some absolutely inconsiderate theater goers, but here are my thoughts about the new ballet of Ballet Manila: Florante at Laura.
I don't know how I ended up with this, but I've been trying to finish up some things I've had lying around and this bottle of foot powder was one of them.
I've been using it for half a year and it's already empty because...
There really isn't much to say about it. It does control wetness and odor but I don't notice any cooling.
Does what it needs to do. That's all.
I've been trying to cut down on my disposables so I've tried to cut down on disposable liners. But I have found that I do need them for the life I lead.
I've tried a bunch of local liners but I've always gone back to Carefree, despite their higher price tag because I've found them relatively cost-effective.
I gravitate to the super dry for long days and tea tree when I'm close to my period. Other liners are just too expensive and cheaper liners tend not to last or end up ruining underwear with their adhesive.
I just wish the big packs came in non-individual packs. A 40 piece pack usually costs between 100-110 pesos. I usually try to get them on sale.
Finished a bunch of these 2nd quarter 2024. These particular masks are gone but I think they've been repackaged and reformulated. I MIGHT try the new ones but I still have a good amount of my stash to get through so...
Anyway, really loved these blemish care masks by Some By Mi. They're very brightening (glow for days after) and help control my acne. The mask is soaked in product, though you get very little extra juice.
This mask is STRONG. I can only use it arounds once a week but I did love it every single time I usec it.
Bought it for less than a dollar each as I purchased them close to expiration. Love the effect at that price point but may have to stick to serums for cost effectiveness if I do see these at 3 dollar per piece price point. Super worth it though if I did have the funds for a special occasion.
Trying to go through my pile of empties from 2024, one product at a time since I'm ashamed to have prioritized a cleanser I've used once over things I have owned and emptied.
To start with: something I've gone through like water was Face Republic's Vita Glow Niacin Toner (bought after emptying an Inisfree toner I've yet to review). It was a clear liquid in a yellow bottle with an easy open flip top cap.
It feelt like water on the skin on first contact: very lightweight, slightly hydrating with no tackiness despite the glycerin base. Also with no stinging on application close to the eye. Initially, I thought there was no effect but I did see a visible brightness after a week of consistent twice daily use of one layer and a decrease in tendency to acne. I tried to increase application to two laters but noted my skin became more sensitive after so stuck at that single layer applied twice daily. YMMV but I've found it a brightening toner that I can use under a moisturizer/more hydrating serum and sunscreen so it really works as advertised.
Sadly, I not so accidentally exposed this to the sun so I saw some crystal formation by the final third of its lifespan... and thus relegated it to neck hydration - for which I could only tolerate once daily application.
I think I bought this near retail at Php 450 -500 but it often goes on sale. It's currently less than Php 400 or USD ~7 for a whopping 160 ml of niacinamide plus ascorbic acid.
Would recommend this who want brightness on a budget. Just don't leave it out in the sun.
Just had a quick try of this make-up remover from Ellana.
TLDR: Happy to try but glad I didn't buy. Then again, seems like it's no longer available.
Emptied out this emergency purchase of a deodorant/antiperspirant: Old Spice: High Endurance Anti-perspirant/Deodorant.
At 246 php (~4.5 USD), this was not cheap but lasted a good while (around 6 months) used 2x a week. I bought this since I need a heavy work anti-perspirant regularly and boy, was this heavy duty. On me, its antiperspirant effects lasted around 36-40 hours (granted I layer this over another antiperspirant). Its scent lasted around 24 hours - which may not be to your taste since the it leans masculine. Not a problem if using sleeves though.
However, even with sparing use, I've found it does leave marks on clothes, which are a big chore to remove. It's not yellow, leaning white. But it IS there and needs a good scrub or two.
I would not repurchase this but those who really do need a reliable anti-perspirant and don't mind the extra work may see the value in this.
Still have a lot of empties to mini review(?) Or toss.
In the meantime, here are my often emptied items...
1. Medicated shampoo. Seb derm is real.
2. Feminine wash: lactacyd forever.
3. Mouthwash: colgate. No particular attachment but always have one in my bathroom.
4. Toothpaste: sensodyne supremacy
IDK how people empty so much. I only have one body.
Finished up this really old tub of hair spa. Took me a while since I lost and rediscovered it. Not available anymore, I think. I liked the scent and using it as a lightweight conditioner.
Are there better products, yes. But this was fun and inexpensive.
Just goes to show that you can use the haircare products from Daiso.
Here I am trying to both record all thoughts about and trying to throw away my empty bottles of stuff again. Hopefully, these mean more short reviews.
One of my cleanser empties for last year: KBK Acne Foam Defense Wash
I haven't done a pad post recently, but to update: I have been using a mixture of cloth pads and disposable pads. For the latter, while I still love Sofy pads for security, with the rising cost of everything, there has been 1 undisputed pad for me for 2024: Charmee's All Night Long Pads.
Finally got to watch my first show this year, and to my regret, it was not Miss Saigon. It was the Parokya ni Edgar musical: BURUGUDUY STUN STUGUDUN STUY.
To summarize what I think of this show: It's high value production crack (fiction).
3 Sunscreens I've been using this 2024
I've picked up an order for new sunscreens, but here are what I've used recently and my short thoughts about them:
It's summer again, and I've officially transitioned fully into using cold showers (which I hate 90% of the time), which is a necessity at this weather.
Part of what I do to stay cool is to use an umbrella, shouting out to fibrella - remember to use UV coated umbrellas- as well as seeking out as much shade as I can. I ought to use shades as well but where I currently live, that gives far too much attention.
However what I've used this summer more than any other method to stay cool is to use sheet masks. Yes, I do still consider them as guilty pleasures. But it's really been so hot and I've just been keeping a bunch in the fridge and popping one on at the end of a long day and it does a lot to cool my face and really destress.
I've never been one to sheet mask regularly because of the environmental impact and the impact on my wallet but … it's just been crazy hot. I've been trying to use cheaper masks and those that come in packs to offset but I end up using a mask every 2 to 3 days. The good thing is I'm finally using up some of my super old face masks. The bad is that I'm buying more now.
Anyway, I still wouldn't recommend using an active sheet mask daily - soothing masks are ok unless they're heavy. If I use an active mask too frequently: my face starts to sting. If use a hydrating mask too frequently: bumps from the heaviness. I've found the cheaper daily masks work well enough since my main goal is to cool down and soothe my skin. Added bonus as a lazy girl: just top off with a moisturizer and I'm done for the day.
An old, new find of mine for the year is Ever Bilena's (EB PLUS) Serum Tinted Lip Balm in Naked.
Did I need a new lipstick, no. Did I need a new lip balm, yes. And it seems I got both.
As I was throwing away an empty of a L'oreal Hair Mask, I wondered why I fell out of love with it. I had always had a L'oreal hair mask in rotation for the longest time but didn't feel the need for a restock for a while.
But then I realized : my hair was very healthy- barely bleached and amodimethicone was the key ingredient in these masks. Amodimethicone, a silicone that works very well for damaged, processed hair, was a normal, lightweight silicone for healthy hair. And that was why I felt these masks did nothing for me now.
So for those with healthy hair, you probably don't need this ingredient in your hair care, but YMMV.
This is what's been finished:
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea
Fresh citrusy and clean. I've been using this for more than a decade. Really like this for daily use but it's time to move on after X number of bottles.
Bulgari Omnia Crystalline
Floral to clean on me. I liked this but it's too expensive and doesn't last long enough for me to justify a full bottle.
Fireplace by Scent Therapy PH
Starting my "dupe" journey with this. Compared to the original, this is a lot sharper on the opening but I like the dry down more: it's very warm and cozy afterwards.
I'm only starting to venture into other fragrances and I think I'll be going into clone houses etc moving forward since I can't justify insane prices right now.
Tried out all the variants of L'Or Essenso coffee available in the Philippines. Prices can,vary where you get them and both 8 and 20 stick packets are available. I bought mine for 163 per pack with 8 sachets per pack not including shipping.
Recently came back from a quick trip to Taiwan and this is a short guide of how to speedrun things if you're short of time. For disclosure, this trip from the Philippines costed around USD 1000 per person for two people. Things may become cheaper or more expensive depending on when and where you book your flights and accommodation, and what food you eat. Mine was relatively more expensive given that this was a last minute trip with booking decided less than a month prior to departure on peak season.
Recommendations before going to Taipei:
Listing some of the masks I've used over the year and how I feel about them. I've only saved one of each but I've used most of them several times.
Most of these are already discontinued, I think but it takes me a while to finish and review products now.
Late to the game, but one of my best finds for the year has to be Oxecure's Acne Clear Facial Cleanser.
It's an empty now after around two months of daily use and I'm itching to buy the jumbo size (as soon as I empty another cleanser, which I will hopefully eventually review).
I didn't have high hopes for this but this caught my eye as I was on a hunt for something other than Neutrogena for a salicylic acid wash. And since it came as a 50 ml bottle for Php 199 (a nice trial size), I decided to purchase it, ingredients unseen... and was I pleasantly surprised.
I've finally decided to throw these since I've yet to find the time/desire to properly review these products because they're very boring basic empties.
Granted I do have other empties which will hopefully make their way around but let's just get these out of the way.
1. Assorted medicated actives- get to a derm/doctor. SUPER boring but they work.
2 Betadine Feminine Wash Foam- I thought I'd be a Lactacyd girl forever but the texture of these are a real treat. Very light and fresh I finished up the calendula and I'm keen to try the others.
3. Sensodyne Whitening Repair Toothpaste- HG 5ever.
4. Dandrex Anti-dandruff shampoo- an active for my flakey scalp. Won't go back to this. It is way too mild and does nothing.
5.Betadine hydrocolloid dressing- forever emptied (I think I've used 2 this year already) for my zits. Effortful but cheap.
6. Neutrogena Visibly Clear- a facial wash I've gone back to so many times.
The end.
Some people are naturally blessed with odor-free armpits. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. However, I have here a quick guide to keeping those armpits smelling fresh however long you need them.
First things first, these all have antiperspirant components. I've found that while deodorants smell cute, they don't last long once you start sweating if you naturally have the bacteria that turns your sweat into nuclear weapons. I've found that deodorants only work on me if I nuke my pits beforehand so it's inhospitable to life - and that leads to irritation and skin darkening so I've abandoned that route.
If you are the type of person that eschews antiperspirants, you had best be washing those pits frequently and reapplying deodorant as you go. Clean and sanitize your stick (or use a deodorant that's hard to contaminate) between each use, and ideally between armpits, as to avoid trapping bacteria there that will turn your deodorant into an actual source of stink.
But before applying product on your pits, you'd better clean them beforehand. Ideally, remove hair there since hair grabs on to things like dirt and sweat and oil. If you're not into that then just make sure to make sure its as clean as possible. I use regular soap but some prefer using astringents, acids and antibacterials. I've found that these more aggressive products work but can be too irritating so I've limited using those options only if I really do need that extra safety net. Pits should be completely dry unless you're using an alum stick as I do most days.
Just right after bathing, I use an antiperspirant. My daily driver is the Deonat Mineral Deodorant Stick since I can use it in the shower as a base before using another pit product. I love that it's cheap and lasts a crazy long time.
I also really like using the Fresh Sgt. At Arms (old reformulation) as a single use product on "light days" where it's not too hot or I'm not expecting to be out a lot. I've yet to try the newer formulation in newer packaging since I'm hesitant to pull the trigger because it looks like a very big price increase from before. It's now similar in price to the Snoe Beauty spray antiperspirant as well which I did like until the nozzle began to fail at the end of its life.
On 24 hours days I'll use a cream deodorant-antiperspirant combo like Dove Deodorant Dry Serum on top of my potassium alum Deonat base. On crazy sweaty days and 36 to 48 hours days I'll use a more heavy option like Secret Platinum Protection. I have a tried a few prescription strength products but I've found that they're very expensive and a bit overkill in terms of anti-perspirants strength and not very friendly to my skin health generally as they tend to stink. As I'm less likely to use them, they've all eventually expired. I think those with a more hyperhidrosis problem causing stink may benefit from prescription level products and I'm just not one of them.
Lastly, at the end of the day, I sniff my shirts (gross, but necessary) to see if any areas are stinky. I'll pretreat those spots with soap and/or colorsafe bleach to make sure I get rid of the stink that can be a source of smelly sauce even if my actual armpit skin smells fine. It also helps decrease the chances of unfavorable bacteria winning the war in the warzone that is the armpit.
I hope this helps someone out there.
Bought the HARU HARU Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner last year because of the hype and the stunning packaging but didn't consistently use it because when I opened the bottle, it was 1. Fragranced 2. Stung my eyes.
Thus it sat on my desk until I found my skin to be dehydrated since it was my only hydrating toner on hand.
HARU HARU did release an unscented version but I had dehydrated skin an this giant 150ml bottle so I decided to use it up. Here are my thoughts:
Not much posting going around for me this year and this might be the trend for a while since my current self has zero work-life balance and because of that I've been having 1) less time for self care therefore leading to 2) more skin problems.
It's a vicious cycle and because of that, I've been using a lot of prescription strength products that are very bottom shelf and I'm hesitant to tout because we all know that the internet is not the best place for medical advice.
I'll try to review the products I've finished this year that aren't prescribed since I've still managed to finish a few things despite my abysmal skin care habits for the year.
Here's hoping I can commit to that.
Getting back into bar soaps since 1. I've run out of back ups of my favorite shower gel and 2. bar versions have become more popular lately because of the eco trend things.
This bar was given to me by mother and I find that it's halfway between a regular bar soap and a dove bar in terms of moisturizing, lathering and how long the bar lasts if kept in a moist environment.
Sadly, I will not recommend this in place of either since it somehow dries my hands like crazy despite being non-drying for other parts of my body. Lotion is a must after I use this soap, and that's a sign for me that it's a bit too harsh.
I know a lot of people like it and use it, I myself like the shea and chamomile-like scent but as something with "shea buttermilk" in the title described as a moisturizing Bath Bar, I'm disappointed with the performance.
I'll use this up for waste reasons, but in the future, if offered, I'd pass this on.
This one never really took of to my knowledge, but for those who want to try less popular Korean brands, Cos De Baha may be something you're looking for if you're on a budget and want "The Ordinary" - like products: meaning good value for money with active ingredients.
As for me, I picked up their PT Ma. Peptide Facial toner with Hyaluronic Acid and 3 peptides ( Palmitoyl Tripeptide -1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide -7 and Acetyl Hexapeptide -8. Picked this up because this was less than Php 600 (~$12) for a whopping 200 ml. This is not one of their more popular products. And after a few months of use I have my thoughts on why.
I've been dead and empty - and empty-less for a few months, but one I've almost finished (before my tragic loss of said product) is the Thyra Lip Oil I've been using for a few months.
This came as a recommendation from C, and I'm glad I bought it.
AKA Old, emptied favorites.
A recent break-out has shown me the wisdom of repurchasing the good things in life. As such even though it's been a bit boring, I'm trying to do what's best for my skin. Here are the things I've been using like crazy AND emptied, starting with complete empties.
Given to me by C and I'm glad I got to try it. This is an empty but it was a green soap that would murder my face. However, it's excellent both for acne prone skin on the body and as a solution to prevent those nasty odors coming out from exercising. That is, if that is a problem for you.
This product contains coconut oil as a first ingredient. Then water, sodium hydroxide and fragrance before its touted extracts: bearberry, rosehip oil, papaya extract and mastic gum and rounding off with some preservatives and colorants.
I did a menstrual pad review a long while back then semi-transitioned to reusable pads. It took me a while but I've finally run through my stash of Sofy pads and I can now form my thoughts about them.
Though I don't have pictures this time, I've been using:
1. Sofy Comfort Nite 35.5 cm
2. Sofy Comfort Nite 42.5 cm
3. Sofy Cooling Fresh 35 cm
And of the three, there's one I won't be repurchasing.
I haven't used a foundation in a while. Because masking and the resultant acne has made me wary of using base products, it just doesn't seem worth it. So now instead of using a foundation, I've been heavily spot concealing since it's been needed because of my foundation use causing a previous break out. Cry.
Thankfully, while my current concealer isn't mask proof. It doesn't break me out. 100 points. And what have I been using for the past year? The Saem's Cover Perfection Tip Concealer.
But a warning for users.
I have officially ended my official one-month (October) no-buy for 2021. Because let's face it. November's 11.11 is something I probably won't be passing up. Or Black Friday. Idk. But before that, let's talk about things I should not have purchased this 2021.
There are only a few of them, thankfully. But I have all the regrets.
I was actually going to do a long post about this, but then I saw Fresh Formula is closing down!
Suffice to say, I've been loving their Daily Dose low pH cleanser, as you may have seen in my previous skin care routine.
I think this is another thing that's being discontinued... thankfully, I have another in my stash so I won't be running out any time soon.
For gentle, exfoliating goodness, I recommend Betadine Natural Defense Body Wash in Pomegranate.
I've been travelling again and not seeing the sun so this has been my most minimal skincare routine that I've actually been pretty happy with.
Review to follow if ever but... if you're interested
I'm too scared to go to a gym right now. And like most people, I've turned to home workouts, mostly on YT. And despite the free workouts, I've been too cheap to shell out for home workout things.
It took me a long while to start using weights. And knowing that I was unsure about them, I decided to use water bottles as my weights. I started at 350 ml then at 500 ml. Yes, very low. But all I could really use for the things I was doing.
It took me a while to get to 1L or 2.2 lbs. Because I didn't want to go up and I had a hard time finding a water bottle I could grip comfortably. But I finally did.
These Refresh 1L bottles are very easy to grip. You have to use it with your index and thumb in the depression, so sometimes the bottle is upside down, but I've screwed it on tight and taped it jusr in case.
I've been using these for a while and am on the look-out if some 1.5L and 2L bottles may be good alternatives. Before I look at actual dumbells.
