January & February 2026 Empties
* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*
1. Daewoong EasyDerm Quick Calming Magnesium Patches (10 patches) source: Amazon.ca thoughts: I absolutely love these, as they really do work and help reduce the size of those bumpy pimples that don't have a head. I definitely feel like it works better at night compared to during the day. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*
2. treecell Day Collagen Shampoo Morning of Resort (360ml/12.17oz) source: Olive Young Korea thoughts: This brand has been on my list for a while. I finally got around to purchasing this and I absolutely love the scent of this. I decided to get the morning one rather than the night because I typically wash my hair in the afternoon. It has a subtle floral scent that almost smells like a kind of tea to me, which I don't mind at all. If they sold a perfume of this scent I would totally get it. I do find that this does clean my hair well and doesn't strip it too much. rating: ***
3. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil: 04 Pitaya & 08 Strawberry source: Sephora thoughts: I got this in a mini trial set. In the bottle the Pitaya color is a very bright pink that I thought it wouldn't look that great. But to my surprise it was actually really nice. It was a my lips but better kind of tint on my lips which was really nice. The same for the Strawberry, but gave my lips of a more deeper red color. rating: ***
4. Unleashia Shaper Defining Eyebrow Pencil: No.2 Kraft Brown source: YesStyle/Stylevana thoughts: My all time favourite eyebrow pencil. I like the color and the formulation. It goes on really easily plus the fact that you don't have to sharpen it at all is a plus. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*
5. Vichy Dercos Dermo-Soothing Shampoo (200ml) source: London Drugs thoughts: This shampoo was okay. It didn't really relieve my condition but it also didn't agitate it either. A little does go a long way as I typically use this as my second wash. I do double cleanse my scalp which I find helps with my dandruff/flakes situation and get rids of most of it compared to just cleansing once. This also smells really nice. rating: ***
6. Flexitol Scalp Relief Serum (60ml) source: Shoppers Drug Mart thoughts: I got this on a whim as I was searching for a shampoo that would help relieve the itchiness on my scalp. This does temporarily relieve it and provides a cooling sensation due to the menthol. However once that cooling sensation subsides I find that my scalp starts itching again or I feel discomfort. rating: *
7. Glamfox Rice Niacinamide Toner (500ml/16.9oz) source: Winners/Home Sense/ Marshalls thoughts: This was okay. I bought this because it was inexpensive. $10 CAD, and for the amount you get. This lasts me about half a year using it day and night. I felt like this didn't do much for my skin. This has a very light floral scent to it. I have seen this a few times at Winners, the packaging is a little different but still says 500ml but to me it seems less, as the bottle is shorter but also slightly more wider/rounder. rating: **
8. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner (1.5ml) source: sample thoughts: I thought this sample wouldn't be enough to soak up my cotton pad, but surprisingly it was enough. This did have a slightly thicker texture compared to toners I usually use. It was nice and moisturizing and I would like to try this toner more in-depth in the future. rating: n/a
9. Mediheal Collagen Ampoule Pad source: sample thoughts: I actually have the full size of this and can't wait to use them especially after trying this sample out. I love the pad of this one and it was very nicely moisturized. rating: n/a
10. IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot (50ml) source: Amore Global thoughts: I don't know why I repurchased this. It wasn't the best, I didn't really see much of a result, as I was looking for something that would hydrate my skin. However, it did feel smoother and more elastic and possibly less swelling but my face rarely swells. I shall see when I try it again. rating: ***
11. ILLIYOON fresh moisture lotion (350ml) source: Stylevana thoughts: I've had this in my stash for a while and it was coming close to it's expiration date. I wished I tried it earlier instead of using aloe. This was thin, light, and gel-like similar to aloe and it smells nice and refreshing. I find it has a light citrus scent which I love. I really like this product and even though this lotion is thin it provided enough moisturization, even for the colder months. I would love to try this during the warmer months and see if it can be an all-year product for me. rating: ****
12. Holitual Radiance Firming Ritual source: Amore Global Sample thoughts: This was a sample set that contained the whole ritual of Holitual, unfortunately I wasn't able to use one of the steps. Other than that it was a pretty good ritual, it kind of felt like a routine you would get at a spa. But I can't say if there are results since it does take more than one application or continuous use to see results. rating: ~
13. Missha Time Evolution The First Essence 5X (150ml/5.07oz) source: Costco Korea thoughts: I do like this product and I decided to get this because I saw it at Costco in Korea for a really good price. It is a nice essence and one of the original K-beauty product. But I do like exploring products most of the time, hence I like rotating favourites along with new products. rating: ***
14. Marvis Toothpaste: Classic Strong Mint (75ml/3.8oz) source: T&T Supermarket thoughts: So far I think I like the taste of this one more. The Jasmine Mint one does have the jasmine taste to it but I don't think I really like it as a toothpaste. Overall, I'm really liking this brand of toothpaste. rating: ****
15. Hanyul Pure Artemisia Calming pH-Balance Toner (18ml) source: Amore Global Sample thoughts: This one has a scent that reminds me of a type of candy that I've had before but I can't recall what exactly. The texture of this is also different from most toners. It has a very slight gel texture to it. It's like water runny but with a slight hint of gel, almost the texture you get when jello is slowly starting to set. I do like the texture of this but I'm not a big fan of the scent of this. rating: **