Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by anyone.
A few weeks back I mentioned that I place a periodic order of skincare and makeup on my insta story. Many of you seemed interested why I buy my skincare in a batch and requested to see what I get. So, that’s what this post will be about!
Why I place batch orders?
I place batch orders to ensure my bathroom cabinet is always stocked with what I need. It also helps reduce the amount of time I browse in stores and prevents me from impulse buying a product that an influencer on Instagram “loves” for two minutes.
To keep my skincare hauls in check, I maintain lists of new products I want to try and existing favorites on my Feel Unique and Cult Beauty accounts online. When I notice I’m running out of my current skincare stash, I start moving items from my lists to carts until the minimum order amount is fulfilled. At most, I need three skincare hauls every year.
Why I call this haul responsible?
My July order was huge, but with an exception of two products, everything else I bought was replacing empty tubes and jars of skincare I used up since after my last skincare haul in February 2019.
I love skincare but I don’t believe in excess and waste. That’s why whatever I buy I use up unless there are adverse reactions. The products I purchased in February lasted up to six months and my current order should last until November at the very least. Where possible, I try to buy skincare in decomposable and / or recyclable packaging.
While I’m not perfect in my consumption, I would like to share the empties next to their new counterparts for my bathroom cabinet. That is just a tiny way for me to illustrate my commitment to living more intentionally.
What did I get?
Before moving on to the juicy bits, let me tell you that my skincare type is dry but acne-prone. I find it exhausting to find products for myself. Either everything causes a drought on my face or I end up with pesky little bastards that are pimples and comedones. As a general rule of thumb, I avoid pore-clogging ingredients like comedogenic oils and choose water retaining ones like hyalrunoic acid. Where possible, I prefer my skincare without fragrance, SLES, parabens and phthalates.
First Cleanse / Makeup Remover
Empty: Earth Science Chamomile & Green Tea Eye Makeup Remover
New: Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil
A first cleanse is exclusively reserved for nighttime on days I wear makeup. I loved how gentle and effective the Earth Science’s gel-formula was on my eyes, but I purchased it in the US when I visited in February (like a lot of other empties to follow) and I couldn’t find it in the Netherlands. So to replace it, I ordered the Caudalie oil whose dominant ingredient is the non-comedogenic sunflower seed oil. In the last month of using it, I’ve not noticed clogged pores and it does a decent job of removing eye makeup.
Morning Cleanse / Nighttime Second Cleanse
Empty: Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser
New: Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Both sulfur and salicylic acid suit my skin, so it’s no surprise that while I was heartbroken to learn that Eradikate was out of stock on Cult Beauty, I was happy to try the Inkey List cleanser. It’s one third the price and so far, just as effective. Three or so times a week, I combine my cleanser with a Clarisonic Mia 2 at nighttime for a more thorough cleanse and gentle exfoliation. So, I also replaced my old, mucky Clarisonic deep cleansing brushhead with a new one.
Sunscreen
New: Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++
I’ve used the Clinique sun cream for at least three years now. It’s effective and doesn’t leave a white cast. BUT, it clogs my pores and uses chemical UVA/UVB filters. I’ve been on the hunt for a mineral sunscreen that won’t clog my pores or leave a white cast. After incredible amounts of research, I finally found a perfect match in this Kiehl’s bottle!
Morning Serum / Moisturizer
Nighttime Moisturizer
Some nights I combine Tidal with the Sunday Riley Luna Night Oil, which I didn’t order because I use it quite sparingly. I’ve only finished one third of a 15ml bottle I bought in February.
Exfoliators
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Physical:-
Empty: Ole Henriksen Walnut Scrub
New: Frank Body Creamy Scrub
Considering how dry my skin is, I absolutely love exfoliating. I’ve been using the FAB Facial Radiance Pads (glycolic + lactic acid) since June of 2015 when my NYC roommate and college friend introduced me to them. They keep my skin glowy and free of flakiness without causing sensitivity. I use them at least five nights a week, and so of course I restocked my empty jar of them.
Every other morning, I like to use a physical scrub too. I’ve almost finished up the Ole Henriksen one I bought in February, therefore got the Frank Body Creamy Scrub as a replacement. I’ve not yet used the new one so can’t comment. But the empty blue one won my heart. It is the right amount of intensive and grainy – so much like my previous favorite Brillianty Brightening Scrub from Acure. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find either of them in the Netherlands anymore! I hope the Frank Body one is as good if not more.
Treatment
I have raved about The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid so when I ran out of my first bottle I had to repurchase. I only use it at nighttime as a spot treatment if I’ve pimples. It shrinks them pretty much overnight.
Face Mask
Empty: Sukin Charcoal Mask
New: Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
At any given time, I like to have at least one detoxifying mask in my cabinet. For the last year or so, I used the Sukin one. It’s good but considerably drying. So when I finished the jar, I checked my wishlist for clarifying masks and decided to give the Caudalie one a try. I’m obsessed!! It’s effective and smells great too.
New Additions
The Fresh Sugar Lip Polish and Skyn Eye Gels are new additions that have not replaced any empties. I wanted to indulge in a lip scrub to see if that would help reduce cracked lips! The eye gels because I’ve been exhausted with moving homes and early mornings (to study for my professional exams or work on my blog and Instagram posts). I’ve not tried either of them yet so can’t comment, but follow along on insta stories for updates!
For 10 pounds off your Cult Beauty order and free shipping, use this link. For 15% off your first Feel Unique order, use this link. Both are “Refer a Friend” links and I make no commission if you use them!
If you’ve questions or feedback, leave them in the comments and have a great week ahead!