Operation Use It Up!

One of my perennial resolutions is to try to use up more of my stash before accumulating more new stuff and it's usually far easier for me to use up body care products than makeup. I tried to do a Project 5-pan challenge in January but failed to even meet my minimum target of using up a Stila lipglaze! But I did succeed in finishing these items in January so thought I'd give my quick thoughts on them.

Kiehls Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser: This is a collaboration item with Brad Pitt and made with 100% biodegradable ingredients. I found the formula to be a bit too watery but it does do a decent job of cleansing without stripping the skin. It retails for S$35 in the stores but I got my bottle free at Kinokuniya a year ago with a magazine purchase. Although I like the 100% biodegradable concept, I would not purchase this as it is just too pricey for a shower gel and I'm not a fan of the aloe vera scent.

Rituals Sunrise Foaming Shower Gel Sensation: Love, love, love this! Got this at a steal for only €3.90 on my Brussels trip last November. It foams up incredibly quickly and rinses off easily, leaving my skin scented lightly with the sweet orange and cedar aroma. I went through this bottle very quickly, in less than a month. Should have hauled more of it!

Essential Damage-care Rich Premier Shampoo: This is made by Kao and is formulated with pure honey and protein (royal jelly extract). It lathers up well, rinses easily and left my hair soft and manageable, even without following up with conditioner. I liked that it did not overly dry out my hair or leave it all tangled up. The Essential haircare line is now available at Watsons.

Lush Veganese conditioner: This vegan conditioner contains lemon for shine, seaweed for softness and herbal infusions for the scalp. I loved the citrusy scent but this conditioner was just not moisturising enough for me. I still prefer Tsubaki's conditioners over this as they leave my hair softer. My hair is quite long now (down to chest level) so I need a good conditioner to keep it tangle-free.

Vera Wang Princess Foamy Body Polish: I got this as part of a Princess fragrance set from the Luxasia warehouse sale last year. It's like a shower gel and body exfoliator combined. The gel is much thicker and more strongly fragranced than the Kiehl's Liquid Body Cleanser. It will scent up your entire bathroom! The scrubby bits are gentle yet effective. A 75ml tube lasted less than 10 uses for me.