Skincare empties #8 feat. Naruko, Kiehl’s, Odacite, and more
Written By Jenny Wu on
Yes it’s time for another empties roundup, or what I like to call “how Jenny attempts to take nice pictures of trash“. Seriously, the struggle is real guys, and I apologize in advance for some of the bottles looking disgusting. A lot of products have piled up since my last empties post, so make yourself a cup of tea, grab some cookies, and let’s power through this!
Products I really enjoyed
- Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – The first facial oil I’ve tried and it’s set the bar high for all subsequent oils. It’s light, absorbs instantly, and left my skin soft and smooth. Plus the lavender scent is so relaxing in the evening!
- Naruko La Creme Face Renewal Miracle Essence* – This is still my favorite first essence to date. It feels just like water and it helps smooth my skin in the long run. Just waiting to finish the toners in my stash before I repurchase this. Full review here.
- Curology – I don’t think I can ever be without this. Between the 4% azelaic acid + 0.05% tretinoin + 4% niacinamide, it covers all my skincare needs from anti-aging to brightening + smoothing + preventing breakouts. I’m on my 2nd bottle with the same prescription. Full reviews here and here.
- Odacite Sensitive Skin Discovery Kit – The product sizes are tiny, but potent, and this made me fall in love with the brand. I now use 3 of their oils, including the Camelina + Chamomile from this kit, regularly in my routine as boosters and spot treatments.
- Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer – This is my favorite heat protectant. Not only does it make my hair smell nice, it also helps smooth and control frizz. Already on my second bottle!
- I’m From Honey Mask – I didn’t realize how much I’d miss this mask until I finished it. It’s super moisturizing and does a great job at calming irritations – perfect for dry winter months or when you’ve accidentally over-exfoliated. Just repurchased!
- Skin Actives Collagen Serum – The more I used this, the more I liked it. I feel like it really did make my skin bouncier and softer, though the scent could be a lot better. Luckily there’s a lemon-scented version which I’ll be trying soon! Full review here.
Products I liked well enough
- Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel – A typical Japanese sunscreen. It’s a bit heavier than the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence and leaves a shine on the skin. Plus it’d occasionally pill depending on the moisturizer I used beforehand. Not bad, but definitely won’t repurchase.
- Dr. Wu Intensive Whitening Serum with Vitamin C – While I liked the light + hydrating texture of this serum, sadly it did very little to actually brighten my skin. I’m starting to think my skin just hates vitamin c, if that’s even possible.
- Gobdigoun Aging Corrector Eye Cream* – I actually really liked this eye cream. It was rich without being heavy and did a great job of hydrating my drier eye area, so why isn’t it in the first list? Because it’s ridiculously expensive and you can only buy it from their Facebook page.
- Gobdigoun 24K Golden Cream Placenta Power* – Same deal as the eye cream, albeit less expensive, but also a little less amazing. Still a great cream though, and you can read the full review here.
- Naruko Rose & Botanic HA Aqua Cubic Hydrating Cream EX – This was a really fun cream to use due to its water droplet effect. Plus it smelled like roses, which was always pleasant. It did leave my skin shinier than I preferred. Full review here.
- Blossom Jeju Pink Camellia Soombi Essence Serum – Beautiful bottle and smelled amazing, but I found it a bit too heavy and sticky for my skin. Plus it didn’t really do much for my skin.
- Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo – Good thing I only bought a travel size because I got so bored with this towards the end. It’s actually a decent SLS and silicone-free shampoo, though it did leave my scalp on the drier side.
- Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo – I liked this better than the amino acid one, but not by much. I didn’t have colored hair when I was using this, so perhaps I’ll notice its effects more now that my hair is colored.
- Leaders First Ampoule Mask* – I really enjoyed the snail one, but the aqua ringer one was really meh. My favorite part of these masks is their packaging – great for storing extra essence for later use!
- Phyto Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Treatment – This was my go-to scalp treatment until I discovered the more effective and affordable Flora Remedia Lavender Hair Oil Treatment.
- Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – Low pH, non-drying, gets the job done. It’s a nice cleanser, but it really doesn’t do much beyond that, and it’s not cheap either.
Um, just no
- L’herboflore sheet masks – I love my Taiwanese sheet masks, but goodness these were disappointing. Other than providing that extra hydration, I didn’t notice any improvement in my skin. Plus they’re pricey and difficult to source. No thanks.
- Clarisonic Skin Illuminating Cleanser – Yeah, this cleanser definitely didn’t brighten my skin or fade any dark spots per its claim. Luckily I got this for free when I bought my Clarisonic Mia 2, and it least it has low pH.
- Albion Skin Conditioner Essential – To get the full effect of this toner, you’ll need to use it as a lotion mask, every night. That’s a lot considering this bottle is $60, and alcohol is way up on the ingredient list. I’ll find other ways to calm my skin, thank you very much.
- Skin Actives Antioxidant Serum – Really wanted to love this but the pump design is horrendous. The serum would come out flying each time, getting all over the bottle, my bathroom counter, and mirror. Plus I didn’t notice any improvements from using this.
- Naruko All-in-One High Potency Sunscreen – Ugh I’ve already ranted about this, but let’s just say it’s a sad pilling disappointment and move on.
- Paula’s Choice Resist Triple Action Dark Spot Eraser 2% BHA Gel – For a brand that likes to belittle on other brands via their Beautypedia site, you’d expect their products to be mind-blowing fantastic. Nope, this did absolutely nothing for my dark spots, plus it contains hydroquinone, which I’m really iffy about.
- Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation – Felt nice on the skin, but that’s about it. I found it a bit drying for winter time, so perhaps I might like this more if I used it in the summer. Oh well.
- Naruko 60 Actives La Creme EX – I don’t know if there was something wrong with my sample, but I felt like I was scooping wax out of the jar. It was so thick! Of course it took forever to spread and absorb, and was just a total nightmare to apply.
- Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment – Yes it did help with breakouts, but it also felt like I was burning off my face! Pain ≠ pleasure people!
Hopefully your tea kept you awake through all my ramblings and you’ve found these mini reviews helpful. You guys deserve a big pat on the back and a hug for getting to the end, and a shoutout to Mili for the great idea of categorizing the empties. Can you imagine having to read a long list of 27 items?
Thanks as always for reading, and let me know if you’ve tried any of the above products!
Items marked with a * were provided for editorial considerations, but as always, all opinion are 100% honest and my own. This post contains affiliate links, and each purchase helps cover the cost of running this blog at no extra cost to you! Full disclosure policy
Jenny Wu
Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20's. Working regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta, CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.
Skin profile: 35+, dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨
Comments & Questions
Laura
Wow, you sure have gone through a lot of product! Don't apologize for the look of the bottles - you photograph, uh, trash beautifully! There was so many products I've been interested in some point or another, I was happy to scroll through your mini review. Especially happy to read you enjoyed the Naruko essence, as I've been looking for a more budget friendly essence after I run out of my SK-II. That Albion lotion I remember seeing in Japan multiple times, now I'm happy I never picked it up! Great post and congrats for going through so many products! It does feel like an achievement, right? At least for us beauty bloggers haha!
xx Laura / Laurantaina Beauty Blog
Jenny Wu
Haha, thank you Laura! I'm definitely happy that I was able to finish so many products (it justifies me buying them in the first place) and of course be able throw away all the empty bottles now :P
I've tried the SK-II essence and I wasn't that impressed, but that was 3-4 years ago so I wonder if my skin would feel differently now. But the Naruko one is much more affordable, so that's a win for me already. Though I didn't like the Albion lotion, I'm very curious about their milk+lotion sets!
Briana
Your comment about the empties being trash was cute! This is so helpful, I loved reading!
Briana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
Jenny Wu
Thank you Briana, glad to hear you enjoyed it! :D
belle
hahaha Jenny this is so true! I love that you said you tried to make garbage cute but it really is cute!
My main question about all these products is how long does it take for you to go through all of these?? I'm impressed either way with your arsenal! Have a great week! xx Belle, http://ringsabelle.com/10-things-brides-love-hearing/
Jenny Wu
Haha, thank you Belle! :) I'd say this batch has been accumulating for 3-4 months now, and it helps that several of these were smaller sample sizes. Hope you have a lovely week too!
LindaLibraLoca
So pretty a picture of trash, I wish mine would look half as nice. One reason why I only show them on You Tube now, the bright light maked them look better.
You have quite a few bits there, out of which I have tried... none. The Kiehls oil is on my list though, but you know the drill: Too little face for too many products.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Jenny Wu
Thank you dear! Like you said, bright light makes them look better :P
Totally agree with you, so many products to try, not enough face, hence why I rarely repurchase products!
Eleni
I haven't tried any of the products you mentioned, but I'm liking the sound of the Kiehls products a lot. It's a brand that I'm either all over or I totally forget, but they do some great skincare. I discovered Perricone MD recently and enjoying their creams, also the serum from REN. Have a great week!
www.rougenapples.com
Jenny Wu
Thank you lovely! I've had pretty good experience with Kiehl's products, and I find the reviews on their website pretty accurate too!
Perricone MD is a brand I don't hear much about, but I'm still interested in trying. Is there a particular cream you recommend?
Cat L.
Beautiful empties Jenny, you've used quite a lot of products. I always find that there's something so satisfying about going thru products and actually using what we already have. I do enjoy this kind of post as well as it's basically mini reviews highlighting the most important aspects of each product.
The Kiehl's midnight recovery treatment was my first attempt to using oils after having some not so good experiences in the past, and I tremendously enjoy it and have repurchased it countless times since. I do want to try the Odacite chamomile oil, sounds so lush and heavenly and I haven't tried anything from the brand but loved your review of their discovery set. I'm also surprised to see Paula's choice in your No category. I do agree, given that they pride themselves on reviewing other brands, you would expect a little more. Great post Jenny!
~ Cat L.
www.CatsDailyLiving.com
Jenny Wu
Thank you Cat! These products have been piling up for the last 3-4 months, so I'm glad to finally review and toss them away!
The odacite oil definitely doesn't feel as silly or light as the Kiehl's midnight recovery, but they work wonderfully when mixed in creams or with a little essence/toner. The chamomile has been a staple for me lately to help with the redness from Curology :)
As for Paula's choice, I do want to give their products another chance, especially some of their new boosters. Hopefully they'll perform better than this gel!
Keri
Omg I am dying. So many products I need to try here!
Enclothed Cognition
Jenny Wu
'Tis the life of an beauty blogger, never ending list of products to try!
Shireen L. Platt
That is a massive empties post and I love that you broke it down to what you love, like and just plain no. I love my Naruko 60 Actives La Creme and mine has smooth cream texture so you might have got a bad one. What a shame! :-( Thankfully I got Naruko sunscreen that has peptides in it and it's amazing and one of my favourite sunscreen to date. The one that you had sounds terrible!
Shireen L. Platt
ps: Forgot to add, glad to know I'm not the only one who don't understand the fuss with Fresh Soy Face cleanser, it's okay but nothing special and didn't do anything for my skin either.
Jenny Wu
Yeah, I don't see the big hype about it. Maybe people were previously using really harsh or crappy cleanser, then I can see switching to Fresh being life changing, but you can honestly say that about any good non-stripping, low-pH cleanser :/
Jenny Wu
Aww darn, I had a feeling that Naruko Creme I had was a dud. Good to know the actual product is actually decent! And yeah, asides from the sheet masks, I'm avoiding their NRK range like the plague. Which sunscreen did you get? I've always stuck to Japanese ones but they get boring after a while, haha
Amy
Omg this was so helpful. I love how you actually broke the products up into groups of YES, MAYBE, and NO. Thanks for the HONEST reviews!
xx, Amy
http://www.theluxilook.com
Jenny Wu
So glad you enjoyed it Amy, thanks for reading! :D
Maroon Caludin
Cool idea to go through your empty stuff like this! That honey mask thing seems interesting!
Jenny Wu
Thank you Maroon! The honey mask is fantastic if you have dry skin :)
Heather Noire
I love the scent of lavender! That facial sounds lovely, especially if it leaves the skin smooth. Some facials are so oily, they actually add access oil and it feels bad. Loved your review of these products. I love your honesty and photos :)
http://www.bauchlefashion.com/2017/03/stripes-with-attitude-for-spring.html
Jenny Wu
Totally agree with you Heather, I'm not a fan of oily oils (is that an oxymoron?) either, which is why this Kiehl's oil is so great. Glad you enjoyed the post! :)
Face to Curls
I haven't try many of these products but I have used up a full bottle of the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and I absolutely love it. While I like Fresh Soy Face cleanser very much, it’s a bit too hyped up I think and it didn’t do anything special for my skin either. xx
Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com
Jenny Wu
Totally agree with you on the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. I honestly don't expect much from cleansers (especially foaming cleansers) in general, since they're not meant to stay on your skin for long, which is why I'm not a fan of the high price.
Nina
Omg this was so helpful ! Thanks for the reviews, I haven't try many of these products, but I would like to try The Kiehl’s midnight recovery treatment after reading your review !
Have a great day !
Nina
xox
www.thecrispylipstick.com
Jenny Wu
Thank you Nina! So glad you found this helpful, I guess my trash picture taking efforts were not in vain, haha! Definitely recommend the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, everyone I know who has tried it has loved it, and this is coming from people with all different skin types. Hopefully you'll get great results with it too!
Blush Canvas
I love the Kiehl's facial oil as well! I haven't gotten around to repurchasing it because there are a bunch of other oils I'm trying out as well.
I love the Fresh Soy Cleanser for a second cleanse. It's not mind blowing but I mainly love it for the cucumber scent and other properties that you mentioned.
Advaita | Blush Canvas
Jenny Wu
Right? I feel like there's a new facial oil coming out everyday and I want to try them all, haha :P
Oh my gosh, for the longest time I couldn't figure out what the Fresh Soy Cleanser smelled like (clearly I don't eat enough cucumbers), because I kept expecting it to smell like soy milk and it didn't!
Samantha
"Nice pictures of trash" haha! Seriously though, I can't believe you have so many items, but I loved how you broke it down. I'm finishing up some face masks myself and I really want to try the I'm From Honey one! I have dry skin so I'm hoping it'll work really well.
Sam | My Beauty Cloud
Jenny Wu
Haha, it's true when you think about it :P This was accumulated over a period of 3 (almost 4) months, it's just easier to do a long empties post rather than short ones more frequently. The I'm From Honey one is excellent for dry skin, I think I might use it tonight!
Lisa Linh
Love the suggestions. I'm a big fan of Kiehl's and love their products!
Lisa Linh
https://www.bylisalinh.com/blog/2017/3/21/breakfast-at-montage-kapalua-bay-cane-and-canoe
Jenny Wu
Thank you Lisa! Kiel's definitely has some solid products, I want to try more in the future!
Dasynka
I haven't tried either one of these products, however, will listen to your advice and I sign some of them. The photos are beautiful even if they are products already used!
With love,
Dasynka
http://dasynka.com/
Jenny Wu
Thank you Dasynka! I try to keep the bottles clean knowing I'd have to take these empties photos later. Hope you'll get great results with those products as well!
Emily
Wow that is a lot of products! You take such great care of your products. All my empties look like they've been through a war haha. I'm dying to try some Kiehls products and that oil is at the top of my list!!
www.thinkingofmakeup.com
Jenny Wu
This was accumulated over a 4-month period, so it's not like I actually used all this up within a month :P Of all the Kiehl's products I've tried this oil is definitely my favorite (along with their eye cream)!
Camilla @Gracefulface.com
So did you feel like the Naruko Essence brightened at all? I've been using it for about 2 weeks and I haven't changed any other brightening actives that I've been using (in fact if anything I've been using less) and I feel like my skin tone has lightened to the point my BB cushion isn't matching well anymore! I noticed my freckles look more pronounced too (which happens when my base skin tone lightens)! I don't particularly want my base tone lightening but I would love it if it could take some sun spots with it.
Jenny Wu
Hmm, I didn't notice any significant brightening while using it, but now that I've stopped using it for a while, I feel like my skin looks duller. So I guess it did help brighten, and I'm just not very observant :P That's great that you're noticing pretty significant brightening, but it does kinda sucks when it's only in the base tone and not the darn sun spots!
Marina Rosie
Ah Jenny, you really made me laugh with your opening line! x The photos are gorgeous all the same, and I get what you mean about acne treatments. Being a tennager myself, I have tried several and, to me, sometimes they sting unbearably! xx
Lots of love,
Marina Rosie xx
http://marinawriteslife.blogspot.fr/
Jenny Wu
Haha, mission accomplished! :P Thank you for your kind comment Marina! I've figured out a new anti-acne routine that involves non-stinging products, will share it on the blog soon!
Stephanie
Oh man! I stopped doing empties because I was just collecting trash and I hate leaving them behind on trash day lol! You managed to make them look decent haha!
Jenny Wu
I know what you mean, and that's why I stopped doing them for a while too! It helps having a large box to put all these empties in so at least they're somewhat organized for the time being :P
Elisa L.
congrats on finishing a lot of products! i know that satisfaction of using all products up to their last drop :P
surprisingly, i like the skinaqua for my spf. i mean, well..i never really used spf before. skinaqua's my first one and i like it so far. i'm using the one dedicated for normal to oily skin though, the one with white cap instead of gold. i've never seen the old one here tbh :o
Jenny Wu
Haha, thanks! And yes, I always feel super accomplished when I finish that last drop :P Honestly I feel like you can't go wrong with Japanese SPF, they're usually really good. I don't think I've seen the one with the white cap, but I imagine it must feel really light if it's for oily skin!
Naya // The Party Parrot Blog
I love a good empties post! At first I wanted to pick one of the Kiehl's shampoos; my scalp is so sensitive and dry lately - so I guess I will pass :-P
Jenny Wu
Thank you Naya! I would definitely recommend trying to get a free sample of their shampoo first - the sunflower one wasn't bad and didn't dry out my scalp.
Heather Noire
I love this post so much! These look like interesting products. I am always careful what I try since i have sensitive skin :)
http://www.bauchlefashion.com/2017/03/80s-power-dressing.html
Jenny Wu
Thanks so much Heather! Testing different products has taken a toll on my skin, so now I try to be careful as well!