Yesterday, Sunday, I left home in a great hurry, to catch the bus, followed by mini bus, to visit my friends at a reasonably distant parish.
After enjoying the gathering - meeting, Mass, food, presentation, a lot of photo-taking - I headed over to a mall looking for some pick-me-ups. With a fixed humble budget that I set for myself, I challenge myself to buy the least products that can make me regain well-being and confidence for the family dinner that follows. I had some things in mind, and after struggling for couple
Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Cleansing & Toning Wipes $39 (25 wipes)
I need to reward myself with a huge jar of bubble tea, as I didn't cave in the buy 2 get X% off discount, and just got one pack of this stuff. As I needed something to clean off the oil and dirt accumulated throughout the day, wipes seem to be a good choice. These TTWH ones along with the Sensitive ones are the cheapest, and being present in a very humid, very hot Summer made me gear towards these. So far, find this non-irritating and non-drying. Doesn't smell very tea tree nor witch hazel, but with a faint (artificial) fragrance. Potential Rating: Just Jacq
Cosmoses Smoothing Auto Eyebrow "2 Gray Brown" $24
My brow addiction made me believe that I look like a ghost without doing something with my eye brows. Perhaps untrue, but that drove me to buy this. My criteria of picking it, include - spoolie brush attached, - the cheaper the better, - packaging isn't too flimpsy. This twist up pencil with an oval lead ticks all boxes, with one big flaw (and a small one). The shade is too warm (red), despite it being called "gray brown". However, the major problem is the texture is too creamy and soft; I much prefer a more waxy and drier pencil lead. Potential Rating: Non Jacq
Dariya Set Up Lip Treatment $49 (10 g)
Considering the lip product stash at home, I hesitated to procure any more lip colour, which I have little chance of revisiting, and finishing. Therefore I opted for this slightly tinted lip serum/gloss, which I have had good experience with. I own the Extreme Rich Lip Treatment from this same brand, and like it a lot too. Just used this a handful of times, already liking this one a big lot! Potential Rating: Black Jacq
Media Treatment Foundation A3 "OC-C1" $77 (11.5 g)
I confess, I spent way too long in that Sasa debating whether I should get a cream foundation compact, concealer, liquid foundation, 2 way compact foundation, mineral loose powder, or a plain pressed powder/foundation. Yes, even within that small shop, and within my tight budget (I set it as $200 for this whole challenge), I have too many choices. #firstworldproblem Anyway, I finally bought this because it says it has SPF20, PA++, suitable for all seasons, long-lasting, pore-covering, smooth, collagen and hydration, gentle mineral particles, etc. Verdict? This shade is slightly pale, which I can still work with. The texture is smooth but a hint drying. Does cover pore and doesn't accentuate flakes. Compact is also neat and look nice, especially at its price point. Potential Rating: Joyeux Jacq