Review: Sephora Strawberry Creamy Body Wash

I've reviewed 2 of these body washes before, the toffee one (see the review here) and the vanilla one (see that review here), and I bought full size tubes of those, but I wasn't sure I was going to like the strawberry scented body wash as much, so I only bought 2 travel size capsules of those. Which actually turned out to be lucky, because I in fact did not like this scent as much.

The texture is nice though, just like it was when I tried the other scents, and while I have read some criticism regarding the capsules, such as that they would be hard to open, I can't really say I agree with that, because I opened the ones I used with wet, slippery hand, and had no issues what so ever. The only complaint I might have is that there wasn't really enough of the stuff in the capsule for a full, thorough body wash (I use a lot of soap when I shower, though), so I guess I would have wanted the capsule to be bigger.

I would definitely buy Sephora's body washes, as well as these capsules again, but since this particular scent wasn't so nice (my personal opinion), I would probably go for another scent next time.

Review: Sephora Toffee Creamy Body Wash

When I reviewed Sephora's Vanilla scented Creamy Body Wash yesterday, I mentioned that I had gotten the same product, with a few different scents as well. The scent I actually thought I would like the most is the toffee one, since I love anything toffee, but sadly, the toffee scent wasn't very strong in this body wash. I mean, it does have a vague toffee scent, but not a scent that lingers for very long, and I have also tried better toffee body washes in the past (while the Sephora Vanilla Body Wash is probably the best vanilla one I've ever tried), so I definitely prefer the vanilla one over the toffee one.

That said, the Sephora Toffee Creamy Body Wash is just as nice as the vanilla one otherwise, besides the scent, that I do believe could be improved. The texture is nice, the packaging user friendly and nice, and price was pretty decent too. So if you are into lighter toffee scents, this could definitely work for you!

I definitely think I will be getting more of these body washes in the future too, but I might skip the toffee scent, since it wasn't really that much to my liking...

Review: Sephora Vanilla Creamy Body Wash

I think I've mentioned before on the blog that there isn't a Sephora where I live, which is why I make sure to always visit Sephora while traveling. And when I saw several Sephora stores in Athens, Greece, while traveling recently, I did not make an exception to this rule. Instead, I went in and bought quite a few things. I will be reviewing several of them here on the blog, of course, but let's start with Sephora's own Vanilla Creamy Body Wash.

Now, due to my previous, rather unpleasant experiences with Sephora's own products, you might think I would steer clear of their products these days, but I have to say this is not the case, since Sephora always seems to come up with new, really appealing products somehow. Like the Sephora Vanilla Creamy Body Wash, as it happens.

You see, I love vanilla in any shape or form. I love to eat it, smear it on myself and even spray it on myself when I can (even though I haven't really ran into a very good vanilla perfume for a long time). And when I visited Sephora, I actually needed a new body wash, since I had ran out of my old ones. So this seemed like a really sensible purchase to me!

And it actually really was! Because not only does this body wash smell delicious, and exactly like vanilla, it is a really pleasant product to use too. The texture is nice, a little goes a long way with this body wash, and I think the scent lingers for quite some time, which I really like.

So I would definitely get this one again! I also bought the same body wash in some other scents as well, but I haven't had a chance to try those yet, so let me get back to you when I have...

Review: Sephora Creamy Body Wash

As you may know if you read my previous Sephora reviews, this is not a brand I am very impressed with. But their Creamy Body Wash is actually quite good! Not for body washing purposes, per se (I find most body washes are quite similar, actually, so I find it hard to say that any of them are really outstanding compared to others) but it's a great body wash to use when you want to shave your legs! It's creamy, rather thick, and has a rather neutral scent, which is nice, if you want to follow up with another wash afterwards, with a scent you like more (that's what I do, as you may have guessed).

The size of the packaging is quite good too. This is a travel size product, and I like it because you can use it several times, yet it still won't take up too much room in your luggage. So quite perfect, really!

So while this body wash is not very unique or mind blowing in any way, I would still recommend it, since I do think it comes in very handy while travelling.

Review: Sephora Instant Depuffing Eye Mask

The Sephora Instant Depuffing Eye Mask is supposed to fight signs of fatigue around your eyes "better than a nap". While I actually always prefer a nap to any eye mask, there are occasions where you don't have time for one, so how does this eye mask help in those cases?

I would say it's better than no mask at all, but the effect it gives you is not very dramatic. It does make your eyes look slightly more alert and rested, but one should not expect miracles. The mask also has a nice cooling sensation, that I really liked, and this eye mask is packed in a really convenient wrapper that makes it perfect to take with you on trips. So if you are looking for an eye mask that is easy to carry with you, this might definitely be what you are looking for!

You should be aware of the fact that the results you do get with the Sephora Instant Depuffing Eye Mask are not very long lasting, though. You'll look a bit more refreshed for around one day or one night, not more. So I would recommend using these for special occasions, not on a regular basis. It's probably better to find a really good eye cream if you suffer from puffy eye constantly, I think!

Review: Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water

Now, when I got the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water, I had no idea of what cleansing waters were and I had not tried them previously, so it was hard to know what to expect. Sephora says, though, that you can use this water instead of a cleanser, just to wipe your make up and any other dirt you may have on your face off easily, which sounded really good, so I thought: Why not give it a try?

And while the texture of this Triple Action Cleansing Water is indeed very similar to water, it also has the cleansing properties of water. By that I mean that I feel like I have to use crazy amounts of this liquid in order to clean my face. And even then, it doesn't feel completely clean, so I always felt I should use a face wash on my face, too, after using this, which is kind of not the point, so I would not recommend this for anyone looking for a one stop solution. I do think it can be a good purchase for those who don't mind having a separate make up remover product, and a separate cleansing product, though. If you are fine with that, the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water definitely does a good job, just like any make up remover wipes you might get, but it cannot be used instead of a proper cleanser completely, no matter what Sephora says!

I got the small travel size bottle, which was okay, even though nothing extraordinary.

I do think I might get this product again, if I run into it for some reason (like I've mentioned in a few posts before, I don't have a Sephora where I live, so it's not something I will bump into on a regular basis, I don't think), but I don't think it's a super necessary product, so I am not sure if I would recommend this to others or not. It depends how much you like not-that-necessary-beauty-products, I guess!

Review: Sephora Pore Clarifying Mask

So, my experiences with Sephora products have not been the best, to say the least (read a little bit about why here, here and here), but their Pore Clarifying Mask is pretty good. It's a face mask for oily skin, meant to remove impurities, and I think it does it rather well.

The Sephora Pore Clarifying Mask also doesn't like have any really big and annoying negative sides, like most of their other products seem to, so I was very, very pleased with this mask, that I used 2 times, since the pack I bought came with 2 masks.

But since I only used the mask twice, I can say anything about effects after prolonged use or anything. But using this as an occasional cleansing face mask definitely worked for me! It also didn't make me break out, like some products can, and it comes in a size that is definitely perfect for anyone travelling. So I would recommend it both for those in need of a face mask for travels, and those who need a deep cleansing face mask for oily skin.

I don't have a Sephora where I live, but I would buy this again if I run into a Sephora while travelling, especially since the price for these 2 masks is pretty good too!

Review: Sephora Deodorant Spray

As you may have noticed if you have been reading my reviews of the Sephora products from their own brand lately, I haven't been too impressed with a lot of them, both the facial cleanser, the eye makeup remover and the exfoliator were disappointments for me. But there was one Sephora product that I really, really liked, and that is actually their deodorant spray.

Now, I only bought a rather small bottle of this, which was a shame, since I ended up really liking this spray and I don't have a Sephora where I live, so now I can't pick up some more, but despite the small size, I will say that this deodorant lasted for a really long time. And I mean really long! So that was impressive, first of all, but it wasn't the only reason I liked it.

This deodorant also has a really nice, yet subtle scent, so it won't be too over powering, which is nice. And it does what deodorants are supposed to do too, if you know what I mean!

So this deodorant was really a good purchase for me, and I would definitely buy it again. In fact, I am pretty sure I actually will if Sephora still sells it the next time I visit one of their stores!

So Sephora's own brand is by no means all bad, even though some of the products were less than impressive, it does have some good products too!

Review: Sephora Exfoliating Body Scrub

Time to review another Sephora product, I think!

But sadly, it's another product from this brand that I am far from happy with. But the Sephora Exfoliating Body Scrub might be the worst one out of all the Sephora products I've been trying lately.

Why?
Well, first of all it doesn't exfoliate very well. The grains in this scrub are really small, which works nicely if it's a face scrub, but body scrubs need something that gives a bigger impact. The Sephora Exfoliating Body Scrub doesn't have anything like that, so exfoliating with this body scrub is basically like not exfoliating at all.

Second of all, this clumps up, meaning that while you use it, you have these small white lumps all over you, which is really gross! So while the scrub does absolutely nothing beautywise, it really managed to disgust me while using it.

So I would definitely not recommend this body scrub to anyone, there are so many great scrubs out there that no-one should have to put up with this one. And I certainly won't be buying this scrub myself again either.

Review: Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

Another product I tried from Sephora's own line was their waterproof eye makeup remover. I must admit that I am by no means an expert on eye makeup removers, I mostly use non-waterproof mascara and not much more when it comes to eye makeup, so washing my eyes with my regular cleansers is usually enough.

That said, I have tried some eye makeup removers in the past, and the biggest difference between the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover and the other ones I've tried in the past is that this eye makeup remover really stings my eyes, which was a bit surprising, because I read some reviews about this product, and most people who reviewed this eye makeup remover said it did not sting their eyes at all, so I guess it's an individual thing.

A bigger problem I have with the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, however, is that it doesn't really remove my eye makeup properly, which is what should be the most crucial thing when it comes to products like these, if you ask me. I had to put a lot of product on, 4 times or more and rub quite hard in order for any of it to come off. And I do not like product that make me rub my eyes, since that's one of the biggest beauty no-no's of all times, as we all know!

So like the Sephora Soothing Cleansing Water, their Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover was quite a disappointment too. Too bad, I really wanted to like Sephora's own brand. But there are definitely many way better eye makeup removers out there. So I really see no need to get this one again, to be honest.

Review: Sephora Soothing Cleansing Milk

Ok, so like I promised in my previous post, I will be reviewing some of the products I got at Sephora in Paris. First up: The Soothing Cleansing Milk, from their own Sephora brand.

Now, as you may know, I am a huge fan of Soap and Glory's Peaches and Clean Cleansing Milk (if you want to know why, read this review, where I explain it in detail), so whenever I try any other cleansing milk, I kind of hope it will be similar to the Soap and Glory one. Sephora's Cleansing Milk, however, is not as good by any means.

Why? you ask? Here are a few reasons:

• First of all, it doesn't clean well. I always use a muslin cloth to wipe my face after I wash it, and while I used a lot of the Sephora Soothing Cleansing Milk, with my Clarisonic dupe, the cloth still had clear traces of foundation on it when I wiped my face, something that normally doesn't happen when I wash my face with the products I usually use. And yes, I am sure I rinsed enough etc.!
• Second of all, this cleansing milk left my face feeling kind of greasy. Now, this is a product that is supposed to make your face feel softer after you use it, so maybe it contains some products that could be making your face both softer and greasier for some reason, but for me, the most important thing with facial cleansers is that they make my face feel fresh and clean, and this cleansing milk definitely does not do that!
• My face was also red and stung after I used this cleansing milk. Not a good look, or feeling!
• It also made my skin break out, and considering that it really does not cleanse your skin, I don't find it surprising at all.

So all in all, not a great cleanser for me, by any means, and I definitely will not be getting this again.

 The only good thing I can think of to say about the Sephora Soothing Cleansing Milk is that the small travel size is really good, if this cleanser works better for you than it did for me, it could definitely be the only facial cleanser you need to take with you on a short trip of let's say 5 days to a week. So when it comes to travel packaging, Sephora nails it, but when it comes to the product itself, it was really disappointing.

Shopped in Paris

I just came home from one of the places that is said to be the best in the world for shopping beauty items: Paris.

So of course I had to pick up some beauty products on my trip as well, most notably several products from La Roche-Posay, a brand I have tried before and loved, but I also went to Sephora and picked up some stuff from their own brand:

I also did some shopping at the duty free, mainly for perfumes, but I will blog about that, as well as review my new Sephora purchases a bit later.

Reviews of my latest purchases coming up!

I recently went travelling, and when I travel, I usually shop. This time was no exception, and I actually ended up getting some beauty products, so I will be reviewing them shortly.

Yes, I absolutely love Sephora, so of course I had to stop by there!

On my beauty wish list right now

The Sephora Makeup Studio Blockbuster.  

You can buy it here.
Completely not necessary, but oh so fun! I love big kits like this!