Saturday, July 26, 2014

Backup Worthy

You know you really like a product when you've bought it again before the one you're currently using has even run out. Sure, we have those ever-repurchased staples (mine include Avène Thermal Spring Water, Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, Daiso Cotton Puffs, Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover, and of course, Bioderma Créaline H₂O), but every now and then, a product you've newly discovered feels so valuable and indispensable, you can't help but want to stock up.


The easiest way to ensure a routine shower becomes a pampering experience is to get your hands on a simply irresistible shower gel. As soon as I featured philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath from the The Cookbook set in my April 2013 Favourites, I was already intent on restocking the full size bottle from StrawberryNET. And I wasn't even halfway done with my existing 120ml bottle. The creamy, sugary, slightly spicy, doughy goodness was like having dessert in the shower. On the other hand, LUSH Twilight Shower Gel is less food-like, but still intensely sweet, with a hefty dose of calming lavender. Unlike the philosophy, the relaxing, bedtime-priming scent stays close to your skin and lingers even after you've stepped out of the shower. Being limited edition, I rationed my first tiny 100g bottle for months, so naturally I pounced when I saw LUSH selling Twilight again last October.


Taking a couple of minutes to treat yourself to a good hand cream can be a simple but effective pick-me-up during a day at work staring endlessly at a computer screen. The distinctive, heady and bright scent of Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed Hand Therapy lifts the spirits while providing relief to dry hands. Another fixture in my makeup bag are the Korres Lip Butters. Softening, hydrating, attractively packaged, not too intimidating in terms of colour payoff, as well as multipurpose (I've used Pomegranate many times as a cream blush), there's a reason why I've collected almost all the shades.


Occasionally, a deal will strike me as such good value that repurchasing not only seems prudent, but almost essential. When I calculated that the full size versions of the products contained in the Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis set would have to be nearly half price to give me equivalent value, I rushed out to buy another box. (The threat of a 'limited edition' label probably played a role too.) Antipodes isn't the cheapest of brands, so on top of the satisfaction of scoring a good deal, I readily incorporated both the silky smooth, deeply hydrating Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum and rich, thirst-quenching Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream into my evening skin care routine.


Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge was such a revelation the first time I used it, I had to secure myself a backup bottle ASAP. No more bending over the sink, scrubbing and scrubbing brushes using my open palm and baby shampoo. Make no mistake, this stuff is life-changing.

The final three repurchased items now seem questionable to me, given the likelihood I'd ever finish up the original product. More to the point, I've either cooled my enthusiasm, a once scarce product has now become widely available, or I've since found superior or equally excellent alternatives.

There was a time when the prospect of welcoming Revlon Whimsical into my nail polish collection seemed as elusive and dream-like as its name might suggest. The moment I stumbled across a bottle at Rite Aid while holidaying in New York City was one of quiet, triumphant joy mixed with disbelief. When Whimsical finally made its way to the shops here, I undid my regret at not buying another bottle when I had the chance in NYC. Despite needing to tediously paint about 4 coats for complete opacity, and wearing it more than any other polish I own, my current bottle shows no signs of being completely used up for quite some time. I may get to opening the backup in 2016.

Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate was one of my earliest eyeliner discoveries, and being super affordable at $3 on sale, I bought a bunch a couple of years back. Since then, I've moved on to the efficiency, precision and ease of use of felt tip eyeliners for my upper lash line. I also avoid black on my lower lash line where I'd normally use a pencil, preferring instead taupe or metallic browns.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze still remains one of my most adored eyeshadows, but my existing pot has largely dried out, making the texture challenging to work with. While I have a backup right there, I'm hesitant to open the new one when the old one is only about 30% used up. Which really just makes me wonder under what circumstances I'd ever open the brand new one, given solid use over 2 years only diminished a third of the product, and I've put off 'fixing' my dried out cream eyeshadow for months. Time to utilise a backup for precisely its purpose, methinks.

36 comments:

  1. Great post idea :)
    http://alittlebitofjenn.blogspot.co.uk

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  2. Awesome post! Totally agree about the Daiso brush cleaner - it's amazing! I have the day time Antipodes duo which I'm really enjoying! Shame the minis are LE, and the nighttime one was sold out for me! :( But yeah, my bad to the bronze has also dried up quite substantially and I haven't used very much either, it's still usable though.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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  3. You've definitely got the right idea with stocking up on staples - for me that means that dior creme de rose, la roche posay thermal water spray, and koh gen do cleansing water. I've still yet to try that bioderma crealine -_-

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  4. Ooo...so glad you love that color of maybelline color tattoo! I've finished one whole jar up and am on my second one, I regret buying other shades! I totally should try a hand cream from crabtree & evelyn!

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  5. I do the same and sometimes I have to repurchase because I'm afraid the product gets discontinued. I've stumbled across Whimsical at the drug store once and regret not purchasing it but maybe one day we'll meet again and I'll be able to pick one up.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale | bloglovin' |

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  6. those korres lip butters are so amazing! i have 3 so far.

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  7. I love the Korres lip butters! I have the jasmine and mango ones - using pomegranate as a cream blush sounds interesting!

    I've always wanted to try Twilight. I've heard lots of good things about the Crabtree & Evelyn hand lotions as well.

    xx becky // star-violet

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  8. I know the feeling exactly! If I try something new and its spectacular I start fretting over it getting out of stock or discontinued and I have to get a back up before I finish it! :P I want to try the Antipodes mini.. I have full sized Night cream and its pretty good for winters and night time! My Kerastase conditioners need to be in constant supply so I keep purchasing them also Loccitaine 4 Roses Shower Gel and Shea Butter body soaps.. I have backups of backups! :P

    TheConscienceFund

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  9. ahh! I have always wanted to try korres lip butters and that handcream looks all lovely and vintagey <3

    lovely post!

    zaras-bowsandpearls.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. YES!! This was a fun read because I totally just bought another L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector cream with about half to go in my current jar but in my defense, they are on sale until today. I should go get a third!

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  11. I love to stock up as well, especially with shower gels, body/hand cream/lotions and lipsticks because I tend to empty them faster..
    The LUSH Twilight shower gel is 1st candidate to be my most favorite shower gel ever! too bad LUSH Germany didn't include it in their christmas collection last year T-T.. I hope they will do this year..

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  12. I love the Korres Lip Butters, they're gorgeous & hydrating. I love stocking up on my favourite products when a deal is on

    http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/

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  13. Really have to try the Maybelline shadow! Mine would have to be Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer and Bourjois' 1 Seconde Volume Mascara. Obsessed!
    Madeleine, The Daily Mark

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  14. I can really relate with you! there are some products that we just can't get enough because of how good they are!
    I'm curious about antidopes and philosophy! And I really love a good bargain as well.
    I was missing your post, I'm happy that you are posting again <3
    Take care*

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    1. Thanks Diana! I know I've slowed down on the posts but like any relationship, I was feeling a little bit disinterested and disengaged with blogging for a while. It's not something I'm planning on completely abandoning any time soon though, so I'm glad you're still thinking of my posts and sticking around to read :)

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  15. Even my present Maybelline Bad to Bronze dried a lot recently. I scrapped off the top layer and the layer beneath is smoother to use. You can try the same instead of throwing it away :)

    Love,
    Shayoni
    SweetAndBitterBlog.com

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    1. I actually ended up doing exactly that! Then I wore my Bad to the Bronze for 3 days straight, haha :) So glad I finally managed to salvage it. May need to give my backup away as a present since I can't imagine finishing my existing pot for at least another year.

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  16. Such a good post idea! I often don't buy makeup staples but I always buy backups of skincare for sure, because they are something my skin will suffer without.

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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  17. What a great round up - I don't usually come across backup worthy products (i.e. there are so many new products to try out!) I haven't tried any of these items, so I'm looking forward to check out some of them!

    Stephanie @ theFantasia.com

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  18. Such a shame your Bad to the Bronze dried up. x

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  19. I love Bad to the Bronze, but it did get a little dry after a while so I stopped using it...It might be time to replace mine as well! I usually keep backups of my foundation and of my favourite shower gel...Soap & Glory Whipped Clean!

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  20. Bad to the Bronze is my favourite cream eyeshadow. The Korres lip butters sound amazing, I must give them a try. :)
    Great post! :D
    Stephanie

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  21. I bought the same Antipodes set and it's amazing! I still use rosehip oil but the Joyous serum leaves the skin replenished and smooth. I bought the Melon Daiquiri shower gel from Philosophy for a friend but when I was shopping for it in DJs they all smelled amazing! One I want to try is the SAG Sugar Crush body wash for a change from honey-sweet scents. :)

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    1. How good is it? So worth it! Especially with Priceline's 40% off skin care sale last Tuesday and Wednesday - effectively making the cream and serum $6 each! (I may have purchased yet another backup ... eeek).

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  22. Mmmm I hope Lush start stocking the Twilight shower gel again this year (I haven't checked, it might still be on their website?) because it's one of my favorite bath bombs from them. The scent is so sweet and calming, and the fact you say it lingers makes me even more excited to get my hands on a bottle of the gel! This post was a great read as always :) xx

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  23. Oh god, you've made me want ALL THE THINGS now! I'm especially interested in the Antipodes stuff. I'm going to have to start saving!

    Owl Girl | A London lifestyle blog

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  24. Ahh, I've been eyeing the Korres lip butters for what feels like an eternity (but I've just got so many unopened lip products)!
    Limited editions always make me want to purchase a backup, 'just in case'...before I've even established if it'll become a can't-live-without staple. x

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  25. Great post! I've been having the same problem with my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. I love it but it's really dried out. I hate to throw out so much product but it's kind of useless in it's current state. I'll probably repurchase next time I see it on sale.
    Meghan
    Today's Beauty Obsession

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  26. Yet again, you've sold me on Twilight. Must track it down one day. If possible!

    BTTB is the shit. I bought it when the Color Tattoos first got released and it's still going strong. <3

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  27. Ahh I long for the day when I have a select group of products that I love enough to stick with consistently. I'm terrible for switching things up a little too often! x

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  28. LOVE the Korres lip butters and the Philosophy cinnamon buns shower wash!


    xx, Coreyiel
    The Luxe Minimalist

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  29. Definitely agree with you about Twilight! Best Lush body wash hands down! xx

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  30. I wanted to try the Cinnamon Buns wash, but I read reviews that the scent doesn't last long. Is it true? What's your take on it? I was wondering if it is worth spending the cash on!

    www.beautyinpyjamas.wordpress.com

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    1. I would say that's true ... the scent is super strong in the shower but once you're out of there and dried off, it doesn't linger on the skin or anything like that unfortunately. I bought my bottle for $30. It's pricey for a shower gel, but I imagine the entire 480ml lasting quite some time, so on a cost-per-use basis, I'm happy to pay that much. But it's entirely dependent on whether you like the experience of using it in the shower, which I guess you can't really know until you've bought it and tried it for yourself.

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  31. C & E Pomegranate Hand Therapy just popped up in my monthly empties! I agree with you - that scent is so uplifting :)

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