Emptied: Vichy Normaderm 3 in 1 Cleanser
Replaced: Clean and Clear 3 in 1 Daily Cleanser
I recently ran out of my beloved Vichy Normaderm 3 in 1 Cleanser, and I replaced it with this Clean in Clean 3 in 1 (which is really just a 1). The Vichy Normaderm is incredibly difficult to find here in Spain, and when I do happen to see it or someone can order it for me, it's super expensive compared to buying it in France. Instead of paying a billion dollars to replace it, I found the Clean and Clear 3 in 1 at a supermarket.
It's a similar cleanser. Both are clay based with salicylic acid. However, the Clean and Clear doesn't have the exfoliating micro-beads in it, has a more gooey texture (less thick, more runny), has menthol, a better fragrance, and if you care, it has parabens.
My only complaint about the Vichy was that it had a strong fragrance. However, the fragrance wore off over time and began to smell like iron, metallic, which was kind of weird. I loved it nonetheless.
The Clean and Clear one is actually pretty good, and I really like it (especially the smell). However, I know menthol is irritating for some, and a lot of people won't like the parabens.
Considering the Vichy is only 3 euro more in France (10 euro as opposed to almost 7) than the Clean and Clear (depending where you buy either of them), you might as well pay the extra for the Vichy just for the extra exfoliant and paraben and menthol-free-ness.
Otherwise, they're very similar, I would buy both again, and it just depends on what's available to you and for what price. They're both very good.
Emptied: Caudalie Soleil Divin SPF 50 Anti-aging face sunscreen
Replaced: Rimmel London BB Cream 9 in 1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup SPF 25 in Light
I got the Caudalie Soleil Divin SPF 50 Anti-aging face sunscreen together with my Vinosource Serum this summer in Grenoble. I like the high SPF, but for non-beach purposes, this stuff is rather average. It has flashback (like any physical sunscreen with SPF 20+), and it does nothing to control oil. For dry skin, you might really like this, but for oilier skins, you'll have a very greasy face mid day. It's not the best under make-up sunscreen, and for this reason (because I wear SPF everyday) I won't repurchase.
I did pick up Rimmel London BB Cream 9 in 1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup SPF 25 in Light in its place, though. I'm not a big fan of huge claims because they just raise my expectations (Garnier BB Cream anyone?). BB creams in general are always glorified tinted moisturizers.
As far as color goes, the brand doesn't offer many shades at all. They had Light and Medium. I usually fit into Light/Medium. However, this is the shade Emilynoel83 uses, and I know that I'm the same shade as her, so I just went ahead and got this. The shade ends up working well for me. It starts out greyish at first, but once you've powdered your face, everything's all good. I think this cream could probably adjust to a few skin tones, but if you're usually in the extreme ends of the spectrum, it could end up not fitting you well.
Coverage-wise, this is probably pretty light. It depends how you blend it and build it. This needs a lot of blending for it to look natural, and when you layer too much, it looks just weird.
The skincare claims are always interesting for me. On the whole correcting part, this doesn't do anything to lighten dark spots. Moisture is average, mattifying is average (because the moisture is average probably), and the SPF is lower than I'd like. It does make pores look smaller (you can't actually physically make the pore smaller) because it kind of glides over them, but this will not cover up a clear lack of exfoliation.
Although it's sounding like I don't like this, I do. It is an easy product to use, and I'm always happy to cut down a few steps in the morning. I just want to put it out there that although it has so many claims, those are ridiculous. This is just a tinted moisturizer.
As far as color goes, the brand doesn't offer many shades at all. They had Light and Medium. I usually fit into Light/Medium. However, this is the shade Emilynoel83 uses, and I know that I'm the same shade as her, so I just went ahead and got this. The shade ends up working well for me. It starts out greyish at first, but once you've powdered your face, everything's all good. I think this cream could probably adjust to a few skin tones, but if you're usually in the extreme ends of the spectrum, it could end up not fitting you well.
Coverage-wise, this is probably pretty light. It depends how you blend it and build it. This needs a lot of blending for it to look natural, and when you layer too much, it looks just weird.
The skincare claims are always interesting for me. On the whole correcting part, this doesn't do anything to lighten dark spots. Moisture is average, mattifying is average (because the moisture is average probably), and the SPF is lower than I'd like. It does make pores look smaller (you can't actually physically make the pore smaller) because it kind of glides over them, but this will not cover up a clear lack of exfoliation.
Although it's sounding like I don't like this, I do. It is an easy product to use, and I'm always happy to cut down a few steps in the morning. I just want to put it out there that although it has so many claims, those are ridiculous. This is just a tinted moisturizer.
Emptied: Trish McEvoy Curling Mascara
Replaced: Bourjois Volume Clubbing Ultra Black Mascara
Again, always sad to see another Trish McEvoy mascara go. It's my baby, and I've done a full review you can read here. So yes, a repurchase is in the future.
I've always wanted to try a Bourjois mascara, and since Bourjois own Chanel, I figured their formulas would be pretty similar. The Volume Clubbing Ultra Black looked appealing to me, as it claims to be super long lasting. It does last a while, but it's no where near the Trish. By the end of the day (I do have long days, I must say), it will usually smudge a lot or flake a bit. It also is extremely annoying to remove, and a few lashes are usually lost in the process. The brush is also huge, which tends to make application messy. However, I do like the volume and curl it gives. It looks pretty darn good. Also, after a good cry, the mascara doesn't look too disastrous. Always a plus. Anyway, compared to the Trish, this is nothing to write home about.
Again, always sad to see another Trish McEvoy mascara go. It's my baby, and I've done a full review you can read here. So yes, a repurchase is in the future.
I've always wanted to try a Bourjois mascara, and since Bourjois own Chanel, I figured their formulas would be pretty similar. The Volume Clubbing Ultra Black looked appealing to me, as it claims to be super long lasting. It does last a while, but it's no where near the Trish. By the end of the day (I do have long days, I must say), it will usually smudge a lot or flake a bit. It also is extremely annoying to remove, and a few lashes are usually lost in the process. The brush is also huge, which tends to make application messy. However, I do like the volume and curl it gives. It looks pretty darn good. Also, after a good cry, the mascara doesn't look too disastrous. Always a plus. Anyway, compared to the Trish, this is nothing to write home about.
Emptied: L'Oréal Paris EverSleek Conditioner
Replaced: L'Oréal Paris EverSleek Conditioner
Yes, you read that right. I repurchased already. I've been using the L'Oréal EverSleek range ever since I got to Spain a while back, and I recently ran out of and then repurchased the conditioner. I really like the range, mostly because it's the cheapest sulfate-free one that I can find. Since it's so hard to find sulfate-free stuff here in Spain in general, I thought I'd just stick with this stuff. The EverCrème range is still on my mind, although I'll unfortunately have to wait to go back to the US to try that out as it's not available here.
Emptied: Egyptian Magic
Replaced: L'Oréal Paris Micellaire Water
I was using Egyptian Magic for many things, but its last function was as a cleansing balm. It actually did a fairly good job at removing makeup. I can't see myself repurchasing all that soon, but I liked it, and I'd say it's worth a shot if you've had your eye on it for a while. Full review coming soon...
I replaced my makeup remover with the L'Oréal Paris Micellaire Water, which is supposedly the Bioderma dupe. I haven't tried Bioderma ever, but if this is supposed to be the same, why spend the extra? So far, I like it. It removes most makeup pretty quickly, so it's good for lazy days, and it has a light smell, reminiscent of real coconut. To get your face fully clean, however, I'd give it a pass as it doesn't fully remove all the makeup like a proper cleanser should. It won't remove all eye makeup in a way that a cleansing oil/balm/bi-phase remover would, but after you've washed with another cleanser, this could get the rest off. Careful not to get it in your eyes though, because it stings.
I was using Egyptian Magic for many things, but its last function was as a cleansing balm. It actually did a fairly good job at removing makeup. I can't see myself repurchasing all that soon, but I liked it, and I'd say it's worth a shot if you've had your eye on it for a while. Full review coming soon...
I replaced my makeup remover with the L'Oréal Paris Micellaire Water, which is supposedly the Bioderma dupe. I haven't tried Bioderma ever, but if this is supposed to be the same, why spend the extra? So far, I like it. It removes most makeup pretty quickly, so it's good for lazy days, and it has a light smell, reminiscent of real coconut. To get your face fully clean, however, I'd give it a pass as it doesn't fully remove all the makeup like a proper cleanser should. It won't remove all eye makeup in a way that a cleansing oil/balm/bi-phase remover would, but after you've washed with another cleanser, this could get the rest off. Careful not to get it in your eyes though, because it stings.
Emptied: Phyto 9
Replaced: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil
I ran out of the Phyto 9 hair cream which was really average unfortunately. I do have a spare tube because this came in a pack of two, but after that's done, this isn't repurchase material. It didn't really do all that much, quite honestly. Also, the metal tube became really difficult to use at the end, as it got crumply, unmovable, and even ripped.
I replaced the hair cream with this oil from L'Oréal, and I am really loving this! It does everything I thought the Phyto 9 would (smooths, hydrates, gives shine), and the packaging is lovely, which is always a plus.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed. Most of the products can be found at any drugstore or pharmacy in Europe.
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