Beauty,  Body,  Hair,  Skincare

Review | Lockdown empties

Over lockdown, I got serious about finishing products and testing ones I’ve been meaning to. This post is the result of 4 months of dedication – say hello to my lockdown empties.

I’m going to do mini reviews of each below and say whether I’d repurchase or not.

Sorbet Dry Bar Tame Me Baby Shampoo & Conditioner (R49 each for the minis, and R115 each for the full-size).

I’d never tried any Sorbet hair products before these, and I was super impressed with the quality. The formulas are sulphate-free, so are great for those of us with sensitive scalps. They did what it says on the bottle, and left my hair smooth and nourished. 

Worth the spend? Absolutely – a great high street hair care range.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils Oh So Clean! Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo (R75)

This purchase was entirely Natalie from Tales of Mermaid’s influence. If you have curly or wavy hair, you’ll know who touch it is to find products that hydrate without weighing down the hair – the Aunt Jackie’s range is the solution we’ve been looking for. This shampoo left my hair soft, hydrated and delivered bouncy curls, without any greasy roots.

Worth the spend? Yes, if you have curly or wavy dry hair.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Marc Anthony Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Hydrating Curl Cream (R195)

This is one of the formulas I was just talking about. This left my hair limp and lifeless, no matter how little I used. You apply it to wet hair, but this just leaves a crispy, crunchy head of limp hair. And if you apply it to dry hair, it’s even worse.

Worth the spend? Nope. There are so many other products you could spend R200 on.

Would I repurchase? No

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil (R285)

I’ve used this for years. I’m currently testing a Noreva one, and it isn’t quite as good. I don’t use this oil to cleanse my skin, but rather to shave with. It’s hydrating and soothing properties means that it not only delivers a close shave, it also leaves skin silky and nourished after shaving, rather than dry and itchy.

Worth the spend? Yes. If you’re using it for shaving, it will last over a year, and if you’re using for skin conditions, R300 for this level of actives is phenomenal.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Skin Functional Hydration Juice 2% HA & 4% B5 (R230)

A local gem, and our answer to The Ordinary, Skin Functional is a wonderful range of acids and serums that are up there with the best. Read my post on the brand here. This hydrating serum was incredible for the price point, and you can buy the range on Takealot!

Worth the spend? Yes, just order it already.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF50 Hydrating Shield (R895)

The mother of the Elizabeth Arden sunscreens is just so good! The formula is tinted, and delivers a hint of colour (it isn’t designed to cover like makeup) and leaves the skin glowy, but not greasy. The formula is fairly water resistant, so is perfect for beach and pool days. The protective complex means that your skin is protected from free radical damage, as well as the sun’s rays.

Worth the spend? I personally prefer the Great 8 for every day wear, but if you are outside all day, then, yes, go for it.

Would I repurchase? Yes

W Beauty Cleanse Cream Cleanser (R159)

I was pleasantly surprised with this cleanser from Woolworths own brand, W Beauty. Nothing ground-breaking, but it’s a great cream cleanser that leaves the skin clean and hydrated.

Worth the spend? It’s R159 for a cleanser – what do you think?

Would I repurchase? Yes

L’Oréal Botanicals Fresh Care Rose & Geranium Radiance Conditioner (R140)

I actually thought that I had a dud tube when I first got this. It’s so spectacularly bad, I cannot believe that L’Oréal released it. I cannot express how many levels of disastrous this product is. I still feel robbed. It says it ‘revives shine and detangles’ – my sweet sunshine it does. My hair felt infinitely worse after using it, to the point that I rewashed it try and revive it. I tried it a few different times, and each time was as bad the last. Applying cake dough to my hair would have left it shiner and more detangled. Terrible.

Worth the spend? Rather buy yourself a Velvet Cake Company Premix, and instead of putting it on your head, make yourself a cake. This way you’ll have a cake and save R35.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely not

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser (R525 for 150ml and R825 for 295ml)

This is the grown-up premium version of the W Beauty Cleanser. This one is a cream cleanser with benefits. The formula contains lipid-replenishing actives to help combat dryness both immediately and in the long-term. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and when I’m not testing other products, this will happily be my go-to cleanser.

Worth the spend? If you have the money, then yes. There are more affordable options, though, so rather spend your money on serums and sunscreen, rather than cleansers and moisturisers.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Lamelle Correctives HA+ Serum (R680)

This is a pumped-up version of the Skin Functional serum. This hydrating formula from Lamelle contain 4 different molecular weight HA molecules to hydrate the skin at all levels. It’s one of the best I’ve ever tried – in the same league as SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5, but half the price.

Worth the spend? If you want serious hydration, then yes. But if you just want a HA serum for your routine, then go with the Skin Functional.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Avène Thermal Spring Water (R170 for 150ml)

I mean, is this a surprise? And this wasn’t the only bottle I used up over lockdown. I just love this spray – I use it every single day before I apply my skincare, and then any other time ny skin feels hot, dry or itchy.

Worth the spend? Yes. Why don’t you have one yet?

Would I repurchase? Yes – I have loads of bottles around the house at all times!

L’Oréal Elvive Colour Protect Day Cream Colour Care (R80)

This is more the level of quality I expect from L’Oréal. This formula is designed to not only nourish your hair, but protect the colour, too. It does this thanks to clever UVA and UVB filters that act like sunscreen for your hair. It can be applied to damp hair, before blow drying or on dry hair, depending on what your day looks like.

Worth the spend? If you’re in the sun a lot, then yes. If you preferer to be indoors, you don’t need it.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Bioderma Atoderm Ultra Repair Hand Cream (R110)

I know you’d expect there to be more hand creams in this pile, but I have SO many on the go, I’m impressed there is one to include. This one from Bioderma is rich and instantly nourished irritated, dry hands, but absorbs quickly, leaving very little residue. One of my firm favourites.

Worth the spend? In the time of all the santizer? Yes. Other times? Also yes.

Would I repurchase? Yes

Hask Cactus Water 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray (R180)

This was so ‘meh’, I don’t even have that much to say about it. It says it ‘replenishes dry hair’, well, ok. It might work for normal hair that is having an off day, but for dry hair, it just did nothing. It didn’t make my hair greasy or limp, but it ‘revive’ it, either. More water than cactus, me thinks.

Worth the spend? No.

Would I repurchase? No

Davines SU Hair & Body Wash (R330)

I liked this hair and body wash (let’s be honest, I love pretty much anything Davines). It’s their ‘after sun hydrating’ solution, and it definitely added life back into chlorinate hair, but not as much as my targeted Davines products. I don’t use shower gel, so I didn’t use it to clean my body, so for that reason, I wouldn’t repurchase it. But it you want an all-in-one that delivers more than bog-standard cleansing, this is a winner!

Worth the spend? Like I said – if you want an all-in-one product, then yes!

Would I repurchase? No

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask (R1700)

Still the best mask in the whole wide world, amen. If you don’t know about this mask, I we can’t be friends. Read my love for it here, here and here.

Worth the spend? Look, I love this mask, but, it is only a mask and it’s hella expensive. So if you have the budget it’s worth it, but if you don’t, it isn’t. Spend your money on serums and sunscreen.

Would I repurchase? Yes – I always have one in the house

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Great 8 Daily Defense Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF35 (R440)

Would you be shocked if I said this wasn’t the only tube of this I got through during lockdown? Of course you wouldn’t! I love this sunscreen so much! It’s hydrating, absorbs well and works well alone or under makeup. Move over sliced bread, this is the new best thing.

Worth the spend? Yes, 100% yes.

Would I repurchase? Yes. If I could buy shares in just this product, I would.

Not Your Mother’s Naturals Coconut Milk & African Marula Tree Oil High Moisture Smoothing Cream (R100)

Yet another disappointing hair product. I think this range is being phased out, and I’m hardly surprised. This promises to ‘deeply hydrate and nourished overworked dry hair’. Nope and nope, sadly. It didn’t do anything except sit exactly where I put it, to deliver an astonishing level of greasy limpness, never before seen on my head. I tried tiny amounts, I tried blow-drying afterwards; nothing would budge it, except rewashing. Two thumbs down.

Worth the spend? I’m drawn back to cake premixes here – worth spending the extra R5. (See the first L’Oreal post above if you’re confused.)

Would I repurchase? No