Empties Review: Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

I bought this over the summer when I was going through a really rough patch with my hormonal acne. I was looking for something that would be super gentle and moisturizing, but that still would take off all of my makeup and hopefully get whatever gunk there was out of my pores. And, last, I was looking for something without harsh sulfates as a lathering agent, because I thought my sulfur allergy could be making me react negatively to sulfates. (Is that even scientifically possible? I have no idea. It was something that got into my head when I was trying to get rid of a particularly awful breakout.)

When doing research about the product, I found that this has been marketed for generation for different dermatological problems. Originally put into production in 1914, it claimed to help soothe eczema and harsh sunburns. My mom remembers Noxzema being marketed for clear and plump skin when she was a kid in the 60's and 70's. Today, I don't see much overt advertising for the product. It obviously has stood the test of time and continues to sell to a certain part of the population, being still in production.

What I found with this product was actually pretty awesome. The product comes as a creamy solid packaged either in a tub or a bottle with a pump (perfect for keeping down liquids when traveling :D) and only runs between $4 and $6 depending on where you buy it. It did do a good job of getting off my makeup after I had used a makeup removing wipe and left my skin feeling refreshed and clean. The eucalyptus in the product gave it a medicinal type smell that I actually really liked and also left a tingling sensation on my face which I got used to after a few uses.

Over a long period of time, this cleanser remained a simple fix for cleansing before bed and didn't strip my skin of too much moisture. When I looked at the ingredients, it does list Linseed, Eucalyptus and Soybean oils as three of the main ingredients, so this may be the reason why I didn't experience any tightness or dryness from this product.

My verdict: This Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream is a good drugstore option for a basic oil based cleanser. It was perfect for my sensitive skin and left me with a blank canvas that I could then treat with prescription or more targeted products. It didn't do anything particularly to fix my break-outs, but did offer no further irritation or cause for redness and clogged pores. I would definitely repurchase this in the future, especially in the travel size for overseas trips to put in my carry-on. At the moment I'm trying something else recommended by my dermatologist, but this is definitely something I would go back to.

Empties Reviews: 2015 New Years Resolution

Happy New Year! As part of my 2015 new year's resolutions, I am going to try to blog a lot more frequently than I have been over the last few months. So look out for more posts coming your way very soon!

The first step towards this goal: As part of this new personal initiative, and also part of a little cleaning that I've been meaning to do, I've decided to start putting empty products reviews up on this blog. I've seen loads of bloggers and YouTubers do this in the past, and they seem to go over pretty well. Mainly, I think, its because using up an entire product gives you insight as to how the product works initially, over a long period of time, the staying power, how long it lasts, etc. And you can always add if you plan on repurchasing or not now that the product is totally gone! For the next couple of weeks then, I'll be uploading the "Empties Reviews" of individual products on this blog when I have the time. Most of these are things that I brought over from the States when I first made the trip over the pond and a couple of samples that I've gotten browsing through the French shops!

Make Up Prices: Like, what?

Since my arrival in France at the end of September, I have been using up many of the products that I brought over from the US. By this time, though, I am starting to run out of some of the essentials and looking to make some purchases in France. So off to the store I went to purchase some staples!

What I found, however, when I took a closer look at the make up wasn't so pleasing. Products that I know and love from the United States were severely marked up in France, even product lines that I knew are French! Despite the most obvious reasons for price differences - the 20% TVA included in all sticker prices in France, importation costs for foreign brands, etc. - the prices are still through the roof! Let's take an example: I have been eyeing the L'Oréal Voluminous Million Mascara in Carbon Black for a while now, wanting to try out a new defining and volumizing mascara. I've found it in the States ranging from $9.50 to $11.00 depending on the store, but when I went looking in the French company's home country I could find it for no cheaper than 18€ and even as high as 21,50€! For another: the Bourgeois Healthy Mix Serum foundation that I purchased online through an international retailer for $13.00 I found in the Galleries LaFayette for 19.99€!

Do French women really spend this much money on "drugstore" makeup? Or do they just opt out? When thinking about cosmetics, foundation and especially mascara are some of the things that are used and that you have to buy most frequently throughout the year. And while they do have discount makeup stores such as Saga in various cities, these stores do not stock the most popular brands and only carry products and colors they can get on the cheap.

Conclusion: Definitely stocking up on some essentials while I am home for the holidays!

Make Up in a School Setting: Faut-on ou Faux Pas?

So we've seen a little slice of what some French people like to keep on hand for their everyday beauty needs in my recent bathroom spy posts, but can we see any of these products in use out in the everyday world? Are there certain situations where makeup is more appropriate? Less appropriate?

I guess I'll start by talking about what I have seen in my work place - two different middle schools. From what I experienced as a student in the US, I expected teachers in France to be dressed more or less business casual, with maybe the rare exception to the rule in the gym teacher or the long-time prof. What I found, however, was much more casual. Teachers, basically, can wear whatever they want within the limits of reason. Jeans are an everyday kind of thing for teachers in my French middle schools, which I never saw any of my teachers wearing as a kid unless there was a fundraiser going on for Casual Friday.

Mirroring the more casual trend in dress, my female French colleagues don't seem to wear a lot of make-up to school on a daily basis. Whether or not the majority wear a tinted moisturizer or BB cream to even out imperfections I don't know, but I do note that the overall look is generally bare faced. (Most of the French people I've met have FABULOUS skin, so they can rock this look pretty well.) I will come across the occasional beauty regular, but their choice of colors and application always steers towards a more natural look rather than a bold one. I love a red lip or a dramatic cat eye at all times of the day, so my makeup choices really stand out and have actually been a topic of conversation with some of my students.

What do you guys think? Do you expect something different from what is rumored to be the most fashionable country in the world? Have you seen similar things in your experience in French schools? Let me know in the comments below!

Demographic No. 3: Seaside Family of Femmes

The last place that we stayed was a big beauty surprise! Because this family had two girls between the ages of 25 living in the house, they had a myriad of products stocked in the bathroom that the girls were more than happy to talk about. Hope you enjoy the peak into their routine as much as I did!

• Avène Eau Micellaire
• Nuxe Gelée Exfoliante - Rose Pétales
• Le Petit Marseillaise Lait Douche
• Carrefour Orange Hand Soap
• Signal Whitening Toothpaste
• DeMakeup Makeup Wipes
• SUN Ultimate Bronze Minute, Satin Self-Tanning Spray
• Klorane Leave-In Cream with Mango Butter
• Revlon Professional UNIQ One
• Cils Démask - Démaquillant yeux
• Ducray Diaseptyl Spray for Fatigued Skin
• Hema Hand - Crème Mains Superhydratante
• Mixa Soin Mains Réparatrice Intensive Peaux Sèches
• L'Oréal Professional Absolute Repair Lipidium, Instant Resurfacing Shampoo
• Clarins Intense Bronze Self-Tanning Tint
• Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanner
• SOBIOetic Huile Universelle Plaisirs d'Argan
• Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Body Lotion
• La Roche Posay Physiane Emulsion Protective
• La Roche Posay Anthelios 20SPF Spray
• La Roche Posay Anthelios 50SPF Face
• Bébé Cadum Lait de Toilette Hydratante
• Biafine Emulsion pour les Cuticles
• Makeup Forever HD Primer
• Sephora Iridescent Cream Shadow
• Maria Galland Hydrating Makeup Remover
• Syoss Kératine Perfection, Shampooing Perfecteur
• Mixa Douche - Soin Antidéssèchement
• Sanex Zero% Gel Douche
• Garnier Beauté Gommage Beauté Absolue
• Hydralin Apaisa Protection Quotidien Soin d'Hygène Intime
• Steripan Crème Très Exfoliante Hema Nail Polish Remover
• Nuxellence Jeunesse 

Demographic No. 2: Young Twenty-Something Heterosexual Couple

My second Couchsurfing experience came with some awesome roommates in tow! Our Couchsurfing host had signed on four surfers, me and my friend Tatiana and a young couple moving from Paris and needing a place to stay while looking for something permanent to rent. Salina and Kenzo* were a really nice alternative pair, fond of hitchhiking (which apparently is still done in France?!) and taking life as it comes. Their toiletries weren't particularly abundant, probably because of the move, but they served as a great sample of young, normal French people on a budget. Find what they used down below!

• L'Oréal Absolute Douceur Lait Démaquillant Confort Suprème
• L'Oréal Absolute Douceur Tonique Caresse Confort Suprème
• Garnier Skin Naturals Crème Bienfaisante
• Rexona Women Maximum Protection Clean Scent
• Narta Homme Nord Extrème
• Denivit Anti-Taches Dentifrice
• Le Petit Marseillais Shampooing Douceur et Réparatrice aux Amandes Douces
• Monoprix Lait Douche Amande/Karité
• Le Petit Marseillais Après-Shampooing aux Extraits d'Argile Blanche et de Lait de Jasmin
• Crème Laitante Hydratante Parfum Douceur de Lait
• Aquafresh Toothpaste

Demographic No. 1: Twenty-Something Bachelor

Did anyone ever tell you that boys are kind of dirty, that they don't really care about hygiene, and that these two facts are reflected in their bathrooms? While the stereotype doesn't hold water across the board, I do have to report that the French male population isn't immune to its application. Guy* wholeheartedly welcomed me and a friend into his home via couchsurfing, questionably stocked bathroom and all. He did stock the absolute essentials: toothpaste, a toothbrush, shower gel/hand soap/shampoo and of course some French cologne. Other than that, though, he did not have much to offer my beauty discovery - although my stay with him felt totally safe and friendly! For more info about brands and specifics, read on to the inventory of what this bachelor kept in his pad.

• Sensodyne Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
• Le Petit Marseillais Lait Douche, Douche Extra Doux
• Chanel Pour Homme Eau de Toilette

*Name has been changed.