My Birthday Beauty Haul: Product’s Review

A few weeks ago, I completed another full rotation around the Sun on Earth. I’ll be dividing my experiences of this event into three separate posts: how I celebrated, what beauty products I received, and what books and other products gifted to me by my friends. I’ll start with the beauty products, which I will review in this post. 

I’m writing this article late because I wanted to try most of the products before writing about them. I have to say, I love them all. Here’s what I received:

Skincare products

Beauty jar (dm) 

I really love skincare products, and I’m lucky enough to have a skin that’s not too sensitive, so I can test everything. If these skincare products are affordable too, it’s even better. The first part of the present was a surprise box from dm called “Enjoy the little things”, which contained 7 products from the brand Beauty Jar. I must admit I never heard of this brand before, but I instantly fell in love with the packaging and smell of the products. 

The 7 products included are: 

• a soap bar
• a jar of liquid eye patches
• a deep cleansing scalp scrub
• a cuticle and nail balm
• a cherry smash body peeling
• a lip peeling
• a deep moisturising lip balm. 

I tried the eye patches so far, and they were really hydrating. Also I tested the lip products, which are perfect for taking care of my lips during the cold, windy winter weather.

Rituals (Sephora) 

If there’s one product that I can no longer live without after trying it, it’s the Rituals foaming shower gel. I loooove it. I received it as a present a few years ago for the first time, and it was love at first use. 

I was already addicted to Rituals of Sakura and Karma, but I also loved the scent of the rose and sweet almond oil of the Rituals of Ayurveda candles. However, I never found the products in that line on the shelves and only they were always out of stock. That’s why I was so excited to receive a big box of Rituals of Ayurveda products:

• the foaming shower gel (their shower gels are the most hydrating ones I’ve ever used, and they’re so soft on the skin)
• the balancing body cream (it has a long-lasting scent that makes the skin extremely soft to touch)  
• the rejuvenating pink salt scrub (I haven’t used it yet because I have another body scrub open, but I will come back with feedback once I try it)
• the hand wash (it’s also waiting to be used, as I have another product already open).

These body care products are my guilty pleasure, and the smell of Rituals of Ayurveda is now my favorite.

Sephora also gifted me a small hand cream from their own brand as a birthday present.

Skincare hydrating products (Notino)

Lastly, I received some products from Notino: the Neutrogena Hydro Boost day cream, the Uriage Eau Thermale night mask, and an Avene face cream for mixed skin types. I love Neutrogena and Avene products, but I’ve never tried Uriage before. I haven’t tried these products yet as I have a large stock of face products waiting to be used. I’ll write a separate post once I test them.

Make-up products

This year the present I received was not make-up extensive, and it was limited at only two products that I adore: two Dior lipsticks.

I received the Rouge Dior Forever lipstick in shade 626, forever famous, as part of a couture box. The intense red shade has a warm, brownish undertone, which I love. It is transfer-free, so I can wear it for hours without worrying about it smudging. The matte finish is beautiful and suitable for both day and evening wear. When the lipstick starts to fade, it does so softly, leaving a soft tint of color even after a full day of wear and a meal. 

And the second lipstick I received is my favorite one: the classic Rouge Dior 999, also with a matte finish. I believe this is the best red lipstick ever created and I have yet to see someone who does not look good wearing it. This lipstick convinced me to try red on my lips for the first time and now I am hooked. I used to prefer brown lipsticks, but after getting this product, I switched almost instantly. It feels soft and comfortable on the lips and is long-lasting. My friends know how much I love it, so they bought the refillable version for me. I also love that it came in a special box for the 2023 Chinese New Year’s Eve. 

Perfumes 

J’adore (Dior)

I am not typically a fan of Dior perfumes (e.g. I do not like the famous Miss Dior), but I love the Infinissime edition of J’adore. Every time I entered a Sephora, I had to resist buying it as I already have too many perfumes at home. Fortunately, my boyfriend took advantage of this and bought it for me.

The top notes are blood orange, pink pepper and bergamot, the middle notes are tuberose, jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley and rose, and the base note is sandalwood. I think I can also detect a hint of vanilla, although it is not listed as an ingredient.

What I love about this perfume is that it is intense, feminine, perfect for any evening event, and lasts at least 6-7 hours on my skin. What more could I ask from a perfume?

Emanuel Ungaro (Notino)

I was unfamiliar with Emanuel Ungare – For Her perfume before receiving it, but I really like the scent. It is sweet and fruity, perfect for daily wear, although I wish the scent would last longer than 2-2.5 hours on the skin.

The top notes are almond, pear and plum, the middle notes are tuberose, orange blossom and jasmine, and the base notes are vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli and musk.

I must also mention the creative bottle design, which exudes positive energy.

These were the beauty, makeup, and skincare products I received for my birthday. Have you ever tried any of these products? What do you think of them? 

I will return with another post about the books and other gifts I received. In the meantime, here is a sneack peek of the rest of the present in the photo below.

Best of wishes, 

Cosmina 

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