BEST Dupe For MAC’s Ruby Woo Lipstick

As a beauty fanatic I truly believe every woman (or man, no judgement here) needs at least one red lipstick in their makeup bag! Skin colour and whether you have warm or cool undertones may be factors in helping you decide which shade of red you’re drawn to and best suited to but in this post I’m going to be talking about the best dupe I have found for Ruby Woo from MAC if you aren’t the biggest fan of the retro matte formula.

What makes Ruby Woo so great?

If you aren’t already aware as to why Ruby Woo has cult status here’s a bit of background. Ruby Woo is described as a vivid blue-red and the shade is very inclusive, suiting a range of skin tones from fair to deep. For many, including myself, it is the perfect classic red, it’s not too warm or too cool and it doesn’t pull orange, berry or burgundy, it’s straight up red. It is also the kind of red that makes your teeth look white… who doesn’t want that?!

Meet the Dupe: Ruby You – MAC

No, that’s not a typo and you may think I’m cheating a little with this dupe but it has everything I know and love about the original Ruby Woo with a few minor differences. In 2021 MAC introduced Ruby’s Crew, launching their world famous red lipstick in fan-favourite formulas including powder kiss liquid lip colour and a tinted lipglass. I’ll be comparing the original Ruby Woo to Ruby You and sharing swatches. I do see a place for the both of these in my collection and won’t be getting rid of either. However, if you’re on the hunt for a good red or know someone who is, this post will help distinguish between the two.

L-R: Ruby You and Ruby Woo

Formula & Longevity

Ruby Woo has a retro matte formula giving it a completely matte, velvety finish. This means it is long wearing with intense colour payoff. The lipstick will get you through the day/night without needing major touch ups and does last when eating and drinking. It is supposedly kiss proof as well, I’ve never put this to the test but I imagine if you’re giving someone a quick peck on the check it’s fine. I’ve touched my fingers to my lips when wearing Ruby Woo and they have always come away clean.

Ruby You is part of the Love Me lipstick line. It is a weightless, argan-oil infused formula that gives an instant hit of colour and all day moisture with a soft, satin finish. If you have dry lips you will prefer this formula as it glides on and is the best parts of MAC’s satin, amplified and lustre finishes all rolled into one. As there is more slip with Ruby You I do advise a lip liner (I recommend a lip liner with all red lipsticks) to help the colour fade more evenly throughout the day. If you are eating or drinking this may need to be reapplied and checked during the day, it won’t give as much longevity as Ruby Woo. On the lips the difference isn’t obvious but in the arm swatches you will see Ruby You has more shine.

Packaging

Ruby Woo comes in the standard black bullet packaging. It also has special red packaging with the shade name on the bullet as part of the Ruby’s Crew launch but I’m not sure if that packaging will be permanent or is available for a limited time only.

Ruby You follows the look of the rest of the Love Me line, a shiny ombre bullet showcasing the colour family each shade is from: nudes, purples or reds. This is my first Love Me lipstick from the reds and the packaging is beautiful! I have a few other lipsticks from the Love Me range and I think the packaging is some of the prettiest in my makeup collection. This packaging also makes the lipstick easy to identify in your makeup bag/drawer.

Price

Ruby Woo in the regular black bullet will set you back $35 (NZD) and $38 (NZD) in the special red packaging.

Ruby You will set you back $38 (NZD) – a little more expensive but worth it for the packaging I feel.

Application

Both of these lipsticks are easy to apply and control. There is less glide with Ruby Woo purely down to the formula. If you have dry lips I would also recommend applying a small amount of lip balm to the lips 10-20 minutes beforehand to help Ruby Woo go on easier. This still gives the velvety matte finish and precise application without giving the lipstick too much slip. If the lipstick is applied directly after the balm it can be harder to control and get precise lines. Ruby Woo is pretty much opaque with one layer and doesn’t require much building up. Ruby You glides over the lips but I need to apply two-three layers to get opaque, even coverage. Ruby You is easier to maneouvre to get into the corners of the mouth due to its formula.

Swatches

Arm

Top: Ruby Woo
Bottom: Ruby You

Lips

(Both shades applied over Olive lip liner from xoBeauty)

Top: Ruby You
Bottom: Ruby Woo

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read about both shades, who should purchase each one? If you don’t mind a matte lipstick formula, want to save a little bit of money and want colour that lasts all day, go for Ruby Woo. If your lips are on the drier side, you want a red that is soft, easy to apply and re-applying lipstick throughout the day doesn’t bother you, go for Ruby You.

To be honest you can’t go wrong with either of these. The colour is identical, both are comfortable, pigmented and have good longevity. What you like in a lipstick will ultimately determine which is right for you.

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Empty Products #20

The first empties of 2022 and my first empties in quite a few months! With the pandemic etc. I’ve slowed right down on how quickly I go through things and definitely don’t get to play with and use products as often. I will continue to write empties posts as long as my blog is active, there might just end up being more of a gap between installments!

Haircare

1. Function of Beauty shampoo

I will miss seeing this pink shampoo when I shower. I finished the matching conditioner in my last empties and this set worked really well for my hair. My third set arrived in September 2021 and I started using it in October 2021. I kept the five hair goals the same except for one, I switched nourish roots out for fix split ends. This shampoo lasted me about 6 months which does help justify the price of Function of Beauty a bit more.

Repurchase: Yes.

2. Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Light Luminous Oil

I started using this oil in May 2020 alongside the shampoo and conditioner from the Oil Reflections range. It contains 100ml of product, I wash my hair two or three times a week and I have long hair so that gives you a good indication of how long products like this can last. I didn’t use this after every single hair wash but for the majority I did. A little goes a long way and I found it applies best when the lengths are still slightly damp, but the oil can be applied to dry hair too. It helped to smooth the ends and keep hair looking sleek and shiny. The oil didn’t weigh my hair down or make it greasy. One of the main ingredients is camellia oil which gives off a lovely scent.

Repurchase: Yes, I would happily use this again.

3. Giovanni 2chic Frizz Be Gone Smoothing Hair Mask

This hair mask is housed in a lovely pink tube and the packaging is lightweight and sleek. The shea and almond oil give the product a nice scent but that’s where the positives stop for me. I didn’t hate this product but I don’t feel it did anything. It claims to have 20 benefits but I didn’t notice any major differences compared to now that I’ve stopped using this product, perhaps I’m not the target audience. I also think this may have caused an occasional skin reaction, areas of my neck and fingers would become dry and itchy and I had to apply hydrocortisone cream to calm things down. It may just have been a coincidence but something I did notice when using this mask.

Repurchase: No.

Skincare & Fragrance

4. Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser

I purchased this in 2020 when I needed a new evening moisturiser. I’ve used a couple of Clinique’s facial products in the past so I knew the chances of me not getting on with this were low. The moisturiser comes in a see through bottle with a pump so it’s easy to tell exactly how much is left. The moisturiser itself feels nourishing and lightweight and is also a good day time one for under makeup. Where the product falls down a little bit for me is the fact it doesn’t have SPF, I purchased this as a night time moisturiser to begin with so it’s not a big issue but when I started to use it in the daytime when I was getting closer to finishing it and wasn’t wearing makeup or foundation with SPF due to the Covid situation in New Zealand I realised I do like having a daytime moisturiser with SPF. Also, this is quite expensive compared to other moisturisers I’ve used in the past that I’ve liked equally as much.

Repurchase: Probably not.

5. Natio Clay and Plant Face Mask Purifier

This was the very first face mask I started using years and years ago and this is the third tube I’ve finished up. What I enjoy about Natio’s products is they are nice and natural, don’t contain ingredients that irritate my skin and are affordably priced. I do feel like this face mask has changed and I don’t love it quite as much as I used to. What I used to enjoy was being able to feel the clay set without irritation and still remaining gentle on my skin. Now the formula feels very thin like a watery lotion as opposed to a mask. Not ruling out purchasing this in future but it’s no longer my go to.

Repurchase: Not sure.

BODY

6. Eugaia Bloom Hydrolysed Marine Collagen – Passionfruit & Lime

I had never tried anything like this before and I was curious to see if I would like it and notice any differences. Eugaia is one of Shaaanxo’s brands. The product is made in New Zealand and it aims to support hair, skin, nails, gut health, joints and bone health. Ideally each tub lasts one month with one serving per day, I tried to have a serving most days but my tub lasted longer, some days I either forgot or didn’t have time. What’s great about this though is that it’s easy to mix and you feel like you’re being healthy. This is not a dietary supplement or meal repalcement and the flavour did taste nice, I didn’t get a weird aftertaste or feel grossed out when drinking it. The best part is that when you mix the powder with water there are sparkles from the kiwifruit powder. Overall I noticed a couple of differences: stronger nails and brighter, clearer skin (could be a combination of this and not wearing makeup). After finishing this flavour I purchased one of the Strawberry & Lime tubs but didn’t like it as much, it tastes sweeter and more artificial.

Repurchase: Undecided – the product is a little pricey but not as steep compared to others on the market. I would only consider repurchasing the Passionfruit flavour.

7. The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Strawberry Kiss body butter

I have tried both the regular Japanese Cherry Blossom and Strawberry body butters from The Body Shop and am a big fan of both! This scent is an amalgamation of the two and I would describe it as a floral strawberry. I purchased the body butter online so I couldn’t be certain if I was going to like it or not but after a few uses I was converted. This body butter isn’t part of the OG range and is slightly more expensive but it’s worth it in my opinion, the product feels extra luxurious and nourishing.

Repurchase: I think so.

8. The Body Shop Vitamin E Body Butter

I remember trying this years ago and being a fan and I wanted to revisit and try it again ever since. I didn’t enjoy the scent as much this time around. The product itself isn’t bad and is up to the brand’s usual standard but I won’t be rushing out to buy this again anytime soon.

Repurchase: No.

9. The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Butter

I had never tried anything from this range until this and I picked it up on sale at the start of the year as it was in the old packaging and The Body Shop is transitioning to the more sustainable eco-friendly new packaging. I love how fresh and zesty this has been for summer and I really enjoyed using it. The formula was lovely and felt soft and moisturising.

Repurchase: Maybe, I enjoyed the smaller size of this scent for something different.

10. Nivea Anti-Perspirant x2

You know the drill by now, these feature in every empties. Lately I have been alternating between the Clear and Silky Smooth roll ons.

Repurchase: Yes.

What was the last product you finished up?

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GRWM: Trying New Makeup #2

Over the past six months or so since mask wearing became mandatory in New Zealand I haven’t been wearing a lot of makeup. It’s a double edged sword because I miss the chance to create and play with products before work but at the same time I don’t need to get up as early and it has made my morning routine simpler. As a result I haven’t been looking to buy new makeup but there are a few things that have caught my eye recently that I was excited by.

Authored Push Kit

Authored is Tanya Burr’s new makeup brand and I didn’t take much notice of the products at first until I started seeing some reviews and a few bloggers/YouTubers I follow sharing their thoughts on Instagram. In December I purchased the Push Kit which contains all four products the brand makes so far: tinted moisturiser, brow gel, mascara and lip balm. The idea of simple, effortless beauty drew me in and the products are good basics if you’re on the go and want something quick and easy or you want to look polished without putting on a full face.

1. Tinted Moisturiser – Shade 1 – Shade 1 is the lightest shade intended for those with light skin and neutral undertones. Not only did the shade description sound accurate for my skin tone but I figured if it was too light I can easily apply a bit of bronzer, better that than having a shade too dark. The formula is lightweight, on the runny side (I store my tube with the cap facing up) but very easy to blend into the skin and can be built up for more coverage. The product claims to give a soft matte, slightly dewy appearance and I agree, my skin looked like skin but with a healthy, natural glow. The product didn’t cling or settle into lines and other makeup applied nicely over the top.

2. Brow Gel – 1 Light Brown – I had never used a brow gel before so I had to look up how to apply one before doing my brows. Safe to say I needn’t have worried as it was very easy to apply and there was no excess product needing to be cleaned up. The colour is good, my brows are darker than my hair so it’s not hard to get a decent colour match I find. My brows still look natural which is what I like. Big thumbs up!

3. Mascara – When it comes to mascara I prefer natural bristle wands, a formula that is super black and gives length and volume. I don’t believe mascaras give an accurate representation of how they perform after one use so I tend to properly make up my mind after I’ve been using a mascara for a week or two. On first impressions this ticks the natural bristle wand, super black formula and length boxes but I would have liked more volume. Again, that may come once I’ve used it a bit more and the formula has got some air in it – I’m not disappointed by any means. The formula is on the drier side straight off the bat (which I also don’t mind) and it didn’t smudge or flake. It seems to layer nicely and not coat lashes with too much product at once. Looking forward to using this more to see if my thoughts change.

4. Lip balm – This was the product I was least excited to try but it worked out more worthwhile getting the kit and trying all products rather than buying two or three other items separately. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I like this. Normally I don’t need to wear lip balm often and my lips don’t get dry but I can see myself reaching for this to pop on around home or dabbing over top of my lipstick which is what I did for this look. The lip balm isn’t thick or sticky. I’m not a fan of cherry but the scent doesn’t bother me and disppears after a minute or two.

Max Factor Creme Bronzer – Light Gold 05

Is this bronzer still a favourite in the blogging world? I would see this everywhere a few years ago and I don’t know anyone who isn’t a fan! I’ve owned this bronzer for a year or two now but wanted to pull it out as I’ve only worn it a handful of times and it is very pretty. I’m loyal to my Body Shop bronzer as that was in my project pan last year (which was abandoned due to Covid) but this is also a winner and one I’m happy to reach for. Despite having creme in the name this is a powder bronzer and creme refers to the Max Factor range the product is from. The flecks of shimmer don’t make the face look shiny and it’s the type of bronzer that is hard to apply too much of, which is a good thing. I was doing a quick Google search whilst writing this post and I don’t know if this is available anymore. I’d urge you to get in quick if you’ve been wanting to try this in case it’s gone!

Huda Beauty Rose Quartz Palette

Cool tones work better on me and they are what I gravitate towards most often. This is my first Huda Beauty product and I purchased a kit from Feel Unique also containing a zip around case, three eye brushes and a Silk Balm as a birthday present to myself. The day after the palette arrived I knew I wanted to play with it immediately. All of the shades are beautiful and for the first look I went for something rather simple and classic. I applied Radiate as a base shadow, used Precious to deepen the crease, went in with Energized on my finger and applied it all over the lid and placed Love Stone in the inner corner.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick – 08 Pink In Confidence

I purchased this lipstick last year and had always wanted to try this formula, I’d heard many good things about how comfortable it is and how easy the shades are to wear. Pink In Confidence is a relatively neutral rosy pink with a subtle hit of colour. I am fair skinned and it looks pretty natural on me so it wouldn’t be the best for those with darker skin tones. I love bold, bright lip colours but wanted something on the neutral side from this formula as it is very soft and shiny and a bold colour would get messy. The lipstick is very balm-like without being thick and goopy and is super easy to apply. If you have dry lips this formula works well. The formula won’t have the longest wear time but it does wear evenly and will give you a decent number of hours before needing to reapply.

Other makeup used:

• Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser
• Maybelline Pore Minimizing Primer
• L’Oreal More Than Concealer – 323 Fawn
• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• MAC Double Gleam highlighter
• Max Factor Creme Puff blush – 10 Nude Mauve
• Pixi Rose Glow mist

The Finished Look

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of the finished look?

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Happy Belated New Year + Hello 2022!

Hello and happy 2022! I know I’m a little late considering we’re halfway through January already but let’s not dwell on that. I hope the year has started off well for you and 2022 overall will be a bit easier.

Since my last post in November – Where I’ve Been… – I’ve felt out of the loop with blogging and haven’t had much motivation at all. New Zealand is in full on summer at the moment, getting up to nearly 30 degrees some days and the heat zaps and drains my energy which doesn’t make me feel like doing much at all. I cannot wait for it to start cooling down as I much prefer the cold.

In my last post I talked about some health troubles I’d had, high white blood cell counts and generally feeling lethargic. In early December I started feeling breathless, had sore chest muscles and pain swallowing occasionally. I went to the doctor and we concluded I strained muscles in my upper chest when overseeing a bar fridge delivery at work. I was prescribed some pills to help heal the muscles and some muscle relaxants. I feel fine now but it was an uncomfortable week or two.

I won’t lie, early in January I toyed with the idea of stopping blogging. Most weeks I don’t have the spare time I used to, I always feel ‘busy’ and since my mum got sick in 2020 our roles within the household have changed. It’s not something I’ve talked about before as most people don’t understand our situation and we’re both the kind that just get on with things and do things because we have to, there’s no one else to help us. Over the past week or so I did realise I want to keep this blog, it’s always somewhere I can come to and express what I’m thinking and the connections and friendships it has brought me over the years are very special. I also think my blogging mojo has been relatively non-existent since I’m not wearing makeup. With mandatory mask use when you leave the house there’s no point doing my face for work everyday and making a mess of my masks and making my skin feel more clammy and sticky. I do have some time off coming at the start of February so I will try and get my plan on and get some posts created and written so there’s not so much of a gap between content. If you’ve got any ideas of posts you’d like to see, feel free to leave a comment below!

In terms of goals for 2022, I’ve got a couple:

1. Read 45 books (I managed 43 in 2021)
2. Start driving lessons
3. Get back into exercycling regularly

I’ve also set up pages for the year in my bullet journal. That was something that fell by the wayside last year and when I keep up with it I feel more on top of things and like I’m able to let go of the events of the day more easily and have a clearer head. I want 2022 to be happy and good and I’m starting the year off on a positive note in the hope it translates throughout everything else.

Here’s to 2022 and the year I’ll (hopefully) make a blogging comeback!

Share any goals you’ve got for the year as well as one good thing that’s happened to you recently!

If you’re still here after all these years, thanks for reading!

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Where I’ve Been…

Hello, hello! Long time no blog! In 2021 I haven’t blogged much at all, it’s not through not wanting to but I feel like I haven’t had much to say and I’ve been enjoying keeping under the radar a little bit and using weekends as chill out time to read and catch up on other things. I still read other blogs almost every day and do want to put out posts when inspiration strikes. This is kind of the reason for this post, bridging the gap talking about what I’ve been feeling and what’s been happening and a push to get me excited about blogging again.

I’ll start by rewinding back to April/May of this year when I felt things start to change. In April my mum was in hospital again, thankfully it wasn’t as serious as her admissions in 2020 but the situation doesn’t get easier. She came out a week later and over the past six months her and I have noticed improvements. She’s able to do more and walk further without getting breathless as fast and she came off prednisone after being on them for a year. At the end of April I had time off work and was able to recharge. Throughout this and a few months prior I’d been feeling really tired and sometimes didn’t know how I was getting through the day. My job can be intense so on top of feeling tired I was also incredibly drained. A few people suggested I might have glandular fever based on my symptoms and how I’d been feeling. In May I went to the doctor and mentioned the tiredness and she said it sounded like I was burnt out and suggested more time off work (which I didn’t take as I would have felt guilty) and a blood test. The results came back and my white cell count was up slightly so it looked like an infection of some sort. A few weeks later I had another blood test and the cell count had gone up. I was prescribed antibiotics and had another blood test after finishing them but the cell count was still the same so I was given more antibiotics. The doctor couldn’t figure it out as she said ‘I’m pretty healthy.’ In the end I had three courses of antiobtiotics and countless blood tests and still don’t know what was wrong. I asked to be tested for glandular fever but it didn’t happen. I haven’t seen a doctor or had a blood test since July so I don’t know what my white cells are like currently. I still feel tired some days but nowhere near as bad as I was.

While all of that was going on I made sure to be gentle and kind to myself and started taking more time at weekends to relax and started not to feel guilty if I stayed in my pyjamas one day or didn’t get the house all cleaned. I’ve started pacing myself and going with the flow a bit more and listening to what my body wants. I mentioned I feel like I’ve been under the radar a little bit and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve still been quite active on Instagram and I’ve been trying to adapt to the new features of the platform such as reels but honestly sometimes I do lose motivation with it. Reels and video content is supposedly pushed to more people but I personally find they don’t get as many likes for me. I don’t know whether my followers aren’t seeing the content, they don’t like it or a mixture of both. I will keep perservering as they have been fun to make and I like watching reels from the people I follow. I am aware the feed content has been lacking since New Zealand went back into lockdown in August and I’m working on it.

The day the second lockdown was announced I was on annual leave and hours before had received my first Pfizer jab. Absolutely the right thing to do was lockdown the country as they didn’t know if it was a Delta case or not, that decision was ridiculed but it meant lockdown only lasted for a few weeks. If you look at where New Zealand is now, the day I’m writing this post we have had the highest daily total of cases since the pandemic started and most of the country is in Level 2 which means shops, cafes, restaurants and businesses can open with social distancing and safety measures in place and mask wearing is compulsory. Okay, more of the country is vaccinated now but the case numbers aren’t plateauing or going down.

Recently on an Instagram story I was sharing thoughts and feelings I’d been having and one of those was around the way I look. I’m not feeling too confident at the moment – perhaps that’s down to not wearing makeup for three months – but mask wearing makes me feel sweaty and overheat and I don’t like the way some things are looking on me. I don’t feel like I’ve eaten more  or gained weight but I think it’s that mindset of Covid is still here there’s no point going out anywhere or putting a nice outfit on. I’m still staying home and keeping activities to a minimum. I’ve also not been in the mood for dating or trying to meet anybody, I’m happy by myself at the moment and socialising with new people during times like these makes me nervous.

Onto the last and most exciting piece of news in this post, I’ve ordered a new phone. I’ve been an Apple user for years and when I saw they had released a pink iPhone it was destined to be mine. I ordered it last week and it should arrive in a few weeks. I was tossing up between the 13 or the 13 mini but I went with the 13 in the end as it’s a similar size to my current phone but doesn’t weigh as much. It’s going to be strange not to have the home button but I’ll soon get over it. I treated myself to this phone as a) the model I currently have is 6 years old (I bought it in 2019) and it won’t last forever b) how often do you see a pink phone and c) the base amount of storage is 128GB, four times as much as my current phone. That will be useful for making more video content.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to catch up with me.
Please say hello in the comments and let me know how you’ve been lately!

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Empty Products #19

Another empties post, the fourth this year! I’ve finished up a couple more products from my Project Pan and it’s rewarding to see how many things I’ve used up in total so far in 2021. Please leave a comment if you still enjoy reading empties posts or if you’ve tried anything mentioned here.

Haircare

1. Function of Beauty conditioner

I decided to give Function of Beauty another go after having a better experience with the products towards the end of finishing my first set of shampoo and conditioner. I changed up the hair goals and changed my formula to suit medium thickness hair rather than coarse hair. I think I just have a lot of hair which makes it seem thick but that doesn’t mean it’s coarse. The second set has been much more enjoyable to use and you can read more of my thoughts in this post *HERE*. I’m not far away from finishing the shampoo from this set either but let’s face it, 97% of people finish conditioner first!

Repurchase: Yes, my third set of shampoo and conditioner will be sent towards the end of September.

Makeup

2. BECCA Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid

Who doesn’t love glowy skin?! I like a soft, lit from within glow that isn’t too intense and in your face. This liquid shimmering skin perfector was part of a set with two other mini products from BECCA and it’s beautiful! I would use this in place of a traditional primer and buff it in with my foundation, the effect it gave was lovely.

Repurchase: Possibly if BECCA weren’t closing down.

3. Garnier Micellar Water

I was so excited to try this when it launched 5-6 years ago as it’s a great concept for makeup removal but my skin didn’t agree with the product. I haven’t tried the version for sensitive skin but I’d be apprehensive as I didn’t like how this felt on my skin after makeup was removed. When I purchased some sets of false lashes in 2020 I re-purchased a small bottle so I could empty some product into a container and soak the lashes to remove any glue after wearing them. It works a treat and this small bottle lasted well over a year for that purpose.

Repurchase: Yes, to soak false eyelashes, not as a makeup remover.

4. Colourpop Pretty Fresh Sponge

I’m one of those people who doesn’t like applying base makeup with a sponge. I don’t find they give even coverage or the look I like and much prefer brushes. As far as sponges go this one is decent, it’s soft and bouncy and doesn’t absorb too much product. I’ve had this sponge for a wee while now and haven’t used it in months so it’s time to say goodbye.

Repurchase: No, not because it’s bad, I’m just not a fan of sponges.

Skincare & Fragrance

5. Natio Daily Defence Face Moisturiser SPF50+

I hadn’t tried this product before but I like my daytime moisturisers to have SPF and it sounded perfect for applying under makeup as it claims to be a non-greasy formula. The moisturiser is lightweight, hydrating and makeup applies nicely over the top – it’s a great day to day option! I have a different day cream from Natio to use next but I can see myself going back to this afterwards.

Repurchase: Yes.

6. Natio Rosewater Hydration Moisture Boost Day Cream-Gel

Natio is one of those brands whose skincare just works really nicely with my skin. They use a lot of natural ingredients and the price point of their products for the quality is very reasonable. That being said, this moisturiser isn’t my favourite product from them. It’s not bad by any means but I’m not a fan of gel formula moisturisers, I find them less hydrating for my dry skin. The scent of rose is also quite prominent, not enough to be annoying or irritate my nose but if you’re sensitive to smell this might not be for you.

Repurchase: No.

7. Destiny by Delta Goodrem

This perfume was one of the original 10 items in my project pan I started in January. I enjoyed the warmth of the scent and the notes of orange blossom which leant it to being a nicer winter perfume than a summer perfume. I didn’t find the longevity of this very good, the other Delta Goodrem perfume I mentioned in my last empties had better longevity and was more up my street overall.

Repurchase: No.

8. Juicy Couture – Viva la Juicy

This perfume is my holy grail and I consider it my signature scent! It’s got everything I love; vanilla, gourmand, sweetness and more. Certain perfumes work well in conjunction with a person’s body chemistry and this is one of mine. Whenever I wear this I feel confident and upbeat and over the years I’ve received compliments about how good this smells on me too. Viva la Juicy is feminine, fun and sexy.

Repurchase: Already have.

Body

9. The Body Shop Peppermint hand cream

This was given to me at Christmas time by a work colleague. I was pleasantly surprised by how good this smelled – like mint chocolate – and it felt pretty hydrating too!

Repurchase: Would happily use again.

10. Nivea Invisible Silky Smooth Anti-Perspirant

I deviated from my usual Nivea deodorant and this one is a winner! Past deviations didn’t leave me impressed but I would happily alternate between this and my usual in future. This is formulated with skin conditioners for silky soft and velvety skin and keeps black and white garments their respective colours.

Repurchase: Yes.

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What was the last product you finished up?

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Empty Products #18

My second blog post in just over a week and my third empties post this year! I finished up another couple of the original 10 items I started project pan with and I’m making really good progress with that project. There’s only one item from this bunch I wouldn’t be happy to use again, the rest are all winners!

Haircare

1. Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner

I purchased a set of Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner in August 2020, started using the products in November 2020 and finished them in April this year. The set lasted a few months which is normal for shampoo and conditioner for me and the rose scent I chose is lovely. I did purchase a second set of shampoo and conditioner in March and changed a few of the hair goals to see if there was any difference and I’m enjoying my second set even more than the first.

Repurchase: Yes, I purchased a second set and plan on getting a third set in September as well.

2. Toni & Guy Damage Repair Mask

I have a Toni & Guy heat protectant spray and like that so when I saw this hair mask on sale I was curious enough to pick it up. The masks aims to provide intense nourishment to enhance softness and shine and has a deep conditioning formula that penetrates deep into hair fibres for advanced repair. I’d use this mask a few times a week after applying conditioner and leave it on my hair for 3-5 minutes. I like masks that are quick and don’t have to be left on for a long time. I felt this mask does work and hair feels sleek and soft with use. The scent is also really nice.

Repurchase: Maybe

Makeup

3. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW10

Ever since trying a sample of the Studio Fix Fluid Foundation I fell in love with it! The formula of the foundation is a natural velvet matte finish that doesn’t accentuate my dry skin. Products layer nicely on top of this foundation and it is such a good everyday one for work. The foundation doesn’t break down throughout the day and lasts for a long time, over the course of a day when the skin’s natural oils come out it still looks good. The only con is the pump I had broke and if I buy another bottle of this foundation which I certainly see myself doing, I’ll have to buy another pump as well. (The pump broke when I unscrewed it to decant the remaining product into a container).

Repurchase: Yes

4. Rimmel Brow Pro Micro in Soft Brown

I ran out of my trusty Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil at the start of the year and saw this micro brow pencil in store and decided to pick it up on a whim. The colour is a little cooler toned than the pencil I use but it still looks natural and works for me. I liked not having to sharpen a pencil and wasting product if the pencil snapped. The spoolie is a lot softer for brushing brow hairs up and the micro brow pencil doesn’t snap. Product is creamy but not patchy. The regular brow pencil is a little cheaper and lasts longer but I don’t mind paying a little bit more if the product doesn’t snap and there’s no wastage.

Repurchase: Yes

5. Rimmel Magnif’eyes Eye Primer

I still stand by my claim that this eye primer is a good dupe for Urban Decay’s Primer Potion. The doe foot applicator picks up a good amount of product at a time and doesn’t create any mess. I feel this doesn’t have the longevity of Primer Potion, not on the eyelids but once the product is open, it won’t last as long. You can’t see how much product is left and can’t see if there’s wastage, with the Primer Potion tube you can really squeeze product out. I wouldn’t rule out buying this again in future.

Repurchase: Maybe

6. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

I had never tried this classic setting spray until this year and I totally get the hype! I like the lightweight feel of the mist and that it doesn’t soak the face. It doesn’t upset the makeup underneath and melts products together which makes everything look effortless and gives a natural glow. I’m currently using the ‘Glow’ version of the All Nighter and both are pretty similar, one isn’t better than the other and the Glow version doesn’t add too much dew. If you want to buy the regular All Nighter and it’s out of stock I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Glow version.

Repurchase: Yes

Skincare & Fragrance

7. Delta by Delta Goodrem

Delta Goodrem is one of my favourite musicians and when she announced she was releasing a perfume I was excited. The fragrances are sold through Chemist Warehouse in Australia and New Zealand and she has released three so far; Delta was the first. I love the simplicity of the bottle and the little leaf charm around the neck of the bottle. This scent is fresh and feminine and out of the two Delta Goodrem perfumes I have this is the one I like better. It’s a good perfume for work but doesn’t have the best longevity on me.

Opening with notes of juicy mandarin, velvety nectarine and bright green apple, the scent’s top notes are infused with vivacious energy and sparkle. The heart of the fragrance shares Delta’s joyous style with a hint of sweet honeysuckle that mingles harmoniously with jasmine pearls and wild orchid. Rooted in the background are ingredients that lay close to skin with the softest touch including creamy sandalwood and warm vanilla wrapped in a white musk to embody pure luxury.

Repurchase: Maybe

Body

8. MOR Juicy Blooms hand cream

I have a little hand cream stash in my makeup drawer and this MOR Juicy Blooms hand cream came as part of a trio set I purchased in 2019. I try to match my hand creams to seasons and this one was lovely for summer. It was fruity and fresh and the formula is lovely, soft and moisturising. MOR products can be a little pricey but I would consider purchasing more of their hand creams.

Repurchase: Maybe

9. The Body Shop Shea Exfoliating Sugar Body Scrub

I really didn’t like this product. I love the Shea range and the fact The Body Shop do have scrubs that don’t have SLS in the ingredients list and won’t react with my skin. I use body scrub when I shave my legs to combat dryness and razor burn and this one did the job but it was really oily and slippery and would clog up the razor. I’m glad I only purchased the small size and it only took me a short while to use up.

Repurchase: No

10. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

Still my anti-perspirant of choice! I’ll be devastated if this gets discontinued.

Repurchase: Of course!

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What was the last product you finished up?

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Re-reviewing Function of Beauty

This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Function of Beauty. Products purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

In February I shared my experience with shampoo and conditioner I purchased from Function of Beauty back in 2020. I’d been using the products for a few months by that time and felt I was well informed to talk about them. In that post I mentioned the products were middle of the road, not the best I’d used but certainly not bad either. After writing that post I realised I had been towel drying my hair more often using my previous formula and went back to letting my hair air dry (which is what I normally do) and saw an improvement. I mentioned in my previous Function of Beauty post I noticed more split ends which could have been due to the increase in towel drying my hair.

I decided to give the brand the benefit of the doubt and thought I would make a second order and see if my experience was more positive. Spoiler alert, my revamped formula was really enjoyable from first use and I’m glad I gave the brand another chance! Again, I got the 8oz (236ml) shampoo and conditioner as this lasts me a decent amount of time and stuck with the Strike a (r)ose scent with light intensity. I was also more decisive with the colours this time and knew I wanted a girly, pink set!

I updated my hair type and hair goals this time around which is what I think has made a difference. I said I have wavy hair that’s medium thickness (rather than coarse which I selected last time) and my scalp doesn’t get oily or dry, it’s normal.

One hair goal I kept the same and others I changed. I will list the hair goals I chose first time around that I changed and then list the five I chose for my second formula.

First formula hair goals that were changed:

• Deep condition
• Fix split ends
• Anti-frizz
• Replenish hair

Second formula hair goals:

1. Straighten – Relax and style unruly hair with a biolipid complex that leaves a sheathing film which naturally disciplines hair even in humid conditions.
2. Nourish roots – Stimulate your hair roots and facilitate the transport of key nutrients to hair bulbs and shafts for healthier, fuller hair.
3. Hydrate – Restore your hair’s moisture balance, prevent future moisture loss and treat your hair with long-lasting hydration.
4. Shine – Enhance your hair’s natural shine, luster and reflection while improving your overall hair health without weighing hair down.
5. Strengthen – Increase your hair’s resilience and elasticity, stimulate healthy hair growth and protect your hair from breakage.

Delivery was super speedy! The products only took about a week to arrive from Amercia from the time my order was shipped. The products sat in my cupboard for a month while I finished my first set and I started using the second set straight after they were finished. I could instantly tell the difference and how much better these hair goals are suited to my hair. This time around I signed up for the subscription service so I will automatically receive another set of shampoo and conditioner in September. I’m extra excited for that as I will be trying one of the subscriber only scents Milk(shea)ke which is described as a rich and creamy shea butter and warm vanilla fragrance. I love vanilla scents so I can’t wait to smell this one. I’m also going choose the medium scent intensity to see how long the scent sticks around. Everything is customisable up until September so if I change my mind about colours, the size or the scent I can edit the formula as much as I like.

Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner feels like a luxury treat that I’ve really been enjoying the past few months. My hair feels soft and looks shiny and healthy (partly due to a haircut in April as well). It does show it pays to pick the right hair goals as that can affect how the products perform.

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It has been over two months since my last blog post, say hello in the comments and let me know how you’ve been! I didn’t mean to disappear for so long but I’ve had some stuff to deal with and in all honesty I’ve been enjoying taking a bit of a back seat from the online world and laying low. I’ve been meaning to get this post finished for a while but the weather wasn’t great for photos (blaming you winter) – I’m glad it’s finally up!

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April Favourites + Highlights 2021

April has been a month of two halves, the first half was stressful with my mum getting sick and being admitted to hospital again and the second half I had 11 days off work and felt like I had to catch up and recover from the first half of the month. The week my mum was in hospital I pretty much ran on adrenaline and it wasn’t until afterwards I noticed the toll it had taken on me. I don’t know if this is as a result of that but recently I’ve fallen out of love with blogging a little bit, I haven’t felt motivated to write or post often and I want my blog to be the best I can make it be. I don’t want to stop blogging but for the next wee while posts are likely to be scarce. I’m still very active on Instagram and reading/commenting on other blogs so I won’t disappear entirely.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara – At the beginning of the month I opened a new mascara and chose to go with Roller Lash from Benefit. I have heard so many good things about this mascara and I’m glad to say it hasn’t disappointed. The first time I used it I noticed the formula was a good mix between dry and wet and the product doesn’t smudge. It definitely gave length with the first use and the more I use it the more I like it. Now that it’s been open for a couple of weeks I notice the volume it gives as well and a second coat builds on the lashes really nicely. This does give a natural, fluttery curl too which looks lovely.

2. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlight Wand in Champagne Pop – I have used this as a highlighter on top of foundation and it is quite a natural looking glow compared to the powder form of Champagne Pop. I have been loving using this under my foundation instead of a primer. I have been dotting it on my face along with foundation and blending both products in together. It gives such a beautiful, healthy finish to the skin and works well with MAC’s Studio Fix Foundation in particular. I have now finished that foundation so I’m hoping it works just as well under others.

3. Nescafé Scorched Almond Mocha – I have mentioned before I’m not a big coffee drinker but now and again I purchase some sachets from the supermarket. I love Nestlé’s scorched almond chocolates so when I saw they had that flavour in coffee form I was curious to give it a try. I like the balance of chocolate and the slight nutty element, there is sweetness and it isn’t bitter. There are 10 sachets in a box and I have had over half of these already.

April Highlights

• I feel like I have made so many online orders this month but I’m also equally excited for everything to arrive.
• I had some time off work and while I didn’t feel as productive as I would have liked it was nice just to potter around and do what I like when I felt like it.
• I’ve also been using the exercycle again so hopefully I can keep this up when I return to work.

April’s Spotify Playlist:

(P.S. it annoys me that Spotify have changed their share playlist feature – I don’t know how to align the playlist in the centre anymore. If anyone knows how to do it with HTML please let me know).

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Share one of your highlights for the month and what you’ve been up to in the comments!

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Empty Products #17

Long time, no post! Life happened and I simply haven’t had energy or time to focus on the blog. I had this post written and the photos taken at the start of April but my mum got sick and was admitted to hospital again. It’s nice to finally share it!

I enjoy being nosy and seeing what products people have finished up which is part of the reason I continue to share what I use up. A number of products I started my project pan with feature in this empties, I’m proud of all the progress I’m making so far! A quick warning, these empties are VERY makeup heavy.

Makeup

1. Revlon Lip Butter – Lollipop

This is a classic example of what I dub “the Chanelle lip colour”. Lollipop is a beautiful bright fuchsia with hints of micro-shimmer and the formula is lovely. The lip butters were designed to be more like a stain but Lollipop can be built up and layered and is very pigmented. The formula can be quite glossy and slip a little but I didn’t have any trouble with this shade.

Repurchase: This range is discontinued but if it was still available I would consider purchasing Lollipop again. I do have other fuchsia shades in my collection.

2. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10

I purchased this concealer in 2017 and it lasted me around 3 years. I didn’t use it solidly or exclusively throughout that time, I used other concealers in between. The formula works well with my dry skin, product can be built up and layered easily without looking cakey and clinging to dry patches. This isn’t the most high coverage concealer but as it can be layered it is able to cover redness and blemishes. Since finishing this up, I do miss it. I’m currently using L’Oreal’s Infallible More Than Concealer and while the coverage is amazing, it can perform differently depending on the foundation and primer used underneath.

Repurchase: Maybe

3. Clinique Rosewater Pop Lipgloss

I got this lipgloss in a set a couple of years ago. The colour is really pretty, it gives such a natural, rosy sheen to the lips. The formula isn’t sticky and this was nice to wear on no makeup days but the gloss didn’t have much staying power. Lips felt nice and soft after wearing this but it’s not something I would reach for often. I used this up because it had been with me for a while.

Repurchase: No.

4. BECCA Skin Love Brighten & Blur Primer

This primer has such a lovely fruity scent and the product itself is incredibly moisturising and hydrating. Where this fell down for me is I found it was too hydrating and makeup wouldn’t always sit nicely on top. I have dry skin so I need hydration but the texture felt thick and heavy on my skin. It’s nice to have tried this but I wouldn’t buy the full size.

Repurchase: No

5. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

I have used this to fill in my brows for about five years now. I am currently using a different brow product from Rimmel which I’m enjoying and I think the cooler brown shade suits me a little bit more at the moment. I do still enjoy the pencil as it’s quick and easy.

Repurchase: Already have.

6. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

I use this to clean my makeup brushes which is why I’ve included it in this category. One of these bottles lasts me a couple of years and several brush washes. The product is inexpensive, brushes wash up nicely and my skin doesn’t get irritated when this has been on the bristles and they come into contact with my skin.

Repurchase: Already have.

7. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (4.8 ml)

In a previous empties post I used a sample size of Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara and was on the fence about it as sometimes the product would smudge onto my eyelids and I didn’t always get on with it. As the product dried out I did enjoy the mascara more but it’s interesting that using a second sample I had a different experience. What I think made the difference is the wand, the pink part of the wand on this sample was a lot longer so it was easier to hold and really get into the eyelashes and apply product. There was pretty much no smudging and my lashes looked really full and voluminous.

Repurchase: I’m not sure I would pay full prize for this mascara ($44 NZD) but I would use this mascara again if it was on sale, I was given it or received another sample.

 

Skincare & Fragrance

8. Natio Ageless Advanced Lifting and Firming Serum

I hadn’t used a serum before as I really enjoy facial oils but I decided to buy this one last year when Natio had a 3 For 2 offer on. I didn’t hate the serum but I also didn’t notice much difference when I used it. My skin didn’t seem plumper or softer but perhaps in hindsight laughter lines looked less prominent. This was easy to spread over the skin and it soaked in quickly but I also looked forward to finishing the serum.

Repurchase: No.

Body

9. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

Still using and loving this! A nice, fresh smelling anti-perspirant that doesn’t cause skin irritation or leave residue on clothing.

Repurchase: Yes.

10. The Body Shop Shea Nourishing Body Lotion

I love The Body Shop and the Shea range is a firm favourite but this body lotion isn’t quite how I remembered it. It used to come in a pump bottle and there used to be some product wastage but the texture of the lotion seemed to be softer, more moisturising and have a stronger scent. The squeeze tube as opposed to the pump bottle is great but the lotion doesn’t seem as malleable and it seems like more product is needed at a time.

Repurchase: Maybe. If the brand bring out a Shea Body Yoghurt I’ll be all for it! I love the texture of those and there’s no product wastage.

11. The Body Shop British Rose Body Butter (50ml)

I had always been curious to try a product from the British Rose range. I held off for a while as I was worried the floral scent would be overwhelming but I didn’t find the scent of this body butter too much at all – it’s a nice, fresh floral. This does give a glowy sheen to the skin but I don’t find the formula as moisturising as other body butters I’ve used in the past. Not sure I’d purchase the full 200ml size.

Repurchase: Maybe the 50ml size.

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What was the last product you finished up?

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