Empty Products #11

My fifth empties post in a year! I am proud of how dedicated I have been to using products up and the speed with which I’m getting through things. There’s a lot of great products in this post and 80% of them I would be happy to purchase again. Let’s get started!

Haircare

1. TRESemmé Heat Tamer Protective Spray

I have had this heat protector for a few years as I rarely use styling tools on my hair. The scent is pleasant, it’s like a fruity version of The Body Shop’s Vitamin E scent with less rosy notes – there is no hair spray, chemical type smell. The spray makes hair soft and look shiny without looking oily and it is good value for money. It costs $7 (NZD) for 300ml. If you do use styling tools regularly and had to purchase this a few times a year it’s still good value.

Repurchase: Yes.

Makeup

2. L’Oreal Paradise Extatic Mascara

Paradise Extatic is the European/New Zealand version of L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise mascara. My initial thoughts are I don’t like Paradise Extatic as much as I liked Lash Paradise. I found Paradise Extatic dried out quicker and the formula got clumpy and thick after not being open for very long at all. Paradise Extatic didn’t build and layer as well as I remember Lash Paradise doing and my lashes didn’t look long and fluttery. The performance of this particular tube of mascara was average. I’ve seen people compare Lash Paradise and Paradise Extatic and this has come out on top but for me it’s the other way round. The only way this is superior to Lash Paradise is that the colour on the outside of the tube doesn’t flake and peel off.

Repurchase: Yes but Lash Paradise in the pink tube.

3. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair

I have talked about this concealer numerous times over the years on my blog so I’ll keep this short. It is my favourite creamy concealer and as far as value for money, shade match, coverage and pigmentation goes it wins hands down!

Repurchase: I already have.

4. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW13 (Sample)

I recently reviewed this foundation *HERE* and I’m including this little sample as an empty because it gave me 27 uses which is a lot more than the week’s worth of product the poster stated. The colour match could not be more perfect for my skin and this foundation blended like a dream, it is the nicest looking foundation I have tried to date. Cheek products sit nicely on top, the formula is comfortable – the right amount of dew and matte – and product didn’t break down on my face throughout the day.

Repurchase: I am considering buying a full size of this foundation once I finish up a few others in my collection.

5. MAC Syrup

I am sad I have finished this lipstick but also proud. Syrup was my first ever MAC lipstick and my first ever MAC purchase so it holds a special place in my heart. Syrup is the most beautiful pink-purple mauve berry and such a hard colour to dupe. It has a lustre finish meaning it’s incredibly comfortable to wear and has a nice natural shine.

Repurchase: Definitely – one of the best lipstick colours I have ever owned!

6. MAC Patisserie

I actually thought I would finish Patisserie before Syrup but as it happened I used both of these up within a week of each other. Patisserie is also a lustre finish and is the perfect peachy-pink nude. When it comes to nude lipsticks pink undertones suit me best.

Repurchase: I’m sure I will at some point.

Skincare & Fragrance

7. Antipodes Hosanna H20 Skin Plumping Serum

I received a deluxe sample of this serum as a gift with purchase but I didn’t enjoy it. The serum has a strong medicinal scent and I didn’t notice any benefits to my skin when I used this. It didn’t irritate my skin or dry it out further but I didn’t see any plumping effects either. The serum seemed to soak into my skin awfully quickly and it felt like I hadn’t applied any product.

Repurchase: No.

8. The Body Shop Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist

Aside from Fix+ by MAC this is the face mist I have enjoyed using the most to set my makeup. The strawberry scent is lovely and fruity and the spray feels light and refreshing on the skin. This mist gives my skin a smooth, dewy look.

Repurchase: Most likely.

9. Britney Spears – Prerogative 30ml

Prerogative is probably my favourite fragrance from Britney Spears so far. It has notes of amber, pink pepper, apricot, lily, espresso foam and a velvety, gourmand twist. The scent is quite light and not the most long lasting but it’s a good everyday perfume for work. My only slight gripe is the bottle. The packaging is simple and sexy but as the bottle sits on an angle I worry perfume could leak out.

Repurchase: Maybe.

Body

10. Victoria’s Secret Ruby Guava Hand Cream

A work colleague gave this to me and the packaging is super cute! I didn’t know Victoria’s Secret made hand cream. The scent is fruity and a little stronger than what I usually like. This also didn’t feel as moisturising as other hand creams I’ve used in the past.

Repurchase: No.

11. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 200ml

Shea is my favourite scent from The Body Shop and this is actually the first 200ml tub of this scent I have finished up. I’ve used a couple of smaller 50ml tubs in the past but this is softer and creamier despite being the same scent. I never tire of this scent and it’s perfect for any time of year.

Repurchase: Yes!

---

What was the last product you finished up?

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

April Favourites + Highlights

April has been a decent month. The weather is starting to cool down and the temperature is dropping gradually which is nice, I’ve had time off from work, I’ve been reading a fair bit and I’ve acquired some new beauty bits which I’ve been happily trying out. I’ve also been eyeing up more Zoeva makeup brushes after purchasing the 104 Buffer Brush. Ideally I’d like a pencil brush or something of a similar size to apply eyeshadow in the outer V and under my lower lash line.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Colourpop Sol Palette – I can already tell this is going to be one of my most used eyeshadow palettes. Every time I reach for it I get excited to use it! The shades are versatile and the orange tones suit my fair skin more than I thought they would. The mattes aren’t patchy and can be built up easily. The shimmers glisten and are equally as pigmented if not more than the mattes. The palette is compact and lightweight and I’m so happy I picked it up!

2. Colourpop Slave2Pink Super Shock Shadow – The last predictable favourite for the month and then I promise I’ll stop going on about my first foray into Colourpop! Basically the story behind this eyeshadow is I wanted to try this colour on my eyes. Fuchsia is my favourite lipstick colour and I wanted to experiment with the colour on another part of my face and see what the hype around the Super Shock Shadows is all about. The formula of this is super smooth and the pigment is like no other.

3. Britney Spears Prerogative EDP – I purchased this perfume blindly a few days after Christmas 2018 and I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s possibly my favourite of Britney’s that I’ve tried to date. The bottle is adorable (I have the 30ml) and I’d happily purchase this scent in a larger size. The scent isn’t the longest lasting but it’s very pleasant. The scent is unisex and isn’t designed specifically for women, I like that the notes aren’t all traditional and differ from my other perfumes. Prerogative reminds me slightly of The Body Shop’s Black Musk due to the pink pepper but this is nicer.

4. Glassons Tie Waist Crop Pant – I bought these pants in March and I had been searching for a pair like this for a long time. The pants have wide legs (perfect for a curvy girl like me) and a paper bag waist that doesn’t accentuate my tummy when I tuck tops in. Tops really do have to be worn tucked in to these to a) show off the waist detailing and b) stop the top bunching and bulging around the bow. The best part about these pants is because they are cropped they are the perfect full length on me without being too long. They are seriously comfortable too.

April Highlights

• Found a tube of my favourite mascara from Rimmel that has been discontinued here in NZ.
• One of my work mates bought me back an Essence lipgloss from her trip to the Philippines. I hadn’t tried anything from Essence before and this gloss is lovely.
• Had my first proper time off work since October 2018.
• Bought discount Easter eggs after Easter; Lindt bunnies, Mini Eggs and Creme Eggs.

April’s Spotify Playlist:

---

How was your month? Share one of your highlights in the comments!

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Empty Products #8

This is my third empties post since the start of November 2018! I am getting quicker at using things up and I definitely think my low buy is helping. I am more inspired to use what I’ve got before buying more and replacing products. I know which products I’m close to finishing and putting my focus on those rather than having different things open at once and using small amounts of each.

Haircare

1. OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

I enjoyed the shampoo from this range a lot more than the conditioner. A small dollop of product was enough and from the time I started this shampoo until the time I finished it was around seven months. $13 seems expensive upfront but over time that works out to less than $2 per month. The product does have a pleasant scent. It didn’t leave my roots feeling oily or dried out, my hair felt soft and clean.

Repurchase: Maybe.

2. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Conditioner Supreme Length

After finishing my previous conditioner I was ready to try something new and this caught my eye. Not only is the bottle my favourite colour but the product is aimed at long hair prone to damage and oily roots. This smells really nice and actually worked well in conjunction with the OGX shampoo above.

Repurchase: I have.

3. Fudge Urban Miracle Ends

A fellow blogger inspired this purchase a few years ago and when I first got it I would make a conscious effort to use it but after a few months it fell by the wayside. It became a product I’d use on my hair to keep the ends looking sleek and straight after I’d blow dried it. I don’t use tools on my hair often which probably explains why it took me three years to finish this! I’ve been trying to get it gone these past few weeks and I finally did it!

Repurchase: No. It’s not a bad product but I didn’t enjoy using it.

Makeup

4. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer

I understand why so many people enjoy this primer, it’s very moisturising. A little goes a long way and the 20ml tube lasted me four months. The coconut scent isn’t offensive and even if you don’t like coconut scents like me I think you’ll still like this, the scent is barely there. I did find when I used my MAC Studio Finish Concealer it would pill if I used this primer. This primer did accentuate lines sometimes too.

Repurchase: The primer was fine if I used my Collection concealer but I am using a Max Factor primer currently which I prefer. I may pick this primer up again though.

5. Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara – 003 Extreme Black

Words cannot explain my love for this mascara! The big brush is surprisingly easy to work with, the wand has proper bristles rather than plastic ones and the formula and pigmentation is incredible. The formula is consistent throughout the lifetime of each tube, it doesn’t change drastically. It’s slightly wetter when first opened but not in smudgy, messy way. The wand gives length and volume. I’m sad the Extreme Black shade has been discontinued, the regular black shade is just not as good.

Repurchase: Yes, my holy grail mascara! I have one tube left as a back up and might try and hunt more down.

Skincare & Fragrance

6. MAC Studio Finish Moisture Cream

Don’t get me wrong this is a nice moisturiser and this is the second tube I have finished up but I think I’d try it as my day moisturiser if I pick it up again to see how it performs under makeup. I don’t find this works as good with the facial oil as the night moisturiser I am currently using – Clinique’s Moisture Surge – I like something slightly lighter in the evening so the oil absorbs better.

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. Trilogy Very Gentle Restoring Oil

This oil has been such a game changer for my skin! The lines I used to get around my nose and mouth have practically disappeared and my skin is much softer and nourished. Makeup applies better and this oil works well in conjunction with my day and night moisturisers. I don’t have excess oil or get many breakouts (I tend to notice hormonal/stress breakouts or get them from sweating and if I haven’t been eating well).

Repurchase: Already have.

8. Britney Spears Private Show Perfume

I got this perfume for Christmas in December 2016 and every time I wore it I got asked what it was or comments from people saying how nice I smelt. I loved it at the start and the lasting power is good but ever since the break up last year something in me switched and I stopped enjoying this as much as I had previously. This was my ex boyfriend’s favourite on me and I’m not petty enough to not like it anymore for that reason but the scent is a reminder and I’d rather not think of sadness every time I spray it.

Repurchase: Not sure, I’ll test this in store in the near future and see if I feel any different.

Body

9. Nivea Anti-Perspirant – Clear

This has featured in every empties post since 2015.

Repurchase: Until I find something as good, yes.

10. The Body Shop Shea Hand Cream

Shea is probably my favourite range at The Body Shop. The scent is appropriate year round and the sweet, nutty smell is lovely. I have tried a number of products from the range and haven’t been disappointed. This hand cream is one I’d recommend to everybody if you’re new to trying The Body Shop’s products and you’re looking for a good staple. It also makes a nice gift. This isn’t the first tube I’ve finished up.

Repurchase: Yes.

---

What was the last product you finished up?

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Empty Products #7

I don’t know what is happening but over the past few months I have been using up products quicker than usual. It is only two months since my last empties post and I’m back with another bunch! Doing these posts when I finish 10 or so items seems to be working well.

Haircare

1. OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner

The scent is nice and the product does make my hair feel clean but I didn’t enjoy using the full size as much as I did the 88ml bottles I tried in the past. I think this works better when used once a week rather than washing my hair with it constantly. I am still finishing the matching shampoo, which I enjoy more than the conditioner. This conditioner didn’t seem to be easy to massage into the hair so I was using more than normal.

Repurchase: No. The full size is pretty pricey too.

Makeup

2. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

This pencil featured in my project pan for 2018 and on the very last day of 2018 I finished it! It was all I used to fill in my brows for the best part of three years and it’s so easy and fuss free.

Repurchase: I have.

3. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain

This product was another one that featured in 2018’s project pan. I have had a love/hate relationship over the past year with this foundation but it holds a special place in my heart because it was the first liquid foundation I ever bought. Long story short, Rimmel changed the formula and discontinued shades and last year they released new shades again. Is it my favourite foundation, no, but it is still a good everyday option for work.

Repurchase: Maybe – I’d be interested to swatch the new shades.

4. Elizabeth Arden Luscious Raspberry (Sample)

I was given this sample in 2017 and it is the loveliest raspberry colour. The formula is long lasting with the shine of a gloss but is by no means sticky like one. This little sample gave me so many uses and I wore this colour a ton throughout 2018!

Repurchase: Maybe. I am on a lip product buying ban in 2019 and I have similar colours in my collection. The applicator on the full size product also looks a little intimidating.

Skincare & Fragrance

5. The Body Shop Black Musk Fragrance Mist

The spiciness of this scent is what I like about it. It’s less sweet than what I usually go for and it’s slightly more grown up.

Repurchase: Maybe.

6. The Body Shop White Musk Fragrance Mist

This is one of my mum’s favourite scents and I got into it through her. It’s floral without being too much and I do think this is nicer than the Black Musk for everyday wear. The White Musk scent is stronger so I find I applied less per use compared to Black Musk which means this is somewhat better value.

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. Britney Spears Curious – In Control

I received a lot of compliments when I wore this perfume and it’s such a good one for work, it’s quite light and sweet but does the job without being overpowering. This was the first Britney perfume I tried and it also holds a special memory as I got it the same day as we picked up Tango. I had this perfume for almost nine years and in that time it always smelt and performed the same.

Repurchase: Yes but not right now.

8. Impulse Tease

With Impulse you know exactly what you’re getting, the cans are portable and don’t take up a lot of room and the scents are pleasant. The scents aren’t as long lasting as perfume but I like them for layering underneath a perfume.

Repurchase: In the future, yes. I have a couple of other mists to work through at the moment.

Body

9. Zoella Double Creme Body Lotion

I do take note of the products Zoella releases but a lot of the bath and shower ones I stay away from because of my sensitive skin. Body lotions are safer territory for me and I picked this one up for less than $10 (NZD) in 2017. The scent is inspired by macarons and once this lotion sinks in to the skin it smells lovely. The scent is not too sweet for my liking and the lotion soaks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue.

Repurchase: Is this still available to buy? I would use it again but at the same time I’m not going to go out of my way to track down a tube. I bought it online as Zoella Beauty isn’t available in New Zealand.

10. The Body Shop Virgin Mojito Body Butter

I picked this up at the end of 2017 and it sat on my dresser for a while before I got to using it but I loved it! The scent is zingy and fresh and the texture of the body butter is soft and creamy. In no way is it a criticism but different body butters from The Body Shop have different textures, some are more easy to spread and scoop out of the tub than others.

Repurchase: Yes and I’d even buy a 200ml tub instead of the 50ml!

11. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

You know the drill with this by now, it’s all I use. Maybe I’ll stop including these in my empties and only include anti-perspirant if I use a different one.

Repurchase: Yes.

Discards

1. Max Factor CC Cream – 40 Fair

There is probably one third of product left but over the past month whenever I have gone to use this it hasn’t sat right with primer and concealer, the CC Cream pills and crusty bits flake off and the product is not sitting on my skin. It is a little disappointing as this is a good colour match for me and the formula of the CC Cream is light and covers well. I think ultimately I didn’t use this product up quick enough but I picked it up cheaply so it’s not all bad.

Repurchase: No. It’s not my favourite base product ever.

I haven’t included this section in an empties before as not often do I throw products out unless they are old or they don’t work for me and they’re not worth passing along.

---

What was the last product you finished up?

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

MASSIVE Beauty Haul

One thing I want to be more conscious of in 2019 is how much I buy makeup. Not only have I set a goal to try not to buy any lipsticks this year but I want to use up what I have before buying more and only buy something if I run out. In the last week of 2018 I took advantage of Boxing Day sales and used up a few gift cards before the low buy/no lipstick buy began.

1. xoBeauty Luxe Liquid Lipstick – Nam Jai – xoBeauty was most definitely my favourite brand discovery of 2018! I have two other liquid lipstick shades and if all liquid lipsticks had this formula I would be a happy girl! Nam Jai is described as a muted warm pink and in pictures I’ve seen it looks like a lovely watermelon pink. In the last xoBeauty order I made I was tossing up between Nam Jai and Kairos. I knew if I didn’t buy this shade it would have been tempting me all year.

2. xoBeauty Tulip Crease Brush – A standard Chanelle eye look usually involves a base shade, a transition shade in the crease and a shimmer all over the lid. I know the importance of blending and having a small enough brush to fit in my crease so the transition shade stays where it is supposed to. This brush reminds me of the Pointed Crease Brush by Real Techniques but this one can also be used to buff base shadows all over the lid.

3. Face Halo 3 Pack (White) – I have seen Shannon use these a lot in her vlogs and while they aren’t made by xoBeauty they are available to buy through the website. Each pack comes with three makeup removers that can simply be used with water. These pads are made up of extremely fine fibres to ensure a deep clean and they are also machine washable. I plan to use these instead of a facecloth to wipe my face after I have applied Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm. A black Pro version of the Face Halo was released recently but the pads didn’t look as soft and with the white you can easily see when they need a clean.

4. Britney Spears Prerogative EDP 30ml – Britney Spears fragrances have been a staple in my collection for the past 10 years. I have tried a handful of different ones in that time and when a new one is released I always pop in store to see if I like it. I didn’t do that with Prerogative so I took a bit of a risk ordering online without smelling it first. I bought the smallest size to be on the safe side but it smells amazing and I can already imagine myself repurchasing this scent.

5. MAC – Velvet Teddy (Little Mac) – Ever since Cleia used the mini version of Velvet Teddy in this makeup tutorial I knew I wanted to try it for myself. I think it’s a great idea that MAC do smaller versions of some of their popular shades, it means it won’t take as long to use up and if for some reason a shade is not right for me I haven’t spent as much money on the full size.

6. MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ 30ml – I like the idea of Fix+’s versatility. I’m interested to try it as a setting spray (especially with the hot summer we’re having) and to spray it on my eye brushes to get a foiled/metallic eye look. I got the 30ml size because I figure it will take a while for me to use based on the rate I go through products – I’m like a snail.

7. MAC Strobe Cream 30ml – I have been looking at the Strobe Cream ever since I made my MECCA Beauty Wishlist. I have now managed to pick up everything on the list except Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara which I’m no longer worried about trying. My plan for the Strobe Cream is to use it on top of my moisturiser like a primer for a natural glow. The travel size comes in the shade Pinklite.

8. Max Factor Smooth Miracle Primer – I kind of picked this up on a whim but seeing as Max Factor Lasting Performance is my favourite foundation and there are a few other Max Factor products I enjoy I thought I’d try this to see if I like it. I got it as a back up in case the MAC Strobe Cream doesn’t work for me as a primer and because I am almost out of my current primer. I like how you can see exactly how much product is left and it has a pump.

9. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – 010 Light Porcelain – Last month I finished up a bottle of Rimmel’s Match Perfection foundation and after falling out of love with it for a while, using it in conjunction with a good primer and concealer made me realise why I loved it in the first place. It has good coverage for everyday wear and it caters for my fair skin. A couple of years ago Rimmel discontinued some shades of Match Perfection (including the one I used) but in 2018 they released a few new ones. I have never tried the Wake Me Up foundation before but I have seen it in New Zealand, albeit not in the Light Porcelain shade. From what I have seen online the Light Porcelain shade of Wake Me Up is slightly darker than the Light Porcelain of Match Perfection, which isn’t a bad thing. I actually find the Match Perfection version of Light Porcelain can look pale if I don’t use bronzer – another reason I’m glad new shades of Match Perfection were released. I’m excited to try Wake Me Up to see how it compares and if it becomes my everyday foundation.

10. MAC Viva Glam II – I actually didn’t realise until after I bought this lipstick that it wasn’t what I thought it was! Six months ago I saw a swatch of Viva Glam V online and thought it looked so pretty, when I saw this Viva Glam lipstick on Fragrance Direct I thought this was it. I’m not completely disappointed, Viva Glam II (originally released in 1997) is still a nice shade, a pink-mauve beige brown and it has one of my favourite MAC finishes, satin.

---

Did you buy anything in the sales after Christmas?

Have you tried any of these products? Would you like to see some of these in a makeup tutorial or first impressions soon? Let me know which products I should use!

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Redhead Rambles #8

Hello everyone and welcome to ‘Redhead Rambles’. The series does what it says on the tin, it is a redhead (me) rambling about her week. I share what I’ve been up to each week, how I’ve been feeling and what I’ve been listening to or watching. Occasionally I will my share favourite blog posts and links I’ve found useful or interesting.

• My Valentine’s celebrations took place late last Thursday night/last Friday. I got a very sweet card with a badge that says No. 1 Valentine. My boyfriend and I bought each other a bag of sour Skittles without the other knowing – it was hilarious. Great minds think alike!
• On Friday night we went to play mini golf and I really enjoyed it. There were fairy lights and rather large bunnies. The game was a close one too.
• I tried a new flavour at Subway – three pepper chicken – and it was delicious!
• When I mowed the lawns on Sunday I hit the side of my head on a tree. It didn’t bleed but it did hurt a little.
• I have had a productive week blog wise, taking photographs and prepping posts for the coming weeks.
• I gave up on a book as part of my challenge to read 50 by the beginning of September. I skipped through to the end and that was just as dull as the rest of the story. Note to self: don’t persist with books if they don’t grip me within the first 100 pages.
• I have been wearing the grey jumper from my fluffy twosie I ordered on ASOS and I love it! It’s so comfy and soft and even though it’s summer I still get cold easily.
• THIS fitness post from Candice is worth a read! It’s inspiring and honest and real.
• I got some Rocky Road Lattes at the supermarket and there are even mini marshmallows in the box too. The coffee taste isn’t very strong and it does taste like Rocky Road. I prefer the Nescafé sachets but when I finish the Rocky Road Lattes I won’t be getting more coffee. I’m trying to be healthier and I don’t need the extra sugar.
• Cheese on toast for dinner on Tuesday night was delicious!
• I painted my nails silver using an Orly 3D Colour Blast polish.

What I’ve been listening to:

Delta Goodrem – Think About You – Delta is an Australian singer-songwriter with a wonderful storytelling ability. I have listened to Delta since her first album was released in 2003. Think About You is described as a ‘raunchy banger’.

Britney Spears – Glory – When Glory was first released I wasn’t feeling it so I decided to re-listen and reacquaint myself with the tracks. There are a few good bops but not my favourite material from Britney.

Shania Twain – Now – I’m still hyped about getting concert tickets and I’ve got to learn all the words to the album by December.

How was your week?

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

My Fragrance Collection

When it comes to perfumes and fragrances I tend to stick with what I know and like. I prefer lighter, sweet scents with base notes of vanilla compared to strong heady scents. I am also partial to musk which you will see in two of the fragrances mentioned in this post. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get a nice perfume. I like wearing lighter scents for work and have one or two scents I reserve for special occasions or days I feel like wearing them. I currently have six scents I classify as ‘perfume’ as well as some body mists/sprays which I haven’t included in this post.

1. Juicy Couture – Viva la Juicy

I wanted to kick things off with my favourite perfume! I loved the smell of Viva la Juicy long before I purchased it. I bought my first bottle in 2015 and I am still working my way through it. This is the perfume I love to wear the most but I also restrict it’s use because I don’t want to go through it too quickly. I picked up the 100ml bottle for $89 (NZD), which, for this perfume is a bargain. The scent is right up my street and lingers longer than my others. 4 sprays usually lasts all day and I might top up with 1 or 2 if I have plans in the evening.

2. Britney spears – Private show

I got this perfume for Christmas in 2016 from my mum and it is my second favourite after Viva la Juicy. I always get comments about how nice this smells when I wear it and it is my favourite of the Britney Spears perfumes I have owned. The bottle is really simple but beautiful. The hexagon pattern is unusual and super pretty. This perfume also lasts well on me throughout the day. I can still smell this on my clothes the following day.

3. The Body Shop Strawberry EDT

This scent is the one I take with me when I stay with my boyfriend. The small bottle is travel friendly and stands up straight in my bag so perfume can’t leak out. For me this is the perfect everyday scent, it’s fruity so it’s not overpowering and heavy. My boyfriend commented this smells nice too so I know he likes it! I have nearly finished this bottle and I will consider repurchasing it for the travel friendly factor.

4. The Body Shop Fragrance Mists

The Body Shop do some really nice fragrances and they are the ones I tend to reach for for work or casual, everyday wear. I had both perfume versions of these but the fragrance mists are far better value and an extra spray or two will give the same effect. 100ml lasts a lot longer than 30ml. I like the White Musk for it’s musk and light floral aroma and the Black Musk for it’s spicier notes.

5. Britney Spears – Curious – in Control

This is the oldest perfume in my collection. My aunt bought it as a present for me back in 2010! This perfume doesn’t seem to end. It has lasted me seven years and in that time the scent has stayed the same and never smelt any different. This is another one of my go to scents for work. I don’t find this lingers on me as long as some of the others featured in this post but it is still a lovely perfume. I love the bottle – it is very girly and using the applicator is fun!

---

What’s your favourite fragrance?

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Empty Products #3

This is only my third Empties post in a year and a half. I published my first ‘Empties’ in November 2015 and it is one of my most popular and most read posts. I find it astounding how slowly I go through and use up products compared to other bloggers but in some ways it shows how economical I am. I like to amass empties until I have a decent number of them to share, I would never have enough to warrant monthly posts. Let’s get started!

Makeup

1. Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara

I purchased this mascara for $10 in March 2016. I didn’t start using it until a few months later but as with most Rimmel mascaras I was impressed. The mascara has two different wands and formulas depending on whether you prefer volume, length or both. I like the bright pink packaging and how secure this closes. I especially love the smaller length brush for my bottom lashes, it doesn’t smudge and get everywhere and adds a nice natural definition.

Repurchase: I can see myself picking this up again although it’s not my holy grail. At the moment I have a couple of other mascaras to use first.

2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair

I frickin’ love this concealer! As you can see from the image the writing has completely rubbed off the packaging but that’s a small flaw. This concealer is the perfect match for my fair skin and the formula is so creamy and high coverage. A few dots of this on my red areas and blemishes is all I need.

Repurchase: I already have! I think they may have changed the packaging because so far no writing has rubbed off.

3. Rimmel Super Curler Mascara

This is my least favourite Rimmel mascara that I’ve ever tried. I was so excited about this when I saw it on Instagram but it didn’t last as long as my other Rimmel mascaras and it didn’t curl my lashes. The only thing I liked about this mascara is the bristle brush as opposed to a plastic one – that’s the reason Rimmel mascaras are my favourite.

Repurchase: Nope.

4. Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer

I don’t know what to say about this product because it’s been so long since I used it. I do think this product prolonged my makeup wear time and it didn’t react badly with my skin. It made my skin soft and a little bit went a long way, this primer lasted me over a year. This had a really nice smell to it as well.

Repurchase: Possibly. I’m not sure if this exact product is available anymore, I know Rimmel still do a Fix & Protect primer but it might not be the same one.

5. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

I dislike this product so much I didn’t even keep it for the picture, it went straight in the bin. In the beginning I liked this mascara, it gave good length and the brush was really good for wiggling mascara onto the lashes. This was such a pain to remove though, I’ve had waterproof mascaras before but nothing as stubborn as this. This became such a pain to remove I didn’t want to wear it so I chucked it out.

Repurchase: No, not even the washable version. Maybelline mascaras are expensive for what they are in New Zealand.

Body & SkinCare

6. Derma V10 Strawberry Body Sorbet

I picked up this for roughly $3 and considering the price it is a decent product. This tub lasted me ages and the strawberry scent is scrumptious! I do prefer body butters from The Body Shop as they are more moisturising and they have a range of scents to choose from. If you have normal skin (I have dry/sensitive) I’d say this would be a great budget alternative for you.

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

When I first started using this product I didn’t see any real benefits and as a result I would only use it now and again. This product featured in the Project Pan collaboration I did last year and when I was using it more often I started liking it a lot more. I use face mist after moisturiser and before foundation to give my skin that extra bit of moisture.

Repurchase: I’m undecided at the moment. I’m using a Vitamin C Face Mist and once I’ve finished that I can determine which I preferred or if I want to go back to primer instead of face mist.

8. The Body Shop Hand Creams: Wild Argan Oil and Vanilla Chai

I love hand cream, I like to have a stash of two or three at a time so I don’t run out. The Body Shop’s selection is incredible and their formulas don’t react with my skin. There are certain scents I prefer to others and out of these two it would be the Vanilla Chai. Vanilla Chai has a nice spiciness to it and a hint of milk chocolate. The Wild Argan Oil felt slightly less hydrating than the Vanilla Chai and had an almost medicinal scent.

Repurchase: Vanilla Chai  – yes (but it was a Christmas scent), Wild Argan Oil – no.

9. Simple Moisturisers: Light Hydrating and Replenishing Rich

I’ve mentioned numerous times on the blog that I have used Simple moisturiser for years and I continue to do so. I was trialing which one of the two I prefer and the Replenishing Rich was the winner.

Repurchase: Yes to both but I prefer to buy the Replenishing Rich moisturiser.

10. The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter

I bought this body butter in my 2016 Body Shop Birthday Haul and finished it in mid 2016. I love the scent and how soft this made my skin. It had a nutty, kind of cocoa scent and I imagine this would smell really nice on a guy too, it’s one of those gender neutral scents that’s not overpowering.

Repurchase: The Body Shop have discontinued the Brazil Nut range but if they bring it back, I’m buying another tub for sure!

11. Olive Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream

This product has one of the nicest scents I’ve ever come across, it literally smells like bubblegum. Olive is a New Zealand based beauty/skincare brand but this is the only product of theirs I’ve tried. This hand cream contains more product than those from The Body Shop but overall I feel like The Body Shop hand creams are more moisturising.

Repurchase: I don’t think so.

Other

12. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

This is probably my favourite nail polish remover that I’ve tried. It doesn’t smell like alcohol like most of them and it removes nail polish really well. The formula contains Vitamin E which also helps strengthen nails and keep them looking and feeling good.

Repurchase: Yes! I couldn’t find this when I purchased a replacement, so I had to settle for a Sally Hansen one.

13. Britney Spears Radiance Perfume

For some reason it takes me ages to go through a perfume. I got this bottle for Christmas in 2013 and finished it some time in 2016. This perfume has a similar scent to Juicy Couture’s Viva la Juicy (which is my favourite) which is probably why I liked it. I couldn’t find an affordable bottle of Viva la Juicy so I got this instead. The bottle looks like gem stones and is very pretty.

Repurchase: I want to buy another bottle but I can’t find it in store so I may have to resort to online, it makes a nice everyday perfume.

14. Revlon Fire & Ice Perfume

This perfume was an item in a gift set I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. This scent is difficult to describe. It’s very different to the type I go for, it’s more mature and not so sweet and doesn’t contain vanilla. This perfume does smell pleasant and again it’s a nice, cheap everyday one for work.

Repurchase: Probably not.

15. Nivea Invisible For Black and White Deodorant

I have used this deodorant for years and I still enjoy using it. I know I won’t start smelling throughout the day and it’s not sticky and doesn’t get all over the armpits of my clothes.

Repurchase: Of course!

16. TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner

I purchased these 750ml bottles in June 2016 so that shows you how long I’ve had them. These big bottles are really good value for money, I only have to buy shampoo and conditioner about once a year. I find this shampoo and conditioner decent enough and it smells good but I don’t feel the Keratin Smooth makes my hair any smoother or straighter than before I used it.

Repurchase: I don’t think so.

---

That’s everything that I’ve been amassing for the past year or so. You probably won’t see one of these posts for another six months or so, so I hope you enjoyed this one!

Do you enjoy reading empties posts as much as I do? Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products!

January Favourites 2017

Hey everybody! Can you believe we are already one twelfth of the way through 2017?! This year will be my third doing monthly favourites but it feels like yesterday since my first favourites post. This month has been eventful to say the least and as a result I only have a few new favourites. I’m hoping to get back into more regular beauty blogging in February and I’ve already got post ideas in mind.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. kikki.K Gratitude Journal – I purchased this little journal in 2015 to record my happiness highlights in. It has three sections to a page so I plan to record my highlight of the day for the next three years. It’s compact in size and it will be lovely to look back on and read over in the years to come. The fact it’s pink totally didn’t influence me to buy it at all…

2. The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in Passionate Pink – I mentioned this lipstick earlier in the month as part of my HUGE birthday haul from The Body Shop. Pinks make up the bulk of my lipstick collection but this one is most certainly the brightest! I like the simple packaging with the bright coloured lid and the quality of the lipstick. The formula is not drying at all, the pigmentation is outstanding and the lipstick has a nice, subtle scent to it. This has been popped into my favourite things makeup bag as I see myself reaching for this a lot.

3. Britney Spears Private Show Perfume – This was a Christmas present from my mum and it smells absolutely delicious – I even got told that by a work colleague! I like the circular shape of the bottle and how you can clearly see how much perfume is left. I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is my favourite Britney Spears perfume out of the ones I’ve owned. This is quite sweet and girly, but it still feels sophisticated.

4. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer – 01 Light Matte – This bronzer is a bit of a rediscovery. I purchased it around this time last year and I forgot how much I like it until a couple of weeks ago. I hadn’t been using bronzer throughout spring and summer but I was doing my makeup and felt like my face was missing something, this was it! I use the lightest shade but it gives the prettiest sheen to my skin and never makes me look orange or muddy. Oh Honey Bronzer, how I’ve missed you!

January’s Spotify Playlist:

This playlist has uptempo tracks as well as a little country, folky vibe.

---

What were your favourite things in January?

What I Got For Christmas 2016

It’s become an annual tradition to share what I got for Christmas. I’ve done a post for the previous two years and you all know how three is my favourite number so I had to continue the tradition! I feel like a very lucky girl this year, I received some lovely gifts and I got to have two present opening occasions. I opened presents with my boyfriend and his parents on Christmas Eve and opened presents with my family on Christmas day.

Brother

My brother and I both use and have a love of planners so he got me planner inserts from kikki.K for my Filofax. I prefer kikki.K to Filofax as they are lined and come with the monthly inserts as well. With Filofax you have to buy weekly and monthly inserts separately. I also suggested he buy me a hair curler – I always love getting my hair curled when I go to the hairdresser. I do have one but it’s 10 years old and has never held a curl all that well. I received a 25mm Ceramic Curler from Vidal Sassoon. It’s got a number of temperature settings to suit all hair types and I can’t wait to try it out this weekend!

Boyfriend

When my boyfriend and I first started discussing gifts for each other we were clueless. I didn’t want anything crazy or too expensive and I ended up suggesting a couple of ideas to him. I asked for a pink Instax backpack to match my camera and was even treated to a visit from him at work when he came to purchase it. (Yes, I did serve him myself). I’ve been meaning to try something from The Body Shop’s Cocoa Butter range (which is being discontinued) so I also asked for a Cocoa Butter body butter. When I opened the backpack I saw an extra present inside; a cat ear headband. It’s even got pink inside the ears!

Boyfriend’s parents

I was not expecting my boyfriend’s parents to get me anything at all so I was surprised when I saw a gorgeous pair of stud earrings all wrapped up in a little gift bag and box. The stones are different colours so they’ll go with just about everything. I also received some lollies (sweets) and a pink, fluffy pen.

Mum

I knew two things I was getting from mum and the rest were surprises. I’d asked for the new Britney Spears perfume, Private Show. It smells absolutely delightful and I’ve already received compliments when I’ve worn it. It’s quite a sweet scent but still sophisticated and feminine. Lindt’s Strawberries and Cream chocolates are a little treat and I’ve still got a couple left. I got a set of two cups and a little vase which I plan to keep any roses I get from my boyfriend in.

---

What was your favourite Christmas present that you received?