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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2020 Palette Round Up: Part 2

Last week I posted part one of my palette round up so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already! Like that post I will be giving a rundown on what was used each month, sharing general thoughts and mentioning my favourite shades. None of the palettes in this part of the round up will be leaving my collection but I would like to cut down on single shadows, there are a couple I don’t really reach for. Let’s dive in!

May to July – Colourpop 9 pan palettes: Lilac You a Lot & Strawberry shake

Lilac You a Lot is the newest nine pan palette to feature in this challenge. This palette arrived in March and on first impressions I remember thinking how stunning it is. It is different from It’s My Pleasure as it’s got deeper matte purples and the overall tone of the shades is lighter. You can create looks with depth or create something with a light pop of colour. I loved playing with this palette!

Favourite shades: Imagine That, Fluff, Trainwreck, Iffy and Filtered.

Colourpop’s strawberry collection is one of the cutest they have released in my opinion! The outer cardboard packaging is stunning and strawberries are one of my favourite fruits so this palette is right up my street – I like it a lot! Of course all the monochromatic palettes are cohesive but I personally enjoy every shade in this one and think they all mix and match flawlessly. I love how the pops of colour work with the soft, neutral tones and shimmers.

Favourite shades: Whipped, Delish and Berry Fine.

August – BH Cosmetics x Shaaanxo – The Remix Palette

This is one of the best palettes I own, I have talked about it a lot on the blog! One side is full of classic neutral shades and the other side is more playful and colourful. Both sides work with each other and it makes for endless combinations. The pan size is decent too, it would be almost double one of the Colourpop monochromatic palette pans. The formula of these shadows is one of my favourites, the mattes are easy to blend and don’t skip or feel drying and the shimmers are incredibly smooth. The shimmers do have a slight slip compared to some others in my collection but they still build up nicely and the colour payoff is there. I love this as an everyday palette as it covers so many bases.

Favourite shades: Clarity, Buttercup, Beach Babe, Toasted, Avocado, Need U and Babygirl.

September – xoBeauty Heaps of Sweets

When this palette was announced I told myself I didn’t need it as The Remix Palette had some similar tones but the palettes are quite different. These shimmers are more intense and the mattes are a different texture – I do prefer the texture of the mattes in The Remix Palette as they are easier to work with but the tones of the mattes in Heaps of Sweets are beautiful. The mix of warm and cool tones is nice and there’s something for everybody. I can confirm the purple shimmer shade, Lollipop, performs well and looks just as incredible on the eyes as it does in the pan!

Favourite shades: Gumdrop, Brownie, Vanilla, Lollipop, Macaron and Cupcake.

October – Single shadows

Single shadows are probably my favourite way to wear eyeshadow, sometimes palettes overwhelm me and I get confused – I like simplicity. Single shadows are a breeze to work with and when you find a range or certain colours you like it’s easy to recreate go to looks that are tried and tested. I love to swipe on a shadow with my finger and be done, I’m all about simple and quick and the least amount of blending possible. I also find not having a lot of eye space single shadow looks are less complicated. I’ve got a real mixed bag of single shadows; shimmery pigments, liquid shadows, creme-gel like textures as well as creams and powders. You really can’t go wrong with Colourpop’s Supershock Shadows and I’d like to do a rundown (probably on Instagram) of the best shades (in my opinion).

Favourite single shadows: Zoella Supernova Shadow – Bellini, MAC – Tan pigment, Colourpop Supershock Shadows in Nillionare, Weenie, I Heart This and Slave2Pink.

November – Urban Decay Naked 2

This is the Naked palette that always appealed to me most with it’s cool, neutral tones and when I heard it was being discontinued I purchased it because I didn’t want to miss out and regret not buying the palette in future. Of course I have similar shades in other palettes but this is such a classic that inspired a ton of those other palettes and the shades all work together like a dream. The quality of these shadows is beautiful, what an individual likes in an eyeshadow formula is personal but I find these soft and easy to blend and layer up. The shimmers are not chunky, they are smooth and look stunning! If I could only keep a couple of palettes after the end of this challenge this would be in my top three for sure! If you have fair skin and love cool tones, pick up this palette before it’s gone, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Favourite shades: Bootycall, Chopper, Suspect, Pistol and YDK.

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I hope you enjoyed this round up of everything I used on my eyes this year! This challenge was fun and knowing what I was going to use each day made doing my makeup a lot easier.

Throughout 2020 I added a couple of new palettes and single shadows to my collection which I didn’t include as part of this challenge. I’m excited to play with them in the New Year!

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2020 Palette Round Up: Part 1

At the beginning of the year I came up with the idea to rotate through all of my eyeshadow palettes and single shadows and try and focus on one part of my collection each month. I started this challenge in February and finished in November. I don’t have a big collection of eyeshadows so it wasn’t difficult to squeeze everything into one year. I like to keep eye looks quick and simple, lip products are my weakness as I believe the same eye look looks slightly different depending on which lip colour it’s paired with. I tend to stick with tried and true shades I know work for my complexion and I love a shimmery, sparkly eye!

The round up will be split into two parts and I will give a little rundown about what was used each month, favourite shades and whether or not I enjoy using the palette and want to keep it around.

February – Maybelline’s The Nudes

This is the oldest palette in my collection and what better way to kick off my yearly challenge with an OG favourite! What I really enjoy about this palette is the combination of mattes and shimmers and the mix of warm and cool toned shades. The formula may not be the most pigmented or longest lasting but the shadows build and layer and work together flawlessly. I liked using this palette again and whilst I do prefer more intense shimmers this would make a nice companion palette to lay down a base and apply my Supershock Shadows from Colourpop over top of. I’m going to try that out and for now this palette will be sticking around.

Favourite shadows: 1 (iridescent shimmery white), 2 (satin soft brown), 3 (matte beige), 4 (metallic copper brown), 7 (shimmery soft brown) and 11 (satin ivory pink).

March – Colourpop Brunch Date

I love the theme of this palette and how it is a mix of everyday neutral shades and fun pops of colour. What I’m not a fan of is half of the mattes are a lovely texture and the other half fall short. The matte shades that fall short happen to be two of the fun pops of colour: French Toast (burgundy) and Brunch Club (cobalt blue). I have never found a way to incorporate the blue into a look without it looking patchy/bad on my eyes. I don’t hate this palette and it does give pretty eye looks but it’s not one I’d reach for everyday and it is one I’ll possibly try to find a new home for next year after getting it out again if it doesn’t wow me.

Favourite shadows: Champagne Toast, Pancakes Please, Skinny Latte, Cinnamon Sugar, Maple Syrup and Sundae Funday.

April – Colourpop BYOP

I’ll be honest, overall this was one of my least favourite palettes to use and it’s a little sad because it’s one I curated myself. It’s not that I don’t like the shades because they are all very pretty but a couple of the golds are too warm and I tend to be more of a fan of neutral and cool toned shadows on me. A few of the shades in the palette are similiar and in hindsight I wish I’d made some changes. The mattes in this palette though are great staples! I won’t give up on this palette yet, I’ll make a few changes (remove a couple of the golds, add a silver or two) and try it again.

Favourite shades: Hear Me Out (1), Side Tracked (2), Bel Air (4), Ringer (6) and Goody Two Shoes (8).

May to July – Colourpop 9 pan palettes: Sol & It’s My Pleasure

I had four of Colourpop’s nine pan monochromatic palettes at the time of beginning this challenge and rather than use each one for a month I rotated through a different nine pan each week for three months between May and July. The first two palettes off the ranks were Sol (bright hot coral) and It’s My Pleasure (purple). Spoiler: definitely not getting rid of either of these!

Sol is the first nine pan palette I purchased and all of the shades are stunning! The formula of these shimmers is gorgeous and they have such a beautiful effect on the eyes. The bright oranges and corals suit my complexion more than I thought they would and I love using this palette. You can create fun looks and everyday, neutral looks – the colours are very versatile.

Favourite shades: Anthem, B+B, Floaties and OOO.

Initially when I purchased It’s My Pleasure I thought the shades were stunning but I didn’t understand why everyone was raving about this palette. When I used this palette again during this challenge I enjoyed it a lot more and found new ways to incorporate shades that had left me feeling uncertain before. This palette definitely leans more purple-pink but it’s a good one to pick up if you want to incorporate more colour into your eye makeup.

Favourite shades: Do Or Dough, Earthshine and Sleeper.

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That’s the first part of my palette round up complete! Part two will be up in a few days!

Do you own or have you tried any of these palettes?

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October Favourites + Highlights 2020

October has zoomed by! I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since my tonsillectomy and I’ve been back at work two weeks already! I did get more spendy in October compared to a usual month and I haven’t been reading a lot either. I will still meet my Goodreads target of 40 books for the year but I want to spend more time reading again in November. I haven’t really been up to much this month, mainly sleeping, relaxing and taking it easy. It’s been nice to have time for self care.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Colourpop Easy Bake Ultra Glossy Lip – Easy Bake was released by Colourpop last year as part of their Strawberry Shake collection. This shade is a sheer strawberry pink that can be worn on its own but I love wearing it over top of lipstick for added shine. This is the perfect neutral gloss that looks good on top of everything without altering the lip colour underneath. The scent is nice, the formula isn’t sticky and goopy and the packaging is adorable!

2. Revlon – Gel Envy Nail Polish in Silky Negligee – I was placing an order online for magnesium for my mum and needed something else to add to the order to qualify for free shipping (it was a chemist website). I had seen this polish in a store the same day and snapped it up immediately. Silky Negligee is a glossy metallic silver grey and it looks stunning on. Two coats is perfect and the polish lasted for almost two weeks with Revlon’s Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat (which I have loved for years) applied over top. The polish was a little difficult to remove but nothing like removing glitter polishes. I also picked up another shade from the range called Standing Ovation (glossy metallic lilac pink) which I’m yet to try.

3. Trilogy Hydrating Jelly Mask – There is a facial oil from Trilogy I love and I saw this jelly mask on sale for half price so decided to give it a try. The mask contains rosehip, hyaluronic acid and manuka honey and it aims to smooth the appearance of skin as well as deeply nourish and refresh it. There is a little spatula that comes with the mask and makes it easy to scoop product out. The texture is like jelly and feels very cooling on the skin. Product is easy to spread and after a few minutes it sets a little but doesn’t feel uncomfortable. The mask only needs to be left on for 5-10 minutes and washes off with minimal effort. This is a lovely mask that I’ve been reaching for once a week and a little goes a long way.

4. The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom body butter – I purchased this body butter over a year ago and I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned it on the blog before! I didn’t start using it until around lockdown but the scent is gorgeous – it’s light, fruity and floral and a nice feminine scent to use after a shower. The texture of this body butter feels slightly more luxurious compared to the standard ranges The Body Shop is known for. The price point of this is slightly higher as well but it doesn’t bother me.

October Highlights

• It was nice to have a break from work after my surgery. I hadn’t had a proper break since February.
• Purchased some comfy tracksuit bottoms and the most gorgeous purple hoodie from Nike. You bet the first cold day that comes I’ll be wearing them!
• Finally got to watch Knives Out this month. Not going to lie though, I was a little disappointed. I didn’t like the fake accent Daniel Craig’s character had.

October’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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GRWM: Drugstore Makeup Look

In June I shared this look using as many luxurious makeup products as I could. It was a lot of fun to create so I also wanted to do a look using a full face of affordable, drugstore makeup. Most of the makeup I own is more in the drugstore price range, I love products that are good quality and inexpensive and sometimes drugstore products can’t be beat!

Products listed in order of application:

1. Olay Complete UV Lotion Sensitive – I used to be all about a face moisturiser from Simple until 2018 when I tried this one from Olay and haven’t looked back. This is really nice, it’s lightweight, makeup looks good on top of it and it contains SPF 15.

2. Maybelline Master Prime Hydrate + Smooth – The more I have used this primer the more I have come to enjoy it. It is a little thicker than other primers in my collection but for work and everyday wear this is good. It soaks in quickly so you don’t have to wait before going in with your foundation if you’re short on time.

3. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel – Still all I use to fill in my brows.

4. Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation in 40 Light Ivory – I got this foundation as a birthday gift in 2019 and it sat in my drawer for about a year before I tried it out. I put this to the test with three other foundations at the start of the year (post *HERE*) and whilst it was one of the lower ranked foundations I don’t want to give up on it yet. The undertone of this shade is neutral which works well with my skintone and as it wears throughout the day my natural oils come out and I don’t mind how it looks.

5. L’Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer in 323 Fawn – I purchased this concealer in April after seeing it on Arna Alayne’s YouTube channel. I was a little worried this would be drying on my dry skin but it’s not at all, this still feels nice and creamy! This concealer is full coverage but blends into the skin easily and a little goes a long way. I do find if I use too much this can make my skin look a little pale. This does have a bit of a weird smell but once product is applied the scent disappears.

6. Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder  – I am loving this powder lately. I have had it for a few years now but it still applies and looks the same on the skin. It’s translucent so it doesn’t alter how my base products look and it works particuarly well to set the L’Oreal concealer above in place.

7. Milani Eyeshadow Primer – I don’t enjoy this primer as much as Urban Decay’s Primer Potion but it gets the job done and keeps eyeshadow in place. It can make my eyelids a little dry.

8. Colourpop Lilac You a Lot Palette – Purple is one colour that really works for my skin tone and it was fun bringing out this palette for this drugstore look. I started by applying Zoned Out as a base shadow all over the lid then used Iffy to deepen up the crease. Finally I applied Fluff all over the lid with my finger for a pop of shimmer.

9. Colourpop BFF Mascara in Purple Prose – I have a back up of my holy grail Rimmel mascara that I didn’t want to crack open just for this post. The other mascaras in my collection at the moment are all high end and then I remembered this purple mascara I got from Colourpop last year. I love pairing it with purple eyeshadow and it’s fun to wear. Coloured mascara doesn’t take the place of regular black mascara for me but this does add length and volume to my lashes without looking clumpy and the formula is nice and doesn’t smudge. The more coats I apply, the more purple my lashes look.

10. I ♡ Makeup Goddess of Love Highlighter – This was my first highlighter and I still love wearing it. The pink, purple and silver tones look so nice on fair skin and this can be built up depending on the intensity you like. This highlighter looks natural on the skin and pairs so well with purple toned eyeshadow.

11. Dainty Doll Cream Blush in Billion Dollar Babies – I knew this blush would be perfect to add a natural flush to the cheeks. The cream formula is lush!

12. The Body Shop Rose Face Mist – This mist makes the skin lovely and dewy. It’s particularly nice on top of more matte foundations and if I’ve used setting powder. The rose scent is also pleasant, it’s not overpowering or too strong.

13. Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop – Not only is this my favourite kind of lipstick colour to wear but it also looks good with anything! I love these lip butters as they are nicely pigmented as well as making the lips look juicy and glossy. The formula is sheerer than a regular lipstick but this shade in particular still packs a punch!

The Finished Look

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What do you think of this look? What are some of your favourite drugstore products?

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May Favourites + Highlights 2020

I can’t believe we are at the end of May and it’s monthly favourites time again already! I’ve only got a small selection of products to talk about this month but they are really good ones.

New Zealand is also no longer under strict quarantine, most people have returned to work and businesses and shops have re-opened. Currently I split my working day between home and the library, I work from home in the morning and go into the office in the afternoon. This means there are less staff in the building until we fully re-integrate.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Colourpop It’s My Pleasure Palette – I purchased this palette in July 2019 and I feel like it isn’t until now that I have really started to appreciate it. Don’t get me wrong I’ve always liked It’s My Pleasure and before purchasing it I saw so many people raving about it but I didn’t start to gel with it until recently. For May, June and July I’m rotating through my Colourpop nine pan palettes week by week and I’m already looking forward to revisiting It’s My Pleasure! I’ve got a better idea how the colours work together and what combinations I like. My favourite shades are Do Or Dough, Earthshine, Fan Fiction and Sleeper.

2. Wella Oil Reflections Shampoo and Conditioner – After getting my hair cut in February and being impressed with how the Wella products that were used made my hair feel I started looking at products online with the intention of purchasing some. I decided on the Oil Reflections range as it’s suited for all hair types and aims to leave hair cleansed and luminous. The scent is lovely too, a mix of vanilla, white tea and fruit. The products make my hair feel amazing and since I started using these my hair looks nourished, soft and more sleek. This is more pricey than regular shampoo and conditioner but I’m proud of my hair and I want it to look good so I don’t mind paying a little extra.

3. The Body Shop Rose Face Mist – I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I have. I recently finished up the mandarin face mist from The Body Shop and I didn’t really like it so I was apprehensive about this one. The rose most is in an entirely different league and it really does make my skin and makeup look beautiful and dewy. The mist is fine and not too wet which is why I didn’t like the mandarin one, it didn’t feel refreshing and the scent wasn’t my favourite either. The rose scent is spot on, it’s very subtle and one I wouldn’t imagine would irritate you if you are sensitive to smell.

4. Colourpop Berry Good Lipgloss – This gloss was released alongside Colourpop’s Strawberry Shake palette. I have checked the website and this is no longer available but it is a beautiful shade that I have been reaching for a bit recently. Berry Good is a juicy pink-red that gives a lovely strawberry coloured tint to the lips. I purchased this gloss last year and the first time I wore it I wasn’t sure I liked it but I every time I have tried it since it has really grown on me. I purchased the other gloss from the Strawberry collection called Easy Bake (still on the website but showing as out of stock) and I personally prefer Berry Good.

May Highlights

• I’ve been feeling more body confident recently and I very bravely shared *THIS* photo to Instagram. The comments are all so sweet!
• I came up with an idea for a semi-regular Instagram series to share some of my favourite songs relating to a theme. For example, the first one featured five of my favourite feel good tracks (new and old). Feel free to leave any theme ideas in the comments!

May’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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YouTubers Made Me Buy It

Let’s face it, we all have those purchases someone else has convinced us to buy! We hear about a product and want to try it for ourselves. I watch a few beauty YouTubers and recently there have been some items I’ve wanted to give a go. I am on a low buy for 2020 and I’m not doing badly so far but a couple of these items were on sale and I was sick so I decided to treat myself!

1. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara – Black

I have never tried anything from Benefit before because their products are pricey! I picked up Roller Lash as it was on sale on Makeup.co.nz for 20% off and while it was more than I usually pay for mascara it’s more justifiable than the regular price. Roller Lash is a mascara I’ve always been interested in trying and it seems to be a firm favourite in the beauty community. The packaging is cute and the mascara aims to grab, separate, lift and curl lashes. The formula contains provitamin B5 and serin, ingredients known for their lash-conditioning benefits. The mascara is also said to be water resistant and easy to remove. Roller Lash has a plastic wand which usually isn’t my preference but I’m hopeful the mascara will deliver.

Who made me buy it: Zoella and Shaaanxo

2. Australis Metallix Foiled Shadow – Guns ‘n Rose Petals

I am very much a single shadow girl. I love quick, easy looks that can be done in a couple of minutes. I’m also not afraid to use my fingers which is my preferred method to apply shimmery, metallic shadows as they appear more pigmented that way. Single cream shadows are not something I have a lot of but I was drawn to this shade because it looks super shiny and bright and will make my eyes pop. Guns ‘n Rose Petals is is a cool toned champagne pink and this will be pretty on it’s own or layered over powder shadows for a little more depth.

Who made me buy it: Arna Alayne

3. Colourpop Lilac You a Lot Palette

When this palette was released my first thought was It’s My Pleasure volume two… definitely don’t need it. When I watched the launch video for Makeup.Just.For.Fun’s No Shrinking Violet bundle made up of her Colourpop favourites and this featured I started to see the palette in a different light. Lilac You a Lot is much more lavender and cool toned whereas It’s My Pleasure is more warm toned. It’s My Pleasure is a beautiful palette but it’s my least favourite of the nine pans I have (I haven’t tested this palette out yet). The cooler tones of Lilac You a Lot will work really well in conjunction with It’s My Pleasure and hopefully make me enjoy it more.

Who made me buy it: Makeup.Just.For.Fun

4. Colourpop Still Crazy Lux Lipstick

This lipstick also features in the No Shrinking Violet bundle and it is described as a mauvey pink on the Colourpop site which is right up my street! I did consider picking up the entire No Shrinking Violet bundle to show my support for Amanda but I have similar products to the other three items and these were the two I was most drawn to. When I was reading reviews and looking at pictures, Still Crazy sometimes came across as brown-pink and other times just pink. I think it depends on skin tone to be honest, I am very fair so how a lipstick looks in the bullet is generally how it looks on me. I saw this labelled as a dupe for Craving by MAC which I included in my 1,000 Followers Giveaway in 2018. Craving also looks like a colour I would enjoy and this way I am getting a similar colour to Craving for half the price. I have another of Colourpop’s Lux Lipsticks in the shade Scorpio Moon and the formula is so comfortable and creamy on the lips.

Who made me buy it: Makeup.Just.For.Fun

5. Wella Oil Reflections Luminous Trio and Luminous Reboost Mask

Last month I got the layers cut out of my hair and got it cut to one length. The salon I went to had a stand full of Wella products and I’m assuming that was the brand of shampoo and conditioner used on my hair. Afterwards my hair felt so soft and lovely and I jumped online to research Wella products. I remember Melanie Murphy mentioning her love for Wella in the past and after looking online I was intrigued by the Oil Reflections range. The range is suitable for all hair types and is light and moisturising with white tea extract to leave hair cleansed, luminous and smooth.

The Luminous Trio contains shampoo, conditioner and a light reflective oil. I haven’t used a hair oil before but the oil in this set sounds like it adds a healthy shine without weighing the hair down. I opted to get the hair mask from this range as well as I read it can be used in place of the conditioner to deeply nourish hair and restore moisture and hydration. The conditioner comes with 50ml less product than the shampoo so this way I’ll be more likely to not to run out of one before the other.

Who made me buy it: Melanie Murphy

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What have you been influenced to buy either from YouTubers or other bloggers?

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Unpopular Opinions Makeup Tag

I saw this tag on Rachael’s blog and at the end saw I had been nominated by her to take part. I haven’t done a tag for a while but this one looked interesting and the questions were certainly thought provoking.

1. Popular makeup product you don’t like

Garnier Micellar Water. I purchased the original pink capped version when it came out and it dried out my skin and irritated it a little. I know there are variations now for different skin types but that initial experience put me off trying the product again.

2. Popular makeup product/brand that everyone else seems to hate but you love

Maybelline’s ‘The Nudes’ eyeshadow palette. A lot of reviews slam this palette for being boring and not having much pigment but I enjoy the mix of mattes and shimmers and the warm and cool tones. I don’t use this palette as much as I once did but I’m planning to pull it out again for the month of February and see if I like it as much as I used to. I personally don’t find this palette lacks pigment but I do have fair skin so the colours possibly show up more easily.

3. Makeup collab you didn’t like or were not interested in

The Shane Dawson x Jeffree Star Conspiracy and Mini Conspiracy palettes. The palettes don’t look cohesive and the colours aren’t ones I’m drawn too. The shades are out there and different which is good but I wouldn’t wear the majority of the colourful shades.

4. Popular makeup step that you never do

Eyeliner. I would have poorer eyesight without my glasses on than usual for this step and I don’t have the patience for it. I’m not bothered I don’t wear eyeliner in all honesty.

5. Popular beauty influencer you don’t subscribe to/watch

Tati Westbrook to name one. It would probably be easier to name a ‘popular’ beauty influencer I do watch. I’m oblivious to all the YouTube drama and don’t even know who most of the big names are.

6. Popular makeup product/brand that you don’t use/support anymore

Maybelline Colour Tattoo eyeshadows. About 5 years ago I purchased two shades and they were so dry and crumbly and hard to apply to the eyelids. The colours weren’t flattering at all.

7. Makeup trend that you have no interest in trying

Getting my brows tattooed. I like to keep my brow routine simple and minimalistic.

8. Makeup product that was better in theory than when you used it. Either swatched better or worked better on others than on you.

This could be a little controversial but the It’s My Pleasure palette from Colourpop. Don’t get me wrong I love purple on my skintone and the colours swatch well but the majority of looks I try to create end up looking similar. A couple of shades I find hard to incorporate as well (Pretty Cruel and Mr Sandman). Out of the Colourpop nine pan palettes I own this is my least favourite. I don’t dislike this palette but I don’t love it as much as other people seem to.

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Let me know if we share any similar opinions.

I tag Holly, Dannii and Hunida to do this next!

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Yearly Highlights + Signing Off For 2019

Usually towards the end of each month I round up my favourite things but in December there hasn’t been anything new that I’ve come across that I haven’t talked about before. In lieu of December Favourites I’ve rounded up my favourite products of 2019. I will also be sharing some  highlights from the year. This is my final post for 2019 as I want to give myself a break from posting between Christmas and the New Year. Thank you to everyone for taking time to read and comment and for showing support. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope you have the best day with your loved ones!

Base

1. Trying higher end foundations from YSL and MAC – 2019 is the year I stepped up my foundation game and ventured away from the drugstore options slightly. I got a sample of MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid Foundation which applied beautifully each time I used it and made me start looking into other high end foundations. After finishing the MAC sample I purchased a bottle of YSL’s Le Teint Touche Éclat in B10 Porcelain and it is such a perfect colour match for me. A little goes a long way with this foundation and like the MAC foundation it applies and sits beautifully on the skin. I have still got a couple of drugstore foundations in my collection and once I’ve used those up I can see myself heading more towards bases that are slightly more expensive but perform better. It takes me so long to finish a foundation that I’d rather it be one that I really like.

2. Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Light – I heard The Anna Edit talk about this product numerous times and I’d been curious to give contouring a go so I bit the bullet and purchased it. I wanted one shade that suited my skintone rather than purchasing a palette where most of the shades would sit untouched. This product is lovely to work with, the powder is soft and easy to blend and I don’t need to use much at all. I tend to use this over bronzer on days I want more definition.

Eyes

3. xoBeauty Heaps of Sweets Palette – This palette is a relatively new addition to my makeup collection. The layout and the number of different colour combinations excites me and makes me want to experiment with the palette. The pigmentation, formula and the combination of matte and shimmer shades is great and since the palette arrived I have not put it away, it’s sitting on top of my dresser within easy reach. Palettes like this that can be used for wearable everyday looks but also contain fun pops of colour are so versatile.

4. Zoella x Colourpop Group Hug Supernova Shadow Bundle – If I had to pick my favourite brand for 2019 it would be Colourpop! I hadn’t tried anything from Colourpop before and I remember asking on Instagram for product suggestions and someone mentioned that they didn’t like the Supernova Shadows. I didn’t purchase the Group Hug bundle in my first order but I am glad I picked it up in a subsequent order. The bundle contains the shades OG and Bellini and both are packed full of shimmer and glittery goodness. The pigmentation is stunning, especially Bellini, and they apply so smoothly and last all day. They are what I thought the Stila minis I have would be like but 100x better. Unfortunately this set has now been discontinued.

5. Colourpop Sol Palette – This is one of my favourite eyeshadow palettes in my collection and every time I use it I’m never disappointed, there’s not one bad shade. The warm, orange tones work really well with my hair and complexion and this palette is surprisingly versatile. If I had to pick one palette to travel with it would be between this and The Remix Palette from Shaaanxo and BH Cosmetics. One of the best nine pans Colourpop do in my opinion!

6. Colourpop Super Shock Shadows – One of the Colourpop products recommended to me were the Super Shock Shadows. This product is what the brand first started off with and having a creamy, highly pigmented texture with no fall out it’s easy to see why they are so popular. Across the four Colourpop orders I placed this year I purchased eight shades in total. My top picks are Slave2Pink (neon pink glitter loaded up with blue), Bouncy (cool toned bronze with gold and violet duo chrome), Nillionaire (bronze with pink and gold ultra-glitter), Dare (shockingly neon purple with hot pink and violet glitter) and I Heart This (taupe with silver ultra-glitter).

Lips

7. Revolution Jewel Collection Lip Toppers – These sheer, non-sticky glosses are packed with stunning shimmer to switch up your favourite lipstick. I have two out of three shades; Fortune (iced silver shimmer) and Exquisite (duo chrome sheer pink with cool silver shimmer). They can be worn alone or layered over lipstick for a high shine finish and colour shifting duo chrome effect. Fortune is my favourite!

8. L’Oreal – Bois De Rose Lipstick – A work colleague gave me this lipstick and the colour reminds me a lot of Syrup by MAC which I completely finished a couple of months ago. Bois De Rose has more of a rosy tone whereas Syrup has more of a purple-berry tone. The formula of this shade is lovely and creamy and it is such a lovely colour for everyday wear.

Accessories

9. YSL Black Opium – The 7.5ml perfume sample of Black Opium did not last me long at all, it’s finished already! I instantly fell in love with the scent and in the near future I definitely want to pick up a full sized bottle. The combination of warm, sweet vanilla and coffee with a hint of spice is extremely sexy.

10. Daniel Wellington Petite Melrose Watch – I purchased this watch last year and whilst it was an investment piece I love wearing it! My wrists are tiny (which I have a weird fascination with) and Daniel Wellington watches accommodate that. When you order from Daniel Wellington you can customise your watch by choosing the size of the dial, the colour of the dial and the colour of the strap. I chose the Petite Melrose in rose gold with a white 28mm dial. The watch goes with everything and looks dainty and elegant.

Top 5 personal highlights from 2019:

1. A personalised signed album from Claire Richards – Claire Richards has one of my favourite voices in the music business and she released her solo album in February 2019. Through Claire’s website fans could pre-order personalised signed copies of her album.

2. Securing tickets to So Pop 2020 – Speaking of Claire, Steps were announced as one of the acts for the So Pop 2020 series of concerts alongside The Pussycat Dolls, Jesse McCartney, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and others. It hasn’t properly hit me yet that I’ll be able to say I’ve seen my favourite band in concert even if they aren’t the headline act – 10 year old Chanelle never thought this would happen.

3. Finding a denim jacket – I knew that when I purchased my denim jacket from Pagani it is one of those timeless pieces that goes with everything. I often pair it with leggings for simple, casual outfits when I’m not sure what to wear and it’s a great layering piece that can be dressed up and dressed down.

4. Purchasing new perfumes – Halfway through the year I purchased a couple of new perfumes and I’m really pleased with all the scents in my collection at the moment. Girly, vanilla based scents are my favourite and you can’t go wrong with Juicy Couture in my opinion. The fragrances next on my list to buy are Viva la Juicy Rosé and a full size of Black Opium.

5. Being more social – I am by no means a social butterfly but I have been on my fair share of dates, attended a few quiz nights and been out to dinner with work friends this year.

December’s Spotify Playlist:

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I hope you are able to look back on 2019 and the decade with fond memories. If 2019 didn’t go the way you planned I hope 2020 will treat you better and bring plenty of happiness ❤

I will still be reading posts and commenting but this is me officially signing off – see you in 2020!

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November Favourites + Highlights

My mood feels like it has been a little up and down this month. Compared to October I have slowed down on the reading front which is a little disappointing but there have been a couple of books I have taken longer to get through. New Zealand has had a few mini heatwaves which I’m not a fan of, give me cold, sweater weather any day! Lately I have also been feeling discouraged when it comes to dating and I want to take a back seat for a while. Dating is something I never want to half ass and do because I feel like I have to. I want to go back to having a more relaxed approach and not thinking of it as a chore.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. The North Face Venture 2 Jacket in Collar Blue – I was on the lookout for a lightweight jacket to wear to and from work and something more casual for wearing at weekends. I instantly fell in love with this light blue colour as I didn’t want black or khaki like most people seem to have. Technically this is a rain jacket but it’s also windproof and made from a DryVent fabric making it breathable. The jacket has an adjustable hood, zipped pockets, a front zipper with Stormflap velcro closure and adjustable velcro straps around the wrists. I am surprised how much I have worn this since I bought it – it’s so easy to throw on and goes with everything.

Better picture of the jacket.

2. Colourpop Super Shock Shadows in Nillionaire and I Heart This – I am still loving the Super Shock Shadow formula since I tried it at the beginning of the year! The shadows are so pigmented, easy to apply and last all day. Nillionaire is a light bronze with pink and gold ultra-glitter and is one of my favourites, it’s a very Chanelle colour that goes with any makeup look – especially a bold lip! It takes a couple of layers to build up but it builds up quickly. I Heart This is a taupe with silver ultra-glitter. Whilst it is a lighter shade I love pairing it with theBalm’s Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter as a shimmery base shadow and bronzer in the crease for a super simple look.

3. The Body Shop Moringa Body Yogurt – When The Body Shop released their body yogurts I was curious to try one and see how they compare to the body butters. They are fast-absorbing moisturisers with a lightweight, gel-cream texture and suitable for all skin types. The texture is runny and jelly like compared to a body butter and the body yogurts come in fewer scents. Where the body yogurts have the advantage are in size and price. The tubs still contain 200ml of product but they’re more compact and are $15 (NZD) cheaper. I put this product on after a shower and it feels nice and cooling on the skin. It doesn’t feel any less moisturising than a body butter and a little goes a long way. I will definitely consider trying more scents in future, perhaps the Strawberry or the British Rose.

4. YSL Black Opium – I have only had this mini bottle of Black Opium for a couple of weeks but perfume is one of those products you know after a handful of uses whether you like it or not. I have worn this perfume almost every day during the past two weeks and I really appreciate the warmth to the scent and the longevity the perfume has. The scent is not overpowering and I can easily pick out and distinguish different notes (vanilla, coffee, pink pepper etc.) This smells very similar to Prerogative by Britney Spears but this has more lasting power. I don’t think this will become my holy grail perfume but after I finish this sample I will consider purchasing a bigger bottle.

November Highlights

• A long overdue catch up with an old work colleague.
• I made a couple of online orders including a four piece set of mini YSL products and the new xoBeauty Heaps of Sweets eyeshadow palette.
• Halo celebrated her 2nd birthday.

November’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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