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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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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5 Disappointing Beauty Products

Disclosure: All opinions are my own and don’t reflect how a product may work and benefit the majority of people.

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We all like to spend our money on worthwhile products and it’s always a shame when you try something that doesn’t live up to the hype or you don’t get along with a product for whatever reason. I try to research and read reviews before I commit to buying products but sometimes no matter how many glowing reviews a product has there will still be people it doesn’t work for. I love reading these types of posts and I haven’t talked about products that disappoint me before so I thought it was time to change that!

#1. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – Buenos Aires

I was super excited when I saw NYX in New Zealand and even more excited to buy/try one of their Soft Matte Lip Creams. In August I purchased the shade Buenos Aires which is a soft coral. Because this is a light colour it doesn’t apply smoothly and applies patchy. I find blotting in between coats helps slightly but this colour doesn’t live up to what I thought it would. I have heard other shades in the range are hit or miss when it comes to formula and application and it has put me off purchasing more colours. I have barely worn Buenos Aires and I’ve come to the conclusion that orange tones don’t suit my lips (apart from I Found Nemo by Tanya Burr).

#2. Simple Moisturising facial wash

Fellow bloggers are always talking about the importance of skincare and I purchased this facial wash in an attempt to get into a skincare routine. I started off well, I would wash my face with this in the morning before applying my trusty Simple moisturiser but I quickly began to notice a difference to my skin. Thankfully, it didn’t break me out or cause a reaction but it made my skin feel and look greasy and it didn’t feel very moisturising. I still have this product sitting in my beauty basket on my dresser. It’s nearly a year old and it’s almost full but unfortunately this will be going in the bin.

#3. Garnier Micellar Water

This is one product that I have a love/hate relationship with. When I first got this I really liked it and even included it in a monthly favourites. It removed makeup well and again didn’t cause my skin any problems but it didn’t do anything for my skin either. This is still in my beauty basket as well and it hasn’t been touched for months. I noticed a six month expiration date on the bottle and I purchased this mid 2015 so I think it’s time to go! It baffles me how quickly bloggers go through one of these big bottles and if I try this again I will opt for the travel size or try one of the other types of micellar water.

#4. W7 In the nude eyeshadow palette

I bought this eyeshadow palette because it was $12 (NZD) and I thought I was getting a decent dupe for Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Palette. Truth is, I have barely reached for this palette since purchasing it in March and that’s down to the formulation of the shadows themselves. I love the pink, bronzey tones of the palette but the pigmentation is dire and a lot of the shades feel chalky and powdery. I’m considering passing this on and perhaps purchasing the Iconic 3 from Makeup Revolution instead.

#5. Maybelline Colour Tattoos

I can’t speak for all shades of Colour Tattoo but the two I have aren’t outstanding. They don’t feel very creamy and apply patchy on my eyelids. I only wear Barely Branded as a base before applying the gold shade from Maybelline’s ‘The Nudes’ palette over the top. Inked In Pink is such a beautiful rose gold shade but because it feels dry and doesn’t apply smoothly it makes my eye area look red. I don’t know whether I got bad batches or if these shades are patchy for everyone but I much prefer the formula of Max Factor’s Excess Shimmer shadows. There aren’t as many colour options but I haven’t stopped reaching for Copper all year!

Have you tried these products? Were you impressed or disappointed like I was?

The Beauty Blogger Tag 2

A couple of weeks ago I was nominated for this award by Dannii from A Beautiful Thing. I am ever so grateful to be nominated and to Dannii for thinking of me. Make sure you go over and follow Dannii if you’re not already because she is super lovely!

The Rules:

• Tag the blogger that nominated you.
• Answer the questions you were given.
• Nominate 5-10 bloggers whose blog is about beauty/lifestyle/fashion.
• Write 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

Dannii’s Questions:

1. What is your favourite nail polish at the moment? (Brand and shade).

I like to paint my nails regularly but I haven’t done so for a week or two now. I will go with Bubblebath by OPI as I have worn that a lot lately.

2. What is your favourite eyeshadow palette?

‘The Nudes’ by Maybelline.

3. If you could only use three makeup items, what would they be?

Concealer, mascara and lipstick.

4. What makeup or beauty release are you most excited about?

I don’t think I’ve been excited for anything since MAC announced their collaboration with Ellie Goulding. New Zealand doesn’t end up getting lots of beauty releases or gets them after everyone else.

5. Your favourite YouTuber?

I have two: Lily Pebbles and Marcus Butler.

6. Where in the world would you like to live, if you could choose anywhere?

I say this so much, England! If I couldn’t live in England, I would happily stay in New Zealand though, it’s pretty cool!

7. What are you most looking forward to this month? (Can be a holiday, beauty, anything).

The shortest day of the year because it’s a work day 😛 I am also excited about my first blog giveaway which launched last week. I had been planning one for a while and it seemed right to doing one to celebrate two years of blogging.

8. What beauty products have you recently found disappointing?

• Garnier Micellar Water – I loved this when I first got it but I have always been on the fence ever since. It removes makeup fine but I don’t find it the most beneficial for my skin. Maybe that’s down to the six month expiry, I’ve had my bottle for more than a year and am just over half way through. I’m convinced the other bloggers who use up one of these every few months drink it.
• Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash – I got this back in January and have only used it a handful of times. I found it didn’t do much for my skin and I just don’t reach for this product. Unfortunately, I think this will be going in the bin.

9. Favourite song at the moment?

Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop the Feeling. This song is so happy and full of good vibes. It makes me want to smile and dance around.

10. What one beauty or makeup item would you recommend?

Max Factor’s Excess Shimmer eyeshadow pot in the shade Copper. I have not stopped using this since I purchased it and it is a shade which I think will suit almost everybody. It’s not too shimmery for an everyday eye look and it’s so easy to wear. Normally I swipe this across my eyelids with my ring finger and I’m done. It also looks nice layered over top of brown/taupe eyeshadows (particularly from ‘The Nudes’ by Maybelline) to create a more intense look.

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I know the rules say to nominate 5-10 bloggers but I’m going to be lazy and leave this tag open to anyone who would like to do it or anyone who hasn’t done it before. I’d like you to answer the same questions I did and be sure to leave me a comment if you do this tag!

P.S. Have you entered my GIVEAWAY? CLICK HERE for info!

June Favourites

Another month of 2015 down and now less than six months until Christmas! For me, June was all about the iPhone – I used to be one of those people who hated using their phone but now I love it! Beauty wise I didn’t spend a lot of money on new products but I do have a few beauty bits to include.

I apologise for the slightly late post this month but here are my June favourites:

1. iPhone – I posted about getting my phone here and it was one of my favourite posts to write and share this month. I absolutely adore the phone and everything about it. The camera is such good quality and I don’t find the battery life too bad, I have my brightness on zero most of the time as my phone is in my bag at work and only turn it up when I need to. I haven’t found a case yet so I’m still on the hunt.

2. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water – You might have seen my ‘Mini Beauty Haul‘ featuring this cleansing water and the Rimmel nail polish Breakfast In Bed. This cleansing water lives up to all of its promises and value for money wise, it can’t be beaten. I was tempted by Simple’s Micellar Water but when I took into consideration I get double the amount for $1 more, my mind was made up – Garnier it was! In the beauty haul post I mentioned I had to rub a little more vigorously to remove my mascara but upon reflection I only notice that when I wear my Rimmel Scandal Eyes Lycra Flex mascara.

3. Rimmel Nail Polish #873 Breakfast In Bed – I think I fall more in love with this nail polish everyday! The colour is just so beautiful and is a wearable shade all year round – it’s pastel enough for spring/summer and cool enough to pull off in winter as well. I’ve had this colour on for over half of June and I can tell this polish will be getting a lot of wear.

4. Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser – I’ve had this moisturiser for a couple of months now and I feel within the past four weeks I’ve gotten into a little skincare routine that’s working well. Before this I was using Simple’s Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser and while that one was good as well, I feel the Hydrating moisturiser keeps my skin more nourished and does more for my skin. I’ve been applying the moisturiser twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. It has really helped my skin not to dry out in the cooler weather and harsh winds.

5. Candy Crush Soda – It was my mum who actually got me addicted to this game. She got a new phone recently too and loves to spend her free time playing away! I used to play the normal Candy Crush on Facebook but now that one doesn’t seem as exciting as Candy Crush Soda. (I’m currently on Level 45).

6. Years & Years – King – I have been hearing this song a lot on the radio at work and I really like it. I love a good beat!

That’s all for this month, be sure to let me know what you’ve been loving! ❤

Mini Beauty Haul

Hi everyone!

Last weekend I popped into town and picked up a few beauty bits to add to my ever growing collection. I picked up a bottle of the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and one of the polishes from Rimmel’s Rita Ora collection.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

A few weeks ago I was searching for the Garnier Micellar Water but was unsuccessful. I was slightly disappointed because I knew the product hadn’t been out in New Zealand very long and wished I had picked some up when it first came out. I even went on the Garnier NZ Facebook page and the reason I couldn’t find any was due to it being temporarily out of stock and being so popular all over the country. Others must have been just as desperate to try it as I was! Last Saturday, I happened to be walking past a pharmacy and popped in to see if they had any. Luckily there were three bottles left on a shelf right at the back – it was definitely a eureka moment!

I’d read and seen numerous reviews about the Garnier Micellar Water online and I hadn’t seen anything negative which made me even more excited to try it. Since starting my job, I’m wearing makeup more frequently so I want to make sure I clean my face properly and there’s no excess dirt and oil left. I’ve been using the product for the last week now and I’m finding it really good. My skin is quite dry but this doesn’t dry it out more and it hasn’t given me irritated skin or breakouts. The one slight grovel I have is how effective it is at removing mascara. I have to rub a bit more vigorously than the rest of my face but it’s not too bad.

Rita Ora Nail Polish – 873 Breakfast In Bed

This nail polish is part of Rimmel’s Rita Ora collection and is a lovely mint colour similar to that of Essie’s Mint Candy Apple. This polish is such a beautiful colour, kind of a hybrid between blue and green, and is different to any of the colours I already own. The image above makes the polish look slightly bluer than it is but I’ve inserted a picture of me wearing it below which gives a more true representation of the colour.

I own one other Rimmel nail polish and I’m not a huge fan of the wider brush but this particular brush doesn’t bother me. It’s flatter and doesn’t spread as wide when applying each coat of nail varnish. The packaging claims the polish dries in 60 seconds and while I haven’t put this to the test it does dry very quickly. I’d say by the time you’ve painted all ten fingers you could go back and apply the next coat. Before I purchased the polish I read a post on Not Quite London that the formula was quite gloopy and thick but I didn’t find this at all. I’d rather a polish be a bit thicker than have to apply three or four streaky coats.

Wear time wise I’ve had this polish on for the last week and it’s hardly budged. There are no major chips and it lasts well. I repainted my nails yesterday but only because I had a broken nail and wanted all my nails to look the same and be consistent. I got 25% off the polish too so it’s even more of a winner!

What do you think of the items I picked up? Have you tried any of these products?