BEST Dupe For MAC’s Ruby Woo Lipstick

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

What makes Ruby Woo so great?

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

Meet the Dupe: Ruby You – MAC

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

L-R: Ruby You and Ruby Woo

Formula & Longevity

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

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

Packaging

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

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

Price

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

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

Application

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

Swatches

Arm

Top: Ruby Woo
Bottom: Ruby You

Lips

(Both shades applied over Olive lip liner from xoBeauty)

Top: Ruby You
Bottom: Ruby Woo

Conclusion

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

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

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GRWM: Trying New Makeup #2

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

Authored Push Kit

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

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

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

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

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

Max Factor Creme Bronzer – Light Gold 05

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

Huda Beauty Rose Quartz Palette

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

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick – 08 Pink In Confidence

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

Other makeup used:

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

The Finished Look

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

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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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Empty Products #18

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

Haircare

1. Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner

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

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

2. Toni & Guy Damage Repair Mask

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

Repurchase: Maybe

Makeup

3. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW10

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

Repurchase: Yes

4. Rimmel Brow Pro Micro in Soft Brown

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

Repurchase: Yes

5. Rimmel Magnif’eyes Eye Primer

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

Repurchase: Maybe

6. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

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

Repurchase: Yes

Skincare & Fragrance

7. Delta by Delta Goodrem

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

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

Repurchase: Maybe

Body

8. MOR Juicy Blooms hand cream

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

Repurchase: Maybe

9. The Body Shop Shea Exfoliating Sugar Body Scrub

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

Repurchase: No

10. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

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

Repurchase: Of course!

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April Favourites + Highlights 2021

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

Onto this month’s favourites:

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

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

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

April Highlights

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

April’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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

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Empty Products #17

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

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

Makeup

1. Revlon Lip Butter – Lollipop

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

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

2. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10

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

Repurchase: Maybe

3. Clinique Rosewater Pop Lipgloss

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

Repurchase: No.

4. BECCA Skin Love Brighten & Blur Primer

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

Repurchase: No

5. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

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

Repurchase: Already have.

6. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

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

Repurchase: Already have.

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

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

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

 

Skincare & Fragrance

8. Natio Ageless Advanced Lifting and Firming Serum

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

Repurchase: No.

Body

9. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

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

Repurchase: Yes.

10. The Body Shop Shea Nourishing Body Lotion

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

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

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

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

Repurchase: Maybe the 50ml size.

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March Favourites + Highlights 2021

I didn’t intend to take a blogging break… it just kind of happened. I didn’t really feel like writing and over the years I’ve come to be more at ease with posting when I feel like it. Also, for the past month I haven’t had much to say, occasionally I have struggled with my emotions and I’m still getting my head around everything following the breakup. I’ve been enjoying quieter weekends mostly filled with reading and listening to music, I love that I can always fall back on those hobbies. I also had a couple of deliveries and shared photos on Instagram if you’re interested to see what I picked up.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Nike Club Fleece Joggers – When I’m at home I love to wear comfortable clothes and with winter on the way I love being cosy and warm. In October last year I purchased a hoodie and joggers from Nike and a few times this month I have got the joggers out. The joggers are plain black and are incredibly soft and warm. They are actually men’s joggers and when I looked up the size guide the measurements for this pair were similar to a women’s pair but the women’s joggers were more expensive. I’m only 4ft 11 and the length is perfect on me. I’m not sure how men who are average height would get on but I’m not complaining!

2. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – This setting spray is one of the most talked about in the beauty world. I had always wanted to try it and purchased a 30ml size last month. I have heard people say they don’t get the hype around this and it’s overrated but I also wanted to find out for myself. The fact this has ended up in my favourites indicates I like it. The mist sprayed is nice and light which I like, I don’t like setting sprays that drench the skin and make the face wet. There is a slight scent but nothing offensive or overly perfumed. I like how this melts makeup together, it’s not too glowy and doesn’t make skin look greasy. If you have dry skin like me I think you would also enjoy this.

3. Rimmel Brow Pro Micro in Soft Brown – I was getting low on my trusty Rimmel eyebrow pencil and I couldn’t find one in store. I did see this product and decided to give it a go. It has a spoolie at one end and product that winds up at the other. It’s very easy to use and my brows look natural, you can apply as little or as much product as you desire. The one great thing about this is I don’t have to sharpen it. The colour is also a good match for me. Depending on how long this lasts I might have found a replacement brow product I like more than Rimmel’s regular eyebrow pencil.

4. Ana Luisa jewellery – I have been wearing jewellery a lot more regularly the past six months or so and I have had some beautiful pieces come into my collection. At the end of February I purchased two pieces from Ana Luisa after spending an age browsing their website and often hearing Arna Alayne talk about the brand on YouTube. The pieces are very reasonably priced and if you’re into ethical brands Ana Luisa is also carbon neutral. I purchased two gold pieces; an adjustable ring with a rope twist pattern and a gold horn necklace that reminded me of a dupe for the famous Missoma horn necklace. If you’re interested in taking a look at the site and want to purchase something for yourself you can use my referral link to get $15 off.

March Highlights

• I’ve enjoyed playing with Pat McGrath’s Mthrshp Mega Celestial Divinity palette. Still a little overwhelmed when it comes to pairing shades together but the colours are so pretty.
• I’ve made good progress on my project pan items, a handful of products have been finished up and other products have been swapped in.

March’s Spotify Playlist

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February Favourites + Highlights 2021

February has been the strangest month I’ve had for a while. The first half I was upbeat and the second felt like everything came crashing down. At the time this post is published it’s been about 10 days since my boyfriend broke up with me. It feels like I only just told people I was in a relationship again. To say the break up wasn’t expected is an understatement, two weeks before the break up we had such a lovely night together and we spent Valentine’s Day in each other’s company. I don’t know what changed and maybe I never will but after sharing THIS photo and caption on Instagram everyone online and in person has been so kind and supportive. I didn’t like the decision and I can’t change it but I know I’ll be okay and I genuinely wish him happiness.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Silver stardust 15mm hoop earrings – These earrings were a gift for my birthday in January and they are beautiful. They are lightweight and dainty with a bit of an edge at the same time. The ball on the hoop is textured and designed to have a star dust effect. I love how pretty these look on, they go with everything and can be worn dressed up or down, I’ve been enjoying wearing them to work to add a touch of glam.

2. New bed – During the time I had off between Christmas and New Year I went bed shopping. I don’t think I’ve had a new bed since I was a kid and I was hesitant to switch from my previous bed as it was so comfy but I don’t regret my decision. The mattress took about a month to arrive as they are made to order and I chose a plush chiropractic model so it will be soft and good for my back too. I don’t have back problems but I did read plush mattresses are good to provide support for petite people and I didn’t want a medium mattress in case it wasn’t quite soft enough. The bed was delivered at the start of February and I have been sleeping well, most nights I don’t wake up at all (that’s quite normal for me) and it’s been easy to adjust. A practical purchase that will last for years.

3. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Prismatic Amethyst – The lavender duo-chrome shift to this highlighter is stunning! Purple works really well with my skintone and I see myself reaching for this a lot when I’m wearing pinks and purples on my eyes and lips. I tend to stay away from pink highlighters (apart from Rose Quartz also by BECCA) as they can emphasise redness, purples don’t do that. The formula is up to the usual dreamy BECCA standard and I’m even more pleased I purchased this with the news that the brand will be going out of business later this year.

4. MOR hand cream in Juicy Blooms – I purchased a MOR hand cream trio in 2019 and after recently finishing up a hand cream I selected one of the scents from the trio to use next. I tend to use scents that match seasons and this one seemed nice and summery. Juicy Blooms has citrus notes blended with sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter. The hand cream is incredibly soft and soaks in quickly whilst still feeling hydrating and being non-greasy. I haven’t painted my nails for a few weeks and they look and feel strong which I think is partly down to the formula of this hand cream.

February Highlights

• February 5th. Everything about this day was wonderful; I had a day off work, I slept in, I wore a cute outfit (including a skirt which I rarely do), I spent the night with my boyfriend singing along to music and he said he loved me which was a big step as he told me he hadn’t felt that or said it to anyone before.
• I purchased the Pat McGrath Mthrshp Mega: Celestial Divinity palette. I’ve used it a few times but I’m excited to play with it more.
• Again, I’m impressed with my strength and ability to bounce back when I’m faced with adversity. Every day I’m getting stronger and more resilient.

February’s Spotify Playlist:

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My Birthday Round Up! 🎉

My birthday falls towards the end of January and if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen a few pictures I already shared from the day. I intended to write a blog post as well sharing what I treated myself to throughout January. There were a few items I wanted to get my hands on and I totally used my birthday as an excuse!

A couple of days before my birthday I booked in for an hour long therapeutic massage and it was lovely to be pampered. My muscles were a little sore the next day but thankfully the day after that on my birthday the aching had subsided.

My birthday was very chilled out. I woke up at 4:30am and couldn’t get back to sleep. I got up around 6am to feed Halo, tried to go back to sleep for a little while but wasn’t able to. At 8am I got up properly and started the day with a coffee in my favourite cup. Mum and I went out to get a chocolate sponge cake and for the majority of the day I did chores around home. I showered, listened to music and did my makeup in the afternoon ready for my boyfriend to pick me up in the evening. We’d decided to do an evening treewalk through the local forest and it was magical, all the lights are beautiful! My favourite section was one that looked like the lights were specks of glitter. I took plenty of photos and videos and loved the experience. I’m not worried about heights so being up in the trees didn’t scare me and because it’s dark you can’t see the ground and it doesn’t feel like you’re up high.

I don’t expect presents from other people and it’s truly the thought that counts. People say that I’m hard to buy for but I joke in response they don’t know me well enough! I don’t mind spoiling myself anyway, it’s the whole independence thing. My mum gave me money and my boyfriend got me a beautiful pair of earrings. My brother is giving me a Sephora gift card which I plan on putting towards the Pat McGrath Mthrshp Mega: Celestial Divinity Palette.

Here’s what I treated myself to:

Bras from Triumph

I find bra shopping difficult as I have very narrow shoulders and I’m petite but curvy. A lot of straps are too wide set and slip off my shoulders. I purchased two bras from Triumph last year and they fit incredibly well, they’re stylish, comfortable, good quality and the straps don’t fall down. I purchased three bras at the start of January and the order came to less than $100 which is very reasonable for lingerie. Understandably I’m not going to share pictures of me wearing the bras but the collage above shows the styles and colours I chose.

BECCA Highlighters

BECCA highlighters have the most beautiful formula, they’re soft, buildable and blend like a dream! Pretty much all of my highlighters are BECCA and it’s fun to mix and match which shade I wear based on my makeup look that day. I purchased the BECCA x Barbie Ferreira set from Sephora which contains three mini shades: Vanilla Quartz, Rose Quartz and Champagne Pop. I already own a mini of Champagne Pop so I will gift this to someone. Vanilla Quartz is stunning and a great one for day to day.

I also purchased the full size of Prismatic Amethyst (not from Sephora). I love purples on me and the duochrome shift in this shade is surprisingly wearable and doesn’t look too intense. This can be applied with a subtle hand or really built up to intensify the purple, it looks great with all purple makeup too!

BECCA Lipgloss Trio

I actually made two Sephora orders in January and this lipgloss set was the basis behind the second order. This set is also part of the Barbie Ferreira collaboration and the glosses are absolutely stunning. There are three shades Sparkle (a sparkly gold), Facet (a sparkly purple and my favourite shade in the set) and Foiled (a sparkly pink). Foiled is the most pigmented in the set but honestly all shades are wearable and are great as lip toppers. The gloss is not sticky at all and the small size is great as it won’t be difficult to use these up!

Fenty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow

I’m having a moment with lipgloss lately. I’m loving wearing glosses on their own on no makeup days to keep my lips nice and plump and applying glosses as toppers over lipsticks. Fenty Glow is the original gloss bomb shade and it’s supposedly universal and suits everyone. On first impressions I did find the shade a little warm but it’s still nice. I look forward to wearing it more and finding lipsticks in my collection to pair it with.

Benefit Pencil Sharpener

This is the most basic item to purchase but it’s a necessity. My old pencil sharpener from school days is cracked and everytime I’d go to sharpen my Rimmel brow pencil the lead would snap and I’d end up wasting a lot of product. This sharpener caters for three different sizes and it even comes with a handy little cleaning tool. This sharpener is also baby pink so it’s totally my aesthetic.

Marc Jacobs At Lash’d Mascara

I added this mascara to my order on a whim so I could qualify for free shipping. I have really enjoyed trying sample mascaras this past year and this sample was $24 for 8.4g of product which was a lot fairer priced than sample mascaras from Tarte or Benefit. I haven’t tried anything from Marc Jacobs before but this mascara sounds good, it aims to lift and volumise which sounds great for my lashes. The black and gold striped tube is neat too!

Body butters from The Body Shop

Ever since The Body Shop store in my city closed down I have missed it greatly. I now am strategic when I buy and try to make a bigger order as I can’t pop into town for a look anymore. I wanted to utulise my 20% off birthday discount and I was running low on body butter so purchased two in scents I hadn’t tried before. I purchased a 50ml of British Rose as I didn’t know if the scent would be too strong (it’s not on first sniff) and a 200ml of Japanese Cherry Blossom Strawberry Kiss. I finished up the regular Japanese Cherry Blossom a little while ago and it’s one of the best I’ve tried. I love the strawberry range too so the combination of both scents is a match made in heaven.

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Do you treat yourself for your birthday? Have you tried any of these products?

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Empty Products #16

I feel like this is the empties where a few discontinued products feature which sucks a little as I enjoyed those products and wouldn’t rule out repurchasing them. I am going to try to be on a low buy in 2021, I’ve bought a few things in January as it’s my birthday month but other than that I’m aiming to keep spending to a minimum. I have products in my collection I’m close to finishing and want to focus on those as much as I can.

Haircare

1. Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Shampoo

I finished the matching conditioner in my last empties but the shampoo took a bit longer to get through as it contains more product. The shampoo is clear, has a lightweight texture and it lathers up well, you don’t need to use a lot to make hair feel clean. The scent is a mix of white tea extract and camelia and it sticks around after hair has been washed which is nice. The bottle of shampoo contains 250ml and it lasted me about six months. Overall this range is lovely.

Repurchase: I can see myself using this again.

Makeup/Beauty

2. GlamGlow Glowsetter Setting Spray

I’ve seen so many people singing this setting spray’s praises and I kind of get it. I purchased the 30ml bottle which was a mistake, the nozzle on my bottle didn’t work properly and I had to use a dozen sprays each time to get mist onto my face. I wish I had spent more at the time and got the full size because the effect of the actual mist on my skin is nice and the smell is as delightful as everyone says! Unless the full size is on sale I don’t know that I’d repurchase as $60 for a setting spray is a lot of money.

Repurchase: Don’t think so.

3. The Body Shop Rose Dewy Glow Face Mist

In comparison to the previous setting spray I can get away with four-five sprays of this and I find they have similar effects. This mist is not too wet and smells lovely, the rose fragrance isn’t too strong at all. Less is more with this spray, too much and makeup can cake up around my nose area but it’s great to add a dewy glow after powder products have been applied.

Repurchase: Yes, but it’s been discontinued.

4. bareMinerals Lashtopia Volumising Mascara

I got this as a free sample with an order from Mecca but it’s the mascara I’ve liked the least in a long time. The brush does have proper bristles which I prefer but I found this mascara performed better when it was first opened and the formula was wetter. When it started to dry up (maybe two months after I opened it) the formula would not layer well, it became sticky and tar-like. I also found this more lengthening than volumising. This is a nice, natural everyday mascara but doesn’t pack the punch I personally want.

Repurchase: No.

Skincare & Fragrance

5. The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter

I had heard so many good things about this product before trying it and if you like cleansing balms for removing makeup I urge you to give this one a go! You only need a coin sized amount for the entire face and if you rinse off your hands after the initial rubbing and rub the skin again while your hands are slightly damp you will see even more makeup melt off. The packaging is lightweight which would also make it a good travel option and the scent is lovely and soft. If you don’t like fragrance in products I don’t think you’d be put off by this. I would use this again but not having The Body Shop in my city any more makes it harder to get hold of.

Repurchase: Maybe.

6. Juicy Couture – Viva la Juicy La Fleur

Apart from the original Viva la Juicy this is one of the nicest Juicy Couture fragrances I’ve tried. I love the soft subtle florals mixed in with the gourmand and fruit notes and this is a wonderful perfume for work. From memory I purchased this in August 2019 and it was finished by December 2020. The bottle contains 150ml of perfume which is more than usual and I used it up quickly. I didn’t need a lot of sprays, most days I would have used around four or five, I just really enjoyed it as an everyday fragrance. The lasting power is decent too.

Repurchase: Definitely – I already miss this!

Body

7. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

You know the drill by now, this is my favourite deodorant and it does what it’s meant to.

Repurchase: Yes.

8. The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Body Scrub

My skin is extremely sensitive, especially on my legs. I had bad eczema as a child and whilst I don’t get it now I know to stay away from soap like products or products with lathering ingredients. I wash my hands with soap and they’re fine (thankfully) but other parts of my body react. This body scrub I purchased to use as an exfoliator before shaving my legs and it worked a treat. This scrub lasted me a good couple of years for that purpose and my legs didn’t get irritated. The scent is more of a smoky, spicy vanilla as opposed to sweet but it’s lovely. I would consider repurchasing this scrub if The Body Shop bring it back.

Repurchase: This was a limited edition Christmas fragrance a couple of years ago but maybe if it returns.

9. The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Butter

The fragrance of this body butter is DIVINE! I have tried my fair share of body butter scents from The Body Shop and I’m putting it out there that this is definitely in my top three. This is one of the body butters with the slightly higher price point but it feels ultra luxurious and it’s worth it! The texture is super soft and moisturising and the smell is gorgeous and feminine; a lovely mix of sweet magnolia, blooming cherry blossom and hinoki wood accords.

Repurchase: Yes.

10. Zoella Reach For the Moon Hand Cream

I was sent this hand cream by one of my best blogging friends and it was such a delight to use. The tube contains 90ml of product which is huge and the vanilla-mint scent was a lot nicer than I imagined. I hadn’t tried anything from Zoella Beauty before this and if the other hand creams were of similar quality I missed out. The hand cream soaked in quickly and kept my hands soft and supple.

Repurchase: Yes, if it hadn’t been discontinued.

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What was the last product you finished up?

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