January Favourites + Highlights 2021

We are already one month of 2021 down, hope you’re doing okay! January is a time I enjoy as I feel it’s a good chance to take stock of the previous year and reset and put things in place for the year to come. January is also my birthday month. I have treated myself to a few goodies for my birthday but would like to keep spending to a minimum for the rest of the year. I plan on doing a separate post dedicated to my birthday and will share what I treated myself to in that.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Pixi Rose Oil Blend – I received this facial oil in a package from a blogging friend who sourced two MAC lipsticks for me. The timing couldn’t have been better as I had been without a facial oil in my collection for a little while and I enjoy the benefits they have on my skin. Rose is a lovely ingredient for the skin and I do like how this makes my skin feel when I use it. During summer my skin still gets dry so when I need more nourishment I have reached for this. The one negative is you can’t see how much product is left in the bottle but it’s easy to get past that.

2. Maybelline Face Studio Pore Minimising Primer – This reminds me a little bit of the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer in that they both have a slightly slippery texture. My dry skin doesn’t mind that and foundation applies and blends out easily over the top as a result. If you are oily skinned I’m not sure you’d like this as much but it’s one to keep in mind if you’d like to try a cheaper alternative to the Hourglass primer. This doesn’t erase my pores but it does blur them so they don’t look as noticeable and makes makeup look smoother overall.

3. Silver heart pendant necklace – My boyfriend bought me this necklace for Christmas and it’s so cute! I love simple, elegant pieces of jewellery and this fits the bill. The heart sits on an angle which is also cute and the necklace is a lovely length, I find some necklaces don’t sit right and I’m less likely to wear them if that’s the case. Jewellery is a very personal gift but he did such a good job picking this out and I’ve been wearing it a lot.

4. Leuchtturm 1917 journal in Berry – My previous bullet journal lasted three years but towards the end of 2020 I knew there wouldn’t be enough pages left for another year. I enjoy the Leuchtturm 1917 dotted pages and knew I wanted another journal the same, it was just a case of choosing a colour. I almost picked a bright yellow to represent happiness and positivity but then I saw this gorgeous berry pink which reminds me of my favourite lipstick shade. I have loved getting my creative juices flowing again and setting up spreads throughout the month. When I journal I feel more calm and like there’s less clutter in my mind.

January Highlights

• Getting to set up my new bullet journal.
• Decided on the first 10 products for Project Pan and made a list of backups to rotate in as I finish products up.
• Enjoyed an evening treewalk with lights with my boyfriend on my birthday.

January’s Spotify Playlist:

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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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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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November Favourites + Highlights 2020

November has been a really happy month overall. I still have the odd day I feel anxious or stressed or down but I’ve also had a good reason to feel happy and keep picking myself back up. I have been seeing a guy for a little while now and last week we made it Facebook official. Before announcing anything he met my mum and I met his family. We’re still in the getting to know each other phase but we enjoy each other’s company and we’re always joking around and laughing. He’s super sweet and supportive and honestly after the year I’ve had I’m pinching myself that this has happened.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. NESCAFÉ Cookies and Cream Latte – You might know I’m not a big coffee drinker and I certainly don’t need it to function but I have tried a few different flavours of NESCAFÉ’s latte sachets over the years and found a couple I like. I tend to prefer sweeter, milky coffees where the coffee taste is less prominent. The cookies and cream latte tastes very similar to the vanilla latte which is the nicest flavour I’ve tried. I will happily devour the rest of these sachets over the next month or so.

2. Nike Swoosh Hoodie in Barely Grape/Iced Lilac – After my tonsillectomy I was looking online and wanted some good quality, comfy sweatpants. I stumbled upon a pair from Nike and also saw this gorgeous purple hoodie at the same time. The hoodie is designed to be oversized, I purchased a medium and it’s a nice fit; hugs in the right places but still has room to move. The material is lightweight but warm and I love how this looks on, I’ve already worn it a lot since it arrived.

3. Urban Decay Naked2 Palette – I am so happy I purchased this palette! These kinds of shades are my favourite, they go with any look and the shimmers in this palette are stunning. If you’ve got a ton of neutral palettes you don’t need this but I’ve loved reaching for this palette every time I’ve worn makeup in November. I don’t mind that there are a lot more shimmer shades than mattes as the matte shades that are included are everyday staple shades that you don’t need multiples of in a palette. I’m planning to write a round up of all the palettes I’ve rotated through this year but I already know this is one of my favourites overall.

4. Maybelline Master Primer Pore Minimising – I have tried a number of different face primers this year and this is such a good one! About two months ago I finished the Hydrating primer from Maybelline and that was pleasant to use as well. I do think when I wear this primer my pores seem less noticeable and my base makeup looks more flawless. Before reading reviews and committing to purchasing this primer I was under the impression it would be a matte texture and feel drying on my skin but it’s the opposite; the texture is incredibly smooth and soft. A little goes a long way, it has more slip than the Hydrating primer from Maybelline but I don’t mind that.

November Highlights

• Kylie Minogue and Steps released new albums!
• Halo turned 3.
• I got a haircut for the first time in 9 months.

November’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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Empty Products #15

This is my fourth empties post of 2020 but it feels like I have used products up so slowly this year due to Covid and lockdown and being home more, has anyone else noticed the same? Overall in this round up all of the products were good, there aren’t any I’d begrudgingly use again if they were back in my collection.

Haircare

1. Wella Professionals Oil Reflections Conditioner

The scent of this range is lovely; white tea extract and camelia. This conditioner aims to work in 30 seconds to smooth hair and lock moisture in but I always leave conditioner in for a couple of minutes before rinsing. The conditioner does help hair feel and look shiny and smooth. The one slight gripe I have is that the shampoo and conditioner don’t come in the same size bottles, the conditioner is only 200ml. Most people tend to use more conditioner than shampoo and I wish brands would keep both products the same size or have larger sized bottles of conditioner so products can be finished up at the same time. (I am still using the shampoo at the time of publishing).

Repurchase: I can see myself using this again.

2. Wella Oil Reflections Luminous Reboost Mask

I got this mask in a set with the shampoo and conditioner and most of the time I would alternate between using this or the conditioner. Occasionally I would mix this mask and the conditioner in together if I wanted super silky, soft hair. The texture of the mask is not as runny as shampoo but it’s not thick either, it’s malleable and able to be massaged in really easily. I do think my hair wasn’t as smooth once I ran out of this mask but at the same time I won’t rush out to repurchase it.

Repurchase: The mask on it’s own, no, but if I find it as part of a set with the shampoo and conditioner again I would happily use it.

Makeup/Beauty

3. BECCA First Light Priming Filter

I had heard so many good things about this product so when I saw it as part of a BECCA set on the Sephora website last Christmas I snapped it up. The packaging of this smaller size is beautiful, it’s a pretty purple iridescent tube reminiscent of the primer inside. If you like glowy skin or want something light to wear on top of moisturiser on minimal makeup days I think you will enjoy this. I liked the glow it gave but I found with certain moisturisers and base products if there wasn’t a matte element it would pill and crumble up on my skin.

Repurchase: No.

4. Maybelline Master Prime Hydrate + Smooth

The more I used this primer the more I enjoyed it. Unlike the BECCA primer this would apply the same no matter which base products I used and give a nice smooth, even look to my skin. This is a good, all round every day primer that does what it says. I don’t know how oily skin types would get on as they may find this a little slippery but if you have normal-dry skin you’d probably like this.

Repurchase: Maybe.

5. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Most people either like this mascara or they don’t and I sit somewhere in the middle. For a lot of people this is their holy grail and I will say when this mascara is good there is plenty to like. When I first started using the mascara the formula was wet and it would smudge but as it dried out I started to like the formula more, the mascara layered and built volume better. The brush is a nice hourglass shape and made of real bristles which I prefer. I’m glad to finally have tried this mascara but it won’t be taking holy grail status.

Repurchase: No. If I received the mascara as a gift or in a set I would use it again though.

Skincare & Fragrance

6. Trilogy Sensitive Very Gentle Restoring Oil

This is the third or fourth bottle of this oil I have finished up over the past couple of years. The oil is not heavy or greasy on the skin and three-four drops is ample. The oil soaks into the skin quickly and keeps it feeling nourished and hydrated. If I am applying this oil I do so in the evening after washing off my makeup. I haven’t had to reach for this oil a lot this year due to winter being mild and trying a new night cream that would do a good job on it’s own most of the time.

Repurchase: Yes. This is lovely applied over my nighttime moisturiser when my skin feels especially dry.

7. Natio Renew Radiance Night Cream

I started using this at the beginning of the year and the 75ml tube lasted the best part of a year with almost nightly use. Natio products seem to work well with my skin and I love that the brand uses plant and natural ingredients. This cream contains pomegranate and vitamin c and the blend is lovely. The texture is very lightweight and a little goes a long way. Product soaks into the skin quickly without compromising on hydration. I found with using this I didn’t need to reach for facial oil as often, my skin wasn’t getting as dry.

Repurchase: Yes. I think the brand has discontinued this range *sad face* but I have found a tube online which I purchased.

8. Olay Complete UV Lotion Sensitive

This is the second bottle of this lotion I have finished up. I used to only use Simple moisturiser but after trying this it’s more hydrating than the Simple product and I haven’t gone back. I do use separate day and night moisturisers – this is such a nice one to wear under makeup, it’s lightweight and non-greasy. This contains SPF too which is an added bonus.

Repurchase: Maybe. I’m currently exploring other daytime moisturisers.

9. Marc Jacobs – Daisy EDT

Before trying this perfume I had seen the bottle as a prop in tons of photos but didn’t have any idea what the fragrance actually smelt like or what the notes consisted of. I first tested this in store and really liked it, it’s fresh, light and bright, floral and feminine. The scent is not overpowering and has good lasting power. This perfume is a perfect one to wear day to day, to work and it’s good for a first date too. This is a safe, all rounder that I will definitely purchase again once I’ve used up some of my other perfumes.

Repurchase: Yes.

Body

10. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

I have been using this anti-perspirant for over 5 years now and I don’t tire of it. It works so well and does what it claims and features in every empties.

Repurchase: Yes.

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What was the last product you finished up?

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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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The Lockdown Me Spree

I kept everything as ‘normal’ as possible over the lockdown period and I did end up making a handful of online orders. I was in two minds about sharing the items as understandably a lot of people have gone quiet online and are being super mindful of the content they put out.

I do want to say I 100% purchase everything myself and I am in no way bragging. I was fortunate to be in a position to work from home and continue earning my salary. I am very much a saver and also go through periods of time where I don’t spend anything.

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Hourglass

Since sampling Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer last year I have wanted the full size, but I held off as this primer is pricey. I purchased the 56ml tube (which is the largest size) as value for money wise it works out the best. This primer feels like silk on the skin and makes foundation apply like a dream over top. It has SPF15 in it too.

xoBeauty

1. Round Face Brush – I didn’t need another foundation brush but I wanted to compare this to my Zoeva 104 Buffer Brush. These two brushes are bigger than my others and I tend to reach for them when my smaller foundations brushes are dirty. This brush is dense and by the time I’ve applied foundation my hand is sore from buffing but the finish it gives is nice and worth it.

2. Kelly Lip Pencil – I only own one other lip pencil but I thought this deep brown toned mauve would work nicely with MAC Viva Glam III and other nude/berry lipsticks in my collection.

3. False eyelashes – Since trying false lashes from xoBeauty in March I have been obsessed with how good they look and I wanted to pick up another couple of pairs in different styles:

“The Girl Next Door” were designed for the utmost natural girls in mind. These are lightweight, natural, and not too long. They are perfect for anyone with not a lot of eye space, or anyone with hooded eyelids. They have a zig-zag pattern that looks feminine and gorgeous!

“The Romantic” were designed for the girly girl who likes a bit of flirt, a bit of length, and a bit of volume! They are super full but do not take over your eyes, so they can be worn day or night. Tapered on the inner corner for comfort, and finished off with a beautiful flick and curve on the ‘Outer V’ to elongate your eye shape.

“The Glamourista” are ideal for any glamorous look! Even though they are slightly more dramatic, you can still get away with wearing them for any occasion, day or night, because they are so wispy and lightweight.

Chemist Warehouse

1. YSL – Black Opium – Since trying a sample of this perfume at the end of 2019 I knew I would pick up a full size eventually. Black Opium is a great everyday perfume or one for date nights – the main note is vanilla but it also has hints of coffee and it’s a very warm, sexy scent.

2. Concealers – Cream concealers are best for my dry skin and I want a back up option if I am unable to pick up Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer – the brand is not widely available in New Zealand. I’ve always been curious to try Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Concealer and I’ve also heard Arna Alayne praise the L’Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer on her YouTube channel as a great full coverage option.

3. Revlon Diamond Shine Gel Envy Top Coat – This is the top coat I currently use and it is great so I picked up a backup. The width of the brush is perfect and the top coat spreads so easily. It gives a lovely shine to nail polish and doesn’t chip easily.

MAC

1. Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double Gleam – Double Gleam is a liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish and is described as a beige that breaks silver. As I carry out my challenge of using one eyeshadow palette and highlighter per month I’m learning what textures I like and what works best on my skin. I have a few highlighters in the same colour family as Double Gleam but ultimately I enjoy being a minimalist and only keeping products I really love. I’m hoping Double Gleam will allow me to let go of a couple of other products I don’t reach for as often.

2. Love Me Lipsticks in Hey, Frenchie! and Très Blasé – I mentioned I was curious to try these shades when I reviewed Laissez-Faire, (also from the Love Me Range). Hey, Frenchie! is a deep mauvey nude and Très Blasé is a light peachy beige. I ordered both of these from the same company but there was a stock issue with Très Blasé so I am waiting for an ETA to hear when it will ship. If it doesn’t come back into stock I will look at getting it from somewhere else. I thought I’d mention it here anyway as I do intend to buy it.

Wearing Hey, Frenchie!

3. MAC Peachlite Strobe Cream – A little while ago I finished up a 30ml tube of Strobe Cream in the original Pinklite shade. I did enjoy using the product as a glowy moisturiser with no makeup on weekends or as a primer before applying foundation. I was curious about a couple of other shades; Silverlite and Peachlite. Silverlite was out of stock so I opted for Peachlite. Peachlite has a peachy pink sheen and is the shade of Strobe Cream that is probably the most universal and will suit all skin tones. I’ve worn Peachlite a couple of times since it arrived and my skin feels extremely soft and moisturised.

4. MAC Fix+ Magic Radiance – I have used the original Fix+ in the past and since MAC launched Fix+ Magic Radiance I have wanted to try it. I suffer with dry skin and this product is supposed to be super hydrating. Magic Radiance is loaded with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and essential oils. It aims to cool and soothe the skin, set makeup for extended wear and refresh lacklustre complexions. Fix+ is also great for spraying on your brush before applying eyeshadow or highlighter to make it more intense.

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Hope you enjoyed seeing everything I’ve picked up recently! Have you treated yourself to anything during lockdown?

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Empty Products #13

My second empties post of the year! I currently seem to be getting one of these posts up every other month which is satisfying and makes sticking to a low buy easier. When it comes to a low buy I don’t restrict myself with a dollar amount and I still allow myself the occasional impulse purchase. I find I’m working through products more smartly and I’m able to identify what I enjoy and what (if anything) is missing from my collection.

Makeup/Beauty

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion

Up until 18 months ago I hadn’t tried an eyeshadow primer but now I’m sold on the difference they make to the longevity of my eye makeup. This primer from Urban Decay is one that is well loved and one I’d heard a lot about and it is really good. I picked up the 5.7g size and it lasts a long time, a little goes a long way. If you’re curious about eyeshadow primer or are on the fence over this one, I highly urge you to give it a try!

Repurchase: Yes.

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

Over the past couple of years Fenty Beauty have been making a real name for themselves and to date this is the only product I have tried from the brand. I picked up the 15ml version to see if I like the primer and at first I was on the fence about it, it felt nice and soft on the skin but it was just an ordinary primer. This primer is more on the matte side and I really started enjoying it when I paired it with foundations that verge on being too dewy to create more of a satin finish and keep excess glow at bay.

Repurchase: Maybe – I would at least consider picking up the 15ml size again.

3. MAC Pinklite Strobe Cream 30ml

One thing MAC’s Strobe Cream has going for it is it’s versatility. You can use this as a moisturising primer, mix a little bit in with foundation for a subtle glow or apply it on top of foundation for more of a blinding effect. I used this like a primer on top of my moisturiser as I didn’t find the cream moisturising enough on it’s own for my dry skin. I would be interested to swatch the peach and silver shades to see what they look like on my skintone. It’s a shame not all shades come in the small 30ml size.

Repurchase: Maybe.

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – 003 Extreme Black

This mascara is my holy grail! It gives length and volume and the formula is super easy to work with. In my experience this is one of the only mascaras I’ve tried where the formula stays the same from when the tube is first opened. The mascara doesn’t flake or smudge and is a breeze to remove at the end of the day. I was extremely happy when I found out the extreme black shade wasn’t being discontinued, the product was just being re-packaged. I am yet to try a re-packaged tube however.

Repurchase: Already have a backup.

5. Maybelline Dr Rescue Top Coat

The bottle is not technically empty but I can’t get any more product out and it’s time to call done on this one. The top coat itself is excellent but the brush is really thin and doesn’t pick up a lot of product at once. The amount of product that gets left behind in combination with the small brush is a little disappointing.

Repurchase: Not sure. Value for money wise this is good but I think I prefer my Revlon top coat.

Skincare & Fragrance

6. The Body Shop Shea EDT

I love the Shea range from The Body Shop but this EDT was my least favourite out of all the scents I’ve tried. I thought this scent would work as a fragrance but I didn’t like it on me.

Repurchase: No.

7. Palmer’s Moisture Rich Night Cream

This is a good, inexpensive option for nighttime but I definitely need to apply my facial oil when I use it. My current night moisturiser is more hydrating and lately I have been able to get away with applying that on it’s own without the facial oil. This was the second time I’d purchased this cream so I do like it but I think there are better options.

Repurchase: Maybe.

8. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

I purchased this tub in April 2019 and 98% of the time I have worn makeup over the past year I have removed it with this. It is a little pricey but for me the price tag is worth it; my skin doesn’t get irritated, my skin has improved since using the balm regularly and the product isn’t scented or full of harsh ingredients.

Repurchase: Yes.

Body

9. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

I haven’t gotten around to trying a different anti-perspirant yet but I will! As you know these feature in every empties and it’s a great everyday staple.

Repurchase: Yes.

10. The Body Shop Moringa Body Yogurt

I first mentioned the Moringa body yogurt in my November 2019 favourites. If you find body lotions and body butters too heavy and want more of a lightweight, gel texture you will enjoy these. Product absorbs quickly, it’s great for all skin types and you get the same amount as you would in a tub of body butter for a cheaper price. A great all over body moisturiser!

Repurchase: Yes. I’d be interested to try other scents too.

Discards

1. Soap & Glory Hand Food – Hydrating Hand Cream

I purchased this hand cream at the end of 2018 and it sat sealed in my beauty drawer for around a year before I got to using it. I noticed at the start of the year only a couple of weeks after opening the hand cream the texture changed to an oily, greasy mess. I shook the tube to try and mix the product back up but that didn’t do anything. The product must have gone bad which is a shame because I’d heard good things about this hand cream and it’s scent. The cream itself did feel nice on the skin and for the price it’s very reasonable. I’m not inclined to repurchase but I’d happily try this again if I received it as a gift.

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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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Battle of the Bronzes

I’m a neutral eyeshadow fan and recently I noticed the amount of bronze shades in my collection. I have a couple of single bronze shadows and in almost each of my eyeshadow palettes there is a bronze shade. I can appreciate a good bronze but there are different tones and I thought it would be fun to compare my bronze shades side by side to see how similar they are. Spoiler alert: I was pleasantly surprised at all the little differences between the shades.

There are a total of 10 bronze shades in my collection across six palettes and three single shadows.

Shades will be discussed individually in the order they are swatched.

Left to right: Bronze (from Maybelline’s The Nudes palette), Pure Ganache, Cinnamon Sugar, Hotel and Beach Babe.

1. Maybelline – Bronze (‘The Nudes’)

This is the darkest bronze out of the 10 shades and leans towards being a cool toned brown-bronze. It’s not a shade I reach for all the time but it is one of my favourites from the Maybelline palette. It is a satin formula and has micro-shimmer. It’s nice and soft and blends easily.

2. Zoeva – Pure Ganache (Cocoa Blend Voyager Palette)

From one of the darkest shades to one of the lightest! Pure Ganache is without a doubt a metallic shadow, it has quite a bit of shimmer and is a light-gold bronze. This shadow is really nice for a natural eye look and applies best with a finger.

3. Zoella x Colourpop – Cinnamon Sugar (Brunch Date)

Cinnamon Sugar is such a cute name for this shade and it describes the colour perfectly. This shade is one of my personal favourite bronzes and it reminds me a lot of my hair colour which is why I like it. The formula is metallic and slightly more gritty than Pure Ganache but it also applies best with a finger.

4. Colourpop – Hotel (Sol)

My Brunch Date and Sol palettes were purchased at the same time and when they arrived I compared Cinnamon Sugar and Hotel straight away. Hotel is a warmer bronze and more orange which fits perfectly in the Sol palette. Both shades are comparable in terms of formula and pigmentation but out of the two my preference is Cinnamon Sugar.

5. xoBeauty – Beach Babe (The Remix Palette)

Beach Babe definitely swatched the smoothest (the entire Remix Palette is excellent quality) and to me is the most pure metallic bronze. It doesn’t have orange or gold tones, it remains entirely neutral and goes with any makeup look.

Left to right: Two bronzes (from Makeup Revolution’s Iconic 1 palette), Copper Sparkle, Nillionaire and Feral Brown.

6. Makeup Revolution – Bronze #1 (Iconic 1)

This shade is quite similar to Pure Ganache as it is a light gold-bronze but this has more shine when swatched and looks more metallic. From memory this takes more building up on the lids than Pure Ganache to get colour pay off but this shade swatched better than I expected.

7. Makeup Revolution – Bronze #2 (Iconic 1)

In the Iconic 1 palette the two bronze shades are next to each other and this one didn’t swatch as well as the previous shade, you can see it’s not as pigmented. Colour wise this shade is a cross between the bronze from The Nudes palette and Beach Babe from The Remix Palette.

8. MAC – Copper Sparkle

Let me compare this shade and then I’ll talk about a few issues I have with it. Copper Sparkle has a very warm orange-bronze undertone, even more prominent than Hotel from the Sol palette. It is one of my least favourite bronzes out of the 10 because it fell short when I wore it. I have other MAC pigments and this one looks so gorgeous and glittery online but in real life it has large chunks and it’s not as finely milled as my other pigments. I had to build this swatch up the most and the sparkle of the product still didn’t come out much. When I wore this on my eyes it stayed put all day and was pigmented but it was very warm. I will try this with Fix+ to see if the glitter is more prominent but at this stage I’m leaning towards passing the shade on as I don’t find it as unique as I’d hoped. If I want warm bronze tones I can get them from Hotel or Cinnamon Sugar.

9. Colourpop – Nillionaire

Colourpop describe Nillionaire as a bronze with pink and gold ultra-glitter which is an accurate description. Nillionaire is a Super Shock Shadow so the formula is soft and bouncy. It does take a few swipes to build this up on the eye but it’s not hard work. The fact this can be applied sheer also makes it a great layering shadow. Nillionaire looks lovely over top of a warm brown matte eye look for a pop of shimmer.

10. Max Factor – Feral Brown

In terms of formula, Feral Brown is similar to the bronze from The Nudes palette – a satin with micro-shimmer. Feral Brown is a warm brown-bronze and I don’t find myself reaching for this often. I tend to wear other shades on top if I do but it will only be once in a blue moon. This is another of my least favourite bronzes and I have grown out of love with this shade. It is a unique colour but I don’t see it as essential to my collection.

Top to bottom: Feral Brown, Nillionaire, Copper Sparkle, bronzes from Makeup Revolution’s Iconic 1 palette, Beach Babe, Hotel, Cinnamon Sugar, Pure Ganache and bronze from Maybelline’s The Nudes palette.

My top three shades in no particular order are Cinnamon Sugar, Beach Babe and Nillionaire. These are all slightly different but a little bit of variety is good. They are all versatile and go with a number of looks, especially Beach Babe and Nillionaire as they have a neutral undertone. Cinnamon Sugar is warmer but still gorgeous.

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Do you own any of these shades? Which is your favourite?

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Current Everyday Makeup Bag

In May 2017 I wrote *THIS POST* showcasing the products in my everyday makeup bag. This bag sits on top of my drawers and basically houses the products I use most and the products I tend to reach for on a day to day basis. Since the post a year ago I have added products in and taken others out and I wanted to share the updated version!

Products marked with (N) are new to the bag and products marked with (R) remained in the bag from last time.

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Starting with the biggest category: face.

I don’t keep any foundations in the bag but the one I am using most frequently to try and get it gone is Rimmel’s Match Perfection in 010 Light Porcelain.

1. MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW10 – (N)

This concealer has temporarily taken the place of Collection’s Lasting Perfection in my everyday makeup bag. I have had this concealer for almost a year and have made a significant dent in it. It is one of the 18 products I am trying to finish in 2018 hence why I have swapped the Collection concealer out. The concealer is a good match for my skin tone and the coverage is nice as well. The pot is small but don’t let that deceive you.

2. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte – (N)

I have spoken numerous times about my love for this bronzer. It is the perfect colour for me and it’s incredibly difficult to apply too much of this shade. This bronzer adds such a lovely warmth to the face and sits nicely on top all of my foundations. It pairs particularly well with Rimmel’s Match Perfection because I feel that foundation is too pale for me in summer without bronzer but the bronzer still works when applied with a lighter hand in winter – it’s a great year round product.

3. theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer – (N)

I only purchased this highlighter towards the end of 2017 so it couldn’t possibly have featured in the last post! I understand the hype with this and even though it’s not my most worn highlighter, it is versatile and will go with pretty much any look. It also doubles as an eyeshadow base. I put this in the bag because it’s one of those products that will work when you’re not sure what to go for and I want to use it more.

4. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal – (R)

This highlighter is so beautiful and the smallest amount goes a long way. This is the warmest and most golden of my highlighters but when I am wearing gold eyeshadow I always reach for this highlighter to bring the look together. The shimmer isn’t powdery or chunky on the cheeks and this looks beautiful applied with a brush or fingers.

5. Dainty Doll Blushes in Billion Dollar Babies and You Are My Sunshine – (R)

I decluttered some makeup at the beginning of 2018 and halved my blush collection, I went from four blushes to two! I use these blushes all the time and I honestly believe they are the only two shades I need. Billion Dollar Babies is a nude, cream blush with a hint of mauve-pink and it is so good because it goes with everything. You Are My Sunshine is a powder blush and is my dupe for Orgasm by NARS – it’s like a blush and highlighter all in one.

Eyes:

6. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – (R)

This brow pencil is another well loved and well used product. It is all I have used to fill in my brows for two years and I love how simple and natural it makes them look.

7. Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ Palette – (R)

I don’t own a lot of eyeshadow palettes and I’m still a huge fan of this one. About a month ago I went through the stage of using it almost every time I wore eye makeup and the colours and tones work so well. It’s a great travel palette, it’s sturdy, it contains mattes and shimmers and you can create simple, everyday looks or more glam, nighttime looks.

8. Max Factor Excess Shimmer – Copper – (R)

My favourite shimmery eye product is this one! It lasts all day without creasing and it’s brightening and glittery without being over the top. One of my favourite ways to use this is with taupes or browns from ‘The Nudes’ underneath and this applied over top.

9. L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara – (N)

In the last post I didn’t mention a mascara because I was straying and trying mascaras other than my favourite from Rimmel. I had been waiting for this launch from L’Oreal for a while and in March this year I finally purchased a tube. The reviews I had read were really positive and I was not disappointed after trying it myself. I don’t want to say too much as I have a review post coming soon and I’ll save my other thoughts for that.

Lips:

10. BYS – Fuschia Surprise – (R)

One of my holy grail lip products, hands down! This is my most worn lipstick of life and I am so close to finishing it – I have the tiniest little stub left. I have another tube as backup but I’m contemplating putting one of my other fuschia lip products like MAC’s Show Orchid or Revlon’s Lollipop in the bag once it’s finished.

11. Bourjois – Frambourjoise – (R)

If you don’t like the formula of liquid lipsticks but you like the precision of a doe foot applicator and lasting pigmentation you need to try Bourjois’ velvet lipsticks. The formula is like a mousse and not drying as it wears throughout the day. Frambourjoise is a beautiful raspberry red and if bright reds scare you or you want more of an everyday red go for one like this with a hint of pink to tone down the boldness.

12. Tanya Burr – Afternoon Tea – (R)

There’s something about this gloss, the colour doesn’t look that special in the tube but once it is on the lips it gives them such a beautiful, natural look. Afternoon Tea is a light pink but if you’re not a fan of pink I think you’d still like this. The gloss has a lovely scent, feels hydrating, isn’t too sticky and has the cutest name! I love this for simple makeup looks.

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Do you separate products you use everyday from the rest of your makeup collection or keep everything all in one place? Also, leave a comment with an item that is essential to your everyday look!

 

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