Discount Beauty Haul

The Brand Outlet sell fragrances and cosmetics and regularly travel around New Zealand with their sales. Products are 100% genuine and prices can be up to 70% less what you’d pay elsewhere. The company also has a website so you can order from the comfort of your own home anytime you like. The best part about online shopping is you don’t have to deal with crowds!

I placed my order on Saturday 26 May, the order was shipped on Monday and arrived on Tuesday 29 May. Everything was packaged well and I’m super impressed with the speedy service.

On with the haul:

1. OPI – Two-Timing the Zones

You’d think as pink is my favourite colour I must have lots of pink polishes but I actually don’t! Two-Timing the Zones is from OPI’s 2017 Fiji collection and is a pink creme polish. The polish is very Barbie pink, not fluro or hot pink and it’s the kind of pink that is warm and cool at the same time. I can’t wait to wear it!

2. OPI – The I’s Have It

The I’s Have It was released by OPI in 2016 as part of their Alice In Wonderland collection. I don’t remember hearing about the collection but after a Google search I discovered one of my favourite bloggers Rachael reviewed this polish and sang it’s praises. The I’s Have It is a gorgeous light blue creme polish and the formula applies like a dream. I shared a picture on Instagram if you are interested to see what this looks like on.

3. Bourjois Rouge 12 HR Lipstick – Cherry My Cherie

I have fallen a little out of love with red lipstick lately. Ruby Woo by MAC will always be a classic, true red but I’ve been thinking something deeper with more cherry in it would be nice on me. Bourjois’ Frambourjoise is a beautiful raspberry-red and is one of the shades I would use if I could only wear five lip colours. Cherry My Cherie doesn’t disappoint quality wise either. I wore the lipstick on Wednesday and it barely budged all day (I know my lips hold pigment extremely well but still…) The formula is creamy without being slippy and comfortable to wear.

4. Max Factor Masterpiece Eye Shadow – Icicle Rose

Liquid eye shadows seem to be a trend right now and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try this beauty out for $6.00. The colour may be a little light on it’s own but it will be nice as a sparkly topper or inner corner highlight. I have a powder eyeshadow that is a similar colour so I will see how well this works in combination with that. The doe foot applicator isn’t too big or small and is the perfect size for my eyes. It picks up a good amount of product and the product spreads easily.

5. Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick – Mauve It Up

This lipstick is not pictured as I didn’t buy it for myself. One of my work mates mentioned she had been looking for this lipstick and couldn’t find it so when I saw it I instantly thought of her. I gifted it to her on Tuesday (before the photos were taken) and she loves it!

Swatches:

Top: Bourjois – Cherry My Cherie, Bottom: Max Factor – Icicle Rose.

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Do you have discount makeup stores or outlets near you? Have you ever bought anything from them?

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Beauty Joint Experience + Haul

Three weeks ago I placed an order on BeautyJoint.com. I haven’t been able to find my holy grail Rimmel mascara in New Zealand for about a year now. I wear and love the Extreme Black shade (003) and I have only seen Black (001) in stores. I purchased a tube of Black in September 2017 but it’s just not the same. I hunted high and low and this site was the only one I found that had Extreme Black in stock so I purchased two tubes! I browsed the rest of the site and ended up adding a few other items to my cart.

This was the first time I had ordered from Beauty Joint but the experience was a good one and I would definitely consider shopping with them again. The website has a variety of brands, mostly drugstore but there is Korean beauty as well. I really have no complaints. I received a shipping notice 1-2 days after placing my order and in total the package took two weeks to arrive from the date I ordered. That impressed me because I know packages from the US can take longer and New Zealand only gets mail three days a week. The items arrived bubble wrapped in a bubble bag, nothing arrived broken or damaged and everything I ordered I received. If I purchased all of these in New Zealand I would have paid $30-$40 more – the prices are so good! If you’re looking for some great discount drugstore makeup, check this site out!

NB: All opinions are my own. This post is not sponsored by Beauty Joint and all items were purchased by me using my own money.

1. Rimmel London Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – Extreme Black x2

Rimmel is one of my favourite brands and I have been using this mascara for almost four years. I’ve tried other brands and other mascaras from Rimmel but this is the one I always go back to. The formula is great from the get go and when it dries out it’s even better! The brush is big but I’m used to working with it and this mascara gives length AND volume.

2. Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter – Molten Rose Gold

I love highlighters that give more of a subtle, natural glow and have less of a warm tone. I could not go as warm/golden as Becca’s Champagne Pop. This is only my fourth highlighter and honestly I feel that’s all I need. Highlighters last a long time and I’d rather have a couple that I regularly use rather than 20 that sit in my makeup drawer and get used every once in a while. I don’t wear highlighter everyday and I tend to go for blush or highlighter but I feel like this shade could double as both.

3. NYX Eye Shadow Base – Skin Tone

Eyeshadow seems to apply on one eye better than the other and I thought it was about time I tried an eye primer or an eyeshadow base. Katie from Kate’s Vanity has talked about an Essence eyshadow base before but Essence isn’t sold in my city. I needed an item to add to my order to qualify for free shipping and this was it. I chose the skin tone shade to create a good foundation to apply eyeshadow over. The base aims to intensify the impact of eyeshadow and help colour last longer.

4. Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick #12

I bought this shade of lipstick after Nadine from Ladies and Lace mentioned it was a dupe for Morange by MAC. I previously had a Revlon Lip Butter in the shade Tutti Frutti but this lipstick is everything I wanted Tutti Frutti to be and more. The lip butter was sheer which made the colour look strange on my lips – I love how opaque this Rimmel lipstick is. The formula is not drying and not patchy. Rimmel do lipstick really well in general. I tried this lipstick on when the order arrived and I’m a big fan! I’m sure you will see me wearing this soon.

5. Revlon Lip Butter – Cotton Candy

I have eight of these Revlon lip butters in total. I don’t think they are made or sold in stores anymore but as far as formula and pigmentation are concerned you can’t go wrong. I have a mixture of bright and everyday shades in my makeup drawer. Cotton Candy is such a cute name and as it suggests it’s a girly, pink shade. Cotton Candy is a light pink with golden shimmer and leans more towards the cooler side of the spectrum. This reminds me of Nivea’s Pearly Shine lipbalm which I love.

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As well as showing you what I purchased I wanted to do a little first impression try on with some of the products.

• NYX Eyeshadow Base – Skin Tone – I used this and applied MAC’s Tan pigment over the top. The pigment didn’t last longer than usual but maybe I didn’t apply enough of the eyeshadow base. Perhaps I need to let it set for a minute before applying eyeshadow over the top. I will keep experimenting.
• Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter – Molten Rose Gold – I applied this using a fluffy blush brush but didn’t like how little the highlighter showed up on my skin. I switched to a more densely packed tapered blush brush which worked better. The glow was very pretty and not too pink or too golden.
• Revlon Lip Butter – Cotton Candy – I like how natural this looks on the lips. I can see myself reaching for this when I want to apply something and I’m not sure what lip colour to wear.

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Have you ordered from Beauty Joint before? Have you tried any of these products?

P.S. This is my last blog post for a little while. I’m not sure when my next one will be but I still plan to share my monthly favourites and daily happiness highlights at the end of May.

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Empty Products #4

This is my biggest empties to date! I am always in awe of bloggers who manage to get through this number of products in a month as they get to try new things and get rid of what doesn’t work. On the other hand it shows how economical I am and how long certain products do last.

Haircare

1. Lee Stafford Poker Straight Shampoo & Condtioner

I purchased travel sized shampoo and conditioner when I flew up to stay with my brother in August 2016. These were expensive but I’d heard good things about Lee Stafford products so I was hoping the $7 (each) would be worth it. The packaging is pretty and the bottles contain 75ml of product which is decent considering some full size bottles contain 200ml and look how big they are. I feel like this did help straighten my hair but I wasn’t a huge fan of the citrus scent and my hair felt a little dry. These lasted me for a good few months (I used them at my boyfriend’s after the trip to see my brother) and they did the job.

Repurchase: No.

2. OGX Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

I purchased some OGX minis after finishing up the Lee Stafford ones as I like the convenient size. The scent is much more up my street and my hair didn’t feel dry. It felt smooth and soft and looks really nice the day after washing. A little of the shampoo certainly goes a long way, it lathers up well. (The empty shampoo bottle was at my boyfriend’s house at the time of the picture which is why it doesn’t feature).

Repurchase: I’ll definitely consider it. The products were cheaper than the Lee Stafford minis and contain 13ml more product. I would also consider splurging on the full 385ml size once I’ve finished my current shampoo and conditioner.

Makeup

3. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

I won this mascara in a giveaway and everyone who raves about it isn’t lying! The shape of the brush allows product to be dispersed onto nearly every lash and the formula is nice to work with. I did experience a little bit of smudging sometimes when I applied the mascara but I think that’s because I have small, hooded eyes. I had the washable mascara, it would stay put all day and was a breeze to remove. The plastic brush worked well, it wasn’t too bendy but I do think I preferred this mascara when it was wetter rather than when it began to dry out. Some mascaras perform well dried out but this one not as much.

Repurchase: I would like to try this again.

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara

I was disappointed with this the more I used it. It started off okay but as the formula dried out the brush would apply barely any product and it was a struggle to build up the lashes. It would give the lashes some length but nothing else, they looked flat. The bristles on the brush were poorly cut.

Repurchase: Nope.

5. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain

I was kind of forced into buying this when my old shade 091 Fair Ivory was discontinued and the product was rebranded. This used to be my favourite everyday foundation as it gave such a natural look to my skin but since buying a second bottle of Light Porcelain I feel like the formula is different to this empty bottle. It could be my skin is extra pale from winter.

Repurchase. I did buy a second bottle of Light Porcelain so I will assess through summer and as I finish up the bottle.

6. The Body Shop Strawberry Lip Butter

This lip butter was pricey but it did a good job of keeping my lips soft and nourished overnight. I would apply this before going to bed and my lips didn’t feel dry when I woke up the next morning. The scent was lovely and didn’t change throughout the two years I had the product. Once I started reaching the end of the pot the product did have chunks that hadn’t been mixed in properly. I don’t know if this is normal or just because of the age of my lip butter.

Repurchase: I’m not sure. It does a good job but there are lots of other lip balms/similar products out there. Maybe if it was on sale.

7. W7 Power Puff

I bought this sponge as a dupe for the Beauty Blender. I’ve never tried the original Beauty Blender so I can’t compare the two. It was an okay sponge, it didn’t eat up foundation and it washed up well. It didn’t stay soft and spongey for long and I haven’t used it in months so I’ve decided to get rid.

Repurchase: No.

Body & Skincare

8. Natio Face Mask Purifier

This face mask is really good at making the skin feel clean and refreshed. It’s particularly good if you’re feeling oily as the clay helps to combat oil. The scent is relatively neutral, it’s fresh and inoffensive. I use this mask a couple of times a week and it doesn’t dry out my skin.

Repurchase: I have.

9. The Body Shop Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream

I was inspired to try this night cream via another blogger and when I first used it I really enjoyed it. The 50ml pot lasted the best part of a year and I was a fan of the rose scent. The pot is travel friendly and pretty good value for money.

Repurchase: I don’t think so. Since trying other night moisturisers I realise they perform better and keep my skin more hydrated.

10. Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant – Vanilla Coconut

This is another giveaway prize and it was different from the normal deodorants I use. The solid formula was actually really pleasant and the scent was lovely. I do think this is better in the cooler months as in the heat I had to reapply during the day.

Repurchase: No. I prefer longer lasting deodorants and because of the solid formula product gets left in the wind up tube and can’t be used.

11. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear x2

I have featured this product in all of my previous empties so I’m sure you can guess I like it!

Repurchase: Yes.

12. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Pure

I decided to try a different scent to what I usually use but I still prefer the Clear scent to the Pure.

Repurchase: If I had to, not the worse deodorant in the world.

13. The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream

I was worried this scent would be strong due to the floral nature but I enjoyed it. It was up to normal Body Shop hand cream standard, non greasy yet light and hydrating. This scent would be lovely for spring/summer and I’m sure most females would love it.

Repurchase: Yes.

14. The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Hand Cream

This particular hand cream felt very moisturising and the scent was nice too. It wasn’t too sweet from the honey and almond and it is a good range for those who suffer from dry or sensitive skin. The range is still available currently but I wonder if it is limited edition.

Repurchase: Yes.

15. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 50ml

A 50ml tub of Shea body butter was one of the first products I purchased from The Body Shop and the scent is mesmerising. I’m a sucker for the shea scent and how natural it is. I have always vowed this scent would be lovely on either gender and I’d really love to smell this on a man!

Repurchase: Maybe. This isn’t my favourite Shea product and I actually think there are softer, creamier body butters from The Body Shop. It has more of a solid formula compared to some of the others.

16. The Body Shop White Musk Body Lotion

The scent of this is so lovely. I am a fan of musk and the scent of this lotion lasts all day on the skin. It feels light and absorbs quickly which is perfect when you’re getting dressed in the morning. I like the screw cap as opposed to a pump as it means less product is wasted.

Repurchase: Not at the moment. I have a few other body lotions to use up but possibly in the future.

fragrance

17. Impulse Tease

I have used Impulse for years and I will continue to do so. Into Glamour is my jam but I tried Tease on a whim and I love it equally as much. I use Impulse as a body mist and spray more in the direction of my outfit rather than my skin.

Repurchase: Yes!

18. Bath + Body Collection Berries & Blooms

I received this fragrance mist as a birthday gift in 2016 and it smells incredible! The scent matches the name and the product itself lasts longer than some other mists. The bottle contains over 200ml which is more than three Impulse cans. Also, the packaging of this is beautiful.

Repurchase: I would but I can’t find it. *sob*

19. The Body Shop White Musk EDT

I was first inspired to try this scent after hearing my mum express her love for white musk. It is a feminine scent but it isn’t overly sweet and contains floral notes. I would use this as more of an everyday scent, it’s nice for work. The ombre effect of the bottle is cool.

Repurchase: I kind of did, I purchased the White Musk Fragrance Mist as it lasts roughly the same amount of time on me, was cheaper and contains 70ml more.

20. The Body Shop Black Musk EDT

After trying White Musk and loving it I tested Black Musk in store and instantly fell in love! Black Musk is spicier due to notes of pink pepper. This is more sensual and less fresh/crisp than White Musk and makes a nice winter fragrance. The black bottle is unusual which I like but the lid on my bottle was loose and wouldn’t fasten properly.

Repurchase: As with the White Musk I purchased the 100ml fragrance mist instead.

21. The Body Shop Strawberry EDT

This was the first EDT I tried from The Body Shop and I really like the compact size of the bottle. It is travel and handbag friendly and the lid can’t fall off. The scent is fresh and fruity and my boyfriend was a fan of this on me too.

Repurchase: Yes.

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Have you tried any of these? What was the last product you finished up?

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Halloween Makeup Tutorial

I’m not really one to celebrate Halloween but this year I wanted to create a cat inspired makeup look! I didn’t want the look to be difficult to achieve and I had a couple of ideas in mind to get the look I wanted: smokey eyes and a berry lip. Let’s jump right in!

Products Used:

Face

1. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige – This foundation is my favourite when I want more of a matte finish. It doesn’t have SPF so I also knew it would look nice in pictures. This foundation has good coverage, for this look I applied two light layers and blended them out using my Expert Face Brush from Real Techniques.

2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair – This is my holy grail concealer and it blends so nicely with the Max Factor foundation.

3. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10 – I applied a smidge of this on top of the Collection to further eliminate redness and to even out my skin tone.

4. Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder – I wanted my skin to look more on the matte side so I applied this to the tops of my cheeks, my forehead and my nose and chin, basically any area that gets shiny.

Eyes

5. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel – I am still using this to fill in my brows. Enough said.

6. Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ Palette & Makeup Revolution Iconic 2 – I used a combination of shadows from both of these palettes. I started with two matte base shades from The Nudes before using a dark, plum shade through the crease from the Iconic 2. I then applied a darker shimmery brown from The Nudes on the centre of the eyelid and finished with a dab of shimmer from two shades in the Makeup Revolution palette. I also applied a little bit of the brown shade from The Nudes under my lower eyelashes to complete the look.

I have included a diagram and marked which shades I used on both palettes with a diamond.

7. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – Another of my holy grail products! This mascara lengthens and adds volume to my lashes which I love. The lashes look beautiful and fluttery and compliments the eyeshadow shades well.

Lips

8. Rimmel 107 – This is one of my favourite lip colours and I instantly knew it would be perfect for this look! The berry shade looks stunning with smokey eyes.

The Finished Look:

(I know the whiskers aren’t straight and nose shape isn’t perfect but I still had fun creating this look!)

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Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? What do you think of my cat makeup?

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Makeup Declutter

I have been wanting to have a clear out of my makeup for a little while and I finally did so last week. I had been harbouring unnecessary products and everything was much neater afterwards. I didn’t get rid of too many products and had a fair idea of what to cull before I started. As you will see I decided to sell some items that had barely been used and give a few bits to my mum.

Let’s get started!

Face

1. Chi Chi Real Minerals Bronzer – MUM

I got this bronzer years ago when I first started getting into makeup. I’ve never really used it as I don’t find it shows up on me at all. The product looks pretty in the pan and that’s really the only good thing I have to say. I don’t know even know the product performs, I received it as a present and it was just sitting in my drawer. I think I held onto it for so long due to sentimental reasons, it’s time to let go.

2. Australis Mousse – Buff Beige – MUM

I used to use mousse makeup before I started wearing liquid foundation. After I bought my first bottle of Rimmel’s Match Perfection I never looked back and this got pushed to the side. My mum has also used this product – albeit in a different shade – and offered to take it off my hands.

3. Australis Concealer – Light – BIN

Stick concealer is what teenage Chanelle used. I had a stick concealer I absolutely adored (unfortunately the brand name faded so I never knew what it was to repurchase) and when that ran out this was the closest shade to my skin tone I found. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as creamy and I soon ventured into liquid concealer which I have used ever since. This concealer didn’t conceal or cover up redness, a regrettable purchase.

4. Rimmel Good To Glow Liquid Highlighter in 003 Soho Glow – SELL

My first foray into liquid highlighter. I purchased this on ASOS in 2016 to get my purchase over the threshold to qualify for free shipping. I like the idea of the product and the shade itself is nice but I don’t find myself wanting to use it. I’ve only used it a handful of times in the past year and would rather see it go to a worthy home to someone who wants to use it.

Eyes

5. LA Colors Jumbo Eye Pencil in Pool Party – SELL

Last year I was on the hunt for a blue eyeshadow and picked up this pencil for a couple of dollars. I’ve used the product once and found a similar colour in powder form in a palette and tend to go for that instead. This is in near new condition so it is good enough to sell. It could also double as an eyeliner.

6. Thin Lizzy Liquid Precision Eyeliner – SELL

I cannot apply eyeliner and I don’t wear it. To my knowledge I have never worn or tried this product. Straight to the sell pile!

7. Maybelline Colour Tattoos in Barely Branded & Inked In Pink – BIN

In my opinion the Colour Tattoos are over hyped and not worth buying. I was so excited to wear these two gorgeous shimmer shades but they felt and looked dry in the pot and weren’t easy to apply. They dragged across the eyelid and don’t apply precisely. The only good thing about these is they do stay in place and don’t budge. I was really disappointed.

8. Revlon Diamond Lust Eyeshadows in Plum Galaxy & Neptune Star – MUM

I picked these up for a couple of dollars each but rarely reach for them. Plum Galaxy was used a few times to create a smoky purple eye look with Max Factor’s Pink Opal but the blue is not very pigmented at all. These look pretty in the pan but don’t perform that well. They are ok for the couple of dollars I paid but nothing special.

9. W7 In the Nude Palette – BIN

One of the worst products I have ever bought. I know dupe products won’t match the quality and standard of the original but this was terrible. The shades were all so dry and didn’t apply well. I hated using this palette and was actually happy to throw it in the bin.

Lips

10. Avon Glazewear – Celebrity Plum – BIN

My mum gave me this years ago and I used to love it! I only threw it away because of its age. It was a lovely purple gloss with a slight hint of neutral colour.

11. Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in 102 Nova – SELL

I bought three of these lip lacquers at the beginning of 2016 and decided to keep the two brown/nude shades and sell the pink. It’s a very warm pink and one I don’t find looks that great on me. I have plenty of other pink shades to keep me going!

12. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – Buenos Aires – BIN

I had heard so many great things about NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Creams but this shade was a poor choice on my part. Buenos Aires is a light peach/coral that is very patchy to apply. This colour wasn’t flattering on me at all and I can’t think of any skin tone it would be flattering on. This experience has put me off trying other shades of soft matte lip cream and NYX products in general.

13. BYS Pretty Little Thing – BIN

Why wasn’t there someone who told Chanelle not to buy coral lipsticks?! This shade looks so pretty in the bullet, it’s almost like NARS Orgasm in a lipstick but the shade isn’t for me and I only wore it once or twice. The formula wasn’t great either which is odd because this brand also makes my favourite ever lipstick which has such a creamy, pigmented formula.

14. LA Colors Glossin Go in Sherbert – BIN

A friend gave me this lipgloss as a birthday present a few years back and I used to wear it a lot! It smelt like vanilla which is one of my favourite scents and the shade was a lovely neutral colour that went with everything. Much like Celebrity Plum, I’m throwing this away because of age not because I don’t like it anymore.

Nails

15. Essie Chillato – SELL

I think I first heard this polish mentioned in a Lily Pebbles video. The first (and only) time I wore it I knew it was too pale for me. The shade itself is gorgeous, I just think it would be better suited to those with warmer, darker skin tones than mine. This isn’t very old so it’s still good enough to sell.

16. OPI – Pink Yet Lavendar – BIN

This used to be my favourite nail polish but sadly it has dried up and can’t be applied anymore. I loved the pink glitter and how subtle and lovely this looked on the nails. Compared to other glitter polishes this wasn’t too difficult to remove either. Maybe I’ll see if this is still around and repurchase.

17. Revlon Red – SELL

There is nothing wrong with this shade. A good red polish is classic and the reason I’m selling is because I have another Revlon polish in a similar shade and don’t need both.

18. Klean Color – Love Madness – BIN

I only used this a handful of times and didn’t enjoy it. It didn’t coat the nails with glitter very well and didn’t fare much better as a top coat over other polishes.

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Have you had a makeup clear out lately? Did you throw anything away or pass on products to someone who might use them?

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Simple, Understated Makeup

Some days I don’t feel like wearing a bold lip (not very often, though) and like to keep the rest of my makeup simple by using the least number of products. I have worn this look a few times over the past month and wanted to share it with you. Because the look is so simple it works well with a bold lip too!

Products Used:

1. Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser – This is my go to everyday moisturiser. It preps my skin for the rest of my makeup and doesn’t irritate it. I have used this for years.

2. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – I bought this pencil in March 2016 and while it is getting smaller I’m still on the first one – value for money wise you can’t go wrong! This pencil lifts my brows, fills in gaps and makes them look that bit neater.

3. The Body Shop Vitamin C Face Mist – I love the smell when I spray this on in the morning, it’s so fresh. I use the face mist to give my skin an extra moisture boost as I can get dry skin and this prevents that.

4. Max Factor Lasting Finish Foundation – This is my go to foundation for those days I want flawless coverage. I only need the tiniest amount – a little goes a long way – and it covers all my redness and smoothes out my skin tone. This looks even more flawless when applied using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

5. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – This concealer has become my holy grail. It works like a dream when used with the Max Factor foundation mentioned above. The shade is perfect for me and the consistency is creamy and moisturising.

6. Teeez Smokey Rose Eyeshadow – I don’t have many single eyeshadows but this one takes the cake for prettiest packaging! The colour can be applied using a brush or fingers and it has a subtle duochrome effect which turns it into an everyday colour. This pulls green with a hint of pink on me and does indeed look like a smokey rose.

7. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara – This mascara has fast become one of the best I’ve ever tried. The shape of the brush allows it to reach the inner and outer lashes making it look like you’ve got more lashes and really opens your eyes to make them look bigger. The washable formula lasts all day on me and is easy to remove. 

8. Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick #45 – I only purchased this lipstick two months ago but I find myself reaching for it a lot lately. This shade is such a beautiful pink nude that is inoffensive and suits a number of skin tones. The pigmentation is great and the formula is super creamy!

The Finished Look:

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What do you think of this makeup look? What are your favourite products for easy, simple makeup looks?

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My Everyday Makeup Bag

Hi everyone! I have been meaning to write a post along these lines ever since I organised my makeup collection. I have a small-ish black and white makeup bag (which you can see in THIS post) that sits on my drawers which houses my favourite products. I define favourite as products I tend to use more often and products that I can always rely on for a go to look. This is essentially the crème de la crème of my makeup collection.

1. BYS Fuschia Surprise 

This is my favourite lipstick and one I’ve mentioned many times on the blog, it needs no introduction. Fuschia is my shade and the formula of this lipstick is fab! It’s creamy and pigmented and is a steal at under $10.

2. Rimmel Kate Moss Nude Lipstick #45

There are so many beautiful nude shades out there and this is the most recent product in my bag. Again, the formula is really nice, the lipstick is comfortable on the lips and I don’t see myself getting sick of this for a while.

3. Bourjois Frambourjoise

Bourjois was my first foray into liquid lipsticks and this raspberry shade is incredible! This is probably the red I reach for most (even over Ruby Woo). The formula is like a mousse when applied but dries down quickly. The applicator is small which I prefer as it allows for more precision which is important when it comes to liquid lipsticks.

4. Tanya Burr Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea is probably the nicest lipgloss I’ve ever tried. The packaging, scent and shade is gorgeous. This lipgloss is the perfect light pink when you don’t know what to wear and you want lips to look naturally plump.

5. Dainty Doll Blushes

Billion Dollar Babies is the only cream blush in my collection but it is the most versatile and wearable nude shade. If my cheeks look like they are lacking something I tend to dab on a bit of this and I’m good to go!

You Are My Sunshine is the most gorgeous peachy-coral and a dupe for Orgasm by NARS. I tend to wear this more in the warmer months and it looks lovely paired with light pink and peach lip colours.

6. Maybelline ‘The Nudes’

This is the eyeshadow palette I reach for the most! I never get sick of the shades and the number of combinations they bring. This palette works for everyday and glamorous night-time looks. I honestly like the pigmentation, others have said it can take a while to build up but I don’t find that at all. The shadows are soft and apart from the matte black don’t feel powdery. This palette travels well too.

7. Max Factor Excess Shimmer – Copper

This little pot is my favourite eye product! The formula is like mousse and it doesn’t fade throughout the day. It has a gorgeous sparkle. I love pairing this over top of shades from The Nudes palette – it is my go to look when I don’t know what to wear.

8. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealr – 1 Fair

Since buying this concealer it is all I use. I, like plenty of other bloggers sing it’s praises! The shade is perfect for my pale skin and the formula has a nice consistency which feels moisturising. Cheap but definitely not nasty!

9. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation | 010 Light Porcelain

I have been using this foundation for over two years now and it is still my top pick. When I’ve strayed I’m quickly reminded why I like it so much. The foundation is traceless and very natural on my skin which is how I like makeup to look. Another plus is the added SPF and pore blurring technology.

10. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

This is all I have used to fill in my brows for the past year. My brows don’t need a lot of attention and I like the natural look this pencil gives. 

11. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

I received this highlighter in Stashy’s giveaway and first fell in love with the size of it. I was worried the gold tones would be too much but a light hand makes cheeks look flawless. It doesn’t feel chalky or powdery and a little goes a long way.

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What are your holy grail makeup items and brands?

March Favourites 2017

Hi all! It’s crazy to think we are at the end of March and a quarter of the year has passed already! I have been doing my best to get back into a better blogging routine. My work hours increased a significant amount last month and I’m still adjusting and learning what works best with them. I am slowly getting there and I thank you for bearing with me. I’ve got a few things that I’ve been loving throughout the month to discuss and as always, I hope you enjoy this post!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara – I won this mascara as part of Stashy’s HUGE two year giveaway and I finally cracked this open! I have read a number of glowing reviews about this mascara over the past year or so and for the most part it doesn’t disappoint. A couple of times I have smudged mascara onto my eyeshadow but I think that’s me not wiping the brush properly before I apply. This mascara coats pretty much every lash and gives a lovely full, fluttery effect without being clumpy. The formula is still quite wet at the moment so it will be interesting to see how it fares if it dries out. This is currently my only open mascara as I don’t like to have multiple on the go. I have the washable version which doesn’t flake and lasts all day on my lashes.

2. Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Quad – Addictive – When I first mentioned this item in my First Impressions: Revlon Cherished Love Gift Set post, I wasn’t the biggest fan. I decided to give this little palette another go and for one of my favourite eye looks it is perfect. I like to apply two to three shades as a base before sweeping Max Factor’s Excess Shimmer in Copper over the top for added sparkle and glam. This palette is the travel friendly version of Maybelline’s The Nudes which I also use to create the same look. These shadows apply best with fingers rather than a brush.

3. Belkin MIXIT Metallic Lightning to USB Cable – I saw these cables at work and thought they looked cool but now I own one I know they’re cool. A couple of months ago I was staying with my boyfriend and forgot my iPhone charger and didn’t want to go all the way home to get it so I picked up a spare cable. I chose a silver/grey to match the colour of my phone and I keep the cable in the bag I take to my boyfriend’s so I’m never without my charger. These cables are braided so they’re extra strong and they come in pretty metallic colours. The little Belkin man logo is adorable too.

4. Perfume atomiser – I received this as a present from my boyfriend’s parents for my birthday in January. It is filled with Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture which is one of my favourite perfumes, if not my favourite. I carry this atomiser in my handbag when I stay at my boyfriend’s as it is much easier than lugging around an awkwardly shaped perfume bottle that could smash or leak. I even got a pink one because they know my favourite colour is pink!

March’s Spotify Playlist:

Unlike other months where my playlists seem to have an underlying theme, these are just a few songs I’m loving lately.

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What were your favourite things in March?

Empty Products #3

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

Makeup

1. Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara

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

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

2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair

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

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

3. Rimmel Super Curler Mascara

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

Repurchase: Nope.

4. Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer

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

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

5. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

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

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

Body & SkinCare

6. Derma V10 Strawberry Body Sorbet

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

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

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

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

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

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

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

9. Simple Moisturisers: Light Hydrating and Replenishing Rich

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

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

10. The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter

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

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

11. Olive Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream

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

Repurchase: I don’t think so.

Other

12. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

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

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

13. Britney Spears Radiance Perfume

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

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

14. Revlon Fire & Ice Perfume

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

Repurchase: Probably not.

15. Nivea Invisible For Black and White Deodorant

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

Repurchase: Of course!

16. TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner

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

Repurchase: I don’t think so.

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

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

Stashy’s Giveaway Prize + First Impressions

It’s exactly two weeks since a very exciting parcel arrived all the way from Canada! I was selected as the lucky winner of Stash Matters’ giveaway back in January and I was over the moon when the goodies arrived! The shipping was pretty quick and didn’t take long at all. Everything was packaged so well and it was lovely of Stashy to include a card (which nearly made me cry) and a few little extras. I wanted to do this post to thank Stashy and share my first impressions of the products as well. I’ve been doing my best to try out all of the products over the past two weeks but I haven’t quite got to everything yet!

The card – how cute are the stickers?!

Like Stashy did in her giveaway post, I will break everything down into categories to make it easier.

Skincare

1. Sukin Micellar Water – I like the fact this bottle isn’t as big as some of the others on the market. Garnier’s 400ml is just too much, I didn’t use all the product within six months as advised on the bottle. This has a nice scent to it and I’ve used it a handful of times so far.

2. MUJI Sensitive Skin Moisture Toner – This may be bad but I’ve never used toner before. I don’t even know what they’re supposed to do. I like the packaging of this, it feels sturdy and you can see exactly how much is left. This will become part of my makeup removing routine.

3. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – Haven’t used this yet but this is one of the items I was most excited about. My skin can get dry sometimes so I’m hoping this will combat that dryness.

4. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – This tub is huge! I have been using this as the first step to take off my makeup and I like the balm to oil formula once it comes into contact with your hands. I find a little goes a long way and this will last me ages!

5. Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Honey – Haven’t used. Next time I’m just chilling at home on a day off from work (sometimes I get busy on days off) I will try this.

6. Etude House 0.2 Therapy Air Mask x5 (Snail x2, Aloe x1, Hyaluronic Acid x2) – Sheet masks are foreign territory to me but I’m looking forward to trying these. The aloe and hyaluronic acid masks sound particularly appealing.

Body Care

7. Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut – Sadly this isn’t my favourite giveaway item. The scent of this is nice and the formula is creamy and doesn’t irritate my skin but I don’t find this as effective as my usual deodorant. I might reserve this for cooler months or nighttime after I shower.

Makeup

8. CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in Roses – This palette is the Naked 3 dupe I’ve been missing. I’ve got a W7 dupe palette but it’s crap and this is so much better. The colours are all so stunning and the formula is buttery soft.

9. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara – I hadn’t even taken this out of the packaging until Monday this week. I have heard so many good things about this mascara and I hope it lives up to the hype! I’m also glad this is the washable version, the last waterproof Maybelline mascara I had was a pain to remove and I began to resent buying it because of that.

10. Teeez Spectrum of Stars Eyeshadows in Smokey Rose – Worn once. I love the box and packaging, it’s almost lip balm like. This shade looks lovely by itself and the duo chrome effect is subtle but pretty. This is actually a really nice shade for everyday wear.

11. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal – This mini is one of my favourites from the parcel. When I opened it up I couldn’t believe the cuteness. The product itself is gorgeous and a little goes a long way. I can see myself wearing this a lot.

12. Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Berry in Love – This is another unused product but I can’t wait to try it! I loved the look of this shade when Stashy purchased one for herself. Berry In Love is very much a Chanelle colour. I’m excited to be able to try so many new, higher end brands.

13. MAC Lipstick in Brave – One word, stunning! This lipstick colour is the shade I didn’t know I was missing. I love this lipstick so much and I’ve only owned it for two weeks. If you love Syrup (like me) or you’re looking for a new neutral lippy, you’ll love this.

Tools

14. Surratt Relevée Lash Curler – I haven’t used these. I admit I am still slightly intimidated about giving them a go in case I chop my eyelashes off but I will try them sometime soon.

15. H&M Precision Makeup Sponge – I am a fan of the other makeup sponge I have but having another is super handy. This sponge is so soft and washes up nicely. It even comes in it’s own little bag.

After receiving the package I had some questions about certain products and how best to use them which Stashy was more than happy to answer. In some ways I still consider myself a beauty novice and it was good to hear her experience and knowledge. Thanks so much Stashy!

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I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you think!