Empty Products #17

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

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

Makeup

1. Revlon Lip Butter – Lollipop

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

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

2. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10

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

Repurchase: Maybe

3. Clinique Rosewater Pop Lipgloss

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

Repurchase: No.

4. BECCA Skin Love Brighten & Blur Primer

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

Repurchase: No

5. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

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

Repurchase: Already have.

6. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

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

Repurchase: Already have.

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

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

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

 

Skincare & Fragrance

8. Natio Ageless Advanced Lifting and Firming Serum

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

Repurchase: No.

Body

9. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

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

Repurchase: Yes.

10. The Body Shop Shea Nourishing Body Lotion

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

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

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

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

Repurchase: Maybe the 50ml size.

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What was the last product you finished up?

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October Favourites + Highlights 2020

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

Onto this month’s favourites:

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

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

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

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

October Highlights

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

October’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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GRWM: Drugstore Makeup Look

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

Products listed in order of application:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Finished Look

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

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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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Battle of the Red Lipsticks

It’s no secret that red lipstick isn’t my favourite to wear. Certain shades age me and make my skin look paler than it really is. Over the past week or so I have been testing the red lipsticks in my collection to work out which shades I enjoy. I wore the same base makeup and eyeshadow to keep the test fair and I discovered I definitely need to wear bronzer and blush when I wear red lipstick which I can get away without wearing with other lipstick colours. Currently I have seven red lipsticks. Raspberry reds and berry shades are not included but perhaps that’s a post for me to consider in the new year.

1. Revlon – Fire & Ice

Fire & Ice was the first red lipstick I got. This is one of Revlon’s iconic shades and it is a little unusual because it is a neutral red that is warm and cool at the same time. Fire & Ice is such a beautiful colour and depending on the makeup you pair it with can look more tomato red or more pink red. The formula is a creme and it’s very comfortable on the lips and easy to apply. You don’t need a lip liner with this shade and the lasting power is good despite the formula not being matte. It won’t end up on your teeth or fade drastically throughout the day. I don’t pull this shade out all the time but I enjoy it when I do.

2. MAC – Ruby Woo

Ruby Woo is one of the most coveted shades of red lipstick. Basically the hype is real and worth it if you’re looking for one great red for your collection. This shade suits just about anybody and is kind of like an old hollywood, glam red. Roby Woo looks like red velvet on the lips and I think if I could have only keep one red it would be this one! The lasting power is excellent and the formula is not drying if you apply balm underneath first.

3. Revlon – Wild Watermelon

The swatch makes this shade look more pink than red because of the sheer formula but on the lips Wild Watermelon definitely leans red. I love this colour during the warmer months and the glossy, shiny formula makes lips look soft and juicy. If you suffer with dry lips this formula is lovely too. If you’re looking for more wearable reds or more of a stain you will like this one. Revlon don’t make lip butters anymore but they are still out there if you search. As this is a lighter red it will wear away gracefully and is easy to re-apply.

4. Bourjois – Cherry My Cherie

I picked up this lipstick for about $8 last year but I just don’t reach for it very often. As the name suggests this is a beautiful cherry red and the formula is really soft and comfortable to wear. When I swatched the lipsticks Cherry My Cherie looks very similar to Ruby Woo by MAC. I would say if you’re looking for a cheaper version of Ruby Woo or you don’t like the Retro Matte formula this is a good alternative. I will be saying goodbye to this lipstick purely because I don’t need this and Ruby Woo. Ruby Woo has less transfer throughout the day due to its formula and I don’t mind applying balm underneath to get the shade to glide on.

5. xoBeauty – Kairos

Kairos is a product I featured in the Shopping My Stash post in July and I have been going back and forth about whether to keep it or not ever since. Before I started writing this post I tried the lipstick on and was convinced I wasn’t going to keep it. Whilst I can appreciate the pretty muted coral-red tones I didn’t love how it looked and think it would look better on light-medium skintones as opposed to my fair skin. As I began writing this post I started second guessing myself and now I want to wear the shade again with a full face of makeup and play up the pink tones with blush and highlighter to see if that changes my opinion. The colour is gorgeous and the matte formula is soft and comfortable so I don’t have an issue with the product but I’m not sure it’s the most flattering shade on me. I’ll keep you posted about this one!

6. YSL – Rouge Pur Couture #1

I got this mini as part of a YSL set and the best way I can think to describe the shade is like a cross between Fire & Ice and Ruby Woo. The formula is reminiscent of Fire & Ice and doesn’t slip and slide but the colour is a touch darker and more closer in tone Ruby Woo. I like the mini size and smaller bullet as it makes mistakes less likely during application and the bullet is angled to fit the shape of the lips. The plastic packaging feels cheap but I can live with that as the product inside is good.

7. xoBeauty – Impavid

This is the newest red in my collection, I have only had it for a little over week but I am a fan already. I absolutely adore the xoBeauty liquid lipstick formula and I thought it would be interesting to try as reds are notoriously difficult to apply. Impavid is a deep, rich, cool toned red that makes your teeth look white and is one of the darker reds in this bunch. I’m looking forward to wearing this one more and possibly being able to retire a few of my other reds if this proves to be my perfect red.

Swatches:

Left to right: Fire & Ice, Ruby Woo, Wild Watermelon, Cherry My Cherie, Kairos, Rouge Pur Couture #1 and Impavid.

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What’s your favourite red lipstick? How many do you own?

Out of the seven reds I’m keeping five, passing one on and undecided about the other.

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Empty Products #5

Each of my empties posts seem to get bigger and this is definitely the biggest one yet! There are 20 empty products in this post and for future posts I will keep to the 10-15 product mark to make the posts easier to digest. I have been amassing these empties since the end of 2017 and I finally got around to sorting them into their categories and taking pictures.

Haircare

1. TRESemmé Moisture Rich Shampoo & Conditioner

I must have had these for about 12 months now. I shampoo the top of my hair and condition the bottom so they last longer than if I applied shampoo and conditioner to both parts of my hair. My hair isn’t dry or damaged but these two keep it nice and soft and not greasy.

Repurchase: Maybe. Definitely not the worst shampoo and conditioner I’ve tried.

2. Daily Defense Argan Oil Treatment

I hadn’t tried a hair treatment before and the smell of this one is lovely! When I started using the treatment a couple of times a week and more regularly I noticed my hair seemed softer and the ends looked tidier.

Repurchase: Maybe. These kind of treatments aren’t essential to my routine but if my hair was dry and brittle I would.

Makeup

3. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige

This is my favourite foundation! The texture is lightweight, the coverage is buildable and it blends nicely into the skin. The packaging is travel friendly and easy to store in your makeup bag. The formula is in-between dewy and matte, I don’t like overly dewy foundations. Powder can be applied over the top but the foundation also looks fine on it’s own.

Repurchase: I have but in the shade, 100 Fair. I would consider Ivory Beige again too because I can make the colour work by using less product.

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – 003 Extreme Black

I’ve loved and used this mascara for three years. I found out a couple of months ago the Extreme Black shade (which is better than regular black, don’t ask me why) is being discontinued so I purchased two brand new tubes online. The wand is really good for getting into the lower lashes and the wand has proper bristles as opposed to being a plastic wand.

Repurchase: Yes!

5. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer  – 1 Fair

Ever since I tried this concealer I have stuck with it. I really like the creaminess and pigmentation and how easily it blends into the skin. It covers redness well and makes my skin look more flawless than other concealers I’ve tried.

Repurchase: Yes.

6. Nivea Pearly Shine Lip Balm

I had this lip balm for about five years but started using it more regularly in the last two. In all that time it applied, smelt and worked the same. I would wear this during the day or apply it before bed and wake up with soft lips the next morning. The pearly tint is subtle and pretty.

Repurchase: If the price is right. I’ve seen this lip balm selling for $7 or more, whereas other Nivea lip balms cost around $4.

7. Sally Hansen Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

I didn’t like this. I found you had to re-soak the cotton pad for each nail as the product didn’t go very far.

Repurchase: No.

Skincare & Fragrance

8. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

I received this as one of the prizes in Stash Matters’ giveaway in 2017. The pot lasted me the best part of a year applying most nights. The formula is lightweight and fragrance free and good for a number of skin types. The cream itself is lovely and the pot is convenient for travel, the 50ml size isn’t too big.

Repurchase: Maybe. This is another product where price becomes a factor. This is a nice night moisturiser but I really like MAC’s Studio Moisture Cream.

9. Revlon Fire & Ice Rollerball

I got this rollerball in a gift set a few Christmases ago and I love the rollerball more than the bottle of fragrance that was also in the gift set. Fire & Ice has been around since 1994. It’s more mature than my other scents and lasts well throughout the day. The warm vanilla element is beautiful.

Repurchase: If I find the rollerball.

10. Impulse – Into Glamour

Into Glamour has featured in a few of these empties posts so it’s a well loved scent by me. I haven’t been using Impulse much lately as I’m trying to use up a couple of fragrance mists from The Body Shop for my project pan.

Repurchase: Yes.

11. Simple Brightening Moisturiser

The formula of this moisturiser is thicker than others by Simple which I prefer. It has mango goodness to help brighten the skin and make it look more radiant. When I use this moisturiser as a base under makeup, makeup always looks nice. The moisturiser has SPF and like other products by Simple is fragrance free. This small size is perfect for travel and when I stayed with my ex-boyfriend.

Repurchase: I have.

12. Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

This has been my go to daily moisturiser for years. The amount of product for the price you pay is such a good deal.  If you have sensitive or dry skin you should try this! In my opinion the replenishing rich moisturiser is better than the hydrating light moisturiser also by Simple..

Repurchase: I am currently using a moisturiser by Olay but I’m sure I will at some point.

13. Juicy Couture – Viva la Juicy

This is my favourite perfume and the 100ml bottle lasted for around three years. I don’t wear this everyday, I tend to save it for special occasions or days I feel like wearing it. The longevity is amazing, the scent lasts on my skin all day. I feel like this scent suits my personality, it’s girly and sweet but sophisticated and fresh.

Repurchase: Already have.

Body

14. Body Fleur Sugar Petals Body Lotion

I got this body lotion a couple of years ago and would use it on and off because I thought it irritated my skin but it didn’t, the heat was irritating my skin as I’d use this in summer. The scent is a mix of fruit, flowers and shea and it would make a lovely perfume!. The lotion contains aloe vera and is very moisturising and soft.

Repurchase: Yes, but this has been discontinued.

15. The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter 50ml

This body butter is one of The Body Shop’s cult classics! The texture is softer and not as firm as others from The Body Shop and I prefer the soft, malleable texture. The body butter soaks in quickly, keeps skin nourished and the strawberry scent is gorgeous.

Repurchase: Yes.

16. The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter 200ml

One of these big tubs usually lasts me around six months. The scent of this is a mix between chocolate and the (discontinued) Brazil Nut range from The Body Shop. I have the Cocoa Butter body lotion and it doesn’t smell as good.

Repurchase: If the range comes back, only the body butter 😛

17. The Body Shop Mango Hand Cream

I liked the tropical, fruity scent of this hand cream and it did feel more moisturising than the strawberry hand cream but I prefer other scents more.

Repurchase: Maybe.

18. The Body Shop Strawberry Hand Cream

This hand cream had more of a gel formula and didn’t feel as moisturisng as the mango one. I prefer the strawberry scent but the mango formula.

Repurchase. Maybe.

19. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear x2

I’ve used this anti-perspirant for years and it’s featured in every empties.

Repurchase: Yes.

20. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant  – Fresh

Still a good anti-perspirant but I don’t like this scent as much as the Clear one.

Repurchase: No.

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What was the last product you finished up?

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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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Autumn Beauty Edit

In September 2017, I published a Spring Beauty Edit which featured a handful of products I wanted to use during New Zealand spring time! I did find myself using those products in spring and I thought it would be fun to do another post for autumn. In autumn I tend to gravitate towards berries, darker lip shades and warm, musky, non-fruity fragrances.

LIPS

L – R: Rimmel – 107, Revlon – Raspberry Pie, Revlon – Sugar Plum, Urban Decay – After Dark

Autumn is when I tend to wear berry and red lipsticks more. Rimmel’s 107 is a classic berry shade in the blogging world and the pigmentation is really good. Sometimes these dark, berry shades can be patchy but not this one. Revlon’s lip butters are perfect for cooler days if you want a pop of colour, the formula is so moisturising and won’t leave the lips dry. Raspberry Pie is a pretty berry-red and Sugar Plum is a perfect pink-mauve everyday shade. The names are the cutest too! After Dark is more of a purple berry and it’s such a beautiful shade.

NAILS

L – R: Essie – Bahama Mama, Rimmel – Bestival Blue, OPI – Tiramisu For Two

I have a number of neutral polishes which work all year round but I only selected one for this edit. Tiramisu For Two is one of the newest shades in my makeup drawer and I want to wear it more which is why I chose it. Bahama Mama follows the berry theme and Bestival Blue is a lovely pastel blue that doesn’t look summery and suits the cooler vibe of the weather.

Fragrance & Body

Cooler weather can be harsh on the skin so I’d really like to try The Body Shop’s Almond Milk & Honey shower cream. I have sensitive skin and I have been hesitant to try this so far but my skin is in an okay place at the moment. I got the small size so if I react to the shower cream I’m not wasting product and I may be able to pass the product along. The black musk fragrance is one I first tried last winter. Black musk is spicier and warmer than white musk and less floral, making it a good match for the cooler months. I always have a tube of hand cream on the go and this frosted plum scent from The Body Shop’s 2017 Christmas range is my pick. The purple tube is a neat colour and the scent isn’t overly fruity.

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What’s your favourite berry lip colour? Do you associate any particular products with autumn/fall?

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February Favourites 2018

February’s favourites are representative of the things I enjoy most in life, beauty/makeup and music. I have been putting Morphe’s 25A Copper Spice palette through it’s paces and the heat/skin rash on my arms seems to have cleared up so I am now able to apply lotions and moisturisers again. February has been all about Shania, tickets for her NZ concerts went on sale and I have been singing along to her music a lot!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Revlon Fire & Ice Rollerball  – I got this rollerball in a Revlon set a couple of Christmases ago and only recently began to discover how much of a gem it is. In the same set there was a bottle of Fire & Ice perfume (long finished) but the rollerball scent is nicer and lasts all day. I spray body mist all over and apply the rollerball directly to my neck for an added layer of scent. This is travel friendly too which is great.

2. Morphe 25A Copper Spice Palette – This eyeshadow palette was a Christmas present from my brother and I had used it a few times but not properly tried more than a handful of shades. I was a little intimidated having 25 shades to choose from, I’m used to 12 or less. This palette is pretty much all I’ve been reaching for in February and it is great for everyday, work looks. The fourth row of shimmers are beautiful! My go to is to apply one of the lighter shades as a base, one of the many browns up into the crease and use my finger to apply one of the shimmers over top. The shades blend well and I can’t see myself getting sick of using this anytime soon.

3. Shania Twain T-shirt – I got this shirt as part of the Now album bundle I ordered last year and the quality of this t-shirt is lovely. The material is super soft and the sleeve length and the way this sits on me is perfect. I was missing a nice white t-shirt and this filled the gap. I also wore this when I bought Shania concert tickets earlier in the month!

4. The Body Shop English Dawn Gardenia Body Cream – The heat in summer makes my skin hot and itchy and for a while I couldn’t use anything on my arms after a shower because it would irritate the already dry skin. I am glad there has been some cooler weather lately and I can get back into my after shower routine. I purchased this body cream around Boxing Day and it is creamier than The Body Shop’s normal body butters – it feels velvety soft. The scent is floral and gorgeous and lingers for a long time (in a good way).

5. Mini golf – To celebrate Valentine’s Day my boyfriend and I played a game of mini golf. I had never played before but had always wanted to. I found a place that is open in the evening and we went after 8pm so the golf course was lit up with fairy lights and it looked so pretty. There were also bunnies hopping around throughout the game and they were adorable! Despite never having played before it was a close game, at the halfway point we were tied but in the end my boyfriend won by five points.

February’s Spotify Playlist:

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What were your favourite things in February?

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Valentine’s Makeup: Berry In Love

February 14th is the day of lurve and it is fast approaching, this Wednesday can you believe! Whether you chose to celebrate Valentine’s Day or not I wanted to share a makeup look I created that you could wear on the day or for any other special occasion. I didn’t go for traditional pinks and reds, I wanted to change it up a little and incorporate two of my favourite things: silver eyeshadow and a bold lip.

Makeup Used:

1. Simple Kind To Skin Rich Replenishing Moisturiser – My go to day moisturiser and has been for years. This soaks into the skin well and doesn’t cause any irritation.

2. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – I fill my eyebrows in with this pencil and they are done! Simple but effective!

3. Makeup Revolution Ultra Face Base Primer – This primer has been a saviour with all the warm weather lately, it definitely makes my makeup last longer. A few tiny dots is all I need for the entire face.

4. Max Factor Lasting Finish Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige – This foundation always applies so nicely and the coverage is great! It wears well throughout the day and it is my current favourite (it has been for a while now).

5. MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW10 – This concealer works well with every foundation I have tried and I love how easy it blends into the skin. The concealer is not drying or cakey feeling and like the foundation, lasts well throughout the day.

6. Revlon Colourstay Quad in Addictive – I used the cream shade (top left) as a base for my eyelids before going in with MAC’s Silver pigment. I wore the pigment previously on it’s own without a base shade and it didn’t last that well.

7. MAC Pigment in Silver – I have always been drawn to silver more than gold (though I do wear both on my eyes). This pot of pigment will last me a long time, small amounts applied in a dabbing motion with a small shading brush are the most effective although I am yet to try applying this with my finger. I love the frosted look silver gives my eyes.

8. I ♡ Makeup Goddess of Love Highlighter – This is my favourite highlighter! I knew it would be perfect for this cool toned look because it pulls purple but still looks natural and gives a lovely glow.

9. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – Holy grail mascara alert! I am currently using shade 001 Black but I normally use 003 Extreme Black. I do notice the difference, and I do prefer Extreme Black just because it gives my lashes more intensity. When this mascara dries out it is at it’s prime! The tube I’ve got is still slightly wet so I can’t wait until it dries out more.

10. Elizabeth Arden – Luscious Raspberry – This lip sample was given to me by an old work colleague and the colour is absolutely beautiful – the name suits the shade perfectly! This is a cross between a lipstick and a gloss, it has the colour payoff and feeling of a lipstick but it applies like a gloss without the sticky feeling. It feels nice and creamy and lasts all day.

The Finished Look:

What do you think of my Valentine’s Day makeup? Do you have any special plans for Wednesday?

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