March Favourites + Highlights 2021

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

Onto this month’s favourites:

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

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

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

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

March Highlights

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

March’s Spotify Playlist

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

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September Favourites + Highlights 2020

September has been an interesting month. A second wave of Corona Virus hit New Zealand’s shores in August and there has been a mixture of cases at the border and in the community. I feel as a country we will fluctuate between levels for some time. Also this month I received a letter with a date for my tonsillectomy – October 6th. I’m a little nervous anticipating what the pain will be like but in the long run I’ll be better off. I’ve got plenty of ice cream at the ready and I plan to rest and take it easy for a week or two. There’s been another hiccup with my mum, her magnesium levels have dropped right down again. The magnesium she was given in hospital isn’t available from a pharmacy and trying to find an alternative isn’t straightforward. Perhaps October will be a simpler month?

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Cotton On Body Cropped Fluro Hoodie – I purchased this hoodie last year and it is so comfy and cosy. I love the bright green colour and striped balloon sleeves, it’s certainly unlike anything else I own. The crop is not too short for my body and hits at the right place. It’s a good piece for the transitional months for layering too. I’ve included a picture of the hoodie below to give you a better idea what it looks like on.

2. Rimmel Magnif’Eyes Eye Primer – I only used this primer for the first time about a week and a half ago in my Full Face of First Impressions and boy am I impressed! I have not gone back to the Milani primer since trying this as it’s much kinder to my eyes. I don’t know if its seasonal but over the past few weeks the Milani primer has dried out my eyelids and made them sensitive. The Rimmel primer does set but not to the point where eyeshadow doesn’t apply on top and it feels like pigment is dragging across the eyelids. I like that this has a doe foot applicator, it’s easier to control how much to apply.

3. MAC Double Gleam Extra Dimension Skinfinish – Double Gleam is my highlighter focus for September and she is a beauty! I had heard so many rave reviews about this shade and it really is worth all the hype. If you have fair to light skin you will especially love this, it is the perfect lit from within glow and the type of shade that goes with everything. MAC describe Double Gleam as a beige that breaks silver and the unique cream to powder formula is lovely, it’s very soft and easy to build and looks flawless on the skin. It can be used wet or dry, I have only used it dry as I like the intensity that gives but I can imagine it would be even more glowy if applied wet.

4. GHD Gold Styler – At the beginning of the month I treated myself to a new straightener. In all honesty the straightener I had was fine and did the job but I would have to go over certain areas of my hair a few times as it is quite thick. Once my hair is straight it will stay that way until it is washed again. The reason I looked at a GHD is to cut down on the amount of time it would take to straighten my hair. I also really like that the GHDs remain at a constant temperature and you can’t accidentally hit a button on the side that bumps the temperature up. I have used the straightener once so far and it only took 10 minutes to do all of my hair, my other straightener would take about half an hour. The quality and technology is really top notch, the straightener plays a sound when you turn it on and another sound when it’s heated up (roughly 25 seconds later). Hair is left looking shiny, sleek and healthy.

Close up of the sparkly detail on the plates of the straightener.

September Highlights

• Steps released a new single and announced they are releasing a new album in November. Within minutes of getting the email announcing the album you can bet I had a signed copy pre-ordered!
• September has been a good month for new music in general with releases from Delta Goodrem and Kylie Minogue as well.

September’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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Empty Products #13

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

Makeup/Beauty

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion

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

Repurchase: Yes.

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

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

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

3. MAC Pinklite Strobe Cream 30ml

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

Repurchase: Maybe.

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – 003 Extreme Black

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

Repurchase: Already have a backup.

5. Maybelline Dr Rescue Top Coat

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

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

Skincare & Fragrance

6. The Body Shop Shea EDT

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

Repurchase: No.

7. Palmer’s Moisture Rich Night Cream

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

Repurchase: Maybe.

8. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

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

Repurchase: Yes.

Body

9. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

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

Repurchase: Yes.

10. The Body Shop Moringa Body Yogurt

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

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

Discards

1. Soap & Glory Hand Food – Hydrating Hand Cream

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

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What was the last product you finished up?

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Products I Want To Use Up

I prefer to use up what I have before purchasing replacements and new products. There’s something satisfying about minimalism and being without clutter which also prevents me from feeling overwhelmed and questioning what to use. It’s more effective when I can use a product and move on to the next one rather than having a ton I’m working my way through at the same time. Makeup is a slight exception as I don’t wear the same lipstick and eyeshadow everyday. I’m sure these products will make an appearance in an empties post in the near future.

1. The Body Shop Shea EDT

I do enjoy these 30ml bottles of EDT from The Body Shop for their size and their portability. If I need to carry fragrance in my handbag these fit perfectly. The Shea range from The Body Shop is my favourite but I don’t think Shea works as a perfume. I don’t dislike this product but it’s my least favourite of the eau de toilettes I have tried. The scent has grown on me the more I’ve used it and it shouldn’t take me long to finish up.

Estimated amount of product left: 1/5

2. Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Loose Powder

This powder is lovely but I never see anyone talking about it. Rimmel is an underrated brand in my opinion, the quality you get for the price point is very reasonable. I have had this powder for a few years now and I want to use it up while it’s still good. If you have dry skin like I do this is a good option as it’s not matte and can be applied with a very light hand. I don’t find the product messy despite having to tip it into the lid and as it’s translucent it doesn’t alter how foundation looks underneath.

Estimated amount of product left: 1/3

3. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in Fair

I know you’re probably thinking this is only a relatively new addition to my makeup collection and you’d be right. Realistically being a deluxe sample containing 12ml of product compared to a normal foundation containing 30ml I don’t think this will take me long to use if I’m consistent and don’t switch between foundations. I’m also interested to see how this works for me over a period of time so I can decide whether I’d purchase the full size once. I’m also excited about my makeup looking consistently good as when I tested this along with three other foundations I was very impressed!

Estimated amount of product left: Almost full

4. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10

This concealer is a little over two years old and I have made such a big dent in it. Every day the amount of pan gets bigger but the product seems to keep going. This works well in conjunction with the IT Cosmetics CC Cream so that will be a good match. This concealer is good but I still prefer Collection’s Lasting Perfection. Creamy concealers work better with my skin type.

Estimated amount of product left: 1/4

5. Stila Glitter & Glow minis in Perlina and Kitten Karma

I purchased a set of three Stila Glitter & Glow minis as a Christmas present to myself in 2018 and in all honesty I was disappointed. I wrote this post in March 2019 about how I don’t think these are worth the hype and I’ve barely reached for these since. I threw Golden Girl in the bin as the colour/glitter is practically non-existent. I would like to finish Perlina and Kitten Karma as they are easier to work with and I’m hoping to incorporate them into an eyeshadow challenge I am setting for myself even as an inner corner highlight or topper or something simple like that.

Estimated amount of product left: Perlina = 2/3, Kitten Karma = 3/4

6. Urban Decay Primer Potion

This is cheating a little as it is so close to being finished and I am ready for it! This eye primer has been a game changer for me, I love it and it definitely makes my eye makeup last better but I’ve had a Milani eye primer I’ve been waiting to try for a few months in my drawer that I’m itching to crack into. I’d say there’s another week or two left with the Urban Decay primer at most.

Estimated amount of product left: Nearly empty

7. The Body Shop Mandarin Face Mist

This is my least favourite product of the bunch. The scent is a little sickly and the mist isn’t as good as the Strawberry one I’ve tried previously. I don’t feel this mist does anything for my skin and I find I have to do quite a few sprays to feel the product on my face. Compared to the strawberry mist this doesn’t smooth or set my makeup so I’ll probably use this under/on top of my moisturiser in the morning to give my skin a boost of moisture.

Estimated amount of product left: 1/2

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Testing Four New Foundations

If you’re a regular viewer of The Anna Edit’s YouTube channel you may have seen her video testing six different foundations over the course of six weeks. She shared thoughts and opinions on each and I’m doing something similar in this post. I have purchased a couple of new base products recently and have two drugstore foundations that have been sitting unused in my collection for a while. I will be mentioning the claims of each foundation, how each one applies and performs, doing a shade comparison and ranking the foundations from my favourite to least favourite.

When it comes to foundation I like a lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I like a foundation that offers natural coverage, evens out redness and is easy to blend. I prefer a finish somewhere between dewy and matte and one that is suited to dry skin types and doesn’t sink in to or accentuate lines.

The four foundations being put to the test are:

1. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in Fair
2. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW10
3. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain
4. Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation in 40 Light Ivory

Claims

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

• SPF 50
• Hydrates skin while diffusing the appearance of imperfections
• Full, flawless coverage that won’t crease or crack
• Anti-ageing benefits
• Delivers seven products in one

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

• SPF 15
• Medium, buildable coverage
• Natural matte finish that is smooth and blendable
• Oil production, shine and visible pores are kept under control by specially treated micronized pigments
• Up to 24 hours wear time
• Ideal for all skin types

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

• SPF 20
• Instantly reawakens skin with a healthy, radiant glow
• Light, moisturising texture applies smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable
• Gives a flawless natural-looking finish
• Visible anti-fatigue effect with peptides and vitamin moisturising complex

Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation

• Enhances the look of skin for a healthy-looking finish
• Hydrating formula creates a natural, dewy complexion
• Blurs imperfections
• Lightweight texture for seamless blending
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Oil free

Shade Comparison

Left to right: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream – Fair, MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation – NW10, Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – 010 Light Porcelain and Max Factor Miracle Match – 40 Light Ivory.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream is the most yellow toned but this blends out well and the product is designed to be colour correcting so it works on my skin tone and doesn’t look too dark once it is applied.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation is the one I feel matches my skin tone the best. It is quite pink in contrast to the IT Cosmetics CC Cream on the left but you can still see the neutral tone coming through. MAC’s shade system is really useful if you aren’t strictly warm or cool toned.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation looks orange-pink and this is what makes it my least favourite colour match. 010 Light Porcelain looks similar to NW10 but the more I stare at the two middle swatches the more I notice how much better NW10 blends into my natural skin colour.

Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation is probably the most neutral toned swatch and this neutral tone also translates onto the face. This shade isn’t the lightest that Max Factor do but it doesn’t pull overly warm or cool and I can get away with it. I need a touch of warmth so I don’t look washed out.

Application/Formula

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream – This blends easily, a little bit of product goes a long way and product feels lightweight – like a soft mousse – as it is being blended into the skin. The finish is the perfect amount of matte and dewy and can easily be made to look one way or the other depending on your preference. For example, I don’t use powder often as I’m a dry skinned girl but if I was using a glowy primer with a bit of slip and this CC Cream I would powder. Alternatively I could use a primer that is not glowy and not powder as the CC Cream would add a natural dewiness to the skin on it’s own. This doesn’t have a typical foundation scent, it’s zesty and reminds me of laundry powder but fades quickly and doesn’t put me off using the product.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation –  This is the only one of the four foundations that claims to be matte and it still looks nicer on my skin compared to a couple of the others. It is a very soft matte finish that does not cling to dry skin and covers well. I use 1 and a half – 2 pumps to cover my face, the pumps are quite small and I find that extra half pump gives me the finish I like. The formula doesn’t feel heavy and drag across the skin and is comfortable to wear. I had a sample of this foundation last year in NW13 so if you’ve read this post you’ll know the formula is one I enjoy.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – I purchased this foundation towards the end of 2018 but was focused on finishing up a couple of others first so it has sat mostly untouched since then. Upon initial application this does feel a little heavier than the previous two foundations and I feel like more buffing is required to get this blended into the skin. In comparison to MAC Studio Fix I only need one pump of Wake Me Up as more product comes out at once. This foundation is certainly the most dewy of the bunch but what I find lets this down is lack of coverage. Going in with another layer doesn’t necessarily fix it and as product feels heavier the brush soaks some up.

Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation – I can’t go past the scent of this foundation, it is the most unpleasant out of these, it’s like a cross between feet and corn chips (it’s weird). This test has taught me pricier foundations tend to have more of a lightweight formula and blend into the skin more easily. The product itself doesn’t feel heavy on the skin but the brush does soak a bit of product up. The formula feels quite thin and light and I need 2 pumps to get the coverage I like but this foundation does layer. Miracle Match is billed as hydrating and dewy but upon initial application it can be a little drying.

Performance

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream – This CC cream can definitely be built up to full coverage and it does conceal and cover imperfections whilst still looking natural. The hydrating element of the formula means it doesn’t settle into lines around my nose and mouth. After a full day at work my face looks exactly the same as it did 10 hours earlier, there’s no fading or excess shine and my skin doesn’t feel like it’s caked in makeup. I can see why people love this, it lives up to the claims and delivers in spades!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation – This foundation claims to last for 24 hours and whilst I don’t wear makeup for that long this does have good lasting power. This stays put without breaking down or fading and keeps my skin looking nice and naturally made up. I think this will make such a lovely everyday foundation for work.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – Where this foundation falls down for me is the lack of coverage. It barely looks like I’m wearing anything on my skin and doesn’t work unless I’m having a good skin day. It is very light coverage and doesn’t build all that well either. This can almost make me look too pink and washed out. This foundation does perform better over top of Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Primer as it is slightly more matte and combats the slipperiness of the dewy formula.

Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation – This performs better than the other drugstore option in this test. The formula feels a little drying when it is freshly applied but once product has sat on the skin for a while and my natural oils come out it looks fine. I can build this up to medium coverage which I struggled with with Wake Me Up and I also think this has decent lasting power, I don’t think it would break down too much after a day at work. I definitely think this needs to be worn in conjunction with a creamy concealer, my little pot concealer from MAC does accentuate spots and dry patches with this foundation.

Summary and Overall Ranking

Testing these four products together made me realise what I like in a foundation and put me in a better position to evaluate how they perform. Being able to compare and contrast has been useful and there are elements of each foundation I like. I will definitely be keeping two of the foundations and I want to do further testing and see how well the two foundations I didn’t enjoy as much blend with a sponge and how they perform with a different concealer applied on top. Foundation is an important step in my makeup routine and if I have to spend more to get a nicer result I’m not mad about that. I think price will be less of a factor in future foundation purchases.

The results:

1st place = IT Cosmetics CC Cream
2nd place = MAC Studio Fix Fluid
3rd place = Max Factor Miracle Match
4th place = Rimmel Wake Me Up

I ranked each foundation on six different criteria using a points system. The highest number of points, 4, was awarded to my favourite in each category, 3 points to my second favourite and so on.

(Click the image to make it bigger)

Rimmel’s Wake Me Up and Max Factor’s Miracle Match both tied on 10 points but Miracle Match has the edge as the overall look on the skin is nicer.

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Have you tried any of these foundations?

I hope you enjoyed this post. I know it was a wordy one and well done on making to the end!

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Empty Products #8

This is my third empties post since the start of November 2018! I am getting quicker at using things up and I definitely think my low buy is helping. I am more inspired to use what I’ve got before buying more and replacing products. I know which products I’m close to finishing and putting my focus on those rather than having different things open at once and using small amounts of each.

Haircare

1. OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

I enjoyed the shampoo from this range a lot more than the conditioner. A small dollop of product was enough and from the time I started this shampoo until the time I finished it was around seven months. $13 seems expensive upfront but over time that works out to less than $2 per month. The product does have a pleasant scent. It didn’t leave my roots feeling oily or dried out, my hair felt soft and clean.

Repurchase: Maybe.

2. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Conditioner Supreme Length

After finishing my previous conditioner I was ready to try something new and this caught my eye. Not only is the bottle my favourite colour but the product is aimed at long hair prone to damage and oily roots. This smells really nice and actually worked well in conjunction with the OGX shampoo above.

Repurchase: I have.

3. Fudge Urban Miracle Ends

A fellow blogger inspired this purchase a few years ago and when I first got it I would make a conscious effort to use it but after a few months it fell by the wayside. It became a product I’d use on my hair to keep the ends looking sleek and straight after I’d blow dried it. I don’t use tools on my hair often which probably explains why it took me three years to finish this! I’ve been trying to get it gone these past few weeks and I finally did it!

Repurchase: No. It’s not a bad product but I didn’t enjoy using it.

Makeup

4. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer

I understand why so many people enjoy this primer, it’s very moisturising. A little goes a long way and the 20ml tube lasted me four months. The coconut scent isn’t offensive and even if you don’t like coconut scents like me I think you’ll still like this, the scent is barely there. I did find when I used my MAC Studio Finish Concealer it would pill if I used this primer. This primer did accentuate lines sometimes too.

Repurchase: The primer was fine if I used my Collection concealer but I am using a Max Factor primer currently which I prefer. I may pick this primer up again though.

5. Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara – 003 Extreme Black

Words cannot explain my love for this mascara! The big brush is surprisingly easy to work with, the wand has proper bristles rather than plastic ones and the formula and pigmentation is incredible. The formula is consistent throughout the lifetime of each tube, it doesn’t change drastically. It’s slightly wetter when first opened but not in smudgy, messy way. The wand gives length and volume. I’m sad the Extreme Black shade has been discontinued, the regular black shade is just not as good.

Repurchase: Yes, my holy grail mascara! I have one tube left as a back up and might try and hunt more down.

Skincare & Fragrance

6. MAC Studio Finish Moisture Cream

Don’t get me wrong this is a nice moisturiser and this is the second tube I have finished up but I think I’d try it as my day moisturiser if I pick it up again to see how it performs under makeup. I don’t find this works as good with the facial oil as the night moisturiser I am currently using – Clinique’s Moisture Surge – I like something slightly lighter in the evening so the oil absorbs better.

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. Trilogy Very Gentle Restoring Oil

This oil has been such a game changer for my skin! The lines I used to get around my nose and mouth have practically disappeared and my skin is much softer and nourished. Makeup applies better and this oil works well in conjunction with my day and night moisturisers. I don’t have excess oil or get many breakouts (I tend to notice hormonal/stress breakouts or get them from sweating and if I haven’t been eating well).

Repurchase: Already have.

8. Britney Spears Private Show Perfume

I got this perfume for Christmas in December 2016 and every time I wore it I got asked what it was or comments from people saying how nice I smelt. I loved it at the start and the lasting power is good but ever since the break up last year something in me switched and I stopped enjoying this as much as I had previously. This was my ex boyfriend’s favourite on me and I’m not petty enough to not like it anymore for that reason but the scent is a reminder and I’d rather not think of sadness every time I spray it.

Repurchase: Not sure, I’ll test this in store in the near future and see if I feel any different.

Body

9. Nivea Anti-Perspirant – Clear

This has featured in every empties post since 2015.

Repurchase: Until I find something as good, yes.

10. The Body Shop Shea Hand Cream

Shea is probably my favourite range at The Body Shop. The scent is appropriate year round and the sweet, nutty smell is lovely. I have tried a number of products from the range and haven’t been disappointed. This hand cream is one I’d recommend to everybody if you’re new to trying The Body Shop’s products and you’re looking for a good staple. It also makes a nice gift. This isn’t the first tube I’ve finished up.

Repurchase: Yes.

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March Favourites + Highlights

March has zoomed by, I swear each month gets faster! March has felt busy and I feel like I haven’t had much time to take it easy but I have been reading more in March which makes me happy. My mood has mostly been good and I’ve made some new purchases, namely fashion items. I also caught up with an old workmate and had such a good time.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Hair Treatment Leave In – Whilst I am a proud redhead my hair is very heavy and thick. It doesn’t always look as sleek as I would like and I was in the market for a product to help with that. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money in case I didn’t notice any difference and the idea of this leave in treatment appealed to me. The product is suitable for all hair types and aims to be nourishing and add shine. It contains liquid keratin to repair damage and straighten hair. It is advised to apply this when hair is 90% dry and comb/brush it through. I have been using this for the past month or so now and I like how smooth and sleek my hair feels. The smell is pleasant too.

2. MAC – Velvet Teddy – I purchased this mini lipstick at the end of 2018 before my lipstick ban kicked in after seeing Cleia talk about it. The first time I used it I didn’t love it but the more I have been using it the more I like it. This is incredibly comfortable for a matte and doesn’t feel drying whatsoever. (Not sure whether that’s all of MAC’s matte shades or just this one!) I love applying a light layer of gloss over top to make the shade more pink but it is pretty on it’s own as well. I don’t know if this has happened to anyone else with MAC’s mini lipsticks but the bullet has lines in it like it is moving and pushing up against the tube when I apply it. I’m guessing that’s because of the smaller size but I hope the lipstick doesn’t snap!

3. Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick #55 My Nude – In February a parcel from an extremely close blogging friend arrived and this lipstick was one of the items inside. Funnily enough this shade is a little similar to Velvet Teddy and I love this one too! Rimmel lipsticks are some of my favourites, they’re affordable without compromising on quality or pigmentation. This lipstick is one of six shades released as part of a 15th anniversary celebration with Kate Moss. The collection features three of Kate’s favourite nude shades and three of her favourite reds. #53 Retro Red is my favourite of the reds and I’d love to pick it up at some point after my lipstick ban is over.

4. Married At First Sight Australia – I don’t watch a huge amount of trash/reality TV but this show has got me hooked! It is literally what it sounds like, a couple meet for the first time and they get married – they don’t know anything about the other person and have been matched by a team of ‘experts.’ The couples are eight weeks into the experiment now, they’ve been on their honeymoon, they’re living in an apartment together and they’ve done home visits. At the end of each week there is a commitment ceremony and each person has to choose to stay in the experiment for another week or they can write leave. If both people write leave they leave the experiment and end their marriage. If only one person writes leave the couple stay for another week. This show has cat-fights, drama, shit stirrers and isn’t always believable but it’s addictive!

March Highlights

• I placed my first Colourpop order! I bought a few eye products and a haul post will be up at some point – I want to use everything and form opinions first.
• I found a pair of wide leg black trousers that look nice on me and aren’t too long.
• I caught up with an old work colleague and good friend. We ate, went shoe shopping and generally had a blast!
• Speaking of shoe shopping, I bought the cutest pair of toffee coloured boots. Normally I always buy black shoes (because they go with everything) but these are pretty and still neutral enough to work with a bunch of outfits.

March’s Spotify Playlist:

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

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St Patrick’s Day Makeup 🍀💚

I haven’t ever created a makeup look for St Patrick’s Day specifically for the blog before but 2019 is the year! It’s not a day I personally celebrate but I do enjoy coming up with themed makeup looks and wanted to incorporate green in a ‘Chanelle’ way. I’m all about natural looking skin, a simple eye look (but simple I mean three or four eyeshadows), dark fluttery lashes, a pop of shimmer and 90% of the time a bold lip. However, for this look I knew a bold lip wasn’t the way to go.

Products listed in order of application:

1. Olay Complete UV Lotion Sensitive – I like this as my daily moisturiser. It doesn’t sink into my skin too quickly and make it feel dry a few minutes later like some moisturisers can.

2. Max Factor Smooth Miracle Primer – This primer is quite new to my collection but I’m liking it a lot! It feels moisturising and smoothing on the skin and foundation is a breeze to apply over the top.

3. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – The only brow product I use but it’s easy and the colour is natural, it’s very similar to the actual colour of my eyebrows.

4. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation – 100 Fair – When I want coverage and flawless looking skin this is my foundation of choice. I find this doesn’t wear away throughout the day around the areas of my skin that have natural redness and wears evenly everywhere. It’s not too glowy either.

5. Urban Decay Primer Potion – I am a total convert to this eye primer! It really does make a difference to the longevity of eye makeup.

6. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair – This concealer pairs nicer with the Max Factor foundation than my MAC concealer for some reason. Maybe it’s because this concealer is more creamy which is better match with a demi-matte foundation.

7. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte – I am getting close to hitting pan on this – I can see the outline through the product which is really exciting! This bronzer is a staple in my makeup routine now and I wear it each time I do makeup. I apply it to my cheeks, chin, nose and temples.

8. Revolution Re-Loaded Iconic Fever Palette – This palette was sent to me by Nadine and I have been looking for an opportunity to use orange matte shade in the third row. I applied the orange shade in my crease after applying the second shade in the top row all over the lid as a base.

9. Qianyu Eyeshadow palette – Green eyeshadow is an obvious inclusion! I have had this little palette for a few years, I originally purchased it for the blue shade but I wear the green more. It’s a lovely shimmery green that is pigmented and doesn’t have a lot of fallout either.

10. MAC Silver Pigment – I wanted to add a little something to the green eyeshadow so I applied a small amount of silver on the inner corner and inner half of the eyes to make them look more cool toned and add extra sparkle!

11. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – 003 Blackest Black – I had to use my favourite, holy grail mascara – even the tube is green! This mascara never lets me down, the big wand is so easy to use and my lashes always look long and voluminous.

12. MAC Soft & Gentle – This highlighter is one of my favourites in my collection and really does go with anything. The shimmer ties in with the shimmer in the eye look nicely. I hadn’t used Soft & Gentle in a while before creating this look and it was nice to bring it out again.

13. MAC Velvet Teddy – I wanted a neutral lip colour and something that would pull on the orange tones used for the eye look. Velvet Teddy looks more brown than pink on me but the more I use this shade the more I like it.

14. Rimmel Oh My Gloss! – Glossaholic – This is such a lovely lipgloss, it’s not overly sticky and it always looks nice applied over other lip colours.

The Finished Look:

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Will you be incorporating green into your makeup? Do you celebrate St Patrick’s Day?

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First Impressions: MAC and More!

In my last blog post I shared the makeup products I hauled at the end of 2018! Seeing as they all arrived at similar times I thought it would be fun to try a few of them out at the same time and share my initial thoughts. I have already used some items more than once.

1. MAC – Strobe Cream – My plan for this product was to use it like a primer and apply it on top of my moisturiser prior to my foundation. The glow when the product is squeezed out of the tube is subtle and pretty but once on the face there’s no mistaking it. After trying this for two days as a primer I don’t think I will continue using the product this way. I tried this under the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation which is quite dewy but I will try it with my Max Factor one which is slightly more matte to make up my mind. I think the strobe cream will be better as a highlighter or worn on it’s own to give my skin a healthy glow on no makeup days.

2. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – 010 Light Porcelain – This foundation has quite a pleasant smell and the colour is a good match for me. I haven’t worn this foundation without the strobe cream underneath yet so I’m looking forward to trying it with my usual combination of everyday products I wear to work. This foundation contains Vitamin C and SPF which is beneficial for the skin. Like Match Perfection foundation (also from Rimmel), I found one pump to be sufficient.

3. MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ – I like that the mist sprays slowly and doesn’t cover the face with too much moisture. I definitely used fewer sprays of Fix+ to set my makeup as opposed to my Strawberry Face Mist from The Body Shop – that one tends to spray less product at a faster rate. I used Fix+ on one of my eyeshadow brushes before applying a MAC pigment and it intensified the shade a little. I will try the same thing with a few of my other eyeshadows but this spray will primarily be used to set makeup.

4. Little MAC – Velvet Teddy – Prior to purchasing Velvet Teddy I was aware of it’s hype as one of the most popular nude lipsticks. I would classify this as a nude lipstick but it definitely pulls a little more brown on me than what I’ve seen online and it is darker than I expected. I am glad I didn’t purchase the full size but I will definitely use up the mini. The lipstick is long lasting and pigmented and the formula for a matte is extremely comfortable. I want to try wearing Velvet Teddy with a gloss over the top and mixing it with one of my lighter lipsticks to see if that makes the shade pinker.

5. xoBeauty Liquid Lipstick – Nam Jai – I have found an absolute gem in this shade! Nam Jai is a gorgeous watermelon pink and I have worn it six times already since it arrived. (Technically three but I reapplied it at work after lunch on three occasions). This shade also reminds me what it is about bold, bright colours I love – they make me feel good when I wear them and they portray a sense of youthfulness and fun! Everyone at work always notices when I don’t wear a bold, bright lip colour.

Wearing the products over two separate days:

Velvet Teddy on the left and Nam Jai on the right. You can see my skin looks a little too glowy in the picture on the right, that is partly from the light coming in my window and partly from the strobe cream/Wake Me Up foundation combo.

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Overall, I am pleased with everything and will enjoy using these items! What was the last new makeup product you tried?

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MASSIVE Beauty Haul

One thing I want to be more conscious of in 2019 is how much I buy makeup. Not only have I set a goal to try not to buy any lipsticks this year but I want to use up what I have before buying more and only buy something if I run out. In the last week of 2018 I took advantage of Boxing Day sales and used up a few gift cards before the low buy/no lipstick buy began.

1. xoBeauty Luxe Liquid Lipstick – Nam Jai – xoBeauty was most definitely my favourite brand discovery of 2018! I have two other liquid lipstick shades and if all liquid lipsticks had this formula I would be a happy girl! Nam Jai is described as a muted warm pink and in pictures I’ve seen it looks like a lovely watermelon pink. In the last xoBeauty order I made I was tossing up between Nam Jai and Kairos. I knew if I didn’t buy this shade it would have been tempting me all year.

2. xoBeauty Tulip Crease Brush – A standard Chanelle eye look usually involves a base shade, a transition shade in the crease and a shimmer all over the lid. I know the importance of blending and having a small enough brush to fit in my crease so the transition shade stays where it is supposed to. This brush reminds me of the Pointed Crease Brush by Real Techniques but this one can also be used to buff base shadows all over the lid.

3. Face Halo 3 Pack (White) – I have seen Shannon use these a lot in her vlogs and while they aren’t made by xoBeauty they are available to buy through the website. Each pack comes with three makeup removers that can simply be used with water. These pads are made up of extremely fine fibres to ensure a deep clean and they are also machine washable. I plan to use these instead of a facecloth to wipe my face after I have applied Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm. A black Pro version of the Face Halo was released recently but the pads didn’t look as soft and with the white you can easily see when they need a clean.

4. Britney Spears Prerogative EDP 30ml – Britney Spears fragrances have been a staple in my collection for the past 10 years. I have tried a handful of different ones in that time and when a new one is released I always pop in store to see if I like it. I didn’t do that with Prerogative so I took a bit of a risk ordering online without smelling it first. I bought the smallest size to be on the safe side but it smells amazing and I can already imagine myself repurchasing this scent.

5. MAC – Velvet Teddy (Little Mac) – Ever since Cleia used the mini version of Velvet Teddy in this makeup tutorial I knew I wanted to try it for myself. I think it’s a great idea that MAC do smaller versions of some of their popular shades, it means it won’t take as long to use up and if for some reason a shade is not right for me I haven’t spent as much money on the full size.

6. MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ 30ml – I like the idea of Fix+’s versatility. I’m interested to try it as a setting spray (especially with the hot summer we’re having) and to spray it on my eye brushes to get a foiled/metallic eye look. I got the 30ml size because I figure it will take a while for me to use based on the rate I go through products – I’m like a snail.

7. MAC Strobe Cream 30ml – I have been looking at the Strobe Cream ever since I made my MECCA Beauty Wishlist. I have now managed to pick up everything on the list except Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara which I’m no longer worried about trying. My plan for the Strobe Cream is to use it on top of my moisturiser like a primer for a natural glow. The travel size comes in the shade Pinklite.

8. Max Factor Smooth Miracle Primer – I kind of picked this up on a whim but seeing as Max Factor Lasting Performance is my favourite foundation and there are a few other Max Factor products I enjoy I thought I’d try this to see if I like it. I got it as a back up in case the MAC Strobe Cream doesn’t work for me as a primer and because I am almost out of my current primer. I like how you can see exactly how much product is left and it has a pump.

9. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – 010 Light Porcelain – Last month I finished up a bottle of Rimmel’s Match Perfection foundation and after falling out of love with it for a while, using it in conjunction with a good primer and concealer made me realise why I loved it in the first place. It has good coverage for everyday wear and it caters for my fair skin. A couple of years ago Rimmel discontinued some shades of Match Perfection (including the one I used) but in 2018 they released a few new ones. I have never tried the Wake Me Up foundation before but I have seen it in New Zealand, albeit not in the Light Porcelain shade. From what I have seen online the Light Porcelain shade of Wake Me Up is slightly darker than the Light Porcelain of Match Perfection, which isn’t a bad thing. I actually find the Match Perfection version of Light Porcelain can look pale if I don’t use bronzer – another reason I’m glad new shades of Match Perfection were released. I’m excited to try Wake Me Up to see how it compares and if it becomes my everyday foundation.

10. MAC Viva Glam II – I actually didn’t realise until after I bought this lipstick that it wasn’t what I thought it was! Six months ago I saw a swatch of Viva Glam V online and thought it looked so pretty, when I saw this Viva Glam lipstick on Fragrance Direct I thought this was it. I’m not completely disappointed, Viva Glam II (originally released in 1997) is still a nice shade, a pink-mauve beige brown and it has one of my favourite MAC finishes, satin.

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Did you buy anything in the sales after Christmas?

Have you tried any of these products? Would you like to see some of these in a makeup tutorial or first impressions soon? Let me know which products I should use!

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