Products I’m Decluttering

Usually I include any discards when I do empties posts but recently there have been a handful of products I’m ready to let go of which warranted it’s own post. On the whole I’m not wasteful and I’m happy to pass on products that don’t work for me. There is only the odd product that ends up in the bin normally because it has dried out, separated or I’ve had it too long.

1. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation – 010 Light Porcelain

I have only used this foundation a handful of times and I just don’t get on with it. It was one of the four foundations I tested at the start of 2020 and it was the worst ranked. I was a little disappointed as Rimmel is one of my favourite brands and I used to love their Match Perfection foundation. This shade wasn’t right for me, I think it was too light (which never happens) and it didn’t look right on my skin. The formula felt very thick and wasn’t easy to blend or build. The coverage wasn’t what I like and my face looked too shiny and dewy. This has had minimal use so I’ll try passing it on.

2. Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation in 40 Light Ivory

I was tossing up whether or not to keep this foundation as it’s not entirely bad. This shade matches me extremely well and the coverage is nice but this can emphasise my dry skin and it has the worst smell of any foundation I’ve tried. This was picked up during a clearance sale so perhaps it had been sitting in the store for a while before I got it. Despite this not being the worst foundation I’ve had I don’t find myself reaching for it often enough to justify keeping it. This would have been used less than 10 times so I’ll try and find a new home for it.

3. Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask

I had heard so many wonderful reviews of this face mask and I was excited to try it. I picked up the smaller size and as it turns out that was a wise choice as this didn’t agree with my skin. I have dry-dehydrated skin so I thought this mask sounded perfect to help try and combat that. I would only use this mask every once in a while and it wasn’t until after using it a couple of times that I noticed the next day I would start to break out, especially on my forehead. Having drier skin I don’t tend to get a lot of acne and it seemed like too much of a coincidence it was happening each time I reached for this mask. I’m not sure whether one of the ingredients didn’t work with my skin or if I was leaving the mask on too long but I made the decision to stop using it. It’s such a shame because the scent of this product is really lovely. Hopefully I can pass this onto someone with less sensitive skin than mine.

4. Max Factor Excess Shimmer in Pink Opal

I have tried to make this colour work for years but I’m convinced the formula of this shadow is not right. I have another shade from this line and the formula is soft and creamy, this from the first time I used it has felt dry and crumbly – I’m not sure if it was sealed properly in the shop or if this shade is formulated differently and that’s how it’s supposed to be. The shadow isn’t so dry that it’s unusable but it doesn’t have much shine and pigmentation on the eyes compared to when I swirl my finger in the pot, the product doesn’t translate well onto the eyelids. I was using all of my single shadows throughout October and after reaching for this again thought it’s time to get rid as I have similar shades in eyeshadow palettes and rarely ever reach for this. The colour of the shadow itself is stunning but it’s not the easiest to work with. This is sadly going in the bin!

5. Stila Magnificent Metals – Kitten Karma

I dedicated this post to why I didn’t think this particular set of mini Magnificent Metals by Stila were worth the hype and I still stand by that statement. Kitten Karma was the best performing shadow in the set, it was right up my street in terms of shade, the formula wasn’t thin or watery and there was a nice amount of glitter. The two other shades in the set had previously been discarded and thrown out as they had dried up and when I went to use Kitten Karma in October the same thing happened. Shadows like this clearly need to be used up quickly as they aren’t long lasting. I wouldn’t pick up any of the full sized shades as I wouldn’t get my money’s worth. I don’t recommend these if you’re not going to reach for them often.

6. Milani Eyeshadow Primer

I have had this primer for about a year and started using it in January of this year. For the first few months it was fine but the more I used it the more I noticed it would set very quickly on my eyelids and make them feel dry. I understand the purpose of primer is to make product last longer and make product adhere to the skin better but this became so uncomfortable I’d rather apply no primer and have eyeshadow fade. I won’t throw this away as there’s still plenty of product left, I will try and pass it on.


Have you gotten rid of any products recently?

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Empty Products #14

My first empties round up post lockdown! Has anyone else noticed they have been using less   due to not wearing making and not using as many beauty products? On the whole this bunch of products wasn’t the best for being ones I love and would gladly repurchase but there are a couple I really enjoyed.

Haircare

1. Schwarzkopf Leave In Treatment

I would apply this product after a shower when my hair was 80% dry and let it soak in. The smell was pleasant, my hair did look sleeker as opposed to if I didn’t use this but it’s not a product I’ve missed since finishing it up.

Repurchase: Probably not.

2. Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair Shampoo

The scent of this is very manly but not in a good way. I didn’t find this worked well on my hair and I didn’t enjoy using it.

Repurchase: No.

3. Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair Conditioner

Usually I can remember if I preferred a shampoo or conditioner more but I can’t with this range, I just know I wasn’t a fan of either of these.

Repurchase: No.

Makeup/Beauty

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

This CC Cream is totally worth the hype! I purchased a 12ml deluxe sample from Sephora in December and love how this looks on my skin each time I wear it. The quality day after day is consistent and it makes such a lovely everyday base. One light layer of product was enough for the finish I like and this does not cling to dry patches, it skims over the skin and gives a natural, healthy look. Product can be layered but I found I didn’t need more than one layer. I did notice Fair was a slightly better match for me in summer as opposed to autumn but I can still make the shade work.

Repurchase: Maybe. I see IT Cosmetics have come out with a new Fair Ivory shade but not in the 12ml size yet. I’d want to try the smaller size first in the new shade.

5. YSL Volume Effet Cils The Curler Mascara

I got this mascara as part of a set of YSL minis last year and started using it in February this year. The mascara has a plastic wand which I’m not usually a fan of but this formula was so good I didn’t mind the brush not having real bristles. This mascara gives length and volume and it’s super black which I love, it adds to the drama and really makes your eyeshadow pop. The formula was consistent throughout the time I used this and it was a nice medium between wet and dry. The formula wasn’t sticky and layered well without clumping.

Repurchase: No, sadly. Not because the product is bad but no full sized mascara is worth $70 – that’s ridiculous!

6. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel

This brow pencil is all I have used to fill in my brows for the past four years. This shade matches in with my auburn hair perfectly.

Repurchase: Already have.

7. Delon Regular Nail Polish Remover

This did the job and wasn’t harsh on my nails when it came to removing nail polish but I didn’t like it as much as the Cutex Strengthening nail polish remover I tried years ago and loved. The Cutex product is difficult to track down though.

Repurchase: If it was the only type available then yes but there are other nail polish removers I prefer.

Skincare & Fragrance

8. The Body Shop Mandarin Energizing Face Mist

I purchased this thinking it would be similar to The Body Shop’s Vitamin C mist as they both target tired, dull skin and aim to give it a boost. I did not enjoy the scent of this and it felt a little sticky on the face. It didn’t soak in and leave my skin hydrated, it just kind of sat on top of other products.

Repurchase: No, my least favourite face mist out of all The Body Shop ones I’ve tried.

Body

9. The Body Shop Warm Vanilla Body Butter

When I purchased this body butter I was overwhelmed at how sweet the scent was but once I started using it the sweetness was manageable. The scent is easier to digest in smaller doses and the sweetness wasn’t too much once product had soaked into the skin. As with other body butters this feels lovely and silky to apply and keeps skin nourished and soft.

Repurchase: Possibly. This was part of a Christmas range but The Body Shop tend to release a vanilla scent nearly every Christmas.

10. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

Holy grail! This features in every empties for a reason.

Repurchase: Yes.

11. Dove Invisible Dry Anti-White Marks Deodorant

I strayed from my trusty Nivea anti-perspirant and this was nowhere near as good! The product was more like a cream than a liquid when applying it and it felt a little sticky. Product didn’t feel as moisturising on the underarms and I felt more sweaty. I used this during autumn/winter mainly working from home so I wasn’t getting particularly hot either.

Repurchase: No.

Discards

1. Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow – Perlina

I had heard so many good things about the Stila Magnificent Metals and when I purchased a set of three minis to try I was left scratching my head as to what all the fuss is about. One shade I threw out as product was non existent but I did want to make an effort to use up the other two shades in the set; Perlina and Kitten Karma. I went to apply Perlina on top of another eyeshadow recently and discovered it had dried up which I was disappointed about. I will not be picking up any of these in future as overall I haven’t had a good experience. I don’t know whether it’s because these are minis and the full sized shades perform better but I’ve been put off.


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


What products are you trying to finish up at the moment?

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Stila Magnificent Metals: Worth the Hype?

The Magnificent Metals by Stila are very much loved by bloggers and as someone who loves shimmer the thought of long lasting, sparkly eyes intrigued me. Magnificent Metals aim to be ultra smooth and give a sequin-like shine with plenty of glitz. For reference the set I am referring to in this post is the 3D Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow Set that was released as a limited edition festive trio in 2018. It contains the shades Golden Girl, Perlina and Kitten Karma.

The cost for one full sized shade wasn’t justifiable and the minis were roughly the same price as one full sized shade. They worked out better value for money too as I ended up with more product. One full sized shade contains 4.5ml and the set of minis contains 3 x 2.25ml – a total of 6.75ml.

Honestly, I’m on the fence over this set. I’ve been testing the colours out for four months now and the shades in the set perform differently to each other. I still haven’t found the way I prefer to wear these and the way the shadows perform best. I have tried applying the glitters to the eyelids on their own, applying them over top of a primer or a base shadow and applying a small amount as a glitter topper. I also can’t decide whether it’s more effective to apply and spread the shadows with the applicator or apply them to the middle of my eyelid with the applicator and spread the glitter with my finger. Personally I find the applicator is gentler and the glitters look more pigmented but if you’re applying the glitter over top of another eyeshadow the applicator picks up some of the colour underneath as you try to spread the product.

Top to bottom: Golden Girl, Perlina and Kitten Karma.

I’m going to rank the three shades from my least favourite to the best performing and give a quick rundown of each:

  • Golden Girl – The formula is drier, streakier and less pigmented than the other two shades. There is also less glitter and the shade is a little lacklustre. This would be so much nicer if the glitter was more prominent.
  • Perlina – This formula is more like what I was expecting and is more pigmented than Golden Girl. The formula gives you enough time to spread it without drying down as fast as Golden Girl. This shade is the most unique in the set and it tends to work best over top of other powder shadows. It pays not to wear too a pale colour underneath as the eyelids look washed out. Perlina will move the base colour and make it look like you’re wearing nothing on your eyelids and not in a good way.
  • Kitten Karma – If I could give a piece of advice it would be to forget about buying this set and just purchase the full size of this shade if you’re curious to try the Magnificent Metals. Kitten Karma is a beautiful champagne with silver and copper sparkle and one of the most popular shades in the range. This shade is the most pigmented of the three and performs the best on it’s own without the need for additional eyeshadow.

Pros:

  • Good value for the three piece set.
  • All shades are wearable and go with a number of looks.
  • Smaller size means less product to finish up and less risk of product drying out.
  • Can easily see how much product is left.

Cons:

  • Pigmentation of all shades is not the same.
  • Not sure of the best application method.
  • Applicator picks up eyeshadow underneath and can get dirty.
  • Product doesn’t last all day.
  • May not be good for sensitive eyes – the first couple of times I used these I experienced stinging for a few seconds. Thankfully the stinging went away quickly and didn’t cause any lasting irritation.

So, the important question: Are Stila’s Magnificent Metals worth the hype?

In my opinion, they aren’t. That’s not to say all the bloggers that rave about these and swear by them are wrong, products work differently for everyone and we all have our own preferences. I definitely think the shades I tried aren’t a good representation of the rest of the line and I’d hope there are more shades that perform like Kitten Karma in the range; pigmented shades that contain a decent amount of glitter/shimmer and don’t fade throughout the day. I don’t think I’ll be picking up any more of these to try. I am glad I got to give the product a go, even if it’s not something I reach for often. I will endeavour to use up each of these and hopefully by that time I have discovered an application method that works for me!


Have you tried the Magnificent Metals, if so which shades? Are you a fan?

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End of Year Haul (Beauty & Fashion)

To celebrate my new job I decided to treat myself. I definitely go through stages with buying and most of the time I’m good but it’s getting close to Christmas and that’s a good excuse to treat yourself, right?! For Christmas this year mum and I are considering not buying presents and everyone buys something nice for themselves with the money they’d spend on others. I didn’t want to miss out so I got in early!

MECCA:

1. Stila 3D Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow Set 

Rachael from Helpless Whilst Drying absolutely loves the Stila Magnificent Metals and this set is a great way to introduce myself to the product. The set features 3 x 2.25ml tubes in the shades Kitten Karma, Perlina and Golden Girl. These seem perfect for simple, easy eyeshadow looks. I don’t like to spend a lot of time on my eyes if I don’t have to.

2. Stila Nude Attitude Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set 

I’ve never tried Stila before so why not buy two three piece sets in the same order?! The Liquid Lipstick sets intrigued me and the one I chose – Nude Attitude Stay All Day – features one matte (Patina) and two shimmers (Illuminaire and Miele). It will be interesting to compare the formula of the matte shade to the two shimmers.

3. Clinique Merry Moisture Set

I have always wanted to try Clinque’s Moisture Surge moisturiser and this set offers a 30ml tube of the moisturiser and a mini lipgloss in Rosewater Pop. The gloss looks like a pretty colour and aims to be hydrating, weightless and not sticky.

The Body Shop:

4. Strawberry Fragrance Mist

I have previously tried and loved the Strawberry EDT from The Body Shop and figured this is mostly the same but there’s more product and it’s cheaper! I am nearly finished both the White Musk and Black Musk fragrance mists so purchased this is a backup. Strawberry is one of my favourite ranges from The Body Shop.

5. Black Musk Body Lotion

I prefer body lotions that come in bottles or squeeze tubes rather than ones with a pump as there it less wastage and it’s easier to get product out. I do like the spiciness of the Black Musk range and this will be a really nice lotion for autumn/winter. The Body Shop lotions aren’t the cheapest but they soak in quickly and the scents are long-lasting.

6. Metal Lip Liquids in Pink Nickel and Plum Titanium

I don’t like matte liquid lipsticks. Granted, I haven’t tried many but the ones I have I didn’t have a good experience with. I’ve been loving the look of metallic lips lately (not full on glitterball but shades with more of a subtle shine). I saw these online and swatched a few in store and they are so pretty! Pink Nickel is a soft pink-rose gold shade (not to be confused with the actual rose gold shade called Rose Gold) and Plum Titanium is a beautiful berry red. I have worn both shades and the formula is very comfortable and lightweight. The formula applies streak free and doesn’t dry down straight away so it gives you time to perfect your application.

Glassons:

7. Oversized Knit Jumper

My name is Chanelle and I’m addicted to jumpers! Jumpers make me feel cosy and if I could wear them year round I would. The colour of this jumper is called ‘Salt and Pepper’ and it is a lovely light grey. I don’t own any other grey jumpers. This jumper is also lightweight so it will be better for the warmer months and in summer I imagine this could be worn with just a bra or a singlet underneath.

8. Axel Bleach Wash Cropped Jeans

I have blue jeans, black jeans, grey jeans and white jeans but something about the light blue wash was drawing me in for summer. I haven’t worn my white jeans a lot because they are quite stark against my skin and I’m worried they will stain easily. I’m considering selling them. The white and black jeans I have are also these cropped jeans from Glassons and on me they are the perfect length! If you’re on the shorter side, try cropped jeans.

What the Glassons pieces look like on:


I hope you enjoyed seeing what I’ve picked up over the past couple of weeks. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?

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