Empty Products #11

My fifth empties post in a year! I am proud of how dedicated I have been to using products up and the speed with which I’m getting through things. There’s a lot of great products in this post and 80% of them I would be happy to purchase again. Let’s get started!

Haircare

1. TRESemmé Heat Tamer Protective Spray

I have had this heat protector for a few years as I rarely use styling tools on my hair. The scent is pleasant, it’s like a fruity version of The Body Shop’s Vitamin E scent with less rosy notes – there is no hair spray, chemical type smell. The spray makes hair soft and look shiny without looking oily and it is good value for money. It costs $7 (NZD) for 300ml. If you do use styling tools regularly and had to purchase this a few times a year it’s still good value.

Repurchase: Yes.

Makeup

2. L’Oreal Paradise Extatic Mascara

Paradise Extatic is the European/New Zealand version of L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise mascara. My initial thoughts are I don’t like Paradise Extatic as much as I liked Lash Paradise. I found Paradise Extatic dried out quicker and the formula got clumpy and thick after not being open for very long at all. Paradise Extatic didn’t build and layer as well as I remember Lash Paradise doing and my lashes didn’t look long and fluttery. The performance of this particular tube of mascara was average. I’ve seen people compare Lash Paradise and Paradise Extatic and this has come out on top but for me it’s the other way round. The only way this is superior to Lash Paradise is that the colour on the outside of the tube doesn’t flake and peel off.

Repurchase: Yes but Lash Paradise in the pink tube.

3. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair

I have talked about this concealer numerous times over the years on my blog so I’ll keep this short. It is my favourite creamy concealer and as far as value for money, shade match, coverage and pigmentation goes it wins hands down!

Repurchase: I already have.

4. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW13 (Sample)

I recently reviewed this foundation *HERE* and I’m including this little sample as an empty because it gave me 27 uses which is a lot more than the week’s worth of product the poster stated. The colour match could not be more perfect for my skin and this foundation blended like a dream, it is the nicest looking foundation I have tried to date. Cheek products sit nicely on top, the formula is comfortable – the right amount of dew and matte – and product didn’t break down on my face throughout the day.

Repurchase: I am considering buying a full size of this foundation once I finish up a few others in my collection.

5. MAC Syrup

I am sad I have finished this lipstick but also proud. Syrup was my first ever MAC lipstick and my first ever MAC purchase so it holds a special place in my heart. Syrup is the most beautiful pink-purple mauve berry and such a hard colour to dupe. It has a lustre finish meaning it’s incredibly comfortable to wear and has a nice natural shine.

Repurchase: Definitely – one of the best lipstick colours I have ever owned!

6. MAC Patisserie

I actually thought I would finish Patisserie before Syrup but as it happened I used both of these up within a week of each other. Patisserie is also a lustre finish and is the perfect peachy-pink nude. When it comes to nude lipsticks pink undertones suit me best.

Repurchase: I’m sure I will at some point.

Skincare & Fragrance

7. Antipodes Hosanna H20 Skin Plumping Serum

I received a deluxe sample of this serum as a gift with purchase but I didn’t enjoy it. The serum has a strong medicinal scent and I didn’t notice any benefits to my skin when I used this. It didn’t irritate my skin or dry it out further but I didn’t see any plumping effects either. The serum seemed to soak into my skin awfully quickly and it felt like I hadn’t applied any product.

Repurchase: No.

8. The Body Shop Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist

Aside from Fix+ by MAC this is the face mist I have enjoyed using the most to set my makeup. The strawberry scent is lovely and fruity and the spray feels light and refreshing on the skin. This mist gives my skin a smooth, dewy look.

Repurchase: Most likely.

9. Britney Spears – Prerogative 30ml

Prerogative is probably my favourite fragrance from Britney Spears so far. It has notes of amber, pink pepper, apricot, lily, espresso foam and a velvety, gourmand twist. The scent is quite light and not the most long lasting but it’s a good everyday perfume for work. My only slight gripe is the bottle. The packaging is simple and sexy but as the bottle sits on an angle I worry perfume could leak out.

Repurchase: Maybe.

Body

10. Victoria’s Secret Ruby Guava Hand Cream

A work colleague gave this to me and the packaging is super cute! I didn’t know Victoria’s Secret made hand cream. The scent is fruity and a little stronger than what I usually like. This also didn’t feel as moisturising as other hand creams I’ve used in the past.

Repurchase: No.

11. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 200ml

Shea is my favourite scent from The Body Shop and this is actually the first 200ml tub of this scent I have finished up. I’ve used a couple of smaller 50ml tubs in the past but this is softer and creamier despite being the same scent. I never tire of this scent and it’s perfect for any time of year.

Repurchase: Yes!

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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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Top 10 Under $10 – No. 2

Disclaimer: The currency referred to in this post is NZD. These items will have different prices depending on where you live.

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Hello, how are you all doing? Luxury beauty products are normally great quality – hence the price tag – but expensive doesn’t always mean better. There are some amazing beauty bargains out there that don’t cost a lot of money at all and today I’m sharing some of my favourites! In 2016, I did my first Top 10 Under $10 post and I’m back with a further 10 items I wouldn’t be without.

#1. Dainty Doll Powder Blush in 004 You Are My Sunshine

If I could only wear one blush for the rest of my life this would be it. You Are My Sunshine is a dupe for Orgasm by NARS and is a beautiful, shimmery peachy-coral. I purchased this blush on eBay a couple of years back for $4. A little goes a long way with this shade because it is shimmery and doubles as a highlighter. I love wearing this shade in spring and summer as it gives a radiant glow.

#2. Zoella Tutti Fruity Beauty Pouch

I don’t watch/follow Zoella religiously and I didn’t even realise she had a beauty line until last year. I was browsing around Feel Unique when I spotted this pouch and instantly added it to my basket. I love the makeup illustrations on the pouch but also that the pouch doesn’t have to be used for makeup. This would make a good handbag insert to easily switch between bags or a little medication holder when you go away.

#3. Manicare Scissor Tweezers

The tweezers in the image above are purple but the pair I have are neon pink. I pluck my own eyebrows and these make plucking easy. They don’t pull too many hairs at once and are really comfortable to hold. I probably pluck my eyebrows once a month. I’ve noticed since I started regular plucking the hairs don’t grow as thick and fast. I know where to pluck, the shape that suits me and the shape I like. Being bright pink makes them super easy to find in my drawer.

#4. Rubi Rose Gold Nail Polish

I purchased this nail polish back in 2015 and every time I wear it I love it even more! This shade leans more toward gold than copper but it is one of the prettiest colours I own. The packaging is a bit plain but the formula more than makes up for it. This polish is pretty much a one coat wonder (to borrow Stashy’s term) but I still prefer to apply two. Love it!

#5. TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

Before blow drying my hair or using styling tools I always make sure to apply this and brush it through. A couple of spritzes are plenty and the spray keeps hair shiny and soft whilst protecting against heat and friction. After styling my hair I normally finish with another couple of spritzes. This smells wonderful and is enriched with vitamins to keep hair looking its best.

#6. Fudge Urban Miracle Ends

This product goes hand in hand with the TRESemmé heat tamer spray mentioned above. I tend to apply this to the ends of my hair post styling to keep it looking smooth and sleek. I have mentioned this product before on the blog and I always talk about how good it smells, it should be turned into a fragrance! I also use this on the lengths of my hair if it is looking frizzy to tame it.

#7. Typo Spinout Notebooks

I have bought numerous notebooks from Typo over the past few years and I blimmin’ love them! The patterns and designs on the front are adorable and best of all, these notebooks are left-hander friendly. The margin is indented so hands don’t press into the rings when writing. There’s even a pocket to keep loose bits of paper in and an elastic for closure. These notebooks make the best blog planners and list makers. They could also be used to write posts out with pen and paper before typing them up if that’s your preference.

#8. Tanya Burr Lipglosses

I purchased three of Tanya’s lipglosses last year and I still wear each shade regularly. The packaging of these is so luxurious and pretty. The formula is pigmented and the gloss itself isn’t too sticky. It feels comfortable on the lips and has a lovely watermelon scent. My personal favourite is Afternoon Tea which is a light pink.

#9. Dainty Doll Wonderbalm

This is truly wondrous! It can be used on the lips, cheeks, nails, elbows, anywhere your skin needs a pick me up. Wonderbalm contains mango seed oil, natural plant waxes, beeswax and Vitamin E. My favourite way to use Wonderbalm is as a lip primer before applying really matte lipsticks shades such as Ruby Woo and All Fired Up. This ensures my lips don’t get dry throughout the day whilst still making the colour last.

#10. Black Headband

This is really basic but an absolute essential in my makeup bag when I go away or stay overnight with my boyfriend. I always use this to hold my fringe back when I’m applying moisturiser and makeup or washing my face. The stretchy fabric doesn’t leave a kink like plastic headbands. I picked mine up in the supermarket for less than $3.

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What cheap beauty products do you love?

Empty Products #3

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

Makeup

1. Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara

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

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

2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair

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

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

3. Rimmel Super Curler Mascara

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

Repurchase: Nope.

4. Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer

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

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

5. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

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

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

Body & SkinCare

6. Derma V10 Strawberry Body Sorbet

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

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

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

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

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

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

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

9. Simple Moisturisers: Light Hydrating and Replenishing Rich

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

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

10. The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter

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

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

11. Olive Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream

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

Repurchase: I don’t think so.

Other

12. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

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

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

13. Britney Spears Radiance Perfume

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

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

14. Revlon Fire & Ice Perfume

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

Repurchase: Probably not.

15. Nivea Invisible For Black and White Deodorant

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

Repurchase: Of course!

16. TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner

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

Repurchase: I don’t think so.

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

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

Empty Products #2

I see quite a lot of other empties posts and I’m always amazed at how fast bloggers go through products. I don’t know whether I’m not using a product properly or if I’m being stingy but I seem to go through products at a snail’s pace in comparison. I’ve only got 10 products here and I’ve been building up this little stash since November 2015. If anyone can tell me where I’m going wrong and how to use up things quicker, please enlighten me!

I’ve broken my empty products into two categories; daily and not daily. Starting with not daily because there’s less of those:

1. TRESemmé Salon Silk Shampoo & Conditioner

I have had these big bottles of shampoo and conditioner since December 2015 and have not had to buy shampoo and conditioner for six months as a result. These aren’t empty quite yet but they are very close and I didn’t want to wait and hold onto them until ‘Empty Products #3’ because who knows when that will be! I have enjoyed using both of these, my hair does indeed feel soft and silky, the smell is pleasant and these are great value for money. The shampoo is about half the size of the conditioner but I shampoo the roots of my hair not the ends and I normally use twice the amount of conditioner just on the ends anyway. I wash my hair every second or third day so that gives you an idea of how often I use these.

Repurchase: Not straight away but yes.

2. The Body Shop Vitamin E Body Butter 200ml

Just thinking about finishing this body butter makes me a bit sad. I finished this around February and while I am happy with the Brazil Nut which I’m currently using, I enjoyed using the Vitamin E because of how hydrating and nourishing it was for my skin. I apply body butter on the same days I wash my hair. The skin on my arms isn’t the smoothest and I find using a body butter every few days in conjunction with a body lotion daily combats that and really helps. I personally am a huge fan of the Vitamin E scent but you might not be if you don’t like rose scents. The scent does fade though.

Repurchase: Yes, definitely! This makes a nice spring/summer scent.

3. Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover

To be honest, I was disappointed with this product. It’s not the worst nail polish remover I’ve used but I found I had to tip product out onto the cotton pad or the cotton ball for each nail. In the past I’ve been able to soak the cotton pad once and it does a whole hand. Trying to remove red nail polish was a pain, as I wiped each nail the cotton pad would come into contact with my skin and stain it. Another thing I didn’t like was the sticky residue it left on my skin, I had to wash my hands two or three times to get rid of it. I didn’t find it very nourishing either. I’m currently using another nail polish remover from Cutex and it is a lot better, my nails feel stronger and it doesn’t leave them sticky. One thing I did like was that this didn’t have a strong nail polish remover scent, it was almost vanilla-like.

Repurchase: Nope.

4. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ’15 Fair’

You all know how much I loved this concealer and it was pretty much the only one I used for the past year. I really liked the doe foot applicator in particular, it grabbed the perfect amount of product and one layer of the product was all I needed. I do think since using the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer that it is better for my skin. Looking back now, the Maybelline did make my skin oily sometimes and the coverage of the Collection is better.

Repurchase: Yes, on the whole it is a good concealer.

5. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation – 081 Fair Ivory

This foundation along with the Maybelline concealer above was my go to everyday combination. I still vow this foundation is the most perfect colour match for my skin and it saddens me that the formula was recently changed and this shade is no longer part of the range. If you like dewy skin, you’ll love this and it’s still easy enough to make matte if that’s more your thing. I’ll miss you Fair Ivory!

Repurchase: I would if I could! I purchased a bottle of 010 Light Porcelain in the new formula and thankfully, I’m liking that a lot!

6. The Body Shop Shea Body Whip

This is the second one of these I’ve used up and I’m going to say it is hands down my favourite product from The Body Shop! This is the body lotion I apply everyday before I get dressed and the scent is just glorious and the product soaks in very quickly. One of these lasts me about four months. The only negative is that once the product starts getting low it no longer pumps out. I end up removing the lid and tipping it upside down into a container to get the remaining product out.

Repurchase: Yes. I have a body lotion to use next which was a birthday present but I’ll be going back to this after that.

7. Impulse Into Glamour Body Spray

I used up one of these in my last empties post as well so I’ll keep things brief. I have purchased this particular scent for years and I love it! This is my first can of the smaller size and I do prefer the old, larger cans as you got more product.

Repurchase: Of course!

8. Nivea Invisible For Black and White Deodorant x 2

I have been using this deodorant for the past year or so now and I am a fan. This deodorant is a good all rounder: smells lovely, does it’s job and lives up to the promise of not leaving marks on your clothing. I find the formula nice too, it’s not powdery and doesn’t feel thick or heavy on the armpit. Being glass, it’s also really handy to see how much you have left.

Repurchase: Yes.

9. The Body Shop Shea Hand Cream

Hand cream is one of my favourite things to apply and I like to apply mine at night right before bed. The Shea range is my favourite from The Body Shop and one of the things I like about the scent is how subtle and gender neutral it is. This little tube will last you a couple of months and is perfect for popping in your handbag or keeping on your nightstand. This hand cream is lovely to apply and soaks in pretty fast so you won’t be sitting there not able to do anything à la a freshly painted nails situation.

Repurchase: For sure!

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Empties posts are some of my favourites to read! It also feels very therapeutic knowing you’ve finished a product and the thought of being able to crack into something new/go shopping for replacements. Have you tried any of the products mentioned here?

January Favourites 2016

Hello there! We are already at the end of the first month of 2016 and I feel like this month has been one of the best I’ve had for a while and there’s just been this buzz of excitement for most of it. I feel like so much has happened already this year and if everything continues at this pace, it’s going to be a jam-packed 2016. I decided to keep my monthly favourites feature as I enjoy reading them and I love sharing what I’ve been loving for the past four weeks.

1. Real Techniques Shading Brush – I mentioned the Real Techniques Blush Brush in my 2015 December Favourites but this month I’ve been loving using the Shading Brush with all my eyeshadows. This brush is quite small in size so you may not love it as much as I do if your eyes are on the larger side but for me it is the perfect size. I use this brush to create my whole eye look and find it picks up each colour nicely without blending away what I’ve applied already. The bristles are super soft and wash up really well. Don’t hesitate to give this little brush a go!

2. MAC Ruby Woo and All Fired Up – I got these two shades for Christmas and I have been debating whether or not they deserve their own post dedicated to how beautiful they are. If that’s something you’d like to see just give me a shout! I won’t talk about them too much but Ruby Woo and All Fired Up are bright, bold colours and both have a Retro Matte finish. I have worn each shade a handful of times now and they look so good, I haven’t found the formula to be as drying as I thought it could be either.

3. Filofax – Ahhh, my gorgeous hot pink Filofax in ‘Domino.’ I have had this beauty coming up two years now and I still love it! I decided to include it in my favourites this month as I got new diary inserts for 2016 and I have been really good at using them and writing down what I’ve got to do or what I’ve got coming up. The beauty of a Filofax is how personal they are, you don’t need to buy a new diary every year, just the inserts. The inserts come in a range of options and no one said anything about a Filofax having to be used as a diary. *wink*

4. TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray – Shortly after I purchased my hair straightener I purchased this heat protection spray. I am currently using the TRESemmé Salon Silk shampoo and conditioner and this product works in conjunction with that. This spray is so easy to use and I notice such a difference in my hair. I normally section my hair and use 2-3 sprays on each section combing it through with my fingers or a brush. As a result my hair feels silky smooth and looks healthy and shiny. The scent of this spray is pretty pleasant as well.

5. Yoga Camp – Last year I discovered Yoga With Adriene‘s 30 Days of Yoga videos on YouTube and that month of yoga turned out to be one of my highlights for 2015. I didn’t actually know about Yoga Camp until Jodi (A Brash Attitude) commented on one of my posts. I started a few days behind but once again I am loving doing yoga – it’s so calming and makes you feel good and less stressed.

January’s Spotify Playlist:

For January’s monthly playlist I’ve included the 21 Songs In 21 Years playlist which I created for my birthday. It features a song from each year I’ve been alive so check it out to see what tracks have made the cut and defined my life!

HUGE Me Spree

Hi everyone! I’ve got a huge (by my standards) haul to share with you today. I’ve been excited to do this post and the final items arrived this week so it’s perfect timing. Anyone would think with the amount of new arrivals and purchases lately it was already Christmas but everything so far has been for myself… oops! We all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while though, don’t we?!?!

This is the post where I lose my make up brush virginity, step out of my comfort zone with sexy dresses and of course share what other beauty bits I’ve picked up. Sit back and relax, I have a feeling this is going to be a long one!

I have also linked as many products available online as I can find if you’re interested in checking them out.

Fashion

Ralphie 2 Pullover – $20 | I picked up this cream pullover sweater because I don’t have anything like this in my wardrobe already and I thought it looked so comfy and cosy for winter time. This will look super cute paired with jeans and leggings.

Dannii Minogue Petites One Shoulder Dress – $35 | Asymmetric isn’t a style of dress I thought would suit me but this dress does. I love the pattern and how it transforms this dress from an ordinary LBD. The fabric is comfortable to wear and holds you in all the right places.

Dannii Minogue Petites Metallic Cocktail Dress – $30 | I didn’t think strapless would suit me either but how wrong I was! I love the little pockets in this dress with the faux leather trim. The material is so light and the gold flecks make this dress look stunning. I can’t wait to wear this one out or for a special occasion.

Beauty – Makeup

Real Techniques Makeup Brushes | I have been looking at purchasing some of the Real Techniques brushes for months and I finally decided on a few. I picked brushes I thought would be useful for a beginner like me and make a good starter set. Prices as follows:

1. Setting Brush $12.28

2. Shading Brush $9.20

3. Blush Brush $13.81

4. Expert Face Brush $13.81

Total = $49.10*

*I received an additonal discount of $4.91 as part of a November special and ended up paying $44.19 instead of $49.10. My brushes were purchased from iHerb.

Rimmel Super Curler Mascara – $14.99 | I’d seen Rimmel’s new Super Curler mascara on Instagram recently and wanted to try it ever since! I’ve mentioned before that Rimmel mascaras are my favourite, they are so easy to remove, last all day, don’t irritate my eyes and are good value for money. I think the reason I like Rimmel mascara so much is because wire bristles do more for my lashes than plastic bristles. I love the purple tube too – this certainly won’t get lost in your makeup bag!

Rubi Nail Polish in Rose Gold – $3.46 | Like a lot of other people I have jumped on the rose gold trend and think the colour is absolutely beautiful! I tried this on my nails last week and the formula lasts surprisingly well. The polish isn’t streaky and doesn’t chip easily. The only downside would be how strong this polish smells but for the price I can’t really complain.

Beauty – Hair

1. TRESemmé Salon Silk Shampoo 500ml  – $4.97

2. TRESemmé Salon Silk Conditioner 900ml – $12.00

“The TRESemmé Salon Silk shampoo and conditioner system delivers intense moisture where your hair needs it most, calming frizz and flyaways without weighing hair down. Light enough for daily use, this advanced smoothing system with argan oil cleanses and helps tame unruly hair, leaving it smooth and salon-soft.”

I wanted to change up my usual shampoo and conditioner and I’d read about TRESemmé’s Salon Silk range online. I’m going to the hairdresser tomorrow and I’m looking forward to using this on my freshly cut hair.

Homeware

Rose Gold Industrial Lamp – $48.99 | I’ve been thinking about getting a lamp for my room for a while now. About a year ago I saw a standing spotlight lamp and thought it looked really cool but didn’t think it would be practical for my room and the space I had. I saw a lamp similar to the one I picked up in a magazine and knew it would be perfect. I was torn between rose gold and silver but went for rose gold as I thought silver may tarnish (#practical).

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Disclaimer: All items are in New Zealand dollars and were purchased by me. Prices include discounts which may no longer be valid.