Empty Products #4

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

Haircare

1. Lee Stafford Poker Straight Shampoo & Condtioner

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

Repurchase: No.

2. OGX Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

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

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

Makeup

3. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

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

Repurchase: I would like to try this again.

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara

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

Repurchase: Nope.

5. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain

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

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

6. The Body Shop Strawberry Lip Butter

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

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

7. W7 Power Puff

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

Repurchase: No.

Body & Skincare

8. Natio Face Mask Purifier

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

Repurchase: I have.

9. The Body Shop Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream

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

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

10. Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant – Vanilla Coconut

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

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

11. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear x2

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

Repurchase: Yes.

12. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Pure

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

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

13. The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream

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

Repurchase: Yes.

14. The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Hand Cream

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

Repurchase: Yes.

15. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 50ml

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

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

16. The Body Shop White Musk Body Lotion

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

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

fragrance

17. Impulse Tease

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

Repurchase: Yes!

18. Bath + Body Collection Berries & Blooms

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

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

19. The Body Shop White Musk EDT

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

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

20. The Body Shop Black Musk EDT

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

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

21. The Body Shop Strawberry EDT

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

Repurchase: Yes.

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

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Makeup Declutter

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

Let’s get started!

Face

1. Chi Chi Real Minerals Bronzer – MUM

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

2. Australis Mousse – Buff Beige – MUM

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

3. Australis Concealer – Light – BIN

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

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

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

Eyes

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

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

6. Thin Lizzy Liquid Precision Eyeliner – SELL

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

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

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

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

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

9. W7 In the Nude Palette – BIN

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

Lips

10. Avon Glazewear – Celebrity Plum – BIN

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

11. Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in 102 Nova – SELL

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

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

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

13. BYS Pretty Little Thing – BIN

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

14. LA Colors Glossin Go in Sherbert – BIN

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

Nails

15. Essie Chillato – SELL

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

16. OPI – Pink Yet Lavendar – BIN

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

17. Revlon Red – SELL

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

18. Klean Color – Love Madness – BIN

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

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

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5 Disappointing Beauty Products

Disclosure: All opinions are my own and don’t reflect how a product may work and benefit the majority of people.

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We all like to spend our money on worthwhile products and it’s always a shame when you try something that doesn’t live up to the hype or you don’t get along with a product for whatever reason. I try to research and read reviews before I commit to buying products but sometimes no matter how many glowing reviews a product has there will still be people it doesn’t work for. I love reading these types of posts and I haven’t talked about products that disappoint me before so I thought it was time to change that!

#1. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – Buenos Aires

I was super excited when I saw NYX in New Zealand and even more excited to buy/try one of their Soft Matte Lip Creams. In August I purchased the shade Buenos Aires which is a soft coral. Because this is a light colour it doesn’t apply smoothly and applies patchy. I find blotting in between coats helps slightly but this colour doesn’t live up to what I thought it would. I have heard other shades in the range are hit or miss when it comes to formula and application and it has put me off purchasing more colours. I have barely worn Buenos Aires and I’ve come to the conclusion that orange tones don’t suit my lips (apart from I Found Nemo by Tanya Burr).

#2. Simple Moisturising facial wash

Fellow bloggers are always talking about the importance of skincare and I purchased this facial wash in an attempt to get into a skincare routine. I started off well, I would wash my face with this in the morning before applying my trusty Simple moisturiser but I quickly began to notice a difference to my skin. Thankfully, it didn’t break me out or cause a reaction but it made my skin feel and look greasy and it didn’t feel very moisturising. I still have this product sitting in my beauty basket on my dresser. It’s nearly a year old and it’s almost full but unfortunately this will be going in the bin.

#3. Garnier Micellar Water

This is one product that I have a love/hate relationship with. When I first got this I really liked it and even included it in a monthly favourites. It removed makeup well and again didn’t cause my skin any problems but it didn’t do anything for my skin either. This is still in my beauty basket as well and it hasn’t been touched for months. I noticed a six month expiration date on the bottle and I purchased this mid 2015 so I think it’s time to go! It baffles me how quickly bloggers go through one of these big bottles and if I try this again I will opt for the travel size or try one of the other types of micellar water.

#4. W7 In the nude eyeshadow palette

I bought this eyeshadow palette because it was $12 (NZD) and I thought I was getting a decent dupe for Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Palette. Truth is, I have barely reached for this palette since purchasing it in March and that’s down to the formulation of the shadows themselves. I love the pink, bronzey tones of the palette but the pigmentation is dire and a lot of the shades feel chalky and powdery. I’m considering passing this on and perhaps purchasing the Iconic 3 from Makeup Revolution instead.

#5. Maybelline Colour Tattoos

I can’t speak for all shades of Colour Tattoo but the two I have aren’t outstanding. They don’t feel very creamy and apply patchy on my eyelids. I only wear Barely Branded as a base before applying the gold shade from Maybelline’s ‘The Nudes’ palette over the top. Inked In Pink is such a beautiful rose gold shade but because it feels dry and doesn’t apply smoothly it makes my eye area look red. I don’t know whether I got bad batches or if these shades are patchy for everyone but I much prefer the formula of Max Factor’s Excess Shimmer shadows. There aren’t as many colour options but I haven’t stopped reaching for Copper all year!

Have you tried these products? Were you impressed or disappointed like I was?

Shop My Stash: Bright Pink Lipsticks

I have definitely saved the best until last for this series and today I’m talking you through the bright pink lip products in my collection. Pinks in general are my favourite to wear but fuchsia is my absolute favourite and a couple of them feature in this post – one of which is my most loved and most worn lipstick of all time! Let’s get started!

1. BYS – Fuchsia Surprise

Kicking things off with my favourite lipstick of this bunch and my entire collection! I have talked about this lipstick so many times on my blog and it is crazy how good it is! Fuchsia Surprise cost me $6 (if I remember correctly) and the pigmentation and formula is nicer than some of my more expensive lipsticks. Recently I’ve gathered together my favourites and products I reach for often and put them in a makeup bag that sits on top of my dresser – of course Fuchsia Surprise is in there! The one downside with this lipstick is the packaging but for the price point and how amazing this shade is, I can forgive that.

2. Revlon – Lollipop

I purchased Lollipop (such a great name) in 2015 and wanted to try it to see how it compared to Fuchsia Surprise. I thought it would a more sheer fucshia, which it is but it still packs a punch! There is a slight colour difference, Lollipop is more fuschia/magenta and contains micro-glitter whereas Fuschia Surprise is straight fuschia/hot pink. I did a comparison post between these two colours which you can check out HERE! I don’t reach for Lollipop as often as I reach for Fuschia Surprise but it’s nice to have it as a backup option.

3. MAC – Sunny Seoul

I’m going to be honest and admit I don’t wear this lipstick as often as I should. Sunny Seoul is such a beautiful, bright, almost neon coral pink but I just don’t love it as much as I thought I would. I don’t think that’s because of the colour necessarily, I think it’s because of the formula. Sunny Seoul is a cremesheen + pearl finish and I know a lot of people rave about MAC’s cremesheen formula but I’m not one of them. If I want a sheer light wash of colour I’ll go for a balm or lightly apply one of Revlon’s lip butters. Sometimes the colour doesn’t apply evenly and goes a little bit patchy. I’m not ready to give up on this shade yet but it’s not one of my must haves.

4. MAC – All Fired Up

If you’re someone like me who loves to rock a fuschia lip but still loves a red lip, All Fired Up is the shade for you! This lipstick is a hybrid between the two colours and it is almost my perfect lipstick. The reason I say almost is because I think the formula would start to take it’s toll on my lips if I wore this day in day out. All Fired Up is a retro matte which means it is more drying than a regular matte but I still find this shade less matte than Ruby Woo which is from the same line. I always apply a tiny bit of lip balm underneath this to prevent my lips drying out. Personally, I think All Fired Up is underrated. I don’t see it talked about very often but it should be because it’s gorgeous!

5. W7 – Raspberry Ripple

This lipstick is another $6 bargain I picked up in a makeup sale earlier this year. I originally bought this for my mum but she gave it to me as she already had similar shades. This is another lipstick I don’t wear all that often but I am always impressed by it when I do. The packaging isn’t the greatest and it feels a bit tacky/cheap but the product makes up for it. Raspberry Ripple is like a less in your face version of Fuschia Surprise and has more of a frosty sheen to it. For this reason I included it in my Winter Lipstick Picks as it’s still a nice pop of colour but it’s not too bright.

6. Rimmel – 102 Nova

I purchased Nova along with two other lip lacquers in the Apocolips range in March and this is my least favourite of the bunch. I find this pink somewhere between bright and dull and I don’t wear it. Doing these posts has made me realise what lipsticks I do love and enjoy wearing and those that I don’t need that are surplus to requirements. There’s nothing wrong with the colour but I think it gets lost among my other pinks. I will give Nova another chance but I am leaning towards purging it or giving it to someone else.

Swatches

Top To Bottom – Fuschia Surprise, Lollipop, Sunny Seoul, All Fired Up, Raspberry Ripple and Nova.

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Take a further look at my lipstick collection:

• Nude Lipsticks
• Orange & Red Lipsticks
• Berry & Purple Lipsticks
• Peach & Light Pink Lipsticks
  

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  That was the final post in my Shop My Stash series and I hope you enjoyed getting a closer look at my lipstick collection! Let me know which kinds of shades you wear most frequently!

Winter Lipstick Picks 💄

Next week marks the beginning of June which means Winter will have officially arrived in New Zealand! Today I’ve got another seasonal post lined up for you: my top lipstick picks for winter. For a lot of people the cooler months are all about berry tones and while I do like those, they aren’t the only colours you’ll see me wearing. Whether you’re a fan of berries, neutrals or classic year round shades, keep reading to see how to dress up your winter lips!

Berry

I’ve got two options for you on the berry front and they are both matte. One is a cult classic among beauty bloggers and the other is a gorgeous purple-berry shade I won in a giveaway.

1. First up is Rimmel 107 which is much adored in the blogging world. This lipstick is a lovely berry/wine shade and another huge plus point of this lipstick is it’s price tag. I paid around $11 (NZD) for it and it retails for roughly £5 in the drugstore. If you are prone to dry lips, I would advise applying a balm under this one.
2. Secondly, we have After Dark by Urban Decay. This lipstick is from Urban Decay’s relatively new Matte Revolution range and I was luckily enough to win this shade in a giveaway last December. The best way to describe this lipstick is Rimmel 107’s more purple cousin. This lipstick is the epitome of Autumn/Winter and I used it to create my autumnal makeup look. The sleek black and purple packaging adds to the luxury feel. The formula of this lipstick is not as matte as Rimmel 107 and I can get away with not wearing a balm underneath.

Neutral

Ever since I started blogging, I’ve become obsessed with neutral everyday shades and wear them at least once or twice a week. Again, I’ve got two options in this category including an old favourite and one of my more recent additions.

1. If you’ve been a reader of my blog for a while now you will know all about my love for MAC’s Syrup. It was my first ever MAC lipstick and MAC purchase and I still wear this shade constantly. Syrup has slightly pink, slightly muted berry tones with a hint of raspberry and it is one of my favourite lipstick shades in my collection. This shade is perfect to throw on if you’re not sure what to wear and is appropriate for both day and night.
2. I purchased Asia by Rimmel back in March and it is fast becoming another of my favourite shades. The browny/pink tones pull cool making it a lovely option for winter and would look gorgeous teamed with either a smokey or shimmery eye. It’s still warm enough that it adds colour to the face and would even look lovely worn with just a few coats of mascara.

Suggested post: Nude Lipsticks 101 – see more of my favourite neutral lip colours.

Bright

When it comes to lipstick my absolute favourite shade to wear is fuchsia! A more restrained alternative to fuchsia is my Raspberry Ripple lipstick by W7. (The name even has berry in it!) I purchased this lipstick for my mum but she told me to keep it as she already owned similar shades. This lipstick cost me $6 and the pigmentation and formula doesn’t disappoint. This lipstick feels so moisturising on the lips and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all. Raspberry Ripple has a slight frost effect to it but if anything it makes the lips look highlighted and isn’t as frosty as a MAC frost lipstick.

Classic

You can’t go wrong with a traditional, classic red, particularly in the form of Ruby Woo by MAC. Ruby Woo is a blue-toned red meaning it makes your teeth look whiter and who doesn’t want that?! The lasting power is pretty amazing but it is a retro matte formula meaning it can be more drying than usual. I have worn this lipstick without applying a balm first and let me tell you, I don’t advise it. Application wasn’t the easiest and when I removed the lipstick my lips were sore and felt dry. I’ve said this before but I guarantee you, Ruby Woo is the perfect red lipstick!

Swatches

Left To Right and listed in the order above: 107, After Dark, Syrup, Asia, Raspberry Ripple and Ruby Woo.

Do you agree with the shades I’ve selected? What would you add to the list?

February Favourites 2016

Hi everyone! First off, let me apologise for my absence last week. I’ve been suffering with a head cold and only posted last Monday: Become An Influencer With Webfluential! Check that post out if you haven’t already or if you’d like to earn some money while you blog! Apart from getting sick, this month has been a success. I had my first ever Valentine’s date, I finished #YogaCamp and I purchased a few new beauty bits. Let’s get down to business…

1. Brush Egg – I was sent this little silicone brush egg as a freebie with the purchase of two blushes. Mine is bright pink and it could not be more perfect as pink is my favourite colour. This tool is so handy, it cuts down the time it takes to wash my brushes and it really gets into each bristle and removes all traces of makeup. I used to go through what seemed like half a roll of paper towels trying to get my brushes clean and now I only need one to rest my brushes on after they’ve been washed.

2. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation – I have raved about this foundation in a few posts lately and with good reason. This foundation comes in a squeeze tube as opposed to a bottle but it isn’t messy at all and the nib ensures product can’t leak out. I purchased the shade 101 Ivory Biege which is the second lightest in the range. I find I don’t need a lot of this foundation and I’m impressed with the coverage. This blends easily and feels so light on the skin.

3. Dainty Doll Cream Blush 003 Billion Dollar Babies – This blush is one of two that arrived with the brush egg. I didn’t know what to expect as I’d never used a cream blush before but because I have dry skin it works. Billion Dollar Babies is described as a nude/bronze and is the most beautiful, natural colour. It’s difficult to tell I’m even wearing it but I like that about this product. It gives my cheeks a little something and is probably the most versatile of my blushes.

4. The Body Shop Strawberry EDT – I picked this up in my Birthday Body Shop Haul in January and I have loved wearing it ever since! The strawberry scent is light, fresh and fruity and not too sweet or overpowering. The bottle looks small but I find three spritzes of this is enough and I’ve barely made a dent in it. If you’re looking to try a new scent for spring/summer, give this one a go!

5. W7 Power Puff – I first mentioned the W7 Power Puff in my Weekend Beauty Haul. This makeup sponge is a dupe for the famous Beauty Blender at a fraction of the cost. I wanted to try it to see if a sponge gave me the flawless finish everyone else mentions and I’m pleased to say it does! I have tried this with both of my foundations and thought it performed better with Rimmel’s Match Perfection. I haven’t tried using the sponge dry yet to see if the end result is any different but I will.

6. Chasing Charli by Aneta Quinn – I absolutely love reading and it’s been ages since I sunk my teeth into a good book. I stumbled across Chasing Charli through a blog and the plot intrigued me. It sounded sexy, action packed and a little different to what I usually read. I downloaded the novella through Kindle and read it within a few days. The storyline was straightforward and I thought the author captured the characters well and paints a clear vision of what they are like. If you’re looking for a quick, easy (and sometimes steamy) read this will be right up your street!

What have you been loving this month?

Weekend Beauty Haul

Hello everyone! I was out shopping at the weekend and once again purchased some beauty bits I want to share with you. A few of these items are essentials; I’m nearly out of nail polish remover and bras are just part of everyday life. The other items I purchased because they look interesting and when you’re a beauty blogger there’s always temptation to buy a new product to test it out and hopefully rave about it to your fellow bloggers.

1. Berlei Barely There Contour Bra

I can’t tell you how long I’ve had my current bras for and how long it’s been since I purchased a new one. Berlei is a brand I’ve heard of but haven’t tried before and what drew me to this particular bra was the colour (it’s called Picnic Pink) and how comfortable it looked. I tried this on in the changing room and it was just as comfortable. This bra has padding in the cups which normally I don’t like (or need) but it didn’t bother me when I tried it on. I purchased this bra in a cup size up than I’m used to but as I said I haven’t purchased bras in a while and it’s likely I’ve changed size.

2. W7 In the Nude Palette

W7 have created dupes for the ever so popular Naked palettes from Urban Decay. $70 is what it would cost me to buy a genuine Naked palette so I thought, why not spend $12 on a dupe instead? The shades aren’t going to be the same or of the same quality but $12 is a heck of a lot more justifiable than $70. In the Nude is the dupe for Naked 3 and I went for this as these colours appealed most to me and I felt the Naked and Naked 2 dupes were similar to my Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ palette. Let me know if you have this palette or have tried it!

A closer look at the palette:

3. W7 Power Puff

If you’re as big a fan as I am of Karen from Confetti and Curves’ YouTube videos you will have seen her video last week comparing the original Beauty Blender and a W7 Power Puff. Again, this is a product designed as a dupe and I picked this sponge up in a huge discount makeup sale (along with the W7 palette) which comes to town a few times a year. I wanted to try applying my makeup with a sponge to see if it gives as flawless a finish as everyone says they do and even if this product is not that great I haven’t spent a fortune on it. Thanks for the heads up Karen!

4. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover

I have been using Cutex’s nourishing nail polish remover and I am undecided whether I like the product or not. On one hand it removes certain polishes quickly and doesn’t have a strong nail polish remover smell but when I use it to remove red, it’s pretty bad. Regardless of what shade I’m removing I always have to wash my hands a couple of times afterwards to get rid of a sticky feeling it leaves behind. Hopefully this one is better.

5. Rimmel Apocolips Show Off Lip Lacquer

The bulk of my lip products are traditional bullet lipsticks but I really like glosses that aren’t sticky and pack a punch colour wise. I’ve been wanting to try Rimmel’s Apocolips Lip Lacquers for a while and I picked up three; there was a three for two offer on. The colours I had to choose from weren’t the complete range but I went for: 102 Nova, 200 Comet and 201 Solstice. Comet and Solstice look really similar but Solstice is slightly lighter and has shimmer running through it. These lean towards brown/dark pink which are not shades I’ve tried but I’m impressed. The formula is creamy, not sticky and very pigmented.

Rimmel Apocolips Swatches

Clockwise: Nova, Solstice and Comet.

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Let me know your thoughts on what I picked up and what you got up to at the weekend! Did you go shopping like I did or spend time with your loved one for Valentine’s Day?