Antipodes Divine Face Oil: First Impression

It was only pretty recently I realized how amazing using oils in your skincare routine can be. Using an oil based cleanser to remove makeup, and various types of face oils such as lavendar or rosehip are really beneficial to your skin, not only adding moisture, but other balancing properties and promoting the healing of your skin too. I was in Karrinyup shopping centre the other day, and, of course, looked into what they had on sale in the makeup and beauty section. Wouldn't luck have it that there was a Organic Avocado Oil and Rosehip Divine Face Oil (with a free Organic Lipbalm) by Antipodes for AU$23.10, and I was just thinking to myself the other day, my current Kiehls face oil is running out and wouldn't it be nice to try out a rosehip oil to see if it will improve my scars?

This product claims to "stimulate optimal synthesis of Type 1 Collagen production ... by up to 51%" which is definitely good for anyone with scarring on their face. The superior avocado oil also aids anti-aging, is nutrient rich, abundant in antioxidants, a natural sun-filter, regenerating and rejuvenating and also super-hydrating. The rosehip has high levels of Vitamin A and C, also helping with anti-aging and scarring. The oil itself is quite yellow (think fatty oils), and while it is relatively herbally in scent, I think it's quite pleasant and reminds me of my mum's skincare.

I used this for the first time last night, and I can say that this is a damn powerful oil, just from a first impression. You really only need about 1 or 2 drops (most oils need about 3 or 4), and your skin just drinks it up. It doesn't feel too heavy, but it will if you use too much. The next morning, my skin was actually already softer and (I know, only one use won't really prove anything, but) it felt like my scarring wasn't so bad. Either way, this feels like quite a step up from my previous oil which was quite a bit lighter, and, although moisturizing, didn't have a whole lot of other punch to it in terms of effect. 

I also got a free lipbalm, and the scent is exactly described as lime leaf and cocoa butter. nothing too much to wow me from first uses, but I was in need of a new lip balm too, so that worked out well.

As my first dip into the Antipodes skincare range, I am quite pleased. I have heard good things about this New Zealand brand and am quite impressed in what they offer. If all their skincare products I end up trying (in particular, the masks and possible an eye cream) turn out to be as surprisingly pleasant as their Divine Face Oil, then I'm sold. 

Vampy FotN

I recently attended a Careers Forum for being a Summer Makeup Host, it was the evening and I'd never attended anything like this before. So It thought, what the hey, might as well go all out. Therefore, what with all the rage, I went with a vampy look, lashes, bright contouring, and of course a vampy lipstick. 

I started off with a nice, bright base by using Nars Sheer Glow in Fiji (light 5), about two shades lighter than my skin tone and then began to colour correct and add a matte brightening contour with the 5 Camouflage Cream Palette (palette 1: 11, 13, 14, 15, 17) by Make Up For Ever. I thought my face could use a tiny bit of dimension to it by using an illuminating concealer under my eyes and across my bridge, which I used Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in number 2. Of course all these creamy products had to be set to make sure it didn't slip around all over, so I used my current favourite Fatality Finishing [move] Powder by Shiro Cosmetics. It makes your face matte and set without being too matte and flat. I then contoured under my cheekbones and by my jawline (with a tiny bit around my hairline) with a matte bronzer: MAC Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze. I wanted to keep the eyes quite simple, clean and bold, so I made some thick, straight wings with MAC fluidline in blacktrack, and topped off with some fluttery lashes with the ends longer (I think these are by D-UP). And what vampy look is complete without the vampy lipstick. I used Lush's lipstick in Confident to top off the look and there I was ready to head out. 

Wantable September Makeup Box

My first ever subscription box! Subscription boxes have really been popping up everywhere since Birchbox, now with even indie companies like Fortune Cookie Soap and Madd Style Cosmetics jumping on the bandwagon and putting out their own unique subscription box too. Wantable is also tad bit different, in that it is a high-end subscription box; you can select the makeup box, or subscribe for accessories or for lingerie too (and at the moment, they offer a halloween box!). You can choose to subscribe for US$36 dollars a month, or a one-off purchase (which is what I did) for US$40 and you receive 4 - 6 full-size products based on a pretty dang in-depth quiz. Seriously, the quiz was not just "oh hey, answer like two questions". No, you select what you like, dislike and what you love: you're more likely to receive what you love and never receive what you dislike and then the preferences continue. It gives you a bit of control and removes a bit of the daunting unknowing feeling that you might not like what you're going to get.

For my US$40 (+ a hefty US$9 for international shipping), about 12 days after I placed my order this beauty arrived at my door with 5 full-sized products and one sample, with an apparent total value of US$92, so I got almost double the value of the box back. While most beauty boxes have a box within the outside packaging, Wantable keeps it simple with just the one box and then bundles of foam inside to protect the products. I've never owned any of these brands before, and the only ones I've heard of is Cailyn and Lise Watier, but never been able to try any of them. Another benefit of subscription boxes allow you to test out products you normally wouldn't get or have access to.

Cailyn Cosmetics Gel Luxe (gelux) Eyebrow in Nutmeg - US$22

God, do I ever have an affinity for brow products. In my last post I purchased the brow color pen by ARTDECO and used it for the first time yesterday (first time using a brow pen) aaand the results were a bit iffy. The colour wasn't quite right and the tip of the pen was not quite thin enough either, but I made it work for the day. So I'm always glad to have a new brow product to try, searching for the perfect brow helper. This product seems a bit of a closer match in colour and the built in brush is really handy too. I thought this was going to be a lot softer applying, due to my only experience with brow gel products is really a Maybelline Colour Tattoo, but darn it if it wasn't more appropriate to be a hard formula. This is also meant to be waterproof and long-lasting, so here's hoping. 

Cailyn Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Silver Shimmer (3) - US$15

Wasn't actually too excited by this product when I first saw it in the box at all. The silver just looks like a colour I wouldn't reach for, despite the packaging being damn cute. And then I swatched it. And holy hell, did I change my tune quickly. This looks like granite, sort of a brown base with a fine silver reflect to it that makes you say "oh, hello". There's not really much else to say about this, as there really isn't anymore info on the box, but I'm glad I ended up pleased with this product too. 

Lise Watier Hydra Shine Lip Stain in Rose Classique - US$20

I originally thought this would apply like a balm or gloss with a doe foot applicator, but after trying to figure out how to twist the cap off and then going "oh screw it, let me just pull it". I was surprised to see a texta. I don't know how this will fare with me, it doesn't really look like a colour I'd be super into. The smell is hard to place, it's not unpleasant, but fruity and sweet and just a tad odd. We'll just have to see how this one goes.

Manna Kadar Blush in The Big "O" (332) - US$19

This blush looks super pretty and I was glad to see it in my subscription box. It's a peachy pink colour with gold shimmer, akin to that of NARS Orgasm, and wouldn't you know it. I flip over the packaging to see the name of the blush is "The Big "O"". Well, they're clearly going for a dupe. It looks a bit more pink in the heavier swatch, though, but it really is more peachy than it appears. I love the rounded packaging too, it feels sturdy, although maybe a tad bulky for travelling with.

MiA BelleZZa Matte Shadow in Coffee Bean - US$16

I love me some matte eyeshadows and this one did not disappoint either. The packaging is very minimal, with just a clear top with the brand name to show the pigment of the shadow contained. But it is really pigmented, pretty much the colour of a coffee bean, as the name implies. This shadow isn't chalky at all and applies really smooth, despite feeling quite dry when I swatched. Will definitely be using this to tightline. 

left to right: nutmeg, silver shimmer, rose classique, the big "o" heavy swatch, the big "o" blended swatch, coffee bean heavy swatch, coffee bean blended swatch

Really fond of 4/5 products? I'd say that's not bad at all. I maybe might make another purchase from Wantable, but, as it is, I don't know whether to plunge in and make a subscription. I was quite impressed though, considering this is my first beauty box, and knowing the disappointment some people receive, I think Wantable is good at alleviating any disappointment, what with their personalised selection and full-sizing of the products. Overall, quite pleased. Quite pleased indeed. Please no more addiction. 

Beauty Bay Haul

God I love returning home and seeing a package waiting for me that I didn't really expect. It's like having Christmas early! I don't quite remember what I was reading that struck me to look up more reviews on the Stila One Step Corrector, but darn it if I didn't end up searching for a site that sells it at a decent price too. Whereby I found beautybay.com, persuading me to shop there with their free shipping on all orders to Australia offer. I couldn't help but browse through what ARTDECO products they also offer, having heard a bit of the brand, but never previously found a store that sold it. Of course, I was enticed to get their Eye Brow Color Pen, I love brow products and lord knows mine need help. And being the person that I am, I thought that was a pretty small loot, just two products? Aw, go on, one more. And so I opted for the Glimmer Balm by This Works, again, another brand I have been interested in, never owning any of their products before.

Pretty much the majority (if not all) the reviews I read of the One Step Corrector were positive; while the colour correcting isn't too intense, this product apparently makes your skin smooth, matte and brightens too, with maybe a tad of evening out the skintone. I absolutely love primers, so I'm hoping this was a good investment. 

Of course, what is a face without the brows? I love brow products, cause damn, eyebrows are so important to any look, but lately I've been wanting a bit more definition, and so a brow pen by the German brand ARTDECO I thought was the way to go. I got it in the shade light brown (03), and it is quite a bit browner than the usual ashy tones I go for, but I think it will suit with my hair nicely.

And finally, I do love me some highlighter too. Apparently, the shimmer balm by This Works can be used on the lips, cheekbones, eyes, decollete, pretty much anywhere to give you that golden model glow, and the name of the brand clearly helps too. It's a tad bit greasy on first swipe, and a tad yellow also, but I have the feeling this will really give the glow that most people are looking for.

Besides my glorious products I carefully chose, beautybay also offers to upgrade your order to a "premium order", whereby if you pay about AU$2 more, they'll include some deluxe samples and mama loves some deluxe samples!

A shampoo from a brand I've never heard of, Anne Semonin, was one of my samples. It's the gentle mistletoe shampoo, and at first whiff, it was a bit strong simply because it's a scent I'm not too used to, but I can see this fragrancing their hair just enough to be pleasant. The other sample I received was the Time Technology cream Institut Esthederm. Have not heard of this brand either, but from what I gather from the big ass brochure that this sample was inside of, this cream makes "your skin sustainably younger", really just to enhance your complexion by brightening it and adding radiance. Well, I could dig that.

Admittedly, this order did take a relatively long while for it too arrive, especially considering I opted for free shipping, I was unable to track it, so that was a bummer. But everything arrived as it should, I got deluxe samples mystery style, and the site sold a number of brands, many of which I'm interested in. So placing an order in the future? Most likely.

Lust for Lush

How can I just get so deeply involved in researching beauty products when I'm meant to be preparing for a speech regarding the issues and threats in global environmental problems for the long-term future? I was actually looking up the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, as I saw Candice from Makeupbox posting on her blog about it, and if it wasn't that the creamy texture and pot packaging reminded me of the Colour Supplements by Lush. And off to the interwebs for reviews and the Lush website I went to scour for more details about the little pot of colour. Whereby, of course, I had to visit their page on make up - I've seen them in store and heard pretty good things about the quality and so, why not see what they have to offer? Darn it if I didn't come up with a wish list. Of course, I have decided (in my head for now) that I will use up a certain amount of products before I can go off and purchase these. But for now, it's nice to plan ahead and see what I might be after in the future.

Colour Supplement in Light Yellow
From reviews, I see that this is a pretty long-wearing product, possibly due to the tackiness. The coverage is about medium, although you can layer it for concealer, mix it in with foundation to change the consistency, or with moisturizer for a lighter coverage. It really seems like an all-in-one product, and for $15.50? Seems very doable. I'm pretty sure I'm (eventually) going to get this in the shade Light Yellow as that seems to be the optimal choice for NC25 skintones, and if you're unsure, you could always mix, but it seems to be the word to go lighter, either way, I heard this blends out effortlessly. 

Feeling Younger
Well, I'm pretty much young enough as it is, but lord if I didn't love face brighteners. From the review on the Lush website, apparently it's a beautiful universal highlighter and even helps to set makeup, brighten and also make your face baby soft. A win in my books.

Wise (eyeshadow)
I adore the cute packaging of the eyeshadows and lipsticks and the one mascara they have too. Makes me feel like I'm purchasing from an apothecary. It seems like a khaki, almost olive colour, with a slight shimmer to it, but it dries down to a nice even finish. The doe-foot applicator also really helps with, well, application.

Sophisticated (eyeshadow)
I'm very much a fan of pink eyeshadows, and I'm only just getting into ways of applying them without making my eyes look swollen. This one is a slightest bit of an antique pink, though, so I'm hoping that'll it'll give that sophisticated look like the name implies. I like the look of the softer eyes, a bit more neutral with tad bit of colour but still soft and easy, and this is kind of the vibe I get from this shade.

Confident (lip colour)
Where would I be if I didn't add a lip colour into my wish list? And lord knows I could use some confidence. This is a vampy plum colour, that I adore especially since I'm starting to get more adventurous with my lip choices. I heard this lip lacquers apply really smoothly, don't dry out your lips AND last for a ridiculously long time. At the $24.95 price tag (same as the eyeshadows), it's a tiniest bit more than drugstore, but if the quality is worth it, and it's also vegan, I don't have many qualms with this one. 

A Crime to Look this Good?

Wish I could take credit for that title, but I can't; it was actually the title used for an article that covered the controversy surrounding Lime Crime indie cosmetics company. And surprisingly, as I was just browsing about the whole Lime Crime scandal, it, of course, tempted me to go to their site where I, unfortunately, fell in love with two unusual shades: New Yolk City and Chinchilla. I, thereby, stopped reading the interesting articles and other posts and scoured the web for some swatches and also sites that had the cheapest price + delivery to Australia. Now, while I know that I probably shouldn't have bought in and supported their company, the shades were so unique and I've never before owned anything by Lime Crime, so I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt.

God, I love me some cute packaging.

New Yolk City and Chinchilla

I'm not even a big fan of unicorns, but won't this look so cute in my bag?

Oh, hello, you beauties

I'm pretty glad that I chose shades that varied from the usual popular pinks and reds. After making my purchase at Beginning Boutique, I started to read more about Lime Crime to make sure my purchase wasn't too hasty. What I've found is that the colours (in particular, chinchilla) that I chose were probably the better option, as a number of the other lipsticks (in particular Babette) don't actually show true to the lip swatches that are displayed on the Lime Crime website (one of their controversies being that they photoshop their swatches). But if you're going for a nice, say, a blue shade like No she didn't, then it's more likely that you'll end up with what you're expecting. 

left to right, no flash: New Yolk City, Chinchilla

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New Yolk City

A nice, clean, pastel yellow shade. I don't really know what drew me to this colour so much. Perhaps because I've never seen a yellow lipstick before, and I thought the bright, almost pastel-ness, of the shade would look interesting on my slightly tan NC25 skintone. And boy, it looked so clean and bright when I first tried it. You really can't say that these lipsticks are not pigmented or opaque; they are full strength colour for sure. What I will say, though, is that New Yolk City was a bit dry, but I'm chalking that up to the fact that it is a very opaque pastel-like colour. What I'm really hoping to do is to mix this lipstick with a couple others to give them a more yellow undertone and hopefully more wearable.

Chinchilla

I think this one may actually be a limited edition shade, it's not quite lavender, but not too grey either. Definitely an unusual hue, but it really gives you that pretty grungy vibe. This one applies a lot smoother than New Yolk City and makes me feel luxurious and high fashion when I put this baby on. When I was looking up swatches for this lipstick, one of my favourite bloggers, Candice had this same lipstick, and by god what I would do to look like her. So this lipstick was pretty much a no-brainer, besides the fact that I have nothing like this in my collection as well. I think it would look amazing in a duo-lip, kind of like that in the Paranormal collection by Illamasqua. 

This feels like a little rebellious purchase, what with me being such a poor student, and the unusualness of these shades. Thank god for free (express!) shipping and 10% discounts for students at Beginning Boutique, otherwise I probably would have held myself back a bit more. At least with halloween coming up (but not really, just youtubers are damn jumping the gun), I might get a bit more wear out of them. Either way, as my first Lime Crime purchase, it does feel pretty successful. Just make sure to do your research... On what colours you like. 

Mini Benefit Baby Haul

Oh what's this? Both "mini" and "baby" in the title? Well, it's accurate. I wanted so badly to try out the Benefit They're Real mascara, because although I've heard a mix of both good and bad, you have to really try it out for yourself to give an opinion. And I also heard it was a really wet mascara, so yeah. I like wet mascaras. After seeing that Sephora's Beauty Insider program was giving a mini They're Real mascara and a mini Watt's Up! cream highlighter as a gift for member's birthdays, off to eBay I went as, clearly, they don't have Sephora in Australia. It turned out brilliantly for me, as not only did I find a seller that was auctioning off their Beauty Insider birthday pressie for about twenty bucks (hey, it's a good deal considering Aussie prices), but they were also including three other Benefit freebies which included a deluxe sample size of High Beam, and a sample of Stay Don't Stray and Garden of Good and Eva.

They're Real mascara

Ah the reason for the whole purchase, I don't really see this mascara as being as super wet as I've heard, but I'll guess I'll see when I actually apply it. The only thing I can say is that, daaang, that brush is spiky with longer bristles. It might be a tad painful if I try putting it too close to my eyes as I've found with other plastic brushes. 

Watt's Up! cream highlighter

A champagne cream highlighter. Have also heard good things about this, and, surprisingly considering my skin tone, I've never had a champagne highlighter, so this should be a good step. It blends really easily as I found when swatching it.

High Beam liquid highlighter

I have actually had this before, I think in the Benefit Finding Mr Bright kit. They call it "model in a bottle" and I was so tempted to shell out for the full size, but this deluxe sample should tide me over for a while. It's a pink pearl liquid highlighter, but, again, blends so easily into the skin and just makes you really look lit up and, not too sparkly, but just enough shimmer on the cheekbones. 

Stay Don't Stray eye primer

I've never had a huge amount of eye primers, but I really should use them more. Obviously, my eye make up has held up a lot better when using primers, so hopefully this will be what turns me around to consistent use.

Garden of Good and Eva eau de toilette

I have never tried any scents by Benefit, so I really didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately, this sample was almost empty when I got it, but it smelled pretty good. A tiny bit floral, a tiny bit herbal, but that kind of "water" scent I like. Water doesn't even have a scent, does it? But that seems to be the description of scents I like. I will admit though that when I first sprayed it on my wrists, it was definitely a bit stronger and I wasn't a fan. But it wears away to a really wearable scent.

left to right, without flash: Watt's Up! swatch, Watt's Up! blended, High Beam swatch, High Beam blended

With Flash

Natural Sunlight

Overall, I feel this was a pretty decent find on eBay, considering what I ended up with. I'm liking the highlighters, and the mascara looks promising. I'm even interested in the eye primer, knowing how good the primers from Benefit are. And the size of these mini's are just so cute too! Makes for easy travelling, sadly though, will probably entice me to eventually buy full sizes. 

Shop My Stash: Spring

It's both a good and a bad feeling when you go through your collection and see what products you previously loved or new products that you neglected. Good, because you remember how much use you got out of a certain lipgloss and it was pretty much your go-to, and bad because you realise there was this eyeliner that you bought relatively recently and have not even really used it yet. But then again, it just allows you to start using those new products you forgot about rather than going out and purchasing "oh, I'm in need of a powder, I thought I got one recently though...".

And here I present to you my findings when I was home and had time to spare. I pretty much live out of home, so I rarely get to visit my cute collection I've been building up, so this was nice to pick up products that I used to love forever, and, again, ones that have not had so much love.

left to right: matte bronze, translucent, blissful

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Natural Sunlight

MAC Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze

This is actually one of the first MAC products I ever owned, and, boy, I used this every. Single. Day. It's not really shown well in the photo because of the angle, but I have made quite a dent in this powder from so much use, but just LOOK at how much there still is. I use it mainly for contouring, as it is a matte bronzer, but also a light dusting all over the face gives a nice tanned look, which is good because we're just coming out of Winter now and I have gotten pale. But, yeah, if you're new to MAC and are unsure of what to get, I really recommend this bronzer, it is matte, not too orange, weartime is amazing, and lasts a ridiculously long time too. 

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Powder in Translucent

Also another first, this is the first Physician's Formula product I ever purchased and owned, I think when Priceline had 50% off this brand one day. I use it kind of like how you would use MAC's Mineralize Skin Finish powders. As a bit of topping/setting on the cheekbones and t-zone. It does apply really sheer on the face, especially if you use the brush that is included, and, while it doesn't really act as a setting powder, it adds a nice touch and very mild shimmer. A good investment for Spring coming up to look fresh and cute.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Blissful

More firsts here, when I picked out my first both my first Tarte product and first Amazonian Clay Blush. It is a matte, medium, almost rosy pink that helps you get that baby-face, sweet girl blushing effect. I actually like applying this with a small foundation brush, and gently patting it on the cheeks to have more control on placement with this pigmented blush. Again, another good choice for the arrival of Spring.

left to right: midnight sky, belladonna

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Natural Sunlight

Face of Australia Budge Proof Eyeshadow in Midnight Sky
This just swatches beautifully, is a little tricky applying on the eyes though, but nothing a blending brush can't help. Just a really nice deep blue shade with a hint of sparkle in it and I love the dryer texture of this cream eyeshadow. The one thing I will say though, is that it is really not "budge proof" as the name claims, and you will need a primer underneath, but it's a surprisingly easy colour to wear. Adds a nice bit of colour to your face while still being work appropriate. 

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Belladonna
I hauled this lipgloss pretty recently in this post, but damn, how the hell did it escape my memory? Super pigmented, more of a lacquer than a gloss, so it is a tad bit sticky, but the brush applicator is a great help. Quite a thin tube, so you can easily pop it in your bag or purse and it smells good too. It's a darker colour than what I would usually wear during the day, but this colour would be nice for an evening out with the upcoming season.

So what good finds I have in my collection, god, it feels so good to go through your collection and find things that you want to wear again. Just feels nifty and the pocket appreciates it too. I love using up my products too, so I should definitely shop my stash more frequently.

Nail Polish for Ants

I've never been consistently into nail polish. Sure, I had phases where I wanted to decorate my nails in cute prints and rhinestones, even had pretty long fake acrylic nails (at-home kit) that I did myself. But it always happens for a short moment, and then I start losing the interest to paint my nails and keep them looking prim and professional. But I had wanted the NYC Ballet mini collection by OPI for so dang long and I only recently gave in and acquired it.

My Pointe Exactly
A sheer grey with a tad bit of purple/blue tone to it. While I do love this shade, and have many a time painted a similar hue on my nails, it's a tad too deep to suit with my skintone. An in-between colour, not quite white enough and not quite earl grey enough either, but a single coat would be nice.

Care to Danse?
A pale, lilac pink. Again, it is sheer. Love this shade, it just brightens your nails a bit and adds that "healthy pink" to it too.

Don't Touch My Tutu
A sheer, clean white with maybe a hint of beige. My favourite shade of the lot, I've tried many a time to pull off white nail polish, why didn't I ever try going sheer? Possibly the hardest to apply, along with Care to Danse?, just because it's hard to get it even for someone that is not so super great at painting their nails.

Pirouette My Whistle
Fine silver glitter pieces in a clear base, with larger silver glitter pieces. Adds a really nice sparkle to your nails, I enjoy putting this on top of Don't Touch My Tutu, for that cute looking manicure, but I can imagine this being nice with My Pointe Exactly too.

Two Coats

Three Coats

Well, I think I may have found my everyday nail polishes to reach for. I love that they're all sheer, they add a tiniest bit of gloss to your nails and just look nice and well-made-up.These polishes are really easy to apply too, and I just love the size of the bottles - good for when you're travelling; and, because they are sheer, I think that's what helps them to apply so easily and dry relatively quick too. I know that the pictures look a bit splotchy, but somehow once it dries fully, it evens out a bit and settles, so that makes it great for amateurs like me too. 

I don't own a whole heap of OPI nail polishes, so I'm not sure if this is true for their entire range, but these dried on the nails pretty quickly, and lasted for at least two days without chipping, which is like a record for me! And, god, if I didn't love the ballet inspired names too, being a dancer myself and all. These shades all seem to be performance appropriate to (maybe not quite so much the grey), but really, it just really suits my style perfectly. Very much a professional, simple look.

Winter Empties 2013

Finally, I used up enough products to make an empties post. To be honest, it got almost gross to keep hoarding these empty containers, considering how relatively slowly I use up products, but I powered through this season, even using up products I wasn't a big fan of, but couldn't really justify throwing away quite yet because there was still use.

Sadly, only one skincare product, I was sure there was more, but I'm guessing I absent mindedly threw away the empty packaging to reduce clutter in my product filled bathroom. Three makeup products, though, so I think that's quite a good effort; and four hair products, boy do I ever use up hair products.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Well, who doesn't know about these pore strips? Wet your face, peel back the plastic strip and place firmly onto your nose. Wait until it dries completely, like papier mache, and, bam, when you peel off the strip, along comes all the gunk in your nose. Addictive and effective, will definitely be purchasing this one again, as I've done so many a time before. 

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick
I've mentioned this product previously and it also appeared in my last favourites post, and I've finally used this up from using this practically everyday. I started off being wary of this foundation, then I started really liking it... and then I just wanted the damn thing to be finished. The coverage is just okay, and it wears off during the day. It sometimes sits on top of your skin and gets all over your hands. But I suppose on the plus side, it is very easy to apply and reapply. Overall though, while I do love the concept of a stick foundation, I won't be repurchasing this one, maybe opting for the Bobbi Brown one next time.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara
This product was actually a repurchase already. It works adequately for nice, even. natural lashes, and I really do think that it helps my lashes to grow. I grew fond of the ridiculously huge brush, but, like a lot of (especially) drugstore mascaras, this one wore off and smudged a bit too. I don't think I'll be purchasing this one again, I did quite like it, but I've got some other mascaras to use up and I think work a bit better considering the price. 

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara
This one isn't technically an empty, but I'm culling it from my collection. I got this in one of those cute Benefit giftsets for Christmas one year, a generous full size mascara. It has a similar brush to Grow Luscious, and the effect is pretty similar with natural, separated lashes, but maybe a tad more glossy. The reason why I'm culling this product, though, is that it just smudges like crazy on my lower lid. The effect is really not worth it to have panda eyes every single time I've used this. 

L'Oreal Elvive Extraodinary Oil

Love this, already repurchased. Really decent price, works wonderfully, not too heavy. I really am loving hair oils and this one seems to work better for my hair than the serums I usually tend to reach for. It makes your hair nice and shiny too, and I think a bit healthier. I use this practically everyday, and there are a couple uses for it, including before shampooing for a deep conditioning, on the ends for protection and all over for shine before styling.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease in Extra Strength Formula

This is also a repurchase, but I'm not sure if I'm going to repurchase it again. It used to be my go-to hair serum, it really made it feel healthy, especially when the ends were burnt and dried to all hell. But I think my hair maybe might have started to get use to it, because it doesn't seem as effective in taming frizz, and is starting to just make my hair feel weighted rather than nourished. 

Edward Beale Hi-Lite Brite Shampoo

This is a purple shampoo that eliminates brassy tones from blonde hair. Well, I don't have blonde hair anymore, but even after I went back to brunette, my boyfriend used the rest of this one up, as he does have naturally dirty blonde hair. This is a really budget purple shampoo, and it's not super effective, but it does alright. I think it works better on naturally blonde hair rather than bleached blonde, but it was cheap and I am a poor student. 

L'oreal Ever Creme Deep Nourishing Masque

I was quite impressed with this hair mask. I usually use the L'oreal Professionel hair range for my treatments, but I saw this new one, and it was on sale in Woolworths, so I thought, hey, might as well. And dang, it smells good, makes my hair feel healthy and soft, I just wish there was more of it. I will probably repurchase this one, once I use up the other Davines hair mask I'm still on.

And those are my empties for the month. Not a whole lot, but I like to think I powered through some of them. Hopefully this should help in cleaning up my collection a bit, here's hoping that I should be able to use up some more makeup products... and therefore have room for more.