October's farewelled products

Yes I know it's nearly December but here are October's empties. I must post them before my empties bag overflows with November's additions!

Skin care

After repeatedly using the same products for removing my eye makeup I branched out a little. However...

115) Natio Eye Makeup Remover (75ml/2.5 fl.oz) - As a rule I love Natio products but this wasn't a great performer at all.  This remover isn't for waterproof makeup so I wasn't expecting miracles but it wasn't particularly effective in any case. I used up the bottle in record time because on several occasions I had to take care of panda eyes in the morning after I'd already supposedly removed my eye makeup the night before! 

116) Natio Eye Makeup Remover Wipes (30 wipes) - These pre-moistened wipes are supposed to remove "most" waterproof mascaras but they actually performed worse than the liquid.  The wipes only pushed the makeup around my eyes, leaving me with lovely dark smudges.  There'll be no repurchasing happening here!

117) NIVEA Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes (7 Wipes) - I had this pack lying around so finished it off on those lazy, too tired to bother nights. Not holy grail but not bad either and they're impregnated with the classic NIVEA scent.

118) La Clinica Anti Ageing Stem Cell Complex Facial Serum (30ml/1.05 fl.oz)* - I found this serum produced an immediate, quite intense firming effect on my skin.

119) La Clinica Gly C Refine Micro Dermabrasion Facial Scrub (100ml/3.52 fl.oz) - This facial exfoliant is a favourite because it combines acids with exfoliating granules to effectively smooth the skin and not surprisingly this is my second tube.  Read more about my thoughts here.

120) Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight Intense Lip Therapy (9g/0.30 fl.oz) - This stuff is really thick and heavy-duty for moisturizing my lips overnight.  I liked it. A lot.

Hand and body care

121) Italian Garden Honey & Almond Body Cream (145ml/4.9 fl.oz) - This was part of an old Christmas gift set. The scent was more honey than almond which was fine with me and the cream was really a lotion in texture so it did a nice job of rubbing in with too much effort, feeling moisturizing without being greasy.  

122) Paiza Body Lotion (75ml/2.53 fl.oz) - Some hotel toiletries from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore and I think this is an in-house "brand". This body lotion had quite a perfume-y yet still fresh scent and absorbed like a dream. 

123) Paiza Foam & Bath Wash (75ml/2.53 fl.oz) - The body wash had the same unisex type of scent and I enjoyed the indulgent creaminess of it on my skin while showering.

124) Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap (236ml/8 oz.) - I love this exfoliating body wash because it takes no effort to control my keratosis.  This is a repurchase and I'm seriously considering lifting the bottle out of my son's shower if he doesn't get onto it!

125) L'Occitane Vanilla Bouquet Hand Cream (30ml/1 oz.) - My favourite hand cream formula combined with a richly potent vanilla scent.  I loved it, my husband didn't, but I wouldn't let that dissuade me from more!

126) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - Since finishing my umpteenth bottle I've finally bitten the bullet and have bought a huuuuuge bottle from the OPI hand salon so you won't be seeing another OPI remover in my empties for a while!

Hair care

127) OGX Moisture + Vitamin B5 Conditioner (385ml/13 fl.oz)* - This conditioner did the expected job of conditioning without weighing down my fine hair.  To be honest I'm forever rushing and never wait the recommended 3 to 5 minutes for the conditioner to really do its thing but it still did a pretty good job regardless! 

Cosmetics

128) Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 HR Powder Foundation (002 Soft Beige)* - I didn't love this as a standalone base because it just didn't last on my skin so I used it as a setting powder.  Read my full review here. 

129) Rimmel BB Cream Matte (Light)* - I reviewed this some time ago and I think I might have been a little harsh initially (see here) because I ended up quite liking this as it provided excellent full coverage for a BB cream and the colour match with my skin was bang on.  

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Right, that's it until December pops up all too soon.  Currently I have 11 new empties ready for the next post and counting...

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

OPI Venice Collection: Purple Palazzo Pants

I'm getting so fussy when it comes to buying nail polish these days and as the never ending stream of new collections roll out I see less and less in them to really interest me.  I find myself doing a mental stocktake of what I already have and then decide that I've already got something the same or similar and I pass on the purchase.

This is why I only bought one shade from OPI's new Venice Collection - and to be honest this shade isn't unique either. It's just my weakness for purple that bit me again! Purple Palazzo Pants is a lavender cream that is absolutely to my taste so that's why I was tempted and of course it sings of spring too.  Application was typically easy and done in two coats, although I very nearly ruined it with a top coat that's starting to thicken and is now prone to bubbling...  

All pictures taken in indirect daylight

Were you tempted by any of the shades in the Venice collection?

Vintage OPI: Guy Meets Gal-veston

Why or why didn't I realize how good jelly polishes were when they were everywhere??? Now they're so hard to find...

Oh well at least I have one or two in my collection from back when they were popular so I didn't turn my back on the trend altogether although it's taken me all this time to realize what the fuss was about.  I bought OPI's Guy Meets Gal-veston back in 2011 from their Texas collection and here I am enjoying it 4 years later.  GMG is a vibrant coral jelly and just the thing for the transition into warmer, brighter days.  I applied two coats and added a top coat for an even more juicy jelly finish - you might barely make out the visible white tips of the very edges of my nails so these pictures aren't a dead giveaway that I'm wearing a jelly but...Oh. My. Goodness...This was so gorgeously squishy looking in real life!  Honestly I should stop gushing because this damn polish is only available from Amazon etc these days...

Full sun

Indirect daylight

Did you ever get into the jelly trend?

August's farewelled products

Here are the last bits and pieces I finished for the winter season - quite an even mix of skin care and makeup this time around...

Skin care

89) La Clinica Anti-Ageing Gentle Milk Facial Cleanser (200ml/7.4 fl.oz)* - This creamy and gentle cleanser was my morning in-shower choice although it's so gentle it can simply be wiped off with a damp cleansing cloth. I loved the natural Rosehip oil scent too.

90) L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water (200ml) - Just as effective and soothing as the other micellar waters I've used although for whatever reason I found it really messy to squeeze out of the bottle.  A bit of a packaging fail for me.

91) Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths (25 towelettes)* - These fragrance-free cloths live up to their claims as they left my skin feeling simply clean with no residue whatsoever.  My one criticism? The cloths are reasonably small so sometimes more than one cloth was needed for a full cleanse.

92) Palmer's Daily Facial Lotion SPF 15 (100ml/3.38oz.)* - This daily moisturizer had a disconcerting 'grainy' feel when rubbing it into my skin.  I usually love Palmer's products so I was disappointed this didn't live up to their usual standards - I don't know if I was unlucky and received a faulty product?

93) Timeless Truth Stem Cell Extract Mask - I used this to replenish my skin as the second step in a two mask pampering session, following a deep cleansing clay mask.  Problem? This tiny little sheet mask was designed for a smaller face so I felt quite claustrophobic while it was on my face!

Hand and body care

94) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - Yet another bottle of my favourite remover done.

95) Italian Garden Honey & Almond Shower Gel (245ml/8.28 fl.oz) - This was given to me as part of a set for Christmas.  I really loved the strong, predominantly honey scent and it was a cozy choice for a winter morning shower!

96) Italian Garden Honey & Almond Body Scrub (145ml/4.9 fl.oz) - I didn't love this at all.  The scrub was less effective than the shower puff I squirted it into.

Cosmetics

97) Rimmel Idol Eyes Mascara by Kate Moss (004 Eye Rock Jet Black)* - This is such an intensely black mascara as evidenced by the black residue soaking all the way through my makeup remover pads! The heart-shaped brush did require a little twirl of the wrist for the best effect but I really enjoyed the thick black lashes and this product did not flake or run.  

98) Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder (001 Transparent) - Not a bad mattifying powder but not a HG either and the cheap plastic lid cracked and broke in my makeup purse.

99) The Body Shop Flavoured Lip Gloss (10 Coconut) - Deliciously flavoured and the shimmery, milky shade was a gorgeous topper for nude lippy. I'm considering a repurchase of this some time in future.

100) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (Honey) - I loved this go-to mauve-pink lip colour so much that I have a backup!

101) Urban Decay 24/7 Liner Pencil (Ransom) - Such gorgeousness in a purple liner and I love the glide on formula. I'm considering a repurchase of this one too!

Fragrance

102) Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet (1ml/0.03 fl.oz sample) - Very soft and delicately pretty for spring, but no lasting power at all unfortunately.  From the Dior website this fragrance: "...glorifies the mandarin and the peony on downy notes of white musk. The peony is at the heart of this new signature. Its unique trail combines the rose Damascus essence with fruity notes to recreate the outstanding scent of this flower, elusive in its natural state."

And some more samples...

Over and out for now!

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

OPI: I Don't Give A Rotterdam

I'm so over the Melbourne weather at the moment - grey and cold, cold and grey, and so it goes on repeat...

Today's blue-grey nail swatch is loosely in keeping with the weather although it's by no means a depressing or drab manicure shade.  OPI released I Don't Give A Rotterdam in their Spring 2012 Holland collection so that should speak for itself! OPI describe IDGAR as a "sassy steel-blue shimmer" and I'd describe it as all kinds of lovely - the shimmer is a light gold fleck that lifts the blue-grey water colour polish into something a bit more - for want of a better, more original term - pretty, I guess.  It makes me think of lightweight pastel knitted sweaters and all other things early spring.  The formula was sheerer and more watery than what I'm used to with OPI so I needed three coats for full effect.  It was totally worth the effort though - I adored wearing this manicure last week...

All pictures taken in indirect daylight:

Until next time!

OPI: Taupe-less Beach

Today's polish swatch is from a summer collection (OPI's 2014 Brazil Collection) but I think it's most winter-appropriate too...

Taupe-less Beach has just the right mix of grey and beige and is the perfect all year round neutral cream polish.  Two coats applied as smoothly as the proverbial butter and after sealing with top coat I got almost a full week of chip-free wear.  I've got nothing more to say about this one really other than I hope it becomes part of OPI's core line.

The weather has been particularly gloomy around here so all pictures were taken under lamplight:

Until next time!

June's farewelled products

I'm actually reasonably on schedule with posting this time but I'll keep it short and sweet nonetheless...

Skin care

64) Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (400ml) - Here I am finishing off my second bottle. I'm trying another brand at the moment but this is still a favourite for a refreshing (and inexpensive) fuss-free cleanse.

65) Kirkland Daily Facial Cleansing Towelettes (30 towelettes) - Hallelujah! I'm relieved to have finished my last pack of these wipes. There'll be no repurchasing of these!

66) La Clinica Gly C Refine Gentle Moisture Night Cream 5% (50ml/1.76 fl.oz)* - Be warned, the glycolic acid means this stuff tingles initially as it gets to work but the sensation goes away after a few minutes and there's no scary redness, just moisturised skin that feels super soft the next morning.

67) NIVEA Vanilla & Macadamia Lip Butter (19ml) - I was using this as an overnight lip treatment and the addictive scent meant I used way too much and used it up ridiculously quickly! 

Hand and body care

68) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - A regular inclusion in my empties and I have a few more bottles in my cupboard...

69) NIVEA Silk Touch Anti-perspirant Deodorant (50ml)* - Very gentle, yet also very effective. I just wish the bottle was a little larger. See my full review here.

70) Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (250ml) - This is the non-drying soap free cleanser I turn to in the cooler, drier months when my skin needs a little extra TLC.

71) NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion Cocoa Indulging (250ml)* - This in-shower rinse-off body lotion is body moisturiser's answer to hair conditioner.  I loved it and went out and bought a bigger bottle after I finished this.  See my full review here.

Hair care

72) John Frieda Luxurious Volume Root Booster Blow Dry Lotion (6.0 fl.oz/177 ml) - I didn't love this as much as I expected to.  The pump doesn't dispense the product finely enough and it doesn't provide as soft, touchable volume as other products I've tried.  I won't be repurchasing.

Cosmetics

73) SilkyGirl Magic BB Cream (01 Natural) - One of the best BB creams I've tried in a perfectly matched shade for my warm toned, yet pale skin! There's an upcoming trip to Singapore on the cards too...

74) Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick (166 Temptation) - This has long been my favourite red lipstick from the drugstore and when I say a long time, I mean it because this tube lasted a good 2 to 3 years!

75) Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara (10 Black) - This was gifted to me by the husband and I used it for way longer than I should because, well, I know it's expensive, and also because I loved it - I get what all the fuss is about! To recap my earlier and unchanged thoughts:  I love the soft, rubbery brush, the creamy formula, the instant volume and the softness of my lashes.

76) Rimmel Wonder'full Waterproof Mascara (001 Black) - Now this one underwhelmed me.  No volume, but more of a tint for my lashes and it still managed to leave little clumps!

Fragrance

77) Diptyque Florabellio EDT (2ml/0.06 fl.oz) - I haven't endured a scent so unsuitable to my taste for a long time as I couldn't get past the sharp bitterness of it.  If you're curious this is what Fragrantica.com has to say about the notes:   "Florabellio opens with refreshing salty breezes of sea air mixed with sea fennel. After the aromatic opening, which cools down and provides a characteristic blend of salt of the sea and the aromatic scent of fennel, the focus lies on the floral heart, intertwining apple blossom petals and osmanthus blossom, which thanks to its characteristically sweet scent reminds us of apricots. An unusual twist in the base notes is added by roasted coffee beans combined with roasted sesame seeds, leaving a seductive trail after the sweet flowers." 

And the rest...

Yes, like a lot of blogger friends I know, I'm making an effort to get through my samples too.  I'm not going to clog up this space with sample reviews but if you are interested to see more about these you can check out my #useupthosefreakinsamples updates (as inspired by Monika) on Instagram.

That's it for another month!


(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

Autumn's beauty empties...

For various reasons (travel, family illness, life etc) my blogging schedule has been out of whack over recent months and it obviously saw me lagging in posting my monthly empties too - to the point where I was half-way through May and still hadn't done the March and April posts so figured I'd might as well carry on accumulating empties for the entire Autumn season and get them all out of the way in one rather LARGE post!  

For the sake of your sanity (and mine) I'll keep the reviews light and to the point - having said that, if you want to know more about any individual product just ask away in the comments and I'll let you know what you need to know.  Okay - here we go!  The fear is real...

Skin care

23) Kirkland Daily Facial Cleansing Towelettes (30 towelettes) - The second last pack in a bulk box from Costco.  More greasy than refreshing. Will not repurchase.

24) NIVEA Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes (7 Wipes) - An impulse buy at the Target checkout one day and I took the pack away on our Queensland holiday.  Nice average quality wipes, with a hint of the NIVEA scent that I enjoy.

25) Swisspers Naturals Cucumber wipes (5 wipes) - I bought this on holiday after I ran out of the NIVEA.  There was nothing remarkable about these so I won't repurchase.

26) Garnier Clean Sensitive 2 in 1 Gentle Make-up Remover (200ml) - I bought this on sale at Priceline.  Not as effective as other waterproof makeup removers I've tried and for whatever reason I was always squeezing out far too much and flooding my cotton pads.  Will not repurchase.

27) Maybelline Makeup Remover Eye & Lip (70ml/2.4 fl. oz.) - Now this is one of my favourite drugstore makeup removers and it's a repeat purchase after the finishing the Garnier.

28) Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam (30ml travel size) - Another miniature product in my holiday luggage.  I'd forgotten (and was happy to be reminded) how luxurious and velvety this foam cleanser feels. 

29) La Clinica Gly C Refine Facial Cleansing Wash Gel (200ml/7.4 fl.oz)* - Despite containing glycolic acid and Vitamin C this gel cleanser was gentle enough for everyday use and lasted for months. 

30) La Clinica Perfect Complexion Sunscreen Lotion SPF50 (75ml/2.63 fl.oz)* - Very high SPF without being greasy and can be used on the face and body. I have the backup ready!

31) La Clinica Gly C Refine Vitamin C Ultra Serum (30ml/1.05 fl.oz)* - This serum provides a very immediate "tightening" effect on the skin and demands an application of moisturiser afterwards.

32) Essano Rosehip Treat Your Skin Pack*  - I took this pack away on my holiday and really enjoyed using all the products.  I've since purchased full size versions of the body lotion and cleanser.  See here for my full review.

Hand and body care

33) Miller & Moore Moisturising Shea Butter Body Wash (150ml) - This was part of a gift pack I received from a friend. It smelt faintly like NIVEA and did a suitably gentle job of cleansing in the shower.

34) Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap (236ml/8 oz.) - An exfoliating body wash gentle enough to use every day.  I will repurchase to keep my goosebumpy skin under control.

35) Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser (50ml/1.7 fl.oz) - One of my leftover souvenirs from the Tokyo Park Hyatt last year which came in handy for another trip! It's a very refreshingly green and mandarin scented gel body wash although I don't know if I'd actually fork out the big $$$ for a full sized bottle.

36) Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil Rosehip Fragrance (150ml/5.1 fl.oz)* - A quickly absorbed moisturizing oil with an almost dry oil feel. My only issue was the supposedly no mess bottle still ended up oily so I kept it in its box between uses.  See my full review here.

37) NAT.Body Hand Cream (100ml)* - My bedside hand cream.  A milky formula but surprisingly moisturising and kept the eczema under control on my hands. See my full review for this and the NAT.Body Cuticle Treatment Serum here.

38) NAT.Body Cuticle Treatment Serum (15ml)* - Very effective at moisturising my cuticles and the smallest pump dispensed enough oil to do the cuticles on both hands.

39) Love Soap Handwash With Organic Lavender & Meadowfoam (200ml) - This is formulated for children but I used it to wash my own sensitive skinned hands.  Very gentle and scented with lavender oil.  Will repurchase.

40) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - A regular appearance in my beauty empties.

41) L'Occitane Arlesienne Velvet Hand Cream (30ml/1 oz) - This really did feel velvety textured on application and the rose, sweet violet and saffron scent is delightfully floral.

42) Crabtree & Evelyn Nantucket Briar Hand Therapy (25g/0.9 oz) - I'm yet to come across a scent I haven't enjoyed yet from Crabtree & Evelyn's hand therapy range.  

Hair care

43) Nak Blonde Plus Shampoo (1 litre/33.8 fl. oz) - I use purple toned shampoo to keep my hair from looking too warm or brassy.  This gigantic bottle lasted me many months and I quite frankly got bored with it!

44) RPR De-clorinate My Hair Shampoo (200ml/7.04 fl.oz) - I used this once a week to remove product buildup and refresh my hair.  It was effective but I'm loving the Moroccanoil version I'm using now a lot more so I won't repurchase.

45) John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Enhancing Conditioner (250ml/8.45 fl.oz) - A good drugstore conditioner although I honestly don't know if it enhanced the blonde in any way.

46) Original Mineral Maintain The Mane Shampoo (50ml/1.7 fl.oz travel size) - This is the same stuff my hairdresser uses so I bought the smaller sized bottles to take away on holiday and try before committing to the full size.  Yes it's good salon shampoo.

47) Original Mineral Maintain The Mane Conditioner (50ml/1.7 fl.oz travel size) - As above.

48) Original Mineral O & M Original Detox Shampoo (50ml/1.7 fl. oz travel size) - I used this deep cleansing shampoo to wash my hair after swimming pool sessions during our holiday.

49) & 50) Aesop Classic Shampoo & Conditioner (50ml/1.7 fl.oz) - Yet more travel souvenirs that came in handy.  Very nice and luxurious but I'd still think hard before buying the full size products because of the price.

51) Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Crystal Shine Conditioner (50ml/1.7 fl.oz) - I bought this conditioner on holiday when I ran out of those I'd packed.  It was just okay and not particularly moisturising so I won't repurchase.

Cosmetics

52) Blinc Eye Shadow Primer (Light Tone)* - An excellent eye shadow primer which smooths and brightens the lids, and securely anchors eye shadow through anything.  See my original review here.

53) Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (30ml) - I grew to really love this primer as the perfect everyday base which performed well under any foundation I applied.

54) Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (01) - My favourite drugstore concealer.

55) Silkygirl Magic BB Powder Foundation (01 Ivory) - I bought this from a drugstore in Singapore a couple of years ago and it gives fantastic, long lasting coverage for a powder product. 

56) INIKA Mineral Mascara (Black)* - This was okay but not great.  It took multiple coats to get any reasonable volume and didn't dry down 100% so was prone to smudging.

57) The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara (Black) - Another okay mascara.  I didn't bond with the brush so I probably won't repurchase this either.

58) Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Liner (Perversion) - I usually love these liners but this one was a huge disappointment.  The pencil core disintegrated, became crumbly and fell out so I sharpened it down to nothing.

59) Essence Matte Effect Eye Shadow (Blockbuster) - I generally love Essence eye shadows but their mattes are their weaker performers. I persisted with this as a browbone shade for quite a while but finally decided enough was enough with this chalky shadow. 

60) Revlon Lip Gloss (Nude Lustre) - Sadly this formula has been discontinued.

61) Chanel Glossimer (83) - I love the pigmentation of these glosses. I'm pretty sure this particular shade has been discontinued though.

62) Tom Ford Lip Color (True Coral) - This was my first TF lipstick so it will hold a special little place in this makeup addict's heart.

63) Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (Rhubarb) - A great drugstore lip balm that provides a good hit of shiny colour.

Fragrance

62) Jimmy Choo Blossom EDP (2ml/0.06 fl. oz sample)* - Very fizzy, fruity and fun!  Top notes:  citrus and red fruits, including raspberry;  mid notes:  sweet peas and roses;   base notes:  sandalwood and white musk.

63) Prada L'Eau Ambree EDP (10ml miniature) - The last little bottle of one of my favourite scents and I fell in love with it all over again.  The top notes are Cedrat Lemon, Mandarin and Neroli;  middle notes are Benzoin, May Rose and Gardenia; base notes are Amber blended with Patchouli, Vanilla and Opoponax.

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If you made it all the way to the end I applaud you for your tenacity!  

Until my next, considerably shorter post...

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)