September's farewelled products

Here are my first spring empties for the season...

Skin care

103) Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water (6.7 fl.oz/200ml) - Finally I've proven to myself that not all micellar waters are the same.  I could feel and smell the alcohol in this version every time I used it and yep it contains Hexylene Glycol and Panthenol.  Will not repurchase.

104) Maybelline Makeup Remover Eye & Lip (70ml/2.4 fl. oz.) - I just finished another bottle of this reliable little remover but the wanderer in me has moved onto to trying other things so stay tuned for some changes in this usually boringly same area.

105) Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly (1.0 fl.oz/30ml)* - I became quite hooked on this non-greasy moisture jelly, ended up using it day and night so got through it quickly. It's on my repurchase list for a refreshing summer moisturiser. Read my full review here.

Hand and body care

106) L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream (30ml) - Another tube of my absolute favourite heavy duty hand cream is done and dusted.

107) Natio Wellness Hand Cream SPF15 (100ml/3.3 fl.oz) - Now this hand cream is another favourite.  It's not quite as heavy duty but I love the pomegranate scent and the SPF offers added protection for daytime wear.

108) Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Hand Therapy (25g./0.9 oz) - I can't say this hand cream isn't a favourite either as I'm a longtime fan of C & E hand creams.  Let's face it I'd repurchase - and have repurchased - all of these hand creams!

109) Manicare Noir Collection Black Vanilla Nail Polish Remover Pads (32 pads) - I packed this for my Singapore vacation and finished it off after I returned. I wouldn't bother trying it on glitter polish but it worked really well to remove cream polishes as it removed and moisturized in one go.  I actually liked the black vanilla scent too.

Hair care

110) L'Oreal Professional Volumetry Anti-Gravity Effect Volume Spray (125ml/4.2 fl.oz) - A few spritzes on pre-blowdried hair gave me soft and touchable volume without stripping the shine from my hair.

111) L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray Normal Strength (75ml purse size) - I only buy small sized cans of hairspray because I don't use it that often.  This hairspray did the trick for adding a little more staying power to my hairstyle when I needed it without it looking stiff.

Cosmetics

112) Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara (Black) - Unfortunately this tubing mascara was a huge disappointment for me.  It added no volume (The Volume?) and the tube dried out in record time - just over a month!

113) Revlon Colorburst Lipstick (001 Lilac) - Such a pretty and wearable lilac for everyday but unfortunately the entire line of these lipsticks were discontinued some time ago.

114) Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15 - I have to thank the wonderful Larie for gifting this to me - I loved it! So richly moisturising with just the right amount of shine and a very flattering tint.

There weren't any samples finished this month as I fell into a bit of a happy routine with my skincare and makeup so that's all until the end of October rolls around!

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

REVIEW: June's farewelled products

We're officially half way through the year.  Not sure if I should be cheering or crying?!  I STILL haven't finished my lipstick ban but I have finished these bits and pieces over the past month - I swear I have nearly finished that ban.  It's just that long lasting lipsticks are, well, so long lasting (even in the tube!)...

Skin care

56) Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Brightening Facial Towelettes (30 towelettes)

These wipes had quite a tart scent because of the apple and lemon peel included in the organic blueberry formula. Honestly? These are the least impressive cleansing wipes I've tried so far - they're not as moist as some so sometimes one wipe wasn't quite enough and they left my skin feeling a little tight,  meaning I had to use a night cream afterwards to feel comfortable.  One plus is the resealable flip-top opening but I definitely won't be repurchasing these.

57) Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Daily Repairing Moisturiser (1.7 fl.oz/50ml)

Sweetly scented and very rich, I only needed a tiny amount to moisturise my face so it went a long way.  I learnt very quickly to be careful not to overdo it because it could become greasy and filmy on the skin. Good value for those who want their moisturiser minus the SPF and a single pump of the bottle dispenses just the right amount.  Nice but not special enough for me to repurchase.

58) L'Oreal Gentle Make-up Remover for Eyes & Lips (125ml)

I used this bottle up just to clear out my backlog of products.  It's a good, effective and gentle makeup remover but you probably know I've now switched my love to Maybelline's slightly cheaper, and much better packaged version.  I've got no more of these up my sleeve and I won't repurchase unless Maybelline discontinue their makeup remover!

59) Biotherm Age Fitness Power2 Active Smoothing Care (0.16fl.oz/5ml sample)

This teeny weeny tube gave me just enough product for three mornings and I was already seduced on the first morning!  The cream is light and absorbs easily into the skin and the scent - it's like a shower fresh wake me up - I loooved it.  I've read that this cream contains pure olive leaf concentrate, pure olive extracts and antioxidants and is targeted at reducing the signs of aging.  I'm intrigued enough to put it on my wish list.

Hand and body care

60) Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion (12fl.oz/354ml)

This lotion was 'prescribed' to me by my doctor a few months ago when I was suffering with dry, itchy, hyper-sensitive skin.  This thick lotion contains natural colloidal oatmeal to provide long lasting soothing moisture and menthol for its cooling anti-itch properties. The minty menthol scent thankfully fades away quickly so it doesn't clash with any perfume.  It was a godsend when I was suffering and I slathered it from shoulders to ankles.  I would definitely use this again if I have another bout of sensitive, itchy skin.

61) Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion with Alpha/Beta Hydroxy & Shea butter (250ml - 8.5fl. oz)

This the second bottle I've finished for the year because it effectively controls my ongoing keratosis.  Yep, I'm onto my third bottle!

62) Manicare Nail Polish Remover (125ml)

Of course I have to include an empty bottle of polish remover in my monthly empties! The formula in this budget remover includes acetone with tea tree oil and vitamin E.  Slightly less effective than my usual OPI but I'll turn to this as a good cheaper alternative. 

Cosmetics

63) Essence Glossy Lipbalm (Pink Dragonfruit)
Here's the proof I've finally finished my lip gloss ban! This lovely fruity scented gloss was a juicy, vibrant pink with an almost indetectible shimmer and I know it only cost me a few dollars. Cheap and cheerful but sadly I think these have been discontinued in Australian stores at least. I'd definitely snap up more if they were still available here because the little tubes are so easy to tote around in my pocket.

64) YSL Touche Eclat (01)
The last one in my stash and the end of an era in my own beauty journey.  I used to swear by these luxe illuminating concealers for years until I discovered other newer, cheaper, and frankly better coverage versions. This was the first of its kind so it was groundbreaking when it was launched. Even though I've moved on I'll remember it fondly...

65) Rimmel Volume Flash x 10 Mascara (001 Black)
I don't want to tell you exactly how long I've been using this budget mascara - just know it's been way too long because it just goes on and on and on... It promises up to 10 x more volume and this creamy mascara does a pretty darn good job at thickening the lashes.  If I have to be picky about it, I did find it was a little too wet when I first used it so the formula needed to dry up a little to get the perfect creamy consistency.  At around $10AUD I would definitely repurchase. 

 

Fragrance

 

66) Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Collection EDP LE (.04fl.oz/1,2 ml sample)
I'm a fan of Narciso's Essence Eau de Musc and got this as a free sample when I made my Eau de Musc purchase. This fragrance has "...dominant aromas of musk, with aromas of ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom". 

That's it for another month of empties!

Vita :)

Objet d'art inspired skittles

A quick and easy colourful post for the weekend!

Sometimes the funniest things can be inspiring and this skittle manicure happened to be inspired by a glass mosaic tea-light candle-holder.  I loved the purple tones in my little "objet d'art" and I did my best skittle interpretation of it with a mix of purples and shatter polish to pick up on the mosaic feel.  I may not be a nail artist but I still get excited by playing with colour!

I was quite happy with the end result:

Daylight

  

Lamplight

 Here's the object of my inspiration:

 

And here are the colours I used in order of index/pointer to pinky...

 L - R:

Manicare Glam Nails (miss independent)

Pret-a-Polish (purplelicious)

OPI (OPI Ink)

OPI (Black Shatter) worn over purplelicious

For those nail artists out there:  What inspires you?

Until next time

Vita :)

REVIEW: April's farewelled products

I was so focused on finishing Project 10 Pan I didn't really notice the rest of the empties piling up last month - it kind of happened while I wasn't looking.  Here are the 12 latest empties to add to the year's tally with my thoughts on them as usual!

Skin care

33) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+ (30ml)

My favourite facial sunscreen and they went and discontinued it - well not exactly, as Neutrogena's launched Healthy Defence Daily Moisturiser in its place.  The oil-free formula is light on the skin and it sits well on top of my usual moisturiser.  I've purchased the new version and I'm currently working on a review I'll post soon.  Just letting you know in advance - I like it too!

34) L'Oreal Revitalift Rejuvenating Cleansing Wipes (25 wipes)

I'm so late to the cleansing wipe party.  These are the first cleansing wipes I've ever used!  One of my beauty resolutions at the start of the year was to be diligent with my nightly cleansing routine.  Knowing I'm lazy I've made good use of wipes now and I'm going to be trying out every different brand I can get my hands on until I've found the HG of wipes.  Right - well I loved these ones didn't I!!  They're targeted at middle-aged miss/ms/mrs' like me and are enriched with a creamy cleanser containing Vitamin C and an exfoliant.  One wipe cleansed my skin thoroughly and left it feeling moisturised enough to leave bare before bed.  And the scent!  Slightly perfumey but utterly lovely to my nose.  I liked the resealable flip top lid too.  At this point in time I'd say this has set the bar for wipes - definite repurchase.

35) Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Daily Gentle Cleanser (3.38oz/95g)

I wanted to like this gel cleanser but it just wasn't for me.  It felt like slippery goo on my face and took a lot of rinsing to remove.  I used this in the shower in the mornings because rinsing this in the basin in the evening was going to be waayyy too much effort for me.  I won't be buying this cleanser again and have switched to Yes to Blueberries which I prefer hands-down.

 

Hand and body care

36) OPI Polish Remover (non-oily, moisturizing formula 120ml - 4fl.oz)

My fourth bottle this year. Umm...

37) Manicare Nail Polish Remover (60ml travel size)

This little bottle of remover was hanging around from my last trip in January so I finished it to reduce some of my bathroom clutter.  The formula includes acetone with tea tree oil and vitamin E.   Probably a teeny bit less effective than my OPI remover but still a good substitute and a fraction of the cost.  I think this cost me less than $4AUD and I've since bought a full size bottle.

38) OPI RapiDry Top Coat (15ml)

One of my favourite top coats because of the quick dry time.  I use thinner drops to use this all the way down to the bottom and it continues to be as effective.  Another repurchase item.

39) Avojuice Skin Quenchers Berry Juicie (30ml/1 fl.oz travel size)

I'm working my way through my collection of these.  This berry fragrance funnily enough smells like like grape bubblegum to me!  One of these days I'll buy a full size bottle but I like these minis for the fun factor.

 

40) Natio Wellness Hand Cream SPF 15 (100ml/3.3fl oz)

One of my favourite hand creams and I think I've worked my way through at least 3 tubes over the last few years because I keep coming back to it.  Anything with SPF gets my love, and this cream penetrates quickly leaving my hands feeling soft and lightly scented with natural pomegranate extract.  If there's one criticism it's that I seem to go through this particular hand cream quite quickly!  A definite repurchase.

 

Cosmetics

41) MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder (NC20)
I've been using this powder for years because it finishes my skin without giving me a made up look.  Click here for my original review.


42) MAC Cremesheen lipstick (Party Line)
Finishing this plum berry shade has left a gap in my lipstick wardrobe because it's the perfect autumn shade.   I'll counter this with the lipstick itself - for some reason MAC Cremesheens always break in the tube for me!  It's put me off buying these again - but I love the colour dammit so I'm feeling very conflicted!!!  Click here for a swatch of this and L'Oreal's Lasting Coral gloss.  Two lippies down, three to go to finish my lipstick ban...

43) L'Oreal Glam Shine 6hr Lip Gloss (Lasting Coral)
I'm so glad to see this one go.  Great colour, but a HORRIBLE formula. I couldn't possibly forget this was on my lips because of the sticky formula and it used to leave little lumps of colour on the inside of my lips. I don't know how I finished this really but I determinedly kept going as this was part of my gloss ban.  Only one more to go and my lipgloss ban's done!


44) Napoleon Perdis Whole Lotta Lash Mascara (Black)
I think this was a promotional release because I can't find it on the Napoleon website.  Shame, because I really liked this one and used it for way too long (read more than 6 months).  Great flexible brush and non clumping glossy formula.  I think I'll take this with me when I stalk the Napoleon Perdis counter!


That's it for another month of empties.

Vita :)