[Empties] August to October 2015

Hi lovelies,

It’s been a few months since my last empties post so I have accumulated a fair bit of products since then that I can’t wait to share.

Full sized products

Full sized products

L’Oreal Ombre Kit (full review here)

This product is so easy to use, I actually used two boxes to get my desired color. I applied the first box for 40 minutes which is the maximum recommended time but it wasn’t as light as I wanted it to be. I bought the second box a few weeks later and reapplied it for another 40 minutes. It did dry my hair out which was to be expected, but it also came with an amazing shampoo/conditioner which helped repair my hair.

Repurchase? Yes, if I ever want to ombre my hair again.

L’Oreal Elvive Anti Breakage Repairing Shampoo

I really enjoyed using this shampoo, and felt that it did make my hair a bit softer and healthier.

Repurchase? No, I would like to try other brands first.

Byphasse Cotton Pads

I love these cotton pads sooo much, the price is really good and the quality is amazing. I tried looking for them in Chemist Warehouse the other week and couldn’t find it, and I also can’t find it on their website anymore. Note sure if they have stopped stocking the brand!

Repurchase: Yes, if I can find them again!

Rexona Classic Anti Antiperspirant deodorant

I don’t have too much to say on this product, I enjoy using it and it works for me.

Repurchase? Yes.

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Body Lotion

I was really sad to reach the end of this, because it was a limited edition range purchased from a few years back. The scent was gorgeous and was so strong that it lasted for hours after. It also did a really great job at moisturising my skin.

Repurchase? Yes, if this range ever makes a reappearance.

MAC lashes

These lashes were gorgeous but are really expensive, I only ended up with them because I got my makeup done at MAC a while back and they’re only allowed to use MAC lashes if you want falsies as part of your look.

Repurchase? No.

Samples

Samples

•  L’Oreal Revitalift – I was part of the trial for this. It made my skin very soft and smooth, I may purchase the full size cream.
• Garnier Fructis Full & Luscious– This shampoo smelled AMAZING like my sister kept asking me why I smelled of lollies after I used this. I may look at purchasing this in the future.
• L’Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil masque- This made my hair feel really sleek and healthy, I picked up a full sized product as part of my recent Priceline Haul.
• L’Oreal Everpure Sulfate-free color care system- I loved that it is sulfate free, however I couldn’t tell a difference after using it on my hair. Probably will not purchase.
• Colgate Plax- Will purchase a full size.
• Vagisil wipes- I received these from Beauty Heaven, I’ve never used it down there and don’t feel the need to so will not purchase.
• The Body Shop Oils of Life– This felt lovely on the skin, I may look at purchasing this in the future.

That’s it for this month, can’t wait to see what everyone else has used up this month 🙂 Have you tried any of the products mentioned?

Fatima x

Instagram // Bloglovin // Pinterest

[Empties] June & July 2015

Hi everyone! I am SUPER EXCITED to post my empties this month because I went through a lot of skincare products that I love and can’t wait to share with you guys.

First up is The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser which I reviewed in full here. This is probably one of my favourite face washes, the smell is gorgeous and I love how soft it made my skin feel after. It also kept my skin fairly clear, without drying it out. The pump packaging is super cool too, dispensing just the right amount of foam at a time. I will be repurchasing this again once I get through my current face wash.

Next is another Body Shop product, this one is the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion. I did a separate review on this product last year, basically I never experienced the improved skin tone or brighter and more radiant skin that this product claimed to help achieve. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed it using it as a normal exfoliator. The smell was pleasant and it left my skin so soft. I loved treating my skin to this every week, but probably won’t repurchase because of the price.

I also finished my Garnier Micellar water (reviewed here). This product is everything! It does an amazing job at removing makeup and comes at an equally amazing price. Highly recommend this one, and can’t wait to repurchase it.

The Proactiv refining mask is another favourite of mine, it gives me visible results and is perfect for when I’m having bad skin days. I did a more in depth review of this mask when I reviewed it as part of my top three favourite face masks.

The Garnier Moisture Match is a great moisturiser if you’re on a budget, it sits well under makeup and does a fantastic job of hydrating the skin.

I also tried a sample of the Palmers facial oil, it smelled delicious and made my skin super soft. I would probably purchase this once my Trilogy oil runs out.

Lastlly are these facial wipes from Priceline (can’t remember the brand!) which is the only product that I finished this month and didn’t enjoy. The wipes had an awful smell and dried out pretty fast.

What products have you finished this month? x

EDIT: This post has been linked to the Monday Madness Makeup Party. Head over to Fabulous and Fun Life for more blog posts! x

Cleansers On Rotation

Cleansing and makeup removal is an important part of my skin care routine, it’s the first thing I do when I get home from work because I love the feeling of smooth, clean and soft skin. Cleansing milks used to be my preferred product of choice for makeup removal, but recently I’ve ventured into the world of micellar water and cleansing oils.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I bought this product last year when every blogger was raving on about it or comparing it to the Bioderma version. I didn’t know what to expect because it pretty much looked like ordinary water in a bottle. Fast forward six months, I’m absolutely in love with this cleanser!

The packaging is cute and simple, and has a flip top lid which makes dispensing the product on my cotton pads super easy. The product itself has a light scent to it, and feels light on the skin. It does a brilliant job of removing my makeup, one wipe is usually enough to get everything off. The only product I’ve found that it doesn’t work so well on is on waterproof mascara. My skin feels lovely after using this, it’s not drying at all and doesn’t leave a sticky residue on my face.

I’ve been using this for the last six months and still have a quarter bottle left, it’s good value for money especially considering that it sometimes goes on sale for 40-50% at Coles or Priceline. Will definitely be repurchasing this one!

The Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (400ml) retails for $12.99 in Australia.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

I was pretty stoked to receive this from my mum because the oil cleansing method is another concept that kept popping up on my feed and I wanted to test if it was worth the hype. This website here provides some good information on the oil cleansing method if you’re unfamiliar with the concept.

The cleansing oil comes in a pump package which I’ve got to say isn’t the best thing about this product because it dispenses too much of product at times. Dispensing also gets a bit messy at times with the oil going everywhere. In addition, I’ve noticed that my bottle leaks.

The directions for this product are similiar to other cleansing oils: you massage the product onto dry skin, add some water to your skin to emulsify then rinse.

This product does an AMAZING job at removing makeup, it literally melts everything off and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth. I love how well it removes eye makeup in particular.

This product is pricier than products that I’ve used in the past, so I’m not sure if I’ll ever actually purchase it for myself. However if you’re into oil cleansing, it’s cheaper than some of the other options out there so I would recommend it.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil (200ml) retails for $21.95 in Australia.

Garnier Clean Sensitive Gentle Cleansing Milk

I bought this from Chemist Warehouse last year and it’s not listed on their website anymore so I’m not sure if it’s actually still available for sale.

I apply this to cotton pads and then wipe off my makeup, it does a decent job removing makeup but I usually have to do a few swipes to get everything off. It also doesn’t seem to remove eye liner and some mascara’s very well. I like the consistency of this product, it’s creamy and a bit like a lotion. It does leave the skin a bit greasy after though, so I usually follow up with a face wash.

This is a gentle cleanser, best suited to those with dry or sensitive skin. From the three cleansers that I have on rotation at the moment, this is the one that I wouldn’t repurchase because there are better cleansers out there.

If you have any recommendations, I’d love to know in the comments below!

Fatima x

[Empties] June – September 2014

It’s been AGES since my last empties post (published back in May) because I go through my products at an alarmingly slow rate. Seriously, does anyone else take over two years to go through a cleanser?! I’m not complaining though, it just means that my empties posts are less frequent than everyone else’s 🙂

Empties June to September 2014

Gatineau Cleansing Emulsion

This cleanser was brilliant, it removed all my makeup and left my skin feeling super soft after. I bought this in the salon size (400ml) and it lasted me years. It costs around $37 but is definitely good value for money.

Repurchase?  Maybe. I currently have around 5 other cleansers in my stash that I need to get through first.

Dr Lewinn’s Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 30+

I liked the pump packaging of this product but it made my skin feel really dry after I applied it! The consistency was thin and it absorbed well but I just didn’t like how it made my skin feel after.

Repurchase? No.

Garnier Mineral Deodorant

This is a repurchase because it’s my favourite deodorant. I’ve mentioned it a while back in my February Empties.

Repurchase? Yes.

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner

I absolutely LOVED this eye liner, the brush was amazing and the formula lasted all day. It’s also really cheap and easy to work with. The only thing which I didn’t like was that the formula started developing lumps in it a month after I opened it.

Repurchase? No, I’m using Maybelline Master Precise at the moment which I prefer.

Other Products Used

The Body Shop’s Moisture White Toning Essence was fantastic to use but I think that it’s been discontinued. The Versace Red Jeans perfume was a perfume my mum gave to me because she bought it and didn’t like it, I found it too sweet smelling to wear so I used it to keep my cupboards smelling good. The blush was one my friend gave me, I liked it but probably wouldn’t repurchase.

What products have you finished this month?

Fatima x

[Haul] Chemist Warehouse

Hi guys!

A few months ago, Chemist Warehouse had a 50% off Maybelline offer and a $2 shipping offer going on at the same time. I ordered a few items and took the photo below with the intention of blogging about my haul, but never got down to it. However since I’ve been using the products I bought for the better part of winter and loving them, I figured that a review post was long overdue.

Chemist Warehouse haul

I’m probably the last person in the world to try the Maybelline Master Precise liquid eyeliner but omg it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I find it super easy to apply, the color is dark black on application, it doesn’t fade or smudge during the day and can be removed easily. In other words, everything that I could ever want in a liquid eyeliner ♥

The Trilogy rosehip oil has been my absolute winter skin saviour. I’ve been applying it on most nights after I shower, my skin just soaks it in. You only need a few drops for your entire face, I learnt this the hard way! Although it hasn’t faded my blemishes much, my skin has been clear, soft and super hydrated.

The oil also came with the Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Face Cream, a thick and luxurious cream which is easily absorbed and smells really gorgeous. I always use the rosehip oil on it’s own (with no cream after) so on the nights that I don’t use the oil, I have been using this cream. Both Trilogy products have been working really well on my skin and have been lovely to use.

I’m in a love/hate relationship with the Maybelline Colossal Volume mascara. The mascara gives me huge awesome lashes but is complete pain to apply, the wand is massive and I keep getting product all over my eyelids. Not cool. I’ve been using this only on weekends now, when I have time to be really careful and not mess up my face completely. If anyone has any tips for using this mascara, do drop me a comment below!

I picked up the Byphasse cotton pads for around $4 and they’re doing a decent job of removing my makeup without disintegrating or turning fluffy like some other brands do. Will definitely be repurchasing.

Lastly I have been enjoying using the Garnier Clean Sensitive Gentle Cleansing Milk.  It does an excellent job of removing all my makeup with just one swipe, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily or dirty.

 I would repurchase all the items above except maybe the Maybelline Colossal Volume. And while we’re on the topic, how amazing is Chemist Warehouse in general?! The perfume prices are SO GOOD and I get most of my makeup at 50% off (which means I can buy even more makeup :P)

Have you tried any of the products reviewed above?

Fatima x

 

[Tag] The Blogger Made Me Buy It!

I spotted this post a while back on Ellie’s Ramblings  and I’m excited to finally be doing the tag on Lipsticks & Coffee (:

The Blogger Made Me Buy It Tag

1) Who are your most influential bloggers? Who are the ones that you really rely on for reviews and swatches?

Temptalia has got to be my favorite blog for swatches as they are such good quality. For reviews, Kaushal Beauty was one of the first blogs I followed and her blog remains one of my favorites. Her reviews are always on point and her videos and pics are pretty amazing too.

2) Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?

If I spot a product I’m interested in buying on a blog, I do a google search to look at other reviews and swatches. I also skim through the ratings on Beauty Heaven and Makeup Alley, my two favourite websites for beauty reviews. I tend to do this for almost all products I buy, I think I enjoy the ‘research’ almost as much as the actual purchase!

3) What is your most favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

My Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, which deserves every bit of love and rave reviews that it receives from bloggers ♥ I also love my Real Technique Expert face brush which I probably would not have picked up if I hadn’t read about it on a blog.

4) What is your least favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

Maybelline Colossal Volume mascara! I have read SO MANY rave reviews on this mascara but I’m far from impressed, it doesn’t provide huge volume like the Falsies did and tends to get all over my eye lids.

5) Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs.

• Trilogy rosehip oil antioxidant plus
• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
• Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared
• Maybelline Baby Lips
• Benefit’s Do The Bright Thing (purchased for the mascara!)

6) Have you ever given into blogger hype? If so, which hype?

The Revlon Matte Balms. And I’m glad that I did because ‘Sultry‘ has been my to-go-for shade since I purchased it.

7) Have you ever avoided blogger hype? If so, which hype?

There was a stage a few months back when every blogger was reviewing Benefit’s Gimme Brow. It does seem like an amazing product but not something I really need so I’m glad I didn’t succumb to the hype.

8) Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews or are there some items you buy without checking out a review?

I’m careful with my spending so I don’t often impulse buy, I usually know what I want and then wait for it to go on sale. That being said, I do tend to pick up smaller items like shampoos and makeup removers and without checking out a review first.

If you’re reading this tag, I tag you to do it too! Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this tag so I can read your answers 🙂

Fatima

[Empties] May 2014

Another month of empties! It feels like just the other day that I was writing a post on my April empties, I’m amazed by just how fast the months are passing by. Here’s what I got through this month:

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship conditioner

Loved the shampoo (which I finished last month) and I love the conditioner even more. The smell is awesome, it’s cheap and it leaves my hair feeling so soft. On a side note, am I the only one that can never finish a shampoo and conditioner at the same time?!

Repurchase? Yes.

Pantene Aqua Light shampoo

I received a sample of this product, it’s pleasant but I still prefer the Herbal Essences shampoos.

Purchase full size product? No

The Body Shop- Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser

This is a really gentle cleanser, I used it to remove makeup but found that I still had to follow up with the facial wash (below). The cleanser is quite thick (like a thick lotion consistency) and I sometimes had difficulty getting it out from the bottle. I enjoyed using this cleanser, and I think that people with sensitive skin would really love it. I’m not sure if I’d repurchase, because  it would probably be better to use a proper makeup remover and then a facial wash instead of this.

Repurchase? Maybe

The Body Shop- Aloe Gentle Facial Wash

This product is definitely gentle like it claims and I love the consistency and feel of this cleanser. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling tight and dry and comes in a handy pump bottle. The product is liquid but comes out as a foam, something I adore in cleansers. Another plus of this product is that is lasts FOREVER. With daily use, it took me almost two years to finish!

Repurchase? Yes.

A’kin Revitalizing Cellular Radiance Serum

I wasn’t able to see any visible improvements to my skin tone whilst using this product, but it did help prevent new dark spots from appearing. I’m trying out rosehip oil now, hoping to get better results!

Repurchase? No

Garnier Youthful Radiance Night Cream

The cream doesn’t actually make my skin look drastically radiant, but leaves my skin feeling super hydrated. It has a pleasant cucumber smell and absorbs fast. It’s also not heavy like a lot of night creams, which I love.

Repurchase? Yes

Dove cotton wool pads

These are really great quality, had mines for around 4 years (!!) and not sure if they sell it in Australia. If I do see it, I’d buy it again.

Repurchase? Yes

I didn’t realise how many products I finished this month until I wrote this post! I’ve been trying to use my old products first so I can start using my new ones, instead of having multiple products of the same type opened at the same time.

I’m looking forward to reading all the empties posts on my dashboard, have a fantastic weekend guys! 🙂

Fatima x

[Top 10] Beauty Products of 2013

Hi everyone!

Today I thought that I would share with you my top 10 favorite products of 2013. 

Mor Little Luxuries Marshmallow Hand Cream- Fell in love with this little beauty the first time that I sampled it at Myer. The cream has a lovely, thick consistency and leaves my hands feeling soft and nourished. The packaging is gorgeous and is ideal to treat yourself or give to a loved one as a gift. I find that the scent usually lasts between 3-4 hours. This is an ideal size to keep in my handbag and to use on the go.  I’m looking forward to buying the perfume and the rest of the range in 2014!

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration shampoo- I know I’m a bit delayed in trying out this range but I love this shampoo! This is perfect for summer because face it, who doesn’t want to smell of coconuts and wild orchid?!

The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Facial Wash– I have been using this wash for the better part of the year and it doesn’t disappoint. The product is a foam cleanser and gently washes away makeup. I have normal skin and this doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry.

Garnier Fructis Miraculous Oil- This is my first time trying out a hair oil and I’m really impressed. I only need a small amount of product and apply it to the ends of my hair. The smell of the product is beautiful and it leaves my hair feeling soft and manageable.

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express [Black Drama} -I absolutely freaking love this mascara!! It curls, volumises and lengthens slightly. The mascara wand took some time to get used to but other than that, it definitely delivers what it claims to do.

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner- This liner is perfect. It lasts all day without smudging, is pigmented and easy to apply.

Garnier Youthful Radiance Night Cream– The cream doesn’t actually make my skin look drastically radiant, but my skin drinks it up! It has a pleasant smell and absorbs quick. It’s also not heavy like a lot of night creams, which I love.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation [5W1 Bronze]- This is my holy grail foundation, it provides medium to heavy coverage and is buildable. I have dark marks on my face and I usually skip concealer because this foundation covers most of it perfectly. The foundation is perfect for daily use, it doesn’t feel heavy and doesn’t look caked on. Also lasts for over 8 hours WITHOUT primer. This product is absolute gold, will forever be repurchasing.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipsticks- Shade 20 is my current favourite, but I’ve just purchased shade 09 which I’m also in love with. The lipsticks are affordable and great quality, making it a good buy.

Body Shop Born Lippy [Watermelon]-  These lip balms smell great, look cute and leave my lips feeling soft and moisturised . They’re a handbag essential and I usually keep one lying around my room.

Have you tried any of the products above? What are your favorite products of 2013?