The Almost Empties

I really enjoy looking at well-loved beauty products when I'm perusing a blog, so when I realised that a stack of my own products were about to be finished at the same time I jumped on the idea of snapping them for a post! I'm sad about finishing a few of these because I'll miss using them in my daily routine, but it's time to move onto other things and continue making a dent in the rest of my beauty stash. Let's look at these 'almost empties' shall we?!

I've committed myself to using up skincare before jumping into something new, and it seems to be working since I'm almost out of my beloved La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, Garnier Moisture Match Light Softening Cream and the brilliant Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm. I'm planning on switching to some of my back up products (an Avene lotion, Bioderma Hydrabio Serum* etc) that are in my drawers rather than repurchasing just yet - see, I'm learning how to behave like a 'regular' person! I need to find a new cleansing balm to try though, as I will definitely miss one in my routine - does anyone have a recommendation for me?

On the makeup front it's all about that base - I'm almost out of my Illamasqua Skin Base, Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser and Rimmel Lasting Finish 25HR Powder Foundation*. I've fallen back in love with the Dream Pure BB Cream even though it transfers, and I've been topping it with the Rimmel powder for extra coverage and to set it all on my skin.

Are you almost out of anything in your routine?
Is it just me, or is it really hard to finish colour cosmetics and much easier with bases?!
Emma x

Festive Five #2 - lip crayons to swipe on this season

I do love a good lip crayon, and seeing as they are easy to apply and tote around in your handbag they make an excellent lip choice for festive outings. Even though we're entering summer weather here in Melbourne it looks like it's going to rain on the 25th, so I've chosen 5 suitably Christmas-y shades to showcase today!

1. Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush in 200 Keep Mauving*
These are one of the latest crayon releases to hit my desk, and one of my favourite features of them is the yummy vanilla smell that is in line with that typical MAC scent most of us know and love. This affordable drugstore option is a nice deep MLBB (my lips but better) shade that is a nice choice if you're playing up your eyes with darker shadow shades.

2. Clinique Chubby Stick in 11 two ton tomato
Clinique are bang on trend with their many chubby stick releases, and this shade is from the initial release (rather than the sheer, intense or cheek offerings that they've since launched!) A nice sheer fire engine red shade, this is generally easier to wear than a bold red and the mild plastic smell isn't something that is detectable once it's on the lips.

3. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 055 Adore
This has to be one of my very favourite lip crayon shades - the dark red is really flattering on a range of skin tones (my fair skin, Mumma Bovary's more olive skin etc) and the minty scent is something I really like about the Revlon crayon range. I frequently push this into peoples hands when Revlon sells for half price, it's a real winner and quite an underrated shade if you ask me.

4. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 005 Crush
This shade is a nice alternative to the blue-based red shades that are abundant (and gorgeous!) at this time of year. It's a deep berry that is quite wearable and pretty pigmented, with that signature mint scent as I mentioned for Adore.

5. Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey**
Easily my most-used lip crayon, this neutral shade is MLBB and something I often reach for after smoking up my eye shadows for a dinner date or party. If I can't think of what lip colour to match with a look, this is almost always tucked in my handbag for ease of use.

Have we decided on a look for Christmas Day yet? I'm thinking a nice brown smoky eye with glitter, unless I find a summery dress to wear with a bold lip colour like last year!

-Emma xx

*Provided for consideration but sittin' pretty in my crayon drawer. **I won Whole Lotta Honey in a Facebook competition on my personal FB! Honesty, always.

Clinique All About Shadow Neutral Territory 2 Palette

If I weren't so afraid of being judged I would let you peek inside my palette drawers...yes, I have multiple. For now you will have to take me at my word when I say that I have a mean palette problem, and the neutral variety are my biggest weakness. I was chatting with my darling friend Carly and her spunky cousin Gemma on a shopping trip the other day when the topic of beauty obsessions came up. Carly vouched for my certified #blushfiend status, but I don't think she realises how deep my love for palettes goes...

Meet the newest love of my (palette) life.

I am always easily swayed into purchases by Jessica from Don't Call Me Jesse and she was the one who began my obsession with this palette, and I stopped by my local Clinique counter to ask when the Australian release date was. Don't you just hate it when they have no idea what product you are talking about?! I went to another lady two weeks later and got a vague answer, and it was only on my third visit that I found out the release date and had my name popped on the list for the beautiful All About Shadow Neutral Territory 2 Palette (as an aside, where is number 1...?)

Clinique has compiled their best neutral eye-shadows from previous duos/quads to create this 8 strong selection, with the much lauded Black Honey being the undoubtable star of the show. I'm sort of impressed that Clinique stand by their shades enough to relaunch them in new ways, but the 'light shade of the diamonds and pearls duo' isn't exactly the easiest shade name to note down now is it?

I quite like the reflective mirror casing that this palette is housed in, and took full advantage of the lovely weather on my photo-taking day to show you how beautiful the sky looked. It's also a nice sleek compact that really would be great for travelling with!

I think the gradient effect is really pretty while also highlighting how wearable this palette is (for light work-appropriate looks if that is what you're into, or smokier looks for nights and weekends)

I use the first shade (Sugar Cane) as my inner corner highlight and it is the bomb - pigmented and sparkly without looking chunky on the eye. I was expecting to hate this because of the shimmer but it has ended up one of my very favourites from the palette. I use the three other colours as blend out shades or all over the lid for a low-key look - so unlike me, but this palette has really made me understand how nice understated eyes can be.

The darker end of the palette is definitely my favourite though - Black Honey is just a superstar, and I love wearing the Brown Shade from the Polar Blue Quad or Hazy all over my lid on an almost daily basis with a bit of Black Honey thrown in the crease.

The beauty of these shadows isn't in the complexity or originality, but in the quality of the pans themselves. It takes a lot to wow me in the eyeshadow department, but these meld onto the lid with ease and last all day (with primer) and create effortless and beautiful looks. Pretty much impossible to stuff this one up!

Brown Shade of Polar Blue Quad all over the lid, Black Honey through the crease and Sugar Cane for my inner corner. A slick of black liner, lots of mascara and a quick blend is all it took for this look (and if I do say so myself, it looks better in person)

Absolutely in love with this palette and think that it's well worth the $65 AUD price tag (plus I got the great GWP, which always helps)

 

What do you think of the Clinique makeup line?

Do you prefer neutral palettes or choosing single shadows for your everyday looks?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

*Purchased with my own hard-earned, raves are all honest ;)

Current Skincare Routine

Keeping a track of the skincare I use helps me understand what my skin wants and needs - sort of like keeping a skincare diary but one that I share with you all! This is what I've been using for over a month now, though I have switched out a few products since snapping this shot. 

I've moved on from using my cleansing balms to this Shu Uemura Unmask Cleansing Oil* (how huge is the bottle!?) I'm not a big fan of the way it removes eye makeup, but it melts face makeup away with ease and doesn't break me out plus I adore the gorgeous design on the bottle and how it looks on my bathroom countertop.

I then use my Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel (which I have since switched out for something gentler!) to cleanse my face. I adore this cleanser, it seems to have helped with my acne scars and it really cleans my skin well. I have found that my skin has become a bit sensitive lately so have moved onto a cleanser that targets that instead, but I would definitely still recommend this gel cleanser (I've used about 3/4 of it as a testament to that!)

In terms of keeping my spots under control I use the amazing La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo all over my face, then after it has sunk in I slather on some Aveeno Positively Radiant Night Cream*, or in the morning I use the newly reformulated Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion +* which is nice and light for hot weather. I forgot to include my beloved Lancôme Dreamtone Serum* in these shots, but I'll have a full review up soon anyway.

For my lips (and my cuticles) I use the Suvana Certified Organic Paw Paw + Honey Balm*, which I much prefer over the cult Lucas Paw Paw which contains petroleum.

I have to admit that I don't apply eye cream as often as I should, but when I do I love using Indeed Labs Eysilix* which is nourishing but doesn't cause milia. If my skin is a bit rough I crack out the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, if I've got a spot I turn to the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion and dry patches are seen to with the RosehipPLUS Rosehip Oil Roll On* (perfect to travel with, score!)

 

At least once I week I skip all of my nightly treatments in favour of the Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask, which smells delectable and leaves my skin oh so soft.

 

So that is the round up of what I have been using!

Have you tried any of these products?

What daytime moisturiser do you think I should try next?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

September Empties ft. Antipodes, A'Kin + Lush

Only 11 emptied products this month, but at least I hit double digits!

 

Rexona Girl Tropical Energy deodorant- A constant repurchase, I adore this aerosol deodorant.

L’Occitane Ravissant shower gel*- A lovely product from one of my favourite body care brands. I wasn’t as enthralled with the scent as much as I am with the almond range, so I’d rather spend my moolah on that line instead.

A’Kin Sweet Orange + Sandalwood body scrub*- My full review is here for this lovely and gentle body scrub.

Garnier Fructis Sensitive Scalp shampoo- A staple in my routine, and the only shampoo my scalp will tolerate.

Kmart Makeup Remover cotton pads- Cheap and nasty, these get the job done with ease.

The Jojoba Company Jojoba Bead and Bamboo facial exfoliant* (3ml)- This made my skin feel smooth, but afterwards it felt sensitised and a little tender to the touch. Wouldn’t repurchase as it just didn’t work for me.

Pantene single dose intensive treatment program*- I used this ‘single dose’ treatment twice after receiving it via PinchMe, and it made my hair feel nice and smooth. Would considering repurchasing if I didn’t have a million other hair products to use up first.

Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel foundation- My HG foundation, sadly discontinued. Love the ‘skin like’ finish and ease of application- have backups ready to go!

Lush Honey I Washed the Kids soap*- As much as I love the honey scent of this, this is the second bar I’ve trialled and it just leaves my skin feeling strange. I find it hard to run my hands over my skin after I’ve used this, like it has been stripped (though it isn’t technically drying either…) I’ve no love for this Lush cult favourite, beautiful scent aside.

Clinique Take the Day Off makeup remover- I quite like this bi-phase makeup remover, even though the residue it leaves behind is sometimes a little bit annoying. I would repurchase this (but am going to wait for the next GWP, ‘cause that is how I roll)

 

So now it is your turn to share! How much did you empty this month, and what cleansing oil or balm do you suggest I try next?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty x

The Easiest Products for Brilliant Cheeks

 Everyone knows I’m a sucker for blushes, but a bronzer has also come into my life and swept me off my feet so I’ve included it in this cheek-central post. Any of these products can turn your cheeks into sexy apples of awesomeness with just a few flicks of the brush, and so I’ve deemed myself a loyal cheek lover (no, not that sort!)

 

Though I’ve had iffy experiences with the strong spicy scent of Covergirl powders in the past, these blushes don’t tend to send the scent up my snoz so it hasn’t been a problem thus far. The first shade, 185 True Plum, came to me by way of a swap, and sprung forth an addiction that thankfully doesn’t hurt the coin purse. Retailing for a mere $9.95, I’ve seen these go half price at a few stores and have even coerced my non-blush-wearing older sister to pass 120 Soft Sable through the checkout.  I also own the other shade available in Australia,  105 Rose Silk, but have my eye on some US only shades that may be flung my way via ebay.

Now back to bronzers, and my on-off relationship with the meddlesome buggers. Being so fair I glow when in a nightclub (and not in the good way!) I need a bronzer to be brown toned but not too pigmented, and easily blendable. Clinique sent this grinder style Superbalanced Bronzer*($65AUD) my way quite a while ago, and my love for it is really standing the test of time. I have the lighter of two shades (Bronzed 1) and love the way I can shave off a fresh wee slice o’ sunshine every morning with ease. The packaging, yes, quite bulky, but is overpowered by its awesomeness.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off searching for new Covergirl blush shades to add to my collection…

 

*Clinique Bronzer, as stated, was sent for consideration. It’s awesomeness is evident though. Honesty, always.

November Empties

 

Another month gone and another lot of finished products to share, albeit smaller than the usual lot. Here we go! 

Priceline Round Cotton Pads – love using these for removing eye makeup, using Bioderma and tidying up fallout after applying heavy eye makeup. I find the Priceline branded rounds fall apart less than other brands, but I generally just pick up whatever is around when I need them.

Athena Beauty Facial Cleansing Wipes – these weren’t great, they fell apart as you took them out of their packet and they were terribly dry. Definitely won’t repurchase!

Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream – this was only 3 nights worth, but I found it irritated my eyes a little bit. I’m going to look into other Clarins eye creams when I need to purchase one.

Clinique Take the Day Off Eye Makeup Remover (for lids, lashes and lips) – I bought this in Sydney as I needed a heavy duty remover for my eyes, and I was really impressed with it. It took off makeup in a flash, and though it left a bit of residue I didn’t mind the feeling at all. I will repurchase a large size of this when I’ve finished the other removers I have lying around.

Random eyelash glue – I have Duo, there is no need to put this near my eyelids so out it goes.

Lipgloss Pot – this was a GWP when I bought some Essie and China Glaze polishes from an outlet type place, but it smells weird and the packaging is slimy and I wouldn’t even give it to my nieces. Out it goes!

Savers Halloween Makeup – didn’t realise that once you opened this packaging, the cover went with it and so this ended up a furry mess. Not keen on putting it on my mug anyway, so no great loss.

Soap and Glory Flake Away – this body scrub was really nice to use, I’ll be doing a full review of it this week!

Rexona Girl Tropical Energy deodorant – as always, my favourite deodorant makes it into my empties. Love it, will repurchase.

Rexona Women Shiny ‘Fragrance Collection’ deodorant – love that Rexona have to specify who their deodorants are for! Not sure about the collection name, or the shiny aspect, but this was a decent deodorant that I picked up because it was on sale.

Nail Polish remover pads – bought this back when I was at uni and needed to rid my nails of chipped polish. The smell of this is really strong and they are quite thin, but they get the job done and are good to have on hand.

 

Clinique High Impact Mascara sample x2 – I really like this mascara, and collect the samples every time a Clinique GWP rolls around. These have been open for far too long, so out they go.

B Collection by Bloom Last Out mascara – Didn’t like this mascara, the formula was so wet that it just went everywhere and it didn’t define my lashes very nicely.

Powder Puff (from my Maybelline Dream Matte Powder) – this fell on the floor, eck. I like having these spongey puffs in the section underneath the powder for desperate touch ups, but more often I reach for a travel sized powder brush.

essence Sun Club gel liner in BBC All Night Blue – this sadly dried up before I had a chance to give it a go, I think I accidently left the lid unscrewed. Was a stunning shade for summer, I adore the essence gel liners.

Bourjois Healthymix Foundation – love this formula (and the serum formula as well) It glides on as a moisturiser would, and leaves a dewy healthy finish as they name would suggest. Would highly recommend!

My Shopping the Stash Look

I will just come right out and say it...I am not a morning person. Even with a coffee in my system I am a slow starter, so having a 'go-to' look is key to being able to take part in pre-12am activities on my days off. My mum always waits until the last minute to ask if I'd like to head out for a coffee, and she gets ready in about 2 minutes flat so it is always a rush to get ready-fast!

I basically reach for things that are fail safe, and that I can literally throw onto my face and still walk out of the house looking presentable. I'm trying to use up my Bourjois Healthymix #52 even though it is a tad too dark for me at the moment. It leaves such a lovely finish and though I powder it when I wear it to help it last longer, it leaves me glowy (in a good way, not a shiny way)

MAC's Jaunty has been featuring heavily on my lids, I think I wore it 4 days last week and am still loving it (in fact I have it on as I'm writing this!) I have been throwing MAC's Coquette through the crease and along the outer third of my lower lashline, and I must say I am loving the effect.

After feeling a bit 'meh' about my Revlon Grow Luscious mascara I threw Face of Australia's Impact Curl mascara into my daily makeup bag, and so far it is love <3 I picked up the Clinique Bottom Lash mascara for $2 when I visited the Estee Lauder staff store recently, and the teeny tiny brush is great for coating each and every bottom lash, so I've been looking pretty wide eyed!

I've been choosing lipgloss over lipstick as I am scared that I will break another lipstick (2 so far, including a Burberry Lip Mist!) Gloss is so much easier to carry around in any weather, and the Sportsgirl Liquid Lipsticks have great pigmentation and I love the way they smell. I've been wearing Luscious quite a bit with this look.

 This look is from another day during the week which uses all of the same products except I have Nars Turkish Delight on my lips. I went out with Melissa for brunch the other day and she had it on, and it has been in my handbag ever since because it looks great on her. The blush I'm wearing in all of these photos is my Covergirl True Plum, which is one of the greatest blushes in my collection, and my Clinique Superbalanced bronzer.

Having a quick and easy look that makes me feel a million dollars is the key to a little extra sleep in the mornings, and being able to make use of things in my collection that haven't been getting much love is a bonus.

How often do you shop your stash?
What do you think of my quick and easy look?
How could I change it up?

 

 

 *True Plum came to me by way of a swap, and the Clinique bronzer was sent for review. Honesty, always.

 

Current Favourites

Time to share my current beauty loves with you all!

Illamasqua Blush in Sophie*

 This coral shade has golden shimmer in it which just adds a glow to the skin, without making my cheeks look like chubby glitter pillows! I love the shimmer blushes from Illamasqua, so far they've only made a few shades in the shimmer formula but wow they like to do it right.

 

Dior Amber Diamond

I think everyone in the beauty world knows of this beauty! I love the way this blends so easily into the cheekbones, and makes me look awake in a natural way. I love to pair this with Sophie and the Clinique bronzer to create a pretty, sunny look, even on my fair bear face.

 

Victoria's Secret Amber Romance Body Lotion

I bought this in the airport on the way back from IMATS and BBU, and I am addicted to the scent. I don't think I've tried anything with amber before, and I suspect I may be a fan. The bottle is shimmery and pretty, and I can't wait to keep this on my desk when I set up my new makeup area.

Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer*

Usually not one for bronzer, I've been dusting this on almost every day for the past couple of weeks! I like that it suits my pale complexion, but is also buildable so would work for medium complexions as well. I get a real thrill when I shave off some of this sunshine in a pot, it actually makes me look forward to doing my makeup a little bit more.

 

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I've had this for an age, and go through stages where I use it non-stop and lately, that has been the trend. My favourites shadows from it are (obviously) Virgin, which I use to highlight, and Sin, which I either use all over or in my inner corner. Smog, Darkhorse and Toasted are other favourites that I've been using a heap lately.

 

Laura Mercier Eye & Cheek Palette

Have been obsessed with the African Violet eyeshadow from this palette, but every shade has graced my lids of late. Black Plum is a most beautiful colour for a wee smoky eye of an evening.

 

 

 

What are your current favourites?

Do you wear makeup every day, or just on special occasions?

 

*Marked products were provided, but are honest favourites of mine right now.



September Finito's!

Yup, it is empties time again at camp emmabovarybeauty!

I am pleased with my efforts to make a dent in my sample/travel sized products, and I am happy to think that some of these are things I would like to repurchase sometime down the line.

Body Care!

 

Glad to finish the Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash (sample)*, I thought I had already used up all of my samples but this one was found floating around and I burned through it. I am not a fan of unscented body washes, but this didn't irritate so it might be great for those against scented body washes. I would not repurchase.

 

The 1SkinSolution Vanilla Bean Body Cream (travel size)* was a delight to use, these last few months have seen me up the ante with moisturising my body and this was such a delicious scent. It's a runny liquid formulation that is moisturising, I will be repurchasing down the track.

 

The TREsemme Moisture Rich conditioner wasn't very impressive, it wasn't the worst conditioner I've used but it was only passable. I like the feel of Terax too much to enjoy most other conditioners...let me know what you think I should try next?

 

Lush Too Drunk Emotibomb was sadly a chucker, I bought this who knows how long ago and it went bad. I don't partake in baths often enough to make these purchases necessary, so the next Lush thing on my list is Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, as it is shower friendly.

 

Deodorants!

 

Spray Fresh Activ High Energy deodorant is one that Chris and I both used. It isn't too strongly scented but the fact that they leave out the 'e' in active irks me. I find it sometimes stings but Chris says my pits need to 'man up', and he has already repurchased.

 

Rexona Girl Tropical Energy deodorant is my all-time fave, it smells great and does a good job of keeping me fresh. I always have a stock of these in my bathroom cupboard (and already have another emptied for October empties!) so yes, repurchase.

 

Skincare!

 

I find the BeautyCareCo makeup pads to be a cheap option to throw in the cart when I am at K-Mart, but they do fall apart more easily than the Priceline branded alternatives. I am almost done with another pack of these (I bought a double pack) and though I prefer the Priceline ones, I will repurchase.

 

Avene Cleanance Oil-Free Emulsion moisturiser* was something I really enjoyed using during this transitional weather, though I needed something heavier in the evenings this was nice for day use. It made my skin feel smooth and sunk in fast, and I would repurchase this down the track and come back around to using it. It's hard when you change up skincare often, but knowing what I like is a nice feeling.

 

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer wasn't even mine to begin with, my cousin lived with us for over a year and left this behind. I loved the way it felt on my skin but don't know if Clinique still make this exact formula...I am tossing this because it's been around forever, but I would repurchase (you know how those Clinique GWP's sucker me in!)

 

Kiehls Cucumber Herbal Oil-Free Toner* was another travel sized product I was happy to complete, I used this after cleansing to make sure my skin was a clean slate for my serums. I loved the deep green colour of this liquid, and though I find toners hard to see results from, I think I liked this. It lasted forever!

 

Face of Australia Purifying Cleansing Wipes were a mad sale purchase, I love picking these up when K-Mart are having a $3 off FOA sale and neglect to exclude this wipes. They are thin but sturdy and I mainly use them for swatch clean up and the odd residue wipe off on my face.

 

 

How much did you finish this month!?

 

 

*Marked products were PR samples or sent for consideration, but the fact I used them up speaks volumes. Honesty, always.