January Purchases & Pick-Ups

THE PURCHASES!

It isn't often that I can fit an entire months beauty purchases into a single photo, but here you have it folks - a total of TWO beauty related items purchased so far in 2015! Perhaps this will be a good thing to look back on once I post my extortionate honeymoon haul for the world to see? I picked up and looked at many a pretty during January, but nowadays it needs to be seriously amazing for me to part with - as it so happens, these two products are indeed amazing so I'm sticking to my new-found shopping mantra quite well! 

I had a Christmas voucher in my pocket and my sister took me shopping at Doncaster for my birthday on January 2nd, so the natural thing to do was finally tick the limited edition Chanel Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in 234 Poesie off my wishlist. It originally featured on my pre-USA wishlist but it was sold out everywhere I checked during our trip, so to hear that Doncaster had a solitary palette left was music to my ears! It's actually my first real Chanel eye product so it was quite an exciting purchase for me (normally I beeline for their blushes, you know me!)

My second (and last) beauty purchase for the month was towards the end, during the infamous Priceline 40% skincare sale. I knew I wanted to have a nosy around but didn't feel the urge to pick anything up, until I remembered that I'd been wanting to bring this Garnier Moisture Match Light Softening Cream for Normal-Dry Skin back into my routine as a morning moisturiser. I've previously reviewed it here and the love still stands, this is a wonderful product.

A non-beauty related purchase, but something I wanted to feature because stationary rocks! I am about to order another planner from Personal Planner with a code they provided me, and I'm super excited at the thought of personalising a planner, and using The Belle Lumiere and various #planneraddict Instagram images as my inspiration I hope to pretty it up and get myself organised with these gel pens, stickers and tags.  

PICK-UPS!

This part will feature some of the press samples I received during the month - it's like a little heads up on what may be featured soon on the blog, and serves as a reminder for myself about the new things I'm trialling! Not everything I'm sent will be featured, just the bits and bobs I feel like popping into these posts. I turned down more press samples than usual this month as I've been selective about what I'd like to trial, and so far it's made me far more exciting about all of these new things than I usually would be!



After my recent primer obsession (documented here) it seemed fitting to try out the latest primer release from makeup giants Max Factor! When I first opened this Facefinity All Day Primer ($31.95) I thought it was a super-pale foundation - d'oh!

Dare I say, the most exciting press sample this month? I absolutely adore Urban Rituelle and frequently buy bits and bobs from the brand, so the launch of the new amber based Romance Fragrance Diffuser Set ($36.95/190ml) got me a bit more excited than it probably should have...but once I smelt this thing, I knew my excitement was warranted. HEAVEN! Goodness knows Mister Bovary and I aren't the most romantic (perhaps we will be now that we're married? pah!) so any hint of romance (especially in amber form!) is welcome in our house!

Now this is a step outside of my comfort zone - my scalp is a finicky thing and I'm always hesitant to trial shampoos (truth be told there is a still a chance I will rope in a guinea pig for that and hit the conditioner up solo!) but I accepted this Pantene Colour Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner ($7.99ea/350ml) with the hope that I can move on from my Garnier shampoo and mix things up a little bit. Wish me luck!

Last but not least was some surprise drops from my beloved L'Occitane - the Relaxing Pillow Mist ($30/100ml) looks brilliant and I can't wait to pop it alongside my current L'Occitane Lavande Cologne that I use as a luxe room spray to help me catch some ZZZ's. Also pretty pumped about the Revitalising Body Scrub ($45/200g) (it's been too long since I've used a good one!) and the Immortelle Brightening Essence ($89/30ml)

I think 2015 is working out really well on the product front so far - I'm excited to plump up my bodycare routine and use my Chanel quad a bit more before popping up a swatch/review post! How much did you purchase or pick-up this month?

-Emma x

*Pick-Ups are, as stated above, press samples. If you aren't interested in seeing what I'll be trialling, feel free to skip these monthly posts - I won't be offended! Honesty, always.

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

October Empties!

Here are the products I managed to use up in October!

Priceline Re-Balance Wipes x2

My all-time favourites, I am yet to find wipes I like better than these. I look forward to using them, and find them super refreshing and never drying. Will always repurchase.

Derma-Intensive Wipes

These wipes are quite a bit thinner than others I've used, but for $1 from my local supermarket I think they're a great buy:) Good to wipe off swatches or to use if a facial product you use leaves residue behind. Will repurchase.

Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo for Brunette

I tried these just for kicks, and didn't find them to be much different to the regular Batiste dry shampoo cans! I couldn't detect any difference in colour of the powder, just a lack of scent, so I would suggest just going for the cheaper and nicer smelling regular Batiste varieties. Would not repurchase.

Pantene Night Miracle Leave-In Creme Serum

This product was an absolute joy to use, and I was recently gifted the updated version which I am excited to try! I used this at night in as a treatment between hair cuts, and also found it great to calm any flyaways in the lower lengths of my hair before heading out of a morning. Will repurchase once I finish the new version of this.

L'Oreal Triple Day Active Moisturiser
This is formulated for normal to combination skin, and it worked well for my dry patches and generally dehydrated face. Won't go into detail as this product warrants a full review, which is coming up soon. I'll just say, I adored it. Will repurchase when I find it (already have two back ups, have only ever seen in the Reject $2 shop!)
Avon Vanilla Soft Musk Body Spray
I used this as both a body spray and as a room spray, and found it was great for both purposes. A subtle scent that doesn't smack you in the face, this sits well on clothing as well as in the air.Will repurchase, especially considering I prefer it to the actual vanilla room spray I just purchased from Avon.

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash sample*
This was a nice, non-irritating body wash, but didn't provide the amount of lather I like. I also prefer scented shower products,so this would be better suited to someone who isn't fond of strong scents in body washes. I think my sister would love this, she is a big fan of non-irritating body products that are creamy.
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner sample*
I generally dislike Pantene shampoo and conditioners as I feel they build up on my roots and lengths and I'm not fond of that. This was no different, and this was put to use as shaving gel rather than conditioner. Would not repurchase, as it does not suit my hair type.
Pure Fiji Coconut Milk Shower Gel- Pineapple Infusion*
I received this in the special ABBW Lust Have It box and my oh my! It is love, I adore the pineapply goodness of this shower gel, and don't mind the coconut version I got in another Lust Have It box either. Its a totally new type of sweet smell to me, and I found it was the most moisturising shower gel I've used to date. Will repurchase, already hanging out for it!
*
So there you have it, my October empties were a mix of likes, dislikes and loves!
Have you used any of these products? What did you think of them?
If you've done an October empties post, feel free to link it in the comments so I can check it out.