November Empties!

Guess what? I threw out a huge bunch of empty products because I tired of doing Empties posts! But then I wanted to again! So, I only have five empty products to report on as everything else is Gone Girl (I still have yet to see this movie, by the way). Here goes...

Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream
I love this! It's smooth, creamy and melts into my lips like butter. This little tin of heaven made my February Favourites earlier this year. Perfect for moisturising and nourishing lips overnight or prepping your pout prior to lipstick application, this gorgeous smelling lip butter is very handy. No need to replace this, because I've still got the other Nivea varieties, Raspberry Rose and Vanilla & Macadamia to finish!

Clean & Clear Advantage Fast Clearing Spot Gel
I was sent a large number of these to trial ages ago (close to two years I'd say) and I've finally finished them all (I also gave a few away). I've reviewed this before here but my opinion has since changed. This spot gel used to work very effectively on me, but lately it's not doing a thing. I think the product has actually lost its potency because I've had it so long! I can't see any other reason why something that once cleared up my breakouts fast, would no longer work. I'll be hitting up my beauty cupboard because I know there are some other zit creams in there to try, rather than replace this product.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Fragrance
This came as part of a gift set I bought from Adore Beauty, and I'm so sad I've finished this mini bottle! AMAZINGly (lol) this was another February Favourite. The main thing I enjoy about this perfume is that it's light, clean and fresh. I'm very wary of strong scents because they easily trigger my headaches. For the fragrance buff, the top notes are mandarin orange, grapefruit and bergamot, middle notes are freesia, jasmine and rose and the base note is musk. As much as I love this, I won't be repurchasing, because I have a ton of other perfumes to get through. Also, I want to try something different like Juicy Couture or something by Katy Perry or Lady Gaga! Strength and headache-inducement pending!

Optrex Refreshing Eye Drops
I know you're not really supposed to regularly use eyedrops, so I've cut right back. I used to get the ones that removed eye redness, but now I just get moisture replenishing or 'tears' ones, and try to use them way less often. Anyway these were OK. I used them when my eyes were sore, dry or tired and sometimes when there was something in there and I wanted to flush it out. But yeah, it's not good to use eyedrops frequently, and I'm not recommending it.

Revlon Photoready Eye Primer + Brightener
You can see how much I've used this from the extensive amount of wear to the labelling. It's worn off and looking pretty shabby. I pretty much used this daily as a finishing touch under my eyes. Even though it contains a primer (and thus should probably be used first), I found the thin, lightweight formula worked best over my concealer because it smoothed out fine lines and brightened the area really well. I've not even tried using this on my lids as a primer, so I can't  comment on its effectiveness at that. I'm not going to repurchase though, because now I'm using Benefit Erase Paste and my Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer instead.

Disclaimer: Revlon product I won, Clean & Clear product was provided for review through another company (non-blog related), all other products were purchased by me.

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Nivea Lip Love Giveaway

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my Nivea Lip Love Giveaway! I was so happy with the response, plus I love giving things away to my readers, so there will certainly be more fun giveaways in the future!

A big congratulations to the winner KARINA L!! Karina has been notified.

She has won:
Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream
Nivea Lip Butter Raspberry Rose
Nivea Fruity Shine Pink Guava
Nivea Fruity Shine Strawberry

Thanks again guys, and keep reading for more beauty giveaways!


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GIVEAWAY: Nivea Lip Love!

Winter often means dry lips if you forget to balm up, so what better time for a Lip Love giveaway!? I've bought some moisturising Nivea lip goodies, and one lucky reader will win the lot!

I reviewed Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream in My February Favourites! I had been meaning to try the Raspberry Rose, so I bought one for myself and one for the giveaway. Good call, because it's lovely as well. These lip butters are soft, and melt like butter into the lips, leaving them supple and moisturised. I love applying some before bed, so my lips don't dry out overnight.

I haven't tried the Fruity Shines, but they claim to lock in the moisture and contain fruit extracts. The Strawberry one imparts a red shimmer and Pink Guava leaves your lips with a light pink shimmer. Also, there's a cute Scratch & Sniff on the packaging!

THE PRIZE

Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream

Nivea Lip Butter Raspberry Rose

Nivea Fruity Shine Pink Guava

Nivea Fruity Shine Strawberry

It's easy to enter! Just follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter widget below. You don't have to complete all the tasks, but the more you do, the more entries you get, the greater your odds of winning. Good Luck!

This giveaway is open to Australian residents only.
Ends Monday 30 June.
The winner will be notified via email and given 3 days to reply. 
If no reply in that time, another winner will be drawn.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Nivea. I bought these products myself, with my own money.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

My February Favourites!

Following are some products I've been using regularly throughout February, daily in some cases. I'm going to try concentrating on different products from brands I don't usually cover from now on, because who wants to read about the same old favourites all the time! This also encourages me to try new brands and products, which is always a good thing. I can't wait for my next 'favourite' discovery!

Philosophy Amazing Grace
This mini spray fragrance EDT came in a set from Adore Beauty. I'd heard great things about it and bought it on a whim. Great decision! It's a clean, crisp, soft, beautifully feminine fragrance that's subtle enough to not trigger one of my perfume headaches (my main worry when buying a perfume, as I get some humdingers from certain stronger ones). The fragrances notes are rose, freesia, bergamot, jasmine, grapefruit, muguet and musk. A girly, floral, clean and 'Amazing' addition to my perfume collection. I've been spritzing it on almost daily, although I really don't want it to run out (the bottle is so tiny!).

Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream
I'm addicted to this little tin of creamy goodness. The caramel aroma is divine and the formula is buttery, soft and smooth. It can appear a tad white if you apply it too thick (but not as white as the Nivea Lip Butter Vanilla & Macadamia version!) but that really isn't a problem for me, for the following reasons; a) I love applying this before bed. It keeps my lips moisturised and nourished overnight. And b) I also use it to prep my lips before lipstick every morning. I slick on a thick layer, apply my makeup (which takes at least 20 minutes, lol), then wipe most of it off for moist, juicy lips perfectly ready for lipstick! These lip butters also come in Original, Raspberry Rose and Vanilla & Macadamia. With a RRP of only $5.19 (I got mine on special at Woolies for $2.50) I highly recommend trying the delicious-smelling Caramel Cream.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish
I actually put off using this, because the only other Kiehl's product I'd tried I didn't like (Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub), but what a mistake that was! This body polish is luxurious and creamy with a decadent feel. With almost a mousse-like formula, the fragrance smells coconutty to me, but actually contains shea and jojoba butters, almond oil, luffa fruit, honey and soy milk. The small but plentiful particles work to exfoliate and leave my skin feeling soft, smooth and supple. A glorious body polish and one I'd highly recommend.

Physicians Formula Nude Shimmer Strips
The full title of this product, from the side of the palette, is Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner. There's no actual eyeliner in the palette, it just means you can wet the applicator and apply the darker colours as a liner. I see this palette as a mini (shimmery) version of Urban Decay's Naked palettes. I bought the first UD Naked, but then kind of lost interest in further releases. Anyway, these shimmer strips are great and I've been using them daily. You get nine neutral hues that would pretty much suit all eye colours. The pigment is fairly good and the shimmer is flattering but not over-the-top. The particles are tiny, and it wears as an overall slight shimmer effect rather than a large chunky glitter effect. I love that the palette is small and seals magnetically (great for travelling) and is cute as hell with its lacy overlay and little ribbon bow!

Lush Santa's Lip Scrub*
This is a Limited Edition product that is only released at Christmas. I also have the chocolately Lush Sweet Lips Lip Scrub, but Santa's is my favourite. From the bright festive red colour to the wonderful cola scent, this is fun in a jar! After scrubbing a little over my lips, I'm left with a soft, smooth, flake-free mouth. Try using this baby and not licking off the sweet excess. It contains caster sugar, coconut oil and extracts of cherries and dates, and is suitable for Vegetarians. You can check out my review of Santa's Lip Scrub here.


Disclaimer:
Won - Physicians Formula Nude Shimmer Strips, Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish
Bought - Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream, Philosophy Amazing Grace
*PR Sample - Lush Santa's Lip Scrub

I was Sample Savvy in September!

Or 'I Was A September Sample Slut', whichever you prefer :) Samples are a great way to try a product before forking out for the full-size version. Somehow, I have built up quite a collection. I've been planning for some time to start ploughing through these sample sachets, but September is my busiest month, so I didn't finish as many as I would have liked. I still have a box full of sachets, so expect more empties in the future.

Break it dooooooooown .......

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
Lovely chocolate-smelling lotion packed with Vitamin E, Collagen, Elastin and Shea Butter.

Dermalogica Clean Start Ready, Set, Scrub!
Quite enjoyed this scrub that claims to refine pores and fight breakouts. Great for teens.

Dermalogica Clean Start Welcome Matte spf15
This moisturiser really made a noticeable difference. Contains oil controllers. Very effective at minimising the shiny face I normally get after a few hours of makeup application.

Dermalogica Clean Start Bedtime for Breakouts
Didn't like the sticky formula so just used it on my chest instead of face. Wouldn't rave about.

Nivea Visage Young Daily Deep Cleansing Wash Scrub
More wash than scrub, doesn't contain enough scrubbing beads for my liking.

Dove Beauty Cream Bar
Cutest little mini soap bar ever! Feels luxurious, cleans effectively. Love!

Franc Essential Body Melt
Lovely, nourishing, moisturising cream for the body. Quite enjoyed this.

Biore Detoxify Daily Scrub
Didn't like the consistency of this oil-free scrub. Smells bad, too.

Nivea Expert Lift Day Cream
Satisfactory day cream, nothing mind-blowing. Would not purchase.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream
Pleasant, light moisturiser. Feels great, leaves skin soft and supple.

Biore Pore Perfect Nose Strip
Fun to use. Easy to follow directions on back of sachet.

Head And Shoulders Ant-Dandruff Shampoo
Actually really impressed with the results. Hair looked good. Would buy this.

Formula 10.0.6 Down To The Pore Blackhead Banishing Pore Strips
Contains Tea Tree and Kaolin. Again, fun to use and good directions on back.


Do you have an Empties Post? Link it up in the comments below!

August Empties: Because I Can-Can!

I should say Can-Can-Can-Can, because that's how many cans feature in this Empties post. Way too many, making it boring as bat-shit. So I photographed them on one of my son's painting, to BRIGHTEN the whole thing up. I hope I finish something exciting this month!

Nivea Pearl & Beauty Anti-Perspirant Deodorant
Death by excessive Nivea fumes. Will not repurchase.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Conditioner
(with a 'fusion of Wild Violet & Pomegranate'). LOVE this and will buy it again when it goes on special, because I'm cheap like that. This smells divine and leaves my hair soft, smooth and relatively untangled.

Lancome Genifique Youth Activator
Possibly the only free sample that has been brilliant enough to make me want to purchase the whole product. Ever. Because I'm cheap and not easily swayed. I used this every day under my moisturiser and I swear I could see my skin get younger looking. Lancome have recently dropped their prices on this range too, so I might have to bite the bullet. But you know I'll try to win one first :)

Nivea Double Effect Anti-Perspirant
This contains Avocado Extract for smoother underarms, but I never noticed a difference. Will not repurchase.

Toni & Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo
I'm shocked that I'm starting to go off this! I'm pretty sure I recently blogged this as a favourite. What a psycho I am. Either my hair is becoming increasingly difficult to refresh between washes, or this stuff is not working as well as other dry shampoos like Batiste and Klorane, which I think I'll buy next, instead of T&G Cleanse.

Schwarzkopf Extra Care Super Styling Lacquer
Y'all know this is my favourite hairspray ever. I've harped on about it enough before. A staple product for me.

Feel free to link up your Empties Posts in the comments below!

March Empties

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Tropical
Adore it! Great for refreshing your hair between washes and adding volume to your locks. I've blogged about this before, most notably here


Garnier Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub
I've gone off this scrub a little bit since starting with Soap & Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It, but I still enjoy it and its strong stench! You can read my previous post on this product here


Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Love this! It's just an all round great product and I'm sad I've finished it. Luckily, I also won a travel-sized version from a Facebook competition, so I'll now be starting on that. Here is my review of this gentle Microfoliant.


Nivea Invisible 48 Hour Anti-Perspirant
Honestly, I can't distinguish between all the deodorants/anti-perspirants I'm using lately. All I know is that since joining the gym, I am going through A LOT of deodorant!


Garnier Invisi Mineral 48 Hour Deodorant
See above. I think they forgot the rest of the word. Invisi??


Schwarzkopf EC Push Up Volume Shampoo
I quite liked this volume shampoo from Schwarzkopf, and as you all probably know by now, I will try anything to get some body into my hair. To be honest, though, the results were OK, but not mind-blowing. I'm actually preferring the Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly products I've moved on to.


Dove Beauty Cream Bar
This is a pampering soap, that feels luxurious and lathers really well. It's very moisturising, and leaves my skin feeling soft and clean. I think the Dove Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Cream Bar is better, but I'm biased because of my addiction to exfoliating products.


What did you finish in March?