First Impressions | Michael Todd True Organics for Dry Skin

When I saw Michael Todd products on Ozsale a couple of months back, I knew I had to try them after seeing many videos from my favourite beauty guru's as of late. So I was trying to go back through the videos and find the products that were most raved about, but instead of trying to work out what I wanted to try, I thought I would go with a Discovery Kit to sample each type of product that can used in a routine, and I also bought an extra item that I liked the sound of.

About the brand...
 Michael Todd is a certified vegan brand created by the founder who set out to create his own product line using as many organic ingredients as possible without unnecessary added water & unhealthy chemicals after finding out how many brands that proclaimed to be organic had included harmful parabens, sulfates etc and also had water as the main ingredient, so the products would go further but also be diluted down.
Each product of his has on the back a percentage of how organic the ingredients in each one are, ranging from 70-96% from the ones that I have so you know what you're using is kind on your skin and to the environment.

The Discovery Kits they have available are for anti-aging, acne or oily skin, dry & normal/ combination. I always thought I had dry skin without the flakiness, but now I think it's more dehydrated- normal, so I went for the dry skin discovery kit.
Skincare products that cater for dry skin are also targeted for mature skin, which I obviously do not have as of yet, so while these products may be described for preventing anti-aging, environmental damage & helping to firm skin, they will be beneficial in the long run because prevention is easier than a cure.
I have been using these products for a couple of weeks now so here are my opinions on them.

 Skin Defender Cream Facial Cleanser
They say: "Alpha Hydroxy Acid eases away the appearance of fine lines, blotches and discolouration while Organic Green Tea & Extracts of Lemons and Oranges help fight environmental stressors for more vibrant, even-toned radiant looking skin"
I say: This is a really thick cream cleanser which is better for dryer skin as it wont strip the skin of natural oils like foamy cleansers can do. It's so thick that I have to sit it upside down so the product comes to the opening to grab the product out with my finger as the plastic is too hard to squeeze. It has a slight chemically-citrus smell & makes my skin feel squeaky clean but a little bit tight. This was effective of washing makeup off without removing it first (I always do with a wipe) with two cleanses, and I was able to use this on my eyes as long as I didn't push it up into my eyes accidentally, although it may not be the most delicate for the skin around the eyes.

Cranberry Antiox Hydrating Anti-Aging Toner
They Say: "Cleans & restores the skin's proper pH without the drying effects of alcohol. Cranberry & Antioxidant Vitamins help fight bacteria and environmental damage. Leaves skin feeling cool & refreshed."
I Say: I stopped using toners years ago when I found out they were doing more harm than good with most having very drying properties. I use this in the mornings after cleansing with cool water only to remove any dirt or moisturizer residue from the night before, & haven't noticed any tightness but a very refreshing feeling. I don't find it necessary to use absolutely everyday but overtime the ingredients in this will help prevent environmental damage & signs of aging which is bound to appear one day.

Citrus Cream Moisturizer with DMAE & hyaluronic acid
They Say: "Light, soothing hydrating cream moisturizer infused with essential oils of sweet and mandarin orange, tangerine, lemon & lime. DMAE firms skin & improves fine lines & wrinkles. Hyaluronic Acid attracts moisture to the skin restoring the skin's optimal moisture balance"
I Say: I've found this to be a good day cream as it is light but still fairly thick & it absorbs into the skin fairly quickly, being ideal for under makeup. It contains the same main ingredient as my Mario Badescu Hyaluronic moisturizer so the moisture after cleansing is locked into the surface of the skin so it cannot be evaporated. It has the same refreshing smell as the cleanser & helps remove any feelings of tightness.

Cleanser, toned & moisturizer

 Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub
They Say: "Naturally fruity refreshing skin treatment that uses the power of Papaya and Pineapple Enzymes as a mild non-irritating exfoliant to remove dead skin, impurities & toxins without irritation caused by scrubbing. Exfoliates, moisturizes & firms, improves elasticity and pliabilty of the skin, unclogs pores allowing skin to breathe and facilitates movement of skin oils. Gently refines skin texture and encourages skin renewal."
I Say: This is a very gentle scrub that leaves my skin so smooth. I find it good to use twice weekly after cleansing but before toner & moisturizer. It is quite thick so you have to make sure to add a little bit of warm water with the product and to only go over the skin lightly as you don't want to overwork the skin, although the granules are small and not harsh, the enzymes in the product would be strong. Another pleasant tropical smell which makes me look forward to using this exfoliant.

Pearl & Silk Facial Mask.
They Say: "Apply a thin layer over face & neck and leave for 10-15 minutes & rinse. Hydrating masks made with glycerin are great for dry skin by moisturizing while they unblock pores and exfoliate dead skin cells. Follow with toner & moisturizer, keeps skin glowing year round"
I Say: This mask dries quickly and leaves a super tight feeling which is just bearable until I rinse it off with cool water where it goes back to normal, leaving my skin feeling ultra smooth & silky. After 10 minutes I noticed some redness on my right cheek and after removing it,I also had some marks on my forehead but I think it is just because it was getting the blood circulating. Once I finished off with moisturizer my skin felt clean & had a nice glow to it, but I wouldn't need to use this more than once a week. I also prefer masks that feel more hydrating when you're wearing them.

  

Hydration Boost Facial Serum

They Say: "Concentrated hydrating serum infused with Neem and other essential oils to restore the skin’s optimal moisture balance. Penetrates quickly to soothe and add moisture back to dry, dehydrated and irritated skin. Hyaluronic Acid helps strengthen skin’s moisture barrier and lock in moisture for healthy, supple skin. Skin is left feeling moist, smooth and younger looking all day."

I Say: To save some time I dot a tiny amount on the main points of my face and then dab on my moisturizer & smooth them in together, or you could apply it on it's own if you wish. The formula is quite runny so if I get a bit too much product I smooth it upwards on my neck. I love the added hydrated feeling.

 Overall I am really happy with these Michael Todd products, when I run out of the samples I would be happy to repurchase the toner, moisturizer & scrub in full size because they are my favourites from the kit and I would also repurchase the serum.
You can have a look & buy from the Michael Todd website, and they offer international shipping and the website is easy to navigate. The products from this kit range from $18- $34 for their full size depending on which one you get, which I believe is a reasonable price for some one with a mid to higher budget, especially when you know you're getting good quality products.

Have you tried anything from the Michael Todd True Organics range?
xx

All products bought with my own money, Not affiliated with the brand & this is not a sponsored review, all opinions are my own.

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag & Fairwell for now

The time has come for my partner & I as we are finally going on a holiday we have wanted to go on for a few years now, to the land of the U.S, where we can escape the rest of winter and return in spring! I wanted to make a post of what I was going to bring, so I could decide on the products I thought I would need the most.  but I cut out as many items as I thought I could be deprived of, because I will be able to replenish my stock. I am always an over packer but it wasn't as hard as what I thought it would be to choose these items! However I'd actually organized everything I was going to bring makeup-wise a little while back so some things have actually changed now.

Bag 1: Makeup products

 So I actually plan on buying a proper cosmetics bag once I get to the city... that's if I can find a decent one. This one just holds everything in it, although it doesn't look like much in the picture to me, haha. The small pencil bag at the top has eye brushes & eyeliners in it and the black case has face brushes. I have also decided not to bring the gold clutch with me anymore- you'll find out what's inside!

Face

Nars Laguna bronzer {for bronzing & contouring}
Revlon Hushed Blush in A Floral Affair {Highlighter & blush in one}
Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie Porecover primer
Garnier BB Cream {to darken up foundation when I get a tan}
Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation
Nyx As If lilac concealer stick
The Balm Time Balm concealer.

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette {I find I can do more lighter looks with this but still have options for night time, also chosen over the 1st Naked palette since that mirror is broken and I like to have one if the hotels mirrors aren't in the best lighting}
Lancome Travel Chic palette {recent gift from my MIL, but now I've decided not to, I think this is best if you're not buying/bringing anything else}
Too Faced Shadow Insurance {almost finished so I can replace it with a new primer that I will buy}
Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencils: Milk, Black Bean, Yoghurt
 Maybelline Master Precise {almost finished so I will replace while over there}
 Nyx Wonder pencil, MUS Crazy Lazy e/l, Bourjois Kohl & Contour e/l
 Nyx Eyebrow Cake powder.

Lips
I knew this would be the hardest challenge of all, but I will regret it if I brought along too many but only wore the ones I bought over there, which will be a lot hehe.

The Face Shop lipstick in Deep Pink {similar to Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart}
 Bloom Honeysuckle lipstick
 MAC Crosswires
 Bourjois Levres Contour lipliner #11 {I decided to only bring a nude/ mauvy colour that will go with all lipsticks}

Tools

Double pencil sharpener
Assorted eye brushes {Lip, highlight/ blending, fluffy blending, angled eyebrow, Dome crease, Blender, Flat shader, Angled eyeliner}
Maybelline One by One mascara {meant to be in eyes pic}
Eyelash curler
Assorted face brushes {Buffing, Contour- Sigma swapped for Real Techniques, Powder/ Bronzer, Setting/ Highlighting, Blush, Dome concealer}

Bag 2: Toiletries
So this bag is fully stuffed, I think I may put half the items in here into another small bag because I thought this was going to hold everything in, somehow. Also I can put some things into my partners toiletries bag ;) We will share a toothpaste.
I forgot to include toothbrush, body wash, tweezers, a mini dry shampoo & mini heat protectant. Will buy more makeup remover wipes when needed.

I

Wella Bio Touch shampoo & cond {definitely wont last long!}
Wella High Hair colour protectant
 PPS The ends {transferred into a tub, a must have after washing my hair}
Schick Quattro {only needed for underarms, so I will put on a brand new cartridge before leaving & I wont need to bring shaving cream}.

DMK Milky Clean & Pure cleanser
Mario Badescu Hyaluronic moisturizer. I have also decided to bring a mini scrub because it's something I'll use at least twice a week.


EVOO {night time moisturizer, also to remove makeup, whats on the tub is not what's inside haha}
Garnier Intensive 7 days Hydrating Lotion {also in a different bottle}
Brittney Spears Mini Fantasy Perfume
Bobby pins, Comb (or should I just bring my tangle teezer which works much better!?)
Cotton buds/ tips

Bag 3: Carry on/ Handbag
Finally these I will be bringing with me on board & keeping some of them in my handbag, for easy access to refresh myself during & after a 14 hour flight.

Seacret refreshing wipes
Australis Fresh & Flawless powder
Impulse Body Spray
DMK Herb & Mineral mist, DMK Transdermal sunscreen
Seacret Select hand cream
Dove roll on deodorant
Nivea Lip Butter, Nyx Beige lipgloss, Lancome Juicy Tubes lipgloss

I think I've done really well with choosing my makeup products, giving & taking a tiny bit, but it looks like a lot more products than what it is. I'm also going to pack as little clothes as possible to save more room for shopping. This is coming from the girl who can't even pack lightly for a weekend away, let alone 5 weeks! Something else that I'm going to bring is my Herstyler hair straightener, which I will have a review coming up.

I'll more than likely be posting pictures on Instagram so follow me @missashii_x to keep up! It probably wont even feel like I've left because I've got many drafts lined up that will be posted regularly, but I obviously wont be able to reply or read anyone else blog. See you all in September!

Are you a light or a heavy packer? Would you be able to bring limited beauty products on a holiday?

Mwa
xoxo

Jeunesse's Luminesce Daily Moisturizing Complex & Essential Body Renewal | Review

If you're like me and in the winter season now, there's nothing more needed then a super hydrating moisturizer to combat the dry skin that winter seems to cause, whether it's your face or body.
  I was lucky enough to be asked to review a couple of products from Jeunesse, the Daily Moisturizing Complex & Essential Body Renewal from their Luminesce line, which are targeted for dry skin which makes them both perfect winter products to restore your skin.

Daily Moisturizing Complex 

This daily moisturizer is best suited to dry or mature skin, with properties meant to be effective for anti-ageing by reducing fine lines & wrinkles and promoting the production of collagen & elastin, while restoring moisture levels in the skin. Even if you don't have mature skin starting early for preventative measures are always easier than having to try and fix it once the damage is done, such as using an eye cream for the same reason.

I've found this to absorb quickly into my skin, leaving behind the feeling of a radiant & hydrated complexion & allows me to follow up with makeup shortly after as there is no down time while waiting for absorption. It also provides sun protection with the aid of an algae extract, which means I don't have to worry about the extra application, which I'm usually too lazy for anyway!

Key Ingredients & benefits:
Apple, Lentil & Watermelon extracts- prevents trans-edpidermal water loss by locking in hydration
Red Seaweed extract- Absorbs quickly into the pores to provide a natural, superior moisturizing barrier
Green Algae extract- Rich in proteins & amino acids that enhance the natural production of collagen & elastin
Blue algae extract- Naturally protects against the harsh sun
Luminesce rejuvenation factor complex- restores skin's natural protein levels with an exclusive patent- pending formula.

I love the pump on this bottle, you have to twist the lid anti-clockwise for it to appear which clicks into place, making it a great moisturizer for traveling because you wouldn't have to worry about any product coming out unexpectedly. It is easy to control the amount of product you need but if you do get too much out you can't put it back.

The Daily Moisturizing Complex  is $69.95 for 30ml
Essential Body Renewal

 The Essential Body Renewal cream is perfect for applying after the shower to lock in moisture & stimulate cellular renewal with antioxidants that work similar to the Daily Moisturizing Complex by promoting the production of collagen & elastin. It works to rewind the effects of photoageing which is caused by environmental damage with wrinkles, age spots & a dehydrated, sagging complexion while underneath the surface of the skin the aging process is accelerated. Not only that but it nourishes & restores all skin types,and is especially good for rough & dry areas.

I find this lotion easy to smooth into the skin & it leaves me feeling very hydrated. I've also had a couple of dry patches on my legs appear in the last couple of months which can sometimes look red & flaky, and this cream has helped settle them down. It has a very refreshing clean smell & I can get two mid-sized squirts to cover my whole body.

Key Ingredients & Benefits:
Suproxide Dismutase- a patented super powerful ingredient that helps protect cells from radical damage
Apple, Lentil & Watermelon extracts- prevents trans-edpidermal water loss by locking in hydration
Luminesce rejuvenation factor complex- restores skin's natural protein levels with an exclusive patent- pending formula.
Passion Fruit Extract-  very high in vitamin C & polyphenol entioxidants that neutralize free radical damage & improve skin elasticity
Black Elderberry Extract- contains properties that soothe & soften your skin

The packaging is in a long squeezy tube, with a twist cap with a small opening, making this another good choice for traveling.

Essential Body Renewal (150 ml) at $59.95

You can see how the texture of the moisturizer & body lotion compares.

Overall I am really pleased with the results I've been getting from both of these products, as my skin feels a lot more supple & hydrated after application & it feels lovely all day. Obviously I cannot comment on the improvement of fine lines/ collage/ environmental damage but I feel that the quality of these products & their ingredients will be effective for these purposes. I love that the ingredients work with the skin & it's natural processes to improve the outside, unlike many other brands where they don't delve below the surface of the skin.

These products are quite pricy but if your budget allows it, it's worth it. You do not need a lot of product these would last a long time so they would be good investment products instead of wasting your money on cheaper products that do nothing for the skin.

Visit the Jeunesse website for more information & a look at different products.

What are your favourite winter products?
xx
Products sent to me for review,  this review is 100% my honest opinion, and I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned.

April & May Empties/ Producs I'm chucking out

I decided that I need to put together at least 2 months worth of empties/ products I'm chucking out instead of every month because I feel like I do not go through enough in a month but if I leave it too long like I have been doing I have way too many to go through. I know I may have hoarder tendencies but it annoys me to leave them hanging around for so long when they belong in the bin.
Anyway here are the products I'm throwing out since April & May.

   Nivea Daily Essentials Facial Cleansing Wipes: I'm not a fan of Nivea wipes, I feel like they just push around on my skin making me work harder to take my makeup off at the end of the day. I always cleanse after anyway & it leaves my skin feeling refreshed but I feel like there is still quite a bit of makeup on. I much prefer the Garnier Wipes, so would I repurchase? Only if there was no other choice at the time of looking.
  Cutex Moisture Guard Nail Polish Remover: When I pick up NP remover it's usually just whatever is there when I'm looking for it. I've used this brand before and it's pretty good, the nail polish comes off easily and it doesn't feel like all the natural oils have been stripped. Repurchase? More than likely
  Sex & The City Lust Body lotion: I got a couple of these lotions in a kit from Christmas, I've just been trying to use them up as quickly as possible but there's nothing special to them. Repurchase? Nope as it came in a kit.

   Wella Sp Colour Save Shampoo: I've been using this shampoo for ages and really like it, as my hair colour has an infamous tendency to fade fast, using this along with rinsing my hair with cold water & using a colour protectant spray afterwards probably prolongs the life of my hair colour, but it's had to tell because I wouldn't want to go without using this. Repurchase? Again & again!
   Joice Moisture Recovery Conditioner: My hair is quite dry and as I use conditioner I always leave it in for a couple of minutes & my hair always feels super hydrated afterwards. Repurchase? More than likely, I'm using another one at the moment but I would def. buy this again some time down the line.

 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste: I forgot to include this in the main pic & toothpaste isn't normally included in these posts haha but this was something different that I started using a couple of months back. It is meant to whiten your teeth over 4 weeks but I only found a slight improvement at first but then nothing. Repurchase? Only if it was on special, to give it another try.

   Smashbox cream liner duo: I bought this off a blogsale a few years ago and only really used the black side, and I tried to start using the brown side more but I just find myself never wearing brown eyeliner. It had also started to dry out a bit. Repurchase? No.
  Maybelline Line Allure eyeliner: I bought this in Thailand a couple of years ago and while there was still product it was quite dry & hard to work with although I like the matte finish it had. But whenever I used it some would go in my eyelashes & become quite hard, ruining my mascara. Repurchase? No, you can't get it over here anyway.
  Prestige Brow Gel: This used to be clear, trust me, but after dipping it back in after using it on my filled in eyebrows just made it look a lot grosser although I'm sure the actual product is fine. I just never bothered with brow gel anyway. Repurchase? No
  Max Factor False Lash Effect: Really liked this mascara, I had it for about 10 months until I decided I should finally throw it out as it had dried up quite a bit anyway. Repurchase? I already have a back up so not for a while!
  Too Faced Shadow Insurance: My first proper eyeshadow primer I had ever used, and I had been using it a couple of years. This is my second tube and I could still cut the end and dig a lot of product out so I am not officially just throwing it out, but by the time I come to my next empties post it should be well & truly gone. Repurchase? Definitely, just trying out others for a bit.

   Physcians Formula concealer stick: You can see that I have officially finished this product! I liked it but the coverage wasn't the best, but it was a good colour for over the top of my foundation to cover blemishes. Repurchase? No, trying out others.
  Bourjois Touche Healthy Mix Concealer pen: All the writing has completely rubbed off but this was a nice sheer concealer for underneath the eyes, but you would want to use a full coverage one underneath. Good for brightening & reflecting light. Repurchase? Maybe one day, I want to try the Maybelline Lumi Magique or the Clarins one next.

These are two other random things I'm just going to throw out, the top one is an old school eyeshadow kit thing I think my mum used to use, I got it from my Great Aunty years ago before I really had any other makeup so I used it a little bit then, but now I have a larger range I never use it.
The bottom one is clearly fake MAC that I got from Thailand because I was curious of the quality, it swatches well but that's about it. These were just wasting space so I want to get rid of them!!

*Phew* that was a lot more than it seemed like at the time haha. I might just leave it a month in between if I can finish any products until now & July!

How well do you do with finishing products?
xx

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Moisturizer

Do you ever find you have never heard of a certain product or brand before and then as soon as you buy it, it pops up everywhere? This is what happened after I bought the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Moisturizer, after finding reviews on Makeup Ally of their different moisturizers I chose one that seemed to be suitable for me.

 This is the perfect daily moisturizer & I would think it would be just as beneficial for combination or dehydrated skin, as it applies like a very light lotion but still feels moisturizing without being greasy. It would be perfect to wear under foundation if you happen to be short on time and cannot wait ~10 minutes for it to sink in so you can do your thing afterwards.

 In the ingredients list above you can see Hyaluronic acid is one of the main ingredients. This is actually found just under the epidermis (skin) which nourishes & increases water content to the skin by attracting water. Using this moisturizer would replace what dehydrated skin is lacking, so it works on a scientific level, unlike some moisturizers that only sit on the surface of the skin.

All you need is around a pea sized amount as it glides effortlessly without needing much product.

Packaging: Easy to squeeze bottle with an unscrew-able lid where the product comes out from an opening that you flick open.
Texture: Feels like a lightweight lotion but moisturizing & sinks in fairly quickly, leaving a subtle glow to the skin
Cost & Where to buy: $27.25 for 30ml on beautybay (for some reason now I can only find one in a pot, I didn't even buy it too long ago!)

Overall I really like this moisturizer and I think it would work nicely in summer or in winter as it feels lightweight but moisturizing at the same time! I would give it a 10/10 rating which I feel it deserves as it applies easily & quickly, is suitable for a few different skin types and it keeps the skin feeling moisturized.

Have you tried any other Mario Badescu products?
xx

This product was bought by myself & this is a 100% honest review!

Way Overdue-- Empties, Products I'm Getting Rid Of.

Wow it has been forever since my last empties post especially as I am meant to be on "project empty" still.... but unlike some who have empties every month, it takes me forever to use up products, even if I try to use more than usual! Especially now that I have been using other newer products that have become my favourites, it has been harder to stick to it. But now I have saved up a collection that I probably could have done a few empties ago, anyway, I'll get this big lot out of the way and try to make it more regular. I will try to keep this as short & sweet as possible!

Empties

Mascara/ Eyeliner: Maybelline XXL Extensions, Covergirl Lash Blast Length, Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Curl, Essence I <3 Extreme Volume, Maybelline Master Precise eyeliner.

Most of these are all really old, and some I haven't used forever although they haven't even completely dried out, still! I just thought it was about time I got rid of them so I could use my newer ones. Ahh and when I finally opened my back up of the Master Precise eyeliner it felt so good to rediscover why I loved this eyeliner because the old one had almost dried up completely.

Eye Products

 Coastal Scents Gel Eyeliner in Gold & Plum: They have dried out and I can't be bothered trying to restore them as they were nothing special lol so I'm throwing them out. Might repurchase other colours one day.
Essence I <3 Stage eyeshadow base: Completely finished this, and would probably re-purchase but I have heard they are discontinuing it. I wont be able to get my hands on it before then! Never mind because I am using other primers that I like.

Face Products

Face of Australia Face Base Primer: As you can see I cut it open to get every last drop haha. I really need to repurchase as I have used this for ages and <3 it but using another primer at the moment. Really good as a hydrating base. I think they have changed the packaging to something purple now!
Models Prefer Anti Aging Undereye Concealer: In the end I used this as a concealer for blemishes. Not light reflecting at all so I thought it was better for this purpose. Would not repurchase simply as there are better under eye concealers out there. I did like it elsewhere but, and kinda wish I didn't run out so fast :S
Australis Fresh & Flawless Fdtn: Bought years ago, used as a mixer with other foundations. Wouldn't repurchase.
Avon True Luminous Oil Control Makeup Base: I swear this bottle was never ending lol but completely used it up, mixed in foundation, had a nice pinky glow. When I originally bought it I thought it was a primer which it definitely is not. Quite nice but probably wouldn't repurchase to try other ones.
Revlon Photoready Fdtn: I did like this foundation but since discovering Rimmel Wake Me Up I wouldn't buy it again.
Models Prefer Illuminizer: Much the same as the Avon one but a cream not a liquid. No repurchase.
Studio Direct Concealer: (light) Bought randomly on eBay, shade too light so I used it under foundation before discovering it as an under eye concealer. Might buy again one day but trying out other concealers for now.
Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Beige Pearl: Hit pan majorly as you can see, but couldn't be bothered finishing it completely to start using my Bourjois bronzer. Be aware this isn't exactly a bronzer as it is very light & glowy, but nice on the cheeks. I used it under Nars Laguna. Probably wont repurchase.

Face/Body Products

Skinstut Cream Cleanser: Swapped between this and my DMK Milky Cleanser which both have the same idea. It was good but not outstanding, & if I needed to I would repurchase.
 Lux Exfoliating Body Wash in Pomegranate & Palm: Love everything about this, I like the idea of an exfoliating body wash as it isn't too harsh to use everyday. The smell is amazing. I finally bought this again after a break.
St Ives Apricot Scrub in Invigorating: Would never use this on my face like I used to (way too harsh) but good for deeper exfoliation. Might re-buy but want to try others.
Cotton Body Wash: Used after finishing the Lux one, got in a set so I used it to get rid of it.
Wella Bio Touch Colour Protection Intensive Mask: Hard to tell if it really worked due to different factors, but was still nice. Wont buy again so I can try other colour saver masks.
Fiji Hydrating Body Lotion: Will keep bottle to reuse for traveling, got it as a gift & mixed it with other moisturizers.
Vintage Collection Rose Luxury Hand & Nail Cream: Another gift, perfect size for the handbag. Came in a set so I have a few other similar ones to use next.
Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum: Although not finished, chucking out as it is well and truly past expiration and has gone too hard to dig out... even though I found it go hard after the first couple of uses. Probably buy again but in another flavour. But I could just as easily make my own scrub lol.

I have also used up & replaced my Shampoo/ Conditioner & moisturizer/ mist many times since my last empties post....  hello obviously since that was in September haha.

Products I'm Getting Rid Of
I was going through makeup that I never wear, and that I had similar colours to already and preferred them over these... and I came up with a whole bag-full that I gave away to my brothers girlfriend (She wears only a little bit of makeup, maybe I should have told her to choose what she wanted, she was joking that I was giving her a makeup intervention :P)

 Face- Garnier Roll on, Nyx Taupe blush, Clinique Fresh Bloom in Peony sample, BYS Natural Shimmer brush, BYS Shimmer Pearls, Sportsgirl Lets Get Cheeky blushes, Face of Australia blusher in Outback Primrose, Dior Terra Bella bronzer sample, Australis blush in Rosy Cheeks.
There are a few products here from project empty, some that I haven't used in forever like Taupe blush (other alternatives, I can always buy again later down the track) & also some that didn't work for me... the garnier roll on is a good product, I just wanted something lighter for under the eyes.

 

Eyes: BYS eyeshadow palette in Black Steel, No name e/s duo, Ulta 3 e/s quad in purr like a kitten, Kate Reflect mirror eyes, BYS baked e/s, Bourjois Smoky eyes Rose Vintage, Face of Australia matte e/s primer, Mary-kate & Ashley all over shimmer in honey, BYS shimmer powder in Pink rose, Beauties Factory e/s in 453,  NYX e/s in nude, T'estimo e/s, 2 no name e/s, fake MAC e/s, NYX ultra pearl mania in Ocean Blue Pearl, Face of Australia e/s Jasper, Fake MAC mineralize e/s.
 Again I already had heaps of similar colours to these... or just forgot about them. Some I had bought and only used a handful of times.

Avon Glimmersticks e/l in Starry Night, Nude by Nature black e/l, Avon Super Shock liquid e/s, BYS liquid Silver Glitter e/l.

Lips: Mirenesse l/g, David Jones l/s in Sunburst, Covergirl l/s in Kiss, random lg, L'oreal Color Riche in electric fuchsia, Nyx l/s spellbound, L'oreal  Studio secrets in coral, Elizabeth Arden in Pink Punch,

Brushes: Essence of Beauty contour & highlight, Manicare Foundation, Manicare double ended, Model's prefer blending.

Nails: Orly in Sheer Peche, Essence in Cest La Vie, Rokk96 (price attack) in Toasted Almond.

Hallelujah, I'm happy I finally got this done, it's surely been a long time coming! And I promise I will post more regular, smaller empties. 

Have you ever gone through your stash and gotten rid of products (Read: given away. I couldn't bare to throw all of this out) you haven't used in a while or didn't like? It's very liberating, haha! I have certainly already filled the gaps that these left behind, however :P
xx

Fave Body Products// Smooth Skin for Summer

Summer is finally here!! If you live in the southern hemisphere, that it. It started out cold & cloudy but it is getting warmer now, not that we don't have plenty of time for that. Looking forward to the beach, jetski & barbeques!
So as it comes to Summer, the clothes get smaller & bodies get tanner. If you're not naturally tanned, fake tan is a must for a healthy summer glow (not that you need to be tanned to look healthy). And for that you will want smooth,hydrated skin.
Here are my fave body products that I feel achieves that!

 Body Wash
As you can see I have used this quite a bit & will buy again as soon as I've run out. I purchased this Lux Tahitan Escape Exfoliating body wash from Woolworths for about $4 on special a while ago. I love that it is small exfoliating beads in it too, while you still have to exfoliate regularly, this helps with cell turn over while cleansing & not being harsh for the skin. I create a lather with a body loafer & it smells like heaven.

 Exfoliator 
I bought this from Sportsgirl (see here) & use it about 1-2x a week. It has a really sweet vanilla-ry smell which can be a bit overpowering. Any body exfoliator that you like will do the job. Before this I used a scrub by St Ives that is meant for the face but is really harsh so it is good for the body. Focus on the arms (I get a little bit of Keratosis Pilaris there), elbows, knees & ankles but do a general scrub all over.

 

I use the body scrub with a Salux Cloth I got from ebay where the prices range from $4. It is the best investment (if you call something so cheap that) ever, and it is really long so it is easy to reach your back by holding both ends and doing a "sawing" motion.

If you want to use fake tan regularly you will need to figure out what method of hair removal is best for you. Waxing I find is the easiest for maintenance for the legs (if you can stand growing them out) as when you shave you may need to do it almost every day and each time you do it takes off a layer of skin so if you get professional spray tans done it can be a waste of time. But if you prefer at home tanning and can do it every few days shaving might be ok. Also don't forget to leave tanning for 24 hours after waxing otherwise it wont stick.
I wax my legs (thank god my hair is so sparse from doing this) but shave my underarms so I always apply this afterwards to calm the skin. I got it for about $12 from Woolworths.

Moisturizer

 And of course once you've finished in the shower, you will want to moisturize. I used to be so lazy with this but I love the feeling of doing it now. & if you have a fake tan, moisturizing every day will help it last longer. I really like this Garnier Body hydrating lotion & I mix it with this Pure Fiji moisturizer I got as a gift. I can't remember how much it is, around $7 I think? again from Woolworths.

This lotion does everything it says & is so easy to apply, and doesn't feel heavy at all.

I've recently gotten this other lotion from the same Garnier Range that I've used a few times & really like as well. It feels a bit heavier but super moisturizing & smells really nice.

 Gradual Tanner
I rarely use it but when I do I like the Naked Tan Gradual tanner which is $29.95 which just gives a nice natural glow. I am not really an expert at applying it so I usually have some splotches that I've missed. I'm also waiting for the St Moritz tan that I bought from ebay to seriously get into tanning. Woo!

 So they are the main body products I've been using lately & my skin feels super smooth & hydrated, I hope this post is helpful for any one coming into summer!