September Empties

Another month, more empties! I think I did quite well for September!

 

 

Neutrogena All-in-One Make-Up Removing Cleansing Wipes: Same review as April Empties. Can't get much easier than these!

 

 

L to R: Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioner, Korres Volcanic Minerals Volumizing Mascara

 

Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioner: I picked this up on sale at Shoppers due to the brand's promise of environmental friendliness and the promise of argan oil. I loved the French vanilla scent this had (reminds me of the old St. Ives French Vanilla Conditioner I used to love, that I can't seem to find anywhere now). This made my hair feel soft and somewhat managed my frizz. I generally flit from conditioner to conditioner, but I like this enough to consider repurchasing.

 

Korres Volcanic Minerals Volumizing Mascara: from this haul. This mascara works really well for me! Not only does it add a lot of volume (without clumps!) it also lengthens and adds the perfect hint of a curl for my lashes! I loved this sooo much I snatched up the full-size version at Sephora that was on sale for $12! This could be my HG mascara!

 

 

L to R: KIT Quilted Square Cosmetic Pads, Dr.'s REMEDY Non-Acetone Enriched Nail Polish Remover

 

KIT Quilted Square Cosmetic Pads: Average, run-of-the-mill cotton pads, however I found these snagged on everything and left behind wisps of cotton. Will not repurchase.

 

Dr.'s REMEDY Non-Acetone Enriched Nail Polish Remover: from this haul. This nail polish remover has a garlicky scent (think garlic-based alcohol) but does the job. Maybe not the fastest to use, but gets even the toughest glitters off eventually. I like that my nails seemed stronger after using this remover, and if the bottle weren't so small I'd consider repurchasing.

 

 

L to R: Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Anti-Perspirant in Completely Clean, Ducray Squanorm Shampoo, Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara

 

Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid: I found this anti-perspirant as effective as the gel formula, but it didn't stain my t-shirts! That's always a plus, this is less of a mess to apply as well and I have already purchased a replacement!

 

Ducray Squanorm Shampoo: see review here. Repurchased and will continue to repurchase.

 

Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara: from this haul. This is the middle of the road of the 3 mascaras I finished up in September. This gives the volume and slight hint of curl similar to Korres, but unfortunately by the end of most days, I do have a bit of smudging under my eyes that I don't get with other mascaras. If only Benefit fixed this issue, this could be HG mascara contender! I still have another sample of this mascara, but at this point I will not be repurchasing.

 

 

 

L to R: Yves St. Laurent Glossy Stain in No. 9 Rouge Laque, Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12-hr Brightening Primer, Buxom Lash Mascara

 

Yves St. Laurent Glossy Stain in No. 9 Rouge Laque: from this haul. This is a bright, orangey-toned red. Similar to No 7 Corail Aquatique (reviewed last month) this is pretty long lasting and lacks the stickiness that most people hate about glosses. I used up the applicator brush last month so used my lip brush to apply it, I definitely found this method much more difficult than the spongey applicator and got some clumping / unevenness. I also hated this colour on me, it was too orangey and bright and I felt a bit clownish wearing this out in public (especially since I couldn't get it as even as I'd have liked). I couldn't even use up all of this sample, and will definitely not purchase in this colour.

 

Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12-hr Brightening Primer: I got this deluxe size in a kit of minis sold at Sephora two Christmases ago. I find this primer okay, but not the best (I like Too Faced's version much better as it blurs imperfections more). It has a light citrusy scent to it which is pleasant, and feels moisturizing on the skin.

 

Buxom Lash Mascara: from this haul. Of the 3 mascaras I used up this month this was my least favourite. But was by no means a bad mascara. No clumping or raccoon eyes, and definitely elongated my lashes. However, I prefer mascaras that both volumize and lengthen my lashes. I still have another sample of this to get through, but I don't think I'll be buying this again.

 

All in all a pretty successful month of empties for me! 6 full-size items, 4 deluxe-size items, and one sample!

 

What products did you use up in September?

NOTD: September 25, 2014

 

The weather has been so nice lately it feels more like summer than fall! I decided on this bright, verging on neon mani to match the beautiful weather!

 

This is two coats each of Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Want to Have Fun (from this haul) and Sephora Formula X At Your Own Risk (from this haul). I really liked how bright and fun these colours looked together (although they're likely bright enough on their own!). I used NYC Matte Me Crazy as my base and Revlon Multi-Care Base+Top Coat to finish.

 

I am definitely going to have to experiment with these colours as I think I have a number of interesting combinations in my collection!

 

Thanks for reading!

September Sephora Haul!

I spent some more money...

 

 

L to R: Lip Tar Metallic Test Tube Role Model (Primer, Pleasure Model, and Role Model), Formula X - The Two Summer (Bionic, At Your Own Risk), nails inc. Trafalgar Crescent, Sephora Collection Colorful Universal Atomizer Amethyst, and Pink Sugar Rollerball

 

L to R: Very Irresistible Givenchy, Kate Somerville HydraClear Hydrating Acne Gel, Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White, Formula X Brainchild, Glamglow Thirstymud, bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

I've been loving the OCC lip tars, pleasure model actually works on my fair skin tone and isn't too light to wash me out completely! I'm loving getting to try a new brand of nail polish - Formula X. I also love that Sephora threw in 2 extra sample packets with my order!

Have you bought anything lately?

Thanks for reading!

 

NOTD: September 19, 2014

 

Another pink mani! This is 1 coat nails inc. Devonshire Row (from this haul) on the index and pinky fingers and 3 coats of unnamed Quo by Orly that I'm calling My Heart is Nuclear (from this haul) on the middle and ring fingers. I topped this mani with my Revlon Multi-Care Base+Top coat.

 

I was really impressed with Devonshire Row, there aren't too many one-coaters out there, but with a careful hand this definitely is one of them!

 

What one-coaters do you own?

 

Thanks for reading!

Julep August Maven Box

More shopping! Definitely a sign of a true makeup addict, I can't resist good deals!

 

L to R: $10 off code, Queen Anne, Bare Face Cleansing Oil, Blank Canvas Mattifying Face Primer, Phone sticker/cleaner

 

This month I opted for the Beauty Trailblazers box, as I've heard great things about the cleansing oil, I'm on the hunt for a new face primer and I couldn't say no to the purple glitter that is Queen Anne.

 

The only item I've tried so far is the phone sticker, which was okay, ultimately I took it off my phone as it was bothering me to hold the phone with the sticker on it.

 

I did order the September Maven box, but have yet to receive it, seems like Julep's shipping is taking a lot longer than it used to.

 

Which maven box did you choose for August?

 

Thanks for reading!

 

NOTD: September 14, 2014

 

A bright mani for a beautiful sunshine-y day!

 

This is 2 coats of Sparitual Emerald City (from this haul) over my butter London Nail Foundation and under my Revlon Multi-Care Base+Top coat. On the accent nail I added one coat of Sally Hansen 3, 2, 1derland (from this haul).

 

This photo is not exactly colour accurate...here's the deal with Emerald City, in different lighting it's a different colour, in darker lights it's more blue as you see above, in natural or fluorescent lighting it's bright true green (not dark enough for me to call emerald). This was also a sheer polish and as you can see, 2 coats didn't cover my nail lines. The first coat almost made me give up on the colour it was that sheer. Definitely not one of my favourite formulas.

 

Good thing there's nothing else similar in my hoard or Emerald City would be toast.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

NOTD: September 7, 2014

 

I usually find neutrals a bit boring, but this manicure is oogle worthy! I started with a coat of NYC Matte Me Crazy! and added 2 coats of Sephora Formula X in Invincible (from this haul), then added 2 coats of Quo by Orly that I'm calling Candy is Dandy (the leftmost shade from this haul), I then topped all nails except my ring finger with Revlon Multi-Care Base+Top Coat (it's my goal to empty it out by the end of the year), the ring finger has 4 coats of NYC Matte Me Crazy! kind of proving that the mattifying powers of the formula aren't all that strong in this polish combo.

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks for reading!

Labour Day Finds!

I did some more shopping....

 

 

L to R: Anna Sui Minnie Mouse, Lise Watier Topaze, Sparitual Intellect, Sparitual Strike a Pose, butter London Petrol Pink

 

I hauled these polish at my local Winners for $38! I couldn't resist the cuteness that is Anna Sui's Minnie Mouse bottle, and I knew from Vampy Varnish's swatches that the colour was unique for my collection. I will also get to try 2 new to me brands of nail polish: Anna Sui and Lise Watier! I'm sure you'll be seeing reviews/NOTDs with these shortly!

 

What deals did you find over Labour Day?

 

Thanks for reading!

NOTD: September 2, 2014

 

Another bright pink mani! What can I say, I've been in a classic girly mood recently! This is two coats of Julep Avery (from this haul) under my Revlon Multi-Care Base+Top Coat.

 

This is the standard mid-tone pink, although it's just a bit brighter than most others. Not exactly different from anything else on the market, but I was happy with the performance and it was free!

 

Are you in colour rut too?

 

Thanks for reading!