2014 Empties

I'm not good when it comes to empties, I've just got too many wonderful products to choose from that I never really get stuck on a product that I completely use up. Nevertheless, I've decided to post an empties for 2014 because I actually used up some makeup products and I'm hoping it will encourage me to get through some more in 2015!

Garnier BB cream 
I loved the Garnier BB cream when it first came out and then when the oily skin version came out (the one pictured above) I couldn't believe that they had made the formulation even better! This is a product that I literally use every single day and I've already repurchased it.

Rimmel Recover Anti-Fatigue Concealer
This was the first concealer I ever bought and I don't even know if they even sell it anymore, but it was pretty good. As the name suggests, it was more for under the eyes but being the unexperienced, new to makeup kind of girl, I just used it on whatever I felt like! I won't be repurchasing this again (if it is even still being sold) because there are better ones out there.

Face of Australia Concealer in Neutral
I really, really like this concealer and I've already picked up another one because it's affordable, a good colour match (despite there only being three shades available) and it does the job well. Face of Australia is one of my favourite brands too!

Essence Clear Brow and Lash Gel
This is my annual empty, I've used up a tube of these every year for a while now I just love it so much. Even when I'm having a no makeup day (and I mean not a scrap of concealer or mascara or anything) I still use this because I have nice thick brows that look amazing as long as they are tamed! I've already got a back up or three of this!

Covergirl Lashblast Length Mascara
I loved this mascara to death and continued using it wayyy beyond its use-by date (don't do it!). Having discovered so many other mascaras I've now realised that this wasn't quite as incredible as I thought it was, however it still is relatively good and served its purpose well.

Face of Australia Pressed Powder in Beige
Technically I only hit pan on this one but I am going to count it as an empty because that's a big achievement for me! This powder was okay but I wouldn't buy it again because I've tried others that are superior (although admittedly more expensive).







Girlz Only Dry Shampoo in Party Nights
Though this isn't the best dry shampoo in the world, it's $2 and it works just fine for me! Dry shampoo has made me the laziest person and I just love it. I've already repurchased a couple more of these.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Fresh
Well what do you know, another dry shampoo! Batiste make really good dry shampoos so if you're willing to spend a little more then definitely go for their products. I've not repurchased because I'm stingy and find the Girlz Only ones work well enough for me.

Dove Deodorant 
I used up way more than one deodorant this year but I only showed this one because they were all Dove roll ons. I don't know why I tend to purchase Dove ones, I guess it's just habit!

Herbal Essences Split Ends Protector Mask
I quite enjoyed this product although it was by no means a huge favourite or anything. I think it did improve the state of my hair, but I've used other intensive conditioners since and I feel as though they all do pretty much the same thing.

Michika Complete Synergist Cloth Masks
This was the first time I'd ever tried one of these masks and I really enjoyed the experience! They were richly moisturising and left my skin feeling amazing. I'm not sure I'd buy these again, or any mask for that matter, because I just don't ever get around to using them.

So there are my empties, probably a dismal amount compared to others but not bad for me!

Getting personal with new years resolutions

I am one of those people who get all reflective when the new year comes around, so much so that I think less about starting afresh like most people and more about what happened the year before.

2014 was a shocking year, one of more bad than good. Undertaking year 12 whilst struggling immensely with severe depression was a recipe for disaster and had a heavy impact on so many close to me. It has been a year of struggle and suffering but one of learning too, and I am in a position where I couldn't be more ready for change.

I considered making resolutions, I really did, but coming from a place where some days I literally cannot get myself out of bed, I wasn't terribly hopeful about my chances of upholding legitimate resolutions. Instead there is one thing that I would like to work towards with no expectation of fully achieving it, and that is simply working towards happiness.

Ugh, so cliche, so broad. But it means a lot to me, and I hope to maintain a mindset whereby each day, each decision, each moment, I will consider if it will allow me to work towards happiness. Perhaps this will give me more direction whilst also allowing me complete freedom. Each opportunity presented will be assessed solely by one criterion: will this make me happy? Who knows where this idea could take me, or if I can attempt to live this way because I certainly haven't been doing so thus far.

It applies to everything in my life. For instance with my blog, I want to place no more expectations on myself concerning posting. If posting four times a week makes me happy then I shall, if it is once a month that makes me happier I will do that instead.

I look forward to a year of getting better and recovering, and there is even a little hint of excitement about what University might hold.

Op shopping tips: The lowdown on SHOES

Brand: Nine West
Condition: Brand new, no original tag
Cost: $8

I am an avid Op-shopper. I would even go as far to say that I prefer to go Op-shopping than purchase things from 'real' shops. The clothes, jewellery and shoes that I always, without a doubt, get the most compliments on are those that I've purchased from Op-shops because they look just like any other piece of clothing except that you haven't seen every other person and their Grandma wearing it.

Although I am a complete convert of the magical Op-shop, I know that not everyone else is. It took me a while to realise this though, for I could just not understand why someone might be unsure about them. Shoes are one of those items that can make people feel a little bit funny about buying second hand so this post is to put your concerns at ease and encourage you to explore!

Brand: Luichiny
Condition: New, with $120 price tag
Cost: $7.99

First and foremost is the obvious concern: scungy feet that may have worn the shoe before you. There are a couple of reasons that this no longer bothers me (although at one point I had the same view). First of all, I disinfect all the shoes that I buy from Op-shops, just as I wash all the clothes that I buy too. By wiping down all the surfaces on the shoe there is no chance I can get any gross germs.
Additionally, when you think about going into a shoe shop, seeing a gorgeous pair of heels and then trying them on...how many people have done that before you?! What if they had some gross infection? Someone doesn't need to be wearing the shoes for an extended period of time to donate some of their germs to you so you are probably at as much risk (even more) from those shoes you tried on last time you went shopping which had bacteria from hundreds of feet that gave them a try.

The type of people who donate their shoes, in my opinion, a probably going to be okay. If they make the effort to go and donate them as opposed to putting them in the bin, they are probably going to be quite considerate about which feet have been in them. Furthermore every single pair of shoes that I've ever purchased from Op-shops (some of them you can see in the photo above) have been either brand new or barely worn. I've bought some shoes with the original price tags still attached!

So once you've got those worries out the way, I do have a few little rules that I stick to to make sure that my Op-shopping experience regarding shoes is as pleasant as possible.

Brand: Airflex
Condition: Second hand, barely worn
Cost: $11

1. Say no to canvas
This isn't a super strict rule (and if the shoes have the original price tag attached and have never been worn then ignore it completely) but I find that the canvas shoes usually donated are a little dirty and worn which you just don't want, and they can't be cleaned with disinfectant as easily. Unlike a pair of gorgeous Steve Madden heels (yep, I've seen them in the Op-shop before), canvas shoes brand new are inexpensive and it makes more sense to buy them brand new.

2. Don't get shoes so worn they are moulded to the past feet!
Very rarely do I actually see shoes that have been worn all that much, but if you're looking for a pair and you see that they've actually worn in to change shape according to the past foot's imprint, then it's best to stay away from them. Not only does it make them uncomfortable because they aren't able to mould to your shape, it's just not good for your feet.

3. Only buy shoes that fit!
Because you see all these gorgeous, expensive brand shoes for basically no price at all, it can be tempting to purchase shoes that are just a little bit too small, or just one size up. Don't do it! It's not worth the trouble of wearing ill fitting shoes just because they're beautiful and cheap! The beauty about Op-shopping is that even though you might have to leave on pair of shoes behind, you will be sure to find a gem in your size somewhere around the corner.

Brand: New look
Condition: Brand new (no price tag)
Cost: $12

4. Make sure they are reasonably clean
This is probably an obvious one, but if they are caked in dirt or have clay stuck in their soles, don't bother with them. If they have a funny texture with a stain on them that you think you might be able to wash out, don't bother. There are so many good quality, well kept pairs of shoes out there to choose from that it's just not worth getting the grotty ones!

One more tip is that a reasonable price for a pair of heels, in my experience, is $8 to $12. Of course, it depends whether the shop is located in a more expensive suburb, city etc. but believe me, I am an experienced second hand shopped and all of the heels above I purchased within this price range, a pair brand new with the $120 price tag attached I bought for $7.95. Typically sandals are the cheapest (I bought a brand new pair of Haviana thongs for $2), followed by sneakers/canvas shoes, heels and then boots which can be up to $20. If the brand of shoe is more expensive then it could go up to $30

Brand: Target
Condition: Worn
Cost: $8

if they are really, really posh but anymore than that is crazy I think! For those of you Op-shoppers out there I would love to know how the prices are for you because these are all Adelaide prices and I know Adelaide in general is usually a bit cheaper than places like Sydney and Melbourne, let me know!

I hope this helped those of you out a little bit who were perhaps a little unsure about the whole ordeal. I love Op-shopping so much and all of my favourite pieces were sourced from an Op-shop, you should join the fun too!

NOTD - Festive all 'round

In my traditional style, I am months (years even?) late to jump on the accent nail bandwagon but whatever, I felt as though this mani called for it and I had been wanting to try out my Rimmel Space Dust polish for so long. I love glitter polishes however I despise having to remove them, so the accent nail was the perfect solution that also meant my nails weren't too OTT. I found Rimmel's polish Aurora absolutely magical! The accent nail in the photo was achieved with one coat, was so dense and beautiful in every way!

The base polish I used was Revlon's Creme Brulee, a gorgeous pale gold shade.

My Beach Reads - December 2014

Although I love makeup and all things beauty related, my true love is actually books. Classics are my favourite genre, fantasy my least favourite and I often get down upon remembering that I will never have enough time in my life to read all the books that need to be read.

I've recently been given a whole heap of books for my graduation and as early Christmas presents (although I am super excited about the books I'll be receiving from my parents as per my request!) and I am bursting to read them, so I thought I'd share them with you. I've called this post 'My beach reads' however there is nothing summery or beachy about them at all except that I'll be reading them this summer at the beach on holidays. Sounds like perfection to me!

One flew over the Cuckoo's nest by Ken Kesey
This book has been on my 'to-read' list for so.damn.long and I am determined that December 2014 will be the time I finally get around to it. A classic novel about a character in a mental hospital, I think it will be an incredibly interesting read.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I've already started this much loved read and for someone who typically adores all the classics, well...I'm kind of disappointed. I'm about halfway through and for me, Pride and Prejudice just doesn't have the same allure as To Kill a Mockingbird or Lolita had for me. I'm going to stick this one out though and see if I change my mind...

The Hospital by the River by Dr Catherine Hamlin
Since going on the mission trip to Cambodia when I was in year 10, I thrive off of real life stories of differences generous people have made in third world countries regarding aid. I am really looking forward to this story gynaecologists moving from Australia to Ethiopia to start a midwifery school.

The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi
On the 18th of December this year I received my ATAR (university entrance score) and....I got into Speech Pathology at University, my dream career! This has been such a momentous time in my life and a family friend celebrated with me by giving me this book about an incredible speech therapist who changed everything!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
The world has gone crazy for John Green, especially his book The Fault in Our Stars, however I've always loved his less popular books like Looking for Alaska and an Abundance of Katherines. For this reason I am so very excited about diving into Will Grayson, Will Grayson, especially as it is co-written with another really good author.

A fraction of the whole by Steve Toltz
I had never known of this books existence until it was gifted to me and now I'm really excited about reading it for he gave it a glowing review! I actually wouldn't even have a clue what it's about so it will be a real surprise!

Well that's what's on my list for the next month or so...let me know what book(s) you'll be reading so I can add them to my TBR list!

New to my stash - NARS, NYX, Sally Hansen and more

I do this every year: despite the fact that Christmas is coming and gifts will be given, I can't resist bargains and end up acquiring all sorts of stuff in the lead up, hoping that I won't end up accidentally receiving something I've purchased as a gift!

Lately I've sourced a couple of beauty products that are new to my stash, some of which have already become solid favourites and others that are yet to be tried at all.

The first products I've added to my collection are two nail polishes, both polishes that I believe are quite festive. The Australis Nail Glitter Topcoat in the shade Eureka wasn't on sale (I know, I can't even believe I bought it!) but I wanted something to match my new clutch and this was absolutely perfect. Of course, as usual I am behind the trends but I've been enjoying wearing a glittery accent nail lately and this has been a favourite polish for the job.

Another nail polish that I now have is the Sally Hansen Lustre Shine polish in the shade Plume. I'd never even seen these polishes before but it was on sale for $5 and I grabbed it on a whim, totally sucked in by the gorgeous holographic (is that how you describe it?) nature.

Next I finally, after so damn long, bought a Rimmel London Apocolips lip lacquer in the shade Celestial, a gorgeous mid toned pink. This liquid lipstick is something I have taken a strong liking too, including the pigmentation, formula and packaging. I think I'll get around to a review on it some time in the new year, despite the fact that I'm probably the last person on Earth to have tried them.

Then I was at Target and noticed that they were having a 30% off sale on NYX products, a brand that I was so excited about when it first came to Australia yet haven't actually explored all that much. The two products I do own from NYX - a cream blush and matte lip cream - I love, and I knew a Jumbo eye pencil had to be next. I chose the shade Cashmere, a stunning pale gold shade that I know I will get so much use out of!

Of course it was then Essence that caught my eye and I grabbed one of their Silky Touch blushes in the shade Sweetheart that I'd read positive reviews on. So far I've been really enjoying the simplicity of the blush yet its beautiful pigmentation and colour. 

I was also so very lucky to win a giveaway on Abigail's blog, Shrinking Wallet, where one of the prizes I won was a NARS duo containing the infamous blush and bronzer, Orgasm and Laguna respectively. To say that I was excited is an absolute understatement, I was over the moon with joy. I still am, using the bronzer almost every day and the blush regularly. They are both perfect! 

I'm going to enjoy playing with my recent goodies very so much! If there is a particular review you would like to see, let me know! 

Maybelline Coloursensational Vivids Lipstick in Shocking Coral

I am such a seasonal makeup person. When Summer rolls around I just start to crave the bright fruity shades, lipsticks in shocking pinks and tangerine. The Maybelline Coloursensational Vivids lipsticks seemed the perfect way to feed my hunger for summery hues. The shades Shocking Coral and Vibrant Mandarin caught my attention from the moment they were released but it was only when I saw Shocking Coral on sale for $8 down from $16.95 at good old Kmart that I actually purchased one. It's just the way I do things, I honestly can't recall the last time I paid full price for something...

Well, this is certainly a bold colour. I tried so hard to capture its true colour in the photos but as always, they didn't turn out quite right. The swatches are misleading, for in reality it is not a hot pink shade but more of a fluorescent highlighter pink! I've included the photos anyway but it definitely isn't an everyday kind of shade like the photos might suggest.


Having developed a makeup stash that is way out of hand, I'm no longer one to shy away from crazy, bold makeup products but even I hesitated with this one! It's one for the brave who love their pinks. I think it would be perfect for a summer festival or chilling out at a cafe down by the beach.

In terms of formulation, this is a perfectly fine lipstick that is neither drying nor particularly moisturising, just in the middle. The lasting power is also mid-range, basically it is a lipstick that is not my favourite of all but perfectly good in every sense of the word. The pigmentation is great and it has a creamy, slightly glossy looking finish but contains no shimmer at all.

I quite like the packaging in all its simplicity, it's really easy to find amongst my stash with its bright case and the silver mirror on the top. I love that it's not one of those stupid lipsticks where the bullet extends beyond the case and you risk jamming the lid into the product every time you try to open or close it! Those lipsticks have really been bothering me lately! It has a slight smell to it, one that I couldn't quite identify, but it doesn't linger.

All up this is a gorgeous bold pink that any lipstick lover should definitely consider adding to their collection for the summer. I have a feeling that the tangerine shade may end up joining Shocking Coral in my collection because honestly, who can resist an orange these days?

Monthly Favourites - November

It's December, which means that it is the last month of 2014, which is actually beyond my comprehension. I honestly cannot believe that it has come to the end of this crazy year, but in all honestly I am actually relieved!

My November favourites are, in my opinion, a special bunch. I discovered some new makeup, continued to love old favourites and found an Op-shop gem that I've been loving.

Face
My face favourite is a bit of a funny one this month because I've still not formulated an opinion on the product despite it being basically the only face product I've used! In early November I purchased the Maybelline Better Skin Foundation in Priceline's 40% off sale, totally sucked in by all the hype I had seen on some of my favourite blogs. I've used it quite regularly since and somehow still not come to a conclusion whether I like it or not. I will do a review on it eventually but I feel like I need to come to some kind of decision about it first!

Eyes
It's really no surprise that the Naked palette is my favourite for this month - the moment I got it it was love at first sight. This palette is the most perfect combination of golds and browns, my two favourite eyeshadow shades. It does have a bit of fallout which is actually really quite frustrating (I never remember to do my eye makeup before my face makeup) but it's worth it because every shade is stunning!

Lips
I know, I know, I really am cheating here with another product from last month's favourites, but I'm simply telling the truth! I am completely obsessed with the Revlon Matte Balm Stain in Elusive, it is perfect! This is my go-to product when I'm feeling lazy or don't know what to wear. It is already faded and worn from being stashed in my handbag among all the other crap I carry around! If you are a fan of the original balms by Revlon or love a matte lip product, you absolutely have to try these out.

Nails
Pink and red shades are always my go-to nail polish colours but for some reason I just felt like going with a gold polish. One of my favourites is Revlon's polish in Creme Brulee (a poorly named but beautiful colour). It's a toned down gold shade that is subtle but still absolutely beautiful, quite a tasteful, classy shade.

Last but definitely not least is the other category. On one of my regular Op-shopping trips I spotted this sequinned clutch from Betts for only $4! It was such a bargain and I just adore it, having used it so many times! It's perfect for a night out with some gold jewellery and adds the perfect amount of glamour to anything!

November was certainly one of the most stressful months of this year with my final high school exams and the end of year celebrations but it was a good one and I am glad that December has arrived in preparation for what will hopefully be an amazing year in 2015!

Life Hacks for a bad day

I've finally finished all my year 12 exams and the relief I feel is incredible! You don't quite realise how much pressure you are under until it goes away! I am so looking forward to long holidays and the time to get back to blogging.

Today I wanted to do a post about bad days because I had quite a few of them over the past year and found a couple of tricks that really helped me to get through them. I suffer from depression so when I have a bad day, it can easily extend to weeks and weeks if I'm not careful. These are some of the tricks I use to make them that little bit more tolerable.

Create a digital wardrobe
On a good day when you chuck on an outfit and admire yourself in the mirror, take a picture and save it on your phone. When it comes to a bad day you are standing there in the mirror feeling horrible, it can be too overwhelming to choose an outfit, especially when you feel ugly and gross in everything. By having some of your killer outfits saved on your phone, you can flick through and pick one that you know looks amazing, even if you might not feel that way at the time. Though it may sound a bit silly that a bad outfit could ruin your day, when you're feeling dreadful, clothes you're unhappy with and feel horrid in can honestly make everything ten times worse.

Cry!
I think in our society it really isn't accepted that people cry, which I find silly because sometimes a good cry is exactly what you need to let all the yuckiness out. Of course, it's not ideal to be sobbing all the time out at the shops or out to dinner, but don't feel that you have to hold it all in because it can just make you feel worse.

Go for a short walk
Despite the fact that exercise is the absolute last thing I feel like doing when I am feeling sad, a short walk can do wonders. When I walk I find it clears my thoughts, removes from the immediate situation I am in and puts in perspective a little. It's also good to get your blood pumping when you're feeling a little down.

Find a puppy to cuddle
If you have pets, this is the very time to get out there with them and spend some quality time. If you aren't in a talking mood, they are the greatest because they give cuddles and there is no expectation for you to reveal your innermost soul. Animals just seem to have this therapeutic feel about them and it is pretty difficult to feel sad after hanging out with a dog.

Talk, talk, talk
This is a bit of an obvious one, especially for women, but talking is so.freaking.useful. Sometimes I feel guilty for what I feel is 'dragging others down with me' but we all know that's what friends are for, to be there for you in the good and bad, and another person's perspective can usually help. Friends are also just magical at cheering you up, or at the very least providing the chocolate fix desperately needed.

Chuck on that killer lipstick
It's hardly a solution to big problems, but if you just wake up feeling a bit flat, chuck on that lipstick that you know is stunning and it will brighten your day just a little bit.

Save up your compliments
When someone says something really lovely about you, make a mental note of it for the tough times when you're feeling a little unloved. It is at these times that past compliments are of their greatest worth.

Go back to that book
Being a bookworm, I have an ample collection of books that I turn to for different occasions whether I'm feeling lonely, lost or just sad all round. There is nothing better than revisiting one of my favourites and finding the characters I once fell in love with. Not only can a book transform you from your world, you can learn sooooo much about life in them!

I hope some of these help you out and I would love to know what you guys do on a bad day.

Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm - Elusive

When I first saw that Revlon had released a matte collection of the Colourburst Balm Stains, believe it or not, I wasn't terribly interested. I was at Chemist Warehouse when they were having one of their 50% off sale and when I saw that they were $10, of course I was going to pick one up anyway! Having had such success with the original ones (by success I mean that I love them and think they are the greatest inventions ever) I thought I may as well venture into the matte side of life. I grabbed the shade Elusive which I am so pleased with, it is the most perfect, beautiful, dusty pink shade that I can totally pull off as a 'my lips but better' shade.

For someone who wasn't really very fond of matte lip products, I can can that I am now a completely changed woman! This product is honestly so.darn.good and I intend to pick up some more when I see them on sale again!

First up, I think we need to talk about the gorgeous, chunky crayon look-alike balm packaging that so many brands have adopted with the new craze of the balm stains. I am 100% a fan and for some reason it just makes putting on a lip product all the more exciting. Matching the matte nature of the product, these balm stains have matte packaging in corresponding colours to the shade of the product. I was thinking the other day about how challenging it would be to finish up all the product because you really get quite a lot, but I don't know if that would be a more achievable goal for someone who doesn't own a billion lip products...

Like the other balm stains, this is very long wearing and leaves a stain behind as it wears off your lips. Eating and drinking proves to be no challenge! It is so wonderfully pigmented and comfortable on the lips, although slightly more drying than the first range due to its mattified nature. Still, for a matte product it's not bad and I have few issues with it at all.

This is undoubtedly an everyday wear, a stunning mid toned pink shade that I can just, just pull off as a my-lips-but-better shade although it is a little too perfect to be my own! (Apologies for the swatch photo though, it went all strange and looks a bit odd!)

One of my favourite things about this though, is that it doesn't have the same super strong peppermint smell the original ones did, but instead a more toned down spearmint scent that goes away quickly. I personally love scented products but I really did struggle with the overwhelming minty scent the original ones had, especially because mint is probably my least favourite scent of all!

Anyhow, I can't believe I very nearly missed out on the magic of this wonderful, wonderful balm. It's honestly been on my lips non stop since I purchased it (and that was a while ago now...) so it's definitely been a great success. I think I may have even managed to wear it to school once without getting told off (a big achievement!).

Speaking of which, I will have finished all my exams on the 14th and I will be a free woman to wear what I want, do what I want, be who I want...and that is the most exciting and terrifying prospect ever!

Already just thinking about it I struggle to come up with ideas of what I might get up to on my big long holidays because school has been my entire life and I think I will be lost without it...any ideas of cool things to get up to?