My Mecca Cosmetica Beauty Loop Box | February 2015

I just love going in to collect my Beauty Loop Box from Mecca Cosmetica every 3 months. I'm always intrigued at what samples we will get this time, and I'm never disappointed. Just for reference, I'm at Beauty Loop Level 2.

Firstly, I got the Korres Fig Shower Gel. I've always wanted to try one of their shower gels, and now I have the perfect opportunity. I also got the Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment, which was in a previous Beauty Loop Box. That sample I gave to my mum, but I'll keep this one to try out. I ended up giving my mum the Kate Somerville Anti-Aging Treatment, because it's more suitable for her. Another sample from Kate Somerville is the Kate Somerville Self Tanning Towlettes. I'm not sure if I would use this because I don't tan, but I might give it a go later on in the year when it gets colder so I can cover up the disaster with pants. Lastly, I got the  Mecca Cosmetica False Lashes. The packaging is so luxurious for false lashes and I can't wait to try them out because they look so natural.

What did you get in your Beauty Loop Box?

x

Empties #5

Another 2 months, another empties post. I love reading empties post because you really get to know how the person got on with the products as they finished them all. This month I finished off a few makeup bits which was exciting. So I hope you enjoy!

Makeup & Nails

NARS Radient Creamy Concealer - You can see how well loved this is. As I was coming to the end of it, I dropped it and the top broke, but it revealed all this hidden concealer under the top, which meant it lasted for a whole other month! I love this concealer, it just does such a great job at multitasking. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat - This was great as it was both a base and top coat. I didn't finish it but it got too goopy and became to hard to be able to properly coat my nails. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer - This was the first primer I ever got, when I was getting my makeup done at Napoleon Perdis for my Year 12 Ball. It was a good primer but I think I've found better ones now for my skin. Would I Repurchase? No.

Benefit The Porefessional - Everyone seems to be divided on this. Some people say it's their holy grail while others hate it. I was on the fence. It was good, but it wasn't great. I didn't really find a difference with using this to my other primers. Would I Repurchase? No.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer - This concealer was great. So easy to use and it didi really well at covering dark circles. Also, it didn't crease. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - I love this foundation! Not only is it pale enough for me but the coverage is great and sits well on my skin. I'm not going to repurchase this year because I have to finish other foundations, but I definitely will. Would I Repurchase? Yes. 

Rimmel Winder'Full Mascara With Argan Oil - This was a good mascara but it wasn't great. I loved the brush but the formula was really wet, and I found it transferred to under my eyes during the day. Would I Repurchase? No.

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes Intense in 01 Intense Black - This was my mum's but she gave it to me because I needed it for a costume for my halloween concert. After I used it, the product inside broke so I couldn't use it anymore. It was good, but there are other better eyeliners out there. Would I Repurchase? No.

Napoleon Perdis Camera Finish Powder Foundation - This was another product I got when I was getting my ball makeup done. It was good, but then I found other powders that worked better for me. Would I Repurchase? No.

Haircare

Batiste Dry Shampoo - This is a standard in every empties. I particularly love this scent. Will I Repurchase? Of course.

Cynthia Sylvia Stout Beer Shampoo - The scent for me wasn't the greatest but I could see and feel a difference with my hair. It made it a lot softer and helped combat the frizziness as I dry my hair naturally. Will I Repurchase? Yes.

 Bodycare

Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel - I didn't really like the scent of this. I think I prefer the fruity ones but it was nice and creamy. Would I Repurchase? No.

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel - This is probably my favourite all time shower gel. The smell is amazing, it lathers up really well, and leaves me feeling squeaky clean. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub: Ugh, this scent! It's just so great and perfect for a morning wake up. Also, the actual scrub aka the important bit, is great. It's not got fine granules which is good because I want a heavy duty exfoliant. Will I Repurchase? Yes.

 Harajuku Lovers Perfume in Love - This was my first perfume. It was one I used on special occasions. What's funny is for my last birthday, my friend got me another one and she didn't realise I had it but it's great that I have a back up now. Would I Repurchase? No.

Skincare

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes - Just the standard in every empties. These are really gentle on my face and there is no irritation after. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Lush Tea Tree Water - This is such a great toner. I use it by spritzing my face with it after cleansing, and it soothes the face. Also, along with this product, I've noticed a difference in my skin. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover - This is so great at taking off my makeup. It doesn't irritate my eyes like other oil based makeup removers. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser - I love this moisturiser and I already have a replacement one. It didn't leave a residue on my skin and I feel like it's improved the clarity of my skin. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Aesop Control Gel - This was a nice gentle gel to put on top of my spots. It soothed them and didn't dry out the skin surrounding them. Would I Repurchase? Yes.

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes - I had high hopes for these but they didn't work for me. They stung my face and didn't wipe off the makeup. Because the towels were so moist, they just swished the makeup around my face. Would I Repurchase? No.

What have you finished up recently?

x

The First Haul Of The Year

So I actually accomplished my goal for the month of January; no new makeup! So of course I treated myself to some makeup. Which doesn't make sense, but anyway. I had my Priceline voucher to use and there were a few other things I wanted to get.

First up on my trip was to go to Priceline. I picked up two Essie Nail Polishes in the shades Buy Me A Cameo, a rose gold colour, and Chinchilly, a taupe. There was a 3 for 2 deal on Maybelline, so I picked up a new Maybelline Brow Drama and two of the new Maybelline Intense Velvet Lip Pencils in the shades Red Essential and Berry Much. I'm so excited to try these out! Also, we finally got the Maxfactor Facefinity Primer which I'm super happy about. I have high hopes for this little fella!

Next was Lush. I was on a mission to find something to help maximise volume as my hair is very limp. The lovely lady suggested the Sea Spray to add more volume and texture to the hair and the Seanik Shampoo Bar to add volume. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts of those things. It seems that the spray gets mixed reviews, so I'm interested in how it works out for me.

Of course, there was a trip to Mecca Maxima. Both of these things were on my shopping list for the day, so I didn't impulse spend in there. I picked up my second tub of the Origins Ginzing Moisturiser which I love for my skin, and the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub which is my favourite body scrub I've tried so far! The scent is to die for, and refreshing, which is good for the morning hen you need to wake up.

Lastly, was MAC. This was a bit of a treat for me. I intended to get the Russian Red Lipstick as it has been on my wishlist for a long time. The MUA was so lovely there and was having a chat to me about my makeup, and she recommended the Pro Longer Concealer. I caved and got it as I hear so many rave reviews about this concealer so I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

What have been your latest purchases?

x

Pinterest Love | Dream Apartment #1

Images via Pinterest

I think everyone dreams of the day they fly the nest and move into their own home or apartment. If everything works out this year as planned, I may be doing just that next year and moving to Melbourne! Then hopefully London! I definitely see myself living in the city so I have my sights set on a cosy little apartment. Obviously, I am on a student budget so my apartment will not look like the ones above, but that is why the board is call "Dream Apartment". I use this board on Pinterest to pin pictures of interiors of homes to collect ideas on what I want my future dwelling to resemble.

I love slanted roofs with windows like this one. It is definitely more of a European thing, as I don't see a lot of buildings here with roofs like that. It just makes for a cosy corner. As you can see, I like a white palette. As I have now, I want a white comforter so I can then add pops of colour where I want to. Of course, as a treat when I move out, I'll be getting some Aesop hand soap. Why not?! I think it might be a bit risky for me to get a white sofa. I'm just so messy and I sure it will get stained by the end of it's first week of use. I love this grey sofa, as it still comforts to the black/white colour palette I'm aiming for.

x

My New "My Lips But Better" Shade

We will all be on an endless search for our "my lips but better shade". One that enhances out lips and has the right formula, which feels natural. I've discovered a new favourite. It's the NARS Lipstick in the shade Dolce Vita. It is one of their sheer formulas which makes it a perfect everyday colour. It's described as a dusty rose and it enhances my lips, by evening the colour and making them look healthy. So if you're on the look out for a shade like this, I'd highly recommend this one. Also, I love the packaging. NARS packaging is just so sleek, and the product inside is worth the money.

What is your current "my lips but better" shade?

x