Beauty Empties #16 ♡ Urban Decay, Kylie Skin, Too Faced, Origins, Kiehl's, Maybelline + More

The last beauty empties I posted was nearly three months ago and since then, I have collected another basket full of empty products that I am excited to share with you.

I feel like majority of the times I buy the same products over and over, so in my empties posts, there are a lot of repeated stuff, but this time, I have tried a few new products and hopefully this post doesn't get too boring. Haha ~ 

URBAN DECAY CHERRY-SCENTED ALL NIGHTER SETTING SPRAY SMELLS SO GOOD! I love it so much that I bought a bunch of back-ups before it's all sold out. This one was limited edition that launched with the Naked Cherry collection.

URBAN DECAY MECCALAND ALL NIGHTER SETTING SPRAY was a Mecca exclusive and I can't describe the smell of this, but it smells kind of fake, like packages... I don't know, hahah.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is my all time favourites.

GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON PINK JUICE MOISTURIZER was okay and to be honest, I think the brand and their products are overhyped. This moisturiser is described as a lightweight, brightening product that boost radiance and glow and I feel like it does the same on my skin as any other moisturiser.

KYLIE SKIN VITAMIN C SERUM is one of the new products that I tried this year and really like. I am just really surprised at how fast this bottle finished, I used it every morning and it lasted about two months. I like that it reduces my redness and that it makes my face looks fresh.

TOO FACED PEACH PERFECT FOUNDATION IS THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR OILY SKIN and I had to write that all in capital letters, so you know how serious I am about it. I have recommended this foundation to people with oily skin and they all end up loving it! I love that it feels lightweight, it wears all day, looks flawless on the skin and it smells like peaches.

FRESH SOY FACE CLEANSER didn't wow me, but it didn't do a bad job either. I bought this to try because a lot of people has recommended, but again, I feel like it does the same on me as any other cleanser.

ORIGINS ORIGINAL SKIN MATTE MOISTURIZER is another product that I highly recommended for people with oily skin. It's so amazing, it keeps my skin matte all day without loosing the glow. I use this every morning with or without makeup.

GLAMGLOW GRAVITYMUD PINK FIRMING TREATMENT only comes in the travel size and this little pot lasted me three uses and it cost $39, which I think is really expensive. The product itself is amazing though, this is a peel-off mask and it makes my skin feeling lifted after every use.

KIEHL'S MANGO LIP BALM smells good and I bought it because it says to be one of the best lip balms on the market, and I love mango.

MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND ERASER CONCEALER was THE THING back in the days and it is still an amazing concealer, but I think the sponge tip is totally gross.

COLOURPOP NO FILTER CONCEALER is one of my favourites products of all times. It's full coverage, but it doesn't feel heavy on the skin.

HEROINE MAKE SPEEDY MASCARA REMOVER does an amazing job at removing waterproof mascaras, even those that are super tough to remove, but for some reason, every time I use this, my lashes falls off randomly, to the point where I feel like my eyes were going bald.

NARS AUDACIOUS MASCARA is probably a good mascara, but it didn't work for me and these brands are not the ones to blame. I have quite short and straight lashes that only a few selected mascaras can lift up those stubborn babies.

REVITALASH ADVANCED, I bought the six months Revitalash exactly year ago and I am throwing them away because I don't think it's safe to use anymore. Although, I have only used two months of it and I think it may have grew my lashes a little, I couldn't be bother applying every single day and I end up just forgetting it.

BENEFIT GOOF PROOF BROW PENCIL is one of my most re-purchased brow product of all time and if it wasn't so expensive, I would probably have a bunch of backups already. I was a bit disappointed with this one though, the pencil breaks too often, like I could be lining my brows and it would randomly snap.

KAT VON D TATTOO LINER is the absolute BEST eyeliner I have ever used! I have gone through so many down times this year and last year, I have cried a lot while wearing the Tattoo Liners and it really surprised me that, while all my other makeup have faded, my eyeliners stayed perfectly winged.

COLOURPOP BROW BOSS PENCIL is one of the products that I talked about in almost all of my beauty empties posts. I usually have a bunch of Brow Boss empties, but this past months I have been trying to Fenty Beauty Brow MVP instead. Brow Boss is still my favourite, I love that it gives the most natural looking brows look.

THE GOOD VITAMIN CO. GOOD BIOTIN FOR SKIN HAIR NAILS, I have talked about this in my last beauty empties and so far I have emptied three bottles already. I do still think that the vitamin helped with growing my hair, but for my nails, I am not so sure anymore, even though my nails are growing, but they're breaking at the same time. Now I am thinking, the people at the nail places helps fixed my nails, not the vitamins, ya'know?!

LANCOME ABSOLUE SUBLIME RADIANCE COMPACT FOUNDATION is sooooo old and the shade doesn't even match me anymore, so I am throwing it out.

2018 Beauty Favourites ♡ Too Faced, ColourPop, Kat Von D, Urban Decay, NARS, Canmake, Kylie Cosmetics, Jo Malone London + more

Ever since Too Faced released their Peaches & Cream Matte Makeup Collection, I have been very obsessed with the line. I have tried almost everything from this line and my two absolute favourites has to be the TOO FACED Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer (NZD$51.00 - Mecca) and the TOO FACED Peach Perfect Foundation | Vanilla (NZD$57.00 - Mecca).

The primer was mentioned in my latest beauty empties and I have since purchased a new one because it's THAT amazing! I love that it blur flaws and smooth complexion, it feels lightweight and it wears comfortably throughout the day, it keeps my makeup in place and it smells delicious.

The foundation is literally the BEST summer foundation! It has a thick texture, but once blends out, it feels lightweight on the skin. It creates a flawless matte look without looking cakey, it wears for long hours even on a very hot day and it's good at oil controlling.

COLOURPOP No Filter Concealer | Light 14 (USD$6.00 - ColourPop) has been a long time favourite, although I don't use a lot of concealers these days as I am more into the no makeup makeup look, there are days that I still feel like glamming up with a full coverage look and this is the only concealer I reach for and/or re-purchase every single time. I love that it's full coverage, but it feels lightweight and it's not cakey nor does it crease under-eye.

COLOURPOP No Filter Setting Powder | Translucent (USD$9.00 - ColourPop) has been my go-to setting powder for the past three months, I use it with a powder brush and I just wish that it comes with a puff. I use it as an all-over setting powder, I use it for work and I use it for gym, and I just love that it makes my skin looks so soft and flawless. Although I do have oily skin, sometimes I get dry patches around my chin area and surprisingly this powder doesn't clings to dry patches.

I feel like I don't have to explain further with this brow pencil as it has been mentioned plenty of times in my beauty empties post. I love it, I am obsessed with it and I literally go into panic-mode when it's running out. COLOURPOP Brow Boss Pencil | Dark Brown (USD$5.00 - ColourPop) is the best, best, BEST brow pencil if you are looking for that natural brows looks. Ever since the first time I used this product, I have been getting a lot of compliments on how natural my brows look, its amazing and it wears all day. 

There are two brow gels that I have been loving during the past few months, one is from Chanel and another being the URBAN DECAY Brow Tamer Gel | Neutral Brown (NZD$36.00 - Mecca). I like both equally, but because I haven't had Chanel for a long time, I decided to put Urban Decay in my 2018 beauty favourites instead. This brow gel has a water-resistant formula, the brush is not too big, nor too small and it's able to brush on precisely. It's not crunchy, it's lightweight, the formula dries down quickly and it wears comfortably all day.

TOO FACED Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette (NZD$78.00 - Mecca) is probably the only eyeshadow palettes that I have hit pan on. I have only started using eyeshadows on a daily basis from last year and Sweet Peach is the one I reach for all the time. My favourite thing about it is definitely the peach scent and I also like that the eyeshadows are so soft and blends out smoothly.

COLOURPOP It's A Princess Thing Eyeshadow Palette (USD$20.00 - ColourPop) is also another eyeshadow palette that I have been reaching for a lot during 2018. The top rows are all base and crease colors, the texture is smooth, pigmented and blends nicely. My favourite has to be the middle row and I love using them as eyeshadow toppers, the colors are all glittery and pigmented, but they are not like crazy blings, which is great for daily wears.

If you are a glitter lover, you will adore the STILA Magnificent Metals Liquid Eye Shadow | Rose Gold Retro (NZD$38.00 - Mecca)! I love that the eyeshadow is easy to blend with a brush and the glitter stays on all day. It's easy to apply and the color is beautiful and vibrant.

KISS ME Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara is the BEST and the ONLY MASCARA that works on my short, downward "Asian" eyelashes! Although I haven't worn mascaras in a long time, this is the ONLY ONE I reach for when I do and I am forever recommending this because it can hold my eyelashes up for as long as I have it on. I have worn this mascara for 18 hours or more and my lashes stays curled, it doesn't smudged and it doesn't give you the clumpy look.

I have heard amazing things about the KAT VON D Tattoo Liner | Trooper (NZD$28.00 - Sephora) and let me tell you, it is TRULY AMAZING! I have worn this eyeliner on a bad day, I cried all the way home and by the time I get home my eyeliner stayed looking perfect as if I have just applied it, mind you, prior to the bawling out on the bus, I have already worn this eyeliner for 10 hours! Talk about IMPRESSIVE! I love that this eyeliner is long-wearing, it's water-proof, sweat-proof, it's very black and the tip is soft, yet applies precisely.

NARS Orgasm Infatuation Cheek Palette is a limited edition palette from the 2018 Holiday Collection. I didn't want to share with you a product that is no longer to purchase, but I can't go without sharing with you my favourite highlighter of the year! This palette includes a bronzer (Laguna), a blush (Orgasm) and a highlighter (Orgasm), I initially bought it for reviews and first impressions, but who would have though that the highlighter hits pan before I could prepared for the post. The highlighter is so beautiful, it gives a subtle glow that last all day.

I have used and loved a couple of Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks in the past and this time I decided to try a matte version, which is the CANMAKE Mat Fleur Cheeks | 02 Matte Girly Rose. I love that this blush is so subtle, it gives you that natural cheeks look and it wears all day. I can use it on a daily work day or I can use it for gym for that natural flush.

Kylie Cosmetics has to be my favourite brand for lips products in 2018. Ever since I purchased the KYLIE COSMETICS Velvet Liquid Lipstick | Goals (USD$16.00 - Kylie Cosmetics), I have been using this shade non-stop, although I do switch up my lip colors from day to day, I find that Kylie Cosmetics Goals is the shade I reach for the most. I love that the texture is soft, it dries to a velvet finish, it wears comfortably all day, it doesn't smudge nor feather, it only transfers a little to cups and the color is absolutely beautiful! Goals is described as a soft strawberry, it's not too vibrant, it can be worn in day times or party nights, the staying power is really good as well, I rarely had to touch-up, except after eating a proper meal.

BIORE Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (NZD$13.99 - Farmers) has become a favourite since the first time I tried it. The cleanser feels so refreshing during and after wash, it has a cooling feel when I spread out the product on my face and it doesn't give me that squeaky clean feeling afterwards.

I kind of fell in love with Jo Malone in 2018 and a lot of new perfumes that I have purchased during this year are from the brand. My overall favourite scent has to be JO MALONE Tropical Cherimoya Cologne 100ml (NZD$236.00 - Smith & Caughey's), it's fruity, it's subtle and it's a perfect summer scent. During the winter times, I have been loving the NARCISO RODRIGUEZ For Her Fleur Musc EDP 50ml (NZD$173.00 - Farmers), I love the sweet, roses smell and I find that it's a very feminine and girly scent.

Beauty Empties #14 ♡ ft. Oozoo Bear, Glow Recipe, Biore, Soap & Glory, KAO, Too Faced, ColourPop, Too Cool For School + More!

♥︎ HAPPY NEW YEARS ♥︎

a new year, a fresh start, same dreams, new challenges

Today I am sharing with you my last Beauty Empties of 2018, some of these are new found favourites and some of them are already a stable in my makeup and skincare collection. I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as me using them and I want to wish you all a happy 2019!

OOZOO BEAR Aurora Illuminating Mask (NZD$8.99 - Farmers) is described as an illuminating solution that adds hydration and radiance to tired looking skin. The packaging is so cute and inside the right ear of the bear it contains the ampoule that you fold and mix with the base ingredients. I quite like this mask, it's thin, it's soft and it fits my face just fine. After removing the mask, my face looks and feels plump, soft and brightened.

OOZOO BEAR Black Space Pore Caring Mask (NZD$8.99 - Farmers) minimise the appearance of pores, purifies the skin and controls the moisture balance. I like this one as much as the Aurora Illuminating Mask mentioned above, the sizing is perfect and it left my face feeling a bit tighter, refreshed and clear.

MEDIHEAL Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask is one of my favourites and most used sheet masks, tea tree is great for oily skin and it works wonder on acne skin. I love that this mask feels so refreshing during use and after removal. It smells nice, it fits perfectly on my face and it always cures the breakouts on my face after each use.

GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask (USD$8.00 - Glow Recipe) comes in two pieces, the mask is made of those jelly texture that claims no drip and no slip. This mask is made out of watermelon and it claims to hydrate and sooth skin. This was probably the most talked about sheet mask in 2018 and the reason I bought it was because I am obsessed with watermelon, but really, there is nothing outstanding about this mask. It doesn't have the sweet, refreshing watermelon scent I was expecting. The cooling feel only lasted a couple of minutes, I didn't feel that it was hydrating after removal and my face felt really sticky afterwards.

PURE SMILE Choosy Lip Mask has been mentioned plenty of times on my blog and it's no doubt this is one of the stable products in my skincare collection. This lip mask comes in a lot of different flavours and my most purchased is definitely honey and peach.

SKIN PHYSICS Dragon's Blood Soothing Gel Mask (NZD$14.99 - Farmers) is described as an intense moisturising gel mask that targets rough, dry, dehydrated and irritable skin. I must say, Dragon's Blood was what caught my attention in the first place! I thought that it's an actual drop of dragon's blood, not knowing that it's actually some sort of plant haha. I like the smell of this mask, it's  fresh and floral. It has a lot of serum in the packet and the mask stay on pretty well, but it dries quite fast and the mask ends up sticking to my face at the end. The sizing is pretty weird as well, I have an average sized face and the mask was too big for me.

BIORE Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (NZD$13.99 - Farmers) is a new found favourites! It claims to draws out 2 x more dirts and impurities than a basic cleanser. With the natural charcoal, it will deep cleans and purify pores. I think this comes in two versions and the one I have tried is ideal for oily skin. I love it because it makes my face feels very clean and refreshed and it doesn't leave my face with that squeaky clean feeling.

SOAP & GLORY Soap & Clarity 3-in-1 Vitamin C Facial Wash (NZD$17.00 - Mecca) is described as a daily detox solution that deeply cleanses, purifies and removes all traces of makeup. Enriched with Vitamin C to brighten the complexion and buffs away dead skin cells with its ultra-soft jojoba beads. I bought this cleanser based on all the amazing reviews online, I like it, but I don't love it. It does an average job at cleansing and I just didn't that it makes my skin feels squeaky clean.

DAISO Puff Sponge Detergent (NZD$3.00 - Japanese store next to Event Cinema Queen Street) is an absolute must-have for cleaning makeup sponges. I also use ecostore baby soaps to clean my makeup brushes, but when I use it to clean my sponges, it takes forever.

KAO Megthythm Steam Eye Masks (NZD$20.00 for a box of 12 pieces - Vanessa Mid City on Queen Street) is a self-warming steam eye mask that warms up to 40°C of steam heat to help relax your mood and relieve tired eyes. Nowadays I find it hard to stay away from technologies, I am always checking social medias on my phone, playing games on the iPad and watching Netflix on the TV; all those long hours of looking at these screens can leave me with strained eyes. I love that the steam eye masks makes my eyes feels so comfortable and relax, I use it mostly before bed and I find that after each use, I get a very good sleep that night. The steam heat can last up to 20 minutes, it comes in various of scent, I have tried lemon and lavender and I find that lavender is the most dreamy and relaxing.

TOO FACED Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer (NZD$51.00 - Mecca) is a new found favourites that has made its way into my holy grail list already. It is described as a cooling, mattifying primer that blurs, smooths and brightens the complexion. It claims to wear up to 16 hours with 12 hours of shine control that delivers a lightweight and comfortable wear. I am currently on my second tube of this primer and I love its subtle smell of peaches and cream. I love that this primer works well with every single foundations that I own, it could be high-end or it could be drugstore, my makeup always last long hours without having to touch-up with powders, even in summer days, my face rarely gets oily while wearing this primer.

COLOURPOP Brow Boss Pencil (USD$5.00 - ColourPop) is an absolute favourite and must-have product in my makeup routine, I would literally go into panic-mode when I run out of brow boss and that is why I buy a bulk lot of them every time I order. I have talked about this brow pencil a lot on my blog, but just incase that you are new here and you're wondering why I am so obsessed with it?! It's the best brow pencil for those looking for something natural, it has a buildable formula, it comes with a spoolie and it last all day!

THE BODY SHOP Papaya Body Butter (NZD$38.95 - The Body Shop) is described as an intensive, creamy all-over body moisturiser that absorbs into the skin easily, helping to condition, smooth and soften the skin for up to 24 hours. I used to love these body butters, the texture is so creamy and it keeps my skin smooth and moisturised all day. I am not sure if they still sell the Papaya scent as it cannot be found in their range online, the last time I bought these body butters was probably a year ago.

URBAN DECAY De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray (NZD$25.00 - Mecca) is one of my holy grail beauty products. I used to be all about the Urban Decay All Nighter and I do still use that on and off, but I find that the De-Slick works better on my oily skin. It is described as a weightless setting spray that helps makeup stay put, control oil, deflects surface shine and keep skin matte.

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Artclass by Rodin Contour (NZD$27.00 - Hikoco) is every k-beauty blogger's favourites and it claims to be Korea's most loved contouring product for defined and slimming facial contours. The contour features three natural shades that can be blended all together or used individually with a soft matte finish. It claims to have an effortless blendability, damnn right this is the best contour I have tried in 2018! Unfortunately mine broke into pieces when I accidentally dropped it while in Samoa, but I will be picking up another one soon as this is the most natural looking contour I have used.

LANCOME Absolue Sublime Golden Glow Hydrating Makeup Base was sent to me for review back in 2016 and here you can see what it looks like before used, it has the prettiest packaging. It is described as a makeup base with iridescent pigments and water-like gel texture that gives hydration to the skin. I have used it on and off and to be totally honest, I was glad that I have finally emptied this product. I like that it made my skin feels smooth and my foundation goes on evenly, but my makeup didn't last as long and I find myself having to touch-up once in awhile during the day.

TATCHA The Water Cream (NZD$31.00 - Mecca) was voted Skin Care Product of The Year 2018 by TrendMood. It is described as an oil-free moisturiser that works to tighten pores and refine uneven texture and deliver a weightless, refreshing hydration. It has a water-like texture that melts into the skin, I love the smell of this cream and the packaging is so cute, but I don't really get the hype?! I felt like it didn't do a lot to my skin and it was just another moisturiser to me. I was thinking, maybe I would have to try the 50ml bottle to see results.

DRUNK ELEPHANT B-Hydra Intensive Hydrating Serum (NZD$36.00 Rise + Glow Set - Mecca) was recommended to me by one of my best friends, she mentioned that her husband often compliments her on how glowy and healthy her skin looks after using the Drunk Elephant Rise + Glow Set which includes two serums. Both serums contains the same amount of product and I'm not sure how and why I have emptied this one first, but after using this serum, I do find my skin looking healthier, more radiant and more plumped.

CARMEX Lip Balm (NZD$3.04 - iHerb) I know I have talked about Carmex so many times on my blog and it's been mentioned in almost all of my latest beauty empties post, I have probably posted the same descriptions, reviews and recommendations every time; but this is the BEST LIP BALM ever and it's forever my favourite! I just love the minty scent, I love the refreshing feel upon application and I love how moisturising it is.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wipes (NZD$14.95 - The Body Shop) and Soap & Glory Off Your Face Cleansing Cloths (NZD$9.00 - Mecca) are both my favourites and most used makeup removable wipes.