Her Beauty Days

Apologies for my prolonged absence.
I've recently endured the most stressful fortnight of my life.
Assessments after assessments, accompanied with other commitments, I admit it was quite a struggle.

I know this post is long overdue, but regardless, I'd like to share it with you. I can't believe I had this in storage for quite sometime!

Hello to three months' worth of empties!


1. Avène Eau Thermale Spring Water (300 mL)
Spraying this on after a hot shower or workout - it's so refreshing! I already have backups of this mist. It's so soothing and not irritating like other facial mists. See my review here.

2. Dettol Healthy Touch Instant Hand Santitizer (200 mL)
I wouldn't consider this as a product related to beauty, but I do keep it on my vanity for those spontaneous moments. I think it's important to have clean hands when dealing with makeup products.  My friend got me this and I'm really grateful for it! Will definitely repurchase.

3. WOTNOT Facial Wipes (5 wipes sample)
Hands down the best facial wipes I've used. Love these so much. They're everything I'm looking for in a facial wipe - superior quality cloth wipes, natural and organic... I just wish they were available in the stores I regularly visit such as Priceline.

4. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser (30 mL sample)
I thought this was a pretty mediocre cleanser. Adding on, I wasn't a fan of the herbal scent.

5. muk Spa Argan Oil Shampoo (300 mL)
I received this at my very first media launch. I really love how gentle yet effective the product was - free from sulfates, parabens and some other "nasties". However, I didn't enjoy the scent that much.

6. Barry M Intense Black Eyeliner Pen
This eyeliner was also featured in my first empties post on this blog - June 2013 Empties!
I will forever repurchase this unless I find a more superior product for lining my upper waterline.

7. Biorè Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser (200 mL)
Biorè and I go way back! I love how this is targeted towards combination skin (that's me!). It's a great everyday cleanser that doesn't disrupt my skin's natural moisture. I will probably repurchase.

8. Schwarzkopf Ultimate Oil Elixir Serum (80 mL)
I was first drawn to this product because it contained golden particles! Overall it was an alright finishing product but the fragrance was a bit overpowering. I wouldn't recommend this product for those with "overstressed, straw-like hair" (the target market) because of the product's high alcohol content.

9. Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream (3 g sample)
Designed to fade dark circles and brighten up the area, the product didn't yield major improvements in my under eye area. However, I did enjoy applying this on every night. The thin consistency was just right and I liked how it tingled just a bit (am I weird?). I wouldn't repurchase this.

10. Hiruscar Skincare Gel (20 g)
I have already repurchased this a while back for my scar and finished the second one last month. It did prove to be effective against my scars. However, because it was quite a bit expensive for my taste, I wouldn't be repurchasing in future.

11. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder (0.05 g sample)
I already have the full-sized boxed powder and it has become one of my favourite bronzers!

12. Re-Gen Re-Gen Oil (125 mL)
This is supposedly a cheaper dupe/alternative to Bio-Oil from ALDI. I do think this oil is on par with Bio-Oil; it was effective in reducing the appearance of my scars. I will repurchase once I finish up on using the other oil treatments.

13. e.l.f Shimmer Lip Gloss in Red
I'm throwing this out because it smelt funky when I first opened it.

14. Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover (125 mL)
This is my second bottle. It's a bi-phase type of makeup remover. I really enjoyed using this - it's cheap and works well. I won't be repurchasing because I've discovered micellar water and have been loving it!

15. Matrix Biolage Advanced Keratindose Shampoo and Conditioner (7 mL samples)
Loved the smell of this. It was nice for my hair but I won't be repurchasing it because there are cheaper alternatives.

16. Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair Shampoo and Conditioner  (10 mL samples)
Wow this smelt so heavenly - a bit vanilla-like. I really enjoyed using it and would probably purchase the full sized products if there was a special going on.

And there we have it. Three months' worth of empties - February, March and April.
I hope you enjoyed this post.

I hope everyone had a great day yesterday, filled with the love from family and friends!
For Valentine's Day this year, I decided to create a makeup look that utilises a majority of drugstore products. Dissatisfied with the number of Valentine's Day makeup tutorials I've encountered that encompassed a pink theme, I had a play around with my makeup collection. I wanted a look that promotes healthy radiance, simplicity and wearable for younger beauty enthusiasts. Additionally, this combo is suitable for a natural and effortless everyday look.

I've recently discovered some new readers of my blog who aren't familiar with the basics of makeup, so this one's for you! Furthermore, I'd like to share with you how I put it all together, ready to face the day.

I applied the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light on random areas on my face with my fingers. I then used my Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection to blend the BB cream into my skin. I found that the BB cream's finish was dewy so I omitted a highlighter in this look.
To conceal my dark circles, I used the Benefit fakeup concealer in Medium, patting the product in gently with my fingers.
I dusted the Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder in True Translucent all over my face with my Real Techniques Powder Brush, to mattify and set my base.
For a romantic flush of colour, I applied the Essence Silky Touch blush in 20 Babydoll with my Real Techniques Blush Brush.

Eyes
I like to start my eyebrows off first; I combed the Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara in, to make my eyebrows more defined and in place. This is a great staple, a transparent gel mascara that is very natural looking on the brows.
For my eyelid primer, I used the Makeup Academy (MUA) Pro-Base Eye Primer. I was actually surprised at how well this product worked considering it is very inexpensive. For my eyeshadow base, I used the EcoTools Large Eye Brush from the Essential Eye Set to apply the lighter, "3D" shade from the Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 09 Irresistible Chocolates. I then blended the Benefit Hoola bronzing powder  into my crease with the Emily 217 Blending Brush (purchased from eBay), for a nice transition colour and added definition. For a bit of a highlight under my brows and inner eye corners, I used the same light shade from the Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 09 Irresistible Chocolates in conjunction with the EcoTools Highlighting Brush from the Essential Eye Set.
For long luscious lashes, I curled mine with the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and applied two coats of the Australis Lash Length Extensions Mascara, a smudge-free fibre mascara that promotes elongated lashes!

To finish off the look, I opted for soft red lips that aren't too dramatic using the Face of Australia Glossy Lip Crayon in Apple Crumble. These are the new limited edition lip crayons on the market; affordable (only $4.95) and reliable products, infused with a vanilla scent.

All of the Real Techniques and EcoTools brushes were purchased off iherb.com. You can use the code PCW095 to get $5 off your first order under $40 or $10 off your first order over $40.

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you would like future FOTD posts composed in a similar nature to this one, do let me know in the comments below!
So tell me, how do you do your "special occasion" makeup?

It's a bit ironic how I'm constructing today's feature on last month's haul after I posted up my announcement of a spending ban/Project Pan.

Unscrewing the lid you get a nail polish applicator to transfer the product onto the cheeks and lips.
The product itself is of a milky nature similar to the consistency of Benefit's Posietint. After applying the thin layer to my cheeks, I blend everything in immediately with my fingers and the result is sheer (lilac/pink) yet buildable to an intense purple/fuschia shade.
The product blends in seamlessly on the cheeks in comparison to Benefit's Benetint. The tint is surprisingly very wearable and would look beautiful on all skin tones.
Application on the lips however, is a bit disappointing. I did not achieve a even stain and had to apply many layers, which is expected as I don't fare well with lip stains. Additionally, my lips looked dried out - not a pretty sight!
Despite the negative attributes, wear time was quite good depending on the base. Over a BB cream base, the stain lasts around 8 hours. Over bare cheeks, I presume the wear time would be greater.





Overall I love this product more than Benetint! If you found Posietint to be too light for your liking you might enjoy Lollitint. Additionally, if you've enjoyed using Benefit's Hervana you might also like Lollitint. The aforementioned stain could easily be the liquid version of Hervana - a great pairing if you ask me!

Lollitint retails for $30 (12.5 mL/0.42 fl. oz.) on the Benefit website and is available in Australia sometime NEXT MONTH at the usual Benefit cosmetics stockists.

So, beauties will you be embracing the new year with Benefit's Lollitint? I mean, for the prettiest (flirtiest) flush that's right in season (BANG ON TREND), why not?

I hope everyone's had/having a great time with family and friends during this period! (Happy holidays!)

I originally planned to produce an empties post at the end of each month but failed to do so with the current changes happening within my schedule.

Considering some of the products alone would cost you more than a 'yellow note', the deal online was quite reasonable!

For the "Best of Benefit" kit, you can choose 4 items - from the categories provided, complexion, cheeks, eyes and bonus gift! The products from this kit came housed in a cute pink makeup case/bag. I love pink and makeup bags always come in handy, so this was definitely a winner.

My order wasn't complete without adding in the Hoola bronzer. I've always wanted to try bronzers but the drugstore ones didn't appeal to me as much as this one.
Being the usual me, I had to make one last stop to the sale section to pick up the Cabana Glama makeup kits which were half priced - only $18! Knowing my friend's shared love for Benefit cosmetics, I had to pick one up for her as well.
The Cabana Glama makeup kit contains:
- Hoola bronzing powder with brush (4g)
- Posietint Poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain(2.5 mL)
- Some Kind-A-Gorgeous Medium the foundation faker for medium complexions (3.5g)
- Eyeshadow palette - Peach Fizz, Bronze Buzz & Cocoa Pizzazz
- double-ended sponge applicator

I went over $125 which was quite dreaded but I'm happy to say I got free standard international shipping. With every order, you can select two samples to try out so I selected the Stay Flawless sample and the Fine-One-One sample because I would love to try these out!

Overall, I'm a very happy customer, partially because I've finally had my hands on Benefit's Benetint! And partially, because I couldn't stop squealing at all the pretty packaging.

If you're interested in Benefit cosmetics, check out the link here.
Additionally, if you're interested on my take of reviewing any of these products, please let me know!

I hope you enjoyed this post!

So, did you recently take up on this offer? What do you think of these products? What Benefit products do you love?
Feel free to express your thoughts in the comments section below!