Products I've Finished: Empties #2

I've been working my way through some more products, so I thought I'd share my opinions on them with you :)

MUJI Log Fire Candle (€5.50)
These candles are such good value for money!  Not all of them are very strongly scented, but this one was really nice.  I want to repurchase this, but this is more of a winter scent and I'm gravitating more towards floral and fruity scented candles at the moment!

Yankee Candle Black Cherry (€20)
I love this candle.  This was actually a repurchase of the mini one I got and used up (which I talked about in my last Empties post).  I want to buy this again, but I need to work through the candles I have now before I can get my hands on this baby again!

Yankee Candle Garden Sweet Pea (€10)
This is such a stunning scent; however, it doesn't really fill up the room like Black Cherry does, which really bothered me.  I wish it was more strongly scented, but it's not, so I won't be repurchasing this :(

NEOM Sumptuous Travel Candle (£15)
I am in love with this scent.  I will definitely be buying this again one day, but it's going to have to wait until I either get back to London and can buy it, or until I make a lovely order off the internet when I'm back home in the States this Summer!

I love... Raspberry & Blackberry Shower Scrub (€6)
This stuff smells AMAZING.  Unfortunately, it didn't even compare to the quality of the Soap & Glory Scrubs, so it won't be a repurchase, but I'm still going to go to the store to smell it...mmm :)!

Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream ($10)
This was the Hand Cream that wouldn't die.  I've been trying to use this up since September and I finally did! I initially really liked this hand cream, but I started to get sick of the scent and wanted to move onto other hand creams that I have.  Maybe I'll repurchase this one day, but for now, I'm happy to move onto something else.

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser Sample ($22)
This was a nice cleanser, but nothing life changing.  I might repurchase it one day, but I need to work on my current cleansers first.

Caudalie Eau De Beaute Beauty Elixir ($18)
I really can't decide if I like this or not.  It's a cult product, but part of me thinks it's overrated, while the other part of me thinks it's really calming, cooling, and relaxing.  I'm still unsure if I'm going to repurchase this (some opinions on the matter would be helpful!).

Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Sorbet Creme Sample ($56)
Oh man, this is a fantastic moisturizer.  If I didn't already have a full-size of the Algenist Firming & Lifting Cream (review here), I'd be buying this bad boy.  This is what I plan to buy after I finish up the Algenist stuff (a year or two from now, granted...).

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum Sample ($48)
This is some gorgeous stuff right here.  i went about two weeks without it and took the dive and bought the full-size and couldn't be happier :)

Sephora Instant Moisturizer Sample ($12)
I didn't particularly care for this.  I thought it took too long to sink in to the skin and left a bit of a residue on the skin, which I really wasn't into.  Definitely won't be repurchasing this.

Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer Sample ($48)
This was a bit of a meh product.  I really liked that it included an SPF in it, I thought it was easy to apply, but again, I thought it took way too long to sink into the skin.  I won't be repurchasing this.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream (about $12)
This was my first eye cream.  I got it about 6 months ago and used it night and day, everyday.  I didn't really feel like this did much for me, and it wasn't rich enough for my taste.  I don't plan to repurchase this, but for $12, it wasn't too bad!

Alba Botanica Natural Even Advanced Night Cream (about $8)
I got this from Ulta on sale last April; it was my first night cream!  I did not like this.  It didn't do anything for my skin, so I was really happy when this came to an end.  I won't be repurchasing this.

That's it for this round of Empties.  I'm trying to get through my massive amount of beauty products at the moment, so hopefully these will be semi-regular!

 bloglovin' l hellocotton

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February Favorites 2013 :)

This month, I went on a little bit of a shopping spree that seemed to have lasted all month (woops...).  Throughout those many shopping trips that I made, I discovered a lot of amazing new products this month! So, let's get on with it :)

I'll start with hair.  I've been using the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray ($25) after every shower.  I like to use it just before I blow dry my hair to achieve some beachy waves, and this stuff is phenomenal!  I'm already getting nervous for the day I run out, since it's not easy to get hold of in Germany, but I'll find a way!  I've also been loving my Tangle Teezer (£11) that I got in London.  It runs through knots in my hair like a dream, and is super easy to clean, too.  Nothing bad to say about it!

One thing that I've been loving is my new Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain ($43/£33) which I picked up while I was in London last month.  This is my first ever Tinted Moisturizer and I am in love with it!  It gives a nice, very light coverage plus there's SPF 20 in it, which is a really nice perk :)  I've also been loving the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in 052 (£7.50) which I also picked up in London.  It's a bit pricey for a drugstore concealer, but it gives nice coverage without being cakey, at all!

Caviar & Bubbles Palette
I particularly like the second shade from the left on the bottom for all over the lid, also the farthest right shade on the top is a fantastic match for my brows, as well!

I also fell in love with a palette I got in January, the NYX Caviar & Bubbles Eyeshadow Palette (€8). The quality of the shadows are superb and it has a shadow for any situation.  I even found a shade that works for my eyebrows in there (which was a lifesaver while I was in Madrid last week as my Tom Ford Brow Sculptor was stolen! :( ).  They are probably the best value for money eyeshadows that I own, so if you can find it, get it!

Another London purchase that I fell in love with is the MAC Paint Pot in Painterly ($18.50/£14.50).  I tend to use it in place of eyeshadow, as a way to even out the skin on my lids, as it's a flesh-toned shade.  However, it could also be used as a base for other eyeshadows, as well. I've also been loving using the Rimmel Kohl Eyeliner in Sable Brown (£3) to line my upper lash line.  It's a lot less intense than using black and I find that it looks a lot more natural on me, as well.  I also discovered a new mascara this month - the YSL Shocking Mascara in Cherry Black ($30).  I actually bought thinking it was going to be purple, but it's not - it's a warm black shade that I think looks really great on my lashes.  It's volumizing and lengthening, as well.  I was initially disappointed that it wasn't purple, but I got over it after realizing how great of a mascara this is :)   This is my first ever high-end mascara and I am not disappointed!

L+R: Blushing Nude, Warm Soul

As for blush, I've fallen for two this month.  The first one is MAC's Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul ($25).  It's a shimmery-nude/peach shade that looks really natural on my fair skin, but eliminates the need for highlighter, as well :) I'm a sucker for double-use products!  Over the second part of the month, I used the Estée Lauder Blusher in Blushing Nude ($28).  I'd call it a pinky-peach shade, with more peach than pink in it.  It looks really natural on the cheeks, and is really nice for spring due to the peachy-tones.  It's a Satin finish, so there isn't any shimmer, which makes me feel kind of grown-up when using it :)!

L-R: MAC Twig, CHANEL Mademoiselle

As for lips, I started out the month using MAC Twig ($15) (review here) every day.  I like to think of it as a nice transition color from the colder to warmer months, along with the warmer to colder months.  It's really pigmented and really long-lasting, as well!  As for the second half of the month, I haven't been able to put down my new baby - the CHANEL Rouge Coco in 05 Mademoiselle ($32), which I picked up at duty free on my way to London.  It's a really flattering, everyday shade that could work for a lot of different people, in my opinion!

My last favorite is a perfume - See by Chloé EDP (1 oz for $58) (review here).  Oh man, this stuff is amazing.  I haven't even thought about another perfume since getting this baby.  It's just the perfect blend of fruity and floral and makes for one hell of a perfume for this time of year.  Definitely give this one a whiff next time you're shopping!

That's it for my February Favorites!  Anything in particular you've been loving? Let me know!

 bloglovin' l hellocotton

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Stila Kitten Eye Shadow Review

There has been a lot of hype surrounding this eyeshadow.  I must have swatched it 10 times before I finally took the plunge and bought it.  I remember swatching it and thinking that it was a glittery mess.

Stila Kitten is a cult classic, so I finally decided that I had to be missing something about it, and ordered it from Sephora.  It arrived and I believe I used it once in about a 6 month period.  It was left with the rest of my unloved make-up back in America, not to be seen or used again until I went home for Christmas and decided to give it another try and brought it back to Germany with me.

My failed attempt at repressing the eyeshadow

I am so glad I did.  This eyeshadow is crazy gorgeous.  It can be used as a highlight, as a lid color, or as a light wash of something sparkly over the top of your already finished eye look.  I personally like to use this as an all over the lid color on my lazy make-up days (i.e. I've been using it a lot recently)

Stila Kitten is described as a shimmering nude pink, which is true, but I would say there's a bit of champagne in there, as well.  It's sparkly, and I mean REALLY sparkly.  If you don't like sparkles or glitter, then you will not like this.

When I first swatched this, I was immediately afraid of fallout, but I have never had an issue with that.  The sparkles and glitter stay put on your eye and don't budge until a cotton pad and Bioderma come its way.  I'd also like to add that this doesn't crease on me, at all, but I do use the NARS Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base (review here) with it, so don't forget the primer, just in case!

The quality of this shade and Stila Eyeshadows in general, are superb.  Plus, you get great value for money, as it contains a whopping 2.6 grams of product, for the awesome price of $18.  Seriously, this stuff will last you a long time.  Unless you drop it on the ground while typing a blog post about it, in which case it will shatter like a MOFO (ugh, why did that just happen to me :(! ).

I think this is something that every make-up addict should have in their collection, as it's so easy and really versatile.  I also think this would be a good shade for someone just starting out in make-up, as it looks really nice on the lid, and wouldn't look odd on a teenager.

Longevity: 4.5/5

Pigmentation: 4.5/5

Packaging: 3/5

Texture: 3.5/5

Application: 4/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 8/10

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MAC Craving Lipstick Review

After Lily Pebbles featured this in one of her posts, I immediately went to MAC and purchased this shade.  I just can't resist a reason to buy a new MAC lipstick :)

It's a gorgeous reddy-plummy shade, which is probably more of a Fall/Winter shade, but I don't care, I'm going to wear it in the Spring anyway!

MAC describes the shade as a 'Burst of Plum', which I personally disagree with.  Although the plum is apparent, I would consider it to be more red than plum.  Craving also has sparkles in it, which can't be felt on the lips, but add to the overall look of the lips.

Craving is an Amplified Creme Finish, which basically means that it has really great pigmentation, but it also has a creamy consistency, which makes it easy to apply and feels really hydrating on the lips.  However, due to the creaminess of the lipstick, it suffers more in the longevity department, though not by a lot.  I would put this at about the 4-hour mark without eating or drinking, which is definitely not bad in my books considering the hydration you get.

I think this shade would look particularly nice on any skin tone, whether as a statement lip or just for going to town (but that could just be me, I go grocery shopping in a full-on red lip, to each her own!).

Longevity: 3/5
Packaging: 4/5
Application: 4.5/5
Texture: 5/5
Pigmentation: 5/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 8.5/10

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Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask

In the Winter, my skin became quite dull and dry (like so many others' do), so I look for any opportunity to add moisture to it.  One mask I'm really fond of is the Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask ($23).

It applies like a moisturizer, but thicker and doesn't initially sink into your skin.  As the name suggests, you need about 10 minutes to let this sink into your skin and let it drink in the moisture.

I really like Origins products because they're made of good, healthy things that I know won't hurt or damage my skin.

I also find that this is a really nice mask for rounding up a mask treatment.  What I mean by that is that I don't generally use this on its own (only when my skin is feeling particularly dry), but right after another mask.

I use in two combinations: after I use the Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque (see review here), and the REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (see review here) (à la Viviannadoesmakeup); or after I use the Origins Clear Improvement  Mask.  I use it in these combinations as both rounds of mask treatments consist of a deep cleansing/pore-cleaning masks that make your skin work, so I think adding moisture to your skin afterwards is really important and healthy for it, as well.

This mask has a really gorgeous scent (though it's natural, of course) and I love the feeling my skin has after I take this off, your skin feels very soft and supple and moisturized!  It's a really gorgeous mask, so if you're thinking about getting it, I definitely would!

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LUSH Imogen Rose Solid Perfume Review

I went into LUSH for the first time in May 2012, while I was in Glasgow, Scotland with my Mom, as the first stop of our 4-week trip through the UK.  I had heard a lot about LUSH from bloggers and Youtubers, but the closest one to where I lived in the US was a 4-hour drive, so I was really excited when I went in for the first time.  The people who work at the LUSH in Glasgow are really nice, and extremely helpful.  One woman gave us a tour of all the products that LUSH has to offer, just so we could get acquainted with the store!

I left that store with a solid perfume, in the scent Imogen Rose (£10/$15.95).  It is the exact smell of roses, it's as if LUSH crushed up a rose and put it in perfume form, it's impeccable.  I find that it also lasts for quite a long time, probably around the 6-7 hour mark.  It's tinted pink, so if I wanted to, I could even use it as a cream blush (as I'm very fair) and just radiate the smell of roses, but I haven't tried that yet!  It's very strongly scented, so a little goes a long way!

Here's what LUSH says about it:

DELICATE AND ROMANTIC

This one is a token of love from a new father to his daughter. LUSH Perfumer Simon invented this scent for his then one-year-old daughter, Imogen Rose. When trying to capture the real beauty of the scent of roses, many perfumers try to use cheaper, synthetic versions. But there is absolutely nothing like the real thing. Try ours and see what a difference using real rose oil and rose absolute makes.  Simon also added a hint of baby powder to soften this one up, and make it smell fresh and sweet on the skin

My solid perfume has been very well loved (as you can see by the picture), but I love wearing this scent as it reminds me of my time in the UK!  I would definitely recommend this perfume, and the solid perfumes in general.  They have a really wide variety of scents so there's something for everyone and you can't beat the price!

 bloglovin' l hellocotton
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A Massive London Haul

I went to London last weekend and - well, I did some shopping.

If you can believe it, I actually was restraining myself throughout the trip - but, I still managed to buy a ton of stuff.  Oh, well...

I got a couple new brushes: the EcoTools Flat Eyeliner Brush, the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush, and a Tangle Teezer.  Boots was having a buy one get one half off deal with EcoTools brushes, so I opted for the Flat Eyeliner Brush (£5.49) mainly because I wanted to get half off something, but also because I thought it would be good for pushing eyeshadow into the lower lash line.  I also got the Tapered Blush Brush (£7.99) because who doesn't need another blush brush?  I also decided to get the Tangle Teezer (£10.99) because I've heard so much hype around and wanted to try it for myself! So far so good on the Tangle Teezer front :)

I also got one piece of skincare while I was in London: the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (£36).  I've heard a lot about it recently, and I'm running low on my facial oil, so I thought I would try it out!

Moving on to make-up - I got a lot.  I decided to get a tinted moisturizer as I've never tried one before and since Spring/Summer is coming up, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity.  I decided to get the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (£33) as I've heard so much about it.  I was matched to the Lightest Shade, Porcelain, and it's actually a really good match for me.  I tried it out today and I really like it so far!  I also picked up a new concealer, the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in 52 (£7.50).  I've always sworn by the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, but I think this is even better!  It's not as cakey and it's more yellow-toned, so I absolutely adore it.

L-R: Pixi  Lash Line Ink Eyeliner, Rimmel Sable Brown Kohl Eyeliner, Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Liners in Taupe, Nude, and Bronze, and Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Bad Bronze

L-R: Rimmel Bad Bronze, Rimmel Bronze, Nude, and Taupe, Rimmel Sable Brown, Pixi  Ink Eyeliner

I also got a boatload of eyeliners.  I decied to get the Pixi Lash Line Ink Eyeliner (£12) as I don't really like my L'Oreal Liquid Eyeliner because I find that the line is too big, and the Pixi one creates a really tiny line, so hopefully it'll be a winner! Also, Rimmel had a 3 for 2 going on, and I took advantage of it.  I got a new Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Sable Brown (£2.99) and then three of the Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liners in Bronze, Taupe, and Nude (£3.99 each).  I also decided to get the Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Bad Bronze (£5.99).  I didn't get on too well with this the first time I tried it out, but I'm going to give it another shot!

I also went to Selfridges and did some shopping (always naughty).  I went to the Tom Ford Counter (bad decision) and picked up another one of the Brow Sculptors in Taupe (£32) as mine is starting to get low and I wasn't sure if it would make it to May (you can read my review on this product here)!  I didn't even swatch anything else at Tom Ford because I knew I would fall in love with everything!  Then I went to MAC (I just can't help myself) and I got the Paint Pot in Painterly (£14.50) because I thought it would be a good way to conceal any veins on my eyelids, plus I can use it for a base or on it's own - very exciting stuff here.

NARS Penny Lane and Topshop Head Over Heels Cream Blushers

Top to Bottom: NARS Penny Lane, Topshop Head Over Heels

I also went to NARS, which was very swoon-worthy.  I only let myself swatch two things and came out with one: NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane (£21.50).  I haven't heard a ton about this blush, but I wanted to start getting into cream blushers and this looked like the perfect natural-blush color to start :)  I also went to Topshop and fell in love with the Cream Blush in Head Over Heels (£6), which is BRIGHT ORANGE, but I thought it would be something fun to add to the mix!

L-R: Estée Lauder Blushing Nude, Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer

I got one other blush on my trip: the Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush in Blushing Nude (£24).  I was in Duty Free at Heathrow and had about an hour to kill, so I went to MAC and I saw that they still had a display going for Stereo Rose, I asked the woman if they had it in stock and she said yes, I got really excited.  Then she told me it was actually out of stock, which is when I got disappointed.  I had already resigned myself to getting a new blush, so I went on a mission throughout Duty Free and found myself at the Estée Lauder Counter.  I've never owned anything from Estée Lauder before, but oh man are their blushers beautiful!  I had a hard time choosing one!  But I opted for Blushing Nude (which I got for £20, by the way), a gorgeous pinky-peachy-nude shade that looks stunning on the cheeks.  I also decided to get the famous Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder in 51 (the chocolate bronzer) (£6.99) as I have heard a lot about it and I want to start expanding my bronzer collection.  I haven't tried it yet, but the bronzer alone is just cute to look at (as it looks like a chocolate bar)!

L-R: L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash in Lolita, Rimmel  Apocalips in Celestial, and Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 500 Blush

L-R: Blush, Celestial, Lolita

Now to lips (always a favorite), I got three new lip products while in England, the first of which is the new L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash in Lolita (£7.99). It's meant to be a dupe of the YSL Glossy Stains, but I'm not sure if it is or not as I've never tried the Glossy Stains.  However, the Glam Shine Stain that I have is really nice, decently pigmented and lasts a really long time.  It's not sticky, either!  Lolita is a browny-pink shade that looks great for everyday wear, so I'm really excited to use this.  I also got the Rimmel Apocolips in Celestial (£5.99) that everyone's going on about.  I haven't tried it yet, but I definitely have high expectations!  Finally, I decided to get the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 500 Blush (£26).  I don't know why I had to buy it, but I felt this need to try the Lip Maestros and Blush, a pinky-peach shade, looked like the perfect one for spring!

L-R: CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine in Boy, CHANEL Rouge Coco in 05 Mademoiselle, YSL Volupté Sheer Candy in 02 Dewy Papaya

I also got three new lip products in Duty Free in Frankfurt on my way to London (very naughty).  I decided to pick up the CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine in Boy (€24.50) as a gorgeous spring shade, the CHANEL Rouge Coco in 05 Mademoiselle (£24.50) as a natural-looking, everyday lipstick, and the YSL Sheer Candy Volupte in 02 Dewy Papaya (€26) for a peachy-tinted lip balm.  I've wanted all three of these for so long, so I'm really excited to test them out! (By the way, these are the prices I paid duty-free, I'm not sure what they are originally!)

L-R: Blueberry, Peach Melba

For my last make-up bits, I decided to pick up some Barry M Nail Paints.  I opted for one of the new Gelly M Shine Nail Paints in Blueberry (£2.99) (who can resist a good blue?) and then the classic Peach Melba (£2.99) as I shockingly don't own a peach colored nail polish, so I definitely needed to remedy that!

The last things I got in England are fragrance related.  I decided to finally get the Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 (£64 for 100ml).  I've been wanting this for a good six months, but I doubt it's available in Germany.  I wanted to just get the 30ml bottle, but they were totally sold out of that size at Liberty, so I just bit the bullet and splurged on the big one.  I really like it on me, I can't pinpoint exactly what it smells like, but it's slightly woody.  I also went to John Lewis and made my way to the NEOM Candles section.  I must've been at the stand for about 15 minutes smelling all of the candles and trying to decide which one I wanted!  I ended up going for the travel-size version of Refresh (£15), which is a really fresh, lemon scent that I think will be really nice for the Spring :)

As you can see, my trip to England was very successful!  I'm definitely going to have to take a break from spending for a while to make up for the damage that was done, though.  If you want to know what I did while I was in London, you can read my post about it here!

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