2014 Favourites: The Skincare

Happy New Year Everyone! I decided to take a break from everything including the blog over the christmas holidays as I was just exhausted from all of my exams. Now I'm back though and with loads of posts to do this month about empties, my use-it-up project, projects I'm doing for 2015 and of course my yearly favourites.

Empties: November 2014

Exams finally finished and somehow I've been even more exhausted since. I think all the stress and nerves and not sleeping very well finally caught up to me after it all finished. Fortunately we've had a lovely christmas here. It finally snowed and everywhere is white and beautiful. I've been to dinners and lunches, spending time with family and friends. I've not had too much time to sit down and work on the blog, but I really wanted to stick to getting my november empties up so I've put in ten minutes here and there whenever I've had the chance. Now the post is finally finished so up it goes on christmas eve! So if anyone finds themselves in a moment of boredom perhaps this can be a fun "little" post to read. I hope you are all having a wonderful christmas or holiday season and want to wish you all an amazing new year!

Favourites: November 2014

Apologies for the lack of updates lately. My focus has solely been on preparing for my exams. Additionally, there's barely been sunshine here for almost a month now. Every day is dark and cloudy, which makes taking pictures incredibly difficult. We finally saw the sun peek through yesterday so I grabbed the chance to finally be able to snap some photos for my November Favourites post. Just as I had taken the last picture the sun disappeared and I think it'll be a while until I see it again. When I do I'll start working on the empties post for November! I may end up doing a combined November and December one if there's no sunlight for another few weeks, but now for my November Favourites!

Review: Pai Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Skin Tonic

I picked up the Pai BioAffinity Skin Tonic on a bit of a whim when I was visiting Dublin this September. I was re-purchasing Pai's infamous Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, now a firm favourite of mine, and decided to try something else from the brand and settled on something I actually needed; a new toner.

Review: Hand Chemistry Extreme Hydration Concentrate

Hand Chemistry is a brand that is fairly new to me. It's sold in Boots, and Lookfantastic that I know of and my impression is that it's pretty popular over in England. The brand has a very small selection of products, where each product seems to have been created with a lot of care and purpose. When I had the opportunity to test the Extreme Hydration Concentrate version of their hand creams I jumped at the chance. And who better to put this properly to the test than a girl with very dry hands, in Norway, in winter time?

Review: Chanel Camelia de Plumes Highlighting Powder

The last time Chanel released a limited edition highlighter, it was the now infamous 'Poudre Signe de Chanel'. I was on a bit of a no-buy kick and decided I didn't need a highlighter, no matter how pretty it was. Which was by all means true, and still is today. Even so, I must admit that as much as I've ever regretted not buying anything limited edition - this would be the one I've regretted the most. Especially as it keeps coming up in favourites posts and instagram pictures constantly. So when I saw the first pictures of Camelia de Plumes I knew I was definitely going to get it. No regrets this time, and definitely worth it!

Favourites: October 2014

Fall is finally here! And with it a whole lot of cold weather and the snow keeps attempting it's grand entrance. It's still not gathering once it hits the ground, but if we're gonna have the cold weather might as well have the snow, so hopefully soon! I've been burning scented candles, going through even more hand cream than usual and hitting the books. Exams are just around the corner, but I'm not that stressed about it and am just really looking forward to christmas, as usual. I think it just might be my favourite time of the year!

I've been doing a project I've decided to call the "Christmas Challenge" where I've rounded up all of my red lipsticks and nail polishes and am attempting to use them all by the end of the year. The lip products are going quite well, but the nail polishes will be a bit (a lot) more of a challenge. Let me know if you'd like to see any posts on this - if not, I have to say it's quite fun and absolutely recommend it if anyone would like to have a go as well! Now for my favourites for October!

Empties: October 2014

I told you this was going to be massive! My "empties bag" was close to full already just one week into the month, and I've had to put things next to it the last few weeks as it was absolutely overflowing. I considered making this a two-parter like I've done once before, but while it's going to be a long one I'm gonna do it all in one big post. So get that tea, or cup of coffee ready and let's do this.

Products I Want To Use Up: Update #3

It's been about three months since my last update, so I thought it was about the right time to do another one. Especially as I've finished quite a few products! I also wanted to get started on a couple of new ones in decent time before the year ends. To compare the two posts and see my progress, or if you haven't read the last update you can go here.

Review: Chantecaille 15 Year Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette

Before we say anything, let's all just take a moment and appreciate just how beautiful this palette is. There are more important things in the world than makeup, of course, but when you delve into the makeup world there truly aren't many brands quite as well executed all around as the ever wonderful Chantecaille. This palette proves it.