Gifts from Lydia and Kevin

At the beginning of June, Lydia just returned from a trip from Japan and Korea. She got me some last minute gifts before she headed off to London. She is currently living there and having fun. Her friend also came to visit from Hawaii which is why she also off loaded some Hawaiian Macadamias to me.

Kevin went to visit Taiwan at the beginning of 2016. Even though I have seen him countless times since then, he has always forgotten to bring me the souvenirs he purchased for me until our graduation day.
 

ibuybeauti Etude House Juice Bar review

What no buy? Seriously though, I thought I did a good job because I actively tried NOT to purchase makeup. And I didn't. Much. Everything else was skincare or haircare *hangs head in shame* I did just start a new full time job and received a promotion in the space of 6 weeks so I thought it was okay to treat myself.

I've never purchased an eyeshadow palette before. I wanted my first to be a limited edition as there were so many beautiful collections I didn't buy when I started going on an Etude House binge in 2012. The Etude House Juice Bar was released as a summer Play Color Eyes palette and was sold out everywhere at some point. By the time I realised I wanted it, I had to find it on ebay. I paid 20.55USD (27.83AUD) for it through ibuybeauti's ebay store;u; 

Of course, it is now available everywhere for a bit cheaper than that. The palette itself retails for around 18,000won in Korea.

Nature Republic EXO Hand and Nature Hand Cream Review (D.O Shea Butter and Baekhyun Wild Berry)

EXO is my kpop weakness. Do I need more hand cream? Do I want this hand cream beyond the EXO branding, the packaging, and the photocards? Well...

The answer is no. I still purchased these hand creams anyway.

These Nature Republic Hand and Nature Hand Creams are from the same series as this set of hand creams I reviewed a few years ago. They were repackaged at the end of 2014 and got an EXO makeover at the end of 2015. You can purchase the regular packaging if you do not like the EXO branding.

I drafted this post on the 24th of April, but haven't posted it until the 24th of July. As a result, I have actually used up quite a bit of both hand creams and can give a more accurate representation of my opinions on both these hand creams.

Makeup and Skincare Empties + Review June 2016 (Project Use Up All the Samples 2k16)

I got a bit itchy for new products this month (what is this no buy I put myself on:/) and purchased the Melano CC toner and essence, a Lucky Box, an eyebrow product, and a new cream. In terms of Priceline purchases, I got a face oil and a hydrating toner mist from Swisse.

Makeup and Skincare Empties + Review June 2016 (Project Use Up All the Samples 2k16)

I got a bit itchy for new products this month (what is this no buy I put myself on:/) and purchased the Melano CC toner and essence, a Lucky Box, an eyebrow product, and a new cream. In terms of Priceline purchases, I got a face oil and a hydrating toner mist from Swisse.

Makeup and Skincare Empties + Review May 2016 (Project Use Up All the Samples 2k16)

May was a happy month for me. I went out to Free Comic Book Day and wore a dress I made. A few strangers came up to me to tell me I looked cute:) This month I used up quite a few staple HG products. I find that six months is usually the sweet spot for me, and a few of the full sized products I used up were opened in December.

Makeup and Skincare Empties + Review April 2016 (Project Use Up All the Samples 2k16)

April was a big month for me. I started my second full-time job ever in a field where I can use my degree. I also treated myself to a limited eyeshadow palette I have been eyeing since February. It started getting sold out in various online stores so I decided to grab it off ebay for a few dollars extra before it completely sold out. 

My dad came back from a business trip to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, then went to Melbourne for a different business trip the week after. A few days he came back he got very sick. Several days after that, my mum caught whatever he had. I was so worried I was going to get it too because my mum kept on coughing everywhere and her doctor told her to not pass it onto my brother and I. Both my parents took sick days off to recover and have since fully recovered.