Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ February 2024

Back in 2022, I set a monthly beauty and books budget at $200 per month and I've been pretty good about sticking to it! I am trying to be thoughtful in my purchases, so this has been holding me accountable for being reasonable with my spending. Since it worked so well last year, I'm really trying to do the same thing this year! 

I do always love my Monthly Haul posts - it's a good way to keep track of everything that I picked up each month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 

XO Treatment Room Heavy C ~ $103.45. This is my holy grail vitamin c serum - I ran out and picked this up (and then got a different one to try in PR first so I'm saving this), but this uses a special vitamin c molecule that doesn't irritate or break out my skin and it's just so good! Highly recommend! 

Empties ~ January - June 2023

Here's a look at all the products I've used up for the first half of the year: 

Some of the products featured were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

E.L.F. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist ~ $14.00 CAN. Lightweight makeup setting spray for up to 16 hours of wear.

This was actually a little bit of a whim purchase when I forgot setting spray on a trip, but I really liked this - I loved how fine the mist was and this rivalled any of my favourite high end setting sprays in terms of lasting power. I used this at a couple of weddings this Summer and that is always the highest regards I can pay to a setting spray! This made my Monthly Favourites in September 2022 and it's still great. 

Repurchase: Yes! 

Quarterly Beauty Empties ~ July - September 2022

Monthly Empties posts were getting a little overwhelming - they were a lot to write and keep notes about. I've decided to still talk about empties, but only makeup products and skincare products (no more body, hair, nail or personal care products!) It was just getting too much, but I still want to share my thoughts on products I've used up! 

Some products may have been received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ~ $43.00 CAN (travel size shown here). An award-winning lightweight setting and finishing spray that keeps makeup fresh, smudge-proof, and transfer resistant for up to 16 hours.

I needed a travel size setting spray for my trip to Italy previously this year. This one was perfect for locking everything in crazy humid weather - I knew this one would be perfect and I wasn't wrong! This did make my favourites in May 2022 and it's one of the best setting sprays ever! 

Repurchase: Already have! 

My Morning Skincare Routine

I don't often feel like blog posts are overdue, since I can basically write anything at anytime, but I haven't written an updated routine since 2016! And, while this isn't going to change *much* since then, it has gotten a little more specific to my skin and finding what works best for me! 

The Skoah product was received as part of the Ambassador program, the FabYou was received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

I like to keep my morning routine quite simple and gentle - I'm up quite earlier and don't have a ton of time in the mornings, so I like quick and effective products! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - May 2022

Here's a look at what I've been loving this past month:

I purchased everything - this post contains affiliate links

I used to always have pick 5 products each month for my Monthly Favourites, but that is one thing I'm changing this year - whatever I'm loving, I will share whether it's 2 or 10 products!