The end of January is sneaking up so quickly, and with that, it's time for my monthly Empties! There were HEAPS this month, I couldn't believe how many products I ended up finishing - obviously, these have all been used for a couple months at least, not all finished in 4 weeks. There's a few hair products, makeup bits and as always, lots of skincare.

I honestly can't believe it's nearly the end of the first month of 2016 - already! Overall this month has been great, lots of relaxing and time with loved ones and friends, and also getting lots of 'life admin' done. It's been a productive start to the year! January was the month of trying out lots of amazing new products and here's a few that I've really been loving.

It's time to introduce something a bit new to the CM post roster (it is the New Year and all that...) I'm calling it 'Things I Like'; I know, it's not a very original name, but I want to keep it broad and open so I can share whatever I might be liking at that particular moment in time. For number one in the series I wanna talk about nude lipsticks, specifically the pinky nude kind - they're my go-to on a daily basis and I always gravitate towards them. So here are a few lipsticks I like.

It's time to bring back a series I've long been neglecting - the classic NOTD (aka. Nail Of The Day). I used to do these so often on CM (have a read of them here), and I want to revive it and post more of what I'm wearing on my nails. I am constantly changing my nail polish, basically every week I'll have something different on. Hopefully doing this style post again, I'll reach for shades I've not used yet or haven't used in a while. So here's the first NOTD of 2016.

It wouldn't be a month without sharing the contents of the latest Lust Have It Women's Beauty Box*. The November box was very makeup heavy which I liked, and the December box looks like it has an even spread of makeup items and skincare products. LHI is an Australian based subscription service for Australia and New Zealand, offering at least 5 sample or full sized products from a variety of brands for only $19.95 a month (plus shipping).

I've been meaning to get this review up for well over a month now, so finally, it is here! In November I reviewed another amazing TheBalm Palette; the Balm Voyage! (review and swatches here) and talked about how I got that and this Balmsai Palette from NZ Sale for only $9 each - I honestly couldn't believe it! TheBalm does some seriously great products, and their palettes are no exception.

Despite Burt's Bees being such an iconic brand, I have to admit I've never used any of their products - thankfully that has changed now as I was sent a little bag of goodies to try out from them. I feel a bit out of the loop when it comes to Burt's Bees - all I thought was that they did some lip balms and a bit of skincare, but they have a huge extensive range of products now from lipsticks and glosses to skincare, and even baby care products too, 

To say the day I got the email with news that Luxola NZ was going to be relaunching as Sephora NZ was exciting, is a complete understatement. Firstly I thought someone was playing a cruel joke on a Sephora-junkie like myself, but as I kept reading I was over the moon at the news. Sephora NZ is actually here, in little ol' New Zealand, albeit not as a physical store, but it brings with it a host of new brands that we were unable to easily get our hands on - I know NZ beauty lovers are going to be going a little crazy over this! To celebrate the launch I got to pick out a few products from the vast line up of brands and share with you all a small sample of products now available to us in NZ.

I think you should all know by now that I am a true nail polish obsessor, and more than that I absolutely adore Essie polishes. They take up the bulk of my collection (I will need to do an updated Essie Collection soon, adding that to the list right now...), and I love the colour ranges, the formula, plus the little bottles with the white lids are far too aesthetically pleasing. In perfect timing for Summer, Essie have released six new shades* that'll have your fingers and toes all set for the warm weather.

There's nothing quite like a new M.A.C collection to kick off 2016 and this one is a total beauty. Inspired by the soft pearlescent pinks and creams of a fairy wonderland, the Faerie Whispers collection is enough to make any beauty lover swoon.

Welcome to 2016 everyone! We made it (all in one piece I hope?!) I was going to crack right back into the beauty babble today from my week break but I thought I would actually do a little reflection on 2015 and update you all on what I've been up to over Christmas and New Years. Plus a little on what I'd like 2016 to bring. If you're not fussed about my life ramblings, check back on Friday (the 8th) for a brand new beauty post, but for today here's what I've been up to...