Beauty Hauls: Sephora, Mecca Maxima, etc!

As you may know, I recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to Sydney with my family. I was incredibly patient, enduring two full days of non-shopping related activities such as playgrounds, the beach and amusement rides, before I even saw the shops. I basically waited until the third day of the holiday to shop like a Mofo visit Mecca Maxima and Sephora, because I'm just that considerate. LOL. You may see a product theme in the form of MASKS. I went batshit cray-cray for masks for some insane reason (I'm still trying to work it out?) and decided I needed every mask known to man. Check out my beauty hauls below!

For starters, a tiny lip mask haul from Cosmo Cosmetics, a small store selling luxe brands (eg SK-II) at heavily discounted prices, immediately rendering me 100% suspicious. I steered clear of those and got these fun-looking lip masks, because I've never tried a lip mask before and by gosh they look like a good time! Besides, all the packaging is in Asian symbols, adding to the excitement, because I don't know what any of it means! Also, you can put them on your boobies (I asked WTF the cartoon meant and she said you can put them on your nips, and I burst out laughing and went red).

This is perfectly normal

Items Hauled:
Pure Smile Choosy Fruit Lip Mask
Pure Smile Choosy Gold Pearl Lip Mask

Oh My God, you guys.........

Wall to wall makeup in Sephora *dies*

Next up, Sephora. Oh how I was looking forward to this experience! It didn't disappoint, even though they didn't stock Sleek or Leaders InSolution (online only, apparently). Still, it was two floors full of makeup and skincare goodness, a beauty lovers dream! I was served by a lovely man wearing a full face of makeup (you don't see that in Adelaide!) and he kindly gave me some free samples with my order, although I did have to ask. I kept the purchases to a minimum (lol, see below) since I'm better off getting the Stila, Too Faced, etc from Mecca because their rewards system shits all over Sephora's. Here's my mask-heavy haul...

Items Hauled:
Dr. Jart The Book of Masks
Sephora Green Tea Face Mask
Sephora Lingzhi Face Mask
Sephora Lingzhi Sleeping Mask
Sephora Lingzhi Eye Mask
Sephora Pomegranate Eye Mask
Sephora Lotus Eye Mask
Sephora Ginseng Eye Mask
Sephora Multi-Texture Sponge
Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in Sexy Game
2 x Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap (free sample)
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Eye (free sample)

This was a spontaneous haul because my son wanted a nice bath in our hotel room, so we needed some bath bombs. Of course, being a huge Lushie, I don't need much convincing to visit a Lush store! The Sales Assistant let him push the buttons on the cash register and stick on the labels, so that was pretty cool, too!

Items Hauled:
Blackberry Bath Bomb
Intergalactic Bath Bomb
FUN Green
Mint Julips Lip Scrub

Swatch Til You Drop, right?

Mecca Maxima time! I was expecting the QVB store to be quite large, but it actually isn't! Anyway, I had my list ready (as I did with Sephora) and had a grand old time swatching, smelling and putting everything in my basket! I tossed up between the Too Faced original Chocolate Bar palette, the Semi-Sweet and the Bon Bons one, but I'm pretty happy I went with the original. Again, the customer service was phenomenal; I had multiple SA's helping me, discussing beauty and explaining the difference between the palettes and how to use each of the free samples.

Someone has a Soap & Glory addiction

Items Hauled:
Origins GinZing Eye Cream
Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose
Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Evangeline
Too Faced Chocolate Bar eyeshadow palette
Soap & Glory SoaperHeroes set
Soap & Glory Sexy MotherPucker Lip Plumping Gloss
Soap & Glory The Breafast Scrub
Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Moisturizer
GlamGlow Brightmud Eye Treatment (free sample)
Ren Keep Young and Beautiful Firming and Smoothing Serum (free sample)
Perricone MD Neuropeptide Face Activator Serum (free sample)
Perricone MD Advanced Eye Therapy (free sample)

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What would you have picked up?

June Favourites: MakeUp Edition!

I haven't written a Favourites post in a while, so here's a fairly quick one based solely on MakeUp. These are the products I've been reaching for nearly every day throughout June. My reliable buddies, my go-to items when I want to slap my face on quickly without thinking.

I swipe on Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick SPF15 right at the start of my makeup routine because it softens and moisturises my lips and prepares them for the onslaught of plumper, liner and lipstick that's to come. At the beginning stages of my makeup, my reflection is looking quite pale and depressing, so a shot of flattering red balm is just what I need to pep myself up, even if I do wipe it off later!

I've been using the Maybelline Big Eyes Luminous Brown Palette, which I won from a giveaway on Kats Colourings blog, every weekday morning when I'm rushing to get ready for school drop-off. The shades in this eyeshadow palette are right up my alley and I know I can create a flattering, subtle look quickly and easily with the earthy nude colours.

I don't know why I haven't thought of this before? Since winning a Dettol prize pack from the Little Lioness blog I've plonked this mini Dettol Healthy Touch Instant Hand Sanitizer on my makeup table and have been using it in between makeup processes to disinfect my hands. So for instance, if I've used my fingertips to apply eyeshadow, I clean them off with hand sanitizer before applying moisturiser and foundation (yes, I do my eyes first, then work my way down my face). My blemishes are pretty much gone now, and I'm going the extra mile not to spread any germs over my face!

This little Australis Colour Corrector in Gold is a surprise packet! I bought it before discovering my Holy Grail dark circle cover, the Bobbi Brown Corrector (see Product Rave! Bobbi Brown Corrector. Just Wow) and I really like it. The thin, gel-like consistency means it glides on easily and it does a good job of illuminating and brightening the under-eye area and providing a great base for which to add my heavy duty, highly-pigmented Bobbi Brown Corrector. On days where I've managed a decent amount of sleep I can get away with using just the Australis Colour Corrector. This is inexpensive and would be great for people with mild darkness around the eyes.

How good are the Essence LipLiners? I've got three shades now, and I'm reaching for Wish Me A Rose the most. This is a great colour match for pink-toned nude lipsticks. I can't fault the formula, and at only $2 each, these lipliners are an absolute steal. Highly recommended!

I'm also loving the Physicians Formula Organic Wear FakeOut Mascara, which came in the Priceline Cosmetics Gift Bag back in May. This is a fibre mascara, but I mostly love the brush shape and the non-clumpy volume it imparts. The flat, curvy pink leaf design of the tube is novel, fun and super-cute, too!

Disclaimer: All products were bought by me with the exception of the Dettol and the Maybelline ones, which I won. All reviews are my honest opinion. :)

What products have you been loving in June?

Korres Lip Butter in Mango. Oh My!

Korres Lip Butter has been on my Wish List for quite some time, and recently I got my arse into gear and bought a little Mango pot! Having read lots of glowing reviews on various beauty blogs, my expectations were super high. I'm happy to report this product does live up to the hype!

I do have a Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick (in Rose, pictured above) that I've been using, but it's just not the same as the butter in the pot. Obviously the consistency needs to be harder in the stick so it doesn't soften and break off. The formula of the lip butter in the pot is creamy, lush and mega buttery! It literally melts into my lips, leaving them soft, smooth and well hydrated. Shea Butter and Rice Wax ingredients provide deep hydration, so these butters are particularly good for dry, chapped lips.

I love the shiny tint this balm gives me; it's very comfortable to wear and doesn't slide off my lips. The product also has a lovely scent, but my favourite features are definitely the formula and the colour it imparts, which is a very flattering peachy tint. I am hellbent on collecting the rest of the colours in the range now! They are Guava (clear), Jasmine (nude), Quince (sheer rose), Wild Rose (sheer deep red) and Pomegranate (sheer coral).

Korres is an organic brand that uses only environmentally friendly, all natural ingredients. Korres Lip Butter is stocked in a number of online Aussie stores including Mecca and ASOS (and even on eBay, just be very careful). RRP $16.

What's your favourite Korres Lip Butter colour?

Bath & Unwind Tried and Tested: Korres Holiday In Greece Review

This is the second in my series of reviews as part of Bath & Unwind's Tried and Tested panel. If you missed my first, it was a review of Caudalie Vine Body Butter, which you can read here. I was so excited to receive this Holiday In Greece gift/travel set, because I'd heard so much about Korres, yet never tried the brand for myself.

"Korres is a Greek skincare brand born out of Athens first ever homeopathic pharmacy in 1996. Today the Korres portfolio includes over 400 natural and certified organic products. Our goal is to develop innovative and clinically effective skincare products based on natural active ingredients."

Let's look at what's in this set.....

Korres Holiday In Greece contains:
Guava Body Butter 40mL
Basil Lemon Body Milk 40mL
Basil Lemon Shower Gel 40mL
Guava Shower Gel 40mL
Aloe & Dittany Shampoo 40mL

Guava Body Butter
This beautifully fruity-smelling body butter is luxurious and very rich. You really need minimal product, as a little goes a long way; in fact when I initially applied too much the whiteness of the cream reminded me of sunscreen! It leaves the most gorgeous fragrance on the skin that lingers for hours and instantly hydrates and moisturises. My skin felt nourished, soft and supple. This body butter is most suited to areas of dry or chapped skin. The small size means it's great to pop in your handbag and apply when needed throughout the day. This product was one of my favourites from the set. It contains sunflower, almond and avocado oil, shea butter and quince extract to promote smoothness, elasticity, softening, moisturising and restructuring.

Basil Lemon Shower Gel and Guava Shower Gel
These shower gels are quite lovely, and have somewhat earthy fragrances, which I find appealing. The 40ml bottle size is quite small, and my love of shower gels means I'll be finished these two in no time! I understand it's a gift set intended for travel or as an introduction to the Korres range, but still. The large dispenser hole means I had to be careful not to release too much product, but did make it easy to get it out of the bottle. Both shower gels produce a mid to high lather and left my skin feeling clean and good to go. The Basil Lemon is awesome for a morning shower because the zesty lemon aroma is refreshing and screams WAKE UP! The Guava gel I prefer to use at night, as I love the tropical fruit fragrance on my skin before bed. Both gels contain wheat proteins, aloe leaf juice and active plant extracts and are mineral oil free, silicone free and propylene glycol free.

Aloe & Dittany Shampoo
This was probably my least favourite product from the Holiday In Greece gift set. For starters it's for normal hair, and my hair is anything but normal. I need treatment shampoos for fine hair that will add volume, or I'm left with limp hair that needs a lot of thickening foam prior to blowdrying. Having said that, this smelled good and would be a preferable alternative to hotel shampoo if I was travelling. Who am I kidding, I take my own shampoo and conditioner when I travel. Anyway, if you're not a fine-haired lass, you might enjoy this. It contains dittany, aloe, marjoram and mountain tea extracts and is free from silicone, parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol, ethanolamine and phthalate fragrances.

Basil Lemon Body Milk
This light lemony body milk is an utter delight. Goes on like a dream, absorbs super-fast and leaves my skin soft and ultra-moisturised. Again, I love the zesty, fresh fragrance (like its shower gel counterpart). Although it absorbs quickly, the body milk sometimes leaves a slight film on the skin, which took a little getting used to, but now I don't notice it. Upon researching the product I learned that the wheat proteins present form a protective film on the skin. Also, its supposed to have a powdery texture (I couldn't tell) and leave a matte finish. AND that hydration levels three hours after application are supposed to be the same as when the product was first applied! Another firm favourite from this set, both for smells and its effectiveness.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by PR for review. This is a non-sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Bath & Unwind Gift Sets + Caudalie Vine Body Butter Review

Colour me pink (tickled pink!) when the lovely people at Bath & Unwind contacted me recently, asking if I'd like to review some of their skincare products and Christmas gift sets. Bath & Unwind stock a large range of beauty brands (think Alpha H, Becca, Jane Iredale, OPI, The Balm and Trilogy, to name a few) and offer free worldwide delivery. I was able to select my trial products (YAY!) and today I'll show you what I got (my Korres cherry has finally been popped, y'all!) and review the first cab off the ranks, Caudalie Vine Body Butter.

This Works No Wrinkles Tired Eyes

Aromatherapy Associates Festive Bath & Shower Collection

Korres Holiday In Greece

Contents (left - right):
Basil Lemon Body Milk
Guava Shower Gel
Basil Lemon Shower Gel
Aloe and Dittany Shampoo
Guava Body Butter

Korres Indulgent Treats Set

Contents (bottom photo, left - right):
Guava Body Butter
Mandarin Lip Butter Stick in Rose
Nourishing Almond Oil & Shea Butter Hand Cream
Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturising & Brightening Cream

REVIEW: Caudalie Vine Body Butter

This product comes in a generous-sized 200 mL plant-based tub that is sturdy, solid and isn't going to smash or split if you drop it. On removing the brown screw-top lid, I was met with a very pleasant citrus fragrance, which no doubt comes from the 'orange tree, bitter orange, orange blossom and orange wood' ingredients.

The product is a white, fairly thin consistency cream that absorbs quickly and effortlessly. It feels luxurious going on, however I had to be careful with the amount used, as sometimes my skin felt tacky after application. I do feel it nourishes my skin and it works best on dry areas, such as elbows, leaving them soothed and hydrated.

Caudalie Vine Body Butter also contains grapeseed and organic shea butters which help to repair damaged skin. It's touted as being an ideal after-sun product, and I can imagine coming home after a Summer day out with the family and lathering some of this on my exposed areas to soothe them. I particularly enjoy using this body butter right before bed, because I love the waft of this gorgeous scent as my head hits the pillow. I think the addictive orangey smell may well be my favourite feature of the cream.

Caudalie are against animal testing and this product is 95% natural. It's available at Bath & Unwind here with free shipping no matter where you are in the world. If this doesn't float your boat, check out the huge range of body moisturisers available at Bath & Unwind, there's sure to be something there to suit all tastes.

Disclaimer: These products were provided for reviewing purposes. This is not a sponsored post; no money was offered/accepted. Review is my honest opinion.