My Priceline 40% Off MakeUp Haul!

I spent roughly $110 on makeup. Oops. Does that cover it? My husband gets this look on his face when I start fast-talking after one of these sales. It's basically very calm, yet wide-eyed (resigned, perhaps?) then he simply asks "how much?". Then I tell him and he shakes his head and we both laugh. LOL. Here's everything I bought in the Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Sale!


Revlon Colorstay MakeUp (Combination/Oily) in Ivory
Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation in Classic Ivory
Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder in Natural
Australis High Life Highlighting Powder
Face of Australia Colour Max Blush in O Peachy!
Models Prefer Radiance Collection Cream Palette
Models Prefer Eye Brightener
Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Bronze
Rimmel The Only One lipstick in Call Me Crazy
Maybelline ColorBlur Cream Matte Pencil in Orange Ya Glad
Maybelline Masterliner in Black

I'm so happy with this haul! I got a few back-ups of my staple items at bargain prices (Revlon Colorstay, Maybelline Masterliner - unfortunately my shade of Maybelline Fit Me Concealer was sold out, so I missed out there) and managed to pick up the exact shade of Max Factor Excess Shimmer I wanted (Bronze), after raving about the Copper coloured eyeshadow in my January Beauty Favourites.

My other goal was to buy some fun products that were new to me, and I did that with the Models Prefer Cream Palette, Covergirl Stay Luminous Foundation and Maybelline ColorBlur lip pencil! Also, I'm seriously deficient when it comes to blush, and have hit pan on my beloved Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush (reviewed here), so was thrilled to find the (very cheap!) FOA O Peachy blush.

And lastly, I am super happy with my new Rimmel The Only One lipstick in Call Me Crazy! Earlier this year I received six shades in this range to trial (you can read my Review here) and fell in love with the formula. When I read other bloggers reviews I also fell in love with the shade Call Me Crazy, and now it's finally mine! Check it out on my lips below....

Fun side-note: I was kind of shocked at the total, because my maths skillz are shit (and that's being generous) so all my in-store estimates involved simply halving the price. I figured 50% off would be pretty close to 40% off but I GUESS NOT. I actually added up everything on my iPhone afterwards just in case the cash register had got it wrong. LOL.

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I'm linking up to the Fabulous And Fun Life Monday MakeUp Madness Linky Party!

Did you pick anything up and if so what? If you have a Haul post from this sale, link it up in the comments!

January Beauty Favourites

It's exciting when you find products that you fall in love with! Some of these lovelies I reach for every morning, so I really wanted to share my thoughts with you. All these products were bought whilst they were on special, because I have kickarse shopping skillz.

First up is the Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray which I added to cart during the recent online Mecca sale. It's a super cute 50ml spray bottle, which is the perfect size for trying out an unfamiliar brand. I spray this into my damp roots after a hair-wash and scrunch it through whilst blowdrying. I'm happy to report it gives me a good amount of non-crunchy volume and I kind of wish I had a bigger bottle, because I'll be sad when I run out. A great find purchased during this Mecca Haul if you're interested!

My original photo, when the Max Factor Shimmer was brand spanking new.

How much I've used! And it's still soft and creamy.

Next, the Max Factor Excess Shimmer Cream Eyeshadow in Copper (see photos above). Oh My God. I love this. I've had some bad experiences with cream shadows drying out really fast (I'm talking about you, Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo) but this little baby is very creamy, soft, highly blendable and smooth, with not even a hint of the formula hardening up. I've been using this pretty shimmer cream as a base over my lids every day, because it's flattering and super easy to apply. I then work a darker shade into the crease and outer edges. I really should pick this up in some other colours, because I love it that much. I got this during the Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Sale.

The reason Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Pink Tank made my faves is predominantly because of the shade. I adore this gorgeous colour; it makes me think of watermelon for some reason! I've been sent some Sally Hansen Miracle Gel to trial before, but this is a bottle I picked up myself whilst going bonkers at the Chemist Warehouse 50% Off Makeup Sale. These are great quality gel polishes that wear well and have a shiny finish, so when they get marked down, I can't resist buying a few different shades. So pretty!

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Pop in Berry Bomb

With the Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Pop (pictured above), I already had the shade Pink Shock, but read a few reviews where people raved about the scary-looking Berry Bomb, so I had to get it! It's a deceptive little balm, because despite looking dark purple in the bullet, it doesn't apply as solid colour, instead giving a sheer hint-of-colour finish. It's very nourishing, moisturising and super fun! I use it every day to moisturise my lips at the start of my makeup routine, then blot it off near the end to apply my chosen lippie. I also wear it around the house on weekends as it's perfect for those no-fuss, minimal makeup days!

My original photo, when this gorgeous blush was brand new and untouched.

Lastly, the oh-so-pretty Happy Booster blush from Physicians Formula in Rose. Here goes with the full name (it's a mouthful): Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush (pictured above). Look at all those love hearts! I've been using this every single day. I love that it's nearly impossible to apply too much (which I have been known to be guilty of), since it has a subtle effect that can be gradually built up. And I love swirling my blush brush over the different shades of pink before sweeping it across my cheeks. And I love that it's flattering. This is indeed a Happy blush that Boosts my Mood!

I'm adding this post to the Fabulous And Fun Life Monday Makeup Madness Linky Party!

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Disclaimer: All products were bought by me and reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite beauty product right now?

Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Haul!

Let's retrieve this post from the 'better late than never' pile, as we take a look at what I bought in the Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Sale (that you may or may not remember at this point). I was going so well, with fairly regular posting, when BAM! the countdown to Christmas competitions hit. I won't go into detail, suffice to say there's about 5000* giveaways to enter each day, and it's taking over my life**. If you guys are interested I'll do a post in January showing all the prizes I won in December, because I'm not doing too badly! Let me know in the comments. Anyhoo, here's what I got, including free delivery, because I ordered online and it came to over $100 (not an accident).

• Models Prefer Matte Nude Shadows Palette
• Garnier BB Cream Combination To Oily Skin in Light/Claire
• Maybelline Line Express Eyeliner in Ebony Black
• Covergirl Brow & Eye Makers Brow Shaper in Midnight Brown
• Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Fantasy Fire
• Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Candy Blue
• Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Copper
• Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose
• Rimmel Apocalips Lip Velvet in Meteoric Matte
• Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in 32
• Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick in Fuchsia Flash
• Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Pop in Pink Shock
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Berry Couture

Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Copper

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Velvet in Meteoric Matte

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose

Max Factor Max Effect mini nail polishes; (left) Candy Blue, (right) Fantasy Fire

Models Prefer Matte Nude Shadows palette

(L-R): BabyLips Pink Shock, Rimmel Kate 32. Revlon Berry Couture, Vivids Fuchsia Flash

Quick Thoughts

~ The Garnier BB Cream for Combo-Oily Skin seems to mattify my skin too much and is a bit of a let-down for me. I might stick with the original version!

~ I haven't tried the Max Factor nail polish mini in Fantasy Fire yet, but am pretty excited to after looking at swatches and reading reviews where it's been described as duochrome, multi-tonal and holographic!

~ My Models Prefer palette came damaged, with the Chocolate shade broken, leaving the lighter shades covered in dark brown powder (I cleaned it up as best I could for the photo). Priceline were out of stock to replace it (apparently instore and online are two completely separate entities, I was told), so I was refunded the money for it.

~ I'm loving the creaminess and ease of application of the Max Factor Shimmer Eyeshadow! Ever since I started using Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit I have seriously fallen in love with cream eyeshadows!

~ So glad I got the Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush, it is freaking delightful!

~ I can't believe I completely forgot about the new Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection and went with an original shade! Luckily though, number 32 is very flattering and I do love it.

~ The Baby Lips is super fun and feels great on but design flaw alert! Not being able to wind the product to below the tube top means I will eventually take a chunk out of it. The product just sits too high and you have to be careful every time you put the lid back on!

* may be a slight exaggeration
** this is completely accurate

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Do you use any of these products? Any you're keen to try out?

Red Hot Mani!

I'd been wanting to do a Red Hot Manicure for some time, and it took all my strength not to add some kind of glitter top coat! With so many glitter polishes in varying shapes, sizes and colours (including several multi-coloured bottles) combined with a severe Glitter Obsession, I think I displayed enormous courage and restraint in keeping this mani glitter-free. Pretty sure my next one will resemble a fucking Christmas Tree!

Products Used:
Bourjois 1 Seconde Gel Texture Nail Enamel in Rouge
Max Factor Nailfinity Glossy Top Coat

Disclaimer: Bourjois was won by me and Max Factor I paid for.

Disastrous Shatter Manicure with Glitter Feature

The less said about this the better! Let's just say that the glitter feature is the only thing saving this mani. I am so disappointed with the shatter aspect; it looks nothing like the picture! I was not after streaky hot mess, but that's what I got. Thanks OPI!

The Line-Up

Products Used:
Rimmel 60 Seconds in Green With Envy
OPI Navy Shatter
Australis Glitter Top Coat in Fairy Bread
Max Factor Nailfinity Glossy Top Coat

So far, so good. Rimmel Green With Envy

WTF!? Things quickly turn to shit

How it's supposed to look

Distract with copious amounts of glitter :)

And gloss that bitch up

Can you believe how hideous it turned out? This is probably my most disastrous manicure ever :(

Disclaimer: All products were bought by me.

Tutorial: Zoya Yara Mani with Gold-Dipped Tips!

It's becoming clear I like to paint my nails. My nail polish collection has swelled recently, and I feel compelled to see what all these pretty polishes, glitters and special top coats look like on my talons.

So here's yet another Mani, lovelies!

ZOYA YARA MANI WITH GOLD-DIPPED TIPS

Products Used......
Zoya in Yara
BYS in Million Dollar Baby
The Face Shop Face It in GL111
Max Factor Nailfinity Glossy Top Coat

How To Create This Look
1. Apply two coats of Zoya Yara. Allow to dry.
2. Apply BYS Million Dollar Baby to half of each nail, starting in the middle and going towards the tip. Allow to dry.
3. Apply Face It GL111 unevenly to the nail tips. Try not to cover many of the large BYS glitter pieces you've applied. Allow to dry.
4. Apply Glossy Top Coat to seal it all in and extend the life of your manicure.

Step 1: Zoya Yara

Step 2: Add BYS Million Dollar Baby to half nails only

Step 3: Apply Face It GL111 unevenly to tips

Step 4: Apply Top Coat

Close-up of the finished look!

Frog Pond Manicure!

This is a green mani with a shot of purple for good measure! Or because I didn't have five greens. I call it my Frog Pond Manicure! Behold the magnificence......


Products Used:
BYS in Hocus Pocus
Ulta3 in Mermaid Green
Ulta3 in Mojito
Revlon in Rock Star
Ulta3 in Lagoon
Max Factor Nailfinity Glossy Top Coat

Above photo:
Left to right - Ulta3 Lagoon on pinky, Revlon Rock Star on ring, Ulta3 Mojito on bird, Ulta3 Mermaid Green on pointer, BYS Hocus Pocus on thumb.

Party Time Manicure: Purple & Aqua Contrast!

It's bright, colourful, exciting, and as close to a Party as I'm going to get (except for my sons upcoming 5th Birthday Party, but I'm not sure a bunch of hyperactive kiddies counts).  I have a disturbing number of Ulta3 polishes, so picking one out was a challenge. I then used another cheapie, BYS, as contrast on the ring finger. As you can see I forgot to put a ring on it; Beyonce would be pissed. I also did 2 coats of aqua over the top of the purple instead of by itself. I guess that's just me and my hardcore rebellious nature, always breaking the rules. LOL!

Products used......
Ulta3 in Purple Pumps
BYS in Hocus Pocus
Max Factor Nailfinity Glossy Top Coat

Max Factor Mini Max Effect Mani!

Another manicure! And this one's a tongue-twister. My Max Factor Mini Max Effect Manicure in Diva Violet. This cute little polish is part of a collection of mini's by Max Factor. You can see all the colours here .........

Are you meant to rest your nails from polish once in a while? Because, as you can see in the close-up photos, I have some bumps on my nail surface that weren't there before. I'm removing the polish properly with a herbal polish remover, but I'm wondering if it's stripping my nails. Time to buy a nail buffer!


Max Factor Max Effect Diva Violet is a really pretty lilac-hued colour. I'm loving it.

Disclaimer: I won the entire collection of Max Effect mini's. YAY me!