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!

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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?

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?

May Favourites!

Five Favourites I'm mad about this May!

L'Oreal Elvive Fibralogy Thickening Treatment*
Oh My God. I think the Elvive Fibralogy range has changed my life. I received this double serum leave-in treatment plus the shampoo and conditioner from L'Oreal to trial before they hit the shelves, and I am so grateful. I'm forever buying new thickening and volume-creating hair products, because I'm so sick of my fine, flat hair, only to be disappointed by the results. Not only does this treatment make my hair smell amazing and look healthy, it gives me impressive volume and body on the lengths and ends. I usually wait until my hair is nearly dry after washing, then use a volume mousse on the roots/scalp, then work two squirts of the Elvive Fibralogy through the lengths and ends, then blowdry whilst scrunching. LOVE this.

Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel*
This deliciously rosy smelling gel seriously has one of the best fragrances you'll ever get your nose on. Floral and girly, it's totally Turkish Delightful (it smells like turkish delight)! I could happily use only Rose Jam forever. I'm even in love with the name. See my review here.

Lanolips Golden Ointment
This is a super moisturiser for extremely dry skin areas such as hands, feet and legs, but I've been using it on my lips overnight for mega hydration, and occasionally on my elbows. I also put some on my son's dry lips each morning before school, and when he had a rash that cleared up and left him with dry skin around his mouth, this golden ointment restored the moisture in no time. He comments that he loves the feel of it on his lips, and I agree. It's quite thick and you can clearly smell the Manuka honey in it.

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream
It's a little tiny pot of wonder. This was a GWP from ages ago that I've only just gotten on to (read: found, in the massive collection on unopened beauty products). Oh boy! The little glass jar is so cute (the photo doesn't do the detailing on the jar justice), but that's to be expected with Benefit. This brightening cream does amazing things for my dark circles, so much so that I've already bought the normal-sized pot for when this runs out. A thick consistency cream that's so soothing on application, I love how it brightens my complexion and makes me look more awake, and dare I say it, younger.

Physicians Formula Firming & Lifting Booster
You only need a couple of drops on each cheek to cover the whole face with this gel booster. I'm loving the firming results, which I really noticed the next day after using this overnight. My skin was tighter, fine lines had decreased and my pores were much less noticeable. After being disappointed by the Dr Lewinn's range in general, I was sceptical about Physicians Formula (I'm not sure why I lump them into the same category, beyond them both being anti-ageing ranges), but I'm mightily impressed. It doesn't make me break out either, something that often happens when I try new skincare.

Disclaimer: *L'Oreal was provided for trial, Lush was provided for trial/review purposes. Lanolips and Physicians Formula products I won and Benefit was a GWP (purchased myself).

My February Favourites!

Following are some products I've been using regularly throughout February, daily in some cases. I'm going to try concentrating on different products from brands I don't usually cover from now on, because who wants to read about the same old favourites all the time! This also encourages me to try new brands and products, which is always a good thing. I can't wait for my next 'favourite' discovery!

Philosophy Amazing Grace
This mini spray fragrance EDT came in a set from Adore Beauty. I'd heard great things about it and bought it on a whim. Great decision! It's a clean, crisp, soft, beautifully feminine fragrance that's subtle enough to not trigger one of my perfume headaches (my main worry when buying a perfume, as I get some humdingers from certain stronger ones). The fragrances notes are rose, freesia, bergamot, jasmine, grapefruit, muguet and musk. A girly, floral, clean and 'Amazing' addition to my perfume collection. I've been spritzing it on almost daily, although I really don't want it to run out (the bottle is so tiny!).

Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream
I'm addicted to this little tin of creamy goodness. The caramel aroma is divine and the formula is buttery, soft and smooth. It can appear a tad white if you apply it too thick (but not as white as the Nivea Lip Butter Vanilla & Macadamia version!) but that really isn't a problem for me, for the following reasons; a) I love applying this before bed. It keeps my lips moisturised and nourished overnight. And b) I also use it to prep my lips before lipstick every morning. I slick on a thick layer, apply my makeup (which takes at least 20 minutes, lol), then wipe most of it off for moist, juicy lips perfectly ready for lipstick! These lip butters also come in Original, Raspberry Rose and Vanilla & Macadamia. With a RRP of only $5.19 (I got mine on special at Woolies for $2.50) I highly recommend trying the delicious-smelling Caramel Cream.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish
I actually put off using this, because the only other Kiehl's product I'd tried I didn't like (Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub), but what a mistake that was! This body polish is luxurious and creamy with a decadent feel. With almost a mousse-like formula, the fragrance smells coconutty to me, but actually contains shea and jojoba butters, almond oil, luffa fruit, honey and soy milk. The small but plentiful particles work to exfoliate and leave my skin feeling soft, smooth and supple. A glorious body polish and one I'd highly recommend.

Physicians Formula Nude Shimmer Strips
The full title of this product, from the side of the palette, is Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner. There's no actual eyeliner in the palette, it just means you can wet the applicator and apply the darker colours as a liner. I see this palette as a mini (shimmery) version of Urban Decay's Naked palettes. I bought the first UD Naked, but then kind of lost interest in further releases. Anyway, these shimmer strips are great and I've been using them daily. You get nine neutral hues that would pretty much suit all eye colours. The pigment is fairly good and the shimmer is flattering but not over-the-top. The particles are tiny, and it wears as an overall slight shimmer effect rather than a large chunky glitter effect. I love that the palette is small and seals magnetically (great for travelling) and is cute as hell with its lacy overlay and little ribbon bow!

Lush Santa's Lip Scrub*
This is a Limited Edition product that is only released at Christmas. I also have the chocolately Lush Sweet Lips Lip Scrub, but Santa's is my favourite. From the bright festive red colour to the wonderful cola scent, this is fun in a jar! After scrubbing a little over my lips, I'm left with a soft, smooth, flake-free mouth. Try using this baby and not licking off the sweet excess. It contains caster sugar, coconut oil and extracts of cherries and dates, and is suitable for Vegetarians. You can check out my review of Santa's Lip Scrub here.


Disclaimer:
Won - Physicians Formula Nude Shimmer Strips, Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish
Bought - Nivea Lip Butter Caramel Cream, Philosophy Amazing Grace
*PR Sample - Lush Santa's Lip Scrub