Lust Have It June 2012

I'm very, very late with this one, but I'm finally getting around to sharing this months Lust Have It! box. It came in the mail around one and half weeks ago, which means I truly have been incredibly slack. Take a look at what was inside!

Not a bad box again this month. I did really like the colour of the makeup bag it all came in too (you can see it much better in the pictures below).

The product that I was most excited to find this month, was the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush. I've been wanting to try this for a while, and am currently putting it through it's paces to see just how good it is and maybe do a little review (this poor dry shampoo has probably never worked so hard in it's life). The smell is quite nice, and I'm liking it so far.

I have to admit that I was a bit underwhelmed when I first spotted the Bloom Glitter Liquid Eyeliner in Star Struck. Glitter liners, especially multicoloured ones, make me think of 12 year olds at a school disco. I will say that I played with it a little, and was pleasantly surprised that I didn't hate it, or feel juvenile wearing it. It's not as insanely packed with glitter as it looks in the bottle and, if worn right, I think it would be nice for a crazy night out.

Next up we have the LonVitalite Eye and Facial Masks. I'd never heard of this brand before, and the 24K gold sounds very luxurious, so I'm keen to try them out. They both claim to do lots of lovely things like improve circulation, even skin tone and promote skin regeneration, but I'm most interested in the facial mask, as it claims to have whitening agents. I have a bit of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, which I would love to get rid of, so we'll see if I notice any difference.

Lastly, we have some more perfume samples. I think there were a few options that subscribers could have received, and I got Daisy and Daisy Eau So Fresh, both by Marc Jacobs. Personally, I don't mind getting perfume samples, as I love perfumes and like being able to try them out at home without having to buy a bottle, but I can see how more perfume samples again this month might not make everyone as happy as I. I've never been a fan of Daisy, and this sample didn't really make me change my mind. I don't know why, because on paper it sounds like a perfect fragrance for me (being light, florally with fruity notes). Daisy Eau So Fresh, on the other hand, smells like heaven to me. I have seen it before, but never bothered to test it out, because I assumed it would be close to the original, so I am VERY happy that I got this to try. It is so fresh and crisp and summery that I just want to bathe in it. 

Now for the numbers:

Batiste Dry Shampoo at $9.95/150ml                                                          = $3.32/30ml

Bloom Glitter Eye Liner $14.95 each                                                            = $14.95

LonVitalite 24K Active Golden Yulan Oil Facial Mask at $59 for 5  = $11.80 each

LonVitalite 24K Active Gold Full Eye Mask at $45 for 5                       = $9.00 each

Daisy by Marc Jacobs at $90/50ml                                                              = $2.16/1.2ml

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs at $115/75ml                                 = $1.84/1.2ml

                                                                                                              Total Value = $43.07

If you got Lust Have It! this month and got something different this month, let me know in the comments, as I believe they were going to start sending out some different boxes.

Question Wednesday: The Fair!

This week's Question Wednesday made me realize that we don't really have many fairs where I live. That's kinda sad. Check out Nykki's Mane Blog if you want to join in!

1. When the fair comes to town, do you usually go?

Sadly, no. We don't really have big fairs where I live, and the ones we do get are usually geared towards kids. A big one that I do go to every couple of years, is the Easter Show in Sydney.

2. What is your favorite thing to eat at the fair? Food and/or dessert!

Snow cones. I looooove snow cones.

3. Do you like to go on the rides? What are some of your favorite rides?

Not usually, but my two favourites are the big slide that you ride down on a hessian sack, and the swing carousel thing.

4. What are some cool shows or exhibits that happen at your local fair?

I don't know that there is a local fair or show where I live :(. At the Easter Show, I love all of the animal exhibits, especially the baby ducks.

5. Do you usually buy anything at the fair? What do you like to buy?

When I go to the Easter Show, I always get the Willy Wonka and Bertie Beetle show bags. I have eaten some of the yummiest and craziest lollies from the Willy Wonka bag that you don't usually find in stores. For those who haven't had the pleasure of eating a bertie beetle (I'm pretty sure they are Aussie), they are the most delicious beetle shaped chocolates with honeycomb and coconut bits. They are incredibly hard to find now. 

NOTD: OPI's Lucky Lucky Lavender

I don't know why, but when it comes to nail polish, I never want to wear colours to suit the season. This past summer, I couldn't wait for cooler weather to wear OPI's William Tell Me About OPI (you can see a post on it here). It's been cold for ages now, and I've worn it once. I know there are no rules to when you can and can't wear certain colours, but I would love to be one of those put together girls with the perfectly seasonally appropriate outfit and nail polish to match.

So instead of dipping into my immense collection of gorgeous wintery colours. I went for OPI's Lucky Lucky Lavender.

Lucky Lucky Lavender is a stunning purple colour, that looks more lilac than lavender, from OPI's Hong Kong Collection from 2010. It's a creme finish polish, that is opaque in 2 to 3 coats. It can be very streaky, so I tend to go for 3 coats, to get a more flawless end result. Please excuse the minor chipping. I have actually been wearing this for a couple of days already without a top coat, and it's lasting power, as always, has been pretty darn good.

Don't forget to come back in six months time when I will finally be wearing all of by burgundies, deep blues and other assorted winter colours.

EOTD: A Makeup Blast from the Past and Seven Year Anniversary

Yesterday was my Fiance and I's 7 year anniversary. I haven't really shared anything too personal on here yet, and thought now might be a good reason too. Let me start by telling you a little about our history. 

We went to the same high school from the start of Year 7, but didn't meet until we were both 16, at a mutual friends birthday. That night, I instantly had such a crush on him. In the months that followed, we talked a lot, and got to know each other. After some shameless flirting on my part, I plucked up the courage to tell him how I felt, which was enormous for me to even consider. So, one day at school, I managed to catch him while he was alone, and told him that I really liked him. His response... "Oh, okay". I was crushed! Not to mention humiliated. That night, after completely avoiding him out of shame, I found out through his good friend that he felt the same, but was too shy to tell me.

It wasn't until at least a week or more later that said friend had managed to convince him to ask me out. Which he tried to, for 5 days, but was thwarted each time by interrupting friends and my disappearance from my usual lunch spot (I had no idea he was looking for me). By the time he had finally asked me out, so many people knew he was trying to, that we actually had an audience of people secretly watching, waiting to see if it would finally happen.

So, we had a bit of a rocky start, but from there on out it has all been smooth sailing. He is my best friend and the love of my life all rolled into one. I've not met anyone else who gets me quite like he does, and who loves me so unconditionally. Every day I'm inspired by his compassion, kindness, determination and drive. 

I can't even begin to convey how lucky I feel that my life has been touched by him. When he asked me to marry him, it was the single most amazing night of my life. I cannot wait to marry him, and all of the memories of our relationship that have been swimming around in my head this week just make me even more excited to spend the rest of my days with him. I love him with all of my heart.

One of the memories I have been thinking about a lot this week was of our first real date. We went to a concert for a band that I loved and he hardly knew, and had the most amazing time. That was the night we had our first kiss, in among the crazy screaming crowd. Not the most romantic of settings, but it felt like time stopped. To this day I still remember that kiss as clear as day.

So, as an homage to that amazing night and the start of our relationship seven years ago, I decided to recreate the eye look that I wore. Back then I wasn't nearly as into makeup as I am now, but I remember fretting about how I would do my make up for days leading up to it. I still remember the look I wore, and associate it so strongly with that night. The thing I remember most about the makeup was a dark teal/green pencil liner that I used under my eyes. The reason I remember it so well is because it was a major player in my makeup repertoire back then, and I always felt incredibly adventurous when I wore it. I have a few photos from that night, none of which show my makeup too well, but from the look of it I also had a penchant for heavy black liner and a tonne of mascara.

Here is my recreation:

I don't think this makeup look is, or was, all too flattering for me and it makes me realise why I rarely use mascara on my lower lashes anymore (hello spiders legs). Still, it's fun to look back and reminisce about some of my best memories.

Does anyone else associate particular makeup looks and products with events in their lives?

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Review

It is not sheer. Nor does it glow. Poor naming decisions aside, NARS Sheer Glow foundation is amazing. It pretty much been my daily foundation since I finally took the plunge and bought it in the shade Deauville. This is a big deal for a foundation addict, such as myself.

It’s gives light-medium, but buildable coverage, with an incredibly natural finish. Once applied, it would be hard to tell that I’m wearing foundation at all, were it not for the evened out skin tone and covered blemishes. The name implies that the foundation gives a ‘glow’, which in foundation terms usually means a dewy finish, or some sort of sheen. Sheer Glow has neither, but it does give an overall effect of very healthy, smooth skin.

I get about 8 hours of wear time with this, before it starts to become a little bit patchy and faded. On the oilier parts of my face, it does start to move at around the 6 hour mark, but stays put with blotting and/or a little powder. Without this extra step, once oiliness occurs, the foundation becomes a little less than flattering, so I wouldn’t recommend it for those with oily skin.

It is quite a pricey foundation, with an RRP of $42US for 30ml. The only official stockist in Australia that I’m aware of is Mecca Cosmetica, where it retails for $68, if you are interested in having it colour matched with your skin tone. I bought mine from HQhair for around £29.50GBP plus £2.99 postage (about $50.25AU).

Aside from the price, the only major downside is lack of pump. For the amount of money you pay, it would be nice to get more than just a bottle that you unscrew and pour. It leads to a whole lot of mess, and I find that the foundation tends to bleed down the spiral on the screw cap and out the bottom of the lid.

Overall Score: 9/10

June Lust List

This month has been a very wanty month for me. I have seen so many products that I'd love to buy, which has made keeping on budget to save for the wedding very hard. But, no harm in ogling them and drooling over them! Here are the products I'm lusting after most this month:

Clockwise from top right:

• Sleek Blush by 3 in Lace - these blush trio palettes look so pretty. Lace includes a medium pink, shimmery pale pink and peach tones blush.
• Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12hr Perfecting Primer - I feel like I'm continually on the search for the perfect primer for me. I've been hearing good things about this primer and like that it includes a lot of natural ingredients.
• Chloe L'eau De Chloe - I got a sample of this perfume in last months LustHaveIt box and I have fallen in love with it. It's such a pretty smell.
• Lanolips 101 Ointment - I recently bought my first of these tinted lip ointments in the colour Sunshine. I love it so much I now want them all. The one shown is Rhubarb.
• Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua - I'm more than slightly addicted to foundation and wish I had the cash to splash on a bottle of this.
• Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick - Always a sucker for a good highlighter.
• BH Cosmetics Fan Brush - or really any fan brush would do. I've never owned or used this type of brush and am intrigued by them
• Bioderma Crealine H20 Cleansing Solution - This one needs little explanation. The beauty blogging community is full of raving reviews.
• Bobbi Brown Corrector - I need all the help I can get to cover up my dark circles right now.

Face Of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons Review

For the last month or so, I have been seeing these Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons from Face of Australia all over Twitter and Aussie beauty blogs. I love a lot of the Face of Australia products and these have been getting great reviews, so I couldn't wait for them to be released.

Well, they hit the shops at the start of June and I was quick to get my grubbly little hands on them! They come in a pack of three crayons which costs a grand total of $14.95. Before they came out I had heard that the pack would cost this, and to be honest, I didn't really believe it. Face of Australia have very competitively and reasonably priced products, but I just thought that there was no way all three would be less than $15. I figured that maybe they would be sold separately for $14.95 each, so I was very pleasantly surprised to walk into Priceline and find that it indeed was the price for all three. To those of you reading from other countries (especially the US and UK) this price might not seem all that exciting, but when one Revlon Lip Butter costs $21.95AU (around $21.76US and £14.06GBP) or an OPI or Essie polish costs $20AU (around $19.82US and £12.81GBP), to get three decent lip products for $15 is amazing value. Good on you, Face of Australia.

The packaging is simple colour matching plastic with a handy wind up applicator, which means no sharpening! Woohoo! I don’t know about the rest of you, but any time I have to sharpen one of my pencil products, I break them. This actually applies to normal lead pencils too, so I love love love that these are wind up. The packaging itself doesn’t appear to be incredibly sturdy (although I’ve had no issues with them breaking), and the length of the packaging makes them slightly less handbag friendly than your average lippy, but neither of these things big is any real downfall in my opinion.

Each of the crayons glide on easily with a unique liquidy gel-like texture that is neither sticky, nor thick. They impart a sheer tint of colour, with a very glossy finish initially. As time goes on, this high gloss finish does fade down to a moderate sheen. 

The colours last fairly well for how sheer and glossy the crayons are, however, regular reapplication is needed to maintain the colour and finish. I was able to get around 2 hours wear with all three, before I felt the need to reapply (and I am a lip licker).  When I let the colours go for even longer, they simply faded off, without becoming dry or patchy.

Macaron is a sheer, watermelon pink, which leans a little bit red. This is one that I'm looking forward to wearing in summer.

Sundae is a nude brown colour. Having seen swatches of this one, I was looking forward to trying it out. Unfortunately it did not suit me much at all. My lips are quite pigmented, which made Sundae look much to brown for my very pale and yellow-toned complexion.

Lastly, we have Cupcake, which sits somewhere between a pale and medium pink. I have to admit, this colour was the one I was least excited about, as I've been moving away from pink lips lately. I absolutely love this baby on, though, and have been wearing it regularly.

Face of Australia did not disappoint with these Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons. No word yet as to whether these will be sold separately at some point, or if different sets will be available.

Overall Score: 8/10

ModelCo Fibre Lash Mascara Review

When I first saw the ads for the new ModelCo Fibre Lash Mascara, I was intrigued by the concept. It's a two part formula applied in three steps that claims to give the effect of false lashes without the need for all the fussing. Probably the most exciting and unusual part of this product is the use of little fibres, intended to add volume and length to the lashes. When I saw that May's CLEO magazine came with this mascara, I couldn't help but pick it up!

The version I received with CLEO came in double ended, black, plastic packaging. From what I can gather, the actual one that you can purchase comes in a two separate shiny mascara tubes. Much prettier but slightly less convenient.

On one end is the Extension Mascara. The brush is quite a large, old fashioned, wire and bristle brush. Some   might be a bit unenthusiastic about this brush, but I love a good wire and bristle brush. I find they work best on my lashes to separate and curl.

On the other end is the much more exciting Lash Fibres brush. A long, thin, bristle brush used to apply the little lash fibres.

Above is a picture of my natural lashes, for reference.

Step 1: Apply a coat of the Extension Mascara. This step will ensure that the fibres stick to the lashes.

Step 2: Apply a coat of the Lash Fibres. If you are after a lot of volume, I would suggest concentrating a lot of fibres on the mid-lengths of your lashes. If you are after length, then concentrate the fibres on the ends. If, by chance, you are after both volume and length, go crazy and absolutely cover your lashes with the fibres, as I have done in the picture above.

Step 3: Apply a final coat of the Extension Mascara. This coat should cover the fibres, align them with the natural lashes and pull them up and out, creating extra length. I was surprised at how easily the fibres were covered. Now, how about a comparison:

The picture above on the left, is of my natural lashes. The one on the right is of my lashes after the above three steps. As you can see from the above picture, the lengthening capabilities of this mascara are pretty good. I would say good enough to rival many of the lengthening mascaras I have tried. It does pretty well to add body to the lashes too, however, I definitely wouldn't say that it meets it's claims of giving the look of false lashes.

There are also a few small things I didn't like about this mascara. The main one is the price. At $48AU it's incredibly expensive. I doubt I will be purchasing this one when my free on runs out. After a couple of uses, I also noticed that the fibres infiltrated the mascara, resulting in clumping and a somewhat messy finish.

Overall, I think this is a decent mascara that would be great for anyone after a product that works to lengthen lashes without the need for false lashes. For me, it doesn't quite do enough to make me willing to pay such a hefty price.

Overall Score: 6/10

Question Wednesday: Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice Edition

This weeks Question Wednesday questions from Nykki's Mane Blog are all about girly stuff! If you haven't already, jump on over her blog to get the questions and add your link. I love reading all the other bloggers answers and finding out more about them, and can't wait to read their answers to this weeks!

1) What is your favourite girly hobby/interest?

Definitely make-up. It's one of the only really girly things that I do.

2) Who is, in your opinion, a great example of a 21st century female role model?

I'm going to say Kate Winslet. For her honesty, humility, talent and humanity. From what I know of her, she seems incredibly humble and hardworking despite her insane success, and doesn't claim to be perfect in the public eye. I feel that the best role models aren't the ones who seem flawless, but those who are honest and real, and who show us how to maintain our identity and values despite the flaws and mistakes we all encounter.

3) What are your top 3 fave chick flicks?

First would definitely be Mean Girls. It is easily my most watched movie of all time and I can pretty much quote the whole thing. Easy A comes second, and is another chick flick that I find easy to watch. It has a kind of twisted and weird humour, which suits me well. Third would have to be Bridesmaids. Not strictly a chick flick, but I'm claiming it. It's so hilarious I cried from laughing so hard in parts.

4) We're having a sleepover! What snacks will you bring and what music will you play?

I always brought the cheese and onion flavoured Smiths chips to sleepovers as a teenager. It was an institution among my friends and myself. I'd probably also bring a whole stash of chocolate and lollies. I have very random and eclectic taste in music, so I'd be that annoying person putting on songs that no one else likes. It would probably be a mix of the Stereophonics, Elvis Costello and Eliza Doolittle (the british singer, not the My Fair Lady character).

5) What is the girliest item that you own?

Other than my makeup collection, probably this pink plastic headband with a pink plastic flower on the side. 

I bought it a few months ago and have never worn it outside the house, because it's just not me. I was never bothered enough to take it back though.

Cetaphil Moisturising Cream Review

If you've read any of my recent posts, you may be aware that my skin has been turning very dry as the cold weather moves in (I really have been harping on about it). It is common for my usually combination/oily skin to become less oily in Winter, but this year it has completely dried out. With the sudden change, my summer skincare routine didn't include a rich enough moisturiser. After some research, I decided to give the Cetaphil Moisturising Cream a try.

The packaging claims to be recommended by dermatologists for those with dry and/or sensitive skin, and states that "a formulation of emollients and humectants bind water to the skin, softening whilst preventing moisture loss".

The cream has an incredibly thick formulation, but it blends smoothly into the skin and absorbs easily. It also never leaves any greasiness. After a few weeks of using it twice a day on my face and body, I can honestly say that I love it. My skin is no longer dry, I have no flaking, and the overall texture of my skin has improved ten-fold. The price is reasonable too, with the 550g tub costing me around $18.

The only downside to this moisturiser is the packaging. The 250g and 550g sizes both come in a tub, which is not the most hygienic of packaging.

One last thing, I wouldn't recommend this product for anyone with oilier skin, as it is incredibly rich. Cetaphil does do a Moisturising Lotion, that I believe is more geared towards normal to oily skin types. The Australian Cetaphil website has a nifty chart to help you figure out which of their products are best suited to your skin type, which you can check out here.

Overall Score: 8/10

May Favourites!

This is my very first monthly favourites post, which is kind of exciting. I was hesitant to do one (last month and this month), because my favourite products tend to stay the same and I can be a bit of a creature of habit. This month, however, I have been using some new products, or have fallen back in love with some old loves, so I thought I would share them with you.