Haul - Op Shopping, Essence and Australis

I went out to Target today to purchase some makeup from the brand Essence, and on the way I popped into the Chemist where I saw...Revlon Lip butters! I was so excited, and quite surprised - How long had they been in Australia? I did about a million swatches all over my hand and then settled on two colours - Strawberry shortcake and Sweet Tart. I hadn't even considered how much they were going to cost so when he asked for $35.90 I nearly died. No way was I going to pay 17.95 for a lip butter! That's ridiculous! Like every other Australian I have been hanging out for these lip butters since they exploded across every beauty blog and youtube video on the internet, but I honestly had not expected them to cost so much!

Anyway, enough complaining. I ended up purchasing an Essence lipstick in the shade 'All about Cupcake' and an Eye souffle (how cool does it feel to say that out loud!) in 'Pas Des Copper.' I went through the bargain bin and found an Australis Retractable lip brush for three dollars so I picked that up too.

When I got home I discovered that the lipstick is the most amazing colour (there was no tester in the shop) and the eye souffle is an incredible dupe for my Maybelline dream mousse shadow in suede sensation. If you read my review on Suede Sensation, you would be aware that I loved it and was afraid that I would run out of it. Because it is a discontinued product I have been scouring the Cheap as Chips around me but cannot find another one. I hope that this will be an adequate replacement for it (fingers crossed!) Not only is the shade similar, but the packaging is so similar too. I can't help thinking that maybe they had intended on making it look like Maybelline's dream mousse shadows...

I have had my eye on the Australis lip brush for a while as I haven't got a lipbrush and it is only $7.95, but something was stopping me. When I saw it for only three dollars today, of course I could not pass up the offer! I'm really pleased with it, but for some reason I can't understand the 'retractable' part of it. It's not working for me!

I also bought a knitted jumper from Target which I love!

I then went to the Op shop where I purchased a shirt/dress and a piece of jewellery. The jewellery is unlike anything I have ever seen before and I paid three dollars for it. The shirt was eight dollars, a little pricier than I would usually go for but I really like it. It is the brand Sweetacacia which I cannot find much information on. I would like to find a website for it but I'm not having much luck.

From Target

From Op Shop

Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick - Soft Coral

I bought this Rimmel Lipstick on sale for four dollars at Kmart (I think) and really wasn't expecting much at all. I wasn't able to see the actual product in the store so I had to cross my fingers and hope that it was a nice colour. Fortunately, it was, in fact the colour is absolutely gorgeous! So why don't I like it?

The pigmentation of this product is wonderful. One swipe and it gives your lips a nice bit of colour but nothing too drastic. Two swipes and it is really lovely. Three swipes and you have a bold coral lip, obviously lipstick but gorgeous all the same. The lasting factor is pretty good, but I found that if I ate or drank it didn't stick too well though. Now here's where the problem is...once it has worn of you are left with glitter lips. Silver chunks of glitter randomly stuck to your lips. And it looks just awful!

Have you any idea how frustrating this is?! A lovely lipstick, a colour I don't have, and then only to find that as it wears off you are left with these awful silver chunks ranomly scattered across your lips. I'm not really into the whole 'I am a three year old that has been raiding my mother's makeup' kind of look, but this really looks bad. It honestly looks like a three year old that has found some sparkly eyeshadow and had some fun.

When you have just applied it up until it has worn off there are no visible glitter chunks. Sure it is a little glittery, but barely noticeable. Then suddenly...BAM, you are left with a disco ball explosion.

Depite the fact that it is a moiture renew lipstick, it feels incredibly drying. It is really gritty and uncomfortable on the lips. It is kind of like an exfoliating lip scrub...just you know, with glitter insead of sugar granules.

I'm not really sure what I think about the packaging. The metallic purple packaging, whilst seeming tacky, is also quite likeable at the same time. It has the Rimmel Crown pressed into the cap which I am not a fan of. Since purchasing my Face of Australia Lipstick I kind of have this expectation that all good lipsticks must have a clear cap! It makes such a difference! It does have a sticker on the bottom, but as always, it isn't colour accurate.

It has no smell which is good (I have recently become sensitive to the horrible 'lipstick' smell).

This lipstick contains some really good things and some really, really bad things. I adore the colour, it is just gorgeous, but I am completely put off by the sparkle. The lasting power is good but it is very drying.


I think I am going to have to give this one 5 out of 10.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Eyeshadow - Suede Sensation

My Maybelline mousse eyeshadow is probably the best three dollar purchase I have ever made. This little product is my go-to eyeshadow pretty much everyday. It is seriously that amazing. Which is why I am devastated to say, it is discontinued (and I think it has been discontinued for a very long time).
I had never used a cream eyeshadow prior to this one so I was unsure whether it was going to suit me or not. I had several concerns regarding staying power and tendencies to crease, however I have found it to be better than most of my pressed and loose eyeshadows in both of these areas. It lasts all day, although it is considerably more faded than how it started. It does crease a tiny bit, but so little that I am not at all bothered.

This was the only colour available at the time, so this was the one I selected. It just happens to be a gorgeous colour that I often wear alone during the day. It is not at all an attention seeking, spotlight hogging colour, in fact it is subtle but beautiful, just how I like it. I do have to say that it does look awful in the little tub. Just think, the brown colour and putty-like texture is not a particularly good mix when you look at it...what comes into your mind?!

Speaking of the little tub, isn't it just adorable. I love the glass bottom (I think it's glass) and the twisty top, and it is so cute and compact. I like how you can see the product underneath too, that is something I consider to be important.

I love the texture. I kind of thought it would be a little creamier and foamy, but I am so glad that it is not. It's like super warmed up blu-tac. Or warm Plasticine. Remember that stuff?

It isn't particularly pigmented as mentioned before, but I like it like that. It has a little glitter in it, but only really fine shimmer rather than huge chunks (yuck). It looks shimmery when it catches the light.

To apply it I simply use my fingers which I find to be the easiest and most effective way of doing. When using a brush it gets lost in the bristles and I physically cannot get any of it to apply to my eye. It also means I have to wash yet another brush, something I am not willing to do. I did try using q-tips to apply it...worst idea ever.

I will definitely be scouring cheap as chips in the hope of finding some more, this is one of the very few products I will be running out of! I give this product 9 out of 10.

Lovisa and Equip gift

It was back in February that I received some jewellery as a gift from a friend of mine. It was sitting in its box the other day (I had worn it several times, just returned it to its box!) and decided that I could do a review on it. She gave me two pieces of jewellery, chocolates and an assortment of other small things too, so generous she was!

I must say though, isn't the box gorgeous. I now use it to store my blushes and I absolutely love it. It is so classy! The bag it came in was lovely too. I've never been to Lovisa so I think I might have to drop in for a visit...

Anyway, the first thing is earrings from Equip. Now I'm not an easy person to buy for when it comes to earrings because I gravitate towards studs rather than the huge dangly earrings and I already have quite a large collection, but what she gave me I actually fell in love with. I surprised myself.

You see, these earrings are huge and dangly. But they look so lovely on. I would never even have taken a look at these in the shop but amazingly I really love them. LOVE! (It may have something to do with the fact that I think any jewellery that incorporates leaves is gorgeous, but anyway...) They look best when my hair is tied up in a bun or ponytail because then they really get to show themselves off.

She also gave me a necklace from Lovisa. I have no other necklaces like it so I am not sure how I am going to wear it, but I'll find a way. I'll have to go through my wardrobe and see what works.

So, that was a little jewellery post for you all. Sorry about the lack of posts this month, as usual life is so busy and it leaves little time for blogging. I'm doing my best!

A new face

Priceline is having this wonderful deal where you can get three Maybelline face products for thirty dollars. It just so happens that I am nearly out of foundation, I have had my eye on their concealer and as for their matte powder, well I have only heard praise!

So, I decided to make the most of this sale and I purchased those three things. I'll try and review them some time soon but I like to really try them out for a long time first to get a good idea of the product, especially with foundations. I'm going to have a completely new set of face products with these three, my new illumintor, my new blush and lipstick!

I also saw some Orly polishes on sale for five dollars so I picked up a clear one as by the looks of it, they were the polishes that no one really wanted! I've never used Orly before so it'll be good to see what it is like.

It cost me thirty dollars for the three Maybelline face products as mentioned before and I saved $28.85! The foundation is usually $21.95, the concealer $17.95 and the powder $18.95! So glad I bought them on special but I don't think I'll be spending for a while, I have had enough hauling over the past few weeks!

I recommend you check out the Priceline catalogue on their website because there are some very good deals!

Australis Creme Blush - Dusky Rose

First of all I have to say, this was the most difficult product I have ever had to photograph. The colour just would not show up accurately. Even worse than that is when I was outside trying to get a nice picture, I dropped it into the dirt and it dented it and got dirt everywhere. I have managed to clean it all up but it has a couple of unsightly dents in it. Argh! Anyway, after about twenty minutes of messing around I managed to capture a few shots that I think will be of some use!

 Right, enough rambling, onto the review. I really cannot tell you why I wanted this product. I struggled to find a huge amount of information on it online and I always research products before buying to ensure I'm not wasting my money, so it was a brave thing for me to go and buy this with no real knowledge of the quality!

When I first used it I wasn't impressed. It was a dry, solid consistency and I found it really difficult to get the product onto my skin. I had expected it to be really creamy and soft in consistency and it really wasn't! I soon realised that it just needed a bit of warming up and then it was as pigmented as could be. It still has a very solid consistency but it rubs off as beautiful rich colour.

I use my fingers to apply this as a blush, but I find it quite difficult to blend evenly. I really have to concentrate spreading it evenly across my cheeks or else I end up with a horrible, uneven, blotchy mess. It is definitely a product that should not be used when you are in a hurry as it has the potential to turn you into a clown. It is very easy to overdo it! I was afraid it might be a little sticky, but on the cheeks it dries so nicely that you can't feel it. The only problem with this is that on the lips it can be a little drying.

Despite all this, I really do love using it as a blush because it really looks so different to a powder blush. It looks more natural as it applies as more of a stain on the skin rather than a powder that sits on top. Even though it requires a little more effort and concentration, it really is worth it because the natural, glowing effect is incredible.

As for the colour, gosh it's gorgeous! I was hesitant to pick it up because it is so loud and bright but the other two colours were not to my taste. I have grown to really love this shade. I also really like how there is no shimmer in it whatsoever. I must say though, one review I managed to find online did report shimmer but mine has none at all, none whatsoever.

I also love it as a lip colour. Unlike lipstick which can often look like, well, lipstick, this looks more natural and once again applies as a stain. It stays on for a remarkably long time and wears off really nicely. It is such a gorgeous, pigmented, rich colour that looks just beautiful. It lasts for so long, because it applys and behaves like a stain (behaves? Not the right word, but you get what I mean). I think I do prefer to wear it as a lip colour, but it is also gorgeous as a blush.

I bought this for seven dollars but it is usually around ten. I give this product 8 out of 10, because even though the colour is lovely it is difficult to apply. It is cheap so I am glad I bought it, and I will definitely be picking it up again.

This is exactly what the colour is like

Face of Australia Illuminator - Angel Flame

It's nice to be told that you look good. It is even nicer when you find a magical product that draws in compliments like a worm on a hook in a sea full of fish. This product, my friends, is the worm on a hook.

When I first purchased this, which wasn't at all long ago, it was for a number of reasons. The first was that I had seen several positive reviews on it. The second was that Face of Australia was having a buy 2 get one free deal. Another reason was that I wanted a highlighter/illuminator and the fourth reason was that this was a colour that I found totally intriguing (and rather scary if I'm completely honest).

As many, many, many people have pointed out - you need no product at all to get the desired look. Seriously, this 50mL tube will last me a lifetime. A whole lifetime! I kind of wish that they had made 25mL tubes and cut the price in half. Not because it was expensive (I picked it up for $15) but because I don't feel that I will ever be able to use it all, and that would be such a waste.

No Flash L-R: Unblended, barely blended, completely blended

I was a bit hesitant with this product. Though I am a beauty blogger it doesn't mean I am always beauty-brave. I didn't fancy the idea of resembling a glittering disco ball and feared that this product would turn me into that. It doesn't, if you are careful.

And be careful you must, for this tube is generous. So much product comes out with so little pressure. It would not recommend storing it standing up because I found the product to rush to the bottom. When I opened it, it went everywhere! Lay it on its side.

I am not going to lie - it is a sparkly, glittery product. However, make that work to your advantage. I watched video tutorials on applying illuminator and found that everyone had a different way of wearing illuminator. Find what you like and try out everything! On the packaging it suggests that you mix it in with your foundation. I haven't yet tried that because I personally feel as though it would be too much for my face to handle (sparkle and I aren't always best friends) but maybe one day I will try it.

It does settle into small creases on the skin but it is hardly noticeable. Don't be afraid of this colour because it is absolutely gorgeous! I never thought this pink liquid with gold shine could look so lovely, but somehow it does. I also really like the packaging. Nice and simple, classy looking.

I like this product. A lot. Would I recommend you buy it? Yes, if you fancy illuminators for 15 bucks. It does require a little practise to get it right, but it is oh so worth it. Also, there are five (I think) shades in the range so I'm sure if you don't like this shade (which, by the way, is Angel Flame) I guarantee you shall find one you love.

I give this product 8 out of 10.

Oh, one more thing - it is also limited edition!

With Flash (see the shimmer!)

Clean and clear value pack

The old...

I have been using Clean and Clear for my skincare for a very long time. I find that the products really suit my skin and are very affective, and the best part is that it is so cheap, leaving money for more interesting things like makeup! I was running out of my foaming cleanser and moisturiser and I saw that this value pack was on special for only eight dollars. I picked it up without thought and am now waiting for when I actually run out of my other products.


I have already done a review on the moisturiser so I won't spend much time on that, but I will say that it is really good and feels lovely on the skin.

The cleanser is my favourite of the three products and I would have spent eight bucks just on that. I love the pump bottle especially, because in the past I have had other types and they have not been nearly as convenient. The fact that it is a foam cleanser really suits me, I love the foamy feel. It is so gentle on the skin, doesn't sting or irritate whatsoever. Sometimes I feel as though it is a little drying, but if you apply the moisturiser afterwards there is absolutely no problem.

...and the new!

I have heard of people having real problems with stinging and irritation. I personally cannot really understand this as I consider it to be the mildest cleanser I have ever used.

Of course, I still get pimples and breakouts every now and again but I feel as though they would be a lot more frequent if I didn't use this. In regards to blackheads I don't think this would be very effective, so I use a blackhead clearing scrub about twice a week with this cleanser. I also use a mask every now and again, and even though the mask and scrub is a different brand to this cleanser, it still works wonderfully well.

I really like this cleanser and I give it 9 out of 10.

As for the toner...it's not all that great. I never feel as though I require a toner, I just don't think it is necessary. I found that this one did sting, only a little bit though, but still enough to notice. As you can see in the photos, the toner I bought the first time did not get used up, so I won't be opening the second one.

There are slight differences between the new and old packaging, but nothing all that drastic.

I really like the skincare brand Clean and Clear and will continue to use them.

Natio Eyelash curler

I did a little post asking you guys whether eyelash curlers were worth it or not and the general opinion was that it was worth buying one. The problem was that everyone suggested different price ranges. Some people thought that a real cheapie did a great job and others thought that investing a bit more would ensure quality and a better result. I ended up going with a cheapie for two reasons. The first was that it was all I could find at the time, and the second reason was that for my first eyelash curler I didn't want to spend a whole heap if I found it to be useless and a complete waste.

I spent about seven dollars on this one by Natio and have been using it everyday for about a week and a half now. I have discovered that I actually have quite curled lashes naturally, and that whilst it isn't a complete waste of money, it doesn't really help me all that much. It does however help several of my friends who aren't so lucky and have lashes that stick straight out. I'm still going to use this curler, but I'm not going to rate this product because it isn't really applicable for me.

It is super gentle and easy to use. I was afraid that, being the person that I am, I would end up pinching the skin and tearing half my eyelashes out. It is actually really difficult to pinch the skin - you would have to be trying pretty hard to do it. As for tearing my eyelashes out, well I haven't managed to do that yet.

As I mentioned before, I didn't realise that my eyelashes were relatively curled anyway before I bought this and started comparing my lashes to other people. It does curl them a little more, and I guess it evens out the curl a bit. Sometimes have of the lashes on one eye are super curled and the rest stick out straight - this does a wonderful job fixing it.

What else can you say about an eyelash curler...not much really. I think for anyone else who is thinking about buying one for the first time should think about how much it would benefit them. It really depends on the person as to whether they will find it amazing or a complete waste of money.

The colours of the rainbow tag

Gianna tagged me to do this post which I am so excited about! It's called 'The colours of the rainbow' tag and involved finding makeup products from all colours of the rainbow. It is ideal that the actual product is of that colour, but packaging can also be included.

Red
The product I chose for this was my Savvy by DB lipgloss in Ruby. I love this lipgloss range as posted here and Ruby is such a gorgeous red colour with very slight golden shimmer. It is perfect when you want a red lip but not too bold and in your face. I love it! I was debating whether to post my Innoxa nail polish in Hot Chilli because that really is such an amazing colour, but since it is discontinued I decided to go with the lipgloss.

OrangeThis was a bit of a tricky colour, but I decided that my Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox mask would have to be my Orange product.

Yellow
The only yellow product I actually had is my Covergirl Lashblast length waterproof mascara. I was trying to find my review on it to link and then realised I hadn't actually posted one which is unbelievable because I use this almost every day!


Green
This was near impossible this colour...I actually don't have any green products. Okay, I have green nail polish but I don't exactly wear it because I am not exactly a green nail polish fan. Is it possible to fail a tag, because I think I just have...

Blue
Another fail. I have no blue product...except for blue nail polish which I never wear. Oh dear.

Indigo
Aaaannnddd yet another one I cannot complete. Okay, I do have Indigo eyeshadows but I never use them. So that would be cheating, wouldn't it. I also have dark blue eyeliner. I never use that either.

Violet
This tag has reminded me of an old eyeshadow I bought ages ago on sale and never used. It is my Maybelline Shadow Stylist loose eyeshadow in Rich Violet. I really should try and use it more often, apparently lilac eyeshadow is good for green eyes...

So, since I really mucked that tag up, I decided it was only fair that I include a couple more colours to make up for it!

Black
For black I chose my Australis eyeliner. Even though I gave this product 2 out of 10, we have been trying to make things work. We are getting there!

BrownI was going to choose a bronzer but in the end I had no choice but to select my Maybelline mousse eyeshadow in suede sensation. I love this eyeshadow so much and have had so many compliments on it. I was debating whether to select my other Maybelline eyeshadow in the Autumn spirit too. I can't believe I haven't done a review on the mousse eyeshadow. I know it is discontinued, but it is so wonderful I think I'll do one anyway. I know you can get it at some Cheap as Chips shops too despite the fact that it is discontinued...

Gold
Another shadow that I absolutely love is my Loreal Paris Shadow Minerals eyeshadow in 10 Gold. Yet another product I cannot believe I haven't reviewed since I use it so often!

SilverI must go with my two silver polishes that helped me create this look that I got so many lovely comments on from you all. They are so lovely!

Pink
The easiest colour of all, pink! I have so many lovely pink lipsticks, lovely pink blushes and my new illuminator, but in the end I had to go with my Lush Bubblegum lip scrub. It is just that amazing.

 Well, this tag has shown me that in the colours that I do have like brown and pink and red I have thousands of products, and then in the colours green and blue I have nothing! I think I may need to extend my makeup products out a bit. Then again, I would never wear any blue or green product anyway...brown, pink and red are my favourites.

This tag has also shown me that some of my favourite products have not been reviewed. What have I been thinking! I must get on to them right away!

Posting Problems

Weird things have been happening lately...posts are being published as I am editing and writing them, they are posting three or four times when I only click 'Publish Post' once...it's rather frustrating!

Sorry if your dashboards are going crazy with ridiculous posts from my blog, but I am trying to sort it all out!

OOTD - Shopping

The dog felt compelled to be a part of
the OOTD - too bad he can't show
off his outfit!

I posted my first OOTD on February 26. I was very hesitant to do so but received some lovely comments so I decided I could probably do another one.

I went out shopping in this outfit so my main aim was comfort. I always make sure that I am wearing a tank top under my shirt because it comes in soooo handy when trying on clothes to buy. The shirt underneath (the tank top) was from target, the collared top I actually found at an Op-shop and I love it! It is so good in summer because it is so light and casual and you can chuck it over a bikini at the beach or wear it out shopping! It was originally from Country Road.

My shorts were also from the Op-shop and have also been so good for summer. They are very comfortable, and whilst I have seen better looking shorts, they were so cheap and have come in so handy. I just love them.

My bag is the same one from my first OOTD, which I forgot to mention was from Equip so it was very cheap.

The bracelets I'm wearing I have had for so long now I just cannot remember where on Earth I got them from! The necklace was from Diva.

Last but not least are my shoes which I also got from the Op-shop. Gosh, I hadn't planned on doing an Op-shop OOTD, but that is kind of how it has turned out. Maybe I will do that...what a good idea! All my clothes and jewellery can be Op-Shop stuff. Sounds like a challenge to me! Keep your eyes out for an upcoming Op-shop OOTD!

Face of Australia Lipstick - Lychee Crush

I am sure you have heard of this lipstick, if you haven't, you have now - Face of Australia Lipstick in Lychee Crush. The most flattering neutral ever. I went out and bought it after reading Michaela's review on it. You can read that here.

Right. This "Lip Quench SPF 30+ with Shea butter and Jojoba oil" is possibly the most moisturising lipstick. Well, maybe not, but it really feels good on the lips. The colour is oh-so-flattering as reported by several other beauty bloggers with a range of different skin tones. It's like a pale pink, peachy slightly brown colour that looks so much better than it sounds.

It is a very buildable lipstick which I really like. It can look like a stain when you apply a tiny little bit, or it can look like a gorgeous creamy lipstick when applied liberally. I personally like it somewhere inbetween. It's got good pigmentation too. It's got a lovely finish to it - you can see that it is moisturising.

I found that it looked so much nicer when I used my Lush lipscrub prior to applying. It did cling to any flakes or creases in the lips, so it is important to get a nice smooth surface.

I found the lasting power of this to be really good. Usually the lovely creamy lippies tend to rub off in no time, but this stuck around. This is one of those lipsticks that I will be wearing as often as possible, everyday even. It will go with any eye look, whether it be smoky or nice and neutral.

The packing is wonderful. It looks so classy. I love the matte black tube with the white, raised print and the silver band around the edge. What I love most about it though, is how you can see the product through the lid. The sticker on the bottom which is supposed to indicate the colour really doesn't show it accurately, so by having the clear plastic end on the lid you can see the true colour of the lipstick.

The only problem that I could think of having with this lipstick is the scent. It smells a little like sunscreen, a little dry and chemical based. It does go away after a while but it lingers for a little when you first apply it.

I am so glad I got this for ten dollars, it was very much worth it.

I give it 9 out of 10.

I realise that I am reviewing this relatively early, so if my opinion happens to change I will let you know!