Essence Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2 Blush - Renesmee Red

There is no denying that Essence leads the way when it comes to limited edition collections. Though I am aware that many people don't find any of the products in their regular range terribly appealing, few can resist the little beauties that come out for a month or two, only to disappear forever. I am not sure what is so alluring about them - whether or not the fact that the products become unavailable after a certain time contributes to its appeal I do not know, but I do know for sure that it works on me. Limited edition collections are the greatest, especially those by Essence.

When the Breaking Dawn part 2 collection (a horrible name in my opinion) came out, I was drawn to the gorgeous highlighter that was a part of the collection. Though this blush certainly caught my eye, I honestly felt that it was much too crazy to be wearable, so I didn't pick it up. The collection passed and reviews were posted and I soon became to understand that I was in fact wrong, and that many who picked it up were able to make it work perfectly. Oh how very frustrating!

Luck was obviously on my side because I then won a giveaway from Sophie over at Born to Buy, and lo and behold...Renesmee Red was in it! It was a lovely sight.

Though it is a bright, bold, true red blush it doesn't look nearly as crazy as the images you currently have in your head.

It is quite pigmented though can be dulled down as needed. When swatched directly it appears to be more of an orange toned red, but when I wear it I would disagree and describe it as a true cool toned red. It has no shimmer whatsoever.

I'm not going to lie - there are a range of things that have the potential to go very wrong with this blush (the number one tip I can give you is use this sparingly) but my God is this gorgeous.

I thought it would be super unnatural for my colouring but surprisingly I really felt I was able to make it work. When applied with a very light hand, it gives the most gorgeous (though slightly unnatural) healthy glow to the face. Having said that, I am not prone to redness and I imagine that those who are would not find this terribly flattering. As it is so darn red, it would add to any (even very slight) natural redness that you have and would enhance it to a very unflattering point.

This blush is long lasting and when I wear it, it seems to make it through the entire day without fading to nothing.

As you use so very little of this upon application, I imagine this would take a very long time to use up.

This is a lovely texture and wears well on the face.

The packaging is practical, and though it does look cheap, I quite like it. More than anything I love the fact that it is so cheap - thank you Essence!

I really cannot come up with any complaints for this blush because everything about it is just so lovely. It is completely different to any of the shades that I own (which are all pink pink pink!) and I have enjoyed switching it up a little. I still think pink toned blushes are my favourite, but I am so glad that I own this one too!

I give this blush 9/10.

Most Worn Things for Summer TAG

I saw this TAG on Cherie's blog and whilst I was reading it decided I had to do it too. I worked out well then, when I saw that she had tagged me! Thank you Cherie!

Basically it is a collection of your most worn things for the summer (which I am terribly sad has come to an end).

1. Nail polish
Though I don't wear nail polish a whole lot, I think my most worn nail polish for this summer was any of my favourite reds, like my polishes from Essence, Innoxa or Ulta.

2. Hair Product
Though I am painfully lazy when it comes to my hair (and unfortunately I am finally starting to see the results) I do use at least one product on my hair - the Salon Confidential Repair Ends Mender, which prevents and heals split ends.

3. Bag

This was so easy as I use the same bag all the time, just my regular, boring, brown 'satchel' style bag with buckles. I also loved my $15 purse, the greatest buy I have had in a long time!

4. Shoes
Though they look a little wintery, my most worn shoes would have to be my black flats from Rubi shoes, with the little bows on them. I wore them so much that the soles fell off but I had a backup anyway!

5. Clothing item
This is a tricky one, but I guess it would have to go to denim shorts in general, which I wore to death!

6. Accessory
I don't wear a lot of jewellery - not because I don't want to but because by the time I have figured out my clothes and makeup I just forget to put on jewellery! I do, however, always remember to put on my favourite ring.

7. Foundation
In summer I like BB creams and tinted moisturisers more than foundations. Subsequently, my most used foundation was the Garnier BB cream. I don't love it (I find it really quite greasy) but it does the job.

8. Bronzer/Blush
I used blush more than I did bronzer (strangely) and I continually turned to my Bourjois Blush in Rose Frisson.

9. Lip product
As lip products are my absolute favourite, I use so many. It was really tough to pick my most used lip product but in the end I realised that my most travelled was my Nivea Fruity Lip Balm in Guava. Gorgeous!

10. Mascara
Unlike my most used lip product, this was a no brainer - my Covergirl Lashblast Length Mascara in waterproof was my one and only choice. Occasionally I would change it up with my Avon daring curves one, but because it was not waterproof it didn't tick all the boxes for me.

11. Eyeshadow
I stuck to neutrals all summer (of course) but I changed which palette they were from. I explored an Essence quad, Australis palette, Maybelline Quad and Essence eye souffle but in the end it was a Bloom eyeshadow duo that I used most, though only the bone/champagne shade.

12. Fragrance
Of course, my Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh. Incredible.

NOTD - Leopard Print Nails

Nail art is something that I've never really explored all that much. I have tried it from time to time, but it certainly isn't my forte! I did give Leopard print nails a go, and I am pleasantly surprised with the results. What do you think?

I used three polishes:
Base - Rimmel London 60 second nail polish Instyle Coral
Dots - Rubi Shoes nail polish Purple Haze
Dot outline - Face of Australia Colour Pro Triple Action Nail enamel Scream

Monthly Favourites - February

So I didn't have much luck with posting in February. I started back at school and from day one it was full on with tests and assignments pummeling me from all directions. It was actually quite frustrating having so little time to write posts, because I was playing with all my incredible giveaway winnings and I really wanted to share that with you all. Hopefully March is the month of more posts!

I didn't wear a heap of makeup this month but there were certainly clear favourites!

For eyes this month was undoubtedly my Inglot palette (a birthday present to myself!). I did a review on this so if you wish to read about it you can find it here, but basically I was able to choose the shades that suited me most, and that is what I did. The pigmentation, lasting power, formula and all that jazz is just perfect, as well as the gorgeous packaging. Love it!

In the lips category I wore a MAC lipglass in Kumquat most often, not because I loved the shade all that much (which I do) but because it is my first ever taste of MAC and so of course I was going to go a little crazy and make the most of it! I am yet to post a review but there will be one!

For the face, I used the Nude Soft Focus illuminator most often, and found it to give the most natural looking, gorgeous glow. A little less glittery than my FOA one and a little more peachy than my gorgeous Essence powder highlighter, it is the perfect in-between when my other two just don't seem to be right for the job. Once again this is a product I am yet to do a review on, but when I do it will certainly be a positive one.

Next up was the nails category, and as I didn't wear any nail polish once this month (crazy, right?!) I decided to make it a fragrance category as I turned to my mini Be Delicious perfume from DKNY that I received for Christmas. It is the most beautiful fruity scent.

Last is the other category and it must go to a bracelet I was given for my birthday.

So there is another month gone by! I will try really hard to build up a bit of a collection of posts so that when I get really busy my posting remains somewhat regular!

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. Perhaps the most adorable looking product ever created. In this lovely little tin is a waxy balm or 'cuticle cream' that smells like Lemon Sherbet - a scent I never really thought much of until I discovered this product.

I was so lucky to receive this product in a giveaway prize from Dawn over at See It, Love It, Swatch it. This is the first Burt's Bees product that I have ever tried and I am so very impressed.

I don't really look after my nails. I don't damage them or anything, I just make no effort to care for them especially. Since receiving this product I have made an effort daily to apply this and it really has made such a difference to the state of my nails, or at least cuticles. Though it is described as a cuticle cream, it certainly is more of a balm or a wax as it is quite hard, not at all cream-like.

I have found that where my nails used to be slightly weak and my cuticles a little dry, they are now stronger and more nourished. In saying that, my nails were never really in a dire kind of state, so the change hasn't been all that drastic.

I apply this before bed as it does leave a bit of a greasy residue before soaking in. I love the scent it gives, a fizzy, citrus, lemon smell that is quite refreshing. I probably wouldn't use it throughout the day, simply because it does transfer everywhere before soaking in.

The only problem that I have with this product is what I love about it too - that it comes in a little tin. I love the size and convenience of the tin, I just find that the product inside gets so grotty. That said, I don't believe there actually is an alternate way to package this, I just feel that I should mention its tendency to get all gross and grotty.


I'm not 100% sure how much it retails for, though I think it is around $15. I don't know how that compares with other, similar products, but I probably wouldn't bother purchasing this myself. I do really, really like it but I simply don't feel that I need it. I will certainly be using it regularly though!

I am very impressed with my first product from Burt's Bees and I shall keep an eye out for other products to pick up in the future.

I give this product 8/10.

Updated Jewellery Storage

I recently updated my Jewellery storage and thought I might show you!

I saw this photo tree at an Op-shop for $1 so I picked it up to make it into a Jewellery tree.

All I did was take the photos off and use it to hang my bracelets on. I love how it looks, and though it isn't as convenient as my previous storage, it is much prettier!

I still have my necklaces hanging on the cork board, though I did put some fabric underneath to make it look nicer.

I moved my rings into a lovely little star shaped bowl. 

I am really happy with my new jewellery storage...now I just have to wear some of the pieces!

Maybelline Baby Lips - Pink Lolita

I have another addition to my Maybelline Baby lips collection, though this time I really do feel that I have a legitimate excuse - it is tinted!

Yes, tinted baby lips have finally made it to Australian shores, and about time too! Whilst I adore my other Baby lips balms, since the beginning I have been dying to get my mitts on the American versions without success, but it doesn't really matter because we now have Australian versions.

Even though I felt terribly guilty adding yet another baby lips to my already excessive collection, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to test out a tinted Baby lips.

The perfect warm, juicy, mid-toned pink shade, Pink Lolita has already made its way into my top lip balms. Though I have noticed it being slightly drier than the other balms in the range, the gorgeous tint that it gives makes up for it.

I love the packaging colours of this particular balm. The two shades of pink match the name and shade and just look really great. As always, the large text covering the majority of the balm is eye catching. Like all the others in the range, the size and convenient twis up nature of the products is just wonderful. I have had problems with it twisting up when I am carrying it around in my pocket, thus squashing all the product up so I am extra careful to wind it further down now.

The formula is pretty moisturising, though like I said it is slightly drier than the others in the range. I find that the tint is just enough to be noticeable but not too over the top...in fact I could probably get away with wearing it at school (which has a no-makeup policy). The tint lasts me a couple of hours at least, though with lots of eating and drinking does wear off more quickly.

It has no distinct taste but smells quite sugary and fruity. It has a different taste to all the other flavours I own.

I already have intentions of purchasing another tinted balm in the range, though I haven't quite yet decided which one. I'm thinking that Cherry Kiss (a peachier toned balm) might be the way to go but who knows, I'll probably end up getting them all. For less than four dollars I guess I can do that if I really want to!

My love for the Maybelline Baby lips balms carries on and I cannot tell you how pleased I am that Australia has finally caught up with America in terms of getting tinted balms! I will be using this on a regular basis!

Inglot Freedom Eyeshadow Palette - 07 and 406

Before we get into this post, let's just take a moment to remember this special occasion - I am touching Inglot eyeshadows, and they are mine!

Okay, can you tell that I'm just a tiny little bit excited? After a spontaneous trip into the city after my friend shouted praises regarding the Inglot eyeshadows, I returned $31 short but with the most gorgeous looking eyeshadow palette you shall ever see and my poor friend had a phone filled with excited text messages:  "You have just received a text from the proud owner of two Inglot eyeshadows." Me, lame? No!

Inglot is one of those brands, like Mac, that I had always dreamed of but never actually considered purchasing anything from because they are just so expensive here in Australia. As I decided to make it a birthday present to myself I figured I could splash out and have a bit of a treat. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much it cost in the end, it was cheaper than I had initially thought.

First up is the gorgeous packaging. I don't think I've ever seen an eyeshadow palette so beautiful, I think it is better than NARS, MAC, Chanel...yes, I really believe Inglot takes the cake in this department! The magnetic translucent cover has the brand name imprinted in black type. It is just so darn lovely!

As the eyeshadow system is a 'freedom system,' you get to choose everything from the shades you wish to include as well as how many shades you wish your palette to hold. You can get a 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20 and 40 spot eyeshadow palette, each costing different amounts. I paid 11 dollars for a 3 spot eyeshadow palette, and ten dollars per shadow. Obviously I am yet to completely fill my palette, but for now this will do me just fine.

The shades I chose, 07 and 406 are just stunning. Naturally I was drawn to these both because they are golden neutral shades, but I figured that I may as well spend a bit more money on something that I know for sure that I will use regularly

The pigmentation of these shadows is very impressive. I have no problem building up a good level of colour when applying these. They blend seamlessly and their pearly/shimmery finish is just stunning. I can't really explain how perfect these shades are - they are MY shades, they have my name all over them!

Their lasting power is excellent, although without a primer I do experience just the slightest creasing by the end of a long day. This really doesn't concern me all that much.

The only bad thing I can say is that the woman serving me was adamant that I couldn't purchase a three spot palette and only fill two of the pans, she said I had to have three shadows or I had to purchase a spot palette. I'm sorry lady but do you want my money or not? On a side note, totally irrelevant, her makeup was actually horrific. It seemed as though she blindly picked out about twelve different shades, none of them matching whatsoever, and then proceeded to slap them carelessly on the strangest places all over her face (bright red glitter above her eyebrows?! I'm not sure about you, but I think that is terrible for promoting Inglot because she just looked so terrible, I was almost put off from purchasing their makeup!

Other than that, these Inglot shades are just incredible, and if you are like me and felt that they were always too expensive to justify purchasing, I would recommend you rethinking it because they are so worth it!

I give these beautiful shadows 10/10, and I shall certainly be going back soon to fill my palette completely (which I am sure the sales assistant will be pleased with!)

Essence Sun Club Eyeshadow - Bondi beach collection long beach

Essence is a brand that regular readers of my blog will know that I like. Since their arrival early last year (I think that is when they hit Australian shores) they have gradually begun taking over my makeup collection in all categories - lips, cheeks, eyes, nails and face products. Though there have been a couple of disappointments, the incredible products I have been able to pick up for a couple of dollars certainly outweigh them. Their limited edition collections are also incredible.

I was lucky enough to receive this eyeshadow palette as part of a giveaway prize from Sophie's giveaway over at Born to Buy and it is one of the Essence products that has not at all been a disappointment.

Top row

I am a lover of all neutrals, but as I'm sure many of you will know, there are only so many browns, champagnes and taupes that you can have before they all start looking very much the same. Despite this, it doesn't stop me from picking up yet another neutral quad, but the wonderful thing about this palette was that though it was neutral it contained several shadows in shades that are slightly different from ones that I already own. Brilliant!

There are eight shades, and if I do say so myself I think they are a bit of an odd combination. I don't know what it is but I feel that they are just a strange selection of colours and seem to be missing some of the staples that neutral palettes usually have, though I suppose in this case it is a good thing because all of the shades are different from what I already own.

Top Row

The first is a lovely shimmery, golden champagne type colour. It would be absolutely perfect except that it contains huge chunks of glitter than go everywhere and look absolutely ridiculous on my eyes. Had there been no giant chunks of glitter I would have used this shade all the time.

The second shade across the top row is a pinky based champagne and applies smoothly without the unsightly glitter. This is a true dusty pink and therefore, in my opinion, needs to be applied with care, but it is a lovely shade all the same

Third across the top is a very dark brown (almost black) shade that is highly pigmented and also must be applied with care, though for different reasons. You only need the tiniest bit to get excellent colour payoff with this shade.

Last on the top row is a shimmery middle-brown that is a nice crease colour for a darker, smokey look. 

Bottom Row

Moving onto the second row we begin with a highly unusual peachy orange. Having never come across such a shade this one fascinates me the most, though I struggle to wear it without feeling like a bit of a clown. I do love this colour but fear that it is a little unflattering. It applies so gorgeously and smooth though, it is very silky.

Next is a bright golden, orange toned shade. I love the warm feel this has and use this on a regular basis.

Moving on is another one of my favourites from this palette, a light brown taupe kind of colour. It isn't too cool which I like, and it works well with the majority of shades in this palette.

The last shade has an identical texture to the first - highly chalky with great big chunks of unflattering glitter. Such a shame.

All of the shades have an impressively high level of pigmentation and have a lovely, silky finish - excluding the first and last of the shades.

I wore these without primer for ten hours with minimal creasing, but any longer than that quickly turned into extreme creasing that looked pretty horrific. I do imagine the wear time would be extended significantly with primer, but I am satisfied with ten or so hours of wear with slight creasing.

I like the packaging because it is simple and sturdy. Though I don't use the brush/sponge applicator provided, I like that they have included both a brush and a sponge as opposed to two sponges. I think that for those who are perhaps beginners or don't mind using little brushes, this is an excellent way to go.

I'm not sure of the exact price for this product, but I can guarantee it wouldn't be more than about seven dollars. For that price I would definitely purchase this.

I do really like this palette, I think because of the shade selection and the silky nature of the shadows (silkier than the other Essence shadows I have reviewed here and here).

I give this palette 8/10.

Lush Shower Gel - Snow Fairy

Lush's Shower Gel in Snow Fairy is undoubtedly the Lush product that I have wanted the most for the longest time. It's limited edition type nature (only being sold around Christmas), instead of putting me off, simply made me want it more.

I was lucky to get this little (it really is tiny) 100g beauty for Christmas and I've been using it non-stop since, it replacing my I love...Strawberries and Milkshake body wash which I liked so very much.

If you've ever tried the Lush Bubblegum lip scrub then you can get an idea of what to expect in terms of fragrance. Snow fairy smells identical to the Bubblegum scrub, though I wouldn't imagine it tastes quite as nice, being a shower gel and all.

The fragrance is quite overpowering when you use it in the shower and due to its tooth-ache inducing sweet, sugary nature I expect there would be a lot of people who find it just too much to handle. I myself do really like it, but for someone who adores strong sugary smells, I still find it even a bit too much for me!

Once having moved out of the shower the scent becomes very faint although is still present on the skin. I much prefer it in this state if I'm really honest.

I was surprised to find that it contains shimmery blue sparkles as I'd not been aware of this prior to using the product. Unfortunately they aren't dispersed evenly throughout, rather clumped together at the bottom of the bottle. It still adds a nice touch to the product though.

As for the actual shower gel, it lathers up nicely and works well. There isn't much more to say about it except that it works. I have heard of people using it for their hair but I'm not sure I like the idea of using a bright pink, blue glittery product through my hair...

Lush recently revamped all their packaging, and I have to say I'm not really a fan. It doesn't look as classy as it once did, it looks cheaper and the feel isn't like it once was. I don't really like the packaging for this product, I think it looks a bit like a homemade label and it looks a lot more childish.

I can't recall how much this actually was but I imagine it would be on par with Lush's other shower gels. I do like this little product, though I wouldn't suggest you buy it until you've had a really good sniff of it in the shops because it is so very strong!

I give this 7/10.

Can you see the glitter?