Monthly Favourites - April

April is over and this year is totally flying by! I hope you all had a lovely Easter, I myself enjoyed simply lazing about reading and writing and lying in the sun! Almost all of my favourites for this month are new additions to my collection and I am so thrilled that I have some new things to play with! If there isn't a review on my blog already there will definitely be one coming up soon!

Lips: This was the most unexpected favourite of all, simply because I didn't even know these existed until I was in Priceline and saw the Covergirl Smoochies Lip Balm in the shade 'Luv u' for only $3. I had no idea what colour to pick up so I went for a nice Berry looking shade and I have worn it every single day since purchasing it because it is just so natural and flattering. I am a huge fan!

Face: I rediscovered an old favourite of mine, the Maybelline Superstay foundation. Somehow I have gained a little bit of a tan so it matches my skin almost perfectly, and as a result I've been using this more often. It is a medium to full coverage foundation so I don't wear it everyday, but I just love the gorgeous finish it gives.

Eyes: Without a doubt the eye product I have been reaching for most this month is the Loreal Colour Infalliable Shadow in Tender Caramel. I managed to grab this little bargain for $2.10 at Target and it was the best buy because it is such a beautiful brown shade. I cannot recommend this enough!

Nails: I have two nail favourites this month, the first being an Essie mini polish in Meet me at sunset. I have adored this bright orange shade and I am so lucky to have won it in Erin's giveaway! The other polish I have enjoyed wearing is the Essence topper in Black Dress and White tie. I don't always give into special effect polishes but this was irresistible (and for obvious reason too!).

Other: Lastly is the other category, and this month I have decided to include not a product but a hobby I have really enjoyed. I've been struggling a bit lately and have found writing (whether it be poetry, blog posts or journalling) to be so very helpful and enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone because it really helps sort your thoughts out!


I hope you've all had a lovely April!

Collective Haul - Fashion, Beauty & Jewellery

I'll get all the warnings out of the way - this post has about a billion pictures but they're pictures of pretty things!

I've acquired lots of things (from both my own purchases and gifts from others) over the past two months in the areas of fashion, jewellery and beauty and I thought I'd do a little massive haul.

Fashion
I was in the mood for dresses this month and when they're $15 dollars or so you really can't go wrong! I also found some absolute bargains in Ally Fashion and a gorgeous clutch in Colette. I needed new pyjamas and of course managed to buy a scarf on the way!

Temt floral dress - $15 down from $30
Temt blue dress - $20 down from $35
Temt Black and White Dress - $15 down from $30
Ally Fashion tank - $2.50 down from $10
Ally Fashion Jacket - $7.50 down from $30
Colette Clutch - $20
Rockmans Scarf - $5 down from $20
Kmart Pyjama pants - $3.50 each

Temt black and white dress

Temt floral dress (front)

Temt floral dress (back)

Temt blue dress

Ally Fashion Jacket

Ally Fashion Jacket

Colette Clutch

Scarf and pyjama pants

Beauty
Target is just magical for its beauty bargains! I picked up the Essence and Ulta polishes for an absolute steal, as well as the much raved about Loreal Colour Infalliable eyeshadow in Tender Caramel for only $2.10! Can you believe it? I then grabbed a candle (it's terrible, don't get it!) and FOA matte top coat from Priceline. In a different trip to Priceline I spotted the greatest bargain of all time - 2 Revlon lip butters and nail polishes for a total of $10 or $2.50 each! Essence was also calling out my name that day too...

Priceline Candle - $2 down from $5
FOA matte polish - $4.95
Essence Studio Nails Ultra Strong Nail Hardener - $2.75
Essence Quick Dry Top Coat - $1.45
Ulta3 Polish in Flashback Fuchsia - $1
Ulta3 Polish in Gold Rush Fever - $1
Loreal Paris Colour Infalliable Eyeshadow in Tender Caramel - $2.10 down from $20
Revlon Fascinate Gift Scent - $10 (products value $71.80)
Essence XXXL Shine lipgloss in 24 Just gorgeous - $1.50 down from $3
Essence Extra long lasting eyeliner pen - $2.50 down from $5
Invite Concentrated Vitamin E cream - $11.49
Bio Oil - $14.99

Jewellery
There were just too many bargains in the Jewellery stores so I picked up some pieces that I fell in love with.

MOSH (charity fundraiser) red ring - $2
MOSH (charity fundraiser) gold ring - $2
Equip Leaf bracelet - $3.75 down from $15
Equip Lace necklace - $3.75 down from $15
Colette White teardrop necklace - $5 down from $10
Colette Leaf earrings - $2.50 down from $5

Haul - Revlon, Loreal, Garnier, Just Jeans & Factorie

I love bargains. I just love them. Here are the pieces I picked up when on a family holiday in Tasmania.

First stop: Target

I was quick to spot a HUGE makeup sale with brands like Maybelline, Bourjois, Loreal and Essence all up for grabs. It took a while to sift through the red and green Essence shadows, $10 brown Maybelline lipsticks and $9 yellow Bourjois polishes and then...Revlon proved to be a bargain.

Revlon lip butter in Gumdrop: $4
Revlon lip butter in Brown Sugar: $4
Revlon Scented Nail Enamel in Pretty in Papaya: $2
Revlon Top Speed Nail Enamel in Fire: $3

All you beauty bloggers will know that those Revlon products are an absolute bargain, you would never dream of picking those products up at those prices!

The last thing I picked up from Target was the best bargain of all…
A Loreal Colour Infallible eyeshadow in Magnetic Coral for…$0.83. 83 cents!

Next I popped into the chemist and saw that they were chucking out the Garnier BB creams for $9. Having just finished mine, I decided to try out the oily skin version. I am interested in comparing them, because I used the original version everyday but found it to be a little too greasy. Hopefully this new one does the job.


I then went to Just Jeans and was drawn to their sale rack where I found a pair of shorts that were originally $50, discounted down to only $5! The only size left fit me like a glove!

Factorie was last, where I purchased a skirt and some jeans. I spotted the skirt immediately as, like so many others, I have been into skater skirts/circle skirts lately. Though it is a little bit childish in my opinion, I figured I'm 16 and if I can't wear it now I never will be able to, so why not give it a shot?! I really love the pattern, but I think I will be getting rid of the belt that came with it. I think that it will look lovely with a simple white tank top. It retails for $30 but I was able to snap it up for $10.

As for the jeans, I've been looking for a pair in a more unusual colour because my black and blue ones are getting boring. I saw these maroon ones for $10 down from $40 and they too fit perfectly so I grabbed them as well.

I am so pleased with this haul, I think I was lucky to stumble across some amazing sales. I want to know what your best bargain has ever been...I think my Loreal eyeshadow takes the cake for me!

Loreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Anti-Dull Skin Primer - Light Skin

I remember when I picked this up a remarkably long time ago. It was on sale for $5 and I recall thinking how much of a bargain that was, because Loreal products are usually really expensive. It is an anti-dull skin primer, and so I was really excited about using it.

I've worn it once in my life and never again will I use it. It's the most awful, shimmery, liquidy mess that you will ever come across and it makes your skin look hideous.

Because it is a pinky salmon type colour, it is meant to brighten dull skin. What it does is simply make you look like a beetroot, but not just any beetroot - a sparkly one. Yes, there is so much glitter and shimmer in this it is just not funny, and I think even the most hardcore shimmer lovers wouldn't be able to handle this. It literally makes your face sparkle in this creepy and childish type fashion.

The product itself comes in a bottle which does have a pump - my favourite way for a face product to be dispensed. It is a very runny texture and doesn't blend well into the skin. You only need the tiniest amount because it goes everywhere. It feels good on  and dries to a matte type finish. The shimmer means that it is remarkably glowy, and the chunks of silver glitter add to the sparkle.

In terms of lasting power and other factors like that, I haven't really bothered to wait around and find out because I just hate the sparkly nature of this product so much as well as the pink finish it gives to my skin.

Whilst this has been a short review, I think it is clear that this is a product I would not at all recommend, but to be honest I'm not even sure if they sell this anymore. I give this product 2/10.

Also, apologies for the not so wonderful photos, I was in such a hurry and figured that this terrible product didn't deserve to be photographed nicely anyway!

Glitter Bomb!

As I was going through my makeup collection for my Shopping my Stash post, I came to realise that within my ever growing collection there are a number of products that get pushed to the back of the drawer due to one simple fact - they are ticking glitter bombs.

I like a bit of glitter and shimmer in moderation. Key word: moderation. You see, there are some products, like highlighters for example, that must be shimmery because that is their job. There are other products, say...lipsticks, that I do not feel should have half of the galaxy's worth of glitter in them. We're going for glowing goddess - not round disco ball - here guys.

Here are some of my most glittery makeup products, both good kinds of glitter and bad.

FOA illuminator in Angel Flame - this product contains the good kind of glitter! This illuminator has popped up numerous times on my blog so I won't ramble on too much, but this is one product that will be staying up the front of my drawer from now on!

Loreal Anti Dull Skin Primer - Well this certainly is an anti dull skin primer, it makes you unbelievably glittery. Yes, this is a product that contains the bad kind of glitter...the really, really bad kind of glitter.

Face of Australia Bronzing pearls - I haven't decided whether this product is full of good glitter or bad glitter yet, I guess it depends on the way that you hope to use such product. It is definitely not suitable for contouring, but for an all over glow I guess it would be useful...then again it does have a lot of shimmer.

Loreal lipgloss in Tempting Pink - If there was a glittery winner and all these products were the runners up, this would take first place. This is packed so unbelievably full with huge, silvery chunks of glitter. It is lucky that I received this product for free, because there is no way that I would pay for this, no way I would ever wear this in view of anyone, not even my dog.

Dle lipgloss in Jess Barely - This sneaky little thing appears to be all innocent and then BAM, you find your lips coated in a thick layering of silvery/blue shimmer. Don't be fooled!

Avon lipstick in Shiny Rouge - There is a reason I didn't recognise this lipstick - I have never worn it before!  It is almost identical to the Loreal lipgloss in colour, but has a little less glitter. Nevertheless it still deserves to be featured in this post, because only the most intense glitter loving sorts could pull this off.

Ulta Nail polish in Confetti - Once again, this is the good kind of glitter where it makes you want to squeal in delight and run around in circles like a small child. Is that just me? This collection of tiny blue, pink an green chunks of glitter gives you a party on your nails.

BYS nail polish in Silver Moon - I think it is pretty obvious that this contains the good kind of glitter - the best kind of glitter in fact. This polish is just awesome.


I am curious as to what glitter products you are keen on, and which ones you could do without. This was a really fun post to do, I might have to make way for the glitter in the future!

L-R: Avon, Loreal, Dle

Top 3 Tuesday - Lipstick

I certainly love my lipsticks, and when I went to pick out my top 3 it became apparent that I always go for a particular shade. I found it quite easy to select my top 3 lipsticks but it was hard to put them in an order.

1. Essence lipstick in All about Cupcake
After much deliberation I had to come to the conclusion that this was my top lipstick. I wear this lipstick more that any other, almost every day in fact. It is one that you can just slap on without looking in the mirror and feel confident that it will look good. It has a nice buildable formula, it smells amazing and it is the most gorgeous shade. Even better is that it doesn't cost more than four dollars.

2. Savvy by DB lipstick in Pretty Pink
This is another cheap lipstick that I have fallen in love with as it is a 'my lips but better' colour that can be worn with ease and without effort. It is a beautiful shade, slightly drying in formula though, but perfect for an every day look.

3. Loreal Paris lipstick in Pink Fever
This is probably one of the oldest lipsticks of mine, but it is still in my top 3. The colour is a strong barbie pink that is actually rather flattering and appropriate for special occasions. The formula is a little drying, but nothing terribly concerning.

Close but not close enough...

For the close but not close enough award is the Face of Australia lipstick in lychee crush. I love this lipstick, but the reason it didn't make it into my top 3 was simply because I just don't wear it as often as the others. It is a beautiful shade and a lovely formula (and it is also a lovely price). I know this is a favourite amongst many beauty bloggers.

L-R: Savvy, Loreal, Essence, Face of Australia

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!