Kit Duo Cheek & Lip Crème in Turn It On

Hey all, 

I know that I have apologised a few times to date, but sorry for the lack of posting in the past few days. Sadly, life sometimes gets in the way of blogging! At least I will be getting a large overtime bonus from work this week! 

I have been on a bit of a Kit kick recently, and on a bit of a cream blush kick as well. 

So, ta-dah!

What I Love 

- Gorgeous colour combination that would suit any skin tone. 

- Smooth and creamy product, that is not sticky at all. 

- Highly pigmented and blends easily. 

- Long lasting, especially when set with powder. 

- I adore Kit packaging, absolutely adore it! 

- For an added bonus, it is also made in Australia. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Myer and Online. 

Price: $34.95 

Swatches

Without Flash 

With Flash 

All I have to say is, it's so purrrrdy! Haha! 

I haven't yet used it on my lips, as I have enough lipstick to get through as it is - but I am sure that it would work just swimmingly! They have another colour pair that I am eyeing off at the moment and I have a feeling that you will be seeing swatches of it very, very soon! 

What is your favourite cream blush? 

Hope you all are well! xx

Stila Custom Color Blush in Self-Adjusting Coral

Hey all, 

I have never been too sure about colour adjusting products. How do they do it? Do they even change that much between each person? I have always had my little suspicious. It's funny how we are always slightly suspicious of what we don't understand! Anyway, I'm not sure whether or not this Stila blush adjusts to my skin tone; but I do love the shade! 

Shade 

A gorgeous peach toned coral with slight shimmer. 

What I Love 

- Gorgeous colour, works wonders at brightening up my face. 

- Smooth, creamy and highly pigmented. 

- Easy to blend. 

- I love how light it feels on my skin! 

- Not too shimmery, and the shimmer fades alongside the colour (so you aren't left looking like a disco ball). 

- I adore all Stila packaging. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima. 

Price: $32.00

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Another very pretty coral blush! It's my new staple to compliment day-time looks and I think that it would suit all skin tones. I definitely want to try the Self-Adjusting Pink and Bronze - has anyone tried them? 

Also, what are your thoughts on "self-adjusting" products? Does anyone know the science behind it? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Matches Fashion Style Boards

Hey all, 

I absolutely adore online shopping, possibly even more than shopping in stores. There is something marvellous about being able to max out your credit card whilst still in pyjamas (I don't max it out often, I swear!). This being the case, when I was contacted to do a post on Matches Fashion - I couldn't resist. 

This is not a sponsored post, I just wanted to share this pretty nifty site with you! 

What Is Matches Fashion? 

An online shopping destination for both men and women which boasts brands such as: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chloe, Lanvin, Missioni and many more! It could be compared to Net a Porter, but is easier to navigate. 

The prices are better than what is found in-store, so it is really a great option if you want an investment piece. Sales are also very common. 

Style Boards 

I don't need an excuse to play with style boards, and Pinterest is one of my favourite past times - but I created three style boards to show you. All three represent my personal style and are of items found on Matches Fashion. 

Look 1 

Alexander McQueen Victorian Lace Jacquard Knit Dress - $1, 964

Alexander McQueen Water Snake Moulded Clutch - $1, 505

Eddie Borgo Gold Cone Bracelet - $524

Gianvito Rossi Suede Fringe Edge Shoes - $543 

Look 2

Diane Von Furstenburg New Della Dress - $465

Mulberry Clover Charm Cuff - $194

Sophie Hume Zip Top Shopper Bag - $737

Tory Burch Classic Reva Ballet Shoes - $227

Diane Von Furstenburg Rory Ankle Boots - $349

Look 3

Colette by Colette Dinnigan Oscar Half Sleeve Dress - $453

Shourouk Leimotive Icon Necklace - $285

3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Clutch Bag - $356

Charlotte Olympia Ava Flower-Print Pumps - $666

Now, I wouldn't usually spend this much on day-to-day looks, but this site is great to pick up some investment pieces here and there. And I am definitely eyeing off the green Alexander McQueen clutch! 

Do you believe in buying investment pieces? Why/why not? 

Hope you all have a great afternoon! xx

Trilogy Everything Balm

Hey all, 

I usually have combination-oily skin, but in Winter it takes a stroll down the 'dry as hell' route. Chuck the flu into the mix and I end up with flaky, painful skin - especially around my nose. I have loved Trilogy products for a long while, and use their Cream Cleanser, Antioxidant Rose-hip Oil and Vital Moisturising Cream. Knowing this, a friend recommended that I tried this balm to tackle the problem bits around my nose, and I have used it for that and so much more! 

What Is It?

- An all purpose balm containing Omega 3 & 6, natural super emollients and a range of vitamins and antioxidants. 

What Can It Be Used For? 

- Soothing dry skin. 

- All over nourishing & protecting. 

- Healthy nails. 

- Massage oil. 

- Lip conditioning. 

What I Love 

- Extremely versatile - can fix almost everything. 

- Smells gorgeous. 

- Packed full of natural ingredients. 

- Adorable packing (we all know that I am a sucker for it). 

- Reasonably priced. 

Where to Buy: Priceline, Adore Beauty

Price: $18.95 for 45ml and $29.95 for 95ml. 

I love this stuff! When they said it was multi-purpose, they weren't lying. And not only can it be used for a range of things, it works well for all of them as well. I have used it for problem dry bits, as a cuticle oil, as lip balm and it calms down bites, cuts and burns a lot as well! 

Keep one at home, and keep one in your bag - it's handy as hell! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Kit Cosmetics Eyeshadow in That's Hot

Hey all, 

I hadn't tried many Kit Cosmetics products for a long while, but got drawn in by their bright, gorgeous lipstick's (review soon to come) and have been expanding my horizons ever since. It's a wonderful brand, with great shades, high quality and adorable packaging. 

I was shopping the other day, and just could not walk past this eyeshadow. It is such a gorgeous shade, and didn't look like anything else that I had in my collection. 

The Shade 

A gorgeous deep, shimmery and multi-dimensional purple.

What I Love 

- Highly pigmented, one swipe colour. 

- Creamy and blends easily. 

- Has shimmer, but is not overpowering. 

- Long lasting, especially with a primer. 

- I adore the packaging of all Kit products as well! 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima, Myer and Online. 

Price: $19.95

Swatches 

Without Flash 

I though that I would put two pictures in, as I just couldn't capture the beauty of the colour as much as I wanted to. 

With Flash 

I'm a sucker for purple shadows (or anything purple for that matter), and am certain that this shade will become a favourite in my collection! 

Have you tried any Kit products? Which product is your favourite? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

MAC Lipstick Giveaway!

Hey all,

It's giveaway time!!

I have been planning to do another giveaway for a while now, but have just been held up time after time. But here it is, finally! 

I was a bit caught up on what to give away, but I decided that I would giveaway two of my favourite MAC lipstick shades - Lady Danger and Girl About Town.

I have two sets up for grabs, so two winners will be drawn. All products are brand new. 

This giveaway is also open internationally and will run for two weeks. Please only enter once, so that everyone can get a fair chance! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope that you enjoy this giveaway & best of luck! xx

Killer Sunshine

Hey all,

As most of my readers would know, I have a strong view on the importance of sun protection (especially within scorching Australia). I know that we all love the sunshine; but it is also important to remember that the sun can definitely be a killer. 

I was approached by one of the creators of the below graphic, and asked whether I wanted to share it with my readers. I do. 

I think that it points out some very important facts to remember, and would love if you would all have a read.

Source: Http://www.insurancequotes.org

For more on my sun protection views read here. 

And most importunely, share the information you have read here today! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

*This post is not sponsored, I just wanted to share. 

Jurlique Co-Branded Promotion Sweepstakes

Hey all, 

Personally, I adore Jurlique products. This being said, I am very excited to bring this sweepstakes opportunity to all of you! 

The lovely people at Jurlique have been kind enough to create this competition, personalised especially for my readers! 

What Can You Win? 

20 lucky winners will receive the complete Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Collection valued at $114 AUD. 

This includes the: 

Rose Moisture Plus Moisture Cream 

Rosewater Balancing Mist 

and the Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cleanser 

A review of all these products is set to be posted this week! 

How to Enter

You enter through the widget on the sidebar of the blog, all in 3 easy steps! 

1. Log in.

2. Click to 'Like' Jurlique on Facebook.

3. Click to 'Follow' Jurlique on Twitter (optional).


The promotion ends on July 27, 2012. No purchase is required for entry. 

Conditions 

- This competition is only open to Australian residents aged 18 and over. 

- Only 1 entry is allowed per person.

(You can also view official rules by clicking on the link at the bottom of the widget)

Prize winners will be selected by random and the winner will be announced August 1, 2012. 

Good luck to all of you! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

*Neither this, nor the competition is sponsored. 

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Sunset Strip

Hey all, 

Although I have dark skin, I tend to start looking a little 'dead' in winter. My skin tone gets quite a bit lighter and my natural glow dulls a little as well. In summer I usually don't find the need to use a bronzer at all, but it is a completely different story in winter - bronzer becomes a daily staple in my face routine. 

This bronzer is one that I continue to love, and most of you have probably heard of it. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips are famous amongst the beauty savvy and often compared to Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. I do love my BB Shimmer Bricks, but I may like these just a little more. 

What I Love

- Enough shimmer to create a healthy glow, but not enough to turn you into a disco ball. 

- Shimmer doesn't clump together and applies evenly. 

- Highly pigmented (to the level you want for a bronzer). 

- Multi-purpose - can be used as a bronzer, highlighter (lighter shades), and even as eyeshadow. 

- Clean cut packaging. 

- Reasonably priced! 

What I Don't

- Hard to source in Australia. 

- Packaging is tight and I have broken a nail or two trying to open it! 

Where to Buy: I grab my Shimmer Strips off eBay. 

Price: $10-$15

Swatches

Without Flash 

Across top, shades mixed together. Bottom, individual shades from top to bottom. 

With Flash 

So, why do I like them a little bit more than BB Shimmer Bricks? 

I find that the shimmer isn't as overpowering, and that they create a much more natural/healthy look. These don't make you look like an overpowered disco ball at the end of the day! And of course, they are SO much cheaper. 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Essence Marble Mania Blush in Swirlpool

Hey all, 

Another new, everyday favourite blush from me! It is from the new Marble Mania range from Essence; a range with a multitude of baked, marble effect shades. 

This blush caught my eye from across the Target beauty section, so I just had to pick it up. I love baked blushes, especially when they have a swirled effect to them (I am a sucker for pretty things) - so this blush was a welcome addition to my collection! 

Shade

A gorgeous range of pinks - from deep to champagne, all swirled together. 

Slight shimmer. 

What I Love

- I adore the shade, it is the perfect shade to create a healthy glow on my skin. 

- Highly pigmented. 

- Not overloaded with shimmer. 

- Blends seamlessly into my skin. 

- Very reasonably priced! 

What I Don't 

- I wish that they had more shades. 

- Hard to find, and always sold out! 

Where to Buy: Target

Price: $5.95

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Essence is a well priced brand that continues to impress me. Their products always exceed my expectations, and yet, they manage to keep their prices very low. It makes me wonder whether other brands can justify their mark-ups...but that is a post for another day!

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Covergirl Eye Enhancers Quad in Dream Eyes

Hey all,

This quad is a beauty guru and blogger favourite, and I have heard it spoken about time after time. So naturally, I had to try it for myself. I haven't tried very many Covergirl products before, as the brand has never really caught my attention. But saying that, I am glad that curiosity got the better of me and I picked this one up! 

What I Love 

- Highly pigmented - I was pleasantly surprised with the colour packed into this quad! 

- Well put together - all the shades compliment each other. 

- Creamy, smooth and easy to blend. 

- Long lasting with a primer. 

- Reasonably priced! 

What I Don't 

- I am not a fan of the packaging. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't do anything for me.

Where to Buy: Priceline, Target, Big W 

Price: $13.95

Swatches 

It is the perfect little quad for a simple smoky eye, is very versatile, and is a treat to take travelling! 

Have you tried any Covergirl eyeshadow quads? Which one is your favourite? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

June Empties and Project 50 Pan Update

Hey all, 

I went through a lot of products this month, and I mean A LOT! Being on Project 50 Pan, I was very determined to get rid of all the products clogging up my shelves. I had a lot of products that were nearly  empty, but just didn't seem to make it over the line.

Well, they are gone now. 

I used a total of 28 products this month, bringing my Project 50 Pan total so far to 48. 2 months later and 2 more products to go? Well, this went a lot quicker than expected! I have been surprised at my willpower over the past couple of months, and have not bought anything at all (except replacements). I do have a wish list from here to the moon though! 

Here are the empties from this month! 

Face 

1. Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash 

2. Models Prefer Mattyfying Primer

3. Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight and Fade Gel 

4. Swisspers Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes

Body

5. Lush Flying Fox Shower Gel 

6. Redwin Sorbolene Hand Wash 

7. Aldi White Lily + Lotus Flower Body Wash 

8. Billie Goat Soap Lavender Hand & Body Wash

9. Avon Foot Works Mojito Foot Scrub

10. Palmers Cocoa Butter SPF15

11. Vaseline Aloe Vera Moisturiser 

12. Redwin Organics Orange & Bergamot Moisturiser 

13. The Aromatherapy Company - My Little Tea Party Hand Cream in Strawberry Shortcake

14. Nivea Soft Intensive Moisturising Creme

15. Body Shop Coconut Body Butter

16. Lush Helping Hands 

Hair 

17. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Deep Nutrition Conditioner

18. Loreal Elvive Total Repair Conditioner 

19. Lush Big Shampoo

Makeup 

20. Kit Lip Gloss in Big Night Out 

21. Blistex Lip Conditioner SPF20

22. Lacura Volumising Mascara 

23. Australis Mega Lash Mascara 

Miscellaneous 

24. enVme Make-Up Remover Pads 

25. Priceline Round Cotton Pads 

26. Sensodyne Rapid Relief 

27. Brazillian Beauty Exfoliating Mitt

28. Dove Beauty Cream Bar 

Did you enjoy the many glimpses of my ever so exciting text books?

I think this shows that Project 50 Pan is a killer way to make room on your shelves, and to save a little money on the way. I will do a proper round up when I officially finish! 

Now that you realise it can be done in just over two months, who wants to give it a try?!

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Models Prefer Blush in Desk to Date

Hey all, 

I don’t usually post on the weekends, as I always try and keep them for ‘me’ time. But since I haven’t posted as much as I usually do this week, I thought that I would use this weekend to catch up! 

It seems as though I have been hit with everything at once - bronchitis, a job transition, house renovation issues, and a cat with a cold. To say the least, I have had issues keeping organised this week! The end is in sight though, as they say; and thankfully too - my nail polish is chipped beyond belie and my skin is definitely showing signs of stress. 

I have posted about Models Prefer products a few times now, always with positive reviews.  Their Mattifying Primer and Glitz & Glamour Highlighter are amongst my most reached for products. And with the addition of this blush, I have to say that the brand continues to impress me. 

Shade 

- A gorgeous medium pink that would compliment any skin tone. No shimmer, but has a sheen to it. 

What I Love 
- Gorgeous shade.
- Highly pigmented. 
Creamy, applies smoothly and is easily blend able. 
- Very reasonably priced. 

What I Don’t 
- Get quite a bit of product fallout, as you can see in the below picture. 

Where to Buy: Priceline 

Price: $9.99


Swatches 


Unblended 


Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended


Without Flash

With Flash

Despite the fallout, this is a gorgeous blush that creates a healthy and natural glow. At $10 a piece, I definitely recommend that you give it a try! 


What do you think about Models Prefer? 


Hope you all have a great night! xx

Sleek Monaco Eyeshadow Palette - Review + Swatches.

Hey all, 

How was everyone's weekend? I had a particularly busy one myself! I am fighting the flu of doom and am in the middle of organising a bit of a career change - busy, busy, busy! At least I haven't had any time to get into trouble, have I? 

Since I started 'shopping my stash' - read the post here; I have had a look through my whole collection, just to remind myself what I have. This has happily resulted in the rediscovery of many old favourites and some new gems. 

This is one of them! 

I loved the potential of this palette, and am so glad that I grabbed it! When I first tried it, all I could think was 'wow'. 

What I Love

- Well put together, all the shades compliment each other. 

- Very highly pigmented. 

- Creamy and smooth. 

_ Long lasting, especially with a primer. 

- Reasonably priced. 

What I Don't

- It is a limited edition palette, but can still be found online. 

Where to Buy: Try eBay. 

Swatches 

Top 6 Shades 

Without Flash 

Bamboo, Aquamarine, Midnight Garden, Sunset, Washed Ashore & Magenta Madness

With Flash 

Bottom 6 Shades 

Without Flash

Summer Breeze, Sand Walker, Kiwi Zest, Lotus Flower, Humming Bird & Moors Treasure

With Flash 

Isn't it gorgeous?! It is hard to pick a favourite with so many lovely shades, but I particularly like Kiwi Zest and Sunset. 

Which shade do you like the look of? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Shopping My Stash

Hey all,

This post is going to be short and sweet, as I have been feeling very under the weather for the last few days. I still wanted to share with all of you though! 

I'm not going to lie, I have a very large make up collection. Friends and family are always harping at me to 'start some sort of business', or looking at me as though I am insane (probably just a little). Having a large number of products, I have found that many end up becoming lost and forgotten; and sometimes feel guilty that not all my products are getting the love that they deserve.

So I decided to do something about it, and participate in the 'Shop My Stash' theme that has been going around for a while.

What Is It? 
It is pretty much just an opportunity to rediscover items from your stash, and to place them in your everyday routine. 


My Rules
1. Every week, pick 5 items from my stash that I haven't been using. 
2. Use all of these items at least twice in the week. 


The Products
Anything, except nail polish and brushes. 


Week One 

1. Sleek Primer Palette
2. Illamasqua Cream Blush in Libido
3. Benefit Ooh La Lift 
4. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strip in Sunset Strip 
5. Sleek Eyeshadow Palette in Monaco 

I am going to be doing this every week for the next three months. Feel free to join in, for as long as you like, and link me if you have already started!

Hope you all have a great night! 

On My Cheeks: Illamasqua Cream Blush in Libido

Hey all,

I am on a bit of a cream blush crusade at the moment, and have developed a long wish list for when I finish my Project 50 Pan challenge. I always thought that cream blushes would never work for me; as I have quite oily skin, turning into an oil slick is a common concern. But, as soon as I started trying out more and more cream face products, I realised that they were just perfect! 

Definitely a new love. 

I picked Libido up in My Funny Valentine's blog sale for a steal of a price. I must admit that I had a moment after buying it where I thought that I was crazy - it is one hell of a bright blush. I promise you it is not as scary as it looks! 

What I Love 

- Gorgeous shade that is perfect for my darker skin. 

- Creamy and smoothes on like a dream. 

- Highly pigmented.

- Extremely blend able

- Love the packaging and the name as well! 

What I Don't

- Not a suitable shade for everyone

- It starts to melt quickly when temperatures rise (I do I've in scorching hot Brisbane though). 

Where to Buy: Myer 

Price: $42.00

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended

Not a shade for the porcelain skinned, or the faint of heart. It is definitely a gorgeous shade nonetheless, and has become one of my favourite brights. Who doesn't love a little red after all?

What is the brightest blush that you own? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx