Benefit Haul #2

Review: Models Prefer Eyeshadow Quad in Hook Me Up

HerBeautyDays First Christmas Giveaway Winner!

Essence Trend Edition Beauty Beats (Girl on Tour with Justin Bieber)

Three Months Worth of Empties! (September - November 2013)

Her Beauty Days' First Christmas Giveaway!

November 2013 Priceline Beauty Haul!

Review: Indeed Laboratories Pepta-bright

Lust Have It! October 2013

Review: L'Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim

Review: Bourjois Round Pot Blush and Cream Blushes!

September Haul!

Monday 30 December 2013

Benefit Haul #2

I hope everyone's had/having a great time with family and friends during this period! (Happy holidays!)
So, so excited for the new year, who knows what doors will open for me and what encounters I will come across.

Reflecting back on last week (Christmas!), I was greeted with a package from Benefit cosmetics on Christmas Eve. Perfect timing I would say! My little Christmas gift from me to me! The catalyst that drove me to order more goodies from the Benefit website was the inclusion of deluxe samples and the availability of limited edition sets! To see my first Benefit haul click here.

I present to you the haulage:


(sans outer packaging)

Benefit Little Love Potions! set  ($36)
Limited edition gift set that showcases ten deluxe samples of best seller products! I bought this set to try other Benefit products such as the "that gal" brightening base primer, High Beam, Watt's Up! and the Bad Gal Lash mascara.



(Sugarbomb - included mirror, brush and magnetic closure)

Benefit Sweet-n-wow! set ($29)
Full sized Sugarbomb and a generous sized bottle of Posietint - what a great offer! Sugarbomb alone costs $28 (benefitcosmetics.com) containing more product than the other powder blushes plus the tint is a nice pairing. I've had my eye on this blush/face powder for quite a while; glad to purchase this for use in summer. Hello radiant cheeks!


Benefit Lollitint ($30)
OMGSH one of the products I'm most excited for! Say hello to Benefit's newest tint! This isn't available in Australia yet but will be in a few months time! Something to look forward to in 2014, don't you think? A review of this tint will be up soon.


(Left to right: Hervana, Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit)

Benefit Hervana ($28)
A beautiful favourite with many, of course I had to try this out!

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($20)
A cream shadow like no other, this shadow has become one of my favourite products to date! Such a beautiful shade as well. 

(samples!)
With every order on the Benefit website you have the opportunity to select two samples to add to your cart. I selected the Fake Up undereye concealor in 01 Light and the Stay Don't Stray primer in light/medium (top row).

With promotional codes you get promotional samples (bottom row)!
I'm lucky to receive generous samples of the popular Benetint and Cha Cha Tint, as well as the Total Moisture Facial Cream and Sugarbomb!

I can't wait to try and trial all of these products. Who doesn't get excited for new makeup?! If you can't already tell, I am a blush and eyeshadow fanatic! I hope you enjoyed reading/viewing this haul. If you would like to request my review on any of the mentioned products please leave a comment down below.

Wishing everyone the best and a happy new year! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store! 




Saturday 21 December 2013

Review: Models Prefer Eyeshadow Quad in Hook Me Up

Anybody remember this song?


Because that's the song that played in my head the moment I picked up the Models Prefer Eyeshadow Quad in Hook Me Up.
I picked this up on sale for under $5 (half price!) at Priceline a few weeks backpartially because they reminded me of the Wet n Wild eyeshadow palettes, with the suggested use embossed into the product. For my benefit, they take the guesswork out of things - eyeshadow application for beginners like myself have been made a whole lot easier!



The eyeshadow quad features four shimmer shades - a champagne base, a gold lid shade, a purple-maroon crease shade with a pink sheen (gorgeous shade!) and a bronze corner shade.
Pigmentation is quite decent; the crease shade is noted to have poorer pigmentation than the other shades, albeit the problem can be fixed with applying them in a wet nature and building the colour up.
The shades are velvety but not creamy as other products plus they aren't chalky either.
I really adore the shade combination provided; the shades compliment my brown eyes quite beautifully.
The packaging is one aspect which I really dislike - it's what I expected from a brand as such, cheap plastic packaging that would easily break at the "hinge". Additionally, I found it difficult to open the quad without incurring damage to my nail polish.

Wear time without a primer underneath - 2-3 hours, by the fourth hour I noticed a bit of fading.



Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the product, considering I only paid $5 for them. It's not a bad product; I would suggest this quad to beginners in makeup and to those looking for something more affordable (but if you're looking for something that would give you more bang for your buck check out this palette.)

The product is made in China.

Thursday 19 December 2013

HerBeautyDays First Christmas Giveaway Winner!

Earlier this month I hosted my very first giveaway which you can read about here.



I know it's a bit delayed (sorry!) but I've finally selected a winner.

Congratulations to the lovely Jasmine from Sweetaholic Beauty!

Thank you to everyone who entered. I look forward to hosting another giveaway soon! It was a bit of fun; I've enjoyed its construction.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Essence Trend Edition Beauty Beats (Girl on Tour with Justin Bieber)

Limited (trend) edition with Justin Bieber thrown in the mix? You've got yourself a winner.
Just...kidding. I honestly have a love/hate relationship with the beibs.
However, I just couldn't pass up on these newly released edition from one of my favourite brands Essence featuring the boy/man himself.

Would you look at that?!

(courtesy of Essence)

I headed to the Priceline at Parramatta Westfields last week to find a freshly set up stand and picked up the following items:


(Left to right: 01 Groupie At Heart blush, 03 As Long As You Love Me eyeshadow, 01 Groupie At Heart and 03 I'm Backstage lipglosses)



Essence 01 Groupie At Heart blush ($4.25 AUD)
This has got to be one of my favourite products Essence has brought out. I love the embossed "boyfriend" all over the blush - looks really pretty in real life. The colour is of a rose-pink which at first I thought was matte but when swatched, there is a really flattering associated silver sheen. The texture is so velvety soft and pigmentation is surprisingly good for such a cheap product. This blush is much more superior to the blushes previously released from Essence. Perfect for "beliebers" and those seeking that natural flushed cheeks easily acquire after singing your lungs out at a concert (e.g. a Justin Bieber concert!). I highly recommend this blush - it'll make a lovely stocking filler too!



Essence 03 As Long As You Love Me eyeshadow ($2.85 AUD)
Would you look at that price? Cheaper than your cup of coffee.
This eyeshadow was not as velvet and pigmented as the blush but it comes close and is certainly buildable. I actually think the sheerness of it is perfect for younger girls! It's not chalky like other cheap eyeshadows. This eyeshadow does have a bit of fall out, nevertheless, it's another great stocking filler!

Essence 01 Groupie At Heart lipgloss ($3.50 AUD)
A gorgeous pinkish-red with a hint of coral that is perfect for summer. These are like the Essence Stay With Me lipglosses (mentioned here) which have great pigmentation and leaves a subtle stain on the lips. I love these lipglosses; very excited to see these on display.

Essence 03 I'm Backstage lipgloss ($3.50 AUD)
What a strange colour for a lipgloss! (one of the reasons why I purchased it). This gloss is like the former yet it comes out clear with a slight glittery blue tinge. Bored of your average clear gloss? Try this one instead!

(Left to right swatches : 01 Groupie At Heart blush, 03 As Long As You Love Me eyeshadow, 01 Groupie At Heart and 03 I'm Backstage lipglosses)

I'm loving this trend edition, it is perfect for the Justin Bieber fanatic and those looking for super affordable yet decent quality makeup!

For more information on the other products in this trend edition, click here.

All of the Essence products mentioned in this post are made in Poland.
To see if your Priceline store is stocking this trend edition, please refer to Essence Australia's Facebook.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Three Months Worth of Empties! (September - November 2013)

I originally planned to produce an empties post at the end of each month but failed to do so with the current changes happening within my schedule.

There's a considerable number of items to showcase here today, but for three month's worth - it's quite less than what I expected.


Moisturisers

1. LUSH Gorgeous Facial Moisturiser (10g sample)
This is one expensive moisturiser ($74.95 for 45g). I can see why, I absolutely adore the scent, the moisturiser itself fared well with my skin - my skin was radiant, plump and exhibited signs of good health in the mornings, after applying this at night. The only thing preventing me from purchasing the full sized product is the price-tag!

2. Olay Moisturising Lotion (150mL)
My HG moisturiser! I'm currently using another moisturiser at the moment but will definitely return to this one. I've included this product in my Skincare Tag, you can read about to find out what's so special about it!

3. Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion (50mL)
I love Sukin's face products but I wasn't accustomed to applying their lotions onto my body due to the scent. I'm just so used to applying body lotions with fruit scents! Overall, it's a great product but I won't be repurchasing.

4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (40mL)
I purchased this when it was first became available at Priceline (remember that period?). I didn't notice much improvement but during the course I used this, I didn't get any pimples (yay!). I didn't use this alone as a moisturiser and had to top it up with my Olay one. If I see this on sale at Priceline, I'll probably purchase it again.

5. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion (354mL)
Marketing has done well in positioning this product. I'm wired to adore Aveeno's products' I've already repurchased this but in the variation designed to relieve stress.


Makeup Removers

6. Simple Eye Make-Up Remover (125mL)
This stuff is like water; it removes my eye makeup quite well.  It doesn't leave any oily residue and is gentle on the eyes. I don't think this will work for waterproof mascara, but since I don't use that - it's perfect. I'm currently using the bi-phase makeup removers but will return to this eventually.

7. Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (125mL)
I really enjoyed using this. It's gentle yet very effective at removing everything. I don't think I'll be repurchasing this due to the cheaper options available.

8. Maybelline City Rescue Total Clean! Express Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (70mL)
I purchased this makeup remover in my Maybelline September haul which I blogged about here.
It's a bit expensive in my book, luckily I got it on sale and it works great. A great substitute for my Lancôme Bi-Facil I might add.


Makeup

9. Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder in True Translucent (7.5g)
Love this finishing powder! It sets my makeup nicely, mattifies my face a bit, helps with oil control and it goes on colourless despite its white powder form.

10. Benefit They're Real! Mascara (3g sample)
This mascara lasted over two months. That's two months of perfect lashes - long, curled, voluminous and separated lashes were achieved! I'm also loving the bommy-knocker at the end of wand - it helps me reach the corner lashes!

11. ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in Strip Tease
I received this from the company ages ago and it's time I gave it the boot. It's a really sheer shimmering lip gloss - quite average yet the pricetag implies otherwise. The inclusion of a mirror was handy but the scent was a bit sweet for my liking. I would not repurchase this; I don't find ModelCo's products worth their RRP.

12. Rimmel Vinyl Gloss Voluptuously Shiny Lipgloss in 110 Keep A Secret
One of my favourite glosses, likewise to ModelCo's lip gloss, this one is also on the sheer side. A great everyday shimmer lipgloss that would sure give you that luscious looking pout! I would repurchase this lipgloss in other shades (and possibly the same shade!).


Other

13. Avène Eau Thermale Spring Water (300mL)
Spraying this on my face = wonderful! The spray distribution is even, there are so many uses for this product and I've already bought backups. A staple in my skincare routine. Read my full review here

14. Lux Luminous Touch Body Wash (400mL)
Love this body wash so much! (love Lux body washes in general) Even though I don't detect the presence of illuminators on my skin, it's what I've been looking for in a body wash - pleasant scent, nice lather and moisturising! Would definitely repurchase this.

15. Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Total Nourishing Care Shampoo & Conditioner (50mL samples)
I really love the scent of this. It's quite an average shampoo and conditioner but I don't think I'll be repurchasing it - I'm interested in trying more natural products.

16. Jurlique Replenishing Foaming Cleanser (30mL sample)
I used this after I had the horrible reaction to Indeed Laboratories' Pepta-bright which you can read all about it here. This was a lovely cleanser to use, it didn't strip my skin of its natural oils and it was just so gentle on the rashes I received. The only thing I don't like about it is the scent - which is understandable since there are natural derivatives within the product.

And there you have it. Three months worth of empties!
What did you think of the items I've finished? Have you finished any items lately? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below, I'd love to hear about it!

Saturday 30 November 2013

Her Beauty Days' First Christmas Giveaway!

For myself, Christmas involves celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday.
It also involves enjoying the company of friends and family over good food.
Many will recognise that Christmas is a time of love, joy, hope and not least, it's a time of GIVING.

I'm EXCITED to throw this mini giveaway as part of my Christmas rituals and to thank all of you for supporting me through viewing and/or reading about my journey into the beauty world!

I've added a few favourites and miscellaneous items into the giveaway mix; all are useful during this festive season!


Giveaway contents:

1. The Bakery Shoppe White Chocolate Scented Candle - lighten up the mood and prepare yourself for the festive season!
2. Circa Home Pear & Lime Scented Soy Candle - something milder for the post-Christmas relaxation period
3. Revlon Luxurious color Perle Eyeshadow in 011 Lilac Shimmer - glitter and sparkles are all part of the festive season
4. E.L.F. Color Crush Palette - a great basic colourful eyeshadow palette with an included brush for testing out a few eye looks (so you don't waste your more expensive palettes/shadows!)
5. Olay Complete Touch of Foundation SPF 15 in Fair - a moisturiser with a hint of Max Factor foundation, great for the summer days, us Aussies are facing during Christmas! (suitable for medium skin tones)
6. Le Tan Wash Off Instant Looking Tan in Bronze - Summer days are calling in!
7. Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in 908 Graphite Gravity - go hard at night, flashing this unique nail polish!
8. Rimmel I Love Lasting Finish Nail Polish in 270 Hot Shot  - can't go wrong with a pink mani for Christmas
9. OPI Nail Lacquer in On Her Majesty's Secret Service - another great polish for the night (I'm thinking New Year's Eve!) from the Holiday Skyfall 2012 Collection
10. OPI Nail Lacquer in In My Santa Suit  - from the Mariah Carey 2013 Christmas collection! Pearly red - PERFECT FOR CHRISTMAS!
11. Models Prefer Dark Chocolate Kohl Pencil - create those smouldering smokey eyes to capture your next victim at the party ;)
12. Australis Lash Length Extensions Mascara in Black - a fibre mascara that great for the day
13. Sukin Facial Moisturiser - no matter what, hydration comes first
14. Nude By Nature Nature's Super Anti-Oxidant Foaming Cleanser - please remove all of that makeup please!

Bonus - rainbow candy cane! :)

The Extra Bits!


Fill in the Rafflecopter below!
Open to Aussie residents (sorry international ladies!) over 18 years of age or has parental consent.
Mandatory to follow via GFC and like my page on Facebook.
Giveaway starts NOW and will end on Thursday 19th December 10pm Sydney time.
Winner will be contacted via email and announced on my Facebook page on Thursday 19th (morning-midday)
I am not liable for any packaging that goes missing or arrives at a later date than expected.
Enjoy! xx


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 27 November 2013

November 2013 Priceline Beauty Haul!

Pretty sure you've all heard about the amazing 40% off beauty sale Priceline hosted last week!

I was there alright, at midday and my, what a crowded scene it was. A bit cray-cray, I might emphasise.
My friend, being a guy, received this sale to be quite hilarious; there's a lot of females all in one place.

I entered the store, just to pick up a few items I'm interested in and left with a lot more than I expected!
Basically, I put in everything that I wanted to try in the cute basket given to me by the sales assistant.

I present to you the haulage:


Face products

1. Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder in Deep Natural
Why didn't I discover this earlier? I love it so far; love the inclusion of the mirror and sponge (underneath the pan of powder) and of course, the actual product itself!

2. Maybelline Dream Pure 8-in-1 BB Cream in Light
I've already tried the medium shade, loved it, so I'm picking up the lighter shade because the former is a bit dark for me.

3. & 4. Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in 100 Ivory and 103 True Ivory
My first foundation! I tend to steer clear of Rimmel's face products but after seeing the princess-themed advertisement, I was lured in. 103 True Ivory was the closest shade to my complexion and 100 Ivory  would be perfect for those days when my face becomes more paler.


Lip products

5. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in 910 Shocking Coral
One of my favourite yet unique shades I already have in my collection. Repurchasing this shade because I'm actually running out of the lipstick. Read my review here (it's actually one of my first posts!).

5. L'Oréal Color Riche Made For Me Intense in 370 Crazy Fuchsia
I'm a crazy lover of pink lippies; I'm so glad I picked this up - it's becoming a favourite of mine!

6. L'Oréal Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain in 102 Romy
I heard these were a probable dupe for YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) Glossy Stains, I love stains and a bit of gloss so I had to try these!

7. Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Gloss in 90 Electric Shock
This shade is just gorgeous. I think there's something youthful about sporting a pink lip gloss, what do YOU think?

8. Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon in 04 Peach on the Beach
I discovered this gem on Sleep and Water's blog. When I saw the shade in real life, I was quite surprised to see what a unique and beautiful shade it was; perfect for summer!


Other products

9. Face of Australia Gentle Make-Up Remover
This is a repurchase. Cheap, does a great job at what it's supposed to do and certainly of a gentle nature.
Comes pretty close to Lancôme's Bi-Facil - that's something quite notable.

10. L'Oréal Super Liner Liquid Eyeliner
I've seen this used by my mum a few times. Curiosity got the better of me; this had to come home with me.

11. L'Oréal Colour Riche Le Vernis in 601 French Riviera
A pretty baby blue polish with darker blue shimmers? How could I resist?!

And that concludes my haul!
I don't understand the relationship I have with sales. Please stop calling out to me!
Well done to those who are on or have completed spending bans!

I hope you've enjoyed this post.

Saturday 23 November 2013

Review: Indeed Laboratories Pepta-bright

I'm finally back from my month-long absence.
Studying, exams, personal dramas and indulging in comfort food were certainly part of the equation.
I'm so glad to be liberated from my studies (for a while); definitely looking forward to engaging in more of my favourite leisure activities like cooking, hanging out with dear loved ones and SHOPPING.

On the topic of shopping, I am guilty of spending way too much this month.
As usual, I couldn't resist the pre-Christmas sales. I had to get my hands on those limited edition, released-around-Christmas beauty gifts and pressies for the special people in my life.

One unrelated purchase was a relatively new skincare product, Indeed Laboratories (Indeed Labs) Pepta-brightpurchased from Priceline (now available!) at an introductory price.
Now, I've heard of Indeed Labs' Hydraluron (earlier released product) but I wasn't interested in it much as hydration wasn't a main skincare concern of mine.

(white packaging/tube - sorry about the lighting!)

Pepta-bright is an "ultra-concentrated cream-serum" that helps to
1. Even skin tone
2. Reduce and lighten hyperpigmentation
3. prevent, treat and diminish dark spots
4. Restore luminosity and radiance to the skin
5. Prevent photoaging
6. Stimulate cell turnover
7. Maintain skin's hydration

Points 1. 2. and 3. is what I'm currently looking for in a skincare product. I'm still relatively young (early twenties), so I didn't want to use anything too harsh on my skin. After reading Caroline Hirons' review and others from younger bloggers like myself, I gave it a shot.

So yesterday, straight after cleansing, I applied the serum all over my face, minus the eye area, then topped it off with my current moisturiser. The smell was unpleasant but I didn't really mind. I went to bed and woke up four hours later to cram in a bit of studying before my exams.
Before I even observed my face after waking up, I could feel some inflammation happening under the nose area and a bit on my cheeks. The area under nose and my left cheek were covered in clusters of papules (no whiteheads) that left my skin irritated and dry. This was my first time having such an adverse reaction to a skincare product. I am actually a frequent user of relatively harsh products e.g. contains salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, so I wasn't expecting a reaction like this.

Fast forward to the next day (that's today!) and my skin has well improved after I continued with my regular skin routine and skipped Pepta-bright altogether. Papules have shrunk and hardly noticeable (some gone) but my skin around the nose and cheeks area is still dry.
There are a few factors to consider why this didn't work for me, but I won't be trying the serum again. Better safe than sorry!

Lesson learned: a product that works for another might not (unfortunately) work for you! I'm a bit letdown by the "results" but don't let that stop you from trying this product out if you're interested.

There is a lack of reviews reporting on adverse reactions, so here's my one!
If you have sensitive or "young" skin, I'll be cautious.
Product is made in Canada if you're wondering.
You can pick up Indeed Laboratories  Pepta-bright from Priceline for $27.99 during the promotional period.

I hope you found this review helpful.
Have a beautiful day everyone!

Update: After consulting with Priceline's customer service, I was told to return the product for a full refund. The product was deemed "faulty" and was to be returned to the company (or so I was told).

Friday 25 October 2013

Lust Have It! October 2013

Wow, what a busy month.
I actually celebrated my 21st birthday just last week, even though it was nothing big because of the bombardment of assignments and exams.

A few days ago, when I headed out the door (hello uni!)  I actually bumped into the postman.
As usual, he handed me my post and I was so surprised to find it was my Lust Have It! box!
What a refreshing change to the box, I'm a fan!






October 2013's box is a 'Spring Race Carnival Edition'. I'm not heading to the carnival any soon but I'm very curious to see how these products can help one hitting the races.


(swatch: Le Tan Wash Off Instant Looking Tan in Bronze)

1. Le Tan Wash Off Instant Looking Tan in Bronze (40 g)
Unfortunately, I don't use any tanning products but I'll be sure to pass this on to someone who might enjoy it more than I will. Aside from that, I think this is great if you're experimenting with tanning products or just want a temporary fix!



2. INIKA Mineral Eyeshadow in Platinum 12 (Full sized 1.2 g, RRP $25)
Initially, I was quite intimidated by the nature of the eyeshadow - it's one of those loose powder ones. I've actually never used these before but I'm quite excited - it's a lovely sparkly pale silver shade that can easily be an all over body shimmer! I'm loving the fact these can be used on the most sensitive of eyes (perfect for me!); it looks absolutely stunning on the eyelids. I pulled off the seal to get a closer look at the product (that's why it's a bit messy).

3. Paula's Choice Oil Blotting Papers
There's quite a lot of sheets here. Blotting papers are always handy for me especially midday or after a stressful situation! I'm eager to use these to compare them to other brands I've used.

4. evo Ritual Salvation Care Shampoo and Conditioner (50 mL each)
How cute are these bottles! Definitely caught my eye there. I don't have coloured hair but I do have weak, brittle hair which makes these useful.

(swatch: Smitten Whipped Tinted Mousse Moisturiser in Cappuccino)

5. Smitten Whipped Tinted Mousse Moisturiser in Cappuccino
I've never heard of this brand and I'm not sure what the size of this is. It's actually labelled as a foundation and moisturiser, instead of being a 'tinted' moisturiser. The shade is a bit too dark for me so I'll be passing this on to someone else. I love the whipped mousse texture and the matte finish but unfortunately, not the fragrance - not pleasant.

6. Princess Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Mask (Full sized, RRP $25)
This is one expensive mask! Skeptical of the price, I checked this out online and it actually retails more!
Perfect mask for my mum; I'll be sure to pass this onto her as she can really benefit from the reduction of fine lines and boost of firmness and elasticity.

Overall, this box did not disappoint. I liked the contents even though I don't plan on using all of them.
You've got a bit of value, diversity and nothing was deemed 'useless'! My favourite item would have to be the INIKA eyeshadow; so gorgeous and versatile! There's also the inclusion of vouchers to use including one for the tanning spray and for a purchase on The Iconic.

So, what did you think of this month's box? Have you received yours yet?
If you haven't, you can sign up here for their monthly beauty box that retails for $19.95.
You can use the code Herdays to get $5 off your first box!

Have a beautiful day everyone!
And for those tackling assignments, exams and stress (or any hardships), wishing you the best of luck!

(This box was provided for my consideration.)

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Review: L'Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim

"Slim felt tip eyeliner, precise & intense line"


There have been increasingly more days where I'm in the mood to sport a more natural look. Why, may you ask? My friends have been telling me that I have a 'cake face' on and that has prompted me to revisit the 'barely there' look.

On the release of L'Oréal's new eyeliner - Super Liner Perfect Slim liquid eyeliner, I purchased a stick in the shade Intense Black, as it claims to produce a very thin line which is of course, great for a minimal makeup look.

I've always been a fan of L'Oréal's products, so I was expecting this eyeliner to be of high efficacy.

The eyeliner features a stiff 0.4 mm tip which produced a thin, precise, solid matte line. I love how there is a matte surface where I naturally hold the pen (gripping area) - perfect for beginners; makes it so easy to hold (you have total control)! There's certainly good pigmentation with the ink; much more pigmented than the Maybelline Master Precise liquid liner (view swatches below). Lasting power is also a positive attribute of this product. 

In my experience, I had no trouble with working with my right eye but with my left eye, I found it a bit difficult to emulate the same perfect eye. Drawing wings was much easier with this eyeliner; the thin tip can actually help create a more defined look.

(Top to bottom: Rimmel Glam' Eyes professional liquid linerMaybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner and L'Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim)

Wearing L'Oréal's eyeliner on my left eye (as viewed) Vs. no eyeliner eye (right)

Overall, I really like this eyeliner; you can achieve a subtle look and it is easily buildable to a more dramatic eye. Great for beginners, those opting for more definition in their winged eyeliner looks and those who prefer felt-tip liners.

L'Oréal's Super Liner Perfect Slim liquid eyeliner can be found at stockists of L'Oréal cosmetics such as Priceline for $24.45.

I hope you found this review helpful!
Have a beautiful day everyone!

Friday 11 October 2013

Review: Bourjois Round Pot Blush and Cream Blushes!

I swear I'm not blushing! Believe me!

Aside from my love for pretty polishes, I do admire a good blush and a good French product.
I first discovered Bourjois cosmetics last year in Priceline when I picked up a few of their round pot blushes at a sale for my mum.
I never understood why I didn't try them out earlier because I've certainly been missing out!
I'll be showcasing one powder blush and two cream blushes from Bourjois in today's post.



(Left to right: Round Pot Blush in 74 Rose Ambre, cream blush in Nude Velvet and Healthy Glow)

Wow, can you believe Bourjois's first powder blush was born in 1863?! That's quite a few years of experience we're looking at!

On the powder blush:
74 Rose Ambre is a lovely rose shade - perfect for Winter! I love how cute this product looks - the nice dome of the blush itself, the portable round packaging and the perfect sized brush (with natural bristles) that sits snuggly inside the compact. Despite how 2.5g of product sounds, I feel this blush can last me quite a long time. 
Do you ever encounter that moment when you're trying to open up a makeup product and you scratch/chip your mani in the process? Well, thanks to the very efficient magnetic closure, opening and closing the compact is a breeze.
In regards to scents, if you're a fan of rose fragrances, then you're in luck! In comparison to the cream blushes - there is a faint of fragrance but not as discernible as the one in the powder blush.

My take on the cream blushes:
To be honest, I feel that you only need to check out the info provided on the Bourjois website to get you covered on the major deets. Forgive me for regurgitating this information but I must tell you, this blush certainly "uses an innovative new cream-to-powder technology that blends onto your cheeks effortlessly for a fresh and natural complexion".

Silky smooth formula? Yes!
Natural glow? Another yes!

Another interesting fact noted; this product contains poppy and mango butter extracts to "provide a second-skin comfort feel" and "leave your skin feeling super soft" respectively. Also there's a hint of apricot extracts that claim to enhance your healthy glow. Amazingly, I found these blushes claimed to be true to their word.

Nude Velvet is a light peach whereas Healthy Glow is a coral-apricot shade with a hint of gold microshimmers (hardly noticed it!). I am simply sold on the formula; there is no chalkiness or powdery excess whatsoever!

Likewise to the powder blush, the cream blushes come in a compact with a built-in mirror and magnetic closure. However, the packaging is much sleeker.
74 Rose Ambre and Nude Velvet  are matte but Healthy Glow can be pulled off as a matte blush as well, considering how I thought it was a matte blush initially. All three blushes are super blendable and buildable - great pigmentation (contrary to swatches given).


(L-R light swatches: 74 Rose Ambre, Nude Velvet and Healthy Glow)

The blushes are much more vibrant and pigmented in real life (my camera failed to capture the shades properly).
I absolutely love the blushes; they are of high quality and I will definitely be looking into purchasing the two remaining blushes (Rose Tender and Sweet Cherry) from the cream blush collection.
I picked up my blushes from asos.com since I don't think the cream blushes are released on Aussie shores yet. You can certainly find the powder blush at Priceline for $20.

So, do you share my love for these blushes? Have you tried these blushes before? How are your experiences with Bourjois cosmetics?
Don't be shy; feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Sunday 6 October 2013

September Haul!

Sigh.
I don't know what to feel right now.
Looking at all this, doesn't make me feel any better. I don't think I have a problem but I just need to focus on other things at the moment. Do you understand me?
Yes, yes. Call me crazy. I know you told me to stop, a trillion times.
You're not the only one who tells me that.

I keep telling myself to stop spending so much and save up.
However all these constraints upon myself were to no avail; I gave in to the occasional sales.
Many times I have considered going on a spending ban/project pan/saving up scheme, because there are much bigger things in life than the frequent beauty splurges and accumulating an array of beauty items, such as saving up for a house! (I wish).

Guilty as charged, I admit.
I'll just casually show you my stash, in hope for admiration for my efforts. I'm kidding, I really do enjoy reading about other people's hauls and it's an enjoyable process, when I get to feature my own.

First up, are the nail polishes.

(Left to right: Essie Millionails Nail Care Treatment, Essie Sugar Daddy, Essie Bikini So Teeny and Essie Turquoise & Caisos)

When I heard that Essie nail polishes were hitting town soon, (and when I mean town, I mean dear sweet Priceline) I just had to pick these up regardless of the relatively-expensive-associated price-tag. Definitely the right moment to pick up some new polishes, as am I currently in need of new pastel shades for spring. I've seen these adorable bottles lying around in Myer, but being the girl who rarely shops there (I refuse to pay the RRP), never got the chance to play around with these nail lacquers until now. I got these on sale but you can pick yours up for $16.95 a bottle at Priceline.

(Left to right: Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in 100 Wool LiteSally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in 300 Peach FuzzSally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in 200 Yarned Up and Revlon 430 Whimsical)

With sales happening at the Chemist Warehouse, I snagged the Sally Hansen and Revlon polishes at half price. I love the furry nail trend and couldn't deny myself such "Fuzzy Coat" polishes. In regards to the Revlon polish, sleepandwater produced a very appealing post on the polish which prompted me to purchase the shade.

(Essence Me & My Ice Cream Shimmer Pearls in 01 I-CY U and Essence Me & My Ice Cream Cream Blush in 01 Ice Bomb)

I love new makeup releases! Essence cosmetics have released a new limited edition line - 'Me & My Ice Cream'. I got my friend to pick me up the above products for a very affordable price before any imminent tampering could be done to the products. I love these products (they're so cute) and will provide an in-depth review upon request.


I've heard a fair bit about this Detergent for Puff and Sponge on the beauty blogosphere. Kat from Kitsch Snitch has even claimed this product to be of a HG status. I picked this up from a 'dollar store', Daiso Japan (sells most items for $2.80 each) to clean my brushes with. I haven't tried this out yet but I am very disappointed to say that these bottles are only half to three quarters full.

(Essence Pretty Witty, Essence Me & My Ice Cream, Revlon Sweet Tart and Revlon Juicy Papaya)

I have never come across an Essence stand where the items have remained untouched - packaging still sealed, the absence of playful fingerprints and faulty products. Maybe the reason why I eagerly threw two Essence Stay With Me lipglosses in my basket was because I was afraid that I'll never encounter a 'brand new' Essence lipgloss before they get discontinued. I love the glosses from this range, see my review on the shade Kiss Kiss Kiss here

While I do enjoy applying the occasional lip gloss, I will always prefer tinted balms and Revlon Lip Butters over lipsticks. On news of newly released Lip Butter shades, I picked up the newly beloved shade 027 Juicy Papaya and 090 Sweet Tart (old shade) when Priceline was hosting a two for one deal.

(Left to right: Real Techniques Your Eyes/Enhanced Starter Set, Real Techniques Powder Brush and Real Techniques On Location Travel Essentials)

I'm new to the brush world and luckily I've discovered the Real Techniques (by Samantha Chapman) brushes. I loved their blush brush and the core collection so much that I order other sets of brushes from iherb.com. You can use the code PCW095 to get $5 off your first order under $40 or $10 off your first order over $40.



The last item I purchased off iherb.com is the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. I wanted a natural product that was effective in cleansing my pores and after watching reviews on YouTube, I was sold.

10 OFF your 1st purchase of $40 or more or 5$ off on orders und
(Shu Uemura eyelash curler and the Shiseido ANESSA Perfect Essence Sunscreen SPF 50+)

My last beauty purchase in the month of September was off sasa.com. There have been increasingly sunny days (with Summer looming up) in Sydney so it was justifiable to purchase a decent sunscreen.
My past experience with Shiseido sunscreens has been most pleasant so I opted for another sunscreen - this one from the ANESSA range, which I've never heard of (found here).

And finally, most of you, I'm sure, would have all encountered this eyelash curler before - the Shu Uemura eyelash curler (found here). Frankly, I purchased this simply because I was skeptical in its performance in comparison to other eyelash curlers on the market and it was really affordable on Sasa.
If you've noticed both these purchases on Sasa are Japanese - at the moment I'm in that phase where I'm interested in trying out Japanese beauty products!

Well, that concludes my haul for September. I didn't expect to purchase much since I was planning to save up. I am actually considering having a restriction applied on how much I spend; I could never go on a spending ban - there are times when I need to make a purchase and I respect and admire the efforts of those who participate in spending bans/Project Pan.

Thanks everyone for engaging in my posts.

If you would like an in-depth review on any of the items mentioned, or ask any questions concerning the haul contents - feel free to leave a comment below!

Have a beautiful day!