Her Beauty Days

I've been encountering a few of those days where my skin is best described as dull and fatigued.
Such lackluster complexion can be attributed to numerous factors such as poor diet, lack of sleep and stress. During this time, I yearn for a much brighter complexion, where my skin can easily exhibit a façade of good health.

Fortunately, the timing couldn't have been more perfect for me to use the My Beauty Diary Arbutin Whitening masks.



I believe you can purchase a single sachet or a box of 10 sachets (1 mask per sachet). I chose to purchase a box (more value for money) at sasa.com.

This Taiwanese product claims to be rich in Arbutin, an effective whitening and anti-ageing ingredient.
Arbutin "penetrates deep into the skin and effectively inhibits the formation of melanin, dark spots and freckles, leaving you a bright skin tone with high translucency. It also removes melanin deep under your skin to whiten your skin" (product information at sasa.com).

I'm really interested in the "melanin removal" claim, due to the nature of my skin which easily tans.
I'm also blessed to be the unlucky recipient of dark spots and freckles, the consequence of prolonged exposure to the sun. Considering these claims and how this product is said to be suitable for all skin types, I was quite excited to use this product.

Each sachet contains a cotton like mask saturated with 23 mL of essence. Distinctly, this mask will not cater for all faces as we all have different facial structures and features. The main problems I can observe is involved with the positioning of the eyes and the lips. The cut out feature for the lips is merely a rectangular slot. Evidently, I made slight alterations to my mask to accommodate my face.

Application time can vary but I left my mask on for 30 minutes. Upon application, I experienced a pleasant cooling sensation which is really soothing and calming after a busy day. I can still perform productive tasks with the mask on, like doing some work on my computer.

Taking the mask off, there is a lot of left over essence which you can reapply to the face or dispose of. The results of the mask is immediate; my face was profoundly bright and moisturised, which was quite overwhelming. However, apologies to burst anyone's bubbles of interest, the brightening effect is only temporary. Additionally, I did not notice any improvements in my dark spots after multiple uses.

Another disappointing attribute of this product is the sticky residue left on one's face, after the removal of the mask.

Aside from the immediate but temporary brightening effects, these mask are great for that extra boost of hydration!

I will not be repurchasing these masks but I do recommend it to those seeking a brighter complexion before a big event.

Thanks for tuning into this review post.
I hope you enjoyed it.

Whether it's the original Naked palette, Naked 2 palette or the most recent instalment, the Naked Basics palette, there's has been a bit of a commotion surrounding on the performance and usage frequency of these eyeshadows.

On having the luxury of sharing experiences with the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, my admiration for these eyeshadows have grown and I endeavoured to expand my collection with the hopes of incorporating more products from the Naked range.

Not long after, I welcomed the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette into the family.

Prior to investing in these products, I have read countless blog posts on the aforementioned products. A popular contender in the rise of neutral eyeshadow palettes, or should I say, a much more affordable brand, MUA cosmetics (Make Up Academy) has made its name in various posts associated with Urban Decay's Naked eyeshadows.

MUA has released the Undressed and the Undressed Me Too palette, being dupes for the Naked and Naked 2 palette respectively. Unfortunately, the former palettes are sold out at the moment, but I pounced on the MUA Heaven and Earth eyeshadow palette on news of free shipping (with purchases over £20) I received from hearsay.

I couldn't resist not purchasing this for such an affordable price of £4 and after reading the reviews on makeupalley!





The Heaven and Earth eyeshadow palette features 12 warm neutral shimmer shades ranging from shade-worthy champagnes to brilliant browns. This palette has got you nearly covered for neutral shimmer eyeshadows! We're just lacking a bit of a brown-black shade here.

Prepared to be overwhelmed by the numerous shades you can utilise as highlighters, crease shades and base shades! Create multifarious eye looks, from subtle schoolgirl to promiscuous princess!



For only £4, I was very surprised by the quality. Expect decent pigmentation, easily- blendable shades that have a rich, velvety texture! You can dismiss the idea of chalkiness here!

As for the packaging, it's very sleek and compact. I wasn't at all disheartened by the flimsy plastic case. It's super light weight and if you take care of it, it will stay intact for quite a while.

A dual ended applicator brush is included in the palette. This is a great alternative to brushes, plus it minimises fall out (yes, there is just a bit) during the transfer process from the eyeshadow to your eyelids.

Overall this is a great product! Paired with my Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, I've got the best of both worlds - shimmer and matte eyeshadows!

I highly recommend this palette for those starting out with makeup and wouldn't mind a shimmer eyeshadow palette. This is also great for those who don't want to fork out for the high end brands and these make great gifts for your girlfriends!

You can pick up this palette here.

So the other day, I headed over to my drugstore makeup stockists to pick up some discounted products after perusing catalogues online. It's time I infused my collection with some new assortment!
In this post, I'll be sharing with you the contents of my haul and a little review on the products, where applicable.

I bought from two sources, the Chemist Warehouse and my local Coles.
I concluded this haul with a purchase from Ebay.

The haulage:



From the Chemist Warehouse, I picked up the new fragrance from Miss Spears, Britney Spears Island Fantasy (EDT) in 100 mL for a very reasonable $24.99. I had no intention of purchasing this beforehand but after a few quick whiffs and getting the friend's approval, I added this to my basket.



This beautiful summer scent is a "fruity floral" and marks the first EDT from the brand. "A potion of succulent fruits and colourful blossoms, evoking warm sunshine, ocean breezes and glittering beaches" in a gorgeous gradient green - blue bottle encrusted with diamond - like gems.

Definitely a "mouthwatering mix of citrus cocktail, mandarin, clementine, watery melon and red fruits intertwines with refreshing floral notes of jasmine, freesia and violet. A surprising finish of soft musky undertones and sugar cane makes the tantalising aroma carefree, flirty and feminine, just like Britney". If the aforementioned description didn't perk your interest then this fragrance might not be the one for you. Similarly, if you're not a enthusiast of fruity floral fragrances (especially the fragrances associated with the Fantasy line), then the same may be applicable to you.
I do find this fragrance a bit citrus-y sweet; it doesn't suit the Winter months (obviously). However, I do love spritzing this fragrance in my room just to elevate my spirits and of course, alleviate the winter blues. The name of the fragrance is most fitting; this will be great, applied in the summer months, especially when you're prancing at the beach.



I picked up three of the Maybelline Color Show® nail lacquers for $2.99 each.
Initially there was a plethora of colours and shades present but I came in a week after the sale and I managed to pick up the colours seen in the above image: Iced Queen (deep lavender), Born With It (profoundly pale pink), and  Impeccable Greys (creamy dark grey) for the cooler months. I can't comment on the formula or the performance of the polishes, but I must pronounce that I experienced a tad of difficulty in opening the bottles due to its design. The lids are of similar measurements and design as the bottle! I am most accommodated to lids that differ to the design of the bottle - providing a "grip" enabling easy opening of the product.


The last beauty product I picked up from the Chemist Warehouse is the L'Oréal Elvive Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Serum. I couldn't resist this product, considering it was discounted at more than half priced ($5, RRP $10.99). I've finished this oil-based serum months ago and replaced with it L'Oréal's Elvive Extraordinary Oil. I prefer the fragrance in Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Serum to the Extraordinary Oil. Both work great on damp or dry hair - they both smooth the frizz (especially the ends) and inject a boost of nourishment to achieve healthy looking hair! I must comment I'm very partial to the packaging of the Extraordinary Oil, a luxurious orange-brown glass bottle with a pump! I highly recommend both of these oils if you're seeking a cheaper alternative to those relatively expensive hair oils or a conditioning treatment for that frizz!

NB: L'Oréal Elvive Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Serum contains argan oil whilst L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Oil contains six precious flower oils.

After the passing of a few days, I made my way over to Coles - my destination for the weekly groceries. Whilst shopping there I discovered (with immense jubilance) the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail glosses (two for $7 deal)! Initially, the double entendre-incorporated claim caught my attention, "Dare to go topless with our new nail polish formula that combines a base coat, high gloss colour, and a chip-resistant top coat in one simple step". Succumbing to my inner audacity, I picked up two polishes, a bit overwhelmed by the "challenge" of not using a top coat (or a base coat!).
The polishes I picked up are:

320 Midnight Magic - playful micro-glitters (blue, green, gold, purple) immersed in a beautiful charcoal base with a blue undertone. Upon application, this polish may produce a glittery or metallic effect depending on the lighting. This is definitely a favourite of mine! So far I'm loving it; you only need two generous coats for an opaque finish (I used three) to achieve the desired look. Love the pigmentation, formula and the finished look! Surprise, surprise, I did avoid getting those stained nails albeit I did not use a base coat! I highly recommend these "nail glosses"and I will be purchasing some more shades from this range in future.



295 Out of the Blue - a creamy bright blue shade! I haven't tried these on myself yet but this looks stunning on the sister's nails!

As well as shopping instore, I do shop via other methods. Some may classify me as an avid online shopper; such classification does possess verisimilitude.
One of my favourite places to shop online is the notorious Ebay!



I purchased the L'Oréal Nude Magique BB Blush (Universal Rosy Blush) for around $12 AUD from a UK seller, after trying it out in Priceline (RRP $22.95). My initial thoughts when I first encountered this product was "why is this entitled as a BB blush?" I recognise BB as an abbreviation for "blemish balm" or "beauty balm" and is mostly associated with facial day creams. I hold the presumption that most will accept the purpose of applying BB creams are for its skincare benefits and coverage of blemishes. So naturally, I was intrigued by the title of this blush!



The blush comes in a really small tube (15 mL) but a small product goes a long way! Less is more!
Be surprised as this product dispenses out as a transparent silicone-based gel (with a hint of pink) that reacts with your skin to produce a perfectly suited rosy colour! Consequently, a nice healthy flush is achieved! For those who aren't interested in being recruited to join the circus, you don't have to fret if you apply too much stuff on! I've discovered that the product applied does reaches it's pigmentation threshold and further application can diminish and tone down the colour upon your skin! Perfect!
This product lasts quite a bit on my cheeks and I will definitely repurchase once finished using it (which won't be until a very long time!). Oh, and by the way, this product is definitely guilty by association; I don't think there are any skincare benefits with product usage (it's time to give the "BB" the boot!).

And that concludes my haul!

I hope you enjoyed this post! I would love to read your comments - on your thoughts on the products I featured; have you tried any of these products before? What was your experience like?
Don't be shy!

Oh, and apologies for the inconsistency in the photos produced. I hope you didn't mind them!

Until next time, have a great day everyone!

This morning I was awoken by the delivery man - yes, my July Bellabox has arrived!
I've ascertained that these boxes were shipped on the 10th and fortunately, I've had the pleasure of receiving mine the next day. Hurrah for prompt shipping!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Bellabox - let me present to you the unboxing process:
(NB: My box did not come with the additional cardboard slip on it for some unknown reason)



Bellabox is an Australian monthly beauty box subscription (website link) allowing you to sample 5-7 deluxe beauty and lifestyle products for $15 per month. The boxes are sent to your door every month - not inclusive of any shipping fees.

After the unboxing process, I've come to admire the box which held the contents. It's really sturdy and of great quality - which is of excellent use for organising things. Another reason to subscribe - great cardboard boxes!

So, let's check out the contents shall we?


I think my box is the beach themed one.

1. LUXE City Guides (RRP $12.99)
This is a full sized bonus item - a pocket sized city companion guide to New York!
It features luxe accommodation, restaurants, shopping, activities etc. on great quality paper-based material! This is a great bonus because New York is a destination I'd love to visit one day. And of course, it suits the theme of luxe beauty travel quite nicely.

2. Baby Foot (RRP $29.95)
Another full sized product.
This 2-hour treatment "removes dead, damaged and cracked skin from your feet leaving them smooth as a baby's foot" in 3 steps. This is a one time use product which, I believe works over a period of time to give you smooth feet (soles). I don't have dry skin on my foot but I'll be sure to pass this onto someone who would benefit greatly from this product.
NB: product is made in Japan.

3. Libra Hotties Heat Patch (RRP $4.99 for pack of 2)
I actually saw this yesterday whilst I was at Coles! I've always wanted to try these; they're lightweight, inconspicuous and unlike thermal packs - there is no need to shake or rub the patch. I think this is similar to a Salonpas® Hot patch (I love Salonpas products!) - they're a great source of relief from cramps and muscular aches. These heat up to a maximum of 50 degrees celsius, providing up to 8 hours of warmth! I love how this product is easily accessible - at your local Woolworths and Coles stores. I received one patch (that's $2.50 in value) in this month's box.




4. Suigo Australia Honey Soap (RRP $3.49)
The alternative product given out was the Cancer Council SPF 30+ Sport Sunscreen 50 mL Ezi Clip (RRP $9.95). I would prefer to receive the sunscreen rather that this, since I don't use soap at all and personally, the daily application of sunscreen is imperative! Body washes and cleansing gels are my substitutes for soaps. I find that soaps are too drying on my skin - they strip the moisture out. Maybe I've been using much harsher soaps in the past?
However, I'm content to receive this full sized soap; I love natural products and this is made from honey! Which means this soap is moisturising right?! Who knows, I'm excited to try this out!


5. ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint  (RRP $24 for 10 mL)
I received a 5 mL tube ($12 in value) in the shade "Rosy Red". The colour is more of a deep pinky-red;  a bit similar to Benefit's Benetint (Rose-tinted lip and cheek stain). I can see this product being a much more affordable dupe of Benetint, albeit, I'm not a fan of ModelCo's products. I think some of their products are not of high calibre and are quite overpriced. Fortunately  after swatching this tint, I really like this shade on my cheeks; a healthy natural flush is achieved. Unfortunately, the tint did not adhere to the surface of my lips; I couldn't get any colour on my lips. After numerous attempts, the result was of unevenly berry stained lips. A word of caution though, you do have to work with this product quickly, straight after application. Oh, and be prepared for those stained fingers you'll get after application! Overall, I'm happy to receive this, I can really use this everyday for a healthy winter makeup look! Plus, considering how little product I used to achieve flushed cheeks, I think this will last me quite a while!

NB: The fragrance smells like raspberry jelly! Very nostalgic.

6. La Fresh® Eco-Beauty Instant Body Smoother (RRP $16.50 for 18 or 16 satchets/box)
I've never heard of this brand and at first I thought it was a moisturising or refreshing wipe. I love how eco-friendly this product is; I'm all for products that are natural and/or eco-friendly! According to the pack instructions, you massage this wipe onto your temples, shoulders and anywhere else where you feel fatigued or tense. This product claims to revitalize & smoothes dry, overworked skin with its peppermint moisture. I must say, an interesting product! Based on the description, I think this is perfect for those post-work moments when you need to be perked up for a social after!
NB: I received 1 100% biodegradable wet wipe.



7. Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream (RRP $34.95 for 70g)
I received 3g of this, which is the smallest skincare sample I've encountered! I prefer a much larger sample so I can really experience adequately, the effects provided by products. This glycerin based moisturiser from Japan is enriched with vitamins B2, C and E and apparently held a top sales spot in Japan. I've finally "discovered Japan's 55 year "Soft-Skin-Secret"". I'm really excited to try this product out!



8. Biorè Gentle Makeup Removing Wipe (RRP $8.99 for 25 wipes)
I would much prefer to get the alternative - Biorè Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (2 nose strips; RRP $5.99 for 6 nose strips). I've never used pore strips before and receiving those would be the perfect opportunity to try them out! Unfortunately, I have used the aforementioned wipe; I didn't like it because at the time, it wasn't gentle enough for my skin. Maybe this time round, I would have a much pleasant experience with the wipe.

This month's box encompassed quite a variety! I'm quite content with the array of products - none of them are deemed "useless"and most of them are quite new, exciting products that I have never tried before. The purpose of such beauty subscription is to sample a variety of different products and I do believe Bellabox has hit the spot in delivering this. Despite the positive points given, I'm quite dissatisfied with the sample sizes provided (referring especially to the wipes). I can easily obtain such sample sizes from other sources.

In comparison with Lust Have It (another popular Australian beauty box subscription service), my experience with Bellabox has been much more pleasant; the shipping was prompt and I'm more partial to the products I've received.

If you're interested in Bellabox, check out the link in the 3rd paragraph from the top of the page.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and I can't wait to see what others have received in their box!

Have an lovely day everyone!

So, I've been sporting boring plain-Jane nude nails for the past couple of weeks, which reflected my mood at the time (being bombarded with exams and stress).

Now that the books are closed and "school's out"! It's time for a nail makeover I'd say!
After rummaging through my fairly adequate collection of nail polishes, I encountered a beautiful emerald dream, encapsulated in a geometric NYX Advanced Salon Formula bottle.

This so called "dream" is entitled, Enchanted Forest, which I believe is most fitting for such a lovely shade!



I hope you envisioned a similar shade to what I just showed you!
Enchanted Forest is an extravagant marriage between dark green and gold glitters, bounded by a blue-green base.

The effect on my nails is breathtakingly stunning; you will need two generous coats to achieve this.
In terms wear time, I've experienced chipping on the second day due to laborious activities involving water and my hands.

A great average polish that has been part of my collection ever since the day I received my package from Cherry Culture.

I'll be looking forward to exploring more of these NYX polishes.

Before I head off, I must declare that this post isn't a NOTD post without an image of the finished look! (i.e. my nails)


I hope you all have a lovely day/afternoon/evening.

Hope to engage with you again in my next post!

Recently I did a "collaboration" with the lovely Candice from YouReview.
Thank you Candice for featuring me in your post! It was an honour being selected for it!

I highly recommend that you check out her blog; she is one of those Aussie bloggers that I've come to admire! I love reading her posts and if you're an Aussie girl like us, you can discover some exciting Australian gems that are relatively easily accessible! It's great supporting Aussie brands!

If you would love to see my contribution to her post please check out the link below:

Clickety click!

Thanks everyone.
I'll have a new post coming up shortly.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your day!

Thank you so much Xiu!