Her Beauty Days

June can be best described as a blur.
I finished my exams in the earlier half of the month and concluded it with friendly encounters and random episodes of work.

Unfortunately, due to the stress of my exams I did break out and additionally, my skin became irritated. I made a few purchases here and there and used quite some products in an attempt to control the crazy state my skin was in.

Behold, June 2014 empties!


1. Palmolive Body Butter Heavenly Vanilla Moisturising Body Wash (400 mL)
I love basically anything that is vanilla scented or infused! This was a lovely treat to use and I would probably repurchase later on in future, as I like to experiment with various body washes. Great for those winter nights!

2. Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Daily Wash Cleanser (150 mL)
I had my first encounter with Clearasil back in the teenage years to control my combination skin. This cleanser is gentle albeit it does contain salicylic acid. It's a great every day cleanser to use but I wouldn't rely on this to help clear my problematic skin. I would probably repurchase it for general everyday use.


3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (15 mL sample)
I finished this up in last month's empties (here) and overall it was a great moisturiser for dry skin types. However, I wouldn't purchase it as there are cheaper alternatives that do a similar job.

4. Clinique All About Eyes Eye Serum (7 mL sample)
This product aims to reduce dark circles & puffy under eye areas, which sounds like the perfect eye cream for me! I really liked how refreshing and cooling this product was. I do believe that this serum works well and I would probably purchase this in future.

5. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP Body Balm (15 mL sample)
I received this in one of the beauty subscription boxes. It's a "lipid-replenishing body balm" designed for dry or irritated (itchy) skin. Aforementioned earlier, I did suffer from irritated skin due to the immense anxiety I had from exams. This product was a lifesaver and helped nourish my skin whilst I was recovering. I definitely recommend this product!

6. Pure Fuji Hydrating Body Lotion (coconut infusion) (15 mL sample)
This smelt really delicious but it wasn't as hydrating as I wanted it to be.

7. Rimmel Glam' Eyes Professional Liquid Liner in #001 Black Glamour (3.5 mL)
One of my HG liquid liners. I love how I can create a really thin yet pigmented line and it really lasts quite a while! I will definitely repurchase this in future. I actually use a couple of liquid liners on rotation.

8. No Brand Nail File
Wow, I've had this for quite a long time! This initially smelt of oranges and was really enjoyable to use. Over time, the nail file has worn out so it's time to bid farewell!

And that concludes June 2014 empties!

The haul contents were purchased at Priceline and Target.

Priceline

I have no reason to be here other than I wanted to check out some new beauty products (not a good idea!). I ended leaving the store with the following:

Beauty Essentials Nail Polish Remover (conditioning)
I think these were on sale; you can't go wrong with stocking up on nail polish!

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Natural
I definitely do not need any more blushes in my collection, but naturally, I was drawn by those cute love hearts and pink packaging! Super happy that I purchased this for more than half price. I've tried it out and I love how I don't even need a mirror to apply this on - you can't go wrong with this shade!

Essence Metal Glam Eyeshadow in 03 frosted apple
I just love the colour of this shadow. A bit out of my comfort zone but I'm quite interested in experimenting with shades other than neutrals.

Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 02 irresistible purr-ple
Again, something out of my comfort zone. When I saw this in person, I was just overwhelmed how gorgeous it looked! The name of the shade is quite fitting, I couldn't resist to not purchase it!

Essence Kajal Eye Pencils in 08 Teddy and 23 Love Me Lavender
At under $2 a pop in an array of gorgeous shades, I couldn't pass up.


Target

I needed to pick up an under eye concealer that suited my skin tone and has a bit more coverage (didn't conflict with the rules of the ban I think...). I settled on Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles Eraser in Medium earlier and found out that it was on sale at Target yay! Unfortunately or fortunately, Chi Chi was also on sale; I've always been curious in their eyeshadow palettes (reminiscent of the Urban Decay Naked palettes) so I decided to pick up their Bases palette because the shades look simply lovely, plus it's something I'll get a lot of use out of. "Ok, time to remove myself from the beauty section", I thought after picking up what I wanted. But sadly, you know how the rest of the story unfolds and my eyes quickly spotted the Chi Chi Social Butterfly Gift Set on special for under $5?! Let me repeat myself, "for under $5!". I loved the idea of a phone case inspired eyeshadow palette and the included phone cases, sporting the Chi Chi brand. Even though I'm not a fan of the iPhone 5 case with the colourful zebra print, the price I paid for the eye palette was a pretty good deal! Additionally, I can use the iPhone 4 case - what a cute nail polish pattern! Don't you agree this set is quite similar to Too Faced's Jingle All the Way Makeup Palette?!

For myself, Christmas involves celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

"Slim felt tip eyeliner, precise & intense line"

Not too long ago, Priceline had a half price sale on Maybelline cosmetics.

Cheeky sales looming your way? You'll take the opportunity, I'd say!
(Well that's what I did).

In this post, I'll be imparting with you some Rimmel London lip and eye products from my recent haul.


First up we have the lovely lipsticks, the Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss lippies in the shades, #111 Kiss of Life, #106 and #101. I fell in love with the sassy red packaging, and being fond of matte formulas when it comes to lipsticks, I had to pick these up.


#111 Kiss of Life is a beautiful, bright classic red that compliments most skin tones. This is my favourite shade out of the bunch; perfect for those special occasions like on a dinner date for example.

#106 is a brilliant deep pink. I call this shade the more flirtatious and younger sister of #111 Kiss of Life. Appropriate for most occasions and a great bold alternative to the classic red.

#101 is a cool tone pale mauve-pink that looks beautiful swatched but once applied on my pigmented lips, makes me look a bit washed out. But with the addition of colour to my face, I think I can pull this off. My sister and friend think otherwise. This shade has the most drying formulas out of the trio; the product settles into the fines, distastefully emphasising them. I suggest exfoliating the lips and applying a moisturising lip balm or plumping product prior to application.

The formulae of these matte lipsticks can be a bit drying but it is also dependent on the shade of the lipstick. Great pigmentation and if you're a fan of fruity, artificial melon scents, then this one's for you.
On the downside, this product is definitely not "kiss-proof"; if you're planning to get frisky with a boy, I suggest using another lip product, as this lipstick transfers very easily.


Ah, the highly spoken, Apocalips Lip Lacquers. I picked up the shade #500 Luna on asos after observing its absence in Australian stores. This is a beautiful peachy coral colour leaning more towards the orange side. Initially, I was very excited to try this product out after reading numerous posts raving on what a great pigmented lip gloss this was. Well, based on my own experiences, this has got to be possibly the worst lip gloss I've tried. The colour is highly pigmented swatched on my arm but once applied on the lips, oh my... The finish is non uniform in appearance. This lip product is excellent in accentuating my lips in the most unsightly manner; it clings onto dry patches (I didn't know I had), did not adhere to my lips properly and sinks into lip lines. Adding to much product on made my lips look like I had a viscous peach coloured slime slapped on - very unflattering and tacky, and of course sticky.
This product is the first product I've tried to appreciate; I've given up and I think the formula is a huge failure. Likewise to the Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss lipsticks, you can expect the same melon scent in this product.

Today marks the first day of July and what better way to kick-start a new month than with a previous month "empties" blog post?!

I'll be showcasing to you today, the products I have used and finished off in June!

This is my first empties post, and let me tell you, it does feel a bit odd collecting all the empty bottles and packets, when my natural instinct is to dispose of them.

Last month, I did use quite a fair amount of products, but I haven't managed to finished them. It actually takes me quite a while to finish products; I use my products sparingly... Just enough to do its job!

Well, let me present to you the final contestants of June Empties 2013 (before they meet their fate...nestled nicely in my bin!).


TRESemmé Moisture Rich Conditioner (900 mL)
A great affordable Australian made conditioner that leaves my hair soft and nourished. Considering the size, it lasts quite a long time. I love the fragrance in it too! Will definitely repurchase.

Redwin Vitamin E with Evening Primrose Oil Hand Cream
Your average hand cream which works fine for me. Moisturises and softens my hands but after a while, I find myself reapplying this on (may be due to a variety of factors). It's fast absorbing and non greasy on the hands. The formula is just right - not too thick or watery. Great price tag and Australian made - I might repurchase if I'm in need of new hand cream.

Derma Intensive+ 3 in 1 Fragrance Free Facial Wipes
I got this at Coles for under $2. Doesn't irritate/sting my face unlike those Swisspers Green Tea Wipes I just bought but the wipes aren't as soft. Made in Turkey and gets the job done. I use these when I'm really lazy to wash my face or when I want to freshen up. Will repurchase due to its affordability.


Rimmel (London) Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint (700 Nothing But Nude)
This is one of those "texta" pens that you use to colour your lips with. It also comes with a colourless balm on the end but it broke off after a few applications. On being those lip products with a marker/texta, it is very drying on the lips. The balm wasn't of assistance; it was hard and didn't moisturise the lips.
The colour doesn't last long and after a few applications the colour stops coming out and you have to rub the pen's tip on a surface to induce colour to come through. Unfortunately, I find this product to be on par with those crappy "made in China" whiteboard markers.
On a positive note, I really love the shade - it compliments my skin tone quite well! It is definitely not a nude colour, albeit the shade name states so. I won't be repurchasing this but I would love to find a lip product with a similar shade to this!

NB: Product made in Germany.



Barry M Intense Black Eyeliner Pen
It claims to be a "waterproof, smudgeproof, super long wear eyeliner in a retractable pen". Sometimes I do feel this product is waterproof and smudgeproof, but I did participate in some intense swimming once and re-emerged out of the water with panda eyes! Nevertheless, I do use this product on a daily basis and will forever repurchase (from ASOS). This glides on smoothly plus, pigmentation is great and I love how it's a twist up!

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
I have never encountered a hand cream like this one before. I received this sample tube amongst other samples through Neutrogena's promotion on Facebook. The texture is thick and  balm-like - reminds me of Vaseline. Upon application, my hands feel a bit greasy - it doesn't sink into the skin as well as more watery hand creams. But, you only need a small amount to moisturise the hands - it will last you quite a while! Great for extremely dry hands - in Winter, after washing your hands etc. I also think this is great for the undersides of your foot! Who says hand creams are restricted only for hands?! I will probably purchase this only for usage in Winter.

Colgate Plax Fresh Tea Mouthwash
I received a lot of these cute bottles at the Good Food and Wine Show a few days ago. Each sample was 20 mL (one usage per bottle) which is a great size if you want to pop one into your handbag for a mouthwash quickie during the day (I doubt anyone does that?).
I'm a fan of the bright green coloured solution and the taste of what seems like sweetened jasmine tea. Having been raised in a traditional Asian family has made me appreciate a multitude of teas, so you can deduce that I really adore this mouthwash! This mouthwash is alcohol free so it's perfect for those who are interested/love using mouthwashes but want to avoid that nasty sting! I will definitely go out and purchase a large bottle of this!

Botáni Boost Balancing Moisturiser
I received this 3 mL sample from Priceline last year and I absolutely love it!
It's an Australian made and owned product, which is eco and vegan friendly. Packed with natural goodness (plant extracts) this has got to be one of the best facial moisturisers I've used. It sinks into my skin quite easily and does not clog my pores. Do expect that BOOST of hydration upon application! I highly recommend if you have combination or blemish prone skin, check this out!

Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Daily Wash
Growing up using Clearasil for my pimple infested face, I was reminded of the oh-so-familiar scent when I first used this sample. This beautiful pastel green coloured cleanser cleansed my skin well and didn't leave it feeling "tight" or dry. I like how there are avocado and pomegranate extracts within this - appealing to me as I love using products with natural components. This cleanser can double up as a mask or cleanser. Overall, a great everyday wash for your face! I will definitely keep this in mind when I plan to buy my next cleanser in future.

And there you have it. This month's (this year's) empties!

I hope you enjoyed the post and feel free to link your empties for June 2013. I'd love to have a read of what you currently used up!

So I recently subscribed to Lust Have It! (an Australian beauty box subscription), after eyeing a few reviews on my favourite beauty blogs.

The whole concept of a beauty box subscription, really excites me! You don't know exactly what day your box will turn up at your front door (you can predict the day) and you don't know what's gems are hidden behind all that cardboard packaging. I love surprises!

Here's my first impression and thoughts on this month's box. I was really impressed with the box that encompassed the products. This month's colour is a beautiful dusty pinkish nude with a floral pattern. There is also a magnetic closure flap to seal the box. Perfect storage for the little things! It stands upright as well - I can easily pop this on my shelf with all my books. You can never have too many boxes!

Let's check out the box shall we?

Upon opening...


I have recently viewed a blogger's review on this month's box; I was hoping I'll get a different box though. Looks like I got a similar one! I was initially a bit disappointed by the products, but after playing around with them, I've started to appreciate them!

Here's the card that came in with the goodies:


This month's theme is associated with the 'Great Gatsby'. I don't find that the products I received really complimented the theme that much.


The goodies I got:


1. Rachel K - Mineral Colour Control CC Cream
Just 4 sample sachets. I've seen swatches of these and they look like they suit those with yellow skin tones. Similar to a BB cream, just with colour control (hence CC cream). The fact that these are made in Korea, convinces me that they're going to be decent products. I've read a lot of positive reviews on Korean BB creams!


2. Batiste - Dry Shampoo Cherry
I have a few Batiste dry shampoos lying around; I usually get these free from beauty events. But I'm fine with this one. It has a nice cherry scent that's not too overpowering. My old shampoo cans are running out so this one will be the perfect substitute! But keep in mind though, I don't use dry shampoos too often.



3. Pure Fiji - Hydrating Body Lotion (Ocean Mist)
I was disappointed by the size of the this sample. Would really appreciate a bigger sized sample!
Upon reading the "info card" provided, I was expecting a fresh oceanic scent from the lotion...however the contrasting smell of the lotion was quite pleasant! The lotion is enveloped in a beautiful veil of vanilla and coconut! I will definitely use this! I'll be popping this into my handbag later when my other lotion samples run out.
NB: product made in Fiji.

Positioned next to the Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Lotion...

4. Savi Organic Soothing Cream
This is a small sample in a really cute bottle! It claims to have all these skin care properties and has a very natural herbal smell. This will be perfect for those nasty flare ups. It's also Australian Certified Organic! Anything promoted to be "organic" gets my tick of approval!

5. Real Purity - Natural Lipstick (in Romantic Red)
This appears to be a reddish pink lipstick sample in one of those plastic containers you'd expect children's watercolour paints to be enclosed in. Similarly the brush, resembles those brushes found in those cheap paint kits - what I used in my early childhood days to play with! This "lip brush" is from Crown Brush. The company (on the card provided) is exhibited to be "the leading industry resource for cosmetic and skincare brushes". Albeit, the bristles on the brush is really soft, I find this brush to be useless with the application of the lipstick sample. The lipstick sample looks quite nice on my lips. I just  apply it with my fingers and I'm done! Great buildable colour for more intense - richly saturated lips. This lipstick claims to make your lips appear fuller and more plump and yes, I do believe my lips looked a bit plump! But this could be attributed to a variety of different factors unrelated to the the formula of the lipstick. A great idea is to pop this into your bag in the case of an "emergency"! Great to use for a pop colour on your lips and for a healthy flush on your cheeks!


6. Klara - H2O Proof Eyeliner
Just your average black eyeliner pencil that claims to be waterproof with long lasting vibrant colour. There's a sponge tip at the end for smudging purposes. It was difficult to produce solid lines, plus, the colour wasn't intensely black, like how I would like it to be. I don't think I'll be using this, so I'll hand this over to my sis who's a fan of pencil liners. Also, in regards to the price tag, I don't think this product is worth $18.

Last but not least,


7. OPI - Pure Lacquer Nail Apps
To be honest, I've never tried these nail apps before, so I was quite excited upon receiving this. I love the brand OPI. Personally, they are the best when it comes to the longevity and application performance of nail polishes. And talk about the multitude of colours and textures they have!
I don't mind the cocktail pattern against the silver base; this is the only product that I think compliments the "Great Gatsby" theme well, but I don't find this appropriate for an everyday look (for me, personally). On a brighter note, my sister will be ecstatic to receive this!
I can't believe these retail for for $19.99.

With this month's box, I'm not that thrilled with the contents. I received 2 full sized items and 5 samples.
However, I am appreciative of the products received. I can find a good use for them all (worst case scenario would be receiving tanning lotion!).

If you're interested in subscribing to Lust Have It!, check out the link.
The cost for the subscription service is $19.95 for each month but you can get $5 off your first box with my exclusive code, "Herdays".

I'll be subscribing to Bellabox next, so I'll share my experience with you on that box soon.
This box retails for $15 for each month.
Both boxes don't charge extra for shipping, so that's a bonus!