Review: Jurlique Purely Age Defying Eye Cream

You might be wondering what I am doing wearing an "age defying" eye cream, being a little 20 something (who scored 99% on wrinkles, more on that later...). It is because I have fine lines, and skin that needs a little love and care, with some serious antioxidants.

The Jurlique Age Defying Range is an absolutely gorgeous set of products. The range is designed to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, as well as brighten the skin and hydrate. All things that my skin is needing (particularly after consultation with a beauty therapist, but again, more on that later...), plus a lot of the general population, if I believe what I have heard from said very experienced beauty therapist.

The Jurlique Purely Age Defying Eye Cream is a triple threat to the eye area, because as well as promising to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, it also helps to diminish under eye circles and puffiness, AND support collagen production. In my experience using the cream, it does do all of these things. I find this cream to be luxurious without sitting on the skin and creating a barrier. I have also found that my fine line development has been maintained ie. they are not getting worse, even though it has been a summer of sun damage, I think they might even look marginally better.

The wonder ingredients that make this cream the winner that it is? According to Jurlique:


"Blue Algae increases skin firmness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Arnica and Eyebright works together to re-energise the undereye, reducing puffiness and dark circles.
Vitamin C helps protect and support firmness under the eye, while improving skin clarity."
This eye cream is an absolute stellar eye cream. The only problem I have with it is the price - sadly a uni student cannot afford a $58.00 AUD price tag. I will however have to stretch this eye cream to the absolute limits and keep it as long as possible, failing that, it is being added to the birthday list. I am in love.

This product was provided for consideration from Jurlique, in accordance with the Disclosure Policy. I was not obligated to write about this product, and all opinion is 100% honest, even though it does sound a little like an infomercial. I genuinely love this product, I swear.

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Australia Day Face of the Day

Or, "How your eyes can get lost with no makeup on". Basically, my Australia Day makeup was super simple, as I planned to be in the pool all day. Therefore, eye makeup was contraindicated, because I am yet to find a "waterproof" mascara which can last through more than a little rain. My makeup also consisted of a lot of Australian brands (which I didn't notice, @Haute_Style did). A very happy accident!

FOTD consisted of:

Foundation: Invisible Zinc Silk Shield SPF 30+ - for the coverage, SPF, and the waterproof abilities.

Concealer: Face of Australia concealer in Neutral (surprisingly lasted all day. Even after being dunked in the pool, pimples were still cleverly hidden. Success).

Under eye concealer: Essence Stay Natural concealer

Translucent Powder: Australis Ready Set Go Translucent Powder

Bronzer/Blush: Napoleon Perdis Contour Palette

Highlight: Benefit Girl Meets Pearl.

During the day I also wore my Face of Australia Lip Quench in Pink Champagne, but it is not pictured, because at the time of photographing I was wearing Chanel Chintz.

Isn't it odd looking at your eyes when you are used to at least wearing mascara? It almost feels like I have no eyelashes! 

Finally, an outfit photo. My outfit was a little obsolete, because as soon as getting to my friends BBQ it was togs on and in the pool, but this is what I wore anyway:

Dress from Dissh, Belt from Forever New.

I hope you all had a fantastic Australia Day, what did you all get up to? Did you make it a long weekend? I didn't, it was straight back to prac!

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Review: Napoleon Perdis Whole Lotta Lash Mascara

I am a bit of a mascara whore. I like to try as many as possible and I am rarely loyal to one type. The one that is currently rocking my world: Napoleon Perdis Whole Lotta Lash. I have tried Napoleon mascara's before and loved them, this one is no exception.

This mascara gives you lovely long, volumised lashes. They are absolutely gorgeous. Plus, the rubber brush helps to define and seperate those babies, for a very lovely affect with no clumps. Whole Lotta Lash however will not last through crying, and if you get caught in the rain at Big Day Out it will smudge a little bit. Similar to most non-waterproof mascara's really.

Gorgeous right? Love!

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Review: Essence Gel Eyeliner in Midnight in Paris

Essence - an amazing European brand which manages to churn out high quality products at a cheap (very cheap, oh so cheap) price. I am a little bit in love, currently owning 2 lipsticks, a concealer and this lovely gel eyeliner.

Oh this magical eyeliner. I am so impressed, I may have to renounce my love for Rimmel Professional liquid eyeliner (well, almost).  It is soft, it has an amazing consistency which is definitely a gel, not a hard waxy problem like some I have tried, and it is waterproof. I don't think it is that waterproof, as it started to smudge in the rain at Big Day Out, but it managed to last through a 12 hour day, only smudging towards the end.

Also, it is SO BLACK. So insanely black. So AMAZINGLY black.

Plus, it cost me $5.95 full price. Essence is constantly on sale at Target (Australian Stockist) as well, so you can get it for even cheaper. Which just blows my mind, considering the Australian prices of most products generally! 

I couldn't resist giving it a go before taking photos, so sorry for the brush marks in the pot! I did try to take photos before I messed it up too much though, I wouldn't want you all thinking I was unprofessional!




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Big Day Out FOTD and OOTD

Ahhhh Big Day Out Gold Coast - you were amazing. Great bands, great atmosphere, it rained so it wasn't too hot. I have lots of love for you! My favourite act was definitely Foster the People, followed by Calling all Cars, Faker, Stonefields, the Amity Affliction - the list goes on.

Foundation: MAC Pro longwear in NC15
Under eye concealer: Essence Stay Natural Concealer
Transulcent Powder: Australis Ready Set Go Powder
MAC Bronzer in Golden
MAC Blush in Pinch o' Peach
Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Punchy Taupe (as a wash of colour all over the eyelid)
Napoleon Perdis Loose Dust #37 (Old packaging - its a goldy colour) - used as a hit of sparkle on the outer V of the eye
Essence waterproof gel eyeliner - black
Napoleon Perdis "Whole Lotta Lash" Mascara
Benefit Brow's A Go-Go
and finally...
Face of Australia Lip Quench in Pink Champagne.

My makeup put up a supermely good fight through an incredibly hot day followed by rain, I was hugely impressed. My mascara started to leave black smudges under my eyes, but I don't blame it, really.

Finally, a pic of what I was wearing at Big Day Out:

Happy Tuesday Everyone!! xxxx

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First Impressions: Taut Gold Standard Collagen Infusion Mask

As I write this, I have a cloth "Jason" mask on, soaked in product. Why? Basically, I went on the hunt for a hydration mask, and I had none (all my lovely masks are aimed at drawing out impurities! Oil relieving! Pimple murdering!) Well, none, except this sample of Taut Gold Standard Collagen Infusion Mask, which promises to hydrate, firm, and brighten. It better, because my skin is one pile of disgusting right now.

I have been using my Clarisonic religiously since after my Christmas Camping holiday, and there is an awful lot of impurties to pull out it seems. I cannot wait for the purging period to be over! Anyway, in an attempt to calm my skin - please calm down, my pretty - I plan to hydrate the heck out of it while the purging happens, as my skin is chronically dry and I need it to heal faster. Hence, the scrabbling around my beauty cabinet, hunting for a hydration mask. I really need to get some more hydration me thinks.

Sorry about the photos with lots of flash - they are still reasonably readable.

After taking the mask off (10 minutes later) you are supposed to rub any left over liquid into your skin, and moisturize as normal. I didn't have much liquid left to rub in, but I did as I was told.

My first impressions? This feels nice, its really cooling - helpful in Brisbane on these crazy hot nights. I didn't notice instant amazing skin, but my skin was slightly more plumped, which is always something. In the morning my skin felt soft and smooth. All in all I was pretty happy, I will know in a day or two if this helps to heal blemishes faster, through a supercharged moisture injection!

In a day or two: 

My skin felt more hydrated the next morning, however two days later and my skin is dry and flakie once again. After a discussion with a twitter friend (Sabine from Echolife) I think I may have pinpointed the dryness to the cleanser which came with my Clarisonic. Back to the mask though - I liked it, it made my skin feel lovely for a day, but when you are harshly stripping your skin without your knowledge it doesn't last long!

This was provided in my ABBW Goody Bag. I am not obligated to write about it, I did because I wanted to, and all opinions are 100% my own. RRP currently $26.97 (was $44.95) for 5 sachets.
Available from http://www.taut.com.au/

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Review and Swatches: Face of Australia Lipstick in Pink Champagne

Remember yesterday how I said that I had picked my Big Day Out pedicure? The most important part of my outfit is going to be my makeup. Now, in a thousand degrees (like the last one I attended) or rain (like predicted) there is no point trying hard to get piercing intricate eyes, as lovely as they might look in photos. Basically, powder will be your new best friend, and lipstick will add some party to your face.

My lipstick of choice? Face of Australia Pink Champagne. Mostly, because it is SPF 30+. Lychee Crush and Silver Rose are a little too plain for what I want at BDO, and Forbidden Fruit (which I desperately wanted to wear) I think might be a little annoying with touch ups. Forbidden Fruit is more of a Laneway Festival lipstick. Plus, barbie pink and bronzer is pretty much the order of the day at BDO.

Who knew I had gathered such a collection of Face of Australia Lip Quench lipsticks?

Like all of the other Lip Quench Lipsticks, Pink Champagne is incredibly moisturizing and creamy on your lips. It will not last through eating, but will generally last about 2 hours without fading. I find Forbidden Fruit lasts the longest, probably up to 3 hours, however the lighter colours seem to disappear a little quicker on me, not sure why.

There is a little story attached to this lippie that I also feel that I better share, just to show how popular these lippies are, plus how awesome friends are. Over the last few weeks, I have been looking everywhere for Pink Champagne, and it has been SOLD OUT. So has Lychee Crush (there is a bit of a blogger buzz about this one at the moment) and Malibu Barbie (a gorgeous blue based pink, also on my wishlist). One of my beautiful twitter friends (@rosemaryslade - go follow her) found 3, one for herself, me and another twitter friend @emmabovaryblog (also go follow her) and promptly mailed one to me all the way from Sydney. I love my friends!

 Is it not gorgeous? When I was swatching it I thought it looked a little like Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Pink Blush. When compared, the colour is quite similar (a blue based pink) however Rimmel is more opaque and the formula is a little more waxy, whereas FOA Pink Champagne is more creamier and a little sheerer (is that a word? A little more sheer is probably better haha).

I would love to know in the comments if you have any of these lipsticks, Lychee Crush has been causing a huge buzz!

xxx

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Review and Swatches: Australis Nail Polish in Sweetpea

I have decided what my Big Day Out pedicure is going to be. I understand that this is probably not going to be a big deal, because honestly who is really going to look at my feet, but still. It makes me happy. I think I have also worked out what lipstick I am going to wear, but that is another post, another swatch. I have no idea what I am going to WEAR, but clothes are not what is important here, right?

Australis Sweetpea is a gorgeous minty green, a little paler than a coveted Tiffany's box. It is gorgeous. The laquer required two thicker coats (or three thinner coats) to become opaque, but once there, this baby is gorgeous. It makes me smile to see it on my toes. It was also a relatively easy laquer to work with, no mess, no fuss. I only wish it was big three free.

Now, I understand some of you hate feet, but I have a pic of my feet - it is a pedicure after all. Enjoy!

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The $100 FOTD Challenge

Lilit first posted this on her amazing blog Makeup and Macaroons, and I thought I would give it a go using makeup already in my collection. It was pretty difficult, and as I write this I think I actually may have gone over my $100 - although I usually buy everything in Priceline sales... Let's see how it all tallies up, shall we?

 In the end, my look was a very soft, nude, glowy look. I have not included my moisturizer or sunscreen, because that would have just blown the price right out. I also ended up using the Australis Cheek Creme on my lips as well, as I didn't think I had enough 'money' left for one of my normal bright lipsticks.

Tallying up the cost of my FOTD (at RRP AUD value):

Invisible Zinc Silk Shield Foundation in Light: $42.0

Face of Australia Concealer in Neutral: $9.45

Essence Stay Natural Concealer: $3.95 (a word about Essence: one of the only overseas brands who do not hike their prices up when their products land in Australia. Plus, there stuff is really good for being so cheap!! I have a couple of their lipsticks as well, and they are amazing!)

Australis Creme Colour Blush in Flirtatious Pink: $9.45 (also patted onto my lips) I love how soft this is, look how subtle the colour is.

Australis Ready Set Go Translucent Powder: $12.95

Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Punchy Taupe: $10.50

Maybelline New York Colossal Mascara: $19.25

Models Prefer Retractable Eyebrow Pencil: $13.95 (BD didn't have the price of this, but I am sure that was the price when I purchased it at priceline)

Grand Total: $121.50 

I failed! Oooooops! I thought I had when I was doing a mental tally, but my eyebrows needed to be drawn back in, and that was my cheapest foundation. Plus, I usually buy things in sales (that mascara did only cost me $10...) still I failed. That shows you how hard it is to create a cheap face. Imagine something intricate, with lots of eyeshadows! Budget blown right out.

In comparison, this is what  I usually put on my face, makeup wise:

Foundation:
Invisible Zinc Silk Shield ($42)
or MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC15 ($54)
or Clinique SuperBalanced in Alabaster ($50)

Concealer:
Face of Australia Concealer in Neutral: $9.45 (to cover pimples)
 Essence Stay Natural Concealer: $3.95 (under eyes)

Powder: Australis Ready Set Go Translucent Powder: $12.95

Blush: MAC Pinch o' Peach Powder Blush $40

Bronzer: MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden $39

Highlighter: Benefit Girl Meets Pearl: $53

Eyebrows:
Benefit Brows a Go Go $68
or Models Prefer Retractable Eyebrow Pencil: $13.95

Eyeshadow: Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Punchy Taupe: $10.50

Liquid Eyeliner: Rimmel Professional Liquid Eyeliner $13.95

Mascara: Maybelline New York Colossal Mascara: $19.25

The day is not complete without lipstick, but this differs every day from my MAC or Chanel Lippies (MAC lipstick is $36 in Australia, I purchase my Chanel off Strawberry net for about the same price) to my beloved Face of Australia Lychee Crush, all the way down to my Essence lipsticks (3.95). For the purpose of this tally I have left off a lipstick price, because it is so variable.

Grand Total: $324.05 without lipstick! 

I wish Australian prices were cheaper!

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DIY Lipstick Storage Box

I have been on the hunt for some lipstick storage for awhile, however my problem with all of them is that they are too small for my stupidly large collection. Failing all internet searches I decided to get creative, and I found a pretty box and some cardboard, and made my own!

To make: I chose some coloured cardboard which complemented the colour of my box (kmart only had the primary colours, so red it was). Then, spend some time measuring your lipsticks, the box and the cardboard. I made each "lipstick holder" 3 x3 centimetres, therefore depending on the dimensions of the box you will need to sit down and work out how many pieces of cardboard that you need.

Cut all of your pieces so they fit in the box, then cut slits at each 3cm mark so that the cardboard will slot together neatly. Insert into the box and you are done. Be wary though, even though it may take 2 seconds to read through the instructions, this took me 2 hours. it is fiddly and sometimes annoying. Attempt on a lazy sunday with trash tv on.

Mine look a little messy and dodgy, but it does the job so I am not too worried!!

Ahhh, look how many spaces I have left to fill up... huzzah!!

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Review: Lacura Renovage Intensive Serum

A little while a go I was sent some products from Beauty Directory to try - the Lacura Range, which is available at Aldi. I have to admit that I liked the range as a moisturizing range (with good reason, the range has won a lot of awards and contains natural based ingredients), although nothing really jumped out at me as being amazing, until I tried the Lacura Renovage Intensive Serum. The serum is more of a light cream; most serums are oil based, however this one is a definite lotion. I ended up using this serum as my decolletage moisturizer, as it is light, soaks in easily and did a wonderful job of moisturizing my skin (waking up in the morning my decolletage would be so smooth).  The only reason I wasn't using it on my face was the smell - it has a very strong soapy/shampoo scent, which takes a long time to dissipate.

For a supermarket brand these products are great, they are great moisturizers and get the job done. If you were going to try the brand and only wanted one product however, my money is on the serum.

The consistency of the serum - most definitely more a lotion me thinks!

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Ciccone Voluptas and Oceanus Lipstick Reviews and Swatches

Ciccone is an Australian brand who make amazing lipsticks. The two that I have tried have been extremely creamy, long lasting and INSANELY pigmented. In fact those were my first impressions. I applied these two lipsticks and all that ran through my mind was "wow, these feel amazing" followed by "wow, these are PIGMENTED!". One swipe of each and there is a happy colour party on your lips.

The lipsticks need reapplication after eating (but so do all lipsticks, pretty much), but other than that you can get about 3 to 4 hours of beautiful colour before fading.

Now for the swatches.

Oceanus

Voluptas

Oceanus - with flash

Oceanus - no flash, natural light

Voluptas - with flash

Voluptas - no flash, natural light

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Review: Endota Spa Organic Lavender and Alpine Pepper Hand Cream

I have already briefly mentioned this hand cream a little while ago, but my love affair with it continues. It smells absolutely divine, if you are ever floating around David Jone's go in and have a sniff, it will blow your socks off. Plus, this baby is incredibly moisturizing and soaks in extremely easily, which are my two main criteria for a fabulous hand cream.

Endota Says: "lush lavender is a natural skincare ingredient renowned for its healing and meditative powers. fragrant and absorbent, lavender helps to generate new skin, while healing and reducing the appearance of blemishes. organic australian alpine pepper improves circulation. licorice naturally helps to lighten, brighten and even skin tone.Hands love endota's heavenly, certified organic finger food. this deeply moisturising hand lotion nourishes cracked skin, and evens out skin tone for soft, younger-looking hands."

For stockists, pop onto the Endota Spa website, or pop into David Jones Beauty.

 This product was sponsored in the PRIMPED.com.au lookbook gift bags, I am under no obligation to write about it, I am writing because I love it! 




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