Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Swatch and Mini Review: Chanel Graphite Le Vernis Nail Colour

Bronze-y Gold-y Green-y sometimes even purple-y, Chanel Graphite is beautiful. Two coats to an opaque shimmer, this nail polish is a dream to apply, even though it is packed full of glitter. The perfect special occasion or New Years colour, or a wonderful colour that could be applied over black nail polish for a very dramatic dark shimmer. I am not even one for nail polish on my fingers, but Chanel Graphite is so gorgeous it made an exception to the rule.




I won this nail polish as a prize, I am not obligated to write about it, I am because it is super pretty!

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Review: Comvita Gentle Smoothing Cleanser

Looking for one of the most gentle cleansers in the world? Look no further. 

Comvita is an Australian brand that focuses on Manuka Honey to help heal, hydrate and comfort the skin. The Comvita Gentle Smoothing Cleanser is amazing for those of us with very dry, sensitive skin which may or may not therefore become an acne minefield *my hand is up*. The Manuka honey helps to neutralise the bacteria in blemishes as well as hydrate your skin like no other. This cleanser is so gentle that I was able to use it on my Clarisonic without a worry about it drying my skin out too much.

Gentle Smoothing Cleanser became my morning cleanser as well as my Clarisonic cleanser, and I used it all up at the very start of February, without ever having written a review. I then replaced it with my current skincare routine, as I couldn't be bothered heading to DJ's. Luckily after a month current skincare routine is working wonders. I tend to forget reviews on a lot of very important products - for example my Akin Rose Hip Oil and Australis Ready Set Go powder - products which I use religiously yet have never written a full review on. Who knows why, apparently if a product gains HG status it doesn't get a look in. Sorry HG products.

Back on topic however,  the only negative that I have with this cleanser is that it will not remove makeup on it's own. When combined with a Clarisonic or a face washer it is a wizz kid, but by itself it sits up the back of the class and forgets to pay attention, leaving you with a face full of half removed makeup.

Other than that, I love this product. You will see it in my empties post this week, and I will definitely be repurchasing it to swap around with my Mario Badescu Keratoplast Soap. My silly sensitive skin adores it, which is difficult to find!



Comvita Gentle Smoothing Cleanser RRP $45.0 AUD. Available from Comvita and David Jones. This product was provided in a gift bag I received for a non-PR related event. I have no obligation to review this product, and all opinions are my own, as per the disclosure policy.

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Monday, February 27, 2012

Weekend Shopping FOTD



My saturday was spent picking out a friends birthday present, followed by an afternoon of reading The Younger Guy by Zoe Foster. It was pure bliss, but it called for a lighter lipstick and makeup look than I might normally go for.

Foundation: Clinique Superbalanced - a HG foundation that I have somehow never written a post on, obviously because I am a little stupid...

Concealer: the usual, Face of Australia Concealer stick for Blemishes, and Essence Stay Natural for under eyes

Powder: Australis Ready Set Go Translucent Powder

Blush and Bronzer - Napoleon Perdis Contour Palette - post on this coming up soon, it is pretty wicked!

Highlighter: NARS Orgasm Highlighter applied with a foundation blush to the tops of my cheekbones

Eyeliner: Essence Gel Eyeliner in Midnight in Paris - so black, oh so black!

Mascara: Rimmel ScandalEyes Mascara

Brows: Maybelline Define a Brow in Dark Blonde. My brows are growing out, thank goodness for that! There is much less drawing in happening now.

Lipstick: Ciccone Lipstick in Oceanus. So pretty, so soft, and such a perfect coral to match with a bright orange skirt, without being too matchy matchy. It is divine.

Plus, the outfit (oh how I wish I belonged in the 1950's/60's, but I had the Internet with me): 



Top by Sportsgirl, Skirt by Dotti.
What did you get up to this weekend? I hope you all had a wonderful time!

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Friday, February 24, 2012

Making Me Happy... (over the last two weeks)

Still loving my camera...
...and taking pictures of random stuff with it. A wedding getaway combi van? Awesome!

Beach side chilling...

...after attempting to surf... and failing...

Delicious meals at Byron Bay...

And again...
Sunsets...


and beaches...

The valentines day card from my boyfriend <3

...Plus the stupid shit he thinks is hilarious.



and getting away to places out west, where this Kingaroy girl feels like she is more at home.


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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Review: Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner

I have never been a fan of eyeliner pens. Yes they are easy to use - it is just like drawing with a crayon back in primary school - but seriously, they dry out really quickly, they are never as dark and glossy as gel or "pot" liquid counterparts, and they never last as long. Which are all the same problems that I have found with this eyeliner. Although I know a shiteload of people love them, so this is just how it works for me.

It is very easy to use. Draw it on, easy peasy, and you are left with a lovely thin, neat line. I am a fan of thin eyeliner which you can draw over to be thicker if needed, so this is a massive plus. Sadly, that is where this eyeliner and I end our friendship. The black is no where near as opaque as I like with my eyeliner, nor is it as glossy. I also found that while this eyeliner was as smudge proof as can be on the dry skin on my hands, it began to smudge after about 4 hours on the oily skin on my eyelids. Not ideal during a working day.

I believe that this would work better for those just getting used to applying liquid eyeliner (before graduating to a gel eyeliner, or a "pot" eyeliner), and for those who have dryer skin on their eyelids. If you fit into either of those catergories, maybe give it a go. Sadly, this eyeliner will not replace my beloved Rimmel Professional Glam Eyes Liquid Eyeliner, but if I am going for a softer look witha  less dramatic line, this might be the one that I turn to.



This eyeliner was won as a prize. I am in no way obligated to review this product.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Work FOTD + what I think is a wicked sweet tip!



Foundation: Clinique Superbalanced in Alabaster

Concealer: Face of Australia Concealer in Neutral (for blemishes), Essence Stay Natural Concealer (for under eyes)

Blush: Australis Creme Blush in Flirtatious Pink - blended using my fingers onto the apples of my cheeks. This is an absolutely gorgeous colour, and it applies like a dream. I love it!

Powder: Australis Ready Set Go Translucent Powder - applied with a large fluffy brush

Bronzer: MAC Bronzer in Golden - applied in a 3 shape across my face (along the hair line, under the cheek bones and under the jaw line)

Highlighter: Benefit Girl Meets Pearl - my current favourite tip - apply using a foundation brush! Makes it easy, oh so easy, to blend. Hurrah for simple concepts which work. Apply along the tops of your cheeks bones and the tops of your eyebrows in a boomerang shape.

Eyeshadow: Rimmel Mono Eyeshadow in Punchy Taupe

Eyeliner: Rimmel Professional Glam Eyes Liquid Eyeliner in Black - still my absolute favourite, that is how awesome it is.

Eyebrows: Maybelline Define A Brow in Dark Blonde - very lightly "scuffed" over my eyebrows to draw them back in (although they are growing fatter, just not longer. Sad panda).

Mascara: Rimmel ScandalEyes Mascara* 

Lipstick (not pictured): Chanel Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle or Chanel Rouge Coco in Chintz. When taking these photos it was Mademoiselle, which came out a little brown in the photos. Dab lightly with this if you are as pale as I am, it needs a light touch to bring out the rose.

*Provided for review purposes by Primped.com.au, in accordance with my disclosure policy.


So there you go. This is basically my work makeup rut at the moment, which I am sure will change as other items get pushed into my makeup routine. I find that I get into a bit of a rut, the main change I make is the colour of my lipstick!

How outrageous do you wear your makeup to work? Do you find youself in a makeup rut too?

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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Review: Rimmel ScandalEyes Mascara

"This Rimmel revolution has 3x the collagen* for plumper, sculpted lashes, 3x the keratin* for strong and healthy lashes..." Sure, that may be, but Rimmel also states that this mascara is designed to give you lashes where "volume will scream". Well, not really, but I guess for a drugstore mascara it tries it's hardest.



Rimmel Scandaleyes claim to fame is the ENORMOUS brush, which is designed to get every single lash, and help volumize those little suckers til you have lashes where the volume "screams".  This is a great idea, except the brush is SO huge that, if you are anything like me, you will poke yourself in the eye a few times by accident. I was reading through some reviews and I am not the only one who has found this, the majority of people took a few days to get used to it. The large brush also means that it is really difficult to get right to the base of the lash without poking yourself in the eye. Sad.

The rest of the formulation however is fine. It gives my lashes nice length and definition. I really have no idea how to tell if my lashes are strong and healthy, they look the same as they always have but I have only been using this mascara for a week or so, so I can't comment, although I will keep you posted. I don't find that my lashes are as volumised as they are with the likes of Benefit They're Real or Napoleon Perdis Whole Lotta Lash, but it is in line with Maybelline Colossal, which is a favourite mascara of mine.

The formula washes off easily with warm water in the shower, which I prefer than stuffing around with makeup remover. It is reasonably long lasting, however be prepared for OCD brow bone rubbing if you have small eyes and long lashes like myself.



So all in all a pretty decent drugstore mascara, once you get used to the HUGE brush.

I recieved this mascara for review purposes from PRIMPED.com.au. This has in no way affected my review, as per the disclosure policy. 



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Monday, February 20, 2012

Outfit of the Day - weekend adventuring!




 



This week my boyfriend has been on night shift, and we got one day together. To make the most of the day we went up to Mt Tamborine, had iced chocolates (just in the nick of time before closing) and snuggled in the back of the rape van whilst watching an absolutely glorious sunset.

I adore my midi skirt, I have worn it for you all before, it is one of my favourite items of clothing. I am also in love with my lace bolero, it is amazing.

What did you get up to this weekend, I would love to hear your stories!



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Friday, February 17, 2012

Perving: my current skincare routine

Things are starting to get under control with my skin at the moment, after my cry for help to my beloved twitter tweeps. I know that as soon as I say that things are going to go hay wire, but let's see how well it lasts. Please note: click on any of the links below for full reviews of the products if you are interested as you read through.

Morning:

Oh morning, you are so difficult with your 5am starts. To begin with, I wash my face in the shower with my beloved Skin Juice Pulp Cleanser. It contains Lactic Acid to help clear up congestion, but it doesn't dry my skin out.

I then stumble out of the shower, apply my Akin Rosehip oil, followed by my Invisible Zinc ESP moisturizer (which is almost empty, so is being swapped in for a newbie to me - Cosmedics Mineral Pro Triple Defense Protection Sunscreen* - let's see how it goes). Make up follows, however I wish to play with my face that day, it could be anything!



Evening:

In the evening I have usually washed my face before gym, so this might be modified somewhat, but I will give you the generalisation. I roughly remove makeup using my Face of Australia Makeup Remover Wipes, then I give my face a wack with the Clarisonic with my Mario Badescu Keratoplast Soap (a cleanser which is supposed to be supremely gentle for sensitive skin). My clarisonic purging is now starting to die down, and I am in love with the buzzy machine. I use it at night to ensure I remove every milligram of makeup, and to help my serums soak in better.

I have also been exfoliating occasionally using Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. After visiting the Harbour Day Spa I was told to use this every night to remove the dead skin cells from my poor suffering dry skin, however I have found that it is drying my skin out more. I have reverted it back to once every second to third day, which is faring much better! 

Once out of the shower I apply my favourite eye cream of the moment - Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Eye Cream*. My serum is then applied and allowed to soak in for a moment, I was using Be in Awe Lightening Serum which did wonders with my Clarisonic purge pigmentation, however it ran out. So, as my skin is still really dry, my serum of choice at the moment is Jurlique Age-Defying Facial Serum*, which is doing wonders to rejuvenate my tired, dry skin. My night time moisturizer has just changed, I was using my Skin Juice Drench Oil, however it ran out a few nights ago, so I cracked open a new addition, EchoLife Jojoba Oil*. A few nights in and I can give you my first impressions - I am impressed. This Jojoba Oil is quite light, it soaks into my skin after about ten minutes and doesn't leave an oil film, as I have experienced with the one other Jojoba Oil I have tried. It was so greasy that I used it up on my decolletage and legs to finish the bottle off. I don't believe that will be occurring with this EchoLife Jojoba Oil however, I have a feeling this is precious stuff!



So there you have it. What I am applying to my face every day. I am trying to keep it as simple as possible, because my poor sensitive skin is still going a little crazy. I will get there one day!

What is your current skin care routine?

*This product was provided for PR Consideration. This has in no way influenced my review, as per my disclosure policy. 

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Beach Beauty Essentials (Plus some photos from our Byron Trip!)

Since meeting my lovely Tim I have become a bit of a beach baby. That is what happens when you date a surfer. So I feel that I have become fully qualified to write this post, and I hope it can be of some use, Australia is the land of the beaches after all!


1. Sunscreen: This is pretty obvious, but I thought I would give you my pick for my favourite sunscreen - Neutrogena Ultimate Sport. Four hours water resistant, smells nice, DRY TO TOUCH. Oh yes, no greasy evil feeling here, only nice soft skin which barely feels like it has sunscreen on at all.

I also wear a moisturizer with SPF 30+ on my face (currently Invisible Zinc ESP) always. Beach days require an extra layer for me (I quite literally burn in 5 mins without sunscreen) so on top of this I use my beloved Invisible Zinc Silk Shield Foundation. SPF30+ plus reasonably water resistant, it helps you to keep a cute face the whole time you are at the beach.


2. Lip balm with sunscreen: People often forget their lips, ears and feet when applying sunscreen, but you do not want skin cancers cut off your lips when you get older, I cannot think of anything more terrifying! Your lips are so important for aesthetics and function (eating, anyone?). My lip balm of choice at the moment? Yes to Carrots Pomegranate Conditioning Lip Butter. SPF 15+ can be bettered however, so I have been applying my beloved Face of Australia Lip Quenches on top, picking and choosing between Lychee Crush and Pink Champagne. God I love those babies. Lychee Crush was my choice on the weekend, but pink champagne was my choice for Big Day Out. Choices, Choices. Basically, pick a sunscreen based lip product and wear it, or I will chase you down with my Lip Quench lipsticks!



3. Heat protectant spray for hair: This might sound a little silly, because it is highly unlikely you are going to bust out a straightener and go for your life at the beach. I have found that heat protectant spray is fantastic for protecting your hair and providing some much needed moisture as it gets fried in the sun, but it is also great for spraying in your hair when you get out the ocean to help untangle those beachy tresses. What a helpful little multitasker.
My pick? Dove Damage Therapy Heat Defense Protect and Shine Mist. It works wonderfully and it is cheap as chips (AUD RRP $8.41). 


My beach beauty arsenal

Now, on to some holiday happy schnaps!




Doing everything I had mentioned above post swim (hence wet hair, all combed through with heat protectant)


Ahhh holidays - take me back!

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Half Way Point: #FebPhotoADay Challenge

I thought I would do an inventory of my Feb Photo A Day so far, to look back on the memories and have something concrete to look back on. I had to play catch up a little, I am such a slacker! 

Day One: Your View Today

The view from my back balcony door.


Day Two: Words

Studying for prac. So many words.


Day Three: hands



Day Four: A stranger

Strangers at Brisbane Race Day


Day Five: 10am

I missed 10am because I was at work. Had to run out the back and sneak a photo!


Day Six: Dinner

$2 Sushi day!


Day Seven: Button

the button on my prac shirt, which is my life atm


Day Eight: Sun
The sun setting through the trees


Day Nine: Front Door


Day Ten: Self Portrait

ready for another day at prac


Day Eleven: makes you happy

My Tim.

Day Twelve: inside your closet

A strange mess of pretty dresses, festival clothes and gumboots, and 3 shelves of beauty products!


Day Thirteen: blue

Tin's el cheapo blue sunnies we bought at Byron - please take me back to my holiday. Instead, I am back at prac. Sad Panda.


Day Fourteen: heart

My valentines day card from Timmy


Day Fifteen: Phone

Stupid HTC which doesn't have instagram!!



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