Thursday 31 January 2013

January Lust Have It!



Yesterday my January Lust Have It arrived, and I was pretty excited for this month! I noticed on their Facebook page, they posted a spoiler for a full sized product they were planning on including! It was blurred, but for any beauty buff it was pretty obvious to see what it was...

Although after this month's hugely disappointing Bellabox (read here) I was a bit hesitant. Lust Have It hasn't always impressed me in the past, so honestly I wasn't expecting a whole lot.


Also can I just talk about this gorgeous box for a minute? I absolutely love the design of this box, as it is a flip top with a magnet to keep the lid closed! It's not as sturdy as a box you would actually buy, but if it comes undone, a little glue will keep it in place! The look of it is just adorable, and I'm so pleased they went with this look! The neon bags were gorgeous too, and I'm really loving Lust Have It's creativity!



The contents of this month's box.

Is it just me or has Lust Have It really stepped up?



Nude by Nature BB 5-in-1 Miracle Cream in Light

This was the product they were flaunting to be part of this month's box. I was excited, but sceptical at the same time. In this month's Bellabox, I received a Natio BB cream sample, but in medium. Like every single other subscriber. I was concerned that this might happen again. But, much to my delight, I received light! Thank you, Lust Have It! Whether it was because you actually read my beauty profile or merely luck of the draw, you've made me happy this month around! This being a full sized product is also especially excellent!
 



Face of Australia Bronzing Loose Powder

I'm not much of a bronzer myself, but I do occasionally use it for contouring, so I'm pleased to receive this! This is also a full sized product, which is really impressive! This will definitely come in use!



Amuse Nail Lacquer in Lucious Pink

Before you say anything, yes, that's how the name is spelt! I'm actually happy to get this, although in all honesty I think I would have preferred the neon yellow! I have enough pinks (what am I saying - you can never have enough pinks!) and a yellow would have been more than welcome in my collection! Either way, this is a full sized product and nail polish is never turned down in this house!



Lust Have It Kabuki Brush

Much like nail polish, make-up brushes are never turned down! This is also something that is versatile, so anybody will be able to use this one! I love that this goes with the bronzing powder, it's great they gave something that can work with other products they include!

GKMBJ Lactic Hydrating Shampoo & Fortifying Honey Creme

Firstly, I'm happy that these are not in sachets! They are very generous sample sizes as well, so I'll get a few uses out of these! They also smell fairly nice! I can't wait to give these a go.

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Overall, I'm very happy with this month's box. Lust Have It seemed to really have stepped up their game, and their new packaging is beautiful! I'm very pleased with everything in the box.

Have you received this month's Lust Have It yet? If so, what did you think? Were you as pleased with this month as I was? 
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Wednesday 30 January 2013

Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops


If you follow me via Instagram (follow me here!) then you'll know I was testing the Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops out a few days ago.

I have recently been looking around for something that could compare to the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. Seche Vite isn't readily available in Australia, so getting my hands on it proves to be a lengthy and costly experience that I'm looking to avoid!

My sister noticed the Essence Express Dry Drops and quickly snatched it up. At under $5.00, I figured I'd have nothing to lose and gave this a try too.


The instructions aren't extremely clear when it comes to this product. It only says to apply 1-2 drops onto your freshly painted nails. Previous "fast dry" polishes that I've used have been very specific with time-frames. For example the Seche Vite says to apply immediately after painting your nails, whereas the Sally Hansen says to wait 30 seconds. Needless to say, without clear instructions, I was at a little bit of a loss!

I applied it directly after painting my nails, and had no problems!


The Express Dry Drops come in this super handy dripper, which makes applying it (especially with wet nails) a breeze! I used just one drop on each of my nails, and two on my thumbnail just to play it safe.

In less than 30 seconds, my nails were 100% dry. I used two light coats of polish, then the Dry Drops, and had perfectly dry nails practically instantly. I did find with more than two coats of polish, it did take a little longer to get completely dry nails, but the time frame was still significantly less than air drying!

My real concern with this product was chipping. I tried this with a top coat straight away after, but this resulted in the products reacting with each other and I ended up with some strange discolouration on my nails, which resulted in me having to redo my manicure! So, I braved it without a top coat, thinking in my head that I'm sure my nails would be chipped within the hour. 

Day three and we're on minimal chipping - even after scrubbing my shower! That is very impressive, and in some cases even better than other top coats I have specifically designed to minimise chipping!

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Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with these drops! The quality is just amazing, and I'm really impressed with the outcome. 

I would absolutely buy this again and again, and although I love Seche Vite, I'm going to have to say goodbye!

Have you tried the Essence Express Dry Drops before? If so, what did you think?

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Monday 28 January 2013

Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil



A little while before my spending ban began, I picked up the Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil. This is basically a double ended pencil which is both a brow shaper and a brow highlighter. Judging by my FOTD photos, I don't do my eyebrows. I cannot be  bothered, mostly for the fact that I have bangs. Recently I have started wearing my fringe back on occasions, which leaves my brows bare to the world. Bare, and ugly. 




The Chi Chi Eye Brow Lift Pencil is really easy. I love that it's a pencil and not a little kit that you have to work out with brushes and all that. I'm not opposed to that at all, but to someone who doesn't care about their eyebrows that much, I just needs something quickly, and this certainly does the job!





The pencil is perfect for traveling, and it even includes the instructions on the pencil itself, for silly forgetful people like me! One of the best parts of this pencil is that it is suitable for all skin tones. I expected the Brow Shaper end to be ridiculously dark, but I was happily mistaken!




Swatchola!

As you can see, the Brow Shaper end is very light, and not at all too dark for me. It creates the perfect effect on my brows, and allows me to fill them in with such ease - and with no fear of overdoing it and making me look like a villain! It's so easy to use with such a light touch, so mistakes are easily fixed.

The Brow Highlighter is actually very pigmented, as you can probably see, but very blendable. I love that this works on my skin wonderfully, and really makes my eyebrows look more arched and complete.



Before. 

 
My natural eyebrows. They certainly aren't the stuff of the make-up Goddesses I follow, bu they aren't all bad either. I love the natural look to be honest, but I feel it could look better! I can see a lot of fly-away hairs and it looks a bit messy.


After.

As you can see, it looks a lot neater and my arch looks a little bit higher thanks to the magic of highlighters. (It's not completely blended in, as I just did my eyebrows for the sake of this review, I do a better job when I'm leaving my house - I promise!) Without losing the natural look, my eyebrows look fuller and cleaner, and the fly-away hairs don't look so bad anymore. As you can see the Brow Shaper is very subtle and not at all too dark.



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Overall, I'm very pleased with the Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil! Retailing at about $14.95, this is a bargain I couldn't pass up! It's the perfect stepping stone into learning how to take care of your eyebrows, and give you a polished and sophisticated look.

I'd definitely buy this again, and I would recommend it to anybody looking for an easy option for their eyebrows!


Have you used the Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil before? If so, what did you think?
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Friday 25 January 2013

Urban Decay Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil




I was absolutely thrilled when I received the Urban Decay Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil from the lovely Ishah in our Christmas Blog Swap! (See the whole post here!)

Urban Decay is not at all readily available in Australia, so this was exciting for me! I've heard wonderful things about the 24/7 range, especially the eye pencils, so this was perfect for me!



The Double-Ended Glide On Pencil brings two shades to one pencil Zero and Whiskey, which means it is perfect for travelling! 



The double ended pencil in all it's glory!

See how convenient that looks? I love the idea of having two pencils in one, because it means I have to pack less in my travel bag or if I'm taking make-up to work with me. More choice taking up less space is definitely on my travel check list!



Zero

Zero is a deep black. It is ridiculously pigmented and looks absolutely amazing on both your lid and your waterline! The product is so creamy that it goes on like a cream eye-liner, which does mean it is easy to blend, but at the same time will stay put if you choose not to blend!



Whiskey

Whiskey is a rich brown, and is also fairly pigmented, although I wouldn't say it looks as rich on my eyes as Zero does. Whiskey is a really flattering colour, however, it looks really lovely on my eyes, again both on my upper lid or my waterline. 


Swatchola!

See how rich these babies are! Both colours are universally flattering, and can be worn on any occasion! 



After a minute, I smudged the two and this was my result. As you can see they have pretty good staying power, as I smudged pretty hard! 



Zero

As you can see, Zero looks great on my eye! The product was so creamy that it didn't tug at my lid at all, and it was extremely easy to apply! Even in the extremely hot days we had here in Melbourne just now, the product didn't melt or was too soft when applied, which is definitely a plus for me.

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So overall, I really like this product. I did find that it did fade and melt a little bit on my eyes by the end of the day, but in saying that, we did have a 40 degree day (or something like that, at least!), and I think even the best of eye liners would have done that!

I've been wearing this today, in normal weather, and have had no problems whatsoever with the staying power! The colour has remained rich all day long, and stayed strong.

I have a feeling that I'll be using up Zero first, as I'm a sucker for black liner, but in saying that I will certainly not be ignoring Whiskey any time soon! I'm hoping this will be the first of many gorgeous Urban Decay liners I will own in my lifetime!

Have you tried the Urban Decay Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil before? If so, what did you think?


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Wednesday 23 January 2013

Allegra Rhodes Red Lychee Hand Wash



When it comes to hand washes, I'm a very fussy lady! I absolutely hate the hand washes in public bathrooms, and ladies might look at me disgusted when I don't use it, as I prefer to use my own miniature Dettol that I carry around. See how fussy I am?

When in my own home though, I do prefer to use hand wash! When I received the Allegra Rhodes Red Lychee Hand Wash to review, I was a little bit sceptical at first, seeing as how fussy I can be.



The description certainly sounds promising! Red Lychee infused with white chocolate, now that's very different to the usual pink, scentless goo you get in public bathrooms!

It goes without saying that this also smells ridiculously amazing, but hey, with those scents, how could it not? 




This hand wash comes in a 350ml pump bottle, which is really generous for a hand wash! The design of the bottle is also really chic looking, and it looks gorgeous on my bathroom counter! 



When it comes to the actual hand wash itself, what did I think?

I love it! I was so cautious when using it, thinking that it may dry out my hands or leave a horrible residue behind, but it worked wonders! My hands felt lovely and smooth, not to mention clean, and had a delightful scent mixed in also! (Unlike some hand washes, that can smell slightly chemical!)

One small pump is just enough to get a good lather going on, and enough to really clean your hands thoroughly, so there will be no chance in seeing this bottle in my empties any time in the near future!

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Overall, I'm really pleased with this hand wash. It's soft on your hands yet doesn't dry them out whatsoever, and smells beautiful.

The Allegra Rhodes Red Lychee Hand Wash costs $29.95 - which may sound a bit steep, but judging by the amount you get, this is a great price! You can buy this product here.

Make sure you check out the Allegra Rhodes website to check out their other goodies, and have a read of my review on the beautiful Sweet Apple and Grapefruit Body Lotion from the same range!

Allegra Rhodes products are made and owned in Australia, and they are also cruelty free!


Have you tried anything from Allegra Rhodes before? If so, what are your thoughts?

This product was kindly provided for my consideration.
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Christmas Blog Swap Goodies



If you remember back at the end of October in 2012, I organised an International Christmas Blog Swap! I was paired with the very gorgeous Ishah from the United States! (Check out her blog here)

We had a little bit of a time delay (which is why I only got my swap goodies by the end of January) because Ishah had a baby! Congratulations lovely! I don't mind waiting at all - especially when I saw what she included!



Wet n' Wild Color Icon Collection in Petal Pusher

Oh my dear, I almost screamed when I saw she included a Wet n' Wild palette! The colours are absolutely stunning, and I will get so much wear out of these!




Wet n' Wild Color Icon Collection in Comfort Zone

Oh dear, another one! I can't believe my eyes! I especially love natural colours, so I will get so much use out of this palette as well! I've heard amazing things, and I can't believe I now own 2 beautiful palettes!



Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio in I'm Getting Sunburnt

Somebody pinch me, please! Yet another palette, and I adore the colours! I have a feeling this baby will be my absolutely favourite! I'm so pleased!



Toki Doki Cromatico Eyeshadow in Skeletrina

Oh how cute! I love Toki Doki in general, and this is just too adorable! The colour is absolutely stunning, and I can't wait to wear it!




Urban Decay 24/7 Double Ended Glide-On Eye Pencil

Oh yay, Urban Decay! I'm so excited to try this, and I love that it has two colours! What a fantastic idea!




ELF Blush in Candid Coral

I'm happy to receive this, I have another ELF blush already which I am in love with, and I've had my eye on Candid Coral for a little while now! This is the perfect colour for me, so I'll enjoy trying this out!





OCC Lip Tar

I'm not sure which shade this is, as I haven't opened the package yet! But I can't wait to try this out! These babies have definitely been on my wishlist for a little while, so I can see myself falling in love! The colour is a stunner!






Coffret D'Or Lipstick Samples

Whoa, what a fantastic sample! I love the way this has been done, why oh why can't the Western world give out samples like this! This is fantastic! I can't wait to test them all out, but I'm a bit scared I'll fall in love and won't be able to find them again!



Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara sample

Yet another amazing sample! I love Benefit and have tried one of their other mascara samples, so I have high hopes for this one too!





Sephora Primer sample & Burt's Bees Day Lotion sample

Love that she included some samples for me too, especially a Sephora sample!





Hershey's Kisses

Yum! We can buy these here but they can be hard to find sometimes, so it was a sweet gesture for her to include them, especially in Christmas colours!





And of course she sent me a gorgeous card and her business card, which is adorable, might I add! Mine look so boring compared to hers!


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Wow, I'm thrilled with everything! She definitely spoilt me, and I hope she loved everything I got her too!

I'll try to write up some reviews of these gorgeous products, but don't expect miracles, I'll probably be too busy enjoying them!


So again, a giant thank you to the lovely Ishah for giving me so many gorgeous products, and thank you for swapping with me!


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Thursday 17 January 2013

January Bellabox



After the hype of Christmas and New Years, and the "fun" of my new spending ban, I'd completely forgotten about my subscription boxes coming in the post! I was delighted to wake up and find this month's Bellabox waiting for me!

I had no idea what was in this month's box, so I was very exciting, as for once it was a complete surprise!


The contents of this month's box. Hmm.



Natio BB Cream in Medium

Okay, so firstly, I'm disappointed. I'm not at all a medium, I'm fair skinned. Even fair would probably be too dark, like most other BB creams, so this is a real disappointment and will go to complete waste. Bellabox asks for your beauty profile when you sign up, and I said fair skin. Not medium. Highly disappointed, Bellabox



For Walls Wall Decal sample

Well this is cute, but I have no idea why this was included as it isn't on the information card. I'm not sure what I'll do with this, but, I'm sure I'll find something!


Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel in Hot Stuff

This is a really pretty colour, and I'm pretty pleased with this! I haven't tried Mode nail polishes before, so it will be good to give this a go. So I'm happy with this, at least.



Face of Australia Purifying Cleansing Wipes

I'm unhappy about getting these, as I got this in the November Lust Have It. (which you can see here) I know that they are different boxes, but they really should pay attention to what the other boxes are offering. This isn't the first time it has happened, and I know I'm not the only Bellabox subscriber that also subscribes to Lust Have It, so it's fairly disappointing.
In saying that though, at least it's a full sized product that will get used, as they are lovely cleansing wipes.


Swisse Body Wash

My boyfriend received this in his Summer Bellobox (you can read about it here), so getting another sample is a little bit disappointing. His Bellobox is under my name, so surely they can see that they have really just sent me two of the same thing, two months in a row? 


You, Me & Everybody Cool It Aloe Vera Gel

This is probably the only product I was truly happy to receive. I've fallen in love with the brand You, Me & Everybody, and this is absolutely perfect for summer! I'll definitely get use out of this!

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So, overall I'm pretty unhappy with this month's box. It seemed a bit lazy to me, and it's really disappointing to get double up of products. I'm interested to see what other boxes people have received, as I'm sure I have, yet again, been the recipient of the "bad" box. This one has definitely caused me to reconsider my subscription with them.

If you've received the Bellabox, let me know in the comments and feel free to leave your post link so we can all read what you got in your box!

What did you think of this month's box? Were you as disappointed as I was?



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Monday 14 January 2013

Allegra Rhodes Sweet Apple & Grapefruit Body Lotion



I love body lotions. I can't get enough of them! I've made my way through about every readily available moisturiser you can name, so I'm pretty obsessed.

I was recently given the opportunity to try a body lotion from Allegra Rhodes! I've never heard of their brand before, but upon some research  I decided I definitely wanted to give this one a go! 

Not only are Allgera Rhodes products made/owned in Australia, but they are also cruelty free! So, they've ticked my first two big boxes. Let's see how the actual product itself was?



Sweet Apple & Grapefruit

Hmm now that's different! Allegra Rhodes boasts the scent to be "delightfully reviving," and it was just that! The scent is really light, and the sweet apple is definitely the dominant smell. It's a lot sweeter than I'm used to, although in saying that it is not a candy sickly sweet, but a lovely crisp apple sweet! I feel like I could take a bite out of my arm after using it! 



The body lotion comes in a pump bottle (perfect!) instead of a squeeze tube, and makes it a lot easier to use! It also looks a lot nicer and more professional sitting on my bathroom sink!

I adore the packaging. I'm not sure if you can see due to the photos, but the black label has an intricate design similar to that on the box. The packaging looks very neat and tidy, and very expensive! 



The quality of the body lotion itself is excellent! It sunk straight into my skin and left no greasy residue whatsoever. It's very moisturising, but to the point where your skin will feel "normal" instead of having too much moisture, or too less.

The scent does linger, which is something I find delightfully pleasant, seeing as though the scent is so refreshing and unique! If it had been a sickly candy sweet, I might not have enjoyed the fact that the scent lingers, but in this case I'm very happy that it does!

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Overall, I am in love with this body lotion! It truly is a luxurious addition to my skincare, and I really do enjoy using it - and smelling it! I have had a few compliments about the scent (as it's so predominant I don't need to wear perfume!) and had a few comment on how unique it smells!

The Allegra Rhodes Body Lotion will set you back $32.95 for a 250ml pump bottle, which you can buy here.
Make sure you check out the website (here) for many more gorgeous products, as well as this one!

Have you tried anything from Allegra Rhodes before? If so, what did you think?

This product was kindly provided for my consideration.
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Thursday 31 January 2013

January Lust Have It!



Yesterday my January Lust Have It arrived, and I was pretty excited for this month! I noticed on their Facebook page, they posted a spoiler for a full sized product they were planning on including! It was blurred, but for any beauty buff it was pretty obvious to see what it was...

Although after this month's hugely disappointing Bellabox (read here) I was a bit hesitant. Lust Have It hasn't always impressed me in the past, so honestly I wasn't expecting a whole lot.


Also can I just talk about this gorgeous box for a minute? I absolutely love the design of this box, as it is a flip top with a magnet to keep the lid closed! It's not as sturdy as a box you would actually buy, but if it comes undone, a little glue will keep it in place! The look of it is just adorable, and I'm so pleased they went with this look! The neon bags were gorgeous too, and I'm really loving Lust Have It's creativity!



The contents of this month's box.

Is it just me or has Lust Have It really stepped up?



Nude by Nature BB 5-in-1 Miracle Cream in Light

This was the product they were flaunting to be part of this month's box. I was excited, but sceptical at the same time. In this month's Bellabox, I received a Natio BB cream sample, but in medium. Like every single other subscriber. I was concerned that this might happen again. But, much to my delight, I received light! Thank you, Lust Have It! Whether it was because you actually read my beauty profile or merely luck of the draw, you've made me happy this month around! This being a full sized product is also especially excellent!
 



Face of Australia Bronzing Loose Powder

I'm not much of a bronzer myself, but I do occasionally use it for contouring, so I'm pleased to receive this! This is also a full sized product, which is really impressive! This will definitely come in use!



Amuse Nail Lacquer in Lucious Pink

Before you say anything, yes, that's how the name is spelt! I'm actually happy to get this, although in all honesty I think I would have preferred the neon yellow! I have enough pinks (what am I saying - you can never have enough pinks!) and a yellow would have been more than welcome in my collection! Either way, this is a full sized product and nail polish is never turned down in this house!



Lust Have It Kabuki Brush

Much like nail polish, make-up brushes are never turned down! This is also something that is versatile, so anybody will be able to use this one! I love that this goes with the bronzing powder, it's great they gave something that can work with other products they include!

GKMBJ Lactic Hydrating Shampoo & Fortifying Honey Creme

Firstly, I'm happy that these are not in sachets! They are very generous sample sizes as well, so I'll get a few uses out of these! They also smell fairly nice! I can't wait to give these a go.

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Overall, I'm very happy with this month's box. Lust Have It seemed to really have stepped up their game, and their new packaging is beautiful! I'm very pleased with everything in the box.

Have you received this month's Lust Have It yet? If so, what did you think? Were you as pleased with this month as I was? 

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops


If you follow me via Instagram (follow me here!) then you'll know I was testing the Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops out a few days ago.

I have recently been looking around for something that could compare to the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. Seche Vite isn't readily available in Australia, so getting my hands on it proves to be a lengthy and costly experience that I'm looking to avoid!

My sister noticed the Essence Express Dry Drops and quickly snatched it up. At under $5.00, I figured I'd have nothing to lose and gave this a try too.


The instructions aren't extremely clear when it comes to this product. It only says to apply 1-2 drops onto your freshly painted nails. Previous "fast dry" polishes that I've used have been very specific with time-frames. For example the Seche Vite says to apply immediately after painting your nails, whereas the Sally Hansen says to wait 30 seconds. Needless to say, without clear instructions, I was at a little bit of a loss!

I applied it directly after painting my nails, and had no problems!


The Express Dry Drops come in this super handy dripper, which makes applying it (especially with wet nails) a breeze! I used just one drop on each of my nails, and two on my thumbnail just to play it safe.

In less than 30 seconds, my nails were 100% dry. I used two light coats of polish, then the Dry Drops, and had perfectly dry nails practically instantly. I did find with more than two coats of polish, it did take a little longer to get completely dry nails, but the time frame was still significantly less than air drying!

My real concern with this product was chipping. I tried this with a top coat straight away after, but this resulted in the products reacting with each other and I ended up with some strange discolouration on my nails, which resulted in me having to redo my manicure! So, I braved it without a top coat, thinking in my head that I'm sure my nails would be chipped within the hour. 

Day three and we're on minimal chipping - even after scrubbing my shower! That is very impressive, and in some cases even better than other top coats I have specifically designed to minimise chipping!

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Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with these drops! The quality is just amazing, and I'm really impressed with the outcome. 

I would absolutely buy this again and again, and although I love Seche Vite, I'm going to have to say goodbye!

Have you tried the Essence Express Dry Drops before? If so, what did you think?

Monday 28 January 2013

Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil



A little while before my spending ban began, I picked up the Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil. This is basically a double ended pencil which is both a brow shaper and a brow highlighter. Judging by my FOTD photos, I don't do my eyebrows. I cannot be  bothered, mostly for the fact that I have bangs. Recently I have started wearing my fringe back on occasions, which leaves my brows bare to the world. Bare, and ugly. 




The Chi Chi Eye Brow Lift Pencil is really easy. I love that it's a pencil and not a little kit that you have to work out with brushes and all that. I'm not opposed to that at all, but to someone who doesn't care about their eyebrows that much, I just needs something quickly, and this certainly does the job!





The pencil is perfect for traveling, and it even includes the instructions on the pencil itself, for silly forgetful people like me! One of the best parts of this pencil is that it is suitable for all skin tones. I expected the Brow Shaper end to be ridiculously dark, but I was happily mistaken!




Swatchola!

As you can see, the Brow Shaper end is very light, and not at all too dark for me. It creates the perfect effect on my brows, and allows me to fill them in with such ease - and with no fear of overdoing it and making me look like a villain! It's so easy to use with such a light touch, so mistakes are easily fixed.

The Brow Highlighter is actually very pigmented, as you can probably see, but very blendable. I love that this works on my skin wonderfully, and really makes my eyebrows look more arched and complete.



Before. 

 
My natural eyebrows. They certainly aren't the stuff of the make-up Goddesses I follow, bu they aren't all bad either. I love the natural look to be honest, but I feel it could look better! I can see a lot of fly-away hairs and it looks a bit messy.


After.

As you can see, it looks a lot neater and my arch looks a little bit higher thanks to the magic of highlighters. (It's not completely blended in, as I just did my eyebrows for the sake of this review, I do a better job when I'm leaving my house - I promise!) Without losing the natural look, my eyebrows look fuller and cleaner, and the fly-away hairs don't look so bad anymore. As you can see the Brow Shaper is very subtle and not at all too dark.



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Overall, I'm very pleased with the Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil! Retailing at about $14.95, this is a bargain I couldn't pass up! It's the perfect stepping stone into learning how to take care of your eyebrows, and give you a polished and sophisticated look.

I'd definitely buy this again, and I would recommend it to anybody looking for an easy option for their eyebrows!


Have you used the Chi Chi Eyebrow Lift Pencil before? If so, what did you think?

Friday 25 January 2013

Urban Decay Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil




I was absolutely thrilled when I received the Urban Decay Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil from the lovely Ishah in our Christmas Blog Swap! (See the whole post here!)

Urban Decay is not at all readily available in Australia, so this was exciting for me! I've heard wonderful things about the 24/7 range, especially the eye pencils, so this was perfect for me!



The Double-Ended Glide On Pencil brings two shades to one pencil Zero and Whiskey, which means it is perfect for travelling! 



The double ended pencil in all it's glory!

See how convenient that looks? I love the idea of having two pencils in one, because it means I have to pack less in my travel bag or if I'm taking make-up to work with me. More choice taking up less space is definitely on my travel check list!



Zero

Zero is a deep black. It is ridiculously pigmented and looks absolutely amazing on both your lid and your waterline! The product is so creamy that it goes on like a cream eye-liner, which does mean it is easy to blend, but at the same time will stay put if you choose not to blend!



Whiskey

Whiskey is a rich brown, and is also fairly pigmented, although I wouldn't say it looks as rich on my eyes as Zero does. Whiskey is a really flattering colour, however, it looks really lovely on my eyes, again both on my upper lid or my waterline. 


Swatchola!

See how rich these babies are! Both colours are universally flattering, and can be worn on any occasion! 



After a minute, I smudged the two and this was my result. As you can see they have pretty good staying power, as I smudged pretty hard! 



Zero

As you can see, Zero looks great on my eye! The product was so creamy that it didn't tug at my lid at all, and it was extremely easy to apply! Even in the extremely hot days we had here in Melbourne just now, the product didn't melt or was too soft when applied, which is definitely a plus for me.

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So overall, I really like this product. I did find that it did fade and melt a little bit on my eyes by the end of the day, but in saying that, we did have a 40 degree day (or something like that, at least!), and I think even the best of eye liners would have done that!

I've been wearing this today, in normal weather, and have had no problems whatsoever with the staying power! The colour has remained rich all day long, and stayed strong.

I have a feeling that I'll be using up Zero first, as I'm a sucker for black liner, but in saying that I will certainly not be ignoring Whiskey any time soon! I'm hoping this will be the first of many gorgeous Urban Decay liners I will own in my lifetime!

Have you tried the Urban Decay Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil before? If so, what did you think?


Wednesday 23 January 2013

Allegra Rhodes Red Lychee Hand Wash



When it comes to hand washes, I'm a very fussy lady! I absolutely hate the hand washes in public bathrooms, and ladies might look at me disgusted when I don't use it, as I prefer to use my own miniature Dettol that I carry around. See how fussy I am?

When in my own home though, I do prefer to use hand wash! When I received the Allegra Rhodes Red Lychee Hand Wash to review, I was a little bit sceptical at first, seeing as how fussy I can be.



The description certainly sounds promising! Red Lychee infused with white chocolate, now that's very different to the usual pink, scentless goo you get in public bathrooms!

It goes without saying that this also smells ridiculously amazing, but hey, with those scents, how could it not? 




This hand wash comes in a 350ml pump bottle, which is really generous for a hand wash! The design of the bottle is also really chic looking, and it looks gorgeous on my bathroom counter! 



When it comes to the actual hand wash itself, what did I think?

I love it! I was so cautious when using it, thinking that it may dry out my hands or leave a horrible residue behind, but it worked wonders! My hands felt lovely and smooth, not to mention clean, and had a delightful scent mixed in also! (Unlike some hand washes, that can smell slightly chemical!)

One small pump is just enough to get a good lather going on, and enough to really clean your hands thoroughly, so there will be no chance in seeing this bottle in my empties any time in the near future!

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Overall, I'm really pleased with this hand wash. It's soft on your hands yet doesn't dry them out whatsoever, and smells beautiful.

The Allegra Rhodes Red Lychee Hand Wash costs $29.95 - which may sound a bit steep, but judging by the amount you get, this is a great price! You can buy this product here.

Make sure you check out the Allegra Rhodes website to check out their other goodies, and have a read of my review on the beautiful Sweet Apple and Grapefruit Body Lotion from the same range!

Allegra Rhodes products are made and owned in Australia, and they are also cruelty free!


Have you tried anything from Allegra Rhodes before? If so, what are your thoughts?

This product was kindly provided for my consideration.

Christmas Blog Swap Goodies



If you remember back at the end of October in 2012, I organised an International Christmas Blog Swap! I was paired with the very gorgeous Ishah from the United States! (Check out her blog here)

We had a little bit of a time delay (which is why I only got my swap goodies by the end of January) because Ishah had a baby! Congratulations lovely! I don't mind waiting at all - especially when I saw what she included!



Wet n' Wild Color Icon Collection in Petal Pusher

Oh my dear, I almost screamed when I saw she included a Wet n' Wild palette! The colours are absolutely stunning, and I will get so much wear out of these!




Wet n' Wild Color Icon Collection in Comfort Zone

Oh dear, another one! I can't believe my eyes! I especially love natural colours, so I will get so much use out of this palette as well! I've heard amazing things, and I can't believe I now own 2 beautiful palettes!



Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio in I'm Getting Sunburnt

Somebody pinch me, please! Yet another palette, and I adore the colours! I have a feeling this baby will be my absolutely favourite! I'm so pleased!



Toki Doki Cromatico Eyeshadow in Skeletrina

Oh how cute! I love Toki Doki in general, and this is just too adorable! The colour is absolutely stunning, and I can't wait to wear it!




Urban Decay 24/7 Double Ended Glide-On Eye Pencil

Oh yay, Urban Decay! I'm so excited to try this, and I love that it has two colours! What a fantastic idea!




ELF Blush in Candid Coral

I'm happy to receive this, I have another ELF blush already which I am in love with, and I've had my eye on Candid Coral for a little while now! This is the perfect colour for me, so I'll enjoy trying this out!





OCC Lip Tar

I'm not sure which shade this is, as I haven't opened the package yet! But I can't wait to try this out! These babies have definitely been on my wishlist for a little while, so I can see myself falling in love! The colour is a stunner!






Coffret D'Or Lipstick Samples

Whoa, what a fantastic sample! I love the way this has been done, why oh why can't the Western world give out samples like this! This is fantastic! I can't wait to test them all out, but I'm a bit scared I'll fall in love and won't be able to find them again!



Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara sample

Yet another amazing sample! I love Benefit and have tried one of their other mascara samples, so I have high hopes for this one too!





Sephora Primer sample & Burt's Bees Day Lotion sample

Love that she included some samples for me too, especially a Sephora sample!





Hershey's Kisses

Yum! We can buy these here but they can be hard to find sometimes, so it was a sweet gesture for her to include them, especially in Christmas colours!





And of course she sent me a gorgeous card and her business card, which is adorable, might I add! Mine look so boring compared to hers!


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Wow, I'm thrilled with everything! She definitely spoilt me, and I hope she loved everything I got her too!

I'll try to write up some reviews of these gorgeous products, but don't expect miracles, I'll probably be too busy enjoying them!


So again, a giant thank you to the lovely Ishah for giving me so many gorgeous products, and thank you for swapping with me!


Thursday 17 January 2013

January Bellabox



After the hype of Christmas and New Years, and the "fun" of my new spending ban, I'd completely forgotten about my subscription boxes coming in the post! I was delighted to wake up and find this month's Bellabox waiting for me!

I had no idea what was in this month's box, so I was very exciting, as for once it was a complete surprise!


The contents of this month's box. Hmm.



Natio BB Cream in Medium

Okay, so firstly, I'm disappointed. I'm not at all a medium, I'm fair skinned. Even fair would probably be too dark, like most other BB creams, so this is a real disappointment and will go to complete waste. Bellabox asks for your beauty profile when you sign up, and I said fair skin. Not medium. Highly disappointed, Bellabox



For Walls Wall Decal sample

Well this is cute, but I have no idea why this was included as it isn't on the information card. I'm not sure what I'll do with this, but, I'm sure I'll find something!


Mode Cosmetics Nail Enamel in Hot Stuff

This is a really pretty colour, and I'm pretty pleased with this! I haven't tried Mode nail polishes before, so it will be good to give this a go. So I'm happy with this, at least.



Face of Australia Purifying Cleansing Wipes

I'm unhappy about getting these, as I got this in the November Lust Have It. (which you can see here) I know that they are different boxes, but they really should pay attention to what the other boxes are offering. This isn't the first time it has happened, and I know I'm not the only Bellabox subscriber that also subscribes to Lust Have It, so it's fairly disappointing.
In saying that though, at least it's a full sized product that will get used, as they are lovely cleansing wipes.


Swisse Body Wash

My boyfriend received this in his Summer Bellobox (you can read about it here), so getting another sample is a little bit disappointing. His Bellobox is under my name, so surely they can see that they have really just sent me two of the same thing, two months in a row? 


You, Me & Everybody Cool It Aloe Vera Gel

This is probably the only product I was truly happy to receive. I've fallen in love with the brand You, Me & Everybody, and this is absolutely perfect for summer! I'll definitely get use out of this!

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So, overall I'm pretty unhappy with this month's box. It seemed a bit lazy to me, and it's really disappointing to get double up of products. I'm interested to see what other boxes people have received, as I'm sure I have, yet again, been the recipient of the "bad" box. This one has definitely caused me to reconsider my subscription with them.

If you've received the Bellabox, let me know in the comments and feel free to leave your post link so we can all read what you got in your box!

What did you think of this month's box? Were you as disappointed as I was?



Monday 14 January 2013

Allegra Rhodes Sweet Apple & Grapefruit Body Lotion



I love body lotions. I can't get enough of them! I've made my way through about every readily available moisturiser you can name, so I'm pretty obsessed.

I was recently given the opportunity to try a body lotion from Allegra Rhodes! I've never heard of their brand before, but upon some research  I decided I definitely wanted to give this one a go! 

Not only are Allgera Rhodes products made/owned in Australia, but they are also cruelty free! So, they've ticked my first two big boxes. Let's see how the actual product itself was?



Sweet Apple & Grapefruit

Hmm now that's different! Allegra Rhodes boasts the scent to be "delightfully reviving," and it was just that! The scent is really light, and the sweet apple is definitely the dominant smell. It's a lot sweeter than I'm used to, although in saying that it is not a candy sickly sweet, but a lovely crisp apple sweet! I feel like I could take a bite out of my arm after using it! 



The body lotion comes in a pump bottle (perfect!) instead of a squeeze tube, and makes it a lot easier to use! It also looks a lot nicer and more professional sitting on my bathroom sink!

I adore the packaging. I'm not sure if you can see due to the photos, but the black label has an intricate design similar to that on the box. The packaging looks very neat and tidy, and very expensive! 



The quality of the body lotion itself is excellent! It sunk straight into my skin and left no greasy residue whatsoever. It's very moisturising, but to the point where your skin will feel "normal" instead of having too much moisture, or too less.

The scent does linger, which is something I find delightfully pleasant, seeing as though the scent is so refreshing and unique! If it had been a sickly candy sweet, I might not have enjoyed the fact that the scent lingers, but in this case I'm very happy that it does!

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Overall, I am in love with this body lotion! It truly is a luxurious addition to my skincare, and I really do enjoy using it - and smelling it! I have had a few compliments about the scent (as it's so predominant I don't need to wear perfume!) and had a few comment on how unique it smells!

The Allegra Rhodes Body Lotion will set you back $32.95 for a 250ml pump bottle, which you can buy here.
Make sure you check out the website (here) for many more gorgeous products, as well as this one!

Have you tried anything from Allegra Rhodes before? If so, what did you think?

This product was kindly provided for my consideration.

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