Essence Trend Edition 'Viva Brasil'

Good morning all.

Essence have released yet another trend edition, 'Viva Brasil' (am i the only one who instantly thinks of the vengaboys?  Or am i just old?).

For lovers of all things bright and colourful, this collection is full items that are lots of fun and perfect for summer.  There are 2 blushes, 3 eyeshadows, 5 nail polishes, 3 eye/hair mascaras, 2 lip balms, a nail polish glitter set, paint your own rings and a bracelet set (according to the picture there is also another glitter set and a makeup bag, however the stand i saw yesterday had a full set up and it contained neither of these products).  Available at Target!

This is the 4th collection we've seen in the last couple of months, which compared to earlier in the year has been great (early 2014 was slow for collections). 

I grabbed 2 items yesterday, a nail polish and a blush.

Can you guess what the blush is called?  It's 02 Destination:Sao Paulo!  A pretty looking red in pan, it swatches to be a warm reddish-coral.  As per all these Essence blushes a little goes a long way, and it has a great colour payoff.

This is 02 Everybody Salsa.  It's a green cream nail polish, perfect for the footy next year (my team's colours are predominantly green).

Whilst i was in Target i grabbed a couple of other Essence items too (as you do)

A 2 in 1 nail file (i think these have been discontinued, finding them has become hard) and a pack of Tip Painters from the Tribal Summer collection.

I know this new collection isn't going to be for everyone, but it's great to see a collection that is so bright!  And there is something to suit everyone.

Beautyfindsforme Memebox Giveaway!

Morning!

I though i'd let my readers in on a little secret.  Beautyfindsforme is giving away the newly released CutiePieMarzia 2 box!!

This box is being talked about all over the blogging world, and now you have a chance to own one!


Go check it out at Beautyfindsforme, and have a look around her blog while you're there (It's all kinds of amazing!).

Violet Box September 2014

 Afternoon all!

Is it just me, or does it seem that VB shipping is getting later and later?  Any way, my box is here after being shipped on Tuesday, and it's kinda exciting!

First thing you saw when you opened up your packaging is a sneak peek for next month.  It looks like a lip gloss, but the packaging is blurry (Just tell us already VB!!!).

The contents of the box itself.  5 products, all of which are full sized!!

Scandalous Fabulously Flirty Dry Shampoo-RRP $16.95-full size

This is a cornstarch formula dry shampoo.  It smells lovely (its smells a bit oriental), and from reviews i've read works great.  VB subscribers either got this or a wave spray.  It's nice to see a dry shampoo that isn't Batiste or Cedel in a box.

Folténe Nail Treatment-RRP $29.95-full size

This is supposed to help dry, brittle nails.  You apply over the entire nail surface and allow to dry (you can also use it over nail polish, but you only apply it to the cuticle area).  My nails are terrible at the moment (i think just due to being unwell), so this is welcome.  Same brand as the eye lash treatment from last month.

Girlactik Eyeshadow-RRP $23-full size

This is in Electra, a pearlised navy blue.  Personally i don't know if i'll ever use it, it's not a colour i reach for, so i may yet pass it straight on to my sister/nieces.  When swatching with a brush there was a lot of fall out, not so much with my finger, but it's something to watch out for.

Starlooks Ultra Olive Gem Pencil-RRP $21.50-full size

We got a gem pencil from Starlooks in a box earlier this year, but in either Amethyst or Topaz.  This is a gorgeous olive green (i love olive green eyeliner, it just suits me).  This is something i cannot find on the Starlooks website, the card is saying it's an Ultra Gem pencil, yet there is no such thing and no such colour as 'Ultra Olive' on the website.  So yeah, i don't quite know what is going on, the only place such a product exists is on the VB site. 

Polished London Nail Enamel-RRP $8-full size

This was the sneak peek we were given for the month, and can i say i really wasn't impressed when i saw it.  Polished London nail polish was included in the very ill fated valentines GlossyBox, and that wasn't the greatest box in the world.  However this is gorgeous, the picture doesn't show it but it's a gorgeous lolly pink.  After trying it i'm even more impressed, it's extremely glossy and i'm hoping long wearing (watch this space people!).  Definitely worth trying out.

Starlooks pencil and Girlactik eyeshadow

Polished London Nail Polish

So this months box is worth around $100, so is amazing value.  3? new brands, 4 new products (i'm not classing the gem pencil as a new pencil) and all full size.  My only gripe is i wish it arrived slightly earlier in the month.

Bourjois Sweet Kiss lipstick

Hi!

I picked up a Bourjois Lipstick the other day, a Sweet Kiss one.  It's the first time i've ever tried a Bourjois lipstick, and i'm really liking it.  Bourjois is one of those brands i love looking at, but i never end up buying.  This may change that.

Isn't the packaging lovely?  That silver button on the side slides down to release the lipstick, and it all feels lovely in hand.

This is Sweet Kiss in Rose Paré, and the more i read about it the more i like it (i bought this from a clearance bin on a whim for $2, so i'm learning as i write this post).  The Sweet Kiss formula has Argan Oil in it, and plenty of other things to help keep your lips nice and hydrated.  It's available in 11 colours, and by the sounds of it is an older product (it retailed for $23 originally), although Bourjois are always bringing out lovely new products.

It's quite a sheer lipstick, and has a lot of sparkle to it.  Wear time isn't great, but it is a wonderfully hydrating lipstick, perfect for daily use.

I'm loving this lipstick, and now want to check out Bourjois for more hidden gems. 

What's your favourite hidden gem?  What product or brand must i check out?

Boe Beauty

Hi!!

Boe Beauty is a cosmetics brand available exclusively at Big W.  It retails for $2 a piece, making it one of the most affordable brands on the market.

I tried Boe for the first time last year, it can't have been long after they first launched, and to be honest i didn't like the product i bought (it was a lip crayon).  But whilst out at Big W the other day i spotted some different products and thought i'd try them out.

A matte lip cream and shimmer compact caught my eye.  The packaging on the lip cream is great, but that of the shimmer powder (and therefore that of their other powders, blushes and bronzers as they are all packaged the same) is a bit cheap and feels cheap.  It isn't going to withstand much rough handling.

The lip cream is in the colour Shock Pink.  It is a very bright looking fuschia pink, that translates to a slightly more muted pink on the lips.  It isn't a proper matte, i'd class it as a satin, and is slightly metallic.  It has a strong floral scent, if certain perfumes bother you then this isn't the product for you.  It doesn't have any taste, and the scent doesn't last long.  It is long wearing as it stains your lips, doesn't seem to bleed (although i applied it as sparingly as possible), and doesn't cling to any dry patches.  A little of this goes a long way, as it is highly pigmented.

The shimmer powder was slightly worrying to begin with, as it is very sparkly.  Once you are through that initial layer it becomes a soft gold shimmer powder.  It does have a bit of fallout, it is very soft and you need a big brush and a light hand to apply it.  It gives you a nice glow, though, and blends nicely.

Shimmer Powder and Lip Cream

For $2 you can't go wrong with products from Boe.  The only downfall i can find is you can't try the products before you buy, which makes things like powder foundations a bit hit and miss (although for $2 i suppose you can afford to take a risk).  The other problem is finding a store that has a decent range, most i've seen tend to have a limited colour selection.  But they are certainly worth checking out next time you are in Big W.

Have you tried anything from Boe?  Let me know your favourites

Redpawpaw giveaway-Winner Announced!

Morning! Thank you to everyone who entered the Redpawpaw Giveaway. The winner is: a Rafflecopter giveaway Vicki, Check your emails :) Thank you so much to Redpawpaw for offering a box to me to giveaway!

Battle of the Budget Dry Shampoos

Morning!

Dry shampoo is something that i can't live without, it is such an easy way to make sure your hair looks great, even if you are running on no sleep and haven't managed a proper shower in days (mums with littlies will know what i'm talking about).  It's the perfect way to keep your hair fresh between washes, too.

There are plenty of brands on the market, but most are quite expensive, and they all do the same thing.  There are a couple of gems, though, that aren't going to break the bank.

These are both for dark hair, they also come in normal and blonde formulations

Girlz Only is available at Target for measly $2 a can, Polished London is slightly more expensive at $4.95 and is available at Priceline.

They both do a good job, and smell great.  If i had to pick a favourite it would have to be the Polished London, it smells better and does a slightly better job.  The Girlz Only is slightly chalky, which is easily fixed with a light application of serum or oil to give your hair back it's shine.  The Polished London doesn't dull your hair, but it does tend to stay wet for longer, which can make it hard to style your hair. 

Girlz Only and Polished London, you can see how chalky the GO can be

For $2 you can't go wrong with the Girlz Only, it is cheap and cheerful, and when you are at home with everything at hand it is easy to counter the chalky factor.  However the Polished London is perfect for on the go and travelling, 1 product is all that is needed for perfect hair.  Either way you can't beat the price!

Essence 'Bloom Me Up' Trend Edition, plus change is in the air

Morning!

Essence have released another new Trend Edition at Priceline, Bloom Me Up.  The collection consists of 2 blush sticks, 4 nail polishes, 2 lipsticks, 3 eyeshadows, a duo eyepencil, a shimmer powder, nail stickers and a headband (the brushes weren't released to Australian market).  It is a collection that is perfect for spring, with soft pastels and shimmery, ethereal makeup.

I have picked up 3 pieces of the collection, the shimmer powder, a blush stick and the duo eye pencil.

Shimmer Powder in 01 Rose It Up-I didn't want to swatch this, the pattern is just so pretty!  This is a soft pink shimmer powder, that just gives you a lovely soft illumination.

Blush Stick in 01 Chasing Lucy-This reminds me of the Dark Romance velvet mousse blush.  It's a pretty watermelon pink blush, that blends out for a nice soft flush of colour.

Duo Eyepencil in 01 Bloomylicious-1 end is an inner rim pencil, the other is an eyebrow lifter.  The inner rim colour is a nude-beige, the eyebrow a pale pink.  I love my Chella pencil, so i'm hoping this is much the same.  The pencil is lovely and soft, and blends effortlessly.

Inner rim, eyebrow lifter, blush stick, shimmer powder

This is a great collection for those who love a pretty, feminine look.  Parts of it are flying off the shelves (especially the shimmer powder), so if you are interested i'd advise you to have a look around for the items you are interested in.

Still on an Essence note, they are changing out their normal range again.

A lot of the nail polishes and nail items (ie quick dry drops) are going, a few nail polishes, eye shadows etc.  Even the gel nails at home stuff was marked at my local Priceline, although i have been assured by Essence that it is all here to stay.  Some items have been reformulated and repackaged, but until they appear on shelves we won't know what they'll be.

 I did grab a lipstick from my local (woden) on Friday, 10 Cotton Candy.  It was 1 of 3 marked as clearance (although the store i went to yesterday didn't have the normal boards in their display, so i'm wondering if they've been pulled by Essence, they were what had the gel nails stuff clearanced).

I also managed to find another Dark Romance Velvet Mousse Blush, if anyone is interested the Queanbeyan store had both colours of the blush plus other items from the collection in their clearance bins (i'm tucking mine away, i love this and i'm so happy to have a second tucked away).

It's going to be and interesting few months with Essence, and i can't wait to see what the new products are.

Aveda Smooth Infusion collection

Hi!

I was lucky enough to win the entire Smooth Infusion collection from Aveda a couple of months ago, and i've been sitting on them for a while to see what i thought of them.

The collection consists of 5 pieces, shampoo ($39.95), conditioner($39.95), naturally straight styling creme ($44), glossing straightener ($44.95) and style-prep smoother ($39.95).

The shampoo and conditioner are heavenly, they smell amazing (Orange-y and sandalwood-ish) and do a great job.  The smallest amount goes a long way, and they leave your hair looking and feeling amazing.  They have tamanu seed oil, aloe leaf, maize and guar bean, that help creat a smooth surface on your hair.  I'm going to be very upset when i finish these (i would love the genie from the tim tams ad to appear, he can make me never ending bottles).

Then we have the treatments:
Naturally Straight Styling Creme-progressively straightens curls with every use
Style-prep Smoother-makes styling faster, easier
Glossing Straightener-All day straightness and shine

These all leave your hair feeling lovely and soft, and they smell the same as the shampoo/conditioner.  However i can't really tell the difference between the 3, they all contain pretty much the same ingredients and you use them the same way (apply to damp hair and style/blow dry), however someone more hair savvy then me could probably tell you more.

All in all these are beautiful products.  If i were buying them i would buy the shampoo and conditioner, and pick the styling product that suited me best, but i definitely recommend trying them out (or any of the Aveda range, they are all amazing).

Available from Aveda  or any good Aveda stockist

Revlon Balm Stains

Morning all!

I know i'm late to jump on the review bandwagon for these, but after mentioning these in the Liebster award (and after my hubby insisting i buy a matte balm last week) i thought i'd write a quick review.

The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains were released here late 2012/early 2013.  They are an easy to use, highly pigmented balm 'crayon', which is moisturising and leaves a lovely stain on your lips.  Wear time isn't the best (a couple of hours at most), but the stain stays put for most of the day.

I was first introduced to these by Priceline, i won a Revlon prize pack through them and there was one of these included in the pack.  They honestly have to be one of my favourite products, even though i only own a few.

Then earlier this year Revlon released 2 new formulations, a matte balm and a lacquer balm.  I can't say i'm a huge fan of the lacquers, whilst they have the same moisturising effects they are essentially just glittery versions of the originals (and when i say glittery, i mean glittery.  1 swatch left glitter particles all over my hand), and they don't seem as pigmented.  However the Matte balms are beautiful, just as easy to use as the originals but a great matte formulation.  They moisturise, have a great colour payoff and don't cling to any dry patches you may have.  And they are perfect to chuck in to your handbag for any touch ups you might need.

There are 10 of each variant available, and retail for $17.95 each (although you can normally pick them up at Chemist Warehouse for $8.98 each).  There is a colour to suit everyone, from nudes right through to brights.

This is my small collection.  I have:
Lovesick-a bright fuschia pink
Cherish-a lolly pink with blue undertones (this is the one that started it all)
Elusive-A rose pink (this is my matte shade)
Honey-This is the most talked about shade of all.  It is a nude pink, and has bloggers everywhere raving
Crush-a pink based berry.

If you haven't tried these, give them a go.  They are a great product, and are something that i think every woman needs at least 1 of in their stash

Cherish, Lovesick, Honey, Crush, Elusive

Empties/binned products July/August

I've had a couple of very slow months for empties, i've found i;ve gone through the majority of my smaller samples, and the bigger products are taking time to get through.  There are also a few products that are going.

Dr Bronners soap in Lavender-i used this once and went out for the liquid version.  I love it!
Body Shop coconut soap-i don't get the hype about body shop?  This was ok, but nothing to write home about
Biore Self Heating mask-i'm not even sure if you can buy these any more, i know there's a charcoal version.  I liked this, and still have a few to get through.
Oral B pro-health-my go-to toothpaste!
Crabtree and Evelyn Vanilla body wash-i wasn't a huge fan, i have another my hubby is going to use
Lush Skin's Shangri La-loved, loved, loved this!  It is heavy, though, perfect for nights.
Appelles Tamanu and blackseed Shampoo/Conditioner-i really liked these, although i have shampoo and conditioner coming out my ears atm.
Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream-i liked this more then the Dream Fresh one.  It's my next BB cream purchase.

Papulex and La Roche Posay cleansers and moisturisers-These were both sent to me to trial a couple of years ago, i absolutely hate the scent of the Papulex cleanser, and the La Roche-Posay didn't really do anything for my skin.  Both are being binned, even though not empty, i'm sick of seeing them in my bathroom.

Garnier BB cream-i loved this when it first came out, however i've discovered brands i prefer and reach for over this one.  Plus it's old, and going yuck.
So Susan mascara-yuck.  Yuckity yuck.  I won't use it, i have mascaras coming out my ears, and not a huge amount of space.

There you go!  Out with the old and in with the new.

More clearance bins.......

Hi!!

If you have read anything of this blog you will know i can't resist a clearance bin.  It's something about the thrill of finding a bargain, plus discovering products that you didn't know existed. 

Anyway, whilst walking past Priceline the other day (yes i was being a good girl, i wasn't planning on going in, promise), i spotted a $1 Tigi bin!  So i made a beeline for it.  And there were plenty of other brands in there as well (i plan on making a trip back this week to see if there is anything else worth grabbing in there, i was in a hurry).    So i grabbed 5 items, $5 in total!

Lady Jayne Digital Romance head bands and hair bands ($7.99)-these are really pretty, and there were a few other items from the collection in the bin too.  The head bands will be better for Miss A then me, they're a tad small.

Sally Hansen Color Frenzy in Spattered ($9.95)- Gold, pink, black and a dark pink/red, in all different shapes and sizes, different to anything i've seen.

Terrible picture sorry!

2Glo Face Bronze Tint in Dark Bronze ($24.95)-Natural Glamour seem to be selling out of this offshoot brand.  This is a great liquid bronzer, it blends easily and looks natural.

Straight out of the tube and blended out

Tigi Girls Just Want It lipsticks in Fashion and Luxury (These are an old product, so hard to find a price on.  However Amazon have them at $14.99 USD)-This is what i want to go back for.  These are smooth, and creamy (so much so you have to be careful they don't get on your teeth), and have a great colour payoff.  They can bleed if you apply them with a heavy hand, so i recommend using a lip brush with them.  Luxury is a bright Fuschia red, and Fashion is a Purple/berry. 

I'm so happy with what i got for my $5, and i hope when i go back there are more of the lipsticks!

Red Paw Paw Giveaway

Thanks to the lovely people over at Red Paw Paw, I have a box to give away to one lucky reader! So you too could have your own box of goodies delivered to your door! Simple Rafflecopter entry, and it's drawn next week! a Rafflecopter giveaway Thank you so much Redpawpaw for this giveaway!!

Madame Flavour

I'm going to stray from my normal talk today, and have a chat about  Madame Flavour.

Madame Flavour is an Aussie tea maker/blender, who uses only top ingredients.  Her blends are amazing, and she has everything from a classic tea blend, to some beautiful herbals.  And it's a brand that we as Aussies need to support, some of her teas are being pulled from shelves and are now only available online or in selected igas.

I was very lucky, and won a pack of 2 of these pulled varieties, the White with Rose and Signature Blend, plus tins for both.  The packaging for these teas is just beautiful, and whilst it has changed over the years (i first discovered Madame Flavour through Vibe Village 5 or 6 years ago, when the first lot of teas was released), it is still something beautiful you can display in your kitchen.

My pack, a 100 pack of each of the teas, and a tin for both, plus samples of the Grey de Luxe (with lemon myrtle and lavender); Sultry Chai; Green, Jasmine and Pear; Raspberry Hibiscus Tisane; Mint Lavender Tisane (one of my personal favourites) and Lemongrass, Lime and Ginger Tisane.  Each pod is a beautiful infuser pod, which allows the tea to move around in the water, and as many organic ingredients are used as possible.  If a tea blend isn't perfect, it isn't allowed on shelves, it's as simple as that.

A lovely letter was included as well

An 18 pack from Woolworths is $6.13, so it isn't the cheapest tea, but it is perfect as a special treat, when you have time to just sit and enjoy.  Plus there is a variety to suit everyone.