Younique Moonstruck 3D Fibre Lashes+

Morning lovelies!

Now, here in Australia, we've always had some 'party plan' (for lack of a better term) cosmetics companies.  Avon, Nutrimetics and Mary Kay are well known, household names.  But in the last few years there have been some new players to the market.  Younique is one of those.

Younique is an American company which was started by a brother and sister team in Sept 2012, and was launched here in April 2014.  If you're a part of your local Buy, Swap, Sell group, I'm sure you've heard of them before.  If you're like me, though, you've always been slightly skeptical about the products.  The only time you ever see or hear anything about them it's from a Younique presenter, and if you're selling a product you're going to talk it up.

So when Kelly, a Younique presenter, asked if a blogger would be interested in trying the new, improved 3D fiber lash mascara, i put my hand up.  Not only was it a chance to try out a product that I've heard quite a bit about, it was a chance to put up a no-holds-barred review, from someone who has absolutely nothing to do with the company. 

Lets first and foremost talk about this packaging!  This is just the box the mascara came in.  It's one of the nicest boxes I've ever come across.  You could easily give this as a gift, but it also makes the perfect present to yourself.  It comes with basic instructions, which are easy to follow, and a full list of ingredients on the back of the box.

 Once you open the box, the 2 tubes are housed in a little black bag.  They fit snugly, the bag snaps so they're contained, and the inside is nice and soft, so your products are protected inside a bigger makeup bag.

The tubes are a rubberised black tubes, with an awesome embossed top (embossed with the younique logo).  They could end up slightly grubby with regular use (as every other makeup case I've ever used that feels like this does), but that's easily cleaned.  Both tubes have a window (not sure why, although it might come in handy when you get further in to the product), and the name of each on the side (handy note, though, the fibre tube is smaller than the transplant gel tube.  If you're like me and need to do your makeup without your glasses, this comes in handy).

The Transplant gel brush is very much a traditional type brush.  It works well and picks up smaller lashes.  The fiber brush is smaller, thinner, which is what you want.  The smaller brush makes controlling where you place the fibres easy.

Now, on to my ugly mug :D

My lashes, with nothing on them.  I have half decent lashes, they just aren't very dark.  Add the fact i wear glasses every waking moment and my eyes disappear in to nothingness.  I tend to like mascaras that really make my lashes pop.

Step 1:These are my lashes with a coat of the transplant gel on them.  The good thing I've found is the transplant gel works like a normal mascara.  So the kit offers the best of both worlds, a decent black mascara for those days you want a subdued look, then adding the fibre in when you want something more.

Step 2:The addition of the fibres.  These probably aren't the best examples, as you need to apply the fibres straight after the transplant gel (and i took photos in between), however you can see the instant extension of my lashes.  You do need to be careful are this stage, if you're going to get the fibre in you eyes, now is the time. 

Step 3:Another coat of transplant gel.  This seals in the fibres.  If anything this is the hardest stage.  It takes a little bit of practice to make sure you don't end up with spidery, clumpy lashes, although an eyelash/brow comb helps sort any issues you may have happen.  You can see the difference that the process makes to my lashes, and you can repeat the process as many times as you like (although that clumpy, spidery lash thing does get worse the more layers you use.  Not a major problem, it's just something to be aware of and have the correct tools on hand).

 Me outside!  I've repeated the process twice here, just to give you an idea how the multiple process looks.  On a side note, look how beautiful the weather is, and my raspberries are coming back to life.  Spring in Canberra is amazing!

Me, again.  This is how i look. Hi!  As you can see with my glasses my eyes disappear slightly, but they're definitely more noticeable with this.

Let's get down to the nitty gritty though.  Fibre lash mascaras are either something you love, or something you hate.  I'm sure the majority of people have tried a mascara that has fibres in the mascara itself, and i know I've tried the Modelco version, which is the same idea as the Younique ones.  In my experience I've always ended up with either irritated eyes from the fibres, or I've ended up with little fibres all over my face by the end of the day.

I haven't experienced either with this.  Actually, i haven't really experienced any negatives with this product.  Once it's on, it's on.  I don't find fibres on my face during the day, it doesn't irritate my eyes any more than any other mascara (and they've been super sensitive the last week).  I haven't experienced panda eyes at all with it, even if i accidentally rub my eyes, and even after sleeping with it on, nothing (i know, we're not supposed to sleep with makeup on.  Sue me).  In saying all that it washes off easily in the shower with water (I've been using my Dr Hauschka cleansing sponge).

The hardest things I've found are getting used to applying it.  It takes a little bit of practice to get used to getting a nice, even application (thus avoiding those clumps), and working out how to hold everything so you can apply the fibres in quick succession after the transplant gel (I've found i can hold both tubes in 1 hand, partial open, so i can quickly swap between both).  Of course these problems are both easily fixed, the clumps can be combed out if they occur, and you do have a window of time to apply the fibres.

The Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+ is on the pricier end for a mascara, at $38, however it's on par with Benefit's Roller Lash ($40), and the Fiber Lash does a double duty (and gives spectacular results).  Honestly, i prefer this over Roller Lash, and if I'm forking out that kind of sum on a mascara, i want it to be amazing. 

If you have any more questions, or would like to purchase Fiber Lashes+ for yourself, please contact Kelly Chippendale via her website Love Affair Lashes or on Facebook Love Affair Lashes.  She's an absolute gem, lovely to talk to, and would be happy to answer any questions that you might have about this, or any other product Younique produces (there are some amazing looking products).

Thank you so much Kelly for the opportunity to review this product! 

Lust Have It August 2015-Birthday Box!

Morning Lovelies!

Now this is something you haven't seen for a while!  I resigned to Lust Have It for the month (i've missed all the excitement of getting a monthly box), what i've been seeing from LHI suggests their boxes are definitely worth the purchase, and it's Birthday month!  Happy 4th Birthday LHI!!!

Surprise, surprise, though, my shipping notification rocked up around the same time as my box.  So not everything has changed.

Look at it!  Firstly, they're still using the pink mesh bags.  I like these, not sure it i would if i received one each month, but i find them useful in small doses.  Secondly, look at the makeup!

There is also a competition on the reverse side of the info card, to win a year's subscription.

Red Carpet Kolour Body Glow-$49.95-full size

If you were a current subscriber you got a choice of colour for this (Light, Medium, Tan).  I got a random colour, but got the one i would have chosen anyway (light).  This was a sample in a previous VB, it is a body lotion that helps hides imperfections, evens out skin tones and claims to help hide wrinkles and cover age spots.  It is very shimmery, but does seem to help give my skin a lovely radiant finish.  Supposedly it is unscented, however (and i think i mentioned this last time) i find it has a beer-y smell.  Kinda yeasty (i have a feeling i've described it as smelling like a brewery).  However using it again today that smell hasn't bothered me, and it disappears quickly.

Reed Orange and Poppy Seed Scrub-$6.50-full size



This smells good enough to eat!!  I could smell it as soon as i opened the bag, and it smells exactly like orange-poppy seed cake.  This is a brand new brand to me, and looking at their website, they sell an amazing array of products, including an eczema cream (which i plan on buying in the near future).  From the website:

Full of grape seed oil t is easily absorbed making it a very moisturising oil as well as a mild antiseptic. High in antioxidnts protecting your skin against free radicals. Containing vitamin C, D and E. Vitamin C is essential to collagen production, helping smooth out fine lines. Vitamin D boosts elasticity and stimulates collagen production, reducing fine lines and sun spots. Vitamin E replenishes your skins moisture as well as blocking harmful UV rays which can lead to premature ageing.

I cannot wait to try this out once i use the scrubs i already have open, and there are so many products on that website that sound amazing!  http://reedstore.bigcartel.com/product/new-orange-poppy-seed-body-scrub

Mellow Cosmetics Baked Eyeshadow-$9.50-full size

Whoot!  Mellow!  Everything i have tried from Mellow has been amazing, and now i have 2 new products to play with.  First up is this Mellow eyeshadow in Peach.  It's beautiful!  Just by swatching i can tell you it is highly pigmented, it is super silky and soft, it goes on like a dream and blends flawlessly.  And it can be worn wet or dry!  The packaging isn't anything to write home about, but i'm willing to forgive that.  Plus this is one of those shades that will suit almost anyone, is a perfect highlighting shade and would be perfect as a base for other colours.

Mellow Cosmetics Mineral Auto Twist Liner-$8-full size




And Mellow #2.  In a previous VB we received a gel liner, which was in a little pot, this is an auto pencil.  This is 100% mineral based, is long lasting, non flaking, and doesn't contain parabens, preservatives or chemical dyes.  I got a navy liner, which is a gorgeous royal blue, and just like the gel liner, once set it doesn't budge (i have a very pretty blue line on my hand that i can't rub off).

Ulta3 Volume and Length Mascara-$6.95-full size


If you have read this blog for a while, you'd know how i feel about Ulta3.  Every product i've tried has been great, it's a relatively cheap brand, and it's good quality.  I can't tell you much about this, i have 4 mascaras on the go ATM (including 1 i'm in the process of reviewing), however i'll do a review once i get around to trying this.  By the claims it sounds great, it gives both volume and and definition, so i'm interested to give it a go.

Mellow Liner and Eyeshadow

RCK body lotion

There you go!  Honestly i think it's one of the best LHI boxes i've ever received, i'll use everything and i've discovered something new.  Whilst i'm not planning on going back to LHI full time (i've subscribed to The Parcel), it's definitely something i would consider.  They seem to have worked out most of the kinks that lead me to leave in the first place (although the main reason seems to still be a problem), and they are back on track with deliveries (i was surprised to received my box today, i only resigned a week ago and thought i'd be at the bottom of the list). 

Happy Birthday Lust Have It!!

Violet Box July 2015

Morning All!

*sob*  This is the last ever Violet Box  *sob*  We got an email last week saying that they were discontinuing sending boxes (if you have a longer subscription and have months left, you will get a box of goodies to make up for the missed months).  With the drop in the Aussie dollar, it's getting prohibitively expensive to get goods in (and as you know, a lot of VB stuff comes from America).  There will be a big sale coming up on the website too.

The info card is different to every single other one that has ever come out.  The front states "In order to comply with the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standards) Regulations 1991 Violet Box publishes product ingredient information on this card.  For tips on how to use these products please visit the Violet Box blog (www.violetbox.com.au)". Seems strange to change it now, when it's the very last box. 

 Mr. Bean Coconut Coffee Scrub-$17.95-full size

This has been something that has been promised for a while now.  It didn't rock up in time for it's original box, so here it is.  It's supposed to help cellulite, stretch marks, dry skin etc.  It's made out of ground coffee beans, pink rock salt, demerara sugar, cacao, coconut oil, vit e oil and coconut essence.  Honestly, it sounds like it belongs in my kitchen!  It smells very strongly of coffee, so if you don't like the smell i'd stay away.  I'm interested in trying it out, but i'm not overly excited about it.

 Urban Skincare Co Resurrect Hair Wash and Recovery Conditioner-$26.95 each-sample size

These promote healthy hair and great hydration.  They both contain ginger root to help boost your hair etc.  They smell amazing (everything i've tried from this brand smells amazing).  We're going away next school holidays, so i plan on keep these to go away with.

 Tarocco Body Wash-$18-sample size

So, you can buy something roughly this size in the US for $4USD.  The brand is known for olive oil beauty products.  From the website:

"In the town of Rapsi, in the provence of Francofonte,Sicily my great great grandfather Gesualdo Di Naro was about to make a special discovery. A farmer, he owned several orange and olive groves throughout the territory. One day walking through his fields he found an orange with a unique red color, sweetness and flavor. Tarocco (also know as "Blood Orange" and "Red Orange"), the first name given to it, meaningbeautiful in Sicilian dialect, was his discovery.

This fruit, rich in antioxidants, has been used by my family in the same way we use everything from our lands, internally and externally. It will leave your skin soft, replenished and toned."

This smells like orange, but also faintly medicinal.  Again, going away for our trip.

 Starlooks Lip Pencil-$9.95-sample size

Doing some background research on this i found something interesting.  Starlooks do a range of 'Perfect Size' cosmetics, around 3/4 the size of the full size.  Last months lipgloss was one, and this is another.  This retails for $ 6USD, and is a product in it's own right (not just a sample).  It's a lovely brownish pink, and goes on so smoothly.

Etat Libre D'Orange 'Like This'-$199-sample size

I completely forgot to photograph this, sorry.  It's a 1.5ml sample of perfume, worth close to $3.  The full size is so expensive!  I can find it for $185, which isn't much of an improvement on the $199 price given by VB.  It's notes are :
Head Notes - Tangerine, Ginger
Heart Notes - Immortelle, Neroli, Rose, Pumpkin Accord
Base Notes - Vetiver, Musk, Heliotrope


I like it, it's a very grown up scent (a woody floral, i suppose), and will enjoy the sample.

And that's it!  The end of VB!  Only 1 full size product, although 2 of the products can be bought in the same size.

I'm really going to miss VB.  Australia is lacking in the beauty box department, and whilst i've signed up to a new one (for me, i've signed up to The Parcel), none could match VB for the range of products.

Farwell Violet Box!

Essence Hidden Stories

Morning all!

Essence have a new trend edition!  It's called Hidden Stories, and is a collection based on dreamy, floaty, ethereal colours.  There are some products in the collection i'm not all that interested in (coloured hair sprays, the pixie dusts etc), but i've picked up a few of the ones i love.

This is how the weather looked the day i took all the photos.  They're a bit dull, sorry.

Cream Highlighters in 01 Rose in Wonderland and 02 Enter Wonderland-$6.15

These are gorgeous highlighters, they leave an extremely fine sheen on your skin.  01 is a pink based highlighter, 02 is a lilac based one.

Lipglosses in 01 Rose in Wonderland and 02 Mauve-llous Fairy-$3.70

These are your typical Essence lipglosses.  They smell like blackberries, aren't overly sticky, and make gorgeous lipstick toppers.  01 is clear with a silverish glitter, 02 is a mauve with pink and mauve glitter.

Soufflé Eyeshadow in 03 Mauve-llous Fairy-$6.15

I love these eyeshadows.  03 is a silvery purple, in some lights it looks silver and in some purple. 

Nail Polish in 01 Enter Wonderland and 03 Mauve-llous Fairy-$4.10

The nail polishes in this collection all had different finishes.  01 is a matte lilac cream, 03 is a mauve with pink, purple and blue glitters.

It really is a pretty collection, full of light colours and sparkles. 

Available at both Target and Priceline.

Violet Box June 2015

Morning lovelies!

This is probably the latest i've ever posted a VB review, for some reason my account was cancelled (even though there is no record of me wanting it cancelled) so i've only had my box for a week.  Once i contacted VB and they realised, though, it was sent ASAP.

June was birthday month for VB!  2 years since the first ever box.  So we had an extra special item in our boxes.

It's also a makeup centric box.  No complaints here, although i did read some about the amount of lip products in the box.

Gascoigne and King travel candle-$25-full size

This was our special present.  It's in the scent 'Love Vanilla' which is a blend of vanilla, tonka bean and hazelnut.  It doesn't smell overly vanilla-y to me, instead it smells like caramel (those jersey caramel lollies, to be specific).  Whatever it is it smells heavenly.  Gascoigne and King is a Sydney based brand, who focus on high quality, environmentally friendly products.  Their candles use natural scents and soy wax (although i had to read the bottom of the candle to find that out, there was no info like that on their website).  It really is a beautiful candle.

Jing Ai Velvet Shine Jewel Lip Crayon-$29-Full size

I seem to remember these have been in another box, maybe Bellabox?  This is in the colour Pink-A-Boo, which is a really bright, barbie style pink.  Initially i wasn't overly impressed (i love bright pinks, but this is so creamy that it's a bit shocking), but it settles down after a few minutes to a slightly darker pink, and becomes much more wearable.  Jing Ai is an American company and focus on being as environmentally friendly as possible.  From their website:

"Donna Cristino is the founder of Jing Ai, which means Pure Love in Mandarin Chinese.  Jing Ai is an eco – chic beauty brand inspired by timeless memories of the pure love received from her grandmother Rose who died of breast cancer.  The products are  named after different types of roses from around the world.  Every Jing Ai product is formulated with the finest-possible USDA certified- organic ingredients including botanical and flower oils, natural mineral pigments, coconut oil and is 100% Gluten & Cruelty free.  Every product is packed with high  concentrations of proprietary signature compounds made from certified- organic grape seed oil, sunflower oil and rose oil;  the two for superb antioxidant/anti-inflammatory/anti-aging properties and the other – the “Elixir of Youth” – for its rich multivitamins, Omega  3s and Omega 6s that heal and regenerate. 

Jing Ai loves the Earth.  We have worked  very hard to make sure that all of our containers, pencils and tubes are made with recyclable materials; and all our paperboard components and packaging either meets SFI standards or is up to 100% recycled – with up to 95% post-consumer content.  Comprised of natural fibers,  paperboard is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.   We print with soy ink.  All our products and packaging are made in the USA  and we are endorsed by the leapingbunny.org."

I would love to see more from the brand in future boxes (hint hint VB)

Starlooks Lip Gloss-$14-sample size

My god is this cute!  It's so small.  It's in the colour 'Cuddle', which doesn't appear to be on the Starlooks website (which isn't particularly abnormal, we've had other items from Starlooks that haven't been on the website), but it has been in Ipsy bags in the past.  Cuddle is a pretty, sheer, shimmery pink-gold.  It's supposedly not sticky, which is stretching it a bit (it's not the worst ever, but it is a bit tacky) and smells vanilla-y.  Like any lipgloss, it lasts until you have something to eat or drink, however it is quite moisturising.  It doesn't add a tonne of colour to your lips, but is great when you just want 'something' on your lips, and don't want anything high maintenance.  And it's the perfect size to chuck in your pocket for touch ups.

I was trying to work out how to show you just how small it was, the lighter is a full size Bic lighter.  As you can see the lipgloss is tiny.

Mullein and Sparrow Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm-$10-travel size

I've adjusted the price of this.  VB have it at $22 for the full size, but the website sell the travel size (which is what i assume this is, it weighs roughly the same) for $10.  This is a natural, multipurpose balm, that is supposed to give a slight tint to lips and cheeks.  Now this is very lightly tinted.  It smells of jaffas (it has both orange and patchouli oils) and contains organic oils and butters (Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil*, Olea europaea (extra virgin olive) oil*, Vitellaria paradoxa (shea) butter*, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla wax)*, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter*, Batschia canescens (alkanet root)*, Copernicia prunifera (Carnauba wax)*, essential oils of: Pogostemon cablin (patchouli)*, Citrus sinensis (orange)*
* Organic).  I'm not sure if i'd ever use this as a cheek product, i just don't think it's pigmented enough, and being oily it's not something i'd want to add large quantities of to my cheeks, but i think as a quick lip picker-upperer, it's perfect.

Doucce Ultra Precision Eye Liner-$30-full size

More Doucce!  This eyeliner isn't the blackest of black, however it's buttery smooth, and once set lasts a decent period of time (i had to use eye makeup remover to take it off at the end of the day).  You do have to sharpen this particular pencil, though.  So far i've loved everything from Doucce!

Jing Ai lip crayon, Doucce eyeliner, Starlooks lipgloss, Mullein and Sparrow lip and cheek tint

In total the box is worth $94, not including the Starlooks lipgloss, which is huge for a monthly box.  There are 3 new brands, and 2 new products from old brands, plus 4 of the 5 products are makeup (i know, mainly lip products, which doesn't bother me).

Another big win VB for me, as i'll use everything in it.

Happy Belated Birthday Violet Box!