Happy Halloween! & Kiss Nail Dress Halloween Nails

I really wish Australia celebrated Halloween. Seriously, free candy and dress ups - AMAZING! How could anyone not want to celebrate that? Anyway, I don't do much for Halloween generally but the last two years I have done something with my nails (and told my mum to buy me candy). I did carve a pumpkin a couple of years ago - when they were imported from USA and $7.00 a kilo. Yes it was a pricey pumpkin but very fun!

This year I purchased a set of limited edition Halloween nail decorations for Kiss Nail Dress from Priceline. I had to have them as soon as I saw them - they have kitty's on them! 

These were much easier to apply than the first set of Kiss Nail Dress I tried (blogged about here). They filled down easily and were much quicker to apply. The only problems I had were remembering to keep to a pattern and on one nail the head of the cat is filed away but that is just because I have short nails (stupid housework is responsible). 

I hope you all have a very Happy Halloween. Dress up fabously and eat lots of candy (I feel so American saying that). Don't do too many pranks and get into too much trouble. :)

What are you doing for Halloween? Link me any posts! :D

MAC & Sephora Haul

Earlier this month I placed another order with Rebecca to get some items from both MAC and Sephora in the USA. As any Aussie beauty lover knows, there is no Sephora in Australia and they will not ship to Australia. To purchase from them you need to be lucky enough to live overseas or use a parcel forwarding service. Personally I find that all very difficult so luckily Rebecca takes the order and organises it all and when it arrives she mails it on. Simple and awesome. Thank you Rebecca! 

Sephora:

Items from Sephora!

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection 

This set contains 

• Hypnose Star Show Stopping Volume Mascara in Noir Midnight - full size
• Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base - travel size
• Artliner Precision Point Eye Liner in Noir - full size
• Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-Up Remover - travel size

This gift set is amazing value for only US$34.00! As my Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara has ran out, it was time for a new Lancome one. I couldn't resist a newly released one either.

Nars Larger Than Life Long Wear Eye Liner in Rue Bonaparte

I have been wanting this nude eye liner for ages but it keeps selling out at Mecca Cosmetica. It was also much cheaper from Sephora. A nude eye liner can help make the eyes look larger and the whites look brighter. 

Buxom Time to Shine 

I have been wanting to try the Buxom Big & Healthy lip products for ages and this little gift set is the perfect way to do so. It contains 6 miniature lip products in 3 different formulas. They are:

• Big & Healthy Lip Polish (Sheer) in Sugar & Katie
• Big & Healthy Lip Polish (Diamond) in Gina & April
• Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Berry Blast & White Russian

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Tipsy

Another thing I have been lusting after for ages but refused to pay the inflated eBay prices. I chose the colour Tipsy which is a gorgeous coral - perfect for Summer. I wore it today and loved it.

MAC:

Items from MAC!

Cremeblend Blush in Something Special

I am still suffering from (though quite enjoying) my 'Cream Blush Crush'. Therefore I had to add a cream MAC blush to my collection. It is also a gorgeous coral colour and I cannot wait to try it. 

Lipsticks

It would not be any type of shopping post from me without at least one lipstick included. I am really loving the MAC lipsticks and regretting not getting into them earlier. This time I added another 3 to my collection. They are:

• Sunny Seoul (Cremesheen) 
• Vegas Volt (Amplified Creme)
• Chatterbox (Amplified Creme)

So there is my second MAC & Sephora haul! I already have another wishlist forming... haha Just a warning too, there will be another MAC haul coming up in the next month. I just ordered some items from the Glamour Daze holiday collection.

What have you hauled lately? What would you buy from Sephora?

Lust Have It - October 2012

I feel like I say some version of this every month but Lust Have It seems to be arriving later and later each month. I mean there is only two days of October left and I have only just received my pack. Though at least this month Lust Have It emailed me to notify me that my box was being posted on Wednesday last week. 

Once again I received the 'Fun & Flirty Lust Haves' pack. This month the pack arrived in a little drawstring ribbon bag. Personally I don't really care what it arrives in. I care more about what is in it. This month the card doesn't give any reasons as to why products were included, it just talks about their Pink Ribbon packs (which are now sold out).

The October Lust Have It pack contains:

Mask in a Cup Facial Mask - 35g $9.95

I was really excited to see this in the pack. Who doesn't love a face mask? Especially when it is full size. Well I don't! Not when it is made for oily skin and my skin is dry. Essentially a useless product for me. 

NYX Cosmetics Girls Nail Polish in Roots - 12ml $4.95

The best thing in the box. This is a full sized nail polish in a pretty pinky-nude colour. I actually really like the shade and have never tried anything from NYX before.

Avene Cleanance Skincare - Gel-Cream, Anti-Shine Regulating Lotion & Soapless Cleanser - from $24.95

Avene seems to be a favourite of the sample boxes. I think this would be the 3rd time I have received products from them. Normally I don't mind, this time I do. All these samples are for oily and blemish prone skin. My skin is neither (as established earlier, mine is dry). Again no use to me.

Caron Waxaway Ready to Use Sensitive Wax Strips - from $9.95

This is a sample pack with 2 wax strips and an after care wipe. I don't wax (and honestly, barely shave - blessed with fine, pale hairs!) and 2 strips would not even do one leg, let alone both. Seems like a bit of a useless sample. May use them on my brothers legs when he is annoying me though... Haha! 

Star & Rose White Bath Fizzer - 145g $4.95

This is a bath bomb. Not sure if there is any more to say. Pretty boring I think. I cannot smell any particular scent, though it does smell okay. We have a bath but I must say in 8 years it has only been used 3 times. Yeah don't like baths, they waste too much water (What? I have lived with drought for too long). Won't use this. 

Ah, Lust Have It what happened? You used to be my favourite and the best that was available. I would you always recommend you to others. I think you have lost your way a little. 

It is not so luxurious any more, it is honestly a little blah. I have made deal with myself, I am giving Lust Have It one more month to improve and get back to what it used to be or my subscription will end. At the moment it really is a waste of $14.95 a month. I miss the old Lust Have It.

Are you subscribed to Lust Have It? What did you receive this month? Happy or unhappy?

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Review

Source

Earlier this year Revlon released the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in America. Naturally I was excited by the hype that surrounded them and I purchased two off eBay. I used them a couple of times and being the lip product junkie I am, new lip goodies were purchased and these were pushed to the back of the drawer. I pretty much forgot about them... Oops! I was reminded though when I heard that they are being released in Australia this November. 

There are 12 shades available (only in America) and I chose two of the brighter ones. The first is 025 Sweetheart and it is is a bright pink and the second is 040 Rendezvous which is an orange-coral. Each contain 2.7g of product.

The first thing I noticed when applying these is how pigmented they are. It is full on colour! I was expecting something similar to the Clinique Chubby Sticks which is a sheer, glossy colour. The Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are a glossy, pigmented colour. They do have similar packaging though - crayon shaped and wind up. Which means no sharpening, always a good thing. 

When first applied on the lips they are quite glossy. As they wear the glossiness fades but the colour really stays. No touch-ups are needed to keep the colour on your lips. The stain does fade during the day but is still noticeable after many hours and I have found it fades evenly. No nasty looking ring of colour around the lips. 

On application they are quite moisturising on the lips, of course as the glossiness wears away the moisturising effect does too. I have found they are not too drying on the lips but are a little bit. It is very easy to apply a lip balm over the top of the stain. This is no hassle for me, having dry lips I am always reaching for the lip balm. 

Another, quite noticeable point is they have a minty taste and scent. It is pretty strong when first applied to the lips but does fade. Just something to consider for those sensitive to scented products.  

I do quite like the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains and now that I have rediscovered them, I will definitely use them more. When I see them in store I think I will pick up another shade or two, especially a lighter pink.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are being released in November and will retail for AU$17.95 each, though only 10 shades will be available. 

Have you tried the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains? What are your thoughts?

Bond, James Bond - OPI The Man With The Golden Gun

OPI recently released their Skyfall collection in celebration of the newest James Bond film (called Skyfall) and 50 years of 007. The collection includes 12 shades of which I have my eye on around 7 of them and following the OPI tradition they have so awesome Bond inspired names. The Skyfall collection also includes 3 magnetic polishes and very special top coat. 

The Man With The Golden Gun is a top coat with real 18K flakes of gold within it. AMAZING! As soon as I heard of it I knew I would own it. So when it came into stock on AdoreBeauty last Friday the debit card was out of my purse quicker than you could say 'Bond, James Bond'. 

It comes packaged in a black box that makes it feel very limited edition. The actual bottle is gold. I LOVE. It is the standard 15ml size of OPI polishes. 

I decided to layer it over a kit Cosmetics polish. It is a mini from the Futuristic Fever set. It doesn't appear to actually have a shade name. It is a pretty metallic fuchsia. 

Firstly I applied two coats of the kit polish and let to dry. I then applied two coats of The Man With The Golden Gun top coat.  You could apply more for a stronger effect. 

Please excuse the small chips in my polish. That is what happens when you do the housework before taking photos...

The top coat was a little difficult to apply. As you stroke the brush down the nail, the small gold flakes seem to end up more at the tips of the nail. It took a slight adjustment to how I paint my nails to get the right result. It needs to be dabbed on instead on stroked (if that makes sense...). 

I absolutely love this polish and am seriously considering buying a second as a back up. I am looking forward to experimenting with this over different colour bases. I think it would look great over a turquoise. 

It is available now at AdoreBeauty and retails for $39.95 - run, don't walk! 

Job Interview Make Up

Again, sorry for the lack of posts lately. I got an emergency dentist appointment on Monday and had the first session of root canal treatment. The agony only just started to subside yesterday. That is why I hate the dentists. 

Anyway earlier today I went to a job interview and I thought I would share the make up I wore with you. I tried to keep it very soft and natural. Nothing over the top and no bright lip :( I wanted to look as professional as possible. 

I blow dried my hair and left it loose. I know most people say it should be tied back for an interview. Personally though, I always wear my hair down (unless it is really hot or my hair is dirty and I cannot be bothered to wash it). I feel less confident and less like myself having it tied up.

Excuse the puffy face! The swelling has only just started to go down.

Face:

• Foundation - Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation in 12 Beige Rose (review here)
• Under Eye Concealer - Clinique Airbrush Concealer in 01 Fair
• Powder - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light
• Blush - Burberry Light Glow Blush in 03 Rose Blush

Eyes & Brows:

• Primer - Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen 
• Shadow - theBalm Nude'tude Palette
• Stand-offish all over the lid
• Sultry in the outer corner & crease
• Serious as liner in the lash line
• Curler - Chanel Precision Eye Lash Curler
• Mascara - Chanel Inimitable Intese in 10 Noir
• Brow Pencil - Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Medium
• Brow Gel - Avon Clear Brow Gel

Lips:

• Lipstick - Lancome French Touch in 314 Rose Candy (review here)

The shades in the Nude'tude palette 

I think the interview went well so fingers crossed I am successful and get the job. Anyway I hope you are all having a lovely day! I will try to get back to regular posting now that I am almost pain free (or enough that I don't have to take Panadeine Forte). 

What make up would you wear to a job interview?

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation - Review

Firstly, sorry for the lack of posts recently. I have a horrible toothache and cannot get a dentist appointment (the curse of living in the country) so I have to put up with it for the next week or two. I haven't been able to sit still long enough to blog - pain is very distracting.

"For the first time, the magic light of Touche Éclat is in a foundation. Infused in a weightless fluid, Touche Éclat foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With buildable coverage and free of opaque fillers, this foundation's perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal imperfections, enhancing your skin's natural beauty. Available in 17 shades with SPF19 broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection." - Yves Saint Laurent

The original Touche Eclat was lauched a massive 20 years ago and it is still a must-have item in many a make up bags. The Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation has been in development for 20 years. It doesn't need to be said that I was extremely excited when I heard of its upcoming release a few months ago. 

First thought when trying this foundation - I LOVE IT! Also look at that packaging! Is is not goregous and luxurious? It has a nice weighty feel to it and look very beautiful on the dresser. I love that you can see how much product is left and there is a handy pump.

In total there is 22 shades available in this foundation. Though only 10 are available in Australia and 17 in USA. I purchased mine from Harrods in the UK so I could get the exact shade I wanted. 

The shades are divided into three groups:

• Beige Dore (BD) is for skins with warm (golden or yellow) undertones
• Beige Rose (BR) is for skins with cool (pink or red) undertones
• Beige (B) is for skins with neutral (neither pink or yellow) undertones

I purchased the shade BR10 Beige Rose as I have very pink undertones and very pale skin. On my skin you can really tell if the undertone is not quite right which is why I purchased from Harrods as Australia is only selling B10 Beige. Beige Rose matches my skin perfectly.

This is one of those my skin but better foundations. It makes my skin look naturally radiant and evens up my skin tone without covering my skin. The redness on my cheeks and around my nose is gone but my freckles are still visible. It blends into the skin seamlessly with all the methods I have tested it with - fingers, buffing brush, foundation brush and stippling brush.

My skin tends to be dry but I find this to be moisturising but doesn't make me look shiny. My skin looks glowy and radiant but it is still natural. I have found it lasts all day on my skin with or without powdering. 

In the photo below I am only wearing Le Teint Touche Eclat and a little Touche Eclat under the eyes. The photo was taken in natural light with no flash. 

For me this is the perfect summer foudation. It is a light to medium coverage that does not feel heavy. It lasts all day and makes my skin look radiant. It also has SPF19 and we all know how important sun protection is. 

I highly recommend this foundation. For me it won't replace my Holy Grail Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua but is a great alternative with slightly less coverage. I can see myself alternating between the two depending on the occasion and my skin. 

Le Teint Touche Eclat is available now for AU$78.00 at YSL stockists.

Have you tried Le Teint Touche Eclat? What do you think? 

BellaBox - October 2012

BellaBox has again arrived nice and early in the month. Boxes started arriving late last week and I couldn't help myself but have a peek and I was (and am) impressed by this months selection. October marks BellaBox's 1st birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY. It may be BellaBox's birthday but I think we have gotten the gifts.

The theme for October is 'Pretty in Pink' and $1 from every box is going to charity. The dollar from my box is going to the Look Good...Feel Better Foundation. The products in this months box are from brands that support a variety of charities and worthy causes. 

The October BellaBox contains:

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Instant Action Treatment - 30ml $100.00

This is a 5ml sample of a anti-aging type treatment. Nice to see some Estee Lauder in a BellaBox and the sample is quite a nice size. Will give it go even though I don't really need to lift & firm my skin. 

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer - 30ml $74.00 or 50ml $102.00

This is an exfoliating serum that promotes cell maturation, turnover and removal all without irritating the skin. Sounds pretty good to me! Smells nice and a 7ml sample is pretty generous.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Colour - 9.17ml $13.95

A full size product! This is in the shade 150 Petal Pusher and is a pretty pale pink. I love fast drying nail polish too - who has the time to wait?

Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm - Sheer Pink Tint - 2g $8.99

I recieved an original Carmex tube from BellaBox a previous month and am loving it. So I was happy to see this. As someone who has constantly dry lips, I can never have enough lip balms. Having a pink tint this will be perfect for those days that my lips are too dry for lipstick. This is full size and not even available in Australia yet. 

DKNY Fresh Blossom Eau So Intense - 100ml $135.00

I haven't tried a DKNY perfume before and I was pleasantly suprised by this. It smells, well delicious - really fresh and fruity. I think it would be a perfect summer perfume. I will definetely enjoy using this 1.5ml sample. 

Klorane Shampoo with Oat Milk - 200ml $9.95 & Klorane Conditioning Cream with Pomegranate - 150ml $9.95

I have only ever tried the Klorane dry shampoo and I must say I don't really like it. Therefore I am interested to see what this is like. It is a 25ml shampoo sample and a 10ml conditioning cream sachet.

Bourjois Smoky Pencil - 0.89g $20.00

This is in the shade 72 Dark Purple and is the 3rd full size product in the box. I enjoy Bourjois products and I this is a really nice purple colour. I don't own any purple eye liners so that is good.

Chocolatier Pink Heart Chocolate

I LOVE chocolate! Very thoughtful inclusion and it is calling me to eat it... 

Very impressed with BellaBox this month. We definetly got the birthday presents! Love the variety, love the brands, love the full size products, love the charity donation. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, what more can I say? 

Well done BellaBox, you have taken my mind off my toothache. Thank you :). 

What did you recieve in the October BellaBox? Happy? 

My Nails are Wearing... Sally Hansen

I purchased this nail polish a few weeks ago (haul post here) but have only gotten around to trying it. To be honest I don't paint my nails that often lately. I just cannot be bothered to paint my nails. It takes too long waiting for them to dry and then they chip really quickly. I was bored earlier though so I painted my nails.

This polish is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in 220 Cafe Au Lait. This is the first time I have tried these polishes. It has a different brush, it is quite wide and thick. I actually liked it though and found it quite easy to use. The shade itself is a beautiful nude with a subtle shimmer. Understated and sophisticated. 

Three thin coats is pictured, topped with OPI RapiDry Top Coat. 

I really like this polish and I will definitely look for more shades next time I am shopping. Let's hope it has a decent wear time. 

Have you tried these polishes before? What are your nails wearing?

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara - Review

"Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Volume Mascara gives lashes more volume and length for a wide-eyed look. The cone-shaped brush provides a smooth and clean application, and helps define lashes. FiberShine™ technology within the formulation sculpts, curls, and loads each lash to leave eyelashes thicker and longer." - Lancome 

Lancome is renowned for their mascaras, I don't think you can be a beauty addict without having tried at least one Lancome mascara. Hypnose Doll Eyes is the first one I have tried and to be honest the only one I have purchased full size. Now as it is nearing its end, I figured it was about time I reviewed it considering it made it into My Top 11 Products of 2011 post. 

I am lucky to be able to say I have been genetically blessed with lashes that are long and thick. I refer to it as my family inheritance, my Mum and my brother both have them. Though my brothers are even longer and thicker. It is so not fair! Such a waste on a boy.

When purchasing a mascara I look for one that will darken my lashes while curling them, add volume and some length. I hate mascaras that clump up my lashes or make them poker straight. 

I have found the Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara lengthens my lashes whilst adding volume and curl. The conical shaped wand allows you to reach all those little lashes in the corners. The colour is a nice dark black. My lashes are not clumped up and are nicely defined. This mascara does not flake or smudge during the day. The mascara lasts all day on my lashes. 

I love this mascara. For me it really gives the 'doll eye' look, my eyes look bigger and brighter. I have gotten numerous compliments on how long my lashes look with this mascara. If I put my glasses on too quickly after applying, I end up with mascara on my glasses. My current one is almost finished but I will be repurchasing it in the future. 

The Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara is pricey at $52.00 but definitely worth it and I have had mine for close to 12 months (yes, I know the whole 3-6 month expiry date but I don't follow this if the product is still fine and I never suffer from eye infections). 

Have you tried Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara? Have you tried any other Lancome mascaras? What is your favourite mascara? 

Revlon Photoready Cream Blush - Review

 

Towards the end of August, Revlon released their Escapism collection designed by Gucci Westman. The collection contains many new products including three cream blushes as a part of the Photoready line. I picked up two of the shades. 

The first shade I picked up is 200 Flushed which is a bright pink. The other shade I picked up is 300 Coral Reef which as the name implies is a coral shade. 

There is a third shade available, 100 Pinched which is a very pale peachy nude shade. I skipped on this as I prefer stronger colours on my cheeks especially coming into the warmer weather. 

They look very strong and  bright in the pan but I have found them to be quite sheer compared to other cream blushes I own. I quite like this though, it makes the colour look more natural and can easily be built up. They provide that natural, radiant looking flush to the skin. 

These blushes are super easy to apply. I like to use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush or sometimes my fingers. I have found they last all day with very minimal fading. 

I like the packaging on these. They are a little round pot with a massive 12.4g of product compared to the 3.7g in a Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge. 

Flushed is swatched on the left and Coral Reef on the right. I have sheered the swatch out on the sides. You can see they are build able but also can be sheered out.

I highly recommend these cream blushes. I find they are not a product readily available at a 'drugstore' price and at $26.95 each they are very affordable. I am not sure if they are limited edition, so I suggest you check them out soon in case they are. 

Have you tried these? Are you a cream blush lover? 

Harrods Haul

Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that I placed an order with Harrods almost two weeks ago. I had been very impatiently waiting until it arrived today. 

I had been planning on making an order for some time but then I received an email offering 15% off any order I make. I couldn't refuse!

Harrods will ship many beauty items to Australia excluding of course things like fragrance and sadly certain items like Tom Ford foundations. Shipping is £25.00 which may seem high but VAT (UK tax) is deducted from your order which in this case was around £22.00.

I placed the order on the 20th September and it spent over a week in the UK before it left for Australia this past Saturday. Shipping time was fast and efficient. 

The order arrived in a brown cardboard box printed with the Harrods logo. How cool does it look? Inside that box was another box. This time a black thick cardboard box with Harrods printed on the top. This was wrapped in bubble wrap. Inside the box was another package of bubble wrap. Inside that bubble wrap was two packages wrapped in bubble wrap. Finally inside those was my items. Moral of the story? Harrods use a lot of bubble wrap and pack their orders well! Also included was a nice little printed card thanking me for shopping at Harrods. 

Chanel Rogue Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 94 Extatique

A hot pink Chanel lipstick, how could I not purchase it? I haven't tried this lipstick formula so I am excited to give it a go. 

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation in BR10 Beige Rose

I have been dying to try this foundation since I heard it was being released. This is the main reason for my Harrods order. This shade is not available in Australia and my skin needs a pink based foundation. 

Tom Ford Cheek Color in 01 Love Lust

What can I say? I have been wanting to expand my Tom Ford collection since I purchased my first Tom Ford lipstick. This is a gorgeous shade and I cannot wait to use it. 

Burberry Light Glow Blush in No.3 Rose Blush & Lip Mist in No.207 Camelia Pink

I couldn't order from an iconic British store without ordering something from an iconic British brand. Cannot wait to try these either and they smell really good too.

What have you hauled lately? Ever ordered from Harrods before?