Antipodean Beauties - Lashes

I didn't participate in last weeks Antipodean Beauties Challenge. The theme of 'Winter' just didn't inspire me, probably because I was dreaming of warmer weather like we have had this past week. It has been seriously beautiful. This weeks theme did however inspire me, so onto it we go!

This weeks theme is 'Lashes'. Now I love lashes, not the stick on type but the ones attached to my eyes. I consider myself pretty blessed with my lashes. It is like a family inheritance that we all have nice long and full lashes. That doesn't stop me from loving my mascara though! 

So for this weeks challenge I thought I would share with you some of my current mascaras and an essential tool that everyone should have. I never wear false lashes so I don't even own any so this is the next best thing.

Here are four of the current mascaras I have on the go. I have others but I have either already written a review on them or they aren't that great and really who likes writing negative things? 

Honestly, I have far too many mascaras open at a time and I don't really stick to the 3 months old and then chuck rule. I will use it until I finish it or the texture and/or scent changes. It's working too, I have never had an eye infection or anything wrong with my eyes. 

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara in Noir Midnight

Lacome would have to be considered the Rolls Royce of mascaras. I don't think they are capable of making a bad mascara. This has a great brush that allows lots of product to be applied but it doesn't clump up. It adds lots of volume and length to the lashes. No problems with flaking or smudging with this one. I also love the sparkly tube. 

Maybelline The Mega Plush Volum' Express Mascara in Blackest Black

The newest mascara in my stash and I am not 100% sure what I think of it yet. I know some people are big fans of it. I am not sure about the brush yet. For me it is a bit too soft and the wand is too flexible. I don't feel like it adds a lot of volume or length. It adds enough but nothing spectacular. 

Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in 57 Blue Note

I never thought I would own a bright blue mascara but when at Chanel back in May, the sales assistant insisted it would go wonderfully with my brown eyes. I wasn't convinced so she applied it for me, after looking in the mirror I had to have it. I love it for a fun relaxed look with a little blue liner on the lower lash line. I absolutely love this mascara, I don't wear it for volume or length. I wear it for the beautiful blue shade. 

Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara in Brilliant Black

I purchased this one after seeing it in a couple of Michelle Phan YouTube videos and I was intriged about it. This is the least conventional mascara I own. Instead of a spoolie type applicatior that goes into a tube of mascara. This has a comb and you twist the bottom of the tube for the mascara to dispense through the comb. This mascara is really great for adding definition to the lashes as the applicator allows you to get into the corners really easily. The only downside I find with this mascara is that it can take longer to apply than a normal mascara. 

For fabulous lashes that look full and flirty I think there are two essential items. A fantastic mascara and an eyelash curler. Before applying that your fantastic mascara you MUST curl your lashes. A mascara can add curl but it cannot give you the same effect as an eyelash curler. Curling your lashes gives your eye lids a lifted appearance. Making your eyes look bigger and more youthful. 

My two favourite eyelash curlers are the famous Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and the Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler. 

Both are fantastic and I could not pick a favourite from the two. They both have a similar shape too, though the Chanel appears to be a little less rounded compared to the Shu Uemura. 

The Chanel is a little bit harder to come by, I got mine from Nordstrom and I think I paid around $50 for it in the end (but it's Chanel so I am powerless to say no). The Shu Uemura is available on the David Jones website and thanks to Shu Uemura's recent price drop in Australia it is now only $29! I recommend investing in a good eyelash curler. They are an essential product and considering a cheaper one can damage your lashes it is best to invest! 

What are your favourite products for lashes?

Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes - Review & Swatches

When I heard that Clinique were releasing Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes I got really excited. I love my Chubby Sticks for lips so I had high hopes for the eyes version. 

I couldn't wait for them to be released in Australia. Don't you hate how we have to wait for everything? It took a while but they were finally released in Australia but in early July. Naturally, I had to head to a Clinique counter ASAP to swatch and purchase.  

I was immediately drawn to the more neutral shades. Being pretty boring with my eye shadows it was a foregone conclusion. After a little bit of swatching, I walked away from the Clinique counter with:

01 Bountiful Beige - pale, golden, sparkly beige

02 Lots o' Latte - taupey brown

03 Fuller Fudge - bronzed brown, this has a bit of a reddish undertone

04 Ample Amber - coppery bronze

For being a tint these shadows are actually really pigmented and can be built up if you want even more opacity. To give you an idea of pigmentation - the swatches further down show two swipes of shadow. 

If you are a regular Luxury on the Lips reader you will know I am very lazy when it comes to eye make up. I love the look of it but I hate all the blending and shading and yadda yadda. Cream shadows, especially when in stick/pen form are a favourite of mine. 

These are therefore perfect for me! 

Super easy to apply - just swipe over the lid and then blend out with a fluffy brush. Takes less than a minute each eye for one of those morning when I have slept in and need to be out the door in 20 minutes (you know what I am talking about). If I have more time I will apply an extra shade to the outer third for that added dimension. 

Another reason I love these shades? They all work together really well. But they also work really well on their own. 

The Chubby Sticks for Eyes are very smooth making it is to apply and blend. I have found that they semi set on the eyelids - they don't dry out but they don't stay really creamy. With no primer or powder on top they still last all day on me. 

L-R: Bountiful Beige, Lots o' Latte, Fuller Fudge and Ample Amber. 

Overall, I am really happy to own these little beauties. Perfect for a quick and easy yet polished eye look. Honestly, they are a perfect product for a lazy girl like me. I know I'm not the only one out there! Or at least I hope I'm not.. 

Always rushing around to get your make up done before heading out? Your beauty sleep more important than a complicated eye look? Then you need the Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in your life, STAT!

The Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes retail at $35.00 each and are available at Clinique counters and online now. 

Have you tried the Chubby Sticks for Eyes? Thoughts? 

Recent Purchases

Over the last week or two I have purchased a few new things. Quite a few items are from brands I have never tried before or have had limited experience with. A lot of these items would also be considered 'drug store' items. These purchases are from a couple of different places. I am actually excited about them as most of the products are ones that I have thought about buying before but just taken the plunge. Well now I have. 

LIPSTICK REPUBLIC

This is my third purchase from Lipstick Republic and every time I have been impressed with the service. They are very efficient, items are well packed and there is free gift too. They recently had a 20% off sale but with my usual luck, I actually placed this order about 12 hours before the sale. But that's okay because they were items I really wanted. 

The items I purchased were both from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC). I purchased the Lip Tar Stained Gloss in New Wave and the Skin Conceal in R0. I also received a free lipstick from Lippy Girl, it is actually a organic lipstick in the shade Sassy Ass (hehehe). The bright pink shade is so me... 

ASOS

The Bourjois Cream Blushes are something I have been lusting after since I first heard about them. When they first became available on ASOS I was on my spending ban and then when I went to purchase them they weren't all in stock. When I looked last week and saw they were all available and under $10 each I couldn't resist, they went into my cart. I purchased a Dotting Tool, something I have been wanting for ages but couldn't be bothered searching eBay for. 

CRUSH COSMETICS

I hadn't planned to place an order with Crush Cosmetics buttttttttttt they had a 20% off sale and I cannot resist a sale, EVER.  As I mentioned above a lot of these items are ones I have been wanting for a while, that is especially true of this order. 

I purchased the Sleek Make Up Blush by 3 in Sweet Cheeks which is part of the Candy Collection. I didn't realise at the time but this palette has two powder blushes and one cream - win! Also from Sleek, I got a Pout Polish in Powder Pink (which as you can see, I have already had my fingers in). 

After reading rave reviews, I had to get a Lime Crime Velvetines in Suedeberry to try. The Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Walking on Eggshells seems to be a favourite of most beauty bloggers and something that has been on the shopping list in my head for a while. 

The Hard Candy Glamoflauge concealer was purchased for its promise of heavy duty coverage which I am always needing for my under eye circles. It came with a cute little concealer pen too. The NYX Wonder Pencil was a bit of a last minute add but it was new and looked interesting. How am I meant to resist? 

The last items for my recent purchases aren't actually purchased by me. A few weeks ago Aldi had the above beauty books advertised in their catalogue at a bonkers cheap price of $10 each! The local Aldi (which is still an hour away) sadly didn't have them, so I thought I had missed out. But then I get home from work one night last week and they were sitting on my bedside table! My Mum and Nan had been out that day and whilst out they went to the Aldi, to specifically see if they could get them and success! They came home with them. 

There is two books by Rae Morris - Timeless Make Up and Make Up The Ultimate Guide. The other is by Napoleon Perdis - Flawless Forever. So far I have only had a quick flick through them but I am so glad to have them. The imagery is amazing, especially in the Rae Morris ones. 

There is my recent purchases, let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to see a review or more in-depth post on. I can't say I have even really tried any of the items except to poke my fingers in and swatch them.

What have you purchased lately?

BellaBox - August 2013

Since Bella Box is now the only box I am subscribed to, I was pretty excited to receive my Bella Box last week. This months theme appears to be 'get active' though I don't really see anything in the box that fits that theme entirely. 

The August Bella Box contains:

Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser - 150ml $67.00

This brand sounds familar, I think I have recieved one of their products in a previous box. This is a natural product which sounds nice but kind of meh. This is a 5ml sample tube. 

ASAP Ultimate Hydration - 50ml $79.00

This moisturisers claims to deliver immediate and visible results to dry and prematurely aged skin. It includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid to increase hydration. Looking forward to trying this as my skin has been shockingly dry lately. This is a more generous 15ml tube. 

Ultraceuticals Ultra CC Cream Mineral Tint SPF30 - 50ml $59.00

I was excited to see this until I noticed the shade - medium. I knew that wouldn't be any good for me, most light CC/BB creams are too dark for my fair skin. As predicted this is way too dark and therefore useless. To me this is probably the only product to fit with the 'get active' theme. 

Talavou Naturals Glo - 8g $39.95

I like that this product has only three ingredients - meaning you really know what you are putting on your skin. But it is a bronzer, I rarely if ever wear the stuff. As I have mentioned before - I am pale and proud! Whilst the packaging looks full size, the amount inside is a sample size, a small sample too. 

L'Oreal Base Magique Primer - 15ml $29.95

I always like a make up product however I still have a sample of this that L'Oreal were giving away for free when it was first released. I don't like this product either. It is too heavy, silicone based for my liking. 

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Intense After-Colour Conditoner - 150ml $16.99

This conditioner doesn't really apply to me as I no longer colour my hair (though I am considering it). Conditioners are always handy though. It is like some unwritten law that conditioner runs out long before shampoo. This is a 50ml tube. 

TOM Organic - 16 tampons $7.99

Meh. Two tampons. Luckily this is a bonus and not one of the products. Really not interested. 

Overall this months box for me is a bit meh, blah, so-so - take your pick! I am really just bored by this box. Nothing exciting or wow about it. Hopefully next months is better or it may be time for me to unsubscribe...

What do you think of the August Bella Box? Happy?

Nail Polish Collection & Storage

Nail polish had always been a pain in the ass for me to store. I have too much for a drawer, too much for a tub and packing it away under the bed means I forget to wear it. When I did a bit of a room makeover back in May, I decided I would do something about the chaos that was my nail polish collection. 

I had seen the acrylic nail polish racks around but always thought they were too expensive. But when I realised I was spending over $250 on paint and accessories to paint my room, I figured my lovely polishes deserved better treatment. Especially when some of these bottles are around $40 each. 

I purchased this polish rack off eBay from this seller (who doesn't seem to have it any longer). Including postage it cost me just under $90. Expensive? Yes, but so worth it. I currently have around 90 polishes on it but you could definitely fit more on it. 

I don't have a strict order to the display. On the top shelf I have my Ciate Caviar Manicure set (that I haven't used yet) and all my base coats, top coats and treatments. Otherwise they are just organised by brand and with certain brands (like Chanel) by number. To set it up, I just changed the polishes around until they 'looked right'. It took a few tries too! 

I love the way this looks on my wall. It adds a bit of colour and gives some of my pretty polishes a chance to be on show. I have it drilled onto my wall near my desk so when I am sitting there trying to blog, it is something colourful and pretty to look at. 

This doesn't hold all my polishes. I still have a tub under my bed full but, they are the less used and/or less pretty polishes. It really has helped sort out my polish chaos though and it is a bit of a wall feature!

How do you store your nail polishes?

Antipodean Beauties - Glitter

I found this weeks Antipodean Beauties Challenge topic a little more well challenging than last weeks. Glitter is not something I incorporate into my make up very often. I much prefer the au natural look, glitter does not fit into that equation.

For this challenge I have decided to show you a couple of my favourite glitter products that I have in my stash. As I mentioned above glitter isn't a regular part of my beauty routine so I had limited products to choose from but here they are!

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

At first glance this is not a glitter product but when you look closely, under the right light you will find blue glitter. This shower gel is awesome. Seriously, it is like washing with musk stick. The sweetness could be overpowering for some but I love it. The only downside is it is limited edition and insanely popular when it is available. 

OPI Nail Lacquer in Rainbow Connection

When applied to your nails it is like a rainbow party for your nails. It looks like what I imagine fairies throw up would look like. Awesome. 

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in 81 Fantasme

If you are a regular reader of Luxury on the Lips you will know how much I love the Chanel cream eye shadows. They are absolutely amazing and Fantasme is actually a very versatile shade. It can be used over the top of another shadow for extra sparkle, as an inner corner highlight or even as a highlighter for the cheekbones. It is also quite a fine glitter so it more wearable. 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 002 Sparkling Black

These Rimmel eye liners are fantastic for the 'drug store' price. This is one is especially pretty for the fine silver glitter in the black base. I find it can really brighten up the eyes and can look less harsh than straight black eye liner. This is also really creamy, easy to apply and long lasting. 

Buxom Lip Polish in Gina

This Buxom Lip Polish is as glittery as it gets for my lips. I usually prefer creamy lip products to slightly shimmery. Gina has a fine blue glitter through it that really makes my lips look plump and healthy. The colour is also gorgeous. 

Fantasme, Sparkling Black & Gina. 

So there is week two of the Antipodean Beauties Challenge! I am liking this challenge thing so far. It is pushing me to write a bit more and about things that I wouldn't necessarily post about. 

Once I get over this sickness I have been hit with I will hopefully be posting more. I still have to meet my self imposed 10 post challenge for this month. 

What are your favourite glitter products? 

How do you incorporate glitter into you make up routine?

Don't forget to check out the other posts from some lovely bloggers!

Antipodean Beauties - My Favourite Lipstick

Antipodean Beauties is a new make up challenge for Australian and NZ bloggers. Each week will have a different theme to create a post around. The idea is everyone posts each week and their is a link up at the bottom so you can check out the other posts from some amazing bloggers. 

My lip products collection. 

This weeks theme is "My Favourite Lipstick". OMG! My most dreaded question...

I have favourite lipsticks but there is a lot of favourites and most have a different reason for being a favourite. There is my favourite bright, nude, weekend casual, sheer, long lasting and then the work appropriate lipstick. I also had to remember as Chels pointed out that there is a difference between 'favourite' and 'most worn'. 

I thought about it all yesterday and last night and finally decided this morning and then wore it today just to make sure (I like to be thorough). 

My favourite lipstick is... drum roll please... 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 54 Boy

It was a hard choice but I had to make it. Though I love my bright and bold colours, Boy is a lipstick I could wear everyday and still love

This lipstick is just a gorgeous easy to wear shade, I believe it would suit pretty much everyone. It is perfect for everyday wear whether it be for work, a night out or the weekend. I find this lipstick instantly makes me look polished and put together.

The formula is lovely. Creamy and moisturising but sheer enough to not need constant maintenance. The colour is a very pretty nudey pink that I just love. It is almost a my lips but better shade. 

Apologies for the less than stellar lip swatch above. My skin is really playing up at the moment and I have no idea why. My lips also look horrible - stupid winter drying them out. 

For a more in depth review of the Rouge Coco Shine formula check out my original post here. 

So there is week one of the Antipodean Beauties Challenge. Feel free to join in! The Facebook page is located here: Antipodean Beauties. Hopefully I will be able to do each weeks challenge but knowing my lack of blogging lately I may not. I will try my best though!

What is your favourite lipstick?

July Favourites

Favourites time again...

Seriously, I find it so hard to pick each month. I like to share the love and this month having new products to play with has made it even more difficult. For July I have picked a couple of items that aren't beauty items but I have really enjoyed them so they get an inclusion. 

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in No.21 Midnight Brown

This shadow is a favourite of mine for simple brown smoky eye. I just apply this shade all of the lid and blend out with a fluffy brush. It is so simple and the end result is a gorgeous effortless eye make up. It really makes me think of the 'Burberry look'. This shadow is also buttery soft and for a sheer shadow it is nicely pigmented. 

MAC Lipstick in Impassioned

When I am working I am really boring with my lipsticks - think pale, neutral and a little boring. Therefore Impassioned has been a bit neglected lately. I wore it the day I went to Chadstone and my love was reignited. I received about 4 compliments on it and I just remembered how much I love it. Impassioned, I promise not to neglect you again, forgive me? 

BYS Blush Trio in Heart Skipped a Beat*

I have not used BYS in years - my memories of the cheap cosmetics I used in my early high school days are not the best. I know there are a lot of bloggers that love some of their products though. So when I received this I was hesitant but excited to try it out. The three shades are all very pretty and pigmented. They can be a little difficult to blend and a little powdery but nothing a fluffy brush can't deal with. For the price (under $8) you can't complain. I especially love the first pale, shimmery pink.

Kosmea Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil

I blogged about this in July here. I declared it my winter skin saviour and still stick by that. This instantly hydrates my skin and leaves it feeling so lovely and soft. Highly recommend. 

evo Day of Grace Leave-in Conditioner 

Another evo product that has found a place in my beauty loving heart. This is excellent for de-tangling and un-knotting my long and sometimes unruly hair. It is like the old strawberry scented spray for knotty hair but more mature. It smells better too. 

Hart of Dixie

Whilst waiting for the new seasons of my favourite shows to start in the US (think Criminal Minds, The Vampire Diaries, Bones, Revenge, Scandal) I had to find something new to watch. I had the pilot episode on my iPad that I downloaded ages ago when it was free. I instantly feel in love and picked up the first season on DVD and I am now half way through season two on my iPad. I am in love with Rachel Bilson she is so cute and stylish!  

Karma Senses 100% Natural Soy Candle in Blackberry Ripple

I picked this candle up for two bucks in Coles a couple of weeks ago and it is really good for the price. The blackberry scent is gorgeous. I wish I had picked up more of this scent. 

So there is my favourites! I am now 20% through my July blogging target. I also remembered that I haven't put up my blog sale yet... Oops I swear I have a hopeless memory. I will probably post it up in the next couple of days. 

What are your July favourites?

Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly provided for consideration for review in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. This has not affected my opinion in any way, honesty always.

July Empties

How is it already August?! The last couple of months just seem to have flown by. I realised the other day that I have almost been working for 8 months now! I can't believe it. I also can't believe how much I have been lacking on the blogging front lately. I have all these things I want to blog about but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. How does everyone find time?

Anyone onto my empties for July. A bit of a mixed bunch for the month but empties are empties. And as I have said before - I am hopeless at finishing up products. Though I do have a nice bit of pan porn happening with my MAC Mineralise Skinfinish powder at the moment. Hopefully it will feature in an empties post soon.

Lush Big Sea Salt Shampoo

I blame Chelsea from Confessions of a Beauty Addict for my original purchase of this. Her review had me intrigued. I am so glad I purchased it. This shampoo is amazing as a clarifying shampoo. I use it around twice a week to give my hair a deep clean. It cleans away any product build up and the sea salt is like a massage. It smells lovely too - like a clean ocean. My Mum even uses this occasionally. Already repurchased. 

IGA Signature Shampoo Conditioner Everyday 2 in 1

I do not use this on my hair, I used it to deep clean my make up brushes. It was quite good for that but I am not sure if it is the best way. How do you clean your brushes? This got used up quicker as it disappeared into the shower (from the cupboard under the sink) and my brother was using it. It didn't do his hair any favours. May or may not repurchase. Honestly I only purchased it in the first place as it was the only 2 in 1 at the local IGA. 

Imperial Leather Foamburst Shower Gel in Tropical Sunset

I really love this body wash. It smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling hydrated (and dreaming of a tropical holiday). This is the second time I have purchased this. My only problem is I go through it very quickly. This can lasted me only about a fortnight. I probably use too much though... Would probably repurchase in the future.

Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Shower Gel

Another favourite from Lush. I love the strong honey scent of this and the cleansing yet moisturising feeling it provides. I have already repurchased though it has to fight Snow Fairy for its place in the shower at the moment... 

Eve Lom Cleanser

I received this cleanser sample with a order from Mecca Cosmetica and didn't use it for ages. I finally decided to take the plunge after reading some great reviews. It is a balm like cleanser that you use with a muslin cloth. This sample was enough for two uses and I quite liked it. A little different from my usual cleansers but it left my skin feeling lovely. It also had an interesting but nice smell - ingredients include clove oil, eucalyptus oil, chamomile oil and cocoa butter. I would consider purchasing this but it is pretty pricey. 

Oralife Peppermint Lip Treatment

This ended up in the bin about a week earlier than it should have but the cat decided to play with it and then the dogs had a chew on it. Luckily it was pretty much empty anyway. This is my absolute favourite lip balm when my lips are feeling especially dry which is most days. It adds instant hydration and comfort. It is perfect for a night time treatment too. I have everyone in my family using this these days. Highly recommend. I have already repurchased and will continue to do so. 

So there are my empties for the month. I have set myself a bit of a challenge this month and I must blog at least ten times in August. Hopefully I can do that!

What did you empty in July?