Sephora, Mecca Maxima & 3INA Haul

This post is a long time coming! This haul took place back at the start of September. I spent a week in Melbourne in September due to my Nanna having surgery. Being a stressful time towards the end of the week, I needed some retail therapy. 

I really wanted to visit Sephora but I don't know the city well at all, especially using public transport. I called on my friend Steph (yup, I am Steph & my friend is Steph) to join me for a shopping trip. She kindly picked me, took me into the city and guided me around Melbourne. Thank you Steph! 

SEPHORA

First stop was of course Sephora. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It is not quite beauty heaven but it is pretty damn close. I loved seeing and playing with different brands that I have never had access to before. I didn't really have a shopping list but I still managed to pick up quite a few things. 

The first thing that went in my basket was the Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Clay Palette. It is so pretty and something I have been wanting for ages. Another item I was really glad to finally get is the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer. I have horrible dark circles and am finding this effective at hiding them. 

I purchased another Beauty Blender. I have had one before but never really used it and everyone seems to love it, so I needed to try it again. The texture of the Sephora Sleeping Mask intrigued me and as I have dry skin it seemed perfect for me. The Sephora Eye Mask was a spur of the moment purchase - I still haven't tried it. 

The queueing up area of Sephora is a dangerous place. All these cute little mini and sample sizes! I picked up the Formula X The System To Go as I thought it was the perfect introduction to the brand and I have heard good things about it. The Foreo Luna Play was too cute to not buy. Yup, I'm that person - I get caught up in cute mini products. 

That's it for my first (but definitely not my last) Sephora haul. 

MECCA MAXIMA

No beauty shopping trip is complete without a trip to Mecca. That is just a rule, a rule every beauty lover should live by. The first item I picked up was the Mario Badescu Facial Spray, I have heard good reviews and coming into the warmer months I thought it would be perfect. I repurchased the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, the shade Vanilla is a perfect match for my skin and I do really like this concealer. 

I got caught up in the mini things being cute again and that is how the Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder came home with me. As the sales assistant said - how many times do you actually finish a highlighter? Yup, I can justify any makeup purchase. 

I haven't tried much (if anything) from Smashbox before. I grabbed the Smashbox Try It Kit - Primer Authority as it has products I have actually been wanting to try. The Primer Water and the Undereye Primer have been on my Mecca wish list for a long time. 

3INA 

This a newer brand that recently opened a store at Melbourne Central. The way the makeup is displayed is a visual feast - the products are displayed along the walls in blocks of colour. The prices of all the products were also very affordable. 

I picked up The Micellar Gel as I love cleansing water and thought this would be good to try out. Makeup wise I purchased The Eyeshadow in 111 and The Intense Lipstick in 312. Both products I have tried out and enjoyed so far. 

This shopping trip was a very enjoyable way to relax after a very stressful few days. Thanks Steph for helping me find my way around and I am glad I could enable you to make some purchases. Haha!

I am already planning my next Sephora haul, I am heading to Chadstone next weekend and Sephora opened there a couple of weeks ago. Plus the massive new Mecca Maxima and all the Christmas collections are out (hello, Chanel). 

What have you hauled lately? What is on your wish list currently? 

Olive Natural Skincare

Olive Natural Skincare is a New Zealand based natural (obviously) skincare brand. Olive Natural Skincare is made using extra virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract grown at the Simunovich Estate. 

Both extra virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The Olive Natural Skincare range is free from nasties like silicones, parabens, preservatives and mineral oils. The range is also cruelty free (yay!). 

Rich Cleansing Milk

On first use of this cleanser I didn't think I would like it but I have actually really enjoyed it. I found this cleanser to be gentle yet effective. It is creamy, does not dry out my skin but still removes my makeup. My skin is left feeling soft and nourished after use. Thumbs up for the pump bottle. 

Illuminating Face Polish

This facial exfoliator contains kaolin clay and Manuka honey as well as olive leaf extract (of course). I found this scrub to be quite gentle on my skin - the exfoliating particles are small whilst still being on the gritty side. I felt my skin looked brighter and smoother after using this face polish. The only thing I didn't like was the texture is quite thin on this product which meant I seemed to use quite a bit. 

100% Natural All-Purpose Balm

This balm is my favourite of the Olive Natural Skincare products that I tried. This balm really is all-purpose. It is perfect on all dry spots - elbows, knees and around my nose when I had a cold. I have even used it to soothe small burns from cooking (I am far too clumsy). This balm has a permanent place on my bedside table so I can reach for it as I head to bed. It also has a really nice fresh, natural scent. 

If you are looking for some new natural skincare, I highly suggest you have a look at Olive Natural Skincare. The products are affordable and work well. You can check out their website HERE if you want to find out anymore about the brand and their products. 

What natural skincare products do you enjoy using? 

PS: I know I have been absent again for ages... but I have had A LOT going on. I will explain more in my next post - my first Sephora haul!

*This post contains products that were provided for consideration for review in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. This has not affected my opinion in any way, honesty as always.*