Favourites | October 2013

Generally I don't have monthly favourites because I'm not brand loyal and tend to try new things all the time. I'm also incredibly hard on the products I try and if I don't absolutely love it, I'll never talk about it; I have to reach for the product(s) at least every other day to feel like it has even a chance at becoming a favourite.

This month, I feel like I've hit the jackpot. With the exception of two products, I've used everything here every single day. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

[ L-R: Rosken High Potency Vitamin E Cream, Body Crystal Deodorant, Dirty Works Body Scrub, Rosken Dry Skin Cream ]

I actually came across the Rosken Vitamin E cream while watching Aussie Beauty YouTuber Ruby Golani and she went on to explain it had been the best thing for her skin. In that moment, I decided I'd give it a go as well and I've not looked back. My skin is combination and this doesn't break me out or cause any irritation whatsoever. It plumps up the fine lines I have around my eyes, and I swear I look a couple of years younger. Hey, I'll take it. I am pushing 40, after all. I use this twice daily.

The Body Crystal I picked up at Coles one weekend while I was out shopping and I didn't want to get yet another aluminium based deodorant. I've not had good experience with body crystals, and for years I was convinced they were just a hippie gimmick but for some reason on that shopping day, I saw this and decided to give it a go. I use it daily. Review coming soon.

Dirty Works "Glow Girl" Buttery Salt Scrub has been my best friend this entire month. I'm almost out of it now and I will be repurchasing it because it's just that good. And you know what? If I can avoid dropping $30+ at The Body Shop, then you can bet your sweet bippy I will. Review here.

Rosken Dry Skin Cream came to the rescue of my ultra parched hands, nails and elbows one day when I was out shopping and had used up all the EOS hand lotion I had in the car. I don't know about you, but I cannot stand the feeling of dry hands and arms! I spotted this in Coles, it was on sale for all of $6 so I snatched it up. I haven't looked back. It's been the best damn hand cream I've ever used and use it daily.

[ L-R: Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream, Designer Brands Nail Polish Remover, Designer Brands Chubby Lipstick ]

I've featured the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in a FoTD once or twice, and for good reason. Even though I don't have oily skin, I do get a little shiny through my T-zone so this works very well against that. It doesn't eliminate it 100% of course but my face doesn't look like an oil slick by midday and that's what counts for me. I often use this BB Cream on its own with a setting powder over the top and it gets me through the day, but I will sometimes use it sheer as a primer when I need a little bit extra coverage.

I stumbled on this Twist'n Go nail polish remover from Designer Brands quite by accident one day, and since it was only $6, I snatched it up without a second thought. Like the image suggests, you stick your fingernail into the container, and watch it get swallowed up by some black sponge-like material (it's a little rougher and harsher than actual sponge). Then you twist your finger into it, and all the nail polish comes right off. It's like magic!! I love this stuff. I have yet to try it on glitter polish however, but a review is in the works so stay tuned for that.

I don't typically like lip crayons too much (I'm really more of a lipstick girl) but after swatching this one, I knew I had to buy it. They retail for around the $9 mark and are totally worth every cent. They have beautiful payoff, and are fabulously creamy and soft on your lips. This particular colour that I bought is #411 "Enchanted Rose" and is a gorgeous warm pink with brown undertones. There were two other colours in the stand with this one, however neither of them suited me. I hope DB makes more of these; they are wonderful.

If you've tried any of these products, or if you happen to try them in the future, I'd love to know your thoughts!

✬ #EOTD | Dramatic Pink ✬

This is one of my favourite looks; I just love how it turned out. Of course, this isn't quite the average, every day look one might to wear to the office, but it is super fun and pretty and if I worked retail in one of those funky boho stores, you can bet I would wear this there.

For this look I used the BH Cosmetics Party Girl palette and the Urban Decay Naked palette.

How:

1. Prime the lids with Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Barely Beige
2. Using the BH Cosmetics "Party Girl" palette, I took the brightest pink and packed it all over the lid
3. Using Urban Decay Hustle, I swept it into the crease and concentrated on the outer-V, building the colour until I was happy with the depth
4. Taking Dark Horse, I concentrated that slightly in the outer-V and lightly into the outer crease
5. I used Sin slightly in the inner corner and Wet'n Wild Brulee under my brow arch
6. A pair of Ardell #105 lashes and black liner finish off this look

Face
=============
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer - Light
L'Oreal BB Cream - Medium
ELF High Def Finishing Powder
Maybelline Mastershape Brow Pencil - Soft Brown
Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzer - #12 Fair/Medium
Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush - Rose
Rimmel Exaggerate Lip liner - #005 Pure
Buxom Lipgloss - Creamsicle

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more EOTD & FOTD pictures!

Thanks for stopping by -- have a beautiful week! x

☼ theLook: NUDE'tude Pretty in Pink ☼

The NUDE'tude palette by theBalm is one of my all time favourite palettes. I feel like I can create a lot of very pretty, very wearable looks with it and it is, without a doubt, my go-to palette when I can't decide what to wear.

Today's look is using just three colours: Sassy in the inner corner for some brightness, Stand-offish all over the lid for a beautiful golden pink wash of colour, and Sexy in the outer corner and crease for some definition. I chose not to use an upper lid liner today but instead tightlined using a very dark brown rather than black, which makes my lashes appear thicker at the root.

Products used to create this look:

Face
===============
L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Medium
Revlon Age Defying Concealer - Light Medium
Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder - Natural
Catrice "Starlight Expresso" Eyeshadow for contouring
Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzer - Fair Medium
Tarte Blusher - Dollface

Eyes
===============
ELF Eyelid Primer
Maybelline Colour Tattoo - Inked in Pink
NUDE'tude - Sassy
NUDE'tude - Stand-offish
NUDE'tude - Sexy
Wet'n Wild - Brulee
Maybelline Mastershape Brow Pencil - Soft Brown
Max Factor Mascara - False Lash Effect
Tarte Mascara - Lights Camera Lashes

Lips
==============
NYX Lipliner - #810 Natural
MAC - Myth
NYX Aqua Luxe Lipstick - Lotus

Thank you so much for stopping by -- have an absolutely wonderful weekend!! x

Trashed! Mascara Empties

1. Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume Flash (black)
When I first started using this I really enjoyed it. I didn't really notice a whole lot of volume however. I would not repurchase this; the barrel on the wand is far too large for me to use comfortably. I didn't find the consistency too wet or too dry, it was fairly nondescript actually.

2. Starlet Lash Extend
This is an el cheapo from Coles that was an emergency-buy and I wasn't expecting a whole lot for less than five dollars. In short, it wasn't spectacular but it wasn't the absolute worst mascara I've ever used. The biggest downside for me was the consistency, it's far too wet for me. I would literally need to wait between 3 and 5 minutes for it to dry before I could do anything else, and forget about adding another coat! What I did like about this mascara though, was how beautifully it separated my lashes and gave them a good amount of length. If it was a much drier mascara, I would gladly repurchase it.

3. Essence Multi Action (non waterproof)
I love this mascara; it's in my Top Five. I love everything about it - it lengthens, it volumizes, it separates my lashes. During the last few months of its life I used it solely for my bottom lashes because it was drying out and wasn't doing such amazing things for my top lashes. I will definitely repurchase this one.

4. Maybelline XXL Pro Extensions
This is my most favourite mascara ever, so it only stands to reason it would get discontinued. Sigh. At this point, I don't really know what drugstore mascara I will replace it with. I have a few more in my stash to go through, perhaps I will get lucky and find one in there. Meantime, if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!