Nail of the Week: Calypso Gold

Face of Australia Barbados Collection

Calypso Gold (2 coats on the acrylic nail)

When I saw this at BigW (months ago), it was the only one on the shelf so I picked it up and literally carried it around the store for the length of time I was there, just trying to decide if I should buy it. I'm pretty sure the price was less than $5 but I didn't know whether or not I would like it. Just looking at the bottle I was sure it was going to be quite sheer, and I didn't want a sheer gold.

But, since it was less than $5 I decided to buy it. It took me months to get around to painting the acrylic nail and when I finally did, I was so happy to see it wasn't sheer at all!

It applies so beautifully and smoothly, and it looks fantastic.

2 coats w/Sally Hansen's "Double Duty" top coat

I've had this on for three days and it's only just started showing signs of wear on two nails though it does seem to "dent" very easily even when dry. I don't like that so much, but I do love the colour and I think the wearability is quite decent!

I have a couple of other colours from this collection, and now I'm excited to see how I go with them!

Aggie x

Nails of the Week: Two Shades of Blue

I'm still trying to find the perfect shade of blue. I think I'm close with Sally Hansen's "Blue Me Away", but it was too bright for how I was feeling.

Some days you just don't want bright, you know?

I decided on two shades of blue.

Butter London: Big Smoke | Australis: Unnamed Colour

I already knew at least one of these colours wouldn't survive the week, but I didn't know about the other one. As usual, I applied two coats of each and I was pleased with how they turned out. I then applied my favourite top coat ever: Sally Hansen's "Double Duty".

After having a smudging problem with my Orly polishes after 10 (very long) minutes of drying time, I decided to torture myself for approximately 20 minutes of not doing anything. I don't like smudging, what can I say? I'm happy to report that afterward they were completely dry, and quite smudge-proof. I went to bed, cautiously optimistic.

And this is how they looked the next morning:

Fail.

Sigh. A chip already. Signs of wear on my ring fingernail. Who knew polish could "wear" during sleep? I must have been a busy girl! I wish I could remember what it was I'd done...

So much for the Australis colour pots. I'll probably continue to wear them and use them up but I won't repurchase them.

A day later, my pinkie polish (Butter London) peeled right off. One day of wear for Australis, two days for Butter London. No thumbs up from me, I'm afraid. Huge disappointment in Butter London as well. A $17AU nail polish should last me at least one week with no top coat... particularly since I own much cheaper polishes that do.

Or perhaps I might just need a different top coat.

Aggie x

Review: Face of Australia Lip Crayons

So by now you're probably already aware that Face of Australia have launched their own line of jumbo lip crayons, in similar vein to the Clinique Chubby Sticks, the Tarte Lipsurgences and of course, the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains (boy what a mouthful, Revlon). These are limited edition, and currently only available in three shades: Cupcake, Sundae and Macaron.

Sidenote: I hope they release more colours for Spring/Summer!

Going on, they glide across your lips better than a lip balm does. In fact, they are downright silky in feeling, and incredibly moisturising. Their scent is not overpowering and definitely not something that would make you cringe so that's a big bonus.

Let's take a closer look:

Cheap and unappealing

Packaging: I don't like it at all. It looks cheap and poorly made. If I did not already like FoA, I would not buy these based on the packaging alone. Instead, I would definitely opt for Australis' lip crayons which, despite being pricier, look classier and better over all. Truly, Face of Australia, it's time to step it up.

Wearability: By themselves, they don't last long at all, particularly if you're eating and drinking. You will need to reapply often. I highly recommend using a lip liner as a base to fill in all over your lips, and then applying the crayons over the top for a beautiful glossy finish, that will leave your lips ultra soft.

Swatched L-R: Cupcake, Macaron, Sundae

Colour Payoff: These are not deeply pigmented. They are definitely more of a tinted lip balm in crayon form. This is another reason I highly recommend using a lip liner underneath; this way you can mix it up and make your own colour combinations.

Use: What scored big points for me (sorry, Australis) was the twist-up bottom versus having to use a sharpener. For me, this means extreme ease of use which means I can throw it in my bag and not ever worry about being caught out. Another big bonus is that a mirror really isn't even needed. Because they apply so effortlessly, it really is like using a tinted lip balm and when you're in a hurry or for those times win you  just don't have a mirror, you can glide these on and you're good to go.

Twist-up bottoms score a big thumbs up!

Verdict: I love them. Kudos to you, Face of Australia! For them to be perfect (for me), I would suggest much better, prettier packaging and a bit deeper colour. There is no reason these couldn't easily compete against the Chubby Sticks or Lipsurgences with a few tweaks. I would definitely repurchase these, and in fact I do plan on it if they release more colours, and I would not hesitate to (repackage) and give them as gifts.

Where can I buy these? You can pick these lovelies up from any BigW for $14.95. I've also been told you can pick them up from Kmart (though mine currently do not carry them) and also Priceline. If all else fails, definitely check the website.

I'd love to know your thoughts on these babies! Would you buy them? Have you? What are your thoughts?

Aggie xx