Saturday, December 17, 2011

Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner!

Eyeliner is definitely one of my top essentials when it comes to eye make up. It just does wonders to define and enhance your eyes. Use a pencil liner for a softer look or a liquid liner for something more dramatic. Well today, I bring you a bit of drama with Benefit Magic Ink!


Benefit’s Magic Ink is a rich, blackest black liquid liner that takes you from drab to fab in seconds. The formula applies like a dream and dries quickly to a fab glossy finish. Oh and once dry, it doesn’t move. It stays on all day and all night too! So great for those, who like me, have oily lids and are too lazy to touch up their make up during the day.


The product comes in a little pot with a brush applicator, making to super easy to use. I really like the brush as it’s quite thin, meaning you can control the thickness of the line you want, and it’s also flexible, so there’s no pressure at all on the delicate eyelid area.


To apply, I start from the middle of my eyelid, working my way out in smooth short strokes as close to the lash line as possible. Then I go back and line the inner corner of my eye. I find using smaller strokes rather than just drawing one straight line helps to ensure accuracy, so that your liner looks perfect each and every time!


Look Breakdown*~
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NARS Nepal Eyeshadow
NARS Lola Lola Eyeshadow
MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow
Benefit Magic Ink
Benefit Bad Gal Mascara

Available now at all Benefit counters and online. RRP AU$38/US$20.

xoxo

Please note the product featured above has been provided for consideration. All products are reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Friday, December 16, 2011

KMS Free Shape Shampoo & Conditioner!

I wash and blow dry my hair almost everyday so when I heard about the new range from KMS California called Free Shape,  I just knew I had to give it a try! There are 6 awesome products in the line up, all of which are specially designed to protect and prepare your hair for heat styling.




I was lucky enough to receive the KMS Free Shape Shampoo and Conditioner and after using them for several weeks now, I can safely say that I'm in love! The shampoo lathers up nicely to deeply cleanse your hair without it feeling dry, and the conditioner is thick and creamy, giving your hair a boost of moisture making it more manageable. I also love that the colour of the actual products are a pretty bright purple! Makes washing your hair more fun haha




When using the Free Shape shampoo and conditioner, I have noticed that my hair feels beautifully soft and after blow drying, becomes significantly smoother. Yay to no more fly aways! I highly recommend this range to all of you who do heat style quite often, remember your hair is an amazing asset to your image so take care of it! :)

Available now at all KMS stockists, RRP $28.95.

xoxo

Please note that the products featured above have been provided for consideration. All products are reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The OPSM Sunshine Tour!

I've been wanting to work in more fashion type posts onto the blog for or a while now, so when I was approached to become one of the new OPSM Sunshine Tour advocates, I jumped at the chance!

The OPSM Sunshine Tour is what you get when you combine 2 of the most important summer essentials - ice cream and sunglasses! It's a super fun campaign that has the Sunshine Tour van, which is jam packed full of ice cream and sunglasses, hitting hot spots all around Australia.


The goal is to celebrate summer by grabbing some FREE ice cream while being able to browse through your favourite OPSM sunglasses brands, try them on and join in the photo taking fun. Your photos will then be uploaded onto Facebook and the one with the most 'likes' will get to be the next face of OPSM summer! How cool is that?!

So what are you waiting for? Come on down to the following Melbourne events, you want don't miss out on all the excitement :D
  • South Bank Melbourne: Friday December 9th,11:30am-3pm
  • Steam Packet Gardens Geelong: Saturday December 10th, 12pm-5:30pm 
  • St Kilda Beach: Sunday December 11th, 9am-5:30pm
I will be at the South Bank event so please come say hi! (or follow my tweets on Twitter)

For other cities please check out OPSM's Facebook page and why not vote for your favourite pictures while you're there! Oh and don't forget to 'like' the page to get an awesome $50 voucher to use towards your next purchase :)


xoxo

Monday, December 5, 2011

Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin’ Watermelon!

Are dry lips holding you back from wearing pretty colours on your pout? Well your prayers have now been answered by the Clinique Chubby Sticks!


They are an AH-MAZ-ING lip balm that is jam packed with ingredients such as shea butter, mango seed butter and jojoba oil, all of which are super stars to help soften, nourish and moisturise your lips. The texture of the balm is just lovely too, solid but glides on effortlessly, leaving a tint of colour on your pout as well as a glossy sheen. Keeping your lips feeling great, whilst looking great, for a good couple of hours.


I love that it’s packaged in a chubby crayon shape and that the colour outside reflects the shade of the balm. It’s just so fun and playful! It’s oh so simple to use too, just twist the silver base to dispense more product and glide onto the lips - no mess and no fuss.


Woppin’ Watermelon is my favourite shade in the Clinique Chubby Stick family. It’s a super pretty, cool toned pink, that’s perfect for everyday and will suit most skin tones. The colour is subtle, but coverage is buildable, so you get a delightful baby pink glow to your lips. It’s truly a fabulous colour that will go with every look in the book, so can easily take you from day to night!


Face & Cheeks
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light
Diorskin Nude Foundation
NARS Laguna Bronzer
NARS Deep Throat Blush
Estee Lauder Illuminating Gelee*

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow
MAC Sable Eyeshadow
MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Clinique High Impact Mascara*

Lips
Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin’ Watermelon



The Clinique Chubby Sticks are available now and with 8 wonderful shades, so I’m sure you’ll find one (or two) that will tickle your fancy! RRP AU$35.

xoxo

Please note that the products marked with a * have been provided for consideration in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Skincare Series: My Current Cleansers!

Like any other beauty junkie out there, I use quite a few different skincare products! All of which are designed to target my different skin issues, so I generally use them on a rotating basis or layer them on. I have previously done a video on my skincare routine but it has changed somewhat in the past few months. So this time, I wanted to do a written post on all the products I use but it would be mega long so I thought I'd break it up into a series focusing on one type of product each week.

Now I can't really discuss skincare products without first discussing my skin. I have combination oily skin, meaning that my t-zone is oily but my cheeks are normal though they can feel dry with changing weather. I am prone to breakouts on the chin area, I have enlarged pores on my nose, and some redness on my cheeks. My major concerns are excess oil, that my skin scars easily from breakouts and of course my pores. So I tend to use products that will help to address this and also keep my skin looking young, hydrated and radiant.

Ok so let's get started with the series. This week, I bring you my current favourite cleansers!


My favourite make up remover! It's an olive and apricot kernel based oil formula, which I use as the first step at night to double cleanse. PreCleanse is amazing at removing even the most stubborn of make up, such as eyeliner and waterproof mascara. It works well with all skin types, especially on oily skin. At first, I was actually a little unsure of using an oily liquid on my face since I have oily skin, but it actually works better with it! As not only does it remove make up it also removes excess oil and impurities on the skin. 

How to use: Pour a small amount of PreCleanse into dry hands and message onto my dry face in small circular motions starting in the eye area, where my make up is the heaviest. Then I wet my hands and continue to message. When the oil combines with the water, it emulsifies into a milky substance, removing all make up. Rinse off with warm water and pat my face dry. Follow with a second cleanse using one of the following 2 cleansers below.

Available now at all Dermalogica stockists, RRP AU$65.50.


If like me, you have oily skin, the words “oil free” are music to your ears. So I was very excited when Kiehl’s released their newest Ultra Facial Oil-Free range. It’s an extension of their ever popular Ultra Facial family but more targeted to oily/combination skin types. This cleanser is fantastic; it’s a thick but quick lathering formula, which easily removes all dirt and excess oil from the face. Making the skin feel more balanced without stripping or over drying the skin. Your face doesn’t feel tight at all - just fresh and squeaky clean.

How to use: So I’m sure you all know how to use cleanser but here goes lol. After removing all make up, wet your face and squeeze a small amount of the product onto your hand and massage gently all over the face. Rinse off with cool water.

Available now at all Kiehl’s counters, RRP AU$26.00.


I have previously done a blog post about the Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads and these Max Complexion Correction Peels Pads work much the same way. They're little cotton pads soaked in an awesome 10% glycolic acid solution, which promotes skin cell turnover, helping to keep your skin looking smooth and clear. Your skin will tingle slightly after applying but I like this feeling, as I know it means the product is working its magic lol. I use the Peel Pads only at night, 2-3 times a week, after removing my make up, and my skin always feels fab after using it. The only thing I dislike about these is the strong, alcohol scent so it might not be suitable for those who are more sensitive. 

How to use: Grab one of the pads from the container, careful not to touch the other pads so you don't contaminate them (I recommend using tweezers, just in case). Gently sweep the pad across the face in upward motions, avoiding the delicate eye area. Let the solution soak into the skin for a couple of minutes then rinse off.

Available now at all Kit Cosmetics counters, RRP AU$44.95.


Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant is a rice based enzyme powder, a dry exfoliating product that activates once mixed with water. It’s super awesome for gently removing any dead skin cells, instantly making your skin feel smoother and looking visibly brighter. I use this most mornings (alternating between the Kiehl’s cleanser) and I love how soft my skin feels afterward. It’s suitable for all skin types and gentle enough to be used everyday too. Daily Microfoliant is definitely one of my holy grail skincare products!

How to use: I use this a little bit differently than what Dermalogica recommends. First off, I dampen my face with luke warm water then I pour a small amount of the powder onto my dry palm. Taking my other damp hand, I dip my fingers into the powder then apply onto the spots of my face that need exfoliation, i.e. my nose and chin areas, massaging all over the skin in small circular motions. Massage gently for a couple of minutes and rinse off.

Available now at all Dermalogica stockists, RRP AU$83.50.

Well that’s it for now… stay tuned for next week when I share my current/favourite toners and facial mists!

xoxo

Please note that the products marked with a * have been provided for consideration in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.