Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish

I've never had much luck with nail polish before it usually chips the same day I've applied it so I don't bother, however when I saw Kit's High Roller I just had to buy it. It's a beautiful pale bluey green, very similar to the Tiffany blue. Kit call it a pastel green, but to me it looks more blue. In the picture above it's the middle colour.

To my great surprise this lasts at least two days on me without chipping and that's without a top coat added. When I use a top coat it lasts about four days, which I think is brilliant.

I'm not sure what else to tell you about this polish. They come in a great range of different shades, cost around $15 (AUD) and in my opinion are well worth it.

Would I buy this again? Yes!

Dior Skin Perfect Fit Compact

Dior says: Dior 're-invents' makeup with Diorskin–makeup with an affinity to close to perfect it lets skin breathe. Diorskin Compact Powder (SPF 20) contains specially processed pigments that give them 'skin-true' shade quality. Beautifully long-wearing. Leaves your skin comfortably smooth. Softly natural. Radiantly alive.

GQ says: I really like this powder, it's one of the best I've ever used. It goes on smoothly, evens out my skin tone and yet I look like I'm not wearing any make-up. I use it alone as a sheer foundation or on top of a liquid foundation to set the foundation and provide extra coverage.

This is a great powder for people with combination to dry skin like mine. It doesn't make me feel dry whilst at the same time it controls my oiliness. It has great lasting power too. I apply in the morning and then do a light touch up around lunch time.

Would I buy it again? Yes, it's a beautiful product.

Hissyfit Lip Service

I was pretty pleased to discover a broad spectrum SPF30+ lip balm with UVA and UVB protection. From memory I don't think I've seen any other SPF 30+ lip balms in Australia.

HissyFit says: What is it? This feather-light lip balm with SPF 30+ broad spectrum protection is the perfect skincare and cosmetic product in one.
Why Should You Use It? The luxurious formulation delivers gorgeous glossy coverage while providing long-lasting nourishment to delicate lips and the anti-ageing benefits of very high sun protection.
Benefits: Helps protect lips from the damaging effects of the environment. Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E aid in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
Directions: Worn on it’s own it guarantees gorgeous, glossy, natural lips, or worn over the top of your favourite lipstick it delivers a soft, supple kissable finish to lips all day, every day.

I have to agree with HissyFit. This is a nice, thick balm that has a lovely, clear glossy finish. It lasts three to four hours before I need to reapply. I use this both as a clear gloss and on top of lipstick or lip pencil. I'd love to see HissyFit bring out a tinted version, that'd be lovely.

Lip Service is fragrance and flavour free.

Ingredients: Polybutene, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) see oil, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, cera alba (beeswax), benzophenone-3, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), hydrogenated oilive oil, octocrylene, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, copernicia cerifera (carnauba wax), tocopherol acetate (vitamin e), perfum.

Manicare Dual Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener

This is the best cosmetic pencil sharpener I've ever used and the only sharpener I use now. In the past I've found other sharpeners mangle the pencil, but I never have this problem with my Manciare sharpener. Another great thing about it is that it can take 3 different sized pencils. You can see in the picture that the larger slot is protruding. You can remove the protruding part and it makes the slot bigger. I haven't found any pencils that don't fit into the sharpener.

Another thing that makes this sharpener special is that it has a catcher over the top and bottom so there is no shavings mess.

Manicare says: With no-mess catcher. Designed to suit all leading brands & sizes of eye, lip and facial pencils. The Manicare Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener operates using the dual blade principle.

Would I buy it again? Yes, it's my holy grail cosmetic pencil sharpener.

e.l.f. Candy Shop Lip Gloss

About a month ago Mr GQ came home from the chemist and proudly announced that he had a surprise for me. This is pretty unusual behaviour for him so I had no idea what to expect. The last thing I expected was to find two lip balms! If I didn't know better I'd suspect that he's been reading my blog so knows about my Ten Tubes Trial. He got me e.l.f. Candy Shop Lip Glosses in Cherry Bomb and Coconut Crazed.

Cherry Bomb is a pretty, sheer red and Coconut Crazed is a clear gloss with shimmery bits in it. They both smell and taste lovely. I've been really surprised with the quality of the gloss and the tin. Usually with slide tin balms I can't carry them around because they come open in my bag, but these close really tightly and don't slide open.

As for the gloss/balm, I'm really happy with it. These are a great blend of gloss and balm. They give a pretty, long lasting shine and are quite moisturising.

Would I buy this again? Yes, they're a nice balm/gloss and easy to carry around.

Ingredients: polyisobutene, isooctyl palmitate, ceresine wax, microcrystalline wax (cera microcristallina), mica, methylparaben, propylparaben, iron oxides (ci 77491 , ci 77492 , ci 77499), manganese violet (ci 77742), mica (ci 77019), red no.6 lake (ci 15850), red no.7 lake (ci 15850) , red no.28 lake (ci 45410), blue no.1 lake (ci 42090), yellow no.5 lake (ci 19140), yellow no.6 lake (ci 15985).

She Maximum Repair Night Cream

I was lucky enough to receive a tube of this from the lovely Elmo who tried it and didn't find it moisturising enough for her. Luckily for me, it works really well.

She says: Luxurious, resurfacing and ultra moisturising cream. Active organic bio vitamin A helps reduce the visible signs of aging, pigmentation and loss of tone. Antioxidants, natural amino acids and hyaluronate promote cell rejuvenation and plump skin.

I can't say that I've noticed any difference in my skin tone or fine lines, however I'm really happy with this night cream. It's hydrating and sinks in quickly without leaving any greasy residue. Since I've been using it I haven't had any problems with dry, flaky skin. I use it at night and wake up with soft, smooth skin.

Would I buy it? Yes, it's a lovely product.

Ingredients: aqua, caprylic/capric triglycerides, glyceryl stearate, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, lecithin, decyl oleate, hyaluronic acid, beeswax, lutein, ceteareth-20, vitis vinifera oil, pelargonium graveolens oil, guar gum, rosa centifolia oil, rosa eglanteria hip oil, tocopheryl acetate, daucus carota seed oil, rosa centifolia extract, pelargonium graveolens oil, rosa damascena oil, nano beta carotene, phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, acetic acid fragrance, lactic acid.

Bloom Eye Definer

For me Bloom's Eye Definer is a product that I like but don't love. It's a nice pencil with a good colour range, but there's nothing that makes it amazing or essential. There are other pencils out there that are equally as good for a fraction of the price.

I paid $22 for my Eye Definer. I have Charcoal which is a pretty slate grey colour. In cold weather these can get quite hard so need to be warmed up before use. Once warmed up they go on smoothly and last all day.

Bloom says: Bloom's satin smooth Eye Definer is perfect for defining the eyes. A special blend of natural, fruit waxes provides super staying power while its soft, creamy texture means application is effortless.

Would I buy it again? No. It's a nice pencil but there are others just as good for a cheaper price.

Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes

Whilst I'm talking Clinique and eye pencils, Cream Shaper for Eyes is another Clinique product that I really like although it's probably not one that I'll buy again, unless I want to get a GWP. It's a lovely pencil, but in my opinion you can get products just as good (like Rimmel Kohl eye pencils) for a lot cheaper.

Here's what Clinique says: Creamy-smooth eyeliner pencil with a hint of shimmer. Shapes and defines with intense, stay-put colour. Non-smudging, water- and transfer-resistant. Easy to sharpen, too. Ophthalmologist tested.

Cream Shapers are lovely to use. They're creamy and easy to apply, with a very intense colour. As they're water resistant they're great to use on the waterline.

Would I buy it again? To get a GWP, yes.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes

Quickliner for eyes was one of my first ever Clinique purchases and to this day it's still one of my favorite products. My favorite colour is blue grey. I've bought this over and over again, it's one of the few eye liners that I've used up.

Why I love this and keep on buying it is because it's super easy to use. It's one of those products that I carry around in my handbag for quick touch ups. The texture is great, it's soft and applies smoothly. I don't have any problems with my Quickliner creasing or fading. It also works well as an eye shadow, I just line it on and then use the sponge on the other end to smudge it out. Used this way it makes a great base to layer colours over when I want an intense look.

Whilst I love the texture and how easy this is to use, what makes me love it so much is the colour. Blue grey is a gorgeous deep steel grey colour that I haven't found a match for in any other brand.

Would I buy it again? Yes, it's one of my favorite shades.

Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Eyeliner

I'm having a writers block today and have no idea what to tell you about this eye liner, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet. This is one of my favorite eye liners ever. I have Fawn which is a lovely shimmery taupe. For some reason taupe eye liners are not that common, so I get very excited when I find one.

It's not just the colour that I love about this pencil, it's also the texture and staying power. The texture is great, it's creamy and easy to apply, but at the same time it lasts all day without budging.

This is one of the liners that I find myself reaching for every few days because it's so pretty.

Would I buy it again? Definitely, it's one of my all time favorite eye liners.