Monday 31 October 2016

October Favourites


Crazy Rumors lip balm - I know, I know, this was in last months favourites too. I can't help it. Their balms are perfection from the formula to the flavours. My favourite flavours are the Perk range because they're all coffee flavours. If you haven't tried one, get onto it. 
 
Jeffree Star Baby Spice Lip Ammunition - This gorgeous pink is just what I've needed lately to brighten up my face (and mood) and take attention away from my tired eyes. You can read my full review here.

In Essence Hydrating Mist - Love, love, love. Facial waters are pretty much all the same (other than the hydrating ones, they're different), so for me what makes them stand out is the scent. In Essence Hydrating Mist smells heavenly, it's a gorgeous blend of lavender, neroli and rosewater that I find very calming.

Clinique Superbalm - Being such a fan of flavoured lip products I was really surprised at how much I love my Superbalm. I like to use it over lip liner or matte lipsticks to give shine and hydration. On my lips it looks like a clear gloss but it feels like a lip balm. The tube is compact enough to easily fit in my pocket or handbag. If it was flavoured it'd be my hg lip balm. Since it's not flavoured it gets a 4.5 out of 5. It's one I'll definitely repurchase.

MAC Coygirl Sheertone Blush - I've finally found a blush that I like nearly as much as my beloved Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. I'm not a bold blush girl, I like my blush to be sheer (and therefore foolproof). I'd forgotten about Coygirl so was delighted when I found it again. It's a gorgeous, natural flush of colour for pale skinned beauties.

L and Y Brushes Full Coverage Face Brush - Lately I've been buying brushes on ebay and they've all been wonderful. The L and Y Full Coverage Face Brush is by far my favourite, it's an amazing brush that works well for liquid and powder foundations. I'm planning to buy a second one so that I can use it to put my powder on after I've done my foundation. It gives great coverage with one sweep, I don't need to go over the area again and again, I swipe the brush over once and I'm done. 
They claim that it's made in the same factory as the Bobbi Brown brush of the same name. I don't have that brush so can't compare, but I could get six L and Y brushes for the price of the Bobbi Brown brush so I don't plan on buying the Bobbi brush.

Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Waterproof Powder - After tossing most of my powders due to age or just not loving them, I dug out my Maybelline Superstay powder to use as a setting powder over the top of my foundation. OMG, it was love at first application. One layer gives me gorgeous, flawless coverage that lasts all day. I haven't tested the waterproof claim (haven't felt like splashing myself in the face with water), however the 24 Hour part could well be true (although truth be told I haven't tested that either, it's more like twelve hours). 
As yet I haven't tried using this in place of foundation, but as a setting powder over foundation it's bloody awesome.

Sunday 30 October 2016

Thoughts of the week

1. My urge to cull continues. It's been over a month now and I still want to toss out everything that we own. The urge is so strong I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about things I want to cull. Our house being full of junk does not help.

2. There aren't many things in our house that I'm attached to other than photos. The one thing I would hate to let go of is my coffee machine, but nearly everything else I'd be happy to see the back of. 

3. Lip balm addicts need to read this post. The photography is stunning. 

4. Eljay and Shelby are a recipe for disaster. They get up to so much mischief together. I love watching them together. 

5. Lee won the Bachelorette! They're gorgeous together, I hope they have a long, happy relationship.   

Friday 28 October 2016

FFS Friday - Mega Meltdown

Just when I thought he couldn't get much worse, Eljay has upped his game and entered into the mega tantrum stage. FFS.

It's so much fun. Not. FFS.

Saturday he screamed for half an hour at the park because I asked him to pick up his thongs. FFS.

He wanted me to pick them up and when I said no he had a tantrum. FFS.

It felt like it was never going to end. FFS.

I tried all the tricks I knew and they didn't help. FFS.

I talked nicely to him.
I reasoned with him.
I cuddled him.
I empathised with him.
I walked away. 
I was stern.
I silently cuddled him.
I offered to go with him (to pick up the thongs).
I sat next to him.
I gave him space.
I tried to distract him.

I tried everything. Nothing worked. FFS.

After half an hour he got himself up, picked up his thongs and was done. FFS.

Tuesday he decided to have another go at it. FFS.

We were in the supermarket and he wanted me to go in the opposite direction. I did, he looked at what he wanted to look at then we kept on going. 
He decided he wanted to go back where we'd been and I said no. 
He started screaming. 
He screamed the whole time we were in the supermarket. 
The whole way to the car.
The whole time I was loading the shopping in to the car.
The whole time I was putting the trolley away.
He stopped for a while when I was talking to a lovely lady getting in to the car next to me.
He started again when I was trying to put him into the car whilst he did his best stiff as a board move.
He screamed so much that he was exhausted and fell asleep on the way home.

Surprisingly I didn't get any rude comments. The lady at the supermarket checkout told me not to give in and to take deep breaths. The lady at the car next to me sympathised and also told me not to give in. It was just what I needed. 

 People can be really lovely.

Wednesday 26 October 2016

October's most used lip products


Edward Bess Love Affair Compact Rouge - This lives in my handbag for those days when I look in the car mirror and realise that I'm white as a ghost. It's very light, blends in well when used as a blush and gives a sheer flush of colour when used as a lip stain. 

Givenchy Magic Lip and Cheek Balm - I'll be so upset when I finish my Magic Lip and Cheek Balm. I bought it from Strawberrynet and I'm not sure if it's still available. It's the perfect multi use product for me, it looks equally as good on my lips and cheeks. I love the way it makes my cheeks look glowy and the colour on my lips is perfection.

Jane Iredale Cosmo lip gloss - In the tube this looks really dark but on my lips it's a sheer wine colour. I love the formula of these glosses, they're non sticky, very hydrating and feel like a balm. If I had to pick my top five gloss formulas, the Jane Iredale gloss would be one of them.

Revlon Devotion Ultra HD Matte lipcolor - If you can't decide between the Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colour and Revlon Ultra HD, choose this one, it's much nicer. The scent is lovely, the formula is lovely and it lasts around six hours before I need to reapply.

Burt's Bees Tulip Tide lipstick - Tulip Tide will be my replacement for Perpetual Peony on the sad day that I finish PP. Tulip Tide is very similar, just a little lighter and not as long lasting. Despite that, it's a beautiful mid toned pink and one I can see myself repurchasing. If you are yet to try one of the Burt's Bees lipsticks, what are you waiting for?

Jeffree Star Baby Spice Lip Ammunition - I've worn this almost non stop since I got it, it's a gorgeous, long lasting bright pink. You can read my full review here

Maybelline Perpetual Peony Super Stay lipstick - This is one of my all time favourite lipsticks, so naturally it's been discontinued. If you manage to find it at an outlet store, grab three. It's a gorgeous light to medium pink that perks me up and lasts half a day before I need to reapply. 

What were your most used lip products this month?

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Top Three Tuesday - International Online Stores

iHerb -  I love iHerb, they have so many great products that we don't have access to here and they're so cheap! I purchase Real Techniques, Physician's Formula, Eco Tools, Palmer's, Deep Steep and Korean beauty to name a few.

Shipping through DHL is fast and fully trackable, shipping through Australia Post is slower but free. If you haven't shopped at iHerb before, what are you waiting for? Code YUF175 will get you a discount off your first order.

ASOS - ASOS is great for buying products that have yet to be released or won't be released in Australia. I purchase Rimmel and Bourjois from them if I can't wait until they're released here. They also stock Pixi Beauty and some Carmex products we don't have here. Shipping is free when you spend over $40 and they regularly release discount codes so you can score 10 to 20% off.

Look Fantastic - Free worldwide shipping, a great range of brands and wonderful customer service make Look Fantastic a store I purchase from over and over again. I have products from Pixi and First Aid Beauty on my wishlist for my next order. 

An honourable mention goes to Beautylish. I placed my first order with them a few weeks ago and was really happy with their service and the shipping speed. Shipping is free if you spend over $50 US. I'm already planning my next order.


What are your favourite international stores?

Monday 24 October 2016

What's in my make-up bag

It's been ages since I did one of these posts so here it is. In an effort to simplify and actually use up some of my make-up, I've put everything away other than a few products. Sounds silly, but it means that I'm using the same things over and over, so will hopefully use things up. It also makes getting ready in the morning a lot easier as I'm not sifting through my makeup bag trying to decide what to wear, instead I just grab the first thing I see and use it. Easy.

I'm still in culling mode, anything that I don't love gets the toss. I've drastically reduced the size of my collection and it feels great. Other than lip products, all my makeup now fits in one train case and my makeup bag.



Urban Decay Naked Basics palette - This is the only Naked palette I own. It's perfection. 

Bare Minerals Ready Foundation.

Hourglass Luminous Light Ambient Lighting Powder. 

The Body Shop Bronzing Powder.

MAC Coygirl Sheertone Blush.

Burberry Rosewood Sheer Eye Shadow.

Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover.

Nude by Nature Mineral Finishing Veil.

MAC Painterly Paint Pot.

Clarins Taupe Ombre Matte Eye Shadow.

Givenchy Magic Lip and Cheek Balm.

Becca Watermelon Beach Tint.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Atlas Swallowtail Long Lasting Cream Shadow.

Shu Uemura Acorn Hard Formula Brow Pencil.

Physician's Formula Deep Brown Eye Booster.

Max Factor Mauve Moment Colour Elixir Lip Liner.

BH Cosmetics Purple Liquid Eyeliner.

Jane Iredale Sugar and Butter.

Rimmel Trespassing Taupe Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Stick.

Maybelline Master Conceal.

Revlon Honey Balm Stain.

Victoria's Secret Very Voluptuous Lip Plumper.

Natio Orchid Eye Smoothie.

Nars Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil.

Bite Beauty Velvet High Pigment Pencil.

Soap and Glory Kiss Ass Concealer.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

Essence The Lash Curler Mascara.

Rimmel Taupe Scandaleyes Kohl.

Rimmel Brow This Way Highlighting Pencil.

Sunday 23 October 2016

Thoughts of the week

1. This clown thing is stupid. It won't be long until they scare the wrong person and someone will get badly hurt. Why people think that terrifying someone is funny is beyond my comprehension.

2. I'd forgotten how much I used to love Richard Marx.

3. Chai is still having problems at school. I want to explore sending him to a more relaxed, hippy style school. It costs $900 a term so Tiger won't even consider it. 

4. The desire to be a nomad is strong. Tiger's job would allow him to work worldwide, so selling everything and travelling isn't a crazy idea. What an amazing experience it'd be. 

5. I don't understand people who say they hate where they live. If you hate it, move. Seems pretty simple to me.    

Friday 21 October 2016

FFS Friday - Forgetful

It's been a while since Tiger and I had a go at killing or permanently scarring our children, so last week we decided it was high time we had a go at mentally scarring Eljay. 

We dropped Chai off at school and walked to the car. Along the way we were chatting to a friend about how long things take when you have a toddler in tow.

We got to the gates and were standing there talking when another friend called to see where I was. 

I could see her standing at the other end of the school with a little blonde child next to her.

Her children are older with dark hair.

You'd think at this point something might have registered but it didn't.

She asked me where I parked and said that she couldn't see me, so I told her where I was and she told me that she had Eljay!

We'd forgotten him!

How does that happen?

Both of us had walked out of the school without him! We'd even been talking about him but hadn't realised he wasn't with us!

When we left I thought he was walking behind Tiger, but it didn't register to me when we were standing outside the school gates that he wasn't with us!

Unbelievable. If you'd told me last week that I'd forget my child I would have laughed. Mother of the year!

I console myself with the knowledge that I picked the best place to forget him. He was in a gated area where he couldn't wander off, surrounded by people who knew him and he was happily playing.

When my friend realised I'd forgotten him he happily came with her to find me, so no harm was done.

But seriously, how did I forget my baby?!      

Wednesday 19 October 2016

Jeffree Star Lip Ammunition review

Last week I made my first order with Beautylish (read about it here). I placed the order because I wanted one of the new Jeffree Star Lip Ammunition lipsticks. It was also my first Jeffree Star purchase.

I've been lusting after the Lip Ammunitions since I read that they were going to smell like ice cream. Yum! As soon as they appeared on Beautylish I purchased one in the shade Baby Spice.

 How cute is the packaging? I love it!

Baby Spice is a cool toned medium pink. On my very pigmented lips it's quite a bright pink, but it's easily toned down by applying with a light hand. 

The lasting power is amazing, it lasts all day even through eating and drinking. The colour does fade slightly, but not much. 

These are supposed to be a satin finish. They're not. They're matte. It's not an uncomfortable or drying matte, but they are definitely matte. 

There are a lot of reviews saying that the lipsticks are really gritty, thankfully mine isn't. I've used mine daily since I got it and there is no hint of any grittiness. 

I have to say I'm disappointed with the scent. The website says the scent is creamsicle ice cream (I have no idea what that is), the box says orange creamsicle. Mine has little to no scent. I can barely smell anything, the scent is so subtle that I have no idea what it smells like. 
For those of you who don't like scented products this would be a good thing, but for me it's disappointing.

Ingredients:

At $18 (US) these are definitley worth a try, however I'd advise reading reviews and ordering from Beautylish so that if you get a gritty lipstick you can return it.

Tuesday 18 October 2016

What are your favourite luxury products?

When I look at my collection it's a blend of high and low end products. I like mainly high end products for my lipstick and gloss, whilst the rest of my products are mostly low end. My perfumes are a blend of high and low end, mostly high end.

When I lived in the city I had more high end products because they were available. Now that we're in the country I have to order things sight unseen, which is quite risky when buying products I haven't used before. 

It got me wondering what everyone's  favourite luxury products are? I buy expensive hand wash because it lasts for ages, so spending $30 isn't too bad when it'll last me around six months.

I dream of the days when we have more free cash so that I can spend up on expensive skincare. I really want to try NIOD. 

Monday 17 October 2016

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips


After lusting after her products for years, I finally bought two Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks. I purchased from the Hot Lips collection and got Very Victoria which is a matte and Liv It Up which is the K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula. 

I can't really notice any difference between the two formulas. They both feel creamy, have a semi shiny finish and last for about three to four hours. They're opaque with just one layer, they feel hydrating and comfortable on. 

Charlotte Tillbury says that the Matte Revolution is a cashmere cream texture with a soft-matte finish, enriched with papaya and orchid.
The K.I.S.S.I.N.G. formula is enriched with lipstick tree extract (whatever that is).

Everything about these lipsticks is perfection. From the box to the gorgeous packaging they scream luxury. The matte lipstick has a matte finish box and the shine formula has a shiny box. No detail has been missed. The cases are a gorgeous rose gold with a lovely light feel and that satisfying click sound when you close the case.  

Liv It Up
Liv It Up is described as a pretty velvet rosebud, inspired by Liv’s signature hybrid of both rock n’ roll and ethereal beauty. It’s a cool toned ballet pink that looks amazing worn with a sexy, smokey eye.

Very Victoria
Very Victoria is described as being a cool toned suede, taupe nude for those who buck the trend like Brigitte Bardot.

 
Top swatch - Liv It Up. Bottom swatch - Very Victoria

Those of you who love luxury lipsticks need to try these, they truly are beautiful.

Sunday 16 October 2016

Thoughts of the week

1. I've discovered that I can get radio stations through the Telstra Tbox. They have an awesome selection of 80's radio stations.

2. It's finally started to warm up. The sun has been beautiful, I can feel it lifting my spirits and soothing my soul, I'm full of hope again.

3. We've had music on constantly since I discovered the 80's radio station, I hadn't realised how much I missed music, it makes me so happy.

4. I placed my first order with Beautylish. It won't be my last.

5. I am caught between my desire to be a nomad and my desire for stability. I love the community that we have here, knowing my neighbours, the postie etc. At the same time the desire to sell everything and travel is overwhelming. 

Friday 14 October 2016

FFS Friday - Method in my madness

So I've got a thing about bum, shower and toilet germs. Perfectly normal (or not). 

I don't let anyone use my towel because I hate the thought of drying my face where they might have dried their bum. Then I'd get bum germs, gross. Or even worse, penis germs, double gross!

I had a few moments of panic a few weeks ago when I was drying my face and it occurred to me that I might be using the part of my towel that I'd dried my bum with. Then I realised I have method and I didn't even know. 

Here's how it goes. I dry my face first, with the very end of the towel. Then I wrap it around myself and dry my body. Lastly I dry my bum, using the middle of the towel. This ensures that I'm not rubbing bum germs all over my body. Clever eh? It also means that the next time I use my towel, there's no risk that I'm rubbing day old bum germs on to my face. Hah. I'm so clever.



Wednesday 12 October 2016

My first order from Beautylish

Lately I've been reluctant to order online as my last few experiences have been really bad (I'm looking at you Beauty Bay and Sephora). I still order from my usual places (Adore Beauty, The Natural Supply Co to name a few) but haven't ordered from anywhere new for a while. When Jeffree Star released their Lip Ammunition lipsticks I took a risk and placed an order with Beautylish.

I placed my order on the 30th of September and it arrived on the 11th of October. There was a public holiday in there which usually delays things by at least two days. I could trace the package the whole time. If you use the Australia Post app it will show up as a package from Landmark.
Such pretty packaging.

I purchased:
RCMA No Colour Powder.
It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush in Je Ne Sais Quoi
Jeffree Star Lip Ammunition in Baby Spice

I've never tried anything from any of these brands before so I'm excited to test everything out. 


Once I've had a chance to try everything out I'll post reviews. 

Have you ordered from Beautylish before?

Monday 10 October 2016

September favourites


Physician's Formula Eye Booster eyeliner - This is my all time favourite eyeliner. It's the only liner I use now and I'll be devastated when I can't get it anymore. I have the brown shade, it's not available in Australia so I get it from iHerb. If you are a fan of liquid eyeliners you need this in your life. The brush is perfect, not too hard and not too soft. If only it came in navy.

Crazy Rumors Coffee Bean Lip Balm -  I've recently decided that Crazy Rumors balms are my favourite lip balms. I'd happily use only them for the rest of my days.

Givenchy Magic Cheek and Lip Balm - I'm obsessed with the gorgeous, natural flush this gives. It's so pretty and fresh.

Rimmel Insta Flawless - This is a great dupe for the Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme CC cream. I had a minor panic when I finished my tube and immediately went out and bought another. Not a day goes past when I don't use Insta Flawless, it's a staple in my routine. On no make-up days it helps blur imperfections and make my skin look better, on make-up days it's a great primer.


Lipstick Queen Medieval - I'm all about glowy lips and cheeks this month. I've been loving a subtle wash of red on my lips, not too bright but enough to perk me up a bit. 

What were your favourite products in September? If you've done a blog post about them, please post the link.  

Wednesday 5 October 2016

September empties and tosses


September was a slow month for empties. I feel like the last few months have been really slow on the empties front. I've been sticking to the same routine which you'd think would mean I finish things sooner, but it's not happening yet.

Lavera Beauty Balm
The Body Shop British Rose Plumping Mask
Kate Sommerville EradiKate To-Go
Coconut Revolution Coconut Hand Cream
Swisse Micellar Makeup Remover
Bliss Peeling Groovy Serum
Ophelia's Apothecary Lip Balm
Hourglass Primer
Rimmel Insta Flawless
Eco. C Serum
Rimmel Volume Colourist Mascara



My decluttering mood is still happening. I'm being brutal and it's a lot of fun. Last night I decided that all my skin care has to fit in to one tub, so there's going to be a further skin care cull happening this week. I've already gone through and got rid of heaps of my skin care so I'm not sure how I'll manage but it's going to happen. 

My make-up now fits in one train case which is exactly where I wanted it. The problem still lies with lip products. I still have way too many balms, glosses and lipsticks. I've been brutal with my lipsticks so am nearly at the point where I'm happy with my lipstick collection, glosses and balms still require work. I haven't decided at what point I'll be happy with my balm and gloss collection, I suppose I'll know when I get there. 

I was using an eye pencil a few weeks ago and was struck by the realisation that I don't like pencil eye liners so I tossed them all. I also tossed all but two of my lip pencils. My lip crayon collection is down to about ten which I'm happy with. 

Slowly but surely I'm going through all my products and only keeping those which I love. 

Have you been decluttering? How's it going?

Monday 3 October 2016

Two natural deodorants that work for sensitive skin


How's that for a long title? I did try to think of something witty but as you can tell, I came up empty handed.

For years I've been on the hunt for an effective natural deodorant that doesn't irritate my sensitive pits. Anything with bicarb soda in it is out as it's way too irritating. There have been a few natural deodorants that didn't irritate my pits (MooGoo and those crystal stone ones), but they didn't provide effective odour relief. I've finally found two natural deodorants that don't irritate and disguise odour!

The first is Lavanila Sport Luxe. The regular Lavanila works for me but I need to reapply it during the day. Sport Luxe works all day without the need for reapplication. It does contain bicarb soda, but not enough to cause any reaction. I've used the whole tube with no adverse reactions.

Sport Luxe absorbs quickly, smells lovely (like vanilla) and keeps me odour free all day. If I sweat a lot I do feel wet, but there is no odour. A 26g tube costs $26. 

The second and my holy grail deodorant is from The Physic Garden. They're a Melbourne company who produce natural, vegan products. I got to test out their new sensitive deodorant and am now impatiently waiting until I can buy a full sized pot. 

I've only used stick deodorants in the past, so it took me a few goes to get the hang of using a cream deodorant, but once I'd figured out the right amount to use it was easy. I take out a pea sized amount with my fingernail and rub it under my arms, that's it. The deodorant feels really creamy, absorbs quickly and is undetectable within five minutes. Normally with natural deodorants I feel wet during the day, but with Sensitive Deodorant I didn't experience any wetness. 

The scent is very subtle to the point of being almost undetectable. There is no bicarb soda or essential oils to ensure there is no irritation for those with sensitive pits. 

Have you found an effective natural deodorant for sensitive pits?