Product Rave! NUXE Reve de Miel Lip Balm

This lip balm is AMAZING! I'm sure you'll have seen the hype on all the blogs (particularly that UK group I mentioned before! essiebutton, meganisobel, whatihearttoday), and it's all true!

During this winter my lips have been a mess; constantly cracked, sore and dry. I've tried all the usual suspects, Blistex and Lucas' Paw paw, but to no avail. I pined over the NUXE Reve de Miel after hearing about it, but wasn't sure if it was worth the $16 price tag from Feel Unique or Look Fantastic, and so when it was sold out I thought I'd try the Figs and Rouge lip balm instead. At first the Figs and Rouge was fine, but eventually and after about two weeks of use just started feeling like a Vaseline type balm, and not really fixing the problem. Then when the NUXE balm came back on sale I took the plunge.

This balm is the most amazing lip balm I have ever, and hope to ever use! It is very very thick feeling on the lips, almost like its been glued on. None of this slippery Vaseline type feeling I had from my other balms. After using it for about a week I can definitely feel the difference in my lips; no more cracks, relatively supple and definitely not dry. I love applying it before bed and in the morning my lips feel amazing! I would definitely recommend it if nothing has worked for you so far and you're in dire straits with your winter lips!

(The figs and rouge now stays in my bag as an in case of emergency lip balm. It also doubles as a makeup remover if you are having trouble removing mascara smudges around the eyes!)

June Favourites

Skincare & Haircare

Kiehl's Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment
During winter my eyes are left so dry and this eye cream has been a major source of hydration for me! I also have the Clinque All About Eyes and a few other random eye creams and none of them hydrate like this does! Perfect for night time or if you just have super dry eyes like me.

Kerastase Ciment Thermique
I just found this sample lying around my house and I'm so glad I tried it! I've honestly been too put off by the price of Kerastase products to try any, but I definitely think you get what you pay for with this product. It smells great, makes my hair dry super fast (with blow drying) and makes it feel incredible. Definitely buying the full size on pay day.

Makeup

Nars Blush in Sin
A beautiful berry coloured blush that leaves a nice sheen on the cheek and blends like a dream. Again I think you get what you pay for with NARS blushes and even though I only have one, it's definitely one of my favourites! Should be getting some more soon!

Topshop Cream Blush in Neon Rose
Mac Mineralise Skinfinish in Redhead
These blushes have been a nice little combination for me and one I discovered during the month of June. I love the brightness of the Topshop cream blush and it blends really nicely too. Pairing Redhead over the top just adds some shimmer to the cheek and makes the blush combo last for ages. I seriously look at my cheeks so much when I'm wearing this combo

Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Palette in Attitude
So another neutral eyeshadow palette has managed to find itself in my collection and I've been really loving it this month! My favourite is the lilac/silver/pink/taupe colour for all over the lid, and I've actually been quite surprised by how well the warm brown in the palette works in the crease for this look. I normally keep like with like and pair MAC's Shale with the lid colour, but this brown brings some warmth to the eye and just looks nice!

Swatches L to R: Revlon warm brown, Revlon lilac, Topshop Neon Rose, MAC Redhead, The combination, NARS Sin

Essence Gel Eyeliner in Midnight in Paris
I couldn't recommend this Essence gel liner enough! For the price, its super soft, doesn't dry out quickly, doesn't budge in hot weather or over time. I'd been skipping the eyeliner recently, but gotten back on the bandwagon in June just because I know my boyfriend likes that look, and I must say it's very pretty! Sometimes I think liner can make me look to done up, but when I am going for that look it really does the job!

Maybelline Falsies Waterproof

The.Best. Mascara. Ever. Or for my stubbornly uncurling lashes anyway. I have the right lash curlers and boy do I curl them, but sometimes some mascaras just don't get along with my lashes. After first trying this mascara ages ago (and loving it) I decided to try out some other mascaras until it was a year later and I hadn't been impressed by any except this one! A real bitch to get off, but the results are like no other!

Miscellaneous

Real Techniques brushes
I need to get more of these brushes desperately and I plan to! I have the core brush kit and I just love how multi-purpose all of the brushes are particularly the contour and the buffing brushes.

Modelsprefer Crease Brush MPP120
I've been using this brush to blend my under eye concealer and loving the results! This isn't the best quality brush and I find it quite scratching on the eye, but for concealer I some how don't have this problem and it works a treat!


Chanel Coco Madmoiselle
This is a beautiful fragrance and unlike any other I've owned before. The Soap and Glory hand food, which I love, smells very similar to this perfume, so if you like the scent, this perfume is like the Holy Grail. I use it on special occasions because it feels very fancy and grown up, and I just love having a scent that can do that for me!

Mini Lush Haul!

I have the biggest soft spot for Lush products! I never used to, but about 6 months ago I started using their products and I've pretty much loved everything I've tried. So on the weekend I picked up a few things I was needing desperately!

Godiva Solid Shampoo

My first dabble into solid shampoos was the Seanik shampoo bar and I absolutely loved it! The sea salt and seaweed in it really soften my hair. I opted for Godiva this time because of the devine Jasmine scent and its claim to be a conditioning product.

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

The Lush body conditioners are supposed to be used in a similar way to a hair conditioner, but on your body; slather on and when it rinses away your skin will be left super soft. I don't doubt this, reading the ingredients of almond oil, shea butter and argan oil, but I plan to use this in my hair as a conditioning treatment. I asked the girls at the store if this would be okay (since it doesn't say on the packaging), and they said it would be great! So I thought this would be a cheaper alternative (and better ingredients wise, no nasty silicons) to Morrocan Oil or similar products.

Porridge Soap

I've just used this this morning and I loved it! I love Lush soaps for the extra benefits of exfoliation and their great interesting scents! This soap smells just like porridge which I find really comforting in the Winter time, plus the little grains in it really do exfoliate! A tip of mine is to chop it up so that the soap doesn't just dissolve in your shower!

Asos Wishlist

While ASOS is currently having an amazing sale, I'm holding back to see what things I'm still dying for in a weeks time.

1. TFNC cut out dress: I think this would be such a nice LBD to wear for my birthday in July
2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation: This is so much cheaper on ASOS than in Sydney stores, however I'm not even close to running out of my current foundation. I should stock up though right?
3. Silver Choker: Barbara from ThePersianBabe on Youtube that I love wears a multitude of chokers and this one in particular, but I have just ordered some from ebay.
4. River Island Pattern Jeans: They are amazing and I've had my eye on them for some time. With the sale they're only $45. Worth it?


What's on your current wishlist?

June Lust Have It!

So I'll be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with June's Lust Have It pack, and that's why it's taken me a while to post this. It arrived a bit late, maybe a week ago, this time in a PURPLE makeup bag.

LonVitalite - 24K Active Golden Yulan Oil Facial Mask

LonVitalite - 24K Active Gold Full Eye Mask

Both of these I'm on the fence about. They seem to be the highest value products in the pack with the 5 Packs being RRP $59 and $45 respectively. However not having tried them yet, I'm not sure if they would be products that work for my skin. I do have an event coming up though, so they work as great alternatives to getting a professional facial. If they're impressive, my feelings about the June pack will probably flip.

Batiste - Blush Dry Shampoo

I've seen Batiste products coming up in the Lust Have It packs before and honestly, although it's a convenient to have product (I'd just run out myself), I don't think it qualifies as a high end sample (I saw them in Coles for about $4).

Bloom - Glitter Eyeliner

This is a full size product and should be some fun. I like that it came in purple, which compliments brown eyes, however I don't personally get a lot of use out of glitter products.

Marc Jacobs - Daisy

Marc Jacobs - Daisy Eau So Fresh

As you'll have seen from my May favourites, I already own and love Daisy Eau So Fresh, so it's convenient to get a smaller sample size that I can stick in my handbag or take away somewhere. I was more pleased with the Daisy sample as I like trying new scents. Originally I never liked Daisy and I'm still not super keen, but I love the dry down. Overall I would have liked to receive a sample of something that I don't have anything like, like the Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty which seriously made me consider buying the full size. Also I don't really like getting perfume samples in these subscription boxes because I know I can just ask for them at department stores for free.

Sorry that this was a bit of a negative post, but that was genuinely  how I felt about it. I'll keep you guys updated with how the LonVitalite masks do and whether or not they changed my mind about the pack overall.


Edit: My boyfriend and I tried out the LonVitalite masks and the verdict is.... I liked it! It felt really refreshing on my skin and it felt like there was something going on underneath it (you know that tingly feeling). My skin was left soft and the appearance of acne scarring was better. It does say on the packet that continued use offers the best results, and I haven't seen any long term improvements so I'd say that's probably right, but with the price tag, I'd like to try out some cheaper alternatives first (I've seen a bunch in Priceline recently anyway). 

Nail of the Day | OPI Thanks A Windmillion

My mum came back from Thailand today and so in duty free she kindly bought some OPI nail polishes for me (as they're usually $25 for 2 instead of the RRP $19.95). I immediately wanted to paint my nails with the teal/green shade: Thanks a Windmillion from the OPI Holland collectioin.

I think that this is such a classic colour! It would be great for every day at work, or a retro 1950's look with a red lip!

May Favourites!

So I know I'm a little late on the favourites schedule, but being a uni student, this time of the year is pretty busy! Anyway, better late than never right? Here are my May favourites:

Colour Cosmetics

Revlon Photoready Primer
I've been using this just around my nose and cheeks where I have larger pores; just smoothing it on my skin (rather than rubbing it in) to create a base for my foundation. I find it stops me from getting oily in this area too!

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit
I did a review on this a couple of posts back! I've been wearing it constantly ever since I got it because it's so quick and easy and it's all I need on lazy days.

MAC Mineralise Concealer
I wear this in NC15 and it's the only concealer I've found to really brighten and cover my dark undereye circles. I couldn't go without it really!

Top: Summer Haze. Bottom: Shale

MAC Mineralise Eyeshadow in Summer Haze
This came out with the Naturally collection, and I had the hardest time finding it because it was sold out everywhere! But it was so worth it in the end. The colour reminds me of MAC's All That Glitters.

MAC Shale Eyeshadow
This colour is just so lovely. It is a purply, greyish brown and a lot of people have said that MAC's Shale and NARS Lhasa are dupes for each other. (I still really want Lhasa though, I think it's slightly more grey). It also really compliments brown eyes!

Skin Care

Korres Wildrose Skincare (Exfoliating Cleanser and Moisturiser)
These two together have worked amazingly to really brighten my skin and help lighten some acne scarring I have. I owned the moisturiser for a little while before I bought the cleanser, but when I started using them together, I really started to see a difference (I think that's the trick with skincare sometimes). Truly out of all the skincare I've used I've actually seen a difference with these products.

Miscellaneous 

Revlon Colorstay Base and Top coats
These nail polishes are amazing! Flat out they're great. They make any nail polish (it doesn't need to be a Colorstay one) last at least 5 days with no chipping whatsoever. I really recommend them if you can get your hands on them (I think they're due to hit Australia in a few months).

Daisy Eau so Fresh by Marc Jacobs
This scent is really nice! Fruity and fresh without being sickly sweet. I wear it pretty much everyday and would buy it again and again!

My May Empties

So I've seen this type of monthly round up on a few blogs and Youtube, and as I've been trying to use up some of my makeup and skincare, I thought it would be a great encouragement! So on to the empties!

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate

I bought this on Wayne Goss' recommendation to try and combat backheads via salicylic acid. I don't think it was really that effective and I've definitely still got blackheads. It cost me $46 from a discount Estee Lauder shop and lasted about 5 months. I'm still on the hunt for something that'll get rid of blackheads without irritating my skin.

Revlon Colorstay Undereye Concealer in Light


I used to use this under my eyes, but I realised that it was just a shade or two too dark for me. I used it on my face after that and it works a treat. I now use the MAC mineralise concealer in NC15 for under my eyes and that is so much better (but pretty pricey)

Revlon Absolute C Radiance Moisture Cleansing Milk


This cleanser was really gentle and never left my skin feeling to dry or stripped. I don't think I saw any brightening or radiance effects though, so I've moved on to the Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser.

The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum


I had had this FOREVER! literally about 5 or 6 years. The smell of it was really really nice, but I don't think it was that amazing in my hair. I think it might have had silicones in it too. I'm working through another hair oil at the moment, and then I want to try the Kerastase one.

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Samples

The samples I used up were: Viva la Juicy Viva la Body Creme, Avene Skin Recovery Cream, Avene Eulage Rich Cream and the Elizabeth Arden Prevage Eye Advanced Anti-Ageing Serum.

The only product I would probably repurchase would be the Avene Eulage Rich Cream which was so hydrating and nice!


I'll be putting up my May Favourites soon, so look out for that!

Zara, Asos and French Connection Haul

So for my first haul, I've picked up mixed group of items, clothing and makeup, and I hope you enjoy!

ZARA
I've recently been watching a new group of Youtubers and noticed how great their style is! (Particularly Barbara from Persianbabe) So I went off to Zara, which I haven't had the greatest luck in before (the Sydney store at least, I don't know why but the stock overseas is always so much better!) First I found this black and cream speckly cardigan which instantly reminded me of something Barbara would wear (on the right track).

Then I searched for a linen T-shirt that I'd seen a few weeks ago. I got the white because it was the only one in my size, but there was a beautiful greyish-lilac colour that I might go back for if they get in more stock.

French Connection
I normally only buy tights from French Connection (they're really great and seam free), but a few months ago I saw a pair of shorts that were so up my alley, but seeing the $80 price tag I didn't even want to try them on. They were now in the sale section, with an extra 20% off and only 1 left in my size! It was fate!

Asos

 I've really been getting into buying beauty items from asos because of the constant promos that they have. This time it was 20% so I picked up the Korres Wildrose Exfoliating Cleanser and the Lord & Berry Eye Silk Kajal Kohl Eyeliner in cream.

My neutral palettes!

So, like many of you I'm sure, I am a creature of comfort when it comes to eyeshadows and instead of finally purchasing the Naked or Naked 2 palettes one of the many times I've had it in my cart, I've simply collected various other neutral palettes. Here they are:

Revlon Colorstay Quad in Moonlit

This quad I really like for the muted golden beige colour as an all over lid colour and the dark greenish black brown for the upper lash line. It annoys me a bit that the largest colour in the quad is a white, and a powdery one at that (just look at the swatch!), but I can deal.

Soap and Glory quad in What's Nude

From L to R: Vanilla, Pink T, Aubersheen, Mudhoney

I lusted over this quad for so long after Fleur de Force mentioned it in a favourites video a while back and compared the shadows to MAC shadows. I like the fact that they did a palette with 3 matte shades, because I tend to exclusively buy shimmery shadows, so the variety is nice. I did here someone mention that the shimmery colour Aubersheen is dupable with MAC's Satin Taupe, however not owning Satin Taupe I couldn't tell you.

My MAC Palette

From L to R: Shroom, Vex, Concrete, Shale 

This is a palette I made myself at MAC, and honestly it's my favourite. It's much more cool toned than the other palettes I have, so maybe that's why I'm drawn to it more. It's a fairly neutral palette barring Vex, however I like to have it in there because it is such a unique and beautiful colour (grey base with a pink/green duochrome) and I do like to wear it on an everyday basis.

NYX Runway 10 colour eyeshadow palette in Champagne and Caviar

This was my first palette purchase when I started getting into makeup and, as you can see, it's well loved. I used to mix a few matte colours for my brows and change up the lid colour with the paler shimmery shades. I will say that, as with many drugstore palettes that have over 4 shades, a lot of the shades look exactly the same.

Revlon Custom Eyes Palette in Naturally Glamorous

I loved the bronze shade in this palette for the longest time, especially during summer! As with a lot of my makeup, when I bought new products this palette kind of got buried in my collection.

Sportsgirl Shady Lady Eyeshadow Palette

Again this was one of my first eyeshadow purchases. Not the best quality, but the pinky bronze colour definitely got a major dent! But I still don't really understand of including a white shade, especially when they're pretty chalky.


For anyone that has the Naked or Naked 2 palettes, is it worth getting even with all these other neutrals?

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow

I recently bought one of the Benefit cream shadows in the colour Birthday Suit which Benefit describes as a muted chrome. Personally I would describe it as a my lids but better colour, if you'll excuse that saying. The texture is more hard than soft and very similar to a MAC paint pot. I find that these shadows don't crease as much as the MAC paint pots, although only slightly (if that's a problem you've had with the paint pots before). The colour selection from Benefit is very beautiful and more to my taste as they are more shimmery, lighter and cooler colours.

The eyeshadow applies to the lid really nicely and gives a great shimmer to the eye; generally looking natural but enhancing the eyes. I like to do my eye make up with this shadow, letting it dry a bit, then applying more into the crease to darken the colour and create a contour. Then I like to apply a dark liner and a butt-load of mascara to create an easy natural look.

The Benefit creaseless cream shadows are 4.5g and $35 compared to MAC paint pots which are 5g and $35. Both will not run out anytime soon, so for a difference of 0.5g I don't see the price difference as an issue. (For anyone from overseas, yes cosmetics in Australia is pricey, yes it sucks).

May Lust Have It!

The May Lust Have it! box/pack is the second that I've received since subscribing in April. Firstly I love the pretty beauty bags that the packs have been arriving in, especially this month's pink! I feel pretty lucky that the Lust Have it! team decided to switch to this form of packaging the same month that I joined.

 These little samples were some of the most exciting for me. I've heard really great things about the Bioderma Crealine H20 Makeup Remover and how it performs on sensitive eyes. The Evo the Therapist Calming haircare are perfect for travelling, which I'll be doing in July. How convenient!

 These were some of the more disappointing products for me. I think the Caron Laboratories Bump eRaiser Medi Paste is a good idea, and sure, handy to have, but I don't personally think I'll get as much use out of it as I would with other skincare. Secondly the Dirty soap from Lush, as much as I love their products (I was really wanting the Lust soap) just smells like those weird spearmint lollies that were around when I was a kid and I hated them then and I hate them now.

 The two makeup products in this pack are really really cute! 

 The Nicole by OPI mini nail polish is so cute and I don't have that many glitter polishes so this one is great to add to my collection.

 The ModelCo lipgloss that I received is a nice sparkly nude peach colour and I really like it. I'm not that much of a gloss girl though, so I think going into Autumn I would've preferred the dark red lippie that's on the information card.

Overall super impressed with the Lust Have it! pack for May! I'm glad that I'm subscribed now with so many changes happening within the company.

Edit: I forgot to include the Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty perfume sample. I love it! If I didn't already have so many perfumes that I'm trying to use up I would purchase a full size. Luckily my mum owns a bottle of the big sister to Sheer Beauty, Beauty, so when I need a hit I can get similar results from Beauty.