When you've got as many perfumes hoarded away as I do wearing just one a day seems a little too simplistic. That's why I always use a fragrance before bed, either on pulse points or sprayed over the bed to settle on sheets. Honestly, there is nothing better than crisp fresh sheets, a silky negligee and a gorgeous fragrance at bedtime. 

I swear I'm not just being a crazy perfume lady (although I also will not deny it). Studies say that scent association can trigger feelings of relaxation, making a deep sleep quicker to achieve. Using the same scent before bed reminds your sensory HQ that it’s time to relax, lulling you into beauty sleep ASAP!

Welcome back to me and Lather Rinse Repeat! I'm so excited to be relaunching the site with a slick new feel.

I'm going to get back into the swing of things with a nifty new product review of something that's available in both Australia and the Middle East (I heart you, international shipping).

Babe Scrub is a newish brand that's Aussie based, with a super simple concept. 



The scrub comes dry, in a zip-lock style sachet. Just hop in the shower and add water to a small handful use on wet skin and buff away in a circular motion to work away rough skin.

I'm so ready for this winter to pack in it. Chilly fingertips, a sore arm from clutching my jacket close, and dry, wind-burnt skin are not my idea of a good time, yet this freezing winter continues. Okay, fine, 25c isn't exactly cold, but now I'm well and truly used to Gulf weather, it feels like basically sub-zero. Mostly.

Here's the hero products I've been dipping into the last few months, to protect, moisturise and heal.

It's tough to pick a gift for that one friend who's always on the move, be it for work or just a permanent holiday, and may not have the space or stability for large or less practical gifts. Here's Lather Rinse Repeat's pick of beauty stocking stuffers for friends on the wing.

I'm always in an obstinate battle with my bottles of nail varnish. There's always something lacking in the trifecta of formula, colour and wearability. One brand may have amazing shades, but the formula is runny and streaky. I love the just-right thickness of this line, but the teeny weeny brush was made for elf hands and my giant paws drop it on the carpet between every pass-over.

The brand that I've liked the most so far? Not available in my region. Sad trombone.

Luckily, when you lose out on access to some of your favourites, you will find replacements you would have not normally come across. For me, my new favourite polish was to be found in the gaping maw of cosmetics behemoth, Sephora.

Plus all these Penhaligon's!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ladies, let's talk hair extensions. I've recently realised that most people on television and in fashion with fabulous hair only grew like 30% of it themselves. I know, I'm a little slow.

If there was ever anyone who thought she didn't need hair extensions, I'm your gal. I have enough long blonde hair to stock Mattel's shelves and provide the Navy with ropes for a year (I'm pointedly not making a seaman joke here, and it's killing me, you guys).

I thought hair extensions were reserved for Kardashians and America's Next Top Model's latest victims contestants, so obviously I jumped at the chance to try out Showpony's professional range to emulate Our First Lady Tyra.

BOW TO YOUR QUEEN

It's a rare day that you'll find me sporting anything less than lurid on my nails, but this collab set between Strange Beautiful and Saxony was far too disgustingly slick to pass on.

Of the three colour ways released, the 'Malevich' trio is the palest, ranging from white to the prettiest dove grey this side of an actual bird.



Because I can't resist an opportunity for a gradient, I teamed these three with two darker shades from Hello Darling and faded to black.

The polish is exceptionally creamy and opaque for such pale shades, and were seamlessly solid after two coats. This is my first foray into Strange Beautiful polishes, and I'm far more inclined to order another of their sets after enjoying this trio.




Fun fact: Malevich was a Russian painter who excelled in geometric abstract art and conked it in 1935. There were 14 children in his family, which is really at least 12 children too many. Thanks Wikipedia!

He painted stuff like this - 



- which probably ignited a thousand conversations between Russian galley-goers about what that black square, like, really projected to them, while some Russian chick's boyfriend who didn't even want to come grumbles in the corner 'I could've painted that' in between spoonfuls of borsch and cabbage.

I was sent their 2 Way Velvety Skin Smooth Compact Foundation in 01 Almost Nude to try out. Firstly, the name. It's like five words too long, and this enrages me. I'm going to call it the 2 Way Compact because like hell I'm typing out that long name every time.



It's a cute little compact, and looks very chic in its all-white matte packaging. Sure, the jumbled hell of lidless lippies that is my make-up bag will totally destroy its pristine prettiness in two seconds, but as a vanity display item it will do nicely.



This compact is intended to be used as a wet or dry foundation, with the instructions for application helpfully reprinted on the pressed powder's little protection gate. It comes with a sponge, which is recommended to be used damp for heavier coverage. 



Applied damp, it's a fairly full coverage with a satin finish. You can then set the foundation with the same product, using a brush for a powder finish. Alternatively, if you're like me and prefer a light to mid amount of coverage, the powder route can be taken and built up for a matte look.



It's a very silky formula to apply, and slips onto skin easily without dragging or holding onto dry patches. 

Dry on left, damp on right

Used damp, it does turn out slightly darker than a dry swatch, although neither oxide throughout the day regardless of application method.

Almost Nude is Red Earth's lightest shade, however it has still proven to be a tad too dark for me and my traitorous pale skin. Applied dry, it's passable, but damp is too much of a difference with the foundation leaning orange on my skin. I've actually been using it as a pressed powder on the days I'm wearing fake tan - it matches far better then.

As for my new brush of choice, I've been reaching for this domed powder brush (A$40) from Red Earth's new brush line.



It's super soft and doesn't pull on the skin at all. While I'm not normally one for brush fangirling, this one really is comparable to some of the big names on the market.

Along with their new look, Red Earth also has a website and e-shop, which looks to be the one dependable source for purchasing products as I'm unable to find a stockist list. 

For some reason, the 2 Way Compact isn't listed on their site, and I'll update its RRP once I can confirm! There is also a skin care line teased on the homepage, which will be very interesting to see once launched.



Disclaimer: Product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. It's also my opinion that shoplifting is very very naughty and this post is in no way a confession of guilt. You can't prove nothing. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.

I normally don't share city-specific events, but this one hosted by Jurlique is so damn nifty, I just had to let you guys in on it. Mostly because it involves my favourite thing ever - free stuff. Not only free, but really truly decent free stuff that I use and love.

From the 3rd (tomorrow!) to the 6th of October, Jurlique will be operating a pop-up store in Sydney Westfield (Pitt St entrance) and running something called the Jurlique Serum Exchange from midday to 6pm each day.

The Jurlique Serum Exchange is a most excellent, commitment free way to try a fancy new Jurlique serum. All you need to do is follow the following steps.

1) Bring in a full sized serum (full or empty, although I'd make frowny faces at anyone throwing away a not totally used up bottle because why would you do that? WHY?)

2) Be one of the first 60 visitors every hour to nab a numbered voucher in exchange for your unloved serum. If you are number 61, that kind of sucks, but you can still wait for the next hour to roll around. Or push in front of number 60. I mean I'm not advocating that type of behaviour, but it's a viable option.

3) Receive a FREE YOU PAY NOTHING FOR THIS NO CASH MONEY IT'S FREEEEE 30ml Jurlique serum, worth up to A$89. THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD DEAL. LIKE ALL-CAPS WORTHY, IT'S THAT GOOD A DEAL.

4) Use serum, enjoy lovely skin, rub face on coworkers to demonstrate newly uncovered loveliness. Trust me, they'll love it.*



You'll have a choice of the three serums available in their facial care line - Purely Age Defying (A$89), Herbal Recovery ($75) and Purely White ($80). I've been using Herbal Recovery for like forever, and this jazzed up version has been on rotation since it launched. I find it perfect as a morning serum, as it absorbs super quickly and doesn't leave a film on skin. Purely White is my most recent pick up from Jurlique, and while I'm not sure I could get any whiter, it does a good job of moisturising and I'm hoping to see my skin tone even out over my cheeks as I continue use (have only had it for a week so far, so will give it time!).

Now you know about it, would you hit the Exchange for a freebie serum? Would it be awkward if I just show up every hour, every day? Does the fear of awkwardness cancel out my desire for free stuff? Deep thoughts with Michaela in action here.


*Maybe don't trust me with this kind of thing. My coworkers are probably a lot more cooler than yours.

While summer is my total BFF of a season, spring ain't so bad either. It's nice to see all the little signs that warmer weather is on its way - longer daylight hours, beer gardens opening, and the hordes of backpackers airing their pasty, shirtless bodies in the Hyde Park once it gets over 21 degrees.

Oh, and this gorgeous magnolia tree I pass on my way to the farmer's markets to buy salted caramel cheesecake and rhubarb. Check it!


Inspired, I decided to slick on a mani as pretty as these blossoms.



I've previously covered some of the polishes from Australis' Rockstar collection, and the shade used here, K-Pop, is another winner. It's a very pretty purple-leaning candy pink, that's creamy, smooth to apply and opaque in two coats.


I've then upped the pretty with a smudge of this silvery pink glitter from Island Girl Hawaii, that I picked up on my travels there last year. Despite its uninspired name, Island Color is a nice fine glitter that can be built up easily and doesn't feel rough.




Australis Nail Colours retail for A$7.95 each. Island Girl Hawaii polishes are US$2.99 each and you can find them in ABC stores in Hawaii and selected salons in Las Vegas.



Disclaimer: Australis product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. It is also my opinion that I would have totally ended up buying these at Priceline anyway because that place is a bad influence, and I'm easily led. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details. 

This may not be a total shock to anyone who knows me in the slightest, but I love me some boy bands. Floppy hair, awkward choreography and the hint of homo-erotism - what's not to love?

Mmmmmm

After fangirling my way through the rise and fall of Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, 5ive and Westlife in the 90s and 00s, how could I not totally fall for their legacy in the form of One Direction?




Especially Harry. He's totally in love with me, he just doesn't know it yet.

LET ME LOVE YOOOOOOOOOU!

I recently took a delivery from Fashion Addict, an online store that I'd heard of but not had the chance to order from before. Despite the fashion-affiliated name, I'd consider it more of a beauty e-tailer, with the bulk of its products in colour cosmetics and skin care.



My order had the following -

Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Papaya ($9.95)

A sheer pinky coral, this is a little pick-me-up hit for my lips. The formula is slightly sticky (duh, it's a gloss), but not hair-snaggingly so.




Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Nail Polish in Honeymoon Red ($4.95)

More magenta-toned on nails than it appears on the bottles, Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength is one of my favourite brushes for its one stroke coverage. 




Botanics of Australia Smoothing Body Scrub with Desert Lime and Wattleseed ($7.95)

Love this body scrub - it's the perfect amount of nubbly scrubby bits and lathering gel. The lime scent is  sweet with a zap of zest, making this wash a neat addition to my shower rotation and pre-fake tan routine.




Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B Gift Set ($24.95)

I'm not so super crash-hot on celebrity fragrances, but this watery pale floral gets a pass for being both office friendly and reminding me of pear-scented shampoo. So fresh, so squeaky clean.




Fashion Addict has pretty speedy and safe shipping (it's free for orders over $40, and shipped from Melbourne) and regular discounts off Australian RRP, and I found all products to be genuine.



Disclaimer: Product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details. 

Australis has been knocking it out of the park recently, making it one of my top drug store brands for on-trend and wallet friendly impulse buys. It's an iconic Aussie brand that was honestly a bit daggy when I started venturing into everything cosmetics a few years ago, but has since done a smart 180 and started whipping out some trés decent products along with some clever branding to hit the hipster chicks and festival fiends right in the wallet.

The latest drop of products ontinue in the same vein - the Rockstar collections smooshes music genres into a range of four nail polishes and four lipsticks, naming each shade after a popular music genre.

Today I've slicked on two different shades of polish, for a mani that unintentionally ended up looking a little bit Elphaba-esque.