Do you guys remember Red Earth? Adelaide used to have a store on the corner of the Myers Centre in the middle of Rundle Mall. I may have swiftly pocketed a teeny tub of loose glitter from there when I was around 11, then never went in again, terrified that I had been spotted and the staff had a giant print out of my face in the store. My guilty conscience ate away at me so badly, that I ended up filling the little container back up with regular glitter and sneaking it back onto the closest shelf to the door.
My guilt was immediately erased then, but now I kind of feel bad knowing that I may have given someone pink-eye from craft store quality glitter. And I'm still a little concerned that I may have the police show up at my door as soon as I hit 'Publish' on this post, having confessed to my 15 year old crime. I'm not great at this unrepentant criminal thing, am I?
Shoplifting aside, after somewhat disappearing from the Australian market to focus on Asia, Red Earth is back with a slicker, sleeker image and new line of colour cosmetics.
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.
It's a very silky formula to apply, and slips onto skin easily without dragging or holding onto dry patches.
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| 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 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.
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.
Winter is probably the best time to dip into cream blushes, when everyone is that little bit paler and the subtlety of a fresh-faced glow can turn you from Voldemort, to....Voldemort after a nice brisk stroll.
I've been trialling a few cream blush formulas so far this season, and have most recently been reaching for this Luminous Creme Blush in Taffeta by Youngblood, which I got through Recreate Yourself.
Even though I'm feeling a bit #foreveralone after the The Great Boyfriend Departure of 2013, I'm still happy to throw my support behind that most coupled up of activities - kissing!
Ahem.
Lush is combining one of my most favourite activities - kissing - with one of my favourite causes - animal rights. The brand is raising awareness of their no animal testing mantra by holding a Guinness World Record attempt for most lip prints collected in 12 consecutive hours, in honour of International Kissing Day on Saturday 6th of July. The current record stands at 22,174 so that's a lot of smooching!
Got a spare moment this Saturday? Pucker up and pop into your nearest Lush store to pay lip service with their cruelty free products. Staff will show you how to prep your lips with Lip Scrub (the Popcorn one is beyond) and a layer of Lip Balm, before using an Emotional Brilliance Liquid Lips (the range is now celebrating their first birthday - I reviewed some of the products here) to leave your mark on their cruelty-free record attempt.
Hell, there may even be some male models around to help you out!
Ahem.
Lush is combining one of my most favourite activities - kissing - with one of my favourite causes - animal rights. The brand is raising awareness of their no animal testing mantra by holding a Guinness World Record attempt for most lip prints collected in 12 consecutive hours, in honour of International Kissing Day on Saturday 6th of July. The current record stands at 22,174 so that's a lot of smooching!
Got a spare moment this Saturday? Pucker up and pop into your nearest Lush store to pay lip service with their cruelty free products. Staff will show you how to prep your lips with Lip Scrub (the Popcorn one is beyond) and a layer of Lip Balm, before using an Emotional Brilliance Liquid Lips (the range is now celebrating their first birthday - I reviewed some of the products here) to leave your mark on their cruelty-free record attempt.
Hell, there may even be some male models around to help you out!
What a week! I've been on a Revenge of the Mummy ride of emotion (roller coasters are way passé, and I found RotM at Universal Studios Singapore completely terrifying) since Boyfriend booked a one way ticket to Dubai. I've been alternating between excitement at having the bed all to myself and hysterical sobbing because I'm not the greatest at being left.
At least I had a few nifty new beauty products to keep me entertained this week, the first being Arbonne Cosmetics Perfecting Liquid Foundation SPF 15.
I'd heard of the brand before in the most vaguest of ways, and know I've got one of their lip glosses around somewhere but hadn't actually tried their line before, nor read much on them. It's actually quite nifty to be able to test out a product without any pre-conceived idea of the brand behind it, and be able to judge purely on its performance and merit.
So apparently pressed powder is something you guys have been all been using to set your make-up and foundation. I had absolutely no idea until I started blogging Call it dry skin privilege, I guess.
Even armed with that knowledge, I still skipped the setting step, figuring it wouldn't make too much of a difference, and never bothered to check out any of the pressed or loose powders on the market.
Even armed with that knowledge, I still skipped the setting step, figuring it wouldn't make too much of a difference, and never bothered to check out any of the pressed or loose powders on the market.
However, when Covergirl + Olay released their new pressed powder, I just had to take it for a test run. The idea of a moisturising powder combined with the aesthetics of powdering my nose -
- was super tempting. The brand claims that the powder will smooth imperfections and brighten skin tone.
You guys, I'm starting to think I have a serious lip crayon issue. After using NARS' Dragon Girl for the last year, collecting all of Revlon's staining versions, and buying every other version that popped up in Priceline, there was no way I could not make frantic grabby hands at NARS' new spin on their Velvet Lip pencils. Now in a glossy, but colour-rich formulation, NARS Satin Lip Pencils are an alternative for those who like punchy shades with opaque coverage, but want a shiny finish as opposed to the matte originals.
I know, I know, it's been at least a month or so since I got back since my quick trip to Singapore. Somewhat related, it's been a least a month since I dropped my suitcase at the base of my bed and purposely ignored every morning I stumbled by it and stubbed my toe.
Finally decided this weekend to crack the case open to look through the few products I did pick up in S'pore. I have to say I was quite disappointed in the products available and the still pretty high prices, especially in Sephora. It wasn't anything like the free-for-all that Hawaii was. Prices are from memory because I'm a chronic dispatcher of receipts and converted to Australian dollars.
From left to right - a blackhead remover which I've lovingly been using on my boyfriend's nose (Gross, but incredibly therapeutic) $3, Sephora Brush Clear Spray $9, Moisture Solution BB SPF30 $8, Biore Black Pore Strips $4. I picked up a few packets of these strips and have all kinds of love for them. They have one over the white strips with black being the perfect backdrop to best display your pore's grotty offerings.
Lip Tars! I know you love them, I know you most likely own several and are doing an eyebrow wiggle at me right now for admitting this is the first one I've tried. Stop wiggling at me!
When I grabbed this Lip Tar at IMATS last year, I was actually looking for NSFW, a "true, balanced red", but as the Scotty's Make-up and Beauty stall was all out, I had to instead settle for Stalker and its "pin-up blue based red".
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| Natural light |
A thick, gooey formula, you only need the teeniest bit for full opacity as it spreads evenly and smoothly and sinks into the skin.
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| With flash |
The pic above is my very first attempt at applying a Lip Tar, and I know, it's very messy! I don't normally use a lip brush, being a straight outta the tube kinda gal myself, so found even manoeuvring and flicking the brush around tricky enough. Definitely didn't keep within the lines, or even near the lines here. In fact, I don't think the lines even factored into my application technique whatsoever. Oh well *Kanye shrug*.
Application struggles aside, this is an intense, rich, highly pigmented colour. And, yes, I did feel a bit pin-up gal wearing it, especially as it does that fab thing blue-bases do where your teeth look super blindingly white when they may not actually be that pearly. AND YOU GUISE! THE LASTING POWER! I wore this for around seven hours without touching up, through countless cups of tea, breakfast, lunch and second lunch, without it budging.
I bought this OCC Lip Tar for A$15 at IMATS, and you can find them for A$16 at Scotty's Make-up and Beauty or a bit less here.
Good grief, has this post ever been a long time coming. I first bought a few Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains (WHAT is with the long name?) when I was in Hawaii mid-last year, swatched them, swatched some other lip balm crayons for comparison, then just kinda forgot about them.
Like, not forget forget, but I'd figured that the blogosphere had maybe already heard enough about these bright little rod o' colour and I just kept on using mine, plus a few more I picked up from Priceline during that epic buy one, get one free sale they had.
Then Revlon, hearing my Twitter laments over a brand new Becca gloss I'd cleverily dropped and smashed, sent me some lip treats to soften the blow (GOOD PR MOVE, YOU GUYS!). In that pack were three more Kissable Stains, so I took that as a sign from Cheesus above to finally review them.
When I was in high school, around year 10, I started branching out from my trusty Bonne Bell Lipsmackers collection (call me, Strawberry-Kiwi!) and trying lip products that were less balm, more gloss.
There was a fine balance between wearing something that Mum approved of (no colour, not too shiny) and something that appealed to my tastes (MOTHERFUCKING PINK!), and Covergirl's Wetslicks falling just within those parameters. Plus they smelt like a cartoonish version of fruit, perfect forpractising smooches on my inner arm #foreveralone kissing boys, but not pigmented enough for rainbow parties *clutches pearls*.
I've got very fond memories of my Wetslick collection (the most treasured shades were hoarded in my Roxy wetsuit pencil case) and was immediately curious to see how the new and improved Wetslicks would perform, now that I'm now well past high school andstill smooching my arm totally sexing grown arse men.
There was a fine balance between wearing something that Mum approved of (no colour, not too shiny) and something that appealed to my tastes (MOTHERFUCKING PINK!), and Covergirl's Wetslicks falling just within those parameters. Plus they smelt like a cartoonish version of fruit, perfect for
I've got very fond memories of my Wetslick collection (the most treasured shades were hoarded in my Roxy wetsuit pencil case) and was immediately curious to see how the new and improved Wetslicks would perform, now that I'm now well past high school and
Along with the new packaging, four new scents and colours were launched last month (Caramel Apple, Lychee Splash, Blackberry Splash and Cranberry Splash), making it a total of ten shades in the range. Covergirl also appears to have dropped some of the shades I remember, like Cool Cocoa Mint Splash, Grape Splash and Lemon Splash.
I think I've found my make-up kryptonite, you guys. Wave a lipstick pen in front of me and I go weak at the knees, only summoning up enough strength to press my credit card into the shopkeep's loving grasp. Priceline was cruel enough to keep the Essence stand within eyesight from where I was innocently picking up some contact lens fluid, muttering must not buy pretty, must NOT buy pretty, and bam, I was suddenly walking out with the two lipstick pencils from Essence's Cherry Blossom Girl collection.
The shades are 01 Cherry Cherry Girl (bright red) and 02 It's Peach, Not Cherry (erm....peach), both with a matte finish.
The shades are 01 Cherry Cherry Girl (bright red) and 02 It's Peach, Not Cherry (erm....peach), both with a matte finish.
I KNOW! I have sooooo many cosmetics and products all queued up in my 'to try' pile. Lined up end to end, these beauty goodies would stretch from Neutral Bay, Sydney, all the way to ASOS HQ in the UK (or so clutter-free-freak Boyfriend would like to think).
BUT an ASOS sale is kinda hard to avoid. Especially when you have ASOS set as your home page. And your credit details are Post-It noted to your computer monitor. Due to these absolutely unavoidable factors, I somehow bought a few things a week ago, and they arrived on my doorstep a mere four days later!
The Stila Merry and Bright Palette and Lip Glaze is exclusive to ASOS and set me back a wee A$14.45, compared to its original A$21.25. There's six eye shadows (Chill, Glisten, Joyful, Ebony, Butterscotch, Molasses), a Convertible Color in Lillium and a Lip Glaze in Kitten.
The Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen Duo is another limited edition, containing two shadow pencils in Shell Sheen (champagne glow highlighter) and Brun Beam (cool brown liner and definer). A steal at A$13.60 from A$20.40. The Australian RRP is A$1400 and your first-born or fur baby.
I also nabbed a squirrel print shirt. Because I want to be twee, dammit.
Now ASOS has whacked off another 10% with the check-out code PERFECT10, this Korres set is looking awfully tempting. Ooh, and what about this POP set! Or also from Stila, their Large Snowflake with eighteen shadows and twelve cheek colours with bonus mascara for A$34.85 plus 10% off (the palette alone is still A$79 at Mecca!)
BRB, buying all the things!
BUT an ASOS sale is kinda hard to avoid. Especially when you have ASOS set as your home page. And your credit details are Post-It noted to your computer monitor. Due to these absolutely unavoidable factors, I somehow bought a few things a week ago, and they arrived on my doorstep a mere four days later!
The Stila Merry and Bright Palette and Lip Glaze is exclusive to ASOS and set me back a wee A$14.45, compared to its original A$21.25. There's six eye shadows (Chill, Glisten, Joyful, Ebony, Butterscotch, Molasses), a Convertible Color in Lillium and a Lip Glaze in Kitten.
The Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen Duo is another limited edition, containing two shadow pencils in Shell Sheen (champagne glow highlighter) and Brun Beam (cool brown liner and definer). A steal at A$13.60 from A$20.40. The Australian RRP is A$1400 and your first-born or fur baby.
I also nabbed a squirrel print shirt. Because I want to be twee, dammit.
Now ASOS has whacked off another 10% with the check-out code PERFECT10, this Korres set is looking awfully tempting. Ooh, and what about this POP set! Or also from Stila, their Large Snowflake with eighteen shadows and twelve cheek colours with bonus mascara for A$34.85 plus 10% off (the palette alone is still A$79 at Mecca!)
BRB, buying all the things!
ERMAHGERD!!! ERMAHGERD YOU GUISE! HAVE YOU SEEN THE AD CAMPAIGN FOR MAC'S STRENGTH COLLECTION???
I LOVE IT SO MUCH THAT MY CAPS LOCK KEY JAMMED WITH EXCITEMENT!!! THAT IS A RELATIVELY LARGE AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT FOR ONE LITTLE KEYBOARD!!
The model is Serbian-American fitness model Jelena Abbou, and her body is the definition of #fitspo.
Sure, the 2013 Spring collection looks decent too (hello, the gold-flecked matte black Firm Form lippy), but I cannot take my eyes off Jelena right now. Great ad choice, MAC. You've made this gym-goer feel good about her body goals. And about wearing shiny plastic ballgowns too. *sticks ad to fridge, gazes at it lovingly*.
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| DEM ARMS!!! |
I LOVE IT SO MUCH THAT MY CAPS LOCK KEY JAMMED WITH EXCITEMENT!!! THAT IS A RELATIVELY LARGE AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT FOR ONE LITTLE KEYBOARD!!
The model is Serbian-American fitness model Jelena Abbou, and her body is the definition of #fitspo.
Sure, the 2013 Spring collection looks decent too (hello, the gold-flecked matte black Firm Form lippy), but I cannot take my eyes off Jelena right now. Great ad choice, MAC. You've made this gym-goer feel good about her body goals. And about wearing shiny plastic ballgowns too. *sticks ad to fridge, gazes at it lovingly*.
Because the greatest gift of all is the one you buy for someone else and then just end up keeping yourself, right? Right!
Here's some things you should buy with the full intention of wrapping them up and giving away, but that you then accidentally forget to wrap, and maybe it rolls under the bed or something, oh hey look it's mid-Jan now, no-one is expecting a present now, I'll just keep this one. It's okay, we all do it. At least, that's what I tell myself to justify it.
Endota Spa Fresh Faced Pack (A$60)*
I was given the watering can pack by Endota (which I can't seem to find on their website any longer), but I have decided I want this one too too, mainly because of that fig n sugar cleanser is the best smelling thing ever, and it's the most perfect travel size for a few weeks away. Plus, it's not even like you're really buying anything, seeing it's from a salon and not a store. Just slip it onto the counter in a post-massage bliss-out and I swear your credit card won't feel a thing.
Here's some things you should buy with the full intention of wrapping them up and giving away, but that you then accidentally forget to wrap, and maybe it rolls under the bed or something, oh hey look it's mid-Jan now, no-one is expecting a present now, I'll just keep this one. It's okay, we all do it. At least, that's what I tell myself to justify it.
Endota Spa Fresh Faced Pack (A$60)*
I was given the watering can pack by Endota (which I can't seem to find on their website any longer), but I have decided I want this one too too, mainly because of that fig n sugar cleanser is the best smelling thing ever, and it's the most perfect travel size for a few weeks away. Plus, it's not even like you're really buying anything, seeing it's from a salon and not a store. Just slip it onto the counter in a post-massage bliss-out and I swear your credit card won't feel a thing.
I can't believe I've been blogging for a year and haven't gotten myself some tagged post action! My lovely friend The Moroccan Shopaholic has summoned me for the How Much Is My Face Worth? tag that's been going around, and how could I say no to this face?
So let's assume the brace position and look at exactly what I slap on my face on an average workday.
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| You just can't. That's science. |
So let's assume the brace position and look at exactly what I slap on my face on an average workday.
Sorry for the total lack of posts recently, I've been busy watching this over and over working. At work. Busy work things. Oh, yes, and snuggling with my new favourite product! I'm not even going to try and be balanced here. I'm going to be all fangirling and lovey dovey about my lovely shiny toy - Guerlain Meteorites!
I'm pretty sure absolutely every other beauty blogger ever already uses this religiously, and for good reason too - they're so damn luxurious!
There's a few permanent shades of Meteorites, however I picked up the limited edition Perles du Dragon from their Holiday 2012 'Liu' collection.
I'm pretty sure absolutely every other beauty blogger ever already uses this religiously, and for good reason too - they're so damn luxurious!
There's a few permanent shades of Meteorites, however I picked up the limited edition Perles du Dragon from their Holiday 2012 'Liu' collection.
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| ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL! |
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| HI THERE, HOT STUFF! |
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| Oh, and the boring packaging |
The collection is named after Liu, Guerlain's 1929 perfume, which in turn was inspired by Liu, the heroine of Pucci's Turandot, his famous opera about illicit love and the death that follows.
This LE finishing powder was named for the Year of The Dragon, and comes in this gorgeous glossy case
There's six shades of the pearls, white, gold, plum, rosewood, beige and pale pink, which work together to create a balanced, slightly shimmery finish. There's just about zero colour pay off, but that's okay, I'm all about the pretty glow it gives, and the drama of swirling in my large powder brush and applying.
They also smell gorgeous! Like that one lady you know who's always really put together, like she never gets stocking runs or cracks a tooth eating toffee, and has perfected getting out a car in heels without doing that awkward leg splay thing. Actually, this is what Kate Middleton must smell like. All violets, heliotrope and powder. That bitch.
They also smell gorgeous! Like that one lady you know who's always really put together, like she never gets stocking runs or cracks a tooth eating toffee, and has perfected getting out a car in heels without doing that awkward leg splay thing. Actually, this is what Kate Middleton must smell like. All violets, heliotrope and powder. That bitch.
I also maaaaaybe got the Perfumed Shimmer Powder, but if The Boyfriend asks, then I've always had it, it was just in the cupboard. Or under the bed. I can't believe he's never seen it before, I've had this old thing like, forever.
They are priced out of my normal budget for finishing products, but I was fortunate/fast enough to pick these up el cheap at a work sale. Otherwise prepare to hand over A$115 for the Perles du Dragon and A$133 for the Powder. Ouch! Or coughUS$58cough.