Going...going...gone! July Empties.

'Tis nearly the end of July, my feathered friends! So what better way to celebrate than by rummaging through the my garbage! Yay! Here are the beauty products I've finished over the past month, and a few mini reviews of them. Hopefully they're somewhat helpful or interesting for you to read. If not, this is a post for my own benefit. A nice little way of documenting my thoughts on products I may or may not buy again. Potentially enjoy!

1. Caudalie Cleansing Water (200mls)

So freakin' good! I've been using this cleanser daily over the last couple of months to remove my makeup. As the name suggests, it's a water-like liquid rather than a cream. This works perfectly for me because I definitely prefer a liquid makeup remover to a cream. Especially around sensitive areas like my eyes, where a cream can often find a way of seeping in and stinging me. The sneaky little so and so! To use, you simply soak a cotton pad and wipe it across your face. Easy peezy! No messy rinsing necessary! I'm yet to try this cleanser out on waterproof makeup, so I can't tell you whether it's good in that department. However, I can say that I've found it really effective on non-waterproof makeup. Similar to the Bioderma actually. Plus the smell is fresh and love-er-ly. I did a more detailed review of it here if you're interested.

Would I buy it again? Already have!  

 

2. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Tropical (150mls)

I'm going to assume that we're all pretty familiar with this brand of dry shampoo. It's perhaps the most affordable and widely available brand. At least for us Aussie chickadees. I don't have any other dry shampoos to compare this too, but I still think it's pretty safe to say that I really like it. It volumises and refreshes my hair when it's not quite looking (or smelling!) it's best. This is by far my favourite scent of the entire range as it smells like fruit and coconut. Yum! My one complaint with this product is that it tends to leave some grey/white colour in your hair if you don't brush it out properly. Also, I think they need to be available in a larger sized cans. 150mls runs out way too quickly if you've got long hair like mine.

Would I buy it again? Yes. 

 

3. Revlon Nutri-Color Creme in 600 Fire Red (200mls)

These Nutri-Color Creme's are seriously a godsend for those of us with dyed hair. Bright or otherwise. I've already been through two tubes of this stuff it's so good. Basically, this is a pigment depositing treatment which maintains the colour of your hair between salon visits. It also doubles as a conditioning treatment (although, in that department, I honestly think you'd get a slightly better result with something like Redken's All Soft Heavy Creme). After shampooing, you wring your hair out, throw on some gloves (not provided), massage it into your locks, and then comb it through. Then, after 3 minutes, you simply rinse it off. That's it! I should mention, you do have to be a little bit careful when applying this one as it can stain. A small price to pay for the amazing end result though. I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that this product is solely responsible for making sure my hair has stayed red over time. Instead of fading into a fluorescent coral pink colour, as it tends to want to do.

Would I buy it again? I have! Several times. I'll definitely be sticking with this one. Although, I'm considering alternating it fortnightly with a Joico or Redken treatment as I think my hair also needs some extra hydration.   

4. MaxFactor Professional Loose Powder in Translucent (15gms)

I don't quite know what to say about this one, other than "it did the job". Translucent powders are hard to review because I feel like the makeup underneath the powder can often alter it's effectiveness. I've never really stuck with one particular powder to tell you the truth. I usually just pick whichever one's on sale. Often switching between MaxFactor, Covergirl or Natio. It wasn't until recently that I decided to lash out and purchase a Laura Mercier setting powder. I can only tell the difference between them in as far as the Laura Mercier one is finer, and therefore looks a little more natural on the face. This MaxFactor one is ok though. It did a pretty good job of setting my makeup, and didn't give me a white cast in photos. So that's definitely a plus. Haha! Helpful, I know.

Would I buy it again? Maybe. I think I'll probably stick with the Laura Mercier one though. I feel like you can't really go wrong with a high-end powder.  

 

5. Lush Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask (75gms)

I love the Love Lettuce. Really I do. It's a fresh face mask from Lush which contains almond, seaweed and lavender. I wont harp on about it too much as I already did so here, but I will say that this has definitely made it into my theoretical top three Lush products list. Even my boyfriend liked it! 

Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat!

6. Salon Professional Final Net Hairspray in Super Hold (50gms)

I bought this purely on the basis that I needed a mini replacement for my handbag, and this one was the cheapest. I've definitely tried better. It held my hair fine (which I guess, is the main thing), but it was sticky to touch, and smelt unbearably strong and 'hairsprayish'. Even to the point that people were commenting that they could smell it on me. That's never, ever, a good thing. Blah!

Would I buy it again? No. Any recommendations for better options?

Epic Hauling!

Hi chickpeas! Hope you're all hunky dorey. I thought I'd excitedly share with you the new bits and pieces I have made a home for over the past month or so. It seems like a lot all clumped together, but it's been a bit of a gradual haul. Because I've had some of these things for a little while now, I can actually review some of them as well as simply showing you. It's a helpful haul! Apologies in advance for the fact that this is a super duper photo-heavy post.

Ecoya Reed Diffuser in French Pear

I absolutely love this diffuser. I can't tell you how much. The scent is fresh and sweet, but not too overpowering. That being said, you can really smell it when you first step foot inside our apartment. Which is essentially what I was after when I bought this. I've even had friends comment on how lovely our house smells. To be honest, I've always been a scented candle girl. But I thought I'd give a diffuser a go because, unlike candles, the scent is released 24/7. Which is perfect for someone with (sometimes smelly) pets, like myself. Ecoya is a Melbourne brand too. So I'm all for that. It should be said that these aren't too cheap, at a whopping AUD $59.95. Luckily for me though, I managed to pick up this little baby on sale for AUD $40 from Urban Home Republic. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one full price though. The scent is amazing and they're supposed to last up to 6 months. Totally worth the money in my opinion.



Dove Earings from Lovisa

How sweet are these?! I couldn't resist picking up these little plastic dove studs from Lovisa at Chaddy. They came in an assorted pack of 3 with a pair of little gold hearts and a pair of plain cream faux pearls. Never one to miss a sale, I made the most of Lovisa's 'buy two get one free' deal and also bought some other studs too. But these are my favourite. They remind me of Paloma Faith's dove logo actually.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Edgy Emerald

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze

What would an Aussie girl's July haul post be without these little numbers?! Between the rave reviews by international beauty bloggers, the comparisons to MAC Paint Pots (which I love) and the fairly reasonable price tag of AUD $10, I couldn't help but find two of these in my shopping bag. I feel like Bad To The Bronze is a little too muddy to wear on it's own. Sadly, I think I'm too pale for it. It does, however, work quite nicely as a base for a natural eye look. I'm completely smitten with Edgy Emerald though. It seems to work on me as both a shadow, and a base. I wore it the other day with a frosty white eye shadow layered over the top, and it transformed it into a beautiful mint colour. Also, the resistance to creasing with these throughout the day is great. I would even go so far as to say that they're better than the MAC Paint Pots in that respect.

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

I picked up this setting powder from strawberrynet.com for AUD $43.50 ($20 or so cheaper than buying it retail in Aus). I'd heard so many great things about it, so I was interested to give it a go. Even though my skin's dry to normal - I always powder my face. I like the slightly mattifying effect it creates, and I feel like it's necessary to keep my eyebrow makeup in check. So spending a decent amount of money on a high-end powder, doesn't really phase me. After giving it a burl, I have to say, I really like it. It's lovely and fine, and doesn't look cakey in the slightest. Plus it gives quite a nice glow to the face, if that makes sense. I'm interested to see how it photographs.

Rimmel Lipstick in Birthday Suit & Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie

The Loveheart is Raspberry Pie & the Swirls are Birthday Suit

The Rimmel lippy is from the Lasting Finish collection, and is delightful peachy brown colour. I'm not entirely sure I can pull it off, but I was immediately drawn to it because it reminded me of a darker version of Rimmel's Airy Fairy. I'm a little infatuated with the latter shade, but sadly, I think it's been discontinued here in Aus. So this was my best Rimmel alternative. Also, I finally picked up a Lip Butter! The photo above does a really good job of describing how I feel about it too! Raspberry Pie is definitely one of, if not the only shade from the collection, that I felt I had to have. It's an amazingly vibrant pink/red with medium opacity and a lovely glossy finish. I wont go on about it too much, as I'm sure you're probably sick of hearing about the Lip Butters by now. But yes. I'm a fan of this one. Here 'tis in action. Forgive the somewhat cruddy iPhone quality.   

My Oh My...Raspberry Pie!

Pretty self-explanatory really...

I know this one's a bit of a boring one, but I needed a more moisturising/hydrating body wash now that winter's making my skin unhappy. Even though the smell of Lush's Dirty soap is AMAZING, it was drying out my skin like crazy (I definitely think it's a summer soap). So I decided to go with the trusty Palmers. I can usually rely on Palmers.

Maxfactor Nail Polish in Diva Coral

I saw a similar milky coral shade like this on a customer's nails at work the other day and fell in love with it. So when I saw this for around AUD $6 at Target the other week, I snapped it up in a heartbeat. I haven't tried it yet, but I have high hopes for this one. I suppose you can't really go wrong when you have Sally Hansen's Inst-Dri at your disposal! That top coat makes even the most mediocre polishes lovely.

Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask by Lush

This was actually a repurchase, because I loved this mask so much. I trotted into Lush intending to give another fresh face mask a try, but ended up coming away with this one again. Oops! Well, what can I say? It's great. Sure, it may make me look as though I've just stepped out of a swamp - but it works wonders for my skin. It cleanses, softens, refreshes and even exfoliates (when massaged into the skin before rinsing). As it's recommended for normal to oily skin, I find that I need to apply a moisturiser afterwards. But that's no big deal. I do that after applying a facial mask of any kind. Also, the strong, nutty smell may not be for everyone. Although I quite like it. Like all of Lush's fresh face masks, this was AUD $15.95. Not too bad for a product that will give you roughly four uses.

Lush Buffy Bar & Skin Drink Facial Moisturiser

Still on the topic of Lush, I picked up the exfoliating Buffy body butter for AUD $15.95. It was actually a bit of a last minute purchase (when I was buying the Love Lettuce). I'll probably do a proper review on this one, so I wont say too much about it other than I'm very happy my frivolous spending payed off this time around! The sample of the moisturiser on the right was thrown in by one of Lush's lovely staff. Why are they so damn nice in there?! He recommended it to me when I mentioned that my skin was suffering from the dreaded winter dryness. After giving the Skin Drink a try, I can definitely see where it gets the name. My skin soaks this stuff up like a thirsty sponge! That being said, I wouldn't use this in the day. It's probably a bit too oily for wearing under makeup (plus I like the idea of having SPF in my daytime moisturiser). I can see myself picking this up next time I'm in Lush though. It seems like a really good option for winter.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer

I bought this concealer purely for shaping my eyebrows. It's a medium to full coverage concealer with a doefoot applicator. I love my Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer for my under-eye circles, but it just wasn't enough coverage for the redness I have across my brows. As it's supposed to aid spots by removing the oil from them, I find that this is a little too drying for me. I'll use it up, but I'll probably try something else after this one. Any suggestions?   

Mary Kay Travel Roll-Up Bag

The compartments are as large as the space between my thumb and my forefinger

Roll up! Roll up!

This was something I'd had my eye on ever since I saw it in Nikki Phillipi's YouTube video on what she packs for travel (I'm a sucker for those sorts of videos). I've seen different variations of these hanging, roll-up, travel bags before, but nothing compares to this one. First of all, it can hold a lot. A definite plus for someone who struggles when it comes to cutting back on toiletries for travel! Secondly, it's an organisational lover's dream. It's got four separate zip-up, clear, plastic pockets which are attached with Velcro and can be removed if need be. I think this is such a great idea because you can simply detach a pocket of say, shower essentials, and take it with you to the the bathroom, rather than having to juggle all the items you need. Perfect for staying in hotels or hostels where the bathroom's outside of the room. The fact that it hangs is also a huge plus for me. And when you need to carry the whole thing around with you, it rolls up and holds it's rectangular shape with some strong Velcro, and has a little handle on the top. Also, let's not forget the fact that it's preeeettttyyyy! Pink satin? I'm on board! I'm sure I'll probably do a little post about how I use this when I pack for my trip later this year. So stay tuned!! For anyone interested in picking this up, I got it from Ebay for AUD $31, including postage and handling, from rapid_deals7711.

Most Loved In May!

I have to say, I'm a little bit in love with reading posts that fall under the category of 'Monthly Favourites'. Whether it's the excitement of finding a new product listed that seems to be worth trying, the surprise of seeing an old one that's reemerged and charmed it's way back into the blogger's heart, or simply a case of general nosiness - I just adore them! So, I thought I'd give this pony a ride. Without further adieu, I give you my monthly favourites for the month of May.

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study
I picked this up during my time in New York City last September, and have been steadily pawing my way through it. This month in particular. As many of you may know, this is a lovely champagne coloured eye-base. It's a cream-to-powder formulation that can be worn underneath eyeshadow, or applied all over the lid as a sheer colour. I must admit, I found it a little difficult to work with to begin with. If I accidentally applied too much in the one spot, it created a patchy, scaly effect. Also, if I wasn't quick enough, it would dry and set before I could blend it evenly. I've since found that to avoid this, the best thing to do is to ditch the makeup brush, and simply swipe it on with my finger. Also, less is more. The reason that it was looking a little patchy on my eyes to begin with, was that I was trying to apply too much of it. Technical stuff aside though, this is a really beautiful, brightening shade, and a fantastic base for my eye shadow. Nothing creases with this baby on!

Revlon Nutri-Colour Creme
You may remember this little baby from my Chaddy Haul post. It's a colour depositing treatment for your hair, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I have dry, colour-treated hair, and I can safely say that this has completely replaced my deep conditioning treatments. Not only does it make my locks all smooth and moisturised, it noticeably ups the vibrancy of my colour. The current red dye I'm using has a tendency to go pink after a month or so, but I feel like this product has really kept the fading at bay. At my recommendation, a friend of mine (with purple hair) also bought a tube in 200 Violet, and we both noticed how much it improved the intensity of her colour after a single use. I've already picked up another 100ml tube of this wonder-product in 600 Fire Red, but have since found the larger 250ml pump bottle for the tantalising price of  AUD $23.70 on Beauty Bay. That's less than I payed retail for the 100ml! Plus a pump bottle is far more convenient than trying to squeeze the creme out of a tube with my awkwardly glove-adorned hands! 

Ulta 3 Nail Polish
I've gone a bit gaga over these polishes this month; picking up a whopping 7 shades! I found out about them through Bellabox when I received Enchanted in their April box. These polishes are absolutely exceptional for the price. Only 50 cents a bottle at Coles, would you believe?! They apply nicely, dry quickly, and with a quick coat of my Sally Hansen Insta-Dri over the top, you can't tell them apart from the more high-end brands. I even received a few compliments on Lagoon when wearing it at work. My absolute favourite shade this month though, has to be Blue Marlin: a bright blue creme.

This shade is to die for. It seems to make the skin on my hands seem fairer and 'cleaner' if that makes any sense. If you're interested in oohing and ahhing over the entire Ulta 3 shade range, there's a brilliant page of swatches and descriptions here.

Silk Oil of Morocco Lip Gloss in Ruby
Another beauty box find! I received this one in this month's Bellabox, and I've been reaching for it ever since. As I understand it, this is a fairly new brand. The lip gloss contains argan oil, which of course is known for it's nourishing qualities. So it just makes sense that it would eventually find it's way into a lip product. Another reason I've been loving this gloss, is it's divine peppermint scent. Why don't more lip products smell like peppermint?! As far as the colour payoff goes, it's sheer enough that it can be applied without too much fuss, and compliments pretty much any look. I should mention that the two things I don't like about this product is the steep price (AUD $29.95), and the fact that it takes a lot of dipping the wand in and out of the tube to get enough product for one application. Regardless though, this has definitely been a favourite of mine this month (just bring it down in price please Bellabox!)

Lush Volcano Foot Mask
I bought this with a friend specifically for a girly day of face masks, cupcakes, manicures and Disney films. To begin with, I had dismissed it because it only came in a 225gm tub, which was far too big and a little too pricey. As luck would have it though, a 125gm version was in stock for the first time on the day we decided to visit the store. Yay! Back on track though, this is a foot mask and scrub that cleanses, deodorises and exfoliates. You're meant to rub the product all over dry feet, wrap them in glad wrap for 10 minutes, and then massage and rinse. I found that this mask was such a nice alternative to the usual foot scrubs and stones. It contains pumice to rub away dead skin cells, as well as cleansing, softening and anti fungal goodies like lemon oil, papaya and cinnamon. It also smells like tomatoes in a big way, as it contains them for their anti-stink properties! This did absolute wonders for bringing my feet back to a non-embarrassing state! I also found this to be a much gentler (yet still effective) option than using an abrasive scrubby paddle or stone. Such a lovely treat. Especially for a girl who's on her feet all day, every day.
 

Maybelline Full 'n Soft Mascara
I used this mascara back in the day and loved it, but for whatever reason (curiosity I suppose) I decided to stray away from it and try a few others. While I did like some of the other mascaras, L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes and Covergirl's LashBlast for example, nothing worked for me quite like the Full 'n Soft. So this month I decided to repurchase it, and my love for this beautiful mascara has only grown! It separates, lifts and adds volume without looking spiky and overdone. Plus clumping is minimal to none. It certainly lives up to it's name. With this on, my lashes seem much fuller and not at all brittle. Also, I definitely feel that it's reduced my lash fallout significantly. Which is a big plus for me. While this mascara is marketed as being a more natural day-time mascara, I've been wearing it on nights out this month without any hesitation. I think it can look really glamorous and lovely. Love love love it!

Caudalie Cleansing Water
Of course, my monthly favourites would not be complete without my newest obsession - my Caudalie Cleanser. I wont go into too much detail with this one as I already did a pretty in depth review about it here. I will say however, that this has become a staple in my nightly skincare routine this month, and I can definitely see myself repurchasing this when it runs out.

Well, that about wraps things up. Happy June everyone!

Shine On You Crazy Amethyst

I was itching to try the glitter OPI polish I received in this month's Lust Have It bag of goodies. So here it is in all it's sparkly glory...

A Bird In The Hand...

To create this look I used my Revlon Scented Perfume nail polish in 330 Grape Icy as a base with OPI's 'One Less Lonely Glitter' on top. 

Revlon Scented Perfume Nail Enamel in 330 Grape Icy & Nicole OPI in One Less Lonely Glitter 

It took a fair few coats to achieve this look (three of the Grape Icy and two of the One Less Lonely Glitter). Not to mention the base and top coat. Eeep! That's seven! But I think the final look is just so dazzling, it's completely worth the effort!

As expected, the OPI polish applied well and didn't take too long to dry. Also, I'm not sure if it was because I applied so many coats, or if it's just a testament to the quality of the polishes, but the first photo is of my nails after two full days at work! As you can see, only the very tips of my nails are showing. No chips at all! Well done Australis base coat, Revlon polish, OPI polish and Sally Hansen top coat! You're quite the combo. I get the feeling this look is going to be my new best friend when I feel like a glittery pick-me-up!

Spoiled Rotten in May by Lust Have It

Bare with me a tick. I need to get something off my chest before I dive into this May Lust Have It loot extravaganza.

Since December I had been subscribed to the Australian Beauty Box, Glossybox. To begin with, I was quite happy with this company. I was aware of other peoples' problems with GB, but had never encountered any myself. Then things progressively got a little worse. Funds withdrawal and postage dates became a lot more random, and the products themselves were becoming less and less appealing. For instance, a can of coconut water and a Tantasia gradual tanning lotion in a 10ml tube (how could I possibly test this out when a tube of this size isn't even enough to cover my legs for one application?!) It was also obvious that the company were not taking beauty profiles into account. I was sent blonde haircare products on several occasions when it stated on my profile that I was a redhead. I was willing to brush this aside because, well, I was only paying $15 a month for it. Then Glossybox began deleting Facebook posts on their wall (even favourable ones) which really left a bad taste in my mouth. Interested to see if the other beauty subscription services were any better, I subscribed to both BellaBox and Lust Have It at the start of April. Then, as many of you may know, Glossybox was incorporated into Lust Have It, and to be honest I couldn't be happier.

After receiving two months of Lust Have It goody bags I have to say that this is by far my favourite beauty subscription service. For one, their online communication is great (no deleting wall posts with this one!) and they keep you informed via email as to when the boxes/bags are heading your way. Also, instead of bombarding you with virtually and entire bag of skincare or haircare products they include a really nice range of products (in fairly generous sizes too). In this month's bag I received everything from skincare to makeup to haircare to perfume to nail polish. What a feast! So yes. Well done Lust Have It. I stamp your foreheads with many a gold star.

Right. So enough rambling. Here's my favourite beauty bag to date! It should be noted that mine will be different from what the old Glossybox subscribers will be getting as I was subscribed to Lust Have It before the GB incorporation into LHI.

My May Lust Have It Loot!

All Numbered For Your Convenience!

1. Lush 'Dirty' Soap (100gm = $6.95)
I haven't used an actual bar of soap in years as I'm one of those clumsy people who can never quite get a grip on it. It's like a slapstick routine, but nobodies laughing. This gorgeous mint leaf smelling soap has me up for the challenge though. It contains spearmint, sandalwood, pine and something called oakmoss. I've tried spearmint body washes before and found the tingly feeling a little off putting. I feel like the other ingredients in this one will help to tone the mint down though.

2. ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss (4.2ml = $18.00)
I was given this full sized lip gloss in the colour Strip Tease which is a light pink with a fine silver shimmer running through it. It comes out very sheer, but very glossy on the lips. The stickiness factor isn't too high, which I like, but it's still a little bit tacky, which I think ensures it's longevity. It has a sponge tip applicator and a little mirror attached to the side of it. Even though this is a novel idea I feel like it's a bit unnecessary with this shade because it's already such an easy colour to apply without really putting a foot wrong. It also smells kind of fruity which wins points with me. 

3. Caron Laboratories Bump eRaisor Medi Paste (30ml = $16.95)
This was another full sized product, and I was over the moon to receive it. It's supposed to prevent and eliminate ingrown hairs with the properties of tea tree oil and triclosan, which is an antibacterial agent. You're meant to rub the cream on the desired area after shaving and then continue applying for the next 7-10 days. I've only just started sampling this on my legs, so I can't tell you whether it's effective or not. However I do like the fact that this is a cream rather than a watery liquid. I've been using the Skin Doctors one off and on for a while now, and I've always felt that it's a little too harsh for my skin. Hopefully this will be a gentler alternative.

4. Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty Perfume (50ml = $80)
This is a fresh, fruity, floral scent bursting with notes of peach, berry, bergamont, pink lily, jasmine, peony, dry musk sandalwood and vanilla blossom. It's nice. I'd definitely wear it. But I don't feel like it's anything special. I'm not sure I'd be willing to fork over the cash for this one. To be honest, it kind of reminds me of one of the Impulse body spray's I used to use in primary school. I think it was called O2. The one in the green and yellow bottle.

5. Bioderma Crealine H20 Makeup Remover (250ml = $39.95)
Had it not been for the info card I would have had no idea what this was. It doesn't say anywhere on the bottle! Bioderma is a brand I hear quite a lot about in the beauty blogger realm. Although, I'm yet to try it. So this will be a nice little introduction for me. Apparently this makeup remover is said to be good for people with sensitive skin and eyes whilst being tough on removing "even the heaviest of makeup". At $39.95 a pop, it ought to be! 

6. Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer (15ml = $14.95)
After doing a little research I worked out that the name of the colour I was given was 'One Less Lonely Glitter'. This is a clear polish filled with a combination of super fine and slightly larger hexagonal amethyst glitter. I already have a full sized glitter polish from the Nicole collection which I adore, which is in the colour 'Rainbow in the S-Kylie'. So I'm quite excited to give this one a whirl. I wish OPI did mini sizes like this for all their polishes. It'd be so convenient for travel.

7 & 8. Evo The Therapist Calming Shampoo and Conditioner (300ml = $29.95)
This brand is completely new to me. Both are designed to hydrate and protect frizzy, dry and coloured hair. They contain proteins which, having bleached hair, is something that I look for in a shampoo and conditioner. They're also paraben and sulphate free if that's important to you. On top of that, the conditioner smells like vanilla! Lovely. I have to admit, I'm currently loving my Revlon Nutri-Colour Creme, so I'll probably only try out the conditioner when I finish up with that. But I'll certainly give the shampoo a go next time I wash my hair. Also, I couldn't end this break-down of the products without including the cute little description written on the front of the conditioner: "no more hiding your frizzy hair and no more inner shame...you're now a racehorse that's bolted from the stables gleaming with pride. run with it, feel the freedom, run with it...neighhhhhhh." Haha! Well I liked it anyway.

My Chaddy Haul!

I spent the day yesterday shopping up a storm at Chaddy with my Mum.  I had some vouchers and money I'd accumulated over Christmas and my birthday so I wanted to pick up some bits and pieces I had been eyeing off (and also a few exciting random purchases). I often try to avoid this particular shopping centre because it's colossal and houses so many brilliant cosmetics, skincare and fashion stores. For this reason it tends to wreak havoc on my purse! But gift money justifies a visit right? Anyway, on the off chance you might be interested I thought I'd share with you what I carted home with me.

Beauty by Vitalcare Mirror. $33 from Priceline.

For ages I've been doing my makeup in a poorly lit lounge room using a small mirror tentatively placed on an upturned tissue box. Not exactly an ideal setup. This solves everything. Good lighting AND a stand! Another bonus is that it's battery operated. So it's perfect for moving it to wherever you need it to go.

Beyonce Pulse Eau De Parfum 50ml. $49 from Perfume Connection.

I'd been lusting after this perfume since December but couldn't justify buying it for myself. When I saw it on sale I simply couldn't resist! Especially considering my perfume collection currently consists of three perfumes I no longer wear, one bottle I do and one roller ball bottle of Couture Couture by Juicy Couture. For anyone who hasn't smelt this it's fruity and floral. Like a gummy bear sitting on an orchid. Now there's a mental picture for you!

Revlon Nutricolor Creme in 600 Fire Red. $25 from Lattouf International.

I'd heard a lot of good things about this colour depositing treatment by Revlon. Beauty blogger All Dolled Up had mentioned it in a video saying that it does wonders for maintaining coloured hair. So I thought I'd give it a go. One tube is 100ml and they also have 250ml pump bottles, but they're fazing them out I believe. It replaces a conditioner and is said to last you four washes. This doesn't sound like much considering the price; however I only wash my hair once a week, so this will last me the month. 

Dragon's Egg Bath Ballistic. $6 from Lush.

I thought I'd treat myself to this little baby after the wonderment that was Lush's green bubbleroon. This is from Lush's standard bath bomb range. It smells fresh and zesty like lemon sherbet. Yummo! Plus apparently it has gold glitter in the middle!

Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipsticks in Centrefold (left) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (right). $19 each from Myer. $28.50 for two with Myer's current offer of buy one Chi Chi product, get the second half price.

I've been head-over-heels for Chi Chi lipsticks of late. They're pretty comparable to Mac in terms of quality but a little bit cheaper. They're also a product of Australia which is hunky dorey. 

Centrefold

 I'd been on a mission to find this one since I'd swatched it in Target and Gloss, but it had been out of stock in both! As you can see, it's a nude. I never thought I'd see the day that I would purchase a nude lippie, but I was quite fond of this one. I think it'd be perfect for a bit of a 60's look when I want to go heavy on the eye makeup. Also, rather than being a straight matte finish, this one is a creamy matte. So it's a lot more comfortable to wear.

Drop Dead Gorgeous

I actually owned this one way back in the day when Chi Chi were packaging their lipsticks in cardboard tubes (what a terrible idea!). I absolutely loved the shade but had to throw it out because the tube was getting too manky for words. So when I discovered that Chi Chi were still making this shade I had to pick it up. I find this shade really warms my face up and does wonders for accentuating rose coloured blush. It's a matte finish though so it can be a little drying. Nothing a lip balm can't fix though. Ahhh. I love it.

Trina & Co Cosmetics Bag. $11 on sale at Target.

I needed a new bag to house my ever-growing collection of makeup. Plus using a pencil case for my brushes just wasn't cutting it! Then I stumbled across this little gem. It feels like a bit of a nod to Tiffany & Co which certainly wins points for me. The lining is navy and white polka dots and as you can see it has two sections. So I can now use one side for my brushes and the other side for my makeup. Success!

Travalo Excel Atomiser. $18 from Perfume Connection.

I can't exactly remember which blogger introduced me to this nifty product (I think it was A Sprinkle of Glitter), but I saw this at the counter of Perfume Connection and immediately snapped it up. If you haven't seen or heard about the Travalo before, it's basically a little handbag-friendly-sized perfume carrier. You just have to take the cap off one of your full sized perfumes, place the tube thingy in the end of the Travalo and keep pressing down until you can see that it's full. The see-through indicator on the side makes it easy. What a great idea! It's also small enough that you can chuck it in your carry-on luggage when travelling. They're available in lots of different colours too so that you can differentiate your fragrances. Or you can just marvel at how pretty they all are!

Over and out buddies!