Sephora: Summer In Bangkok

Now for something I dug out from the depths of my collection...

Summer In Bangkok is from Sephora's old nail polish line and this bottle was actually gifted to me by a travelling friend a few years ago.  I won't bore you with application because this is discontinued but will tell you the obvious:  It's a gloriously summery aquatic shade of shimmery turquoise and was a bit of fun to wear as a winter option.  As you can see below I chose a gloriously sunny winter's day to wear it too!

Full sun

Shade

Until next time!

Physiogel Calming Relief Cream (Priceline Beauty Click favourites)

Dry, sensitive, itchy skin isn't a pretty topic but if you suffer from it - as I do particularly in the colder, drier months when my dermatitis and dry, itchy skin flare up - then you might be interested to read on...

I was introduced to Physiogel Calming Relief Cream in a Priceline Beauty Click review box and I didn't know what to expect from it because I had not even heard of the Physiogel range before.

What is it?
  Physiogel Calming Relief Cream is a moisturising cream formulated to be used daily to soothe dry, irritated skin, is suitable for moisturising eczema, dermatitis and atopic prone skin (i.e. skin that is prone to allergic irritation), and is gentle enough to be used on children and babies.

How does it work?
The cream works to repair the moisture barrier of vulnerable skin (via "Physiogel Biomedic Technology"), and protect it from further aggravation from external irritants.  The formula is rich in lipids to soothe and provide long lasting moisture for irritated skin and free from fragrances, preservatives and colours.

My impressions:
As you can see above this is a thick cream so it's seriously heavy duty and rich.  I happened to be suffering with dermatitis on my hands (Yay!) and itchy skin on my hip (Double yay for winter skin afflictions!!) so I definitely had something to soothe when I started testing this cream.  Therefore I've used it as a hand cream and as a body moisturiser for my problem spots.

The cream feels quite cooling and soothing and while it is rich, it absorbs quite quickly into the skin, yet leaving a slight "barrier" on the skin - by that I don't mean greasy. It worked extremely well at soothing the dry skin itch on my hip and pretty much "cured" that affliction after a few days of twice daily application.  The cream didn't cure the atopic dermatitis on my hand - nothing does - but it soothed the itchiness and has softened my skin, preventing the dry, cracked skin that inevitably comes after a breakout.   The barrier protection prevents the skin on my hands from becoming too dry and vulnerable to irritation in the first place, and has lessened the frequency and severity of my dermatitis eruptions. My skin has been very thankful for Physiogel Calming Relief Cream this winter.

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Sounds terribly sexy, no? However, if you suffer sensitive skin, this product is worth a try and a little goes a long way.  I've been using my 100ml tube very regularly and I can see this will easily last through the rest of winter and beyond.

Ingredients:
Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Squalane, Carbomer, Sodium Carbomer, Ceramide 3.



(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

Ulta3: Orchid

It's one of those weird little 'themes' I've been unknowingly following - I've just realized that this is the third consecutive nail polish post featuring an Australian brand.  It's a happy accident so I'll just go with that - and maybe dig out another right after I write this post?! Who knows?? Anyway let me tell you about this polish before I get too sidetracked!

Orchid is one of the many polishes I have lurking around from Australian discount brand Ulta3, where you can still buy a bottle of nail polish for less than the price of a takeaway coffee.  Just choose your vice for the day - coffee or a new polish - or not choose and have both! Tangents...I'm going off on tangents today... Getting back to the point, Orchid is true to its name as it is a sumptuous looking polish, and quite an exotic shade of deep purple, with an underlying rich pink shimmer throughout.  Because this is such an inexpensive polish ($3 I think?) I did expect this to be sheer but two coats of colour were enough for full coverage, and I finished with the usual top coat.

Shade

Partial sunlight

Until next time, my nubbies and I bid you adieu!

Repurchased.

I enjoy reading monthly/seasonal beauty favourites posts - I really love them! I've even considered getting my act together and posting my own monthly favourites. But then - I started pondering about what are my perennial - you know, recurring - favourites? In my fickle existence as a beauty consumer and blogger what are the things I loved enough to repurchase? Monthly favourites will come and go as the seasons change I guess but what are the makeup items I felt drawn to come back to?

So...I wrote a list of those things.  It's not a very long list and I'm not surprised at all, because as I just said, I am FICKLE.  And here they are laid out in that deliberately 'nonchalantly' messy manner in the picture below.  These are the things I've repurchased.  Now I'll share why - for me - each of these are worth going back for seconds (or thirds, or fourths?!) ...

Clockwise from the top:

• MAC Satin Lipstick (Rebel) - Rebel is the only MAC lipstick I've ever repurchased and it's all about that amazing vibrant pink-plum colour which inevitably pops up as a winter staple in my lipstick wardrobe - when I'm not reaching for a deep red that is!  As everyone will tell you, this looks a heck of a lot more scary in the tube than it does on the lips. Actually I don't find it scary on the lips at all because the bright pink undertone keeps this from being a complexion draining colour and it gives life to my pale face in winter. It's one of those shades I'll leave alone for a few months but every time I "rediscover" it, it's not for a one-off wear because I end up wearing it for several consecutive days afterwards! While it's not scary it does make for a statement lip, so if you're a little nervous about this one it also applies beautifully when blotted on the lips, for a flattering berry stain.

• Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - When I first starting using this I liked it...but then I grew to love it because it seems to work under everything! This primer glides across the skin and I only need half a pump to get enough to work the T-zone or a full pump to prime the whole face.  It tones down the redness, provides a silky base for my makeup and eliminates any dry patches, especially in winter.  It's a luxury product but I managed to make my first bottle last a year so I think I can budget for it.

• Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Trio (Walking On Eggshells) - I remember working so concertedly to finish my original trio during my 'Beauty Diet' last year and it was then I realized just how versatile this little palette was.  Walking On Eggshells is a very wearable warm trio of colours that all worked just as easily as standalones as they did worn together in different combinations. Besides that, the silky, shimmery (not frosty) finish on the shades is also something that I have a real weakness for - be reassured that I don't take the shimmer onto the brow bone though! These shades don't crease at all either and yes, they blend like no one's business.  I can't fault this at all and being a drugstore product it's a steal too, even at the higher price in Australia!

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - I know that I've repurchased this product more than a few times!  Even after straying to other similar products I've returned because this pen does it all for me: brightens, conceals and highlights at a fraction of the price I used to pay for my YSL Touche Eclat I was obssessed with years ago, and to be honest this little pen gives much better coverage.

• Revlon Just Kissable Balm Stain (Honey) - I haven't quite finished my first crayon but I already have the backup waiting in the wings, and it's all about the colour again with this product.  Whereas MAC Rebel is a statement colour, Honey is the most easy and versatile colour for my lips and it seems to go with absolutely everything from bare to smokey eye looks so I have it lounging around in my bag ready for whenever it's needed. If a lip colour has to go everywhere with me I know it's a good one and a solid favourite!

Now for some nonchalant swatches of the eye and lip colours. From left to right:

Walking On Eggshells, Honey, Rebel

What makeup items have you repurchased?  Please share!

Until next time...

Natio: Indigo

The winter blues are having a definite influence in my manicure choices at the moment and probably explains why I've got another blue manicure to share.

Indigo is a cute little blue polish from leading Australian natural beauty brand Natio, whom you've probably seen me go on about here before. Natio is another local Melbourne based brand I love - as a matter of fact it's SO local, the factory warehouse is a mere few minutes drive from my house!  

Getting back on topic about the nail polish, Indigo looked a little bit on the shimmery side in the bottle but this barely translated onto the nail, so the effect is more that of a creme.  Was I disappointed? Just a little. Still, the colour itself is a wonderfully vibrant and youthful primary shade of blue.  Application was trouble-free and took the usual two coats of colour, finished with a top coat.

Apologies for the less than perfect pictures taken in fading daylight...

Until next time...

Review: Rimmel Oh My Gloss!

I haven't done a lip gloss post yet this year so it was timely that I received a trio of new glosses to review from Rimmel as part of their newly released Oh My Gloss! range.

These new glosses are formulated with Argan Oil and Vitamin E to soften the lips and promise to deliver "...up to 6 hours of colour, shine, comfort and moisture"  with no sticky feeling and "3-dimensional shine" due to Rimmel's "Gloss Lock technology".

There are 8 shades in the range covering the spectrum from clear natural through to almost neon brights.

My shade selections from left to right:  Glossaholic, Snog, Ooh La La

My impressions:
The flattened sponge tip applicator (not pictured) makes for easy and even glide-on application and the gloss formula has a somewhat 'thick' texture that makes my lips feel pillowy but not sticky in the slightest.  There is a hint of an unusual, almost plastic taste on application but that fortunately fades quickly so it didn't bother me.

These glosses are well pigmented and indeed very glossy but don't bleed which from my personal experience I find to be kind of amazing and so I'd recommend these for all ages.  They have great pigmentation and do last reasonably well too (brighter shades actually leave a hint of stain behind) although up to 6 hours is a bit of a stretch!  I tend to drink and eat at regular intervals throughout my busy day so I found I was topping up the gloss every hour or two - although I can see they'd last pretty well if I didn't, although that's not my style to starve for the sake of a lip product review! Lol! Sorry, being a bit silly on that point...

I really loved these as lipstick toppers too and thought this is where they put in a superstar performance.  When the gloss finally did wear off my lips, my lips felt moisturised rather than dehydrated - yes some lip glosses have left me feeling parched in the past.

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So, my only criticisms are:  The 6 hour claim is somewhat of a stretch but no one expects that of a gloss anyway - do they?  Also, the initial taste may put some people off but I personally had no issue with it as it doesn't hang around for long at all.  Apart from that these are very comfortable, very glossy, and quite moisturising glosses that don't migrate on the lips!

Swatched on the back of my hand
(Glossaholic, Snog, Ooh La La):

And now for some lip swatches to see how they wear on my bare lips. My brows are a bit shaggy at the moment because I've been revisiting the au naturale look...

Glossaholic

Snog

Ooh La La

Rimmel Oh My Gloss! are available at:
Priceline, Priceline Pharmacy, Big W, Woolworths, Coles, Chemist Warehouse, My Chemist,
Target and Kmart and various Independent Pharmacies.
RRP $13.95AUD




(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

Kester Black Nail Polish: Sky

I always get a kick out of trying local beauty brands and Melbourne based Kester Black has been on my list for a little while now.  I'd seen their polish around and online and finally ordered a couple of bottles from Natural Supply Co a few months ago.  Now finally...finally(!) I've tried one out!

A little bit about Kester Black from my online research:  The brand was established in 2012 in response to the lack of cruelty free and carbon neutral options available locally, and the lack of fashionable colour selections within the brands that were available.  Kester Black sought to satisfy the colour and style needs of "...Australian consumers who are both morally and style conscious..." by providing "...unique, trend driven cosmetics that are ethically produced."  All products have CCF (Choose Cruelty Free) and Vegan Society accreditation.  If you want to read more about their sustainable production philosophy and approach click here.

And onto the polish I'm wearing in this post.  Sky is a very pale and interesting blue alternative to white creme - virtually snow white with a kiss of blue.  Pastel polishes are notorious for patchy or sheer application but this polish was almost a one-coat wonder as it applied smoothly and surprisingly opaque on my nails with the first coat.  As I prefer to wear two coats of colour to prolong the wear of my polish this is what I'm wearing in these pictures, finished with a layer of top coat.  Speaking of wear, this lasted the working week with minimal chipping so it performed well all round - I have ordered another shade from the range since, so I have the feeling this may be the start of something...

All pictures were taken on a gloomy, grey day:

Kester Black polishes are 5 Free and contain no Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin or Camphor.

Until next time!

Autumn's beauty empties...

For various reasons (travel, family illness, life etc) my blogging schedule has been out of whack over recent months and it obviously saw me lagging in posting my monthly empties too - to the point where I was half-way through May and still hadn't done the March and April posts so figured I'd might as well carry on accumulating empties for the entire Autumn season and get them all out of the way in one rather LARGE post!  

For the sake of your sanity (and mine) I'll keep the reviews light and to the point - having said that, if you want to know more about any individual product just ask away in the comments and I'll let you know what you need to know.  Okay - here we go!  The fear is real...

Skin care

23) Kirkland Daily Facial Cleansing Towelettes (30 towelettes) - The second last pack in a bulk box from Costco.  More greasy than refreshing. Will not repurchase.

24) NIVEA Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes (7 Wipes) - An impulse buy at the Target checkout one day and I took the pack away on our Queensland holiday.  Nice average quality wipes, with a hint of the NIVEA scent that I enjoy.

25) Swisspers Naturals Cucumber wipes (5 wipes) - I bought this on holiday after I ran out of the NIVEA.  There was nothing remarkable about these so I won't repurchase.

26) Garnier Clean Sensitive 2 in 1 Gentle Make-up Remover (200ml) - I bought this on sale at Priceline.  Not as effective as other waterproof makeup removers I've tried and for whatever reason I was always squeezing out far too much and flooding my cotton pads.  Will not repurchase.

27) Maybelline Makeup Remover Eye & Lip (70ml/2.4 fl. oz.) - Now this is one of my favourite drugstore makeup removers and it's a repeat purchase after the finishing the Garnier.

28) Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam (30ml travel size) - Another miniature product in my holiday luggage.  I'd forgotten (and was happy to be reminded) how luxurious and velvety this foam cleanser feels. 

29) La Clinica Gly C Refine Facial Cleansing Wash Gel (200ml/7.4 fl.oz)* - Despite containing glycolic acid and Vitamin C this gel cleanser was gentle enough for everyday use and lasted for months. 

30) La Clinica Perfect Complexion Sunscreen Lotion SPF50 (75ml/2.63 fl.oz)* - Very high SPF without being greasy and can be used on the face and body. I have the backup ready!

31) La Clinica Gly C Refine Vitamin C Ultra Serum (30ml/1.05 fl.oz)* - This serum provides a very immediate "tightening" effect on the skin and demands an application of moisturiser afterwards.

32) Essano Rosehip Treat Your Skin Pack*  - I took this pack away on my holiday and really enjoyed using all the products.  I've since purchased full size versions of the body lotion and cleanser.  See here for my full review.

Hand and body care

33) Miller & Moore Moisturising Shea Butter Body Wash (150ml) - This was part of a gift pack I received from a friend. It smelt faintly like NIVEA and did a suitably gentle job of cleansing in the shower.

34) Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap (236ml/8 oz.) - An exfoliating body wash gentle enough to use every day.  I will repurchase to keep my goosebumpy skin under control.

35) Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser (50ml/1.7 fl.oz) - One of my leftover souvenirs from the Tokyo Park Hyatt last year which came in handy for another trip! It's a very refreshingly green and mandarin scented gel body wash although I don't know if I'd actually fork out the big $$$ for a full sized bottle.

36) Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil Rosehip Fragrance (150ml/5.1 fl.oz)* - A quickly absorbed moisturizing oil with an almost dry oil feel. My only issue was the supposedly no mess bottle still ended up oily so I kept it in its box between uses.  See my full review here.

37) NAT.Body Hand Cream (100ml)* - My bedside hand cream.  A milky formula but surprisingly moisturising and kept the eczema under control on my hands. See my full review for this and the NAT.Body Cuticle Treatment Serum here.

38) NAT.Body Cuticle Treatment Serum (15ml)* - Very effective at moisturising my cuticles and the smallest pump dispensed enough oil to do the cuticles on both hands.

39) Love Soap Handwash With Organic Lavender & Meadowfoam (200ml) - This is formulated for children but I used it to wash my own sensitive skinned hands.  Very gentle and scented with lavender oil.  Will repurchase.

40) OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover (120ml/4 fl.oz) - A regular appearance in my beauty empties.

41) L'Occitane Arlesienne Velvet Hand Cream (30ml/1 oz) - This really did feel velvety textured on application and the rose, sweet violet and saffron scent is delightfully floral.

42) Crabtree & Evelyn Nantucket Briar Hand Therapy (25g/0.9 oz) - I'm yet to come across a scent I haven't enjoyed yet from Crabtree & Evelyn's hand therapy range.  

Hair care

43) Nak Blonde Plus Shampoo (1 litre/33.8 fl. oz) - I use purple toned shampoo to keep my hair from looking too warm or brassy.  This gigantic bottle lasted me many months and I quite frankly got bored with it!

44) RPR De-clorinate My Hair Shampoo (200ml/7.04 fl.oz) - I used this once a week to remove product buildup and refresh my hair.  It was effective but I'm loving the Moroccanoil version I'm using now a lot more so I won't repurchase.

45) John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Enhancing Conditioner (250ml/8.45 fl.oz) - A good drugstore conditioner although I honestly don't know if it enhanced the blonde in any way.

46) Original Mineral Maintain The Mane Shampoo (50ml/1.7 fl.oz travel size) - This is the same stuff my hairdresser uses so I bought the smaller sized bottles to take away on holiday and try before committing to the full size.  Yes it's good salon shampoo.

47) Original Mineral Maintain The Mane Conditioner (50ml/1.7 fl.oz travel size) - As above.

48) Original Mineral O & M Original Detox Shampoo (50ml/1.7 fl. oz travel size) - I used this deep cleansing shampoo to wash my hair after swimming pool sessions during our holiday.

49) & 50) Aesop Classic Shampoo & Conditioner (50ml/1.7 fl.oz) - Yet more travel souvenirs that came in handy.  Very nice and luxurious but I'd still think hard before buying the full size products because of the price.

51) Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Crystal Shine Conditioner (50ml/1.7 fl.oz) - I bought this conditioner on holiday when I ran out of those I'd packed.  It was just okay and not particularly moisturising so I won't repurchase.

Cosmetics

52) Blinc Eye Shadow Primer (Light Tone)* - An excellent eye shadow primer which smooths and brightens the lids, and securely anchors eye shadow through anything.  See my original review here.

53) Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (30ml) - I grew to really love this primer as the perfect everyday base which performed well under any foundation I applied.

54) Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (01) - My favourite drugstore concealer.

55) Silkygirl Magic BB Powder Foundation (01 Ivory) - I bought this from a drugstore in Singapore a couple of years ago and it gives fantastic, long lasting coverage for a powder product. 

56) INIKA Mineral Mascara (Black)* - This was okay but not great.  It took multiple coats to get any reasonable volume and didn't dry down 100% so was prone to smudging.

57) The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara (Black) - Another okay mascara.  I didn't bond with the brush so I probably won't repurchase this either.

58) Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Liner (Perversion) - I usually love these liners but this one was a huge disappointment.  The pencil core disintegrated, became crumbly and fell out so I sharpened it down to nothing.

59) Essence Matte Effect Eye Shadow (Blockbuster) - I generally love Essence eye shadows but their mattes are their weaker performers. I persisted with this as a browbone shade for quite a while but finally decided enough was enough with this chalky shadow. 

60) Revlon Lip Gloss (Nude Lustre) - Sadly this formula has been discontinued.

61) Chanel Glossimer (83) - I love the pigmentation of these glosses. I'm pretty sure this particular shade has been discontinued though.

62) Tom Ford Lip Color (True Coral) - This was my first TF lipstick so it will hold a special little place in this makeup addict's heart.

63) Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (Rhubarb) - A great drugstore lip balm that provides a good hit of shiny colour.

Fragrance

62) Jimmy Choo Blossom EDP (2ml/0.06 fl. oz sample)* - Very fizzy, fruity and fun!  Top notes:  citrus and red fruits, including raspberry;  mid notes:  sweet peas and roses;   base notes:  sandalwood and white musk.

63) Prada L'Eau Ambree EDP (10ml miniature) - The last little bottle of one of my favourite scents and I fell in love with it all over again.  The top notes are Cedrat Lemon, Mandarin and Neroli;  middle notes are Benzoin, May Rose and Gardenia; base notes are Amber blended with Patchouli, Vanilla and Opoponax.

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If you made it all the way to the end I applaud you for your tenacity!  

Until my next, considerably shorter post...

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

Essie: Jamaica Me Crazy

Hello again!

I've not been changing my polish all that often lately - and have even taken a short break from wearing it for an entire week! - so my recent choices have been a bit more deliberate I suppose as I try to mix things up around the colour wheel, while still keeping things seasonally appropriate.  Are you with me? Okay, so let's get onto today's little nail polish post!

I received Essie's Jamaica Me Crazy as part of an unexpected gift of three Essie polishes from a cubicle buddy at work who obviously knows me all too well!  I used to be crazy over magenta back in the day so Jamaica Me Crazy called out to me first - this shimmering magenta is something I hadn't worn in a long time.  This polish wears like a shimmery raspberry jelly on the nails and is a little bit retro but I still enjoyed it.  It applied nicely in a couple of coats but even with a top coat did take a while to dry properly and unfortunately I managed to do some damage after taking these pictures.   Also, please excuse the nubbies!

Shade

Sun

That's it for now - and my next post will be the long overdue Autumn empties...