LUXE NUXE // REVIEW: NUXE REVE DE MIEL

I finally made the admission that my go-to lip balm of late, Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream, was not cutting it anymore. I'd been putting off reaching for Nuxe Rêve de Miel as I already had four lip balms in rotation (um, seriously!) - Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm, Maybelline Baby Lips, Maybelline Tinted Baby Lips, and Nivea Lip Butter - though it got to the point where none of them were 'heavy duty' enough. Enter Nuxe Rêve de Miel.

Ingredients listing

I'd previously heard about this little pot of goodness from sleepandwater and Essie Button, who described it as her 'holy grail x infinity'. For a lip balm fiend like myself, that was all it took, really. I searched eagerly for it in local chemists and pharmacies, and was intending to buy it from Feel Unique as my last resort. Though I did not find it on the website, I ended up purchasing it from Priceline, where it was slightly discounted (it retails for $20AUD). It's been sitting in my drawer since.

I recently mentioned my first impressions of this lip balm when I'd just cracked it open, so to speak.
It has a faintly citrusy scent and reminded me of lemon curd. The top of mine had hardened slightly, most likely due to the cold weather. Underneath that, it was somewhat 'creamier' in consistency.
It has an almost waxy texture - definitely not the plush, creamy balm I had anticipated in the beginning. I find there is some resistance when I rub my lips together, not so much 'glide'. It's also a 'matte' balm, which makes my lips look natural, and means it stays on much longer than, say, Nivea Lip Butter, or other shiny/glossy balms. It lasts well through eating and drinking, and I only need to reapply every few hours (rather than every few minutes!).

It kind of had a 'MLBB' effect on me, though I can't fathom why, and left no white cast. When I applied it before bed, I woke to find my lips less dry and cracked. They were kind of at that smooth phase right after lip balm has been absorbed and just before the need for reapplication, if that makes any sense! I would say that it locks the moisture in and provides protection from the elements rather well. My usual practice is to smooth on the tiniest amount - a very thin layer - on to my lips, as a little goes a long way. At this rate, the 15g jar will probably last for an eternity!

On a more superficial note, it's housed in a pretty frosted glass jar with a plastic lid, which is aesthetically pleasing, but somewhat heavy to lug around (compared to twist-up lip balm or tubes that can easily slip into the pocket of my jeans). Therefore, mine usually resides on my dresser or bedside table.

Overall, Nuxe Rêve de Miel is the most intensive balm I have at the moment - long-lasting, hydrating, and does not require frequent reapplication. I can see it fast becoming a 'can't live without' essential in these Winter months.

Have you tried this matte lip balm?
What are your thoughts?

#FOTD 5 //

Who said FOTD's had to be serious affair?

Today was a pretty chill day - the kind of day that encourages me to experiment.

('Scuse the eye bags...)
*I had my hair in a ponytail, hence the random bits of hair sticking out!

The breakdown:
1. Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light all over face
2. b Collection by Bloom Cream Blush in Barossa Valley applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush on apples of cheeks
3. MAC Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze applied with Real Techniques Contour Brush under cheekbones to contour
4. MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC30 dabbed under eyes with fingers
5. Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black gently traced along upper lash line
6. NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry patted onto lips (applied over a thin layer of Nuxe Rêve de Miel)

Hope you're having a great start to the weekend!

HAULAGE // BLOG SALE (+ SWATCHES)

So a while ago I went a bit nuts on Ria's makeup sale site - you can check it out here.
I've used a few of them already, but haven't properly tested out all of them.

Cue haulage...

FACE:
bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2 - a creamy concealer with SPF 20

CHEEKS:
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty - a bright strawberry pink
NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose - a mauvey-pinky-rose

EYES:
TheBalm Batter Up Creaseless Cream Shadow in Triple Play Mae - a warm cocoa brown, and Grand Slam Pam - a browned-lilac

Wet'n'Wild Comfort Zone Palette - a palette of neutral-ish, cool-toned, buttery powder eyeshadows.

Browbone shades

Eyelid shades (left eyelid shade is more of a shell pink in person)

Crease shades (the left shade is more of an olive brown)

Definer shades (the right shade is darker in person, and the left shade is a pretty duo-chrome)

Urban Decay Primer Potion sample
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler

LIPS:
NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry - a cream-finish, pink-based red

Have you tried any of these before?
Did you love them or loathe them?

TASTY TUESDAYS // SPINACH DIP IN COBB LOAF

Ta-daaaa! The finished product

I'm not very consistent with these, my apologies! I'm just not much of a foodie. But I'm making an effort. I made this cobb loaf dip as a 'welcome home from work' treat for Mother (spoilt much?). It's relatively simple to make, but took me a lot longer than expected (at least it worked out in the end!) Mine was based on two recipes, here and here. I mainly followed the first recipe, though they are very similar, only differing in regards to proportions.

What I used:

• 1 large cobb loaf, unsliced (I actually bought a cottage loaf, but apparently they're the same)
• 250g Frozen chopped spinach
• 1 small white onion, diced finely
• 250g tub of sour cream
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 30g packet of Continental Spring Vegetable Soup Mix

What I did:

1. Thaw spinach and squeeze out excess water. (This took the longest for me - I ended up putting in the microwave on 'defrost').
2. Combine onion, spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise and soup mix in a large bowl. Refrigerate (for 4 hours or overnight, according to the recipes above, though I only put it in for about half an hour, if that).
3. Cut a 'lid' off the cobb loaf and scoop out bread. I cut the bread into 2cmx2cm cube pieces.
4. I then put those bread pieces into a mini oven for 5mins until warmed and slightly crisp. (I think the recipe also recommended putting the whole hollowed loaf into the oven as well, though I found it unnecessary, as it was still fresh.)
5. Fill the loaf with spinach mixture and serve with bread.

Step 3

Step 3 Part II...

Step 4

What I'd do differently next time:
- Either double the spinach or halve the soup mix, as it was quite salty.
- Buy an extra baguette to go with the dip.
- Not forget to buy the soup mix and have to make another trip (noob! -.-")
Edit: And I'd actually let it sit and refrigerate for the time required, as it combines the flavours and makes the soup mix less salty.

Are you a foodie (or a wanna-be-foodie like me)?
Have you tried making cobb loaf dip?
Which recipe should I try next?

WEEK IN REVIEW // 9

A week of slow recovery, new loves and little treats.

L-R:
Whittaker's Peanut Butter Chocolate Block - Did someone say Reese's Peanut Butter Cups?! Courtesy of sleepandwater - recommendation seen on her instagram here. (Dayumm gurl, you'll be the death of me!) So after seeing that, of course I dashed into Aldi. And it did not disappoint. While I prefer the saltier, nuttier taste of Reese's, this really is the next best thing! What are you waiting for? Run, don't walk!

Swisspers Naturals Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes - Wow. That's all I have to say - these are good! So effective, and ridiculously soft - unlike some other brands I've tried (Simple and Garnier, anyone?) I did buy these for Mother when they were on sale at Priceline, but couldn't resist trying them myself. These definitely own every other brand I've tried to far.

Chi Chi Baked Eyeshadow Single in Rock With You - I finally tested it out (here). My first impressions were as follows: Not as intensely pigmented as I'd first thought - or as first swatched - but easy to blend, with no fall out. Lasted a good 6 hours or so.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm - This is probably the first 'week in review' where you haven't seen my resident lip balm fave Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream! These past few days Nivea just hasn't been making the cut. Perhaps it's because we're now officially in Winter and my wind-chapped, cracked lips need something a little more, well, 'nourishing', but at any rate, I've finally drawn out Nuxe from hibernation. First impressions? It's waxier than I'd anticipated and smells faintly of lemon curd! Lasting power is also pretty good, and has so far managed to keep my lips looking and feeling better.

Swisspers Cleansing Eye Make-Up Remover Pads - These are also great. While it seems superfluous to have these as well as the wipes, I can say that they remove mascara with ease, and are so saturated with remover that I could take off the rest of my makeup with the remainder. Win!

QV Cream - Claims to "replenish dry skin" - and indeed it does! You may remember that I've been sick recently, and have experienced all the joys of illness, such as a sore throat and runny-and-raw nose. I've been using this to combat my gross, sore and peeling skin, and found it to work wonders, though it did sting a little at first. It's quite emollient, but sinks in quickly - plus, it's of a rather handy size. 

Cedel Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector - As the nights get colder, this has once again become my bestie, as it allows me to dry my hair quicker, and makes it wonderfully straight, too - and all without the assistance of a brush or comb - you can check out my full review here.

Forever New Taliah Clutch - My sale find! I popped in to Forever New this week, on a whim, and walked out with this beauty. I'm looking forward to taking it out on formal occasions. These 'end of season'/mid year sales have been so good - but result in so much debit card damage!

What has been the highlight of your week?
Do you have a weakness for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups like me?

#FOTD 4 //

A low-key work look for those 'minimal effort' kind of days.

The breakdown:
FACE:
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C3 
Nivea Daily Veil Sunscreen SPF 30 applied under foundation
Chi Chi Mosaic Blush in Pink Peach (Applied with Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush)

EYES:
Chi Chi Eyeshadow Single in Rock With You (Applied as eyeliner, with Ecotools Petite Shader Brush)
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black (Smudged into lash line with Ecotools Smudger Brush)
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler

LIPS:
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream (to prep lips)
Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick in 23 Grenadine (patted on to lips with finger)

What are your makeup solutions for lazy days? :)

FACE FAVES // MECCA COSMETICA IN A GOOD LIGHT

I thought I'd do a little review on a product I've been using for quite some time now (almost eight months!), Mecca Cosmetica's tinted sunscreen, In a Good Light SPF 30+ (the old version). I first mentioned it some time ago (waaaay back in the beginning), though - believe or not - I've been intending to do a post on this since late 2013, before I even made this blog! (That's why I look a little different in these photos. A bit chubbier.)

It's basically an illuminating SPF, that provides barely any coverage and is quite moisturising. The link above will take you to the 'back story' of why I ended up purchasing this instead of Keihl's BB Cream, along with a brief overview. Simply put, I was after a product that would hydrate and even out my skin, and have SPF. Below are the more "comprehensive" notes.

Pump dispenser

Application and Finish:
It's housed in sturdy plastic packaging, which features a pump dispenser (that can be unscrewed). I find that half a pump is sufficient to cover my whole face, one whole pump is enough to cover face and neck. I usually squirt half a pump on to the back of my hand and apply it to my face with fingers, working in sections. It's of a light, almost-whipped consistency that rubs in easily. I say 'rubs in' rather than 'absorbs', because it remains on the skin, rather than sinking in and disappearing - which, I suppose, is not unusual for a sunscreen. I find it to be very hydrating - not greasy, but perhaps a little 'wet' at first. Even when it has 'dried', it still has a bit of a tacky feel, like moisturiser when it has just sunk in. I'd recommend this for dry-skinned gals, as normal-to-oily skinned chickas may find it too heavy or emollient. Despite its claims to a "matte finish", on the contrary I find it provides a glowy, illuminating finish - which negates the need for a highlighter or illuminator. And it is this illuminating property that makes it sit on top of skin, rather than sinking in, which makes it prone to transferring (most often on to my phone), which is my biggest pet hate! It also has a slight scent which doesn't bother me.

L-R: Before application / After application

Coverage and lasting power:
As you can see from the pictures above, In a Good Light provides barely-there coverage and a whole lotta sheen. Lasting power is around 4-5hours; significantly shorter than a foundation - say, for example, MAC's Face and Body, which lasts a good 9+ hours on me. When I wore In a Good Light to work I found that it practically disappeared about halfway through my shift!

Size and shade range:
It comes in one size - 120g for $50, which is not unreasonable. The new version comes in three shades - Fair, Medium and Dark - but this old version came in only one shade - a neutral fair-to-medium colour with a slightly pink undertone. At first I thought it would be too light, but I found that it adapted to my skintone, and was sheer enough that it was not obvious.

You can see it in action in my most recent FOTD.

Overall I think it's a good pick for weekends and as an everyday kind of product - the SPF was the real clincher for me - though not one that I'd wear to work, unless mixed in with a matte foundation. It's also a great option for Winter, to lift dull, dry skin, though some - particularly oily-skinned gals - may find it too hydrating. Lately I've been considering a tinted moisturiser or BB cream with heavier coverage - perhaps something like NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser...

Have you tried Mecca Cosmetica's range of products?
Do you have any tinted-moisturiser-with-SPF recommendations for me?
If so, I'd be more than happy to hear 'em! (: