SHINY NEW ADDITIONS (PART II) //

I've been working a lot more lately (hence the blog neglect...), as retail is insane around Christmas, and as such, I've been spending a lot more time "window shopping" in my local shopping centre...to detrimental consequences. (To be fair, it's not like I'm going to go home whilst on my break, right? Right?) Admittedly it seems to happen to the best of us - or so my customers have told me - in regards to Christmas shopping: we feel the need to reward ourselves after ticking off another person on our list!

Here are some more new additions (one 'need', one 'splurge', one 'considered purchase', and two 'impulsive purchases'...):

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + ($49AUD for 125ml) - This is my first proper purchase of the DDML+, as I had first received a sample of it during their Facebook promotion some time ago. Since finishing the sample, I decided that it was a product that had become integral to my skincare routine, and a year-round staple. (Read an overview of it here.)

Lancôme Lip Lover Gift Set ($45AUD) - I'll concede that a part of me unashamedly relishes the holiday season purely for the numerous gift sets and limited editions that are released by various makeup brands around this time! This one is a little treat to myself, being the lip product junkie that I am, and I rationalised that I could do with a few more lip glosses. I'm mostly intrigued with the formula, which is supposedly a long wearing, pigmented lip gloss. I'll share my thoughts once I put it to the test!

bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF15 in Golden Tan ($35AUD) - You may recall that I've been considering purchasing this foundation for a couple of months now. I finally took the plunge, drawn by the promise of no nasties, and oil-control for sensitive skin. It was trickier than anticipated to find my exact match - Golden Medium was too light and Medium Beige too pink, so I ended up with Golden Tan, the darkest warm-toned offering, which is currently just a smidgen too warm for my NC30 complexion, though it should be near-perfect come January.

Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant ($24AUD for 73g) - I came across this quite by chance while browsing the Mecca Cosmetica, and prompted by the many positive reviews, ducked in to check it out for myself. Further online 'research' showed mixed reviews, but I decided to take a chance on it anyway, taken in by it's supposed-suitability for sensitive skin.

Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in 02 Hot Chocolate ($3.05AUD for 0.34g) - At that price, you really can't go wrong, I rationed. After seeing how awesome it looked on my mum, I went and got one for myself, and I have to say that it's pretty good, considering that it's cheap as chips! It mostly lives up to its claims of being long-wearing, though I find that it can transfer to under my eye and become a bit smudgy if I apply too much. I prefer to blend it into the lash line for a more natural effect for everyday. It's creamy, pigmented, doesn't irritate my eyes, glides on easily and doesn't require sharpening - the only con is that I can't get a fine, precise line. All things considered, this one's a winner in my eyes! (*Pun not intended).


How many new additions have you added to your stash during Christmas shopping? ;)
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all! xx

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 30

Wowza. Has it been thirty days already?! Admittedly it's been tough averaging a post a day, but doing this challenge has prompted me to rediscover many lippie loves that I've neglected for too long, and encouraged me to shop my stash rather than adding to the collection! For today, I thought I'd compile a little summary of the month, in case you got lost along the way (besides, you're probably sick of my face by now - as I am! - with all of those #selfies...). It's probably easiest to use the 'Blog Archive' sidebar down the side - happy scrolling!

- Refer back to Intro to see what this month was all about, and for more info about the Liptember initiative.
- If you're after tinted lip balm suggestions, see days 1-3, with a review on day 4.
- Burt's Bees Lip Gloss got a special mention on day 5, with a review on day 6.
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters were featured on days 7, 11 and 15, and reviewed on day 19.
- Check out my lip balm wants on day 8!
- Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick was reviewed on day 9, and worn on day 10.
- Clinique Chubby Sticks were worn on days 12 and 13, and reviewed on day 14.
- LUSH Lip Tint was worn on day 16 and reviewed on day 21.
- See Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers on days 17, 22 and 26, and the review on day 27.
- NYX Black Label Lipstick was worn on day 18.
- Various Avon lipsticks were worn on days 20, 23, 25 and 29.
- See day 24 for 'lippie layering'.
- See the 'red lipstick roundup' on day 28!

Sidenote: See here for a tasty greek salad recipe, and here to learn how to make curry puffs!


Hope you had a great September! :) x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 17

More experimenting with bright Summery lips - today's pick is Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 501 Stellar, which I only use when I have a lot of time to fiddle around with it and perfect it, because it can be quite difficult to master - and by master, I mean apply it so it looks normal! It's kind of like a highly pigmented lip gloss in that it moves around a fair bit, but it packs a punch colour-wise, hence the description 'lip lacquer'. I kept the rest of the face plain - partly due to the small patch of eczema on my cheek, which prevents blush (especially powder blush) from applying smoothly. I try to avoid piling on makeup if I don't have to, to give my sensitive skin a break. Besides, it's mainly the same idea as yesterday - slick on bright lippie in the hope that it distracts from everything else!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 501 Stellar

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 6

I had my exam today! So here's a quick review of Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in 239 Spring Splendor that I wore yesterday. First up, let me clarify that this is just a regular, basic lip gloss - none of this fancy liquid lipstick business!

Texture: It is kind of thick, but thankfully it's not too sticky or goopy - my number one hate in a lip gloss! It goes on smoothly, thanks to the doe foot applicator. It also has tiny sparkles in it, but it's very fine - there are no gritty chunks of glitter, just subtle shimmer. It can feel a little grainy once it's dried down a little, or if I reapply after eating without wiping my lips properly first (think 'biscuit crumb' kind of gritty. *shudder*).

Opacity: I'd say that it's sheer to semi-opaque, but definitely not clear. I'd also guess that the darker colours would appear to be more pigmented, compared to the more neutral, lighter shades.

Hydration: It's moisturising enough for a lip gloss, though can become drying if I don't reapply after eating and drinking. Because it doesn't have a lot of glide, I find that it stays put better than really 'glossy' lip glosses.

Longevity: I suppose you can't expect too much of a lip gloss in the long-wearing department. This one lasts for about an hour on me, without eating or drinking. I'm not a huge fan of lip glosses though, so chances are that I'd have wiped it off (or eaten it off) before the one hour mark.

Price: $17 for 5.9g

Other notes: This has a sweet scent to it, kind of vanilla-y, that's not unpleasant.

Overall, I think this is a lipgloss that does the job - I'm not enamoured with it, but I don't have any complaints, either - and the price is not unreasonable compared to other lip glosses on the market, such as offerings by L'Oreal and Maybelline. I do appreciate that it contains natural ingredients, though, as eating off lip products are practically unavoidable.


Have you tried this lip gloss? Did you like it or loathe it?
Any other recommendations? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 5

Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in Spring Splendor

#FOTD

Low-maintenance makeup for a friend's birthday gathering, courtesy of Burt's Bees Lip Gloss. It's moisturising enough, and doesn't require close monitoring, unlike other bright lippies. It's especially kind to my dry lips, and doesn't highlight flaky bits. I like that Burt's Bees products are free from a lot of chemicals and nasties, which I particularly appreciate in their lip products - it's somewhat comforting to know that I'm not ingesting anything too harmful. On a slightly irrelevant note, it's a little bit disappointing how the writing has rubbed off the tube :(

What's on my face?

The other bits and pieces:
Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light
MAC Fluidline in Black Track + Ecotools Angled Eyeliner Brush
NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Revlon CustomEyes Eyeshadow Palette in 020 Naturally Glamorous (second shade from left) + Ecotools Angled Crease Brush
Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in 239 Spring Splendor