LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 4

Maybelline / Burt's Bees / Yes To Carrots

Today's post is just a quick tinted lip balm roundup, featuring the ones mentioned earlier, which you may or may not be familiar with. (Personally, I'd previously never heard of the one by Yes To Carrots!) As you may know, (if you've been reading along), I am particularly fond of tinted lip balms for everyday wear, as the provide a good dose of hydration, along with a hint of tint - something low maintenance that is 'just enough but not too much'. Keep reading to see a little summary of each...

1. Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Glow

Opacity: This one comes out clear, then develops into a sheer pinky shade that is supposedly unique for each wearer, depending on their lip colour. On me, it ranges from a muted rosy colour, to a pink that's actually surprisingly bright (see Day 2 for reference). It's not very pigmented, but there is a slight wash of colour.

Hydration: It glides on with ease and is rather moisturising. It can leave my lips feeling dry if I don't reapply after eating and drinking.

Longevity: Because it is so hydrating, it doesn't stand up to eating and drinking very well (which isn't unexpected, anyway). It lasts for around an hour or two without eating/drinking.

Price: $3.95 for 4g

Other notes: This one has a pleasant, fruity scent. Also, I tried to swatch this, but it didn't show up at all on my skin.


2. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose

Opacity: This one is the most pigmented out of the three. In terms of opacity it's closer to Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters than a regular tinted lip balm, though it's not quite as pigmented, and on the balmier side.

Hydration: This one is quite hydrating, and provides lasting moisture over a decent period of time (it keeps my lips happy during work in an air-conditioned environment).

Longevity: It lasts surprisingly well through my shift (4-8 hours), even through eating and drinking if I'm careful.

Price: $15 for 4.25g

Other notes: It has a slight scent about it that is kind of difficult to describe - most probably due to the natural ingredients it contains - it's not quite a chemically scent, but it's not really distinguishable and it doesn't bother me, though it might bother some people. It can also get a bit 'melty' in warmer weather, which makes it a good pick for the cooler months. This one swatches better than the other two, which didn't show up at all.


3. Yes To Carrots Color Balm in Soft Plum

Opacity: This one also provides a sheer hint of colour that's very natural and barely perceptible (I could tell the different, but my mother couldn't!) It's slightly pigmented, but not more than your average tinted lip balm.

Hydration: It has a creamy consistency that has less slip than Baby Lips, and it does glide on with more resistance than the other two mentioned above. The oils in it can take longer to melt into lips especially in colder weather, and it makes my lips feel a little dry if I don't reapply frequently, or after eating and drinking.

Longevity: It lasts about an hour or so until my lips feel dry and I need to reapply.

Price: $6 for 3.3g

Other notes: It has the same 'natural ingredient-y' scent as Burt's Bees, which doesn't really bother me. As it is of a more solid consistency, it'd probably be a good choice for warmer weather, or you may need to stick it in your pocket to warm it up a little before application. I tried swatching this, and it didn't show up very well on my skin, either.


Overall, I think Burt's Bees is hands down my favourite, if not for the ridiculous price tag, compared to the other two. It ticks all the other boxes - Yes To Carrots doesn't quite compare, though it is a more affordable option. Maybelline is quite a good option, too, especially considering what you pay for. I've also got an unopened tube of the tinted version, Maybelline Baby Lips Loves Colour, that I've yet to try - perhaps that'll bridge the gap, but I guess we'll have to wait and see...


Have you tried any of these tinted lip balms?
Do you have a favourite? Please share! x

WHAT'S IN MY HANDBAG? //

For all you nosy rascals, I'm happy to oblige.

It's a well known fact that women carry the contents of their entire lives in their handbags. Stumbling across this interesting article, I thought I'd clear out my own handbag and take a look. I'd say that the contents of my handbag are pretty standard, though!

The handbag in question: Elms + King Lexington bag, which is roomier than I'm used to, and allows me to carry more junk than I need. On the plus side, it fits a one litre drink bottle upright rather comfortably, which constantly amazes me.

The contents of my handbag...revealed!

The goods (clockwise-ish from top left):
Fossil Tate Clutch Wallet
Ray-Ban Catty Clubmaster Sunglasses - for the last vestiges of sun on those rare 24 degree days that we've been experiencing lately.
GAP leather pouch - for random bits and pieces, such as a mirror and pocket tissues.
Muesli bar - a snack for when I'm on-the-go.
Black pens - always black for me.
iPhone - yup, a 3GS and still going strong. Impressive, right? Well done, Apple, well done.
Spotty pouch - girly stuff. We'll leave it at that.
Natio hand cream
Planner - such a good size, making it practical and portable.
Dettol hand sanitiser
Keys
Lip prodz: Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry, Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose, Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in Spring Splendor and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm with sunscreen - one balm, one tinted, one lipgloss...and another balm. (Um, backup?)
Handbag hook - which I've carried around for ages, but have yet put into use (largely due to the fact that I forget I've got it with me...)

I hope you've enjoyed having a snoop. I suppose the four lip products may be viewed as excessive, but for me it's considered 'not-too-outrageous' and completely justified. A girl needs options, right? (Sneaky confession: usually I'd have a bright lippie or two thrown in there as well.)

What strange things do you carry around in your handbag? Hopefully nothing so odd as the ones mentioned in the article above...

#FOTD 3 // OFF DUTY

Taking a break from attempting a smokey eye today... And instead going for something lighter and fresher, inspired by the gorgeous weather outside, and the equally wonderful fact that I don't have to work today.

FACE:
Mecca Cosmetic In a Good Light Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30+
MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC30
The Body Shop Lily Cole Lip and Cheek Dome in 20 Pinch Me Pink

EYES:
L'oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadow in 33 Tender Caramel - A cool iridescent taupe-y mauve-y brown that is rather difficult to describe, spread over the lid as a base (patted on with fingers).
Revlon CustomEyes Shadow and Liner Palette in 20 Naturally Glamorous - Warm chocolate-laced-with-burgundy shade (second from right) blended into the outer 'V' using Ecotools Petite Shader Brush.
Rimmel ScandalEyes Eye Shadow Stick in 03 Bad Girl Bronze - Used as eyeliner and smudged along the upper lash line and outer 1/3 of lower lash line using Ecotools Smudger Brush.
Ecotools Angled Crease Brush used to blend.
Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liner pencil in 100 Eggplant - An oldie but a goodie. The perfect purple eyeliner.
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler
Maybelline The Colossal Volum'Express Mascara in Black - Finishing touch to the eyes.

LIPS:
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream - To prep the lips (you know the drill!)
Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Super Strawberry

Have a great rest of the weekend! (:

#FOTD 2

I think I'm having an 'eyeshadow moment' - or at least, I'm willing to keep trying until I get it right (bear with me, please...) Today's look - Le Subtle Daytime Smokey Eye Take Two, courtesy of a private lesson from industry heavyweight, Ms Zoë Foster-Blake herself (and an excuse to test out the eyeshadow palette!)

Clockwise-ish from top left:
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C3 - My fave and only foundation at the moment.
MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC30 - My only concealer at the moment.
Ecotools Deluxe Concealer Brush - Does a pretty good job of applying liquid concealer.
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil in Black - An old fave that I recently dug out; very soft and perfect for 'smudgy' looks.
Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner Palette in Naturally Glamorous - The warm shades were what attracted me in this first place, and so far I'm not disappointed.
Nivea Daily Face Veil Sunscreen SPF 30 - Sits nicely under makeup. SPF is a must!
Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in 239 Spring Splendor - A lip gloss that contains no nasties. However, it's disappointing that the writing on the packaging has rubbed off, as I've only had it since Christmas. It's a natural pinky-mauve colour and has slight scent reminiscent of Lip Smackers...
Chi Chi Mosaic Blush in Pink Peach - I'll refrain from gushing on about this one today. You're welcome.
Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush - I was about iffy-diffy about this one at first, but it's growing on me.
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler - Pretty standard stuff. It's not 'life-changing', but does the job.
Ecotools Eye Brushes (from 6-piece set): all over lid, blender, petite shading brush, smudger - these are a great little set; portable, versatile and soft. The smudger is my favourite.
Maybelline The Colossal Volum'Express Mascara - I avoid wearing mascara where possible because it irritates my eyes. I didn't love this one - I'd say it's average. It doesn't make a huge difference for me, though on the plus side, it doesn't clump too often.
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream - I've been enjoying using this as a treatment or base before applying lip colour, as it helps the product glide on smoothly over dry patches, and keeps lips hydrated for longer.

Which is your go-to palette for a daytime smokey eye?

#FOTD 1 //

Please excuse the 'sick' face...

While my FOTD's are generally very simple and natural-looking (partly due to lack of time and partly due to laziness), today I had extra time on my hands to play around and experiment. As a self-confessed eyeshadow noob, I usually avoid using eyeshadow and 'smoky eyes' - especially as it often seems to attract comments from my mother about how much I resemble a drug addict or a panda (read: smoky eye gone terribly wrong). I focused on eyes today and kept the rest of the face quite neutral (and realised how out of practise I was, while attempting winged eyeliner).

The breakdown:
FACE:
- MAC Face and Body Foundation (Shade C3) applied with fingers
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer applied under eyes and over blemishes with Ecotools Deluxe Concealer Brush

CHEEKS:
- Clinique Cheek Pop in 01 Ginger Pop applied on apples of cheeks with Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush
- Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel used to contour; applied with RealTechniques Expert Face Brush

EYES:
- Wet'N'Wild Comfort Zone Palette (left side) following the 'instructions'; applied with Ecotools eye brushes and the random Manicare brush...
- Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner to draw the wing

LIPS:
- Just a slick of Nivea Lip Butter (Caramel Cream)

What do your 'experimental' FOTD's consist of?
Do you have any eyeshadow tips for me?

DEPARTURE // THE RECAP

As I'm in the process of unpacking and tidying the mess I call my room, I thought it'd be interesting to review the numerous products I brought with me overseas (the majority of which I didn't really use enough to justify bringing). And I ought to apologise right about now, because the stuff pictured in my previous 'Departure' post isn't even half of what I actually brought... I know, I know. Um. A hoarder in every sense! In my defence, my frantic tossing of other bits and pieces into my suitcase was mainly induced by my mindset of 'just in case', rather than 'practical and necessary'... I'll be wiser for next time. Hopefully.

What I packed in carry-on luggage:

- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30

What I actually used on the plane:

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

Admittedly I was too distracted by the movies on the plane to be bothered about being meticulous with skincare during the nine-hour flight. My skin prep beforehand seemed sufficiently hydrating, though I did apply a layer of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ about half way, and hand cream and lip balm frequently throughout. The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ absolutely exceeded my expectations and I credit it to my happy complexion upon landing. Full review coming soon.

What I used the most while overseas:

- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen
- La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

What I didn't really use:

- Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
- Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Candy Apple
- Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel
- Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Stippling Brush
- ModelsPrefer Airbrush
- EcoTools Deluxe Concealer Brush
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30
- Garnier Clean Detox Makeup Wipes

I know. Yikes.
Granted, while overseas, I couldn't care in the slightest how I looked. SPF was my priority, along with lip balm, and I didn't bother too much with eye makeup as I was wearing sunglasses most of the time. However, I did use these products less than a handful of times, when we went out for lunch or dinner at places that required patrons to look at least socially acceptable.

What I wish I'd brought:

- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+
- Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

Thankfully there aren't too many products in this category! I found myself wishing for Clinique's DDML+ when my face was randomly dry and irritated, and there seemed to be no cure (which is largely the reason why I ended up bringing the Clinique Moisture Surge home...), and lip butter when my lips wanted something richer after spending a little too long in the sun and wind.

What I learnt:
Pantene conditioner makes an excellent shaving cream in a pinch.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ is fabulous and I should feel ashamed for overlooking it previously.
Make do with fingers instead of brushes where possible.

What I know for next time:
Bringing excessive amounts of stuff that won't be used makes for a painful trip and limits the haulage that can be brought back (lose-lose situation).
Generally speaking, there's no need to bring so much carry-on as I'm more likely to be watching movies or sleeping on the plane than making use of the liquids/gels/aerosols that I brought with me.


What are your travel essentials?
Are you a hoarder like me?

WEEK IN REVIEW // 5

A week of largely crappy weather, last-minute things-to-do, and a revisiting of old (old-ish) favourites.

Clarks boots - These have long been a favourite of mine since I bought them last year. With the rainfall this week I had the excuse to pull them out again.

Glassons knit sweater - I love the colour of this jumper (which goes perfectly with Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie, btw), and had the chance to wear it with the cooler weather.

Packing for HK - I'm leaving for an overseas trip to the motherland in 5 days' time! I should probably start actually packing...

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronze Universel - With the dreary weather I've been reminiscing of Summer, which has made me pull this bronzing beauty out, in the desperate hope to retain (or at least fake my way to) my Summer tan.

Nivea Light Feel Daily Face Veil SPF 30 sunscreen - The last few days were surprisingly sunny, so I've loved layering this under MAC Face and Body, or wearing it on its own with concealer and a touch of cream blush for a no-fuss weekend face.

Maybelline Baby Lips Glow tinted lip balm - I've been using the untainted version for the past couple of weeks, but recently fished this one out of the depths of my makeup bag - perfect for days when I want a slight hint of colour and something that doesn't require precision in application.

Elizabeth Arden Pretty EDP - I've loved this perfume for years now, and have only recently gone back to using it, after switching over to her Pretty Hot sister.

WEEK IN REVIEW // 3

A week of even crazier weather, sickness and sleepiness, a little indulgence, and a bit of good ol' exercise.

Pattison's Patisserie - My first creme brûlée. Ever. And it was delicious. To escape from the storm outside, Dad and I made a quick detour into Pattison's Patisserie, where we enjoyed a few treats. It took all of my weak self-control to not walk out with boxes of macarons. Maybe next time...

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 - This temperamental weather is wreaking havoc on my sensitive skin, so I grabbed this with the hope that it would be able to soothe and hydrate stubborn rashes and dry patches. Within the first couple of days I saw great results; the rashes and dry patches were subdued within a few hours of application, but now I'm not so sure, as the rashes are just as bad as they were before...

Maybelline Baby Lips Anti-Oxidant Berry - Now that my favourite Natio lip balm is nearly finished, I've switched back to this cult fave, though I'm not sure it still makes the cut. Though they're both very similar, I think I still prefer the limited edition Maybelline Baby Lips in Protecting Berry.

Wheat heat pack - This has been my bff this past week, to calm stomach aches and muscle soreness.

Kathmandu Exercise Mat - I've taken to stretching the day after ballet/exercise, which I'd previously not been doing (whoops), and have definitely seen the benefits. While I'd previously written it off as too time consuming, or had just plain forgotten - despite walking around with aching limbs - I think I'll be feeling a whole lot less sore if I manage to keep it up.

ECCO Touch Bow ballet flats - Super comfy, and in a no-nonsense style. A bit of an impulsive purchase, to replace my Seed ballet flats which are currently dying. (I blame it on the spontaneous 5km trek. And my brother, whose brilliant idea it was. Don't do it in a pair of flats - you've been warned!)

What was the highlight of your week? (: