Adore Beauty recently launched two best of the best sampler kits priced at $34.95, each kit comes with eight deluxe samples…
They both look great, given the choice I’d probably go with the skincare and haircare because I’ve been wanting to try the Alpha H liquid Gold and the Kevin Murphy range. Have you tried any of the products featured in these kits, thoughts?
* No form of compensation received, no affiliate links.
Following Dee and Jess’ inventory bizzo, I decided I’d do my inventory starting with blush, yes I like blush, what of it :P
From the top - Sleek Flamingo, Sleek Pixie Pink, Nars Gina, Nars Zen, Everyday Minerals Pink Snowflakes, Illamasqua Lies, Illamasqua Sob, Illamasqua Disobey, Etude House Pink Beam, MAC Ripe Peach, MAC Hang Loose, MAC Well Dressed, Edward Bess Love Affair, Prestige Putty, Becca Beach Tint Watermelon, Silk Naturals Cherry Bomb
Tarte Amused
MUFE #4
What are your favourite blushes, clearly I need more ;)
Stuff I’ve accumulated over the past month or so…
Becca Enigma palette (I think this was from Brands Exclusive)
Reniu coconut body oil Tiare scented from Pure Fiji
I had the pleasure of attending the Estee Lauder warehouse/staff shop with Su last weekend, here’s the little haul that ensued…
Estee Lauder Pure Colour lipstick in Crystal Pink (instant fave next to Crystal Baby)
Tom Ford lipstick in Pink Dusk (on sale thank gods)
MAC Hang Loose have wanted this for ages after seeing on Jerry’s blog
Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener $10, great under eye concealer but would never have paid retail for it.
Crush Haul…
Ardell lashes 301 and demi wispies (I plan to master eyelash application in the year 2012)
Duo eyelash adhesive
Wet n Wild Comfort Zone, Vanity, Greed palettes (Dee got me hooked on WnW shadows, they’re the bomb diggity)
Here’s what I’ve been using and loving lately…
Echolife Rose Facial Mist - If you know me and read my blog you will know that I’m obsessed with facial mists, this is no exception, I love it! It’s refreshing, relaxing and uplifting all in one, before makeup, after makeup, before bed, anytime I need a pick-me-up this is my go to :)
Echolife Bath Salt Crystals - this is hand harvested, macrobiotic sea salt from the Great Barrier Reef. Ahhh I live absolutely no where near the ocean but these bath salts bring the ocean to me, perfect for after a workout or after a long hot day.
Tom Ford perfume sample - This was sent to me from the lovely Su, I love it, it’s a scent that can be referred to as a head-kicker (stealing that term from you Dee) when I try (or buy) perfume I go for the loud smelly stuff, the ones that scream I’M WEARING PERFUME ALL BOW DOWN or pass out from my presence, which ever comes first. This is sex, cucumber and chocolate and perhaps cock, anyway moving right along this perfume makes me horny, it makes me feel sexy and powerful even when I’m not and to be honest I really need that in my life right now, hello post natal fug-a-rama/blues whatever you want to call it. The sample caused me to buy a bottle, HOORAH!!!
Bare Minerals original - I haven’t wore makeup since my skin problems, however I decided to give my Bare Minerals foundation a go (it’s been in my favourites before) and it was fab, it stayed on and didn’t irritate my skin. I love this foundation in warmer weather.
Body Crystal deodorant - I’m a leetle bit of a hippy and I also have paranoia towards particular deoderants, this is my go to, I’m not sure if it really works hence the next product in my line up…
LUSH Dirty body spray - It works to cover any foul BO I may be emitting haha oh and it smells amazingly minty and oceanic.
Invisible Zinc Junior - This was sent to me for consideration, I like it, I’ve long been a fan of the IZ ESP (which I purchased myself) but wanted something a bit lighter, this is great, it applies easier than the original ESP formula and is slightly runnier in consistency. It still has a bit of a white cast but it doesn’t really bother me, it stays on my face during exercise and is easy to remove at the end of the day with my cleanser and microfibre cloth.
Pure Fiji Coconut Milk shower gel in Mango - I received this in a Lust Have It box and I do adore, it smells lovely, somewhat mangoish and gives a nice creamy lather, it’s one of the pricier shower gels but I would definitely consider a full size if I felt the urge to treat myself.
Haus of Gloi Red Roan whipped soap - YUM, smells like porridge with strawberries, this is creamy and lovely, I tend to use this one for shaving my legs/pits etc.
MooGoo Anti-aging face cream and MSM Soothing cream - I’m a MooGoo fan girl, these will be repurchases over and over and over again. They keep my skin healthy and happy with fab ingredients such as MSM, Resveratrol, stabilised vit C, vit E and many more. It’s good simple skincare that does not irritate :)
Yes To Tomatoes deep cleansing facial pads - Slightly abrasive but non irritating, I don’t have any blemishes to mention but I like these simply because of the feeling it gives to my skin. A 98% natural product that’s designed for acne treatment, I don’t use these everyday but perhaps once a week if I’m feeling a bit icky.
Yes To Cucumbers facial towelettes - I’m a lazy mofo, oh man I am laaaaa-zzzzyyy, sometimes I am so lazy that I cannot be arsed to even bother washing my face, these are the perfect solution, blended with organic cucumber, aloe vera and dead sea minerals they clean my face and freshen me up, ta-da!
Quinoa - Last but not least (and not really a hot weather essential) I have nearly mastered the art of quinoa, it’s been quite the journey, even involved me almost losing my fingers (well not quite, but still blood was shed) The texture is awesome, kind of similar (but not really) to caviar or chia gel, I just like the feeling of the granules in my gob. Perfect with anything :)
*As mentioned everything I purchased myself except for the Tom Ford sample and Invisible Zinc Junior
I saw Jess and Natalie had updated their skincare stuff and I thought hey, I’ve been using a few different things lately so I thought I’d share too :)
Face
Cleanser: Antipodes Lime & Patchouli cream cleanser *
Toner/Mist: Subtle Energies Rosewater Hydrosol *(all the time, everyday) or SK-II Facial Treatment Essence *(more of a weekly thing)
Exfoliant: I just use warm water and a microfibre cloth
Moisturizer: MU London White Chocolate truffle
Facial mask: My Beauty Diary Chocolate mask
Makeup Remover: Antipodes Lime & Patchouli cream cleanser
Night Treatment: The Jojoba Company pure Australian golden Jojoba *
Eye Cream: MU London White Chocolate Truffle
Spot Treatment: SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion *
Body
Shower Gel: LUSH Grass
Body Lotion/Cream: Haus of Gloi Parkin pumpkin butter
Anticellulite/Firming Treatment: None currently as I’m pregnant but using Neal’s Yard Mother’s Balm
Body Exfoliant: NA
Hand Cream: Antipodes *
Lip Balm/Treatment: Badger Balm cocoa butter lip balm in Cocoa Bean or Lanolips Lemonaid
Perfume: Chopard Wish
Nail Polish: Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air
Hair
Shampoo: Seven Wonders Moroccan Treatment Shampoo *
Conditioner: Seven Wonders Moroccan Treatment Conditioner *
Clarifying Shampoo: NA
Leave-In Treatment: Coconut oil
Mask: Coconut Oil
Heat Protection Spray: NA
Volumising Product: Fudge Sea Salt spray
Shine Product: NA
Makeup
Primer: I use the Jojoba Company pure Australian golden Jojoba as a primer before foundation
Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix shade #51
Tinted Moisturiser/BB Cream: SkinFood Aloe Sun BB cream or BHTC Jasmine Water BB cream
Concealer: SkinFood Salmon Darkcircle under eye concealer
Powder: NA
Cream Blush: Illamasqua Sob or Lies * cream blush
Powder Blush: Sleek Pixie Pink or MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre
Liquid Highlighter: Illamasqua Gleam Cream *
Powder Highlighter: Dior Amber Diamond
Mascara: Fairy Drops Volume Burst mascara
Eyeliner: Estee Lauder 08 Slate writer
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Powder Eyeshadow: Urban Decay in Virgin (from Naked palette)
Products marked with an * were provided to me, I like them, use them and recommend them. I’m not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned above, nor are any links affiliate links, comprende?
I first read about this lipstick on Tiffany’s blog Will Work for Makeup and thought wow I really must get my greedy paws on one of these lipsticks, being the lover of the SkinFood concealer and Aloe Sun BB cream I really figured hey this has got to be good, and much to my satisfaction it fulfilled my high expectations, no worries!
Here’s a swatch in comparison to my Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Aventure, the SkinFood Vita Tok being the bottom swatch…
The colours are obviously different (the Vita Tok being a lighter peachier shade) but the balm/gloss feeling and wear this lipstick gives to the lips is, in my opinion, identical to that of the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine.
Sorry the pic is so teeny tiny! As you can see it actually appears less peachy once applied to the lips, more of a mid tone pink.
Here’s a quick FOTD wearing a few of my fave SkinFood products…
Base
SkinFood Aloe Sun BB cream in shade #1
SkinFood Salmon Darkcircle concealer #1 (under eyes)
Cheeks
Etude House Peach Beam Blusher #1 Pink Beam
Eyes
Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara (film type)
Lips
SkinFood Vita Tok lipstick PK03
I purchased the Vita Tok lipstick for about $10 + shipping from this seller on ebay and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up more of these in different shades. LOVE!
I’m loving this little tub of goodness, so figured I’d share a few quick thoughts and photos….
Swatch on wrist in normal daylight no flash
Before
After
I still have bags, there’s no remedying that fact, but as you can see there’s a lot less blue/purple under my eyes in the after photo and the area appears slightly illuminated.
Method of application…
I like to use my finger and press a tiny amount under my eyes then follow with a pencil brush (or use whatever brush you like to use) to blend it all in. The trick is to only use a small amount of product and do not place it right under the eyes, this will help prevent any cakeage/sinking into fine lines.
I find it very comparable to the Laura Mercier Secret Concealer (which I also own) in terms texture, colour and performance, but this is the one I find myself reaching for on a more regular basis, plus it’s much cheaper and has more product, win win!
Where from and how much?
I purchased mine from Asian Secrets store on Ebay for about $10 with free shipping.
This is a mishmash tag because I’ve been tagged a few time recently and I kind of lose track, I’m a busy mum and scatterbrain.
I was tagged by the lovely Amanda, Jac and Tammy to do the top ten products and ten things about me tags so here goes…
Ten Things About Me…
1. I love my life, my family, my home. I feel really fortunate and grateful in so many ways.
2. I like to collect dolls - Blythe, Licca, My Little Pony, and more recently Monster High, I don’t have a massive collection but the ones I have I treasure.
3. I’m a bit of a loner, not anti social but I do like being alone and doing my own thing and I’m not a fan of crowds.
4. If I could get away with eating greek yogurt with oats and honey for every meal everyday I probably would. I love yogurt!!!
5. I’m a bath person, I’ll shower if I’m in a rush, but really taking a bath is more my thing.
6. I’m tired and think I should get some iron supplements or floradix, breastfeeding as well as being pregnant wears me out a bit.
7. I want to grow my hair past my bottom.
8. I might take next week off blogging to do some gardening, I like gardening.
9. I like noisy music, not much of a pop fan or folk fan. In my running time I love to listen to punk/techno/ska/rap.
10. I really miss running, I should have kept it up through pregnancy, I have dreams about running, I can’t run on a treadmill, I need to run outside with the sun/wind/rain/fresh air.
Top Ten…
1. Chanel Vitalumiere, I’ve never found a foundation more perfect for my skin and my needs/expectations.
2. Benefit creaseless creams, an oldie but a goodie, great alone, great as a base.
3. Estee Lauder Crystal Baby, this lipstick will be forever my no hassles, go to shade.
4. Eco tools foundation brush, it’s small but I just really love it, I have two.
5. Haus of Gloi pumpkin butters, they’re just awesome, really moisturising and really scented, all round amazing!
6. Dior Amber Diamond, the perfect highlight powder, even perfect as a shimmery eyeshadow.
7. Illamasqua cream blush in Sob, baby doll cheeks!
8. Wylde Ivy Green Grass perfume, ahh the scent of summer.
9. Sleek blushes - I have a few, they’re all awesome, want more!
10. Venus razor, I haven’t shaved in umm an embarrassingly long time but when I do I know this one will cut through the forest of hairs with no hassles.
I tag whoever wants to do this/hasn’t been tagged yet!
xo
