Thursday 22 December 2011

December Bellabox Gets me Prepared to Party In Style!

The December BellaBox and last box of 2011 has finally arrived and the theme of the box is called 'Party in Style'! I love the concept of these beauty subscription services, despite knowing that not every item included in each box will make me smile from ear to ear! Still, I think it's a great concept to have the chance to trial products from brands that I love and have not come across before. The December box is the third BellaBox in the running and you can see my posts on the October BellaBox here and November BellaBox here.

I received a four generous  full sized products and one sample sized product:
December BellaBox
Savoir Faire Concealer Pack in Light, full size rrpA$35

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush, full size rrpA$9.95

Eylure Naturalites Eye Lashes, full size pack rrpA$11.95

Ozotic Elytra Nail Polish #530, full size 15ml rrpA$14.95

Elemis Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Mask, 3ml worth A$7 (full size 50ml rrpA$117)

BellaBox are so generous to include so many full sized products that the whole box was worth  ~$80, more than the cost of the box.

I love the concept of having an all in one concealer and I just still can't believe I received a full size concealer pack tailored to suit my skintone. I've tried the Batiste dry shampoo in Blush before and really like the floral scent. Dry shampoo is such a lifesaver when my hair needs attention! The Eylure lashes look volumous and full and I'm looking forward to using these when I get the chance. The Ozotic Elytra nail polish looks very glittery and pretty as you could see the glitters change from yellow to orange and to pink at different angles. I'm not a huge fan of luxury skincare masks and so the Elemis mask will go to mum who might be interested to try it out.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the December BellaBox and I'm happy to continue my subsciption with BellaBox.


Did you subscribe to BellaBox?
Which products did you receive in your December BellaBox?

Rose

Monday 19 December 2011

Christmas Gift Ideas For Someone Special

Christmas is just around the corner and if you're like me, you're likey inundated with an amazing array of beauty Christmas ideas that will make shopping so easy peasy! I've decided to share a list of gift ideas that I think would make someone in your mum, sister, cousin or bestie smile!

Soap & Glory You Cube, rrpA$39.95 at Kit Cosmetics
This spectacular Soap & Glory 'You Cube' is limited edition and contains 5 of Soap & Glory's best luxurious bath and body products. Everything comes packaged in a cute and sturdy box which means it can be re-used.

Bloom Cosmetics Fashion Mini Nail Polish Collection, rrpA$24.95
 Bloom Cosmetics offers a wide range of skincare and beauty gift packs and the Fashion Mini Nail Polish Collection pictured above would be an excellent gift idea. I'm certain there will be at least one shade that she will love!

Dior Christmas Palette, rrpA$142 at Myer and David Jones
Know someone who deserves an all-in-one beauty palette? Well Dior have definitely caught my interest on the 2011 Christma Palette which has everything you need in one sophisticated travel wallet adornedd with a cute bow. I bought this palette for my mother-in-law (she doesn't read my blog, so the surprise is safe!) and I can't wait to see the look on her face on when she opens her present!


Forever New Sienna Beauty Case, rrpA$69.99
This Sienna Beauty Case looks so luxe and beautiful! This beauty case would be great for not only storing beauty products but also great as a travel case.

Illamasqua Bespoke Freak Gift Set, rrpA$200 at Myer
Illamasqua has released their first scent called Freak. One of their Illamasqua Christmas gift sets reveal the fragrance Freak amongst your choice of Pure Pigment, Nail Varnish and Sheer/Intense Lipgloss. With this gift set, you're saving a total of $55 and you get to choose the shades of products, how good is that!

Napoleon Perdis Luxe Basics Brush Collection, rrpA$69
This four piece brush set comes with a foundation brush, buffing brush, primer brush and concealer brush. The brush pouch looks so luxe!

How much Christmas shopping have you done so far? Are you all ready and set for Christmas?
Which gift idea has caught your interest?

Rose

Saturday 17 December 2011

NOTD: Kit Cosmetics Get Going

My Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish Collection is slowly growing and I'm quite happy to introduce the shade Get Going to this small collection. Get Going is from the Limited Edition Summer Loving Collection and it's a very girly vibrant purple shade with irridescent shimmers. The finish is incredibly smooth for a glitterly nai polish, but that is beacause the shimmers are so tiny! Two coats provides a completely opaque finish.

Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish in Get Going

 Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish retails for $15.95 for a full sized 12ml bottle. Available online at www.kitcosmetics.com.au, Kit Cosmetics counters in Myer and Mecca Cosmetica.

Do you have a Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish Collection growing at present?
Which nail polish shades are you wearing this summer?

Rose

Thursday 15 December 2011

Silver Strip Half Moon Mani with Bloom Cosmetics and OPI

I've been having so much fun doing the half moon manicure on my nails. I'm not much of an expert when it comes to nail art, so I'd say the half moon mani is a very basic technique.

One of my favourite shades that I've been wearing is Bloom Cosmetics *'The Casette Society II' nail polish (gunmetal grey). The gunmetal grey shade suits the winter season, however, you can jazz it up and wear it to suit the Christmas season.

 I've used The Casette Society II as the base with Bloom Cosmetics 'Sibella II' (a gypsy gold shade) nail polish as the half moon (applied over the base) and a strip of OPI 'Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous' (from the OPI Irre-Swiss-Ables Collection) to highlight the half moon. Another reason why I love to use a strip of silver is to disguise an uneven half moon. I don't use any stickers or tape to acheive the half moon mani as it just gets too messy, so the best way for me to apply Sibella II is to simply swipe the nail polish across the base of the nails.





Are you planning on wearing the half moon mani this holidays?
Which shades are you loving at the moment? 

Rose 

*Products were provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Bloom Cosmetics and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Vogue Online Shopping Night: Mecca Cosmetica Mini Haul!

Wednesday the 30th of November saw one of the most anticipated Vogue's Online Shopping Nights (VOSN) of the year! There were a number of fabulous offers for fashion, accessory and beauty brands online. This is the first time I participated in the VOSN event as there was an offer for Mecca Cosmetica that was just too tempting to resist! 

The VOSN offer was for the first 150 customers to shop with meccacosmetica.com.au between 12noon and 12 midnight to receive an exclusive trio of mini Nars makeup products. 

The Nars mini pack included: 

Mini Blush in Super Orgasm 3.5g 
Mini Illuminator in Orgasm 8ml            
Mini Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Aigle Noir 2g

I purchased the Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish in Get Going, which is a pretty lilac shade with subtle shimmers.  

Mecca Cosmetica GWP Nars Mini Pack
Mecca Cosmetica Haul
Did you participate in VOSN?
Which offers did you take advantage of?

Rose

Saturday 10 December 2011

My MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Collection + Swatches

MAC has been one of my favourite colour cosmetics brands due to their diverse range of products and plethora of shades! Over the last few years I have accumulated a very small but lovely collection of the ever so popular MAC Mineralize Skin Finishes.

Sometimes I use MSF in place of blush, sometimes I use it on top of blush. I guess it's all about preference as some MSFs also give an overall pinch of colour rather than just the glow.  


MAC MSF L-R: Soft and Gentle, Smooth Merge and Naked You





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MAC Sheer Minerals Collection
Sheer Minerals Collection: Soft and Gentle- Gilded Peach Bronze




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MAC Lingerie Collection
Lingerie Collection: Naked You- Pale Beige with Grey and Brown Veining




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MAC Color Craft Collection
Color Craft Collection: Smooth Merge- Left: Pale Cool Pink , Centre: Deep Rose, Right: Soft Champagne Pink



L-R: Pale Cool Pink, Deep Rose, Soft Champagne Pink


What do you think about MAC MSFs?
Do you own any? Which MAC MSFs do you have in your collection?

Rose

Friday 9 December 2011

Gold Strip Half Moon Mani with Bloom Cosmetics and Hello Kitty

The half moon mani has become so popular these days that I decided to attempt this look using Bloom Cosmetics *'Sunday' nail polish and Hello Kitty Cosmetics 'Gun of Roses' nail polish. I also decided to emphasise the half moon by using the pointed tip of a bamboo skewer to apply Bloom Cosmetics *'Goldie' (opalescent gold) nail polish. 'Dabbing' the baboo skewer across my nails using the shade Goldie gives the effect of gold Christmas rope tassels.







Are you in the craze of half moon mani's?
Which combination's of shades would you reccomend wearing this holiday season?

Rose

 *Products were provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Bloom Cosmetics and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Review: OCC Lip Tar in Pageant

Obessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), well the brand name says it all! OCC Lip Tars have been the topic of makeup gossip these days after these gorgeous lip wonders appeared in the November Bellabox a couple of weeks ago. To see what I received in my November Bellabox click HERE.





Ok, back on topic to the OCC Lip Tars. I've heard so much about these Lip Tars that I'm very happy to have my hands on one of these super star lip products. The shade I have is Pageant which is a blue pink shade.


OCC Lip Tars are the most long lasting, bold and opqaue and brilliant innovation to exist in the cosmetic industry! I am utterly surprised as to how this lipgloss looking lip product gives the legendary result beyond the quality of not the regular lipgloss, but lipstick! 


These OCC Lip Tars come in lipgloss tubes with 8ml of product. I like that it comes packaged in a slanted tip applicator. Despite this, I would NOT reccomend applying the Lip Tar directly to the lips! It's best to use a lip brush with stiff fibres to apply this Lip Tar as the formulation is extremely pigmented and difficult to wipe off. Using a lip brush would help to apply this Lip Tar perfectly along the cupid's bow and lip line. It's also important to use minimal amounts of product as applying excess product could cause feathering along the lip line. 

This Lip Tar is VERY long lasting and I'm surprised my lips were still looking great after 6 hours! I did notice a slight stain on my coffee cup, though the intensity of Pageant remained the same. The rate of fading was very low, so eventually after about 10 hours (literally) the intensit of Pageant reduced, but it left my lips looking slightly pinkish and still looking very pretty. 

These OCC Lip Tars are seriously fabulous and I would definitely reccomend these for events where you just don't have the time to touch up your lips. For example, these Lip Tars would be great for weddings, parties and even work! 

There are so many shades in the OCC Lip Tar range that I'm looking forward to trying a few other shades. I recently came across xsparkage's Epic OCC Lip Tar Swatch post and she has probably swatched every shade in the range! Check out her awesome post here.

Have you tried OCC Lip Tars before?
Which shade is your favourite? Which shades do you reccomend?

Rose

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Introducing... November Australian Glossybox!

After two months in the running, Australian beauty sampling subscription service Beauty Box has now completely merged with global market leader Glossybox. Glossybox has been successful since they released their first edition Glossybox in May 2011 in the UK. 

Glossybox Australia is a subscription service which offers 5 deluxe sized samples from high-end and niche brands for a fee of A$14.95 per/month.

From the month of November, Glossybox brings you the same brands associated with Beauty Box  (Bio-Oil, Biotherm, Bobbi Brown, Calvin Klein Fragrances, Clinique, Essie, Garnier, John Frieda, Jurlique, Marc Jacobs Fragrances, Playboy Fragrances, Sally Hansen, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, Thalgo and Yves Saint Laurent) PLUS the following new additions: Illamasqua, Auscreen and Australis Cosmetics.

Glossybox has a new loyalty program where you could accumulate GlossyDots which you could redeem for a free Glossybox. Click here to read more about how you could earn GlossyDots.

Beauty Box has tipped the scales towards the unpleasant side of things which have been reflected from the feedback and reviews received from their September and October boxes. 

So, the question is: Is Glossybox a keeper or will the November box be the last??

Well, lets have a look at the contents of my November Glossybox...


The packaging of Glossybox is exactly the same as the original Glossybox from the UK, however, the design on the exterior packaging has red Glossybox logos rather than the original baby pink logos.  Inside the parcel is my Glossybox and you can see that the packaging is just beautiful! I love the attention to detail and I like that the box can be re-used for storage. The Glossybox is actually larger than both Beauty Box and Bellabox.

November Glossybox



The November Glossybox included a list of products included and a little description detailing each product. A total of 5 products plus a small bag of jelly beans were included in my box.



Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Ultra Firm and Lift Cream, 5ml worth A$9 (full size 50ml rrpA$90)
Age-Defying Ultra Firm and Lift Cream is a new release product from Jurlique. The cream is quite lovely and gentle to the skin. Despite being a cream targeted to mature skin, I would still use this deluxe sample just to keep my skin moisturised. 

Also included in my Glossybox is a voucher card which offers 15% off any products in-store. However, the voucher is valid until November 30th 2011. The Glossyboxes were meant to be sent out mid-November, however, a delay had caused the Glossyboxes to arrive two weeks late. The voucher is now of no use and I'm not too sure if the crew at Glossybox will make-up for this.

Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil, 15ml worth A$4.50 (full size 200ml rpA$60)

I've got a bottle of Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil already, so this cute little bottle would be great for travel! Cleansing oils are great at removing makeup effortlessly. Like they say in Science, 'Like dissolves like', so that's why cleansing oils work so well to remove makeup!





Bio-Oil Treatment Skincare Oil (full size 60ml rrpA$14.95)
I've never used Bio-Oil before and thought it was a cleansing oil at first. Then I wondered why Glossybox would include two cleansing oils in the one box! Bio-Oil is in fact a treatment oil which aims to heal scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tones. I'm surprised to receive a full sized bottle! Sounds interesting and worth trying!


Essie Summer Nail Colour in Meet Me At Sunset (Essie Summer Nail Colour Collection), 5ml worth A$6.30 (full size 15ml rrpA$18.95)
I beleive some people received different shades of the Essie nail polish from the Summer Nail Colour Collection. The mini Essie bottle is so cute and I would much prefer using mini sized nail polishes as the larger size seems to dry out before I even get the chance to use it all up.


Meet Me At Sunset is an intense and vibrant orange with a very subtle pink opalescent sheen and it really does go well on my nails this summer. Heading towards Summer, even though it feels like Summer in Spring, I'm starting to pick up bright nails, so I will be seen wearing this shade. 


Mirenesse SD Forever Gloss in Hot Kiss (full size 14g rrpA$39.95)


I've never really had an interest in Mirenesse, so I wasn't too excited to see a Mirenesse gloss in my box. The shade I received was Hot Kiss which looks like a chocolaty brown maroon shade on the tube, however, when swatched it looks like a gorgeous dark berry/purple shade. Despite how pretty this dark shade of lip gloss is I was immediately put off from the smell! It smelt like sweet soap! Not at all great!

November Glossybox total worth ~A$75 !

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the contents in my November Australian edition Glossybox as I would use every single one of products included, besides from the Mirenesse Gloss. The pink jelly beans was a surprise to celebrate the launch of Glossybox (I think the pink jelly beans have now been consumed by my partner!). The contents in my Glossybox included two full sized products and three deluxe sized products which ranged from lips, nails, to skincare, so I think that's a good selection of products included. I've noticed there has been variations in shades and products for the launch edition of Glossybox, so I assume this Glossybox has been tailored to suit my beauty profile I provided on their site. 

Despite a delay in the shipment of the November Glossybox I will still give Glossybox another chance to see what is to come in December's Glossybox. Besides, the packaging is just too pretty and cute!

So, the answer to my question is...YES! GlossyBox is a keeper for me (for now) and I look forward to the December box which hopefully will arrive not too long from today.

What did you receive in your Glossybox?
Have you been stuck in the craze of beauty sampling box subscriptions?
Which beauty subscriptions services are you subscribed to and which service would you reccomend?

Rose