Scents of September- L'EAU D'ISSEY,Burt's Bees and Yankee Candles

The weather in Australia is generally all over the place, and Melbourne is no exception. Known for having four seasons in a single day, we sort of get the best of all worlds while getting the short end of the stick as our summer dresses are soaked in rain.

I have been struggling to keep up with the constant changes, and my poor skin has been battered. I received this Burt's Bees Almond Milk Hand Creme in a mini pack I hauled a while ago, and it's only now receiving love from me. It smells like yummy almonds and reminds me of biscuits, and is great at coating my hands to keep the elements out. It's quite thick and waxy, but good at its job so I shan't complain.

For those sunny days, I've been loving this L'Eau D'Issey sample. I have no idea how I came to own this baby perfume, but mmm it's good. Chris' brother is a massive fan of Issey Miyake fragrances and it reminds me of him when I wear it. He's pretty awesome, so it's a good connection:) It's a heavy yet light scent, and feels both masculine and feminine to me. I can picture myself wearing this out to dinner or just to the shops, so it is a versatile scent to my nose. It's obvious I am bad with scent description, so just give it a sniff next time you're out and about.

The gorgeous PR for Yankee Candles realised I couldn't attend the Sydney launch as I'm Melbourne based, so was kind enough to fill up a parcel with Yankee goodness and mail it out to me! Was very happy to see scents I might not have picked for myself, and I've been loving Clean Cotton for those times when the rain has gone but the damp feel remains, and you just need something clean and fresh to take over. I've also got the melts in Fluffy Towels which I'm keen to try, and I think the name is super cute.

That rounds up my top scent picks for September, I was lucky enough to receive some perfume samples from Coty at ABBW last weekend so am gearing up to fall in love with them in October. My IMATS/ABBW posts are coming, I'm still recovering from all of the excitement so it's taken me a while to get organised. Let me know what scents you've been loving lately, or if there are any you think I should have a sniff at.

emmabovary xx

Lovely Liptember!

Liptember is a wonderful Australian initiative that supports women's health, and is a fun campaign that involves rocking a signature shade for the month of September. This year I haven't worn the official shade exclusively, but have been loving it quite a bit. Burt's Bees are a favourite company of mine, and this year they've put their new tinted lip balm in Hibiscus to the forefront of the campaign. I'm wearing Hibiscus in the above image, and because it has been Instagram-ed I will note that the tint is more vibrant that it appears there. The shade is really wearable and the formulation moisturising, so you can support Liptember safe in the knowledge that you will get wear from this product all year round. Hibiscus is available for purchase for $10 from Myer nationwide, with all proceeds from sales and donations going towards the Centre for Women's Mental Health and Lifeline Australia. As I myself am not wearing Hisbiscus exclusively, I'll direct you towards the beautiful Jess from the Belle Lumiere  whose sponsorship page is located here if you wish to donate towards this terrific cause. A quality product for $10 is not something to be sniffed at, and the chance to help women around you with something as simple as lip balm is an idea I'm sure many of you will support :)

emmabovary x

Milani Baked Blushes Haul ft. swatches, first impressions + extras

Quite a while ago I made an order with Cherry Culture, and thought it was about time to share with you what I bought!

I had been eyeing off the Milani baked blushes, and Tiffany from WillWorkForMakeup's posts here, here and here pushed me right into the lap of Cherry Culture. It was my first purchase from them, and though it took a little while (can't remember exactly how long) I was content with the shipping and delivery.

Luminoso(05), Corallina(08), Berry Amore(03)

I figured that since I was paying for shipping anyway, I might as well make the most of it and throw 3 Milani shades into my basket, even though I wanted Luminoso the most. Turns out it was a great gamble, I have fallen in love with Berry Amore.

Corallina with arm swatch. This is the shade I've had the most problems with, as it can be quite glittery and unnatural looking at times. Still think it is really nice, though.

Berry Amore atop previous shade, and looking very 'bronzery', in the next swatch it looks closer to actual colour. It leans into a plum shade with some neutral running through it, I think it's super pretty in person.

Luminoso atop the two previous shades. This is the one I've heard spoken of most from the baked blush range, and I do like it on. It's a strong peach shade and unlike anything I have in my collection thus far. I haven't worn them all enough to warrant a full review just yet, but they are all very pigmented and can be a tad powdery sometimes.

Tilt ya head!

Just another shot of the shades swatched, in order from left: Luminoso, Berry Amore, Corallina. Taken in natural light next to window.

I'd seen people blogging about this and thought for such a cheap price I had to throw it in with my order. I chose the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to use underneath some of my bright eye shades to enhance them, but am still playing around with it and haven't decided if I like it yet.

Milk Swatch :)

Cherry Culture were also kind enough to throw in this free Bubble Gum lip balm with my order! Thinking of gifting it to my neice though, as I have too many balms as it is.

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I was pleased with my first order from Cherry Culture, and will happily buy from them in the future. I've been liking the blushes and am glad to have been able to get my hands on them, as it is notoriously hard to down here in Australia as some of you may know.

Have you purchased from Cherry Culture before, or tried the Milani baked blush range?

emmabovary xx

In & Out

In the midst of craziness with all of my assignments due and unwritten and my excitement for ABBW and IMATS growing, I thought I'd share the things I'm loving and loathing lately.



Image taken from sterling-wellness.com



In

* Wellbeing Wednesday is a whopper of an idea that I'm grabbing with both hands. I saw this over at Jess' blog and need all the motivation  I can get in regards to bettering my life. A group challenge is offered (this week is to workout 3 times!) and you can set a personal challenge to share with everyone,too. For info head to Jess' post . I'm yet to decide on my personal challenge but I'll be sure to let you know when I do!

*Procrastination in the form of the box-I've really been enjoying Underbelly Razor that is being aired in Australia right now, and as always I'm riveted by Jersey Shore as they roll all over Italy. Also watched quite a few films over the weekend, and have fallen in love with Steve Carrel all over again!

*Spent the weekend at my best friend Candice's farm and ahhh the serenity! She made us (Chris and I) the best food while we were there too, wowza.

*Rocked the same look all last week (and today!) which consists of:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

Sportsgirl champagne and neutral brown shade with MAC Mink&Sable in the crease

NYX Peach Blush

Model's Prefer Glitz & Glamour highlighter

Jack Black balm in Grapefruit & Ginger

Will hopefully nail some nice shots of this during the week to share.

Image taken from  http://wallpapers.net/view/sad_face-normal.html

Out

*Having so many assignments due when all I want to do is read all of your lovely blogs! The readings alone are overtaking my life, and my lovely farm weekend means I go nil work done so am struggling today.

*Instant coffee. I just can't deal with it anymore, I've been spoiled by good cafe coffees and my sights are now set on the orange coffee machine of my dreams (it's on the xmas list!) Nescafe just isn't cutting it anymore

*Bronzer. I have tried so many types and techniques, but it just looks bleh on me and I can't stand it. I want to look healthy more than tanned, but just can't seem to nail it. If anyone has tips, share!

*A Current Affair and Today Tonight because they are pure shite.

What is in or out for you this week? Hope your Monday is rocking, I'm looking forward to meeting a bunch of you in Sydney this weekend!

emmabovary xx

My Inglot Brights palette (and a FOTD with it)

When Chris and I celebrated our 3 year dating anniversary earlier this year, we decided to forgo the expensive hotel in favour of his parents beach house. Thanks to this, we were able to exchange presents, and here I share with you the beautiful Inglot colours that were chosen by my man just for me! (Note: He knew I wanted the pink shade, all others were random brights he liked when he swatched them. Yes, I've taught my man to swatch!)

It is quite obvious that the boy likes me in brights! I also think he thought it would be easier for him to choose winners in this range than in the more neutral shades. I knew he was building me a palette, but didn't go in with him to sway him into any colours.

The only shade I am disappointed with is the purple, which I had to push to show up in the swatches. Am yet to try it on the eye so will let you know if it works better in action. The reason I've not shown the palette was because though my man was great at choosing colours, he forgot to see which shade numbers they are :( My plan is to head in with my palette and check instore for you, so let me know if you want to know about any of the shades.

All of the shades are on the shimmery side which I love, and when I recently went to see Jennifer Byrne interview Christos Tsiolkas I created a look with the two end shades.

Yes, I went for a matchy matchy scarf, I couldn't help myself! The colour in this is washed out quite a bit but the overall look is there. Just a note, these aren't the most flattering photos but I felt really pretty on the day, and this was what came out.

I used the teal/turquoise shade in the centre of the lid and brought the bronze through the crease, in the inner corner and along the lower lashline.

I am still a novice with my eye makeup, but I'm happy with how this looked in real life and the bright touch it added to my dark outfit. There were a few more images of the look but I looked super angry in them, I think I was channeling the biker chick vibe with my faux-leather jacket on ;)

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I have been meaning to post the pictures from the day out I spent with Candice and wore this look, and wanted to share the pictures of her as well. She doesn't always wear make up (doesn't need to, naturally gorgeous) but I think it's fun when she changes it up a bit and it gets me excited. I bought her a Maybelline Colour Sensational lipstick in Pink Me Up a while ago, and this is it on her

So very sweet, it's a nice musky sort of pink that is nice and moisturising. For a non-lipstick wearer it is a really comfortable choice.

On the day she wore this strapless purple print dress that my Mum gave her, and the feather necklace that was mine but looks much better on her, so is hers now. I was pretty much dressed completely opposite in jeans and dark top with leathery jacket, but they say that opposites attract so it just worked.

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What look do you think I should do next with this bright Inglot palette? Chris just bought me a more neutral Inglot palette that I will be showing you soon, but I don't want to let this one fall to the side!

emmabovary x

A Summer Sparkler!

In the last few weeks Melbourne has felt the joy of sort of summery days, and when the sun came out in full force on the weekend I took advantage! Normally a lover of bright nails looks, this was right up my alley.

Shop Til You Drop and Kit always come up with polish winners, and this is no exception.  Shop Loves Sunset is a beautiful shade that was a freebie a while ago when you purchased STYD magazine. It's a gorgeous summery coral that is a lot brighter than it appears in my pictures. (They are taken in sunlight, and sorry about the state of my nails/cuticles)

I couldn't stop at a plain mani so chucked my new Ulta3 Confetti polish over each ring finger. It didn't look as great as I'd hoped but I think it would be great over cool toned shades. I do wish it applied exactly as it looks in the bottle, I always buy glitters hoping they will be opaque but they never are.

Anyone have recommendations?

Are you rocking summery nails already?

 emmabovary xx

Models Prefer 'Glitz and Glamour' Highlighter

Hi. My name is Emma and I once was a highlighter-phobe...

 ...until this fell into my Priceline basket. Hallelujah!

This caught my eye when the beautyheaven girls were showcasing the new look Models Prefer packaging and prodz, and I'm ever so thankful to them for that. My main struggle with highlighters was that they were liquid, and cut unnatural lines thru the foundation coverage that lay before them. Glowy, amazing cheeks are what I wanted, but what I got was silvery streaky lines of bad skin above the cheeks. Not hot in any sense of the word. Lo and behold, the powder formulation is a winner for me.

I love my Glitz & Glamour!

Sorry for the halved image, poor Mister Christopher's face is chopped out.

I think that is the glowiest I've ever looked in a picture (at least in a positive glow kind of way) and I love it (the glow I mean) It's all thanks to Models Prefer.

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I use a concealer type brush to apply this highlighter, and find it lasts well and doesn't look unnatural for day or night wear. As a blush it's pretty full on but to be honest, I really like that.

I like that you can choose shades and mix and match to your hearts content, I tend to use the two light pinks for highlighting if not just the bottom shade.

Swatched from top shade, clockwise, mixed at end

Same order but different view of wrist shade, which is all of the colours swirled together (which is how I use this as a blush)

The big kahuna, my perfect highlight shade. Sigh!

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I love the sleek, sturdy and sexy packaging, and am wowed by the product. I can't recall the exact price of this, but I know I got change back from a $20 and it's worth so much more. Run, now, I want to see you glow!

emmabovary xx

August Favourites!

Had a quiet month with most of my time spent in the uni library or at home studying, and these are the products I used and loved most.

Face of Australia 'Outback Translucent' Powder* and Models Prefer 'Glitz and Glamour' highlighter were an everyday staple for me. The FOA powder is everlasting, I can't imagine ever finishing it despite using it all the time. I have a review of the highlighter almost ready, it's a lovely product.

Essence Palm Tree Party trio from the Return to Paradise collection, MAC Painterly and Shiro Cosmetics S.S. Anne loose pigment were eyeshadow winners for me this month! I use Painterly under every eyeshadow and it works well for me. I use S.S.Anne over a natural eye look to finish it off, and I love the shimmery, multi-dimensional effect it gives. From the Essence palette I've been using the third shade across which is a beauty in disguise- so so in swatches, this pops hard on the eye! It's a hard shade to describe, for me it leans brown, purple, grey and taupe all at once. Beautiful!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation was a wonder for me this month, the original is my HG and this is just as good! Not very serum like, but great coverage and very moisturising. My Sugar Baby Vanilla hand cream was a bargain at $4.95 from Portmans, and the smell is incredible! Non greasy which was a must as I was (am still!) contantly typing on the computer.

Essence mini Colour and Go polish in Space Queen was popped over every other colour this month! I originally bought it to go over a navy for a galaxy inspired mani (post up soon) and loved the effect! A really pretty sparkle for over the top of other shades, but I'm also on the look out for a glitter fest polish to wear all on it's own. If you know of a great one, let me know!

That's it for August, did any of these products catch your eye?

emmabovary xx

(Face of Australia's translucent powder was sent to me for consideration for review from PR, but all opinions are honest and not influenced by that. Promise!)

Peach Crystal- Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Balm (Review+Swatch)

This little stunner jumped out at me during a cheeky Priceline trip a few weeks ago, and despite not needing it in the slightest, it somehow wangled its way into my basket.

The Revlon Summer Romantics collection is new out at my local, despite us Aussies only just heading into Spring. Nevertheless, a gorgeous collection that had me swooning.

If only it could make me look like Ms Alba!

And well priced as you can see
The lip balm pots jumped out at me, and as soon as I smelt the peachy goodness I knew Peach Crystal was the one for me.

Comes in a sturdy pot that has a slide out brush in the lid, great if you aren't a fan of using your fingers to apply lip products. This is safe to keep in your bag as it is super secure.

If you enlarge the image you can see the slight shimmer that runs through the balm. This doesn't translate to the lips, however, but adds a glossy sheen to the swatch.

The tint is quite sheer and only gives the slighest coral hint to the lips, so if you're wanting a good colour payoff this isn't for you. It would be really nice over a coral lip stain, so if you know of any please let me know.

The scent of this product is quite strong, so if you have an aversion to peach you should sniff before you buy. I personally love it, and it was the deciding factor in my purchase.
Pros:
Scent is killer
Nice glossy sheen
Very wearable
Pretty packaging
Non Sticky
SPF 15
Cons:
Packaging quite bulky for carrying in handbag
Jar form can be unhygienic (though this does come with a brush)
Minimal colour payoff
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A winner, despite its flaws!
My bestie is lusting after the cream shadow palette from the range and I'm sure I'll pick up something else from it soon, so I will get back to you when I do.
Have you tried anything from the Revlon Summer Collection?
Are you a fan of strong scents in lip products?
Do you know of any great coral lip stains?

emmabovary xx

August Empties

Happy spring my little birdies! August was a busy month for me in terms of uni work, and I'm proud to say I got a lot of work done and stayed generally on top of things. Hoping to finish more makeup items in September though, to make room for the inevitable IMATS/ABBW haul.

So it seems the shower and removal of makeup process is the one most done this August!

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Rose Body Scrub, whose brand I am unsure of as I don't speak a language other than English. I purchased this from Daiso in Doncaster (Victoria) and found to be a wonderful light scrub for everyday. Sadly they had none left when I went to repurchase (though they did have matching items in same scent) but I will keep my eye out and definitely get this again.
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Avon Naturals Grapefruit and Mint shower gel 200ml. Dad bought me a set of these for xmas and I've only just gotten around to using them. A nice lather and scent, but I'd like the scent to be a bit stronger as I like them full on. From memory they're around $2 each at xmas time, and come in a variety of nice scents. Will be grabbing more come December.

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Crabtree & Evelyn Clarifying Body Scrub with Eucalyptus and Essential Oils (50g) was a punch in the face! Scent was powerful and formula was nice and gritty, so if you like eucalyptus this could be for you. Smells too strong for me, so I won't be repurchasing.

Priceline Re-Balance Vitamin Enriched Moisturising Complex Facial Cleansing Wipes (25pack) are my holy grail of wipes. Nothing has beaten them so far, and I really can't see it happening.

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Swisspers Facial Wipes (25pack) stung like crazy, and I really regret purchasing a double pack of them. I used this for swatching purposes and to spot clean brushes after use. Will not buy again.

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Priceline Round Cotton Pads (100) are great for removing make up at night, and I find these to be great quality and cheap. Will be repurchasing when I run out of the pack of random brand ones I'm using right now.

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Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover is used in conjunction with the above cotton rounds for removing makeup, this doesn't sting and gets the bulk of my makeup off really well. I have found it to have trouble with the mascara I'm using at the moment, but since I don't like the mascara anyway I will not hold it against them;)

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo is a life saver for me, as my hair becomes oily quite quickly the more I work with it. To make blow drys/curls/straight hair styles last longer I spray this on the middle layer of my hair (lifting up top section to avoid the 'grey' look) wait a while and then massage it in. I find it gives me hair volume, too, which I love. The scent isn't my favourite but now that I am in the midst of planning my Thailand trip, I think I'll fall in love with it again! Tropical hair and holiday, be mine!

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Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara had a big wand that took me a while to get used to, but I did enjoy using it once I had a technique down pat. This is in my empties because I'm trying to be good and toss mascaras regularly, plus it had become quite dry and less comfortable on my eyes. This was a freebie with a magazine purchase, which was an awesome gift in my opinion!

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How much did you manage to use up in August? Have you tried any of the products I finished this month?

emmabovary xx

*Avon shower gel was gift from Dad, Benefit mascara was gift with magazine and the Face of Australia remover was a gift from PR which I have since repurchased. All other items were paid for by me, and I was not compensated for these mini reviews by anyone :)