January Glossybox

I was lucky enough to win a 6 month subscription to Glossybox Australia at the Melbourne Beauty Bloggers event, after getting one of the top marks in the quiz (no idea how I swung that one!) After receiving some of my boxes, I decided it was time to review one. Introducing, the January Glossybox!

I've seen some negative reviews of this edition, but to be honest I was quite happy when I opened up my Glossybox. In this box I received 5 sample sized items, along with Australia Day temporary tattoo's and vouchers for online fashion store The Iconic.

I will be passing the temporary tattoos over to my niece as she loves them, and I'll have a gander at The Iconic, though each voucher states you must spend at least $49 to receive the $25 off. There was also a card for $5 off a Glossybox Men box, which I am contemplating getting for Chris. More info on that here.

I was elated to see the blue Mirenesse tight liner in my box, as I much prefer it over the option that some others got, which was a pale pink Sally Hansen polish. I quite like a coloured liner, and this 'saphire' blue shade, despite being spelt strangely, is lovely. I've used it twice so far, and it does tend to fade a tiny bit over extended periods of time, but other than that I'm a fan. A full review to come, for sure.

I've never tried Sheer Cover products, so it was nice to see something new. I dislike glosses in pots/palettes so won't be giving this a go though- this too will go to one of my nieces.

This 30ml Sheer Cover moisturiser is more up my alley, and I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I like that it has SPF15 and is oil and fragrance free, and I'm thinking of taking it with me to Thailand as the packaging is nice and lightweight,too.

Wasn't wowed at the sight of a small Nivea body moisturiser, but I haven't tried this formula before and I know it'll be great to pop in my carry on for my upcoming holiday, so I'm happy with it. Relieved that it isn't in sachet form!!

Was excited to see this Kosmea daily facial exfoliant in my Glossybox,as I am mad for a bit of exfoliation! I was a bit jealous when I saw others received an Estee Lauder serum, but in all honesty this product suits me better anyway. I have already tried it and am happy so far, but will be doing a full review when I've given it a few trials.

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All in all I was pleased with this months Glossybox, and can't help but adore the box that it comes in. I'm planning on setting up a study area/makeup desk soon and plan on using them to divide my things. I'm almost at the end of my free 6 months, and am contemplating jumping ship from Lust Have It to Glossybox. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think I should do in the comments below!

(Glossybox Australia retails for $14.95 per month here, but I won a 6 months subscription so am not paying for the service at this time. This is no way affects the review or experience. Honesty, always.)

Shiro Cosmetics- Master Sword

This beauty blogging business has opened my eyes to the world of indie cosmetics. I am the kind of person to always buy from the local businesses, as my Dad always taught me to help out those who need a boost. Rather than always shelling out bucks to bigger businesses like Starbucks or MAC, I like to get my kick from small coffee shops on corner stores or online only cosmetic companies. Shiro Cosmetics is an easy company to give my money to!

This image courtesy of Shiro Cosmetics, was not taken by me

I bought a stack of samples from Shiro a while ago and never got around to showing you the haul. One of my favourite shades from the bunch was Master Sword, and I wore it a while ago and took some shots.

Master Sword is described by Shiro as a

'Super-glittery pale taupe - a blend of silver and gold, with bright silver sparks. Lip-safe!'

This is quite a cool-toned taupe, and I thought I would show you it in comparison to the more golden S.S. Anne which is my very favourite from Shiro (so far)

I just threw a wash of Master Sword over the lid and did a rushed mascara application. I recommend applying Shiro eye shadows over primers/bases as I feel they need something to grip to in order to last without creasing. This doesn't faze me at all as I use a base every day, it's my auto pilot mode. 

A shimmery, satin sort of finish for this shadow. I love shades that can be worn by themselves but still look really nice, and this really does. It looks even nicer in real life than in these images.

Master Sword adds a nice subtle light to the eye, and topped with mascara is easy as pie.

I really liked the sample shadows I purchased from Shiro, they are only $1.00 and full size retails for $5.00. I chose a whole stack of samples and my shipping only came to $1.75! You can buy Master Sword (from the Legends Collection) here, and see what else Shiro has to offer here.

Have you purchased from Shiro Cosmetics before?

What indie makeup companies do you recommend I try next?

We Have A Winner!

I wanted to thank all who entered my Botani birthday giveaway for making my very first giveaway so successful! One of the best things about being offered things to trial for this blog is finding stellar products I wouldn't have come across otherwise, and I'm so glad I get to share this great body scrub with one of you!

The New Years resolutions you shared were great, and ones I will definitely take on board!

-spending more time & money on memories rather than material objects

-becoming more organised

-exercising, taking vitamins and just generally taking care of yourselves

-working on blog and making money to travel more

-stop being a wallflower (that was my 2011 goal, I aced it, and feel like I can do absolutely anything now!!)

-finding a part time job after being a SAHM

All wonderful resolutions, ladies!

I decided to skip using sites to choose my winner, I wanted to do it the old school way...

Wrote all of your names down on a sheet of paper

Chopped 'em up, folded 'em

Made my sick Mum stick her hand in the bag with her eyes closed- all she asked was "Did I enter?"

CONGRATULATIONS KARLENE!!
I've emailed you and your Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub is on the way!

Thank you all again for entering, I'll be sure to have another giveaway soon! Perhaps I'll pick something up while on holiday for you to nab!

Australian!

Yesterday was Australia Day, a day off to celebrate the amazing country that I am lucky enough to live in. Though my parents were both born in Scotland, they count themselves as true blue Aussies, too (Mum wore an Australian flag tshirt, so cute) I was brought up with backyard barbies and the Dad's from the street sharing a tinnie at the letterbox with their kids around their feet, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Proud to be Australian:) 

I spent our National day the best way I knew how- lazing around, being taken out for lunch, and watching the Australian Open on the telly. I snapped some iPhone pictures along the way.

A slap dash face today, as I have limited makeup at Chris' and had to make do. Main features were Essence Silky Touch Blush in 'Adorable' topped with a little bit of MAC's 'Hand-Finish' (shimmerbomb!) MAC paintpot in 'Chilled On Ice' over my lid with some mascara and the winner of the day...Face of Australia's Malibu Barbie! A full post on this will be up soon, adore this bright pink lipstick.

My outfit of the day (though I spent the first half in my pjs!) I'm in love with my new maxi skirt, total bargain from Kmart right there. Wore it with a t-shirt I stole from Chris' Mum, told you I had limited resources at his place;)

hey fatty photo! with Chris' Mum's sunnies, yeesh.

But my FOA Malibu Barbie lipstick looks pretty rad, you must agree. This was taken at the cafe Chris took me to for lunch, yum yum

Popeye pizza! Smothered in spinach and fetta, my kinda indulgence right there. Chris ordered gnocci with bolognese sauce, no picture because it was all meaty and gross looking.

San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa, my favourite flavoured soft drink

Yep, that's me as we went through the car wash. Weeeeeeeeeeee

Sat in front of the telly with Sox aka Soxy Soxington and watched Federer and Nadal square off.

A lovely Australia Day indeed :)

What did you do this fine day?

Even if you aren't an Aussie, I'd love to know!

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

I'm normally one to fall in love with sweet or sugary scented lotions, so when this Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion fell into my lap I didn't think it would steal my heart. It is fragrance-free and says it will moisturise for 24 hours. Here is what Aveeno says about it:

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion is a naturally nourishing, non-greasy lotion with natural colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients to actively soothe and protect dry skin. Proven to moisturise the skin for 24 hours, increasing the skin's moisture level by three times within four hours. Fragrance free.

Here is what I have to say about it: it rocks!

Since trying this out, I have come to appreciate it's lack of scent. It works beautifully with any perfume and does not compete, and most importantly sinks in so quickly it's unbelieveable. The one thing that can turn me off a lotion is the waiting period, when you're standing around impatiently waiting for it to sink in so that you can get dressed,so this moisturiser is perfect for me. It's sort of silky when you rub it in, but still doesn't cling to clothes at all so you can pop it on and dress straight away.

This is now my HG body lotion, and I will definitely be repurchasing when this bottle runs out. I'll also be grabbing the handbag size for my upcoming trip to Thailand.

PROS:

pump bottle means easy/lazy access (354ml size)

sinks in immediately

super affordable so you can use it all over your body

dermatologist tested

gets rid of my scaly winter legs, ready for bikini days!

non-comedogenic, so won't clog pores

CONS:

can't think of a thing

DETAILS:

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion is available at Priceline, Supermarkets and Pharmacies Australia wide, and is also popular in the US. It comes in 3 convenient sizes:

71ml for $3.95 AUD (perfect for travel!)

225ml tube for $9.95 AUD

354ml for $12.95 AUD (pump bottle)

This product was provided for consideration for review which in no way affects my opinion- honesty, always.

a drugstore flakie?

I was in Priceline looking for the Face of Australia Pink Champagne lipstick when I saw a glint of awesomeness out of the corner of my eye...lo and behold, an affordable and easy to find flakie!

Australis have just released this Crystal Colour Top Coat 'Speck-Tacular', which claims to be a strengthening top coat with holographic reflective flakes. Flakes! As an aside, you may have noticed that I now have falsies on. I wanted to have chip-free nails for my birthday and an upcoming wedding I am maid of honour in, and this is the route I chose. They are in need of a touch up, though!

I originally used this as a topper on my accent nail, but then decided I wanted more and coated all of my nails with two coats of Crystal Colour in 'Speck-Tacular'. The base polish is OPI's Planks A Lot from the Pirate's of the Caribbean Collection (collection swatched beautifully by 'Chelle over here at Cosmetic Cupcake)

 In some lights the flakes are orange and light up like fire, while in others they appear green and deep-sea like. I can't stop staring at my nails, I was having a dip in my cousin's pool and she pulled me up on it. I couldn't help it, the water was making it sparkle harder!

the claaaaw of awesomeness

I was so stoked to find a flakie at my local Priceline, I had been sighing over the Inglot flakies but wasn't sure if the trend would last long enough for it to be worth it. They are almost $10 more than this one, so I'm glad I could purchase this and dip my toe into the flakie trend easily. Turns out, this is the sort of trend I can see myself wearing for a long time. Thanks Australis!

This product retails for $7.95 AUD. Cheap as chips!

This item was purchased with my own cash and is not sponsored- honesty, always.

Vampire's Love

The last monthly release from Essence saw them leap onto the vampire trend with vigour. I don't mind the odd True Blood episode or Twilight tune out, but I'm definitely not in the 'vampire obsessed' category. I still fell for this collection, however, and think the execution tread the line between vampy and cute perfectly.

The Vampire's Love line is limited edition, and contains a range of polishes, two lipstains, one blush gelee, shimmer powder, lash thickener, perfume and an eyeshadow palette. I was a good girl and only chose a few items.

Only 5 things, see how restrained I was! (I have since gone back to get more...) I am planning on doing in depth reviews on some of these, but thought I'd post my initial thoughts now so if you were interested you could pick the pieces, as they are limited edition and will be gone soon.

Six gorgeous shadows for $7.50 AUD? It was an easy decision, and I think the shade selection in 'Love at First Bite' leaves room for wearable daytime looks as well as smokier night ones. I'll be doing a look with this palette soon, and more swatches.

This 'Bloody Mary' blush gelee gives a red flush to cheeks, and is sort of like the jelly version of Benefit's Benetint, but much more affordable. I love that the packaging is clear, I think it looks really cool. From memory it was around the $3 mark.

 I assumed that the two lip stains in the Vampires Love range were going to have slant tip applicators as the tube is squeezy, but I was delighted to see a doe foot inside! Best of both worlds, I am a happy little vampire girl and love the 'True Love' shade that I chose. As you can see from the above image, it really does 'stain', that was my attempt at rubbing away the swatch with a wipe.

To really appreciate how amazing these polishes are, you need to see them in person. Photos will never do them justice, especially Gold Old Buffy, which is officially the prettiest polish I own. Captivating, can't stop staring at it and I'm not even a dark nail lover.

Overall I think I did well with this collection, I went back to buy the speckled grey/white polish as I couldn't stop thinking about it. I think they pulled this theme off really well, and I appreciate the range of vampy influence they drew from (Buffy, Sparkly aka Twilight, darkness motifs, myths like Bloody Mary)

I'm very happy with my choices, what do you think of them? Did you pick anything up from the Vampire's Love collection?