Instant Repurchase

Though I rotate cosmetics like there is no tomorrow, often I stick with some star products from the lineup. A product has to absolutely knock it out of the park for me to repurchase, so for these to jump back into the stash instantly speaks volumes!

Face of Australia Liquid Liner – This was originally a PR sample which I adored. I misplaced it, and ran out to grab another one quick smart. I then found the first, so have two floating around my stash and both are still going strong with no sign of drying out. This comes with a fine brush style tip and is a deep inky black. I was terrible at liquid liner before I learnt with this brush, and now I have the confidence to use lots of different sorts of liquid liners! A game changer, and affordable to boot.

Bioderma Crealine H20 – Ah Bioderma, the cult favourite that came into my world and swept me off my feet. Again this originally came to me via PR, I have repurchased this quite a few times now and still love it for the initial cleanse each night. I have temporarily put it on the backburner in an effort to show love to (aka use up!) my other cleansing waters and oils, but when they bite the dust it is me and this guy (and Dermalogica Preclease, 3 peas in a pod)

Lush Lip Scrubs – I change up the flavour every time, but keep going back to this little jar of soft lip-making goodness. Basically a sugar and deliciousness blend, this is an easier option for me as I can’t be bothered making my own lip scrub. Tastes deliciously sweet (duh!) and comes in a bunch of flavours, this is well worth the cash.

Guerlain Champs Elysees – I think everyone has that ‘one scent’ that just suits them perfectly and makes them feel a million dollars, and this is the one for me! Quite a mature fragrance, this is strong and makes me feel powerful and in charge. I’ve gone through bottle after bottle of this, and am looking forward to picking up yet another one from Paris on our honeymoon a few years down the track.

Rimmel Match Perfection Crème-Gel Foundation – Yet another love that first came to me via PR! I fear this is discontinued now that the new bottled version has taken its place on the drugstore shelves, so I am planning on stocking up when I find some in my shade in a discount bin. A foundation that covers it all but looks just like skin (seriously, it is undetectable!) this is my HG formula.

What products are instant repurchases for you? Do you tend to chop and change as much as I do, or are you loyal to a few key players in your beauty team?

 

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder // Rave Review, Photos, Swatch

I've only really delved into the world of face powders via the drugstore, and haven't tried any high end setting/translucent powders to date. Of all of the affordable face powders I've tried, Maybelline's Dream Matte powder reigns above all!

As you can see from the massive pan showing, I love this dearly. This is my third, perhaps fourth pan of Dream Matte, and though I've still been dipping my toe into other brands I always come back to this one.

I use this as an all-over setting powder (I generally use liquid foundation) and find that it doesn't give full coverage, and does help to hide some imperfections in the skin when I use a light coverage foundation. I used this in conjunction with my Invisible Zinc tinted moisturiser whilst in Thailand earlier in the year and found that it toned down the greasy, sunscreen look of the TM but still looked beautifully natural. Here is a picture of me wearing the TM with Dream Matte, just for reference:

 And as a side note, Chris has a wee bit of Dream Matte powder on in that photo,too! I made sure I slathered him in sunscreen while we were there, but he didn't like the shine either. Sun protection is worth it though, just powder it! I really wish I was in Thailand right now *rugs up next to heater with hot chocolate*

The packaging is a little bit bulky, as it contains a swing out section underneath the actual pan which holds a large mirror and powder puff. I actually use the mirror for all of my touch ups (as you can leave the powder section closed and still use the mirror) and so I find the packaging perfect for me. I don't often use the puff, but I like having it there if I forget a brush or just want to dab the powder on.

I don't find that the Maybelline Dream Matte powder cakes on me, even when I neglect blotting and just throw it on during the day for a touch up. It works well to control my oily t-zone and I can last until after lunch before I feel I need to check my face or freshen myself up.

The powder is fragrance-free and dermatologist/allergy tested, oil-free and won't clog pores. I wear the shade Cream (Light 4-5) and find it suits me perfectly.

What powder do you recommend I try next?

Have you tried anything from the Dream Matte line?

*This product was purchased by me (over and over again!) Honesty, always.

Korres Jasmine Lip Butter-Review and Swatches

You know those products that you hear so much about but end up a disappointment after the hype dies down? Not so with this baby! I have fallen madly in love with the Korres lip butter, and I let out a sigh every time it's smushy goodness hits my lips. Establised in Greece in 1996, the Korres brand is available through kit cosmetics and mecca cosmetica/maxima in Australia.

 The sturdy plastic pot of this lip butter has survived a drop on my bathroom floor, and because I have only used clean fingers when applying I have no fear of any pot-gloss related nasties forming. The lid for this shade is a pale dusty pink colour that I think is very attractive, and is a twist open style. It is lightweight because it is plastic, but I still find it a hardy enough design that is perfect for the thick formulation contained within.

The top has the brand name and shade in both Greek and English. This lip butter is marketed on the Korres website as:

As you can see in the above image, these lip butters are not clear but have a hint of tint to them. I found it so hard to get a good lip shot of this, so I am sad to say that I do not have one to share with you. I can tell you that Jasmine applies as a pale milky pink tint, a finish which I am generally not a fan of. To counter the milky nature of the shade, I run my finger over my lips once more after applying to really push the product in, and then I am left with a pleasant shade which looks like MLBB (my lips but better) You can see above how thick this baby is, and it really does melt into the lips with no effort whatsoever. With most lip products I own require warming up at time (cold mornings etc) but this never needs it.

What a beauty! Needless to say, the dip in the pot grows more and more every single day. I use it at the beginning of my morning routine to give it a chance to sink in, and I love that it's a little dose of aromatherapy every single time. I use it before bed also, and always wake up with soft and nourished lips in the morning. The Korres lip butter is petrolatum free and you can really feel the softness of the shea butter when using it.

A swatch of the Jasmine shade- please note, you shouldn't misjudge the softness of this and stick your clumsy fingers deep into it like I did. For $18.95 you get a little pot full of luxury for your lips, and I will be running back to Korres for another Jasmine or two when this runs out.

Have you tried the beautiful Korres lip butters?

What are your holy grail lip products?

emmabovary xx

Get Cheeky!

Oblivious to my connection with Sportsgirl cosmetics, I was surprised when I realised the other day that the bulk of my 'favourite' products come from the high street store. I'm not talking flash in the pan favourites, I mean deep down heart racing month after month favourites.

Favourite eye shadows? Sportsgirl

One of my top two lip gloss varieties? Sportsgirl

Favourite highlighter/blush? Sportsgirl

Almost every cosmetic item I've bought from the chain store has been a winner, and 'Get Cheeky!' is no exception. With all of the aforementioned products being discontinued (blush included) I decided it was time to hit up Sportsgirl for a alternate (the blush use is rationed, lest I hit pan, in which case I think my heart will shatter)

I'd seen this blush/cheek and eye shimmer before, and thought it similar to the favourite of old.

"Just one stroke of GET CHEEKY will perk your complexion up in an instant.

 A pearlescent mix of a light bronze, light pink and a plummy shade of pink, this can be built up and used as a blush or used as a highlight underneath another shade. Lasting power is great, and though it isn't as shimmery as the first blush I fell in love with it, it's up there in the shimmer stakes. I haven't tried it out on the eyes yet, so I can't comment on the 'eye shimmer' aspect of it all.

I use a blush brush swirled over all of the shades for my cheeks, and I've loved the effect it gives me. The compact is sturdy and cute, and the pattern is effective and nice to look at. Yet another winner for Sportsgirl in the 'awesome cosmetics' stakes, I'm happy to have purchased this. I'll be sharing some more of my Sportsgirl favourites in upcoming posts, so look out for them!
Get Cheeky! retails for $9.95 and is available at Sportsgirl Australia Wide
Are you loving Sportsgirl cosmetics?
emmabovary xx

Product was purchased with my own cashola, I have no affiliation with Sportsgirl (apart from loving them sick!)

Lip Balm Love-Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer

Am a fan of Burt's Bees as a brand, and was properly introduced to them via the Liptember promotion they held last September. They placed stands with their Rhubard lip shimmers at Priceline checkouts, and for a ten dollar donation you could get one with all proceeds going towards The Royal Women's Hospital.I loved the idea of it all, so threw one in with my haul that day. Fell in love, hard.

Packaging: Skinny yellow and red tube. Love that it's tall and slim as it fits so well if I'm going out and only have a small bag, and takes up less room in my makeup stash in my everyday handbag. Perfecto!

Taste: From most of the Burt's Bees range I get a little 'organic' taste..I know this is not a technical term, but hope you all know what I refer to when I say this. Not offensive in the slightest in this product.

Smell: None of that smell that the Burt's Bees balm I reviewed the other day has, which I'm happy with.

Texture: Silky, but the shimmer particles make it a little more gritty. This makes it stick to my lips a lot better, but is not too gritty as to make it uncomfortable. Absolutely LOVE the feeling of this balm, so nourishing and is like a treatment and lip colour in one!

Aesthetics: A stunning shimmery berry-ish colour, I think the name Rhubarb sums it up really well as it is unique and darker than your 'strawberry' sort of shades. Not too sparkly, makes lips look super healthy and gives enough colour to wear all by itself.

Reapplication: Lasts for ages and ages on me, and is a lip product that I rely on for this.

Repurchase:As my raving would suggest, this is a HG product for me. I would repurchase till the cows came home, and want you to try this for yourself!