Spice Age

 

Mumma Bovary has long been raving about the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel formula, and so when Spice Age arrived I took more notice of it than I otherwise would have. The colour is definitely beautiful to look at in the bottle but the chocolate tones aren’t something I’m too comfortable with when it comes to nail colours, I tend to veer towards deep blue tones when it comes to dark shades like this. It wasn’t until I tried it on the nail that the true beauty was revealed though, cliché though that may be!

 

This is stunning, and something that I definitely recommend using a high shine topcoat with as the gloss factor will definitely ramp up the appeal of this shimmer-laden shade. It’s got that deep set shimmer that I find quite hypnotizing in a nail shade, and I quite like how it appears to be naught more than a warm black from a distance, but intense and complex up close. As much as I enjoyed wearing this shade, I know Mumma Bovary will wear it more frequently and adores the formula, so this is on my desk ready to give to her soon.

This post has reminded me that I really need to collaborate on a post with Mumma Bovary soon – what sort of post would you like to see? Her favourite nail polishes? What’s in her makeup bag? A makeup look for autumn? Let us know!

-Emma

*Polish provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Date Night Chocolate Smoky Eye

I have to admit that most of the Bovary household date nights are mainly coffee dates that are short and sweet, rather than my ideal dinner and movie combo (yes I am that much of a cliché, what can I say my minor at uni was cinema!) This look was created for a night out at China Bar, which is an amazing all-you-can-eat Asian Buffet place that we'd never tried before but ended up really loving! I pretty much ate my body weight in prawns and spicy calamari, but I like the think that my smoky eye added a little elegance to our face-stuffing session!

This makeup look could also serve as a favourites post of sorts, such is my love for many of the products I ended up using. I am a big fan of a chocolate smoky eye and sometimes wish that I felt more comfortable wearing a deep chocolate shade for daytime wear (that way I would get a lot more use from many of my makeup palettes, for sure!) I used a mix of the brown shades from my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette to create this easy smoky eye, and finished off the look by tapping some of that golden shade onto the centre of my lid to create some depth.

While I was waiting for the Revlon Lacquer Balms and Matte Balms to be released in Australia, I had this idea in my head that I would pick up heaps of them and add them to my Colourburst Crayon collection (which contains almost all of the original shades released!) Then I realised that I only wear my very favourites from the line up anyway, and so the sensible side of me won and I only grabbed one Lacquer Balm to enjoy. Ingenue is simply beautiful, a great nude that I find easy to wear.

Products Used:
Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette
Rimmel Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves mascara*
Covergirl Outlast foundation in 810
Physician's Formula highlighter
MAC Mineralise Skin Finish Natural in Light
Tarte Exposed blush
Revlon Lacquer Balm in Ingenue
Beyoncé Rise perfume*

photographer is obvs a fan of moon face close ups...

Do you have any cool date ideas for us?
What chocolate eye shadows do you love?

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Scrubbing with Chocolate // Palmer's Cocoa Body Scrub

Being a total body scrub snob, I initially dismissed the Palmer’s Cocoa body scrub when I bought a cheap pack which contained it alongside a body butter. The idea of a lotion-like scrub filled with sparse particles put me off, but being a fan of the brand I threw it into the shower anyway. I should know by now not to judge a book by its cover (or a product but the formula!) as this silky scrub has changed my opinion of what a body scrub can be. The chocolately scent is pure heaven (and has been helping me steer clear of Smarties…) while the texture of the scrub is really working for me. It is moisturising without leaving a noticeable film behind (pet hate right there!) because of the shea butter, cocoa butter and Palmer’s staple vitamin E, so it is almost like applying a body butter, in the shower! The scrublets in this are actually crushed up cocoa beans, which I think is pretty rad, and they do a top job of smoothing out my skin. All in all, this impressed me greatly considering I didn’t have high hopes for it at all. In fact, since it is only $10.99, I am going to repurchase when the chocolately goodness runs out, lest my skin get mad at me.

 

Are you a fan of foodie scents in the shower? Does the thought of scrubbing yourself with chocolate turn you on, or off?

 

 

*Bought this all by myself. Honesty, always.

Clarins Enchanted Colour Quartet and Liner Palette // Swatches, Review, Photos

Clarins have taken inspiration from traditional Indian sari's for their new Enchanted collection, and seeing the eyeshadow palette design for the first time truly impressed me.

The outer casing has beautiful detail on it, matching the prints on the shadows themselves which I found to be a lovely touch.

One thing I don't covet is the inclusion of miniature brushes- many companies do this, and I know a lot of consumers would prefer a slimmer palette as they have brushes they prefer using in their collection already. Some may like to have these on hand though, it is just personal preference. The mirror is definitely a great inclusion,even if it is never used it is always handy to have an extra mirror around!

As you can see from my swatches the shadows are not incredibly vibrant, which I think lends to them being easy to work with and once they are on the eye, they are really nice and give enough colour. This palette is an example of something really beautiful, but also something you could get use from at work and on weekends- a win win purchase really!

The sheen of the golden shade from this palette is outstanding, I've been regularly wearing this on my inner lower lashline to add a bit of oomph to my looks, even when the look isn't created with other colours from this palette. Although the purple is sheer in swatches, it is so good for a lower lashline colour, ever since my Kit Cosmetics makeover I've been searching for this and now I'm content.

The shadows are quite shimmery and give a nice glow to the lids, though they are much sheerer than palettes I normally go for. I have a face of the day coming up tomorrow so do be sure to check that out. I haven't really delved into the deep chocolate liner in the palette yet, but that purple and gold have really taken a hiding over the past month!

 

The Clarins Enchanted palette retails for $55 AUD and is available from Myer, David Jones and Adore Beauty.

 

Do you find it hard to dip into beautiful palettes like this?

Have you tried Clarins makeup before?

 

 

*This product was provided for consideration for review. Honesty, always.

 

Mint Julips!

I don't really know what persuaded me to purchase this, it was probably a blog post or a Lush scent-induced crazy moment in store. It took me a while to come around to it, but now I couldn't be without it! Mint Julips is just one of the Lush lip scrub offerings, and in my opinion one of the best. Vanilla and peppermint flavours this, and combined with the sugar it makes for a great multitasker- scrub your lips and cure your sugar cravings, all at once!

I originally thought the price of this Lush lip scrub was steep at $9.95, but others on the market are much pricier. Essentially this is just sugar and oils, but the taste and scent as well as the pretty packaging makes this little one oh so worth it.

The first few applications of this left much to be desired, as the oils had obviously seeped to the bottom a little bit. Once you get into it it's much nicer, and easier to work with as opposed to rubbing loose sugar on your lips.

As someone who loves to wear lipstick, I find that I need to scrub my lips regularly to ensure a smooth application each day. This is rough enough to get the job done without hurting my lips. I find that it works well before bed or even in the morning, as it doesn't leave any residue that would affect the colour going on top of it.

The Lush lip scrubs couldn't be easier to use, you simply take a fingerfull and rub it around your lips well. The best bit is licking it all off, and being left with super smooth lips!

Most Lush products come with a specific expiry date and I've been using this a lot as mine is coming up. This pot has lasted me quite a long time, and I will definitely be repurchasing. I'll be checking out some other scents while in Lush, but will probably stick to Mint Julips.

How often do you scrub your lips?

Have you tried the Lush lip scrubs?

Would love to hear how the other ones taste!

Tis' the season to eat chocolate!

Whenever Candice and I are feeling down about anything or feel lik a catch-up, we head to Max Brenner to drown in delicious chocolate heaven. At the start of the menu, Max explains how he came to be a chocolate man. This quote makes me swoon every time:

"But the truth is that I wanted to be a writer. One who gets up at noon, sits in cafes, writes until the following morning and devotes a book to an impossible, eternal love." How can you say no to that?

Warning: If you do not like a wee tipple in the land of the choc and/or deliciousness, back away slowly now.

My little lactose intolerant bestie has only been able to succumb to dairy quite recently, so this trip was a special one.
A 'White Shake' was ordered, which combines the flavours of coconut and lychee, two of her fave flavours. The gorgeous 'drink me' glass is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, a little touch that I love. The flavour was really strong and refreshing, both Candice and I thought it to be super-tasty.

If this picture is not the best advertisement for Max's, I don't know what is!

The waffles...oh, the waffles. I hang my head in shame and admit that I'd never had good waffles before this plate appeared at my table. Drizzled with Max's melted milk chocolate, this waffles were warm, crispy and oh so soft on the inside. We shared a plate of two, and though I was wanting more at the end I think it's because I'm a greedy-guts and not that I was still in need of a nibble.

A staple in my order at Max Brenner is his White Chocolate Chai. For only $6 you get the biggest pot of this heavenly goodness, which equates to roughly 3 cups full. The chai tea is expertly blended with white hot chocolate and is very sweet, and comes in the cutest pot I've ever seen. To pour from it you must sit the pot on top of your mug and push down, as so:So very cute, and makes the experience just that little bit more special. Note the waffle plate to the left had already been demolished-whoops!All in all, Max Brenner is a chocolate heaven fit for a queen that comes highly recommended by moi.

White Shake:$7.60

2 Belgian Waffles:$10

White Choc Chai:$6

Tell me, have you visited Max before? emmabovary xx