Dermalogica Precleanse + an exciting price drop!

Don't get me wrong, I had heard rave reviews about the Dermalogica Precleanse* from fellow beauty bloggers, but for some reason it still slipped under the radar for me. To be honest, Dermalogica in general was a favourite of many I knew, and until the middle of last year I had only really skimmed to surface of their product range. I enjoyed using the Microfoliant*, but it wasn't until the Precleanse met my face that the love affair truly began.

 

The premise of this is something that some disagree with, but the notion of pre-cleansing truly is something worth trying for yourself. Foundations are now lasting longer, primers are gaining popularity and sunscreen is an everyday necessity, so 'double cleansing' or using a precleanse is an easy way to ensure you are thoroughly cleaning your skin before applyling your serums and moisturisers. I use a dedicated eye makeup remover on my lids and lashes, before using precleanse and my cleanser in the shower. You rub this oil over your (dry) face, add some water to emulsify and work it into the skin before it easily rinses away. I prefer this over other oil-based cleansers I have used, as it leaves my skin happy and clean without drama.

Dermalogica Precleanse is pretty much a citrus scented addiction, as my skin never feels totally clean unless I've used this before my regular cleanser.

Now that the price of Dermalogica products have dropped in Australia, I will be repurchasing a 150ml bottle for $43.35 from Adore Beauty when this one runs out. Shouldn't need to repurchase for quite a while though, as this bottle lasts for ages!

What do you think about the idea of precleansing? A necessity , or just another step in your already-too-long skincare routine?

*This product was provided for consideration, but opinions are all mine. Honesty, always.

january favourites!

I really enjoyed these products this month, some of them were recently acquired around Christmas time and others were just a result of appreciating the things I already had.

Have been trying to take better care of my skin lately, and have enjoyed using this L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Night Cream* to really hydrate my mug. Have a full review coming up, but suffice to say I'm happy with it.

Now that Melbourne is heating up for summer, I've been reaching for my 'tropical holiday' fragrances. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess was last years release and I bought it for a steal at the Estee Lauder staff store. It's coconutty and fruity and makes me wish I was on a deserted island. This is Chris' favourite on me at the moment, he loves it. My Thierry Mugler Angel ETD* (review here) is breathtaking, always.

I've been absolutely obsessed with my Bioderma Crealine H20* lately, as the heat has wreaked havoc on my 'can't decide if it's oily or dry' face. It's nice and gentle, and makes me feel a little more French every time I swipe my makeup off.

*

I adore the L'Oreal Infallible shadows, and this shade was one Chris bought me for Christmas. Sahara Treasure is a shimmery neutral shade that is stunning and very wearable. I wore this over my MAC Painterly paint pot with lashings of mascara more than half of this month. For night, I slicked on some liquid liner with it.

I have been loving cream blushes lately, and this YSL Creme de Blush in 2 Powdery Rose is my very favourite. I apply it using a Royal and Langnickel stippling brush, and it sets to a powder finish and smells like watermelon in the pot. I really regret not picking up more of these, but was elated to find them on Strawberrynet for a mere $36 compared to the RRP of more than $60 that I paid. Link is here, hop to it!

I am a massive advocate for MAC paint pots, I use one every day (usually Painterly) and this month I've been daring by adding a few darker looks into my usual faces. I've used MAC Dangerous Cuvee from the Cham Pale collection (haul here) as a base for most of them, it's stunning.

It took me a while to warm up to the new Revlon lip butters,  but now that I know I just need a good lip scrub before I use them (lips are acting out atm) I'm loving them all. Creme Brulee is one of the few nudes I like, it's really easy to wear and suits both the dark and super bright eye looks I've been wearing lately.

Ah, the Naked palette. Seen a million times, and I go through stages where I'm bored of it. I've been using it every day this month, and have highlighted the standout shades. Virgin as a highlight, Sidecar or Toasted as a wash over the lid, and Darkhorse in my crease. The beginning of a lemming for Naked2 may have begun...

What products are your favourites this month?

Have you tried any of mine?

(* denotes items provided for consideration for review, which doesn't affect my love for them or their place in my favourites this month. Honesty, always.)

Blush Love: NYX Peach

The first twelve months of this here blog saw me hesitate from reviewing my most loved products, for fear I would not do them justice. Over the new year, I realised that I am not perfect, nor do you expect me to be (I hope!) So expect to see some kick ass products rocking this page, starting now, with my most adored blush.

 NYX PEACH

This was definitely one of my top products for 2011, as I used it at least 5 days out of each week. Considering how affordable this blush is, I am amazed at how long it has lasted. Surely I am about to hit pan on this?! The suspense is killing me!

This is quite a heavy swatch, which seems appropriate as I often wore this blush heavily. It's very buildable, so is excellent if you like a sheer look or heavy cheeks like moi, and it lasts all day long on my cheeks. I've seen others talk of broken packaging as it is made of plastic, but so far I've been lucky despite this going everywhere with me. It's a matte peachy pink shade that would suit a wide range of skin tones, in my opinion. I've seen it look quite peachy on others, but it's pretty darn pink on me.

I adore this blush and will be repurchasing, but before I do I'm going to use up some of my other blushes. When Peach is around, they get no love :'(

What is your one true blush love?

Have you tried NYX Peach?

Details!

I purchased this from a store in Spencer St DFO (Melbourne) but it is also available at:

*Crush Cosmetics here for $11.15 AUD

*Cherry Culture here for $6 AUD (but is on sale right now for $4.50!)

*Groove stores, or eBay

This product was purchased by me and is not sponsored by NYX, all opinions are honest, this blush really does rock. x

 

Have you entered my Botani birthday giveaway? Leave a comment on this post then scoot over and enter!

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!)