Smuggler's Soul Sunday

The new Lush Father's Day collection* is out on shelves and I've been trialling some of the products, despite obviously not being a papa myself. My own Dad isn't the pampering kind at all and wouldn't appreciate gifts like this for his special day (we've actually bought some awesome new décor for his bar!) but I know that when Mister Bovary and I have a child he will be gunning for a big bag of Lush each Father's Day - it's his favourite!

The focus seems to be on citrus and sandalwood for the Father's in our lives, which suits me as I'm fond of both of those scent families. 'Thanks Dad Soap' and 'The Modfather Bubble Bar' are from the citrus side of things while the 'Super Dad Bath Bomb' and Smuggler's Soul range is all based on sandalwood.

I immediately made grabby hands for the Smuggler's Soul Multipurpose Cream and Smuggler's Soul Facial Scrub, which Mister and I are trialling together. Lush says that you can use the Multipurpose Cream as a moisturiser, shaving cream, hair styling product etc but so far we've just used it as a straight up facial moisturiser. It's definitely better suited to a night time skincare routine as it does leave some residue on the skin (which I don't mind for overnight) and the scent is lovely! It's the consistency of runny yoghurt but packs a nice punch in the moisturising stakes!

I have a weakness for facial scrubs and the Smuggler's Soul Facial Scrub is one of the nicer ones I've tried in recent times - it's contains very fine bamboo granules and has a delicious sandalwood scent that is so warm and cozy! I love the texture and it scrubs my skin really well, but I do find with physical exfoliants like this I need to be careful not to be overzealous in case it aggravates my skin.

We've got a jam-packed afternoon planned for Father's Day, we're having a casual lunch out with my side during the day and moving straight onto an early dinner at an Italian restaurant chain with Mister's side - I think I'm going to have to be rolled home after all that food! Do you have anything exciting planned with your family?
-Emma x


*These products were provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Winter Kissed Cheeks with essence // Winter Wonderful Blush

I recently fell into the trap of using only my high end blushes each morning when I put on my face, and while my love for the likes of Chanel and MAC run strong I knew it meant I was neglecting a whole stack of other wonderful blushes! I'm still being a bit of a blush snob (as you will see in my upcoming blush rotation post!) but have added a cheek trio into my routine, as well as this newly released and limited edition blush from one of my favourite affordable brands, essence! 

The Winter Wonderful collection was full of some pretty neat looking products, but the one that spoke to me straight away was the Winter Kissed Cheeks blush - I mean, look at that embossing and the mix of pink, peach and nude!? I also knew from experience that the limited edition blushes tend to be more pigmented than the standard run of essence blushes, so that pop of hot pink was a welcome addition for a truly winter-appropriate flush.



Each shade swatched individually, then mixed

There are small particles of glimmer in the powder but in swatches and during use it translates to a satin finish, and almost a matte/satin finish on the cheeks for me. I like how easy it is to add a pop of colour to my apples without having to blend it out much at all, and I'm happy to report that the flush of pink colour lasted all day on my cheeks when I trialled it. I'm constantly frustrated by blushes that fade, so to have a pan around the $6 AUD mark that stays put leaves a big smile on my face for sure.

Are you a blush snob too?
What is your favourite high end and drugstore blush?
-Emma x

essence Love & Sound Collection

On my last shopping jaunt with Mumma Bovary I spotted the new essence Love & Sound collection on the shelves at Priceline - naturally I made grabby hands for a few bits and pieces and thought I'd share what I chose and my initial thoughts on them! Limited edition blushes are a natural choice for the #blushfiend in me, and the unique eyeshadow shades really tempted me as well. I also restocked my favourite daily eyeliner, the essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate as my current one is almost empty.

essence Long Lasting Eyeliner in Hot Chocolate
I've spoken about this eyeliner a whole lot on the blog, and stand by my love for the deep chocolate cream shade - the price tag of around $3 also cements my love for it! I wear it most often smudged into my upper lash line for some subtle definition, and it's something I buy back-ups of regularly in case essence lose their minds and discontinue this amazing eyeliner range.

essence Love & Sound Eyeshadow in Glastonberry
This immediately grabbed my attention and I was quick to throw the last pan into my shopping basket - I was also tempted by the peachy colour, but I'm currently trimming down my makeup collection so didn't feel it was a 'need', just a 'want' so I left it aside. Glastonberry immediately reminds me of Angela from Caffeine Induced, so imagine how weird it was to hop straight onto her blog after the shopping trip to see that she has just bought the shade, too! It's a wearable yet pigmented wine colour with a brown tone to it that just makes my eyes pop - I've been throwing it over a champagne shade everyday since I bought it and it's rocking my world right now. Spoiler alert: it will definitely feature in my next Currently Loving post!

essence Love & Sound Multi-Colour Blush in Sunset @ Centre Stage
Limited edition? Tick. Ombre? Tick. Stunning? TICK! I didn't even think twice about this one, the ombre blush formula from essence is of such high quality for the price tag and the colour seemed a bit different to most of my shade thanks to the plum tones of the first shade section of the pan. I did wonder if it would be similar to my essence Blush Up Powder Blush in Heat Wave or Pinky Flow, but I'm happy to report that they are quite different (comparisons are below for you!)

Heat Wave, Sunset @ Centre Stage

Heat Wave, Sunset @ Centre Stage, Pinky Flow

Each shade strip of Sunset @ Centre Stage

Heat Wave individual shades swatched // Sunset @ Centre Stage individual shades swatched

Heat Wave swirled together swatch, Pinky Flow swirled together swatch, Sunset @ Centre Stage swirled together swatch

I'm really pleased with my choices from this collection and think I'll get a lot of wear from them - other than these bits I was only really tempted by the mauve lipstick, but that was sadly sold out. Here is the rest of the collection if you're interested! I think I'm looking forward to the new Brit-Tea collection that should be out at Target any day now a little bit more (it's yet to be released at mine, has it hit yours?)

Later in the week I'll be posting a makeup look using these new Love & Sound products, so look out for that if you're interested!

Hope you're having a wonderful day!
-Emma

*I personally purchased these products. Honesty, always.

Cozy in Cashmere

Mention the word cashmere and the word cozy immediately springs to mind, along with visions of snuggling up on a couch with the heater blaring drinking some hot tea - at least, that is what springs to my mind! Cashmere is luxe and Essie have clung onto that idea with their new Cashmere Matte collection. At first I was hesitant as I don't always appreciate a matte finish on my nails, but this Cozy in Cashmere* shade is soft and not at all chalky, and I can definitely see the cashmere aspect of the finish on my nails.

The taupe shade has incredible blue microshimmer when you look at the bottle, but because it dries down to a matte finish these are basically undetectable once the shade hits your nails. I took what seemed like a million bottle shots to try and show you the beauty of this shade, and below is the closest I could get to capturing how gorgeous it is. I also went ahead and applied the Kit Cosmetics topcoat* on my ring and middle finger in the two shots below to show you how easy it is to transform a matte polish into a traditional glossy finish - it's like two polishes in one! I realized that this shade is called Comfy in Cashmere in America - something worth noting if you're an Aussie trying to hunt it down at the shops!



with topcoat on middle fingers



topcoat on middle fingers

 

This kind of ladylike-with-an-edge shade is very me, and it's a pretty easy shade to wear. I like the fast drying time (thanks to the matte finish) and the fact that I can transform it into a glossy shade with ease means this is a keeper in my collection! I'm currently weeding through my polishes and giving a whole stack away, and I think I'll be posting as I sort through the stash and make my decisions. My reward at the end will be a nice new nail polish rack installed in my beauty room, something I am very much looking forward to!

Essie polishes retail for $16.95 AUD and are available at Priceline. The Cashmere Matte collection is limited edition August through September, you can see the rest of the shades swatched here.

Would you have kept this Essie Cozy in Cashmere shade, too?
What are your thoughts on the matte nail trend?
-Emma


*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

The Lush Limited

I've been trialling a few new bits and bobs from Lush since before Mother's Day, which is the theme of this new collection of limited edition products. I'm not a huge Lush addict though I do like quite a few of their products, so I was intrigued to see some new scents I'd not tried before. I sadly haven't gotten around to a bath in recent months (seems like a lot of effort, though my achy back sure could use a good soak!) so I am yet to try the Mother Superior Bubble Bar ($9.95/180g) which is scented with cherry blossoms. I aven't had a go at the Rose Bombshell Bath Bomb ($6.25/165g) either, so will have to schedule in some relaxation time stat and use these up!

Let's get an honest opinion out of the way - bar soaps just don't float my boat! I feel like they all leave my skin 'squeaky clean' which I can't stand, even though I know they aren't drying my skin out or anything like that. I definitely prefer a shower gel but was happy to give this floral chunk of Love You Mum Soap ($6.95/100g) a go (FYI, this flower is just part of the larger design, check it out!) and adored the sweet scent of jasmine, mimosa and co...I still didn't love the bar soap feeling though, and so have relegated this to a shaving lubricant and it does a marvellous job at that!

Now I'll move onto the two products I enjoyed most from this limited collection - the Yummy Mummy stuff! I do cringe a little bit with the name of this stuff as I feel a fraud to use it without being a Mumma (does being a furMama to Charlie count?) but the scents are pretty rad! I did think about giving this stuff to Mumma Bovary but I know that the strength of the lilac scented Yummy Mummy Shower Gel ($9.95/100g) would give her an instant migraine, and that would NOT win me any daughter points!

 

My pick of the bunch, though? The Yummy Mummy Body Conditioner, mmm mmm. Of course I've chosen the priciest of the lot at $32.50/250g but man this stuff smells delicious. It's a mix of fresh strawberry and cocoa butter and so it smells like a sweet and moreish butter with a fruity twist. I spread a bit on my arms and décolletage when I apply my hair conditioner and then rinse them off for silky skin and hair - time saver! It unfortunately doesn't stop Charlie boy from wanting to lick the scent from my arms, so it very similar to a traditional body lotion in that respect ><  

 

Do you have any tricks for keeping up with body moisturising in winter?

Isn't is great that they've made an alternative scent to Ro's Argan Body Conditioner!?

-Emma x

 

*All of these Lush products were provided for consideration. Honesty, always!

 

Haute in the Heat with Essie for Summer 2014

Being the namesake of the recently released Essie summer collection, I was expecting Haute in the Heat* to be my very favourite from the shade range. It's described by Essie as a hot guava pink raspberry (quite fruity, right?) and it's nice alright, but not a patch on the stunning Ruffles and Feathers that was also released for the hot summer season. I am yet to do a full post on R&F but did feature it in my 2014 favourites, so you know it's a good 'un!

This shade actually graced my nails for my recent birthday celebrations, which this time around were quite low-key with a Doncaster shopping trip in which I only bought one beauty item. One! Times are a-changing, my friends. I also indulged in some delicious Thai food with my family and it was a nice way to celebrate turning a year older. It was also my first birthday as a wife which I thought was pretty cool!

Ultimately I was impressed by the formula of this polish, but I can't say the colour is going to be in any of my favourites any time soon. In a lot of lights this appeared red on my pale skin and while still pretty, that wasn't what I was going for and I probably should have turned to a true pink to satiate my bright needs. Having said that, the colour gathered a lot of compliments for me and I actually ended up gifting Mumma Bovary a bottle of Essie Style Hunter, which is a spot on dupe for this colour, after she raved about how much she loved my nail colour one time too many. If this colour is up your alley and you don't have anything similar, I would recommend it; otherwise, check out Ruffles & Feathers and get ready for your socks to be blown off...

Emma x

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

Festive Five #5 - 5 low maintenance red lippies for Christmas Day

Okay, I know I said I wasn’t going to go down the festive red lip route, but I have to be honest and say that I’m tempted to. I don’t want anything high maintenance (there are prawns to eat, people!) so I’ve been ruminating on my 5 favourite reds to wear as a stain or a light wash on the day. Mumma Bovary buys me a new dress to wear on Christmas Day each year and she is continuing the tradition even though I’m married and in my own home now, so yesterday we spent the day together doing last minute Christmas shopping and having some lunch. I’ll be posting a snap of the dress we chose on Instagram no doubt (@emmabovary) but it’s got flashes of red throughout so I think a red lip would look pretty good with it.

1. essence Breaking Dawn Part 2 Lipgloss in Renesmee Red

This smells so fruity and delicious, and the glittery jelly look of it would look perfect dabbed in the middle of a bright red lipstick. I don’t think it would help with the lip longevity but the glitter is drawing me in…

2. essence Tribal Summer Longlasting Lipstick in Waka Waka*

I’ve not worn this red shade before so it might be a bit of gamble, but it does claim to be long-lasting and the colour is a bit closer to a true red than the others pictured here. It also looks like it would complement the Renesmee Red gloss really nicely…

3. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Neon Red

The quality of this line of lipsticks is so good and this bright cherry red would be a perfect festive touch to my new outfit. I think it’s a bit creamier than I would ideally like for a day of feasting but still…

4. MAC Viva Glam Cyndi (lustre)

My beloved Cyndi, easily one of my favourite lipsticks and one that I need to use more often lest it go off as I admire it in my lipstick drawer. I have a feeling this shade will win out on the day as the almost coral tint to it makes it the most flattering on my super pale skin, and it’s nice and easy to reapply throughout the day, too.

5. Nars Lipgloss in Babe

This mini gloss came in a set I bought at Mecca Maxima, and I adore the formula of these. I’m yet to try the newly repackaged glosses as I’m unsure whether or not the formula is the same…? If anyone can confirm this I would love to know! This is a nice juicy red shade that I wear by itself but it would also work over a red lipstick on the day.

Renesmee Red, Waka Waka, Neon Red, Cyndi, Babe

 

One more sleep! Thanks so much for following along with my Festive Five series, it was nice to do something a bit different on the blog and your comments were all very much appreciated. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I can't wait to hear what beauty products you all wore on the day!

-Emma

*Product provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

A Reductionista Gift

There is nothing better than arriving home after a stressful day to find a sweet parcel on your doorstep!

I recently won the 'End of Summer' competition over at Liz's blog, and I was ecstatic as I'd been lusting over the two Maybelline Color Tattoo shades since I first saw them on her blog! I snuggled up on the couch with Charlie to unwrap the goodies, and lo and behold the bag was bursting with lots of extra beauty treats for me! It's like Liz dived into my mind and said 'this is exactly what Emma would love!'

Even Mister Bovary was amazed by how these two shades look in the pot and in swatches - truly captivating and I can't wait to dip into them properly and see what sort of looks I can create. Sunwashed Sky is more cool toned and has amazing pigmentation, and Shimmering Sea flashes gold as you move and takes my breath away. I can't believe Maybelline didn't release this everywhere - crazy I tell ya!

A Canadian friend brought me over some Sonia Kashuk bits about a year ago but I hadn't tried any of their lipsticks, and this Sheer Fuchsia shade is totally up my alley and something I can get a lot of wear from. The Moonstone cream eyeshadow swatch literally stained my arm and was so hard to budge (it took me micellar water, oil based remover and a good go at my arm with a loofah before it was completely gone!) so I can only imagine how it will last on my lids! Last but not least is the St. Tropez face lotion (I need a bit of glow before I hit Hawaii!) and the gorgeous Annabelle Blush 48 - a wearable shade which is something I actually need in my overflowing collection of neutrals and megawatt brights!

 

Thank you so much to Liz for a great competition and some lovely extras - you really brought a smile to this beauty lovers face :)

 

I'm signing off now to go and have lunch and get my nails done, because tomorrow I am getting married!

 

Emma x

 

Too Faced A La Mode Eyes Palette - Sexy St.Tropez Shadow Collection

I have this insane weakness for Too Faced palettes - they release limited edition tins all the time and I'm equal parts ashamed and proud of the fact that I own most of them (see the Boudoir palette + the Summer Eyes palette)The latest launch here in Australia is the St. Tropez inspired A La Mode palette which I stalked the Mecca Cosmetica website for...

just unwrapped!

First off, that tin is a thing of beauty. The whole of Mecca Maxima in Doncaster was wrapped in the same pink and orange hued stripes and the gorgeousness of it all made my eyes water. By far, this packaging is my favourite from Too Faced thus far.

A pretty adventurous lot of shades mixed in together, with the usual 3 colour schemes mapped out by Too Faced as 'Day', 'Classic' and 'Fashion', which can be helpful for those oft overwhelmed by choice in a palette like this one. I have to say that Classic is my favourite line of shades thanks to the beautiful Cote d'Azur shade that was the shade that prompted me to buy this.

St. Tropez, Cannes and Soleil. Cannes is my least favourite from the palette, with the most fall out and a strange texture which is evident in the swatch photos. Soleil is a real winner though, a gorgeous wine-toned brown that is a bit different to other neutrals in my collection.

Riviera, Jardin and Cote d'Azur. The smoothest trio by far, and the colour scheme that works best for me. There is a lot of potential with these shades and I can't wait to play around with Jardin to see what looks I could create with it.

La Croisette, Monaco and De La Mer. After the bright pink Totally Fetch in the Pretty Rebel palette, I was surprised to see Too Faced launch yet another pink shadow in a limited edition palette with Monaco. Then I swatched them side by side to see that they are the same shade! I did some digging and saw this post mention that Soleil is very similar to the Amaretto shade from the Chocolate Bar Palette. Is it wrong to find it cheeky for Too Faced to rehash shades so frequently without mention...?

The Too Faced A La Mode palette retails for $53.95AUD and is available at Mecca Cosmetica. I spent over $75 on my haul which entitled me to free shipping - something to keep in mind if you are looking at buying online!

What do you think of the Too Faced A La Mode palette - which trio of shades is your favourite?
Would you like to see my entire Too Faced palette collection?

Emma x