Vibrant Varnishes

Outgoing: Diva Coral

09 Diva Coral ($5.95)

There's not much to say, the pictures below speak for themselves. The left image was taken on day two and the right image on day five. There is NO staying power. It will chip and keep on chipping. 

L-R: Diva Coral after 2 days, Diva Coral after 5 days

Verdict?
Colour: Average. Still slightly streaky with two
coats but it's a pretty, poppy colour and it doesn't stain.
Lasting Power: Poor. Chipped the very next day and just consistently got worse! Most damage was at the tips. 
Formula: Good. It's a good consistency (slightly on the thinner side), quick and easy to apply, goes on smooth and dries fairly quickly.
Packaging: Good. Cute. The brush is a bit small but it's perfectly understandable since it is a mini bottle. 
Final Thoughts: I can't recommend this. It just has no staying power whatsoever and the fact that you will need three coats for true opacity means you'll go through the bottle in no time. There are definitely better and cheaper coral polishes out there. 5/10

Incoming: Pacific Blue

420 Pacific Blue ($6.95)

And now I'm back to the blues! This is Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear polish in 420 Pacific Blue (0.4oz, 11.8ml). It's a gorgeous cobalt blue with a purple undertone. I've had a few misses from this range (usually the lighter or glittery/pearly colours) but this is a definite hit. It goes on extremely smoothly, can be opaque in one coat, dries quickly and I always get comments on it when I wear it. It's great for summer but I think you can definitely still wear it during winter because it's quite an intense shade of blue and it'll make a great contrast against any grey skies. 

L-R: Flash, No flash

In the photo above I have a base coat, two layers of polish and a top coat. From what I remember, it had good lasting power but this will be the first time I actually keep track of it so lets see how it actually goes! Fingers crossed because I've got high hopes!

xoxo
Thanks for reading!

Mask Moments

Mario Badescu Whitening Mask

Recently, I was cleaning out my room and found this mask. From the packaging, you can see I've had this for a while. I just never got around to throwing it out and forgot about it. I thought I'd share my thoughts on it before finally parting ways. 

Mario Badescu Whitening Mask (2oz, 59ml) $28.95 @Kit Cosmetics

This is a kaolin mask that is meant to hydrate, brighten and fade old acne scars and sun spots. It contains ingredients like kojic acid, licorice and mulberry and no alpha hydroxy acids, so it's suitable for all skin types, including very sensitive ones. It comes in a 59ml jar and it's advised you use it for 10 minutes, 2-3 times a week. You will also need to wash it off very thoroughly because it leaves a waxy residue that's quite difficult to remove.

So what do I think about it? Well, this product does what it says. It doesn't erase acne scars or sun spots completely but it definitely brightens your skin tone and fades discolouration. Right after you wash this off, your face will look glowy but this isn't a quick fix. It's a gentle mask and it will take a few applications before you notice any lightening. My marks lightened to the point where foundation was enough to cover them and concealer became unnecessary.

I have two main gripes with the product - flaking and packaging. Once this dries on your face, it flakes like crazy. I'm not one to stay still while doing a mask so this stuff ended up everywhere. I stopped using it as often because I got sick of cleaning up flakes.

This leads me to my second problem - packaging. You have to use the product frequently or it will dry up. From the photo above, you can see I was only 2/3 through when it dried up. It definitely would have fared better and been more hygienic in a tube. You can still get some results from mixing the dried product with warm water but that's rather fussy.

Even though I never finished it, I do consider it a great mask. It works! It just wasn't for me. At the end of the day, while it made a noticeable difference on my skin, it wasn't significant enough for me to ignore the flaking and poor packaging. I wont be repurchasing but if you have problems with acne scars/sunspots or enjoy lying down with your masks, I definitely recommend this. You will see a difference!

Summary

Positives: 

• Immediately brightens skin
• Eventually fades acne scars/sunspots
• Non-drying 
• Easy to apply

Negatives: 

• Flakes
• Leaves waxy residue 
• Poor packaging - unhygienic and dries up quickly

xoxo
Hope your Sunday's nice and lazy!

Mad about Matte

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms

I have an unhealthy obsession with lip crayons. I think it's an extension of my primary school obsession with twistup crayons but there is just something about them that makes me want to collect them all. And I have tried a lot! So ever since I first saw the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm crayons on YouTube, I have been not-so-patiently waiting for their arrival in Australia. I've even gone into different retailers to ask about them multiple times! I was so excited to see the displays get rolled out a few weeks ago and now they are FINALLY here!

These were released at the same time as the lacquer balms and both ranges come in ten shades. I believe I showed great restraint by only purchasing four - 3 mattes and 1 lacquer.

Say hello to Elusive (matte), Unapologetic (matte), Standout (matte) and Vivacious (lacquer).

L-R: 205 Elusive, 210 Unapologetic, 250 Standout, 120 Vivacious

Here are some swatches. The top image shows the colours with one swipe and the bottom shows the colours more built up. As you can see they are quite pigmented and there's not much difference. 

Swatches L-R: Elusive, Unapologetic, Standout, Vivacious

The photo below shows how the swatches fared after one firm pass of a baby wipe. As expected, the darker colour performed much better. Unapologetic came off almost completely while Standout and Vivacious left a bit of a stain. 

Post baby wipe L-R: Elusive, Unapologetic, Standout, Vivacious

Colour Breakdown

Elusive (205): Cool, medium pink that's comes off as a light, dusty rose on me. It will suit a lot of complexions and is perfect for an easy day look.
Unapologetic (210): A warm reddish-pink that will lean slightly towards neon on some skin tones. Definitely bold, but nothing too scary. 
Standout (250): This neutral, berry red joins the ranks of great Revlon reds. This has the most matte finish of all three and is perfect for the upcoming cooler seasons.
Vivacious (120): Also a reddish pink but deeper and redder than Unapologetic. The shimmer in this lacquer shade isn't noticeable on the lips and it just gives off a nice sheen. Quite cool toned on my lips.   

The following review is only for the matte shades and not the lacquer one. That will come at a later date and probably as a comparison with a different lip crayon.

Verdict?
Colour/Pigmentation: Good. The shades I have are highly pigmented and go on smoothly without patchiness. Once coat is definitely enough. The shade range is also diverse enough that everyone will be able to find a shade to their tastes. 
Lasting Power: Good. Obviously these can't compare to the stains but they still last a good amount of the time. The darker shade - Standout - lasts the longest but I can get a good 5hours out of all of them.
Blendability: Average. They are soft and just glide on but they aren't really balmy to me. They do nothing for smoothing out chapped lips and like most matte finishes just end up emphasising them. You will need to thoroughly exfoliate. Some of the lighter shades will also emphasise fine lines but this isn't an issue with my three shades. 
Packaging: Good. I LOVE the gorgeous matte packaging! It's also quite solidly made i.e. the crayon doesn't move a lot inside the tube. Some crayons are too small for the tube and end up creating a mess because they get pressed against the rim as they're applied. These didn't have that problem. The lids also stay on quite firmly. Very travel friendly.
Final thoughts: I really love how these looks on my lips but I am not a fan of how much prep I need to do beforehand. I know matte finishes tend to emphasise fine lines and chapped lips but I thought this would be less of an issue since the crayon is called a balm. They're not balmy, and they're not as convenient as I hoped. 7.5/10


Give these a go! When applied on smooth lips, these look fantastic. Fantastic enough that I know I will be exfoliating and applying balm more regularly so I can wear these minty friends more often. 

An extra incentive might be the deals that are happening everywhere for these lippies. I know at the moment both Myer and Big W are offering 2 for $20 deals but the best place to go is Priceline because until April 7th they are having a buy one get one free sale on all Revlon lip products so you can get two for $17.95.

xoxo
Enjoy your weekend!

Vibrant Varnishes

Outgoing: Mint Mojito

285 Mint Mojito ($6.95)

Covergirl's Outlast Stay Brilliant polish in 285 mint mojito (11ml) has been on my nails for the last few days. It's a gorgeous spring/summer colour that's actually a teensy bit more green than what the photos are showing.

This is what it looks like after about 8 days. While it's no longer as glossy and there's clearly chipping at the tips, I think it's lasted quite well especially since I didn't use a base or top coat.

Verdict?
Colour: Good. Fully opaque in 2 coats, no streaks but a bit of staining upon removal. Great shades in this range too!
Lasting Power: Good. Wore it for almost a week before it started to chip and that was with no base or top coat, however the glossiness did fade significantly. 
Formula: Good. It has the right consistency (not too thick), applies smoothly and dries fairly quickly.
Packaging: Good. Nice and classy. Reminds me of the Chanel polishes. Like the brush and bottle shape. If you find the lid too bulky you can actually pull that off to reveal a more standard cylindrical handle. 
Final Thoughts: This pretty much has everything you would want in a nail polish and it's great value to boot. Great product! 9/10

Incoming: Diva Coral

09 Diva Coral ($5.95)

So now its time for a change and I'm pretty much going to the opposite side of the colour wheel. This is Max Factor's Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in shade 09 Diva Coral (4.5ml). This range is kind of pricey for such small, drugstore polishes but they are very cute and come in some really pretty colours. You'll definitely finish these before they dry out but you may struggle with their tiny brushes. 

L-R: flash, no flash

Diva Coral is a warm red-coral that's great for spring/summer. Against my medium/dark skin tone it actually ends up looking pretty red. I still love the colour a lot but I think it'll look a lot better against lighter skin tones. In the photo above, I have a base coat and two layers of the polish on. I can still see some streaks but only if I look very closely. Two coats is definitely enough but I you want it to be truly opaque I'd go for three. Now lets hope it's durable!

xoxo
Bye lovelies, and I hope you give these a go!

Love Me Some Lip Butters

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

L-R: 090 Sweet Tart, 053 Sorbet, 027 Juicy Papaya

I think these Revlon lip butters are fantastic! They're soft and hydrating, very easy to apply, pigmented and buildable. They also come in a gorgeous range of colours and are very easy to get your hands on. They are pretty much fancy balms with a boost of colour.

L-R: Sweet Tart, Juicy Papaya, Sorbet

Image: LHS Flash, RHS No flash
Swatches (two layers) L-R: Sweet Tart, Juicy Papaya, Sorbet

090 Sweet Tart

This shade is a slightly warmer, girly pink that looks almost rosy. It's likely to suit a lot of different skin tones and make a great everyday lipstick, for work or play. Looks quite natural with one swipe, but can be built up for more of a colour pop.

027 Juicy Papaya

This was a later addition to the range. It's a soft coral orange that may lean more towards a pinky-coral when applied to more pigmented lips. Colour is only slightly buildable as it is  pretty much sheer. Natural looking and definitely not a statement lip colour.

053 Sorbet

Another later addition to the range. This is a cooler, brighter, fuschia pink. It's the most pigmented of all three shades. The colour intensity is definitely buildable. It begins quite sheer but can be layered until opaque and bold. It also has the best staying power.




Verdict?
Colour/Pigmentation: Good. Majority have very buildable colour intensity. Leaves your lips looking shiny and plump.
Lasting Power: Average. I can't get these to last any more than two hours but that's pretty much expected for lip butters. 
Blendability: Good. Extremely soft and easy to blend into your lips. Blurs the lines on you lips.
Packaging: Average. I really love how it looks but it's not very practical. The colourful, quilted lids are gorgeous but far too long. It leaves only a tiny black base that's rather hard to grip when opening it. 
Final thoughts: I just love how easy and low maintenance they are. The lack of lasting power isn't an issue for me because I snack so often that I'm used to always having to touch up my lipstick anyway. This is my lazy day lippie. 8/10

xoxo
And that's it my lovelies!

Not A Fan Of...

Australis 3in1 Wipes

In the past, I've been through 4 or 5 of these packets without any problems. The wipes weren't very plush or very moist but they got most of my make-up off. Basically, you got what you paid for and I was okay with that. 

That was until I purchased the one above. What a massive let down! I bought it for $1.95, during a Priceline sale, but even at that price it's not a product I would repurchase or recommend. That's just how disappointing it was.

If you look carefully at the photo on the right, you can see that only the bottom left quadrant of the wipe is actually moistened. The rest is practically dry! 

I just couldn't use them! I ended up treating them like cotton pads and added drops of jojoba oil so I could remove my waterproof eye make-up.  When I was really desperate, I slathered Cetaphil moisturiser over my make-up before using the wipes to take everything off. 

Definitely NOT repurchasing. 

My favourite wipes are the ones from Neutrogena but unfortunately I go through these things far too quickly to justify the $6.69 price tag. Instead, I recommend the Swisspers Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes. They're super soft and moist! And the best thing about them? For the same $6.69 I can buy a triple value pack from Chemist Warehouse! 

xoxo
Have a beautiful day!

Fragrance of the Moment

Pure DKNY

This was released in 2010 and created in cooperation with CARE to support women in Uganda and educate people about global poverty. It focuses on one single ingredient, Ugandan vanilla.  

As much as I love perfume, I'm still terrible at detecting notes. However, according to fragrantica.com, the fragrance notes for this EDP are sandalwood, orchid, lotus, freesia, jasmine, white amber and Bulgarian rose.


I first noticed this fragrance in a magazine. I can't remember which one but it had a two page ad where you could scratch a section on the side to smell it. I fell in love with it right away and loved it even more when I finally tried it in person. 


At this point in time, as Australia leaves summer behind and goes further into autumn, Pure is my perfect transitioning scent. 

It reminds me of cool, crisp mornings in the countryside. A bit of a strange description but the scent always brings me back to the early mornings of past getaways to escape the city. I picture myself at 7am, pulling on a jumper because of the early chill, and stepping onto the balcony/porch with a cup of coffee to sit under the morning sun. To me it's a very, very comforting scent.

Final thoughts:  Decent lasting power, easy to wear with minimal sillage. Perfect for everyday, daytime wear. 

xoxo
Lots of love from Mel!

iHerb Haul

(part 1 of 2)

iHerb is a California based, online supplier of natural products and they offer a wide range of products. They cover things from supplements to bath & beauty products to groceries and more. Make-up wise, it is my go to site for Physicians Formula, ELF and Real Techniques products. However, lately I have been branching out into some skin care and food stuffs.

For my last order, I purchased 10 items + 1 free sample which, after a 10% discount, came to a grand total of US$55.80 (incl. shipping).

I placed the order on the 3^rd of March and selected the cheapest ($4) delivery method via Global Priority Mail by DHL. It shipped out on the 6^th and arrived on the 19^th of March.  A pretty quick process especially considering the estimated delivery range on my invoice was March 31^st to April 22^nd. 

Everything was packed very well and arrived in good condition. The items were padded inside the box and all the liquid bottles were either sealed with tape or wrapped in a zip lock bag. The make-up boxes were a bit banged up but there was absolutely no damage to the products themselves.

Overall, I was very happy with the delivery speed and the condition of the goods upon arrival. 

So onto the products! I've only been able to try out a few of the products so this review will be split into two posts. I'll begin with the food stuffs and make-up and leave the skincare until I've used them a bit longer.

Go Raw, Organic Super Cookies, Chocolate 3oz (85g) (US$4.32)

It's only been two days since I first opened the bag and its pretty much finished. I think that says it all!  It's organic and made of gently dried coconut, sesame seeds, dates and cacao. It really just tastes like a crunchier, slightly less sweet version of Nestle's Golden Rough. Normally, eating a biscuit or a piece of chocolate just leaves me wanting more sugar but 2-3 pieces of these really satiates my cravings. I love it! Definitely ordering more!

Just Tomatoes Etc!, Organic Just Strawberries, 1.2 oz (34g) (US$6.00)

Unfortunately some of the product inside had been crushed during transport and it actually arrived a bit powdery. However it was still very edible. It's pretty much as it's named, just freeze-dried strawberries. Sour, crunchy and airy. It's nice and strangely addictive but if I had to pick an alternative to fresh strawberries, I'd go for the dehydrated fruits. Probably wont repurchase. 

E.L.F. Cosmetics, Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in Gala, Festivity and Soiree, 0.11 oz (3.0g) (US$3.00)

L-R: Gala, Festivity and Soiree

When I look at these little pots, I think of two popular Maybelline products mixed together. They are clearly very reminiscent of the Color Tattoos but these ELF equivalents are smaller, and come with cheaper, plastic packaging that also makes them lighter. After swatching on my hand, they are also not as long wearing. Texture wise, they have a similar consistency to the Dream Bouncy blushes, only even softer (see right image below). It's rather gel/sponge like and very interesting to play with!

I've only used these eyeshadows twice but I really like them so far! Festivity and Soiree looked amazing together! They are pigmented and easy to blend but I'd recommend using a dense brush because it can get a bit messy with fingers. Just keep in mind they are extremely glittery! I tend to keep my shadow close to my lash line so by the time I'm done with eyeliner and mascara, the glitter's pretty much hidden and a none issue. But if you're not a glitter fan, I'd stay away. 

Colour/Pigmentation: Good. The colour is definitely there. Decent range available too.

Lasting Power: Average. Primer definitely helps. Despite oily lids, it managed to last all day with only slight fading after 5 hours (with primer). 

Blendability: Good. Soft and easy to blend together (even with other powder eyeshadows). 

Packaging: Average. Simple, plastic and lightweight but the name of the colour is only found on the box and not the pot itself.

Final Thoughts: They're cheap and fun to play with. I'd recommend them only at the US$3.00 price point, and only if you have no issue with glittery eyeshadows. 7/10 

E.L.F. Cosmetics, High Definition Powder, Sheer, 0.28oz (8g) (US$6.00)

Since I have oily skin, a setting powder is pretty much a must. However before using this, I was going through a pressed powder phase and was used to swirling my kabuki a bit harder to pick up the product. This basically meant I was far too heavy handed with the ELF powder and ended up with a lot of excess powder on my cheeks. Not a good look!

But don't get me wrong! Despite my initial faux pas, it's a solid product overall. 

Colour/Pigmentation: Good. It's translucent. Leaves no white cast but there are glitter particles which are noticeable in sunlight.

Lasting Power: Good. Definitely does its job. No signs of oily skin until well into the night. 

Blendability: Good. Finely milled product that's very easy to blend and not cakey if you don't go overboard.  

Packaging: Poor. Its bulky and the holes in the sieve are far too big for such a finely milled product. Powder gets everywhere! I strongly suggest taping up half the holes. 

Final Thoughts: I recommend very careful use of the product. Don't bump it around and don't use too much. However, avoid the product if you are concerned about glittering like Edward Cullen. 7/10

If you want to buy some ELF products I'd definitely recommend iHerb. ELF does have an Australian online store and their products can be found at Kmart but the prices are more than double that in the US. Here the eyeshadows retail for $8.00 and the setting powder $12.00. Odds are, even after shipping costs, iHerb will still be cheaper!

Once again, for first time shoppers at iHerb, enter code JVR643 at the checkout for US$10 off purchases of US$40 and over!

xoxo

Thanks guys!

My Go-to Face Base

So for my very first post I thought it’d be fitting to start with the basics and talk about my current face base. It wasn’t intentional but I seem to be going through a bit of a L’oreal phase!

After moisturising (plus sunscreen!) I apply L’oreal’s Revitalift Magic Blur Instant Skin Smoother with my fingers and follow up with L’oreal’s True Match liquid foundation using the Real Techniques buffing brush.

The results? Nice natural finish but with my oily skin I do have to set with powder and I’ll still have to touch up after 5/6 hours. 

Revitalift Magic Blur Instant Skin Smoother ($24.99 – currently 30% off at Priceline)

I believe this is known as Miracle Blur in the US but regardless of what it's called, it does what it says. It leaves a pinkish white cast that slightly blurs your skin’s surface. It also leaves matte finish but it doesn't really control oil or prolong the wear of your make-up. I use this when I get the odd blemish and the weather’s cooler or I know I’ll be indoors.

True Match Liquid Foundation ($29.95)

Shade W4 Golden Natural (adjusted with turmeric)

It’s my ideal, everyday foundation for two main reasons, a little goes a long way and it’s easy to blend. 

Unfortunately, I did find the shade selection a bit off. I use W4 Golden Natural and it’s the right yellow undertone but the shade is actually too light. However when I tried the shade up (W5 Golden Sand) the undertone was too pink! I ended up adding some turmeric to my bottle which intensified the yellow. It definitely makes the shade difference a little less noticeable, especially after I add bronzer.

Coverage: Good. Medium, but buildable to full. Very easy to blend.

Lasting power: Good. Sets fairly quickly and leaves only slight transfer. However it doesn’t control oil so setting powder/spray is a must for those with oily skin.

Shade selection: Average. Good shade range since there's 9 available in Australia but organisation of the shades is a bit iffy.

Packaging: Excellent! Pretty and sleek. Solid glass bottle with a pump.

Final thoughts: Definitely a foundation I’d recommend. Just be careful with shade selection! 8.5/10

Real Techniques Buffing Brush ($44.99)

Real Techniques Your Base/Flawless Core Collection (L-R: Contour brush, pointed foundation brush, detailer brush, buffing brush)

This comes part of the Core Collection and I think it’s perfect for liquid foundation. It’s dense enough that it doesn't eat up product and it also doesn't leave streaks. Really does all the hard work and makes buffing in foundation a breeze. It’s been through several washes and still hasn't shed or lost its shape.  

The set costs $44.99 at Priceline which I think is rather ridiculous. I'd recommend buying it online from iherb.com where it costs US $18.00. Even factoring in the exchange rate and shipping cost (starts from $4), it's still much cheaper! 

Coupon Code:

For first time users if you apply code JVR643 at checkout and spend $40 or more, you'll get $10 off (you get $5 off if you spend less than $40). And after your first purchase, you'll get your own code to share with others! 

Also, I believe if you spend over $60 you also get a further 5% off!

xoxo
And that's it from me! Hope this was helpful for someone!