NOTD – China Glaze Emerald Sparkle

It's Nail Of The Day time! but with a little something extra


I've gone with China Glaze Emerald Sparkle and I realised something very interesting indeed.


I think China Glaze need to rename the colour... why? and to what? you may ask....


This polish needs to be renamed Starbucks Sparkle, it is the exact same green as the Starbucks logo!!


Here to demonstrate is my very poorly polished hand with my Starbucks cup... see!

I guess now I can reveal something about myself. Yes it's true I am a Starbucks addict! That cup you are seeing there, I bought it in Melbourne last week it's a hard plastic version of their cold beverage cups, it even has a green straw. Now I can feel like i'm having Starbucks at home even though it's my diet cordial (yes something else I can tell you, I'm on a diet...ick!) 

This may sound weird but this cup has made drinking water and cordial more enjoyable and making me miss coke less... another thing I am addicted to!


FYI and if you ever want to buy me one, my drink of choice at Starbucks is....

Caramel Frappucino Light, usually in Grande :)

Lush Haul! Tons of Freebies!!

I am home from Melbourne and while I love holidays and being away, it's nice settling back into routine, which includes blogging.

On my first day in Melbourne we had a plan to go to Lush due to the special nights they were putting on as part of the Melbourne Central Fashion Nights (or something like that) If you purchased over $25 worth of product you received a goodie bag. 

I knew for sure 2 things I wanted but got a 3rd to make sure I got to my $25 :)

I bought -

Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter (omg so niiiiiiiiice!)

Angels on Bare Skin (I have wanted to repurchase this forever and everytime I go to Lush it's out of stock)

I Should Coco Soap (I love anything coconut scented, and this was a must try for me)

My total purchases came to around $36 so I received the goodie bag...... WOAH! I never expected so much in it! Here is a picture of what I received, it's more then what I bought!

I got the following in my goodie bag (thank you to my assistant Shane for reading them out to me while I type) -

2 x Sugar Scrub

1 x Too Drunk Emotibomb

1 x Dark Angels (full size)

1 x Herbalism (full size)

3 x Father Frost Soap Off Cuts

1 x Sex in The Shower Emotibomb

1 x Hsuan Wen Hua Hair Moisturiser (generous sample pot)

Pretty good huh! Can't wait to try everything out, So far I have tried Herbalism and I really like it however I'm not sure it will ever take the place of my beloved Angels on Bare Skin which makes my skin feel amazing!

Unfortunately this promotion was only for a few weeks and is now over so sorry to those who missed out.

40 Question Beauty Tag

Taken from one of my favourite Beauty Blogs and fellow Aussie! The Lip Print check this blog out people!

SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice. In the shower before bed and in the morning to wake myself up

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Combo but it gets dryer in winter

-What is your current facial wash?
At night I use the Olay Total Effects Facial Wash which is great for taking off makeup, and in the morning I use Lush Angels On Bare Skin

-Do you exfoliate?
My cleansers both have exfoliating properties so I don't really need to. I try and do a body exfoliate though once a week.

-What brand do you use?
As above, Olay Total Effects & Lush Angels on Bare Skin

-What moisturizer do you use?
I'm fighting the seven signs of ageing with Olay Total Effects Moisturiser

-Do you have freckles?.
Yes, a few on my nose

-Do you use eye cream?
Clinique, all about eyes

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
No, thankfully I never have

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No Way Jose, I haven't heard anything good about it eitherMAKE-UP

-What foundation do you use?
Revlon Colourstay in Buff

-How about concealer?
It's a Prestige one but the name has worn off....time for a new one actually!

-Do you know your undertone color?
I've been colour matched at MAC as NC, but it confuses me because I think thats warm

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I haven't tried them but want to in the future!
-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes but I can't say that I do, I usually use mine up not long after though

-What brand of mascara do you use?
Covergirl Lash Blast... loooooooove!

-Sephora or MAC?
If we had Sephora here it would be Sephora, loved it when I went there overseas. For now MAC.

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Brushes, I don't have great ones just some Everyday Minerals, Coastal Scents etc. Really want to expand my brush collection and get some great quality brushes. Sigma are currently on my radar!

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Urban Decay Primer Potion

-For the face?
Face of Australia Face Base Primer 

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I'm a big fan of neutrals, just because they work easily and can be applied lightly or dark depending on the look your after. My favourite shadow is Stila Kitten followed by Go Lightly. 
-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Liquid for night looks and for cat flicks and pencil for waterline smudging

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Often! I'm a klutz though 

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I haven't played around with them much, but I do have quite a few on my makeup wishlist!

-Do you use mineral makeup?
I have quite a few Everyday Minerals products and while i'm not using their foundation at the moment I still really like their blush colours, Theme Park in particular is really really pretty.

-What is your favorite lipstick?
Lipstick Queen in Medieval, I can put a light application for day and go a bit darker for night. 

-How about lipgloss?
I really like Stila Lip Glaze in Starfruit

-What is your favorite blush to use?

I have become a bit of a blush addict of late, but my all time favourite is Nars Orgasm, followed closely by Benefit Coralista

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Not really, I sometimes have a look and get some bargains but I much prefer buying from Strawberry Net or in store

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes! Priceline is heaven!

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Nope, I had an invite to an Estee Lauder one once when I was really young, but I didn't go

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
This is something i've been considering a lot of late, even just for fun. I'm waiting for MAC to announce some classes instore so I can redeem on product :)

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Yes! 

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Same as Stef, mismatched foundation... so so so wrong! also Lipstick on teeth and overly bronzed faces, embrace the pale :)

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I'm a big fan of neutral but I do also like to have a little fun and play up with a bit of colour

-Which celebrity always has great make up?I love Lauren Conrads simple look with black wing eye makeup, Katy Perry is another favourite and also Gwen Stefani, girl knows how to rock a red lip!

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Lip Gloss

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yep, I do quite often as well. Some days I just can't be bothered. I usually wear minimal makeup anyway just enough to enhance but some days I'll go bare :)

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I prefer how I look with makeup, but sometimes it's nice to let your skin breath

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
MAC definitely, but I also love Stila and Benefit

-What do you think of Makeup?
It's fun and I love seeing all the new collections that come out with all the amazing colours 

I don't like picking people to tag it reminds me too much of PE and not being picked for a team hahaha, but if you want to do this go ahead :)

Budget Beauty Tuesday – Face of Australia Primer

In the words of Napoleon Perdis "Not to Prime is a Crime"

Well while i'm not a total devotee to priming, I only really do it when I know I need my makeup to last and when my skin needs a little extra to make my foundation look a little more flawless.

The primer I use is the Face of Australia Primer and though I haven't ventured and tried any others (the Australis one is on my list to try) I find this does the job of what a primer is supposed to do, which I believe is make your makeup last longer and provide a flawless base for your face.

I'd also heard the Napoleon Perdis primer is quite good as well and i'd heard that the ingredients in both were similar. They sure are! They both boast their main ingredients are Chamomile, Vitamin E & Yarrow Extract. While I have not tried the Napoleon Perdis primer myself i'd much rather pay $40 less for the same ingredients. 

Here are the product descriptions for both Primers, now while I don't have exact amounts of everything that is used I can't imagine it'd be very far off.

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Primer 50ml - $49.90AUD 

image credit - www.napoleonperdis.com

What it is:A scientifically developed, light weight primer for all skin types.What it is does:Smoothes the skin, readies it for makeup application, and helps produce a flawless finish. Filled with calming botanicals such as Chamomile, which softens redness, and Yarrow extract, which reactivates the beneficial ingredients in your skincare and foundation. Pure Vitamin E smoothes skin texture and adds hydration, keeping skin looking fresh and flawless all day long.

Face of Australia Face Base Primer 50ml - $10.50AUD (approx)

Enriched with Vitamin E to nourish and hydrate skin and Chamomile to smooth your complexion, leaving it fresher and brighter.
It fills fine lines & wrinkles for a more balanced surface, so foundation applies evenly and stays on longer for all-day flawless skin.

• Oil free so wont clog pores
• Yarrow extract encourages cell regeneration
• Improves performance and wearability of foundation

The Face of Australia primer retails around $10.50 but it does seem to vary from store to store. I actually saw a deal in BIG W yesterday with it for free with the purchase of 2 Face of Australia products.

Have you tried both out? Let me know if you think one is better then the other and if it is worth me paying the extra money for the Napoleon Perdis version.

Update

Just wanted to write a quick note to let everyone know i'm still around and blogging as usual. I'm in Melbourne at the moment visiting family and haven't had much of a chance to get on my laptop and write any blog posts. I really wanted my blog to be updated daily, if not every 2nd day but i'm finding this very hard on holidays! :)

I am going to try and schedule a few in now while I have a little spare time. I'm back home on Saturday all ready for my March Favourites Post, which is probably one of my favourite posts to do :) 

When I first started blogging, it was a bit of everything. I think it has definitely become more of a beauty blog which is the direction I think i'm going to take it. I will still do random posts on fashion, music, food, life etc as well though just to keep things interesting.

I hope you all stick with me and if you enjoy my blog, please follow it. I really want to plan some competitions when I get to a certain amount of followers.

Product Review – MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach

This week the new Spring Forecast collections were released in Australia from MAC. 

I'm just starting my MAC collection but saw this blush and knew right away it needed to be in my makeup collection. It's like a Tequila Sunrise in a blush, so pretty!

I totally blame xsparkage for making me want this item!

Here are some pictures and terrible swatches I took

Left to right is - Colours Mixed, Top Orangey Colour, Bottom Pink Colour

Bad photo of the colour on me :)

I was inspired to match my top with the blush today too.

Also, I'd hurry and buy this asap if your interested because it sold out soooo quickly in the US and I believe people have it on ebay and it's selling for some ridiculous prices! I'm pretty sure this was the star of the entire collection.

Also here is the review that prompted me to go buy this sucker -

Mini Haul…. Literally

I don't know about anyone else, but I love all things mini. There is something cute about something that is regularly a larger size in a mini version. 

I guess as they say good things come in small packages! This is what my 5'3 self tells people all the time :)

So I went to Coles today to get some little travel bottles to decant my shampoo, conditioner etc for my trip to Melbourne this weekend and next week, and I stumbled upon I guess the travel size section of everything wow so cute, mini Tresemme shampoos (I don't really like this brand for my hair but the bottles were exact replicas so they were cute) mini deodorant cans, mini hair gel.

I immediately gave up my search for travel bottles and bought minis of everything I needed. I also think if you want to try out a product for the first time and not commit to the full price it's a perfect way to buy. I've never used Tony & Guy Shampoo & Conditioner before so can't wait to try it out :)

Here are some of the things I bought, plus their prices (in $AUD) I believe Priceline has a good range of these mini products and think I might actually go and have a look at their selection and see if there is anything new I want to try out.

I didn't mean for them to all colour co-ordinate, I promise!

Toni & Guy Shampoo & Conditioner for heat straightened hair (aka my hair!) These smell delicious! They cost me $5.45 each.

Mini Hairspray! So cute!! This one set me back $3.65 I think Hairspray is the worst thing to pack for a holiday because generally cans are so massive and bulky. This is perfect!

Just to show the size comparison, We had ravioli for dinner with these chopped tomatoes if you were wondering at all :)

Ahhh Swisspers, you never fail me! These little packs are so great, I think I might actually get some more for my handbag. The cotton tips & pads were $0.99 each and the eye makeup remover pads were $4.08 (they were on special though)

Not a mini, but great for travelling. You can also pop a few hairbands in here and your good to go these are only $2.99 and are great quality bobby pins!

My mum bought me these luggage tags, do you notice anything? Their my dogs!! :) Cute huh  :) I'm almost all packed now. I will try and keep the blogging up while i'm away as well.

Beauty Budget Tuesday – Vaseline

image credit - www.vaseline.com.au

I know this is quite an obvious choice for a budget item, but did you know Vaseline can be used so many ways in your everyday beauty routine? 

I've been doing a little research and it has opened my eyes up and I think I'll be using this little jar of petroleum jelly a lot more!

A jar will set you back anywhere between $2.50 - $5.00 

So here are some uses, some are obvious some not quite so much

• Lip Balm & Moisturise for Dry Spots on the Skin
• Removing Makeup (especially eye makeup gently)
• Hair Serum (just on the ends)
• Taming eyebrows & also on the eyelashes to make them glossy if you don't want to bother with mascara
• On the cuticles as a cuticle oil
• On your teeth to keep you smiling + prevent you getting lipstick stains on your teeth (they do this all the time in Toddlers & Tiaras... I'm obsessed with this show, seriously check it out)
• To sustain your perfume scent longer, dab some on where you put your perfume and your scent will last longer - thanks to lollipop26 for this tip! I love it!

So many uses for such a cheap product!

Now lets listen to the wonderful sounds of Stone Temple Pilots and their hit song Vaseline, just to keep in the theme of course :)

*sorry guys this was scheduled to post last night but for some reason didn't work!

SLEEEEEEEEP

The geek in me had to write about this :)


I'm trying out the much talked about Sleep Cycle iphone app for the first time tonight!


Why am I excited? because I'm a terrible sleeper, I wake up so many times during the night and need to read/watch tv/listen to radio anything to distract me so my mind isn't constantly ticking over.


This app apparently wakes you up when you are at your lightest sleep so you wake up refreshed... we'll see... however it would be nice to not be nodding off on the bus on the way to work one morning.


Anyone tried this app out and had success?

Loving…. Rosehip Oil

image credit - www.purist.com

Rosehip oil is something I purchased awhile ago but never really tried out. So when I cleaned out my dressing table and all my beauty items I found my little bottle of A'kin Rosehip Oil and decided to give it a go.

I've been using it for a few weeks now and the results have been fantastic! I normally have quite a bit of redness especially in my cheek area. This isn't completely gone but it is certainly much clearer then before.

I think the results vary on how you apply it. The way I use it is I use it as my night cream, so I cleanse in the shower and then spray my face with my Jurlique rosewater spray (water would work as well). I then apply about 4 drops and massage it into my face until it doesn't feel oily anymore.

I don't apply any other moisturiser after this, just my eye cream (which I need as i'm entering my 30's soon...eeeeeek!!)

This may not work for everyone and I will update and let you know how it goes through the winter months when my skin gets a little drier.

I've heard the Trilogy brand of Rosehip Oil is quite good so once I finish with this bottle I might give that a go and see if there really is any difference.

Nail Salon Review #1 – Solar Nails, Gladesville NSW

This is a new thing I have decided to start doing with my blog...wow two new things this week! 


Anyway I love getting manicures and pedicures and I love recommendations of places to go and get them done, so I thought i'd do reviews on the salons that I try out and give everyone a bit of an insight into my experience there and how I rate it etc.


Now keep in mind it really depends on the technician but at least it will give a bit of an idea if your looking for somewhere to get your nails done. I also hardly ever get the names of the nail technicians because they don't really display them. 


Most of the salons I review will probably be ones that are accessible to me, however I may venture out purposely to try ones in different areas as well. So stay tuned!


Here is the first in the series -


Salon Name - Solar Nails


Location - 196 Victoria Road, Gladesville NSW 2111


Price - Manicure - $18


Positive Notes -
Nail Technician shaped my nails really well
Colour looks great and still hasn't chipped 3 days later
Nail Technician actually listened when I said short! usually they try and make them long


Negative Notes -
Wait time - I waited over 20 minutes when I was told a few minutes
Cutting my cuticles and my hands bleeding - this always seems to happen to me, but I don't understand why? You can see this on my thumb, the cut is quite bad there.
Communication - Not told why she was taking my colour off once she had applied it, not letting me know it was okay to leave when my nails were finished under the infrared dryer
Base Coat - Really sticky and goopy, made a big big mess
Nail Polish Application - She seemed in a rush so really didn't do a great job, I had little bits of polish on the tips of my fingers
Lack of colours - it seems there colour selection has halved since last time I was there, I really couldn't find anything I loved


So yes there are more negatives then positives, but like I said it depends on the nail tech. I will say she had her young daughter there so did seem distracted by that which I think is what lead to my not so great experience.


I would rate it a 6/10


Heres a picture of my nails, I'm pretty sure the colour was OPI Ruby Red Rudolph

I'd love to hear any nail salon stories or reviews you might have so I know where I should go and try out :)

Marc Jacobs, Macarons… Oh My!

First off.... there is always a macaroon/macaron debate on how it should be said etc. I call them macarons and this may or may not be right but its what I say :)


I actually read an article the other day how Macarons are the new Cupcake.. I think that would be right, like Cupcakes they are so pretty and bright and colourful.


However, this post isn't about Macarons! Well kinda... see the picture... thats the advertising for Marc Jacobs new Splash collection of fragrances inspired by Patisserie scents... wow... so far up my alley! 

These scents are set for release this month overseas and will retail for $68US. I'm unsure of the Australian release date but will guess our price for them will be more like $99AUD. 

photo credit http://www.talkingmakeup.com/






Lets discuss the scents and notes shall we (i'm copying these from Sephora)

Inspired by the decadent indulgences of a patisserie shop, Marc Jacobs introduces new limited-edition splash scents that awaken the senses and entice the palate. These summer treats are fresh, inviting, and delectable.

Pomegranate - 

Pomegranate Splash creates a crisp, purple impression with a blend of juicy exotics alongside musk, amber, and vanilla.

Notes:
Pomegranate, Mandarin Blossom, Bergamot, Rhubarb, Violet, Musk, Vanilla, Amber, Exotic Fruit Accord.

Apple -

Apple Splash is an energetic, aromatic fruity floral that will make your mouth water.

Notes:
Apple Zest, Lemon And Grapefruit Combined With Rosemary, Jasmine, Magnolia, Coriander, Cardamom.

Biscotti -

Biscotti Splash creates a crisp, spicy temptation with an enticing recipe featuring freesia, bergamot, orange blossom, pistachio blossom, and vanilla.

Notes:
Freesia, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Pistachio Blossom, Vanilla.

They sound delicious right? It will be hard choosing one scent (all my budget can probably afford) 

Marc... if your reading my blog please consider minis in these series! They'd sell so well, I promise! Love Anita xx

I love the advertising and think it's the prettiest advertising i've seen in awhile.

If you love looking at Macarons like I do, check out this website http://fuckyeahmacarons.tumblr.com/