July Favourites

It's that time again, new products have been used for the month. Some oldies rediscovered so here are the products i've been enjoying this month.



So tomorrow i'm off to Splendour In The Grass. I might try and do a few quick iphone updates but let's be honest i'll be too busy seeing bands! Follow me on Twitter if you want updates during the festival

I will do a recap when I get home though for anyone who is interested of course.

Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

Beauty Blogger Event - 25th July 2010

Yesterday I went to a beauty blogger event hosted by Maxted Thomas PR, this was the first of it's kind for the beauty blogging community (well, as far as i'm aware of) in Australia.

The day kicked off at the amazing Benefit Boutique in Paddington, NSW. The store is girly and adorable pretty much like Benefits packaging in store form if that makes any sense. We were told earlier in the week that we would be treated to one of the services they offer being either lashes, brow tint or brow shape. I went with lashes being a virgin when it comes to the false lash I thought it might be a little fun... however when we got there they said we would be getting all 3 services! yippeee!

I got my lashes applied which to be honest felt a little weird, but I loved the look! (pictures will be below) then got my brows tinted, again something new which I am now completely converted too and lastly brow shape where my amazing brow trainer said that I have to go into "brow rehab" eep! I kinda knew this would be the case because of my bad brow wax the other week... I was desperate and i've learnt my lesson, from now on no one will touch my brows unless they are from Benefit :)

After all these transformations we got a mini makeover to touch up our makeup before heading off in a rainbow bus to the Brad Ngata salon in Surry Hills for the event. We were greeted by the Maxted Thomas Team and told about where everything was. The brands on show were Benefit, Orly, Nivea, Elastoplast, Jane Iredale & Trilogy. So off we went and looked at the products and learnt about some new products that will be launching in the next few weeks which I can't wait to tell you all about (exciting!!) our little bags were quickly filled with products...omg it felt like christmas :)

The most amazing thing was meeting other bloggers, learning that most of us have full time jobs and we all struggle with keeping up with our blogs and how it really is a labour of love. I didn't realise there were so many of us and especially in Sydney, I got a few cards from some girls and i'll be checking those blogs out tonight sometime... mental note to self - have cards prepared for any future events!

I took the lovely Jade with me and she had a wonderful time, check out here blog here - Jade Musing. I also met the one and only Jacie from You've Got Face & You've Got Nail we have a pending chocolate overload at Koko Black booked in for when i'm in Melbourne next...jealous? You should be :). I also met Corrine from Frock & Roll who was amazed that I read her blog, poppet your blog is amazing! :) and I had a lovely chat to the absolutely gorgeous Cheri from Ms Critique plus so many other amazing people I got to have a chat to.

Here are some photos from the event, not many but I was too busy having a fabulous time. I really wish I got some pictures of the gorgeous waiters at the event... they must have been models, surely?

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="Falsh Lashes by Benefit"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="501" caption="Getting my eyebrows done @ Benefit"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="501" caption="I go super red when I get my brows waxed... see!"][/caption]









[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="501" caption="Jade from Jade Musing"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="382" caption="Moi"][/caption]

I was invited to this event by Maxted Thomas PR, I am not being compensated for my opinions.

Product Review & Testing - Almay One Coat Dial Up Mascara

I uploaded the video for this on YouTube on the weekend but also wanted to give some extra thoughts and my review on the product here as well.

In the video I tested out the mascara for the first time, here are the results.. Enjoy my little blunder, I could have edited it out but i'm not at all perfect and would rather people see me as me then some edited version of me -



The product claims that each dial of the tube gives you a different level of fullness to your lashes, the way I think it works (I'm tempted to pull it apart to see if i'm right too) is that it contracts and expands the tube so you only get a certain amount of product on the wand for each click, I think that's why I found 2 & 3 to be quite similar in look.

Some of the comments I got on YouTube were that the advertisement of this product on television made it look as though you added a coat per every click, so that once you got to number 3 you had 3 coats of mascara on. I didn't interpret it this way from the instructions on the packaging however I did look at the television ad as well and can see how people would think this.

In the video I mentioned it was a pretty decent mascara, and yes on clicks 2 & 3 it gave a nice length and a bit of fullness to the lashes. However when I wore it out after i'd filmed the video and again the next day I noticed that the product had flaked considerably onto my cheeks...blah! My HG (Holy Grail) LashBlast doesn't do this so I wasn't impressed.

The other thing I didn't love and why I think it truly is a one coat thing is that when I did 2 coats of Dial 3 (let's be honest, it's the only dial i'll ever use because I like biiiig lashes) it clumped quite a bit and was hard to bring back. I think this might be a reason for the flakies as well.

I will continue using this one but I think it'll be a "weekend" mascara so that I don't have the embarrasing flakies on my cheeks while at work or out and about somewhere special.

Here are some photos taken of one coat on each step (just like I did it in the video)



Bare Lashes



One coat on Click 1 (full)



One Coat, Click 2 (fuller)



One Coat, Click 3 (fullest)



This is how it looks if you go through all 3 clicks with a layer on each click.... spidey eyes... ewww

This mascara is available at Priceline and costs around $20, I managed to get it during a promotion and it only cost me $14 which wasn't too hard on the pocket.

My overall verdict is that I probabaly won't repurchase this mascara and will happily stick with my LashBlast and no flakies. I think the dial up system is a little gimmicky and not something that really appeals to me, I know I always want full lashes so will generally always go for a mascara that promises that or in this case always use the highest setting. It would be good for people who do like a different intensity to their mascara; be it a less obvious look for the day and more fullness at night.

I give this product 2/5 Mascara Wands

This is something i'm going to try and do more of, videos & blog posts testing out products with advertising claims and see if they live up to the hype. Let me know if there is something in particular you want me to look into trying that you have seen advertised and are interested to know if it works.

10 Online Beauty Stores (that ship to Australia)

I was going to write a separate post about this but I may as well mention it in here. I'm doing a challenge! Since the move of my blog and going through a bit of a rough patch at work i've been unmotivated by writing blog posts, so when I saw the 31 Days To Build a Better Blog Challenge I was onboard! Hoping it might help me get my blog mojo back.

Today is Day 2, and my task is to write a list post. I ummed and ahhed in my head about what I could write a list on and thought what would be something that i'd actually be interested in reading... of course... shopping. More importantly beauty shopping and even more important then that... Stores that ship to Australia :)

I hope you find this post informative and please let me know of any of your recommendations.

10 Online Beauty Stores (that ship to Australia)

1. Crush Cosmetics - This is an Australian based beauty and makeup store with a great selection of brands that aren't so accessible to Australian customers. Top brands include NYX, Milani, China Glaze, ELF and many more. I've used them a few times now and my experience has always been wonderful.

2. Make Up & Glow - Another Australian supplier, this store specialises in stage makeup and items for professional makeup artists. Don't be scared though anyone can order. Brands you will find here are Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (I want to try the Lip Tars!), Temptu, Model In A Bottle, La Femme & Beautyblender

3. Glossi - This Australian store stocks most of the drugstore brands at a discounted price. The great find on here is Revlon ColorStay foundation for $22.95 which is the cheapest i've seen it anywhere. Brands stocked here are Revlon, CoverGirl, Almay, Maybelline, Rimmel and tons more

4. StrawberryNet - Most people know of StrawberryNet or SN as it is sometimes known amongst the beauty pack :) They ship worldwide for free and offer many many brands in the realms of makeup, skincare, haircare and perfume for discounted prices. If I find something I want i'll often check if SN have it and order it from them. They also send the products in a box with a cute purple ribbon around it, small touch but I like it :)

5. Cherry Culture - I haven't ordered from them yet, but I do have quite a big wishlist on the website waiting for me to send to my shopping cart. I have read reviews from others though that recommend this store. They stock so many different brands and a massive range of NYX products for a very reasonable price. My hot tip though, sign up to their mailing list and follow them on Twitter. They regularly have sales!

6. Kiss and Makeup NY - This store stocks brands such as Smashbox, NARS, Laura Mercier and Fresh for a fraction of the price we pay here in Australia. The only downfall is the shipping can be quite slow but with a flat shipping fee of $7.95USD I think it's something that can be overlooked

7. Top Nail Shop - Yes this is an Ebay Store and I know sometimes we think of Ebay as EvilBay but in this case, it's not. I've purchased from this store before and not only do they have a massive range of polishes including brands like OPI, China Glaze, Essie & Color Club. They ship super fast! The prices are also very reasonable and the shipping isn't ridiculous either. Check this one out if you're after nail stuff :)

8. All Cosmetic Wholesale - You want to buy MAC online for a reasonable price? Don't want fake MAC? Enter All Cosmetic Warehouse (ACW) stocking brands like MAC, Urban Decay, Benefit, Smashbox it's a haven for all things we pay ridiculous prices for in Australia for a reasonable price. Most of the items are discontinued, but sometimes that can be what you're after right? I've gotten lost in this site because of all the goodies :)

9. Coastal Scents - This is where you find the famous 88 palettes and the amazing gel liners! The shipping cost can sometimes be a little on the expensive side but if you order enough for it to be worth it they are a great e-tailer :)

10. Benefit Cosmetics - We do have the stores here, but once again price markup is a little high and if you want to order a few things you can take advantage of the free shipping for orders over $115 (trust me that's not hard either!) Plus you can get samples... loooove samples :)

I hope this has been helpful, and like I mentioned please let me know of any stores you've tried and had a great experience with. I made do a Part 2 in the future :)

Product Review - Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Cream

As winter is now well upon us here in Australia, I know personally I go looking for anything that will give me hydration. Being a fan of the Trilogy Rosehip Oil I knew I had to try out this product.

Lets talk ingredients. This moisturiser is jam packed with ingredients that are great for your skin and for achieving hydration. The main ingredients in this product are - Rosehip Oil, Evening Primrose Oils, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Manuka Honey & Lavender.

The scent is slightly floral, you can smell mostly Lavender and while this isn't a scent i'm particularly fond of it's not too strong though so I find it bearable.

Does This Product Work? Ahhhhh.....YES! I am loving it, so much so it featured in my June favourites YouTube video! I apply this at night only because it is quite a thick moisturiser and not every night, just when I feel my skin needs it or I spot treat areas that are particularly dry. This has made such a difference though and as soon as I apply it my skin feels hydrated and smooth.

I took some pictures to show how the product is quite thick, excuse my pruney fingers I took these after a long hot shower :)

Where can you buy this product? Oh i'm glad you asked... :) You can get Trilogy at Myer & Priceline plus selected Pharmacies and Health Food Stores. This cream retails for $35 and for that price, is well worth it!

I give this product 4/5 Product Tubes :)

Amazing Makeup - Christina Hendricks LA Times Magazine

I've been seeing these pictures on a few different websites of the Mad Men star, and while I don't watch the show I am absolutely in awe of how amazing the makeup is in this photoshoot. Some of the lip colours are so bold yet seem wearable, they simply pop. Her amazing porcelain skin (which partly may be due to airbrushing/photoshopping) is so enviable.

I also really love the perfect winged liner, it's what I wish I could get my liner to do! It looks as though they have kept the same eye look throughout the photoshoot but changed the lip colour.

Look at that jewellery!!

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do

June Favourites

Here is the most recent video I have done for my June favourites, hope you enjoy it! It's a little late I know but hopefully I can be on track for my July favourites.



Products I mentioned were

• Lush Rockstar Soap


• Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter


• Revlon Photoready (Shell) Revlon Colorstay (Buff)


• Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick (Born with It)


• Nars Orgasm Blush


• NYX Perfect Mega Lip Shine

Sample my favourite perfume... Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

I know my last post was also a sample deal, but I found another and had to share because it's my favourite perfume.

Enjoy!

Want a Biore Cleanser Sample?

I love free samples, I mean really... who doesn't?  This is for a sample of the new Biore Steam Activated Cleanser.

I just got this from a feed I subscribe to and wanted to pass it onto all my lovely readers. I'll do a mini review when I get the sample just for you lovelies :)

Basically you just need to "like" their facebook page and then you get re-directed to a form to fill in for your sample goodiness! Don't have Facebook? Well then I can't really help you... sorry!

Click here to go to the facebook page!

AHHHHH!!! FINALLY HERE!!

I've finally finished moving, it's a bit like moving house... making a checklist, worrying you've left something behind.

I think i'm still in the late stages of unpacking boxes, you know the ones you leave in the spare room and hide away? Hopefully this will all be sorted soon.

Hope you like my new layout, it's been fun changing it around and making it my own... there are a few things I still want to tweak but that will come with time. I mostly just want to get back into blogging again and work on the small stuff when I can.

If i've forgotten you on my blogroll, please leave me a comment or email me at anita@lovevulcanella.com (yehhh my own email, aren't I fancy!) I've tried to include everyone so please tell me if I need to add you.

Most Importantly - Please update your RSS readers!! There is a cute little orange button that will help you out with that if you want to take a shortcut. Also if i'm on your blogroll you might need to update that too...SORRY!

I'm still getting used to this whole world of Wordpress, but so far I really like it... it's starting to feel like home.

So once again, thanks again for following me over here and reading my little space on the blogosphere and please update your RSS reader and i'll see you soon!!!

Anita xx