Manicure Monday - Face of Australia Ocean Villa

I've been craving bright blue nails all week, I have no idea why but i'm strange like that.

I haven't picked up this Face Of Australia nail colour in Ocean Villa for awhile and it is the most beautiful bright almost cobalt blue, and guess what? It's now part of Face of Australias permanent range! The bottle is in the normal FOA nail polish bottles, my version is from the Luxe collection.

I could have left it with just this gorgeous colour but I decided to add a bit of sparkle to my ring finger on each hand and for this I used OPI Last Friday Night from the Katy Perry collection. It doesn't really show up because I only did a very light coat but oh well it's a tiny bit of sparkle :).

OPI retails for $19.95AUD in Australia and this colour is still available to purchase from Adore Beauty.

Face of Australia is available at department stores and Priceline and nail polish retails for $6.95AUD you can also purchase these online from Fashion Addict & Makeup Express.

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January Favourites!

This was uploaded to YouTube awhile ago but I thought i'd also do a little matching blog post as well! Here are the things I was loving in January -

Nature's Way Multi-Vitamin - VitaGummies - RRP $22.95AUD

I hate swallowing tablets and have you seen the size of regular multi vitamins? Nah Uh! These are like a little treat twice a day and are beneficial for you. I'll be honest the after taste is freakin rancid but I can deal.

MAC Creme Blush (Now known as Cremeblend) - Ladyblush - RRP $41.00AUD

This is an old favourite of mine and the old formula. I haven't tried the new ones to see if they are any different but I love this! However for a cheaper option check out the NYX Cream Blushes, for the price they are amaaaaaze.

Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder - Natural - RRP $11.40AUD

Go buy this now! This stuff is an absolute bargain and gives the most natural finish. It also has a little coverage so I find it nice over my tinted moisturisers/BB creams I wear on weekends. It also photographs well (must for any beauty blogger). This has been likened as a dupe for the MAC Studio Fix powder, I used to use MAC Mineralize Skin Finish and thought that was the bomb.com but this baby is my new holy grail.

OPI Nail Lacquer - Samoan Sand - RRP $19.95AUD

I never thought i'd be into nude polishes, but after Chelle recommend this to me I feel I might sway towards more nudes. Looks amazing on my pale skin and is such a nice base for gradient nails/nail features etc. 

Urban Decay Naked 2 - Tease - Unavailable in Australia but you can purchase from http://www.beautybay.com

I don't really need to say much because most people own this palette. I'm loving Tease at the moment in my crease, it's such a gorgeous taupe that leans towards purple and brings out my blue eyes.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids - RRP $16.95AUD

You might want to check out my review and then go and try these. Since then I've also managed to pick up another 2 colours (hooked!). I'll post swatches etc on here soon because I know these are going to be popular lippies, I want them all!!

Too Faced Foil Liner - Black Beauty - (I don't think this is available in Australia anymore :( )

This is my go-to waterline liner, it stays put and is a very black black. I've been lining my upper waterline and the difference it makes to my eyes is amazing. I do want to try the Urban Decay liner in Perversion so once this one goes to the beauty box in the sky i'll try that next.

Face of Australia Face Base Primer - RRP $11.95AUD

I've been getting into primers again of late and have found this really moisturises my dry skin and helps my foundation glide on smoothly. This is always a staple in my makeup collection and I think will be forever (unless they change the formula and it's shit).

Royal & Langnickel Green Line Powder Brush*

I only recently cracked open my set of green line brushes from ABBW... yeah over a year later! I can't wait to try the others because this powder brush is perfection. I use it to apply my Fresh & Flawless powder.

Also feel free to check out my video below for a visual of me talking about the same thing!

Hope you've enjoyed my January favourites, I'm really going to try and do these monthly as I am a fan of reading/watching them myself.

What did you love last month? Anything I should try for February? (even though it's halfway over!)

*products marked with a * were provided for my consideration. I am always honest in my reviews.

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Face of Australia Pastels Collection

I wanted to start this post off by saying a resounding YOU ARE AMAZING! to all the nail bloggers out there that swatch entire collections. I only swatched 4 polishes in one sitting and that was enough for me!

Face of Australia you've done it again! The brand new nail polish collection entitled "Pastels" is just that, pastel goodness! I've always been a fan of pastel nail polishes and was scouting out my local Priceline until I saw these babies, then it was deciding which to buy? I consulted my lovely nail blogger friend Cosmetic Cupcake to let me know what the "must haves" were. I could have bought the whole collection but I thought getting 4 of the collection would do me for now.

Shades: Have Your Cupcake And Eat It Too, After Dinner Mint, Once In A Blue Moon, Boys 'n Berries

Have Your Cupcake And Eat It Too - This was a hard colour to photograph, it's a light baby pink with a kind of violet colour to it. Strangely enough this is the exact shade I was after a few weeks ago it's odd how it's pastel but yet it still seems bright. This was an absolute dream to apply, 2 coat wonder for me (could have possibly even gotten away with 1 coat to be honest). This is my favourite of the 4 I purchased but mainly because it was a colour lemming fulfilled!

After Dinner Mint - I am a sucker for a good mint shade and this doesn't disappoint! It looks a little streaky in my pictures but that was more my bad application. I wore this last week and it lasted chip free for 4 days which for me is an absolute lifetime. This is another two coat wonder and such a gorgeous shade for spring or summer.

Once In A Blue Moon - There is always one that doesn't perform spectacularly and in this case it's Once In A Blue moon, don't get me wrong I adore the colour but the actual polish was very thin and a bit of a pain to apply. You need 3 good coats of this one to get to the opaque stage. Such a shame as the blue is so pretty.

Boys 'N' Berries - Cute name, great colour and one of the best lavender pastels i've tried. I have quite a few in my collection particularly from Essie (they seem to do a lavender with every collection). This is opaque with 2 coats and is a dream to apply. This is for sure my new go-to lavender shade.

As with most Face of Australia collections, these are limited edition! They only retail for $4.95AUD a pop so certainly not a bank breaker.

You can purchase Face of Australia from various department stores, Priceline, Fashion Addict & Makeup Express

Please note all products were purchased with my own money, all opinions are my own. Link to the Fashion Addict website is an affiliate link, if this is an issue for you just google the address. Funds from affiliate links go into the running and maintaining of this blog.

Review: Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayon

I just love it when a product creates hype on various social media networks, I love the thrill of waiting for the product to hit the shelves and checking my local outlets waiting for the product to rear it's ugly/or beautiful head. To me this is exciting!

One of my latest acquisition was just like that, I eventually found this on a weekend away in Canberra. It was also on sale, so bonus!

The Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons are not only a beautiful product, but an absolute steal! $14.95AUD for 3 wearable colours, this little set certainly won't break the bank and is a great introduction into the lip crayon products we've been seeing from all different brands. 

They are smooth, tinted and smell delicious! 

I also love the fact the packaging is a wind up applicator, I'm not a fan of the gloss crayons you need to sharpen... I don't get how that works anyway? 

The 3 shades in the set are -

Sundae - Neutral, I thought I'd dislike this shade the most out of the 3, but in fact it's my favourite! I find this to be the most pigmented on my lips and is such a great everyday shade.

Macaron - A Red tint, gives the lips a nice flushed colour. I love these sort of colours, I feel they always brighten up my look.

Cupcake - Light pink, such a cute bubblegum pink. I personally like brighter pinks but this is still cute and would look awesome with a dark smokey eye.

Be quick because these sets are limited edition! I'm kind of hoping they bring them out again in more colours...brights for summer would be amazing (FOA take note!).

Face of Australia is stocked at Priceline, Kmart, Big W & Various Chemists. International readers can also purchase Face of Australia online at Fashion Addict, however I couldn't see these on the website just yet.

This product was purchased with my own money, obviously since I went searching in another state for it :P

Loving.... Face Of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminator in Angel Fire (NARS ORGASM DUPE ALERT!!)

I've pretty much said everything in the title of this post!

I love this product, it's by Face of Australia and it's a total dupe for the NARS Orgasm Illuminator!

This is a limited edition product, so if your looking to pick it up.. get thee to store now!



When I first swatched this in Priceline I ummm'ed and ahhh'ed over it, would I really use a highlighter that's pigmented and not really a traditional highlighter colour? Then I couldn't stop thinking about it and imagined how I would use it, now I can't see myself without it (and i'm tempted to go buy the rest of the colours).



The consistancy of the product is quite thin, but it is very pigmented and easy to blend into the skin. You do have to be careful though because you may get a bit of product overload come out (see swatches below for a great example!).



The colour though, wowza! If you're a fan of NARS Orgasm get this! It is an absolutely gorgeous peachy pink with a fine gold shimmer. I think it's one of those colours that universally suits all skin tones.

I find the best way to wear it is more as an enhancement on my blush, so i'll put on my blush and then dot a bit of the Illuminator on the top points of my blush and blend in. I have no idea if this is what you're meant to do but it works for me.

Let's see this bad boy (or girl) in action. This is a photo I took in the car on NYE my first outing with the Illuminator on. Yeah I like heavy blush :)



Details!!!

There are 4 colours in this range, and as said earlier they are limited edition! You can pick them up for RRP $14.95AUD from all the usual Face of Australia stockists.

Here is a recent FOTD using the Mineral Therapy Illuminator



Products Used -

Foundation - Illamasqua Skin Base in 07 & Boujois Healthy Mix in 02

Eyes - Naked Palette (Sin on eyelid, Virgin on brow bone, Buck in crease, Half Baked in the middle of the eyelid, Creep in the outer corner), Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner, Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara)

Cheeks - NYX Glow & Face of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminator in Angel Fire

Lips - Revlon Carnation

Product was purchased by me at P to the riceline :) 

 

A Pink That Packs A Punch? Enter! Face of Australia - Malibu Barbie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

First of all I want to wish everyone a wonderful 2012, I'm hoping to try and be a little more consistant with my posts this year and try and get back into the swing of things as much as possible. I don't really believe in new years resolutions, I feel goal setting should be something you do all year but I do want to try and concentrate on my blog again.. I'm coming up to 2 years this month!

ONTO THE REVIEW!

I actually got a sneak peek of this lipstick back in September at the ABBW (Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend) and as soon as I saw it I knew as soon as it hit the shelves I needed it in my collection, well I'm not sure I got it as soon as it hit the shelves but I did get it as soon as i saw it.

Malibu Barbie is part of the Lip Quench range of lipsticks from Face of Australia. A lipstick range which not only provides a smack of colour but also provides some pretty rad lip treatment qualities as well (Double the win!) It contains Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Shea butter and SPF 30+.. Yep, SPF 30+ seriously bright and protected lips!



The colour of this lipstick is what really gets me, the name says it all Malibu Barbie is a bright cool toned pink it really is the ultimate Barbie pink, it's a gorgeous pop of colour that instantly brightens the face. I personally love colours like this because I feel like I don't have to do a whole lot else with my makeup, keeping it simple and making this sort of lip colour the focus is how I like to wear it.

In fact I wore it last night for New Years Eve!

Ready for some swatchy goodness? My lips are a bit dry in this picture, so the moisturizing properties of this lipstick were kind of perfect.





The Details!

RRP $9.45AUD

You can purchase this product from Priceline, Department Stores and various Chemists. Face of Australia products can also be purchased online from Fashion Addict.

Current Favourites

Hooray I have finally uploaded a new YouTube video! Here are my current favourites. See below the video for all details of the products mentioned -

 



 

The Beauty Pod -$12.50AUD @ Melli Cosmetics

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (Gel) - $32AUD

Face of Australia Translucent Face Powder - $11.95AUD - International readers can purchase from Fashion Addict

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine - Rivage - $50AUD or $36AUD on Strawberrynet

Mac Hibiscus Cremesheen Lipstick (Surf Baby Collection) - $41AUD at Mac Stores or Mac Cosmetics

Jack Black Lip Balm - $7AUD on Strawberrynet at time of posting this was sold out, keep checking! it will get restocked.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream - 50ml $34AUD or 125ml $64AUD at Kiehls counters or the new website! There is currently free shipping June and if you quote the code lipglossblog you will receive a free lip gloss with any purchase!

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream - $58AUD from Benefit Counters nationally

NYX Eyeshadow in Taupe - You can purchase NYX shadows from Crush Cosmetics for $7.95AUD but this colour isn't available. Alternatively I also buy NYX from Cherry Culture for $5.50USD but they are often on sale and this colour plus many more are available.

MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch & Sketch - $33AUD from Mac counters or Mac Cosmetics Website

Benefit Bella Bamba - $51AUD from Benefit Counters

Illamasqua Nail Polish in Boosh - $34AUD from Illamasqua counters

Nubar Nail Polish in 2010 - I don't know of any Australian retailers, I purchased mine on Ebay

Marc Jacobs Blush - I've had this for ages and couldn't find any information on prices, try all perfume counters :)

Modiva Professional 25mm Curling Tong - $89.95AUD for a $30 discount enter the code lovevulcanella at the checkout. Purchase from the Modiva website

L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray 400ml - $9.95AUD from Priceline

Seven Wonders Moroccan Treatment Oil - $32.95AUD from various Chemists and Health Stores or Online Here

 

Please note some of the products mentioned were provided for review, please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Product Review - Face of Australia Eye Primer

Eye Primers... In my opinion an absolute essential! They create a base for you to apply your eyeshadow which generally makes the shadow more pigmented and also last a lot longer.

Recently I got to try out the Face of Australia Eye Primer and I was stoked because my regular eye primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion) isn't readily available in Australia and also costs $19USD per tube. The primer comes in 2 different formulas, matte & shimmer. I tried out the matte version. So did it measure up?

To test it out I used my regular Urban Decay Primer Potion on one eye and the Face of Australia Eye Primer on the other eye. The Face of Australia Eye Primer is quite matte and thick and once smoothed onto the eyelid my eyeshadow applied really smooth and pigmented and unfortunately that's where my good comments about this primer end. My eyeshadow creased within 2hrs and while the Urban Decay Primer Potion was still going strong on the other eye I was pretty much shadowless by the end of the day on Face of Australia's eye, not a good look at all.

I also can't really think of another use for this primer (I know some people are using the shimmer primer as a highlighter...genius!) so if you do want to give it a go, perhaps go for the shimmer version so you can use it as a multi-use product.

You can purchase this eye primer for $7.95AUD from all Face of Australia stockists (Priceline, Kmart, Big W etc) or online at Fashion Addict (and it's only $6.95AUD there)





This product was provided for review, for more information please read my disclosure policy

Liquid Eyeliners - Face of Australia vs. Maybelline

It's showdown time! In the ring we have Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner and Maybelline Line Stilleto Liquid Liner.

This review is a long time coming, I'd had everything ready to go for my review on the Maybelline Line Stilleto Liquid Liner and then BAM! I tried out the Face of Australia liner and found 2 amazing and well priced liners! So let's compare them!

Packaging

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Face of Australia Liquid Liner / Maybelline Line Stilleto Liquid Liner"][/caption]

The packaging on both of these products is quite different. The Face of Australia holds 8mls of product and the Maybelline holds 1.5ml of product. I really like how the Maybelline tube is quite small as it makes application quite easy. However you're getting more value for money with the amount of product in the Face of Australia liner.

Applicator



I like both of these applicators. The Face of Australia applicator is very small and fine making it easy to make a very thin line (great for a daytime eye) plus I find the smaller it is the easier it is to apply and mistakes are minimal. The Maybelline applicator is a hard felt style applicator and again is easy to use but it is a little bigger then the Face of Australia applicator.

Swatch



Well they are both black! haha! I think the Maybelline provides a darker line and I find the Face of Australia liner does take a little while to dry. The Maybelline liner works great on its own with no shadow, however I found the Face of Australia liner worked even better when it was over a primer or eyeshadow colour.

On the Eye!









[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Face of Australia Liquid Liner (with Primer underneath)"][/caption]

















[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Maybelline Line Stilleto Liquid Liner"][/caption]







Quite similar... I do prefer my application with the Face of Australia liner.

So overall they are both very good liquid liner products. I must be honest though I have been leaning more towards the Face of Australia one of late as I find it gives me a more precise and thinner line which is how I like to wear it with my everyday makeup. You also get a lot more product with the Face of Australia product and we all love a little bang for our buck right?

As for price you can pick up the Face of Australia Liquid Liner for a measly $8.95AUD and the Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner will cost approx $13.95AUD.

Now for something fun! Something i've always wanted to master and i'm really crap at is the Lauren Conrad wing...well Lauren launched her beauty site not too long ago http://www.thebeautydepartment.com (I actually really like the website) and on the site was a tutorial of how she does her liquid liner... want to give it a go? Here's the video :)

Face of Australia product was provided for consideration, please read my disclosure policy for more information.

NOTD - Face of Australia Luxe Nail Enamel in Ocean Villa

Face of Australia... I'm sure you've been seeing this brand popping up on a lot of blogs you read, that is because this brand is amazing with bloggers. For example, today I asked if this range of polish was still in stores so I could tell my readers if it was and how long and almost instantly I got a response. Sadly this range has been discontinued (it was Limited Edition) but you may be lucky and still find it around, I saw some at a Kmart the other week. GOOD NEWS THOUGH! The whole range is available to order directly from themakeupboxshop@gmail.com.

Onto the colour I have! As soon as I started applying it I was excited to tell you all that this is one of the best nail polish formulas i've worked with, not only that the blue colour is so pretty. Perhaps not conventional for some but Hey I love my blue nails :)

It dried down to a semi matte finish, which is something I wasn't too keen on but a coat of top coat (Seche Vite of course!) all was good again!

Want to know the most exciting thing though? These polishes are only $4.95each!

As I mentioned before these are being phased out so the new collection can come in (google Face of Australia Molten Metals and a grab a serviette because your going to drool..Ore is on my list and better not sell out before I get my grabby hands onto it!) However you can still order from the lovely make up box shop to the email above or even have a chat to them on twitter @TheMakeUpBoxAU or you may be lucky and stumble across some in your local Kmart!



This product was provided to me for my consideration, for more information please read my disclosure policy.

 

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.