Beauty Joint Experience + Haul

Three weeks ago I placed an order on BeautyJoint.com. I haven’t been able to find my holy grail Rimmel mascara in New Zealand for about a year now. I wear and love the Extreme Black shade (003) and I have only seen Black (001) in stores. I purchased a tube of Black in September 2017 but it’s just not the same. I hunted high and low and this site was the only one I found that had Extreme Black in stock so I purchased two tubes! I browsed the rest of the site and ended up adding a few other items to my cart.

This was the first time I had ordered from Beauty Joint but the experience was a good one and I would definitely consider shopping with them again. The website has a variety of brands, mostly drugstore but there is Korean beauty as well. I really have no complaints. I received a shipping notice 1-2 days after placing my order and in total the package took two weeks to arrive from the date I ordered. That impressed me because I know packages from the US can take longer and New Zealand only gets mail three days a week. The items arrived bubble wrapped in a bubble bag, nothing arrived broken or damaged and everything I ordered I received. If I purchased all of these in New Zealand I would have paid $30-$40 more – the prices are so good! If you’re looking for some great discount drugstore makeup, check this site out!

NB: All opinions are my own. This post is not sponsored by Beauty Joint and all items were purchased by me using my own money.

1. Rimmel London Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – Extreme Black x2

Rimmel is one of my favourite brands and I have been using this mascara for almost four years. I’ve tried other brands and other mascaras from Rimmel but this is the one I always go back to. The formula is great from the get go and when it dries out it’s even better! The brush is big but I’m used to working with it and this mascara gives length AND volume.

2. Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter – Molten Rose Gold

I love highlighters that give more of a subtle, natural glow and have less of a warm tone. I could not go as warm/golden as Becca’s Champagne Pop. This is only my fourth highlighter and honestly I feel that’s all I need. Highlighters last a long time and I’d rather have a couple that I regularly use rather than 20 that sit in my makeup drawer and get used every once in a while. I don’t wear highlighter everyday and I tend to go for blush or highlighter but I feel like this shade could double as both.

3. NYX Eye Shadow Base – Skin Tone

Eyeshadow seems to apply on one eye better than the other and I thought it was about time I tried an eye primer or an eyeshadow base. Katie from Kate’s Vanity has talked about an Essence eyshadow base before but Essence isn’t sold in my city. I needed an item to add to my order to qualify for free shipping and this was it. I chose the skin tone shade to create a good foundation to apply eyeshadow over. The base aims to intensify the impact of eyeshadow and help colour last longer.

4. Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick #12

I bought this shade of lipstick after Nadine from Ladies and Lace mentioned it was a dupe for Morange by MAC. I previously had a Revlon Lip Butter in the shade Tutti Frutti but this lipstick is everything I wanted Tutti Frutti to be and more. The lip butter was sheer which made the colour look strange on my lips – I love how opaque this Rimmel lipstick is. The formula is not drying and not patchy. Rimmel do lipstick really well in general. I tried this lipstick on when the order arrived and I’m a big fan! I’m sure you will see me wearing this soon.

5. Revlon Lip Butter – Cotton Candy

I have eight of these Revlon lip butters in total. I don’t think they are made or sold in stores anymore but as far as formula and pigmentation are concerned you can’t go wrong. I have a mixture of bright and everyday shades in my makeup drawer. Cotton Candy is such a cute name and as it suggests it’s a girly, pink shade. Cotton Candy is a light pink with golden shimmer and leans more towards the cooler side of the spectrum. This reminds me of Nivea’s Pearly Shine lipbalm which I love.

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As well as showing you what I purchased I wanted to do a little first impression try on with some of the products.

• NYX Eyeshadow Base – Skin Tone – I used this and applied MAC’s Tan pigment over the top. The pigment didn’t last longer than usual but maybe I didn’t apply enough of the eyeshadow base. Perhaps I need to let it set for a minute before applying eyeshadow over the top. I will keep experimenting.
• Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter – Molten Rose Gold – I applied this using a fluffy blush brush but didn’t like how little the highlighter showed up on my skin. I switched to a more densely packed tapered blush brush which worked better. The glow was very pretty and not too pink or too golden.
• Revlon Lip Butter – Cotton Candy – I like how natural this looks on the lips. I can see myself reaching for this when I want to apply something and I’m not sure what lip colour to wear.

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Have you ordered from Beauty Joint before? Have you tried any of these products?

P.S. This is my last blog post for a little while. I’m not sure when my next one will be but I still plan to share my monthly favourites and daily happiness highlights at the end of May.

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Decluttering My Beauty Drawer

When I was deciding what I wanted to try and use up for Products I Want To Finish In 2018 I also came up with a list of products I barely use and a few that don’t work for me. We all love a good declutter and seeing what other bloggers don’t get on with! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products. Perhaps you fared better than I did.

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#1. Chi Chi Billion Dollar Palette in Heiress

Getting rid of this palette makes me a little sad as it was my very first eyeshadow palette. The matte shades in this palette aren’t great but two of the pink metallic shades, the white and the two silvers got a lot of love. The silver is so amazing – I even hit pan – and I was tempted to keep the palette for this shade alone but I purchased a silver pigment from MAC to take care of my silver shadow needs.

(The silver referred to is the one next to the white).

#2. The Body Shop Swinging Silver Palette

I purchased this palette at the start of 2017 for $15 (NZD) because of how lovely the shades looked online. I thought this palette would be great as it has two backup silvery shades, a metallic peach and a gorgeous navy blue. The navy disappointed me the most as it doesn’t transfer pigment to the eyelid and the light silver applies well but doesn’t have staying power. The only decent shade is the peach. I don’t wear the peach enough to warrant keeping the palette though and like the Chi Chi palette, the MAC silver pigment will take care of my silver needs.

#3. Tanya Burr Sweet Lip Creams

These were a failure. I regret purchasing these but they did make me realise I’m not a matte lip cream/liquid lipstick fan. I don’t mind matte lipsticks in a traditional bullet but not the ones in tubes. The red, Santa’s Little Helper is the better shade out of the two application wise. It gives nice pigment but you can’t apply more than one layer without messing up the first. The dark purple, Blackberry Fudge is gorgeous but very streaky and I struggle to apply one even coat. I have tried these on different occasions and each time quite frankly, they have been shit.

#4. Smashbox – Bawse

I will correct myself and say I don’t mind the formula of this liquid lipstick. It’s more like a mousse and doesn’t dry down instantly giving you time to apply another coat if needed and perfect your pout. I won Bawse in a giveaway and I am incredibly sad to have to get rid of this product, not because I don’t like it but because it has dried out! I had this a little more than a year and it is such a lovely red. I may re-purchase at some point to see if it lasts longer a second time round but I have got other reds I can turn to.

#5. Revlon Lip Butter – Tutti Frutti

I love bright lips and orange lipstick looks so good on other people. The problem I have with Tutti Frutti is it’s not a bright orange, I’d prefer it to be along the lines of MAC Morange. Because of the sheer formula it doesn’t pack enough of a punch to be bright. I have other Lip Butters which are more pigmented. I don’t reach for this colour so it’s time to go.

#6. W7 Raspberry Ripple

I have no issues with this lipstick, I just have similar colours and don’t reach for this particular shade often.

#7. Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in Solstice and Stellar

Solstice looks so pretty in the tube and when I first purchased it I used it a lot. Now I find I can get a similar colour using Blankety by MAC topped with Revlon’s lipgloss in Super Natural.

Stellar I purchased for my mum as she also loves bright, bold colours! She didn’t like the formula and gave it back to me. I don’t find this shade wears well over the course of a day and it’s a coral-red which aren’t my favourite.

#8. Dainty Doll Powder Blushes in Hippy Shake and My Girl

Blush isn’t a product I wear every day and I have two shades I do use regularly  I tend to use blush or highlighter and prefer highlighters to blushes. The lilac shade on the left, Hippy Shake looks highlighter-esque and is so soft and lovely but I have a similar coloured highlighter and don’t need this anymore. The pink shade on the right, My Girl again is a lovely formula but I cannot wear pink blush, it doesn’t suit my skin and looks harsh.

#9. Covergirl truBlend Liquid Foundation in L2 Classic Ivory

This foundation is weird. The bottle instructs you to shake before each use which I did but when I pump this out onto the back of my hand it’s watery and separated and runny. The colour isn’t exactly a perfect match but I was able to work with it and apply a light layer to avoid an orange tinge. The coverage wasn’t particularly good either.

#10. Revlon Rose Glow Highlighting Palette

This is pretty and I have used it numerous times but the highlight looks chunky and powdery on the face which is a little odd because this isn’t the most pigmented highlighter. Strangely this doesn’t look harsh on my cheeks like the Dainty Doll My Girl blush despite being pink (maybe because it’s sparkly and less pigmented?) It’s not a product I’ll miss having in my collection.

#11. Rimmel Climax

I think what makes me not like this nail polish is the wide brush, my fingers are small and I like a brush that’s not too big or small. I purchased this in 2012 and the colour is beautiful but I don’t wear the polish and only ever have a handful of times. I have newer polishes from Rimmel that don’t have as wide a brush and I like those more.

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I hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for reading! Have you had a declutter recently?

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December Favourites 2016

I know it’s not quite the end of December yet but I’ve got my posts all lined up for the end of the month so I figured I would share my monthly favourites a little earlier. I cannot believe how fast this year and this month in particular have gone. I started the month off with my Christmas shopping, the majority of which I smashed out in one day and I’ve been busy wrapping presents and getting the final bits and pieces for my recipients. I’ve also been pretty busy at work with filling in and late night finishes but it’s all worth it!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Mermaid Blanket – At the end of November I ordered a mermaid blanket from Ali Express. I selected a beautiful purple colour with flecks of light pink thread (which you can see in the image above). The shipping was free and the blanket only took two weeks to arrive from China. Being summer, I didn’t think I’d get the chance to use this for a while but I have got it out on a few occasions already. I’ve been wearing summer pyjamas but find I need something to take the chill off my legs in the evenings before bed. I’ve loved getting cosy on the couch with this and it’s so warm!

2. Dannii Minogue – My Story – I have owned this book for a couple of years now and I’ve read it multiple times. I like to take books to work to read when it’s quiet and I haven’t been to the library in a long time so My Story it was! By now you probably know how much I love Dannii and every time I read this book I learn something new and I’m reminded how amazing she is. Dannii literally tells her story from her childhood, to the breakdown of her marriage to her musical successes. Even if you’re not a fan of Dannii, I think you would enjoy this book because it’s humorous, honest and relatable. Dannii talks about personal struggles but she is able to talk about them with a sense of positivity and explains the growth they have given her. Overall, a great read!

3. Revlon – Sugar Plum – You also probably know about my love for Revlon’s lip butters too! I have picked up eight different shades over the past year and I cannot rave enough about their formula and colour payoff. I paid less than $10 (NZD) for all of these and they are worth it! If you saw Monday’s post, Christmas Makeup, you’ll know I plan on wearing Sugar Plum for Christmas this year. One afternoon I was applying this shade and I thought it would make such a lovely Christmas lip colour.

4. The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Hand Cream – During Project Pan I finished up The Body Shop’s Wild Argan Oil hand cream and a couple of weeks ago I popped into The Body Shop to take a look at the Christmas scents and Vanilla Chai is the one I was most drawn to. I love Vanilla in general and instantly knew I had to buy this hand cream. This hand cream has quite a spicy Vanilla scent to it which isn’t my favourite Vanilla scent but it’s pleasant enough for me to keep using. I probably wouldn’t purchase anything else from the Vanilla Chai range but I’m happy I tried the hand cream. As with all other hand creams I’ve tried from The Body Shop, this one is very moisturising, a little goes a long way and the scent doesn’t instantly disappear.

December’s Spotify Playlist:

This month is a cross between pop tracks and Christmas songs.

WARNING: The playlist is very Minogue heavy!

Project Pan Week 10: The Body Shop Strawberry Lip Butter

Happy Monday and welcome to week ten of Project Pan! Project Pan follows Stash Matters, A Brash Attitude, Curly Spring Blossom and I as we pick 12 products to try and hit pan on/empty over 12 weeks (11 in my case).

In the spotlight this week is the third and final product from The Body Shop; their Strawberry Lip Butter.

About

I purchased this lip butter more than a year ago. I didn’t start using it straight away and it sat unopened for a couple of months. I needed time to decide what I was going to do with this lip butter, was I going to keep it in my bag in case of chapped lip emergencies or just use it now and again when I needed to. I didn’t end up doing either of those. 99% of the time once my lipstick is on it stays on and I don’t reach for lip balm during the day. I started applying this at night before bed, so I wake up with lovely, soft lips and it’s something I’ve continued to do. This is still on my lips when I wake in the morning (my lips are known to hold pigment and lip product extremely well) and when it comes to applying lipstick there is no drag. I think it’s important to distinguish this is a lip butter as opposed to a lip balm. I’m sure essentially they are the same but lip butter implies it should be more moisturising than a regular lip balm.

From the Website:

A rich, intensive moisturiser for the lips with the sweet scent of strawberry. The butter-like texture of this balm which contains strawberry seed oil, melts onto the lips for instant hydration leaving lips feeling soft, smooth and kissable.

Pros

• Strawberry scent isn’t overpowering
• Keeps my lips soft and supple
• A little goes a long way
• Easy to pop in your handbag/purse

Cons

• Price – $16.75 (NZD) is a little steep for a lip balm

Chanelle’s rating 8.5/10 – I’m giving this product another solid score because I do find with regular daily use my lips stay soft and nourished and I never get chapped lips or bits of flaky skin. Even though the price isn’t the cheapest you do get a lot of product in the little tub and I find less is more so it will last you for a while. Some people might argue this product isn’t the most hygienic because you have to swirl your finger in the tub but I apply this once a day at night before bed right after I’ve washed my hands.

The Remaining Products – Progress

1. Nivea Pearly Shine Lip Balm – Used 1x.
   
2. The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Hand Cream – Used 6x. This is on it’s last legs, there must only be a couple of uses left.
   
3. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige – Used 2x.
4. Britney Spears Curious – In Control – Used 4x.
   
5. Fudge Urban Miracle Ends Tropical Cocktail – Used 2x.
   
6. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist – Used 5x.
   
7. Natio Clay and Plant Face Mask Purifier – Used 2x. I have noticed a small difference using this more than once a week. My skin seems clearer and less oily.
8. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair – Used 6x. I finally finished a product!
   
9. Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Setting Powder – Used 4x. After last week’s review I have made a real effort to use this more.
   
10. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover – Used 2x.

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Don’t forget to check out this week’s posts from my collaboration partners:

• Stash Matters
• A Brash Attitude
• Curly Spring Blossom

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Summer Lipstick Picks

Here in New Zealand it’s the final month of Spring meaning that next month it will be Summer. I’m not the biggest fan of Summer and the heat but one thing that is sure to keep a smile on my face during the warmer weather is my love for lip products. Back in May I did a similar post, Winter Lipstick Picks, where I showcased my favourite shades for the cooler months. I’ve got a handful of Summer favourites to show you and I’ve broken them down into categories. Enjoy!

The Nude: Patisserie – MAC

Patisserie was the second MAC lipstick I ever purchased and it is a shade I have talked about quite a bit on the blog. It is definitely up there with Syrup as my most worn MAC lipstick. The pinky, terracotta tones make Patisserie a lovely shade for Summer – it adds a wash of colour to the lips and looks especially lovely paired with shimmery eyes. Patisserie is one of those lipsticks that is wearable all year round and can be worn day or night.

The Peach: Peach Parfait – Revlon

Peach Parfait is one of the most recent additions to my makeup collection and I can see it becoming a favourite over the next few months. Peach Parfait is more of a pink-toned peach rather than an orange-toned peach (e.g. Revved by MAC which was also nearly included in this post). This lip butter contains shimmer but so far I haven’t experienced any grit when applying or wearing it. The application is very smooth, like butter, and the formula is moisturising.

The Gloss: I Found Nemo – Tanya Burr Cosmetics

Since purchasing three of Tanya’s lipglosses on Feel Unique I haven’t stopped loving them! I wear all of them regularly and they are so comfortable on the lips and have really good pigment. I Found Nemo is a gorgeous coral colour and screams Summer to me. The name is adorable and makes me think of the sea and swimming which I also associate with Summer.

The Bright: Fuchsia Surprise – BYS

I will keep this brief because I literally wear and talk about this lipstick ALL THE TIME. I feel like fuchsia is my colour and something just clicks when I wear this lipstick. It is my absolute favourite of all the lip products I own and I never get sick of wearing it. This is another shade I wear all year round and bright hot pinks pair so well with Summer.

The Red: fire & Ice – Revlon

I had to include a red somewhere! Red lipstick is one thing that is an essential for any woman and since I started blogging I have added a few reds to my collection and come to learn the types of reds I like and that suit me. For the warmer weather I have opted for an absolute classic from Revlon; Fire & Ice. This shade has been around for over 50 years and is the perfect mix of warm and cool red – think fire engine red meets tomato red. It’s got a little bit of orange to the red and fits well with the other coral/peach shades in this post.

swatches

Top To Bottom: Patisserie, Peach Parfait, I Found Nemo, Fuchsia Surprise and Fire & Ice.

What are your favourite lip products for summer? Leave a comment below!

September Favourites 2016

Is it just me or have the past two months felt like a blur and flown by so quickly?! My September has been just as busy as August, probably busier and as a result I don’t have too many items to share with you. I feel like September has been a really positive month and I’ve been smiling a lot. I’ve really been enjoying myself, living in the moment and experiencing more new things. I know that’s so vague but some things should be kept to yourself and as long as you’re happy that’s what’s most important.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Revlon Lip Butter – Peach Parfait – September was the month I decided to go on a lip product buying ban. I mentioned this in my New In: Revlon Lip Butters post but I wanted to make one last purchase before committing to the ban. Peach Parfait is one of three lip butters I bought and it has fast become my favourite shade out of the three. It’s a colour suitable for everyday wear and a shade I imagine would suit a range of skin tones. The formula is just as impeccable as my other lip butters and I look forward to wearing Peach Parfait a lot more!

2. kikki.K Notepad Cube – Stationery has always been one of those things that I love! At the start of the school year, stationery shopping was always one of my highlights! Over the past couple of years kikki.K has become one of my favourite places to shop, the themed stationery and the items they sell are beautiful. My brother bought my mum a notepad cube (not this exact one) and it’s such a practical idea because the paper size is ideal and there is a hole cut out for a pen. These are good to keep by the phone or on your desk at home/work. This particular cube has 500 sheets of paper, a flower pattern and a gold trim on each sheet of paper – so pretty.

3. Me Before You – Jojo Moyes – I bought this book back in June and I finally got around to finishing it this month. I started it back in June but everything got busy and hectic and I couldn’t find the time to sit down properly and read it. I took this to work a couple of weeks ago and I motored though it in no time. I’m not going to spoil it for those of you who haven’t read it but it does live up to the hype. It’s a real page turner and you’ll have it read in no time! I plan on watching the movie to see how it compares to the book and reading the follow up novel; After You.

4. Lilly Singh x Smashbox – Bawse – I won Bawse in a giveaway back in July and it arrived this month. Bawse is the perfect fierce, red to wear when you want to exude confidence. This shade is part of Smashbox’s range of matte liquid lipsticks and was created in collaboration with YouTuber Lilly Singh. I don’t know what else to say really apart from I love it! I did a mini review on Bawse so if you’d like to read more about the product and see swatches, CLICK HERE.

September’s Spotify Playlist:

This is one of my favourite monthly playlists I have made in a while. There’s something perfect about the way these songs are ordered and flow into one another.

August Favourites 2016

Howdy everyone! Month number eight done and dusted! August has flown by super fast and I’ve been crazy busy (but a good busy) with travel, loads of new experiences and starting a new job. I’ve still found the time to round up my favourite things from August and I hope you enjoy!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Alan Carr – Yap, Yap, Yap! – The whole reason I went up to stay with my brother in the first place was to see Alan Carr live. I have loved and watched Chatty Man for years (though I don’t think it’s as good as it used to be) and I’m so glad I got to see him in person. He was very funny and even though I was in Row R, I still had a great view of him and the stage. There was lots of audience interaction and he was so appreciative that everyone had come to see him. I would definitely go to see him again!

2. Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara – I purchased this mascara back in March but I didn’t start wearing it until July. I’ve been using it for almost two months now and for $10, it’s pretty good! Rimmel mascaras are my favourite anyway because the wands have proper bristles instead of plastic, silicone ones. I like the packaging of this mascara, it’s sleek and the bright pink means it won’t get lost in your makeup bag. For daytime, I’ve really been enjoying wearing two coats of just the length mascara, the wand is quite small but it’s perfect for getting into the bottom lashes. If I want volume as well, I will use both formulas but sometimes the lashes can stick together if I haven’t let them dry long enough between coats. To combat this I go in with the volume first because it is a thicker formula. I still prefer Scandaleyes Lycra Flex over this but it is a decent mascara and I wouldn’t rule out buying it again.

3. Iconic 2 Eyeshadow Palette – I ordered this palette in May as part of my Feel Unique & Makeup Revolution Haul and it took me almost two months to start using it, terrible I know! I got it around the time I lost my job at the pharmacy and I wasn’t wearing a lot of makeup for about a month so it sat there for a little while. When I did delve into this palette and start using it I was super impressed! This palette is predominantly shimmers which I like because I don’t have many of them already and I do like a sparkly eye! The pigmentation is really nice, fallout is minimal and the colours are gorgeous. If you’re undecided about getting the Naked 2 palette, give this dupe a go because I’m sure you will love it!

4. Derma V10 Strawberry Body Sorbet – This is another product I purchased back in March which I have been using since finishing up The Body Shop’s Brazil Nut body butter. The packaging reminds me of a yoghurt pot which is so cute and this smells absolutely divine! It’s a sweet strawberry but it’s not too sweet or overpowering, it’s subtle and blends into the skin nicely. The formula of this product is not what you’d expect, it’s light and almost feels whipped like a mousse. Application is easy, a little bit goes a long way and this doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or sticky while you’re waiting for it to soak in. A very well spent $3 in my opinion!

5. Dannii For Target Coated Leggings – Earlier this month I shared a clothing haul and these leggings were one of the items featured. The very first time I tried them on they felt incredibly comfortable, almost like a second skin. The length is perfect and the coated texture gives them wow factor and sets them apart from normal leggings. I have worn these a couple of times now and I’m a huge fan! They can be worn casually with a t-shirt and jumper or more dressed up if you’re going out. I’ve christened these my rock chick pants!

6. Revlon Lip Butter – Sweet Tart – I was meant to be being good and not buy lip products for a while but I just couldn’t resist! I spotted this lip butter and had to take it home with me. Sweet Tart is such an adorable and appropriate name for this Barbie pink shade. Barbie pink may sound scary but it’s really not. Sweet Tart is bright without being in your face and adds a pretty warmth to the lips. It has reignited my love for the lip butters and made me want three more… Oops!

August’s Spotify Playlist:

This month celebrates one year since I started making these playlists and posting them alongside my favourites. This playlist features some of my favourite artists of new and old.

Nighttime Routine

Over the past couple of months I have gotten into a regular routine and developed a nightly regime to help combat the effects of winter weather. In this post I will be discussing the products I have been turning to keep my skin, hair, lips and hands looking tip top! Let’s jump straight in!

Step One – Skin

I moisturise twice a day: morning and night and a couple of months ago I purchased The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream. Previously, I had been using my regular daytime moisturiser at night as well but I found that it didn’t seem to keep my skin hydrated enough and I wanted to try something specifically for evening use. I first read about the Vitamin E Night Cream over on Rachel’s blog and I’m so glad I gave it a go because it has been working wonders. I wake up with supple skin and no dry face. My makeup has been applying better too.

I use the Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream six nights a week, every night except for Sunday. Once a week I apply a face mask and I find my skin is hydrated enough without applying the Night Cream over top. I use Natio’s Face Mask Purifier which is a clay mask. This mask helps to unclog and tighten pores and my skin instantly feels smoother after removal.

If I have a blemish or spot I apply a little bit of DQ & Co.’s Love Your Skin Balm. It is formulated with Manuka Honey and Vitamin A to promote healing and minimise scarring.

Step Two – Hair

I like to keep my haircare routine simple and easy and for this I have been using Fudge Urban’s Miracle Ends Tropical Cocktail. This is another product I picked up upon recommendation from a blogger; Karen this time. I apply a little more than a pea sized amount of product to my palms before dispersing it through the ends of my hair. My hair is long so I apply from the mid lengths to the ends. I absolutely adore this product for a number of reasons – smell and texture being the standouts. This doesn’t feel greasy to apply nor does it make hair look greasy.

Chanelle’s Tip: I also like to apply this after I’ve straightened my hair to keep it looking slick, shiny and frizz-free.

Step Three – Lips

I have had this little pot of Strawberry Lip Butter from The Body Shop for a year now and there is still a ton of product left! I’ll admit, up until a few months ago when I started this routine I only used this lip butter off and on. I didn’t want it to get left by the wayside and just sit there until I remembered to use it so I’ve started applying lip balm each night before I go to bed. My lips don’t get dry very much but this ensures they stay even softer and won’t chap. The smell of this is divine and every night when I apply it I give it a sniff!

Step Four – Hands/Nails

Hand cream is one of my daily essentials and I actually picked up this one from (my old) workplace earlier this year. The Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream contains 50ml of product which is a lot compared to others out there. This cost roughly the same price as a 30ml tube of hand cream from The Body Shop and has nearly twice the amount of product. Olive is a New Zealand brand which boasts all natural ingredients. Again, this smells absolutely divine (like bubblegum), and the texture is very moisturising. The product is non-greasy and soaks in quickly.

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As you can see, my nighttime routine is relatively simple. I don’t like to over-complicate things, I prefer to stick with what I know and I try to minimise the amount of products I use. Do you have a nighttime routine? What are your favourite products to use?

The Fuchsia Face-Off

Happy Monday beauty babes! I recently revealed in my Beauty Wishlist post that fuchsia is my favourite shade of lipstick to wear. I love pink and I love bright so for me fuchsia is a no brainer! Today I will be showcasing the two fuchsia lipsticks in my collection and playing a little guessing game with you all. Will you be able to guess which lipstick is which from the swatches and images of me wearing them?!

First a rundown on each lipstick:

In the pink corner we have Fuchsia Surprise by BYS. (BYS stands for Be Your Self and is an Australian company). In the other pink corner we have one of Revlon’s lip butters, Lollipop. Fuchsia Surprise was one of my first ever lipstick purchases, if not the first, whilst Lollipop is quite a new addition to my makeup bag.

Formula

Both of these lipsticks aim to provide a silky smooth texture and be soft and moisturising on the lips, which they are. Lollipop has a glossier formula than Fuchsia Surprise.

Application

Both lipsticks are so soft and creamy and glide on without dragging over the lips whatsoever. It’s important to be mindful to keep these out of the sun though, you don’t want them to melt.

Pigmentation

If you’re looking for a subtle hint of colour or a more natural look, steer clear of these shades. These both go on pretty much opaque after one coat but I normally build that up to two or three thin coats. One of these lip products is sheerer than the other but I won’t reveal which until later as I don’t want to give the game away.

Price

I remember Fuchsia Surprise costing me $6 which is incredible value for the quality you get. Lollipop was around the same price, I think it cost me $8.

Packaging

The BYS lipstick has basic packaging, it comes in a clear, plastic case, has a label etc. One thing I do like about it though is it has the name of the shade and the range the shade is from on the base of the lipstick. (Fuchsia Surprise is from the longwear range). I do find the packaging of Lollipop more exciting, I absolutely love the quilted lid.

Staying Power

The staying power of Lollipop is decent and will last me a day at work but compared to Fuchsia Surprise there is no contest! I wore Fuchsia Surprise to a friend’s party last year and when I got home the next day my lips still looked perfect.

Overall Winner

Without a doubt my overall winner has to be Fuchsia Surprise. This shade is so gorgeous and it is my favourite lipstick of all time! I’ve made a habit of wearing it on my birthday for the past couple of years because I just feel so darn good when I wear it. This colour instantly puts me in a better mood and the formula is so creamy and long-lasting.

Now you know my favourite of the two, it’s time for me to reveal which is Fuchsia Surprise and which is Lollipop.

 

 

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Fuchsia Surprise is the top swatch and the top two images of my lips. Lollipop is the bottom, sheerer swatch and the bottom two images of my lips.

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Did you guess correctly? Let me know what your favourite fuchsia lipstick is down in the comments!

July Favourites

Well hello there! I can’t believe it’s been two weeks already! As promised I’m returning with my July Favourites. Most of these products were mentioned in my Weekend Haulin’ post so go and check that out if you haven’t already. July has been a month full of highs and lows (which you will hear about in future posts) and all about lip products. Lips are my favourite part of my makeup routine so I’ve included some new products I purchased as well as an old faithful. I also may or may not have purchased four of the Revlon lip butters on eBay last week… but more about those when they arrive!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Lili Price White Geometry Chaos Phone Case – I found this phone case after seeing Lily Pebbles post an image to Instagram of hers. I was really intrigued by the design and immediately fell in love with it! I liked the case more than any of the others I’d seen and because it’s black and white it goes with anything. The case itself is made of plastic but feels protective and sturdy. The great thing about Lili’s cases is that they’re available for a range of phones so even if you have an older model you might still be able to buy one of her cases. I was really impressed with the service I received, I didn’t pay much for postage at all and I received the case within a week! A+

2. Nivea Pearly Shine Lip Balm – I have used this product for over two years and it is one of my holy grail makeup items. If I want something that goes with everything or need a bit more moisture this is what I turn to. As the name suggests it leaves a lovely light pink shimmer on the lips and is really moisturising. It doesn’t cling to dry patches and wears well throughout the day. If I wear this to work I don’t need to reapply, which for a balm, is good going.

3. Britney Spears – Radiance – This perfume is definitely my favourite out of the ones I own and I have been reaching for it just about every day this month. The smell is just incredible and something about it seems to exude warmth. Radiance contains top notes of wild berries and soft, dewy petals, mixed with tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom and iris. Also, let’s take a moment to appreciate how beautiful the bottle is!

4. The Body Shop Strawberry Lip Butter – While I’ve only used this gem a handful of times, I have been impressed when I’ve worn it. The strawberry smell from this little pot is delicious and I’m pleased to report it sticks around when on the lips. I can see this being one of those ‘chuck it in your handbag’ type products, perfect if you’re on the go and your lips need a pick me up.

5. MAC Patisserie – I think it was pretty obvious this was going to make it into my July Favourites. I did tell you this month was all about lip products! Patisserie is such a flattering shade for me and my skin tone and is a little different to what I’d normally go for but I like it. The hint of terracotta/brown is lovely and adds warmth while still looking natural. The lipstick has little flecks of glitter in the bullet but they’re very subtle once on the lips. If you’re a fan of nude lips I’m sure you’d love Patisserie! Let me know if you’d like a full review of this lipstick!

6. kikki.K A5 Journal – I bought this journal with the intention of writing in it every day even if it’s a sentence or a few lines. I’m proud to say I have kept to this promise and I feel like expressing my feelings has been beneficial. I haven’t had as many worries on my mind before bed and I feel like I can let go if something’s been building up throughout the day. I love the freedom this journal brings with it, I can use it for whatever I like and in a few years I’ll be able to look back and reflect. The leather and elastic binding help keep everything together so if you insert notes or pictures they won’t get lost.

That’s all for this month, be sure to let me know what you’ve been loving! ❤