Jojoba Oil - The best thing for my skin since sliced bread!

Well ok, my skin doesn't actually eat sliced bread but you get the gist. I have recently discovered the unbelievable benefits of using Jojoba Oil on my skin and I have to say that I can't believe it took me this long!

I'd been debating getting myself some for quite some time but just never took the plunge because I can have quite oily skin on certain areas of my face sometimes and I still can't get my head around using oil to treat oil.

Anyhoo, my dilemma was solved when Tegan at Tegania's Thoughts held a giveaway a couple of months ago to win some Ecolife Jojoba Oil and I amazingly won! You can't understand how excited I was. I never win anything!

So when my little bottle of goodness arrived in the mail I couldn't wait to try it out and see what it would do for my sensitive and oily, but eczema prone, skin.

Since receiving it I have been using it at night after my shower on cleansed skin every second day or so before I apply my usual night cream. I am now extremely proud to say that my skin is seriously in THE BEST condition that it has ever been in my entire 33 years on this earth. I haven't had any of my usual dry spots around my nose and eyes and my pores have literally been shrinking in front of my eyes.

And the best thing? My skin has never felt so smooth. It's like I've exfoliated every night even though I haven't. It's amazing!

After having so much success with the skin on my face I then decided to try out some other uses for this miraculous oil. I've since discovered that it is great for when I have an irritated scalp which happens now and then if I try a different shampoo or conditioner, it's awesome as a de-frizzing oil on the ends of my hair, it makes a great soothing additive to a bath and also soothes any eczema flare ups that happen anywhere on my body.

I have to admit how amazed I am still at how this oil sinks into my skin so well without leaving any oily traces. I'd heard it a million times before but just had to experience it myself before I really believed it.

Are there any other uses for this great oil that I should know about?

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Michellexx

Models Prefer Liquid Foundation

I have become a little obsessed with Models Prefer lately as it is such an affordable brand with really well performing products.

My latest love is their Liquid Foundation which I purchased in the shade Ivory a little while ago.

This foundation comes in a glass bottle which is nice and solid to hold with a pump dispenser. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with pump dispensers as I find they always do either one of two things: 1) They never dispense enough of the product, or 2) They dispense way too much in one pump. The latter is the case with this dispenser if you press it all the way. I've since learned the knack of pressing it only half-way down and this seems to be the perfect amount for me.

The below picture shows how much comes out if the pump is pushed all the way down:

Overall I quite like this foundation and it gives me light to medium coverage with a lovely matte finish. If I apply it with a foundation brush it tends to cover a bit thicker than if I use it with a sponge (which is my preferred method). I'm not a person who likes to apply foundation with my fingers as I feel all messy and gross afterwards so I can't comment on how it applies using this method.

It has no overpowering scent when applied (it's marketed as fragrance free) and it lasts over 8 hours on my combination skin with or without a primer. It doesn't sink into any of my fine lines or make me feel like a greasepot by the end of the day either which I really like as it's oil free.

The shade Ivory is a perfect match for my skintone and this foundation blends into the skin really well and doesn't set too quickly or become streaky at all.   

(Left: applied to skin, Right: blended into the skin)

I definitely recommend this foundation to anyone who is after one that certainly won't break the budget and performs well without being anything fancy. I find it great to wear on the weekends for a more natural look when I don't want to be too made up.

Has anyone else tried this foundation or another one from the Models Prefer range?

Michelle xx

October Bellabox - Pretty in Pink Party

So yesterday I received the October Bellabox and the theme this month is Pretty in Pink Party. Apprently $1 from each October box is going towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation too which I think is a really good thing.

I was quite pleased with the box this month as there were 4 full sized items. Here is what I got in the October box:

1) Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Instant Action Lift Treatment (5ml sample, RRP $100 for 30ml) - This is supposed to instantly lift and firm your skin wherever you need it. It also claims to boost collagen production and elastin retention in the skin.

2) Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer (7ml sample, RRP $74 for 30ml) - This is an exfoliating serum which promotes cell maturation, turnover and removal without causing any irritation.

3) Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Colour in Sonic Bloom (Full size, RRP $13.95) - This is a gorgeous bright pink that will definitely be a great spring/summer shade. These polishes do dry super fast so I can't wait to try this one out.

4) DKNY Fresh Blossom Eau So Intense (1.5ml sample, RRP $135 for 100ml) - This is a very intense floral scent that seems to be just that little bit too sickly for me. I'll give it a go for a couple of days though and see if it grows on me.

5) Cedel Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector (Full size, RRP $9.99) - This is a heat protectant that claims to reduce blow drying time. I seriously cannot remember the last time I blow dried my hair as I have very fine curly hair that just seems to end up in a frizzy mess if I try to blow dry it (while my hairdresser makes it look sleek and flowing, I just can't get the knack of it). I may just have to try to blow dry it again to see if this stuff works, otherwise I may see how it goes just as a heat protector with my GHD.

6) E.L.F. Cosmetics Super Glossy Lip Shine in Candlelight (Full size, RRP $3.99) - This is a shiny gloss that is in a nude beige kind of shade. On first impressions it doesn't seem too sticky and tastes exactly like bubblegum which makes me feel like a teenager again!

There was also a full size Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in a Pink sheer tint which wasn't listed on the card so much be a bonus item or something. Also, how can I forget about the chocolate heart that was included too.

All in all I think it was a pretty good box this month and I will definitely get use out of every item.

What did you think of the October Bellabox?

Michelle xx

Latest Love - Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette

If there was one beauty product I was told I had to use for the rest of my life and never have any other substitute, I'd be over the moon if it was this one. This palette has probably been reviewed within an inch of its life but I felt like I just had to share my experience with it since I purchased it as a birthday present for myself in July this year.

I've seriously fallen deeply in love with this palette and have been wearing it practically every day lately.

The palette is made up of three beautiful shades that match my fair skin tone perfectly.

On the top is a highlighting shade that is so pretty and pearlescent which highlights with just the right amount of glow without making you feel like a disco ball.

The blush shade in the centre is like it was made for my fair skin. I literally feel as if I am glowing and my face always looks so awake when I use this blush. It's the perfect pink that goes with practically any look.

The bottom contour shade terrified me at first because I've never really been able to perfect contouring without looking like I have dirty brown streaks on my face, but this shade is so easy to blend and gives me some of the best cheekbones I have ever had without looking unnatural.


These powders are all very fine and silky and a little goes an extremely long way. They are highly pigmented so are great for fair skin tones when only a small amount is used and would also be fine for darker skin tones if you applied a little more powder to your brush to get a darker colour. They also blend like an absolute dream.

If you are after a great multi-purpose product I highly recommend picking this one up. It has also become a favourite product for me to take away as I know I have three products in one small package which leaves more room for other goodies to be packed instead!

Has anyone else tried this palette as well? Do you love it as much as I do?

Michelle xx

Aroma Sense - Aromatherapy while you shower

A little while ago I was asked to trial a new product that I have to say intrigued the hell out of me. It was called Aroma Sense and is an Australian patented shower head which releases Vitamin C while you shower, eliminates chlorine and generates negative ions which kills bacteria and odour.

I was also told that the shower head generates stronger spray water pressure but uses much less water than an ordinary shower head.

With these facts, I couldn't wait to try out my new shower head and had hubby install it as soon as it arrived.

Here is what the attachment for a hand-held shower head on the end of a flexible hose looks like once installed:

• Over 400,000 Negative Ions Helps Improve The Body's Immunity
• Eliminates Choline From Tap Water
• Vitamin C, Equivalent To 3,000 Lemons
• Moisturize Your Skin
• Helps To Boost Your Skin's Firmness, Strength And Self-Repairing
• Anti-Bacterial Balls remove 99.9% of E.Coli
• Helps With Eczema
• Aroma To Give A Relaxed Bathing Experience
• Improves Hair Condition

Ok, so I really love the concept of this shower head but have to say I was expecting a little more 'aroma'. You do get a really nice fresh burst of citrus when the shower is first turned on but it seems to disappear pretty quickly and isn't really noticeable at all while you are in the process of showering. 

I would love it if the scent was a little stronger and lingered in the air a bit more while you were showering to really make you feel like you're experiencing the benefits of aromatherapy like it claims.

Also, as far as the water pressure is concerned, it definitely has higher pressure than the water-saver head we had on the shower previously but the stream is concentrated pretty much in the circle shape of the shower head so I feel like I have to stand very straight and still to make sure I am always under the water stream as it doesn't spray out in a fan-like way that most other shower heads do. This is something that we are kind of used to now though so it doesn't bother me as much any more.

The great thing is that the aroma filter cartridges are replaceable and are meant to last a 4-person family around 2-3 months. They are super easy to remove and replace and are housed in a clear tube so you can easily see at a glance how much product is left in the cartridge and whether it needs to be replaced.

There are currently seven different filters available: scentless, pine, rose, lavender, lemon, jasmine, and eucalyptus and it also comes in a fixed shower head version as well.


Overall, I think this is a great concept and if a few little things could be tweaked, such as the amount of scent you get and the way the head sprays the stream of water I think it would be an awesome product.

For further information you can visit the product website here.

Does anyone else like the idea of an aromatherapy shower?

Michelle xx

***This product was provided for consideration but my opinions are my own***

Latest Haul - Ozsale Is My Weakness

So, I admit it. I am a sucker for Ozsale. I just can't help buying things from this sale website and really need to stop. It's even worse now they have changed their rules and give you free postage on anything you buy in another sale within an hour of your first purchase. I just feel compelled to look at more things!!

My latest haul from them was some lovely MOR goodies and a polish from OPI. I did purchase two polishes but got notice that one was not able to be supplied so only ended up with one :-(

Here is what I got:

1) MOR Emporium Body Butter in Feijoa Lime - I am just a little bit obsessed with their body butters and love every scent. It's just a shame they come in such nice packaging because I hate to open them.

2) MOR Hand Cream in Indian Pomelo - This smells absolutely devine and won't be leaving my side for a very long time.

3) MOR Lip Nectar in Lychee Flower - This is the first lip nectar I have bought and I can't wait to try it. I just have to get myself to open it first!

4) OPI Nail Lacquer in 'I Want To Be A-Lone Star'. This is a pastel blue/grey with a hint of silver shimmer.

This is the second time I have fallen for one of the MOR sales and I seriously could have purchased everything there was but I was good and restricted myself to these items because they were scents I hadn't tried before.

Is anyone else a sucker for these sale websites like I am?

Michelle xx

September Empties

Ok, I know this post is a little late, but that's just the story of my life at the moment so I just have to deal with it.

September was a pretty sad month for empties and I didn't really get through much at all. I've been trying with all my might to get through all my samples lately so that's putting a bit of a dampener on the use of any full size products that I have.

Anyhoo, here is what I got through last month:

1) Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes - I loves these face wipes and could not get enough of their scent. They smell so fresh and after a big night out when one of these is wiped across my tired face it's so relaxing and makes me feel a little less feral before going to bed. They clean practically all traces of makeup from my skin and are moisturising enough that I can sometimes skip the night cream after using them if I am particularly tired and my skin still feels soft and smooth.

2) Audra James Botanicals Bespoke Body Oil and Calm Body Wash - I suffer from migraines and Audra make up a couple of blends for me a little while ago which included this relaxing de-stress body oil. It was such a beautiful scent full of citrusy goodness that I used to put in the bath and relax my migraine away with.
The Calm Body Wash was also a blend made to try and combat my eczema as I went through a particularly bad period where showering was torture. It was such a soothing wash that made me feel nice and clean without drying out my skin in any way.

3) Matrix Biolage Smoothing Conditioner - I didn't really like using this conditioner as it made my hair feel a bit straw like after use. Enough said....

4) Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion - Aveeno is a brand I have used often and have never been disappointed with. This is a basic lotion that is lovely on the skin and one that I would buy again in a flash.

5) Rich Skincare Caffeine Eye Serum - This was a lovely serum that I used every morning to reduce my dark circles and make me look like I got many more hours of sleep a night than I really did. It sinks in super fast and doesn't irritate the eye area in any way.

6) Bioderma Atoderm Nourishing Cream - This was a tiny sample that was only good for one use but the one use I did get seemed nice. I'd like to try it again if given the chance.

7) Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel - This was a great cleanser that didn't irritate my sensitive skin at all and left my face feeling clean and soft. I'd definitely purchase this as it's quite difficult for me to find a cleanser that doesn't irritate.

8) L'Oreal Youth Code Luminosity Serum - I loved this product and have it on my future want list. It made my skin really glow and left it feeling so soft and supple after use. Definitely a great product.

9) Avene Eluage Eye Contour Care - This seemed like a good eye cream as far as I could tell. I didn't really notice any obvious improvement to the eye area after use but it didn't irritate at all and absorbed fairly quickly. I think the size of the sample wasn't really big enough to get a good indication of how it worked though.

10) EmerginC Phytocell Cream and Kombucha Cleanser - I love this brand and have tried some of these samples before. They are definitely on my wish list for the future.

So, that's it for my September empties.

If you have an empties post I'd love to know about it!

Michelle xx

Red Lipstick Face of the Week

While participating in the Fox in Flats Red Lipstick Dare a couple of weeks ago which I wrote about here, I pretty much kept the rest of my makeup basic so that it didn't compete with my bright red lips.

Here is what I wore each day with my red lips:

Face: 
Dr Lewinn's Skin Perfect Anti-Ageing Primer
Dr Lewinn's Skin Perfect Anti-Ageing Foundation in Ivory
Natio Pressed Powder in Medium Tan (not pictured, ooops!)
Australis Bronzing Powder in Golden
Philosophy Lit From Within Cream Blush in Look on the Bright Side
Prestige Sunbaked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer

Eyes:
Clinique Color Surge Eyeshadows in Daybreak, Strike it Rich and Dark Brown (first three on the left)
Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes in Chocolate Lustre
Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara in So Black

I found this combination the best when paired with red lips as I wanted to make sure nothing else clashed with such a bright lip colour. It also meant that I didn't really have to think when doing my makeup for that week either as it was all picked out already.

Does anyone else prefer a neutral base for bright lips or do you prefer to go all out and brighten up the rest of the face as well?

Michelle xx

Red Lipstick Love

A couple of weeks ago I attempted to participate in the Fox In Flats Red Lipstick Dare (#redlipstickdarefoxinflats) where you were challenged to wear red lipstick for 7 days straight. I admit that I only made it for 5 days out of the 7 days but it was still so much fun and really made me want to step up my appearance all week just to carry off red lips all day.

Here are some photos from my attempt at the Red Lipstick Dare:

Day 1: - This day I was just getting over the flu from hell and was doing my best to stay standing and get ready for work let alone wear a bright red lipstick! Here I decided to wear my Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Scarlett as it stays on forever and doesn't need much touching up. Perfect for a day where I was going to be blowing my nose and all together feeling sorry for myself at work all day long.

Day 2: This day was my working from home day and I was starting to feel a little better so I went for my Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart as it's great for dry, flu-ravaged lips.

Day 3: Back to work today and feeling much better. I decided to wear my new Savoir Faire Lipgloss in Fierce this day as it's super bright and an all together lovely gloss.

Day 4: Housework day! My husband also works from home on Thursdays and thought I was insane for vacumming and doing the washing with bright red lips. This day I was wearing my Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in True Red which is my favourite red lipstick of all time.

Day 5: Hubby and I went to Cirque Du Soliel and I felt all fancy wearing my Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Really Red. The show was absolutely awesome by the way and I highly recommend anyone to see it if you ever get the chance!

From Left to Right: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Scarlett, Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart, Savoir Faire Lipgloss in Fierce, Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in True Red, Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Really Red, Innoxa Lip Liner in Ruby Red.

From Left to Right: Innoxa Lip Liner in Ruby Red, Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Scarlett, Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart, Savoir Faire Lipgloss in Fierce, Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in True Red, Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Really Red.

One discovery I made was that a good red lip liner under your red lipstick is the key to less touch-ups and a good consistent colour. I have a lot of fine lines around my lips so a lip liner is critical for me otherwise a lot of lipsticks will bleed on my lips. 

So that was my Red Lipstick Dare journey. It was definitely a load if fun and took me out of my comfort zone a few times (especially when answering the door to our regular delivery guy with super red lips!) I've now discovered a new found love for this lip colour that I used to only save for very special occasions and dinners out and will definitely be trying to incorporate it into my makeup routine on a more regular basis from now on.

Did anyone else participate in the Red Lipstick Dare?

Michelle xx