Current Nude Lip Gloss Love - Yes To Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Playful Nude

I'm not usually into wearing nude gloss much as it can make me feel a little washed out sometimes so I normally will wear something with more of a tint in it for days when I feel like a gloss instead of a lipstick.

A couple of months ago I received this Yes To Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Playful Nude in one of the monthly sample boxes and surprisingly it's become a regular in my handbag for days when I'm out and about but don't want to have a full makeup face.

This is not like you'd expect from a normal gloss. It's not thick or too sticky at all which is what I think I love the most. It's a very light gloss that makes my lips feel extremely moisturised for hours and being such a pale nude it's super easy to apply on the go without the need for a mirror. It's got a cooling sensation when applied due to the addition of peppermint oil which makes it a nice and soothing gloss to use on hot days.

The one complaint I have is the full-on peppermint flavouring that it has which is the same as the tinted lip balms. I don't mind a slight peppermint flavour but it really is quite strong and can almost get a little overpowering sometimes, especially if you are about to eat or drink.

Overall though, this is a great lip gloss that is actually beneficial to your lips as well as giving them a nice subtle shine.

Has anyone else tried this or any other C Me Shine Lip Gloss? If so, what did you think?

Michelle xx

April 'Her Fashion Box' - Classic

Yep, this week was a great mail week with the arrival of the April 'Her Fashion Box'. This was something I was really looking forward to as I wanted to see if they could follow up on the greatness of the first box last month.

So, without any further hesitation, here is the contents of the Classic April box:

1)  Sterling Silver Cuff (RRP listed as $39.95) - I seriously wish I was a silver jewellery wearer as I love this cuff but I just don't think silver goes with my pale skintone. I've been trying to wear it around the house to see if I can get used to seeing it on and am kind of coming around. One day I might find the perfect outfit this will go with and ditch my usual gold-toned jewellery.

2) Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam in Light/Medium and Self Tanning Mitt (RRP $19.95 for the tan and $9.95 for the mitt) - I have been trying to embrace the self-tan a lot more this year after my mission to tan last year and I decided to buy myself my first ever tanning mitt only last month can you believe? If only I'd waited a little longer! I haven't tried Bondi Tan before so am excited to try it out and I guess it can't hurt to have a spare mitt on hand.

3) Schick Hydro Silk Razor (RRP $10.00 for 1 Razor + 1 Cartridge) - I'm always definitely interested in trying out new razors for when I'm too lazy to wax or use my epilator and need a quick de-fuzz job done so this will certainly get used.

4) ModelCo Lip Duo Lipstick & Gloss - Nude Lipstick & Watermelon Gloss (Full size, RRP $24.00) - This is a great useful two-in-one product that will definitely come in handy for carrying in the handbag or purse. I wish I'd gotten a bit of a brighter colour than Nude but at least I know it will be an easy go-with-everything shade. The only thing I find mystifying about this is that it has a mirror built into the middle which is kind of useless because the lipstick and lip gloss both come out from the centre so you can't actually see the mirror when applying. Weird....

5) ModelCo Eyedefine Eye Pencil - Black (Full size, RRP $26.00) - This eye pencil claims to stay soft for applying and then drying in 30 seconds to a smudge proof finish. It also has an inbuilt sharpener.

The box also contained a detailed mini magazine again that listed all the information about each product plus some added extras such as links to how-to's, reviews and outfit ideas for the jewellery received.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the contents of this box and have certainly gotten value for money.

What do you think of the April Classic box?

Michelle xx

April Bellabox

A couple of days ago I received the April Bellabox and I have to say that it was quite a good one this month.

Here's what was in my box this month:

1) Cellilux Glacial Mineral Gel (7gm sachet, RRP $69.00 for 60gm) - This is a face mask that claims to draw out positively charged bacteria (??) and impurities from deep within the skin. Sounds intriguing....

2) Lash Card (2 card sample pack, RRP $7.95 for 10 cards) - These are supposed to be placed behind the lashes when applying mascara to improve length, prevent clumping and smudging. Another intriguing product...

3) Indio Skin Tonic (30ml sample, RRP $44.00 for 200ml) - This is a hydrating mist that uses natural botanical ingredients to protect the skin against moisture loss.

4) Ayurda Skin Perfecting Moisturiser and Skin Firming & Toning Cream (10gm & 5ml samples respectively, RRP $79.95 for 120ml Moisturiser, the other isn't listed) - The moisturiser contains ingredients to increase blood circulation for even skin tone. There isn't any information listed for the Skin Firming & Toning Cream so I think this was an added extra sample.

5) Proplenish Marine Collagen Sachets (3 x 3gm sachets, RRP $49.95 for 30 sachets) - These are supposed to be consumed once a day by dissolving into water. Apparently it promotes beautiful healthy skin, hair and nails. A bit odd but I'm willing to give it a go!

6) Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colour - Graphite Gravity (Full size, RRP $16.95) - I haven't actually tried any of the magnetic polishes as yet so am super excited to give this one a go. The shade I received is a dark gunmetal grey.

7)  Cedel Dry Conditioner (30gm sample, RRP $7.99 for 100gm) - Wow, I can't believe we now have Dry Conditioner as well as Dry Shampoo. Seriously, how different can this really be to leave-in conditioner products? Oh well, it's definitely something I will get some use out of with my fine, frizzy hair.

So, that's what I received for the month of April. It's certainly a fully packed box this month and everything is useful to me which is great.

What do you think of the April box? 

Michelle xx

Blogger is not allowing me to reply to comments

Hi all, I just wanted to say that I promise I'm not being totally rude lately but for the past week Blogger has not been letting me reply to any comments on my blog and just keeps signing me out.

For some reason my Google ID isn't registering when I open my blog to comment anymore and I have tried everything to fix it!

I can't even send Google any feedback because it keeps asking me to log in when I try and then keeps redirecting me back to the login page rather than moving forward.

Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any advice as to what I can do to fix this problem would be appreciated because it's becoming extremely frustrating now.

***Update*** - I've found that if I use another browser I have no problems so there's obviously an issue with Internet Explorer for some reason. Oh well, at least I can reply to comments again!

I hope everyone has had a better week than me!

Michelle xx

FOTD featuring Arbonne Cosmetics

A couple of days ago I reviewed some products from the Arbonne Cosmetics range here and decided to post a quick FOTD which I did incorporating all of those products for what I think is an easy and very simple daytime look.

For this look I used the following products:

Face: Nude by Nature BB  5 in 1 Miracle Cream, Mirenesse Touch On Concealer in Golden Cream, Arbonne Cosmetics Blush in Blossom, b Collection by Bloom Cheek Tint in Napa Valley (to highlight), Australis Bronzing Powder in Golden (to contour)

Eyes: Arbonne Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Divine Plum blended out all over lid, Mirenesse Touch Up Brow Sculptor, Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Mascara in Black

Lips: Arbonne Cosmetics Lipstick in Scarlet

I'm absolutely loving bolder colours on my face at the moment now it's getting a bit cooler temperature wise.

Is anyone else embracing darker shades now we're heading into more chilly weather?

Michelle xx

Arbonne Cosmetics Review

I can't tell you how excited I was when I was offered the opportunity to try some products from the Arbonne Cosmetics range a few weeks ago. I'd been seeing them around the internet a lot lately and absolutely loved the look of everything I saw.

If you haven't yet heard of this great brand, here is a little bit of background information for you:

Arbonne Cosmetics is a premium range of products with botanical ingredients in a host of colours and free from sodium lauryl sulphate, talc, gluten, parabens and phthalates. Additionally they are Vegan friendly and are not tested on animals. They also have an exclusive Optilight Technology which diffuses light to create a soft-focus effect and blurs imperfections so that skin looks flawless from virtually every angle.

I was lucky enough to be sent three products to try out. A Lipstick in the shade Scarlet, an Eyeshadow in the shade Divine Plum and a Blush in the shade Blossom.

Here is a little bit about each of these pretties:

·         Arbonne Lipstick in Scarlet

Packed with Vitamins A, C and E as well as Pomegranate Extract, the formula intensely hydrates and conditions lips with a rich colour and beautiful scent that glides on smoothly for buildable coverage.
Scarlet is a gorgeous deep burgundy/red which I have been wearing almost exclusively over the past couple of weeks now the weather is cooling down. It is a shade that literally goes with everything and can be worn quite sheer or built up to a much deeper colour if that is what you wish. I've found this lipstick extremely hydrating and it amazingly lasts for around 4-5 hours on me before wearing off to a sheer stain.

·         Arbonne Eye Shadow in Divine Plum

Arbonne’s mineral-infused range of catwalk-inspired Eye Shadows leads the way in rich natural and botanical tones, working to highlight and define the eyes with colour whilst providing health benefits for the skin.
Each powder shadow is infused with Vitamins A, C and E as well as Polypeptides which help to maintain the skins moisture and support the skin’s natural structure.
Divine Plum is a really pretty purple shade that looks quite dark in the container but actually applies very sheer with a slight shimmer to it. It's easy to build the colour up though if you want a bit of a darker look and this shadow blends like an absolute dream without any fallout at all. I found this shadow lasted practically the entire work day on me without creasing which is a miracle on my hooded lids. 

·         Arbonne Blush in Blossom

Arbonne’s mineral-infused range of catwalk-inspired Eye Shadows leads the way in rich natural and botanical tones, working to highlight and define the eyes with colour whilst providing health benefits for the skin. Each powder shadow is infused with Vitamins A, C and E as well as Polypeptides which help to maintain the skins moisture and support the skin’s natural structure.
Blossom has become my holy grail of blush. I have been searching for a shade like this for a very long time that complements my porcelain (but covered in freckles!) skintone. This peachy shade of blush looks so natural and blends perfectly and has been my blush of choice when I want to look polished but not overdone. It lasts a good workday on me as well which is just great.

(Lipstick in Scarlet, Eyeshadow in Divine Plum, Blush in Blossom)

(Lipstick in Scarlet, Eyeshadow in Divine Plum, Blush in Blossom - with flash)

 

(Wearing the Lipstick in Scarlet sheered out over some lip balm)

The packaging of these products is a very elegant looking black plastic that seems to be quite sturdy and very handbag friendly.

Arbonne Cosmetics can be purchased from their website here and I definitely encourage you to take a look. I, on the other hand should have stayed away from their site because I am now eyeing off another couple of lipsticks and maybe another blush or two :-)

Has anyone else tried anything from this range yet?

Hope you all are having a lovely week so far :-)

Michelle xx

*** Products were provided for consideration but this has not influenced my opinion in any way. Honesty always!***

Lush Emotional Brilliance Lip Colour in 'Confident'

I received this lip colour in a previous monthly beauty subscription box and have to say that at first I was super excited to try out this range after hearing so many good things.

Unfortunately, that excitement didn't last too long after I finally tried this product out.....

The shade 'Confident' comes with the following description (taken from the Lush Australia website):

'Your CONFIDENT nature shines through today. People admire you all around for your self –belief. Some may feel irritated by your assured manner, as they might not be feeling so great themselves. That said, your focus should be on your certainty as it is making you strong.
You might need a little bit of self-belief today, and that is why your subconscious is asking you for some confidence. Wear this colour to give you the assurance you may need at this moment, and let it remind you of what you require as you continue your day.
Feeling CONFIDENT is key, and you have this in spades. What a talent to possess today! It can help you achieve anything! Stay bold and great things will come of it.'

It can be used as a lip colour or as a cream blusher if you so desire.

The packaging is a small glass bottle which kinds of reminds me of a medicine dispenser and the applicator is your usualy doe foot shape.

This shade is quite a dark plum/purple shade which has a very bad tendency to sink into the lip lines and enhance the hell out of them. I also found the formula terribly drying and felt like my lips had been dragged through the Sahara desert after wearing it. It is very long lasting and does leave a slight purple stain on the lips after wearing off.

It felt kind of gritty to me and this is what actually made me look up the Lush website because I was certain that this should have been an eyeshadow rather than a lip colour because of the texture being so dry and powdery but I was proved wrong. I haven't tried using it as a cheek colour mainly because it just doesn't seem like a shade that would work on me that way at all so I can't comment on it for this use.

 



 

Unfortunately this is not a lip product that I found comfortable to wear in any way so I definitely won't be rushing out to try any other shades in the near future.

 

The tip of this one actually broke off after I put it on for the above photo but needless to say, I'm not too disappointed.

 

Has anyone else tried any of the Emotional Brilliance range yet? If so, I'd love to know what you think.

 

Have a great day.

 

Michelle xx 



A Little 'Thank You' Giveaway!! (Closed)

To celebrate the fun I've had running this blog for almost two years now I decided to hold a little giveaway.

The majority of the products here are ones that I personally love and use often so I hope the winner enjoys them too :-)

Here is everything that one lucky reader will win:

1) Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Concealer in Medium/Dark

2) I nuovi Cosmetics Glitteratti Cosmetic Glitter in Blonde Fever

3) Mirenesse Pearl Crush Creaseless Shadow Trio in Bora Pearls

4) Eylure Naturalites Intense Lashes

5) Yagun Eyelashes

6) Mirenesse Inside Out 27Hr Eye Kohl in Isis

7) Models Prefer Kohl Pencil in Matte Black (my personal favourite black pencil liner!)

8) Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Glitzy Gold

9) Mirenesse 24Hr Brow Lift & Shape Mascara

10) Designer Brands Australia Lip Pencil in Nude

11) Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine Mini in No. 17 (a pretty rosey pink that is one of my favourite shades in this range)

12) Australis Lash TLC Conditioning Mascara in Blackest Black

13) Press & Go Nail Covers (I live in these when having bad nail weeks)



All of the products are brand new, never been used. To be in the running to win these goodies all you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter form below and cross your fingers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone who enters and a big Thank You for reading my little blog :-)

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Michelle xx

FOTD - My Attempt at a Wearable Blue Eyeshadow Look

Howdy everybody. I've decided I'm going to try and make a really good attempt at posting more FOTD's from now on.

I usually always have such good intentions of doing this whenever I get ready but then most of the time I'm in such a rush and completely forget to photograph myself before I leave, or, I usually forget to keep out the products I use and then can't remember what they were afterwards!

The other day I felt like wearing a blue eyeshadow look and ended up with the below finished product. It was actually quite basic and quite a wearable look for the day I thought:

Once I broke down what I used to create this look I realised there were a lot of Mirenesse products for some reason. This was a total coincidence and really wasn't intentional at all! Here is what I used:

Face
Innoxa Tinted Moisturiser in Nude Beige
Natio Mineral Pressed Powder in Medium Tan
Mirenesse Cheeky Blush in Russian Rose

Eyes
Mirenesse Seamless Velvet Shadow in Greek Goddess
Bourjois Smoky Effect Eyeliner in Dark Purple
Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Mascara in Black

Lips
I mixed together my Napoleon Perdis Lip Patrol lipstick in Private Kiss and Mirenesse French Kiss Lip Cocktail in Bellini to create a really nice and soft pink shade.

I really like the Mirenesse eye shadows and wear them quite often. They are a lovely consistency and really easy to blend out. The blue shadow with purple liner was a combination I haven't tried before but really liked once it was finished.

Mixing different shades of lipstick is something I have been experimenting with a lot lately as well.

I also love days like this when my skin is behaving and I can get away with a bit of tinted moisturiser and powder and not worry about foundation or concealer. It doesn't happen very often but I certainly embrace it when it does.

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend!

Michelle xx

Nails of the Week - OPI Nail Lacquer in I Want To Be A-Lone Star

I have been sporting this gorgeous pale icy blue all this week and even though I love the colour it has to be one of the most high maintenance shades I have worn in a long time.

Firstly it takes three coats to become opaque and I have to always wait forever between coats so that it doesn't bubble or streak.

When I have the time and can be bothered though it really is such a pretty polish and because it needs three coats it wears for over a week with very minimal chipping.

I only have a small handful of OPI polishes because even though they have such a massive range of colours I've never been fully won over by their formula.

Maybe there's just something wrong with me considering how popular they are??

Does anyone else think OPI are a little overrated or is it just me who should be hanging my head in shame?

I hope everyone has had a lovely Easter weekend :-)

Michelle xx