October Lust Have It

Ok, so I know this is now November and I admit that I received this delivery a couple of weeks ago and was debating whether to even post about it all this time. The main reason for this delay is because I was just so utterley underwhelmed by this October box that I wasn't even interested in really sharing the contents of it.

Anyway, in the interest of consistency here is what I received in the October box:

1) Waxaway Ready To Use Sensitive Wax Strips (2 x strip sample, RRP from $9.95 for 20 strips) - They're wax strips, not much more to say.

2) Elizabeth Arden Red Door Aura EDT (5ml sample, RRP $70 for 50ml) - This is probably the best item in the box for me this month. It's a lovely fragrance that I really like. I've never been a huge fan of the original Red Door but I can easily see myself wearing this one.

3) Say It With Scent Lavender Hand & Body Lotion (30ml sample, RRP $26.80 for 200ml) - It's a nice enough lotion that will definitely get used. It's a good size for the handbag.

4) Star & Rose - Rose Confetti Soap (3 pack RRP $9.95) - These are such a lovely concept but just aren't practical at all in my opinion. The last large one of these I received several boxes back practically disolved into a puddle of mush after just sitting in my bathroom with the steam in there from the shower. These may become part of someone's Xmas gift this year I think.

5) Montaser Renitence Eye Revival Cream (5ml sample?, RRP from $59.95 for 15ml) - I love to try new eye creams but this one looks a bit like pea and ham soup so it certainly better work because it would never be purchased for how nice it looks!

Anyway, that's everything I received for the October box. All of it will get utilised in some form or another but nothing really had that exciting 'wow' factor this month. And as per many other occassions, there wasn't a makeup item in sight. Maybe it's the age group I'm in or something which is why I don't really get anything fun? Othe boxes I've seen at least had a nail polish which would have been welcomed.

I think this may be it for my Lust Have It journey. I have recently bit the bullet and subscribed to the Mirenesse VIP club after being swayed by reading about it over at Beauty in a Bottle. I'd been pondering whether to join up or not for months and decided that if I cancel Lust Have It I only need to add another $10 for the Mirenesse club and I know I love every one of their products I try so hopefully it will be win win.

What did you think of Lust Have It this month? Am I being too harsh? Has anyone else ever been a member of the Mirenesse VIP club?

Michelle xx

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