Empties: September 2014

FINAL-FREAKING-LY!

GOD! It feels like I've not finished any products in so long. It irritates me so much when I look over to my bedside table, and all I see is... Well, everything except the table's surface.

It's covered in moisturisers, body lotions, body washes, baby shampoo, hand creams AND.... an alarm clock (lol, random as fuck, but an alarm clock will never help my punctuality. Don't even know why it's there!).

AND then we have my make-up corner..... Well, let's not even go there!   (҂⌣̀_⌣́)

But for the past two months, I've been putting effort into finishing as many products as I could. And... here they are...

Cedel Blow Dry Faster Hair*
Probably the first-ever hair product that I've consider to repurchase. I have thick, almost afro-like hair. Unlucky Asian, I know! This really did help in reducing my hair-blowing drying time. I don't blowdry very often, but it's still worth to have around the house for when I do.

SmartSkin Scented Cleaning Wipes
My cute girlfriend bought me these wipes from Woolworths. REALLY appreciate her thoughts, but these wipes were horrible for my skin. I have nowhere near sensitive skin, and these irritated the fuck outta my skin every single time I used them. Used twice, gave up. Did go back once, but same same. Became wet wipe for my desk and hand-swatches after.

Burt's Bees Radiance Exfoliating Body Wash*
This stuff smells like grass, or something natural. Not my cup of tea. I also like my body washes to foam up, and this didn't. Didn't really moisturise either. Toodles!

Batiste Dry Shampoo
Didn't really pay too much attention to this. It doesn't really suit my hair type. My hair will smell and I'll get dandruff after a day of not washing, so this wouldn't fit with my hair type. Actually have no idea how I've managed to finish this.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation #52
LOVE this foundation! Lightweight with a natural, non-cakey finish. Light-to-medium coverage and is OK in terms of long-lasting power. Satisfactorily lasts through a day of uni, so that's all good. Will definitely need to repurchase. The shade is also probably the closest to my skin out of all foundations I've used!

Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Mambo
YES! FIRST LIPSTICK EVER! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ୧( ॑ധ ॑)୨
Close to being the first lipstick I've purchased since I've started wearing make-up and now, it's the first lipstick I've finished! Kinda. I cheated a bit, but come on guys! Any lip junkie would consider this a huge milestone when it comes down to empties.


On most people, this looks like a regular nude, but on my pigmented lips, it looks very much like a pinky-nude. I won't repurchase this shade though. The formula is fantastic, but I've grew out of the "nude lips" look. Meh.


Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm
Not sure what flavour/scent, but I hated this at first. It felt like it just sat on the lips and didn't do any nourishing and hydrating. I found that it worked better to use during the night time, since I'd have no problems with it sitting there overnight, but for daytime, it'd add too much moisture to my lips that it'd make everything I apply on top slip and glide everywhere!


LashGrip Eyelash Adhesive
Haven't finished this. Haven't actually worn lashes in forever now. It's gone off though. All liquid-y so must chuck. Repurchase-worthy though.


L'Oreal Paris Base Magqiue Primer
I have the full-sized product of this. Just needed to get this out of my sample stash! I think, even after finishing the full-size, I won't repurchase. I have dry flakes on my cheeks, and this just requires too much blending. The consistency is just really... thick?

Avene Thermal Spring Water
Bought this from Priceline's 40% OFF skincare sale. My skin didn't love this, but it was nice to use. Soothed well, but I had to use A LOT of it -- 50mL gone in less than a week. I can't see myself repurchasing this for now since I'd go through it way too quick. Maybe when Chemist Warehouse decides to do a 50% off on the full-sized one.


That's all! I can now FINALLY discard this bag of empties.
It's bloody annoying to have a bag of finished product (rubbish, pretty much) sitting in your room for yonks. Then having to take them out to photograph...

AND it doesn't help when your Mum goes through your room and nags you to dispose them every often! （；¬＿¬)

What's ONE product you've finished recently?

I'm still motivated to finish more make-up products... Hopefully my next empties will feature 654165 lipsticks to get things cleared out!


Disclaimer: Products marked with (*) were provided by PR for review consideration only. Please take a peek at my disclosure policy. 

Drugstore Cosmetics Launches for Australia - March 2014

Hello wello cello!

Greetings from uni, because 1 hour breaks (before a 3 hour language class) are just SO perfect to catch up on launch posts!

There are many, many new launches this month, from both "drugstore" and department store brands! Quite exciting actually. I think I'm just in the mood to spend and splurge! >~<

I'll try to keep you posted on the department launches, but for now, no promises yet! What I can promise you is that, one of these products to follow will surely make your heart thump! ^_^!

~

FACE OF AUSTRALIA (FOA)

Australia reppin' brand, FOA is launching some new, eggciting products for the month of March! A quick rundown....

• Glamazon Leopardess Contour & Highlight Kit ($9.95) - Contains a matte pressed powder to contour and sculpt the features, along with an illuminating powder for your convenience. Also contains a large mirror. Travel and handbang friendly! I have these at home, I'll get swatching this weekend! Promiseeeeeee. 

• Glamazon Minx Blush & Highlihting Kit ($9.95) - For those who are not a fan of contouring, here's one for ya! A blush to replace the contouring powder. Same same packaging. 

Screen Siren Limited Edition Nail Polish Collection ($4.95/8 shades)

Inspired by Marilyn Monroe, this collection features creamy nudes, pop oranges and poppy greens! Haven't heard too much about these, but the green and purple looks wonderful! Don't you think?


NATIO
Rarely do I see features of Natio. Glad to share a few new products by them, which will be launched towards the end of the month! P.S. I think this brand needs more TLC.... >_>

Natio Bloom & Glow Brow Finishing Gel ($12.95)
Shapes and frames the eyebrows with natural colour, volume and hold. Available in 1 neutral brown shade only. I've been looking for something like this, but what I need to pay attention to more is ANY Natio stand near me.... = =^

Natio Bloom & Glow Cream Blush Stick ($17.95/not sure how many shades)
I'm pretty sure Natio would have more than one shade in this range, just didn't state how many. The formula of these claims to apply smoothly, and easily with a buildable application.

Natio Bloom & Glow Cream to Powder Foundation ($19.95/2 shades)
A lightweight foundation that leaves a shine-free powder finish. If I'm not wrong, this formula is cream-based, but applies and wears like a powder (lightweight and matte). Described to offer natural coverage that evens the skin tone without masking. Available in two shades, because we are only available in two shades.. /sarcasm

Natio Bloom & Glow Mineral Face Illuminator ($17.95)
A bloom-embossed palette that features ivory and rose pink tones to lift and brighten the complexion. Also said to suit all skin types. Available in a golden ivory/soft rose duo.

Natio Bloom & Glow Pen Eyeliner ($14.95/1 shade)
Looks super chunky, this pen eyeliner. It accentuates eyes and define lashes. The wide barrel and soft tips facilitates precise application.

Natio Bloom & Glow Shine Lipstick ($14.95/2 shade)
A lipstick. Creamy and moisturising, they say. Available in a wide range of 2 shades. 

Max Factor Excess Volume Extreme Impact Mascara ($25.95)
Described to be "double-ended". Combines volume with a black lacquer finish. There's a thickening base coat offers high volume, meanwhile, the top coat leaves the lashes with a glossy coating that smooths and seals. Eep. Double-ended mascara... Only seen the fibre mascaras, none of this yet!

Bourjois Paris Black Jack Mascara ($22)
An intense black mascara that has been "formulated with micro-particles of gold for a shimmering effect". Described to be volumising, clump-free and paraben-free. The "shimmering effect" sounds scary.




L'Oreal Paris False Lash Butterling Wings Mascara ($25.95)
A lengthening-based mascara. Designed with an "Amplifying Brush" which will stretch and lengthen each lash to the outer corner of your eyes. Yes plz. My Asian lashes needs something like this, but I won't buy into the price..... and the name. Eek.

NP Set Bronze Blush & Go Duo ($28)
Yessssss, a drugstore brand. Half drugstore, half department... since you can find this Big W too. This is a powder duo, featuring a bronzer and a blusher. Formulated with some fancy antioxidants... basically, vitamin A-Z.

WOTNOT Facial Wipes for Oily/Sensitive Skin ($7.95)
OKAY. No sarcasm here! Really loved these wipes in the original formula. Now formulated for oily and sensitive skin users. I have a review of the original here, which left a bit of oil on my skin after removing my make-up. Felt iffy at first, but I grew to love it for my drier skin. Hope these will work out for those with oily skin types too.


The following is NOT a cosmetic product, but I feel like the brand is really worth a mention.

Cedel Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair ($8.99)

So that's a wrap up for this month's freshly launched products and sarcasm! ^_^ Hahaha..

Let me know which of these newbies made your heart thump!

I've actually received a kind care parcel by FOA yesterday, containing their whole collection of Siren nail lacquers! I'll get down to swatch them soon! ^_^

Think Pink! -- Cedel Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector

Pink products aren't only limited to cosmetics, right? As you could tell, pink packaging counts too! x)

Not sure if you've ever heard of this product before, but I personally haven't seen it featured in too many other beauty blogs.




I've used this fast-drying heat protector for a while now, but just never thought about featuring it on the blog. Now seems like the perfect timing though!

Besides being a heat protector for when you're blow drying, it's also suppose to reduce the time it takes. Cedel describes that "unique formulation contains silk protein to help protect hair against heart, leaving your hair looking and feeling smooth and super shiny".

It's packaged in a hot pink spritz packaging that gives you that perfect spray of mists for your hair. Not too much, not too less, just enough.

Now... my hair is EXTREMELY thick, so before discovering this product, I'd just skip blow drying altogether, followed with a "nevermind!" sigh. However, after having this product laying around for yonks, I've decided to whip it out and FINALLY give it a go.

I'm happy to say that I'm actually quite impressed with this! The fact that it DOES actually save me a noticeable amount of time when blow drying is what makes me the happiest. I honestly don't find that it makes my hair look any shinier though. But it does make it feel extremely smooooooooth and soft.... like um..................... like a puppy? @_@

Overall, I'd highly recommend this product if you're looking for one that helps to reduce your blow-drying time. Adding to that, it also works as a heat protector, and is extremely affordable for a decent-sized bottle that will last you a yonks!

Have you tried ANY Cedel products?

Or any similar products to this?

Cedel Blow Dry Faster Heat Protector, $7.99, 165mL, available at Priceline, Coles, Woolworths.


Disclaimer: This product was provided for review consideration only. All opinions featured within this post are of my own and remains to be uninfluenced and unbiased.

Pretty in Pink Party with Bellabox's October Edition!

Okay, so I'm actually not a monthly subscriber of any beauty subscription box services as I've figured they're really not for me.. I'm more about make-up than skincare or haircare!

But I thought I'd snatch up this month's Bellabox since they've announced an awesome free OCC Lip Tar deal for every new subscriber.. which is totally worth it since the Lip Tars itself are $15.00 at IMATS!

So to receive a box full of beauty goodies and a free OCC Lip Tar.... why not?!

This month's Bellabox is themed 'Pretty in Pink Party' in celebration of Bellabox's 1st birthday and to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation.. Bellabox will be donating $1 from each October box!

Opened up the box to a pink party... :')

Products I've received:

• Cedel Blow Dry Faster Hair Protector (full sized, $9.99)
• Estee Lauder Resilence Lift Instant Action Lift Treatment (sample)
• Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer (sample) 
• DKNY Fresh Blossom Eau So Intense (sample)
• Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in Sheer Pink Tint (full sized)
• E.L.F. Cosmetics Brightening Eye Colour (full sized, $3.99)
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Colour (full sized, $13.95)
• Yummy Chocolatier Pink Heart Chocolate

...and my OCC Lip Tar in Pageant, of course! :P

I'm pretty impressed with what I've received for this month! I know I'd bring all four full-sized items into use! I already own the Cedel Blow Dry Faster and Carmex Lip Balm which I do really like, so it won't hurt having extras! And the OCC Lip Tar is really a big bonus! 

As for the 3 skincare and fragrance samples, I probably won't use them any time soon.. just because my skin have been playin' up and I don't use fragrance samples.

Super happy with this month's box though! I do think the box is still great value even without the OCC Lip Tar deal.. ^_^ 

Are you subscribed to any beauty box services? 

What do you think of this month's Bellabox?

Bellabox is a monthly beauty box subscription, you can subscribe at their official website.