Australis Clearance: $3? I'll take em all. Thanks!

So.. a few days ago I picked up a few Moisture Intense Lipsticks by Australis, from Priceline's clearance box and if you follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, you'd see me post a lot about em on those social platforms!

They were sitting there with a sign which says "$3 each item".. dirt cheap!

At first, I wasn't interested since there were only a few shades and no testers (clearance also need testers ok? LOL) so I had no idea what the shades would look like. So then I went home and googled the shade names 'Saigon' and ended up on RedLuciousLips. The lippie looked sooooooo good on her, so I took her words for it and went ahead and picked up all the shades that were there.

Mystery, Merlot, Sugar Plum, Saigon

I made a purchase of 8 lipsticks in total, 4 of them in 'Saigon' which is a beautiful red and the rest on a few different shades called Mystery (2), Sugar Plum and Merlot.

I won't be reviewing them since I've only had them for three days now, but I'd be giving a brief overall impression!


These Moisture Intense Lipsticks vary in pigmentation and finish, which reminds me alot of the Revlon Lip Butters, but generally less slippery and more creamy in texture. They're also very moisturising!


Time for swatches!


Saigon is a beautiful red! My favourite out of the bunch! It applied so much brighter and is super glossy!

Sugar Plum is probably my least favourite. It's quite frosty and reminds me much of my Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait. That same (or more) amount of shimmers that can fake a gloss, but the base colour is kind of like a muddy brown-red, which ages me alot.. *-* 

 

Merlot, I can't really describe the shade. You can see for yourself! :P I think it looks a bit 'vampy' on my lips, but I quite like it!

Mystery, I thought would be more of like a nudy-brown, but it looks sooo muddy on my lips and skin-tone! It's like I just smeared a sheer coat of chocolate over my lips LOL.. pretty ew, to be honest. Would suit deeper skin tones, maybe! Decently pigmented with a glossy finish.

Actually looks much more muddy in life!

Here are some more swatches!

Flash

And that's all! There are more shades, but these are the only ones left around my area.. so ya :( 

Hope you found the post helpful! Let me know if you'll be searching for any at your locals, or have you already purchased some? :)

Australis Nail Colour in Valentine Review & Swatches

I hope you don't mind me overloading you with so many nail polish posts, Australis and b collection posts, but I just have so many nail polishes that I need to get through with! :(

I'm planning to break up the posts and mix em' up a little more, so hopefully I will get scheduling!

Today's nail polish is called 'Valentine' by Australis Cosmetics and you know me, I've probably mentioned this a few times already, but as much as I love the brand.. I can never bring myself to face their nail polishes!

The shades available in their range are really pretty and cute, but something's always up with the formula, in which 'Valentine' is no exception to.

Valentine is a really true (and sexy!) red! I really love the colour! It doesn't apply to be as dark as it appears in the bottle, it's definitely brighter. I remember the first time whippin' this shade out.. I thought, "Wow.. I want a red lipstick that's exactly like this shade!"

It's just so gorgeous!

(It actually looks less orange and a tad darker in life, I've tried my best!)

Australis claims that their nail polishes 'provide high shine, high colour intensity and are streak-free', in which Valentine really does live up to. It's super glossy and holy-golly pigmented that one coat is enough to go, and as I applied it, it applied perfectly without streaks and didn't appear gloopy and thick like last year's Limited Editions, so I'm really impressed by that.

But. There's just always a 'but'. One downer for the polish is the wear time. With averagely two coats, it started to show more than just minor tip wears (I'd like to call it major tip wear, lul!), but not so much to be considered as at a 'chipping rate'. It actually started to show chips on Day 4 which is a bit too quick in my opinion!

So overall, I love the shade, it's oh-so sexy and I'm in love and so impressed by the application and pigmentation, but I personally think the wear time could do better!

Have you tried any Australis nail polishes?

There's actually a $3 clearance box at Priceline at the moment for Australis products, and you can actually find some of their polishes there! I picked up Rub-a-dub-dub for a friend, so check it out, you might find some really nice shades!

Australis Nail Colours retails for $7.95 and can be found at your local Priceline, Big W, Target, K-Mart and selected pharmacies. Only available in Australia.

Disclaimer: Product was provided as goodies from ABBW 2011. I am not obligated to review, mention or post about this product. All opinions expressed are of my own and are 100% truthful.

My Top 5 Winter Essentials 2012: Skincare/Nail-care

Damn, the past fewer weeks have been extremely wet and windy here in Sydney. Aussie's Winter is actually on time this year! This post is running a lil late though :P

I just wanted to share with you my top 5 skincare and nail-care must haves for Winter, which I enjoy using very much to provide hydration for the skin in this cold, wet and windy weather.


So here we go...


1. A facial moisturiser!

It doesn't matter if you have oily, normal or dry skin, everyone needs an effective and hydrating moisturiser for Winter!

My skin is naturally quite dry so ever since we hit Autumn here in Aussie, I've already switched to a richer moisturiser. My favourite pick is Sukin's Facial Moisturiser*, which although isn't a cream, is a very rich lotion, making it very suitable for drier skin types! I'm not too sure how this would go for oily skin types, as I personally find this to feel a tad heavy when applied until it fully sinks in.



2. A multi-functional lip balm.

Who can survive Winter without a lip balm?

I have quite a few favourite lip conditioners, but if I could only choose one, that'd be Lucas Paw Paw Ointment. I love applying a heavy layer of this at night so I can wake up to nicely primed lips, but alternatively it can also be sheered out to sit comfortably under a lipstick without adding too much slipperiness! It also makes a convenient cuticle cream for on-the-go's, which is necessary for me.. just because I take my nail swatches at TAFE in the early mornings and I really don't wish to bring with me my whole manicure kit! Lol.

Uh-huh. Not weird at all!



3. Some handy hand cream!

Most people think hand creams aren't important, but the truth is.. they're just as important as our facial moisturisers! Why? Because they're still of skin, meaning as we age, they have the tendency to wrinkle as well! So please, go grab yourself a tube of hand-y cream (ooo punny!) now!

Admittedly, I never started using hand creams until a month ago when I saw how disastrously dry my hands were in photos for nail swatches. I really enjoy using my Innoxa Restore Hand Cream* (that's been sitting around for too long) which isn't as thin as others and is actually moisturising :)



4. Body cream for soft and supple skin.

I know some of you may not need a big tub of body moisturiser, but I certainly do for my frosty and dry cracked legs! LMAO Sorry for the image :P

I'm super lazy when it comes to body moisturisers, but when I do use one (lol, reminds me of those memes), I prefer Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Cream for Winter. It's a very thick and heavy moisturising cream. Way too heavy to be used in the warmer seasons, but for right now, this cream can keep my skin feeling soft and supple for days after application.

Gosh, talk about ultimate laziness... *roll eyes*



5. A non-drying nail polish remover that actually works!

lol. You probably lol'd at me for featuring a nail polish remover, but it's an essential Winter product for nail polish lovers like me ok? :P

I'm quite a fan of nail polishes, I wear em' all the time (and swatch em!), but what gets to me is the removal application. Most removers I've tried really dries out my nail and cuticles although they do a great job, but I'm happy to say.. I've found *the one*! It's the Australis' See Ya Later Nail Polish Remover! It's gentle, but does its job and isn't drying for my nails! Yippee!!


So that's it for my top 5 skincare and nail-care Winter essentials!

What's your top five Winter products?

Disclaimer: Products marked with * are provided for consideration by PRs. However, I am not obligated to mention, feature or review the product in any posts. All opinions are honest and truthful, and are of my own. Please refer to this site's disclosure policy.

B Collection Nail Polish in Moscow Photos, Review & Swatches

Another b collection post!

I've mentioned b collection's nail polishes several times before in my blog so you should be very familiar to these! For your convenience, you can view the posts here.

Today's shade is 'Moscow', a shade that I won't ever purchase myself. It just looks too gothic and I'm not a fan of dark nail shades at all.

I only have this shade because it was $3 at the markets and Mum actually purchased this.  As neither of us are fans of darker shades, I've concluded that Mummy only bought it because I told her many times that these b collection polishes are $15 at Target! loool! Mummy, you hoarder! :P

Anyhows, a closer look at Moscow reveals that it's not just a true black nail polish. Surprised!

Moscow is a very, very dark blueberry shade which makes it look almost black and is of a creme finish. It's actually really hard to see the blue tones, unless you have really (really!) good eyes or else it'll only be visible in a sheer application of the shade.

It applied very well -- not streaky, gloopy, clumpy or anything, so I'm happy about that. Two coats is enough for opacity. However, the shade wears only for a day before minor tip wear starts to show and wears for about four days before chipping starts to occur.

Pretty sure I've said this before.. but I think for the price, the wear time could do better, and in my opinion, maybe the shade could be adjusted so the blueberry tones would actually show and won't be mistaken as a regular black shade?

You know what I mean, jellybean?


B Collection nail polishes retails for $14.95 at Target and is only available in Australia.

Belated Big W Haul!

Yikes!! This beauty haul is long overdue.

Yonks ago, Big W had a lovely sale on Face Of Australia, Australis, Max Factor and Rimmel London! It wasn't a big sale. Each brand took a few dollars off, which although doesn't sound like it's much, but it really did pull down the prices of the items which were cheaper!

Most of all.. the nail polishes and wipes!

Rimmel was having a $3 off, I think. So I was able to purchase these Rimmel Lasting Finish nail polishes for $1.84 each! Even cheaper than the markets! I purchased Misty Jade, Lively Lilac, Apricot Punch, Lemon Drop and Strawberry Fizz. Yes, I've purchased two Lively Lilacs.. one for my friend! Can't wait to try out these bright and cute colours!

And Face Of Australia was also having $3 off, so I couldn't resist these $1.95 FOA Barbados polishes although I already own the collection. Not hoarding though! These are also for my friends as small gifts! I've picked up Orange You Glad You Came and Another Daiquiri Please. I'm so sure they'll love it as much as I do!

And MORE nail polishes! Ok.. you definitely cannot blame me for purchasing these many Mini Nail Polishes. They are so extremely tiny and were only 50 cents each, because Max Factor was having a $5 off! These bottles are so tiny... lol.. $5.50 for a bottle is absolutely ridiculous. 50 cents seems to be a more suitable price for these.. Or maybe a dollar :P

Same deal same deal, a few are for friends. I picked up Diva Coral, Sunny Pink and Ivory. I'm really looking forward to try out Sunny Pink, the purpley shade with the lovely golden sheen!

For Australis, with the $3 off or so.. I've picked up three packets of their 3 in 1 Make-Up Remover Wipes which are absolutely ridic'. I'm hoping to review em' soon (as long as you don't mind me overloading you with too many Australis reviews) but as for right now.. I am so disappointed!

And two bottles of their See Ya Later Nail Polish Remover! I've seen this product featured on Amanda's blog so many times. She swears by it and buys so many back ups, so having the chance to pick these up at less than $2 a bottle, I just had to! Wouldn't you?

I've been using this and been loving them. I can definitely tell why she loves em! 

Yikes! Long post, but hope you enjoyed the read! 

So sorry, haven't posted in a long time! I've been on working at a childcare temporarily for the past two weeks. Lotsa paper work so I haven't had time at all.. Sigh!

I've never missed blogging oh so much!

Blog soon, but meanwhile, don't forget to enter my Herbal Essence Giveaway!

Herbal Essences Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Big hip-hip-hoorays for giveaways!

Bigger HIP-HIP-HOORAYS for a Herbal Essence giveaway! 

We're due for a giveaway! Thanks much to Herbal Essence for the opportunity, I'll be hosting a giveaway right here, right now! 

Winter.. irks me! Winter to me is all about hibernating in my comfy bed. It's nothing exciting in my opinion. All day stuck in jeans and boots cas I'm no fashionista, scraves and thick jumpers which makes me look like a big teddy and a beanie to cover my ridic' frizzy, poofy and messy hair.. you see.. so gloomy! Especially with my frizzy and poofy hair.. windy days + my hair is just.. disastrous.

But lucky for you... To welcome you to Winter 2012, Herbal Essence will be generously giving away two winter hair-care package to two lucky winners!

The Winter style prize pack is worth over $60 and will contain:

• The entire Tousle Me Softly range
• The Long Term Relationship pack (shampoo & conditioner)
• None of Your Frizzness Serum
• Set Me Up Hairspray

Whoop whoop! 

To enter this giveaway, you have the options to (you don't have to do it all!):

• Follow this blog via GFC
• Like Beauty With The Beautifool on Facebook (+1 entry)
• Tell me what is/are your favourite Winter hairstyle/s! (+1 entry)

After entries are added, winners will be drawn via random.org in two weeks on 20th June 2012! Yippee!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unfortunately this giveaway will only be open to Australian residents. :(


Wishing you ALL a lovely and safe week though!

Eclipse #713 Beach Red Nail Polish Photos, Review & Swatches

Hi all!

Long time no post. Been soooooo busy! I'm so extremely sorry, but I hope you've all been well and safe. Quick post by a Korean brand! Leggo!

Eclipse nail polishes.. I always walk pass these Eclipse nail polishes wondering if they're of great quality or not. Most of the time, I feel extremely tempted to try em', but with the amazing range of shades, I know I won't just make a purchase one or two!




Thankfully, for Sunday markets, I was able to purchase many of these Eclipse nail polishes for $1 or $2? Err... I think they are $4-$5 usually, or 3 for $12? Around there.



Today's shade is #713 Beach Red -- a bold, scarlet red with warm tones of orange.

The application of this polish is.. uh.. let me just say.. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Love the brush, very easy to use for my nail shape! Not to mention that the polish itself is so extremely pigmented with one coat and didn't leave any streaks or uneveness during the application. It glided on unbelievably well, dried quite quickly and left a nice glossy finish in which I know, looks quite semi-matte in photos.



At last, wear times -- pretty disappointing, I must say. Boo! It lasted for two days until it started to show major chips.



You can find them sold and stocked at the Asian beauty stalls at shopping centre malls. I'm really not too sure! I think you can find them at Morning Glory too?

 but for me... I'd skip it unless I find em' for dirt cheap at the markets or it's a colour that I know fo' sure I'll really really love!


I'm so so so so so so so sick! Please keep warm and safe everyone!