Some Outstanding Sales (07 June 13): Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Big W, Target

There's a sales party across ALL stores this fortnight guys! Not bad sales tooooo... I have already purchased a *few* things and I WILL show you soon! =)

1. PRICELINE: Introductory offers:

• Max Factor's NEW Clump Defy Mascara -- $12.47.
• Rimmel London's Accelerator Endless Mascara -- $11.95, and receive FREE Scandaleyes Eyeliner

2. PRICELINE: 50% OFF Model's Prefer Storage Cosmetics range -- brush holders, etc. Ends 17 June 2013.

3. PRICELINE: $3 on Australis Cosmetics clearance items (selected items only), such as: Space Jam Glitter Nail Polish; some of their regular blushers; Mint Lip Conditioners; and eyeshadow palettes. Ends 17 June 2013.

4. PRICELINE: $5 and $10 on Models Prefer BEAUTY PACKS -- they actually are quite nice! There are blusher sets, nail sets and lip sets! Worth a check. Ends 17 June 2013.

5. PRICELINE: Buy One Get One Free (BOGO):

• Sally Hansen Nail Colours -- They've just launched their Lustre range (duochromatics)!
• Ardell's entire range -- Lashes, lashes and lashes! 

6. PRICELINE: $3 on Savvy's Nail Colours -- they had some pretty glitters and creme mints, neons and darks. Ends 17 June 2013.

7. PRICELINE: Save 40% on Physician Formula's ENTIRE range! Ends 17 June 2013.

8. PRICELINE: I generally don't include 30%, but it's a great save on nail polishes, methinks!

• 30% OFF Covergirl -- They've just launched their new [highly-raved] Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation!
• 30% OFF Bourjois Paris
• 30% OFF Almay 
• 30% OFF L'Oreal Paris [All EYES]

9. TARGET: $4 OFF Maybelline -- Includes their ColorShow Nail Colours ($1.95) and Total Clean Express Eye Make-Up Remover ($2.80)! Ends 12 June 2013.

10. TARGET: 25% OFF L'Oreal -- Includes their Color Riche Nail Vernis ($4.50)! Ends 12 June 2013.

11. TARGET: $4 OFF Covergirl -- Good timing to pick up their nail polishes ($2.95)! Ends 12 June 2013.

12. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: 2 Avene Eau Thermal Spring Water for $19.99! RRP $20 each. Ends 16 June 2013.

13. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: $1.99 for Sinful Colors -- I've visited 2 Chemist Warehouses and NEITHER had Sinful Colours... Weird. Ends 16 June 2013.

14. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: All CUTEX Nail Polish Removers for $2.99! Ends 16 June 2013.

15. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE:

• 50% OFF Rimmel London
• 50% OFF Revlon
• 50% OFF Sally Hansen
• 50% OFF Maybelline

16. BIG W: 25% OFF Face Of Australia -- If you've been eye-ing their Glitterati collection or their NEW BB cream.. go for gold! Not sure of end date.

17. BIG W: 35% OFF NP Set. Not sure of end date.

BATTLES OF THE BEST BUYS

Priceline: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks ($10 each)

VS

Chemist Warehouse: 50% OFF Maybelline (equates to $8-9)

-- Chemist Warehouse wins (unless you live outside of NSW)

Priceline: Buy Rimmel's Accelerator Endless Mascara & receive FREE ScandalEyes Eyeliner

VS

TARGET: Buy ANY Rimmel mascara & receive FREE ScandalEyes W/proof Black Eyeliner

-- Best buy depends on whether you prefer a free choice of eyeliner OR mascara

I've hauled home a few items from this fortnight's sale.. SHOW YA SOON!

Hope you've enjoyed the post! Let me know which stores (plural because I know you too well!) you will be hitting up!

Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Sticks

The looooooooooong awaited review for Max Factor's Giant Pen Sticks! I'm so excited to share this post with you guys, because these are ze bomb. I really like them and I'm hoping that you will too!

To be honest, I was kind of skeptical about these lipstick/balm hybrids. I didn't think I'd like these at all. I honestly thought they'd be annoyingly slippery and sheer on the lips, but most shades from the range are pretty pigmented and are easy to build up on the lips. SO happy to report to you all that they don't slip and slide on the lips. They glide on smoothly and settle really nicely, without making the lips feel dry ^_^!

In terms of the lasting power, I feel like there's only a slight consistency across the 6 shades. Each shade has their own level of pigmentation and ultimately, that also contributes to their longevity.

Probably the most true-to-swatch shades I've ever photographed ~.~

In no particular order....

Couture Blush

Couture Blush was my first pick to trial and it's definitely one of my favourites from the range. I'm ALWAYS in for these muted/nudey pinks and fortunately, it's a shade that I can work with, without looking washed out (or lookin' like a dead fish). It's decently pigmented, but coverage could be built up in a whim! I can sport this shade without any worries for up to 3-4 hours before having to touch up.

Vibrant Pink

Vibrant Pink.. I honestly didn't think I'd like it, because it looked a bit hard to wear/pull off.. HOWEVER! When I applied this... I instantly fell in "like" (possible, yes?). I reaaaaaally like this colour and I would highly recommend it if you are in for bright pinks (*ahem* @sleepandwater). It's BEAUTIFUL and is really easy to pull off!

I felt like the texture of this shade was outstanding. Other shades aren't bad at all, but this one just applied to be amazingly smooth and pigmented. Settles, stains and sits on the lips quite nicely. Truthfully, I can't pin point the exact lasting time for this, but it lasts no lesser than Couture Blush.

Intense Plum (eeek!)

Intense Plum is an intense, dark plummy shade with teeny, tiny purple shimmers.  The purple shimmers give off a subtle (purple-y/violet), metallic sheen on the lips when worn. It leaves a tad of a stain when blotted, but is quite easy to remove. Intense Plum is a high-maintenance shade. I've worn it on the lips for up to 6 hours before removal, but I found myself touching up every 2 hours because the colour kept fading from the centre!

Passionate Red

Passionate Red is described by my sister as an "old lady" colour. It's a deeper red that I'm not too fond off, but somehow looks so nice on me in the photo above (wot?). Nothing bad about the shade, but I just personally prefer brights better. It's quite pigmented and can last for yonks too. It IS prone to bleed after a large meal so please be careful! Also needs touch up!

Designer Blossom

Designer Blossom is a sheerer and warmer-toned red. Very quick and easy to build up. At a sheerer application, it's a really cute watermelon-red! This shade is perfect for those who wants to give red lips a go, or sport red lips without looking too overdone for uni or work.

Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate -- the sheerest of them ALL. This shade is more like a tint than anything else. It has a bronzey-base colour with golden shimmers, but once applied, the outcome depends [wholely] on your natural lip colour. For me, it's very much of a MLBB (my lips but better) lip colour, which I don't mind. I can definitely see me wearing it on more natural days, but I still prefer pinks! I also couldn't pin down the exact lasting time for this because the colour is so sheer! However, the gloss that it offers lasted quite a while..

In all, I really like these Giant Pen Sticks (so much that I went out and bought 4 for my Instagram giveaway!). Vibrant Pink, Couture Blush and Designer Blossom are my faveees.

Please note that these Giant Pen Sticks aren't twistable, so you'll need a jumbo sharpener for them. I suggest that you throw these into the fridge before sharpening, to harden up the product. Also, when slotting on the cap, be EXTRA careful because these are so creamy and soft that you'll slide the cap RIGHT into the product... Trust me... I know.... >__<"

What are YOUR thoughts of Max Factor's Giant Pen Sticks?

Which shades are your favourite picks?

Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Sticks, 6 shades, $9.95, available at Priceline, Big W, Target and other Max Factor stockists.


Disclaimer: These products were provided for review consideration. All opinions within this post are of my own and remains uninfluenced.

Drugstore Cosmetic Launches for Australia -- June 2013

It's the end of ze month, which means it's time for launches again!! ^_^

My launch posts have been a tad rusty lately, but I still hope you guys DO enjoy reading these posts! They are probably one of my favourite things to posts about. If you're not down for reading then you can also check out my YouTube channel where I also post vlog-versions of these launches!

-----------------------------------------

BYS strikes again with their new Lash Extend & Lash Fibre Mascara which offers voluptous, high-impact lashes for all! I've seen these products around before... yes, and those crazily photoshopped photos too. Eek!

RRP $9.95, available at GLOSS stores.

Straying away from the regular black, Rimmel adds a pop of lime to their new Lash Accelerator! It offers long, lush lashes.

Yeap. That is all.


RRP $17.95

Max Factor hits the shelves up with a mascara too! Their new Clump Defy Mascara is suppose to offer voluminous, clump-free lashes with its "anti-clump" brush. How, you asked? 

It features precisely aligned bristles with a lash-hugging designed curved brush. 

RRP $24.95

Max Factor also released their very own Giant Pen Sticks! These lipbalm/stick hybrids were launched last month and I have swatches of them here. I REALLY like these products and I do have a review coming up in a few days! 

My favourite picks are Couture Blush and Vibrant Pink! ^_^

RRP $9.95, 6 shades.

Australis hits us up with ANOTHER innovative product -- Matte Me Lip Mattifier Stick. This one launched some time ago, but I thought I'd still include it for you guys who weren't aware. Apply it as a base to any lipstick to mattify any lip colour! I've yet to try this, but I'd love to know if you have!

RRP $12.95

L'Oreal Paris also releases antoher lip product -- their Infallible 2-Step Longwear Lipstick! The 2-in-1 lip product claims to offer ALL DAY hydration for a comfortable wear, smoothness in colour and ressitance against fading. 

RRP $29.95, available in 14 shades.

That's all for eyes and lips! There's also 2 BB Creams that I'd like to feature!

Face Of Australia launched their newest BB cream which is set to hit stores soon! I've use this once and I'm not too sure how I feel about it yet for its sheer-light coverage. However, it does claim to "hydrate, soothe, even the skintone, protect the skin with UV filters and reduce signs of ageing". 

$9.95, available in 2 shades (Light/Medium, Medium/Dark).

essence's BB cream is another product which has been in stores for a while now too, but again, I thought I'd mention it here because not many people seem to be aware of it. It's an All-In-One BB cream which is described as a "lightly tinted beauty balm that ensures a smooth and radiant complexion". Oil free, fragrance free with SPF 30. 

RRP $6.75, available in 3 shades.

Covergirl has been out of it for a while now, methinks....

This time, they're making a comeback with their NEW Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation with the added benefits of a concealer and primer. Also has SPF and is suitable for sensitive skin. 

RRP $19.95, available in 6 shades.

Another addition to Bourjois' Healthy Mix Foundation family is their latest Radiance Reveal Foundation. It is described to "deliver a fresh, glowing complexion and conceal blemishes whilst letting the skin breath and keep it hydrated for up to eight hours". I wonder if there's really a difference! I'm SO behind.. I've still yet to try their original Healthy Mix! Eeek!

RRP $32, available in 6 shades.

Bourjois also released an exclusive collection of 15 new [mini] nail polishes! The shades were inspired by recent trends and are based on 15 selected milestones from the brand's history! Happy 150th year anniversary to Bourjois!

RRP $5, available in 15 shades.

This month, Revlon hits back with... 4 ranges of nail polishes let me tell ya... 

Brilliant Strength is one of them. It has a strengthening formula that combats breaking and brittleness along with built-in base and top coats. Very important to note that these nail polishes consist of a wide angle brush!

RRP $15.95, not sure how many shades.

From left to right:

• Nail Art Expressionist -- duo-nail polish sticks with a thin nail art brush/colour on one side and a regular base colour on the other. Really like the grey and pink duo! Available in 10 shades.
• Nail Art Neon -- duo-nail polish sticks with neon colours on one end and a white base on the other. Available in 8 shades.
• Nail Art Moon Candy -- duo-nail polish sticks with a dark cream base colours on one end and holographic glitter top coats on the other! Inspired by outer space! Available in 10 shades.

Ahhh!! I've JUST missed it for Revlon's half price sale at Priceline... Wonder when they'll have it again so I could grab some of their Nail Art Moon Candy nail duos! I've heard alot about the one called 'Orbit' which is the first colour in the last photo, I think. 

Besides that, I'm not really excited for anything this month... Eeep.

What are your favourite picks for this month?

Have you tried any of these products yet?

Hope you've enjoyed this post! I will have a sale post and a review of Max Factor's Giant Pen Sticks up soon! ^_^ 

NOTD: Eyeshadow Pigments Nail Art/Manicure

Helllllooooooo. Finally back!

I was hoping to hit back with a review of Max Factor's Color Elixir Giant Pen Sticks, but I can't open the photos to edit right now, so I thought I'd share with you this new "pigments" nail art idea that I've found from Bec's (@nailgunxs) Instagram account. The link to the pigments nail tutorial is here.

Nooooooooooo.. I'm not talking about DIY Nail Polishes here.. The idea of 'pigment nails' is to basically apply a base colour, whip on a top coat and [spontaneously] sprinkle on some eyeshadow pigments and then leave to dry.

If you've clicked the link to Bec's post, you would've seen two versions of her 'Pigment Nails' manicure. With inspiration, I've also attempted both the light and dark versions!

For the light version, I've used Ozotic Pro's white nail polish as a base colour, along with two old eyeshadow pigments by Models Prefer. My sister had these loose pigments in her collection for a while now and she was actually contemplating to chuck them out. Lucky she didn't, because I actually don't own too many loose eyeshadow pigments myself!

This manicure was really easy and fun to do! I wished that big green blob on my middle finger didn't happen though... There's no going back guys, so be careful if you're going to attempt this! ~.~

For those wondering whether the pigmentation of the loose pigments matters or not... I'd say it DOES play a role. I've swatched these loose pigments and frankly, they're not the most pigmented. Therefore, when I used the pigments, I had to go over with several layers

It wholely depends on you, I guess -- whether you like the colours dull and faded or bright and intense. On my thumb, I only did one layer and I do like how subtle it looks! ^_^!

As for my dark version.............................................................................

Highlight here ------> I'll show you soon in an upcoming post!

Which base colour would YOU use?

Which colour pigments would pair with that base colour?

If you DO decide to try these 'pigment nails' (or you already have), leave us your link below! Alternatively, you could also tweet me, tag me on Instragram (@the_beautifool) or post it on my Facebook page! ^_^

NOTD: Cartoon Nails

This may just be the hottest trend right now... CARTOON NAILS. Yes, you read right. Cartoon Nails, I said! And I think it made its debut from cutepolish on YouTube. Here's her how-to tutorial:


Lookin'g great, right?

It's actually not hard to do at all! Incredibly easy.. even a nail art noob like me could acheive the look! In my previous post featuring OPI You're Such a Kabuki Queen, I've mentioned that I was in search for a bright pink and it was wholely for this nail art look.

The brightest medium pink I have in my collection is probably Mirenesse Bullet Proof Nail Lacquer in Flapper Pash*.

Besides a nice, poppy, bright pink, I also used a black and white nail lacquer and a thin brush to draw the outline and create the fake white gloss ^_^ Here's my take on it..

Glossy finish

Matte finish

What do you think? Which finish do you like better?

The dots are a bit too large.. I know! :P But I personally think matte looks better. Maybe because the matte look gives it a flat look like REAL cartoon!

Really liked having this manicure on the nails. Got a few compliments for it although Mumma said it's ugly. So untrendy Mummy Pig! Hmmmmph. 

Have you tried toon'd nails?

Will you?

*Disclaimer: Products marked with * were provided for review consideration. 

[Overdue] Priceline 40% OFF Haul: Australis, Face Of Australia, Sally Hansen & essence

Doesn't matter if you're a beauty junkie or not -- everyone should've heard of Priceline's 40% off cosmetics sale which happened... um.. 3-4 weeks ago? I will smack you if you tell me you had no clue!!!

Of course, knowing me... I didn't hoard home much at all. Not much at all... Yeah. *sarcasm ends here* :P
When I caught the news that Priceline was going to have 40% off all cosmetics, I compiled a list of brands that I was going to check out, which includes:

• Australis -- We all know... My fave brand!! Yipeee!
• Face Of Australia -- Their range is generally a tad cheaper than Australis, but their quality is comparable.
• essence -- NEVER has sales in which I'm assuming is because their products are already SO inexpensive, so you can imagine their price drops with the 40% off!
• Savvy by DB -- Their products used to be cheaper, but it seemed like the brand had a make-up with a slight price increase. I've always over their blushersso 40% off calls for the perfect chance!

• Australis Fresh & Flawless Powder in Darkest Brown -- I have this at home and I've already hit pan so it was time to restock! I've only realised now that the shade is too dark for me... Will be going to my sister.
• Face Of Australia Lip Liner in Sugar Rose -- I've used FOA's mechanical lip liners before and they are creamy, pigmented and fairly long-lasting! Little did I know, I've accidentally picked up the pencil versions.. :( It's such a lovely pink colour though!
• Face Of Australia HD Liquid Eyeliner -- Reviewed this before and I really like it.
• Face Of Australia Blush in O Peachy -- Have this at home already. It's golden shimmers makes a lovely highligh on the cheeks! I've purchased this for my upcoming Instagram giveaway (@the_beautifool).

Also snagged 4 nail polishes by essence in Off To Miami, The Boy Next Door, Time for Romance and Date In The Moonlight. They were all less than $2 each! I've been wanting to try essence nail polishes for the loooooooongest time, let me tell ya.

Of couse, I couldn't pass up on lipsticks so easily. Grabbed four:

• Savvy by DB Matte Lipstick in Guava
• Rimmel London Lipstick in Pink Blush
• 2 x essence Lipsticks in More To Love -- One for myself and one for upcoming Instagram giveaway!

Then there's blushers and a foundation stick >_<" Woop. It's starting to feel like it's quite a hoard now...

• Face Of Australia Stick Foundation -- I LOVE FOA's Lasting Looks Natural Foundation and I know their stick foundations have been raved by a few other bloggers.. I just had to!
• Savvy by DB Blushers -- Yes! THREE. Two in Rose and one in Silky Pink. The extra is for giveaway.. Yeah. I always hoard home items for giveaway, but there just never seems to be enough time and products to HOST a giveaway! I also really wanted their baked blushers, but a strange force held me back.. Many thanks to that strange force.. Must be Mum's constant nagging of my growing collection >_<"

Before the 40% sale, I also grabbed two nail polishes by Sally Hansen. They were around $4 each! Too cheap to resist!

• Pacific Blue -- Deemed as a favourite by many and also because I've been into blue nails lately!
• Green with Envy -- Jaci posted about this yonks ago and I've added it to my wishlist ever since! Hehehehe.. Haven't worn green nails in yonks!

What did YOU manage to basket at Priceline's 40% sale?

Any goodies that you'd like to share?

In all, I spent around $50 with the 40% off. I also grabbed a few other items, but returned them because I felt like I wasn't going to reach for them, therefore, didn't want to add to my existing stash.

Saturday's Swatches: Models Prefer Moisture Lust Lipsticks

WEEKENDS! Hi. Hi.. HI!

Heads up: Today's Saturday's Swatches post is kinda fail..... I'm not even kidding you.

I've had these swatch photos in my SD card for forever, but I've been so caught up with swatch posts of new products that I've totally forgot about these!

It's another one of those swatch-post of items that I don't actually own, so in short, I've dropped by Priceline some time ago, spotted these, swatched them and photographed them to share with you guys...

LOL. Oh... The things I do.

Don't laugh at me pls.

If you could remember, that's also exactly what I did with my posts on Maybelline ColorSensational VIVIDS Lipsticks, Rimmel London Kate Moss MATTE Lipsticks and L'Oreal Paris Caresse Shine Stains.

So here's part 4 of Tram's Store-Swatchin' Series which features Models Prefer Moisture Lust Lipsticks.

There are 8 shades to choose from, ranging from reds to corals, nudes to berries and pinks -- a pretty good shade range, I'd say.

Now.. the thing why today's post is a bit of a fail is because..................... I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH SHADES ARE WHICH! :( I have no idea what their names are, because Silly Tram didn't jot down the sequence of the shades swatched! Eeeeek! SO silly of me!

I think I may have a slight idea though.. If you've used Models Prefer Moisture Lust Lipsticks before and can recognise a shade, then please comment below to help us out! Much appreciated!

Natural lighting

From left to right (my guesses!):

• Pannacotta (Obviously!)
• Peach Ice Tea (With reference to swatches from other bloggers)
• Fairy Floss (I'm pretty sure, because I have this shade at home!)
• Cupcake (The only pink shade in the range!)
• Cherry Pie (The only reddish-shade)

There were only 5 shades at my local Priceline, so I'm not too sure why they didn't have the other 3... but these lipsticks looks and feels much like lipstick/balm hybrids, reminding me much of the Revlon Lip Butters... without costing an arm or a leg, of course.

Have YOU tried ANY Models Prefer products?

What do you think of these lipsticks?

Models Prefer Moisture Lust Lipsticks, 8 shades, $11.99, available exclusively to Priceline.