'Beauty With The Beautifool' turns 3! Celebrating with a giveaway!

My blog turns 3 today. Yippeee!

I seriously cannot believe that it's been three years. THREE YEARS... I'm 19 now so I started blogging back when I was 16.. Oh gee.

It was during my last year of highschool in 2010, on the 16th of January that I started to blog. I remember my very first post was on deciding what was gonna happen and the next fewer post was 'showcasing' my make-up collection... which was.. er.. made up with 2 concealers, 2 eyeliners and a few lipsticks?

LOL. Yeah I know guys.. that was my "make up collection". Giggles.

Anyways, I have a giveaway for you guys today to celebrate my 3 years old beauty blog! I'm seriously so bad at all these cheesy talk LOL. I really don't know what to say or type except to say thank you, thank you and thank you!

Thank YOU each and every one of you guys for supporting my blog! I truly do appreciate that you guys take the time out to comment on my posts! I know some people are "silent readers", but that's okay! =)

My giveaway will include some of my favourite drugstore products and brands! :P

Prize pack includes:

• 4 x Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipsticks in 'Salsa', 'Ballet', 'Make A Wish', 'Mambo'
• 1 x Rimmel London Colour Show Off Lipstick in 'Tell No One'
• Australis Creme Colour for Cheeks & Lips in 'Flirtatious Pink'
• Australis Lash Length Extensions Mascara (my fave!) in Black
• Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipgloss in 'Fandango'
• Face Of Australia Colour Max Eyeshadow Palette in 'Gold Mine' 
• Ulta3 Nail Colour in 'Over The Rainbow'
• 2 x Face Of Australia Pastels Collection Nail Polish in 'Castle On A Cloud' & 'Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy'
• 4 x Max Factor Mini Nail Polishes in 'Lollipop', 'Red Carpet Glam', 'Diva Coral', 'Ivory'
• 2 x Australis 10HR Waterproof Eye Pencils in 'Grape Cake' and 'Bombastic Bronze'

I LOVE Australis so don't mind me overloading you on Australis' cosmetics. One quick note for the Face Of Australia palette.. My silly sister thought it was okay to take off the quality sticker around it, but it has never been opened! I hope you guys don't mind! 

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

1. This giveaway (Beauty With The Beautifool turns 3!) ends on 3 February 2013, at 5:00 PM (Sydney time).

2. There will be ONE winner selected at random via Rafflecopter.

3. This giveaway is open worldwide to all readers of Beauty With The Beautifool.

4. Winner will be contacted by myself after the giveaway ends, and winner must reply to the email within 48 hours. Fail to reply within the 48 hours time frame will result in re-selection of another winner.

5. After the prize packs are mailed out, I do NOT hold any responsibility for loss or damage of the parcel. Sorry! :(

Clear of the terms & conditions? Ready to enter? Go wild!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Disclaimer: NONE of the products included in this giveaway has been used, opened, or sent by a PR for review considerations. All products were purchased by me ^_^

Round Up: 2012 Beauty Favourites

Not too late for a round up of 2012 favourites, yes?! I was actually planning not to round up any favourite products for the year at all because it'll be such a long long long post.. for you guys to read!

But then I figured it's only a yearly post, so it should be fine.. bear with me guys.

• Real Techniques (Core Collection) Buffing Brush -- The domed shape makes it easier and quicker for me to apply foundation than the Sigma F80! I use this in both stippling and buffing motions. 
• Cosmetica by Manicare Short Handled Powder Brush -- not exceptionally great in quality, but the short handle and the brush size and shape makes it easy and just perfect for contouring! I also squeeze the brush shape together to contour my nose.. hehe!
• Royal & Langnickel (Silk Green Line) Blush Brush* -- still using this daily from 2011! I use it to apply highlighter, blusher and bronzer! 

• Urban Decay's NAKED Palette -- When I'm feeling real fancy, NAKED comes to play! 'Virgin' to highlight my brow bones, nose and cupid's bow and sometimes I'd apply 'Half Baked' (beautiful gold) all over the lids just to brighten up my eye area.

• Face Of Australia Liquid Eyeliner* -- I found this really hard to use at first, but once you get the grip.. oh.. it's HG material! Review here >
• Australis 10HR Wear Eye Pencil in 'Bombastic Bronze' -- This is a beautiful shimmering bronze eyeliner! I use it on both upper and lower lash lines, and sometimes even over the lids for a non over-the-top 'smoked out' look. The pencil is incredibly creamy, soft and glides on so so smoothly on the eye area! I definitely need a primer for it to last though!
• Savvy by DB Eye Pencil in Brilliant Bronze -- exactly the same as the Australis 10HR Wear Eye Pencil in 'Bombastic Bronze'. Same shade, same formula, same everything except that it doesn't lasts as long.

• Australis Lash Length Extensions Mascara* -- A great lengthening mascara for my short, stubby lashes! There's a love/hate relationship between us though.. sometimes it works perfect and gives me the most natural lengthened lashes, but sometimes it just clumps and doesn't work. I think I may know what it is though... I'll make sure to review this soon if you don't mind too many features of Australis Cosmetics (yes, I love their brand that much!).
• Australia Eyeshadow Primer -- I lean towards this when I need a base for any eyeshadows or eyeliners (such as their 10HR Wear Eye Pencils) and it works! It prolongs the wear time and prevents smudging!

• Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipsticks in Salsa -- LOVE this shade. It's such a pretty, poppy pink on the lips that doesn't seek too much attention and its formula is comfortable to wear!
• Bourjois Sweet Kiss Naturel Lipstick in Rose Tendre -- I've only just discovered this in my stash and it is just as comfortable as any other without being overly creamy and thick. I love this shade! There's just something about it that stands out to be unique in my collection. I know it looks like a pinky-brown in tube, but it applies to be a sweet, natural pink shade! I really need to get to reviewing and swatching this to show you how lovely it is.

• Make Up Forever HD Foundation -- Wasn't a fan of this foundation at first, but I love it now! Yet to review it but it looks oh so natural on the skin and I love the shade! It's almost a perfect match for me!
• Palmer's Eventone BB Creams* -- I love these! They're coverage alternatives for lazy days as they're easy to apply and sits on the skin lookin' real natural and dewy! Review here >
• [Runner Up] I'd like to say I'm also a big fan of Face Of Australia's Lasting Looks Natural Foundation*, but I couldn't find a shade suitable for me.. The shades I've used in 2011 suddenly became too dark for me this year.. Oh bummer! 

Exactly the same highlighters featured in my 2011 faves!

• Face Of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminating Pearls* -- Offers lovely natural sheen without being overly shimmery!
• Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion -- I've tried quite a few 'luminizers' as highlighters this year and this one is still the most intensed of the bunch!

• Pure Fiji Body Lotion in 'Coconut' -- This is forever my favourite body lotion scent! It smells absolutely amazing! I'd use this everyday for the rest of my life... if only it wouldn't break my bank.  

• Elmer's School Glue -- What is this doing here, you asked? I've abandoned base coats for a while now.. I've turned to peel-off base coats instead since it's quicker and more fun to remove! Also not harsh on the skin like acetone.
• Australis See Ya Later Nail Polish Remover -- Ok.. and when I don't use peel-off base coats, I turn to this one. This one's a gem! I don't think it's pure acetone in a bottle, but it sure does work like one! 

• OPI (Nicki Minaj Collection) Metallic 4 Life -- Never been a fan of chunky glitters but this is such an amazing silver on black combo!
• B Collection Santorini and Vancouver -- Posted about both of these here. Both are my go-to picks for pedicures!
• Ulta3 (Get Your Glam On Collection) Over The Rainbow -- Posted about it here. It's a fun perfect-sized, multi-coloured glitter coat to layer over any pastels. I can look at my nails all day with this on!
• ORLY Sweet Peacock* -- Oh.. this is my absolute favourite nail polish ever! I usually don't sport blues, but this seriously blue me away. This is my go-to nail polish whenever I'm in a hurry to get ready. It's easy to apply, opaque with two coats, dries fairly quick and has an amazing foily finish. Love love love love! 
• Max Factor Mini Nail Polish in Candy Blue -- Not your average blue polish... not to me, at least! I feel like you can do alot of colour blocking and matching with this particular shade. I love that it's not too dark, but not extremely bright -- just the perfect tone of blue. Probably the last blue to hit my list of favourites.. I'm not kidding when I say "I don't sport blues". 

That's all for my 2012 favourites! I was looking at my blushers and I just couldn't think of one blush that I really really did love this year.. All blushers I used this year were great in quality, but none of the shades made big impressions. 

Thanks for reading! Just wanted to remind ya that tomorrow is Monday so.. here we go again..... Lucky I'm on holidays! Muahaha.. Sucks for ya. 

Oh, I'm feeling a bit cheeky today.. so I'm gonna spill.. I have a giveaway coming up for you guys.. VERY SOON so watch this space! 

Disclaimer: Products marked with * were provided for review consideration. All opinions expressed within this post are of my own and remains uninfluenced. Please refer to this site's disclosure policy. 

A slice of life -- On Sydney's heat, #cuttingforBeiber

Hi guys! I'm totally not feeling it today. I know I've got so many posts to catch up on, but seriously.. I'm dreading here..

On Sydney's heat. 
A few days ago (I think it may be Monday), Sydney has hit the hottest it's been in yonks. I'm actually real good at withstanding the heat, but that day hit a whopping 43 degrees! Unbelievabubble mate, but thank God for: the invention of air conditioners and thank God I don't have stingy parents who wouldn't allow air conditioners. LOL.

Also, I've decided to store all my make-up in the fridge, because apparently.. it's going to be even hotter this Saturday!



On #cuttingforBeiber.
I've read somewhere that this was a prank started by members of 4Chan. Apparently they've gathered a few images of wrist cuts, added captions to it and then tweeted it around. Seriously, those members have too much spare time on their hands. I hope no one really self-harmed for Beiber... cause I can't imagine what they would do if he did worse than smokin' a joint.


On the tackiest. 

Ugh. Yux.


On blogging mojo. 
I've lost my blogging motivation! I'm trying SO so hard to get back into it! I'm still a big beauty lover, but I've just been lazy... I just really want a new camera AND I really need to get to fixing my photography area! The lamp is broken! Needs to be replaced! Goddddd.


On new haircut. 

So I've decided that I will be growing out my natural hair again to hopefully make it in time to donate this September! First step to doing so is to cut my hair.. I've decided to ask my Mum to help me. I got a straight-across trim so my hair will grow faster as it was already pretty long with plenty of split ends!

Grr... just the thought of having to wait for the dyed part of my hair to grow out is killin' me. It will look ugly as hell!

Picnic with Nutrimetics Colour Wardrobe System!

Cosmetics nowadays comes in all sorts of colours from wearable to whack-able, but something to strongly consider is... which of these colours suit you?

The first step to determining which colours suit you is to:

• Determine your skin's undertone -- warm, cool, neutral, olive. 
• Determine the product's undertone -- warm, cool, neutral.

Looks easy, but hell, if you struggle to determine your own skin's undertone in the first place.. then you stand no chance to be able tell undertones of cosmetic products! 

Now.. Nutrimetics has introduced their 'Colour Wardrobe' colour-matching system for their cosmetics -- something that I appreciate very much! Products are now labelled with 'C' for Cool and 'W' for Warm, making it easier for you to find shades that will suit your complexion.

Yeap. I got fancy with these photos, don't blame me though. Blame the yummy and cutesy names they gave to these products!

Nutrimetics Pure Touch Blush in 500W Peach ($25.00) -- is a straight-up peach blush that you can't go wrong with -- a naturally, flushed peachy shade with a light hand and bold and daring with a heavy hand. It's texture is holy golly smooth and silky which blends beautifully on the skin!

It fades a tad by the end of 8 hours of wear, which is fair-fair. I really love the texture and pigmentation, but sadly, there's only 4 shades to play with in this range... meep. 

Nutrimetics Hydra Brilliance Lipstick in 104W Persimmon ($25.00) -- is a daring, bright, bold coral-red that... shocked me. It's shocking bright in the tube and to be honest, it's not a shade I'd pick up for myself. I'm at the "lipstick" stage where I'm still trying to feel comfortable with reds, so orange is just out of the question at this moment!

Is it not? Ok. Maybe it doesn't look so bright in the photo, but trust me on this peeps and peepos!

Anyways, I truly LOVE the packaging of this lipstick! It has a magnetic and mirrored lid.... yeap, you read right! The magnet keeps the lid on so no more lids lost in that blackhole of your handbag and you can also use the cap as a mirror on the go! Yay!

The formula is impressively pigmented, smooth and silky, non-drying and lightweight on the lips.... and.. um.. heaps transferable. I touch up after every single snack. I'm talk about Oreos and popcorn :(

I'll have to powder this down, add a lipliner as base and touch up frequently with this one unfortunately.. Meep. 

And then there's two Colour Impact Eyeshadows ($20.00)....... Fawn and Chocolate. 

Fawn is a matte, light tan colour with yellow tones. You see, I tried to match the names with a nice relative background shot, but I had no idea what to do with a shade of the name "Fawn". Seriously..

Chocolate is what it is -- a matte, dark chocolate brown colour.... Ya, that was so helpful Tram........ Unlike products that I've mentioned so far, this eyeshadow I received is cool-toned with a 'C' label on the back. Must've been a mistake on their end :P

These eyeshadows are moderate in terms of pigmentation with that same smooth and silky texture, just like their blusher! I feel like they swatch to be very pigmented on the hands, but when using a brush, you'll need to layer and layer and layer.... or use a primer.

Peach, Chocolate, Fawn, Persimmon

Of course, they're still really love eyeshadows to have but their prices leaves me umm-ing and ahh-ing...

FOTD time!

All in all, I really love the concept of undertone-labelling for these products! I know MAC is known for their range of NC/NW coverage ranges, but I personally think it's important to know the undertones of colour cosmetics too!

Are YOU strict with matching products' undertones to YOUR skin tone?
Have you tried any Nutrimetics products before?

You can find Nutrimetics products from their official website or find a consultant in your area.

Disclaimer: Products mentioned in this post were provided for review consideration. All opinions expressed within this post are of my own and remains uninfluenced. Please refer to this site's disclosure policy. 

NOTD: Polka Pink and Coral by B Collection Nail Polishes

Hi hi!! This is gonna be a quick post! I swear I'm not being lazy but there's only a few decent snaps from when I had these nails on!

I whipped out my favourite B Collection shade 'Vancouver' and another shade that I've had in the collection for a while, 'Santorini'.

Santorini, Vancouver

'Vancouver' is a soft pink and is my favourite pedicure shade. I'm not very comfortable with wearing bright and bold colours on my toes so I always paint it any soft and 'not so loud'. However, for this Summer, I've got heaps tanned so 'Vancouver' just makes me my feet look... dirty. Yeap. Dirty. Maybe because it makes my feet looks so much more tanned!

So I decided to try something new... I picked up 'Santorini' which I've also had my eye on. It's such a pretty coral in the bottle, but I've somehow forgot about it until I was 're-analysing' my nail collection.

Next thing ya know, it looks fab on my toes. LOL. No joke! It brightens and really gives a cute, poppy feel which I really like! I'd have to say that these two are most likely the only two nail polishes that I'd ever wear on my toes.

Anyways, enough about toes and feet.

I stumbled across a simple, yet cute nail art manicure the other day (I really can't remember where I saw it from) but it was so simple and easy that I'd have to give it go!

Pretty much just dots on opposite colours! The photo I saw used a beige colour on black, which looked way more sophisticated and prettier than my dodgy take, but hey! I gave it a go.. We all know I was never ever good with nail arts anyways!

I don't think you can find B Collection nail polishes anymore.. they were exclusively available to Target but I think the line may be discontinued now.. Hmm. Their formulas are decent, but not worth their original $14.95 price tag. However I highly recommend these two shades if you do find them on clearance!


Disclaimer: Products were purchased by me.

Drugstore Cosmetics Launches for Australia -- January 2013

Hey! Sorry this month's launches is a bit late.. I've been feeling a bit "meh". It's an unexplainable feeling. Ever since I fell sick in Dec 2012 (food poisoning), I haven't been feeling the same. I've been feeling out of it -- not motivated for anything! :(

Hopefully I'll make a comeback soon (lol?). For the moment, let me tell ya who's making a comeback...

Essence! Essence is introducing a "Cherry Blossom Girl" collection to start off the new years, featuring quite a few items!

From top to bottom, left to right:

• Lipstick Pencil -- Available in 2 shades, $3.50. 
• Highlighter Pen -- Available in 1 shade, $4.95.
• Nail Polishes -- Available in 4 shades, $3.50.  
• Paper Lashes -- Available in 1 style, $4.50. 
• Quattro Eyeshadows -- Available in 1 shade, $5.95.
• Shimmery Body Powder -- Available in 1 shade, $6.50. 
• 2 in 1 Eyeliners -- Available in 2 shades, $5.95.

The blacked out circle is suppose to be a blush! This collection launched for UK Fall 2012 I think, so many of you guys from the UK would be familiar with this already! I'm not sure why we're not getting the blush for Aussie's launch (as far as I know anyways). I think the paper lashes are the cutest!!

Another collection is 'Show Your Feet' which features 5 shades of nail polishes ($3.95) for the toes! I'm pretty sure there are some other goodies too like [very soft] toe separators, gel shoe pads and toe protection gel strips.. but I couldn't find any information on those! Meep. 

As mentioned in my previous BB Cream Round Up post, you should also be able to find Maybelline's Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream at Priceline sometime this month! Sorry, I can't pin point the exact date, but if you struggle to find it.. give Priceline's online store a go!

Available in 3 shades, $15.95. 

Besides that, beauty news that I'm sure you'd be interested...

You can now find Sinful Colors nail polishes at Target! I'm not sure about other stores, but I've heard of this from Emma! She picked 4 babies up for $3.71! I'll have to check this out next time I drop down to Targettt!

What do you think of Essence's new collections?
Which products are you most excited for?

Paper lashes and Sinful Colors Nail Polishes for me! Maybe the highlighting pen too! 

Best of 2012 -- Bring it ON 2013!

Hey! If you're reading this.. you're still here! I'm glad you're here with me! It's been a hectic year for me, and if you're feeling the same... guess what?

We've made it! 

We've made it this far through 2012 with only a few more days to go until we hit a brand new start, so cheers to the better beginnings! 

I wanted to share with you some of the best things that has happened to me throughout 2012...

1. You're still here with me. 

I started blogging on 16th January 2010, so it's been almost 3 years. Throughout the years, my passion for everything beauty has grown, my writing style has changed.. I have changed. I don't know whether the change in me is good or bad, but you're still around with me... reading and supporting this blog!

I wanted to take out the time to truly thank each and every one of you who are reading this. Thank YOU for sticking around. Thank YOU for supporting and reading my beauty blog! :) 

2. Friends. 

Old friends from highschool! I haven't seen them girls in ages now, but when we meet, we are still as close! I can't wait to see them again! I think the last time we went out together was.. er.. in September. Meep. 

And then there's Tezza, Amanda and Alice who I've grown with this year... I'm grateful for meeting every one of them girls! We can talk about anything... anything! ^_^

(Stolen from Alice) She made us her very own pop-up Christmas card! Cutest!!

3. My Phanily.

The Phan's family (lol) has gotten alot closer this year. I've got ALOT closer to my Mum. I've finally came to appreciate her work for the family, to raise up my sister and I. It seems like the bigger we're growing, the smaller she's getting... meep.

(One of our many cute photos together... LOL)

To acknowledge the hard work and effort that she puts into this family, I've been showering her with kisses.. she always pushes me away, but we all know that she secretly loves it. ^_^"

4. Finished my Certificate III course, on to Diploma!

I've finished my Children Services Certificate III course this year and I've started my Diploma course which should finish at the end of 2013. Fingers crossed that everything will be okay, despite being constantly told by graduates that it'll only get harder T_T

Here's me at TAFE with Tiger, Jeffrey the Giraffe and Bambi!! ^o^ Cute as hell!  >>>

I think that may be it.. LOL. I know, I'm a boring person. Meep. But I'm not sure how 2013 will be yet. I have my list of resolutions though.. hopefully I'll follow them through:

• Stop slacking in class. Put 110% of effort into work and stop failing those easy-ass classes.
• Be more punctual to class and to outings.
• Stop hoarding home make-up, finish the stash. 
• Forget about the past and look forward to the future!

I think the hardest of the list is not holding into the past. I hold onto too many things, way too many things. It's time to let go and look forward to the brand new year ahead of us! 

I'm also going to be turning 20 this year... a brand new chapter of my life! How scary, yet somewhat exciting... maybe. 

I'm wishing you guys a lovely New Years! Let's make the best of 2013 buddums!