Essence Quick Buy - Stocking Filler?

Ok beauties since the festive season is fast approaching and those hiding spots for Christmas gifts should be filling up (ok, mine is vastly empty - eek!) we might be hunting around for that little stocking filler. How about a fruity floral eau de toilette?

I snagged Essence's Blooms etc in Target recently and when I scanned it I was pleasantly surprised to see that the EDT scanned up for literally pocket change of $1.00AU for 50mls.

I figure the price is because the Blossoms etc collection is discontinued.  I only vaguely remember the nail polishes but I would recommend hunting around your local Target stores as there might be some of the other items (shown above) still around in sale bins at bargain prices as I have seen some of the lavender and lilac eyeshadows still mixed into the Essence bar displays up until very recently. 

I would describe this as a light sweet grape/ bubblegum scent rather than floral as the packaging, and name, of the fragrance would suggest.  It is even made in France. So as that extra gift for the girl that likes a little surprise it should do nicely as the box opens up as if the petals of the flower are blossoming. 

It also comes mounted snuggly on thin felt covered plastic and the glass is so thick that my bottle survived a fall from the shelf onto hardwood flooring so no worries there about it being a fragile bottle.

So lovelies I'm going to be posting some other little buys shortly as well as some favourite things I have picked up.  On my Essence obsession I have picked up a few items from the two new collections- the 50's Girl's Reloaded and the Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2 collection.  

Don't forget to enter my mini Essence Cosmetics Giveaway as there are only 6 days left!

Lust Have IT - November 2012

I decided it was about time I got back into blogging about the LustHaveIt boxes - yes beauties I've been subscribed now for over a year.  

I had my first introduction to the brand at the Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend in September last year and I liked it so much that I signed up for the monthly $14.95AU in October 2011.

I posted a video of this month's box (as well as Octobers box)

This months collectable cosmetic bag is violet and from memory this is similar to the purple one we received in June's LustHaveIt pack. This is also apparently the last of the brightly coloured makeup bags we will be receiving, as from Decembers box we will be getting a new type of collectable packaging - I can't wait to see what it is!

As pictured this months parade of goodies include some full size items along with the samples. In fact there are three "fullies" - the brand new and yet-to-hit-shelves Fibre Lashxtend from ModelCo, a roll on fragrance from Evodia  in Summer Time & a tweezer from Star & Rose with a cute hologram design. 

The mascara alone has a RRP of $28AU which is just under twice what I pay for the subscription and the fragrance tagged at $12.95AU for 15ml is a very nose pleasing citrusy mix of lime and lemon combined with passionfruit and ginger.  The tweezer's RRP comes in just shy of $10AU and will be a handy addition to my draws of tools.  

The two samples are both 30ml's - a One Minute Hair Treatment from GKMBJ and a Skin Glow Light Tan Extender from Aviva Inspires - both of which I have never tried before.  Of course I have received so many hair treatments this will have to get in a very long line of samples as I even have some remaining from when I was receiving Bella Box, ILoveThisBox and the (now joined with Lust Have IT) Glossy Box. 

Besides the monthly beauty card there is a promo code for "buy one get one free" from Evodia for their website and a "two for one pass" to see Liberal Arts which is released to hit our cinemas December 13th.  If you like rom-coms and not to mention the main guy from "How I Met Your Mother" this might be a movie for you.

Overall, this one of my favourite box/bags I've received from them in the last few months and I am looking forward to what their Christmas box will be and how it will be up from the 2011 festive season box from Lust Have It.  

I'm also working on an overview of my year with Lust Have It and how I have found it overall, as well as in comparison to some of the other beauty sample boxes I was subscribed too.  But my next blog will be on some of my latest favourite buys and a few bargains so stay tuned.

Vanessa Megan - Anti Ageing Kakadu Plum Serum

So I've recently mentioned what one of my favourite cosmetic brands has been since my blogging absence but what about my skincare? Well, I have had almost 5 months to test a serum that was sent to me from a line of natural and organic based skin care products form the Australian company Vanessa Megan.  If you like natural and organic products you'll like the fact that this brand was inspired by the line "You should never put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat".

I've been happy to report that I have been enjoying the Kakadu Plum Anti Ageing Serum which retails for $48AU for 15ml and the stickered plastic bottle can be purchased online at the website store or from a range of stockists through out Australia.

You can watch my video below for an overview of the brand as well as a mini review on the serum:


                    

Although the product is named after one of the components, which is the "Kakadu Plum", the extract is actually the 8th listed ingredient in the serum.  I have liked the cooling and firming sensation from the cloudy yellow liquid when applied on my cheeks, neck & particularly on my hands.  

The runny gel-like consistency reminds me of the feeling of applying aloe vera onto the skin which I used to do quite a bit back when I had access to the plant (minus the lingering tacky residual).  In fact, aloe vera juice is actually the second listed ingredient in the product.  

I've used all but about 3-4mls or so of the product

I applied a pea sized to almond sized amount to my face, neck, declotage area and even onto the backs of my hands which I was careful to do with the pump action of the applicator least I end up with a large squirt of the runny serum.

Over the course of almost 4 months I noticed moisturised and soft skin around my cheeks an evening of my skin tone and even waking up without a mass of oiliness around my t-zone was a nice change.  This "rejuvenation" was particularly evident when I stopped using the serum as my night time treatment over the last month, at least it appeared to my (mirror) self, my husband and sometimes "too brutal" aquantances.

Apart from these little pros of the product some people might not like the price point at $48AU for 15ml. However as it is a serum you would not be slathering the product on and typically 15ml is a standard for a facial serum. It is also made from a combination of natural plant extracts and marine actives not from a page full of unpronounceable chemicals.  Although I do wish that the concentration/percentage of these natural extracts and marine actives was listed.  

I also think that the best before date should be marked on the bottle and not just the box as I don't think many would realise to check the bottom of the box for this date before throwing it away. But my tip would be for any cosmetic products or skin care for your personal use (or even professionally for your beauty clientele) you should sticker the date you open it or purchase it to help keep track.  

As it is the season for buying gifts for your loved ones check out the website for their Christmas packs.  They stock skincare for men too and even for mother and baby and if you can't decide what gift to give there is also the option of gift vouchers.

Ok beauties good luck in your gift hunting, with your skin care and also best of luck in my giveaways - mini blog giveaway and favourite brands giveaway on my Youtube channel.

(*CLOSED*) Giveaway! - Essence Cosmetics

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT ENTERED!

Would you like long lasting silver screen eyes, sparkly barbie pink lips or shimmering grey nails for day to night glamour? Then read on.

That's right beauties for those that have stuck around while I went MIA for months I would like to do a little giveaway of Essence Cosmetics! As I mentioned in my last blog I have really enjoyed this brand both for its prices but also for the variety and quality of the make-up and tools on offer. 

Since Essence Cosmetics are launching some new lines that I haven't gotten my hands on yet, I thought you might like to try some of the old tried and true range which I have packaged in a cute size make-up bag from the Ready For Boarding line as pictured above. 

What you can win:

- Essence small Ready for Boarding make-up bag #1 Carry Me Home

- Essence Multi Action Mascara (black) 

- Essence Stay All Day Eyeshadow in #4 Stars and Stories (silver)
- Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss in #5 Super Girl (sparkly pink)

- Essence Colour and Go #83 Luxury Secret (shimmery dark grey)

How to win/Conditions of Entry:  

1. Must be a follower of Penumbra Doll Beauty blog

2. If under 18 must have guardians permission to provide your postal address

3. Must comment below on this post with "entry" and then with what your favourite items are in the Essence Cosmetic range or what is on your wish list to try from the new lines

4. Only one entry per follower (all other entries will be invalid)

5. Entries close 30th November 2012, 12pm AEDT

6. Open worldwide

7. Any entry that does not follow the conditions of entry will not be counted

8. The winning entry number will be drawn using Random Org

9. One winner will be drawn and if for any reason they are unable to provide a postal address, or if I am unable to contact them, another winner will be drawn from all valid entries (minus the previously drawn winner's entry)

Want to win more? 
Of course if you would like another change to win something and check out some of the other favourite brands of mine please enter my bigger Favourite Brands Giveaway on my Youtube channel.  I will put the link here as soon as it is available! I will be uploading it this weekend finally - YAY!

The winner will be announced a few days after the closing date

Good luck beauties! 
winner will be contacted shortly!!