Eye Look: Brown + Greys

One of my Favourite Eye Looks: Brown + Greys

Check out the video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dvHtNntJjJk

Review: Yanu SKIN SALAD Products

Give me Green Apples!

Above: (left to right) Yanu Skin Salad Overnight Pack, Yanu Skin Salad 4 Pack Gift Set & Free Gift - Green Algae Facial Mask

I recently ordered some body products from Bayonelle's Yanu "Skin Salad" Green Apple collection. It covers body lotions & scrubs/shower gels in a variety of fruit scents including Fresh Peach, Juicy Mango & Tropical Coconut.

You can find Yanu Skin Salad & other Bayonelle products at http://www.thefaceplace.com.au

What attracted me to this range was the fact there was a range of green apple body products. I have recently become obsessed with the scent of green fresh apples & have been desperately seeking out every product I can lay my hands on. I find that the scent of green apples is very relaxing & refreshing.

I have found it strangely difficult to get products that are only "fragranced" in green apples. There is always another "scent" mixed in such as citrus fruits, honeysuckle, lily and ginger. I want my "green apple" products to have that refreshing, crisp apple scent not just as a base which is ultimately overwhelmed by the other aromas.

In my hunt I have acquired air fresheners, cleaning products, lip balms, shampoos & conditioners but had failed to find body lotions or sprays - but when I saw that Bayonelle's website listed a range of apple scented products I almost fell off my chair! Had my search finally "born fruit"? (Sorry I couldn't resist that pun...)

I got two packs Gift Box 4 Pack & the Overnight Bag & 3 Piece Bath Set & received a free sample of a Green Algae Face Mask

Above: I received a free gift - Gel Infused Green Algae Facial Mask

Above: The 4 Gift Pack comes in a PVC box (unfortunately the Green Apple Body Spritzer leaked in the box, but I only lost a few mls but if it had been intended for a gift all the cardboard lining was soaked)

Below: The pack containts a Body Spritzer, Shower Gell, Body Lotion & Shower Scrub

The Green Apple scent is definitely clear in the shower gel & the body spritzer. The first day I used the spritz I keep thinking I could smell apple juice & realised it was the spray. It lasts a about an hour (mostly when I layer the body lotion which I used from the second pack).

I find the spritz to be very refreshing & the green apple scents work well with my mainly floral or musk lotions & perfumes.

The shower gel comes in a 120ml screw top bottle but the full size version of 250ml can be purchased separately on the website. The gel has a slight green tint & reminds me of aloe vera gel.

However I could not get the shower gel to lather or foam up but have found it to smooth on like my QV (soap free cleansers). I leave the shower smelling like a big, green apple!

The body lotion in this pack remains unopened as I used the body lotion in the second pack I ordered but I am impressed with the decent size tube of 200ml.

The second pack I ordered was the Overnight Body Scents 4 Pack as pictured below.

The overnight bag (which can also be purchased separately) contains 3 Green Apple body products: a body butter, body scrub & body lotion.

Green Apple overnight bag by Bayonelle

Above: Green Apple Body Butter in 90ml size. Full size of 200ml can be purchased separately

Below: Green Apple Body Scrub, 90ml. Full size is 200ml container

Below: Green Apple Body Lotion 90ml

Although the ingrediants listed for the body lotion & body scrub are different I could not
distinquish the two products. They both have the same feel, smell, quality & finish to them.
The best way I could describe the texture of the products is to compare them to most hair
conditioners, just slightly thicker or creamier. Before the products dry, the skin is a little tacky
but they dry without greasiness.

So overall I am happy with both the body butter & lotion as they smell deliscious & do no
more than I want my cheaper body products to do which is smell good & make my skin feel
soft & subtle without feeling sticky.

Mineral Make Up: Bella Pierre

Bella Pierre Order Arrives!

Received my order from Bella Pierre Cosmetics - the mineral make up line: www.bellapierrecosmetics.com.au

From Top Left to Right: Lip Gloss Trio, Eye Shadow Brush & 4x 2g s Loose Mineral Powder Ivory, Latte, Cinnamon & Nutmeg.

Admittedly, despite the packaging, my love of the Ivory Loose mineral powder & the fact they are natural mineral based products, I still find the prices fairly steep. Until recently, I was never brave enough to venture out & try any of the other products or shades because of the dollar value.

However, when I received the coupon email offering 50% off the total order price I thought - time to try! (Btw, for any "loyal customer", ok the fact that I was on the subscriber email list, I got the coupon).

If you are hesitant at paying the full price you can always, as I would recommend, sign up to the website. They have regular discounts & coupon emails that are worth keeping an eye out for. I am not being paid to say any of this by the way! Doesn't cost anything to sign up except information. Well, this at least works for AU'ers, I assume the overseas sites would offer something similar.

I used the eye shadow brush this morning. Btw, I took the photo before I used it!! There is no numbering system on the brushes as they only have a small range - 7 you can buy individually & you can get 10 in the brush set.

The bristles are stable/goat hair. The interesting bit is that on the AU website (& also on the international CA & US sites ). The photo shows the eyeshadow brush to be "angled" probably just the way it was taken, but the description on the sites have this as a having a "tapered brush head that comes to a rounded point" & is a "precision crease eye shadow brush".

I imagined it to look a bit like most "rounded tip" crease brushes that most other major MU lines have. But as in the photo although indeed rounded I wouldn't call it a "rounded point" & there is not much "tapering". It is more like my standard eye shadow brushes more for lid colour application, blending & even reminds me of a concealer brush. Maybe that's just me, after all I am NOT a MUA.

Give us a Kiss!

As pictured above, the "On the Go Lip Gloss Trio" consists of 3 mineral lipglosses bound in the compact case: Champagne, Sweet Rose & Vanilla Sunset. All have shimmery finishes & are decently pigmented.

Left to right: Sweet Rose, Champagne & Vanilla Sunset

Sweet Rose would be my favourite a beautiful deep, rose pink with a lot of fine multi dimensional shimmer. The best part being the finish is not sticky or overly thick. However I cannot stress enough how shimmery these are & the fact that it is so fine/small that it give your lips a very "sparkly" appearance. Really depends on what you like but I am so glad that it is not like glumps of glitter & quite nice to wear when going out on the town for a touch of glamour to the pout!

Keeping in mind this is meant to be a travel or as named "on the go" lip set. So hard to tell from just a picture of the pack so I put two Mac lippies next to it.

Top to Bottom: BM Trio, Mac Lustreglass (Flusterose) & MAC Dazzleglass (Via Veneto)

There is a range of loose & pressed mineral powders to choose from, all to suit a variety of skin tones. I choose four of the "sample" sized l/powders which are 2g each. The full size loose powders are 9g each.

Below: (left to right) #MF002 Ivory, #MF003 Latte, #MF004 Cinnamon & #MF005 Nutmeg

I have been using MF002 Ivory for over 15 months now. It has SP15 & is a fine silky powder & as pictured above consists of Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxides & Iron Oxides.

At the stalls the MUA market that the 9g product will last up to 24 months when applying daily (well at least at the three different ones I have been too). This I was told, is because you only need a small amount as foundation & you can also use it as a concealer (just apply more to the desired area).

I haven't used this as a concealer as I have been happy to use my separate concealers. I have only been using this as my base make up & as a setting powder when I have been using liquid or mouse foundations.

This has worked fine - although I am onto my third 9g container since I must use a very liberal hand & have dropped the first one (noooo!) Hence I decided to try a 2g size to travel & to use when I am in a rush - less sifter surface area to waste the product!

Ivory MF002 close up. I tired to get the "truest" colour from my camera & with the available light. No use swatching this on my skin as it is so sheer! From the Bella Pierre website it describes this for light skin with neutral to golden undertones.

Above is MF003 Latte. I got this sample to test using when I am tanned & also as shaders on me. (So far unopened) Bella Pierre site lists this as for "medium" skin with golden undertones.

Above is MF004 Cinnamon. A tan powder for medium to medium light skin with neutral undertones.

Below: MF005 Nutmeg, for light olive skin with golden undertones.

So pretty happy with this order. Until the next 50% rolls around...that is once I finish (well START) project-10. This should be my next bloggie!

Don't forget to comment & follow me!

Beauty Buys & Deals

Attention Aussie Make Up Lovers!

Ok not just for the interest of the Australian readers, but also for those International goers who are keen to see what deals & beauty buys we AU'ers have to offer & what sites & stores I LOVE to check out!

Sorry this is not a picture post today!

I also wanted to elaborate more on the youtube post I did on outlet or discount shopping & also on a few deals I've been coming across on my online orders & hunting around!

PLUS, a big thanks to Skind88 a fellow youtuber who is keeping me well informed on specials she is coming across.

Please note: I am not being paid to "advertise" these retailers or websites but I am just putting down what I think may be of interest.

Warehouse Style or Major "Drug Store" Buying

Chemist Warehouse - There are a variety of specials here all the time. I hang out for discounts on one of my favourite perfumes - Anai Anai by Cacharel.

Special Offers: At the moment they are having a good deal on one of my "March Favourites" the Maybelline Colossal Volume Express by Maybelline. (Thanks Skind88!). This little gem normally retails around the rounded $17 to $19 mark but going for $9.99 here.

Also YSL Touche Elat/Radiant Touch which can retail anywhere between $50 to $90AU is reduced to $29.95.

If you don't have one of these stores locally you can order online but is a bit pricey compared to some online retail spots. Check this & other discounts out at www.chemistwarehouse.com.au

Priceline - Not all of these stores have a pharmacy attached to them but all have a range of beauty & hair products, fragrances, lotions & even food!

Check out your nearest store at: www.priceline.com.au

Factory/Warehouse Shopping

Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) - What self-confessed bargain hunter doesn't like a whole mall practically dedicated to discount shopping? Ok, not all the stores here have prices that you cannot match or even better in other malls, shops or online - but it is worth a day out to check your nearest outlets!

For those in AU to find your closest DFO at www.dfo.com.au

Also worth checking out the website dedicated to most factory outlet/bargain stores around AU: http://www.factoryoutletshopping.com.au

SA Hair, Nail & Beauty Supplies - Where MUA, hairdressers & beauty salons/therapists can get their supplies or just a consumer who loves a discount like me! A range of brands & products. I love to get my OPI & Orly nail varnishes, hair products, beauty supplies especially my favourite OPI Rapid Dry Spray! www.sahairsupplies.com.au

Department Stores

Myer - Special Offers: The current catalogue has beauty specials (you know the kind where it is buy one get second 20, 30 or 50% off?) running until 26 April, 2010. You check the latest catalogues at http://catalogues.myer.com.au/

For the Myer One card holders there are normally special deals that happen every month but seriously you can become one instore or online so worth signing up since the more points you acquire as you spend you can earn gift vouchers.

You can also buy goodies online (sadly not at catalogue prices & only a limited variety). http://gifts.myer.com.au

David Jones - Special Offers: Buy two OPI Products and receive a third free. Offer valid until May 4th

full details you can find the catalogues at http://www.davidjones.com.au/catalogues/home.jsp

"High End" Retailers

(i.e. higher priced beauty lines

you may not find in your chemist/drug store or in all department stores)

Mecca Cosmetica - Love the higher end make up? Into Stila & NARS but hard to find in AU? go to Mecca Cosmetica. They had a stand in selected Myer stores or have their own store in a few major malls.

Find your local store or shop online at http://www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Bella Pierre Cosmetics - They specialise in mineral make up & products & is worth checking out for the mineral make up lover although they are a little bit pricier than most mineral lines I have tried.

They are an international brand & the Australian site has not been up for very long. In fact in my state at least there are no "stores" but rather "stands" in malls. I have seen the stalls go from only featuring in two shopping centres to now being out in just about every major mall!

I was referred to try this brand by a friend & have not looked back in over 15 months now. As I mentioned the prices are a little steep but at the stands they normally have good packs or "buy more for less" offers. Also if you sign up to the site (at least in AU) I have seen quite a few specials they email around to customers.

Special Offers: At the moment they have a 50% off total buy!! With a discount voucher valid until 14/04/2010. I had to take advantage of this & I am waiting for my order. I will share this in a post & video once I receive.

Check out the site: www.bellapierrecosmetics.com.au

Facial Company - A range of brands such as Dermalogica, glo minerals & Napolean Perdis - worth checking out. I love how you can search products based on your skin type!

www.facialcompany.com.au

Online Shopping

Addicted to Beauty - This is a must see for the serious lip product lover, just like me! This online store stocks lip balms, lip glosses & lip scrubs. Not of every brand but they appear to be increasing the range all the time. I recently did my first order with them - just read my first post!! Check them out at www.addicted2lipbalm.com.au

Specials Offers - receive 10% off your first order by entering "1st Order" in the redemption code at checkout. Valid until 31/12/3012! Also get free delivery in Australia for every order over $30.

Also an an added Easter special you can receive a Palmers lip butter for every order when you enter "Easter" in the comment section + the flavour of your choice. (I forgot to do this! DUH!! so take advantage until this ends on Easter Sunday!!)

Crush Cosmetics - They have a variety of products that appear to be growing monthly! They stock lip, eye, face & a limited number of tools and no lotions or fragrances yet but I love being able to get the Urban Decay Potion Primer without having to bid for the product on other sites!

They feature specials you can check out at www.crushcosmetics.com.au as well as reasonable retail prices on items that you cannot easily find in great variety in AU stores such as NYX, Barry M & Sleek products. Certainly saves hunting around the country as well as buying on other online trading forums!

Adore Beauty - They have a large collection of brands & products across the beauty market which are typically similar to RRP but they also have good specials that come up. So it is worth making an account so you can keep up with the newsletters & deals.

Special Offers: Happy Birthday!! They are currently celebrating their 10 year anniversary - give them birthday greetings (poem, letter, photo) on their Facebook site & go in the draw to win a $250 gift voucher (see the website for conditions & deals).

Check them out at: www.adorebeauty.com.au

Smart Poppy - This site has a variety of "less easy to come by" (in AU) & discontinued products. I particularly like their MAC, Nars & Urban Decay products although only a limited range.

http://www.smartpoppy.com.au

Fresh Fragrances & Cosmetics - A huge range of cosmetics & fragrances on one online site. Worth checking out!

http://www.fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au

MAC - As much fun as it is testing the latest MAC collection or deciding which standard line product to buy from the well marketed MAC brand (under the esteemed portfolio of another favourite brand of mine - Estee Lauder). I also love to shop online!

Typically collections appear on the website a day after it's in-store release. But I have found some LE Nail Lacquers don't make it to the MAC counters or even Pro stores & can only be bought at the website...?! Also worth keeping an eye out on the "news" section or home page as they normally feature any "offers" there.

Special Offer: At the moment "free shipping" for the Riveting Collection, valid until 30/03/2010.

www.maccosmetics.com.au

Other News

MAC Loving

Btw, heads up to the AU goers that are waiting for the release of the MAC Give Me Liberty of London...coming out in Australia at MAC counters/Pro Stores April 12th, 2010!!

Beauty News

Professional & Industry Events head to http://www.professionalbeauty.com.au

Haul:Addicted 2 Lip Balm & Crush Cosmetics

Addicted 2 Lip Balm & Crush Cosmetics Mini Orders

First time blog, so I thought why not post some goodies I got in the post today? Not to mention the fact when I show anything on a haul or favourites in a video my web cam just doesn't pick up the products properly!

Sooo we shall see how my digital camera piccies go...But I will do a complete haul video (oh no!) of all these as well as some other orders I am waiting on. So keep ya peepers out for those!!

Please remember to leave a comment below or on my channel if you would like a review on any of the products.

Well the first little delivery was my lip balm order. Also, another first! Tried the site as "addicted" to lip products as I am! Check out Addicted to Lip Balm www.addicted2lipbalm.com.au They have all sorts of lip products not just balm.

Very pleased with the speed of delivery. Placed order yesterday & arrived this morning! Less than 24hrs turnaround, standard AU mail.

Encouraged to order by the reasonable prices not to mention the 10% discount for first time orders & also Free Delivery over $30!

I also got an email stating I would receive a free Palmers Lip Butter as an Easter Special - just needed to enter Easter (+ choice of flavour in the comment section). BUT of course I forgot to do this!! Argh...oh well very happy with savings so far.

As pictured above, I got Urban Rituelle "Ginger Apple" Lip Balm, Langolis "Olive" L/Balm, Sula L/Balm in "Citrus" & Smith's Rosebud Salve in a handy tube.

Next I received my Crush Cosmetics order, placed Sunday & received this morning (standard post).

As pictured below (L to R) Nyx Lip Pencils: #814 Rose Brown, #810 Natural & #840 Rose (this one was my free gift), then Nyx Round Lip Gloss #24 Caffe Latte & the Sleek Lip Gloss in #745 Changpange

Check out the site: www.crushcosmetics.com.au

I have ordered from here before & have been impressed by their speed & customer service, particularly Lina who has been very helpful with my orders! I also always receive a little "gift" in the package. I love freebies - who wouldn't love a free lip liner pencil or a free nail polish? :-)

Tried to swatch the products from Crush since my videos don't won't do the colours justice

L to R: Nyx #24 Caffe Latte (RLG), Nyx #814 Rose Brown (L/P), Nyx #810 Natural (L/P), Nyx #840 Rose (L/P) & Sleek #745 (L/G) in "Champagne".