Saturday, October 9, 2010

Review: Sigma Travel Set (Nice in Pink)

Sigma Travel Set
Nice in Pink

I received this travel set over a month ago from Sigma Makeup - www.sigmabeauty.com
So I used this for four weeks before posting my review to Youtube -

I was impressed by the packaging & it would be nice to send as a gift to someone needing a travel set as pictured below...(it also comes in black)


Also included is a brochure on the brushes in the set. However, this has the old Sigma numbering system "SS" followed by the corresponding MAC brush number. This has since been changed & brushes have a new number with "E" or "F" at the beginning to designate "Eye" or "Face" brushes.

There is also a Cleaning Instructions card which recommends cleaning them before using which I followed. (I used a gentle shampoo, in this case baby shampoo).

There are 7 brushes in the roll - 4 "F" & three "E" types. From left to right: Large Powder F30, Angled Contour F40, Duo Fibre F50, Tapered Blending E40, Eye Shading E55, Concealer F70 & the Pencil E30.

To the side of the roll is a small zippered compartment which you can store other brushes or very small travel items. In my case I am keeping the gift brush, the Foundation F60 (pictured packaged below)



Over the four weeks I washed all the brushes up to four times & also spot cleansed whenever I used them. I was using them in conjunction with four other full size professional brushes I purchased around the same time I received these, 3 from Sigma & one from ACW. (However I will be mentioning these in a separate review & YT post)


The F30 brush above bleed the most the very first time I washed it & then in subsequent washes bleed less & less until around the fourth wash I did not notice any black run off. It also shed a bit from the sides. (Natural bristles)

The smaller brushes in the set (as above) did not bleed. But the E40 Tapered Blending brush (bottom) shed a bit from the sides & the E55 Eye Shading brush (top) shed from the middle of the bristles. However not to any significant amount & no more than some of my other brushes.

I would dare say the E30 Pencil brush (second from top) is comparable to the only full size MAC brush I own which is the #219. Although the wand is shorter & the tip is more tapered on the Sigma one. Yet the bristles on the Sigma E30 are not as densely packed as the MAC #219 & they are much softer & feel kinder on the eye area even if not as precisely shaped or as firm to place a precision line.

Pictured above: The handles appear to be wood & are very lightweight with the Sigma brand & brush details printed on them.

On the back (not pictured) are the words "Made in P.R.C" (People's Republic of China) which are only indented into the pink wood. Although the plastic sleeves the brush heads were originally wrapped in also had the "made in p.r.c" printed on them clearly in black type.

Above: The F50 Duo Fibre (R) is a blend of synthetic & natural fibres & bleed a little the first few washes as well as shed a bit. The F40 Angled Contour brush (L) are natural bristles & only shed a little bit but did bloom out on the sides when drying. I found using a brush guard half way through the drying process (as well as during storage) helps it maintain the nice smooth angled edge.


All brushes are very soft & I was pleased with the performance. However the F50 brush is not as densely packed as the Artiste Professional stippling brushes that I have (I own two) but is almost the same size in the handle & head length. In comparison it took me a few weeks to stop thinking that I was "working" harder to blend in the mousse or liquid foundation because I felt the brush was smaller (it is only less dense).


The F40 I found was just as good as my angled contour brush also from the Artiste Professional range (I again own two of those!) but I do find it feels softer & was surprised that being white it did not stayed stained from using my powdered blushes & bronzers.

The F60 Foundation brush (below) is similar to any other foundation brush I own (soft synthetic fibres) & I like it the same as my Illamasqua, QVS, Manicare & Beauty Essential ones but I prefer to use them for liquid foundation or liquid blush only. Any cream or mousse foundations I prefer a stippling/duo fibre brush to apply.


For further comments & details you can refer to my YT review post here

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Review: Olive by Langlois Australia



Olive by Langlois Australia

I did an overview of some of the products from Olive by Langlois Australia about a month ago on my Youtube channel & also mentioned these in a recent post about some of my favourite products I used during the colder months. Now my update & review of the products I have been using (as shown pictured above) is up on my YT channel here at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAgQvW5Pk4A

Check out the Design You Own Brand at www.olivebylanglois.com
You can choose a Lotion or Cream with 15 fragrances to choose from (or no scent) & 4 extracts (or none) depending on what you like.

Certainly nice for a little treat for yourself, or to give as a lovely tailored gift where you can also personalise it with your own or the recipients details.

Priced at $19.95AU each & all web purchases in Australia over $20 have free shipping - so check out the online shop here


As above, I purchased two products from the Design Your Own range - the all over lotion with Rose Essential Oil & Apricot Extract & the Cream with Sweet Orange Essential Oil & Olive Leaf Extract (100g tubes).


As pictured above: I already had the Lavender, Vanilla & (my favourite) Musk lip balm from www.addicted2lipbalm.com.au Also available in Strawberry & Mango.

Olive by Langlois Australia included the Anti-bacterial, Anti-Acne scrub free with my order of the Moisturising Cleansing Bar & the Dewberry & Walnut Face & Body Scrub.

(above) The Anti-baterical, Anti-Acne Scrub contains Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Jojoba beads & Olive Leaf extract & I found it was a lovely, gentle exfoliating cleanser for my t-zone. (Regularly $19.95AU)

The Dewberry & Walnut F/B Scrub I bought ($15.95AU) & used on my cheeks, forehead as well as in the shower on my back & arms. I found this a good exfoliant with the ground walnut shell & moisturising with the extra virgin olive oil (sample pictured above)

I used the Moisturising Cleansing bar as a gentle foaming facial cleanser & also in the shower. Now in the second week in September the bar has been well used! (below) This is priced at $6.95AU


Join up to the Olive by Langlois Australia newsletter here: OBL Newsletter

Favourites: Nail Polish


I love Nail Polish!
Can you tell?


















Yes, I am afraid that I love using nail polish & it appears to be a growing addiction...

My favourite brands are Mac, Ulta3, O.P.I, Orly,
FaceofAustralia, Australis, China Glaze & Sally Hansen




















My current colour faves are mauves, pinks, neutrals & grey tone browns. Pictured above (L-R) Mac "Cool Reserve",
Yummy Mummy from butter london, Orly's
Petit Four (blue toned pink) & Chincilly by essie (brown toned mid grey)



















I prefer sprays over the top of my last coat of polish to set my varnish.
My two "go too's" are DeMert Nail Enamel Dryer (pictured left is the pressured spray can but this also comes in a pump spray form) & O.P.I's Rapid Dry Spray which comes in a range of sizes from 60ml to 1lt
I purchased both from SA Nail, Hair & Beauty Supplies

Below: I'm not too hung up on any specific undercoat but for the last 6 months I have been reaching for Mac's Underlacquer base (10ml)




















Unfortunately there comes a time (usually when there is too much chipping!) that I need to remove my current fave & apply another...My preferred nail polish remover is Mavala NP Remover Pads which can be found with the Mavala range at most chemists

Friday, September 10, 2010

Favourites: Cream & Mousse Blush Products




Favourite Cream Blush Products


Youtube Overview link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbFST73H6bc


I love cream & mousse blush, either worn as a gentle hint of colour over my liquid foundations, or simply over a tinted spf moisturiser. I can sheer them out or layer them for a more dramatic flush of colour depending on the look I am trying to achieve.

I am certainly not limited to one brand & low or higher end does not matter to me. I just love the gentle sheen & feel of cream & liquid blushes. The colour palette I prefer are pinks, apricots & mauves that mainly give a matte or satin finish.

My favourite brands and colours are:

- Chi Chi Sheer Colour Cream: Love you Long Time & Va Va Va Voom

- NYX: 01 Rose Petal, 02 Natural & 11 Boho Chic

- MAC Blush Crème Brit Wit

- Red Earth: Illuminating Cream Blush: Summer Love & Pink Breeze

- L’Oreal HIP Blending Blendable Blushing Crème: #896 Enamoured

- Rimmel Mousse Blush: #005 Frozen Cherry

- Bobbi Brown Cream Blush Stick: #8 Dusty Mauve

- Stila Color Push-ups: Rose Flash

- Tarte Natural Cheek Stain: Green Siren

- Guerlain Divinora Bubble Blush: 00 Light Whisper


Above (left to Right): The NYX Rouge Cream Blush "Boho Chic", "Natural" & "Rose Petal". I purchased from www.crushcosmetics.com.au & I am pleased with the application (does not leave a greasy feeling).


Both the Chi Chi sheer colour creams are shimmery & can be used for highlighting & adding spots of colour to the face. Pictured above left is "Love You Long Time", right "Va Va Va Voom" (both are discontinued)

Pictured below: (left to right) Mac BlushCreme in "Brit Wit", L'Oreal HIP B/Blushing Cream "Enamoured" & Rimmel Mousse Blush "Frozen Cherry"


The Guerlain Bubble mousse blush (below) is the palest pink that I own & is more a splash of shimmer & sparkle for highlight than an actual "blush".



The Tarte "Green Siren" cheek stain leaves a lovely apricot shimmer to the cheeks & both of the Red Earth Illuminating Cream Blushes "Pink Breeze" & "Summer Love" (pictured L-R above) are a mousse consistency providing bright highlights of shimmer as well.

Whereas, the Bobbi Brown Cream Blush Stick in "Dusty Mauve" (below) is more brown toned than mauve & could be used for contouring depending on your skin tone.


I prefer to use foundation brushes to apply the cream or mousse blush but have recently started to use a stippling brush to place & blend the colour to give a natural finish.



Monday, September 6, 2010

Favourites: Eye Products




Favourite Eye Creams

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado Oil


Through August & into September I have been loving the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado Oil.

I had been wanting to try this for the longest time but at about $52AU I found it a bit out of my reach for a 14g product.

However, after receiving a 5ml satchel (on the day out with Jadegrrrl & Sabine) from a lovely lady at the Kiehl's counter I have been very happy with the product. So much so that I removed every trace of the sample with my mini spatula & put it into a little sterilised pot (as pictured below).



I then decided to fork out $19US & purchase the full size from ACW (www.allcosmeticswholesale.com) & I am saving it for when I run out of the sample!

I use it during the day under my eye area before I put on my corrector/concealer. I found it keeps that delicate area moisturised & appearing "smoother" (probably because it is hydrated) as well as helping my makeup glide on.

The Avocado Oil it promotes is about 8th on the ingredients list but like most lotions it is mainly composed of water but it also has shea butter.











I still love my Olay Eye Gel with Cucumber Extract (pictured below) for night time & I have been using this product on & off for many years.

I apply this after I have removed my makeup & I find it soothes & refreshes my under eye area as well as helps with any puffiness overnight.

It is a clear, non-sticky gel
which retails anywhere between $11 to $16AU.




Saturday, August 28, 2010

Giveaway Winner: Colette Accessories



Winner for Mini Blog Giveaway

Congratulations "deanna" on winning my mini blog giveaway!
Your entry number was the lucky one drawn. ;-)

A big THANK YOU to everyone that entered!
I loved reading the comments of what you love.
I will be doing other giveaways in the future - accessories & makeup - from brands that I love to show my appreciation for all your support.

If you like Colette Accessories & want me to do products from this brand again in my next giveaway - please let me know by commenting below!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!


Sunday, August 22, 2010

Giveaway: Colette Accessories (closed)

*CLOSED*
Winner to be drawn shortly
(Very) MINI BLOG GIVEAWAY!


I found a few things in Colette Accessories yesterday while I was enjoying the "coming-up-to-spring" weather in Oz & thought why not do a mini giveaway?

This is merely a small, fun giveaway to thank everyone for taking the time to follow my blog & Youtube channel...I am still working up to the makeup contest in a few weeks which will be running on my YT channel. This is just smallbee!

For those of you who do not know Colette Accessories you can check out my older YouTube post here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFAjfeyJZ3I
YouTube post of the giveaway here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4SlNwNQO3Q
Rules...all you have to do to enter is:
1. You MUST be a follower on my blog
2. Leave a comment on this blog below (under this post please) & put in "enter me" or "I would like to win" but you must also say what is your favourite type of accessory
3. Only ONE comment is necessary & valid (no more than ONE entry per person please)..if you use a different username on YT let me know just in case I need to PM you ;-)
4. If you are under 18yrs please obtain parental permission to enter & give out a postal address
5. It is open internationally
6. Entries close 12 pm Friday 27th August 2010 & the winner will be announced on my blog, YT, facebook & Twitter by 30th August



Prize includes pieces from Colette Accessories:
Lipgloss in Raunchy Red, Tash Chandelier Drop Earrings & a Large Brass & Purple coloured Flower Bracelet.