NAILS OF THE WEEK |

I've gone a little out of my comfort zone this week with Rimmel London's 60 Seconds nail colour in '270 Shocker'. 

I've never been a fan of bright pinks, but I pulled this little gem out from my collection and thought I'd give it a go. 
It's a vibrant and fun blue toned hot pink/fuschia colour with a nice pearly finish.

A great colour for the spring/summer time. I really like it!

TRY THIS TUESDAY | David Babaii Boho Beach Spray

Girls, go out and get yourself a bottle of this David Babaii Boho Beach Spray!

This product has completely transformed my fine, flat and limp hair woes. 

Basically a sea salt spray, this product is fantastic for texturising and adding more grip to your hair

 without the muck and weight of other texturising/volumising hair products. 

Slightly on the pricier and luxury end of things, this product retails at Priceline for $24.99 AUD. 

As suggested - 

"Spray on wet hair to achieve lift and hold or dry hair to create texture or volume."

This product works very well with styling tools - whether you want straight hair, curls or natural beach waves.

It certainly doesn't leave your hair feeling greasy, sticky, or crunchy.

A simple, yet sophisticated spray pump bottle design dispenses the perfect amount of product through a fine mist.

I like to spray this all over my wet hair (2-3 pumps will suffice), while also focusing on the roots at the top of my head. 

I find this works best for my fine hair as it holds my part in place while adding awesome volume and texture to my hairstyle.

My hair has so much more umph to it now throughout the day, and with every "juzz" it just gets better and better!

The product does have a subtle coconut floral scent (which I generally dislike) but thankfully it is definitely not offensive nor do I find that it lingers on.

An easy way to get that messy (but tamed) beach hair from the comfort of your home and every day of the year!

I've heard great things about David Babaii haircare products and I'm keen to try a few others products in the collection.

DAVID BABAII PRODUCTS ARE 

ANIMAL CRUELTY FREE | SULPHATE FREE | PARABEN FREE | PETROCHEMICAL FREE | COLOUR SAFE ♡

NAILS OF THE WEEK |

Going bright this week with Rimmel London's 60 Seconds Nail Colour in '430 Coralicious'.
A gorgeous colour that really brightens your hands and great for short nails!

HAIR BITS | Buns and Scrunchies

After work, hair goes straight up! 

There's no better feeling than pulling all that hair away from your face after a long day.
For me, it's an instant pick me up and I automatically feel relaxed and very much at home.
It also makes removing makeup and washing my face much easier!

I've been going old skool lately with scrunchies that I've pulled out from mum's collection from when I was little. Too cute!
Scrunchies are great for buns as they hold a heck of a lot more hair in place than a normal hair tie. Plus, they're super cute!

TRY THIS TUESDAY | Innoxa One & All Intensive Hand & Nail Rescue

HELLO Belles! I'm bringing you something fun and different today with my new Try This Tuesday blog post. As a weekly commitment, every Tuesday I will feature a blog post about a product I like and would recommend to you! 

Today, it's the Innoxa One & All Intensive Hand & Nail Rescue.
I bought this from Chemist Warehouse for $3.99 AUD a few weeks ago when I was desperately in need of relief for my dry hands and fingers. To my surprise, this is hands down (no pun intended), one of the nicest hand creams I've used. Unlike many hand creams I've tried, this one really moisturises and leaves my skin, as well as cuticles, feeling super soft and moisturised for longer throughout the day. It does feel slightly greasier at first compared to other hand creams that are "fast absorbing", but I personally don't mind it and I find the product actually does absorb into the skin - it just maintains that soft, smooth feeling of freshly applied lotion. What I like most about this product is that it moisturises my cuticles! Often hand creams only really moisturise the skin on your hands, however this one really helps to soften my cuticles. Worth checking out!

INNOXA PRODUCTS ARE NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS. ♡

PRODUCTS I'VE RECENTLY PURCHASED | Priceline, Target & Price Attack

A few products I finally picked up and crossed off my 'To Buy List'.

(L-R)

1. Bioré Make-up Removing Wipes | Free with purchase

2. Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser | $10.99 AUD 

3. Bioré Self-Heating One Minute Mask | $7.99 AUD

4. Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press Thermal Protection Spray | $23.95 AUD

5. L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation - 'W3 Golden Beige' | $29.95 AUD 

6. Jergens Original Body Lotion Dry Skin Moisturiser | $8.99 AUD

I WILL DO SEPARATE REVIEWS FOR THE FEATURED PRODUCTS.

NAILS OF THE WEEK |

Despite the (somewhat) warmer Spring weather here in Melbourne,
 I couldn't resist painting my nails with this gorgeous polish I pulled out from my collection! 

It's the Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Colour in ' 270 Ever Burgundy' | $7.95 AUD

This polish is by far the longest lasting nail polish I've used.
 It maintains its shine throughout wear and doesn't chip or fade around the edge of my nails. 

I would highly recommend this line of polish for those of you, like me,
 who find that their nail polish can't last more than two days before it starts to chip or peel -
 EVEN if you do use expensive nail base/topcoats or avoid excessive hands in water.

Photo was taken at the end of a full week.

TEMPORARY HIATUS |

HELLO blogging world! Boy, have I missed being here! *insert super sad face* 

My sincere apologies for the lack of posts over the last month. Life has been busier 
and unfortunately cyberspace has had to take a back seat. 

Please stay tuned though, as I have a tonne of posts prepared for you!

H U G E LOVE

 x.

NAILS OF THE WEEK | ft. French Connection

Last Thursday evening, my bff Carolyn (richgirlsss) kindly took me along with her to 

FRENCH CONNECTION's #CANTHELPMYSELFIE launch party; at their new Chadstone concept store.

Greeted with Champagne, racks of new clothes and a mini nail-art bar set up by I Scream Nails, 

I happily picked up some lovely wardrobe staples from the new SS2014 collection!

Upon purchase, I also received an ultimate selfie pack, which included their

 awesome #SELFIE tee and popular products from Hello Hair, Frank and Le Tan.

French Connection Nail Polish 

in 'Pastel Blue' & 'Lilac' | $9.95 AUD

'Sarah Stripe Crop Tee' | $79.95 AUD

'Cross Over Tencel Shirt' | $89.95 AUD

'#Selfie Tee' |$49.95 AUD

Featured items available now in-store & online.

HAUL | Priceline 40% off Skincare Sale

Here's what I picked up at Priceline's wonderful 40% off skincare SALE last week:

(clockwise)

1. Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser | $9.99 = $5.99 AUD

2. Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser | $9.99 = $5.99 AUD

3. Nivea Firming Body Lotion Q10 - Normal Skin (x3)| $9.99 = $5.99 AUD

4. L'oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity Correcting Serum | $35.99 = $21.59 AUD

5. Australis Clear Extender Lash & Brow Mascara* | $10.95 = $7.66 AUD

All stocked up on my daily skincare ESSENTIALS!

*Australis Clear Lash & Brow Mascara was not included in the 40% off sale, however Australis had a 30% off all eyes and lip products sale.

NAILS OF THE WEEK |

This week on my nails:

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color - 'White On' | $6.95 AUD
and

Ulta3 Nail Colour - 'Twinkle Toes' | $2.00 AUD 

Sally Hansen entire range currently ½ price SALE at Priceline in-store & online.

Ulta3 available at selected Pharmacies.

GIRL CRUSH | Margot Robbie

   

 

 

  

Whether she's a blonde, brunette or redhead, this Aussie girl making it big in Hollywood; has got it all going for her. 

Margot Robbie, 24, has a real natural beauty vibe to her that I adore. With utterly flawless skin and strikingly 
symmetrical (and might I add, seductive) features, this fresh faced beauty is simply stunning.

Margot certainly pulls off the effortless, yet trendy girl-next-door look when she's not busy working, but she has no
 trouble turning heads on the red carpet in sexy yet sophisticated designer wear. 

Who would've thought that young Donna Freedman would make it to the big Hollywood screen after leaving good ol' Ramsay Street... 

NAILS OF THEE WEEK |

This week on my nails:

JulieG Nail Color - 'Fairytale' |purchased in the USA

and
Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color - 'Golden-I' |$6.95 AUD

Hair | Dry Shampoo

I have recently been using dry shampoo as a volumising and texturising product for my hair, and I love it! 

Other than heat protectant, and on the odd occasion a spritz of hairspray/sea salt spray, I avoid using many hair products.

While I prefer the natural feel and look of my hair, I find that it struggles to maintain volume and becomes frustratingly flat and limp throughout the day. I have very fine hair but a lot of it. I don't like using hair products mainly because they inevitably weigh down my hair and encourage oil production amongst all the gunk sitting on my head.

 Dry shampoo is a lightweight mist of powder product that is suppose to soak up oil in dirty 'day two hair'. Using it on freshly washed hair though, it provides enough grip and texture without weighing it down (while still soaking up any oils throughout the day). I like to spray dry shampoo through my hair (focusing on the roots) after it's been washed then blow dried or straightened. I make sure to massage and rough up the roots of my hair to create volume and really stimulate that grip.

Despite what most people say, I wash my hair every day. Personally, I haven't had any problems nor found that my hair is unhealthy because of this. I have tried not washing my hair for more than two days and it wasn't a good experience - my hair actually started to fall out and I just felt so gross. Dry shampoo is certainly a great alternative for those of you who want to maintain somewhat fresh/clean hair without having to wash it.

I've been using a sample bottle of the Batiste Dry Shampoo (as pictured) and it's fantastic.

I would definitely recommend keeping a small travel/sample sized bottle of dry shampoo in your handbag to freshen up your hair throughout the day.

NAILS OF THE WEEK |

This week on my nails:

Chi Chi Cosmetics Nail Polish - 'Sophisticated Sassy' | $3.50 AUD

A beautiful mulberry/wine colour with super fine glitter through it.

PRODUCTS I RECENTLY PURCHASED | Target

1. Hot Options Necklace | 50% off sale $7.50 AUD

2. Chi Chi Nail Polish - 'Sophisticated Sassy' | 30% off sale $3.50 AUD

3. Chi Chi Powder Eye Shadow (Matte) - 'Enough is Enough' | 30% off sale $10.46 AUD

4. Chi Chi Powder Eye Shadow (Matte) - 'To the Moon & Back' | 30% off sale $10.46 AUD

5. Chi Chi Nail Polish - 'Sex Kitten' | 30% off sale $9.06 AUD

6. Essence Lip Liner - no.11 'In The Nude' | $1.80 AUD

MAN CRUSH | Colin Egglesfield

 

 

 Ladies, let us take a moment to appreciate this man. 

Meet Colin Egglesfield, 

41, pre-med student, turned model, turned actor.

 First seen in Something Borrowed (2011) starring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin. A great romantic comedy chick flick, I'd definitely recommend watching if you don't mind a bit of cringe mixed with some laughs and plenty of 'aw' moments that will leave you feeling pretty giddy. 

NAILS OF THE WEEK |

This week on my nails:

Chi Chi Cosmetics Salon Formula Nail Polish - 'Go Go Girl' | $12.95 AUD

I can best describe this nail polish as a shimmery metallic rose/taupe colour.

(note: Photo is not entirely true to colour)

This is the first time I have tried a Chi Chi nail polish and I am absolutely loving it so far.
The formula is great to work with - it's very smooth; making it quick and easy to apply.
It is quite a fast drying formula as well which is always a bonus!
This particular metallic formula is very opaque, so I only needed to do the
one coat to get a perfectly smooth and pigmented finish - as seen in the photo.

PRODUCTS I RECENTLY PURCHASED |

1. Chi Chi Baked Eye shadow - 'I'm Every Woman' (Matte) |$14.95 AUD

2. Garnier Dark Spot Treatment Night Serum |$18.99 AUD

3. Garnier Perfect Blur 5 Sec Smoothing Base Perfector |$16.99 AUD

4. Essence Long Lasting Lipstick - 'Wear Berries' |$4.10 AUD

5. Zara Woman Eau De Toilette Rollerball - 'Oriental' |$9.95 AUD

MY CURRENT EVERY DAY MAKE UP |

Over the past few weeks, this has been my favourite every day makeup!

I've rediscovered products and also enjoyed new ones.

What I love about this make up is that it lasts and looks fresh all day on my skin.
I don't need to touch up or wipe anything away throughout the day so it's very reliable
 when I'm busy at work. When I come home from work, and I need to head out, I don't
 need to touch up my makeup, I just spritz some of my Avene Thermal Spring Water
over my face for a little pick me up and I'm good to go again!

Product List:

• Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Miracle Complexion Sponge
  (available from iherb.com)
• Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzing Powder (#14 Olive/Tan)
  (available from Priceline $30.00 AUD)
• Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup SPF20 (160 Fresh Beige)
  (available from Chemist Warehouse $21.99*) 
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Darkspot Eraser Treatment Corrector (#225 Light/Medium)
  (not available in Australia - only similar product)
• Australis Extender Lash Mascara (Clear)
  (available at Priceline $10.95)
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara (#01 Black)
  (available at Myer or David Jones $36.00 AUD)
• NYX Powder Blush (#13 Mauve)
  (available from cherryculture.com $6.00 USD)
• Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow (#033 Dusk)
  (available from Chemist Warehouse $8.69*)
• Bourjois Universal Illuminating Java Rice Powder
  (special edition - no longer available)
• Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder
  (available from Priceline $12.95 AUD)
• Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake (Thunder)
  (available from Myer $23.50)
• Ardell Brow Defining Powder (Taupe)
  (available from Priceline $14.99)

*Cheapest place to purchase the product

GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER vs. BIODERMA CREALINE H²O SOLUTION MICELLAIRE

The queen of cleansing water may have just met her match! 

Garnier have recently introduced their own Micellar All in 1 Cleansing Water
  here in Australia, and I am confident to say that it is certainly a dupe for the
 renowned and much loved Bioderma Créaline H²O Solution Micellaire. 

Like many new "dupe" products, I am always skeptical of how well it will work
 and if it will really do what it claims to do. When I first saw the Garnier Micellar
Cleansing Water sitting randomly on a shelf at my local supermarket with no

price/ticket labels or anything, I was very intrigued and had to purchase it to try.

I immediately noticed how similar the design and packaging was to Bioderma,
 and I was so excited to see how it would compare!

Could it be possible that a drug store brand be as good as a high end
 french skincare brand?

I have used the product (and tested it against Bioderma) every day over

a week now, and I am so pleased with its results. It works just like Bioderma,

 and I can honestly say that I would not even be able to notice any difference
 if the solutions were mixed or swapped around. IF I really had to point out one
 extremely minute difference, it would be that the Bioderma solution has a bit more
 of a cooling sensation on the skin than the Garnier Micellar. This however,
 does not effect the quality of either product. Both solutions are completely
 perfume free, gentle and dissolve and wipe away makeup as great as each other.
 The ultimate test that I wanted to see though, was how well the Garnier solution
 would dissolve mascara - it surely passed, and dare I say wiped away my mascara
 slightly better and with more ease than Bioderma. 

Cleansing waters are great to take with you travelling or if you don't like to
fuss over cleansing your face. They're a one step cleanser, efficient and easy
to use with no water or rinsing required.

The Garnier cleansing water is much more affordable and readily available to

 us which is fantastic. I am very impressed and I would definitely 

recommend as well as repurchase this product. 

                          

Both Bioderma and Garnier products are available at Priceline stores.

Bioderma 250ml (Priceline) | $29.99 AUD

Garnier Micellar | $11.99 AUD

Garnier is also available at supermarkets, selected chemists, Kmart, Target and Big W.

                             

_____________________________________________________________

How I use cleansing waters:

As part of the last step to my cleansing routine, I use cleansing water to wipe down my face to ensure that any impurities or left over makeup residue is removed. I basically use a cleansing water in place of a toner. I like the refreshing feeling that it leaves on my skin afterwards (without the burn and drying harshness of a toner), especially when I see that the cotton pad has cleaned off remaining product that my foam cleanser didn't (I find especially around my hairline, ears and neck). 

Now that my skin is super clean, it's ready to be pampered! I follow with my usual moisturising and skincare products and they absorb right into my skin, which is exactly what you want. If your skin is not clean, any product that you apply will just sit on top of your skin and not actually absorb properly. Therefore it is best to clean your skin thoroughly so that your skincare or makeup has a fresh canvas to work on. 

                                       

                  

Ingredients:

Bioderma (Made in France) - WATER (AQUA), PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, CUCUMIS SATIVUS

 (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, PROPYLENE 

GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA, CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE.

Garnier (Made in Poland) - AQUA (WATER), HEXYLENE GLYCOL GLYCERIN, DISODIUM 

COCOAMPHODIACETATE, DISODIUM EDTA, POLOXAMER 184,POLYAMINOPROPYL BIGUANIDE.