Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

I have been testing this mascara out for a few weeks now. I purchased it from Woolworths.  The sales assistant applied it over my other mascara (not very sensible) but anyhoo I liked the look of it.

The brush is quite large, just like the Revlon Growluscious Plumping Mascara.  Large brushes give lots of volume, which I like.  I find I have to apply to the lashes on one eyelid, then do the second eyelid, then repeat the process on both sets of lashes, which I normally do with most mascaras.  Then I get good volume and length from this mascara.

I like both the Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping and the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascaras and feel that they both are the same.  I still think that the regular Growluscious (the one that came out first) is better than both these mascaras which gives extreme length, volume and extra black colour to the lashes.  The Revlon one is also cheaper.  As you know Smashbox is not cheap.  So I would buy Revlon and save money.

Overall I do like this mascara, especially since it has the huge brush that does give volume.  

Essence - I ♥ Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara

I have read a few posts on how good this mascara was.  I have tried a few Essence mascaras before and was not impressed by any of them.  I love most Essence products, but the mascaras never wowed me.    I have thin sparse lashes and am always looking for the best mascara high or low end.
Since Essence is very affordable, I thought I would try it out without breaking the bank and be sad if it was a miss.

I am happy to report that I like it.
- extreme volume thanks to the innovative large plastic brush
- the upper end is ideal for definition and for applying mascara to hard-to-reach areas
- extra-black lashes due to deep-black texture
- compatibility ophthalmologically confirmed

It really does give volume without having to go over the lashes a few times like I normally do.
It does not really give my lashes any length, but in terms of volume, I get fuller, thicker lashes in a shorter application time.

It is alway nice to find an affordable drugstore option.

Essence Colour Arts Eye Base

I was on my lunch break the other day when I stopped at the Essence counter, like I always do, and saw the Essence "Colour Arts Eye Base"  I am already in love with their first eyeshadow primer they sell  "I love Stage Eye Base".  So I had to try this one. As you know, Essence is very affordable.

It is a transparent eyeshadow base which allows a smooth application of  color pigments and guarantees long-lasting and intensive eye make-up thanks to its great bonding effect.

This product is part of Essence new trend "Colour Arts"  This eye base is supposed to be perfect when applying  pigments.  I applied this eye base with my normal pressed eyeshadow and it lasted all day.  I am sure when I do try it with my pigments, it will last all day as well.  Two of the pigment tester shades really impressed me and where gorgeous but alas I stopped myself from purchasing as I have so many already. These pigments are such good quality, comparable to high end pigments but at such an affordable price.

Other products from this trend:

Charlie Revlon Shine Divine Lipcolor

Hi there

I did a haul post on my blog about items I received from my bff, and these lipcolours where part of that haul. I did not use them when I received them and I decided this week to pull them out and see if they are any good.  I was so impressed on just the first application.

My Findings:-
- Opaque and pigmented.  Great colour payoff.  Only one coat is needed.
- Its like a combination of lipstick and lipgloss.
- Intense colour of a lipstick and the shine of a lipgloss.
- Moisturizing and non drying
- Long lasting
- Built in slanted applicator.  No mess no fuss.
- Twist up applicator. Only one twist needed.

003 Mocachinno on the left
001 Royal Plum on the right

I tried them with and without a lip primer (Mac prep and prime lip primer) and was happy with the reluts both times.

I went to.see what other colors they had in store but haven't found them yet at Dischem or Clicks.  They where purchased on sale at Edgar's so I will try there next. I hope these are not discontinued because they are awesome. My favorite out of the two is 003 Mochaccino. Its an everyday wearable colour that looked great with every eye look I wore to work this past week.
The other colour I have is 001 Royal Plum. As the name suggests, it is a rich plum colour, perfect for evening looks or day looks where you do dramatic eyeliner with no eyeshadow and deep plum or Berry lips.  I love this look.when I wear red clothes.

xoxo

Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Mono Blush

Rimmel's Claim:
Long Lasting Blush Soft texture glides on smoothly and blends evenly for a natural sheer finish. Long lasting powder that give you a natural looking colour for up to 6 hours. Streak and smudge resistant.

The rimmel website claims that there are 7 shades available:
Bronze
Live Pink
Pink Rose
Santa Rose
Mauve Cool
Pink Sorbet
Tickle Me Pink

Although the only shades that I have seen in store are:
Live Pink
Bronze
Pink Rose
Santa Rose

I have not picked these up yet only because I received two gorgeous Sleek Blushes in a swap.
I do however have the first version of the Rimmel blush before it was re-packaged in the shade 012 Coral Rose and it has great pigmentation.  A little goes a long way.

I did swatch the tester in-store and it still has the good pigmentation and quality just like its predecessor.

Have you tried these new blushes.  Please let me know in the comments section.

Thank you

xoxo

Haul / Swap with my bff

Hi there

These products where received from my bff. We swapped parcels on the same day she gave me my birthday presents. We have been collecting stuff for each other for a while now, so every time there is a sale and we see something we will get two of each. Especially if the branch closest to her may not have a product or the same sale. So we met for coffee / shopping and we did our swap.

I did not take pictures of what I gave her though. She received 2 lipglosses, an eyeshadow, 2 nailpolish, 4 lipsticks and I cant remember what else right now.

Anyway here is what I received:

Three nail products:
Clicks beauty essentials nail protector
Essence nailpolish in "Barefoot through the moss"
Define nailpolish in "Baby boy"

Three lip products
Charlie Shine Divine Lip Color in "003 Mochaccino"
Charlie Shine Divine Lionel Color in " 001 Royal Rum"
These you have to twist until the color appears. Can't wait to try them.
Yardley Rollo' Gloss Moisturizing Blame in Strawberry. Enriched with vitamin E and she butter.It smells yummy.
I will definitely thru these out and update on how I like them. So far they look great.

Essence Blossoms etc...Eyeshadow in "Bloom-A-Loom"
My Bff knows how crazy I went for purple eyeshadow last.  Purple is also my favorite color.  This is from the Essence limited edition Blossoms etc. line.  I am going to have fun creating an eyeshadow look with this. I think Essence eyeshadow is good quality and I have lots of them.

Montagne Jennesse Sensuous Spice Self Warming Mask. It has Cinnamon & Ginger exotic spices.  You get 10 uses out of this 100g bottle . My friend has already tried her one out and  she says this mask is divine. The long Easter weekend will be the perfect time to try my one out.

Olive de Provence Exfoliating Body Scrub.  I have already heard how good this brand is and not to mention how good it smells.

Essence Pureskin spot fighting duo.  This product is anti-bacterial and has a double action against spots and imperfections.  It has a roller-ball applicator that dries up spots before they come out. The concealer side of this duo offers coverage without blocking pores. New spots are also prevented. Sounds like an interesting product. The next time I have a zit I will definitely zap.some of this product on it and put it to the test.

So between my birthday haul, my bff swap and out of city friend swap, I received lots of pamper products.   Work has been super stressful so these products are just what I needed.  I am so glad we have the long weekend so I can pamper myself with all the new goodies I received.

Thanks for reading.
Xoxo

2013 Birthday Haul

Hi

So my birthday is on the 19th March, and I posted a.birthday haul last year, and thought I would show all the lovely gifts I received this year as well. I love all my gifts and my friends and family who who gave them to me.

The first gift was a Black Nine West bag.  I love bags (which female.doesn't). This was from my mom and sister.  Its so gorgeous and will keep it as a prized possession lol.

From my daughter I received the following:
x2 Oh So Heavenly Happy Hands Hand and nail creams.  One is Lavender Infused and the other is 24HR moisture. Keeping hand cream in my draw at work is a must for me. So I wont have to purchase for a while. And everyone knows how divine Oh So Heavenly products are.
Dr. Miracles Deep Conditioning Treatment -I really needed this product. I have been complaining about the condition of my hair lately. Looking forward to trying  this and hopefully repurchasing it.
Revolution Shadow Collection eyeshadow set. It has 5 gorgeous shades in it. She knows her  mother loves eyeshadow, enough said lol.
She also made me three birthday cards, one was 5 pages long.  Its was really precious, and also personal so I wont be showing those.

From my bff I received this gorgeous brown bag.  She has a matching one is black. She knows I like the same things she does.  I am going to love using it.  It is the right size for me as well.

She also.bought me "The Perfect Pamper Bathing Box" from Dirty Works.  OMW I love Dirty Works.  A colleague told me to try the body butter a while ago and once I did, I fell in love with it.  They have a lovely smell, very moisturizing and great quality. I am very happy with this gift. The pack includes "All of a lather body wash", "Buff your stuff body scrub" and "Supreme cream body butter". What cute names they have!
Dirty Works - Good clean fun!!!!

The next gift are these sexy red heals from a staff member of mine from work.  She did some research obviously, because those shoes are so me, lol.  I love them and I already have an outfit in mind to wear them with.

Lindt Chilli Chocolate

This I received from a good friend of mine.  We both love dark chocolate.  Chilli flavour Lindt - Yummy.  I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Last but not least is a.gift from a colleague if mine. She gave me a Loofah Body Strap. Its perfect because its hard to reach my back in the shower. I also received some Kleenex Kimberley Clark Professional facial tissues.  She knows that I always have to have tissues in my draw at work.  So thanks to her for my thoughtful gift.

That was my birthday haul.  As you can see I received some pamper products which I am definitely.going to try over the long weekend.  I am in no way bragging about what I received. I love everything I and wanted to share them with you.

Xoxo