Lush Goodies

Hey hey hey!

I went to Lush recently.  Big mistake there.  I know some people swear by it and others are very turned off by the copious amount of fragrances that hit you when you walk in.  Personally, I like it, it smells clean and fresh to me.  Probably because the whole store is filled with soap.

I'm not a regular Lush junkie but I popped in there because I wanted to give a few of their bath products a go.  Specifically, I wanted to try their relaxing, calming and sleep-inducing ones.  Whenever things get a little too much, a nice bath always does the trick to ease muscles and take life's problems away.  (Temporarily at least)

So, from the top left of the picture above …

Pop In The Bath Bubble Bar (White, Blue and Pink Flower) - I think this is the most heavenly smelling one.  It smells so fresh and has the perfect balance of floral and citrus scents to it.  It's also a colourful one in the bath.

Dorothy Bubble Bar (Blue Base, Yellow and Orange Rainbow) - This one smells a bit like an orange and a bit floral.  It's supposed to help you unwind and calm down after a long day.

Dreamtime Luxury Bath Melt (Cream block with the word 'Dream Time' on it, how apt) - This is one that I wanted to try really bad because it has lavender and chamomile in it, perfect for a night where you might find it hard to sleep.  Definitely saving it for down the line!

Green Bubbleroon Bubble Bar (Green round sandwich thingy) - This is a bit more berry and lime smelling.  I bought it primarily because when you touch it, its so moisturising.  It has Fair Trade (yay) shea butter and coconut oil in it.  Great for when your skin needs an extra kick of hydration.

All the ones listed above can be sliced or crumbled up into halves.  You don't have to use the whole product at once.  That's the great thing about those, you get a few uses out of each product.  On the other hand, the bath bombs are very fun to use but only a one time thing.  Damn those bath bombs, what a tease.  You just pop the whole thing into the tub and watch it fizz away and do it's magic in the bath.

Golden Slumbers Bath Bomb (Huge Orb with Golden Shimmers) - This is one that isn't available on its own, it comes as part of the 'Relax, Take a Bath' Set.  I like these sets because they make for great presents and they are also a good way to introduce yourself to the brand.  This one has lavender and shimmers in it so it's relaxing and glamorous at the same time.  At the same time!

Rose Queen Bath Bomb (Small Pink Orb at the far right) - Rose scented products are usually very pungent and strong, I really dislike that.  This one though smells like roses and essential oils.  The mixture of the fragrances is quite nice of an escape.  I think with this one, as the bath bomb fizzes into the water, it releases rose petals.  What a treat!

Are you a bath or shower person?

What do you think of Lush products?  Leave a comment below!

Review | Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Everybody and their grandmother has reviewed or raved about this product, but you think that would stop me from talking about it, wouldn't you?  Nope.  BOUNCE.  (That was my jump on to the bandwagon)

I bought this spray a few months ago because I heard so many good things about it and I just have so much gosh darn hair.  I was in actual disbelief that I ended up finding it in store, at my hair salon would you believe!  What are the odds.  I thought I would have to order it online.   It doesn't seem to be readily available everywhere.  If you have lots of hair, hard to manage hair or if you find that hair styles don't stay put on your hair, then a texturising spray may be what you need.  I'm aware I sound like an advertisement, but it honestly is helpful.  I have lots of hair, it usually listens to me, but I definitely need more texture in it.  At first, I didn't know such a thing existed in the market but boy am I glad there is.   

Price - $22.00 (For the small/travel bottle)  About $40 for the 'normal' size.

What it claims it does
Bigger, better, full-on glamorous hair. This invisible dry hair spray builds in incredible volume and sexy texture. Patented polymers absorb oil at the roots, leaving you with just-styled hair for days (and nights).

What I think it does
This spray pretty much does everything it claims to do.  It is an invisible spray, thank the heavens that there isn't any white residue left on the hair.  I don't think it builds as much volume as teasing would, it doesn't take you from 0 to 100.  Would you really want a product with chemicals to do that anyway? That being said, if you use it in conjunction with styling, work it in with your hands and let it set, boy is the volume apparent.  What it definitely 100% does is that it gives a sexy tousled and undone look to one's hair.  An added bonus, there is heaps and heaps of texture.  Texture is good for hair that is hard to work with, or that is too smooth (doesn't help with styling) and if your hair is too long.  I have long hair and lots of it.  It weighs down and this spray just lifts the concentration to the tops and sides.  Another thing I love about it is that it leaves you hair smelling AMAZING.  The last thing it says it does, and does do, is absorb oil.  It's not just a texturising spray like any other salt spray or what not, it is also supposed to be an alternative to a dry shampoo.  It definitely absorbs oil and dries the roots.  Conversely, I don't think it dries the roots enough to get away with being a dry shampoo.  It's light and works great but I wouldn't use it as an alternative to a dry shampoo, i'd use it as an addition (a great welcomed addition) to styling your hair.  Is it worth the price tag? Yes, for my hair.  It does hurt nonetheless though.  Try the travel size, if it doesn't work with your hair's natural texture then you'll know.  In my experience, it's worth a repurchase.  If not this, i'm curious to try more from the brand.

Are there any texturising sprays that you think I should try? Let me know!

Current Sunscreen Favourites

Sunscreen is important year round, not just during the summer months.  I have personally suffered with pigmentation and more severe skin sensitivities, especially to the sun, so I am very particular with how much exposure I have to it.  The sensitivities that I have had to the sun (my skin gets dry and white patches, disgusting I know) is what caused my obsession with skincare.  I actually feel so blessed because I have learned a lot about it now and want to share some of the information that I know.

Not wearing sunscreen does not just affect your beauty but it affects your health as well.  The more traditional opinion is that its the exposure to UVB rays that causes damage, but now, it's known that exposure to UVA is also just as damaging if not more severe.  UVB rays makes your skin immediately red and you see an instant change, but its UVA that is the main culprit behind causing more long term skin defects. Some of the consequences of not wearing sunscreen include: making skin red, DNA damage, breakdown of collagen and elastin, skin cancer, lines and wrinkles, photo-aging etc. etc.  Because of the degree of harm it can do to you, its very important to wear sunscreen on a daily basis.  I can make another post in the future talking about skincare and sunscreen in more depth but for now, here are a few of my favourites.

Garnier Ombrelle Sport Clear Continuous Spray SPF 60 - I picked this up because I didn't have a Spray-and-Go sunscreen and needed it for a long weekend.  Apart from its convenience, it's high Sun Protection Factor, and the fact that is does go on clear, I picked it because it had an ingredient that I was specifically looking for: Mexoryl.  Mexoryl is a patented (by L'Oreal) formula that is considered amongst many dermatologists to be one of the best agents in preventing ageing caused by the sun as well as allowing for a large UV protection range.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Melt-In Cream SPF 60 - This is my holy grail sunscreen product, and in my Top 5 of all time favourites. The thing I adore about the company La Roche-Posay is that they view sun protection the same way they view skincare. They cater their sunscreen products to different skin types - acne/oily, dry, sensitive etc. etc. They are also a French company meaning that their products are reviewed under much more severe health restrictions than American companies. They are also affordable, if you are comparing them to some other brands on the market. This particular one is targeted for Sensitive Skin. I think it'll work well on all skin because in my opinion, everyones skin should be treated like sensitive skin. I will be repurchasing this until the day I die, or until they stop making it. The actual consistency is a bit thicker and white, but it blends beautifully into the skin. Perfect for skin around the face. Highly Recommended. I'll stop rambling about that now.

FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 - People often forget how important it is to protect their lips from sun damage. It's one of the most sensitive parts of the body and any discolouration around that area is probably due to exposure to the sun. I get being neglectful about this, seems like a chore, but maybe buying a lip balm that already has SPF in it might help?

Neutrogena Healthy Skin CC Cream SPF 30 - Neutrogena is a great company because they do skincare and sun care much like La Roche-Posay. I'm surprised I haven't tried anything from their range before this. I don't particularly buy into the hype of BB Creams and CC Creams but I was looking for a skin base lighter in consistency than a foundation but with SPF in it. It claims to even out and brighten skin tone and for once, it does exactly that! It does not give as much coverage as a tinted moisturiser and definitely not as much as a foundation. The only downside is that there isn't a big enough colour range and although the one I bought is light-medium, its still a bit too dark for me. Oh well, can't win every battle right? A great product nonetheless.

I know I may have made the sun out to be like the big bad wolf in this post but I wanted to emphasise the importance of protection from the sun. Do you know of any good products that I should try? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

Review | Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment

Hello, I have a review for you today.

Face treatments of any kind provide a great benefit to your skin. Behind classing, exfoliating, moisturising and protecting, good face masks often leave a lasting positive change in your skin.  This clay mask, Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment Purifying Mask (now called, Mattifying Mask) does exactly what it says, it purifies the skin.  I chose a clay mask particularly because they have been used for centuries and are known to be anti-inflammatory, therapeutic and cooling.  It is known to be used by people who suffer with acne or oily skin more but I think that if you use it the right way, even people with dry skin can benefit from it.  The only recommendation I would have with using any clay mask is to not let it dry completely.  As the mask dries, it does a few things including: absorbing the minerals as well as stimulating blood flow.  This being said, if you let a clay mask thoroughly dry before rinsing, it will dehydrate your skin and cause future irritations.  So don't let it get too light in colour or flaky in texture before rinsing, it should be slightly tacky to the touch.

Price - $57.00

What it claims it does 
A multifunctional treatment that can be used as an instant detoxifying face mask, a daily purifying face cleanser, or a spot treatment for blemishes and irritations.

What I think it does 
If your skin is acting up, getting itchy, flaky, and acne has developed, then this is a great product to use.  It seems to be doing wonders to mine in the summer months more than in the winter.  Fresh is a good skincare company because they are known to only use natural ingredients in their products.  They also study and use beauty practices from around the globe.  You must have heard of their lip balm or their sugar scrubs.  If you have sensitive skin, (and my god I do) this is definitely worth a try.  The tube itself needs to be well shaken before use, otherwise it gets watery.  Is it worth the price mark? I think so because anything that your skin is going to absorb better be natural and of good quality.  I would not recommend any mask though unless you have a proper skincare regime in place already.  Should this be one of your first skincare products to buy? No, buy cleansers and moisturisers first.  I also don't think it is completely multifunctional.  It is a good mask and can work as a cleanser, naturally any mask will cleanse your skin.   It did reduce the blemishes on my skin but I don't think it's a spot treatment.  It can cleanse and reduce blemishes but it won't work as a daily cleanser would or how a spot treatment is meant to.  Overall, I love it, I would repurchase it but i'd like to also see what else is out there.  I am definitely intrigued enough to discover more from this brand.  

13 Fashion & Beauty Skills to Master in your Twenties

Howdy!

I'm back now with another fashion list, I love writing these lists.  Is that weird?  Anyway … I hope you find this useful.  I think it's imperative to have good fashion and beauty skills under one's belt by the time you turn 30.  By no means have I mastered all of them but this list is a really good starting point and guide for anyone in their twenties to work themselves to generally being much more put together.


1.  Have a go-to signature look.  Mine has been a red lip and cat eye for beauty.  For fashion, I always go for a white blouse and black pants and a chic watch or statement necklace.


2.  Learn to dress sexy but not scandalous. Don't overdo it and look like you're seeking attention.  Don't be that person.

3.  Make the most out of your features and your body.  Figure out what works on you, fashion and makeup doesn't translate the same on everybody.  Or in other words, work what your mamma gave ya!

4.  Master business casual for your work environment.  Know what the office attire is for where you work.  It's not ideal to strut around in heels in a labour intensive environment or to wear extremely trendy clothing in a corporate environment.

5.  Learn how to pose for a picture without having to retake it a million times.  This one has lots to do with confidence and accepting ones self and maybe knowing how to work camera angles too.

6.  Know how to spend your money on fashion investments without having buyers remorse or having your card be declined as you pay for it.  Basically, think about what you're buying especially if it is expensive.

7.  Learn to pack your handbag and keep it organised.

8.  Dress for any occasion formal or business events.  Learn to pick an outfit without emptying the contents of your wardrobe, having a mini meltdown and crying over ranting text messages to your girlfriends.  I'm only saying this because I go through this dilemma all the time.

9.  Make sunscreen the most important step in your beauty regime.

10. Learn to layer and develop a casual-chic look without looking like a hobo.

11. Master the following makeup looks: A sultry smokey eye, winged eyeliner, contouring, and blending foundation.  It'll be so useful to switch up between these.

12. Learn to maintain and care for shoes, jewellery and clothes to get the most out of them.  No one looks good in a crumply and faded t-shirt.

13. Last and definitely the most cruel, keep your closet organised, once and for all.  The hardest one in my opinion.

I hope you can set a mini long-term challenge to accomplish a few, if not all of the things on this list.  I think most women would already possess some of the skills so it shouldn't be too hard.

Did I miss any fashion or beauty skills that you think is important?

Which one of these do you need to work on the most? 

Deep Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Deep Cleaning your makeup brushes can be a very boring task to do but we all must do it, of course unless you'd like to day after day smear bacteria over your face.  (Eeeeek) On that note, keep reading if you want to brush up (sorry, I had to) on your cleaning technique!

Why Deep Cleaning is Important:

• Helps makeup application to go on flawlessly.
• Prevents product buildup, bacteria and other grime from causing skin irritation - most likely acne.  If skin problems do seem to crop up, deep clean your makeup brushes more than the average person and maybe over time it will reduce.  Worked for me!
• Improves and maintains the quality of the makeup brushes - especially if they are already expensive.

How to do it:

1. Pick out the brushes you want to clean.  I recommend doing it at night because they do take a long time to dry.  Don't deep clean right before you mean to get ready.
2. Dampen the brushes slightly under running lukewarm water and lay them aside.
3. Grab a bowl and fill it with lukewarm water as well.
4. You can pour some shampoo straight into the bowl or on to the bristles or both.  I used a mild BodyShop shampoo because it doesn't seem to damage them.  I know some people recommend using detergent, hand soap and other similar cleaning agents but I wouldn't recommend it for the sole purpose of whatever is in those agents will also be touching your skin.  A good option could also be a mild face cleanser, just to be safe.  My policy is that if you wouldn't use it on your face, don't use it on your brushes.
5. Swirl the brushes in the bowl until you notice the product completely leaving the brush.  You can also swirl against the palm of your hand and gently squeeze.  Rinse and repeat this step until necessary. 
6. Gently squeeze out excess and rise the brushes off under the tap.  
7. Lay them on a cloth to dry.  Underneath the cloth, you can add a few larger brushes or a hairspray can to alleviate one side of the cloth so you can place your brushes on an angle and so the water will leave quicker.  Do not let them dry vertically, the water will seep into the handle and loosen the glue that is holding it all together.  That is very bad for a $50 brush.
8. Shape the brushes into their form as they dry.
9. Once they are dry, marvel in the clean softness of your pristine brushes.  Go ahead, be happy about it.  No judgements here!

The Before - Notice the product build up and deformities of the bristles.

The shampoo I used - BodyShop Rainforest Radiance Shampoo

Swirly swirl swirl

The After! Look how clean and pristine.

Yay! Clean makeup brushes make me feel like ...

Pastel Essie Nailpolishes for Spring 2014

My latest obsession has been pastel and ladylike colours for nails.  It was just coincidence that all the pastel colours I owned turned out to be Essie, I don't know, OPI hasn't been rocking my boat lately.  I also had a nail polish fiasco recently.  I put a BodyShop body oil in my drawer where I keep all my nail polishes and the lid was a little bit open (a little bit, like a tiny bit open.)  So obviously the universe has just such a great sense of humour and the whole bottle exploded and now all my nail polishes smell like sweet lemon oil.  The whole point of the story is that most of them aren't opening anymore but I was able to save a few Essie ones.  So in no particular order, here are my most recent pastel favourites!

P.S. For some reason in the main image, they are appearing a little brighter than they are, so I haven't edited any of the other ones to give you a true representation of the colours.

Essie Bikini So Teeny - A periwinkle blue, layers nicely.  So creamy.

Essie Sparkly On Top - I love to just wear it on its own, its so princess-y.  I know it's not a pastel but it's too fitting to not add in.

Essie Blanc - Such a vibrant white.  Is that possible? Its very opaque and so chic for this season.

Essie Fiji - A well loved baby pink.  It's almost empty!  You definitely need a few thin coats but it's such a cult favourite and once you try it, you'll definitely understand why.

 Essie Lilacism - I love this lavender pastel because it's so creamy and makes ones nails look so polished.

It's also the colour i'm wearing right now!  Hope you liked a few of my choices!

Lipstick Shades Every Woman Should Own

In my makeup routine, lipstick is a must have.  It's the type of product that will either make or break your look.  It's also the aspect of makeup I love the most because you don't have to commit to one colour and you can have the most fun with it.  Not including trendy colours, here is my list of lipstick shades that I think are essential in any woman's collection.

Summer Coral

I don't think the camera is actually picking up how vibrant this coral is but it's such a lovely colour for summer time.  It suits lots of different skin tones and comes in various undertones.  I'm wearing Vegas Volt by Mac.  I bought this particular one because but I found out a character (Betty Draper) from Mad Men wears it and I love classic beauty so go ahead, call me a nerd, it's fine.

Barbie Pink

This could potentially be a shade that might go wrong more than right on first try and it is pretty daring if you're going out for a girls night, I highly advise giving a hot pink a try.   Technically, Barbie Pink can be lighter too but it just doesn't flatter me so I went with an electric version.  Above, i'm wearing a YSL Rouge Volupte in Peach Passion topped with a Rimmel Apocolips Lacquer in 303 Apocoliptic.

Suitable Nude

If you know me, you'd know that I never wear nude lipstick colours.  Most of them just make me look dead.  The one i'm wearing above is Fanfare by Mac and it was a birthday present.  It's a pink hued nude and that pop of colour gives a lot of (much needed) brightness to my face.  It's a must have for every woman's collection because it's timeless and cleans up any look.  The most chic of all lipstick colours.

Classic Red

By far, my favourite lipstick shade.  I love red lipstick so much I could write a whole series on it; I own so many red lipsticks it's embarrassing.  A classic blue toned red lip though is ESSENTIAL for every woman to own.  It's universally flattering and there are so many different undertones to pursue if you have a much fairer or much darker complexion.  The one i'm wearing, and one of my favourites, is Ruby Woo by Mac.  Another good (and darker) red is Russian Red by Mac.  Both are matte, both are gorgeous.

Bold Berry

The thing I love most about berry colours are that you can wear a stained version or a full on dark matte version and both look chic.  It's definitely a shade to try on before buying but it can very easily glam up even the most casual outfits.  The one i'm wearing is a Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in the colour 107.  It's a dark, brooding, wine coloured shade.  It wears through out the day and through food nicely, it does come off but it just fades into a stain.

Honourable Mentions

Taupe - If you have the skin tone to suit it, definitely try a taupe.  Doesn't look good on me unfortunately.

Rose - It looks wonderful on a lot of skin tones because it gives a lovely healthy glow to the skin.  I don't own one but it's on my list next!

Orange - Very on trend for this Spring/Summer season.  

Hope you liked this list! Cheers :)

Trend Report | Spring/Summer Beauty for 2014

Designers really hit the jackpot this year for their Spring/Summer 2014 lines at various Fashion Weeks and the Spring beauty they incorporated to compliment their designs did not disappoint.  The following are a few trends that I think can be easily incorporated into your beauty collection whether you want to do it as dramatic as on the runway or just be a little inspired from it to freshen up your look. 

1. Orange Lips

(DKNY)

2. Blue Eyeshadow

(Marc By Marc Jacobs)

3. Raw Beauty

(Left-Emilio Pucci/Right-Lanvin)

4.  Flower Crowns/Milk Maid Braids

(Dolce and Gabbana)

5.  Winged Eyeliner

(Chanel)