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Thursday 26 March 2015

Velvet on Velvet: New from Rimmel


Rimmel recently released a few new products just in time for autumn and are perfect for lovers of all things matte!

Firstly, a product that I've been waiting to get my hands on for a while - the Apocalips Lip Velvets. These are the matte version of the original Apocalips Lip Lacquers which I seriously love (yes, I have all the shades). The Lip Velvets come in 4 different shades - two deep shades, an orange and a pinky nude. I decided to try the shade 'Meteoric Matte' as it looked very similar to the Australis shade 'Doo-Bai' but I wanted to see if the offering from Rimmel would be more comfortable on the lips.

The Apocalips Velvets definitely have a matte finish, however, they feel very similar to the original Apocalips as in they don't set on the lips. Whilst this makes them really comfortable to wear they will transfer like crazy with any eating or drinking. Whilst the shade 'Meteoric Matte' is such a beautiful deep berry shade I found this such a pain to wear during the day as it smudged all over my face, wore off unevenly and the colour ran quite badly around my lips. A beautiful shade but definitely a high maintenance formula.

Along with the Apocalips Lip Velvets, Rimmel has released a range of Velvet Matte Nail Polish. I have always loved the Rimmel nail polishes and was definitely excited to try the matte formulation. I picked up the shade 'Midnight Kiss' which is a navy blue and I thought it would be a cool alternative to a black polish.

I was most impressed with the fact that this nail polish actually dries in seconds. To get the best result I find that using only one coat gives the most even finish as layering the polish can look a bit messy if you're not careful. I have tried matte polishes before that just look as if you've got 'pillow marks' but this is not the case with the Rimmel Velvet Matte polishes. The finish is definitely matte and I think velvet is also an accurate description. The only negative I found was that the polish chipped really easily. As someone who always takes the extra step of adding a top coat, obviously using a top coat over these polishes would ruin the matte effect and it definitely showed in the wear time.

Overall I'm kind of disappointed I got sucked into the hype of these products. Whilst I was impressed with both products in terms of their shades and velvet texture I found them a little inconvenient and fussy - ain't nobody got time for that!

Rimmel is available from Priceline, Target, Big W, Kmart and other Pharmacies. The nail polishes retail for $8.95 and the lip velvets for $15.95 - but always look for a sale!

Have you tried these new products from Rimmel?

xx Cat

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Sunday 15 March 2015

Keeping Up With The Beauty Bloggers: Beauty News March 2015




March is a pretty exciting month if, like me, you are a beauty addict. New releases means more makeup and more makeup means more shopping - YAY! Hopefully I can remember to do one of these monthly/bi-monthly to keep you all up to date.

There's no doubt that Anastasia Beverly Hills has made huge waves in the beauty community. As a brand they have been releasing high quality and on trend products in the last year or so that you should definitely know about. You can now purchase ABH at Sephora in Sydney and their ever so coveted Contour Palettes have just landed in store! I'm sure a lot of Aussie beauty lovers are ecstatic to be able to get their hands on this palette without having to order online. Sephora aren't super open about when new releases will be in store so I recommend following their instagram @sephoraaus.

Everyone knows the most exciting launch in March is Urban Decay coming exclusively to Mecca Maxima! Mark your calendars - March 27th is the day. Mecca Maxima will be stocking the FULL range of Urban Decay products and you can also purchase online.
Mecca Maxima are also expanding with a few new stores opening. There will be a pop-up Maxima store in the QVB in Sydney opening late March and a brand new store opening at Liverpool Westfield. I remember this time last year there were only two Maxima stores - one in Parramatta and another in Warringah. Now I'm sure most people in Sydney will have a Mecca Cosmetica or Maxima store less that 10km from their houses. #worlddomination

Image: mecca.com.au

Carisa Janes, the CEO and founder of Hourglass Cosmetics was in Australia recently and a few beauty bloggers shared with us an exciting new release! Two new bronzers will join the 'Ambient Lighting' range in June - again available at Mecca Maxima and Cosmetica. Now you can powder your whole face in light filtering goodness!!
  • As a side note I've been super lucky to try heaps of the Hourglass line recently and let me tell you that if you haven't heard much about their products I highly recommend heading into Mecca and exploring their collection. Especially the complexion products... Veil Mineral Primer is life. 

Unfortunately, I have to end on a bit of a sour note but I think it's something that needs to be discussed. I wanted to announce that I will no longer be supporting Lime Crime as a brand. I have two of their lipsticks (both bought from Australian retailers) and will continue to use them but I'm kind of bummed I bought them in the first place. For those who don't know, Lime Crime's brand history is a little shady. I knew all of this before I purchased and it did discourage me for a long time, but to their credit, Lime Crime do stock a decent quality product for the price - nothing too dodgy there. However, In the last month or so a huge scandal including credit card fraud, security breaches, huge beauty gurus publicly denouncing the brand and heartbreaking stories have really made the brand unappealing, to put it nicely. I won't blab on about the whole story because there are so many posts already - so I'll link some really informative resources down below. Basically as a consumer, I have decided not to support a business that acts in a negative and harmful way to their customers.

That wraps up March Beauty News! Let me know what you think in the comments below :)

xx Catherine

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Monday 9 March 2015

Top 10: Skincare Tips


1// Makeup Removal

The golden rule of skincare - NEVER SLEEP IN YOUR MAKEUP! Whilst accidentally sleeping in your makeup once isn't going to do permanent damage to your skin, it's a really bad habit to get into. Makeup wipes are widely accessible and are the most convenient way for wiping off your makeup at the end of the day. However, I prefer something more gentle and I find that using a micellar water on the back of a cotton pad is more effective, gentler on the skin and also way more affordable!

Try: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water [$12.99]

2// Cleanse

The skin on our face is fairly sensitive to external conditions such as the weather, pollution in the air and also to the stuff we put on our face such as makeup. Cleansing is therefore a crucial step to make sure your face is getting a proper clean - just standing in the shower isn't going to remove the dirt and natural oils trapped in pores. For people with oily skin I recommend a cleanser with salicylic acid for acne control.If your skin type leans more dry or normal a cream cleanser would be more appropriate as you don't need such a deep cleanse.

Try: Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser [$10.99] (for oily skin) or Natio Gentle Cleansing Milk [$16.95] (for dry or normal skin types)

3// Exfoliate

Exfoliation is another step to maintaining healthy skin as it helps to remove the dead skin cells on the skin's surface. Removing the dead skin cells helps your skin maintain a smooth even texture and will improve the way that your foundation applies and looks on your face. Especially if you have particularly dry skin, its necessary to remove the dry and flaky patches for your foundation to go on smoothly. Exfoliation can be both manual - using scrubs - or chemical - using products like chemical peels.

Try: St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub [$9.99], St. Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub [$9.99], John Plunkett Glyco Peel [$29.95]

4// Tone

There's quite a bit of debate about whether toners are necessary or not and I am also guilty of forgetting about this step. However, I think using a well formulated toner can definitely give your skin extra benefits. A mist toner is really great for adding extra hydration and 'waking up' the skin. I also find using a hydrating mist toner helps my moisturiser absorb better. Toners that you use on a cotton pad have actually made a huge difference to my skin, particularly in removing any makeup, oils and dirt that still hang around after cleansing. Taking that extra step can help in the appearance of pores and again work to even out the overall tone and texture of the complexion.

Try: Lancome Tonique Doucer [$56.00], L'Occitante Immortelle Essential Water [$42.00], or for something a little more affordable Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner [$9.99]

5// Moisturise

As I mentioned above, makeup looks better on your face if the texture on your face is smooth and even. Moisturising is essential as it hydrates your skin making it soft and radiant. Even if you have oily skin, you've likely felt your skin feeling 'tight' after cleansing and exfoliating and using a moisturiser can still be useful to maintain hydration. I usually use a light moisturiser in the morning that won't feel greasy under my makeup and then a heavier moisturiser in the evening that can sink in and rejuvenate my skin over night.

Try: Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser [$9.99] (suitable for all skin types), Natio Antioxidant Face Moisturiser [$17.95]
* There are so many options when it comes to moisturiser the two mentioned above are my favourite and ones I continue to use and repurchase.

6// Feed & Treat

Sometimes your skin just needs a little TLC. Whether its 'that time of the month', you're stressed about exams or even a change in season, sometimes our skin acts a little crazy and a regular routine of cleaner, exfoliate, moisturise just doesn't cut it. As soon as I started feeding my skin with extra nutrients I noticed a huge difference in the texture and overall brightness of my complexion. For me, adding a facial oil really helped control breakouts, even out my complexion and reduce scarring and pigmentation from old spots. I think all skin types can benefit from using facial oils but there are also heaps of different serums and treatments to tackle all sorts of skin problems.

Try: Trilogy Rosehip Oil [$19.99], Tarte Maracuja Oil [available from Sephora Sydney]

7// Mask It

Using face masks is another tip I recommend for extra skin TLC. Whether you need to give your skin an extra deep clean and draw out all the impurities or give it an extra hit of hydration masks are perfect because they are a super quick fix (and also great for pampering yourself!). Masks come in all sorts of different forms such as clay masks which are great for getting rid of stubborn blackheads, sheet masks which make you look like a ghost but are fantastic for a hit of moisture as well as masks which apply just like a moisturiser but sink deep into the skin.

Try: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Purifying Enzyme Mask [$9.99], Bioderma Sensibo Soothing Mask [$39.99], Lonvitalite Face Masks

8// Blemish Busters

If sex-ed in school wasn't already completely insufficient I also wish they'd told me that you continue to get pimples even after puberty. In fact I didn't struggle with breakouts until about a year ago. I've learned the hard way that squeezing and picking at your spots leads to scarring and stubborn pigmentation. Put a spot treatment on instead - I know there's a big temptation to pop! - and breakouts will disappear much faster and you won't be left with any unpleasant reminders either.

Try: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion [$22.00]

9// Protect

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and the majority of skin cancers in Australia are caused by exposure to UV radiation in sunlight.* The best way to protect your skin is by wearing SPF daily. Even if your foundation has an SPF in it, its always a good idea to get into the habit of applying sunscreen underneath your makeup everyday - and of course don't forget about the rest of your body! Wearing a hat and sunglasses outdoors is also an easy way to protect the sensitive skin on your face.

Try: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Suncreen Lotion SPF 50+ [$16.99]

10// Keep Hydrated!

A huge factor to the way our skin looks is how healthy our bodies are overall. I know as soon as I'm fatigued or sick, my skin takes on a really pale and sallow look. Dehydration often leads to skin that is dull and dry and you can often notice this on your lips and around your mouth first.

Try: Drinking more water - duh!

I know that taking all these steps may seem excessive, however, crucial to the way your makeup looks is the condition of your skin. Spending time and money on makeup and not also taking care of your skin doesn't really make sense. Maintaining your skin is also going to make sure you get the most out of the products you put on top of it!

Please note I'm not a skincare expert but have compiled these tips after trying a lot of different skincare products and evidence from my own experience. As I have mentioned above, there are different skin types that are going to react differently to different products or may need more TLC than others. For reference I have oily skin.

xx Catherine
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* Information provided by the Cancer Council Australia. Learn more here.

Monday 2 March 2015

The Summer Makeup Favourites

My limited of computer skills and general attraction of bad luck has meant that every favourites video I had filmed for both December and January are still stuck in iMovie either edited and unable to be exported or half edited because I gave up. I still wanted to share with you my favourite makeup bits from the summer because when I find awesome products I always want to let you know about them! Yep - this will be a long one.

For the complexion I've been drawn towards products that will give me a natural and glowy look, while still staying on my face all day - yep, I have pretty high expectations for my makeup. The Chi Chi Super BB Cream was my go to for an everyday, long lasting base that was so easy and quick to apply with your fingers, a sponge or a brush. I definitely think I'll be pulling this one out again for when I go back to uni! I would pair the BB cream with my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light for a little extra coverage and the most flawless but natural finish. I thought a non-cakey powder was a myth until I found this one and I can see this becoming a HG product for me.

I've been fairly fickle with concealers in the past until I came across the NYX Above & Beyond Full Coverage Concealer* which I used exclusively through December and January. This product definitely surprised me because NYX is very hit and miss for me. I received this to try before NYX expanded their range in Australia and I think this is definitely one to try. It's a fantastic multi-task product for blemishes, redness and under the eyes that blends well and doesn't crease.

February, however, saw the return of my obsession with mineral makeup. I had a clean-out/organising sesh of my makeup collection and with nostalgia and fondness found the Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation which was all I wore throughout high school. I thought this was still on shelves but apparently it had been discontinued which I found out when Maybelline announced it would be returning to Australian shelves! Either way you can still find this and I would 100% recommend it as it is a beautiful foundation that is easy to apply and lasts well throughout the day.

For blush I've hardly reached for anything else over the Blush Up! Blush in Heat Wave from Essence. A gorgeous bright ombre blush, it is perfect for a pop of colour on the cheeks and certainly packs a punch in terms of pigmentation for its very reasonable price tag. I've also been loving a bit of bronzey glow - bronze glow...for summer? groundbreaking! - which is super easily achievable with the NYX Baked Blush in Ignite*. These blushes are pretty much a bronzer, blush and illuminator all in one and I love a good multi-tasker! However, these are really hard powders so you will go crazy if you just swipe your brush over the top trying to pick up pigment. I suggest scratching the surface with the back of a brush and then go in with your brush. Finally for face products, another favourite this month has been my NYX Blush in Taupe. The contouring trend is huge right now, but to be honest I have no idea what I'm doing and the amount of contouring palettes available is overwhelming. I pulled out Taupe which has been in my collection forever and it's just what I need to create a contour look I'm comfortable with.

Since I splurged big time of Tarte when Sephora opened in Sydney, their eye products have been my absolute favourites over summer. I have been rotating 3 of their mascaras I just can't get enough! Lights, Camera, Flashes is amazing for big, dramatic lashes with heaps of volume, Gifted gives a similar effect, but not as dramatic as the wand is natural fibre and gives more of a 'fluttery' effect and finally Light, Camera, Lashes gives amazing length, volume and separation all in one, reminding me a lot of my favourite Hypnose Mascara. However, I have to say my one true love this entire summer has definitely been the Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette that was part of the Bon Voyage holiday set - yes, it is no longer available. The shadows are are the best I have ever used and I definitely recommend picking up the Tartelette palette which is available from Sephora NOW!

Surprisingly my favourite lip products from the summer are all very neutral. While I reached for a bold lip often, I absolutely fell in love with these three products. Swept up in the Kylie Jenner lip craze I became obsessed with the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in 063 'Eastend Snob' which I used to overdraw and then fill in my lips. I absolutely love the colour of this - its a pinky nude which suits my colouring and I got so many compliments wearing it, it became a staple for my everyday look. Secondly I came across the Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in 'Jive' for $3 in a bin a Priceline. Once I realised it was so cheap because it was being discontinued I scoured every Priceline in a 20km radius to pick up a backup. The colour is amazing - a cool toned pink that is my perfect everyday shade and is very similar to the other Australis lipstick 'Preppy' which has been a favourite for ages. Finally, I couldn't go through summer without having a coral gloss in my handbag. 'Bright Side of Life' from the Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss range was my pick and I think I used up half the tube!

Finally I wanted to share some skincare favourites and other body bits! An absolute essential for me has been the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen. I got the matte look version which is fantastic for under makeup and I'm happy to say I'm in the habit now of wearing sunscreen every day. Whilst I was being very conscientious about sun safety I still wanted a bit of colour so when I wore shorts and skirts people wouldn't be blinded by my white legs. I did quite a bit of research on self tan products because self tanning is a little terrifying to me. I ended up try the Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturiser. I am so so impressed by this product, not only because it builds a really natural tan but it is so moisturising and using it every day has made an incredible difference to my normally dry and flakey skin. A completely non-scary tanning product I'll continue to reach for even as summer slips away.

So there are all my favourites from the whole of summer. Sad to see summer go but it doesn't look like the weather is going to cool down any time soon anyway! What have been some of your favourites from the last month or so?

xx Catherine

* These products were provided to me for consideration. Honestly as always!

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