Happy Halloween - The Walking Dead Goes to Kindergarten

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween wraps fear in innocence,

As though it were a slightly sour sweet.

Let terror, then, be turned into a treat...

~Nicholas Gordon

Product's I've Used Up / Empties: Part One FOUNDATIONS

PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS

Over the past few months I've been on a mission to use up old beauty/make-up products. I can't explain the ridiculous sense of satisfaction and achievement I feel when scraping the last morsels of product from it's packaging. It's a small gratification I have almost become addicted to, and as a result go totally overboard on application - using up things like a mad woman. Consequently I've racked up quite a few empties to share with you, too many for one post. I've broken it up into a few categories, the first being foundations. Enjoy and if you have any empties posts of your own be sure to link them below - empties are my favourite kind of posts to read.

Sephora + Pantone Universe COLOR OF THE YEAR Lipgloss Set - Review & Swatches

Where to buy: Exclusively sold at Sephora (sephora.com) $20USD

Rating: 4.5/5 Glittery Stiletto's

Justfab.com DANI in Fuchsia and Hot Pink Car?

Where to buy: Justfab.com link! $39.95

(justfab.com is a subscription service, see my earlier post for more info)

Rating: 3/5 Fuchsia Stiletto's 

Justfab.com GEORGETTE Review & Photo's

Where to buy: Justfab.com link! $39.95

(justfab.com is a subscription service, please keep reading for more info)

Rating: 4/5 Strappy Rose Gold Platforms

Milani Baked Bronzer 04 Glow - Review & Swatches

Where to buy: Cherry Culture $7.99US (International shipping to AU/UK starts at $11.13US)

Rating: 3.5/5 Glittery Stiletto's 

Eye Look: tarte Perfect & Treat 6-piece High Performance Collection

Step by step eye look using product's from tarte's 

Perfect & Treat 6-piece High Performance Collection

See my full review and details on where to buy here.

tarte Perfect & Treat 6-piece High Performance Collection - First Impressions & Swatches

Where to buy: Exclusive to QVC $59.00 (Value $157.00)

My girl Betty also has an amazing video review/first impressions with a TUTORIAL

Check her out @ Betty Girl Makeup

Eye Look (by me): Link!

Overall Rating: 4/5 Glittery Stilettos

Mirenesse FLAWSOME Face 15 Piece Collection $658 VALUE FOR $199

Where to buy: TVSN www.itvsn.com.au $199AUD ($658.80 value) $9.90 P&H

Part payments available - 1 payment of $61.85, 3 payments of $49.75
International: www.mirenesse.com (deal not available)

Keep reading for product photo's...

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush and Powder

Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Pink (left)

Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Warm (right)

Where to buy: US $11.95 here : AUS $21.95 here : UK £14.68 here

Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder in Translucent (centre)

Where to buy: US $13.95 here : AUS $29.95 here : UK £16.94 here

Rating: 4/5 Glittery Stilettos

Model Co Fibre Lash - Brush on False Lashes - Review and Pictures

Where to buy: US  : AUS $48.00 here : UK £30 here

Rating: 1/5 Glittery Stilettos

Keep reading for review and product photo's:

5 Ring Circus - 5 Rings You Should Own Right Now...

Lush for Beginners - LUSH AWARDS - Best of Lush

I remember the first time I walked into Lush store, it was in my last year of high school and they opened up a shop in my local mall. I walked in, had a look around at all the beautiful sweet smelling soaps and bath products, became instantly overwhelmed by choice and walked straight back out.

It took me another year to even think about entering again - so when I wash requested to a "Lush for Beginners" post I thought it was an amazing idea and thought I would chuck a bit extra in for us "Lush Pros" by dubbing it - THE LUSH AWARDS! 

So for those of you who like me, are feeling overwhelmed and need a little push in the right direction this is a guide to cut through all the mundane products and get straight to the good stuff - I've spent the last few years trying, testing and researching the best Lush has to offer so you don't have to!

Be sure to comment and let me know whether you agree or disagree with any of my picks, have I left anything out? What would be in your Lush awards? Also if this actually helps anyone at all let me know!

Keep reading to see what products made the list.....

Super Lustrous Lipsticks - Expressionists by Gucci Westman for Revlon - Review & Swatches

Where to buy: US Soap.com $7.99each : AUS RRP $21.95 In store : UK eBay £11.13

Rating: 4/5 Glittery Stilettos

Keep reading for swatches and review.........

The Greatest Makeup Swap in History - USA Haul: Sephora & Drugstore - My Swap with BettyGirlMakeup

THANK YOU BETTYGIRLMAKEUP!!!

If you haven't checked out my girl Betty yet you are missing out.

Subscribe/follow on Blogger, Youtube and Twitter.

 Keep reading for product photo's and first impressions.....

Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick - Expressionists by Gucci Westman for Revlon - Review & Swatches

 Where to buy: USA Amazon (US) SALE $7.63 (RRP $10.99) : AUS RRP $26.00 In store (AU) or on  eBay $9.85AU with Free Shipping : UK eBay £10.52

Rating: 3/5 Glittery Stilettos

Keep reading for watches and review........

Oh La La - Laura Mercier Nail Polish

Where to buy: LauraMercier.com (US) $18.00 : Urban Retreat Boutique (UK) £18.50 : Laura Mercier Counters (Not available online) (AU) $26.00

Rating: 3 / 5 Glittery Stilettos 

Keep reading for swatches and review.........

Beauty Focus: Leighton Meester

As the face of both Herbal Essences and Vera Wang's latest fragrance release Lovestruck, Leighton Meester is no novice on what it takes to look good on camera. Although the infamous Blair Waldorf (played by Meester in the hit teen drama Gossip Girl) may prefer high end haulage Leighton likes to grab bargains at her local drugstore! “One of the joys of my job is being able to try all different products, but if I can spend a lot less on something, I’d rather do that.” She tells People magazine.

Not afraid to rock minimal/no makeup and a cozy pair of sweats every once in a while Leighton's style is more relaxed then Blair's, but still maintains that overwhelming hint of classic charm. Epitomized in Vera Wang's campaign for Lovestruck, Leighton is a classic Hollywood beauty. Her looks and style show great homage to the beautiful screen sirens of yesteryear like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

Keep reading for details on Leighton's favorite hair and beauty products......

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows Review & Swatches - Rosewood & Pale Barely

Where to buy: Nordstrom (US) $ 29.00 : David Jones (AU) $45.00 : Harrods (UK) £23.00

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Glittery Stilettos 

Keep reading for swatches and review.....

Worst Product Ever? Maybelline Colour Sensational Pop Sticks - Review & Swatches

Where to buy: 

US Should be popping up on Maybelline displays across America by early summer.

UK  £7.19 Boots and Superdrug instore as well as online.

AUS No word on Australian release but you can pick them up for $5.95 each including shipping on eBay.

Rating: 0.5 / 5 Glittery Stilettos 

Beauty Focus: Kyle Richards

I am unashamedly a big fan of the Real Housewives franchise, on any given evening after a long day at the office you could peek through my blinds and find me curled up with iPhone in hand and some sort of Real Housewives on the TV. Recently I have been favoring Season 2 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills which was just recently released in Australia. The mixture of extreme opulence, 90210 post code and celebrity association just has me obsessed. 

Since the beginning of Season 1 I have been particularly drawn to Kyle Richards. From her amazing brunette locks to her fabulous yet affordable accessories she is fast becoming a style icon to working women and mothers everywhere. In addition to being a mother, actress, author, wife and reality star Kyle is also a self confessed makeup fanatic who does most of her own makeup for the show and events. 

In a town full of plastic surgery and endless exuberantly overpriced beauty treatments Kyle keeps it real (literally) and relies on a few *affordable* products to maintain and accentuate her natural beauty. Her first book: Life Is Not A Reality Show, details all her top tips on how you can look gorgeous even if you're on a budget. From that famous head of hair to her favorite lip products and lashes Kyle reveals all.

Keep reading for details on Kyle's favorite beauty and makeup products......

Ulta 3 - Cheap Polish Haul & Swatches

Ulta3 is Australia's number 1 selling nail polish and with prices as low as $2 per bottle and such amazing quality I can see why. Over the years I have purchased loads of different shades from Ulta3 and am happy to report the quality just keeps improving with time even though the prices have stayed the same.

Ulta3 is the Australian branch of the popular American drugstore brand New York Color so most if not all of the shades can be duped by a NYC Nail Polish. While researching for this post I came across the most amazing blog/resource which features an amazingly concise and useful Ulta3 Colour Guide.

You MUST check out Kittie's blog More Nail Polish....

20 Gifts for Mum under $20

With less then 2 weeks until Mother's Day there is only a few days left to get in your online orders so you receive your package with plenty of time to spare before Sunday April 13th.

I've hand picked 20 items for under $20 and there is something to suit all Mum's; From sophisticated to a little cheeky I've got you covered... Now all you have to do is remember to pick up a card!

Cup and Saucer Set - Blue or Fluro Pink - $19.95 each

Sephora & Pantone Universe - Tangerine Tango Cream Lipstick

 

Only available from Sephora (click here to go to the Sephora website). $18.00 USD.

Lush MMM Melting Marshmellow Moments

"I can't think of any sorrow a hot bath wouldn't help, just a little bit"
- Susan Glasee

Current Favourites

Throwing out a curve ball - these are my Mid-Monthly Favourites!

I know favourite posts are usually strictly reserved for the end of the month - but I find that with everyone doing the same sort of post at the same I tend to get bored after the first few days and end up not reading them. So I'm mixing it up a bit!

My faves include a mixture of skin, makeup, fragrance and finally my human favourite for the month. If you have a favourites post you would like me to check out be sure to leave your link in the comments below.

Revlon Lip Butters Review & Swatches PINKS

This is PART THREE in my series of reviews/swatches on Revlon Lip Butters featuring a selection of pinks from the range.

Be sure to check out PART ONE on BRIGHTS here.

Also check out PART TWO on NEUTRALS here.

055 Cupcake

It's safe to say that anything named cupcake is going to be pretty amazing... It is a lot lighter/milkier than in the photos/swatches. A blue toned light pink with a very very fine shimmer.  YOU. NEED. THIS.

Revlon Lip Butters Review & Swatches NEUTRALS

This is PART TWO in my series of reviews/swatches on Revlon Lip Butters featuring a selection of neutrals from the range.

Be sure to check out PART ONE here.

025 Peach Parfait

A great everyday/work colour. I love the balance between pink and peach with pretty golden shimmer. I've been wearing this shade a lot of the past 2 weeks, probably the easiest to wear/universally flattering shade in the range.

Revlon Lip Butters Review & Swatches BRIGHTS

Since their release in October 2011 people have been going crazy for Revlon Lip Butter's - especially the online beauty community. Highly recommended by all the top beauty guru's these babies are the perfect mixture of lip balm and lipstick.

For me the ideal lip product would be something hydrating, glossy, flattering and pigmented with a smooth texture, cute packaging and is easy to apply. Lip Butters tick all those boxes for me, simply an amazing and innovative product that has kicked up a lot of fuss in the cosmetics industry. 

Due to Revlon's success similar products have since been released by L'oreal (Colour Riche Balm, Caresse), Maybelline (Baby Lips) and even Dior with their new Dior Addict Lip Balm release.

Although these product's have only just landed in Australia I bought into the trend when they first come out and have been loving and wearing them to death ever since.

I will review each colour individually paired with the swatches as the quality differs between shades but overall the only downside to this product is the RRP for anyone that doesn't live in North America.

In Australia they are charging $21.95 AUD which is f***ing outrageous to be blunt. I honestly don't think they are worth anything near that price, especially considering the RRP in the US is $7.95 and you can pick them up for as little as $5!!!! I could go on and on about how rude and unnecessary this is all day but my fellow Aussie beauty blogger Michaela from Lather Rinse Repeat did a hilarious post on this topic last week (featuring baby sloths) click here to read.

SO although they are lovely and pretty much all my dreams come true in a lip product I would NOT buy them in Australia.... I suggest if you are contemplating a purchase check out the many sellers on eBay, I purchased mine from an amazing seller I have been dealing with for years Kawaii_Style, including postage they end up being only $10.39AUD!!!

I have 15 Lip Butter's in total to review so I've split them into 3 posts - brights, pinks and neutrals.

The real stand outs of this collection are definitely the brights, they make wearing a bright/bold lip so easy... Although in my experience you will have to reapply about every 2 hours, which can be a pain in the ass - this is about average for most lip products unless it is particularly long wearing.

On with the individual reviews & swatches:

015 Tutti Frutti

Perfect for spring/summer this Tutti Frutti is super on trend with Pantone Universe's colour of the year Tangerine Tango. It doesn't translate as orange as I would like when applied to the lips, but this also makes it very wearable. Beautiful paired with a coral cheek.

POKEMON? Simple Eye Look & MAC Force of Love Lipstick

"Health is not valued till sickness comes." - Thomas Fuller

A very fitting quote for my current state of mind, if you follow me on twitter you have probably fell victim to one of my whining tweets about the hideous virus I was hit with early last week. I ended up needing a week off work and got in plenty of bed rest, warm drinks, pinterest, daytime tv (rubbish) and some very serious Pokemon playing <gotta catch them all>.

Needless to say I spent the whole time with unwashed hair in a dirty top knot wearing holey pj's and no makeup dodging mirrors at all costs. 

So on Saturday night I was feeling a tad better and decided to break out the lipstick and make myself feel pretty again. You might have already seen this look in my Failed FOTN post - link - (pretty hilarious if I do say so myself) in response to that post I had a number of questions on the products I was wearing so I salvaged a few decent pictures and will share them with you now.

Que bad lighting....