Product Review - Loving Tan Bronzing Mousse in 'Ultra Dark'

I'm in love! This tanning mousse is the real deal.

After months and months of watching beauty gurus rave about this product, I finally caved and picked one up in David Jones the other day. I bought the shade ultra dark because I do love me some fake tan and to be honest, I wasn't expecting it to be all that dark. I thought it might be like most other fake tans where the dark shade isn't really that dark and I end up having to put on two layers...how wrong was I?!

This tan develops over 6 hours and then requires an initial wash to remove the top layer. I find it's best to apply before bed, leave about 30 minutes for it to dry (mind you, that's being overly cautious) and then take a shower when you wake up and you're ready to go!

Pros: 

- Has the same smell of a professionally done fake tan. It's not too strong and very pleasant.
- Natural olive colour.
- Cutest packaging ever.
- Doesn't seem to go patchy if looked after properly (aka. MOISTURISE & SHORT SHOWERS).
- Lasts much longer than other fake tans I've used in the past.
- A little goes a long way so it will last a longer time.
- Very affordable.
- Doesn't transfer to clothes or sheets which is a major bonus!
- Alcohol free
- Paraben free

Cons: 

- You really need to work fast when applying the fake tan because it dries very fast and you want to avoid streaking. If you feel like you're clumsy when applying tanner, I'd recommend going for a lighter shade or a different brand that's a bit more forgiving.

Rrp: $34.99

Are you a tanning addict too? 

xx

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Monthly Favourites | May

It's already June, I'm not quite sure how the heck it's already June, but it is. *Holds back cursing because this is a PG rated blog*. ARGH!

In light of the situation, May was a really great month for me. I went to Tasmania, adopted a new dog, continued volunteering at the RSPCA, did a lot of babysitting, saw a lot of friends, celebrated my mother's birthday and much more. Good on you, May!

I hope you enjoy this month's favourites because it's a darn good one if I do say so myself.

1. Clinique 'Take the day off' Cleansing Balm 
This cleanser comes in one of my favourite colours; purple, doesn't break me out, takes off every ounce of my makeup in one go (although I always do a second cleanse anyway), is perfect for my sensitive skin as it doesn't cause any irritation or redness and makes my face unbelievably smooth. Totally in love and would highly recommend.

2. MAC Eyeliner in 'Teddy' 
This eyeliner is a godsend. It's brown/bronze with gorgeous golden speckles and is perfect for a messy, smudged out eyeliner look that defines your eyes but isn't as harsh or bold as black eyeliner.

3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade 
Want instagram perfect brows? Look no further. This stuff, when used in very small amounts, gives all the definition, volume and shape in a brow that you could ever want. Be careful not to overuse though, you don't want to look like a clown (unless of course, that's the look you're going for).

4. Soap&Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Extreme Lip Plumper XL in 'Clear' 
If you're into lipgloss that is guaranteed to make your lips tingle, a little more plumped and luscious looking, this is a great one to go for. If not, look elsewhere!

5. Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Hand Cream 
Typical Autumn/Winter weather has been causing my hands to shrivel up in a most unflattering way and this hand cream has provided me with all the moisture and nourishment that they need to become normal people hands again. It soaks straight into the skin, smells quite nice and doesn't have that heavy or greasy feeling that a lot of hand creams have (which I really hate).

6. App - 'allwomenstalk'
One of my best friends told me about this app and boy, am I thankful I decided to download it! It's a really fun app which provides you with all your procrastinating needs. Just kidding. But really.

....it also has amazing advice on just about everything, such as self-love, fitness, recipes, boy advice and so forth.

7. Movie - Bridget Jones's Diary 
Another friend got me to watch this movie after she was horrified when I told her I hadn't yet seen it. I'm a sucker for a romantic comedy and this was all that and more. It also has Hugh *cough cough* Grant in it.

8. TV Series - Sex and the City 
I borrowed this TV series from the library one day and have been obsessed with it ever since. It's just your typical girly, romantic drama and I love it. It's also very funny!

9. TV Series - Keeping Up with the Kardashians 
Gee, this must have been the month of TV series and movies. If you haven't yet heard of the Kardashians, you're living under a rock and it's time to crawl out of it.

This series won't be everyone's cup of tea but if you like juicy, easy to watch shows, this is a good one.

10. Broccoli 
Don't ask why because I have no idea but I can't get enough broccoli lately. I don't know if this means I'm deficient in some sort of vitamin or mineral or if I'm just a new found vegetable addict, because I would go so far as to say I eat broccoli just about every day....yum! It's super tasty with soy sauce.

What were your favourite things of May? 

xx

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April Favourites

1. Too Faced Natural Eyeshadow Palette 

I bought this palette last year and have only recently realised my love for it. There's not one shade that I don't use and I find the compact packaging, mirror and natural shades so handy and convenient for all occasions. Good job Too Faced.

2. BabyBliss Argan Oil Restorative Hair Mask 

I have the thickest, frizziest, dry hair you could possibly imagine and I LOVE this hair mask. It's cheap ($12.50 from beautybay.com) and works better than any other expensive hair mask that I've tried in terms of restoring strength, shine, hydration and life back into my hair. There's no point in spending loads on a hair mask guys, believe me.

3. MAC Highlighter Pen in "Radient Rose" 

I've been really into highlighting pens as of late (I'm talking major eye bags) and reached for this one by MAC a lot throughout the month of April. Super effective in cancelling out dark under eye circles and making you look more awake. I also use this product on the other highlighting points of my face and find it blends very easily into my foundation when using a finger or a beauty blender :) 

4. The Body Shop Lip Balm in "Strawberry"

Honestly guys, this lip balm smells so delicious and I have to say, tastes pretty good also *mischievously giggles*. It moisturises my lips very well but the real reason I love it so much and have been using it a lot throughout April is because the slight tint of the balm gives my lips a gorgeous, healthy look. If you'd like to see what it looks like on, I've used it in a previous FOTD blog post HERE.

5. Australis Clear Brow Gel 

This product is for your lashes AND brows but I just use it in my brows and I love it. It does everything a good clear brow gel should do and at only $10.95, you really can't go wrong.

6. Alpha H Liquid Gold

Up until a few weeks ago, I had no idea what the heck this product was. As I was browsing the web for a new skincare routine (my skin was going mental at the time), I came across Alpha H products and found pages and pages of reviews saying that this Liquid Gold is amazing and I believe it also won an award. Clearly it doesn't take me much to get sucked into buying a new product but boy am I happy that I was. 

If I'm entirely honest, I still don't quite get what it is but I've been using it every second night on my face by applying a little (you need the smallest amount) onto a cotton pad and wiping it over my face before moisturising and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is as smooth as ever and just way more clear, even toned and healthy looking. It does tingle a little when you first apply it but that goes away quickly and I'm pretty sure it's supposed to do that (haha, I hope so anyway because I don't plan to stop using this product any time soon). 

7. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in "Ivory" 

This foundation has been sitting amongst my makeup collection for awhile now but I've never really used it until now. I've been loving this foundation mainly because it's getting into the colder months in Australia and I find the formula to hydrate and illuminate my increasingly dryer, more dull looking skin. This foundation and I are a match made in heaven ;)

8. MAC Strobe Cream 

For the same reasons as using the foundation, I've been loving this strobe cream because it's super hydrating and the light reflecting particles really illuminate my skin to make it look like better looking skin. I've previously done a review on this product which you can read HERE.

9. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthor Golden 

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down until I was finished. The style of writing is like nothing I've really ever read before and opened my mind up to a whole new world that I never knew existed. Truly incredible and 100% worth a read.

What were your favourites of April? 

xx

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Product Review - Eyeko Mini Brush Mascara (Long & Tall)

I received this mini Eyeko mascara as a free gift with my recent online Beauty Bay order (that doesn't mean this is a sponsored review, it's just a deal that Beauty Bay offers) and am very pleased with it. This is the first Eyeko product I've ever tried and am happy to say that they've left me with good impressions! 

Pros: 

- Mini, convenient and ultra cute travel friendly brush 

- Effectively lengthens the lashes, creating a fluttery effect   

- Water-proof but fairly easy to remove (I use Bioderma Micellar Water)

- Pro-vitamin B formula (this promotes growth by preventing lash breakage and also assists in long-term lash care)

- Paraben Free Formula

- Small brush makes for very easy application 

- Gives a more natural look. Definitely not your usual volumising and dramatic looking mascara. 

- Doesn't smudge or flake easily 

Cons: 

- Quite a wet consistency so you need to be careful with clumping 

- Definitely targets lengthening the lashes rather than volumising, so if you're not into that I would recommend trying a different mascara.

Personally, I love lengthening mascaras for my lashes and have been reaching for this one every day. If you spend a certain amount of money on Beauty Bay (click HERE to reach the site) you can receive a free gift, which is how I got this mascara. The free gifts change frequently however, so I'm not certain of what will be up for offer now.  

Rrp: $19

What's your favourite mascara? 

xx

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My No.1 Drugstore Foundation

The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundations are by far my favourite foundation range from the drugstore and I have repurchased them many times. In actual fact, I'm wearing it on my face as I type this! This is the only serum that I own from the range but I also have a few of the foundations in darker shades for when I'm tanned and they too, are excellent products. 

Pros: 

- Reasonable price
- Most of the shades have yellow undertones which suit my skin tone extraordinarily well
- Easy to blend
- Gives a gorgeous dewy finish
- Makes my skin look healthier and more radiant (as it claims to do)
- Doesn't break out or irritate my acne prone, sensitive skin
- Smells nice
- Does a good job of evening out the skin tone but without looking cakey. Let's the skin breathe.
- Build-able
- Comes with a pump so no messiness...winning!
- Vitamin rich

Cons: 

- Doesn't have any SPF so you'd need to have some kind of SPF in your moisturiser or primer
- It probably isn't a great foundation if you have super oily skin but I'm sure if you used a good primer and setting powder you'd be okay!

I first heard about this foundation through EssieButton (you can find her YouTube channel HERE) and am so thankful I tried it out. I'm not really into wearing heavy makeup on a day to day basis and this foundation manages to even out my skin tone but without looking cakey and I absolutely love that about it. Not to worry though, if you like a bit more coverage in your foundation, it's also quite build-able, so a second layer would go a long way!

If you haven't yet tried this foundation, I'd highly recommend you give it a go. I promise you won't regret it!

Rrp: $32

Do you prefer a light coverage or a full coverage foundation? 

xx

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MAC Lipstick Collection

Once you buy one MAC lipstick, a kind of frenzy starts and you end up with way more than you know what to do with. I've been collecting these over a long period of time and will continue to do so (mainly because it makes me nervous that they're so many I don't have), but here are the ones I own so far! 

 From left to right: 

- Media (Satin)

- Rebel (Satin)

- Ruby Woo (Matte)

- Lady Danger (Matte)

- Impassioned (Amplified)

- Please Me (Matte)

- Creme Cup (Cremesheen) 

- Velvet Teddy (Matte)

- Shy Girl (Cremesheen)

- Bare Again (Sheen Supreme)

My favourite lipsticks of this collection would definitely have to be "Bare Again", "Lady Danger" and "Ruby Woo" but it usually just depends on what I'm in the mood for and whether or not I'm fake tanned. Usually when I'm tanned I'll reach for the warmer toned lipsticks and when I have pale skin I'll use a cooler toned lipstick such as "Ruby Woo". However I have to say, "Bare Again" is the kind of lipstick you can wear with absolutely anything and that's why I've repurchased it 3 times now *hides under the covers*.

What's your favourite MAC lipstick? 

xx

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Product Review - Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cream

These past few weeks, my skin has decided for the first time ever (and I mean EVER), to go super dry to the point of flakiness in some spots (sorry for the TMI) and so I decided that it was time I invested in some kind of heavy duty face cream.

Not only was my skin quite dry, it was also starting to burn and sting every time I used my regular Neutrogena face moisturiser that I've been using for probably 2 years now. Youtube Tanya Burr raves about this face cream and I'd previously used Origins products and absolutely loved them, so I decided to give this face cream a go.

The words 'soothing', 'skin relief' and 'hydration' were what instantly pulled me in. This product claims to hydrate the skin, whilst also visibly reducing redness and sensitivity. I can assure you that this face cream works effectively in terms of reducing redness and sensitivity, but it wasn't as hydrating as I'd hoped it would be.

Pros:

- Reduces redness
- Doesn't cause any irritation whatsoever
- Doesn't break my skin out
- Is extremely calming on the skin
- Nourishing
- Creamy but not greasy
- Paraben free

Cons:

- Is pricey
- Has a lingering sent (doesn't bother me but it may not be to everyone's taste)
- Isn't as hydrating as I would have liked it to be (although thinking about it, it's probably not meant for skin as dry as mine is at the moment so don't let this deter you if you're skin is combination/dry!)

I'm feeling 50/50 on this one. I don't regret purchasing this product but considering the expensive price tag and that fact that it didn't entirely impress me, I won't be repurchasing. If you've got normal to dry skin and you're looking for a face cream that really soothes sensitive, easily irritated skin and reduces redness however, Origins Mega Mushroom Face Cream could be right up your alley!

Rrp: $82

Have you tried this product? What other face moisturisers would you recommend for sensitive/dry skin? 

xx

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Product Review - MAC Strobe Cream

Previously mentioned in a monthly favourites, this product is definitely well loved by me. With iridescent particles and antioxidants, this cream enhances the effects of light on the skin whilst also brightening and clarifying.

Not only does this cream give you a gorgeous luminous glow, it also moisturises the skin which means it's a great primer for using underneath makeup (which is what I use it for). 

I purchased this product in the small bottle because I didn't want to waste my money if I didn't like it, but I'll definitely be going back to repurchase the bigger sized bottle when I run out! 

If you're suffering from dry or dull looking skin or even if you just like a dewy, healthy looking glow, I'd highly recommend you try this product out. 

Rrp: $55 for a 50ml bottle (mine was approx $15 for the smaller version which is only sold in particular MAC stores) 

Do you prefer a matte or dewy finish?

xx

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