PRODUCT REVIEW: VS SASSOON EVOKE LIGHTWEIGHT HAIR DRYER

Today I’d like to share with you a new limited edition hair dryer, the VS Sassoon Evoke Lightweight Hair Dryer;

What They Say:

VS Sassoon Evoke Lightweight Dryer is a lightweight hairdryer with 2000 watts of power for fast drying and easy styling. It also features three heat and speed settings, a volumising diffuser for natural curls, and a concentrator nozzle for precise styling. It comes with an extra-large cosmetic case for travel or storage purposes.

RRP: $39.95 – Available from Electrical Appliance Outlets


What I Say: 

With quite long and thick hair, and a toddler running around my feet, I rely on a good hair dryer to dry my hair in a hurry, as my time is usually limited. And this Evoke hair dryer from VS Sassoon doesn’t fail to impress.

The huge cosmetics case that's perfect for storage of
for instance your hair dryer and other hair stylers

The hair dryer has a massive 2000 watts of power which means that it dries your locks super fast. And a quicker drying time, also means that your hair is exposed to heat for a shorter period, which essentially means less heat damage for your hair! It also has three different heat and speed settings so you choose the setting that best suits your hair, and also lower the temperature to protect your hair from heat damage.

The hair dryer also comes with a nozzle that makes it easy to direct the heat to specific sections of your hair, or it can be used with a brush when straightening your hair in sections. IT also comes with a large volumising diffuser, something I used to rely on way back in the 80s when I too had the typical perm – but these days, having straight hair, I didn’t think would be any use for my hair, until one day I decided to try to spray my hair with salt water spray before drying it with the diffuser, and was surprised to see how easy it was to create soft natural curls, even in my hair!

The bright pink hair dryer is so dry and funky and such a refreshing change from the usual black or silver hair dryers. And as the name suggests, it is quite light weight too, so it is easy to hold for a longer period of time if you need it, also thanks to the handle that has the perfect design to fit into even the smallest of hands.

I also love that it comes with a large, and I mean, its huge, cosmetic case, that you can you can use to not only store your hair dryer in, but also our other hair styling tools. At $39.95 this Evoke Hair Dryer from VS Sassoon is an absolute bargain!

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: ATTIPAS TODDLER SHOES

Today it’s all about toddler shoes as I review the Attipas Toddler Shoes;

What They Say:
Attipas are the number one choice of shoes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. As light as a sock but more supportive than a pre walker, Attipas will support your little one from their very first steps until 4 years of age. Based on seven years of research, Attipas are award-winning and have been endorsed by Australian podiatrists. Lightweight. Flexible. Convenient. Breathable. Safe. Attipas shoes are Walking Science.

RRP: $29.95 – Available from Attipas

 What I Say:
My little boy started walking when he was around 13 months, but now at the age of 2 years old he still occasionally slips on the timber floors as he simply tries to run faster than he should, and that’s where the Attipas are so perfect.

The shoes are made with a non-slip gripped sole, making he a little more stable on his feet . I also like that the shoes are not only breathable, but they are also very light and very flexible so there is nothing holding him back. The shoes are designed a little like a sock with a rubber sole, and consequently they stay on better than a ‘normal’ pair of shoes. With the rubber soles, the shoes can naturally be used outside, but at the moment, we are using them as slippers for our little boy, as it is so much safer for him to run around with the rubber sole than in a pair of socks, and not to mention, warmer too now that the autumn weather has really set in here in Melbourne.

But should they be used outside and get dirty, that’s not a problem at all, as they can easily just be popped into the washing machine, and they’ll be as good as new again!

The Attipas have a slightly peculiar look, looking a little like clown shoes with the large ‘nose’, but on the other hand I really like that there is plenty of room for his toes to move, unlike mummy’s toes that are often squished in pointy stilettoes, which is hardly good for the feet!

Overall I really like these shoes, and the fact that they are not only good for his feet and general development, they also makes running around a whole lot safer, while keeping his feet warm, and looking pretty cute too!

The Attipas shoes are available from baby shoes up to 3-4 year olds, so it definitely won’t be the last pair that he’s got, as well as I'm pretty keen on getting hold of a pair for little brother when he starts to walk.

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.



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THE HEALTHY MUMMY PREGNANCY SMOOTHIE & HEALTHY PREGNANCY EATING & EXERCISE PLAN

I have to admit that I am usually a fairly healthy eater, also throughout my first pregnancy. But with this pregnancy it wasn’t quite as easy, as this time I didn’t just have myself to look after, but also an active 2 year old. So I simply couldn’t just take a nap or relax whenever I wanted, but rather I was on the go constantly chasing after him or up and down from the floor playing with him. And that certainly took its toll, and consequently, when I was getting too drained and tired, but unable to rest, I’d reach for a snack – anything sweet that would give me a quick fix burst of much needed energy. And even well knowing that it would be short lived, but with the pantry only so far away, soon after I was back again for seconds, and back again…

Then I was asked to trial the Pregnancy Smoothie and Healthy Pregnancy Eating & Exercise Plan from The Healthy Mummy. The Smoothie is in short a convenient and easy supplementary food, designed to complement your existing pregnancy vitamins or supplements, to help you meet the extra requirements during your pregnancy, while the Healthy Pregnancy Eating & Exercise Plan is the ideal book to help give you guidelines on how to be as healthy as can be while you’re pregnant.

The Pregnancy Smoothie has been cleverly designed to provide all the extra nutrients and calories are needed in pregnancy to support the mum and the baby, including protein, calcium, Vitamin B, Folate, Iodine, zinc and iron to help keep you full for longer, and give you energy when you’re feeling exhausted. It is also free from free from all chemicals, fillers and artificial ingredients, has no fructose in, no added sugar.

The Pregnancy Smoothie comes in three varieties, Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry, and I tried the Vanilla one, which I actually preferred – not that I don’t like chocolate or strawberry, but because the vanilla one can easily be flavoured with any fruit combination you decide to add.

The smoothie can either be mixed with low-fat milk alone, or it can be mixed with fruit or veggie, or even nuts or seeds for extra flavor and nutritional value and energy.

The Healthy Pregnancy Eating & Exercise Plan book has several different suggestions, including adding chia seeds, which contains magnesium that will help combat the dreaded nightly leg cramps, or adding fresh ginger to help relieve the symptoms of morning sickness. You can also add thing like tahini which contains protein to help baby’s growth or flaxseeds which contains omega-3 to help the development of baby’s brain.

The Healthy Pregnancy Eating & Exercise Plan book also gives you a full run down on the calories, protein and sugar contents of the smoothies, depending on what type of milk you use, and some of the added ingredients as mentioned above.

The book also gives you exercise suggestions, and tells you which foods you should avoid while pregnant, how to stay active, and gives you delicious recipes for meals, snacks and treats. The book includes a 7-day meal plan, as well as options for healthy snacks and treats. Some of my picks are the Chicken & Mango Salad, the Tuna Salad Pockets, and the No-Bake Choc Berry Tart.

My favorite smoothie suggestion from the book is the iron boosting smoothie that contains the smoothie mix, and has added frozen strawberries and raspberries, baby spinach, chia seeds, almond meal and almond milk – it is simply delicious – almost like a dessert – yet healthy and very filling at the same time, so it’s the perfect pick-me-up snack alternative – both because it gives you more energy, but also because you can get through until your next main meal without constantly feeling hungry.

I so wish that I’ come across this this Pregnancy Smoothe and The Healthy Pregnancy Eating & Exercise Plan book as then I might now have gained 15kgs during my pregnancy!!

The Pregnancy Smoothie has an RRP of $49.95 (500g/makes 16 smoothies), while The Healthy Pregnancy Eating & Exercise Plan book has an RRP of $39.95 (currently on special for $19.95!) – Available from The Healthy Mummy

But The Healthy Mummy also has a range of smoothies, cookbooks and exercise plans designed to help a new mum lose that baby weight, which I might check out in my quest to lose the last 5-kgs to get me back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and hopefully back in my old clothes again…

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVEW: SHANGHAI SUZY LIPSTICKS

I don’t think there is an Australian beauty blogger that doesn’t rave about the lipsticks from the Melbourne based brand Shanghai Suzy, so when I was asked to trial some of the lipsticks for myself, I happily accepted. Here are my thoughts;

 

What They Say:
Founded by former cosmetics marketing exec Joanna Wheaton, Shanghai Suzy is a lipstick-only cosmetics brand housing a bold and bright range of lipsticks. The only cosmetics brand of it's kind, Shanghai Suzy takes it's cues from the fashion industry – each colour lipstick is limited edition and a new on-trend range is delivered every season.

RRP: $12.95 – Available from Shanghai Suzy Online and Select Stockists

What I Say:

 

So Shanghai Suzy is different from other lipstick brands in that every lipstick is a limited edition colour, only available for that season, with new shades released twice yearly according to fashion trends.

 

The lipsticks are available in three different formulas, 'Matte' or 'Nourish' The 'Matte' formula is thick, creamy and long-lasting, and the 'Nourish' formula contains jojoba seed oil and Vitamin E to care for and moisturise lips while giving the lips a slight sheen. All the lipsticks have a very sweet lolly-like scent of grape bubble gum. I personally don’t mind the scent, but it is quite strong, and can deter some from purchasing the lipsticks – especially older generations, who may find the scent a little too ‘youthful’ if you like

 

I tried the following colours:

 

• Miss Leah Baby Cocoa (Nourish)
• Miss Olivia Apricot (Nourish)
• Miss Courtney Electric Flamingo (Matte)
• Miss Bree Pink Blush (Matte)  

 

 

L-R: Miss Leah, Miss Olivia, Miss Courtney, Miss Bree

 

 

Of these four shades, I prefer Miss Leah Baby Cocoa as it is a perfect nude/mauve shade for everyday wear. I also really like Miss Olivia Apricot, which is a gorgeous apricot-coral shade that is very wearable too.

 

Miss Bree is a medium pink matte shade, which I would describe as warm toned, and Miss Courtney is a bright matte blue based pink. I generally don’t tend to wear a lot of bright pink shades on my lips, so probably the reason why I prefer the other two shades. Another reason can be that I have so far not found a matte lipstick that I really like as I find they are often uncomfortable to wear, and looks very drying on the lips too. But in saying that, both pink shades are also very beautiful, and certainly will be put to good use as well.

 

 

 

L-R: Miss Leah, Miss Olivia, Miss Courtney, Miss Bree

 

  

But regardless if you pick the Matte or the Nourish lipsticks, they all have a beautiful creamy formula that just glides onto the lips, and feels very comfortable to wear, with n drying feeling at all!

  

The lipsticks lasts about 3-4 hours on the lips, less if you eat something greasy, with the Matte formula seemingly lasting slightly longer than the Nourish formula –but all in all that is pretty good in my opinion.

  

The lipsticks come in stylish square black packaging, and I really love that there is a larger sticker at the one end so you can easily see the shade of the lipstick, as it makes it easier to pick out the chosen from your makeup drawer without having to open countless lipsticks first.

  

At just $12.95 the lipsticks are very reasonably priced, and in fact a lot cheaper than most other drugstore lipsticks, yet the quality is premium, and up there with lipsticks that cost 2-3 times as much!

 

If you haven’t already checkout out the lipsticks I highly recommend that you do, and meanwhile, I’ve now got my eyes on a couple more shades to add to my (hopefully) growing collection..

 

*Some products may have been provided for consideration, but would still be reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

 

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DISNEY PIXAR INSIDE OUT MOVIE AND TOYS

I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge Disney Pixar fan, and I cannot wait for my 2 year old to be old enough to take to the movies, as it gives me an excuse to see the animated films myself!

The newest Disney Pixar animated movie is Inside Out has just premiered on the 18June, and it is a film that is set in the mind of a young girl, Riley Andersen, where five personified emotions—Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear, and Sadness.

Inside Out will take you to a place that everyone knows, but no one has ever been to: the world inside the human mind. Viewers will be led inside 11 year--‐old Riley’s head, through a journey of emotions felt by us all – those of fear, sadness, joy, disgust and anger.

The emotions live in “Headquarters” (the control centre inside Riley’s mind) where they lead Riley through everyday life. Riley is guided by these emotions as she is uprooted from her hometown in the Midwest United States, and struggles to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, where her father has started a new job. As Riley struggles with her emotions in her new city life, turmoil ensues in Headquarters and although Joy (Riley's main and most important emotion) tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new town, house and school.

And to coincide with the launch of the film, TOMY has launched an exciting toy line, bringing to life the film characters. which The exciting Inside Out toy line that brings to life the rich movie characters of the film and their colourful personalities, including Riley’s five emotions; Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust.

Products include collectable movie character figures, basic plush toys, talking plush toys, and engaging interactive headsets for each of the characters.

We put the basic plush, Fear, who does his best to protect Riley and keep her safe. There are very few things that he has not found to be dangerous. The skinny bodied Fear was an instant hit with my little boy, who loved Fear’s funny look and huge eyes. Fear Basic Plush, RRP: $14.95.

We also put the talking plush toys Disgust and Anger to the test. Disgust is like a green doll, and her job is to keep Riley from being poisoned, physically or socially. When you squeeze her hand and she’ll say one of seven phrases as heard in the movie, including “Fine. Whatever.” and “That is the most disgusting thing that I have ever seen.”

Anger, on the other hand is a little stumpy short-legged bright red character that in the film organises tantrums for important causes such as "nap eradication" and "more cookies". When you squeeze his hand he’ll say one of seven phrases from the movie, including “Oh, I'll show you attitude, old man.” and “Don't touch me.” I have to say that while I think Anger is rather cute, unfortunately my little boy hasn’t got the same opinion. Admittedly he is only two years old and these characters are intended for 3-4+ year olds, and I simply don’t think he likes Anger’s angry outburst and looks, but on the other hand much prefers the bubblier attitude of Disgust. The Talking Plush Toys have an RRP of $26.95 each.


Finally, we also tested out the Emotions Console, which is at the center of the Headquarters. It's what the emotions use to control Riley's mood and actions. Joy is always ready to take charge when something great happens!


 

The Emotions Console comes with a unique Joy Figure, and we also tested the Anger Core Figure. When you bring Joy (or any of the other Core Figures, which are sold separately) near the Console, the figures will glow! Each of the figures comes with a cool Memory Spheres that fit into the Memory Sphere holder of The Console and when you press the button on the control panel, the surface of The Console will light up. My little boy thought that his was rather cool, and it didn’t take him long to figure out how to do it. But again, he is a tad young for it, so I decided to put the memory sphere away, as it rather small, as while he doesn’t normally put things in his mouth, I don’t want to find out the hard way that he has! The Emotions Console has an RRP of $29.95, which additional Core Figures have an RRP of $12.95 each.

The Inside Out Toy line from TOMY is available from Target, Toys R US, Big W, Myer and Toyworld.

Overall I think that the movie sounds and looks amazing, and it has also had amazing reviews, including a 4.5 star rating (out of 5 stars), in last week’s Herald Sun, which you rarely see. So I so wish that our little boy was just a little older and would benefit from watching it, but unfortunately I think he is still too little, so sadly I won’t get to see it either!

The matching toys from TOMY, are equally cool, and while my little boy is a touch too young to understand all the emotions, I love that not everything is sugar-sweet, as so many other kids movies and toys, but rather that the movie helps introduce these strong emotions to the children and teaches them how to deal with them, all while having fun!

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ROCK & RUDDLE NATURAL BOAR BRISTLE & NYLON HAIR BRUSH

Today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the Natural Boar Bristle and Nylon Hair Brush from Rock & Ruddle;

What They Say:

This Rock & Ruddle Hairbrush is made in the traditional style with tufts of boar bristle. This natural bristle distributes the hair’s oil down each shaft giving the hair extra shine. Each tuft also includes one nylon strand to gently separate, detangle and smooth the hair. It is perfect for brushing, blow drying and shaping all hair types and lengths. Available in various designs and prints, including Zebra, Snake and Leopard print.

RRP: $59.95 – Available from David Jones


What I Say:

I have quite long and thick hair, and have had for almost as long as I can remember – often considered getting it cut shorter, but yet to get the courage! Anyway, with so much hair, having the right hair tools is essential to not only make styling easier, but certainly also to help maintain healthy hair.

A hair brush is one of those essential tools, if not the most important one, yet, I don’t think I’ve ever owned a ‘good’ hair brush. For some reason I’ve always been happy spending up big on salon quality shampoos, conditioners and treatments, but when it comes to my hair brushes, a cheap plastic drugstore one have been all I’ve ever known. Until I was offered to try the Natural Boar Bristle and Nylon Hair Brush from Rock & Ruddle;

The Rock & Ruddle brand comes from the UK where it was founded by Alexandra Rock and Jackie Ruddle in 2012, and all brushes are made in the UK.
Again, I’ve never used a quality hair brush, mainly because the ones I’ve come across have been ridiculously expensive, and for some reason I haven’t seen it as an ‘investment’, and an item that would last forever. So I’ve also never tried brushing my hair with boar bristles, but only nylon/plastic ones – and from the very first brush, I could tell the difference.

And the Rock and Ruddle brush make my long thick hair so much easier to comb, without I feel that I have to drag and pull my hair to get rid of any knots and tangles. I only wash my hair every 2-3 days, and still my hair is never particularly greasy, not even at the scalp, yet a bit of build up of oil in the scalp can never be avoided when you don’t wash your hair every day, - but when brushing my hair with the brush, I can both see and feel that this oil is evenly distributed throughout my hair, which also helps give my hair natural shine, and not to mention, help keep my hair healthier by providing the lengths with natural oils that stops it from drying out!
But the brush also helps keep your hair cleaner for longer, as the scales on the bristles help pick up dirt and excess oils as you brush your hair. And of course, you can easily clean the bristles by dipping them in soapy water, making sure to never to submerge the whole brush into the water. If needed you can remove the bristle bad and clean it separately, before clicking it back into the brush.

They also keep the hair clean as the scales pick up dirt and excess oils as the go through the hair. The bristles can be cleaned by dipping them in warm, soapy water.

The brush is also suitable for use when blow drying or styling your hair, but I have to admit that being pregnant and having a toddler to look after at the same time, I often haven’t got the time or the energy to do a lot to my hair, so I predominantly just leave it to dry by itself, so I’m yet to try how it performs when used for blow-drying.

The brush I tried comes with a gorgeous Leopard design, which is such a refreshing change from the usual silver or black brushes that I’ve been using for decades, and it is also available in a Snake or Zebra design, as well as various other designs and prints so there is something for every taste, as well as it is also available in a small version (RRP $39.95), so your child can have a matching version!

Overall I really love this brush. Not only does it look super stylish, it is also making a huge difference to the overall health of my hair, and how shiny and healthy it looks on a daily basis. If only I’d come across the Rock and Ruddle brushes sooner. Now I’m keen to get hold of one of the small brushes as I would be perfect for the handbag too! 

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


Ever heard of Rock and Ruddle? What type of hair brush do you use?

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KEEPING YOUR BABY & TODDLER SAFE IN THE BATHROOM WITH DREAMBABY

Today I'd like to share with you some new products from DreamBaby that helps in keeping your baby and toddler safe in the bathroom.

The Dreambaby Easy-Clean Potty Seat

Our little boy is almost 2 years old, I believe that we are getting very close to starting to need potty training as he is starting to let us know when he needs to ‘go’. Thanks to this cute Easy-Clean Potty Seat from Dreambaby this training will hopefully be a whole lot easier. The seat fits onto most toilets and has a convenient handles on the sides giving the toddlers something to hang onto to make them feel more secure. The seat is also cushioned to make long ‘sessions’ more comfortable for little bums. And as the cushioned seat comes away from the base of the seat, it is also easy to clean afterwards. It comes with the cutest ocean theme pattern that the kids will love! RRP: $19.95


Dreambaby Anti-Slip Bath Mat

Our little boy loves his bath, and has now more or less outgrown his baby bath tub that we used to sit inside the bathtub. The baby bathtub had a non-slip pattern in the bottom, so moving him into the big, and slippery bath is a daunting task, but for him, but for mummy and daddy as well! This cute Anti-Slip Bath Mat from Dreambaby is sure to take the stress away for all of us. The Bath Mat has suction cups underneath that holds it securely in place in the bathtub. And it is so cute, decorated with an ocean theme and fun animals, which our little boy instantly fell in love with.

And I love that it has a heat-sensing starfish in the corner, which cleverly changes colour if the bath water is too hot, making it very safe too. Occasionally we also take our little boy in the shower, which he also loves, but again, the shower base can be very slippery for little feet, but again, the bathmat works perfectly so he doesn’t slip!


Dreambaby Bath Tub Spout Cover

Finally, the last new product is the Dreambaby Bath Tub Spout Cover. The bath spout sticking out of the wall can be a very dangerous thing, as it is often very sharp, so not great if your little one happens to bang their head onto one! But sadly it cannot be moved, but thanks to this Bath Tub Spout Cover, you can at least cover it up to make it a safer environment for your child, should he slip and knock his head.

The blow-up cover has a nice cushioned effect on the spout, and fits most taps, and of course it has a hole underneath so you can still run the water whilst it is on the tap. It is decorated with cute whales fitting the bath themes. RRP: $6.95


So there you go, a selection of brilliant new products from Dreambaby will help make a safer environment for your little one – and all at budget friendly prices so you simply cannot afford not to child proof your house!

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ESTEE LAUDER COURREGES MAKEUP COLLECTION

To coincide with the (European) summer of 2015, Estee Lauder has launched a limited edition makeup collection called Courreges, which has been made in connection with the French Clothing Brand. The collection includes 13 pieces, and here are my thoughts on some of them;

What I Say:

The Courreges Estee Lauder collection is described as a “pop-timistic 13-piece limited edition line that marries the floating-on-air feeling of an embellished Courrèges mini dress, and the punched-up precision of Estée Lauder’s progressive product design, seen through the Courrèges lens. The formulations were designed to be surprising in their lightness, in their sensorial delivery, their translucency, reflectivity, and in their pop-y palette. They are an invitation to have fun with color, texture and special effects while defying the confines of nostalgia by creating a look that is wholly of today.

Common for all the products is that they are housed in stunning and simple white and silver packaging, which is very different from Estee Lauders usual gold packaging, but it is absolutely beautiful. 


Super Lashes

I have to be completely honest and admit that I am rarely using false lashes. Firstly because I am hopeless at applying them, and secondly because being pregnant (currently almost 39 weeks as I write this), my nights are spent at the couch, drained after spending the day chasing our 22 month old boy around – so hardly the time or the place. In saying that, these full and long lashes look absolutely amazing and will take your eye makeup to the next level. I will definitely keep these ready for the next time the perfect occasion to wear them strikes! RRP: $52.00



Super Gloss in Rosy Future

This lipgloss comes in a super stylish packaging with a silver pointed tip that makes precise application a breeze. To dispense the gloss you simply need to pump once or twice. The Super Gloss is only available in one shade, Rosy Future, which is a beautiful fuchsia pink colour saturated shade with a high gloss that looks that looks stunning on the lips, both for day and night time use. And it has a good long wear of several hours and feels incredible on the lips too, light and non-sticky. Oh, and it smells fantastic too! I absolutely love it and wish that it wasn’t a limited edition product, and that more shades were available! RRP: $42.00


 Ultra White EyeLiner in Lunar White

I always wear liquid eyeliner, and I have been for as long as I can remember, but usually it is either dark brown or black, so this Ultra White shade is quite different for me, and certainly one I have to get used to. I think it would probably be more suitable for wear during spring and summer (as the collection is initially intended). The eyeliner is easy to use and the fine tip draws a super fine colour saturated line in just one swipe. The formula is thick, yet it dries quickly and stays put for hours! RRP: $42.00


Iridescent Ball Highlighter

This white plastic ball contains a highlighter with a powder gelee consistency. It is suitable for use on the cheeks, or any other area of the face you’d like to highlight, including cheek bones, and under the brow bone, and it gives a beautiful but subtle look with just the right amount of sheen, without being too shiny or glittery. It is easy to use, both with your fingers, but certainly also with a brush, and thanks to the round ball container it is also easy to take in your handbag for touch-ups on the go. RRP: $42.00


Lip + Cheek Ball in Ultra Pink

This gloss cream has the consistency of a light gel, and it can be used to add both a tint to the lips as well as a natural stain to the cheeks for a natural rosy glow. The shade Ultra Pink actually looks bright red in the gorgeous silver ball, but once applied it applies sheer, and is far from that bright or dark, although you can of course build up the colour as it is so pigmented. And I love the fact that you can use it on both lips and cheeks, and again, the round ball packaging means that you can take it with you on the go too! RRP: $42.00


Eye Amplifier in Aqua Silver and Black Silver

These mono eye shadows come in two shades, Aqua Silver, which is a blue-ish grey shade, and Black Silver and in a round white compact, with a clear twist off lid. The eye shadows have a nice sheen without being too shimmery, and they blend extremely easily, and have a very high pigmentation, so while you can apply then with just a wash of colour, you can also build up the intensity, and even more so if you apply them wet! They last extremely well, even on my greasy eyelids, so even in the end of the day they look freshly applied and have not creased into fine lines, which is rare for me, so I wish that there were more colours available and they weren’t limited edition! RRP Each: $42.00



Illuminations Face Powder

This is a powder illuminator that comes in a white compact with a clear screw lid. The powder give the skin a lovely shimmery sheen and a healthy glow, without being too shimmery, although, you do have to be careful not to be too heavy handed or it can turn out almost metallic looking on your skin. The soft powder is easy to apply with a large brush to the cheeks, and brow bones or anywhere else you’d like a nice glow, and it is very fine, so it still looks natural on the skin, and doesn’t emphasise pores of fine lines. It also has a good wear, with next to no fading. RRP: $52.00


Also available from the Courreges Collection:

• Lip Visor: A lip gloss: RRP: $42.00
• Eye Glide Pencil – Available in Silver Streak – RRP: $36.00
• Kabuki Brush: RRP: $65.00
• Hair Mascara: RRP: $52.00

Overall this is a beautiful collection, and all the products I’ve tried are so easy to use and so lovely to wear. My favourites would have to be the Super Gloss, the Iridescent Ball Highlighter, the Lip + Cheek Ball, the Eye Amplifiers and the Illuminations Face Powder… yep, 5 favourites out of 7 products, that’s not bad is it, but just goes to show that it is a lovely collection. But then again, I have always loved the products from Estee Lauder for their high quality, and this new modern Courreges collection is no exception.

But don’t forget that this is a limited edition collection, so make sure to check out the products at your nearest store now, so you won’t miss out!

*Some products may have been provided for consideration, but would still be reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: ELIZABETH ARDEN BEAUTIFUL COLOR MOISTURIZING LIPSTICK IN MATTE

Today I’d like to share with you some newly launched lipsticks from Elizabeth Arden, the Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Matte Shades;

What They Say:
Matte Meets Moisture. Lush, luxurious colour that lasts for 12 hours – now in a velvety matte finish. Creamy, conditioning lipstick glides on with silky smooth comfort and saturates lips with bold, intense colour. Available in 6 Shades.

RRP: $35 – Available from Elizabeth Arden at Myer, David Jones and Select Pharmacies

What I Say:

 

As soon as I received these lipsticks, I was in love. The actual packaging is just stunning as the lipsticks come in a sleek gold version of the iconic Elizabeth Arden Red Door design and logo. Just so luxurious that it is a shame to hide the lipstick away in your handbag!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new range of matte lipsticks is available in 6 beautiful and very wearable shades, and I got to try the shades Rose Petal and Nude.

 

• Rose Petal (47) - A soft mauve-pink is the perfect medium shade that is perfect for everyday wear, and would suit most skin tones.  
• Nude (43) - A soft neutral shade. Normally nude shades look horrible on me, but this shade has just the right amount of shade and warmth to just right.

 

And needless to say that the lipsticks feel so incredibly beautiful on the lips too. They’ve been made using ingredients such as of Mango,Shea and Murumuru butters to infuse lips with nourishing, conditioning and soothing oils, and Argan Oil and Vitamin E to provide antioxidant protection. And as well as promise to boost the lips with a 60% increase in moisturisation, they also promise fuller, healthier and plumper lips! Love a good multi-tasking product that cares for the skin as you wear it.

 

 

L-R: Nude and Rose Petal

 

  

The lipsticks are very pigmented, and just a quick swipe gives your lips an intense matte look. And while matte lipsticks often feel and look drying on the lips, this is far from the case with these new lipsticks as they really do feel light, soft and moisturising on the lips.

 

And as the lipsticks are so highly pigmented, they also last very well on the lips. Elizabeth Arden does claim they last 12 hours due to a fade-resist complex keeps, and while I didn’t quite get them to last that long, I did manage to get 8+ hours wear, which personally I think is pretty good too, especially seeing it only just started wearing off after a meal, and until then, still looking freshly applied and without any feathering or bleeding. And when they do fade, they do so evenly to a nice stain, without any blotchiness.

  

I’m not usually a fan of matte lipsticks as the often both feel and look drying on the lips but these Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick continue to feel and look nice on the lips throughout the day, no dryness or cracking in sight.

  

Overall this is really an amazing new range of lipsticks, no doubt the most comfortable matte lipstick that I’ve ever tried. And while, as a beauty blogger, I don’t deny having quite a large collection of lipsticks, these no doubt are amongst my absolute favourite ones. Well done Elizabeth Arden.

  

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

  

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PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT MAY 2015

The May Lust Have It box arrived on my doorstep Monday 8th June. After running delays for the past many months, LHI announced a while ago that they would skip the April box to get back on track, but still the May box didn’t quite manage to arrive within the relevant month, although the delay wasn’t quite as big as previous months. But here’s my thoughts on this month’s box;

What They Say
Lust Have It boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/month! Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples. Delivered to your home or work each month for you to try.

RRP: Lust Have It Box (monthly) RRP: $19.95, Eco Box (quarterly) RRP: $29.95 – but if you use my unique code LIFESTYLE at the checkout on the Lush Have It website, you are eligible for $5 off your first box from Lust Have It, and at the same time you’ll also be supporting Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, as I will get a few dollars too if someone subscribes using this code.
Available from Lust Have It 


What I Say:
Like last month, the products this month came in a plain, foldable plain gift box, only this month it’s pink. Not sure why LHI has gone to this style of packaging, but I don’t really mind as I have heaps of the mesh toilet bags previously used anyway. Anyway, this is what was in the box;

Bloom Foundation Stick – Full Size (RRP: $35.00)

Boxes either came with the foundation stick or foundation brush. I got the foundation stick in shade base3, which I’m personally happy with as I already have numerous foundation brushes. As for the shade, it is a little dark for my winter pale skin, but hoping it will work come spring and summer. Regardless I am looking very forward to trying it out as I don’t recall ever trying any makeup from Bloom.


Soak Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Lotion – Sample Sizes 25ml each (RRP: Shampoo and Conditioner $24.95/500ml each, Body Lotion, $29.95/500ml)

 

A brand that is completely new to me, which I love – well except that the body lotion also popped up in this month’s Violet Box, so at least the shampoo and conditioner are new to me. The product promises to be packed jam full of vitamins and minerals good for the skin and hair, so I look forward to trying out these products.


Lonvitalite 24K Active Golden Yulan Oil Facial Mask and 24K Active Gold Eye Mask – One Mask of each (RRP: $9.95/each)

I said this last month, and sadly will say it again, but unfortunately Lonvitalite face masks seems to be popping up in every single type of subscription box these days, so they really don’t excite me that much – I do love these masks from Lonvitalite, and hence they won’t go to waste, but I would have preferred to see a product from a brand that was new to me.



Nuxe Reve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream – Sample, 15ml (RRP: $19.95/75ml)

Boxes either came with the hand cream or the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, but ) as I’ve previously tried the oil (as it has been popping up in beauty subscription boxes previously) I’m quite happy that I get to try out the hand cream plus the small tube is the perfect size to pop into the handbag when you’re on the go.


Hola Seaweed Moisturising Repair Cream – Full Size ($24.95/50g)

Boxes come with one of several different products from Hola, including cleansers, toners, masks, eye cream or moisturisers, ranging in value from $17.95 to $24.95, and well, I got the Seaweed Moisturising Cream. I’ve never heard of this brand before so would love to try out this local Victorian brand. However, the moisturiser that I got is supposed to be super rich and intended for very dry skin, so unfortunately not the ideal match for my combo skin – so I might have to pass this one on to a friend.


So there you go, the contents in the May Lust Have It box. It contains a total of 8 products, of which four were full-sized, three were deluxe samples and two were mini samples.

There was a good variety of products including makeup, haircare, bodycare and skincare, with something for everyone.

In terms of value, just the Hola moisturiser on its own is more expensive than the cost of the box, and to that you can add the Bloom foundation stick and the Lonvitalite masks, so this month it really is value for money.

In spite of not being able to use the Hola moisturiser, I still feel that this months box is pretty good, and certainly exceed those of past months. Well done Lust Have It, I cannot wait to see what you’ve got in store for next month!

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: VIOLET BOX MAY 2015

Today it is all about the May Violet Box, here are my thoughts on this month’s box; 

What They Say:
Violet Box brands promises to every month include 4-6 premium beauty and lifestyle samples from well-known and trusted Australian beauty brands as well as exciting new International brands, one in particular is a revolutionary product currently trending in New York and has been featured in Vogue and on the Today Show!

RRP: You can subscribe to Violet Box for:

1 month – $22.95
3 months - $66.00
6 months - $130
12 months - $250

Available from Violet Box


What I Say:
As per usual this month the Violet Box comes in the typical slide-out box, with the grey and white swirly design that has been previously used. These were the goodies inside the box…

Mistura Kabuki Brush – Full Size - RRP $14.95

This was a sneak peek for the May box. I’ve never heard of the brand Mistura before, and I always love coming across new brands. This is a small kabuki brush without a handle, made with very soft synthetic bristles. It is a lovely brush and I can definitely see myself getting a lot of use from it. But I do find it a little awkward to use, and generally prefer brushes with handles, and struggle holding this one in the palm of my hand as suggested, but find it easier simply holding it with my fingers. It also makes for a perfect brush to pop into your makeup bag on the go because of the small size.

Soak Skin Booster Body Lotion – Sample, 25ml (RRP $29.95/500ml)

 

Another brand new to me, YAY! This body lotion has been infused with chia seeds promising to deliver super nutrients to your body. I know chia seeds is one of those hyped about foods at the moment, but I’m yet to jump on the wagon. Still, if the moisturiser can deliver some much needed moisture to my skin, then I’m all for it. I can’t wait to put it to the test.


Hair & Me Rejuvenation Treatment – Full Size (RRP: $19.95)

And another new brand, YAY again! This is a prewash hair treatment that you use in your hair for 45 minutes, and then wash your hair, twice, and then condition as normal. It is made from organic ingredients and promises to rejuvenate and restore hair. Sounds perfect for my hair, only finding the time to do this, with a newborn and a 2 year old, sadly means that I mostly rely on quick hair treatments.


Urban Skincare Co. Backstreet Collection Infuse Body Balm –Sample 35ml (RRP $12.95)

 

This body balm smells absolutely amazing of lemon, and if you’re a regular reader, you’d know I’ve got a soft spot for zesty citrus scents, so I absolutely love this body balm. In saying that, I have previously tried this body balm as it has been included in a previous beauty box, so as such there is no novelty factor with this body balm for me, but then again, as I really love it, and have been thinking about purchasing a full sized bottle, essentially I don’t mind!


Meraki Body Body Scrub – Sample – (RRP: $17)

And another new brand, triple YAY. Unfortunately the card didn’t say much about this product, but a quick search and I believe to have found that this is in fact a strawberry and coconut body scrub that not only soft and fresh, but as it is made with oils to help with the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, spider veins, age spots, acne, scars, eczema, psoriasis and also nourishes the skin beautifully. I’m yet to open it, but it does sound lovely, here’s just hoping that the strawberry scent will be the dominant one as I’m not particularly keen on coconut scented products.

Overall, I’m pretty happy with this month’s box, and no items will go unused, and I am pretty impressed too with the introduction of a whole three new brands that are new to me. And with two full sized products, and three fairly large samples, the box also performs in terms of value. Having said that, the variety of the products in the box is not as great as previous boxes, containing two body creams and no makeup items (other than the brush!) or facial skincare products. Personally I don’t mind, but in the end of the day, guess that an alternative products instead of one of the body lotions would have been more ideal.

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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