Chloe x Ciate // Pretty, Fun and Fearless

As one of my favourite Australian youtubers, I was very much intrigued when Chloe Morello first announced her collaboration with Ciate London. Mostly known for their nail polishes, Ciate has only quite recently ventured into makeup and having tried nothing from them before - I was a bit wary when approaching this collection! I hadn't heard much about Ciate's makeup, but I decided to trust in Chloe! Everything in her Beauty Haul really appealed to me, and at $70, I thought it was a pretty good deal! This set has sold out a couple of times already in Australia, but I've heard rumblings that Mecca is trying to get together some more stock, so if you wanted it but didn't manage to get it, keep an eye out! Anyway - let's get into the review!

In the Spotlight // Crop's Cosmetics

Crop Natural Skincare* is a relatively new brand that came out with a small range of skincare a little while ago, and just recently launched their makeup line! Crop is a natural brand with no nasties like parabens, mineral oil, petrochemicals, etc. It's suitable for sensitive skin and doesn't test on animals! The whole ethos behind the brand is very admirable and you can read more about it on their website! I was very generously sent almost the whole range of makeup (thank you so much Crop!) and have been testing them out for the past few weeks. Before I get into the reviews, I do want to mention the packaging! It's lovely and minimal and looks quite classy - I'm into it. Oh and, unfortunately I couldn't really test the liquid foundation or brow pencil as they are the wrong shades for me! I will try and keep this post concise and I've split the products up into recommendations, 'eh' products and ones that I wouldn't recommend, so keep reading for my thoughts!

They see me Rollin'...They Hatin'

Ah yes, I'm back with another song-inspired title. Today I have the much-talked about Benefit Roller Lash* which has been on the hype train for the past month-ish. Isn't that always the way with Benefit products! They certainly know how to make a fuss! I was very kindly gifted the mascara at the Obsession 2015 event. The whole shebang about this mascara is that it supposedly curls even the straightest, shortest lashes. Straight? Short? That's me! I had pretty high hopes for this mascara, what with the millions of reviews already out there, but I think my skepticism has proved to be right...

Lashings of Rimmel

Rimmel is not a brand I would necessarily go to for mascaras, nor is it a brand that gets many raves for its mascaras, but, if you actually went to the Rimmel stand, you'd notice they have a load of different mascaras. It's actually really surprising. However, quality over quantity right? I've managed to come into the possession of two Rimmel mascaras; the Lash Accelerator Endless and the new Scandaleyes Mascara by Kate Moss*. Keep reading for my thoughts on them!

LUMA Cosmetics by Jess Hart

Happy Aussie day peeps! What better way to celebrate the national day than feature a few products from Australian born and bred brand; Luma! Luma was created by Australian supermodel Jess Hart and focuses on using natural ingredients (free of nasties like parabens, synthetic colours, mineral oils and synthetic fragrances) to achieve the natural, glowing look. These days, I definitely think less is more with makeup, and we've all been really gravitating towards that natural, minimalistic makeup, which these Luma products are perfect for. I also really love that they list on the packaging in percentage how natural the product is. Keep reading though because as much as I love the concept, I don't think they quite deliver to the fullest extent...

On trend, In style

Hi guys! As you guys may have seen through numerous blog posts and instagram photos, November's issue of InStyle magazine contains three full size Napoleon Perdis products! The magazine retails for $12.95, and the products are valued at $82, so that's a pretty darn good deal in my opinion! I hardly ever buy magazines, I'd rather read about beauty on blogs who often, in my opinion, seem more educated on the subject... Nevertheless, I couldn't pass up a deal like this!

The gift includes a cream blush, lipgloss and a mascara that don't have any shade names (aside from the mascara). Like Cherie mentioned, these products aren't available in the permanent Napoleon Perdis range and they seem to have mass produced these particular products for giveaway. This seems to lower the value of them in my opinion as you can't actually purchase them. However, three full size products for $12.95 is often better than you can find at the drugstore, and it doesn't hurt that they have the Napoleon Perdis branding. 

The cream blush is probably the main reason I decided to pick it up. My cream blush collection is very limited (excluding my lipstick-come-blush concoction, the only true cream blush I have is from Model's Prefer) and I really wanted to expand it. The packaging is pretty consistent with other Napoleon Perdis products (see below in a comparison to a palette from them). It is in a plastic/acrylic square compact. I can't decide whether the overall plastic packaging is tacky or chic...It seems, however, very cheaply made. The plastic creaks and doesn't feel very luxe at all. There is no clasp on the compact which thoroughly annoys me - it stays closed on the stiffness of the hinge, which over wear I expect will loosen. There's nothing stopping this from popping open and making a mess! It has the Napoleon medallion on the top and a pretty tiny, useless mirror on the inside.

The colour is a really lovely, wearable and natural dusky, tawny type rose-pink. It would pretty much complement any look and I think would go well with most skin tones medium and lighter. The texture is very thin and slippy, almost greasy feeling. It doesn't look greasy on though, giving more of a healthy glow to the cheeks. It isn't a cream to powder and is therefore also wearable on the lips, albeit a little drying and line accentuating. It isn't too pigmented and I feel that it is very easy to blend away entirely, but it is easy to build. I like to apply it with my Real Techniques Stippling Brush. Due to its sheerer nature and thin texture, I find it very short wearing. I wish it lasted longer but it wouldn't be hard to touch up, but the packaging is pretty inconvenient for that.

The lip gloss is actually really nice, and I like it more than I expected I would. The packaging is also not that great on this...It's aesthetically pleasing in a hexagonally shaped tube and a gold lid, but very badly made. My tube was fine but the suction thing that cleans the wand as you pull it out dislodged into the cap therefore causing the wand to come out LOADED with product. It's pretty ridiculous. I'm not the only one to have this problem either. Sometimes when I open the tube it will be fine but others not so much... The lip gloss itself is nicely pigmented, with a thick, slightly sticky texture - I would say to the same extent as the MAC Creamsheen glasses and therefore decently wearing. It has a sweet scent, sort of similar to the Maybelline Baby Lips in Antioxidant Berry (if my memory serves me well). The shade is a light nude-peach with a very fine, hardly detectable golden shimmer. It isn't too light for me and makes my lips look really nice actually. Again, a wearable shade that I think would suit most people and makeup looks. 

Lipgloss, Cream blush

The set also came with the Lashes to Lashes mascara but I'm yet to open it as I have others waiting in the wings, and a couple open already. From my understanding it seems like a pretty standard mascara, with a standard brush. Nothing fancy.

I'm happy with the set and will get use out of the products but I'm not a fan of the sucky packaging and seeing as these are coming from a premium brand, I expected better quality packaging. In my opinion, there's definitely a decline in the quality (of the packaging). The products themselves are nice, but nothing I would pay full price for. I would still recommend picking the issue up if you remotely like what you see. You can find out more about the products on InStyle's website.

Did you pick up the mag? If so, did you have similar issues with the packaging?

Little Luxuries

Hello everyone! Today I have a bit of a different post all about samples - or rather those adorable deluxe sized ones that are mini versions of the full size. I have quite the collection of these (more than you see here), mainly due to the lot my mum has accumulated over the years. I seriously love the idea of these minis - they are completely free, some come in boxes with information pamphlets and sometimes they even give you a little baggie! It feels like you just bought something, but you didn't! They give you a great opportunity and a decent amount of product to try something a bit more expensive and get an idea of whether you like it, or it works for you. Most of my minis have been acquired either by asking, or through Gift With Purchases. 

Most of the bits are skincare, so I will start of with them.

Skincare is probably the easiest to get samples of, as it's definitely something that may not work or have an adverse reaction to your skin, in which case you definitely wouldn't want to have paid full price!

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense:

This little pot contains 7mL of product and I have been using it for the past 2 weeks and am only halfway! This is a really beautiful moisturiser - it is a gel-creme formulation which is super lightweight and fast absorbing, though very hydrating. It works well for my combination skin as a night cream, also as my skin is starting to get a bit dryer now that it is Winter. This could work well for dryer skins even as a day cream as it is not too heavy. It really helps moisturise those dry flaky patches. If I were to splurge on a moisturiser, this would be an option!

Estee Lauder Idealist:

This is supposed to be a serum that evens out the skintone and illuminates the complexion. I had funny feelings about this when I initially opened it as it contains sparkles. They are actually very pretty - almost like a iridescent pearl. After reading reviews online, I saw that many people said it didn't work well even after using a whole full-sized bottle. I figured I wasn't going to see any drastic results from my 7mL sample, so I decided to put the shimmer to use. I now almost use it as if it were a liquid illuminator, the shimmer it gives off is very subtle and natural. I like mixing it with matte foundations/BB creams and it makes the base a bit more dewy, and suprisingly doesn't affect the wear time or oil-controlling abilities. Obviously, I wouldn't suggest buying the full size to use as an illuminator, but maybe if you have the sample at home you can put it to a new use. 

Blob, blended

 Estee Lauder Daywear:

This little tube is 5mL which I find lasts a really good while. This is a really lovely day moisturiser that contains SPF 15. It's a lovely texture that sinks in well, is not heavy and is suitable for normal and combination skin. I really like this moisturiser and it mixes well with foundations.

SKII Cellumination Essence:

SKII is a very expensive Japanese brand that my mum has gotten quite a few samples from, haha. The two I've tried though I will be talking about. The first is this serum which is supposed to brighten the complexion. I've been using it for the past 2 weeks and honestly haven't noticed a difference. My skin looks slightly brighter but nothing really noticeable. The texture is very thin and sinks in immediately. It has no other benefits - it isn't moisturising or anything else. Not worth the money to be honest.

SKII Whitening Source Derm Brightener:

This is a moisturiser that I've been using mainly to help lighten dark spots. It is a thick cream that almost feels velvety when applied. For such a texture, It is not as moisturising as I thought. I have noticed the slightest lightening of my acne scars but for the price, I find the Garnier Dark Spot Correcter does a better job and is a much nicer texture and provides other benefits to the skin.

I don't have very many 'makeup' items and these you generally can't get for free outright, most are from GWP.

Lancome Hypnose Precious Cells Mascara:

I find these little sample tubes actually last a really long time. I absolutely love this mascara!  It is pretty much everything I look for in one - lengthening, defining and just in general making it look like I have more lashes. It gives that really fluttery lash look. It doesn't hold a curl but it's not waterproof, but it doesn't smudge or flake on me either. The wand is really cool and I think really helps with application. On one side it has shorter bristles and the other has longer ones. I apply with the shorter bristles then rotate and comb through with the longer ones to get good separation.

Longer, shorter

Shiseido Advanced Perfomance lipstick in Mauve Breeze:

Actually not a fan at all of this shade, and maybe it's just old but the formula is hard and sticky - yuck. The colour is an orangey-brown which would completely clash with my skintone. I had to include it though, because I have no other mini makeup, it's so darn cute in mini size!

Marc Jacobs Dot Perfume:

This vial size of perfume is really common and these you can get for free. I find they are really good for in the handbag or travel. I have a heap of these, Dot is a really lovely floral.

Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude:

These sizes are generally in GWP, but you can get them for free sometimes. These are also good for handbag or travel and are so cute in their mini bottles! I like Sensuous Nude better than the original, it's a very demure, subtle, classy scent.

OPI Nail lacquers:

These you can't get for free, they can be purchased in sets of four. They contain a tiny amount of 3.75mL which I think is probably the smallest you can get without being ridiculous. I like the idea of mini nail polish but I think these should be 5mL, rounds it off and the bottle wouldn't be so tiny. Tiny bottle = tiny brush. Also they aren't labelled which is so annoying!

L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate:

This was in a GWP, and is their very famous body lotion. It smells DIVINE. It's like a dollop cream consistency - so nicee! Ruth Crilly has named this the best body lotion ever so...

I hope this post wasn't too long! These are the minis I've been using lately, and I assure you there are more where they came from...

Do you have a lot of minis? Do you like the idea of them?

Majolica Majorca Mascara

Today I have an Asian mascara that I picked up in Hong Kong to share, I have heard so many good things about this brand of mascaras so I knew I wanted one of them! From reviews it seemed like the Lash Expander Frame Plus would be my best bet.

I have to say that the packaging of this mascara is gorgeous! I love the gold and black and the opulent lid with the Majolica stamp on the top.

This mascara contains fibers in it which are supposed to attach to the ends of your lashes making them physically longer. This is the first fiber mascara I've tried and while most of the fibers go where they should, some stick out in the wrong direction or not at the end of the eyelash. This can be fixed easily with a comb through of a lash comb or spoolie. 

The wand is quite a funny shape that takes some getting used to but one I have grown to love! it extremely skinny has a curved end of zig-zags and a straight end. I typically find it's easier to catch all my lashes with the straight side. The comb defines the lashes amazingly. I find it creates great length and definition making it quite a 'natural' look. I find the only area it lacks in is volume, which can be fixed by layering it over a volumizing mascara.

The formula is waterproof and smudge-proof and relatively easy to take off (provided you use a makeup wipe or remover). I really like this mascara and it might just be my new favourite! It will be a sad day when this runs out...