Haul // Estee Lauder Corporate Store #2

The most popular post on my blog is actually my haul from the Estee Lauder Corporate store - and today, I bring you another one! If you don't already know, the Corporate store is where all the discontinued, limited edition, factory seconds, etc go, and includes many brands owned by Estee Lauder. This time, my mum was invited through her work for a corporate night to raise money for breast cancer and she was allowed to bring along a couple of people. Of course I HAD to go, and here's what I picked up! Perhaps we should make this an annual thing heh ;)

Surprisingly I picked up quite a lot of Clinique stuff!

Clinique Superbalanced Powder Bronzer in Bronzed 1

I didn't pick this up intentionally, and I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it actually! It's a grinder style powder and comes with a sh*t ton of product - 13.5g!! The colour is nice (from my swatching at the store), matte and not too orange and quite pigmented. I may end up keeping it for myself heh... I bought it because it came with the next product!

Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in Lots o' Latte

So yeah, I bought this and the bronzer for only $20! How good is that?! They were selling the eyeshadow crayons for $21 on their own, and you'd have to be stupid to buy it that way, through this lil' duo you're saving a dollar and getting a free bronzer! Plus, you know, it's already heavily discounted. I'm really excited to try this, it swatches so beautifully - pigmented, creamy, and long lasting! The shade is much like Maybelline Bad to the Bronze but it's much more conveniently packaged and so much creamier.

Clinique Colour Surge eye shadow quad in Spicy

I bought this for only $15 - it retails for something like $60 which is absolutely ridiculous for a quad! The shades in this one are actually really pretty, they've got that rosy/brown/taupe feel to them. The formula is actually so lovely as well, buttery soft and pigmented. I think this shade may be discontinued unfortunately! Which would explain why it was at the Corporate store.

Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in Smoke Grey

This was only $10 (retail $37) so I figured I may as well pick it up! It swatched extremely creamy and opaque. It's a bit of a softer alternative to black, plus you could use it for a taupe smokey eye, or even filling in the brows?! I might be experimenting with that...it could end in disaster, but why not?

Clinique Cheek Pop Blush Pop in Peach Pop (I never realised how many 'pop's there were in the name, calm down Clinique)

I may have let out a squee when I saw these (Permission to squueeeeeeeeee - ILY if you got that reference)! They had all of the shades and I was so ready to buy them all (not really, but I sure as heck wanted to). I settled on Peach, even though I really liked the Ginger one too. It's such a typical me shade - a peachy-pink, but one I know I'll get wear out of. Plus, IT'S SO FRICKEN ADORABLE. I paid $24.

Also, now that I own a heap of Clinique shiz, I realised I love the  packaging. Silver, reflective and clear - oh so saxy.

Estee Lauder Stay-On Shadow Paint in Steel and Pink Zinc

Oooooh yeeeeah bebbeh. If you remember from my first haul, I picked up the shade Halo and grew to love it. The formula is probably my favourite cream shadow, so I was STOKED to pick up a couple more. You will never guess how cheap these were. I'll tell ya in a sec ;) But anyway, Pink Zinc is that typical pretty peachy/champagne/bronze shade and Steel is a bit more of a glittery shade (purple, silver, blue shimmers) and a gunmetal base. Not one I'll get a tonne of use out of, but when I get to my clubbing days ;) lol jks, I'm sure it'll make a really pretty topping shade!

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Cheek Rush in Techno Jam

This product is a cheek stain gel thingo which I haven't tried yet, but I've swatched on my hand and even when a lot is dispensed it seems to sheer out really nicely. I anticipate that this'll be perfect for Summer time, but I also think the shade could go well in the cooler months.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal Eyeliner in Blackened Black

Guys, I think I've found my HOLY GRAIL eyeliner! This stuff is insane. I really wasn't expecting to be wowed but HO, this stuff lasts on the tightline. Like legit, hardly any smudging (on a bad day) and it's still there come night time. That is some impressive stuff. I'm pretty devo that I only have a tiny lil' nubbin :(

But ANYway, so those four Estee Lauder prods came in a little pack for...$20. TWENTY DOLLARS I TELL YOU. If we do a little mathy math, the full prices are $42 + $42 + $60 = $144 for $20, not to mention the mini eyeliner! HOW CRAZY IS THAT. This bargain is beyond.

MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

I was actually surprised and excited to see this there, but then I remembered that the Mineralize line underwent a packaging makeover so it made sense. But also, I think this may be discontinued here?? It's no longer on the MAC Australia website (neither are any of the Mineralize blushes, dunno what's going on there)! Shocker because I know so many people love it! I'm really excited to own it myself, it's a gorgeous peachy bronze which is subtle yet adds life and warmth to the face. It really goes with everything! I paid $26.

So that's everything! I hope you guys enjoyed and I may or may not have picked up a couple of things for you guys for a future giveaway!! ;) ;) ;) I think I'll be holding one (hopefully) when I get to either 400 followers, or my 2 year blogiversary. Exciting times peeps!

Moisture Minis

Antipodes is a brand I've always heard so much about, being certified organic and using all natural ingredients, and one that I've always wanted to try products from. When they released a couple of limited edition mini sets, I knew I had to get my hands on one! They proved to be popular and I managed to snag the Moisture Boost Minis on sale, which features deluxe sized samples of the Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream and the Divine Face Oil.

Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream

The packaging of this is adorable, it's a petite metal tube that holds 15mL of product. I absolutely adore Antipodes' packaging style, and it well reflects the brand's natural ethos. The smell of this moisturiser is INCR-EDIBLE. It's just so delightfully delicious,  vanillary but comforting and almost a bit jasminey? Basically, it's amazing. So much so that when I used it at a sleepover, my friends were like "what is that smell?!" and I was like "ma moisturiser" ;)

Anyways, I've already featured this in a favourites post so y'all know I love it. The texture is quite thick and creamy, but easily rubbed into the skin. I find that it absorbs almost instantly and leaves skin feeling soft but dry to the touch, if that makes sense. It's so deliciously moisturising, but miraculously, sits really well under makeup, never making my skin feel oily or weighed down. A day cream that's lightweight yet uber moisturising? Yes please! I've since finished up the whole tube, and would definitely repurchase in the future!

Antipodes Divine Face Oil

The packaging on this one is equally as adorable. The teeny tiny bottle holds 10mL of product with its own lil' dropper, making it perfect for travel! I did actually take this on my one week trip down to Melbourne and it worked really well. I'll definitely be keeping the bottle and refilling it for travelling. 

As for the oil itself, I'm not sure it really wowed me to be honest! To be fair though, the extreme weather difference of Melbourne really took its toll on my skin! It was extremely dry and exposed to wind a lot of the time. I used this oil every night and occasionally in the morning, and I can't say it really helped my skin that much unfortunately! I was also using a different moisturiser though, so that needs to be taken into account as well. I'm not really a huge fan of the scent, though facial oils never really tend to smell that great! It isn't by any means a bad oil, it did moisturise my skin, sink in well and it didn't leave my face feeling greasy at all, it's just that I have others that perform much better. I haven't had the chance to test it in Brisbane weather conditions, mostly because I'm saving it for travel, but I will definitely report back when I do! 

So overall, one hit and one...miss(ish). There's no denying though that I still really want to try out more of the range! You may still be able to get your hands on the mini sizes at Priceline, but Antipodes is actually 20% off at Priceline at the moment so do take advantage!

Have you tried anything from Antipodes?

Empties #5

It's empties time y'all! I actually haven't done one of these in quite a while, but I've accumulated quite the load of rubbish. Since taking the photos for this post, I've actually finished up/am near finished quite a few others, so expect another empties soon!

T.N. Dickinson's All Natural Witch Hazel

Wow whee, talk about a throwback. This was featured in one of my early hauls and for those first few months, I really did love this. Its basic ingredients are pretty much witch hazel and alcohol which isn't that great. I didn't actually find it too drying, but it wasn't great. I feel like it did help clear my skin to some degree, though I've moved on to far better and brighter toners.

Repurchase? No.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Dang, I loved these pads. They are essentially pads soaked in a gentle chemical exfoliant which really helped keep my skin clear, helped fade dark spots, as well as improve my skin's texture. I'm currently back using my Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening toner, but I've now decided that a chemical exfoliant is definitely a skincare product I'd rather not be without!

Repurchase? Not right now, but totally in the future!

Garnier Dark Spot Treatment Night

I found this serum really helped out with dark spots, skin texture and acne - very much similar to the FAB pads. It also acts somewhat like a chemical exfoliant with the inclusion of Glycolic acid, though in a serum form. It's quite an affordable way to get some chemical exfoliating-ness in your routine!

Repurchase? I already have!

Indeed Labs Hydraluron

Contrary to everyone else, I really did not see any difference when using this serum. I used it every morning and I honestly can't say it helped much in the way of my skin's moisture of hydration. Personally I found it very disappointing. It's probably just my skin type but it was for sure a waste of money for me.

Repurchase? No.

Trilogy Very Gentle Moisturising Cream

I did really like this at one point, but in comparison to other moisturisers I've tried (Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream), I didn't find this outstanding. It was sufficiently hydrating, but I only ever used it mixed in with a facial oil. I did also find it slightly greasier than other night creams I've used.

Repurchase? Probably not.

Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturiser

I got this as a plane freebie, and it was interesting to say the least. It had a very gel like, almost a bit sticky, texture which in theory sounds like it would be totally moisturising, and while on the lips it does feel that way, I don't think it really moisturised my lips very much. It's been a while since I used it, and I honestly can't remember what it was like. I guess that's a testament to how much I cared for it.

Repurchase? No.

Beauty Care Co Makeup Remover Pads

I think these have been featured in other empties posts. These are the cheapest cotton rounds I've found - they're $2 for 200 which is a bargain! That is, however, reflected in the quality. They are a bit fluffy and come apart easily, but personally I don't mind, and for something like cotton pads, I'd rather not pay a lot.

Repurchase? Yep, unless I find something cheaper!

The Body Shop Moringa Soap

This was nice while I used it. I really do like the Moringa scent, however the soap itself isn't amazing, especially for coming from a brand like The Body Shop. It leaves my skin feeling a bit taut, and not moisturised at all. I'll be sticking to my Dove Beauty Bars thanks!

Repurchase? No.

Indola Glamour Precious Oil

This was one of my first hair oils, and I must say I enjoyed it right up till the end. It did everything a hair oil should; left it looking smooth and shiny, soft to the touch and hydrated. While I did really love it, I think the L'oreal Mythic Oil has surpassed it.

Repurchase? Probably not.

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge

Probably the best thing for cleaning brushes - and it's only $2.80! It cleans brushes really well with minimal effort. 

Repurchase? Definitely!

Rimmel BB Cream Matte

I got this little sample through their facebook page and I liked it enough to purchase it! It gives a really good coverage for a BB cream, a nice satin finish that lasts really well throughout the day on my combo skin. I tend to think of it more like a lightweight, light coverage foundation than a BB cream.

Repurchase? Well, I bought the full size!

Out on a Limb

It's tan time! Lawl jks. But not really, because guiz, I've been experimenting with fake tan. Wot a shocker. I really don't have any desire for fake tan because I'm tan enough for my liking, and diddly damn it seems like SO much effort! I've watched enough useless "Tanning 101s" to know that much. I did, however, want to even out my terrible ombre shirt tan for my formal, so I dug out my sample can of the Le Tan Wash Off instant tan in Bronze. I utilised all the knowledge I had gained from said tanning videos, and went in with some proper skin prep beforehand.

L-R: Breakfast Scrub, Body Milk

Wash Off sprayed

Wash Off blended (can ya even tell)

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub

One thing I do know about tan, is do not try applying it to dry skin. It'll cling, be obvious and just plain ratchet (I'm guessing). So, as a bit of an excuse, I ventured out to purchase a body scrub. I've been wanting this one for ages but could never justify it. It's already made it into a favourites post, so it was a good purchase indeed! This shiz smells divine. Sugary, maple syrup deliciousness confined in one glorious tub that gives a pretty dang good scrub (yaaaass got tha rhythm and rhymes). I thought that this might be messy to use and the sugar bits would just fall all over the shower floor, but actually the stuff hangs together in a gritty paste, and scrubs the skin really well. My skin feels super soft and smooth after use and prep for dat tan ;)

Decleor Moisturising Body Milk*

After I hop out of the shower, I smother this dang thing all over my bod. It's a really lightweight lotion consistency that doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. Definitely lovely for using in the hot weather, and I think good for applying tan on top. You wouldn't want anything too slippery right? It leaves my skin feeling moisturised indeed. It's also got quite a pleasant uplifting scent.

Le Tan Wash Off Instant Tan in Bronze

So clearly I'm not going for any gradual or lasting tan here. I really just wanted something easy, that was going to be a quick fix for the day. I was originally going to purchase Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs but remembered I had this guy sitting in my cupboard. I got it through a company called Pinch Me which pretty much sends out free samples for people to try and answer questions about. You guys know how much I love free stuff. But anyways, this guy fit the bill perfectly! It might look super dark, but as you can see, it blends really easily into the skin with hands, leaving a tint of colour that isn't streaky at all, and really looks quite natural. I'm lucky that the shade is pretty much on par with my natural skintone (they have two darker shades as well), so I could even out my pale-ass shoulders easily. It lasted through a hot night of dancing and shenanigans and as promised only came off with water and soap. Good stuff! Smells pretty nice too haha!

While delving into tan was a fun experience, I doubt I'll be doing it on any regular basis. Special occasions only really! Can you be bothered with fake tan?

*Product sent for consideration.

Monthly Favourites // October 2014

With just two months left of the year, before you know it we'll be getting used to saying "2015". How weird. It's actually unreal how quickly this year has past, but being my final year of high school, it's definitely been a memorable one for me! Omg, I'm talking like the year's already over. Staaaahp. Onto the favourites though, I don't have many since I've been getting back into the school-daily-makeup groove. There are a few new and notables though!

Look a' me, clawing into dat scrubby.

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub

Bebs, I would love you just for your smell. But no, there's so much more to you than that. Being the first body scrub I'd ever properly used, you could say it was a bit life-changing. I've been using this pretty much three times a week since I got it and it really helps slough away all that naayysty (it's hard to convey accent over text) dead skin. It's just the right grittiness to be sufficiently scrubby for the body, but not too rough. Also it's got shea butter and a few other moisturising ingredients that leave my skin feeling oh so smooth and soft. 

L'oreal Colour Riche Nutrishine Balm in Nudy Coral

This is just one of my staple products that I use all the dang time. What you see in the photo is pretty much all I have left! It's a really basic product, but one that is perfect for everyday (for me). It's quite a moisturising lip balm with the tiniest hint of peachy-orange. I've just been using it a lot this month, and it goes particularly well with my next product.

Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera

Yes, I know I only just hauled this, but for the almost two weeks I've had it, I've used it everyday. The colour is just such a pretty, lifting peachy-pink that isn't too cray, and really quite natural. Perfect for Spring if I do say so myself. This stuff is pigmented too - so you only need the slightest dab. Leaves a pretty, fresh, dewy cheek and lasts really well!

Bourjois Healthy Balance Unifying Powder in Dark Beige

I've been trying to resist using this because I want to finish my Australis powder but goddamn, it's so nice. Firstly, it's a really great shade match, and secondly the formula is spot on. The raves be real dawg. It's soft, "finely milled", sets and gives a matte finish without giving a matte finish. Y'all knaw m sayn. 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Punjab

I actually got this little pot sample a week before my formal when I went in to get shade matched, and although I haven't really used it, from the times I've worn it (three FYI) I've been so impressed. It just makes me want it even more gosh darn. It's definitely nothing like the name suggests. It has a medium-full coverage and a satin finish. It can cling to dry spots if you aren't careful in application, but it's gorgeous and it lasts amazingly. 

ALSO, I have some exciting news guys! I got a job...at PRICELINE! What is life. Priceline is pretty much my dream job, not even lying. I'm just a casual, and technically I haven't had a real shift yet (only a trial) but it's reaaaal exciting. I hope I'll be working lots during the xmas holidays! Also, it's my first job and holy I'm so awkward, like, how to talk to people??? Haha, I got the hang of it by the end of my trial though! But yeah basically, Imma be spending my earnings straight away with dat 25% discount...

(For foreigners, Priceline is pretty much the drugstore here where you can buy all the drugstore brands!)