Friday 28 September 2012

Australian Makeup and Nail Polish Haul

Online Shopping Series, #2


Guess who has been indulging in a bit of Online Shopping again??? haha It's becoming a bit of a problem, my makeup collection is overflowing!!

Makeup Brand(s): 

Maybelline
Loreal
Revlon

Website:

www.buyinvite.com.au

Number of orders:

2

Shipping cost:

$18.00 total ($9.00 X 2)

Shipping Time:

2 weeks

Total Spend (less shipping):

$49.00

Number of Products:

8

The products!

1. Revlon nail enamel in 115 Peach Petal
A gorgeous pale, pastel pink nail polish, perfect for spring/summer

2. Revlon nail enamel in 902 Craving Coral
Bright coral pinkish-orange nail polish.

3. Revlon Nail Enamel in 285 Oh My Magenta
Bright hot pink nail polish

4. Revlon Mini Enamel 3 pack #1: Butterfly, Moss, Tulip
A pack of three mini (7.5ml) nail polishes. Butterfly is bright orange, moss is a khaki green and tulip is a hot pink.

5. Revlon Mini Enamel 3 pack #2: Waterfall, Sparkle, Garden
Another pack of three mini (7.5ml) nail polishes. Waterfall is a pale blue with specks of blue glitter, Sparkle is a clear polish with both large and small specks of silver glitter and Garden is a bright green.

6. Loreal Nail Polish in 400 Trust Fund Baby
This is one of the prettiest pink nail polishes I have come across it is a gorgeous light-medium barbie pink!

7. Maybelline Express Finish 50 second nail colour in 648 Lilac Luster
A very pretty shiny lilac nail polish.

8. Loreal HIP high intensity pigments, shine struck Liquid Lipcolour in Euphoric
A highly pigmented bright pink lipgloss. Smells amazing and feels great on the lips.

9. Maybelline Expert Wear blush in 95 Potpourri
A lovely dark pink pressed powder blush.

10. Maybelline Mousse Blush in 10 Pink Frosting
A pretty pale pink mousse blush.

The Website!

www.buyinvite.com.au is another 'members only' sales website. While they have fewer sales than BransExclusive, their shipping time is generally faster and the discounts do tend to be greater. Once again they have a great variety of products and brands on sales. women's, mens and kids clothing, home wares, technology, accessories, shoes, makeup etc. They add new sales everyday and each sales event usually lasts a few days to a week. The savings can be huge up to about 80% off.

I have never had a problem with this service, I always receive all the items I ordered in perfect condition within a couple of weeks. The website is very easy to use. Shipping is $9.00 for the majority of sale events, although it would obviously be more for larger items.

Items are bubble wrapped and shipped in a specially marked box. Makeup items always have 'fragile' stickers on them.

They ship through Australia Post and signature is required on delivery. There are a limited number of memberships available and once the maximum is reached, membership will be by invite only.
BuyInvite is part of the APAC sales group and has sister sites in New Zealand (nzsale.co.nz) Singapore (singsale.com.sg) and Malaysia (mysale.my).

**I am not being paid by any of the organisations mentioned. I am in no way affiliated with any of the brands mentioned. All opinions are honest and my own. 


Until next time :) xx




September Fun and Flirty Lust Have It!!!

The September Lust Have It box is finally here!!

I have to say I was a little disappointed this month, as I have been the last couple of months. When I first subscribed to Lust Have It and Bellabox, I thought Lust Have It was going to be my favourite, but it has really been all down hill from there.
This month there were no full sized products, and I don't think there have been for a while.
There were also only five products this month and all very small sizes. It was very sparse.
I've decided I am going to give Lust Have It one more month and if I'm not happy with the October box, I will be unsubscribing.

But alas, here is a snapshot of the September Lust Have It box.

WHATS IN THE BOX?

1. 15ml Dermalogica Pre Cleanse: plant-based cleansing oil, gets rid of oil, sunscreen, makeup and risidual skin products. 150ml RRP$65.50
2. 30ml Dermalogica Active Toner: spritz on for critical hydration. 250ml RRP$51.00
3. 50ml Davroe Ultimatum Non Aerosol Hairspray: finishing spray that provides long-lasting maximum  hold for any hairstyle.
4. Single use Mirenesse 'Protect Me' tinted age defence SPF 15 Daily Face and Neck Mineral Balm: 2-in-1 anti-ageing balm infused with high performance Mineral Sunscreens.
5. 30ml Say it with Scent Hand and Body Lotion in Frangipani: a lotion that is plant-based and contains no Petro chemicals. 200ml RRP$26.80

+Coupon for entry into draw to win a free Mirenesse Eyeliner
+ Voucher for free Dermologica facial treatment valued at $90.00
+ Voucher to claim a free Davroe styling product (although I went to the website and can't find how to claim it)

THE WEBSITE
www.lusthaveit.com.au
$15 per month beauty subscription service.
One box per month with 5-6 sample sized health and beauty products

Until next time :) xx

**I have not been paid by any of the companies mentioned, All products were paid for with my own money, all opinions my own. 


Wednesday 26 September 2012

September Bellabox: Spring in your step!

My September Bellabox finally arrived today! There was a bit of an administrative issue but I will get into that at the end of this post.

Bellabox produced another fantastic box this month and it was definitely worth the wait (and the $15!!)

It contained one full size product and five good-sized samples.

WHATS IN THE BOX?
1. 75ml (full size) You me & Everybody Sumptuous Skin Mousse: suitable for use on the face, hands and body, designed for dry skin relief using patented Proderm technology to "make your skin feel luscious and smooth". RRP$13.99

2. 30ml Uhaircare Style Beehold: create body in fine hair, curl retention in wavy hair and to provide thermal protection, plus humidity resistance. 150ml RRP$32.00

3. Savoir Faire Concealer Kit: Samples of 4 conceler shades and two finishing powders. Full size due concealer and finishing powder set RRP$35.00

4. 10ml Bioderma Sebium Foaming Gel: purifies skin with soap-free, alcohol-free formula, kind to sensitive skin.

Adorable tiny version of the Benefit eye cream jar :P
5. 5ml Bioderma Sebium AKN Purifying Corrective Care: moisturises the skin whilst aiding in the elimination of blemishes and blackheads.

6. 3g Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream: works to fade dark circles and helps to smooth fine lines for brighter and younger looking eyes. (It also comes in the most adorable little jar! :P)

+ $15 off at theiconic.com.au



THE ISSUES
I have been subscribes to Bellabox for four months now and have never had a problem. Usually I would receive the box within two days of it's release. However, this month I still hadn't receved it about a week after, when Bellabox published the contents of the box on their Facebook page.
I looked on my Bellabox account an the september box had not shown up in 'my orders', meaning that it had not been shipped, however the money had come out of my account.
I emailed customer service, twice, but they did eventually get back to me. They said there had been some sort of system error which had meant that while my payment had gone through successfully my order was never actually placed.
While all of this was rather disappointing, they did respond very well. They sent me an apology Email, sent my box out straight away and added a few extra products to apologise for the inconvenience.
Overall, I thought their response was excellent after an unfortunate mis hap.

THE EXTRAS
These are the extra products I received as an apology:

1. Single use samples of Pangea Organics - Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry facial mask, Turkish rose and white tea eye cream, italian red mandarin with rose facial cream and Australian Wild plum & willow Facial cleanser.
2. 15ml Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle, oil free scrub
3. Full size yes to carrots, conditioning lip butter with SPF 15 in Pomegranate.

THE WEBSITE
www.bellabox.com.au
$15 a month subscription service.
One box per month filled with 5-6 high-end health and beauty products in a mixture of sample and full size.

Until next time :) xx

**This is not a sponsored post, I was not paid by any of the companies mentioned, all products were purchased with my own money, all opinions my own. 

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Maybelline Makeup Haul!!

Online Shopping Series, #1

I have been going makeup crazy online lately and I thought I would do a series of 'haul' posts to let you guys see some of the products I've been getting, my first impressions and also a review of the websites I buy from.
So here is the first post.

Makeup Brand(s):

Maybelline

Website:

www.brandsexclusive.com.au 

Shipping cost:

$9.90


Shipping time:

2 weeks, 6 days


Total spend (less shipping):

$39.93

Number of products purchased:

7

The products!


1. Colour Sensational lip colour #025 Pink Please

Swatches: Pink freeze, Plink Please, Fluffy Cloud, Twilight Pink
I absolutely adore these lipsticks! This one is lovely and creamy and a very natural, not quite nude subtle pink colour. The shade is perfect with a bright eye or stand-out blush.

2. Colour Sensational high shine lip colour #805 Pink Freeze

This is actually I re-purchase I first bought this shade from a similar sale a few months ago and have worn it almost everyday. It is a super bright pink that really stands out. I don't understand why they say it's 'high shine' because it's actually quite matte, but I like to put a pale pink or clear lip gloss over it and that looks really nice. It's the perfect shade for spring/summer to really make your lips POP!

Silver Stunner and Purple Pearl

3. Eye Studio Cream Duo #107 Silver stunner

I had never tried these eyeshadow duos before but the colours looked real pretty, so I thought I would give them a try. I used this shade today and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. In the pan it looks quite pink, but on the lids it comes out more of a grey-ish purple. It is very long lasting though and easy to apply.

4. Eye Studio Cream Duo #109 Purple pearl

I haven't used this one yet, but from swatching it, I don't know that the colour is going to be all that different from the shade above. Although it looks purple in the pan.

5. Unstoppable eyeliner in Fluffy Cloud

This is a lovely white eye liner. I have loves the unstoppable eyeliners for a couple of years now and this is no exception. It glides on easy and stays on all day. What I love about it is that unlike many white eyeliners, you actually get a really good colour pay off. Great to brighten up your eyes.

6. Unstoppable eyeliner in Twilight Pink

This is a gorgeous baby pink colour and is great just like above!

7. Xxl Curl mascara #532 Very Black, waterproof

Another re-purchase. My mum got me the non-waterproof version of this for Christmas and I am almost all out. I have been loving the way it lengthens, thickens and curls my lashes and lasts all day. I am very keen to try the waterproof version, especially considering how long the non waterproof version lasts!

The Website:

Brands Exclusive has long been a favourite of mine. It is a sale website which releases new products/brands a couple of times every day. Sales usually last about a week or until stocks run out. They have a great range of products; men's, women's and children's clothing, home wares, electronics, makeup, pyjamas, underwear, toys, books and pretty much everything under the sun. They have also recently started up another branch, Living Exclusive, which is all stuff for the home, including appliances etc.

Shipping is flat rate at $9.90 but extra charges apply for bulky items. You can't combine shipping of products bought in different sales, but you only pay the flat rate once per order, regardless of the number of items purchased (unless otherwise stated).

It is a membership based service but membership is free and there are no obligations to purchase.

They always pack the items very well with bubble wrap and pink tissue paper, in a specially marked postage box. Packages require signature on delivery.

I have never had any problems with this website, and the discounts can be huge, sometimes as much as 80% off!!! I would recommend this service to everyone.

*They only ship within Australia.

**I am in no way affiliated with any of the brands/services mentioned. All products were purchased with my own money. All opinions are honest and my own.




Thursday 13 September 2012

R U OK Day and my own personal torment


Today is R U OK Day. R U OK Day started in 2008 and occurs on the second Thursday in September every year.

In 2008 I was 16 and in year ten at high school. I had already been suffering depression for about 5 years, I hadn't been diagnosed yet and no one knew I was struggling. This post is not about my depression, it is about my experiences of R U OK Day, and how it has only had a negative impact on me.

On the second R U OK Day, I was in year 11, 17 years old, and more depressed than I had ever been. I never felt like I had any friends, and I thought no one cared. I had a group of 'friends' but I never really fit in. I was an outcast.

On R U OK Day that year, I was on a class excursion. The school had special programs on to celebrate the day, but because we weren't at school we didn't even know it was on.

Then I got a text message from a friend: "R U OKAY?"
I was so happy. I thought that friend was concerned about me. I thought she cared. I replied. "Yeah I'm great, I'm just on an excursion. Thanks for asking"

Well, she thought that was hilarious. So did everyone else at school. I became a joke. I didn't realise until someone else on excursion started complaining that everyone had been texting her 'R U OKAY'?
It was then I not only realised that my friend wasn't really interested in how I was, but also that I had only received one message, while everyone else had 20 or 30. It was a joke. Everyone thought it was hilarious.

Every year on R U OK Day, all day long people would ask everyone they saw "R U OK?" and everyone  would laugh. How funny. What a silly day.

So I just wanted to say, R U OK Day is not a good idea. It is not helping. It is trivialising the issue of mental illness. Every year I dreaded that day. I knew what it was going to mean; pretending to be okay while everyone else laughed at how stupid it was to ask people if they were okay.

All I ever wanted was for someone to ask me if I was okay. Seriously, for real. Because I wasn't and I wanted someone to know, but nobody cared. Mental illness is not funny. It is not a sign of weakness and it is not a way of getting attention. It is serious and R U OK Day trivialises it beyond belief.



Saturday 8 September 2012

MAC and Target in legal battle

Most of you would already know this, but in case you have been living under a rock, a couple of months ago Target Australia started selling MAC Cosmetics at selected stores as part of it's Designers for Target range.

The cosmetics were being sold at highly discounted prices (some things 40-50% off) and a lot of people were suspicious of whether the products might have been fake. At the time Target denied all claims that the products were not authentic, despite claims from many long-time MAC users that they could see differences in the products. MAC also claimed that they had not authorised the supply of any of their products to Target Australia.

We sort of stopped hearing about it for a while after that. Until this week that is. Over the last couple of days Estee Lauder, parent company of MAC, released a statement claiming that extensive testing in their US laboratories had determined that the products being sold in Target were Counterfeit.

While Target continues to deny the claims, they have removed all MAC products from their shelves and their website.

Target has also confirmed it is now involved in legal proceedings with Estee Lauder, although no details have been made available.

While I never purchased any of the products myself, I did believe they were real. Naive I guess, but I really didn't think a retailer as big as Target would do something like that. I assumed they would have known they couldn't get away with it, and therefore wouldn't dare do it. But alas, evidence would now seem to suggest that I was wrong.

I am highly disappointed in Target. It is hard enough to find affordable cosmetics in Australia and then a massive, trusted retailer goes and does something like this. I wouldn't be surprised if big brand cosmetics companies such as MAC begin to be much more reluctant to offer deals on their products in conjunction with larger retailers now. This can only be bad news for the Australian consumer.

On this note, I would like to draw attention to an excellent campaign being run by llamasqua, to increase competition in the Australian beauty market and drive prices down. Anyone whose ever bought make-up in Australia will know how unbelievably overpriced it can be here. Up to double sometimes almost triple what you would pay in the US or Europe (even taking into consideration the exchange rate), so a campaign like this can only be good.

Llamasqua has significantly reduced the price of it's own beauty products, and there have been rumours other high-end make-up brands are planning to follow suit. To join the campaign please sign the petition HERE.

While you're on the website you can also check out their new line Generation Q, which was released this week.

Until next time, xxx

Llamasqua Slogan in their fight for cheaper beauty products in Australia. 


Tuesday 4 September 2012

Spring OOTD!!

Today was the first really nice day, weather wise, of the new spring season so I thought I would show you what I wore!
All I did today was go to Uni so I wanted to be comfortable but I was also really excited to wear some of my new stuff!!! =D


So it was 24 Degrees Celsius in Melbourne today, warm but definitely not hot. I am wearing my peach high-low skirt, from Factorie. It is a lightweight material and looks really cute on. I also love the colour, it's bright without being obnoxious!

With that I have a thin white belt around my waist. I think the belt was from Zu shoes but I can't be 100% sure. That just breaks up the colour of the skirt a bit and makes the outfit look more polished and 'complete'.

On the top I am wearing a plain white singlet top with a light denim jacket over the top. The denim jacket was from Glassons but I bought it about four years ago. I love this jacket because it looks great with coloured skirts and dresses and it is light enough that you don't get too hot. Just perfect for those 'in between' days.



My nail polish is Fuchsia Fever by Revlon and on my lips I am wearing Pink Freeze by Maybelline.



I absolutely love the trend of bracelet stacking!!! My white watch is by divine watches and the bracelets came in a set from Colette Accessories (See previous post for more info). The rings I am wearing are from a set, also from Colette Accessories. 
I was also wearing the 'pieces' necklace I got from Colette but it is difficult to see in these pictures. You can also check that out in my previous post. 
The earrings I'm wearing are also from Colette Accessories and came in a pack of 6 sets. 

And last but not least; SHOES! haha. I love shoes and some would say I have far too many pairs. (But we all know there is no such thing as too many pairs of shoes :P) 
These are just some basic white thongs (flip flops) which I got from Famous Footwear last year. They are really cute because they have a little bow detail with rhinestones on the strap, which just makes them a little more dressy than regular thongs but still just as comfortable!!


So that is what I wore today! I plan to do more of these OOTD blogs in future so let me know if that is something you would like to see, or if you have any requests for particular styles/themes of outfits!!

Until next time :) xx











Monday 3 September 2012

Spring fashion haul 2012!!

Spring is upon us!!! Usually I'm overly excited for the sunny season to begin but this year it kind of snuck up on me. I can't believe it is September already!
I didn't realise spring was coming until I woke up yesterday and realised it was September 1st! So I thought I had better do a bit of shopping, it's forecast to be warm the next two days so I'll need something to wear!!

The thing I love most about Spring/summer fashion is the pastel colours! They are so feminine and pretty, they remind me of candy and ice-creams!! I instantly feel more positive when I start to see those colours in stores.

This spring/summer has brought pastels, neons, high-low hemlines and sheer lace. So heres a few things I bought this weekend to get me started.

First off Cotton On had reduced all it's sale stock to $10 and under. They had a huge variety on sale, including some new season items! I'm not sure how long the sale is on, but if you head in soon you might still catch it!!

  • Sheer pink singlet top, high-low hem ($10)
  •  Sheer yellow tank top with white scallop collar  ($10)
  •  Mid-length white lace skirt ($10)
  •  Blue/grey and white shirt dress with high-low hem ($10)
  •  Tab and purple slouch bag ($10 with any purchase)






I also picked up a couple of things from Factorie.


  • pastel pink/green with purple skirt skater style dress ($24.95)

  • Sheer multi coloured shirt dress with high-low hem ($39.95 with $20 off = $19.95)








Last but certainly not least, my absolute favourite accessories store, Colette by Colette Hayman. Right now they have 50% of ALL jewellery for members, and it's free to join! I have had my eye on a few pieces there for a couple of weeks now, so I went a little crazy!



  • Pink belt with bow detail RRP$9.95
  • Set of 5 gold and pastel bracelets RRP$8.95
  • Pink and gold Aztec inspired statement necklace RRP$15.95
  • Gold and pastel 'pieces' necklace RRP$15.95
  • Set of 7 gold and coloured rings RRP$9.95
  • Set 6 pairs of pastel earrings RRP$9.95
All 50% off. 



Now all we need is for the sun to come out and daylight savings to start and we'll be away!! Although, given I live in Melbourne, I don't like my chances!!

Until next time :) xx