Review: Australis Extender Lash & Brow Clear Mascara

Just a quick and easy review today. I love my eyebrows, they require waxing about twice a year and have a nice natural shape but they get quite unruly. I have one tiny section that pokes downwards and makes it looks like I shaved off half my eyebrow.

Enter the Australis Extender Lash and Brow Masacara! At $19.95ZND it's s steal too. You simply apply it like a mascara, but to your brows. I use small strokes upwards to make sure my brows are fully covered, and then push them back down into shape with the wand.

It doesn't leave any obvious signs either - no weird clumping, smells, or gelled looking brows. My only issue with it does lie with the wand - it's a great, thick wand but it's quite long and difficult to use so close to your eyes. If you have smaller brows than mine, I can imagine it being a pain in the ass to use.

Overall, I am super pleased with this product. It's cheap and does the job. The clear packaging is handy to see how much you have left and the product itself is inoffensive. Also - Australis doesn't test on animals!

I highly recommend this if you're after a quick drying clear brow gel (or for your eyelashes, but I can't comment on it's usability for that) for every day use. While I'm new to the whole brow game, I know that this is a great product that I'll be using more often. It's nice knowing that when I wake up, my eyebrows will actually look like eyebrows and not like random hairs glued above my eyes, yay!

PS. Happy halloween! I wish I had a super cool halloween post set up but with exams/life, it's been too busy!

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Review: Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Mascara by Grow Luscious (Waterproof, Black)

Apologies for the lack of posts! Alongside having a hectic exam schedule, my home internet has stopped working so I'm in the university computer lab typing and scheduling a few posts. This computer isn't having any of it so apologies in advance, sigh.

So anyway, I was wowed by the packaging of this mascara and convinced myself to buy it, despite quite a few less than stellar reviews. As per the title, I bought the waterproof black version, and while it works, it has far too many frustrating aspects for me to be completely happy with my purchase.

Firstly, I have no idea what is going on with the title. Who/what is 'Grow Luscious'? Should I know this? And does this mascara have a lash serum in it? So many questions and no answers.

I am happy with how the product works though. As you can see, the brush is nice and thick and makes my lashes certainly look longer. But that is where it stops. I find that it's a very clumpy formula. It takes a lot for my lashes to clump and this mascara would literally stick them together. Not very cute.

Also, it's impossible to get off! I use my trusty Neutrogena eye makeup remover and have had no problems ever removing waterproof eye makeup with it but even after two applications of makeup remover - nada. Which I find ridiculous as I have a FEAR of going to bed with mascara on and the fact that this is the most difficult thing to take off? No way. 

And I want to love this mascara, I really do! The packaging is gorgeous, the tube is huge and the brush is great + it's marketed by Emma Stone! But I can't. I got it on sale for $22.95NZD at Farmers, and it normally retails for $27.95NZD so I guess it's a good thing I didn't pay full price? I am going to try and continue using it,over the summer it will be especially handy but UGH.

Left: with mascara Right: without

So as you can see, it gives good volume and length but it smells weird, it's clumpy and it just won't come off! Please let me know if you've had any success with other brands of makeup remover getting rid of it because I want to love and cherish this mascara but I just can't. Sorry Revlon! :(

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NOTW #1: OPI's 'Berlin There Done That' ft. Planks A Lot

Starting off my nail of the week series with my favourite nail polish ever - Berlin There, Done That from the OPI 2012 Germany collection. It's a simplistic brown/grey that I love. I have so many bright polishes but I keep coming back to this one. This is my go to polish when I need something neutral or I'm not feeling my other bright colours. It always applies evenly, opaque after one coat and it's gorgeous. 

Sadly, my nails are in an awful state due to stress (as you can probably see) but I had to showcase this wonderful polish because if you don't own it, you probably should. The 2012 Germany collection was amazing.

On my "feature nail" I have Planks A Lot from OPI's Pirates of the Caribbean collection. It's a gorgeous light purple, which I usually wear with a matte top coat because it looks wonderful. It would look great on all skin colours and you can probably pick it up the cheap due to it being such an old collection. 

They are the perfect autumn colours, for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, yet here in the South, they suit Spring perfectly too.

xo Bridget

PS. Photo was taken pre-blog change over, ignore the watermark. 

Swappin' Things Around A Little...

Hey all, just writing a quick post to talk about my blog change. Same blog, same everything but with a new name! I'm still working on my theme, just keeping it basic. Naturally I chose to change it all up during the middle of my exams, but c'est la vie.

New blog URL: http://lemonbridget.blogspot.co.nz/

I'm changing it on Bloglovin too, so don't forget to switch it over on there as well.

Hope you're having a wonderful day filled with fabulous beauty and warm weather.

Bridget xo Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Review: The Body Shop Radiance Highlighting Pearls

I am a huge shimmer fan. If it's shimmery or glittery in any way, I need to own it. I don't have much experience with beauty products from The Body Shop but their Radiance Highlighting Pearls definitely makes me want to venture out there a little bit more.

So this product is a series of small spheres in gorgeous pearlescent colours that when applied with a blush brush to the face (or even elsewhere on the body) leaves a gorgeous shimmer that contours in the right light, and leaves the face looking fresh and illuminated.

The pearls come in 3 colours - yellow, pink and a white pearl colour that leaves little pigmentation on the skin, but instead leaves a gorgeous shimmer. I love using this when it's a sunny day out to highlight my cheeks and nose, or to add flair to an otherwise neutral face.

As you can see, the pearls are quite pigmented but these colours don't show on the skin. I love the packaging (with a gorgeous gold lid and clear base so you can see the product inside) and how the pearls are loose, but I do wish that they were compact - they do run quite loose which can be irritating because they can get stuck in your brush.

This product is such good value for money. I bought this in store for $40NZD, so it's budget friendly, but the product will last a long time too. I usually do two or three swipes with the brush to pick up product so your money goes a long way.

I love how fresh faced this product is, it would work for every skin tone as it isn't drying, overly pigmented or frustrating to use. Even on dryer skin, the individual pearls feel almost hydrating, it's difficult to describe until you swatch them. Overall, I'm super impressed with this and am keen to try out their bronzing version.

xo Bridget

Review: OCC Lip Tar Stained Gloss in 'Meta'

So I just had a Pepsi Max Kick and I think I can actually feel my blood in my veins so I apologise for any insanity that comes out via this post. But in a special way, it might also help me articulate my love for this lip tar! I bought this from Lipstick Republic a month or so ago and I adore it! Stained glosses are a genius idea and I definitely want to purchase a few more colours.

So I bought Meta, a vibrant orange-red in the tube, but applies as more of an orange-pink on the lips, but I assume this would change depending on pigmentation etc. Unlike a regular lip tar, you can be more liberal with the amount of product used, making it a bit easier for beginners. It also means you can apply it more sheer.

Like the lip tars, stained glosses last for a few hours, though the gloss dissipates once you've had a drink or two. I always wear a clear lip pencil to contain it because I'm assuming that lip tars would bleed easily without it due to their texture. The stain for Meta isn't too obvious due to it's colour and my own lip colour.

Speaking of texture, the stained glosses are still silky soft and smell of sweet peppermint (which I love!). I also love the packaging - super easy to throw in my purse as the lip tar tube comes in a plastic ziploc bag with a mini brush for easy application. 

I bought this for $18AUD at lipstickrepublic.com and I fully plan or purchasing more. I love how it has all the elements of a lip tar, but as a gloss so it feels far more hydrating and less harsh on my lips, especially when they're still recovering from winter. The price is appropriate too, considering the sheer amount of product you get. Meta has totally been a game changer for me and the perfect introduction into OCC lip tars.

xo Bridget

Review: Kate Moss for Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in '04'

I absolutely adore Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks, and this one is no different. I bought this late last year, wore it once, and then never wore it again because I felt it was just too dark. I've bought it back out of the cupboard though, and I'm trying to give it another go, pairing it with simple eyes and shimmery cheeks.

Like the other Kate Moss lipsticks, the quality is bang on. Super cute packaging, with highly pigmented lip colours that last for hours.

The product in the tube is really true to colour, as most Kate Moss lipsticks are. It appears as a gorgeous dark plum, and as you can see from the swatches, it applies like that too. While it applies as a dark plum on the lip, it does fade and bleed easily. It fades to a cute lighter purple, but it leaves a dark rim around your lips, and without a lip liner, it bleeds due to it being such a creamy lip colour (despite being matte finish??).

The colour in the swatch photo is a little lighter than in real life, I'm still trying to figure out why Blogger alters my photos when I upload them to fix this. But as you can see, the pigmentation is great, despite it not lasting long. Perhaps wearing a dark lip liner all over the lip would help, but not by much.

I love the packaging - a cute black tube with Kate's signature is a nice touch. It's sturdy, but still plastic. Nothing amazing but it's easily identifiable in my sea of lipsticks. 

It's definitely worth the $10NZD (retails at $15NZD) I bought it for, and I would totally pay full price because these lipsticks are worth it. I've tried a few other Rimmel lipsticks, but none compare to their Kate Moss 'collections'. 

If you're looking for a deep plum lipstick, I wouldn't recommend this one. MAC's Rebel is generally the way to go for longevity (or even Talk That Talk from the RiRi Hearts collection) but it's always difficult with a colour such as this. If you're willing to reapply every hour, this lipstick is worth it. I love wearing it with an understated eye, usually just a swipe of gold on my lids with mascara, nothing crazy. Otherwise, this was a good start for me getting into darker lips and I still love it with all my Kate Moss adoring heart.

xo Bridget

Review: Revlon Lip Butter in 'Lollipop'

It was about time I added to my Revlon lip butter collection to prepare my little collection ready for summer (any excuse to buy more makeup, I know). I decided to go for a soft pink to accentuate my natural lip colour and match all the beautiful flowers.

First off, the product shown in the tube is very true to colour, which most lip butters appear to be. It is a vivid pink both in the tube and on the lips, which wasn't what I was really after but it seemed to work out for the best in the end. This colour would look gorgeous on all skin tones - complementing tans, while not washing out pale ones.

I have no idea why my arm looks so freaky! This photo looked a lot different in Picasa, so apologies for Blogger being annoying.

For longevity, it's hard to judge. It's rub off easily if you eat or drink but leave a subtle pink tint to my lips, which I quite like. You can tell they won't last hours on the lips though, but they're very easy to apply, even without a mirror because they're more like a chap stick so there's that, I guess. 

The colour is very vivid, more so than I was expecting. If you have naturally pinky lips, it will be even more vivid. I was expecting the colour to be more subdued but I found a way to get the best of both worlds!

Revlon Lip Butter w/ Baby Lips underneath.

In this photo, you can see the colour is far more sheer. To do this, I applied Maybelline Baby Lips (any chap stick will work though) and then dabbed the lip butter on lightly so I was getting the beautiful pink, but it wasn't too bright. As you can see, it ends up looking similar to a lip stain but far more moisturising. 

Straight out of the tube. Again. Blogger does strange things to my photos but the lipstick colour is true 2 lyf.

In the second photo, I have applied it right out of the tube so you can see how truly vivid it is. I've definitely warmed to this colour the more I've worn it but I'm saving the full colour for when it warms up a tad.

The packaging is nice and sturdy, I can easily chuck it in my bag and not have to worry, but with the summer heat coming up, I am worried about the lipstick melting because lip butters are more susceptible to that stuff. I wish I had a mini fridge on my vanity to keep my lipsticks in!

Money wise, it is pricey when you buy them in stores, but I got mine for $15NZD online, and they're well worth it. I do find myself using this and my other lip butters every other day and the product disappears quite quickly but it's still well worth it, especially due to the wide colour range. 

xo Bridget

PS. I've started adding photos of the makeup on my skin now due to weather improving. It was so difficult trying to get realistic photos of lipsticks in the cold winter light. Any suggestions for future posts or improvements are totally welcome! ◕‿◕

Review: Sleek Blush Trio in 'Lace'

I finally bit the bullet and bought myself this beautiful blush trio by Sleek! I've only heard good things about this brand, and I've only used their matte lipsticks before but blogs rave about their products and I'm in desperate need of more blush so here we are!

First off, the packaging itself is very sleek, and quite small but you still get a decent amount of product in each little compartment. It's styled similarly to NARS blushes but with a smooth plastic, as opposed to that god awful non-slip stuff that NARS uses.

The pigmentation on these is crazy! I was so impressed. They also last a long time. I wore this to work for 7 hours and it didn't fade noticeably at all. 

Crochet is very orange but applies quite peachy, it isn't as vibrant on your face as it is in the pan, thank goodness. I was a bit worried about this colour as I'm a blush snob and stick to peaches but I'm sold on this one. It's pigmented enough to give you a beautiful flush, but not so much to make you look orange crazy.

Guipere is a gorgeous rose-gold colour that originally made me buy this particular trio. As you can see, it's a rose colour with gold shimmer. It isn't as pigmented as Crochet and Chantilly, but it's more subtle with the gold shimmer taking centre stage. It would work well as a highlighter on the cheeks if you don't apply too much.

Chantilly is very pink, a little less vibrant than it appears in the photo of the pan. A little goes a long way and it's colour when applied reminds me of NARS Orgasm a little in that the applied colours are very similar and buildable. I adore this colour, it would totally suit all skin tones, it's like a dream.

I bought this for $20NZD online, which is super cheap considering. And also why I love Sleek - amazing quality products with no insanely high price tag. I would love to try more of their blush trios, but I do wish they had more individual colours because I hate buying 3 products in 1, and then only using one or two.

xo Bridget

Review: MAC 'Saint Germain'

Totally bought this on whim after watching a Youtube video where the girl was wearing this colour and instantly fell in love! Ever since dying my hair purple, I feel like I have free range to wear obnoxious lipstick colours, so I've been making the most of it. I love a good Barbie pink and Saint Germain fits the bill perfectly!

Saint Germain is amplified formula, so it's super pigmented and opaque. The colour in the tube is true to how it appears on the lips, which is actually quite rare! But I love it - the colour is long lasting, slightly offensive but I happily wear it around university because I'm obnoxious like that.

I have no idea why my arm is so ugly omg I'm so sorry.

 As you can see, it as great colour pay off. After 1 swipe on my very sad looking arm, it's opaque. It is slightly more pale on my lips than it appears here, but the swatches are quite accurate.

This colour is said to suit pale cool tones (which I am) and darker skin tones. It's definitely a blue toned pink, so it can look very 'concealer lips' on people who aren't super pale or super dark. If you have any form of a tan, I wouldn't recommend this (I'd go more the route of Girl About Town or Candy Yum Yum for a bright pink). I see this as a more wearable version of the Nicki Minaj for MAC lipsticks.

I find it lasts around 4 hours before I have to reapply, but I find this difficult to judge because I am constantly drinking something, but like all MAC lipsticks, it lasts well with little to no feathering.

I'm looking forward to wearing this on my summer holidays, I feel like it's quite premature wearing such a bright shade while it's still cold (not that it really stops me). Overall, I love this colour. It is difficult to pull off but it's worth giving it go. I bought this for $40NZD at the MAC counter. You can buy them online cheaper but I've heard too many stories about fakes so I never buy MAC products online.

xo Bridget

Review: Rimmel Apocalips in 'Phenomenon'

I realise I'm very late with a review for these but I've had such a difficult time writing this review, alongside using the product. I'll start of simple: I don't like it. I really don't like it and I'm glad I got this on sale when they first came out. I feel bad saying this, and I feel like I've instantly outcasted myself by saying this because everyone loves these! Maybe I got a bad formula, the wrong colour, I don't know but I'm giving this review regardless, because we need to have all perspectives out there.

This product was my first foray into a nude lip colour, I just wanted something easy to put on for university so I could look more put together. For people who like this product, I totally recommend it for this! It easy to apply and has a great colour range so you can have one for each set of pyjamas you wear to lectures.

My issues with this product were many though. Firstly. this settled into the lines of my lips like nothing else. Not matter how I prepped my lips, or how many times I applied the product, it would slither in and make me looks absolutely ridiculous. Perhaps its this colour! I'm obviously trying to find a reason for this because everyone is so impressed and pleased and I feel left out!

Here are the swatches. As you can see, great pigmentation. I like this colour, it's a good pinky nude for those with lighter skin colours. It isn't weird concealer lips nude though, it definitely makes you look like you tried to look presentable in the morning, but not in a bad way.

I found the longevity of this to be nil. The formula is quite runny, so it doesn't hang around long on the lips. It never really dried on my lips, it stayed glossy and runny so there was no way this would last through a 5 minute conversation or a rice ball.

I wish I liked this, I really do. The packaging is super duper cute, and the colour variety is amazing. I'd be willing to try more of these but I'm not buying any more. I'll sadly be pawning this off to my sister in the vain hope that she will like it.

I just... I'm sorry. I had to do this review though. I know the Phenomenon is an NZ/Aus colour, so perhaps the formula got fucked with in that process? Please let me know in the comments if you know anything that could explain this! Super sad, but these things happen. I love Rimmel's lip products so I'm sad to give a bad review but I'm always honest with reviews, especially when a product in such a bomb.

xo Bridget

Beauty Bargain: e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil

The number of times I've heard people wish for an invisible lip liner, and yet here it is! I am far too lazy to buy lip liners in every single colour so I've actually been going without for quite awhile. This was all fine and dandy until I got my lip tars so I went on the hunt for a quick fix.

Enter the e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil. It is literally a clear liner which you apply around your lips to prevent bleeding from lipsticks. And it works! It creates an invisible barrier that the lipstick can't go past, meaning your lipstick (or gloss/tar/balm) stays perfect all day.

So as you can see, it's like a wax pencil. It does dull down quite quickly but I haven't had to sharpen it yet because it applies invisibly so you know, a think line doesn't really matter. 

I love the ease of it - you only need one application to make your lippie last all day. It's so convenient and so easy. It's also super cheap - I bought this online for $9.90NZD, and considering it replaces all lip liners, it's a small price to pay. I'm super impressed with how quality this is, especially considering my paste experiences with e.l.f. products Risk paid off, awh yeah. 

I highly recommend this - cheap, efficient, replaces the twenty different lip pencils you have for under $10. What's not to love?

xo Bridget

Review: MAC 'Girl About Town'

I am a total sucker for bright pink lipsticks and Girl About Town by MAC takes the cake in my collection. We all know and love the quality of MAC lipsticks and this lipstick is no exception. Amazing pigmentation, long lasting and it doesn't bleed - even without a lipliner. 

Girl About Town is a gorgeous dark bright pink (does that even make sense?) from their Amplified range. I would honestly believe that this would flatter all skin tones due to it being such a versatile pink, as you can see in the swatches. It isn't bright enough to wash you out, but it isn't a murky dark pink.

Here in New Zealand, MAC lippies retail for $40NZD each, which is insanely expensive but oh so worth it because of the high quality of these lipsticks. You really are getting what you pay for, the customer service at the MAC counter is amazing too. The ladies there always let me try on several lipsticks before eventually deciding on one. I almost never do this but due to mAC having such a wide colour range, how could I not? 

As you can see, pigmentation of Girl About Town is great. Even after 1 swatch it has full opaque colour and it lasts hours. It is quite matte but this can be remedied with a clear gloss, which amplifies the gorgeousness of the colour. 

Perhaps my favourite thing about this lipstick, besides the colour payoff, is the sheer longevity. It's not very often that you find a long wear lipstick that a) actually lasts and b) doesn't bleed/feather/make you look crazy after 6 hours of wear. I have never worn a lip liner with this lipstick and I often wear this to work, so that's 6 hours of constant talking, drinking and my lunch break. It always lasts, and it leaves a subtle stain on my lips too so that if it does wear off, I don't look crazy. 

I've been wearing this all winter but I also plan on continuing this all summer because it's such a versatile shade. It gives a pop of colour in the winter and in the summer it suits a tan (if you're lucky) or if you're like me, it makes you look alive!

This lipstick is well worth the amount it costs - from gorgeous colour to long lasting, it is my go to lipstick when I'm feeling down or want to sass around university like I own the place.

xo Bridget 

Review: OCC Concealer in Y0

I said on my Lipstick Republic haul post that I was so impressed with this that I'd do an individual review, so here it is! As you can see by the pot, I've used this a fair bit since I bought it and there's a reason why - this is the best concealer ever. In the whole wide world. From coverage, colour to longevity, it's perfect for those who want a concealer that goes the whole nine yards.

I bought this from the fantastic lipstickrepublic.com.au for the ridiculously cheap price of $20AUD. I initially added it in to get free shipping and I'm so glad I did! After I spotted it, I did some research and realised that this was a holy grail products for people with pigmentation, scarring and the like. I have aggressive scars on my cheeks and this covers them perfectly.

Their colour range is new to me, but I wish other companies would take a leaf out of OCC's book. They have five shades that come in red and yellow undertones, so there's one for every skin type. I chose Y0 (the lightest yellow shade) to combat the red tones on my face.

I apply this after primer with a kabuki brush and it applies like a dram - smooth, undetectable. I use very little product for maximum rewards, essentially. It's so natural looking too - I could easily get away with only wearing this concealer because it blends into my skin so well.

This was hard to swatch because my arm is insanely pale but it shows how yellow it is, I guess. Also, I have no idea why my arm looks like it was attacked with the blur tool - it wasn't, I promise! I don't photoshop my photos. I guess I shall appreciate that my arm photographs so flawlessly. But as you can see, it's quite thick when applied with fingers, so I'd recommend a brush, but you can see the great coverage that it gives.

I only had one issue with this product - the packaging. As you can see, after about two weeks, it broke. It still covers the bottom enough so it won't dry out but ugh, broken packaging sucks so much and I don't want to have to re-pot it because that's asking for disaster. It is quite brittle plastic, perhaps a glass jar would be better suited. I don't know how common this is, but be super careful with it. I wasn't throwing it around my room, or leaving it in my bag all day so I'm not sure why this happened, but there you go.

The positives outweigh the negatives, however, and I'd seriously give this a 9/10. I've used many 'industrial' concealer in my time but this one takes the cake. It applies matte with super amazing coverage and doesn't budge all day. All this in a tiny little (albeit broken) pot. For the price, it's also a bargain. Lipstick Republic were great to buy from, it arrived within a week of me ordering and everything was packaged safely. I highly recommend this for anyone with something they want to cover and who's on a budget - amazing brand, amazing price, amazing quality.

xo Bridget

Review: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 106

In all my makeup snobbery, I ended up sending my younger sister all my Rimmel lipsticks - except my Kate Moss ones. I absolutely love these. They are such amazing value for money, from the colour, the literal lasting finish and the smell! A delicious watermelon-esque fruity scent that is so refreshing. Who'd have ever thought I'd describe a lipstick scent like that, haha. But anyway, for anyone on a budget, this lipstick is the bomb. I own 3 all up but this one has been my go to lately.

Firstly, the colours throughout this whole range are fantastic. I've honestly never seen colours like them available before (from drugstore brands), they're so impressive. I fell in love with this colour - a pink berry colour. It swatched quite dark on my arm, but is far more pinky on the lips.

It also builds nicely, as you can see below. They also looks gorgeous with a clear gloss over the top, as they're matte. In spite of this, they aren't ridiculously matte, such as Ruby Woo. It doesn't drag across the lips, and I actually find it to be quite moisturising and long lasting.

I've also found that these don't bleed. Which is odd considering my other Rimmel lipsticks did, but this must be the mystical Kate Moss effect. I wear this colour to work quite often and I've never had issues with it bleeding and going all crazy, which is a blessing.

All in all, this lipstick, and the whole Kate Moss range, is amazing. Super great quality for price, long lasting, gorgeous colours. I believe I got these for $10NZD at Farmers when they first came out, Rimmel lipsticks usually retail for around $15NZD regularly which is still super cheap considering the quality. I highly recommend these - perfect for all year round too, which is perfect with Summer coming up here in the Southern Hemisphere.

xo Bridget

Review: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Fair

I never ever thought I would be buying a BB cream ever. I just never though my skin would ever be good enough, but after numerous creams and pills, I can look in the mirror and not be horrified by what's looking back. In spite of me being so happy that I could buy a BB cream, I didn't want to go high end on this one, purely because I wasn't sure of the coverage, colour etc. I didn't want to get the Dr. Jart+ one online only to find the shade was all wrong, so I was really stuck with Maybelline due to their limited colour range and availability. 

Thankfully, their lightest colour (fair) was light enough for my skin tone. I am as pale as it gets, so this is saying something. If you're a darker girl though, I would try find a whole new brand together. Maybelline's colour range here in New Zealand doesn't really cater beyond anyone with a skin tone darker than 'white girl with a fake tan'.

But onto the product itself - I'm surprised, to say the least. It gives me good coverage! I always thought that BB creams were supposed to be the whole 'no makeup makeup' look but this gives me good enough coverage that I don't need to wear powder over the top. I'll admit that I still wear concealer underneath (my skin isn't quite there yet), so perhaps if you don't smother yourself in concealer, it'd be quite sheer but nonetheless, for a BB cream, it covers up just enough to keep my mind at ease. 

Here are the swatches. As you can see, it blends right into my translucent arm. I use a kabuki brush so I use less product and I find it disperses evenly, I've never had any issues so far with orange streaks. It applies evenly with a slight matte finish - not dewy like I was expecting. I like this though, I'm not a dewy girl, I find I just look greasy and generally gross.

My big issue with this is the packaging - it comes in a squeezy tube. I understand that it's a drug store brand but Maybelline is still good quality and for a product that is quite 'on the go', it's a shame it doesn't come in something more... useable? When I first applied with my fingers, it was absolutely ridiculous and is an experience I never want to relive. A lot of wasted product. If I were ever to take this on holiday with me, it's a product I'd expect not to need a brush for, but sadly, you will with this.

Other than the packaging, I like it. I always wear it on short days at uni or on weekends when I'm not working and don't need my hardy Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. I haven't yet noticed when this product starts to wear off because I often set it with powder which seems to make it stick around + I never ever touch my face which is a huge factor. Other, for $22.99NZD it's a good bargain. I definitely plan on toting this around with me on my summer holidays, but I have a feeling I might be buying a little pump bottle to transfer it into instead.

xo Bridget

Review: Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

I finally bought a new night cream! After running out of my wonderful Yes To Carrots night cream, I was too poor/lazy to buy a new one so I was using my Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying moisturiser, which was all fine and dandy but it was winter and my face now has sad dry patches from not being moisturised. But onto the positives - I now own the love this little wonder which I shall be reviewing today.

I've never used an Aveeno products before. I always assumed it was just an upmarket supermarket brand so I never really paid any attention, despite it being endorsed by numerous celebrities and bloggers alike. It wasn't until I saw this that I decided to try it out. What sold me was that it claims to fade dark spots, pigmentation and all those horrible things that life throws on our faces alongside being an intensive moisturiser.

I am so impressed with this, so so impressed. Firstly, the smell - it's so fresh and delicious. After my nighttime shower, I slather this all over my face and I instantly feel refreshed and awake again. I an feel it hydrating my face via the scent it has. I find the texture to be a little odd, it's like a cream but a gel? I find it difficult to scoop out (it doesn't come with a scoop, shame on you Aveeno) because I have to use my fingers. This is perhaps my only gripe because as soon as it touches my face, I forget.

This product does what it says too. I never get pimples on my cheeks but literally about 2 months ago, I got one on each cheek which left the worst red marks ever, even though I left them well alone. I have smothering the pesky marks with blemish fade creams but after using this for a week, I've noticed a considerable difference. The red marks are both smaller and fading much faster. I really should read the ingredients to see what it is that's working because it's working well.

I do have a few minor issues with it. The box it comes in is overly large considering the size of the pot itself (I do not like faux false advertising when it comes to beauty products) and the odd consistency and lack of scoop-like thing is a little frustrating but the product itself works so well that it barely matters. I love how moisturising it is, all my little dry patches are disappearing, I love the smells, how well it works - I am just generally impressed and now I'm super keen to try more products.

I got this at Farmers for $24.99NZD, which is pretty good for a night cream. With products like this, I would normally prefer to buy higher end products but this is such a good deal and it delivers, so I'm super pleased that my budget didn't really restrict me this time around.

What is your best budget skin care find?

xo Bridget

Review: Chi Chi Metallic Eyeshadow Crayon Stick in 'Barbarella'

Happy September! As we welcome in the hopefully amazing Spring weather, I will be locked away in the library studying for my final exams, woohoo. But in the mean time, I have this wonderful eyeshadow stick by Chi Chi to keep me looking bright eyed and bushy tailed. I'm not a big eyeshadow person because I am almost always wearing a cat eye of some sort but this fits in perfectly with it - a nice swipe above my eyeliner and it instantly brightens my eyes. I am in love.

As you can see it, it s a simple crayon stick making it super easy to apply. As I said, I usually go for one swipe above my eyeliner and I'm done but this could easily be used in conjunction with many other eye products - for shimmer, colour, even as a liner itself (though it wouldn't be very defined due to the large tip). 

I wish I could somehow indicate further the sheer pigmentation and staying power of this product, but you'll have to believe me via the wonders of photography. 

1. Pigmentation - for a sheer colour, it's very opaque. The swatch on my arm was, from memory, only about 2 strokes with the crayon. Instant full colour. I was amazed and also scared by what this product bought to the table.

2. Longevity - this does not come off ever. I had 4 swatches of this on my hand after buying one (the other colours available were silver, gold and charcoal) and after washing my hands multiple times, I still had glitter covering my hand. It comes off my eyes fine with eye makeup remover but for people who don't use it, I can see you having trouble with just a makeup wipe. Also - it doesn't crease. I have yet to wear this with a primer but I doubt I'll ever need to.

Barbarella is quite a light gold, especially when compared to the more true gold in the line. I like how easily this can be dressed up or down and how it instantly brightens your eyes, similar to white eyeliner. When I apply it, I go from outer eye to inner eye due to how pigmented it is. If I apply inner to outer, I find to much product deposits there and it looks a bit tacky - after applying, I'll dap a little in my inner eye to still get colour there.

Overall, I'm super impressed with this and am super keen to try some more of Chi Chi's new eye products. I got this for $20NZD at Farmers but I can imagine there are places where it's much cheaper. I would highly recommend these for all skin tones too - none of the colours look too 'nude' or like they'd clash, they're all gorgeous shimmery neutrals. 

xo Bridget

Wish List #2

1. Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

I tried a sample of this last week and I'm in love! It's so silky and soothing, smells light yet lovely and takes makeup off like nothing else. Also - it takes off eye makeup like a dream! I try to avoid waterproof mascaras but this took mine off without even trying. I plan on purchasing this after using up current makeup remover wipes.

2. OCC Lip Tar in Harlot

I need more! Ever since I got my last two (Hoochie and Meta) in my Lipstick Republic haul, I'm obsessed. I love how vibrant and sleek this red is. I've been searching for the perfect red lipstick but after seeing swatches of this, I might have to purchase this instead.

3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+

I don't have a nighttime moisturiser. I ran out, like, last month and have just never gotten around to buying a new one. My skin isn't much worse off but because it's winter, it needs that little bit more at night. After hearing about Clinique reformulating this cult classic, I'm super keen to give it a go, despite the scary price tag.

4. Sleek Luminaire Under Eye Concealer

Finally, like has been hard for me lately and sleepless nights have taken their toll. I never used to get under eye circles of any form but now mine are black as night so it's time to give something a go. I like the sound of this Sleek one due to the price, the quality of their products and the cute little pen applicator it comes in. This will certainly be purchased sooner rather than later.

What's on your current wish list?

xo Bridget

Haul: Lipstick Republic

I have been on the lookout for purple lipsticks for the past few weeks, sadly finding nothing. I decided to have a look around for lip tars but - surprise, surprise, you cannot buy them ANYWHERE in New Zealand. I ended up on lipstickrepublic.com.au and found myself ordering OCC's Hoochie lip tar, then deciding shipping was so expensive that I ordered all this to get free shipping! It arrived 7 days after I ordered, everything in perfect condition, I am so pleased and will totally be ordering from them again.

Price wise - super cheap. Lip tars were $18AUS and they had almost every colour, I was in beauty heaven. So here I have my first haul post featuring all the fabulous goodies I got (and more)!

Review: The Aromatherapy Company Rose & Patchouli Hand and Body Lotion

Please ignore my sad, discarded brushes in the background and the horrendous 'garden' outside my window.

I've only recently gotten into the good habit of moisturising after showering. I have been using the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner by Lush but nothing beats the real thing. I actually got this in candle form for Christmas and loved it so much that I bought the matching moisturiser!

I love this stuff, especially for after showering because it smells delicious without being overpowering and it sinks in so quickly! I have used many delicious smelling moisturisers in my time but none have been as good as this. It's also quite thick but easy to rub in, I find I only need to use one pump per body part (is this normal??) but, as you can see, I still have plenty left after many uses.

Unfortunately, I don't know how available this is outside of New Zealand, due to it being made here but it's a high quality brand so I'm sure it's floating around department stores somewhere. Price wise, it is rather expensive. I bought this for $16.99NZD (an exam time treat) but unless you're buying supermarket brand moisturisers, you'd be looking at this price anyway.

It's well worth it though - the smell is amazing, sinks in quickly and you can fell your skin sucking uo the moisture, especially if yours is as winter-parched as mine is.

Have you discovered your perfect post-shower moisturiser?

xo Bridget

Beauty Bargain: BYS Mega Shine Lipgloss in 'Perfect Purple'

In New Zealand, true beauty bargains are hard to find due to how freaking expensive cosmetics are here. Fortunately, the internet exists but it will never beat wandering the aisles of Farmers and stumbling upon something that catches your eye at a price that won't make you cringe.

Enter BYS. I've used a few of their products before - mainly nail polishes, but they recently entered the market via Kmart. After reading a post on xoVain about clear lip glosses, I was keen to get my own but ended up falling back into old ways AKA buying what I wanted but in purple.

Fortunately for me, it wasn't such a bad choice. I usually hate wearing lip glosses but I feel so abnormal walking around uni in full makeup so I usually omit the lipstick in favour of a Revlon lip butter or tinted lip balms.

This product reminds me of the makeup I used as a kid - pungent candy scents, little to no pigmentation but so much fun. BYS's megashine lipglosses are exactly that - they smell like candy (in this case bublegum) and leave your lips glossy and gorgeous.

As you can see, there is very little pigmentation. It applies pretty much like a clear gloss unless you pack it on like you did when you were 8. It is long lasting, even through drinking (eating, not so much) and it smells ridiculously tacky and amazing.

I love how this product is like a throwback to my childhood but still maintains itself as a serious product. After using this, I'd consider buying a clear one to put over matte lipsticks due to the staying power this product has. It was super cheap too at $5NZD. You do get what you pay for, don't go expecting some miracle product, but it works and I love it.

What was your favourite childhood lipgloss?

xo Bridget

Review: Ro's Argan Body Conditioner by Lush

I'll start off with this - if you are like me and never moisturise below the neck line, buy this. Just do it. I've recently seen Vaseline Spray 'n Go moisturisers floating around the internet but nothing has arrived here in NZ yet so I've been using this until something a little easier arrives. Not to say this isn't brilliant - it's arguably the best $40 I've ever spent on something that isn't makeup.

Basically, this is a skin conditioner. You use it right at the end of your shower, just slather it on like a body wash, then lightly wash it off and jump out of the shower. It moisturises your skin, keeping it silky smooth with the power of rose petals. You also smell delicious, I love going to bed after using this because not only am I nicely moisturised but I also smell so yummy.

I highly recommend this. It's super moisturising and smells so good, and it also feels super soothing on the skin so I'd imagine this would work well for those with sensitive skin. I also sometimes use it as a shaving gel because it's so soothing and creamy.

Though it's very pricey ($40NZ) I still recommend it. I loved it so much that I asked it they'd be making any more, but the shop assistant said no so I'd recommend getting this while they still have it. I'm not a huge fan of roses but the scent is subtle in this too - totally natural.

What is your favourite easy breezy moisturiser?

xo Bridget

Review: Saigon Summer by MAC

As I said in my earlier summer essentials post, I've already started the process of getting my makeup summer ready. I've been tempted by orange lipsticks for a while now and I finally decided to take the plunge the other day. I chose Saigon Summer by MAC because it's a buildable orange - I didn't want full on bright orange in one swipe, so this is good for those of you, like me, who'd rather take baby steps.



Here it is in natural light. As you can see, it's still a bright orange but also has a slight shimmer in the lips which is only noticeable when you're outside. I'm already in love with this colour and have been wearing it inappropriately with my winter coats all week. I love the sheerness of it (it's a cremesheen lipstick) and yet the colour that it still delivers.

Here are the swatches. As you can see, it builds well so it can cater for those who want a sheer orange but have darker lips. My lips are a natural dark pink so regular sheer lipsticks just don't do it for me. I find two swipes of this is perfect - and as all MAC lipsticks do, it lasts all day without feathering (I rarely use lip pencils with my high end lipsticks because I've never needed to).

Due to it being cremesheen, it did come off more easily while eating and drinking, though this is never usually an issue for me because I love whipping out tubes of lipstick mid-lecture and re-applying it. If I'm paying $40 for a lipstick, I want everyone to know what brand I'm wearing.

Overall, I'm super pleased with this lipstick. I can tell it'll be a summer staple for me, I just wish it was a little more matte so it lasted better. I'd highly recommend this because of it's shimmer, buildability  (is that a word?) and the perfect orange.

What is your staple summer lipstick?

xo Bridget