TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FEATURING SILVER BULLET, PETER THOMAS ROTH, DU'IT, FRANK BODY, CARMEX

So I have just come back home from a month away visiting my family in Denmark, and here's some of the things that were in my suitcase...

CARMEX LIPBALMS

I am always wearing always lipstick or lipgloss when I am out and about- but when I am home, I usually use a lip balm, so today I'm running through a selection of my current faves from Carmes...

The Carmex Lip Balm squeeze tube with Jasmine Green Tea is intended for dry and chapped lips to help condition and moisturise the them while offering relief. The lip balm has been formulated with a blend of smooth green tea aroma infused with gentle floral tones of jasmine, and it has a beautiful subtle floral scent. Lip all of the Carmex lip balms, they can be worn both under and over lipstick, but personally I find that this one is a little thicker than the stick versions, and consequently not as good used together with lipstick, as it significantly reduces the wear - but rather I find that it is perfect for days at home, wearing when you're out for a walk or run, or just before bed.I also love the squeezy tube, which is small enough to pop into the handbag, and easily applies thanks to the round tip. 

Then there's the Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm in Sheer Peach. This is a true multi-tasker combining a lip balm with just a touch of tint, giving the lips just subtle peach shade. It is loaded with shea butter, vitamin E, and aloe and it is soft and moisturising and feels lovely on the lips, not stickiness in sight. The colour doesn't last that long, but even after it has worn off, the lips have clearly benefited from the moisturising ingredients, feeling soft and smooth. I also love that it comes with SPF, so you know your lips are protected from the sun. I really enjoy this lip tint, and look for the other shade, Sheer Pink when I next hit the shops.

Next up are the Carmex Lime Twist and Vanilla Click Sticks. These lip balms come in a twin in two different flavours, vanilla and Lime. These lip balms contain seven long-lasting moisturisers for deep penetrating hydration, to help keep the lips soft and also protected from the harmful sun thanks to the SPF25, and each of them has the most beautiful scents from the vanilla and lime. In spite of the higher SPF, these lip balms are still quite light and still non-sticky on the lips so these are really good for using under lipsticks. I also really love the slight cooling and tingling sensation they leave on the lips. Always one for citrusy scents, my personal favourite is without a doubt the Lime Twist, while my husband has quickly taken claim to the vanilla one. 

Finally there's the Carmex Strawberry Click Stick which is made from a combination of menthol & camphor in a soothing base of cocoa butter and waxes. This lip balm has a delicious scent of strawberry, and it also has a lovely cooling and tingling sensation on the lips which I really like. The light consistency glides easily on the lips and makes them feel soft and smooth, and again without any stickiness, so these are also really good for using under lipstick, in particular those matte ones that otherwise may leave your lips feeling and looking dry. The lip balm also gives the lips a touch of subtle sheen, and also comes with SPF 15 to provide some sun protection. 

Overall these are all lovely lipbalms, and there's one for every taste and occasion. My personal favourites are the Moisture Plus Sheer Tint, along with the Lime Twist, but that said, I also love using the Jasmine and Green Tea Squeezy tube before bed, as I know it will leave me with softest lips ever each morning.


Carmex Lip Balm Tube with Jasmine & Green Tea - RRP: 5.99 / 10g
Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm in Sheer Peach - RRP: $8.99 / 2g
Carmex Vanilla and Lime Twist Click Sticks SPF25, Duo Pack - RRP: $6.99 / 2 x 4.25g
Carmex Strawberry Click Stick SPF15 - RRP: $4.99 / 4.25g

Available from select pharmacies, Coles, Woolworths, and Big W

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

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WINTER CARE FOR LIPS

Have you been following my series of post with products to care for your skin and hair during the cold winter months? If not make sure to check out the one on winter care for hair, for the body and the one for hands and feet.
In the next instalment, I look into products that will keep your lips soft and supple during winter. I don’t generally have dry lips, but during winter my lips do tend to become dry and chapped, so I always need to up my lip care. And to make sure that I am not caught out, I tend to have a lip balm with me everywhere I go, which means that I have at least one in my handbag, one in the car, one on my desk, one on my bedside table…


 

And these are my current go-to choices;


Arbonne Lip Moisturiser with Sunscreen*


 

This lip moisturiser from Arbonne is a true lip saver. It contains chamomile, linden extract and vitamin E, which is not only extremely moisutrising and calming, but also soothes the lips. Just one swipe is all it takes to keep your lips soft and protect them from chapping, while leaving them with a nice sheen. And while you think that the sun is not strong in winter, believe me, its rays are still damaging, but the Arbonne Lip Moisturiser has you covered from both damaging UVA and UVB rays as it also contains SPF.

RRP: $13.00 (4.75g) – Available from Arbonne Independent Consultant & District Manager, Natalie Xylas, Ph: 0414 465 944, email; nataliexylas@y7mail.com



Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Balm with Coconut & Pear*

This clear lip balm from Burt’s Bees is super hydrating thanks to containing coconut oil and sheer butter, and the pear extract gives it the most divine and fresh scent that will take you right back to summer at a fruit orchard. It smooths easily onto the lips, and is perfect for use at night time, but also under your favourite lipstick to avoid it settling into dry areas of your lips. It doesn’t contain any SPF, but as I use it at night before bed, it also doesn’t need to.

RRP: $6.95/4.25g – Available from Department Stores, Priceline and selected pharmacies

 

Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Grapefruit and Apricot*

 

These new Lip Shimmers from Burt’s Bes are enriched with vitamin E, sunflower and coconut oils as well as fruit oils to ensure your lips are moisturised and lush, and they also have a hint of peppermint oil which gives your lips a nice cooling feeling. They give the lips a subtle sheer tint of colour and a nice luminescent sheen. Grapefruit is pale cool pink shade, while Apricot is a warmer coral shade. And the sheer tint is perfect for no-make up days or for casual days out. 

RRP: $9.95/2.55g – Available from Department Stores, Priceline and selected pharmacies


Lanolips Lip Ointment SPF15 in Rose*

 

Speaking of colour, this Lanolips Lip Ointment is made from 100% pure medical lanolin and also includes vitamin E and natural oils that will leave your lips feeling the love this winter. They will be super moisturised and the pure high quality pigments will give your lips a nice colour with a high gloss at the same time. It has next to no scent, and the colour rose is a lovely dusty rose colour that is perfect for every day casual wear. It comes in a lip gloss style tube, and the angled nozzle makes it easy to apply on the go.

RRP: $13.95/12.5g – Available from Priceline, David Jones, Adore Beauty and select pharmacies


Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm in Peach Sheer Tint*

 

Another tinted lip balm is the Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm in Peach Sheer Tint from Carmex. It contains shea butter, vitamin E, aloe to offer lips long lasting hydration and moisture, and I love that it also contains SPF 15, so you can protect your puckers from harsh UV rays, which again, we all have to remember also are prevalent during the winter months. It has a nice delicate vanilla scent and leaves a nice tingling feeling on the lips, while giving the lips a delicate sheer natural looking tint with a nice subtle glossy look, so it’s another one that is perfect for casual daytime wear when you don’t feel like being too made up. It has a slanted tip that makes it easy to apply, and the slimline tube is convenient for popping into your handbag or pocket.

RRP: 8.99 (2g) – Available from supermarkets, Priceline and selected pharmacies


So there you go, these are my current lip savers? 

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


Have you tried any of these? What do you think of this selection? Do you get dry lip during winter? Which products do you reach for?

BEST BUDGET BARGAIN BUYS - MAY 2014

It has been a little while since I last posted my Best Budget Bargain Buys (if you missed the last one, you can see it here), and while I had planned on making this a regular feature, life with an 11 month old baby simply means you never know how much time you’ve got to yourself, and for blogging…  So I will try again to see if I can make this at least a monthly feature! So without further ado, here are my Best Budget Bargain Buys for May..

 

 

 

Ulta3 Nail Polishes in Tangelo Twist and Corsican Rose*      

 

 

 

I doubt these nail polishes from Ulta3 need any introduction. At just $2.00, yet with a surprising quality and a huge quality, and massive colour range, the nail polishes are amazing, and make it possible to have nails to match the latest trends, even on a tight budget. These two colours have brightened up my days lately as the days are getting shorter and colder too; Tangelo Twist is a bright flouro orange, while Corsican Rose is a lovely pastel green.

RRP: $2.00 each (13ml) – Available from Select Pharmacies

 

Billie Goat Soap Body Butter*

This body butter is suitable for sensitive skin, and while I do not have sensitive skin, I love this super gentle body butter which is made from goats milk, which is high in selenium (a natural antioxidant) and pH neutral, as well as highly moisturising and all-natural butters like cocoa and shea. These ingredients create a barrier on the skin protecting it from drying out, while leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. It is thick and creamy, but just little is sufficient for the softest and smoothest skin, without any irritations.  

RRP: 17.95 (230g) – Available from Select Pharmacies and from Billie Goat Soap Online

 

Dove Essential Nourishment Body Milk*

I will always love Dove products, including this Essential Nourishment Body Milk, which offers 24 hours of proven nourishment for the skin as it contains Dove Deep Care Complex as well as nutrients and essential oils – and it doesn’t just moisturise the skin on the surface, this body lotion works deep down the skin layers to hydrate and nourish the skin, making it feel soft and smooth. Compared to other Dove body lotions, this one is slightly thicker, yet still absorbs quickly without leaving the skin feeling greasy. It has a lovely gentle scent, which fades quickly and doesn’t clash with your perfume. And it comes in a huge bottle that will last you forever.

RRP: $8.39 (400ml) – Available from Priceline, supermarkets and select pharmacies

 

Sunsilk Co-Creations Frizz & Weather Defence Shampoo and Conditioner with Teddy Charles*

 

 

This shampoo and conditioner works to works to control frizz and protects from dryness for 24 hours, it also contains weather shielding technology and a UV filter. It provides dual protection against the effects and changes in weather conditions and balances the level of moisture in the hair, helping to shield against damaging UV rays. The formula includes trehalose to reduce the effects of humidity on the hair fibre by controlling the interaction between water and proteins in the hair. Found in a variety of plants it also works to protect hair from dehydration by binding water in the hair fibres reducing damage caused by dryness, heat and cold. And as the days are sadly getting wetter – some days it is like it will never stop raining, the last few weeks have been the perfect time to put these babies to the test – an believe it or not, but they work. My hair is not only feeling soft and smooth, and looking super shiny, it is also significantly less frizzy. Even on a rainy day! And the products have the most gorgeous sweet fruity scent too, that lingers in the hair for a while.

RRP: each $4.79 (200ml), $7.79 (400ml), $11.99 (750ml) – Available from Priceline, supermarkets and select pharmacies

 

Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle CC Daily Moisturiser with SPF15*

Even on ‘no makeup’ days I still like to wear at least a little makeup, including mascara so I don’t look washed out and sick, and a little tinted moisturiser to make my skin look a little more even. And lately I’ve been loving the new CC Cream from Nivea. Containing Q10, it has anti-ageing properties which is perfect (and sadly needed) for my skin, as I love that it not only instantly makes my skin look nicer and more even, it also helps fight wrinkles at the same time and leaves my skin thoroughly moisturised. It has a light coverage, which can be built up slightly, and stays put for a  couple of hours, but with the aid of a primer first and a setting powder afterwards, and a light dusting of powder by the afternoon, I manage to get though the days without the need for touch ups.

RRP: $19.55 (50ml) – Available from Priceline, Supermarkets, and select pharmacies

 

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm*

 

 

With the change of the seasons and as it has suddenly gotten so cold outside, my lips are feeling a little drier than normal. But this cute little squeeze tube manages to get them back to feeling soft and healthy in no time, no matter how dry or cracked they’ve been – I simply apply it at night before bed, and wake to the softest of lips. The lip balm is enriched with menthol which makes it feel nice and cooling on the lips, while salicylic acid helps rid the skin of dry skin and cocoa butter and waxes help to condition and moisturise the lips.

RRP: $5.99 (10g) – Available from Supermarkets and selected pharmacies

 

MUD Eyeshadow Trio in cute camo*

 

 

This Eyeshadow trio in the colour Cute Camo contains as the name suggests three colours; a large pale peach/skin toned shade, and two smaller shades; a pale gold shade and a dark olive green.

 

 

In spite of the low $7.00 price tag, this Eyeshadow has quite good pigments making it easy to build up the colours, or they can be applied lightly for just a wash of colour. The colours work perfectly together, and can each be used on their own, or together for a more dramatic eye.

RRP: $7.00 – Available from Woolworths

 

Colour Theory Liquid Eyeliner in Black*

I have previously reviewed some of the Colour Theory products , and love the quality of their product and the low price points – just $6.00 for this eyeliner makes it an incredible bargain. This liquid eyeliner has a super fine felt tip that makes it easy to create a super fine, or you can retrace a few times for a bolder look. The eyeliner stays put quite well without fading or sliding.

RRP: $6.00 - Available from Amcal and Guardian Pharmacies

 

Maybelline New York Volum’ Express Plush Mascara in Blackest Black*

 

 

Maybelline New York Volum’ Express Plush Mascara is a gel-mousse mascara that has been formulated to volumise and lengthen lashes. It contains 40 per cent less hard waxes than traditional mascaras, which helps to prevent weak and dry lashes, and it leaves the lashes feeling soft too. Just one coat of this mascara nicely separates my lashes and gives them length and a natural look, while a few more coats gives you a more dramatic look. And I love that it doesn’t make my lashes clump or flake into my sensitive eyes.

RRP: $19.95 – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies

 

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Sparkling Black*

This kohl eyeliner is so easy to use, and because it is soft and creamy, it glides onto the skin so easily without the need to drag or pull at the sensitive eye area. And it is so pigmented so it is easy to create a solid colour, and because it is waterproof it simply stays put all day, even when my eyes are watering or when it is raining outside!

RRP: $9.95 – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies

 

Jeanne Arthes - Love Never Dies*

 

 

Love Never Dies fragrance by Jeanne Arthes has been around for a while, but it is lovely nonetheless. It is made from star annis, lemon and black currant leaf in top notes, while the heart notes are rose, violet and lily. Finally, the base notes include vanilla, sandalwood and amber. And I really like the fresh fruity scent, with the hint of warm vanilla.

It has a gorgeous bottle and comes in a cute purple metallic box with a diamond and a heart cut out with a keyhole so you could see the pretty chain and jewel hanging on the neck of the perfume bottle through the keyhole!

RRP: $26 (60ml) – Available from Fragrance Choice

 

Boe Beauty Jumbo Wind Up Lips in Knockout Red*

 

 

I think everyone has fallen for the jumbo lipstains, now available from a lot of brands including Clinique and Revlon, - but at just a fraction of the cost, just $2, this Jumbo Wind Up from boe beauty is a good contender.

 

 

The Knockout red lovely and creamy gives a lovely red stain on the lips that last surprisingly long. And for that price, you just can’t go wrong!

RRP: $2 – Available from BigW

 

Schick Quattro Papaya & Pearl Disposable Razors*

I am not normally fond of disposable razors as usually the quality match the low price, but these Papaya & Pearl Disposable Razors from Schick Quattro have had me change my mind. The four blades are of high quality, and gives you a nice close shave, and without any cuts. And as it has a conditioning strip with papaya and pearl, it leaves the skin feeling soft too, and without the need for shaving cream or soap. The handle is well designed and even when you’ve got wet hands in the shower, it won’t slip out of your hands. In spite of being called a disposable razor you can easily use it for several weeks, so as the pack contains three shavers, it will last you quite a while.

RRP: $7.99 – Available from Supermarkets, Priceline, variety stores and select pharmacies

So there you go, my selection of Best Budget Beauty Buys for May.

*These products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

Have you tried any of these products? Any you are keen on trying? Which budget buys have you been loving lately?