DESIGNER BRANDS DAY DREAMER BRUSH SET AND KEEP 'EM KLEAN BRUSH CLEANER

AUSTRALIAN SKINCARE FAVOURITES

XMAS BEAUTY GIFT IDEAS UNDER $25

Today I've got a selection of Xmas gift ideas suitable for any beauty lover, and the best part, none of them will break the bank as they are all under $25, so they're great stocking fillers too.

First up is the Olive Hands Gift Set, which contains a Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream (50ml) as well as a Blackcurrant Hand & Nail Cream (50ml). Inside the purple gift box you'll find the two tubes of hand and nail cream, the purple Blackcurrant and the Pink Pomegranate one, and I really love these brightly coloured tubes.

Each of the creams have the most gorgous fresh and natural fruity scents, with my personal favourite being the Pomegranate as it is slightly fresher. The cream has a lovely consistency and absorbs quickly and easily into my dry hands, leaving them silky soft and smooth, without any stickiness and with the gorgeous scent lingering for quite some time. Olive is a New Zealand brand, known for their natural skincare made from active and botanical ingredients and which are all free from parabens, mineral oils, colourants, artificial fragrances and silicones.

Next up there's the Evodia Byron Bay Frangipani gift set, which contains a Hand Cream (100ml) and Fragrance Roll-On (15ml). The Hand Cream is made with among others Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba and Avocado Oils as well as Cocoa Butter. It is a thick and rich hand cream, which naturally takes a few moments to absorb into the skin but the wait is worthwhile as is super nourishing and moisturising, and leaves you hands silky soft for hours. It has the most gorgeous frangipani scent, that is quite strong for a hand cream, which I really love as it means the beautiful scent lingers for a long time.

The gift set also includes a frangipani Roll-On fragrance - and don't be fooled by the little roll-on bottle, as this one really packs a punch. It is a very concentrated fragrance designed to roll onto your pulse points for a lasting floral scent - and should you want to touch-up throughout the day, it has the perfect size to pop into the handbag.

Then there's the Goodness Grab & Go Try-Me Kit. As Goodness says, "this pack smooshes, drips, squeezes and scoops all your natural skincare needs. Packed with mega-omega boosting certified organic chia seed oil, your skin, your mates or your carry-on will love you for it". This means that this skincare kit really contains everything you need for a trip away, including a Certified Organic Seed Oil (5ml), which is a light oil containing high doses of Omega 3 and Omega 6. it also contains an Every Day Cream Cleanser (20ml), which is a super gentle cream cleanser that removes all makeup, dirt and grime that has built up on your skin throughout the day (and night). It contains apple extract, chia seed, avocado and coconut oils. It also contains an Every Week Face Scrub (10ml), which as the name suggests is a facial scrub to be used weekly. It is packed with powdered pumice, chia seed, avocado and coconut oils, and it gently helps buff away dead skin cells to help reveal as clearer and smoother skin. Then there's the Every Morning Moisturiser (20ml), which is a lovely light, yet very hydrating cream that apart from the chia seed, avocado and coconut oils, also contain bilberry and hibiscus extracts. Finally, the gift set also includes an Every Evening Cream, which is a jar with a very thick and nourishing cream, while it is still non greasy and absorbs into the skin quickly. It contains the chia seed, avocado and coconut oils aw well as honeysuckle flower extract. Goodness is a New Zealand brand, and I love the pastel coloured tubes and jars, and the humorous comments printed on the labels such as 'apply to clean face. Admire your awesomeness (and check your teeth for kale), and Remove Makeup. Apply. Sleep. Wake. Repeat after 15-18 hours".

 

If you're after makeup, Sugarbaby has got a the most stunning nude eye shadow palette called Amplif-eye Natural Eyeshadow Palette. This palette contains 14 beautiful neural shades ranging from soft nudes to intense chocolate and charcoals, and even a black. The top row of the palette contains 7 shimmering shades, while the bottom row contain 7 matte shades. The shades are soft and easy to apply and blend, and they are also, especially considering the very low price of this palette, very pigmented and wear very well during the day. This means that you can easily build up the intensity of the shades (and even more so if you apply them with a damp brush!), or of course just apply them as a wash of colour. All the shades in the palette are beautifully coordinated so you'd use every single shade, and they are very wearable for both a day-time 'no- makeup look, or a more intense nighttime look. If you cannot afford or justify the hefty price tag of some of the branded nude eye palettes, then this one from Sugarbaby is a great alternative. I also love the packaging, the white leather look, with the large internal mirror and the double ended brush applicator, makes it look very sleek and stylish, and also more expensive than it really is.

 

 

Designer Brands also have countless gift sets that you cannot miss, including the Nude Pout Perfection Gift Set. This set is a 3 piece lip kit that contains just what you need to enhance your natural lip shape and achieve a full luscious lip, including a nude shaded lip pencil to use to outline your lips. It also includes a velvet lipstick in a nude soft mauve shade, that is giving you full colour intensity in just one swipe, and a matte look that lasts hours, while still feeling soft and non-drying on the lips. Finally, there's also a pale golden shimmery lip gloss that you can use on top for a plumper and fuller looking lips. Or of course, you can use both the lipstick or the gloss individually on their own. This kit is also available in a Ruby Red option for those preferring a bolder lip.

 

For the brows, Designer Brands has this great Brow Perfection Set, which contains absolutely everything you need for the perfect brow, including tweezers to pluck the brows, and Angled Brush and a Spoolie to shape and fill in the brows, a brow powder kit with three different powders so you can custom select your perfect shade for filling in the brows. It also contains a bro pencil to add shape and definition, while the 5 stencils helps you shape your brow like a pro, and gives you different looks to try too.


Olive Hands Gift Set - RRP: $19.95
Olive Skincare is available from Olive Online and select pharmacies

Evodia Byron Bay Frangipani Gift Set - RRP: $19.95
Available from Myer stores, selected pharmacies, gift and home wares stores and from Evodia online.

Goodness Grab & Go Try-Me Kit - RRP: $24.95
Available from Goodness

Sugarbaby Amplif-eye Natural Eyeshadow Palette
Available from Sugarbaby Online and Myer

DB Designer Brands Nude Perfection Lip Kit - RRP: $14.99
DB Designer Brands Brow Perfection Kit - RRP: $12.99
Available from Designer Brands

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


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XMAS GIFT IDEA: DESIGNER BRANDS COLOUR KISSES LIPSTICK GIFT SET

Do you know that there's now less than two months until Xmas… Yikes! Last year I did not have time or energy to do anything special for Xmas at all - we had almost just come home from hospital after spending over 4.5 months there with our baby boy, and still had to go in for checkups every second day, and between caring for him, and giving him countless of medicine 6 times throughout the day, and spending some much needed time with our then 2.5 year old, I simply didn't have energy for anything else. Even cancelled giving presents to my family, even my husband lost out, and the only ones who got something were our two little boys. This year is going to be different, and we're determined to give our boys the best Xmas ever. So planning needs to start soon…

 

And if you're one of those who like to get a head start, the I will from now on, start posing about great gift ideas of all different types and in all price groups.. And even if you're not quite ready to start buying pressies - then maybe you're like me who always gets sooooo tempted by all the great beauty gift sets that are always on the shelves this time of year..

So let's get the ball rolling and start talking about the Designer Brands Colour Kisses Book…

This cute little gift set comes shaped like a little book, and inside you'll find five small lipsticks in a gorgeous golden design. The lipsticks are surprisingly super pigmented, and it takes just one swipe for a full colour pay off. And at the same time, they are soft and creamy and feels very lovely on the lips. The lipsticks leaves slight sheen on the lips, and because they are so pigmented, they are also fairly long-wearing and you'll get about 4 hours wear from the darker (and more pigmented shades), while the two lighter shades wear off a little quicker.

The five shades includes; 

 

• Nude - a brownish nude 
• Blush - a medium pale pink 
• Hibiscus- a coral pink
• Hot Pink - a fuchsia pink
• Deep Red - a warm dark red 

  

L-R: Nude, Blush, Hibiscus, Hot Pink and Deep Red

 

 

Personally I am not so fond of very pale lip shades, but I love the three darker shades, Hibiscus, Hot Pink and Deep Red which are all gorgeous shades. Also worth mentioning is that these lipsticks have a great size to pop into the clutch for a night out, and they smell beautiful too. This is a great gift set with a lipstick shade for every occasion and preference, and at just $19.99 it is great value too!

 

  

Designer Brands Colour Kisses - RRP: $19.99

 

Available from Select Pharmacies, Price Attack and Designer Brands Online

 

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


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PRODUCT REVIEW: LIQUID EYELINERS FROM DESIGNER BRANDS, MAYBELLINE AND L'OREAL

I have been using liquid eyeliners for as long as I can remember, but finding the right one, can be a tricky task. Today I'm putting three different ones from different brands and at different price points to the test..

Let's start with the cheapest one in the line up, the Designer Brands Crème Gel Liner. This little beauty comes in a little jar, that has a built in brush applicator. I am not used to this type of eye liners, so I did struggle the first couple of times used it, I simply got a tad messy, simply as I had way too much product on the brush! The angled design of the brush does make it possible to draw both thin and bold lines, but again, I especially struggle with the thin ones. Apart from that, it is extremely pigmented! Just one swipe gives you a solid colour,- and in actual act, the most pigmented one of the three I'm talking about today. And if its for a few moments to dry, it is also smudge proof, lasting you all day.

Next in line (pun intended), is the medium priced Maybelline NY Master Precise Curvy Eyeliner, which from the outside looks a little bit like a 'sharpie pen' with its thick design. On the inside, the felt tip, has a unique hourglass design, that is to make it easier to draw a curved line along the lashes, from corner to corner, giving a bold look, while if its tipped up on its edge, the design also make it possible to draw finer lines. This liner is also very pigmented, but if drawing a thick line, I do find that you may need to go over the line again for an intense look, but other than that, it does last all day without budging.

Finally there's the L'Oreal Paris Superliner Superstar Eyeliner, which has a unique flexible, almost tear drop style tip, that allows the eyeliner to follow the shape of the eyes for a more natural look. The tip is also super fine, and while it can make a bolder line by adding an addition line, or two, it does draw super fine lines, which is essentially what I prefer. It is also very pigmented, and with just one stroke leaves a deep black impression with a nice shiny finish.

So there you go, three different liquid eyeliners. I admit to liking each and everyone of them, but it does take some getting used to the pot and separate brush, but once you do, I'm sure the result is fabulous. The Maybelline Curvy liner is fantastic especially for those occasions where you prefer a bolder look, while the L'Oreal Superliner Superstar Eyeliner, with its ability to draw superfine lines, perfect for an everyday casual look where a more minimalistic look is preferred.


Designer Brands Crème Gel Liner - RRP: $8.95
Maybelline New York Master Precise Curvy Eyeliner - RRP: $16.95
L'Oreal Paris Superliner Superstar Eyeliner - RRP: $24.95


Designer Brands is available from Designer Brands Online, Price Attack, and select pharmacies 
Maybelline and L'Oreal are available from Priceline, Variety Stores, Department Stores, and select supermarkets and pharmacies

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


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PRODUCT REVIEW: DESIGNER BRANDS FOUNDATIONS

Today on the blog I am going to talk about foundations - a whole heap of foundations actually, common for them all that they are from Designer Brands and all very budget friendly.

Let's start with the Designer Brands Firming Age Revive Foundation. I am at the age where even just the name of this foundation ticks all boxes for me - a foundation with skincare benefits and ingredients including hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and restore elasticity. But it also contains a peptide infusion to help plump and firm the skin, vitamin C to help make the skin more even toned, as well as vitamin E to help promote skin cell renewal.

The foundation has a thick-ish formula and is easy to apply, with either your fingers, a sponge, or my preferred method, a foundation brush. It gives a nice moderate coverage with a dewy finish, and I like that it can also be build up to full coverage where needed to help cover pigmentation, freckles, redness, blemishes and scarring - and all while still looking natural. And as it is a moistursing formula, it really also does make the skin look plumper and consequently lines and wrinkles do appear diminished, also because it doesn't settle into the lines throughout the day to highlight them.

Because of the moistursing formula, it does reduce the wear a little on my combination skin, but with the help of a good primer first and a couple of quirts of the Designer Brands Spray & Set Makeup Setting Spray (see below!), it does last all day on my skin, still looking great at night when its time to remove my makeup.

I am not sure that I've noticed any permanent change in my skin since I've been using this foundation, possibly also because I am not wearing foundation every day, but I do find that my skin I looking more youthful when I wear it, and I love the fact that it does contain ingredients that help combat the signs of ageing as you wear it. Makeup with skincare benefits, what more could you ask for.

Then there's the Designer Brands Longwear 24 Hour Foundation, which is a full coverage foundation which as the name suggests, promises to be a smudge-proof lasting for a massive 24 hours - not that I would ever wear my makeup for that long, it doesn't matter how tired I am at night, but my makeup always comes off!

I love that this foundation has also been made with vitamins C and E, a peptide infusion to plump and firm the skin, and aloe vera extract to keep the skin feeling soft and supple, and I love that it has full coverage, easily covering all marks, including blemishes, redness, pigmentation and scars, yet it still looks natural and not thick or cakey, and it really does stay put all day. I also love that it doesn't smudge or transfer, so you can actually wear that white top or scarf and not have it ruined by your foundation. Back in the day where I was working long days in the corporate world I was swearing by long wearing foundation such as Estee Lauder's Double Wear and Revlon's Colorstay, and this foundation certainly gives, especially the ladder a good run for its money, and at half the price! Unfortunately for me, I found that these long wearing foundations with frequent wear seemed to clog up my pores, making my skin congested and break out, so I am only wearing these when I absolutely feel the need to.

And then Designer Brands have also jumped onto the Cushion Foundation wave, by launching the Luminous Perfection Cushion Foundation. This is a liquid foundation housed in a cushion sponge inside a compact, and by pressing the sponge into the cushion and hereafter padding onto the skin, it gives the skin a nice even finish with a radiant glow and a dewy finish. It has a very light formula with a medium coverage, which can be built up a little, although darker pigmentation and bags under they eyes do require the help of a concealer. The wear is not as good as i.e. the Age Revive Foundation, but again, a primer first and a spritz of the Spray & Set Makeup Setting Spray does help a lot.

The foundation also contains black tea, aloe vera extract, hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, C and E. I'm rarely on the go all day anymore, but if you are, you'll love the sleek black compact with a mirror that is great for popping into the handbag for easy touch ups on the go - and to make it even better, you can also purchase refills making it great value too. 

Finally, there's the Flawless All in One Foundation, which is a stick foundation which claims to be both a foundation and concealer in one. It contains among others Vitamins A, E and aloe vera hydrate and nourish the skin, and it has a light coverage which however can be built up a little - although I don't quite feel it can be built up to the level of a concealer to cover the dark circles under my eyes and my pigmentation, but maybe I'm just too demanding and have too much that needs covering!! It has a nice dewy finish and gives the skin a radiant glow. It has a fairly decent wear, but as it is a moistursing formula, it does make my skin a little shiny mid-day and requires a touch up.

That said, normally I find that stick foundations are very thick and difficult to apply, but I do like the lightness of this one and that it is so quick and easy to apply and blend. And of course, the stick format also makes it easy to pop into the handbag too. 

And then there's of course the Designer Brands Spray & Set Makeup Setting Spray. I don’t know if I've been hiding under a rock or something, but where were they when I was working full time and really needed these! And now, they seem to be everywhere, launched by all brands from luxe to drugstore. The Designer Brands Spray & Set Makeup Setting Spray creates a film over the makeup to not only help set it, but also make the skin and makeup look fresher and as if it has just been applied for longer, while protecting it from hot and cold weather. The spray is enriched with chamomile, cucumber and green tea, and does feel very refreshing on the skin, and is also great for applying throughout the day to freshen up. It has a nice fresh scent, just like cucumber and also helps make the makeup look dewy.

So there you go, a selection of foundations, - and a makeup setting spray from Designer Brands. There's truly an option for everyone. Personally I like the Firming Age Revive Foundation for special occasions, and for everyday casual makeup the Perfection Cushion Foundation ticks all boxes, but all in all, these are great products, and considering their bargain prices, seriously worth a try!


Designer Brands Firming Age Revive Foundation - RRP: $16.95
Designer Brands Longwear 24 Hour Foundation - RRP: $14.95
Designer Brands Flawless All in One Foundation - RRP: $14.95
Designer Brands Luminous Perfection Cushion Foundation - RRP: $19.99
Designer Brands Luminous Perfection Cushion Foundation - RRP: $14.99 / Refill
Designer Brands Spray & Set Makeup Setting Spray - RRP: $9.95

Available from Select Pharmacies, Price Attack and Designer Brands Online

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

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PRODUCT REVIEW: DESIGNER BRANDS MINERAL EYESHADOW QUADS

I'm sure you've all heard about Designer Brands - the Aussie brand that this year is celebrating 10 years in the market, and known their large range of affordable cosmetics, at high quality and free from chemical nasties such as parabens, talc and bismuth, as well as they are vegan and cruelty free certified! Well, to coincide with the anniversary, DB Cosmetics, as they are also called, are launching a range of new exciting products, including three Mineral Eyeshadow Quads in limited edition shades. 

The Mineral Quad Eyeshadow Quads are available in the shades Added Warmth, Pretty in Plum, and In the Shadows.

Often drugstore eyeshadows leave a lot to be desired in regards to pigmentation and wear, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how pigmented these were, and that, with the use of primer first, they actually also do stay put all day, without settling into creases, or without any fallout, even on my greasy eyelids.

Each of the palettes have a nice combination of shades, and contain finely milled Sericite Mika to make them silky soft, and Vitamin E to prevent any dryness and make them super easy to blend. 

I also really like the shades in each palette come numbered 1 to 4, and that on the back of each palette there is a how-to guide to help you create the perfect eye look.

Of course, each of the shades can be used individually for a simply and quick look, or in combination for a more dramatic and intense look.

You start by applying shade 1 to the brow bone and inner corner of the eye to lift and open the eye. Apply shade 2 to the entire lid as a base colour. Apply shade 3 to the crease and outer corner of the eye.

Use shade 4 to deepen the colour in the corner of your eye and define the top and bottom lash line.

Now onto the shades;

 

• Added Warmth - containing matte beige, shimmery golden, matte orange, matte dark chocolate
• Pretty in Plum - containing matte dusty rose, shimmery lavender, matte dusty greyish-purple, and matte dark purple
• In the Shadows - containing matte beige, shimmery golden, matte taupe, matte dark grey

 

Each of these palettes are stunning in their own right, and the colours are perfectly suited to each other to wear in any combination, or of course, as individual shades. My least favourite of the three is the Pretty In Plum, but that's merely because I am a tad conservative with the shades I wear on my eyes, and purple is not one of those shades I'd normally reach for - but still the shades are gorgeous.

 

The palette I'll without a doubt reach for the most is the In The Shadows containing more neutral shades as well as the dark grey, perfect for lining the eyes for a more intense look.

 

Finally, the Added Warmth - this is the palette that at first glance caught my eyes first. My second thought was that this is a stunning range of colours, but surely that orange is impossible to wear, but I was surprisingly wrong, as it actually looks very stunning, and if blended properly and used in moderation with the other shades in the palette, I will actually be using these shades too.

 

   

So there you go, some beautiful looking palette from Designer Brands which are definitely worth checking out, but be quick as these are limited edition, and these are sure to fly off the shelves.

 

    

Designer Brands Mineral Quad Eyeshadow Quad - RRP: $9.99 each

 

Available from Designer Cosmetics Online and select pharmacies 

 

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

 

   

 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT FEBRUARY 2015

It seems Lust Have It continues to have some shipping issues. The January edition arrived on the 20th February, and well, the February edition arrived yesterday, the 16th March, so sadly again still close to a month late. As I’ve mentioned before, If I was a paying subscriber, I would be disappointed, regardless of the amount of communication regarding the delay, but again, as the box has been sent to me as a PR sample, I really cannot complain. But I still have my fingers crossed that Lust Have It will get back on track soon with the shipping and that the March Box will arrive soon, before subscribers get too frustrated! Anyway, here are my thoughts on the February Lust Have It Box;

What They Say:

Lust Have It boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/month! Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples. Delivered to your home or work each month for you to try.

RRP: Lust Have It Box (monthly) RRP: $19.95, Eco Box (quarterly) RRP: $29.95 – but if you use my unique code LIFESTYLE at the checkout on the Lush Have It website, you are eligible for $5 off your first box from Lust Have It, and at the same time you’ll also be supporting Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, as I will get a few dollars too if someone subscribes using this code.

Available from Lust Have It



What I Say:
Yet again the February goodies arrived in a see-through pink mesh bag, and these are the products in bag this month, and these were the products inside;

Ulta3 Plum Lip Liner – Full Size (RRP: $2.95)

This lip liner has a plum shade, which is right on trend for the autumn colours. I have to admit that I don’t often wear plum lipsticks – or use lipliners for that matter – yes, I know I really should! In saying that, I haven’t got this shade in my collection, so it certainly won’t go astray.



Natural Glamour 2GLO Line Treatment Concealer – Full Size (RRP: $27.95)

This is a dual ended product with a Line Treatment in one end, and a concealer in the other. It promises to both treat and hide flaws. The Line Treatment promises to tighten and moisturise the eye area, while the concealer covers any redness, dark circles under the eyes, and pigmentation. Again, this sounds perfect to me, and with a growing bump I rarely get a good night’s sleep these days, and consequently a little help under the eyes wouldn’t go astray – except, like the foundation, I received is in the medium shade, which unfortunately is a touch too dark for my skin tone.



Natural Glamour Illuminating Foundation SPF 15 – Full Size (RRP: $29.95/40ml)

This foundation promises a flawless glowing complexion with a radiant matte look. It also promises to conceal blemishes. I do get the odd breakout, and also have some scarring as well as increasing pregnancy pigmentation, so this sounds like the perfect foundation for me - if only I hadn’t received it in the Medium shade, which unfortunately is a tad too dark for my skin tone!



Designer Brands Black Liquid Eyeliner – Full Size (RRP: $8.99)

I always use black liquid eyeliner, so this one certainly won’t go astray. I have only tried a few products from Designer Brands, which considering their low price, have been surprisingly good in quality, so I cannot wait to put this one to the test.



Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Sample, 30ml (RRP: $33.00/118ml)

This Skin Perfecting Exfoliant claims to exfoliate both the skin’s surface and inside the pores, unclogging the pores and improving cell turnover. With combination skin prone to breakouts, this sounds pretty awesome to me, and I’d love to give this a trial, right now – but sadly, being pregnant, I cannot use it right now, so I will have to wait until after I’ve given birth. Bummer!!


So all in all, unfortunately I am personally not particularly impressed with this month’s box, simply because there really is only one product that I will be using on a regular basis, the liquid eye liner. The foundation and the concealer, would have really excited me, if only I had received colours that better matched my skin tone. Luckily I am sure that a friend will happily take those products from me, so they are not completely wasted.

But in saying that, the box does contain four full sized products, and one deluxe sample, so in that respect it is good value for money – and especially if the foundation and concealer shades are right for you. I do find it a shame, as I can only imagine that I am not the only one to receive products that I won’t be able to use – if only Lust Have It was able to customise their boxes when including products that are for specific skin tones, then it would be an absolute winner.

Fingers crossed that the March box will be a little more my style….

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


What do you think of this month’s Lust Have It Box? Are you subscribing, or considering subscribing? Any products you are particularly keen on? And as always, if you’d like to see full reviews of any of the products, do let me know..

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PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT - JANUARY 2015

My Lust Have It for December arrived yesterday the 20^th February… yep, that’s right, a month late!! And really, it should have been a double delivery, as the February box is now due too, with just a week to go before the end of February. Who knows when the February box will show up! If I was a paying subscriber, I would be disappointed, regardless of the amount of communication regarding the delay, and especially considering I believe that payment for charge for this January box a long time ago, and that actually, that the payment for the February boxes have also already been charged! In saying that, as this box has been sent to me as a PR sample, I really cannot complain. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the January Lust Have It Box;

What They Say:

Lust Have It boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/month! Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples. Delivered to your home or work each month for you to try.

RRP: Lust Have It Box (monthly) RRP: $19.95, Eco Box (quarterly) RRP: $29.95 – but if you use my unique code LIFESTYLE at the checkout on the Lush Have It website, you are eligible for $5 off your first box from Lust Have It, and at the same time you’ll also be supporting Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, as I will get a few dollars too if someone subscribes using this code.

Available from Lust Have It 

What I Say:

As per previous months, this month the goodies again arrived in a see-through pink mesh bag, and these are the products in bag this month;

Urban Skincare Co Infuse Body Balm – Sample 35ml (RRP: $12.95/100ml)

I have previously received one of these body balms in some beauty box, and while the novelty factor is not there, I am personally very pleased receiving another one as I really loved it. It contains among others calcium and magnesium to hydrate dry skin, and it has the most amazing citrus scent. The box also came with a discount card offering you 20% of your next order from Urban Skincare Co.


Marsk Certified Organic Eyeliner in Pitch Black – Full Size (RRP: $33.50)

I usually use either black or dark brown eyeliner, so in that respect this eyeliner is a very welcome addition, and I will certainly put it to some use - once I’ve used the many other eyeliners that I’ve previously received in beauty boxes. But I do like the fact that this is a certified organic product, and it seems to have a good pigmentation, so I look forward to seeing how it performs.



Colour by TBN Neon Nail Polish in 172 White as Snow – Full Size (RRP: $2.50/15ml)

As the name suggests, I got a white nail polish. As such, there is nothing wrong with that, except I am just not the biggest wiz at applying nail polishes, and I just cannot seem to get pastels, and in particularly whites right. They always end up looking so patch that I’ve actually more or less given up on them. But I have tried a few other colours from the range, which were ok, especially seeing they are just $2.50. They do promise a scratch-proof salon quality, and while I don’t think that it quite true, I still feel that they offer a decent quality and wear of a couple of days.



Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in Mudcake – Full Size (RRP: $24.95/1.2g)

Regular subscribers were apparently able to pick their colour between this Mudcake and another shade. I didn’t get to pick, but am very happy to receive the Mudcake shade as it is a dark brown colour and the type of shade that I’d normally wear. The loose pigmented mineral Eyeshadow is very pigmented so you honestly only need the tiniest amount. It has a bit of a sheen, and while I don’t like too glittery products, this is ok.



Beaubox Wonder Powder in Nearly Nude – Full Size (RRP: $20/6g)

 

I have never previously tried anything from the brand Beaubox, so I am very pleased to see something new. The lose mineral powder promises a radiant glow, while also helping to control excess shine, so that really ticks the boxes for me. I also loe that it contains SPF15. The shade Nearly Nude, however, is a little pale, and in all honestly a touch too pale for my medium beige skin tone. But I will hang on to it and use it come winter when my skin is at its palest.



Bonus Sample - Designer Brands Chubby Lipstick Crayon in 410 Dollface Pink – Full Size (RRP: $7.99)


 

This is a bonus product as compensation for the boxes being so delayed this month! I love lip crayons, so I do like that this one has been included. It has been made with cocoa butter and vitamin E to help keep your lips soft and moisturised, and at just $7.99 it is certainly one of the cheaper lip crayons on the market. First impression is that it is quite pigmented, so I do look forward to seeing how it performs. I got the shade Dollface Pink which is a fuchsia pink shade, and I have to admit that I am not usually wearing a lot of pink lipsticks preferring mauves and reds, but it will be a nice break from the norm! 



Hello Fresh $35 Voucher

 

Finally, the box also came with a $35 voucher for Hello Fresh. You get all food the food delivered including recipes to cook from, all you have to do is cook. All the hard work is done for you. I love this concept, and keep wanting to try them out. However, I already have a handful of these vouchers floating around, so I have to admit that I am a little over seeing these vouchers in beauty boxes. Really a sachet cream sample would have been more appropriate, especially when it is a repeat product.

So there you to, the contents of the January Lust Have It Box. The box contains five full sized products and a sample size, and predominantly a makeup box this month, which I don’t mind, as I do have plenty of skincare – well I do have a lot of makeup too, but that is kind of different, LOL! The box has a value of over $90 so in that respect it is certainly good value for money – but this really only holds true if you are actually going to use all the products! The actual contents of the box is ok, and there are a couple of the products in including the Marks eyeliner and eye shadow, as well as the Urban Skincare Co that I am particularly excited about. I would also have been excited about the Beaubox Wonder Powder, if only it had come in a slightly darker shade and it would have been a little suitable for my skin tone. The Colour by TBN nail polish and the Designer Brands Lipstick Crayon, are both cheap products, so as such they don’t really excite me that much, as they are so cheap that I’d buy them myself, even in colours that I normally would use, simply because they are so cheap that it is no big deal if you don’t like them. But they are certainly a good inclusion to the boxes, you cannot argue with that.

So all in all I think that this is an ok box, it is not the best box I’ve ever received, but it certainly isn’t the worst one either.

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

What do you think of this month’s Lust Have It Box? Are you subscribing, or considering subscribing? Any products you are particularly keen on? And as always, if you’d like to see full reviews of any of the products, do let me know..

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BEST BEAUTY BUDGET BUYS - MAKEUP EDICTION - FEB 2015

This month I thought that I’d do an edition of my Best Beauty Budget Buys, focusing on makeup buys that I find are particularly great value..

Colour Theory Nail Polishes Pastel Collection

When your hands and toes are slightly summer tanned, nothing beats a slick or two of a pastel nail polish, and these cute nail polishes are a brilliant choice. There are over 20 different colours in the Colour Theory Nail Polish Collection, but I at the moment I am particularly fond of the range of pastels including, It’s a Boy, It’s a Girl, Minted, Lilac-A-Lovely, and Crème de la Crème – in fact, I cannot really decide which one is my favourite, but then its lucky they are so cheap you can afford them all. The formaldehyde free polishes are easy to apply and dry quickly, although two coats are required for a solid colour, but I think that is the case with most pasted coloured polishes anyway. They have a wear of a few days, which can be extended by the use of a base and top coat, but I think is decent, also considering the low price. I also love that there are so many more colours in the range, so even if you are not into pastels, there’s still a colour for you.

RRP: $4.00 – Available from Amcal and Guardian Pharmacies




EcoTools Skin Perfecting Brush

Good makeup brushes at a reasonable price can be hard to come by, but lately I have been loving this Skin Perfecting Brush from EcoTools. The brush has been specifically designed for use with BB and CC Creams, which is what I tend to wear most days, especially during summer.

The brush has cut dense angled yet soft bristles to give you a smooth application with an even look, without transferring oil from the hands to the face. The angled bristles also make it easy to get to hard to reach areas, including around the eyes and in the corner of the nose. A great quality brush at a low price.

RRP: $15.99 – Available from The Beauty Office




Essence Lash Princess Mascara

This mascara has the cutest packaging ever, featuring a corset/dress design. It has a slim wand that makes it easy to get to and cover even the tiniest of lashes. It coats evenly and gives your lashes both nice volume and length, while also adding a touch of curl, and you can build it up by adding another coat or two, all without clumping – although you do have to make sure to do it before it dries to avoid clumping.

The Mascara is not waterproof, but it still lasts all day without flaking, even surviving my sensitive watery eyes. A good mascara for everyday use, at a brilliant price!

RRP: $6.75 - Available from Target and Priceline 




Essence Silky Touch Blush

This blush in the shade Autumn Peach is a lovely pinky-peach shade with a touch of golden sheen, that is still subtle without being over the top shimmery. It initially goes in quite sheer, but you can easily build up the coverage as much as you like, as it is surprisingly pigmented, yet while still looking quite natural.

The blush is has a lovely soft finish, and it lasts all day on the cheeks without fading or sliding. A fantastic blush at a bargain price!

RRP: $5.10 – Available from Target and Priceline



Colour by TBN Moisturising Lipstick

These lipsticks from Colour by TBN are a serious bargain buy. They contain vitamin E and aloe vera and not only lightweight but also feel moisturising on the lips. They apply easily and leave a lovely semi-matte finish on the lips. The are very pigmented, and especially the darker colours, and they lasts fairly well on the lips. There is a massive 20 different shades in the range, so there is sure to be a colour to match every preference and occasion. I also love that the covers are colour matched to the shade of the lipstick as at just $2.50 there’s no excuse to pick out several from the large.

RRP: $2.50 – Available from select pharmacies




DB Designer Brands Lightweight Oil-Free Foundation SPF15

This foundation offers you a light to medium coverage that is easy to apply and blend easily covering minor blemishes, redness and pigmentation. It contains among others sericite mica as well as vitamin C and E and aloe vera to care for your skin as you wear it, which means that it feels so lovely and moisturising at the skin too. I also love that it is so lightweight and also is oil-free, and contains no talc, bismuth that can clog up pores.

It has a natural looking dewy finish that stays put all day, even on a hot day, without too much shine, and without settling into fine lines too. I also love that it has SPF15, although a higher SPF wouldn’t go astray. It comes in a heavy-duty glass bottle with a pump that is both easy and convenient to use!

RRP: $12.95 (30ml) – Available from Priceline and Designer Brands Online

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


So there you go, a collection of makeup at bargain prices!


Have you tried any of these products? Keen on trying any of them? Which bargain makeup products would you recommend?

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