XMAS BEAUTY GIFTS FOR HER

PRODUCT REVIEW: MARY KAY LIPS

I am very lucky that I do not suffer with dry lips. Usually a touch of lip balm before going to bed is sufficient for my lips. But that doesn't mean that they cannot benefit from a little extra TLC, and the Mary Kay Satin Lips Shea Sugar Scrub and Butter Balm are the perfect treat.

The Mary Kay Satin Lips Shea Sugar Scrub is small tube filled with sugar scrub enriched with shea butter, white tea as well as citrus. And you need is a tiny bit massaged into the lips, and then rinse it off with a bit of water, and you're left with the softest lips. And don't fear that this will scratch or dry out your lips, it is super gentle, and actually, thanks to the shea butter, leaves the lips feeling moistursed too. This is the first time I've tried a specific lip scrub, and I am so addicted to this, and cannot imagine being without out it now.

You can then follow with the Mary Kay Satin Lips Shea Butter Balm, which is a rich lip balm that is so nourishing and moisturing on the lips, repairing any signs of dry or chapped lips in no time. Both have a gorgeous, and refreshing scent from the added white tea and citrus.

L-R: Mauve Moment and Powerful Pink

Making sure that your lips are in top shape, is always the best way to ensure your lipsticks look their best. Lately I've also been loving the Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick.

These lipsticks are very pigmented and offers a full-coverage at the very first swipe, and with a formula that stays put for hours.

I manage to get about 4-5 hours wear from these lipsticks, which I personally find very reasonable. And unlike other long-wearing lipsticks that often dries out the lips and end up looking horrible, thanks to a gel microsphere technology, these actually feels soft and smooth on the lips, and hence are so comfortable to wear.

The lipsticks have a semi-matte finish, not completely flat and matte, but rather they have a velvety feel with just a tiny touch of sheen, which I actually really like.

I put the shades Mauve Moment and Powerful Pink to the test. Mauve Moment is a typical warm beigey-toned pink that is perfect for everyday casual wear, whereas Powerful Pink is a brighter and bolder fuchsia pink shade that really pops. I really love both, and ask me a few years ago, and I would have picked the Mauve any day, but today I am more for a bolder lips, so really love the Powerful Pink as it so brightens up the face.

The lipsticks come in stylish black bullet looking packaging, and they have a divine sweet fruity scent.

Overall I've yet again really enjoyed these products from Mary Kay. I really love the lip scrub, and it has quickly become a part of my Sunday pampering routine, and the lip balm is a great way to give the lips a treat afterwards. And the lipsticks are so lovely to wear that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a few more in the darker red shades.


Mary Kay Satin Lips Shea Sugar Scrub - RRP: $28 / 8g
Mary Kay Satin Lips Shea Butter Balm - RRP: $28 / 8g
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick - $25 / 3.6g
Available from Mary Kay 

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



 

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XMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM LUSH

As its getting closer to Xmas, today it is time for another round of gift ideas, today from Lush. And actually, below I will show you several options so there are both suggestions for stocking fillers, small budget friendly presents, or of course another option is making up a gift consisting of a selection of different products;

What They Say:

Lush Santa’s Lip Scrub:

Prime your pout with this moisturising cola-flavoured lip scrub that leaves your lips buffed and ready for Santa Baby – or any other Lush lip tint or balm. Caster sugar, dates and cherries scrub and soften, giving them a taste of Christmas. Dab a little on and buff, licking off the excess. RRP: $9.95 (25g) - Available from Lush

Lush Santa Baby Lip Tint: A Christmassy red lip tint made with cherries and dates for sweet, kissable lips. Made with Fair Trade shea butter and nourishing carrot oil to soften and moisturise, and a cinnamon-sweet, cola-flavoured taste of Christmas, Santa will be hurrying down the chimney tonight. RRP: $9.95 (8g) - Available from Lush

Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel: Let your skin be kissed by a rose with this sweetly floral shower gel. Wrap yourself in a comforting embrace with nourishing Moroccan argan oil, organic rose absolute and rose oil together with a Fair Trade vanilla pod infusion. This is an indulgent wash that lifts the spirits. RRP: 29.95 (100ml) - Available from Lush

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel: Add some Christmas sparkle to your day with this candy-sweet shower gel. Snow Fairy is back again this year, bringing its fairy dust magic into your shower, now with the addition of skin-softening seaweed. RRP: $29.95 (100g) - Available from Lush

Lush Celebrate Body Lotion: Give your skin cause for celebration by smoothing on this intoxicatingly citrusy body lotion with a splash of cognac. Lime oil and Brazilian orange oil lift the spirits, while cocoa butter and almond oil hydrate the skin - it's the perfect lotion to wear for a festive night out. RRP: $22.95 (225g) - Available from Lush 


Snowman Fun: Build your own snowman in the bath with our festive Fun kit. Can anyone smell carrots? This is fragranced with a refreshing and sweet blend of buchu, bergamot and Sicilian lemon essential oils. Mould the white, orange, and black pieces into a snowman and then use it as a bubble bar, soap or shampoo when you've finished playing with him. RRP: 9.95 (200g) - Available from Lush



What I Say:

The Lush Santa’s Lip Scrub, is as the name suggests a scrub for the lips made with sugar. All it takes is a tiny bit of this lip scrub, and gently scrubs away dry flaky bits and leaves your lips feeling so soft and smooth.

The scrub has the most gorgeous sweet cherry cola scent that that is so lovely that you are almost tempted to eat it. The scrub is red in colour and also contains cute little red hearts that dissolve.

This Lush Santa Baby Lip Tint has a beautiful scent although I cannot quite detect a supposed cola flavour!! It leaves the most beautiful red stain on your lips, and from just the tiniest dab into the cute little tin, but be vary that it does stain your finger as well, so you may want to use a little brush to avoid that.

You can also use it as a cheek stain if you like, but in that case, you need to blend it out quickly or you will end up with red clowns cheeks! And as it is made from shea butter and carrot oil, it leaves your lips feeling so soft at the same time. The tint lasts surprisingly long on the lips.

Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel and the Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel are so lovely to use in the shower, easily lathering up to the softest foam that gently cleanses your skin without drying it out.

The Rose Jam Shower Gel, has, as the name suggests, the most stunning rose scent that smells a little like old-fashioned potpourri, while the Snow Fairy Shower Gel has a very sweet and sugary lolly scent.

The Lush Celebrate Body Lotion smells seriously amazing – it may be because it contains my favourite ingredient – citrus scents, including lime oil and orange, which gives it a beautiful zesty scent.

The whipped cream is thick and rich, yet it absorbs fairly quickly into the skin, leaving it soft and moisturised, and with that gorgeous scent lingering behind for hours.

Finally, the Snowman Fun, was just that – so much fun…

I had so much fun playing with the soft soap moulding the different colours into my own little snowman, - although as you can see I am not that creative, and I also did have a few issues with the colours seeping together. And afterwards leaving him by the kitchen sink to use as a hand soap, while making the whole kitchen smell nice just sitting there on display - although he sadly did get to close to the sun in the window one day, and basically melted down like a real-life snowman. 

 
So there you go, a range of different products that are perfect to use as Xmas gift ideas – both on their own as stocking fillers or combined in a beautiful hamper for someone who deserves a little pampering.

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

What do you think of these products form Lush? Are you a fan of Lush products? Which of their products would you recommend?


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PRODUCT REVIEW: VIOLET BOX MAY 2014

Another month gone, and it is now just a few days away from officially being winter – and it is yet again time for a beauty box review. Here are my thoughts on the *May Violet Box;

 

What They Say:

Violet Box brands promises to every month include 4-6 premium beauty and lifestyle samples from well-known and trusted Australian beauty brands as well as exciting new International brands, one in particular is a revolutionary product currently trending in New York and has been featured in Vogue and on the Today Show!

 

RRP: You can subscribe to Violet Box for:

1 month – $22.95

3 months - $66.00

6 months - $130

12 months - $250

- Available from Violet Box

What I Say:

As always, the Violet box has arrived in the usual stylish black matte box, and this is what was in it;

As per the sneak peak in last month’s Box, the May box included a Goldwell StyleSign Sleek Perfection….

Goldwell StyleSign Sleek Perfection – Sample 20ml (RRP: Full size $24.95)

 

 

This is a thermal spray to protect the hair from hot styling tools, and which is humidity resistant for up to 24 hours to maintain silky straight hair. This sounds pretty good to me, although I have to admit that I rarely have time to straighten my long hair these days. But it is handy to have at hand for those times when it does happen, and the small size is perfect for travelling and weekends away.

 

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub – Full size ($9.95/25g)

 

 

I have actually never tried a lip scrub before, usually using my usual face scrub, so I am excited to try this one from Lush. It contains coconut and jojoba oils, as well as sugar, sea salt and polenta to leave the lips soft and moisturised. I am not the greatest fan of coconut scented products, but luckily the coconut scent is not too strong in this product, so I look forward to testing this one out!

 

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil – Full Size (RRP: $24.95)

 

 

I have never heard of Chella before, so I love the inclusion of this one. The pencil can be used to highlight, conceal and brighten the brow and eye area, and is perfect for applying on the brow bone, and dark circles, blemishes and red spots, so this is a fantastic multi-tasking pencil. The pale skin toned product is soft and creamy, and easy to use, so I am very excited about this one and cannot wait to put it to the test.

 

Eve’s Ready to wear Lipstick by Teeez – Full Size (RRP: 32.00)

 

 

Last month in the April Violet box there was a Teeez nail polish included, and that was the first I’d ever heard of Teeez, and as I’ve loved the nail polish, I love the addition of this lipstick this month. It claims to nourish, hydrate and repair cracked and dry lips, and has a pale nude pinky shade, that is so lovely. And it comes in such a cute packaging, and it smells divine too. I love it!

 

Timeless Truth Miracle Rejuvenation Mask (Lifting Mask) – Full Size (RRP: $7.00)

 

 

This cloth mask claims to be an intensive skin refining mask to bring back a fresh, pure look and feel of younger skin, rejuvenating dull and lifeless skin, leaving it looking radiant and even toned. IT also helps improve the appearance of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. How amazing does that sound, and I cannot wait to use it, it is just what my skin needs – now just need to find the 15-20 minutes where I can lie down and relax while it works its magic!

 

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse – Sample sachet, 4ml – (RRP: $24.95/50ml, $39.95/100ml)

I love this oil which can be used on the face, body and in the hair, and already have a full sized bottle – this also means that I am not extremely excited about this one – but in saying that, it has only been a few months since I bought the bottle, and before that, the product was high on my wish list, so it is just bad timing. And as it is such a fantastic product, I certainly don’t mind the inclusion, as it will definitely be put to good use.

 

Nuxe Crème Merveillance – Sample sachet, 2ml – (RRP: $64.95/50ml)

Now this cream excited me a whole lot more as I’ve wanted to try more products from Nuxe, but sadly this is intended for dry skin, so I am not so sure how it will go on my combination skin – but in saying that, my skin is always getting a little drier as we head towards winter, so I will certainly be testing it out.

 

Finally, there is also a teaser for the June box, which will be including a ghd Straight & Tame Cream – sounds pretty good to me!

I am impressed. Month after month Violet Box manages to maintain – or I would go as far as to say continuously improve the fantastic value of the boxes, as well a great variety of products. This month saw the inclusion of a whole four full sized products, and three great samples – all of which I will enjoy trying and using. And I also love the variety of the products, from face and body care, lip product, makeup and hair – there really is something for everyone! With just the full sized products, the box has a value of $71, and again, add to that the three samples. How great is that.

Well done Violet Box!

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

 

What do you think of the products of this month’s Violet Box? Did you get this months’ box too? What did you think? And if not, would you consider subscribing?

And of course, as always, if you’d like to see an in-depth review of any of products in the box, leave me a comment below..