QUICK EVERYDAY MAKEUP - WITH JANE IREDALE DREAM TINT, PHYSICIANS FORMULA, MAX FACTOR, CLARINS, SCOUT, RIMMEL, L'OREAL, ERE PEREZ

With a toddler running around my legs, these days it is rare that I have much more than 5-10 minutes or so to do my makeup before my little boy has pulled everything out from the bathroom cabinets. So most I rely on products which will allow me to apply my makeup quickly. Here are my current picks; 

I use a tinted moisturiser, the Dream Tint from Jane Iredale which gives me a lovely even skin tone and a lovely dewy matte look with a lovely glow all while still looking very natural. It is very moisturising, so on hot and humid summer days I don’t even need to apply a moisturiser first (but I’d never skip my serum!), and as it also comes with SPF15, that side is covered too! (I have previously reviewed this Dream Tint and you can see my full review here!)


I then use the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster, which works to both contour the face, and add a touch of a bronze healthy look to my face (and if I feel like it, to my décolleté and shoulders as well!). The palette contains two bronze shades so depending on my mood I can either use both of them together, or even separately. The bronzer also has a touch of golden shimmer, adding a touch glow to my face.

If I have time, I like to add a touch of highlighter to the top of my cheek bones – it simply adds a touch of glow and life to my dull tired face. And this Mineral Illuminser from Scout Cosmetics is my current go to product. It is made from natural minerals it adds such a lovely natural and healthy glow, all without being too shimmery or glittery. (RRP: $44.95)

On my cheeks I love using the Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm in Holy. In the compact it looks to be a dark berry shade, but once on the cheeks it has a lovely sheer velvety finish that is so natural as if you’ve just pinched your cheeks! And if I want a darker effect, I simply just add a little more. It is quick and easy to apply with your fingers, and any remains you can simply wipe over your lips for a lovely stain, although I do love applying it with the incredibly soft Ere Perez Multipurpose Brush that is perfect blending for all creamy products. RRP: $32.95)


On my eyes I use the Wild Shadow Pots from Max Factor in either Savage Rose, Auburn Envy, or Burnt Bark. These eye shadows are very pigmented, and just a quick wipe is all it takes for a casual everyday look. I often just use one colour on its own, but if I do have a little more time, combine two or three of them.
To line my eyes I use the Super Liner Silkissme from L’Oreal Paris. The black eyeliner, glides on smoothly and easily, without any pulling or dragging. It gives an intense look with a nice shine that lasts all days, even when my eyes are watering. (RRP: $22.95) Above the lash line, I currently like using the Instant Liner from Clains. This eyeliner makes it so easy to draw a precise and fine line, while providing intense pigment that simply doesn’t budge or fade during the day. 

And of course I cannot skip mascara, and my current pick is the Scandal Eyes Rockin’ Curves from Rimmel London. The large curved brush on this mascara makes it so easy to get to even the smallest of lashes, evenly coating them, and giving them both volume and length as well as a nice curl. No lash curler needed! (RRP: $16.95)

Next is the pout, as of curse you cannot skip the lips. And like most others I really love the crayon style lipsticks and balms, and my current picks are the Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balms from Covergirl as they are just so easy to apply also on the go later in the day thanks to the twist-up pen. I love shade Mauve Twist, which is a lovely dark nude mauve shade, or Berry Twist when I feel like something a little bolder as it is a brighter fuchsia pink shade. The both go on sheer, although you can build up the colour, all while still leaving a nice glossy shine to the lips. And they double as lip balms too, as they are so moisturising on the lips containing both shea and mango butter. (RRP: $12.95)

Unless I’ve already run out of time, I also prefer doing my brows before I run out the door. They are victims of serial over-plucking so a little help from the Colour Riche Eye Brow Pencil from L’Oreal is needed. With this pencil it is so quick and easy to fill in any gaps to define the brows, while the convenient brush at the other end helps style them into place! (RRP: $22.95)

So there you go, my current picks of products that are so quick and easy to use when you are in a hurry, but still want to apply your makeup..

Tried any of these products? Which products do you reach for when you are in a hurry?

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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PRODUCT REVIEW: SCOUT MINERAL COSMETICS LIPGLOSS, EYESHADOW AND NAIL LACQUER

I’ve previously talked about Scout Cosmetics, and fell in love with their products. The brand is Australian and as well as makeup, also makes skincare and haircare products, all made in Australia from only the high quality certified organic and natural ingredients. So when I when I was sent some of the new season products, it natural made my day.

Scout Cosmetics Mineral Lipgloss in Sweet

The Lipgloss in Sweet, is a pastel pink shade with super fine glitter particles. I am not really fond of glitter, maybe it’s my age, feeling I’m a tad too old for it, but these glitter particles are really tiny, and once on the lips they are almost not visible, but rather gives a nice sheen. The shade Sweet, again, is not normally a shade I’d go for simply as I don’t feel it suits my colourings, and hence I usually preferring more mauve shades (although one of my goals for this year is to be a bit more experimental with darker and brighter lipsticks!!), however, it goes on the lips sheer, so it simply gives the lips a lovely light pink shade with the nice sheen, so I’m actually enjoying wearing it on the days I don’t feel like wearing too much, or even days where I’m not wearing other makeup. Thing is that it is packed with vitamin E, Orange and Jojoba seed oil so it is very nourishing on the lips, so it’s practically like wearing a lip balm, and I love the fact that it has next to no scent. And unlike many other lipglosses, it feels lovely on the lips and not tacky or sticky at all. There are 13 shades in the range, and I certainly wouldn’t mind a few more… RRP: $24.95, available from Scout Cosmetics Here


Scout Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow in Ice Baby

The Eyeshadow in Ice Bay is a pale pink with a soft metallic sheen. It comes in a little clear plastic pot with a black screw lid, and it has an inner ‘shaker lid’, making it easy to shake out just the amount of the loose mineral eye shadow you need. The shade is great to use on its own to brighten the eyes, or used as a base colour in combination with any other colour. It is very easy to apply and blend, and it only takes the tiniest amount, although as it is so pigmented, you can easily build up colour for a more intense and dramatic look. It has a good wear, even on my greasy eyelids, especially when using a primer first. There are a whole 23 beautiful shades in the collection, and personally I certainly wouldn’t mind adding a few more to my collection! RRP: $29.95 Available from Scout Cosmetics Here


Scout Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in All She Desires

The Nail Polish in All She Desires is a pinky-purple shade loaded with tiny silver and blue-ish glitter particles to give it a high-intensity metallic sheen and a shade that is slightly variating from pink into sliver . It is not a shade I’d probably select myself, but in saying that it is lovely on the nails and such a refreshing change from the non-metallic shades I’d usually go for. I also love the fact that it is a 5-free formulation free from all the harmful ingredients including Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor or Parabens. It is easy to apply streak free, and even after one coat it gives a decent coverage, although naturally nicer and more solid colour after the standard two coats. It has a relatively good wear of a couple of days, but in saying that, I have a sick baby who is very sensitive to any infections or bugs, so I do wash my hands more times than I can count throughout the day, which naturally also puts wear and tear on the polish , so I still find that pretty good. There are a massive 30 shades in the range, and again, certainly wouldn’t mind a couple more! RRP: $19.95 and available from Scout Cosmetics Here

Overall really enjoying using these products from Scout Cosmetics, and I’m sure you’ll love their products too!

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

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PRODUCT REVIEW: SCOUT COSMETICS - LIPGLOSS, EYESHADOW AND BLUSH

I love it when I come across new brands, so when I was asked to trial some products from Scout Cosmetics, I happily accepted. Here are my thoughts on the Lipgloss, Eye shadow and Blush*;

What They Say:

Lipgloss: Vitamin E Organic citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) and Jojoba seed oil help to make this lip gloss shiny creamy and moisturising. SCOUT mineral lip gloss Colours are sexy fun and fresh. Available in 16 colours

Eyeshadow: Modern - Elegant - Colours have been created to give you a versatile palette for day or evening. The range of matte mineral eye shadows allows the contemporary woman to accentuate her eyes during the day adding more definition at night. The earthy shades can also be used for brow definition. The range of shimmery mineral hues adds glamour and a sense of the dramatic. Our shadows take you from the boardroom playground business or lunch to a night-time affair.... Available in 23 colours

Blush: Our blush provides the softest hint of colour. For a naturally beautiful just blushed finish. The smallest amount is needed for an elegant luminescent glow. Available in 4 colours



RRP: 

Lipgloss: $24.95 – Available from Scout Cosmetics Online 

Eye Shadow: $29.95 – Available from Scout Cosmetics Online

Blush: $49.95 – Available from Scout Cosmetics Online


What I Say:

New to Scout Cosmetics I decided to look a little into the brand, and was surprised when I realised that this is a family owned Australian business established over than 10 years ago. And the company has a huge range of not only mineral cosmetics, but also skincare and haircare products. Where have I been?! 

I also discovered that Scout Cosmetics has the philosophy is that each product must have three attributes;

• It must be made in Australia from only the high quality certified organic and natural ingredients
• It must be formulated by experts and manufactured to exacting Australian and international standards
• Most of all, it must be effective in looking after your skin, enhancing your natural beauty and be a delight to use

The collection has been developed for the discerning, active woman, with the "colour palette of our mineral makeup had to be contemporary and versatile. The application and finish luxurious. Our collection had to match the very best brands but ‘without all the conventional chemicals".


In addition, the products are not tested on animals, are Water resistant and can be worn while playing sport and all day and into the night, utilises pharmaceutical grade minerals and naturally derived or organic botanicals, rated SPF 15 as a natural sunscreen. The products are also lightweight, non-comedogenic and allow your skin to breathe, contains no Bismuth Oxychloride and are free of parabens, synthetic FD & C classified dyes, clays, mineral oil or petroleum derived ingredients and free of lanolin, beeswax or any other generic fillers.


Sounds pretty impressive if you ask me – so how do these products perform. Let’s start with the lipgloss..

The Scout Cosmetics Lipgloss comes in a simple clear tube with a black lid, and a foot doe applicator, that makes it easy to apply, even on the go. It has next to no added fragrance, yet it has a slight scent, no doubt from the added ingredients.

I got the colour Zest is a lovely nude dusty pink shade. Seeing the name Zest does make me thing of something citrusy, but well, that is not the case. Once on the lips, it is quite sheer, and only gives your lips hint of the pale pink shade, rather it lets the natural colour of your lips shine through, while giving them a lovely sheen, without being too over the top.

And on the lips it feel so light and weightless. My lips instantly feels so soft and smooth, as if I am wearing a lip balm, as there is absolutely no stickiness in sight. As any other lipgloss, and in particularly pale colours like this one, the wear is not the longest, and after I eat or drink it more or less disappears. Otherwise it does stay put on the lips for a few hours, and when it does fade, it still leaves the lips with the nice sheen, and still feeling soft and smooth.


The Scout Cosmetics Mineral Blush comes in a clear plastic pot with a black screw lid, which reveals the inner ‘shaker lid’, making it easy to shake out just the amount of the loose mineral blush you need, without wastage. The clear jar also makes it easy to see exactly how much of the blush you have left.

I tried the colour Demure, which as the name suggest is a modest – pale dusky pink, and exactly the type of colour that I mainly reach for on a daily basis for a simple and minimalist everyday look.

The actual blush is easy to apply and blend, and as it is so highly pigmented, only the tiniest amount is needed for a slight blushed look, while the colour can easily be built up. It has a slight luminescent sheen, yet this is still so subtle, without making it look too over the top.

I apply it over either my usual BB cream or foundation, and at night it still looks freshly applied, without having faded.


Finally the Scout Cosmetics Eye Shadow comes in a clear plastic pot with a black screw lid, in the same style as the blush, only a lot smaller. Like the blush, the eye shadow also has an inner ‘shaker lid’, making it easy to shake out just the amount of the loose mineral eye shadow you need.

I trialled the colour The Promise¸ is a dark chocolate brown shade, from the matte eye shadow range. And I love that it is matte, as being at the age where fine lines have set in around the eye area, too shimmery eye shadows only highlight these more. And the colour is absolutely stunning, perfect to wear with a nude base colour, for a simple daytime look, or to use for a dark smoky eye at nigh-time.




I clearly used too much eyeshadow to do this swatch,
but it just goes to show how pigmented it is!

Like the blush, it is very easy to apply and blend, and it only takes the tiniest amount, although as it is so pigmented, you can easily build up colour for a more intense and dramatic look.

Being a loose pigment, there is a little fallout as you apply it, but I think is pretty standard for loose pigment eye shadows – but you can avoid getting eye shadows falling down your cheeks by making sure to remove excess Eyeshadow pigment from the brush before applying, and by adding a bit of powder under the eyes before, so you can easily sweet away any particles that may drop.

It has a good wear, and used with a Eyeshadow primer first, the Eyeshadow stayed put all day without fading or settling into fine lines.



What I Like:

• Products contain absolutely no chemical nasties, and are very gentle on the skin
• Due to the ingredients, the products have a natural ‘built’-in’ SPF15
• Large colour range available so there is something for every taste and skin tone
• Products are very concentrated, highly pigmented and of a very high quality
• Products made from certified organic and natural ingredients
• Reasonably priced for mineral cosmetics of such a high quality

 What I Don’t Like:

• Only available for purchase online or through Scout Cosmetics Consultants, making it more difficult to view and play with colour range prior to purchase

Overall I am really impressed with these products from Scout Cosmetics, and again, I cannot believe that this brand has been around for more than 10 years, and I’ve only just come across it now! I am super impressed with these products, as they are not only a breeze to work with, they also feel so comfortable on the skin, and look so natural as well. So if you are looking for products made from certified organic and natural ingredients, then I highly recommend that you check out Scout Cosmetics. I know I’m keen to discover more of their products!

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


Have you ever heard of Scout Cosmetics? Do you use mineral makeup? And what do you prefer, loose or pressed eye shadows and blushes?

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WINTER CARE FOR HANDS, FEET AND NAILS

When the temperature drops during autumn and winter, so does the humidity in the air outside, while the indoor heating leaves the air drier, with the result that the skin on your body, including your hands and feet and not to mention your nails and hair, are often left dry, dehydrated and looking worse for wear. In a series of posts over the next few weeks I’ll give you my selections and suggestions of products that will help you keep your skin, nails and hair a little bit healthy this winter..

Let’s start with the hands, nails and feet..

 

 

Between having two dogs that both like to give me ‘kisses’ on my hands, and a baby with frequent nappy changes, I wash my hands a lot during the day, which in itself is enough to leave my hands and nails dry. But add to that a baby with a cold, and you’d need to wash your hands even more frequently not to spread the bacteria.

And the best way to care for dry, parched and chapped skin and nails, is simply to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise to replace any moisture that the skin is missing.

 

Dirty Works You Soft Touch Hand Cream*

 

 

 

Dirty Works You Soft Touch Hand Cream has a gorgeous but gentle floral scent and comes in such a cute retro style blue tube, and it is made with cocoa butter and jojoba oil to help nourish and smooth very dry hands. It is thick and creamy, yet it absorbs quickly into the hands leaving the silky soft for hours, even after you next wash your hands. And just $5.95 it is such a bargain too so you can afford to stock up and keep on your desk, in your car, and in your handbag...!

RRP: $5.95/100ml – Available from Coles

 

Molton Brown Desert Bloom Intense Hand Rescue*

 

 

This intense hand rescue is scented with myrrh, which to be quite honest, I cannot recall coming across before, and OMG , it smells absolutely aaaaahmazing, with its fresh fruity and floral scent, - it is so lovely that I cannot stop smelling my hands after use. It contains African desert plant extract helps to lock in moisture, candletree leaf extract to deeply moisturise and help fight UV induced age-spots, myrrh to help improve the appearance of skin and nails (plus add that gorgeous scent!), and shea butter to condition and repair dry and overexposed hands, nails and cuticles. It’s is thick and creamy, yet absorbs rapidly, and although it leaves a protective barrier on the skin, it is in no way greasy or stick, but rather it leaves my skin feeling every so soft and clearly so deeply hydrated, ready to face another cold winters day. This is the first product from Molton Brown I’ve ever tried, and I am so in love, that it definitely won’t be the last!

RRP: $50 (75ml) – Available from Molton Brown and David Jones

 

Orly Rich Renewal Pucker Ultra Hydrating Creme for Hands, Feet and Body*

 

 

This cream is a fantastic multi-tasking product suitable for both hands, feet and body, and it really is ultra hydrating thanks to containing shea and cocoa butter, aloe vera, vitamins E and A, to sooth, condition and revitalise and heal dry and chapped skin and protect it for the harsh and cold winter winds. And even though the cream is so thick, it is a non-greasy formula that is quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving behind a fresh and refreshing fruity scent of red grapefruit and papaya. And before you ask, the tube may be small for a body product, but it is seriously concentrated so it will dry areas such as elbows and knees back to being soft and subtle in no time.

RRP: $10.95 (60ml) – Available from Select Stockists

 

Lanolips Intense Rose Hand Balm*

 

 

This Intense Hand Balm from Lanolips is made from 98% natural ingredients and is free from parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils and sulfates. It is based on medical grade lanolin, with added shea butter, cocoa seed butter and wheat germ oil, as well as it has rose flower oil added to add a lovely and natural gentle rose fragrance. As you’d expect from an intense cream, it is very thick in consistency, and it consequently takes a little longer to absorb into the skin than a normal hand cream – but once it has, any signs of dry hands immediately disappear, and my hands are left incredibly soft, and surprisingly, also without feeling greasy, so it is as perfect for use during the day, as it is for applying just before bedtime for an intense treatment for hands and nails while you get some beauty sleep.

RRP: $15.95 (50ml) – Available from Adore Beauty, David Jones, Priceline and select pharmacies

 

And even though it will still be a while until you’ll get your tootsies into open-toed sandals again, don’t neglect your feet – if you look after them during winter, they will be ready for show at the first sign of spring.

 

Scholl Eulactol Heel Balm Gold*

 

 

If your feet are really suffering from neglect, and are rough and dry and your heels are cracked, you cannot go past the Scholl Eulactol Heel Balm Gold. The cream is thick, yet it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving the skin feel greasy, and using it twice a day, you start to see results already after a few days, and soon after your feet are feeling hydrated and soft again, with no cracks in sight. With limited time to file my feet, I really like that it works on its own, and so fast too. And once your baby soft feet have been restored, used just a few times a week, will ensure they stay that way. A pedicure in a tube. Simply too easy!

RRP: $13.49 (60ml) – Available from Supermarkets, Priceline and pharmacies

 

Burt’s Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion*

 

 

Often foot creams are thick and leaves the feet feeling so greasy that you can only use it at night and with a pair of old socks on top. Not with this Peppermint Foot Lotion from Burt’s Bees. The lotion absorbs quickly into the feet without leaving them feeling greasy or tacky so you can get on with your day straight away. It contains among others menthol, witch hazel and peppermint and parsley oils which has a lovely cooling effect on the feet so perfect if you’ve been on your feet all day. It also contains ingredients to help odour at bay, so it's like a deodorant for the feet, yet it moisturises at the same time. And I love that it is made from 100% natural ingredients with absolutely no chemical nasties.

RRP: $24.95/100ml – Available from Department Stores, Priceline and select pharmacies

 

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Foot Cream*

 

 

I have long been a fan of the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream that I always use as a barrier cream to protect my hands when I am gardening or doing other hands-on work, such as moving house (which I am sadly very experienced at having moved twice already this year!!). And this Norwegian Formula Foot Cream doesn’t fail to impress either. The thick concentrated formula has pleasant gentle scent and instantly delivers long-lasting and intense moisture to dry feet and cracked heels, making them feel softer all day long. It has a slightly greasy formula, which makes it perfect to use before bedtime with an old pair of socks, but the effort is worth it as the next morning you wake to the softest and smoothest feet you’ve ever seen.

RRP: $7.99/56g – Available from Supermarkets, Priceline and select pharmacies

 

And while you’re giving your hand some moisture, don’t forget to also rub some into your cuticles and nails on both your hands and feet, as nails are also prone to being dry, breaking and flaking during winter.

 

Scout Cosmetics 5-Free Nail Polishes*

I admit it, I like dark clothes, and have A LOT of it. Many of them classic pieces that I use season after season and simply update with accessories. One of the things that is sure to brighten up a dull outfit, is some colourful nails, and the nail polishes Scout Cosmetics are a fantastic option. At the moment I am really loving these berry shades, including Walk of Life and Never Tear Us Apart, and you can never get too much of a classic French manicure using Just Like Heaven. They are not just  3-free like so many other nail polishes, they take it a step further and are 5-Free Nail Polishes containing no potentially harmful ingredients including Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor or Parabens.



Scout Cosmetics Nail Polish in Never Tear Us Apart

These days I rarely apply nail polish during the day when I am home alone with our little boy, as even when he is down for a nap, it would be my luck to just have applied nail polish for him to wake up needing a cuddle. But these polishes from Scout do make it possible as they are so quick and easy to apply streak-free and dry pretty quickly too. And the finish is salon quality with an amazing intense colour and high gloss, and by using the Scout Dual Top and Base Coat, you’ll not only get extra shiny nails, but also a good wear of 5+ days from your manicure.

RRP: $19.95 (12ml) – Available from Scout Cosmetics

 

So there you have it, these are my choices for keeping hands, feet and nails in top condition this winter…

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

Have you tried any of these products? Do your hands and nails suffer during winter? Which products do you reach for?