PRODUCT REVIEW: RIMMEL LONDON FIX & PROTECT PRIMER AND MATCH PERFECTION FOUNDATION SPF20

Rimmel London has recently relaunched one of its best-selling foundations, and along with it, also launched a new primer. Here are my thoughts on the Rimmel London Fix & Protect Primer and Match Perfection Foundation SPF 20;

Rimmel London Fix & Protect Primer
This primer claims to work with three key benefits;

• Protect and shelter the skin from pollution, filters out harmful UV rays & helps to prevent hyperpigmentation.
• Fixes and blurs blemishes thanks to light-diffusing properties. 
• Extend the wear of your makeup, leaving it mattified for up to 7 hours.

Unlike like many primers, this Fix and Protect Primer doesn’t feel so silicone, which I really like. It has a very light and airy moisturing texture and it goes on the quickly and easily and leaves the skin with a nice illuminated glow. This primer can be use on its own to keep your skin looking matte and with that healthy illuminated glow, but personally, I would probably never do that, either I go bare-faced using just my serums and moisturisers, or I have a face full of makeup, and uses a primer underneath, or at least on the days where I know I’ll be wearing my makeup for a long time, or when its ridiculously hot or humid! But guess the option is there if you prefer using the primer alone, and the added SPF25 does make that possible!

But I do like using it under a foundation, including the new Match Perfection Foundation, as it not only helps the foundation glide on so much easier, and I also feel that I need to use less foundation for a more flawless look, probably because the primer has ‘blurred’ some imperfections, and secondly because it has ‘filled in’ many of the large pores, lines and crevasses!

Unfortunately it doesn’t quite keep my skin shine-free for 7 hours as promised, but it has also been particularly warm here in Melbourne, and my skin extremely greasy, so that may explain it!

The Match Perfection Foundation SPF20 has a unique built in moisturising complex leaves skin feeling hydrated for up to 24-hours as well as it contains light-reflecting & soft focus powders that optically blur imperfections for a luminous, mistake proof & 100% poreless finish, and not to mention an advanced wonder-tone technology creates a unique synergy between skin and foundation for a refined, even complexion!!

The foundation is as claimed a very light weightless formula, but not quite offering the ‘invisible’ coverage, although, I do have to say that it feels incredible light and very comfortable on the skin, to the point I almost forgot it was there (that is, until my skin got shiny!). The foundation has a very thin and runny texture, so you have to be careful not to tip too much out and waste it, and you also have to be fast at blending it out before it absorbs and dries into the skin. Despite being so thin, it still manages to offer a fairly decent and natural looking coverage, covering smaller blemishes and pigmentation, as well as it does blur pores and other skin imperfections. It also claims to protect the skin with moisture for 24hrs and to be honest, I have no idea who would ever wear a foundation for that long, but it does feel moisturising on the skin both during wear and once it is removed.

Over all I do like the primer, but for me, the standout was definitely the foundation which quite like can easily see myself purchasing it again for an alternative for a light coverage for casual everyday wear.

Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation SPF20 is available in 8 shades; RRP: $18.95/30ml

Rimmel London Fix & Protect Makeup Primer RRP: $13.95/30ml

Available from Priceline, Target, Kmart, BigW, selected pharmacies and selected Coles and Woolworths.

* Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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PRODUCT REVIEW: VOLUSPA CREME DE PECHE

I love burning scented candles in my home, as it not only create a lovely atmosphere, but the scent that spreads throughout the house, also helps mask the smell of our dogs and what we had for dinner!!! Today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the Crème De Peche candle from Voluspa;

 

 

What They Say:

Uniquely, each Voluspa candle is triple scented using a natural coconut and apricot wax blend that burns cleanly and evenly every time. The candle is made with 100% cotton wigs, and without phthalates, parabens, and sulfates. Packaged in a custom embossed glass with a signature Japonica metallic box. Each creation has been lovingly hand poured in the USA using a natural coconut and apricot wax formulation. Burn time is 50hrs.

RRP: $34.95 (17g) – Available from Saison 

What I Say:

I love the fact that the candles from Voluspa are hand poured using natural coconut and apricot wax, a have a cotton wig, which also means that they burn very well, - in fact for over 50 hours, and that is without the dreaded smoke that discolours your walls and ceiling! I also love that they are made without the chemical nasties including phthalates, parabens or sulphates, and of course not tested on animals either.

The actual candle has one wick, will even give your room a nice scent unlit, but as soon as you start to burn it, the scent spreads quickly throughout your house, and lasts for a while even after the candle has been blown out.

 

The Crème De Peche candle is scented with Asian White Peach, Nectarine and crushed Vanilla Bean, and has a beautiful fresh fruity scent that is neither too strong or overwhelming or too sweet either.

The candle comes in a very attractive floral embossed glass that looks so beautiful on display, but will be just as perfect to reuse for flowers or knick-knacks once the candle is gone, or how about using it for your makeup brushes! It also comes in a stunning black and peach coloured box that has been embossed too with a gorgeous floral design.

Overall this is a beautiful candle, and I can definitely see myself purchasing more candles in the future, as well as they’re a perfect gift idea too!

Do you burn scented candles in your home? Which scent is your favourite? Tried any of the candles from Voluspa?

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

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PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT JANUARY 2016

The January Lust Have It Box arrived the other day, here are my thoughts on this month’s contents;

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:

Like previous months, this months’ products arrived in a pink mesh bag, and this month it included three full sized items and two deluxe sample sizes.

Unani Micellar Water – Full Size (RRP: $22.50/200ml)

I’ve never heard of this brand before, so bonus points right there as I love trying new brands, which is also one of the key reason I really like subscription boxes. This micellar water has a beautiful gentle floral scent and claims to remove impurities, and purify the skin, leaving it soft and hydrated. Unlike other micellar waters I’ve come across and use, it does not mention anything about removing makeup, it is almost like it is more of a toner with moisturising benefits. Regardless, I do look forward to trying it out.

Hikari Blush – Full Size (RRP: $21/6g)

I have previously received Hikari products in a subscription box, but from memory it was an eyeshadow quad in shades I wouldn’t normally use, so it is more than likely sitting untouched in my stash of makeup. This blush, in the shade ‘Bikini’ is a pinky peach shade with a light shimmer, a shade that I’d normally reach for, so I do look forward to seeing how the quality and wear stacks up.

Hikari Lip Crayon – Full Size (RRP: $18/2.5g)

Another product from Hikari – and while I don’t mind terribly as I do like lip crayons, I would on the other hand have preferred if it had been from another brand for a bit more variety in the box. The info card mentions you’d either get the shade Sunkissed or Amour, yet I actually got the shade ‘Macchiato’!! Go figure! Anyway, the shade ‘Macchiato’ is a warm peach shade, not my usual choice, but regardless, a lovely shade.

Skinyoga Almond Face Scrub – Sample, 5.67g (RRP: $24/50g)

Another new brand, yay! And from the first glance at the packaging I was in love. Small timber crates, what a novel idea – although they would be a bit wasted as soon as the product is taken out – except my little 2.5 year old boy is currently pirate obsessed, and he quickly declared that they were ‘treasure chests’, so as soon as I’d taken the photos, the empty boxes disappeared into his pirate ship! LOL!

The actual the product is made from 100% natural ingredients and claim to hydrate, nourish and repair damage from excessive use of chemicals while exfoliating the skin and removing dead skin cells, and even lightening scars with regular use! The face scrub comes in a little glass bottle with a cork lid – again I’m loving this as its just so different, even down to the cork lid that you hardly ever get in wine bottles anymore! The actual scrub is a yellowish powder that is prepared by mixing it with water. All in all sound pretty good to me, so cannot wait to try it out.

Skinyoga Sandalwood and saffron facemask – Sample, 5g (RRP: $24/50g)

Another product from Skinyoga – and as with the Hikari, I am excited to try more from this brand, I would yet again have preferred a product from another brand for more variety in the box. As with the Face Scrub, the Face Mask comes in the timber crate and in a glass bottle with the cork lid, and it also has to be made up by mixing it with water. This face mask is intended for dry skin, and as I have combination skin, I am a little more hesitant putting this mask to the test, also because my skin has been particularly troublesome lately with breakouts so don’t really want to bug it too much.

So there you have it, the contents in the January Lust Have It box which contains a combination of skincare and makeup products, although unfortunately only from three different brands. The value of this months box is quite reasonable at almost $70 (the Skinyoga products both have price tags of $4.20!), although in terms of value, previous boxes have exceeded this.

In terms of the products, I am generally quite impressed, as the Unani micellar water will always be useful, the Hikari blush has a lovely colour and the Skinyoga scrub I also cant wait to try. As for the Hikari lip crayon I am not sure I’ll really like the shade and the Skinyoga face mask doesn’t really fit my skin type, so I may pass these onto a friend.  So all in all a resonable start to the year, not brilliant, seeing I am unsure about two out of five products, but certainly not bad either – bring on the February box!

* 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 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 & BRAND FOCUS: SKINSTITUT

Today I’d like to put focus on some amazing products from the brand, Skinstitut, including the L- Lactic Cleanser, Even Blend Serum, 100% Vitamin C and Moisture Defence;

What They Say:

L- Lactic Cleanser: Cleanser that deeply hydrates and nourishes, exfoliates and decongests, reduces irritation and sensitivity, and strengthens skin integrity.

Even Blend Serum: Reduces the appearance of uneven tone caused by sun exposure, skin inflammation or hormone imbalance. Exfoliates and smooths for a softer & more refined skin texture. Addresses age spots, skin discolouration and brightens uneven skin tone resulting in a more luminous and radiant complexion

100% Vitamin C: Protects against free radical damage. Assists with collagen production and skin firmness. Improves skin colour, radiance and tone

Moisture Defence: Lightweight, non-pore clogging moisturiser for normal skin to hydrate, smooth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Ideal for a combination skin condition

RRP: Each: $45.00 – Available from Adore Beauty, Skincare Store, RY, Absolute Skin, and select Stockists

 

What I Say:

While I’ve heard a lot of good things about the brand Skinstitut, I’ve never actually tried any of the products, so I was very excited when I was asked to. The brand claims to be Australia’s most effective cosmedical range using top-quality potent ingredients at reasonable prices, as they believe that high-end skincare should be accessible to everyone, and you certainly complain about the $45 price tag for all products.

Let me start with the L- Lactic Cleanser. I was very keen on trying the glycolic cleanser as I’ve always had issues with breakout, but being pregnant, and my skin consequently more sensitive, the choice fell on the the L- Lactic Cleanser. This cleanser is more gentle on the skin than the glycolic cleanser, yet promises to deliver the same results – that is clearing the skin of breakouts by exfoliating and decongesting the skin, brightening the skin and reducing dullness, all while hydrating and nourishing the skin.

I’m not sure how effective this cleanser is at removing makeup as I actually used it as my second cleaner, instead using my usual makeup remover to first remove my makeup, so that the L- Lactic Cleanser could work its magic deep down every pore.

The actual cleanser is quite concentrated and I found that I only needed to use the tiniest amount and massage it over my damp face for 30 seconds to a minute before rinsing off my face. And as soon as I’d dried my face, I can instantly feel that my skin feels so much softer and smoother, and more clarified, yet without being dried out. My skin simply looks and feels healthier. I generally have been using the cleanser both morning and night, and on occasion some nights, I’ve actually massaged some of the cleanser into my dry clean skin, and left it there for the two minutes while brushing my teeth, and hereafter followed by massing it a little further adding a little water, before rinsing it off. And let me tell you, afterwards, your skin is simply glowing, as if you’ve just had a facial!

I follow by applying the Even Blend Serum to my freshly cleansed skin, morning and evening. This serum promises to help reduce the uneven skintone and pigmentation, leaving the skin more refined and more radiant. The actual serum is quite light, and it only takes a few drops to cover my full face, making sure to concentrate on those areas where my pigmentation is darkest. The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving the feeling soft and non-sticky. After using the serum for a month, I can definitely both seen and feel that my skin is looking clearer, smoother and brighter and more glowing too. Minor pigmentation seems to have fades, while larger clusters are still prominent and need a little more time. I also found that when used on top of breakouts, it not only helped clear any blemishes faster, and without drying out my skin, as well as it has helped fade the red marks you get after having a spot.

 

The Vitamin C is a fine powder that can be mixed with various other Skinstitut products such as the Hydrating Mask, Even Blend Serum, SFP50+ or the Moisture Defence to help speed up the correction of pigmentation concerns, and improve skin colour and radiance, as well as assist with collagen production and skin firmness. It can be used twice daily. I personally preferred to use it in the Even Skin Tone Serum and simply added a tiny shake of the powder to the serum, before spreading it onto my face as well as my chest where I’m also suffering from increasing pigmentation. It would obviously also be a lot easier if it was already mixed into say the Even Skin Serum, but I do understand that the Vitamin C is a very unstable ingredient, and that would not be technically possible So alternatively, I’d wish that the Vitamin C to come in a more user friendly packaging such as for instance a tall slim shaker with less holes, as I do find that it is difficult to shake out the powder without any wastage.

 

I finish off by applying the Moisture Defence for Normal skin, which is a lovely light and non-greasy moisturiser that is perfect for my combination skin. It gives my skin just the amount of moisture it needs, yet without making my skin feeling greasy or congested or clogging up my pores – and what I really like too is that it keeps my skin shine-free all day too, and helps make my makeup stay in place too. The moisturiser also contains synthetic snake venom so it is also a perfect anti-ageing cream helping to smooth the skin and reduce wrinkles. It is perfect to use both morning and evening – especially as it doesn’t contain any SPF – some may find that a huge negative, but I do find it is easy that I can use the same moisturiser twice a day, plus I do have a suspicion that SPF is often the reason my skin breaks out, so for that reason I do actually prefer to apply it separately on top of my moisturiser when I really need it.

Overall I am so enjoying using these products from Skinstitut, as promised they are of a very high quality, and really do live up to their promises. And you really cannot argue with the low price of just $45 per product, as you’d be hard pressed to get such effective products elsewhere for that price. I can definitely see myself purchasing these products again, as well as I’m pretty keen on trying a few more including the Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser, the Peels and Scrubs, The Eye Cream, and the Retinol Serum to mention just a few…

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

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