PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT DECEMBER 2015

The December Lust Have It Box had announced that the December boxes would be a tad late this month due to some accident of one of the suppliers, and consequently mine didn’t arrive until today, the 4th January.

I appreciate that unplanned things do happen, but on the other hand, I feel that these delays happen a little too often, and I would have loved to see Lust Have It be on the forefront of these, and maybe be a month ahead with the planning of the boxes so they’d always arrive on time, and they’d have products to fall back on if necessary. That would no doubt win lots of bonus points with subscribers!

Anyway, these are the products in the December 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 what seems to be standard now for Lust Have It, this months’ products arrived in a pink mesh bag, which contained 5 products, of which four were full sized.

Essenzza Fuss Free Naturals Micellar Mini Wipes – Mini Pack/8 mini wipes (RRP: $2.25)
First up, I am not a huge user of facial wipes, and predominantly use them when I am swatching products for the blog, or that once a year when I go overseas, and find them handy to have in my hand luggage. I am simply just preferring to splash water in my face and always find I get a better clean with a regular face washer, something that is necessary with a combination skin prone to breakouts! However, these wipes are for eye makeup, and removes even waterproof mascara. Now that is something that I could get used to using on a regular basis, so I’ll be keen to put these to the test tonight.

 Naobay Moisturising Peeling Brightening Facial Milk Scrub – Full Size (RRP: $27/100ml)
I have never heard of this brand before, and so I am very excited about the inclusion of this cleanser. It contains natural peeling particles from the acai palm tree along with olive oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, gotu kola extract to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and soothe the skin after the peel. Again, look very forward to try this one out!

Sasy N Savy Hand Cream – Full Size (RRP: $15-20/40ml)
Addicted to hand crams, I always carry one with me, have one in the car, in the kitchen, bathroom, bedside table… so always looking for a good one, so this one certainly won’t go to waste. The included hand cream varied from box to box. I did notice that a citrus one was also an option, and with citrus my favourite scent I would obviously have preferred that one, but I got the Orchid from Paradise which does smell divine, so no complaints there.


Be A Bombshell Eye Shadow Quad – Full Size (RRP: $22)
I’ve tried quite a few products from the brand by now, all from inclusion in the box, but I have enjoyed by far the majority of these, so love to see an eye shadow included. According to the info card, there were two colour combinations available, one with grey and purple shades and one with brown and green shades – I would have preferred the brownish shades as I’d use those more, but then again I’ve already got heaps of those, so a little grey is probably a good thing!


Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil – Full Size (RRP: $24.50)
This is a crayon pencil designed to be used as a highlighter, as well as used to cover dark circle, blemishes and dark spots. I like the crayon style pen, but have actually tried this one before from some subscription box at some stage, but I can’t find it, so not too fussed about getting a new one, although the novelty factor is of course never as high the second time around.

So there you go, the contents in the December Lust Have It box. I like the variety of this box, with two makeup items, two cleansers, and the hand cream. I also fairly pleased with all the products, and will certainly try and use all, but I’m most excited about the Naobay Peeling Scrub.

In terms value, the products have a combined value of over $90, so you cannot complain about that. And as this box really should have arrived last year, it really isn't a bad finish to the year. Look forward to seeing what Lust Have It has in store for 2016!

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: RIMMEL LONDON OH MY GLOSS! LIPGLOSSES

Today I’d like to share with you some newly launched lipglosses from Rimmel
London, the OH My Gloss! Lip glosses;

What They Say:
Up to 6 hours of colour, shine, comfort and moisture for your lips. Lip Loving gloss with Argan Oil and Vitamin E. Featuring Rimmel’s ‘Gloss Lock’ technology, which delivers an elevated, long-lasting 3-dimensional shine. Non-sticky, lightweight and comfortable to wear. Available in 8 shades, including a clear.


RRP: $13.95 (6.5ml) – Available from Priceline, supermarkets, variety stores and select pharmacies


What I Say:

These new lipgloss from Rimmel are intended to give the lips a pumped up look with high gloss that is intended to last 6 hours while providing the lips with moisture thanks to the added vitamin E and argan oil. Argan oil is one of those ‘in' ingredients at the moment, and here I was thinking that it was only for hair products!

These are designed to be a high shine gloss that gives 6 hours of colour, shine, comfort and moisture and they contain argan oil and vitamin E, and they really do feel lovely and non-sticky on the lips, all while giving a really nice high shine.


I tried the shades, Pin Up, Rebel Red and Love Bug


Love Bug is a very pale pastel pink shade, which on the lips is goes on almost nude, so all you see is the shine and glitter – it contains glitter particles, including some that appear quite large, and not being that fond of glitter, it is consequently my least favourite of the three colours. That said, it is a very versatile shade that can be used both on its on for a barely there look, or would also be perfect to use on top of another lipstick.

Rebel Red is a warm dark shade in the packaging, but goes on like a sheer red shade on the lips. I’m not particularly good with bold shades so this sheer red is a perfect colour for me, also being very suitable for everyday casual wear.

Pin Up is fuchsia pink shade in the packaging, and goes on like a sheer pink shade. Again, a gorgeous shade for casual wear when you want a colour but without being too bold.

 
The actual lipglosses come in a slightly twisted pack which makes it easy to hold onto, and I really like that it is see-through so it’s easier to both the actual shade, but also how much product you’ve got left. The lipglosses have a long foot doe applicator that is longer than usual and as it is also tapered to be thinner at the end, it makes it easy to apply precisely.

Rimmel claims that the Oh My Gloss lipglosses last 6 hours on the lips but I couldn’t quite get them to stay that long – rather it was around 3+ hours, which admittedly I find quite reasonable for a lipgloss. And what I do like is that once the colours fade, they do so evenly, leaving a lovely stain behind.

Overall I quite like these Oh My Gloss lipglosses, and at $13.95 I find them very well priced for a drugstore product, and certainly wouldn’t mind checking out the rest of the shades in the range.

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

Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you all a happy New Year. I hope that 2016 will bring you happiness and good health.

2015 has been a huge year for our family, and the highlight was definitely the arrival of our little baby boy in May. The last couple of months before giving birth were tough as I had extreme pregnancy rash that saw me induced a week early. And just 10 days after giving birth I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance with severe mastitis. After 4 days in hospital I finally came home to my newborn, only to have contracted bronchitis at the hospital, which of course my husband and 2 year old also picked up. Needless to say that recovering from the mastitis, having bronchitis AND looking after a newborn as well as a sick toddler (and husband!!) with bronchitis was pretty exhausting.

But worse was to come, we were hardly all well again, before our baby ended up in hospital with a life-threatening auto-immune disorder that consequently meant a course of intense chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant during a 4.5 month hospital stay. And it of course meant that I had to stay at the hospital too to care for our boy - and as a result only see our two year old a few times a week, which was tough on everyone to say the least.

And while all this was happening, we were also building a house at the final stages, trying to finalise the interiors. Not exactly the greatest timing!

But luckily our boy was discharged from hospital mid-November, and while he still has a very long journey ahead for full recovery and still has to go for checkups and treatments several times a week, at  least our family can now finally be together. And in our brand new house!

So as you can probably imagine, my family and I are personally happy to be putting 2015 behind us and look forward to am amazing 2016.

We still know 2016 won't be easy as our little baby still has no immune system, and as he is hence extremely prone to picking up even the slightest bug that can be very serious for him, we are unable to take him out, or even catch up with friends, as the risk of infection is simply too high - and this is naturally frustrating that we cannot go out as a family to the shopping centre, have lunch at a café or have a social life for quite some time still, or even the fact that our now 2.5 year old cannot go to day care or have play dates with his little friends, but it's simply vital that we do whatever is best to keep our little baby boy healthy!
So 2016 will a year of quality time at home with the family, and to make up for being unable to go out, (and living off hospital food for 4.5 months (blah!!), I'm hoping to eventually find time to start being creative in the kitchen again.
And of course get back to blogging on a regular basis again - this whole ordeal has, as you've no doubt seen, meant that I had to put my blog on the back-burner for a while to focus on caring for our baby - but now I'm back! with lots of plans and ideas.  

And on that note, I'd like each and every one of you, my dear readers and followers for sticking around, and for all your lovely messages with support and well wishes. And naturally, also a huge thank you to all the PRs and brands for your continued support and of course also all the beautiful care packages that I received during the toughest hours! Thank you everyone!

Happy 2016!!

Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |

 

MAC HOLIDAY COLLECTION 2015

Who doesn’t love MAC! And their special holiday gift sets are always incredible. This year, MAC has a holiday collection called Enchanted Eve, which includes countless products including this Eye bag, which is also available in several colour combinations, including this one in Neutral.

 

 

Enchanted Eve Eye Bag in Neutral

 

 

The kit includes;

 

Painterly Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Nude Beige

• False Lashes False Mascara in Black
• Dip Down Fluidline in Deep Dark Flat Brown
• Double ended fluff brush/eye liner brush
• Cosmetic bag

 

Often gift sets contain products in shades that you’d never use, but because this kit consists of neutral shades, every single one will be on high rotation in my collection.

  

This is the first time I’ve ever used a MAC mascara, but it really does make the lashes appear very long and spidery, almost as if you’re wearing false lashes, hence the very appropriate name ‘False Lashes Mascara’.

  

I’m always using a liquid eye liner but usually in a pen format, so I’m not used to a pot and brush, so that taken a bit of getting used to, but I’m slowly getting there, and the included brush that has a eyeliner brush in one end and eye shadow brush in the other, certainly make it a lot easier, even for novices like me.

  

The Painterly Pro Longwear Pain Pot in the shade nude beige is such a great base shade for the eye line, and I love how easy it glides on, and stays put all day without sliding or settling into creases. I don’t recall ever using up an eye shadow, but this shade is one of those great core shades that I’ll be looking for a new one very soon.

 

Finally the products come packaged in a cute black cosmetic clutch that is perfect for popping into the handbag.

  

A great selection of product retailing for use RRP $89, and available from MAC counters.

 

 

Magic of the Night Holiday Collection

  

In addition to the sets, MAC has also released a number of individual products from a collection called Magic of the Night Holiday Collection. This collection includes among others a selection of Colourdrenched Pigments for eyes, in shades such as Night Thrill (gold shimmer), Ascent of Glamour (cobalt violet blue), Tonight’s the Night (deep blackened teal), Moon is Blue (royal blue) and No Taboos (blackened blue). These shades are extremely pigmented, so you can achieve that intense look perfect for night time, or you can of course blend them for a more subtle look for daytime wear as well. RRP: $42.

 

 

  

Colourdrenched Pigment in Ascent of Glamour and
Retro Matte Lipstick in All Fired Up

 

 

The Magic of the Night Holiday Collection also includes a range of lipsticks, including Please Me (matte muted rosy tinted pink), All Fired Up (retro matte bright fuchsia), Evening Rendezvous (matte deep reddish purple) and Dark Side (amplified deep burgundy), which retails for RRP: $40 each.

  

I’ve been using the All Fired Up, which is such a gorgeous shade, perfect for a night up, or brightening up your face when you’re a little tired, or simply putting a little oomph to an otherwise simple makeup look.

 

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

 

  

 Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |

PRODUCT REVIEW: BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO

Having long and thick hair, washing it and drying it takes forever, and add to that a baby as well as an over-active toddler running around between your legs, and I have days that I rely on a good dry shampoo. Here are my thoughts on some newly launched varieties from Batiste; 

What They Say:

Batiste Dry Shampoo In Neon Lights with Pomegranate & Jasmine is a volumising dry shampoo formula with a fresh fragrance. It revitalises greasy and lifeless hair and creates texture and extra body between washes. The light spray absorbs oil at the root and brushes out to leave fresh-scented hair. Simply spray on and brush through. RRP: $9.95 (200ml)

Batiste Strength & Shine Dry Shampoo is a dry shampoo that instantly refreshes hair between washes. It also helps to strengthen hair while restoring shine. It contains L-arginine, an amino acid to stimulate hair follicles. To use, hold can 30cm away from hair, then evenly spray through roots and lengths. Style as usual. RRP: $12.95 (200ml)

Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL is a light, volumising dry shampoo formula with a fresh fragrance. It revitalises greasy and lifeless hair and creates texture and extra body between washes. The light spray absorbs oil at the root and brushes out to leave fresh-scented hair. Simply spray on and brush through. RRP: $12.95 (200ml), $19.95 (400ml)

Batiste Dry Shampoo is available from Priceline, Coles and selected Pharmacies


What I Say:

A few years ago I would never have thought of using Dry Shampoo. I simply washed my hair every couple of days, and then prayed that it wouldn’t start looking too greasy before the next hair wash. But then I had shoulder surgery and washing my hair simply became difficult, and not to mention quite painful for a while, so I started using – and relying on dry shampoo.

It is the perfect product to use in between hair washes, as it is so quick and convenient to use. It not only absorbs any excess oils from your scalp, it also leaves you hair looking and smelling fresh, and with the added bonus of giving your hair extra volume!

Batiste Dry Shampoo has recently launched some new products including;


 

The Batiste Dry Shampoo In Neon Lights with Pomegranate & Jasmine. This dry shampoo has to be my favourite. IT has such a beautiful fresh fruity fragrance from the added pomegranate and jasmine that it immediately feels like you’ve washed your hair.

Next is the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Strength & Shine, which is no ordinary dry shampoo. It not only helps clean your hair between hair washes, and add volume and restore the hair’ natural shine, it also helps strengthen the hair as it has been enriched with contains L-arginine, an amino acid to stimulate hair follicles. I’m yet to see my feel my hair getting stronger, but the way I see it, it can only benefit your hair that it cares for it at the same time! It has a fresh scent that you’ll never get tired off!

Finally, the Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume is now also available in a huge 400ml can, double the size of the standard sized can, which is perfect if you use it all the time. The dry shampoo not only helps keep your hair clean and free from oily roots, it also keeps it smelling fresh thanks to the fresh scent, as well as it helps add even extra volume to limp hair.

Common for all the Batiste Dry Shampoos is that they are so simple and easy to use, you simply shake the can, before spraying the dry shampoo into the roots of your hair. You then massage it with your fingers before brushing through and style as usual!

So whether you’re for a fruity scent, extra volume or extra strength and shine, these Batiste Dry Shampoos are a must-have in every bathroom!

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

Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |