New In

Despite telling myself that this year is a budget year, occasionally I just can't stop myself from spending. This was one of these times. I actually picked these up about two or three months ago now but, after taking all of the photos, I completely forgot to actually post anything (Lazy blogger, I know). This does, however, mean that I can give you a small review on some of the stand out products!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc and Pump

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Colourpop Lippy Stix in Cookie

Rimmel Idol Eyes by Kate Moss in 04 Black

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 15 Fair

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Without a doubt, my favourite products above are the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (which I am nearly out of! *cries*), the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer and the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. The Nars foundation is lovely and the shade Mont Blanc matches my pale face perfectly. My only complaint would be the lasting power of this. With an exceptional primer (I'm looking at you Hourglass Veil Primer) this will last me the whole day but without it it doesn't quite do the job. The Too Faced bronzer is lovely and works perfectly on my aforementioned pale skin. It meant to smell like chocolate and, whilst I don't particularly dislike the smell, I'm not sure that's how I would describe the scent. Lastly, I finally managed to get my hands on the Fit Me concealer in Fair - no small feat might I add. This was a repurchase so I already knew I wouldn't be disappointed. If you haven't tried the Fit Me concealer yet you definitely need to.

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Clarins Extra-Firming Body Lotion

Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum

Clarins Total Cleansing Oil

Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream

Clarins HydraQuench Cream

The majority of these products are actually samples that I got when I purchased the Renew-Plus Body Serum and the Total Cleansing Oil. Whilst I haven't had a proper chance to try out the samples yet the cleansing oil and body serum have not disappointed. I first heard about the body serum from Caroline Hirans (possibly from Sali Hugh's "In The Bathroom" with her which, incidentally, if you haven't seen you need to) who said it was perfect for getting rid of keratosis pilaris or "chicken skin" - something that I've been trying to do for as long as I can remember. I've been using it everyday since I got it and, although my chicken skin isn't completely gone, the difference is incredible. Similarly, the cleansing oil is great. This stuff will remove all makeup in about two seconds flat - yes even waterproof mascara - and I can't express my love for it enough.

The Mindfulness Colouring Book

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes

Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

Zara Black Perfume 

I will sing the simple moisturiser' praises for all eternity and I don't want to tell you what to do but you need this in your life. I am planning on devoting a whole post to its awesomeness so expect that sometime in the near future. I first bought Zara Black in Germany and as soon as I ran out I had to repurchase it. It is a beautiful floral scent and, for only $20, is a perfume I don't feel guilty about being obsessed with.

Recent Makeup Buys

As I am currently saving for my trip to Germany (Less than two months way! I'm so excited) I have restricted my spending a lot however I have managed to sneak a few necessities in over the past month or so. 

From Lush I have picked up the Tea Tree Water toner (full review here) and I am in love! I also got my hands on Grease Lightning and, whilst I thankfully have not needed to use it too often, am very impressed.

From Rimmel I picked up the Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Mascara in black. I usually opt for a waterproof mascara as I cry more than is socially acceptable and this one seems to manage to not make me look like a panda which is always a plus! I also grabbed the Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in nude because every blogger that I follow seems to own this and, despite what I would like to think, I am not immune to their enabling. Whilst I do like this for my waterline I don't think it is particularly long lasting, at least on me, and I do need to reapply throughout the day. I also feel that the colour is a little too shiny and metallic for a nude but aside from that I am really enjoying using it. Lastly from Rimmel I picked up the 60 Seconds Colour Rush Nail Enamel in the shade Breakfast In Bed (Is that not the cutest name?) I absolutely adore this nail polish! Everything from the fast drying formula to the gorgeous  colour has my completely head over heels!

After giving up on my Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream I decided to try the Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal to Dry Skin in the shade Buff. My opinion on this one is a little all over the place at the moment (some days I love it, some days I can't wait to get it off my face) so I plan on making a full review with all of the pros and cons.

I also picked up an eyelash curler (from the home brand at the supermarket because I am a truly classy girl), a Covergirl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Eye Shadow in Pure Romance which is nice enough but nothing to write home about, a Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm which I love - great moisture without the sticky residue? Yes please! - and the Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer. Whilst this gets the job done, Bourjois is a slightly more expensive drugstore brand (I'm saving remember!) and I think that, for the $21 that I paid, it would be nice to get a little more product. Aside from the size I really like this primer and can definitely see the difference when I use it as opposed to when I don't.

xx Gemma

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 Hydrating Colour Corrector in Very Light

I have nearly used up all of this CC cream and so I thought today would be an excellent time to do a little review as the sun is out and I have a day off (two very exciting things that don't often coincide in my world).

When my last foundation ran out I decided to treat myself to a more high end foundation and somehow ended up with a CC cream. As my skin is fairly good, aside from being ridiculously dry and a little red, I thought this would be perfect for me. Sadly I was not overly impressed with it.

I found that it clung to the dry patches on my face less than an hour after application. My cheeks and around my nose looked especially dry when I wore this and I my skin didn't feel noticeably more hydrated whilst wearing it or after taking it off. 

I also found it difficult to apply evenly, although this is my first cream foundation and I may find that I have this issue with all cream foundations not just this one. I tried to apply it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and also with my fingers but unfortunately I didn't feel like it was working for me either way.

If this CC cream had been a drugstore purchase I may have been a little more forgiving but at $45 it has been a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't terrible but nothing stands out as incredible with this product and, as a student with a very limited budget, it feels like a bit of a waste of money. I wouldn't repurchase this at this price and, even at a lower price, I would probably reach for a different foundation before going for this one again.

Have you had similar results with this CC cream? Do you have tips on how I could have made it work better for me?

xx Gemma

A Mini Haul

Recently I have stopped buying things as I am saving up for my trip to Germany at the end of the year. However, when I realised yesterday that I was nearly completely out of both foundation and concealer I had to break my little saving streak.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - 15 Fair I have actually bought this concealer before but in a tone that was slightly too dark for me and made me look very orange. From memory, aside from the orange tint that it added to my skin, I liked this concealer and I think almost every single blog that I follow has recommended this so hopefully with the right colour I will enjoy this.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush I have a small confession to make on this one; from the moment I started to read beauty blogs I have heard the real techniques brushes talked about so much and for some unknown reason I assumed that you could not buy them in Australia. Thankfully, when I decided to google it finally last week, i discovered that this was not the case and they can easily be found at priceline! So, as real techniques are brushes I have wanted for so long I decided to pick up the Expert Face Brush. Originally I was planning on buying the Buffing Brush but I read this comparison of the two brushes and decided that the Expert Face Brush would probably work best for me. I can't wait to use this!

L'Oreal Lumi Magiue Light Infusing Foundation - Pure Pearl I had planned on buying a Borjois foundation today but all of the ones at the store were too dark for my pale winter skin. As I had read a good review of this a little while ago I decided to get this instead (and even managed to get a discount!). As soon as I got home I realised that the seal has actually been broken so I am going to return it tomorrow and get an untouched bottle instead but fingers crossed I will love it!

Review: The Body Shop - Vitamin E Cool BB Cream

Vitamin E Cool BB Cream - $21.95

The Vitamin E Cool BB Cream illuminates, evens skin tone and moisturises for 12 hours. The air-whisked lightweight texture will effortlessly smooth onto the skin for a fresh and natural look. 

I was reading up on different makeups last week, when I was sick and avoiding work that really did need to be done, when I came across a review on BB cream. I had, of course, heard of BB cream before as there are always adds on TV with some actress telling me just how much she loves her BB Cream however I am not someone who likes to wear foundation. I see many beauty bloggers who are evidently wearing foundation and look absolutely gorgeous however I also see many a girl at shopping centres who have so much foundation caked onto their face that their head has grown a good couple of inches and this is not a look that I would wear as I do actually have fairly good skin.  Also considering how young I am wearing heavy foundation wouldn't quite suit my style of dress etc. So when I read a review of BB Cream (which I think was by Zoella but I can't quite remember and I can't find the post so I'm not 100% sure) and she said that she wasn't too fond of the BB cream as it didn't give her enough cover and that the look was a little too 'natural' for her I thought well that sounds absolutely perfect for me! So I bought this when I went to The Body Shop on Monday and I have to say I am loving it so far! It doesn't have a 'caked on' effect that foundation can get yet still makes my face a lot less blotchy and I look a lot brighter. It lasts for the whole day as well so I don't have to try to top it up every two minutes and I hardly notice that there is anything on my face so my skin is still able to breath nicely! My face also feels really nice after taking it off however I am not sure if this is the Cream or my new Facial Cleanser. This is perfect for beginners with makeup and anyone going for a more 'natural' look. And I would recommend it very highly!

What foundation do you use? Have you tried many BB Creams? Let me know in the comments

xx Gem