Maybelline vs Nars: The matte lip pencil battle.

My name is Beth, and I have a strong love and addiction to the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. They last and last, they're easy to apply, and the shade range is amazing (Cruella and Damned, anyone?). However, at $44 a pop, on a student budget... It's not the most budget friendly purchase. (NB: Mecca Cosmetica haas recently lowered the price of the Nars pencils to $34... Still not that student friendly in the scheme of things!)

(Bottom to top: 510, 140, 310)

Enter the Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencils. They've finally hit the shelves (of Priceline) in Australia, after months and months of European bloggers and vloggers raving about them! With a colour range that includes many shades that are exact dupes of the Nars ones I was already impressed. Formula wise, these ones go on slightly easier, because they are slightly (only slightly) more glossy. They also feel a bit more hydrating as well. They last really well, lasting through eating and drinking. The only problem with the slightly glossier formula, is that it is a tiny bit more prone to smudging. But for the bargain price of $9.95, the Nars pencils are already a distant memory for me!

I picked up the shades:  510 - Red Essential, 310 - Berry Much and 140 - Minimalist, with 510 and 310 being dupes for Nars Cruella and Nars Damned respectively. 140 on the other hand is more of a pink/peach nude colour.

The packaging of the Maybelline pencils is glossy, compared to the matte black of the Nars, which means the lids aren't quite as secure... But they're less than $10, so I'm not going to dwell on that!

Are you glad these have finally hit the shelves in Australia? Which shades do you like?

Beth. x

The lazy girl's bioderma.. Worth the fuss?

When I saw my favourite make-up remover/cleanser in Priceline, with a convenient pump on the top, I jumped on it! I love Bioderma, but I tend to waste a lot when I'm trying to pour it out onto my cotton pads. I thought this innovation may save me from wasting my precious Bioderma, which doesn't come cheap.

The design is something a lot of brands are using at the moment, with a press down dispenser that you place your cotton pad on to absorb the product.

However, even though it looks efficient, it takes a good six or seven pumps to get the desired amount on your cotton pad, and if you press down on the dispenser too enthusiastically you end up with Bioderma going in every direction (and being wasted). And at $20 more than the normal bottle of this size, you may want to think twice before you buy this.  Although, a plus is the fact that this bottle is refillable (unlike the other Bioderma bottles), so you only have to buy the dispenser bottle once.

The verdict's still out, what do you guys think?

Beth. x

Rimmel Provocalips

Now I am a girl who loves a long staying lip product. I hate reapplying, and dislike having to worry if I have lipstick all over my face. Enter Rimmel Provocalips, the more long lasting cousin to the Apocalips.

Firstly, I have to admit I wasn't that big a fan of the Apocalips. For me, the colour didn't last long enough, they tended to bleed, and somehow they always seemed to end up on my teeth.

The Provocalips on the other hand, last through eating, drinking, (and yes they even live up to their 'kiss proof' claim).  With these ones you apply the colour, let it dry, then apply a clear gloss that locks in the colour and adds shine. I don't really like having to faff around with multiple steps, but the fact that this extra step allows the product to last for hours more, is enough for me to let it slide.

I have a few problems though... As a matte lip lover, the glossiness of these (especially with the bright colour -Little Minx - that I chose) was slightly off putting. Also the gloss layer is also quite sticky throughout the day. And as other bloggers have mentioned, these are hard to get off your lips at the end of the day, (but I guess that's what you expect with a supposed 16 hour formula).

The shade range of these is quite good, with a few nudes, a few pinks, and a few reds. I'd definitely be interested to try more, because even though there are a few small problems, the lasting power has definitely won me over.

Have you tried these? Which shade should I try next?

Beth. x

The Topshop Concealer Palette

I ordered the Topshop Concealer Palette on a whim, as a way of avoiding the ridiculous shipping costs on the website... I was glad I made this decision, because I have been quite impressed with it!

I hadn't really tried any Topshop cosmetics until this palette, but I've heard so many good things, and I was not disappointed.

The palette comes in compact, silver mirror-like packaging, which looks pretty to begin with... But does get fingerprints and scratches on it easily.  However the product inside the packaging is really good. There are four sections in the palette, (which come with handy instructions of how to use them).

The first section is a colour correcting concealer, which you layer under the other two concealers, depending on what tones you wish to conceal. As a colour correcter it works really well, however it's not as creamy as I would like.

The second section is an under eye concealer. It's slightly lighter than the other highlighter, to allow for highlighting.  It's quite creamy, and conceals under the eye quite well without the colour correcter. I found that if I layered the colour correcter and the concealer, things got a bit cakey, and creased very easily, but that could just be my sleep-deprived skin. It works to conceal and correct colour just by itself; it does crease a bit, but again, I think I have more bags/creases under my eye than the normal person.

The third section is a blemish concealer.  It's slightly darker than the under eye concealer, but just as creamy.  It covers blemishes really well, and if your foundation rubs off during the day, it doesn't look too bad blended out to fix patchy bits either!

The fourth section is a setting powder, which is a handy addition to have when you're on the go.

The sponge applicator that comes with the palette I found wasn't useful for application of any of the products in the compact. I found it much easier to apply and blend the concealers with my finger and use a small fluffy brush to apply the setting powder.

Overall, a really good concealer palette, that is perfect and compact to take on the go. At about $22 Australian, it's fairly reasonably priced, so definitely worth a look!

Have you tried and Topshop make-up? What should I try next?

Beth. x

Zoella Beauty

Zoella is one of the biggest YouTube commodities around at the moment, with more than 5 million subscribers, this fun-loving, girl-next-door reaches people from all over the world. Like many other vloggers, Zoe has ventured into the land of merchandising, releasing her own range of bath and body products, (aptly named Zoella Beauty), and it has been going from strength to strength, which isn't surprising with her millions of fans (including myself) wanting to get their hands on these beautiful products.

Now to the products... The Zoella Beauty range is available in Superdrug in the UK, and FeelUnique (for us overseas beauty lovers). The packaging of all of the products is beautiful, (and very much fitting with the Zoella brand), and very affordable too! (All of the products are less than $18 AUD).

I picked up the Zoella Beauty Eyes Beauty Bag, the Fizz Bar, the Soak Opera Bath Soak and Shower Cream and the Creamy Madly Dreamy Body Lotion. I also desperately wanted to try the body mist, but sadly it can't be shipped overseas.

My favourite product out of the lot is the Creamy Madly Dreamy Body Lotion. First of all, the name is incredibly cute, but the product itself is really good too! The smell is to die for, and it sinks into the skin really quickly, moisturises well, and doesn't leave any stickiness at all.

The beauty bag has just enough space for all the beauty/skin products you'll need for a night away, and can fit make-up brushes too, (if you don't have too much other stuff in there).

The fizz bar, does what is says on the package and fizzes away. It leaves the water in your bath nice and silky, but doesn't add any colour or bubbles... It does smell glorious though! (Just like the body lotion and the bath cream).

I always use the fizz bar with the bath soak, as the bath soak adds bubbles into the mix. Again, this product smells glorious, in a subtle, girly way, that doesn't overpower you.  The only problem is that the bubbles don't last that long, (but if you're just having a relatively quick bath, then you won't have a problem).

Overall, I really enjoy the range, and I'm looking forward to new additions in the future! It's well worth a look, if you want to pamper yourself.

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

Beth. x

Can we talk about Red Ink for a sec?

Red Ink, the indie pop/rock four piece from Melbourne, released their debut self-titled album in February this year. I have been listening to that album since then, but uni, work, and pretty much everything else has gotten in the way of me writing this post.  However, this album has been the soundtrack to my long commute to uni, more times than I can count!  I wanted to wait until I had time to do this properly, because these boys deserve it, and this album is really good.

This album, to me, is the best of both worlds from their previous releases. Combining the synthy, more laid back vibes of 'The Colour Age - EP' and the 'Audrey - EP,' with the more punchy, in your face rock of the 'Catching a Killer - EP' and the 'What My Friends Say' single, in the best way possible.

The album starts with the crackle of speakers, then kicks into the pulsing drums of 'Hourglass,' a perfect start to the album. The chorus is one that you will instantly find yourself singing along to, 'I Live In a Garden' is good in this respect too, it also has that pulsing drum, that gets you tapping straight away. 'Adolescent Minds' gets extra points for it's jackhammer use in the instrumental part, and for John's evil laugh. And while John's vocals are flawless throughout, 'Tunnel Vision' takes it to a new level. 'Ballerina' along with 'Going Insane' tick all the boxes for radio-worthiness, and 'Puzzle' has deceptively deep lyrical content.

My favourite tracks on the album would have to be 'Going Insane' and 'Fireworks,' (although all of the songs are brilliant for their own reasons). 'Going Insane' is incredibly catchy and upbeat, lyrically it is brilliant. For example, "You move like you broke an ankle, you smile like a stuttering lamb, you dance like an open bar, and you dance away." And honestly, you can't help but dance like that, the song is just infectious. 'Fireworks' has so many layers that keep building as the song progresses, and the subtle harmonies in the chorus really sold me on this one, (there's also a sneaky little extra track tacked onto the end of this song, which is a nice surprise).

If you know me, you know I love a good harmony, and this album is full of subtle, yet effective harmonies, that I have tried far too many times to master during my car sing-a-longs.

The only problem I have with the whole album is with the song 'Hard To Leave.' While the instrumentation is lovely, and the chorus is really catchy, the vocals in the verses are really hard to make out, because they get drowned out.

But all-in-all this album is hard to fault. The vibe of the album is kind of lo-fi, but done in a really nice way. The lyrical content is lovely, thought provoking, (and interestingly inspired by books John found whilst strolling Berlin). The actual instrumentation is innovative and interesting, and makes you want more and more, like a book you can't put down. And for those of us who were lucky enough to support it through the crowd funding  campaign, we got some pretty cool extra stuff too! (Like the lovely handwritten lyrics you see on this page).

So if you want to check out Red Ink (and their album), you can do so from the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/redinkmusic?ref=ts&fref=ts

https://www.youtube.com/user/REDINKMUSICGROUP

https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/red-ink/id815413887?uo=4&at=11lEW&ct=smartTab%7C10344500988%7C2014-10-31

Beth. x

Icehouse and Michael Paynter = Stellar.

You're probably already sick of me telling you that I love music... It's true... But here is some more music love for you.

I was lucky enough to go and see Icehouse and Michael Paynter perform recently, and it was amazing.

Icehouse

If you're not Australian, then you might not have heard of Icehouse, but they are a band that were dominating the radio waves in the 80's. Michael Paynter, on the other hand is a Melbourne singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist-allroundniceguy, who was born in the 80's.

Michael Paynter doing his thing.

Michael Paynter is a favourite of mine (as you can see here), and when I heard that he was coming to my town playing in Icehouse, as well as being the support act, I was incredibly excited. This was my fourth time seeing Michael perform live, and I was back at the venue where I had first witnessed his amazing talent. He did not disappoint.  Armed with just an acoustic guitar and his stellar voice, he managed to keep the excited crowd quiet. He started his set with a stripped back version of 'Another You,' from his album 'Weary Stars,' and filled the rest of his set with new takes on songs from the album, ('Love The Fall,' 'Weary Stars' and 'Let Go,') as well as some back catalog stuff ('Freedom's Not For Me' and 'Closer'). A cover of Elvis' 'My Babe' also made it into the mix.  All songs performed to perfection, with Michael's trademark range and vibrato. And not to forget the between-song banter that Michael does so well, making fun of himself for audience amusement.

(A tiny snippet of Michael Paynter playing 'Let Go.')

Next up were Icehouse, who after 20+ years of playing and touring have got it down to a fine art. Watching these guys was like watching them jam in the studio, nice, relaxed and fun.  Iva Davies' voice is as good as it is recorded, and he commands an audience when he sings. And you can tell the band has been playing together for a while, purely by the way they interact on stage.

The man himself, Iva Davies.

They played all of their hits ('Electric Blue,' 'Crazy,' 'Hey Little Girl,' 'Great Southern Land,' 'We Can Get Together,') and so many more. Each band member had their time to shine, with sax solos, guitar solos, drum solos and keys solos left right and centre. Michael Paynter even got his time in the spotlight, taking the lead on 'Touch The Fire.' The only disappointment of the night, was the fact that 'Man of Colour' didn't make it into the set.  I've seen many a video of Iva and Michael performing it together, and it's a shame I couldn't witness it in person.

Michael and Iva performing 'Touch The Fire.'

All in all, a brilliant night of music, and despite ending up with seats in the nosebleed section, it was still phenomenal.

Have you seen any good gigs lately? I'd love to know.

Beth. x

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipsticks.

Hi, I'm Beth, and I am a lipstick addict. I have way more than is humanly necessary... Many of these lipsticks are the Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks by Kate Moss.

And let me just say, I love them. I love everything about them.
The formula of these is lovely. They're creamy, pigmented, they smell nice, and there's a great shade range, (even though I stick mainly to reds).  The ones in the red packaging dry matte, and last and last. I used to wear these with lip liner and lip cote (see my post here), but I realised, for these ones you don't need to bother faffing around, they just last. The ones in the black are slightly more glossy, and don't tend to last quite as long.

As a poor university student, these also aren't too bad on the bank balance! They retail for about $12, but are often on offer, which makes it far too easy to pick up multiple shades at once.

L-R: 103, 107, 111, 10, 09.

I currently own (in the red packaging) 103, 107, 111, (in the black packaging) 09 and 10.
103 is a muted pink, with a hint if brown, that is great to throw on for everyday wear. 107 is a dark wine/red colour, that you'll often see Zoella sporting, (and not going to lie, that is where my love for these started). 111 is a bright red, but it doesn't have an orange tone to it. 09 is very, very similar to 107 and 10 is very similar to 111, but you've got to have one in each formula!

Have you tried any of these? What other shades do I need?

Beth. x

The $3 life saver.

There's a time in every person's life when they find that product that saves them. That product that is multipurpose, budget-friendly, and that has 'can't-live-without-it' status. What is this holy grail you ask? Paw Paw ointment.

I've had a tube of Paw Paw ointment sitting at the bottom of my handbag for years, and it was only just recently that I delved into the depths of my bag to use it again, (after becoming increasingly irritated with how much lip balm I was having to use to make my lips semi-ok).

How I lived without using this for so long, I have no idea, but I'm very happy to have it in my life again!

Brand-wise, paw paw ointment is pretty much the same across the board, (and many many brands have their version of it). I've tried the Lucas' one (which is about $5 and a cult favourite) and the Beauty Care Co. one ($3 at Kmart). Price-wise they're pretty similar, and if we're really splitting hairs, the Kmart one smells slightly nicer because it has aloe vera and shea butter in it.

And don't let the word 'ointment' put you off.  This stuff is balmy, but not overly sticky, and not coloured either.

When it comes to the uses of this product, it's really up to you.  I personally mainly use it a lip balm, but you can also use it on dry skin, cuts, chafing, rashes, insect bites... Anywhere really!

So if you're looking for that product that could change your life (or make your lips slightly nicer at least!), paw paw ointment may be up your street.

Beth. x

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Review

I'd heard a lot of buzz surrounding the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balms, and as an avid lip product lover I thought I'd give them a go.

First of all, price-wise, these are not exactly cheap at $35 each, (but that didn't stop me picking up two... I have an addiction).  And if it weren't for the price, I think I'd be a lot happier with the product.

Don't get me wrong, I like these a lot.  And yes, the packaging does look relatively expensive. They're  also in crayon/stick form, so they apply really easily and are perfect for on the go. The colours themselves are really pigmented, and there's a good range of colours (that seems to be expanding quite regularly).   And as an added bonus, they're actually quite moisturising, which is nice to find. (I normally wear matte, so it was nice to have some moisture).

However, I've noticed that they do tend to bleed a bit. They also wear off around the middle of the mouth relatively easily, which I could understand if you're eating or drinking a lot, but they wear off with just general wear, which irks me a bit, because I'm lazy when it comes to reapplying. This may not be the case with the lighter colours in the range though, as I only picked up 03- Mightiest Maraschino and 08-Grandest Grape.

Top: Mightiest Maraschino, Bottom: Grandest Grape.

(On a sidenote, 06-Plum Russian in the Bourjois Colourboost lip crayon range is a very good dupe for Grandest Grape! It's not quite as pigmented, but otherwise it's almost the same).

I quite like the colours I picked up, (although there was many more that I wanted to choose!) Mightiest Maraschino is a bright red, that when it wears off, looks slightly on the pink side. Grandest Grape, as the name suggests, is a more purple/wine coloured red.

Overall, I think if these were less expensive, I would be much happier with them.  They are a lovely product, and have some great colours, but I probably won't be picking up any more at this point.

What do you guys think? Have you tried any of these, or do you have any lip product recommendations?

Beth. x

Shuffle to the shuffle: My music, mixed up.

I love music. There's no ifs or buts about it. I'm a fan of lots of unsigned or not well known Australian bands, and I love discovering new music (or old music). I also love checking out what other people are listening to. So I thought I'd put my ipod on shuffle, and show you guys the first twelve songs that come up.  This could end badly... But we'll see how we go.

(You can click on the link after each song to listen to the song - if they're online, and I'll put each band's social media link as well... All for ease of music stalking!)

1.     The Fallout - Woodlock

These boys from Melbourne have really hit their straps with their recent EP release. Their style is       folky with a bit of a rock/alternative edge to it, and very easy to listen to. (I reviewed the EP here).

     
https://www.facebook.com/WoodlockMusic?fref=ts

2.     Right Through You - Alanis Morissette (video)

A hit from Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album of the late 90's, this song is angsty rock, that is so easy to belt out when you're feeling angry.

     
https://www.facebook.com/alanismorissette?fref=ts

3.     Inside Our World - Bleached Academy

This band sadly is no more, but they had some brilliant pop/punk tracks, with the very talented Hayley Warner as the energetic vocallist.

https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/bleached-academy

4.     Trailed - Gossling (audio)

Helen Croome a.k.a Gossling's unique voice is hauntingly beautiful... Enough said.

https://www.facebook.com/gosslingmusic?fref=ts

5.     We Won't Run - Sarah Blasko (video)

Another Australian songstress with a beautiful voice, Sarah Blasko is a pop musician with a quirky twist.  

https://www.facebook.com/sarahblaskomusic?fref=ts

6.     Different Worlds - Jes Hudak & George Krikes (video)

This song was used to advertise a talent show in Australia, which catapulted it to the top of the charts.  It's such a beautiful song, with a continuous simple piano melody throughout.

https://www.facebook.com/jeshudakmusic?fref=ts

7.     City & Colour - Thirst (video)

This song by music legend Dallas Green (a.k.a City and Colour), is a catchy pop/alternative track, that will have you tapping your foot in no time.

https://www.facebook.com/cityandcolour?fref=ts

8.     The Sun Won't Sleep - New Empire (video)     

Probably the hardest working boys in Australian music, New Empire's new album In A Breath features this upbeat, catchy pop track, with lovely lyrical content.

https://www.facebook.com/newempireband?fref=ts

9.     Carry On - Motor Ace (video)

A song from my favourite band of all time.  This classic Australian alternative/rock song was popular in the early 2000's... It also happens to appear on an album which is very hard to come by nowadays, (I explain why here).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motor-Ace/21078711025?fref=ts

10.     Empty Town - Red Ink (video)

This four-piece from Melbourne spent a long time crafting the ideal debut album, and it was worth the wait.  This track is the perfect mix of dreamy, synthy pop, and edgier rock.

https://www.facebook.com/redinkmusic?fref=ts

11.    Siamese - Motor Ace (video)

Another Motor Ace song on the list... Surprise, surprise!  This is my current favourite song.  Again, it's an alternative/rock track.  The lyrics in this are brilliant too.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motor-Ace/21078711025?fref=ts

12.      Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap (video)

Another Australian band who have taken Europe by storm, The Temper Trap are known for their pop/rock sound, with soaring vocals and killer chorus'.

https://www.facebook.com/tempertrap?fref=ts

So there you go, a taste of what I'm listening to, (I'm surprised there's no Michael Paynter on there though!)  Almost 80% Australian music, (my true love).

What do you think?  Leave any music recommendations below, they'd be much appreciated!

Beth. x

The Lazy Girl's Guide to... Wearing red lipstick.

I am a lover of wearing bright red lipstick, and I have far too many shades red for one person.  I am not a lover of worn off lipstick though… You know the look, just an outline of red around the edges and no colour left in the centre… Definitely not ideal.

To combat this, I’ve compiled a lit of techniques, that just might save you from the awkward half on/half off bright lip.

• Prime your lips. – Get rid of all those dead skin cells by using a lib scrub like the Lush Popcorn scrub. It’ll help make your lips smooth and ready to adhere to your lipstick.

• Line your lips. – Using a lip liner helps keep your favourite shade on for hours and hours.  I use  Rimmel 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner in 063 Black Tulip for a more berry red and a Mac LipPencil in Cherry for a brighter red, but if you want an all rounder, invisible lip liners such as the Innoxa Invisible Lip Shaper and the Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner are quite popular.

• Apply, blot, apply, blot. – I’ve found the best way to elongate your favourite red’s staying power is to apply it (over your liner), blot it with a tissue, apply it again, and blot it again.  This helps get rid of excess, which will easily transfer when eating etc.

• Seal. – Not the animal… A product like Lipcote, when applied (and let to dry) will seal your lipstick, which helps it stay on.  (Lipcote is apparently “kiss-proof” … I wouldn’t go as far to say that, but it definitely lasts through eating and drinking.)

• Drink using a straw. – This makes me feel like a complete twat when I’m drinking a bottle of water through a straw, but it works!  Why waste you Mac red on a bottle of water?

Top to bottom: Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Cruella, in Damned, Mac matte lipstick in Ruby Woo.

• Matte all the way! – Matte lipsticks, I’ve found, last longer just in themselves. Because they’re not as glossy and shiny, they’re more likely to adhere to your lips. (My favourites are the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils – available from Mecca Cosmetica is Australia, and Mac in Ruby Woo).

So these are some of the tricks I’ve come across along the way.  I hope they’re in some way helpful.

Let me know if you have any more! I’d do anything to not have to reapply.

Beth. x

Subscription boxes #3: BellaBox... Again.

So, it pays to take notice of when subscription boxes accept cancellations... Otherwise you could end up with another box, that you didn't necessarily want.

I received another BellaBox - the June Box - and I was much, much more impressed the second time around! (For my reactions to my first BellaBox, check out this post).

This month's theme was "Iconic Beauty."

In the box was:

1. InStyle Magazine - I am loving reading this! It's the 'Women of Style' issue, and there is so many amazingly talented women featured.
2. Herbal Essences Naked Shine Shampoo and Conditioner - Which SMELLS AMAZING, and actually works really well! It leaves your hair feeling shiny and fresh, and doesn't make it greasy, (like some products do for me). I struggle with hair products, but these are amazing, and again, the smell is so fresh and lovely, and lingers. (The smell definitely reminds me of the Wen by Chaz Dean conditioner from last month.)
3. Innoxa Super Smooth Lip Liner - The colour if this is perfect for me, because I love red lipstick, however, the pencil is slightly too waxy for my liking.
4. Cedel Blow Dry Faster - The concept of this seems quite cool, but I don't often dry my hair using a hair dryer, so this one could sit in a draw for a while.
5. VO5 Hot Oil - As someone who has quite dry hair, this was a welcome addition to the box.  I think this in combination with the Herbal Essences products definitely saved my hair.
6. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo - I wanted to love and use this sooooo bad!  But my skin reacted pretty badly to it, so I had to give it a miss. (See products I can use on my sensitive skin here).
7. Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Nourishing Masque - Another product that I'm scared to try, because it might cause my skin to react... May have to go to my sister.

This month's box definitely impressed me a lot more than last month, it's a shame I can't use so many of the skin products though.

What subscription boxes have you tried? Are there any out of the ordinary ones I should try?

Beth. x

Soap & Glory-ous.

Living in Australia, sometimes some of the best products are pretty hard to access... Soap&Glory is one of those brands, that is, until I discovered Mecca Cosmetica's stash of Soap&Glory goodies!

I've heard so much about Soap&Glory from various bloggers and vloggers, so when I was in London I had a peruse of the products in the aisles of Boots... But there's only so much you can fit in your suitcase! Enter Mecca Cosmetica (and also Kit Cosmetics), they provide a taste of the Soap&Glory range, (although they don't stock all the products unfortunately).

So what did I pick up?

I picked up the 'One Heck of a Blot' Super Translucent Mattifying Powder, (which Australian stores don't stock). This powder is brilliant!  I use a big powder brush (usually the RealTechniques Powder Brush) to apply this to either: set my foundation, or as a kind of powder primer.  It's completely translucent, so it doesn't affect the colour of your foundation, and it doesn't make your face look cakey.  And as a girl who is very lazy when it comes to touching up make-up throughout the day, this powder helps my make-up last and last!

Now to the Australian purchases... I've heard so much about the Soap&Glory body washes, so I had to give one a go!  I have super sensitive skin (see this post), and so it's often hard to find products that don't irritate it.  I bought the Clean on Me - Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel.  First of all, this shower gel smells glorious!  It has a sweet, yet citrusy scent, that lingers on the skin.  It's also perfect for those of you (like me), who can't be bothered using a body moisturiser, because it leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished.

I also picked up the ever-hyped Hand Food.  Not sure how well it goes in the repairing hand stakes, (it's Winter here, and my hands are suffering majorly), but it definitely smells lovely (a more floral scent), and I definitely can't stop using it! 

So far, I've enjoyed all the Soap&Glory products I've used, the quality is lovely, and the retro packaging and the product names are really cool.  I will definitely have to order more in the future!

Ordering online through Mecca  was an amazingly easy and worthwhile process.  Not only does your parcel arrive quickly, (and beautifully packaged I may add), but you get to choose two samples to try out! 

I chose the By Terry Baume De Rose sample... Which definitely lives up to all the hype! It's so nourishing, and it smells lovely. I'm going to have to save my pennies to get the full size!  Secondly, I chose the Nars Pro Primer for eyes, which I haven't used yet, but am definitely looking forward to!

Have you tried Soap&Glory?  What products should I try? 

Beth. x