January Favourites!

I'm going to try and remember to do monthly favourites again this year! I often get so caught up with all the other posts I want to do, that I forget to do this one. Oops. To kick the year off, lets get started with my favourites from the month of January!

Lorac Pro Palette

I have used this almost every single time I've worn eyeshadow this month. It is just so easy to grab and the colours are fantastic for everyday wear. The formula of the eyeshadows is pretty perfect too, making them very pigmented yet easy to blend. I will be posting a full review of this, including swatches, very soon so make sure you come back and check that out.

Benefit Dandelion & Gimme Fever Blush Duo - Groovy kind-a love kit

I am starting to get slightly obsessed with this little duo, it is so pretty! The mix of both gives such a pretty glow, without looking too shimmery. It's more like a beautiful sheen on the cheeks, which is a bit different from what I usually go for in a blush. I wish I had it in a larger size as I'm pretty sure I will end up hitting pan on it!

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Perfect Topping

This was Limited Edition from the Sugarsweet collection that came out years ago.. but it's truly gorgeous! And considering I've had it for so long, I haven't even started to make a dent in it. Mineralized Skinfinishes are great as highlighters, and that's what I use this for. It's a swirl of pinks, peaches and creams and honestly looks so nice on - I can't get enough of it!

Living Nature Skin Minis - Oily & Combination Skin

I've been using this for a couple of weeks now, and it's becoming a firm favourite in my skincare routine. The set includes a cleanser, toner and moisturiser and would be perfect for travel! Full review on it will be up tomorrow. 

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

Love this!  Because my lips get so ridiculously dry, this is perfect for me. It makes lip balm absorb much better after using this, and together they provide the perfect canvas for whatever lip product I decide to use. I think this is the third lip scrub I've gone through in about a year, and I will continue to buy it when I run out, can't live without it now!

Maybelline Baby Lips Color Pink Lolita

I love using this on days that I really can't be bothered wearing much makeup, and in summer I have quite a few of those! In saying that, this actually looks pretty good with a full face of makeup too - so it's a win/win really. It's not the greatest lip balm, but it is pretty moisturising and feels quite nice on, and it's coloured which is awesome! I've just found myself reaching for it time and time again.

YSL Babydoll Mascara

This came in my Lash Stash that I got before Sephora decided to stop international credit cards, grrr. Can you tell that still bothers me? Hahaha.
Anyway this mascara is great, its the first one I've used from the pack and it's really nice. Volumizes and lengthens all while holding a curl. If this is anything to go by, then I'm super excited to try the rest in the pack.

That sums up my favourites for January! 

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

It's going to be a Lush Valentine's Day!

I am a sucker for limited edition items, so I love when Lush bring out their holiday stuff. The Valentine's Day collection is especially cute, here are my top 3 favourite picks from the range!

Love Locket Bath Bomb $10.90

This is new for Valentines and is inspired by the heart shaped locket necklaces that you wear with a special photo inside. Just like that, you have to unlock the bath bomb to reveal the secret inside!

The outside of the locket is full of paper hearts that will float out onto the surface of the water, while the hidden heart inside is laden with agar hearts to create a spectacular bath time display. Use each half and the inner heart individually (so three baths in total), or throw it all in the bath tub at once for a really decadent bath, enough to get any heart aflutter. The brand new fragrance is made from some of our most luxurious essential oils: Fairtrade vanilla absolute, neroli oil and jasmine absolute are blended to create a sweet, sensual and uplifting indulgent bath time.

Neon Love Soap $8.90 per 100g

This brand new soap is inspired by 12 Months Of Neon Love, which was a collaboration between artists Victoria Lucas and Richard William Wheater. The art featured lyrics from famous love songs in huge neon writing and ran from Valentines Day 2011 til Valentines day 2012.

This huge heart shaped soap, emblazoned with the word ‘Love’, is scented with a brand new fragrance of bergamot, rosewood and cinnamon leaf oil and packed full of fresh ingredients, such as fresh figs, passion fruit juice and soya yoghurt to nourish and soften the skin. Hiding inside are plenty of little white hearts to ensure every slice looks as beautiful and romantic as it smells.

Be Mine Gift $29.90

This includes three decadent treats for the body; an exfoliating soap, a sensual massage bar and the award winning Ro's Argan Body Conditioner.

Gift contents: Porridge soap, Soft Coeur massage bar, Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner 45g.

These limited edition Lush Valentine's products will be available from the 30th January both instore and online.

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Lush Christmas Blogger Event

Last Thursday, Camille and I were invited to attend the Lush Christmas Blogger Event at the beautiful Lush Queen Street store.

We are serious Lush addicts, so of course we jumped at the chance to go. And I have to say, it was a lot of fun! The Lush girls are always so friendly and best of all they actually know their products inside and out! I swear there is no question they can't answer!

Finding out what's inside our goodie bags!

You pretty much know it's gonna be a good night when you're handed a goodie bag and served a drink as soon as you step through the door. Soon after, they explained everything inside the goodie bags in detail - which made it quite exciting! Not gonna lie, resisting the urge to grab everything out and play with it, was pretty difficult. Hahaha

Lush ladies gloving up for the demo!

We were then split into two groups for the activities of the night! Our group first went over to the counter and watched a full demonstration of how Angels In Bare Skin cleanser is made. It was so cool! The Lush girls are so hilarious, they had us laughing pretty much the whole time. And ohmygoodness, it smelt divine! The coolest part is they actually made enough for us all to take some home - so awesome.

Mixing, rolling... and voila!

Next our group headed over to the other side of the room for a knot wrapping demonstration. Knot wraps are inspired by a traditional type of Japanese wrapping cloth called Furoshiki, where the wrapping of the gift becomes a part of the gift itself. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

Learning how to knot wrap like a pro!

As I'm sure you are all aware, Lush are an ethical company that thrives on reducing landfill. So naturally, these knot wraps are completely reusable. They are all either Greenspun (made from recycled plastic bottles), made by the re-wrap co-operative in India or are upcycled vintage wraps! Love it! They come in a huge range of designs including some very beautiful festive prints that are great for Christmas.

After the demonstration, we all of course had to give it a go ourselves - and we got to choose one to take home! It was so much fun, and now I obviously want to collect them all!

Inbetween all the Lush madness, we mingled with all the other amazing bloggers. Was so lovely to catch up with everyone again - can't wait til the next time!

All in all, it was a fabulous night and I can't thank Barbara and all the amazing Lush girls enough for putting on such a great event. Next time you're on Queen St here in Auckland, make sure you pop in and have a look - you're bound to find the perfect Christmas present for someone special (and maybe two or three for yourself haha!)

And just because, here's a few more snaps from the night:

Bath Ballistics demonstration

Soaps <3

Look at how adorable the snowmen are!

Camille's attempt at a knot wrap

Please may I have them all?

Honestly, this sign cracked me up so much

A quick peek at what's inside my goodie bag!

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Lush Christmas Goodies

Stuck on what to get your loved ones for Christmas? If like me, you have decided to leave Christmas shopping 'til the last minute (despite your good intentions!), then I hope this review on a few Lush Christmas goodies helps you out!

It seems like a lot of people don't have baths these days. Everyone just has shower cubicles (like me) so to me, receiving a really nice shower gel is fantastic! Christmas time brings out all sorts of limited edition products from Lush, and one of these is Ponche shower gel.

 

Spanish for punch, this shower gel is inspired by the Mexican fruit punch made from seasonal fruits such as plums, oranges, cinnamon and vanilla. All ingredients that can help warm and stimulate the senses. Wash your hair and body with this fruity, softening shower gel and lift your spirits and get into party mode - there's even a dash of tequila to give it a little kick and some festive cheer!

This is one of the best smelling shower gels I have ever used. It's not overpowering, or too sweet, which I really like. It foams up really nicely and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean. I also think it's pretty cool how it contains a little bit of tequila - perfect addition for this time of year! Hahaha

If you're lucky enough to have a bath (my boyfriend does, and I use it whenever I can!), then it's important to know this: Lush takes the simple act of relaxing in a bath, to a whole other level.
Seriously. Have you checked out their bath products? Well, the Christmas range is even better.

The first one I tried was Bombardino, which is one of their Bath Ballistics.

Bombardino shares it's name with a drink enjoyed in the Italian Alps and smells of rich lemon cheesecake.We've added cocoa butter to soften the skin; whilst Sicilian lemon oil and Fair Trade vanilla absolute (the first Fair Trade absolute in the world!) give your bath a sweet and delicious fragrance.

This smells pretty good, and the lemon scent comes out even more once you add it to the bath. It also dissolves quite slowly - it took over 2 minutes, which I actually thought was pretty cool! It really does look awesome as it fizzes around and colours the water a bright yellow. This may be a little off-putting to some, but I found it to be pretty awesome. Also leaves your skin feeling beautifully soft and smooth when you hop out of the bath - yay!

Here's a quick clip of it in action:

The last thing I tried was the Magic Wand Bubble Bar.

Fairy princesses of all ages will love this great value re-usable bubble bar for up to ten bubble baths. Swish it around in the water for a skin softening, vanilla scented soak and a mound of candy bubbles. Then pop it on the side for use another time... just like magic!

This is definitely my favourite out of the bath products, it is so cool! I swished it around in the bath, and immediately you could start to see little bubbles forming. When I swirled my hand around after, it made more bubbles form. I wouldn't say it was really bubbly, but it was a nice amount considering I didn't use too much of it! I love how it's re-usable too, I feel like it makes it especially good value for money - not to mention it smells fantastic!

Here's a quick clip of it in action:

I hope this has given you a couple of Christmas gift ideas! Be sure to check out the whole Christmas range at your nearest Lush store, or check it out online. There is something for everyone!

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Top 5: Current Faves

I realise I haven’t done one of these kinda posts in a long time, so I thought I would share my Top 5 current faves with you.  In no particular order:

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector for Oily/Combination Skin

BB Creams are very hit or miss with me, some are great... others are terrible. But since I’d heard nothing but good things about this, it was time to bite the bullet and get it.
The coverage is that of a sheer foundation (as opposed to a tinted moisturiser!), the formula isn’t oily or shiny and it seems to stay put really well all day. I also love the fact that it has an SPF - this will be perfect for Summer.
The only thing I don’t like about it, is that it emphasises any dry patches I might have on my face, so I usually use a moisturiser underneath it.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in “Crème Brulee”

Honestly, I love these lipsticks. They are so moisturising and are really nicely pigmented. This one in particular is actually a perfect nude for me, and lately I’ve been wearing it almost everyday!
I have two other colours, but am definitely on the lookout for some more.

Lush Dream Cream

I wrote a review here stating how much I absolutely love this body lotion. It has become a regular in my daily routine, and my skin is loving me for it.

MAC Blushcreme in “Ladyblush”

I actually can’t believe that I forgot about this for so long, it is so beautiful! It's actually the perfect natural blush colour. The best thing about this. is the fact that it just glides on and blends out effortlessly, giving you that "naturally-flushed" look. To set it, you can either apply some of your setting powder, or a powder blush overtop. I kid you not, this will actually last all day.
I’ve also actually used it as a lip colour too, and it works great - especially if you throw some gloss on overtop.

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot – “Vintage Selection”

I have always been a fan of the Paint Pots and this is no exception. It’s described as a subtly, warm-toned, lightened brown with a slightly frosted, champagne sheen. I would definitely agree with that description. It is the perfect all over lid colour, and because they actually dry down and set, they don’t crease! Perfect for those days when you can’t be bothered applying heaps of eye makeup.

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Lush Dream Cream

Incredibly soothing body lotion for troubled skin. Dream Cream is Lush’s best-selling product because it makes sore skin feel good again. Chamomile and lavender calm irritations, reduce redness and banish blotches. We also use oat milk, too, which has traditionally been used on troubled skin for centuries. It contains everything nature makes for soothing your skin.

I am a sucker for Lush. I don’t know what it is, but I find it really hard to step inside one of their stores and NOT buy something. Their soaps are especially alluring and I kid you not, I have three of them sitting in my room right at this moment. 

Because I always get distracted by the soaps, I hardly ever stop and look at their other products. If I had’ve taken the time to check them out, I probably would’ve bought Dream Cream a looong time ago.

If I was to create the perfect cream for my sensitive skin, this would be it. Seriously.
It does everything a good body lotion should… and more! It’s soothing, very moisturising, absorbs rapidly and leaves my skin feeling soft and silky smooth.
To top it off, it has almost completely cleared up the dermatitis on my hands and legs!

I have been obsessed with this ever since I got it, and I highly recommend that you check it out here if you haven’t already.

Thanks for viewing!
oxo