Chit Chat & Liz Earle Giveaway Winner

I hate to be saying this again, but it has been a while (to say the least). I must say that I hate excuses, but I have a few!

First and foremost, my good old computer has really let me down! The light on my laptop screen has decided to just stop working. I would fix it but, I’m heading home in just over a week and all I need is to hook it up to a monitor. It just doesn’t make sense for me to buy an expensive monitor, just to leave it here! 

Which leads me to my second excuse, I’m leaving in just over a week! I can’t really believe how quickly this year has gone by. After a year away (for the third time), I’m heading back to Canada. I’ve obviously collected a heap of things over this past year (most of which has been documented on here). Needless to say, I’ve got a bit to do in this next week.

Lastly, my family have lost a member and being on the other side of the world hasn’t been easy for me. My motivation to blog therefore, has been non existent.

So what all this chit chat means is number 1, I haven’t announced my giveaway winner (nor have I blogged about a ton of things on my ever growing blogging list). Number 2 is, in the coming weeks I foresee a very busy time with leaving the country, arriving home and setting up my life again in Canada.

So thank you for your patience, understanding and I do hope you’ll still be around in a few short weeks when I’ll be back in full force.

Now on to my giveaway winner! Thank you to those who entered, I wish I could give you all the prize so you could enjoy this awesome cleanser, but alas there is only one winner!

And the winner is…Kat

Kat, If you head to my contact page and email me (ASAP – I leave in a week!), I’ll send you your prize very soon.

Thank you all for entering and subscribing and please do if you haven’t all ready. I’ll be back and Canada and ready to give you lots of reviews for products not as easy to get in Australia and will be excited to do some more giveaways when I’m back!

Have a wonderful, happy and safe holiday season.

Much love and thank you for reading

XOXOX

What's in my carry-on skincare bag?

I got this idea from Lisa Eldridge's youtube video and I am so happy that I decided to try this! A beauty/skincare lovers dream plane ride! I saw this video and knew that I be going on a massive plane ride to the UK shortly after, so I took her advice strongly and wrote down just what I’d need to give myself a facial at 40,000 feet. Below is the list of all the products I used while in flight. I actually was looking forward to the plane ride with all these little products ready to go in my carry-on. They worked beautifully, leaving my skin hydrated and happy while getting off a 22+ hour flight. I used all of these products at some point on the flight or in Changi Airport in Singapore (my stopover).

Cleansing wipes:

Any will really do. On the way from Sydney to London, I used Yes to Cucumbers but just used regular wipes on the way back. Both worked perfectly at either removing my makeup or the hydrating oil I used.

Hotel Cotton Pads, Cotton Buds, Tissues & Manicure set:

I always like to take these freebees with me after a stay in a hotel. Daniel (my boyfriend) and I stayed at the awesome Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh and I wanted to take everything in that room. I settled for the things I was actually allowed to.

Gravol & Advil:

Always good to have even if you usually don’t get sick. Gravol also helps you fall asleep which is a nice bonus.

Floss, a Mirror and a Hair-tie:

Just essentials, like having toothpaste.

Aesop Hydrating Oil:

I just had a little sample of this that I’ve since chucked out. I used at the beginning of the flight to give myself a nice facial massage and left it on for a good couple of hours. I may have looked a little greasy at first, but this product sunk in quickly and honestly, I don’t care if someone on a plane I’ll likely never see again thinks my face looks shiny. After a few hours of this product on my face I’d use a wipe to just clean it off.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

I LOVE this product. I slathered on this mask more then once during my flight. It sinks in over a few hours but you can’t see it as I might not care if someone thinks my face is oily, but I do think it’d be a bit much if I had a green clay mask on. I don’t want to scare any children! It really combats the disgusting dry air that circulates in the cabin for many hours. I almost always breakout after a long haul flight, and likely because my skin is producing oil because its so dry from the flight.

Bioderma Crealin H20:

I got this cute little sample in a beauty box and used it to remove my eye makeup. It works a treat! All you have to do is saturate a cotton pad, hold it on your eye for maybe 30 seconds and then wipes away. The product basically is designed to dissolve your makeup, so you do need to give it the time to do that, especially with your eye makeup.

Hand Sanitiser: 

This is a must have for me just on a regular basis. Before and after I eat, I need this! I hate when after you’ve finished eating on a flight you have to sit there for what seems like forever for the staff to come pick up your meal so you can get up and wash your hands.

Mouth Wash & Tooth Paste:

An essential on a long haul flight! You wouldn’t go a full 24 hours without brushing your teeth, you shouldn’t on a flight either.

Origins What a Difference Face Lotion Sample:

I love samples for flying. This product was great after I removed the hydrating mask (or what was left of it). I had a little sample of foundation as well and used this moisturiser before putting my make-up on. My boyfriend thought this was lovely too!

Avene Thermal Spring Water:

I love this product and it is absolutely ideal on a flight when you need a bit of a pick-me-up or just want a bit of hydration. You can check out my post here for more information.

Clinique All About The Eyes Roll-on Serum:

This product feels so cooling when you roll it on and I think it works. It hydrates the sensitive under-eye which when you are not getting a lot of sleep is essential. I used this during the flight and also just before I applied my lotion at the end of the flight.

Dove Deodorant:

I like to use spray on for, this might sound yucky, but when you are a bit yucky and need to smell good, I don’t want to touch the yucky area. I like just spraying this on and feeling fresh again!

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Mini:

I got this in a magazine when I first arrived in London. I discovered on the first leg of the flights I took that the airline provided a hot flannel at the beginning and end of the flight to freshen up. I then decided that when I saw the ladies coming down the aisle handing out these cloths, that I would get out my cleanser and apply it. By the time they arrived, I was able to wash off the product with a beautiful hot cloth, just as directed! (ps. See my last post for my Cleanse & Polish Giveaway!).

Ulittle Beauty Hand Cream:

Just like my face hydration process, I don’t want dry hands after a flight either. I used this periodically throughout the flight when ever I brought out my little kit.

Blistex:

This is just a mini so I thought it would be nice to bring on the plane. Its not the best but certainly helps to hydrate.

Marc By Marc Jacobs Dot Perfume Sample: 

I actually only brought this to use before landing and seeing my family. I didn’t think about the vast amounts of perfumes the airport has as you walk through. Silly me, this was very un-needed.

Hydraluron:

This is a serum that has a high concentration of hyaluronic acid in it. Hyaluronic acid is meant to pull moisture from the air and is super hydrating. My skin has really improved over the last month and was really great during my trip. Now there are quite a few things I’ve done to have this result but I am sure this is one of them. I use this underneath my lotion, as it really isn’t a substitute for moisturiser. I got this in boots in the UK on a strong suggest from Caroline Hirons rave review here and would really suggest it myself as well.

No7 Beautiful Skin Purifying Exfoliator: 

I brought this just in case I felt like freshening up during my spot-over. Again, this is a way of wasting a bit of time while waiting for my next flight. I like this scrub but I actually prefer scrubs that I can use without water. I like to just slap on the scrub and get a nice exfoliation before washing it off with water. I still like this and its great to use in the shower.

So there you have it, my skincare carry-on goodies. I don’t think I’ll go on a long haul flight again without these in my bag with me. It was fun to get pampered, as I am someone who really enjoys using all these products. I also loved the way my skin felt when I finished the flight and it certainly occupied a lot of my time when I wasn’t sleeping/trying to sleep.

What do you bring on a long flight with you?

What do you think you’ll take with you on your next flight?

Thanks for reading & Please follow my blog!

XOXOX

CHECK OUT THIS POST FOR MY AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

Lust Have It! October 2012

So I don't even think I will get into the drama that is the Lust Have It! Facebook page but rather thought I'd just post this latest post from the ladies at Lust Have It! :

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to say have a lovely weekend! Its been a busy week and although we have tried to respond to as many emails and Facebook posts as possible, we will continue to keep in touch with everyone in the coming days. We are cracking the whip (so to speak!) so that the coming months' boxes can both impress and invite a restored faith to the Lust have it! service.

I thought this was pretty good from the company. I know people have been upset with the promises they made and the service/delivery being sub-standard, but at least they are aware and want to restore their community's response. 

I am one of those customers that hasn't really been upset with the service they've provided, yes my pack came a little late this month, but they also emailed me to let me know it was coming late! Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never thought badly enough to complain. I have really enjoyed receiving the box every month and being am to sample new products, especially coming from another country! Below is an overview of the products I got in this month's pack!

I was a Fun and Flirty Lust Have this month and got:

Mask in a Cup Facial Mask 35g/$9.95 (Full Sized Product)

I am a face mask fend. I love them so much and love trying new ones. I think this is a cute brand and would make a nice gift for a friend who is sick along with a cup of soup, how cute!

NYX Cosmetics Girls Nail Polish 12ml/$4.95 (Full Sized Product)

So the colour I got is a bit...blue, but the product/formula is really nice and who know, maybe one day I'll really want a blue nail polish!

Avene Cleanance Skin Available from $24.95

I have used both of these facial creams and really like this range. The Cleanance-K is a little sticky or tacky on the skin, so is best to use at night, but the Emulsion is awesome. When my skin was going crazy about two months ago, I used this stuff all the time. It was almost the only thing that didn't irritate my skin, I've re-purchased it since. I haven't tried the cleanser, but wanted to and am happy to try it.

Caron Waxaway Ready to Use Sensitive Wax Strips Face/Body 20pk/$9.95

This is the kind of product I'm happy to get a chance to try out before buying. I have bought SO MANY different hair removal creams, strips and tools and more then half of them I wish I'd been able to try first! We will see what this brand is like!

Star&Rose White Bath Fizzer 145g/$4.95 (Full Sized Product)

I love a bath and these bomb/fizzer things are usually a fun thing. I look forward to dropping this in a nice warm bath and relaxing. I'll have to use it soon though as its warming up quickly. I'll save this for the next particularly frustrating teaching day!

Overall I am super happy with this months pack. There wasn't a satin bag, which I find upsetting, but I know some people were getting overwhelmed with little satin bags. I think this pack was good value for money!

How did you like this month's Lust Have It!?

Thanks for Reading & Please don't forget to follow my blog!

XOXOX

ps. CLICK HERE FOR MY GIVEAWAY --> WIN A LIZ EARLE CLEANSE & POLISH!

Giveaway: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Kit

So this is my 50^th post. I know that might seem like a small number to some but for me it’s been quite a feat. I have basically become a full time teacher as I’ve worked almost everyday of the year. No I haven’t had the work load of other teachers as far as planning, but when I am at school my days are much more full then the average teacher. What all this means is that when I get home from school, I just feel like I have very little time before I am so tired and need to get to bed. This has meant that it hasn’t been easy for me to blog. I started this blog in the first place because, apart from the obvious reasons, I thought this year of casual/supply teaching would mean lots of time for me. I didn’t want to be just sitting around with nothing to do on the days that I didn’t get called in. So all in all, 50 posts for me, feels like a lot!

So now on to my giveaway! I recently went to the UK and picked up a gift for my readers. I had this in mind before I left and wanted to get something that I’d be really pleased with receiving. I decided that this giveaway will be open internationally and will hopefully go to someone who hasn’t tried the product before or can’t access it where they live. So you may have guessed, or maybe you just had a look at the picture below (or read the title of the post!), that I got for you guys a Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish starter kit. This comes with a 100ml bottle, a Muslin Cloth and directions on how to use this awesome product.

The way you can win this product is similar to most giveaways you see out there.

1. You have to be subscribed to my blog J

2. You have to leave a message below of why you want this product. Weather is be because you use it all the time and want a refill, can’t access it where you live but love it or that you’ve just wanted to try it! Only one entry per person (if you enter twice you’ll be disqualified :S)

3. If you are under 18, just get permission from your parents as you’ll have to give me your address if you win!

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that this giveaway will be open for 1 month! So it will close on the November 26, 2012 at 11am. Thanks again for entering! XOXOX

UK Haul

So a week ago I got back to Australia after three weeks in the UK. What a wonderful trip is was and I honestly can't wait to go back for another visit soon. I was able to see two of my sisters and my aunt and uncle after years since my last visit to England. I also got to go up to Scotland and spend a nice amount of time in Edinburgh, a city I will certainly be visiting again. 

During all this family time and touristy time I certainly found time to do some shopping. I had a nice little list of some products I've been wanting after months of watching the UK girls on youtube. With list in hand I picked up a few things that I'd like to share with you. 

Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer (Light 2)

I have heard so so much about this very hyped up product. It is inexpensive and works really well. I've heard from a few bloggers that its not great under the eye and I'd agree that it works much better on concealing blemishes, etc. Great Buy!

Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch Light diffusing concealer

I use this concealer under my eyes and I love how it makes my eyes look so much brighter and awake. I seriously don't want to run out of these two little guys. Although having a sister in London will help ;)

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Eternal Gold

I love these cream shadows. We can get these in Australia, and actually for a pretty good price, the the price is good in the UK too and I really liked the look of this shade in store. I wasn't sure what colours are available in Australia and so I thought it couldn't hurt to get this one. I love how this looks just on its own over the whole lid. It is so night with bronzy shades for summer and will look so christmasy in Winter when I'm home in a couple short months too!

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

I bought a little mini of this product to bring on the flight with me and have fallen in love. I use this about once a week now and knew I needed a big tube, This was a lifesaver on the flight, keeping my skin so hydrated and lovely. I love the smell too!

No7 Airbrush Away Primer

I picked this up on a whim when I wanted to take advantage of the boots offer. I love how this preps my skin for my foundation. It just feels so lovely and really smooths out any uneven skin I may have. I really suggest this!

No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream

I needed a night cream for the nights when I am not using my Liquid Gold or the Origins Mask and thought I'd give this a go. It is for oily skin so it really does have a light consistency that is still think enough that I feel I'm getting the hydration I want during the night. 

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

I've had my eye on this bronzer for a while. We have Bourjois in Australia and might even have this product, but the pricelines near me don't so I thought I'd just pick this up because I saw it in Boots. I really like it. It is nice and subtle and easy to build up, smells wonderful too. 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish + Muslin Cloths

I have been wanting to try out this product for so long as its talked about all over youtube and the blogging world. It has certainly become a cult favourite and its also very hard to get outside the UK, with no chance of Australia having it. I walked by a little magazine stand and saw that one magazine was including a sample size of Liz Earle and a Cloth to go along with it. I didn't care was the magazine was, I picked it up and was able to try this all natural cleanser right away. I love it. It is very herbal and creamy. It doesn't irritate my skin and leaves it feeling so fresh and smooth. While in Edinburgh, I went to John Lewis and picked up a big tube! (I also might have gotten a little something for my readers too so watch this space in the coming weeks for a giveaway :D), 

I am really happy with the products I got. I didn't go crazy as my money was getting used quickly on other silly things like accommodation and food haha I think I got some nice stuff while not spending my life away.

Did I miss anything?

What's your favourite from what I picked up?

Thanks for reading and don't forget to comment and follow my blog!

XOXOX

Holy Grail Skincare Product #1 - Liquid Gold By Alpha-H

Having only started really enjoying and testing many skincare products a mere 6 months ago, it is rather exciting for me to have found an absolute Holy Grail product. I can see myself continuing to re-purchase this product over and over while excitedly asking my family and friends to try it too.

Liquid Gold by Alpha-H is a mild formula with Glycolic Acid that chemically exfoliates your skin while you sleep. I heard about this product from the Youtuber and Blogger Ruth from AMODELRECOMMENDS. She has incredible skin and talks about this product all the time. Her raves and the obvious beautiful skin she has while saying how much she loves this stuff, was enough for me to give it a try.
And I am so happy I did! The results of this product are really exciting because unlike other skincare products you can see a change in your skin literally overnight.  It is so nice to wake up to find glowing, plump, smooth skin where it was once a little dull and tired.

So how do I use it?

This product is a thin water like consistency. I apply a few squirts of this onto a cotton oval (I say oval because I got the bigger sized pads from priceline and therefore only have to use one with each application as they are much bigger!) and swipe the product across my cleansed and dry skin with not moisturiser. It may feel weird at first going to bed without a moisturiser, but you will not regret it when you wake up. When applying the product you will experience a slight tingling sensation that goes away after about 10 minutes and diminishes with continued use. Your skin will become more and more used to the Glycolic Acid. If you are someone who has used or does use Glycolic Acid, then you don’t have to worry about this.

So what does the product really do?

This is a mild chemical exfoliator. During the night the substance is essentially eating away at the top layer of skin, the dead skin cells that are making your skin look less glowing then it can be. Because it is an exfoliator that is a tad stronger then your manual scrubs, you should only use this once every second night at the most and also be careful with using your other scrubs. I like to alternate the days I use a facial scrub and my Liquid Gold.

So I highly recommend this beautiful product. I use it now when I am 25 to help with acne scarring a reduction of blemishes and just to reveal a smoother more radiant face of skin then the night before I used it. I think at 55 this will be a product I use to help with ageing skin that needs pick-me-ups a little more often. I think it’s a lovely product and if you haven’t heard of it or were thinking of trying it that you should give it a try. It is available at Adorebeauty.com.au in an 100ml bottle, while I got my 200ml from the site when they were having a special.

Thanks for Reading and Please follow my Blog!!
XOXOX

Battle of the BB Creams!

Lately I have been (along with countless others in the beauty world) obsessed with BB Creams. I have a in depth description of what BB Creams are here if you’d like some more information.
I love these products for their hydrating qualities and knowing that my foundation is really doing good for my skin. Most of the BB Creams I like also feel very light and almost a more perfected second skin. The five BB Creams I will talk about in this post all have different qualities and some I love, others I will struggle to finish before needing to chuck out.

Lioele Water Drop $24.95/50ml

This product really represents all that a BB Cream should be. I could really debate which drawer it belongs the skincare or makeup. It is so hydrating, has a high SPF of 27PA++ and has a light to medium coverage. Its one negative for me is that it has a rather light colour which is ideal for the winter when my skin is quite light. But with its high SPF I wish I could wear this in the summer but know that it wont be the right colour when I have some sun.

Lioele Beyond the Solution $14.95/30ml

This is another hydrating formula although not as hydrating as the Water Drop. The coverage of this product is very nice and it is quite a bit darker in colour, more in line with my skin colour in the summer. The issue I have with it is that while this formula is an excellent base, it doesn’t have an SPF which is such a same. If I were to repurchase again I would buy the Triple the Solution which has an SPF in it.

L’Oreal Nude Magique $26.95/30ml

This is a very unique formulation and it works incredibly well! It comes out of its tube very thin and with a white colour with little specks of beads that burst upon application and give off a colour that suits your natural skin tone. It gives light to medium coverage in my opinion with an SPF of 12 and feels almost gritty when you’re applying it. The best part about this product is its light feeling on the skin. I have never worn a lighter product that gives such great coverage at the same time.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Combination Oily Skin Formula $13.99/40ml

This is really nothing like its first formula. This improved formula is specifically for combination/oily skin. It comes out very thin and offers medium coverage that is comparable to some of my foundations but it feels really light on the skin. It has an SPF of 15 and easily blends. I have been wearing this product a lot and love its coverage and hydrating qualities.

Garnier Miracle  Skin Perfector

I honestly think that without Garnier calling this product a BB Cream I wouldn’t have included it in this battle. This product comes out thick but gives very little coverage. It is not really like a foundation at all, which is what one of the things a BB Cream is meant to be. This is a tinted moisturiser and not even a very nice one. It isn’t super moisturising and gives very little colour.  Another problem is that it feels quite oily on the skin and my combination oily skin is a mess at the end of the day while wearing this. With this product I really just feel like it its an extra step to my routine that doesn’t have any benefits.

It is difficult to choose a winner in this battle but I’d say that the Garnier new formula for combination/oily skin. It gives a great base, hydration, an SPF, excellent coverage and a nice colour match for me as well.

Thanks for reading and Please Subscribe!

XOXOX