Lush Lather

Recently, it occurred to me that my dream job would be something like product developer at Lush. Happiness is properly exploring the contents of a busy Lush store, touching and sniffing and testing on the back of my hand whatever catches my eye. Coming away from my last visit, I was newly inspired by the sheer multitude of soaps, gels, jellies, bath bombs, lotions etc. they dream up of and create. What I like about Lush is that their products don't necessarily appeal to the lowest common denominator. They have interesting, different, creative and unexpected concoctions that are permitted to find their own audience. One of my favourite products from Lush are their intensely fragranced, richly foaming shower gels. I've tried many, though currently have five 250g bottles that I alternate to wash my body and hair (spoiler alert: they're all super sweet scents). They range in price from $16.50 to $19.95, presumably due to the differing costs of the raw materials.

Snow Fairy (limited edition)
If you want to capture the scent of a lolly assortment in a shower gel, look no further than Snow Fairy. It's unadulterated sugary goodness. Every time I use it, I feel like I'm bathing in lollies. And yet, despite it being a kid's carnival of pear drops, cotton candy and musk, it's never enters off-putting or offensively sweet territory. There's a playfulness and innocence to it that keeps it fun and irresistible.

Honey I Washed the Kids
This one is thicker in consistency than the other shower gels, almost like a caramel. True to its name, its prevailing scent (and number one ingredient) is honey, but it's malty and biscuity in a way, not a straight up honey that you'd get from the supermarket. It shares the same scent as the Honey I Washed the Kids soap and limited edition Gold Fun. It's made in a "lotus flower and tiger lily infusion" (whatever that is), plus has sweet wild orange and bergamot oils, adding flowers and citrus to the mix. But it's primarily honey and toffee. I find it too densely sweet at times, so best used occasionally, or when the mood strikes. I'm a bit over the scent after getting through two-thirds of the bottle, but I know once I revisit it after a long break, I'll be like, "Where has this been all my life?"

Rose Jam (limited edition)
I don't think I fully appreciated this when I first bought it, but I've been reaching for it regularly of late, and loving it. The scent, like its name suggests, is a super sweet jammy rose. There is a slight tartness to it as well, probably due to the inclusion of cypress leaf infusion and Sicilian lemon oil, but it's not discordant with the overall composition. It's the kind of sweetness that's so potent and enveloping it's almost too much, but there's a complexity and depth with its blend of fruity and floral notes. What I enjoy most about Rose Jam is that they've put in argan, rose and geranium oils to make it extra pampering and luxurious on the skin. It leaves the skin feeling nourished and moisturised, with a lingering scent even after you've left the shower.

Twilight (limited edition)
My favourite Lush shower gel, hands down. SO sad this is limited edition. I wish they'd make it permanent. It's not even one of those limited editions that they regularly bring out at a particular time of year, like Snow Fairy. I originally featured it in my March 2013 Favourites, then later deemed it to be one of few products actually worth having a backup for. I'm about halfway through my only remaining bottle and trying to ration it. What makes it so good? Simply put, the scent. It's an incensey, honeyed lavender with a herbaceous edge. It's warming, spicy, decadently sweet, but also highly aromatic in a way that calms the senses and prepares one for sleep.

Flying Fox
I received this as a birthday gift earlier in the year, and after using it once, was put off by just how potent this stuff is. I'm pretty sure it gave me a massive headache. It shares the same fragrance as the Lust perfume by Lush, which unleashes an atomic cloud of jasmine. Flying Fox is no different. After using it as a shampoo, I could still smell it in my hair a day later. It is so strong (right at the edge of what's acceptable to the human nose, possibly over it) that it is borderline nauseating, but at the same time, that's what makes it special. It's one of those unapologetically dirty, "indolic" jasmines (cat pee is often used as a descriptor), big, brash and polarising. If you love it, there's nothing like it. If you don't, stay far away.

March Favourites

March didn't have any particular defining moments, except that it was my birthday month. New season of RuPaul's Drag Race gave me life. I raced through the third season of House of Cards and finished watching the last ever episodes of Parks and Recreation. Along the way, I bought more makeup and nail polish than I have in a while. I also ate a lot of food. Bad, indulgent food. The days of religiously preparing oats with fruit in the mornings and a salad for lunch, while avoiding sugar, deep fried food and carbs, are long over. And forget exercise. That's been nonexistent. I think it's time to become more health-conscious again.

Avene Soothing Moisture Mask
Undoubtedly my #1 discovery for this month. I liked the Soothing Moisture Mask so much that I've already made a mental note to purchase it next time Priceline has its 40% off skin care sale. I was contemplating buying it last time, but the ingredients seemed fairly generic and I had both the Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask and Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask at home. But when I tried a sample a friend gave to me, it exceeded my every expectation. My skin's been extremely dry lately, but the Avene has tackled flaky areas and restored moisture to my skin. It is scentless, non-irritating, readily absorbed and instantly hydrating, providing a smoother, more receptive canvas for any makeup that's applied after.

Lush Karma Kream Hand and Body Lotion
I was lucky to receive this as a birthday gift (my friends know me too well) and I was thrilled to finally have a body lotion worthy of replacing my used up Grown Mandarin and Rosemary Leaf Body Cream. Like the vast majority of Lush products, the fragrance of this is pungent and not for everyone. My mother for one, immediately asked what the putrid smell was after I wandered into the kitchen having applied some on my leg moments before. The lotion is based on their citrus-aromatic Karma perfume, with top notes of orange, lavender and lemongrass, middle notes of pine tree, lemon and cassis, and base notes of patchouli, fir resin, elemi and cinnamon. (Don't ask me what elemi is.) It's a kind of warm, spicy, citrusy, yet clean scent. Very unusual and unique. The lotion itself is a good consistency in that it's on the thinner side, but still very moisturising and quite luxurious feeling. Use it all over for a pampering, aromatic experience.

OPI Panda-Monium Pink
After receiving an OPI minis set for my birthday, I was enthusiastically back on the OPI train. After all is said and done, I still believe OPI make the best polishes, period. Perhaps not always the most inspiring shade selection (I'm more of an Essie fan in that department), but the formula and wide brush are hard to beat. I bought a whole bunch of OPI polishes, mainly from Cosmo Cosmetics (can't beat $8 a pop, at least in Australia), and Panda-Monium Pink was my favourite. A cool-toned baby pink with a hint of lilac, it gave my nails a feminine, polished edge while still introducing a touch of the unexpected. See it worn here.

Sigma F82 Round Top Kabuki
As I mentioned earlier, my skin's been really dry this month, which has caused a few headaches in terms of makeup application. I found that using my Real Techniques Multi Task Brush to apply foundation was no longer doing the trick. Rather, the foundation looked streaky and uneven, even when I spent more time trying to blend and buff it into my skin. Enter the Sigma F82. I rarely use this brush because it is SO dense and at times, feels uncomfortably hard and firm on the skin. It's also a challenge to clean, though the discovery of Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge has been a life-saver. As I described in my April 2013 Favourites, it's the density of the bristles that makes the F82 the closest thing to using your own hands to blend in foundation. It buffs away any streakiness and ensures a skin-like finish to your base.

Bvlgari Rose Essentielle EDP
A family friend gave me this 25ml bottle a while back, but I only started appreciating this fragrance recently. At first, I dismissed it as a well-made, inoffensive, "grown up" scent that didn't inspire much passion. However, it's really grown on me in the last month. This might sound odd, but I've been enjoying spritzing it on myself before bed. There's something sophisticated, feminine, but comforting about it. It's by no means a loud fragrance, but it has an uplifting brightness and purity to it, while still remaining refined and elegant. I was on the hunt for a good rose perfume to add to my ever-expanding collection (lusting after Tom Ford Private Blend Café Rose and contemplating Jo Malone Red Roses or Kiehl's Patchouli & Fresh Rose), but Rose Essentielle was under my nose this whole time. I think it deserves just as much attention and affection as that other rose perfume that's wildly popular: Chloé by Chloé EDP.

Mint Condition

I love Lush. I just flipped through their Christmas catalogue and my eyes lit up browsing all their brightly coloured, festively packaged gift sets. There's something about how constantly inventive and appealing to the senses their products are that satisfies my love of novelty and a lil' self-pampering. And unlike cosmetics which take forever to be used up, I don't struggle to get through body products and skin care. Emptying a product I enjoyed using throughout gives me immense satisfaction, and the best part is being able to repurchase or try something different without guilt (not that I don't have backups of shower gels and random soaps lying around that I haven't touched). The latest product I've tried from Lush is the Mask of Magnaminty, my first experience with one of their "fresh" masks.

Mask of Magnaminty is an exfoliating, deep cleansing clay-based mask. It looks like choc mint ice cream with its green colour and crushed up aduki beans, and smells a bit like it too. It's a gritty, thick paste with ground up red beans that feels more like you're putting raw food on your face than something synthesised in a lab. When you're applying it to the skin with your fingers, there's not a whole lot of stickiness going on and I'm slightly concerned about bits of the mask falling off my face.

It's gently minty upon application, though nothing overpowering, and the minty sensation reduces with time. I usually leave it on for 15-20 minutes, during which the mask will slightly harden but remain mostly wet, depending on how thickly you've slathered it on. It definitely doesn't harden and tighten, uncomfortably/hilariously immobilising facial movement, like other clay masks. It's quite easily washed off with warm water. I like to massage it in with my fingers while washing it off to get in some extra manual exfoliation. Due to its coarse, granulated texture, and the presence of peppermint oil, it may be too abrasive and irritating on sensitive skin.

After it's washed off, my skin is left feeling refreshed, purified and scrubbed. While I don't really detect any instant glowing effect and it doesn't banish spots immediately after use, it's a mask I reach for when I need a good, minty deep cleanse and to slough away any dry, flaky bits. I'm a big fan of the unusually chunky composition and how much it reminds me of something edible, and who doesn't love a face mask for some welcome "me time"?

Ingredients: Bentonite Gel, Kaolin, Honey (Mel), Talc, Ground Aduki Beans (Phaseolus), Glycerine, Evening Primrose Seeds (Oenothera biennis), Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita), African Marigold Oil (Tagetes erecta), Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla Planifolia), Limonene, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Chlorophyllin

September Favourites

A very late September Favourites. For two weeks I was overseas on holiday, so the products featured here are essentially my top picks from what I packed in my makeup bag and what I bought in Japan.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
I've wanted to try this cleansing oil forever but it's not stocked locally and I wasn't tempted enough to order it online. It seemed a little bit cheaper than the various Shu Uemura cleansing oils, so I bought the 200ml bottle to try for just under $30. I don't know how different it is to literally just rubbing olive oil over your face, but it's become my makeup remover of choice to take my face off at the end of the day. I was previously relying on Dove Foaming Make Up Remover which certainly gets rid of everything, but always left me with lingering paranoia that it was too stripping and ultimately detrimental to my skin. The DHC feels a lot more gentle and nourishing. It's silky smooth with a lot of slip, making it relaxing to massage into the skin. You have to concentrate on the eye area and go over it several times to get rid of waterproof mascara, but it dissolves everything eventually. My only complaint is that it does blur the vision when you get it around the eyes. It doesn't sting but just feels uncomfortable to not be able to see properly and have to rinse with water ASAP. When washed off, it leaves the skin feeling comfortably soft and properly cleansed with no oily residue.

LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser
Another product along with the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil that I'd heard a lot about but hadn't been lured into purchasing until my trip. After I'd bought it, I started to use it every day in the morning to wash my face, following with Melvita Damask Rose floral water and Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream. This routine agreed with my skin tremendously. LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser is a bit puzzling at first because it just looks like some compacted gritty stuff in a container. You're meant to dig out a small amount and then mix it with water to form a kind of paste that you rub into your skin, then wash off. Invariably, some of it will fall around the vicinity of the bathroom sink rather than adhere to your face. It seems oddly abrasive to be used on a daily basis, so I definitely didn't do any extra exfoliation (manual or chemical) when I was using this daily in Japan. I now prefer to use this once or twice a week. It will do pretty much nothing in terms of makeup removal, so it's really only a morning-only cleanser unless you don't wear makeup. It appeals to my need for novelty, is pleasingly fragrant and leaves the skin incredibly soft and pampered.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
I've ummmed and ahhhhed over this brush for the absolute longest time given its cult status. Even when I was in the States two years ago, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $24 (pre-tax) on a single eyeshadow brush. I rationalised that was basically the cost of an entire Real Techniques brush set. I certainly wasn't going to hand over $37 to buy one here in Australia. But at Narita Airport, before my flight home, I decided it was time. And honestly, it's one of those purchases where you wonder why you hadn't committed earlier. It picks up just the right amount of product and makes eyeshadow application and placement foolproof. If you're asking yourself whether you need the 217 and haven't taken the plunge, just do it.

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light
This is the one product I've been utterly impressed with during September in a way I hadn't anticipated. I threw it into my makeup bag thinking it would do, but it turned out to be exactly what I was after. It's a breeze to apply with the fingers, provides better-than-expected coverage and gives the complexion an inbuilt radiance that makes it appear instantly fresh and awake. The only negative is that it does transfer a bit and get shiny, especially in heat, but nothing that periodic blotting with a tissue can't fix. This is a great go-to base if you're after something light, fuss-free, natural-looking but with a luminous finish. It doesn't accentuate dry patches and works into the skin easily, so long as you've properly exfoliated and moisturised beforehand.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze
Another product that I thought would be merely adequate, but completely outperformed my expectations. This is such a versatile, easy to use cream eyeshadow stick that's ideal for travel. I used it both to slightly smoke out my upper lid after applying a wash of Essence Pas des Copper, as well as to define my lower lash line. On the lower lash line, it honestly did not budge for the whole day and retained its metallic lustre. It's as good as my old favourite Benefit Busy Signal, except more convenient to use since I don't need a brush to apply it.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara
Why did I ever stray. All other mascaras are mere imposters, this is the real deal. With a good session of eyelash curling beforehand and diligent application, this gives me the actual appearance of flirty, voluminous, darkened eyelashes peering out from my monolids. And it's absolute magic on the lower lashes, so long as you're patient and have a steady hand.

Backup Worthy

You know you really like a product when you've bought it again before the one you're currently using has even run out. Sure, we have those ever-repurchased staples (mine include Avène Thermal Spring Water, Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, Daiso Cotton Puffs, Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover, and of course, Bioderma Créaline H₂O), but every now and then, a product you've newly discovered feels so valuable and indispensable, you can't help but want to stock up.

The easiest way to ensure a routine shower becomes a pampering experience is to get your hands on a simply irresistible shower gel. As soon as I featured philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath from the The Cookbook set in my April 2013 Favourites, I was already intent on restocking the full size bottle from StrawberryNET. And I wasn't even halfway done with my existing 120ml bottle. The creamy, sugary, slightly spicy, doughy goodness was like having dessert in the shower. On the other hand, LUSH Twilight Shower Gel is less food-like, but still intensely sweet, with a hefty dose of calming lavender. Unlike the philosophy, the relaxing, bedtime-priming scent stays close to your skin and lingers even after you've stepped out of the shower. Being limited edition, I rationed my first tiny 100g bottle for months, so naturally I pounced when I saw LUSH selling Twilight again last October.

Taking a couple of minutes to treat yourself to a good hand cream can be a simple but effective pick-me-up during a day at work staring endlessly at a computer screen. The distinctive, heady and bright scent of Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed Hand Therapy lifts the spirits while providing relief to dry hands. Another fixture in my makeup bag are the Korres Lip Butters. Softening, hydrating, attractively packaged, not too intimidating in terms of colour payoff, as well as multipurpose (I've used Pomegranate many times as a cream blush), there's a reason why I've collected almost all the shades.

Occasionally, a deal will strike me as such good value that repurchasing not only seems prudent, but almost essential. When I calculated that the full size versions of the products contained in the Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis set would have to be nearly half price to give me equivalent value, I rushed out to buy another box. (The threat of a 'limited edition' label probably played a role too.) Antipodes isn't the cheapest of brands, so on top of the satisfaction of scoring a good deal, I readily incorporated both the silky smooth, deeply hydrating Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum and rich, thirst-quenching Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream into my evening skin care routine.

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge was such a revelation the first time I used it, I had to secure myself a backup bottle ASAP. No more bending over the sink, scrubbing and scrubbing brushes using my open palm and baby shampoo. Make no mistake, this stuff is life-changing.

The final three repurchased items now seem questionable to me, given the likelihood I'd ever finish up the original product. More to the point, I've either cooled my enthusiasm, a once scarce product has now become widely available, or I've since found superior or equally excellent alternatives.

There was a time when the prospect of welcoming Revlon Whimsical into my nail polish collection seemed as elusive and dream-like as its name might suggest. The moment I stumbled across a bottle at Rite Aid while holidaying in New York City was one of quiet, triumphant joy mixed with disbelief. When Whimsical finally made its way to the shops here, I undid my regret at not buying another bottle when I had the chance in NYC. Despite needing to tediously paint about 4 coats for complete opacity, and wearing it more than any other polish I own, my current bottle shows no signs of being completely used up for quite some time. I may get to opening the backup in 2016.

Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate was one of my earliest eyeliner discoveries, and being super affordable at $3 on sale, I bought a bunch a couple of years back. Since then, I've moved on to the efficiency, precision and ease of use of felt tip eyeliners for my upper lash line. I also avoid black on my lower lash line where I'd normally use a pencil, preferring instead taupe or metallic browns.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze still remains one of my most adored eyeshadows, but my existing pot has largely dried out, making the texture challenging to work with. While I have a backup right there, I'm hesitant to open the new one when the old one is only about 30% used up. Which really just makes me wonder under what circumstances I'd ever open the brand new one, given solid use over 2 years only diminished a third of the product, and I've put off 'fixing' my dried out cream eyeshadow for months. Time to utilise a backup for precisely its purpose, methinks.

March Favourites

March was barely distinguishable from February, with the only difference being I officially turned a year older. There was no shortage of cheesecake this month, partially sabotaging my attempt at a "lifestyle change" by eating more cleanly and trying to get in some exercise (and by exercise, I mean run on the treadmill 1-2 times a week while feeling close to puking, and random made up floor exercises in the comfort of my own room). In terms of beauty products, there was a bit of a mixed bag this month, but more items than usual. I had not one, but two favourites for foundation, nail polish and moisturiser.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Taupe (004)
I dismissed Taupe the first time I picked up one of these eyeliners (in Bronze) because it seemed so similar to Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe, which I never use. But with Priceline's most recent 40% off cosmetics sale, I was suddenly inspired to give Taupe a go. I've been reaching for it almost exclusively this past month to define my lower lash line instead of my usual bronze eyeliners. What I like most about it is that it's quite hazy and soft when it's applied, and it wears in much the same way. The lasting power is impressive, but even when it's faded by the end of the day, it doesn't look patchy like some metallic eyeliners can. The overall look is more understated and natural because the colour is matte, very neutral and not as harsh as a black.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Soft Beige (200) + CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Buff Beige (825)
These two mixed together (usually half and half) have been working really well for me. At first, I combined them out of necessity because the Rimmel is too dark and the CoverGirl too light. Sometimes in the morning rush and with less than ideal pump control, I get the proportions out of whack and my face doesn't match my neck, but the freedom to customise your own shade remains one of the biggest perks of having too many foundations. The creamy, thick consistency and occasional over-dewiness of the Rimmel is tamed by the CoverGirl, which has much superior coverage but a drier, more satin finish and runnier, lighter texture. Worked in with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, this drugstore foundation duo ticks most of the boxes: good coverage, radiance-boosting, sets properly and doesn't overly transfer, excellent lasting power, oil control ... and shade match (when I get it right).

LUSH Snow Fairy Limited Edition Shower Gel
I know this is a popular product from LUSH, especially around Christmas, but despite hearing constant raves, I hadn't tried it until recently. At first, I wasn't blown away (it just smelled of banana lollies to me), but after squirting generous amounts on a shower puff and lathering it all over a couple more times, I saw the light. Yes, it's extremely sugary, but somehow not in an overwhelming, sickly way. I think it might be tamed by the musk in there, but whatever it is, the unbridled burst of edible sweetness is an absolute pleasure. It honestly feels like I'm bathing in lollies. In the past month alone, I've used up about two thirds of my tiny 100g bottle and I'm now majorly regretting not buying a larger one when I had the chance.

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in It's a Trap-eze!
I wore this over Nails Inc. Porchester Square for a whole week, which is almost unheard of when you're as fickle about nail polish as me and frequently change nail polish daily. It's a Trap-eze! is a glitter masterpiece. The overall effect is more speckled egg than bling overload, so it's perfect for any upcoming Easter-themed manicures. Still annoyed BeautyJoint shipped me a half-used bottle though.

Australis Nail Colour in K-Pop
The nail polish colour du jour seems to be Essie Splash of Grenadine (popularised by Estée), which reminded me of this gem from local brand Australis. As soon as I saw K-Pop on the stand, I knew I had to have it. It's such a unique, eye-catching colour (also very fitting with the Pantone Colour of the Year "Radiant Orchid") and the formula is close to impeccable. Here's a shot of the colour on my nails. I like that it has this injection of neon which makes it a bit fresher and more youthful than similar colours that are darker and more dusty.

Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream
I've tried a few products from Trilogy and I can't say my skin has loved everything, but this night cream is a definite winner. I have a mini 25ml jar from the Rosapene Day and Night Collection which I bought during Priceline's 40% off skin care sale around Christmas. This is essentially the evening version of their Vital Moisturising Cream, in that it's slightly thicker and more hydrating. I think the texture is an improvement (closer to Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream), it absorbs well, instantly comforts and adds moisture to the skin and smells pleasant and soothing. Dare I say I prefer it to the funky-smelling Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (of which I have a small 15ml tube from the Anti-Ageing Minis set)?

Jurlique Arnica Cream
I was fortunate to receive this as a birthday gift and immediately incorporated it into my skin care routine as my daytime moisturiser. The smell reminds me of slightly off, sweet yoghurt and it has a thick texture that requires a tad more effort to spread onto the face, but this stuff sinks deep into the skin and provides amazing hydration and softness. I used to struggle with dry patches, especially around my nose, which would be apparent when I applied my foundation, but since using the Arnica Cream, I don't have those issues anymore. It serves as a perfect base for my foundation because it provides a smooth, richly moisturised platform, but it's not greasy or slippy on the skin. It's almost matte in texture when absorbed. It also doesn't begin to seep through your foundation, emerging as an oily mess a couple of hours later. Yes, there's a bit of shine, but it's positively restrained compared with other products, plus blotting with a tissue ensures the skin is sufficiently mattified for the remainder of the day.

Jasmine and Vanilla

Dare I say I'm becoming something of a Lushie? I've genuinely enjoyed almost everything I've tried from Lush and find their products to be of a consistently high standard, which surprised me given the sometimes questionable efficacy of "natural" products. Recently, a lady at work enthusiastically sprayed on a perfume at lunch and after she revealed it to be Lush Lust, I ran to a Lush store later that day and bought the 10ml spritzer of Lust, along with Vanillary. At an affordable $15.50 a piece and packaged in a sleek, travel-friendly cylinder, I was keen to unearth a world of scents previously unknown to me with the purchase of my first two Lush perfumes.

Lush Gorilla Perfume in Lust and Vanillary

Lust
This stuff is potent. There's no other way to describe it. One single spritz, held at a distance, lasts hours. People from the other side of the room could probably detect a whiff of Lust after it's first sprayed. This disperses and settles like an atomic bomb leaving a mushroom cloud. Mixed with heat or sweat on the skin, it's even more heady, to the point where it's slightly sickening. Having said that, it's one amazing burst of super charged jasmine. A definite wake up call to the senses. If you like jasmine, you need to at least experience Lust. There are apparently additional notes of rose, ylang ylang, sandalwood and vanilla, but they're all very much in the background. It's often described as "dirty" or "indolic", typical of authentic jasmine. There's a tartness and mustiness there that stops it from being completely sweet and creamy.

Vanillary
Lately, I've been flirting with the idea of adding a vanilla perfume to my collection, either diptyque Eau Duelle or Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille. Vanillary is a much more accessible way of dabbling in vanilla fragrances without needing to fork out over $100 for the two I've been lusting over. The notes as described by Lush include natural vanilla absolute, jasmine and tonka bean, with hints of sandalwood and burnt caramel. I'm not huge on the opening which is a bit "uriney" as one MakeupAlley user put it (mainly due to the jasmine), but after 10-15 minutes the vanilla body begins to shine through. It becomes more traditionally gourmand with a warmth and spiciness that keeps it interesting. This one, while not distinctly subtle, is nowhere near as long-lasting or strong as Lust. After 30 or so minutes, it's faded and subdued, staying relatively close to the skin.

Lush 50% Off Haul

While I skipped the Boxing Day madness (happily spending the day with a friend and one adorable cavoodle instead), I heard about the 50% off sales Lush was having and made it a mission to get myself to one of their stores the next day. Last year, I purchased the Festive Fiesta tin at half price and was only beginning to tentatively explore the brand. This year, with my fondness for Lush having grown considerably, I went all out. I could barely go shopping anywhere else afterwards because the jumbo paper bag I was carrying weighed a tonne and was laughably oversized.

Lush SNAP!! and Getting Ziggy With It gift set contents

I ended up with two gift sets, a 250g bottle of Rose Jam shower gel and a 100g bottle of Snow Fairy. Inside the SNAP!! box, designed to resemble a giant Christmas cracker, was a Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar (100g), Fizzbanger Bath Ballistic, Mr Punch Soap (100g), Cinders Bath Ballistic, Red Fun (100g) and Shoot for the Stars Bath Ballistic. The 9-piece Getting Ziggy With It set included a Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb, Grass Shower Gel (100g), The Olive Branch Shower Gel (100g), Karma Soap (100g), Ponche Shower Gel (100g), Noriko Soap (100g), Gold Fun (100g), Sunnyside Bubble Bar and Dragon's Egg Bath Ballistic.

I think a large part of the appeal of Lush, at least to me, is that it makes bath time fun for adults. Their inventive and playful products can transform something pedestrian and chore-like as washing yourself every day to an enjoyable exercise. I've never tried a Bath Ballistic or Bubble Bar before, but I'm very much looking forward to testing them out one by one once the colder weather rolls around (though that won't be any time soon, since summer's only started here in Australia). Lush shower gels are always delightfully fragrant but never predictable, with creative and varied concoctions to suit every mood and time of day. They're truly a treat to use, lather well and unlike philosophy shower gels, the scent stays close to the skin after you've stepped out of the shower and dried yourself off.

Not entirely sure what Fun is? I was a little perplexed at first at these soft, Play-Doh like bars. I have the red one (with mandarin and orange essential oils) and gold (a special Christmas Fun that shares the same honey toffee fragrance as the Honey I Washed the Kids soap). These "multipurpose, moldable soaps" can be used on the body in the shower, broken off in the bath, or as shampoo. I'm curious to find out how well they'll dissolve or foam under water, given Musings of a Muse didn't rate them too highly. I've surprisingly enjoyed using the juicy blackcurrant Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly in my hair as shampoo, so hopefully Fun turns out to be another unusual but perfectly functional substitute for my regular, boring Pantene.

March Favourites

As the song goes, two is better than one, and March has been about combinations. I've come to appreciate the value in mixing and layering individual eyeshadows, lipstick and nail polishes to produce different shades and effects. Certain products you barely use on their own could transform into exactly what you were after when put together. All it takes it a little experimentation and a good look at what you already have. I've also been loving two particular scents and the added functionality of a pump to my existing favourite foundation.

OPI Lights of Emerald City
You know when you persevere with a nail polish after two failed attempts, it must be something special. I wore this happily for most of March, including a stretch of a whole week before it started to peel, which is saying a lot since I usually get fed up of a nail polish after 1-2 days. Pairs perfectly with Revlon Pale Cashmere, though Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is a must in the process as the application is admittedly tedious.

Lush Twilight Shower Gel (Limited Edition)
This has become one of my favourite shower gels, except I only have this tiny 100g bottle to last me until the next time they sell it, if they ever do. It contains lavender flower infusion, lavender oil, benzoin resinoid, tonka absolute and ylang ylang oil. The scent is mainly sweet, a little woody with a touch of spice. It's warm, relaxing and enveloping, and best of all, the fragrance lasts on your skin after you get out of the shower. So annoyed I didn't pick up a bigger bottle at 50% off during the post-Christmas sales.

Too Faced Like a Virgin (Naked Eye palette) + Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids (701)
Earlier in the month I dabbled in mattes, but my most worn eyeshadow these past couple of weeks has actually been a combination of a matte powder eyeshadow and a shimmery cream. I've been applying as a base the second shade from the Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids, a sheer, cool violet with silvery-gold shimmer, then layering Too Faced Like a Virgin from the Naked Eye palette over it. The pairing reminds me of a darker, cooler, more purple-grey version of Laura Mercier African Violet. The lighter, shimmery base adds more warmth and depth to Like a Virgin, which can be too dark and grey on its own.

Kai Perfume Oil
Still obsessed. All other fragrances pale in comparison. I just haven't been interested in anything else. If I'm rushing out the door, I don't need to worry about selecting a perfume that I wouldn't mind spritzing on as I know I have this in my purse that I'll actually look forward to dabbing on my wrists.

BYS Longwear Lipstick in Beautifully Bare (L211) + Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Ginger Rose (131)
Another combination that I stumbled upon in March. I was re-watching My Everyday Makeup Tutorial from Jenn Im of clothesencounters and loved her lip colour in that video (Wet n Wild Bare It All). Not having that exact shade, I wanted to recreate something similar from my lipstick collection. I first tried on BYS Beautifully Bare, but it was too nude and didn't have the soft, natural rosiness I was after. So I decided to layer over it a lipstick that I rarely touch, Revlon Ginger Rose, which I've always found a bit too dark and mature-looking. I was surprised at how much I liked the end result, especially the way it just worked for my skin tone. Mixing lipstick can be a tricky affair, especially if two formulations aren't compatible, but these two melded together like a single colour. My newest go-to daytime neutral shade.

Foundation pump for NARS Sheer Glow
This doesn't really count as a favourite, but I finally remembered to pick up a NARS foundation pump from Mecca Cosmetica. It was only $4 which was cheaper than expected. Makes using my Sheer Glow so much easier as one pump is more than enough to cover my whole face and I feel I'm not wasting as much product.

And while we're talking about it, my love for NARS Sheer Glow only increases with time. It's my favourite of all the foundations I own, the best foundation I've used overall, and despite frequent comparisons to cheaper alternatives, they simply don't come close. It's actually much higher coverage than I initially gave it credit for. When used with a primer (I like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for when I want my skin to look extra nice), it gives the most flawless, brightening finish. My only complaint is that it can look slightly cakey just above my chin if I scrutinise my face in the mirror, but that's a very minor issue.

l-r: Too Faced Like a Virgin, Revlon Wild Orchids (2nd shade), Like a Virgin and Wild Orchids layered together, BYS Beautifully Bare, Revlon Ginger Rose, Beautifully Bare and Ginger Rose layered together

Dipping into Lush

I've never been big on Lush. When I was younger, I never understood the appeal. Each time I found myself near one of their shops, I had to hold my breath. I could smell a Lush store from a mile away, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. The only time I've tried their products was a few years ago, when they were giving out a sample pack with a purchase of $10 or more. I thought it was a good opportunity to at least see what the fuss was about, and I remember being pleasantly surprised by what I tried. I especially liked the nutty, bumpy Noubar, the good-enough-to-eat Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar, and this refreshingly light body lotion that smelt just like young coconut juice (to this day I have no idea what the name of it was). But despite enjoying the samples, I never repurchased anything after I'd finished them.

Lately though, Lush has been on my mind. It might be the constant exposure on the beauty blogs I frequent, or the fact that body stuff is naturally next in line now that my makeup quota is exhausted, or the 50% off sale on Christmas stock, but I found myself more than eager to get my hands on some of their products. After deliberating on which Christmas gift set I should buy (and being seriously tempted by an enormous box that was a whopping $180 originally), I settled on the Festive Fiesta tin. The shower-centric products suit me more as I rarely take baths, and definitely won't be taking them any time soon now that it's the Australian summer.

Northern Lights Soap Lather up with this startlingly refreshing, fresh pine, cypress and lime soap.
This one smells a bit like liquid detergent or laundry powder, and I'm sure it'll leave you just as squeaky clean.

Snow Globe Soap Get zest for success! Refreshing, summery lemon myrtle and grapefruit soap for dark winter days. 
The blurb was clearly written with the Northern Hemisphere consumer in mind, since it's far from dark and wintry here! Like the Northern Lights soap, it has a zesty vibe. I prefer this one though, as the lemon scent is more pronounced and subtly sweet.

Sandy Santa Sugar Scrub Buff your bum for Santa this Christmas! Exfoliating body scrub with Brazilian orange oil.
Resembles a cookie and crumbles like one too. Seems ultra messy but fun. I'll probably try to put this in a container and break it apart first so I won't have to use it all up in one go.

Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly Sparkling blackcurrant, cherry and coconut Shower Jelly that sweetly washes your hair and body.
How weird does it look? I love the smell though, mainly because I'm big on anything blackcurrant. It has little bits of purplish blue glitter suspended in it as well, making it extra pretty. This whole shower jelly is a new concept to me, but apparently you can "chill it, freeze it or use it straight from the pot". I guess a blob of semi-frozen jelly applied to the body could be appealing for when it's especially boiling. I'm all about the novelty.

Whoosh Shower Jelly Grapefruit, rosemary and geranium essential oil shower jelly: perfect for jetlag and everything else that gets in your way.
This one is supposed to reinvigorate and make you refocus if you're feeling distracted or sluggish. (If that's the case, I should've had a major supply when I was studying for exams, and a major water bill too.) I smell the lemon, lime and grapefruit ingredients strongly. I like that it's not too sweetened so the citrus kick really comes through.

Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub Sea salt shower scrub with tropically scented blossoms. Scrubby, cleansing, fresh and even doubles up as shampoo!
This inviting shade of blue reminds me of a holiday pool. Using a scrub in my hair could be a nice massage for my scalp, though I think it'd feel too much like I was rubbing sand in it.

Ponche Shower Gel Fruity plum and orange gel with davana, buchu and petitgrain oils (and a splash of tequila!)
At first, I was put off by the splash of tequila, mainly because it's become repellent to me (or my liver, rather). But thankfully, it's almost undetectable. What's left is a sweet, fruity shower gel, very faithful to its Mexican Christmas punch inspiration.

Twilight Shower Gel You asked for it, we made it. Deeply relaxing lavender, benzoin and tonka shower gel
The only product that I've actually tried so far, and I really like it. I'm disappointed that I missed out on Snow Fairy (next year, I suppose), but at least I could try Twilight. I'm partial to anything lavender, so I knew this one would be a winner. It's very calming, soothing and leaves your skin delicately fragranced with a sweet lavender scent. I wish I snapped up a bigger bottle at 50% off when I had the chance.

I Wish I Never Bought You

Being weak of will when it comes to resisting shiny new things, it's inevitable that over the past few months of buying way too much makeup, I've taken home some major duds. Some products purely underperformed and didn't meet my expectations, others I regret to the extent that I simply didn't need them and already had superior options at home. The net outcome: wasted money, foiled expectations, unloved and superfluous products cluttering up my precious space, but that I still can't bring myself to simply chuck out.

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup in Light (030) 

If I remember correctly, I bought this to redeem a gift with purchase promotion at Myer. I needed to spend $39.95 or more, so this plus a nail polish seemed to be the closest combination. I think I've used it once or twice, and have never gone back to it again. I don't like matte foundations. I'm not a fan of the mousse texture. It has a faint but unpleasant chemical smell. I have much better foundations that I infinitely prefer to this one, so it's been sitting in my drawer collecting dust and edging rapidly closer to its expiry date, 99% full. To add insult to injury, not long after I'd bought it, I saw it in Priceline for $7 as discontinued stock, and then $4.90 when Priceline had 30% off Revlon. Revlon ColorStay probably would've been a better choice.

Australis Mineral Powder Brush 

Granted, it was only $2.95, but even then, I wish I hadn't bought it. The main reason being when I first washed it, a truly disconcerting amount of black dye came out of the brush. I'd never actually experienced anything like that before, so it made me think twice about ever putting it on my face. Maybe I'll use this as a body brush for bronzer in the summer, but let's face it, the chances I could be bothered are slim. I'll stick with my beloved Real Techniques.

The Body Shop Candied Ginger Lip Balm

I bought this around Christmas last year as it was a limited edition holiday flavour. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, but it serves to demonstrate my fundamental weakness when it comes to lipsticks/lip balms. I had absolutely no reason to buy this, other than I was doing my Christmas shopping for others, and I felt I couldn't go home without treating myself to a little something. But I don't need it. I don't even love it. It smells more like Coca-Cola than the more exotic candied ginger it purports to be. It's colourless and the texture is a lot thinner and waxier than the popular fruity Born Lippy tinted lip balms.

Revlon Matte Eyeshadow in Aubergine (008), Tempting Teal (006), Riviera Blue (007)

I had particularly high hopes for these but they don't do anything for me. They're dull and flat on the lid. I don't seem to have much luck with matte eyeshadows as my eye shape gets along better with satin or shimmery eyeshadows that have a bit more dimension. The texture of these is more on the chalky side, they're quite powdery and seem to lack lasting power, and while they're not complete failures of pigmentation, I needed to go over them several times for the swatch.

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Eyeshadow in Midnight Garnet (03)

Read my extensive rant here (it's the last paragraph). I dislike this so much that I deliberately keep it separate to all my other eye products in my makeup storage. Objectively, it's not totally awful, but I just hate the fact I bought it when I already have countless eyeshadows that perform better and that I won't ever use up. 

Revlon Soft on the Eyes in Sublime (770)

This is now shaping up to be a Revlon eyeshadow bashing post, so let me just clarify that I'm actually a huge fan of Revlon in general, as reflected in the fact that I buy quite a lot of their products. In turn, there's a higher chance that I'll be less than thrilled with a few of their offerings, especially as they release new products and discontinue others so often. I picked this up from the bargain bin price at Priceline a while ago, fully knowing the chance of being blown away by this colourful loose eyeshadow palette was minimal. If you're fair, have huge eyes and a visible crease, these soft wash eyeshadows could be pretty on you. For me, having monolids and no visible socket line, I can't really do much with them. The fact you can only access the pigment through a small hole that you dip the included brush into and the general messiness of loose eyeshadows also don't help.

l-r: Innoxa Summer Matte lipstick in Sugar Frosted, LUSH Lip Tint in Celebrate

Innoxa Summer Matte Lipstick in Sugar Frosted

If there was a candidate for the most unflattering lipstick ever, this would be right at the top. Don't let the swatch fool you, on the lips it's laughably gross, like a whitish purple. A prime example of not selecting a lip colour based on how it looks in the tube or on your hand. It's no one's fault but my own that I foolhardily took this to the counter, fully knowing how chalky and ridiculously light and unwearable it was, but convincing myself I could somehow make it work.

LUSH Lip Tint in Celebrate 

It's not a complete disaster, but like The Body Shop lip balm, I simply didn't need this. It's literally gritty in texture, difficult to apply to the lip smoothly (you really need to exfoliate and moisturise in advance), settles into fine lines and doesn't last long. Not something I enjoy putting on my lips. I tried to salvage it as a highlighter and wasn't impressed.