Almost Half Price ... Again

Following Priceline's 40% off all cosmetics sale in April, last Tuesday and Wednesday, they held 40% off all skin care. This kind of unprecedented sale rolls around rarely, so even though I just bought a load of skin care to qualify for their skin care goodie bag about a month ago, I simply had to take advantage of such a generous discount. It's almost embarrassing to enter my local Priceline these days, since I visit so frequently I'm sure the staff are judging me and my consumption habits. I hauled in two parts across consecutive days, first picking up Trilogy Age Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream, Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+ and Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, then the following afternoon, purchasing two Apivita Express Beauty Face Masks (Orange and Pomegranate) and the Sukin Cream Cleanser. I was contemplating buying a backup of Indeed Labs Hydraluron, but it was totally sold out. I was also keen to get my hands on this Trilogy pack with a bottle of their rose hip oil and a complimentary 30ml tube of their Vital Moisturising Cream (ideal size for travel, and good value considering the full size is 50ml and $39.95), but once again, sold out.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+
A conspicuous lack of SPF was pointed out to me by several people in my Winter Skin Care Routine: AM post. Naturally, this had to be remedied immediately, especially as I've started to use Alpha-H Liquid Gold every third night or so. I'm a happy camper now that a brand like La Roche-Posay is readily stocked at Priceline, though the Australian retail prices are (surprise, surprise) not cheap. This sunscreen is normally $25.99, discounted to $15.60 at 40% off. Scrutinising the ingredients, alcohol denat is fourth on the list, which I found a little surprising. You need to shake the bottle vigorously before applying the product. It comes out quite thin and liquidy, but absorbs easily into the skin and feels completely weightless.

Sukin Cream Cleanser
I was umming and ahhing over whether to repurchase this, now that I've finished the 50ml sample I was using. My main issue was paranoia over the shea butter in this (apparently something that acne-prone skin should avoid, at least in moisturiser), and the fact that while it was pleasant to use and worked perfectly fine, I wasn't enamoured with it enough to rush out to the shops to buy it again. In the end I thought, it's $6 for 125ml. Who cares. I would really struggle to find anything more affordable, functional, and packed with natural, nourishing ingredients, including sesame seed, rose hip, jojoba seed, avocado and wheat germ oils.

Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser
This was a totally unplanned purchase. There were about three boxes left at my Priceline, and the guy working there was telling me how it was under $20 after discount, and how he was thinking of buying one for himself. I remember reading about this "facial cleansing device" (also known as the poor man's Clarisonic) from Heather Honey ages ago, but I never expected it would eventually make its way to our shores. My curiosity won out in the end and I took home this oversized electronic toothbrush for my face.

When I opened up the battery compartment, there was this bizarre/gross greasy leakage in it, which I tried to clean up as best as I could with a tissue. Apart from that manufacturing defect, I've used it several times in the shower at night, and let me say, the novelty wears off real quick. There's two settings (one slower, one faster) and the brush head rotates (rather than vibrates) to clean and exfoliate your skin. It doesn't feel rough, scratchy or overly abrasive as the bristles are quite soft. The sensation is basically like a pressurised buzzing against your face. Because the head rotates, there can be a bit of resistance moving it around the various parts of the face. A major downside is that it's operated by batteries, meaning another ongoing cost apart from replacement brush heads. I'll wait and see how long two AA batteries last in terms of number of uses, but if it's anything less than 60, I'll be sorely disappointed.

Trilogy Age Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream
I bought this mainly because of the fruit enzymes in it that reminded me of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. Both contain papaya and pineapple fruit extract, said to help "break down and remove the build up of older skin cells and impurities which dull [the] complexion". On my second visit to Priceline on Wednesday, I saw that Trilogy recently repackaged this cleansing cream so it's in a fatter, darker-coloured tube (they also offered a free 20ml tube of the Line Smoothing Day Cream with it), but I'd already purchased it the day before in the older packaging. The blurb on the box says it has a "silky, mousse-like texture", but it's more thin and watery which I really don't like. I was hoping it'd have a delectable fruity scent but it just smells faintly sweet and chemical. I've been using this in the shower, putting a generous amount all over my damp face, then following up with the Olay facial brush for about 1-2 minutes, then washing it all off with my hands. It's not at all drying and my skin is left feeling very smooth, soft and thoroughly cleansed.

Apivita Revitalising & Radiance Mask with Pomegranate, Apivita Revitalising Mask with Orange
I've tried a few Apivita face masks (Aloe, Cucumber, Carrot, Cereals) and found them uniformly good (with the exception of Cereals, which smelled sickly sweet and broke me out), so 40% off these pricey sachets was something I couldn't pass up. These are normally $8 for 2 x 8ml packets, which is fairly steep on a cost per millilitre basis ($50 per 100ml). Since it takes a long time to use up an entire tube of face mask, and I can get at least 2 uses per sachet, these Apivita masks are an enjoyable and convenient way of experimenting with different face mask ingredients and properties. The two I bought seem mostly to be hydrating masks designed to add some vitality, nourishment and plumpness back to the skin.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
I've been meaning to pick this up for the longest time, but wasn't prepared to shell out $15 for a 17g tin. I was thinking of purchasing LUSH Lemony Flutter instead (not so bad at $16.50 for 50g), but felt content with my Sally Hansen Radiant Hands, Nails & Cuticles Creme. The Burt's Bees smells deliciously lemony but has a hard and waxy texture, so it's a bit difficult to get any product on your cuticles and nails. Unlike the LUSH, it doesn't have shea butter or lanolin in it, so it's not as soft and greasy. You definitely have to warm up the product with your finger to melt it with your touch before applying it. The small tin is cute and portable and because you use so little each time, it'll last an eternity.

Partial to Pink

You may or may not know of my occasionally tortured relationship with pink lipsticks. I gravitate towards them as if it were programmed in my DNA, despite having a less than stellar experience with the multitude I've tried. There have been many times when I've been forced to conclude that "flattering pink" is an oxymoron. My weakness definitely lies with milky, pastel pinks and bright, blue-based pinks. I always marvel at how pretty they look in the bullet or swatched on my hand, convincing myself I could totally make them work if I applied them lightly, or layered them with other colours, or used the right foundation and accompanying makeup, only to take them home and concede they're simply horrid on the lips. The wrong pink can make me look clownish, washed out, green-tinged and sallow, or like oxygen has stopped circulating to my lips. I generally fare better with dusty medium pinks, berry tones and warm pinks with a touch of coral. Here are five pink lipsticks that are actually close to wearable on me.

l-r: Revlon Pink Rose, L'Oréal Shiny Grapefruit, Maybelline Juicy Bubblegum, Revlon Strawberry Shortcake, Clinique Woppin' Watermelon

Revlon Beyond Natural Protective Liptint SPF 15 in Pink Rose (000)
I've always kept this in whatever makeup bag I'm toting around, because it's the perfect go-to pink. A bright coral pink that's shimmery but not at all frosty, it's very comfortable and moisturising on the lips. It's quite pigmented for a so-called "tint" — one layer gives a juicy pop of colour to the lips, but it can also be built up to a full on, warm rose pink (with a dash of orangey red) lipstick. Bonus points: smells of berry candy.

L'Oréal NutriShine by Colour Riche in Shiny Grapefruit (FR102)
I was surprised to see how this swatched nearly identically to Pink Rose. Shiny Grapefruit is basically a slightly darker version of Pink Rose, with more of a 'wet' lip gloss look and dazzling silver/white microshimmer. It has a very hydrating, glossy texture that's not thick and creamy, waxy, or thin and greasy in any way.

Maybelline ColorSensational The Shine Lip Colour in Juicy Bubblegum (140)
When I first bought this, I really wasn't all that enthused. It just didn't stand out to me in the sea of pinks that I had and similarly felt underwhelmed by. I think it was Emma's love for it that made me reevaluate Juicy Bubblegum, and I've done a complete 180 now. I freakin' love this lipstick. This dusty mauve pink smells deliciously sweet and fruity, is very moisturising, glossy and forgiving on the lips, and is a total breeze to wear. Yes, it does have a slight purplish edge against my skin tone, but it's a non-issue as the lipstick is relatively understated and sheer, and the overall colour doesn't pull too cool or cartoonish on me.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake (080)
One of my absolute favourites from the Lip Butter range, Strawberry Shortcake is about the most blue-based pink I can get away with. I resisted this shade when I first went positively bonkers over the launch of the Lip Butters in Australia, but it was inevitable I would crack in the end. Strawberry Shortcake encapsulates what I like about pinks (in theory): fun, playful, girly, flirty, youthful. I've also heard it's very close to NARS Roman Holiday — I immediately thought of Strawberry Shortcake when I saw this swatch of Roman Holiday from Amy's pure eye candy Instagram. The Lip Butters have a thicker, stickier texture compared with the other pinks I've featured here, so they do feel a bit heavier on the lips. There is a dash of silver shimmer running through the colour, but I don't find it noticeable until it's taken off.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Woppin' Watermelon (06)
A subtle, natural rosy pink that looks effortless, feminine and pretty. While pigmentation is on the sheer side, like almost anything, it can be layered for greater intensity. Ideal to pop into the handbag for when you want a fuss-free, modest tint to your lips. Foolproof and exceptionally easy to wear, this Chubby Stick sinks into the lips without emphasising lip lines or leaving a stain.

July Favourites

HOW is it August. I don't understand. July was mostly cold, which encouraged as much sleeping in as possible and lazy makeup practices. I was experimenting with the newly released CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation but the shade I bought, Buff Beige (825), proved too light, so I had to mix it with Rimmel Wake Me Up in Soft Beige (200), which kind of defeated the point. The rest of the time I was relying on Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation but I never felt completely satisfied with it. Near the end of the month, I crawled back to my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. There was a tonne of skin care experimentation going on in July, but nothing I found particularly revolutionary. All that cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising and treatment didn't seem to make any noticeable difference. If anything, I started to break out, mostly on the lower half of my face, which I tried to remedy with Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimising Patches from Priceline's skin care goodie bag. It was quite the novelty to paste transparent oval stickers onto my spots and peel them off in the morning. Can't say they did much, but at least I half used up something.

Grown Mandarin and Rosemary Leaf Body Cream
There's a bit of a funny story with this one, and by funny, I mean sad, and by sad, I mean pathetic. I spotted this body cream at Priceline one day, slashed down to $20 (normally $50). The only problem was there were none left. I tried some of the cream from the tester, really liked it, and lamented not scoring such a bargain. That night, I did some research online, trying to find a similar price point, but failed. I then simply couldn't get this stupid body cream off my mind. I'm sure there's a psychological phenomenon that can account for my behaviour. I would've never looked twice at it had it not been so reduced in price (me? Body moisturisation?), but missing that opportunity, I now wanted it regardless. In the end, I purchased it from Myer when they had 25% off Grown. Nowhere near $20, but at least there was some discount. The cream reminds me a lot of Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm. I did a side-by-side ingredients comparison and there are a lot of commonalities (including sweet almond oil, macadamia seed oil, wheatgerm oil, mandarin orange and carrot root extract). The scent when I'm applying it to the skin is a bit more sharply herbal/leafy than the sweet-but-tart citrus I was hoping for, but it's a pleasure to use nonetheless and sinks into the skin quickly, leaving no greasy or sticky residue.

Caudalie Divine Oil
I've featured this in a previous favourites, but I've relied on it heavily this month as well. Once we get over the distinctive, rich scent (which I've warmed to considerably) and how it's a bit drier than other face oils, it manages to be a truly versatile, high performing product. The luxurious 100ml spray bottle is much easier to use than the mini 15ml cylinder from the Caudalie Must Have Set. I typically spritz one pump into my night cream and then rub my palms together to mix them, then massage it onto my face. I find the Divine Oil adds that much-needed boost to my regular moisturiser as I sleep. I wake up to generally smoother looking, well-hydrated skin that looks just that bit clearer, plumper and more well-rested. I've also really enjoyed adding it to purified water and making my own goodness-knows-what toner in a small, generic pump bottle. When I've slept in way too late on Saturday and can't be bothered washing my face, I do this 3 step routine of Avene Thermal Spring Water, Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist and my DIY water/Caudalie spray. For reasons that elude me, it leaves my skin feeling toned and looking softly polished and radiant.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème in Rose Gold
Another product that I've written about before, this was basically the only highlighter I used this whole month. I think my appreciation for my Dewy Glow has intensified threefold with the knowledge you can't get this anymore. As time goes on, I'm just so grateful that I bought it off BeautyBay back in the day. This is one of the more subtle highlighters that I have, which I find more suitable for everyday wear. I prefer the skin-tone peachiness of Rose Gold to more champagne (yellow) or pearly (pink/white) options. It glides onto the face without being overly emollient or slippery, barely requires any blending for a seamless finish and has surprisingly good wear time for a cream product. I've had it since February 2012 and haven't even hit pan yet, so hopefully it'll last me for some time to come.

Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush
The Pixiwoo sisters are always using this brush and the Deluxe Crease Brush for their concealer, and with the breakouts I'd been having, I finally gave the Domed Shadow Brush a go for that purpose. Instant love. I use my Maybelline Fit Me concealer, dabbing it onto my spots directly with the applicator, then start feathering the edges of the blemish out with the brush, blending the concealer into the surrounding skin as delicately as possible, patting on the spot itself to smooth the surface without moving the concealer around too much. My technique still requires a bit of fine-tuning and practice, but the results aren't anything you can get using just your fingers (trust me, I've tried). This brush has become an absolute necessity if I'm applying concealer for the purpose of covering up spots. I've even made a makeshift cover for it with a discarded plastic tube and sticky tape so I can pop this in my makeup bag without worrying it'll become contaminated. I'm interested in finding something with a pointy tip for even more accurate concealing.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze
If we're keeping these favourites real, then this has to make an appearance. I've already mentioned Bad to the Bronze in countless other posts, so I'll try not to harp on. Basically, this stuff is the best. It's both a primer and a base, as well as a standalone eyeshadow. Ridiculous lasting power. Metallic finish without being overly chunky, shimmery or glittery. So easy to whack on. Ideal everyday colour, not too warm-toned or cool. Other shadows blend nicely with it. Not too soft so it slides all over the place and goes on patchy, not too dry so it's impossible to get any product and hard to blend. My brainless, automatic, go-to choice, time and time again.

l-r: Maybelline Bad to the Bronze, Jemma Kidd Rose Gold

Fad and Fantasy

It's been many months since I compiled a wishlist, and I've been feeling the itch lately to do another one. Reading back on my past wishlists provides a really powerful snapshot of how my cosmetic interests have developed over the past year and a half (mainly, how my makeup collection has ballooned to unacceptable levels). I find making and reflecting on wishlists to be a great way of filtering what was merely a fad and what material desires have withstood the test of time. The exercise also encourages you to both justify any potential purchases while putting off acquiring them as you mull over whether or not to give into temptation.

1. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint in Linen
I so do not need this (like everything on this list), but I don't know, there's just something about a hyped up base that makes me unreservedly keen for a slice of the action. Said by fellow bloggers to be a lighter version of the also hyped Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation, I have hopeful visions of this ticking all the boxes in terms of colour match, coverage, finish, staying power, application and oil control. I still haven't found my absolute holy grail light-to-medium coverage foundation with a semi-matte finish (not too dewy, but not completely matte) capable of lasting the whole day without melting off, caking or excessively transferring. Too much to ask? Probably. But one can still dream.

2. Chanel Vitalumière Aqua in B20
Basically the same story as the Jouer, but this has been on my wishlist for ages. I was planning to buy it from the US last year, but it just never happened. I kept postponing it until the last moment, and when I finally was ready to hand over the cash, my shade was sold out. I'm really curious how this will perform on my skin, as I've read fairly mixed reviews. It's one of those bases that is so talked about, often raved about, that I feel like I'm missing out having never tried it. Not sure if I should be concerned that alcohol is really high up on the ingredients list though.

3. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne
I've never owned anything by Jo Malone due to the crazy prices (a 30ml cologne is $90 here, or $170 for 100ml), but this one along with Orange Blossom were my favourites when I tested the fragrances out at David Jones. I'm partial to fruity and floral scents, and Blackberry & Bay is fruity without being too synthetic and sugary or reminiscent of tropical juice. It's one of those soft, simple, uplifting but comforting smells that you could wear on its own or layer with other perfumes. The bottle alone makes me wish it were on my dressing table.

4. Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner
Forgive me for being such a cliché for including this — it had to be done. Highly recommended by Caroline Hirons, this is the only product I've genuinely come close to buying several times in the past few weeks. I've bookmarked it on Adore Beauty (perpetually sold out) and check StrawberryNET in a religious fashion. It is back in stock for now, but for how long remains to be seen. I recently bought the Alpha-H Anti Ageing Discovery Collection off BeautyBay, so I'm convincing myself I don't need this toner as I have enough products with AHAs to last me at least the next few months.

5. REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Another skin care product that has received a lot of attention, but one that I probably won't be getting any time soon purely because of the price. I ain't forking out over $60 for an exfoliating mask. (Though I wouldn't think twice about spending that much on dinner, drinks and dessert on a night out.) Of course I'd be interested in a product that claims to deliver glowy, brightened, renewed skin, but I'll just have to rely on my existing skin care to (hopefully) get me there. I've yet to try anything from REN, but their Starter Kit for normal skin, containing a 15ml sample of this mask, seems to be an ideal introduction to the brand.

6. Dior Diorskin Poudre Shimmer in Amber Diamond
This powder highlighter has been on my wishlist since the dawn of time. Well, at least since March last year. I deeply regret not buying it off StrawberryNET when I had the chance as it's now no longer available. Sometimes I just get it wrong when deciding when I should exercise restraint, and when I should just give in. I don't think I've ever read a negative review of this product, which only intensifies how much I wish it were sitting among my collection of highlighters right now.

7. Origins GinZing Energy-boosting moisturiser
A favourite of Alix, I've tried a dollop of this on my hand a couple of times at Kit, and I've really enjoyed the cooling sensation and citrus scent. The texture sits somewhere between a cream and a gel — it feels light and non-greasy, but still lush and hydrating. I momentarily placed this in my cart the other day, but rationalised that I should use up my current Trilogy cream first. At $44 for 50ml (and cheaper online), it's still on the pricey side, but slightly more attainable than other offerings from Origins.

8. SUQQU Cheek Brush
This one's firmly in daydreaming territory, at an eye-popping £85 (or $AUD141) from Selfridges. Please send professional help should I actually consider purchasing this. Seeing it being used in practically every single Lisa Eldridge video (her "kitten paw" brush) doesn't help subside the wanting, but the price tag sure does.

9. Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base
I'm going through a major bronzer phase despite it being the middle of winter (or perhaps because of it), and I've finally come around to wanting this cream bronzer, about two years after everyone else. I've read the texture is superb to work with and it has multiple uses (contouring, all over bronzer, underneath foundation), making it versatile and seemingly a whole lotta fun to experiment with. I particularly loved this post from Laura demonstrating the ways she uses her Soleil Tan de Chanel. You get a huge amount of product (30g) which goes a long way in redeeming the hefty initial spend.