Biore Skin Care Starter Pack
RRP AUD$22.99
Valued at $36.62, this pack comes with make up removing wipes, moisturiser with SPF, scrub and pore strips, all in full sizes. Perfect for those under 20s looking for a good and affordable skincare range. Simple enough for both teenagers of both sexes.
Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream SPF 25++
RRP AUD$50
Revitalizes, protects and evens skin tone. Despite #01 being the lightest shade, it has an overbearing amount of brown tint in it making it impossible for me to wear. Satin finish with a medium buildable coverage. I just wish that it has lighter shades to suit lighter skin tone. This would of been a really good BB cream.
VS Sassoon Goddess Waves Styler
RRP AUD$92.95
For natural effortless wavey hair style, you can now rely on VS Sasson’s Goddess Waves Styler. Perfect for creating volume, adding texture and body to all hair types. Also great as a tool to thicken up fine hair for a fuller braid finish.
Mary Kay Timewise Plus+ Regena Firm Intensive Serum RRP AUD$95
Mary Kay Timewise Plus+ Regena Firm Correcting Eye Cream RRP AUD$80
Designed to restore firmness, volume and lifting; Mary Kay’s latest range Timewise Plus+ is derived from a mixture of peptides, stem cells and hyaluronic acid booster to keep skin hydrated.
Jennifer Lopez – Forever Glowing
RRP AUD$65
This fragrance is a continuation of Jlo’s Glowing perfume. Forever Glowing is a mixture of spicy floral composition. With notes like saffron, white pepper, honey, neroli, jasmine, patchouli, iris, toffee caramel and vanilla to create this unique woody scented fragrance.
Nivea Visage Pure & Natural Range
Stockist 1800 103 023
With 100 years of skincare expertise, Nivea has released the Pure & Natural range - 95% ingredients from natural origin, all 6 products in the range are designed to leave skin feeling naturally beautiful.
3 face creams, a cleansing lotion, c cleansing toner and wipes – combines Nivea trusted skincare expertise with effective ingredients that work in perfect harmony with your skin. Free from paraben, silicones, artificial colorants and mineral oils with all the active ingredients organically grown and certified. Additionally, contain organic Argan oil, which is a natural source of vitamin E and provide intense moisturisation to help leave skin feeling smooth and beautiful all day long.
For the longest time, I was a liquid foundation type of girl. I only had my eyes locked on liquid foundation because that was all I knew back in the days and some MAC sales assistances shoved it down my throat many moons ago. As I am exposed to more options throughout the years, I have learnt to love cream, gel, powder and mineral types of foundations.
Clarins has done quite a few amazing foundations in the past especially the Skin Illusion liquid foundation, this time around they have released a loose powder version of this foundation and it comes in 6 shades to choose from. For those who wants a matte finish, this mineral loose powder is infused with mineral and plant based ingredients that helps to illuminate skin despite it being a powder foundation.
Packaging - Comes with a retractable in built flat round brush that surprisingly buffs the powder foundation really well. The foundation comes with two compartments a plastic cover to prevent the loose powder to get messy when closed and a plastic sieve to get a proper amount of powder at a time.
So far with these two plastic trays in place, I find them helps to keep everything in place and not messy at all. Packaging wise, this is unique and definitely a well thought out product.
Coverage – Depending on how you apply this, I find the coverage can be sheer to medium and can be full if need be when you buff more in. I use the brush that comes with this powder foundation for application and be sure to prime my skin with a silicone based primer like Dermalogica’s AgeSmart Skinperfect Primer.
This is where the foundation won my heart over, it covers my pigmentation, uneven skin tone and acne scarring perfectly well. It also reduces the look of my pores and controls oil well.
Texture – Quite fine & silky texture that doesn’t feel heavy on skin.
Finish – I love the smooth, matte finish with a hint of radiance. The foundation feels really natural and lightweight on my skin and the shade #109 Wheat matches my skin tone perfectly without making me appearing too pale. Best of all it doesn’t oxidise on my skin or smudge throughout the day. It’s just the way the foundation settles onto my skin that really stood out for me.
Needless to say I am calling this my HG powder foundation!
RRP AUD$60
On Clarins counters today
Clarins has teamed up with Lauren Bush’s FEED Project to provide nutritious school meals through the United Nations World Food Programme.
What is FEED?
Founded in 2007 by Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, this non-profit organisation raises funds for the United Nations World Food
Programme. Since its creation, FEED Projects has raised over 6 million dollars and distributed 60 million meals to hungry children worldwide.
How to contribute?
With the purchase of a Clarins FEED 15 Pouch (RRP AUD$60), you are providing more than a meal – you are investing in a child’s future while nurturing your skin with Clarins’ most iconic products.
Each Clarins FEED 15 Pouch provides 15 school meals to the United Nations World Food Programme and contains Beauty Flash Balm
50ml, Instant Light Lip Protector 5ml and Hand and Nail Treatment Cream 30ml in a FEED 15 Pouch.
Available exclusively in Myer from today onwards
For glowy healthy skin and make up to last, here are some of the trialled and tested handy tips that has worked for me and helped me overcome skin issues. Hopefully you’ll find it useful during this silly season.
1) Wear a primer
One for the face and one for the eyes. Especially if you have oily eyelids NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is god sent. Whatever you do, don’t put silicon based primer on your eye lids or else even the toughest long wearing shadows won’t be able to stay in place.
Other primer recommendations include - Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Primer $45, Napoleon Perdis Autopilot Pre Foundation Skin Primer $55, Face of Australia Face Base Primer $11.95, NP Set – Pre Foundation Brightening Primer/Calming Primer $33 each
2) Use mask regularly
5 years ago, I banged on about my obsession with facial masks. 5 years later, I still do and commit time and effort to do at the very least two facial mask sessions a week. Be it cream, gel, facial cloth, clay variation I make sure I do masks according to my skin’s need.
Facial masks that I recommend – Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask (for boosting), Rodial Snake Mask $85 (for tightening), Shu Uemura Depsea Hydrability Intense Moisture Filling Mask $95 (for moisture), Jan Marini Skin Zyme Mask (for brightening)
3) Use lash strengthening products
With sparse eyelashes like mine and daily abuse (curling, mascara, make up removal), I find my lashes fall out faster than they can replenish that was until I met lash boosting products. These products not only work for lashes so if you have brow sparseness you can use it too. It helps to prevent lash prematurely breakage and to keep lashes healthy, strong and boosts the length.
Highly recommend – Rapid Lash Eyelash Renewal Serum $65, Xtreme Lash Amplif Eye Lash & Brow Fortifier $129, MAC Prep + Prime Future Lash Serum $60
4) Never neglect eye cream
It worked for me and I firmly believe eye cream works. With new technologies, eye cream helps to de-puff, tightens, reduce dark eye circles and plump up the eye area.
Try: Garnier Skin Naturals Caffeine Eye Roll-On $17.95, Estee Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator $95, AUM Anti Age Organics Firming Eye Cream $26.95, StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles $69
5) Arm yourself with make up spray
Think of it as your “hairspray” for your face. Helps to lock in moisture, make up and to help blend everything together. Usually just spray 2-4 pumps all over face after make up is done and gently pat everything in place and viola, long lasting makeup all day!
Love: Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray $29.95, Clarins Fix Make-up Mist $34, Kora Balancing Rose Mist
Clinique – Chubby Stick
RRP AUD$59
One of 2011 best beauty innovation, the Chubby Sticks are definitely lip friendly and lip loving! I’m stocking one up just for ‘back up’ and if you’re not onto it yet, GET ON IT!
Clarins – Limited Edition Passion Face Palette
(Festive Face Collector Palette)
RRP AUD$65
Beautifully housed in a luxe compact and sprinkled with touches of gold pearl. Definitely a collector’s blush palette and it also gently illuminates the face and décolleté.
Estée Lauder – Starry Nights Swarovski Clutch
RRP AUD$125
The clutch also comes with a eyes & face palette, lipstick, lipgloss, eye liner and 2 travel sized makeup brushes. They all fits perfectly into the clutch that brings you from day to night look effortlessly.
Benefit – ‘I’m glam therefore I am’
RRP AUD$69
If party is your thing, you won’t want to miss this set. It covers everything party essentials from eyeshadows, face powder (with brush), girl meets pearl liquid pearl for face, lip gloss and mascara.
Benefit – All Decked Out
RRP AUD$109
My personal favourite pick only because I am a devoted fan for the POREfessional, Some Kind-A Gorgeous and Benetint! Classic and you can never go wrong with these 3 combo.
Benefit – Ticket to Glossytown
RRP AUD$49
You know how most of the beauty kit in the market always comes with shades that are undesirable and you’re always end up stuck with shades that you’ll never end up using? Well, you won’t have that issue with this because all the lip shine shades are actually very wearable and you’ll get plenty of wears out of them.
Jane Iredale – Chocoholicks
RRP AUD$50
These babies are good enough to eat out from the palette. Smells delicious, pigmented and minus the stickiness. The four flavours from these lip glosses are Blood Orange, Espresso, Very Berry and Chili Pepper. Amazing combination isn’t it?
Sally Hansen – Salon Effect Christmas Collection
RRP AUD14.95
I am obsessed with Salon Effects. You’re probably sick of listening how I love them but I’ll do it again anyway.
They are quick, comes with so many amazing designs, easy to use, doesn’t have any down time and definitely no smudges. What’s there not to love?
Pantene Clinicare Micro-Repair Revitalizing Split End Fuser 10 x 5ml
RRP AUD$19.99
If you are a frequent abuser of heat styling, you’ll have those horrid dry, split ends on the end of the hair. We all do, Pantene recently released the Split End Fuser to temporarily (nothing can fix split ends unless you chop them off) seal in hair making it healthy and preventing further damage.
Clairol Herbal Essences Set Me Up Super Size Hairspray
RRP AUD$8.99
Containing floral lily fragrance and boost shine to the hair while setting the hair in place, this hairspray dry quickly to help finish look instantly! Spray away in this super size!
Rimmel Glam’Eyes Day2Night Mascara
RRP AUD$16.95
Definitely a first for me, one mascara with double cap effectively enabling me to have both lengthening and volumizing effect. All you need is one mascara for day to night. Brush wise, it is big so the whole application process is really quick and the mascara texture is more of the ‘wet’ type that keep lashes soft not dry and brittled.
Face of Australia – Mineral Therapy Illuminator
RRP AUD$14.95
These multi functional illuminator comes in such a huge tube (50ml each) making it great for face and body. The way to use these are endless. You can apply directly for face and body as highlighter, mix with foundation for the overall glow, use the darker shade by itself as a blush and mix with your tanning product to achieve a temporary tan.
My personal favourite shade is #angel mist (the pearl white one). I predominately use this as a highlighter and mixing it with my body lotion for body glow for night outs.
StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles
RRP AUD$69 (30ml)
This eye cream has cult status among beauty bloggers worldwide. It contains all these scientific proven ingredients to improve cellular renewal, diminish dark circles, improve firmness, tones the eye area and most importantly delay the signs of ageing. You’re guaranteed results in 2-8 weeks.
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
RRP AUD$60 (50ml)
Oldie but a goodie, This beauty booster instantly brightens and tightens skin appearance for a quick “pick-me-up”. Good for both face and decollete area as it is non-only and lightweight. It’s all in the gentle sweeping movements. No rubbing in!
Aquim Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser
RRP AUD$2.99 (70ml)
This goes without saying, pick one up and stuff it in your handbag. This hospital strength hand sanitiser is great to keep germs at bay and to prevent the nasties from spreading. Good for every day at home/office, gym, airports, travelling, parties, music festivals, you get the drill. Best of all? It doesn’t dry out the paws too!
Evian Facial Mist (Limited Edition)
RRP AUD$11.95 (50ml)
To refresh, stay hydrated with its unique mineral balance and neutral pH.
Instantly absorbs and moisturises hot thristy skin.
Le Tan Sport Gel SPF30+
RRP AUD$10.99
Non greasy, PABA free, sweat resistant clear gel body sunscreen, It is great for the perfect spots enthusiast. Fast drying, non slip with 2 hours water resistant and is PABA free ideal for tennis, badminton, running, surfing, swimming and all types of sweaty/watery sports.
Olay Total Effects
RRP AUD$40
All time classic. This moisturiser/sunscreen keeps skin hydrated, evens out skin tone and protects skin from day to day sun exposure.
Clarins Sun Control Cream High Protection for Face SPF15
RRP AUD$40
I am a firm believer of using a separate sunscreen even though my moisturiser, primer, foundation and make up contains sunscreen. A stand alone sunscreen (with UVA/UVB protection of course) will deliver the full potency of sun protection without being diluted with other ingredients. Clarins does a great one with great day-to-day sun protection minus the grease and stickiness. Great for all skin types.
Clarins After Sun Moisturiser Ultra Hydrating
RRP AUD$42
After a day of sun exposure an after sun moisturiser is just what you need to keep skin glowy, well hydrated (soothing) and non flaky. This After Sun Moisturiser helps to revitalize skin and prolong your tan. While it is important to keep skin protected from the sun, people often neglect the after sun part, this product helps to protect skin against free radicals that can damage the skin long after sun exposure. Gotta love the sunflower extracts, mimosa tenuiflora, watermelon extract (YUM), cardamom extract and shea butter for a radiance glow.
Dermalogica Multivitamin Bodyblock SPF 20
RRP AUD$50
If ageing skin is your main concern, Dermalogica has the perfect one for you. Jam packed with Multivitamin goodness (Vitamin C, E, B5), lavender oil, shea butter, evening primrose oil and hyaluronic acid, this non greasy sunscreen keeps skin hydrated, prevents sun burnt and delivers sun protection (UVA/UVB) all at once. Comes with a velvety finish so sand doesn’t stick to it. I use this everyday on my hands, arms (if I’m not wearing long sleeves), legs and neck area.
Invisible Zinc Silky Protection Gift Bag
RRP AUD$34.95
This Gift set is perfect to pamper yourself or as a gift to someone. It contains my favourite UV Silk Shield Foundation SPF 30+ (choose Medium or Tan) and a Cheek Balm that is great on the lips too. The pack comes with a white waterproof beauty bag perfect for travelling or as a makeup bag.
Why I love it:
- New eye shadow palette from the Colour Definition Make-up collection (if you haven’t check out this range, you’ll need to stride to your nearest Clarins counters now)
- Available in 6 different colour combinations, this eyeshadow palette is by far one of Clarin’s best (TBH, Clarins continues to impress me with their makeup, first their lipsticks, then amazing foundation and now this)
- Each eye shadow palette comes with four shades that are great to use individually or combined, personally I combine the non shimmery shades (all 3 of them) together for a day look and top up the intensity with the non shimmery shades for night time with an added touch of shimmery, radiant finish
- The texture of the shadows are soft and smooth, easy to blend and is longwearing (I pair mine with NARS Smudgeproof Eye Primer)
- These eye shadows can be used both wet and dry (dry is my preferred choice for day and I wet my eye shadow brush on a wet wipe and brush it over the eye shadow palette for a night look)
RRP AUD$68 each palette
Available in Clarins counter now
