September Wishlist

This is my first wishlist post and it will probably become a regular as I'm often lusting over beauty products!
Here's what I've got my eye on this month!

O.P.I Spiderman Collection- Your Web Or Mine? RRP $19.95
 For some reason this polish keeps catching my eye at David Jones. It has a nice sheen and is different to the other reds out there.

O.P.I The Muppets Collection-Rainbow Connection RRP $19.95 (estimated)
I haven't seen this at my local David Jones so I'm hoping I can get it here! I've seen this online a few times and really like it.

Benefit Sweet-n-wow! RRP $29USD
This kit has a full size Sugarbomb face powder and a deluxe size Posietint lip and cheek stain. If I buy this I'll buy a few other things with it from the US site.

Benefit Dandelion Ultra Plush lip gloss RRP $16USD
This looks too pretty to pass up! Do I need another lip gloss? No. Do I still want this? Yes!!

Phew! Luckily not too many products I'm wanting at the moment! These are just too pretty. Luckily they won't break the bank!

Nails of the Week! Gold, glitter and violet nails!

This week has been a bit of a down week for me so I've been painting my nails lots to make me feel happier. I find painting my nails to be pretty therapeutic and I love waking up with pretty nails.

I started off last Saturday with O.P.I Glitzerland. My bf and I were going out to the city and I wanted something a bit more out there. I've loved Glitzerland so far and it is great when done on all nails. Below is two thin coats.

On Monday I wanted something different but didn't want to take Glitzerland off just yet so I added a bit of sparkle with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Strobe Light. This is another I will most likely do when going out.

By Wednesday I was looking for something a bit for subdued yet still colourful. I decided to try another one of the Sally Hansen nail polishes my Mum and Dad brought back from America. The colour below is Lively Lilac in two coats. It is a super smooth polish that has a pearlised sheen to it. It also dries super quick.

Last but not least is a super glittery nail I've been wanting to try. I'm on holidays from work for a week so don't need to worry about my nail polish chipping quickly in the pool. This is Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Wedding Crasher. I applied four thin coats as I wanted a really strong glitter coverage. It was quite nice by two coats too though if you can't be bothered with so many coats!

Which is your favourite?

Nail of the Day- Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Electric Emerald

Nail of the Day time!! Today I'm reviewing one of the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colors. This is one of the nail polishes my mum brought back from America-win! (this is why I am writing the American version of color in the title!) The shade I got is Electric Emerald, which by looking at the bottle didnt seem like it would be amazing. It looks quite metallic, not bright green. I decided to try it anyway as the Magnetic polishes are very popular at the moment.

You first apply a base coat, and then one coat of the colour and allow it to dry.

A lovely emerald! I was very happy with this-so happy that I may just apply it like this in the future! I'm not usually one for green on my nails but this is a nice shiny one.
Next step. Shake the bottle to 'activate'. Apply a thick second coat to one nail and then hold the magnet directly over it for 10 seconds. The lid comes with a rest to place on your cuticle so that it is nice and close. After 10 seconds the pattern will have formed. Repeat with each nail one by one.

I kept looking after 10 seconds and being so happy that it was working! Definitely a novelty for me! I'm really happy with how this turned out and what the colour ended up like! It is a gorgeous green that I will be using again :) I used the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri drops over the colour and it dried quite quickly. This is a pretty fast manicure for the effect that you get. I probably wouldn't pay the $16.95 for it as even though I will use it, it won't get as much use compared to my other polishes. Also I have heard other brands are doing good quality magnetic polishes for a bit cheaper. Definitely happy I got it from America!!

Weekly Haul

I thought I would post a few pictures of the products I bought this week-I didn't go too crazy this week which is good! I went to Chadstone Shopping Centre yesterday for their VIP day and got some essentials and a few free things.

Priceline had 10% for the VIP day so I got two ecotools brushes (blush and concealer) as I need some new ones, aswell as a conditioner for my swimming bag.

For some reason I can't post this picture the right way around! Anyway, at The Body Shop they had a promotion where you could try out their makeup or a scrub, then pick a cupcake and depending on if there was a sticker on the bottom you could win some eyeshadows. I tried the scrub as I already had makeup on. I didn't win the eyeshadows but I did get to have a lucky dip and this is what I got-a mascara sample, tea tree oil and a tea tree facial wash. I haven't tried any of these products so I was happy! I also got to eat a mini red velvet cupcake :)

Crabtree & Evelyn currently have a promotion where if you like their facebook page you receive a $10 voucher to use either in store or online. Click here to go to their page. Also for redeeming the voucher you receive a 25g Pomegranate Hand Therapy Cream. I got the Apple Lip Tint (it was $12.50, but 20% off yesterday at Chadstone so it was free!). The Lip Tint smells amazing so this is a great time to try it for $2.50. The promotion is on until September 30.

Unrelated to beauty but to Chadstone, I picked up some wrapping paper from Kikki K. I had a $10 gift voucher (they often offer these to email subscribers, and you get one on your birthday), so the wrapping paper was free! Can you tell I love free things? For my birthday I redeemed my voucher for some page markers and some cute magnets. There website is here.

Finally, hair2go had a promotion late last week through their facebook page. If you were the first to find the product on their website that had been replace by a $1 coin, you got it for $1 (plus postage). I was the lucky one to find it so I bought this Lendan After Sun Repairing Shampoo-perfect for Summer!

Oh and my free Colgate Max White One Ice toothpaste (what a mouthful!) arrived this week, but it is at my bf's so no picture. This was a full size product they were giving away on their facebook page!

I'm pretty happy with my haul this week as everything was either free or on sale!! If you have had any recent hauls feel free to link them to me and I'll check them out!!

Liebster Award

Thanks to Kate from la beaute et le blogueur for tagging me!

The Rules

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!

 

11 Things about me1. I still live at home with my parents and sisters-at age 23-no way near enough savings yet!

2. I represented Malta at the Beijing Olympics

3. My favourite movie is The Aristocats

4. My favourite band is No Doubt

5. I've been to Europe 5 times

6. My favourite place in the world is Paris. Melbourne is a close second

7. I love baking-cupcakes and decorated cakes are my specialty

8. I go for Essendon in AFL

9. My favourite makeup look would be mascara and lip gloss-simple-but I'm trying to be more adventurous!

10. I don't like swimming in the ocean-regardless of how well I can swim it terrifies me!

11. I'm hoping to have a big beauty spend up in America next year!

Kate's Questions

1. If you could only use products from one beauty brand forever, which would you choose?

Estee Lauder

2. Which film have you re-watched the most?

The Aristocats

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I'm an introvert

4. Mac or PC?

PC but I want a Mac!

5. What's your most thumbed through book?

The Harry Potter series

6. Leggings as pants. Yay or nay?

Ooo, Yay if wearing at home. Nay if wearing everyday as pants

7. How many blogs do you follow/read?

About 10 :)

8. What was the first piece of make-up you ever bought?

Mascara!

9. If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?

Paris

10. What's the best meal you've ever had?

It was at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant in London in 2008. 3 courses plus about 4 extra small ones. Amazingly delicious and worth every cent!

11. What was your best and worst subject at school?

Best: Food Technology, Worst: Maths in year 12 because I just didn't care anymore about it

 

My Questions

1. White, milk or dark chocolate?

2. Are you warm or cool skin toned?

3. Favourite colour to have on your nails?

4. Favourite season?

5. Coffee, tea or other?

6. Favourite author?

7. Favourite fruit?

8. What did you study at uni, and are you continuing in that job type?

9. What is something on your bucket list?

10. One beauty product you can't live without?

11. How many children do you want if any?

 

I tag

Beauty in a bottle

Chelsea from Confessions of a Beauty Addict

Sandvalanche at love or sick addiction

Stephanie at Luxury On The Lips...

Su at My Perfume Diaries

Ty at Ty's Blog of Epiphanies

Tara at still blushful

Kerker at The Ugly Moments

 

I know-not 11-but the best I could do at the moment :)

 

Nail Of The Day: O.P.I Dim Sum Plum & Glitzerland

Hi everyone, today I've decided to show off my nails from Friday! I have had a busy weekend cake decorating so have only just had time to upload them now :)

The nail polishes that are featuring are two O.P.I colours that my mum thoughtfully brought back from America: Dim Sum Plum and Glitzerland.

I started off with a clear base coat and then one coat of Dim Sum Plum. This is such a rich colour that one coat shows the colour perfectly, although next time I will do two coats just for extra smoothness. I then used Sally Hansen's quick dri drops to set the colour. I actually did the base coat Thursday night and then applied Glitzerland the next morning.

I have seen quite a few pictures lately with the top section of the nail being painted a different colour and I wanted to try it out. I applied pieces of sticky tape on a diagonal on each nail (press the sticky tape on your skin beforehand to make it a bit less sticky). I then applied a coat of Glitzerland to each nail.
Now next time I do this I think I will need to do thinner coats of the top coat and to let them dry for a bit longer as it wasn't as clean as I had hoped for! All practice though :)

I'm really happy with the colours I chose as I think they work really well together. I will definitely be doing this look again!!

Both O.P.I nail polishes retail for $19.95 at David Jones, though my mum paid a fair bit less in America! I'll be having a big spend up when I go next year!

Scented Nail Polish at Kit Cosmetics

If you're like me you love hearing about new products. I was so excited when I found out this morning that Kit Cosmetics is selling nail polished that smell like macarons!!

From Kit Cosmetics:
"Inspired by the chic, feminine colours of macaroons Kit Cosmetics brings you five NEW shades of the season. The polishes are scented when dry to mimic macaroon flavours; Sweet Almond, Lemon, Rose, Lavender and Pistachio. Trés Chic!"

From left:Rose, Lavender, Lemon, Pistachio and Sweet Almond.

I am definitely after the Rose and Sweet Almond colours!

These are available now at Kit Cosmetics for $15.95. These are limited edition so don't miss out!

Estee Lauder Deluxe Gift at Myer

It's that time of the year when there are plenty of companies offering a gift with purchase once you spend over a certain amount. Today it's time to review the current offer that is on at Myer. Estee Lauder always has good deluxe sized gifts and this one is no different. A few months ago I bought the one on offer at David Jones and loved everything so much I decided to get this one too.

The Deal:
Receive your free 9 piece gift with any Estee Lauder purchase of $70 or more.
Everyone receives 5 gifts that are the same in every pack and then you can pick between two collections- Protection Essentials or Lifting Essentials.

Conditions:
Only available at Myer stores. This promotion is running from Sunday 2 September to Saturday 15 September 2012, while stocks last.

The goodies!

What I bought to reach $70+

Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup $50
I have been on the hunt for a foundation with a fuller coverage than my current one to use when going out at night. During the day I like having a light coverage but I like to be fully done up when out on the town! I went in to Estee Lauder and the lovely Sales Assistant put this on my face and I fell in love with it instantly. This makeup is a great coverage foundation. It also doubles as a concealer it is that good! Shade 1N1 Ecru

Makeup Brush Cleanser $30
This is quite expensive for a brush cleanser but as I stated yesterday I'm on the hunt for some new brushes and I really want to look after them. This is a big 235ml bottle so it should last me ages.

The Deluxe Gifts

The following five gifts are the same for everyone:
- Deluxe Cosmetic Bag (in first picture)
- Full Size Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Rose Petal (RRP $45)
- Double Ended Pure Color Gloss in Rock Candy and Plum Devine (Full size RRP $42)
- Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Mascara in Black 2.8ml (Full size RRP $52)
- Pure White Linen Eau de Parfum 4ml (30ml RRP $80- equates to $10 for 4ml))

I'm so excited to try out the lip products. I have a few Pure Color glosses and I love them to bits so to get two to try out aswell as the Crystal Lipstick is fantastic.

I chose the Protection Essentials:
- Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser 30ml (125ml RRP $52-equates to $13 for 30ml)
- Perfectly Clean Fresh Balancing Lotion 50ml (200ml RRP $45- equates to $11 for 50ml)
- Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator 7ml (30ml RRP $80- equates to $20 for 7ml)
- DayWear Advance Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF15 15ml (30ml RRP $45-equates to $22 for 15ml)

I have been using the DayWear Creme from the last gwp for over a month now and my skin loves it so another deluxe sample is great. The Idealist I am really excited to try out as I love illuminating products and the Perfectly Clean products are a great size and should last me a while.

So as you can see purchasing when there is a gwp promotion on is a fantastic way to try out some different products of your favourite brands for free! The sizes are often quite generous so you really are getting your moneys worth. What gwp promotions are you keen to try out?

My Product Storage

Seeing as this is my first ever blog post, I decided to share with you how I store the majority of my beauty, hair and skin care products. It's not the biggest collection in the world but it makes me happy inside and that's all that's important!

I have a wardrobe with sliding doors and this is the middle part of my wardrobe :) Manages to fit most things in without being too messy.
Now for the break-down in sections!

Up the top to the left is where I house my perfumes and my favourite primer because it is just too pretty! I love to be able to show off my perfume bottles as I really like each one's design. In the background is my boyfriend and I in Thailand-perfumes evoke really nice memories from my travels.

To the right of my perfumes are my brushes (which need a major overhaul) and my daily skincare products. I'm loving how well my skin is reacting to these Estee Lauder products. Again I have some little trinkets with my products as they make me smile.

Down the bottom is where I store my bigger items such as hair care, sunscreen and some other body products.

And my lovely organiser I bought yesterday from Officeworks for $14-bargain!! You can also buy a five drawer version as well and the drawers are all the same height. Here I store my makeup and my daily essentials are on top. The drawers are divided as follows :)

Top drawer is my lip products. I love lip balms and lip glosses. Most of my items are here but I have some that I keep in my handbag and car as I don't ever want to be without something to keep my lips nice and hydrated.

Second drawer is all about the eyes! Here is where I store my mascaras, eyeshadow pots and palettes and my eyeliners and brow pencil. Quite a few of these products are new and I can't wait to dive into them!

The third drawer is where my face products live. Foundation, concealer, illuminators, primers and skin care products I'm trying out.

And the fourth drawer is where I store my nail polishes. The great thing about this set of drawers is that the fourth drawer is double the size of the others so you can store some of your bigger items here. The O.P.I polishes don't fit standing up though so I have just put the laying down for now.

So that's my storage! Do you have any tips on storage you would like to share with me? Or have you posted a similar post on your blog? I would love to see how everyone else stores their products :)