Festive Fever | Nail Art Idea

The Christmas Season is upon us and what better way to get into the festive mood than to paint your nails. I recently drew inspiration from a YouTube video "Easy Chevron Nails" by cutepolish and created this quick and easy nail art idea. 

1. Apply a quick drying base coat to protect your natural nails. I used Chi Chi Salon Formula Calcium Base Coast.
2. Paint your nails in two coats of a white nail polish. I used Maybelline Colour Show 'Porcelain Party (380)'.
3. Using Sticky Tape paint approximately 2cm strips of nail polish on the non adhesive side. If the colour is sheer more than 1 coat may be needed. I used Revlon 'Metallic (860)', Revlon Top Speed 'Gold Rush', and Rimmel I Love Lasting Finish 'Cranberry Zest (066)'.
4. Cut small strips of each colour and place on the nails as desired.
5. Apply a top coast. I used Chi Chi Salon Formula Top Coat.
6. Repeat on each nail.

So obviously you can use whatever nail polishes you want. I have attached the original YouTube video below.

 

Bring on the Beauty | BB Creams

BB creams, Beauty Balms or Blemish Balms, whatever they are called, are similar to tinted moisturisers but with added bonuses. Originally dermatologists created these creams to be used by patients who have undergone laser skin surgery. In essence the idea was that cream provided genuine benefits for the skin as well as providing enough coverage to used as either a foundation or primer. Since there introduction into the European market in 2011 is has become common knowledge that these creams should provide moisturisation, SPF protection and sheer coverage alongside soothing and healing properties. The appeal of such a product is that it minimises the need to use numerous separate products. So if your like me they are a great time saving option for those mornings were you're running a tad late.

I have accumulated a few BB creams and have therefore decided it was time I shared my opinion on each. First just a list of the products and their approximate costs:

• Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream (Medium)                  $15.95
• Rimmel London BB Cream (Medium)                                 $12.95
• Nude by Nature BB 5-in-1 Miracle Cream (Medium)         $19.95
• Chi Chi Super BB Cream (Medium)                                    $22.95

So obviously I have purchased all four in the shade medium but I was amazed on how varied the shade was. The Chi Chi and Maybelline shades were yellow based whilst the Rimmel was pink based. The Nude by Nature was in between but does lean more towards the pink. I have a yellow undertone so the pink based creams were not a great match for my skin tone however during the winter months the Nude by Nature was passable. I found that the Chi Chi was the perfect match for my skin tone. Therefore from this I can safely say that not all mediums are the same and that is definitely worth taking the time to swatch them before you buy.

Consistency wise, again they varied. On one hand you have the Rimmel 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup (SPF 25) which is very thick and then the other Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream which is extremely watery. I like my BB cream to be in the middle thick but not too thick, which is how I would describe the Chi Chi Super BB Cream (SPF 30). Since I mentioned the other three it is only right that I comment on the Nude by Nature Miracle Cream (Natural Sunscreen). It has a slight mouse texture which means it is 'thick' but is still very light.

Moving on to coverage. Maybelline Dream Fresh was very sheer and leaves the skin looking extremely natural. If your looking for a high coverage cream this is not the way to go but if you just need to even out the skin tone (and protect etc.) than Maybelline's BB cream is fine. Next we have the Nude by Nature BB cream which had quite good coverage but after an hour or so would begin to break down up clump (for lack of a better word) on my cheeks and nose. I'm not sure why this happened but it is not what you want to happen. I did not really take much notice of the coverage of the Rimmel BB cream because the shade was just so off, I couldn't wear it. However as it is the thickest I assume it would have fullish coverage. And finally Chi Chi's Super BB Cream. First off let me just say that this is my favourite BB cream. The coverage is excellent, even for under the eye area where I tend to be quite dark. The only criticism I have is that is it quite a dewy finish, which I don't really like, so I just set it with a loose powder.

So with all that being said I definitely recommend Chi Chi's Super BB Cream, and if you are looking for a more sheer coverage then Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream is the way to go. I know that the Chi Chi is the most expensive of the four, but you definitely get what you pay for and considering it is the largest bottle it does last a long time. I love my BB creams for use on an everyday basis, so I hope that this review has helped those of you who are new to them or are looking for a new cream.

So until next time ...

Lasting Lips | Rimmel London

Gotta love lip products right? I know I have a little bit of a soft spot for lipsticks and it is no wonder when brands put out such great products and colours. Obviously in this post I am talking about Rimmel London's Lasting Finish by Kate Moss range. From the picture you can see I own quite a few and I do love them all. Rimmel have put out two different finishes within this range; the regular gloss finish and the matte finish.

 I was a bit apprehensive about the matte formula because it is so hard to find a good drugstore (cheaper) matte that doesn't dry the lips too much. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. The matte lipsticks glided onto the lips, much like the regular formula, and only have a slight drying effect - which is to be expected. The colour range is amazing they have anything from nudes to deep reds and even some more flashier colours. 

This post wouldn't be complete without me commenting on the colour payoff. Well let me just say these lipsticks are really pigmented and are opaque especially the reds. If you were looking for a more sheer look, layer a colourless lip balm underneath.

       
            07 - is a dark nude that I would describe to be slightly brown/mauve. 

            05 - is my favourite pink colour and is very wearable.

            12 - is hard to describe but is an orangey red.
            10 - is a vibrant red that has a slightly pink tone.

            111 - is basically the same colour as 10 but with a matte finish.
            103 - is a nude pink with a matte finish.

These lipsticks as the name suggests are long wearing and can be worn throughout meals without needing a touch up. I did notice that the matte tended to last slightly longer than the gloss. The formula of the two different finishes are quite similar ignoring the fact that one is gloss and the other is matte, however they do have different scents. The matte smells really sweet like candy whilst the other smells more fruity. But in case you were wondering the scent doesn't last like the colour.

I really enjoy these lipsticks and will definitely keep a look out for more colours that I like. I have seen them for sale at Priceline, Coles/Woolworths well just about everywhere in Australia. However the colour range offered does differ where you go. On average these lipsticks retail for around $12 (like I said really affordable). Keep a look out for sales and you could grab these for a bargain.

Until next time....

    

Wow What's that Smell | Jijaka Candles

Everybody loves a fabulous smelling room, right? Well I know I do and one of my favourite scents of all time would have to be vanilla. So obviously I tend to always purchase candles that are vanilla and don't usually stray. However, I was recently gifted a set of 3 candles by Jijaka Australia in the scent Kakadu Lime. I initially thought they were a vanilla with a citrus twist, but I surprisingly wrong. I didn't expect them to be a blend of the floral scent of lime zest and essential bush lime oil. I must say this is now tying if not the top of my favourite scents lists.

What I especially enjoy about this product is the packaging or artwork on the candle jar. It is described to be the tribe rests under the savannah canopy after a long hot journey, navigated by the stars of the dreaming. All Jijaka sales support Indigenous communities through the Nangala project to relieve poverty and disadvantage amongst Australian indigenous children and their families, through creating locally engaged, sustainable opportunity. So basically this product not only smells great but also provides funds for the Nangala project.

Im not entirely sure where you can purchase these candles but I have linked above their website.

Update

So I have been a little busy lately, and really neglected this blog. I'm a tad ashamed of myself. I had such great intentions, too. Start a new blog, post heaps and don't let life getting in the way as an excuse. I didn't realise at the time how hard it is to time manage when life gets so hectic. But not to worry I having recently graduated high school and now have so much free time on my hands .. this is blog is going to be my new best friend. My plan is to try to blog quite frequently about beauty and just in general the transition from child to adult. 

Sounds so formal right, turning from a child into an adult. It is such a big step. I'm quite apprehensive about it all. I'm kind of taking the 'cold turkey' approach and just do it. But I'm not the big hero here who decided that this was the best way, I was given the opportunity to study at one of the best Universities in Australia on a full scholarship. You would be stupid to pass this opportunity up. However, like I said, it means growing up really quickly. See I have to move a big city (which is only 3 hours away) and live by myself with no family around. I will have to do everything for myself, even my own ironing. I think you don't really realise what your parents do for you until you have to start doing them for yourself. I'm pretty sure every teenager takes for granted the little things others do for them, like having meals cooked for you and, if your like me, your washing and ironing done to. But life goes on and you can't be babied forever. In a way I'm grateful for the sudden shock of it all, it has made me appreciate my parents more and has allowed me to become more independent and in control of my life. Don't get me wrong I still wished someone would do my ironing for me, I am literally the world's slowest when it comes to this; but you can't have the cake and eat it too.

So that's about it for my little update. Not that I have had that many page views, but this blog is just as much for me as it is for those who may happen to read it. I need a place where I can share my 'adventures' and  like I first intended review makeup/beauty products (i have a little obsession).