In July last year, after seven years of research and deliberating, I finally got Botox. More specifically, I got Botox in Bali at Cocoon Medical Spa. I was thrilled. ZERO regrets (only that I hadn’t done it sooner).
Beauty Product Reviews
My Mini Sephora USA Haul
Walking into Sephora at Houston’s at Galleria Mall a few weeks back took me back to being a Kiwi Kid in the late 1970s. Remember when you scored $2 and you got to go to the dairy? All those lollies that were one and two cents? Remember the excitement? Well that’s the same feeling as I had at Sephora in Houston. Only now I’m an adult and am in ownership of a credit card.
Back to Sephora: Where to look first? Here’s my thought process “Holy crap, they’ve got Anastasia Beverly Hills makeup. I can see Charlotte Tilbury. Is that Tarte? Is that a Dyson Hairdryer? Where’s the basket? Do they have Pillow Talk? Shit a brick. I’m going to need to prioritise”. I kid you not: My heart rate quickened. But that’s OK: I was always going to do a mini haul. I’d SAVED for this.
So, after a lot of anticipation (and hours of research), I bought some goodies – arguably, not as many as you’d expect! I was adamant: I was only buying product we can’t get easily here in NZ. Besides, saving some dimes was mission critical so my savings would stretch to my new Madewell Medium Transport Tote and Michael Kors watch.
So, what did my mini Sephora haul look like? More importantly, after three solid weeks of research product usage, how am I feeling about the products? Stand by caller, keep reading. (more…)
Maybelline Burgundy Bar Palette Review
I caved in… I got a new eyeshadow palette. This Burgundy Bar Palette from Maybelline is an exceptionally pretty looking eyeshadow palette. What can I say in defense? I’m an eyeshadow palette magpie and the autumnal hues spoke to me.
I hasten to add I certainly didn’t need Burgundy Bar, but you know, it passed the 72 hour test.
Side note: I got home and realised the palette has similar hues to my Urban Decay Naked Heat palette and I have several MAC and Makeup Geek eyeshadows that, on balance, are near enough dupes. Sigh.
Anyhoo, I now own Maybelline’s Burgundy Bar palette so, best I play around with it and share my thinking in an unbiased, non-sponsored review. Side rant, there aren’t enough of these unsponsored beauty posts doing the rounds at the moment. For clarity – I paid for this palette myself. It cost me NZ$33. (more…)
Bubble Fabulous Mouth Spa Review
Bubble Fabulous. It’s not a mouthwash. It’s a spa for your mouth.
Have I got your attention?! I hope so, as this new Kiwi product is going to be a sensation and I’m dying to tell you all about it.
I love me a Kiwi made product and I get extraordinarily enthusiastic when a beauty or foodie Kiwi-made product comes my way accompanied with my favourite six words: “Would you like to try some?”
This is what happened late last year when I was contacted by Laura, fellow Kiwi girl and founder of Bubble Fabulous Mouth Spa. Wait up. Bubble say what? This is a spa for your mouth – note, NOT a mouth wash! Well, given I switched to black coffee last year and I’m paranoid about having stinky breath: I replied at lightning speed to Laura’s kind offer and said “Yes please!”
Let’s get my impressions out of the way quick smart: Bubble Fabulous rocks, literally: Because you can feel the mouth wash working because it bubbles on your tongue like pop rocks! Hubby and I have been using this system twice daily for three weeks: We are big fans and we’ll be purchasing this for sure when my current stash runs out! No more Listerine for us: We were users, though that said, the amount of chemicals in there makes me slightly anxious.
Before I get into the ‘how to’ deets, the backstory to Bubble Fabulous is a rather neat one, so let me indulge you. Usual story: Someone in the market spots a glaring gap in the market and, shock horror, does something about it (that’s why I’m not an entrepreneur: I lack follow through). Bubble Fabulous founder Laura is a registered oral health therapist (dental hygienist) with a background in design. She was disillusioned with traditional mouth washes, which work like mints: Masking the problem rather than getting to the root cause of it. Bubble Fabulous actually gets the nasty stuff (bacteria) out of your mouth, particularly the tongue. With that said, using this product does not in any way act as a substitute for a half-yearly (or yearly) thorough dental check up at your trusted dental offices in Colorado Springs (or at your place of residence), but it may just have your dentist marveling at your stellar oral hygiene routine! (more…)
Little Honey Self-Tan – Review
Little Honey self-tan. Heard of it? You should have. If not: You are missing out. How’s that for an intro?
First up – I have a positive beauty review. Yes, something nice to say! Loyal readers, don’t die of shock.
Background: Fake tan. It’s been a bit of an uphill journey to find one that works for me. Expanding on that a little, I do love a rather well known self-tanning mousse*, but I was keen to try something new, not least as the afore mentioned mousse has a list of chemicals that makes me slightly nervous. In the beauty sphere, in general, if there’s a plant based alternative that’s just as good AND IS PRICED RIGHT: I’ll use it.
Anyhoo, after the last self-tanning review I did (here) the lovely peeps at Little Honey sent me some of their goodness suggesting “It was about time I tried this”. Yes, I agree, it was.
Incidentally, I’d read a number of rave reviews about Little Honey all over social media this time last year. I never tried it: To be honest I felt the price tag ($45 for their bronzing mist or $55 for the bronzing mist + application mitt) was a bit steep. You see, I get sick of forking out for pricey-ish products that don’t deliver. Besides, I was put off that Little Honey was so frequently mentioned in my social media newsfeeds last year. You see, I’m such a cynic that my school of thought is when it looks too good to be true: It usually is. As an aside, I also dislike hype. I still haven’t read 50 Shades.
Side note: I was SO keen to try Little Honey that, on 16 December last year I messaged them, cheekily, and asked if they’d like to send me some (I’ve never done that). They politely declined. Funny how things work out, LOL.
Anyway, with Little Honey’s Flawless Bronzing Kit finally in my hot little hands a few weeks back: I got excited. I received a Bronzing Kit containing their Flawless Bronzing Mist and a flawless blending glove. The latter claimed to deliver a streak free finish. Yeah, excited I was.
And I’m still excited. You see: This bronzing mist stuff is the SCHIZZ. That’s the executive summary. You need this stuff. It’s the best self-tan I’ve used. At this point, I must extend my sincere apologies to all those influencers whose reviews of Little Honey I was so dubious about last year: You did know what you were talking about. Opps. (more…)
St Tropez Review Self Tanning Products Review
So, I’m right into fake tan, all tanning products for that matter. I’m a pale and pasty English/Irish girl (albeit with some throwback French and Eastern European presenting itself) and, whilst I’m fairly olive and tan up beautifully – I don’t ordinarily attempt to naturally tan: The sun scares the shit out of me (hello melanoma). So, I’ve taken it upon myself to frequently partake in stocking up my bathroom cupboards with tanning lotion goodies so I can do a DIY tan job. When St Tropez contacted me recently to ask if I’d like to try out some of their (newish) self tanning products to review, I was all over that like a rash. “I’m your girl”, I replied with gusto.
I got sent:
* St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Tanning Lotion 200ml (Medium)
* St Tropez Gradual Tan Body Lotion Tinted 200ml
* St Tropez Instant Tan Face & Body Lotion Medium/Dark 100ml
I gave all of these self tanning products a good bash for a week and a half before penning (aka filming) my, erm, rather unfavourable thoughts. Here goes. Sigh. I hate being a Negative Nellie! I’m really (truly) grateful to be sent these self tanning products to review… I just didn’t think they worked – and I think there’s better products out there (for me at least).
In the event (unlikely event, that is) that you are utterly inspired to try out these products after watching this… Head to Beauty Lounge, Farmers, Pharmacies and the like. I’m not a newbie to St Tropez, a few summers back I used one of their self tanning products. Whilst I can’t remember what it was called, I do recall it was awesome, so it seems these three products I were went sent are a bit out of the box! Note, this is my opinion, I’m sure there are people out there who love these products. Simply… They didn’t work for me.
Oh, here’s the instant tan on my face – the before and after. Barely a difference, eh?
Primal Earth – Manly Skincare Review
I had high hopes about hubby reviewing these manly skincare products that he was (kindly) sent from Primal Earth.
Yes, I had thoughts about us becoming #thebloggingdreamteam. You know, he could become a become a regular, manly blogging influence/contributor, testing stuff then informing me with quality intel so we could write regular reviews of manly skincare. You see, I reckon I spotted a gap in the market. Which NZ blogger is blogging about manly skincare? Exactly. Nobody (or is there?). Besides. The Boy’s ‘skincare’ video review of Pineapple Heads went down well, didn’t it?. Why not expand our options to have a wife/hubby duo this time? It’d be like a dream! I had lofty ambitions, dreams of seeing him review a number of products, from lotions and moisturizers to private label skin care products, and all else in between. It would have been perfect!
Alas, this is what happened… (more…)
Max Factor Masterpiece Rose Nudes Eyeshadow Palette Review
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I did a quiet little geeky dance when Max Factor’s Masterpiece Rose Nudes Eyeshadow arrived. How lucky was I to get sent this? Thing is, I’d already eyed the palette up TWICE in Farmers and resisted it. Yeah, I know, we all know I was going to fold like a cheap pocket knife and buy it anyway… Especially as it is, you know, #specialedition. So, when I was contacted by Max Factor to ask if I’d like to review this vision of rose coloured beauty, I tried to be cool, calm and collected with my enthusiasm (snort). Max Factor are, increasingly, a brand whose makeup stand I linger by in Farmers. Perhaps because of special memories: My first ever mascara was a Max Factor (2000 calorie). I used it for over a decade, if not longer. Additionally, I also like what they are doing: Their colour range is impressive, their marketing catches my eye and the price is well positioned.
Anyway, eyeshadow palettes. Max Factor. Focus. If you stretch your mind back a little while, I obsessed over another Max Factor eyeshadow palette, this one, the golden nudes version (basically brown/gold shades). This palette is still a firm favourite of mine and is always in my ‘top makeup drawer’ (as opposed to the other four drawers). So, when this pinky, dusky pink, shimmering rose gold and sexy dark purple palette popped up on my radar – yeah… Lust kicked in. (more…)
