New In: Nail Polish

This summer I have been absolutely loving playing with nail polish, switching up colours every two or three days! So lately whenever I pop into Priceline I can't help but pick up some new shades. Here are the latest additions to my collection:

Firstly, I picked up two shades from the new Essence Beach Cruisers trend edition. I always love the Essence limited edition collections and both 02 Girls Just Wanna Have Sun! and 03 Keep Calm and Go to the Beach! are absolutely perfect for summer. They also have a pretty gold shimmer throughout the which is something unique to my collection.

I've been meaning to try more polishes from Essie and when I received a $5 off coupon I jumped at the chance and picked up Spaghetti Strap. It is such a gorgeous pastel pink and perfect for everyday or as a base for glitter top coats.

My next pick is a gorgeous shade, but a bit of a disappointment. I bought Up the Ante from the Revlon Colourstay Gel Envy range after seeing Estée from Essie Button wearing it in a few of her videos. I hope hoping this shade would be a little more unique than others in my collection but unfortunately it is almost exactly the same as Essence 'Break Through'. However, after initially hating the Revlon Gel polishes I've found by applying thin coats and at least two layers of the top coat the finish is so glossy and really does last ages on the nails!

Finally, all the shades in the Maybelline Super Stay 7 Day Gel Nail collection are really unique and I can't believe I've been able to show some restraint and only pick up one! I bought Forever Green which i have been loving throughout summer on the toes.

What's your favourite nail polish colour for summer?

xx Catherine

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October & November Favourites

It's been a while since I've posted on this blog which has definitely not been ideal for me. I've been struggling with my health and after spending three weeks in hospital It's taken me another month just to get back into the hang of everyday life. I hope to do a more in depth post later on, or even starting another blog to document my experience of struggling with mental illness.

As we get closer to the end of the year, I have a new goal of posting every day in December! There are lots of things to be excited for (it's my birthday tomorrow!!) and I'm really happy to be diving head first into my writing again, and of course sharing my love of beauty with you.

I thought to best way to start off would be to take you through both my beauty and non-beauty favourites from the last couple of months!

Beauty

Two of my most recent beauty favourites are both new finds for my base - and are definitely on the other ends of the spectrum when it comes to coverage. Firstly, is the Super BB Cream by ChiChi ($22.95). I've heard a lot of reviews impressed with this BB cream's coverage but to be honest I find it to be pretty similar to other light coverage products on the market. The reason I've been reaching for this a lot is that it lasts SO LONG! In this Australian heat, a long wearing base is essential for any makeup look and this will last all day when set with a little bit of powder. Such a fantastic everyday base and is also great value as you get 50mL.

My other favourite is another base product, again in the drugstore price range. I picked up the Australis Full on Foundation ($12.95) in the recent Priceline 40% off sale and I have been very impressed. This foundation, marketed as "heavy coverage" is so easy to apply, blend and covers imperfections flawlessly. I swiped the product straight onto my face and then blended out with a fluffy brush and that was it! I have tried Australis face products before and they really did not work for me so I was pleasantly surprised, especially as the shade 'Nude' was the perfect shade for me. Another great affordable foundation!

My final two favourites also fall into the same category - nails! I've been really enjoying painting my nails as a little motivation to grow them out after my anxiety resulted in the total destruction of my nails. My favourite nail treatment is the Ultra Strong Nail Hardener by Essence ($4.10) and I was so excited to see that it was back in Essence stands as part of their Australian range. I always use this as a base coat and it keeps my nails nice and strong as well as preventing staining. Essence is available at Target and in Priceline.

Finally, after lots of trial and error, I have finally found my perfect top coat and my no.1 essential for doing manicures at home. The Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat ($15.45) ticks all the boxes: fast drying, glossy gel-like finish and makes a huge difference in extending the life of your manicure. Whilst I do think it's a little pricey, I always stock up at either Chemist Warehouse or Priceline when they have their big sales as I do go through this quickly!

Non-Beauty

Having some extra time on my hands meant I have been able to spend some more time exploring Youtube. I have been particularly loving watching daily vlogs and a few favourites include Zoella and Lindsey from BeautyBaby44. 

My favourite beauty guru of the moment is the incredible Tati of GlamLifeGuru. She is just amazing, posts videos five times a week and gives amazing tips and reviews. She is currently planning her wedding and has started a 'Wedding Wednesday' series including little vlogs of all the wedding craziness!

I've also been obsessed with the Divergent trilogy and can hardly put them down! They are a great easy read and a must if you have enjoyed the Hunger Games series.

And finally, I hate to admit it but I have been slightly addicted to the new Candy Crush Soda Saga app. I'm really terrible at computer games at general but really like those type of puzzle games. I hate how it drains the battery on my phone though! 

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I hope you all enjoy my presence back in the online beauty world and I am very excited to be back! One of my favourite beauty bloggers' Sarah from More Than Adored is hosting another photo challenge on instagram which I will also be taking part of every day in December so don't forget to follow me there and definitely get involved too!

                                  

Happy 1st Day of Summer! 

xx Catherine

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Products to Pass Up - Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Polish

I am definitely one to fall for the hype of new exciting products, particularly products that claim to do things better. One of the recent products I picked up for this reason - as well as the fact that they were on sale at Priceline - was the Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy nail polishes. I picked up the shade #440 Wild Card as well as the Diamond Top Coat which is meant to create the gel like effect without a lamp.

I was initially impressed with these as the application was fantastic. The applicator has two little brushes so you get a nice even coverage with one swipe. As well as this, the opaqueness of this shade meant that you only needed one coat. Once I applied the top coat my nails dried really fast and the whole process probably took less than 15 minutes. My nails looked shiny and the colour was great, however, by the end of the day I had already experienced chipping.

I was patient letting the polish dry and definitely wasn't doing any strenuous activity that would lead to chipping. Two days after application I had chipping at the top of nearly all my nails and two had completely peeled off. For me, the marketing of nail polishes as being similar to gel leads me to believe they will be long lasting and that's why I was really disappointed.

The price of these is really expensive as well, retailing for $16.95 EACH which is ridiculous. I was lucky to pick up mine 2 for $20 but to pay $10 for a polish and not get results is also disappointing. Other polishes at a much lower price point including the Rimmel London Salon Pro range last much longer even without a top coat and retail for $8.95, nearly half the price.

I know Sally Hansen has come out with a similar product that claims up to 14 days wear, so I'll be interested to try those out and see how they compare.

Overall, unfortunately I can't recommend the Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Polishes. If you were to buy one polish and the top coat, you would be paying as much as it costs to get a gel manicure at a salon, revealing that it is just not worth the price.

All Revlon products are currently 40% off at Priceline.

What are some new releases that disappointed you?
xx Catherine

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Winter Beauty Edit: 50 Shades of Winter

Today's instalment of my WBE is all about the trending winter colours. From lips to nails its all about opposite ends of the spectrum - deep berry shades and sophisticated nudes.

In the nude

For nights out I've gravitated towards a dark brown smokey eye and the perfect pairing for that is a classic nude lip. My favourite nude lipstick is the Australis Go Long Lipstick in Preppy. This is a gorgeous, easy to wear nude shade in a matte finish and probably one of my most worn lipsticks. The Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Tantalizing Taupe from their Stripped Nudes collection is a another nude lipstick I've been gravitating towards because I absolutely love the formula. This is definitely more of a true nude than the Australis one but is surprisingly easy to pull off, even with my fair skin tone. I suggest checking out the Stripped Nudes collection from Maybelline if you're not sure what kind of nude will suit you. Finally for the lips is the NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee. One of the best gloss formulas out there, Creme Brulee is perfect to layer on top of any nude lipstick to add that extra shine.

For the nails, I cannot go past a nude as they just look so sophisticated and elongate your hands. From the Rimmel London Salon Pro Range, Oh, Mr Darcey! is such a unique grey/taupe colour that is perfect for winter. You can't go past the formula of these polishes either - they are virtually indestructible. Finally, for a lighter, more girly nude I've been loving the Formula X for Sephora shade in Invincible. While you will need a couple of coats to get an opaque look, this is such a pretty shade again in a long wearing formula.

Berrylicious

Whilst keeping it subdued on the lips for night time looks I love wearing a bold lip during the day with flushed cheeks and a little bit of shimmer on the eyes. I've been leaning towards shades which are more red based with a purple undertone and with berry shades on the lips I prefer to keep in more on the matte side in terms of finish. Firstly, I have absolutely been loving the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets for a bold, matte lip. The shade Ole flamingo! is a gorgeous bright magenta shade and the formula is unbelievably long wearing. For another more pinky shade, the Shanghai Suzy Miss Melissa lipstick is a great, wearable bright berry pink with a long wearing formula. Finally, for something a little bit darker and with a bit more shine, this wouldn't be a 'Shades of Winter' post without mentioning Rebel by MAC. In the MAC satin finish, it makes your lips look full and intense and is very on trend for winter. Check out how I created a ombre lip with Rebel here.

Top - Bottom: Miss Melissa, Rebel, Ole Flamingo!

• Check out how pigmented these lipsticks are - they still stained my hand even after scrubbing them off!

My favourite shade of nail polish of the winter has to be purple as it is my favourite colour. Because I've been loving the Rimmel Salon Pro polishes so much I picked up Urban Purple which is a beautiful dark red shade with purple undertones. However, my favourite purple nail polish has definitely been Essence Break Through. Essence have the best colour range for such an affordable brand and I absolutely love this one so much!

I hope you found some inspiration to warm up your winter looks and again, don't forget to check in tomorrow for a super exciting addition to my Winter Beauty Edit.

xx Catherine

Empties - What I'm Throwing Out #1

If you don't read many beauty blogs or watch beauty videos on YouTube you might find it strange that I'm showing you my rubbish! However, I love these posts because after finishing a product you can really get a sense of how it works and give a really good review. So here are all the products I've used up in the last couple of months as well as products that were so bad I had to throw them out anyway!

// smartskin Moisturising Facial Cleansing Wipes
The smartskin wipes are my most used because they are only $2 from Woolworths. To be honest I can't justify spending more than that on wipes and these do the job particularly as I have a pretty thorough cleansing routine after I take off my makeup anyway. I use these for everything as well, wiping up spills, cleaning makeup bottles, getting lipstick off surfaces - so these are cheap and multipurpose!
Repurchase: Definitely, already have a few back ups!

// Purex Visage Daily Control Facial Cleansing Wipes
These were ok, fairly similar to the smartskin wipes but perhaps had a little bit more moisture to them. They were thinner though and I found myself putting my fingers through them often. I'm pretty sure my mum bought these online and I just took them from her bathroom.
Repurchase: No, I wouldn't know where to get them anyway

// wotnot Facial Wipes for oily/sensitive skin
I got these as a sample and wow these are very luxurious! Amazingly soft, so moisturising and the wipes themselves were so big - I liked having the extra surface area when removing my makeup.
Repurchase: I loved these, but to be honest I don't think I will purchase them, mainly because of the price.

// Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner
I've already talked about this heaps on my blog! Check out my review from my Monthly Roundup.
Repurchase: Already have!

// Sukin Revitalising Facial Scrub
I have really enjoyed the skincare from Sukin and this scrub was no exception. It is a really gentle scrub that uses natural ingredients like bamboo and walnut shells that work really well to exfoliate the skin. While I found this worked well to maintain my skin, It didn't have any outstanding effects. However, if you have normal skin and don't experience any breakouts or other skin concerns this is a fantastic gentle scrub.
Repurchase: Possibly in the future, I'm keen to try some other scrubs out though.

// Natio Antioxidant Face Moisturiser
Again, another product I have already reviewed and you can check out that review here. My favourite night time moisturiser!
Repurchase: Already have!

// Kosmea Rosehip Oil
I was so happy I received this sample in my David Jones sample tote and adding rose hip oil to my skincare routine has made a huge difference. It is fantastic in adding moisture to your skin and for me I have found its smooths my skin, reduces pores and adds a little extra glow as well! 
Repurchase: Definitely. I already purchased some more rosehip oil but from Trilogy.

// Revlon Age Defying Face Serum
This was a sample and it was ok as a serum and worked particularly well in the summer months when my skin was more oily than it is now. To be honest, I used this without much thought as it was a sample and I know I'm not looking for any anti-ageing products so unfortunately this review isn't very helpful.
Repurchase: No.

// Girlz Only XXL Volume-Plus Dry Shampoo
This is a fantastic dry shampoo and its only $2 at Target! I definitely recommend this version over the original as it gives a more intense clean as well as having a nicer scent. As it is marketed to, it definitely adds extra volume to your hair so a great option for those with fine or limp hair.
Repurchase: Definitely! I do have a few dry shampoos going at the moment though, so not right away.
// Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Repairing Lotion
My favourite body lotion, this is a really light moisturiser that has a thin consistency which makes it super easy to apply and is fast absorbing. My skin gets really dry and this is the perfect moisturiser for everyday to lock in the moisture and the thin consistency makes it perfect for everyday application - just slap it on and go. 
Repurchase: Already have ! This time in mango flavour mmmm
// The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower gel
I absolutely love this shower gel mostly because the smell was so fresh and fruity. It was a foaming showergel which meant the easiest way to apply it is on a soft sponge or loofa. I definitely recommend these shower gels and this scent in particular is great if you love citrus.
Repurchase: I don't tend to buy these kind of things for myself so probably not.
// Dove Clear Touch Roll On Deodorant
I have been converted to roll on! This deodorant is amazing because there is no residue left behind and my fears of roll on feeling wet and gross were all gone after finding this one. This doesn't have a notable scent which I prefer but there are others available in the range. I find I keep dry and fresh all day so this is definitely a great deodorant to try if you struggle with perspiration.
Repurchase: Already have!

And on to the products that I couldn't bring myself to use anymore...

// Simple Eye Make-up Corrector Pen
While the idea of this is appealing, unfortunately it doesn't work. I found it just made things messier, the tip got dirty and I couldn't clean it and in the end you can use a cotton bud with a little bit of makeup remover on the end and it will do a much better job at cleaning up little mistakes.

// Essence BB Cream
This is just one big orange mess! It provides little coverage, is so difficult to blend out, smells awful and worst of all is the most unflattering doritos-orange. Its so bad I am upset about the $3 I spent on it, which is a shame because Essence have some really fantastic affordable products.

// Revlon Nail Art Nail Polish 
I had two of these and have had to throw them both out. The formula of the nail polish is awful and is so hard to apply without having so many streaks. Also because of the double ended packaging when stored standing up, one end is going to get stuck in the lid and go all gloopy. I don't know I just really didn't like this product and think its a bit gimmicky.

I apologise for the extremely long post but I hope you found some of these reviews helpful.
Have a beautiful day,
Catherine xx

Face of Australia Limited Edition Screen Siren Nail Polish

I could not go past these limited edition nail polishes from Face of Australia who have recently released the 'Screen Siren' collection featuring four nude shades and three beautiful bright shades. I picked up the nude shades 'No Angel' and 'Travilla'.

These lasted so well on my nails and definitely win the non-chip award out of my drugstore nail polishes. With my Ulta 3 top coat they lasted a good four days without chipping! I was also very impressed how the high shine finish of these polishes also lasted throughout wear. The polish itself is quite easy to apply with a regular sized brush (unfortunately not as easy as the Essence nail polishes) and come up opaque in 2-3 coats as suggested on the packaging.

No Angel is a gorgeous pink based nude

Travilla is a more grey based nude

I absolutely love wearing nude shades on my nails as I think it is so sophisticated and this limited edition collection has come out just in time for autumn/winter where understated, sophisticated nails are very on trend. They are fantastic not only for everyday where because they really lengthen your fingers but add real sophistication to any outfit.

I was pretty interested to learn that the 'Screen Siren' collection was inspired by Marilyn Monroe, with each shade name having a specific meaning. For example, Travilla was the name of the costume designer who designed her famous white dress that blew up when she stood over the subway grate.The product description on the Priceline website states:

"Marilyn Monroe famously slept in the nude. As an ode to her, we have come up with four perfect nudes to suit any skin tone".

There are also three bright colours inspired by Marilyn's love of bright costumes and makeup which I am very tempted to go and add to my collection.

Overall I am super impressed with these polishes. The shades, wear time and glossy finish prove that these polishes are of excellent quality and for less than $5 they are a must have!

Available from Priceline for AUD$4.95.

Hope you have all had a beautiful start to the week!
xx Catherine

The usual 'bad day Priceline visit' - I really need to stop my terrible habit of emotional shopping! But I am very happy with all these new goodies and expect lots of reviews coming up!

Drugstore Haul// Priceline & Target

What's this?! A video?!

I'm very excited to share with you my first video post or beauty 'vlog' where I talk about all the items I recently hauled in the Priceline 40% off sale and more exciting stuff too.

Because this whole video making thing is new to me I lost the footage from the first part of my Target haul - I can't remember if it was because I ran out of memory or I deleted but here are the items I forgot to mention in the video.

• Maybelline Colour Show Nail polish in Twilight Rays and Blue Freeze - these were 2 for 1 at Target!
• NP Set Crease Blender Brush - was $15 down to $10.50

Have a beautiful day and let me know if you enjoyed my video :)
xx Catherine

Mid-Week Update

Don't forget today is the last day of the Priceline 40% off sale and while most of the stores are a mess you can still shop online until midnight to get the discount. I will definitely have a haul coming up soon!

Also I have recently been receiving emails from Myer One which is Myer's loyalty programs with beauty newsletters called Beauty Talks. The newsletter features the latest in beauty trends as well as the current deals on beauty.

• Until Sunday save 10% on beauty products online when you use the code BEAUTYW14 at the checkout.

Also there are gift with purchase deals for Napoleon Perdis and Elizabeth Arden

• When you spend $79 at Napoleon Perdis you receive a 7 piece gift set valued at $230 - this gift set looks beautiful!
• When you spend $70 at Elizabeth Arden you receive a 9 piece gift set including skincare and beauty products valued at $219.
• Both offers are available until the end of the month.

Since I buy a lot of my makeup from Myer as well as get my brows done at Benefit all the time, the Myer One program is a fantastic way to earn points and get vouchers when you reach a certain amount of points. I also can use this card when I fill up at some petrol stations so I earn points pretty fast! Definitely a must have if you shop a lot of  high-end beauty or just at Myer in general :)

I also wanted to share with you my mani - I was just going to do a simple, pinky nude but lets be real I can never resist a bit of glitter! The pink shade I used underneath is OPI colour that I don't know the name of and the gorgeous rose gold glitter on top is 'Haley Good Lookin'' by Nicole by OPI the Modern Family Collection.

                         

Happy shopping!

xx Catherine

My Go-To Mani

I absolutely love doing my nails! However, the practicality of having a fabulous manicure while I'm working is practically zero as they crack after one shift. Lately I've been loving Revlon's Brilliant Strength Nail Enamel - I have the shade 080 Enchant which is a gorgeous ballet pink with a bit of shimmer. This is a perfect everyday colour to wear to uni and lasts an extra few days without chipping - even at work which makes me so happy! I love the formulation and the applicator, making it really easy to apply. Will definitely be going back to get more colours!

xx Cat ^.^

Day 4 - New Year New You: Nails

Until late into 2013 I had always had awful, chewed up nails until I finally decided to break the awful habit. One of my beauty goals in 2014 is to continue to grow my nails, keep them nice and strong and mostly find other ways to let out my stress when i'm feeling nervous rather than chewing my fingers!

I've made a little nail care bag which has everything I need to keep my nails nice and healthy.

Nailed It! Summer nail trends

Here are a few of my favourite summer nail trends:

Corals and Pastels

I can't get enough of corals - lipstick, blush and of course nail polish. 'Coral Crush' by Maybelline is my favourite (and super affordable). I also love 'Coral Me Beautifu'l by Essence, another great affordable option. On my wish list is Tart Deco by Essie and I can't believe I missed out on the 2 for $20 Essie sale on at Priceline because I was on my spending ban :(
Corals are fantastic to wear with bright summer colours - especially turquoise. As well as this - my absolute favourite shade on my nails this year has been 'Diva Violet' by Max Factor. Purple is my favourite colour and this is such a gorgeous pastel shade.

Sparkles!

The holiday season is upon us! With Christmas just past and New Years only a few days away - this means lots of parties and therefore lots of opportunities to wear glitter nails - although I'm so obsessed with sparkles I love to wear them on a daily basis either as a statement nail or over a bold colour.
I found the Modern Family collection by Nicole by OPI and fell in love with this glitter polish inspired by the character Haley on Modern Family one of my favourite shows! This is such a fantastic collection and I can't wait to get my hands on more. For more affordable options - these polishes from Colour by TBN and Ulta3 are both available from discount pharmacies or drugstores for less than $3!

My next post will be an easy work or school makeup look so stay tuned!

^.^ Cat