Beautiful Inside and Out: Week 1 Results & Week 2 Goals.

First up, there has been a slight change to the plan. The Sunday hashtag (previously #SexySunday) has been altered to #SelfConfidenceSunday. There were too many provocative spambots with bosoms aplenty with the former. #MondayMotivation still stands. Also, I'm combining my Sunday progress with my Monday goal-setting, because quite frankly, it feels a little redundant and repetitive to separate the two. So here we go.

I started off small with my first lot of goals, hoping for longterm change rather than another crash diet I couldn't keep up with. Here they are:

Week 1 goals

Kick Pepsi Max to the curb: Work in progress

Eat smaller portions: Achieved

Get more sleep: Achieved

Work on positivity: Failed

If Meatloaf deemed two out of thee 'ain't bad', well what does that make two and a half out of four? Well, in trying to redeem my colossal failing of working on positivity, I'll optimistically state that it's 'ok'. Failures aside, I did very well on the portion size and sleep fronts. I snacked less and went to bed before midnight every week-night. I've also managed to cut the Pepsi drinking down by half, instead opting for water.

In conjunction with continuing the achieved goals to turn them into habitual behaviour, I hope to:

Week 2 goals

Continue to cut down on Pepsi Max

Work on positivity

Eat two pieces of fruit a day

Use my exercise bike more frequently

If you'd like to join, feel free. Link below with your own post or twitter account with #beautifulinsideandout updates. Hope to see you all on twitter under the hashtag #beautifulinsideandout

Tag: Winter Essentials.

I was recently tagged by Pandora's Box to do a 'Summer Besties' post. Seeing as we're on opposite sides of the globe, and thus are in the midst of completely different seasons, I decided to write about what's frequenting my Winter repertoire.

Doesn't it seem fitting that all my images look dreary? Well of course they do. It's Winter.

I cannot get enough of a couple of Winter-appropriate shades in my Inglot Freedom System 10 Shadow Palette and Urban Decay Naked Palette. From the Naked Palette, I've leant towards the purples and charcoals like Toasted, Hustle, Creep and Gunmetal. I've also been loving the olive green, navy blue and purple shades in my Inglot palette on subdued days, and though I wear them frequently, I've barely made a dent in the product. That's pigmentation for you.

Hello matte, flawless base. In Summer, I loathe the feeling of heavy coverage and am willing to let a few blemishes peek through a medium, satin finish. However, I switch to full coverage products like Revlon ColorStay Foundation in 110 Porcelain and MAC Studio Fix Foundation Powder Plus in NC20 in Winter. Why? Because I'm original. Ha.

The want of a flawless base could also have a lot to do with needing one to wear a statement lip. Bold reds and dark pinks or plums seem to highlight the imperfections and redness in my skin, and in the season I find myself clad from head to toe in black, I use lip colour to perk up the look. I love my Inglot Lipstick in 125 (bright red, almost pink), but occasionally reach for Bourjois Sweet Kiss Naturale in Prune Caresse (Plummy red, with a balm-like texture) and Revlon ColorBurst in Mauve (dark pink, my lips but better). For low maintenance colour, I love Sportsgirl Give Some Lip in Sugar Plum and Bourjois 3D Effect Gloss in Brun Rose Academic.

Liquid liner and volumised, grungy lashes for every day wear look over the top for three out of four seasons. Winter is where it's at. There's barely a day in winter I'm not sporting a kitten flick using my HG liquid liner from Face of Australia and taking it from Audrey to Courtney in a few coats of Pretsige My Blackest Lashes mascara.

With another groundbreaking (snort) Winter choice, here are the polishes I switch between in Winter: Face of Australia Molten Metallic in Iron Ore, Sportsgirl Nail It! in Glamour, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Commader in Chic, Ulta3 in Wildberry and piCture pOlish in Berry Nice.

As always, if you made it this far, consider yourself tagged.

Monistat Chafing Gel.

Who likes an amazing dupe? I know I do. Do you know what else I like? Unconventional beauty products. I hur hurred at the computer screen when I read that I should be slathering my face with chafing gel. Yes. Chafing gel. I know, it's so freaky. But for a while, everyone was raving about Smashbox Photofinish Primer. Which is basically Monistat Chafing Gel, only repackaged. The ingredients are almost identical, as most silicone based primers are, but (and here is where it gets good) the prices poles apart. And though I don't know the ingredients of Inglot Under Makeup Base, another silicone primer, I can vouch for them being incredibly similar.

The Monistat freakishly turns from a gel into a powder in consistency when it is smoothed over the skin. It fills in tiny ridges and pores and leaves the skin feeling incredibly smooth. Monistat Chafing Gel does what all good primers should: it creates the perfect, smooth canvas, ready for foundation application.

Going by the reviews on makeupalley, people's main gripes with this gel is it breaking them out or causing their foundation to ball up.

You need a ridiculously small amount of product.If the makeup applied over the gel balls up, it means you have too much on. If your face feels greasy, it means you have too much on. If your foundation separates, it means you have too much on. You see where I'm going with this. As for the gel breaking people out, that's unavoidable. If you know that your skin doesn't like silicones, then I suggest you steer clear of this product.

I'm going to add to that list by saying the fact that it is chafing gel gives me the willies, and certainly isn't the kind of product I'd want to leave on my vanity. Imagine this scenario: a house-guest spots a tube of chafing gel while washing their hands post-lavatory. They will, of course, come to their own conclusion, and any argument otherwise is just going to convince them further:

'But I don't use it to stop the itchies between my thighs, I put it on my face. It helps my foundation go on better.'

'Sure thing, Chafey McChafesalot.'

I can think of a fourth possible sale-breaker: Monistat Chafing Gel is not available in Australia. It's easily hunted down on eBay, but unfortunately, that eliminates the all important try-before-you-buy. It's risky, the stakes are high, things could end in disaster. Not really. It's just a cheap chafing gel known to be identical to Smashbox Photofinish Primer which if you like, for under $20, you have nothing to lose with Monistat Chafing Gel.

However, for me, I personally favour primers that create a barrier between my makeup without leaving the film that silicone primers do. I do use Monistat from time to time, and am certainly very glad I was never silly enough to shell out the money for Smashbox Photofinish Primer or Inglot Under Makeup Base.

Clinique Gentle Light Powder.

I have had this so long. It's almost like a younger sibling. While I know I should love it, I find it terribly annoying, yet I can't ever part with it. Probably because of how expensive it was. So it remains in my makeup collection, used from time-to-time, each time reminding me why I don't use it often.

I like loose powders to enhance the longevity of my slap and keep the oilies at bay. This does neither. While it is better than no powder at all, I've found quite a few cheaper alternatives that perform much better. Is it too much to ask for a powder to make you look fresh and matte for longer while setting your makeup, Clinique?

Apparently so.

While I love how finely milled and silky the powder is, and how it looks in the bathroom mirror, as soon as I catch a glimpse of myself in natural daylight all I see is the herpes of craft: GLITTER. Now, if you're as moon-faced as I am (let's not sugar coat it, I'm a chubby girl) the last thing you want to be is illuminated. Illumination gived the illusion of plumpness. I am already goddamned plump. No thank you.

Those who are after super illumination from their powders, aren't particularly oily skinned, and like low coverage makeup would love Clinique Gentle Light Powder.

HAULtastic: Real Techniqes & MAC.

Today, with two packages wedged into my tiny letterbox and not a single bill in sight, it was clear the post gods were smiling upon me.

First off, Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes:

I bought the Core Base set which includes a buffing brush, contour brush, pointed foundation brush and a detailer brush. It also comes with a weird black case/stand, which in my opinion is a little bit rubbish. This shading brush also found its way into my order...

Recently, the lovely Jac had a blog sale. There's still a few pieces up for grabs, so I suggest you mosey on over. I spotted six MAC eyeshadows, some which have been on my mental wishlist for some time, and had to make them mine.

Clockwise, starting from the bottom left: Gleam, Shroom, Phloof!, Bold & Brazen, Expensive Pink and Mulch. Jac also threw in some samples and a pair of awesome Elf false lashes! What a gem!

Hope you enjoyed, and are suitably envious.

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Beauty Bloggers are striving to be #beautifulinsideandout!

 

Want to get healthy but need some serious motivating? Well, so do I.

For some, gaining health may mean losing weight, gaining fitness or healthier eating habits. For me, it is a combination of all three.

For years now, I’ve fallen into a routine of self motivation which entails cutting carrot sticks until my fingers stain, overdoing it on the torture mechanism known as the stationary exercise bike, and then limping on to the scales only to throw my orange hands up in exasperation: no change in weight.

I then call it a day and soothe the disappointment with double brie, mini gherkins and those adorable little toasts.

The following week, wracked with the soft cheese guilts, I stock up on celery and dust off my dumbbells. You see where this is going.

It is here I come to the point of this post. The lovely Kirsten from Commander in Chic and I had a long, excited exchange of tweets recently in which we formed a plan. We both want to get our fitness up and our weight down. We want to keep each other accountable and motivated, so there is no lapse into old habits. Goodbye, sweet brie.

We also want anyone and everyone who would like to, to join.

To keep the focus on positive lifestyle changes, and to make the task less daunting, we’ve made an executive decision not to focus on our current weight, but instead on achieving small, weekly goals. There will be no tweeting of current weight (unless you're brave and really want to), only diet and fitness goals, and of course our weekly results.

Our goals are to be tweeted on Mondays with the hashtag: #MotivationMondays

Our results tweeted on Sundays with the hashtag: #SexySundays

The bridging hashtag, cleverly thought up by Kirsten, shall be #beautifulinsideandout. This tag will help tie the two together, making the whole thread available under the one search. This third hashtag will be our main one, and will serve as a device for general, related chitchat.

'A year from now you will wish you had started today.'
                                                                   - Karen Lamb

Who's feeling motivated to drop that dress size, run that extra km or down that healthy salad? Set your weekly goals with us this Monday.

Garnier Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub.

Garnier Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub jumped off the supermarket shelf and into my hands. It wooed me with promises it never intended to keep: 

'I'll clear your blackheads and slough away dead skin with my instantly acting salicylic acids and HerbaRepair* in concentrated amounts.' It said.

'What does HerbaRepair even mean?' I asked.

'Don't worry, babe. I've got it sorted. I've been tested on acne-prone skin.'

'Yes, well, you may say that. But aside from that eye roller, I've never had a good time with you, Garnier.'

'Oh, but baby. You'll never know what you're missing out on. We have a lot in common. You do know I'm anti-spot AND anti-marks.'

 'I'm anti-both-of-those-things.'

In the trolley it went.

The scrub has a cooling effect I'd be hard pressed to describe as anything other than IT BURNS GET IT OFF MY FACE NOW.** Even on the boy's tough man-skin, it stung. And so, it has happily remained on my shower caddy, chatting up the body washes.

Not anymore. To the bin you go, you devil scrub.

*Is it just me, or is 'HerbaRepair' a completely made up word? What is so special about European blueberries, and how do they translate to 'HerbaRepair'?

**I need to point out that I don't have sensitive skin.

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Natio Blusher: Peach Glow.

There is a rumour on the internet that Natio has a blush that is a dupe for NARS Orgasm. Judge for yourself:

Is Natio Blusher in Peach Glow a dupe for NARS Orgasm, the highest selling blush of all time? 

No. Absolutely not. 

As you can see from the following swatches, the Natio is significantly more orange than the NARS. Orgasm also has shimmer running through it, which Peach Glow does not.

 

Dupe or no dupe, I still like my Natio blush. Heck, I like it more knowing it's not a dupe... because I've already got Orgasm in my collection.

It's a gorgeous blush, more on the orange side than pink. Definitely a Summery peach, although I do find myself reaching for it on dreary Winter days when the rest of my makeup and outfit are understated. I find it to instantly perk up my face. While it's quite pigmented, the colour is quite natural, so there is no fear of the dreaded clown cheeks. Also, for those with prominent cheeks (read: chipmunk cheeks), there is no glitter filler. No chance of looking like a disco ball.

I really like the packaging. It's simple, not bulky and I can see the colour of the blush through the clear, albeit frosted, plastic lid. Going by the look of the packaging alone, it is quite easy to come to the conclusion that you don't get very much product. But you do. The only way I find it comparable to my NARS Orgasm is in size: you get 5g worth of product in both the Natio Blusher in Peach Glow and the NARS Orgasm when it's part of the bronzing/highlighting duo.

If, like me, you believe supporting Australian company with an emphasis on natural, plant-based products, I highly suggest Natio for their high quality and affordability. You can find them in David Jones and most pharmacies.

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Garnier Fructis Curl Define Mousse.

Up until I started getting regular trims, and using treatments and argan oils in my hair, I had a bit of trouble dealing with split ends and frizziness in my thick, dry, wavvy hair. Rather than treating the problem, I found a curl control mousse to be an awesome temporary solution.

I'd run a dollop through my damp hair, allow to air dry, and then smooth out the crunchiness with a teasing comb. I dealt with the product build-up with a shampoo meant for oily hair, even though mine was dry. Now that I'm older and wiser, I see the errors of my ways. I created the vicious cycle by over stripping and over brushing, both of which I now know to create wavy to curly haired nightmares.

I've had a can of Garnier Fructis Curl Define Mousse floating around in my collection for eons. From memory, it was the second hair product other than shampoo or conditioner I'd ever bought. The first was a Bananas in Pyjamas detangling spray I bought with the money the tooth-fairy left for me at the tender age of six.

I digress.

I believe I've gone through four or five of these. I'm not sure why, either. I have never loved it. I think it was the smell that drew me in: headache-inducingly fruity. It's good though, does it's job. But now that I've graduated to argan oils and grown-up treatments, I have much less frizz and split ends that need concealing.

All in all, this was a nice walk down memory lane. It's a nice, budget quick fix for defirzzing, and adding a little bit of definition and shine to a natural curl, but I doubt I'll ever buy another can of this again.

Lush Happy Blooming Luxury Bath Melts.

Oh, Lush. How aptly named you are. You smell lush, you turn plain water into luscious silk, and you make my skin feel as luscious as can be with your Happy Blooming Luxury Bath Melt. How very lush!

Full of calamine, ylang ylang and shea butter, the Happy Blooming Luxury Bath Melt truly makes one feel a Geisha amongst the cherry blossoms, with soft, milky skin. Only, you're in a bath. Getting pruney.

In my extreme decadence, I felt that I could improve upon bath time by throwing in a triple dose. Rather than snapping off one segment at a time, in went the whole bath melt. I'm pretty hardcore.

Do you know what else is hardcore about this bath melt? The absolute horror of a state it leaves your tub in. Those lovely moisturising properties that left my skin incredibly soft and smelling fabulous left the mother of pink rings, with oily residue to boot. Clean freaks beware.

AU$7.95 each from Lush.

Revlon ColorStay Combination/Oily Skin Foundation.

Considering I regularly yodel its praises into vast valleys, it is no secret that my HG foundation is Estee Lauder Double Wear (reviewed here). Unfortunately, the colour I have (Fresco) is too dark for me (NC20). Not wanting to waste the bottle, I searched high and low (read: I read a few reviews on makeupalley) for a cheaper, comparable foundation with a good colour selection to mix with my Double Wear without diluting the coverage I covet.

Enter Revlon ColorStay Combination/Oily Skin Foundation in 110 Ivory.

I would fight a grizzly bear in order to find a foundation with exceptional coverage. That is how dedicated I am to covering my unsightly acne and redness. Luckily, bears don't care enough for makeup to partake in such frivolities. And doubly so that this foundation offers such coverage, and is readily available in pharmacies (high street/drugstore) rather than in a bear's den.

I love the staying power this foundation boasts. Even if you're not after full coverage for every day, it is always useful to have a long wearing foundation in your repertoire for occasions when you need your makeup to last that extra mile. Revlon Colorstay foundation is a sure contender for this. I apply it at 6 am, blot the slight oiliness between my brows that seeps through around lunch time, and when I go to remove it at around 9 pm, it's as flawless as it was freshly applied.

High coverage foundations with super staying power are regularly accused of being pore cloggers. I've not found this to be the case, and put these woes down to improper removal of makeup. From my experience, using an oil product such as Dermalogica Precleanse or Dove Foaming Makeup Remover (which I love) before cleansing as normal ensures all of the foundation is removed, thus wont clog pores.

Revlon ColorStay is not for everyone, though. While I love it, I suggested it to a friend who was after a foundation with  a longer staying power, and she didn't like it. She felt it to be mask-like and unnatural looking. In hindsight, she has lovely skin and doesn't need the coverage. Whereas someone with acne, oiliness and redness, like myself, would appreciate the coverage and longevity.

This foundation does have quite an odd smell. I don't find it too confronting, but I could see how people may. It's almost like acrylic paint. Very odd indeed.

For me, the only downside I can find to this foundation is the packaging. I'm not a fan of glass bottles. I find them heavy, with the possibility of breaking, making it non travel friendly. Also, I would love this to have a pump, but can see why it doesn't have one. With a foundation as thick as this, the nozzle would constantly clog.

Revlon ColorStay Foundation is quite pricey for a pharmacy brand, but in my opinion, worth every penny at AU$37.95.

I am still undecided as to whether this foundation has replaced Double Wear as my HG, but it's certainly on par. A girl can have more than one HG, right?

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Prestige My Blackest Lashes Mascara.

Once, someone plucked 'three months' from thin air, and wrote the unwritten law that you must throw away your tube of mascara three months to the day you first cracked it open. That person was an idiot.

For us clumpy, volumised lash lovers, we like our mascaras like our cheese: well matured. We draw the line between moldy cheese (unless there is the word 'blue' on the label) and completely dry mascara. Remember, it was the mascara overlord that is the idiot, not us. Consider us the revolution, only with a prettier Che Guevara and a fondness for cheese.

Prestige My Blackest Lashes Mascara is the only mascara I have found that I will use on the day of opening, and not curse its wateriness. It's also worth nothing that while the formula is thick, it doesn't dry out within a week.

I love that this mascara is as black as the sky on a moonless night. Not grey, not brown, not blue. Black.

Unfortunately, this mascara doesn't have spectacular staying power when there is a hint of moisture around. I don't suggest reading a sad book on a silent bus or taking a spin class with this macara on unless you want to invariably end up screaming 'it BURNS!' Consider yourself warned.

As a general rule of thumb, I try to steer clear gimmicky mascara wands. I like to think this is because I am above advertising's penetrative influence, but the truth is this: I suck at applying mascara. I just don't have the steady hand or the patience. I've managed to stab myself with those dreaded curved lash wands. More than once. I value my eye safety and simple application that only a tradiotional wand provides.

While I remain a slave to grungy, lashes with impact, I will continue to reach for Prestige's My Blackest Lashes Mascara. Ladies after lengthening or neat and polished lashes beware.

The Great Winter Debate: Should you shave your legs?

I don't know about you, but wintry weather sends me into a beauty hibernation. It's cold, nobody is going to see my dry, unshaven and unsightly legs. Heck, come spring, I've forgotten how to wield a razor.

My legs are damn special. Well, this year at least.

It seems every Winter, my legs become such a hairy affair, I could easily be mistaken for the missing link. Actual monkey-lady hybrid. Not this year.  I've put my hand on the beauty bible and taken an oath: I solemnly swear that I will not wait until the weather warms up before attempting to tackle my leg hair, blunting three razors in the process.

So far so good. Here's how I've been beating those Winter Beauty Blues:

Don't let your summer routine fall by the wayside. That's right. Continue exfoliating, shaving (or waxing) and moisturising your skin. In Summer, I tend to alternate days; exfoliating one day and shaving the next (some may find this excessive, but I'm unfortunate enough to have rapid hair growth caused by internal issues). I also moisturise with a light lotion, every day without fail. But let's be realistic here. I sure don't have the motivation to bother with such a routine in Winter, particularly if I'm just going to cover my effort with a pair of slacks.

In Winter, I go into 'maintenance mode'. My routine looks something like this: exfoliate, break, shave, break, exfoliate, break, and so on and so forth. I also try and moisturise every day, having switched up my Summer lotion for a thicker, more luxurious body butter. It's half the effort of my summer routine, keeps me in a routine, and keeps my legs looking like a flaky jungle. Plus, I then have those days where I'm not a slave to the razor or salt scrub, and can snuggle up on the couch with a hot chocolate.

Also, For those who, like me, have those extra lazy days, there are always multi-tasking products that wash, exfoliate and moisturise the skin such as Palmolive Coconut Body Butter Shower Scrub, previously reviewed here.

My Winter picks (clockwise): Ecotools EcoPouf Bath Sponge, Palmolive Coconut Body Butter Shower Scrub, The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter, Bic Soleil Disposable Razor

Dermalogica Haul.

Recently, I decided to overhaul my skincare. Sounds reasonable, you say? Well, no. I'm about to triple my income, and genius that I am, decided to spend up big while I was still technically poor. Hello baked beans.

What I bought:

• Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF15
• Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque
• Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
• They chucked in some samples of the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. What lovely folks.

I bought them from ry.com.au for the reasonable prices when compared to salons. I was quite surprised with how quickly the package arrived, too. However, I missed the package delivery and had to collect from the post office. Those of you who follow my twitter would have seen me get quite ranty, but long story short: the lizard woman at the post office caused a bit of drama by withholding my package. In the end, I was able to bring my box of goodies home, and all was well with the world.

Bourjois 3D Effect Gloss: Brun Rose Academic.

You have caught me in the midst of a Bourjois love affair. I have quite a few products from the French brand, and while I'm not one for perpetuating rumours, I just can't help but join in this game of Chinese whispers: Bourjois is rumoured to be manufactured in the same factory as Chanel, placing Bourjois as the baby sister of Chanel.

Do the ties to Chanel influence my feelings for Bourjois? No. How about the Français Chic? Definitely.

Bourjois' 3D Effect Gloss in 03 Brun Rose Academic is, for girls with fair skin and pigmented lips like me, the perfect 'my lips but better' gloss. It's a fleshy mauvey pink with a slight shimmer running through it: definitely a universally flattering colour.

I love that the gloss isn't sticky. I really, really hate sticky lips. If I wanted my hair/random pieces of fluff to stick to my lips, I'd do it myself. However, I do not. Because of this, I am quite picky with my glosses and tend to lean towards balms. The words 'balm action gloss' on the tube of Bourjois' 3D Effect Gloss had me planning our future together through a soft-focus lens.

Like all Bourjois products I've tried, it is heavily scented. I quite like the smell, despite not being able to put my finger on whether it smells like lollies or flowers or something else entirely. If you're overly sensitive to smell, this may grate you.

It claims to last 8 hours. It lies. It's a lipgloss, and it performs like a lipgloss in staying power. It's pretty, glossy and leaves your lips along with the dregs of your mid-morning coffee. This doesn't bother me. Why would anyone expect any more of a gloss?

Rather than a doe-footed applicator, the gloss is applied with a little, plastic-bristled brush. I find this to suit my dry Winter lips, as I'm unsure if it's in my mind or not, but I envision the sponge applicators to have a slight exfoliating action where the dead skin sticks to the applicator and is then dipped back into the gloss... over time there is more old lip skin than product. It may have just occurred to me how ridiculous that thought is, and that I may be crazy in the coconut. It's becoming quite apparent that everything I say should be disregarded immediately.

You can find Bourjois Glosses for AU$22 at Priceline, which is quite expensive for a pharmacy product. I suggest waiting for a promotion, where like me, you can score yourself one for AU$11.

How to avoid eyeshadow fall-out.

Do you have an eyeshadow that you love the colour of, but avoid using because of how fall-out-tacular it is?

Me too. I'm looking at you, Urban Decay's Sidecar (used in my most recent FOTD).

It's not necessarily groundbreaking, but here's how I avoid looking like an utterly ridiculous, glittery mess at the mercy of a glitter-bomb of an eyeshadow:

Hold a tissue under the eye. This will allow any glittery fall out you may have to land on the tissue, rather than on your cheeks where it will inevitably stick for the rest of the day.

Using your personal choice of brush to place all over lid colour, I chose a Sigma Eye Shading E55 brush, apply the eyeshadow to the lid in a padding motion. If you sweep the colour over the eyelid, there is more chance of fall-out making its way to the sides of the eye which aren't covered by the tissue.

Finally, choose a fluffier blending brush, such as the Ecotools blending brush (my favourite) to gently knock off the glitter. Make sure you gently flick the brush downward and through the lengths of your eyelashes so that no particles get lodged in your lashes, or mascara wand, and instead land on the tissue. Keep doing this until you're footloose and glitter free.

Super simple, yet effective.

Palmolive Coconut Body Butter Shower Scrub.

I have repurchased this shower scrub over and over. If it were ever to be discontinued, you'd probably find me watching Beaches, surrounded by tissues and chocolate wrappers. 

I'm all for 2-in-1, as long as the same outcome is achieved as actually just like using the original two products. It all comes with the perils of being a lazy, corner-cutter who is just that little bit vain. Is it so much to ask for a product to do both the claims printed on the bottle, no matter how contradictory?

'Pfft,' says Palmolive. 'We'll raise you, and say we can do 3-in-1.'

And they did. They got a boring old body wash, added some apricot kernel, coconut butter and jojoba oil. Nothing ground breaking, but this is where I remind you that you're reading a blog on which it is acceptable to hold your body wash as the probable pinnacle of day-to-day life. To me, finding the perfect tool to pander to my early morning laziness in a body wash is akin to a housewife's gin at 3pm, or a born again evangelic catching a glimpse of their lord and saviour in the crust of their rye and cheese sandwich.

And so, dear friends, this is why I continue to be completely, utterly drawn in by the 'body butter' in the shower gimmick. I can wash off the dirt, exfoliate and moisturise my skin? I can laugh off the days I'd spent dry brushing, thinking 'pain is gain', and I wont need to stand naked, shivering and cursing the lotion I'm waiting to sink into my skin?

Thank you, Palmolive.

Plus, it smells somewhere sweet coconuts, pineapple and that amazing apple crumble flavoured yoghurt made by a brand I can't remember despite consuming one with gusto nearly every morning. What I'm trying to say is this: it smells good. Delicious, even. 

My one and only gripe? The packaging. The apricot kernel particles stop the lid from clicking on securely; it gets filthy and leaks if you store it the right side up, and because the top is rounded, it's impossible to keep upside down. Sigh, first world problems.

Apologies for the dark photos, it has been rather dreary here of late, and unfortunately, I do not control the weather.

NAK Aroma Argan Oil.

First there was tie-dye, peace rallies, bra-lessness and free love. Sitting on grassy knolls, the only commandment of the early lady-hippy was to pass that spliff to the left. Over time, in came the rooibos tea, vegetarianism, the ousting of dyed rags and reinstatement of the brassiere. It seems, the only hippy trend that made it through the transition from stoned and loved-up to the thinly veiled yuppie of today has been the humble scent of patchouli.

While I may not take a shot of wheatgrass with my morning coffee, and am thankful for full bosom support being in synergy with the feminist within, I do love me some earthy patchouli, a dash of lavender and perhaps some bergamont.

I don't have a long list of self prescribed physical assets, so allow me to toot my own follicular horn here: I love my hair. It is, by far, my favourite feature.  It's long (as it grows rapidly), thick, shiny and naturally wavvy. If it treat it right, it in return air dries exactly how I want it (that's right, I never blow-dry my hair).

However, it wasn't always this way. I spent the entirety of my teenage years fighting my natural colour, wave and thickness: it was constantly bleached, flat-ironed and hacked at with a pair of thinning scissors by my very own amateur hands. I made the executive decision to chop off all of the damage and embrace my hair. I've grown it back out in just over a year, and haven't looked back since.

When damp, I run a tiny amount through the mid-lengths to ends of my hair. I feel as though the oil traps moisture into the follicle, keeping it moisturised and healthy looking. I then style as usual, which for me, involves finding my parting and letting it air-dry. Once dry, I assess for the dreaded frizzies, and if needed, rub a dot of NAK Aroma Argan oil between my palms and smooth it over my hair as a serum.

I've been using NAK Aroma Argan Oil every day for around three months now, and I've used no more than an eighth of the bottle. It's going to last me an absolute age, which makes this new-found essential fantastic value for money at AU$37. 

My hair has never looked better; it's shiny, soft and de-frizzed. My hair also looks less ratty from split ends between trims. I've had strangers compliment my hair. For me, argan oil truly is the miracle product it is touted to be. However, it is quite a heavy product, and would warn fine-haired friends who seek volume away from it.

Coastal Scents 26 Colour Shadow Blush Combo Palette.

It's strange writing a review about something you've not been able to clearly work out your own feelings for, but it seems the longer I leave it, the less clear it all becomes. The Coastal Scents 26 Colour Shadow Blush Combo Palette has become an enigma of sorts, somehow avoiding the boot from my makeup drawer despite it being a lesser palette than those I actually reach for.

I suppose the colour selection (which is excellent) has me reasoning that I'll one day need a peach other than what's in my Inglot Freedom Palette, and perhaps a matte brown that the Naked Palette doesn't offer. The truth is, such a scenario has yet to arise. I find three quarters of the eyeshadows completely unworkable. Some are too soft; they crumble and leave behind fallout like no other. Others lack pigmentation.

A selection of my favourite shadows swatched:

A selection of the neutral, matte brown shadows (and a random, unpigmented peachy colour) swatched:

Perhaps it's the blushes. There are five to choose from, and while I don't have five cheeks, I do like options. Unfortunately, the Coastal Scents options are three ridiculous, unwearable shades of chalky mess and two pretty-in-the-pan colours with zero pigmentation. Proof (I had to layer the second and third from the left for it to even show up in this swatch):

While the colour selection is excellent, and there are certainly some stand out gems - with the strange blush colour choices, and 21 eyeshadows with the collective pigment needed for seven or eight; you get your US$19.95 worth.

Guest Post: Inglot Cream Foundation.

Dear Inglot Cream Foundation (Number 22), 

I've been wearing you for well over three years now. This sentence makes me cringe, being that I hate all mention of the passage of time. God Damn, Inglot! When I smoothed you onto my plump 22 year old skin I thought you were going to take me places (I fancied Uraguay, you preferred Antarctica.) When I pasted you with gusto over my hormonal 23 year old dermis, when I sadly patted you over my 24 year old carcass, when I slicked you over my 25 year old corpse (eyes averted from the mirror and the mockery you've made of us both...) What about the promises, Inglot? You told me I looked hot! "Flawless," I believe, were your exact words. I remember that one time at the fruit and vegetable store. I loved glancing at us both in all those shop mirrors, and laughing at the oranges in their wrinkly old peels. Oh, we both loved it, we really did. 

But there was one big problem, wasn't there. You've got no sticking power. You're a fair-weather friend, a good-time Gertrude. You're a drag. I mean, sure thing, in the mornings you look fantastic, all velvety and glowing and soft. You slide on like silk, and you're the perfect natural colour. You give me cheeks like a baby's business end. I do love that about you. Come three-thirty, however, not only do I have a mean craving for a cup a soup, but I also have to deal with the fact that you've gone and done your best impression of a pat of butter! It really annoys me, I work so hard, and for what? For your premature evacuation! Every flaw, clogged pore (I blame you for those, by the way,) every pimple and wrinkle. It's all there, for the world to deride. You let me down, Inglot. Real bad. 

I blame you for the fact that I never got a promotion, never got flown around the world to eat crudites and canapes. No Ma'am. As of now, I am sitting in my parent's lounge room eating chocolate and chicken. In that order. Go figure.

Sure, Inglot, there were OK times. You didn't give me hives. That's something. You didn't smell like earwigs. Also a good thing.

Enough reminiscing. I'm through with you, Inglot! I've made the decision to find something better. I'm moving on. Don't try to call me, I'll be too busy chatting to a hot man with a five o clock shadow and a South American accent. He'll probably be complimenting me on my skin.

Love,

Guest Blogger

Inglot Cream Foundation has previously been reviewed here.

Inglot Cream Concealer VS Bourjois Healthy Mix Corrective Concealer.

Inglot Cream Concealer and Bourjois Healthy Mix Corrective Concealer are, hands down, my two favourite concealers.

Both concealers are somewhat hydrating. They'd be fantastic for drier skins. I like the creaminess of both the Inglot and the Bourjois concealers for covering blemishes. They both are medium, but buildable coverage, which I like. I find heavier coverage concealers cling to the dry skin around a healing blemish, go cakey and have the opposite effect you're looking for: emphasising the pimple. To me, concealing pimples is about covering the redness.

Unfortunately, the creaminess of the concealers does mean they are prone to creasing when used under the eye. I rectify this by blending my eyeshadow primer under my eyes before applying concealer, and making sure to buff the concealer in with a fluffy blending brush. I then set the concealer with a super finely milled, non illuminating powder. I use Urban Decay's Primer Potion, a Sigma Tapered Blending E40 (which sheds somewhat) and Face of Australia Translucent powder. However, I don't have super dark under eye circles. If you're looking to cover blueness, I'd suggest something with heavier coverage, and perhaps in a correcting colour (pink/salmon undertones).

It is in the colour selection that Inglot eclipses Bourjois. At my local pharmacy, only two colours of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Corrective concealers were available (there are three on the Bourjois website), whereas Inglot are known for their colour range, and according to the Inglot website, have 18 shades to choose from (including corrective colours). I was matched somewhat off at the Inglot counter, and find the shade 26 to be a tad too dark. Similarly, the limited colour range Bourjois offers meant that the closest to my skintone, which is 51, is slightly too light for me. For reference in MAC terms, I hover somewhere between NC15 and NC20.

As you can see from the above picture, the Inglot concealer is somewhat thicker than the Bourjois. However, when blended out, they both have an identical finish in consistency and opaqueness.

I don't normally associate base makeup, such as foundation or concealer with pleasant smells, yet both the Inglot and Bourjois concealers smell really nice. The best part is, unlike many products with fragrance, neither are irritating on sensitive skin. Forget that horrible acrylic paint smell, I now cover my blemishes and under eye circles with Bourjois' faint apricot and raspberry, or Inglot's barely there passionfruit-ish scent.

I can't fault the packaging with either concealer. I love the clear packaging because you can see exactly how much product is left. An important point for acne-prone skin; they both come in hygienic tubes, where the product is squeezed out of a nozzle. Unlike doe-footed wand applicators, there is no dipping back into the tube, which fosters acne-causing bacteria growth.

The Bourjois Healthy Mix Corrective Concealer retails for AU$22 at Priceline, who regularly have sales, so it's worth waiting for the 50% sale like I did.

I paid AU$26 for the Inglot Cream Concealer at my local counter.

You get 10mL of product in each.

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