Rimmel Colour Show Off Lipstick: Pink Gossip.

Fist up, the packaging is something I'm sure most people love. I hate it. I find the chunky, cheap looking pink thing tacky and embarrassing to whip out if I need to reapply. Luckily the product itself is worth it.

The colour is just amazing. Pink Gossip is a cool toned super bright pink. Think MAC Impassioned (dupe post here), just one shade lighter.

The lipstick is super pigmented. The above swatch is literally two swipes.

I really love the formulation. It's a demi-matte, so not particularly moisturising but not quite as drying as a matte. On exfoliated lips over a thin layer of balm Pink Gossip is beautifully velvety and long wearing.

High Five: Mascara.

No matter how hard I try, I can never seen to keep from rotating mascaras. I aim to have a maximum of two open but it normally escalates to five quickly. As soon as I open a sixth, I force myself to chuck one out.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping mascara

I love the volume this mascara gives. What I don't love is having to constantly check for panda eyes.

Covergirl Lash Blast Length mascara

This is a nice mascara. Just nice.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear mascara

Wonderful, beautiful, amazing. I love this mascara. I love the formula, the wand and the cute leaf packaging. It's definitely for day wear as it gives natural looking volume and length. 

Neutrometics Lash Lightening mascara*

This is bizarre. There is a button on the lid of the wand that turns on two small led lights, which in theory help you see what you're doing if you ever fancy applying mascara in the dark. Two things: these lights are blinding and actually hinder application and who would apply mascara in the dark?

Fairy Drops Scandal Queen mascara

This is a tubing mascara. The only good thing I have to say about this mascara is about the adorable packaging. Otherwise, I hate the formula and the dicky wand.

I need to make a special mention to my favourite mascara that I don't have on hand at the moment: Australis Lash TLC.

*Product supplied for consideration.

Shopping the Stash: Week 1.

With so much makeup, it's all to easy to neglect products. There is always something new and shiny to distract you from the things you should be using. It's time to switch these back in.

I've been 'shopping my stash' for quite a while in ignorant bliss to the rest of the beauty blogging community doing just that with their own fancy term. I'd thought I was quite clever with my basket atop my dresser with my weekly ining and outing of products. How did I get to be under this rock?

Anyway.

This week I've thrown in some cult classics that I've not been touching (probably due to the nausea of hearing everyone quip on and on about them). It's really shown me that high quality doesn't always mean something is exempt from neglect.

Make Up For Ever HD foundation

This isn't a terrible foundation, but it's certainly not deserving of all the attention it got for making an already unattainably beautiful girl with perfect skin pose for them and patting themselves on the back for doing what all cosmetics advertisements should be doing anyway: no Photoshop. I really just want to use this average product up, to be honest.

Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF15 Kissyfit*

I need to actively force myself to wear glosses. This is a touch more sticky than I'd want, but the lasting power can be attributed to this. But damn this is a beautiful colour.

Stila Kajal eye liner Topaz

This colour is far from what I imagine 'topaz' to be. I was bananas for this when I first got this. Then I stuck it in my drawer and completely forgot about it. I was considering buying the MAC version when it hit me I had this within arm's reach. Ridiculous.

Benefit Porefessional primer*

I have at least five primers. I only use one (Face of Australia Face Base*). Thankfully, I included my backup of the one I use in my tally. Unfortunately, Porefessional didn't make the cut. I just hate that it's going to waste.

MAC Studio Finish concealer

This is quite caky for under the eyes. My skin has been pretty rubbish lately so I'm planning on using this on my blemishes. It's been lingering in my collection too long.

Fairy Drops Mascara

I hate this mascara. But I've only used it once. I'm hoping a second chance may change my mind. Key word: hoping.

Urban Decay Naked palette

I really need to give my Inglot shadows a break. My love for them has become a monster unto itself. I'm hoping to wean myself off by using this very lovely but sadly neglected palette.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner Flatter Me

I love this. I have no idea why I never reach for it. No excuses.

NARS Orgasm & Laguna duo

I am so so so so so so so so so so sick of the NARS powder cheek product hysteria. Laguna straight out sucks and Orgasm is meh. If I'm not convinced by the end of the week, this is being ousted from my collection.

Do you shop your stash?

*Product supplied for consideration.

Korres Lip Butters.

Above, swatches of Korres Lip Butters: Jasmine, Pomegranate, Mango, Quince & Wild Rose.

Korres is a gem of a Greek brand (as can be guessed from the Grecian characters on the packaging) with a focus on natural and certified organic ingredients and formulations. Originally exclusively a skincare brand, Korres has branched out into makeup and hair care.

As far as I know, a picture is worth a thousand words. Imagine how many words a gif is worth. A bajillion maybe. So, here is a gif that I feel accurately conveys my feelings for Korres (pronounced kor-rez) Lip Butters:

Just replace the fried chicken and racial profiling with Korres Lip Butters and gender stereotyping.

What Korres say:

A buttery lip balm that melts on the lips and offers a shiny, tinted finish. The combination of Shea butter and Rice wax offers deep hydration and softness. Ideal for chapped lips.

They are very moisturising balms. After wearing one for the day, my lips feel soft and conditioned. The colour pay-off is a tint. They're not opaque but they're not invisible by any means. They're not particularly long lasting in both tint and scent, but reapplication is far from a nuisance with such fresh, true-to-name scents. It is what I adore most about these balms.

Jasmine is an extremely light petal pink. On my lips it's completely sheer. This is my favourite smelling of the lot; definitely not strong jasmine flower, rather crisp spun sugar and velvety petals.

Pomegranate is a red-pink that smells like it's namesake: a fresh, ripe pomegranate. Korres' fruity smells are definitely not artificial or cloyingly sweet.

Mango is a gorgeous sheer orange. Again, this smells like a bite of fresh mango. The names are literal.

Quince is an incredible pink with a coolness to it. It smells like a quince straight from the tree, definitely not a sickly quince jam.

Wild Rose is terrifyingly dark in the pot, but as can be seen from the swatch, is a lovely purple tint. Unlike all other rose scented anything, this is very faint but definitely there. Rather than sticking your nose in the flower, it is as though you've just walked past a fragrant rose and picked up a hint of the smell.

Some may disagree after reading about the smell of each balm, but I am very happy these balms are flavourless. There is nothing I loathe more than sickly sweet tasting lip products.

In line with the company ethos, these lip butters are free of mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethenolamine.

Korres Lip Butters are happiness in a well designed jar. While a tube may be more hygienic, I love the packaging. Everything from the well chosen fonts to the coloured lids that make it easy to identify the flavour at a glance. Unfortunately, you only get 6 g of product per pot.

As far as I know I am only missing Guava and Plum from my collection of Korres Lip Butters. To which I say, 'soon, my pretties.'

I am absolutely smitten with Korres Lip butters. Dare I say it? Yes I do: HG.

Australis Creme Colour for Lips & Cheeks: Flirtatious Pink.

Above, left to right, Australis Creme Colour Flirtatious Pink swatched heavily and then blended out.

I love Australis. It is amongst my favourite pharmacy (drugstore or high street) brands. I have loved everything I've tried from the brand (eyeshadow, mascara, blush) and the fact it's Australian certainly doesn't go astray. So I didn't hesitate when grabbing this off the shelf.

The colour is lovely. It's you're typical medium pink, a shade or so lighter than NYX cream blush in Glow.

In the pot it looks free of shimmer, but once blended out onto the skin there is just the tiniest hint of sparkle. If I'm using a cream blush, it's because I want a completely natural looking hint of colour with the beautiful dewiness. I don't want shimmer.

This cream blush is a nice consistency. It blends nicely. But it's forever sticky.

This is marketed as a muli-use product for both the lips and cheeks. I find it much, much too drying for the lips. No biggie, I didn't buy it for my lips.

This is a highly scented product. I believe it's eucalyptus. Yes. Eucalyptus. The scent of my floor cleaner. Why, Australis? Why?

I am disappoint.

Clinique Chubby Sticks VS Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Crayons.

Above swatches: Clinique Chunky Cherry*, Face of Australia Macaron*, Clinique Richer Raisin*, Face of Australia Sundae*.

We all know I love a novelty, and applying my tinted lip balm via the means of an implement that bares resemblance to an enormous Crayola crayon is one of them. As the Chairman on Iron Chef did, I too am keen to see whose cuisine reigns supreme in the battle of the jumbo lip crayons. Will it be the high end Clinique or brand-next-door Face of Australia?

The packaging is nearly identical. Where Clinique have opted for silver, Face of Australia have clear plastic (lid) and continue with the same colour plastic as the body for the wind-up mechanism part. Both use the colour of the product for the majority of the packaging making it easy to distinguish the colour at a glance. I love the packaging for both and would go as far as saying it is the major draw card, and while Clinique is more 'grown up', Face of Australia inches in front for keeping truest to the secret ingredient: the humble crayon.

As far as formulation goes, you can see from the swatches which is creamier and more pigmented. Hint: it's the Face of Australia. The Clinique Chubby Sticks are a lot sheerer and have more of a waxy feel on the lips. I find the Clinique leaves a film rather than a gloss on my lips which I don't find particularly moisturising at all. However, this is where Clinique hit back. The waxiness may not be as moisturising or glossy, but it is longer lasting.

The two products tie in the scent stakes. I enjoy the non-cloying vanilla scent of Face of Australia's lip crayons but also see the value in Clinique's scentless lip crayons.

But then Face of Australia come out on top again in the price stakes. A14.95 for three Face of Australia Sheer Glossy Lip Crayons vs A$35 for one chubby stick? Math!

Now that the awkward taste-test is over, it is unanimous. Along with the Chairman, doctor, actress and (the occasionally appearing) psychic, this beauty blogger has ticked the score card. In a landslide victory, Face of Australia takes the title for their superior packaging, formula and price.

I still love my Chubby Sticks, particularly for their wider shade range, they've just been out-done.

*Product supplied for consideration.

MAC Lipsticks: Brights.

Swatched, left to right, MAC Vegas Volt, MAC Viva Glam Nicki and MAC Impassioned.

Lipsticks are the only MAC product I consider to be truly worth the hysteria that surrounds the brand, and with the inclusion of Viva Glam Nicki, I feel like my little collection of MAC brights is coming along nicely (unlike the herbs in my window planter box).

I'm hoping to add Lady Danger (bright, orange red) and Rebel (dark fushia) to the party soon. Even though they've been releasing some gorgeous looking brights in their collections, I've been resisting (mainly because limited edition irks me).

EVO Haze Styling Powder.

So lately I've been going for the purposefully grungy IDGAF messy, knotty hair thing to disguise the fact my hair is normally messy, knotty and grungy despite my best efforts to make it otherwise. Basically I do GAF.

My salon-owning hairdresser friend aligns her salon with the brand Evo. And all three - the brand, the salon and the friend - are bleep blop blerp all the way to Coolsville (somewhere I'm not invited). So naturally when she tossed this little square of sassy blurb, I frothed for it.

By the way, the blurb reads: "If you've just washed your hair and you're dreading the next three days of baby-haired-mopville, then a little of this styling powder will go a long way."

Ho ho, yes yes. Marvellous.

After I've let my hair air dry into the awkward thing it does, I dust a bit of this onto my hand, rub my palms together and rake it through my hair. What I'm left with is a little less shit and a little more fuck yes. My hair has body, is matte and texturised.

On second or third day hair, I rub a little extra into the roots at the underside of my parting for a but more volume.

This salon-owning friend also informs me that Evo was founded in Adelaide.

When this little sample size runs out I will really feel the sting of what 'effortless' IDGAF hair costs when I shell out the RRP A$29.99.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Sleek By 3 Sugar.

I really like the idea of the Sleek By 3 blush palettes. They're like the 'choose your own ending' Goosebumps books in the way you can use each colour individually or layer them up with another, or even both. How nifty.

The palette I have is called Sugar, and from what I can gather, it's the darkest of the By 3's Sleek has to offer. Dark skinned ladies take note. There's a (slightly terrifying) matte red, a rusty red with gold shimmer and a matte apricot.

The blush is lovely and pigmented, each colour easy to blend.

Sleek By 3 blush palette in Sugar swatched below. Left to right: Turbinado, Muscovado and Demerara.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki is a stunningly bright lipstick. It's bright, milky baby pink. Definitely not the the feint of heart.

Viva Glam Nicki has the typical vanilla MAC lipstick scent. It's a satin, so it's a completely opaque demi-matte. I find most satin formulations to be the halfway point between matte and cremesheen.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki swatched below.

Thank you to Gaelle from The Makeup Fairy for hosting such an excellent giveaway and for giving me the chance to try these awesome goodies.

Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons.

Macarons, sundaes, cupcakes and jumbo crayons, oh my! Those nifty ladies over at the Face of Australia think-factory have done it again with these fantastic crayons meets lipbalms meets sweet desserts.

The Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons are lightweight, non-sticky balms that feel quite moisturising on the lips. They smell of delicious vanilla, thankfully not sickly or artificial in any way, and have no taste. Also, quite cleverly, they wind up. No need to purchase a jumbo sharpener.

While the balminess lasts on the lips for quite a while, the colour fades reasonably quickly which is to be expected of tinted balms. However, I really don't mind whipping out a vanilla-scented jumbo crayon to colour my lips in every hour or so. This is a novelty I can barely imagine waning.

Each balm in the pack of three is a winner. I can definitely see myself using and loving each of them equally, as a mother should with her children.

Swatched above, left to right: Sundae, Cupcake and Macaron.

Sundae appears to be a warm brown in the tube, but for me (and my naturally pigmented lips), is definitely a very flattering sheer my-lips-but-better, almost peachy shade.

Cupcake is the ever popular cool toned baby pink, only sheer and glossy.
Macaron is a sheer red, leaning slightly pink.

Colour me a sheer, glossy shade of pink/red/my-lips-but-better.

Available from June for a very sweet A$14.95. Go, go, go!

Product supplied for consideration. My thoughts are genuine whether scathing or fawning, all opinions are my own.

Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation.

I always thought a luminous matte finish was an oxymoron. Enter Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Luminous Matte Fluid Makeup SPF 15.

This foundation promises many things; staying power, a matte finish and a radiant lit-from-within glow. I 'pished' and I 'poshed' and promptly added it to my cart. The lure of owning something Chanel was too much.

The packaging is incredible in theory. It is so very Chanel to have a foundation in a sleek, rectangular weighty frosted glass bottle. The black lid with the Chanel logo was the clincher. In the five minutes I apply my foundation each morning I become a classy French woman who sultrily whispers 'baguette' and 'fromage' to her reflection in the mirror. The downside, you ask? The matte formulation causes the product to coagulate on contact with air, clogging the pump.

The finish of the foundation is something I almost can't describe without getting fromage-y. I now understand the difference between dewy and glowy, this foundation being the latter.

Mat Lumiere is soap opera skin in a bottle; soft, flawless and radiant. Despite being a medium coverage foundation Chanel Mat Lumiere leaves your skin looking youthful. A thin layer all over is soft and glowy enough to pass for real skin all the while doing an impressive job of evening skin-tone and smoothing over flaws. It truly is the real life equivalent to a vaseline smothered camera lens.

The staying power is wonderful. It lasts the distance on my oily-combination skin throughout the working day without powdering. After the seventh or eighth hour, oil begins to peek through in my t-zone.

I am also quite impressed with the colour selection Chanel offers pale people. Most brands assume that if you're pale, you're bound to have pink undertones. As a pale girl with yellow undertones (a MAC NC20), I have found the perfect match in 20 Claire.

Unfortunately, this foundation is ridiculously expensive. The fact this foundation feels lightweight, doesn't break me out and gives me a long-lasting healthy glow is worth the hefty price tag. Plus, it's Chanel.

High Five: Slightly Shimmery Red Polish.

We all have our beauty niches. Whether it's a colour or finish (or even both) many of us find ourselves squirreling away several peach blushes, others a handful of taupe eyeshadows (or even both). I'm certainly guilty.

Lately, it seems I've unknowingly been on the hunt for the perfect slightly shimmery red polish. Here's my top five.

Face of Australia Flaming Lava (thumb)

From the Molten Metallics collection, this is a deeper, true red version of Revlon Frankly Scarlet (below).

Revlon Frankly Scarlet (index finger)

The colour that started it all. This is the most stunning Campbell's tomato soup orange/red with gold microshimmer. I haven't seen this in store so I'm rationing it.

OPI Meep Meep Meep (middle finger)

From The Muppets collection. This is Beaker in a colour. A pinky red with flakie shimmer. Meeeeeep Meeeeeeep!

OPI Wocka Wocka! (ring finger)

Another one from The Muppets collection. This is a true red, a pin-up red with super miniscule silver microshimmer. I am kicking myself I only got the mini.

Sportsgirl Nail It Glamour (pinkie finger)

Very similar to OPI Wocka Wocka! only more burgundy with barely there silver microshimmer.

What do you gravitate towards?

Revlon Lashes.

A package arrived for me with the news that Revlon have brought their range of false eyelashes and lash glue to our shores.

Normally I wouldn't blog about something like this, it doesn't sit right with me to be an advertising pawn, but I feel that Australians with a genuine interest in makeup have a harder time finding good quality, reasonably priced false lashes without turning to internet retailers. 

For instance, for a party I had my heart set on dressing up as Priscilla Presley (in her heyday, not the current day surgery enthusiast) which called for a pair of serious lashes for the top and a couple short individuals for the bottom lash line. I left it until the day of the party and do you think I could find any?

I went as Priscilla anyway and not a single person guessed who I was dressed as. I blame the lack of lashes (but more realistically it could just be that she's not exactly an A-grade celebrity. Sorry Pris.)

The range includes (clockwise from top left) Beyond Natural Defining double pack A$17.99, Precision Lash Adhesive A$9.99, Fantasy Lengths dramatic 3x volume lashes A$9.99 and Beyond Natural individual lashes A$9.99.

I have never mastered false lashes myself, but sure hope to with the help of these easily accessible lashes. 

Disclaimer: Products supplied for consideration.

Santorini Sun: Sunless Tanning Cream & Intensive Cellulite Treatment.

Santorini Sun is an organic skin care line developed in Melbourne and inspired by its founders' ties to the magical Greek landscape of Santorini. Containing completely natural ingredients, Santorini Sun is free of parabens, artificial colours, no mineral oils, no synthetic ingredients and contain only 100% certified natural ingredients.

I'll admit I am not as stringent with cutting out parabens from the products I use as I probably should be. Too many times I have switched my shampoos, foundations and whatnot only to find that natural, paraben free doesn't always leave me with my desired effect and have inevitably switched back my my 'old faithful' full of nasties in order to have shiny, grease-free hair and makeup that lasts the distance. If I find something that works better than what I was using and happens to be free of parabens and mineral oils - well, that's just an added bonus for me.

When these two products landed on my desk I couldn't help but turn my nose up at the logo. What you see between the mirrored, symmetrical letter 'S' is a toosh with white bikini bottoms allowing it a smidge of dignity. What takes that dignity away from the Intensive Cellulite Treatment is the tagline 'Booti Beauti'., the Sunless Tanning Cream simply reads 'Sun'. From this alone, these are not products I would purchase for myself if I saw them on a shelf.

Add in the fact I have no plans to wear bikinis, have never considered fake tanning my pale pallor and keep my cellulite under wraps.

However, as the weather is freezing, I saw no harm in trying out the Sunless Tanning Cream on my legs. They'll be covered in opaque tights lest they turn a frightful orange. I followed the directions; exfoliate, dry off, rub cream into skin evenly (thinly over hands, feet, knees and elbows), washed my hands off and went about my day. I had a friend in high school who used to go overboard on self-tanners, and I remember she always had a strange smell about her from it. I'm pleased to say this has no offensive smell.

I was surprised to report how impressed I was at the results. My ankles were a little unsightly, but I'll admit that was more due to my being a self-tanning novice. Otherwise, it was smooth, even and not at all a terrifying orange. There was no transfer onto my clothes/sheets and the colour faded gradually rather than in patches. 

Now, onto the Intensive Cellulite Cream. There is no way around this. I am a sceptic. I honestly do not believe anything you apply to the surface of your skin (short of acid) is going to make a marked difference to dimply thighs. The package claims the secret behind the product is a 'miracle cocktail' which on inspection of the ingredients appear to be aloe vera, hair of horsetail (striking this from the vegan list), various flowers, berries and ginger, amongst others (possibly eye of newt).

Sorry to say but despite following the directions, I haven't seen a difference to my cellulite. My skin is noticeably softer and smooth to the touch (which I also attribute to the exfoliating) but my cellulite still remains. I wish I could say otherwise. It smells pretty nice though; juicy oranges. Delicious.

Products supplied for consideration. This in no way alters my review whether scathing or fawning.

Too Faced Mocha Mi Amore Blush.

I call this blush 'cheekbones in a pan' somewhat ironically. I am certain this would be just that for most people: instant model bone structure with one sweep. But I have a face to rival Blyton's treacle-loving Moonface.

Sigh.

It's a gorgous bronzed plum colour with very subtle gold sheeny shimmer - rejoice, no chunky glitter - that works with everything I match it with: bold, nude, smoky, subtle, warm, cool.

It's a smooth, blendable powder. It applies sheer and can be built up for the pale girl's bronzed glow without your face screaming I AM BENEATH A DUSTING OF BRONZER, SNEEZE COUGH SPLUTTER.

While it doesn't define what cannot be defined (my cheekbones) I feel as drawn to this blush as Moonface to his treacle. Round-faced quirks unite.

SAX Rick Lip Colour Lipstick: Classic Red & Coral.

Swatched, top to bottom: SAX Rich Colour Lipstick Coral, SAX Rich Colour Lipstick Classic Red, SAX Creme Precision Lipliner Red.

Some time ago, I wrote a review of a SAX lipstick. It got lost somewhere in the abyss of archived posts but I do remember the general gist: I love the lipstick and I think there is something wrong with my nose. Well. Here I am in the present with two more SAX lipsticks to write that I love these lipsticks and I think there is something wrong with my nose. Still.

SAX Rich Colour Lipsticks are lovely; as richly pigmented as their name touts them to be, in lovely colours, creamy and moisturising (they contain calendula, evening primrose, jojoba, vitamin E, candelilla, beeswax and silk powder).

But here we go for the second time.

The faint aniseed smell. I swear it is there. In fact, I love that it is there. But according to everyone's nose who I have thrust a SAX lipstick under, I am insane.

Whatever. Just look at Coral. Is that not the most incredible colour?

RRP AU$14.95, SAX Rich Lip Colour Lipsticks come in six shades. Check here for stockists.

Disclaimer: Product supplied for consideration. My reviews are genuine, whether scathing or fawning. All opinions are my own.

Coconut Oil.

Some turn to religion when in need of a miracle, others buy a lottery ticket. I grab for my jar of organic virgin expeller pressed coconut oil.

It's an excellent cuticle oil. When my cuticles are particularly parched and in need of nourishment, I rub a dot of coconut oil into them.

My favourite use for this wonder-goop is a hair treatment. Simply slather the hair root to tip, massage into my scalp to soothe any itchiness, prevent dandruff and stimulate the follicle (to speed up hair growth), then wrap it all up into a glad-wrap turban and sleep on it. Shampoo, condition and style the next morning as usual and you'll be silky smooth.

For extra moisture in extra dry areas, use coconut oil. For example, in place of a heel balm. No need to buy specialised creams for certain areas.

I use it in place of olive oil as a cooking oil. It is a more stable fat, unlike olive oil which turns into a free radical when exposed to heat.

Coconut oil is a seriously good lip balm, but can be quite messy and impractical to carry around without decanting some into a container. Otherwise, I've found it to be an exceptional lip treatment and I apply it every night before bed.

A dab of coconut oil warmed between the palms and smoothed over flyaways fixes frizz and adds shine, just like a hair serum.

I use coconut oil in the place of shaving cream and also as my post-shave body moisturiser. Similarly, I smooth a bit of coconut oil onto razor burn, ingrown hairs and any nicks and cuts as it is soothing and creates a barrier to keep out infections.

And finally, I eat a teaspoon of coconut oil with my vitamins to maximise absorption. 

These are the ways I use coconut oil. I'm sure there are a zillion other uses. Maybe even a zillion zillion. I'll take those odds over gambling and warming a pew.