tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64808837126942824592024-03-13T20:10:11.821-07:00Catherine Reviews StuffCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-78298265225743402692014-06-04T19:30:00.000-07:002014-06-04T19:31:23.515-07:00Liz Earle Skin Tint in Bare 01<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KmPRy0O-6Y40YC8SxgfjQhpAsCYb1LsF7L6nT4zPpi1XO-kgNiyNRAkiwtEmiwKZI6fwOHoGDYgmIdCwA8xSHo930KAG1lWUcwDkQXaY2dw_rXiMMXCcf0FpmlNMn-aN5KDvk1Bj7DKm/s1600/IMG_20140605_101721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KmPRy0O-6Y40YC8SxgfjQhpAsCYb1LsF7L6nT4zPpi1XO-kgNiyNRAkiwtEmiwKZI6fwOHoGDYgmIdCwA8xSHo930KAG1lWUcwDkQXaY2dw_rXiMMXCcf0FpmlNMn-aN5KDvk1Bj7DKm/s1600/IMG_20140605_101721.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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A ways back I wrote about my <a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/laura-mercier-oil-free-tinted.html" target="_blank">first impressions</a> of the <b>Laura Mercier Oil free Tinted Moisturiser.</b> Now, maybe a year later, I stumbled upon another tinted moisturiser that I think I love <i>even more. </i>It's the <b>Liz Earle Skin Tint </b>in Bare 01. I have been using Liz Earle skin care for several years now, way before they even released their makeup line. However, I hadn't really tried anything from their makeup line because I really don't like ordering make up unseen and there is no Liz Earle counter here. I always feel like that no matter how many swatches and reviews you read you'll never really know exactly how the product will look and feel.<br />
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However, when I ordered my usual skincare order they had a special deal where you got a full sized skint tint in the colour of your choice. I quite like wearing a sheer coverage base during the day so I thought I'd make an effort and give this one a try, it was free after all! I ended up being pleasantly surprised, the colour match is great for my skin, even better than the Laura Mercier offering which can be a little too dark and yellow sometimes. </div>
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The coverage is super minimal but the sheer wash helps even out my skin and helps concealer blend in better, all while still looking super natural. It does give a very glowy effect which is really good for my dry, sometimes dull skin but probably means that those with oily skin should steer clear. The formula can be a little tacky after it's first applied but I find applying a finely milled sheer powder on top helps. Despite its texture I feel like this skin tint has pretty good staying power especially because I don't use a primer with it.</div>
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Even though I got this free with purchase I would definitely consider purchasing it again especially considering it works out to be cheaper than the Laura Mercier TM offering at 21GBP for 40mL. It has SPF 15 and is available on the <a href="http://uk.lizearle.com/face" target="_blank">Liz Earle website</a> which ships internationally.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swatch: Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in Bare 01</td></tr>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-50227874582884806792014-05-21T21:39:00.000-07:002014-05-22T14:56:24.227-07:00By Terry in Review: Light Expert and Touch Expert Advanced Well, it certainly has been a long time since I posted on this blog. There are probably a few different reasons for my absence but none of them really warrant wasting space here.<br />
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I do have a post for you today about two well-tested products from <b>By Terry. </b>The first is the <b>Light Expert </b>in the shade 1 - Rosy Light and the second is the <b>Touch Expert Advanced </b>in the shade 1. These products both have a in built brush with a click-pen mechanism. The smaller product of the two, the <b>Touch Expert </b>is a concealer/highlighter hybrid and the <b>Light Expert </b>is a foundation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Terry Touch Expert Advanced and Light Expert.</td></tr>
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The <b>Touch Expert Advanced </b>is a product in the same vein as the <b>YSL Touche Eclat</b>. In fact, apart from the shade selection and the colour of the packaging they may as well be the same product. This is unsurprising, however, as the creator of By Terry, Terry de Gunzburg, was involved in the development of the original YSL product. I have previously used the <b>YSL Touche Eclat </b>and liked it enough to repurchase it. I do think that I prefer the <b>By Terry </b>version because it seems to give slightly better coverage and I like the peachy pink tone better than the shade of the <b>Touche Eclat </b>I was using. It works very well as an under-eye concealer and a highlighter and I use it in conjunction with the <b>Nars Radiant Touch Concealer </b>in Chantilly as a blemish concealer.<br />
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The only real con with the <b>Touch Expert Advanced </b>is its price. The <b>By Terry Touch Expert Advanced </b>is 68AUD vs. 55AUD for the <b>YSL </b>version. All in all I would still recommend this product but if you are already using the <b>YSL Touche Eclat </b>and liking it I see no real reason to spend $13 more on the <b>By Terry </b>version.<br />
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The <b>Light Expert </b>foundation is a little more controversial. It seems that it is supposed to be similar to the <b>Touch Expert Advanced </b>as it is also a click-pen just in a foundation form. Firstly, I would be hesitant to call this a foundation, mostly because it is <i>very </i>sheer, sheerer than some BB creams or tinted moisturisers. The sheerness does however lend itself to its mode of application with its built-in brush which supposedly means you can just click, swipe it on, blend and go. It's a product that should deliver maximum results for minimum effort. But does it? Not <i>exactly. </i>The brush doesn't really apply the product evenly (see swatch below) and it's also pretty clumsy and useless for blending. A lot of the time I click some onto my hand and use another brush to apply and blend. When I'm in a rush I do sometimes blob it straight on to my face and blend out with my fingers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L: Touch Expert Advanced (shade 1) R: Light Expert (shade 1)</td></tr>
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The formula itself is very blendable and I love the shade match. It really does brighten the skin and blur imperfections without looking like you're wearing anything. I bought this when I was in New York for around 45USD and it was great whilst I was travelling because it was so compact and still relatively easy to apply. Despite its issues it's a lovely base product for people who don't like wearing base products.<br />
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Have you tried any of the <b>By Terry </b>base products? What do you think?<br />
<3 Catherine<br />
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<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-35624504619757913752013-02-26T18:01:00.000-08:002013-02-26T18:01:08.553-08:00First Impressions: Illamasqua, Soap & Glory and MAC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINIsYoxiufLvbByqXgDLPVC89vCxh3OH5NSQ1JhzNFO8C9IHOFUD9iqJZcGjTCC3E5sBnslWfEhXYZcpbWO5QoccliW_ASTxYdgqlcUDCtL8-jNtjlThDT09ZCmWjVgpLZk0G7y3hs7rF/s1600/soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINIsYoxiufLvbByqXgDLPVC89vCxh3OH5NSQ1JhzNFO8C9IHOFUD9iqJZcGjTCC3E5sBnslWfEhXYZcpbWO5QoccliW_ASTxYdgqlcUDCtL8-jNtjlThDT09ZCmWjVgpLZk0G7y3hs7rF/s400/soap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are a few new products that I purchased recently first <strong>Soap & Glory's Pulp Friction Foaming Body Scrub. </strong>I love the branding of Soap & Glory products, the packaging is bright and girly but not too contrived or childish (I'm looking at you Benefit) and the product names are usually clever and are sometimes a bit cheeky which I like. I've used this a couple of times and I really like it so far, it seems to do the exfoliate well and I really like the way it foams. The smell might not suit those who dislike fruity scents but it doesn't linger after you've rinsed it away.<br />
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I recently ran out of my <strong>Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation</strong> (review <a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/foundation-dilemma-chanel-vitalumiere.html">here</a>) and after hearing that <strong>Illamasqua</strong> was touted as a brand good for pale skin I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, there is no counter near me so I bought the <strong>Skin Base </strong>in number 2 online, relying on various Google image-searched swatches. It's not a bad colour match as it matches my neck and shoulders perfectly but because of its paleness and its medium-coverage (I'm used to a much lighter coverage) I feel it drains just a little <em>too </em>much colour from my face. This could probably be rectified with the right blush/bronzer/contour combination but I will probably also mix it with a slightly darker shade of foundation just to make application a little less involved. I will definitely be posting a review of it further down the track.<br />
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Finally, <strong>MAC Sheertone Blush in Tenderling </strong>was<strong> </strong>a very recent purchase but something that has been on my wish list for awhile. I was looking for a good muted pink-brown blush just to add subtle definition to the cheeks and I was debating over a few different options before I decided on Tenderling. At first when I swatched it on my hand in the store I was slightly afraid that it may be too orange for me but quite the contrary, when applied to my cheeks the peachy tone helps to give me a lovely warm glow which suits my cool-toned skin well. Not too orange, bronze, or muddy I plan to use this as a contour too, to warm up my skin when necessary (see above).<br />
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Stick around to see full reviews of these products in the future!<br />
Have you used any of these products before? What did you think? Let me know!<br />
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<3<br />
Catherine<br />
<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-28422030045410888822013-02-19T17:44:00.001-08:002013-02-19T18:09:48.654-08:00Sun, Summer and SwimwearIt's summer in Australia and that means one thing - very hot weather. Today for instance, it's going to reach a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius and just a week or so ago we had 5 days over 35, with at least two of those days being over 40.<br />
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So what does one do when the weather is so awful? You <i>could</i> retreat indoors into the air conditioning but that's not particularly fun or adventurous. Australia also happens to an island which means it's surrounded by water and a trip to the beach can be perfect solution to a hot summers day.<br />
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This, although more exciting than the former option, does come with it's own host of problems especially for someone who is as fair skinned as I. This is mostly do to with the sun and it's harmful UV rays. Firstly, I do not tan <i>ever, </i>I just burn. So lying on the beach sunbathing is not an option. Even the highest SPF cannot properly protect me from the worst sunburn for more than maybe half an hour.<br />
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Obviously certain areas of skin are easier to to take care of/cover up and some places like the legs, stomach, face etc. However, the areas of my body that are the most sensitive to sun burn/sun exposure are the shoulders, neck, back etc places which are just not provided with any coverage by the standard two piece swimsuit/hat/sunglasses ensemble. And because sunscreen just sometimes doesn't cut it I am faced with the dilemma how to keep sunburn free without having to go the awkward wet t-shirt route.<br />
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Then I found the answer...<br />
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NYLON VS. DEATH 2 PIECE WHITE AND BLACK SWIMSUIT</h1>
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A two piece swimsuit with sleeves! This one is from <a href="http://blackmilkclothing.com/collections/swimsuits/products/nylon-vs-death-2-piece-white-and-black-swimsuit">Black Milk</a> and is the first swimsuit with sleeves I've seen that I can actually purchase right now<i>, </i>for a reasonable price. It's part of their new collection called <b>The Day I Tried to Live, </b>which was released yesterday.<b> </b>I'm so excited for these and I hope they make more of this design in different colours. It's not perfect but it still has more coverage than a regular bikini.<br />
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I'm not sure if I'm going to get this one, only because I'm not a huge fan of the word pattern on it or the colours available and also because I already have a new swimsuit and to be honest, I don't often go swimming. However, despite all this I am still quite tempted to just purchase it purely because of the design. If they brought out different patterns however, I would be first in line.<br />
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What do you think of this design?<br />
Do you have a similar war with the sun like me? Let me know in the comments below!<br />
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<3<br />
Catherine<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">*Disclaimer: image from </span><a href="http://www.blackmilkclothing.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">www.blackmilkclothing.com</span></a><br />
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<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-89741725353832139062013-02-18T17:26:00.002-08:002013-02-18T17:26:38.799-08:00Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser in Porcelain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I'm going to review a much discussed and well-liked product which is the <strong>Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer. </strong>I bought this to be suitable to wear during the day on hot summer days and to help even out my uneven skin tone with the added bonus of having SPF20. <br />
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Overall, I really like this tinted moisturizer. It applies best with the fingers and blends out fairly easily. The product seems quite thick coming out of the tube but it blends out to be quite sheer and is successful evens out my skin tone without too much concealer needed. However, I've had pretty good skin the past few weeks (touch wood) so it hasn't been tested over any major blemishes. Another thing about this TM is that it is very moisturising even though I have the oil-free version it gives my a healthy glow, I don't use much moisturizer under this just on my driest areas. If you have oily skin and live in a warm climate you might want to try before you buy (my skin is combination btw).<br />
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The colour match is also perfect for me in shade porcelain it's very light and not too yellow so I recommend this to people who are pale skinned and have trouble finding a decent colour match (for a good set of swatches visit <a href="http://karlasugar.net/2010/03/laura-mercier-tinted-moisturizer/">karla sugar</a>). Really the thing that this falls down on is wear time, it only lasts probably 6 hours wear-time max without the need for touch ups. I don't care that much about wear time though so I'd still be willing to purchase this again.<br />
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In Australia this TM retails for $59.<br />
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Does anyone have any other TM recommendations?<br />
Have you tried the Laura Mercier one?<br />
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<3 <br />
Catherine Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-62127590151589137212013-02-07T06:12:00.000-08:002013-02-07T06:15:41.645-08:00Monochrome & Gold<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=9226058&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208536&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=20">Half and Half Spot Tee</a> </small><span class="Apple-style-span">Topshop </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6121371&.svc=blogger&id=75032853" rel="nofollow">/ American Apparel </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6121371&.svc=blogger&id=48198872" rel="nofollow">disco pants</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, / Bardot </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=6121371&.svc=blogger&id=72627685" rel="nofollow">flat pointy shoes</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">So apparently monochrome is in for spring & I was initially wondering how this trend could work in spring and not be too errr... black and white. But then I saw this <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=9226058&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208536&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=20">Topshop Half and Half Spot tee</a> which is neither black-with-white spots nor white-with-black spots. It's both! I think this is a subtle take on a classic trend especially when paired with the ever-popular American Apparel disco pants. I also incorporated some gold accents to jazz it up a bit but I totally think that this look could work without them for a more understated effect for day time. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">What do you think about this rather unusual colour scheme in store for Spring? </span></span></div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-59880405663304255462013-02-05T01:23:00.000-08:002013-02-05T01:23:56.953-08:00First Impressions: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22VT3O8mKHHLe-bwooTfcIuNe8srKL2_R0iWtPwrs8_m3V0w4t-XJe72Nk_AZ3CbWQ3l6mxIixlg40z9nTLnW-OBtPQJnwhkuWcvbvLZE5evJuFITvC2aeUmVyBLwXyp2yz51DsoD2Uz-/s1600/LM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22VT3O8mKHHLe-bwooTfcIuNe8srKL2_R0iWtPwrs8_m3V0w4t-XJe72Nk_AZ3CbWQ3l6mxIixlg40z9nTLnW-OBtPQJnwhkuWcvbvLZE5evJuFITvC2aeUmVyBLwXyp2yz51DsoD2Uz-/s400/LM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The other day I went shopping with my sister to spend some vouchers that we were gifted for Christmas. I bought the <b>Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser </b>in Porcelain. The reason I decided to give this tinted moisturiser I try because it is raved about everywhere and I've been looking for new and better base products after my <a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/foundation-dilemma-chanel-vitalumiere.html">Foundation Dilemma</a>. <br />
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I've never used a tinted moisturizer before and I bought one mainly for use during the day because of the SPF factor and for a lighter coverage. As for my first impressions of this is that it is certainly very moisturising and it does give my face a healthy, dewy look. Even though it's oil free and claims that it's supposed to control oil production I feel like if you have oilier skin than me it may be too dewy for you (my skin is combination).<br />
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The formula itself seems very thick when you squeeze it out of the tube but it applies and blends very well. It is also applies very sheer as you would expect from a tinted moisturizer.<br />
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Keep your eyes open for a full review further down the track.<br />
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<3<br />
CatherineCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-85605918296716392002013-02-01T00:44:00.001-08:002013-02-01T00:45:58.172-08:00January Favourites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRGmkR_AUzoiZYmPAVr1ts6eFgGOEtLJEEg1y10_D7mLEz8BR6ZnhBQcqXeyHI76LzgFtON9_JdI67gc45XiYK1kzuM6fT8FUp8jJLTvDoxGM3_e7KOFeENf5lekwNohDpYJg_4nXRY5m/s1600/20130131_135751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRGmkR_AUzoiZYmPAVr1ts6eFgGOEtLJEEg1y10_D7mLEz8BR6ZnhBQcqXeyHI76LzgFtON9_JdI67gc45XiYK1kzuM6fT8FUp8jJLTvDoxGM3_e7KOFeENf5lekwNohDpYJg_4nXRY5m/s400/20130131_135751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
If you are a regular peruser of this blog (hi!) you'll notice that I didn't do a December Favourites post. This was mostly because I really had no new products to share with you guys. This month however, I got a lot of great presents for Christmas and my favourites this month reflects just how good at present giving my family and friends are! Or maybe it just shows how good they are at buying things that I ask for! :p<br />
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I already mentioned these first two products this in a First Impressions post, they are the <strong>Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Pirate</strong> and the <strong>L'Occitane Almond Shower oil</strong>. Both of these products I got for Christmas, although I received another bottle of the shower oil for my birthday too (hence the full bottle in the photo). <br />
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The Chanel lipstick is amazing, it's quickly become my favourite red, it's a not so bright but very red blue red. Perfect for night time and my research has told me that it is popular with those who never wear red lipstick. With a swipe of MAC Cherry lip liner underneath this baby lasts me the whole night even with a couple of drinks. However, reapplication is necessary if you're planning on eating.<br />
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The L'Occitane shower oil has quickly become staple in my bathroom, the smell is relaxing and almost sensual and because it emulsifies with water makes it perfect for shaving.<br />
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Another lip product which I recently mentioned as well is the Apivita lip care with beeswax. Normally I find chapsticks too waxy and not soft enough to apply but this once is just soft and moisturising enough without it melting in the hot weather. It's SPF 15 which is a bonus all year round.<br />
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Lastly are two mini-sized nail polishes I got for Christmas which were part of the <strong>Mecca Cosmetica </strong>Best of 2012 nail polish collection. The blue, called <strong>Thaisia,</strong> is a lovely dark greyish almost navy blue whereas the brown-y shade, <strong>Maria</strong>, is a sort of taupe-y mushroom with a tiny bit of shimmer that doesn't really appear on the nails. The formula is easy to apply and lasts a good while on my nails I never really wear nail polish for more than a few days at a time anyway, I will definitely purchase these in full size when I finish the mini bottle.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-33557036417359301832013-01-26T19:53:00.001-08:002013-01-26T19:53:13.374-08:00Review: REN Starter Kit for Combination Skin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbitHI1BCYWqtZcff6SeyjQY_xX-iuf606tXOOoOgozIRonp_FypeGmuOsi6HWURkV05UV4j4aqZht0indXYSt2NAk8Qbea-AvMyzOtwnPwgJSbIZ_ZCba43TaZ8X8-Nvo94YmIKRsZ-WK/s1600/combination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbitHI1BCYWqtZcff6SeyjQY_xX-iuf606tXOOoOgozIRonp_FypeGmuOsi6HWURkV05UV4j4aqZht0indXYSt2NAk8Qbea-AvMyzOtwnPwgJSbIZ_ZCba43TaZ8X8-Nvo94YmIKRsZ-WK/s400/combination.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Early last year I got a couple of persistent blemishes last year every time I would stay over at my boyfriends house. I quickly realised that this was simply because I was not washing my face properly before bed and using face wipes was just not cutting it. There began an extensive search for some suitably sized but effective products. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to find a decent cleanser and moisturiser in travel-friendly size.<br />
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I finally stumbled upon the REN starter kits out of which I bought the one for Combination skin. I do have Combination skin but really the main reason I bought this one was because they didn't have the Normal skin one available to try (more on that one later).</div>
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The Combination skin starter Kit contains three products, a cleanser, a moisturiser and a face mask. There's the <b>T-zone Balancing Day Fluid (15ml), </b>which is a light but still nourishing moisturiser. I really liked this moisturiser and would happily use it as an every day moisturiser except it's a tiny bit pricey for the full size. The face mask is the much blogged and raved about <b>Invisible Pores Detox Face Mask (15ml). </b>This is a good mask as it does give the skin a good deep cleanse and I found it did decrease congestion around my nose, however most of the time it was too drying for most of my face and could only use it on the most oily parts. </div>
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The stand out for this kit was by far the cleanser, which is Ren's <b>Mayblossom T-zone Control Cleanser Gel. </b>This gel cleanser foams up in your hands and then you massage it over your face for a good but non-stripping cleanse, then rinse it off when you're done. I was really happy with this cleanser it was super gentle but solved my overnight spot problem, it was initially a bit hard to get used to because it doesn't lather that much, you have to rub it in your hands first to get the best results. The reason it doesn't foam is because Ren products don't contain sulfates. This is just one of the chemical nasties that Ren's products are formulated without, parabens and mineral oil are two other things you won't find in their products.</div>
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Overall, I really enjoyed this starter kit and have already purchased the one for Normal skin to give that one a go. At around $32 for one starter kit it's a great way to try out new, high-end products for a reasonable price and super convenient for travelling. </div>
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Have you tried one of the Ren starter kits?</div>
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What are your favourite travel-sized products?</div>
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<3 </div>
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Catherine</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-54382905377069629962013-01-22T22:04:00.001-08:002013-01-22T22:05:33.703-08:00First Impressions: Birthday presents!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UYSDY8P7rIG5seR7_zoJaK06hZrCJee2KJ9NgxcGlgCknUfH7IiQeGqOFBiDE_AfPJuSejmWz3_hnG3kbtBHg36ipqNlGga1lt8xXTwMtL0d3TkVtnTs53Zn6Qg5qalL8QACJ3eb2zOD/s1600/nailpolishlip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UYSDY8P7rIG5seR7_zoJaK06hZrCJee2KJ9NgxcGlgCknUfH7IiQeGqOFBiDE_AfPJuSejmWz3_hnG3kbtBHg36ipqNlGga1lt8xXTwMtL0d3TkVtnTs53Zn6Qg5qalL8QACJ3eb2zOD/s320/nailpolishlip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was my 22nd birthday last Saturday and I had a great day and got lots of good pressies, the main one being a Microsoft Surface which I am currently typing this blog post on. I also got a few little things including a <strong>Butter London nail polish in Dahling</strong> which is the perfect plummy pinky shade especially because I'm loving everything plum at the moment (is that wrong since it's summer here?). <br />
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The second thing is the <strong>Apivita lip care with Chamomile, beeswax and olive oil. </strong>This is a pretty quality chapstick much softer then the others that I've tried. I usually find chapsticks to be too waxy and too hard to apply but this one glides on easily. It's SPF 15 so it's great to just through in your bag to have on hand during the day but if you have really dry lips, like me, your probably need to have a more nourishing treatment at home. Even so I was very happy to welcome this Greek chapstick to my very extensive collection of lip care products.<br />
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Have you tried either of these to products?<br />
Hope you're having a great day!<br />
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<3<br />
CatherineCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-38742819456876276502013-01-21T19:39:00.000-08:002013-01-21T19:41:49.397-08:00(Nearly) Empties: REN & Avene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGrugcj-UUO6jRTdKjGXd__qoK7DGhvCSzKzQzRga533pAXA4A2WVSai9FwHbuk0iaXt4FzFOg9UX-WsJC5GxxclbLUFdo7g-zMQRLTvuLWCX69f7znfu31L66DLh0aT1e72OzjPl8MAy/s1600/renjojoba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGrugcj-UUO6jRTdKjGXd__qoK7DGhvCSzKzQzRga533pAXA4A2WVSai9FwHbuk0iaXt4FzFOg9UX-WsJC5GxxclbLUFdo7g-zMQRLTvuLWCX69f7znfu31L66DLh0aT1e72OzjPl8MAy/s640/renjojoba.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty slow at getting through products so it's always pretty exciting when I get the end of something especially if it is something that I hadn't tried and repurchased before. There's always a fair bit of considering to do when this happens. Did it actually work? Was it worth the money? Will I repurchase it? Won't I?<br />
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Today I'm going to share with you two products in attempt to answer the above questions.<br />
Firstly there's the <strong>REN Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish </strong>which claims to be a manual exfoliant for sensitive skin. My skin is sensitive but also quite congested and definitely needs good exfoliation without the risk of over irritating the skin. For this purpose the soft Jojoba microbeads combined with the mild cleanser are pretty much perfect although I felt in making it suitable for sensitive skin it may have compromised the effectiveness of the exfoliation. But definitely not enough for me to not consider repurchasing. As it is so gentle I can actually use it over all of my face (not just in the T-zone like I have to for some others) without making my face too dry and I can also use it almost daily without problems.<br />
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It's definitely something that I would recommend for anyone who has sensitive but slightly congested or flaky skin. As for the repurchasing question, I probably won't buy it again straight away as I want to try some chemical-based forms of exfoliation but if that doesn't work this would definitely be a fall-back product for me!<br />
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Secondly, is the <strong>Avene Soothing eye contour cream </strong>which I sort of bought on a whim whilst I was buying something else and saw that the Avene range was on sale. I love the idea behind their range as it's all about treating skin that is sensitive to varying degrees but still having products that work, the range is hypoallergenic and non comedogenic. I decided to get this eye cream because I'd never used one before and I thought it'd help my often tired eyes. After using it for about 6 months (the 10ml tube lasts ages!) I have definitively decided that I would repurchase it. It made my eyes feel so much better and even seemed to brighten them a little. It's very light and soothing and I have had no adverse reactions to it at all, it is also very good value considering how expensive eye creams can beI think I bought it for under the $30 mark.<br />
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Have you tried either of these products? Would you repurchase them?<br />
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<3<br />
CatherineCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-88441788712721169272013-01-16T19:56:00.001-08:002013-01-16T19:58:01.045-08:00First Impressions: Antipodes Apostle Skin Brightening and Tone Correcting Serum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GqpX9mHIm46Y7d6c2RAT7LCym8Ae4wWhwYZ5L85dtrMbxbsEioEzBEmyLnJUbK3lmqCPUVSLFdFSge4PoEMmvd-ozU6aYNVLO5agN3YhckagXL4pTHojU5pBtEUdpyzTxYOVNSP2FZvg/s1600/antipodes+bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GqpX9mHIm46Y7d6c2RAT7LCym8Ae4wWhwYZ5L85dtrMbxbsEioEzBEmyLnJUbK3lmqCPUVSLFdFSge4PoEMmvd-ozU6aYNVLO5agN3YhckagXL4pTHojU5pBtEUdpyzTxYOVNSP2FZvg/s320/antipodes+bs.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ok so, I'm new to serums and I'm still not sure what exactly they do but after seeing this featured by Megan on <a href="http://www.lipssofacto.com/">lipssofacto</a> and in her 2012 favourites I had to give this one a try.<br />
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The Antipodes Skin Brightening and Tone Correcting serum promises to correct dull, blemished or uneven skin using fruit enzymes and uses the 'world's best water' to hydrate the skin. The packaging recommends daily use. And there's also a sticker on the box which claims it delivers brighter skin in five days. I only got mine this morning so I can't vouch for that yet but I'll let you know.<br />
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The packaging also says that it's made from 100% organic ingredients and is certified organic. The serum does indeed look organic, it basically looks and smells like fermented fruit but not overpoweringly so.<br />
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So far it seems pleasant to apply and I hope that I will see the numerous red splotches on my face fade whilst using this. I'm still dubious about the five day claim though but we'll see!<br />
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Have you tried any Antipodes Products?<br />
What's your favourite serum?<br />
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<3<br />
Catherine Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-37628319630494012812013-01-13T19:45:00.000-08:002013-01-13T19:45:21.896-08:00Foundation Dilemma! Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B30<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90uwGUS7Tz0_yfjwLFakO2gkXUgn0ZYAOj-Ggpjf2H5zBwAGwzRyUscCNORSqRDQwIkYqqIGN0mRPYN6BXlNHRfSmAzIF4qLtukf8AqWfxcrPmQ-zS7mcSlQ6xxXi1l6fPlmlI38kT1mq/s1600/3cva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90uwGUS7Tz0_yfjwLFakO2gkXUgn0ZYAOj-Ggpjf2H5zBwAGwzRyUscCNORSqRDQwIkYqqIGN0mRPYN6BXlNHRfSmAzIF4qLtukf8AqWfxcrPmQ-zS7mcSlQ6xxXi1l6fPlmlI38kT1mq/s320/3cva.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, <br /> Poudre Universelle Compacte, Le Blanc de Chanel</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>The title of this post is probably a misdemeanour as I do really like all the products mentioned in this post, the difficulty that I have with foundation in general is that I can't find a decent colour match! It's always too dark, to orange or too yellow!<br />
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But here's how I got on with a mix of overall stellar Chanel products that have been forming my foundation routine over the last few months.<br />
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Firstly, I start off by taking a small blob of <b>Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base</b> on the back of my hand ready to mix in with my foundation. This base is sort of like a primer in that you can blend it all over your face before you put foundation on. However, I wouldn't really call it a primer because in my experience, it does nothing for the longevity of the foundation although it does whiten and brighten the skin like it says on the bottle. It does tend to make my skin a little to greasy if I use it like a primer though so I stick with mixing it with my foundation. Another annoying thing about this is that it doesn't come with a pump just a screw top with a wide opening and spatula to scoop out the product (which I lost ages ago).<br />
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Then I take a blob of <b>Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B30 </b>on the back of my hand and mix the base and the foundation together. I do this essentially to lighten the foundation because as you can see from the swatch below (without Le Blanc base added), even blended out this foundation is a bit dark/orange for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSsUsBbYuo58Ak56UtlmKu7UA8DWXTMgqnZXy6SpD0XDBmn92nEqtEklWN1Mrlcee-tzl-zPHDLcAoc7oW7aCUsC21wgz-369XRCe2NVPztL1HxAJ5e8HFdmeJCjO24ngWq0DeWk0S2QJ/s1600/swatchcva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSsUsBbYuo58Ak56UtlmKu7UA8DWXTMgqnZXy6SpD0XDBmn92nEqtEklWN1Mrlcee-tzl-zPHDLcAoc7oW7aCUsC21wgz-369XRCe2NVPztL1HxAJ5e8HFdmeJCjO24ngWq0DeWk0S2QJ/s320/swatchcva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B30</td></tr>
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This swatch is a little too damning though because obviously my face is a tad darker than my forearm. Also this foundation is a fairly easy to blend with a foundation brush I just have to work extra hard to make sure there no colour discrepancies, it's made easier with the addition of the base to the foundation which does lighten and sheer it out a tad. The only problem with adding the base is that you get a very sheer coverage which is really good when my skin is in great condition but not so good if it's a little red and blotchy.<br />
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Vitalumiere Aqua is known for being build-able but I can't really do that without compromising the colour match. Otherwise it's a really light foundation, you cannot feel it on the skin at all and it barely looks like you're wearing anything except flawless skin.<br />
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Lastly (after<a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/ysl-touche-eclat-benefit-boi-ing.html"> concealer</a>) I use the <b>Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte </b>in 20 Clair Translucent 1 which is a natural finish pressed power. I apply this with a soft powder brush all over the face to set my make up. This powder is very fine and you actually cannot see it on the skin at all so there is no cakey-ness, it keeps my make up on all day without compromising any desired dewy-ness.<br />
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But back to my dilemma, which is my colour problem I have been matched to this colour by more than one MUA even when I said I thought it was too dark. The reply was that the lighter foundation colours would be too yellow for me, which is probably true but B30 just makes me look tanned and I don't want to look tanned! I know I have cool-toned skin (pink undertones) but I can't find a foundation that does and I know that a lot of companies eg Chanel, YSL have Beige Rose colours but they are just not available here.<br />
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I'd love to know if anyone else has cool toned or pale skin and whether or not they have any recommendations. If I can't find anything else I'll probably just end up mixing shades from the VA range or something.<br />
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Thanks for reading my mammoth length post!<br />
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<3<br />
Catherine<br />
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<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-229542768413568282013-01-09T22:23:00.002-08:002013-01-09T22:23:58.380-08:00Jurlique Jasmine Hand Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_bMBQoJswYQb8U7kbIbVbWs8_N59rlpo4rznwOyMR5o1pnOxZFq_LJsaOoBT8Iwl3lPx06PeT5YsjpsOehpf9WZcPRJr8ybWcbbgxgqkNEDBUO7scZcgmdToJ7A9RG0-OLNaaX0Ip3P7/s1600/hancream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_bMBQoJswYQb8U7kbIbVbWs8_N59rlpo4rznwOyMR5o1pnOxZFq_LJsaOoBT8Iwl3lPx06PeT5YsjpsOehpf9WZcPRJr8ybWcbbgxgqkNEDBUO7scZcgmdToJ7A9RG0-OLNaaX0Ip3P7/s320/hancream.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Jurlique's Jasmin Hand Cream is hands down my most favourite hand cream, pun most certainly intended. I'm one of those people who barely goes a few hours without re-applying some sort of moisturiser to my hands, they get so unbearably dry even in the summer. So much so that in high school I was known for carting around a small tube of hand cream because I couldn't stand having dry hands.<br />
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I've tried so many different types of hand creams, cheap ones, expensive ones, fragranced and unfragranced, those ones for 'extremely damaged' hands. But none of them even come close to this one from Jurlique. It's very light, absorbing almost instantly and makes your hands feel moisturised and does not leave them dry again after only a few minutes (this happens unbelievably often with me). <br />
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Jurlique have a couple of different fragrances for their hand creams presumably which all work the same but just smell different, however I've never tried them because I absolutely love the Jasmine one and whenever I buy one I can't resist the lovely light floral scent of the Jasmine. The smell does hang around a bit on your hands which is something that I quite like a) because I like the smell and b) it's super handy when you've just washed the dishes or removed nail polish as it gets rid of unpleasant smells that stick around even after you've washed your hands.<br />
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The only downside is that it is expensive, there's no way around that. As a consequence I usually don't buy it for myself. It's $28 for 40mL which is handy for travelling and the size I normally get. The one pictured above is 125mL and is one that I got for Christmas. I'm not sure what it's normal price is but the 40mL is on sale on <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/brands/jurlique/body-care">feelunique</a> at the moment.<br />
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Do you have really dry hands?<br />
What's your favourite hand cream?<br />
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Catherine <3<br />
<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-43585578869173309512013-01-06T19:59:00.002-08:002013-01-06T19:59:42.305-08:00MAC Plumful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF-ODoWLav1HRgFGmiL5UaCOtr2X_UAcTS9WVBYyrBosCytvJskcTwRG-Z_up-p3WK_5pafejtoWvVOt7mCZcxfoJHZ6k1K_OWe4aUp7fi9spE3UctJTUfNDEaDkc8_frPcj2HFG6lZab/s1600/plum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF-ODoWLav1HRgFGmiL5UaCOtr2X_UAcTS9WVBYyrBosCytvJskcTwRG-Z_up-p3WK_5pafejtoWvVOt7mCZcxfoJHZ6k1K_OWe4aUp7fi9spE3UctJTUfNDEaDkc8_frPcj2HFG6lZab/s320/plum.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year everyone! I'm going to start the new year off by doing a review of MAC Plumful lipstick which I featured in my first <a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/first-impressions-mac-plumful-this.html">First Impressions</a> post.<br />
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I said in that post that it was a great shade for my lips which could be worn during the day and at night for a more subtle but still dark-ish lip. I still totally stand by my first impressions of this product, it's a great lipstick shade it's not too purple or too pink it's the perfect berry/plum shade.<br />
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Another great thing about this lipstick is that it's a MAC Lustre finish which means it's a little bit sheer but can be built up if desired, handy if you want a day-to-night look. This also means that it's really easy to apply and can, in my opinion be worn during the summer without looking too dark or out of place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlbFSQ4htUtJGjM7dRfXWLULYE23A68pQe1HDTLBF1z33fdz5ThORUYhVu4HhZ8AvkTF7uuijucUm2nX8WvRYy3EdD7zJcDpTU8nkY5H_EoCwa8_sG3nUzfW2dOK7MDBnagC7RAj3Z40P/s1600/plumswatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlbFSQ4htUtJGjM7dRfXWLULYE23A68pQe1HDTLBF1z33fdz5ThORUYhVu4HhZ8AvkTF7uuijucUm2nX8WvRYy3EdD7zJcDpTU8nkY5H_EoCwa8_sG3nUzfW2dOK7MDBnagC7RAj3Z40P/s320/plumswatch.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The wear time of Plumful is about 4 hours on me which is about average for a MAC lipstick.<br />
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I would highly recommend this lipstick for anyone who was looking for a very wearable plum-toned lipstick that is not too red, too purple or too dramatic. It sits right in the middle of all of that and is a great buy.<br />
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In Australia it retails for $36.<br />
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Have you tried this lipstick before? What's your favourite plum-tone lip colour?Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-24667676279896037792012-12-30T18:43:00.001-08:002012-12-30T18:44:32.441-08:00First Impressions: Chanel Rouge Allure in Pirate & L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwI0SeBmhgBsj7pqluWBZ1nXjR_HQebsBAt-YATg_RzGQBRlUfCtaDoltt_q4rGhwLWgyVvFoodeqfKXx1t7hADyycV3yGy3MuX3lnlp4_gFfIGLygd4EJ3iOkZR7iu3SpKlutRmO-lAy/s1600/almond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwI0SeBmhgBsj7pqluWBZ1nXjR_HQebsBAt-YATg_RzGQBRlUfCtaDoltt_q4rGhwLWgyVvFoodeqfKXx1t7hADyycV3yGy3MuX3lnlp4_gFfIGLygd4EJ3iOkZR7iu3SpKlutRmO-lAy/s320/almond.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Even though I haven't done reviews for the products I featured in my first First Impressions post (<a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/first-impressions-mac-plumful-this.html">here</a>), here is another one. I think there will probably be a couple more First Impressions posts over the next few weeks given the time of year as even though Christmas is over my birthday is in less than three weeks so stay tuned for new stuff!<br />
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Today I have another two products to show you and both of these were Christmas gifts:<br />
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<b>Chanel Rouge Allure in Pirate (no. 99): </b>This lipstick I tried ages ago when I went to an launch event at a department store. Apparently this is one of the best-selling red lipsticks and a lot of the Chanel MUAs where saying how it's the only red lip colour they can wear. After some quick googling most reviews seemed to back up this sentiment. I don't have a problem wearing most reds, in fact my lipstick collection is made up of mostly red toned hues. However, this one was such a lovely blue-y/pink-y almost plum toned red I couldn't not put it on my Christmas list.<br />
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<b>L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil: </b>I've always been fascinated with oils but I don't really use them because I don't really take baths and I often feel like body oils are too expensive to use and not really that suitable for a hot climate. That's why when I heard about this shower oil that when used with water emulsifies to a slight foam I had to try it. I've used it everyday since Christmas, it smells amazing and it's great to use for shaving.<br />
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So that's it for now! Stay tuned for more in depth reviews!<br />
<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-30636769943045605192012-12-20T16:56:00.000-08:002012-12-20T16:56:53.965-08:00YSL Touche Eclat & Benefit Boi-ing Concealer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz343wtaABKeOB-HD63NTT0vJX08oZc5HWdwDYF8_uaZpRSQBXnG3yhCETJ-e5MpRqR8Uj8Ok5JncdI12mMELXbJUe2BOGQpg50A1EXFNRmLT6pHVL7xuISgSbdvqA_EjwP9lQMU4lDvD/s1600/yslboiing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz343wtaABKeOB-HD63NTT0vJX08oZc5HWdwDYF8_uaZpRSQBXnG3yhCETJ-e5MpRqR8Uj8Ok5JncdI12mMELXbJUe2BOGQpg50A1EXFNRmLT6pHVL7xuISgSbdvqA_EjwP9lQMU4lDvD/s320/yslboiing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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As the southern hemisphere descends more into summer the hotter weather has made my skin oiler with the advent of a few spots here and there. This means that I need to use concealer more often, especially because I loathe wearing foundation during the day whenever the mercury climbs over 30 degrees C.<br />
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The two I've been using are the famous YSL Touche Eclat in no. 2 and Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in 01.<br />
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<b>YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighter Pen: </b><br />
Ok so, this is technically not a concealer per se, it's a highlighter pen that is supposed to brighten the face. However, it does conceal under the eye circles really well and the best part is that it does not crease on me. I use it to brighten the whole eye area and I also use it around the nose to tone down any redness there. This particular shade is good for cancelling out redness because it's quite a neutral/yellow-y tone unlike the original which I believe is more pink.<br />
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<b>Benefit Boi-ing Concealer:</b><br />
<b></b>This concealer claims that it is industrial strength and it does cover pretty much anything. The beef I have with this is that it creases like a mofo and it's also a bit cakey. I absolutely cannot use this under my eyes or around my nose as it just settles into the smallest line or gathers around the edge of the nose. It looks shocking. As a blemish concealer it does it's job though so I will probably use this up (I've hit pan on it so far) but I don't think I will repurchase.<br />
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What are your favourite concealers? Do you prefer a different one to conceal blemishes and to conceal under the eye?Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-31527998356554199142012-12-10T23:21:00.000-08:002012-12-10T23:21:23.481-08:00Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0fTrrWn8xdOQjTFqwfVMsQa_TJWSMSLxRr35WHVaRMEOYByGtUj-8G8x-QeuD_UUhOmI-5OqdTxnxOvwdtRSO2gB73DXLNzdJk1-FwdQ_OQSi1bSBshYXxN9N_ld3MXNmTIqY74YaLss/s1600/Aesop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0fTrrWn8xdOQjTFqwfVMsQa_TJWSMSLxRr35WHVaRMEOYByGtUj-8G8x-QeuD_UUhOmI-5OqdTxnxOvwdtRSO2gB73DXLNzdJk1-FwdQ_OQSi1bSBshYXxN9N_ld3MXNmTIqY74YaLss/s320/Aesop.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm relatively new to the world of beauty/cleansing masks, in fact the Aesop Parsley Seed is the first one I have bought in full size. I bought it because I read that it was a good cleansing mask but was not to drying and a lot of the masks I had tried were waayyy to drying for my skin.<br />
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I have combination skin that has random bouts of oiliness otherwise it's a bit dry and congested which leads to irritation and spots if not well moisturised. The problem I have then how to go about getting rid of the oiliness and congestion without drying the skin out too much so to avoid irritation.<br />
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After using this mask for a couple of months it pretty much does just that, it smooths out the skin calming any irritation on my face but also balances out the oiliness without making my skin too dry. It is also really good at calming down swelling from particularly nasty spots. The sales assistant said that it could be used as an overnight spot treatment if you just apply it to the affected area and whilst I haven't tried it myself (as I prefer to use my <span id="goog_123088938"></span><a href="http://catherinereviewsstuff.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/november-favourites.html">Origins Super Spot Remove<span id="goog_123088939"></span>r</a>) I can definitely see it being an effective treatment.<br />
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I recommend this masque for people who find normal clay masks too drying and those who have semi sensitive but congested skin. Although this is obviously my own experience and I would highly recommend that you try a sample before purchasing. My identical twin sister tried this out and it made her skin go bright red, I think this may have been just because she has a less rigorous skin care regime to me and her skin may not be used to it and although the redness faded after about 15 minutes it just shows how variable skin types can be!<br />
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I bought this for $39 which I think is reasonable considering the effectiveness of the product and it seems to be lasting well.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-7433377193728751672012-12-09T19:01:00.001-08:002012-12-09T19:04:23.999-08:00Thoughts on: Advent Calendars As it's only 15 days until Christmas I wanted to get in a sneaky Christmas post before it was all over (it goes so fast!).<br />
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Specifically I wanted to talk about Advent Calendars as these seem to have become quite sophisticated in the last few years, far from the ordinary ones with the cheap chocolate ones we had as kids.</div>
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There's the <a href="http://www.ciate.co.uk/mini-mani-month.html">Ciate Mini Mani Month</a> & Uk company <a href="http://uk.lizearle.com/">Liz Earle</a> had a version where every day you open up a window to a sample-sized product and many variations there of.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1xqMfQZXa-GKn4QtgbGs9itEKcxP3pjLwICksk0y2T1BLE_E1wl9Yu73RStpg2p_Ka9YWqnzm8wJo17V7KWvFanay_U85NvKsduYBVF_-iGPcJdHzsgIR7RH6mTVyB-8KYIAoPXq2-q5/s1600/advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1xqMfQZXa-GKn4QtgbGs9itEKcxP3pjLwICksk0y2T1BLE_E1wl9Yu73RStpg2p_Ka9YWqnzm8wJo17V7KWvFanay_U85NvKsduYBVF_-iGPcJdHzsgIR7RH6mTVyB-8KYIAoPXq2-q5/s400/advent.jpg" width="300" /></a>But what if you don't have the money to spend on a pricey luxury calendar but you're not a big fan of cheap chocolate? </div>
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One crafty solution is my family's advent calendar, it was handmade by a family friend and the best part is that you can reuse it year after year!</div>
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It is essentially a 2D Christmas tree with 24 halves of a press stud sewn onto it and the other half sewn onto 24 different Christmas decorations and each day you put one more decoration on the tree until you put the last one on on Christmas Eve. It's a very decorative and festive way of counting down the days 'til Christmas. </div>
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If you're feeling crafty you could probably make one for yourself or as a gift for someone. If you're not so crafty you could probably use a small 3D Christmas tree and put a new decoration on it each day counting down the days until Christmas. This would be particularly good for people who may not have the time or space for a big tree.</div>
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What do you use to count down the days to Christmas? Have you ever made a DIY Advent Calendar?</div>
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xx</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-63830314297573869622012-12-05T19:38:00.000-08:002012-12-05T19:38:20.652-08:00First Impressions: MAC Plumful & This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYcn10gP0TR_3TSPEVzrqUqQqJLQv5cEfgi8gkiwHwO4PJieJfOoJiJMytflx9tSjJqdvUz_x0TU151sX4ZKGQvP23m9AzLgJg7xtjtknD5stTJoCaZChT9y4sfx6D7VeiPtg3RpgznNo/s1600/This+works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYcn10gP0TR_3TSPEVzrqUqQqJLQv5cEfgi8gkiwHwO4PJieJfOoJiJMytflx9tSjJqdvUz_x0TU151sX4ZKGQvP23m9AzLgJg7xtjtknD5stTJoCaZChT9y4sfx6D7VeiPtg3RpgznNo/s320/This+works.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I thought I would start a new category today about the first impressions of products I've just bought so if I think they're review worthy later down the line I can compare my initial reaction to my deliberative one.<br />
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These are a couple of things I bought a couple of days ago:<br />
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<a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com.au/product/shaded/168/310/Products/Lips/Lipstick/Lipstick/index.tmpl">MAC Lipstick in Plumful</a>: I bought this lipstick because I've been looking for a darker toned lip colour (I really only own bright pinks and reds atm). So when I saw this lipstick on <a href="http://www.essiebutton.com/2012/11/back-to-mac-lipstick-plumful_21.html">essie button</a> I decided that this was the colour I wanted. I've worn it once and so far I think it's exactly the right shade for me, it's a couple of shades darker than my lip colour and slightly more plum but not too purple-y. I think I will be able to wear it throughout the day and night.<br />
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<a href="http://www.meccacosmetica.com.au/shop/ThisWorks/DeepSleepPillowSpray/">thisworks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray</a>: This has been doing the rounds in the blogger sphere and has generally received rave reviews. This spray contains Lavender, Vetivert and Camomile essential oils to help relaxation and promote sleep. I often have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep and hopefully this should help me to get to sleep easier. This has a pleasant relaxing smell when sprayed and seems to promote sleepiness although I doubt it's the miracle solution that it claims on the bottle, but we shall see!<br />
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Has anyone tried either of these products? Let me know what you think of them!<br />
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xxCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-69355040014191823572012-12-02T19:34:00.000-08:002012-12-02T19:34:03.533-08:00I review The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen ChobskyI wanted to post this book review to take a break from beauty-related posts because not all of my posts will be about beauty products. I'm hoping to do reviews of more books, movies and other stuff.<br />
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My first book review is <i>The Perks of being a Wallflower </i>by Stephen Chobsky. I hadn't read this book before I heard the movie was coming out so I read it recently because of all the hype for the movie and how everyone was saying how good the book was in light of the impending movie release.<br />
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For those who are unaware the book is about a high school freshman called Charlie who writes to an unnamed friend about his experiences during high school and the experiences of his slightly older friends Sam and Patrick. I guess you could say that Charlie and his friends are somewhat on the 'fringe' of the social microcosm that is American high school, hence the reference to being a 'wallflower', also a reference to Charlie's ability to observe the happenings of his surroundings.<br />
I can't really say too much more about the plot because it would ruin it for those of you who haven't read it.<br />
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I know that a lot of people really liked this book and related to it really well and I can see why. It's a modern 'coming-of-age' story for the disenfranchised teenager (and what teenager doesn't feel disenfranchised at some point or other).<br />
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I however, didn't particularly like it. I'm not saying it's a bad book because I actually think it's a really good book and would certainly recommend it to others, especially to teenagers. I just think as I am no longer a teenager it was a bit more difficult to relate to it. I mean, I felt like I could only relate to it in hindsight and I didn't feel like that was especially helpful, in fact I found it a bit depressing to be honest.<br />
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Obviously, my experiences in high school were oceans apart from Charlie's (quite literally) but the sentiment/moral of the book is pretty universal. I was pretty quiet and observant in high school and I feel like that kind of introspection can be fairly difficult at times, which is I guess what Charlie learns.<br />
This book didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know having already lived through high school myself. Perhaps that's because I wasn't engaged enough in the book or perhaps I would have been better off reading it earlier on when I was still at school. I'm not sure.<br />
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For this reason I won't be seeing the movie anytime soon although I do encourage you to read it and see what your experience with it is.<br />
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<br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-52811442797175753852012-11-29T22:56:00.001-08:002012-11-29T23:10:58.963-08:00November Favourites<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By Terry Aqualip tint in Dancefloor flirt:</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I love lipsticks, the brighter the better but the problem I have with lipsticks, bright ones especially is that they’re just so </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fussy,</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> all that reapplying not to mention all that smudging on your teeth coffee cup, boyfriend etc. This lip tint, however, gives you a sufficiently bright lip without all that hassle. I’ve been wearing this pretty much everyday since I bought it about 3 weeks ago. I also previously did a swatch post on this product if you want more info. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Origins Super Spot remover:</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> My previous experience with spot removers has led me to believe that they are essentially expensive tubes of uselessness. However, after seeing this on various blogs and whatnot I went out and purchased it and was not disappointed. This one pretty much does what is says on the bottle. I had exams recently which resulted in a couple of spots here and there and this definitely helped clear them up. It is pretty drying so be aware of that and it’s not exactly a miracle worker, it won’t always make spots vanish overnight. But it certainly helps them heal faster with less irritation. I will definitely repurchase this although it seems to be lasting ages!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid:</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I have really really really dry lips. I pretty much have to apply some sort of balm every couple of hours just to stop them drying out. The worst part is though I often have to switch up what balm/treatment I’m using because after awhile my lips get used to it and my previously championed product becomes useless. Lanolips Lemonaid came in handy when even my trusty Paw Paw treatment didn’t work, it left my lips feeling soft and moisturised. It has a very fresh and distinct lemon scent and taste. It does have a lot of glitter in it which is fine enough so you don’t really notice it but a bit weird considering it’s an ointment.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Ecolosion:</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I bought this when I got sucked into going to a Chanel launch event thing (I think they were launching Perfection Lumber foundation). Anyway, MUA used this quad on me and I really like the Chanel quads so I bought it. I really like the colours for a subtle eye especially the brown and the pink colours and the purple colour is great to bring out the green in my eyes. The only disappointment was the lightest colour, it has massive chunks of glitter in it but no real pigmentation in the shadow, it is kind of bizarre. These eyeshadows are reasonably pigmented, blendable and last forever. They are totally worth the $$ if you’re a fan of Chanel make up like I am. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nylon Magazine, October US edition:</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I’ve only just gotten into reading magazines as I never read them as a teenager. I picked this one up after exams to de-stress and I really liked it despite the fact that it’s a month old. I’m probably going to do a post a review on a few magazines I’ve been reading lately and this will definitely feature in it. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope you enjoyed this favourites post and it wasn't too long. Let me know what you have been liking this month or if you have tried any of my November favourites!</span></span></span></div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-58730566359280846802012-11-25T20:31:00.000-08:002012-11-25T20:31:05.018-08:00Swatched: By Terry Aqualip Jelly Tint in Dancefloor Flirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's my first swatch post! I bought the By Terry Aqualip Jelly Tint in Dancefloor Flirt as a sort of end-of-semester present for myself. I was in the market for a day-time bright but not too fussy lip product and when I saw this on <a href="http://www.viviannadoesmakeup.com/best-bold-lips/">Vivianna Does Makeup</a> I knew that this was it.<br />
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I was initially attracted to the orange colour of the packaging because I quite like a good coral/orange tone for a bright lip but I as you can see by the swatch above it's not really orange at all, more like a fuchsia-esque pink.<br />
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This is a limited edition product and it only comes in one colour, which is a shame because I would definitely be prepared to invest in another one. It's such a great lip product for day time.<br />
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What's your favourite day time lip product?Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-27508108288979321452012-10-28T16:47:00.002-07:002012-10-28T16:49:03.841-07:00Catherine Reviews Stuff on Bloglovin<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4158339/?claim=sjqv9q7zthf">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
I am now on Bloglovin'. Follow me!Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6480883712694282459.post-402436437646768522012-10-28T03:21:00.002-07:002012-10-28T03:21:37.692-07:00butter LONDON Macbeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now I'm no manicure expert, in fact I've only started wearing nail polish on a sort-of-regular basis recently. We weren't allowed to wear it at school and I was too lazy on the weekends to bother with it. This coupled with the fact that my fine motor skills are a bit average means that I am basically hopeless at applying it. Despite this, I thought I'd do a quick and probably a tad uninformed review of a fairly recent purchase: <a href="http://www.adorebeauty.com.au/butter-london/butter-london-nail-lacquer-macbeth.html">Butter London's Macbeth</a> nail polish.<br />
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This nail polish appears to be a lovely dark pink when you look at it in the bottle but I was a little disappointed to find that it appears much redder when applied on the nails. In fact you can really only tell that it is actually pink not red on very close inspection. It's still a pretty colour though and I love wearing it.<br />
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The brush is fairly large and the formula is good making it quick drying and easy to apply. This lasts a few days on me without any major chipping. It took me two coats to make it opaque on my nails although you could almost get away with one if you're clever.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305744290982861918noreply@blogger.com0