Stain, Scrub and Salve: Top 5 Lip Products Tag

My lovely friend Renu from My Beauty Junction who never forgets me and I love her for it has tagged me, you can read her blog here.

Apparently this tag has been going around for a while and what you need to do is list and talk about your top 5 Holy Grail lip products.

I am all about moisture moisture moisture on my lips so most of my choices are going to reflect this.  I don't scrub my lips or have any favourite lip stains and  I also tend to stick to nudes or pinks for colour making my choices boring here if you like colour.  I prefer to doll up my eyes and keep to a natural looking lip.

Also sticking to 5 products is IMPOSSIBLE!!  This is going to be really hard.  So I am going to pick a lip moisturiser/salve, lipstick, lip balm, lip crayon and a lip gloss.

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1.  Clarins ~ Extra-Firming Lip and Contour Balm ~ Contains Raspberry Seed Oil and Shea Butter. Repairs, replenishes, softens, plumps and defines lips while smoothing away vertical lines around the lip area. All I can say about this balm is that it works!!  My lips have improved greatly in the two months I have been using this.  I recommend everyone give it a go.  I keep this on my bedside table and use it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  I am very impressed with the results.

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2.  Couleur Caramel ~ Beti Pink Pearly Lipstick ~ Organic, plant derived, contains castor, jojoba, apricot, grape and olive oils, red tea, shea butter and olive wax.  Long lasting, super moisturising, protects and conditions your lips and the shade is gorgeous.  I am not normally a fan of lipstick as I find them too drying but I love this one, doesn't dry my lips out at all.  This is a pinky/peach colour with flecks of gold.

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3.  NYX ~ Color Lip Balm ~ Tack ~ I love this lip balm from NYX, dusky berry pink, great opaque colour, moisturising and smells just like raspberry jam.

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4.  Face of Australia ~ Sheer Gloss Lip Crayon ~ Sundae ~ opaque brown/berry glossy lip which doesn't feather, very moisturising and lasts.  I have a few of these in the three available colours tossed through all my handbags (you can read my review here), when my lips feel dry but I want some colour this is the crayon I reach for.

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5.  MUA  ~  Intense Kisses  ~  Sealed with a Kiss  ~  this would have to be my all time favourite lip gloss, I have about four of these floating around in various hand bags so I always have it with me.  Non-sticky moisturising formula, opaque glossy colour and this would have to be my favourite shade of pink.

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Ok this is by no means ALL my favourite lip products but they would have to be my faithful HG stand-bys which I reach for the most.

I tag anyone who reads this and please don't forget to leave a comment and a link to your blog so I can come visit you!

Jac x0x

Top Ten I am loving

I read a lot of blogs about monthly or weekly favourites and I can't say that I introduce that many new products into my routine to be able to blog about them on a regular basis.

So I thought every now and then I would do a blog about products that stand-out for me or have made their way into my routine without me really noticing but suddenly I realise I am reaching for them more and more.

So in no particular order skincare and makeup;

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1.  NUXE Oil - I was introduced to this through bellabox a monthly beauty box I subscribe too, you can find out more about them here.  I love this oil, I use it to moisturise my face, body, hair, nails and occasionally as a very light perfume.  There is nothing this oil can't be used for, add a little salt or sugar for an exfoliate or as an all over body massage oil.  I use this as an oil cleanser on my son's face to help control his acne, I massage a little on his face and it helps loosen and clears his pores.  I prefer the spray bottle it's less messy and one spray in the palm of my hand does my face and neck or my hair, a little goes a long way.

2.  INDIO Salt Scrub - This is another amazing product introduced to me through bellabox I have been looking for a very fine scrub that doesn't strip my dry skin of what moisture it does have while gently exfoliating my face and NOT causing break outs.  This scrub is wonderful, does a fantastic job of exfoliating and leaves me with soft clean skin with no redness or irritations.  You only need a pea sized amount for your face and it moisturises as it exfoliates.  Contains Dead Sea Salt and Herbal extracts, leaves my skin looking soft and hydrated, I use it once a week.

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3.  NATIO BB cream, FAIR - Ok I am starting to see a pattern emerging here, this is another product which was introduced  via bellabox I swear I am not doing this on purpose but I guess when you subscribe to beauty boxes that's where you will find the majority of your new favourites. 

I am a real BB cream snob and prefer the Asian BB creams over the western formulations BUT... out of ALL the western BB creams I have tried NATIO make THE best BB cream for me and I am already on my second tube.  This BB cream hydrates, offers good coverage, SPF15 protection, the Green Tea and Chamomile soothes redness while the Vitamin E repairs and the Shea butter and Jojoba oil moisturise.  Has that great natural NATIO aroma and I just love the way it feels on my skin and the natural skin coverage I achieve for my every day look.  I also notice as I am outdoors a lot that the SPF in this cream offers very real protection and my face is not red by the end of the day.

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4.  MUA Pro's Every Lash Volume and Lengthening Mascara - Black - this is one of those little gems that you don't expect much from because of the price and it becomes your HG of mascaras.  This is the only mascara I have been using for weeks now, it sat at the bottom of my trial box ignored for the longest time and now it's the mascara I reach for when I want perfect lashes EVERY time.  The brush on this is amazing, it separates and coats every single lash even the little ones, no clumping, no fall out and NO panda eyes.  If you haven't tried this mascara yet I urge you to get a tube, it is one of THE best mascaras I have EVER used.  You can find it here.

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5.  Rimmel Glam Eyes -  Smokey Quartz - This is the newest eye shadow I have purchased recently, it was half price at BigW and I have been using it pretty consistantly ever since.  Gorgeous, silky formula with just the right amount of sheen, multi-dimensional shade means you can wear it on its own and the depth of colour appears different depending on the lighting.  

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6.  MUA Bronzed Perfection, I would have to say this is THE best bronzer I have ever come across and even though I try others I ALWAYS come back to this one.  Perfect for contouring my face, adds just the right amount of colour and shadow, the shade is buildable.  NO glitter, that is very important to me, you can find it here.

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7.  Rimmel - Match Perfection Blush - Fair.  Creates a natural flush on the cheeks, the separate shades can be used for deeper colour and contouring or you can sweep you brush over the entire palette.  This is THE perfect blush for my fair skin and I have never found one better.

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8.  Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint - Coral Sunshine ~ Natural Smile ~ Cotton Candy.  Sorry no swatches, these tints are so sheer they don't show up on my camera.  Super moisturising, with a hint of colour, great to just throw in you handbag.

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9.  AUSTRALIS Ready Set Go Finishing Powder - superfine, translucent silica powder.  This is the best powder for setting your foundation without drying your skin out and leaving it looking powdery.  Since I discovered this powder I haven't used anything else. Perfect!

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10.  Urban Rituelle Turkish Rose & Vanilla Perfume Oil - this is the perfect  mix of Rose, Musk and Vanilla in a oil base roll-on bottle.  Apply a little to your pulse points and the perfume lasts all day, this is one of my favourite perfumes and I carry it with me always.  This perfume is part of Urban Rituelle,s Tea Ceremony range and you can find them here.

Ok, that's my Top Ten for now, there are other products I use consistantly so this is just a snapshot of a few favourites and I am sure it will change when I find new products or rediscover some old favourites.

Love to hear what some of your favourite products are, please comment below.

Everyday Nude makeup

I thought I would share with you some of the nude everyday makeup I wear to work.  I wear a minimal amount of makeup because I am outside but I still want that healthy glow.

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I don't have a lot of time in the morning as I am up at 4.30am most days, I really don't want to be applying lots of makeup in the wee hours but I still want to look good!

Olay CC Cream - Total Effects Tone Correcting Moisturiser with Sunscreen. - Light /Medium.  This is a sheer tinted moisturiser that claims to fight the 7 signs of ageing.   Gives me just enough colour to even out my skintone, moisturises, protects and adds a healthy glow.  

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Bourjois Paris Healthy Balance compact powder - Vanilla.  A very finely milled finishing powder, enriched with asian fruit extracts.  This powder is so nice, sets your foundation without collecting in your pores or drying your skin, no cakiness at all.  You hardly feel like you have this on but it removes any shine around your forehead, nose and chin.   Has a lovely fruity aroma I really like this one, great for touch ups during the day.

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 Maybelline Color Tattoo - Bad to the Bronze.  Gorgeous eyeshadow that you can wear all over your eye area, just apply heavier to the lid and then blend out.  Lasts all day with no creasing.

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These are the three brushes I have been carrying around in my little pink bunny here, they all do a terrific job, the Real Techniques brush is excellent for blending out the Color Tattoo eye shadow.

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(l-r):   Real Techniques - deluxe crease brush ~  Wotnot eyeshadow brush ~  MUA - F4 powder brush.

MUA Pro's Every Lash Waterproof mascara - Black.  This is my favourite mascara from the MUA range, it separates all my lashes beautifully with a minimum of fuss.  This mascara actually performs as described, the first coat lengthens and the second coat adds volume.  No clumping, no panda eyes and no flaking.

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REVLON JUST BITTEN KISSABLE BALM - Precious.  These are my favourite chubby crayon lip balms.  They have a moisturising stay-put formula, the colour is buildable the more you apply.  

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Precious starts out Nude on the lips but becomes pinker the more you apply.  Even when the gloss has worn off there is still a blush of pink stain on your lips.

OK so that's one of my day looks and some of the products I have been loving at the moment.  What do you like to wear during the day and what are some of your favourites?  Please comment below I would love to hear from you.

Jac x0x

Everything Orange

For the past few months I have been attracted to items that are Orange.

I don't know why but I just love the look and smell of orange citrus in my cosmetics, hair and skincare products.

If it smells of oranges, looks orange or has orange on the label I want it.

It's really weird, I know.  It isn't even close to be being my favourite colour.

Here are some Orange products I have been loving so far..............

MUA- Makeup Academy - I Want U -  Nail Polish

www.muastore.co.uk

I have it on my toes right now!!

CLINIQUE - Chubby Stick - Oversized Orange - Lip Balm

www.clinique.com.au

Looks quite bright but applies sheer. it's more peach toned with a slight glossy frosting.

BENEFIT - Cha Cha Cha Tint - Cheek and Lip Stain

www.benefitcosmetics.com

 

Now straight out the bottle this looks orange but it dries to a beautiful peachy/coral hue, looks great on summer skin and lips.

LIME CRIME - 6th Element - Orange Liquid Eyeliner

www.limecrimemakeup.com

Now this is Fanta Orange and I am not bold enough to wear a complete orange look on my eyes but orange enhances the blue in my eyes so I am not adverse to wearing a little of this close to my lashes.

MIRENESSE - Power Lift Micro Dynamic Foam Cleanser - contains Organic Orange Oil

www.mirenesse.com

This Facial cleanser smells divine, just like oranges.  Does a great job of cleansing your skin without drying it out too.

NOW SOLUTIONS - Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser - AM Fine Line Smoothing & Repair - Mature Skin

www.iherb.com

Now Solutions have a range of skincare for mature skin and they ALL have this wonderful Orange Citrus aroma.  Super moisturising and they work really well on dry mature skin.  I purchase mine from www.iherb.com and my gift to you,  if you use the following code: TUW872 at the checkout,  you will receive a discount with your first purchase and they do ship internationally.

ANDALOU NATURALS - Moisture Rich Styling Cream -Sweet Orange and Argan

www.iherb.com

This is a lovely leave in hair conditioner that leaves your hair smelling divine, you only need a little to moisturise and smooth your hair.   I also purchased this from iHerb.

AUBREY - Creme de la Shave -Orange Shave Cream

www.iherb.com

This a a beautiful moisturising natural shaving cream for you legs.  My husband also uses this for his face as he is sensitive to shaving soap.  A little goes a long way, lubricates and softens hairs for a close shave.  This is also an iHerb purchase, in fact I can go a little bit mad shopping there as they have so many orange products.

PURE FIJI - Nourishing Exotic Oil - Orange Blossom

www.purefiji.com

This oil can be used as a hair treatment, massage oil, moisturiser and my favourite is to apply it after shaving my legs.  Leaves your skin smooth, supple and smelling oh so good.

URBAN RITUELLE - Cocoa Butter Vegetable Soap - Mango

www.urbanrituelle.com

I know it's not technically Orange but look at that colour!

MAURA AND WIRTZ - Acqua Colonia - Cologne - Blood Orange and Basil

www.4711.com

I know Basil right?   But it just works, refreshing splash on a hot day, I love this fragrance.

So there you go that is some of my favourite Orange goodies that I am loving at the moment.

Please don't forget to leave a comment, I would love to hear what some of your favourites are.

One of my favourite artists also loved to use Orange in his paintings, I just love the vivid colours.

Still Life With Basket and Six Oranges 1888 ~ Vincent Van Gogh


There is no blue without yellow and without orange ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Beauty Repurchased Makeup

I have such a large collection of cosmetics it was really hard to find a few products that I liked the most and repurchase, I buy far too much makeup than I will ever need!!

Here are a few things that I have really loved in 2012

Bonne Bell blend'nglow in natural blush.

This is the one and only Bronzer/Highlighter that I have ever found that matches my fair skintone.   The four shades can be used individually as bronzer, blush and highlighter or a general sweep over the entire pan can be used for an all over healthy glow.  Natural matte like finish with just a little bit of glow, perfect for my skin, I use this exclusively to contour my entire face.  I have to purchase this from Amazon.com because it isn't available in Australia.

EVERYDAY MINERALS MULTI-TASKING NEUTRAL - SEMI-MATTE mineral powder.   I can't wear mineral powder on its own because it is too drying on my skin. I love to use this product for setting my liquid foundation or when I am wearing BB cream and want a little bit of extra coverage.  I have been using EDM for years and this is always the powder I reach for, nothing else compares.

ALMAY ONE COAT GET UP AND GROW MASCARA.  This is the mascara that I reach for most often and have repurchased several times.  I have very sensitive eyes that itch like crazy when they come in contact with anything foreign and this is one of the very few mascaras that does not irritate my eyes.  Thickens and lengthens and stays put.  I really like Eye of Horus Mascara too but I haven't had to repurchase that yet but I will.

ELISHACOY ALWAYS NUDDY BB CREAM.  I have tried many BB creams but this is the one that I have repurchased.  Gel like texture that leaves your face with a healthy glow, doesn't break down or settle in your pores, lasts all day and is a great base for mineral foundation.  Recommended for all skin types but I have found that this is more moisturising than other BB creams which is probably why I prefer it, I don't think it would be suitable for oily skin.

My favourite cosmetic is Lip Gloss, I don't wear lipstick as I find it too drying but I have lip gloss everywhere!  I love MIRENESSE LIP GLOSS.  They come in sheer glosses, sparkle, shimmer and matte shades.  Super moisturising, long lasting and the colour range is fantastic.  Another lipgloss that I have fallen in love with this year is;

MUA Makeup Academy Intense Kisses Lip Gloss, my favourite shade is Sealed with a Kiss.  Lovely creamy matte musky rose, non-sticky long lasting formula, for a budget lipgloss these really are the best.  Available online at www.muastore.co.uk or Superdrug, they do ship internationally.  This is a good brand of cosmetics, very reasonably priced and I have loved everything I have purchased from there so far.

My all time favourite go too eyeshadow would have to be Covergirl Eye Enhancers Tapestry Taupe.  Very very popular with Beauty Bloggers worldwide, you can find it on Amazon, Ebay and Priceline have it here as part of a quad called 'Country Woods'.  This is a magical eyeshadow that can be worn on its own but depending on the light lookes multi-dimensional.  Very buildable colour which makes a great smoky eye for very fair skin and stays put all day.  Everyone should have this in their beauty collection.

My all time favourite concealer is Benefit Erase Paste in fair.

 



This is just the best concealer, great coverage and very blendable.  I conceal under my eyes after foundation, I just pat this in and I'm good all day.  Doesn't build up in the creases and give me an extra boost of moisture, while brightening my under eye area.  What I like best about this concealer is I don't need to set with powder which can be very drying on my skin and accentuate lines.

This was a very difficult blog to write as there are so many favourites but these are just some of the ones I find my self using every day.

Please don't forget to leave a comment, I would love to hear what some of your favourites are.