Revlon Colorburst Matte and Lacquer Balm | Review

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 245 Audacious and Lacquer Balm in 135 Provocateur 

Whoever decided that lip crayons would be a great idea, I bow down to you! Ever since these babies were first released, they have been my saving grace on my lazy make up days (and heaven knows how many of those I have). I find lip crayons to be so easy to use and much much easier to apply sans mirror versus regular lipstick. So when Revlon released their newest additions to lip crayon party, Lacquer and Matte Balms I was all over that. I bought these two in a Priceline 2 for 1 sale many many moons ago and I have been wearing them both regularly since. I've got to say, these balms really satisfy my obsession with coral and bright pinks! With so many variations of the shades it was so hard for me to just pick two to trial (I will definitely being go back for more though not that I technically need more but you know ...) 

Out of the two formulas I was most impressed with the matte balms mainly due to my internal and irrational fear of matte lipstick. Now don't get me wrong I love pretty much everything matte  - matte eyeshadow, matte foundation, all things that I adore. But matte lipstick? Honestly that scares me just a tad. But these Revlon Matte Balms, ahhh-mazing! They applied really well and didn't dry out my lips at all. I think they are also just a bit moisturising that I almost forgot that I was actually wearing matte lipstick (thumbs up from me). The colour pay off is great and they last a really long time, and even when they start to wear off they leave a stain just like the original Colourburst balms.

The Lacquer balms on the other hand I find to be very similar to the original, though slightly more moisturising and glossier. Both the matte and lacquer balms have the same peppermint scent as the originals, though I find the new formulas to have a better colour pay off. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with these balms and I'm seriously itching to purchase some more.

What formula do you like best from the new Revlon Colourburst balms?

Chantalle x

Empty Products #2 | Things I've used up

You got to hand it to the beauty blogging community for probably being the only ones who can make a blog post out of trash and make keeping empty bottles for months seem perfectly normal! I have a few empties this time around, some are favourites while others I could probably live the rest of my life without.

Soap and Glory The Breakfast Scrub 

I have raved about this scrub extensively here but I absolutely adore this scrub. It smells delicious and reminds me of pancakes, what's not to love?

Would I Repurchase? Yes

Toni & Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo

I'm currently on the hunt for some of the best dry shampoos that I want to include in a post that I have been planing, so naturally I had to give this a go. But spoiler alert, this probably has to be one my favourites so far. It smells great, but most importantly leaves hair feeling cleaner in between washes.

Would I Repurchase? Yes, after I have trialled all the dry shampoos I have stocked up on!

Skinstiut Glycolic Scrub

Skinstiut was a brand I was introduced to by my dermatologist and since I have started using this I haven't stopped. It has to be one of the only face scrubs that my skin has ever responded well to, and as someone who suffers from blemishes this a god send. I'm thinking of doing some posts about skin care that is good for acne prone and congested skin, let me know if you would be interested!

Would I Repurchase? Yes, forever and ever. 

MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW20

I briefly mentioned my love affair for this powder in my recent Mac haul post so I won't blabber about this too much, but this is the only powder I have repurchased.

Would I Repurchase? Yes, I already have!

Medik8 BetaCleanse Anti-Bacterial Exfoliating Foaming Wash

Another cleanser that I was introduced to from my dermatologist. This is great for problem skin as it contains Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree Oil. It has a great scent and I feel really works for my skin.

Would I Repurchase? Definitely! 

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser sample 

I recieved this sample in one of my Mecca boxes and it isn't a product I would usually try as it isn't targeted towards my skin type. But in effort to clear out my samples I gave this a go. It has a pleasant scent and lathers into the skin pretty well but it doesn't suit my skin at all.

Would I Purchase? No

Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner 

I have had this sitting in my drawer for quite some time and it's about time this was chucked. I don't like it, I don't think gel liner is my thing but I am giving a Stila one a go. This one dried out fairly quickly and didn't have great staying power on my lids.

Would I Repurchase? No

Grown Alchemist Rosa Damascena Acai and Pomegranate Intensive Body Cream

I started using this when my skin was in phase of having dry patches. It works pretty okay in that respect but I am not a fan of the scent. I personally enjoy lotions and body creams with a nice smell and this doesn't do it for me.

Would I Repurchase? Probably not

Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask

This has to be one of my favourite face masks for congested skin. I won't say too much because I have a review coming up featuring this baby but lets just say that it is worth the hype.

Would I Repurchase? YES

Bioderma Crealine H20 micellar water

I probably mention this too much on my blog (see my review here and my comparison post here) but it truly is a great product, that is all.

Would I Repurchase? Yes

L'Occitane Shea Butter Dry Skin Hand Cream sample

Another sample that I recieved but from one of my Adore Beauty orders. I love hand creams and shea butter so I was excited to try this but sadly I am not impressed. Like my body creams, I like my hand creams to have a nice scent and this one I do not like at all. I will not buy the full tube.

Would I Purchase? No

John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo and Conditioner 

As someone that suffers from oily roots and dry ends (whilst having color treated hair) the pain of finding a good hair duo is bloody hard. I spotted this in Priceline and it seemed to address all my problems. It has weird peppermint scent that I can handle but I feel it still leaves my hair feeling oily after two days. With dry shampoo this is fine but on it's own not so much.

Would I Repurchase? Will have to try out other shampoo/conditioners before deciding

St Tropez Gradual Tan Moisturiser in Light/Medium 

I believe I have mentioned how pale I am somewhere so some form of tanning product is pretty much a yearly staple for me (though in winter I can get away with pale pins yay!) I love St Tropez but I hated this. The smell is just yuk and for a gradual tan it's so orange and so streaky, I hated it.

Would I Repurchase? No way, didn't even finish the full bottle

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle

Another dry shampoo I have been trialling so I won't give it all away but it does work really well.

Would I Repurchase? Undecided

What empties do you have lying around? Have you tried any of these?

Chantalle x

Wednesday Wishlist #4 | Winter Wants

 

 1. Topshop Tailored Lightweight coat in pale pink | 2. Topshop Monochrome Print Throw On Coat |

 3. Diptyque Limited Edition Rosa Mundi candle | 4. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned | 5. MAC Maleficent Collection Lipstick in True Love's Kiss | 6. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion | 7. Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose | 8. Essie Nail Polish in After School Boy Blazer | 9. Essie Nail Polish Devil's Advocate

With a new season comes a new wishlist. Not sure if it's just me and it's probably a little cliche (okay, a lot cliche) to match lip/nail colour and make up with the season. I guess for us Aussies since we don't really get a full blown winter, we make up for it in attempting to look and dress the part. I love vampy reds, plums and wine coloured lips for autumn and winter, as well as black blues and deep cherry reds for my nails. A little of pinched cheeks don't hurt either for that I've-just-been-out-in-the-cold-wind look. I think it's the only time (except maybe for night and special occasions) that I can really get away with wearing a lot of dark colours and not be labelled a goth. I also love coats and anything oversized and slouchy really (especially of the monochrome variety),  though I'm trying the trend of injecting a bit pastel into the fold (note the baby pink boyfriend coat). I'm also lusting after some new candles, as well as a quality lip butter to take care of my lips on cooler days (with a nice touch of red of course). 

What's on your wishlist this month? 

Chantalle x

Bioderma Crealine H20 vs Garnier Micellar Water | Product Comparison

Product comparison posts are honestly one of my favourites to both read and write. One of the many reasons why I first really got into beauty blogging was for me a lack in posts that compared similar products. The Urban Decay Naked Palette was one of my first major beauty purchases and at the time 1 and 2 were on the market and I had no frickin' clue on which to buy first. I took to the Internet for much needed help and I felt no one could really tell me straight out either. I had to make a decision all on my lonesome, heaven help me. So I started these types of posts on my blog on while ago to help you guys out, and help you decide with no fluffiness, no hidden agenda which out of the two products you should buy and which you shouldn't even bother with. In today's product comparison post I will be comparing the pros and cons of two the most popular micellar solutions from Bioderma and Garnier.

To start things off let me just say I lurrrveee micellar cleansing water. It is honestly a god send and ever since introducing it into my daily routine I haven't looked back since. I truly believe that for me they are best way to remove make up or freshen up your skin. They are super gentle, which is great for my skin (I have very sensitive acne prone skin) and most importantly didn't break me out. I think every beauty blogger and their dog has tried at least one type (hopefully, if you haven't get on it stat). My first foray into the micellar cleansing water world was of course with Bioderma (you can check out my full review here) but daily use of this stuff and constant repurchasing seriously did a number on my bank account. Bioderma is just so darn pricey for something I run out of quite quickly. So when Garnier released their own version I just had to try it out and see if it were anything like Bioderma. I have been using both for quite some time now and have finally come to the conclusion on which I think is the best.

In terms of size Garnier is obviously the bigger one here. I have never managed to get my hands on the 500ml Bioderma until my most recent Adore Beauty purchase so I don't really take the size of the bottle into consideration. Though the Bioderma 250ml is much easier to take traveling with you instead of the bigger Garnier bottle. I honestly can't spot nay difference between the two in consistency and look. If they were both in a non labelled bottle I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them. However I think Bioderma has a slightly different scent. I don't think the Garnier variation really has a scent to be honest but the Bioderma one does but it doesn't bother me at all, like it's not incredibly potent but I can smell it on a cotton pad.

But the real crunch here is which works better. After many months of the trialing the two I have to say that Bioderma is hands down the better solution. In saying that, it doesn't mean that the Garnier one doesn't work because it does, just not as well as Bioderma in my opinion. The Bioderma micellar solution is without a doubt the best at removing eye make up. When I use the Garnier one I feel it still leaves traces of my mascara and eyeliner on my eyes (and don't even get me started on when I use waterproof mascara...) I also feel that when I use it to remove my foundation that it doesn't remove all of it as well as the Bioderma one does. Overall I feel that the Bioderma alternative removes my make up better and leaves my skin feeling cleaner and fresher. I even got my mum to try out the two and she has to agree, using up all my Bioderma leaving me to use the Garnier solution *sigh. In this situation, Bioderma is definitely worth the price tag, although the Garnier one may be a great cheaper alternative if you feel like saving some money. I do use the Garnier one now to tidy up my (bad) attempts at wing eyeliner so I am not wasting it. I know some people out there won't agree with me and will probably find the Garnier one works just as well for them if not better, but for me and my skin using Bioderma Crealine is well worth the extra dollars.

What do you think of micellar cleaning water and which is your favourite? Do you agree with me on which is the best?

Chantalle x