Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana hand creme | Review

I feel like I'm always on a search. The kind of search that can be comparable to some never ending  quest, with ups and downs, twists and turns, and rights and wrongs. And no, I am not talking about finding the meaning of life (also equally troubling, but lets save that for another post) - I am talking about finding the one. The one that fits into your life seamlessly, fulfills all your needs so you never feel the need to search ever again. Yes ladies, I am talking about that one perfect beauty product. But no matter what I do, no matter how much I fall in love time and time again, it never seems to be enough and I always crave for more. But I guess that is beauty addiction for ya. 

My most recent search had been to find a hand cream that I could use before bed. Something thick and hydrating but not too sticky, something that smelt deliciously sweet but not too sickening. That's when I stumbled across this little gem. I love all Burt's Bess products that I have tried, but this hand cream is my newest love.

As soon as I twisted open the lid on the glass jar I knew this would be a hit. True to its name, the cream smells just like bananas but more on the banana milkshake or smoothie side. It's definitely sweet but not so much that it makes you cringe. The jar is a decent size and I assume it will last me quite a while as the consistency is quite thick meaning I only need to use a tiny bit.

Ever since I have bought this, I have used it every night and sometimes when I am about to head out, and I've only made a teeny tiny dent in it. It does take some time to sink in but that's what makes it perfect for night time use. I don't have extremely dry hands but I feel that there has been difference since I have started using this.

This retails for about $17 in Australia and can be purchased in places like Priceline or Myer. I think the price is reasonable considering the size of the product and how little you need to use for it to be effective. When I finish this (if I ever finish this!) I will definitely re-purchase. It also comes in an almond and milk smell/flavour. I usually love almonds, and I am a devote to almond milk, but that one just didn't do it for me, the smell reminded me of medicine for some weird reason and really do not want to feel sick before bed! This little baby has found a new home on my bed side table (for now), well at least until I feel the need to search and buy another one! Ahh that pesky beauty product addiction!

What beauty products are you constantly in search for? Have you tried this baby, what are your opinions? Comment below!

February Faves | Beauty Products

I seriously cannot believe that February is done and dusted and it's March already - how quick is this year going! February was not only my birthday month (still not use to being 20) but also when I went to to the Philippines for the first time since I was 6 and also the start of my last year of my media degree. This month I bought a truck load of different products, but these are the ones which I found myself grabbing the most. So drum roll please ladies and gents, here goes my first monthy favourites post!

So in no particular order (other than for convenience that is)

1. Lanolips 101 Ointment- This is hailed by many big names in beauty as one of Australia's best products, and I am going to have to agree. This lip ointment is medical grade and made out of lanolin. This baby is great for chapped lips, cuticles, dry skin and much more. I will probably using this a lot more when winter rolls around.

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation- I just recently bought this foundation but I am already in love. It is light enough to use during the day but covers redness and imperfections. I feel that lasts quite well with a primer and when applied with my buffing brush.

3. Burt's Bees Beeswax and Banana Hand cream- I will soon be uploading a review on this gem, but let me just say it smells good enough to eat and works incredibly well as a before bed hand cream.

4. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette- I have already done a review on this palette here but throughout the month this has easily become my favourite palette. I've used it almost everyday and usually in combination with my Naked 2. The colours are just superb to use on a daily basis.

5. Oh Lola! by Marc Jacobs perfume- I am huge fan of everything Marc Jacobs but this perfume has recently become my fave. In my opinion it is much nicer than the original Lola and contains woody and vanilla notes while being fruity and floral all at once.

6. Nak Dry Klean Dry Shampoo- My hair is prone to become oily after 2 days and is quite annoying to wash all the time. This dry shampoo is by far the best I've used so far and doesn't leave my hair feeling gross and powdery after it has been brushed through.

7. Benefit Ooh La Lift under-eye brightener- I've had this for quite awhile but I have found myself reaching for this more regularly this month. I blame late nights and early starts! But this does work quite well with concealer to brighten the eye area

8. Benefit Porefessional balm- This month I have been having quite some issues with my already problematic skin (I'm quite acne prone). I have been getting strange little bumps around my cheeks resulting in my make-up not sitting well. This balm has done wonders to fill in my pores and hide those pesky bumps.

What were your favourite products this month?

Duty Free and overseas make-up purchases

As promised, here is my beauty purchases while I was holidaying away in the Philippines that I wanted to share with you guys. Somehow I managed to buy significantly less than I thought I would. I left Australia with a hefty list of all the beauty products that I was dying to buy. However when I got there, I'm not sure what stopped me from buying so much but I just didn't. Although I think to blame is the presence of Forever 21 and Topshop for distracting me (cheap clothes won this time) and the amount of clothes I bought resulting in very few remaining kgs for make-up in my luggage. Nevertheless I did manage to get some stuff on zee list.

So funny story, I nearly missed my flight out of Australia all because of you guessed it, duty free shopping! I don't know how it happened, but somehow my mum and I spent over an hour in the perfume section trying on various perfumes (it could only happen to us really). While I was purchasing these two babies at the counter they were calling out my mum and I over the PA to board the plane, and my GOD did we freak out. I've never ran so fast in my life, hand carry luggage whacking everyone behind me all the way to the boarding gates - but whatever. I bought these two because they are my absolute faves, they smell almost the same but I DO NOT CARE. So worth almost missing my plane (kind of ...).

My next purchase was Maybelline Baby Lips. I bought these because one, they're not very heavy and two, they are bloody cheap there! In Australia I think the retail for about $6 (not 100% sure) but in the Philippines I think these were less than $2 - so pretty damn cheap in my opinion. I did snap up a few more in these two shades, colour Berry Crush and Baby Pink Glow (I'm not too fond of the others) so hopefully I won't need to buy anymore in the near future.

Next is my MAC purchases. I will start off by saying I didn't own many MAC products previously, simply because they are pretty pricey here in Australia and I always feel a little intimidated by the MAC girls at my local counters. Being intimidated is more than enough to stop me from buying something, stupid I know but I HOPE I am not the only one. Most of the products I bough were a result of getting my make-up done by the guys at the counter. Here's what I bought:

Fix+ skin refresher and finishing mist- This spray is meant to be kinda like a setting mist and face primer all in one. It should be used before and after applying make-up to keep foundation look fresh and anti-cakey throughout the day. I've used it a few times already and really think it does make a difference. 

Mineralize tinted lip balm in Rosy Romance- This wasn't on my list, but I bought this because I've always wanted to try out MAC lip balms. I like the colour, especially for winter. 

Studio Fix Foundation powder in NC 20 and NW 20- I've been dying to get these for quite awhile now. I bought both NC and NW because my skin colour tends to vary with the seasons. In summer, I do have a much more pinky red tone, whereas in winter my face is much paler, but generally I am always pretty pale. There is a significant difference between the NC and NW colours and I will do a post in the future highlighting the differences.

Prep and Prime BB cream in light- Bought this simply because I love BB creams and trying different ones from various brands. I have yet to use this yet but I am extremely excited to see how it goes.

Face and Body Foundation- I've heard great things about this. I will probably wear this more in the evening or when I go out somewhere as I am not really into the heavy face make-up during the day, but I think this will turn out to be a great product. 

 

Lipsticks- This is probably what I was most excited to buy. I have a lot of coral, nude and red lipsticks already but I have been dying to get my hands on these, especially Brick-o-La. It was on my Wednesday Wishlist and I have been so eager to try it since reading so many reviews on it. I also bought Angel and Russian Red as staples. In my opinion these were quite a steal, in Oz I think they are about $36 each, but in the Philippines they were slightly less than $25.

So there you have it, my beauty buys while I was in holidays! Do you buy a lot of beauty products when you go overseas? Do you have any funny duty free stories? Comment below!
 

They're Real vs. BADgal Lash mascara | Product comparison

I've seen quite a lot of these type of posts around, in particular about the two Benefit mascaras. I have personally had both mascaras for some time now, and have finally decided to add my wee little two cents in on which I think is the better product. However, I do think each product has their pros and cons, and are both really good quality products, but sometimes a gal has to have her faves doesn't she?

First up is the They're Real mascara. When I first bought this baby, I'm not gonna lie I was so excited to try it. I had heard and watched all sorts of beauty bloggers rave their praises about it, the unique separating wand, the amazing length and volume - the works. So when I first pulled it out of its trademark cute Benefit packaging, I was tingling with excitement, I was practically giddy about it all. However I was horribly disappointed. I didn't notice any difference in my lashes at all in comparison to my regular (and much cheaper) mascara, I found the wand hard and awkward to use as it is quite long and a bit harsh to use on my eyes. In general I was so upset that it didn't live up to the hype that I was expecting.

Having said that, I think it may have been beginners bad luck. After using it a few times I finally got the hang of things and slowly, day by day grew to love this mascara almost as if it were my first-born child. I find the formula to be quite wet looking which makes it very quick and easy to use. After a few coats my lashes are ready to go. The unique brush bristles at the tip of the wand also makes it easier to reach those teeny tiny things at the corner of my eyes.

I would say that I generally have fairly long and thick eyelashes, and this mascara makes them much longer with some curl and extra volume. I have received many compliments about my eye lashes when wearing this mascara, and who can complain with great compliments right? I find that this mascara doesn't clump at all, and in my opinion also separates my lashes quite well. I also find that this mascara works quite well on the bottom lashes. In terms of wear, this mascara for me lasts quite a while, it doesn't flake or cause me to get horrible panda eyes by the end of the day and that is always a plus. I also love the sleek packaging of this, so cute.


Next is the BADgal Lash mascara. Honestly, I love this mascara. It was my first Benefit purchase ever and I guess you never forget your first. I find this mascara to be a lot drier and more matte I guess you could say in comparison to They're Real. However, it doesn't appear flakey or dry on my lashes and for me is quite buildable without any clumps. I don't find this mascara to be particularly lengthening, but I do think it it gives great volume and makes my lashes much fuller and thick. I think what I love most about this mascara is its brush. It is so big and full and feels like a dream when you apply it. It dunno if this is weird to say, but I actually enjoying applying this mascara because it feels so nice (LOL)

Like They're Real, I find this mascara to be long lasting and have no problems with it in terms of wear. The only thing I don't like about the full sized product is how big it is, making it quite annoying to take around with me. Other than that I can't really fault it except for its price. In Australia, both mascaras retail for about $38 and other than the fact that I love the brush, I can't justify paying almost $40 for a mascara that is quite similar to regular drug store products and can achieve similar if not the same results.

So which is the winner?

In this case, I definitely like They're Real much better and can probably justify purchasing this for the price, and I will repurchase it again.  After getting the hang of things, I think that this mascara does live up to its hype and I can easily say that it is one my favourites and my go to mascara on a bad day. While didn't love the brush at first, I actually quite like it now, especially those spikes(?) at tip of the brush. HOWEVER, if I am being honest and I am swear! I use both mascaras together. I will usually use BADgal lash first for volume and then They're Real to separate my lashes and for extra length. I'd say I  would use these in combination about 80% of the time unless I am short for time. I would probably recommend to use these together, seriously give it a try!

Do you own both of these mascaras? Which is your favourite?