Confessions of a Stationery Addict…

So I thought I might make today’s post a little out of the ordinary, after all, mixing it up is quite exciting for both me and you!

For those of you who don’t know me personally, you may not be aware that I am in fact a self-confessed stationery addict. Don’t get me wrong, I do love my beauty bits, but when kikki k releases a new collection – oh my. Excited would be an understatement.

The new lilac and gold collection is just something else. The patterns, the colours, it’s just absolutely gorgeous. From the notepaper to the phone cases and everything in between, this collection seems to have no flaws. I can honestly say I would buy every single item and not regret it one little bit.

In fact I think my productivity has actually increased since picking up some of the pieces from this collection. Having such beautiful stationery sitting next to me actually makes me want to pick up a pen and start organising myself – so not only does my desk look as pretty as ever, but I’m actually getting more work done. What a bonus!

I would highly recommend having a browse of the new season collections on the kikki k website, or popping into your local store if you’re a stationery geek like myself. If not, I promise my next post will be something more on the beauty side!

Katie xx

Fabuloso Colour Intensifier – Product Review

Calling all copper-haired ladies, here is a miracle worker which you all need to get your hands on. The Evo Fabuloso Colour Intensifier in Copper is my new favourite in the haircare department for three reasons.

Firstly, if you have your hair coloured in any shade of copper/red you will know how insanely difficult it is to stop that colour fading. It’s practically impossible. Yet this product does it, it keeps the colour vibrant and stops that horrible dull-hair feeling.

Secondly, it conditions and hydrates your hair like crazy. Colour-treated hair is obviously much drier than non-coloured hair, so a product that intensifies colour while also acting as a moisture treatment is generally unheard of, but boy am I happy I found this one.

And finally, it adds shine so that your hair stays glossy for weeks after you’ve been to the hair salon. Making it look and feel a whole lot healthier all the time. It’s also super easy to apply, just massage it in after washing and towel-drying your hair, leave sit for 4-8 minutes and then wash out!

After taking a trip back to the Evo website, I found that they also make this product for platinum blondes and brunettes with colour-treated hair. So even if you’re not a redhead like me, I would definitely give this one a shot!

Katie xx

Mini Skincare Haul

Sorry that I’ve been a bit MIA recently, university got the best of me and I was struggling to post regularly on here…But fortunately Priceline had a 40% off skincare sale, so what better way to get back into beauty blogging than with a haul!?

I decided to pick up a few new products that I hadn’t previously tried from the drugstore, but had heard great things about (let me know if you would like any reviews and I’ll endeavour to get some posted). The first two products that I picked up were from the Simple skincare range, I was drawn to these two after hearing about them from Zoella. The first is the Moisturising Facial Wash, I picked this up because I’ve recently been using a Nivea cleanser that has really been drying out my already dry skin. I will get back to you on whether it lives up to it’s claims.

Also from the Simple range I picked up the Anti-Blemish Moisturiser, which claims to give visibly clearer skin from day 1. I’ve been struggling with a few minor breakouts and blemishes (presumably due to stress from uni) and thought that it would be a good time to give this one a go. I also like the fact that Simple don’t use any perfume or colour in their products

Now the next brand I was drawn to was one which I find to either have hit or miss products…I’m talking about Garnier. There are some products by Garnier which I absolutely swear by, whereas there are also some which I find to be quite useless so we’ll see how these ones go. The first is the Radiance Boosting Scrub which I have high hopes for, as it claims to purify pores and energise dull and tired skin. I’ve heard this product compared with the Origins Ginzeng Scrub which I adore, so fingers crossed! The next is the Beauty Oil Scrub which I picked up on a whim, it claims to exfoliate, nourish and illuminate which are all very inviting words to me.

The last product I picked up purely out of curiosity, the Beauty Essentials range is extremely cheap so I’m not expecting too much. But then again, I am definitely one for finding cheaper alternatives so I’ll definitely let you all know if it’s worth trying.

Don’t forget to request some future reviews of these products in the comments, and if you live in Australia get down to your nearest Priceline tomorrow to pick up some amazing skincare deals!

Katie xx

Product Review – Nivea Skin Conditioner

If you’re one of those people (like me) who get a little lazy with body moisturisers during the cooler months, here is a product for you!

Nivea’s new Skin Conditioner is everything I could have hoped for in a body moisturiser and more. It’s affordable, extremely hydrating, contains a lot of product, and most importantly is designed for use in the shower.

I can think of nothing worse than stepping out of a nice hot shower in winter, and then having to slather cold moisturiser all over myself. But as a person with extremely dry skin, it was a harsh reality I had to face.

This product changes all of that, as you simply apply it to your skin after cleansing (in the shower) and then wash it all off. I have to say I was very skeptical about the effectiveness of this product at first, however, after my very first use I was convinced. My skin was left extremely nourished and hydrated without that greasy, sticky feeling that most moisturisers leave behind.

Overall I think this product is fantastic, and would definitely reccommend it to anyone else who lapses a bit on the moisturiser front during winter.

Katie xx

Benefit Bases

I’ve recently been drawn in by the amazing new Benefit Winter catalogue and couldn’t resist trying out two of their base products. I’ve been in the market for a new foundation and concealer duo for quite a while now, and have looked at all different brands and all different products, however, Benefit captured my attention over the other counters. I’m still not quite sure whether it was the fun packaging or the vibrant catalogue that caught my eye, but whatever it was, I’m sure glad it did.

The girl at the counter tested both the foundation and concealer on my skin to ensure the colour match was spot on, and also to show me the types of coverage that I could get. To say I was impressed would be an understatement, this Boing concealer is incredible! It covered up every single one of my blemishes perfectly without looking cakey on the skin – even the most pesky ones were completely covered. Typically I prefer a very light to medium coverage foundation, as I don’t like anything that feels heavy on the skin. The Benefit Oxygen Wow is everything that I could hope for in a foundation and more, it’s extremely light-weight and natural looking, yet can be built up to a medium coverage when necessary (without looking cakey in the slightest).

I have been completely converted to Benefit bases, and will definitely be back to purchase and try out their new BB cream. Tell me what your favourite Benefit products are in the comments below!

Katie xx

Product Review – Garnier Perfect Blur

To be completely honest, I am not usually a fan of primers, especially the high-end varieties. I don’t find that they make too much difference to the application of my base, or the staying power of my foundation. However, this all changed when I picked up one of Garnier’s new releases, the Perfect Blur Smoothing Base Perfector.

This was one of those spontaneous buys as I was heading to the counter, it was sitting there on a stand and for some reason it reminded me of Benefit’s The Porefessional (which I love but can’t justify the price of for a primer). I’ve been using this under my foundation for the past 3 days and have noticed a significant improvement in the finish of my foundation, to me it seems like a miracle product. It leaves your skin feeling extremely smooth as soon as you’ve applied it, and reduces the appearance and redness of any blemishes – which I love!

It only takes a couple of seconds to apply, and it retails for about $10 AUD which I think is a very reasonable price considering the results that I’ve seen. My mum also tried the product recently and found that it reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around her eyes, so it’s suitable for a variety of different skin types! Overall, I think this is a really great product if you’re looking for something that’s going to give you a much smoother and more natural finish with your foundation, and I have seen similar results to what the Porefessional used to give me for a fraction of the price. If you’re in the market for a primer, definitely give this one a go!

 

Bioderma Dupe – Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Are you all ready for a product that’s going to blow your socks off AND also save your pennies? Well, here it is! The brand new micellar water by Garnier. Now for me this product couldn’t have come at a better time. Just when I was down to those last few drops of my precious Bioderma Sensibio H20, Garnier releases what I would like to call a miracle in a bottle.

On the packaging this product claims that it removes makeup, cleanses and soothes – with absolutely no rinsing needed. So basically it is supposed to do exactly what the Bioderma equivalent does, at a fraction of the price. Sounded like a win-win to me! I’ve been using this product for just over 2 weeks now and honestly I am very impressed. In Australia the Garnier micellar water retails for just over $11, which is a massive difference from the Bioderma equivalent which will cost you about $30. I’ve found that the Garnier micellar water will remove all of my makeup (including the dreaded waterproof eye makeup) without leaving my skin feeling sticky, oily or even too dry. Instead, my skin feels clean, fresh and hydrated which is a massive plus for someone like me who suffers from chronic dry skin.

The only downside that I have found to this product in comparison to the Bioderma is that it does take a little more product to completely remove all my makeup, however, for me this isn’t a huge deal as first of all it comes in a 400mL bottle compared with the smaller 250mL bottle of Bioderma, and second of all only costs $11.

Overall, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water ticks all the boxes for me, and I think it’ll definitely find itself in my basket over the Bioderma Sensibio H20 in the future.

If you’re not sure where to pick it up – I’d recommend Priceline (plus they’ve got it 20% off at the moment as well) Here’s the link: http://www.priceline.com.au/index.php/skincare/face-care/facial-cleansers-and-scrubs/micellar-cleansing-water-400.0-ml

Let me know what your favourite makeup remover is in the comments below!

Katie xx

Winter Lip Care

As one of those people cursed with chronic dry skin, the winter months are extremely painful for me. As the weather gets colder and the wind gets stronger, my skin gets harder and harder to keep hydrated. Today I am particularly focusing on the lips, as they are the most difficult for me to manage in winter. Chapped, dry lips are not only extremely unattractive, but they are also downright painful. The two products which I am about to write about have practically saved my lips, and are a must in my handbag through these winter months.

The first product I would like to talk about is the Bubblegum Lip Scrub from Lush. I use this scrub before applying any other lip product in order to prep my lips. It literally is just a sugar scrub that tastes like bubblegum, and as many people have said before, you could probably make some yourself very easily. However, the ease of being able to buy it in a nice little pot appealed to me. You just put a tiny bit on your finger and rub it over your lips to remove any dry skin, and then simply wipe it off with a face cloth or rinse it off with water. So there’s the first problem solved – dry skin removed. Now it’s time for hydrating.

My next product is Maybelline’s Baby Lips, this product is essentially just a lip balm. However, I find the formula to be especially nice, it glides on really well and gives my lips a lovely smooth texture. This product comes in a variety of flavours, along with tinted versions which are perfect for wearing out when your lips are having a rough day. This product is extremely cheap, and comes in simple, but cute packaging. Perfect to just chuck in your handbag for instant lip hydration on the go. I always opt for the SPF 30+ version of this product, as not even winter phases the Australian sun. It just gives me that little extra piece of mind.

If you’re looking for two great products that are going to keep your lips looking and feeling hydrated and nourished throughout winter, definitely check these out. And also let me know in the comments below if you have any other recommendations for dry lips, as I am always interested in trying out new products.

 

Princess by Vera Wang

I recently picked up the perfume Princess by Vera Wang, and was so impressed that I could not resist typing up a blog post about it. I had heard great things about this product but had just never gotten around to trying it (plus I was devoted to my beloved Daisy by Marc Jacobs) however, I am so glad that I did.

This perfume is the perfect mix of fruity and floral – comprising two of my favourite things and throwing it in a bottle that I can spray all over myself. What more could I ask for? It’s bursting with succulent fruits and has the slightest hint of vanilla which gives it a unique yet amazing smell. I’ve only been wearing this for about a week now, but have had so many compliments on it which have proven how wonderful it really is.

Not only is the scent incredible, but it also comes in a lovely bottle which looks great on my dresser. At only a fraction of the price of Marc Jacobs perfumes I think it is an excellent product. I bought the 50mL size from Priceline, where it is currently reduced from $79 down to $39. So if you’re searching for a new perfume to brighten up your day, definitely give this one a go!

Let me know what your current perfume favourites are in the comments below

 

Boxed Hair Dyes 101

Are you wanting that fresh coloured look every 6 weeks or so but can’t afford to go to the salon? If so, this is the blog post for you.

As a poor University student who can’t afford to pay $100 every 6 weeks to get my hair re-done, but also can’t live with myself when I get that awful regrowth, I’ve found myself becoming very familiar with boxed hair dyes. I’ve experimented with a number of different brands, formulas, and colours over the last year or so, and I’ve finally found what I believe is the holy grail of boxed dyes.

Now, before I get into the nitty gritty of at-home hair dyeing. I’d like to advise those of you who haven’t previously coloured your hair to definitely go to a salon the first time, especially if you’re changing your colour dramatically. The hairdresser will be able to advise you on your colour choice first of all, and make sure that they do a really good job of covering every strand of your hair as well. This also gives you the opportunity to see how the pros go about doing this seemingly simple task.

For those of you like me who’ve had your hair coloured more times than you can remember at a salon, and are just feeling like that $100 is a little too expensive now, keep reading.

Before you head on in to Priceline, your local chemist, Woolworths, or wherever you wish to purchase your hair colour, make sure you’ve actually decided on what colour you’re after. If you don’t do this that wall of colours and brands is going to be extremely intimidating – trust me.

My next piece of advise is to never dye your hair using boxed dye if you want to change your colour from say Brunette to Blonde, because most of the time this is just going to end up in disaster. If you’re aiming for a dramatic change, make sure you pay the extra money and see a hairdresser. When I use boxed dye my aim is simply to colour my re-growth and just to brighten up my overall colour, if I’m going for something a lot different than what I have currently I always go to a salon.

So this brings me to picking the actual brand and formula. You’ve got your colour sorted, however, there are at least 10 different brands with at least 2 different formulas each, and they all have that colour you’re looking for. Hmmmm. What to do now? You eliminate anything less than $10 AUD that isn’t on sale. Trust me, I’ve tried opting for the cheaper formulas and brands before, but it doesn’t give you that fresh look with loads of shine, and it does tend to be extremely drying on your hair. I usually opt for the boxes that are approximately $20, and my all-time favourite is the range “Preference” by Loreal. If you’re looking for salon-finish in a box, this is the one for you. It comes with the usual Colourant Gel and Developer Creme, but also a Hi-Shine Elixir and Colour-Lock Conditioner as well. The Hi-Shine Elixir is what gives this product that salon-finish look, it makes your hair extrmely shiny without being greasy at all, and also makes it feel extremely nourished and hydrated. The Colour-Lock Conditioner is also something that sets this particular product apart, as it is enough to last you through the entire 6 weeks, and makes sure that your colour stays strong without fading until you’re ready to re-dye.

Overall this product is absolutely incredible and I don’t think I am ever going back to any other brand or formula. If you’re in the market for a new hair-dye to try out, definitely give this one a go. It’s super easy to apply, comes with clear instructions, and gives you salon-looking results – at less than half the price of going to the salon. It’s a win-win!