Monthly Archives: July 2012

KMS Silk Sheen Styling Cream – Part 2

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Not so long ago, I wrote about my hair-changing experience with KMS Silk Sheen Styling Cream. I use it every time I wash my hair and it has replaced all of my heat styling and after-washing products as it seems to work well all on its own.

When Mum came to Sydney I (reluctantly) handed it over (after keeping some in a little container for myself…) because we promised to share as much as possible! I told her, though, that if she didn't like it, I wanted it back and then I received a text from her not long after she got back to Brisbane that just said "the KMS stuff is brilliant" followed by an email with the subject line "great hair day" and this photo:

Mum looks as happy as I felt when I first tried the Silk Sheen Styling Cream and, as I already reviewed it the other week, Mum just wrote a little bit about it so you could get her side of things:

The other product that Katherine had raved about, and passed on to me to try is the KMS Silk Sheen styling creme.  My hair, although I have a lot of it, is fine and prone to frizziness if there is even a hint of moisture in the air.  So after washing, conditioning and towel drying, I applied a small amount of the cream and rubbed it through to distribute evenly.  Then I blow dried it – and there was no straightening required afterwards.  The cream left my hair feeling bouncy and nourished and really, really easy to style and manage.  This is definately a product that I will continue to use.  It will be interesting to see how it handles a rainy day!

Keeping in mind that I have long hair and she has very short hair, I think it is safe to say that KMS Silk Sheen Styling Cream is a resounding success from the entire team at The Perfect Lipstick. Do try it out and tell us what you think!

 

Disclaimer: This product was provided to us for editorial consideration but that has in no way impacted our review, our opinions are our own.

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Mother/Daughter Monday – Dr Lipp’s Original Nipple Balm for Lips

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It's been a while since we've done a Mother/Daughter Monday, mostly because we've been trying out lots of different products, but we've got quite a few up our sleeve now since swapping some products last week. This week, Dr Lipp is the only product on our lips and it's a doozy!
 
 
The Purpose: They say: "Discover the secret passed from nursing mothers to make-up artists. Dr. Lipp's original nipple balm for lips is a thick, rich & long lasting moisturizing balm and sexy lip gloss. A cult make-up kit essential! Flirtatious yet medically proven. Dr.Lipp is loved by London's make-up artists and oooh soo kissable."
 
The Price: $28 from Mecca Cosmetica
 
 
Katherine Says:
I stumbled upon Dr Lipp's magical balm randomly one day during a visit to one of my favourite beauty blogs, Beauty Swatch.  The more I looked into it, the more I realised that this was THE lip product to have for dry lips, something I've always suffered from, and I had to have it!
 
I'll tell you a secret, Mum and I make our weekly wishlists, but they're really shopping lists and we go out on the weekend and end up buying most of what's on them and Dr Lipp was definitely one on my list that I was going to buy! I went to Mecca and rushed in as the store was closing to buy this secret to soft lip heaven and decided to test it before I bought it.
 
It was so sticky! I wear my hair out a lot and thoroughly dislike sticky gloss because it is inevitably going to end up with hair stuck to it. I ran back out of the store, thanking the girls, and leaving Dr Lipp behind.
 
 
Then I somehow managed to get my little hands on a sample to give it gave it a proper go. Again, I was slightly put off by the thick, sticky consistency – it's actually a challenge to squeeze it out of the tube! I smeared it on my lips and rubbed them together and, as the balm softened, the magic began. I can say with some confidence that Dr Lipp is my hero. My lips have never been in such amazing condition, especially in the middle of winter!
 
I often find if I apply lip balm before bed, I wake up and my mouth feels horrible but this doesn't happen with Dr Lipp – my lips feel supple and smooth in the morning like they never have before!
 
I know I'm really going on about it, but this product is thick and sticky and difficult to get out of the tube. I do wonder if different packaging would make for more user friendly application; it really is a test of strength sometimes (it could be the cold, though, or maybe I'm just a weaklilng!)
 
Aside from that, this is easily the best lip balm I have used. I definitely prefer it for night time and morning use, as opposed to using it through the day, as it takes a bit of effort to apply – unlike the quick and easy chap stick – but I promise, you will LOVE Dr Lipp once you give it a chance! I do, and I was very reluctant to pass it on to Mum to try out, I can assure you. I'm missing it like crazy and can't wait until I can get to Mecca and buy a new one, stat!
 
Sue Says:
I was fortunate enough last week to spend a few days in Sydney, wandering around the wonderful city and harbour and spending time with Katherine.  We have a habit now of sharing products as well as hints and tips, so we can compare the effects on our differently aged skin and this is the fantastic haul I got to come home with. 
 
One of the products was the nipple balm – I don't know how it would go as a nipple balm as I have to admit I haven't tried it as such – but I would recommend it to new mums who may need such a product.  I have been applying it to my tired old dry lips though, and they are feeling great as a result. 
 
 
It is a really thick gel – much thicker than Paw Paw Ointment (which is the only thing I can compare it to in type, consistency, and tube-packaging), and quite difficult to coax out of the tube.  It also takes some warming up to get it to smooth onto lips.  But once there (and persistance is the key) it really is worth it.  Once on, I liken it to a kind of honey consistency, as it is really rich and very effective.  I also tried it both under and over lipstick, and it worked well in both instances.
 
The tube says you can use it on nipples, lips, cuticles, elbows and feet – so I thought 'what the heck' and have been applying it to my cuticles as well.  Very effective in moisturising cuticules that have been suffering from the ongoing cold weather!!  I must say, I like a product that has many purposes, so I give it full marks for effectiveness and creativity, and I'm improving muscle fitness by trying to squeeze it out of the tube – it's worth it.
 
The Verdict: We seem to have drawn similar opinions! Although the balm is extremely sticky and a bit of a challenge to apply, we love Dr Lipp's Original Nipple Balm for Lips!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer: This product was provided to us for editorial consideration but that has in no way impacted our review, our opinions are our own.
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Lily Cole for The Body Shop – Lip & Cheek Dome

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I'm definitely not the first beauty blogger to have mentioned model/actress Lily Cole's limited edition collection for The Body Shop but I can't not write about my latest beauty love.

The collection, if you haven't come across it in your travels, has recently been released in Australia and, while it appears to be missing some items available elsewhere (please correct me if I'm wrong), it does feature the Lip & Cheek Dome I got on the weekend, a quad eyeshadow, a liquid eyeliner, and a dome of shimmer balls complete with puff for application. It's pretty sweet, like, so sweet your teeth might start to hurt.

I love the tropical hues of peach and coral and pink and lilac that make up this collection. The look Lily wears in the campaign reminds me of eating sorbet in summer. 

I picked the Lip & Cheek Dome up in Pinch Me Pink and really love the used it as both this morning my the pinkish outfit and loved the creamy texture from the beeswax. 

I love the flushed look it gives without drying my skin from a regular blush. When I tried it on my lips, I got a much more subtle colour, meaning that my lips and cheeks didn't match exactly but complemented each other.

 The concept and design of the packaging is brilliant and a real treat to apply, although I'm still working out how to get the silky product onto a lip brush to properly apply it, but rubbing it onto the apples of my cheeks is just too much fun, it puts my usual cheek tint or powdered blush to shame, that's for sure!

In short, I love my new lip/cheek dome and suggest that you get some rosy pink action from The Body Shop before it all runs out! I might try the coral too, just because I'll probably love that too!

Lily Cole's Lip and Cheek Dome is $28.95 from The Body Shop while stocks last.

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Lon Vitalite 24k Active Gold Mask on a Quiet Saturday

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I don't get a lot of free time to indulge myself, and I'm also a bit inhibited when it comes to things like facials, massages, etc, but in my Lust Have It! box last month I got this Lon Vitalite 24K Active Gold Mask. 

It contains 'pure whitening essence milk and ultra fine gold foil to even out pigment and repair sun damage and promote micro circulation to rejuvenate mind, body, soul and skin'.   On Saturday morning I took the time to apply it (also feeling pressured because they are now asking for my feedback).  So…amused 'him indoors' no end with said mask (and I know you'll understand from the below photo) – but you'll be pleased to know that he was recovered enough by Saturday night to take me out to dinner (so he should – I looked 10 years younger!).
 
The process:-  I had a shower and cleansed my face, then applied the mask very carefully.  Now – you need to know that I was a little nervous because the instructions said that if you get any of the moisturiser in your eyes to rinse immediately.  And the fabric mask was doused in the stuff and I was worried as to where it would all end up. (Also realised that my eyes must be wide-set as you can see that the holes didn't fit my face shape exactly – explains my love of Jackie Kennedy-Onassis sunglasses anyway!)
 
So, back to the process:- working like a pro to get it all onto my face without any mishaps, and …..OMG it's blooody cold!!!!!  Hot damn – I'm jumping all around the bathroom on a cold July morning, and this thing is wet, and freezing, and ………..oh….oh wow – it's tingling, (ooh – calming down quickly) and it's amazing, and I feel great.  So…. I go and stretch out Greta Garbo-like on the couch for 15 minutes while this baby does it's stuff.  And I'm loving it.  It's now warmed up to my body temperature, and it's tingling slightly.  And I can feel it working, soothing, renewing.  I ended up not actually wanting to wash it off as it was such a nice feeling, but, I'm a stickler for rules, so after 15 minutes I was back in the bathroom.
 
When I first peeled the fabric off, I could see no wrinkles on my face at all.  Once I had rinsed and moisturised, I really felt like the colour and texture of my face was looking better.
 
Now – I know you're saying you wanted to see before and after photos.  But this face does not go public without make up, therefore all I'm giving you is this after shot with make up applied (and sporting my new Revlon Lip Butter in Creamsicle that came in the post this week thanks to the mobile bump promotion!!).  And anyway – surely the crazy mask photo is enough for you…
 
I would certainly purchase some of these to use again, but think that I might prefer it when the weather warms up a bit - RRP is $59 for 5.

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ModelCo Fibrelash

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ModelCo is a brand that I haven't really used, I think because I have always associated it with fake tans and this alabaster skin just cannot fathom the idea of a fake tan. This is not a judgemental thing, just a 'eek I would look terrible' thing.

Anyway, recently I have tried not one, but two ModelCo products and as they are an eyeliner and a mascara, it only seemed right to present them to you together.

 

If you love the idea of long lashes but haven't tried ModelCo Fibrelash then you probably should give it a go! It'is an interesting concept of applying tiny fibres to your lashes between two coats of mascara in order to plump, thicken, and elongate your pre-existing lashes without having to apply falsies. Aside from my word (and probably that of many beauty bloggers before me), Fibrelash has won numerous beauty awards since over the past couple of years. See, even the professionals agree!

The result is actually quite impressive, particularly for a lash-deprived lady such as myself (apologies for not having photos!!)

I love how much longer and thicker my lashes appear and how long the look lasts for, despite how easily it washes off. The price is a little hefty for a mascara at $38 for the travel size (all in one, like mine) or $48 for the full size kit, but remember this is a product you might replace false lashes with and compared with salon extentions, it's actually pretty reasonable and less permanent.

My only gripe is that, as the day goes on, my eyes do get a little sick of the fibres and, on occasion, they've gotten irritated by my new, thicker lashes. As someone who doesn't wear heavy eye make up, I've found that my eyes freak out a little bit by the unexpected heaviness surrounding them. I will admit that at the end of the day, I'm excited to wash the little fibres off.

The second ModelCo product that I've tried recently is the ModelCo eyeliner with the built in sharpen. This is a nifty little idea if you, like me, have a habit of misplacing sharpeners and getting stuck with blunt pencils. This no longer needs to happen with the clever ModelCo eyeliner. I got this in a Priceline GWP and find it a great addition to have in my make up bag for any of my sharpening needs! ModelCo also sell the eyeliner and travel Fibrelash in a travel set for $39 and I think this is definitely worth having. That's an eyeliner and sharpener for only $1!

Have you tried Fibrelash? What do you think about it?

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I got these products for free with other products that I purchased and, as always, my opinions are my own. The product images come from the ModelCo site and the others are my own.

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Reviewed: L’Oreal Base Magique Primer + a little bit of L’Oreal Colour Riche Nutri Shine

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I have to admit here I'm a sucker for advertising – I will buy a product (whether I need it or not) based on a good ad.  I'm also a sucker for a sale – so 25% off something is a great saving – no matter what it is.

My love of primer knows no bounds – so when faced with wanting to try the new L'Oreal Base Magique primer,  and Myer offering L'Oreal products at 25% off – I knew this was a product that was going to make it onto my face between my moisturiser and my foundation!  Now – I have to tell you up front that it took me 3 trips to Myer in the Queen Street Mall to purchase this product.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have neither time nor patience to put up with bad customer service, and if Myer does only one thing well it is bad customer service.  On 2 lunchtimes in a single week I picked up the Base Magique and the lipstick (see below) and stood at the counter waiting…waiting…waiting.  I then returned both products to the shelf and walked out.  You'd love to hear me say third time lucky wouldn't you?  But no – even on the third attempt I waited for ages to be served, but Myer were lucky that I was in a great mood that day and my patience seemed to stretch endlessly.
 
So - L'Oreal Base Magique.  It's not like my usual Napoleon primer.  It's also not like the Maybelline or Revlon silicone-type primers.  This is a very different velvet-like product, very much like Avon's only primer, Magix Face Perfector.  Base Magique claims to make lines and pores invisible, but on my 50-something skin L'Oreal is really talking up a miracle that isn't going to happen.  The packaging urges you to warm it between your fingers before rubbing onto your face, which does work very well.  It says you can wear it with or without makeup, but the effect without makeup is really only dull, matt skin.  So I'm seeing Katherine next week and I'm going to pass this onto her to get a younger opinion. 
 
I'm wearing this with my Clinique Even Better foundation on top, and I have to say it gives a nice soft effect.  I've also given up putting loose powder over my foundation, as it really doesn't need it with the Base Magique, so I suppose it's saving me time in my morning routine as well.  And it still gives my make up it's staying power during the day.  So, as a primer, it's doing a good job.
 
At full retail Base Magique is $29.95 for 15ml.  As I say, it's very similar to the Avon product, which at full price is $39.99 for 30ml, but in the catalogue on special it's only ever $29.99.  You weigh up the difference.
 

 

 

 
But let me tell you about the lipstick.  Ever since Samantha Smith blogged about L'Oreal Colour Riche Nutri Shine lipsticks that "nourishes like a balm and shines like a gloss with a royal jelly and Shea butter enriched formula" I was lusting after one.  So with Myer's aforementioned 25% off, one of those babies was going home with me.  I chose Sheer Papaya, full retail $22.95. 
 
It is so gorgeous that I have nearly worn it out.  Can't go anywhere without it – love it for formal or on the week end.  Have to agree with Samantha – I'm using it more than the Revlon Lip Butters.  Gorgeous product – gorgeous packaging – really great to wear.  It's my current favourite. And with winter lips always feeling dry, the royal jelly and shea butter are a life saver.  Beautiful….beautiful….beautiful…..
 

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Weekly Wishlists

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It's that time again! 

Sue's Wishlist:

 

1 - Maybelline Lash Stilletto Mascara $18.95 – because it does for lashes what stilettos do for legs … Well, thank you Maybelline!

2 - Napoleon The One Concealer $36 – because it hides dark circles and excess eye baggage.

3 - Clinique Chubby Stick $35 in Mega Melon – because I just want one, and therefore I should have one!

4 - Clinique Eye Liner Brush $33 – because it's just too hard applying with the tiny brush that is supplied with the Clinique Cream Liner.

5 - Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream  – 5 Instant benefits - Hydrates for 24hrs;  Evens tone; Corrects blemishes; Boosts healthy glow; UV Protection SPF 15 – $13.95

Katherine's Wishlist:

 

 

 

1 – Darling Nail Polish in Millions of Peaches, Max, and Let Them Eat Cake $18.95 –  Darling have got buy 2, get 1 free on at the moment if you enter JULYLOVE at the check out here. If that's not a good reason to get into these delicious colours, then I don't know what is!

2 – Gorgeous Lip Pencil in Moulin $25 – I'm not really big into lip pencils, I'm a lipstick rebel, but these are so cute, I want to use them for colouring in!

3 – Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX Concentrated Balancing Softener $90 – I don't know why, but the whole Future Solution LX range just screams luxury and oppulance! I like the sound of the Balancing Softner too.

4 – Lippys Butter London in Trout Pout $22 – Anything that says lip and butter in the same breath has my attention. This colour is on my must have list!

5 - Kiehls Creme de Corps $15 – I keep reading about this and think I definitely need to try it out for my ultimate winter skin test!

Cheers to the weekend, ladies! Have a wonderful one and do feel free to share your beauty wishlists with us in the comments below, or here, or here!

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Eye Lines

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If you know my blog, Through My Looking Glass (or if you saw this post), you will have some awareness of my Pinterest obsession. I LOVE Pinterest and while my addiction has faded slightly, I still get a Pinterest fix every now and again!

During the Pinterest obession of 2011, I found the following image about how the way you use eye liner can competely change the shape of your eyes and over the past month or so, have been experimenting with different lines:

 

Mum and I have talked recently about how much we love eyeliner, but I can't believe I used to just line my eyes the whole way around day in and day out, how dull!

These days I mix it up depending on the look I'm going for. I particularly love a top line with a slight cat eye in a liquid liner, lining just around the outer corner, is a really easy way to elongate the eyes, and sometimes I skip eyeliner all together and just wear mascara for a bright-eyed look, it really opens my eyes up!

It has taken me so long to even consider experimenting with my eye liner and I can never go back now! What about you? How do you line? Have you ever gotten into a lifetime rut and one day realised that you don't have to do things that way?

 

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Creative Nails

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Although I love all things girly – make up, clothing, shoes, perfume, jewellery, nail polishes, hair, the list goes on – I have come to the conclusion that I am really quite conservative, and always will be.  (Except maybe the foray into eyelash extensions that I undertook last year – but that's a story for another time.)
 
I know that my conservatism must be quite a disappointment to the two wonderful nail artists who look after my gelled nails, mother and daughter Sue and Erin, although they never say anything.  Sue did, however, try to talk me into having anchors painted on my red nails for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May – but I resisted! 
 
 
These two women are really quite accomplished artists, who do a fantastic job on their own nails (see above) as well as on their clients.  Many of their clients have acrylic nails that provide plenty of real estate to paint creatively on.  I've seen cupcakes and bowties, pandas and butterflies, stripes, spots and multicolours…the list is endless. The team have been looking after my nails for nearly two years now, and although I love the effect and how great my nails always look, their talents are really not fully utilised on me (I think I'm probably the only one who has my nails filed shorter, rather than extensions put on – but that's just me!)
 
 
I usually go for a colour – and it's always a red, coral, dark pink, cerise or variety thereof.  The most adventurous that I get is the fantastic french polish that they have perfected.  Until the beginning of the year Sue always did my nails.  She then went away for a few months, and I was nervous that Erin would not be able to recreate her mother's perfect french effect, but I worried for nothing.  Erin looked after my nails beautifully in her mother's absence, and I now get treated by them interchangebly.
 
The french polish I'm sporting this fortnight is stunning. It's done with Bio Sculpture, and along with 3 coats of clear gel, I have a coat of pale pink applied before the white tip.  It makes my nails look fresh and healthy, and because I spend a lot of time in meetings with people, I always feel confident that my nails look good.  But even better than that is the strength that they have, and the confidence of knowing that I'm not going to break a nail just by rifling around in my handbag for my keys. 
 
I encourage you to check out the great and creative nail pictures on Sue and Erin's Facebook page, S'nailz.
 
They are located at Springwood, Queensland, and are doing 20% off for new clients at the moment.  It only takes an hour of your time, and if you don't like it, you can have the product soaked off again.  I consider it worth an hour of my time every two to three weeks.
 
Also - go and check out the fantastic colours at the Bio Sculpture site   You can have fun for hours if you go to the site and play around with the 'try me on' feature.  Have fun!!

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We’re chuffed

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Yesterday, whilst spending my Sunday morning browsing Twitter and Bloglovin, it became apparent to me that The Perfect Lipstick was named in iFabbo's list of Beauty Blogs To Watch. We didn't start this blog very long ago and we're new to the beauty blogging world so we were chuffed to be included among some of our favourite beauty bloggers!

iiFabbo said:

"The Perfect Lipstick – This beauty blog is co-written by Katherine and her mum Sue! If that’s not enough to make your heart sing, then the cute lipstick header will."

Thanks, iFabbo, you made our day!

We recommend that you take the time to check out all the other great blogs on the list, if you don't already know them and we'll be back next week with another Mother/Daughter Monday!

Have a lovely week!

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