Weekly Wishlist

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Sue & Katherine

Hello there! How has your week been? It's definitely been feeling like Spring this week, we love the warmer weather. It's definitely time to start getting ready for it! Defuzzing, getting feet sandal-ready, and legs primed for shorts. Here are the supplies we need in our lives this week:

Sue's Wishlist:

1. Nars, The Multiple. Probably in Copacabana RRP $64 -Multipurpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. Cream to powder, giving shimmering accents, contours and highlights!

2. Revlon Colourstay Smoky Shadow Stick. $16 at Myer until 30 September. I like Revlon products and I'm enjoying using cream eye shadows instead of powder, just for a change.

3. Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector. $50. Just because I need it.

4. L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Total Repair 10 BB Cream $35.95. Although I love the Garnier BB Cream (and the price is so competitive) it is for younger skin and this L'Oreal one is anti-aging. It claims to perfect complexion and fight the 10 steps of aging (I didn't know there was a number. Now I have to research the 10!)

5. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Rebelle $50. Because my Chanel Rouge Coco is not glossy enough for me.

Katherine's Wishlist

1. Marc Jacobs EDP Dot $120 – I haven't even had the chance to smell this but the packaging is absolutely adorable and after much resistance, I have decided that I JUST HAVE TO HAVE IT!

2. KMS California Curl Up Wave Foam $ – I've become so lazy with my hair and in summer I just get worse. Curls are pretty easy with my curly hair, they just need a bit of assistance so it doesn't look like my head has become a fuzzball!

3. Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub $38 – Mostly because the sound of this just screams summer to me. Delicious.

4. Garnier Fructus Pure Volume Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner $5.99ea – My grandmother emailed me this week to tell me that she has been using Garnier Volume Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner and her hair is noticeably thicker. May as well give it a go for that ridiculously affordable price!

5.Illamasqua Empower Palette $53 – I adore the Illamasqua packaging and I really need to get one of these palettes and with the new Australian 'Fair Prices', it's about time I do! I think the Empower colours are my favourite but I could go one of each and be perfectly happy.

Weekly Wishlists

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Sue & Katherine

1 - Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Every Day Cleanser - AU$30 – I hear (from Wendy and Co) that this is a good exfoliating product for dry skin so I'm pretty keen to try it out.

2 – Australis Limited Edition Nails in Flip Flops – AU$7.95 – Just love this colour in the limited edition range!

3 – L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Gel Eyeliner - AU$19.96 (on sale at Priceline) – I haven't tried a gel eyeliner and I just feel like I really want to. Seems like as good a reason as any…

4 – Revitanail Nail Strengthener – AU$29.99 – So sick of peeling nails after having really strong nails my whole life. It's time to take some serious action!

5 – Revitanail Nourishing Treatment Oil - AU$14.99 – It all starts at the cuticles. When I said serious, I meant it!

Sue's Wishlist:

1. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – AU$8.99 – really well priced and the specifications tick all the boxes

2. Revlon Colourstay Whipped Creme Makeup – AU$24 – Katherine's sister, Rachael, and all of the women I've spoken to at Priceline say it's the best foundation they've tried.

3. Ardell Fashion Lashes – AU$3.89 – because they're fun and I'm told that they're the best for an amatuer to work with

4. Skin Doctors Eyetuck Anti Bag Technology - $59.95 – no point in enhancing your eyes with false eyelashes if they have huge bags slung underneath them.

5. And last but not least….and I know it doesn't really fit into a beauty blog…but I lust after these so bad and they are so beautiful…..Sambag ballet flats!!!!!

Enjoy your week, let's hope the weather is as Springtime amazing as it has been lately.

Mother/Daughter Monday – Primer Frenzy

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Sue & Katherine

I think I can speak for both of us when I say that the moment we discovered primer, we haven't looked back. I know one of us introduced the other to it, I just don't remember which way it went but those are minor details, the moral of the story is that – as Napoleon says – it is a crime not to prime!

The Product – Primer

The Purpose – To even out skin and provide a smooth canvas for make up when applied prior to foundation. Primer helps foundation sit on top of your skin creating a more flawless look, it adds stay power to make up and it keeps oil at bay.

The Price – Ranges between $15-$60

Katherine says:

Not applying primer before my make up is akin to going out sans underwear (not that I've ever actually tried that). It just feels wrong and slightly uncomfortable. Since I started using primer many years ago, I have noticed that my make up stays on longer, it is easier to apply (no streaky marks or uneven areas), and I feel as though it protects my face – as though it provides a moisturising barrier between my make up and my skin, as well as the elements.

Over the years I've used a few different primers, I do have a bit of a soft spot for Napoleon's primers though, I can't help it, they are my favourite!

1. Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot ($55) – I'm pretty sure this was $45 when I first started using it. It was the first primer I ever tried and is probably the one I have used the most consistently. I love the light weight, creamy texture and the dewey feeling it leaves on my skin. It soaks in beautifully and I distinguishes that heavy 'you're wearing makeup' feeling. It works well with every foundation I have ever used and I apply this one with either a foundation brush or my fingers.

2.Napoleon Perdis Mattifying Mineral Primer ($39) – Mum and I did a trade for this when I was back in Brisbane because I was using the Napoleon Advanced Mineral Make Up and she was missing her Auto Pilot. I liked the Mineral Make Up – the benefits of mineral without the messy, time consuming powder – but when I started using it with the Mineral Primer they quickly become my favourite duo since peanut butter and Nutella. It's one of the best trades I've ever done, and I managed to sneak back to Sydney with Mum's kabuki brush too!

3. Maybelline Instant Age Reward Primer ($15.95) – This is a cheap primer! I tried it on my best friend's recommendation because she loved the gel-like texture and found it smoothed her make up so well for an amazing price. I used it for a while but didn't really enjoy the thick, slightly sticky, sillicone texture. I definitely missed the luxurious, weightless Auto Pilot while I was using this. You definitely need to use your fingers to warm any of the sillicone-based primers.

4. MeMeMe Seventh Heaven Moisturising Facebase ($34.95) – I was givien this little pot of magic to try and I love it. It is a similar creamy texture to the Napoleon Auto Pilot but significantly more affordable (it's currently $24.95 on the MeMeMe website). It has an orange scent that is delicious and is defintely a product I will use more if I can give up my Mineral Primer and Foundation for longer than one day to try it out properly!

Sue Says:

I can't remember when I first tried primer, but I think it was about 10 years ago. The thing that I do remember is that it was definately Napoleon, and I'm fairly sure that back then, Napoleon had the only primer on the market. And once I had tried it, there was no going back. The feel was beautiful, and the application of makeup over it was an amazing experience. The biggest difference that I remember was that, rather than wanting to remove my make up as soon as I got home from work in an evening, I hardly noticed it's presence until needing to remove it for bed. And my make up looked good all day, even in Queensland's sub-tropical and humid summer.

Over the years since, most of the big cosmetic companies have brought a primer into their lines. I have tried others, namely Maybelline and Revlon, but I don't like them as much as Napoleon Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer.

Sometimes I use a foundation brush to apply my primer, whilst at other times I warm it between the tips of my fingers and rub it into my face. I then use a Napoleon brush to apply my foundation over the top, and the effect is great. I then find that all other makeup sits well on the foundation.

If you haven't tried primer before, and you are not sure that the effect is worth it, here are my suggestions based on what I've tried so far:

1. Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot ($55) – It's pretty obvious that is by far my favourite primer.

2 & 3. Maybelline Instant Age Reward Primer ($15.95) or Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer ($19.95)- I'd advise you to try one of the cheaper products on the market like Maybelline and Revlon. They are more affordable options but are also sillicone-based products as opposed to the creamy Napoleon primer.

4. L'Oreal Studio Secrets Face Primer ($10.99) - Just recently L'Oreal brought out their Studio Secrets Face Primer, which retails in Target for only $10.99 (I am definately going to try it out when my Napoleon has run out). Revlon have also released Perfecting Primer as part of their PhotoReady line that might be worth checking out too.

I suggest you start with one of these options and then, when you can't live without primer in your life (and if you can afford it) try the Napoleon one which retails for $55. You'll be glad that you did and you'll understand why we love it so much!

There is no way that I can live without primer today, and I'm convinced that it has more deep-seated benefits than just the visual. The Napoleon one contains Vitamin E, Chamomile and Yarrow Extracts which can only be doing my skin the world of good. A good decorator wouldn't paint your house without first applying a primer……….enough said.

We love primer and it's pretty clear that Napoleon is the front runner in our minds. Let us know if you've tried a different brand or have a different opinion to us!

Estee Lauder and The GWP

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Sue

Estee Lauder has long been credited as the business woman who started the 'Gift with Purchase' idea, way back in the early 1930's. As co-creator of the famous Estee Lauder line, she first gave handbag-sized samples to friends, and to the rich and beautiful, to introduce them to her products. Not only was she a good, strong business leader, but she knew how to get the products into department stores and into the hands of their intended market.

And she understood women, stating "Beauty is an attitude. There's no secret. Why are all brides beautiful? Because on their wedding day they care about how they look. There are no ugly women – only women who don't care or who don't believe they're attractive."

Today there are a number of cosmetic companies that do the GWP special – Estee Lauder, Lancome, Revlon, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Clarins – and the list goes on. They also do the rounds of the department stores. If you miss the GWP at Myer, you can pick up a similar one a month or two later at David Jones (and even Terry Whites is now getting in on the action).

And I've done them all. I do have favourites, but none are exclusively targeted. Amongst my friends, I am known as the GWP queen. I love the excitement of new products. A new make-up or toiletries bag (I end up with so many I give them away to a charity that makes up toiletries packages for children taken into care). Tiny products that are great to use when traveling. New seasons lipstick colours. Cosmetics brushes. Mascara, eyeshadow, blush, skincare, and so on and so on.

I haven't bought a new blush, mascara or eyeshadow for decades, as I get them all in GWP packs. Clinique always includes a small High Impact Mascara in Black which I love, and it means that I can hygienically replace it every 6 to 8 weeks. I have baskets in the bathroom cupboard (called the 'shop' by my daughters) full of small and full-sized products. I love them, I use them, sometimes I do a bit of a stocktake, and sometimes I give them away.

I believe life is too short to not enjoy skincare and makeup. I love it – but most of all I love the thrill of the chase when I hear there's a new GWP that has hit the streets! If you've never indulged I'd urge you to try it just once. It's like a special gift for no reason at all, and you never know, you may just find a new product that is just perfect for you.

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Mother/Daughter Monday: Revlon Lip Butter Review

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Sue & Katherine

Part of the mother/daughter blog idea is that we often try the same product and have varying (or frighteningly similar) opinons and so Mother/Daughter Monday is our joint weekly feature.

Lately we have both – like every other beauty blogger on the Internet – become fascinated by Revlon Lip Butters. It's been said before and we'll say it again, here's what we both thought about the lipstick everyone is talking about!

Sue says:

You know how sometimes you are in step with the media about new products (you may have been to the hairdresser or doctor lately and caught up on all the magazines) but at other times you aren't aware of a new product until everyone is talking about it and the shelves are down to only a few colours in the range?

The latter refers to me and Revlon's new Lip Butters. I had heard nothing until all of a sudden they're in every magazine I pick up, every blog I read, and under my nose in every chemist.

I wouldn't have bothered to buy one, except that I didn't want to be left out of the hype and Priceline was running a 2 for 1 deal so the price wasn't too bad.

I went for two very different colours: Number 035 Candy Apple and Number 020 Brown Sugar. I was restricted by how slow off the mark to purchase that I've been.

I'm impressed. I like the smooth, buttery texture when applying, and they feel great to wear. They are a good week-end lipstick, when I normally just wear a sheer or a lipgloss. But this is easier to apply than a gloss and has greater staying power. Not as formal looking as lipstick (and doesn't last as long) therefore more relaxed. I wouldn't wear them for work or to a wedding, or for a formal night out, but they are great for a day time slick of gloss and colour. The Candy Apple is a good, fun hue, clean and clear with a hint of red, but not too dense; and the Brown Sugar is caramelly and shimmery.

I'd urge all ages to try them, but try to get a deal because at $21.95 each they are a little expensive for what they are.

Katherine says:

I'm not really going to say anything new from Mum or from what others are saying when reviewing the Lip Butters. I think the price is hefty at $21.95 (especially when compared to the U.S price of $7.95) but I picked mine up during my recent Priceline bender as a 2-4-1 bringing them down to a much more reasonable $11ish each.

Due partly to all the hype and also to shade names like Gumdrop and Cupcakes (the two I left with), I couldn't really say no. My biggest gripe at the time was the fact that of the very small selection remaining, there were no testers, and of the testers available, those colours were sold out – i'm guessing a combination of the awesome sale and the fact that these lip treats are what everyone has been talking about lately!

This, unfortunately resulted in me getting home to find the colours very similar – one is slightly more purple, the other slightly more pink. They are frosty and feel like icing on my lips (not complaining there). I find they don't dry my lips out like normal lipsticks often tend to do and don't freak my boyfriend out like a bold lip does.

The stay-power is about the same as a lip balm, I suppose, so be prepared to reapply throughout the day, but the price is definitely the biggest critcism I have. Mostly, I just love having a frosty, pink lipstick called Cupcake that acts as a hint of colour and a lip moisturiser in one!

We clearly have similar opinions about LIp Butters despite choosing very different hues. Have you tried the new buttery product on everyone's lips? Do you think they're worth the hype (or the price)? Let us know here or on our new Facebook page.

My Best GWP To Date

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Katherine

I really wanted to leave the first Gift With Purchase post to Mum because she is, undeniably, the Queen of the GWP, but I just couldn't help it, I had to share this deal with you!!

As you are probably already aware, Priceline is dangerous. If you don't believe me, ask Michaela over at Lather Rinse Repeat; she will back me up! The other day, I innocently went in to buy a nail buffer to attempt a Shellac self-removal and I left the store about 40 minutes later with a ridiculous amount of product and a hazy memory of what took place there. It's kind of like what happens to contestants on The Voice if they look directly into Seal's eyes; they don't know what's happening and neither did I!

Firstly, I want to give you a brief idea of what I actually purchased (stay tuned for reviews on these bad boys):

2 x Revlon Lip Butters, 1 x Revlon Colourburst lipstick, 1 x Revlon Translucide Nail Polish, 1 x Manicare nail buffer, 1 x Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polish, 1 x Rimmel Lasting Finish

Total spent = $62 (there was a crazy 2-4-1 thing happening)

This is what I walked away with (I say that like I stole it or won it on The Price Is Right, but I assure you, that is exaclty how it felt when I got home to see what I'd actually acquired):

1 x snakeskin print bag, 1 x body pouf, 1 x 1000 Hours Nail Foils with applicator and nail tools, I x Manicare tweezers, 1 x Models Prefer sponge, 1 x Natio Mineral Pressed Powder, 1 x Australis Paparazzi Perfect Blush, 1 x Max Factor Xperience mascara, 1 x DB Savvy pencil, 1 x Models Prefer eye liner, 1 x Revlon Lipgloss, 1 x Innoxa lipstick, 1 x Rimmel Lasting Finish nail polish, 1 x Nude Soft Focus Illuminator, 2 x Press and Go nail kit, 1 x Garnier Exfoliator Wipes.

Total Value = $220

See, I scored big. The items in this GWP might not be what you would normally buy, but if you're in Priceline spending the money anyway (minimum $60 spend on selected brands), then you can't really be too disappointed with this glorious gift. I know I'm not!

I walked past Priceline in the city on Sunday (yes, I refrained from going in) and they were still advertising the insanity that I took part in, it's worth checking out.

What's the best GWP you've received?

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