makeupmenace

Hi all,

So I am a bit of a body scrub fanatic. It all started with the famous #Frank body scrub. Since then I have been hooked. I’ve tried probably about 6-8 of the ones that you see floating around Instagram and Facebook, and I was getting over the usual coffee or sugar or salt ingredients. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across Keen Bean Scrub.

What is it?

As the name would suggest, it’s a body scrub made with mung beans, soy beans and barley. Awesome, right? I’ll explain below…

Mung beans are great for helping sooth inflammation, so if you have rashes, zits or any other skin concerns this is for you.

Soy beans help soften and smooth the skin, and can also help promote the elastin in skin – yay no sagging!

Barley is a natural source of Azelaic acid, which helps to reduce inflammation and also unclog pores.

It also contains almond oil, which is great for moisture retention, and brown sugar which help exfoliate skin while adding a glow.

Pricewise, this guy is very competitive – a 200g bag is $14.95 and free postage is offered through all Australia. There is a small postage cost if you’re ordering internationally.  The packaging is very simple, but that’s what you would expect from a natural skincare product.

I used this about twice a week, and with two handfuls I was able to do my whole body. Scentwise, it smells like one would expect a product made from mung anfd soybeans to smell. I personally love the smell, it’s very earthy, but you can also smell the brown sugar so there is also sweetness to it as well.

I love this scrub for many reasons. I find the whole concept really original, which is what drew me to the product in the first place. I eat a lot of lentils and beans so it only makes sense I would want to try them on my skin! I am a huge fan of Frank body scrubs, but I think some people might find them too abrasive. This scrub has the perfect texture. It’s easy to work with and swirl around your whole body and it has the right amount of exfoliating bits so you don’t just feel like you’re scrubbing your body with half a mung bean and three granules of brown sugar. It’s gentler than Frank, but not as gentle as Buddy Scrub (which practically dissolves into sugar water upon hitting your skin).  I’ve used it on my face too, and I haven’t found it irritating in any way.

So how does the product live up to the claims? I find this scrub to be really smoothing, softening, and brightening. I am not sure about the firming claim – I certainly haven’t noticed my skin feeling firmer, but I’ve only Keen for about 2 months. Perhaps with a year or so of constant use, teamed with a good diet and lots of exercise you would notice a firming effect.

All in all I really like this product, I think it’s innovative, unique and really great for my skin concerns. I will definitely keep using Keen, and Keen will definitely be #keentomeetyou !

I’M BACK! It’s been forever since I’ve written on here. Sometimes life really does get in the way. To be frank with you, I haven’t been buying much makeup, or much of anything in general. But it’s a cold evening and so I thought why not?

I purchased this palette after my girlfriend (who, coincidentally works at MAC in Canberra) posted a picture wearing some colours from the palette. I love burgundy tones and I didn’t have any of these colours in my collection and for $65 AUD I thought it was a bargain. You only get 0.02 ounces of product, but a full size MAC eye shadow is only 0.05 ounces, so it still works out cheaper.

From left to right we have:

Honey Lust, Poppyseed, Quarry

Antiqued, Embark, Noir

Haux, Star Violet, Sketch

I’ve had this palette for about 3 weeks now and it’s so versatile. I’ve worn it to work, out to dinner and just out in general and I love it. Stand out shades would have to be Embark – which I can’t believe I have been without for this long – and Poppyseed – which just looks good whatever way you wear it.

Aside from this recent purchase my life has been rather dull. I’ll take this moment to tell you that I have recently started fostering kittens! That’s right. It’s like more cats but not more cats at the same time. It’s extremely rewarding but also heartbreaking when they leave to go to their big girl/big boy homes. I’ll insert some pictures of the bubbas I have at the moment who are just about to turn 6 weeks old. CUTE!

That’s all from me! Until next time!

Kisses,

Hello all :)

It's been a while since i have posted on here, but the new cleanser i bought from Bliss is amazing and i wanted to tell you all about it. 

This cleanser is marketing as an "enzymatic cleanser" and claims to exfoliate as well as cleanse, leaving the skin refreshed and without upsetting moisture levels in the skin. If you're familiar with Bliss products, you know that all their products  have that lovely citrus scent, which i personally love! <3 Key ingredients: Bitter Orange Peel Extract, Grapefruit Extract, Prozymex Enzymes, Sodium Hylauronate, & Vitamin E. If i could describe this cleanser in 3 words they would be: Softening, Calming and Purifying :)

My thoughts:

I generally use one pump while i am in the shower at night and this is enough to remove my makeup, unless i am wearing particularly stubborn mascara that day. It's a milk cleanser, so it doesn't foam up at all, and it has a really nice slip on the skin. It doesn't tingle or anything like that upon application and rinses nice and clean. My skin is always super soft after i use this, and i am confident in saying that it does gently exfoliate while it's on. I still use a physical exfoliant about once a week because that is what works best for my skin, though. 

I haven't used this as a stand alone mask, but once i have massaged this all over my face i normally leave it on for about a minute. I would say that as a stand alone mask it would be very calming and would depart a lot of moisture onto the skin, so all my dry skin gals..maybe check this out! If you happen to have oily skin then this also contains grapefruit extract which i found was really good for getting down into my pores and removing oil when i had problem skin a few years ago. You might also need to pair it with something that has salicylic acid (or acne fighting properties in it as well) though. 

This retails for $29.99 at Priceline and is pretty affordable in my books for 200ml. Let me know if you've tried it. Any other Bliss products i should be checking out??

Kisses, 

Evening all,

I did this look the other night for date night with the boy. I really loved how it turned out so I thought I would post some pics and tell you all what I did. In the end I figured out a new skin combo that rocks, and rediscovered my love for a long lost blush! See products below:

BASE:

Nars Sheer Glow mixed with Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfecter – I cannot begin to tell you how amazing this combination is!

EYES:

Rimmel Undercover Shadow Primer.

Stila ‘In The Light Palette’ – Bare all over the lid, Bliss in the Crease with a fluffy brush, and then Sandstone in the outer corners to deepen up the look, and Kitten in the inner corner.

Kat Von D Tattoo eyeliner.

Essence Lash Princess mascara.

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown.

 CHEEKS:

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow.

MAC Blush in Dollymix.

MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush.

ELF Cheek Duo in St. Lucia.

LIPS:

MAC Patisserie lipstick.

MAC Myth lipstick (just in the center).

Kisses,

Hi all! First post for 2015 - booyah!

So, I experienced Sephora yesterday. I was so pumped for it that I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a whole day event, too. I’m not lucky enough to live in Sydney, so I woke up at 6am to get ready for the drive up. It was a day filled with driving and spending way too much money, and two visits to Mecca Maxima because, well, MAKEUP!

I was actually a little disappointed with Sephora, mostly because it was a) very crowded b) full of rude sales “assistants” and c) out of stock of everything I was really looking forward too. Kat Von D palettes? NO. Tarte cheek palette? NO. OCC Lip tars in 3 certain shades? NO. I was also really looking forward to trying some of the Sephora brand brushes too, but did they have any in stock?...you guessed it, NO!

Aside from all of that, it was a fun experience and I am glad that Sephora has opened in Australia. I thought I would show you what I picked up yesterday, as well as a few things I shouldn’t have purchased (but fuckit, I did purchase anyways) today. 

Let me know your thoughts if you have tried anything pictured below :) Happy Sunday!

Kisses, 

MakeupMenace

Good afternoon Menaces and welcome to the last day of 2014! I thought I would quickly jump in and provide a snapshot and quick overview of products I have loved this year. Lots of new products this year so that’s exciting. Without further ado…

SKIN

Bioderma – Love this, love this to hell. It’s great for taking off all traces of makeup. Gentle and not irritating on my skin. I prefer this to the Garnier one.

Antipodes – The Joyeous Protein Serum and the Avocado Pear Night Cream were an early discovering for me this year and I can safely say my skin has thanked me for it. Both products moisturize, soften and nourish the skin. I look forward to trying more of this range when my wallet recovers from the festive season.

BRUSHES

Real Techniques – The Buffing Brush, Multi Task Brush and Delux Crease brushes have been used every day this year. The Buffing brush is great for foundation, the Multi Task brush I use for powder and blush, and the Delux Crease brush I use mostly to blend out my concealer. Love these!

MAC 217 – An old faithful, I’ve had this particular brush for 6 years and it’s still going strong. You can do a whole eye look with this brush. It’s utterly fantastic and I will always have several of these on hand. 

LIPS

Lip Freak – This is a truly innovative lip balm and is like no other I have ever tried. It’s packed with cinnamon oil and literally makes your lips buzz. Highly addictive and ultra moisturising.

Shanghai Suzy Lipstick – These are so good and so cheap! They smell like grape bubblegum and are richly pigmented and not drying at all. These were a new discovery around August and I am excited to try more colours.

Sunday Riley Lipstick – I only have the shade Marie Antoinette, but from this one I can tell the whole range will be amazing. This colour in particular is a perfect dusty pink and is great when you want something on the lips but nothing too overpowering. Reasonably priced too!

 NAILS

Nails Inc – I love these. They are everything an Essie polish should be, but isn’t. Great brush, great formula, wonderful range of colours and textures and they don’t chip! I have Piccadilly Circus and St. James and they are both such awesome shades for summer.

 BASE

Bobbi Brown – This brand could do no wrong this year. I discovered the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, and I also purchased the Corrector in Bisque. I loved the foundation so much I did a whole blog post on it; it looks gorgeous on and provides me with enough coverage to hide any imperfections but my freckles still manage to peek through. The corrector is literally about 100 hours of sleep in a tiny pot. It’s fantastic. I’ve found that the best way to apply it is with fingers.

Maybelline Dream Lumi – This concealer really amazed me. I bought it on a whim and I wasn’t expecting much, but I was really impressed. It’s really brightening and is an excellent product to use anywhere on your face where you want to highlight. I typically use it under my eyes, down my nose and on my cupids bow and chin. I love the applicator too – no mess!

BROWS

This year was the year for my brows. They are finally in a shape I like, and they have some fullness to them. To help them out I use a combination of Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow in Dark Brown, and the Maybelline brown gel in Dark Brown also. The brow gel I also use if I am wearing little to no makeup but still want something to hold my unruly brow hairs in shape.

CHEEKS

Lorac – This highlighter and matte bronzer duo, aptly called ‘Tan-talizer’ is great and I’ve consistently used it all year. I feel like Lorac was sort of my brand this year because I’ve loved everything they have put out. If you want something that is travel friendly, has a mirror (yay) and blends out perfectly if you go in a little heavy handed the first time, then this is your product!

MAC Cosmetics  - This blush, Full of Joy, is really unique. It’s a baby pink, with a purple undertone; almost a soft lavender sheen runs through it. When I first looked at it I was unsure but when I saw it applied to my skin I fell in love. It looks great on pale complexions. Adds brightness and glow. Blends beautifully into the skin and isn’t chalky. It also doubles as an inner corner highlight for your eyes!

EYES

I literally have a list as long as my arm for this category, so I just decided to keep it to things that I was REALLY impressed with. I have to do a shoutout to the Lorac Mega Pro palette, but as I have raved about that enough since I bought it, I thought I would just include these gems in case you want to go and buy yourself a happy 2015 gift ;-)

Almay  - I have been very, very impressed with the mascaras from this range this year. I am on my fourth tube of the Get Up & Grow, which is a wonderfully good, mascara. It doesn’t flake or smudge, it removes easily, and it provides volume and length. I’ve also tried the One Coat Triple Effect, which has a unique brush. The bristles are longer on one side, and shorter on the other, so you can control if you want more length or volume. Again, the formula for this is the same as the Get Up & Grow. These are always on sale so they are really inexpensive and I am glad I gave these mascaras a whirl this year.

Too Faced – The Natural Eyes Palette. This baby is wonderful. Contains a mixture of matte and shimmer/glitter shades. All of them are really complimentary for all eye colours and they all blend beautifully. Unless you have super oily eyelids, you don’t need to wear a primer with any of these shadows too, which is a bonus if you’re a bit on the lazy side like me. The packaging is great and makes it perfect for travelling with. The shade ‘Nudie’ in this palette is one of the best transition shades I have ever come across.

And there we have it! This is not an exhaustive list, but when I was sitting and looking through my makeup, these are the items I felt deserved a mention. Have a lovely and SAFE New Years, and I will see you back in 2015 !

Kisses,

So i love Christmas. I can't really explain why i have the level of enthusiasm that i do, but it's there and it's not going away so i am rolling with it. I thought it would be a good time to write a post about the things that are on my Christmas list for 2014. Let's get into it, shall we?

1.  Michael Kors Mirat clutch I can't even deal with how much i need this in my life. It would go with every outfit imaginable. Get it here!

2.  Too Faced Everything Nice set This just looks perfect. Too bad that Canberra doesn't have a Mecca Maxima because it's not available online :( But at least I can stare at it lovingly here.

3.  Chanel Camelia de Plumes Highlighter No words can really describe how beautiful this highlighter is. Click here for a very informative blog post that i found when trying to figure out how to get this product in Aus - seems unlikely :(

4.  NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette Love everything about this palette. It's probably my favourite thing out of my whole wishlist. Sadly, it doesn't seem like it's available on Mecca's website anymore (i checked while writing this post) so i have no clue how i am going to source it. For those of you who use shipping forwarding companies, Sephora has it here. 

5.  Byredo Perfume in Gypsy Water I've been wanting this for a solid 12 months now. This scent is really unique and a little masculine, but really musky AND floral at the same time. Price isn't ideal, but i hate to admit i have paid more for perfume! 

What is on your Christmas wish list? I would love to know!

Kisses, 

Hey! So it's been a while...BUT i am back with a new moisturiser to show you all and i am a huge, huge fan of it! The brand is called Moreish. Introducing the Moreish Daily Redemption Day Cream.

This moisturiser is targeted for normal to dry skin. It contains Vitamin E, Blueberries, Avocado oil, Grapeseed oil and organic Moroccan Argan oil, and a host of other good things. Antioxidants improve skin texture and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, and as I start to heard towards the direction of 30, I am all about products that claim to lessen the ageing effects. While i was reading the ingredient list i also stumbled across an ingredient called 'meadow foam seed oil' and ended up learning a lot of cool stuff about something i knew nothing about. Expect a blog post on that ;-)

I think what i love most about this moisturiser is the smell. It's actually fantastic, even my boyfriend uses this because he loves the scent! In general it's a super moisturising formula but it doesn't sit on the skin. It sinks in quickly and i haven't noticed any problems with applying my makeup after it. I also really like the packaging as well. It's super sleek and travel friendly.

This retails for $29.95 at Priceline, however i used my reward voucher and another $5.00 off voucher and i paid less than half price. I had been wanting to try this brand for a while and ended up biting the bullet because of how cheap i could get it for. I'll keep you all posted, but i will most probably be repurchasing at this rate. If you like brands that use natural, organic products then definitely check out Moreish Skincare. 

Kisses, 

Evening dolls, 

So I've never been a shiny lip gal. I've always preferred the matte look. I think that although matte lip products are always critiqued for being overly drying, high shine lip products are often really sticky and gloopy. Either way there is a downside. HOWEVER, i must say i am really impressed with the Maybelline Colour Elixir Sensational Creamy Lip Laquers - aside from their ridiculously long name. 

I have the colours Mandarin Rapture (bright orangey-red) and Mauve Mystique (purple-mauve) and i am really digging them of late. They have the pigmentation of a lipstick, are nice and shiny like a traditional lipgloss AND they also have this super luxurious balm feel to them. All in all your lips have colour, shine and hydration. I seriously cannot rave about how comfortable they are to wear. 

Check our the shine on these babies! I've found they also wear down really well, and once the shine has worn off your lips just have a slight stain from the colour. I tend to wear these just by themselves, however they work really nicely over the top of other lipsticks too. I got mine at Priceline, but at $17.95 a-pop i think i might resort to eBay to pick up other colours. 

Kisses, 

So, with all the hoo-ha surrounding Priceline’s 40% off sale commencing tomorrow, 18 November, i thought i would write a quick post about the things i was looking forward to picking up. Some of them are old and trust favourites that i need to replenish, and others are just things that i need (read: want). 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

This foundation is honestly amazing. It blends well, covers well, provides luminosity and glow, and suits almost all most skin types. A trusted favourite :)

Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer

I already have a backup one of these, but i am definitely picking up another one. This product is light and blendable, and is perfect for brightening up the eyes. I use mine over the top of my Bobbi Brown corrector in Bisque. Dream team!

Maybelline Colour Elixir Creamy Lip Laquer

I have the colour ‘Mauve Mystique’ and i love it. For one the colour is perfect, but the texture is unlike no other lipgloss i’ve ever tried. It’s weightless, smooth, not super sticky, full of shine, hydrating…the list goes on. Fingers crossed ‘Mandarin Rapture’ and ‘Nude Illusion’ are still in stock!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm

I am such a fan of chubby lip pencils. I have them numerous brands, but i’ve never tried the Rimmel ones. So hopefully i can pick a few of these bad boys up. I’m really liking the colour ‘Give me a Cuddle’ (super cute name!). Although i’ll probably cave and by them all!

So, what are you looking at picking up during the sale? Remember it ends on Wednesday 19 November!

Kisses, 

HEY DOLLS :)

If you follow my facebook page (and you should, because makeup!) then I posted this look earlier today and promised a blog post about the situation I had going on. I was invited to a Hens Night last night, and I thought that was a pretty good excuse to get all dolled up. I used my Lorac PMP… still having such a love affair with this palette. This look incorporates some new goodies I picked up from MAC on Friday night, too. I finally caved and bought Diva Lipstick and Nightmoth liner. 

THE LOOK 

  Here’s what I used:

Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin.

Cream dusted all over the lid and up to the brow with a big fluffy brush, just to help the other colours I was using blend better.

Sand applied to the inner two thirds of my lid, and right in my tear duct to brighten up my eyes.

Sepia applied to the outer third of my lid and then blended into my crease.

Espresso (used on a smaller brush) applied on the outer third of my lid and into my crease to define my eyes a bit more and make the look a bit smokey.

Caviar on an angled brush and used as liner on my top lashline.

Savvy Soft Glide eyeliner in Shimmering Slate on my waterline and smudged a bit onto my lower lash line. I also tightlined. 

Almay Get Up & Grow mascara.

Anastasia Dip Brow in Dark Brown.

SocialEyes lashes in Tease, with Revlon Precision Eyelash Glue (the bomb.com).

Base:

Tony Moly Face Mix Primer.

L’oreal True Match Foundation (I have no idea of my colour as it’s worn off. I would guess I am N1 or N2?).

Bobbi Brown Correcter in Bisque.

Collection Concealer in Fair. 

Maybelline The Matte Maker powder in the lightest shade to set everything.

Napoleon Perdis Matte Bronzer.

Australis Contour Palette – the middle shade on the top row to highlight, and the middle colour on the bottom row to contour.

Skindinavia setting spray (oil control version).

Lips

MAC Nightmoth lipliner.

MAC Diva Lipstick.

 I really loved this look on, especially for a night out! I am actually very impressed with the Australis Contour Palette, I felt like my contour game was very strong last night. My lip combo didn’t bleed or smudge or fade either. I touched up once or twice after eating but I didn’t feel like I needed to constantly pull out a mirror to see if it was smeared all over my face. Lastly, does anyone have any other colour combination suggestions for my Lorac  PMP? Let me know J

Kisses,

About 2 weeks ago I received my Lorac Pro Mega Palette. Life has not been the same since. If you don’t have it, I suggest you do whatever is necessary to get it in your possession! I got mine off of Amazon and was one of the luckier girls who didn’t end up with a smashed palette upon arrival. Yay! At the moment they appear to be sold out, but it's worth your while to keep checking!

On the weekend me and the other half decided we would go out to dinner, so I needed to slap on some makeup for a date evening. This is the look I came up with. The star on my eyes? You guessed it, Lorac Pro Mega palette!

Finished look, albeit the unfinished hair!

Here’s what I used:

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin.

Sepia in the crease, to help blending and for some warmth to my eyes.

Maroon in the outer corner and blended into the crease. Also smudged this along my lower lash line.

Vanilla on the inner part of my lid and then blended into Maroon.

Cream as my brow highlight.

Napoleon Perdis Matte Eye Ink.

Almay Get Up & Grow mascara.

Anastasia Dip Brow in Dark Brown.

 Base:

Tony Moly Face Mix Primer.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Gobi.

Napoleon Perdis Matte Bronzer.

MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush, as my highlight.

 Lips

Sunday Riley Lipstick in Maria Antoinette, which is super gorgeous and moisturizing.

Closer view :)

I was really happy with the result! There are so many colour combinations that the Mega palette offers, so it’s going to take me a while to figure out what I think of all the colours, but for now I am totally in love. 

What did you guys get up to on your weekend? I’d love to know!

Kisses,

So yesterday I stocked up on some skin care goodies from Ash & Clay.

Introducing the Butter Cleanser. It has just seven ingredients! It contains Shea Butter, Monoi Oil, Carnauba Wax, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Grapefruit and Mandarin essential oils. 

The Butter Cleanser is a cleansing balm. I use it to take of my makeup at the end of the day. The oils break up the makeup (it's especially good with mascara and eyeliner) so it's easier to remove. I've only used this twice, but i can honestly say i recommend it!

It's a waxy, buttery (you guessed it) formula, that turns more into an oil with the heat from your hands once you apply it. I take about a pea size amount, work between my fingers and then massage over my whole face for about a minute. Sometime i like to take my time and give myself a mini facial massage - just depends on how much time you have!

You can see how lovely and soft the formula is in that picture. Once all your makeup is dissolved, just take a warm cloth and wipe off! Your skin will feel super moisturised afterwards. You can then cleanse again with a regular cleanser if you wish, or just use a toner and then continue with your serum and moisturiser! I personally use this just to remove my makeup. I always use a second cleanser to actually get down and dirty and cleanse my skin. 

If you live in Canberra then head down to the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sunday and have a chat with Kim. She's so lovely and she does custom blends, so she'll be able to whip up something for you if you need it! Otherwise find her products online!

Kisses,