Mimco Love

Part of my blogging resolutions for 2014 included doing more posts on individual things - for example lipsticks, skincare, clothing, etc, as well as include more fashion related posts every now and then, as my blog is generally just beauty related (even though I am technically a fashion blogger as well). So after that rambly introduction, here is today's post which is both of my resolutions in one! It's a post featuring the beloved Mimco pouch! 

A few weeks ago I took the plunge and splurged on this beautiful black and silver pouch from Mimco, though it comes in many a colour if you're after something else. I use it as my wallet and absolutely love it, so for me it was well worth the money spent. I've had my first taste of something designer and definitely want to save up for some more treats in the future. My friend calls this the Mary Poppin's bag of pouches, as it literally fits so much inside, and I completely agree. I normally keep my cash, cards, lip balm, and iPhone in it, with room to spare. As these are $69.95 each they are definitely a splurge, but I think that it's nice to treat yourself every once in a while. What do you think?

You can buy these beautiful pouches, or just lust over everything, online at mimco.com.au (go on, treat yourself to something nice!). Alternatively you can visit a boutique of theirs - a full list of stockists is on their website. 

lovelovelove

Pamper Evening Essentials

There is nothing quite like having a relaxing pamper evening! Taking an hour or so to just unwind, relax, and treat yourself a little bit is an essential thing that we must remind ourselves to do once or twice a week. Life can get so crazy and busy that we often forget to look after ourselves, so a pamper evening is a good way to go! In this post I thought I would share some of my favourite products (and also some newbies) to use on a pamper evening. Of course you can swap these for your favourites, or if you're stuck for ideas, feel free to use what I have chosen. 

First I light some candles and place them around my bathroom so that it feels lovely and spa-like. I like to have a nice, relaxing bath, so I fill my tub up with warm to hot water. I also add in some bubble bath and bath creme to ensure that my skin feels nice, soft, and nourished afterwards. This is also the time that I cleanse my face, and I also use an exfoliator to get rid of all the yuckiness so that my skin is fresh and clean for when I apply a face mask. Next I hop in the bath and soak for a little while, and then I'll use a nice shower gel and a loofah to exfoliate my body. After rinsing all that off I hop out and apply my face mask immediately. I do this because the steam from the bath opens up your pores, so that way my face mask will really get inside them and clean them out properly. Sounds gross, I know, but it's an essential thing! I wait 10-15 minutes and then wash the mask off. I then use my toner, and while that's drying I apply a body butter to my arms. Now I continue on with the rest of my usual nighttime skincare routine. After all that is done I apply some nail polish and voila, I have been pampered. 

Products Used:

Michael Todd True Organics Charcoal Detox Cleanser

Om She Buff Away Face Polish

Spa Tranquil Breeze Bubble Bath

Baylis & Harding Bath Creme in Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit

Heathcote & Ivory Vintage Collection Bath & Shower Gel in Mimosa & Pomegranate

EcoPure Loofah

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

Synthesis Organic Hydrate Tonic

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Natio Acne Clear Night Repair Moisture Treatment

Nuxe Creme Nirvanesque 

Spa Mystique Body Butter in Berries

Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple

Sportsgirl Base and Top Coat

lovelovelove

FOTD: Basic Everyday Look

Hello lovelies, there is something about this weather and today in general that has got me feeling really nostalgic and I'm not sure why. No complaints though, today is rather happy feeling, as most of my days have been lately which is so nice. I thought I would do my very first fotd (face of the day) post for you all today. In all honesty these posts kind of scare me a little because I'm definitely no makeup artist, but I'm trying to push out of my comfort zone with blogging this year. Hope you enjoy this little end of the week treat featuring some of my most loved products! Don't forget to let me know what products you've been loving and using a lot lately in the comments below. (I apologise that the lighting is a bit bright!)

Face:

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in shade 820 Creamy Natural (blended in with a damp sponge)

The Body Shop Loose Face Powder in shade 02 (applied with a Real Techniques powder brush)

Sleek Blush in 926 Rose Gold (applied with a Real Techniques blush brush)

Eyes:

Stila 'In the Light' Palette - I used 'Bare' all over my lid as a base (using the Topshop eyes brush), and blended 'Kitten' into my inner corners (using the Real Techniques shading brush)

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Isolde (using the Ecotools mineral concealer brush)

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Damsel (blended along my top lash line with my finger)

Model Co Fat Lash Volumising Mascara 

lovelovelove

Empties #1

Today's post is all about my empty products. For those of you who may not be familiar with these types of posts, it's basically where I just show you and talk about all of the products that are beauty related that I have used up. I've been collecting my empty products for a few months now, so don't think these products are all from the past few weeks! Lately I've been trying to make a dent in my collection and use up the products I have before going out and buying more. So far, so good, just have to keep it up! So let's get into it. I did contemplate making this two posts as there are so many products, but decided to do it as one instead so that I can throw it all out in one go. Plus, who doesn't love a hearty beauty post?!

BODY CARE

Original Source Shower Gels in Lime, Lavender and Tea Tree, & Mint and Tea Tree

As you can see, I absolutely love these shower gels. They are my favourite above all the rest. They smell incredible, are made with real ingredients, and just make my skin feel lovely. I will continue to repurchase these forever!

Would I repurchase? Yes!!

Johnson's Silky Skin 24 Hour Moisture Shower & Shave Body Wash

I absolutely loved using this for shaving my legs, but sadly I think it may have been discontinued because I haven't been able to find it anywhere. If you do know somewhere that sells it be sure to let me know because it left my legs feeling so soft and not irritated at all.

Would I repurchase? If I was able to find it, yes.

Sportsgirl Scrub Up Body Exfoliator

This smells so sweet and beautiful - like vanilla. It's got a nice, thick and grainy consistency and made my skin smell so beautiful and pampered. This was my second tub of this stuff, and while I do adore it, I've been using another scrub lately instead. 

Would I repurchase? Yes.

HAIRCARE

Goldwell Extra Rich 60 Second Treatment 

This hair mask was really luxurious to use and left my hair smelling insanely good, like berries or something. However I did find that it's consistency wasn't as thick as I normally like my hair masks to be, instead it was in-between a conditioner and a mask. If you're after a treatment that isn't too heavy then this would be great for you.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Head Strong Gentle Care Shampoo

This is Aldi's version of Head & Shoulders, and while it isn't the same quality, it wasn't too bad. I found that it did strip my hair of moisture and left it a little dry and straw-like, but using conditioner afterwards fixed that so it wasn't really a major issue. It smelt nice but wasn't really anything amazing.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Citrus-Detox for Oily Hair

I wasn't sure what to expect from this shampoo, and it was alright, but nothing special. I don't really know how much it helped on the dandruff front, but it did leave my hair feeling refreshed and detoxified, but there are better ones out there.

Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Conditioner in Smooth & Silky

I just love this conditioner so much. I think it smells so nice and always makes my hair feel so soft and silky. This is another staple product of mine that I'll repurchase forever.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Garnier Fructis Fortifying Conditioner for Oily Roots and Dry Ends

To be honest I don't think this really did anything special to my hair. It never made it less oily or anything like that. It just seemed like a standard conditioner. I mean, it smells really good, but it didn't wow me.

Would I repurchase? No.

SKINCARE 

Lush Tea Tree Water Toner

This is such a lovely toner to use, as it is so refreshing. This is perfect for the summer months when it's hot and yucky and you just need something to refresh your skin a little. I was really pleased with this product.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser

I did like this cleanser, but I never repurchased it after I finished the bottle for some reason. I don't remember it doing anything too radical in terms of clearing my skin, but it did cleanse really well.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Innoxa Skin Clear Anti-Shine Blemish Control Lotion SPF15

I actually can't remember whether I loved or hated this product in the end. However I do have another bottle of it so perhaps I'll give it another go at some stage. From memory it was a little bit greasy due to the SPF. 

Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes

Pretty sure every single beauty blogger loves and raves about these wipes, and with good reason! I love them, they're so great. They are a little pricey, but well worth the money.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Beauty Care Co Fragrance Free Facial Wipes

I didn't hate these wipes, but I certainly didn't love them either. I found that I really had to work hard to remove my makeup at the end of the day, and that's no fun!

Would I repurchase? No.

EXTRAS

Colgate Max White One Toothpaste

While this was a nice toothpaste to use, I definitely didn't notice much difference on the whitening front. I found that my regular toothpaste whitened my teeth just as much as this one did. 

Would I repurchase? No.

Coles Nail Polish Remover

When I bought this I didn't really have any high expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. It removes my nail polish really well, which is all you can ask for really.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have. 

lovelovelove

Monday Stuff #4

Today's 'stuff' post features some new products as well as some old favourites! I'm quite sick with a flu type thing at the moment so that is why you see those Vapo drops and a good old lip balm, of course. Be sure to let me know what products you have been loving lately so I can try them out! 

Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

I got this cute little sample in the February Bellabox and it smells so sweet and lovely. I'm yet to try it so I will have to let you know what I think of it, but it looks really nice and nourishing. Perfect for the upcoming winter! 

Vicks Vapo Naturals Drops in Lemon Menthol 

As I said above, I'm quite ill at the moment, so these have become my best friend. I love anything that is lemon flavoured, and these are always my go-to lozenges for a dry, sore throat. 

Burt's Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry

Most of you probably know that this is my favourite lip balm, so it is the one I'm using religiously at the moment to soothe my lips. It's such a yummy flavour and is such great quality, which justifies the price tag! If you are a lip balm junkie like I am, I recommend you checking these ones out. 

Baylis & Harding Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit Luxury Bath Creme 

What is the best thing to do when sick? Have a bath of course! So that is what I will be doing, and this is one of the few products I'll include in my relaxation time. It smells so lovely and just makes the water nice and softening on my skin.

Om She Buff Away Face Polish 

This is another sample that I received in my Bellabox, and as I have been on the hunt for a new facial scrub, this seemed perfect. I plan on using it tonight before applying a face mask, so hopefully it's as good as it sounds and looks. 

lovelovelove

Little Life Update

I thought I would take a little bit of time to write up an update style post to share some exciting things with you guys. I also plan to write up a 'Monday Stuff' post later today so you can look forward to that. 

As some of you may or may not know I am currently studying a Bachelor of Communications, with a major in journalism and a sub-major in public relations. I'm about to begin my second year so life is about to get pretty hectic very soon. Something else that is a bit more exciting is that I just got a job the other day working in a cute cafe that will open sometime in the near future. I have been jobless for a few years now so that made life a little difficult and stressful sometimes. While I have seemed to survive through it, I am excited to finally be able to start saving for things like a car and a trip to England, and to also have a bit of money to spoil myself every now and again (hello some new lipsticks!). 

I have felt like lately my blog hasn't been as exciting as it can be, mostly because I haven't been able to go out and buy new products to review and share with you guys. As I am only a small, not very well known blogger, I have to buy everything with my own money, which can sometimes make staying ahead of the beauty game a little tricky. I do my best to feature new and exciting products as much as I can, and I appreciate all of you beautiful people who take the time to read my blog anyway. 

Something that has kept me quite busy the past few months has been church life, with there always being loads of things to attend and loads of things to do. Which is great! I've made so many incredible new friends over the past few months, and I know that this new season that I am stepping into is going to be one that is full of colour and excitement, and will be a real time for growth and flourishing. 

I kind of went through a little funk where YouTube wasn't as exciting for me, and I begun to not stay up-to-date with all the people I subscribe to. Never fear though, that funk is gone and I have become obsessed with them all over again. Especially Zoe, Estee, and Tanya. However, my personal YouTube account has been a bit neglected lately, as I am taking more time to focus on my blog instead. As much as I do love chatting to you guys and making videos, a lot of time and effort go into them, and sadly I haven't been able to do them to their full potential. I'm the type of person who has to do something with everything I've got, or not at all. 

Three cheers for you if you managed to make it this far! I think that's really all I wanted to say in this little post. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere, and you can expect to see much more new and exciting beauty posts in the near future, and hopefully some more personal ones along the way as well. If there are any sorts of posts that you would love to see on here, feel free to leave a comment below, or you can send me a tweet here! I really do love and appreciate every one of you and I am excited for the journey ahead.

lovelovelove

Valentine's Day Makeup Look

The second photo of me is without any lipstick and lipgloss on, so you can see how it looks a bit more natural. Feel free to swap anything for what you love to use, this is just how I have done it. I do have to say that I really like the way it turned out, all fresh-faced and glowing, and will definitely be wearing this look a lot now! Also, this is my first post like this so let me know what you guys think. 

Products Used:

Base

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in 820 Creamy Natural

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 001 Transparent

Clarins Blush (part of the travel kit set)

Eyes

Sleek Face & Contour Kit - I used the contour side as my eye base and used the highlight side in the inner corners

Sportsgirl Get Cheeky Cheek & Eye Shimmer - I blended this over the base

Model Co Fat Lash Volumising Mascara

Lips

Colour Theory Lipstick in Fuchsia Frenzy

Clarins Gloss Appeal Lipgloss in Sorbet 

lovelovelove

Valentine's Day: DIY Treat Boxes

As tomorrow is Valentine's Day I thought I would continue on this little theme of love and write up some more posts relating to the very romantic holiday, that isn't even a real holiday! Yesterday's post featured a beautiful mug from Kikki.K (which you can read here), and this morning's post was all about Valentine's Day appropriate nail polish colours (which you can read here). 

For this afternoon's post I thought I would share with you some DIY treat boxes that I made for my friends as a little Valentine's gift. I think handmade gifts are so special and memorable, plus they are super fun to make! 

Each box includes:

• Polka dot treat box from Big W ($2.00 for a pack of 8)
• 2 chocolate chip cookies (I used this Martha Stewart recipe)
• Twinings tea bag 
• 2 milky top Cadbury Freddo's (they are currently on sale for $3 at Big W for a pack of 20)
• Card (I used this template, they have other designs too)
• Vanilla & Jasmine tea light candle from Kmart (I think it was about $3 or $4 for a pack of 30)
• String
• Heart bunting (I used a template from Kikki.K)
• Gold and purple sequins and gold stars (from any craft store)

I am so pleased with how they turned out and can't wait to give them to my friends. You can pretty much put anything you want in these boxes, so have fun creating! 

lovelovelove

Valentine's Day Nails

Whether you are currently in a relationship or not shouldn't affect whether you get to paint your nails all pretty for the romantic holiday, so I thought I would share some of my favourite colours that are very appropriate for the occasion, incase you were in need of some inspiration. 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant in #145 Lav-endure & Sportsgirl Nail It! in Bossy Boots

Whoever said that Valentine's Day was just about pinks and reds was seriously mistaken. Why not choose to be a little different and go for a beautiful purple shade. Whether you choose to go pastel with a lavender colour, and deep and dark with a rich purple, both are sure to impress! 

Rimmel Lasting Finish in #270 Hot Shot, Colour Theory in Summer Lovin' Pink, Essie in Fiji, Topshop in High Voltage, & Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in #510 I Pink I Can

For all those sweet and lovely romantics out there, a trusty pink is the way to go. I've tried to include a variety of shades that are sure to please everyone! Why not take the opportunity to be really girly and just go all out! Pair it with a pink lip for an extra touch of sweetness. 

Essie in Scarlett o'Hara & Essie in Really Red

Who doesn't love a good red nail polish? And what better time to rock it then Valentine's Day, where pretty much everything is red! These colours are definitely for those of you who are total romantics and love everything about the lovey dovey day and want to embrace it in its entirety. 

Let me know what your favourite colours are for this sweet day in the comments below! 

lovelovelove (and Happy Valentine's Day)

Valentine's Treat For Someone Special

As I am not currently in a relationship, Valentine's Day isn't really anything too special for me, but that doesn't stop me from lusting over the cute merchandise and Valentine's themed products that stores sell during the month of February. I just wanted to showcase something that I picked up from a store called Kikki.K today. 

This super sweet mug with a gold foil heart on either side is perfect for any tea or coffee lover! It is a nice, sturdy design and is a lovely treat to make someone's day and remind them that you love them. Whether it be for your special someone, a family member, or even just for yourself (like I did), this beautiful mug is a sweet gesture for this special day. It's only $9.95 and can be bought at any Kikki.K store or online at kikki-k.com

lovelovelove

January Favourites

It has been a really long time since I last did a monthly favourites post, so I thought that as January has just ended it was the perfect time to do one! As it is currently summer here in Australia, my beauty regime is quite simple and easy, nothing too flashy or exciting. These are just a few standout products to me from last month that I found myself reaching for time and time again.

Herbal Essences 'Honey, I'm Strong' Shampoo & Conditioner

Let me begin by saying that this shampoo and conditioner smells incredible! I'm normally not a huge fan of products that smell like honey, but this one is an exception. It also leaves my hair feeling really clean and soft and smelling divine. My hair is not all that damaged so I can't really comment on whether it has repaired it or not, but it seems to be doing something right.

Coles Aftersun Soothing Gel - Green Tea & Aloe Vera

I mentioned before that it is summer here in Australia, so that equals sunburn if you aren't careful. And I have been a bit careless a few times when it comes to sunscreen, so this has been my go-to and absolute saviour of a product. It cools it down completely and helps to bring out the heat and redness and provide the moisture that my skin needs. 

Natio Acne Clear Day Moisturiser 

I have been using this for a bit over a month now and I have seen improvement in my skin, and continue to do so. It's not too heavy or greasy but still provides the moisture that my skin needs, while also repairing my skin and controlling oil. My skin looks and feels healthier already. 

Marc Jacobs 'Daisy' Perfume

I have been obsessed with this perfume for years, and I have found myself reaching for it a lot lately because it's light and fresh but smells so pretty and florally. This is one of my all time favourite perfumes that I spritz on to feel beautiful. 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation in '820 Creamy Natural'

When I first started using this foundation I wasn't really sure whether I actually liked it or not, and so I didn't use it all that often for months. Just recently I decided to give it another go, and using Ingrid's (Miss Glamorazzi) suggestion of using a damp sponge to apply it, I have fallen in love with this! I find that it looks so natural and not caky at all, provides great coverage, and has SPF 20 in it too which is an absolute bonus. It really does stay put on my skin and doesn't rub off onto anything else or go on my hands when I touch my face. It has a natural matte finish and does a great job of lasting all day long. Lately this has been the only foundation I have been using, and while I'm not normally a fan of Covergirl foundations, this one has pleasantly surprised me. 

Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in 'Ready Red'

I got this in my January Bellabox and I have become obsessed with it ever since. It moisturises my lips while providing that little hint of colour that makes my lips look incredible but also natural. It has a menthol/minty smell to it that leaves a tingling sensation once applied to the lips. 

There we have it, another little insight into the products I've been loving. I'd also like to quickly say that I'm looking in to doing exchange at a University in England next year, and was wondering if anyone could recommend towns to live in for the 6 months that I'm there. The University I'm looking at is about half an hour north of London so somewhere preferably around there would be great. And if anyone has tips for doing exchange or moving to another country I would love to hear them! Thank you!! 

lovelovelove