Orly - Mash Up Collection 2013

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Hi guys! Today I have two colours from Orly's latest collection, Mash Up to show you. Firstly here is a quick promo pick of what the collection is comprised of!

 First up i'll be showing you Choreographed Chaos*; a bright blue-toned bubblegum pink. I used 2 coats here and found it to be quite watery and not that great re application. No top coat was used in this photo.

The second colour I'm showing is called Beautiful Disaster* and is a lovely duochrome magenta. Again I found this polish formula to be very watery and I needed 2 coats of this colour. No top coat was used again.

I don't know what is happening to the formulas with Orly but the last couple of polishes I've tried have been super runny and very different to their usual formula. Is it just me or has anyone received a colour from any new collections that they've found to be runny? I'd love to know. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Artsy Wednesday - Pastels

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Today's theme for AW is pastels! It feels odd wearing pastels in Autumn but I know for those Northern hemisphere peeps you will love this delicate mani!! Today's look is a dotticure! It is super easy to do and all you need is a dotting tool, bobby pin or any pen to recreate dots!

I painted all but my thumb and ring finger with 2 coats of Revlon - Metallic (my favourite metallic silver colour), I painted my thumb with a base of 2 coats of Lime Crime - Once In A Blue Mousse and I painted my ring finger with 2 coats of Lime Crime - Parfait Days. I used all the same colours for the dots, except the pastel purple is OPI - You're Such A Buda-Pest (which I used as the base colour on my ring finger for my right hand). I set it all with 1 coat of Wicked Fast over the top. Super easy & super striking mani which I loved wearing! Do you like this combo? Don't forget to check out the other AW girls look today!

Michelle - Lab Muffin
Melanie - Nail & Polish 
Maria - Marias Nail Polish Blog
Jessica - Beauty Gnome 
Emily - An Accent Nail
Catrine - Unnakednails
Ameerah - Valiantly Varnished Wendy - M.A.S.P.O.O.A.S.E.

Hydra-Oil Replenshing Body Cream & Tissue Oil-Spray

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Hello everyone! Today I have Hydra-Oil's newest products to show you. The replenishing body cream* (AUD$21.95) and the tissue oil spray* (AUD$16.95), sold exclusively to Coles. There are many benefits to Hydra-Oil - it’s the perfect remedy to drying skin in winter, containing Tri Nano Oil, it acts as a non-greasy emollient and helps with increased skin absorption. It also works to diminish scars, stretch marks and blemishes, makes skin smooth and supple, and hydrates. Containing Argan Oil (which is used in replacement of Vitamin A – following research that it has potential adverse effects on pregnant women and their unborn children), Vitamin E, as well as Chamomile Oil, this beauty must-have offers significant protection against the aging of skin.

Replenishing body cream

This is a very quick absorbing, intensive moisture cream-spray. It leaves skin feeling so smooth and soft. Has a lovely subtle lavender smell. It can target different problems by using it differently. To moisturise dry skin; apply after bathing and massage gently into dry areas. To treat scars, skin blemishes, stretch marks and wrinkled skin; apply twice a day directly onto the areas needing treament. Massage in circular motions. Use for a minimum of 3 months. For stretch marks during pregnancy; apply twice daily from the first trimester until after birth. I particularly used this after a shower and noticed how amazingly soft I feel. I can't stop touching my arm right now as I applied some more! I also really like the way it sprays out of the can like shaving cream. I've never seen a body cream in that consistency and it's really cool!

Tissue Oil Spray

This spray is for the treatment of dehydrated skin, uneven skin tone, mature skin, scar therapy and stretch marks. It works the exact same way as the body cream except this is an oil spray. It smells a bit funny but again it makes the skin feel really soft. This one is a little bit slower to absorb into the skin.

I would definitely recommend the replenishing body cream if you are looking for a moisturiser that is quick to absorb and also helps to restore the appearance of your skin. The only con I can really say is that the smell of the tissue oil isn't very nice and is a bit off-putting from the product. What do you think of these products? Will you pick them up next time you're at Coles? Thanks for reading. 

 

Notox Box Australia Review

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Hi guys!! Today I have a very exciting new Australian subscription box program called Notox Box* to show you! If you aren't aware I don't only love nails and beauty, but I also love staying active and eating very healthy and have wanted to jump into eating more organic products for a while now but just haven't had enough money (newly moved out of home!!). Also, I have a strong passion for all things environmentally friendly and am also studying to become an environmental scientist so this 'green' box is the perfect fit for me! This new Australian box will definitely be on my subscription list and here's why!

Discover Natural, Organic and Eco products with Notox Box!

Notox Box is Australia’s first subscription service designed to help find your favourite happy and healthy products. Offering a diverse range of health, lifestyle, beauty and kids samples, Notox Box features a new selection every month.
 Notox Box is passionate about helping people live a healthy, ‘green', more conscious life and seeks to bring safer alternatives to conventional products. Founder, Sharon Chung, aimed to create a service inspiring Australians to care for themselves, each other and the planet.

These boxes are available in monthly ($25), 3 month ($70) and 6 month ($150) subscriptions and they all have free shipping! This months box contained 7 products, 4 of which were full size!

 

Tiaki Day Cream (trial size)

Tiaki is a 100% natural and chemical free skincare range. With almond, avocado and roeship oil plus botanical extracts from NZ, it is a great intense moisturiser. The tubes are also biodegradable (WHICH I LOVE!). I loved this product. I used it on my hands and feet and it made them feel so soft! Smells really fresh and just like botanical extracts.

Wotnot Facial Wipes (full size)

Enriched with all natural ingredients. ACO aloe vera, sweet almond oil and rosehip oil for skin regenerating and moisture re-balancing. This stuff smells funky! I had to hold my breath while using it on my skin because it smelled so bad. It did a good job at removing my make up and my skin didn't feel tight afterwards but the smell totally ruined it for me! It smells very bizarre, not going to lie!

Power Superfood Goldenberries (sample size)

Excellent source of vitamin C, carotene and bioflavonoids, fibre, cleansing pectin and protein. There were 3 little dried up goldenberries and they tasted delicious. A bit like figs crossed with raisins. Yum!

Happy Feet Detox Patched (full size)

I was pleased when I saw this in the box! I'd heard so many things about this type of medicine practice. Eastern medicine suggests that toxins accumulate in our feet - that they are a mirror of our internal health. Foot patches are full of herbs and minerals, and are a simple, natural way to detox the body as they absorb the toxins through our feet. This was cool! You have to wear them during the night as you sleep. They have a sticky patch side that you just slap onto the bottom of your feet and sleep all night long! I did notice that the patches smelt like smoked bacon..lol mmm. The packaging also says you should drink water while these are on your feet. I did wake up with a little headache this morning but I can't entirely say whether the two are correlated. When I took them off the patches were black! I'm intruiged to know how many times you have to use these patches before they start coming out clean with no more toxins? Really cool product though and would definitely try them again!

Buckwheat Kernels (full size)

I haven't used these little gems yet but i'm excited too! I haven't been able to find many recipes on what to use these with but I'm planning on grounding them up into a fine powder to use as a pancake batter. 

Stolen Recipe Iced Tea (full size)

Made with real brewed loose leaf tea and fruit juice. No tea extract or sugar. 100% natural. The flavour I received was Lemon + Lime peppermint tea & more. It has a nice orange-y taste to it and you can tell they have used real tea in the drink.

Crunchies Freeze Dried Fruit (trial size)

Crunchies' patented freeze-drying process means that the only thing taken out of the fruit is water. No additives, no preservatives, no added sugar and no oil. Wheat free, gluten free and GMO-free, but rich in fibre and nutrients. These are soo delicious!! I received the very berry mix which has strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries and they taste so good. Just becareful when you eat them that you don't inhale too much because they are slightly powdery and I ended up coughing a fair bit! I would definitely buy these again!

All in all I am extremely happy with this box. It is such a good way to test new products on the market and to see what the latest innovation in health food is. I will definitely be subscribing to this box! What do you think of this box? Thanks for reading and have a good day!

Scunci Hair Accessories + Hair Tutorials!

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Hey guys! Today I have 2 Scunci hair tools to show you for achieving some really cool hairstyles! The first one is Hi-Styles Volume & Lift*, which is a hair volume builder, perfect for that awesome beehive (not that i'm a huge fan of that hair style but the soft, half up 60s style version I am) Here's a nice example that comes to mind!

Source: Fashion Bookmark

Here's a quick overview of the product itself and the exact instructions as on the box.

 Here's my tutorial on how to achieve a subtle, yet voluminous looking head of hair.

I'm not going to lie...I struggled with this tool...big time. It took me numerous attempts and tantrums to get it and finally after some much needed time out I got it! I just found that it wouldn't stay in my hair well enough, so make sure you really tease your hair, as it helped it stay in place a lot! Would I use this again? No, probably not, as teasing my hair would have done just the same thing.. but if I wanted a more beehive/60s pin up girl look then yes, definitely I would use it! Also, the direction that the tool goes should be obvious, but the arch is align with the arch of the head.

Next up we have the Scunci Perfect Pony Volume & Lift* tool. This tool will help achieve a thicker, more voluminous ponytail as opposed to a thin, droopy one!

And here's the tutorial to achieve the look!

This tool was so much simpler and easier to use and I really liked the result! Although it felt funny in my hair, it really gave a nice, thick pony tail to my look and I would definitely use this again for a sophisticated night out. P.s it's really obvious what direction the tool is used but just incase, it goes with the pony tail direction (so the long chamber sticking out the same way a pony tail does)! So guys what do you think of these? Would you ever use them? Let me know! Thanks for reading! 

Emily DeMolly - Violet Days

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Hello everyone! Today I have Emily DeMolly - Violet Days to show you. This gorgeous glitter is suspended in a clear base filled with purple, lavender, iridescent and fuchsia glitters, in various shapes & sizes. It's stunning. I applied 1 coat of Violet Days over 1 coat of Orly - Liquid Vinyl (black creme). This was very easy to apply and there was no need for fishing out glitters. I topped it off with 1 coat of Wicked Fast. This is a gorgeous addition to my collection and I love it! Thanks for reading!!

LCN Ruffian Manicure

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Hi guys! Today I have two polishes by LCN to show you. First up is a gorgeous fire engine red creme called Bowl of Cherries (-12). The next colour is a jelly-like teal called Azure Blue (-203). I wanted to use both of them by creating some nail art so I opted for a ruffian! I painted 2 coats of Bowl of Cherries* followed by 2 coats of Azure Blue* over the top. I finished it all off with 1 coat of LCN - Matte effect* polish. The colours lasted so well and did not chip! I was very pleased with the formula on these polishes and the brushes were really good for making a perfect shape around my cuticle. They are cute little 8ml bottles and fit into my little-to-no room nail polish draws well which is a bonus! The 8ml bottles retail for AUD $3.99 at the moment. This is a special introductory price and can be ordered via phone on 1300 790 699. 

P.s the colours lightened slightly as the matte top coat dried. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Barry M - Textured Nail Effect 2013 Collection

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Hey guys! A few weeks ago I showed you one of Barry M's textured polishes here. Today I have the other 3 in the collection to show you. I did a little skittle manicure with them all. Ridley Road is the gorgeous bright pastel mint green colour, Kingsland Road is the baby pink colour and Atlantic Road is the baby blue colour. I applied 2 coats and it took about 30 minutes to dry fully. I also applied some cute little 3d bow stickers my sister bought me from Japan. These nails were very striking and I enjoyed wearing them as opposed to the first time I wore Station Road (pastel yellow).

Will you be picking any of these up?? I hope you like this post! Thanks for reading.

Emily De Molly - Cosmic Forces

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Hello hello! Today I have a really awesome Australian indie polish to show you by Emily De Molly (etsy store here) called Cosmic Forces. CF is a really gorgeous dark purple/plum jelly polish with such intricate small lavender holo dots and hex and pink dots..not to mention the massive purple holographic disc glitters. It is so so cool! The big disc glitters are supposed to resemble planets, stars, ufo's or whatever you interpret it as but this polish is truly unique and special! I used 2 coats here and had to fish out the larger disc glitters as they did sink to the bottle. Finished it all off with 1 coat of Wicked Fast. 

How freaking gorgeous is this!?! I love it!! P.s it wasn't an entire pain in the butt to remove actually! Will you be picking this one up? Thanks for reading and have a nice day!

Artsy Wednesday - A Colour I Usually Hate

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Hello gentle readers!! Today's AW theme is a colour I usually hate. . . this one was hard because I don't really hate colours, except maybe baby poo green (lol) so I think I found a colour in my collection that is sort of like it called Def Defying my China Glaze*, but this is a nice colour! I don't have any colours I don't like in my collection (which is a good thing really) so sorry this is a poor attempt at AW. This is 2 coats of Def Defying followed by 1 coat of Wicked Fast.

Make sure to check out these awesome girls in AW this week!

Michelle - Lab Muffin
Melanie - Nail & Polish 
Maria - Marias Nail Polish Blog
Jessica - Beauty Gnome 
Emily - An Accent Nail
Catrine - Unnakednails
Ameerah - Valiantly Varnished
Wendy - M.A.S.P.O.O.A.S.E.

Orly - Peaceful Opposition

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Hi loves! Today I have Orly - Peaceful Opposition* from their new Hope & Freedom 2013 collection to show you. PO is a sheer creme pink/white with small silver holographic and square glitters suspended through it. The application on this was a little thin and runny, making it a little difficult to apply but formulas differ from batches these days so don't let me stop you from getting this subtle stunner! I used 2 coats of PO here followed by 1 coat of Wicked Fast. Lovely and feminine. That's all I need to say about this gorge... hello to my collection! What do you think of this colour? Hit or miss??

Remington - Colour Protect Hair Straightener

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Hello loves! Today I have the Remington - Colour Protect Hair Therapy Straightener* (RRP $103.95) to show you. This gem is specifically designed for coloured hair and it helps to reduce colour fading by locking in the colour by infusing micro-conditioners. It also has a smart heat sensor that will constantly adjust the temperature of the plates to avoid excess heat when styling. It automatically turns off if you have forgotten about it as well! It comes with a cool little silk pouch to keep it in when not in use. This straightener was very effective at straightening the hair quickly and thoroughly getting every strand. For this review I have used my mum's hair. Her hair type is frizzy with North African descent and is very thick. She dyes her hair brown, particularly focusing at the roots. It was great to see the effects of this product!

My mums hair looked smooth, shiny and healthy too! I definitely love this hair straightener and will definitely be using it regularly on my bleached hair tips! Thanks for reading!