The Body Shop Summer Beauty Preview

Last week I went to The Body Shop's Summer Beauty Preview at their Galeries store in Sydney. What I liked about this event from the outset was that it was advertised publicly on their Instagram page so anyone and everyone could attend, you just had to RSVP. Doing it this way meant that you didn't have to be invited by a PR company so little guys like me who are fans of the brand could go. I was looking forward to this launch seeing as I've already heard quite a bit about their new Argan range from UK beauty bloggers as it's already been launched in the northern hemisphere.

I headed to the event after work last Tuesday and dragged Mum along. It was a fairly small crowd which did surprise me but I guess it wouldn't interest everybody. The event was in cooperation with beauty bloggers Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily, who I'm not going to lie, I hadn't heard of prior to this. We had some time to mill around the store and have a look at the new and existing ranges before the two girls demonstrated and explained some of The Body Shop's most recent beauty launches. Most of which I was already aware of apart from the Drops of Youth range which contains a serum and undereye roll on. It makes the big claim that you'll see a noticeable difference in four weeks so of course, both my Mum and I were pulled in. She bought the serum and me, the undereye roll on. I'll report my thoughts after I've used it a while and (hopefully) when I start noticing some difference in my dark circles.


I only bought the rough scrub from the new Argan range, although all the products smell amazing and sound very good but I thought I'd just start with one and work my way through what I already have. One thing that was slightly disappointing was that because the Galeries store is about to undergo refurbishment, the store was out of stock of a couple of the products that I needed to repurchase or wanted to try out; with all products discounted for the evening only, it was a shame I couldn't buy more!

Goodie bags were handed out on our way out with a few samples from their Nutriganics range, a Makeover voucher and a sample size of their new Water Lotus fragrance which smells super fresh for Spring/Summer.

A Spring Wedding

Last weekend I attended my cousin's wedding in Berry, a lovely little town a few hours out of Sydney. It's been quite a few years since I'd last been to Berry so it was nice to wander around the boutiques the next day and escape skyscrapers, noise and the hustle and bustle even if it was only an overnight stay! My cousin and her now, husband are both very eclectic personalities so they decided to theme their wedding and asked everyone to embrace Rockabilly fashion.

With some googling, I got a better idea of the theme so then scoured the internet and all the online stores I could think of and finally found this dress on ASOS. In the end I think it was more of a vintage/classic look rather than rockabilly but I tried! I generally don't post outfits or OOTDs but I had my mum with me to take photos so I thought it'd be fun to post a few on the blog. It's not often I go to weddings or have time/someone to take photos before events and special occasions so why not.

Makeup was a simple winged eye with neutral shadows, full coverage base with subtle contouring and highlighting, pulled together with some wispy false lashes. I did intend to attempt victory rolls in my hair but once we finally got down there and into our accommodation, there just wasn't enough time for me to be experimenting. So I just twisted the front pieces on both sides and pinned them back which still had a kind of vintage feel.

Dress- ASOS

Jacket- Topshop (Bought in UK)

Shoes- ZARA

Clutch- Colette

Earrings- Mimco

7 Deadly Sins of Beauty Tag

1. Greed: What is your most inexpensive beauty product? What is your most expensive beauty product?

My most inexpensive beauty products are those that I mentioned in an older post- all things cotton! Cotton rounds, ovals and tissues if they count, but actual beauty product.. probably a NYX lipliner or maybe even my holy grail Jordana Best Lash Extreme mascara which I swear by! Most expensive single item would possibly be my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, the trio was fairly pricey but surprisingly not as bad as I was expecting for Aussie prices. 

2. Wrath: What beauty product do you have a love/hate relationship with? What product has been the hardest to get?

A love/hate relationship.. First thing that came to mind was the Bobbi Brown Corrector. This thing gets so much hype and for a fairly small pot of product is pretty pricey. I love the intention of the product to conceal my dark circles but sometimes I feel it doesn't even conceal as much as it should for a product with its consistency and sometimes it just seems a bit cakey under the eyes but not to the point where I feel it creases badly or anything. So probably that. Product that has been hard to get.. something that I don't have but want and have found fairly difficult to find from Australia is the LORAC Pro Palette, I want it so bad but Lorac is pretty difficult to find online that will ship here. 

3. Gluttony: What are your most delicious beauty products?

For sure the Lush lip scrubs! Oh also the NYX Butter Glosses, they smell delish. Yuuuuumm!

4. Sloth: What beauty product do you neglect due to laziness?

Uuhh if I want to wear something or want a particular makeup look then I'll generally do it because I enjoy doing my makeup but if we're talking something  I avoid doing then maybe winged eyeliner because it can either go really well or really badly and then just be a frustrating hot mess and sometimes bold lips as well for more an everyday basis because in the light of day they do require touching up and it's not like you're in a dark night time environment when you could maybe let it slide..

 5. Pride: What beauty product gives you the most self-confidence?

I'd have to say foundation probably. I don't have flawless skin and depending on how my skin is looking at a particular point in time sometimes a girl just needs a little (or a lot) of help to get a more even complexion. That and bold coloured lips. 

 6. Lust: What attributes do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?

This ain't beauty related.. but ok. Good humour, kindness and just enjoyable to be around. People who are downright rude- nuh uh, just no. 

 7. Envy: What product would you most like to receive as a gift?

A product I would like to receive.. Generally when family and family friends ask me or my Mum what I would like, I tend to ask for things that I wouldn't buy myself or would feel more guilty spending my money on. Recently I was given my first Dior nail polish and that was super lovely as a gift. Even just a voucher so I could put it towards something I really want because I do prefer to buy high end products that I've researched or trialled beforehand. 

I tag anyone and everyone that wants to do this, to do this! 

Easy on the Eye(s)

Eye crayons and jumbo pencils seem to be emerging more and more on makeup shelves and counters from various brands- both more affordable and highend. One of the favourites which I'm sure no beauty blogger is unfamiliar with are the NYX jumbo eye pencils; they come in a huge range of shades from neutrals to brights. I think NYX were one of the first companies to really make this type of product so popular and since more and more companies are taking a page from their book. Eye crayons and jumbo pencils have been increasingly sneaking into a lot of my makeup and eye looks of late so I thought a blog post was in order! Plus on a recent peruse of priceline's website, I saw some new releases of even more eye crayons! Heavens!

May as well start with NYX as I've already mentioned them and I'm sure most people would have one of these in ther collection or are at least aware of them. I have two shades- the cult classic Milk as well as Iced Mocha, which I may or may not have purchased on two occasions because I didn't know the name and thought it looked right up my alley online. Well duh woman, that's why you bought it the first time! (Please tell me I'm not alone here..) Anyway these pencils are great as a base for powder shadows or just on their own as an all over wash of colour. They blend easily, are pigmented and don't crease on me. Plus as I mentioned before, the shade range of these is huge and because they're affordable, they're great for dress up occasions or if you are feeling adventurous and colourful!

Also from NYX are their Glam Shadow Sticks- a bit less creamy and not so much a base product but these sticks look great swiped over a bare lid or over a bit of matte or shimmer shadow to add some extra pizazz. I bought one of these when Target had NYX on offer and really like it. If you want subtle shimmer, this is not for you because it is more than apparent. They don't glide so easily over the lid as the Jumbo Pencils and definitely don't have the same creamy texture but nonetheless they're super easy to work with.

Next up we have Rimmel's offering; now Rimmel know what they're doing when it comes to eye pencils if you ask me. Their Scandaleyes range is fantastic- the pencils are creamy, super long lasting and are pretty good on the smudge proof front. When they brought out the jumbo Scandaleyes eyeshadow pencils I was on board. At the moment I only have one shade Bad Girl Bronze but that one shade gets a lotta love! Surprise surprise is a brown but it has some slight shimmer through it, I absolutely love it for a super quick, fuss-free smokey eye! Slap a bit on all over the lid, as messy as you want blend it out with your finger or a fluffy brush, do the same to your lower lash line and you're in business! As quick as that. Again with these, they're long lasting, creamy, pigmented and don't crease on me but I am always wearing eye primer or concealer as a base just to be sure. 

A few random extras to tag on the end- in my stash I've accumulated an eyeshadow stick from Sephora's own line which again, is a great base but sadly often neglected. Same goes for the Bloom Smokey shadow stick which has a brush on the other end that is really quite useless for this product. However it and the Sephora pencil are great for an evening smokey eye more due to the shades but they're not disappointing products. Lastly we have a Barry M pencil which I undoubtedly put in my ASOS shopping bag when I was wanting a bit of beauty therapy. Not a waste though, this pencil is similar to that of the Rimmel Scandaleyes and of course, standard me, it's a neutral bronzey colour. Perfect for everyday quick swipe eyes or darkened up for the evening!

Do you use eyeshadow pencils or crayons in your daily routine? Do you have some in your stash that you turn to? I'm seeing more and more brands launch their own Eyeshadow sticks/pencils so they must be catering to someone! 

Rimmel 'Moisture Renew' Lipsticks

You may have seen my previous post on Rimmel's Kate Moss lipsticks and the glowing review I gave them.. Well I'll do my best not to repeat myself but if you were looking for a disappointing product review I'm sorry you won't be finding that right here. 

The Moisture Renew Lipstick line from Rimmel is their most recent addition to their lip product range if I'm not wrong. This time, endorsed by Georgia May Jagger. Whatever shpiel these have alongside them, it doesn't matter you've already sold me Rimmel! I first bought these in the older packaging which was still the metallic purple tube but a bit different as you'll notice in my photo. I had Notting Hill Nude as well as Nude Delight, both purchased on recommendation from UK bloggers and I think it's Notting Hill Nude that is said to be a Tom Ford dupe.. Well you don't have to tell me twice! Notting Hill Nude was actually the colour I chose for my 21st party which I think I've mentioned before, so that is high praise let me tell you. These lipsticks are exactly as the name suggests, moisturising and they do feel renewing. They glide on, last for a good while and don't leave your lips feeling dehydrated and that icky end of the day I want to take my lipstick off really desperately feeling. Ya know?

L-R: Nude Delight, Notting Hill Nude, Vintage Pink, As You Want Victoria & Sloane's Plum.

When they relaunched this line with more shades and new packaging, I dabbled. Then dabbled some more. I wore the brighter shades to work and got so many compliments on them. They do have a sheen to them and they're easy to apply.  I think I only reapplied after eating lunch despite talking the whole day. (Retail life..) By the end of the day I wasn't desperate to take my lipstick off and put balm on to soothe my lips, rather it still felt comfortable and hydrating. 

For the price of these, the quality is beyond. Regardless of the price, this line of lipsticks is really good. The shade range is a beautiful mix of wearable neutrals and pinks to bold orange, red and plummy wine colours so there's something for everyone! Available from priceline and the like and of course, ASOS plus if you've got student discount you'll be laughing! 

Have you tried this range? Any standouts? 

Rimmel 'Kate' Lipstick Range

If I had to choose only one drugstore (or more affordable) brand to be able to purchase lipsticks from, it would hands down be Rimmel. All of their ranges are amazing quality, price and shade range. A few years ago now they collaborated with supermodel and style icon, Kate Moss; not my ideal celebrity endorser but I get it, she fits the whole 'London look' that is Rimmel's brand phrase. Regardless when these launched I was intrigued by the range and more importantly just liked the look of the colour selection. I'd tried a few Rimmel lipsticks before this and 'Asia' was a firm favourite, which I think is all thanks to Sammi from thebeautycrush. Anyway, Kate Moss launched her line, I bought a couple and was not disappointed. Like Rimmel's standard lipstick line, the formula was great, they felt nice on the lips and I was sold.

I can't recall exactly how long it was between launches but they then launched Kate Moss the Matte range (in the red packaging) and I was like well blow me down, that's even more up my alley Rimmel! So off I trudged to Priceline and handed over my money in exchange for affordable lipstick goodness. I say handed over my money, let's get real these are spare change compared to prices of MAC and the like which to be honest have extremely similar quality. Not sure which was te first shade I bought in the range but as you can see from the photo, it obviously wasn't the last! I used to be a purely matte-only lip lady so I got a lot of use from these. Plus ASOS stocks Rimmel so whenever I was already making an order or they had them on offer, one would quite often find it's way to my shopping cart. If you haven't tried these yet then I think you should pry yourself away from your phone, laptop or any technological device and pop to your nearest Priceline to have a look at these. (Ok I'm not really telling you what to do or how to spend your money but I definitely recommend these if you're looking for some more affordable lipsticks!)