2014 BEAUTY HAUL #3 AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I've made quite a few online orders recently and truly believe shopping is the best mood booster (until I  receive my credit card bill for this month). Here are my first impressions of what I got from feelunique: 

MONU Cleansing Balm

I tried it last night and this morning. I love it so much that I have to dedicate a blog post just for this cleansing balm. Stay tuned. 

Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash

I like the scent of this product, peachy fruity but not overly sweet. It's a gel like texture with beads in it for exfoliation. I find the texture a bit too running for me but not a major problem. What makes this product a worrying one for me are the beads. They are not rounded and have irregular edges on them which scratch the skin. As a matter of fact, the beads are the roughest ones I've ever used in any exfoliation product so I am a bit scared of using it daily. If you have sensitive skin like me, I do not think it'll be a part of your daily skin care routine. 

Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose

BEST lip butter I've ever come across and no, I am not exaggerating.  It's nourishing yet light on the lips. It provides just the perfect amount of colour, which naturally blends with your natural lip tone. The colour does come off a bit when you drink but it does not leave a dramatic kiss on your mug or wine glass and so it's more office or business dinner appropriate if you work in a corporate environment. I also find this product in the end leaving a nice natural rosy tint on your lips, which seems to last forever. I ordered two more shades today so you know I am in love. 

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 16

It's a coral colour on my lips and a satin matte finish. It's long lasting and I noticed it does not transfer much to my tea mug. It's not super drying however it does sink into the dry patches on my lips but a bit of lip balm underneath may solve the problem just fine.

Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in 401 Aurora

Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer was in so many Youtubers' favourite videos and it's probably a bit of a shock that I only just got my hands on it. How can a lip product neither a lipstick nor a lip gloss be more gorgeous than both? Well Rimmel did it. I love how non-sticky and non-greasy it's on the lips while maintaining great pigmentation. I am happy with the colour I got but I definitely will need to stock up on more colours. It's not very long lasting on my lips, far less long lasting than Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick. But I love it equally if not more for it's hiding of the imperfections on my lips.

Have you tried any of the above products? Which one do you want to try the most?

2014 BEAUTY HAUL #2 BODY SHOP

I went to Body Shop today for its Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder and predictably I did not walk out of the shop with just that.

Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder (AU$28.95/11g): I am currently using MAC Bronzing Powder in the shade Refined Golden as my daily contour powder. I have no problem with that one but it does have some fine shimmer in it so I always want to get a matte finish bronzing powder. I've had my eye on the Body Shop Honey Bronzer for quite a while since I heard good reviews from +essiebutton 's youtube. Compared to the Mac Bronzing Powder, which I paid AU$39 for 10g, this Body Shop's one is truly a bargain and I cannot wait to see if I'll fall in love with it.

Olive Body Butter (AU$27.95/200ml): I do not own many Body Shop body butter myself mainly because I find many of the products' scents, although lovely, can be quite overwhelming for me. I enjoy light scent for body cream and this Olive Body Butter seems to tick that box for me.

Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray (AU$14.95/100ml): This was for the hubby. As he always feels hot (even in winter in Australia), summer is not his favourite season to have a good sleep. Hopefully this spray will keep his feet cool throughout the night so that he will not keep waking up from the heat.

Cranberry Joy Heart Soap (was AU$9.95 now AU$4.95/100g): It looks adorable. It smells incredible. It's love.

Body Shop is doing clearance on some of their Christmas stocks and the discount is up to 50% off http://www.thebodyshop.com.au/Category.aspx?Id=oc. I did not know this before I went to the store today and the store I was at did not have all the clearance products they have on the website. Otherwise I would definitely grab the cranberry shower gel to try.

What's your most recommended product in Body Shop?

THE ANTIPODES DEAL

The problem with xmas gift shopping is I always come back with unplanned gifts for myself. Last Friday when I was looking for a gift for my mother-in-law at Myer Center, I "accidentally" saw the deal sign for Antipodes - 3 for 2, and that's the sign for "time to get the credit card out".

I spent almost an hour there and tried all the facial products I am interested in. Here are my first impressions of the products I tested:

Ananda Antioxidant-Rich Gentle Toner
This toner is on the pricier side (about AU$35/100ml). But it's sold out at the store and if not because of that I would have taken it home with me. First impression - bliss in a bottle.

Apostle Skin-brightening & Tone Correcting Serum
It's the bottle in the middle. I cannot tell yet if it'll do all that it's said on the website but I do like the light weight texture and think it's great for my summer day routine. First impression - summer breeze.

Hosanna H2O Intensive Skin-plumping Serum
It's the bottle on the left. Although it's also a water based and oil free serum, it definitely has the "plump" effect on the skin straight away. On the packaging it also says the product is scientifically shown to stimulate optimal synthesis of type I collagen by up to 72% so that's something to look forward to in the long term. First impression - dry skin day saver.

Divine Face Oil Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip
I like how it gives that richness feeling to the skin but I do feel it's a bit heavy for summer use in Australia especially if you have oil skin (I have normal to combination skin in summer). I'd imagine this product to work wonders on skin in the cold winter nights so I'll get it when the season is about to change. First impression - potential of a future hero.

Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream
It has Vinanza Grape from award winning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grape seeds. Being a Marborough Sauvignon Blanc enthusiast I was a little surprised I did not fall for this product as I had imagined. I am not sure I love the scent and the texture so it's an easy miss on my list that day. I may try again in the future and hopefully there'll be the connection I look for. First impression - just not for me yet.

Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
It's the jar on the right. The scent has a soothing effect and that's what I want for a night cream. Nourishing on the skin, yet the texture is not overly thick. Oh and there's hope it'll help fight signs of aging. I do not think I can ask for more. First impression - the perfect match.

What's your favourite Antipodes product?