Mecca Cosmetica Transforming Facial Cleanser and Hydrating Moisturiser First Impressions

Happy Friday, Beauties! Today I’m bringing you a first impressions on the Mecca Cosmetica Transforming Facial Cleanser and Hydrating Moisturiser. I received a sample size of these products in my Beauty Loop box from Mecca a few months ago and I’ve been keen to try them out, but also trying to pan a few products so was waiting until I’d finished my most recent cleanser to give them a go.

First up let’s talk price and size. The cleanser contains 80mL and retails for $32AUD. This is a generally fair priced cleanser compared to others I’ve tried. The moisturiser contains 50mL and retails for $48AUD. I’ll be honest, this seems a bit high for the amount you get and I know there are cheaper alternatives at the drugstore.

(Image Source: http://www.mecca.com.au)

(Image Source: http://www.mecca.com.au)

The sample size I received were in a sachet, which I have a love hate relationship with. I love the fact that I can trial products and get a bit of an idea on how they work before I purchase a full size but I hate that you either tear the crap out of the sachets and lose half the product as it spatters around your bathroom (just me?) or if they’ve been generous with the amount you have to leave it open and exposed to get multiple uses. I know that is such a first world problem but that’s my take on sachets.

I really enjoyed both of these products. The cleanser is a gel consistency, it didn’t foam or lather but it also left my skin feeling properly cleansed without drying it out. I often find with cream or gel cleansers they just feel like I’m rubbing a moisturiser over my face and it isn’t actually doing anything. Not with this one though, it felt really nice. It has a rose scent, that I’m sure I’ve smelt somewhere before but I cannot for the life of me place it. It wasn’t overpowering just a nice fresh scent.

The moisturiser was amazing. I wanted to give it a good go so I didn’t use any of my serums with this. Basically I wanted to see if it could stand its ground, alone. Which it did. My face still felt thoroughly moisturised and velvety soft at lunch time the next day. A little went a long way, the sachet was enough for my face, neck, décolletage and shoulders. While the full size is fairly expensive, I think it would last quite a few months, especially in summer. It also had a rose scent and left me feeling and smelling amazing. It is thicker, like a night cream, so possibly not something to use in the mornings if you have oily skin but I would definitely recommend for night use and/or those of you with dry skin.

Overall, I’m definitely considering purchasing these two products in full size when I’m up for a new cleanser and moisturiser. I have a few in my bathroom cupboard to use up first but if I do end up purchasing these I’ll do an in-depth review once I’ve used them for a month or so.

Have any of you tried this cleanser and moisturiser? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Empties 2

Hello Beauties and welcome to another post. As May is winding down and the fact that I seem to have used up quite a few products recently, I though today I’d do another empties post. I, personally, find these posts really useful in knowing what is a truly loved product and if it’s worth purchasing. Some people have great, informative reviews on products but then I never see them spoken about again so I don’t know if they’re actually good or were just good in the moment. Does that make sense? No? Welcome to the inside of my head 🤯

Most of the products I’ve used up since my last post have been skincare. I usually have a scheduled post set up that I add products to as I use them, so these are in order of what I finished first up to most recently. I also add little notes to myself as some of them were a few months ago and I like to take note if something was particularly great or heinous.

First up we have the Artistry Hydra V Fresh Softening Lotion ($200mL for $56AUD). This toner was the first one I’d ever found that didn’t leave my skin feeling absolutely stripped of any and all moisture. The scent wasn’t overpowering and it worked well. However, for the price point, I won’t be repurchasing. I’ve found other toners since that work really well, are more affordable and easily accessible.

Next is the Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray (118mL for $49 AUD available at Mecca). I really enjoyed this mist. The actually nozzle distrusted product evenly and the mister was ultra fine, the scent wasn’t overpowering and it did seem to give my skin a hydration boost. However, the reason I purchased this particular spray was for the synthetic Vitamin B ingredients to help reduce redness, which I didn’t notice any difference in. Since using this up I haven’t found that my skin has suffered in the hydration department. I may repurchase it in the future if I do notice that occurring but for right now I’m not going to.

The next thing are just plain old cotton rounds from Coles (80 pads for $1.50AUD). These are great. I use them to apply toner, remove nail polish and until recently to remove eye makeup. I will repurchase these again when I need them but I have another few packs stashed away at the moment. Due to the Face Halo I haven’t been going through these nearly as quickly so I think the stash I have will last me another couple of months.

I finally finished my Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment (125mL for $24.95AUD available at Adore Beauty) that I’ve had for years. As I’ve got short hair this lasted me a lot longer than it would last anyone with long hair. Let me tell you, I LOVE this treatment. It is really moisturising without being heavy, it doesn’t make my hair greasy more quickly and it doubles as a heat protectant! I have already repurchased another. And I will continue to. It’s just that great.

I also finished my #All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum (30mL for $38AUD available at Just A Dash Beauty). I really do love this serum. I could tell the difference in my skin within 24 hours of using it and it lasts a really long time. I do think I will repurchase this one, however the wonderful girl that produces this is on holiday and orders won’t be shipped until she returns so I have recently been using another one, which, so far, is also really good. A full review on it will be up in a couple of weeks.

The next couple of items were all finished in one night. For someone that is trying to be more conscious of the amount of products I have, going unused, this was kind of a big deal. First was the Eleven Keep My Colour Treatment Blonde conditioner (200mL for $26.95AUD available at Adore Beauty). I actually had the 1L size which I purchased from my hairdresser, I can’t remember the exact price, I think it was about $100AUD for 1L each of the shampoo and conditioner. This lasted me well over a year. I would consider repurchasing, however I found that the pump nozzle on the bigger bottle was useless after it got really low. I ended up being able to get another couple of weeks out of what was left that the pump wouldn’t or couldn’t distribute. So now I’m using the 200mL size for the convenience. I would repurchase the product itself though, again and again.

I also finished up the Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser (125mL for $10.99 available at Priceline) in the morning. This moisturiser is great as a day cream. It’s really light weight and a little goes a long way. It has a strange scent, which reminds me of play doh. I have other moisturisers that need to be used before I repurchase anything, but at this stage due to the scent I won’t be repurchasing this one. Let me stress again, the moisturiser itself is great and works well under makeup so if you aren’t out off by the scent, it’s a great price point too.

That night I finished up the Artistry Hydra V Replenishing Moisture Cream (50mL for $68AUD). This moisturiser is really nice. It’s a thicker consistency, so I use it as a night cream. The scent isn’t overpowering and a little goes a fair way. As it’s in a pot it comes with a spatula so you aren’t dipping your fingers in to it each time you use it. My only reason for not repurchasing this is the price point. With a little research I’m positive I could find something just as effective for less than half the price. I have another one that I haven’t opened that I will use (I have started using a different brand night cream that I’d previously opened so it needs to be used), but after that I’m on the lookout for something more affordable.

I used the Artistry Hydra V Fresh Foaming Cleanser (125mL for $54AUD). This cleanser is beautiful. It really did remove impurities from my face without stripping it of moisture. I just don’t want to continue with this price point. Especially since I found products from places like Just A Dash Beauty that work equally as well for half the price. So I won’t be repurchasing this one either.

And lastly I used up the Oral B 3D White Luxe mouthwash ($11AUD for 473mL at Coles). I like this one because it isn’t overpowering, still leaves your mouth feeling minty fresh and helps to maintain whitening if you’re using their whitening products. I have already repurchased this one.

I think that because, this last few months in particular, I was coming to the end of a lot of products my next empties post (I’m trying to do them quarterly) will most likely be a lot shorter. I’m really trying to not waste/use in excess products I already have, even if I don’t love them, but I am trying to not waste money by purchasing similar products to things I have sitting under my bathroom counter already.

That’s it for this post! Let me know some of your empties, or if you’ve used them your opinions on any of the products above, in the comments below. I’d love to know your thoughts.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Current PM Skincare Routine

Happy Friday Beauties! Today is a follow up from my last post where I discussed my AM skincare routine. Today we’re delving into my PM routine. I want to warn you here, I’ve recently become skincare obsessed so while it seems like I use a lot of products, my routine generally takes me 15 mins max, 30 if I’m doing a face mask. I’ll try to keep this post at a reasonable length, but we all know I can’t seem to stick to that goal.

So my first step depends on if I’ve worn makeup or not. If I have, I go in with one of the following; my Face Halo (3 for $30 AUD available at Face Halo and Priceline), Artistry Special Care Eye and Lip Makeup Remover ($37 AUD for 120mL) or Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($15 AUD for 15mL or $55 AUD for 125mL available at Mecca as well as a variety of other stockists). My overall favourite is the Face Halo, as it’s so affordable, eco friendly, genuinely works and requires nothing but water. However, I’m attempting to “pan” the Artistry Makeup Remover so I go in with that a few times a week. I received a deluxe sample of the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, so I’ve been using that occasionally. It works really well and doesn’t irritate my skin at all but because of the Face Halo I wouldn’t purchase it in full size at this stage.

Once that’s finished I use a cleanser. This step isn’t essential if you’ve used the Face Halo I have to say, but I’m a weirdo who doesn’t feel like my face is clean unless I’ve experienced some bubble action. So I go in with a foam cleanser. There’s two I’ve been reaching for lately, one I’m trying to pan and another I’ve fallen in love with. The first is the Artistry Hydra V Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($54 AUD for 125mL). This is a great cleanser but there are others out there with a more affordable price tag that work just as well, which is why I’m trying to use it up. The other is the Just A Dash Beauty #Green Cocktail Foam Cleanser ($34 AUD for 200mL available at Just A Dash Beauty). This one is really nice, made with natural, organic and vegan ingredients. It foams up nicely and doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry.

Thirdly is another “depending” step. I exfoliate twice a week, so if it’s a Monday or a Thursday (don’t even ask, my whole life has to be scheduled or I’d forget everything) I’ll go in with an exfoliant. My favourite is the Just A Dash Beauty #Summer Fruit Salad Face Scrub ($36 AUD for 60mL available here). This is strong enough to actually exfoliate but gentle enough not to cause irritation or sensitivity. I adore it. All the heart eye emojis.

Next I’ll go in with a toner. Lately I’ve been using one that I don’t particularly love but I also don’t hate. It’s the Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner ($10.99 AUD for 125mL available at Priceline and select chemists). It’s not that this toner doesn’t work, it does, I just don’t feel as though it does enough. I’m not entirely sure what I want out of a toner but I know it’s more than this. In all honestly, I’m just trying to use it up before it’s out of date so it doesn’t become a waste of money.

My fifth step is also a “depending” step, again the day of the week. If it’s a Tuesday or a Friday I will go in with a face or sheet mask. It’s not that I think it’s required this regularly, although some directions imply twice a week is optimal, it’s that I enjoy the aspect of having a moment to myself doing something a little bit indulgent. The ones I have been loving lately are the Skin Republic 2 Step Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen Face Mask ($6 AUD per kit available at Priceline as well as some supermarkets). These masks leave my skin feeling super hydrated, plump and generally pampered.

After toner, or a sheet mask, I give my face a spritz with the Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray ($49 AUD for 118mL or $23 AUD for 30mL available at Mecca). I do not use this for the intended purpose of a priming spray, I mainly purchased it due to the ingredient Niacinamide which can help reduce redness. As I have a lot of it on my chest and some on my face I was hoping this would help. Unfortunately it did nothing for the redness but the spray itself is really nice and I love how it left my skin feeling. When this one runs out I’m debating whether or not I’ll purchase another or try something a little different.

The next 3 steps are the same as my AM routine. I use The Ordinary Buffet Multi Technology Peptide Serum ($24.90 AUD for 30mL available at Priceline), followed by the Just A Dash Beauty #All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($38 AUD for 30mL available here) then the Voeu Age Protect Anti Ageing Eye Serum ($8 AUD for 15mL available at Woolworths). I love all three of these products and would repurchase over and over again. For a more in depth opinion, check out my Current AM Skincare Routine post from Tuesday.

Next I use the Artistry Hydra V Refreshing Eye Gel Cream ($59 AUD for 15mL). While I suppose it’s not necessary to use 2 eye serums/creams, my under eyes get really dry, particularly with a high coverage concealer, so I prefer for that area to be as hydrated as humanly possible and I find using it at night allows it to really sink in and moisturise without looking and feeling heavy like it does if I do this step in my morning routine. I find this one works well enough but honestly for the price, it’s not worth it. There are so many more affordable options on the market, when I find my absolute holy grail I’ll be sure to let you know.

My last step is using the Artistry Hydra V Replenishing Moisture Cream ($68 for 50mL). This moisturiser is much heavier than the ones I use in the morning which is why I only use it at night. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy but it definitely takes a longer while to sink in compared to “day creams”. It’s a beautiful moisturiser and I really do love it but for the price point, it’s a no. I’ve found even using 2 layers of a day cream would give the same benefit for a much smaller cost.

If my skin is particularly dry, dull or otherwise not it’s best I like to use the Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil ($19.99 AUD for 25mL available at Priceline). A few drops is enough to cover my entire face, neck and décolletage and really does make a difference with how hydrated my skin looks immediately. It does eventually dry down and doesn’t leave a greasy residue, however I have used another oil that I prefer the finish of better, so once this runs out I probably won’t repurchase.

Lastly are more to do with my body and possibly, mind. After I’ve showered and done all of the above (or while my sheet mask is doing its thing) I like to use the Lush Sleepy Body Lotion ($16.50 for 95g available at Lush) all over my upper body. It’s said to help with relaxing your body and calming your mind. As someone who lives with anxiety and the resulting insomnia, I find it difficult to turn my mind off at night. For all I know this lotion is a pure placebo but for me, the routine and scent really do help me to unwind and while I may not fall asleep easier, I find I’m not as restless. It’s also a great moisturising lotion and I would definitely repurchase.

And finally I use the Ego QV Cream ($19.29 for 500g available at Priceline and selected chemists) over the rest of my body. It helps to keep my eczema patches and flaky skin at bay and I’m nowhere near as itchy or experiencing painfully dry skin when I get out of the shower in the morning (because it’s dropped below 24°C here, so my shower is on as hot as it can go). As I said in Tuesday’s post, this is a great moisturiser and fantastic value.

So that is my PM routine. It seems like an awful lot when I sit down to edit this and add photos, but I promise you it doesn’t take that long at all. And who doesn’t deserve 15 minutes to take care of themselves at the end of a long day?

What products do you enjoy incorporating into your nightly skincare routine? Are there any you’d suggest I try out? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx

Current AM Skincare Routine

Hello Beauties and welcome to another post. Today I thought I’d talk you through my current morning skincare routine. At the moment I’m loving a lot of drugstore products so most of these products are under $25 AUD. If you’re familiar with my blog you might remember that I have extremely dry and sensitive skin, so not all of these steps are necessary for everyone and these products may not be suitable for your skin type. If the world was a perfect place I’d use completely vegan, organic skincare but as I’m getting older I also want some of that anti ageing chemical effect. It’s a first world problem, I know.

First up I use the Voeu Micellar Water on cotton rounds. This retails for $4 AUD and contains 200mL, you can find it exclusively at Woolworths. I like to go in with a micellar water rather than a cleanser in the morning as I don’t want to completely strip my skin, I just want to clean off any dirt that’s possibly on the surface. As it’s getting cooler here in Australia, my skin is getting drier and I find going in with a full cleanser twice a day completely dries out my skin.

Next I go in with The Ordinary Buffet Multi Technology Peptide Serum, which retails for $24.90 AUD. It’s available at Priceline and Myer. I quite enjoy this serum. The bottle contains 30mL and has a dropper applicator. I apply 4 drops and that is enough to cover my face, neck and décolletage. The serum is quite thin and is tacky until it dries down, which only takes a few minutes.

My third step is the Just A Dash Beauty #All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This retails for $38 AUD and contains 30mL. It’s only available on at Just A Dash Beauty. I use one pump mixed with a few drops of water per application. It’s also quite thin and a little goes a long way. One pump will cover my entire face, neck and décolletage and depending on how hydrated my skin is I sometimes have enough left over to use on my elbows and/or hands. I’ve almost run out of this serum and the owner has gone on a well deserved holiday so I’ve bought another, the Hylamide Low Molecular HA (30mL $29.99 AUD), to try and I’ll post a full review on it when I’ve given it a good trial run.

Next I use the Voeu Age Protect Anti Ageing Eye Serum. This is also available exclusively to Woolworths. It contains 15mL and retails for $8 AUD. The applicator is a roller ball, which is so easy and provides an almost cooling effect on the skin. However sometimes you need to hold it upside down to make sure the roller ball is well coated otherwise you’re just tugging on the delicate skin under your eye which defeats the purpose of anti ageing. I’ve only been using this for a couple of weeks but I have found that my dark circles aren’t as obvious and the skin around my eyes appears brighter.

My fifth step depends on if I’m wearing makeup or not. If I’m going to wear makeup I’ll skip this step. However, if I’m not going to wear makeup I apply the La Roche-Poway Pigmentclar Eyes. It contains 15mL and retails for $$42.99 AUD. It’s available at Priceline and they often have discounts, whether it be on specific brands or product types. This is a cream like consistency and has a slight pigment to it, however anyone darker than my skin tone wouldn’t find this effective at covering dark circles, which is what I use it for. It doesn’t completely take them away but it does diminish them without needing to apply concealer or other makeup.

My second to last step is a day cream/moisturiser. At the moment I’m using 2 different ones, depending on if I’m wearing makeup or not. If I’m not wearing makeup I use the Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser. It’s available at quite a few places, chemists, supermarkets and Priceline, which retail it for $10.99 AUD for 125mL. It’s a slightly thicker consistency than the other one I use which is why I don’t use it under makeup application, but a little goes a long way. If I am wearing makeup I use the Just A Dash Beauty #No Handyman Needed Day Cream which retails for $40 AUD for 60mL, available at Just A Dash Beauty. It’s a little bit thinner and a little goes a long way. Both of these are really moisturising and don’t leave my skin feeling greasy. They dry down without drying my skin out and my skin feels really soft and hydrated.

Lastly, I go in with SPF, specifically the Moo Goo Natural Sunscreen in SPF 40. This is a natural sunscreen, meaning it contains Zinc Oxide rather than chemical sunscreen ingredients. It contains 120g and retails for $19.90. It’s available at Moo Goo online as well as quite a few chemists. It is white, but rubs in clear as it’s warmed up by your hands. It leaves little flashback in my opinion and regardless, sun safety is more important, to me anyway. Take it from someone with a lot of sun damage that has left me with an extremely uneven skin tone. You can retouch photos, you can’t take back sunburn. Makeup applies really well over this sunscreen and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy or smelling like sunscreen. I also use this on my body wherever my skin will be in the sun. As it’s now cooling down this is usually my face, neck, décolletage and hands.

Due to my dry skin, wherever I’m not applying SPF I will apply a moisturiser, usually the Ego Q.V. Cream, 500mL for $19.29 at Priceline. It’s also available at a variety of chemists and some supermarkets. It’s not too thin and not too thick and doesn’t feel greasy. I especially like it as it seems to keep the eczema patches I get on my arms and stomach at bay. It’s really affordable and a 500mL bottle will last months and months.

(Image Source: http://www.priceline.com.au)

Next post I’m going to run through my night time skincare routine. I’m also interested to see if you guys use any of the above products or what different products you could suggest. Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx

Mecca Beauty Loop Box Autumn Edition

Happy May, Beauties! Today I’m going to do an unboxing of my Mecca Beauty Loop box. This is part of the rewards program, online and in store, at Mecca. The program is broken down into 4 different categories; Beauty Newcomer (occasional shopper), Beauty Discoverer (Level 1), Beauty Devotee (Level 2) and Beauty Aficionado (Level 3). To be eligible for each level depends on the amount of money you spend per year.

Beauty Newcomer: $0 – $299

Beauty Discoverer: $300 – $599

Beauty Devotee: $500 – $1199

Beauty Aficionado: $1200+

These levels also determine what sort of quarterly rewards you’ll receive. You can find all the nitty gritty details here.

This is my third time receiving a box, my second time as a Level 2 – Beauty Devotee. The first one I received a full size lip balm, which I was really happy with. As I have sensitive skin, I’m not a huge fan of sachet samples as it doesn’t give you a proper go of testing it out on your skin. The second box I received included deluxe sized samples and some sachet samples. This box has been my favourite so far. I’m really impressed with the amount of products I received and, fortunately, they’re all aimed at my style.

Firstly I received a 15mL Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I’ve heard an amazing amount of hype for this product so I’m excited to test it out. The 15mL retails for $15 and the full size, 125mL for $55. I’ll do a full review on this after I’ve used it for a couple of weeks.

Next up was a sachet duo; the Mecca Cosmetica Transforming Facial Cleanser and Hydrating Moisturiser. I haven’t tried anything from this range but I have read some reviews online and it seems to be fairly good, especially for its price point. The full size cleanser contains 30mL and retails for $15 and the moisturiser contains 50mL and retails for $48. I’ll probably do a first impressions on this once I’ve used it, as the sample size isn’t really big enough to do a full review.

Third in the box was a 30mL MAC Strobe Cream. This is what I was most excited about. I’ve heard really good things about this and I’ve been wanting to try it for ages but, even before my no buy, I couldn’t justify buying it when I had so many other illuminating products to get through. The 30mL retails for $20 in one shade and the full size of 50mL retails for $56 with 3 different shades to choose from. Per millilitre, it’s actually more cost effective to buy the mini, as long as you like the colour and/or finish. After the initial swatch below, I like the colour and a little goes a LONG way. Full review will come, eventually.

Lastly was a 1g Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss in Pure Peach. I’ve heard good and bad things about Too Faced lip products so I’m glad this is a mini and I can test it out before committing to a full size purchase. It’s a perfect size for my bag and has a pleasant scent. Very peachy but not at all natural, kind of like when things are banana scented, you know? The full size contains 4mL and retails for $27 with 8 shade options. I’m not sure I’ll do a full review on this, but I will let you know my overall thoughts once I’ve used it a couple of times.

Overall, I’m really impressed with this quarters box. I’m looking forward to using each product and didn’t feel like we were given the products that couldn’t sell, if that makes sense. Sometimes I see unboxings of things and it’s like the company is trying to get rid of stock they just can’t move. I can’t wait to see what works and for my no buy to end so I can purchase more of the products that do work.

Have any of you signed up to the Mecca Beauty Loop rewards program? What did you receive this quarter? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

*All prices are correct at time of publishing and are in AUD*

Project Pan?

Hello Beauties, welcome to another week and another post. One thing that I’ve come to realise during my self imposed no buy is that I actually have quite a bit of makeup that I either don’t use because I forgot I owned it or I just don’t enjoy it that much. So I’m planning on doing a project pan, of sorts. I’m going to aim to have used up these products by the end of the year. I don’t want to limit myself to one type of product to use for the next X amount of months, but I would like to see them gone as 2018 is ending. Which seems like a long time away, yet here we are almost into May. I can’t even.

The products I’m putting into the project do work as well as they can. My intention with this post isn’t to deter you from buying any of the products mentioned. Nothing I’m putting in is terrible or not worth the money, they’re just products I’ve found better versions of, for me personally, or things I just know I won’t gravitate towards in the future. I’m going to list them in the order I’d use them in my routine, there are some skincare as well as makeup. Without any further adieu, let’s get listing.

First up is the Artistry skincare products. I’ve already used up the Fresh Softening Lotion, so I’ll be concentrating on the Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, Fresh Foaming Cleanser, Refreshing Eye Gel Cream and the Replenishing Moisture Cream.

All of these products work well and do their job amazingly. Before using these products my skin was a train wreck and when I started my blog I actually said I wouldn’t be switching to anything else. Oh how naive I was. The reason I want to use these up is because I’ve since discovered a brand that uses natural, organic ingredients that cost quite a bit less and last longer and give me the same results.

Next up is a primer, the Stila One Step Correct Primer. This primer is actually really nice. It’s cooling on the skin, it moisturises and leaves a slightly tacky finish. However, it doesn’t provide any of the colour correcting benefits it claims, in my opinion. If I were to purchase another primer from this line I’d stick to one that provides nourishment, hydration or an illuminating finish. There are just other brands and formulas out there that I enjoy more.

Another primer is the Artistry Exact Fit Beauty Balm Perfecting Primer. This product, again works nicely, however there are other primers out there that are just as effective for less than the cost of this one. I actually like to use this one almost as a B.B. Cream as it has a slight tint to it, for the days I don’t feel like doing a full face, which is probably how I’ll use this up.

Moving onto foundation, specifically the Artistry Youth Xtend Lifting and Smoothing foundation in Natural. This Foundation was the first one I ever used that didn’t make me look cakey, didn’t cling to dry patches or make me look like an Oompa Loompa. The only reason I want to use it up is because I’ve found 2 other foundations that work just as well, if not better, for less money that I’ve really been enjoying.

Now onto concealers. I have 2 I’d like to use up, which hopefully won’t be as difficult as I think it’ll be. Firstly the Artistry Exact Fit Perfecting Concealer in Light/Medium and the Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Light. Both of these concealers work well enough for me and my skin type. They both crease and neither completely cover my dark circles, but they do enough. I have fine lines under my eyes, everything creases. I stay up way too late and get up early, I’ll always have dark circles. These aren’t the reasons I’m letting them go, my main issue with the both of them is that they have a yellow undertone and neither suit my complexion. I can make them work but I prefer something that suits my more rosy undertone.

Second to last I have the Artistry Exact Fit Perfecting Loose Powder in Light. This powder works well to set the face, however it also has a yellow undertone, in my opinion, and isn’t as finely milled as other powders on the market for a smaller price tag. I specifically can’t use this powder to “bake” as it leaves me looking extremely dry and cakey around the eyes. I mainly use a big fluffy brush in this powder to set my face. It will be a struggle to use up as it contains 25g, I’ve already owned it for 6 months and have barely made a dent.

Lastly is the Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Gel. Again, this product works well but it’s quite thick so I find I’m often using too much and because of this my brushes require quite a lot of rinsing. There are much more affordable ways to clean your brushes, using baby shampoo or even natural cleansers. The scent of this one is nice but for some it could be overpowering, especially as it lingers on the brush long after they’re cleaned.

Are any of you doing a project pan? What are some of the products you want to see gone? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx

Just A Dash Beauty Full Skincare Routine Review

Happy Friday, Beauties! I hope you’ve all had a great week. To end this week I want to do a review on a full skincare regime from Just A Dash Beauty. Some of you might recall I’ve reviewed some of these products on my blog before (you can find that post here) and it is due to those products that I was willing to go out on a limb and purchase a full routine. Luckily, they were having a 15% off sale with free shipping when I decided to buy, although in my opinion the prices are really fair and the products are great value for money. Anyway, let’s get into it.

I’m going to list the products in the order I use them. Just a quick note for those that are interested, this brand is;

• Vegan
• Cruelty Free
• Natural
• Aussie Made

They DO NOT contain;

• Palm Oil
• Parabens
• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
• Mineral Oil
• Artificial Fragrance or Colours

Let’s get down to what I ordered;

#Green Cocktail Foam Cleanser

I have to admit, my warped mind doesn’t think cleanser if there’s no bubbles, which is the sole reason I chose this over the other cleansers available. It has a lovely fresh scent and with a few drops of water added, lathers to a nice soapy consistency with just one pump. I use makeup wipes or oil cleansers to remove my makeup so I can’t speak to how effective it would be for that, but it does leave my skin feeling really soft and clean. It contains 200mL and costs $34 AUD

#Summer Fruit Salad Face Scrub

This product I received as a sample with my first order and I loved it so much I bought the full size. It’s an excellent exfoliant but still really gentle on the skin. It has a slightly fruity scent but nothing overpowering or lingering. It’s recommended use is twice a week so it will last a long time. It also comes with a handy spatula to scoop out the product so the tub stays hygienic. It contains 60mL and costs $36 AUD

#Berry Fresh Toning Mist

This toning mist is brilliant. In a handy spray bottle you can either spray directly onto your skin or onto a cotton pad and apply it to your face. I’ve tried it both ways and I don’t find a difference in the amount required or the feeling of my skin afterwards. This toner has a really nice fruity/zesty scent, and doesn’t contain alcohol so it leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I’ve really been enjoying it. It contains 125mL and costs $28 AUD

#All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This serum was what started it all. I absolutely adore it. For a full review check out the post linked above, but I’ll briefly go over it here. Extremely hydrating, lightweight and great value for money. It took 7-8 weeks to use the first one I bought and I’ve since repurchased it with this order. It contains 30mL and costs $38 AUD

#Land Of Wonders Oil Serum

So this one I got as a sample. It’s actually a really nice oil. It does require washing your hands after application so you don’t leave fingerprints all over your life but it sinks into the skin and doesn’t leave it feeling heavily oiled. It claims to reduce redness and restore moisture levels amongst other things. It definitely restores moisture and I’ve enjoyed using it, a little goes a long way and it does leave my skin feeling hydrated, but I haven’t seen a reduction in the redness that was my main hope when trying this out so for me I wouldn’t purchase in a full size at this time. Come winter, when it’s cooler and my skin is drier, I may need the extra moisture though. The full size contains 30mL and costs $38 AUD

#No Handyman Needed Day Cream

This is the other product I received as a sample size with my first order and I absolutely adored it and bought the full size. It’s really lightweight and super moisturising. Only one pump is required to moisturise my whole face, neck and décolletage. A full review on it is, again, in my previous post. It contains 60mL and costs $40 AUD

Overall I really do love this brand and the products I’ve tried so far. The girl who started this business is a gem who has done the ground work and studies to build this business from scratch. She is striving to make natural, organic skincare that actually works and that alone is deserving of support in my opinion.

What are your favourite skincare brands? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Travel Makeup Bag – What I packed vs. What I Used

Happy Friday Beauties! Today I wanted to sit down and write about makeup and travelling. As the title suggests, I pack a lot and usually end up using only half of what I take with me. This goes for everything in my suitcase, clothes, shoes, underwear. You get the picture. I overpack and curse myself every trip trying to Tetris everything back in at the end of my trip. Maybe one day I’ll learn that I don’t need so many options. Honestly though, I probably won’t learn. Ever.

So I started off with good intentions. I was gifted a beautiful Kikki.K bag by my best friend. It’s massive for what it is, contains 4 inside pockets and a lot of room inside, but still wouldn’t have fit all of my makeup plus skincare, so I also purchased 2 x 2 packs of travel sized bottles from Kmart to decant what I could to save on space. They were AUD$6 and a lifesaver.

(image source: Kmart.com.au)

As far as skincare went, I decanted my makeup remover, cleanser and toner into these 100mL bottles and they fit perfectly. I ended up packing;

• Makeup Wipes (generic brand)
• Cotton Pads (generic brand)
• Artistry Eye and Lip Makeup Remover (decanted)
• Artistry Hydra-V Fresh Foaming Cleanser (decanted)
• Artistry Hydra-V Softening Lotion (decanted)
• Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra-Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray
• Just A Dash Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum
• Artistry Hydra-V Refreshing Eye Gel Cream
• Artistry Hydra-V Replenishing Moisture Cream (deluxe sample sized pot)
• Mecca Cosmetica Lip De Luscious in Peach Shimmer

Next up was the makeup, I packed as lightly as I could and tried to incorporate products that were multi use to avoid excess;

• Mecca Cosmetica Lit From Within Illuminating Primer
• L’Oréal Infalliable Pro Glow Foundation in Nude Beige 203
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light 10
• Artistry Exact Fit Perfecting Loose Powder in Light
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol. 3
• Too Faced Chocolate Chip Palette
• Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
• Maybelline The Colossal Volum’Express Mascara in Black
• Mecca Max Brow Guru Control Gel
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Espresso
• Maybelline Brow Satin Duo in Medium Brown
• MAC Prep + Prime Fix +

I also needed to pack the tools of the trade;

• Nude By Nature Essential Collection Brush Set
• Sports girl Fan Brush
• ELF Small Tapered Brush
• ECO Tools Spoolie
• Makeup Sponge (generic brand)
• GlamO Tri Fold Mirror

By the end of these lists you’re probably wondering how the hell I fit everything into that bag. Let’s be honest, I didn’t. Due to the size of the skincare products I couldn’t decant, plus the usual suspects like toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and deodorant, there was no way I was able to fit it all in. However I did have my previously loved makeup bag that I could use, which I did. I think it came free with a Harper’s Bazaar magazine about a year ago. The brush set also came in it’s own little carrying case.

You’re also probably wondering why I packed a mirror. I went away on a girls weekend with my Mama Bear and Sister, so 3 of us sharing a bathroom and trying to all get ready at the same time wasn’t ideal to me and I figured an additional mirror couldn’t hurt.

This time, for the first time in my life, I used everything that I had packed bar the foundation. That’s because while we were waiting for our flight my sister and I were browsing the MAC counter (before heading to the lounge for wine time) and our mother generously bought us a new foundation each. The girl at the counter suggested I get the Studio Sculpt foundation (NW20 if anyone is interested). So I used that while I was away and I think I’ll give it a good month before I review it. This also meant I had one extra product to try and jam into that bag on the way home.

I think the next time I go away I won’t pack an additional bronzer, the palette I took has one in it, it’s just a bit on the dewier side but it would have meant some precious room available had I left it behind. I also think that I could have probably done without so many brushes, or could have swapped out the ones in the set I don’t use daily with ones that I do. Overall, there were things I could have left behind in order to make space or to just limit the amount of products I took in general but I did like that I didn’t have to settle for a product or wish I’d brought something else.

I also think that I just have to accept the fact that skincare and dental hygiene take up a lot of space and therefore I’m going to need a makeup bag and a skincare bag. My husband is the lightest packer on the planet so at least I know there’ll always be room in his bag if I need it.

What are your travel essentials? Do you over or under pack? Let me know in the comments below.

Until Next Time, Beauties xx

Just A Dash #All About Moisture Review

Around the beginning of January a company by the name of Just A Dash Beauty started following me on Instagram. I checked out their profile and discovered it was run by a young lady who had a dream of creating a skincare line that was not only affordable but delivered great results. The products are all natural, cruelty free and vegan. I liked what I saw so I followed them back. I then received a direct message from the founder and creator, Greta, letting me know a little about them and their products so I replied with my concerns and got a message back with some product suggestions.

With suggestions in hand I proceeded to visit the website, which upon arrival offered a discount if you signed up for email updates. I received a coupon code for 20% off and decided upon the #All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($38AUD). It promised to eliminate dry, itchy patches, hydrate and plump the skin. I let Greta know I’d made an order and asked if it would be ok for me to review the product on my blog. The feedback was very positive and I was even sent two additional samples to try out, the #Summer Fruit Salad Scrub ($36AUD) and the #No Handyman Needed Day Cream ($40AUD). SPOILER ALERT they’re all AMAZING.

I’d like to point out at this stage that this post is in no way sponsored nor am I affiliated with Just A Dash Beauty. I paid for the full sized product myself and received 2 x sample sizes of other products. This is just my opinion of the products and how they worked for me.

So, after the patch test (insert eye rolling here) I went on to use the products. I’ll review them in order of how they’d be used if you were to purchase all 3 of these products. The #Summer Fruit Salad Scrub claims to brighten, hydrate and minimise the appearance of pores. It’s a creamy formula with a slightly gritty texture, however don’t worry about that grit, the website specifies it isn’t harmful to the environment like others of a similar texture. As someone with dry skin, I exfoliate once a week, twice at most if I have a special occasion. This product is subtle enough to allow for the extra day without being too harsh, but works well enough that I can definitely feel a difference in my skin after use. I would recommend and purchase this product. The full sized product is 60mL, I personally think this would last a good while if you only used it once or twice a week, I still have a couple of uses left in my sample size and I’ve used it 3 times already.

Next up is the #All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This stuff is seriously great. It’s ridiculously hydrating without being gloopy or greasy feeling. It goes on really easy, doesn’t feel at all heavy and dries/sinks in within minutes. I have noticed a reduction in the redness in my skin (it’s still red but less than it used to be) and I’ve been able to reduce the amount of moisturiser I use after application. I will definitely repurchase this product and I’ve also been recommending it already to anyone who will listen to me. The bottle contains 30mL and the directions advise one pump per application mixed with a few drops of water. I’ve been using it for a month now and I’m only about half way through the bottle.

Lastly we have the #No Handyman Needed Day Cream. I love this as a day time moisturiser. It’s lightweight but effective. Makeup goes on smoothly and only the smallest amount is required. I’ve been using it every morning for a month and haven’t run out just yet (we’re close though) of the sample size. I’d love to get the full sized product and will be purchasing. It’s a moisturiser I would recommend, especially for people with perhaps oilier skin as it is nowhere near as heavy or greasy feeling as regular moisturisers, in my opinion. The full sized bottle contains 60mL and I personally think it would last a few months or more.

Overall, I think this is a great company with awesome products. What I’ve tried so far is effective and fantastic value for money. If anyone is interested in trying out some skincare that is not only good for their skin but contains no nasties I would give Just A Dash Beauty a try. At this stage shipping is only available to Australia ($6.95 flat rate for orders under $90 or free for orders over $90) and New Zealand ($15 flat rate).

Has anyone tried any of these products, or other products from the company? Or are there any you think I should give a go? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

*Prices listed are accurate at time of publishing