This post is in correlation with my recent "All About Essence" video (below).
In the video I go through the New Essence Products that I've picked up recently and talk about what I think of them so far. Let me know if you want any specific reviews on any of these products :o)
Essence
24h Hand Protection Balm
AU $1.95
Essence
BB Cream in Universal
AU $6.75
Essence
Nude Glam Nail Polish in Hazelnut Cream Pie
AU $2.75
Essence
Circus Circus Highlighter Powder
AU $5.95
Essence
All About Matt Powder
AU $5.35
Essence
Match 2 Cover Cream Concealer
AU $4.25
Essence
3D Duo Eyeshadows
AU $4.95
Irresistible Mermaid Kiss
Irresistible Chocolates
Irresistible Purr-ple
Essence Stays No Matter What Eyeliner Pen in Black AU $4.95 Stays No Matter What Eyeliner Pencil in Black & Brown AU $2.50
Essence
I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara in Black
AU $4.95
Let me know if you've tried any of these new Essence products and what you think of them!! :o)
I thought I'd share my thoughts on the Big Sexy Hair products that I have in my collection.
If you've watched my YouTube videos or read my Blog you would know that I like to add as much volume and texture to my hair as possible,
that's why I love these products!!
Big + Sexy = Yes please!!
haha ;-)
I have the:
Spray & Play Hairspray
Volumizing Dry Shampoo
What A Tease Backcomb In A Bottle
Root Pump Spray Mousse
Powder Play Volumizing Powder
I've managed to get a list of current Australian Stockists which will be at the end of this post.
Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play
Volumizing Hairspray
How it's described on their website:
"Spray and Play is a flexible, working hairspray that gives incredible volume, lift and shine. It's anti-humidity formula delivers medium hold and is great for everyday use. It's perfect for all hair types."
I love this hairspray, it certainly holds my hair in place all day and adds a great shine. It doesn't get sticky which is good and doesn't leave my hair feeling stiff which I've found with many other hairsprays.
Volumizing Dry Shampoo
How it's described on their website:
"Use on dry hair to absorb dirt, excess oil and product build-up. Creates volume, provides UV protection and helps maintain color by lengthening time between washes."
This is my favourite dry shampoo and I've tried many!!
I spray it through my hair and leave it for a couple of minutes and then brush through. I use it to extend in between washes but I also sometimes use it on my freshly washed hair to add texture and volume. The smell is very refreshing and pleasant which is good and it doesn't leave a white cast on my hair.
What A Tease Backcomb In A Bottle
How it's described on their website:
"A teasing spray made with a special combination of resins that give hair instant height that's easy to shape and style. Use whenever or wherever a teased look is desired with little time, effort and damage. Gives ultra-hip height to hair with little time or effort."
This product is fabulous and I use it when I wear my hair out and want volume at the roots. I spray in sections at the roots (on dry hair) and then work the product in with my fingers as it's drying - it then gives me amazing volume!! You can also use it as a high hold hair spray for up-do's.
Root Pump Spray Mousse
How it's described on their website:
"Pumps up roots, giving hair lots of volume with a look that is never dull - always shiny. Great for fine/medium hair types. Has a medium hold."
A few years ago my hairdresser recommended this mousse to me and I've been repurchasing it ever since!! It's definitely a holy grail of mine. I use it on wet hair and apply it at the roots and then blow dry my hair. The volume, hold and texture that it gives my hair is awesome. I've got lots of hair but it's thin so this product I find is perfect to add thickness without weighing my hair down.
Powder Play
How it's described on their website:
"The perfect product to add volume to any hair type no matter what the style or texture. Instantly liquefies itself when applied allowing hair to absorb the product and provide full, voluminous textured hair. It is weightless, odorless and colorless on the hair."
This is a great product as well. I use it more for when I'm doing up-dos as it holds the volume of your hair very well.
Great for perfecting the beehive look!!
Here is a list of current Australian Stockists: and some Priceline stores as well!!
Let me know if you've tried any of these products!!
Today I'm going to go through the Bourjois Foundations I have in my collection and let you know what I think of them.
I've got the Healthy Mix Foundation, Flower Perfection Foundation and the Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation.
I buy my Bourjois products from Priceline and always wait until they're on sale which is fairly often :o) For a list of stockists - click here
Before I get onto the review I thought I'd let you know that I have Normal to sometimes Dry skin.
The Bourjois foundations don't have much of a shade range so I'd recommend going in store to do a colour match.
I'm in the shade 53 in all three foundations.
Swatches are below
from left to right: Healthy Mix Foundation, Healthy Mix Serum, Flower Perfection
Healthy Mix Foundation
How Bourjois describes this foundation:
"Radiance boosting with fruit-derived ingredients for a flawless, glowing complexion for up to 16 hours.
Apricot for Radiance
Melon for Hydration
Apple for Anti-oxidant
Ginger for Energy
Melting formula blends onto skin for a flawless yet natural finish."
I love this foundation and this is my third repurchase.
I used it in my recent Foundation Routine video:
I use my Sigma Flat Kabuki F80 Makeup Brush or the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and only need 1 or 2 pumps.
My thoughts:
* Love the packaging - has a pump (hygienic), less wastage, a guide to show how much you have left
* Love the smell which is fruity
* Has a light weight feel
* Provides medium coverage (I prefer medium coverage over full coverage)
* Sets to a satin, luminous, natural finish
* Is build able without looking 'cakey'
* Photographs well as it has no spf (I make sure to wear a high spf bb cream or primer if using it during the day)
* Wears well during the day or night (8 hours)
* Powder needed to set if you have oily skin and may need a touch up during the day
* Won't be enough coverage if you have blemishes or acne scarring
* Limited shade range
Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation
How Bourjois describes this foundation:
"Instantly blends onto skin for an even, very natural finish, with no streaks. Imperfections are erased, signs of fatigue are smoothed, the radiance of the complexion is boosted for 16 hours. Vitamin enriched fruit therapy formula with lychee, goji berries and pomegranate. Gives skin 69% more radiance after 4 weeks of use."
I really enjoy using this foundation as well and will use it more in Winter if my skin gets drier.
I use my Sigma Flat Kabuki F80 Makeup Brush or the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and only need 1 or 2 pumps.
This foundation has been compared quite a bit to Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (Bourjois & Chanel are sister companies so similar formula I believe).
I've read that Bourjois has better coverage over the Chanel foundation and not as dewy.
My thoughts:
* Love the packaging - has a pump (hygienic) * Love the smell which is fruity * Light weight feel * Medium coverage * Sets to a dewy, natural finish * Is build able without looking 'cakey' * Photographs well as it has no spf (I make sure to wear a high spf bb cream or primer if using it during the day) * Wears well during the day or night (8 hours) * I like the sound of the 69% more radiance over a 4 week period!! I'll see how that goes :o) * Wouldn't recommend it for oily skins * Won't be enough coverage if you have blemishes or acne scarring * Limited shade range
Flower Perfection Foundation
How Bourjois describes this foundation:
"A youth extension foundation with a nude-skin sensation for a smooth and beautified complexion for 16 hours.
SPF 15 formula with wild azalea, resistant to extreme climate conditions, protects skin cells for a long-lasting youth extension effect on the complexion."
This foundation gives me full coverage and I would say is more suited to oiler skin types. It's not one of my favourites for that reason but I would recommend it if you have oily skin or like full coverage to conceal blemishes or acne scarring.
As this foundation is a thicker formulation I like to use my damp Beauty Blender to apply and I use 1 or 2 pumps.
My thoughts:
* Packaging has a pump (hygienic) but is bulky with the added sponge
* Love the smell which is floral * Full coverage * Sets to a semi-matte finish * Is build able without looking 'cakey' * Has SPF 15 * Conceals blemishes or acne scarring * Wears well during the day or night (8 hours) * Wouldn't recommend it for dry skin * Limited shade range
Overall, the Healthy Mix Foundation is my every day favourite but I love using the other two depending on the occasion!!
Let me know if you've tried these and what you think of them as well :o)
I was able to get a discount code for you guys if you're interested in trying out the LHI subscription service!!
This months box is so pretty!! I love seeing the different colours and patterns each month and I'm getting great use of them of these boxes.
The Natural Source
Camoflage Colour Lipgloss
in Wild Orange
Full Size Product
RRP $12.95
"Hydrates and protects the lips to keep them soft and supple. The contoured applicator allows an effortless glide for even, super-glossy coverage & a touch of shimmer! With 6 deliciously fragranced shades, they'll suit any mood!"
If you watch my YouTube videos you would know that I love lip glosses!! I don't have any orange coloured lip glosses so I'll be sure to add this one to my collection. It has a slight shimmer and is very glossy and doesn't have too much of a smell which is good.
Seacret
Body Lotion - Pure
Full Size Product
RRP $25.00
"This fast absorbing body lotion replenishes your skin's health and hydration to its optimum level through a unique combination of Dead Sea Minerals and natural ingredients. Your skin will feel silky soft and radiant all day long!"
A great sized product to try out!!
It's from a product line that is made in Israel which is great.
The booklet that came in the pack was great to look through and see the different products they have available. I love reading about new skincare lines.
This moisturiser feels light on the skin and as they say, fast absorbing and hydrating.
Paula's Choice
Resist Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
Sample Size - 7ml
Full Size RRP $57, 30ml
"This intensive serum instantly transforms skin back to its younger, healthier self! Perfect for all skin types and all ages, your skin will be irresistibly beautiful!"
This product looks and sounds interesting - I'm all for wrinkle prevention so I will certainly be trying it out!!
The serum is clear and quite thick but feels lovely on the skin. It also says that it repairs sun damage, builds skin-firming collagen and reduces dark spots.
Tigi
Elasticate & Recharge Shampoo & Conditioner
Sample Sizes
Full Size Products RRP $25.00
"Supercharge your hair with the new Elasticate haircare range to give your hair anti-breakage power! Or, get glossy locks with the brand spanking new Recharge formula to keep your tresses in check."
Looking forward to trying out these new products. I should be able to get a few washes from each sample.
Nude by Nature
Papaw Ointment
Full Size Product
RRP $5.95
"Leading Paw-Paw brands are chock-full of petrochemicals! But Nude's petrochemical-free alternative will soothe and calm chapped lips without any of those chemical nasties! Keep your lips beautifully soft!"
I was looking at this product in my local Chemist the other day and was thinking about buying it to try out so I was glad to see it in the pack.
Looking forward to using it on my lips coming into Winter :o)
So that is what I got in my LHI pack, let me know what you got in yours or post your blog post link in the comment section!!
