Balmain Beauty

Happy Belated 2019!

2019-02-04T14:20:00.001+13:00

I’ve wanted to write again for so long, a lot has happened since I was posting regularly, which I don’t want to go into but I’ve come out the other side and I feel Confident & ready to give this another go!
I’m posting a lot of Content on my Instagram, please follow me there:
http://www.instagr.am/karenwilson
and/or on Twitter
http://www.twittercom/karenwilson
I’d love to hear from you, please share you’re news by commenting below.
It feel’s great to be back & doing something I enjoy!
I’ll post very soon,

#crueltyfree v #noncrueltyfree - A change in my Blog for 2017!

2017-01-07T13:56:00.005+13:00

Happy 2017!

It's been a very long time since I blogged and I've been posting almost daily makeup product's over on my Instagram. which are tagged and unsponsored product's I've bought with my own money. I decided to blog and tweet etc on my own name account's so I'll update the link's on my social media to the new account's - well their not new but new to linking to my blog!Before I receive comment's on why have I stopped using or linking #noncrueltyfree product's let's explain.1. Major brand's like L'Oreal own drugstore brand's and it's difficult to research who is the Parent Company without spending hour's trawling google and even then this information isn't up-to-date.2. Some of the crueltyfree brand's are now owned by the likes of L'Oreal, Revlon and Estee Lauder eg Too Faced which was recently acquired by Estee Lauder! 3. I've decided if I like a product I'm going to buy it because I don't have time or the energy to research parent companies of that brand etc. I will of course make it known it's not #crueltyfree if I write a post about a product and where possible name the Parent Company who acquired the former #crueltyfree brand eg as above and I will change my blogger header etc accordingly in the near future.I might lose some follower's and I might receive some mean comment's but I'm prepared for it. I don't get a lot of hate, maybe I will now but everyone has their own opinion on #crueltyfree v #noncrueltyfree! I'll still try to stick to my favourite #crueltyfree brand's and if I don't know it's owned by one of the major beauty companies feel free to let me know so I can update my post's and become aware of who is the major brand behind that former #crueltyfree company, brand etc.Current SOCIAL MEDIA link's are: Instagram and Twitter and I'm on Snapchat as: karenlea-anneThank's for taking the time to read this post, some will be up-in-arm's and other's will understand why I decided to write a post about this major change to my blog.Have a great Summer! More from me in the next year! I can't believe it's 2017!

Let's Play : Something You Don't Know About Me #BBSYDKAM

2015-08-01T23:49:00.000+12:00

Hello Ladies,

I'm a Single lady (my 1st year since the Divorce). I'm home alone on a cold wintery Saturday night and rather than drown my sorrow's with a bottle of wine and singing song's by Chaka Khan al'a Bridget Jones, I thought it'd be fun to create a new series where I share with you something every Saturday night and the best part is You can join in!

The aim is to get to know each other. Beyonce's All The Single Ladies spring's to mind.

You can post any picture you like on your Instagram but let's keep it PG.

This is my first Something You Don't Know About Me, which I've posted on Instagram.
Please click here if you'd like to Follow me on Instagram.
So now you know I'm still a #Twihard and I hope you won't hold it against me! LOL

I'm also Robert Pattinson fan. I've met him, he signed my copy of New Moon (which is his fave of the Twilight series) and he spoke to me at the Twilight premiere in London. I'm still swooning over this encounter! I swear he's even more handsome in person and I still have a bit of a thing for him, ladies I wouldn't say no, would you? I've just realised Twilight was 7 year's ago!

Please use the hashtag #BBSYDKAM every Saturday night!
BalmainBeauty Something You Don't Know About Me.
It's easier to look at each other's post's if we use this hashtag, please don't
forget to use the hashtag if you want other participant's to see your picture.

Let's make the cut-off Sunday at Midnight wherever you live and you can repost again

the following Saturday wherever you live, that mean's we should have lot's of pix to look

at because of all the different Country timezone's.

Feel free to pop your Country down in your description as it'd be nice to see where

you come from and how far this new series is reaching single ladies around the World!

Happy snapping!

Any question's about #BBSYDKAM please tweet me and I'll try to help.
Remember the only Rules are keep it PG, include your Country and a description of
your picture and why you chose it and the hashtag so it's easy to find.

I'll repost a few of my faves on Instagram every week to give you a shoutout!

#LushChristmasInJuly! (July 2015)

2015-07-26T00:02:00.000+12:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Sorry guy's I don't have time to prepare, film and edit a haul at the moment.

I bought a few Limited Edition LUSH product's from #LushChristmasInJuly!

as well as a couple of favourite's in two separate online shop's.

Note: Everything purchased by me (apart from two sample's listed at the end).

Luxury Lush Pud (Bath Bomb)

Lush say's:

For a soothing and calming bath. This year Lush Pud has gone all luxury with colourful polka dots that float to the surface making pastel islands in the water. A relaxing bath treat made with the comforting lavender.

I haven't tried it yet but I can definitely notice the lavender and I like it. If I'm being honest I'd rather Lush bath bombs to be half the size they are because I feel wasteful using a huge one like this. I'd rather get two bath's from one this size but we all know they fizz and scent the water and dissolve so you can't get two bath's from one bomb - unless your jammy and cut one in half, but I can't see the fun in that. Lush should definitely at least trial size smaller bath bomb's, do you agree?

So White (Shower Gel) 250g

Lush also released Snow Fairy which is a favourite Christmas time scent of mine but I decided not to buy one until Christmas. I thought I'd try So White. I don't know if this has been released before or not but I liked the name and the label say's a sumptuous, shimmering shower gel as pure as the driven snow. Once I read that I knew it was the right decision to put in my basket.

Lush say's:

Fresh Apple to brighten skin, rose absolute to soothe, bergamot and nerol oils to lift the spirits.

It's quite a thick consistency. I haven't used it yet. It's Winter here so I'm waiting another few week's or a month to take a bath, it's too cold right now. I like the scent of it and I'm looking forward to using it. I'll let you know what it's like in a bath when I get around to using it.

Rose Queen Bath Bomb

Rose Queen smell's the same or very close to Rose Jam shower gel, which is a limited edition shower gel at Christmas. I noticed they had Rose Jam shower gel for Christmas in July but again I decided to go with the bath bomb because I'm going to wait until Christmas to get my paw's on Rose Jam and Snow Fairy shower gel's! I usually buy the 500gm bottles of those two and use sparingly so they last me over six month's. I like the scent of this. I like that it's a lot smaller than some of the other bath bombs and I can't wait to try it.

Lush say's:

A rose tinted spectacles bath. For times when all you want to see is the rosier side of life.

Granny Takes A Dip (Ballistic)

I think I'm more of a fan of the ballistic. My favourites are Granny, Ultra Violet and The Comforter. This is the second Granny I've bought and I think last time I was too heavy handed with the amount's I used for each bath. This time I'm determined to get a few more bath's out of it. If you use this one, how many bath's have you gotten from one ballistic? What size should I be using to get the most bath's out of it as well (without skimping on the product too much).

Lush say's:

Drop into warm water for psychedelic swirls of foaming colour across your ginger, pepper and lemon scented bath.

I love the size and colour's of this ballistic and the name's cute. I can definitely smell lemon and the slightest scent of ginger (I've not opened the packet) so I'll have to see if I can smell the pepper once I start using this. I do like the scent and I think of the thing's I have bought I'd probably try the So White first as I shower everyday, next I'd try the Luxury Lush Pud.

Twilight (Bath Bomb)

Let me just say that Twilight shower gel is my all time favourite Lush product. I get so upset when I've run out which I have. The only thing that can lift my mood is the Twilight bath bomb. They might not smell identical but when you've been without the shower gel for a very long time it's the next best thing. I really want Lush to bring Twilight back and soon. I think I ran out in September 2013 so yeah I'm missing it.

Twilight bomb is one of my favourite bombs from Lush. I just love the scent and that it's a big bomb so I have cut this in half once and it was great for two bath's but it's not an easy task cutting the bath bomb in half (if you want to try it make sure your prepared for bit's to fall off and you might not get an equal half. I probably won't be doing it again with this bomb, the mess after has put me off.

Lush say's:

A tremendously relaxing Lavender bath bomb to send you off to the land of nod.

I definitely agree with that. The scent is amazing. I love that I can smell it around my bathroom and bedroom the next day. If there was a Twilight room spray I'd be all over that for sure!

Pillar of Fizz (hold's 3 bath bombs)

I like the idea of having my bath bombs in one container and I've previously had a pillar of fizz in a cardboard when I lived in the UK, this one is black and white with nice little drawing's on it and it's made from recycled Lush pot's! I bought this probably two Lush haul's back (January or so). It's so handy. It won't get lost in my bathroom and it can be used again and again so I like refilling it.

The lovely mail/internet order team included a couple of sample's for me. They include a small block of Rock Star, which I just happen to be out of and it's my favourite Lush soap! I can't count how many time's I've bought Rock Star, I absolutely love it, I get so many compliment's when I use it. Hopefully, this will tied me over until I place my next Lush order which probably won't be until September at the earliest. I still have some Easter carrot's to use in the bath, comforter and ultra violence. I'm really overstocked on Lush at the moment but I wouldn't have it any other way!

They also included something I've not tried before which is Celebrate. This is also another Christmas in July product. Celebrate the festive season with this beautiful unpreserved hand and body lotion. Rich and wonderfully emollient, the cocoa butter and almond oil will replenish and moisturise your skin while the intoxicating blend of orange flower, lime, benzoin and cognac oil perfumes the skin with a champagne fragrance that lingers for hour's.

These are nice sample size's. The Celebrate is sealed in a container so it's going into my Uni bag.

I apologise this was long, if you made it this far, pat yourself on back, you deserve a treat!

What are your fave Lush product's? Pop them down below,
along with any link's to your Lush review(s).

City Color : Blush in the shade Blossom #crueltyfree

2015-07-25T12:18:00.001+12:00

27th July 2015

City Color retweeted my tweet and pointed out they're based in Ontario, USA. I just saw Ontario on the product and assumed it was Canadian. I have therefore made correction's to reflect it's a USA Cruelty Free brand and it's not Canadian.

A few week's ago I was searching on TradeMe for some #crueltyfree blushes (I'm a blush and lipstick girl) and I found a Seller who I've bought from before selling City Color.

City Color are a USA cruelty free brand. Firstly, I googled them to be sure they're cruelty free and as they look absolutely stunning and were affordable I decided to buy two of the four blushes listed.

Secondly, I love the colour's in this palette and I also like they're in flower shapes. It's very cute, totally right up my alley in term's of packaging, colour's, design, affordable and cruelty free. I like that they have four different shades in one blush so here are the pictures/swatches of Blossom.

The two little flowers/bows contain glitter and even though I'm a magpie for glitter I'd probably dip a small brush and use on top of the blush colour as a highlight and not over the entire area where I've applied blush but it'd depend on what look I'm going for. I think it'd be perfect for a night time look!

This was quite hard to photograph so I apologise for the slight blur but in term's of pigmentation this one's gorgeous. The flowers/bows are an overspray so I don't anticipate it lasting too long but that's okay. I love using the same blush all week, feeling good about the application and how it look's after a few hour's, plus seeing the product being used-up in the pan. Nothing thrill's me more than when I've hit pan (as long as I have a backup)!

For the swatch below I swirled my finger through all the flower's and I'm pretty happy with the result.

All photos taken by me without using a filter and taken with natural lighting.

Overall very impressed with my first City Color product. I'm looking for other product's to try!

Have you tried City Color before? Pop any recommendation's down below.

If you have any City Color review's, please also pop your link's below.

[video] Bethany Mota Collection Haul

2015-06-24T16:38:00.001+12:00

I finally picked up the undelivered package from my local Post Office today.

I'm very impressed how everything was packed to keep it safe during transportation!

I'm thinking about buying more of her homeware pieces in a few month's time.

The link's to the item's in the video description, click here to watch it on YouTube.

Thanks for watching, please Subscribe to my Channel on YouTube here.

For The Love Of Pineapples

2015-06-03T15:19:00.000+12:00

I don't think I've ever written a dedicated homewares/decor post so here goes.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you'll notice Pineapples or Owl picture's posted every so often. I'm obsessed by these, along with Rose Gold and Chevron print everything!

I saw them online and went to my tiny little Kmart store, but all they had (before Christmas) was white so I went back again mid-January and they had Jade. I bought one with the idea that if ever the yellow were in the store in the future then I'd get the yellow and now have one in each colour.

Some day's I like they're different colour's but other day's I wish they were both yellow. I'm having a hard time deciding on spraying the jade to yellow or leaving it alone. I don't know how long I can restrain myself.

To continue on the pineapple trend, my lovely friend Mel sent me the red pineapple mailholder (she'd seen a picture I'd posted on Facebook) it was really nice of her and it cheered me up and I love all three of them but I'm starting to think they all need to be in the same colour.

Do you think they're okay 3 different colour's (they sit in the same room),

or should I spray them to match?

I like affordable homewares and both of the pineapples were NZ$10 each from Kmart NZ. At the moment Kmart have some pretty rose gold pieces, please don't be surprised if I get some of those too. The Kmart pineapple mail holder was A$10 I believe and my friend bought it in Adelaide.

What kind of pattern, or colour theme do you have going on in your loungeroom, study etc?

Rotorua Makeup (Day 2)

2015-05-29T16:08:00.001+12:00

Apologies for the break in transmission. I've had a lot going on since the Day 1 post with attending College and a few other bit's and bob's and I knew I didn't have enough time to sit down to write this without distraction's or other thing's that I needed to do.

I'm using the same ELF Blush palette from yesterday's post here.

I'm using a couple of new thing's, the first is Benefit RollerLash Mascara (sample). I've been using this a few week's, it's a sample size that my friend Aaliyah in the UK sent me with the UK Elle magazine edition and I like that it curl's my lashes and gives them length (my lashes grow straight) so it's hard to find a mascara to lengthen and curl so this is my new favourite and I find in the colder month's I need to wear a face primer so I'm giving the Benefit Porefessional Face Primer a try.

I'm wearing the same Australis Eye Primer and Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as Day 1.

Today, I'm wearing the Australis Mix it Foundation. I've tried a lot of Australis foundation's over the year's and of all the one's I've tried I liked the Paparazzi Perfect but I think this one might be better for me, but I want to try it for a bit longer before I give a proper review.

The lipstick I wrote is Kat Von D's Bachelorette (sample) and I absolutely love a bolder lip in the Autumn/Winter, this goes on very smoothly but it can be a bit too bold for me so I lightly apply it with my finger and dab it onto my lip's. I haven't perfected wearing a lip liner (well I ever be able to create a perfect lip line?) so I don't like how but I end up with lipstick above my top lip and with a bold colour like this I'd be checking your face every minute or embarrass myself in public. I like this Kat Von D lipstick so much I'm thinking about buying another winter appropriate shade.

When I was outside in the cold I used a new lipgloss from Becca in Flirtini because it think a gloss helped protect my lip's a bit more than just wearing a lipstick alone and it's a very pretty colour. I've never tried any Becca product's before.

If you have any recommendation's for Becca and/or Kat Von D product's,
please write them down below.

Rotorua: Makeup (Day 1)

2015-05-16T22:27:00.001+12:00

I've not posted in a while so I thought whilst I'm in Rotorua for the weekend that I'd get back into it with a two part post on the makeup I'm wearing.

I've bought limited product's with me but these are product's I wore today - minus moisturiser and I forgot to pack a face primer.

If you have any question's about these product's, please comment below.

I've seriously stepped up my use of #crueltyfree makeup and skincare (with the exception of NARS, who are owned by Shisheido) who aren't cruelty free. I didn't know about that until I'd bought a bunch of NARS stuff so I'll use them up and sadly won't repurchase (unless they change their policy).

1) Australis Cosmetics: Eye Primer

A really good drugstore primer. It's easy to use, just use a little bit, it help's my oily eyelid's keep shadow on them a lot longer than without an eye primer. It's affordable too and you can buy it from Farmers and Kmart NZ.

2) Australis Cosmetics: Fresh and Flawless Pressed Powder (Natural)

I'm almost out of this. I wear it everyday to set my foundation, it's affordable and I like the look of it on my face plus it help's my makeup to stay in place better than without one. I have 2 backup's!

3) ELF Blush Quad (Light)

Sorry but it's not yet available in NZ. My UK blogger friend Aaliyah sent it to me a few month's ago. I love it. I don't have many ELF product's but this is definitely my pick of the new ELF product's to launch (that I own), I'm sure there are more but I haven't tried anything else recently.

I'll try and keep and eye out on the NZ launch of this one and let you know when you can buy it. I've only used 1 shade so far but all 4 are pigmented so a little goes a long way.

Sidenote: ELF is available at Kmart NZ and now also at The Warehouse.

4) Collection Cosmetics NZ: Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair 1

My favourite drugstore concealer. I started using it 5+ year's ago. I forgot how much I loved it. When I heard Collection was launching exclusively at Countdown I bought 2 and this is my second one. I need to go back for more. Trust me when I tell you this Concealer is the Shizz!

5) Furless Cosmetics: Eyeshadow Brush

I just bought one brush from the Purple Power Brushset (all the other's were washed yesterday and they didn't dry in time for me to pack them). I definitely should've washed them day's ago.😕

Firstly, I like that Furless are Australian and secondly their product's are Vegan and Cruelty Free. Their brushes are super soft, keep their shape, don't shed, clean easily, blend or apply nicely and are affordable. I have 2 purple power brushsets and I swear by the quality. If you'd like to check them out go to:

http://www.furlesscosmetics.com.au

6) Tarte Cosmetics: Amazonian Clay

BB Cream

This is a 9ml sample and I wanted to bring it along because I like the coverage and it's travel-friendly. It's gives me good coverage and it's got a slight illuminating quality to it. I definitely need to buy the full size but I'm putting it off until the Spring (it's Winter atm).

7) NARS: Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

If you've followed me for a while you'll recall I'm not a frequent #redlip girl. This year I'm stepping out of my comfort zone of pink's and peaches and going bolder.

This is one of 2 NARS lip pencil's I've been wearing lately. I have Taylor Swift's love of a red lip to thank for me deciding to try it. It's so beautiful. The other one I've been wearing is 413 BLKR.

8) NP Set: Pretty Presto Palette

I wanted to bring along a travel-friendly palette. This one cost me $10 a few month's ago. It has 2 eye shadows that are glittery but I'm a magpie for glitter and I liked the shade's plus it also comes with a peach coloured blush (also glittery), a mini mascara and a lipgloss. I like the shadow's and blush and the gloss but I've not yet tried the mascara. This was my first NP Set palette and I love it. I'm definitely going to checkout more of the product's in the future.

If you'd like swatches of anything, please leave a comment and I'll do a swatch post next week (when I'm back at home).

Are you embracing a bold lip this Winter or are you more of a Smokey Eye, Natural Lip Girl? What are your favourite Winter lip shade's and/or eyeshadow's?

Note: This post isn't Sponsored. All product's were bought with my own money and my opinions are 100% honest.

My Mum Was Diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer

2015-02-20T11:34:00.003+13:00

Note;

This post has been in draft form for a long time. Unfortunately, I had other thing's in life to prioritise and I finally sat down last night to re-edit etc. If this post prod's someone to self-check and/or make a Breast Cancer Screening appointment that's the point of writing this.

Check your boobies regularly!

January 2015

This is a post I thought I'd never write. I don't know why I thought that but there's no family history of breast cancer so it has come as quite a shock.

My Mum has been ill for a few month's constantly feeling tired but she has a few other health problem's like a bad Lung, Arthritis, a constantly sore back, trouble walking and a Liver problem.

It was because she had trouble breathing and was in a great deal of pain on 30th December she went into Emergency to find the cause and after about 6 hour's of waiting for result's and a scan the Dr came to us with new's everything appeared to be okay. Mum was no longer in pain and wanted to go home (as did I) and then the Dr said but we found a small thing we're concerned about in your Scan (she'd had a full body scan) of your left breast. The Dr wrote a letter for Mum and sent it to her doctor for Mum to have a Mammogram.

Now this is where I cannot stress enough the importance of having a yearly Mammogram because I was shocked to find out my Mum hadn't had a Mammogram for at least 5 year's! The thing's you find out when Dr's ask's question's. Mum's excuse was because she's over the age of where it's FREE and she thought she'd be okay. I was extremely shocked to hear this and angry. If only she'd told me. Her excuse was it cost's a lot of money, money that I need to pay bill's etc. and I agree Mammogram's are expensive, if your not covered, it's once a year you have to come up with the money and if my Mum had said she had difficulty finding the money to have her scan I would've at least tried to come up with half the money but no she decided it wasn't necessary and that's not right way of thinking!

Now that we know she hadn't had a Mammogram for 5 year's she was sent within a few day's to have one as an emergency at the hospital and because she had a Dr's letter it was free. The result's came back within a few day's and they were inconclusive so they arranged for Mum to go have a biopsy which basically mean's they take a sample from the breast and send it off to be tested by Breast Cancer Dr's.

I don't know how much they took or what the result of that was exactly but they sent her back to the Breast Screening Clinic and she had a Nurse do a proper examination again and another biopsy and the same day she was diagnosed with breast cancer and at the end waiting around for another 3 or 4 hour's they had given her a date to turn up to hospital for the lump removal and talked to her about having Radiotherapy. We live in a small town so the only hospital close enough for cancer treatment is 4 hour's away each way in Hamilton so my Mum will travel there for Radiotherapy. There's been no talk of Mastectomy. I hope it's not necessary but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

Whilst waiting for the hospital admission date, the hospital rang her to give her pre-operation care eg. don't eat the night before, bring your own clothes, toiletries etc and any medication's must be given to the Anaesthetist so he can adjust the dosage for the general anaesthetic etc. During this phone call my Mum coughed a few time's and the nurse checked her notes from the blood test's she'd had and found Mum had an Infection. Immediately the operation was cancelled. They told Mum to come to the hospital after a 7 day treatment of Antibiotics, they left it too late in the day (a Friday) for her to go to the Dr to get a prescription so she was in pain for 3 day's. They also failed to tell her in the 10 day's since her blood test that she had an infection and so there's been an official investigation launched into the failure to communicate to the patient she had an infection and therefore the operation was cancelled. My family aren't impressed by the hospital's lack of communication.

Early February 2015

I want to spread how important it is for you have a yearly Mammogram, you regularly self-check your breast's and if you notice any difference in your health or your breast eg tiredness or maybe some puckering or discharge from your breast and there might be changes to your breast's during your period, you immediately see your Dr to get a referral for a Mammogram. If you arrange it through your Dr the chances are it will be at your local hospital and it won't cost you anything but even if it cost's $150 or $200 it's once a year until you qualify for your local breast screening in your country. Assuming you have such a thing. I know it's different from country to country but here in NZ and in Australia I think after a certain age you qualify for a free screening.

Please talk about any changes with your sister, friend, mother and make an appointment to see your Dr as soon as possible. Please don't think Breast Cancer can't happen to you. I've had a 24 year old friend go through breast cancer, a friend in her 30's with breast cancer. Breast Cancer can happen to anyone (men or women) between the age's of 17 into your 70's.

20th February 2015

Fast forward 3 week's and Mum is out of hospital for the Infection and has been on an at home IV with Antibiotics for about 10 day's, they're sending her for another blood test this Tuesday to see if the medication is killing her infection or if they have to up the dosage, we hope it's not the latter.

Today, 20th February with Mum's 75th birthday on the 22nd, we still don't have a breast cancer operation date. It's getting ridiculous that even though it's Stage 1, thing's seem to be taking too long. I don't know how long Mum will be in hospital the next time or when she'll be sent to Hamilton for Radiation treatment but that's 4 hour's each way from where we live.

Please self-check regularly. Breast Cancer doesn't care how old you are, or your sex. I didn't know this until recently but Men are diagnosed with breast cancer too!

TODAY 7 WOMEN will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

THIS YEAR 650 will most likely die.

YET 30% of eligible women don't have regular mammograms.

AND 60% of young women don't know the signs beyond a lump.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation has information here about Breast Cancer, what you should do, a link to a PDF you can printout as a shower card to show you how to self-check is here. Information about Mammogram's is here.

I'll update you again once Mum's had her operation (as at today, we still don't know a date) but we're hoping after her blood test on Tuesday she's closer to her being Admitted to hospital to have it removed. It's Breast Cancer Stage 1 - it's still scary knowing it's still in there and it's life-threatening.

I hope this explain's why I haven't posted on my blog for a long time. I posted about Mum's breast cancer diagnosis on my Twitter a few week's ago but I was still trying to let the new's sink in so that's why this post wasn't published earlier. I hope also this post prompt's you to self-check, notice any changes or unsure, go see your Dr immediately. #CheckThemBoobies #BreastCancerAwareness

Kotex : Overnight Ultrathin Pads

2015-01-16T17:41:00.002+13:00

Updated: 20th January 2015

FREE SAMPLE (FOR NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT'S). After this post.

Let's face it, menstruation aka period's are inconvenient most of the time because we have made plan's month's earlier to go on Summer holiday and enjoy swimming, beaches etc.

Unfortunately, we sometimes can't avoid it and some may think I'm being TMI but I recently found my holy grail pad! Yes, you read that right. After lengthy testing for a couple of month's I want to share with you why I like this product enough to write about it. This post isn't Sponsored.

Firstly, a little bit about me. I started my period as a 14 year old, a lot of my friend's got them at 12 or 13 so I was a late bloomer. I still remember my first one like it was yesterday. My Mum was in hospital and my Dad was taking care of me. In the middle of the night I had to wake my Dad to find where my Mum kept her pad's. I was embarrassed but he was great (a lot better than I thought).

At breakfast I was a still little embarrassed to see my Dad since the middle-of-the-night but he carried on like nothing happened but then I overhead him telling my Mum on the phone and she was upset she wasn't home for my first time but Dad said I seemed to know what to do and when Mum was better he said she could take me shopping for my first packet of pad's. I'd already had the shopping trip with Mum to buy my first bra about a year earlier. I think about it now and laugh but as a 14 year old I wanted the ground to swallow me up, rather than my Dad know I was on my period.

If you'd like to know more about what happen's to your body during your period click here. I'm not claiming to be an expert on Women's Health but I know sometime's period's can arrive unexpectedly and I was never one to get mine on a certain day of the month (until I was on the pill). This month my period was 5 day's late and I'm not on the pill now plus there's no reason to panic. Different thing's affect our bodyclock's; like stress, lack of sleep, diet etc. I suffer from Dysmenorrhea (painful period cramp's). I also have PCOS and Endometriosis which are a likely cause of dysmenorrhea. I've had painful cramp's since my teen's and there's no sign of them easing. Most notably my back aches, I sometimes get very strong ovary pain and double-over in agony and the first few day's I get a headache plus the bloating. No over the counter anti-cramp pill help's me so I take an Ibuprofen and when it's really painful I take a Mersyndol, which I keep around because I do also suffer from the occasional Migraine. Some month's I have less pain than other's. This month hasn't been too bad.

From my early 20's to late 20's I suffered from Amenorrhoea which basically mean's long-term irregular period's. The longest time I didn't have a period was 4 year's (I was no longer the pill and wanted to get pregnant) at the time there wasn't any talk of PCOS and Endometriosis and I felt the problem was more severe than an absent period but several doctor's I saw were just GP's and said my lack of period was probably my body adjusting to coming off the pill, or work stress and to relax because it'll come back when it want's - it didn't. I finally got a referral to see a Gynaecologist and I had to take awful hormone medication to kickstart my period's and it didn't work right away, it took over 3 month's. I still get them (when they want to come) but at least it's every month.

After trying so many other brand's and being constantly let down by other product's eg. the pad moved in my sleep or it just didn't give me the right protection, it didn't feel right, it didn't have wing's or dryness built-in etc. there's so many thing's I didn't like and past pad's have let me down, thankfully not in public.

What I like about the Kotex Overnight Ultrathins

Kotex Ultrathins are ultrathin and absorbent. I bought the 10 Overnight Ultrathin pad's pack. I also used them during the day and found they gave me a very high level of protection during a busy day. Kotex Ultrathins have micro<MAX TECHNOLOGY (whatever that is), a rapid-dry core to keep you dry and comfortable, the 3D rapid-dry core draw's moisture away for instant dryness, grooves channel the moisture into the centre of the pad, they also have secure wing's to keep the pad in place, it's soft and super thin and it has extra width and length for added protection.

I'm so happy with this particular one I see no reason to try other's. Tampon's and I just don't get along (never have, never will). I thought because these pad's work's so well for me I'd tell you about them so you can try them and see if they work for you! I don't normally post about women's hygiene product's but I thought if it help's at least one other lady out there whose struggling to feel comfortable wearing a pad it's definitely worth it! I'd also like to see more beauty blogger's share their preferred brand's of product's especially feminine wash product's.

On my blog (April 2013) I reviewed a bottle of feminine wash by Summer's Eve, you can read about it here. On the video I received a lot of comment's saying thankyou for showing and talking about this because I'll give it a try but I also received nasty comment's that it wasn't related to beauty, it was TMI. Why can't we review feminine hygiene's product without criticism?

Why don't we as beauty blogger's talk more about feminine hygiene product's? I just don't get why other's don't address it, yes it's a bit awkward but it's part of life. I'll probably post another one or two feminine hygiene product post's this year because there's a couple of other thing's I want to try, another feminine wash and scented bag's. I'll definitely write about them and let you know if I think the product was worth trying etc.

Thanks for sticking with me on this longer than I thought post. I hope there are some of you out there that are willing to give Kotex Ultrathins a try and it'd be nice to hear from you, if you did or didn't like them and if you want to be discreet, please ask me and I'll give you my email address.

20th January 2015

I reached out to Kotex a few day's ago to ask them how my reader's could request a free sample and they responded today giving me a FREE SAMPLE link. Click there and enter your address and they'll send you a sample in the post. This is only for New Zealand resident's.

What's In My Bag? [Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac]

2015-01-13T17:35:00.000+13:00

I've never made a WIMB video before so I thought I'd show my Rebecca Minkoff bag.

I hope you like it, it's a fantastic little everyday bag for me!

Let me know if you have this bag or if you'd like to know more about it, comment below.

My Affiliate link to The Iconic is in the info bar on the video on my YouTube channel.

Thanks for Watching!

Wardrobe/Closet Storage Solution

2015-01-03T14:50:00.003+13:00

This is my first post of 2015 and I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a nice start to the New Year! Christmas was a quiet one for me at my parent's from Christmas Eve and then back home on Boxing Day. I've had lot's of time to do job's I'd been putting off around my flat for the past few month's.

If you watched What I Got For Christmas I showed this storage solution and I finally got around to taking it out of the packaging, fold the clean clothes waiting to be put away from the washing line etc. I folded it all into piles and then placed them onto the shelves as best I could. Some item's are bulky.

I needed something simple to tackle my lack of storage as well as something affordable. When I saw these in the store I wasn't too keen on this becoming a long-term solution but for now and not having had anywhere to store my clothes and towel's etc I figured it was a start so I picked up two of these, which were reduced from $24.99 each to $17.50 each. I'm thinking of buying another one to store my sheet's, duvet's and a few more towel's etc.

The dimensions are 30cm x 30cm x 100cm and it's 100% unbleached canvas and the blurb on the back of the product says unbleached canvas storage accessories and bag's are the best choice for storing your clothes, especially those made of leather, fur, or natural fibres because canvas breathes.

What I like about this organizer when I picked it up in the store is it hang's over your existing wardrobe rail so you don't need any DIY skill's or tool's to fix it inside your wardrobe, it's a simple velcro system plus the shelving is heavy duty canvas, it's breathable, dust resistant and repels insect's.

Here's what I put into the two I've placed inside my wardrobe. Towel's, hand towel's, a beach towel and bath mat's. On the right hand side bra's, undies, more undies, tank top's and nighties. Not having a laundry cupboard or room in my bathroom to put even a small cupboard for towel's these were, until now, stored in a big plastic tub in my spare room, this system is a lot easier for me because I go into my wardrobe to choose clothes to wear before I go to the bathroom and shower. I could've made it a little bit neater but some of the towel's are big one's and all the shelves are the same depth.

Now that I've got this sorted I can move onto other job's I've been putting off like starting a DIY project on a second hand bookcase which I'm going to paint white look for a proper cupboard to store a few other thing's, now that we're almost back to regular store hour's etc I'm sure I'll have these thing's sorted in the next week or two. Then the next thing to tackle is creating a permanent filming setup and decorate my spare room/office and buying a few more pieces of furniture.

I had no furniture before I moved into this unfurnished flat apart from plastic storage bin's, a mirror, a clock, a few kitchen thing's and a new queen bed and mattress I bought a few week's before moving from the housesitting apartment. When your not expecting to fully furnish a new place, it can be quite stressful so I had to go with loaned item's and second hand furniture. I plan on giving the loaned item's back soon and replacing those thing's with second hand item's I can buy cheaply and I'll sand and paint them to make them look nice. I like modern but I also antique, vintage and chabby chic.

You can buy it in-store or online from Briscoes here (NZ only) & it's still $17.49 each!

Thanks for stopping by, if you have any question's about it, please comment below.

Disclaimer

This post isn't Sponsored by EASI or Briscoes. I bought the storage with my own money. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's and photo's.

Please don't reproduce my content on your site. If you'd like to share my post's on social media, please link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com thankyou.

#BalmainBeauty - Social Media

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(new) StylByMe / Twitter / Tumblr & YouTube

What I Got For Christmas 2014

2014-12-28T13:52:00.000+13:00

I thought this would be a fun little video to make.

Disclaimer
This video is popular on youtube and I didn't make it to brag ~~show off~~.
If you don't like these kind's of videos, please don't be negative.
If you like this video, please comment and give it a thumbs-up!

Thanks for supporting me this year! *hugs* I'll be back in 2015.

Top 5 : Christmas Nail Polish Shades 2014

2014-12-20T12:08:00.002+13:00

Just 4 more sleep's until Christmas so today I thought I'd share my Top 5 with you.

I'm not saying you have to own these particular one's, work with what's in your collection!

Nicole by OPI: Kourt Is Red-y-For A Pedi is from the first Kardashian collection. At Christmas I wear red, white or green so I find red nail's usually go with what I'm wearing. This red is bold but it's easy to apply and it still look's decent after 3 day's. I recommend using a quality top coat. I use Essence Gel-Look or the much talked about Seche Vite.

The next nail polish that's an around Christmas time polish for me is China Glaze: Icicle. It's a very glittery silver polish. I'll wear this over my entire nail if I'm in magpie mode but I also use this polish as a nail tip colour or an accent nail colour. It's one of my fave polishes in my collection. It hasn't had one outing in 2014 so it's probably going to end up on my nail's in the next few day's. It's gorgeous.

If your not into red or silver the next polish is a duo-chrome from OPI Spiderman Collection: Just Spotted The Lizard. I like to wear this any time of the year but seeing as I don't have a completely gold polish I decided to include this one because it's on the gold-but with a hint-of-green. I realise it won't be everyone's cup of tea. This is my only duo-chrome polish so it's unique in my collection.

If your not into any of those three my final choices contain glitter. I like wearing glitter nail polishes and if that's not your thing I completely understand but these have been favourites for a while and it wouldn't be a Christmas Nail Polish post without including these.

Australis Cosmetics: (51089) Fairy Bread is a glitter topcoat but if you want to wear this over your entire nail with nothing underneath which I do. I usually wear this as a nail tip or accent nail and a solid colour underneath. It's perfect for Christmas and New Year and I should have a backup bottle!

The final two are both OPI's from the original Katy Perry Collection. The first one is Teenage Dream which is a clear polish with pink and silver glitter and it's almost on the shade of pink leaning toward's a Rose Gold. If I had a completely Rose Gold nail polish that'd replace this one because I think Rose Gold is beautiful and please don't be surprised if a rose gold polish is included in my Christmas 2015 nail post. The final one is Last Friday Night and it's a clear polish with blue and silver glitter. Both of these Katy Perry's were my very first OPI nail polish purchases back in 2011 and my OPI Collection has grown to around 12 polishes.

Please let me know if you'd like me to write about my Nail Polish Collection in the New Year!

If I was doing a Northern Hemisphere Christmas as I did for about 8 out of 10 year's then my go to polishes would still be a bright red or red wine, plum or black with a touch of glitter on the tip's or as an accent nail. I live back in the Southern Hemisphere again so black nail's would only be worn by me at christmas for a party. Australia and New Zealand Christmas fall's in Summer so I pretty much keep very dark nail colour's to the Autumn and Winter which is start's in July.

My Christmas Day polish this year will be ...
China Glaze's Icicle with Australis Cosmetics Fairy Bread tip's!

I apologise to matte lover's out there but I'm not a fan of matte nail's. If you have a Matte Christmas nail polish post, or Christmas nail art post, link them below so I can read them.

If you don't wear red, silver or gold polish at Christmas, what colour(s) do you wear?

Thankyou for supporting me in 2014.

Have a Safe and Happy Christmas & New Year!

DIY : Repurpose a Candle Jar into a Storage Jar

2014-12-17T21:29:00.003+13:00

This is my first DIY post and most of you probably already repurpose but I decided to write a post for those who don't know how, or hadn't thought about repurposing old glass candle jar's into a storage jar (I was doing one this afternoon) so I thought it was a good idea to post about it too.

I like repurposing jar's because they're usually a good size, I find them handy to use for something else, they look cute in my bathroom or bedroom and I'm up-cycling - giving it a new purpose.

What you'll need for this project

1 stovetop

1 saucepan

1 pair of Oven Mitt's

1 used glass jar candle

1 knife

1 wax/tarte burner

Firstly, get a saucepan and fill it almost 1/2 full of water (depending on how much wax you have to melt). I suggest adding the candle to the pan before you put it on the stovetop. Wait a few minutes for the wax to completely melt - once wax has melted turn off the heat and remove pan from stovetop.

Keep a knife handy because you'll need it to remove wick's once the candle wax melt's.

You'll need oven mitt's to hold the jar whilst removing the wick's once the wax has completely melted. Once the wick's are removed, use the mitt's to hold the glass and pour the wax into your Wax/Tart Burner straight away, if you leave it the wax will cool and you'll have to go through the process of melting the wax again.

Wait until your old candle jar has cooled and then use warm water and dishwashing liquid to clean it, you might need the knife for stubborn wax inside the jar so keep that handy and then wash the entire container clean, you can keep the label's if you like or soak to remove the label or use your knife.

Once clean, dry with a dishcloth and put the item's in the jar you want to store. I find jar's are good brush holder's (if the brushes don't have super long handle's) or I use them for storing cotton pad's, cotton's bud's, hair clip's, hair ties, small jewellery, staples, paper clip's etc.

I've left the label on this one because it's a nice colour and it's in tact. I filled this jar with cotton round's/pad's and cotton bud's and a small bottle of nail polish remover and a pair of scissor's. I'll keep this in my desk just in case I want to remove my nail polish during the day.

I like repurposing old jar's of sauce or jam as they're tall and you can fit a good 4 to 6 brushes in them. I haven't gone so far as to decorate a jar by spray painting or applying blackboard paint to create a label or add glitter etc but I'm definitely looking at doing it in the New Year.

You can also use old baby formula can's, milo tins etc, remove the label if it's paper, use soap and water to clean it and use cardboard around the can to hide any logo's or writing you don't want to see and then design on the cardboard and glue the cardboard.

I hope you liked this post, please let me know what you like to repurpose and if you have any repurposing post's you've written, please comment and include the link below.

#Vlogmas 2 (07/12/14)

2014-12-07T12:27:00.002+13:00

I hope your having a lovely weekend!

In case you missed my previous update, I've decided to do Vlogmas 2014.
My life isn't exciting enough to film everyday so I'll be filming every 2 or 3 day's.

#Vlogmas 1 is here - a quick update filmed on 05/12/14.

I don't want to call these videos Vlogmas Day 2 etc because it's misleading.

I wanted to film a Haul today for Vlogmas 3 but I've lost an important piece of kit. I started looking for it last night to film Vlogmas 2 and then again this morning.

The photography shop isn't open on a Sunday so I'll go tomorrow and hopefully be able to replace it, I hope they have it in stock so it doesn't delay further Vlogmas videos. Fortunately, it's not an expensive piece of kit but important because I need it to put my camera into it and screw the fitting into the universal tripod mount. I'll update you about Vlogmas 3 tomorrow.

My New Year's Resolution

1) take more care with my possession's

I've created a bigger box to put my filming stuff into it which includes room for my Tripod and I'll put everything into the box once used so I know where everything is for next time.

Should I do #Vlogmas2014? (05/12/14)

2014-12-06T11:01:00.000+13:00

A spur-of-the-moment Vlog yesterday afternoon walking home from a meeting.

I filmed with a new setting (I've not used before) it was set to 720p. I forgot to change the setting to 1080p and I also forgot to film with stabilization mode. I apologise for the shakyness.

I'm thinking of starting Vlogmas - yes I know I'm a bit late to the party but I'm thinking a vlog every 2 or 3 day's (my life isn't exciting enough for a vlog everyday), let me know if you'd like me to do #Vlogmas. I uploaded to my main channel because I've more subscriber's there.

I hope your all having a great start to the weekend!

BronzeEyed Girl

2014-12-01T14:40:00.003+13:00

I was excited to see teaser's Australis Cosmetics instagrammed 2 week's ago, see the glittery goodness here and then they announced they were launching a Limited Edition Eyeshadow palette called Bronze Eyed Girl. In Australia it's available at BigW stores for A$9.99 but I found some at my local Farmers and I'm sure it's widely available around New Zealand.

The offer I managed to at my local Farmers store was spend NZ$25 on any Australis product's and receive the Bronze Eyed Girl palette as a GWP (gift with purchase). I don't know how long the offer is around. I hope it's still available. I bought these product's on 20th November 2014.

Considering this palette is worth A$9.95 and to make up the $25 to qualify for the gift, I picked up a pack of 3 in 1 Wipes, which I've never tried before. I needed a new Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder and what made my day even better was I picked up the very last F&F in Natural that's in the old black packaging! I spent $32 on Australis to qualify for the GWP - one was a repurchase and the other was a new to me product to try so I'll report back on the 3 in 1 wipes.

There's 6 large pan's and the net weight is 21g (0.74oz). One thing missing is a mirror under the lid. I think the palette would appeal to more if it contained a mirror but then again weighing up the offer or even for the price of A$9.95 this is't a deal breaker. I think it'd be travel friendly but it's kind of large to carry around with you on a daily basis, especially if your using small handbag's or even a clutch. I'm looking forward to using it. It'd be perfect for Christmas parties, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve so put on your sexy, sparkly party dress and create a gorgeous makeup look! I like the packaging even though it's without a mirror. The other thing I noticed are the shades don't have names or number's, the packaging is a sturdy plastic. Overall I'm pretty impressed with it so far.

I'm rubbish at swatching, please visit the swatches on Australis' Instagram here!

If your looking to buy Australis Cosmetics in the USA you'll find they're now stocking Australis and Innoxa product's here. I can't see this palette on their site but they have VelourLip's, Blushes and more. Australis can also be bought direct from their Australian web shop here (Australian order's only), Priceline, BigW, Target? and Kmart Australia and Kmart New Zealand and Farmers stores.

Australis don't test on animal's!

Disclaimer

This post isn't Sponsored by Australis Cosmetics. I bought Australis product's over NZ$25 in order to receive this gift with purchase. I paid for everything with my own money. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's and photo's.

Please don't reproduce my content, however you may post a link on your blog, website, Like and share on social media and link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com

#BalmainBeauty - Social Media

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Polyvore /
(new) StylByMe / Twitter / Tumblr & YouTube

Blog Sale!

2014-11-30T16:28:00.001+13:00

I've found product's I've only swatched or worn a little as well as brand new item's to sell, if there's anything you'd like, please comment below or on the item I've listed on Depop. I've also created a Pinterest board to show what's available. I'll add more in the coming week's.

Please let me know if there's 2 or more item's you'd like and I'll give you a good deal.

Everything is listed for Sale on Depop here!

To purchase from Depop you need your own account or create an account (free).

You need to be aware of the currency of the item(s) being sold! - Mine are NZ$.

You also must buy using PayPal only. If you don't have PayPal yet signup here (free).

If you want to convert currency. I recommend using xe.com

Phone apps

Android

Depop have an Android app (free) here

XE have an Android app (free) here

PayPal have an Android app (free) here

iPhone

Depop have an iPhone app (free) here

XE have an iPhone app (free) here

PayPal have an iPhone app (free) here

Windows

for phone's using Windows here

Computer

Depop, XE and PayPal

Note: Not Sponsored by Depop, PayPal, XE or any brand's I'm mentioning.

Some item's have sold (you'll see sold item's when you visit my Depop linked here).

I'd appreciate it, if you could share this post online so I can ship these product's to new homes!

LustHaveIt : October 2014

2014-11-26T14:31:00.002+13:00

I received my pack late last week. I've only just found time to sit down to write this post. I don't know why, but we seem to be a few week's - almost a month behind receiving our pack's (they ship from Australia) so I guess that's why we don't receive them the same month. It's nearly the end of November and I haven't received my November pack but I'm sure it'll arrive soon.

Firstly, let's start with the product's I was most excited to receive this month.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (10ml)

I've heard about this brand before but I've never indulged. I'm so pleased this product was included and I'm looking forward to using it. It's a multi-purpose dry oil for Face, Body and Hair. The 50ml is retail's for A$24.95 or the fullsize (100ml) is $A39.95. On an initial sniff I think it smell's like 4711 (it bring's back memories of my Nanna who had the entire range and let me use them).

The next thing that caught my eye was the So Susan Eyeshadow palette. I've tried a couple of SoSusan item's from previous beauty boxes and liked them. They were a Body powder puff and a Bronzer. This palette is a quad of eyeshadow's and they're totally me shades!

I'm really impressed with this palette. Great shade range, compact and cruelty free!

Next up is Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa or Glacial Clay Spa. I received the glacial clay spa. I've used MJ product's before in face mask's and hair mask's. I can get one or two uses from one sachet because my hair's short (hair mask) and one or two face mask's also from one sachet. I don't think I've tried the glacial clay spa before so I'm not sure if it's new or I've just never seen it before. The glacial clay spa mask contain's real clay, arctic cloudberry and red grape. MJ product's are BUAV Approved and Vegetarian Standard. I'm going to add this to my huge pack of sample's, please let me know if you'd like a post on my Sample Collection.

Colour By TBN Lipstick (879) Hurry Up & Kiss Me $A3.50

This is a lipstick in a red shade. I'm not a regular red lip kind of girl except maybe for Christmas or special occasion's. If this had been in a coral, peach, apricot, pink or nude I'd be more excited about it. It look's like a nice lipstick. I guess it's the luck of the draw and I don't know if they sent out random colour's or not. It say's on the LustHaveIt card there are 5 various colour's.

Inika Eye Liner in (05) Black Caviar (1.2g)

I've tried an Inika product before and I liked how soft it was and the lip colour was nice. But this is another product I don't wear frequently. I've never been a fan of black eyeliner. I have small eye's that look even smaller when I wear black eyeliner. They can look a bit bigger if I smoke it out but you can't really smoke out eyeliner during the daytime too often, at least not where I live (smalltown NZ).

and the last product is by Glamourflage which is an Awesome Eva Eye Mask. I don't use eyemask's, unless I'm on a longhaul flight but I like the animal print.

I hope everyone's having a #happyhumpday!

Disclaimer

This post isn't Sponsored by LustHaveIt or any of the brand's I've mentioned. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's.

Please don't reproduce my content, however you may post a link on your blog, website, Like and share on social media, include a link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com

#BalmainBeauty - Social Media

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Polyvore /
(new) StylByMe / Twitter / Tumblr & YouTube

Run, Don't Walk! (Unichem & Life Pharmacies) NZ

2014-11-20T14:02:00.004+13:00

In the past 6 month's my local pharmacy was Unichem but it was taken over by Life. Since then I've noticed they're stocking a bigger range of product's.

I received a brochure in my letterbox this morning and there's so many great offer's I just had to share them immediately!

OPI (15ml) 2 FOR $30

OPI is usually sold for $20 to $25 per bottle so I think this offer is too good to pass on. OPI happen to be one of my favourite polish brand's. I'll definitely buy at least 2 bottle's before this offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 28).

Essie Color Icons Mini Kit (3 mini bottles) $19.99 each

I hardly ever go through an entire bottle of full size nail polish so I like these mini kit's because you get 3 polishes and not only are they travel friendly/bag friendly their cute and the range of colour's released in the mini kit's are usually right up my street.

In this kit you get Mademoiselle (a ballet pink), Fifth Avenue (a vibrant red/orange/coral) and one of the classic best selling Essie shade's, Mint Candy Apple (mint). I think each bottle is 5ml or 7ml and considering a full bottle cost's $24 here $20 for 3 mini's is pretty fantastic! Essie are another favourite brand of mine. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 28).

Maybelline New York

Lip and Nail range BUY 1 GET 1 FREE (you can choose any lip lacquer or nail polish). MNY isn't exactly cheap even though it's a drugstore brand so this offer is also pretty good. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 28).

Revlon ColorStay Nail Envy 2 for $24

I haven't tried the nail envy polishes from Revlon. Colorstay nail envy polishes are long wearing gel polishes that you don't need to cure with a UV lamp. The range of shades are beautiful and considering these usually retail for $24+ each, this offer is ANY 2 colorstay nail envy (full size) and this offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 28).

Marc Jacobs Daisy [EDT] (50ml) $78 each

The original Marc fragrance is daisy with the white and gold daisy lid. I'm a fan of this scent but own the Eau So Fresh which is a pale pink daisy flower lid. I'm pretty sure this size retail's for just under $100 or somewhere up to $125 each. The 50ml is $78 which I think for a perfume it's fantastic! This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 27).

Vera Wang Princess [EDT] (50ml) $55 each

Another perfume I've wanted to own for a very long time but just never got around to buying. This was the original princess fragrance and there's so many spin-off's now. When I was in Sydney I smelt the Preppy Princess and I really liked that one but restrained myself. However, seeing as this also usually sell's for around $100 or more in this size I'm definitely considering parting with my money because this offer is too good to pass on. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 27).

DKNY Delicious (30ml) $39 each

Another range of perfumes I've got on my wishlist. Included for this price is Be Delicious, Golden Delicious and Fresh Blossom. I'm a fan of Be Delicious but I've not smelt the other two. I'm seriously thinking I need Be Delicious in my life too! This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 27).

Taylor Swift Wonderstruck [EDP] 100ml $55 each

My favourite of the Taylor fragrances. I remember buying mine and it was $75 for the same size as this one. I definitely recommend this scent if you like deep woodsy scent's that also have a bit of a floral. I wear this during the day and at night. I think this price is fantastic. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 26).

Other celebrity fragrances are:

Katy Perry Killer Queen and Purr (100ml) for $49 each. Kim Kardashian [EDP] and Gold [EDP] (100ml) for $39 each. Rhianna Reb'l Fleur [EDP] (100ml) $45 each. Selena Gomez [EDP] (100ml) $45 each. Jennifer Anniston [EDP] (85ml) $45 each. One Direction [EDP] That Moment (50ml) $59 each. Beyonce Heat and Midnight Heat [EDP] (100ml) $29 each and Eva by Eva Longoria [EDP] (100ml) $39 each. These offer's expire 7th December 2014 (page 26).

Australis Cosmetics

Spend $20 on the Australis Metallics AC♡ME range & receive a Blackfest Black Eye Pencil FREE! In the AC♡ME range are nail polish, Metallic Velour Lips and Glittery Eyeshadow single's. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 25).

Antipodes and Thompson's

BUY ANY 2 Antipodes or Thompson's products and get 1 FREE! Included in Antipodes is the Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream, the Jubilation Hand and Body Cream. Thompson's products are Glucosamine & Chondroitin, Immunofort and AstaMax. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page's 1 and 12).

Bondi Sands

I've heard from so many people about this Australian self-tanning brand. It's salon quality and gives you a natural healthy bronzed look. 20% off all Bondi Sands products. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 2).

Batiste Dry Shampoo (200ml) $12.99 each

My love of Batiste is well documented. My favourite is Coconut & Tropical and also Blush. I'm keen to try the Wild scent and the Mamba. Considering the 200ml can's are usually $17.99+ depending where you shop, I think this price is fabulous. I'll definitely be picking up at least one, possibly in the Wild scent before this offer expires. This offer expires 7th December 2014 (page 6).

There are heap's more offer's especially on men's fragrances and Revlon nail polish and lipgloss kit's etc. I've featured the product's and brand's I think were the standout's based on price and what's included. I definitely suggest going to Unichem or Life Pharmacy near you and pick up a brochure in-store (it should be outside or just inside the store). This is the brochure expiring 7th December.

What I also like about shopping at these pharmacies is your buying legit item's and for every $25 you spend you get 1 Fly Buys Point. Life Pharmacy have a store reward card you can join for Free. I'm a Member and I've nearly racked up 200 point's so I'll be checking to see if I've got enough point's to redeem on my next shop and let you know what I spent my point's on.

Please forgive the lack of pictures on these item's but I wanted to post it asap and sourcing the pictures would've taken up a lot of time. I figured if you haven't heard of these brand's you can see them in-store or look them up online and not posting pictures here has been a timesaver for me.

Please let me know if you buy anything from the current brochure I didn't mention or anything I have mentioned. I'll post one or two more of these possibly from other stores in the next few week's so you can get these deal's in time for Christmas.

Disclaimer

This post isn't Sponsored by Unichem, Life Pharmacy or any of the brand's I've mentioned. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's.

Please don't reproduce my content, however you may post a link on your blog, website, Like and share on social media, include a link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com

Chi Chi Cosmetics : 5 Professional Looks On The Go

2014-11-11T10:43:00.001+13:00

A little while ago this Chi Chi product popped up on Instagram. I instantly felt drawn to it because it's pretty and has a lot of wearable looks. I'm pretty sure it's a Christmas 2014 release and once it's sold out, it might be gone forever. It cost's A$30 + Shipping which is amazing!

This would make a fantastic Christmas gift, the choices of shades is amazeballs!

Each palette is easy to remove from underneath and put into the compact, don't try lifting them out by the sides because they fit snuggly into the base, you don't want to damage the product.

Each palette comes with a full length lid mirror, 6 eyeshadows, a blush or contour shade and a lipgloss. You can swap with a lipgloss you prefer, the lipglosses are all the same size, the selection of shades is amazing so you can get a lot of use out of these shades all year.

Here's a palette up close so you can see the mirror and how it looks in the palette holder.

I think I'm in love with every single palette!

So here's what you get for your money:

30 eyeshadows, 3 bronzer face powders, 2 blush powders and

5 lipglosses in Chi Chi's Best of Shades

No matter where you are in the world this clever, pop-out make up palette system will have every fashion look requirement covered. You can either take all 5 looks away with you on holiday or place any one of the five individual fashionable colour compacts into your individual travel palette case (included inside the larger palette) touch up anywhere, it fits neatly in the smallest of handbags.

If I could change two thing's about this palette:

1) I'd like that they had shade names;
2) It'd be even more handy if you had a palette eg. with a contour shade and
you wanted to swap it out for a blush that you could do it as easily as
pushing the palette from underneath, but you can't swap anything except the
lipgloss - other than these suggestion's I think it's outstanding!

ChiChi Cosmetics are an Australian brand, they ship Worldwide. If you happened to have read my post on the Chi Chi Ace Your Bases palette here I've written about Chi Chi before and probably will be in the future because it's Australian, cruelty free, affordable and easy to find in Australia and New Zealand stores or you can order from anywhere in the world online.

This palette is exclusive to Target stores Australia but it's also available online, that's where I bought mine. If I find it in Farmers NZ I'll post an update but I don't expect to see it on the Chi Chi display.

If you like the 5 Professional Looks On The Go, you can order it from Chi Chi here.

Choose Chi Chi (Only Tested on Family & Friends)

Disclosure

This post isn't Sponsored or gifted by Chi Chi. I bought the palette with my own money. The link to purchase from Chi Chi isn't an Affiliate Link. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's and photograph's.

Please don't reproduce content from my blog, you may post a link on your blog, website, Like and share on social media, please include a link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com

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[Review] Nivea Stress Protect [Roll-On] (50ml)

2014-11-10T19:12:00.003+13:00

Way back in February I reviewed Nivea Stress Protect Deodorant (spray) here, which was sent to me by Beauty Review NZ. I liked the protection of the spray so I switched to using it on rotation with the Nivea Pearl & Beauty and I've been doing this since February.

Recently, I was surprised to find a roll-on version of the stress protect. I bought it purely because it's a handy size and I like the formula of the spray. This deodorant is my new favourite. It's such a handy size, it's super affordable and available in most supermarket's, pharmacies/chemist's etc. I like Nivea because their product's are affordable, I get good result's from them and Don't Test on Animal's!

I'm pretty clumsy at applying deodorant cream under my arm's. I usually end up with the cream catching my clothes as I pull them over my head despite being super-careful, not this little guy - he seem's to like me and work's like a treat. I feel protected, it's not a too-wet formula. I've never had to re-apply it during the day but having said that I'll let you know if I require re-application in the heat of Summer. I think it has a clean fresh smell and I can't fault this product.

dare I say I've given this "holy grail" status!

I'd say if your looking for a handy little roll-on for on-the-go, then this one is the shizz (I can't believe I just said shizz) it's an awesome little product and I have since swapped from using the spray stress protect to this one and I like it so much I think the cream version is a better choice for me.

Have you tried the stress protect formula? If not give this one a try.

Disclosure

This post isn't Sponsored or gifted by Nivea. I bought the product with my own money. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's and photograph's.

Please don't reproduce content from my blog, you may post a link on your blog, website, Like and share on social media, please include a link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com

#BalmainBeauty - Social Media

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Polyvore /
(new) StylByMe / Twitter / Tumblr & YouTube

LustHaveIt : September 2014

2014-11-06T12:43:00.003+13:00

I recently subscribed to LustHaveIt. They've been around for a while in Australia but only recently started shipping to NZ but I knew it was happening approx. 18 month's ago.

I'm happy to receive my first parcel (it comes in a makeup bag for NZ subscriber's and not a box) well at least this first one did and I like the colour and size of it so that was a bonus.

All the brand's accept ModelCo I've not tried before so I thought that was great.

Model Co Lip Lacquer (Fire Red) 3g/0.10 fl oz - full size

On LustHaveIt's Facebook before this month's goodies were being put together, you were asked to give 3 choice's of lip lacquer shade you would like to receive. I was well within the cut off time I said apricot/peach/coral, pink or nude - maybe they'd run out of those so I received the red, it's gorgeous but I don't think I'm ready to rock such a bold lip and if I did want to step-out-of-my-comfort-zone I'd probably wait for Winter which isn't until next year and I'd like to use the lip lacquer in 2014.

I'd like to swap my Fire Red ModelCo lip lacquer!
(if you'd like to swap with me, please comment below)

Dr Hauschka (Bain Amande) Almond Soothing Bath Essence (10ml) 0.34 fl oz

Dr Hauschka is a German brand and I know you you buy it at the Dr Hauschka counter at Smith & Caughey in Auckland (it's the only place I've seen it) they have a NZ web shop too. I'm a newbie to Dr H. I'm going to be soaking myself in this almond scented goodness tonight (my new flat has a bath). My only negative is I wish we'd received a bigger size but I guess if you bought a bigger bottle of this and if it's decantable then you can fill up this vial to take traveling and that's a bonus. The full size is 100ml and costs NZ$44.00 here. I like that Dr Hauschka is a cruelty free brand.

Glam by Manicare Express 3 in Popping Pink (22177) 5ml

I'm a magpie for pink and sparkles/glitter/shimmer so this is right up my street. It contain's a pink nail polish some pink gem's and a nail stencil so you can put the gem's into the stencil to create a design. I guess you add the gem's to wet nail's to set them as there's no glue in the box but the top of this product has a fine tip. I haven't played with this yet but I'll definitely create a mani and post a picture either here and/or on My Instagram in the next few week's. Glam By Manicare site here.

Uriage Surgras Liquide Dermatologique Gel Mousse

Cleansing Gel Face and Body for Sensitive Skin and Hypoallengic (8ml) 0.27 fl oz

This is a sample from a French Skincare company and it's a nice little sample. I have to admit the French skincare product's I've tried have been amazing so far so I'm excited to try this one.

It has a light floral scent. I haven't looked at the ingredient's but I can smell Lavender and scented face product's don't bother me, sniffing this is calming and it feel's cool on your skin which is also okay with me.

I'm definitely going to use this product. I'd have to do some research into all the other brand's. At the moment only Dr Hauschka, ModelCo and The Cosmetics Kitchen are cruelty free.

The Cosmetic Kitchen Macadamia Wax Creme Highlighter (6g) AU$24.90

This is an Australian brand so we've got quite a good mix of Countries represented in this month's bag. I've never heard of a creme highlighter but I do like macadamia scented product's and I like the different shaped packaging of this product. It comes with an applicator under the lid. I didn't receive a product card in my bag so I had to go to The Cosmetics Kitchen's site for information on this product. It's a skin highlighter that contain's some shimmer but once you put it on your skin it leaves a nice glow (no glitter visible). I definitely will give this product a go and report back. Having been to the cosmetic kitchen website it has cruelty free on the main page and that's important to me.

My initial thought's on my first LustHaveIt is pretty good. I like they've included product's from different countries but I'd also like to see more Australian and New Zealand product's in the future because we have amazing beauty, skin and haircare companies etc. I also like a full size ModelCo Lip Lacquer was included, it's NZ$28 so this one product paid for my subscription $17.21. I received $5 off my first bag as a new subscriber through a code on Lena Talks Beauty's site here which is where I first heard about LHI now shipping to New Zealand, thanks Lena.

My first favourite in the September bag is the Dr Hauschka Almond Bath Essence, then Glam by Manicure nail art pen, the Uriage Cleansing Face & Body Gel and then the Cosmetics Kitchen Highlighter. If the ModelCo Lip Lacquer had been in a shade I'd requested it'd be my favourite because I do like all of the ModelCo product's I've tried in the past and this is a full size product. This isn't by any mean's a fault by ModelCo or LustHaveIt - I guess it was the luck of the draw for the shade's and I missed out on my preference.

I'm really looking forward to the October bag which I hope arrives soon. The September bag was late so hopefully the November bag will be arriving in the first half of November. I hope in November I receive a product card or the Lustre magazine or both. I like the card's with product info and price's.

LustHaveIt also have an ECO box, a Bridal box, a Fashion & Beauty Box and mine is the Women's Beauty Box. The prices quoted on the website are Australian $ - add about an extra $10 for NZ.You can be a monthly subscriber or they have a 6 monthly price and a year price.

Disclosure

This post isn't Sponsored or gifted by LusHaveIt. I bought the Subscription with my own money and this post doesn't contain Affiliate Link's. All opinion's are 100% honest and are my own word's and photograph's.

Please don't reproduce content from my blog, you may post a link on your blog, website, Like and share on social media, please include a link to my original post, or to my blog: www.balmainbeauty.com

#BalmainBeauty - Social Media

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Polyvore /
(new) StylByMe / Twitter / Tumblr & YouTube