Review: Stila Tinted Moisturisers!

Man was this post a pain to get up! I have had it sitting in drafts since Tuesday, and wanted to post it on Thursday but the universe would not co-operate with me.
So anyway, almost an entire week after I intended to post it, here it is. My thoughts on tinted moisturiser:


To be completely honest with you guys (and I feel I can, because that's the kind of relationship we have) - I am not much of a tinted moisturiser-wearer. On a day-to-day basis I do prefer a higher coverage, but there are some days that you just don't have time or it wouldn't necessarily be appropriate to wear full coverage (when exercising for instance). As such, I only own three different types, and I'm not going to pretend to be an expert. But here's my thoughts on the two Stila ones I own.

NB: I also own the Garnier BB Cream - if you're interested in hearing my thoughts about that check out my video below!

So here are the two I own, in all their tinty-moisturising glory. One is "illuminating" and the other is merely "oil-free and sheer colour".

I think even if the packaging didn't tell you outright, it would still give it away.

Yes, the one on the right is kinda ugly.

But see my friends, this is where you that age-old adage comes into play: "it's what's on the inside that counts". Surprisingly, packaging will sometimes lie to you.

Anyway, first up we have the illuminating one:

The consistency of this one is quite thin, which I guess is what you want in a tinted moisturiser, yeah? Not too heavy. Here's a swatch on the back of my hand:





I don't know if it will be totally apparent in that picture, but maybe you can see tiny red dots in the swatch? I'm not too sure what that's all about, but maybe it's to help with the illuminating?



What you may have noticed in that above swatch is that it is a little light on my skin. I own this in Shade 02, which unfortunately does not match me very well. I have tried to buff it out, and that kinda works, but I think I might have to mix it with a darker colour for it to sit right.

That being said, I do love the way this applies - it is smooth, it blends easily and it is "illuminating".

I think the packaging is cute - easily identifiable in my makeup drawer. One more note about the packaging is the applicator - I really like it because it's easy to just get the product out and go on your way.

That can not be said really for this one.

It's application is a little bit different - you may notice the pointed tip in the pic above. There are things I like about this packaging though. For one - it is incredibly sturdy. I can throw this in my bag without worrying that it will explode open or squish out over all my things. Which is definitely a good thing. So, it may not be pretty but it is practical.

And, just because I know you were wondering, the "Light 03" shade is a much better match for my skintone. 



This one does take a little more work to blend in than the other one, but I think that's definitely because it is a higher coverage than it too.

The fact that this has SPF 30+ is also such a win for me. It does smell a bit like sunscreen which is offputting, but the scent dissipates quickly.

If you want to hear me talk some more about these products, or you want to know my thoughts on the Garnier BB Cream, watch the video below!



Do you wear tinted moisturiser often? Love it / Rate it / Hate it? Any recommendations? Leave your thoughts below!

August Bellabox: First Impressions

Yes, I know I'm a little late to the sample beautybox bandwagon, but I'd heard so many people complaining about Australia's glossybox that I was too scared to give it a go.
But now there are more than just the odd one or two companies offering sample boxes and with a bit of research I signed up to Bellabox and Lust Have it. 

Today, my August Bellabox arrived and I'm pretty impressed with the first pack:

This was their "Go Green" box - Bellabox's "pick of the natural crop of beauty, skincare and lifestyle products". 

I'm pretty impressed with the samples in this one and look forward to trying them all out. 

Here are my first thoughts on what was included:

1. WotNot Facial Wipes

Made with 100% natural fibres, enriched with aloe vera, sweet almond oil and rosehip oil, 100% biodegradeable. 

I'm definitely looking forward to trying these. At the moment I'm using the YTC face wipes and am less than impressed with them, so hopefully these are better! 

Also - visiting the BB website, I notice that YTC is the product I could have gotten instead of this one - SO glad I got this instead. 

2. Be in Awe Skincare

I received 2 calming serums and 1 clearing serums. I've never used serums before - mainly because they're super expensive - but that is the beauty (no pun intended) with these boxes: You can try what you can't normally afford!

3. LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

This is probably one of my favourite items in the box and I fully intend on trying it out tonight after my shower. It smells like roses and lemon - yum. 

4. LUK Beautifood Lip Nourish

Hot-from-the lab: not even in stores yet (hence no label). Made from a 100% natural, edible and food active recipe. Tangerine and vanilla flavour. 

I have already swiped this on my lips...As someone with very dry skin, and cracked lips regardless of how much moisturiser I slather on I was pretty excited to see this in the box. It smells like vanilla, but it's not that fake, overpowering, nauseating vanilla smell so that's definitely a pro. The product itself is a dark colour but that didn't really come out onto my lips at all - another pro. It was a bit hard to just wipe on though - con. 

5. Phytocare Daily C

Vitamin C powder individually packaged in convenient daily sachets containing a mix of essential nutrients. Free of sugar and with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. 

Not really a beauty product - but this is still pretty cool. I got two sachets and will try one in water tomorrow morning for breakfast. 

6. USPA Wheatgrass Solar Energy Leave-in Serum

Leave-in serum to preserve and protect colour treated hair. It also serves as a superior styling aid by minimising frizz, maintaining smoothness and offering extra protection for heat styling. 

My hair's bleached... I don't know if that technically counts as colour-treated? But also excited to try this out. Again, my hair is as dry as my skin so anything that minimises frizz is a godsend. 

7. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

I've seen these in Priceline and am yet to try. Love that this has no fragrance and is non-comodogenic (which can't be said for some other moisturisers out there...)

8. Emerginc Phytocell Detox Mask

So apparently this was put together by scientists. I love scientists. I love face masks. So I am expecting big things from this little guy - especially as 50ml retails for $70.00

Bellabox is a monthly subscription service - costing $15.00 a month, cancel anytime.

I'm really impressed with my first box of goodies and am eager to try it all out. I'm also really impressed that almost everything in this box is for dry / sensitive skin, which is what I listed as my skin concerns. For me, it's nice to know that the "beauty profile" isn't just something they've used to reel you in - as I've heard other beauty box companies disregard the information you have given them. 

Have you tried a beauty subscription service? Did you receive this month's bellabox? What were your thoughts? 

OOTD: Deceptive Sunshine

I have come to accept that regardless of how sunny it is outside, wind chill will take the temperatures right down. 

It is for this reason that I love layering - pile on the clothes and the wind won't get through, but then peel them off when you're thawing out in the sun! (protected with SPF, of course!)

This is what I wore to uni today. 

What I'm Wearing:

• Singlet (not pictured) - Target
• Skivvy (not pictured) - Supre'
• Jumper - Sportsgirl
• Scarf - can't even remember, it's a few years old!
• Tights - Supre'
• Socks - Sportsgirl
• Boots - Tony Bianco
• Rings - Lovisa

I think this outfit also highlights how some good, cheap basics can easily be paired together to keep yourself warm and snuggy.


What are your winter layering tips? I personally love thigh high socks over tights/stockings in Winter. What about you?

Review: Skinvitals Hydraflex Face Mask

I got this face mask sample in the Priceline skincare goody bag back in June. The packaging is okay - it came in a plastic pouch that you tear open. The model on the front looks nice and refreshed. As you can see, I did not look quite as lovely in it:

Source

Hannibal Lecter? Is that you!?

I couldn't see anywhere on the cardboard pamphlet that came with it or on the packet itself what exactly the mask intended to do to my skin, and I had to go check out their website for details.

What they say:

"Skinvitals Hydraflex Face is a high-tech mask that delivers a potent multi-peptide combination of matrixyl 3000, trylagen, and argireline to smooth away the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and fatigue. Skin is left looking brighter and more even-toned."

It was a little bit difficult to get out of the packet - the mask is made of cloth but it is absolutely saturated with some sort of liquid which makes it feel a bit weak. It was pretty difficult to unfold as well, because there are slight slits in the mask (I'm guessing so it can fit a variety of face shapes?) which make it hard to see what is going on where. Basically, the whole time I was scared it was going to tear - it didn't. The creases were also pretty unrelenting as you can tell in the above image. 

Having this on my face was a strange experience. It was cold. Really cold. Because it was so wet it didn't feel drying as some other masks tend to do which is a positive. However, I was also pretty terrified of it dripping into my eyes.

It didn't, but this is not a fear one wants to have to tolerate for an extended period of time.

You're supposed to leave it on for 15 minutes, but I couldn't handle how goddamn wet and cold it was and took it off after 10. It was a bit hard to relax under those conditions. 

It also left heaps of the weird slimey liquid all over my face, which I patted off with a clean towel. 

My face did feel pretty rejuvenated after and some of my redness had definitely been toned down but I probably could have gotten the same feeling if I'd splashed ice water on my face.

Verdict

At RRP of $15 for 3 masks it is kind of expensive for what it is. I didn't notice any amazing differences the next day in my skin, so I probably wouldn't spend money on it. 

Have you tried a cloth facial mask before? Did you love it / hate it?