
June was a busy, busy month in terms of skincare and makeup releases so I’ve decided to split them in two and feature monthly, curated summaries of products I purchased and products I was sent for review.
La Mav Organic BB Créme – RRP $49.96, Gifted
I’m a big fan of BB Crème and use one every day, either on its own or under foundation. The bonus of adding a BB crème into your make-up routine is that it minimises the products required to achieve a divine complexion. “La Mav’s Organic BB Crème acts as a moisturiser, primer and light foundation and works to give your skin a healthy, radiant glow. Skin imperfections will fade away with La Mav’s colour corrective formula, while the light foundation tint will give you enough coverage to awaken and smooth your skin”.
This formulation is a bit thicker and creamier than most BB Crèmes I’ve used so doesn’t quite glide on as easily as I’m used to. It’s also quite pigmented, which is fine for my skin tone but a little too much for those with paler skin. I’ve given this to my Mum as she likes a bit more coverage than the average BB Créme gives so this offering from La Mav is perfect.
All La Mav products are 100% plant based, certified organic and cruelty free – they are also free from harsh chemicals including parabens, talc, phthalates, petro chemicals, sulphated surfactants, synthetic fragrance and colours and silicon.
Available from Health 2000 and other selected retailers.
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Defining Singles – RRP $58, Available August 3rd, 2015, Gifted
I have one of these stunning singles in Naked Gold and quite simply, the depth of colour and creamy finish is luxe. The flawless formulation of the NEW Pure Color Envy Eye Defining Singles is long lasting, non-flaky, blends super well and layers like a charm. Combining the best properties of a cream, powder and gel all-in-one the result is crease-resistant colour that goes the distance.
NEW Pure Color Envy Eye Defining Singles allow you to build a collection of your favourite shades with twenty new hues covering the spectrum.
Available on counter or from Smith and Caughey’s August 3rd 2015.
Karen Murrell #7 Fuchsia Shock Lipstick – RRP $29.95, Gifted
Ya’ll know how much I LOVE Karen Murrell’s lipsticks {um…>here and here} and Fuchsia Shock is a winner. Warm pink, not an icy one, this lippy has depth and would compliment many skintones. A bright lip is a great way to vamp up a boring outfit, so be brave and wear this bold shade with confidence.
Karen Murrell lipsticks are of course cruelty free, ‘vegetarian’ lispticks, containing natural super-heroes;
- – Avocado Oil – provides lips with hydration and protection,
- – Cinnamon – plumps lips to make them look fuller,
- – Evening Primrose Oil – rich in Omega 6, soothes and moisturises dry lips,
- – Carnauba Wax – renowned for its high melting point, ensures Karen Murrell lipsticks do not melt in handbags.
- Keep reading to win Fuchsia Shock for yourself!
Available from selected pharmacies and health food stores. For more information or to locate your nearest stockist, please visit www.karenmurrell.com
Blinc Eyebrow Mousse – RRP $39.95, Gifted
My ride-or-die brow bff is Benefit Instant Brow Pencil. I love it. But, tbh, it’s starting to piss me off as it sharpens terribly and the lead always breaks, so I’m finding there is a lot of wastage.
Blinc Eyebrow Mousse is a different creature entirely. It holds and sculpts like a gel (I’ve tried it and it doesn’t go crispy!), tints hair and fills in sparse areas with water resistant colour. Claimed never to fade, run or smudge, blinc is ready for all day wear. Available in 9 shades, I chose the Light Brunette which is actually quite dark. I have black eyebrows, so this works, but it definitely creates a high impact look on me.
This is a great product. The colour is rich and long wearing, however I find it difficult to get a really nice defined line on my brows with the wand, not sure that makes sense, but it’s easy to do with a pencil. It does have the added benefit of anti-aging peptides for your skin.
Available at beauty salons nationwide, 0800 144 562
Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer – RRP $38, Purchased
Love, love, love this! Industrial strength concealer, really? Yes. I ran into the Benefit counter (Dave was parked in a 5 min loading zone) and said “I need an epic concealer!”, the Bene-babe asked what I wanted it to do – cover redness – 30 seconds later I was back in the car with my new best friend. I look forward to putting this on every day. It, doesn’t budge, doesn’t dry, doesn’t cake. But mostly I love it because it wears ALL day long and makes my skin look as amazing as my skin can get. I apply it with my fingers, warming it between your thumb and forefinger makes it glide on super smoothly. This is a wonder-product for me, I highly recommend it.
Available on counter or online at Smith & Caughey’s
Estée Lauder Little Black Primer – RRP $50, Gifted
Released in March, this Little Black Primer is a multi-tasker’s dream product. It tints, amplifies and sets lashes. As a primer it helps lashes retain curl, and increases the length and volume that can be achieved with mascara. On it’s own I find it a perfect, subtle mascara that’s budge-proof, I don’t get the length I would if I was wearing mascara alone, but sometimes manga eyes are overkill anyway. Thirdly you can wear it as a topcoat for your existing mascara. This is perfect if you need a water-resistant helping hand for the day.
Great product, I prefer wearing it on it’s own or as a top-coat as I find it a little clumpy as a primer.
Available on counter or online at Smith & Caughey’s
Revitalash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner – RRP $120-$185, Gifted
To be honest, I was dubious about this product when I first received it. But, after doing some research and having a pretty frank discussion with my hairdresser about how healthy hair is actually achieved, I’m now a Revitalash® convert. It’s hard for me to say I’ve noticed results as I have a memory like a sieve and haven’t actually used the product daily for any period of time (more like 3 times per week), plus I actually already have quite long, full lashes anyway, but, the science makes sense.
This is not the brands description, but I see Revitalash® as a multi-vitamin serum for your lashes. If you keep your follicles healthy it follows that you eyelashes should benefit. Designed to combat eyelash aging and stress, Revitalash® acts to protect against breakage and brittleness plus improve flexibility moisture and shine.
I’ve found the conditioning treatment super easy to apply and use.
RevitaLash® Cosmetics are available at selected beauty therapy clinics nationwide and online at www.blackorchid.co.nz.
Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer – RRP $46, Gifted
This colour (WOW Pop) is amazing. Seriously, so rich and super pigmented. It’s definitely a brave colour for me, I need to be in major babe mode to feel comfortable wearing it, but sometimes this happens…..
The addition of a primer to this new release from Clinique gives Colour Pop max staying power. It’s also non-drying with a lovely velvet finish – which I much prefer over sticky looking lips at the moment. Available in 16 shades, I’ve got the Nude Pop on my wish list!
Available on counter or online at Smith & Caughey’s
Estée Lauder Magic Smokey™ Powder Shadow Stick – RRP $45, Gifted
I struggle with eyeshadow, I find it super tricky to apply and end up removing it 9/10 times. I may be a total novice in the makeup department but I can hold a pencil, and I can use the new Magic Smokey™ Powder Shadow stick which arrives on counter next month. This is the first time Estée Lauder have offered a powder shadow in a pencil and I’m quite sure this will become a cult favourite. Even I can manage a smokey eye with this pencil!
It glides on effortlessly so you can layer as little or as much as you like depending on how much coverage you want. I’ve got the Slow Burn, which is a stunning bronze in a shimmer finish. It’s perfect as a sheer powder for a day look, or lined along my lashes and layered to create a smokey eye for night time.
Head to an Estée counter and try this, it’s so easy you’ll love it!
Available on counter August 2015 or online at Smith & Caughey’s.
Smashbox Photo Filter Powder Foundation – RRP $62, Gifted
I’ve already reviewed this black box of perfection so if you missed it, take a look here
G I V E A W A Y
If you would like to win a Karen Murrell Lipstick in this months featured colour – Fuchsia Shock, just comment below with which product has piqued your interest. I’ll draw the winner on Sunday 12th July. Good luck!
Jul 9, 2015 10:49 pm
The Karen Murrell Lipstick continues to pop up in my Instagram and Facebook feeds and it has most definitely piqued my interest!
Jul 9, 2015 10:53 pm
The product I found interesting is the Blinc Eyebrow Mousse because so many use this!
Jul 9, 2015 10:57 pm
I’m eyeing up the Benefit concealer! I’m ALL about the coverage!
Jul 9, 2015 10:59 pm
It\’s insanely good! Looks flawless on your skin x
Jul 9, 2015 11:00 pm
La Mav Organic BB Créme has piqued my interest. I haven't tried an Organic BB Cream before. It acts as a moisturiser, primer and light foundation sounds amazing. I always want to try a natural lipstick as well. I love natural organic products
Jul 9, 2015 11:20 pm
La Mav BB Cream sounds good although maybe a little much for my pale skin.
Love the sound of a foundation that covers redness and I need the powder eyeshadow pencils!
Jul 9, 2015 11:36 pm
Revitalash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner! I have heard many great reviews on this product and my lashes could definitely use some TLC!
Jul 10, 2015 5:13 am
La mav bb cream to conceal my pigmentation
Jul 10, 2015 6:36 am
The Benefit concealer!!!!!
Jul 10, 2015 6:45 am
The benefit concealer…always have a bit of redness to cover
Jul 10, 2015 7:25 am
Revitalash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Jul 10, 2015 7:28 am
Le Mav BB cream
Jul 10, 2015 7:49 am
Love the write up on the Blinc eyebrow mousse!
Jul 10, 2015 7:56 am
The benefit mascara!
Jul 10, 2015 8:16 am
These poor old over plucked eyebrows have definitely lifted at the thought of Blinc Eyebrow Mousse – Definitely have to give that a try – so over the old pencils!
Jul 10, 2015 8:23 am
Erm….all of them!! The eyebrow mousse and the concealer sound worth investing in, and the two lippies are just gorgeous xx
Jul 10, 2015 9:16 am
Blinc Eyebrow Mousse
Jul 10, 2015 9:28 am
I had never heard of BB cream, but now I want to try some! Also, my KM lippy is the besssssst, another colour would be amaze.
Jul 10, 2015 9:34 am
That smash box foundation is next on my list to try!! Dewy complexion, what can I say?!!
Jul 10, 2015 9:45 am
Would love to try the benefit Concealer I have terrible dark circles hard to find something that works
Jul 10, 2015 11:34 am
Big fan of BB creme but always to scared to try a different brand but this one sounds great!!
Jul 10, 2015 12:22 pm
Estée Lauder Magic Smokey™ Powder Shadow Stick looks amazing! i've seen some English youtubers use some similar items and haven't seen anything like it in stores yet! Love the look of those shades too!
Jul 10, 2015 12:48 pm
I feel the same about eyeshadow, I'd love to wear it but just don't have the skills and patience to perfect it so the Estée Lauder Magic Smoke Powder Shadow Stick is very interesting to me.
Jul 10, 2015 2:42 pm
I would love to try anything, i'm 31 and don't wear makeup as I know nothing about it ! that's what happens when as a teenager you live with your dad !!!
Jul 10, 2015 6:07 pm
Wow what a lot of beautiful product, you must feel like a beauty queen 🙂 the concealer got my attention… Pregnancy and tiredness does that!!!
Jul 10, 2015 8:28 pm
Loving the Clinique Colour Pop Lipstick!
Jul 10, 2015 9:43 pm
The Estée Lauder Magic Smokey™ Powder Shadow Stick – lovely colours
Jul 10, 2015 11:00 pm
Love the look of the Benefit concealer!! Tired mumma over here, need some help with these eyes!! Definitely going to give it a go!! Great reviews, as per usual!!
Jul 11, 2015 4:03 pm
The Blinc Eyebrow Mousse! I'm totally eyebrow obsessed over here.
Jul 15, 2015 6:59 pm
Congrats Talia! You have won the Karen Murrell Lipstick. Please send through your delivery address and I\’ll get it on the way xx
Nov 13, 2015 7:26 am
About the reviewer: Mother of oneShort Title: Essential for all new mumsReview:The Imonitor puts your mind at clmeopte ease. You can see your baby’s movements clearly and in colour with no time delay. The sound is very clear and you can turn it up and down. When on high volume you can hear slight background noise but this just reassures me I have the volume on high. You also receive clear night vision pictures. It allows you to wall mount. You can also zoom into any area of the video image. It has the time on it and an alarm. You can attach the parent monitor to your belt or pocket and the battery lasts for upto 2 hours before it needs recharging. It recharges fully within an hour. Portable and very very easy to use and set up. Also a good looking monitor and the nursery unit is quite slim. Prior to buying this monitor I wasted my money on a couple of other video monitors, one forGD Star Ratingloading…
Nov 13, 2015 7:27 am
Hi Winstone,Thanks for your appreciation and surppot, it’s always nice to know I’m getting recommended Given that you have a one button peanut remote you will have a 446RiS or 446RiSG (even if it has 446RLi on the immobiliser case).My first concern is that you have been able to find the case easily, an effective immobiliser is one that is hard to find and difficult to access. The fact that you’ve been able to poke around with the wires would suggest that it’s not a great install. This leads me to wander how good the connections are? If you have a dodgy connection somewhere that has been disturbed then I recommend getting the install checked over. Who installed it?Why did the alarm go off?Do you know your emergency PIN over-ride number?Rather then reply here with any sensitive info, flick me an email:
Nov 13, 2015 7:37 am
Hi Julian,First off, I really apptaciere the work you’ve done towards vehicle security in NZ. Even though I’ve (unfortunately) never used your services, I always recommend you to mates who are looking at getting an alarm installed in their vehicle.I have an Autowatch 446RLi (with peanut button keyfob) and last night it appeared the alarm managed to immobilise the fuel pump after the alarm went off’ and I’d disarmed the vehicle. Ended up trying to poke around with the wires and such when it appeared to de-immobilise the pump and we’d managed to start the car again! (phew!)Is this something you’ve come across previously? If so, is there a way around it so next time the alarm goes off I am able to disarm the alarm and drive off without worrying whether or not the car will start?Cheers,Winstone
Nov 13, 2015 7:38 am
hi julian,i have a 446 puiremm in my hiace super custom, i have two question, firstley the led has stopped flashing, the alarm works fine and so does the led , it appears that the signal from the brain has stopped woring, where in tauranga could i get this sorted and secondly id like to add a internal pizzo siren, in the past i have wired it parralell with the siren out put, i see the white wire is a siren out put will this be ok directly hooked up to a pizzo siren, also where can i get another remote.thanks for your time and effort.regards stu
Nov 13, 2015 7:44 am
Hi Viren,Do you have a 446RLi Premium or just an 446RLi? (called here)Rather then posting any siinetsve info here I suggest you flick me an email with the following details and I’ll see if I can help.Car: Make/Model/YearYour Details: location, date of installation and dealer who sold/installed it for you.
Nov 13, 2015 7:46 am
I have issues with my iron levles and platelet count throughout my last pregnancy and continuing into the present. I am well accustomed to iron tablets and their unwelcome and unpleasant side effects. Spatone Apple is very pleasant to take and appears to have none of the negative side effects of conventional tablets. It is quite expensive and I do sometimes find it difficult to find the right moment’ to take it (before eating etc) but it is much nicer for someone who is on iron supplements long term. I have waited to have a blood test before reviewing. There has been no dramatic improvement but neither have my levles dropped dramatically either. A great product that I will continue to use. No more black poo!GD Star Ratingloading…
Nov 13, 2015 7:47 am
I am sure you are aware that Hydrangeas do not fair well in full sun. Oh, they can grow in full sun if you keep the garden hose in your hand. However, they do well with a bit of morinng sun and no afternoon sun at all. I have one that is planted in light shade and it does a great job of blooming.
Nov 13, 2015 7:53 am
These stickers have been rellay useful in trying to support my son with the toilet training process. We have been struggling for a while, but with the help of year stickers my son has made progress. My son is profoundly deaf so visual tools help.he loves stickers so these have been so helpful too. With lots of praise and the use of the stickers we are progressing. I would recommend these to others.GD Star Ratingloading…
Nov 13, 2015 8:00 am
This step up stool is amazing! My dauethgr is a little shorty so the small stools don’t make her high enough and she’s too short to climb on the taller stools.With this 2 step stall she can safely climb up to the sink to wash her hands, use the toilet etc.The non-slip surface is good but would be better on both steps.Its light enough for my dauethgr to lift the stool and move it herself but sturdy enough that i can quickly use it to reach the top shelf.The price is reasonable at a312.99, however, its a little plain, a pink and blue option would be ideal or flowers etc.A big thumbs up from us GD Star Ratingloading…
Nov 13, 2015 8:02 am
I have to admit that I found this quite fiddly to put togheetr and my ability to put it togheetr was not helped by having over excited small boys nagging me to hurry up and put it togheetr! It comes with a poster with cut out slots which handily shows you where to put the mounting brackets onto the wall and then the poster acts as scenery. It is attached to the walls with 3M. (I thought it would fall down frequently like things with blutack do but it hasn’t fallen down yet). Then you are ready for action! The motorised spiral car elevator lifts cars up the wall and then you can whizz them down the track trying to avoid your car being hit by the saw and car eating / chomping machine. If you want to try and outwit these perils the track has hold gates that allow you to time the drop of your cars.My boys love it. It is simple to use and they play a competition to see who can make sure their car doesn’t get caught by the saw or chomping machine. If they do get caught they fall to the floor. They keep going back to this again and again as it is really simple and fun. The benefit to them too is that they don’t have to keep setting it up / putting it away each time as it stays on the wall. Great as it doesn’t take up valuable floor space making it perfect toy for anyone short of storage or floor space.I would say it is on the pricey side given that it only comes with one car and batteries are not included. I’d say to make it lots of fun you need six or eight cars. Overall, a fab toy for anyone with car mad boys and it would make a perfect present.GD Star Ratingloading…