2011 - The Year That Was (Personal Post)

This is what I call a personal post. That is, it doesn't really have alot to do with beauty.

I've been reflecting on 2011 a bit lately, mainly because everyone else has. NYE isn't big for me. I call it Saturday. And I'll wake up tomorrow, and it'll be Sunday.

Anyway. 2011 has been a blast for me. Highs and lows but mostly highs. Thought I'd table a few, in no particular order.

Got good grades at uni, including all credits for subjects I was sure I would fail.

Met the most amazing friends on twitter, and then in real life - this is Alissa and me.

Had my 3rd trip to the USA, and it was definitely the most memorable. We took our dragster, participated in the Cacklefest at the California Hot Rod Reunion, and met some amazing friends.

Finally got the guts to start blogging, and Confessions Of A Beauty Addict was born.

Started a new job, which I love the bits and peices.

How was your 2011?

40 Question Beauty Quiz

I found this on Rebecca's Blog and thought it would be a fun end of year post :)


SKINCARE
1. How many times do you wash your face daily?
Usually twice.

2. What skin type do you have? (dry, oily, combination)
I don't really believe in "skin type", but if I have to, it'd be dry

3. What is your current facial wash?
Currently it's Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser

4. Do you use an exfoliator?
Yes, at the moment The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Exfoliator

5. What brand do you use?
Whatever I feel like using.

6. What moisturizer do you use?
At the moment, Mary Kay TimeWise in the day and The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream

7. Do you have freckles?
sure do.

8. Do you use eye cream?
At night, yes

9. Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Nope. Never.

10. Did you ever have to use ProActiv?
Nope. My beauty therapist would murder me.

MAKE-UP

11. What foundation do you use?
It really depends. I mix it up between The Body Shop Moisture Foundation, Mary Kay Cream-to-powder foundation, and The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Cream Compact

12. How about concealer?
Yup. Either Benefit Boi-ing, or Face Of Australia concealer stick

13. Do you know your undertone color?
I'd say yellow. My BT says I'm not really anything and finds it hard to match me.

14. What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I like them. I never wear them because I'm retarded at putting them on.

15. Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Sure do. And yes, I do.

16. What brand of mascara do you use?
Clinique High Lengths.

17. Sephora or MAC?
Sephora.

18. Which brand do you have the most items from?
Ooooh... that's hard. I own so many different brands. Probably The Body Shop or Clinique.

19. What tools do you use to apply your make up?
Brushes, fingers, sponges.

20. Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yes, at the moment concealer. But I'm waiting on a BeautyBay order with Stila Eye Primer in it.

21. For the face?
Nope. I'm always allergic.

22. What is your favorite eyeshadow (colour)?
Ok that's hard. Probably neutral browns

23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Pencil

24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Not nearly as often as I poke them with mascara.

25. What do you think of pigment eye shadows?
They're great. I don't use them though.

26. Do you use mineral makeup?
Nope

27. What is your favorite lipstick?
Oh another hard one. Probably an Australis one I have in "Merlot"

28. How about lipgloss?
YSL Volupte Sheer Candy

29. What is your favorite blush to use?
NARS Orgasm

30. Do you buy your makeup on eBay?
Never.

31. Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yup.

32. Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
We don't have any in Australia.


33. Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Yes, I do some through work.

34. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
No, not at all.

35. Name a makeup crime that you hate?
FOUNDATION LINES!!!!!!!!

36. Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Neutral eyes and a big bright lip.

37. Which celebrity always has great make up?
Taylor Swift

38. If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Tinted moisturiser

39. Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I do it all the time.

40. Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I look fine without make up on.

What's In My Bin? December Empties Part 2

As I said before, HUGE MONTH FOR EMPTIES. My God I've finished alot of product. YAY.

The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited Body Wash - I love this smell. I'm getting the perfume when I eventually get rid of all my other perfumes.

Nail Polish Remover


Lee Stafford Dry Shampoo travel size - good dry shampoo. I always buy it.

Sensodyne Toothpaste Travel size - finishing up travel sizes as I know they're just going to kick around

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub - I did love the smell of this, now I'm so over it. Next.

Burts Bees Citrus and Ginger Root Body Wash - mini - this was so annoying. It came out so fast I literally got 3 uses out of it. Don't love the smell either.

Avon Makeup Remover Lotion - this is getting thrown out because I can't stand the smell. Plus it's not that great.

Dove Summer Glow - I'm over it. I'm throwing it out. Plus it's 2 years old.

How are your empties going? Are you as OCD as me with finishing products?
x

My Top 11 of 2011

Well... everyone is doing one so why not! :) My most used products of 2011. A small disclaimer: I spent most of the year NOT wearing makeup, mainly due to laziness.

#1 - Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser - this is now my HG cleanser. I had a shocking year with my skin. It went nuts, sensitive and horrible. After trying all sorts of things I finally tried Dermalogica, and the cleanser has calmed my skin down so much. Not a fan of the rest of the ultracalming range, though.

#2 - The Body Shop Milk Bath - read my review here

#3 - Moroccan Oil - I picked this particular one up in WalMart for about $6, I figured it was worth a try for the price. Then I come home and find this brand is $25 here! Ugh. Anyway, I love this product. A little on the ends of damp hair, and it fixes all my damage from straightening. Plus, you only need a little bit so it lasts ages.

#4 - tinted moisturiser - Yes, I classify Garnier in this category. Tinted moisturiser, where have you been all my life? So perfect for everyday when I don't want heaps of coverage or need to get rid of the white cast from sunscreen.

#5 - My Sephora nude palette - it's so perfect for everything. I just love it.
#6a - Clinique Bottom Last Mascara - this came in a goody bag and I went "WTF? Why would you need that?" Then I realised how awesome it is and how perfectly it grabs every lash.
#6b - Clinique High Lengths Mascara - This featured in my beauty favourites vlog. Love Love Love.

#7 - Benefit Boi-ing - such fantastic concealer. It covers my horrid dark circles perfectly.
#8 - The Body Shop Shimmer Waves in Bronze - a perfect bronzer for my light skin, with a little shimmer.
#9 - NARS The Multiple in Orgasm - I lurrrrve this, it'll last forever and it's such a perfect shade on the tops of my cheeks, with a little shimmer.

#10 - The Body Shop Moisture Foundation in 04 - I really love this foundation. I've never been a fan of liquid foundations, but I finally found this one and it works really well. Easy to apply, lasts well with a finishing powder and you can see how much is left (plus theres no wastage)
#11 - The Body Shop brushes - synthetic, so soft, easy to hold, great price point and easy to clean. What else can I say?

So there's my top 11, what's yours?

x

NOTD: Christmas Day

Late, I know, but better late than never.

I used OPI red (it's a mini and they don't put the names on mini's grrr!!!!!). and Ulta3 in Gold Digger. Nothing fancy - I'm pretty crap at nail art to be honest.

Merry Christmas!

Just dropping by to say Merry Christmas to all my lovely followers and readers, I won't be back until probably between Christmas and New Year, most likely with a vlog.

I do hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, spending time with family is the most important part for me. Lots of photos to come!

Review: Herome Extra Strong Nail Hardener

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I bought this nail hardener whilst celebrating the opening of Priceline here. Well, I've finished my two week trial and I'm pretty happy with the results.

As you can see from the photo, I'm an idiot because I failed to take a before shot. ANYWAY.

Backstory: I'm a shocker for picking at my nails. I don't bite, just pick, and peel, etc. I do it when I'm bored, and get it from my Nanna who always did it. After trialing a bunch of nail polishes I realised I really wanted to try to grow my nails again, and couldn't do it without some assistance.

In comes Herome. A friend of mine recommended this to me ages ago, and when I saw it in Priceline I went YES!. The instructions say to put it on 1 coat a day for 2 days, then remove and repeat for 2 weeks. You can't leave it on any longer that 2 weeks as it contains formaldehyde (in safe levels, I can't find the instructions but it's something like 0.05%) and this can be damaging to the nail bed.

I had significant growth in the two weeks, and my nails do feel stronger. I still had some cracking so not all my nails look this good, however it's a significant improvement. HOWEVER, you need to keep it OFF your cuticles - it did no favours for mine, they are in need of some serious nourishment.

In addition to this, you can use it as a base coat once per week to keep up the strength, and I'm no expert but I'd suggest a treatment every 6 months would be OK (I'M NO EXPERT!!!!!).

As with any product, if you are considering buying/using, please read the instructions carefully and follow them.

Herome retails for $27 at Priceline and pharmacies.

Bella Box December Thoughts and Contents [VLOG]

December Empties Part 1

Ok, I know it's only the middle of the month but empties were getting out of control. So I'm doing December empties in two parts :)

So... here goes!

Once again my blog put it sideways. ARGH

• Mitchum anti-persperant deodorant in powder fresh - this is my HG deodorant - it's relatively cheap (about $5 I think), but it works so well. 
• Cutex nail polish remover x 2 - I was trialling nail polishes this month... Nail polish remover is so meh to me... it's all the same.
• The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited Body Butter (mini) - I LOVE the Dreams Unlimited smell... it's so pretty. 
• The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter - I don't mind strawberry but it's not a favourite.
• The Body Shop Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream - all proceeds of this go towards stopping sex trafficking so it's a great cause to support
• Estee Lauder Makeup Brush Cleanser - meh. It cleans brushes. I prefer to use TBS Foaming Tea Tree cleanser for my brushes
• L'Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner - I like it, but I don't believe it protects my colour. have 2 more bottles to finish
• Sensodyne Toothpaste - HG toothpaste. It's expensive but it works, especially since I have heat/sweet sensitive teeth
• Face Wipes - I don't even know the brand - I got them at Big W for like $2. They work well to rmeove makeup, and they feel nicer than the Priceline ones...

So that's the empties so far. I'm expecting more toothpaste, body butter and nail polish remover. Nothing overly exciting though :) I'm in the middle of a massive product cleanout and trying to use up as many products as possible to clear room for new ones! :)

Do you pay attention to your empties?

My Favourite Makeup Products

The Book Every Woman Should Own

I probably haven't yet mentioned my (slight) obsession with everything Zoe Foster has to say. I hang onto every word. I originally found her through twitter, then realised she blogged at Primped, where I followed every blog she wrote. Now, she's found a new home over at Mama Mia. Oh, and incase you didn't know, Zoe is a beauty blogger. Former beauty editor for Cosmo and Harper's Bazaar, and kickarse author. She's written a few fiction books, a dating guide (co-written with now boyfriend Hamish Blake of Hamish and Andy), and this year released everything she ever learned about beauty, in book form.

In my opinion, every woman, no matter what age, should own this book. It covers everything from skincare, to how to do your makeup for a new job, to what to do with a pimple or even what to do if you find yourself unexpectedly staying at a boy's house (you saucy minx, you). Zoe writes it in easy to understand language, complete with lots of photos to show how and where to apply things. She also gives ideas on what products are great for what she's explaining, and at the back shows you what essential beauty prods you should own, and what tools you should own too. It's my bible, honestly.


I picked up my copy when she did her book tour - I went to DJ's at Bondi Junction (as a country kid it was an experience to say the least), waited for like and hour and a half cos I wanted a goody bag (they were kickarse goody bags too), listened to a Q&A and got my picture taken with her.

Zoe's Q&A with all the lovely ladies there

Oh, and I got my book signed by her. Kind of a big deal.

I was a LITTLE excited

Oh, AND.... Zoe told me I had great eyebrows. *SWOON*

Amazing Face is available everywhere good books are sold, including David Jones, and is $39.95.

Review: The Body Shop Milk Bath

Today I'm writing about a product that I can't believe I didn't know about before. It's The Body Shop Milk Bath. 

Basically, this is a powder you add to the bath and it gives you the most amazing silky skin. The directions say one tablespoon per bath, and if you put it under the running water it'll bubble and froth like regular bubble bath. The water also goes a milky colour and you can feel the slight silky softness in the water. I use it mostly in winter, as I get really dry sore skin that no amount of moisturiser will help - and this product really helps! It not only soothes it but puts the moisture back in too. I also hear it's great for kids (and adults!) with dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema etc, I always get stories about how it's the "miracle cure" for kids.

It's got a slight smell - not of milk... I can't really describe it. It's a nice fragrant smell though, not overpowering nor problematic. I also love the fact that when i slide into a milk bath, I can do the Elle McPherson thing ha ha :)

The milk bath also has a great price point - $13.95 for 250g, which trust me, lasts AGES. Especially if you're using it on babies who only use a small bath, or small kids who don't need the bath filled as much (you'd use 1/4-1/2 tablespoon for them).

Available from The Body Shop online or your local Body Shop store for $13.95  

Review: Burts Bees Honey Lip Balm

Untill recently the only Burts Bees product I'd tried was their tinted lip balm - the Liptember one. Then, I joined "The Hive" at Burts Bees website and they sent me a free honey lip balm. Pretty cool, huh?


Anyway. Onto the review.

As you can see, there's really no colour to this balm at all. It glides on like a dream, it's not sticky and it provides heaps of moisture. It's not only got honey in it, but also beeswax, shea butter, almond oil, cocoa butter and lanolin - all products we know are great for our skin and lips.


There's no real taste to this product, although it does have a slightly sweet yet not overpowering smell of honey/beeswax to it. It also keeps my lips moisturised and healthy for a good few hours at least. To be honest I've actually noticed a difference in them, they're not as flaky and dry, and lipstick/gloss is alot easier to apply and looks alot better too.


Plus, it's all in an easy to apply tube - I HATE lipbalm pots. They're a pain in the butt.


Available at Pharmacies, David Jones and Myer for $6.95

Christmas Gift Ideas... Part 2

Here we are... part 2 of some cute Christmas Gift Ideas. This one is pretty much all makeup... Spoil yourself or your friends :)

Bobbi Brown Party To Go Palette

How cute is this?! It's got 3 eyeshadows, 2 lip colours and a mini hi shine lip gloss. Great addition to your handbag :) 

$75 from Bobbi Brown counters or online

Clinique Black Honey Set

I really love Clinique, and I LOVE their gift sets. They're so cute. This kit contains gel blush in black honey, superbalm moisturising gloss in black honey, high impact mascara in black, and colour surge eye shadow duos in lucky penny and brown. 

$64 from Clinique counters or online

Estee Lauder for Michael Kors Exclusive Silver Collection

Santa... Yes please!!! I love this set and may just have to get it for myself. It's got a Michael Kors cosmetic bag filled with a golden eye and face compact, pure colour long lasting lipstick, pure colour gloss, double wear stay-in-place eye pencil, and 2 deluxe makeup brushes (blush and shadow). Cute huh?!

$125 from Estee Lauder counters or online

Last but not least.... my favourite!

Elizabeth Arden Holiday Blockbuster

I'll be honest. This is currently in the window at my local Myer, and every time I walk past I eye it off. Gosh it's beautiful. I want/need. It's got - a gold metallic palette with 12 eye shadows and 2 cheek colours, 4 shimmer powders, 1 lip pencil, 2 eye pencils, 3 lipsticks, 2 lipglosses, 1 lash extending treatment mascara, 1 makeup remover, 3 peice brush set (blush, eyeshadow and angled eye), red crocodile brush pouch, all in a red crocodile makeup case! The best bit is the price...

$99! From Elizabeth Arden counters only.

Do any of these catch your eye?

Review: Invisible Zinc 4hr Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF30+

This year I'm even more serious than previous years about sun protection. As a kid I was sunburned ALOT as I spent every day in the pool. My poor nose has scars from being burned so much. As I've grown up I've watched my grandparents and my parents get sun cancers cut out and burned off, and I've seen reports on TV of even young people getting melanoma and not being able to fight it. I don't want that to happen to me.

Oh, Kim, when will you learn?

However, I also don't like all the chemical nasties that are in some sunscreens that can cause all sorts of problems. I'm still on the hunt for a good, physical, organic sunscreen (if you know of one let me know!), but in the interim I heard good things about Invisible Zinc.

It's pretty damn waterproof - try getting it off your hand after putting it on your face. So I'm impressed about that, in addition a small amount goes a long way. It gives me all day protection when I'm just out and about, but if I was swimming all day I'd re-do it every 3 hours just to be sure, but that's mainly because I'm paranoid.

The only down side of this sunscreen is that because it's a physical sunscreen, it does leave a bit of a white cast:

IZ applied to bottom half of my hand

However, I'll take white cast over sunburn and skin cancer any day. I usually apply some Garnier BB cream over the top, or foundation depending on what I'm doing for the day. As it's a physical sunscreen, it goes on top of my skincare, so cleanse, moisturise, sunscreen, BB cream or foundation.

This product isn't overly greasy - I usually apply it then brush my teeth or pack my bag then continue on with my makeup routine, to give it a chance to sink in. If I don't that's when I have problems applying my makeup.

Invisible Zinc is available from pharmacies & Big W, $19.95 for 50mL or $29 for 100mL

Review: Garnier All-In-One Miracle Skin Perfector

I'm pretty sure every beauty blogger in Australia has covered this product. There was mass excitement when it was released, and I think it's mainly because mainstream beauty hasn't seen a BB cream in Australia. There are plenty of Asian BB creams and European BB creams but they rarely have been seen on the market here. 


To be honest, until I started reading various blogs I didn't even know what a BB cream was. For those who are a bit clueless like I was, our old friend Wikipedia can help. 

I was originally looking for a good tinted moisturiser, as this summer I'm using Invisible Zinc (review to come) every day, and it gives a bit of a white cast on my skin. However after several fails, I thought I'd give this a go. Reviews on websites like Beauty Heaven were mixed, so I figured I'd give it a go myself.


My thoughts? Love it. This product comes in two shades - light and medium. I am typically "ivory" or "nude ivory" in foundation, not the lightest of the light but definitely not honey or beige. I chose the light colour, and it's perfect for my skin. It gives a great light-medium coverage, and some days I use it instead of foundation, depending on what I'm doing.

Garnier BB Cream in light - swatched left, blended right

It's also got great moisturising properties, and is SPF15 - two great things to have. It means I still wear sunscreen, but no moisturiser is needed underneath - timesaver!


A big issue for me - is it sweat proof? YES. Well, to a point. I wouldn't expect it to hold up when you go to the gym (but then, why are you wearing makeup to the gym?) but on warm days you don't get that gross "sweat through the makeup" look/feeling. It lasts all day and doesn't really come off on clothes, phones etc, however I did set it with a powder.


Also, only a small amount is needed for the whole face so it's fantastic value for money, and it smells good - it's got a slightly floral scent which lasts ages and is quite nice - no more nasty makeup smell.


Available for $13.95 from pharmacies nationally.

Christmas Gift Ideas

It's that time again... So like most bloggers I thought I'd give some of my favourite gifts this year.. Makeup or bath & body.

First cab off the rank... THE BODY SHOP

It's no secret that I LOVE TBS products, in fact I actually work for them (disclaimer). This year there's some great packs for any budget.

The Best of The Body Shop Collection - $99.95 - ask hubby or the BF to buy this for you, then lock yourself in the bathroom :) It also contains a voucher for a premium makeover at your local store.

The Divine Hands Trio - $32.95 - perfect gift for Mum. It contains hemp hand protector, almond hand and nail cream and new wild rose hand cream.

Available from The Body Shop Online

Next up... BLOOM COSMETICS

I do love Bloom, and don't buy their stuff nearly enough. Maybe Santa will bring me something this year....

The Organic Gift Pack - $19.95 - Organic soothing lip balm, Organics hand and body wash and organics exfoliating towel. Great stocking stuffer!

Petite Soap trio - $9,95 - Morrocan mint, Lemon Verbena and Rose and White flower. Perfect stocking stuffer or add to another pack!

Available at Bloom Cosmetics

BENEFIT COSMETICS

It's not Christmas without something from Benefit, really. I found the cutest little fragrance pack, but it was online at Benefit and they won't ship fragrances internationally. Boo.

Ticket To Glossytown - $USD24 - 6 glosses - so frisk me, nudie-tude, spiked punch, life on the a list, foxy lady, and kiss you. I'd LOVE one of these under my tree this year!

Available from Benefit Cosmetics

LUSH

I do love the stuff from Lush. It all smells awesome and is so gentle.

The Tin of Pure Imagination - $44.50 - contains superstars Bubble Bar, The Melting Snowman Luxury Bath Melt, Rocketeer Bath Ballistic, Abominaball Bath Ballistic, Dirty Toothy Tabs, Australian Igloo Sugar Scrub, Jilted Elf Shower Jelly 100g. HOW FUN!!!! I think this is so cute for any woman who still can have fun, or even the younger ones too :)

Available from Lush

I'm still on the lookout for more fun gifts! Any hints or tips for me?

Ulta3 Moisturising Lipstick in Sheer Apricot and Poppy

On a recent trip to the chemist I once again had no self control and bought extra makeup. Sigh.


Anyway, Ulta3 is well known to many as being a cheap but good quality drugstore makeup line - many love it for it's $2 nailpolishes (I steered away from the polishes, but next time!)


I picked up 2 of their moisturising lipsticks in Sheer Apricot and Poppy.

Top - Sheer Apricot, Bottom - Poppy

I didn't notice at the time of purchase, but they both have some shimmer within the lipstick, something I don't entirely hate.


Sheer Apricot is a lovely, vibrant orange - and surprisingly doesn't look hideous. It's actually a fantastic colour for summer I think!


Poppy is a gorgeous deep plum, not as shimmery as Sheer Apricot but still just as lovely. I think this is a perfect winter colour, or even a day to day colour.

Left- sheer apricot, right- poppy

The lasting power of these lipsticks is similar to other cheaper lippies - about 2 hours. However, for the price I'm not too worried about having to reappy! They are a little drying, however a thick application of lip balm prior would solve this issue :)


Ulta3 Lip Sticks are available at pharamcies for $2.95.