Surviving the Aussie Heat

So the heat is back in Melbourne this week, after surviving the long 40 degree days a few weeks ago. As some of you know, I do not like the heat at all. I will sweat so easily when it hits 26+.

But no heat, sweat and shine will stop me from using makeup, so I'll be showing you the makeup and skin care products I use when the heat strikes.

Face:

Ecotools Powder Brush || NYC Sunny Bronzer || Rimmel Stay Matte Powder || Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer || Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfecter for Combination to Oily Skin

The Ecotools Powder Brush is what I use to apply both the powders on my face. Though a little heads up, I only use these face products when I'm going out shopping indoors where the air conditioning is blasting. If I'm going out to the city or if I'll be outdoors walking around I will not use any face products at all besides the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer on my eyebags. 

If I feel like an extra bit of coverage I will use the Garnier BB Cream focused more on the cheeks, forehead and chin then blended out. But on the days where I like to go more 'bare faced' I use the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder on my T-zone and the NYC Sunny Bronzer to contour my cheeks.

Brows:

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Dark Brown/Brown || Etude House Drawing Eyebrow Pencil || The Body Shop Slanted Brush

No matter what occasion, I will always do my brows. These are my HG brow products that I use everyday. I use The Body Shop Slanted Brush with the NYX Brow powder, though it does fade when the weather hits the 40 range, I like to use the Etude House Brow Pencil to line my brows which will last no matter what.

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance || Missha White Eyeliner Pencil || K-Palette WP Liquid Eyeliner || Dollywink Liquid Liner || Hello Kitty Liquid Liner || Maybelline Hyperglossy Liner

The Dollywink Liquid Liner dried up on me when I was taking all the pictures.

So obviously if I decide to use eyeshadow I will use the Too Faced Shadow Insurance but instead of the lid, I will use it on the lash line, I just dont like using eyeshadow on my lid on an everyday occasion. I've had the Missha White Eyeliner pencil for ages now and I just love using it on the inner corners, it actually does fade at the end of the day but it fades into a natural looking inner corner like you were born with it. I find that the K-Palette Liquid liner beats the Dollywink Liquid liner by staying power and pigmentation, but I just love using them both because of how quick it is to apply sadly they do smudge and dont last if I put them near the ends of my eye and if I decide to go out for the entire day. So I like to use them with either the HK Liquid Liner or the Maybelline Hyperglossy if I decide to extend my eyeliner or if I decide to rock the winged look. (they arnt waterproof but they are sweatproof for up to 3-4 hours if you produce a lot of oils on your lids)

Eyeshadow:

Milani Eyeshadow Palette in Paint

If I decide to have a pop of colour I like to use the blue or purple eyeshadow from the Milani shadow on my lash line combined with the Too faced Shadow Insurance Primer

Mascara:

Maybelline One By One Mascara || Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edge Meister

I find that western non-waterproof mascaras last a lot longer on me without smudging compared to waterproof ones. I've been using the Maybelline One by One on the days where I go to work or on days out with friends, although in the review (old and outdated) it does not hold a curl but my secret for making mascaras hold a curl is to only apply it mostly on the ends and by luck it lasts for a good few hours. For the Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edge Meister it is amazing for the heat and water, no joke you can go swimming with it on and it will not smudge and it also holds a curl brilliantly. But sadly for both the mascaras they dont last on my bottom lashline.

Lips:

Just Beyond Lip Tint in Red || Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart/Valentine

I just find that lipstains lasts a lot longer on the lips than lipsticks. I also prefer lipstains since I can make a more natural lip colour or build up the colour and make it brighter. A great staple during the summer time.

The Just Beyond liptint is what I use to make my lips just a shade pinker and the Revlon Balm Stain is what I use to create the gradation lip/popsicle lipstain.

Skincare:

Eau Thermale Termal Spring Water || b.liv off with those heads || b.liv spots got shot || Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil || Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen || Hadalabo Gokujyun

The Eau Thermale Termal Spring Water has been a lifesaver of mine whenever it gets hot, I love spraying this on my face, arms and body because of the nice cool feeling and since I dont have aircon or a fan it does make a great temporary cooler. I personally suffer from small breakouts around my nose and forehead which I originally thought was just hormonal breakouts but it was actually because I havent been taking care of preventing breakouts, I've been using the b.liv off with those heads blackheads sebum gel everyday on my nose and forehead and I've actually noticed that I havent gotten a single breakout yet since december onto today which is surprising since I do get a lot of small pimples around my nose a few times a month. But if i do get a pimple I minimize it by using Tea Tree Oil (has been dandy for the past few years) but my last pimple I got actually left a big dark spot below my nose and the b.liv spots got shot has minimized the spot and it is now unnoticeable. 

Obviously sunscreen is needed during summer so I like using the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen on my face if im out for too long. As for the Hadalabo Gokujyun I use it was my skin feels dry and not as hydrated.

Other:

Raybans New Wayfarer RB 2132

I was never a sunglasses type of girl but recently I've just been loving wearing my Raybans! I absolutely hate it when the sun shines on my face and I cant see where Im going without shading my eyes with my hands or squinting. Also with other typical Wayfarer Sunglasses, most of the ones I've tried in stores have bigger lenses which do not suit my face shape at all, it just makes my face look a lot bigger and the Raybans New Wayfarer RB 2132 compliments my face a lot better.

Last but not least... Water! Cannot say how important it is to stay hydrated, especially with all the sweat you will produce, I have been taking my water bottle with me most of the times when I go out incase I cant find a drinking tap or if I just dont want to spend money on unnecessary drinks. My brother recently bought a Brita water jug which we store in the fridge so drinking cold water during a hot day is really rewarding!

Liebster Award!

I was tagged by the lovely Basmah of laceeandlattes! Honestly check out her blog guys, when I find found her blog I was shocked at each of her posts, the pictures are beautifully pictured and the posts are well written. Quite an honor that she tagged me so thanks again Basmah!

The rules:

1. You must link back to the person who nominated you
2. You must answer the 11 questions given to you by the nominee before you
3. You must pick 11 nominees with under 200 (or 2000 if you want to go with that) followers to answer your questions
4. You cannot nominate the person who nominated you
5. You must let the people you nominate know they have been nominated

Basmah's Questions:

1. What is your favourite thing about yourself?
My favourite thing about myself is actually my hair, I find that my hair is really low maintenance, I dont brush my hair and I dont use any special hair treatments only shampoo and conditioner, yet my hair can easily be untangled with my fingers and I dont have many split ends even by the amount of times I use heat without heat protectant and the countless times I dye my hair.

2. If you were going on holiday for 3 months, and could only take one makeup item with you, what would it be?
Definitely a liquid eyeliner! I find that I just cannot leave the house without eyeliner on first. But to be more specific, Dollywink Liquid Liner, a lot quicker to apply though it has pretty bad staying power on the ends if I wing out my liner.

3. If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for?
I think the obvious answer would be money haha! But I wont be boring so:

1: To get rid of my procrastination, school starts in less than a week for me and I still have a stack of homework to do.

2: Have a neat desk for the rest of my life

3: Try to maintain an optimistic thought and life 

4. Who is your celebrity crush?
Well my female celebrity crush is Ariana Grande! and male celebrity crush has recently been Matt Smith from Doctor Who, there is something about him that I find so charming *fangirl moment*

5. What is your guilty pleasure?
I'm all about the sweet stuff and I still absolutely love eating my childhood candy, rainbow straps or rainbow belts. Though I find that they have become harder to find but whenever I see a pack I will buy one. Though not a big fan of the supermarket branded ones (eg safeway & coles), they have to be the ones from a candy store.

6. What was the first makeup product you ever owned?
My first makeup product was actually a retractable pencil eyeliner, it was the one from Sportsgirl (discontinued now i'm pretty sure). I remember going to the makeup table with my mum and I picked it up and gave it to her to try it herself and she bought it but she found no use for it so she gave it to me. Which was the start of my whole makeup journey.

7. What is your favourite food?
I love,love,love sushi or raw fish (especially salmon). I could just survive on sushi for the rest of my life and I would be so content.

8. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would love to be able to teleport anywhere. My parents are usually working so it's my own responsibility to take public transport to work or to go shop. So teleporting to wherever I want would be awesome, even teleporting overseas just to go shop would be so fun!

9. If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it?
Right now I'm actually saving up to do a makeup course! I would also buy a new house and a car for my parents and a car for myself when I get my P's and most likely save the rest for good use.

10. What are your pet peeves?
I dont like the sound of people chewing with their mouths open, grosses me out so much! Also when fingernails tap on a surface.

11. If you could only choose one, would you choose lipstick or mascara?
Such a hard question! But I think I would choose lipstick, which is ironic since I use mascara way more than lipstick. Lipsticks just have all these gorgeous lip colours you can choose from.

Who I Nominate:

1. weng-akiro279
2. chocobrowneyes
3. lynzical
4. shiwashiful
5. beautybloggr
6. paresasup
7. hannahlaurenandco
8. twoplicates

Dont know who else to tag so just feel free to answer my questions!

My Questions:

1. How did you come up with your url?
2. Which country would you want to go on a holiday to?
3. Your house is on fire, what 3 things would you save?
4. If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?
5. Weirdest dream?
6. Where are your most favourite places to shop?
7. Do you have any odd habits?
8. What is your special talent?
9. Which ones would you rather keep; makeup, haircare, skincare or fragrances?
10. What is your favourite facial feature?
11. Top 3 most played songs on your itunes?

Savvy Lipsticks in Pretty Pink, Guava and Coral

Lately I've been obsessing over lip products, lip balms, lip tints and lipsticks. I find that I just cant leave the house without at least some sort of lip product on my lips and in my bag.

Though I dont usually use lipsticks, since I find them too high maintenance for my liking (reapplying after eating & drinking and using the mirror throughout the day to check up on any sort of smudging or fading). 

I have been recently using the Savvy lipsticks that I purchased mid year last year, which I only just been using over and over again.

I purchased the lipsticks in the colour pretty pink, guava and coral during the Savvy 3 for 2 offer at Priceline, which usually pops up a few times per year. They originally costed me $4.99 each but I only paid $9.98 for all 3 hench being around $3.30 for each lippie! What a bargain.

You can take out the bottom of the lipsticks and it comes with some mini lippots. Except I find them pretty useless unless you plan on doing other peoples makeup with a lipbrush. 

 

L-R: Pretty Pink || Guava || Coral

Pretty Pink: My lips but better colour

Guava: Dusty Rose colour

Coral: Orange Red colour

I've been reaching for Guava a lot more than the other colours, it's probably been my go-to lippie during some outings. Though I do use Pretty Pink at school or whenever I just feel like a more natural look. As for Coral, I havent exactly used it a lot since it is a bit more dramatic than the other colours, I did notice that if I dabbed Coral on my lips it was a whole lot wearable.

The lipsticks glide on smoothly as long as your lips arent dry and flacky, so a well exfoliated and moisturized lip is the perfect base for these. But on the downside they are a tad drying when you use them and they also dont last for maybe up to 3 hours if you dont eat/drink.

I'm going to admit that I'm not the type of person who likes to reapply makeup throughout the day which is ironic since I do bring a lipstick in my bag even though I dont even use it. 

Sorry that these arent exactly 100% quality photos, but my camera just didnt picture the colours right. I found that my ipod camera made the swatches 90% true to the actual colours.

Etude House Drawing Eyebrow Pencil in #01

During my trip to Hong Kong back in October, I went to the Etude House in Mongkok. I pretty much squealed when i saw the big pink Etude House sign. It was quite hard to contain myself in buying every single thing in the shop, but i only walked out with a couple of items. 

While i was browsing through the store I saw the Etude House Drawing Eye Brow pencil. There was a couple of other shades but I thought the brown one would suit me since my hair is dyed brown.

It cost me $28hk which was $4AUD at the time, I know the currency has gone lower though. But come on, $4 AUD?! of course i had to get it.

Cant read Chinese sadly!

 I find that the Etude House products dont really have names for the colours they're more of numbers.

It wouldve been awesome if one day they started using cute princess-y names! 

They have a spooly brush in one end and the product in the other but i love the fact they wrote "brush -> " to show which end the spooly brush was at, just incase you get confused at which side the brush is at. But I wouldve loved it if they wrote it on the cap instead of the body part. Since I found that if you somehow took off both caps at the same time you wouldnt know which cap belongs where (happened to me for a few days) but the secret was that the cap of the product end is extremely loose on the spooly end, but the other cap fits on both sides well.

I only got this eyebrow pencil since the product came out in a triangular stick form which is quite different compared with the average pencil form. It actually helps extend the ends of the eyebrows if your eyebrows aren't as long and creates a more precise line.

Only comes with that much product

I only use this pencil to line the bottom of my eyebrows from the very inner parts to the ends since i find that it defines my brows a lot more.

The product is very soft and easy to blend out, but i find that it's hard to fill in the entire brow without it looking uneven (some parts dark and some parts light) hence why I only use it to line my brows.

Top-bottom: No product || filling entire brow || lining brows & using eyebrow powder on top

The only problem I suffer from in looking for the perfect eyebrow pencil is that the previous ones I've used, will not stand the oily-ness of my face. But I can say that this product is amazing in with-standing the heat, sweat & rain. It is amazing.

As some of you Aussies know, us Melbournians had to suffer a week of a heatwave (hopefully ending today). And I cannot stand heat, my face will have sweat drops within 10 minutes being out in the heat, it's horrible. But im glad to say that the Etude House Drawing Eyebrow Pencil actually did not budge at all. I can honestly say my forehead was like a waterfall yet my eyebrows did not change from when I applied it on until removing my makeup off.

Will definitely repurchase this whenever I go back to HK again! Simply love this product.

Giveaway Time!

 One of my 2014 New Years Resolutions was to clean my desk, it may sound completely easy but you may not know that there is literally no space at all. My desk is part makeup storage and part study table. 

I did try to clean my desk but i still had tonnes of makeup that did not fit in, so I decided to giveaway a couple of the products that were unused and unopen but also some products that I did purchase today.

I was considering making this a summer giveaway since I am in the middle of the Melbourne heatwave but some of the product wouldnt be much of a summer thing so it's a small giveaway

• Also I'm sorry if the lipbalm arrives melted, not sure how it's doing in this heat.
• The Dream Matte Powder is in the shade 05 Beige so I also apologize if it isnt your shade! :(
• I got the Chi Chi products in a gift pack and I dont use lipgloss or blush so they are unused!

How to Enter:

Complete the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post. (The first two are compulsory)

Rules:

-Must have your parents permission if you are under 18. I'll be asking for your address if you win.

-Must be following me via GFC as it is for my special followers!

-I will be deleting your entry if you dont follow the Rafflecopter

[edit] forgot to add that this is an International giveaway!

The giveaway ends on February 16th (might extend it a bit if the weather will still be hot!)
The winner must reply within 1 week or I'll be picking another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Essence Rebels Lip & Cheek Pot in Peach Punk

Anyone else remember the old Priceline?!

Awhile back I went to a small shopping centre, where it usually doesnt have much people. I found out they opened a small Priceline, so I obviously went to go check it out. They had all these sale tables covering half the store and I found this Lip & Cheek Pot for only $3.40! There were also some Essence lipsticks for only $2 but most of the bullets were already used or battered up.

This was part of the Essence Rebels collection, which I dont think you can get anymore, but honestly it is not worth it.

I don't own that many blush products since I don't use blush so I thought this product would be the perfect thing to get, as it is versatile. I've always had a thing for peach coloured lip products aswell.

There was some bubbly oily residue at the top.

I'll be a hypocrite but I find that swatches on the hand can be very misleading, so the picture above really doesnt do any justice. 

I absolutely love the colour in the picture but in reality, when applied to the lips, it's more of a peachy tint. The product also clings into fine cracks on the lips. What's worse is that, when applying the product it feels like it's drying the lips as you put it on.

I did try the product on my cheeks and found it to be a natural light flush of peach, I wouldnt mind using it if I was doing a natural look. But I have naturally flushed cheeks so I find that using blush makes my cheeks lookmore like a clown. 

Though on the brighter side, a little does go a long way if used on the cheeks.

I do love Essence products but this was a big let down.

Nivea Lip Butters

These lip butters have been on so many bloggers raves and favourites, so it's been so much of a temptation to try these out. I bought these around mid year, last year and only managed to write up a review on them now. Tad late, but I have been trying them out for 6-7 month and my views on them still haven't changed. They are decent lip butters though.

I got them on sale for $3.72 each at Woolworths. 

The day after, I actually went back to buy a couple more of the Vanilla & Macadamia since my friends were in love with the scent but sadly there was only 2 left.

Saying before, the scent of this is absolutely delicious, it is basically, Vanilla and Macadamia. But the scent of Vanilla wins everyone over. It beats the EOS Lipbalms fruity smell. 

Of course, this is unscented.

As for this, the scent is like caramel popcorn also incredibly delicious.

The texture of the lip butters are so creamy, once you apply it onto your lips they melt into a nice layer of creaminess. A little is also enough to cover your lips, I find that applying more than enough will make all the product go towards the inner part of your lips, like most lip balms when you apply too much. 

I am definitely in love with the texture, the cute tin packaging and the scents but I find that the moisturizing part of it is just didnt wow me enough compared with the Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm which is still my all time favourite.

I would consider repurchasing, especially the vanilla & macadamia just to throw into my bag when my lips get dry through the day.

Working at Woolies

First thing of all, Happy New Year, even though I'm 9 days late...

I wanted to talk about what it's like working at Woolies/Woolworths or for people who dont live in Australia, a supermarket.
There's rarely any posts like these talking about a specific place, or what it's like, I only just see people posting in forums telling others not to work at Woolies, which honestly scared the living daylights out of me before my first day of work. (btw it is my first job).awn
I've been working since the end of May 2013 and to my surprise I actually love working at Woolies.
Now I'm here to share some tips and comments on what it's like working at Woolies and also for the people who shop at woolies, what you should know that you didnt know.
Hopefully it should help the people who probably havent started their first day of working at Woolies or maybe considering working at a supermarket.

So during my first week of working, it was honestly very scary. The thought that a customer may crack it at me for doing something wrong. And I know for the new recruits they usually have a 'buddy' standing next to them, but it wasnt the case for me, on the first/second day of work I was put on a register by myself but also with another staff member that was behind me working on another register just incase I had any troubles or questions. I also had this big green sign next to my register saying I was new.
But my first month of working was a blast, I had customers complimenting how I bag items, or how quick I scan. Customers really brighten the day with just random conversations. Even staff that are on the next registers, having a conversation with them when the store gets empty.

Tasks besides using the register

• So besides being on the register, you will see other people doing "basket runs" which is where you take all the baskets hanging around registers and putting them back near the entrances.
• Now my favourite one of all is when my supervisor tells me to do "stock", it's where you go to each register and get the items left behind from customers not wanting the item anymore. Then you put them back on the shelf.
• Cleaning registers, just basically cleaning the registers that your supervisor tells you to clean.

First Time Tips

• Don't be scared to ask questions. If you don't know what fruit or veg you're scanning/weighing, ask the customer or any staff that's around. Don't know the calling numbers, ask the supervisor before starting work.
• When the store gets empty. My manager/supervisor will usually tell me to clean around the registers, clean your conveyor belt if their is a small spill or a sticky stain (some customers get annoyed when there's a small milk spill or juice on the belt.), pre-open the plastic bags, I know sometimes it gets hard to open them with cold fingers. And doing a basket run for your own register.
• If you cant open the bags. Use those damp sponges to get the grip back on your fingers but if there isnt any around, I sometimes use the hand sanitizer which helps for a few seconds.
• Make sure you have a pen on your register. Comes in handy when your bored also when customers need to sign.
• Take your time, dont rush. Until you get use to scanning quickly don't rush. I've done it before with fruits and I have dropped them before... 
• Ask customers if they want their meat bagged separately. Some customers are picky with bagging, so ask if they want their meat bagged separately, also ask that with items like, washing powder/detergent, hot chicken, pet food, birthday cards and watermelon.

[Feel free to leave more tips in the comments]

Things you should know that you didnt know.

So working at Woolworths, I know I get a lot of customers thinking that we should know everything, well maybe not everything. But most things like where a specific item is, when does BWS open, why does the bags not fit enough bread (paper bags at the bakery), specific questions about prepaid calling cards. Okay so this may be a a bit of a rant but it does bug me.
The people working on the registers are hired to scan & bag items and do some small tasks around the store. When I first started working I had no idea what 50% of the fruits and vegetables were, so I did have to ask what some of them were. Also the fact that some fruits go and change every season so I still have to learn the different fruits.

• You don't have to put heavy items onto the conveyor belt eg. 24pack of coke, 15L water, 8kg dog foog, many more. The amount of times people put 24x600ml of water onto the belt, trust me, for a weak person like me, it hurts my wrists so much. So leave heavy items in your trolley and ask before putting it on the conveyor belt.
• You can pay for a bag of ice at the register. You can also just leave it in your trolley too, but make sure you go to the same register you paid at and tell the person you got the ice. Just incase it looks like you're stealing the ice.
• Don't freak out if your parent or friend leaves the line to go get another item. I know the feeling too, I had a phobia when I was little that it would happen to me. But trust me, dont freak out, we can save the transaction and continue serving the next customer until the person comes back. Same with if you forgot to get some bread or eggs etc, we can continue serving the next customer until you come back.
• People under 18 can't sell cigarettes. If you smoke, I recommend going to a register with someone that looks over 18. Because people under 18 cant sell cigarettes. Sadly, I get mistaken for a uni student so it's a bit unfortunate for me.
• Ask at a service desk where an item is. Chances are the person there will know where an item is, especially managers and supervisors.
• Having problems at the Self Serve Checkouts?. Ask the person with a green lanyard around their neck, the key to your problem is on the lanyard, not just with a staff on a register.
• Tell the checkout person how you want items to be bagged. If you arnt picky tell them that. I love it when I hear "pack the bags however you want" it's a big reliever. Every single staff on each register packs bags differently. We arnt trained to pack bags when we start. We just have to know via common knowledge. But I have customers that want meat with meat, cold stuff with cold stuff, cans with cans. But I also get customers that want meat on top of the cold stuff. So dont think we know how you want us to pack them. 
• Want a refund? Go to the service desk, only supervisors can do that.
• Forgot to scan your everyday rewards card? Yes sometimes I forget to ask customers if they have one, and sometimes they crack it at me afterwards. It's human of me to forget. So if they forgot to scan your card, you can go to the service desk to get your points if you really want them back.

Now that's all I remember on the top of my head.

I do recommend people who maybe have just turned 15 and are looking for a job. Do consider working at Woolies. But I know some people hate it. I personally think it's based on which woolies store they work at. I find that at my Woolies, I get along with maybe 80% of the staff I work with and I'm lucky enough that the 20% of the staff usually work on the days that I don't work on so, it's fine with me. Also the customers I find are quite nice. It's the best feeling having regular customers. Knowing that they like how you do things.

If you have any questions or anything I've left out, feel free to comment below!